The National Working Committee of Chinese Young Pioneers "Hand-in-Hand" Children's Arts Troupe continued their cultural performance and exchange program in Hong Kong Wednesday.

"Left, right, left, leap!" Some 300 children from "Hand-in-Hand" Children's Arts Troupe and nine Hong Kong schools, following the teacher’s instruction, danced happily in the hall at Wu Kwai Sha Youth village.

The excited atmosphere infected all guests who joined the program and Secretary General of All-China Youth Federation Guo Changjiang was one of them.

"I'm so excited and happy to see that children from the mainland and Hong Kong not only have performed the slogan 'hand-in-hand' physically, but also have put love during the interaction between each other," said Guo.

At the performance, Hong Kong Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs Bureau Esther Leung received a Chinese calligraphy painting as a souvenir.

"The program was a good chance to foster the cultural exchange and communication between children from the mainland and Hong Kong, which should be highly encouraged in the future," said Leung.

At the end of the program, all children put their finger prints on a "Hand-in-hand" symbol as a representation that they promised to treasure and protect the friendship they built and will help nurture it just like a blooming flower.

The five-day visit of the arts troupe is jointly organized by the Home Affairs Bureau and the National Working Committee of Chinese Young Pioneers.

The arts troupe is a delegation of young performers, including 76 from renowned children and youth performing groups in Shanghai and Tibet.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2004)