Day tripper: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa meets Tai Po's senior citizens.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa visited Tai Po today to understand more about residents' everyday concerns and its services for the elderly.

He visited the 'Four Lanes' at Tai Po Market, a shopping and dining square bounded by Kwong Fuk, Tai Wing, Tai Kwong and Tai Ming Lanes with a garden at the centre.

He chatted with proprietors about business, visiting handbag, herb, clothes, furniture, jewellery and fruit shops, and was briefed on environmental improvement works in the shopping square by the Highways and Leisure & Cultural Services Departments.

Mr Tung then visited the nearby Salvation Army Multi-Service Centre for Senior Citizens, where support and development services help about 2,000 people.

He joined senior citizens in a singing session during afternoon tea and watched as some joined handicraft and digital camera classes.

Mr Tung exchanged views with social workers on helping the elderly live active and healthy lives and to continue to contribute to their families and the community.

Expenditure on elderly services this financial year will amount to $3.4 billion, double the $1.7 billion in 1997-98.