Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) is to launch an ethnic cultural program to promote the value of cultural diversity and to encourage inter-communal understanding.

The program, titled "Culture in Motion", will begin with a Filipino cultural show on Feb. 20 at the Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central.

"Culture in Motion" will include a series of Sunday cultural programs featuring music and dance performances, exhibitions, and other forms of entertainment to promote the cultural heritage of different ethnic communities in Hong Kong.

"Culture in Motion is among the government's initiatives to foster the ethnic minorities' sense of belonging to Hong Kong, while retaining their own cultural identities," an HAB spokesman said Friday.

"To enhance mutual understanding, we invite local Chinese to join ethnic minorities in the cultural shows."

The Filipino show will start with a parade at the Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. Other programs include an open air art exhibition and photo exhibition called "Hong Kong is in the Heart", traditional Filipino dance performances, and a cultural show starting at 3:00 p.m. featuring performances by respectable singers Teresa Carpio and Tara M. Polo, Hong Kong Musicians Union and MIGA International Band. Participants are also invited to join traditional Filipino games at the show.

Accompanied by Consul-General of the Republic of the Philippines Corazon L. Belmonte-Jover, HK Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho will join the people to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of Philippine culture.

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2005)