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BMCPC - New Footpath at Junk Bay Cemetery Opens to Public

2012-02-26 12:00 6257

HONG KONG, Feb. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Commissioned and constructed by the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC), the New Footpath connecting Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station to Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery (JBC) celebrates its opening with the Opening Ceremony of the New Footpath at JBC cum Best Dress Family Competition today.

As the then only path leading to JBC, Ko Chiu Road is being used by a massive number of grave-sweepers every year during Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals. To ease the foot traffic of the road, BMCPC invested over HKD300 million to construct a new footpath connecting Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station to JBC in 2009. Already opened to public in February 2012, the New Footpath is crucial in alleviating the traffic of JBC and Yau Tong MTR Station during the grave-sweeping festivals in Spring and Autumn.

Built along the waterfront, the 1,500 meters footpath is comparatively wider than Ko Chiu Road and offers not only a flatter gradient but also a more convenient access to JBC as the cemetery is now just a 20-minute walk away from Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station Exit A2. With leisure facilities and observation decks where one can enjoy the soothing mountain scenery of Tseung Kwan O and the stunning harbor view of Tathong Channel, the New Footpath is also an ideal location for leisure activities. Managed by BMCPC, the path is open to public in coordination with the opening hours of the cemetery, with security guards to patrol the area round the clock to ensure safety.

Dr. Chan Tung, GBS, JP, Chairperson of External Affairs Committee of the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries, said in the ceremony "The proposal of constructing a new footpath connecting Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station to JBC was first raised in 2001. After discussions with different parties including various government departments, district councils and residents' associations, we decided to implement the current solution. We expect the road to be a practical way to ease the foot traffic of the cemetery and Yau Tong MTR Station in the peak seasons of grave-sweeping."

To raise public awareness of the JBC New Footpath, Best Dress Family Competition is also held today. Finalists of the competition are invited to the Opening Ceremony to showcase their themed costumes by modeling on stage, followed by the prize presentation ceremony.

Officiating the opening ceremony are honorable guests including: Dr. Chan Tung, GBS, JP,Chairperson of External Affairs Committee, the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries; Mr. Ching Kwok Ho, Chairperson of Internal Affairs Committee, the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries; Mr. Ho Tak Sum, MH, Chairperson of Finance Committee, the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries; Dr. Wong King Keung, BBS, JP, Chairperson of Works Committee, the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries; Mr Bunny CHAN Chung-bun , SBS, JP, Chairman of Kwun Tong District Council, and Mr. NG Sze-fuk, SBS, JP, Chairman of Sai Kung District Council. Local artists Mr. Sammy Leung and Ms. Ella Koon are also invited to participate in this event as the Ambassador of the New Path.

About the New Footpath at Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery

Distance: 1,500 meters
Width: 6 meters
Gradient: Maximum 1:10
Direction to the Cemetery: Around 20-minute walk from Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station Exit A2 along the New Footpath
Cemetery Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Introduction of the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries

Founded in 1913, the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (BMCPC) became a statutory body after the enactment of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries Ordinance (Cap. 1112) in 1964. It provides different kinds of burial lots and niche services to persons of the Chinese race permanently resident in Hong Kong, and is also responsible for the operation, management and development of its four Chinese permanent cemeteries.

The four cemeteries directly managed by BMCPC are Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery, Tsuen Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery, Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery, and Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery (JBC). Altogether they offer over 300,000 burial lots and niches to Hong Kong Chinese residents. Recently, the Board has established its first Garden of Remembrance at JBC to provide an alternative way of disposing human ashes for members of the public.

Since 1991, BMCPC has been vigorously involved in charity donations in Hong Kong. Every year, it makes donations to charity organizations to support major and minor works projects as well as facilities through charity donation schemes. Recipient organizations include hospitals, centres for the elderly, youth centres and schools. To benefit local charitable organisations, it also sponsors programmes on the theme of community building / life and death education to help promote various social services. Over the years, BMCPC has donated over 0.8 billion HK dollars to facilitate the smooth launching of approximately 2,000 significant charity activities.

Source: Chinese Permanent Cemeteries
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