DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOR WORK SAFETY, QUIT CARELESSNESS: GOVERNOR ................. 1
BN(O) REGISTRATION PROGRAMME PHASE II ENDS BEFORE NEXT APRIL 1
REAPPOINTMENT OF AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ...... 2
PROTECTIONIST TRADE POLICIES MADE AT EXPENSE OF CONSUMERS ... 4
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER ............................ 5
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR AUGUST RELEASED ...................................................... H
SPECIAL STAMPS ON GOLDFISH ................................... 14
BARGAINS AT CSD AUTUMN FAIR .................................. 15
ONE NOMINATION FOR BY-ELECTION ............................... 15
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 16
LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY ..................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 17
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
FOR WORK SAFETY, QUIT CARELESSNESS: GOVERNOR
*****
A RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE TO SAFETY, INSTEAD OF CARELESSNESS, SHOULD BE UPHELD TO PREVENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK ’93, MR PATTEN SAID LEGISLATION ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CREATE A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE WORKFORCE.
A BETTER INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RECORD COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH UNITED EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS PROFESSIONALS WITH EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, HE SAID.
THE SETTING UP OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS APPROACH. IT AIMS TO PULL THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION.
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BN(O) REGISTRATION PROGRAMME PHASE II ENDS BEFORE NEXT APRIL * * * * ♦
HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS (BDTCS) BORN BETWEEN 1962 AND 1966 SHOULD APPLY BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) (BN(0)) PASSPORTS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (MONDAY).
HONG KONG BDTCS INCLUDING PERSONS BORN, NATURALISED OR REGISTERED IN HONG KONG MUST OBTAIN A BN(O) PASSPORT IF THEY WISH TO CONTINUE TO TRAVEL ON BRITISH PASSPORTS BEYOND 1997.
AS SPECIFIED IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER 1986, APPLICATIONS FOR BN(O) PASSPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL DATES RELEVANT THEIR AGE GROUPS.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS BORN BETWEEN 1962 AND 1966 MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, NEXT YEAR.
HONG KONG BDTCS LIVING, WORKING OR STUDYING ABROAD, ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO OBSERVE THE CUT-OFF DATES IF THEY WANT TO APPLY FOR A BN(O) PASSPORT.
HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG FOR THEIR APPLICATIONS. THEY SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE NEAREST BRITISH PASSPORT ISSUING OFFICE EITHER BY POST OR IN PERSON. THE REQUIRED OVERSEAS APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THOSE OFFICES.
/PERSONS WHO .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
2
PERSONS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT CUT-OFF DATES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ON BRITISH PASSPORTS BEYOND 1997. AN APPLICATION MADE AFTER THE FINAL DATE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPLICANT CAN SHOW THAT THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH JUSTIFY HIS LATE APPLICATION.
A BN(O) LATE REGISTRATION APPEALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN NOVEMBER TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON THOSE LATE APPLICATIONS REJECTED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
TO SAVE TIME IN QUEUING UP AT IMMIGRATION OFFICES, ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS BY POST OR MAKE USE OF THE DROP-IN BOX SERVICE.
DROP-IN BOXES ARE INSTALLED AT THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS AND BRANCH OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
PERSONS WHO ARE NOT HOLDING PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS, WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PREVIOUS PASSPORTS, OR WHO NEED THE PASSPORT FOR URGENT TRAVEL SHOULD APPLY IN PERSON.
THOSE ALREADY HOLDING BN(O) PASSPORTS, EITHER THE CONVENTIONAL HARD-COVER TYPE OR THE BURGUNDY RED MACHINE READABLE TYPE, NEED NOT APPLY AGAIN.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 1177 (ENGLISH) OR 824 1717 (CHINESE).
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REAPPOINTMENT OF AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED MR WONG PO YAN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS FOR A FURTHER TERM OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY.
FORTY-SEVEN SERVING MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE HAVE ALSO BEEN REAPPOINTED FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS.
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP ON NOVEMBER 1, 1991 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.
ITS PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A FORUM WITHIN WHICH COMMUNITY VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS CAN BE DISCUSSED AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/ANNOUNCING THE .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
3
ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, COMPRISED MEMBERS FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING PROMINENT PROFESSIONALS, ACADEMICS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
’’THE MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN A WIDE RANGE OF VALUABLE ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS,” SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
TO BROADEN FURTHER THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMITTEE OVER THE COMING TWO YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO APPOINT SOME NEW MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE.
TN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MOU, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW EXCHANGING VIEWS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE NEW APPOINTMENTS.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE MEMBERS:
CHAIRMAN
MR WONG PO YAN
MEMBERS
1. MR PAYSON CHA
2. MR STEVEN CHAN
3. DR THOMAS CHAN
4. MRS ENA CHAN
5. MR CHAU HOW-CHEN
6. MR CHENG HON-KWAN
7. MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG
8. MR CHENG YIU-TONG
9. MR ANTHONY CHEUNG BING-LEUNG
10. MR CARLOS CHEUNG
11. MR LINUS CHEUNG
12. PROF CHEUNG YAU-KAI
13. MR CHONG KIM-LOONG
14. MR CHOW CHUN-FAT
15. MR RAYMOND CHOY WAI-SHEK
16. MR DAVID CHU
17. MR IAN FOK CHUN-WAN
18. MR WILLIAM FUNG KWOK-LUN
19. MR FUNG SHTU-WLNG
20. MR GERRY HIGGINSON
21. DR RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI
22. MR HO KING-ON
23. MR HU FA-KUANG
24. MR KAN FOOK-YEE
25. MR STANLEY KO
26. MR THOMAS KWOK PING-KWONG
27. MR DANIEL LAM WAI-KEUNG
28. MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN
?9. MR LAU KONG-WAH
30. MR EDMOND LAU
31. MR LEUNG CHUN-YING
32. MR. LEUNG KWONG-CHEONG
33. MR VICTOR LT TZAR-KUOI
34. MR DAVID AUSTIN MORRIS
/35. MR ROBERT NG .........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
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35. MR ROBERT NG
36. PROF POON CHUNG-KWONG
37. MR HEINZ A RUST
38. MR SHAO YOU-BAO
39. DR VICTOR SIT FUNG-SHUEN
40. MR TAN MAN-KOU
41 . DR LAURIE WAN
42. DR WANG LIANG-HUEW
43. DR OWEN WONG HONG-HIN
44. MR DAVID WONG SHOU-YEH
45. MR GORDON WU YING-SHENG
46. PROF YEUNG YUE-MAN
47 . MR YIP WAH
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PROTECTIONIST TRADE POLICIES MADE AT EXPENSE OF CONSUMERS * * * * ♦
PROTECTIONIST TRADE POLICIES MAKE GOODS MORE EXPENSIVE FOR CONSUMERS, LIMIT THEIR FREEDOM OF CHOICE, AND GIVE AN UNEARNED BONUS TO THOSE RUNNING THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER SAID.
IN HIS LUNCHEON ADDRESS TO THE 24TH WORLD KNITWEAT CONGRESS TODAY (MONDAY), MR MILLER SAID PROBLEM WITH THESE POLICIES AND THE INSTRUMENTS USED TO IMPLEMENT THEM WAS THAT THEY ATTEMPTED TO INTERFERE IN AN OTHERWISE NATURAL FLOW.
’’MOST SUCH POLICIES HAVE BY DEFINITION, A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON TRADE. THEY RESTRICT OR DIVERT IT. THEY MAKE MANUFACTURING MORE EXPENSIVE,” HE SAID.
’’THE GATT IS DESIGNED TO REMIND US ALL OF THE BASIC ECONOMIC FACTS,” HE SAID. ’’AND TO PROVIDE THE ARGUMENTS REQUIRED TO RESIST DOMESTIC PRESSURE FOR PROTECTION.
’’THAT IS WHY WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD IN THE URUGUAY ROUND TO REINFORCE THE GATT,” HE ADDED.
THE COST FOR ’’PROTECTION” OF THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY’S WORKERS WAS EXACTED FROM CONSUMERS, HE SAID, THROUGH EITHER HIGHER PRICES OR HIGHER TAXES, WHICH GO INTO THE POCKETS OF INEFFICIENT MANUFACTURERS.
MR MILLER QUOTED A RECENT OECD/WORLD BANK RESEARCH REPORT WHICH PUT THE CURRENT ANNUAL COST OF TRADE PROTECTION WORLDWIDE AT U.S. $450 BILLION.
"IN EUROPE, THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF FOUR PAYS AN ADDITIONAL $30 A WEEK, EVERY WEEK, ON FOOD SIMPLY TO KEEP EUROPEAN FARMERS COMFORTABLE IN THEIR FIELDS,” HE SAID.
IN THE U.S., HE ADDED, IT COST BETWEEN U.S. $46,000 TO U.S. $52,000 EVERY YEAR FOR EVERY JOB RETAINED IN THE TEXTILES AND APPAREL INDUSTRY, WHICH IS MORE THAN THE EARNINGS OF THE WORKERS SO ’’PROTECTED” .
/PROTECTIONISM IN .......
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PROTECTIONISM IN TRADE CONDEMNED MANY WORKERS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO DRUDGE JOBS INSTEAD OF RELEASING THEM INTO HIGHER-PAID POSITIONS IN THE SERVICE SECTOR, HE SACD.
’’AND INSTEAD OF ENCOURAGING GRADUAL AND CONTINUOUS ADJUSTMENT, IT GUARANTEES THAT, WHEN IT COMES, THE ADJUSTMENT WILL BE SUDDEN, LUMPY AND MORE PAINFUL.”
THE NARROW, NATIONAL VIEW OF TRADE WHICH REGARDED IT AS CHEATING WHEN IMPORTED GOODS WERE CHEAPER THAN THE DOMESTIC PRODUCT, WAS PARTICULARLY UNFORTUNATE AT A TIME WHEN MANUFACTURING WAS GOING GLOBAL, MR MILLER SAID.
’’FREE TRADE IS SIMPLY THE FREE MARKET OPERATING INTERNATIONALLY. JUST AS FREE MARKET FORCES OPERATING INTERNALLY ENSURE THE BEST USE OF RESOURCES WITHIN A COUNTRY, SO FREE TRADE ENSURES THE GREATEST GOOD FOR. THE GREATEST NUMBER GLOBALLY.”
MOREOVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT FREE TRADE WAS NOT JUST ABOUT THE EXCHANGE OF GOODS.
’’THE MARKET PLACE IS AN ESSENTIALLY DEMOCRATIC PLACE. BUYERS AND SELLERS, PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS COME TOGETHER EACH WITH A FREEDOM OF CHOICE; TO SELL OR NOT TO SELL, TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY.
’’AND FROM THIS ALMOST RANDOM NEGOTIATION OF MULTIPLE BUYERS AND SELLERS EMERGES, NOT SIMPLY PRICE, BUT A CONTINUOUS AND CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING CONSENSUS ON WHAT GOODS SHOULD BE PRODUCED, IN WHAT QUANTITIES AND WHERE.”
’’THE CHALLENGE AS WE ENTER THE NEW MILLENNIUM," SAID MR MILLER, "IS TO ENSURE THE VICTORY OF FREE TRADE OVER MANAGED TRADE.’’
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER * * * * *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED DURING SEPTEMBER, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, THE BROADEST HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, M3 ROSE DURING THE MONTH.
THE HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO REGISTERED AN INCREASE.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 0.9% IN SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 4.5% IN JULY AND A DECREASE OF 0.8% IN AUGUST.
/AMONG THESE
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AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 5.0% WHILE SAVINGS DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.0% AND 2.2% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 14.7%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED BY 2.1% IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.5% EACH IN BOTH JULY AND AUGUST.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 2.8% AND 1.4% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 5.0%.
IN SEPTEMBER, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS DECREASED BY 0.6% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 6.2% AND 0.9% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 10.6% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 26.1% AND 10.6% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 DECREASED BY 2.5% IN SEPTEMBER WHILE BOTH HK$M2 AND HKSM3 INCREASED BY 0.9%.
THEIR CORRESPONDING RATES OF CHANGE IN AUGUST WERE +3.9%, -0.5% AND -0.5% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 3.7%, 16.5% AND 15.3% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml DECREASED BY 2.1% WHILE BOTH TOTAL M2 AND M3 DECREASED BY 0.5% IN SEPTEMBER.
IN AUGUST TOTAL Ml GREW BY 4.3% WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 SHOWED NO CHANGE.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY' AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 5.9%, 11.2% AND 10.3% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY' AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED LITTLE CHANGE DURING SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.1% AND 0.9% IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE LOANS, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS INCREASED BY 0.7% WHILE FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS DECREASED BY 0.3%.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 15.0% AND 12.8% RESPECTIVELY.
/LOANS TO .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.8% IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.4% AND 0.04% IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 15.6%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.2% IN SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.6% AND 0.3% IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 15.3%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.6% IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.4% AND 1.3% IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 12.2%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 3.4% DURING SEPTEMBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 3.2% IN JULY AND A DECREASE OF 2.0% IN AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 10.8%.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG (EXCLUDING THOSE FOR TRADE FINANCING) INCREASED BY 5.2%.
OF THESE, LOANS FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING DECREASED BY 0.3%, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 9.5% AND 6.9% IN THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTER RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 23.6%. LOANS TO BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SECTOR ROSE BY 8.6% DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.2% AND 8.3% DURING THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS.
4 <'r’
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 27.5%.
LOANS TO WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE INCREASED BY 3.9% DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 5.5% AND 6.0% DURING THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 18.0%. LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (EXCLUDING AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) INCREASED BY 3.5% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 9.4% DURING THE FIRST QUARTER AND A DECREASE OF 0.5% DURING THE SECOND QUARTER.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 8.4%.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) SLOWED DOWN SLIGHTLY TO 5.9% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.0% AND 6.0% IN THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS.
/YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE ........
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YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 14.7%.
QUARTERLY HONG KONG DOLLAR EXTERNAL CLAIMS ON AND LIABILITIES TO BANKS OUTSIDE HONG KONG
AS AT END-SEPTEMBER, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR EXTERNAL CLAIMS ON AND LIABILITIES TO BANKS OUTSIDE HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO HK$70.9 BILLION AND HK$135 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE, HONG KONG DOLLAR EXTERNAL CLAIMS ON AND LIABILITIES TO BANKS IN CHINA AMOUNTED TO HK$38.0 BILLION AND HK$82.2 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THE NET HONG KONG DOLLAR LIABILITIES TO BANKS IN CHINA DECLINED BY 9.0% FROM HKS48.6 BILLION AS AT END-JUNE TO HK$44.2 BILLION AS AT END-SEPTEMBER.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY TWO TO 167.
THE NUMBER OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 56 WHILE THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 143.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS.
TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
/TABLE 1 : .......
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TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - SEP 1993
(HKSmn)
Sep 1993 Earlier months (% change to Sep 1993)
Money Supply Aug 1993 Jun 1993 Sep 1992
Ml -HKS 155,162 159,075 ( -2.5 ) 156,012 ( -0.5 ) 149,595 ( 3.7 )
Foreign currency 20,044 19,935 ( 0.5 ) 18,629 ( 7.6 ) 15,830 ( 26.6 )
Total 175,206 179,010 ( -2.1 ) 174,641 ( 0.3 ) 165,425 ( 5.9 )
M2 - HKS* 839,114 831,582 ( 0.9 ) 800,744 ( 4.8 ) 719,965 ( 16.5 )
Foreign currency* 829,505 844,859 ( -1.8 ) 836,454 ( -0.8 ) 780,254 ( 6.3 )
Total 1,668,619 1,676,441 ( -0.5 ) 1,637,199 ( 1.9 ) 1,500,219 ( 11.2 )
M3 - HKS* 855,680 847.733 ( 0.9 ) 817,479 ( 4.7 ) 742,406 ( 15.3 )
Foreign currency* 861,769 877,884 ( -1.8 ) 869,001 ( -0.8 ) 815,111 ( 5.7 )
Total 1,717,450 1,725,617 ( -0.5 ) 1,686,481 ( 1.8 ) 1,557,518 ( 10.3 )
Notes and coins in circulation 69,215 68,336 ( 1.3 ) 65,453 ( 5.7 ) 56,299 ( 22.9 )
of which held by public 61,013 59,993 ( 1.7 ) 58,026 ( 5.1 ) 48,957 ( 24.6 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 114,193 119,017 ( 4.1 ) 116,615 ( -2.1 ) 116,468 ( -2.0 )
Total Savings deposits 397,090 391,347 ( 1.5 ) 385,631 ( 3.0 ) 351,317 ( 13.0 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 1,075,580 1,085,717 ( -0.9 ) 1,058,291 ( 1.6 ) 967,129 ( 11.2 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 26,276 28,019 ( -6.2 ) 28,276 ( -7.1 ) 35,543 ( -26.1 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 17,662 17,819 ( -0.9 ) 17,863 ( -1.1 ) 19,754 ( -10.6 )
HKS deposits* 779,682 772,974 ( 0.9 ) 745,951 ( 4.5 ) 679,547 ( 14.7 )
USS deposits* 405,708 417,214 ( -2.8 ) 402,439 ( 0.8 ) 367,338 ( 10.4 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 445,412 451,732 ( -1.4 ) 458,286 ( -2.8 ) 443,326 ( 0.5 )
All deposits 1,630,802 1,641,920 ( -0.7 ) 1,606,675 ( 1.5 ) 1,490,211 ( 9.4 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 66,620 64,062 ( 4.0 ) 60,975 ( 9.3 ) 51,317 ( 29.8 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance U.K.’s visible trade 103,113 103,901 ( -0.8 ) 102,422 ( 0.7 ) 89,173 ( 15.6 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 12,324 12,761 ( -3.4 ) 12,612 ( -2.3 ) 11,126 ( 10.8 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 1,052,591 1,040,149 ( 1.2 ) 1,000,948 ( 5.2 ) 912,534 ( 15.3 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,651,266 1,662,054 ( -0.6 ) 1,619,041 ( 2.0 ) 1,471,180 ( 12.2 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 42,401 42,639 ( -0.6 ) 42,678 ( -0.6 ) 37,440 ( 13.3 15.0, )
Loans in HKS 930,740 924,290 ( 0.7 ) 894,935 ( 4.0 ) 809,135 ( )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,930,957 1,937,213 ( -0.3 ) 1,882,765 ( 2.6 ) 1,712,319 ( 12.8 )
Total loans and advances 2,861,697 2,861.503 ( 0.0 ) 2,777,701 ( 3.0 ) 2,521,453 ( : 13.5 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : ’Restricted licence banks’ and ’deposit-taking companies’ were known as ’licensed deposit-taking companies’ and ’registered deposit-taking companies* respectively before 1 February 1990.
/TABLE 2 : .......
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TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - SEP 1993
Sep 1993
Earlier quarters (% change to Sep 1993)
Sectors Jun 1993 Mar 1993 Sep 1992
Manufacturing 74,373 74,589 ( -0.3 ) 69,783 ( 6.6 ) 60,183 ( 23.6 )
Transport and transport equipment 64,067 62,586 ( 2.4 ) 59,287 ( 8.1 ) 54,894 ( 16.7 )
Building, construction, property development and investment 172,704 159,024 ( 8.6 ) 146,776 ( 17.7 ) 135,421 ( 27.5 )
Wholesale and retail trade 102,445 98,569 ( 3.9 ) 92,965 ( 10.2 ) 86,826 ( 18.0 )
Financial concerns * Individuals: 141,109 136,344 ( 3.5 ) 137,010 ( 3.0 ) 130,181 ( 8.4 )
to purchase flats in the Home Ownership Scheme and Private Sector Participation Scheme 32,181 26,357 ( 22.1 ) 24,714 ( 30.2 ) 20,400 ( 57.8 )
to purchase other residential property 230,018 217,112 ( 5.9 ) 204,734 ( 12.3 ) 200,465 ( 14.7 )
other purposes 100,595 95,276 ( 5.6 ) 92,484 ( 8.8 ) 83,446 ( 20.6 )
Others 135,099 131,091 ( 3.1 ) 139,956 ( -3.5 ) 140,718 ( -4.0 )
Total 1,052,591 1,000,948 ( 5.2 ) 967,709 ( 8.8 ) 912,534 ( 15.3 )
♦ This excludes funds advanced to authorized institutions.
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/Il ........
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES
SURVEY FOR AUGUST RELEASED
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN AUGUST 1993, ESTIMATED AT $16.1 BILLION, INCREASED 11% WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1992, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 4% IN VOLUME TERMS.
WITHIN THE OVERALL INCREASE, THERE WAS A STRONG GROWTH IN SPENDING ON CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, AND A NOTABLE GROWTH IN FUELS.
BUT THIS WAS OFFSET TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT BY A DECLINE IN SPENDING ON MOTOR VEHICLES AND JEWELLERY AND WATCHES.
SALES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR REGISTERED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN AUGUST 1993 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, 38% IN VALUE AND 27% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF FUELS WENT UP CONSIDERABLY BY 14% IN VALUE AND 9% IN VOLUME. SALES IN OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS INCREASED 11% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME.
INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED FOR SALES IN SUPERMARKETS, 9% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME; AND SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, 4% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES DROPPED BY 1% IN VOLUME, DESPITE AN INCREASE OF 6% IN VALUE. SIMILARLY, SALES OF JEWELLERY AND WATCHES DECREASED BY 8% IN VOLUME, BUT ROSE SLIGHTLY BY 1% IN VALUE.
SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES DECREASED BY 12% IN VALUE AND 19% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 13% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH JULY 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN AUGUST 1993 INCREASED 2% BOTH IN VALUE AND IN VOLUME.
THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES IS DERIVED FROM THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER ADJUSTING FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS DEFLATORS.
/THE REPORT .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
12 -
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE AUGUST 1993 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL: 802 1258).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JULY 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR AUGUST 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES IN JULY AND AUGUST 1993 FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS AND BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF THE AUGUST 1993 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JULY 1993 AND WITH THOSE FOR AUGUST 1992, AS WELL AS COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 : .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
13
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for August 1993 (Provisional Figure) = HKS16,069.9 million
for July 1993 (Revised Figure) = HKS15,766.6 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JULY 1993 AND AUGUST 1993
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Item Index of Retai I Sales July 1993 August 1993 August compar July 1993 &d with 1993 August compar August 1993 ed with 1992 Jan-Aug. 1993 compared with Jan-Aug. 1992
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points % Points % Points %
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS
Value 167.9 171.1 ♦3.2 +1.9 ♦ 16.9 ♦11.0 +17.7 +12.9
Volume 138.6 141.2 ♦2.6 ♦1.9 ♦5.2 ♦3.9 ♦9.2 +7.6
(B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 128.1 134.5 +6.5 +5.0 +13.7 ♦11.4 ♦7.4 +6.4
drinks and tobacco Volume 102.0 108.1 +6.2 +6.1 +5.4 +5.3 ♦1.7 +1.7
(other than supermarkets)
Supermarkets 0 Value 145.1 144.4 -0.7 -0.5 ♦11.4 ♦8.6 ♦11.7 +9.2
Volume 110.2 109.2 -0.9 -0.8 +1.5 ♦1.4 ♦2.2 +2.1
Fuels Value 167.4 166.7 -0.7 -0.4 +20.5 +14.0 ♦12.5 +9.5
Volume 122.1 121.9 -0.2 -0.2 +10.1 ♦9.0 +4.3 +4.2
Clothing, footwear and Value 211.1 238.7 ♦27.6 +13.1 ♦65.1 +37.5 +48.2 +32.5
allied products Volume 162.4 185.2 ♦22.8 ♦14.0 +39.4 ♦27.1 ♦28.1 +22.3
Consumer durable goods * Value 183.3 177.4 -5.9 -3.2 -6.1 -3.3 ♦12.6 +7.9
Volune 157.1 154.0 -3.1 -2.0 -11.8 -7.1 +6.4 +4.4
- Motor vehicles Value 219.3 180.5 -38.8 -17.7 -23.9 -11.7 -3.8 -2.0
and parts Volume 170.4 139.2 -31.3 -18.3 -33.2 -19.3 -14.4 -9.0
- Consumer durable Value 157.2 175.2 +18.0 ♦11.4 +6.8 +4.0 +24.6 +17.5
goods other than Volume 147.4 164.7 +17.3 ♦11.7 ♦3.7 +2.3 ♦21.4 +16.1
motor vehicles
and parts
Department stores Value 156.1 158.4 +2.3 +1.5 +9.0 +6.0 ♦14.2 +11.1
Volume 124.2 127.0 ♦2.8 +2.2 -1.3 ■1.0 ♦4.1 +3.7
Jewellery, watches Value 156.2 147.2 -9.1 -5.8 +1.2 ♦0.8 ♦15.1 +11.3
and clocks, and Volume 150.2 138.8 -11.4 -7.6 -11.5 -7.7 +13.9 +10.0
valuable gifts
Other consumer goods Value 192.5 204.5 ♦ 12.0 +6.3 +41.6 +25.6 +22.9 +16.2
not elsewhere Volume 159.1 169.0 ♦10.0 +6.3 +28.0 +19.8 +12.5 +10.1
classified
NOTES : 0 Not including supermarkets operating in department stores.
* This covers both "Motor vehicles and parts" and "Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts".
0----------
/14 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
14
SPECIAL STAMPS ON GOLDFISH
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL MR M PAGLIARI ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS WOULD BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 17 ON THE THEME OF "HONG KONG GOLDFISH".
THERE WILL BE FOUR DENOMINATIONS: $1, $1.90, $2.40 AND $5.
A SOUVENIR SHEET INCORPORATING THE FOUR STAMPS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED.
THE STAMPS ARE DESIGNED BY MR NELPHEN YUNG AND PRINTED BY LEIGH-MARDON PTY LTD OF AUSTRALIA.
THE STAMPS FEATURE FOUR VARIETIES OF GOLDFISH COMMONLY FOUND IN HONG KONG: RED CALICO EGG-FISH ($1), RED CAP ORANDA ($1.90), RED AND WHITE FRINGETAIL ($2.40) AND BLACK AND GOLD DRAGON-EYE ($5).
FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC, THE STAMPS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE AS FROM NOVEMBER 3.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES, EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, AS FROM NOVEMBER 3 AT $1 EACH.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICED COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM NOVEMBER 3 TO 9.
THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF COVERS PER ORDER IS FIVE.
A RESTRICTION OF TWO SHEETS OF STAMPS OF EACH DENOMINATION (100 SETS) AND 10 SOUVENIR SHEETS PER CUSTOMER QUEUEING WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
FIRST DAY COVERS AFFIXED WITH A SET OF THE HONG KONG GOLDFISH STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARK WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES AT $13.30 EACH:
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
GENERAL POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING "FIRST DAY" INDICATION ON NOVEMBER 17, 1993 AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
------0 - -
/15........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
- 15 -
BARGAINS AT CSD AUTUMN FAIR
* * * * *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) WILL HOLD ITS AUTUMN FAIR IN STANLEY FOOTBALL FIELD (NEAR STANLEY PRISON) ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 6).
ADMISSION IS FREE, ALL ARE WELCOME.
ON SALE AT THE FAIR WILL BE ARTS AND HANDICRAFT PRODUCTS INCLUDING STUFFED TOYS, RATTAN AND WOODEN FURNITURE.
THE PRODUCTS ARE MADE BY INMATES OF VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR SPARE TIME.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FAIR IS TO MOTIVATE THE INMATES TO ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THEIR FUTURE AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY.
THE FAIR HAD SUCCESSFULLY RAISED A TOTAL OF $1.1 MILLION LAST YEAR.
"THIS FAIR IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY AND IS AN ESTABLISHED PART OF OUR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5 PM. LADY MAY TANG WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR TO OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
APART FROM SOME 30 STALLS, THERE WILL ALSO BE GAME STALLS FOR CHILDREN.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG PARACHUTE CLUB, WUSHU TEAM OF HONG KONG WUSHU UNION, LEE’S DANCE GROUP, SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, CSD DOG UNIT, TAI TAM GIRLS’ PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM AND CAPE COLLINSON BAND ARE ALSO INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE FAIR.
------0-------
ONE NOMINATION FOR BY-ELECTION
*****
ONE NOMINATION FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WONG UK CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION WAS RECEIVED TODAY (MONDAY) - THE FIRST DAY OF NOMINATION FOR CANDIDATES.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL END ON NOVEMBER 15, WHILE THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 5.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATE:
NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL NO
WONG YIU-SANG M 35 ADMINISTRATIVE 637 4949
MANAGER
--------0----------
/16 ........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
- 16 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 87.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 513.865 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 467.957 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 79.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 3).
OF THE FOUR BILLS, RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG WILL INTRODUCED A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL -PUBLIC OFFICERS (VARIATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
DEBATES ON BOTH BILLS ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATES ON TWO OTHER BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE SEWAGE TUNNELS (STATUTORY EASEMENTS) BILL AND
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993.
THE HON MR LEE WING-TAT WILL MOVED A MOTION UNDER
INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE.
THE MOTION ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK WHILE ANOTHER MOTION ON OLD AGE PENSION FOR HONG KONG CITIZENS WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON J D MCGREGOR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
--------0--------
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1993
17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,020
REVERSAL OF LAF -20
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY “120
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,880
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
TWI 113.3 *+0.0* 1.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.66 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.57 3.11
1 MONTH 2.65 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.89 3.27
3 MONTHS 2.68 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.36 3.54
6 MONTHS 2.78 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.75 3.64
12 MONTHS 3.11 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 100.14 4.19
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 16,934 MN
CLOSED 1 NOVEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT FIRMLY COMMITTED TO DOLLAR LINK ........................... 1
HK - A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRIES ................... 2
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MEASURES IN THE PIPELINE ..................... 3
CONTRACTOR PRAISED FOR EFFORTS IN WORK SAFETY .................. 4
GOVERNOR PRAISES CAS FOR REMARKABLE SERVICES ................... 5
FORCES’ ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVE ................................. 6
CAR REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTION ................................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .............. 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
9
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
GOVT FIRMLY COMMITTED TO DOLLAR LINK ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THE DOLLAR LINK IN THE FUTURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DINNER OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF BANKERS-HONG KONG CENTRE, MR MACLEOD SAID A FIRM MONETARY ANCHOR WAS ESSENTIAL FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY.
"THE LINK HAS BUTTRESSED CONFIDENCE IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND HAS SERVED HONG KONG WELL.
"IT IS SIMPLE AND TOTALLY TRANSPARENT, AND HAS WEATHERED TIMES OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT VARIOUS MONETARY REFORMS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED OVER THE YEARS TO STRENGTHEN OUR MONETARY MANAGEMENT TO DELIVER EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY, THE LATEST BEING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
HE STRESSED THAT MONETARY STABILITY WAS CRUCIAL TO THE CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG IN THE RUN UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
ON THE BANKING SECTOR IN HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THERE ARE A TOTAL OF ABOUT 360 AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS FROM ABOUT 40 COUNTRIES DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG AND 79 OUT OF THE WORLD’S TOP 100 BANKS HAD A PRESENCE HERE IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE EXTERNAL ASSETS OF THE BANKING SECTOR WERE THE FOURTH LARGEST IN THE WORLD AND THE FOREX TURNOVER WAS THE SIXTH LARGEST IN THE WORLD.
HONG KONG ALSO HAS THE LARGEST MARKET CAPITALISATION IN THE ASIAN STOCK MARKETS OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND IT IS A LEADING CENTRE FOR THE GROWING DRAGON BOND MARKET, HE SAID.
BANKS, HE SAID, FUNCTIONED AS A RESOURCE ALLOCATOR IN CHANELLING RESOURCES FROM THOSE WITH SURPLUS FUNDS TO THOSE WHO WERE IN NEED OF FUNDS, SUCH AS IN TRADE FINANCE, IN HELPING PEOPLE TO BUY THEIR OWN FLATS AND IN FINANCING INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
THEY ALSO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, HE SAID, NOTING THAT MANY INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES AND CHINESE ENTERPRISES WERE RAISING FINANCE IN HONG KONG AND THE BANKING SECTOR PROVIDED EFFICIENT SERVICES TO FACILITATE THESE FINANCING ACTIVITIES.
ON THE PROSPECTS OF GROWTH OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY BELIEVES THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THE DYNAMIC GROWTH IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
/THERE WAS .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
THERE WAS VAST POTENTIAL IN CHINA TO BE TAPPED AND HONG KONG WAS INDISPUTABLY THE BEST GATEWAY, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LISTING OF CHINESE ENTERPRISES IN THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE HAD OPENED UP NEW VISTAS FOR THE STOCK MARKET.
"IT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPING HONG KONG'S MARKET INTO A REGIONAL BOURSE," HE SAID.
HONG KONG’S DEBT MARKET ALSO HAD GOOD POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.
"A NEW CENTRAL AND CLEARING SYSTEM IS BEING DEVELOPED TO FACILITATE SECONDARY TRADING AND TO IMPROVE THE LIQUIDITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENTS," MR MACLEOD ADDED.
- - 0 - -
HK - A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRIES
*****
HONG KONG IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERSEAS BUSINESSES INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN HIGH VALUE-ADDED AND HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 24TH WORLD KNITTING CONGRESS IN HONG KONG, MISS YUE SAID LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WERE UNDERGOING A PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION.
THERE WAS AN UP-MARKET MOVE THROUGH IMPROVEMENT IN LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND AUTOMATION, AND THROUGH MORE CAPITAL INTENSIVE, HIGHER TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER VALUE-ADDED MANUFACTURING, SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE ESSENTIAL PRE-REQUISITES FOR THIS PROCESS WERE ALREADY PRESENT, FOR EXAMPLE, AN EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE, HIGH QUALITY HUMAN RESOURCES, EXCELLENT FINANCIAL AND BANKING SERVICES AND STRONG INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
"IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT IS RENDERING POSITIVE SUPPORT THROUGH THE PROVISION OF MATCHING FUNDS FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND FACILITIES FOR START-UP ENTREPRENEURS IN THE HIGHER TECH INDUSTRIES," SHE ADDED.
MISS YUE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO CREATE A FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT BY PRACTISING MINIMUM INTERFERENCE WITH MARKET FORCES AND MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES.
SHE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ENSURED THAT THERE WAS MACRO-ECONOMIC STABILITY, HAD THE MOST LIBERAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN THE WORLD, OPERATED A FAIR AND EQUITABLE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND INVESTED HEAVILY IN HUMAN AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
/"ASIDE FROM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
- 3 -
"ASIDE FROM BUSINESS-FRIENDLY POLICIES, ANOTHER ATTRACTION THAT HONG KONG IS ABLE TO OFFER TO OVERSEAS INVESTORS IS ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, AND TN PARTICULAR, ITS POSITIONING VIS-A-VTS CHINA," MISS YUE SAID.
SHE SAID CHINA WAS PROBABLY THE LARGEST OVERSEAS INVESTOR TN HONG KONG, WITH AN INVESTMENT AMOUNTING TO SOME US$12 TO 20 BILLION.
CONVERSELY, SOME TWO-THIRDS OF THE OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS IN CHINA WERE ROUTED THROUGH HONG KONG, SHE NOTED.
THIS CLOSE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAS BROUGHT HANDSOME BENEFITS TO BOTH ECONOMIC ENTITIES.
"IT HAS ALSO CREATED A FORMIDABLE ECONOMIC FORCE BECAUSE OF THE LOGICAL AND COMPLEMENTARY FIT BETWEEN THE TWO PARTNERS," SHE SAID.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG IS UNIQUELY PLACED TO HELP THOSE FOREIGN INVESTORS WHO WOULD LIKE TO DO BUSINESS IN AND WITH CHINA, TO TAKE PART IN WHAT IS PERHAPS THE SINGLE BIGGEST ECONOMIC TAKEOFF IN THIS CENTURY," SHE ADDED.
---------0-----------
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MEASURES IN THE PIPELINE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS AMENDING LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 FROM OPERATING LIFTING APPLIANCES AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID.
THEY ARE ALSO NOT ALLOWED TO ENGAGE IN OTHER TYPES OF WORK ON CONSTRUCTION SITES UNLESS THEY ARE UNDERGOING OR HAVE COMPLETED APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING OR TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY (CITA), HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE COMPLETION CEREMONY OF CITA TODAY (TUESDAY), MR LEUNG TOLD THE GRADUATES THAT THE MASTERY OF SAFETY CONCEPT WAS IMPORTANT FOR A CAREER IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE.
"THIS YEAR, WE HAVE WITNESSED SOME TRAGIC ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES," HE SAID.
MANY OF THESE ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY THE CARELESS CULTURE OF THE WORKERS AND COULD BE AVOIDED, HE SAID.
TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAGEDIES FROM OCCURRING, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO TIGHTEN UP THE CONTROL OVER THE SAFETY PRACTICE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
ALREADY IN FORCE IS THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION WHICH IMPOSES STRINGENT REGULATORY MEASURE TO ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR.
/ALSO IN .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
- 4
ALSO IN THE PIPELINE ARE A NEW REGULATION ON THE SAFETY OF WORK PLATFORMS, AS WELL AS AMENDMENT REGULATIONS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR BREACH OF SAFETY REGULATIONS AND TO REQUIRE THE PROVISION OF A SAFETY OFFICER ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE AND SHIPYARD EMPLOYING MORE THAN 100 PERSONS.
BUT MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT LEGISLATION ALONE COULD NOT GUARANTEE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WITHOUT THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS.
HE URGED ALL GRADUATES TO ACCORD TOP PRIORITY TO FOLLOWING SAFETY REGULATIONS AND MAINTAINING AN ALERT MIND WHILE AT WORK.
THE SECRETARY ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO CITA FOR PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN PROVIDING AN ADEQUATE AND EFFECTIVE WORKFORCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR.
TO ENABLE CITA TO EXPAND ITS TRAINING PROGRAMMES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED A PIECE OF LAND IN SHEUNG SHUI TO IT FOR THE BUILDING OF ITS FOURTH TRAINING CENTRE WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1995.
BESIDES, AN OPEN TRAINING GROUND IN NGAU CHI WAN HAS ALSO BEEN LEASED TO IT PROVIDING AN EXCELLENT VENUE FOR RUNNING TOWER CRANE OPERATION COURSES AND CERTIFICATION TESTS.
--------0-----------
CONTRACTOR PRAISED FOR EFFORTS IN WORK SAFETY
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE MANAGEMENT OF A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ENHANCING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK THROUGH THE PROVISION OF SITE SAFETY TRAINING TO ITS SUB-CONTRACTORS.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, SAID:
"I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT RYODEN (HOLDINGS) LIMITED HAS BEEN PROVIDING FOR ITS STAFF AMPLE ON-THE-JOB SAFETY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT SAFETY COMMITTEE WHICH FULFILLED THE SPIRIT OF THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS."
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST SITE SAFETY COURSE FOR THE COMPANY’S SUB-CONTRACTORS.
IT IS ALSO COMMENDABLE THAT THE COMPANY ORGANISED THE SITE SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMME SO THAT SAFETY TRAINING CAN BE EXTENDED TO ITS SUB-CONTRACTORS WHO WILL FURTHER IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD AT WORK.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE COMPANY HAS SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT IN THE CONCEPT AND TECHNIQUES OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT AND PUT THE TARGET FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH INTO ITS COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
/"I SINCERELY .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
5
"I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT COULD ENCOURAGE OTHER PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR SUB-CONTRACTORS IN SAFETY AND HEALTH MATTERS," HE ADDED.
MR MAK POINTED OUT THAT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH HAD BECOME A MAJOR CONCERN OF THE COMMUNITY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE REALISED THAT MAINTAINING A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT REQUIRES THE CO-OPERATION AMONG EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
"IT ALSO REQUIRES EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND AND FULFILL THEIR DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS IN IMPROVING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK. "
IN VIEW OF THIS, THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WERE INTRODUCED IN 1989, STIPULATING THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
MR MAK SAID ONE OF ITS KEY POINTS WAS THAT EMPLOYERS MUST PROVIDE NECESSARY INFORMATION, INSTRUCTIONS, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION, TO EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK.
.DURING THE CEREMONY, MR MAK CONGRATULATED THE 15 TRAINEES WHO HAD SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COURSE.
HE URGED THEM TO APPLY THEIR SAFETY KNOWLEDGE IN THEIR DAILY WORK AND CONVEY THE SAFETY MESSAGE TO THEIR SUB-CONTRACTORS SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE COURSE COULD BENEFIT.
MR MAK ALSO SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE SUPPORTING SERVICE, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF TRAINING MATERIAL, RELEVANT VIDEO TAPES AND CONSULTATION SERVICE, TO SAFETY TRAINING COURSES ORGANISED BY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.
THIS IS TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET OF ENHANCING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH THROUGH TRIPARTITE PARTICIPATION, HE ADDED.
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GOVERNOR PRAISES CAS FOR REMARKABLE SERVICES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TONIGHT (TUESDAY) PRAISES THE CIVIL AID SERVICES (CAS) FOR MAINTAINING A FINE TRADITION OF VOLUNTARY WORK AND PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES ANNUAL DINNER, MR PATTEN S in THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE CAS PROVIDED A DEDICATED, RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY.
THE RECENT CAS RESCUE OPERATION OF 100 FLOOD VICTIMS OF THE NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES UNDER THE THREAT OF TYPHOON DOT WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE.
/THEIR CONTINUOUS.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
- 6 -
THEIR CONTINUOUS, ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE TO THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMPS AND CENTRES SINCE 1988 WAS ANOTHER REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT, THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
THE TIME DEVOTED TO SERVE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE DURING DIFFICULT TIMES AND TO MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY AND READINESS THROUGH REGULAR TRAINING IN NORMAL TIMES IS INDEED COMMENDABLE, MR PATTEN ADDED.
MR PATTEN ALSO CONGRATULATED THE CAS CADET CORPS FOR ITS 25 YEARS OF PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENT.
THE CORPS GIVES THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO JOIN A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, HE SAID.
WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF 3,000 YOUNGSTERS, THE CADET CORPS PROVIDES TRAINING FOR THE YOUTH THROUGH RECREATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
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FORCES’ ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
BRITISH FORCES ARE PULLING OUT ALL STOPS TO SPREAD ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.
HONG KONG ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL STATISTICS SHOW THAT 70 PER CENT OF DEATHS AND INJURIES IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARE PEDESTRIANS, WITH CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY AT HIGHEST RISK.
WITH THIS IN MIND, A ROAD SAFETY PLAY DEVELOPED IN THE UK BY CLWYD COUNTY COUNCIL AND TARGETED AT SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS IS CURRENTLY TOURING HONG KONG.
THE WALKING FORWARD THEATRE COMPANY IS VISITING BOTH SERVICE AND CIVILIAN SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG TO PRESENT THEIR PLAY "THE HOME RUN" WHICH ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF ROAD SAFETY AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF ROAD ACCIDENTS.
A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE WILL BE GIVEN AT THE PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 4) FOR THE TOURS SPONSORS, VIP GUESTS AND THE MEDIA.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL PERFORMANCE AT THE PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS ON THURSDAY.
THE PERFORMANCE WILL START IN THE GYMNASIUM AT 11.15 AM. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION AT WHICH MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA CAN INTERVIEW THOSE INVOLVED.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO ATTEND SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE MAIN GATE, PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS, NO LATER THAN 11 AM.
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/7......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
CAR REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
PEOPLE WISHING TO GET THEIR FAVOURITE CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SHOULD COME TO AN AUCTION AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL THIS SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 6).
THE RENOVATION WORK OF THE RECITAL HALL, THE NORMAL AUCTION VENUE, HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED,
FUTURE AUCTIONS WILL AGAIN BE HELD THERE.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THE CHANGE OF VENUE.
"OTHERWISE THEY WILL MISS THEIR CHANCE TO GET THEIR FAVOURITE MARKS,” HE SAID.
THE AUCTION ON THIS SATURDAY WILL START AT 9.30 AM. A TOTAL OF 50 MARKS WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION:
FL1129 FL4498 FL813 FL920
FL3938 FK9208 HK3778 FL3180
♦FS777 ♦ FR2 ♦ FK12 ♦ DL8
FL1618 AA1283 FL3182 FL2220
FK2829 FL8398 AF863 AB9388
AC748 FL168 FL1163 FL8088
FL819 FL8777 FK7298 BR8001
♦BB400 ♦ FP11 ♦ 1357 ♦ CK21
FL2389 CD962 FL1123 FL172
FL312 FL2208 FL2138 FK8707
FL1286 CL8332 ♦FJ8668 AU3336
FL516 CM5208 FL914 ♦FR5050
FL2316 FL518
* SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE CAR REGISTRATION MARK SHOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A CAR REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE CAR REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED, WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 205TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
- - 0----------
/8........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1993
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 2 NOV 93 2 NOV 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q344 Y395
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$2,710 MN HK$1,000 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$1,000 MN HK$300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.77 PCT 3.31 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.78 PCT 3.33 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 96 PCT ABOUT 18 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.80 PCT 3.37 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN ' THE WEEK BEGINNING 8 NOVEMBER 1993 -
TENDER DATE 9 NOV 93 9 NOV 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q345 H377
ISSUE DATE 10 NOV 93 10 NOV 93
MATURITY DATE 9 FEB 94 11 MAY 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$1,000 + 200 MN HKS400 + 80 MN
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/9 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,
1993
9 - HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS $ MILLION
* * * » *
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113. 4 »+0.1* 2,880 + 120 3,000 NIL -110 2,890 2.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.79 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.42 3.25
1 MONTH 2.75 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.68 3.43
3 MONTHS 2.74 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.07 3.74
6 MONTHS 2.89 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.39 3.85
12 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.56 4.41
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS CLOSED 2 NOVEMBER 1993 - 19,252 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL RESULTS IN UNCERTAINTY ................... 1
PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO STEP UP PROSECUTION ..................... 2
GOVERNOR TO VISIT MACAU THIS EVENING ........................... 3
267 VM’S RETURNED HOME TODAY ................................... 3
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ............................. 3
FRESH WATER CUT IN THE PEAK .................................... 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
4
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL RESULTS IN UNCERTAINTY
*****
"THE PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL IS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE LOCALISATION PROBLEM," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS (VARIATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) (TEMPORARY PROVISION) BILL 1993 INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"GIVEN THE LEGAL ADVICE THAT THE OLD POLICY UNDER WHICH THE CONTRACT OF AN OVERSEAS OFFICER WILL NOT BE RENEWED IF A LOCAL REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE, IS IN BREACH OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS INSOFAR AS THE OVERSEAS OFFICER IS A PERMANENT RESIDENT, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO RETURN TO THE OLD POLICY," HE SAID.
"THE INTERIM MEASURE ANNOUNCED ON 30 JULY ALLOWS US TO RETAIN ON A SELECTIVE BASIS AND ON LOCAL TERMS THOSE OVERSEAS OFFICERS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND HAVE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE.”
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IF THE PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL WAS ENACTED, THERE COULD NOT BE ANY TRANSFER FROM OVERSEAS TO LOCAL TERMS.
TO COMPLY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, HE SAID THE ONLY OPTION OPEN TO THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE TO EXTEND ON OVERSEAS TERMS THE CONTRACTS OF THOSE OFFICERS WHO ARE OR HAVE A CREDIBLE CLAIM TO BE PERMANENT RESIDENTS.
EXTENSIONS WOULD BE REQUIRED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE BILL LAPSES AND IT BECOMES CLEAR WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN PURSUE THEIR APPLICATIONS TO TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS.
"THIS WOULD BE A VERY UNDESIRABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS AS THE LOCALISATION POLICY WOULD IN EFFECT BE SUSPENDED FOR THE DURATION OF THE BILL WITH RESPECT TO A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF STAFF," THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.
"LOCAL OFFICERS’ PROMOTION PROSPECTS ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED TO A GREATER EXTENT THAN UNDER THE INTERIM MEASURE.
"FURTHERMORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL WILL RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY ALL ROUND. THIS APPLIES TO BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS STAFF, AS WELL AS TO DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENTS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAN AHEAD.
"WE HOPE THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL THOROUGHLY BEFORE PROCEEDING ANY FURTHER.
"IN OUR VIEW, IT WOULD BE MORE PRODUCTIVE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE LONGER TERM EXERCISE OF AGREEING ON THE COMMON TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS JUST ISSUED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT," HE ADDED.
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/2 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
2
PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO STEP UP PROSECUTION
PEOPLE WHO CHANGE LAND USES OR UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS (DPA) WITHOUT THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S PERMISSION WILL BE PROSECUTED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR PETER PUN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS, DR PUN NOTED THAT HIS STAFF HAD BEEN REDEPLOYED AND SPECIALLY TRAINED, AND A CENTRAL ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION SECTION HAD JUST BEEN SET UP WITHIN HIS DEPARTMENT, TO PURSUE THE TASK.
THE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED THAT SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE AND THE PUBLICATION OF DPA PLANS IN 1991, THE PLANNING AUTHORITY HAD BEEN UNDERTAKING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS UNDER SECTION 23 OF THE ORDINANCE BY SERVING NOTICES ON PEOPLE CARRYING OUT UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS.
"ALLEGED OFFENDERS WERE GIVEN A CHANCE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NOTICES BY EITHER DISCONTINUING THE UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS OR OBTAINING PLANNING PERMISSION.
"UP TO NOW, PROSECUTION HAS ONLY BEEN INSTIGATED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOTICES," THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR NOT TAKING IMMEDIATE PROSECUTION ACTIONS IN THE PAST WAS THE PUBLIC’S UNFAMILARITY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS WHEN THE DPA SYSTEM WAS FIRST INTRODUCED.
"IT IS TIME TO TAKE TOUGHER ACTIONS NOW BY PROSECUTING OFFENDERS WITHOUT NECESSARILY GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SERVING NOTICES.
"THE SYSTEM HAS NOW BEEN IN PLACE FOR OVER TWO YEARS AND PEOPLE CONCERNED SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS," THE DIRECTOR SAID.
UP TO SEPTEMBER 1993, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS INVESTIGATED 174 CASES OF SUSPECTED UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
SUCH DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDED STORAGE OF CONTAINERS AND TRAILERS, DUMPING AND SITE FORMATION WORK, STORAGE OF OTHER MATERIALS, CAR PARKING OR STRIPPING YARDS AND WORKSHOPS.
AFTER INVESTIGATION, A TOTAL OF 574 ENFORCEMENT NOTICES IN RESPECT OF 85 CASES, 20 STOP NOTICES IN RESPECT OF FOUR CASES AND FOUR REINSTATEMENT NOTICES IN RESPECT OF ONE CASE HAVE BEEN SERVED.
NINETEEN CASES HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED AFTER THE ISSUE OF THE NOTICES.
UP TILL NOW, 30 DEFENDENTS IN NINE CASES HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED, AMONG WHOM 11 HAVE BEEN CONVICTED AND FINED FROM $7,500 TO $81,500, TWO ARE WAITING FOR THE COURT’S DECISION AND 17 WILL TAKE PLEA IN DUE COURSE.
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/3.........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
- 3 -
GOVERNOR TO VISIT MACAU THIS EVENING
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND MRS PATTEN WILL VISIT MACAU TODAY AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, GENERAL VASCO ROCHA VIEIRA.
MR AND MRS PATTEN WILL BE THE GUESTS OF THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU FOR DINNER AND AT A PERFORMANCE OF PUCCINI’S OPERA "TURANDOT".
MR AND MRS PATTEN WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
-----0-------
267 VM’S RETURNED HOME TODAY *****
A GROUP OF 267 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 86 MEN, 77 WOMEN, 58 BOYS AND 46 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 17 4TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 8,547 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 34,859 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE FOUR UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT A BUILDING IN KWUN TONG SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR, FLAT ROOF OF YEE CHEONG BUILDING AT 3-15 KA LOK STREET AND 18 SHUI NING STREET.
THESE STRUCTURES ARE USED EITHER FOR DWELLING OR STORAGE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MARCH 2, 1994 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION OF THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
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/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3,
1993
4 FRESH WATER CUT IN THE PEAK *****
FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN THE PEAK WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 5) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT WATFORD ROAD, MANSFIELD ROAD, GUILDFORD ROAD, COOMBE ROAD, MIDDLE GAP ROAD, MOUNT CAMERON ROAD, ROSMEAD ROAD, 21-50 MAGAZINE GAP ROAD, 1-3 BARKER ROAD AND 25-56 PEAK ROAD.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 1
$ MILLION
2,890
+ 110
3,000
NIL
-25
2,975
3.3 *-0.1* 3.11.1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.82 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.36 3.31
1 MONTH 2.81 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.61 3.48
3 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.99 3.79
6 MONTHS 2.97 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.27 3.92
12 MONTHS 3.31 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.49 4.43
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 21 ,625 MN
CLOSED 3 NOVEMBER 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
PROPOSED CENTRAL COMPENSATION FUND - A STEP BACKWARDS ....... 1
LOCALISING STATE SECRETS-RELATED LAWS ....................... 3
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES ................................................ 4
NEW STRATEGY TO SAFEGUARD MEDICAL RECORDS ................... 5
LAW TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES ADEQUATE . 5
WATER QUALITY BEING CLOSELY MONITORED ....................... 6
LANGUAGE STANDARDS OF LOCAL STUDENTS NOT FALLING ............ 7
FIRST JOINT ADMISSION SCHEME DUE FOR REVIEW ................. 8
COMMUNITY ACCESS ONTO CABLE TV SYSTEM POSSIBLE .............. 9
NO INTENTION TO MAKE ACCOUNTING RATES PUBLIC ................ 10
NO PRIVACY INTERFERENCE IN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP SURVEY ........ 11
NO REPORT OF CONTAINER COLLAPSE IN RECENT YEARS ............. 11
CLASSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS TO BE REVIEWED ....... 12
HUMAN RESOURCE DEMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES STUDIED ........ 13
ADEQUATE POLICE PRESENCE ON STREETS NEEDED: S FOR S ......... 13
FIVE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS PRESENTED TO UN: SHA .............. 14
/RECORDS ON .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
RECORDS ON FORCED RECRUITMENT OF 'COMFORT WOMEN’ UNAVAILABLE 14
OVERSEAS PUBLICITY FOR PHASED BN(O) REGISTRATION PROGRAMME .. 15
NO IMMEDIATE PLAN TO PUBLISH BOOKLET OF PERFORMANCE PLEDGES . 16
PRIORITY DISCS FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS UNDER REGULAR REVIEW .... 17
ACAN STUDIES WAYS TO HELP YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS ................... 17
RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE LICENSED .......... 18
LEGCO ASKS GOVT TO SET UP CENTRAL COMPENSATION FUND............. 19
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
1
PROPOSED CENTRAL COMPENSATION FUND - A STEP BACKWARDS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS FAR FROM STANDING STILL WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING BETTER PROTECTION TO INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT VICTIMS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYEES’ INTERESTS UNDER THE LAW WERE WELL PROTECTED.
RECENT EXAMPLES OF IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE ENHANCEMENT OF THE MAXIMUM LEVELS OF EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION, IMPROVEMENT TO THE SCHEDULE FOR ASSESSMENT OF PERMANENT INCAPACITY, AND A NEW PROVISION TO ENABLE EMPLOYEES TO MAKE DIRECT CLAIMS AGAINST AN INSURER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
IN ADDITION, THE LIST OF COMPENSATORY OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES HAS BEEN EXPANDED, AND A LOAN SCHEME HAS BEEN SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INJURED EMPLOYEES AND DEPENDENTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES WHO MAY BE IN HARDSHIP AS A RESULT OF WORK ACCIDENTS.
MR LEUNG WAS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT PRESENT, THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION SYSTEM IS UNDERPINNED BY TWO STATUTES: THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
THE FORMER OPERATES ON THE CONCEPT OF INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYER LIABILITY WHERE ALL EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO INSURE THEIR LIABILITIES WITH AUTHORISED INSURERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
BY CONTRAST, THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION ORDINANCE OPERATES ON A COLLECTIVE LIABILITY BASIS WHERE COMPENSATION IS CHARGED TO A LEVY PAID BY THE QUARRYING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
WHILE AGREEING THAT THERE WAS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY SAID HE FAILED TO SEE HOW A CENTRAL COMPENSATION SYSTEM WOULD FUNCTION BETTER.
"WE MUST NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF RUSHING TO A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO THE SYSTEM, SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS NOT PERFECT,” MR LEUNG STATED. "SUCH A MISTAKE COULD HAVE SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS AND COULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO MAKE GOOD LATER.
’’UNLESS AND UNTIL THERE IS CLEAR PROOF THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM FAILS TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE IT IS INTENDED, WHICH IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE AT PRESENT, THE ADMINISTRATION IS OF THE VIEW THAT WE SHOULD NOT TAKE SUCH A DRASTIC STEP AS PROPOSED IN THE MOTION."
DURING THE DEBATE, MEMBERS HAD POINTED TO A NUMBER OF DEFICIENCIES UNDER THE EXISTING SYSTEM, FOR WHICH THE SECRETARY ANSWERED POINT BY POINT:
/ON INSURANCE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
2
ON INSURANCE COVER, MR LEUNG SAID EMPLOYERS WERE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY LIABILITIES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND AT COMMON LAW. IT IS IN THEIR OWN INTEREST TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE COVER FOR EMPLOYEES, FOR OTHERWISE THEY FACE THE LIABILITIES PERSONALLY.
THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME WILL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENT VICTIMS IN CASES WHERE EMPLOYERS HAVE NOT SOUGHT INSURANCE COVER AND ARE UNABLE TO PAY.
TURNING TO THE WAITING TIME FOR INJURY ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION, MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT IN CASE OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, VICTIMS HAD TO BE GIVEN TIME TO RECOVER BEFORE THE EXTENT OF PERMANENT INJURY COULD BE ACCURATELY ASSESSED.
"THIS WILL HAVE TO BE THE CASE IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE INSURANCE SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED CENTRALLY OR BY PRIVATE COMPANIES," HE STATED.
"FOR THESE CASES, EMPLOYEES ARE ENTITLED TO PERIODIC PAYMENTS OF TWO-THIRDS OF THEIR MONTHLY SALARIES WHILE ON SICK LEAVE.
"WHERE EMPLOYERS FAIL TO MAKE SUCH PAYMENTS, THE SPECIAL LOAN FUND THAT WE HAVE SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR WOULD CATER FOR THEIR SHORT-TERM NEEDS WHILE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TAKES ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE EMPLOYERS."
FOR MINOR CASES INVOLVING NO PERMANENT INJURY AND WITH SICK LEAVE OF NOT MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY INTRODUCED A DIRECT SETTLEMENT SYSTEM LAST YEAR TO SPEED UP THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION.
MEMBERS ALSO MENTIONED EXCESSIVE PROFITS BY INSURANCE COMPANIES. IN THIS RESPECT, MR LEUNG NOTED, THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE WAS TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION UNDER THE LAW RECEIVED THE AMOUNTS THAT WERE DUE TO THEM, ON TIME AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS.
HE ALSO QUOTED STATISTICS TO CLARIFY THE MISCONCEPTION CONCERNING THE COMPENSATION PAY-OUT TO INSURANCE PREMIUM RATIO.
IN RESPONSE TO CLAIMS THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE NO REGARD TO THE INSURANCE RECORDS OF PARTICULAR TRADES OR PARTICULAR COMPANIES, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS SIMPLY A MATTER OF MARKET LOGIC THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES WOULD SEEK TO MATCH THEIR INSURANCE PREMIUM WITH THEIR CLAIMS EXPERIENCE AND THE POTENTIAL RISKS THEY FACE FROM THEIR CLIENTS.
"INDEED, THE ACCIDENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION COLLECTS INDUSTRYWIDE CLAIMS STATISTICS AND ADVISES ITS MEMBERS ON A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS, INCLUDING THE PROPER LEVEL OF PREMIUMS IN RESPECT OF EACH TYPE OF RISKS.
"IT MUST BE HIGHLY DOUBTFUL WHETHER A CENTRAL INSURANCE AGENCY WOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM BETTER THAN THE MARKET IN THIS REGARD."
ON THE SUGGESTION TO GROUP ALL COMPENSATION SCHEMES UNDER ONE ROOF, MEMBERS WERE REMINDED THAT THE PRESENT TWO SYSTEMS OF COMPENSATION WERE BASED ON DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF LIABILITY AND WERE OPERATED DIFFERENTLY.
/THERE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
3
THERE ARE NO PERCEIVABLE BENEFITS IN OPERATING AN INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY SYSTEM UNDER THE SAME ROOF, MR LEUNG SAID.
CONCLUDING, THE SECRETARY SAID HE SAW NO GOOD REASON, BUT INSTEAD A LOT OF DOWNSIDE RISKS, IN THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A CENTRAL COMPENSATION FUND FOR EMPLOYEES WHICH WOULD ’’TURN A COMPETITIVE MARKET SYSTEM INTO A CENTRAL MONOPOLY”.
’’WHY SHOULD WE FOLLOW THE MUDDY FOOT-STEPS WHICH ARE BUSILY BEING ABANDONED ELSEWHERE?” HE ASKED.
"THIS IS NOT THE HONG KONG WAY. IT WOULD INDEED BE A SIGNIFICANT STEP BACKWARDS IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THE MOTION.”
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LOCALISING STATE SECRETS-RELATED LAWS
THE GOVERNMENT HAS A PROGRAMME FOR LOCALISING CERTAIN UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS WHICH NOW APPLY TO HONG KONG AND WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY HERE, SUBJECT TO CHANGES, AFTER JUNE 30, 1997.
IT ALSO HAS A PROGRAMME TO ADAPT HONG KONG LAWS SO THAT THEY WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW ON JULY 1, 1997, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LOCAL LEGISLATION TO REPLACE THE UK OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS HAS NOT YET BEEN, AND IS NOT YET BEING, DRAFTED, HE NOTED.
"HOWEVER, WE HAVE DONE SOME WORK ON THIS SUBJECT, AND I EXPECT TO PUT PROPOSALS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO REVIEWING THE PROVISIONS IN THE CRIMES ORDINANCE’ RELATING TO TREASON AND OTHER OFFENCES AGAINST THE CROWN.
AGAIN, PROPOSALS WILL BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
”WE WILL WISH IN DUE COURSE TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT,” MR ASPREY SAID.
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/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
4
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES *****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IN DEVELOPING SCHOOL CURRICULA, NEW ELEMENTS ARISING DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN, MR LEUNG NOTED THAT A NEW SUBJECT, GENERAL STUDIES, WAS BEING DEVELOPED FOR INTRODUCTION AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL IN 1996.
"IT EMBODIES BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHINESE POLITICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," HE SAID.
AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL, TWO SUBJECTS - ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS - ARE CURRENTLY BEING REVIEWED SO AS TO PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
THE SUBJECT OF LIBERAL STUDIES AT THE ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL WAS ALSO INTRODUCED LAST YEAR. IT ADDRESSES CURRENT ISSUES ON CHINA, INCLUDING PHILOSOPHIES THAT CHARACTERISE GOVERNMENTS IN CHINA AND HONG KONG, CHINA’S MODERNISATION POLICY AND HER LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS.
MR LEUNG SAID SCHOOLS WERE ENCOURAGED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ORGANISE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES TO EXPAND STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE ON CURRENT ISSUES, ENHANCE THEIR GENERAL AWARENESS AND ENABLE THEM TO FORM BALANCED VIEWS.
IN ADDITION, TEACHING KITS ON CIVIC EDUCATION, THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO ASSIST TEACHERS IN COVERING THESE IMPORTANT TOPICS.
TURNING TO ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION, MR LEUNG SAID THE RESPONSIBILITY WAS CURRENTLY VESTED IN SOME TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH WERE ABLE TO DISCHARGE IT ON THEIR OWN, AND IN OTHERS WITH THE HELP OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION.
"LIKE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THERE IS, AS FAR AS WE CAN SEE, NO SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT ARISING FROM THE TRANSITION TO BE ADDRESSED IN POLICY AND PRACTICAL TERMS," HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE RECOGNITION IN HONG KONG OF PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC) ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS, THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A MECHANISM UNDER WHICH HOLDERS OF PRC OR OTHER OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS MIGHT BE ASSESSED FOR SUITABILITY TO TAKE UP TEACHING AT THE NON-GRADUATE LEVEL.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TEACHER EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE LOOKING INTO THE POSITION OF GRADUATE TEACHING POSTS, MR LEUNG SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
5
NEW STRATEGY TO SAFEGUARD MEDICAL RECORDS *****
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY WHICH SAFEGUARDS THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF MEDICAL RECORDS WHILE IMPROVING QUALITY AND CONTINUITY OF PATIENT CARE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG, MRS WONG SAID MEDICAL RECORDS CONTAINED PRIVILEGED INFORMATION WHICH COULD ATTRACT CLAIMS OF CONFIDENTIALITY.
"NO INFORMATION CAN BE RELEASED WITHOUT THE EXPLICIT CONSENT OF THE PATIENT; OR THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED BY LAW," SHE STATED.
MEANWHILE, MRS WONG ADDED, A TERRITORY-WIDE SYSTEM OF COMPUTERISED PATIENT MASTER INDEX WAS BEING FULLY DEVELOPED BASED ON IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS.
"THIS INDEX WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO BASIC PERSONAL PARTICULARS, DEMOGRAPHIC DATA AND BRIEF MEDICAL HISTORIES OF PATIENTS FOR DOCTORS IN ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS," SHE SAID.
"IN THE LONG TERM, IT WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENTS AND TYPES OF TREATMENT PERFORMED.
"THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED INITIALLY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MEDICAL RECORDS ABSTRACTING SYSTEM, CURRENTLY BEING PILOTED IN THREE HOSPITALS."
MRS WONG SAID THE SYSTEM WOULD BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A COMPUTERISED LABORATORY MANAGEMENT/REPORTING SYSTEM IN NINE MAJOR HOSPITALS BY 1997 TO PROVIDE CLINICAL DATA ON LABORATORY INVESTIGATION.
A PHARMACY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED TO ONE HOSPITAL IN 1994/95 PROVIDING DATA ON DRUG PRESCRIPTION, SHE ADDED.
------0--------
LAW TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES ADEQUATE *****
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH IS EMPOWERED UNDER THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASES ORDINANCE TO ENTER ANY PREMISES SUSPECTED TO BE THE SEAT OF TRANSMISSION OF ANY INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
HE MAY ALSO ORDER DISINFECTION OF THE SAME TO HIS SATISFACTION AND, AS NECESSARY, CLOSE THE PREMISES.
"WE DO NOT CONSIDER FURTHER LEGISLATION TO BE REQUIRED," THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR HUANG HAD ASKED THAT IN VIEW OF THE LIKELY INFECTION OF HEPATITIS AND HIV VIRUSES THROUGH TATTOOS, WHETHER MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT EQUIPMENT USED IN THE TATTOO TRADE WAS SAFE AND HYGIENIC.
/MRS WONG ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
6
MRS WONG SAID THE "GUIDELINES ON THE PREVENTION OF TRANSMISSION OF BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES" PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF TATTOO PARLOURS IN HONG KONG.
"THE GUIDELINES FOCUS PARTICULARLY ON THE RISKS OF HEPATITIS-B AND HIV TRANSMISSION.
"THEY ALSO GIVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS ON MAINTENANCE OF HYGIENIC STANDARD, DISINFECTION OF EQUIPMENT AND DISPOSAL OF SHARPS FOR THESE ESTABLISHMENTS," SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS REGULAR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME ON PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS-B AND HIV INFECTIONS.
------0-------
WATER QUALITY BEING CLOSELY MONITORED *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE QUALITY OF TREATED WATER IN THEIR SUPPLY SYSTEM TO ENSURE THE WHOLESOMENESS OF WATER SUPPLIED TO CONSUMERS, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR BLAKE SAID THE QUALITY OF WATER IN GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG AREAS WERE NORMAL AND SATISFACTORY.
HE SAID WSD STAFF TOOK 274 WATER SAMPLES FOR TEST FROM NINE GOVERNMENT HOUSING ESTATES AND TWO PRIVATE ESTATES IN AUGUST.
THE TEST RESULTS REVEALED THAT ALL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM JUST OUTSIDE THE ESTATES WERE CLEAR AND SATISFACTORY.
FOR THE WATER SAMPLES TAKEN INSIDE THE ESTATES, 92 PER CENT WERE FOUND TO BE VISUALLY CLEAR AND SATISFACTORY, AND THE REMAINING SAMPLES WERE FOUND TO BE SLIGHTLY TURBID DUE TO HIGH IRON CONTENT, BUT WERE IN GENERAL BACTERIOLOGICALLY SATISFACTORY, HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID THE PROBLEM OF DISCOLOURED TAP WATER WAS BASICALLY DUE TO CORROSION OF THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE GALVANISED STEEL PIPES COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "INSIDE SERVICE" WITHIN THE CONSUMERS’ PREMISES.
AS A RESULT, EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FINE IRON PARTICLES REMAIN IN SUSPENSION IN THE WATER, HE SAID.
THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY ACUTE WHEN THE WATER HAS BEEN STANDING IDLE FOR SOME TIME, OR WHEN IT IS FIRST DRAWN OUT TAP IN THE MORNING.
UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCE, THE WATER SHOULD BECOME CLEAR AFTER THE TAP HAS BEEN TURNED ON FOR A WHILE.
/IN ORDER .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
7
IN ORDER TO AVOID THE PROBLEM IN THE LONGER TERM, MR BLAKE SAID, BOTH THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE NOW ACTIVELY CONSIDERING THE POSSIBLE USE OF ALTERNATIVE NONFERROUS PIPE MATERIALS WHICH WILL NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUSTING.
MEANWHILE, FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS, REGULAR MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME WILL CONTINUE TO BE CARRIED OUT TO ENSURE THAT STORAGE TANKS AND WATER SYSTEMS IN ALL HOUSING ESTATES ARE KEPT CLEAN, AND THAT WHERE THE EXISTING PIPES NEED TO BE RENEWED, THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY PIPES MADE OF NON-FERROUS MATERIALS, HE SAID.
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LANGUAGE STANDARDS OF LOCAL STUDENTS NOT FALLING *****
THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE OVERALL STANDARD IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES FOR SECONDARY FIVE STUDENTS IN RECENT YEARS, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE HONG KONG ATTAINMENT TESTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE STANDARDS OF PRIMARY ONE TO SECONDARY THREE STUDENTS IN THE TWO SUBJECTS HAD EITHER RISEN GRADUALLY OR REMAINED THE SAME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG OBSERVED THAT THE DEMAND FOR THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WELL IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH HAD INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY AS HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND SERVICE CENTRE BECAME MORE PROMINENT.
’’THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS LED TO THE GENERAL BELIEF THAT LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, PARTICULARLY IN ENGLISH, HAS FALLEN,” HE SAID.
”WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT SOME OF THE MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE STANDARDS ARE TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO MORE LANGUAGE USAGE AND TO IMPROVE THE SKILLS OF THE LANGUAGE TEACHERS.
’’ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WILL BE NEEDED TO INITIATE THESE IMPROVEMENTS AND TO TEST NEW METHODOLOGIES,” HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF THE RECURRENT BUDGET FOR SCHOOL AND TEACHER TRAINING WAS SPENT ON LANGUAGE EDUCATION, MR LEUNG SAID SPECIFIC MEASURES WERE ALSO INTRODUCED OVER THE PAST FIVE SCHOOLS YEARS (1988/89 TO 1992/93) TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
OF THE $485 MILLION SPENT IN THIS RESPECT, MOST HAD BEEN USED IN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (INVOLVING 359 TEACHERS AND $308 MILLION) AND ADDITIONAL ENGLISH TEACHERS FOR SCHOOLS WHICH USE CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION (INVOLVING 139 TEACHERS AND $107 MILLION).
/THE GOVERNMENT ......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
8
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO INTENDS TO SET UP A COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE $300 MILLION LANGUAGE FUND PROPOSED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS.
THE SECRETARY BELIEVED THAT THE FUND WOULD ENABLE NEW INITIATIVES TO BE TAKEN, PROBLEM AREAS TO BE STUDIED AND TEMPORARY GAPS IN FUNDING TO BE FILLED.
”IT WILL ADD IMPETUS TO THE EFFORTS NOW BEING MADE IN SCHOOLS AND BY THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO RAISE LANGUAGE STANDARDS.
’’THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL MONITOR THE APPROVED PROGRAMMES TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ARE PROPERLY USED AND THAT THE QUALITY OF LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN SCHOOLS IS ENHANCED.”
ON THE PROVISION OF QUALIFIED CHINESE AND ENGLISH TEACHERS, MR LEUNG SAID THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TEACHER EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS WAS REVIEWING THE CASE AND PRACTICALITIES FOR INCREASING THE PROPORTION OF SUCH SUBJECT-TRAINED TEACHERS.
THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION IS ALSO REVIEWING ITS PROGRAMME FOR TRAINING LANGUAGE TEACHERS, AS PART OF THE OVERALL EXERCISE TO UPGRADE THE PREPARATION AND IN-SERVICE DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS.
- _ 0 - -
FIRST JOINT ADMISSION SCHEME DUE FOR REVIEW *****
THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE JOINT ADMISSION SCHEME OF THE POLYTECHNICS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND COLLEGES (JASPIC) IS TO UNDERTAKE A REVIEW OF THE FIRST YEAR OPERATION OF THE SCHEME TO SEE HOW IT MAY BE IMPROVED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID SOME 30 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SCHEME HAD BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR.
"ALL THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE APPLICANTS.”
’’MOST OF THEM CONCERNED THE OFFER OF PLACES BY THE
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS DURING THE ADMISSION PROCESS,” HE SAID.
"THESE OCCURRED LARGELY DURING THE CLEARING PERIOD AND REFLECTED A LEARNING PROCESS FOR BOTH THE APPLICANTS AND THE PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS."
IN HIS REPLY, MR LEUNG ALSO REVEALED THAT IN 1993/94, THE TWO POLYTECHNICS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 2,621 FIRST YEAR SUB-DEGREE PLACES WHILE THE TECHNICAL COLLEGES PROVIDED 1,400 PLACES.
CURRENT REGISTRATION FIGURES SHOW THAT THESE INSTITUTIONS HAVE OVER-ENROLLED BY ABOUT THREE TO FIVE PER CENT.
/THE TWO
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
9
THE TWO POLYTECHNICS ALSO OFFER THREE DIPLOMA AND 31 HIGHER DIPLOMA COURSES WHILE THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES OFFER A TOTAL OF 56 DIPLOMA COURSES AND 30 HIGHER DIPLOMA COURSES.
OF ALL THE COURSES OFFERED, ONE COURSE BY THE POLYTECHNICS IS UNDER-ENROLLED BY FIVE PLACES, AND TWO COURSES BY THE TECHNICAL COLLEGES ARE UNDER-ENROLLED BY FIVE AND EIGHT PLACES RESPECTIVELY.
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE UNDER-ENROLMENT IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OCCURRED MAINLY IN CERTAIN DISCIPLINES, NAMELY MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, PRINTING AMD HOTEL STUDIES.
"THE REASONS FOR THE UNDER-ENROLMENT ARE COMPLEX INVOLVING CHOICE OF PARENTS AND STUDENTS BUT CERTAIN OBJECTIVE FACTORS ARE ALSO RELEVANT.
"THESE INCLUDE THE INCREASED PROVISION OF POST-SECONDARY FIVE PLACES IN GENERAL EDUCATION; A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF SECONDARY FIVE STUDENTS MEETING THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR DIPLOMA COURSES; AND CHANGES IN THE ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF HONG KONG RESULTING IN CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES OF SOME COURSES."
HE SAID THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WOULD CONTINUE TO EXAMINE THE OVERALL PROVISION OF COURSES IN THE LIGHT OF PROJECTED MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS AND GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEYS.
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COMMUNITY ACCESS ONTO CABLE TV SYSTEM POSSIBLE
*****
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SOME AIR-TIME ON THE GOVERNMENT CHANNELS ON THE WHARF CABLE TV SYSTEM MIGHT BE MADE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM, MR SO SAID THIS WAS A COMPLEX MATTER AND MUCH CAREFUL THOUGHT NEEDED TO BE GIVEN BEFORE A FIRM POLICY COULD BE DRAWN UP.
UNDER WHARF CABLE’S LICENCE, IT IS REQUIRED TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT, FREE OF CHARGE AND EXPENSE, THE USE OF NOT MORE THAN THREE CHANNELS WHEN REQUESTED IN WRITING BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, WHICH ARE NORMALLY NOT
COMMERCIALLY ATTRACTIVE TO COMMERCIAL BROADCASTERS, MAY HAVE A BROADCAST AVENUE.
"OUR PRESENT THINKING IS FOR THESE PROGRAMMES TO BE PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG," SAID MR SO.
"BUT IT IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO PRODUCE ENOUGH PROGRAMMES TO FILL THE AIR-TIME FOR ALL THREE GOVERNMENT CHANNELS.
/IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
10
"IT IS THEREFORE POSSIBLE THAT SOME AIR-TIME MIGHT BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ACCESS BY COMMUNITY GROUPS."
THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING MORE INFORMATION OVERSEAS TO SEE HOW OTHER AUTHORITIES DEAL WITH COMMUNITY ACCESS ONTO CABLE TV SYSTEMS.
LEGCO’S RECREATION AND CULTURE PANEL WILL BE CONSULTED BEFORE ANY POLICY ON COMMUNITY ACCESS ONTO THE WHARF CABLE TV SYSTEM IS FINALISED.
MR SO ALSO NOTED THAT THE THREE CHANNELS WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE AFTER JANUARY 1, 1995 AND WERE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FREQUENCY SPECTRUM.
HOWEVER, HE DID NOT EXPECT WHARF CABLE TO BE ABLE TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT UNTIL ITS SYSTEM WAS SWITCHED OVER TO OPTIC FIBRE IN THREE YEARS’ TIME.
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NO INTENTION TO MAKE ACCOUNTING RATES PUBLIC
*****
THE INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE SERVICES’ ACCOUNTING RATES WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED, AND THE PUBLIC ARE PROTECTED BY THE HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATION ORDINANCE AND THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (TA).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID DISCLOSING PUBLIC ACCOUNTING RATES WOULD WEAKEN HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL’S (HKTI) NEGOTIATING POSITION, ADDING THAT THIS WOULD LEAD TO A POORER OUTCOME FOR HONG KONG AND HIGHER TARIFFS FOR CONSUMERS.
TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC, MR SIU SAID THE TA HAD FULL DETAILS OF ALL ACCOUNTING RATE AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO BY THE COMPANY AND THE PROFITABILITY OF THE IDD SERVICE ON A ROUTE-BY-ROUTE BASIS.
UNDER THE TELECOMMUNICATION ORDINANCE, THE TA IS EMPOWERED TO DETERMINE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF NETWORK INTERCONNECTION AND TO PREVENT ANY DISCRIMINATORY PRICING BY HKTI IN RELATION TO THE SERVICES IT OFFERS TO OTHER OPERATORS, HE SAID.
INTRODUCED IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, THE ACCOUNTING RATE IS A CHARGE BY OVERSEAS TELEPHONE COMPANIES TO DELIVER CALLS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
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/Il .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
11
NO PRIVACY INTERFERENCE IN PROPERTY OWNERSHIP SURVEY
* * ♦ * ♦
THE RECENT SURVEY BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ON THE EXTENT OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AMONG PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING TENANTS DID NOT CONSTITUTE ANY INTERFERENCE WITH PRIVACY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING, MR EASON SAID THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY MATCHING THE DEPARTMENT’S RECORDS WITH THE IDENTITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS REGISTERED AT THE LAND REGISTRY.
"AS THE REGISTERS IN THE LAND REGISTRY ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION, THE QUESTION OF INTERFERENCE WITH PRIVACY DOES NOT ARISE,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE SURVEY WAS A FACT-FINDING EXERCISE AND THE RESULTS WERE ANALYSED IN BROAD TERMS FOR USE AS REFERENCE ONLY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING POLICIES.
IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD ENSURED THAT THE COLLECTED DATA WAS HANDLED WITH CARE AND ITS USE RESTRICTED TO THE GENERAL ANALYSIS OF OWNERSHIP OF DOMESTIC PROPERTIES BY PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE AGGREGATE, AND NO INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL RECORDS OR TENANTS’ IDENTITIES WERE RELEASED.
UNDER ESTABLISHED PRACTICE, THE RAW DATA OF THE SURVEY WAS DESTROYED AFTER PROCESSING.
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\ C > NO REPORT OF CONTAINER COLLAPSE IN RECENT YEARS ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT OF CONTAINER COLLAPSE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN RECENT YEARS OR ANY REQUEST FOR REHOUSING FROM ANYONE PERCEIVING THEMSELVES AS BEING AT RISK UNDER THE CONTAINER STACKS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID NEVERTHELESS THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE LIMITED RISK POSED BY STACKS OF CONTAINERS AND A NUMBER OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE MEASURES INCLUDED THE PUBLICATION OF A BOOKLET ENTITLED ’’SAFE PRACTICES FOR CONTAINER HANDLING”, AMENDMENTS TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING ORDINANCE IN JULY 1992 TO EXTEND ITS COVERAGE TO CONTAINER STORAGE DEPOTS AND YARDS, AND THE INCORPORATION OF CONTAINER HANDLING SAFETY PROVISIONS IN THE NEW FACTORIES INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CARGO AND CONTAINER HANDLING) REGULATIONS.
/MR EASON .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
12
MR EASON SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, IN ADDITION TO THE ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, CONDUCTED 118 SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT INSPECTIONS AT CONTAINER YARDS LAST YEAR.
ONE SUMMON HAS BEEN ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW CONTAINER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS SINCE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW REGULATIONS.
ON THE LAND-USE PLANNING SIDE, WHERE PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IS REQUIRED, THE BOARD CAN ALSO IMPOSE CONDITIONS TO ENSURE THAT APPROPRIATE SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE.
HOWEVER, SINCE MOST CONTAINER STORAGE YARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE LOCATED ON PRIVATE LAND, ANY CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY SHOULD BE TAKEN UP WITH THE OWNERS OR OPERATORS OF THE YARDS IN QUESTION.
THEREFORE, THE QUESTION OF PRIORITY FOR REHOUSING DOES NOT ARISE.
------0----------
CLASSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS TO BE REVIEWED
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO REVIEW ITS SYSTEM OF ACCIDENT STATISTICS TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID.
ANY FACTORS THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF ACCIDENT SITUATIONS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR LEUNG SAID THE CURRENT CLASSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WAS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT DOES NOT CLASSIFY INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ACCORDING TO WHETHER THEY ARE CAUSED BY HUMAN FACTORS OR NON-HUMAN FACTORS.
MR LEUNG SAID: "EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT MOST ACCIDENTS MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HUMAN FAILING OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER.
"FOR EXAMPLE, IF A MACHINE FAILS, THE CAUSE CAN USUALLY BE TRACED TO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CAUSES, E.G. DEFECTIVE DESIGN, IMPROPER MANUFACTURE, INCORRECT INSTALLATION, POOR MAINTENANCE, INADEQUATE TRAINING OF OPERATORS, FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, ETC."
MR LEUNG ALSO NOTED THAT THE ACCIDENT RATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LAST YEAR WAS 302.34 ACCIDENTS PER 1,000 WORKERS EMPLOYED.
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13
HUMAN RESOURCE DEMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES STUDIED *****
THE WORKS BRANCH IS CONDUCTING A STUDY WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOP A MEDIUM TO LONG TERM FORECAST MODEL FOR ASSESSING THE DEMAND FOR HUMAN RESOURCE, INCLUDING PROFESSIONALS AND SKILLED LABOURS, AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI, MR BLAKE SAID THE STUDY WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OF THE DEMAND REQUIRED BY NORMAL CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN HONG KONG, BOTH IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS, THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS INCLUDING THE NEW AIRPORT ITSELF.
HE SAID HONG KONG INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES USING PROFESSIONALS FROM HONG KONG COMPANIES ENGAGED IN CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED ACTIVITIES IN CHINA WOULD ALSO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
AS THE CURRENT STUDY IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, MR BLAKE SAID THE METHODOLOGY HAD HAD TO BE STRUCTURED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LIMITED AND FREQUENTLY UNTESTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
INSOFAR AS GOVERNMENT PROJECTS ARE CONCERNED, MR BLAKE SAID, THE DEMAND SIDE INFORMATION FROM THE RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENTS OR AUTHORITY WILL BE TAKEN INTO THE MODEL.
FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HOWEVER, GATHERING RELIABLE INFORMATION FOR THE MODEL WILL BE INDIRECT AND HENCE LESS RELIABLE, HE SAID.
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ADEQUATE POLICE PRESENCE ON STREETS NEEDED: S FOR S ♦ » * * *
THE TOTAL STRENGTH OF POLICE FORCE IS SOME THREE PER CENT ABOVE THE ESTABLISHMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MR ASPREY SAID THIS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, AS A RESULT OF SUCCESSFUL RECRUITMENT, LOW WASTAGE, AND THE REDEPLOYMENT OF MANY OFFICERS BACK TO NORMAL OPERATIONAL DUTIES.
IN ADDITION TO REGULAR POLICE OFFICERS, AUXILIARY POLICE AND THE POLICE TACTICAL UNITS HAVE ALSO BEEN DEPLOYED TO AUGMENT OPERATIONS AND STRENGTHEN PATROLLING.
"THE INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE ON THE STREETS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN LOWERING THE OVERALL CRIME RATE AND THE RATE OF VIOLENT CRIME," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
14
FIVE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS PRESENTED TO UN : SHA
* * * * ♦
THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT WILL PRESENT FIVE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS ON HONG KONG TO THE UNITED NATIONS BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, MR SUEN SAID ALL THE REPORTS WILL BE TABLED BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND WILL BE MADE PUBLIC AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED NATIONS BY THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT.
THE FIVE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS ARE:
♦ INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT;
♦ THIRTEENTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION;
♦ FOURTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS;
♦ THIRD PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT - ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS;
♦ FOURTEENTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.
MR SUEN ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO FORMALLY CONSULT OTHER PARTIES DURING THE PREPARATION OF THESE REPORTS.
BUT THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE INTERESTED PARTIES FROM EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS ON THESE ISSUES TO THE GOVERNMENT.
’’THEY ARE ALSO FREE TO PRESENT THEIR VIEWS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT OR THE RELEVANT UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE DIRECT,” HE SAID.
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RECORDS ON FORCED RECRUITMENT OF 9 COMFORT WOMEN* UNAVAILABLE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT FINDS NO RECORD BOTH HERE AND IN LONDON THAT CONTAIN ANY REFERENCE TO THE FORCIBLE RECRUITMENT OF "COMFORT WOMEN” DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"NOR DO THEY MENTION ANY INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS SUBJECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER WORLD WAR II, NOR REPRESENTATIONS TO THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AT THAT TIME,” MR ASPREY SAID, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J D MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
15
HE SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN POSSIBLE, IN THE TIME AVAILABLE, TO MAKE A THOROUGH SEARCH OF THE ARCHIVES RELATING TO THIS PERIOD.
HE SAID THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAD ADVISED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY APPROACHES ON THIS SUBJECT FROM HONG KONG RESIDENTS OR ASSOCIATIONS.
"WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY WOMEN SUFFERED IN THIS WAY, NOR HOW MANY, IF ANY, ARE STILL ALIVE. NONE HAS APPROACHED US FOR ASSISTANCE, NOR OTHERWISE BECOME KNOWN TO US.
HE SAID IF ANY SUCH CASES DID BECOME KNOWN TO THE GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER SYMPATHETICALLY HOW IT COULD ASSIST THEM.
"BUT THE SCOPE FOR LEGAL REDRESS IS CONSTRAINED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO PEACE TREATY OF 1951," HE ADDED.
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OVERSEAS PUBLICITY FOR PHASED BN(O) REGISTRATION PROGRAMME
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ARRANGED DIFFERENT WAYS TO PUBLICISE OVERSEAS THE PHASED BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) (BN(O)) REGISTRATION PROGRAMME, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EDWARD HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE:
» REGULAR ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE TIMETABLE FOR REGISTRATION AND REMINDERS FOR EACH PHASE ARE PLACED IN NINE OVERSEAS CHINESE NEWSPAPERS AND IN THREE HONG KONG MAGAZINES WHICH ARE VERY POPULAR AMONG OVERSEAS HONG KONG RESIDENTS;
» INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON THE PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME HAVE BEEN SENT TO OVERSEAS BRITISH POSTS, UK PASSPORT OFFICES, THE UK IMMIGRATION SERVICE AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OVERSEAS OFFICES FOR DISSEMINATION TO HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS (BDTCS) ABROAD.
* THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN LONDON, GENEVA, WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, TORONTO AND TOKYO HAVE BEEN EMPHASISING THE PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME IN THEIR CONTACTS WITH THE OVERSEAS HONG KONG COMMUNITIES;
* RADIO TAPES ON THE PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME HAVE BEEN SENT TO OVERSEAS CHINESE RADIO STATIONS FOR BROADCASTING; AND
* ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE BROADCAST THROUGH TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS IN HONG KONG APPEALING TO LOCAL PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY TO INFORM THEIR FRIENDS OR RELATIVES ABROAD OF THE PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED CLOSE CONTACT WITH OVERSEAS OFFICES AND WITH OVERSEAS BRITISH POSTS.
/AS FOR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
16
AS FOR THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED, MR ASPREY SAID IN THE FIRST MONTH OR SO OF THE PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME, SOME BRITISH POSTS EXPERIENCED TEETHING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW PROCEDURES INVOLVING IN ISSUING BN(O) PASSPORTS.
"ONE OF WHICH WAS THE DISTRIBUTION OF APPLICATION FORMS TO APPLICANTS WHO DID NOT RESIDE IN THE VICINITY OF THE POST.
"WE HAVE ASSISTED TO OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS, AND WE BELIEVE, TO REDUCE TO A MINIMUM INCONVENIENCE TO BDTCS ABROAD," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT APPLICATION FORMS FOR OVERSEAS APPLICANTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THE OVERSEAS OFFICES AND AT BRITISH POSTS WHICH DID NOT HAVE PASSPORT ISSUING FUNCTIONS.
"WE ARE NOW ALSO ARRANGING FOR FORMS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH TO ASSIST THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OVERSEAS IN OBTAINING THE FORMS," HE ADDED.
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NO IMMEDIATE PLAN TO PUBLISH BOOKLET OF PERFORMANCE PLEDGES *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF PUBLISHING A BOOKLET OF ALL PERFORMANCE PLEDGES IN LIGHT OF DEVELOPMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON VINCENT CHENG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN THE MEANTIME, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A BROADER INTEREST, COMPLETE SETS OF PUBLISHED PLEDGES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EFFICIENCY UNIT IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT AT THIS STAGE INTEND TO PUBLISH SUCH A BOOKLET.
"THIS IS BECAUSE OUR CUSTOMERS CAN OBTAIN COPIES OF PLEDGES FROM THE DEPARTMENTS THEY VISIT, AND NOTICES OF STANDARDS AND COMPLAINT PROCEDURES SHOULD NORMALLY BE DISPLAYED AT THE POINT OF SERVICE."
HE SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO KEEP A BOOKLET UP TO DATE, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGES TO SERVICES AND PERSONNEL IN THE 50-ODD DEPARTMENTS WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES BY MID NEXT YEAR.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
17
PRIORITY DISCS FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS UNDER REGULAR REVIEW *****
THE NUMBERS OF PRIORITY DISCS SET ASIDE DAILY FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS AT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS ARE REVIEWED REGULARLY AND ARE ADJUSTED AS NECESSARY TO MEET SERVICE NEEDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID THE NUMBERS WERE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF SERVICES, HAVING REGARD TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
"THESE INCLUDE THE SIZE AND AGE PROFILE OF THE POPULATION IN THE CATCHMENT AREA; THE DEMAND FOR AND UTILISATION PATTERN OF CLINIC SERVICES BY DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS; THE CAPACITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CLINIC CONCERNED; AND THE AVAILABILITY OF CLINIC SERVICES PROVIDED BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE VICINITY," SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES WHO REQUIRED REGULAR FOLLOW-UP AT CLINICS, THEY WERE GIVEN ADVANCED APPOINTMENTS.
THEY DO NOT REQUIRE A DISC FOR ATTENDANCE AND THEIR NUMBERS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO QUOTA, SAID MRS WONG.
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ACAN STUDIES WAYS TO HELP YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS » » » » ♦
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) IS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL TO SET UP A THREE-YEAR PILOT SCHEME FOR A TREATMENT CENTRE FOR YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROPOSAL WAS RECEIVED FROM THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR ASPREY SAID MEASURES LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, AND TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION HAD BEEN TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF INCREASED YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21.
A TOTAL OF 928 YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS AGED UNDER 21 WERE REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THIS REPRESENTS A 68.4 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE NUMBER REPORTED IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
"WE ARE NOT CLEAR AS TO THE REASONS FOR THE INCREASE, BUT THE NUMBER OF REPORTS ON YOUNG PEOPLE AGED UNDER 21 COME FROM A WIDE RANGE OF REPORTING AGENCIES, COVERING LAW ENFORCEMENT, TREATMENT AND WELFARE ORGANISATIONS."
BUT HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE AND WITH THE HELP FROM ACAN’S RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE, IT WAS TRYING TO DETERMINE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES.
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RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE LICENSED ♦ « » ♦ »
ANY PREMISES AT WHICH MORE THAN FIVE ELDERLY PERSONS ARE HABITUALLY RECEIVED FOR CARE WILL COME UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL IF IT IS PASSED INTO LAW.
IN OTHER WORDS, ALL SUBVENTED, NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES WILL BE COVERED.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THE CONTROL WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A LICENSING SYSTEM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
’’IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO OPERATE A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME WITHOUT A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, AND TO OPERATE A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE CONDITIONS OF A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION.
’’ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES FALSE INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION, OR OBSTRUCTS INSPECTION ALSO COMMITS AN OFFENCE,” SHE ADDED.
it- ■
UNDER THE BILL, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MAY ISSUE OR RENEW A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION WHEREBY THE HOMES WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN BASIC REQUIREMENTS.
THE DIRECTOR MAY ALSO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION WHICH WILL BE REVOKED IF THE CONDITIONS ARE NOT FULFILLED WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT TO ENSURE THE PROPER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, THE BILL SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE REGISTRATION OF HEALTH WORKERS, THE DUTIES OF OPERATORS, THE DUTIES OF HOME MANAGERS, SPACE AND STAFFING, LOCATION AND DESIGN, AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES.
"WE CONSIDER THAT THE STANDARDS TO BE IMPOSED ARE THE MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS AND WE EXPECT THAT MOST OF THE EXISTING HOMES WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED UNDER THE LAW,” SAID MRS WONG.
’’HOWEVER, SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL PUT IN PLACE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY CLOSURE OF SUBSTANDARD HOMES.
’’THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED FOR THIS PURPOSE," SHE SAID.
THE LEGISLATION WHEN ENACTED WILL PROHIBIT NEW HOMES WHICH CANNOT MEET THE LICENSING STANDARDS FROM ENTERING THE MARKET.
PROVISIONS FOR APPEALS, HOWEVER, ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE DRAFT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS)(APPEAL BOARD) REGULATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993
- 19 -
LEGCO ASKS GOVT TO SET UP CENTRAL COMPENSATION FUND *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS EVENING PASSED A MOTION TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A CENTRAL COMPENSATION FUND FOR EMPLOYEES, TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTION TO INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT VICTIMS.
THIRTEEN MEMBERS DEBATED FOR ALMOST TWO HOURS ON THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK. THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
SEVEN OTHER MOTIONS WERE ALSO PASSED.
ONE WAS MOVED BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, TWO WERE MOVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE, FOUR WERE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, TWO UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCES AND TWO UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, TWO BILLS - SEWAGE TUNNELS (STATUTORY EASEMENTS) BILL AND COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 WERE BOTH PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LAWYERS BACK LEGITIMACY OF ELECTION PACKAGE ..................... 1
GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT ON AIRPLANE CRASH .......................... 1
296 SURVIVE KAI TAK CRASH ....................................... 2
JOINT EFFORTS TO TACKLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS .................. 3
HK ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO URUGUAY ROUND ......................... 3
CONTRACT AWARD OF LANTAU TOLL PLAZA ADVANCE EARTHWORKS .......... 4
OWNERS ALERTED ON IMPOSTERS ..................................... 5
LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT REPROVISIONED ................... 5
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER ............... 6
SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR SECOND QUARTER ................................................ 8
MERCURY TRANSIT OVER SUN’S DISC ON SATURDAY .................... 13
NEW APPROACH TO 1993 AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ................... 14
CASH AND CAPERS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE •............................ 15
CSD AUTUMN FAIR IN STANLEY ..................................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
16
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
1
LAWYERS BACK LEGITIMACY OF ELECTION PACKAGE ♦ * * * »
LAWYERS GIVING EVIDENCE AT YESTERDAY’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING HAD DISMISSED ALLEGATIONS THAT THE UK ELECTION PROPOSALS WERE BREACHING THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE SINO-BRITISH UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS AFTER OPENING A FORUM ON PLASTIC BAGS THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
"IT’S INSTRUCTIVE TO SEE HOW COMPREHENSIVELY THE LAWYERS, INDEPENDENT LAWYERS WHO WERE QUESTIONED ON THE ISSUE YESTERDAY DISMISSED THOSE ALLEGATIONS.
"THEY REGARDED THEM AS BEING COMPLETELY UNTRUE.
"THEY REGARDED EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE SO FAR AS BEING ENTIRELY IN LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES," MR PATTEN SAID.
MORE, ONE OR TWO OF THE LAWYERS WERE RATHER CRITICAL ABOUT SOMETHING THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID OR DONE, HE ADDED.
THE COMMITTEE HELD THE MEETING IN LONDON TO TAKE EVIDENCE FROM NOT ONLY GOVERNMENT LAWYERS BUT ALSO INDEPENDENT LAWYERS ABOUT THE SINO-BRITISH ELECTION TALKS AND WHETHER THE UK PROPOSALS ARE IN BREACH OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.
MR PATTEN HOPES THE TALKS WILL LEAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
"BUT THERE IS STILL, I AM AFRAID, SOME WAY TO GO," HE SAID.
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GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT ON AIRPLANE CRASH » ♦ » » »
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WAS INFORMED IMMEDIATELY OF THE ACCIDENT AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.
HE WAS KEPT INFORMED AS THE RESCUE OPERATION PROGRESSED. THE GOVERNOR CONGRATULATED EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE OPERATION. HE
"THE EMERGENCY SERVICES HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB. THEIR DETERMINATION AND PROFESSIONALISM HAVE SAVED MANY LIVES. I CONGRATULATE EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART IN THE RESCUE. I HOPE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED MAKE A QUICK RECOVERY."
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
2
296 SURVIVE KAI TAK CRASH * » *
ALL 296 PASSENGERS AND CREW OF A CHINA AIRLINES JET WERE RESCUED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY WHEN LANDING AT KAI TAK AIRPORT THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
ARRIVING FROM TAIPEI, THE PLANE SKIDDED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND LANDED IN THE HARBOUR AT 11.39 AM.
TWELVE FIRE ENGINES, NINE AMBULANCES AND TWO FIREBOATS IMMEDIATELY SPED TO THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THEY WERE JOINED BY POLICE LAUNCHES AND TWO MARINE DEPARTMENT BARGES WHICH HELPED SECURE THE FUSELAGE OF THE PLANE.
WITH THE SLIGHTLY-DAMAGED BOEING 747 AIRCRAFT VISIBLE ABOVE WATER, RESCUE OPERATION TOOK LESS THAN THREE HOURS.
A STAND-BY TEAM, COMPRISING 13 DOCTORS AND 60 NURSES, WAS SET UP AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL TO DEAL WITH CASUALTIES.
AMONG THE 23 RUSHED TO HOSPITAL, ONLY A 47-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND A 45-YEAR-OLD MAN WERE ADMITTED IN FAIR CONDITION.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR DICK SEIGAL, SAID AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, 29 FLIGHTS HAD BEEN DELAYED ON THE GROUND AND THAT 18 IN-COMING FLIGHTS HAD TO BE DIVERTED.
DESCRIBING THE RESCUE OPERATION BY FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR PETER CHEUNG, SAID THE AIRPORT FIRE SERVICES TEAM RECEIVED THE FIRST ALARM AT 11.37 AM AND "WE WERE ALREADY AT THE SCENE WITHIN A MINUTE".
"OUR AIRPORT FIREBOAT WAS ALSO MOBILE WITHIN MINUTES AND THE WHOLE RESCUE EXERCISE HAS BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL AS EVERY SOUL ON BOARD WAS OUT WITHIN MINUTES AND ALL PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOR SOON AFTERWARDS."
MR CHEUNG SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE RESCUE WORK, THERE WERE REPORTS THAT A SMALL CHILD WAS MISSING AND FROGMEN SPENT SOME TIME UNDERWATER SEARCHING.
"IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MISUNDERSTANDING AND THE WHOLE OPERATION WAS CONCLUDED WITHIN HALF AN HOUR OR SO," HE ADDED.
THE AIRPORT WAS RE-OPENED AT 6 PM.
REGIONAL COMMANDER, KOWLOON EAST, MR PEDRO CHING, IN ANNOUNCING THE POLICE ROLE SAID THREE MARINE LAUNCHES AND FIVE SMALL CRAFTS FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TOOK PART.
/"ON LAND
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
- 3 -
"ON LAND, WE HAD FIVE EMERGENCY UNIT VEHICLES IN ATTENDANCE. APART FROM A FEW PASSENGERS SUFFERING MINOR INJURIES, THE REST WERE ONLY SUFFERING FROM SHOCK OR THE COLD WEATHER BECAUSE OF THE RAIN AND THE WIND.
"I AM VERY PLEASED TO SEE THE OPERATION SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED SO QUICKLY WITH ALL THE PASSENGERS AND CREW MEMBERS ACCOUNTED FOR. THERE WAS IN FACT VERY GOOD CO-OPEPATION AMONG THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE OPERATION," HE ADDED.
..I
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JOINT EFFORTS TO TACKLE * * *
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS * »
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY. (THURSDAY) TO DEAL WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD TO MOVE ON FROM CHANGES IN ATTITUDES TO REAL CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR.
SPEAKING AT THE FORUM ON PLASTIC BAGS - THE FINAL SOLUTION, MR PATTEN SAID CONSUMERS, BUSINESSMEN AND THE GOVERNMENT WERE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
"EACH SHOPPER AND EACH USER OF PLASTIC BAGS IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE READY TO ACCEPT CHANGES IN PERSONAL ASSUMPTIONS AND CHANGES IN HABITS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
BUSINESS SECTOR HAD TO BE CO-OPERATIVE IN INTRODUCING POSITIVE INCENTIVES FOR CHANGE, HE ADDED.
AS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IT MUST BE SEEN TO BE COMMITTED IN SUPPORTING PRACTICAL MEASURES TO REDUCE PLASTIC BAG USE.
HONG KONG PEOPLE THROW AWAY 15 MILLION PLASTIC BAGS EVERYDAY, THAT IS 600 TONS OF PLASTIC WHICH COSTS $70 MILLION A YEAR TO DISPOSE
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HK ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO URUGUAY ROUND *****
AS A FREE TRADER AND AN OPEN ECONOMY, HONG KONG IS A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM ADVOCATED BY GATT AND ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE URUGUAY ROUND, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF INTERSTOFF ASIA 1993, MR CHAU SAID THE BASIC PRINCIPLES EMBODIED IN GATT WERE TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
/HE NOTED .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
4
HE NOTED THAT ONE OF THE SUBJECTS WHICH WOULD FORM A PART OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT AND WHICH WAS OF VITAL CONCERN TO HONG KONG WAS TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
"A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE URUGUAY ROUND WILL SEE THE START OF THE PHASING OUT OF DISCRIMINATORY RESTRAINTS UNDER THE MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT.
’’THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE A DEPARTURE FROM GATT PRINCIPLES AND HAVE LIMITED AND DISTORTED WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SINCE THE EARLY 1960’S,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG SUPPORTED THE INTEGRATION OF THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR INTO THE GATT BY MEANS OF A TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT BASED ON THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT.
"WE THEREFORE LOOK FORWARD TO A SATISFACTORY OUTCOME OF THE TALKS, RESULTING IN AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL LEAD TO LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AT THE END OF A 10-YEAR PHASE-OUT PERIOD," HE ADDED.
- .---0-------
CONTRACT AWARD OF LANTAU TOLL PLAZA ADVANCE EARTHWORKS
*****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS AWARDED A FURTHER CONTRACT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TO CARRY OUT ADVANCE EARTHWORKS FOR THE TOLL PLAZA AT NORTHEAST LANTAU BETWEEN THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY AND THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE.
THE LANTAU TOLL PLAZA ADVANCE EARTHWORKS CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO AOKI/FRANKI JOINT VENTURE AT A PRICE OF $119.6 MILLION.
AS PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING PROJECT, THE CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE ADVANCE SITE FORMATION FOR THE LANTAU TOLL PLAZA AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS TOGETHER WITH THE DUAL THREE-LANE EXPRESSWAY APPROACHES.
THE WORKS WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF DRAINAGE CULVERTS AND A SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION AT TSING CHAU WAN TO PROVIDE A RESERVE FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND CONTRACTORS WORKS AREAS.
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM EIGHT PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS AND THE JOINT VENTURE FORMED BY AOKI CORPORATION OF JAPAN AND FRANKI CONTRACTORS LIMITED OF HONG KONG SUBMITTED THE LOWEST TENDER OF $119.6 MILLION.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1995.
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING PROJECT, COMPRISING THE TSING MA BRIDGE AND THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE AND MA WAN VIADUCT, WILL FORM PART OF AN EXTENSIVE TRANSPORT NETWORK LINKING TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK TO THE URBAN AREAS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG.
/THE AWARD .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
- 5
THE AWARD OF THIS LANTAU TOLL PLAZA ADVANCE EARTHWORKS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 31, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF MORE THAN $30 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS VALUED AT $9.7 BILLION AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR THE ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS ABOUT $45.6 BILLION.
------0--------
OWNERS ALERTED ON IMPOSTERS
*******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ADVISED COMPANY OWNERS TO BE WATCHFUL FOR PEOPLE IMPERSONATING AS OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE ADVICE FOLLOWED A CASE IN WHICH A FACTORY OWNER RECENTLY RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL FROM A WOMAN WHO CLAIMED TO BE AN OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND ASKED FOR PARTICULARS OF THE FACTORY FOR SAFETY INSPECTION.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS MAKING ENQUIRIES WOULD ALWAYS MAKE KNOWN THEIR NAMES AND THE NAMES OF THEIR OFFICES.
"OFFICERS CONDUCTING SITE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES BY PRODUCING THEIR WARRANT CARDS," HE SAID.
"IF OWNERS HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT A CALLER’S IDENTITY, THEY SHOULD' ASK FOR HIS CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER OR ADDRESS SO THAT FOLLOWUP ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO CHECK WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION IF THEY HAVE FURTHER DOUBTS," HE ADDED.
- - 0---------
LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT REPROVISIONED *****
LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT (LRPU) WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO NEW PREMISES IN HARBOUR BUILDING IN CENTRAL TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING THE HARMONIOUS LABOUR MANAGEMENT RELATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE UNIT ORGANISES VARIOUS ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE ANNUAL CERTIFICATE COURSE ON LABOUR RELATIONS, SEMINARS AND OTHER TRAINING COURSES.
/THE UNIT .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
- 6 -
THE UNIT ALSO PUBLISHES THE LABOUR RELATIONS NEWSLETTER REGULARLY FOR DISTRIBUTION TO MORE THAN 20,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH EMPLOY 20 OR MORE PERSONS TO ENABLE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO GET UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON NEW OR AMENDED LABOUR LEGISLATION AS WELL AS RELEVANT LABOUR RELATION SUBJECTS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE EITHER IN PERSON TO THE LRPU ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, ON TEL 852 3232 OR BY FAX ON 854 4723.
------0------------
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER ♦ ♦ » ♦ *
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DROPPED BY 4% UNDER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING ; TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) INDUSTRY RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE OF 13.8%. THE PRODUCTION OF BASIC METAL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS ALSO DROPPED BY 12.4%.
THE INDUSTRY GROUP OF CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS RECORDED A MODERATE DECREASE OF 7.4%. WITHIN THIS GROUP, THE PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC PRODUCTS FELL MORE NOTABLY BY 11.1%.
THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY SHOWED A MILD DECREASE OF 2.9% IN PRODUCTION.
THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS ALSO REGISTERED A SLIGHT DECREASE OF 1.9%.
WITHIN THIS GROUP, THE PRODUCTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS FELL BY 9.9% WHEREAS THAT OF MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS INCREASED BY 8.4%.
THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO ALSO DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1.3%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING INDUSTRY GROUP CONTINUED TO REGISTER A MARKED INCREASE IN PRODUCTION, BY 14.2% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993, THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SHOWED A NOTABLE INCREASE OF 12%. THE INCREASE WAS, HOWEVER, LARGELY SEASONAL AS MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES USUALLY START TO PICK UP IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION REFLECTS CHANGES OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
/MORE DETAILED .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
7
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 2ND QUARTER 1993", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $4 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3238.
FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION.
AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC) IS USED TO FORM THE INDUSTRY GROUPS AND BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS PRESENTED IN THE TABLE.
INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP AND SELECTED
INDUSTRY GROUP (1986 = 100)
BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP / SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP
INDEX FOR 2ND QTR. 1993
% CHANGE OVER
2ND QTR. 1ST QTR.
1992 1993
1. FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 150 -1.3 + 5.6
2. WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 102 -2.9 + 7.4
3. TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 112 -13.8 + 27.3
4. PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING 265 + 14.2 + 21.0
5. CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 75 -7.4 + 11.9 i
— PLASTIC PRODUCTS (56) (-11.1) (+12.0)
6. BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 92 -12.4 + 2.2
-- FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (91) (-11.7) (+4.6) 4
/7. ELECTRICAL AND ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
8 -
7. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS 159 -1.9 + 10.4
-- CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (127) (-9.9) (+19.8)
-- MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS (219) (+8.4) (+4.8)
8. MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 84 -12.5 + 3.7
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 121 -4.0 + 12.0
NOTES: 1. FOUR SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS, WHICH CARRY RELATIVELY
LARGE WEIGHTS AND ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE RESPECTIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE TABLE. FOR EASY READING, THE FIGURES OF THESE SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS.
2. AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC) IS USED TO FORM THE INDUSTRY GROUPS AND BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS PRESENTED IN THE ABOVE TABLE. FOR THE EXACT COVERAGE OF THE GROUPS IN TERMS OF HSIC CODES, PLEASE REFER TO THE ’REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 2ND QUARTER 1993’.
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SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR SECOND QUARTER * ♦ ♦ ♦ »
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, 8,274 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS WITH A
TOTAL CAPACITY OF 37.9 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED AT HONG KONG.
THIS INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THE ’HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, APRIL - JUNE 1993’ PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURES REFLECT AN INCREASE OF 23% IN NUMBER OF VESSELS AND 18% IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THERE WERE 8,407 OUTGOING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 37.4 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 21% IN NUMBER AND 17% IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
/IN THE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
9
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, THE TOTAL, TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND SEABORNE INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 18.3 MILLION TONNE, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 24% OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1992.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) AND SEABORNE OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 6.8 MILLION TONNE, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 17%.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, 87% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WERE SEABORNE IMPORTS AND 13% WERE SEABORNE INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, AND 42% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WERE CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, 66% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WERE SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) AND 34% WERE SEABORNE OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, AND 86% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WERE CONTAINERISED CARGO.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, THE TOP FIVE COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS (INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND SEABORNE INWARD TRANSHIPMENT) WERE SINGAPORE (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 17% IN TONNAGE TERMS), CHINA (13%), JAPAN (13%), TAIWAN (10%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (7%).
THE TOP FIVE COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS (INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND SEABORNE OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT) WERE THE U.S.A. (21%), CHINA (19%), TAIWAN (9%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (5%) AND JAPAN (5%).
THE TOP FIVE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS IN TONNAGE INCLUDE PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 20%); COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (17%); IRON AND STEEL (9%); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (6%); AND MACHINERY (6%).
THE TOP FIVE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES LOADED ONTO OUTGOING OCEANGOING VESSELS INCLUDE MACHINERY (12%); OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (9%); OTHER MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (8%); TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (6%); AND ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES (6%).
CHANGES IN THE TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED AND LOADED ANALYSED BY THE TOP TEN COUNTRIES OF LOADING AND DISCHARGE BETWEEN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 ARE SHOWN RESPECTIVELY IN TABLE 2 AND TABLE 3.
SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR CARGO DISCHARGED AND LOADED ANALYSED BY THE TOP TEN PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES ARE SHOWN RESPECTIVELY IN TABLE 4 AND TABLE 5.
STARTING 1993, OCEAN-GOING VESSELS HAVE BEEN REDEFINED AS ALL VESSELS OPERATING BEYOND THE RIVER TRADE LIMITS. IN CALCULATING THE YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGES, SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR 1992 HAVE BEEN RE-COMPILED BASED ON THE NEW DEFINITION.
/SHIPPING STATISTICS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
10 -
SHIPPING STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIP MASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEANGOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED FROM A SAMPLE OF CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS OF SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 ARE CONTAINED IN THE ’HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, APRIL - JUNE 1993’.
THIS REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AT $44.5 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 4887.
TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF SHIPPING AND
CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS
2ND QUARTER
1993
% CHANGE OVER 2ND QUARTER 1992
INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSEL
NUMBER 8 274 + 23
CAPACITY (MN. NRT) 37.9 + 18
CARGO DISCHARGED (MN. TONNE) 18.3 (42) + 24
SEABORNE IMPORTS (MN. TONNE) 15.9 (35) + 25
SEABORNE INWARD TRANSHIPMENT (MN. TONNE) 2.4 (85) + 16
OUTGOING OCEAN-GOING VESSEL
NUMBER 8 407 + 21
CAPACITY (MN. NRT) 37.4 + 17
CARGO LOADED (MN. TONNE) 6.8 (86) + 17
SEABORNE EXPORTS (MN. TONNE) 4.5 (80) + 20
(INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS)
SEABORNE OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT (MN. TONNE) 2.3 (97) + 12
NOTES: (I) FIGURES IN BRACKETS DENOTE THE EXTENT OF CONTAINERISATION
IN PERCENTAGE.
(II) STARTING FROM 1993, OCEAN-GOING VESSELS HAVE BEEN
REDEFINED AS ALL VESSELS OPERATING BEYOND THE RIVER TRADE LIMITS. IN CALCULATING THE YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGES,
STATISTICS FOR 1992 HAVE BEEN RECOMPILED BASED ON THE NEW DEFINITION.
/TABLE 2: .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
11
TABLE 2: CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS BY THE TOP 10 COUNTRIES OF LOADING
COUNTRY OF LOADING 2ND QUARTER 1993 % CHANGE OVER 2ND QUARTER 1992
(’000 TONNE)
SINGAPORE 3 187 + 53
CHINA 2 419 + 9
JAPAN 2 405 + 24
TAIWAN 1 751 + 16
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1 323 + 101
U.S.A, 1 231 -10
AUSTRALIA 1 189 -6
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA 1 154 + 48
INDONESIA 594 -9
THAILAND 331 + 20
NOTES: (I) CARGO DISCHARGED INCLUDES SEABORNE IMPORTS AND SEABORNE INWARD TRANSHIPMENT.
(II) STARTING FROM 1993, OCEAN-GOING VESSELS HAVE BEEN
REDEFINED AS ALL VESSELS OPERATING BEYOND THE RIVER TRADE LIMITS. IN CALCULATING THE YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGES, STATISTICS FOR 1992 HAVE BEEN RECOMPILED BASED ON THE NEW DEFINITION.
TABLE 3: CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS BY THE TOP 10 COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE
COUNTRY OF DISCHARGE 2ND QUARTER 1993 % CHANGE 2ND QUARTER OVER 1992
U.S.A. (’000 TONNE) 1 410 + 14
CHINA 1 299 + 47
TAIWAN 604 + 6
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY 350 + 32
JAPAN 327 + 9
SINGAPORE 306 + 20
NETHERLANDS 290 + 37
UNITED KINGDOM 186 + 10
PHILIPPINES 165 -10
INDONESIA 145 + 14
NOTES: (I) CARGO LOADED INCLUDES SEABORNE EXPORTS AND SEABORNE OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT.
(II) STARTING FROM 1993, OCEAN-GOING VESSELS HAVE BEEN REDEFINED AS ALL VESSELS OPERATING BEYOND THE RIVER TRADE LIMITS. IN CALCULATING THE YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGES, STATISTICS FOR 1992 HAVE BEEN RECOMPILED BASED ON THE NEW DEFINITION.
/TABLE 4: .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
12
TABLE 4: CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS BY THE TOP 10 PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES
COMMODITY GROUP 2ND QUARTER 1993 % CHANGE OVER 2ND QUARTER 1992
PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (’000 TONNE) 3 637 + 50
AND RELATED MATERIALS COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES 3 068 + 3
IRON AND STEEL 1 571 + 91
ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC 1 151 -5
MATERIALS MACHINERY 1 044 + 43
PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS 904 + 19
CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER 789 + 37
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED 690 + 29
CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL STONE, SAND AND GRAVEL 587 + 67
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP 528 + 5
ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS
NOTES: (I) CARGO DISCHARGED INCLUDES SEABORNE IMPORTS AND SEABORNE INWARD TRANSHIPMENT.
(II) STARTING FROM 1993, OCEAN-GOING VESSELS HAVE BEEN
REDEFINED AS ALL VESSELS OPERATING BEYOND THE RIVER TRADE LIMITS. TN CALCULATING THE YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGES,
STATISTICS FOR 1992 HAVE BEEN RECOMPILED BASED ON THE NEW DEFINITION.
TABLE 5: CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS BY THE TOP 10 PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES
COMMODITY GROUP 2ND QUARTER 1993 % CHANGE OVER 2ND QUARTER 1992
(’000 TONNE)
MACHINERY 792 + 34
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL 646 + 19
OTHER MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 573 + 21
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 388 + 21
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 382 -3
TOYS 349 + 9
FOOTWEAR 336 + 65
PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 267 + 139
IRON AND STEEL 262 + 111
CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS 254 + 7
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
- 13 -
NOTES: (I) CARGO LOADED INCLUDES SEABORNE EXPORTS AND SEABORNE
OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT.
(II) STARTING FROM 1993, OCEAN-GOING VESSELS HAVE BEEN
REDEFINED AS ALL VESSELS OPERATING BEYOND THE RIVER TRADE LIMITS. IN CALCULATING THE YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGES, STATISTICS FOR 1992 HAVE BEEN RECOMPILED BASED ON THE NEW DEFINITION.
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MERCURY TRANSIT OVER SUN’S DISC ON SATURDAY
*****
A TRANSIT OF MERCURY OVER THE DISC OF THE SUN WILL OCCUR ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 6). IF WEATHER PERMITS, IT WILL BE VISIBLE IN HONG KONG. DETAILS ARE GIVEN BELOW:
TRANSIT OF MERCURY ON NOVEMBER 6
HKT
BEGINNING OF TRANSIT (INGRESS)
EXTERIOR CONTACT 1107
INTERIOR CONTACT 1113
END OF TRANSIT (EGRESS)
INTERIOR CONTACT 1240
EXTERIOR CONTACT 1246
THE ABOVE ASTRONOMICAL EVENT MUST NOT BE VIEWED WITH THE NAKED EYE. AS THE APPARENT SIZE OF THE MERCURY IS SMALL, A TELESCOPE IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY MAGNIFICATION FOR OBSERVATION.
A ROYAL OBSERVATORY SPOKESMAN SAID ONE MUST NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN THROUGH THE EYEPIECE OF A TELESCOPE.
THERE ARE 14 TRANSITS OF MERCURY IN THE 20TH CENTURY.
THE NOVEMBER 6 TRANSIT WILL BE VISIBLE IN ASIA, AUSTRALIA AND THE EASTERN PART OF AFRICA.
COMPARED WITH THE LAST EVENT ON NOVEMBER 13, 1986 WHEN MERCURY MOVED RIGHT ACROSS THE SUN’S DISC DURING A FIVE-HOUR TRANSIT, THE FORTHCOMING TRANSIT WILL LAST LESS THAN TWO HOURS WITH MERCURY JUST CUTTING ACROSS A SECTOR OF THE SUN’S DISC.
DURING THE TRANSIT, MERCURY WILL BE OBSERVED AS A SMALL BLACK DOT ENTERING THE SUN’S DISC FROM THE SOUTH AND LEAVING TOWARDS THE SOUTHWEST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
/14 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
- 14 -
NEW APPROACH TO 1993 AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
*****
AIDS IS A FATAL DISEASE WHICH MOST PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF BUT RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THEY MIGHT BE ASSOCIATED WITH.
THE CONSULTANT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AIDS UNIT, DR LEE SHUI-SHAN TODAY (THURSDAY) STRESSED THAT IT WAS A MISCONCEPTION THAT AIDS COULD ONLY BE CAUGHT BY THOSE WHO LED AN IMMORAL LIFE.
"IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED THAT AIDS COULD NOT HAPPEN TO THEM MAY NOT BE INCLINED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS," DR LEE NOTED.
TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED THE 1993 AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN SINCE JULY.
A PUBLICITY PACKAGE WAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO INCLUDE TWO NEW TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTERESTS (API’S), RADIO API’S, SUPPORTING POSTERS AND LEAFLETS, ALL CARRYING THE OVERALL MESSAGE OF ’THINK ABOUT AIDS. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU.’
A GAME CUM EXHIBITION STALL WILL ALSO BE STAGED AT THE 1993 URBAN COUNCIL HEALTH EDUCATION FAIR IN VICTORIA PARK THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 7).
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH FUN AND LAUGHTERS, ADULTS AND SPECIALLY CHILDREN CAN BROADEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON AIDS," DR LEE SAID.
SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE CAMPAIGN, RESPONSE FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR HAVE GENERALLY BEEN GOOD.
ABBOTT LABORATORIES LTD HAS EVEN VOLUNTARILY HELPED DISTRIBUTING LEAFLETS AND STANDS TO MORE THAN 200 GYNAECOLOGISTS, WHILE ESSO HONG KONG LTD DISPLAYING LEAFLETS FOR COLLECTION AT ALL THEIR GAS STATIONS.
"WE ARE INVITING MORE INSTITUTES, PRIVATE CLINICS AND ORGANISATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN BY DISTRIBUTING PUBLICITY LEAFLETS, TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE TO EVERYONE IN THE SOCIETY."
INTERESTED PARTIES.ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE RECEPTION DESK OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL, FOR FREE LEAFLETS AND DISPLAY STANDS.
--------0--------
/15 .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
15
CASH AND CAPERS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE
*****
CASH AND CAPERS ARE THE TWO WORDS THAT BEST SUM UP THE DAY FOR STAFF MEMBERS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY TAKE PART IN THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL’S ANNUAL FUND RAISING EXERCISE, BOUNDABOUT 93, THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 7).
STAFF OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAVE ORGANISED THEMSELVES INTO A TEAM TO TAKE PART IN THIS SPECIAL EVENT.
TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE MARINE OFFICERS, SURVEYORS, COXSWAINS, LAUNCH ASSISTANTS, CLERICAL AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
THEY ARE ALL GEARED UP TO COMPETE WITH 35 OTHER TEAMS FOR THE TROPHY.
"WINNING THE TROPHY IS, OF COURSE, WHAT WE ARE AIMING AT BUT THE FUN AND SATISFACTION OF TAKING PART IN A CHARITABLE CAUSE IS ALREADY A REWARD," TEAM LEADER, MR CHUN PING-FAI, SAID.
"WE ARE GLAD THAT WE HAVE SUPPORT NOT ONLY FROM OUR COLLEAGUES BUT ALSO FROM FRIENDS AND BUSINESS CONTACTS. WE EXPECT TO CONTRIBUTE OVER $30,000 TO CHARITY," HE SAID.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN DALE, WHO IS THE HONORARY CAPTAIN OF THE MD’S TEAM, IS DELIGHTED AT THE INITIATIVES THE STAFF HAVE TAKEN.
"I AM PLEASED THAT NOT JUST THE 12 TEAM MEMBERS ARE TAKING PART. VIRTUALLY ALL OF US HAVE CONTRIBUTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO TRY TO MAKE THE EVENT A SUCCESS," HE SAID.
THE BOUNDABOUT IS AN ANNUAL FUND-RAISING EXERCISE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL. EACH PARTICIPATING TEAM MUST RAISE AT LEAST $10,000 BEFORE THEY ARE QUALIFIED TO JOIN THE GAMES.
BOUNDABOUT 93, IN WHICH 36 TEAMS WILL TAKE PART, WILL BE HELD AT ST GEORGE’S SCHOOL IN KOWLOON TONG.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS THE ONLY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT.
------0-------
CSD AUTUMN FAIR IN STANLEY
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT A BARGAIN SALE AT THE AUTUMN FAIR WILL BE HELD BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) IN STANLEY FOOTBALL FIELD ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 6).
ADMISSION IS FREE.
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING STUFFED TOYS, HANDICRAFTS, RATTAN AND WOODEN FURNITURE, WOULD BE ON SALE AT THE FAIR.
/APART FROM .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
- 16 -
APART FROM THE 30 STALLS SELLING PRODUCTS AT BARGAIN PRICES, THERE WILL ALSO BE GAME STALLS FOR CHILDREN.
THE PRODUCTS ARE MADE BY INMATES OF VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR SPARE TIME.
THE FAIR IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY AND IS AN ESTABLISHED PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FAIR AND OVER $1 MILLION WERE RAISED LAST YEAR.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5 PM. LADY MAY TANG WILL OPEN THE FAIR.
AS PARKING PLACES ARE LIMITED, VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THEY CAN TAKE BUS NOS. 6 OR 260 (FROM CENTRAL), NO. 73 (FROM WAH FU ESTATE), NO. 63 (FROM NORTH POINT) OR NO. 14 (FROM SAI WAN HO) TO THE VENUE.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » ♦ * * »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.2 »-0.1» 2,975 + 25 3,000 NIL -20 2,980 4.11.93 /HONG KONG
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.92 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.37 3.29
1 MONTH 2.82 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.61 3.48
3 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.05 3.75
6 MONTHS 2.97 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.29 3.90
12 MONTHS 3.26 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.53 4.42 AND BONDS - 8,268 MN
CLOSED 4 NOVEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE ....................... 1
GOVT WORKING FLAT OUT TO RESTORE WATER SUPPLY ................... 7
STATEMENT ON TUEN MUN WATER INTERRUPTION ........................ 7
FLOODING ROUNDUP ................................................ 8
PORT VITAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH ................................... 9
TELA ISSUES ADVISORY LETTERS TO NEWSPAPER VENDORS .............. 11
HEAVY PENALTIES FOR SMUGGLERS PROPOSED ......................... 12
PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS INVITED FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS ........................................................ 14
POSSESSION AND SALE OF RHINO PRODUCTS ILLEGAL IN HK ............ 14
TEAMS FOR NEEDY YOUNG PEOPLE ................................... 15
SUPERVISORY CO-OPERATION WITH BANK INDONESIA ................... 16
TRAVEL AGENTS' LICENSING FEES TO BE REVISED .................... 17
PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY AT POK FU LAM ROAD AUTHORISED ................ 18
A STYLE OF DISTINCTION ......................................... 19
SMILING IMAGES OF HONG KONG .................................... 20
TWO LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED ....................................... 21
MEMORIAL JOURNAL TO MARK FIRE SERVICES' 125TH ANNIVERSARY ... 22
CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE ..................... 23
URBAN COUNCILLORS AND DB MEMBERS BRIEFED ON ACP PROGRESS .... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
24
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE *****
GOVERNOR: GOOD EVENING. AS YOU KNOW, I AM GOING TO LONDON THIS EVENING FOR A WEEK IN THE UK. WHILE I AM THERE I WILL BE HAVING MEETINGS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, THE HOME SECRETARY, MR GOODLAD - THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS. I WILL ALSO BE MEETING THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, JOHN SMITH, AND THE LEADER OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, PADDY ASHDOWN.
I’M MAKING A NUMBER OF SPEECHES. I’M SPEAKING AT THE TDC ANNUAL DINNER IN LONDON, AND I’M SPEAKING AT THE IMPORTANT HONG KONG WORKS CONFERENCE WHICH WE HOPE WILL ATTRACT FURTHER INTEREST IN HONG KONG, FURTHER INVESTMENT TO HONG KONG AND STRENGTHEN TRADE WITH HONG KONG. IT IS AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AND 1 AM DELIGHTED THAT SO MANY PROMINENT MEMBERS OF OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL BE TAKING PART IN IT.
I’LL ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER ENGAGEMENTS. I AM DELIVERING A LECTURE AT NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY, THOUGH THAT WON’T BE ABOUT HONG KONG, AND I WILL BE GIVING MY LAST PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT HONG KONG-RELATED ISSUES BEFORE I TRAVEL UP TO NEWCASTLE FOR THAT ENGAGEMENT. IN ADDITION, OF COURSE, I WILL BE MEETING A NUMBER OF OTHER BUSINESS LEADERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HONG KONG, AND PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HONG KONG. AND I AM DELIGHTED TO SAY THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE IN BOTH CATEGORIES THESE DAYS.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF MY VISIT TO LONDON WILL BE TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE CABINET COMMITTEE WHICH OVERSEES POLICY ON HONG KONG. WE’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THE AMBASSADOR, SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, WHO HAS BEEN LEADING OUR TEAM IN 15 ROUNDS OF TALKS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, WE’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY WITH SIR ROBIN TO CONSIDER WHAT HAS HAPPENED DURING THOSE TALKS WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. WE DID THAT LAST WEEKEND. NOW SIR ROBIN AND I WILL BE ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE CABINET COMMITTEE, WHICH I THINK WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF OBJECTIVES. FIRST OF ALL, TO TAKE STOCK OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED SO FAR IN 15 ROUNDS OF TALKS. SECONDLY, TO ASSESS THE PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS. AND FINALLY, TO CONSIDER OUR STRATEGY FOR THE TIME THAT REMAINS, AND THAT, I GUESS, WILL BE OUR KEY CONCERN TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PATIENT AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR PATIENCE, BUT AS THEY KNOW AND WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE TO AGREE ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN THE TIME REMAINING.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME PROGRESS BUT I THINK IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS STILL A DIFFERENCE IN OUR RESPECTIVE PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT CONSTITUTES OPEN AND FAIR ELECTIONS. I HOPE THAT WE CAN BRING THOSE PERCEPTIONS RATHER CLOSELY TOGETHER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG. WE HAVE, AS INDEPENDENT LEGAL EXPERTS SAID TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS THIS WEEK, WE HAVE TO ACT WITHIN THE LETTER OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WITHIN ITS SPIRIT AS WELL IN BRINGING FORWARD PROPOSALS. SO THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MY VISIT AND I HOPE IT IS A SUCCESSFUL ONE.
/QUESTION: .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
- 2 -
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WILL YOU BE RECOMMENDING A FIRM DEADLINE TO THE BRITISH CABINET OR A CONCLUSION TO THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS . ..?
GOVERNOR: WE WILL CERTAINLY BE DISCUSSING HOW MUCH NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE TIME REMAINING. WHAT WE WON’T BE DOING, AS I HAVE SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND I HOPE IT DOESN’T COME AS TOO GREAT A DISAPPOINTMENT TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WILL BE ACCOMPANYING US, WE WON’T BE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT DOOR OF NUMBER TEN AND SAYING WE’VE GOT 'X’ AMOUNT MORE TIME AND 'Y’ WILL HAPPEN IF WE DON’T MAKE THE PROGRESS THAT WE WOULD LIKE. THAT IS NOT, I THINK, THE WAY YOU WOULD EXPECT US TO SHAPE OUR STRATEGY FOR THE TIME THAT REMAINS.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE THE CABINET MEETING THAT HELPS TO ASSESS THE PROSPECT FOR SUCCESS? IS IT MAINLY TO ATTAIN ’THROUGH TRAIN’ IS ONE OF THE CRITERIA?
GOVERNOR: WELL, WE DO NEED TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR
THE THROUGH-TRAIN, AS I HAVE SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, AND WE NEED, AS I HAVE SAID EVEN MORE FREQUENTLY, TO AGREE ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE OPEN AND FAIR AND WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. OUR OBJECTIVES ON THOSE MATTERS HAVE NOT CHANGED. WE HAVE SHOWN CONSIDERABLE FLEXIBILITY, I BELIEVE. WE HAVE, AS I TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A FEW WEEKS AGO, MADE SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME MOVEMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL.
•• ;i 1
QUESTION: DESPITE WHAT YOU HAVE JUST SAID, SIR, COULD YOU TELL US
WHAT IT WILL TAKE FROM CHINA TO AVOID ROUND 16 ... THE EXPIRY DATE OF THE TALKS?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T WANT TO PRE-EMPT THE CABINET COMMITTEE’S
DISCUSSION, AND I DON’T WANT TO ASSUME WHAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN IN ROUND 16 AND ANY OTHER ROUNDS THAT THERE MAY BE. I THINK THAT WHAT IS REQUIRED, TO BORROW A PHRASE, IS SINCERITY, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN SHOWING IN SUCH ABUNDANCE ALONG WITH PATIENCE. I THINK WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A LITTLE CREATIVE AND POSITIVE THINKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE. AND I THINK WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A RECOGNITION THAT WHEN THE JOINT DECLARATION REFERRED IN ANNEX 1 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEING COMPOSED THROUGH ELECTION, IT’S MEANT FAIR ELECTIONS NOT UNFAIR ELECTIONS. I THINK IF WE COULD GET A BIT OF AGREEMENT ON THAT WE WOULD HAVE THE MAKINGS OF A PRETTY GOOD DEAL. A GOOD DEAL FOR HONG KONG, A GOOD DEAL FOR CHINA, AND A GOOD DEAL FOR BRITAIN.
QUESTION: I’M SORRY, SIR, BUT WHEN YOU SAY WEEKS NOT MONTHS, DO
WE INTERPRET THAT AS A HOLLOW THREAT?
/GOVERNOR: ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
3
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT I EVER MAKE THREATS, WHETHER PLUMP AND FILLED OUT OR EMACIATED AND HOLLOW. LET ME PUT THE POINT, YOU MAY THINK RATHER PROSAICALLY, YOU MAY THINK RATHER OBVIOUSLY, BUT LET ME PUT THE POINT IN A DIFFERENT WAY. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES FOR ABOUT 16 MONTHS. IT IS OVER A YEAR SINCE I FIRST SPOKE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION, WHICH AS THE INDEPENDENT LEGAL EXPERTS THIS WEEK POINTED OUT, WERE ENTIRELY IN LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. BUT THAT WAS OVER A YEAR AGO. IN A YEAR’S TIME IF I AM HAVING A PRESS CONFERENCE, WE WILL ALREADY HAVE TWO MONTHS BEHIND US, THE FIRST IN THAT ROUND OF ELECTIONS. SO IT IS LITERALLY THE CASE THAT WE CAN’T GO ON TALKING FOREVER. I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK TO NEGOTIATE THE MASTRICHT TREATY BUT I’M NOT SURE WHETHER IT WAS 15 ROUNDS, IF THAT IS A HAPPY PRECEDENT. I’M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT TOOK TO NEGOTIATE THE TREATY OF ROME. IT IS ACTUALLY POSSIBLE, WITH GOODWILL AND SINCERITY AND AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRINCIPLES THAT GO TO MAKE UP A FAIR ELECTORAL SYSTEM, TO REACH AGREEMENT REASONABLY PROMPTLY, I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT.
QUESTION: WOULD YOU SAY WE HAVE DAYS RATHER THAN WEEKS ... BEFORE CONCLUSION .... ?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T WANT TO CONTINUE TO GET INVOLVED IN CHRONOLOGICAL METAPHORS. DAYS WOULD IMPLY THAT THERE WAS LESS THAN A WEEK AND I CERTAINLY’ WOULD NOT SUGGEST THAT THERE IS LESS THAN A WEEK. BUT I’VE POINTED OUT, WITHOUT I HOPE MAKING ANY THREATS, THE OBVIOUS. I REPEAT THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY PATIENT. PEOPLE IN HONG KONG KNOW THAT WE HAVEN’T GOT ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD.
QUESTION: IS THERE ANYTHING, IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR WHAT THE CHINESE CALL SUBVERSION? IS THERE ANY WAY THAT THE BRITISH SIDE COULD COME TO AN AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF LEGISLATION ... TO ... WHICH YOU COULD USE THE WORD, WHAT THE CHINESE TERM SUBVERSION, TO ... THE THROUGH-TRAIN?
GOVERNOR: THE PRECISE CRITERIA FOR THE THROUGH-TRAIN ARE MATTERS WHICH WE ARE PROPERLY DISCUSSING NOW IN THE TALKS. I THINK THAT - I’M JUST TRYING TO REMEMBER PRECISELY WHAT OATH I TOOK WHEN I BECAME CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER - I’M SURE THAT IT WAS AN OATH UNDER WHICH I UNDERTOOK TO BEHAVE WITHIN THE LAW. BUT THE PRECISE DETAILS OF THESE MATTERS ARE THINGS THAT WE WOULD WANT TO DISCUSS. IF I CAN MAKE ATTRACTIVE AS I FIND THE PROSPECT, I AM NOT GOING TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOU BEFORE IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH CHINESE NEGOTIATORS. I THINK THAT THE KEY FACTS ARE THAT THE CRITERIA SHOULD BE REASONABLE AND OBJECTIVE AND THAT THE CRITERIA SHOULD BE PROSPECTIVE NOT RETROSPECTIVE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE ACCEPTABLE RETROSPECTIVE CRITERIA, THAT IS A POINT WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN MADE IN A NUMBER OF VERY GOOD EDITORIALS IN THE PRESS RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD IN HONG KONG OVER THE LAST WEEK.
QUESTION: DO YOU FEEL WORRIED THAT YOU WILL GRADUALLY LOSE THE PUBLIC SUPPORT, EVEN THOUGH YOU SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE PATIENT ABOUT THE TALKS?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
GOVERNOR: IT SEEMS TO ME THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT HAS HELD UP REMARKABLY STRONGLY OVER THE LAST 15 OR 16 MONTHS. IT HAS HELD UP REMARKABLY STRONGLY EVEN WHEN IT HAS BEEN ASSAULTED BY SOME PRETTY SALTY RHETORIC FROM TIME TO TIME. AND I AM SURE THAT IS A MATTER WHICH HAS BEEN OBSERVED, WHETHER WITH OR WITHOUT SATISFACTION, IS FOR THEM TO ANSWER, BY THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY AND THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, AS WELL AS BY YOURSELVES.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, SINCE THE LAST ROUND OF TALKS CONCLUDED IN PEKING ... HERE, HAVE THE CHINESE INDICATED THROUGH ANY OF THE CHANNELS OPEN TO THEM A GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND CHANGE ... FROM THE POSITION AS IT WAS AT THE CLOSE OF THE LAST FORMAL ROUND?
GOVERNOR: WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY SUBSTANTIVE MESSAGE SINCE THE END OF THE LAST ROUND WHICH HAS CHANGED THE RESPECTIVE POSITIONS OF THE TWO SIDES SINCE THE LAST ROUND. THERE HAVE BEEN CONTACTS, AS THERE ARE, BETWEEN ROUNDS OF TALKS, BUT THE CONTACTS HAVE BEEN BY AND LARGE ABOUT MATTERS THAT WE DISCUSSED IN THE 15TH ROUND AND IN THE PREVIOUS ROUNDS, NOT MAJOR ADDITIONS TO WHAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE 15TH ROUND AND PREVIOUS ROUNDS.
QUESTION: YOU HAVE SET 1995 AS THE DEADLINE ... SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I AM NOT SURE ENTIRELY WHAT IS MEANT BY THAT. I HAVE SEEN SOME REFERENCES TO THINGS WHICH I THINK MEMBERS OF THE -PWC? - HAVE SAID THIS WEEK, WHICH I HAVE FOUND A BIT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND. BUT THE CORRECT PLACE TO TALK ABOUT OBJECTIVE CRITERIA IS IN THE TALKS. I IMAGINE THAT OBJECTIVE CRITERIA WOULD APPLY TO WHAT HAPPENED FROM THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN HONG KONG, SINCE PEOPLE, AS LEGISLATORS, WOULD BE TAKING THE USUAL OATHS, WHICH ARE FINE BY US, IN 1995 TO TAKE THEM THROUGH TO 1997, BUT THAT PRECISE POINT THAT YOU HAVE MADE HAS NOT YET COME UP IN THE DISCUSSIONS. TWO MORE.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, THESE TALKS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT ARRANGEMENTS.
GOVERNOR: YES.
QUESTION: BUT THE THROUGH-TRAIN IS NOT EXACTLY AN ARRANGEMENT. CORRECT,ME IF I AM WRONG BUT IT IS NOT ACTUALLY IN YOUR PROPOSALS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS. SO AREN’T THESE REALLY SEPARATE ISSUES AND WOULD IT NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CONCLUDE TALKS ABOUT ARRANGEMENTS AND THEN PERHAPS CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE THROUGH-TRAIN? IS THIS NOT A WAY TO ACHIEVE THOSE ARRANGEMENTS?
GOVERNOR: IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE BUT NOT DESIRABLE. I THINK THAT IF WE WERE TO CONCLUDE AN AGREEMENT - AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN AGREEMENT - ABOUT THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS BUT WE WERE NOT TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE ABOUT PEOPLE TRAVELLING ON THE CARRIAGES THAT WE HAVE BUILT TOGETHER, YOU WOULD BE RIGHTLY CRITICAL. A POINT THAT I HAVE MADE WHICH I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IS PRETTY WELL BEYOND DISPUTE IS THAT IT DOES NOT MAKE VERY MUCH SENSE TO HAVE AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENT IF THERE IS NOT ALSO AN AGREEMENT ABOUT HOW THOSE ARRANGEMENTS CAN TRANSPORT LEGISLATORS THROUGH THE CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY. SO I THINK THAT THE TWO MATTERS ARE IN PRACTICE RELATED, EVEN IF YOU ARE RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THEORETICALLY YOU COULD SEPARATE THEM OUT.
/QUESTION: ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
- 5 -
QUESTION: IF I COULD JUST FOLLOW IT UP. BUT YOU HAVE POINTED OUT
REPEATEDLY THE ... YOUR SEEKING WHEN YOU CUT BACKWARDS WITH THE TIME NEEDED TO PASS LEGISLATION BUT THE CUTS MEAN THAT STICKING POINT IS FOR THE THROUGH-TRAIN IN 1997, ON WHICH WE STILL HAVE MORE TIME.
SO DOESN’T THIS FIGURE INTO HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOUR SOLUTION?
GOVERNOR: WELL, YOU ARE CORRECT IN SAYING THAT - I THINK IF ONE
WAS USING EUPHIMISMS AND TRYING NOT TO USE SOME OF THE EXPRESSIONS I HAVE USED BEFORE - YOU ARE CORRECT IN SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT, NOT CHALLENGED CHRONOLOGICALLY ABOUT THE THROUGH-TRAIN CRITERIA TO QUITE THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE ABOUT THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. NEVERTHELESS, I THINK THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF SKEPTICAL QUESTIONING OF ANY OVERALL AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH DID NOT ALSO REFER TO THE THROUGH-TRAIN AND I AM SURE IT WOULD BE REGARDED AS DESIRABLE BY OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES, AS WELL AS DESIRABLE BY OURSELVES, TO HAVE A COMPENDIUM AGREEMENT WHICH COVERS BOTH. BUT I REPEAT, THE POINT THAT YOU HAVE MADE ABOUT TIMING IS CORRECT, THOUGH NOT, I SUSPECT, IMMENSELY HELPFUL. I THINK THAT WE HAVE GOT TO GET AN AGREEMENT ON BOTH.
QUESTION: NOT ABOUT THE TALKS. IT’S ABOUT FREEDOM OF PRESS. THE
MING PAO REPORTER HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. SO, YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD INTERVENE AS THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO DATE?
GOVERNOR: AS YOU KNOW, IN THIS CASE AS IN OTHERS, WE TRY TO MOVE
IN A WAY WHICH IS NOT ONLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY BUT MORE PARTICULARLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE EMPLOYER AND FAMILY OF AN INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED. THIS JOURNALIST HAS BEEN WORKING IN HONG KONG WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE, ALL OF US, A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN WHAT IS HAPPENING TO HIM. HE DOESN’T HAVE HONG KONG CITIZENSHIP, SO HE IS IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT CATEGORY TO SOME OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN DIFFICULTY OR TROUBLE IN THE PAST AND OVER WHOSE CASES WE HAVE INTERVENED. WE DID
MAKE A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES AND I THINK WE WENT AS FAR AS, FOR EXAMPLE,
THE JOURNALIST’S EMPLOYER AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY WISHED US TO GO. IF
THEY WISH US TO GO FURTHER, THEN WE WOULD BE VERY PLEASED TO DO SO.
WHAT I DON’T WANT TO DO IS TO SAY ANYTHING WHICH IS GOING TO MAKE THAT PARTICULAR CASE MORE DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE. BUT I CAN’T BE THE ONLY PERSON WHO OBVIOUSLY FEELS A GOOD DEAL OF ANXIETY AND CONCERN OVER THE CASE OF A JOURNALIST WHO IS ARRESTED, WHO IS HELD IN CONFINEMENT, WITHOUT ANY OF US BEING ENTIRELY SURE WHY, OR WITHOUT ANY OF US BEING ENTIRELY SURE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HIM. I RECOGNISE AND RESPECT CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY BUT ALL OF US, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF 1997 AND OUR CONCERNS FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN HONG KONG, MUST INEVITABLY FIND THAT RATHER TROUBLING.
QUESTION: THE CHINESE HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DISCUSS THIS TOPIC AT THE TALKS EVEN IN THE FACE OF YOUR PROPOSALS, SO EVEN ... TIMETABLE OF THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PASS THE MESSAGE TO THE CABINET ...?
GOVERNOR: SORRY? THE CHINESE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO DE-COUPLE ON THE BASIS OF MY 1992 PROPOSALS?
QUESTION: YES. BUT GIVEN THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED THIS PRESSING TIMETABLE FOR THE 94 ELECTIONS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PASS THE MESSAGE TO THE CABINET THIS TIME?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
6
GOVERNOR: WELL, I AM GOING TO TELL THE CABINET, OR REMIND THE CABINET, WHAT THE TIMETABLE IS. THAT WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO ADMINISTER HONG KONG AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE, THAT WE HAVE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION BOTH - TO QUOTE THOSE INDEPENDENT LEGAL EXPERTS AGAIN - BOTH THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, TO MOVE FORWARD AND BROADEN PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN HQNG KONG, WITHOUT IN ANY WAY BEING OUT OF LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AND WE WILL HAVE IN DUE COURSE TO DISCHARGE THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.
CAN I JUST SAY ONE OTHER — JONATHAN, THAT’S THE VERY, VERY LAST QUESTION, THE VERY LAST.
QUESTION: ... THE PWC HAS SUGGESTED THAT IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT THERE MIGHT BE A PERIOD AFTER 1995 ... 1997, IF THERE WAS NO ... DIRECTLY AFTER THE ...
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF THE PWC WHO HAVE BEEN SAYING SOME PRETTY RUM THINGS SINCE THEY WERE APPOINTED. I SOMETIMES WONDER, WITHOUT BEING DISRESPECTFUL, WHETHER SOME OF THOSE APPOINTMENTS HAVE CAUSED A CERTAIN ANXIETY ON THE PART OF THOSE WHO MADE THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD SOME VERY CURIOUS THINGS SAID, AND THINGS WHICH MUST MAKE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WONDER FOR WHOM THE PWC IS ACTUALLY TALKING. I DON’T THINK THAT THAT ODD REMARK, WHICH I THINK ANYBODY WOULD FIND DIFFICULT TO ACCOMMODATE WITHIN THE JOINT DECLARATION, OR THE BASIC LAW, I DON’T THINK THAT THAT ODD REMARK HAS BEEN MADE BY ANYBODY ELSE, CERTAINLY NOT BY SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS WHO MAY KNOW, WHO DO KNOW, A GOOD DEAL BETTER ABOUT THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND ABOUT THE EXPECTATIONS PERHAPS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. SO I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF REMARKS BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE PWC WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER NOT MADE. WE HAVE HAD REMARKS ABOUT BANKNOTES, WE HAVE HAD REMARKS WHICH HAVE LED TO THE THREAT OF ACTION IN THE COURTS, WE HAVE HAD REMARKS ABOUT THE BILL OF RIGHTS. IT IS ALL PRETTY CURIOUS BUT IT MAKES ME EVEN MORE DELIGHTED THAT I HAVE SUCH SENSIBLE AND WISE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE OTHER THING. OBVIOUSLY, FOR VERY MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, FOR TOO MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, THE MAIN CONCERN TONIGHT ISN’T GOING TO BE ABOUT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE, IMPORTANT THOUGH THEY RECOGNISE THEM TO BE, THE MAIN CONCERN IS GOING TO BE ABOUT THEIR WATER SUPPLY OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THE FLOODING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS CAUSED PARTICULAR PROBLEMS IN TUEN MUN, AND THE LANDSLIDE ON LANTAU HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE DELIVERY OF WATER TO CHEUNG CHAU.
I’VE HAD REPORTS THROUGH THE DAY DIRECTLY FROM THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS. WE’LL BE WORKING FLAT-OUT 24-HOURS ROUND-THE-CLOCK AS HARD AS WE CAN TO RESTORE FULL WATER SUPPLIES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN LOST. I HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITIES AFFECTED WILL BEAR WITH US WHILE WE ARE DOING THAT. WE WILL OF COURSE BE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES, FOR EXAMPLE, PROVISION OF WATER THROUGH TANKERS, BUT IT RAISES FOR ALL OF US BIGGER AND LONGER TERM QUESTIONS WHICH I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST, IN RELATION TO FLOODING AND THE PROBLEMS IT CAUSES, AND WE MUST OBVIOUSLY DEAL WITH THOSE AS FAST AS WE CAN. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I WANT TO ASSURE ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY TODAY’S PROBLEMS, BY THE FLOODING, THAT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN AS RAPIDLY AS WE CAN TO RESTORE FULL WATER SUPPLY TO THEM AND THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
/7........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
- 7 -
GOVT WORKING FLAT OUT TO RESTORE WATER SUPPLY ♦ » * » ♦
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING ASSURED ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY TODAY’S FLOODINGS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO EVERYTHING IT COULD AND AS RAPIDLY AS IT COULD TO RESTORE FULL WATER SUPPLY TO THEM AND TO THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR LONDON, THE GOVERNOR SAID:
"I’VE HAD REPORTS THROUGH THE DAY DIRECTLY FROM THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS. WE WILL BE WORKING FLAT OUT 24 HOURS AROUND-THE-CLOCK AS FAST AS WE CAN TO RESTORE FULL WATER SUPPLIES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN LOST.
"I HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITY AFFECTED WILL BEAR WITH US WHILE WE ARE DOING THAT."
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE FLOODING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD CAUSED SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY IN TUEN MUN AND THE LANDSLIDES ON LANTAU HAD CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE THE DELIVERY OF WATER TO CHEUNG CHAU.
"THE MAIN CONCERN IS GOING TO BE ABOUT THEIR WATER SUPPLY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"WE’LL, OF COURSE, BE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES, FOR EXAMPLE, PROVISION OF WATER THROUGH TANKERS BUT IT RAISES FOR ALL OF US BIGGER AND LONGER. TERM QUESTIONS WHICH I’VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST IN RELATION TO FLOODING AND THE PROBLEMS IT CAUSES.
"WE MUST OBVIOUSLY DEAL WITH THOSE AS FAST AS WE CAN." HE ADDED.
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STATEMENT ON TUEN MUN WATER INTERRUPTION . *****
COMMENTING ON THE WATER INTERRUPTION IN TUEN MUN, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID LOCAL RESIDENTS CAN DRAW EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY FROM ANY OF THE 64 WATER TANKERS ARRIVING THERE ABOUT 6.30 PM TODAY.
THE TANKERS, ARE TO DELIVER WATER TO 27 MAJOR LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT UNTIL NORMAL PIPE WATER SUPPLY IS RESUMED.
A WATER SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPERATION HAD BEEN GOING ON SMOOTHLY. RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN QUEUING UP IN GOOD ORDER AND IN A CO-OPERATIVE MANNER.
ON THE REPAIRS WORK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A SPECIAL TASK FORCE HAD BEEN SET UP TO REACTIVATE THE PUMPS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/STAFF OF .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
STAFF OF WATER SUPPLIES AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS WILL WORK ROUND-THE-CLOCK TO PUMP OUT THE FLOOD WATER TO ALLOW REPAIRS WORK TO START.
BUT DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF FLOODING WHICH HAD COMPLETELY DEACTIVATED ALL THE PUMPS, THE TRANSFORMER AND THE ELECTRICITY PANEL IN THE PUMPING STATION, THE PRESENT INDICATION IS THAT IT MAY TAKE TWO TO THREE DAYS TO PUT SOME OF THE PUMPS BACK INTO OPERATION.
IN THE MEANTIME, EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO MAINTAIN PIPE SUPPLY TO ESSENTIAL USERS, SUCH AS HOSPITALS AND FIRE SERVICES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TUEN MUN PUMPING STATION WAS DESIGNED TO COPE WITH ALL CONCEIVABLE RISKS.
THESE INCLUDE A DUAL PUMPING SYSTEM OPERATED BY BOTH ELECTRICITY AND DIESEL TO COPE WITH POWER FAILURE OR OTHER EMERGENCIES, A RING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT THE STATION RECEIVES POWER SUPPLY FROM MORE THAN ONE SOURCE AND ALLOWANCE FOR FLOODING.
BUT THIS MORNING’S FLOODING WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A SUDDEN SURGE OF FLOOD WATER FROM THE ADJACENT NULLAH AS A RESULT OF 300 MM OF RAINFALL AND ILLEGAL LAND USE WHICH HAD CHANGED THE ORIGINAL DRAINAGE PATTERN IN THE GENERAL AREA WAS AN INCIDENT BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN.
"WE WILL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT TO SEE WHETHER THERE IS ANY LESSON TO LEARN FROM IT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
FLOODING ROUNDUP * * *
HEAVY RAIN THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING HAS CAUSED 79 CASES OF FLOODING AND 15 LANDSLIP INCIDENTS, MAINLY IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND ON LANTAU ISLAND, RESULTING IN ONE DEATH AND SEVEN INJURIES.
WATER SUPPLY IN TUEN MUN AREA HAS BEEN DISRUPTED DUE TO SERIOUS FLOODING AT THE TUEN MUN TREATMENT WORKS.
REPAIR WORK IS NOW UNDERWAY.
STARTING FROM 6.30 PM, WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL DEPLOY 64 WATER TANKERS TO 27 LOCATIONS IN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE RESIDENTS.
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS OPENED A TOTAL OF 41 TEMPORARY SHELTERS DURING THE HOSTTING OF THE LANDSLIP WARNING SIGNAL BETWEEN 5.50 AM AND 2.05 PM TODAY.
A TOTAL OF 14 PEOPLE SOUGHT ACCOMMODATION IN THOSE SHELTERS.
/SINCE EARLY
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
SINCE EARLY THIS MORNING, DISTRICT OFFICERS AND STAFF OF ISLANDS, YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN HAVE BEEN OUT TO THE SCENE OF FLOODING AND LANDSLIP TO OFFER HELP TO CHE AFFECTED RESIDENTS.
THIRTY-FIVE. FAMILIES AFFECTED BY HIE DELUGE IN MUI WO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF.
IN YUEN LONG, FLOODING AFFECTED THREE VILLAGE HUTS IN TAN KWAI CHUEN WHERE FIREMEN RESCUED A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN AND SENT HIM TO TUEN MUN HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
FIREMEN ALSO RESCUED A 78-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM A NEARBY NULLAH. HE WAS CERTIFIED DEAD AT POK 01 HOSPITAL.
ANOTHER 63-YEAR-OLD WOMAN INJURED IN SHUNG CHING SUN CHUEN, YUEN LONG WAS ALSO RESCUED BY FIREMEN.
IN TUEN MUN, FIREMEN LED 50 PEOPLE TO SAFETY IN SO KWUN WAT AND TSENG TAU CHUNG CHUEN.
ALTOGETHER THREE MEN AND TWO WOMEN WHO WERE INJURED DURING FLOODING IN TUEN MUN WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
ON LANTAU, A TAXI FELL INTO A RIVER DURING A SEVERE FLOODING AND THE DRIVER HAS YET TO BE LOCATED.
SEVERAL SECTIONS OF SOUTH LANTAU ROAD ARE STILL CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AND AFTERNOON SESSION SCHOOLS ON THE ISLAND HAD BEEN CLOSED.
- - 0 - -
PORT VITAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH * * * * *
ADEQUATE PORT FACILITIES AND THEIR EFFICIENT OPERATION ARE TWO MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PORT EXPANSION MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE
GROWING ECONOMY.
THIS WAS THE MAIN MESSAGE IN A PAPER ON PORT DEVELOPMENT PRESENTED BY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ECONOMIC SERVICES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES PANEL, AND LANDS AND WORKS PANEL TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR SIU TOLD MEMBERS THAT 87 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WENT THROUGH THE PORT.
PORT AND RELATED INDUSTRIES GENERATE 15 PER CENT OF GDP, PROVIDE 350,000 JOBS (12.5 PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE) AND KEEP 20 PER CENT OF ALL COMPANIES IN BUSINESS.
/HE SAID:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
10 -
HE SAID: "ADEQUATE PORT FACILITIES AND THEIR EFFICIENT OPERATION ARE PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY. ANY IMPAIRING OF THESE OPERATIONS WILL AFFECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG.
"THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE TERRITORY DEPENDS ON RECOGNITION OF THESE FACTS AND THE CAREFUL INCREMENTAL EXPANSION OF THE PORT TO MEET TRADE DEMANDS UPON IT."
EMPHASISING THE PORT’S IMPORTANCE, MR SIU POINTED OUT THAT IT HANDLED 100 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO LAST YEAR. THIS MADE HONG KONG NOT ONLY THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT BUT ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST MERCHANDISE PORTS.
APART FROM CARGO, THE PORT LAST YEAR HANDLED 19 MILLION INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS AND 90 MILLION INTERNAL PASSENGERS.
THIS MADE HONG KONG ONE OF THE WORLD’S BUSIEST PORTS WITH ONE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING MOVEMENT EVERY TWO MINUTES.
MR SIU TOLD MEMBERS THAT HONG KONG WOULD NEED TO DOUBLE ITS CONTAINER HANDLING CAPACITY BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND DOUBLE IT AGAIN BY THE YEAR 2011.
HE SAID: "THIS WILL REQUIRE 21 ADDITIONAL CONTAINER BERTHS OVER AND ABOVE CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 WHICH IS NOW BEING DEVELOPED. FOUR OF THESE WILL BE AT CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 AND THE REST AT THE NEW PORT AT LANTAU."
MR SIU EMPHASISED THAT THERE WAS NO TURNING BACK ON CT9. IT WAS NEEDED TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL PORT CAPACITY OVER AND ABOVE THAT AVAILABLE AT CT1 TO 8.
FAILURE TO GET CT9 INTO PLACE WOULD LEAD TO SERIOUS TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT KWAI TSING AND DEPRIVE THE PORT OF VITALLY NEEDED BACKUP AREAS.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE LANTAU PORT NEEDED TO BE COMMISSIONED AS SOON AS THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WAS OPENED, IN MAY 1997.
FUTURE PHASES WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO USE AS CARGO DEMANDS GREW WITH THE FINAL STAGE BEING COMPLETED BY 2011. PROVISION EXISTS IN CURRENT PLANS FOR A FURTHER FOUR BERTHS SHOULD THESE BE NEEDED.
MR SIU ADDED: "IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL TAKE PLACE ONLY AS DEMAND BUILDS UP. NOTHING WILL HAPPEN UNLESS THE DEVELOPMENT IS FINANCIALLY AND COMMERCIALLY VIABLE."
LIKE THE EXISTING FACILITIES AT KWAI CHUNG, THE NEW PORT WOULD BE DEVELOPED AND OPERATED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR SIU SAID SINCE HONG KONG’S CONTAINER THROUGHPUT HAD RISEN FROM ZERO TO EIGHT MILLION TEUS IN 25 YEARS, THERE WERE BOUND TO BE PROBLEMS.
THESE PROBLEMS NEEDED THE UNDERSTANDING AND HELP OF LEGCO MEMBERS.
/ONE OF .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
11
ONE OF THESE PROBLEMS WAS THE RAPID RATE OF GROWTH. AT PRESENT RATES CONTAINER TERMINALS 1 TO 8 WILL BE WORKING AT FULL CAPACITY BY MID-1995 .
IT HAD BEEN PLANNED THAT CT9 WOULD COME INTO OPERATION IN 1995 TO COPE WITH THE GROWTH, BUT THE OPENING OF CT9 WILL BE DELAYED.
THE TERMINAL AWAITED CHINA’S ENDORSEMENT, WITHOUT WHICH LOAN FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE.
MR SIU SAID: "COMPLICATED NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PROPOSED DEVELOPERS OF CT9 ARE WELL IN HAND. THERE ARE SOME OUTSTANDING ISSUES WHICH I BELIEVE CAN BE QUICKLY RESOLVED ONCE WE GET THE POLITICAL GO-AHEAD."
IN THE MEANTIME DELAYS TO CT9 WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS THAT WILL BE HARD TO OVERCOME, "BUT WE MUST TRY," SAID MR SIU.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SKIP THE BUILDING OF CT9 AND WAIT FOR THE OPENING OF CT10 ON LANTAU. THIS WAS BECAUSE CT10 WOULD NOT OPEN UNTIL 1997, BUT BETWEEN 1995 AND 1997 CARGO THROUGHPUT WOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
"THEREFORE WE CAN EXPECT CONGESTION. WE MUST PLAN TO AVOID THE WORST OF THIS. MEANWHILE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS THE CHINESE SIDE FOR EARLY ENDORSEMENT OF CT9."
MR SIU DESCRIBED PLANS FOR THE NEW PORT AT LANTAU AS: "FAR SIGHTED AND AMBITIOUS. THEY WILL SERVE HONG KONG WELL INTO THE FUTURE."
------0--------
TELA ISSUES ADVISORY LETTERS TO NEWSPAPER VENDORS *****
THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) HAS ISSUED ANOTHER ADVISORY LETTER TO NEWSPAPER VENDORS REMINDING THEM TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE (COIAO).
AN ADVISORY LETTER WAS SENT TO ALL NEWSPAPER VENDORS IN LATE SEPTEMBER DRAWING THEIR ATTENTION TO THE LEGISLATION.
BUT SOME NEWSPAPER VENDORS WERE STILL FOUND DISPLAYING INDECENT MATTERS PUBLICLY AND SELLING INDECENT COMIC BOOKS TO UNDERAGEI) PERSONS INCLUDING STUDENTS IN SCHOOL UNIFORM.
CONCERTED ENFORCEMENT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY TELA AND THE POLICE AGAINST SUCH NEWSPAPER VENDORS AND PROSECUTION ACTION WOULD BE INITIATED UNDER THE COIAO.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
A SPOKESMAN FOR
TELA TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID: ’’THIS
SECOND
ADVISORY LETTER ATMS TO DRAW NEWSPAPER VENDORS’ ATTENTION TO THE RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTION TAKEN AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST RECALCITRANT NEWSPAPER VENDORS.
"TO PROVIDE THEM WITH SOME REFERENCE, THE ADVISORY LETTER ALSO INCLUDES A LIST OF COMIC BOOKS WHICH HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED BY THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL AS INDECENT THIS YEAR.
’’THE LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND NEWSPAPER VENDORS ARE ADVISED TO SEEK CLARIFICATION FROM THE PUBLISHERS OR THE TRIBUNAL IF NECESSARY.”
IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, TELA HAS REFERRED 47 COMIC BOOKS WITH INDECENT CONTENT BUT WHICH FAILED TO CARRY THE PRESCRIBED WARNING NOTICE TO THE TRIBUNAL FOR CLASSIFICATION.
PROSECUTION WILL BE INITIATED ON THESE CONTRAVENTIONS SHORTLY UNDER THE COTAO.
TELA WILL ALSO CARRY OUT A SERIES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION WORK.
A TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST (API) WILL BE SCREENED AND PUBLICITY LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO THE MATTER.
AN EPISODE OF THE RTHK PROGRAMME "COMMON SENSE" WAS ALSO SHOWN RECENTLY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF YOUNG PEOPLE READING COMIC BOOKS WITH INDECENT CONTENT AND HOW PARENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.
- - 0 - -
HEAVY PENALTIES FOR SMUGGLERS PROPOSED
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO MAKE MAJOR SMUGGLING OFFENCES TRIABLE ON INDICTMENT AND TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE PENALTIES FOR INVOLVEMENT IN SMUGGLING.
THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) PROPOSES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $2 MILLION FOR OFFENCES CONVICTED ON INDICTMENT.
THE EXISTING PENALTIES OF TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $500,000 FOR SUMMARY CONVICTION UNDER THE EXISTING IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE WOULD BE UNCHANGED.
MAJOR SMUGGLING OFFENCES RELATE TO: -
♦ ALTERATION OF VESSELS, AIRCRAFT OR VEHICLES FOR THE PURPOSES OF SMUGGLING;
/* CONSTRUCTION AND
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
13
* CONSTRUCTION AND SO ON OF VESSELS FOR THE PURPOSES OF SMUGGLING;
* ASSISTING IN THE COMMISSION OF INDICTABLE SMUGGLING OFFENCES;
♦ THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF SPECIFIED ARTICLES (CURRENTLY LEFTHAND DRIVE VEHICLES AND POWERFUL OUTBOARD ENGINES) EXCEPT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE;
* THE EXPORT OF PRESCRIBED ARTICLES (CURRENTLY TELEVISION SETS AND VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS AND PLAYERS) ON VESSELS OF LESS THAN 250 GROSS TONS EXCEPT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE; AND
♦ THE CARRIAGE OF PRESCRIBED ARTICLES (CURRENTLY TELEVISION SETS, VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS, VIDEO CASSETTE PLAYERS, AIR CONDITIONERS, REFRIGERATORS, VEHICLES/VEHICLE PARTS AND POWERFUL OUTBOARD ENGINES) TN HONG KONG WATERS.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES HAD ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS, THE SITUATION REMAINED SERIOUS.
THERE WAS A NEED FOR HIGHER PENALTIES FOR MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES AND TO ACT AS A DETERRENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN ACTION ON THREE FRONTS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
’’LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED IN 1991 TO CURB THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF HIGH-POWERED SPEEDBOATS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR SMUGGLING AND TO CONTROL THE EXPORT AND CARRIAGE BY SMALL VESSELS OF POPULAR CONTRABAND ITEMS.
”IN 1992, CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF LEFT-HAND DRIVE VEHICLES AND HIGH-POWERED OUTBOARD ENGINES.
”IN 1993, THE PENALTY FOR CAR THEFT UNDER THE CRIMES ORDINANCE WAS INCREASED FROM THREE TO SEVEN YEARS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE ENFORCEMENT FRONT, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN 1991, AN ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE INVOLVING THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS WITH SUPPORT FROM HEADQUARTERS, BRITISH FORCES WAS SET UP TO MOUNT VIGOROUS AND SUSTAINED ANT I-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS.
ALSO, CO-OPERATION AND SHARING OF INTELLIGENCE WITH CHINESE SECURITY FORCES HAD BEEN STEPPED UP.
’’BUT AS LONG AS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HUGE PROFITS REMAINS, SMUGGLING IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE AT HIGH LEVELS. EVERY EFFORT SHOULD THEREFORE BE MADE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 17, 1993.
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/14 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
- 14 -
PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS INVITED FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS FOR THE PHASE I INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT WORKS FOR TUNG CHUNG.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE WORKS WOULD COMPRISE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND ASSOCIATED STORM WATER DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE, A SECOND SEA CHANNEL BRIDGE CROSSING CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT, FOOTBRIDGE, SUBWAYS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE FACILITIES, NOISE BARRIERS, WATER MAINS AND LANDSCAPING WORKS.
A NOTICE INVITING PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I IN GROUP C FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS OR ON THE LIST II WERE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM THE PROJECT’S CONSULTANT, MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED, 12TH FLOOR, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 17.
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POSSESSION AND SALE OF RHINO PRODUCTS ILLEGAL IN HK
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OWNERS OF CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOPS ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED THAT THE POSSESSION AND LOCAL SALE OF RHINO PRODUCTS INCLUDING MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS ARE ILLEGAL IN HONG KONG.
THE REMINDER WAS MADE BY SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN JEE-KEUNG, AFTER A SERIES OF OPERATION CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS TO CURB THE LOCAL SALE OF RHINO PRODUCTS.
MR CHAN SAID: "AMONG THE SEIZED ITEMS, THERE ARE AT LEAST 17 KINDS OF CHINESE MEDICINE THAT HAD CLAIMED TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS. THESE INCLUDE CHINESE MEDICINE MEANT FOR USE IN PAEDIATRICS, RHEUMATISM, DERMATOLOGY, COMMON COLD AND FEVER."
HE URGED TRADERS AND THE PUBLIC TO BE ON THE ALERT WHEN SELLING OR BUYING CHINESE MEDICINE.
"THEY SHOULD CHECK CAREFULLY WHETHER THESE MEDICINE CLAIMED TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS IN THEIR DECLARED CONTENTS AND STOP SELLING OR BUYING THOSE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN SUCH INGREDIENTS."
/MR CHAN ......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
- 15 -
MR CflAN POINTED OUT THAT TOUGH LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST RHINO PRODUCTS TRADE WERE REQUIRED TO PROTECT THESE HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE PUBLIC CAN HELP BY REPORTING ON SUCH ILLEGAL TRADE OR LOCAL SALE TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
"THIS WILL HELP IN THE CONSERVATION OF RHINO SPECIES WHICH ARE FACING EXTINCTION."
IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SEIZED SOME 200 SMALL PACKETS OF MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS FROM 13 SHOPS DURING THEIR SEARCH OF 30 CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOPS.
UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, OFFENDERS WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $25,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION AND $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
------0------------
TEAMS FOR NEEDY YOUNG PEOPLE * * * * *
THE PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP INTEGRATED TEAMS IS ONE SIGNIFICANT RECOMMENDATION WHICH AIMS AT PROVIDING SOCIAL WORK SERVICES TO THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUB ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG TAI WO CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, TAI PO TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSAL WAS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY ON REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES.
THE WORKING PARTY IS NOW CONSIDERING PUBLIC VIEWS COLLECTED IN THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE. A FINAL REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR SUBMISSION TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
"1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED BY THE WORKING GROUPS TOGETHER WITH THE VIEWS GATHERED FROM THE PUBLIC WILL PROVIDE A SOLID BASIS FOR US TO MAP OUT A SUITABLE PROGRAMME OF SERVICES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THE 1990S AND BEYOND," MR STRACHAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, WE REALISE THE NEED TO GO FURTHER. WE RECOGNISE THE NEED TO CO-ORDINATE EFFORTS OF PROFESSIONALS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED IN THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT RISK."
A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED IN APRIL THIS YEAR UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
/A WORKING .....
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
16
A WORKING GROUP ON SERVICES FOR YOUTH AT RISK UNDER THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WAS ALSO FORMED IN JULY TO EXAMINE THE EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY.
THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WILL REGULARLY REPORT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CO-ORDINATING
COMMITTEE.
"CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INFLUENCES IN SOCIETY. CHILDREN AND YOUTH PEOPLE TO ATTAIN A HEALTHY AND BALANCED GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE," MR STRACHAN SAID.
VULNERABLE TO POWERFUL SERVICES HELP OUR YOUNG DEVELOPMENT, GIVING THEM
"OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE HARD TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF TODAY AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY AT LARGE,” HE ADDED.
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SUPERVISORY CO-OPERATION WITH BANK INDONESIA
*****
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY AND BANK INDONESIA (THE CENTRAL BANK OF INDONESIA) HAVE ENTERED INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE SUPERVISION OF THE CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS OF BANKS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE TERRITORIES.
THE MEMORANDUM WAS SIGNED ON NOVEMBER 1 IN JAKARTA BY DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING) OF THE MONETARY AUTHORITY, MR DAVID CARSE AND MR HENDROBUDIYANTO, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BANK INDONESIA.
MR CARSE SAID: "EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION OF THE OVERSEAS OPERATIONS OF BANKS REQUIRES GOOD CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE HOME AND THE HOST BANKING AUTHORITIES.
"AS A RESULT OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, WE NOW HAVE A MORE FORMAL FRAMEWORK OF BILATERAL CO-OPERATION IN BANKING SUPERVISION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND INDONESIA.”
THE MEMORANDUM HAS ADOPTED A NUMBER OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES AS A BASIS FOR PROMOTING SUPERVISORY CO-OPERATION, WHICH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
* BOTH AUTHORITIES WILL CONSULT EACH OTHER ON ALL FUTURE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY BANKS OR OTHER INTERESTS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE TERRITORIES TO ESTABLISH OR ACQUIRE CROSS-BORDER BANKING OPERATIONS. APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THE PRIOR CONSENT OF BOTH AUTHORITIES BEFORE THEY ARE PERMITTED TO PROCEED WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OR ACQUISITION.
* BOTH AUTHORITIES WILL ALLOW EACH OTHER TO CONDUCT ON-SITE EXAMINATIONS OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE BRANCHES,
SUBSIDIARIES AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF AUTHORISED
INSTITUTIONS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE TERRITORIES.
/* BOTH AUTHORITIES........
17 -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
♦ BOTH AUTHORITIES WILL PERMIT EACH OTHER TO GATHER INFORMATION FROM THE CROSS-BORDER BANKING ESTABLISHMENTS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE TERRITORIES. ADDITIONALLY, BOTH AUTHORITIES WILL, TO THE EXENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BE PREPARED TO SHARE WITH EACH OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH WILL HELP IN THE
EXERCISE OF THEIR SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS.
MR CARSE ADDED: "THE MEMORANDUM PUTS INTO EFFECT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BASLE COMMITTEE ON BANKING SUPERVISION. IT SHOULD HELP TO ACHIEVE MORE CO-ORDINATED SUPERVISION OF HONG KONG AND INDONES IAN INST I TUT I ONS ’’ .
THE ARRANGEMENT WITH BANK INDONESIA IS BROADLY SIMILAR TO THAT REACHED WITH THE PEOPLE’S BANK OF CHINA LAST YEAR. SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING SOUGHT WITH OTHER SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
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TRAVEL AGENTS’ LICENSING FEES TO BE REVISED
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY HAD APPROVED REVISION TO THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ LICENSING AND RELATED FEES, EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, NEXT YEAR’.
THE REVISED FEES SET OUT IN THE TRAVEL AGENTS REGULATION 1993 WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
(AMENDMENT)
DETAILS OF THE REVISION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
EXISTING NEW RATE
$ $
* FOR AN APPLICATION 520 575
FOR A LICENCE
* FOR A LICENCE OR THE 400 440
RENEWAL OF A LICENCE
(FOR EACH MONTH OF
THE TERM)
♦ FOR AMENDING A LICENCE-
(A) FOR AN ADDITIONAL 550 605
ADDRESS, FOR EACH
NEW PREMISES
(B) OTHERWISE 130 143
/★ FOR ISSUING .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
18 -
* FOR ISSUING A DUPLICATE OF A LICENCE 760 840
t FOR INSPECTING THE REGISTER OR ANY PART THEREOF 30 33
* FOR ISSUING OR SUPPLYING A COPY OF OR EXTRACT FROM ANY ENTRY IN THE REGISTER 30 33
* FOR CERTIFYING A COPY OF OR EXTRACT FROM ANY ENTRY IN THE REGISTER 70 7 7
THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ LICENSING AND RELATED
REVISED ON JANUARY 1, THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FEES WERE LAST
THEY ARE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW.
THE REVISED RATES ARE SET TO RECOVER INCREASED COSTS IN PROVIDING THE RELEVANT SERVICE, HE SAID.
’’REVENUE FROM THE REVISED FEES WILL RECOVER ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OPERATING COSTS OF THE REGISTRY OF TRAVEL AGENTS,” HE SAID.
"THE REMAINING 30 PER CENT ARE INCURRED FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF OTHER NON-LICENSING REGULATORY FUNCTIONS WHICH AIM TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS."
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND IT ADVISES THAT THE PROPOSED FEE INCREASE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE ARE ACCEPTABLE.
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PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY AT POK FU LAM ROAD AUTHORISED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY SYSTEM AND THE ASSOCIATED ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD AND POKFIELD ROAD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS ROAD JUNCTION WAS A BOTTLENECK FOR THE NORTH BOUND TRAFFIC AT POK FU LAM ROAD DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS. THIS PROJECT WOULD IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CAPACITY OF THIS SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, THE SUBWAY SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE A SAFE GRADE-SEPARATED CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS.
/IT WILL .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
IT WILL ALSO LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE TRAFFIC CAPACITY OF THIS ROAD JUNCTION BY UTILISING THE GREEN TIME ORIGINALLY ALLOCATED TO THE PEDESTRIAN PHASE FOR OTHER VEHICULAR PHASES, THUS ENHANCING THE THROUGHPUT OF RESPECTIVE APPROACHES AT THE JUNCTION.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 - -
A STYLE OF DISTINCTION
*****
THE WORLD’S GREAT CITIES HAVE A RECOGNISABLE STYLE ABOUT THEM, FROM THE WAY THEIR INHABITANTS GO ABOUT THEIR LIVES TO THE BUILDINGS THEY CHOOSE TO DO THEIR LIVING IN.
HONG KONG’S ARCHITECTURE IS DISTINGUISHED BY THE PACE OF CHANGE AS WELL AS THE VARIED STYLE OF ITS MAJOR BUILDINGS.
THIS VARIETY WILL BE AMONG THE KEY POINTS OF INTEREST IN AN EXHIBITION OF HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE WHICH WILL OPEN AT THE DEUTSCHES ARKITEKTUR-MUSEUM IN FRANKFURT ON NOVEMBER 14.
ENTITLED THE AESTHETICS OF DENSITY, THE EXHIBITION FEATURES MODELS, DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF NOTABLE HONG KONG BUILDINGS.
THEY HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO REFLECT THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXHIBITION, WHICH LOOKS AT HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT FROM 1841 TO THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW CITY; SOME VISIONS OF WHAT MAY BE; AND A SPECIAL SECTION FOR PROFESSIONALS.
EXISTING STRUCTURES INCLUDE SIR NORMAN FOSTER’S HIGH-TECH MILESTONE, THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING, COMPLETED IN 1985; PACIFIC PLACE, DESIGNED BY W H LAM OF WANG & OUYANG; HONG KONG PARK, A DELIGHTFUL GREEN SPACE AT THE CITY’S HEART DESIGNED BY EDWARD HO AND JIM TONG OF WONG, TUNG AND PARTNERS LTD; AND I M PEI’S BANK OF CHINA BUILDING, COMPLETED IN 1989.
RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS INCLUDE CENTRAL PLAZA, WAN CHAI, AT 78 STOREYS ASIA’S TALLEST BUILDING AND DESIGNED BY DENNIS LAU OF NG CHUN MAN & ASSOCIATES; AND HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, DESIGNED BY SIMON KWAN OF SIMON KWAN AND ASSOCIATES, ITS FIRST PHASE WAS COMPLETED IN 1991 AND ITS FIRST GRADUATES TOSSED THEIR MORTARBOARDS IN THE AIR THIS OCTOBER.
PROJECTS THAT LIE AHEAD INCLUDE HONG KONG’S NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND A MASSIVE REDEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH-EAST KOWLOON ON A SITE NOW OCCUPIED PARTLY BY THE EXISTING AIRPORT, KAI TAK.
SIR NORMAN FOSTER CAME TO HONG KONG RECENTLY TO SET UP HIS FAR EAST BRANCH, FOSTER ASIA.
/HIS HONG
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
- 20 -
HIS HONG KONG OFFICE TEAMED UP WITH MOTT CONNELL AND BAA (THE FORMER BRITISH AIRPORT AUTHORITY) TO WIN A CONTRACT WORTH ABOUT US$70 MILLION TO DESIGN THE AIRPORT TERMINAL AT CHEK LAP KOK.
IT IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 1997 AND WILL EQUAL THE COMBINED AREA OF NEW YORK’S JFK AND LONDON’S HEATHROW.
HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL TOWN PLANNER DR E G PRYOR HAS CREATED AN OUTLINE PLAN FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF KAI TAK AFTER THE AIRPORT IS RELOCATED AND THIS WILL FORM PART OF THE EXHIBITION SHOWING PROJECTIONS FOR THE TERRITORY.
AT THE REQUEST OF THE FRANKFURT ORGANISERS, A SPECIAL SECTION HAS BEEN CREATED FOR PROFESSIONALS - ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS AND PLANNERS - WHERE THE MORE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROJECTS ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL.
A FINELY PRINTED CATALOGUE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE EXHIBITION DEALING AT LENGTH WITH HONG KONG’S HISTORY AND BUILDING PECULIARITIES. HONG KONG COVERS AN AREA OF 1,080 SQUARE KILOMETRES, BUT MUCH OF THAT CANNOT BE BUILT ON BECAUSE IT IS TOO STEEP, SO THE CITY’S SIX MILLION PEOPLE ARE CRAMMED INTO ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE SPACE.
UNTIL RECENTLY, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT WAS REGARDED AS THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED SQUARE MILE ON EARTH.
IN THESE CONDITIONS, THE TITLE OF THE EXHIBITION TAKES ON NEW MEANING AND INDICATES THE APPROACH NOW BEING TAKEN TO TACKLE THE DIFFICULTIES INHERENT IN ACCOMMODATING SO MANY PEOPLE IN SUCH A SMALL AREA.
AS THE EXHIBITS DEMONSTRATE, THE RESULTS CAN BE QUITE INSPIRING.
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SMILING IMAGES OF HONG KONG
*****
A TROUPE OF 17 PERFORMERS FROM HONG KONG’S ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS WILL ENTERTAIN LEADING EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN AND POLITICIANS AT A DINNER IN THE HAGUE LATER THIS MONTH.
THE PERFORMANCE, HONG KONG IMAGES, WILL COME AFTER DINNER IN THE KURHAUS HOTEL, THE HAGUE, ON NOVEMBER 16.
IT WILL COMBINE DANCE, MUSIC AND VISUAL IMAGES TO REFLECT HONG KONG’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT INTO A MAJOR, MODERN INTERNATIONAL CITY.
KICKING OFF THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE A LIVELY, SIX-MINUTE FILM PRESENTING IMAGES OF HONG KONG INTERSPERSED WITH GLIMPSES OF A TRADITIONAL CHINESE MASKED CHARACTER, BIG-HEADED BUDDHA, WHO BEAMS A BIG, INFECTIOUS GRIN.
/WHEN THE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
21
WHEN THE FILM ENDS, BIG-HEADED BUDDHA WILL EMERGE LIVE ONTO THE STAGE AND WILL INTRODUCE IN MIME THE PERFORMANCES TO FOLLOW,
A TRADITIONAL CHINESE FAN DANCE WILL START THE PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWED BY A FIVE-PIECE ENSEMBLE PLAYING TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS THE ERHU (A VIOLIN-LIKE STRINGED INSTRUMENT), DIZI (FLUTE), PIPA (HARP), SHENG (PAN PIPES) AND ZHENG (A PLUCKED, ZITHER-LIKE INSTRUMENT).
A SOPRANO WILL THEN JOIN THE GROUP FOR A SONG FROM CHINA’S SICHUAN PROVINCE IN THE MANDARIN DIALECT.
AFTER THAT, BIG-HEADED BUDDHA WILL INTRODUCE FOUR MALE DANCERS IN CONTEMPORARY DRESS REFLECTING HONG KONG’S SOPHISTICATED NIGHTLIFE-ACCOMPANIED BY THE SOPRANO, WHO WILL CHANGE FROM CHINESE TRADITIONAL DRESS INTO A MODERN EVENING GOWN.
. THE PERFORMANCE WILL END WITH THE ANHUI FLOWER DANCE, A SPECTACULAR, TRADITIONAL ITEM DRIVEN TO THE EVENING’S CLOSE BY LIVE CHINESE PERCUSSION.
THE ACADEMY’S DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR GEORGE DERBYSHIRE, SAID THREE TECHNICAL ARTS STUDENTS AND THREE STAFF WOULD ACCOMPANY THE 10 DANCERS AND SEVEN MUSICIANS TO HOLLAND.
"WE HOPE TO GIVE THE AUDIENCE A FLAVOUR OF THE EXCITING MIX OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE CULTURE AND MODERN DEVELOPMENT WHICH CHARACTERISES HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"IT WILL ALSO GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE TALENTS OF ACADEMY STUDENTS BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE."
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TWO LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED
*****
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT PUBLIC AUCTION ON NOVEMBER 29, IT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND. WITH AN AREA OF ABOU? HS SWABB METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, GODOWNS, HOTELS OR OFFICES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 840 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
THE OTHER
TERRITORIES, HAS RESIDENTIAL USE.
LOT, LOCATED IN MA TIN ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,350 SQUARE METRES FOR PRIVATE
/THE DEVELOPER .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
22
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 7,830 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
SALE PLANS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, SAI KUNG, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH AND ISLANDS.
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MEMORIAL JOURNAL TO MARK FIRE SERVICES’ 125TH ANNIVERSARY
*****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A JOURNAL TO COMMEMORATE ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
THE 64-PAGE BILINGUAL PUBLICATION CONTAINS A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM 1868, NOTABLE INCIDENTS IN THE PAST SEVEN DECADES AND SERVICE EXPANSION OVER THE YEARS TO COPE WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGING DEMANDS IN THE TERRITORY.
PEOPLE MAY NOT AWARE OF THE DISASTROUS FIRE AT THE HAPPY VALLEY RACECOURSE IN 1918 IN WHICH 570 PEOPLE WERE BURNED ALIVE OR TRAMPED UNDERFOOT.
MANY MAY HAVE SOME IMPRESSION OF THE TRAGIC SHEK KIP MEI SQUATTER FIRE IN 1953 WHICH MADE 53,000 PEOPLE HOMELESS, THE BUILDING COLLAPSE AT KOTEWALL ROAD AND THE LANDSLIDE AT SAU MAU PING RESITE AREA DURING A RAINSTORM IN 1972, KILLING 68 PEOPLE.
THESE INCIDENTS WERE VIVIDLY DEPICTED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE JOURNAL.
"THANKS TO THE DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM OF ITS STAFF, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS DONE A REMARKABLE JOB IN PROTECTING THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF THE SIX MILLION PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAYS IN THE FOREWORD TO THE JOURNAL.
COMMENTING ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE BOOK, THE EDITOR, DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER HO CHAK-LAM, SAID HIS STAFF HAD SPENT ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO HUNT FOR THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL REPORTS AND NEWSPAPERS.
SOME OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE REPRODUCED BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PHOTOGRAPHIC SECTION, HE SAID.
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/23........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5,
1993
CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WILL LAUNCH THE 1993/94 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN CUM FIRE SERVICES 125TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 7).
THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE RISK.
IN ADDITION TO PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY, VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE A SHORT DRAMA BY TELEVISION ARTISTES, EXHIBITION OF FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT, AND WATER DISPLAY BY FIRE BOAT IN THE VICTORIA HARBOUR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITION. THE OPENING HOURS ARE: FROM 3.45 PM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAY, FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM ON MONDAY AND 10 AM TO 2 PM ON TUESDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 7).
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URBAN COUNCILLORS AND DB MEMBERS BRIEFED ON ACP PROGRESS *****
A TOTAL OF 11 URBAN COUNCILLORS AND 81 URBAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) TOLD THAT GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS.
DURING A FOUR-HOUR BOAT TOUR, THE GROUP WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE LATEST PROGRESS OF THE 10 ACP PROJECTS AND SAW THE WORKS OF VARIOUS PROJECTS.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, THE TSING MA AND KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGES, THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN RECLAMATION AND THE NEW AIRPORT WORKS.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE, MR BILLY LAM, FIRST GAVE A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY BRIEFINGS ON THE LATEST PROGRESS OF INDIVIDUAL ACP PROJECTS BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED.
- - 0 - -
/24
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
- 24 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,980
REVERSAL OF LAF + 20
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -380
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,620
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.3 »+0.1* 5.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.54 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.33 3.23
1 MONTH 2.81 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.56 3.52
3 MONTHS 2.85 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 94.94 3.83
6 MONTHS 2.98 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.20 3.96
12 MONTHS 3.31 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.37 4.48
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 26,642 MN
CLOSED 5 NOVEMBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THOROUGH EXAMINATION INTO CAUSES OF FLOODINGS .................. 1
EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY TO CHEUNG CHAU .......................... 1
TUEN MUN PIPE WATER SUPPLY PARTIALLY RESUMES ................. 2
TOWN PLANNING BOARD AMENDS OZP ................................ 3
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION .............. 4
SPECIAL METER SEALING EXERCISE FOR URBAN AND NT TAXIS ......... 5
SMALL GROUP HOMES FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN ........................ 6
HUMAN RIGHTS TEACHING KITS READY FOR DISTRIBUTION .............. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
7
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
THOROUGH EXAMINATION INTO CAUSES OF FLOODINGS
*****
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE LOOKING INTO THE WHOLE REASONS FOR YESTERDAY’S FLOODINGS AND TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO PREVENT THEIR RECURRENCES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL BOWLS CLASSIC 1993, SIR DAVID SAID: "OBVIOUSLY, THERE WILL NOW BE A THOROUGH EXAMINATION INTO WHY THIS HAPPENED ON THIS OCCASION.
"BUT, IT WAS A PARTICULARLY RARE OCCURRENCE. I DON’T THINK IT IS THAT SORT OF OCCASIONS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR.
"IT WAS A VERY STRONG DELUGE IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND ALL THE PUMPS IN ONE PUMPING STATION WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS TO DEAL WITH THOSE ONE-OFF SITUATIONS."
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ABOUT A LACK OF CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SIR DAVID SAID THAT FLOODING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD BECOME A PROBLEM MORE RECENTLY, VERY LARGELY BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN SO MUCH ILLEGAL LAND EXCAVATION AND PREPARATION OF SITES GOING ON THERE.
"AND THAT HAS AFFECTED THE WATER TABLE AND AFFECTED THE FLOW OF WATER OF THE AREAS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"BUT, CLEARLY, THIS IS BEYOND THOSE NORMAL PROBLEMS AND WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THIS TO SEE WHETHER WE CAN PREVENT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. "
URGING THE RESIDENTS AFFECTED TO BE PATIENT, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE ARE DOING OUR VERY BEST TO PUT THINGS RIGHT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."
"WE WILL SPARE NO EFFORTS IN GETTING THE SUPPLY BACK TO EVERYBODY," HE ADDED.
■.' • n ■ :
------o-------
EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY TO CHEUNG CHAU *****
A WATER BARGE CARRYING 300 TONNES OF FRESH WATER ARRIVED AT CHEUNG CHAU AT 10 AM TODAY (SATURDAY)-.
RESIDENTS ARE GETTING WATER IN AN ORDERLY MANNER.
/DISTRICT OFFICER .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
2
DISTRICT OFFICER (ISLANDS), MR CHRISTOPHER WONG, WHO IS OVERSEEING THE OPERATION AT THE SCENE SAID A SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WAS ALSO PUT IN PLACE TO HELP THE ELDERLY AND THOSE IN NEED TO GET WATER.
"VILLAGE VEHICLES CARRYING JERRY-CANS OF WATER ARE OPERATING A SHUTTLE SERVICE UP THE SLOPES OF CHEUNG CHAU TO TWO DISTRIBUTION POINTS AT LUNG TSAI TSUEN IN TAI TSOI YUEN AND THE CHUNG SHAK HEI ELDERLY CENTRE IN PAR SHE,” HE SAID.
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TUEN MUN PIPE WATER SUPPLY PARTIALLY RESUMES
*****
WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT STAFF, WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING NON-STOP OVERNIGHT, HAVE SUCCEEDED IN PUTTING THE TWO DIESEL PUMPS AT TUEN MUN PUMPING STATION BACK INTO SERVICE EARLY THIS MORNING.
THE TWO PUMPS ARE NOW PUMPING TREATED WATER INTO THE PRIMARY SERVICE RESERVOIR AT THEIR MAXIMUM RATE TO MEET 20 PER CENT OF TUEN MUN DEMAND.
WSD STAFF ARE ALSO TRYING TO BRING A THIRD PUMP BACK INTO OPERATION LATER TODAY. IF SUCCESSFUL, THIS WILL RAISE THE PUMPING CAPACITY UP TO 25 PER CENT OF THE DAILY NEED IN THE DISTRICT.
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR M S HUI SAID EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO TRANSFER WATER FROM THE PRIMARY SERVICE RESERVOIR TO THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK VIA THE SECONDARY SERVICE RESERVOIRS.
"WE HOPE TO MAKE A DECISION EARLY THIS AFTERNOON AS TO THE TIMING AND AREAS OF RESUMING A LIMITED SUPPLY TO RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN. THEY ARE ADVISED TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT LATER TODAY."
IN THE MEANTIME, TUEN MUN RESIDENTS CAN STILL DRAW WATER FROM WATER TANKERS DEPLOYED AT 27 LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, CONGRATULATED THE WSD STAFF FOR RESPONDING TO SUCH A DIFFICULT SITUATION WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION.
"I AM DELIGHTED BY AND PROUD OF THE EFFICIENCY AND TEAM WORK DISPLAYED BY THE WSD STAFF INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH THIS MAJOR EMERGENCY.
"NOT ONLY IN TUEN MUN, BUT ALSO IN CHEUNG CHAU AND CHI MA WAN WHERE SUPPLY IS AFFECTED BY BURST WATER MAINS DUE TO LANDSLIDES."
MEANWHILE, WSD STAFF IN TUEN MUN HAVE THIS MORNING REMOVED MOTORS FROM THE REMAINING FIVE ELECTRICAL PUMPS FOR THOROUGH DRYINGOUT AND TESTING. IT IS EXPECTED THAT IT WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR DAYS TO PUT ALL THESE PUMPS BACK TO WORK.
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/3.........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
- 3 -
TOWN PLANNING BOARD AMENDS OZP
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SAI YING PUN AND SHEUNG WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE SITE FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY A MENTAL HOSPITAL AT THE JUNCTION OF HIGH STREET AND EASTERN STREET HAD BEEN REZONED FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)’.
THE 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’ SITES IN U LAM TERRACE, WA IN FONG AND WING LEE STREET AREAS HAVE ALSO BEEN REZONED TO 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP O’.
"OPPORTUNITY HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO INCORPORATE THE REVISED LAND USE PROPOSALS AND THE LANDFALL ALIGNMENT OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION.
"THE BOUNDARY OF THE ’OPEN SPACE’ ZONE AT CLEVERLY STREET HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE 3-5 CLEVERLY STREET AND THE REAR LANES OF 105-107 JERVOIS STREET," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
OTHER TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS INCLUDE REZONING THE SITE BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HOLLYWOOD ROAD, SHING WONG STREET AND HILLIER STREET FROM ’OTHER SPECIFIED USES’ ANNOTATED 'COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA’ TO ’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA’ AND UPDATING OF THE NOTES OF THE PLAN.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN AND THE SCHEDULE OF AMENDMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION BEFORE JANUARY 5, NEXT YEAR AT:
* HONG KONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE,
11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE,
77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG;
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE,
PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE,
GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SEND HIS WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TII FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE JANUARY 5, 1994.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/4 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION
*****
FIETY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS SATURDAY MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,405,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE CONDUCT THEREOF.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK DL8 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $300,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK FL168 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $138,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR FL1129 AND FL914.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FL1129 1,000 FL4498 6,000 FES 1 3 42,000 FL920 11,000
FL3938 2,000 FK9208 3,000 HK3778 41,000 FL3180 21,000
♦FS777 40,000 ♦ FR2 100,000 *FK12 85,000 *DL8 300,000
FL1618 9,000 AA1283 46,000 FL3182 6,000 FL2220 13,000
FK2829 7,000 FL8398 6,000 AF863 21,000 AB9388 20,000
AC748 20,000 FL168 138,000 FL1163 9,000 FL8088 20,000
FL819 6,000 FL8777 10,000 FK7298 2,000 BR8001 9,000
♦BB400 40,000 *FP1 1 60,000 *1357 105,000 ♦ CK21 46,000
FL2389 4,000 CD962 11,000 FL1123 6,000 FL172 13,000
FL312 13,000 FL2208 13,000 FL2138 8,000 FK8707 3,000
FL1286 3,000 CL8332 17,000 *FJ8668 34,000 AU3336 16,000
FL516 4,000 CM5208 WITHDRAW FL914 1,000 ♦FR5050 10,000
FL2316 WITHDRAW FL518 2,000
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 205TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $220,936,905.
THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR CM5208 AND FL2316. THESE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANTS.
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/5.........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
- 5 -
SPECIAL METER SEALING EXERCISE FOR URBAN AND NT TAXIS
♦ * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A SPECIAL METER SEALING EXERCISE FOR URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS • WOULD BE CONDUCTED FROM NOVEMBER 15.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXERCISE WAS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TAXI FARE INCREASE ON NOVEMBER 14.
TAXI OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE TELEPHONE BOOKINGS DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, FOR THIS SPECIAL SEALING EXERCISE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES ARE:
FOR URBAN TAXIS:
♦ KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE I:
(A) 5 PM - 9 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND
(B) 8.30 AM - 5 PM ON SATURDAYS (EXPECT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
♦ TO KWA WAN VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE:
(A) 8.30 AM - 5 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND
(B) 8.30 AM - 11.30 AM ON SATURDAYS (EXPECT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
TELEPHONE BOOKING NO.: 759 7573
FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS:
SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE:
* 5 PM - 7 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND
♦ 1 1 . 30 AM - 6 PhJ ON SATURDAYS (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
TELEPHONE BOOKING NO.: 426 9085
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TAXI METERS SHOULD BE RECALIBRATED BEFORE THEY WERE TESTED AND SEALED BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STAFF.
’’WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE EXISTING GEARBOX SEAL UNDERNEATH THE TAXI SHOULD BE LEFT INTACT WHEN THE TAXI IS PRESENTED FOR THE SPECIAL RECALIBRATION INSPECTION,” HE SAID.
TAXI OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO ARRANGE FOR EARLY RECALIBRATION OF TAXI METERS TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY COMPLAINTS ARISING FROM THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE PUBLIC ON THE USE OF FARE CONVERSION TABLES, * THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
6
SMALL GROUP HOMES FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN ******
WITH THE HELP OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, ST CHRISTOPHER’S HOME RECEIVED A DONATION OF $2 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (RHKJC) FOR SETTING UP SIX SMALL GROUP HOMES IN CHAI WAN.
ST CHRISTOPHER’S HOME IN TAI PO PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR CHILDREN FROM PROBLEM FAMILIES WHO NEED OUT-OF-HOME CARE.
THE HOME CONVERTS ITS CHILDREN SECTION INTO 24 SMALL GROUP HOMES. SIX OF THEM ARE SITUATED IN CHAI WAN.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CONVERSION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE CHANGEOVER FROM A LARGE INSTITUTION INTO SMALL GROUP HOMES IS CARRIED OUT ACCORDING TO A POLICY LAID DOWN IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER, A SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"SMALL GROUP HOMES PROVIDE A FAMILY-LIKE SETTING, AS ONLY EIGHT CHILDREN ARE ACCOMMODATED IN EACH SMALL GROUP HOME, WHICH IS STAFFED BY A MARRIED COUPLE WHO ATTEND THEIR DAILY NEEDS.
"WITH ITS RICH CHILD CARE WORK EXPERIENCE, ST CHRISTOPHER’S HOME WILL BRING HAPPINESS AND JOY TO MANY MORE CHILDREN BY OPERATING SMALL GROUP HOMES," HE ADDED.
THE RHKJC DONATION HELPS MEET THE COST OF FITTING-OUT WORKS, THE PURCHASE OF FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT, TOYS AND BOOKS, AND THE INITIAL RUNNING COSTS OF THE SIX SMALL GROUP HOMES.
A TOTOL OF 47 CHILDREN HAVE MOVED OVER FROM THE HOME IN TAI PO TO LIVE IN THE NEW SMALL GROUP HOMES IN CHAI WAN SINCE MARCH.
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HUMAN RIGHTS TEACHING KITS READY FOR DISTRIBUTION
*****
TEACHING KITS ON HUMAN RIGHTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 8), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION (CPCE) SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
TWO THOUSAND COPIES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED AND THEY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS, HE ADDED.
THE TEACHING KIT (BOOK I AND II) AIMS TO PROMOTE THROUGH LIVELY FORMATS THE CONCEPT OF RIGHTS ENJOYED BY EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL AS WELL AS THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECT ATTACHED TO HUMAN DIGNITY.
/TARGETING MATNLY .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1993
7
TARGETING MAINLY ON SENIOR CLASS STUDENTS, KAIFONGS AND TEENAGE VOLUNTEERS, THE TEACHING KIT INCLUDES SUCH CONCEPTS AS THE RIGHT TO LIFE, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, PERSONAL FREEDOM, EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW AND NO TORTURE OR INHUMAN TREATMENT AS WELL AS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RIGHTS AND DUTY.
BOOK I IS A MANUAL FOR THE TEACHING STAFF OR INSTRUCTORS CONTAINING THE MAJOR DOCUMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS WHILE BOOK II CONTAINS A NUMBER OF TEACHING PLANS ON DIFFERENT HUMAN RIGHTS TOPICS.
PRODUCED BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE CPCE’S HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE, THE TEACHING KIT IS ALSO THE RESULT OF COORDINATED EFFORTS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH AND SEVEN OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ARE THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION OF THE HONG KONG CATHOLIC DIOCESE, CHRISTIANS FOR HONG KONG SOCIETY, HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKER’S GENERAL UNION, HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, HONG KONG CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE AND FACULTY OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS SPONSORED $300,000 FOR THE PRODUCTION.
TO FACILITATE TEACHERS AND TUTORS IN MAKING THE BEST USE OF THE KITS, A WORKSHOP WAS HELD THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING. MORE THAN 200 PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TOOK PART IN THE EVENT.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE KIT CAN BE MADE AT THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE ON TEL 835 1529.
- - - - 0------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.3
2,620
+ 360
2,980
NIL
-1,050
1,930
* +0.0* 6.11.93
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FULL WATER SUPPLY TO TUEN MUN POSSIBLE BEFORE THURSDAY ....... 1
200-TONNE FRESH WATER FOR TUEN MUN RESIDENTS ................. 2
RESIDENTS ADVISED TO ENQUIRE FOR WATER SUPPLY ................ 2
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE HEED OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY ............... 3
FIRST-CLASS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN ASSURED ................... 4
STI TO VISIT LONDON, CANADA AND THE U.S....................... 5
INDUSTRY CHIEF VISITS PEARL RIVER DELTA ...................... 6
CSD TO HOST 13TH APCCA ....................................... 7
REPROVISIONING OF PIER FOR RECLAMATION ....................... 8
TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES FOR COLLECTION ................... 9
FRESH WATER CUT IN CENTRAL ................................... 9
CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE ................... 10
IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL FOR EMSD WORKMAN ...................... 10
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
1
FULL WATER SUPPLY TO TUEN MUN POSSIBLE BEFORE THURSDAY * * * * *
FULL WATER SUPPLY TO TUEN MUN MIGHT BE RESUMED BEFORE THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 11), THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR HU MAN-SHIU, SAID TONIGHT.
"OUR ORIGINAL PLAN IS TO RESTORE FULL SUPPLY ON THURSDAY, BUT I’M GLAD TO SAY THAT THE TARGETED DATE COULD BE ADVANCED BY AT LEAST ONE DAY, AND POSSIBLY EVEN EARLIER," HE NOTED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.
HE ATTRIBUTED THIS ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT TO THE HARD WORK, TEAM SPIRIT, DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION OF HIS STAFF, AND TO THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY.
NOTING THAT HIS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO RESTORE THE PUMPING CAPACITY OF THE TUEN MUN PUMPING STATION SINCE LAST FRIDAY, MR HU POINTED OUT THAT TEMPORARY PIPE WATER SUPPLY WAS RESUMED FOR TWO HOURS FOR 160,000 PEOPLE ON SATURDAY EVENING, THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT.
WITH MORE PUMPS BACK IN SERVICE, PIPE WATER SUPPLY WAS EXTENDED TONIGHT (SUNDAY) TO MORE AREAS, BENEFITTING ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION AFFECTED - THIS BEING ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT.
THE SUPPLY COULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER THE WHOLE OF TUEN MUN TOMORROW AND THE DURATION OF SUPPLY COULD BE EXTENDED TO FOUR HOURS FROM 6 PM TO 10 PM.
MR HU WENT ON TO SAY THAT SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE TO TUEN MUN INDUSTRIALISTS TO DRAW EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY FROM A FIRE HYDRANT AT SAN HEY TSUEN STREET, YUEN LONG TONG YAN SAN TSUEN (NEAR CALTEX PETROL STATION) FROM 9 AM TOMORROW (MONDAY) UNTIL RESUMPTION OF NORMAL SUPPLY.
"THIS WILL ALLEVIATE THE DIFFICULTIES BEING ENCOUNTERED BY THE INDUSTRIALISTS WHEN THEY RESUME WORK ON MONDAY," HE SAID.
ON REPAIR WORK ON THE TWO DAMAGED WATERMAINS WHICH ARE AFFECTING SUPPLY TO CHEUNG CHAU, MR HU SAID THE WORK ALTHOUGH EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WAS PROGRESSING WELL WITH REPAIR TO ONE MAIN COMPLETED TONIGHT (SUNDAY).
"IT IS HOPED THAT FULL SUPPLY COULD BE RESTORED SOMETIME TOMORROW (MONDAY) BECAUSE THE REPAIRED WATERMAIN HAD STILL TO BE TESTED BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL OPERATION," HE ADDED.
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/2.........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
2
200-TONNE FRESH WATER FOR TUEN MUN RESIDENTS * * * * *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ARRANGED A WATER BARGE TO DELIVER 200 TONNES OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY FOR THE RESIDENTS.
TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY! THAT THE SUPPLY WAS EQUIVALENT TO THE VOLUME OF 40 WATER TANKERS.
THE BARGE ARRIVED AT A PIER NEAR RICHLAND GARDEN AT 4.20 PM. WORKING STAFF ARE REFILLING THE WATER TANKERS WITH WATER FROM THE BARGE.
MEANWHILE, MR LEUNG SAID RESIDENTS COULD GET FRESH WATER FROM FOUR NEW DISTRIBUTION POINTS. ONE IS IN RICHLAND GARDEN, TWO IN SIU HONG COURT AND THE FOURTH AT THE ENTRANCE OF TAI HING ESTATE.
RESIDENTS ADVISED TO ENQUIRE FOR WATER SUPPLY
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ADVISED CONSUMERS IN TUEN MUN WHO COULD NOT RECEIVE FRESH WATER SUPPLY RIGHT AWAY DURING THE PARTIAL RESUMPTION PERIOD TO CHECK WITH THEIR BUILDING MANAGEMENT OFFICES IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.
SENIOR ENGINEER (CUSTOMER RELATIONS) OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR TSE MIN-TAT, SAID THE DELAY OF INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS IN GETTING PIPE WATER SUPPLY WHEN IT WAS PARTIALLY RESUMED BETWEEN 6 PM TO 8 PM YESTERDAY MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS OF THE PLUMBING SYSTEMS IN THEIR BUILDINGS.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY DELAY IN SUPPLY BY THE DEPARTMENT AND HE ADVISED THE RESIDENTS CONCERNED TO CHECK WITH THEIR BUILDING MANAGEMENT OFFICES.
• ’. ■'S i )
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/3 .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
- 3 -
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE HEED OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE MORE CAREFUL WHEN USING ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES TO ENSURE A SAFER HOME AND WORK PLACE.
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1993/94 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN-CUM-FIRE SERVICES 125TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION, MR ASPREY SAID ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE SAFE TO USE IF PROPERLY INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WITHOUT PROPER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE, THEY MAY LEAD TO DISASTER," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE DESCRIBED THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN "ELECTRICAL SAFETY" AS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE BECAUSE SOME 20 PER CENT OF FIRES IN HONG KONG WERE SPARKED OFF BY ELECTRICITY LEAKAGE.
THE MOST COMMON CAUSES ARE THE MISUSE OF ADAPTORS, FAULTY WIRING AND DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.
"ALMOST ALL SUCH FIRES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE INSTALLATIONS WERE PROPERLY AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED, AND IF SUFFICIENT CARE WAS EXERCISED BY THE USERS," HE STRESSED.
MR ASPREY SAID FIRE WAS THE MAJOR THREAT TO LIVES AND PROPERTY, AND "PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE."
THE AIM OF THIS CAMPAIGN, HE SAID, WAS TO PROMOTE GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS IN THIS ASPECT.
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ALSO HOLDS AN EXHIBITION TO MARK ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY.
MR ASPREY PRAISED THE SERVICE FOR ACHIEVING A WELL-DESERVED REPUTATION AND RESPECT INTERNATIONALLY FOR THE EFFICIENCY AND PROFESSIONALISM OF ITS EMERGENCY SERVICES.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JERRY LAM CHEK-YUEN, SAID APART FROM PUTTING OUT FIRES, FIRE SERVICES MEMBERS HAD AN EQUALLY IMPORTANT DUTY TO PERFORM AND THAT IS, TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY IN PREVENTING FIRES.
"THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME AND CAN ONLY SUCCEED WITH THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO SPREADS FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES THROUGH LEAFLETS, POSTERS, TELEVISION SHORT FILMS AND RADIO PROGRAMMES.
THE EXHIBITION, HELD AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL CLOSE AT 2 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
4
FIRST-CLASS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN ASSURED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES A LOT OF IMPORTANCE TO PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH A FIRST-CLASS EDUCATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPEN DAY OF THE LA SALLE FOUNDATION, MR MACLEOD SAID A BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THIS OBJECTIVE.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTRODUCE A SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, THE FIRST PHASE OF WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN 1994/95 AND COST OVER $600 MILLION.
IT WILL COVER 50 SECONDARY AND 60 PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
IT WILL PROVIDE THESE SCHOOLS WITH ADDITIONAL TEACHING SPACE, BETTER FACILITIES FOR TEACHERS, MORE ROOM FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS A LIBRARY IN EACH PRIMARY SCHOOL.
"AS STATED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS, THIS IS 'AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS WITH THE PHYSICAL FACILITIES THEY NEED IN ORDER TO EXCEL’," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT DO IT ALL ON ITS OWN.
HE PRAISED THE LA SALLE FOUNDATION, WHICH WAS FORMED BY A GROUP OF OLD BOYS FROM THE LA SALLE COLLEGE, FOR ITS EFFORTS IN RAISING FUNDS FOR THE FUTURE MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOOL.
THE SUCCESS OF THE FOUNDATION IN REACHING THE TARGET OF' $12 MILLION WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEARS TESTIMONY TO THE RESOURCEFULNESS OF THE MEMBERS AND THE STRONG SUPPORT FOR THIS WORTHY CAUSE, HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE EFFORTS OF THE LA SALLE FOUNDATION WERE A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IN FULFILLING THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING HONG KONG WITH GOOD EDUCATION FACILITIES FOR THE BENEFITS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
"I HOPE MORE SCHOOLS WOULD FOLLOW YOUR LEAD,” HE SAID.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
STI TO VISIT LONDON, CANADA AND THE U.S. * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TODAY (SUNDAY) TO VISIT LONDON, CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.
DURING HIS VISIT TO LONDON FROM NOVEMBER 8 TO 10, MR CHAU WILL ATTEND A ’’HONG KONG WORKS” CONFERENCE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS.
HE WILL ALSO ATTEND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ANNUAL DINNER ON NOVEMBER 9.
MR CHAU WILL THEN VISIT CANADA AND THE U.S. FROM NOVEMBER 11
TO 20.
THE PURPOSES OF HIS VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA ARE TO OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW PREMISES OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TORONTO AND TO ATTEND THE FIFTH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) TO BE HELD IN SEATTLE FROM NOVEMBER 17 TO 19.
THE TORONTO OFFICE, SET UP IN OCTOBER 1991, IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S EIGHTH OVERSEAS OFFICE. THE OFFICE HAS RECENTLY ACQUIRED NEW PREMISES AT ST. GEORGE STREET.
"HONG KONG AND CANADA HAVE CLOSE LINKS WITH EACH OTHER ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
"WE VALUE VERY MUCH OUR EXCELLENT BILATERAL RELATIONS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TORONTO OFFICE HAS HELPED TO STRENGTHEN .THESE LINKS FURTHER," MR CHAU SAID.
FROM TORONTO, MR CHAU WILL GO TO VANCOUVER WHERE HE WILL MEET TRADE OFFICIALS.
HE WILL ALSO SPEAK ON THE TRADE LINKS BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED RY THE HONG KONG CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE ASIA PACIFIC FOUNDATION.
MR CHAU WILL THEN LEAVE FOR THE U.S. TO ATTEND THE FIFTH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF APEC TO BE HELD IN SEATTLE.
HE SAID HE LOOKED ’FORWARD TO THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR SHARING EXPERIENCE AND EXCHANGING VIEWS ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES OF COMMON INTEREST WITH OTHER APEC MEMBERS.
THE MEETING WILL BE DISCUSSING A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE ADOPTION OF A TRADE AND INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, THE RATIONALISATION OF THE WORKING GROUPS AND AD HOC GROUPS UNDER APEC, THE PARTICIPATION OF BUS 1NESS/PRIVATE SECTOR IN APEC AS WELL AS THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN AN EMINENT PERSONS GROUP REPORT, HE SAID.
HONG KONG JOINED APEC IN NOVEMBER 1991.
/THIS IS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
6
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT HONG KONG HAS PARTICIPATED IN AN APEC MINISTERIAL MEETING.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY MR CHAU.
OTHER MEMBERS OE THE DELEGATION INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER; THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER; THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K Y TANG; THE COUNSELLOR, HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, WASHINGTON, MS SANDRA S Y LEE; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR FRANCIS S W HO; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR JOHN TSANG AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MISS CHERRY LING.
MR TONY MILLER WILL BE REPRESENTING HONG KONG AT THE SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETING HELD FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO 16 TO PREPARE FOR THE MINISTERIAL MEETING.
MEMBERS OF APEC ARE AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, CHINESE TAIPEI, THAILAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
------0-------
INDUSTRY CHIEF VISITS PEARL RIVER DELTA *****
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, STARTS HER FIVE-DAY VISIT TO CHINA TODAY (SUNDAY), TO SEE THE LATEST ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION.
THE DELEGATION, COMPRISING SIX OFFICIALS FROM THE INDUSTRRY DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, WILL VISIT GUANGZHOU, PANYU, FOSHAN AND SHUNDE.
SPEAKING BEFORE HER DEPARTURE, MISS YUE SAID: "HONG KONG AND CHINA HAVE DEVELOPED VERY CLOSE ECONOMIC LINKS SINCE THE LATTER OPENED ITS DOOR IN 1979.
"WITH CHINA’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REMAINING FAVOURABLE, ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND INTERDEPENDENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES CAN BE EXPECTED TO BROADEN AND INTENSIFY FURTHER."
THE DELEGATION WILL FIRST GO TO GUANGZHOU WHERE IT WILL MEET WITH OFFICIALS OF THE GUANGDONG PLANNING COMMISSION, THE GUANGDONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE COMMISSION AND THE GUANGZHOU ECONOMIC AND TRADE COMMISSION TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
IN PANYU, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE DELEGATES TO MEET OFFICIALS OF THE PANYU ECONOMIC AND TRADE COMMISSION AND VISIT THE NANSHA DEVELOPMENT ZONE.
THE DELEGATION WILL THEN VISIT A NUMBER OF FACTORIES IN PANYU, FOSHAN AND SHUNDE TO GET FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON THE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES IN THESE PLACES.
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/7........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
CSD TO HOST 13TH APCCA
*****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO HOST THE 13TH ASIAN & PACIFIC OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS CONFERENCE (APCCA) SCHEDULED TO BE HELD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 15 AND 20 AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES MULTI-PURPOSE HALL IN CENTRAL.
THE CONFERENCE, WHICH IS HELD IN THE REGION YEARLY, PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS IN THE REGION TO GET TOGETHER TO DISCUSS CURRENT ISSUES AND PROBLEMS THROUGH SINCERE AND FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND SHARING OF EXPERIENCES AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES AND MEANS OF THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE REGION.
THIS YEAR’S APCCA WILL BE THE BIGGEST EVER HELD. SOME 70 DELEGATES REPRESENTING 22 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES AND TWO ORGANISATIONS WILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.
FOR A SECOND TIME IN 13 YEARS, HONG KONG HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF HOSTING THE APCCA.
THE FIRST TIME WAS HELD IN THE TERRITORY IN 1980 FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY AND THE THEN PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG.
IT WAS THEN ATTENDED BY SENIOR CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS FROM 14 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION.
SINCE THEN, THE CONFERENCE HAD MET IN THAILAND, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, AUSTRALIA, INDIA AND CHINA. LAST YEAR, THE APCCA WAS HELD IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE "RIGHTS AND TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS", "THE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFFENDERS", "PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR CORRECTIONS", AND "INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION FOR CORRECTIONS”.
A FULL PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO VARIOUS TYPES OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG.WILL BE ARRANGED DURING THE CONFERENCE. A FINAL REPORT WILL BE COMPILED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE AFTER THE CONFERENCE.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL RE OFFICIATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES MULTI-PURPOSE HALL ON NOVEMBER 15 (MONDAY) AT 8.45 AM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 8.45 AM ON NOVEMBER 15 AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE ANNEX, CENTRAL.
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/8 ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
8 -
REPROVISIONING OF PIER FOR RECLAMATION
*****
THE REPROVISIONING PROGRAMME OF MAJOR WATERFRONT FACILITIES IN CHEUNG SHA WAN HAS BEEN COMPLETED FOLLOWING THE RELOCATION OF THE LAST MAJOR PIER IN THE AREA TO ITS NEW LOCATION.
THE PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATIONS OF EXISTING WATERFRONT BUSINESS AND FACILITIES DURING THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORKS.
THE NEW CHINA RESOURCES COMPANY PIER, LOCATED ON THE NEWLY RECLAIMED LAND ADJACENT TO THE NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET COMPLEX PHASE I, WAS BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE CHINA RESOURCES COMPANY.
DEMOLITION OF THE OLD PIER STARTED AT THE END OF LAST MONTH AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO MAKE WAY FOR THE RECLAMATION WORKS.
THE REPROVISIONING PROGRAMME FOR THE CHEUNG SHA WAN AREA ALSO INCLUDED THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET, WHICH WAS MOVED TO A NEW SITE IN SEPTEMBER, AND THE SHIPYARDS WHICH HAVE BEEN RELOCATED TO STONECUTTERS ISLAND LAST MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY): "THE SUCCESSFUL RELOCATION OF THE PIER HAS SET A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITHIN A VERY TIGHT TIME FRAME."
AS ONE OF THE 10 PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT IS PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE AND OVER 50 PER CENT OF THE 330 HECTARES OF RECLAMATION HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.
WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL INVOLVE MAINLY DREDGING AND SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION.
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR TRANSPORT-RELATED PROJECTS INCLUDING THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
IT WILL ALSO CREATE LAND FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL AS EXTRA SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL USE.
--------0-----------
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
- 9 -
TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES FOR COLLECTION * * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT TAXI OWNERS CAN COLLECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES SHOWING THE EXISTING FARE SCALES AS AGAINST THE NEW FARE SCALES TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM NOVEMBER 14.
* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TAXI OWNERS SHOULD SHOW
THEIR TAXI REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS WHEN COLLECTING THE CONVERSION TABLES.
THESE TABLES SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AT A PROMINENT POSITION INSIDE THE TAXIS BEFORE TAXIMETERS ARE RECALIBRATED, TESTED AND SEALED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT DURING THEIR HALF-YEARLY INSPECTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THOSE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS THAT WISH TO COLLECT FARE CONVERSION TABLES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THEIR MEMBERS SHOULD APPROACH THE PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI OPERATORS CAN COLLECT THE TABLES AT ALL LICENSING OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT; THE PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT 2 MURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG; AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF ALL URBAN DISTRICT OFFICES AND OF THE SHA TIN, KWAI TSING AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICES.
NEW TERRITORIES TAXI OPERATORS CAN COLLECT THE TABLES AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES, EXCEPT HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE, THE PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT; AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE NORTH, SAI KUNG, TAI PO, YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICES.
TAXI OWNERS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THE TAXI. FARE PLATE INSIDE TAXIS SHOULD SHOW THE NEW FARE SCALE STARTING FROM NOVEMBER 14.
-------0-------
FRESH WATER CUT IN CENTRAL • *****
FRESH AND FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 9) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT UPPER ALBERT ROAD, THE HONG KONG PARK, ALL THE PREMISES AT ODD NUMBERS OF 1-3 AND 33-37, EVEN NUMBERS OF 4-8 AND 26 GARDEN ROAD, 18 AND 20 LOWER ALBERT ROAD, 2 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, 1 AND 2 TRAMWAY PATH, 65-73 MACDONNELL ROAD, ODD NUMBERS OF 1-7, EVEN NUMBERS OF 2-8 AND 20-40D KENNEDY ROAD, 22-23 COTTON TREE DRIVE, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET AND 1 BATTERY PATH.
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/10......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993
10
CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WILL LAUNCH THE 1993/94 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN CUM FIRE SERVICES I25TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2.30 PM TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE RISK.
IN ADDITION TO PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY, VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE A SHORT DRAMA BY TELEVISION ARTISTES, EXHIBITION OF FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT, AND WATER DISPLAY BY FIRE BOAT IN THE VICTORIA HARBOUR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITION. THE OPENING HOURS ARE: FROM 3.45 PM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAY, FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM ON MONDAY AND FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM ON TUESDAY.
- - 0 - -
IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL FOR EMSD WORKMAN *****
A WORKS SUPERVISOR II OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL BY THE QUEEN.
HE IS MR LAU ON, AGED 59. HE HAS WORKED IN THE AIRPORT SERVICES SUB-DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT SINCE 1961.
MR LAU’S MAIN DUTIES ARE TO PERFORM OPERATION, MINOR MAINTENANCE AND FAULT REPAIR TO VARIOUS ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE KAI TAK AIRPORT.
HE IS PARTICULARLY SPECIALISED IN FAULT REPAIRS TO AIRFIELD LIGHTINGS, ELECTRIC CABLES, ELECTRIC MOTORS AND SWITCHGEARS.
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR HUGH PHILLIPSON, SAID THE AWARD OF THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL TO MR LAU WAS A RECOGNITION OF HIS CONTINUOUS AND ARDUOUS EFFORTS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
DESCRIBING MR LAU AS A RELIABLE, INDUSTRIOUS, LOYAL AND COMPETENT WORKS SUPERVISOR, MR PHILLIPSON NOTED THAT MR LAU WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ASSET TO EMSD IN VIEW OF HIS DEDICATION TO WORK AND COMPETENCE IN SOLVING PRACTICAL PROBLEMS.
"HIS PERFORMANCE IS CONSISTENTLY RATED AS VERY EFFECTIVE. IN ADDITION, MR LAU IS MOST WILLING TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS AND IS GENEROUS IN SHARING HIS RICH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH HIS SUBORDINATES AND TECHNICAL APPRENTICES.
"HE HAS SET UP A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR HIS FELLOW COLLEAGUES AND IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED BY HIS SENIOR OFFICERS," MR PHILLIPSON SAID.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
TRIBUTE TO ALL CONCERNED OVER WATER SUSPENSION ................. 1
WATER SUPPLY TO TUEN MUN RESUMES TOMORROW....................... 1
ROLE OF HK MONETARY AUTHORITY SPELT OUT ........................ 2
500 ECVIIS TO RETURN TO HAINAN.................................. 3
GDP FOR SECOND QUARTER ......................................... 3
HK'S INFRASTRUCTURE ESSENTIAL TO ITS FUTURE SUCCESS ............ 7
GOVERNMENT PRINTER ATTAINS OUTSTANDING STANDARDS ............... 7
SECOND CANDIDATE NOMINATED FOR DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION ... 8
CONTRACT FOR TRANSFERRING CHINA WATER AWARDED .................. 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
10
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
1
TRIBUTE TO ALL CONCERNED OVER WATER SUSPENSION ♦ * ♦ » *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON PAID TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE IN TUEN MUN AND ON CHEUNG CHAU AFFECTED BY THE SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY FOR THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND ALL THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED FOR CONDUCTING THEIR OPERATIONS SO SMOOTHLY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING TUEN MUN AND CHEUNG CHAU TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF THE REPAIR WORK THERE, SIR DAVID SAID: "I AM REALLY PLEASED THAT TOMORROW THERE WILL BE WATER SUPPLY RETURNED TO TUEN MUN AND HOPEFULLY THIS PROBLEM WILL THEN BE DEALT WITH.”
"CLEARLY WE’VE GOT TO LOOK INTO WHAT HAPPENED," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE’VE STILL GOT TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T HAPPEN AGAIN AND THE ENQUIRY THAT WE’VE PUT IN HAND NOW, WILL DO THAT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
"WE’LL MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER ARRANGEMENTS ARE NEEDED WILL BE PUT IN PLACE."
RESPONDING TO A SUGGESTION TO SET UP A SPECIAL EMERGENCY CENTRE TO DEAL WITH NATURAL DISASTERS, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE HAVE THE CNTA AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO DO JUST THIS TO CO-ORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE.
"THE CNTA IMMEDIATELY MOBILISED THEMSELVES. WE HAD THE DISTRICT OFFICERS WORKING VERY LONG HOURS. THEY HAD AN EMERGENCY CONTROL CENTRE. THEY HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY WELL IN DOING JUST THE JOB THEY WERE SET UP TO DO.
"SO I DON’T THINK WE NEED TO DEVISE ANY FUTURE ORGANISATION,."
------0-------
WATER SUPPLY TO TUEN MUN RESUMES TOMORROW *♦*»»**
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO TUEN MUN WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING, STARTING AT 6 AM, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR HU MAN-SHIU, ANNOUNCED TONIGHT.
MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, HE THANKED THOSE MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF, WHO HAVE WORKED LONG HOURS, FOR THEIR DEVOTION IN RESTORING FULL SUPPLY IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME.
"THE NATURE AND SERIOUSNESS OF THE WATER INTERRUPTION IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. BUT WITH THIS CONCERTED EFFORT, WE HAVE MANAGED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM MUCH EARLIER THAN WE EXPECTED," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, WATER TANKERS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ■ SUPPLY IN TUEN MUN UNTIL NORMAL SUPPLY RESUMES TOMORROW MORNING.
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/2
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
- 2 -
ROLE OF HK MONETARY AUTHORITY SPELT OUT
*****
THE MAINTENANCE OF THE STABILITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR CURRENCY, IN TERMS OF ITS EXCHANGE RATE WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR, IS CLEAR AND FIRM GOVERNMENT POLICY, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA), MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 12TH GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE, HE SAID IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HKMA TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE OF CURRENCY STABILITY.
THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, HE SAID, HAD SERVED HONG KONG VERY WELL SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN OCTOBER 1983.
HE SAID THERE WERE OTHER MEASURES PUT TOGETHER SINCE THEN TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CURRENCY STABILITY.
"BASICALLY THESE MEASURES AIMED AT PUTTING OURSELVES IN A POSITION EFFECTIVELY TO INFLUENCE THE SUPPLY AND THE PRICE OF MONEY OR MORE PRECISELY WHAT WE CALLED INTERBANK LIQUIDITY."
THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF TECHNICAL WORK INVOLVED REQUIRING PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH MONEY AND MONEY MARKETS AND IT WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF GETTING THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO PERFORM THIS WORK THAT THE HKMA WAS ESTABLISHED, HE ADDED.
ANOTHER AREA OF WORK FOR THE HKMA, MR YAM SAID, WAS TO ENSURE THAT MONEY WAS AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE.
"MONEY, NOT ONLY IN THE FORM OF BANK NOTES BUT ALSO IN THE FORM OF CHEQUES AND DIRECT TRANSFERS USING ELECTRONICS AND TELEGRAPHIC MEANS, IS USED FOR PAYMENTS EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY, AND THERE ARE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF TRANSACTIONS EVERY DAY," HE NOTED.
IN THIS AREA OF WORK HONG KONG HAD BEEN VERY WELL SERVED BY THE MANAGEMENT BANK OF THE CLEARING HOUSE OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS AND OTHER SETTLEMENT BANKS, HE SAID.
"WE HAVE EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE PAYMENT SYSTEMS. BUT IN A PERIOD OF FINANCIAL INNOVATION THERE IS A NEED TO ENSURE THAT THIS CONTINUES TO BE THE CASE.
"THE RISKS, IF ANY, IN THE PAYMENT SYSTEMS NEED TO BE IDENTIFIED AND PROPERLY MANAGED.
"THIS IS A PRIORITY AREA OF WORK FOR THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BANKING COMMUNITY," HE SAID. "IT IS LIKELY THAT WE MAY IN TIME COME UP WITH PROPOSALS FOR REFINING THE SYSTEMS."
ANOTHER IMPORTANT AREA OF WORK FOR THE HKMA, MR YAM SAID, WAS BANKING SURPERVISION.
THERE ARE MANY BANKS IN HONG KONG, A TOTAL OF 170 LICENSED BANKS AND 316 IF REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN BANKS ARE INCLUDED.
"THIS PUTS US ONLY BEHIND LONDON AND NEW YORK. OUT OF THE LARGEST 100 BANKS IN THE WORLD, 79 ARE PRESENT IN HONG KONG," HE SAID, NOTING THAT BANKS IN HONG KONG WERE SUPERVISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS.
/"APART FROM .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
3
"APART FROM THESE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY CONCERNING THE ROLES OF MONEY, THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG’S RESERVES IN THE FORM OF THE EXCHANGE FUND,” HE SAID.
THE EXCHANGE FUND AMOUNTED TO HKS287 BILLION AT THE END OF 1992.
"IN MANAGING THE EXCHANGE FUND, WE AIM FIRST OF ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY IN LIQUID FORM FOR USE, WHEN THERE IS A NEED, TO ENSURE EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY.
"WE THEN TRY AND EARN MORE FOR THE EXCHANGE FUND BY INVESTING THE MONEY PRUDENTLY WHILE NOT TAKING EXCESSIVE RISKS FOR A FUND OF THIS NATURE," MR YAM SA IP.
THE HKMA WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE, ALONG WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THIS RESPONSIBILITY WAS, IN A WAY, A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH HE HAD EARLIER MENTIONED.
"FOR HONG KONG TO RETAIN ITS STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, AND AS FAR AS MONETARY MATTERS ARE CONCERNED, WE MUST HAVE A CURRENCY THAT IS STABLE, A BANKING SYSTEM THAT IS SAFE, PAYMENT SYSTEMS THAT ARE RELIABLE AND A STRONG LEVEL OF RESERVES THAT IS PRUDENTLY MANAGED," HE SAID.
-----0-----
500 ECVIIS TO RETURN TO HAINAN
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE RETURN OF MORE THAN 500 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVIIS) TO HAINAN BY AIR ON FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS STARTING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THERE WILL BE TWO .REPATRIATION FLIGHTS EACH DAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID DISCUSSIONS WERE CONTINUING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE RETURN OF THE REMAINING 1,400 ECVIIS IN HONG KONG.
-----0-----
GDP FOR SECOND QUARTER
*****
REAL YEAR,
AND
KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GREW BY 5.1% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST TO THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
HONG
TERMS IN ACCORDING STATISTICS
THE GDP ESTIMATES, IN REAL TERMS IN THE 1992.
AMONG THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GREW BY 9.1% QUARTER OF 1993 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN
PRIVATE
SECOND
/UNDERLYING THIS .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
4
UNDERLYING THIS GROWTH WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON BOTH CONSUMER DURABLE AND NON-DURABLE GOODS.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE (DEFINED IN NATIONAL ACCOUNTS TERMS) GREW BY 3.9% IN REAL TERMS.
GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION GREW BY 8.8% IN REAL TERMS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1992.
WITHIN THIS COMPONENT, EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT CONTINUED TO GROW SIGNIFICANTLY, BY 15.1% IN REAL TERMS.
EXPENDITURE ON CONSTRUCTION ALSO RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH OF 14.8% IN THE SECOND QUARTER, MAINLY DUE TO A FURTHER PICK-UP IN PUBLIC SECTOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY.
EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUED TO SHOW NOTABLE GROWTH IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, ALBEIT AT A LESS RAPID PACE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS REGISTERED A YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF 11.5% IN REAL TERMS.
OF THESE, RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 18.6%, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECLINED BY 7.0%. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR IMPORTS OF GOODS WAS 12.0%.
AS REGARDS EXPORTS OF SERVICES, THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS WAS 7.0% OVER A YEAR EARLIER. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR IMPORTS OF SERVICES WAS 7.3%.
THE IMPLICIT PRICE DEFLATOR OF GDP, AS A BROAD MEASURE OF OVERALL INFLATION IN THE ECONOMY, ROSE BY 9.4% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1992, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 9.5% IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
ACCORDING TO THE REVISED (NOVEMBER 93) ESTIMATES, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF GDP IN REAL TERMS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 WAS REVISED SLIGHTLY UPWARDS, FROM 5.3% TO 5.4%.
BASED ON THE LATEST GDP ESTIMATES FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS OF 1993, GDP GREW BY 5.3% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1993 OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE LATEST QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GDP FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 TO THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ENTITLED "QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, 2ND QUARTER 1993".
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $4.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, HONG KONG; AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 5077.
/TABLE 1 ......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
- 5
Table 1 Expenditure-based GDP Estimates
first quarter of 1991 to second quarter of 1993
GDP at Current
Market Prices
GDP at Constant (1980) Market Prices
Year/quarter 1991 1992 • HKS Mn 643,382 747,432 % change over same period of the preceding year 15.1 16.2 HKS Mn 273,524 287,941 % change over same period of the preceding year
4.1 5.3 4
1991 QI 139,795 13.8 61,580 4.0
Q2 152,099 14.8 64,364 3.8
Q3 172,648 15.3 73,370 3.9
Q4 178,840 16.4 74,210 4.7
1992 QI 164,164 17.4 64,795 5.2
Q2 176,807 15.2 67,637 5.1
Q3 199,464 15.5 77,580 5.7
Q4 206,997 15.7 77,929 5.0
1993 QI 189,508 15.4 68,324 5.4
Q2 203,148 14.9 71,067 5.1
/TABLE 2 .......
Table 2 Expenditure-based GDP Estimates
Quarterly Year-on-year Growth Rates, first quarter of 1992 to second quarter of 1993
Expend!ture % change over same period of the preceding year
Components of GDP At current market prices At constant (1980) market prices
1992______________ 1993 _____________1992______________ 1993
01 Q2 01 01 Annual 21 Q2 21 01 01 Q4 Annual 01 Q2
Private consumption expenditure 17.3 15.3 17.2 15.6 16.3 16.2 17.1 9.0 7.9 9.4 .•J 7.7 8.5 8.6 9.1
Government consumption expenditure 16.0 18..0 19.9 17.4 17.8 10.0 13.5 6.5 7.9 9.2 6.4 7.5 -0.3 3.9
Gross domestic fixed capital formation 14.4 18.9 19.3 13.4 16.5 10.4 11.6 7.5 10.6 11.7 9.6 • 9.9 7.3 8.8
of which : Construction 3.6 -2.7 -0.6 8.1 2.2 9.1 15.4 1.2 -5.9 -2.5 6.1 -0.1 6.9 14.8
Machinery and equipment 11.6 24.8 32.8 29.7 25.5 21.9 20.2 11.2 22.3 28.2 27.4 23.0 19.3 15.1
Total exports of goods 23.2 23.0 20.0 17.9 20.8 18.4 12.4 20.8 21.5 18.3 16.8 19.2 18.8 11.5
Imports of goods 21.6 24.4 21.9 22.2 22.6 17.7 11.8 21.9 23.9 20.7 22.9 22.3 19.5 12.0
Exports of services 15.4 22.1 15.3 19.2 18.1 16.7 13.8 10.2 13.8 7.3 10.0 10.3 10.1 7.0
Imports of services 10.0 10.6 16.0 8.9 11.4 6.7 8.2 7.7 5.6 8.3 4.2 6.4 8.9 7.3
Gross Domestic Product 17.4 16.2 15.5 15.7 16.2 15.4 14.9 5.2 5.1 5.7 5.0 5.3 5.4 5.1
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
7
HE’S INFRASTRUCTURE ESSENTIAL TO ITS FUTURE SUCCESS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS BUSY BUILDING FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE BY PUTTING IN PLACE ALL ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT IT CAN CONTINUE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CHINA’S FUTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, WHEN HE OPENED A CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE ROLE OF HONG KONG TO CHINESE CITIES AND CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
HE SAID: ’’THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION HAS NOW BECOME AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE FASTEST ECONOMIC GROWTH AREA. IT IS A COMMONLY HELD VIEW THAT CHINA COULD BE ONE OF THE LEADING ECONOMIC NATIONS BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT CENTURY OR EVEN EARLIER."
"BY THEN, HONG KONG COULD BE THE MOST PROSPEROUS CHINESE CITY; AN AMALGAM OF NEW YORK, LONDON, AMSTERDAM AND VENICE AT THE HEIGHT OF THEIR TRADING POWERS; PERHAPS RICHER THAN ANY CITY ON EARTH HAS EVER BEEN BEFORE."
MR EASON SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE MUST BE EQUIPPED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW.
"OUR PLANS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT, THE CONTAINER PORT AND KEY TRANSPORT PROJECTS AS WELL AS OUR ENORMOUS INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN RESOURCES THROUGH EDUCATION, AND OTHER SOCIAL PROGRAMMES ARE IN CHINA’S AS MUCH AS HONG KONG’S INTEREST."
HE SAID IT WAS HIS BELIEF THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS WHICH HAVE MADE HONG KONG TICK UP UNTIL NOW WOULD SHAPE ITS FUTURE BEYOND 1997 AND IT CAN CONTINUE ITS SUCCESS BY PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN FURTHERING CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT CENTURY.
"HONG KONG HAS AN INSEPARABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IN THE LONG RUN, AND ITS CONTINUED SUCCESS, TO A GREAT EXTENT, DEPENDS ON CHINA.
"THE BROAD DIRECTION OF CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT NOW SEEMS IRREVERSIBLE. HENCE, MY FIRM BELIEF IN HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS," HE SAID.
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GOVERNMENT PRINTER ATTAINS OUTSTANDING STANDARDS
*****
THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY OBTAINED ISO 9002 CERTIFICATION, THE FIRST FOR A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT AND FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE THIRD CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT PRINTERS’ ASSOCIATION, HE SAID EVERY GOVERNMENT RELIED ON THE PRINTED WORD TO COMMUNICATE ITS MESSAGES, DECISIONS AND LAWS WHICH WAS THE MOST RELIABLE AND ACCURATE WAY OF GOING ABOUT ITS BUSINESS.
/THIS INFORMATION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
8
THIS INFORMATION MUST ALSO BE PRODUCED ON TIME AND SOME OF THE MATERIALS MUST BE PRINTED UNDER THE HIGHEST SECURITY, HE ADDED.
’’FOR THESE REASONS, MANY GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN PRINTING SERVICES TO ENSURE THESE IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES ARE MET,” HE SAID.
IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HANDLING THE CORE PRINTING SERVICE, INCLUDING THE BUDGET SPEECH, TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND IDENTITY CARDS.
HE NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST PRINTING ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
IN TERMS OF PRODUCTIVITY, THE DEPARTMENT HANDLED OVER 95 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL DEMAND WITHIN GOVERNMENT, MR MACLEOD SAID, ADDING THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S OUTPUT HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS AND THE PRODUCTIVITY PER EMPLOYEE ALSO HAD DOUBLED OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
HE ALSO SAID DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD IN THE RUN UP TO 1997, THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG WAS BECOMING MORE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE IN ITS ACTION.
VAST AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION HAD TO BE COMMUNICATED BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY AND THIS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY AN ACCURATE AND RELIABLE PRINTING SERVICE, HE ADDED.
HE HOPED THAT PARTICIPANTS OF THIS CONFERENCE WOULD BE ABLE TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THIS IMPORTANT ASPECT OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
- - 0----------
SECOND CANDIDATE NOMINATED FOR DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION
*****
A SECOND NOMINATION FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION WAS RECEIVED TODAY (MONDAY).
WONG UK
THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL END ON NOVEMBER 15. THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 5.
FOLLOWING ARE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATE: NAME AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL NO.
MR LEUNG CHI-WAI 40 PROPERTY 691 0228
MANAGEMENT 116 3377 A/C 7379 EXECUTIVE -----0--------
/9........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
9
CONTRACT FOR TRANSFERRING CHINA WATER AWARDED
* * * * «
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A $38 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR SAI O PUMPING STATION.
THE PUMPING STATION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR INSTALLATIONS TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED QUANTITY OF WATER SUPPLIED FROM CHINA BEYOND 1994 ACCORDING TO THE AGREEMENT MADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IN DECEMBER 1989.
UPON COMPLETION, THE STATION WILL SERVE TWO PURPOSES.
FIRSTLY, IT ALLOWS STRATEGIC TRANSFER OF WATER FROM PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR TO HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AT AN INCREASED RATE SO AS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CAPACITY IN PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR FOR STORING CHINA WATER.
SECONDLY, IT HELPS TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT FROM PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR TO SHATIN TREATMENT WORKS DURING THE CHINA WATER SHUTDOWN PERIOD.
THE STATION WILL CONTAIN EIGHT PUMPS WITH A TOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY OF 1,500 MILLION LITRES A DAY.
THE TWO-YEAR MECHANICAL CONTRACT INCLUDES THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF PUMPSETS AND THE ASSOCIATED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR KO CHAN-GOCK AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF ASEA BROWN BOVERI LIMITED.
THE PROJECT CONSULTANT IS BINNIE CONSULTANTS LIMITED.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE » * » »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 87.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 512.021 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 449.967 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 76.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
/10
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1993
10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,930
REVERSAL OF LAF +1 Q70
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NrL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,000
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.2 *-0.1* 8.11.1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.90 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.30 3.35
1 MONTH 2.89 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.51 3.55
3 MONTHS 2.89 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.90 3.85
6 MONTHS 3.00 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.07 4.03
12 MONTHS 3.34 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99. 19 4.54
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 19,978 MN
CLOSED 8 NOVEMBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHINA AND HK EXCHANGE VIEWS ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ........ 1
HONG KONG IS CHINA'S WORLD PORT .............................. 2
SEWAGE CHARGE CONSULTATION CONTINUES UNTIL NOVEMBER 30 ....... 4
WATER SUPPLY TO CHEUNG CHAU BACK TO NORMAL ................. 5
COUNTRY PARK VISITORS URGED TO AVOID LANTAU TRAIL ........... 5
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST ....... 6
STUDY ON CHINESE WHITE DOLPHINS TO START SOON ................ 10
BOARD TO REVIEW TWO OUTLINE ZONING PLANS ..................... 11
1993 HK YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL .......................... 11
COUNCILLORS AND BOARD MEMBERS BRIEFED ON AIRPORT WORKS ....... 12
VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME ....................................... 12
LEGCO TO DEBATE TWO MOTIONS .................................. 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............ 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
15
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
CHINA AND HK EXCHANGE VIEWS ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
* * * * *
ABOUT 50 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS FROM CHINA AND HONG KONG HAVE COME TOGETHER TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES ON-ISSUES OF COMMON INTEREST IN A TWO-DAY SYMPOSIUM THAT ENDS TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SYMPOSIUM ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SYSTEMS IN MAINLAND CHINA AND HONG KONG IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CHINA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SOCIETY AND THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG.
AS HOST OF THE SYMPOSIUM THIS YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, MS ALICE TAJ, SAID: "THE OBJECTIVE IS TO BRING TOGETHER ONCE A YEAR KEY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS OF CHINA AND HONG KONG SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP ABREAST WITH DEVELOPMENTS JN THE TWO PLACES."
THEY MAY HAVE A REGULAR FORUM TO DISCUSS COMMON ISSUES AND TO MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND FRIENDLY CONTACTS, SHE ADDED.
THE FIRST SYMPOSIUM, HOSTED BY THE CHINA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SOCIETY, WAS HELD JN GUANGZHOU LAST NOVEMBER.
THIS YEAR THE CHINESE DELEGATION COMPRISES 17 MEMBERS, AND IS HEADED BY DR GAO LU-LIN, PRESIDENT OF THE CHINA INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-SOCIETY AND DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE CHINESE PATENT OFFICE.
APART FROM ATTENDING THE SYMPOSIUM, THE DELEGATION WILL ALSO VISIT THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND MOTOROLA, A LEADING MANUFACTURER IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SYMPOSIUM, DR GAO SAID: "UNDER THE BASIC LAW, THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG SPECIAL* ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHALL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF ‘ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’, MAKES LAWS AND POLICIES BY ITSELF TO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
"THIS IS THE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG WILL BE LAID.
”1 HOPE THE REFORM OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS WILL B£‘ BENEFICIAL TO THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
DR GAO NOTED THAT THE SYMPOSIUM WAS A VALUABLE FORUM TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, TO FURTHER CO-OPERATION AND EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND TO WORK OUT TOGETHER ADVICE AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LOCALISATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS OF HONG KONG IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
THE SYMPOSIUM COVERED RECENT AND POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PATENT, COPYRIGHT AND TRADE MARK FIELDS AND HOW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THESE AREAS WERE ENFORCED.
/MS TAI ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
2
MS TAI SAID REPRESENTATIVES FROM CHINA AND HONG KONG HAD A VERY USEFUL, FREE AND FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT AS 1997 DREW NEAR, THERE WOULD BE MORE ISSUES OF WHICH THE SOLUTION REQUIRED THE JOINT EFFORTS OF CHINA AND HONG KONG.
’’INHERENT IN THE CONCEPT OF 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS' IS THE NEED TO RECOGNISE AND RESPECT DIFFERENCES IN EACH OTHER’S SYSTEM, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY TO HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO WORK FOR THE CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF BOTH CHINA AND HONG KONG.
’’THE SYMPOSIUM WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROCESS BY FOSTERING UNDERSTANDING, MUTUAL RESPECT AND TRUST BETWEEN THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CIRCLES OF CHINA AND HONG KONG," MS TAI SAID.
- 2 - - 0 - - - -
HONG KONG IS CHINA’S WORLD PORT
*****
HONG KONG IS ALREADY CHINA’S WORLD PORT AND' WILL REMAIN SO WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
MAINLAND PORTS NOW BEING DEVELOPED WILL BRING WELCOME COMPETITION, BUT WILL NOT THREATEN HONG KONG’S PRE-EMINENT PORT STATUS.
THIS WAS THE MAIN THEME OF A SPEECH GIVEN BY PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD SECRETARY, MR TONY CLARK.
HE TOLD DELEGATES TO A HONG KONG UNIVERSITY CONFERENCE THAT 42 PER CENT OF THE MAINLAND’S EXPORT TRADE ALREADY FLOWED THROUGH HONG KONG.
THE CONFERENCE, ON "CHINESE CITIES AND CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT", WAS HELD AS A PRELUDE TO THE UNIVERSITY’S EXHIBITION, EXPO 2001 AT THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE FROM NOVEMBER 26 TO 30.
MR CLARK SAID HONG KONG WOULD HAVE AN EVEN GREATER ROLE TO PLAY AS CHINA TOOK ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING ECONOMIES.
FOR THIS REASON, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT PLANS FOR A NEW PORT ON LANTAU MUST PROCEED.
OTHER PORTS, NOW BEING DEVELOPED IN CHINA, WOULD NOT TAKE BUSINESS FROM HONG KONG BUT WOULD BE COMPLEMENTARY TO IT.
HE SAID THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT WAS HONG KONG’S KEY ECONOMIC ASSET. THE PORT PRESENTLY:
* GENERATED 15 PER CENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
/*LLED TO .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
- 3 -
* LED TO EMPLOYMENT OF 350,000 OF THE LOCAL WORKFORCE; AND
♦ HANDLED 90 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE.
BUT APART FROM BEING THE FOUNDATION OF HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY, THE PORT WAS PLAYING AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC EXPANSION.
EVEN THOUGH FACTORIES HAD MOVED FROM THE TERRITORY TO SOUTHERN CHINA, THEIR PRODUCTS WERE STILL EXPORTED THROUGH THE CONTAINER PORT AT KWAI CHUNG.
MR CLARK POINTED OUT THAT THE CHINESE ECONOMY WAS FORECAST TO GROW BY EIGHT TO NINE PER CENT FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS. GUANGDONG WOULD GROW EVEN QUICKER.
"THIS WILL REQUIRE THE OPENING OF NEW PORTS, THE UPGRADING OF OTHERS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL SCHEMES TO MOVE GOODS AROUND THE COUNTRY."
BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT CHINA HAD FEW SITES THAT COULD BE DEVELOPED AS DEEP-WATER PORTS.
YIAN TIAN JUST OVER THE BORDER TO THE EAST AND GAOLAN TO THE WEST HAD LONG-TERM POTENTIAL, "BUT BOTH HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO REALISE THAT POTENTIAL."
HE SAID: "SOME FEAR THAT YIAN TIAN MAY SOMEHOW ATTRACT CARGOES THAT ARE RIGHTFULLY OURS AND TAKE THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE TO HONG KONG."
"I DO NOT SHARE THOSE FEARS. SOUTHERN CHINA NEEDS ADDITIONAL PORTS. THOSE PORTS WILL STIMULATE GROWTH. THAT’S GOOD FOR CHINA AND GOOD FOR HONG KONG.
"THE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING TRAFFIC IN OUR AREA WILL INCREASE THE CHANCE OF ADDITIONAL SHIPPING CALLS AT HONG KONG AND ENHANCE OUR MARITIME SUPPORT SERVICES.
"ANY ADDITIONAL SPUR TO COMPETITION CAN ONLY BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG."
MR CLARK SAID DEMANDS ON HONG KONG’S PORT WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW. "WE MUST CONTINUE TO EXPAND TO MATCH THEM."
"IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT WE STILL AWAIT ENDORSEMENT BY THE CHINESE SIDE OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 9. LET US HOPE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH LONGER TO WAIT."
HE SAID HONG KONG’S CARGO THROUGHPUT WOULD DOUBLE BY THE END OF THIS CENTURY - AND DOUBLE AGAIN BY 2011.
FOR THIS REASON IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT PLANS FOR A NEW PORT ON LANTAU SHOULD GO AHEAD. THESE WILL CATER FOR PORT EXPANSION WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
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/4 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
4
SEWAGE CHARGE CONSULTATION CONTINUES UNTIL NOVEMBER 30 *****
CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSED SEWAGE CHARGING SCHEME WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF NOVEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID: ’’THE EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE ORIGINALLY SET ON NOVEMBER 15 WILL GIVE PEOPLE MORE TIME TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS.”
”WE UNDERSTAND A LEGCO MOTION DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN TENTATIVELY SET ON DECEMBER 1.”
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "SO FAR, THE BRANCH HAS RECEIVED OVER 30 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS AND HAS CLOSELY MONITORED THE LARGE BODY OF OPINION EXPRESSED IN THE MEDIA.
"IN ADDITION, WE HAVE BRIEFED A LARGE NUMBER OF INTERESTED PARTIES INCLUDING THE LEGCO ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS PANEL, THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, FIVE DISTRICT BOARDS, POLITICAL GROUPS AND MAJOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS.
"IN GENERAL, THE VIEWS WE HAVE CANVASSED SO FAR ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE POLLUTERS-PAY PRINCIPLE AND IN FULL RECOGNITION OF THE URGENT NEED TO DEAL WITH WATER POLLUTION MORE EFFECTIVELY.
"THIS OPINION IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE RESULTS OF SEPARATE POLLS CONDUCTED BY TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES, COPIES OF WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO US.
"WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED DIVERGENT VIEWS AS TO WHETHER THE PROPOSED CHARGING LEVEL IS TOO HIGH FOR HOUSEHOLDS AND WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE A LEVY AT ALL ON DOMESTIC USERS.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THE PROPOSED CHARGING SCHEME WAS WORKED OUT GENERALLY ON THE BASIS OF "POLLUTERS SHOULD PAY", AN APPROACH WHICH HAS BEEN WELL ACCEPTED IN OTHER BIG CITIES.
"SINCE HOUSEHOLDERS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO 60 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ORGANIC WASTE DISCHARGED, IT IS UNFAIR TO EXCLUDE THEM ENTIRELY FROM THE SCHEME.
"MOREOVER, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REDUCE DOMESTIC CHARGES. THESE INCLUDE THE GOVERNMENT’S FULL FUNDING OF THE $12 BILLION CAPITAL PROGRAMME AND EXEMPTION FOR 17 PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS WHO CONSUME LESS THAN 13 UNITS OF WATER EVERY FOUR MONTHS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/5.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
- 5 -
WATER SUPPLY TO CHEUNG CHAU BACK TO NORMAL *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CHEUNG CHAU WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL FROM 8 AM THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
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COUNTRY PARK VISITORS URGED TO AVOID LANTAU TRAIL
*****
COUNTRY PARK VISITORS AND HIKERS IN PARTICULAR ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE SOME OF THE HIKING TRAILS OF THE LANTAU COUNTRY PARK FOR THE TIME BEING AS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS ALONG THE TRAILS BEING BLOCKED OR AFFECTED BY LANDSLIPS.
THE ADVICE WAS GIVEN TODAY (TUESDAY) BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, MR LAI CHING-WAI, FOLLOWING INSPECTIONS OF THE LANTAU TRAIL BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OVER THE WEEKEND.
MR LAI SAID: ’’THE TORRENTIAL RAIN LAST FRIDAY CAUSED A NUMBER OF LANDSLIPS IN THE COUNTRY PARK AND IN PARTICULAR ALONG SECTIONS OF THE LANTAU TRAIL."
"THE TRAILS NEAR NAM SHAN, LANTAU PEAK, SHEK PIK, TONG FUK AND CHEUNG SHA HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED. LT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO HAVE THEM CLEARED AND REINSTATED. THE PUBLIC WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY ARE SUITABLE FOR USE AGAIN."
"WARNING SIGNS AT APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS ALONG THE TRAIL WILL BE SET UP. FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, VISITORS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO ADHERE TO THE WARNINGS GIVEN ON THE SIGNS," HE SAID.
MR LAI ADDED THAT THERE WERE MANY HIKING TRAILS IN OTHER COUNTRY PARKS WHICH WERE MORE SUITABLE FOR HIKING ACTIVITIES.
THE LANTAU TRAIL IS A CIRCULAR ROUTE OF ABOUT 70 KILOMETRES RUNNING THROUGH THE FINEST SCENERY OF THE LANTAU COUNTRY PARK. IT HAS 12 STAGES WITH STARTING AND FINISHING POINTS AT MUI WO.
MR LAI ALSO CALLED ON HILL WALKERS TO ALWAYS OBSERVE SAFETY HINTS DURING OUTINGS SO AS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
AMONG HIS SAFETY HINTS ARE THE AWARENESS OF ONE’S OWN PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, CAREFUL PLANNING OF WALKING ROUTES, IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFICULT AREAS, SUFFICIENT EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING AS WELL AS THE ALERTNESS OF WEATHER CHANGES DURING TRIPS.
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/6.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
6 -
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST
*****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR DECREASED BY 3.7% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 22%.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 16%. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 16% IN VOLUME.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES WITH THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES BEING DISCOUNTED.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED. IMPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 0.7%.
PRICE CHANGES ARE REFLECTED BY CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE INDICES, WHICH ARE COMPILED BASED ON AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OR, FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, BASED ON SPECIFIC PRICE DATA.
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX, DEFINED AS THE RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX, INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.5% IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TAKING AUGUST 1993 ALONE AND COMPARING WITH AUGUST 1992, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 6.0% WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 14%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 18%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND IMPORTS BOTH REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED. RE-EXPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 0.7%.
)
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING AUGUST 1993 WITH AUGUST 1992, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES WHICH RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 2.6%, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR OTHER COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED, PARTICULARLY RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-52%); AND FOOTWEAR (-47%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE PRICES OF FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING INCREASED BY 3.0% AND 1.1% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE FABRICS (-6.4%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-5.4%); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-4.7%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
/THE IMPORT .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
THE IMPORT VOLUME OE FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 14% IN AUGUST 1993 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1992.
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FRUIT; MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS; AND FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS. ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; AND WHEAT AND FLOUR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 21%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; FOOTWEAR; CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY; AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS NOTED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 16% IN AUGUST 1993 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1992.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR IRON AND STEEL; WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; WOVEN FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL M l CROC IRCUITS.
HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW COTTON; AND BASE METALS (OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL).
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 1.2% IN VOLUME IN AUGUST 1993 AS COMPARI'I) WITH AUGUST 1992.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 13%. NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY (OTHER THAN TEXTILE MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY); AND OFFICE MACHINERY.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; AND TEXTILE MACH INERT DECLINED.
COMPARING AUGUST 1993 WITH AUGUST 1992, THE IMPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 3.8%.
THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS; FOODSTUFFS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES; AND CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY 5.8%, 1.6%, 1.2% AND
0.8% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING AUGUST 1993 WITH AUGUST 1992, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF FUELS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 69%. THAT OF CAPITAL GOODS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; CONSUMER GOODS; AND FOODSTUFFS REGISTERED INCREASES OF 23%, 21%, 19% AND 1.9% RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE RE-EXPORT PRICE OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 2.9%.
/ON THE.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
- 8 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 16% AND 3.6% RESPECTIVELY.
THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS; AND CONSUMER GOODS WERE
BOTH VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
DETAILS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE AUGUST 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE IN MID-NOVEMBER AT $8.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802), AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4918).
TABLE I: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING AUG 1993 COMPARING WITH AUG 1992 WITH UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE % % % % JAN-AUG 1993 JAN-AUG 1992 UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
CLOTHING -5.0 1 . 1 -6.1 -6.4 2.3 i 00 -ji
TEXTILE FABRICS -10.9 -6.4 -4.8 -2.5 -4.0 1.5
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -19.6 -5.4 -14.9 -12.5 -5.7 -7.2
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND •
RELATED ARTICLES -20.0 - -2.7 -17.7 -28. 1 0.3 -28.3
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -54.2 -4.7 -51.9 -37.2 -8.2 -31.7
EIECTRONIC COMPONENTS -11.1 -0.1 -11.1 8.6 -1 . 1 9.7
FOOTWEAR -44.8 3.0 -4 6.6 -44.7 6.2 -48.1
METAL MANUIA( TURES -1.1 -0.7 -0.4 t -2.4 2.5
METAL ORFS AND SCRAP -14.5 -1.3 -13.3 1.9 -2.3 4.3
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -18.8 0.4 -19.1 -14.2 0.6 -14.6
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS
AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 0.4 -2. 1 2.6 -22.3 -2.5 -20.3
/DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
9
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES •X- ALL COMMODITIES l 1 CO in x X co 1 O bi bC X -26.3 -22. 6 -3 4 0 . o . 3 -20.2 -3.7
-6 . 0 -3.
* LESS THAN 0.05%
■ . TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USF CATEGORY
COMPARING AUG 1993 COMPARING JAN-AUG 1993
;;; ’ WITH AUG 1992 WITH JAN-AUG 1992
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 12.3 -1.6 14.1 -1.0 -0.6 -0.4
CONSUMER GOODS 20.3 -0.8 21 .2 19.3 -0.6 19.9
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 11.9 -1.2 16.4 8.1 -2.9 11.6
FUELS -4.6 -5.8 1 .2 7.8 1.0 6.8
CAPITAL GOODS 17.0 3.8 12.7 2 1.3 3.3 20.3
ALL COMMODITIES 17.3 -0.3 17.5 15.1 -0.7 15.9
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE- •EXPORTS BY END -USE CATEGORY
COMPARING AUG WITH AUG 1993 1992 COMPARING WITH JAN-AUG JAN-AUG 1993 1992
END-USE CATEGORY — _ _ — _ _ VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 1'.9 * 1 .9 -1.6 -1.0 -0.6
CONSUMER GOODS 19.1 ♦ 19.1 20.7 0.5 20.1
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 16.4 -3.6 20.8 15.5 -3.3 19.5
FUELS <•8 J'’V J ? * - 4 1.8 -16.2 69.1 G8.2 -3.4 74.3
CAPITAL GOODS 26.7 2.9 23. 1 39.3 2.5 3 5.8
ALL COMMODITIES 19.6 -0.7 20.5 21.9 -0.4 22.3
» LESS THAN 0.05%
/IO
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
STUDY OE CHINESE WHITE DOLPHINS TO START SOON * * * * *
AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CHINESE WHITE DOLPHINS THAT OCCUR TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE CARRIED OUT SOON TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SPECIES AND TO ENABLE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-TERM CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE ANIMALS.
COMMISSIONED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE SWIRE MARINE LABORATORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE STUDY WILL COST ABOUT $2 MILLION AND WILL TAKE THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.
SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF AFD, MR LAY CHIK-CHUEN, SAID CHINESE WHITE DOLPHINS WERE SEEN REGULARLY IN HONG KONG WATERS, BUT LITTLE WAS KNOWN ABOUT THEIR STATUS AND ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS.
THERE IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY THAT THESE HONG KONG DOLPHINS FORM A DISTINCT SUB-SPECIES.
”IN VIEW OF GROWING CONCERN OVER THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS ON THE DOLPHIN POPULATION, IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED THAT A BASELINE STUDY OF THE SPECIES SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT. ’’
’’THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PRESENT STUDY IS TO PROPOSE EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT ON THE DOLPHIN POPULATION IN NORTH LANTAU AREAS AND TO DEVELOP LONG-TERM CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SPECIES.”
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF PROFESSOR BRIAN MORTON OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE STUDY WILL BE JOINTLY UNDERTAKEN BY TWO RESEARCH STUDENTS, MS L J PORTER AND MR E M PARSONS, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE EXPERIENCE IN MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH WORK IN BRITAIN. THEY WILL BE PERIODICALLY JOINED BY LOCAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.
THE STUDY WILL USE BEHAVIOURAL OBSERVATIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATIONS OF FAMILY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS, SHIP AND AERIAL SURVEYS TO ACCESS THE ECOLOGY OF THE DOLPHINS.
STRANDED, DEAD INDIVIDUALS WILL ALSO BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED TO ASCERTAIN CAUSES OF DEATHS AND OBTAIN INFORMATION ON SEX, AGE, DIET AND DISEASE.
THE STUDY WILL DETERM I NE.THE NUMBERS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION AND ASSESS THE THREATS CAUSED TO THE DOLPHINS BY RECENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND OTHER THREATS SUCH AS SEWAGE OUTFALLS, BOAT DISTURBANCE, INCIDENTAL CATCHES AND HABITAT LOSS.
”IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE STUDY, RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE MADE FOR SHORT, MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM PROPOSALS TO MITIGATE PRESENT, PROJECTED AND FUTURE IMPACTS UPON THE DOLPHINS,” MR LAY SAID.
- - 0 - -
/Il
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
- 11 -
BOARD TO REVIEW TWO OUTLINE ZONING PLANS
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS REFERRED TWO OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZP) TO THE TOWN PLANNI NG BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENTS TO TAKF ACCOUNT OF (’HANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE ANTICIPATED CHANGES IN LANI) USE PROPOSALS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE PLANS ARE DRAFT NGAU CHI WAN OZP NO. S/K12/5 AND DRAFT YAU MA TEI OZP NO. S/K2/5.
THEY WERE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN 1972 AND 1976 RESPECTIVELY AND HAD BEEN SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED TO INCORPORATE NEW LAND USE PROPOSALS SINCE THEN.
"THE BOARD WILL REVISE THE PLANS, WHICH, AFTER INCORPORATING THE LATEST AMENDMENTS, WILL BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC’ INSPECTION IN DUE COURSE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0-------
1993 HR YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THREE CONCERTS FOR STRING MUSIC LOVERS WILL BE PRESENTED BY OVERSEAS AND LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS DURING THE 1993 HONG KONG YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO 29.
THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
IN ADDITION, A SERIES OF MASTER CLASSES AND LECTURES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE MUSK' OFFICE’S SHA TIN, MONG KOK, TSUEN WAN AND HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRES.
THE FIRST CONCERT IS A STRING INTERFLOW CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL AT 2 PM ON NOVEMBER 21.
AUDIENCE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE PERFORMANCES OF THE DISTRICT STRING ORCHESTRAS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND SEVEN SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS.
A CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT FEATURING THE PERFORMANCES OF TWO MUSICIANS, AMERICAN CELLIST MR TIMOTHY LANDAUER AND RUSSIAN VIOLINIST MR EDWARD GRACH, WILL BE HELD AT THE STUDIO THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE AT 8 PM ON NOVEMBER 26.
THE CLIMAX OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE THE CONCERTO CONCERT PRESENTED BY MR LANDAUER AND MR GRACH AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AT 3 PM ON NOVEMBER 28.
/PIECES SUCH .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
12
PIECES SUCH AS TCHAIKOVSKY’S CONCERTO IN I) MAJOR FOR VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA, OP 35 AND ROSSINI’S ”L’lTALI ANA ALGER I” OVERTURE WILL BE PERFORMED DURING THE CONCERT.
TICKETS FOR THE CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT, AT $40, AND TICKETS FOR THE CONCERTO CONCERT, AT $30 AND $50 EACH, ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
HALF-PRICE TICKETS FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 60 OR ABOVE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 734 9009.
------0-------
COUNCILLORS AND BOARD MEMBERS BRIEFED ON AIRPORT WORKS *****
A TOTAL OF 10 REGIONAL COUNCILLORS AND 67 MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE BRIEFED TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE 10 PROJECTS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
DURING A FOUR-HOUR BOAT TOUR, THE PARTY WAS GIVEN AN OVERVIEW ON THE ACP PROGRESS BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE, MR BILLY LAM.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY BRIEFINGS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL ACP PROJECTS BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED.
COUNCILLORS AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ALSO SAW THE PHYSICAL WORKS OF VARIOUS PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, THE TSING MA AND KAP SHU1 MUN BRIDGES, THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN RECLAMATION AND THE NEW AIRPORT WORKS.
- - 0---------
VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME
**.***
A GROUP OF 317 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 110 MEN, 83 WOMEN, 63 BOYS AND 61 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 175TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 8,864 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 35,176 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED TN MARCH 1989.
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/13........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
- 13 -
LEGCO TO DEBATE TWO MOTIONS * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HOLD MOTION DEBATES ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND A PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT SCHEME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AT ITS WEEKLY MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IS PROPOSED BY THE HON EMILY LAU. THE OTHER MOTION IS MOVED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT. THE HON WONG WAI-YIN WILL PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO MR HUI’S MOTION.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL ASK 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER EIGHT BILLS.
OF THE EIGHT BILLS, SIX WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE: SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES BILL, QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993, FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, AND A PRIVATE BILL MOVED BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI - BISHOP OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HONG KONG INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER TWO BILLS - INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1993 AND PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 - WILL BE RESUMED.
THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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/14 .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
14
HONG KONG
GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE TENDER RESULTS *****
FUND
TENDER DATE 9 NOV 93 9 NOV 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q345 H3 7 7
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 4,478MN HKD 2,300MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 1.000MN HKD 400MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.84 PCT 2.90 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.84 PCT 2.90 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 94 PCT ABOUT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.89 PCT 3.01 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER.S TO BE HELD IN THE TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER ISSUE DATE MATURITY DATE TENOR WEEK BEGINNING 15 NOV 1993 - 16 NOV 93 EF BILLS Q.346 17 NOV 93 16 FEB 94 91 DAYS
HKD 1,000 + 200MN
AMOUNT ON OEEER
- - 0 - -
/15
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1993
- 15 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * t * *
S MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,000
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJE<TTON/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,230
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,770
LAF RATE 2.00 Bl 0/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.2 * + 0.0* 9.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/ HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TEH MS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.53 PCI 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.35 3.30
1 MONTH 2.65 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.56 3.5 I
3 MONTHS 2.82 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.94 3.83
6 MONTHS 2.87 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 10 1.20 3.9 5
12 MONTHS 3.27 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 36 MONTHS AND BONDS - 25, 36 10 34 6 MN 4.20 99.34 4.49
CLOSED 9 NOVEMBER 1993
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
MOTION DEBATE ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT ......................... 1
PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR ELDERLY ............................ 3
LIST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO BE UPDATED ..................... 6
TWO MORE MEMBERS FOR CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY . 6
SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES TO BE BETTER REGULATED ......... 7
LAW NEEDED TO ENSURE QUALITY OF ELDERLY HOMES ................. 8
REFERRAL SYSTEM IN PLACE TO HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE .................................................... 9
UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS BEST HANDLED BY BANKS ...................... 9
PHI RISK LEVEL IS LOW.............................. 10
EMPLOYMENT POLICY ON CIVIL SERVANTS’ LEAVING SERVICE EXPLAINED .................................................. 11
LOCALISATION POLICY TO BE IMPLEMENTED FIRMLY AND FAIRLY ... 12
NEW CRITERIA TO EXAMINE MORE POTENTIAL TAXPAYERS ............. 13
AIRPORT RECLAMATION BASED ON ACCUMULATED EXPERIENCE .......... 13
BNO PASSPORTS RECOGNISED WORLDWIDE ........................... 14
CAD HAS DIRECT CONTACT WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS .... 15
/CONTROL OF .......
4
CONTROL OF CHANGES IN BUILDING USE POSSIBLE .................. 16
ALL VIET CAMPS TO GO IN 1996 ................................. 16
BUS SHELTERS WITH ASBESTOS TO BE REPLACED .................... 17
AIR CARGO CAPACITY CAPABLE TO MEET DEMAND .................... 18
STRINGENT SAFETY MEASURES IMPOSED ON GOVT PROJECTS ........... 18
SEVEN PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR MISUSING FIRE HOSES ............. 19
RETRAINEES FIND JOBS WITHOUT DIFFICULTIES .................... 20
METERED WATER SUPPLY TO 1.9 MILLION CONSUMERS ................ 20
ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SERVICES MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES ........... 21
LEGCO UPDATED ON STOLEN VEHICLE FIGURES ...................... 21
MOTION ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT PASSED ......................... 22
HK DRAWS UP COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR AVIATION SECURITY ..................................................... 23
CONTRACTOR CHARGED AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT ........................ 24
PROSPERITY DEPENDS ON TRADE STRENGTHS ......................... 25
FOREIGN BANKS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HK ........................ 26
FIVE SITES TO LET .............................................. 27
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
28
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
1
MOTION DEBATE ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
» ♦ ♦ » ♦
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON FREEDOM OF TRAVEL HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
I RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE WHICH ALL HONG KONG PEOPLE ATTACH TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT. BOTH THE HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE LONG REALISED THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS FREEDOM AND HAVE TAKEN STEPS, IN THE NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SECURED AFTER 1997. THE RESULT IS THAT WE NOW HAVE THE ASSURANCE SOUGHT IN THE FIRST PART OF THE MOTION IN BOTH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW. THERE IS NO BETTER STARTING POINT FOR MATTERS OF SUCH FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG THAN THE JOINT DECLARATION, WHICH IS A BINDING AGREEMENT SETTING OUT THE GUARANTEES FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND RATIFIED BY BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.
ANNEX I TO THE JOINT DECLARATION STATES THAT THE EXISTING RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, INCLUDING THE FREEDOMS OF TRAVEL AND OF MOVEMENT, WILL BE MAINTAINED AND PROTECTED BY LAW. THIS MEANS THE DOMESTIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION. THE ANNEX ALSO SETS OUT THE CATEGORIES OF PERSONS WHO WILL HAVE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AND WHO WILL BE QUALIFIED TO OBTAIN PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS. THIS RIGHT OF ABODE BY DEFINITION INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE HKSAR WITHOUT RESTRICTION AND FREEDOM FROM DEPORTATION OR EXPULSION.
ON THE SUBJECT OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, THE ANNEX PROVIDES FOR THE ISSUE OF PASSPORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HKSAR TO ALL CHINESE NATIONALS WHO HOLD PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS, AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF THE HKSAR TO ALL OTHER LAWFUL RESIDENTS. THESE PASSPORTS AND DOCUMENTS WILL BE VALID FOR TRAVEL TO ALL STATES AND REGIONS AND TO RECALL THE HOLDER’S RIGHT TO RETURN TO THE HKSAR. HOLDERS OF PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS OF THE HKSAR MAY ALSO HAVE THIS FACT STATED IN THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AS EVIDENCE THAT THE HOLDERS HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HKSAR. TO ENSURE EASE OF TRAVEL FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THE ANNEX ALSO STATES THAT THE CENTRAL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT SHALL ASSIST OR AUTHORISE THE HKSAR TO CONCLUDE VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS.
I SHALL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESCRIBE, AS FAR AS I AM ABLE WITHIN THE RULES OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP [JLG], WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING TO GIVE PRACTICAL EFFECT TO THESE ASSURANCES.
FIRST, RIGHT OF ABODE. THE CONCEPT OF RIGHT OF ABODE IS CENTRAL TO THE GUARANTEE OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, IN PARTICULAR THE FREEDOM TO RE-ENTER HONG KONG WITHOUT LIMITATIONS OR CONDITIONS AND FREEDOM FROM DEPORTATION AND EXPULSION. THE BASIC LAW HAS ALREADY SET OUT THE CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE WHO WILL HAVE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HKSAR. WE HAVE FORMULATED PROPOSALS ON HOW OUR LOCAL IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION SHOULD BE AMENDED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THESE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW. OUR PROPOSALS ARE CURRENTLY BEING STUDIED BY THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE JLG.
/SECONDLY, WE ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 2 -
SECONDLY, WE REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING EARLY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ISSUE OF HKSAR PASSPORTS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, AND ALSO OF ENSURING CONVENIENCE OF TRAVEL FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE BY SECURING OR MAINTAINING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE VISA-FREE ACCESS TO OTHER COUNTRIES FOR HOLDERS OF HONG KONG TRAVEL DOCUMENTS. AGAIN, WE HAVE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THESE TWO SUBJECTS IN THE JLG.
OUR OBJECTIVE IS THAT EACH PERSON SHOULD BE CLEAR, WELL BEFORE 1997, OF HIS OR HER POSITION REGARDING RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HKSAR; AND THAT ALL PERSONS WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE HKSAR TRAVEL DOCUMENT, WITH, WHERE APPLICABLE, A RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT, FROM 1 JULY 1997 ONWARDS, SO AS TO ENSURE CONVENIENT TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG.
THE ADMINISTRATION AGREES WITH THE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS ON THE NEED TO ENSURE AND GIVE PRACTICAL EFFECT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE AFTER 1997. WE ARE DOING, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO, ALL WE CAN TO THAT END. WE DO, HOWEVER, BELIEVE THAT THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE GUARANTEES ALREADY PROVIDED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. I TRUST THAT WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO CONCLUDE OUR DISCUSSIONS ON THESE ISSUES IN THE JLG AND ARE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ALLAY MANY OF THE CONCERNS RAISED IN THIS DEBATE. IT IS NEITHER NECESSARY NOR HELPFUL TO PRESS FOR NEW ASSURANCES, WHICH COULD GO NO FURTHER THAN THOSE ALREADY PROVIDED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND WHICH MIGHT INDEED SERVE ONLY TO CALL INTO QUESTION THE GUARANTEES ALREADY GIVEN.
AS REGARDS THE SECOND PART OF THE MOTION, BN(O)S WHO ARE CHINESE CITIZENS, AND, IN ADDITION, BN(O)S WITH NO RIGHT OF ABODE ELSEWHERE, WILL HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HKSAR. THIS IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HONG KONG BY ARTICLE 24 OF THE BASIC LAW. IF ANY OF THESE WERE EXPELLED FROM, OR DENIED ENTRY INTO, THE HKSAR, THAT WOULD BE A VERY SERIOUS MATTER, AMOUNTING TO A BREACH OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD OF COURSE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE THE MATTER WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS RAISED WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THE NEED FOR REASSURANCE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THIS ISSUE.
/THE BRITISH .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 3 -
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATED THE UNDERTAKING MADE BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE IN 1989 THAT IF, AGAINST ALL EXPECTATIONS, THE WORST WERE TO HAPPEN IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997, THE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE INESCAPABLE. IN RESPONSE TO FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO NOW GIVEN A MORE SPECIFIC ASSURANCE, THAT IF THE SITUATION WAS SUCH THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BN(O) WERE EXPELLED, IT WOULD CONSIDER HIS OR HER POSITION IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD HAVE TO INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, CONSIDERATIONS OF WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED WAS A NATIONAL OF ANOTHER COUNTRY, AND WHETHER HE HAD A RIGHT OF ABODE OUTSIDE HONG KONG. FOR NOT ALL BNOS WILL, AFTER 1997, NECESSARILY HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, OR THE RIGHT OF ABODE ONLY IN HONG KONG. A LARGE NUMBER OF BNOS OR POTENTIAL BNOS HAVE SETTLED ABROAD AND ACQUIRE A FOREIGN NATIONALITY. IT WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC TO EXPECT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE ADVANCE GUARANTEES ABOUT THE FUTURE SETTLEMENT OF THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS. IN THIS RESPECT, THE SECOND PART OF THE MOTION IS, I BELIEVE, TOO BROADLY DRAWN.
MR PRESIDENT, AS I HAVE SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION ATTACHES THE SAME IMPORTANCE AS DO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL TO THE FUTURE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT OF HONG KONG PEOPLE. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT NO USEFUL PURPOSE WOULD BE SERVED BY SEEKING THE FURTHER UNDERTAKING SOUGHT IN THE FIRST PART OF THE MOTION. RATHER, WE SHOULD BUILD ON, AND GIVE PRACTICAL EFFECT TO, THE ASSURANCES ALREADY PROVIDED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE ADMINISTRATION, IN CONCLUSION, SUPPORTS THE SENTIMENTS OF THIS MOTION, BUT NOT ALL OF ITS SPECIFIC PROPOSALS; THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS INTEND TO ABSTAIN.
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PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR ELDERLY
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) ON A MOTION ON A PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS:
MR PRESIDENT,
THIS IS A SAMPLE OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN GOLD CARD TO BE INTRODUCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FROM APRIL NEXT YEAR FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 65 AND ABOVE. THE SENIOR CITIZEN GOLD CARD SCHEME (SCGCS) IS A MEANINGFUL AND WORTHWHILE SCHEME AND IT SHOULD BRING REAL BENEFITS TO OUR ELDERLY PERSONS. HOWEVER, THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME WILL DEPEND ON THE COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO IT.
/SENIOR CITIZEN .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
SENIOR CITIZEN GOLD CARD SCHEME
THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD, DESIGNED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF ELDERLY PERSONS, IS NEITHER MEANT TO BE A REPLACEMENT FOR THE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD NOR IS IT IN ITSELF A DISCOUNT CARD. IT IS A PROOF OF AGE FOR THE HOLDER. AS SUCH, HOLDERS OF SUCH A CARD WILL NOT HAVE TO SHOW THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD IN ORDER TO OBTAIN CONCESSIONARY FARES AND DISCOUNT RATES. THIS SCHEME IS TO REINFORCE THE RESPECT FOR AND TO REFLECT THE VENERATED STATUS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY.
THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR THE CARD IS SIMPLE. ALL THE APPLICANT HAS TO DO IS TO FILL IN A SIMPLE FORM AND SEND IT IN TOGETHER WITH A PHOTOGRAPH AND A PHOTOCOPY OF HIS OR HER HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD. APPLICATION BY MAIL IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE. WE EXPECT THAT ABOUT 400,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL APPLY FOR THE CARD IN THE FIRST YEAR. DETAILS OF THE SCHEME WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON AND I ASK ELDERLY PERSONS TO LOOK OUT FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE SCHEME IN THE MEDIA.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
GOVERNMENT’S PROMOTION OF THE SCHEME ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH. WITHOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT, A CARD IS ONLY A CARD. WE INTEND TO PUBLICISE THE CARD TO ELDERLY PERSONS THEMSELVES AND TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. WE HOPE TO ENCOURAGE MORE COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS TO INTRODUCE CONCESSIONARY SCHEMES AND DISCOUNT RATES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE. I SHALL PERSONALLY BE APPEALING TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE PART IN THIS WORTHY SCHEME.
THE SENIOR CITIZEN GOLD CARD SCHEME IS INTENDED TO BE A VOLUNTARY SCHEME. THERE IS, AND CAN BE, NO COMPULSION. IT WOULD BE AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IF CONCESSIONARY FARES AND DISCOUNT RATES ARE MADE MANDATORY FOR ELDERLY PERSONS. THERE MIGHT EVEN BE A BACKLASH AGAINST THE CARD IF THE SCHEME WERE TURNED INTO A COMPULSORY PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE. THE HON MARTIN LEE WAS PERFECTLY RIGHT WHEN HE SAID THAT THE ORIGINAL IDEA BEHIND THE SCHEME WAS TO ENCOURAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO RESPECT OUR ELDERLY PEOPLE. THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT A CARD IS INTENDED TO REFLECT. THIS SCHEME IS ABOUT RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE. RESPECT AND CONCERN CANNOT BE INDUCED BY COERCIVE MEANS.
/EXISTING CONCESSIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
5 -
EXISTING CONCESSIONS
AS QUITE RIGHTLY POINTED OUT BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-HA, THE DEFINITION OF AGE DOES VARY BETWEEN COUNTRIES WITH SOCIETIES. INDEED AND OFTEN 1 AM VERY SURPRISED THAT MEN ARE DESCRIBED TO BE AS OLD AS THEY FEEL AND WOMEN ARE DESCRIBED TO BE AS OLD AS THEY LOOK. I THINK THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT DEFINITION ALSO. SO A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION IS WHY SET THE CARD AT THE AGE OF 65. I THINK THAT’S VERY MUCH DEBATED HERE. THE ANSWER IS SELF-EVIDENT. THE PRESENT CONCESSIONARY SCHEMES PROVIDED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND OTHER COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS ARE IN THE MAIN FOR PERSONS AGED 65 AND ABOVE. IF WE WERE TO ISSUE THE CARD TO PERSONS UNDER 65, IT WOULD NEITHER BE OF USE TO THE PROVIDERS NOR OF BENEFIT TO THE USERS. OUR CARD IS TO MEET THE PRESSING NEED OF ELDERLY PEOPLE FOR A PROOF OF AGE TO FACILITATE THEIR USE OF CONCESSIONS. FOR PRACTICAL REASONS, THE CARD SHOULD THEREFORE BE ISSUED TO PERSONS AGED 65 AND ABOVE. AGAIN, AS RIGHTLY POINTED OUT BY THE HONOURABLE MIRIAM LAU, THE TRANSPORT CONCESSIONS HAVE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF THE WAIVER OF GOVERNMENT FEES AND RENTAL CHARGES, AND PARTLY BY THE OPERATORS AT A COST TO THEIR SHAREHOLDERS. THE REVENUE FOREGONE BY GOVERNMENT ALONE IS SOME $65 MILLION A YEAR. I SHOULD STATE CATEGORICALLY THAT MANY PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS ARE NOT PREPARED TO LOWER THE AGE ELIGIBILITY TO 60. TO INSIST ON THIS WOULD HAVE SERIOUS IMPACT, I THINK, ON FARES FOR THE REST OF THE FEE-PAYING POPULATION. FURTHERMORE I DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO ISSUE A CARD FOR THOSE OF A LOWER AGE GROUP. I MUST REITERATE THAT SUCH A CARD WOULD HAVE NO PURPOSE WHEN IT WOULD NOT BE RECOGNISED BY THOSE WHO OFFER CONCESSIONS. AS THE HONOURABLE Y F HUI SAID, OUR ELDERLY PEOPLE WOULD END UP BEING ASKED TO SHOW THE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD TO PROVE ELIGIBILITY. SURELY WE DON’T WANT THAT. THAT’S WE HAVE NO INTENTION EITHER TO ABANDON THE ISSUE OF THE CARD OR TO CARELESSLY LOWER THE ELIGIBILITY AGE BELOW 65. I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE HONOURABLE ELSIE TU’S COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON THE CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE TO ELDERLY PEOPLE INITIATED BY MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
WE APPRECIATE THAT THERE ARE CONCESSIONARY SCHEMES OFFERED TO PERSONS AGED BELOW 65. THIS IS WONDERFUL. THIS IS LAUDABLE. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT SUCH CONCESSIONARY SCHEMES WILL CONTINUE.
WE IN HONG KONG HAVE A VERY GOOD TIME-HONOURED TRADITION OF RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR ELDERLY PERSONS. LET US BUILD ON THIS. LET US MAKE IT BETTER.
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/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
6
LIST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO BE UPDATED
» * * * *
WITH THE SUCCESS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTROL OF RELAPSING FEVER AND TYPHUS AND THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF SMALLPOX, IT IS NO LONGER REALISTIC OR NECESSARY TO RETAIN THESE DISEASES WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF QUARANTINABLE DISEASES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO THESE DISEASES WHEREVER THEY APPEAR IN THE ORDINANCE," MRS WONG SAID.
"IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO UPDATE THE LIST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES PRESCRIBED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS AND WORLDWIDE PRACTICE."
THE LEVEL OF PENALTY FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE WILL ALSO BE INCREASED TO MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT AGAINST OFFENCES.
FURTHERMORE, OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO TRANSFER CERTAIN POWERS PRESENTLY VESTED WITH THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO EITHER THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH OR THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
THESE RELATE, RESPECTIVELY, TO THE POWER FOR AMENDING THE STATUTORY FORMS FOR NOTIFICATION OF DISEASES AND TO THE POWER FOR ADJUSTING THE PRESCRIBED FEES IN LINE WITH CHANGES IN OPERATING COST.
"THE INTENTION OF THIS TRANSFER IS TO STREAMLINE PROCEDURES AND TO MAKE FOR MORE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION," MRS WONG SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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TWO MORE MEMBERS FOR CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY
* * ♦ » »
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY BY INCLUDING ONE REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONGKONG KNITWEAR EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION LIMITED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, MR LAM SAID THE INCREASED MEMBERSHIP WOULD ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO HAVE MORE DIRECT INPUT FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S LABOUR POLICY AS WELL AS TO BENEFIT FROM EXPERT OPINIONS ON THE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY.
/THE BILL........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO TRANSFER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE SPECIFYING THE MEMBERSHIP AND QUORUM FOR MEETINGS OF THE AUTHORITY TO A NEW SCHEDULE AND TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR TO AMEND THIS SCHEDULE.
’’THIS PROPOSAL WOULD ENABLE SWIFT UPDATING OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE AUTHORITY IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING NEEDS,” MR LAM SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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■. • i < -■
SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES TO BE BETTER REGULATED
♦ » ♦ * *
THE PUBLIC CAN EXPECT MORE REASONABLE AND RELIABLE STANDARDS OF SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES UNDER A BILL THAT WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE BILL PROPOSED TO REGULATE THE INDUSTRY BY A LICENSING SYSTEM.
THE LICENSING SYSTEM WILL BE RUN ON TWO LEVELS, THE GRANTING OF PERMITS TO SECURITY PERSONNEL AND THE LICENSING OF SECURITY COMPANIES.
"THESE PROPOSALS HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE SECURITY ASSOCIATION, WHICH REPRESENTS MORE THAN 75 PER CENT OF ALL COMPANIES ENGAGING IN GUARDING AND SECURITY TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
UNDER THE BILL, ACTIVITIES CLASSIFIED AS SECURITY WORK WILL INCLUDE GUARDING ANY PROPERTY; PREVENTING OR DETECTING THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY OFFENCE; INSTALLING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING A SECURITY. DEVICE; AND DESIGNING FOR ANY PARTICULAR PREMISES OR PLACE A SYSTEM INCORPORATING A SECURITY DEVICE.
IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE FOR A COMPANY TO UNDERTAKE SECURITY WORK WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE OR TO SUPPLY SECURITY PERSONNEL WHO DO NOT HAVE VALID PERMITS.
IT WILL ALSO BE AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO ENGAGE IN SECURITY WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT. ,
"WE PROPOSE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS AND RENEWAL OF PERMITS BY SECURITY PERSONNEL SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
"APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES BY SECURITY COMPANIES SHOULD BE MADE TO A SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES INDUSTRY AUTHORITY TO BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE BILL," HE SAID.
THE AUTHORITY WILL CONSIST OF A CHAIRMAN AND THREE OTHER PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY.
/TO ENABLE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
8 -
TO ENABLE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM THE EXISTING WATCHMEN ORDINANCE, MR ASPREY SAID THE BILL PROPOSED THAT EXISTING WATCHMEN’S PERMITS WOULD INITIALLY BE REGARDED AS VALID.
THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES INDUSTRY AUTHORITY WILL, OVER A PERIOD, NOTIFY PERMIT HOLDERS TO APPLY FOR A NEW PERMIT UNDER THE BILL.
EXISTING SECURITY COMPANIES WILL BE GIVEN 12 MONTHS IN WHICH TO APPLY FOR LICENCES.
MR ASPREY SAID AN APPEAL BOARD, MADE UP OF A CHAIRMAN AND A PANEL OF PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WOULD BE SET UP TO CONSIDER AND DETERMINE APPEALS AGAINST THE DECISIONS ARISING FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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LAW NEEDED TO ENSURE QUALITY OF ELDERLY HOMES *****
THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS TO CONTROL THE STANDARDS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IS BY LEGISLATIVE CONTROL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEEK, WAS TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WERE OF A STANDARD ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"WE HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATION CAN BE ENACTED TO ENSURE THAT HOMES WILL BE ABLE TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICE ACCORDING TO THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED UNDER THE BILL," SHE ADDED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE OF THESE HOMES.
TO HELP OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE, A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT SUBSEQUENT TO THE FIRE BOMB ATTACK ON A HOME AT BOUNDARY STREET IN JUNE THIS YEAR, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD CONDUCTED 530 VISITS TO THESE HOMES AND ALL OF THEM HAD BEEN VISITED AT LEAST ONCE.
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT STAFF ALSO VISIT PRIVATE HOMES REGULARLY TO URGE HOME OPERATORS TO COMPLY WITH THE CODE.
AFTER EACH VISIT, A LETTER WILL BE ISSUED TO THE OPERATOR TO POINT OUT AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT, INCLUDING SAFETY MEASURES IF THESE ARE FOUND NOT TO BE ADEQUATE, SHE ADDED.
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/9.........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 9 -
REFERRAL SYSTEM IN PLACE TO HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE » * » t *
A WELL-ESTABLISHED SYSTEM OF CO-OPERATION AND REFERRALS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND HOSPITALS FOR HANDLING CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOW IN PLACE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID WHEN A CASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, THEY WOULD LIAISE WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING FOR THE VICTIM.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE IMMEDIATELY FOR HIM OR HER TO BE SENT TO A HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT, SHE SAID.
UPON REFERRAL, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE COUNSELLING AND ASSISTANCE.
"FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, CHILD CARE SERVICE, TEMPORARY REFUGE OR ACCOMMODATION, REFERRALS FOR LEGAL AID AND COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING ARE PROVIDED TO THE VICTIMS."
WHERE NECESSARY, MRS WONG CONTINUED, COURT PROCEEDINGS WOULD BE INITIATED FOR THE CARE OF THE ABUSED CHILD.
SIMILARLY, THE HOSPITALS AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL LIAISE WITH THE POLICE AND EACH OTHER IF THEY COME ACROSS CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
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UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS BEST HANDLED BY BANKS * * » » *
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO REQUIRE BANKS TO HAND OVER UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS FOR DISPOSAL, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THE PRESENT SITUATION CAUSES ANY MAJOR PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES AND WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MATTER BEST HANDLED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NORMAL BANKER-CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP," HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CARTLAND SAID INDIVIDUAL BANKS HAD THEIR OWN INTERNAL GUIDELINES AND POLICIES FOR CLASSIFYING DORMANT ACCOUNTS AND TREATING UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS.
ACCORDING TO A SURVEY OF THE LEADING LOCAL BANKS, MANY OF THE INSTITUTIONS DO CLASSIFY SOME OF THEIR DEPOSITS AS UNCLAIMED IF THE ACCOUNTS CONCERNED HAVE BEEN INACTIVE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD.
/BUT IT........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 10 -
BUT IT IS A GENERAL PRACTICE THAT THEY DO NOT DISCHARGE THEIR OBLIGATIONS ON SUCH DEPOSITS.
IF THE DEPOSITS ARE EVENTUALLY CLAIMED, THE BANKS WILL STILL REPAY THE AMOUNT IN FULL, SAVE FOR ANY CHARGES WHICH MAY BE APPLICABLE TO THE TRANSACTION.
MR CARTLAND SAID CLASSIFICATION OF DORMANT ACCOUNTS AND UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS VARIED FROM BANK TO BANK IN THE ABSENCE OF INDUSTRY-WIDE OR INTERNATIONAL DEFINITIONS.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THEREFORE TO HAVE AN ACCURATE FIGURE FOR UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS IN THE BANKING SYSTEM," HE SAID.
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PHI RISK LEVEL IS LOW ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS INSTALLATION (PHI) IS TO REDUCE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF THESE INSTALLATIONS TO LEVELS WHICH ARE AS LOW AS IS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS IS DONE BY CONTROLLING THE SITING OF PHIS AND LAND USE IN THEIR VICINITY, AND BY REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND OPERATED TO SPECIFIED STANDARDS," HE SAID.
IN HIS REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG, MR EASON SAID THERE WERE ONLY 34 PHIS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THESE INCLUDED THE LARGER LPG STORAGE FACILITIES, GAS WORKS, CHLORINE STORES AT WATER TREATMENT WORKS AND EXPLOSIVES FACTORIES AND DEPOTS.
SINCE DECEMBER 1986, AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE, THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON THE LAND USE PLANNING AND CONTROL RELATING TO POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS (CCPHI), HAS CO-ORDINATED ACTION ON PHIS.
"FOR EACH PHI, THE SURROUNDING POPULATION IS ESTABLISHED BY A PLANNING STUDY AND THE RISK LEVELS ARE EVALUATED BY A HAZARD ASSESSMENT OF THE PLANT.
"THE OVERALL RISK LEVELS POSED ARE THEN JUDGED AGAINST A SET OF GUIDELINES FORMULATED BY CCPHI TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE."
NEW PHIS WILL NOT NORMALLY BE APPROVED UNLESS THEY COMPLY WITH THE RISK GUIDELINES, HE SAID.
FOR EXISTING PHIS WHICH DO NOT INITIALLY MEET THE RISK GUIDELINES, CCPHI WILL DETERMINE WHAT RISK MITIGATION MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO BRING THE RISK LEVELS DOWN.
/IF NECESSARY, .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
11
IF NECESSARY, RELOCATION WILL BE CONSIDERED.
ON CONTINGENCY PLANS, MR EASON SAID EMERGENCY RESPONSE
PROCEDURES WERE DRAWN UP IN RESPECT OF EACH PHI BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
CONCERNED. Hz
THE PLAN IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES INVOLVED IN EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, AND WILL BE ACTIVATED WHEN REQUIRED.
THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD IS NORMALLY INFORMED OF THE MAIN HAZARD ASSESSMENT FINDINGS, PROPOSED RISK MITIGATION MEASURES AND CONTINGENCY PLANS IN RESPECT OF INDIVIDUAL PHIS.
IN ORDER TO MAKE THE RELEVANT INFORMATION MORE READILY AVAILABLE TO THE PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ALIKE, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INCORPORATE THE RISK GUIDELINES IN THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES EARLY NEXT YEAR.
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EMPLOYMENT POLICY ON CIVIL SERVANTS’ LEAVING SERVICE EXPLAINED * » » « »
X • THE CRITERIA FOR OFFICER WHO RESIGNS AND WISHES TO TAKE UP PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYMENT DURING PRE-RESIGNATION LEAVE ARE THE SAME AS THOSE FOR OFFICERS SEEKING POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT.
ESSENTIALLY THESE CONCERN WHETHER THERE IS A CONFLICT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT CONSIDER IT REASONABLE, OR VERY PRACTICABLE, TO ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE FUTURE EMPLOYMENT OF THOSE WHO HAD RESIGNED AND SEVERED THEIR LINKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
"I WOULD ADD HOWEVER THAT WE CAN AND DO EXERT CONTROL, IF APPROPRIATE, DURING ANY PERIOD OF FINAL LEAVE WHICH CAN BE A MATTER OF MONTHS.
. . 4
’’FURTHERMORE ALL FORMER CIVIL SERVANTS, WHETHER RETIRED OR v RESIGNED, REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT ( 1989), AS EXTENDED TO HONG KONG,’’ MR HARBINSON SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE LONGEST SANITISATION PERIOD ADVISED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT ON AN INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION FOR POST-RETIREMENT IS TWO YEARS.
SO FAR, NO RETIRED OFFICER’S PENSION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED ON ACCOUNT OF HIS EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
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/12........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
12 -
LOCALISATION POLICY TO BE IMPLEMENTED FIRMLY AND FAIRLY *****
THERE IS NO INHERENT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE LOCALISATION POLICY AND THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED MEASURE OF ALLOWING CONTRACT OFFICERS APPOINTED ON OVERSEAS TERMS TO APPLY FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING, MR HARBINSON SAID IT USED TO BE THE PRACTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO ENTERTAIN AN APPLICATION FROM A CONTRACT OFFICER ALREADY SERVING ON OVERSEAS CONDITIONS FOR A NEW CONTRACT ON LOCAL CONDITIONS.
”WE WOULD NOW CONSIDER SUCH AN APPLICATION, BUT ONLY IN RESPECT OF A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF HONG KONG, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS BEING MET, AND ON AN INTERIM BASIS OF ONE CONTRACT ONLY.
’’WITH THIS ONE CHANGE, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO INVOLVE LIMITED NUMBERS, THE LOCALISATION POLICY CONTINUES TO BE IMPLEMENTED FIRMLY AND FAIRLY,” HE STATED.
AS ANNOUNCED RECENTLY, THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO MOVE TOWARDS ABOLISHING OVERSEAS AND LOCAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR FUTURE APPOINTMENTS.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT ’’LOCALISATION” WOULD STILL BE A KEY FEATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FUTURE EMPLOYMENT POLICY.
’’BUT WITH THE PHASING OUT OF DIFFERENTIAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, WE WOULD NEED TO DEVISE A NEW AND POSITIVE DEFINITION OF WHO IS ’LOCAL’," SAID MR HARBINSON.
’’THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF A WIDE-RANGING CONSULTATIVE EXERCISE ON WHICH WE HAVE NOW EMBARKED."
ASKED ABOUT THE MEANING OF "LOCALISATION", MR HARBINSON SAID IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT, IT MEANT THE POLICY UNDER WHICH AN OVERSEAS PERSON WAS APPOINTED ONLY IF A FULLY QUALIFIED AND SUITABLE LOCAL PERSON WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT COULD NOT BE MODIFIED TO ENABLE A LOCAL, IN PREFERENCE TO AN OVERSEAS, APPOINTMENT.
AN "OVERSEAS PERSON" IS SIMPLY SOMEONE WHO MEETS THE RELEVANT CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT ON OVERSEAS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WHILE A "LOCAL PERSON" MEANS SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR OVERSEAS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 13 -
NEW CRITERIA TO EXAMINE MORE POTENTIAL TAXPAYERS *****
MORE POTENTIAL TAXPAYERS WILL BE EXAMINED UNDER THE NEW SELECTION CRITERIA ADOPTED BY THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT FOR THE OPENING OF PROPERTY DEALING FILES.
UNDER THE NEW CRITERIA, A PROPERTY DEALING FILE WILL BE OPENED AFTER THREE TRANSACTIONS IN A SIX-YEAR PERIOD INSTEAD OF FOUR TRANSACTIONS AS UNDER THE OLD CRITERIA.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID THE CRITERIA WERE ADOPTED AFTER A REVIEW COMPLETED IN JULY THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE NEW SELECTION CRITERIA, A PROPERTY DEALING FILE IS OPENED AND A QUESTIONNAIRE ISSUED IF A PERSON, OTHER THAN A "CONFIRMOR", THAT IS, A PERSON WHO ENTERS INTO A SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE A PROPERTY AND THEN RE-SELLS BEFORE ASSIGNMENT, HAS HAD:
* THREE OR MORE PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS WITHIN A SIX-YEAR PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1987; OR
* A SINGLE SALE OF PROPERTY HELD FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS WITH GROSS PROFIT ARISING FROM THE SALE EXCEEDING $200,000.
MR TSANG SAID THE PREVIOUS PRACTICE OF EXAMINING ALL CASES INVOLVING CONFIRMORS TO ASCERTAIN THEIR TAX LIABILITY WOULD CONTINUE.
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AIRPORT RECLAMATION BASED ON ACCUMULATED EXPERIENCE *****
THERE IS SO FAR NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MAJOR PROBLEM ON SETTLEMENT OF THE RECLAMATION AT THE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR JAMES BLAKE SAID THE EXPERIENCE OF SUBSIDENCE OF FOUNDATION AT SOME AIRPORTS BUILT ON RECLAIMED LAND IN OTHER PLACES WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO CHEK LAP KOK.
HE SAID IN DESIGNING THE RECLAMATION WORK FOR THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, REFERENCE HAD BEEN MADE TO EXPERIENCE ON MAJOR RECLAMATION WORKS BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS COUNTRIES.
"A TEST EMBANKMENT WAS CONSTRUCTED AT CHEK LAP KOK AS LONG AGO AS 1982 TO EVALUATE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOILS AT THE SITE OF THE FUTURE AIRPORT.”
/BASED ON .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
14
BASED ON THE OBSERVATIONS ON THE TEST EMBANKMENT AND THE STUDIES OF OTHER MAJOR RECLAMATION WORKS, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ADOPT FOR THE RECLAMATION WORK IN CHEK LAP KOK THE TECHNIQUE WHICH INVOLVES THE REMOVAL OF THE UPPER LAYERS OF SOFT MARINE MUD.
’’WITH MARINE MUD REMOVED, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE AVERAGE SETTLEMENT OF THE RECLAMATION AREAS AT THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SITE WILL BE 40 TO 50 CENTIMETRES OVER A LONG PERIOD.”
MR BLAKE SAID TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT MATERIAL TO ALLOW FOR THIS SETTLEMENT, THE SITE WOULD BE FILLED TO HALF A METRE ABOVE THE FORMATION LEVEL AND CIVIL WORKS DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR THESE CONDITIONS.
"PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE TO ACCELERATE SETTLEMENT BY MECHANICAL MEANS OR SURCHARGE WHICH IS NORMAL PRACTICE IN HONG KONG AND INSTRUMENTATION HAS BEEN INSTALLED TO MONITOR SETTLEMENT."
------0--------
BNO PASSPORTS RECOGNISED WORLDWIDE *****
AS A RESULT OF THE EFFORTS OF THE HONG KONG AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS, THE BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT, WHICH IS VALID BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER JUNE 30, 1997, IS RECOGNISED WORLDWIDE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"ITS HOLDERS ARE ABLE TO ENTER 71 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES VISA FREE.
"THE BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN PASSPORT IS EQUALLY WELL ACCEPTED," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE CONTINUATION OF VISA-FREE PRIVILEGES FOR ALL THOSE WITH HONG KONG TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
"WE HAVE PUT PROPOSALS TO THIS END TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP," HE ADDED.
SINCE OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR, SPAIN HAS INTRODUCED CHANGES IN VISA REQUIREMENTS WHICH AFFECTED A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, INCLUDING HONG KONG.
"THE HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS LOBBIED HARD BUT UNSUCCESSFULLY AGAINST THE RECENT SPANISH MOVE.
"OUR EMPHASIS WILL NOW BE TO ENCOURAGE THE SPANISH CONSULATEGENERAL HERE TO MAKE THE PROCESSING TIME FOR THE ISSUE OF VISAS AS QUICK AND AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
/MR ASPREY .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
15 -
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY UNUSUAL VISA DIFFICULTIES, BUT WOULD BE MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ASSESSED PUBLIC OPINION ON THIS MATTER IttROUGH THE MEDIA, LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AND THE NATIONALITY 8UB-COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
--------0-----------
CAD HAS DIRECT CONTACT WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS *****
THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND THE TAXI RADIO SERVICE CENTRES ARE KEPT INFORMED OF THE PASSENGER DEMAND AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO.8 IS HOISTED, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON VINCENT CHENG HOI-CHUEN, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID DIRECT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT WERE PROVIDED BY AIRPORT BUSES AND TAXIS.
AT PRESENT, HE SAID, THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY LTD OPERATES FOUR AIRPORT ROUTES TO AND FROM CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, TAIKOO SHING AND TSIM SHA TSUI.
UNDER A LONG-STANDING ARRANGEMENT, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT KEEPS THE BUS COMPANY INFORMED OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS WAITING AT THE AIRPORT AND, WHEN NECESSARY, EXTRA BUSES ARE DEPLOYED TO MEET DEMAND.
PAST RECORDS SHOW THAT KMB HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN ITS AIRPORT BUS SERVICES DURING TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8, HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID TAXI AVAILABILITY MIGHT WELL BE REDUCED WHEN THE NO. 8 SIGNAL WAS HOISTED SINCE IT WAS UP TO INDIVIDUAL DRIVERS TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WISHED TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE.
NEVERTHELESS, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY CONTACTS TAXI ASSOCIATIONS AND TAXI RADIO SERVICE CENTRES TO INFORM THEM OF PASSENGER DEMAND AT THE AIRPORT, HE SAID.
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/16........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 16 -
CONTROL OF CHANGES IN BUILDING USE POSSIBLE
*****
WHEN APPLICATIONS FOR CHANGING USE OF BUILDINGS ARE CONSIDERED, REGARD WILL BE GIVEN TO COMPATIBILITY WITH THE PLANNING INTENTION FOR THE AREA AND SURROUNDING USES, ADEQUACY OF INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT AND OTHER LOCAL FACTORS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CONRAD LAM.
MR EASON SAID CHANGES IN THE USE OF A BUILDING WERE DEALT WITH BY THE LEASE CONDITIONS, THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE OR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
"WHERE A PROPOSED CHANGE OF USE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE LEASE CONDITIONS OF THE LOT IN QUESTION, A MODIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED, OR UNDER THE PLANNING LEGISLATION, A PLANNING APPLICATION MAY BE REQUIRED DEPENDING ON THE STATUTORY ZONING."
MR EASON SAID ANY MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE USE OF A BUILDING OR ANY PART OF A BUILDING IS SUBJECT TO CONTROL UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, WHICH IS PRINCIPALLY CONCERNED WITH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE USERS.
THE CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERING AN APPLICATION FOR A CHANGE OF USE UNDER THE ORDINANCE INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER THE STRUCTURAL LOADING AND THE MEANS OF ESCAPE PROVISIONS OF THE BUILDING ARE SUITABLE FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGE OF USE.
ANY PROPOSED BUILDING WORKS RELATING TO A CHANGE OF USE WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE AND ITS REGULATIONS.
- - 0----------
ALL VIET CAMPS TO GO IN 1996
* * * * *
ALL VIETNAMESE MIGRANT CAMPS IN THE TERRITORY SHOULD BE EMPTIED BY EARLY 1996 IF CURRENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRENDS ARE MAINTAINED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON ALLEN LEE, MR ASPREY SAID THE REPATRIATION AND RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WERE DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA), AN AGREEMENT ENDORSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN 1989.
"THE CPA PROVIDES THAT ALL VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ARRIVING IN FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES SHOULD BE SCREENED TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE REFUGEES," MR ASPREY SAID.
/THOSE DETERMINED .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
ADDED
THOSE DETERMINED NOT TO BE REFUGEES SHOULD RETURN HOME, HE
SINCE 1989, OVER 35,000 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS HAVE RETURNED TO VIETNAM FROM HONG KONG.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 24,500 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES HAVE ALSO LEFT THE TERRITORY.
"THE REMAINING POPULATION NOW STANDS AT 35,000, INCLUDING ABOUT 2,000 REFUGEES," MR ASPREY SAID.
ONLY 12 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ARRIVED LAST YEAR; AND 55 SO FAR THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
BUS SHELTERS WITH ASBESTOS TO BE REPLACED *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL LIAISE WITH THE BUS COMPANIES TO EXPEDITE REPLACEMENT OF OLD BUS SHELTERS STILL CONTAINING ASBESTOS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN, MR BARMA SAID THE FOUR FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED A TOTAL OF 1,543 BUS SHELTERS, OF WHICH 374 CONTAINING ASBESTOS IN THEIR CORRUGATED ROOF SHEETS.
HE SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAD ' ADVISED THAT UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THESE BUS SHELTERS DID NOT POSE ANY HEALTH HAZARD BECAUSE THE ASBESTOS CONTENT WAS LOCKED IN A MATRIX OF CEMENT AND WOULD ONLY BE RELEASED UNLESS THE SHEETS WERE DAMAGED.
"AT THE BEHEST OF THE GOVERNMENT, BUS SHELTERS CONSTRUCTED SINCE 1987 CONTAIN NO ASBESTOS."
AS FOR THOSE OLDER BUS SHELTERS WHICH STILL CONTAIN ASBESTOS, KOWLOON MOTOR BUS AND CITYBUS EACH HAVE A TWO-YEAR REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME WHILE CHINA MOTOR BUS AND NEW LANTAO BUS’S APPROACH IS TO REPLACE SHELTERS, WHEN DAMAGED, WITH NON-ASBESTOS MATERIAL.
IN ALL CASES, THE BUS COMPANIES WILL SEEK ADVICE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON THE NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS WHEN REPLACING THESE SHELTERS, HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT WILL LIAISE WITH THE FOUR FRANCHISED BUS OPERATORS TO SEE WHETHER THIS PROCESS CAN BE EXPEDITED."
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- 18 -
AIR CARGO CAPACITY CAPABLE TO MEET DEMAND * * * * »
THE CARGO CAPACITY PROVIDED FOR UNDER HONG KONG’S AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENT IS ADEQUATE TO CATER FOR MARKET DEMAND AND GROWTH, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, MR SIU SAID AIR FREIGHT SERVICES TO AND FROM HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS WERE PROVIDED, ON BOTH A SCHEDULED AND NON-SCHEDULED BASIS, BY HONG KONG-BASED AND FOREIGN AIRLINES.
"CURRENT LOAD FACTORS INDICATE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE CAPACITY IN THE MARKET TO MEET FORESEEABLE YEAR-ROUND DEMAND," HE SAID.
DURING THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1987/88 TO 1992/93, THE TOTAL VOLUME OF COMMERCIAL AIR CARGO LOADED AND UNLOADED AT HONG KONO INCREASED BY 58.5 PER CENT.
OF THE VOLUME HANDLED IN 1992/93, ALL BUT TWO PER CENT OF TOTAL CARGO UNLOADED AND FIVE PER CENT OF TOTAL CARGO LOADED WAS CARRIED BY SCHEDULED CARRIERS.
MR SIU SAID NON-SCHEDULED SERVICES PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN COPING WITH SEASONAL PEAKS IN DEMAND, SUCH AS PRE-CHRISTMAS SHIPMENTS TO EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE SITUATION IS KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW; SHOULD CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE, WE WOULD SEEK TO NEGOTIATE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY AND FREQUENCY PROVISIONS WITH THE PARTNERS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
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STRINGENT SAFETY MEASURES IMPOSED ON GOVT PROJECTS
*****
ALTHOUGH BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WERE SUBJECT TO THE SAME INDUSTRIAL SAFETY STANDARDS UNDER THE LAW, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS DID IMPOSE STRINGENT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ON THEIR CONTRACTORS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LAM SAID THE WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS MONITORED THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF THEIR CONTRACTORS AS PART OF THEIR ASSESSMENT ON WHETHER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS SHOULD BE AWARDED TO THEM IN FUTURE.
A SET OF COMPLIANCE STANDARDS IS BEING DEVELOPED AND WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR.
/THE HOUSING .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ALREADY HAS A COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE AGAINST WHICH THEIR CONTRACTORS’ PERFORMANCE ON SAFETY IS MONITORED.
AS FOR AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS (ACP) CONTRACTS, AN ACP SAFETY MANUAL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED REQUIRING CONTRACTORS TO PRODUCE AND COMPLY WITH COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY PLANS.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT, THE ENGINEER OF AN ACP CONTRACT AWARDED AFTER JULY 1992 HAS THE POWER TO STOP WORK IF THE SAFETY PLAN IS NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED PROPERLY.
MR LAM SAID SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS WERE BEING INTRODUCED INCREMENTALLY FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, STARTING WITH THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPLEX CONTRACTS.
HE ALSO REVEALED THAT THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 25,138 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN 1990, 23,115 IN 1991 AND 18,815 IN 1992.
OF THESE, 4,943 (19.7%) TOOK PLACE ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ENGAGED IN GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN 1990, 4,169 (18%) IN 1991 AND 3,221 (17.1%) LAST YEAR.
- - 0 - -
SEVEN PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR MISUSING FIRE HOSES
*****
SEVEN PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED FOR MISUSING FIRE HOSES BETWEEN OCTOBER LAST YEAR AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN, MR BLAKE SAID ALL THESE PERSONS WERE CONVICTED AND THE PENALTY RANGED FROM $700 TO $5,000.
HE SAID THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY OF DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM IS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION.
"WARNING NOTICES ARE PUT UP NEAR THE INSTALLATIONS AND WIDELY PUBLICISED IN ESTATE NEWSLETTERS AND SO ON TO REMIND TENANTS OF PROPER USE OF FIRE HOSES.
"AS PART OF THE ON-GOING PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS INCLUDED EDUCATING THE PUBLIC NOT TO MISUSE FIRE HOSES AND OTHER FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS."
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ENCOURAGED DEVELOPERS TO INSTALL MORE CONVENIENT DRAW-OFF TAPS TO PROVIDE METERED WATER FOR FLOOR CLEANSING OR CAR WASHING, THUS DISCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM ABUSING FIRE HOSES FOR THESE PURPOSES.
HE SAID ANY MISUSE DETECTED WOULD BE STOPPED AND APPROPRIATE ACTIONS, INCLUDING WARNINGS AND PROSECUTIONS, WOULD BE TAKEN.
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5
- 20 -
RETRAINEES FIND JOBS WITHOUT DIFFICULTIES ♦ * * * »
THE FEEDBACK FROM THE RETRAINEES WHO HAVE COMPLETED COURSES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING SCHEME INDICATES THAT IN GENERAL THEY HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN FINDING JOBS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR LAM SAID AT THE END OF OCTOBER, THE SCHEME HAD ENROLLED 5,945 PERSONS, INCLUDING 4,638 WHO HAD COMPLETED RETRAINING AND 1,307 STILL UNDERGOING RETRAINING.
OUT OF THE 4,638 RETRAINEES WHO HAD COMPLETED RETRAINING, 1>581 HAD RECEIVED TRAINING ON SPECIFIC VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND 3,057 ON JOB SEARCH SKILLS AND ORIENTATION TO WORK IN NEW ENVIRONMENT.
IN THE CASE OF THE 1,581 RETRAINEES WHO HAD RECEIVED VOCATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING, ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT REQUIRED THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE TO FIND JOBS, MR LAM SAID.
ON THE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING SCHEME, HE NOTED THAT SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN JUNE THIS YEAR, 320 FIRMS HAD JOINED THE SCHEME AND 589 EMPLOYEES HAD BEEN PLACED WITH SOME OF THESE EMPLOYERS.
ON THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING BOARD’S EXPENDITURE, MR LAM SAID OF THE $146 MILLION BUDGETED FOR 1993/94, $3.3 MILLION HAD BEEN EARMARKED FOR PUBLICITY, $14 MILLION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES INCLUDING CAPITAL ITEMS FOR SETTING UP A NEW OFFICE, AND THE REMAINING $128.7 MILLION FOR THE VARIOUS RETRAINING PROGRAMMES.
---------0-----------
METERED WATER SUPPLY TO 1.9 MILLION CONSUMERS
*****
METERED WATER SUPPLY WAS PROVIDED TO 1,727,000 DOMESTIC CONSUMERS AND 219,000 NON-DOMESTIC SUBSCRIBERS AT THE END OF THE 1992/93 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE, MR BLAKE SAID THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WATER CHARGES COLLECTED FROM DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC CONSUMERS LAST YEAR WERE $748,434,000 AND $1,193,487,000 RESPECTIVELY.
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/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 21 -
ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SERVICES MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES ♦ ♦ * » *
CORE STAFF, INCLUDING NURSING STAFF, ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT FOR DUTY ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULED ROSTER DRAWN UP BY EACH HOSPITAL DURING A TYPHOON SITUATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL GUIDELINES OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS INPATIENT AND ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WERE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS OUT-PATIENT CLINICS ARE NORMALLY CLOSED WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 IS HOISTED.
ON WHY SOME NURSES OF THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL WERE ADVISED TO GO OFF DUTY WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 WAS HOISTED, MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE STAFF REMAINING WOULD BE ADEQUATE TO MEET OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
"IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT ALL THESE NURSES LIVED IN NURSE QUARTERS WHICH WERE WITHIN THE HOSPITAL COMPOUND,” SHE SAID.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT AFFECTED NEITHER THE OPERATION OF THE HOSPITAL NOR THE SAFETY OF THE STAFF CONCERNED."
THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT HAS HELD LIAISON MEETINGS WITH STAFF TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION PARTICULARLY DURING EMERGENCY SITUATION, MRS WONG ADDED.
---------0-----------
LEGCO UPDATED ON STOLEN VEHICLE FIGURES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID SO FAfc THIS YEAR, 1,722 VEHICLES THAT HAD BEEN REPORTED STOLEN WERE RECOVERED, INCLUDING 24 RETURNED FROM CHINA.
LAST YEAR, 3,771 VEHICLES WERE RECOVERED, INCLUDING SIX RETURNED FROM CHINA. IN 1991, 4,309 WERE RECOVERED, INCLUDING 34 RETURNED FROM CHINA.
THE NUMBERS OF VEHICLES REPORTED STOLEN IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, LAST YEAR AND IN 1991 WERE 3,649, 6,916 AND 6,354 RESPECTIVELY.
THE FIGURES WERE GIVEN IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALLEN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 22 -
MOTION ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT PASSED *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AFTER A TWO-HOUR DEBATE TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
EIGHTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION WHICH WAS PROPOSED BY THE HON EMILY LAU. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT ON A PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT SCHEME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WAS ALSO PASSED. THE AMENDED MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON WONG WAI-YIN WAS DEFEATED.
A TOTAL OF 19 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ALSO, TWO BILLS WERE PASSED AT THE MEETING.
OF THEM, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1993 WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENT WHILE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WAS PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
/23 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
23
HK DRAWS UP COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR AVIATION SECURITY *****
A HONG KONG AVIATION SECURITY BILL IS NOW AT THE DRAFTING STAGE TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK WHICH WILL HAVE EFFECT BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER JUNE 30, 1997.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN ADDRESSING THE AVIATION SECURITY IN PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION.
"WE PLAN TO INTRODUCE THIS BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT SUMMER AND HOPE IT WILL BE ENACTED BY THE END OF 1994," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO ENSURE THE TERRITORY WAS ADEQUATELY SAFEGUARDED IN THE YEARS AHEAD AGAINST CRIMINAL AND TERRORIST ATTACKS ON AIRCRAFT, PASSENGERS AND AIRPORTS.
THE BILL WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOKYO, HAGUE AND MONTREAL CONVENTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXTRADITION ARRANGEMENTS.
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE PROVISIONS TO PERMIT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL IN HONG KONG, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS TO BE MOST IMPORTANT, AND COMPLIANCE WITH ANNEX 17 OF THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.
AT PRESENT, THE TOKYO, HAGUE AND MONTREAL CONVENTIONS, THOUGH NOT THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, HAVE ALL BEEN GIVEN EFFECT IN HONG KONG THROUGH UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION.
"ALL THIS UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION WILL CEASE TO APPLY IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 30, 1997, AND WE NEED TO LOCALISE IT IF WE WISH ITS PROVISIONS TO CONTINUE TO APPLY BEYOND THEN," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSULT WIDELY, INCLUDING THE INDUSTRY, DURING THE LATER STAGES OF THE DRAFTING OF THE AVIATION SECURITY BILL.
MR ASPREY UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATION TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT THE ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES, IN PARTICULAR THE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED IN ANNEX 17 TO THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.
THE FIRST STEP IN THIS PROCESS, SAID MR ASPREY, WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD 3.1.3 OF ANNEX 17.
MR ASPREY, AS THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY, WHICH IS REFERRED TO AS THE AVIATION SECURITY AUTHORITY IN HONG KONG.
TO ADVISE HIM, AN AVIATION SECURITY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, WITH MEMBERSHIP FROM MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
/"THE MAIN .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
24
"THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AVIATION SECURITY AUTHORITY IS THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF AN AVIATION SECURITY PROGRAMME, AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD 3.1.1 OF ANNEX 17," HE EXPLAINED.
POINTING OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD AN INFORMAL PROGRAMME FOR MANY YEARS AND ITS PROVISIONS SET OUT IN MANY DIFFERENT HANDBOOKS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS, MR ASPREY SAID OVER THE YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN WORKING TO BRING THESE TOGETHER INTO ONE DOCUMENT, BASED ON THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION MODEL PROGRAMME.
"WE HAVE CONSULTED WIDELY, BOTH WITHIN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND WITHIN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY AND HAVE NOW ALMOST REACHED THE POINT WHERE WE CAN GO AHEAD AND ISSUE THE PROGRAMME.
"THE PROGRAMME, ONCE ISSUED, WILL NOT BE SET IN CONCRETE, BUT WILL BE SUBJECT TO NECESSARY AMENDMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FROM TIME TO TIME, AS AVIATION SECURITY THINKING EVOLVES.
ONCE THE PROGRAMME IS IN PLACE, AIRPORT SECURITY PROGRAMME WILL BE DRAWN UP FOR KAI TAK AND, EVENTUALLY FOR CHEK LAP KOK.
ADDITIONALLY, AIRLINE OPERATORS, AIRPORT ORGANISATIONS AND TENANTS OF RESTRICTED AREAS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO DRAW UP THEIR OWN SECURITY PROGRAMMES, MR ASPREY SAID.
--------0-----------
CONTRACTOR CHARGED AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT *******
THE MAIN CONTRACTOR OF A ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECT HAS BEEN CHARGED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR VIOLATING SAFETY REGULATIONS AFTER A WORKER WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT IN YUEN LONG IN JULY.
IN THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON JULY 4, TWO WORKERS WERE BURIED BY A LARGE MASS OF EARTH THAT CAVED IN FROM THE WALL OF A TRENCH WHILE CARRYING OUT DRAINAGE WORK INSIDE THE TRENCH AT PING HA ROAD NEAR LO UK TSUEN.
ONE OF THE WORKERS, AGED 33, WAS LATER CERTIFIED DEAD AT POK 01 HOSPITAL. THE OTHER WORKER, AGED 44, SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.
FOLLOWING INVESTIGATIONS BY FACTORY INSPECTORS FROM THE BUILDING AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION OFFICE OF TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG, A SUMMONS HAS BEEN LAID AGAINST WING FAI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 39(1) OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
UNDER THIS SECTION OF THE REGULATIONS, THE CONTRACTOR MUST PROVIDE A SUITABLE SHORING SYSTEM MADE OF SUITABLE TIMBER OR OTHER MATERIAL FOR AN EXCAVATING OR EARTHWORKING OPERATION TO PREVENT WORKERS FROM BEING ENDANGERED BY A FALL OR DISPLACEMENT OF EARTH, ROCK OR OTHER MATERIAL ADJACENT TO OR FORMING THE SIDE OF THE EXCAVATION OR EARTHWORK.
/"FAILURE TO .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 25 -
"FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS REQUIREMENT WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000,” LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TO PREVENT RECURRENCE OF SIMILAR ACCIDENTS, MR KAN URGED CONTRACTORS TO FULFIL THEIR STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO PROTECT WORKERS BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
(A) BEFORE EXCAVATION STARTS, THE TYPE OF GROUND AND THE
SURFACE CONDITION INCLUDING THE FLOW OF VEHICLES SHOULD BE ASSESSED BY A COMPETENT PERSON TO ESTABLISH THE EXCAVATION METHOD AND THE SUPPORT WORK;
(B) THE SIDES OF THE EXCAVATION SHOULD BE CUT TO A SAFE BATTER TO ELIMINATE ANY RISK OF EARTH FALL;
(C) WHERE IT IS IMPRACTICABLE TO COMPLY WITH (B), A SHORING AS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED BY COMPETENT PERSONS SHOULD BE
PROVIDED TO PREVENT THE SIDES TO COLLAPSE AND TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION WORK TO PROCEED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION; AND
(D) IF PRACTICABLE, HEAVY VEHICLES THAT ENDANGER THE STABILITY OF THE GROUND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED NEAR THE EDGES OF THE EXCAVATION.
HE STRONGLY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY HAD A DUTY TO SUPERVISE THE SAFE OPERATION OF THEIR WORKERS RATHER THAN JUST LEAVING THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES WHILE AT WORK.
- - 0
PROSPERITY DEPENDS * * *
ON TRADE STRENGTHS » *
THE CONTINUED PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG DEPENDS ON THE MAINTENANCE OF ITS STRENGTHS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE IN BOTH GOODS AND SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT EXPO 1993, MR CARTLAND SAID THESE STRENGTHS INCLUDED THE EXISTENCE OF A LOW TAX ENVIRONMENT, PRUDENT BUDGETARY POLICIES, A FREE PORT AND FREE TRADE, A FULLY CONVERTIBLE BUT SECURE CURRENCY AND ABSENCE OF EXCHANGE CONTROLS.
"OTHER STRENGTHS ARE LONG ACCUMULATION OF COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE, EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS, HARD WORK AND ENTREPRENEURIAL INSTINCT, AN ADAPTABLE LABOUR MARKET, SOUND LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN BUSINESS ACTIVITY," HE SAID.
/"WE AS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 26 -
"WE AS A GOVERNMENT ARE COMMITTED TO DO ALL IN OUR POWER TO MAINTAIN THIS SITUATION," HE ADDED,
MR CARTLAND SAID THIS EXPO EVENT WAS BEING HELD AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR HONG KONG BECAUSE THE PROSPECTS FOR THIS REGION, PARTICULARLY IN CHINA AND CLOSELY RELATED ECONOMIES LIKE HONG KONG, WERE FOR CONTINUED VIGOROUS GROWTH IN FUTURE, WHILE ELSEWHERE MANY DEVELOPED ECONOMIES STILL WALLOWED IN THE DEPTHS OF RECESSION.
"IN HONG KONG WE ARE FORECASTING FIVE PER CENT PER ANNUM REAL GROWTH IN THE GDP OVER THE MEDIUM TERM.
"FOR THIS YEAR, THE ASIAN ECONOMIES AS A WHOLE ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW BY SEVEN PER CENT AND CHINA’S ECONOMY, IN PARTICULAR, BY 13.5 PER CENT, LEVELS WHICH AGAIN FAR EXCEED THE PROJECTED GROWTH OF ONLY 1.2 PER CENT FOR THE OECD," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
FOREIGN BANKS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HK *****
HONG KONG IS A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE AND THE PRESENCE OF FOREIGN BANKS IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR MACLEOD WAS SPEAKING AT THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE THE 4 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIU CHONG HING BANK AND ITS 20TH YEAR OF ASSOCIATION WITH MITSUBISHI BANK OF JAPAN.
HE NOTED THAT IN HONG KONG, WE HAD OVER 500 AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES FROM OVER 40 COUNTRIES.
HE ADDED THAT JAPANESE BANKS MADE UP A SIZEABLE PROPORTION OF THE FOREIGN BANKING COMMUNITY HERE.
"MITSUBISHI BANK, IN PARTICULAR, MADE AN IMPORTANT DECISION IN 1973 WHEN IT TOOK A 25 PER CENT STAKE IN THE LIU CHONG HING BANK AND, IN 1981, OPENED ITS OWN BRANCH IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THIS SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP OF THE LIU CHONG HING BANK AND MITSUBISHI BANK SHOWED HOW CO-OPERATION BETWEEN LOCAL AND FOREIGN BANKS COULD BRING BENEFITS TO BOTH PARTIES, HE ADDED.
"IT IS AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE FOR HONG KONG AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE," HE SAID.
/27........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
- 27 -
FIVE SITES TO LET * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF FIVE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST LOT IS AT WAN TSUI CRESCENT, NORTH POINT, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 460 SQUARE METRES FOR USE AS LEISURE GARDEN, COMMERCIAL GARDEN AND PLANT NURSERY.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,620 SQUARE METRES, THE SECOND LOT IS SITUATED AT THE JUNCTION OF TIN CHIU STREET AND JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT. IT IS USED AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT CONTAINER VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF LEI KING ROAD AND TAI ON STREET, QUARRY BAY. IT HAS AN AREA OF 2,775 SQUARE METRES, DESIGNATED AS FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE FOURTH LOT, AT CHOI HUNG ROAD, KOWLOON, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,750 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR USE AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASSIS ATTACHED.
THE TENANCY IS FOR 30 MONTHS, AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
LOCATED IN AREA 19, TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG, THE FIFTH LOT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,700 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS, EXCEPT CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 26.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES AT HONG KONG EAST, KOWLOON EAST AND SAI KUNG AND THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE OFFICES.
------0------------
/28 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993
28
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * ♦ »
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OE^ LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE'2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
1,770
+1,230
3,000
NIL
-1,235
1,765
TWI 113.3 »+0.1* 10.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.63 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.33 3.31
1 MONTH 2.70 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.56 3.51
3 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.95 3.82
6 MONTHS 2.90 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.18 3.96
12 MONTHS 3.28 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.32 4.50
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,123 MN
CLOSED 10 NOVEMBER 1993 .
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHANGES TO RADIO PROGRAMME AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS ......... 1
MORE PROTECTION PROPOSED FOR INSURED ......................... 2
IMPROVEMENT IN PUBLIC WORKS SPENDING ......................... 3
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER ...................... 5
REGISTRAR TO APPROVE RETIREMENT SCHEME APPLICATIONS .......... 14
REVISED REBATE SCHEME FOR BULK POSTING ....................... 14
LORD CAITHNESS BRIEFED ON MARINE ACTIVITIES IN HK ............ 15
NT LEADERS' CONTRIBUTION IMPORTANT TO STABILITY .............. 16
JUMBO BANNERS PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH ............................ 17
FMO SCHOOL GRADUATES URGED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY .......... 18
.ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS ON SALE ......................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
19
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
CHANGES TO RADIO PROGRAMME AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS
* » » * ♦
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) MET TODAY (THURSDAY) AND 5 AGREED TO BRING INTO EFFECT SEVERAL CHANGES TO THE RADIO CODES OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS.
THE CHANGES, WHICH RESULT FROM A REVIEW OF RADIO POLICY ’ UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE RADIO LICENSEES, INCLUDE A PROVISION ALLOWING THE SPONSORSHIP OF FINANCIAL AND SPORTS NEWS, AND THE REMOVAL OF THE ACROSS-THE-BOARD 8.30 PM WATERSHED FOR MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BA SAID IN VIEW OF THE MOVE TOWARDS CHANNEL FORMATTING, THE INFLEXIBLE 8.30 PM WATERSHED WOULD BE REPLACED BY A MORE GENERAL PROVISION ENSURING THAT NO MATERIAL UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR YOUNG PEOPLE WAS BROADCAST DURING OR AROUND PROGRAMMES AIMED AT YOUNG PEOPLE.
"THIS CHANGE SHOULD ENSURE THAT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WERE BETTER PROTECTED AGAINST UNSUITABLE MATERIAL ON RADIO," HE ADDED.
THE BA ALSO CONSIDERED SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.
AMONG THEM, THE AUTHORITY LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OCCURRENCE OF A LARGE NUMBER OF UNDESIRABLE EXPRESSIONS IN THE TVB JADE SERIES "TOP COP".
MEMBERS DECIDED THAT TVB BE SERIOUSLY WARNED FOR BREACHING THE TELEVISION CODE OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS GOVERNING LANGUAGE AND THE FAMILY VIEWING HOURS.
' >4
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AUTHORITY BELIEVED THAT THE EXPRESSIONS WERE USED GRATUITOUSLY, AND THAT THIS WENT BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF WHAT COULD BE PERMITTED IN THE EARLY EVENING.
THE BA ALSO ADVISED ATV TO PLACE A WARNING CAPTION BEFORE THE BROADCAST OF PROGRAMMES THAT CONTAINED MATERIAL LIKELY TO DISTURB VIEWERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE BROADCAST OF "QUEST FOR HEALING" ON ATV HOME WHERE SOME OF THE SCENES WERE QUITE GRAPHIC AND, ALTHOUGH ACCEPTABLE FOR THE HOUR OF BROADCAST, COULD DISTURB SOME PEOPLE.
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 2 -
MORE PROTECTION PROPOSED FOR INSURED «»*»»»»
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO AMEND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO ENHANCE PROTECTION TO POLICY HOLDERS’ INTERESTS BY PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT TO THE SELF-REGULATION OF AGENTS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE INSURER AND BROKERS WHO ACT FOR THE INSURED.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1993 TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG WERE SUBJECT TO PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY UNDER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
’’THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF HONG KONG, IN A REPORT ISSUED IN 1986, HIGHLIGHTED AN ABSENCE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AMONG THE INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES AND A CONFUSION OVER THE ROLES AND THEREFORE THE LIABILITIES OF THE AGENTS AND BROKERS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"PUBLIC COMPLAINTS INCLUDING MISREPRESENTATION, INADEQUATE EXPLANATION OF INSURANCE CONTRACTS AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF PREMIUMS RECEIVED INDICATED THAT SOME FORM OF SUPERVISION WAS NECESSARY AS POLICY HOLDERS’ INTERESTS WERE AT RISK," HE ADDED.
ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY ESTABLISHED A WORKING GROUP IN 1987 TO DEVELOP PROPOSALS FOR THE SELF-REGULATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED MAINLY TO THE ADOPTION BY INSURERS OF VOLUNTARY CODES OF PRACTICE TO BE BACKED BY STATUTE AS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
IN JANUARY 1993, A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF AGENTS WAS ADOPTED BY THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF INSURERS (FEDERATION).
THE PROFESSIONAL BODY FOR BROKERS, THE HONG KONG CONFEDERATION OF INSURANCE BROKERS (CONFEDERATION), ESTABLISHED IN FEBRUARY 1993, ALSO REQUIRES ITS MEMBERS TO CONFORM WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT DEVELOPED FOR BROKERS,.
DESPITE THE INDUSTRY’S EFFORTS AT SELF-REGULATION, HE SAID THERE CONTINUED TO BE COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS.
"BOTH THE FEDERATION AND THE CONFEDERATION ARE CONCERNED THAT SELF-REGULATION HAS NOT PROVED FULLY EFFECTIVE IN THE ABSENCE OF STATUTORY BACKING.
"VOLUNTARY CODES, RULES, REGULATIONS AND CRITERIA ALONE ARE INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE SANCTION AGAINST NON-COMPLIANCE BY AGENTS, BROKERS AND INSURERS," HE SAID.
/CLAUSE 4 .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
3
CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL THUS SETS OUT THE MAJOR PROVISIONS FOR THE REGULATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS. I
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’SECTION 65 PROVIDES THAT AGENTS MUST BE PROPERLY APPOINTED AND LIMITS THE NUMBER OF INSURERS AN AGENT CAN REPRESENT.
”TO ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY IN REPRESENTATION, EVERY INSURER IS REQUIRED, UNDER SECTION 66, TO MAINTAIN A REGISTER OF ITS AGENTS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND, UNDER SECTION 67, TO COMPLY WITH THE CODE OF PRACTICE IN ITS ADMINISTRATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS.
’’INSURERS ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THEIR APPOINTED AGENTS AND THE LIABILITIES OF THE INSURERS ARE SPECIFIED IN SECTION 68.”
HE SAID AUTHORISATION OF BROKERS WAS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTIONS 69 AND 70.
TO GIVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO POLICY HOLDERS, SECTION 71 REQUIRES ALL BROKERS TO KEEP CLIENTS’ MONIES IN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS, WHILE SECTION 72 REQUIRES THAT AUTHORISED INSURANCE BROKERS BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR AUDIT.
THE AUTHORITY IS GIVEN CERTAIN POWERS TO STRENGTHEN HIS SUPERVISORY EFFECTIVENESS UNDER THE BILL.
SECTION 73 ALLOWS THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.
SECTIONS 74 AND 75 ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW AUTHORISATION OF BROKERS AND TO APPLY FOR WINDING UP OF INTERMEDIARIES UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR EXEMPTIONS AND OFFENCES AGAINST NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 24.
- - 0---------
IMPROVEMENT IN PUBLIC WORKS SPENDING
******
THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME (PWP) IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR HAS BEEN CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE INTENDED EXPENDITURE PATTERN, REPRESENTING A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT OVER LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, AT A BRIEFING FOR MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE TODAY (THURSDAY).
/'•WE HAVE............
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
"WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN UPLIFTING THE PWP PERFORMANCE BY INTRODUCING A NUMBER OF NEW MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF THE PROGRAMME," HE SAID-
HE SAID THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRESS COMMITTEE WHICH WAS RESTRUCTURED IN MARCH THIS YEAR AS A HIGH LEVEL BODY UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP BROUGHT TOGETHER SECRETARIES FROM RELEVANT POLICY BRANCHES TO HIGHLIGHT AND TO DEAL WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
THE MONITORING OF THE PWP IS BEING STRENGTHENED BY THE SETTING UP OF A PROJECT ACTION TEAM WITHIN THE WORKS BRANCH.
THE TEAM, HEADED BY A DIRECTORATE OFFICER, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGHLIGHTING ANY DEVIATIONS IN THE PROGRESS OF MAJOR PROJECTS, AND DEVISING IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED MEASURES TO ACHIEVE THE INTENDED PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES.
"AS ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH THIS YEAR, ACTION IS IN HAND TO REVIEW THE COST-EFFECTIVE USE OF EXTERNAL RESOURCES ALONGSIDE THOSE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PWP-RELATED PERFORMANCE.
"CURRENT EXAMPLES ARE THE USE OF THE DESIGN-AND-BUILD METHOD FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND ENTRUSTMENT TO THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE EXTENSION TO THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
"DETAILED PROPOSALS WILL BE READY FOR SUBMISSION TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, IN BOTH CASES, WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO PROCEED WITH THESE TWO PROJECTS," MR BLAKE NOTED.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEATURE OF RECENT MONTHS HAS BEEN THE INTRODUCTION OF EARLY-IMPACT MEASURES, ORIGINATING AS RECOMMENDATIONS BY CONSULTANTS APPOINTED IN MAY THIS YEAR TO REVIEW PUBLIC WORKS PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE OUTLINED AT TODAY’S BRIEFING AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FULL CONSULTANCY REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS BY THE END OF JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
ALONGSIDE THESE MEASURES, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE ALSO ACHIEVED GOOD PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING THE COMPUTER-BASED PUBLIC WORKS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE SYSTEM WILL BE IN PLACE BY JANUARY NEXT YEAR TO AN EXTENT THAT WILL ENABLE IT TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SUPPORT TO THE 1994 ANNUAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE.
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/5 .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
5 -
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED DETAILED STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE WITH BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY AND COMMODITY FOR SEPTEMBER.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER 1993, AT $75,198 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 17% OVER SEPTEMBER 1992, WHEREAS THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT $19,456 MILLION DECREASED BY 7.9%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS: THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+29%), SINGAPORE (+24%), CHINA (+24%), GERMANY (+21%), JAPAN (+21%), THE UNITED STATES (+18%), CANADA (+17%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+13%) AND FRANCE (+8.0%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 4.1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $600,393 MILLION, BEING 21% HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
COMPARING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN
1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF
THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS : CHINA (+35%), SINGAPORE (+26%), GERMANY (+23%), THE UNITED STATES (+22%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+21%),
FRANCE (+19%), JAPAN (+17%), CANADA (+16%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
( + 11%) . »
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 16%.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $14,538 MILLION OR 135%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $12,208 MILLION OR 32%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $ 11,409 MILLION OR 30%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $9,764 MILLION OR 14%); FOOTWEAR (BY $9,750 MILLION OR 38%); CLOTHING (BY $8,721 MILLION OR 15%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,959 MILLION OR 4.0%).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER 1993, AT $19,456 MILLION, FELL BY 7.9% OVER SEPTEMBER 1992.
/DECREASES WERE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
6
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE (-28%), GERMANY(-23%), JAPAN (-17%), THE NETHERLANDS (-15%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-12%), THE UNITED STATES (-9.5%) AND CHINA (-2.3%).
BUT INCREASES OF 12%, 6.5% AND 1.4% IN VALUE WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE TO TAIWAN, SINGAPORE AND CANADA RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM (-14%), FRANCE (-13%), JAPAN(-12%), GERMANY (-8.4%), THE UNITED STATES (-8.4%), CANADA (-6.8%), THE NETHERLANDS (-6.5%) AND TAIWAN (-4.9%).
HOWEVER, INCREASES OF 11% AND 5.5% IN VALUE WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE TO SINGAPORE AND CHINA RESPECTIVELY.
TAKING ALL DESTINATIONS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993, AT $163,635 MILLION, DECREASED BY 3.9% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
• **. .; .. ' ‘ -y u*
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,041 MILLION OR 14%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $646 MILLION OR 6.8%); AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $369 MILLION OR 16%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING (BY $3,991 MILLION OR 7.2%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $2,084 MILLION OR 14%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,882 MILLION OR 14%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $1,403 MILLION OR 8.5%); AND TEXTILES (BY $553 MILLION OR 4.4%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN SEPTEMBER 1993 WAS $92,055 MILLION, INCREASING BY 11% OVER THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH SEPTEMBER 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS: SINGAPORE (+37%), ITALY (+25%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+19%), MALAYSIA (+18%), CHINA (+15%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+8.1%), THE UNITED STATES (+7.4%), TAIWAN (+4.2%), GERMANY (+2.4%) AND JAPAN (+1.9%).
/COMPARING THE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
7 -
COMPARING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED : MALAYSIA (+25%), SINGAPORE (+24%), ITALY (+21%), GERMANY (+19%), THE UNITED STATES (+19%), CHINA (+14%), JAPAN (+13%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+11%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+10%) AND TAIWAN (+9.8%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $790,505 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 15% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF MOST MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $20,737 MILLION OR 97%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $15,329 MILLION OR 22%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $12,431 MILLION OR 23%); FOOTWEAR (BY $8,391 MILLION OR 37%); CLOTHING (BY $7,799 MILLION OR 13%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $7,158 MILLION OR 14%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR TEXTILES (BY $1,726 MILLION OR 2.3%).
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN 'HIE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY DECEMBER.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY/ TERRITORY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE SEPTEMBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN SEPTEMBER 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $68.50 A COPY AROUND NOVEMBER 24.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 : .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 8 -
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) SEP 93 OVER SEP 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-SEP 93 OVER JAN-SEP 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 22,585 4 23.6 200,786 4 34.6
UNITED STATES 18,344 4 18.4 132,126 4 22.3
JAPAN 4,554 4 20.7 31,177 4 16.6
GERMANY 3,602 ♦ 20.7 28,996 4 23.0
UNITED KINGDOM 2,633 4 13.1 17,553 4 20.8
TAIWAN ■ 1,878 - 4.1 16,330 - 15.9
SINGAPORE 1,520 + 24.4 12,501 4 26.3
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,424 * 28.7 11,248 4 11.2
FRANCE 1,062 + 8.0 9,616 4 18.6
CANADA ?• 1,230 4 17.2 9,563 4 15.7
/TABLE 2 : .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 9 -
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) SEP 93 OVER SEP 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-SEP 93 OVER JAN-SEP 92 (% CHANGE)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 12,445 4-00 GJ 80,330 4 13.8
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 9,080 4 19.6 65,678 + 15.3
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP
ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,796 4 7.5 51,348 4 4.0
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 7,304 + 29.8 50,875 4 31.6
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 6,471 ♦ 25.1 49,364 4 30.1
FOOTWEAR 3,982 4 26.7 35,326 4 38.1
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS * • 3,326 + 34.3 26,313 + 23.4
ROAD VEHICLES 2,518 4 57.0 25,285 4135.3
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,382 4 21.6 20,055 4 31.6
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,367 ♦ 17.3 19,931 4 12.6
/TABLE 3 : .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 10 -
TABLE 3 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) SEP 93 OVER SEP 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-SEP 93 OVER JAN-SEP 92 (t CHANGE)
CHINA 5,329 - 2.3 47,326 + 5.5
UNITED STATES 5,697 - 9.5 42,544 - 8.4
GERMANY 1,079 - 23.1 10,401 - 8.4
SINGAPORE 995 + 6.5 8,332 4 11.5
UNITED KINGDOM 985 - 12.4 7,927 - 13.9
JAPAN 851 - 16.6 7,302 - 12.3
TAIWAN 608 + 11.6 4,446 - 4.9
CANADA 434 + 1.4 3,549 - 6.8
NETHERLANDS 352 - 14.9 3,387 - 6.5
FRANCE 181 - 27.8 2,022 - 13.0
/TABLE 4 : .......
Thursday, November 11, 1993
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) SEP 93 OVER SEP 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-SEP 93 OVER JAN-SEP 92 (t CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,557 - 12.4 51,238 - 7.2
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,973 + 4.7 16,604 + 14.0
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,928 + 0.3 15,018 - 8.5
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,448 - 18.9 12,678 - 14.1
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,290 - 6.7 12,131 - 4.4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,400 - 12.8 11,859 - 13.7
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,082 - 14.9 10,169 ♦ 6.8
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 392 - 3.6 3,438 - 4.7
MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 287 * 20.5 2,700 + 15.8
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 272 - 7.2 2,603 + 0.3
/TABLE 5 : .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
12 -
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS
SUPPLIER SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) SEP 93 OVER SEP 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-SEP 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-SEP 93 OVER JAN-SEP 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 37,396 4 14.8 292,490 ♦ 13.7
JAPAN 14,882 4 1.9 134,503 + 13.4
TAIWAN 7,719 4 4.2 69,370 4 9.8
UNITED STATES 5,905 4 7.4 58,982 4 18.6
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 4,188 4 19.5 36,371 4 11.4
SINGAPORE 4,257 + 37.2 34,546 4 23.7
GERMANY 1,968 + 2.4 18,663 4 19.0
UNITED KINGDOM 1,622 4 8.1 15,434 4 10.0
ITALY 1,503 4 25.4 12,922 4 20.7
MALAYSIA 1,307 4 17.8 11,629 4 25.0
/TABLE 6 : .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 13 -
TABLE 6 ; IMPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
SEP SEP 93 JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 93
COMMODITY DIVISION 1993 OVER 1993 OVER
SEP 92 JAN-SEP 92
(HKD Mn.) (% CHANGE) (HKD Mn.) (% CHANGE)
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL
PARTS THEREOF 10,363 ♦ 14.7 83,803 ♦ 22.4
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP
ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,900 + 1.7 73,447 - 2.3
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 8,788 + 23.9 » 65,919 + 23.2
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 9,134 ♦ 17.2 65,765 ♦ 13.5
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 7,976 + 11.5 59,446 ♦ 13.7
ROAD VEHICLES 3,681 ♦ 14.9 42,059 ♦ 97.3
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4,188 ♦ 4.7 35,384 + 5.9
FOOTWEAR 3,541 + 28.4 31,051 ♦ 37.0
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 3,177 + 13.0 26,201 ♦ 6.6
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND
EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS 2,091 - 5.0 24,850 ♦ 16.2
- - 0-----------
/14 .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 14 -
REGISTRAR TO APPROVE RETIREMENT SCHEME APPLICATIONS *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WILL NOT ACCEPT NEW APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES UNDER SECTION 87A OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AFTER NOVEMBER 18.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ALL FUTURE APPLICATIONS MUST BE LODGED WITH THE REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENT RESULTS FROM THE PASSAGE OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 5) ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AND WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL BE NOTIFIED IN THE GAZETTE IN DUE COURSE, IS EXPECTED TO BE NOVEMBER 19 THIS YEAR.
WHEN THE AMENDED ORDINANCE TAKES EFFECT, THE PRESENT SECTION 87A WILL BE REPEALED AND THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WILL NO LONGER BE AUTHORISED TO APPROVE RETIREMENT SCHEMES FOR TAXATION PURPOSES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATIONS LODGED WITH THE COMMISSIONER BEFORE NOVEMBER 19 WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INLAND REVENUE (RETIREMENT SCHEME) RULES.
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REVISED REBATE SCHEME FOR BULK POSTING
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A REVISED REBATE SCHEME FOR BULK POSTING OF LOCAL PRINTED PAPER ITEMS WOULD BE INTRODUCED NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 15).
AT PRESENT, SUCH ITEMS POSTED IN BULK HAD TO BE PRE-SORTED TO DELIVERY DISTRICTS IN ORDER TO ENJOY A 10 PER CENT DISCOUNT ON THE TOTAL POSTAGE PAYABLE.
UNDER THE REVISED SCHEME, THIS WILL CONTINUE AND THE REBATE WILL BE INCREASED TO 20 PER CENT DISCOUNT FOR THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE PRE-SORTED TO INDIVIDUAL DELIVERY ROUTES.
MR PAGLIARI SAID THE REVISED REBATE SCHEME CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOCIETY OF HONG KONG PUBLISHERS AND THE HONG KONG DIRECT MAIL AND MARKETING ASSOCIATION ON HOW PRESENTATION OF BULK POSTINGS COULD BE IMPROVED SO THAT THE POST OFFICE MIGHT ACHIEVE OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS WHICH COULD THEN BE PASSED BACK IN THE FORM OF POSTAGE RATE REBATES.
/THE NEWLY .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
15
THE NEWLY INTRODUCED 20 PER CENT DISCOUNT FOR PRE-SORTING TO DELIVERY ROUTES WILL BENEFIT BOTH THE BULK POSTERS, IN THE FORM OF REDUCTION OF POSTAGE, AND THE POST OFFICE, IN THE FORM OF REDUCTION OF SORTING WORK.
MR PAGLIARI EXPLAINED THAT THE REBATE SCHEME WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY ONLY TO BULK POSTERS OF LOCAL PRINTED PAPER MAIL.
TO APPLY FOR THE REBATES, EACH POSTING SHOULD CONSIST OF 3,000 OR MORE ITEMS THAT ARE IDENTICAL IN SHAPE AND SIZE, FROM THE SAME SENDER, PROPERLY PREPARED AND POSTED AT EITHER THE GENERAL POST OFFICE OR THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE IN KOWLOON.
ONLY PRINTED PAPERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE REBATE AND THESE REFER TO DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REPRODUCED ON PAPER, CARDBOARD OR OTHER MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN PRINTING, AND THAT ARE PRODUCED IN SEVERAL IDENTICAL COPIES BY MEANS OF A MECHANICAL OR PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS, INVOLVING THE USE OF A BLOCK, STENCIL OR NEGATIVE.
THE REBATE SCHEME IS NOT SUITABLE FOR TIME-SENSITIVE MAIL AS REBATE ITEMS ARE USUALLY HELD BACK IN FAVOUR OF FULLY PAID LETTERS AND PRINTED PAPERS.
THE POST OFFICE’S DELIVERY STANDARD FOR REBATE ITEMS IS UP TO SEVEN WORKING DAYS AFTER POSTING.
DETAILS OF THE POSTING CONDITIONS OF THE REVISED REBATE SCHEME WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN LEAFLETS AT ALL POST OFFICES OR OBTAINABLE FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ON TEL 9221 2277.
- - 0-----------
LORD CAITHNESS BRIEFED ON MARINE ACTIVITIES IN HK
*****
THE BRITISH MINISTER FOR AVIATION AND SHIPPING, LORD CAITHNESS, TODAY (THURSDAY) WAS GIVEN AN INSIGHT INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND AN OVERVIEW OF PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
LORD CAITHNESS, WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY, VISITED THE MARINE DEPARTMENT THIS MORNING. HE WAS BRIEFED BY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, HIS SENIOR DIRECTORATE STAFF AND THE SECRETARY OF THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, MR TONY CLARK.
HE NOTED THE VERY ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE SETTING OF SAFETY STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF FAST PASSENGER CRAFT WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW BY THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION IN LONDON.
’’HONG KONG HAS ACQUIRED A LEADING POSITION IN THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS BY THESE CRAFT WHICH HAS ALLOWED THE OPERATORS AND THE DEPARTMENT TO SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY IN THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM," MR PYRKE SAID.
/LORD CAITHNESS.........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
16 -
LORD CAITHNESS, WHO GAVE A KEYNOTE SPEECH ON PORT STATE CONTROL TO THE 18TH ASSEMBLY OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION IN LONDON LAST MONTH, WAS GIVEN A DETAILED BRIEFING OF THE EFFORTS OF MARINE DEPARTMENT IN THIS AREA.
’’MARINE DEPARTMENT PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN ELIMINATING SUBSTANDARD SHIPS THROUGH INSPECTIONS OF VESSELS THAT CALL ON OUR PORT,” MR PYRKE SAID.
"THESE INSPECTIONS ARE OVER AND ABOVE THOSE CONDUCTED BY FLAG STATE AUTHORITIES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF SHIPS THAT FLY THEIR FLAG,” HE ADDED.
LORD CAITHNESS WAS ADVISED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WOULD REPRESENT HONG KONG AT A MEETING IN TOKYO LATER THIS MONTH TO FINALISE THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON PORT STATE CONTROL.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE MEETING WOULD LEAD TO THE SIGNING OF A MEMORANDUM BY MARINE ADMINISTRATIONS FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, NEW ZEALAND AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION SETTING A FUTURE TARGET ON JOINT PORT STATE CONTROL INSPECTIONS," MR PYRKE SAID.
"THE AIM IS BY THE YEAR 2000, 75 PER CENT OF ALL OCEAN-GOING SHIPS VISITING THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WILL UNDERGO A PORT STATE CONTROL INSPECTION ONCE A YEAR," HE ADDED.
LATER IN THE MORNING, LORD CAITHNESS, ACCOMPANIED BY MR PYRKE AND MR CLARK, TOURED THE HARBOUR TO SEE STONECUTTERS ISLAND, WHERE THE NEW GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD IS BEING BUILT, THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION SITES, THE CONTAINER TERMINALS IN KWAI CHUNG, AND THE TSING MA BRIDGE.
------0-------
NT LEADERS’ CONTRIBUTION IMPORTANT TO STABILITY
♦ * * * *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT C C LAM, PRAISED NEW TERRITORIES COMMUNITY LEADERS, MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND DISTRICT BOARDS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS MAINTAINING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TONIGHT (THURSDAY), MR LAM ALSO COMMENDED VARIOUS RURAL ORGANISATIONS AND CHARITABLE BODIES FOR THEIR MULTIFARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
HE HOPED THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
GUESTS PRESENT AT THE DINNER INCLUDED CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LAU WONG-FAT; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND CHAIRMEN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS.
MR LAM WILL BECOME THE NEW DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES NEXT TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 16).
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/17......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 17 -
JUMBO BANNERS PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS PUT UP THREE MEGA-SI.ZED BANNERS TO CONVEY ORAL HEALTH MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC.
SPEAKING AT A BANNER INAUGURATION CEREMONY TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S H LEE, SAID DENTAL DISEASES WERE BEHAVIOUR-RELATED.
SUCH PROMOTIONAL WORK COULD INITIATE CHANGES IN THE ORAL HEALTH BEHAVIOUR OF THE POPULATION, HE SAID.
"CHANGE OF HEALTH BEHAVIOUR TAKES TIME. THUS PROMOTIONAL.. ACTIVITIES MUST BE PERSISTENT AND VARIED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE IMPACT AND MOMENTUM OF CHANGE."
"USING MEGA-SIZED BANNERS IS YET ANOTHER MEDIUM TO PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH," HE SAID.
THE THREE BANNERS, EACH MEASURING SIX TIMES NINE METRES, WERE ERECTED OUTSIDE THE MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE IN WAN CHAI, THE NGAU TAU.j. KOK JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON AND THE TAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN TUEN MUN RESPECTIVELY.
THE BANNERS WOULD BE DISPLAYED FOR THREE MONTHS AND THEN CHANGED TO A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
HE HOPED THIS WOULD ENABLE EVERYONE IN THE TERRITORY TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE SAME PROMPT ON THE BANNERS.
DR LEE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT BANNERS WOULD ALL BE PROMPTING AND PERSUASIVE TO EFFECT CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR.
THE HONG KONG DENTAL ASSOCIATION SPONSORED THE PRODUCTION OF THE FIRST TWO SETS OF BANNERS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, DR PHILIP TANG, STRESSED THAT ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION WAS. THE ESSENCE OF THE VERY FIRST STEP IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
Ai
DESCRIBING THE ERECTION OF THE BANNERS AS A MILESTONE
ACHIEVEMENT IN ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION, DR TANG SAID THE ASSOCIATION FOUND THEM EFFECTIVE IN INFLUENCING THE AUDIENCE AND WAS GLAD TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMME. •
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/18 .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 18 -
FMO SCHOOL GRADUATES URGED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY *****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR MAN SAI-CHEONG HAS URGED GRADUATES OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) SCHOOLS TO DEVOTE EFFORTS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
MR MAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE FMO SCHOOLS JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
HE TOLD GRADUATES THAT THEY MUST TRY HARD TO EQUIP THEMSELVES AND BE ENTHUSIASTIC IN THEIR STUDIES AND WORK.
THIS WOULD ENABLE THEM TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE, NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY.
"THE BEST WAY TO REPAY YOUR PARENTS AND TEACHERS IS TO BE ABLE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR FUTURE CAREERS, TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY AND TO UPKEEP HONG KONG AS AN IDEAL TERRITORY FOR ALL ITS CITIZENS.
"YOU ARE MOST FORTUNATE IN THAT OTHER THAN BEING ABLE TO EXPERIENCE PERSONALLY THE TRANSITION OF HONG KONG, YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO WITNESS THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY IN THE TERRITORY AFTER 1997," HE TOLD THE GRADUATES.
ON FMO SCHOOLS, MR MAN SAID SINCE THEIR ESTABLISHMENT IN MID-1940’S, THEY HAD BEEN PROVIDING GOOD EDUCATION TO CHILDREN OF FISHERMEN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE FMO SCHOOL MANAGEMENT HAD APPLIED FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF A STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THIS, HE ADDED, DEMONSTRATED FMO’S COMMITMENT TO LOCAL EDUCATION.
DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MR MAN FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY.
"A SERVING MEMBER OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD AND ENDANGERED SPECIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR MAN HAS DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORTS TOWARDS NATURE CONSERVATION AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS," DR LEE SAID.
HE PRESENTED FMO SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AWARDS TO NINE STUDENTS FROM FISHERMEN FAMILIES.
AT THE CEREMONY, MR MAN PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO REPRESENTATIVES OF GRADUATES AND STUDENTS WHO HAD DONE WELL IN ACADEMIC WORK OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
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/19........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 19 -
ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS ON SALE * * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED THE 1993 EDITION OF THE HONG KONG ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
THE REPORT CONTAINS STATISTICS ON THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY, POPULATION, BIRTHS AND DEATHS, LABOUR FORCE, EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION, DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES, TRANSPORT, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, COMMUNICATION AND TOURISM, FOOD SUPPLIES, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE, LAW AND ORDER, PUBLIC FINANCE, FINANCE AND BANKING, PRICES, AND CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT.
ALTOGETHER, THERE ARE ABOUT 300 TABLES IN 21 SECTIONS, COVERING A 10-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1983 TO 1992.
THE REPORT, AT $98 A COPY, IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.1 *-0.2» 1,765 +1,235 3,000 NIL -1,135 1,865 11.11.93 /HONG KONG
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1993
- 20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.51 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.28 3.36
1 MONTH 2.70 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.50 3.55
3 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.87 3.88
6 MONTHS 2.95 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.09 4.02
12 MONTHS 3.27 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.14 4.56 AND BONDS - 11,840 MN
CLOSED 11 NOVEMBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER ................. 1
►
WORKING GROUP SET UP TO REVIEW NEEDS OF ELDERLY ........... 4
MARKET IMPROVEMENT MEASURES GIVE CONFIDENCE ............... 5
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PLAN FOR MONG KOK APPROVED ... 6
MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 GAZETTED ................ 6
DISASTER RELIEF FUND PROPOSED ............................. 7
LICENCE FEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES REVISED .............. 8
539 EX-CHINA VIET ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED .......... 8
CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE IMPROVED ........................... 9
NON-GRADUATE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT SCHEME ..... 9
GOVERNMENT PLAYS ACTIVE ROLE IN MEETING LOCAL NEEDS ....... 11
NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN IN KWAI FONG ...................... 12
RECLAMATION PLANNED FOR STANLEY BAY ....................... 12
SHEUNG WAN PRIVATE STREET RESUMED FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT ... 13
NEW CLINIC FOR SAI WAN HO ................................. 13
FIRE SERVICES ACHIEVE HIGHER PERFORMANCE TARGET ........... 13
SAN HING TSUEN INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE UPGRADED .............. 14
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR OCTOBER ............................ 15
ROAD WORKS PROPOSED FOR MA ON SHAN ........................ 18
THIRD CANDIDATE NOMINATED FOR DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION .... 18
APPOINTMENTS TO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD .................. 19
INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL QUIZ COMPETITION ..................... 19
317 RETURN TO VIETNAM ..................................... 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 20
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
1
BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER * * * * *
MANUFACTURERS REPORTED THAT BOTH THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION IMPROVED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
LOOKING AHEAD, MANUFACTURERS GENERALLY EXPECT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH ASPECTS IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
IN LINE WITH PREVIOUS EXPECTATION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE PROBLEMS OF HIGH STAFF TURNOVER AND SHORTAGE OF GENERAL STAFF, HOWEVER, EMERGED AGAIN IN THE QUARTER. LOOKING AHEAD, BROADLY THE SAME BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED.
THE MAJORITY OF FIRMS FROM THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES REPORTED THAT THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION REMAINED BROADLY THE SAME IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
HIGH STAFF TURNOVER REMAINED THE BUSINESS PROBLEM MOST CITED. LOOKING AHEAD, IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR RESULTS OF A QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURERS FROM THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY IN GENERAL REPORTED THAT BOTH THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION REMAINED BROADLY THE SAME IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993, WHICH SLIGHTLY FELL SHORT OF THEIR PREVIOUS EXPECTATION OF SOME MILD IMPROVEMENT.
PRICE COMPETITION AND HIGH WAGE RATES CONTINUED TO BE THE MAJOR BUSINESS PROBLEMS. LOOKING AHEAD, IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
MANUFACTURERS FROM THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY REPORTED SIGNIFICANT SEASONAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR ALLEVIATED SOMEWHAT IN THE QUARTER THOUGH PRICE COMPETITION FROM LOCAL FIRMS REMAINED KEEN. LOOKING AHEAD, SEASONAL DETERIORATION IN THE BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED.
IN LINE WITH PREVIOUS EXPECTATION, MANUFACTURERS FROM THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY REPORTED IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF GENERAL LABOUR FURTHER ALLEVIATED BUT PRICE COMPETITION REMAINED KERN AND THE PROBLEM OF HIGH MATERIAL PRICES INTENSIFIED IN THE QUARTER. LOOKING AHEAD, BROADLY THE SAME BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED.
THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION OF THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY IMPROVED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993, THOUGH THE IMPROVEMENT WAS LOWER THAN WHAT WAS EXPECTED BEFORE.
/INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ......
2
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS REMAINED THE BUSINESS PROBLEM MOST CITED BY THE MANUFACTURERS FROM THIS INDUSTRY.
ALTHOUGH PRICE COMPETITION FROM LOCAL FIRMS REMAINED KEEN, THAT FROM OVERSEAS FIRMS EASED SOMEWHAT. LOOKING AHEAD, BROADLY THE SAME BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED.
MANUFACTURERS FROM THE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES INDUSTRY REPORTED THAT THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IMPROVED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF GENERAL LABOUR ALLEVIATED THOUGH HIGH WAGE RATES CONTINUED TO BE A DOMINANT BUSINESS PROBLEM IN THIS INDUSTRY. LOOKING AHEAD, BROADLY THE SAME BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
HIGHER THAN EXPECTED IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION WAS REPORTED BY THE MANUFACTURERS FROM THE PRINTING INDUSTRY IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE PROBLEM OF HIGH WAGE RATES ALLEVIATED SOMEWHAT IN THE QUARTER BUT PRICE COMPETITION FROM LOCAL FIRMS REMAINED KEEN AND THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR INTENSIFIED. LOOKING AHEAD, MANUFACTURERS EXPECT FURTHER SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION.
CONTRARY TO WHAT HAD BEEN EXPECTED BEFORE, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION OF THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY DETERIORATED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
KEEN PRICE COMPETITION, INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS AND HIGH WAGE RATES REMAINED DOMINANT IN THE QUARTER. LOOKING AHEAD, MANUFACTURERS FROM THIS INDUSTRY GENERALLY EXPECT IMPROVEMENT IN THE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, ALTHOUGH SLIGHTLY BELOW PREVIOUS EXPECTATION, BOTH THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION IMPROVED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
PRICE COMPETITION FROM LOCAL FIRMS REMAINED KEEN IN THE QUARTER WHILE THE PROBLEM OF HIGH MATERIAL PRICES ALLEVIATED. LOOKING AHEAD, FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, BOTH THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION IMPROVED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
KEEN PRICE COMPETITION CONTINUED TO BE THE MAJOR BUSINESS PROBLEM IN THESE TRADES. LOOKING AHEAD, FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
IN LINE WITH THE USUAL SEASONAL TREND, RESTAURANT OPERATORS REPORTED IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ALLEVIATED IN THE QUARTER WHILE THE PROBLEM OF KEEN PRICE COMPETITION INTENSIFIED. LOOKING AHEAD, THE MAJORITY OF THE RESTAURANT OPERATORS EXPECT THAT THE BUSINESS SITUATION WILL FURTHER IMPROVE IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
/HOTEL OPERATORS .......
3
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
HOTEL OPERATORS REPORTED THAT THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION DETERIORATED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993, AS TOURISM REACHED A SEASONAL LOW. THE PROBLEM OF KEEN PRICE COMPETITION REMAINED THE MAJOR BUSINESS PROBLEM.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PROBLEMS OF HIGH STAFF TURNOVER AND SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED STAFF ALLEVIATED. LOOKING AHEAD, IMPROVEMENT IN THE BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED.
FOR THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES, SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION WAS REPORTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED STAFF ALLEVIATED IN THE QUARTER. LOOKING AHEAD, FIRMS FROM THESE TRADES EXPECT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.
ABOUT 500 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND TRADES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY.
THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS THEY FACED.
THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG FROM A SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE.
IN THE SURVEY, PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND THE LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD ’IMPROVED’, ’REMAINED THE SAME* OR ’DETERIORATED’ IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO ’IMPROVE’, ’REMAIN THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATE’ IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993.
THE OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE THEN ANALYSED AND THE SUMMARY FINDINGS PUBLISHED IN THE "REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, THIRD QUARTER 1993".
MOREOVER, THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN THE DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMARKED THAT, IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST AND PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE ACCORDED WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY BUY COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $12.5 A COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3223.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER J 2, 1993
4
WORKING GROUP SET UP TO REVIEW NEEDS OF ELDERLY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, AS THE ALTERNATE CHAIRMAN.
THIS FOLLOWS THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 6 THIS YEAR THAT HE WOULD APPOINT A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW "WHAT MORE COULD AND SHOULD BE DONE TO PROVIDE THE SORT OF INTEGRATED CARE FOR THE ELDERLY THAT THEY NEED AND WHICH HONG KONG CAN AFFORD".
"THE WORKING GROUP WILL CONDUCT A GENERAL REVIEW OF SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND ADVISE ON THE FORMULATION OF A STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE POLICIES AND SERVICES," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
"IN PARTICULAR, IT WOULD EXAMINE THE DEMAND FOR NURSING HOME PLACES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES."
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES FROM PRIVATE AND SUBVENTED SECTORS:
♦ THE HON HUI YIN-FAT;
» THE HON VINCENT CHENG HOI-CHUEN;
♦ PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW WING-SUN;
♦ DR EDGAR CHENG WAI-KIN;
* DR OWEN WONG HONG-HIN;
* MR STEPHEN NG CHI-WING; AND
* DR E K YEOH.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE WORKING GROUP ARE:
(A) TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AN AGING POPULATION ON THE COMMUNITY;
(B) TO REVIEW EXISTING POLICIES ON HOUSING, SOCIAL SECURITY, WELFARE SERVICES, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL CARE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, HAVING REGARD TO THE PROJECTED GROWTH OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN HONG KONG;
(C) TO IDENTIFY THE DEMAND FOR EACH SERVICE IN THE LIGHT OF (A) AND (B), AND TO ADVISE ON NEW AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAYS OF MEETING THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES; AND
(D) TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO CO-ORDINATE SERVICES AND EVALUATE IMPLEMENTATION.
/THE WORKING .......
5
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
THE WORKING GROUP WILL MEET SHORTLY AND WILL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOMED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS AND COMMENTS TO THE WORKING GROUP.
THEY SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
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MARKET IMPROVEMENT MEASURES GIVE CONFIDENCE
*****
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENTS SYSTEM HAVE GIVEN MUCH GREATER CONFIDENCE TO INVESTORS, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 14TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION OF THE HONG KONG STOCKBROKERS ASSOCIATION LIMITED, MR CARTLAND SAID MARKET SURVEILLANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN PARTICULAR HAD IMPROVED OUT OF ALL RECOGNITION WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TWO MEASURES.
THESE MEASURES HAD CERTAINLY PROVED THEIR WORTH IN RECENT MONTHS WHEN THE MARKET TURNOVER AT TIMES ROSE TO EXCEPTIONAL LEVELS, HE NOTED.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE AUTHORITIES IN THE STOCK EXCHANGE, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE GOVERNMENT WERE WELL AWARE OF THE NEED TO ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD AND DEVELOP IN ORDER TO KEEP AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION.
"A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT MARKET DEVELOPMENT MEASURES ARE ALREADY IN TRAIN OR ABOUT TO APPEAR," HE SAID.
THEY INCLUDED REGULATED SHORTSELLING, OPTIONS ON INDIVIDUAL STOCKS AND THE AUTO MATCHING SYSTEM.
"OTHERS ARE ALSO IN VIEW BUT MAY BE A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE TRACK,” HE SAID.
THESE WERE THE POSSIBILITY OF FLOORLESS TRADING, ADOPTING THE NEGOTIATED COMMISSION SYSTEM, AND ALLOWING INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENTS SYSTEM.
ALSO UNDER CONSIDERATION WAS THE EXPANSION OF THE LISTED BOND MARKET IN HONG KONG.
"SOME OF THESE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS PRESENT CHALLENGES AS WELL AS OFFERING OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES," HE SAID.
HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE STOCKBROKING COMMUNITY SHARED THE OBJECTIVES BEHIND THEM OF PROMOTING THE EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
6
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PLAN FOR MONG KOK APPROVED *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN FOR AN AREA IN MONG KOK UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN COVERS AN AREA OF 1.59 HECTARES BOUNDED BY ARGYLE STREET, RECLAMATION STREET, SHANTUNG STREET AND PORTLAND STREET.
THE APPROVED "ARGYLE STREET/SHANGHAI STREET DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN" PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK TO RESTRUCTURE THE EXISTING LAND USE PATTERN OF THE OLD AREA AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.
IT ALSO MAKES PROVISION FOR COMMERCIAL, OFFICE, GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE OF ABOUT 1,100 SQUARE METRES AND A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINUS.
"THIS IS THE FOURTH LDC DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND IS THE FIRST ONE APPROVED FOR AN AREA IN KOWLOON," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PLAN (NO. S/K3/LDC 1/2) IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR ONE WEEK AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* YAU TSIM/MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE PLAN ARE ON SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 GAZETTED
*****
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WHICH SEEKS TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROCESSING OF SUMMONSES IN THE MAGISTRACIES, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
SUMMONSES ARE NOW PROCESSED IN THE MAGISTRACIES BY A COMPUTERISED CASE AND SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH WAS INTRODUCED ON JULY 1 LAST YEAR. BEFORE THAT DATE SUMMONSES WERE PROCESSED MANUALLY.
THE COMPUTERISED CASE AND SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAS PROVED TO BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE MANUAL PROCESSING OF SUMMONSES.
/"THE COMPUTERISED ......
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
"THE COMPUTERISED SYSTEM ISSUES STANDARDISED SUMMONS FORMS, KEEPS TRACK OF OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS AND SPEEDS UP COLLECTION OF FINES,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW AND A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE IMPROVEMENTS, SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE ARE REQUIRED.
"THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS ARE MAINLY INTENDED TO RATIONALISE THE EXISTING OPERATIONAL PRACTICES OF THE COMPUTERISED CASE AND
SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDMENT BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 24 THIS YEAR.
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DISASTER RELIEF FUND PROPOSED
* * * * *
A RESOLUTION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A DISASTER RELIEF FUND TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"WHEN DISASTERS STRIKE, SWIFT PROVISION OF AID IS NEEDED TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY. THE PROPOSED FUND WILL FORMALISE THE EXISTING AD HOC ARRANGEMENTS AND ALLOW TIMELY RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL APPEALS FOR DISASTER RELIEF.
"HONG KONG, AS A RESPONSIBLE AND COMPARATIVELY WELL-OFF COMMUNITY, HAS A MORAL DUTY TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE FUND WILL BE ADVISED BY A COMMITTEE. IT WOULD BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND WOULD COMPRISE THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, TWO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TWO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL ADVISE ON THE POLICY AND PRACTICES REGARDING THE DISBURSEMENTS OF THE FUND, ADVISE ON THE AWARD OF GRANTS, AND MONITOR THE USE OF GRANTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ENSURE THAT GRANTS ARE USED FOR THE DESIGNATED PURPOSES, THE AGENCY OR ORGANISATION CONCERNED WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMITTEE AN EVALUATION REPORT AND AN AUDITED ACCOUNT ON HOW THE GRANT IS USED ON COMPLETION OF THE AID PROJECT.
"OUR PLAN IS TO ESTABLISH THE FUND IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR WITH AN INITIAL APPROPRIATION OF $50 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE. IT WILL BE TOPPED UP AS NECESSARY," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSAL WILL ENTAIL THE MAKING OF A RESOLUTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE. THE RESOLUTION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
8
LICENCE FEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES REVISED
*******
THE FEE FOR THE ISSUE OR RENEWAL OF LICENCE FOR AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATION WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM DECEMBER 16.
THE ADJUSTMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, IS SET OUT IN THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE LICENCE FEE FOR AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AND THE FEE FOR THE DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH OF THE BRANCH OFFICE OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY HAS BEEN REVISED FROM $800 AND $160 TO $1,000 AND $200 RESPECTIVELY," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WISHING TO OPERATE AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MUST APPLY TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR FOR A LICENCE.
AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY THAT OPERATES AT MORE THAN ONE LOCATION IS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH BRANCH LOCATION, HE ADDED.
THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR. THE PRESENT REVISION IS AIMED AT RECOVERING A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE LICENCE FEES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ADMINISTRATION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 852 3511 OR 852 3535.
- - 0 -
539 EX-CHINA VIET ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A TOTAL OF 539 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVII'S) WERE REPATRIATED TO HAINAN BY AIR IN A FOUR-DAY REPATRIATION EXERCISE STARTING FROM NOVEMBER 9 (TUESDAY).
THE RETURNEES, COMPRISING 231 MEN, 146 WOMEN, 92 BOYS AND 70 GIRLS, WERE RETURNED ON EIGHT FLIGHTS.
A TOTAL OF 1,043 ECVII’S HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO CHINA FOLLOWING AN AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
9
CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE IMPROVED ******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF A SHARP BEND AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC VEHICLE PARK AT 12 MILESTONE CASTLE PEAK ROAD, OPPOSITE HOMI VILLA IN TSUEN WAN.
THE WORKS WILL CONSIST OF CONSTRUCTION OF A 120-METRE, SINGLE, TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, A PARK FOR COACHES AND PRIVATE CARS AND THE ASSOCIATED EARTHWORKS AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
HOMI VILLA HAS BEEN SELECTED AS AN EXHIBITION AND EDUCATION CENTRE FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
BECAUSE THE CENTRE WILL ATTRACT TOURISTS AND HOLIDAY MAKERS ALD WILL BRING MORE TRAFFIC ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE SHARP ROAD BEND BE IMPROVED AND A VEHICLE PARK IN THE VICINITY BE MADE AVAILABLE.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE TO INVITE TENDERS HAS BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/NEW TERRITORIES, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, THIRD FLOOR, ROOM 304, HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 88 CHUNG HAU STREET, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 762 3592.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON 34TH FLOOR OF THE QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON DECEMBER 3.
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NON-GRADUATE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT SCHEME ♦ * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SECOND NON-GRADUATE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY POSSESS THE ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO TEACH IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL.
APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 15) TO DECEMBER 15.
UNDER THE SCHEME, SUITABLE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING OUTSIDE HONG KONG WOULD BE ASSESSED IF THEIR ACADEMIC STANDARD, PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ARE EQUIVALENT TO THOSE NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS TRAINED LOCALLY, AND EVENTUALLY TO BECOME QUALIFIED TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
THE FIRST ASSESSMENT WAS COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND THE PASSING RATE WAS OVER 50 PER CENT.
/TO BE........
10
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSESSMENT, A CANDIDATE MUST:
* PRODUCE VALID DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF HAVING SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED A POST-SECONDARY FULL-TIME COURSE OF NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS, OR EQUIVALENT, IN AN INSTITUTION OUTSIDE HONG KONG;
* BE OF GOOD CHARACTER AS TESTIFIED BY TWO REFEREES;
* BE ELIGIBLE TO STAY IN HONG KONG AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT.
THE ASSESSMENT COMPRISES THREE PARTS:
PART I (GENERAL EDUCATION)
CANDIDATES ARE ASSESSED ON THEIR STANDARD OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE SUBJECTS THEY WILL TEACH. EIGHT SUBJECTS ARE OFFERED, COMPRISING CHINESE, ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES (INCLUDING HEALTH EDUCATION), MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART AND CRAFT. EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TO SELECT TWO SUBJECTS IN PART I;
PART II (MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION)
TWO MEDIA OF INSTRUCTION ARE OFFERED TO ALL CANDIDATES SO THAT THEIR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AS PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE ASSESSED, INCLUDING CHINESE AND ENGLISH. ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CHINESE AND THOSE WHO DO NOT TAKE ENGLISH IN PART I MUST ALSO TAKE A PAPER ON "ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY" AND
PART III (PROFESSIONAL TRAINING)
THIS PART WILL BE OPEN ONLY TO CANDIDATES WHO CAN PRODUCE EVIDENCE OF HAVING SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A FORMAL TEACHER EDUCATION COURSE IN THE RELEVANT SUBJECTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG, INCLUDING EDUCATION THEORY, METHODOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY.
CANDIDATES WHO FAILED IN ONLY ONE SUBJECT IN THE LAST ASSESSMENT MAY APPLY TO RESIT THE EXAMINATION ON THAT SUBJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS STIPULATED IN THE "HANDBOOK FOR APPLICANTS".
CANDIDATES WHO FAILED IN MORE THAN ONE SUBJECT (EXCEPT FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY) WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ALL AGAIN, IF THEY APPLY THIS YEAR.
THE FEE FOR TAKING PARTS I AND II OF THE ASSESSMENT IS $1,800.
FOR PART III, CANDIDATES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $500.
APPLICATION MUST BE MADE IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM. COPIES OF THE APPLICATION FORM, HANDBOOK AND EXAMINATION SYLLABUSES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION STARTING FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 15) AT THE FOLLOW ING OFFICES:
/* NON-GRADUATE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
11
* NON-GRADUATE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT SECTION, ROOM 1138A, 11TH FLOOR, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI;
* YAU TSIM DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE, SEVENTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, YAU MA TEI; AND
* SHA TIN DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT OFFICE ON TEL 892 6216 OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE ON TEL 891 0088.
------0--------
GOVERNMENT PLAYS ACTIVE ROLE IN MEETING LOCAL NEEDS *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT HESITATED TO PLAN, TO DEVELOP NEW POLICIES, TO ENACT LEGISLATION, AND TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF SHUN HING CENTRE, MR SIU SAID THESE NEEDS COULD NOT BE WHOLLY FULFILLED BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EVEN WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD.
MR SIU SAID THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSISTENTLY FOLLOWED A PATH OF GIVING BUSINESSMEN AND INVESTORS THE ROOM THEY NEEDED TO DEVELOP AND EXPAND THEIR ENTERPRISES, TO THE BENEFIT OF A GROWING ECONOMY, DID NOT MEAN THAT IT HAD BEEN A PASSENGER ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLAYED A LESS VISIBLE ROLE BEHIND THE SCENES, HE SAID.
IT INCLUDED HELPING TO MOBILISE PRIVATE SECTOR RESOURCES, REGULATING AND MONITORING KEY PUBLIC SERVICES WHERE NECESSARY, AND GIVING THE OCCASIONAL NUDGE TO ENSURE THAT KEY UTILITY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO NEEDED THEM AND AT PRICES THAT WERE FAIR AND AFFORDABLE.
THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT HONG KONG EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS DID NOT HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT, MR SIU SAID.
"IT IS THE PRODUCT OF VISION, EXPERTISE, AND THE SHEER HARD WORK OF INDIVIDUALS, OF PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES AND THE GOVERNMENT," MR SIU SAID.
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/12 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
12
NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN IN KWAI FONG
*****
A NEW POST OFFICE LOCATED AT SHOP NO. 4-10, GROUND FLOOR, KWAI KIN HOUSE, KWAI FONG ESTATE, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL OPEN AT 9.30 AM ON NOVEMBER 22.
THE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING POST OFFICE AT BLOCK 7, KWAI FONG ESTATE WHICH WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT 1 PM ON NOVEMBER 20.
THE BUSINESS HOURS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE EXISTING ONE.
"FITTED OUT TO OUR LATEST STANDARDS, THE NEW OFFICE IS MORE SPACIOUS WITH A BETTER COUNTER LAYOUT TO PROVIDE A BETTER QUALITY OF SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS," THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, SAID.
A SPECIAL HANDBACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL PHILATELISTS AT THE KWAI FONG POST OFFICE ON NOVEMBER 22.
UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PRE-PAID "FIRST DAY COVER" PREPARED PRIVATELY, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS, WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER AND BE IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP FOR THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
-----0-------
RECLAMATION PLANNED FOR STANLEY BAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION WORK WITHIN A 1.7-HECTARE AREA ALONG THE WESTERN PORTION OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT STANLEY BAY TO PROVIDE 4,000 SQUARE METRES OF LAND, AND TO CONSTRUCT A SEAWALL AND A PUBLIC PIER.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF MURRAY HOUSE, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAINAGE CULVERT.
WORKS OF RECLAMATION AND SEAWALL WILL BEGIN IN MID-1994 AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-1996, WHILE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PUBLIC PIER WILL START IN MID-1996 FOR COMPLETION IN LATE 1997.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE JANUARY 12 NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25,GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN; AND AT THE STANLEY SUB-OFFICE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 14 WONG MA KOK ROAD, STANLEY, HONG KONG.
- - 0----------
/13........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
13
SHEUNG WAN PRIVATE STREET RESUMED FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT *****
A SMALL SECTION OF A PRIVATE SERVICE LANE AND A SMALL PRIVATE SECTION OF BONHAM STRAND, BOTH IN SHEUNG WAN, HAVE BEEN REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, THE GAZETTE NOTIFIED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REVERTED SECTIONS ARE LOCATED IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND SHUN LOONG MANSION.
A PLAN (NO. MH4924A) INDICATING THE LOCATION OF THE SECTIONS AND A COPY OF THE GAZETTE NOTICE WILL BE REGISTERED IN THE LAND REGISTRY.
----0------
NEW CLINIC FOR SAI WAN HO
******
A CLINIC WILL BE BUILT AT TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WILL HOUSE A ONE-STOREY CAR PARK ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND HEALTH AND LABORATORY FACILITIES ON THE UPPER FLOORS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO UNDERTAKE THE WORKS, WHICH WILL BEGIN IN MARCH NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN MAY 1995.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I IN GROUP C FOR BUILDING WORKS AND LIST II FOR BUILDING WORKS MAY TENDER FOR THE PROJECT.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 10 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
FIRE SERVICES ACHIEVE HIGHER PERFORMANCE TARGET *****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED BETTER RESULTS REGARDING THE STANDARD RESPONSE TIME FOR BOTH FIRE AND EMERGENCY AMBULANCE CALLS SET IN ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGE LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, AT A CEREMONY TO DEPOSIT A TIME CAPSULE TO MARK THE DEPARTMENT’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY AT THE NEWLY COMPLETED LAI KING FIRE STATION IN KWAI CHUNG.
HE SAID THIS YEAR THE TARGET RATE WAS 85 PER CENT FOR RESPONDING TO FIRE CALLS WITHIN SIX MINUTES AND 91.5 PER CENT FOR RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY AMBULANCE CALLS WITHIN 10 MINUTES.
/”WE ARE .......
14
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
"WE ARE CONSIDERING RAISING THE TARGETS NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST 125 YEARS, MR LAM SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD BUILT UP ITSELF THROUGH NUMEROUS TRYING TIMES.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS INCLUDED THE CATASTROPHIC HAPPY VALLEY RACECOURSE FIRE IN 1918 WHICH CLAIMED MORE THAN 600 LIVES, THE SHEK KIP MEI SQUATTER FIRE IN 1953 WHICH MADE 53,000 PEOPLE HOMELESS, THE LAN KWAI FONG TRAGEDY ON THE NEW YEAR’S DAY THIS YEAR AND THE RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVING A CHINA AIRLINE JUMBO JET AT KAI TAK.
"IN ALL THESE INCIDENTS, THE SERVICE HAS ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION OF BEING AN ’ELITE’ BRIGADE BY PROVIDING A GOOD SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY," MR LAM SAID.
ON THE HIGH EFFICIENCY OF FIRE SERVICES STAFF IN THE RESCUE WORK DURING THE RECENT JUMBO JET INCIDENT, HE BELIEVED THIS WAS A RECORD THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES COULD BE PROUD OF WHEN COMPARED WITH THE STANDARD OF ANY FIRE BRIGADE IN THE WORLD.
REGARDING THE DEPARTMENT’S PART IN HELPING TO CARRY AND DISTRIBUTE WATER TO THE TUEN MUN RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY WATER SUSPENSION LAST WEEK, MR LAM SAID IT DEMONSTRATED THAT ITS SERVICES WERE DIVERSIFIED, WHICH WENT BEYOND JUST FIRE EXTINCTION AND RESCUE OPERATIONS.
"IT ALSO SHOWS THAT WE ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH VARIOUS SERVICES WITHIN OUR CAPABILITY," HE ADDED.
COMMEMORATIVE ITEMS STORED IN THE TIME CAPSULE INCLUDED THE DIRECTOR’S SPEECH, ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL JOURNAL, FIRE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, DEPARTMENTAL BIENNIAL REVIEW, ’ELITE’ NEWSLETTER, FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE, STAFF LIST AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF NOTABLE INCIDENTS.
- - - - 0-----
SAN HING TSUEN INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE UPGRADED
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PHASE II WORKS OF THE RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING AREAS PILOT PROJECT AT SAN HING TSUEN IN TUEN MUN TO IMPROVE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LOCAL ROAD NETWORK OF ABOUT 900 METRES LONG WITH ADJACENT CAR-PARKING AREAS.
LAYING OF WATER MAINS, FOUL SEWERS, STORMWATER DRAINS, LANDSCAPING, REPROVISIONING OF WALLS, FENCES AND GATES TO AFFECTED PREMISES WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
WORKS WILL START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL COMPLETE IN JUNE 1995.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE TO CALL FOR TENDERS HAS BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
/FORMS OF .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
15
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL HIGHWAYS ENGINEER/NEW TERRITORIES, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, THIRD FLOOR, ROOM 314, HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 88 CHUNG HAU STREET, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 762 3530.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON DECEMBER 3.
--------0-----------
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR OCTOBER
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR OCTOBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF THE AIR QUALITY LEVELS IN THE TERRITORY AND TO EXPLAIN THE MEASUREMENTS.
THE INFORMATION NORMALLY CONTAINS MONITORING RESULTS OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
THE LOCATIONS ARE TYPICAL OF THE FOLLOWING THREE OF THE IMPORTANT LAND TYPES FOUND IN THE TERRITORY:
* LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICTS,
* COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, AND
* DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2), RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP).
THE GASEOUS POLLUTANTS ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY WHILE PARTICLE SAMPLES ARE COLLECTED FOR 24 HOURS, ONCE EVERY SIX DAYS.
DURING OCTOBER, LEVELS OF TSP WERE HIGHEST ON THE STREET LEVEL SITE AT MONG KOK.
ON OCTOBER 7, CONCENTRATIONS ALMOST REACHED THE 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE VALUE OF 260 UG/CUBIC METER.
THE HIGH TSP LEVELS ON THAT DAY ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE ARISEN BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN NO RAIN FOR FIVE DAYS AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY WAS LOW.
VERY SIMILAR CONDITIONS OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 31, AND THESE ALSO LED TO HIGH TSP LEVELS.
/DESPITE THE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
- 16 -
DESPITE THE DAYS OF HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS, THE MONTHLY AVERAGE TSP LEVEL OF 147 UG/CUBIC METER AT MONG KOK WAS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR WHEN THE AVERAGE WAS 212 UG/CUBIC METER.
SINCE THE OTHER TWO SITES EXPERIENCED ONLY SLIGHTLY LOWER MONTHLY AVERAGES THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR, THE SIGNIFICANT DECREASE AT MONG KOK IS ATTRIBUTED TO A DECREASE IN LOCAL EMISSIONS.
LEVELS OF NO2 AT MONG KOK WERE HIGH THROUGHOUT THE MONTH BUT DID NOT EXCEED THE 150 UG/CUBIC METER 24-HOUR LIMIT.
THE FOUR POLLUTANTS DISCUSSED HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS. SO2 MOSTLY ORIGINATES FROM THE COMBUSTION OF SULPHUR CONTAINING FOSSIL FUELS.
NO2 IS FORMED EITHER DIRECTLY DURING COMBUSTION OR, BY THE ATMOSPHERIC OXIDATION OF NITRIC OXIDE (NO) WHICH IS ALSO PRODUCED DURING COMBUSTION.
VEHICLE EXHAUST IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF NO AND NO2.
IT IS ALSO A MAJOR SOURCE OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES; OTHER SOURCES INCLUDE INDUSTRY, FURNACES AND BOILERS, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, THE SEA AND SOIL DUST.
THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY MONITORS AIR QUALITY CONTINUOUSLY AT EIGHT STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE. SHORT-TERM MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGNS ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN AS AND WHERE THE NEED ARISES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND LEUNG ON TELEPHONE 594 6401.
/HONG KONG
17
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for October 1993
Concentration Concentration Concentration
Microgram per Cubic Meter Microgram per Cubic Meter Microgram per Cubic Meter
October 1993
October 1993
/18 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1Z, IS34
18
ROAD WORKS PROPOSED FOR MA ON SHAN * ♦ » ♦ »
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO CARRY OUT ROAD WORKS IN AN AREA WEST OF KAM ON COURT IN MA ON SHAN TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORKS FORM PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
A M-SHAPED ROAD WITH WIDTHS VARYING BETWEEN 7.3 METRES AND 19.1 METRES, A ROUNDABOUT, FOOTPATHS, AMENITY AREAS, SLOPES AND DRAINAGE NETWORKS WILL BE BUILT.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT:
* THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
♦ SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES, AND
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN JANUARY 11 NEXT YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
- .---0--------
THIRD CANDIDATE NOMINATED FOR * * *
DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION * *
A THIRD CANDIDATE HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WONG UK CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL END NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 15). THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 5.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATE:
NAME AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL
MR WONG KENG- 33 UNIVERSITY 788 8627
CHUEN, VINCENT LECTURER
/19........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
- 19 -
APPOINTMENTS TO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD ♦ * ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD APPOINTED DR YORK CHOW THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR A PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2 THIS YEAR TO MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
DR CHOW SUCCEEDS MR HOWARD YOUNG WHO HAS RESIGNED OWING TO COMMITMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HOWEVER, MR YOUNG CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD UNTIL MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL QUIZ COMPETITION
* » t * *
PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A TELEVISED QUIZ COMPETITION THAT IS AIMED AT DEVELOPING TALENT AND HEALTHY HOBBIES AS WELL AS PROMOTING ACADEMIC AND CIVIC AWARENESS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID 27 TEAMS, EACH COMPRISING THREE TO FIVE PRIMARY 4-6 STUDENTS, WOULD BE SELECTED TO TAKE PART.
THE YOUNG CONTESTANTS WILL BE COMPETING AGAINST EACH OTHER ON THEIR COMPREHENSION AND KNOWLEDGE OF VARIOUS SUBJECTS, CIVIC EDUCATION, NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS, REACTION TO GAMES AS WELL AS GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND BOOK COUPONS.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND ITS HEADQUARTERS IN SOUTHORN CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE NOVEMBER 20.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
/20........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
20
317 RETURN TO VIETNAM * * *
A GROUP OF 317 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 113 MEN, 91 WOMEN, 57 BOYS AND 56 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 176TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,181 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 35,493 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,865
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,135
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,265
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,735
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.1 *+0.0* 12.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.43 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.30 3.34
1 MONTH 2.69 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.47 3.58
3 MONTHS 2.85 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.86 3.88
6 MONTHS 2.99 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.05 4.04
12 MONTHS 3.29 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.05 4.60
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,393 MN
CLOSED 12 NOVEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW HK OFFICE PREMISES IN TORONTO OPENS ...................... 1
GOODS AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES MUST BE INSPECTED ......... 2
TAXI FARES TO GO UP TOMORROW ................................. 2
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS ................... 3
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR HYSAN AVENUE .................. 4
HANDICAPPED HELP BEAUTIFY WONG TAI SIN ....................... 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 5
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR RETURNS FROM LONDON ................................. 6
WRITTEN CONTRACT FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT A MUST .............. 8
HEROIC SERVICEMEN REMEMBERED ................................. 9
COMMUNITY SHOWING GREATER RESPECT FOR ELDERLY ................ 10
GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP ISLANDS DISTRICT IN EARNEST ............ 11
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1993
NEW HK OFFICE PREMISES IN TORONTO OPENS *****
THE NEW PREMISES OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TORONTO WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY). ! i; i
IT IS A THREE-STOREY HERITAGE BUILDING AT ST GEORGE STREET IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO.
THE COST OF ACQUIRING AND RENOVATING THE 100-YEAR-OLD HOUSE IS ABOUT CANADIAN $2 MILLION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WERE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, PRESIDENT OF CANADA’S TREASURY BOARD, MR ART EGGLETON, ONTARIO’S MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, MR RICHARD ALLEN, CHAIRMAN OF METRO TORONTO COUNCIL, MR ALAN TONKS, MAYOR JUNE ROWLANDS OF TORONTO, MAYOR JOYCE TRIMMER OF SCARBOROUGH, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR SPADINA, MR TONY IANNO AND DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, MR STEPHEN LAM.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MINISTER EGGLETON NOTED THAT THE OPENING OF THE NEW PREMISES WAS AN IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT SIGNAL BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL LINKS.
HE CONFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S DESIRE TO EXPAND TRADE AND OTHER LINKS WITH ASIA-PACIFIC, IN PARTICULAR HONG KONG.
MINISTER ALLEN SAID THE HONG KONG OFFICE IN TORONTO REPRESENTED AN IMPORTANT ONGOING LINK BETWEEN ONTARIO AND THE HONG KONG MARKET.
HE SAID: "AT A TIME WHEN ONTARIO BUSINESSES FACE INCREASED PRESSURES TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, IT REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO SOLIDIFY AND EXPAND OUR TRADING AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES.”
THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG OFFICE WAS CELEBRATED AT A GALA DINNER IN THE EVENING, WHICH WAS WELL ATTENDED BY SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING CANADA’S NEWLY APPOINTED MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, ROY MACLAREN, FIVE CITY MAYORS, AND MORE THAN 200 LOCAL DIGNITARIES, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PROMINENT BUSINESS PEOPLE.
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/2 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1993
- 2 -
GOODS AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES MUST BE INSPECTED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES TODAY (SATURDAY) DETAILS OF COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF GOODS VEHICLES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES.
ALL MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES AND MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1991 THAT REQUIRE A NEW LICENCE FROM APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR MUST BE INSPECTED.
THEY MUST OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS BEFORE RELICENSING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "AIMED AT ENHANCING ROAD SAFETY, THE COMPULSORY VEHICLE INSPECTION WILL CHECK ALL MECHANICAL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE A BETTER ROADWORTHINESS.”
’’THE CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS IS ONLY VALID FOR RELICENSING DURING THE FOUR MONTHS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE,” HE ADDED.
GOODS VEHICLES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES BUT NOT MORE THAN 16 TONNES WILL BE INSPECTED AT THE NEW KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT 8 TSUI HING STREET, KOWLOON BAY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE BY TELEPHONE ON 751 8862, AND APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE BOOKED AT THE CENTRE.
THOSE VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT GREATER THAN 16 TONNES WILL BE INSPECTED AT THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT 2 CHEUNG YIP STREET, KOWLOON BAY.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE ON 759 7573, AND APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE BOOKED AT THE CENTRE.
------0-------
TAXI FARES TO GO UP TOMORROW
» * * * » \
a ; ... ; q
FARES FOR URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL BE REVISED FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THIS FOLLOWED A RECENT APPROVAL OF FARE INCREASES BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS TO COVER INCREASES IN OPERATING COSTS.
UPON REVISION, THE FLAGFALL FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES WILL BE $11.5 AND $10 FOR URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS RESPECTIVELY.
/SUBSEQUENT CHARGES .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1993
SUBSEQUENT CHARGES WILL BE REVISED CORRESPONDINGLY TO $1 AND $0.90 FOR EVERY 200 METRES TRAVELLED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PENDING CONVERSION OF METERS, TAXIS MAY CHARGE THE REVISED FARES STARTING TOMORROW BY DISPLAYING A CONVERSION TABLE SHOWING THE REVISED FARE SCALES.
- - 0 - -
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS
*****
PEOPLE DO HAVE STRESSES AND WORRIES, BUT DRUG OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE WILL NEVER HELP. IT WILL ONLY WORSEN THE PROBLEMS AND RUIN LIVES.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR ALASDAIR SINCLAIR, TOLD STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE "CARE FOR YOUR FUTURE, SAY NO TO DRUGS" SAI KUNG DISTRICT ANT I-NARCOTICS QUIZ COMPETITION CUM PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY HELD AT KING LAM NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE TODAY (SATURDAY).
"YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OFTEN INTRODUCED TO DRUG-TAKING BY THEIR FRIENDS WHO CLAIM THAT DRUGS CAN MAKE ONE FEEL GOOD AND EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING IT," MR SINCLAIR SAID.
"WHAT THEY WON’T BE TELLING YOU IS HOW ADDICTIVE THE DRUGS ARE, AND HOW MANY YOUNG PEOPLE DO LASTING DAMAGE TO THEIR BODIES, OR EVENTUALLY DIE FROM CONTINUED DRUG ABUSE," HE NOTED.
"ALL DRUG ABUSERS ARE TAKING SERIOUS RISKS WITH THEIR HEALTH. DRUGS CAN BRING ON CONFUSION AND FRIGHTENING HALLUCINATIONS AND CAUSE UNBALANCED EMOTIONS OR MORE SERIOUS MENTAL DISORDERS.
"SOME DRUGS CAN SLOW, EVEN STOP, THE BREATHING PROCESS, AND SOMEONE WHO OVERDOSES ACCIDENTALLY MAY BECOME UNCONSCIOUS OR EVEN DIE," MR SINCLAIR SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER URGED YOUNG PEOPLE NEVER BE TEMPTED BY CURIOSITY OR BOREDOM TO TRY DRUGS.
THEY WERE ADVISED TO SEEK HELP AND GUIDANCE FROM THEIR PARENTS, TEACHERS OR SOCIAL WORKERS IF THEY HAD TROUBLES OR DIFFICULTIES.
HE ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEEK HELP FROM THE TELEPHONE HOTLINE 366 8822 OPERATED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS FOR HORE INFORMATION ON DRUG-RELATED ISSUES, INCLUDING TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES.
"DRUG ABUSE IS A LONG-STANDING PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND HAS SERIOUS SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS.
/"WHILE THE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1993
4
"WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, WE NEED THE BACKING OF THE PEOPLE AS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR WORK AGAINST DRUG ABUSE," HE SAID.
OTHER GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY INCLUDED THE ACTING SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHENG WAT-PANG, AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG.
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TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR HYSAN AVENUE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY OF HYSAN AVENUE IN CAUSEWAY BAY IS BEING RE-DELINEATED TO THREE LANES, WITH TWO TO BE ASSIGNED EASTBOUND AND ONE WESTBOUND.
THE ADDITIONAL EASTBOUND LANE IS TO PROVIDE MORE STORAGE SPACE FOR VEHICLES WAITING TO TURN RIGHT INTO SUNNING ROAD SO AS NOT TO BLOCK THE WAY OF VEHICLES HEADING TOWARDS YUN PING ROAD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE ARRANGEMENT WILL TAKE EFFECT NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 15), HE
THE 7 AM TO 7 PM NO-STOPPING RESTRICTIONS BASICALLY ON BOTH SIDES OF HYSAN AVENUE AND WEST SIDE OF SUNNING ROAD WILL ALSO - BE IN FORCE FROM THE SAME DAY, HE ADDED.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT TRAFFIC ALONG HYSAN AVENUE AND SUNNING ROAD WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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HANDICAPPED HELP BEAUTIFY WONG TAI SIN *****
A RETAINING WALL IN WONG TAI SIN TAKES ON A NEW (SATURDAY) WHEN A GROUP OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE AND PAINT ON IT A MURAL TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF MUTUAL HELP HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIE.
LOOK TODAY
VOLUNTEERS
BETWEEN THE
THE WALL AT UPPER WONG TAI METRES, WAS PAINTED BY MORE THAN WORKSHOPS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
SIN ESTATE, MEASURING 52 BY FOUR 80 PARTICIPANTS FROM TWO SHELTERED TN THE DISTRICT.
SPEAKING AT A SOUVENIR-PRESENTATION CEREMONY, CHAIRMAN OF THF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, MR CHAN CHUN-FAT ?AI,? ™C0URAGING ™E HANDICAPPED TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY ^ACTIVITIES WOULD HELP TO STRENGTHEN THEIR CONFIDENCE. 1Eb
/HE SAID .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1993
- 5 -
HE SAID THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD UNDERSTAND THEM MORE AND COULD GRADUALLY ACCEPT THEM.
THE PROJECT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
1,735
+ 710
2,445
NIL
-780
1,665
TWI 113.0 t-0.1* 13.11.93
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/6.........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993
GOVERNOR RETURNS FROM LONDON
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON ON 14.11.93.
GOVERNOR : GOOD AFTERNOON. IT’S NICE TO BE BACK. I HAD A VERY USEFUL VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. AS YOU KNOW, THE HONG KONG WORKS CONFERENCE WAS A SPECTACULAR SUCCESS AND NOW MANY OF THEM PRINCIPAL PARTICIPANTS IN THAT CONFERENCE ARE MOVING ON SOME OF THE CAPITALS OF EUROPE TO TELL THE GOOD NEWS TO PARIS, AND FRANKFURT AND AMSTERDAM ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS HERE IN HONG KONG AND HERE IN THE REGION. I’M DELIGHTED THAT ANSON CHAN WILL BE LEADING THAT CHARGE INTO EUROPE AND I’M SURE THAT THE MESSAGE WILL BE GETTING ACROSS IN THE REST OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AS WELL AS IT GOT ACROSS IN LONDON. THE PURPOSE OF MY VISIT TO LONDON AS YOU KNOW WAS TO TALK TO SENIOR CABINET MEMBERS, TO TALK TO A LOT OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, TO TALK TO THE LEADERS OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTIES AND TO TAKE PART IN A CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN BEST USE THE TIME THAT’S AVAILABLE TO TRY, IF WE POSSIBLY CAN, TO BRING THE TALKS ON HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. I THINK THAT YOU WOULD HAVE OBSERVED THAT ONE OF THE MAIN MESSAGES, ONE OF THE MAIN THEMES TO HAVE EMERGED FROM ALL THOSE MEETINGS, IS THE VERY, VERY SOLID SUPPORT, NOT ONLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT BUT RIGHT ACROSS THE POLITICAL WATERFRONT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR THE APPROACH THAT WE’VE BEEN TAKING IN HONG KONG, FIRM BUT REASONABLE. I DOUBT THERE’S BEEN A TIME TN THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES WHEN THERE’S BEEN MORE EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RIGHT ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM AT WESTMINSTER. SO I WAS DELIGHTED TO HAVE THAT CONFIRMED. WE MUST NOW LOOK FORWARD AND HOPE THAT WE CAN SEE RATHER MORE PROGRESS IN THE NEXT ROUND AND BEYOND THAN WE’VE SEEN IN THE LAST 15 ROUNDS, THOUGH AS THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND I HAVE MADE CLEAR, WE HAVE MADE A BIT OF PROGRESS THOUGH THE GAP BETWEEN THE SIDES REMAINS RATHER WIDER THAN WE WOULD LIKE. BACK TO WORK.
QUESTION : YOU MAY HAVE THE SUPPORT FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, BUT THE UNITED DEMOCRATS HERE, MARTIN LEE WAS SAYING THE OTHER DAY, IT WOULD BE QUITE EASY FOR YOU COME 1997 TO SAY LEGCO REJECTED YOUR PROPOSAL FOR DEMOCRACY, AND THEN THE ARGUMENT IS LEGCO DOES NOT ACTUALLY REPRESENT THE VOICE OF HONG KONG..?.
/GOVERNOR: .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993
GOVERNOR : OBVIOUSLY, ANY CRITICISM PUT FORWARD BY MR LEE AND THE UDHK, I WOULD NEED TO LISTEN TO VERY CAREFULLY BECAUSE IN THE LAST ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THEY GOT THE LARGEST SHARE OF THE POPULAR VOTE AND IN THOSE ELECTIONS CLEARLY CAME NEARER THAN OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES TO REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. SO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY REMAINS A MATTER OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE INTEREST. BUT I’M SURE THAT MR LEE AND OTHERS RECOGNISE THAT IT IS FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO TAKE THE LEGISLATIVE DECISION ON THE WAY FORWARD. WHEN I EVENTUALLY PUT PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHETHER THEY ARE PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN AGREED WITH CHINA, WHICH I THINK WOULD BE THE BEST WAY FORWARD IF WE CAN ACHIEVE IT IN A REASONABLE WAY, OR WHETHER THEY ARE PROPOSALS WHICH ALAS HAVEN’T BEEN AGREED WITH BY CHINA, I WOULD BE ARGUING FOR THOSE PROPOSALS BECAUSE THOSE WILL BE THE PROPOSALS WHICH 1 THINK ARE REASONABLE AND FAIR AND I HOPE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO DO IS TO HAVE CLEAN ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. WE ARE, OBVIOUSLY NONE OF US, TRYING TO GET ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HELP ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER. BUT I REPEAT, ANYTHING THAT MR LEE AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE TO SAY, I HAVE TO TAKE PARTICULAR AND CLOSE ATTENTION TO.
QUESTION : HAS MR MAJOR WRITTEN A LETTER TO MR LI PENG, URGING HIM TO SPEED UP THE PACE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ?
GOVERNOR : IT WOULDN’T BE SURPRISING IF AFTER THE CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING THAT WE HAD IN LONDON LAST WEEK THERE WAS FURTHER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LONDON AND PEKING. BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE THAN OTHERS. BUT I REPEAT, IT WOULDN’T BE SURPRISING IF THERE WERE EXCHANGES AND COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN LONDON AND PEKING.
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN PERHAPS WORK....TO TAKE THE DECISION TO...?
GOVERNOR: WELL, DECISIONS WILL, OBVIOUSLY, BE TAKEN AT A SENIOR LEVEL ON BOTH SIDES AS THEY WERE TAKEN IN LONDON AT THE MOST SENIOR LEVEL LAST WEEK. BUT THE HARD WORK OF NEGOTIATION HAS TO GO ON ROUND THE TABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE ARE OBVIOUSLY SAD THAT SIR ROBIN MCLAREN IS OFF THE FIELD FOR THE TIME BEING AS SOME OF YOU WILL KNOW, HAVING SEEN HIM WORKING IN HONG KONG. HE’S BEEN SUFFERING FROM A VERY BAD BACK FOR SOME MONTHS AND HAS BEEN HOSPITALISED WHILE THE DOCTORS SORT THAT OUT. BUT HE’S BEEN IN CONSIDERABLE PAIN AND HAS BEEN VERY BRAVE AND STOICAL OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. HIS PLACE IS BEING TAKEN BY CHRISTOPHER HUM WHO IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED DIPLOMATS IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE AND HE’S GOT AN EXCELLENT TEAM FROM HONG KONG INCLUDING A NUMBER OF MY SENIOR COLLEAGUES IN THE GOVERNMENT. BUT THAT IS WHERE THE REALLY HARD WORK WILL HAVE TO BE DONE THOUGH I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THE MAIN POLITICAL DECISION IS TAKEN AT A RATHER HIGHER LEVEL. LAST QUESTION.
QUESTION: IS IT VERY IMPORTANT THAT THERE IS THIS UNITY IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE PARLIAMENT ON HONG KONG POLICY AT THIS POINT AND IS THIS THE REASON FOR THE OPTIMISM IN LONDON THAT THE NEGOTIATION IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE NEXT ROUND?
/GOVERNOR: .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993
- 8 -
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IT’S ALWAYS VERY HELPFUL TO FEEL THAT ONE HAS THE SORT OF SOLID SUPPORT THAT EXISTS IN WESTMINSTER AT THE MOMENT. AND THERE HAVE BEEN, IT’S A SLIGHTLY PATHETIC TACTIC THAT SOMETIMES USED, ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE WEDGES HERE AND THERE OVER THE LAST YEAR OR EIGHTEEN MONTHS. NOW I NOTICE NOBODY IS REALLY TRYING THAT PARTICULARLY SERIOUSLY AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE THERE AREN’T ANY FISSURES, THERE AREN’T ANY CRACKS IN THE SUPPORT FOR THE APPROACH THAT WE HAVE TAKEN BUT WHILE THERE ARE IN A FREE AND OPEN SOCIETY ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOME CRITICAL VOICES AND SOME PEOPLE WHO DON’T THINK YOU’VE GOT IT RIGHT. AND WE MUST TRY TO LEARN FROM THEM. OVERWHELMINGLY, THE POSITION IS THAT THERE IS VERY SOLID SUPPORT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN THE MEDIA, AT WESTMINISTER, IN THE GOVERNMENT, IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE, I SUPPOSE, WHO LIKE MARTIN LEE AND THE UDHK THINK WE SHOULD HAVE GONE A BIT FURTHER AND THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO WHO THINK WE SHOULDN’T HAVE GONE QUITE SO FAR. BUT BY AND LARGE, PEOPLE THINK WE HAVE GOT IT ABOUT RIGHT. AND I NOTICE ONCE AGAIN FROM A POLL IN ONE OF TODAY’S HONG KONG NEWSPAPERS THAT PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG SEEMS TO THINK THAT WE’VE GOT IT ABOUT RIGHT AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
QUESTION : DID YOU SEE ROBIN MCLAREN AT THE HOSPITAL?
GOVERNOR : I DIDN’T, ALAS. I SENT HIM SOME FLOWERS AND SOME FRUITS BUT I, HAVING BEEN IN A HOSPITAL MYSELF IN THE PAST, I AM NOT SURE THAT DOING BUSINESS BY THE BEDSIDE TOO RAPIDLY AFTER YOU HAVE AN OPERATION, IS A VERY GOOD IDEA BUT I AM SURE WE ALL WISH HIM A VERY SPEEDY RECOVERY AND BACK TO HIS NORMAL VIGOROUS PACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
---------0-----------
WRITTEN CONTRACT FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT A MUST
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYEES INTENDING TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYERS TO ENTER INTO WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS BEFORE THEY LEAVE HONG KONG FOR THE JOB TO SAFEGUARD THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
UNDER THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE, A FOREIGN EMPLOYER WHO IS NOT IN HONG KONG AND NOT CARRYING ON A BUSINESS IN HONG KONG IS REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH ALL LOCAL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITH MONTHLY WAGES NOT EXCEEDING $20,000 FOR WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ATTESTATION BEFORE THE EMPLOYEE’S DEPARTURE," LABOUR OFFICER (EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE), MR CHENG WAI-MAN, SAID.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE TERMS OF PROTECTION SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACT ARE TN NO WAY LESS FAVOURABLE THAN THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION," HE EXPLAINED.
/"A CONTRACT .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993
- 9 -
”A CONTRACT WITH TERMS THAT ARE UNFAIR TO THE EMPLOYEE OR DO NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE EMPLOYEE’S INTERESTS WILL NOT BE ATTESTED,” HE STRESSED.
MR CHENG POINTED OUT THAT A DULY ATTESTED CONTRACT WILL NOT ONLY CLEARLY DEFINE THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES BUT WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT THE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT ARE REASONABLE.
IT SHOULD INCLUDE SUCH DETAILS AS PAY, NATURE AND HOURS OF WORK, HOLIDAYS, SICKNESS ALLOWANCE, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, PROVISION OF FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION, REPATRIATION ARRANGEMENT AND PROVISIONS FOR DEPENDANTS.
"IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF THE EMPLOYEES WORKING OVERSEAS FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYERS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL REQUIRE A HONG KONG RESIDENT NOMINATED BY THE EMPLOYER TO FURNISH A BOND OR GUARANTEE BEFORE ATTESTING THE CONTRACT,” MR CHENG SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS AN OFFENCE IF AN EMPLOYER OR HIS AGENT FAILED TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH THE EMPLOYEE OR FAILED TO PRESENT THE CONTRACT TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ATTESTATION BEFORE THE EMPLOYEE’S DEPARTURE.
’’THE EMPLOYER OR HIS AGENT WILL ALSO BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION FOR INDUCING AN EMPLOYEE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE, OR INDUCING THE EMPLOYEE TO DEPART HONG KONG TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT BEFORE THE CONTRACT IS ATTESTED,” HE SAID.
"OFFENDERS WILL BE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF $50,000," HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES UNDER THE ORDINANCE MAY BE MADE TO THE EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ON 852 3535.
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HEROIC SERVICEMEN REMEMBERED
* * * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, LAID A WREATH AT THE CENOTAPH IN STATUE SQUARE THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING TO HONOUR THOSE WHO HAD GIVEN THEIR LIVES ON ACTIVE SERVICE.
THE SOLEMN CEREMONY MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY BEGAN AT 11 AM WITH THE FIRING OF A GUN AT HMS TAMAR WHICH SIGNALLED THE OBSERVANCE OF TWO MINUTES’ SILENCE.
AT THE FIRING OF A SECOND GUN, BUGLERS OF THE FIRST BATTALION, THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES, SOUNDED THE "LAST POST".
/WREATHS WERE .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993
- 10 -
WREATHS WERE ALSO LAID BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG; THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FOLEY; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS; COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTATIVES; DEPUTY COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, BRIGADIER CHRISTOPHER HAMMERBECK; CAPTAIN-IN-CHARGE ROYAL NAVY, CAPITAL TOM SUNTER; COMMANDER ROYAL AIR FORCE, GROUP CAPTAIN SAM HUNT; THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG; AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY LAYING OF WREATHS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF SERVICE UNITS, THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION (HONG KONG AND CHINA BRANCH), COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, EX-SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION, SOCIETIES AND OTHER BODIES.
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COMMUNITY SHOWING GREATER RESPECT FOR ELDERLY
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THERE WAS AN INCREASING TREND OF PROMOTING GREATER RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CX FANTASY FLIGHT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AT HO MAN TIN.
SINCE 1979, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN ORGANISING A "FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY" ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF NOVEMBER WHICH THIS YEAR IS MARKED AS THE "SENIOR CITIZENS’ DAY" TO FURTHER SIGNIFY THE COMMUNITY’S RECOGNITION OF THE ELDERLY’S CONTRIBUTIONS.
"THIS IS THE FESTIVAL’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY. TO MARK THIS MEANINGFUL OCCASION, A SERIES OF TERRITORY-WIDE CELEBRATION PROGRAMMES AND PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ARE BEING LAUNCHED THESE FEW WEEKS AND THE PRESENT ACTIVITY IS ALSO ONE," HE SAID.
THERE ARE ABOUT 790,000 OLD PEOPLE AGED 60 AND OVER AND THE NUMBER IS PROJECTED TO INCREASE TO 900,000 IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME.
MR STRACHAN SAID IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING POPULATION, THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE GROWING DEMAND FOR SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE PLEDGE TO PROVIDE FAR-REACHING PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY IS REFLECTED IN THE INITIATIVES MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST MONTH.
IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN MADE IN RESPECT OF MEDICAL, HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES.
IN PLANNING WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE BASIC PRINCIPLE THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ADOPTED IS THE BELIEF THAT AN OLD PERSON SHOULD BE HELPED TO LIVE IN HIS OWN COMMUNITY WITH DIGNITY AND THAT SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO FACILITATE HIS CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY, BOTH SOCIALLY AND, IF HE LIKES, ECONOMICALLY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
/"THE OVERALL ......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993
’’THE OVERALL SERVICE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIFE, TO ENABLE THEM TO RETAIN THEIR SELF-RESPECT, TO REMAIN ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, AND TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE SUITED TO THEIR VARYING NEEDS,” HE SAID.
TO HELP THE ELDERLY TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY’ SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ALSO IMPORTANT.
THE RANGE OF SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE INCLUDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, RESPITE SERVICE, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES, SOCIAL CENTRES, OUTREACHING SERVICE, HOME HELP, COMMUNITY NURSING, DOMICILIARY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, DOMICILIARY PHYSIOTHERAPY, DAY CARE CENTRES AND DAY HOSPITALS.
THESE SERVICES, WHILE PROVIDING THE NECESSARY HELP TO ELDERLY PERSONS, ARE ALSO AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEIR ELDERLY RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP ISLANDS DISTRICT IN EARNEST
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT C C LAM, SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN UP AN ACTIVE ROLE IN DEVELOPING THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1993 ISLANDS DISTRICT FESTIVAL TODAY (SUNDAY), MR LAM SAID THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERN LANTAU WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MASSIVE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
HE NOTED THAT TUNG CHUNG WOULD BE DEVELOPED INTO A NEW TOWN, BENEFITING NOT ONLY THE ISLANDERS, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SPENT $450 MILLION IN 1992/93 TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE WHOLE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND THAT ANOTHER $500 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT IN 1993/94.
’’THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PLANS TO SET UP PORT FACILITIES AT THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND, WITH THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1997,” MR LAM ADDED.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WERE THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG, AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG.
THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL PRESENTS MORE THAN 30 CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SPORTS, COMPETITIONS, PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITIONS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BILL TO CLEAR DOUBTS OVER SUCCESSION AND LAND TITLES ............ 1
HK’S FUTURE LIES WITH CHINA ..................................... 2
STATEMENT ON CONDOMS REPORTS .................................... 4
HK AND AUSTRALIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ..................................................... 5
LAND REGISTRATION FIGURES FOR OCTOBER ........................... 6
EFFECTIVE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE HELPS OFFENDERS .................. 7
HOTLINE FOR OVERLOADING COMPLAINTS .............................. 8
HK ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION OPENS IN FRANKFURT ................... 9
SWAC SUPPORTS PAY RISE FOR CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS .............. 10
TENDER FOR THIRD ISSUE OF EXCHANGE FUND NOTES .................. 12
ENGLAND BANK CHIEF VISITS MONETARY AUTHORITY ................... 12
JACKIE CHAN JETS OFF FOR HK FILM FESTIVAL ...................... 13
THREE CANDIDATES RUN FOR BY-ELECTION ........................... 13
DRY AND COOL IN OCTOBER ........................................ 14
TWO MOTION DEBATES ON LEGCO AGENDA ............................. 17
SHAM SHUI PO WELFARE OFFICES ON MOVE ........................... 18
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO 18
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 19
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
1
BILL TO (’LEAK DOUBTS OVER SUCCESSION AND LAND TITLES
*****
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO REMOVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE RIGHT OF SUCCESSION TO LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES (NT) WILL BE GAZETTED THIS FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 19).
ANNOUNCING THE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES LAND (EXEMPTION) BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE BILL WOULD ALSO SERVE TO REMOVE DOUBTS ABOUT EXISTING LAND TITLES IN THE NT.
SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON NOVEMBER 24, THE BILL PROVIDES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT ANY LAND IN THE NT, OTHER THAN RURAL LAND, SHALL, FROM THE DATE OF THE RELEVANT LAND GRANT, BE DEEMED TO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXEMPT FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE (NTO).
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND LEADING TO THE GAZETTAL OF THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROVISIONS OF THE NTO APPLIED TO ALL LAND IN THE NT THAT HAS NOT BEEN EXEMPT FROM PART II OF THE ORDINANCE, WHETHER IT BE RURAL OR URBANISED, OR WHETHER THE OWNER IS AN INDIGENOUS OR NON-I ND IGENOUS RESIDENT.
ALMOST ALL PROPERTIES IN THE NT, INCLUDING PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS, HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TOWNS AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS, ARE SUBJECT TO THE NTO AND MAY THEREFORE BE SUBJECT TO CHINESE CUSTOMARY LAW FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCCESSION.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE WHO HAD BOUGHT PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO PART IT OF THE NTO WERE GENERALLY NOT AWARE THAT CHINESE CUSTOMARY LAW MAY APPLY TO THEIR PROPERTIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCCESSION.
"FOR SOME TIME NOW, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ACTIVELY PURSUING MEASURES TO TACKLE THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY NT PROPERTY OWNERS.
"AS A FIRST STEP, WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 25, 1993, ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO EXEMPT ALL FUTURE GRANTS OF LAND IN THE NT FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NTO, EXCEPT FOR GRANTS TO INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS UNDER THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY OR TO CUSTOMARY BODIES ESTABLISHED BY CLANS AND FAMILIES IN THE NT, BY THE INCLUSION OF A GENERAL CONDITION TO THAT EFFECT IN THE GRANTS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE ABOVE MEASURES ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM FOR LAND GRANTED AFTER JUNE 25, 1993, THERE WAS NO PROVISION UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION FOR. GOVERNMENT TO USE ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS 1’0 EXEMPT LAND ALREADY GRANTED BEFORE THAT DATE AND NOW HELD IN UNDIVIDED SHARES BY INDIVIDUAL OWNERS, UNLESS ALL OF THEM JOIN TOGETHER TO APPLY.
"BY DEEMING ALL NON-RURAL LAND IN THE NT TO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXEMPT FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NTO UNDER THIS SHORT BILL TO BE GAZETTED, THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THOSE NT PROPERTY OWNERS REGARDING SUCCESSION RIGHTS CAN THUS BE OVERCOME," HE ADDED.
/EXPLAINING THE .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
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EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THE PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION TO HAVE RETROSPECT I'VE EFFECT (FROM THE DATE OF THE RELEVANT LAND GRANT), THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS NECESSARY TO REMOVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT EXISTING TITLES TO LAND OR PROPERTY IN THE NT WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PURCHASED FROM A VENDOR WHO ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY BY REGISTRATION OF PROBATE, LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION OR CUSTOMARY SUCCESSION FROM A DECEASED
OWNER.
"THERE IS GENERAL UNCERTAINTY OF WHAT THE TRUE LEGAL POSITION MAY BE. THIS IS BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE ASSUME THAT THE GENERAL LAWS OF HONG KONG WOULD APPLY TO THEIR PROPERTIES IN THE NT WHETHER THEY DIE TESTATE OR INTESTATE.
"PROBATE OF WILLS OR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION ON INTESTACY HAVE BEEN OBTAINED AND CONVEYANCING CARRIED OUT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE GENERAL LAWS, INCLUDING THE LAWS OF SUCCESSION TO LAND, OF HONG KONG APPLY."
"UNLESS STEPS ARE TAKEN TO VALIDATE THESE CONVEYANCES, FUTURE POTENTIAL PURCHASERS MAY ATTEMPT TO EXPLOIT ANY DEFECTS THERE MAY BE IN THEIR TITLE TO AVOID THE PURCHASE CONTRACT," HE POINTED OUT.
THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS PROVISIONS TO FACILITATE THOSE OWNERS OF RURAL LANI) WHO WISH TO AVOID THE EFFECT OF CUSTOMARY RULES OF SUCCESSION ON THEIR PROPERTY BY PROVIDING FOR THE EXEMPTION OF LAND, INCLUDING UNDIVIDED SHARES, FROM THE APPLICATION OF PART II OF THE NTO, BY THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS UPON APPLICATION OF THE LANDOWNER CONCERNED BY A SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE PROCEDURE.
THIS IS A NEW METHOD IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING PROCEDURE UNDER THE NTO, WHICH IS MORE CUMBERSOME AND TIME CONSUMING AND WHICH OWNERS HAVE NOT USED IN THE PAST.
AS REGARDS OWNERS OF NON-RURAL LAND, THEY WILL BE AWARE THAT THEIR LAND IS EXEMPT FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NTO AND THEY MAY RESORT TO THE REMEDY OF MAKING A WILL IF THEY WISH CUSTOMARY RULES OF SUCCESSION TO APPLY.
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UK’S FUTURE LIES WITH CHINA
♦ * * ♦ ♦
HONG KONG’S FUTURE LIES WITH CHINA BECAUSE OF HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REALITIES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID IN FRANKFURT TODAY (MONDAY).
GIVING A KEYNOTE SPEECH TO MORE THAN 350 GERMAN BUSINESS LEADERS THERE, MRS (’HAN SAID HONG KONG WANTED TO SECURE THAT FUTURE BY CO-OPERATING WITH CHINA TO ENSURE THAT AFTER 1997 "WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE RULE OF LAW, A FREE AND OPEN MARKET AND GOOD CLEAN GOVERNMENT".
"THESE PRINCIPLES AND RULES HAVE SERVED US WELL IN THE PAST AND ARE THE BEST GUARANTEES FOR OUR CONTINUED SUCCESS," SHE SAID.
/MRS CHAN .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
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MRS CHAN MADE IT PLAIN THAT HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE SWALLOWED UP WHEN SOVEREIGNTY REVERTED TO CHINA.
AS FAR AS INVESTORS ARE CONCERNED IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL IN HONG KONG AFTER THE MIDNIGHT BELLS ON JUNE 30, 1993.
’’THERE IS NOTHING MAGICAL ABOUT THAT DATE AS FAR AS OUR ECONOMIC LINKS WITH CHINA, AND SOUTHERN CHINA IN PARTICULAR, ARE CONCERNED.
"IN THIS REGARD, THERE WILL NOT BE, AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR, A NEW BEGINNING," MRS CHAN SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE SAID ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY FACE DIFFICULTIES FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE REMAINING YEARS OF TRANSITION, THESE WOULD BE OVERCOME "BY BELIEVING IN OUR OWN INNATE STRENGTHS AND BY ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD AND NEVER BACKWARDS".
THERE HAVE BEEN GROWING ECONOMIC INTEGRATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA. SHE SAID THIS HAD LEI) TO EXPANSION IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AIR AND SHIPPING SERVICES, NEW ROAD AND RAIL LINKS AND THE MASSIVE CROSS-BORDER MOVEMENTS OF VEHICLES AND PEOPLE NOW NUMBERING OVER 20,000 VEHICLES A DAY AND 50 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR.
"ALL THESE ARE INDICATORS OF ECONOMI(' INTEGRATION GOING ON APACE, NOT WAITING FOR 1997.
"WE ARE SEEING TRANSFORMATION MRS CHAN SAID.
LONG BEFORE TRANSITION,"
ON CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT, MRS CHAN SAID OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP HAD SHOWN CONSIDERABLE SKILL IN MANAGING THE TRANSITION FROM COMMAND TO MARKET ECONOMICS.
AND THERE WERE GROUNDS FOR CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM THAT IT WOULD SUCCEED IN COOLING DOWN ITS ECONOMY WITHOUT SEVERE DISRUPTIONS.
"BUT IT IS THE AWAKENING OF THE LATENT ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF THE POPULATION AT LARGE THAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
"THIS SPIRIT BOTH FEEDS AND IS REINFORCED BY THE ECONOMIC CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE."
MRS CHAN EMPHASISED THAT ALL THESE CHANGES HAD TAKEN PLACE WITHIN A SINGLE COUNTRY THAT FOR THE MOST PART SHARED A COMMON HISTORY, CULTURE AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE. THIS MADE FOR A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE FROM THAT IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.
SHE SAID THERE WAS HUGE SCOPE FOR FURTHER EXCHANGES BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA WITH THE MOST OBVIOUS BEING IN THE AREA OF TRADE AS MARKETS DEVELOPED AND DIVERSIFIED. AND HONG KONG WAS THE NATURAL HUB FROM WHICH TO DO BUSINESS.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THE STRONG ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GERMANY WITH TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO CENTRES GROWING AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF 17 PER CENT.
/CARS, SHE ........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
CARS, SHE SAID, WERE THE LARGEST SINGLE IMPORT IN VALUE TERMS SO IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAD ITS LARGEST SHARE OF ANY SINGLE CAR MARKET WORLDWIDE IN HONG KONG.
MRS CHAN, WHO IS ON A THREE COUNTRY, FOUR CITY HONG KONG PROMOTION IN EUROPE, CONTINUED WITH A BUSY SCHEDULE IN FRANKFURT.
EARLIER IN THE DAY SHE HAD A MEETING WITH DR BERND GOOS, HEAD OF THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT OF THE BUNDESBANK, GERMANY’S CENTRAL BANK.
ON SUNDAY NIGHT SHE HOSTED A DINNER FOR A GROUP OF LEADING GERMAN BANKERS AND LATER THIS AFTERNOON (MONDAY) MRS CHAN FLIES TO THE NETHERLANDS TO START ANOTHER ROUND OF OFFICIAL MEETINGS AND SPEECHES IN BOTH THE HAGUE AND AMSTERDAM.
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STATEMENT ON CONDOMS REPORTS
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON REPORTS RELEASED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ON CONDOMS TODAY (MONDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL REPORT FROM THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND IS UNABLE TO COMMENT ON THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT AT THIS STAGE.
HOWEVER, STANDARDS FOR THE DESIGN, DIMENSION, WALL THICKNESS AND UNIFORMITY, ELASTICITY, FREEDOM FROM HOLES AND VISIBLE DEFECTS, COLOUR FASTNESS, PACKAGING AND LABELLING OF CONDOMS ARE COVERED BY A BRITISH STANDARD ISSUED IN 1989.
STANDARDS OF CONDOMS ARE ALSO PUBLISHED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION.
IT IS RECKONED THAT THE USE OF RELIABLE BRANDS OF CONDOMS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTRACEPTION AND PREVENTION OF AIDS AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.
SUBSTANDARD CONDOMS WOULD BE CONTROLLED UNDER A PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE NOT REASONABLY SAFE.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE NOTICES TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF, AND TO RECALL UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS FROM THE MARKET.
SUPPLIERS OF UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS WOULD BE, ON FIRST CONVICTION, SUBJECT TO A FINE OF $100,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT."
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Z5.........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
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HK AND AUSTRALIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON SURRENDER OE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS *****
HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA TODAY (MONDAY) SIGNED AN AGREEMENT ON THE SURRENDER OF ACCUSED AND CONVICTED PERSONS THAT WILL REMAIN IN FORCE AFTER 1997.
THIS IS THE THIRD AGREEMENT THAT HONG KONG HAS SIGNED IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF CO-OPERATION AGAINST INTERNATIONAL CRIME.
THE FIRST ONE WAS SIGNED WITH THE NETHERLANDS; THE SECOND WITH CANADA. MORE AGREEMENTS ARE BEING NEGOTIATED.
THE AGREEMENT LAYS DOWN THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA WILL SURRENDER ACCUSED AND CONVICTED PERSONS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
SIGNING THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY. THE SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE, MR FRANK WALKER, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF AUSTRALIA.
MR ASPREY SAID THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT FOR THE RETURN OF ACCUSED AND CONVICTED PERSONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA WAS COVERED BY THE COMMONWEALTH SCHEME.
"HOWEVER, THAT SCHEME WILL LAPSE BY 1997. THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE THEREFORE AGREED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD NEGOTIATE A NEW NETWORK OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS ON THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS THAT WILL SURVIVE 1997."
THE NEW AGREEMENT SIGNIFIES THE SHARED COMMITMENT OF HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA TO COMBATING INTERNATIONAL CRIME. IT ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A PLACE WHERE THE RULE OF LAW PREVAILS.
THE AGREEMENT CONTAINS ALL THE SAFEGUARDS THAT ARE FOUND IN OTHER SIMILAR INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. THESE INCLUDE:
* THE DOUBLE CRIMINALITY RULE: THE ACT IN RESPECT OF WHICH AN ACCUSED OR CONVICTED PERSON IS REQUESTED MUST CONSTITUTE A CRIME IN BOTH JURISDICTIONS;
* THE PRIMA-FACIE RULE: THERE MUST BE A PRIMA-FACIE CASE AGAINST A PERSON WHOSE RETURN IS REQUESTED;
* THE SPECIALTY RULE: A RETURNED PERSON SHOULD NOT BE TRIED FOR OFFENCES OTHER THAN THOSE FOR WHICH HE WAS SURRENDERED;
* THE POLITICAL OFFENCE RULE: RETURN SHALL BE REFUSED IF THE OFFENCE IN QUESTION IS A POLITICAL OFFENCE.
THE AGREEMENT WILL COME INTO FORCE AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF A NEW FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ORDINANCE WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE BACKING.
/CONSULTATION WITH .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
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CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON THIS LOCALISED LEGISLATION IS UNDER WAY.
FOLLOWING THAT, IT IS HOPED TO INTRODUCE THE BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT YEAR.
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LAND REGISTRATION FIGURES FOR OCTOBER ******
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS, MAINLY FLATS, RECEIVED BY THE LAND REGISTRY FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH DECREASED BY 21 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AND BY 13.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
IN ALL, 7,134 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED WAS $17.90 BILLION.
THESE FIGURES ARE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE LAND REGISTRAR ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS RECEIVED lOR REGISTRATION IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES.
A TABLE SHOWING THE RELEVANT STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND FOR OCTOBER LAST YEAR WAS ALSO RELEASED.
THERE WERE FOUR BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 14,071 OTHER MORTGAGES RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH, COMPARED WITH FIVE AND 12 637 RESPECTIVELY IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH WAS $0.81 BILLION COMPARED WITH $0.37 BILLION IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES ROSE BY 10.8 PER CENT, FROM $5.91 BILLION IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO $6.55 BILLION IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, DECREASED BY 12.9 PER CENT, FROM $3.58 BILLION IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO $3.12 BILLION TN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
/7........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
EFFECTIVE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE HELPS OFFENDERS
********
AN EFFECTIVE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFFENDERS TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIETY AND RESPECT FOR THE LAW, CULMINATING IN SUCCESSFUL RE-INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS MUST WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES, THE COURTS AND THE SOCIAL AND WELFARE SERVICE AGENCIES, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 13TH ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS (APCCA), SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO BE PROGRESSIVE, RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO WORK UNDER PUBLIC SCRUTINY.
’’ADMINISTRATORS MUST ALSO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS AND PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR SERVICE AND HOW BEST THAT SERVICE CAN BE DELIVERED.
’’BUT SINCE CORRECTIONAL ACTIVITIES HAVE EXTENDED AND MOVED FAR BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THE PENAL SETTING, AND AS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAYS AN INCREASINGLY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE CORRECTION OF OFFENDERS, THERE IS MUCH THE COMMUNITY ITSELF CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SERVICE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS AWARE OF WHAT WAS PROVIDED.
"IN THIS WAY WE CAN SECURE GREATER PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE SERVICE AND WIN SUPPORT FOR THE RE-INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE BACK INTO SOCIETY,” HE SAID.
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS IN THE REGION TO GET TOGETHER TO DISCUSS CURRENT ISSUES AND PROBLEMS THROUGH SINCERE AND FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND SHARING OF EXPERIENCES AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES AND MEANS OF THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE REGION.
THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE IS THE BIGGEST SINCE IT WAS FIRST HELD IN FEBRUARY 1980 FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY AND THE THEN PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME HONG KONG HAS HOSTED THE CONFERENCE IN THE PAST 13 YEARS.
THE FIRST ONE WAS ATTENDED BY 27 SENIOR CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS FROM 13 COUNTRIES IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION.
THIS YEAR SOME 59 DELEGATES REPRESENTING 19 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES AND TWO ORGANISATIONS HAVE ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE.
THE CONFERENCE HAD MET IN THAILAND, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, AUSTRALIA, INDIA AND CHINA. LAST YEAR, IT WAS HELD IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
/"THE GROWTH .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
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"THE GROWTH OF APCCA IS YET ANOTHER INDICATOR OF THE EMERGENCE OF THIS REGION OVER THE LAST DECADE OR SO, NOT JUST AS AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE WHICH SETS AN EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, BUT AS AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A LIVELY MARKET PLACE IN IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS WHICH ARE HELPING OUR VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES SHAPE A MODERN AND PROGRESSIVE I DENTITY.
"THIS CONFERENCE IS BUT ONE I ILLUSTRATION OF HOW CO-OPERATION AND EXPERIENCE-SHARING BENEFITS US ALL," SIR DAVID ADDED.
THE AGENDA INCLUDES THE RIGHTS AND TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS, THE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFFENDERS, PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR CORRECTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR CORRECTIONS.
A FULL PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO VARIOUS TYPES OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG WILL BE ARRANGED DURING THE CONFERENCE. A FINAL REPORT WILL BE COMPILED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE AFTER THE CONFERENCE.
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HOTLINE FOR OVERLOADING COMPLAINTS
*****
A HOTLINE WILL BE SET UP IN THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES.
THE HOTLINE - 829 5555 - WILL BE OPERATED FROM WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 17).
COMPLAINTS WILL BE DEALT WITH MANUALLY DURING OFFICE HOURS. A TELEPHONE RECORDING SYSTEM WILL BE OPERATED AFTER OFFICE HOURS.
APART FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HOTLINE, THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO USE THE 24-HOUR POLICE HOTLINE - 527 7177 - TO FILE COMPLAINTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM BOTH SOURCES WOULD BE PASSED ON TO THE RELEVANT REGIONAL TRAFFIC UNIT OF THE POLICE FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPLAINANT WILL BE KEPT IN CONFIDENCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HF ADDED THAT IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A GOODS VEHICLE TO HAVE A LOADING EXCEEDING THE PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT ASSIGNED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
"OVERLOADING DOES NOT ONLY LOWER THE BRAKING ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE THUS INCREASING A CHANCE FOR ACCIDENT, IT ALSO DAMAGES ROAD PAVEMENT AND INCREASES THE NEED FOR ROAD REPAIR," HE SAID.
UPON CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES IS A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS ON FIRST CONVICTION AND A FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS ON SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
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/9 .....
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
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HK ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION OPENS IN FRANKFURT * » » * *
THE LARGEST EXHIBITION EVER ASSEMBLED ON HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED IN GERMANY YESTERDAY (SUNDAY), MARKING THE START OF A MAJOR HONG KONG PROMOTION IN THREE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
THE EXHIBITION, TITLED "HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE - THE AESTHETICS OF DENSITY", SHOWCASES THE TRANSFORMATION OF HONG KONG FROM A BARREN ROCK IN THE EARLY 1840’S TO ITS PRESENT-DAY "METROPOLIS” STATUS, AND ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, TOLD MORE THAN 200 GUESTS THAT THE BUILDINGS OF HONG KONG WERE ONE OF ITS MOST ENDURING IMAGES.
THEY CREATED THE BIGGEST SINGLE IMPRESSION FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY FIRST FLEW INTO HONG KONG BECAUSE OF THE CITY’S "ASTOUND1NGLY CONCENTRATED URBAN ENVIRONMENT".
MRS CHAN DREW COMPARISONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FRANKFURT, WHERE THE EXHIBITION IS BEING HELD. HONG KONG’S 72 SQUARE KILOMETRES OF URBAN AREAS CATERED FOR ABOUT FOUR MILLION PEOPLE, WHEREAS THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF FRANKFURT COVERING SOME 248 SQUARE KILOMETRES WAS HOME AND WORKPLACE FOR ABOUT 635,000 PEOPLE.
"IT IS SOMETIMES SAID IN JEST ABOUT HONG KONG THAT IT IS A GREAT CITY, BUT IT WILL BE EVEN BETTER WHEN IT IS FINISHED. BUT THIS THROWAWAY LINE MISSES THE POINT.
"IN FACT, THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG HAVE BEEN COMPLETED TIME AND TIME AGAIN. THEY ARE IN A STATE OF CONTINUAL RENEWAL AND EXPANSION," MRS CHAN SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE SAID TALKING OF CHANGE INEVITABLY LED TO MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 30, 1997 AND THE RESUMPTION OF CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY. HOWEVER, SHE ADDED THAT HONG KONG’S WAY OF DOING THINGS WOULD BE PRESERVED UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"ONE NATION’S FLAG WILL GO DOWN AND ANOTHER’S WILL GO UP IN 1997. BUT NOT MUCH MORE. IN HONG KONG, IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL, UNDERPINNED BY THE SAME INDEPENDENT LEGAL SYSTEM AND ADMINISTERED BY THE SAME EFFICIENT, DEDICATED AND CLEAN CIVIL SERVICE."
THE MAYOR OF FRANKFURT, DR HANS-JUERGEN MOOG, SAID MRS CHAN’S VISIT CLEARLY INDICATED THAT GERMANY SHOULD STRENGTHEN STILL FURTHER ITS RELATIONS WITH HONG KONG.
"THIS IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT FRANKFURT IS NOW TO BECOME THE SEAT OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK," HE SAID.
THE ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION IS BEING HELD IN THE PRESTIGIOUS GERMAN MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE AND INCLUDES 11 CORE PROJECTS, COMPLETE WITH BUILDING MODELS, ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS, PLANS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VIEWS.
/SOME OF .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
- 10 -
SOME OF HONG KONG’S MOST OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES OF ARCHITECTURE ARE FEATURED SUCH AS THE BANK OF CHINA TOWER, THE HONG KONG BANK BUILDING, LIPPO CENTRE, CENTRAL PLAZA AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE EXHIBITION, COSTING SOME HK$3.7 MILLION, HAS BEEN COORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GERMAN MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE. IT WILL BE ON SHOW FOR THREE MONTHS.
------0--------
SWAC SUPPORTS PAY RISE FOR CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT OF THE SALARY SCALE OF CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS FROM THE MASTER PAY SCALE (MPS) POINT 12-18 TO MPS POINT 13-20 WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL NEXT YEAR.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE IN 1976 THE LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS HAD INCREASED.
THESE INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INTEGRATED CHILD CARE SERVICE, THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE.
CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS HAD ALSO ASSUMED HEAVIER STAFF SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND HIGHER EXPECTATIONS OF CHILDREN FROM PARENTS.
SWAC CHAIRMAN MR ERIC LI SAID: "THE PAY RISE IS TO- GIVE RECOGNITION TO THE INCREASE IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS."
MEMBERS ALSO REALISED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WERE STILL REVIEWING THE ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND HOPED THAT THE RESULT WOULD BE COMING OUT VERY SOON.
"IF THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS NEED TO BE RAISED, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE SALARY STRUCTURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS SO THAT IT WOULD NOT CREATE ANY PROBLEMS IN RECRUITMENT,” MR LI SAID.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CHILD CARE CENTRES WOULD NOT INCREASE THEIR FEES NEXT APRIL. NEVERTHELESS THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONSIDER THE IMPACT ON COSTS AT ITS ANNUAL REVIEW OF FEES IN SEPTEMBER.
"THIS NEW SALARY SCALE SHOULD BE APPLICABLE TO ALL CHILD CARE SUPERV1RORS IN SUBVENTED/AIDED DAY CRECHES AND DAY NURSERIES WHO MEET THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHILD CARE REGULATIONS," MR LI ADDED.
/DETAILS OF .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
DETAILS OF THE SUPPORTED SALARY SCALE FOR CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
QUALIFICATIONS
EXISTING SCALE
SWI) PROPOSED SCALE
MPS PT
MPS PT.
(I)
HKCE 2ES;
12 - 18
($11,610 - $15,735)
13 - 20 ($12,315 - $17,340)
(II)
COMPLETION OF CHILD CARE TRAINING;
(III )
3 YEARS’ CHILD CARE EXPERIENCE; AND
(IV)
AGED 25 OR ABOVE
II. (I)
5 YEARS’
DITTO
DITTO
EXPERIENCE AS A REGISTERED CHILD CARE WORKER; AND
(II) AGED 28 OR ABOVE.
THE MEMBERS ALSO DISCUSSED THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN AND REAFFIRMED ITS MAJOR PRINCIPLES.
’’WOMEN AND MEN SHOULD BE EQUAL ON MATTERS RELATING TO LAWS, RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL PARTICIPATION,” MR LI SAID.
HE ADDED THAT MEMBERS HOPED THAT THESE PRINCIPLES WOULD BE REALISED AND SAW THE NEED FOR A CHARTER FOR WOMEN AND A COMMISSION ON WOMEN MATTERS TO CARRY OUT CONSULTATION WORK AND RESEARCHES.
MEMBERS CONSIDERED THAT THE CHARTER FOR WOMEN ALONE MIGHT NOT BE ADEQUATE TO CHANGE THE ESTABLISHED SOCIAL ATTITUDE.
MORE FUNDS SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO STRENGTHEN CIVIC EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE SERVICES.
SUCH WOUlil) ENABLE WOMEN TO ASSUME MORE ROLES, APART FROM THE TRADITIONAL ONE IN THE FAMILY, TO WORK AND PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN AN ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION.
”1 MUST STRESS THAT AT PRESENT FAMILY IS STILL AN IMPORTANT UNIT IN HONG KONG COMMUNITY. IF WOMEN CHOOSE TO STAY IN THEIR. HOMES AS FULL-TIME HOUSEWIVES THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY SHOULD BE FULLY RESPECTED,” MR LI CONCLUDED.
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/12
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
- 12 -
TENDER FOR THIRD ISSUE OF EXCHANGE FUND NOTES
♦ ♦ * * *
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES THAT THE TENDER FOR THE THIRD ISSUE OF TWO-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WILL BE HELD NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 22) FOR SETTLEMENT ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 23).
SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ISSUE, AN AMOUNT OF $500 MILLION TWO-YEAR NOTES WILL BE ON OFFER.
IN ADDITION, ANOTHER $100 MILLION WILL BE HELD AS RESERVE BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY FOR SUPPLY TO MARKET MAKERS IN THE SECONDARY MARKET.
THE NOTES WILL MATURE ON NOVEMBER 23, 1995 AND WILL CARRY INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 4.15 PER CENT PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE NOTES MAY DO SO THROUGH ANY OF THE MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ON 30TH FLOOR, 3 GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (OR TELEPHONE 878 8150).
EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF $50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES THEREOF.
---------0 - -
ENGLAND BANK CHIEF VISITS MONETARY AUTHORITY ♦ * * * *
MR EDDIE GEORGE, THE GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND, VISITED THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) TODAY (MONDAY) AND MET WITH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HKMA, MR JOSEPH YAM.
THIS IS MR GEORGE’S FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG SINCE HE BECAME GOVERNOR IN JULY THIS YEAR. MR GEORGE WAS FORMERLY DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF THE BANK FROM 1990 TO JULY THIS YEAR.
"WE ARE VERY HONOURED BY THE VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND TO THE HKMA. WE HAVE HAD VERY USEFUL DISCUSSIONS ON AREAS OF MUTUAL INTEREST AND MR GEORGE WAS VERY INTERESTED IN AND SUPPORTIVE OF THE VARIOUS MONETARY REFORMS THAT WE PUT IN PLACE FOR HONG KONG IN THE PAST 10 YEARS," MR YAM SAID.
"THE BANK HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKMA AND ITS INTEGRATION INTO THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL BANKING FRATERNITY.
"THE BANK HAS ALSO BEEN VERY GENEROUS IN SHARING WITH US THEIR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE IN CENTRAL BANKING MATTERS. THIS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE ARE THANKFUL FOR,” MR YAM ADDED.
"THE HKMA LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING AND STRENGTHENING OUR CO-OPERATION WITH THE BANK IN THE YEARS TO COME," MR YAM SAID.
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/13 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
13
JACKIE CHAN JETS OFF FOR HK FILM FESTIVAL * * * * *
FILM STAR JACKIE CHAN SET OFF FOR PARIS LAST NIGHT (SUNDAY) TO HELP LAUNCH A FESTIVAL OF HONG KONG MOVIES BEING HELD AS PART OF THE LARGEST EUROPEAN PROMOTION THE TERRITORY HAS MOUNTED.
HIS LATEST ACTION MOVIE, CRIME STORY, WILL OPEN THE 20-FILM FESTIVAL IN THE SALLE DE LA CINEMATHEQUE, PALAIS DE CHAILLOT, BEING SHOWN OVER THREE WEEKS FROM WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 17).
THE FESTIVAL OFFERINGS WERE CHOSEN BY HONG KONG’S MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND LA CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE TO PRESENT A TASTE OF THE VARIOUS STYLES OF MOVIES MADE IN HONG KONG.
THE TERRITORY PRODUCED 206 MOVIES LAST YEAR, CONFIRMING IT AS THE WORLD’S THIRD LARGEST FILM INDUSTRY.
THE FESTIVAL IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS PART OF A MAJOR PROMOTION IN FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS. IT IS SPONSORED BY SIX MAJOR HONG KONG FIRMS: CATHAY PACIFIC, CITIC PACIFIC, HANG SENG BANK, HUTCHISON WHAMPOA, INCHCAPE PACIFIC AND SINO GROUP.
THE NEWLY COMPLETED ’’CRIME STORY” WAS HIGHLY RATED BY THE CINEMATHEQUE SELECTION TEAM AND, AS WITH MOST OF THE FESTIVAL FILMS, HAS BEEN SUBTITLED IN FRENCH.
THREE OTHER HONG KONG FILM STARS, MAGGIE CHEUNG, JOEY WANG AND ROSAMUND KWAN, WILL ATTEND THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING NIGHT, ALONG WITH MRS ANSON CHAN, WHO TAKES UP HER NEW POST AS CHIEF SECRETARY ON NOVEMBER 29.
------0-------
THREE CANDIDATES RUN FOR BY-ELECTION *****
THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE RECEIVED THREE NOMINATIONS FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WONG UK CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION WHEN THE TWO-WEEK NOMINATION PERIOD ENDED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE BY-ELECTION IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 5.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES:
NAME AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL
MR WONG YIU-SANG 35 ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER 637 4949 ; ।
MR LEUNG CHI-WA1 40 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE 691 0228
MR WONG VINCENT KENG-CHUEN, 33 UNIVERSITY LECTURER 788 8627
— — — - 0 /14
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
14
DRY AND COOL IN OCTOBER
*****
OCTOBER WAS GENERALLY DRIER AND SLIGHTLY COOLER THAN NORMAL, A MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT COMPILED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID.
THE DOMINANCE OF CONTINENTAL ANTICYCLONES HELPED TO SUSTAIN THE PREVAILING NORTHEAST MONSOON. ‘ vt.
THE MONTHLY MEAN PRESSURE OF 1,016.2 HECTOPASCALS WAS THE THIRD HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR OCTOBER.
AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF DRY CONTINENTAL AIR AND FINE WEATHER, MOST OF THE RAIN DURING THE MONTH FELL ON OCTOBER 13 AND 14 WHEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION PASSED OVER THE COASTAL WATERS OF GUANGDONG.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 87.8 MILLIMETRES WAS 39 PER CENT BELOW THE OCTOBER NORMAL OF 144.8 MILLIMETRES.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNT OF 2,183.6 MILLIMETRES SINCE JANUARY 1 WAS CLOSE TO THE CLIMATOLOGICAL AVERAGE, BEING ONLY ONE PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 2,151.9 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
RAIN THAT STARTED AROUND MIDNIGHT ON THE LAST DAY OF SEPTEMBER DUE TO FRESH EASTERLY WINDS PERSISTED TILL THE EARLY MORNING OF OCTOBER 1.
THE MOST AFFECTED AREA WAS THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY WHERE MORE THAN 20 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN WERE RECORDED.
THE RAIN GAVE WAY TO SUNNY PERIODS AFTER DAYBREAK THAT DAY BUT CLOUDS RETURNED ON OCTOBER 2.
DRIER AIR REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON OCTOBER 3 AND A SPELL OF FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER SET IN AFTERWARDS.
AS WINDS MODERATED ON OCTOBER 5, TEMPERATURES CLIMBED TO THE MONTH’S HIGHEST OF 29.0 DEGREES DURING THE DAY.
ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 5, A REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON ARRIVED FROM THE NORTH.
TEMPERATURES CAME DOWN BY ONE TO TWO DEGREES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
CONDITIONS BECAME EVEN DRIER, WITH RELATIVE HUMIDITY FALLING BELOW 30 PER CENT ON OCTOBER 7.
MEANWHILE, THE DRY AIR MASS ENSURED THAT THE FINE SPELL CONTINUED DESPITE ANOTHER FRESHENING OF THE EASTERLIES ON OCTOBER 11.
AS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION APPROACHED FROM THE SOUTHEAST, THE WEATHER TURNED CLOUDY ON OCTOBER 13.
RAIN, LIGHT AT FIRST, BECAME CONTINUOUS LATER THAT MORNING AND LASTED NEARLY 24 HOURS.
/IT WAS .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
- 15 -
IT WAS HEAVIEST IN THE SMALL HOURS OF OCTOBER 14 AND NORTHEASTERLY WINDS WERE OCCASIONALLY STRONG OFFSHORE.
URBAN FLOODING OCCURRED IN SHAM SHUI PO AND CHEUNG SHA WAN WHERE FLOOD WATER WAS REPORTED TO BE ONE METRE DEEP.
; 11-
THE WEATHER IMPROVED DURING THE DAY EVEN THOUGH LIGHT RAIN RETURNED ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 14.
MEANWHILE, WINDS HAD TURNED EASTERLY AND OCCASIONAL STRONG WINDS AFFECTED OFFSHORE AREAS EARLY ON OCTOBER 16. PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN FELL THAT NIGHT AND THE WEATHER STAYED MAINLY CLOUDY OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS AS A WEAK REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON BROUGHT ANOTHER SLIGHT DROP IN TEMPERATURES IN HONG KONG.
THE WEATHER TOWARDS THE CHUNG YEUNG HOLIDAY WEEKEND WAS GENERALLY FINE AND DRY. DAYTIME RELATIVE HUMIDITY WAS NO MORE THAN 60 PER CENT.
SEVENTY-SIX CASES OF HILL FIRES WERE REPORTED ON OCTOBER 24.
EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED THAT DAY AND THE WINDY CONDITIONS LED TO THE COLLAPSE OF SCAFFOLDINGS IN KWAI CHUNG ON OCTOBER 25.
6 , •
TWO VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT BUT NO ONE WAS HURT.
THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN BEFORE FINE WEATHER RETURNED ON OCTOBER 28.
A MAJOR NORTHERLY SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST EARLY ON OCTOBER 29. STRONG WINDS BLEW ON HIGH GROUND AND OVER OFFSHORE AREAS.
WITH THE ADVECTION OF COOL AND DRY AIR FROM THE CONTINENT, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN BOTH TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY.
THE MONTH'S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 17.2 DEGREES WAS RECORDED EARLY ON OCTOBER 31.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY DROPPING BELOW 30 PER CENT DURING THE DAY, HILL FIRES WERE RAMPANT AND THE TERRITORY COUNTED A TOTAL OF 83 CASES THAT DAY.
DURING OCTOBER, NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED BECAUSE OF ADVERSE WEATHER.
DETAILS OF THE ISSUANCE/HOISTING AND CANCELLATION/LOWERING OF VARIOUS WARNINGS/SIGNALS TN THE MONTH ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.1. MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL FOR OCTOBER ARE TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
/TABLE 1.1 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
- 16 -
TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN OCTOBER 1993
WARNINGS / SIGNALS EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS
NAME OF T.C. SIGNAL NO.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION 1 OCT 12 1645 - OCT 13 1645
STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL OCT 1 0335 - OCT 1 1600 OCT 7 0015 - OCT 7 1020 OCT 29 1745 - OCT 31 1130
FLOOD WARNINGS OCT 14 0120 - OCT 14 0645
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS OCT 13 2305 - OCT 14 0705
FIRE DANGER WARNING
YELLOW OCT 1 0615 - OCT 1 2215 OCT 3 0000 - OCT 3 2245 OCT 6 0615 - OCT 10 2350 OCT 11 0750 - OCT 11 2135 OCT 17 0750 - OCT 17 2200
RED OCT 23 0000 - OCT 24 2300 OCT 30 0000 - NOV 3 0350
TABLE 1.2 FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL - OCTOBER 1993
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 198.4 HOURS; 3.4 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 14.35 MJ/SQM; 1.11 MJ/PER SQM
BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 87.8 MM; 57.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT 49 %; 7 % BELOW NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 69 %; 4 % BELOW NORMAL
/MEAN DAILY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
- 17 -
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
27.0 DEGREES; 0.9 DEGREE BELOW NORMAL
24.6 DEGREES; 0.6 DEGREE BELOW NORMAL
22.8 DEGREES; 0.3 DEGREE BELOW NORMAL
18.3 DEGREES; 1.5 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL
123.3 MM; 28.9 MM BELOW NORMAL
--------0-----------
TWO MOTION DEBATES ON LEGCO AGENDA » » * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL DEBATE TWO MOTIONS THIS WEDNESDAY.
THE FIRST MOTION ON ORGAN DONATION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, WHILE THE OTHER MOTION, TO BE MOVED BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN, IS ON FLOODING PROBLEM IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES.
REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD WILL PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT MOTION TO MR TIK'S MOTION.
IN THE MEETING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL PRESENT THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AND THE ACCOUNTS OF HONG KONG FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1993.
THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT NO.21 ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1993 AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 19 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS.
THREE OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED. 1/
THESE BILLS INCLUDE: BILLS OF LADING AND ANALOGOUS SHIPPING DOCUMENTS BILL, IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 AND CENSUS AND STATISTICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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/IB........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
- 18
SHAM SHUT PO WELFARE OFFICES ON MOVE
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE, THE REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY OFFICE AND THE YOUTH OFFICE WILL OPERATE FROM THEIR NEW PREMISES ON THE THIRD FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, NAM CHEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHAM SHUI PO FROM WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 17).
TELEPHONE ENQUIRY NUMBERS FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY OFFICE, AND THE YOUTH OFFICE WILL BE 360 5258, 360 5151 AND 360 5259 RESPECTIVELY.
-----0-------
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 17) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY CHEUNG WAH STREET, PO ON ROAD, CHEUNG FAT STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD,
OWING TO CONNECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI, JORDAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 7 AM TO 8 PM ON WEDNESDAY.
SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN MONG KOK AND TAI KOK TSUI WILL ALSO BE WEAKENED IN THE SAME PERIOD.
------0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) AT 84.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 497.500 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
STOOD
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 431 351 CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 73.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
MILLION
---------0-----------
/19........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1993
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET * * *
OPERATIONS * ♦
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
1 ,665
REVERSAL OF LAF
+1,335
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
-239
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
2,761
Lav kaTE
2.00 B1D/4.00 OFFER
TWl 112.9 *-0.1*
15.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.61 PCT 12 MONTHS 24 11 4.625 101.24 3.39
1 MONTH 2.76 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.44 3.59
3 MONTHS 2.89 per 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.88 3.87
6 MONTHS 2.99 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.08 4.02
12 MONTHS 3.35 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.15 4.56
TOTAL TURNOVER OF ■ BILLS AND BONDS - 9,232 MN
CLOSED 15 NOVEMBER 1993
---------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS TO ATTEND APEC LEADERS MEETING ............................ 1
APEC AFFIRMS SUPPORT OF UR TALKS ............................. 2
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL GROUPS TO MEET BEC .............. 2
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JULY -SEPTEMBER ..................................................... 4
GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENTS AROUND MAI PO ANNOUNCED .......... 5
CONCERN OVER EVICTION NOTICES NOTED .......................... 5
CHIEF SECRETARY PRAISES CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ................ 6
STANDARD NUMBER SYSTEM USEFUL IN MARKETING BOOKS ............. 7
COMPANIES FINED FOR BREAKING POLLUTION LAW ................... 8
CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION ..................................... 14
FIREMAN COMMENDED FOR SAVING LIFE ............................ 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............ 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
17
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
FS TO ATTEND APEC LEADERS MEETING
* t » » *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO ATTEND THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) ECONOMIC LEADERS MEETING IN SEATTLE ON NOVEMBER 20.
HE WILL BE REPRESENTING HONG KONG AT THIS MEETING WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED BY U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS TO DISCUSS IN AN INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE FUTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION.
THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION AS 21ST CENTURY APPROACHES, ECONOMIC PRIORITIES OF APEC MEMBERS AND MECHANISMS TO HELP MEET THESE PRIORITIES.
PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL BE HOSTING A DINNER FOR APEC LEADERS AND MINISTERS ON NOVEMBER 19 BEFORE THE LEADERS RETREAT TO BLAKE ISLAND FOR THE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 20.
A JOINT STATEMENT IS EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED. , i
THIS FIRST-EVER APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS MEETING IS HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ANNUAL APEC MINISTERIAL MEETING WHICH TAKES PLACE FROM NOVEMBER 17 TO 19.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ATTENDING THE MINISTERIAL MEETING IS LED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU.
CURRENT MEMBERS OF APEC ARE AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, CHINESE TAIPEI, THAILAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MR MACLEOD WILL MEET THE MEDIA TO SPEAK ABOUT HIS VISIT TO SEATTLE AT THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING AT 5.15 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE PRESS FACILITY AT THE AIRPORT TOMORROW NIGHT WHEN HE LEAVES FOR THE UNITED STATES.
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/2 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
2
APEC AFFIRMS SUPPORT OF UR TALKS
*****
A KEY OBJECTIVE FOR HONG KONG AT THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) CONFERENCE IN SEATTLE WILL BE TO SECURE A STRONG MINISTERIAL DECLARATION IN SUPPORT OF THE URUGUAY ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TAKING PART IN THE APEC SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING, MR TONY MILLER, SAID HONG KONG WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE APEC MINISTERS DELIVERING A CLEAR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND A FIRM COMMITMENT TO AN EARLY AND SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE URUGUAY ROUND.
"WE NEED A STATEMENT OF FIRM RESOLVE FROM ALL APEC MEMBERS TO PURSUE A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"WE HOPE THE MINISTERIAL DECLARATION WILL INCLUDE THIS, THAT IT WILL HAVE SOME SUBSTANCE TO IT AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CRAFTING THIS DOCUMENT WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN APEC,” MR MILLER SAID.
ON SUBJECTS BEING DISCUSSED AT THE SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 15, MR MILLER SAID PARTICIPATION OF BUSINESS AND NON-BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS IN APEC ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN A KEY THEME.
"WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO INVOLVE THE BUSINESS SECTOR IN AN EFFECTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAY IN APEC’S WORK, AND WAYS IN WHICH INTER-ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS CAN PROVIDE BETTER INPUT INTO APEC.
"THIS WILL BE AN ISSUE MINISTERS WILL ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS," HE SAID.
APEC SENIOR OFFICIALS ALSO AGREED THAT OTHER NON-BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS COULD HAVE A COMPLEMENTARY ROLE TO PLAY, AND APEC WOULD LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIAISING WITH THEM IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY.
------0-------
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL GROUPS TO MEET BEC
*****
THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION HAS SET ASIDE THREE ADDITIONAL DAYS TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WHO WISH TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE COMMISSION’S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE NAMES AND BOUNDARIES OF PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY AREAS FOR THE 1994 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE MEETINGS, TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 25 TO 27, ARE BY APPOINTMENTS ONLY. THEY WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR CENTRE AT 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMISSION ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE PRIOR APPOINTMENTS WITH THE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT BY TELEPHONE ON 827 7133, ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 22 (MONDAY).
/THESE MEETINGS .......
3
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
URBAN DISTRICTS
CENTRAL AND WESTERN
WAN CHAI
EASTERN
SOUTHERN
YAU TSIM MONG
GENERAL ASPECTS
SHAM SHUI PO
KOWLOON CITY
WONG TAI SIN
KWUN TONG
GENERAL ASPECTS
THESE MEETINGS ARE IN ADDITION TO THE TWO-DAY PUBLIC MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON NOVEMBER 23 AND 24, IN WHICH THE COMMISSION WILL RECEIVE SHORT ORAL REPRESENTATIONS.
THE COMMISSION IS NOW CONDUCTING A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE UNTIL NOVEMBER 27 TO SOLICIT VIEWS ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
MAPS SHOWING THE DELINEATION OF PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY AREAS AND THEIR NAMES AS WELL AS THE DESCRIPTIONS OF BOUNDARIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT MORE THAN 400 LOCATIONS, INCLUDING ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, POST OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AT HARBOUR CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT BEFORE NOVEMBER 27.
THOSE WHO INTEND TO ATTEND THE TWO-DAY PUBLIC MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL ARE ADVISED TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING MEETING SCHEDULE.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 9.15 AM TO 9.45 AM 9.45 AM TO 10.15 AM 10.15 AM TO 10.45 AM 11 AM TO 11.30 AM 11.30 AM TO NOON NOON TO 1 PM 2 PM TO 2.30 PM 2.30 PM TO 3 PM 3 PM TO 3.30 PM 3.30 PM TO 4 PM 4.15 PM TO 5.45 PM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
9.15 AM TO 9.45 AM
9.45 AM TO 10.15 AM
10.15 AM TO 10.45 AM
11 AM TO 11.30 AM
11.30 AM TO NOON
NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS
TSUEN WAN
TUEN MUN
YUEN LONG
NORTH
TAI PO
/NOON TO .......
4
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
NOON TO 1 PM
2 PM TO 2.30 PM
2.30 PM TO 3 PM
3 PM TO 3.30 PM
GENERAL ASPECTS
SAI KUNG ; i . /
SHA TIN
KWAI TSING
ISLANDS
GENERAL ASPECTS
3.30 PM TO 4 PM
4.15 PM TO 5.45 PM " ’i ■ 7 ’’ • :
FOR ENQUIRIES ON THE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND THE MEETINGS ‘ BY APPOINTMENT WITH THE COMMISSION, PLEASE CALL 827 7144.
-------------------------------0------- UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER *****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1993 WAS 2.0%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.3%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD AUGUST - OCTOBER 1993 WAS 2.0%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%.
. i. . !.iL
THE LATEST FIGURES SUGGEST THAT THE LABOUR MARKET HAS REMAINED GENERALLY TIGHT IN RECENT MONTHS.
DURING THE PERIOD JULY - SEPTEMBER 1993, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRSTTIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 56,400, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 37,900.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1993 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,800 HOUSEHOLDS OR 40,900 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WAS OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH AT $23.50 A COPY.
------0-------
• ■ /5 ..............................................
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
5
GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENTS AROUND MAI PO ANNOUNCED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVAL OF A SET OF GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREAS AROUND MAI PO NATURE RESERVES (MPNR) AND INNER DEEP BAY.
"THE MPNR AND INNER DEEP BAY HAVE VERY HIGH ECOLOGICAL VALUE. IT IS, THEREFORE, NECESSARY TO CONTROL CAREFULLY THE NATURE AND LEVEL OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ENVIRONS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
TWO BUFFER ZONES HAVE BEEN DELINEATED TO GIVE THE MPNR AND THE AREAS AROUND INNER DEEP BAY ADDITIONAL PROTECTION AND TO PREVENT THE NATURAL HABITATS FROM BEING ENCROACHED BY URBAN TYPE DEVELOPMENTS.
"NO NEW DEVELOPMENT WITHIN BUFFER ZONE I WILL BE ALLOWED UNLESS IT IS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION OF THE AREA’S NATURAL FEATURES AND SCENIC QUALITIES.
"FOR BUFFER ZONE II, NEW DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED UNLESS IT WILL NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY, DRAINAGE, SEWERAGE AND TRAFFIC IN THE AREA, INCLUDING THE MPNR AND INNER DEEP BAY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE GUIDELINES LIST OUT THE LAND USES WHICH ARE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE WITHIN THE BUFFER ZONES AND SET OUT THE FACTORS WHICH WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE BOARD IN CONSIDERING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WITHIN THE ZONES.
THE GUIDELINES AND A PLAN SHOWING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE BUFFER ZONES ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE PLANNING INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATION UNIT OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
---0 -
CONCERN OVER EVICTION NOTICES NOTED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID Till GOVERNMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED EVICTION NOTICES FROM OWNERS OF PRIVATE LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PEOPLE, WHO HOLD A CROWN LAND LICENCE AND ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT THE LEGAL POSITION OF THEIR OCCUPANCY UPON RECEIPT OF AN EVICTION NOTICE, ARE ADVISED TO APPROACH THEIR DISTRICT LAND OFFICE TO SEEK GUIDANCE AND CLARIFICATION AS THEY COULD BE OCCUPYING A MIXTURE OF PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT LAND.
HOWEVER, IF THEIR OCCUPANCY ONLY INVOLVES A PRIVATE LOT, IT WOULD BE A PURELY CIVIL MATTER BETWEEN THE OCCUPIER AND THE OWNER. IN THESE C1RCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TNTERVENE.
/THE SPOKESMAN
6
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT DISTRICT LAND OFFICE STAFF WOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ASSIST THESE PEOPLE TO ESTABLISH THEIR POSITION RELATING TO THEIR OCCUPANCY.
BUT, IN VIEW OF THE DIFFICULTY INVOLVED IN TRACING BACK THE LAND TITLE AND BOUNDARY ISSUES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THAT HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS, THE PROCESSING OF SOME INDIVIDUAL ENQUIRIES MAY TAKE SOME TIME.
- - 0 - -
CHIEF SECRETARY PRAISES CORRECTIONAL SERVICES *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE STAFF OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) FOR PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES WITH GREAT DISTINCTION AND PROFESSIONALISM DESPITE THE ADDED BURDEN BROUGHT ABOUT BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE AT CSD’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY THIS AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD TO FACE MANY CHALLENGES IN RECENT YEARS.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HAS PLACED CONSIDERABLE STRAIN ON ACCOMMODATION LEADING TO SERIOUS OVERCROWDING AND HAS TESTED FULLY THE RESOURCEFULNESS OF CSD.
’’THE SITUATION HAS BEEN AGGRAVATED FURTHER BY THE NEED FOR YOU TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE (’ARE AND CUSTODY OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SINCE 19 78.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS COPED WITH THAT SITUATION EXTREMELY WELL AND DESERVES THE ADMIRATION OF THE COMMUNITY FOR ALL ITS EFFORTS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THIS HAS NOT BEEN PART OF THE REGULAR JOB OF THE DEPARTMENT. NEVERTHELESS STAFF HAVE PERFORMED THIS DUTY WITH GREAT DISTINCTION AND PROFESSIONALISM," HE SAID.
IN SPITE OF THESE CHANGES AND CHALLENGES, HE SAID, THE
COMMITMENT OF CSD STAFF HAS BEEN THERE FOR ALL TO SEE. THE CHALLENGES WHICH LIE AHEAD WOULD REQUIRE A DEDICATED, FORWARD-LOOKI NG AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF.
"THE DUTIES YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE WILL BE ONEROUS, DEMANDING, AND AT TIMES STRESSFUL," HE ADDED.
"CSD HAS DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES CATERED FOR THE VARYING NEEDS OF PRISONERS. NEW INITIATIVES HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF AFTERCARE SUPERVISION,” SIR DAVID SAID.
'TO OOP! Will! THE EVER-INCREASING DEMAND FOR MORE AND BETTER SERVICES, THE STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS GROWN OVER FOUR TIMES SINCE I FIRST CAME I’O HONG KONG 25 YEARS AGO, FROM AROUND 1,300 IN 1968 TO OVER 7,000 TODAY," III RECALLED.
/"IN PARTICULAR
7
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
"IN PARTICULAR, THE OFFICER GRADE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPANDED TO REFLECT THE DIVERSIFIED ROLES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE EMPHASIS ON QUALITY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS," HE ADDED.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 244 ASSISTANT OFFICERS II WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED 20 WEEKS’ BASIC TRAINING.
-----0------
STANDARD NUMBER SYSTEM USEFUL IN MARKETING BOOKS
*****
PUBLISHERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBER (ISBN) SYSTEM FOR MORE EFFICIENT MARKETING OF BOOKS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
AN ISBN IS A UNIQUE NUMBER GIVEN TO EVERY BOOK OR EDITION OF A BOOK BEFORE PUBLICATION TO IDENTIFY THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF THE PUBLISHER, THE PUBLISHER, THE TITLE, THE EDITION, VOLUME NUMBER AND BINDING FORMAT.
EACH ISBN IS MADE UP OF 10 DIGITS FROM THE FOUR PARTS: GROUP NUMBER, PUBLISHER IDENTIFIER, TITLE NUMBER AND CHECK DIGIT.
THE GROUP NUMBER ALLOCATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ISBN AGENCY AT BERLIN TO IDENTIFY ALL BOOKS PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG IS "962".
OVERSEAS PUBLISHERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE "962" AS THE GROUP NUMBER, WHICH APPEARS IN THE FIRST PART OF THE ISBN.
"THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ISBN SYSTEM IS VESTED IN THE BOOKS REGISTRATION OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
"PUBLISHERS’ IDENTIFIERS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO LOCAL PUBLISHERS FREE OF CHARGE UPON APPLICATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ISBN IS USEFUL TO PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS BECAUSE:
* IT CO-ORDINATES AND STANDARDISES INTERNATIONALLY THE USE OF BOOK NUMBERS IN AN UNAMBIGUOUS MANNER AND AVOID THE BURDEN OF USING A COMPLEX BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION.
♦ IT CONTRIBUTES TO MORE EFFICIENT MARKETING OE BOOKS FOR IT IDENTIFIES NOT ONLY A PUBLICATION, BUT ALSO ITS PUBLISHER AS WELL.
* IT ALSO FACILITATES BOOK ACQUISITION, CATALOGUING, CIRCULATION, 1NTER-LIBRARY LOAN AND STOCK-TAKING PROCESSES IN LIBRARIES AND DOCUMENTATION CENTRES, PROVIDING ECONOMIC CONTROL ON 'HIE FLOW OF BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION.
TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS AND MATERIALS WHICH ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ISBN’S INCLUDE PRINTED BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS, MICRO-FORMS, EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS OR MOVIES, SOUND RECORDINGS THAT FORM PART OF A PUBLISHER’S PROGRAMME, MICROCOMPUTER SOFTWARE, ATLASES AND BRAILLE PUBLICATIONS.
/ON THE.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
8
ON THE OTHER HAND, MATERIALS SUCH AS OFFPRINTS FROM PERIODICALS AND FESTSCHRIFTS, DIARIES, CALENDARS, ADVERTISING MATERIALS, NEWSPAPERS, WALL POSTERS, LEAFLETS, PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMES, EXHIBIT LISTS WITHOUT ADDITIONAL TEXT, SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CURRICULA, LECTURE AND TEACHING MATERIALS OF MANUSCRIPT CHARACTER, FORMS, COLOURING BOOKS, SOUND RECORDINGS ALONE, PRINTED MUSIC AND SERIAL PUBLICATIONS, WILL NOT BE GIVEN ISBN’S.
A TOTAL OF 1,300 PUBLISHERS’ IDENTIFIERS CONFORMING TO ISBN HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SINCE THE SYSTEM WAS ADOPTED IN HONG KONG IN 1976.
APPLICATIONS FOR JOINING THE ISBN SYSTEM CAN BE SENT TO BOOKS REGISTRATION OFFICE, 10'111 FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 594 5635 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
------0-------
COMPANIES FINED FOR BREAKING POLLUTION LAW *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS DURING OCTOBER OF BREACHING ANT I-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE MONTHLY.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING OCTOBER THIS YEAR:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
1. SINOKJ.NG INVESTMENTS LTD DES VOEUX RD WEST, WESTERN 15.8.92- 31.10.92 APCO : 7,000 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1ST WESTERN
2.MAYLIK HONTEX DYEING WORKS LTD KWAN TEI PAK TSUEN, FANLING 27.8.92 WPCO : 5,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP 1ST FANLING
BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE
/3.WAI KEY .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
9
3.WAI KEY KNITTING CO LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 15.2.93- 19.3.93 APCO : 1,000 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1ST KWUN TONG
4.CHUN WO CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING CO LTD SEYMOUR TERRACE, MID-LEVELS 14.3.93 NCO : 5,000 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT 1 ST WESTERN
5.NIP CHI-TAK 14.3.93 NCO : 5,000 PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT 1ST WESTERN
6.HOPEWELL CONSTRUCTION CO LTD BROADWOOD 14.3.93 RD, HAPPY VALLEY NCO : 3,000 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT 1ST EASTERN
7.TSANG WA-CHIU »» 14.3.93 NCO : 500 PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT 1ST EASTERN
8.LEUNG YIU-KWONG MA ON TERRACE, MA ON SHAN 16.3.93 NCO : 4,000 OWN PRODUCTS DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF SECTION 17(1) 1ST SHATIN
9.CHAN CHI-KUEN AS SUN PAK YAN FOOD SHOP TIN HAU RD, TUEN MUN 18.3.93 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST TUEN MUN
10.HOP SHING TRANSPORT & CONSTRUCTION CO PATERSON RD, CAUSEWAY BAY 19.3.93 APCO : 4,000 CONTRAVENING TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE 1ST FANLING
11.EVERY ON LTD - MAIN CONTRACTOR TSI NG LUNG TAU 24.3.93 DASO : 3,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 1,000 POUNDS OF METALLIC SAND AT SEA NORTH OF TSI NG Y1 WITHOUT DUMPING LICENCE 1ST EASTERN
/12.KEI HING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
10
12.KEI HING KAI YIP 24.3.93 SHOT BLAST ESTATE, & PAINTING KOWLOON BAY CO - SUBCONTRACTOR DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 1,000 POUNDS OF METALLIC SAND AT SEA NORTH OF TSI NG Yl WITHOUT DUMPING LICENCE 1ST EASTERN
13.HO CHACK AS CHING SHAN ELECTROPLATING FACTORY PUI TO RD, TUEN MUN 29.3.93 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST TUEN MUN
14.EVERGREEN P . C . B . FACTORY LTD SAN PING CIRCUIT, TUEN MUN 29.3.93 WPCO : ’’ 10,000 1ST it
15.RANKER LTD SAN HOP LANE, TUEN MUN 30.3.93 WPCO : ” 10,000 1ST
16.CHINA GREAT 8.4.93 FUJIAN CORP GEORGE ST, FOR CAUSEWAY BAY INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION - LICENSEE DASO : 4,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MUD AT SEA EAST OF NINEPTN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 4TH EASTERN
17.FANTA HOI BUN (CFC) RD, CONSTRUCTION KWUN TONG CO LI D - WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR 8.4.93 DASO : 4,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MUD AT SEA EAST OF NI NEP IN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE (’ONI) IT IONS 5TH EASTERN
18.TECH GLORY DEVELOPMENT LTD CHUNG ON ST, TSUEN WAN 10.4.93- 7.5.93 APCO : 1,500 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1ST EASTERN
19.WARRIOS INDUSTRIAL COMPANY LTD PUI TO RD, TUEN MUN 13.4.93 WPCO : 30,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST TUEN MUN
/20.AMERICAN .......
11
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
20.AMERICAN LAUNDERLAND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD CONNAUGHT 16.4.93- RD 17.4.93 CENTRAL, CENTRAL APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 4,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
21.KIN WAY DYEING FTY TEXACO RD, 21.4.93 TSUEN WAN APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
22.MING KAI DYEING FACTORY LTD TSING YI 23.4.93 INI). CENTRE, TSING YI APCO : 10,000 2ND If
23.ENDEX DYEING & WASHING FTY LTD CHAI WAN 28.4.93 KOK ST, TSUEN WAN APCO : 3,500 1ST II
24.THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF EASTWAY TOWERS SHAU KEI 29.4.93 WAN MAIN STREET EAST, SHAU KEI WAN NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2,000 2ND EASTERN
25.GROWTH BRIGHT LTD FA YUEN ST AND NELSON ST, MONG KOK 6.5.93 NCO : 9,000 2ND NORTH KOWLOON
26.TRADE BATTLE LTD MAIN 21.5.93 STREET, AP LEI CHAU NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 9,000 2ND WESTERN
27.SHUI HING TANNERY FACTORY LTD GIN DRINKER’S BAY, KWAI CHUNG 21.5.93 WDO : 5,000 COLLECTION OF CHEMICAL WASTE WITHOUT LICENCE 1ST KWUN TONG
28.NG KWAI-LEUNG (AS KAM PEI MARBLE COMPANY) LUNG YEUK TAU, FANLING 21.5.93 WPCO : 20,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
29.KWOK SHUN-FAI KING’S RD, NORTH PO I NT 22.5.93- 12.8.93 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 20,000 2ND (DAILY FINE 80 DAYS @$500 = $40,000) EASTERN
/30.INDIGO .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
12
30. INDIGO. TRIO CO LTD WANG WO 25.5.93 TSAI ST, TSUEN WAN APCO : 5,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND TSUEN WAN
31.TSE KWOK WAI - TONG KUNG 26.5.93 LENG, SHEUNG SHUJ WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
32.MADAM LO SHUK-YEE (AS PUI CHUEN BEAN PRODUCTS FACTORY) KWAN TEI 27.5.93 PAK TSUEN, FANLING WPCO : " 20,000 1ST it
33.HONG KONG GLAYS AND KAOLIN CO LTD CHA KWO 2.6.93 LING VILLAGE, CHA KWO LING NCO : 10,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST KWUN TONG
34.SUN FAT LAUNDRY LTD WING KEI 8.6.93 RD, KWAI CHUNG APCO : 10,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND TSUEN WAN
35.CHUEN CHEUNG KU I RESTAURANT LTD FA YUEN 10.6.93 ST, MONG KOK NCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND NORTH KOWLOON
36.SILKWAY DYEING FTY LTD WING KEI 18.6.93 RD, KWAI CHUNG APCO : 6,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3RD TSUEN WAN
37.WING ON DYEING FTY CHAI WAN 21.6.93 KOK ST, TSUEN WAN APCO : " 8,500 2 RD it
38.NG KWOK-PUI, SONNY KWAN TEI 22.6.93 PAK TSUEN, FANLING WPCO : .30,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 3RD FANLING
39.SIU KING-BOR WHAMPOA 25.6.93 ST, HUNG HOM NCO : 4,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND SAN PO KONG
/40.HOLLYWOOD .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
13
40.HOLLYWOOD SAI YEUNG 28.6.93 NCO : 6,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
SHOPPING CENTRE OWNERS COMMITTEE CHOI ST, MONG KOK
41.TAK BO SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LTD YU CHAU ST, SHAM SHUI PO 1.7.93 NCO : ” 7,000 2ND •t
42.MING KAI DYEING FTY LTD TSI NG YI IND. CENTRE, TSING YI 3.7.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 14,000 3RD TSUEN WAN
43.THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF TUNG TAI BUILDING SHAU KEI 5.7.93 WAN MAIN ST EAST, SHAU KEI WAN NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 20,000 2ND EASTERN
44.FOOK LAM MOON (KOWLOON) RESTAURANT LTD KIMBERLEY RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 14.7.93 NCO : ” 30,000 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
45.LAW WAN-LAM HO SHEUNG HEUNG, SHEUNG SHUI 15.7.93 WPCO : 20,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 2ND FANLING
46.JOY PLUS (SILK) DYEING FTY LTD KIN KWAN ST, TUEN MUN 20.7.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,000 1ST TUEN MUN
47.SAI WAN KOK SEAFOOD RESTAURANT CO LTD SHAU KEI 20.7.93 WAN RD, SHAU KEI WAN NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 3,000 1ST EASTERN
48.SINOKING INVESTMENTS LTD DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, SHEK TONG TSUI 21.7.93 NCO : 5,000 1ST WESTERN
49.LAM YU-LOY HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 5.8.93 NCO : 8,000 1ST EASTERN
/NOTE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
14
NOTE :
APCO : AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
WPCO : WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO : DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
WDO : WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE
NOTE TO EDITORS :
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL 594 6200
NCO MR STEVEN HO TEL 594 6500
DASO MR PAUL HOLMES TEL 755 3553
WDO MR PAUL HOLMES TEL 755 3553
WPCO CASE 2,28,31,32,38 AND 45 MR PATRICK LEI TEL 685 1133
CASE 9,13,14,15 AND 19 MR BARRY CHOW TEL 415 9211
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA RELATIONS UNIT.
---------0-----------
CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION
* * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS AT 9.30 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 20) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
FIFTY LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
FL6628 FL993 FL3628 FL911
FL880 FL1008 FL1 17 AL2922
♦FT121 ♦DL3333 ♦ 1859 ♦ FS1
AZ387 FL8886 FL2388 FL623
FL2238 HK2881 FL348 FK9998
FK8812 FL986 HK1 1 5 FL9890
FL2312 FL221 FL8328 CC9388
♦ FP22 ♦ FR87 ♦ FK1 3 ♦ FS7
FL3386 AA8001 FL865 AD748
FL1128 FL81 1 FL328 FL1011
AH6618 FL520 ♦DD400 FL7068
CJ916 FL521 BB359 ♦FT606
FL1956 FL1795
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
15
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 206TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
- - 0 - -
FIREMAN COMMENDED FOR SAVING LIFE *****
A VIGILANT OFF-DUTY FIREMAN WHO HELPED SAVE THE LIFE OF A GIRL IN HUNG HOM EARNED HIM THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER’S COMMENDATION TODAY (TUESDAY).
FIREMAN CHAN SIK-HEI, 30, ATTACHED TO THE KWUN TONG FIRE STATION, WAS PRAISED FOR HIS EXEMPLARY INITIATIVE, PUBLIC SPIRITEDNESS AND PROFESSIONALISM BY THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (KOWLOON), MR WONG MAN-CHIU, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
AROUND 10.10 AM ON SEPTEMBER 12, A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHILE WAITING FOR TRANSPORT WITH HER MOTHER AT BAILEY STREET SUDDENLY COLLAPSED.
FIREMAN CHAN, WHO HAPPENED TO PASS BY, WENT UP TO HELP THE BREATHLESS AND PULSELESS GIRL.
HAVING LEARNED THAT THE GIRL HAD A MEDICAL HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE, FIREMAN CHAN TOLD THE MOTHER TO CALL AN AMBULANCE WHILE HE APPLIED A ONE-MAN CARDIAC PULMONARY RESUSCITATION ON THE GIRL.
FIREMAN CHAN LATER USED THE MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUSCITATION METHOD WITH THE HELP OF A POLICE SERGEANT.
THE GIRL BEGAN TO REGAIN WEAK HEART BEAT AND RESPIRATION BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE AMBULANCE.
- - 0 - -
/16
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 16 NOV 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS • . ' • ’7»i
ISSUE NUMBER Q346
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD3,478 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKDl,000 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.84 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.85 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 19 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.86 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 22 NOV 1993-
TENDER DATE 22 NOV 93 23 NOV 93 23 NOV 93 a <•
PAPER ON OFFER EF NOTES EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER 2511 Q347 H378
ISSUE DATE 23 NOV 93 24 NOV 93 24 NOV 93
MATURITY DATE 23 NOV 95 23 FEB 94 25 MAY 94
TENOR 2 YEARS 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNG ON OFFER HKD500+100 MN HKD,1000+200 MN HKD400+80 MN
COUPON 4.15 PCT . 1 ••
_ i-----0----------
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1993
17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * ♦ *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,761
REVERSAL OF LAF +239
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -820
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,180
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.1 *+0.2* 16.11.1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.50 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.28 3.34
1 MONTH 2.70 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.53 3.52
3 MONTHS 2.85 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.00 3.79
6 MONTHS 2.98 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.21 3.94
12 : MONTHS 3.34 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.28 4.51
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 15 ,392 MN
CLOSED 16 NOVEMBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVT WILL PRESS ON FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES .................... 1
ORGAN DONATION MOTION DEBATE ................................. 3
HEAVY PENALTY FOR SMUGGLERS .................................. 5
TRANSFER OF POWER TO MAKE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION ............. 6
BILLS OF LADING AND ANALOGOUS SHIPPING DOCUMENTS BILL INTRODUCED .................................................. 7
MANUFACTURERS NOT DOUBLE-CHARGED FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT ........ 8
FLIGHT SCHEDULES BEING EXAMINED ............................. 8
NEW LAW TO DEAL WITH BUS SERVICE DEFICIENCIES ............... 9
PREPARATION FOR SHENZHEN RIVER REGULATION PROGRESSING ....... 10
COST RECOVERY RATE FOR DEGREE COURSES REASONABLE ............ 11
JLG DISCUSSING IMMIGRATION PROPOSALS ........................ 12
GOVERNMENT HEADS TO NOMINATE "GREEN MANAGERS" ............... 12
MORE URBAN HOSTELS FOR STREET SLEEPERS ...................... 13
GOVT SEEKS INTERNATIONAL HELP TO SOLVE VIET PROBLEM ......... 13
MOST COMPENSATION CASES RESOLVED FOR KOWLOON WALLED CITY .. 14
/LRT SAFETY .......
LRT SAFETY MEASURES ENHANCED ................................. 15
NO POLICY TO ENCOURAGE MORE USE OF BLASTING .................. 15
SYSTEM TO CONTROL CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PLACE .............. 16
WAITING TIME FOR PATIENTS STIPULATED ......................... 17
LIFEGUARDS MUST POSSESS COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE ............... 18
INDUSTRIES WILL BE CONSULTED ON COMPETITION STUDIES .......... 18
GOVT ENCOURAGES PAPER RECYCLING .............................. 19
STATISTICAL COMPATIBILITY DEPENDS ON SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ... 19
LEGCO PASSES NT FLOODING MOTION .............................. 20
DUTCH ASSURED OF HK SITUATION .................................. 21
CARTLAND HELPS CONCLUDE URUGUAY TALKS ........................ 22
APEC TO BECOME A MODEL OF OPEN REGIONALISM ..................... 22
EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN SHOW KEEN INTEREST IN HK .................. 24
PUBLIC HEARING ON AUDIT REPORT ................................. 25
THREE KOWLOON SITES TO LET ..................................... 25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
26
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
GOVT WILL PRESS ON FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES
» » » * »
THE GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOGNISES THE SEVERITY OF RECENT FLOODING INCIDENTS AND WILL IMPLEMENT THE NECESSARY FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON FLOODING PROBLEM IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES, MR EASON SAID BOTH PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE CONSTANTLY REVIEWED AND IMPROVED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WERE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE MOTION FOR TWO REASONS.
’’FIRST, DESPITE OUR DETERMINATION TO COMMENCE WORKS ON THE SHENZHEN RIVER PROJECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT TO GIVE AN UNDERTAKING TO IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT IN MID 1994 WHEN IT IS CLEAR THAT AT BEST WORKS COULD NOT START BEFORE LATE 1994.
• .. :17 1 < j t • ‘ T < . •
"SECONDLY, WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION WILL KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, THE ADMINISTRATION IS UNABLE TO PRE-EMPT THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND COMMITTEE AND THEREFORE SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL THAT ANY IMPROVED MEASURES SHOULD HAVE RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT."
MR EASON SAID THE FLOODING PROBLEM IN THE NORTH NT WOULD BE ALLEVIATED TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT WHEN THE SHENZHEN RIVER WAS TRAINED UNDER A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SHENZHEN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE PROJECT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE STAGES. STAGE I INVOLVES THE STRAIGHTENING OF THE BENDS AT LOK MA CHAU AND LIU POK; STAGE II COVERS THE STRETCH OF THE RIVER FROM LO WU TO THE ESTUARY; AND STAGE III COVERS THE REMAINING STRETCH OF THE RIVER FROM LO WU UPSTREAM TO MUK MU.
"BOTH GOVERNMENTS HAVE ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR STAGES I AND II WORKS TO PROCEED FIRST. WE HAVE EARMARKED FUNDS FOR THESE TWO STAGES," HE SAID.
PREPARATORY WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED BY THE TWO SIDES AND IS IN PROGRESS.
IT INCLUDES A LAND SURVEY, SITE INVESTIGATION AND HYDRAULIC MODEL TEST REQUIREMENTS TO ASCERTAIN THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THE STAGES I AND II WORKS ON THE LO WU RAILWAY BRIDGE, AND AN BIA STUDY FOR STAGE I AND II OF THE PROJECT.
MR EASON SAID SUBJECT TO THE RESULT OF THIS WORK AND OTHER NECESSARY PROCEDURES, SUCH AS LAND RESUMPTION AND FUNDING APPROVAL FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, STAGE I WORKS WOULD MOST LIKELY START IN 1995.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 2 -
HE SAID THE FULL EIA FOR BOTH STAGES I AND II OF THE PROJECT WOULD TAKE SOME 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE IN ORDER TO COVER THE POSSIBLE CHANGES IN HYDRAULIC SITUATIONS IN THE FOUR SEASONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ECOLOGY OF MAI PO.
HOWEVER, THE EIA CONSULTANTS WILL BE SUBMITTING A PRELIMINARY REPORT SIX MONTHS AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STUDY, HE SAID.
AT THAT STAGE, IT MAY WELL BE POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACCEPTABILITY OF THE PROJECT AS A WHOLE AND CONFIRM THAT THE STAGE I WORKS CAN PROCEED.
IF SO, THE DESIGN OF STAGE I CAN BE FINALISED AND, ONCE THE PROJECT COSTS ARE KNOWN, FUNDING APPROVAL WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO ENABLE THE STAGE I WORKS TO PROCEED.
"DESPITE OUR INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE, IT IS SIMPLY NOT FEASIBLE TO COMPLETE ALL THE PREPARATORY WORKS AND HAVE THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTED IN MID-1994.
"BUT IF WE CAN BRING COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROJECT FORWARD AT ALL, WE WILL," HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD LONG ACCEPTED THAT A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME OF RIVER TRAINING WORKS AND DRAINAGE CHANNEL PROJECTS WAS REQUIRED.
THE TERRITORIAL LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL STRATEGY STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED IN NOVEMBER 1988 AND PHASE I OF THE STUDY COMPLETED IN 1990 RECOMMENDED A SERIES OF FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AND MEASURES FOR THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN NT.
CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS AND RESOURCES HAVE BEEN COMMITTED SINCE THEN TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROJECTS.
HE SAID THE RECENTLY COMPLETED PHASE II OF THE BTUD'tf HAD FURTHER RECOMMENDED A THREE-TIER APPROACH IN TACKLING FLOODING:
» PROACTIVE FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES, INCLUDING RIVER TRAINING AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPING STATIONS;
* REACTIVE FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES, INCLUDING FLOOD PROOFING, FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM AND EMERGENCY DRAINAGE CLEARANCE SERVICES; AND
» IMPROVED LAND USE PLANNING AND CONTROL.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 3 -
ORGAN DONATION MOTION DEBATE *****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON ORGAN DONATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS EVENING:
MADAM DEPUTY,
I THANK MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FOR THE VIEWS THEY HAVE EXPRESSED TODAY. ORGAN DONATION IS THE GIFT OF LIFE, BUT IN HONG KONG IT IS STILL AN ISSUE THAT AROUSES EMOTIVE REACTIONS FROM ALL THOSE IT TOUCHES. >
ORGANS FOR DONATION COME FROM TWO SOURCES — FROM LIVING DONORS (USUALLY A RELATIVE OF THE RECIPIENT) AND FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONATED THEIR ORGANS UPON DEATH. THESE ARE CALLED CADAVERIC DONATIONS.
THE MEDICAL (THERAPY, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH) ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT CADAVERIC DONATIONS MAY BE MADE IN THREE WAYS.
FIRST, BY THE DONOR IN WRITING AT ANY TIME. THIS IS THE PROVISION ON WHICH OUR ORGAN DONOR CARD SCHEME IS BASED. THE ORGAN DONATION CARD IS AN ACCEPTABLE LEGAL DOCUMENT FURTHER CONSENT BY NEXT OF KIN IS NOT REQUIRED.
SECONDLY, A DONOR MAY GIVE CONSENT ORALLY DURING HIS LAST ILLNESS. AS A SAFEGUARD, CONSENT MUST BE GIVEN IN THE PRESENCE OF TWO OR MORE WITNESSES.
THIRDLY, IF THE DONOR HAS NOT CONSENTED DURING HIS LIFETIME HIS REGISTERED NEXT OF KIN MAY GIVE CONSENT AFTER HIS DEATH. AS A SAFEGUARD, THE DOCTOR MUST MAKE ENQUIRIES FROM THE REGISTERED NEXT OF KIN AND BE SATISFIED THAT THE DECEASED PERSON HAD NOT EXPRESSED ANY OBJECTION TO DONATION AND THAT THE DECEASED’S SURVIVING SPOUSE, PARENT OR CHILDREN DO NOT OBJECT.
IT IS THEREFORE A MISCONCEPTION THAT OUR ORGAN DONATION SYSTEM RELIES SOLELY ON DONATIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO CARRY ORGAN DONATION CARDS. IT IS FAR MORE FLEXIBLE THAN THAT, YET ALSO PROVIDES GOOD SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THAT ORGANS ARE NOT REMOVED WITHOUT PROPER CONSENT.
TO HAVE ANY OTHER KIND OF ORGAN DONATION SYSTEM COULD BE DRACONIAN IN THE EYES OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY. AN OPTING-OUT SYSTEM, OF THE KIND PROPOSED BY SOME MEMBERS, WOULD IMPLY A TOTALITARIAN APPROACH. IT PRESUMES THAT SILENCE MEANS CONSENT WITH WHATEVER THE GOVERNMENT CHOOSES TO DO.
/AN OPTING-OUT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
AN OPTING-OUT SYSTEM WOULD REQUIRE EVERYONE’S PARTICULARS TO BE RECORDED AND THEIR MOVEMENTS MONITORED. THE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE FOOL-PROOF TO ENSURE THAT THE RECORD OF SOMEONE WHO HAD OPTED OUT WAS NOT ACCIDENTALLY OR DELIBERATELY LOST AND HIS ORGANS REMOVED BY MISTAKE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. THE BURDEN OF PROOF WOULD BE THEN ON THE NEXT OF KIN TO PROVE THAT THE DECEASED HAD IN FACT OBJECTED. THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR GRAVE ABUSE.
THE CORNEA MAY BE REMOVED FROM PATIENTS WHO ARE STONE-COLD DEAD. HOWEVER, THE HEART, KIDNEYS, LIVER MAY BE REMOVED FROM A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BRAIN DEAD ALTHOUGH HIS HEART MAY STILL BE BEATING. WE ALL KNOW THAT MODERN TECHNOLOGY CAN SUSTAIN A PERSON’S BODILY FUNCTIONS FOR A LONG TIME WHEN HE IS IN A COMA. WITH AN OPTING-OUT SYSTEM, WHEN NO FURTHER PERMISSION NEEDS TO BE OBTAINED FROM NEXT OF ( KIN, WHERE IS THE SAFEGUARD? WHAT ENSURES THAT DOCTORS WILL WAIT. UNTIL A PERSON REALLY IS DEAD BEYOND HOPE OF RECOVERY BEFORE HIS ORGANS ARE REMOVED? LET US REMEMBER THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS OFTEN BEEN ASKED FOR SAFEGUARDS ON ORGAN DONATION TO PREVENT ORGAN TRADING. THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT BILL NOW BEING STUDIED BY AN AD-HOC GROUP OF THIS COUNCIL.
DO HONG KONG PEOPLE REALLY WANT AN OPTING-OUT SYSTEM WHICH GIVES THE GOVERNMENT ABSOLUTE POWER? POWER TO CONTROL A PERSON’S FREEDOM AND PRIVACY WHEN HE IS ALIVE; POWER TO CONTROL HIS BODY AND ORGANS WHEN HE IS DEAD? I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT ANYONE IN HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO THINK SO.
I SHARE THE CONCERN OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF ORGANS. BEING A DOCTOR MYSELF, I AM ESPECIALLY AWARE OF THOSE PATIENTS WHOSE HOPES OF RECOVERY DEPEND ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE ORGANS. HOWEVER, SHORTAGE OF ORGANS FOR DONATION IS A WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON. EVERY YEAR THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WHO NEED REPLACEMENTS FOR DISEASED OR DAMAGED ORGANS THAN THERE ARE ORGANS AVAILABLE. HENCE THERE IS NEED FOR A CONTINUING AND VIGOROUS PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN HONG KONG EMPHASISING THE BENEFITS OF ORGAN DONATION TO THOSE WHOSE LIVES DEPEND ON THEM.
WE BELIEVE THAT ORGAN DONATION SHOULD BE BASED ON THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTARISM. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND VARIOUS NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG EYE BANK AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE HONG KONG EYE FOUNDATION, THE HONG KONG KIDNEY FOUNDATION, THE HONG KONG HEART FOUNDATION AND THE HONG KONG, LIVER FOUNDATION ARE ACTIVELY PROMOTING VOLUNTARY ORGAN DONATION UNDER THE EXISTING SCHEME. LAST YEAR’S MAJOR PUBLICITY AND HEALTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN SUCCEEDED IN AROUSING COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR ORGAN DONATION. THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE PROMOTING THE NECESSITY FOR EVERYONE TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, SO AS TO AVOID THE ILLNESSES WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE NEED FOR TRANSPLANT.
/AS A.........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 5
AS A RESULT OF OUR EFFORTS, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WILLING TO DONATE THEIR ORGANS AFTER DEATH HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING IN RECENT YEARS. WHERE IN 1989 ONLY ONE IN TEN PEOPLE WAS WILLING TO DONATE, THE FIGURE HAS NOW RISEN TO AN AVERAGE OF ONE IN THREE. COMPARED WITH 1991, THE NUMBER OF CARD-CARRYING DONORS HAS NOW DOUBLED. HOWEVER, WHILST MANY PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO DONATE, THEIR RELATIVES OFTEN FRUSTRATE THIS BY OBJECTING. TO OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM, I URGE RELATIVES TO RESPECT THE DONOR’S WISHES. DOCTORS HAVE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO REMOVE ORGAN FROM THOSE WHO HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR WISHES TO DONATE. IN TURN, PEOPLE WHO WISH TO DONATE SHOULD OBTAIN A DONOR CARD. THEY SHOULD SIGN IT AND SHOW IT TO THEIR RELATIVES AS PROOF OF THEIR WISH TO DONATE. THEY SHOULD CARRY THEIR DONOR CARD WITH THEIR ID CARD OR DRIVING LICENSE WHEREVER THEY GO. LIKE THE HONOURABLE MR HUI YIN-FAT I ALSO CARRY AN ORGAN DONATION CARD SIGNED BY MYSELF.
WE NEED MORE DONORS, BUT WE WANT ONLY WILLING ONES. WE WANT TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY WHICH DONATES BECAUSE IT CARES. WE DO NOT WANT A SYSTEM WHICH FORCES PEOPLE AGAINST THEIR WILL. ONLY BY WORKING TOGETHER WITHIN THE EXISTING ORGAN DONATION SYSTEM CAN WE ALL HELP TO GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT. I AM SURE THAT THROUGH TODAY’S DEBATE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO AROUSE MORE POPULAR SUPPORT FOR ORGAN DONATION AND SHOW THAT HONG KONG REALLY IS A CARING COMMUNITY.
I AM MOST GRATEFUL TO MEMBERS FOR EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS AND OPINIONS IN THIS COUNCIL TODAY. I WILL GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO HOW BEST ORGAN DONATION CAN BE PROMOTED, AND CONSULTED AS NECESSARY TO FIND WAYS THAT ARE SUITABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
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HEAVY PENALTY FOR SMUGGLERS
« * * * »
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY TO TACKLE SMUGGLING BY MAKING THE MAJOR SMUGGLING OFFENCES TRIABLE ON INDICTMENT WITH INCREASED MAXIMUM PENALTIES IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORTS (AMENDMENT) NO. 2) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE BILL PROPOSED THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES OF SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $2 MILLION FOR MAJOR SMUGGLING OFFENCES.
THE EXISTING PENALTIES OF TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $500,000 FOR SUMMARY CONVICTION WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED, MR ASPREY SAID.
THE CURRENT PENALTIES WERE INADEQUATE FOR SERIOUS SMUGGLING OFFENCES AND DID NOT PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT DETERRENT, HE EXPLAINED.
"SMUGGLING CAUSES SERIOUS SECURITY PROBLEMS TO HONG KONG FEEDING ORGANISED CRIME, GENERATING CAR THEFT AND POSING A DANGER TO LEGITIMATE MARINE TRAFFIC," HE SAID.
/MEASURES INCLUDING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 6
MEASURES INCLUDING LEGISLATION, ENFORCEMENT AND LIAISON WITH CHINA HAD BEEN TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, HE ADDED.
"OUR STRATEGY HAS ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS.
"WHILE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HUGE PROFITS REMAINS, SMUGGLING IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
TRANSFER OF POWER TO MAKE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION ♦ ♦ » » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES THAT THE POWER TO MAKE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION FOR THE CONDUCT OF STATISTICAL SURVEYS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO THE POLICY SECRETARY CONCERNED.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, SAID THE TRANSFER OF SUCH POWER SHOULD NOT APPLY TO THE CONDUCT OF A CENSUS OF POPULATION.
THIS IS BECAUSE UNLIKE STATISTICAL SURVEYS WHICH ONLY INVOLVE SAMPLES OF HOUSEHOLDS OR BUSINESS FIRMS, CENSUS-TAKING IS AN OPERATION WHICH WILL AFFECT THE COMMUNITY VERY WIDELY.
"THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS, THEREFORE, THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S SPECIFIC APPROVAL SHOULD STILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE LAUNCHING OF A CENSUS OF POPULATION," MR TAM SAID.
AT PRESENT, UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCETHE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY, BY ORDER IN THE GAZETTE, DIRECT THAT A CENSUS OF POPULATION OR A STATISTICAL SURVEY BE CONDUCTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS.
AS PART OF AN ON-GOING EXERCISE TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATION OF EXCO, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN REVIEWED TO IDENTIFY ANY MINOR POWERS CURRENTLY VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THAT MAY BE DEVOLVED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/7
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
7
BILLS OF LADING AND ANALOGOUS SHIPPING DOCUMENTS BILL INTRODUCED ♦ » * * »
A BILL TO REFORM THE LEGAL REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER CONTRACTS OF CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY SEA TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A LEADING COMMERCIAL AND SHIPPING CENTRE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILLS OF LADING AND ANALOGOUS SHIPPING DOCUMENTS BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID THE BILL WAS TECHNICAL BUT THE REAL BENEFIT IT WOULD PROVIDE TO THE COMMERCIAL COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG COULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED.
"UNDER THE COMMON LAW, ONLY THE TWO PARTIES TO A CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE COULD SUE OR BE SUED UNDER THE CONTRACT.
"WHERE, AS OFTEN HAPPENED, GOODS WERE SOLD AND RESOLD DURING THE COURSE OF SEA TRANSIT, THE BUYER WAS UNABLE TO SUE ON THE CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO HIS GOODS," HE SAID.
WHILE THE CURRENT BILLS OF LADING ORDINANCE GOES SOME WAY TO OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM, MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL, WHICH WAS BASED ON THE UNITED KINGDOM CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY SEA ACT 1992, ADDRESSED THE LEGAL PROBLEMS WHICH STILL EXISTED.
"IT OVERCOMES THE DIFFICULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSING OF OWNERSHIP OF GOODS BY SIMPLY PROVIDING THAT ANY LAWFUL HOLDER OF A BILL OF LADING HAS THE RIGHT TO SUE THE CARRIER.
"IT THEREFORE SEVERS THE LINK BETWEEN THE PASSING OF OWNERSHIP OF GOODS AND THE RIGHT TO TAKE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE," HE SAID.
TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM THAT THE EXISTING LEGISLATION DOES NOT APPLY TO DOCUMENTS SUCH AS SEA WAYBILLS AND DELIVERY ORDERS, WHICH ARE WIDELY USED IN THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY, THE BILL GIVES RIGHTS OF ACTION TO A PERSON IDENTIFIED IN A SEA WAYBILL AND TO THE PERSON ENTITLED TO DELIVERY UNDER A SHIP’S DELIVERY ORDER.
/
MR MATHEWS ADDED: "AS REGARDS OBLIGATIONS, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT ANY PERSON ENTITLED TO SUE AND WHO MAKES A CLAIM AGAINST THE CARRIER IS PLACED UNDER THE SAME LIABILITIES AS IF HE HAD BEEN AN ORIGINAL PARTY TO THE CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE."
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WOULD EMPOWER THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO MAKE REGULATIONS RELATING TO ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE.
"IN THE FUTURE, DOCUMENTS SUCH AS BILLS OF LADING WHICH ARE NOW TRANSMITTED IN DOCUMENTARY FORM COULD BE REPLACED BY COMPUTER GENERATED ALTERNATIVES TRANSMITTED BY ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE.
"WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LEGISLATION COULD BE ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE FUTURE TRADING PRACTICES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR PRIMARY LEGISLATION," HE ADDED.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL HAD RECEIVED WIDE SUPPORT FROM LEGAL, SHIPPING AND INSURANCE INTERESTS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
/8......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 8 -
MANUFACTURERS NOT DOUBLE-CHARGED FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT
* * * * *
MANUFACTURERS WHO INSTALL THEIR OWN TREATMENT FACILITIES WILL NOT BE DOUBLE-CHARGED UNDER THE PROPOSED SEWAGE CHARGING SCHEME, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT, MR EASON SAID: "AS THE TRADE EFFLUENT SURCHARGE WILL BE CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE EFFLUENT RELEASED, THE BETTER ITS TREATMENT BEFORE RELEASE, THE LOWER THE SURCHARGE WILL BE."
HE SAID THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY DOUBLE-CHARGING OF MANUFACTURERS WHO INSTALL TREATMENT FACILITIES OR ANY UNFAIRNESS.
"RATHER, THE TRADE EFFLUENT SURCHARGE WILL SEND THE CORRECT ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNAL TO INDUSTRY: THE BETTER YOU TREAT YOUR EFFLUENT, THE LESS YOU PAY," HE SAID.
THE SURCHARGE WILL REFLECT THE COST OF TREATING THE MORE POLLUTING EFFLUENTS FROM SOME INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES TO BRING THEM DOWN TO THE AVERAGE STRENGTH OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE (AT 250 MG/L BOD OR ITS EQUIVALENT).
"THE IMPOSITION OF SUCH A SURCHARGE HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED IN PRINCIPLE WITH INDUSTRY AND TAKES ACCOUNT OF HONG KONG’S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES .
"SOME OPERATORS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TREATMENT FOR THEIR EFFLUENTS BEFORE DISCHARGE ON AN ECONOMIC BASIS BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON SPACE AND FLOOR LOADING WHICH EXIST IN SOME FLATTED FACTORY BUILDINGS," MR EASON SAID.
------0-------
FLIGHT SCHEDULES BEING EXAMINED
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IS CONSIDERING WHETHER MORE FLIGHTS CAN BE SCHEDULED BETWEEN 6.30 AM AND 10 AM, WHERE THERE ARE STILL AVAILABLE TIME-SLOTS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO EXPLORING, IN CONSULTATION WITH AIRLINES, THE FEASIBILITY OF RESCHEDULING LANDINGS AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO 9 PM IN ORDER TO CUT DOWN AIRCRAFT NOISE LATER IN THE EVENING, HE ADDED.
THE MOVES WERE ANNOUNCED WHEN MR SIU REPLIED TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE ARE NOW HARDLY MANY TIME-SLOTS AVAILABLE FOR LANDINGS AND TAKE-OFFS BETWEEN 10 AM AND 9 PM.
/THE NUMBER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 9 -
THE NUMBER OF FLIGHT MOVEMENTS BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT WILL NOT BE INCREASED AS A RESULT OF THE SUSPENSION OF THE ’’OPPOSITE RUNWAY” MODE.
’’THE REASON FOR DISCONTINUING THE ’OPPOSITE RUNWAY’ MODE OF OPERATION AT KAI TAK BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT IS AVIATION SAFETY,” MR SIU SAID.
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT TOOK THE DECISION ON THE ADVICE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL INSPECTORATE THAT THE MODE OF OPERATION POSES A DEFINITE HAZARD TO FLIGHT SAFETY, HE ADDED.
---------0------------
NEW LAW TO DEAL WITH BUS SERVICE DEFICIENCIES *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR MUCH STIFFER FINANCIAL PENALTIES TO BE IMPOSED ON THE BUS COMPANIES SHOULD THEY FAIL TO REMEDY SERVICE DEFICIENCIES, ' THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BARMA SAID THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND HE INTENDED TO INTRODUCE THE NEW LAW EARLY NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID SINCE THE CITYBUS COMMENCED SERVICES ON THE 26 ROUTES ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 258 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ITS SERVICES HAD BEEN LODGED WITH THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS: 177 IN SEPTEMBER AND 81 IN OCTOBER.
MR BARMA SAID 159 OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE RELATED TO IRREGULAR OR INADEQUATE SERVICES OR MISSING TRIPS. ,
"THIS RELATES TO BUSES NOT KEEPING TO TIMETABLES, COMMUTER EXPECTATION OF MORE BUSES AND THE COMPANY’S INABILITY TO MEET THE SCHEDULED FREQUENCY.”
THE REST OF THE COMPLAINTS RELATE TO INADEQUATE PASSENGER INFORMATION AND FACILITIES, UNSATISFACTORY STAFF ATTITUDE AND PERFORMANCE, UNSATISFACTORY CONDITION OF BUSES AND INAPPROPRIATE ROUTEING AND LOCATION OF BUS STOPS.
HE SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD CONDUCT REGULAR AND SPOT CHECKS AT BUS TERMINI ON THE NUMBER OF TRIPS, ON BUS OCCUPANCY AND FREQUENCY, AND ON VEHICLE TURNOUT AND DEPLOYMENT.
’’STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BOARD BUSES UNANNOUNCED TO OBSERVE SERVICE SITUATIONS AND PASSENGER REACTION.”
/IN ADDITION, ..........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 10 -
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD MONTHLY MEETING WITH THE TOP MANAGEMENT OF CITYBUS TO REVIEW OPERATIONAL MATTERS SUCH AS DRIVER ESTABLISHMENT AND RECRUITMENT, MAINTENANCE CAPABILITY AND PASSENGER FEEDBACK.
"AS PART OF THE FRANCHISE CONDITIONS, CITYBUS WILL BE REQUIRED TO INSTALL A COMPUTER TERMINAL IN THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS SO THAT ON-LINE MONITORING IS POSSIBLE."
---------0-----------
PREPARATION FOR SHENZHEN RIVER REGULATION PROGRESSING
*****
THE PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE SHENZHEN RIVER REGULATION PROJECT IS PROCEEDING AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SHENZHEN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT AND AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED ON THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS:
* THE BROAD SCOPE OF THE PROJECT;
♦ PROJECT FINANCING;
* THE LAND SURVEY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STAGE I WORKS AREA;
♦ SITE INVESTIGATION AND HYDRAULIC' MODEL TEST REQUIREMENTS TO ASCERTAIN THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THE STAGE I AND II WORKS ON THE LO WU RAILWAY BRIDGE; AND
* THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR STAGE I AND II OF THE PROJECT.
MR EASON SAID: "DESIGN WORK IS IN PROGRESS AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IS ABOUT TO START."
"FUNDING APPROVAL WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ONCE THE DESIGN IS FINALISED AND THE ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS ARE KNOWN.”
"ALTHOUGH THE VARIOUS COMPLEX TECHNICAL ISSUES NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE AND NATURE WILL NEED TO BE RESOLVED, I DO NOT SEE ANY REASON WHY THE PROJECT SHOULD BE DELAYED," HE SAID.
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/Il .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 11 -
COST RECOVERY RATE FOR DEGREE COURSES REASONABLE
*****
THE RECENT FEE INCREASE BY TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IS NOT EXPECTED TO CREATE A BURDEN ON STUDENTS QUALIFYING FOR GRANTS AND LOANS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID.
HE SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE UNDER THE LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME, THE LEVELS OF MAXIMUM GRANTS AND LOANS PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED STUDENTS WERE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE ACTUAL INCREASE IN TUITION FEES, AS WELL AS THE PROJECTED INCREASES IN ACADEMIC AND LIVING EXPENSES.
CITING STATISTICS, MR LEUNG SAID THE AVERAGE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS FOR THE PERIOD 1991/92 TO 1993/94 HAD INCREASED FROM $16,594 TO $36,430, AN INCREASE OF 119.5 PER CENT, ALTHOUGH THE TERTIARY TUITION FEES FOR DEGREE COURSES HAD RISEN BY 70 PER CENT FROM $10,000 TO $17,000.
ALSO, THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR GRANTS AND LOANS IN THIS PERIOD HAS RISEN 123 PER CENT AND 81.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHEREAS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS DISBURSED FOR GRANTS AND LOANS HAS INCREASED EVEN MORE SHARPLY FROM $197 MILLION TO $786 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 299 PER CENT.
"IT IS OBVIOUS, THEREFORE, THAT THE AVERAGE STUDENT QUALIFYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAS ACTUALLY ENJOYED REAL INCREASES IN GRANTS AND LOANS OVER THE PERIOD," MR LEUNG SAID WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ASKED ABOUT THE RATIONALE FOR RECOVERING 18 PER CENT OF THE RECURRENT COST OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY SAID IT AIMED TO ACHIEVE A MORE EQUITABLE SHARE BETWEEN THE STUDENTS’ FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY ON THE COST OF EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN, AS WELL AS TO SEEK A REASONABLE CONTRIBUTION FROM THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD TO PAY. '
HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE GENERALLY HIGHER COST RECOVERY RATES PREVAILING IN OTHER COUNTRIES, THE ENHANCED FUNDING FOR THE ACCELERATED EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY STUDENTS, THE POLICY TARGET OF ACHIEVING AN 18 PER CENT RECOVERY RATE BY 1997/98 IS CONSIDERED TO BE REASONABLE AND IS COMPARABLE WITH ACCEPTED RATES ELSEWHERE, MR LEUNG SAID.
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 12 -
JLG DISCUSSING IMMIGRATION PROPOSALS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO AMEND THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, BY GRANTING PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS TO PERSONS NOT OF CHINESE NATIONALITY, TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW.
THE PROPOSALS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ARTICLE 24 OF THE BASIC LAW SPECIFIES THOSE CATEGORIES OF PERSONS WHO WILL BE PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND HAVE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
THIS DIFFERS IN SEVERAL RESPECTS FROM THE PRESENT DEFINITION OF PERMANENT RESIDENT IN THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
"IT IS OUR INTENTION TO AMEND THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW. WE HAVE PUT PROPOSALS TO THIS EFFECT TO THE CHINESE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP."
MR ASPREY SAID THE PROPOSALS INCLUDED THE GRANT OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS TO PERSONS NOT OF CHINESE NATIONALITY.
UNDER ARTICLE 24 OF THE BASIC LAW, PERSONS NOT OF CHINESE NATIONALITY ARE ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE HONG KONG SAR IF THEY HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG WITH VALID TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, HAVE ORDINARILY RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AND HAVE TAKEN HONG KONG AS THEIR PLACE OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE.
------0-------
GOVERNMENT HEADS TO NOMINATE "GREEN MANAGERS"
*****
HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES HAVE BEEN CALLED UPON TO NOMINATE THEIR "GREEN MANAGERS" BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID THE "GREEN MANAGERS" WOULD PREFERABLY BE APPOINTED AT DIRECTORATE LEVEL.
HE SAID WRITTEN GUIDELINES WOULD BE ISSUED AND A WORKING GROUP FROM AMONG THE "GREEN MANAGERS" WOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR EXCHANGING VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE, AND MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME.
---------0-----------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
13
MORE URBAN HOSTELS FOR STREET SLEEPERS *****
THE URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME FOR STREET SLEEPERS WILL BE EXPANDED TO PROVIDE MORE FACILITIES AND SERVICES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, DR LEE SAID SEVEN ADDITIONAL URBAN HOSTELS HAD BEEN PLANNED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE ANOTHER 230 PLACES.
BETWEEN JANUARY AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, 62 STREET SLEEPERS HAD MOVED OFF THE STREET TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, PRIVATE HOUSING, URBAN HOSTELS, RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES OR TEMPORARY SHELTERS.
AS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT RECORDED 1,069 STREET SLEEPERS IN HONG KONG.
ASKED WHETHER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO ACCOMMODATING STREET SLEEPERS IN VACANT BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES, DR LEE SAID THEY WERE MOST UNLIKELY TO BE ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE THESE CENTRES WERE LOCATED IN REMOTE AREAS.
---------0-----------
GOVT SEEKS INTERNATIONAL HELP TO SOLVE VIET PROBLEM *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SEEK TO SECURE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THE COMMITMENTS NECESSARY TO BRING ABOUT AN EARLY RESOLUTION OF THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANT PROBLEM, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). '
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR ASPREY SAID THIS WOULD BE DONE IN A MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN GENEVA IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) WAS COMMITTED TO MEETING THE COST OF THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN HONG KONG.
"HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED FULLY TO DISCHARGE THIS OBLIGATION," MR ASPREY SAID.
AT THE END OF LAST MONTH, THE UNHCR OWED THE GOVERNMENT $837 MILLION.
MR ASPREY SAID THERE WAS NO PRECISE TIMETABLE FOR THE REPAYMENT OF THE DEBT.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 14 -
THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY BEEN REASSURED THAT THE UNHCR REMAINED COMMITTED TO HONOURING THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RAISE FUNDS TO REPAY THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT.
IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANT PROBLEM WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT $1 BILLION.
THE EXPENDITURE, IN COMMON WITH ALL SUCH PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, IS CLOSELY MONITORED, MR ASPREY SAID.
THE UNHCR ESTIMATED THAT THEIR ACTUAL EXPENDITURE ON THE MIGRANTS IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR WILL BE $226 MILLION.
------0----------
MOST COMPENSATION CASES RESOLVED FOR KOWLOON WALLED CITY *****
OF THE 14,639 COMPENSATION OFFERS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE, ONLY 123 HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, MR EASON SAID: "IN 32 OF THE UNRESOLVED CASES, GOVERNMENT’S OFFER OF COMPENSATION HAD NOT BEEN ACCEPTED AND NO REVIEW OF THE OFFER HAD BEEN APPLIED FOR."
"IN 67 CASES, CLAIMS FOR HIGHER COMPENSATION WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS OR APPEALS AGAINST GOVERNMENT’S OFFER OF COMPENSATION HAD BEEN SUBMITTED AND WERE BEING REVIEWED.
"IN THE REMAINING 24 CASES, ALTHOUGH THE RESULTS OF APPEALS AGAINST GOVERNMENT’S OFFER OF COMPENSATION WERE KNOWN, YET THE DECISION HAD NOT BEEN ACCEPTED AND, THE COMPENSATION NOT COLLECTED," HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID IN ALL CASES WHERE DOCUMENTS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED, A FINAL OFFER WAS EXPECTED TO BE MADE BY MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
"ANY REMAINING APPEALS SHOULD BE DECIDED BY MARCH 31, 1995, BUT THE EXACT TIMING WILL DEPEND ON HOW MANY APPEALS ARE LODGED.
"THERE IS A TIME LIMIT OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE WHEN THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION IS FINALLY DETERMINED FOR COMPENSATION TO BE COLLECTED," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
/15........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
15 -
LRT SAFETY MEASURES ENHANCED *****
MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED DURING PEAK HOURS AT LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) BUSY STOPS TO IMPROVE PASSENGER SAFETY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN, MR BARMA SAID: "TO ENHANCE PASSENGER SAFETY AND MINIMISE OVERCROWDING AT THE BUSIEST STOPS, SEPARATE STOPPING POSITIONS ARE MARKED OUT FOR DIFFERENT ROUTES."
"IN ADDITION, A PASSENGER QUEUING SCHEME HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AT BUSY STOPS WITH PLATFORM ASSISTANTS ON HAND TO HELP WITH CROWD CONTROL DURING THE MORNING PEAK RUSH," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID 01’ THE 122 LRT PLATFORMS, METRES WIDE AND 40 METRES LONG.
Ill WERE AT LEAST THREE
HE SAID ADDITIONAL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS WERE PROVIDED AT FOUR OF THE NARROWER PLATFORMS SO THAT PASSENGERS CAN CROSS THE ROAD AT EITHER END OF THE PLATFORM.
--------0------------
NO POLICY TO ENCOURAGE MORE USE OF BLASTING *****
THERE IS NO POLICY TO ENCOURAGE MORE FREQUENT USE OF BLASTING IN DEMOLITION AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"FOR GOVERNMENT DEMOLITION OR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, ALL PRACTICAL METHODS WILL BE CONSIDERED, AND THE MOST SUITABLE TECHNIQUE, WILL BE SELECTED.
"IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THE USE OF BLASTING FOR DEMOLITION WORK IS CONSIDERED BY THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
"IT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MERITS OF ADOPTING SUCH METHOD, THE AVAILABILITY OF THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE, AND THE ABILITY TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR BLAKE SAID DEMOLITION BY BLASTING WAS MORE COST EFFECTIVE.
HOWEVER, IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS WHERE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF PROTECTIVE MEASURES NEED TO BE TAKEN, THE BLASTING METHOD MIGHT BE MORE COSTLY THAN CONVENTIONAL METHODS, HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS, THE ONLY DEMOLITION PROJECT THAT EMPLOYED A BLASTING TECHNIQUE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WAS THE DEMOLITION OF THE DESALTER CHIMNEYS AT LOK ON PAI.
/HOWEVER, BLASTING ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
16
^HOWEVER, BLASTING WAS EMPLOYED IN A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTION C’S LIKE SITE FORMATION, EXCAVATION AND TUNNELLING, BOTH IN THE H I 1’1 AND PUBLIC SECTOR.
GOVERNMENT RECORDS SHOW THAT 88 BLASTING PERMITS BETWEEN JANUARY 1991 AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
WERE ISSUED
- - 0 - -
SYSTEM TO CONTROL CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PLACE
*****
THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAVE IN PLACE A SYSTEM REGARDING CONTROLS OF DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY THEIR MEMBERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK.
MR EASON SAID: ’’THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUIRE ITS MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN, TO REGISTER THEIR PECUNIARY INTERESTS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR APPOINTMENT, AND THEREAFTER BETWEEN 1 AND 30 APRIL IN EVERY ENSUING YEAR.”
THE STANDING ORDERS ALSO STIPULATE PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH SITUATIONS WHERE A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST MAY ARISE.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN ANY MEMBER HAS A DIRECT PERSONAL OR PECUNIARY INTEREST IN ANY MATTER UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE AUTHORITY, HE MUST, AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER HE HAS BECOME AWARE OF IT, DISCLOSE THIS TO THE AUTHORITY.
EXPERIENCE OVER THE YEARS HAS SHOWN THAT MEMBERS HAVE RESPONDED TO THIS REQUIREMENT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.
POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN THE DISCHARGE OF PUBLIC DUTIES ARE ALSO CONSIDERED IN THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE AUTHORITY.
"IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST, THEY CAN LODGE THEM WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’ OR THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS,” HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MR EASON SAID: ’’SECTION 6(1) OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE LDC ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT A MEMBER OF THE CORPORATION WHO IS IN ANY WAY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INTERESTED IN A CONTRACT MADE OR PROPOSED TO BE MADE BY THE CORPORATION SHALL DISCLOSE THE NATURE OF HIS INTEREST AT A MEETING OF THE CORPORATION.
/THE DISCLOSURE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
17
HIE DISCLOSURE SHALL BE RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CORPORATION, AND THE MEMBER SHALL NOT WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIRMAN TAKE PART IN ANY DELIBERATION OF THE CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO THAT CONTRACT AND SHALL NOT IN ANY EVENT VOTE ON ANY QI EST ION CONCERNING IT.
MR EASON SAID THE OPERATIONS OF THE LDC WERE CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
LN THE CASE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THE LDC ORDINANCE SETS OUT CLEARLY THAT MEMBERS SHALL NOT, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIRMAN, TAKE ANY PART IN ANY DELIBERATION OF THE CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR CONTRACT OR MATTER AND SHALL NOT IN ANY EVENT VOTE ON ANY QUESTION CONCERNING IT.
MR EASON SAID THE PUBLIC COULD LODGE COMPLAINTS REGARDING DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST WITH THE CHAIRMAN, LDC OR THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS.
"ANY SUCH COMPLAINTS WILL BE INVESTIGATED HAVING REGARD TO THE LDC ORDINANCE AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS IN THE CONDUCT OF LDC’S BUSINESS," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
WAITING TIME FOR PATIENTS STIPULATED *****
PATIENTS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT CLINICS FOR TREATMENT OF EPISODIC ILLNESSES ARE GIVEN APPOINTMENTS AT THE CLINICS AND ARE ATTENDED TO WITHIN ONE HOUR OF THE APPOINTMENT TIME.
AND PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES ARE GIVEN ADVANCED APPOINTMENTS FOR FOLLOW-UP AND ARE SEEN WITHIN 30 MINUTES OP THE APPOINTMENT TIME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAXIMUM WAITING TIMES FOR PATIENTS AT GOVERNMENT CLINICS HAD ALREADY BEEN STIPULATED AND PUBLICISED AS A PERFORMANCE PLEDGE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
THE DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF AT GOVERNMENT CLINICS WAS KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW BY THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND ADJUSTED AS NECESSARY TO MEET SERVICE NEEDS, HE ADDED.
OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF PATIENTS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT CLINICS WAS 13,046, REPRESENTING ABOUT 15 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS ATTENDING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OUTPATIENT CLINICS.
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/18
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 18 -
LIFEGUARDS MUST POSSESS COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE * * * * *
A PERSON CAN BE EMPLOYED AS A LIFEGUARD ONLY IF HE POSSESSES A
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY IN LIFE-SAVING AND FIRST-AID ISSUED BY AN ASSOCIATION APPROVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID.
THIS MEANS A VALID BRONZE MEDALLION OR HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED BY THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY, HE ADDED.
TN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR SO SAID THE LICENSEE OF A PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL WAS RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE LAW FOR ENSURING THAT THE LIFEGUARDS EMPLOYED BY HIM MET THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS.
"IF HE HAS DOUBTS ABOUT THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE AUTHENTICITY OF ANY DOCUMENT HELD BY A LIFEGUARD, HE HAS A DUTY TO SEEK CONFIRMATION FROM THE ISSUING AUTHORITY.
"IF A FORGED DOCUMENT IS DISCOVERED, HE IS ALSO OBLIGED TO REPORT THIS TO THE POLICE," MR SO SAID, ADDING THAT ANY PERSON WHO WAS FOUND USING A FORGED DOCUMENT WAS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE SWIMMING POOLS (URBAN COUNCIL) BY-LAWS AND THE SWIMMING POOLS (REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS, A LICENSEE OF A PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST TWO LIFEGUARDS DURING OPENING HOURS, UNLESS EXEMPTED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
ANY LICENSEE CONTRAVENING THIS PROVISION IS GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $1,500.
ON THE HEALTH SIDE, DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS INSPECT LICENSED PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY MONTH AND CHECK ON THE LIFEGUARDS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.
SINCE THE DISCOVERY IN SEPTEMBER OF FORGED CERTIFICATES,' THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS HAVE STEPPED UP SUCH INSPECTIONS AND HAVE REMINDED LICENSEES OF SWIMMING POOLS OF THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION.
--------0------------
INDUSTRIES WILL BE CONSULTED ON COMPETITION STUDIES
*****
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS UNDERTAKEN TO CONSULT RELEVANT INDUSTRIES OR TRADE BODIES AS APPROPRIATE ON DRAFT REPORTS OF ITS COMPETITION POLICY STUDIES BEFORE FINALISING THEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON DAVID LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE STUDIES ARE CONDUCTED SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING SUPERMARKETS, BROADCASTING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, GAS SUPPLY AND BANKING SERVICES.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
19
GOVT ENCOURAGES PAPER RECYCLING ******
1HE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE A PAPER RECYCLING SCHEME IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND EXPLORE NEW INITIATIVES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG YING-YEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY); MR TSANG SAID SINCE 1990 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAD BEEN ENCOURAGED TO SEPARATE WASTE PAPER BEFORE COLLECTION FOR RECYCLING.
’’OVER 70 DEPARTMENTS AND BUILDINGS ARE NOW ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THIS SCHEME," HE SAID.
LAST YEAR 1.8 MILLION KILOGRAMMES OF WASTE PAPER WERE SEPARATED FOR RECYCLING IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IN 1993/94 ON PROCUREMENT OF PAPER FOR USE BY ALL DEPARTMENTS IS $67.5 MILLION.
USING RECYCLED PAPER WHEREVER PRACTICAL FOR PRINTING WOULD ADD ABOUT $12 MILLION A YEAR TO GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON PAPER ALONE, MR TSANG SAID.
---------0------------
STATISTICAL COMPATIBILITY DEPENDS ON SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT *****
THE DEGREE OF COMPATIBILITY OF STATISTICS AFTER 1997 THAT WOULD BE ACHIEVED DEPENDS ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THB
STATISTICAL SYSTEM IN CHINA AS THAT IN HONG KONG BY THAT TIME. ,
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROGER LUK KOON-HOO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’WHILE FULLER COMPATIBILITY OF STATISTICS AFTER 1997 WOULD BE USEFUL, WE MUST BEAR IN MIND THE NEED TO KEEP ABREAST WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS,” MR TAM SAID.
HONG KONG ADOPTS STATISTICAL STANDARDS PROMULGATED BY INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THE UNITED NATIONS, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, IN THE COMPILATION OF VARIOUS OFFICIAL STATISTICS.
GIVEN THE DIFFERENCES THAT EXIST IN THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND STRUCTURE BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG, IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT THE TWO STATISTICAL SYSTEMS MAY NOT BE FULLY COMPATIBLE, HE SAID.
/IN ANOTHER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
IN ANOTHER WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY MR LUK, MR TAM SAID IT HAD BEEN AN ESTABLISHED PRACTICE FOR HONG KONG TO SUPPLY STATISTICS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WHICH COULD ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
"SUCH PRACTICE WILL CONTINUE AFTER 1997," HE SAID.
AS THE NATURE OF STATISTICAL WORK DOES ALLOW ANY DELINEATED TERRITORY OR REGION TO BE TAKEN AS A SEPARATE ENTITY IN THE COMPILATION OF STATISTICS, MR TAM SAID THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT SEB THE NEED TO TAKE ANY PARTICULAR MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINED A SEPARATE STATISTICAL ENTITY AFTER 1997.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO PASSES NT FLOODING MOTION
* *
* * *
AN AMENDED MOTION ON STEPPING UP FLOOD PREVENTION AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES AND BETTER EMERGENCY RELIEF ASSISTANCE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER A TWO-HOUR DEBATE.
A TOTAL OF 11 MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION PROPOSED AND AMENDED BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN AND REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD RESPECTIVELY. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO EVALUATE ORGAN DONATION ARRANGEMENTS AND FORMULATE RELEVANT POLICIES WAS ALSO PASSED AFTER TWO HOURS’ OF DEBATE.
A TOTAL OF 14 MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THREE BILLS WERE PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS. THEY WERE: BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
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/21
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
- 21 -
DUTCH ASSURED OF HK SITUATION ******
THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, IS RE-CONFIRMING TO EUROPEAN BUSINESS LEADERS, ACADEMICS AND POLITICIANS THAT WHILE THERE WILL BE A CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997, IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL IN HONG KONG.
’’ALL THOSE WHO VISIT, DO BUSINESS AND MAKE THEIR LIVES IN HONG KONG WILL SEE VIRTUALLY NO DIFFERENCE,” MRS CHAN TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF 200 DUTCH BUSINESSMEN AND WOMEN AT A GALA DINNER AND CULTURAL PRESENTATION IN THE HAGUE ON TUESDAY NIGHT.
SHE EMPHASISED THAT THIS SIMPLE FACT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND WHENEVER PEOPLE HEARD, SAW OR DID ANYTHING IN CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG.
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS FULLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THE RULE OF LAW, AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WOULD BE MAINTAINED IN HONG KONG AFTER THE TRANSITION.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE IS CURRENTLY HEADING A MAJOR HONG KONG PROMOTION IN FOUR EUROPEAN CITIES FEATURING BUSINESS SEMINARS, AIRPORT WORKSHOPS, A FILM FESTIVAL, FASHION SHOWS AND A SPECIAL CULTURAL PERFORMANCE.
MRS CHAN SAID SHE HAD BEEN EXTREMELY ENCOURAGED BY THE POSITIVE ATTITUDE, PARTICULARLY OF THE BUSINESS PEOPLE, SHE HAD MET SO FAR ON THE EUROPEAN PROMOTION. THEY HAD A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND IN MOST CASES WERE ALREADY LOOKING WELL BEYOND 1997.
DURING THE GALA DINNER, THE GUESTS WERE ENTERTAINED BY A TROUPE OF 17 PERFORMERS FROM THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN A SPECIAL "HONG KONG IMAGES” PRODUCTION.
THE PERFORMANCE COMBINED DANCE, MUSIC, AND VISUAL IMAGES REFLECTING HONG KONG’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT INTO A MAJOR, MODERN INTERNATIONAL CITY.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, MRS CHAN HAD A LIVELY DISCUSSION WITH LEADING ACADEMICS AND PHD STUDENTS AT THE HIGHLY-RESPECTED SINOLOGISTS INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIDEN.
THE WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSION COVERED MANY ASPECTS OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SCENE IN BOTH CHINA AND HONG KONG.
LATER SHE WAS GUEST AT AN INFORMAL LUNCH HOSTED BY THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN THE HAGUE, SIR DAVID MIERS, WHERE SHE MET SOME OF THE NETHERLANDS’ TOP BUSINESSMEN, INCLUDING A NUMBER CONNECTED WITH MAJOR DUTCH DREDGING COMPANIES INVOLVED IN RECLAMATION PROJECTS FOR HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.
/ON WEDNESDAY, .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
22
ON WEDNESDAY, MRS CHAN WILL HAVE MEETINGS WITH THE DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER, PROFESSOR KOOIJMANS, AND THE TRADE MINISTER, MRS VAN ROOY.
SHE WILL THEN GIVE A KEYNOTE LUNCHEON SPEECH IN AMSTERDAM TO ABOUT 300 BUSINESS PEOPLE ATTENDING A HONG KONG WORKS SEMINAR COORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
------0--------
CARTLAND HELPS CONCLUDE URUGUAY TALKS *****
THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, HAS LEFT FOR GENEVA TO ASSIST, UPON INVITATION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GATT TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE IN HIS EFFORTS TO BRING THE URUGUAY ROUND TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION BY DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
MR CARTLAND WILL BE ONE OF A SMALL NUMBER OF "FRIENDS OF THE CHAIR" APPOINTED IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES ON THE BASIS OF THEIR GATT EXPERIENCE.
THOSE CONTRACTING PARTIES CONTRIBUTING THE SERVICES OF THEIR OFFICIALS IN THIS WAY ARE AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG AND URUGUAY.
MR CARTLAND WAS THE HEAD OF HONG KONG’S GENEVA OFFICE FROM 1984 TO 198" AND WAS HONG KONG’S FIRST PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT WHEN HONG KONG BECAME A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY IN 1986.
HE SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NEGOTIATING GROUP OF SUBSIDIES IN THE URUGUAY ROUND AND HAS ALSO CHAIRED A NUMBER OF GATT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PANELS.
------0-------
APEC TO BECOME A MODEL OF OPEN REGIONALISM *****
HONG KONG IS AN ARDENT ADVOCATE OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND DISINCLINED TO FOLLOW THE CURRENT FEEL OF BLOCISM, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, TOLD DELEGATES ATTENDING THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) CUSTOMS AND TRADE SYMPOSIUM IN SEATTLE YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
MR MILLER, WHO IS LEADING THE HONG KONG DELEGATION IN THE APEC SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING, FIRMLY OPINED THAT APEC SHOULD NOT BECOME A TRADE BLOC.
"IT IS NEITHER DESIRABLE, NOR NECESSARY FOR APEC TO BECOME A TRADE BLOC.
"I SAY NOT DESIRABLE BECAUSE BLOCS DISTORT TRADE AND INVESTMENT FLOWS AND MAGNIFY RATHER THAN REDUCE FRICTIONS WITH THOSE OUTSIDE THE BLOC.
"I SAY NOT NECESSARY FOR APEC, ANY MORE THAN IT HAS PROVED NECESSARY FOR THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) IN CONSULTING AMONG ITS MEMBERS ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES," HE SAID.
/MR MILLER .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
23
MR MILLER HAD CONFIDENCE THAT APEC COULD HELP TO ENHANCE AN ALREADY OPEN AND DYNAMIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SEVERAL WAYS.
FIRSTLY, HE BELIEVED THAT APEC COULD AND SHOULD BECOME A MODEL OF GENUINELY OPEN REGIONALISM.
MEMBERS SHOULD TAKE UP FULLY AND WITHOUT EXCEPTION BOTH THEIR RIGHTS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE AND TARIFFS (GATT), WHILE NOT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST OTHERS.
THEY SHOULD ALSO PROGRESSIVELY DISMANTLE SUCH BARRIERS TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT WHICH EXIST BETWEEN THEM, WHILE NOT ERECTING OR LEAVING IN PLACE BARRIERS TO OTHERS; AND IN THIS OPENNESS, SERVING AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD IN CONTRAST TO OTHER CLOSED GROUPINGS.
MR MILLER SAID HE ALSO TOOK APEC AS SOMETHING AKIN TO THE OECD, BUT WITH A REGIONAL FLAVOUR, DEVELOPING REGIONAL INITIATIVE FOR WIDER TRADE REFORMS.
"ONCE THE URUGUAY ROUND IS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL TURN ITS ATTENTION TO NEW ISSUES, IDENTIFIED BUT NOT DEALT WITH AS PART OF THE URUGUAY ROUND.
"IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE OECD DID SOME OF THE SEMINAL WORK ON, FOR EXAMPLE, TRADE IN SERVICES, APEC SHOULD BE ABLE IN FUTURE TO DO SOME OF THE GROUNDWORK ON THESE NEW ISSUES.
"INDEED APEC MAY BE BETTER PLACED TO SECURE A BROADER CONSENSUS IN SOME AREAS BECAUSE OF ITS MORE ECONOMICALLY AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP.
"AND ANY CONSENSUS ACHIEVED AMONG APEC MEMBERS SHOULD ALMOST BY DEFINITION BE MORE READILY ACCEPTABLE TO THE WIDER MULTILATERAL COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
APEC COULD ALSO BE A FACILITATOR OF TRADE.
MR MILLER POINTED OUT THAT CERTAIN PROCEDURAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPEDIMENTS TO TRADE COULD BE REMOVED OR STREAMLINED OR STANDARDISED AT A REGIONAL LEVEL THROUGH THE LESS FORMAL PROCESS OF CONSULTATION AND CONSENSUS AMONG APEC MEMBERS.
"THIS SORT OF REGIONAL CO-OPERATION IS A VITAL COMPLEMENT TO MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE GATT.
"AND LIKE RIPPLES ON A POND CAN EXPAND OUTWARD TO EMBRACE OTHERS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR MILLER ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CONTRIBUTION THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD ALREADY BEEN MAKING TO THE WORK OF APEC.
HE NOTED THAT THOSE DOING BUSINESS IN THE REGION WERE BEST PLACED TO IDENTIFY THE IRRITATING LITTLE DIFFERENCES IN PROCEDURES, STANDARDS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS WHICH, ALTHOUGH NOT FORMAL OR DELIBERATE BARRIERS TO TRADE, DID CREATE UNNECESSARY FRICTION AND DELAY.
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/24 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
24
EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN SHOW KEEN INTEREST IN HK
*****
EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN ARE SHOWING A KEEN INTEREST IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND CHINA FOR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
THIS HAS BEEN THE FEEDBACK FROM DELEGATES TO BUSINESS SEMINARS HELD IN FRANKFURT AND AMSTERDAM AS PART OF THE "HONG KONG ’93" PROMOTION IN EUROPE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. A THIRD SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN PARIS ON FRIDAY.
MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE WERE AT TODAY’S SEMINAR IN AMSTERDAM’S RAI CONGRESS CENTRE AND LATER AT A LUNCHEON DURING WHICH THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, GAVE A KEYNOTE ADDRESS.
SHE NOTED THAT IN A NUMBER OF KEY AREAS, THE NETHERLANDS HAD BEEN THE FIRST TO SIGN BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH HONG KONG WHICH WILL CONTINUE BEYOND 1997.
DUTCH COMPANIES WERE ALSO PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, PARTICULARLY IN THE FORMATION OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM.
EMPHASISING HONG KONG’S ROLE AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA, MRS CHAN SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA’S ECONOMY AND MARKETS WAS HAVING THE MOST PROFOUND CONSEQUENCES NOT JUST FOR ITS OWN PEOPLE AND HONG KONG, BUT FOR THE WORLD AS A WHOLE.
SINCE ITS OPEN DOOR POLICY BEGAN IN 1978, DUTCH EXPORTS TO CHINA THROUGH HONG KONG HAVE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 1,700 PER CENT. TODAY ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE GOODS FLOWING BETWEEN THE NETHERLANDS AND CHINA PASS THROUGH HONG KONG.
ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE, MRS CHAN SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY SIGNED BY CHINA AND BRITAIN RECOGNISED TWO THINGS. NOT JUST THE RETURN TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997, BUT THAT HONG KONG’S SYSTEM, ITS WAY OF LIFE FOUNDED ON FREE MARKETS OPERATING WITHIN THE RULE OF LAW WOULD ALSO BE PRESERVEDt
SHE SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION LAID DOWN THE OVERALL FRAMEWORK FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) OF CHINA, INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SAR "SHALL BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS".
ALTHOUGH THE BASIC LAW ELABORATED ON THIS TO SOME DEGREE, THE CURRENT SINO-BRITISH TALKS WERE CONCERNED WITH FILLING IN THE FINER DETAILS OF HOW THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE FUTURE LEGISLATURE TO BE A FULLY ELECTED BODY WAS TO BE MET.
"AS TIME IS NOT UNLIMITED, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN INTENSIFICATION OF THOSE TALKS. AND WE HOPE VERY MUCH THAT AN AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED.
"BUT ANY AGREEMENT WILL NEED TO PROVIDE FOR ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," MRS CHAN SAID.
/"WE BELIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
C . - 25 -
"WE BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE BEST WAY OF ENSURING THE MAINTENANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW, OUR FREE, OPEN AND FAIR MARKETS AND GOOD, CLEAN GOVERNMENT - ALL OF WHICH ARE AT THE VERY HEART OF THE HONG KONG WAY OF LIFE."
MRS CHAN FLIES TO PARIS LATER THIS AFTERNOON WHERE TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY FRENCH TIME) SHE WILL OPEN A HONG KONG FILM FESTIVAL FEATURING 20 FILMS MADE BETWEEN THE EARLY 1980’S AND THIS YEAR AND REPRESENTING THE WORK OF FAMOUS HONG KONG MOVIE DIRECTORS.
TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THERE WILL BE MEETINGS WITH BUSINESS PEOPLE, A GALA DINNER AND FASHION SHOW ARRANGED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AHEAD OF THE BUSINESS SEMINAR AND AIRPORT WORKSHOP ON FRIDAY.
- - - 0------
• PUBLIC HEARING ON AUDIT REPORT
* * » *
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON NOVEMBER 22 (MONDAY) FOLLOWING THE TABLING OF THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT NO.21 SETS OUT THE ACCOUNTS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1993 AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS.
THE HEARING WILL BE HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 9 AM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
------0-------
THREE KOWLOON SITES TO LET * * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN KOWLOON.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED IN WANG CHIU ROAD, KOWLOON BAY, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,450 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS EARMARKED FOR USE AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
■ 1 - ’ . - A ■-< (
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
• - . ‘ ‘ .»•’.» 1 G
THE SECOND LOT AT WANG CHIU ROAD AND SHEUNG YEE ROAD, KOWLOON, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.32 HECTARES. IT IS INTENDED FOR USE AS A FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS ALSO FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
/THE REMAINING .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993
26
THE REMAINING LOT AT KING YIP STREET, KWUN TONG, HAVING AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,150 SQUARE METRES, IS DESIGNATED AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, INCLUDING CONTAINERS AND TRAILERS WITH THEIR PRIME MOVERS.
IT CARRIES A TENANCY OF TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 3. <•
FORMS OF TENDERS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE LAND<S DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
TENDER PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE OFFICES.
o
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION • ■(
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,180 REVERSAL OF LAF +820 BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000 NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -815 CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,185 LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.3 *+0.2» 17.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.41 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.27 3.35
1 MONTH 2.69 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.55 3.50
3 MONTHS 2.85 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.05 3.75
6 MONTHS 2.97 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.25 3.91
12 MONTHS 3.33 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.32 4.50
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11.259MN CLOSED 17 NOVEMBER 1993 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APEC: GOOD NEWS FOR THE REGION ............................... 1
TWO APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS APPROVED ........ 2
STATEMENT ON NAFTA ........................................... 2
TRADE FIGURES ON OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA FOR 2ND QUARTER 3
CURTAIN GOES UP FOR HK FILM FESTIVAL ......................... 7
SUPPORT EQUALITY OF SEXES: SHA URGES ......................... 7
GOVT COMMITTED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORK ..................... 8
RETAILERS REMINDED TO USE ACCURATE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT ........ 9
EARLY POSTING OF X’MAS CARDS URGED ........................... 9
TRANSPORT LICENSING OFFICE ON MOVE ........................... 10
HONG KONG AND MACAU YACHT RACE ............................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
11
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
1
APEC: GOOD NEWS FOR THE REGION
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, CAUTIONED THAT ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) SHOULD NOT DIVERT TOO MUCH ATTENTION FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND.
MR CHAU IS LEADING THE HONG KONG DELEGATION AT THE THREE-DAY APEC MINISTERIAL MEETING WHICH BEGAN ON WEDNESDAY (SEATTLE TIME).
HE SAID HONG KONG WOULD ADVISE CAUTION REGARDING SOME OF THE MORE AMBITIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PROPOSED APEC STATEMENTS.
REGARDING APEC’S ATTITUDE TOWARD EUROPE, HE EMPHASISED THAT MEMBER COUNTRIES WERE NOT "GANGING UP" ON THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND WOULD NOT USE APEC AS A TOOL TO DO SO.
LOOKING AT LONG-RANGE APEC ISSUES, MR CHAU SAID THE FACT THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD CONVENED THE MEETING WAS A GOOD SIGN FOR EAST ASIA.
"WE DO WANT THE UNITED STATES TO CONTINUE TO BE ENGAGED IN ASIA AND PRESIDENT CLINTON’S DECISION TO HOLD THIS MEETING IS OBVIOUSLY AN INDICATION THAT HE HAS FOCUSED ON THE REGION AND APEC AND WANTS TO DO MORE. THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE REGION," HE SAID.
QUESTIONED BY THE MEDIA ON THE U.S./CHINA BILATERAL MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS WEEK BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN, MR CHAU SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT THE TWO PRESIDENTS WERE MEETING.
"I THINK IT CAN ONLY BE BENEFICIAL TO U.S./CHINA RELATIONS FOR THEIR TWO TOP LEADERS TO MEET AND I HOPE THEY CAN ESTABLISH A RAPPORT SO THAT THE ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE."
MR CHAU’S ACTIVITIES DURING THE DAY INCLUDED BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH THREE APEC ECONOMIES - KOREA, SINGAPORE AND JAPAN.
HE ALSO BRIEFED THE MEDIA ON HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN APEC AND ATTENDED MINISTERIAL MEETINGS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER.
A DINNER HOSTED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE WITH A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE CONCLUDED THE DAY.
MINISTERIAL MEETINGS CONTINUE ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL ARRIVE IN SEATTLE ON THURSDAY EVENING IN PREPARATION FOR THE TWO-DAY APEC LEADERS CONFERENCE.
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
TWO APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS APPROVED *****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TWO APPLICATIONS FROM OVERSEAS OFFICERS FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS HAVE BEEN APPROVED ON THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
ONE IS A SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER SPECIALISING IN THE FIELD OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGY AND THE OTHER AN ESTATE SURVEYOR WORKING IN THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO OFFICERS WERE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG, COMMITTED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND HAD A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE APPLICATIONS, THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WERE SATISFIED THAT THE TWO OFFICERS MET THE CRITERIA FOR TRANSFER, THAT IS, SERVICE NEED, SATISFACTORY CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE, AND PHYSICAL FITNESS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BOTH ARE HIGHLY COMPETENT IN THEIR OWN FIELDS AND HAVE CONSISTENTLY HIGH STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE," HE ADDED.
THE TWO APPLICANTS ARE THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL CASES UNDER THE INTERIM MEASURE ON LOCALISATION ANNOUNCED ON JULY 30 UNDER WHICH CIVIL SERVANTS ON OVERSEAS TERMS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG COULD APPLY FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS IF THEY MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
EACH APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO VIGOROUS SCRUTINY BY THE DEPARTMENT, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
A TOTAL OF 104 APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR. EIGHT HAVE BEEN REJECTED, TWO APPROVED AND ONE HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. THE REST OF THE APPLICATIONS ARE STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
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STATEMENT ON NAFTA
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON THE PASSAGE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) BILL IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS MORNING, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
"WE NOTE THAT THE U.S. SENATE MUST NOW ALSO VOTE TO APPROVE THE NAFTA IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION BEFORE NAFTA CAN BE IMPLEMENTED, ALTHOUGH WE UNDERSTAND THAT SENATE APPROVAL IS EXPECTED.
/"APPROVAL OF
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
3
"APPROVAL OF THE NAFTA WILL HAVE IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.
"WE HOPE THE U.S. WILL NOW REFOCUS ITS ENERGY ON THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS. A COMPLETED URUGUAY ROUND WILL STRENGTHEN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND SERVE AS AN ENGINE FOR GROWTH AND JOBS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD."
- - - - 0----------
TRADE FIGURES ON OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA FOR 2ND QUARTER *****
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, 48% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WERE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 73% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 43% FOR RE-EXPORTS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, 74% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, 85% OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA WERE PRODUCED THROUGH OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA. ■
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 WERE 56% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA, 76% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, 51% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, 70% FOR IMPORTS FROM CHINA AND 77% FOR RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1993, 48% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WERE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 73% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 42% FOR RE-EXPORTS. u °
ON THE OTHER HAND, 73% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, 81% OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA WERE PRODUCED THROUGH OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WERE 54% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA, 74% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, 48% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, 71% FOR IMPORTS FROM CHINA AND 77% FOR REEXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA.
THE DECREASES IN THE PROPORTION OF EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AS RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1993 REFLECT THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS FOR MEETING DOMESTIC DEMAND IN CHINA, VIZ. EXPORTS TO CHINA NOT DESTINED FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING, INCREASED AT A FASTER PACE THAN OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE DURING THE PERIOD.
/"THIS IS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
- 4
THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE SUSTAINED INCREASE IN DOMESTIC DEMAND IN CHINA FOR IMPORTED GOODS.
TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA INITIATED BY HONG KONG FIRMS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A SAMPLE SURVEY AS FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 TO DISTINGUISH HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO CHINA INTO THOSE WHICH ARE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY HAS BEEN EXTENDED AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 SO AS TO SEGREGATE HONG KONG'S IMPORTS FROM CHINA INTO THOSE WHICH ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
STARTING FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY HAS FURTHER BEEN EXTENDED SO AS TO SEGREGATE HONG KONG’S REEXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA WHICH ARE PRODUCED THROUGH OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
THE RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND THE FIRST HALF OF 1993 ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
IN VALUE TERMS, $41,816 MILLION OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 WERE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 6% OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING DECREASED BY 3% TO $11,702 MILLION WHILST THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 10% TO $30,114 MILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 17% TO $72,087 MILLION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, $90,362 MILLION OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA WERE PRODUCED THROUGH OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 29%.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1993, $75,488 MILLION OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WERE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 15% OVER THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 6% TO $21,564 MILLION AND 18% TO $53,925 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 15% TO $130,673 MILLION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, $161,008 MILLION OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA WERE PRODUCED THROUGH OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 24%.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND THE FIRST HALF OF 1993 AND THE CORRESPONDING CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992 ARE SUMMARISED IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
/ESTIMATED VALUE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
- 5 -
ESTIMATED VALUE AND PROPORTION OF TRADE INVOLVING OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA, 2ND QUARTER AND FIRST HALF OF 1993
TOTAL TRADE VALUE ♦ : 2ND QTR. 1993 (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER 2ND QTR. 1992 (%) FIRST HALF 1993 (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER FIRST HALF 1992 (%)
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 86,788 + 24.3 158,177 + 29.6
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 16,020 + 0.2 29,442 + 7.4
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 70,768 + 31.5 128,734 + 36.0
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 97,142 + 9.7 179,482 + 11.9
RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA 106,707 + 17.4 198,926 + 18.4
ESTIMATED VALUE INVOLVING OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA :
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 41,816 + 6.2 75,488 + 14.6
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 11,702 - 3.2 21,564 + 6.1
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 30,114 + 10.4 53,925 + 18.4
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 72,087 + 16.8 130,673 + 15.2
RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA 90,362 + 29.4 161,008 + 24.1
ESTIMATED PROPORTION INVOLVING OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA •
2ND 2ND FIRST FIRST
QTR. QTR. HALF HALF
1993 1992 1993 1992
— — — — — —
(%) (%) (%) (%)
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 48.2 56.4 47.7 54.0
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 73.0 75.6 73.2 74.1
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 4 2.6 50.7 41 .9 48.1
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 74.2 69.7 72.8 70.7
RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN 84.7 76.9 80.9 77.2
TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER
THAN CHINA
♦ THE VALUE EXCLUDES COMMODITIES AND TRANSACTIONS NOT CLASSIFIED
ACCORDING TO KIND.
/FOR THE ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
6
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY, EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE EXPORTATION OF RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING WITH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT REIMPORTATION OF THE PROCESSED GOODS INTO HONG KONG.
IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE IMPORTATION OF PROCESSED GOODS FROM CHINA OF WHICH ALL OR PART OF THEIR RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES HAVE BEEN UNDER CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT EXPORTED FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING.
RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA PRODUCED THROUGH OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA REFER TO THOSE RE-EXPORTS OF WHICH ALL OR PART OF THEIR RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES HAVE BEEN EXPORTED FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING WITH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT RE-IMPORTATION OF THE PROCESSED GOODS INTO HONG KONG.
IN INTERPRETING THE STATISTICS, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE VALUE AND PROPORTION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA AND RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA INVOLVING OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA REFER TO THOSE OF THE ENTIRE GOODS INSTEAD OF JUST THE VALUE ADDED CONTRIBUTED BY OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA.
A SAMPLE OF TRADE DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA (DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, AND IMPORTS FROM CHINA) AS WELL AS HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA IS SELECTED FOR ENUMERATION TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SYSTEM OF RECORDING TRADE FLOWS, ALL MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ACROSS THE BORDER, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE, ARE RECORDED AS EXTERNAL TRADE.
THUS THE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTWARD PROCESSING ARE CORRECTLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS.
THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, HOWEVER, FACILITATE A MORE INFORMED ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE OF HONG KONG-CHINA TRADE.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT TO THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS.
THE ABOVE SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SEPTEMBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE".
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAT AT $52 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 5037.
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/7......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
- 7 -
CURTAIN GOES UP FOR HK FILM FESTIVAL
THE HONG KONG FILM FESTIVAL IN PARIS GOT OFF TO A HECTIC START LAST NIGHT (WEDNESDAY) WITH MOVIE-GOERS ANXIOUS TO MEET POPULAR HONG KONG FILM STARS JACKIE CHAN, MAGGIE CHEUNG AND JOEY WANG.
THE STARS HAD FLOWN SPECIALLY TO PARIS TO TAKE PART IN THE OPENING CEREMONY PERFORMED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE, MR DOMINIQUE PAINI.
JACKIE CHAN, IN PARTICULAR, WHO HAS A STRONG FOLLOWING IN PARIS HAS ALREADY FEATURED IN LE MONDE NEWSPAPER AND ON FRENCH TELEVISION, WHICH HAS RAISED THE PROFILE OF THE FESTIVAL - A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S EUROPE PROMOTION.
DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR CHAN PRESENTED A COSTUME TO CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE AS PART OF ITS MUSEUM COLLECTION, WHILE A COPY OF THE FILM "MASTER OF ZEN" WAS ALSO HANDED OVER TO CINEMATHEQUE.
IN HER SPEECH, THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS CHAN, SAID HONG KONG HAD BECOME THE WORLD’S MOST SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTION CENTRE FOR CHINESE-LANGUAGE FILMS WITH MORE THAN 200 FILMS BEING PRODUCED.
SHE SAID IT WAS FITTING THAT THE FESTIVAL STARTED WITH A JACKIE CHAN FILM "CRIME STORY" AND SHE PRAISED HIM FOR BEING "A TIRELESS AMBASSADOR FOR HONG KONG CINEMA".
THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE HONG KONG MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND LA CINEMATHEQUE, A WORLD RENOWNED FILM LIBRARY.
IT FEATURES 20 FILMS MADE BETWEEN THE EARLY 1980’S AND 1993 AND REPRESENTS THE WORK OF FAMOUS HONG KONG MOVIE DIRECTORS. IT WILL RUN FOR THREE WEEKS.
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SUPPORT EQUALITY OF SEXES: SHA URGES ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
PEOPLE SHOULD RAISE THEIR CONCERN ON SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE SUCH DISCRIMINATION CAN BE ELIMINATED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING THE 43RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ST JAMES SETTLEMENT, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SUBSCRIBED TO THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY BETWEEN THE SEXES.
/AND, IN ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
8
AND, IN THIS CONNECTION, IT HAD RECENTLY PUBLISHED THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE NEED FOR FURTHER ACTION.
MR SUEN SAID HE WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT THERE HAD BEEN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE ITS PUBLICATION.
ACCORDING TO THE VIEWS COLLECTED SO FAR, THE MOST CONCERNED ISSUES INCLUDE WHETHER OR NOT TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE MEASURES SUCH AS EQUAL PAY LAWS; THE EXTENSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN TO HONG KONG; AND THE SETTING UP OF A WOMEN’S COMMISSION.
MR SUEN ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF ST JAMES SETTLEMENT AND ITS CENTRES TO ACTIVELY GIVE THEIR VIEWS DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, WHICH IS DUE TO CLOSE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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GOVT COMMITTED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORK * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLAYING AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
BUT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WAS NOT JUST A GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY, SIR DAVID SAID FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ALL HAD A POSITIVE ROLE TO PLAY.
"SUCCESSFUL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES INVOLVE MANY FACETS AND REQUIRE THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF ALL SECTORS IN THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE BREAKTHROUGH YOUTH VILLAGE PROJECT COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT, TO DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT, HAD SUBSCRIBED TO THE CHARTER OF YOUTH, WHICH SETS OUT PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND PROVIDES A FOCUS OF ALL INVOLVED.
SIR DAVID SAID GROWING UP WAS A CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE FOR THE YOUNG IN A COMPLEX SOCIETY.
"IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNISE THEIR NEEDS AND TO HELP THEM OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES, SO THAT THEY WOULD REALISE THEIR POTENTIAL AND DEVELOP INTO RESPONSIBLE ADULTS IN SOCIETY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE LEAD TO PROMOTE YOUTH WELFARE.
/"IN THIS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
”IN THIS AREA OUR PROGRAMMES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY, CHARACTER, SOCIAL APTITUDE AND SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE ALSO CONGRATULATED THE STAFF OF BREAKTHROUGH FOR ORGANISING THE YOUTH VILLAGE PROJECT AND PRAISED THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTRIBUTION IN SERVING THE YOUTH.
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RETAILERS REMINDED TO USE ACCURATE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT * * * ♦ *
A SPOKESMAN FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED SEAFOOD RETAILERS TO USE ACCURATE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT.
A SEAFOOD RETAILER WAS FINED $1,000 IN WESTERN COURT ON TUESDAY FOR USING DEFECTIVE "CHINGS" FOR TRADE.
ACTING ON A COMPLAINT ON SHORT WEIGHT SALES, OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU RAIDED A RETAILER'S SHOP IN WAN CHAI ON JUNE 25 THIS YEAR AND FOUND FIVE SETS OF DEFECTIVE CHINESE "CHINGS".
THE "CHINGS" WERE LATER TESTED TO HAVE 10 TO 38 PER CENT ERROR IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR POSSESSING INACCURATE EQUIPMENT FOR USING FOR TRADE IS A FINE OF $20,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
CONSUMERS WHO WISH TO COMPLAIN ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MALPRACTICES CAN CONTACT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 398 5157 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR 852 3185 OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS.
EARLY POSTING OF X’MAS CARDS URGED
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE LATEST DATE FOR POSTING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR LOCAL DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19).
POSTINGS AFTER THIS DATE MIGHT RUN THE RISK OF NOT BEING DELIVERED IN TIME BECAUSE OF ANTICIPATED SEASONAL PRESSURE OF WORK.
HE ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO POST AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID A LAST-MINUTE RUSH.
MR PAGLIARI ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERY WOULD BE PROVIDED ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19) AND ON DECEMBER 27.
/A SPECIAL .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1993
- 10 -
A SPECIAL COLLECTION SERVICE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON DECEMBER 19.
NO DELIVERY WOULD BE MADE ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY.
ALL POST OFFICES WOULD BE CLOSED DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AND ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.
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TRANSPORT LICENSING OFFICE ON MOVE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES AT UNITED CENTRE, QUEENSWAY, IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
A SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY, MR ALAN WALKER, SAID THE NEW ACCOMMODATION ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE UNITED CENTRE WAS EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM QUEENSWAY AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
"IT WILL PROVIDE A MODERN USER-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR CLIENTS IN LINE WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FACILITIES," HE SAID.
THE NEW PREMISES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BY THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY. THE PRESENT LICENSING OFFICE IN MURRAY ROAD CAR PARK WILL BE CONVERTED FOR USE BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WHICH HAS AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF SPACE.
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HONG KONG AND MACAU YACHT RACE * ♦ * » »
SOME 30 YACHTS WILL TAKE PART IN A RACE FROM HONG KONG TO MACAU ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 20), A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
"THE RACE WILL START AT 10 AM FROM THE SOUTHEAST OF LAMMA ISLAND. CONCENTRATION OF YACHTS ARE EXPECTED AT THE SOUTH OF LAMMA AND LANTAU," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MASTERS, COXSWAINS AND PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE AREA AND ON THE WAY TO MACAU ARE REQUESTED TO TAKE EXTRA CARE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT COMPLIANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA 1972 WAS MANDATORY.
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/Il........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18,
1993
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,185
REVERSAL OF LAF +815
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,584
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,416
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.2 »-0.1» 18.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.41 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.20 3.42
1 MONTH 2.71 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.45 3.58
3 MONTHS 2.89 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.83 3.91
6 MONTHS 3.04 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.96 4.09
12 MONTHS 3.40 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.96 4.63
TOTAL TURNOVER OF 1 BILLS AND BONDS - 20, 536 MN
CLOSED 18 NOVEMBER 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REPORT ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT REFUTED ......................... 1
APEC MESSAGE ON URUGUAY ROUND URGED ............................. 1
HK WELCOMES VISION OF OPEN TRADE ................................ 2
FRENCH APPLAUD HK FASHIONS ...................................... 3
PREPARATION OF NEW VALUATION LISTS .............................. 3
EDUCATION COMMISSION STUDIES WILL LEAD TO "NEW THINKING ABOUT EDUCATION QUALITY" ............................................ 4
CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY .... 6
TWO CONSORTIA TO SHARE GRANT FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMMES .................................................. 8
COURT USERS COMMITTEE KICKS OFF ................................. 9
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS APPOINTED 10
BREWIN TRUST FUND ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED ...................... 10
THREE LOTS OF LAND PUT UP FOR AUCTION .......................... 11
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN SEPTEMBER ................... 12
REVIEW ARTICLE ON MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES ..................... 13
BUS ROUTE TO SERVE PICNICKERS ................................ 14
TENDERS INVITED FOR BLAKE GARDEN WORKS ......................... 14
317 RETURN TO VIETNAM .......................................... 15
WORKS TO IMPROVE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD ........ 15
MING YUEN WESTERN STREET TO BE REPAIRED ........................ 15
CLOSURE OF KWAI CHUNG ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT ................. 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
17
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
1
REPORT ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT REFUTED
* * ♦ ♦ ♦
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) DISMISSED A CLAIM PUBLISHED THIS MORNING IN A HONG KONG NEWSPAPER THAT THE PRIME MINISTER, MR JOHN MAJOR, HAS OFFERED FURTHER CONCESSIONS TO CHINA IN A BID TO SECURE AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN HIS MESSAGE TO PREMIER LI PENG, MR MAJOR PROPOSED THAT THE SI NO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG MOVE INTO A MORE INTENSIVE PHASE.
"THE PRIME MINISTER HAS NOT OFFERED NEW CONCESSIONS. THIS REPORT FROM PEKING IS ENTIRELY WITHOUT FOUNDATION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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APEC MESSAGE ON URUGUAY ROUND URGED
******
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, CALLED FOR A STRONG MESSAGE ON COMPLETING THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE GATT.
SPEAKING AT THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) FIFTH MINISTERIAL MEETING IN SEATTLE, HE SAID: "IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT APEC SEND A STRONG COLLECTIVE MESSAGE URGING AN EARLY AND SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE ROUND."
"COMMITMENT BY GATT MEMBERS OF APEC TO SUBSTANTIVELY IMPROVE MARKET ACCESS OFFERS WOULD GREATLY STRENGTHEN THIS MESSAGE. LET US CHALLENGE OTHER PARTICIPANTS TO DO SO AS WELL."
MR CHAU SAID A STRONG COMMITMENT IN OTHER AREAS WAS ALSO NEEDED. HE HIGHLIGHTED TRADE IN SERVICES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GATT INSTITUTION AND RULES.
"OFFERS ON SERVICES, PARTICULARLY FINANCIAL SERVICES, NEED TO BE IMPROVED," MR CHAU SAID.
"THIS WOULD GIVE THE NEW SERVICES AGREEMENT REAL CREDIBILITY IN THE EYES OF BUSINESSMEN. AND THERE MUST BE NO EXEMPTION FOR TAXATION MEASURES. TO ALLOW ONE WOULD TOTALLY UNDERMINE THE VALUE OF THE AGREEMENT."
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG ATTACHED HIGHEST PRIORITY TO STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
"THE POST-URUGUAY ROUND GATT MUST BE A STRONG AND RESPECTED INSTITUTION, WITH GREATER STATURE THAN BEFORE.
"IT MUST HAVE AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM WHOSE DECISIONS ARE RESPECTED BY ALL CONTRACTING PARTIES. AND ITS RULES AND DISCIPLINES MUST BE STRENGTHENED AND CLARIFIED, NOT LENGTHENED AND MADE MORE AMBIGUOUS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF ANTIDUMPING," HE SAID.
0
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
- 2 -
HK WELCOMES VISION OF OPEN TRADE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG WELCOMES THE BOLD VISION OF OPEN TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION SET OUT IN THE EMINENT PERSONS GROUP REPORT TO ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) MINISTERS.
SPEAKING AT THE APEC MINISTERIAL MEETING IN SEATTLE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID: "HONG KONG ENDORSES THE GOAL OF FREE TRADE AND OPEN INVESTMENT. YOU WOULD HARDLY EXPECT US TO DO OTHERWISE. HONG KONG KNOWS THAT FREE TRADE AND AN OPEN ECONOMY ARE GOOD FOR YOU."
MR CHAU ALSO WELCOMED THE EMINENT PERSONS GROUP’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE GATT SYSTEM. "HONG KONG IS PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT, AT THIS CRITICAL TIME, THE VALUE OF THE OPEN MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM TO GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH WAS REAFFIRMED."
HE OBSERVED THAT GETTING TO THE GOAL OF OPEN TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE REGION REQUIRED CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF VARIOUS OPTIONS, AND HE OUTLINED WHAT HONG KONG SAW AS THE THREE FOCAL POINTS IN THE COMING DEBATE.
"FIRST, IN LIBERALISING TRADE IN THE REGION UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM, WITH MOST FAVOURED NATION GLOBALLY APPLIED, DO WE GO FOR A FORMAL, STRUCTURED APPROACH, OR DO WE RELY ON ENCOURAGING PROGRESSIVE BUT AUTONOMOUS ACTION? HONG KONG FAVOURS THE LATTER.
"SECOND, IN SEEKING TO EASE THE TENSIONS SOMETIMES ARISING FROM GLOBAL COMPETITION THROUGH TRADE, HOW CAN WE BUILD ON EXISTING INSTITUTIONS IN A WAY WHICH ENSURES THAT ALL COMPLY EQUALLY WITH MULTILATERAL RULES AND THAT DISPUTES ARE NOT AGGRAVATED BY UNILATERAL ACTION?
"THIRD, AS MARKET FORCES DRIVE US TOWARDS GREATER REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN A GLOBALISED ECONOMY, ARE WE SATISFIED THAT THE CONVENTIONAL MODELS OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION POLICY ARE STILL RELEVANT?"
MR CHAU STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF INVOLVING BUSINESS AND ACADEMICS IN DISCUSSION OF THE EMINENT PERSONS GROUP’S REPORT.
"I URGE THAT THE REPORT BE PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED WIDELY AMONG THE REGION’S BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES TO ENCOURAGE DEBATE. THIS IS VITAL TO OUR CARRYING THESE CONSTITUENCIES WITH US."
FINALLY, MR CHAU EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR ACTION. "THE EMINENT PERSONS GROUP HAVE DONE THEIR JOB: THEY HAVE OFFERED US A VISION. LET US GET ON WITH THE JOB OF TURNING THAT FREE TRADE AND INVESTMENT VISION INTO REALITY."
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/3 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
3
FRENCH APPLAUD HK FASHIONS
*****
THE CREATIONS OF SOME OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG DESIGNERS HAVE MADE THEIR MARK ON THE FRENCH FASHION SCENE FOLLOWING A MAJOR SHOWING IN THE HEART OF THE WORLD’S FASHION INDUSTRY - PARIS.
LE GRAND HOTEL WAS THE SETTING FOR THE EXCITING AND EYECATCHING SHOW ORGANISED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AS PART OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S EUROPEAN PROMOTION.
THE NINE HONG KONG DESIGNERS WHO SHOWED THEIR CREATIONS RECEIVED WIDESPREAD PRAISE FROM FRENCH FASHION WRITERS WHO ATTENDED A SPECIAL PREVIEW EARLIER ON THURSDAY.
THIRTY MODELS, INCLUDING 10 FROM HONG KONG, TOOK TO THE CATWALK IN A DISPLAY THAT PROVIDED A CREATIVE ALTERNATIVE TO THE FASHION SHOWS THAT HAVE BEEN HELD DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
THE HONG KONG FASHION SHOW WAS THE FIRST TO BE HELD IN PARIS SINCE THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ARRANGED A SIMILAR EVENT IN 1990.
SPEAKING DURING A GALA DINNER JUST BEFORE THE FASHION SHOW, THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID HONG KONG WAS NOW THE MOST IMPORTANT CLOTHING SOURCING CENTRE IN ASIA.
AS TO THE POSSIBLE FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF THE INDUSTRY, MRS CHAN SUGGESTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HONG KONG’S OWN BRAND NAMES. "TO ORIGINATE THE PRODUCTS RATHER THAN SIMPLY PRODUCING TO THE ORDERS OF OTHERS."
"IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY THAT MEANS ESTABLISHING OUR OWN HONG KONG LABELS, BASED ON THE UNDOUBTED DESIGN SKILLS OF OUR OWN HOMEGROWN TALENT. AND JUDGING BY TONIGHT’S FASHION PRESENTATION, WE ARE ALREADY WELL ON THE WAY TO DOING THIS," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE INFLUENCE THAT HONG KONG’S FASHIONS WERE HAVING ON YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE BORDER IN CHINA.
"THE FASHIONS THAT ARE POPULAR IN HONG KONG ARE RE-APPEARING IN SOUTHERN CHINA WITH AN EVER-DECREASING TIME LAG," SHE ADDED.
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PREPARATION OF NEW VALUATION LISTS * * * » ♦
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR’S DIRECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION ON NOVEMBER 13 TO PREPARE NEW VALUATION LISTS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW LISTS ARE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AREAS AND HIS DESIGNATION OF JULY 1, 1993 AS THE REFERENCE DATE FOR ASCERTAINING THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES.
THIS MEANS THAT ALL PROPERTIES INCLUDED IN THE NEW VALUATION LISTS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1994 WILL BE VALUED BY REFERENCE TO THE RENTAL VALUES AT JULY 1, 1993.
THE PRESENT RATEABLE VALUES TOOK EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1991 AND ARE BASED ON THE RENTAL VALUES AT JULY 1, 1990.
/IN ANTICIPATION .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
4
IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS DIRECTION, STAFF OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN PREPARING VALUATIONS FOR ALL RATEABLE PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE VALUATION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
RATEPAYERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES WHEN THEY RECEIVE THE SECOND QUARTER 1994 RATE DEMANDS IN LATE MARCH OR EARLY APRIL 1994.
THEY WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO INSPECT THE VALUATION LISTS IN APRIL AND MAY 1994 WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE PROPOSALS OBJECTING TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES.
THE VALUATION LISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TREASURY AND AT DISTRICT OFFICES.
REFERRING TO THE LIKELY INCREASES IN RATEABLE VALUES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THESE WILL VARY BECAUSE RENTAL VALUES, ON WHICH RATEABLE VALUES ARE BASED, HAVE INCREASED BY DIFFERENT AMOUNTS SINCE JULY 1990, DEPENDING ON THE CLASS OF PROPERTY AND ALSO ON CHANGES IN TRANSPORT FACILITIES, ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER FACTORS.
OVERALL THE INCREASE IS LIKELY TO BE AROUND 30 PER CENT BUT CERTAIN PROPERTIES WILL EXPERIENCE HIGHER INCREASE DUE TO CORRESPONDINGLY HIGHER INCREASES IN THEIR RENTAL VALUES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED RATEPAYERS THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS 1993/94 BUDGET SPEECH UNDERTOOK TO PROPOSE A "CAP" ON RATES INCREASE IN 1994/95 TO ALLOW TIME FOR THOSE WITH PARTICULARLY HIGH INCREASES TO ADJUST TO THE NEW LEVELS OF CHARGE.
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EDUCATION COMMISSION STUDIES WILL LEAD TO "NEW THINKING ABOUT EDUCATION QUALITY” * * * * *
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IS AIMING TO DEVELOP A "VISIONARY YET PRACTICAL STRATEGY FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS" IN EDUCATION, AND THE THREE STUDIES IT IS NOW CONDUCTING PROMISE TO RESULT IN SOME "PATH-BREAKING NEW THINKING ABOUT EDUCATION QUALITY".
THIS WAS SAID BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A SPEECH AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH TODAY (FRIDAY). MR LEUNG IS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR LEUNG DENIED THAT THE COMMISSION OPERATED IN A "SECRETIVE" MANNER.
"THE COMMISSION CONDUCTS ITS DISCUSSIONS OUT OF THE PUBLIC ARENA, NOT BECAUSE THE ISSUES ARE INHERENTLY SECRETIVE, BUT SO THAT MEMBERS CAN EXPLORE AND EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS IN AN UNFETTERED MANNER," MR LEUNG SAID.
/HE POINTED .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSION’S CHAIRMAN ALWAYS BRIEFED THE PRESS AFTER EACH MEETING, IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PUBLIC BROADLY INFORMED ON THE COMMISSION’S CURRENT WORK.
"ONCE THE COMMISSION HAS FORMULATED ITS VIEWS AND PROPOSALS, THESE ARE ISSUED FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION," HE SAID.
"THE COMMISSION THEN CONSIDERS PUBLIC COMMENTS BEFORE SUBMITTING FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THESE PROCEDURES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW THE COMMISSION CAN BE DESCRIBED AS OPERATING IN A ’SECRETIVE* MANNER."
ON THE COMMISSION’S CURRENT PROGRAMME OF WORK, MR LEUNG SAID THE STUDIES OF EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, AND THE RESOURCING OF SCHOOLS WERE NOT IN ANY SENSE "MARGINAL OR MERELY TECHNICAL".
"THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS THIS: IN AN EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH A THOUSAND SCHOOLS, 50,000 TEACHERS AND ALMOST A MILLION STUDENTS, CAN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION BE PROMOTED EFFECTIVELY BY CENTRALISED DECISION-MAKING, CENTRALISED CONTROLS, AND CENTRALISED QUALITYASSURANCE MECHANISMS?" MR LEUNG ASKED.
"OR DOES IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO THINK IN TERMS OF A FRAMEWORK WHICH MOTIVATES AND ENABLES EVERY SCHOOL AND EVERY TEACHER TO TAKE DECISIONS ABOUT, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR, THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICE THEY DELIVER?"
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT EDUCATION SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD WERE MOVING AWAY FROM CENTRALISED WAYS TO PROMOTE QUALITY EDUCATION.
"THE CENTRALISED APPROACH HAS LONG BEEN RECOGNISED AS INEFFECTIVE," HE SAID.
THERE IS A MOVEMENT INSTEAD TOWARDS SYSTEMS IN WHICH SCHOOLS HAVE GREATER DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY, WITHIN A FRAMEWORK WHICH, ON THE ONE HAND, MAKES THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THEIR OWN COMMUNITY FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICES; AND ON THE OTHER HAND ENABLES THEM TO OBTAIN THE KINDS OF SUPPORT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO DELIVER QUALITY EDUCATION.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE FIRST STEPS TOWARDS A FRAMEWORK OF SCHOOL-BASED QUALITY ASSURANCE WITH THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE, THE STATEMENT OF AIMS FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION, AND THE NEW FRAMEWORKS FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHER EDUCATION ARISING FROM EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORTS 4 AND 5.
"THE THREE STUDIES NOW BEING CONDUCTED BY THE COMMISSION CAN PROVIDE US WITH A MAP FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS A TRULY EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN EDUCATION," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE THEN DESCRIBED THE BASIC AIMS OF THE THREE STUDIES. "THE STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AIMS TO DEFINE THE CONCEPTS OF ’STANDARDS’ AND ’QUALITY’ IN EDUCATION; TO IDENTIFY OUR CURRENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING AND PROMOTING QUALITY; AND TO RECOMMEND WAYS TO ENSURE THAT, IN EVERY SECTOR OF EDUCATION, THESE SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES ARE ADEQUATE AND EFFECTIVE.
/"THE STUDY .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
6
"THE STUDY OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY SEEKS TO IDENTIFY WHAT FACTORS HELP, AND WHAT FACTORS HINDER, THE ACQUISITION BY STUDENTS OF THE LEVEL OF LANGUAGE SKILLS HONG KONG NEEDS.
"THIS WILL HELP US TO DEFINE MORE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING THE LANGUAGE SKILLS OF OUR STUDENTS - STRATEGIES WHICH MAY WELL LEAD TO FUNDAMENTAL NEW THINKING ABOUT THE CURRICULUM, AND ABOUT SUPPORT FOR STUDENT LEARNING.
"THE STUDY OF SCHOOL FUNDING ADDRESSES THE QUESTION: WHERE SHOULD DECISIONS ABOUT THE USE OF A SCHOOL’S RESOURCES BE MADE? SHOULD THE CENTRE DECIDE, BY MEANS OF DETAILED ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS, WHICH OFTEN SEEM MORE CONCERNED WITH IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS THAN PROMOTING THE EFFECTIVE USE OF RESOURCES? OR SHOULD THE SCHOOL DECIDE, SINCE IT IS MORE LIKELY TO UNDERSTAND ITS OWN ACTUAL NEEDS AND PRIORITIES?"
MR LEUNG ALSO CONFIRMED THAT, IN ADDITION TO THESE THREE STUDIES, THE SUBJECT OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION WAS ALSO ON THE COMMISSION’S AGENDA FOR IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION.
DURING HIS TALK, MR LEUNG OUTLINED WHY THE COMMISSION WAS SET UP IN 1984, AND WHAT IT HAD ACHIEVED. HE NOTED THAT OVER THE PAST NINE YEARS IT HAD PRODUCED SIX MAJOR PUBLICATIONS (REPORTS 1 TO 5, AND THE STATEMENT OF AIMS) ON COMPLEX AND OFTEN CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.
"WITH VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS -TOTALLING MORE THAN 330 SEPARATE ITEMS - HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND IMPLEMENTED," HE SAID.
"WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, THE COMMISSION HAS SERVED HONG KONG WELL. HONG KONG STILL NEEDS THE COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION IS CONTINUING TO PURSUE A TIMELY AND IMPORTANT PROGRAMME OF WORK," MR LEUNG ADDED.
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CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A SPECIAL TASK FORCE CAMPAIGN ON CONSTRUCTION SITES TO REMIND EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE NEED FOR CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT OF SITE SAFETY IN A BID TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
"DURING THE TWO-PHASE CAMPAIGN MOUNTED BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE, AND BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, FACTORY INSPECTORS MADE A TOTAL OF 796 INSPECTIONS TO 366 CONSTRUCTION SITES INCLUDING 17 CAISSON SITES," LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THESE INSPECTIONS WERE MADE IN ADDITION TO THE DAY-TO-DAY INSPECTIONS BECAUSE EXPERIENCE FROM PREVIOUS SIMILAR EXERCISES HAS PROVED THAT THE OPERATION IS VERY EFFECTIVE PARTICULARLY IN THE HOT AND RAINY SEASON," HE SAID.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS CONCENTRATED ON HIGH-RISK AREAS SUCH AS CAISSONS AND PLACES THAT MIGHT CAUSE FALLS OF PERSONS.
/"WE ALSO .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
7
"WE ALSO CHECKED ON THE SAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEARS AND THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS SAFETY BELTS AND HELMETS.
"AS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SAFETY OF SCAFFOLDS IS ONE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE’S MAIN TARGETS THIS YEAR, FACTORY INSPECTORS EXERCISED GREAT VIGILANCE ON OFFENCES RELATING TO UNSAFE AND SUBSTANDARD SCAFFOLDS.
"APART FROM THE HIGH-RISK AREAS, ATTENTION WAS PAID ON THE HOUSEKEEPING ON THE SITES, THE IMPROVEMENT OF WHICH WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT IN AVOIDING ACCIDENTS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID FACTORY INSPECTORS HAD GIVEN SAFETY ADVICE TO 254 SUB-CONTRACTORS AND ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS TAKEN OUT AGAINST 185 SITES FOR SERIOUS BREACHES OF SAFETY REGULATIONS.
A TOTAL OF 354 SUMMONSES, INCLUDING 12 SUMMONSES AGAINST 10 CAISSON SITES, WERE ISSUED.
AMONG THE SUMMONSES, 227 WERE OFFENCES RELATED TO FALL FROM A HEIGHT, 50 RELATED TO THE SAFE USE OF MACHINERY INCLUDING WOODWORKING MACHINES, LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEARS, AND 10 ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY.
ANOTHER 40 SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST CONTRACTORS FOR FAILING TO ENSURE WORKERS WEAR SAFETY HELMETS, 20 SUMMONSES FOR FAILING TO ENSURE WORKERS WEAR EYE-PROTECTORS, FOUR FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE EYE-PROTECTORS TO WORKERS AND ONE ON SAFE HOUSEKEEPING.
"THERE ARE ALSO TWO SUMMONSES AGAINST WORKERS FOR NOT WEARING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTOR," HE SAID.
UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS BY PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING A SAFE WORKING PLACE, THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR REITERATED.
HE ADDED THAT WORKERS MUST ALSO CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS AND USE THE REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO AVOID BEING INJURED.
"OUR INSPECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THE SITUATION AND WILL MOUNT MORE OPERATIONS, IF NECESSARY, TO SEE TO IT THE SAFETY LAW IS BEING OBSERVED," HE SAID.
"UNSCRUPULOUS CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WHO CHOOSE TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW WILL BE PROSECUTED," HE SAID.
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/8........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
8
TWO CONSORTIA TO SHARE GRANT FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMMES
*****
TWO CONSORTIA OF LOCAL TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WILL SHARE A $10 MILLION GRANT TO DEVELOP DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR SERVING PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
ONE CONSORTIUM IS LED BY THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AND INCLUDES THE SCHOOL OF CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE OTHER CONSORTIUM IS HEADED BY THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE AND INCLUDES THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
AT A CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, PRESENTED CHEQUES FOR $5 MILLION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TWO CONSORTIA.
THE GRANT WAS RECOMMENDED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5, AS A WAY TO SPEED UP THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE-SCALE DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR SERVING TEACHERS.
THE TWO CONSORTIA SUBMITTED THEIR BIDS TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER IN JULY THIS YEAR. HE SUBSEQUENTLY REFERRED THE BIDS TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TEACHER EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS (ACTEQ) FOR ADVICE.
"AFTER A THOROUGH AND IMPARTIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE TWO BIDS, ACTEQ REACHED THE VIEW THAT BOTH THE PROPOSED DEGREE PROGRAMMES WOULD BE ACADEMICALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY APPROPRIATE FOR LOCAL SERVING PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND WERE OF GOOD QUALITY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BRANCH SAID.
"AS THE TWO PROGRAMMES WILL OFFER DISTINCT APPROACHES AND CONTENT AND THE CONSORTIA WILL OPERATE CREDIT TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS, SERVING PRIMARY TEACHERS WILL THEREFORE HAVE A GENUINE CHOICE OF DEGREE PROGRAMMES."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE WHO COMPLETED FOUNDATION COURSES IN ONE PROGRAMME COULD, IF THEY WISH, COMPLETE THEIR DEGREE UNDER THE OTHER PROGRAMME.
THIS WILL BE GOOD FOR INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS AND FOR THE PRIMARY EDUCATION SYSTEM IN GENERAL, HE ADDED.
THE TWO CONSORTIA AIM TO OFFER THEIR FIRST COURSES NEXT YEAR AND TO DEVELOP FURTHER COURSES IN TIME TO MEET DEMAND.
THEY ALSO ENVISAGE COLLABORATION WITH THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, ONCE IT IS ESTABLISHED NEXT YEAR.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
9
COURT USERS COMMITTEE KICKS OFF
*****
THE CIVIL COURT USERS COMMITTEE — ONE OF THE THREE COURT USERS COMMITTEES RECENTLY LAUNCHED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, AS PART OF THE INITIATIVES TO STREAMLINE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY -- HELD ITS FIRST MEETING THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AFTER THE MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR JUSTICE BOKHARY OF THE COURT OF APPEAL, SAID THE MEETING HAD A USEFUL AND GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THE WAY FORWARD AND ON HOW THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BEST FULFIL ITS FUNCTION.
"AT OUR FIRST MEETING, WE DID FOUR MAIN THINGS. FIRST, WE DEVISED A WORKING METHOD. SECONDLY, WE CONSIDERED OUR LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES. THIRDLY, WE IDENTIFIED SOME OF THE TOPICS MOST IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. FOURTHLY, WE DISCUSSED THREE OF THOSE TOPICS: LISTING; WAITING TIMES; AND PRE-TRIAL REVIEWS.
"WE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTY OF OUR TASK. BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN MAKE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN HONG KONG."
APART FROM THE CIVIL COURT USERS COMMITTEE, THE OTHER TWO COMMITTEES ARE THE CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE AND THE TRIBUNAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE.
THE FORMER IS CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE POWER OF THE COURT OF APPEAL AND THE LATTER BY MR GERARD MUTTRIE, THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE.
ALL THREE COMMITTEES ARE TASKED TO ADVISE THE CHIEF JUSTICE ON MATTERS OF CONCERN TO USERS OF THE COURTS.
THESE INCLUDE COURT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, THE USE OF TECHNNOLOGY AND FACILITIES IN COURT BUILDINGS.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEES ARE DRAWN FROM THE LEGAL PROFESSION, RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE JUDICIARY.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO DO NOT BELONG TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAS ALSO BEEN INVITED.
THE MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL COURT USERS COMMITTEE ARE MR GEOFFREY MA, QC OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION;.MR TIMOTHY PARKES OF THE LAW SOCIETY; JUDGE WILSON OF THE DISTRICT COURT; MR PATRICK HAMLIN, DEPUTY CROWN SOLICITOR; MR MICHAEL TURNBULL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID; AND MR LEE JARK-PUI.
THE CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE AND THE TRIBUNAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE WILL BE MEETING SHORTLY.
/10.......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
10
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS APPOINTED
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SERVING THE COMMUNITY SCHEME TOOK ANOTHER STEP FORWARD WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF 11 REPRESENTATIVES FROM A WIDE SPECTRUM OF THE COMMUNITY AS MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE.
APPOINTED TO SERVE IN THE SUB-COMMITTEE FOR TWO YEARS ARE THREE PARENTS, TWO STUDENTS, AND TWO REPRESENTATIVES EACH FROM SCHOOLS, THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND THE PUBLIC.
UNDER ITS CHARTER, THE SUB-COMMITTEE WILL EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON SERVICES PROVIDED, CONSIDER SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SERVICES, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
THE BOARD HAS APPOINTED THREE OF ITS MEMBERS - MR HERMAN HU SHAO-MING, MS SANSAN CHING AND MRS GRACE HUI - TO JOIN THE LIAISON GROUP, WITH MR HU AS CHAIRMAN.
OTHER MEMBERS ARE:
PARENTS: MS HO KWAI-TSING, MS CHRISTINA CHENG AND MS LAM
MIU-HAN.
STUDENTS: MR KHAN HUSSAIN ALI AND MISS MELODY WONG
TEACHERS: MR FAN TAK AND MR FUNG SUI TAK
SCHOOLS: MS CHENG YUK-PING AND MS HO LAI-WAH
PUBLIC: MRS CHAN CHUNG YEE-MEI AND MS NORA YAU
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING NEXT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 26).
_ ----o-------
BREWIN TRUST FUND ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE BREWIN TRUST FUND ORDINANCE TO FORMALISE THE AUTHORITY OF THE TRUST FUND COMMITTEE TO MAKE BLOCK ALLOCATIONS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS.
THE PROPOSALS WERE CONTAINED IN THE BREWIN TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
COMMENTING ON THE PROPOSALS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRUST FUND COMMITTEE ALLOCATED FUNDS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS FOR THEM TO DISBURSE TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS.
THE FUND, ESTABLISHED IN THE 1950’S TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO WIDOWS AND ORPHANS, HAS EXPANDED ITS SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE SINCE THE EARLY 1970’S TO WORKMEN INCAPACITATED AT WORK AND TO INDIVIDUALS IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY.
/mr rr? r\r»FM-»r»mr niTmv
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
11
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE BY DELETING THE WORD CHINESE TO ENABLE THE FUND TO BENEFIT ALL ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSED BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
----0------
THREE LOTS OF LAND PUT UP FOR AUCTION *****
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON DECEMBER 15, THE GAZETTE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED OFF LUNG PING ROAD, KOWLOON. WITH AN AREA OF 43,520 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 49,140 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1997.
THE SECOND LOT, LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF LO PENG STREET AND PO PENG STREET, PENG CHAU, NEW TERRITORIES, HAS AN AREA OF 1,945 SQUARE METRES FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWNS, HOTELS AND OFFICES) USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 4,900 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
THE REMAINING LOT IN TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, COVERS AN AREA OF 1,681 SQUARE METRES FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 3,026 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON. ।
SALE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN THE OFFICES,
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
- - 0 - -
/12
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
12
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN SEPTEMBER *****
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1% IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR OVER A YEAR EARLIER, ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS THAT MANUFACTURERS WILL REQUIRE TO COMPLETE THE ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ORDERS IN THE TEXTILES AND THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES DECREASED MODERATELY BY 8% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
ORDERS POSITION SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. ON THE OTHER HAND, APPRECIABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BY 8% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
ORDERS POSITION IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY DECREASED MODERATELY BY 5% OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH. DECREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES, BY IX AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE. A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1% WAS RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF ORDERS-ON-HAND COVERS A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERED ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT BE FULLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF SHORT-TERM DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS SECTOR.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 AT $5.50 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO TRE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6441.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND:
/INDUSTRY .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
13
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1993 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
AUGUST 1993 SEPTEMBER 1992
ALL MANUFACTURERS (MONTHS) (%) (%)
SURVEYED 4.37 * -1
— —- — — — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.49 -1 -5
TEXTILES 1.95 -2 -8
PLASTIC PRODUCTS FABRICATED METAL 2.75 -5 + 8
PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND 4.54 * *
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 5.94 + 1 + 5
OTHERS 3.80 * -4
» CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5% ---------------------------------0-------
REVIEW ARTICLE ON MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
*****
THE SEPTEMBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ANALYSING THE PERFORMANCE AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN 16 MAJOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG FROM 1981 TO 1991.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID CHANGES IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES DURING THE PERIOD HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANT.
IN THE EARLY YEARS, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WERE INCREASINGLY SUBJECT TO THE PRESSURE OF TIGHT LABOUR MARKET, RISING PRODUCTION COSTS AND KEEN COMPETITION FROM OTHER NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES IN THE OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"ONE STEP TAKEN BY MANUFACTURERS TO CONTAIN PRODUCTION COSTS AND IMPROVE EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS WAS TO RAISE PRODUCTIVITY BY MEANS OF INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ADOPTION OF AN OPEN DOOR POLICY BY MAINLAND CHINA HAD OPENED UP OPPORTUNITIES," HE SAID.
INCREASINGLY, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS RELOCATED THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES ACROSS THE BORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER LABOUR AND LAND COSTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANALYSIS WAS MADE WITH REFERENCE TO DATA COLLECTED IN THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
/THE HONG .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
14
THE $48 A COPY.
HONG KONG MONTHLY
DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON
SALE AT
PURCHASES CAN BE MADE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING,
AT THE
GROUND
GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE,
AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
SECTION
FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE
OF THE CENSUS AND
WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD,
HONG KONG STATISTICS
WAN
CHAI ,
_ _ 0 - -
BUS ROUTE TO SERVE PICNICKERS *****
THE NEW TERRITORIES AIR-CONDITIONED RECREATION ROUTE 291R PLYING BETWEEN TAI AU MUN AND TAI HANG TUN WILL BE RE-INTRODUCED FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 21). THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE SERVICE WAS TO COPE WITH DEMANDS FROM VISITORS TO THE CLEARWATER BAY COUNTRY PARK IN THE POPULAR PICNICKING SEASON.
THE BUS ROUTE TRAVELLING VIA CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE OPERATIONAL FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLDIAYS AT 15 TO 45-MINUTE FREQUENCIES.
THE FARE IS $2.30 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MAY BE SUSPENDED AT SHORT NOTICE IN POOR WEATHER.
------0------- ------------
TENDERS INVITED FOR BLAKE GARDEN WORKS *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR BLAKE GARDEN IN WESTERN DISTRICT.
AN OFFICE BUILDING WITH A ROOF GARDEN WILL BE BUILT. A STANDARD PUBLIC TOILET WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN NOVEMBER IN THE SAME YEAR.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROJECT IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY). TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON DECEMBER 10.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST 1 IN GROUP B OR C FOR BUILDING WORKS MAY TENDER FOR THE PROJECT.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
------0-------
/15........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
15
317 RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
A GROUP OF 317 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 93 MEN, 92 WOMEN, 66 BOYS AND 66 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 177TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,498 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 35,810 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0-------
WORKS TO IMPROVE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING CONTRACTORS TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION FOR TENDERING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PHASE I OF THE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD IMPROVEMENTS - A SECTION FROM BUTTERFLY VALLEY TO NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE WORKS MAINLY COMPRISE THE WIDENING OF THE EXISTING CHING CHEUNG ROAD FROM A DUAL TWO-LANE TO A DUAL THREE-LANE ROAD FOR THE SECTION BETWEEN BUTTERFLY VALLEY AND TAI PO ROAD, CONSTRUCTION OF THE OFF LINE LINK BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD, CORNWALL STREET/NAM CHEONG STREET JUNCTION AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE, LANDSCAPING AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS.
DETAILS OF THE PREQUALIFICATION INVITATION ARE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
CONTRACTORS WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE SHOULD WRITE TO THE PROJECT MANAGER, PHH/ARUP CONSULTANTS, 301 ASIAN HOUSE, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG FOR DETAILS.
COMPLETED PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSION SHOULD BE RETURNED AS DIRECTED NO LATER THAN NOON ON DECEMBER 17.
FOLLOWING THE EXERCISE, TENDERS FROM THE PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS WILL BE INVITED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-1994 AND WILL BE COMPLETED AROUND SEPTEMBER 1997.
------0-------
MING YUEN WESTERN STREET TO BE REPAIRED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR PART OF MING YUEN WESTERN STREET IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE STREET IS UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIPS AND IS NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED.
/THE ROAD .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
16
THE ROAD IS IN POOR CONDITION, GIVING RISE TO CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR THE STREET TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START BY MAY 1995.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSED WORKS HAS BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTION CAN BE SEEN AT
» THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 29 TAI ON STREET, GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG, AND
» THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NO LATER THAN JANUARY 18 NEXT YEAR.
------0--------
CLOSURE OF KWAI CHUNG ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN A BUILDING IN KWAI CHUNG, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IS AN EXTENSION OF A COCKLOFT OVER A SHOP ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF KWAI FAT BUILDING, 98-112 SHEK YAM ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MARCH 18, 1994 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
--------0-----------
/17........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1993
17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
1,416
+1,584
3,000
NIL
-280
2,720
TWI 113.7 *+0.5* 19.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.42 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.14 3.48
1 MONTH 2.74 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.34 3.67
3 MONTHS 2.91 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.78 3.94
6 MONTHS 3.08 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.88 4.14
12 MONTHS 3.45 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.71 4.73
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 27,764MN
CLOSED 19 NOVEMBER 1993
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE ON SHENZHEN FACTORY FIRE .................... 1
POSITIVE RESPONSE ABOUT HK FUTURE .............................. 1
FINANCIAL SECRETARY MEETS PRESIDENT CLINTON .................... 2
17TH ROUND OF ELECTION TALKS ................................... 3
STATEMENT ON INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS .............................. 4
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ................... 5
TEMPORARY POST OFFICE FOR CONGRESS DELEGATES ................... 5
FIRING PRACTICE IN DECEMBER .................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
7
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
1 GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE ON SHENZHEN FACTORY FIRE *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, HAS THIS MORNING SENT THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN.
”TO MR LI YOUWEI,
I WAS APPALLED TO LEARN OF THE TERRIBLE FIRE YESTERDAY AT A FACTORY IN KUICHONG. I KNOW THAT EVERYONE IN HONG KONG WOULD WANT TO JOIN ME IN SENDING OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO YOU, AND THROUGH YOU TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED IN THE} FIRE, AND TO THE MANY MORE WHO WERE INJURED. THIS IS NOT THE. FIRST TRAGIC EVENT WITH WHICH SHENZHEN HAS HAD TO LIVE IN RECENT MONTHS. AS YOUR NEIGHBOURING CITY, WITH EVER CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN OUR PEOPLE, WE IN HONG KONG INEVITABLY SHARE YOUR GRIEF ON OCCASIONS SUCH AS THIS.”
---------0-----------
POSITIVE RESPONSE ABOUT HK FUTURE
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY, PARIS TIME) THAT SHE HAD BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THE ’’EXTREMELY POSITIVE RESPONSE” FROM EUROPE BUSINESS LEADERS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
DURING THE PAST WEEK, MRS CHAN HAD SPEARHEADED A MAJOR HONG/ KONG PROMOTION IN EUROPE WHICH COVERED GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS AND FRANCE WHERE SHE MET BUSINESS LEADERS, FINANCIERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THE PROMOTION INCLUDED HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS SEMINARS WHICH WERE ATTENDED BY OVER 300 EXECUTIVES IN EACH OF THE THREE CITIES WHERE THEY WERE HELD -- FRANKFURT, AMSTERDAM AND PARIS.
KEEN INTEREST WAS ALSO SHOWN IN THE BREAKAWAY AIRPORT WORKSHOPS AS EUROPEAN INTEREST IN THE HUGE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTINUES TO GROW.
SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN PARIS AT THE END OF HER MISSION, MRS CHAN SAID THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN CONTINUING TO INVEST IN HONG KONG AND ”A GREAT DEAL OF GOODWILL TOWARDS HONG KONG IN TERMS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES”.
”1 THINK IT IS TRUE TO SAY THAT MOST BUSINESSMEN NOW ARE LOOKING BEYOND 1997 IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG. THEY WERE SEEING HONG KONG AS A VERY GOOD PLACE TO INVEST IN THE MEDIUM AND LONG TERM.”
/EARLIER SHE .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
- 2 -
EARLIER SHE SAID SHE HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY KEEN DURING THE PROMOTIONAL TOUR TO PUT ACROSS THE MESSAGE THAT ECONOMICALLY HONG KONG WAS DOING VERY WELL AND ITS ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS VERY STRONG.
"GIVEN OUR STRATEGIC POSITION AND OUR INNATE STRENGTHS, WE SEE GREAT PROSPECTS FOR CONTINUING INVESTMENT BOTH IN HONG KONG IN ITS OWN RIGHT AND IN TERMS OF ENABLING COUNTRIES TO DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE EAST ASIAN REGION,” MRS CHAN SAID.
ON THE SUBJECT OF 1997, SHE SAID THERE WAS INTEREST IN, AND CONCERN ABOUT, THE CURRENT PROGRESS OF TALKS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA OVER HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS.
. "BUT ON THE WHOLE I THINK THERE IS A BELIEF THAT IN THE END THE TWO PARTIES WILL BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFICULTIES SO THAT THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG BOTH NOW AND AFTER 1997,” SHE ADDED.
V
MRS CHAN IS DUE TO RETURN TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING. HOWEVER, THE PROMOTION WILL CONTINUE WITH THE POPULAR HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION IN FRANKFURT RUNNING UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR AND THE HONG KONG FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE ON IN PARIS FOR ANOTHER FORTNIGHT.
- - 0----------
FINANCIAL SECRETARY MEETS PRESIDENT CLINTON ♦ ♦ * * ♦
FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAMISH MACLEOD TODAY (FRIDAY NOV 19) (US WEST COAST TIME) MET PRESIDENT CLINTON DURING THE FIRST DAY OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION LEADERS MEETING.
LATER IN THE DAY, MR MACLEOD JOINED ALL THE OTHER APEC LEADERS, INCLUDING PRESIDENT CLINTON AT A RECEPTION AT SEATTLE’S ASIAN' ART MUSEUM, FOLLOWED BY A DINNER, AT WHICH THE PRESIDENT GAVE HIS KEYNOTE SPEECH. .. ; y J:.
TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE LEADERS WILL TRAVEL BY BOAT TO BLAKE ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF SEATTLE FOR A SERIES OF .DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT.
MR MACLEOD RETURNS TO HONG KONG ON SUNDAY.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, MR T H CHAU, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY TOLD A MEDIA BRIEFING SESSION AFTER 'THE APEd MINISTERIAL MEETING THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE ITS PARTICIPATION IN APfiC AETER 1997. ‘ ‘ 5i
"HONG KONG WILL HAVE FULL AUTdNOMY IN TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES AFTER 1997. IT IS {STATED BOTH IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND THE BASIC LAW PREPARED BY CHINA FOR THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION REGION.
/"HONG KONG .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
’’HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SEPARATE MEMBER OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT FOR TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), A SEPARATE MEMBER OF APEC, A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY AND A SEPARATE ECONOMIC ENTITY.
’’THE ONLY CHANGE IS THAT HONG KONG WILL BE RENAMED AS HONG KONG-CHINA WHEN TAKING PART IN INTERNATIONAL TRADING BODIES AFTER 1997,” MR CHAU SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT APEC MEMBERS’ COMMITMENT TO THE URUGUAY ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, MR CHAU REITERATED THAT ALL MEMBER COUNTRIES ATTACHED HIGHEST PRIORITY TO ACHIEVE A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION BY DECEMBER 15, 1993.
”WE ARE STRONG BELIEVERS IN FREE TRADE AND A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM UNDER THE GATT. WE BELIEVE IN COMPETITION AND IN THE POWER OF MARKET FORCES TO ENSURE THAT GOODS AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED EFFICIENTLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU WILL BE HAVING A BILATERAL MEETING WITH THE CHINESE DELEGATION ON NOVEMBER 20.
--------0-----------
17TH ROUND OF ELECTION TALKS *****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED BY THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN BEIJING AT 1600 HOURS TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE BRITISH SIDE AND THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE AGREED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR CHRISTOPHER HUM, AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, MR JIANG ENZHU, VICE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WILL HOLD THEIR SEVENTEENTH ROUND OF TALKS IN BEIJING ON 26 AND 27 NOVEMBER 1993 ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE S1NO-BRIT1SH JOINT DECLARATION, THE PRINCIPLE OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE RELEVANT AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.
------0------------
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
4
STATEMENT ON INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS REPORTS THAT 259 PERSONS DIED IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT IT WAS GROSSLY MISLEADING.
’’ACCORDING TO ACCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 82 PERSONS DIED IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, INCLUDING 71 DEATHS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY," MR CHAN SAID. !r.
THE OTHER DEATHS WERE RESULTED FROM NON-INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WHICH FALL OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
"I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THE INFORMATION WENT AMISS DESPITE OUR REPEATED EFFORTS TO CLARIFY THE SITUATION," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN REITERATED THAT THE EXISTING SAFETY LEGISLATION COULD COMPARE WITH MOST OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
THERE ARE NOW IN HONG KONG 26 SETS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS COVERING ALMOST EVERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES, MR CHAN SAID.
"ON TOP OF THEM, THERE IS A CATCH-ALL ’GENERAL DUTIES’ PROVISION IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE PINPOINTING AT EMPLOYERS’ OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AT WORK AND ALSO EMPLOYEES’ RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS.
"THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT BE GAUGED SOLELY BY ITS AGE IF ITS SPIRIT AND PRINCIPLE ARE APPLICABLE TO THE LOCAL SITUATION, AND THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE ENFORCEABLE," HE STRESSED.
"IN FACT, IT IS AN ON-GOING EXERCISE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO CONSTANTLY REVIEW AND UPDATE THE SAFETY LEGISLATION AS WELL AS PREPARING ANCILLARY GUIDANCE NOTES, SAFETY INFORMATION AND CODES OF PRACTICE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW.”
REVIEW AND AMENDMENT OF SAFETY REGULATIONS ARE MADE IN THE LIGHT OF ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE, NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ASK CONCERNED PARTIES AND ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE PRO-ACTIVE ACTIONS AND CONCERTED EFFORTS TO MAKE THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH A SUCCESS.
/5.........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
5
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION
*****
FIFTY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $2,558,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK FS 1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $790,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK FS 7 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $220,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $2,000 FOR FL 1956.
FOLLOWING / XRE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FL6628 51,000 FL 993 16,000 FL3628 7,000 FL 911 40,000
FL 880 55,000 FL1008 22,000 FL 117 22,000 AL2922 20,000
♦FT 121 20,000 ♦DL3333 110,000 ♦ 1859 50,000 ♦ FS1 790,000
AZ 387 18,000 FL8886 22,000 FL2388 15,000 FL 623 20,000
FL2238 14,000 HK2881 52,000 FL 348 31,000 FK9998 20,000
FK8812 3,000 FL 986 13,000 HK 115 152,000 FL9890 8,000
FL2312 30,000 FL 221 17,000 FL8328 12,000 CC9388 54,000
♦ FP 22 95,000 *FR 87 70,000 ♦ PK 13 60,000 ♦ FS 7 220,000
FL3386 12,000 AA8001 56,000 FL 865 6,000 AD 748 24,000
FL1128 20,000 FL 811 26,000 FL 328 80,000 FL1011 8,000
AH6618 32,000 FL 520 10,000 DD 400 54,000 FL7068 4,000
CJ 916 FL1956 22,000 2,000 FL 521 FL1795 8,000 3,000 BB 359 24,000 ♦FT 606 38,000
♦SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION
MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO CARS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 206TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $223,494,905.
------0--------
TEMPORARY POST OFFICE FOR CONGRESS DELEGATES
*****
A TEMPORARY POST OFFICE WILL BE SET UP FROM NOVEMBER 22 TO 26 ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, TO SERVE DELEGATES ATTENDING THE 48TH JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL WORLD CONGRESS.
IT WILL OPEN FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM.
/THE POSTMASTER .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
6
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, SAID A SPECIAL DATESTAMP WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO MARK THE CONGRESS.
A HAND-BACK SERVICE USING THE SPECIAL DATESTAMP WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE TEMPORARY POST OFFICE AND THE SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES FROM NOVEMBER 22 TO 26 FOR PRIVATELY MADE SOUVENIR COVERS BEARING INDICATION OF THE CONGRESS.
------0--------
FIRING PRACTICE IN DECEMBER
» » « » »
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 13 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
I
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THE FIRING PRACTICE ARE :
DATE TIME
DECEMBER 1 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .59 PM
DECEMBER 2 (THURSDAY) 0.01 AM — 5 PM
DECEMBER 3 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
DECEMBER 6 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 7 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 8 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 9 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 10 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 13 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 14 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 15 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 16 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 17 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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/7........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1993
7 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * » ♦ »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,720
REVERSAL OF LAF +180
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,900
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,270
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,630
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.7 *+0.0* 20.11.93
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS’ CLUB .............. 1
BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT DISMISSES MALPRACTICE ALLEGATIONS .......... 6
OLI REQUIRED TO PROVIDE MORE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DEGREE COURSES ................................................ 6
VTC ACTIVELY HELPS RETRAIN WORKERS .............................. 8
ESTATE AGENTS WORKING GROUP MEETS ............................... 8
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR OCTOBER 1993 ......................... 9
ONE-WEEK PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE AIDS AWARENESS .................. 16
PUBLIC MEETINGS ON ELECTION BOUNDARY PROPOSALS ................. 16
LEGCO TO DEBATE TWO MOTIONS .................................... 18
STREET SLEEPERS GIVEN BLANKETS ................................. 19
FRANCE AIR MAIL BACK TO NORMAL ................................. 19
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG .................................... 20
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .......... 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 21
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
1
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS’ CLUB * * * * *
PHILIP, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I CAN ACTUALLY RIVAL SUDANESE NAME-DROPPING WITH YOU. I REMEMBER A VISIT TO SUDAN MYSELF, AN EVEN MORE DISTRESSING, I THINK THE MOST MISERABLE THING THAT I SAW WHEN I WAS BRITAIN’S AID MINISTER FOR THREE YEARS, WAS THE SUDANESE REFUGEE CAMPS IN THE SOUTR-WEST OF ETHIOPIA, A REMINDER, IF ONE NEEDED ONE, OF THE IMPORTANCE OF POLITICAL STABILITY AND THE RULE OF LAW IN EVERY COMMUNITY, NOT JUST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN AFRICA.
THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO SPEAK TODAY, ON WHAT I THINK IS YOUR OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY. I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE. I NOTICE THAT FOLLOWING AN ARTICLE BY THE DISTINGUISHED JOURNALIST AND COMMENTATOR WILLIAM REES-MOGG, ’THE TIMES’ OF LONDON HAS LAUNCHED A NEW PARTYGAME. IT CONSISTS OF DIVIDING THE WORLD INTO PEOPLE WHO ARE NATURAL HONG KONGERS - THE SUCCESSFUL, RISK-TAKING, NO-NONSENSE-THRUSTERS - I SEE MANY OF YOU HERE TODAY - AND THE BORING BACKWARD-LOOKING, DEFENSIVE REST - ONE OR TWO SELF-APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THAT CLIQUE. I AM NOT ACTUALLY INVITING YOU TO JOIN IN THE GAME OR TO ANALYSE ITS RULES OR ITS ORIGINS BUT I OFFER THIS AS A SIGN OF OUR TIMES, AS WELL AS A SIGN OF THE TIMES. HONG KONG IS WIDELY REGARDED AS AN EXCITING SUCCESS STORY. WHY HAS HONG KONG WORKED WELL? AND WHY HAS IT WORKED SO MUCH BETTER THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL NATURAL ASSETS?
HONG KONG HAS PROSPERED MIGHTILY NOT JUST BECAUSE OF ITS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION; NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL MONEY-MAKING ABILITIES OF ITS CHINESE CITIZENS; NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE HONG KONG BLEND OF TOUGH NO-NONSENSE CAPITALISM, ALTHOUGH ALL THESE THINGS HAVE PLAYED A PART IN OUR SUCCESS. BUT IT CANNOT HAVE BEEN JUST THESE THINGS THAT GAVE US SUCCESS, BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER PLACES THAT HAVE MOST OF THESE THINGS TOO BUT HAVE NOT DONE NEARLY SO WELL. SO, WHAT IS THE DECISIVE EXTRA INGREDIENT? I THINK THE ANSWER IS CLEAR; IT IS THE RULE OF LAW THAT HAS FOR MANY YEARS PROVIDED THE FRAMEWORK FOR HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS. TRUE, IT HAS EXISTED FOR MOST OF THAT TIME WITHOUT LOCAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS - ALTHOUGH NEVER FORGET, IT HAS ALWAYS OPERATED UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF A FULLY DEMOCRATIC PARLIAMENT AT WESTMINSTER - I HOPE THAT POINT IS RECORDED AS WELL -AND IN RECENT YEARS, OF COURSE, THE RULE OF LAW HAS BEEN SUPPORTED HERE BY AN EVOLVING SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO AN INCREASINGLY DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY IN HONG KONG.
/SO IT .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 2 -
SO IT FOLLOWS THAT PRESERVING HONG KONG’S RULE OF LAW IS ESSENTIAL TO PRESERVING HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND ITS WAY OF LIFE. LET ME SAY A WORD ABOUT THIS.
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG IS THAT OF A REFEREE. IN 'ODAY’S TERMS IT IS, AND I QUOTE, "TO ENSURE A LEVEL PLAYING-FIELD FOR ALL PLAYERS", WHETHER HONG KONG, FOREIGN OR PRC. THAT IS WHAT HONG KONG’S LEGAL SYSTEM PROVIDES. INDEED. A SIGNIFICANT PROOF OF THE VALUE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN THE INCREASING NUMBER OF FIRMS WHICH HAVE SET UP IN HONG KONG. THEY ALL NEED HONG KONG OFFICES TO SERVICE THE EXPORT CONTRACTS OF THEIR ENTERPRISES. CONTRACTS WITH THE HONG KONG BRANCHES OF PRC ENTERPRISES ARE GOVERNED BY HONG KONG LAW. ANY DISPUTE CAN BE RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION OR THROUGH THE COURTS. JUDGMENTS ARE EASILY ENFORCED. THIS IS AN IMMENSE ADVANTAGE WHEN DOING BUSINESS. IN THE PRC THESE REMEDIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. ARBITRATION AWARDS OFTEN CANNOT BE ENFORCED, EVEN WHEN THE COURTS IN BEIJING ORDER THEIR ENFORCEMENT.
NOW, NONE OF THAT, IS PATTEN SPEAKING; THOSE ARE NOT MY WORDS, THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF SINGAPORE’S SENIOR MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW, WHEN HE LAST VISITED HONG KONG. HE WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT TO UNDERLINE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW, AND ITS ROLE IN CREATING HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY. I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT THE SENIOR MINISTER IS ONCE AGAIN EXERCISING HIS RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HONG KONG TODAY.
WHAT DOES THAT RULE OF LAW AMOUNT TO? INDEPENDENT COURTS, EQUALITY BEFORE THEM FOR GOVERNOR AND GOVERNED ALIKE. IT MEANS THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND ALL THAT IT CONTAINS. IT MEANS NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK PEOPLE UP ON A WHIM. IT MEANS A FREE PRESS - FREE TO ENQUIRE AND FREE TO ASK DIFFICULT QUESTIONS. IT MEANS LAWS PROPERLY AND FAIRLY ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE; THE LEGISLATURE TO WHICH THE EXECUTIVE IS ACCOUNTABLE. THE RULE OF LAW IS NOT A KIND OF OPTIONAL EXTRA, A BAUBLE AWARDED TO SOCIETIES THAT REACH A CERTAIN DEGREE OF ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT AND SOPHISTICATION. IT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY, AS WELL AS OF THE ESSENTIAL UNDERPINNING FOR ITS JUST, DECENT AND TOLERANT SOCIETY. . .
GIVEN THAT THIS HAS ALL WORKED SO WELL, ONE OF THE MORE BIZARRE CRITICISMS I ENCOUNTER IS THE NOTION THAT WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY TO PRESERVE A SYSTEM THAT HAS WORKED SPECTACULARLY WELL, IS SOMEHOW UNSUITED TO ASIA; AN ALIEN IMPLANT THAT WON’T TAKE ROOT HERE, OR CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE TIME-BEING. IT IS A CURIOUS ARGUMENT, GIVEN THAT HONG KONG IS LIVING PROOF THAT THESE CONCEPTS DO WORK AS WELL IN ASIA AS THEY DO ANYWHERE ELSE.
A FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENT OF THE RULE OF LAW IS A PROPER REGARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. YES, HUMAN RIGHTS. TOO OFTEN REGARDED BY SOME COMMENTATORS AS TWO INAPPROPRIATE WORDS IN ASIA. WE HAVE THEM HERE IN HONG KONG. WE HAVE HAD THEM FOR YEARS, LONG BEFORE HONG KONG’S GDP PER HEAD EQUALLED OR OVERTOOK THAT OF CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND A NUMBER OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. BUT IF YOU LISTEN TO THESE COMMENTATORS, WE SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE SO. LISTEN TO THEM, AND WE SHOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL HONG KONG’S AFFLUENCE REACHED A CERTAIN UNDEFINED LEVEL BEFORE STARTING TO TAKE HUMAN RIGHTS SERIOUSLY, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT, T1RESOMELY, HAVE GOT IN THE WAY OF OUR ECONOMIC ADVANCE. AND THEN WHERE WOULD WE HAVE BEEN?
/THIS SAME .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2/, 1993
- 3 -
THIS SAME ARGUMENT WAS SERIOUSLY ADVANCED AT THE BANGKOK CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHERE A NUMBER OF ASIAN GOVERNMENTS MET TO FORGE A COMMON VIEW IN THE RUN-UP TO THE VIENNA WORLD CONFERENCE. THEIR MESSAGE WAS CLEAR: ALL THIS, ALLEGEDLY, WESTERN TALK OF HUMAN RIGHTS AMOUNTED TO LITTLE MORE THAN A NEOCOLONIAL INCURSION INTO ASIAN AFFAIRS. THE FREE-MARKET, WELL THAT WAS FINE, BUT ITS POLITICAL BEDFELLOWS - FREE SPEECH, THE RULE OF LAW, MULTI-PARTY POLITICS - THEY COULD STAY OUT OF THE BED FOR THE TIMEBEING, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, IF DECENCY AND DECORUM WERE TO BE PRESERVED.
THE WORDING OF THE BANGKOK DECLARATION IS CAREFULLY OPAQUE. IT DOESN’T QUITE SAY ’GO HOME DEMOCRACY’ OR ’DOWN WITH HUMAN RIGHTS’. BUT BEHIND THE WALL-TO-WALL RHETORICAL LINOLEUM, THE GIST IS CLEAR. LET ME QUOTE:
"WHILE HUMAN RIGHTS ARE UNIVERSAL IN NATURE, THEY MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF A DYNAMIC AND EVOLVING PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL NORM-SETTING, BEARING IN MIND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PECULIARITIES AND VARIOUS HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS."
NORM-SETTING. IN OTHER WORDS, HUMAN RIGHTS AREN’T REALLY UNIVERSAL - AS UNIVERSAL AS MARKET FORCES OR THE WEATHER - THEY VARY, APPARENTLY, FROM PLACE TO PLACE, FROM CONTINENT TO CONTINENT.
I FIND THIS AN ASTONISHING ARGUMENT. OF COURSE, THERE ARE NATURALLY DIFFERENT CULTURES, DIFFERENT RELIGIONS, DIFFERENT TRADITIONS. WESTERN SOCIETIES ARE CERTAINLY NO MORE PERFECT THAN ASIAN OR AFRICAN SOCIETIES. WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, FROM ADAM SMITH AND FROM CONFUCIUS.
BUT THERE IS SURELY NOTHING SPECIFICALLY OR EXCLUSIVELY EUROPEAN OR NORTH AMERICAN ABOUT RESPECTING HUMAN DIGNITY - A POINT MADE EXTREMELY PERSUASIVELY BY 110 ASIAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WHO ALSO MET IN BANGKOK AND WHO PUT THE CASE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN ASIA AS WELL AS EVERYWHERE ELSE. JUST IMAGINE IF THE ARGUMENT WAS PUT THE OTHER WAY ROUND - IF IT WERE ARGUED THAT HUMAN RIGHTS WEREN’T REALLY APPROPRIATE FOR ASIA, FOR LATIN AMERICA, FOR AFRICA. WE WOULD RIGHTLY BE REGARDED AS SANCTIMONIOUS AT BEST, DOWNRIGHT RACIST AT WORST, IF WE WERE TO SAY THAT.
IF YOU’RE A JOURNALIST LOCKED UP FOR MONTHS FOR TELLING THE TRUTH, IF YOU’RE A TRADE UNIONIST INCARCERATED FOR CHAMPIONING WORKERS’ RIGHTS, IF YOU’RE THROWN OUT OF YOUR COUNTRY AND DEPRIVED OF YOUR RIGHTS, IF YOU’RE BEATEN OVER THE HEAD (OR WORSE) BY A POLICEMAN, THE BRUTAL RESULT IS THE SAME, FOR YOU AND FOR THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT HAPPENS IN EUROPE, OR ASIA OR AMERICA OR AFRICA. HUMAN RIGHTS ARE INDIVISIBLE AND INTERDEPENDENT, "BE THEY CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL OR CULTURAL RIGHTS", AS THOSE ASIAN NGOS IN BANGKOK RIGHTLY ARGUED.
THE MAIN REASON FOR WANTING TO SWEEP HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER THE CARPET IS TO RETAIN POLITICAL POWER OR CRUSH OPPOSITION. BUT OTHER EXCUSES ARE PUT FORWARD - THAT DEMOCRACY IS TOO WEAK AND INEFFICIENT AS A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, THAT WORRYING ABOUT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS HOLDS BACK THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, ABOVE ALL, THAT IT SOMEHOW CONSTRAINS ECONOMIC SUCCESS. FREEDOM FROM WANT MUST TAKE PRECEDENCE, SO IT IS SAID, OVER WANT FOR FREEDOM.
/PITT THE .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
PITT THE YOUNGER, THE PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN TWO CENTURIES AGO, HAD A SHORT ANSWER TO ALL OF THAT. ’’WAS NOT NECESSITY", HE ONCE ASKED OF HIS FOE CHARLES JAMES FOX, "THE PLEA OF EVERY ILLEGAL EXERTION OF POWER OR EXERCISE OF OPPRESSION? NECESSITY IS THE PLEA FOR EVERY IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN FREEDOM. IT IS THE ARGUMENT OF TYRANTS; IT IS THE CREED OF SLAVES."
THE IDEA THAT HUMAN RIGHTS HOLD UP PROSPERITY IS PREPOSTEROUS. HUMAN RIGHTS HAVE NEVER EMPTIED STOMACHS. HUMAN RIGHTS DON’T HAMPER GROWTH. THEY DIDN’T IN GERMANY AFTER THE WAR. NOR IN JAPAN. NOR HERE IN HONG KONG. INDEED ONE OF THE REASONS ALL OF THESE ECONOMIES HAVE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IS PRECISELY BECAUSE THEY HAD - OR DEVELOPED -A SOLID LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO BUILD ON A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIES HAVEN’T PUT HUMAN RIGHTS ON HOLD WHILE THEY’VE MOVED FORWARD - THEY’VE HELD ON TO THEM HARD.
WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE QUESTION OF DEMOCRACY. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A MARXIST TO BELIEVE THAT ECONOMIC, TECHNOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS HAVE POLITICAL RESULTS. PEOPLE WHO HAVE MORE SAY WITH THEIR WALLETS EVENTUALLY WANT A BIT MORE SAY IN THE WAY THEY ARE GOVERNED. IN HONG KONG, GROWING AFFLUENCE HAS BROUGHT RISING ASPIRATIONS - IF EXTRAORDINARILY MODEST ONES, MODERATELY EXPRESSED. IT WAS IN RECOGNITION OF THAT FACT THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION SPELT OUT THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE SAR "SHALL BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS", AND THE BASIC LAW PROVIDES FOR A GROWING NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS IN LEGCO - NOT AS MANY AS SOME WOULD LIKE, BUT A GROWING NUMBER.
SO IT’S NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER HONG KONG DESERVES DEMOCRACY. IT’S NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER THIS GOVERNMENT, OR THIS GOVERNOR, WILL GIVE IT DEMOCRACY. THE QUESTION OF DEMOCRACY - HOW MUCH AND WHEN - IS ALREADY SETTLED. WHAT IS AT ISSUE IS WHETHER THE DEMOCRACY THAT HAS BEEN PROMISED WILL BE REAL DEMOCRACY OR COUNTERFEIT DEMOCRACY; WHETHER THE ELECTIONS TO LEGCO SHOULD BE REAL ONES OFFERING A GENUINE CHOICE -OR BOGUS ONES AMOUNTING TO APPOINTMENT BEHIND DEMOCRACY’S GARB; THAT IS MY CONCERN, THAT SHOULD BE EVERYONE’S CONCERN.
FOR YEARS, AS I SAID EARLIER, HONG KONG HAS HAD A RULE OF LAW WITHOUT DEMOCRACY - ALBEIT WITH DEMOCRATIC OVERSIGHT FROM WESTMINSTER. BUT FOR THE REASONS I OUTLINE EARLIER IT HAS BEEN NONE THE LESS A REAL AND EFFECTIVE RULE OF LAW.
NOW HONG KONG IS TO HAVE A WHOLLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE NATURE OF THOSE ELECTIONS IS CRUCIAL TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. REAL ELECTIONS - ELECTIONS FOR WHICH THERE IS A LEVELPLAYING FIELD (WHAT A GOOD PHRASE THAT IS) - REAL ELECTIONS WILL ENHANCE THE LEGISLATURE AND UNDERPIN THE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG. ENSURE A LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD FOR LEGCO, AND YOU HELP TO SUSTAIN A LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD OUTSIDE IT - FOR THE LAW, FOR BUSINESS, FOR THE MAN OR WOMAN ON THE WAN CHAI OMNIBUS. COMPROMISE THE ELECTIONS, AND YOU INJECT DRY-ROT INTO THE ENTIRE INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF HONG KONG.
/THE BEST........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
5
THE BEST PROTECTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN HONG KONG - NOW AND BEYOND 1997 - LIES IN THE STRENGTH AND THE INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG’S LEGAL SYSTEM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. THAT IS WHY I AM SO CONCERNED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE MAINTAINED; FRANKLY, I AM INCLINED TO REGARD THAT TASK AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TRYING TO ESTABLISH NEW BODIES, SUCH AS A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. IF YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS ARE INFRINGED IN HONG KONG, REMEDIES AND MEANS OF REDRESS ALREADY EXIST. I AM A PASSIONATE BELIEVER IN HUMAN RIGHTS; BUT WHETHER A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IS REALLY NECESSARY, IN ADDITION TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS, THE COURTS, THE ICAC, THE LEGISLATURE, THE FREE PRESS, TO DEFEND THEM IS A MORE OPEN QUESTION. THERE IS ALWAYS THE RISK THAT IT MIGHT PROVE AN UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION FROM THE MAIN TASK AT HAND. BUT I REMAIN OPEN TO THE ARGUMENTS, OPEN TO PERSUASION AS ANY ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNOR SHOULD, AND I WELCOME FURTHER PUBLIC DEBATE ON THIS ISSUE.
BEFORE I FINISH, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY A WORD SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE TALKS WHICH YOU MAY HAVE HEARD HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE IN PEKING. WE HAVE NOW HAD 16 ROUNDS OF TALKS, AND MANY WORDS HAVE BEEN EXCHANGED ACROSS THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IN THE DIAOYUTAI. THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY PATIENT. BUT I THINK THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY - AND INDEED THE REST OF THE WORLD - MUST BE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS AND WONDERING WHY ON EARTH IT IS PROVING SO DIFFICULT TO GET AGREEMENT ON EVEN THE RELATIVELY SIMPLE ISSUES, WHERE THE COMMUNITY’S AND LEGCO’S REASONABLE VIEWS ARE CLEAR - ON THE VOTING AGE FOR EXAMPLE, 18 IN BOTH THE UK AND CHINA, BUT NOT IN HONG KONG; ON THE VOTING SYSTEM, WHERE LEGCO’S VIEW IS VERY CLEAR; OR ON MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, WHERE AGAIN, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS MADE ITS POSITION, ITS PERFECTLY REASONABLE AND MODERATE POSITION, PLAIN. WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES IN APRIL, IN PEKING - APRIL IN PEKING. NOW IN PEKING THE SNOW IS FALLING. IT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN DAYS, NOT SEASONS, TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THESE LESS CONTENTIOUS ISSUES. AND YET SPRING HAS GIVEN WAY TO SUMMER, SUMMER HAS GIVEN WAY TO AUTUMN, AUTUMN HAS NOW HANDED OVER TO WINTER, AND STILL THE LESS CONTENTIOUS ISSUES REMAIN DOGGEDLY UNRESOLVED - NOT TO MENTION THE MORE DIFFICULT ONES. IF WE HAD BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THEM EARLIER - IF - THEN WE WOULD HAVE HAD MORE TIME FOR THE REALLY DIFFICULT STUFF. AS IT IS, PROGRESS HAS BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTING. WE’RE DOING OUR BEST. WE’RE DOING, ON OUR SIDE, OUR SINCERE BEST. BUT - AND THIS, AS YOU WILL KNOW, IS THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR - WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET A MOVE ON IN THESE TALKS IF WE ARE TO REACH AGREEMENT AND GET ALL THE LEGISLATION THROUGH ON TIME.
IS ALL THIS TROUBLE ABOUT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AN IRRELEVANCE, THE ESOTERIC ARGUMENT OF A FEW INTELLECTUALS WHILE EVERYDAY LIFE IN HONG KONG SAILS MERRILY ON? I SUPPOSE IT MIGHT BE ACADEMIC IF YOU HAVE, SAY, A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY AND A BRITISH OR A NORTH AMERICAN PASSPORT IN YOUR BACK POCKET. BUT THESE THINGS MATTER PARTICULARLY STRONGLY IF YOU DON’T. BECAUSE UPON THEM DEPENDS WHAT HONG KONG WILL BE LIKE TO LIVE IN IN THE YEARS AHEAD. WHETHER IT WILL GO FORWARD - A WAVE OF THE FUTURE; STILL THE WINNING HAND IN THOSE GAMES DEVISED BY ’THE TIMES’ - OR DECLINE - ITS PROSPERITY AND STABILITY THREATENED BY PANDEMIC CORRUPTION, BY SLEEZE AND SQUEEZE. I HAVE NO DOUBT WHICH FUTURE HONG KONG DESERVES. AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO SECURE THAT EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND DESERVED PROSPECT. THANK YOU.
------0--------
/6.........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 6 -
BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT DISMISSES MALPRACTICE ALLEGATIONS *****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE' BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) DISMISSED AS "COMPLETELY ' UNFOUNDED" ALLEGATIONS THAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION AND MALPRACTICE WITHIN THE PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING NEW DEVELOPMENT WERE BEING IGNORED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALWAYS WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT OF INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAO AND INVARIABLY INCORPORATED THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN ITS PROCEDURES.
THIS CO-OPERATION HAD EVEN BEEN STEPPED UP IN RECENT YEARS, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE HANDLING OF APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL, CONSENT AND OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ALL REGULATED BY TIGHT STATUTORY PROCEDURES.
IF ANY PERSON HAD ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION CONCERNING A PARTICULAR CASE WHERE THEY SUSPECTED MALPRACTICE, HE SHOULD REPORT THE FACTS TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS OR THE ICAC, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0-------
OLI REQUIRED TO PROVIDE MORE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DEGREE COURSES *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) CONTINUES TO MAKE A BROAD RANGE OF COURSES, INCLUDING DEGREE COURSES OF INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DEGREE STANDARDS, AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN THE OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING MODES.
IN ADDITION, THE OLI IS ALSO EXPECTED TO CHARGE FEES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE IN THE MARKET FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, AND TO REMAIN FINANCIALLY VIABLE ON A SELF-FUNDING BASIS. ?
’ <.I . • > '• ' -( «J
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WHEN ADDRESSING THE SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF OPEN UNIVERSITIES OPENED IN HONG KONG TODAY: (MONDAY) . ■'J; ' ' ''j■>
MR LEUNG TOLD THE 160 PARTICIPATING GUESTS FROM 30 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD OF OPEN LEARNING THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OLI IN 1989 WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTED ABOUT $155 MILLION TO THE SETTING UP OF THE INSTITUTE AND ITS RECURRENT COSTS FOR THE INITIAL YEARS.
IT HAS RECENTLY GRANTED THE OLI ANOTHER $150 MILLION TOWARDS THE COST OF BUILDING ITS OWN HEADQUARTERS, DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 1995.
/ON TOP.........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
ON TOP OF THESE, A FURTHER $100 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE OLI TO SET UP A DEVELOPMENT FUND TO COVER THE COST OF DEVELOPING COURSES WHICH MUST ACHIEVE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS.
MR LEUNG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE STAFF OF THE INSTITUTE FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS WITHIN A SHORT SPAN OF FOUR YEARS: IT NOW HAS A STUDENT ENROLMENT OF 15,000 AS WELL AS FIVE SCHOOLS OFFERING 17 DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
AND SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR, IT HAS ALSO BECOME SELF-FINANCING.
HE OBSERVED THAT THE DEDICATION OF THE OLI TO PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY COURSES OF INTERNATIONALLY COMPARABLE STANDARDS MEANT THAT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MUST BE SPENT TO ACHIEVE, MAINTAIN AND ULTIMATELY TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THOSE STANDARDS.
SUCH COURSES ARE INDEED EXPENSIVE TO DEVELOP AND THIS INEVITABLY EXERTS AN UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE FEES.
’’NEVERTHELESS, THE OLI MUST BE JUDGED BOTH ON THE QUALITY OF ITS EDUCATION AND ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE THAT QUALITY AT FEES WHICH THE ORDINARY MAN IN THE STREET CONSIDERS REASONABLE,’’ SAID MR LEUNG.
’’THIS IS A CHALLENGE WHICH REQUIRES IMAGINATIVE APPROACHES TO COST SAVING IN THE PREPARATION AND DELIVERY OF COURSE MATERIAL, AND IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ECONOMIES OF SCALE THROUGH EFFECTIVE MARKETING AND ENROLMENT STRATEGIES.
"GIVEN THE EVER-CHANGING PATTERNS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION, THIS CHALLENGE WILL BE A PERMANENT FEATURE FOR THE OLT, AS WILL OUR SEARCH FOR MEANINGFUL METHODS OF EVALUATING ITS PERFORMANCE AS A SELF-FINANCING INSTITUTION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE INSTITUTE ENJOYED ACADEMIC AUTONOMY AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, ITS PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY WAS ASSURED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS:
* MEMBERS OF THE OLI COUNCIL AND VARIOUS ADVISORY COMMITTEES ARE MADE UP OF EXPERIENCED BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE, AND SENIOR PUBLIC OFFICERS;
♦ USE OF ANY CAPITAL GRANTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT IS STRICTLY MONITORED;
* THE OLI IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO TABLE ITS ANNUAL AUDITED ACCOUNTS AND REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; AND
♦ THE OLI IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ITS THREE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR ANNUAL APPROVAL.
- - 0 - -
/8 ........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 8 -
VTC ACTIVELY HELPS RETRAIN WORKERS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT MUST HELP THE DISPLACED WORKERS IN THE FACE OF THE UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING IN RECENT YEARS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE POKFULAM TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC), SIR DAVID SAID THE COUNCIL HAD PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE AS ONE OF THE LEADING INSTITUTIONS TO OPERATE RETRAINING COURSES.
SIR DAVID COMMENDED THE VTC FOR GIVING FULL SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNOR’S INITIATIVE TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING SCHEME TO CATER FOR THE RETRAINING NEEDS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT VICTIMS, DISABLED WORKERS AND THE ELDERLY.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT, TOGETHER WITH THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING BOARD, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER THE MUCH-NEEDED ASSISTANCE IN RETRAINING THESE UNFORTUNATE MEMBERS OF OUR WORKFORCE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE COMPLEX WILL PROVIDE TRAINEES WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE EQUIPMENT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING.
ALSO, IT IS ONE OF THE THREE NECESSARY AND RELATED PROJECTS WHICH THE VTC HAS TO COMPLETE ON TIME IN ORDER TO TAKE OVER FROM THE TWO POLYTECHNICS SOME 7,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT SUB-DEGREE PLACES.
’’WITHOUT THIS PROJECT, WE WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE OUR TARGET OF PROVIDING FOR ALMOST A QUARTER OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ACCESS TO DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE PLACES BY 1994/95,” SIR DAVID SAID.
---------0-----------
ESTATE AGENTS WORKING GROUP MEETS
*****
THE WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS, AT ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (MONDAY), AGREED ON A SET OF OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED IN FORMULATING A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE REGULATION ARE TO ENSURE THAT THE OPERATION OF ESTATE AGENTS MEETS CERTAIN SPECIFIED STANDARDS AND OBLIGATIONS TO THEIR CLIENTS.
THE REGULATORY SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO AIM NOT TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY THE COSTS AND PROCESSING TIME OF PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS: NOT TO CAUSE A SERIOUS SHORTFALL IN THE SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED ESTATE AGENTS AND TO AVOID MONOPOLY BY LARGE AGENCIES.
/AT TODAY'S
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
9
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS ALSO AGREED TO DEFINE AN ESTATE AGENT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO INCLUDE ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS HIMSELF OUT TO THE PUBLIC TN A SINGLE OR A SERIES OF PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER HE RECEIVES ANY CONSIDERATION.
MEMBERS AGREED TO MEET ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND THEY WILL MEET AGAIN ON JANUARY 4 NEXT YEAR.
AT THE NEXT MEETING, THE WORKING GROUP WILL REVIEW THE EXISTING OPERATION OF ESTATE AGENTS IN HONG KONG, TO IDENTIFY INADEQUACIES AND TO PROPOSE SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS.
THEY WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE REQUIRED LEVEL OF COMPETENCY OF ESTATE AGENTS IN HONG KONG.
THE WORKING GROUP WELCOMES VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE ABOVE ISSUES AND THESE CAN BE FORWARDED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE WORKING GROUP IN PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, 20TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
THE WORKING GROUP IS CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (HOUSING POLICY), MR LEO KWAN. MEMBERS INCLUDE A REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE SOCIETY OF HK REAL ESTATE AGENTS, HK REAL ESTATE AGENCIES ASSOCIATION, HK INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS, LAW SOCIETY OF HK, CONSUMER COUNCIL AND INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, AND HEAD OF CENTRE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION OF CITY POLYTECHNIC.
--------0-----------:
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR OCTOBER 1993 *****
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN OCTOBER WAS 9% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 7.9% IN SEPTEMBER.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A RESURGENCE OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURE.
"THE FASTER INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) IN OCTOBER IS LIKELY TO BE TEMPORARY. IT WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES CAUSED BY THE BAD WEATHER DURING LATE SEPTEMBER AND EARLY OCTOBER.
"PRICES FOR MANY OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS HOUSING, MISCELLANEOUS GOODS AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES, SHOWED A SLOWER INCREASE IN OCTOBER THAN IN SEPTEMBER WHEN COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER," HE SAID.
/TAKING THE .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 10 -
TAKING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER TOGETHER, THE CPI(A) WAS ON AVERAGE 8.5% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THIS WAS THE SAME AS THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE FOR THE FIRST 10 MONTHS COMBINED.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 8.7% AND 9.4% RESPECTIVELY IN OCTOBER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN SEPTEMBER WERE 8.1% AND 9.2%.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH IS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPI’S, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 9.0% IN OCTOBER OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THIS WAS ALSO HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 8.3% IN SEPTEMBER.
COMPARING OCTOBER 1993 WITH OCTOBER 1992, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (3.2% IN CPI(A) AND 3.1% IN CPI(B)); FUEL AND LIGHT (3.9% AND 3.8%); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.1% AND 5.6%); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (7.1% AND 7.2%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR HOUSING (11.0% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (10.7% IN CPI(A) AND 9.8% IN CPI(B)); FOOD EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (10.5% AND 9.5%); AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES (9.6% AND 9.2%).
AS FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND TRANSPORT, THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 8.3% AND 8.6% IN THE CPI(A) AND 8.3% AND 7.7% IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING OCTOBER 1993 WITH SEPTEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED BY 1.2% AND 1.0% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THIS COMPARISON COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1993, BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.5% THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1992.
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO OCTOBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.5% AND 8.8% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1992.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.6% AND 8.9% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
SEASONAI.LY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE CPI’S. THE DESEASONAL1SED CPI(A) AND CPl(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.0% AND 0.8% RESPECTIVELY PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1993.
/THE CONSUMER .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 11 -
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR OCTOBER 1993, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $12 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19 TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS, CONTACT SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/Table 1 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 12 -
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for October 1993
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100) '
CPI(A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI Cnmnnsite CPI
Ccmpcnent Index for Oct 93 % change over Oct 92 Index for Oct 93 % change over Oct 92 Index for Oct 93 % change over Oct 92 Index for Oct 93 % change over Oct 92
Food 137.3 +9.3 138.0 +8.8 137.0 +8.5 137.5 +9.0
Meals bought away fran home 143.3 +8.3 143.3 +8.3 140.2 +8.3 142.6 •^8.3
Food, excluding meals bought away fran home 131.4 +10.5 130.7 +9.5 131.4 +8.9 131.1 +9.9
Housing 153.3 +11.0 153.9 +11.0 155.6 +13.6 154.3 +11.8
Riel and light 120.6 +3.9 119.9 +3.8 119.5 +3.8 120.1 +3.8
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 181.8 +10.7 171.3 +9.8 166.8 +9.3 176.0 +J0.?.
Clothing and footwear 127.3 +7.1 128.6 +7.2. 140.3 +8.3 132.2. +7.5
Durable goods 110.7 +3.2 110.4 +3.1 115.9 +3.9 112.1 +1.4
Miscellaneous goods 127.3 +6.1 124.4 +5.6 . 122.8 +5.4 125.1 +5.8
Transport 137.6 +8.6 136.4 +7.7 135.9 +6.3 136.7 +1.6
Miscellaneous services 149.1 +9.6 144.8 +9.2 137.4 +8.2 143.9 +9.0
All items 140.0 +9.0 139.6 +8.7 140.7 +9.4 140.0 +9.0
Hie 1989/90-based consumer price indices are based on the expenditure patterns derived fran the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI(A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of S2,500-89,999 in 1989/90. The CPI(B) is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 30% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-817,499 in the same period. Hie Hang Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $17,500-837,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPI (A), CPI (R) and Hang Seng CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Ccnposite CPI is ccnpiJed based cn the expenditure pattern of al) these households taken together. Thus, while the CPI (A), CPI (B) and Hang Seng CPI shw the impact of consumer price changes on different groups of households, the Composite CPI shows the impact of consimer price changes on the liousetold sector generally.
/Table 2 ..........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
13 -
Table 2
Consumer Price Indices for January 1991 - October 1993 (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 300)
CPUAl CPI (B) Hang Seng CPI Composite CPI
1991 January February March 108.3 110.3 111.9 108.4 110.1 111.1 108.6 110.2 110.7 108.4 110.2 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 111 1
May 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
July 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
August 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
September 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
October 117.2 116.8 117.4 117 1
November 117.7 117.6 118.7 117 9
December 118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992. January 119.7 119.3 119.4 119 5
February 121.8 121.2 121.0 J. .1 J 9 *7 121.4
March 122.5 121.9 121.8 122.1
April 124.0 123.4 122.9 123.5
May 124.0 123.8 124.2 124.0
June 125.3 125.1 125.2 125.2
July 125.5 125.4 125.4 125.4
August 125.6 125.9 125.8 125.8
September 128.3 127.9 127.5 128.0
October 128.4 128.4 128.6 128.5
November 128.5 129.0 129.9 129.0
December 129.3 129.8 130.0 129.7
1993 January 131.8 131.6 131.5 131.7
February 132.4 132.2 132.0 132.2
March 132.0 132.2 133.1 132.4
April 133.5 133.9 134.5 133.9
May 134.5 134.8 136.3 135.1
June 136.0 135.9 137.1 136.3
July 135.8 136.1 136.9 136.2
August 136.3 136.6 137.4 136.7
September 138.4 138.3 139.2 138.6
October 140.0 139.6 140.7 140.0
/Chart 1 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 14 -
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/Chart 3 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 15 -
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase In Composite CPI
---------o-----------
/16........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
16
ONE-WEEK PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE AIDS AWARENESS *****
THE GOVERNMENT AND TWO AIDS CONCERN GROUPS ARE ORGANISING A WIDE SPECTRUM OF ACTIVITIES BETWEEN NOVEMBER 28 AND DECEMBER 5 IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD AIDS DAY.
CARRYING THE THEME "TIME TO ACT", THE HONG KONG AIDS WEEK IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AIDS CONCERN, THE HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE ACTIVITIES, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR MARGARET CHAN, SAID THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR DIFFERENT GROUPS SUCH AS STUDENTS, YOUTH, WOMEN, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND HIGH-RISK GROUPS.
"WORLD RENOWNED AIDS EXPERT, PROFESSOR JONATHAN MANN, HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DELIVER TALKS AND ATTEND SEMINARS IN HONG KONG.
"PROFESSOR MANN WILL SPEAK TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS," SHE SAID.
DR CHAN HOPED THAT HIS VISIT WOULD FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE CONCERN FOR AIDS AMONG LEADERS AND DECISION-MAKERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE FORMULATION OF THE AIDS POLICY IN HONG KONG.
SHE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE AIDS TRUST FUND FOR ITS GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE EVENT.
AMONG THE PROGRAMMES, THE AIDS CONCERN WILL DISTRIBUTE KITS ON SAFER SEX TO THE PUBLIC, ORGANISE AN EXHIBITION OF INTERNATIONAL POSTERS AND PRESENT A SERIES OF AIDS-RELATED FILMS WITH THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.
THE HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION WILL ALSO LAUNCH A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE "CARING STAR CAMPAIGN", A SEMINAR ON "AIDS AND WORKPLACE" AND AN OPEN DAY FOR ITS EDUCATION AND SERVICE CENTRE.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC MEETINGS ON ELECTION BOUNDARY PROPOSALS
*****
THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION WILL HOLD TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE COMMISSION’S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE NAMES AND BOUNDARIES OF PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY AREAS FOR THE 1994 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
BOTH MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL FROM 9.15 AM TO 5.45 PM.
/FOLLOWING IS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
17 -
FOLLOWING IS THE SCHEDULE:
DATE: TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 23) URBAN DISTRICTS
TIME
9.15 AM TO 9.45 AM CENTRAL AND WESTERN
9.45 AM TO 10.15 AM WAN CHAI
10.15 AM TO 10.45 AM EASTERN
11 AM TO 11.30 AM SOUTHERN
11.30 AM TO NOON YAU TSIM MONG
NOON TO 1 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
2 PM TO 2.30 PM SHAM SHUI PO
2.30 PM TO 3 PM KOWLOON CITY
3 PM TO 3.30 PM WONG TAI SIN
3.30 PM TO 4 PM KWUN TONG
4.15 PM TO 5.45 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
DATE: WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 24) TIME NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS
9.15 AM TO 9.45 AM TSUEN WAN
9.45 AM TO 10.15 AM TUEN MUN
10.15 AM TO 10.45 AM YUEN LONG
11 AM TO 11.30 AM NORTH
11.30 AM TO NOON TAI PO
NOON TO 1 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
2 PM TO 2.30 PM SAI KUNG
2.30 PM TO 3 PM SHA TIN
3 PM TO 3.30 PM KWAI TSING
3.30 PM TO 4 PM ISLANDS
4.15 PM TO 5.45 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
THE PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE PART OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION
EXERCISE THE COMMISSION IS HOLDING UNTIL ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS. NOVEMBER 27 TO SOLICIT VIEWS
/AFTER THE........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 18 -
AFTER THE PUBLIC MEETINGS, THE COMMISSION WILL MEET LOCAL ORGANISATIONS BY APPOINTMENTS FROM NOVEMBER 25 TO 27 TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
MAPS SHOWING THE DELINEATION OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY AREAS AND THEIR NAMES AS WELL AS THE DESCRIPTIONS OF BOUNDARIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT OVER 400 LOCATIONS INCLUDING ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, POST OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AT HARBOUR CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT ON 10TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE THE NOVEMBER 27 DEADLINE.
ENQUIRIES ON THE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND THE MEETINGS BY APPOINTMENT WITH THE COMMISSION CAN BE MADE ON TEL 827 7144.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
------0--------
LEGCO TO DEBATE TWO MOTIONS » * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HOLD TWO MOTION DEBATES ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT AND MEASURES TO BOOST MORALE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IN ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY' (NOVEMBER 24).
THE MOTION ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT IS PROPOSED BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT. THE HON STEVEN POON AND THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR WILL PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO IT.
THE OTHER MOTION IS MOVED BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL ASK 16 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS.
OF THE SIX BILLS, THREE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE: MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, NEW TERRITORIES LAND (EXEMPTION) BILL AND INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1993.
/DEBATES ON .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 19 -
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS -- FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 — WILL BE RESUMED.
THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
-------0 - - - -
STREET SLEEPERS GIVEN BLANKETS
*****
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT STAFF DISTRIBUTED 451 BLANKETS TO 409 STREET SLEEPERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST (SUNDAY) NIGHT.
NINETY-FIVE OF THEM WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 11 IN EAST KOWLOON, 270 IN WEST KOWLOON, 21 IN NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND 12 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXERCISE WAS THE FIRST MOUNTED TO HELP THE NEEDY IN THE STREETS THIS WINTER.
------0-------
FRANCE AIR MAIL BACK TO NORMAL *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCES TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ALL AIR MAIL SERVICES TO AND FROM FRANCE ARE NOW BACK TO NORMAL.
THE SERVICES HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO DELAY BECAUSE OF THE STRIKE OF AIR FRANCE PERSONNEL IN FRANCE IN OCTOBER.
---------0-----------
/20........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 20 -
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 24) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT THE SECTION OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN FEI NGO SHAN AND PIK UK, INCLUDING TAI SHEK KWU TSUEN, TSENG LAN SHUE TSUEN, TAN SHAN TSUEN, SAM LONG TSUEN, PAK SHEK WO TSUEN, PIK UK PRISON AND THOSE AT RAZOR HILL ROAD.
---------0---------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * » »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 82.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 481.084 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 413.403 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 70.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE
PAPER ON OFFER
ISSUE NUMBER
AMOUNT APPLIED
AMOUNT ALLOTTED
AVERAGE PRICE ACCEPTED
LOWEST PRICE ACCEPTED
PRO RATA RATIO
AVERAGE TENDER PRICE
22 NOV 93
EF NOTES
2511
HK$3,140 MN
HK$500 MN
99.79
99.77
ABOUT 45 PCT
99.70
---------0-----------
/21 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1993
- 21 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,630
REVERSAL OF LAF 4-1,370
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,415
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,585
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 *4-0.1* 22.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.87 PCT 12 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.09 3.52
1 MONTH 2.89 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.26 3.73
3 MONTHS 2.99 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.71 3.99
6 MONTHS 3.15 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.81 ,4.18
12 MONTHS 3.50 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT OF 1 35 BILLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 23 4.20 ,238 MN 98.58 4.78
CLOSED 22 NOVEMBER 1993
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BUILDING AUTHORITY STEPS UP CLAMPDOWN ON ILLEGAL WORKS ...... 1
DEVELOPMENTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY TN HK ............... 2
MENTAL PATIENTS NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT ...................... 3
SAI KUNG SEWERAGE WORKS TO BEGIN NEXT MONDAY ................ 4
SALARY INDICES FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES FOR JUNE .................................................... 4
BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ........... 7
315 VIETNAMESE LEAVE HONG KONG .............................. 7
WATER CUTS IN SHA TIN AND HO MAN TIN ........................ 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ........... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
9
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
1
BUILDING AUTHORITY STEPS UP CLAMPDOWN ON ILLEGAL WORKS *****
THE -BUILDING AUTHORITY IS STEPPING UP PRESSURE ON THE OWNERS OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
FROM DECEMBER 1, IF OWNERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS FOR REMOVING UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW) AND DO NOT APPEAL, THE AUTHORITY WILL NOTIFY THEIR BANKS AND LENDING INSTITUTIONS WITH MORTGAGES ON PROPERTIES.
UNDER SECTION 24 OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, OWNERS OF PROPERTIES WITH UBW ARE REQUIRED TO REMOVE THEM AND REINSTATE THE BUILDING WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE APPROVED PLANS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (TUESDAY)
IF THEY FAIL TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS THE POWER TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY WORK AND HOLD THE OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS BY CREATING A FIRST CHARGE ON THE PROPERTY.
"ULTIMATELY THIS MAY MEAN THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS THE POWER UNDER SECTION 33 OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO FORCE A SALE OF THE PROPERTY AND RECOVER ITS COSTS FROM THE PROCEEDS," ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONTROL) OF THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT, MR LOK CHE-LEUNG, SAID.
"THE AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL BUILDING WORK IS SAFE AND CARRIED OUT TO THE REQUIRED STANDARD," HE SAID.
THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF WELL-PUBLICISED ACCIDENTS IN RECENT YEARS, SOME OF THEM FATAL, WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD OWNERS SOUGHT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND OBTAINED THE NECESSARY APPROVAL OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY BEFORE MAKING ALTERATIONS TO THEIR PROPERTY.
UNTIL NOW LENDING INSTITUTIONS HAVE NOT SEPARATELY BEEN INFORMED OF ANY ACTION THE BUILDING AUTHORITY MAY TAKE UNDER SECTION 24.
"IN VIEW OF OUR DETERMINATION TO ENFORCE THESE ORDERS, IF NECESSARY BY USING A GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE COMPULSORY SALE OF THE PROPERTY, WE FEEL IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE BANKS AS MUCH WARNING AS POSSIBLE OF ANY IMPENDING ACTION WHICH MAY AFFECT THEIR SECURITY.
"WE HAVE CONSULTED THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS ABOUT THE NEW NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES AND HAVE THE ASSOCIATION’S FULL SUPPORT,” MR LOK ADDED.
STARTING ON DECEMBER 1, ALL LENDING INSTITUTIONS WITH MORTGAGES ON PROPERTIES INVOLVED WILL BE NOTIFIED SHORTLY AFTER AN ORDER HAS EXPIRED, IF THE OWNER HAS NOT STARTED OR COMPLETED REMOVAL OF THE UBW, AND HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE BUILDING AUTHORITY OF THE INTENTION TO APPEAL AGAINST THE ORDER.
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS VARIOUS METHODS TO DISSUADE OWNERS FROM ILLEGALLY ALTERING THEIR BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, INCLUDING REGISTERING THE REMOVAL ORDERS IN THE LAND REGISTRY SO THAT POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF PROPERTIES ARE ALERTED IF AN ORDER HAS BEEN ISSUED.
/IN 1991 .......
2
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, loo3
IN 1991 THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED ITS POLICY TO PROSECUTE OWNERS WHO CARRY OUT BUILDING WORKS WITHOUT APPROVAL OR WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REMOVAL ORDERS.
TO DATE THERE HAVE BEEN 275 SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS, RESULTING IN A TOTAL OF MORE THAN $1.6 MILLION IN FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS.
IN THESE CASES, CONVICTED OWNERS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO REMOVE THEIR UBW.
IN THE SAME YEAR THE AUTHORITY LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN, CALLED OPERATION APPENDAGES, TO REMOVE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ON A BUILDING-BY-BUILDING BASIS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY OPERATION CATHERINE WHEEL AND OPERATION ROLLING STONE EARLIER THIS YEAR.
IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR OVER 5,000 REMOVAL ORDERS WERE SERVED THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS. IT WAS FOUND THAT, ON A DISTRICT BOARD BOUNDARY BASIS, AS MUCH AS 75 PER CENT OF THE ORDERS WERE SERVED ON PREMISES ENJOYING A MORTGAGE.
LAST YEAR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ISSUED MORE THAN 6,750 ORDERS IN RESPECT OF UBW. IT IS EXPECTED THAT A SIMILAR NUMBER OF ORDERS WILL BE ISSUED THIS YEAR.
------0-------
DEVELOPMENTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN UK
* » * » ♦
HONG KONG IS AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR IMPORTERS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS SERVING THE GROWING CHINA MARKET AND OTHER PARTS OF ASIA, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SILVER JUBILEE YEAR DINNER OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.
HE NOTED THAT IMPORTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS HAD TRIPLED SINCE THE MID-1980S, AND WERE WORTH $7,577 MILLION LAST YEAR.
"OVER THE SAME PERIOD, RE-EXPORTS ALSO QUADRUPLED, RISING TO $5,711 MILLION BY 1992. MOST OF THE RE-EXPORTS WENT TO CHINA," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG ALSO OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS SPECIALLY TARGETED AT ASIA MARKETS.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, A U.S. COMPANY FORMED A JOINT VENTURE WITH THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN EARLY 1991 TO DEVELOP HERBAL EXTRACTS PROVIDED BY CHINESE RESEARCH LABORATORIES INTO NEW PRODUCTS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH HISTORICALLY HONG KONG HAD NOT BEEN A MAJOR EXPORTER OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS TO THE WEST, THERE WAS A CHANGE RECENTLY.
HE NOTED THAT EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION APPROVED AN APPLICATION FOR LAND FOR A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY TO BUILD A STAND-ALONE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN THE NEW TSEUNG KWAN 0 INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
/"THE COMPANY
3
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
"THE COMPANY HOPES THAT THIS PLANT WILL BECOME THE FIRST FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION-APPROVED FACILITY IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG WAS WELL-PLACED TO HARNESS AND MAKE GOOD USE OF CHINESE SCIENTIFIC RESOURCES.
THE PROPOSALS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE IN HONG KONG WOULD FACILITATE THE COMBINATION OF HONG KONG’S EXPERTISE IN DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIAL PRACTICE WITH CHINA’S RELATIVE ADVANTAGE IN BASIC RESEARCH, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S PHARMACEUTICAL EXPORTS HAD INCREASED FROM $326 MILLION IN 1991 TO $420 MILLION LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 29 PER CENT.
"CHINA IS NOW THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS (46 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY SINGAPORE, MACAU AND MALAYSIA," HE SAID.
HE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WERE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANSION IN HONG KONG’S PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.
------0-------
MENTAL PATIENTS NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT ♦ * * ♦ ♦
A DETERMINING FACTOR FOR MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS TO FULLLY RECOVER LIES IN THE HANDS OF THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH WEEK, MRS PATTEN APPEALED TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO LEND A HELPING HAND TOWARDS MENTAL PATIENTS AND EX-PATIENTS.
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WITH THE AIM TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT TOWARDS PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR THOSE WHO HAVE RECOVERED FROM THE ILLNESS.
"THANKS TO ADVANCES IN MEDICINE, MOST MENTAL ILLNESSES CAN BE TREATED AND THE PATIENTS INTEGRATED BACK INTO SOCIETY," SHE SAID.
"BUT, MODERN LIFE BRINGS OTHER MENTAL PROBLEMS, SO THAT MENTAL ILLNESS IS STILL A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THE POPULATION," SHE ADDED.
IT IS THEREFORE ALL THE MORE ILLOGICAL FOR PEOPLE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS AS IF THEY WERE SOME KIND OF ALIENS OR UNTOUCHABLES, SHE SAID.
"HOW CRUEL IT WOULD BE IF, PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN HELPED BY MODERN TREATMENT METHODS ARF. PREVENTED FROM MAKING A FULL RECOVERY BECAUSE OF REJECTION BY THEIR FAMILIES OR SOCIETY."
MRS PATTEN WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THE ENCOURAGING TREND TOWARDS A COMMUNITY-ORIENTATED SERVICE IN CARING FOR THE MENTALLY ILL.
"IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF ALL OF US TO OFFER THEM AN EQUAL CHANCE TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
/4 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23,
1993
4
SAI KUNG SEWERAGE WORKS TO BEGIN NEXT MONDAY * * * * *
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL START WORKS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR TAN CHEUNG, PO LO CHE AND TUI MIN HOI IN SAI KUNG, NEXT WEEK TO IMPROVE THE HYGIENE OF VILLAGES IN THESE AREAS.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE $24.3 MILLION WORKS WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT), MR TSE HON-SUM, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, CHIU HING CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY LIMITED.
OTHER AREAS COVERED BY THE MASTER PLAN INCLUDE TAI MONG TSAI, SAI KUNG TOWN, TAI CHUNG HAU, HO CHUNG, TSENG LAN SHUE, TAI PO TSAI, S1LVERSTRAND AND CLEAR WATER BAY PENINSULA.
NR TSE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WAS NO PROPER SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN TAN CHEUNG, PO LO CHE AND TUI MIN HOI.
THE CONTRACT WAS THE FIRST AWARDED UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN FOR THE PORT SHELTER AREA.
THE CONTRACT WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF 5.2 KILOMETRES OF GRAVITY SEWERS WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM 225 MM TO 375 MM, WHICH WILL CONNECT WITH THE TERMINAL MANHOLES OF ABOUT 460 VILLAGE HOUSES WITHIN THE CATCHMENT.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 29) FOR COMPLETION IN 24 MONTHS.
UPON COMPLETION, MR TSE SAID, SEWAGE GENERATED FROM TAN CHEUNG, PO LO CHE AND TUI MIN HOI AREAS WOULD BE COLLECTED AND CONVEYED TO THE SAI KUNG SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR SECONDARY TREATMENT BEFORE DISPOSAL IN PORT SHELTER THROUGH A SUBMARINE OUTFALL.
"AS A RESULT, THE WATER QUALITY OF PORT SHELTER WILL ALSO BE IMPROVED BECAUSE THE POLLUTANTS CURRENTLY BEING DISCHARGED INTO IT WILL BE REDUCED,” HE ADDED.
------0-------
SALARY INDICES FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL
EMPLOYEES FOR JUNE
*****
THE AVERAGE SALARY LEVEL FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES, AS INDICATED BY THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A), WAS 9.7% HIGHER IN JUNE 1993 THAN TN JUNE 1992.
THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B), WHICH MEASURES CHANGES IN THE AVERAGE SALARY LEVEL ONLY FOR THOSE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO REMAINED IN THE SAME OCCUPATION AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN BOTH 1992 AND 1993, ROSE BY 14.5% OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE ABOVE RESULTS ARE SOME OF THE FINDINGS OF THE 1993 SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
/BOTH SALARY .....
5
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
BOTH SALARY INDICES (A) AND (B) ARE DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEASURING CHANGES IN SALARY LEVELS.
HOWEVER, BY CONFINING TO THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO REMAINED IN THE SAME OCCUPATION AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN 1992 AND 1993, THE SALARY INDEX (B) ONLY ACCOUNTS FOR SALARY CHANGES DUE TO GENERAL INCREMENT, MERITORIOUS INCREASE AND GAIN IN SENIORITY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SALARY INDEX (A) TAKES INTO ACCOUNT EFFECTS OF LABOUR MOBILITY AS WELL.
THE RATE OF INCREASE OF THE SALARY INDEX (B) IS USUALLY HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE SALARY INDEX (A) BECAUSE THE SALARY INDEX (A) INCLUDES THE SALARIES OF NEWLY RECRUITED AND NEWLY PROMOTED EMPLOYEES, WHO TEND TO BE PAID COMPARATIVELY LOWER SALARIES THAN THOSE ALREADY IN THE SAME RANK.
BETWEEN JUNE 1992 AND JUNE 1993, THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR LARGE COMPANIES INCREASED BY 10.3% AND THAT FOR MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES BY 9.5%.
AS REGARDS THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B), THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 14.2% AND 14.6% RESPECTIVELY.
THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) AND NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR JUNE 1993 ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL SALARY INDICES BY THE HANG SENG CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, THE REAL SALARY INDICES ARE OBTAINED TO MEASURE CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY EARNED.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE REAL SALARY INDEX (A) AND THE REAL SALARY INDEX (B) REGISTERED INCREASES OF 0.2% AND 4.6% RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE 1993.
AMONG THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES COVERED IN THE SURVEY, 68% OF THEM WERE ENTITLED TO PROFIT-SHARING BONUS, 39% TO HOUSING BENEFITS OF SOME KIND AND 80% TO PROVIDENT/RETIREMENT FUND OR PENSION. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT 86% OF THEM WERE ENTITLED TO GUARANTEED YEAR-END BONUS.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) SINCE 1984 TO MEASURE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.
A SAMPLE OF ABOUT 200 LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES IS COVERED IN THE SURVEY.
BOTH LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE EMPLOYEES WORKING IN COMMON OCCUPATIONS OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS ARE ENUMERATED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE SALARY RATE IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE, IN ADDITION TO BASIC SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, GUARANTEED YEAREND BONUS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
6
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
OTHER ITEMS WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE TOTAL PAY PACKAGE OF EMPLOYEES AT MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS, SUCH AS PROFIT-SHARING BONUS, ARE NOT INCLUDED TN THE DEFINITION OF THE SALARY RATE.
HOWEVER, STATISTICS ON FRINGE BENEFITS ARE SEPARATELY COMPILED. THEY ARE EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES OF EMPLOYEES INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY ENTITLED TO THEM.
DETAILS OF THE SALARY MOVEMENT, AVERAGE SALARY RATE FOR MAJOR OCCUPATIONS, AND STATISTICS ON EMPLOYEE ENTITLEMENT TO VARIOUS FRINGE BENEFITS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN THE "1993 REPORI’ OF SALARY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT)".
THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE AT $25 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SALARY INDICES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 4746 OR 582 5595.
NOMINAL SALARY INDICES (A) AND (B) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR FOR JUNE 1993
(JUNE 1983 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B)
MANUFACTURING, ELECTRICITY,
GAS AND STEAM 272.6 363.9
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (+4.8) (+12.5)
AND RELATED TRADES 287.3 416.6
WHOLESALE, RETAIL (+11.0) (+16.8)
AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES 285.4 411.1
TRANSPORT, STORAGE (+7.6) (+13.9)
AND COMMUNICATION 252.3 366.1
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (+12.0) (+13.5)
AND INSURANCE 329.5 439.4
(+12.9) (+14.3)
ALL SECTORS ABOVE
289.5 404.8
(+9.7) (+14.5)
/NOTE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBF.$R 23, 1993
7
NOTE : ALL INDICES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
FIGURES IN BRACKETS ARE PERCENTAGE CHANGES FOR JUNE 1993 OVER JUNE 1992 AND ARE CALCULATED FROM INDICES ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
------0-------
BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS
*****
MORE THAN 70 AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND OFFICE-HOLDERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN MONG KOK DISTRICT WILL ATTEND A THREE-DAY TRAINING COURSE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT STARTING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE COURSE, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE WEST KOWLOON OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAO, AIMS TO PROMOTE BETTER BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
IT WILL COVER TOPICS SUCH AS THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI-CORRUPTION PRACTICES, BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND THE OPERATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE A LEGISLATOR, A GOVERNMENT HOUSING MANAGER AND PROFESSIONALS IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR JAMES TO, AND THE REGIONAL OFFICER (KOWLOON WEST) OF ICAC, MR LAWRENCE TSE, WILL SPEAK TOMORROW.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, GRAND TOWER HOTEL, 621-627 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK.
--------0-----------
315 VIETNAMESE LEAVE HONG KONG ***** f;
A GROUP OF 315 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 110 MEN, 87 WOMEN, 65 BOYS AND 53 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 178TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,813 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 36,125 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0-------
/8 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
- 8 -
WATER CUTS IN SHA TIN AND HO MAN TIN
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHA TIN WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 25) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS. , .
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT MEI TIN ROAD, TAI WAI ROAD, TAI WAI SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD, TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD AND TO FUNG SHAN ROAD, INCLUDING TUNG LO WAN, LAI CHI YUEN AND TIN LIU AREAS, ,
OWING TO CONNECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY.
THE AFFECTED AREAS INCLUDE KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, 01 MAN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VALLEY ROAD ESTATE.
o HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER RESULTS * ♦ * * t
TENDER DATE 23 NOV 93 23 NOV 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q347 H378
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$2,520 MN HK$1,000 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$1,000 MN HK$400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.06 PCT 3.24 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.07 PCT 3.25 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 55 PCT ABOUT 43 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.08 PCT 3.26 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 29 NOVEMBER 1993 -
TENDER DATE 30 NOV 93 30 NOV 93 1
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q348 Y396
ISSUE DATE 1 DEC 93 1 DEC 93 ?. • ..." 1!
MATURITY DATE 2 MAR 94 30 NOV 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$l,000 + 200 MN 0 HKS300 + 90 MN /9
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1993
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
1,585
+1,415
3,000
NIL
-1,070
1,930
TWI 113.7 »-0.1* 23.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.99 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.22 3.76
1 MONTH 2.98 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.58 4.09
3 MONTHS 3.08 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.64 4.28
6 MONTHS 3.23 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.54 4.44
12 MONTHS 3.56 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.28 4.89 AND BONDS - 19,524 MN
CLOSED 23 NOVEMBER 1993
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
CS PAYS TRIBUTE TO CIVIL SERVICE .......................... 1
SCS IN MOTION DEBATE ...................................... 3
SES ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT ................................ 9
BETTER SUPERVISION OVER INSURANCE INDUSTRY INTRODUCED ..... 13
SHA INTRODUCES NT LAND (EXEMPTION) BILL ................... 14
MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 INTRODUCED .............. 15
IMMIGRATION BILL AMENDED .................................. 16
PUBLIC WELL-INFORMED OF GOVT AND PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE 16
ELECTION DISQUALIFICATION PROVISIONS ...................... 17
BLAKE EXPLAINS AIRPORT TERMINAL DESIGN COSTS .............. 18
893 REPORTS RECEIVED ON DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING ............. 19
GOVT COMMITTED TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR DISABLED ........... 19
SECURITY STEPPED UP FOR SEIZED GOODS STORES ............... 20
RECREATION USE APPROPRIATE FOR LANDFILL SITES ............. 21
FAVOURABLE COMMENTS ON MID-LEVEL ESCALATORS ............... 21
/MORE CONTROL
MORE CONTROL ON OVERHEAD WORK PROPOSED ...................... 22
SCHEME TO IMPROVE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TRAFFIC UNDER REVIEW ..................................................... 23
ARRANGEMENT TO SPEED UP HOUSING OFFER ....................... 23
NO INDICATION OF DEMAND FOR ISLAND LEASING .................. 24
MEASURES TO REGULATE DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS ................. 25
STUDY ON UNCOMPLETED FLATS SALE UNDER WAY ................... 26
STUDY TO IMPROVE VENTILATION AT TRANSPORT TERMINALS ......... 27
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT .................. 27
LABOUR TRIBUNAL TO BE STRENGTHENED ............................. 28
HK WILL HOST BUSINESS COMMUNITY AFTER 1997: COMMISSIONER USA 29
SHIPPING INDUSTRY APPRECIATES HK ADVANTAGES .................... 30
FRESH WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG ................................... 30
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
31
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
1
CS PAYS TRIBUTE TO CIVIL SERVICE * * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TN THE MOTION DEBATE ON AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
A FEW WEEKS AGO I GAVE A SPEECH IN THIS COUNCIL WHICH I DESCRIBED AS MY LAST MAJOR SPEECH. I APOLOGISE IF I AM DISAPPOINTING MEMBERS BY GETTING TO MY FEET, YET AGAIN MY EXCUSES THAT THIS IS NOT A MAJOR SPEECH. AND IN ANY EVENT IT SEEMS APPROPRIATE TO ME THAT AFTER MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN HONG KONG, AND THE LAST SEVEN YEARS AS CHIEF SECRETARY AND HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, MY FINAL CONTRIBUTION AS AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE ITSELF.
MR PRESIDENT, I THEREFORE WELCOME THIS MOTION AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE SERVICE AND TO PAY TRIBUTE TO MY COLLEAGUES. I HOPE IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS FULLY AND FIRMLY COMMITTED TO DOING WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN A STABLE, EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE CIVIL SERVICE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THE CIVIL SERVICE IS SOMEHOW SYMBOLIC OF THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WHICH HAVE BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE SUCCESSES OF*THIS PLACE : AN EXTRAORDINARY CAPACITY FOR HARD WORK, INNOVATION AND A READINESS AND ADAPTABILITY TO CHANGE.
I THINK WE SOMETIMES FORGET JUST HOW MUCH THE CIVIL SERVICE IMPACTS ON THE DAILY LIFE OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG : SAFE AND CLEAN STREETS, SCHOOLS, POSTAL SERVICES AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES NOT TO MENTION HOUSING, MEDICAL SERVICES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEW TOWNS. ALL THIS AT A COST OF LESS THAN 20% OF HONG KONG’S GDP! ON THE POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL SIDE, THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS RESPONDED WELL TO ALL THE CHALLENGES THRUST UPON IT AND IT HAS SET US ON A WELL PAVED AND SECURE ROAD TO THE TRANSITION TO 1997. WE HAVE NOT ONLY ACCEPTED THIS CHANGE, BUT ALSO GREATLY IMPROVED THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF OUR SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE SAME TIME.
SO LET ME ASSURE HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE MAINTENANCE OF A FIRST-CLASS CIVIL SERVICE. I BELIEVE OUR RECORD SHOWS WE CAN DELIVER ON THIS PROMISE. MY COLLEAGUE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL DEAL WITH THE KEY ISSUES RAISED IN THIS MOTION IN DETAIL. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS JUST A FEW OF THEM IN BROADER TERMS, INCLUDING THE MEASURES WE HAVE TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND CULTURE OF THE SERVICE, LOCALISATION, AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE.
/I BELIEVE .......
2
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
I BELIEVE WE MANAGE TO PULL OFF THE TRICK OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF OUR WORK WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FACING NEW AND MORE COMPLEX CHALLENGES, AND RAPIDLY RISING COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS. MUCH OF THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO THE RESOURCES WE HAVE PUT INTO TRAINING. OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS, WE HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED OUR TRAINING BUDGET, FROM $301 MILLION TO $671 MILLION. AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE MADE DEPARTMENTS TAKE ON MUCH MORE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE TRAINING OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE. AFTER ALL THEY SHOULD KNOW BEST WHAT THEY NEED BY WAY OF TRAINING. AND, FINALLY,*WE HAVE TACKLED THE NEEDS OF THE TRANSITION BY FOCUSING ON CHINA-RELATED TRAINING. THIS YEAR, WE HAVE RUN 7 SPECIAL COURSES INCLUDING 83 CAREFULLY-SELECTED OFFICERS, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE TSING HUA UNIVERSITY IN BEIJING. WE REALLY ARE LAYING THE GROUND WORK FOR THE FUTURE.
ON THE THORNY ISSUE OF LOCALISATION REFERRED TO BY MR NGAI, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY - AS SOMEONE WHO IS TO BE "LOCALISED” WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONDAY - THAT THERE HAS BEEN A GOOD DEAL OF MISUNDERSTANDING OF OUR RECORD IN THIS AREA UP TO NOW, AND NOT A LITTLE UNDERESTIMATION AND UNDERSTATEMENT OF WHAT WE HAVE SO FAR ACHIEVED.
I THINK IT IS WORTH LOOKING AT THE FIGURES AGAIN. IN 1952, OVERSEAS OFFICERS ACCOUNTED FOR 4.4% OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. TODAY, THEY ACCOUNT FOR 1.1%. IN TERMS OF ABSOLUTE NUMBERS, THERE ARE NOW ONLY 2,100 OVERSEAS OFFICERS IN A SERVICE OF MORE THAN 180,000. AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL, 65.5% OF THE POSTS ARE NOW FILLED BY LOCAL OFFICERS; SOME 80% OF THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT/PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS ARE LOCALS, AND HALF OF OUR POLICY SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS ARE LOCAL. / ; ,
LET ME ONCE AGAIN MAKE IT CLEAR : WE ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF OUR OBLIGATIONS AND OUR COMMITMENT TO LOCALISE THE CIVIL SERVICE. NOT LEAST AS IT AFFECTS PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL POSTS, AND HONOURABLE MEMBERS CAN BE ASSURED THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN PLACE IN GOOD TIME. EQUALLY, I’M SURE THAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL WANT TO BE ASSURED THAT THE SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE RIGHT MIX OF EXPERTISE AND RANGE OF EXPERIENCE IT NEEDS TO DELIVER THE GOODS. THAT IS ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE KIND OF CIVIL SERVICE ENVISAGED UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW. }
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEGCO AND THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CRUCIAL. IN MY EXPERIENCE IT HAS ALSO ALWAYS BEEN GOOD. AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE NEW PRESSURES WHICH HAVE BEEN PLACED ON BOTH SIDES, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE 1991 ELECTIONS, I BELIEVE THAT THE RELATIONSHIP REMAINS SOUND, BASED AS IT IS ON A MUTUAL DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS. I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT AS THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DEMONSTRATE ITS ACCOUNTABILITY THAT RELATIONSHIP WILL DEVELOP CONSTRUCTIVELY, EVEN ALLOWING FOR THE OCCASIONAL WRINKLE WHERE WE MAY NOT SEE EYE-TO-EYE.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION ONE ASPECT OF THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE CAREFULLY PRESERVED. THIS LEGISLATURE, IN PARTICULAR THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, HAS AN IMPORTANT DUTY TO DISCHARGE IN THE EXAMINATION AND APPROVAL OF CIVIL SERVICE DIRECTORATE POSTS. IT IS YOUR JOB TO SEE THAT THE PUBLIC IS GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SIGNS HOWEVER THAT THIS ROLE HAS BEEN WIDENED BY SOME MEMBERS AND AS A RESULT THEY MAY HAVE STRAYED INTO AREAS WHERE I BELIEVE THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE IN THE DRIVING SEAT, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS AND PARTICULARLY MATTERS RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS.
/WE DO .......
3
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
WE DO NEED TO TAKE THE GREATEST CARE THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES NOT STEP TOO FAR DOWN THIS SLIPPERY SLOPE TO A POINT WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE POLITICISATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. APPOINTMENTS ARE A MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY AND WE HAVE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO ACT AS THE PROPER MECHANISM OF PUBLIC SAFEGUARD THAT THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE PROPERLY DISCHARGED. AND THE POLITICAL NEUTRALITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS ITSELF ONE OF THE KEY SAFEGUARDS OF OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
MR PRESIDENT, I HAVE BEEN HONOURED TO HEAD THE CIVIL SERVICE FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. WE HAVE A FINE AND IMMENSELY LOYAL BODY OF MEN AND WOMEN DOING THEIR BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AS I HAVE SAID EARLIER, TO ME THEY EMBODY IN SO MANY WAYS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF OUR OWN COMMUNITY. OF COURSE, THIS MEANS WEAKNESSES AS WELL AS STRENGTHS. BUT IF YOU LOOK ABOUT YOU AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE TOGETHER ACHIEVED, I THINK YOU WILL AGREE THAT THOSE STRENGTHS DEMONSTRABLY OVERWHELM ANY WEAKNESSES. LONG MAY IT CONTINUE TO BE SO.
MR PRESIDENT I HOPE I WOULD NOT BE RULED OUT OF ORDER IF I ALSO SAY A FEW WORDS WHICH ARE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS MOTION, BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT AND ALL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FOR ALL THE KINDNESS, FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT WHICH YOU HAVE SHOWN ME DURING MY TIME, BOTH AS CHIEF SECRETARY AND ALSO AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. MY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS WILL NEVER BE QUITE THE SAME AGAIN. I AM VERY SAD TO BE LEAVING HONG KONG BUT I HAVE TWO CONSOLATIONS. FIRSTLY I CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE HONG KONG AS HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN LONDON. AND SECONDLY, I LEAVE MY POST IN VERY CAPABLE HANDS.
MR PRESIDENT, I AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION.
------0--------
SCS IN MOTION DEBATE
* * * » »
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
I AM MOST GRATEFUL TO THE HONOURABLE NGAI SHIV-KIT FOR MOVING THIS MOTION, THUS GIVING ME A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO PAY A WELL-DESERVED TRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE.
AS THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAS SAID, IT IS ALL TOO EASY TO FORGET OR TO TAKE FOR GRANTED THE CENTRAL ROLE THE CIVIL SERVICE PLAYS. IT IS A FACT THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE IS VITALLY’ IMPORTANT FOR THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. I AM GLAD THAT THIS FACT IS RECOGNISED BY THE MOTION.
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE TO HAVING A HIGHLY MOTIVATED SERVICE. WE ARE DETERMINED TO ENSURE THAT CIVIL SERVANTS CONTINUE TO SEE A LONG-TERM CAREER IN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOOK TO 1997 AND BEYOND WITH A POSITIVE SPIRIT, IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PUBLIC VALUES THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. WE HAVE DONE AND ARE DOING A GREAT DEAL TO THIS END - I SHALL RESPOND TO THE POINTS MEMBERS RAISED IN A MINUTE.
/I SHALL .......
4
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
I SHALL NOT PRETEND THAT CIVIL SERVANTS DO NOT HAVE WORRIES AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE: WE ALL DO. INDEED THE CIVIL SERVICE IS UNDERGOING A PERIOD OF UNPRECEDENTED CHANGE:
- FIRST, WE HAVE TO ADJUST TO FAR HIGHER EXPECTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. QUITE RIGHTLY THE PUBLIC EXPECTS QUICK, EFFICIENT AND COURTEOUS SERVICE. AND WE HAVE RESPONDED VERY WELL TO THIS. WE HAVE FOR EXAMPLE INTRODUCED PERFORMANCE PLEDGES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS, AS MR BARROW SAID, MORE ’ NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD IN THAT DIRECTION.
- SECONDLY, MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL ARE ALSO ADDING TO THE PRESSURES ON THE SERVICE. OUR POLITICAL SCENE IN HONG KONG IS UNRECOGNISABLE FROM A FEW YEARS AGO. AGAIN, CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE RISEN EXTREMELY WELL - AND COMPETENTLY - TO THE CHALLENGE.
- THIRDLY, IS THE TRANSITION TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY. MEMBERS HAVE DEALT WITH MANY ASPECTS OF THIS. YES, THERE ARE STILL MANY IMPONDERABLES. BUT LET US EXAMINE WHAT WE HAVE IN FACT DONE.
PENSIONS AND PENSION SAFEGUARDS
FOR A START, OVER THE LAST DECADE WE HAVE DONE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT TO PROVIDE PENSION SECURITY. HOW ANYONE CAN ARGUE THAT WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH TO MEET LEGITIMATE CONCERNS IN THIS AREA BAFFLES ME-
- AT THE ADMINISTRATION’S INITIATIVE, PENSIONS ARE NOW A STATUTORY RIGHT AND A STATUTORY CHARGE ON THE GENERAL REVENUE.
- SIMILARLY, PENSION INCREASES IN LINE WITH INFLATION ARE NOW A STATUTORY RIGHT.
- BOTH THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION GUARANTEE UNAMBIGUOUSLY THAT PENSIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PAID ON TERMS NO LESS FAVOURABLE THAN BEFORE, IRRESPECTIVE OF NATIONALITY OR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.
- AND, IN HIS ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL LAST MONTH THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED WE WOULD BE ESTABLISHING A S7 BILLION PENSION RESERVE FUND. THIS IS A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY BY ANYONE’S STANDARDS. WE SHALL SOON START DISCUSSION WITH STAFF ON THE DETAILS AND I WILL MAKE THE POINT THAT PENSIONS ARE PROJECTED TO REMAIN AT ONLY FOUR TO FIVE PER CENT OF GOVERNMENT OPERATING EXPENDITURE WELL INTO THE FUTURE, A VERY MANAGEABLE LEVEL.
LOCALISATION
MUCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT LOCALISATION RECENTLY AND SEVERAL HON MEMBERS HAVE AGAIN MADE IT A CENTRAL THEME TO THEIR SPEECHES. I AM FRANKLY DISAPPOINTED THAT WE SEEM UNABLE TO LOOK AT THIS SUBJECT OBJECTIVELY.
/THE HONG .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
5
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO LOCALISATION. THE POLICY IS BEING TRANSLATED INTO REALITY EVERY DAY OF EVERY WEEK. WE HAVE A VERY STRONG PREFERENCE FOR LOCAL RECRUITMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR ONLY 85 OUT OF OVER 11,300 RECRUITS CAME FROM OVERSEAS -SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN 1%.
OTHER FIGURES QUOTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY EARLIER IN THE DEBATE, ABOUT THE FILLING OF SENIOR POSTS AND HIS ASSURANCES ABOUT THE FILLING OF PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL POSTS, SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. WHERE PROGRESS IS UNEVEN, WE HAVE SHOWN THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO TAKE SPECIAL MEASURES, SUCH AS THOSE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGAL AND LEGAL AID DEPARTMENTS.
WE HAVE ALSO FACED UP TO THE FACT THAT THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT, WITH ITS DIVISION BETWEEN SO-CALLED LOCAL AND OVERSEAS OFFICERS, IS OUT OF DATE AND WAS IN SOME RESPECTS INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION WE HAVE ADOPTED A TWO-STAGE APPROACH. THE FIRST STAGE WAS THE INTERIM MEASURE, ANNOUNCED IN JULY, WHEREBY QUALIFIED PERMANENT RESIDENTS CURRENTLY SERVING ON OVERSEAS CONTRACT TERMS COULD APPLY FOR ONE CONTRACT ONLY ON LOCAL CONDITIONS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS SAYING THAT THEY ARE LOCAL NOR ITS ACCEPTANCE AUTOMATIC, SO THERE HAS BEEN NO FAIT ACCOMPLI. THE SECOND STAGE IS THE CONSULTATIVE EXERCISE ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH WHICH PROPOSES THAT WE SHOULD ABOLISH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CONDITIONS AND HAVE A NEW COMMON SET OF TERMS FOR THE FUTURE. AS PART OF THIS EXERCISE WE ALSO NEED TO COME UP WITH A DEFINITION OF WHO IS TO BE REGARDED AS "LOCAL", BECAUSE WE LACK SUCH A DEFINITION AT PRESENT.
FACING UP TO THE FUTURE IN THIS WAY WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A PAINFUL PROCESS, AND SO IT HAS PROVED. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY OR THAT WE SHOULD GIVE UP. INDEED WE MUST CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH IN ORDER TO BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE. WHEN WE HAVE DONE SO, THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL BE A MUCH HEALTHIER ORGANISATION, AND EVEN BETTER EQUIPPED TO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE.
UNFORTUNATELY THERE APPEAR TO BE SOME WHO, PERHAPS NOT UNNATURALLY, PREFER TO CLING To THE MORE FAMILIAR, IF IN SOME WAY'S NOW DISCREDITED, GROUND OF THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM. THIS INCLUDES PROPONENTS OF THE PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL WHICH SEEKS TO STOP PERMANENT RESIDENTS SWITCHING TO LOCAL TERMS UNDER THE FIRST STAGE OF OUR APPROACH. IN DOING SO I WONDER WHETHER THESE MEMBERS ARE SAYING THAT PERMANENT RESIDENTS ARE NOT HONG KONG PEOPLE, IF SO, WHY NOT. I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT THE BASIC LAW GIVES PERMANENT RESIDENTS THE RIGHT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO HAVE PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS, WITH A RIGHT OF ABODE HERE, TO VOTE AND TO STAND FOR ELECTION. THE BASIC LAW ALSO SAYS THE SAR GOVERNMENT SHALL EMPLOY PERMANENT RESIDENTS. WE’VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE DEFINITION OF A PERMANENT RESIDENT ALONG THE LINES OF THE BASIC LAW. WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR THE TWO SIDES TO FINISH THEIR DISCUSSIONS IN THE JLG ON BRINGING OUR IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE INTO LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW. SO I SAY THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE DIFFICULTIES, WE SHOULD NOT TURN THE CLOCK BACK. WE MUST GO FORWARD FROM HERE. IT IS ABOUT TINE WE FACED UP TO THESE THORNY ISSUES SQUARELY AND DEALT WITH THEM. WE CAN AND WE WILL DO SO, SUCCESSFULLY, IF WE WILL ONLY LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
/FINALLY ON .......
6
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
FINALLY ON THIS SUBJECT, LET US NOT FORGET THAT FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS LOCALISATION IS A DEAD ISSUE. THAT IN ITSELF IS A MEASURE OF THE PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN MADE OVER THE YEARS.
MORALE
THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WHICH HAVE CAUGHT THE PUBLIC EYE RECENTLY WHICH HAVE ALSO BEEN PORTRAYED BY SOME AS SHOWING, THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY AN UNUSUAL DEGREE OF STRIFE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. FRANKLY THE GULF BETWEEN THESE PORTRAYALS AND REALITY DOES NOTHING FOR THE CREDIBILITY OF THOSE WHO MAKE SUCH CLAIMS.
I BELIEVE THAT THE ’’OPERATIONAL MORALE”, IF I MAY USE THAT PHRASE, AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS REMAINS EXTREMELY HIGH. DESPITE INCREASING WORKLOADS AND THE PRESSURES, CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE RISEN, TIME AND AGAIN, TO THE CHALLENGE AND HAVE SHOWN A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM, CONSCIENTIOUSNESS AND INTEGRITY IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK. AND HERE I COULD SAY THAT CONTRARY TO A WIDELY HELD MISCONCEPTION, THE WASTAGE RATE FROM RESIGNATIONS, ETC. IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS AT AN ALMOST HISTORIC LOW POINT. FAR LOWER THAN THE RATE NORMALLY EXPERIENCED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. PEOPLE ARE QUEUING UP TO JOIN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT IN A HURRY TO LEAVE. SO WE MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.
AS FOR GENERAL MORALE - THE ’’FEEL GOOD” FACTOR AS THE AMERICANS MIGHT PUT IT - THIS DEPENDS ON MUCH MORE THAN A FEW ISSUES. IT DEPENDS ON THE COMPETENCE OF MANAGEMENT IN LEADING AND SUPPORTING THEIR STAFF AND IN MEETING THEIR EVERY DAY LEGITIMATE NEEDS AND DESIRES.
HERE WE HAVE, AGAIN, DONE AND ARE DOING A GREAT DEAL IN TRYING TO FOSTER HARMONY AND TO SATISFY THE LEGITIMATE DESIRES OF CIVIL SERVANTS. I HOPE MEMBERS WILL FORGIVE ME IF I RECITE A LIST FROM JUST RECENT MEMORY - A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT THINGS WHICH WE HAVE DONE. SOME OF THEM NOT SO SMALL I MAY SAY -
- FIRST OF ALL, A PACKAGE INTRODUCED IN MAY 1992 HAS VERY SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESSED THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS.
- IN THE AREA OF MEDICAL AND DENTAL BENEFITS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF DENTAL CHAIRS AND WILL HAVE A NEW FAMILIES CLINIC IN 1994.
- LAST YEAR WE INCREASED FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF LEAVE AND PASSAGE ALLOWANCES. WE ALSO GAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE LONG SERVICE TRAVEL SCHEME.
- WE HAVE DONE MUCH IN THE STAFF RELATIONS; TO GIVE ONE OR TWO EXAMPLES, WE INTRODUCED A RETIREMENT SOUVENIR IN 1992: AND WE INCREASED THE CEILING FOR AWARDS UNDER THE STAFF SUGGESTION SCHEME IN 1991; AND INCREASED THE MAXIMUM GRANT UNDER THE STAFF RELIEF FUND;
- PERHAPS A GOOD REFLECTION OF STAFF RELATIONS AND MORALE WAS THE TURN OUT OF 12,000 CIVIL SERVANTS FOR THE CHARITY WALK LAST MONTH WHERE WE RAISED OVER S9 MILLION FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
/IN 1990 .......
7
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
- IN 1990 WE INTRODUCED NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO ALLOW CIVIL SERVANTS TO OWN THEIR OWN PROPERTY, THIS HAS BEEN A CONSPICUOUS SUCCESS, ALTHOUGH THE PACE OF PROPERTY PRICE INCREASES IS ERODING THEIR WORTH. WE APPRECIATE THAT THIS IS A CONCERN TO STAFF AND WE HAVE RESPONDED BY REVIEWING THE EXISTING HOUSING BENEFITS. MEMBERS ARE BEING ASKED THIS FRIDAY TO APPROVE MODEST IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME. ANOTHER REVIEW IS BEING CARRIED OUT ON THE HOME
FINANCING SCHEME. WE ALSO ENSURE THAT OUR DISCIPLINED SERVICES ARE PROPERLY CATERED FOR AND MEMBERS, I AM GLAD TO SAY, RECOGNISED THIS LAST WEEK WHEN VOTING NO LESS THAN $2.6 BILLION FOR PURCHASE OF MORE QUARTERS.
- WE IMPROVED THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEPENDANTS’ PENSIONS BENEFITS IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AND RECENTLY ESTABLISHED A PENSIONERS WELFARE FUND.
- LAST BUT BY' NO MEANS LEAST, AS THE CHIEF SECRETARY' ALLUDED TO, WE ARE GREATLY STEPPING UP OUR TRAINING, ESPECIALLY THAT RELATED TO CHINA AND PUTONGHUA, TO EQUIP CIVIL SERVANTS TO MEET THE TRANSITION.
AND HERE I MIGHT JUST ADD THAT THE ADMINISTRATION ENCOURAGES, POSITIVELY ENCOURAGES MORE CONTACT BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS AND CHINESE OFFICIALS. AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BEIJING COURSE, VARIOUS FAMILIARISATION VISITS AND DUTY VISITS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME. IN OUR CHINA STUDIES PROGRAMME WE ALSO INVITE CHINESE OFFICIALS AND ACADEMICS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO CIVIL SERVANTS AS AND WHEN THERE ARE SUITABLE SPEAKERS AND SUBJECTS. SO OUR PROGRAMMES IN THIS AREA ARE EXPANDING RAPIDLY AND ARE FAR MORE THAN WINDOW DRESSING AS ONE HONOURABLE MEMBER MIGHT DESCRIBE THEM.
ALL OF THOSE MEASURES THAT I’VE JUST OUTLINED, TOGETHER WITli SYMPATHETIC MANAGEMENT, ARE THE SORTS OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT ALL CIVIL SERVANTS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS AND WHICH HAVE A MORE DIRECT IMPACT ON MORALE THAN ONE-OFF ISSUES WHICH HIT THE HEADLINES. I THINK THE LIST THAT I’VE GIVEN WHICH IS FAR FROM EXHAUSTIVE I MAY SAY SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
SOME MEMBERS MENTIONED POLITICISATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE DANGERS IN THAT. I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN POLITICALLY NEUTRAL. THERE’S NO INTENTION NOR ANY REASON TO CHANGE THIS. AND I AM GLAD THAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS RECOGNISE THE VALUE OF MAINTAINING THIS POSITION. ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, I’M AFRAID THAT MEMBERS MAY HAVE LITTLE IDEA DUE TO LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH ITS WORK, AS TO THE VERY IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE INSTITUTION. ONE OF ITS KEY ROLES IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO POLITICAL INTERFERENCE TN APPOINTMENTS. IT IS ALSO VIGOROUSLY SCRUTINISING THE ADMINISTRATION’S PRACTICES IN THIS AREA. WE HAVE NO PLANS TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE PSC’S ROLE.
SOME MEMBERS REFERRED TO THE ISSUE OF PAY AND SUGGESTED THAT WE MIGHT REFER THIS TO A THIRD PARTY TO RESOLVE.
THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED POLICY ON CIVIL SERVICE REMUNERATION IS THAT THE PAY AND FRINGE BENEFITS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD BE BROADLY COMPARABLE WITH THOSE PAID BY GOOD EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE HAVE NOT DEPARTED FROM THIS POLICY. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT CIVIL SERVICE PAY IS LAGGING BEHIND THAT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. ON THE CONTRARY, THERE HAS BEEN CRITICISM THAT CIVIL SERVANTS ENJOY MORE FAVOURABLE TREATMENT.
/THE ANNUAL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
fl
THE ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENTS HAVE BEEN DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ESTABLISHED MECHANISM AND APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. THEY ARE SETTLED DECISIONS. BECAUSE EACH PAY ADJUSTMENT IS A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT EXERCISE, THERE IS NO COMMITMENT, ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, TO MAKE UP ANY DIFFERENCES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S VIEW, ARBITRATION IS JUSTIFIED ONLY IF THERE ARE MAJOR POLICY ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED AND IF IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DO SO. IT IS DIFFICULT TO ARGUE THAT THE PAY SETTLEMENT THIS YEAR IS UNREASONABLE, NOR DOES THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE SUPPORT SUCH A VIEW.
AS REGARDS INDIVIDUAL STAFF DISPUTES, MR PRESIDENT, I CANNOT LEAVE THE QUESTION OF MORALE WITHOUT RESPONDING TO THE HONOURABLE ALBERT CHAN’S POINTS ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE ASSISTANTS. IT’S QUITE WRONG TO SUGGEST THAT WE OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAVE NOT DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MEET STAFF’S REQUESTS. THE DEPARTMENT HAS BOOSTED TRAINING AND CREATED PROMOTION POSTS. AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS HELD NUMEROUS MEETINGS WITH THE ASSOCIATION. ITS OFFER OF A REVIEW TEAM IS STILL ON THE TABLE. THE SOCIAL WELFARE ASSISTANTS ONLY HAVE TO PICK THAT OFFER UP AND START TALKING. I UNDERSTAND THAT MEMBERS WILL BE MEETING THE ADMINISTRATION TOMORROW MORNING TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. BUT I CAN ASSURE THEM THAT OUR ATTITUDE THROUGHOUT HAS BEEN ONE OF CALMNESS AND LOGIC AND I WOULD SAY THAT WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT RECORD ON STAFF RELATIONS ESPECIALLY FOR SUCH A LARGE ORGANISATION. AND THAT WE BELIEVE THAT OUR MACHINERY IS WORKING VERY KELL.
CONCLUSION
ALL IN ALL, MR PRESIDENT, TO CONCLUDE, THE CIVIL SERVICE IS IN FAR BETTER SHAPE THAN SOME PEOPLE APPEAR TO THINK. THE TRANSITION OBVIOUSLY PRESENTS A CHALLENGE BUT THE EVIDENCE IS THAT THE SERVICE IS COPING EXTREMELY WELL.
OF COURSE THERE ARE TIMES WHEN CRITICISM IS RIGHT, AND WE RESPOND WELL TO JUSTIFIED CRITICISM. BUT THERE IS NOTHING MORE DETRIMENTAL TO MORALE THAN CONSTANT NEGATIVE CRITICISM AND BACK SEAT DRIVING. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS COUNCIL SOMETIMES CROSSES THE LINE AND GETS TOO CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
WHAT THE CIVIL SERVICE NEEDS ABOVE ALL ELSE IN CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES IS TO BE LEFT TO GET ON WITH THE JOB THAT THEY DO SO WELL AND TO BE GIVEN SOME ENCOURAGEMENT NOW AND AGAIN. IT IS NOT A LOT TO ASK AND I DO HOPE THAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL TAKE THIS MESSAGE TO HEART.
MR PRESIDENT, WITH THESE WORDS I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
--------0 - -
/9.........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
9 -
SES ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT *****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT
IN RESPONDING TO POINTS RAISED BY HONOURABLE MEMBERS I SHALL COVER FOUR ISSUES
- THE BACKGROUND TO, AND THE DESIGN OF, CT9;
- THE BENEFITS CT9 WILL BRING TO HONG KONG;
- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CT9 AND CT10; AND
- THE IMPLICATIONS OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH CT9.
HOW DID CT9 COME ABOUT? IT CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY (PADS) WHICH WAS ACCEPTED IN 1989 BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A BLUE-PRINT FOR DEVELOPING OUR PORT AND AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE. THAT STUDY FORESAW THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TERMINALS FOR CONTAINER OPERATION AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND, TSING YI AND, ONCE THE DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL OF THESE LOCATIONS HAD BEEN UTILISED, ON LANTAU ISLAND.
LANTAU WAS NEVER ENVISAGED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENTS AT EITHER STONECUTTERS ISLAND OR AT TSING Yl; NEITHER WAS IT ENVISAGED THAT ALL FOUR BERTHS OF THE TSING YI TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT
WOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1995. RATHER, THE INTENTION WAS COMPLETION OF TERMINAL 8 AT STONECUTTERS IN EARLY 1995 FOLLOWED BY THE COMMISSIONING OF THE FIRST BERTH OF CT9 ON AND THAT THE OTHER BERTHS WOULD COME ON STREAM IN THE MONTHS AND THAT CT9 WOULD BE FULLY OPERATIONAL ONLY BY LATE 1996
THAT THE WOULD BE TSING YI TO FOLLOW OR EARLY
1997. THIS WOULD OPEN THE WAY FOR LANTAU PORT TO BE DEVELOPED, BERTH BY BERTH, AFTER THE ROAD LINK TO THE ISLAND HAD BEEN BROUGHT INTO USE.
IT WAS NEVER THE INTENTION TO BUILD AND OPEN CT9 AT ONE GO; THEN WAIT TWO YEARS AND OPEN CT10. RATHER, WE ENVISAGED A PHASED OPENING OF BERTHS TO MEET RISING DEMAND.
NOW THAT WE HAD HAD A FEW MONTHS’ DELAY TO THE START OF WORK, DO WE STILL NEED CT9? THE ANSWER IS AN EMPHATIC 'YES, WE DO’. SINCE
1989 WE HAVE SET UP THE PORI' DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO COMPREHENSIVELY AND REGULARLY REVIEW OUR PORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. THE BOARD PRODUCES EACH YEAR A DETAILED FIVE-YEAR FORECAST OF CONTAINER BERTH REQUIREMENTS. THESE FORECASTS HAVE A RELIABLE TRACK RECORD, BOARD’S REVIEW LAST YEAR RECONFIRMED THE NEED FOR FOUR BERTHS AT TSING VI. WK HAVE THREE MEMBERS OF THE ECONOMIC SERVICES PANEL OF THIS COUNCIL, AND FOR THOSE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THAT PANEL AND THEREFORE MAY NOT BEEN IN POSSESSION OF THE RELEVANT DATA, WE SHALL HAPPILY SUPPLY ALL THE RELEVANT PAPERS.
/NOW I .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
10
NOW I SHALL TURN TO THE SECOND ISSUE - TRANSPORT. THE CT9 DEVELOPMENT, AS DESIGNED AT TSING YI OFFERS US THE OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO ADD, LOGICALLY, TO OUR STOCK OF TERMINAL BERTHED BACKUP SPACE - BUT ALSO TO RELOCATE THE KEY ROADS AT TSING YT FURTHER TO THE SOUTH EAST, INTO THE RECLAMATION AND AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL AREAS. THIS WILL REDUCE NOISE AND INCONVENIENCE TO TSING YI RESIDENTS.
IT WILL ALSO ENABLE US TO ADD FOUR LANES TO THE EXISTING TWO-LANE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE AND PROVIDE A DEDICATED ACCESS TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL AND ITS BACKUP AREAS.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ARE POSSIBLE BECAUSE CT9 DEVELOPMENT IS NOT MERELY A CONTAINER TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT. THE EXTENSIVE BACK-UP AREA WHICH WILL PROVIDE A RESOURCE FOR THE WHOLE OF KWAI CHUNG PORT. IT WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED ADDITIONAL SPACE NOT ONLY FOR CARGO HANDLING, BUT FOR ROADS, FOR PARKING OF VEHICLES AND STACKING OF CONTAINERS. IT WILL ALLEVIATE PRESSURE ELSEWHERE AND SAVE MANY A WASTEFUL JOURNEY BY THOSE CONTAINER VEHICLES NOW OBLIGED TO TRAVEL UP AND DOWN TUEN MUN HIGHWAY TO DISTANT SITES SIMPLY TO PARK OR STORE CONTAINERS. IN SHORT, FROM A TRANSPORT POINT OF VIEW, CT9 IS DESIGNED TO ACTUALLY HELP SOLVE SOME OF THE EXISTING PROBLEMS.
FINALLY, IN DESIGNING CT9 AT TSING YI, WE HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE TO SEE THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN AND, IF POSSIBLE, IMPROVE, THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK THERE. TO THIS END WE PROPOSE!-
- TO INSTALL ACOUSTIC BARRIERS ALONG SENSITIVE ROADS WHERE THEY PASS NEAR TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND TO USE QUIET ROAD SURFACES;
- TO INSTALL DOUBLE GLAZING AND AIR-CONDITIONING IN THE NEAREST RESIDENTIAL UNITS; AND
- TO MAKE USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY OF RECLAMATION TO RELOCATE THE MAIN ACCESS AWAY FROM THE CENTRAL AREAS.
WE BELIEVE THAT THIS COMBINATION OF MEASURES WILL GREATLY AMELIORATE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS AND MAY, INDEED, HELP BRING SOME IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING CONDITIONS.
HAVING DESCRIBED CT9 AND ITS BENEFITS I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE SUGGESTION THAT WE SHOULD DISPENSE WITH CT9 AND, INSTEAD, ADVANCE CT10 AT LANTAU.
CT10 AT LANTAU IS NOT THE COMPARATIVELY SIMPLE EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING FACILITY; IT IS THE CREATION OF AN ENTIRELY NEW INFRASTRUCTURE.
UNLIKE CT9, WHERE WE HAVE HAD SIX YEARS OF PAINSTAKING PLANNING AND DESIGN WORK UNDER OUR BELT, WE ARE ONLY AT AN EARLY STAGE OF THE SAME EXERCISE AT LANTAU. DESIGN OF THE PORT, ITS ACCESS ROADS AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE IS TN HAND; BUT STATUTORY PROCESSES REMAIN TO BE PUT IN PLACE, DIFFICULTIES IDENTIFIED AND RESOLVED. WE SHALL GO THROUGH FULL TOWN PLANNING AND RECLAMATION PROCEDURES, THAT IS PUBLIC CONSULTATION, INCLUDING CONSULTATION WITH THE RESIDENTS ON LANTAU.
/CT9 THEREFORE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
11
CT9 THEREFORE IS, IN FACT, THE FRUITION OF SIX YEAR.S OF DETAILED PLANNING AND DESIGN INTO WHICH CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES OF TIME, MANPOWER AND MONEY HAVE BEEN INVESTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WORK ON THE GROUND COULD PHYSICALLY GET UNDERWAY RAPIDLY ONCE THE PROJECT HAS BEEN ENDORSED. THERE IS NO QUESTION AS TO ITS NEED. ON THE QUESTION OF COSTS AND VIABILITY, THESE ARE BEING DISCUSSED WITH POTENTIAL MEMBERS OF THE CONSORTIUM. THE REACTION FROM MEMBERS OF THAT CONSORTIUM IS THAT THEY ARE STILL INTERESTED IN GOING AHEAD.
THE NEXT QUESTION THEN IS: WILL CT9 CREATE AT TSING YI MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT WILL SOLVE? I WOULD LIKE TO COVER THREE ISSUES ON THIS QUESTION:-
- BACKUP SPACE FOR CONTAINER OPERATION;
- TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN KWAI CHUNG/TSING YI; AND
- THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RELATED TO CT9 ’ S CONSTRUCTION*
FIRST BACK-UP SPACE:- WHEN THE EARLY TERMINALS - I.E. TERMINALS 1 TO 5 - WERE DEVELOPED IT WAS NOT REALISED THAT AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT LAND BEHIND THE TERMINALS WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR STACKING EMPTY CONTAINERS, FOR PARKING CONTAINER TRUCKS AND GENERALLY FOR BACKING UP THE INDUSTRY. BY THE TIME TERMINALS 6 AND 7 WERE DESIGNED WE ADDRESSED THAT PROBLEM. AT CT8 THERE IS AN ENLARGED BACK-UP SPACE AND WE INTEND TO USE CT9 TO PROVIDE AS MUCH BACKUP SPACE AS GEOGRAPHY WILL ALLOW TO OVERCOME SOME OF THE SHORTFALLS WE INHERITED FROM THE EARLIER TERMINALS.
FOR LANTAU, WHERE WE ARE LESS RESTRICTED, WE PLAN TO PROVIDE 10 HECTARES OF BACK-UP SPACE FOR EACH 20 HECTARES OF TERMINAL SPACE - A RATIO OF 1 TO 2.
APPLYING THAT SAME RATIO TO THE EXISTING TERMINALS- (I.E. TERMINALS 1-8) WE SHOULD HAVE SOME 114 HECTARES OF LAND TO BACKUP THE 228 HECTARES OF TERMINAL SPACE. IN FACT WE HAVE ONLY 51 HECTARES NOW, A SHORTFALL THEREFORE EXISTS OF 63 HECTARES.
TO ADDRESS THIS SHORTFALL WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS - TO DEVELOP CT9 WITH AN ENLARGED BACKUP AREA AS DESIGNED - OR GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND TAKE UP LAND. THE LATTER PRACTICE, THAT IS, TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND TAKE UP LAND, WOULD MEAN UTILISING THE BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN CT9 AND MEI FOO AND MEMBERS CAN IMAGINE THE OBJECTION TO THAT. OR GRABBING LAND ON WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION EARMARKED FOR THE ROAD AND RAIL LINKS TO THE NEW AIRPORT, OR FOR COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS. AGAIN I AM SURE MEMBERS CAN SEE WHY THAT IS REALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE.
AS TO THE ARGUMENT ABOUT INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING TERMINALS TO COVER THE THROUGHPUT OF CT9, WELL, WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT BEFORE. IT HAS SUPERFICIAL ATTRACTIONS. BUT IT WOULD ACTUALLY INVOLVE TAKING OVER THE EXISTING BACKUP AREAS AND USING THEM INSTEAD FOR TERMINAL OPERATIONS. THE RESULT WOULD BE TO GO FOR LAND WHICH AS 1 HAVE DESCRIBED EARLIER - OPTIONS WHICH WOULD NOT REALLY BE ACCEPTABLE.
/CURRENT ENGINEERING .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
12
CURRENT ENGINEERING OPINION SUGGESTS THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMMISSION THE FIRST BERTH AS EARLY AS IDEALLY REQUIRED. NEVERTHELESS, WE WILL DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO ACHIEVE THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPENING. BUT WE CANNOT BE ASSURED, AT THE PRESENT TIME, THAT THE GAP BETWEEN CT9 AT TSING YI AND CT10 AT LANTAU WILL BE AS SHORT AS SUGGESTED BY SOME MEMBERS.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO DEAL BRIEFLY WITH THE SUGGESTION THAT WE CAN SHELVE CT9 AND INSTEAD EXPAND MID-STREAM OPERATION TO CATER FOR GROWTH UNTIL CT10 OPENS. MID-STREAM OPERATION NOW HANDLES ABOUT A-THIRD OF OUR CONTAINER OPERATION. THE QUESTION: CAN IT HANDLE MORE?
MID-STREAM OPERATION IS CONSTRAINED PARTLY BY THE PHYSICAL ABILITY OF SHELTERED WATERS FOR BUOYS, FOR ANCHORAGES; AND PARTLY BY THE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPORTING LAND SITES.
WE HAVE LESS PROBLEMS WITH PROVIDING ENOUGH SHELTERED WATER, ALTHOUGH WE MUST WATCH THAT OUR HARBOUR MUST NOT BECOME TOO CONGESTED, BUT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGE OF LAND TO SUPPORT MID-STREAM OPERATIONS. DEMAND FOR WATERFRONT SITES WELL EXCEEDS SUPPLY AND THERE ARE VERY FEW POSSIBILITIES FOR REMEDYING THIS FOR YEARS TO COME. THIS WILL CONSTRAIN THE ABILITY FOR MID-STREAM OPERATIONS TO GROW. INDEED, THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THIS IS ALREADY HAPPENING. SO FAR THIS YEAR GROWTH HAS BEEN THE LOWEST SINCE 1990.
SO, FAR FROM BEING ABLE TO EXPAND MID-STREAM CAPACITY, WE SHALL BE HARD PRESSED TO MAINTAIN IT AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE. THIS WILL MEAN THAT WE SHALL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE ACQUISITION OF REPLACEMENT SITES FOR YEARS. SUCH SITES ARE RARELY IDEAL BUT WE SHALL SEE THAT, IN OPERATING THEM, GREAT CARE IS TAKEN TO AVOID INCONVENIENCING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. WE SHALL NEED MEMBERS’ CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THE PROCESS OF FINDING SITES TO REPLACE LOST SITES, BUT I REALLY CANNOT HOLD OUT ANY HOPE OF FINDING NEW SITES TO MEET GROWING DEMAND.
SOME HONOURABLE MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED OVER THE METHOD BY WHICH WE INTEND TO GRANT THE SITE OF CT9 FOR DEVELOPMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE METHOD CONCERNED -I.E. BY PRIVATE TREATY GRANT - HAS BEEN USED FOR FOUR OF OUR EXISTING CONTAINER TERMINALS. OUR PROPOSALS FOR. CT9 FOLLOW THIS FAMILIAR ROUTE. WE HAVE BRIEFED THE CHINESE SIDE AND OUTLINED ALL THE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS OF NOT PROCEEDING EARLY WITH CT9. I WOULD LIKE TO REASSURE MR POON AND MR MCGREGOR THAT WE SHALL SPARE NO EFFORT TO PRESS FOR A RESPONSE.
CONCLUSION
MR PRESIDENT, HONG KONG LIVES BY TRADE AND ITS ABILITY TO SERVICE THAT TRADE. 87% OF OUR CARGO GOES THROUGH THE PORT WHICH IS A MAJOR GENERATOR OF WEALTH, A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO OUR ECONOMY AND A MAJOR SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT. ITS EXPANSION SUSTAINS THE EXPANSION OF OUR ECONOMY. OUR POLICY IS TO ALLOW THE PRIVATE SECTOR FO EXPAND THE PORT, INCREMENTALLY, BERTH BY BERTH, MATCHING SUPPLY WITH DEMAND. THIS HAS GIVEN HONG KONG THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT AT MINIMAL COST TO THE TAXPAYER.
/MR PRESIDENT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
13
MR PRESIDENT, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN A CAREFUL, MEASURED VIEW OF ITS POSITION ON CT9. OUR CONCLUSION IS THAT HAVING REGARD TO THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG AND TO THE INTERESTS OF ALL THOSE WHO LIVE AND WORK CLOSE TO OUR CONTAINER PORT, CT9 AND ITS ATTENDANT WORKS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT TSING YI AND AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. WE BELIEVE THAT PROCEEDING WITH CT9 WILL ALSO BE IN THE INTERESTS OF DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH CHINA AND OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE ROLE IN THE REGION. WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT WE CANNOT SHELVE THE PROJECT. MY SENIOR COLLEAGUES, THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL, THEREFORE, VOTE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDING MOTION PROPOSED BY MR STEVEN POON.
THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT.
------0--------
BETTER SUPERVISION OVER INSURANCE INDUSTRY INTRODUCED * * * * *
A BILL SEEKING TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTION TO INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1993, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, SAID THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT TO THE SELF-REGULATION OF AGENTS AND BROKERS.
IT DEFINES THE ROLES OF AGENTS AND BROKERS, MAKES INSURERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR AGENTS AND ENHANCES TRANSPARENCY OF REPRESENTATION BY AGENTS.
’’CONTINUED PUBLIC COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING MISREPRESENTATION, INADEQUATE EXPLANATION OF INSURANCE CONTRACTS AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF PREMIUMS RECEIVED, UNDERLINE THE NEED FOR SUCH SUPERVISION,” MR TAM SAID.
INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG ARE SUBJECT TO PRUDENTIAL REGULATION BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY UNDER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT ISSUED IN 1986 HIGHLIGHTED AN ABSENCE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AMONG INSURANCE BROKERS AND AGENTS AND A CONFUSION OVER THEIR ROLES AND LIABILITIES.
”IT THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT THEY BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME SUPERVISION AS INSURERS,” MR TAM SAID.
THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF INSURERS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT, INTRODUCED A NON-STATUTORY CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF AGENTS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE HONG KONG CONFEDERATION OF INSURANCE BROKERS ALSO REQUIRES ITS MEMBERS TO CONFORM WITH ITS NON-STATUTORY RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
"HOWEVER, COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST INSURANCE AGENTS AND BROKERS HAVE NOT ABATED DESPITE THE INDUSTRY’S EFFORTS AT SELF-REGULATION,” MR TAM SAID.
/WITH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
14
WITH THE INDUSTRY’S AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE SANCTION AGAINST NON-COMPLIANCE BY AGENTS, BROKERS AND INSURERS, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-------
SHA INTRODUCES NT LAND (EXEMPTION) BILL
*****
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO REMOVE DOUBTS ABOUT EXISTING TITLES AND THE RIGHTS OF SUCCESSION TO LAND AND PROPERTIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS DONE BY GRANTING EXEMPTION TO NON-RURAL LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM THE APPLICATION OF PART II OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THE RELEVANT LAND GRANT.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES LAND (EXEMPTION) BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THERE HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLE CONCERN EXPRESSED RECENTLY OVER POSSIBLE DOUBTS AS TO SUCCESSION RIGHTS AND PROPERTY TITLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
FOR THIS REASON, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN ACTIVELY PURSUING MEASURES TO ALLAY PUBLIC ANXIETY AND TO ADDRESS ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHICH PROPERTY OWNERS TN THE NEW TERRITORIES MAY FACE.
"AS A FIRST STEP, WE HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE THIS YEAR TO EXEMPT ALL NEW GRANTS OF LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE, EXCEPT FOR GRANTS TO INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY OR TO CUSTOMARY BODIES ESTABLISHED BY CLANS AND FAMILIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"WHILE THESE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM FOR LAND GRANTED AFTER JUNE 1993, THERE IS NO PROVISION UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION FOR GOVERNMENT TO GRANT EXEMPTION TO LAND ALREADY GRANTED PRIOR TO THAT DATE AND NOW HELD IN UNDIVIDED SHARES BY INDIVIDUAL OWNERS, UNLESS ALL OF THEM JOIN TOGETHER TO APPLY.
"ACCORDINGLY, THE BILL BEFORE THIS COUNCIL NOW SEEKS TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM BY DEEMING ALL NON-RURAL LAND (INCLUDING UNDIVIDED SHARES) IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXEMPT FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE," MR SUEN SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WOULD REMOVE DOUBTS ABOUT EXISTING TITLES TO LAND OR PROPERTY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PURCHASED FROM A VENDOR WHO ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY BY REGISTRATION OF PROBATE, LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION OR CUSTOMARY SUCCESSION FROM A DECEASED OWNER.
"AS THERE IS A GENERAL UNCERTAINTY OF WHAT THE TRUE LEGAL POSITION MAY BE, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MANY CONVEYANCES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE VALIDITY OF WHICH MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE AND WHICH NOW FORM PART OF THAT TITLE.
/'•IT IS ..........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
15
"IT IS, THEREFORE, NECESSARY TO TAKE STEPS TO RETROSPECTIVELY VALIDATE THESE CONVEYANCES,” HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS PROVISIONS TO FACILITATE THOSE OWNERS OF RURAL LAND WHO WISH TO AVOID THE EFFECT OF CUSTOMARY RULES OF SUCCESSION ON THEIR PROPERTY BY PROVIDING FOR THE EXEMPTION OF LAND, INCLUDING UNDIVIDED SHARES, FROM THE APPLICATION OF PART II OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE, BY THE DIRECTOR. OF LANDS UPON APPLICATION OF THE LANDOWNER CONCERNED BY A SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE PROCEDURE.
MR SUEN THEN EXPLAINED THE TERM ’’RURAL LAND” AS LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BEING THE SUBJECT OF A CROWN LEASE OF AN OLD SCHEDULE LOT, VILLAGE LOT, SMALL HOUSE OR SIMILAR RURAL HOLDING AS DEFINED IN THE BILL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 INTRODUCED
A BILL TO GIVE EFFECT TO A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROCESSING OF SUMMONSES IN THE MAGISTRACIES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID SUMMONSES IN THE MAGISTRACIES WERE NOW PROCESSED BY A COMPUTERISED CASE AND SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN JULY LAST YEAR.
THE SYSTEM ISSUES STANDARDISED SUMMONS FORMS, KEEPS TRACK OF OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS AND HELPS TO SPEED UP COLLECTION OF FINES, HE NOTED.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE OPERATING EXPERIENCE OF THE SYSTEM IN THE PAST YEAR, A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN RESPECT OF THE ISSUE OF A SUMMONS TO A DEFENDANT AND MODE OF SERVICE, MANNER OF MAKING A COMPLAINT OR LAYING AN INFORMATION, PROCEEDINGS AT HEARINGS, AND PROVISIONS AS TO WITNESSES.
’’THE BILL, WHEN IMPLEMENTED, WILL GIVE EFFECT TO THESE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH ARE MAINLY INTENDED TO RATIONALISE EXISTING OPERATIONAL PRACTICES IN THE PROCESSING OF SUMMONSES,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
/16
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
- 16 -
IMMIGRATION BILL AMENDED
******
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, MOVES AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 9 OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AT ITS COMMITTEE STAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL SEEKS TO AMEND THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE IN A NUMBER OF MINOR RESPECTS IN ORDER TO REMOVE CUMBERSOME AND INAPPROPRIATE PROCEDURE BY WHICH SOME PARTS HAVE TO BE RENEWED EVERY YEAR BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
CLAUSE 9 RELATES TO SECTION 37K(2) OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH CONTAINS A PRESUMPTION RELATING TO A PERSON’S STATUS AS OWNER, AGENT, CAPTAIN OR CREW-MEMBER OF A SHIP CARRYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT THE ORIGINAL CLAUSE 9 OF THE BILL HAD PROPOSED TO BASE THE PRESUMPTION ON A POLICE OFFICER OF THE RANK OF SUPERINTENDENT OR ABOVE HAVING REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR BELIEF OF A PERSON’S STATUS, RATHER THAN THE PRESENT MORE SUBJECTIVE BASIS OF HONEST BELIEF.
"A RECENT SUBMISSION FROM THE LAW SOCIETY HAS CAUSED OUR LEGAL ADVISERS TO RECOGNISE THAT CLAUSE 9, AS DRAFTED, DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE.
"THE RESULT OF THE CLAUSE AS DRAFTED WOULD BE THAT THE PRESUMPTION WOULD OPERATE WHERE A POLICE OFFICER CERTIFIED THE EXISTENCE OF REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR BELIEVING THAT A PERSON IS AN OWNER, AGENT, CAPTAIN OR CREW-MEMBER OF A SHIP.
"ARGUABLY, A COURT WOULD BE PRECLUDED FROM LOOKING BEHIND THE EXISTENCE OF THE CERTIFICATE AND SATISFYING ITSELF AS TO THE REASONABLENESS OF THE OFFICER’S BELIEF," HE SAID.
THE AMENDMENT THEREFORE SEEKS TO MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT IT IS THE COURT WHICH MUST BE SATISFIED THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE PRESUMPTION IS JUSTIFIED IN EACH CASE, MR ASPREY ADDED.
-----0-------
PUBLIC WELL-INFORMED OF GOVT AND PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE
*****
THERE ARE ADEQUATE CHANNELS FOR INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO KEEP THEMSELVES INFORMED AND TO COMMENT ABOUT THE EXPENDITURE OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR BODIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN, MR TSANG TOLD THE LEGISLATORS THAT IT WAS A WELL-RECOGNISED PRINCIPLE THAT THE DETAILED MONITORING OF GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND EXPENDITURE WAS PRIMARILY THE ROLE OF LEGCO, RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
/"OUR SYSTEM .......
17
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
"OUR SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS ON THE OPEN PARLIAMENTARY MODEL: NOT THE ANCIENT GREEK MODEL WHERE EVERY CITIZEN PUT FORTH HIS VIEWS ON MATTERS OF THE DAY SCRATCHED ON PIECES OF BROKEN POT.”
HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC HAD BROAD ACCESS TO THE DETAILS OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND WERE FREE TO COMMENT TO LEGISLATORS, THE PRESS OR DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT, MR TSANG SAID.
"WHEN WE RECEIVE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLIC ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, WE PLEDGE TO GO AS FAR AS WE CAN TO RESPOND PROMPTLY AND FULLY," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID INFORMATION ON EXPENDITURE AND PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WAS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES, THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES’ ANNUAL REPORT, AND ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS WHICH WERE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
LEGISLATORS CAN PUT QUESTIONS ON THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TO THE ADMINISTRATION, EITHER FORMALLY OR INFORMALLY, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, HE SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE SPECIFIC CONCERNS CAN RAISE THEM THROUGH MEMBERS OR PURSUE THEM DIRECTLY WITH THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED," HE ADDED.
FURTHERMORE, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES ITS ACCOUNTS QUARTERLY IN THE GAZETTE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO PROMISED TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO LEGISLATORS AND THE PUBLIC THE OPERATING ACCOUNTS OF THE FIVE GOVERNMENT UTILITIES: THE POST OFFICE, THE AIRPORT, MARINE FERRY TERMINALS, GOVERNMENT TOLL TUNNELS AND WATERWORKS, MR TSANG SAID.
"AS REGARDS TRADING FUNDS, THE TRADING FUNDS ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR AUDITED ACCOUNTS TO BE TABLED IN THIS COUNCIL ONCE A YEAR, TOGETHER WITH A REPORT BY THE FUND MANAGER ON HIS PERFORMANCE," HE SAID.
SUCH ACCOUNTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, HE ADDED.
ON THE EXPENDITURE OF THE STATUTORY BODIES, MR TSANG SAID ANNUAL AUDITED REPORTS OF SOME OF THESE BODIES WERE TABLED IN LEGCO ACCORDING TO THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ORDINANCES.
THESE REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.
------0-------
ELECTION DISQUALIFICATION PROVISIONS * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SPELT OUT EXISTING LEGISLATION GOVERNING WHO ARE DISQUALIFIED FROM REGISTERING AS CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIONS TO THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
A PERSON IS DISQUALIFIED FROM BEING NOMINATED AS A CANDIDATE IF HE IS SERVING A SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT ON THE DATE OF NOMINATION.
/A PERSON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
18
A PERSON IS ALSO DISQUALIFIED FROM CANDIDATURE IF, WITHIN THE 10 YEARS BEFORE THE DATE OF ELECTION, HE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE AND SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT EXCEEDING THREE MONTHS.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID: ’’THESE PROVISIONS COVER PERSONS CONVICTED OF TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES.”
"WE HAVE NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE FURTHER MEASURES," HE SAID.
------0--------
BLAKE EXPLAINS AIRPORT TERMINAL DESIGN COSTS
*****
THE SECRETARY EOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID TODAY7 (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OF $50 MILLION FOR THE DESIGN CONTRACT OF THE NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL AT CHEK LAP KOK WAS FOR A CHANGE IN THE SCOPE OF DESIGN WORKS.
REPLYING TO A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL QUESTION FROM THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP, MR BLAKE SAID THE CHANGE IN DESIGN COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORESEEN AT THE TIME THE DESIGN CONTRACT WAS LET.
MR BLAKE SAID: "THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DESIGN CONTRACT WAS OBLIGED TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL WORK ARISING FROM THE CHANGE IN SCOPE, AND AFTER PROPER CONSIDERATION THE PAA BOARD AUTHORISED THE LUMP-SUM SETTLEMENT APPROACH; THIS WAS A COST-EFFECTIVE MEANS TO RESOLVE AN ISSUE WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE DRAGGED ON IN A CONTENTIOUS MANNER, POSSIBLY TO RESULT IN COST ARBITRATION."
HE SAID THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN FOR THE TERMINAL BUILDING CONCEIVED IN THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN HAD NOW BEEN DEVELOPED THROUGH DETAILED DESIGN INTO A BUILDING WHICH MET THE PAA’S OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, PASSENGERS AND OTHER USERS.
"THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF FUNCTIONALITY, EFFICIENCY, AND USER FRIENDLINESS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED, FOR AN ESTIMATED UNIT COST WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT AVERAGE FOR EQUIVALENT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDINGS.
"THE INTEGRITY OF THE PAA’S OVERALL BUDGET ESTIMATE HAS BEEN KEPT INTACT, WHILST OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL REVENUE SPACE WITHIN THE BUILDING HAVE BEEN UPLIFTED WITH SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS IN THE REVENUE GENERATING POTENTIAL OF THE BUILDING," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS SATISFIED THAT THE TOTAL PAYMENT EXPECTED TO BE MADE FOR THIS DESIGN CONTRACT, INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL PAYMENT, WAS COST-EFFECTIVE.
/MR BLAKE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
19
MR BLAKE SAID ALL CONTRACTS OF THIS NATURE ENTERED INTO BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE PAA, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND INDEED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, LUMP-SUM OR NOT, MUST CONTAIN PROVISION TO VARY AND THE MEANS TO VALUE VARIATIONS.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT ANY VARIATION, INVOLVING INCREASE OR DECREASE IN COST, WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO CLOSE SCRUTINY BY THE GOVERNMENT OR THE RESPECTIVE BOARD OF THESE TWO STATUTORY BODIES, TO ENSURE THAT NO UNWARRANTED PAYMENT ENSUES, AND THAT PROPER PROCEDURES ARE IN PLACE FOR THE AUTHORISATION OF RELEVANT SCOPE CHANGES.
------0--------
893 REPORTS RECEIVED ON DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING *****
A TOTAL OF 893 REPORTS CONCERNING MONEY LAUNDERING ARE RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITIES SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE IN 1989, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID.
IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID ALL REPORTS RECEIVED WERE INVESTIGATED BY THE JOINT FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT OF THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
OF THE 609 INVESTIGATIONS CONCLUDED, THREE REPORTS LED TO PROSECUTIONS FOR DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCES.
"OF THE THREE PROSECUTIONS FOR DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCES, THE PROCEEDINGS IN TWO CASES HAVE NOT YET CONCLUDED. THE THIRD CASE ENDED IN AN ACQUITTAL," HE SAID.
HE TOLD THE COUNCILLORS THAT NINE REPORTS LED TO CONFISCATION PROCEEDINGS AND $150 MILLION OF DRUG PROCEEDS WERE CONFISCATED. FURTHER ASSETS WORTH $59 MILLION ARE UNDER RESTRAINT.
THE COUNCILLORS WERE ALSO TOLD THAT 154 REPORTS WERE CONFIRMED NOT TO BE RELATED TO DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING; 443 CASES DID NOT PRODUCE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR PROCEEDINGS TO BE INSTITUTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE REMAINING 284 CASES ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATIONS.
------0-------
GOVT COMMITTED TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR DISABLED
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, REAFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE DISABLED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON YEUNG SUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DR LEE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO MEET THE KEY TARGETS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION BY 1996/97.
/THESE TARGETS .....
20
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
THESE TARGETS, THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR WHICH HAVE BEEN SECURED, RELATE TO THE PROVISION OF AN ADDITIONAL 3,930 RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS DISABILITIES AND AN EXTRA 3,760 PLACES IN DAY SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.
’’WHERE NECESSARY, WE WILL UPDATE THE TARGETS REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY MATCH THE CHANGING NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS OF CLIENTS,” DR LEE SAID.
"WHERE NECESSARY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK FUNDING FOR THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL PLACES FOR BOTH DISABLED PRE-SCHOOLERS AND DISABLED ADULTS."
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS STREAMLINING THE CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEMS WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING CLIENTS WITH A GENUINE NEED FOR SERVICES AND TO SPEEDING UP REFERRALS AND ADMISSIONS SO AS TO MAKE FULLER USE OF THE PLACES AVAILABLE.
HE ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN IN MID-1994.
COMPILED IN 1990, THE PLAN SETS OUT A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF THE CURRENT AND PLANNED PROVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
- - 0 - -
SECURITY STEPPED UP FOR SEIZED GOODS STORES
» » * * *
SECURITY FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SEIZED GOODS STORES WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO PREVENT BURGLARY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW ARRANGING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ANTIBURGLARY ALARM SYSTEMS IN ALL ITS MAJOR SEIZED GOODS STORES.
PATROLLING AND GUARDING WATCHMEN TEAMS, IN PARTICULAR THOSE ON NIGHT SHIFTS, WILL BE STRENGTHENED, HE SAID.
"THE POLICE HAVE ALSO GIVEN ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT SUCH CRIMES."
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT SEIZED GOODS STORES WERE ALL FITTED WITH STRONG LOCKS, IRON DOORS, CROSS BARS AND IRON WINDOW GRILLS.
"PERIMETER FENCING AND FLOODLIGHTS ARE ALSO INSTALLED. WATCHMEN ARE EMPLOYED TO PATROL AND GUARD THE STORES.
"THERE IS ALSO CONTROL ON THE ENTRY AND EXIT OF AUTHORISED PERSONNEL. THERE ARE OTHER DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES ON SECURITY MEASURES," HE ADDED.
LAST YEAR, TWO BURGLARIES OCCURRED AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TUEN MUN SEIZED GOODS STORE. THE FIRST ONE INVOLVED SOME $2.2 MILLION WORTH OF SEIZED GOODS WHILE THE SECOND INVOLVED SOME $0.9 MILLION.
- - 0 - -
/21
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
21
RECREATION USE APPROPRIATE FOR LANDFILL SITES
*****
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARK AT GIN DRINKER’S BAY LANDFILL UPON ITS CLOSURE WILL MAKE OPTIMAL USE OF THE LAND CREATED AND PROVIDE OPEN SPACE FOR USE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP, MR EASON SAID GIVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTLEMENT OF THE LANDFILL SURFACE DURING THE INITIAL PERIOD AFTER ITS CLOSURE, SUBSTANTIAL BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES COULD NOT BE BUILT ON IT.
PARKS AND OTHER RECREATION FACILITIES ARE APPROPRIATE USES FOR SUCH LANDFILL SITES, PROVIDED PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN TO PREVENT DISCHARGE OF LEACHATE AND THE BUILD-UP OF LANDFILL GAS.
"ON THE ADVICE OF CONSULTANTS, MEASURES TO DEAL WITH LEACHATE AND PREVENT LANDFILL GAS EMISSIONS WILL BE PART OF THE PROJECT,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID NO DATE HAD BEEN FIXED FOR THE OPENING OF THE PARK BECAUSE THE PHASE II WORKS HAD NOT YET STARTED PENDING THE FINALISATION OF THE DETAILS OF ANOTHER WORKS PROJECT WHICH WOULD AFFECT IT.
’’THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS WAITING TO PROCEED WITH PHASE II OF THE PARK PROJECT TO AVOID INCURRING UNNECESSARY COSTS BEFORE THE DETAILS ARE FINALISED,” HE SAID.
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FAVOURABLE COMMENTS ON MID-LEVEL ESCALATORS
*****
THE CENTRAL TO MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR SYSTEM HAS PROVEN TO BE REMARKABLY POPULAR AND HAS ATTRACTED FAVOURABLE COMMENT BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN, MR BARMA SAID WHILE IT WAS TOO SOON TO ESTABLISH THE REAL IMPACT ON TRAFFIC IN THE MID-LEVEL AREA, BALLPARK FIGURES SUGGESTED A LITTLE LESS RELIANCE ON VEHICULAR TRANSPORT.
"BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF SIGHTSEERS AND OTHER USERS ATTRACTED BY THE NOVELTY OF THE SYSTEM, NO CLEAR PATTERN HAS SO FAR EMERGED IN THE USE OF THE ESCALATORS.
’’HOWEVER, BALLPARK FIGURES DO SHOW THAT, ON AVERAGE, SOME 20,000 PEOPLE USE THE ESCALATOR DAILY WITH ABOUT 4,000 TRAVELLING DOWNHILL ON THE ESCALATOR BETWEEN G A.M. AND 10 A.M. EACH MORNING," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID SINCE THE TRIAL PERIOD BEGAN, ONLY EIGHT COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
THESE COMPLAINTS REFLECTED BASIC TEETHING PROBLEMS THAT HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED AND MOST HAD BEEN RECTIFIED.
/TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
22
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR CARRIED OUT TWO ONE-DAY SURVEYS DURING RUSH HOURS, AND NOT SURPRISINGLY, NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN TRAFFIC VOLUME HAS EMERGED.
'THE DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY EARLY NEXT YEAR BY’ WHICH TIME TRAVEL PATTERNS IN THE AREA SHOULD HAVE BECOME MORE SETTLED,” HE SAID.
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MORE CONTROL ON OVERHEAD WORK PROPOSED ♦ * * t ♦
A NEW SET OF FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORM) REGULATION WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR TO TIGHTEN CONTROL ON THE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF GONDOLAS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY7 FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EDWARD HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED REGULATION, ALL GONDOLAS MUST RE EXAMINED AND TESTED BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER PERIODICALLY AND UNDER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS, SUCH AS AFTER RE-ERECTION OR SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR.
"THEY MUST BE INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE IN THE PRECEDING SEVEN DAYS BY A COMPETENT PERSON BEFORE THEY ARE USED," HE SAID.
"LIFTING GEARS FORMING PARTS OF THE GONDOLA MUST ALSO BE EXAMINED PERIODICALLY."
THE PROPOSED REGULATION REDEFINES THE QUALIFICATION OF OPERATORS AS A PERSON WHO HAS UNDERGONE TRAINING ON THE OPERATIONAL MECHANISM OF A GONDOLA AND THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF WORKING ON A GONDOLA.
TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE TECHNICAL AND SAFETY ASPECTS OF GONDOLAS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED SEMINARS AND ISSUED INFORMATION LEAFLETS AND POSTERS TO THOSE IN THE TRADE.
THESE PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS WILL BE SUSTAINED AND STEPPED UP AS NECESSARY, MR LEUNG ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, THE SECRETARY SAID SEVEN SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED BY' THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AGAINST PROPRIETORS IN RELATION TO WORKERS ENGAGED IN OVERHEAD WORK WITHOUT TAKING SAFETY' PRECAUTIONS IN 1992 AND SO FAR THIS YEAR.
NO PROSECUTION HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT AGAINST EMPLOYEES DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
AT PRESENT, WORKING AT HEIGHT COMES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE CONSTRUCT ION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
THE FACTORIES \ND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE ALSO REQUIRES WORKERS TO TAKE REASONABLE CARE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THEMSELVES AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE PROPRIETOR IN ORDER THAT ALL THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE CAN BE COMPLIED WITH.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
23
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAI) CONDUCTED 796 INSPECTIONS TO MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DURING A FOUR-MONTH CAMPAIGN THIS SUMMER.
APART FROM ENFORCING THE LAW, HE SAID SUCH INSPECTIONS ALSO AIMED AT PROMOTING THE AWARENESS OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS OF THE NEED TO UNDERTAKE SAFETY MEASURES WHEN ENGAGED IN OVERHEAD WORK.
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SCHEME TO IMPROVE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TRAFFIC UNDER REVIEW
♦ i ♦ t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE TUNNEL COMPANY AND THE TRAFFIC POLICE, ARE REVIEWING AN EXPERIMENTAL TIDAL FLOW SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW AT EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING, MR BARMA SAID TRAFFIC VOLUME IN THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING HAD INCREASED FROM A DAILY AVERAGE OF ABOUT 19,500 VEHICLES WHEN THE TUNNEL OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1989 TO AROUND 83,500 IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
HOURS.
HE SAID TRAFFIC WAS HEAVIEST DURING THE EVENING PEAK COMMUTING
”AN EXPERIMENTAL TIDAL FLOW SCHEME HAS BEEN TRIED OCCASIONALLY TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW, WITH THREE TUNNEL LANES BEING UTILISED IN THE EVENINGS FOR KOWLOON-BOUND TRAFFIC.
’’THIS HAS SOMETIMES RESULTED IN A BACKUP IN TRAFFIC BOUND FOR HONG KONG AND CONGESTION TN THE KWUN TONG AREA,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS NOW REVIEWING THE TRIAL SCHEME IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TUNNEL COMPANY AND THE TRAFFIC POLICE TO ESTABLISH ITS OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS.
”AS PART OF THIS REVIEW CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO OTHER MEASURES THAT MIGHT BE INTRODUCED AND, IN THIS RESPECT, THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC SNARLS IN THE TOWN CENTRE OF KWUN TONG WILL CERTAINLY BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.”
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ARRANGEMENT TO SPEED UP HOUSING OFFER ♦ * * * *
THE REASON FOR SETTING ASIDE 10 PER CENT OF THE NEW HOUSING PRODUCTION IN URBAN DISTRICTS AND REGROUPING OF THE DISTRICTS OF CHOICE FOR WAITING LIST APPLICANTS IS TO SPEED UP THE HOUSING OFFER BY HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR EASON
24
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
MF? EASON SAID THE 10 PER CENT OF NEE HOUSING PRODUCTION IN URBAN DISTRICTS SET ASIDE FROM 1991/95 FOR WAITING LIST APPLICANTS WAS TO HELP CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF LONG-STANDING CASES MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE APPLICANTS’ INSISTENCE ON REHOUSING IN URBAN DISTRICTS WHERE SUPPLY WAS LIMITED.
HE SAID THE ALLOCATION OF THE REMAINING 90 PER CENT OF NEW URBAN FLATS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SHARED AMONG OTHER REHOUSING CATEGORIES.
’SINCE 10 PER CENT OF THE NEW URBAN FLATS AMOUNT TO ONLY ABOUT 970 FLATS PER YEAR IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, THE IMPACT OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENT ON OTHER REHOUSING CATEGORIES SHOULD BE MINIMAL BECAUSE THERE WILL BE AMPLE SUPPLY OF REFURBISHED VACANT FLATS IN THE URBAN AREAS TO MEET DEMAND.
MR EASON SAID THE REASON FOR REGROUPING THE DISTRICTS OF CHOICES FOR WAITING LIST APPLICANTS IS TO ENABLE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO MAKE AN EARLIER HOUSING OFFER TO APPLICANTS, THUS REDUCING THEIR WAITING TIME.
'’THE REGROUPING RECOGNISES THAT THERE WILL BE LITTLE OR POSSIBLY NO NEW RENTAL PRODUCT ION IN SOME DISTRICTS IN THE COMING YEARS, AND THAT IT WILL NOT BE REASONABLE TO EXPECT APPLICANTS TO WAIT INDEFINITELY.
"GIVEN THAT HONG KONG IS NOT A LARGE PLACE AND IS WELL-SERVED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT, APPLICANTS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN CONSIDERING HOUSING OFFERS WITH BETTER PROSPECTS OF SUPPLY."
AS REGARDS ALLOCATION OF FLATS, MR EASON SAID, IT IS NORMALLY MADE IN LINE WITH THE EXPRESSED PREFERENCE FOR A DISTRICT BUT REQUESTS FOR A SPECIFIC ESTATE OR FLOOR LEVEL ARE ONLY ENTERTAINED ON MEDICAL, SOCIAL OR COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS AND SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY.
"THESE SPECIAL NEEDS ARE ASSESSED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS, HAVING REGARD TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WHERE NECESSARY," HE SAID.
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NO INDICATION OF DEMAND FOR ISLAND LEASING ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THERE IS NO INDICATION OF ANY DEMAND FOR ISLANDS WITH OR WITHOUT WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR EASON SAID IF APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED THEY WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON THEIR MERITS.
THERE ARE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 290 ISLANDS IN HONG KONG. MOST OF THEM ARE UNINHABITED.
THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE VERY SMALL; AND SOME 60 PER CENT ARE LESS THAN ONE HECTARE IN AREA,.
/OF THOSE .......
25
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
OF THOSE THAT ARE INHABITED, HE SAID, NINE HAVE WATER SUPPLY PROVIDED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND 19 HAVE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY PROVIDED BY THE POWER COMPANIES.
SOME ISLANDS HAVE OTHER SOURCES OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SUCH AS WELLS AND INDIVIDUALLY OWNED DIESEL GENERATORS.
------0--------
MEASURES TO REGULATE DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING AN ATTEMPT TO RATIONALISE SECURITIES AND FUTURES-RELATED LAWS WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCE MORE PROTECTION REGARDING THE ISSUANCE AND TRADING OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS.
AND, AMENDMENTS TO THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO COVER DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS SUCH AS STOCK OPTIONS, THIRD PARTY ISSUED WARRANTS AND DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS.
THE MOVES WERE OUTLINED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ON THE BANKING SIDE, MR TAM SAID THERE WERE ALREADY GUIDELINES AND SUPERVISORY PROVISIONS ON THE REGULATION OF CREDIT RISK, CURRENCY RISK AND SYSTEM RISK ARISING FROM INTEREST RATE AND EXCHANGE RATE DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS.
THE BASLE COMMITTEE ON BANKING SUPERVISION ISSUED TWO CONSULTATIVE PAPERS ON THE SUPERVISION OF INTEREST RATE RISK AND MARKET RISK ON TRADING IN ON- AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET PRODUCTS.
AFTER THAT, THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY HAS CONDUCTED SURVEYS IN RESPECT OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS.
CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO WHETHER CHANGES TO ITS GUIDELINES OR THE BANKING ORDINANCE IS REQUIRED WHEN THE BASLE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FINALISED.
"WHEN ALL THE MEASURES ARE IN PLACE, THE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES WILL KEEP THEM UNDER REVIEW SO AS TO KEEP ABREAST WITH MARKET DEVELOPMENT," MR TAM SAID.
AMONG FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS TRADED AT THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (HKFE), THE HANG SENG INDEX FUTURES AND OPTIONS ARB ACTIVELY TRADED.
BEFORE THE TRADING OF HENG SENG INDEX OPTIONS STARTED, THE HKFE HAD INTRODUCED NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH SUPPLEMENTED RULES RELATING TO FUTURES CONTRACTS.
MR TAM SAID THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS WERE APPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION.
"SIMILAR RULES, REGULATIONS AND RISK MANAGEMENT MEASURES WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD INTRODUCES STOCK OPTIONS," HE SAID.
/THESE RULES .
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
26
THESE RULES AGAIN REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION. IT WILL ALSO MAKE REGULATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE, IN THE ABSENCE OF WHICH OPTION TRADING IS PROHIBITED.
MR TAM SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PROJECT THE GROWTH RATE OF TRANSACTIONS IN DERIVATIVES SINCE THE ACTIVITIES DEPENDED ON A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS SUCH AS THE OVERALL INVESTMENT SENTIMENT.
"IN GENERAL, THE VOLUME OF ACTIVITIES CAN BE EXPECTED TO GROW IN FUTURE, POSSIBLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS,” HE SAID.
------0-------
STUDY ON UNCOMPLETED FLATS SALE UNDER WAY
♦ i ♦ * *
A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IS STUDYING THE SUBJECT OF DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION FOR SALE OF UNCOMPLETED UNITS TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE IS NOW FINALISING A REPORT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE CAREFULLY STUDIED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EDWARD HO SING-TIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID SALABLE AREA, COMMONLY REFERRED THE FLOOR AREA EXCLUSIVELY ALLOCATED TO A UNIT BUT EXCLUDING COMMON AREAS SUCH AS STAIRS AND LIFT SHAFTS, WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF MANDATORY ITEMS TO BE DISCLOSED IN SALES BROCHURES FOR SALE OF UNCOMPLETED UNITS IN DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CONSENT SCHEME.
HOWEVER, FOR NON-CONSENT SCHEME DEVELOPMENTS, IT IS AT PRESENT UP TO THE DEVELOPER TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO DISCLOSE SALABLE AREAS IN THE SALES BROCHURE.
IN ALL CASES, MR EASON SAID, THE PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OR TENANT SHOULD STUDY CAREFULLY ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND , IF POSSIBLE, INSPECT THE PREMISES.
"HE SHOULD ALSO TAKE HIS OWN PRIVATE LEGAL ADVICE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTRUCT AN ARCHITECT OR SURVEYOR TO GIVE HIM AN EXPERT OPINION ON THE PREMISES.
MR EASON POINTED OUT THAT THE CONSENT SCHEME OPERATED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HAD ADOPTED A STANDARD FORM OF AGREEMENT FOR SALE AND PURCHASE IN WHICH A DEFINITION OF "SALABLE AREA" WAS SET OUT, AND THE LAW SOCIETY HAD ALSO ADOPTED A SIMILAR DEFINITION FOR NON-CONSENT CASES.
"THEREFORE, AT THE TIME OF SIGNING THE FORMAL AGREEMENT FOR SALE AND PURCHASE IN CONSENT AND NON-CONSENT CASES, PURCHASERS SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THE PRECISE SALABLE AREA OF THE UNIT."
"THEY SHOULD ALSO CHECK THE FLOOR PLAN ATTACHED TO THE AGREEMENT," HE SAID.
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/27......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
27
STUDY TO IMPROVE VENTILATION AT TRANSPORT TERMINALS t * * * ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO FORMULATE THE DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION SYSTEMS OF THE TRANSPORT TERMINALS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF BUILDINGS WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN, MR EASON SAID THE STUDY WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY NEXT YEAR.
MR EASON SAID THERE WERE 39 SUCH TRANSPORT TERMINALS AND 28 OF THEM WERE EQUIPPED WITH MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS.
FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER 1993, THE EPD CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF THE AIR QUALITY IN SIX OF THE TRANSPORT TERMINALS WITH MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS, AND THE PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS ARE THAT IN FIVE OF THE SIX TERMINALS, ONE OR MORE OF THE HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES WERE EXCEEDED.
THE MAIN AIR POLLUTANTS ARE NITROGEN DIOXIDE, SULPHUR DIOXIDE AND PARTICULATES.
MR EASON SAID: "THE POOR AIR QUALITY CAN BE ATTRIBUTED MAINLY TO INADEQUATE OR INEFFECTIVE VENTILATION."
MR EASON SAID THE EPD HAD ADVISED THE MANAGERS OF THESE TERMINALS TO TAKE INTERIM REMEDIAL MEASURES, SUCH AS INCREASING THE LEVELS OF VENTILATION AND ENSURING THE PROPER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR VENTILATION SYSTEMS.
------0--------
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT t t * * t
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED AN AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY THE HON STEVEN POON ON CONTAINER TRANSPORT AFTER A TWO-HOUR DEBATE TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
SIXTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION. THE ORIGINAL MOTION MOVED BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT AND THE AMENDMENT BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR WERE DEFEATED. THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION ON MEASURES TO BOOST MORALE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE PROPOSED BY '’HE HON NGA1 SHIU-KIT WAS ALSO PASSED.
A TOTAL OF 18 MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AND THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION, IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS WHILE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WAS PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
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/28 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
28
LABOUR TRIBUNAI TO BE STRENGTHENED
*******
THE JUDICIARY PLANS TO PROVIDE TWO EXTRA COURTS IN THE LABOUR TRIBUNAI.. IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR TO COPE WITH INCREASING CASELOAD AND TO CUT WAITING TIME.
THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE, MR GERARD MUTTRIE, TOLD THE TRIBUNAL USERS COMMITTEE THE PLAN AT ITS FIRST MEETING THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
"SUBJECT TO FUNDS BEING APPROVED, THE PROPOSAL WILL LEAD TO AN INCREASE OF TWO PRESIDING OFFICERS, SIX TRIBUNAL OFFICERS AND EIGHT OTHER SUPPORTING STAFF.
"THIS WILL BOOST THE STRENGTH OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL BY A SIGNIFICANT 28 PER CENT, AS THERE ARE NOW SEVEN COURTS IN THE TRIBUNAL," MR MUTTRIE SAID.
MR MUTTRIE, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AS PART OF THE INITIATIVES BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, TO STRENGTHEN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY, A COURT LEADERSHIP SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED WHEREBY JUDICIAL LEADERS WOULD BE APPOINTED AT EACH LEVEL OF THE COURT SYSTEM TO PROMOTE EFFICIENCY.
"FOR THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, A PRINCIPAL PRESIDING OFFICER POST WILL BE CREATED IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR. SIMILARLY, A PRINCIPAL ADJUDICATOR POST WILL BE CREATED FOR THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL.
"THIS SHOULD HELP IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY AS WELL AS ACHIEVE BETTER CO-ORDINATION," HE SAID.
AT THE MEETING, THE TRIBUNAL USERS COMMITTEE HAD A WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSION ON ITS WORKING METHOD AND ITS LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES.
THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE COVERS THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL AND SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL.
THE TRIBUNAL USERS COMMITTEE IS ONE OF THREE COURT USERS COMMITTEES LAUNCHED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE LAST MONTH TO ADVISE ON MATTERS OF CONCERN TO USERS OF THE COURTS.
THE OTHER TWO ARE THE CIVIL COURT USERS COMMITTEE AND CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE.
THE TRIBUNAL COMMITTEE COMPRISES MR TIMOTHY LEE, A LABOUR TRIBUNAL PRESIDING OFFICER; MR HON TAM CHUN, AN ADJUDICATOR OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL; MR K K LAI, REGISTRAR OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL; MR H M HASSAN, REGISTRAR OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL; AS WELL AS THREE LAY MEMBERS: MR YEUNG PO KWAN, MR FREDERICK YU SAK KWONG AND MR JEROME YEUNG YIU TIN.
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/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
29
HK WILL HOST BUSINESS COMMUNITY AFTER 1997: COMMISSIONER USA * * * * ♦
HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY HOST TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND ESPECIALLY BUSINESSES FROM THE UNITED STATES, AFTER 1997, HONG KONG COMMISSIONER TO THE UNITED STATES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) DURING HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO NEW YORK CITY.
"I SEE HONG KONG EMERGING THE OTHER SIDE OF 1997 VERY MUCH RECOGNISABLE AS THE HONG KONG WE SEE THIS SIDE OF 1997, WITH THE WORLD CONTINUING TO PLAY ITS BUSINESS ROLE THERE, NOT LEAST, OF COURSE, THE UNITED STATES,” MR WIGGHAM SAID DURING A LIVE INTERVIEW ON CNBC-TV’S SHOW, INSIDE OPINION.
"WE HAVE A VERY BIG UNITED STATES PRESENCE IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
MR WIGGHAM EXPLAINED DURING THE DAILY NEWS TV PROGRAMME BROADCAST IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ITS OWN SYSTEMS AFTER 1997, INCLUDING ITS OWN FREELY EXCHANGEABLE DOLLAR, ITS OWN FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY SYSTEMS, AND ITS OWN LAWS BASED ON ENGLISH COMMON LAW.
"SO HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE VERY MUCH AS IT IS NOW," MR WIGGHAM SAID, ADDING THAT HONG KONG’S OWN LEGISLATURE, NOT THE MAINLAND, WILL ENACT LAWS.
"THOSE LAWS WILL PROTECT THE INVESTOR, AND I THINK IT’S BECAUSE OF THAT WE’VE SEEN THIS GREAT AWAKENING OF INVESTMENT INTEREST IN HONG KONG," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONFERENCE IN SEATTLE, MR WIGGHAM SAID ONE OF THE SPECIFIC ISSUES TO COME OUT OF THE FORUM WAS AN AGREEMENT TO PUT GREATER EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION.
"IN HONG KONG, WE REALISE THAT THE PEOPLE ARE OUR MAIN ASSET," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"SO WE HAVE FOR YEARS SPENT MORE ON EDUCATION THAN ON ANYTHING ELSE, AND WE SEE THAT AS AN INVESTMENT SO THAT WE CAN TRAIN OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE, IMPROVE OUR SKILLS, AND BE PART OF, IF NOT LEAD, THE HIGH TECH WORLD THAT WE’RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO.”
AS PART OF MR WIGGHAM’S VISIT TO NEW YORK, HE ALSO MET FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MR CYRUS VANCE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION IN NEW YORK MR PAUL FORD TO DISCUSS HONG KONG-UNITED STATES ECONOMIC RELATIONS.
NEXT WEEK, MR WIGGHAM, WHO IS BASED IN WASHINGTON DC, WILL TRAVEL TO BOSTON AND CHICAGO AS PART OF HIS VISITS PROGRAMME IN THE UNITED STATES.
---------0-----------
/30........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
- 30 -
SHIPPING INDUSTRY APPRECIATES HK ADVANTAGES * * * * *
THE LATEST VESSEL REGISTERED WITH THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTRY, "KUANYIN", ARRIVED IN HONG KONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE 15,290 DWT BULK-CARRIER WITH FOUR HOLDS AND THREE BY 16 TON CRANES AND GRABS WAS BUILT BY X1NGANG SHIPYARD, TIANJIN AND WAS DELIVERED TO HER OWNERS, CANTON TRADER LTD, ON NOVEMBER 15.
SHE IS MANAGED BA' FENWICK SHIPPING SERVICES - A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN MR OISTEIN THORSEN AND MR ANTONI MARDEN. MR MARDEN’S FAMILY HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY FOR 50 YEARS.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, WAS AMONG A GROUP OF GUESTS SPECIALLY INVITED TO TOUR THE VESSEL MOORED AT THE WESTERN ANCHORAGE THIS MORNING.
"I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MARDENS CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN HONG KONG. THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS MAKING FULL USE OF THE NATURAL ROLE OF HONG KONG AS A HUB OF SHIPPING INDUSTRY," MR PYRKE SAID.
"THE SHIP, NAMED AFTER CHINESE GODDESS KUANYIN, INDICATES HOW HER OWNER HAS DRAWN INSPIRATION FROM CHINESE CULTURE AND LODGED ITS BUSINESS IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE "KUANYIN" JOINS FENWICK SHIPPING SERVICES FLEET OF SEVEN BULK-CARRIERS OPERATED OUT OF HONG KONG ON THE SPOT-MARKET.
------0-------
FRESH WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG
* * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YUEN LONG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT YUEN LONG SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG ON NING ROAD, TAI KIU ROAD, TUNG LOK STREET, SAU FU STREET, FOOK TAK STREET AND FOOK TAK PATH.
--------0-----------
/31........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1993
- 31 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,930
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,070
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY "895
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,105
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.6 *-0.1* 24.11.93
EF TERMS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND YIELD
BILLS YIELD EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE
1 WEEK 3.00 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.36 3.64
1 MONTH 2.99 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.7 5 99.82 3.91
3 MONTHS 3.08 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.88 4.13
6 MONTHS 3.23 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4. 15 99.83 4.29
12 MONTHS 3.51 PCT 35 MONTHS TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3610 15.933MN 4.20 98.63 4.76
CLOSED 24 NOVEMBER 1993
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
NEW LAW TO ENSURE CONSUMER GOODS ARE SAFE ....................... 1
SWA : RETURN TO NEGOTIATING TABLE ............................... 2
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR OCTOBER ................. 3
SWEATER REVIEW RESULTS DRAW CONCERN ............................. 8
ADVICE FOR VESSELS IN CENTRAL VICTORIA HARBOUR .................. 9
PHASING OUT OF CENTRAL-JORDAN ROAD CAR FERRY ................... 11
STRAY CATTLE HAZARDS AND NUISANCES REDUCED ..................... 12
APPLICATIONS FOR MINIBUS LICENCES TO CLOSE ON MONDAY ........... 13
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ............................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 14
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
- 1 -
NEW LAW TO ENSURE CONSUMER GOODS ARE SAFE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO IMPOSE A STATUTORY DUTY ON SUPPLIERS, MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS THEY SUPPLY FOR SALE IN HONG KONG ARE SAFE.
THE PROPOSALS ARE SET OUT IN THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 8 THIS YEAR.
’’THE BILL INTRODUCES A GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT FOR ALL CONSUMER GOODS, BASED ON THAT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1987,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT PROVIDES GUIDELINES TO THE SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT."
UNDER THE BILL, THE COURT MAY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FOLLOWING FACTORS IN CONSIDERING WHETHER A SUPPLIER OF CONSUMER GOODS HAS COMPLIED WITH THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT:
* THE MANNER IN WHICH, AND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH, THE CONSUMER GOODS ARE PRESENTED, PROMOTED OR MARKETED;
* THE USE OF ANY MARK IN RELATION TO THE CONSUMER GOODS AND INSTRUCTIONS OR WARNINGS GIVEN FOR THE KEEPING, USE OR CONSUMPTION OF THE CONSUMER GOODS;
♦ COMPLIANCE WITH REASONABLE SAFETY STANDARDS PUBLISHED BY A STANDARDS INSTITUTE APPLYING TO A PARTICULAR CLASS OF CONSUMER GOODS; AND
♦ THE EXISTENCE OF ANY REASONABLE MEANS TO MAKE THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFER.
"THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WILL BE THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE THE BILL BY ACTING ON COMPLAINTS AND CONDUCTING SPOT CHECKS," HE SAID.
A DEDICATED ENFORCEMENT TEAM OF 27 OFFICERS WILL BE ESTABLISHED. TOTAL ANNUAL RECURRENT FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS WOULD AMOUNT TO ABOUT $10 MILLION.
THE PROPOSED MODE OF ENFORCEMENT IS MODELLED CLOSELY ON THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE.
THE BILL ESTABLISHES A SAFETY CONTROL NOTICE SYSTEM UNDER WHICH THE COMMISSIONER MAY ISSUE DIFFERENT NOTICE TO SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO REMEDY ABUSES RESULTED FROM UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS. THESE NOTICES INCLUDE:
» NOTICE TO WARN WHICH REQUIRES THE SUPPLIER TO PUBLISH A WARNING THAT SPECIFIED CONSUMER GOODS MAY BE UNSAFE UNLESS CERTAIN STEPS ARE TAKEN;
/* PROHIBITION NOTICE ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
2
* PROHIBITION NOTICE WHICH PROHIBITS THE SUPPLIER FROM SUPPLYING UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME;
* RECALL NOTICE WHICH REQUIRES THE SUPPLIER TO RECALL FROM THE MARKET UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO CONSUMERS.
’’THE BILL PROVIDES FOR CHECKS AND BALANCES AGAINST POSSIBLE ABUSE OF ENFORCEMENT POWERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AN APPEAL BOARD PANEL IS PROPOSED TO BE SET UP TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST NOTICES ISSUED AND CERTAIN DECISIONS MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER.,
THE PANEL WILL INCLUDE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, SCIENTISTS IN PRODUCT TESTING FIELD, AND MEMBERS FROM THE CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. <
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFUL SEIZURE AND DESTRUCTION OF CONSUMER GOODS BY THE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.
"A PERSON WHO SUPPLIES UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS COMMITS AN OFFENCE," HE SAID.
"HE SHALL BE LIABLE ON FIRST CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR, AND ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS."
THE BILL APPLIES TO ALL GOODS THAT ARE ORDINARILY SUPPLIED FOR PRIVATE USE OR CONSUMPTION, INCLUDING THEIR PACKAGING.
IT DOES NOT APPLY TO CONSUMER GOODS IN TRANSIT, IN THE COURSE OF TRANSHIPMENT OR MANUFACTURED FOR EXPORT.
"THERE WILL BE A ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE BILL FOR THE CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY TO ADJUST," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON DECEMBER 3.
SWA : RETURN TO NEGOTIATING TABLE
*****
THE SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT (SWA) BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES MET SWD MANAGEMENT THIS MORNING (THURSDAY) AND ‘ BOTH SIDES AGREED THAT THE SOLUTION TO THE PAY DISPUTE PROBLEM WOULD BE TO RETURN TO THE CONFERENCE TABLE. /
IT WAS FURTHER AGREED THAT A TASK GROUP WOULD BE FORMED AND" MANAGEMENT AND STAFF SIDES WOULD WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY ANY CHANGE IN JOB CONTENT, WORK COMPLEXITY, DUTIES OR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SWA GRADE SINCE THE STANDING COMMISSION’S SALARY REVIEW IN 1989.
THE MANAGEMENT RECOGNIZED THAT THERE HAD BEEN CHANGES TO THE JOB CONTENT ETC, BUT WHETHER SUCH WOULD CONSTITUTE SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION TO SUBSTANTIATE A CASE FOR SALARY REVIEW REMAINS TO BE SEEN AFTER COMPLETION OF THE WORK OF THE TASK GROUP.
/A SOCIAL .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
3
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TASK GROUP WOULD AIM TO COMPLETE ITS TASK IN THREE MONTHS. ITS FINDINGS WOULD THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE SWD MANAGEMENT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WOULD BE A CASE TO SUBSTANTIATE THE SWA BRANCH’S REQUEST FOR SALARY REVIEW.
AS A GESTURE OF GOODWILL ON BOTH SIDES TO COME BACK TO THE CONFERENCE TABLE, THE ADMINISTRATION IS WILLING TO WITHDRAW THE IMPOSITION OF SANCTION, UNDER CSR 610, I.E. DEDUCTION OF SALARY FOR THE THREE DAYS’ SIT-IN STAGED BY THE SWA BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES ON 25-27 OCTOBER. ON THE STAFF SIDE, THE SWA BRANCH IS WILLING TO CALL OFF ALL CONFRONTATIONAL ACTION.
------0-------
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR OCTOBER
* * « t »
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDING FELL SLIGHTLY IN OCTOBER, ACCORDING TO RESULTS OF THE LATEST MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA).
■5
THE FIGURES SHOW THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING LENDING BY THE 28 INSTITUTIONS IN THE SURVEY FELL BY 0.01 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, AGAINST A RISE OF 0.8 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER.
’’THIS IS THE FIRST MONTHLY FALL SINCE FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, REFLECTING A CONSOLIDATION OF THE PROPERTY MARKET IN THE LIGHT OF THE TIGHTENED LENDING POLICIES RECENTLY ADOPTED BY THE BANKING SECTOR,” DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING) OF THE HKMA, MR DAVID CARSE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AVERAGE LENDING OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS HAS FALLEN SHARPLY TO 13.8 PER CENT (ANNUALISED) FROM 26.1 PER CENT IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD TO SEPTEMBER.
NEW LOANS APPROVED BUT NOT YET DRAWN ALSO FELL SLIGHTLY BOTH IN NUMBERS (TO 2,105 FROM 2,186) AND IN VALUE (TO $2.6 BILLION FROM $2.9 BILLION).
"JUDGING FROM THESE FIGURES, I EXPECT THE AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING LENDING TO BE LITTLE CHANGED IN NOVEMBER," MR CARSE SAID.
WHILE WELCOMING THE SLOW-DOWN, MR CARSE NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CLEAR CYCLICAL PATTERN IN LENDING OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THAT THE PRESENT POSITION COULD PROVE TO BE TEMPORARY.
"INSTITUTIONS SHOULD THEREFORE CONTINUE TO ADOPT A CAUTIOUS APPROACH," HE SAID.
REGARDING LENDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES IN CHINA, THE LATEST FIGURES SHOW THAT SUCH LENDING ROSE BY 2.3 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, FROM $3.1 BILLION TO $3.2 BILLION.
"WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT THE INCREASE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE DRAWDOWN OF LOANS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE LENDING INSTITUTIONS SOME MONTHS AGO," MR CARSE SAID.
NEW LOAN APPROVALS FELL SLIGHTLY IN OCTOBER, FROM $184 MILLION TO $176 MILLION.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
4
Residential Mortgage Loans in Hong Kong Results of Survey for October 1993
October September 1993 1993
(Amount in HK$ mn)
A. Sample of 28 authorised institutions 1. Outstanding lending
a Amount 200,062 200,087
b. Monthly growth -0.01% 0.8%
c. Twelve-month change 14.4% 15.1%
d. Average change (annualized)
Latest three months 13.8% 26.1%
Latest twelve months 14.6% 16.6%
2. Gross loans made during month
a. Amount 3,630 6,311
b. Number 30°6 5167
3. New loans approved during month drawn and undrawn
a. Amount b. Number 3,920 3152 4,830 3787
4. New loans approved during month but not yet drawn
a. Amount b. Number 2,564 2105 2,873 2186
/Chart A
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
- 5 -
3 j^pntb.aod 12 o?pr>t1> TOpy^_ave,r^x6,Arowih oto
/Chart B .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
6 -
Chart B
residential mortgage loans mLffONO.K2HS (28 institutions)
GROSS LOANS MAPgX>URlZglIBElOgg
Thousand
Bl
Number of accounts
/Chart C .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
CMLC
RB^LPEbgriAJCMORTGAGEXOANS IN HONG KO NG (28 institutions)
NEW LOANS APPROVED BUT NOT YET DRAWN
Thousand Billion
/8 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
- 8 -
SWEATER REVIEW RESULTS DRAW CONCERN * * » * «
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR PETER S T PANG, EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF THE ANTI-DUMPING CASE AGAINST MAN-MADE FIBRE SWEATERS FROM HONG KONG.
"THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION IS A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT," MR PANG SAID.
"WE DO FEEL THAT THE CALCULATIONS AND METHODOLOGY UNDER THE U.S. ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS HAVE PRODUCED RESULTS WHICH ARB UNREALISTIC AND UNFAIR.
"WE ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT THE SAMPLE GROUP RATE DETERMINED IN THE REVIEW INCLUDES THE DUMPING MARGIN OF ONE COMPANY WHICH IS ARRIVED AT ON THE BASIS OF UNVERIFIED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PETITIONER, THE U.S. NATIONAL KNITWEAR AND SPORTSWEARS ASSOCIATION.”
MR PANG SAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE DESPITE DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER THE U.S. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY HAD SUFFERED ANY INJURY.
THE U.S. COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE HAS RULED THAT THE CASE REMAINS UNPROVEN, ALTHOUGH THE U.S. PETITIONER HAS APPEALED.
"IN OUR VIEW, THE DUTIES SHOULD BE SUSPENDED UNTIL THE APPEAL IS HEARD.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDUSTRY, AND WILL ENCOURAGE THE HONG KONG SWEATER INDUSTRY TO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT ITS CASE TO THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.
UNDER THE U.S. ANTI-DUMPING REGULATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS REQUIRED TO CONDUCT AN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE ANTI-DUMPING ORDER IF A REQUEST FOR SUCH A REVIEW HAS BEEN RECEIVED.
IN 1991, A NUMBER OF HONG KONG COMPANIES WERE NAMED BY THE U.S. PETITIONER SEEKING A FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW COVERING THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 24, 1990 TO AUGUST 31, 1991.
EVENTUALLY FOUR HONG KONG COMPANIES WERE SELECTED FOR INVESTIGATION.
THREE OF THE FOUR COMPANIES SUBMITTED THEIR RESPONSES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S QUESTIONNAIRE. ANOTHER COMPANY DID NOT RESPOND.
YESTERDAY (NOVEMBER 24), THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCED THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW IN WHICH IT ASSIGNED NEW RATES TO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF HONG KONG COMPANIES.
/THE FOUR .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
9
THE FOUR COMPANIES SELECTED FOR INVESTIGATION IN THE REVIEW WERE ASSIGNED THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL RATES.
OF THESE, THE THREE COMPANIES THAT CO-OPERATED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RECEIVED A NIL RATE IN ONE CASE AND 5.86 PER CENT FOR THE TWO OTHER.
THE COMPANY THAT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S QUESTIONNAIRE RECEIVED A PUNITIVE 115.15 PER CENT RATE.
FOURTEEN OF THE OTHER 22 COMPANIES NAMED BY THE U.S. NATIONAL KNITWEAR AND SPORTSWEARS ASSOCIATION BUT NOT SELECTED FOR INVESTIGATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WERE ASSIGNED A NEW ’’SAMPLE GROUP RATE” OF 31.72 PER CENT, A SHARP INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT RATE OF 5.86 PER CENT.
THIS WAS CALCULATED AS A SIMPLE AVERAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL RATES ASSIGNED TO THE FOUR COMPANIES INVESTIGATED, INCLUDING THE UNVERIFIED PUNITIVE RATE ON THE COMPANY THAT DID NOT RESPOND IN THE REVIEW.
FOUR OTHER COMPANIES IN THE SAMPLE GROUP THAT HAD NOT RETURNED A SAMPLING QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WERE ALSO ASSIGNED THE PUNITIVE 115.15 PER CENT RATE.
THE REMAINING FOUR COMPANIES IN THE SAMPLE GROUP THAT DID NOT EXPORT SWEATERS TO THE U.S. DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD RETAINED THE CURRENT RATE OF 5.86 PER CENT.
OTHER COMPANIES NOT IN THE SAMPLE GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE CURRENT ANTI-DUMPING DUTY RATE OF 5.86 PER CENT.
--------0-----------
ADVICE FOR VESSELS IN CENTRAL VICTORIA HARBOUR
*****
COXSWAINS OF LOCAL VESSELS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN NAVIGATING IN THE CENTRAL PART OF VICTORIA HARBOUR AS THE PATTERN OF MARINE TRAFFIC WILL CHANGE DRASTICALLY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (PLANNING AND LOCAL SERVICES), MR S Y TSUI, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’THE MARINE DEPARTMENT EXPECTS THE CLOSURE OF THE BLAKE PIER AND THE RECLAMATION WORKS IN CENTRAL WOULD BRING CHANGES TO THE PATTERN OF MARINE TRAFFIC IN THE AREA,” MR TSUI SAID.
’’COXSWAINS OF LOCAL VESSELS SHOULD KEEP PROPER LOOKOUT AND PROCEED AT A SAFE SPEED WHEN NAVIGATING IN THAT AREA,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO REMINDED THEM TO NAVIGATE AND GIVE WAY ACCORDING TO THE REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA.
/NEW MARINE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
10
NEW MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 29) TO COPE WITH THE CHANGES AND TO ENSURE LEAST DISRUPTIONS TO THE REGULAR FERRY SERVICES.
THE PART AFFECTED MOST WILL BE THE AREA BETWEEN BLAKE PIER AND THE GOVERNMENT PIER NEAR THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.
MR TSUI POINTED OUT THAT ONE SET OF PUBLIC LANDING STEPS NEAR THE GOVERNMENT PIER HAD ALREADY BEEN CLOSED TO FACILITATE THE RECLAMATION WORKS.
"UPON THE CLOSURE OF BLAKE PIER FOR DEMOLITION, ANOTHER FOUR PUBLIC LANDING STEPS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE FROM TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 30),” HE ADDED.
EXISTING REGULAR USERS OF BLAKE PIER - THE OPERATORS OF THE TUEN MUN AND DISCOVERY BAY FERRIES - WILL HAVE TO BE RELOCATED.
THE TURN MUN FERRY WOULD START USING THE CENTRAL HARBOUR SERVICE PIERS FROM NEXT MONDAY AND THE DISCOVERY BAY FERRY WILL START USING THE EAST WING OF THE STAR FERRY EAST PIER AT EDINBURGH PLACE BEGINNING ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 28).
THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST HOVERFERRY, WHICH PREVIOUSLY USED THE EAST WING OF THE STAR FERRY EAST PIER, HAS ALREADY BEEN SHIFTED TO THE QUEEN’S PIER.
IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS’ TIME, THE HOVERFERRY WOULD BERTH AT A PONTOON TO BE MOORED AT THE EAST SIDE OF QUEEN’S PIER.
DUE TO LAND CONSTRAINT, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE OTHER PUBLIC LANDING STEPS IN THE AREA TO REPLACE THOSE WHICH WILL BE CLOSED OR DESIGNATED FOR USE BY LICENSED OR FRANCHISED FERRY OPERATORS.
MR TSUI SAID THE TEMPORARY LOSS OF PUBLIC LANDING FACILITIES IN CENTRAL TOGETHER WITH RELOCATION OF THE REGULAR FERRY SERVICES WOULD RESULT IN HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF VESSELS IN THE VICINITY OF QUEEN’S PIER AND STAR FERRY PIER.
"BEFORE THE NEW PUBLIC LANDING FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED UPON THE COMPLETION OF NEW PIERS IN CENTRAL IN 18 MONTHS’ TIME, COXSWAINS OTHER THAN LICENSED AND FRANCHISED FERRY OPERATORS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE PUBLIC LANDING STEPS AT QUEEN’S PIER SO AS TO EASE CONGESTION," HE SAID.
"THERE WERE OTHER PUBLIC LANDING FACILITIES NEARBY SUCH AS THE PUBLIC LANDING STEPS IN FLEMING ROAD, FENWICK STREET, WESTERN PARKLAND AND NORTH POINT,” HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS DESIGNATED A SMALL CRAFT HOLDING AREA OFF QUEEN’S PIER. THIS HOLDING AREA CENTRES AROUND NAVAL MOORING BUOY NO. 4 WITH A RADIUS OF 150 METRES.
"SHOULD THEY NEED TO USE QUEEN’S PIER, COXSWAINS ARE ADVISED TO WAIT IN THE SMALL CRAFT HOLDING AREA IF THE PIER IS OCCUPIED OR IF THEIR PASSENGERS ARE NOT READY TO BOARD OR DISEMBARK," MR TSUI SAID.
/APART FROM .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
11
APART FROM SETTING UP THE SMALL CRAFT HOLDING AREA, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED OTHER MEASURES FOR SAFE NAVIGATION OF VESSELS IN THE AREA.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON THE MARINE WORKS AND PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN.
"A LEAFLET PROVIDING USEFUL ADVICE TO COXSWAINS AND A CHART SHOWING THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED," HE SAID.
THE LEAFLETS CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM MARINE DEPARTMENT’S PORT FORMALITIES OFFICE AT HARBOUR BUILDING IN CENTRAL AND THE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT OFFICES.
"THE BOUNDARY OF THE WORKS AREAS, THE FERRY ROUTES AND THE POSITION OF THE LIGHT BUOYS AS ADDITIONAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION ARE ALSO PROVIDED," MR TSUI SAID.
--------0-----------
PHASING OUT OF CENTRAL-JORDAN ROAD CAR FERRY
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE PHASED CESSATION OF THE VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND JUBILEE STREET IN CENTRAL, TO ENABLE WORK TO PROCEED ON THE WEST KOWLOON AND CENTRAL RECLAMATIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SERVICE WILL BE REDUCED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR WHEN THE FERRY PIER AT JORDON ROAD WILL BE AFFECTED BY WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORKS.
THE VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE WILL CEASE OPERATION IN JUNE NEXT YEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE HOLDING BASIN IN JUBILEE STREET IN CENTRAL WILL HAVE TO BE CLOSED TO MAKE WAY FOR WORKS ON THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION.
THE EXACT DATES OF THE CESSATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEARER THE TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE PASSENGER SERVICE FROM JORDAN ROAD TO CENTRAL WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPERATED.
THE DECISION WAS TAKEN AFTER A COMPREHENSIVE AND THOROUGH SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE SITES TO REPROVISION THE VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE.
"THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO US ARE EITHER NOT PRACTICAL, TOO COSTLY OR NOT SUFFICIENTLY CONVENIENT TO ATTRACT MOTORISTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CONSIDERATION HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN TO REPROVISION THE PIERS TO TSUEN WAN AND THE TAMAR BASIN.
THE REPROVISIONING WILL COST MORE THAN $65 MILLION. THIS IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE BECAUSE THE FACILITIES WOULD, AT BEST, ONLY BE REQUIRED FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS UNTIL THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WHICH HAS A CAPACITY OF 180,000 VEHICLES PER DAY, OPENS IN MID-1997.
/MOREOVER, A ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
12
MOREOVER, A TSUEN WAN TO CENTRAL SERVICE WOULD NOT BE ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE THE JOURNEY WILL TAKE MORE THAN AN HOUR AND THE FARES WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER.
AT PRESENT, THE CENTRAL TO JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR SERVICE WHICH HAS A DAILY CAPACITY OF 10,000 VEHICLES IS ONLY USED BY 5,700 VEHICLES EACH DAY.
"WE RECOGNISE THAT WITH THE PHASING OUT OF THE JORDAN ROAD TO CENTRAL VEHICULAR FERRY MOST OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL USE THE EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS. THE TWO TUNNELS HAVE A COMBINED THROUGHPUT OF 200,000 VEHICLES A DAY.
"THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CAREFULLY MONITOR TRAFFIC AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS AND ALL POSSIBLE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE TRAFFIC FLOW.
"AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE IS ALSO AVAILABLE SINCE THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO RUN THE VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON CITY AND NORTH POINT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
----0------
STRAY CATTLE HAZARDS AND NUISANCES REDUCED
*******
TRAFFIC HAZARDS, ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCES AND HYGIENE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY STRAY CATTLE ALONG SOUTH LANTAU ROAD ON LANTAU ISLAND ARE EXPECTED TO BE REDUCED AFTER A SPECIAL OPERATION TO CLEAR THE ANIMALS THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
A TOTAL OF 24 STRAY CATTLE WERE CAUGHT IN THE OPERATION CONDUCTED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND ASSISTED BY POLICE, ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT.
AFD’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR LIU KWEI-KIN, WHO LED THE OPERATION, SAID IT HAD GONE ON SMOOTHLY AND WOULD HELP TO REDUCE THE NUISANCES.
"THE DEPARTMENT TOOK ACTION FOLLOWING ITS OWN FIELD INVESTIGATIONS AS WELL AS REPORTS RECEIVED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
"THE ANIMALS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN WANDERING AROUND VEHICULAR ACCESS ROAD, FALLOW FIELDS OR FARMS ON LANTAU FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, APPARENTLY WITHOUT ANY OWNERS TAKING CHARGE OF THEM," HE SAID.
THE OPERATION COVERED MOST PARTS OF SOUTH LANTAU ROAD FROM PUI O TO KEUNG SHAN. MORE THAN 30 AFD STAFF, INCLUDING THREE GOVERNMENT VETERINARIANS, TOOK PART TN THE OPERATION WHICH LASTED MORE THAN NINE HOURS.
/THE CATTLE ......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 199 J
13
THE CATTLE CAUGHT ARE BEING KEPT AT THE SHEK WUI HUI GOVERNMENT KENNELS, PENDING DISPOSAL ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE POUNDS ORDINANCE. IF THEY ARE NOT CLAIMED, THEY WILL BE SOLD BY AUCTION.
DR LIU REITERATED THAT AFD WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM ON THE ISLAND AND CONSIDER SIMILAR OPERATIONS AGAIN IF NECESSARY.
------0-------
APPLICATIONS FOR MINIBUS LICENCES TO CLOSE ON MONDAY
* » » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED THOSE INTERESTED IN OPERATING THE 16 NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES IN THE TERRITORY TO SEND IN APPLICATIONS BY NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 29).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID DETAILS OF THE NEW ROUTES WERE GAZETTED ON OCTOBER 29.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE ON THE SPECIFIED FORM ENTITLED "APPLICATION FOR PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE IN RESPECT OF THE PACKAGES OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTES GAZETTED IN OCTOBER 1993".
THE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE ON REQUEST FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, ITS KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICES AS WELL AS ITS LICENSING OFFICES IN HONG KONG, KWUN TONG AND SHA TIN.
"COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY REGISTERED MAIL TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON 41ST FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 29.
"APPLICATIONS BY ANY OTHER MEANS OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED," HE ADDED.
--------------0-------- FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE PAPERS FOR THE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER 2.30 PM TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
------0--------
/14 .....
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,105
REVERSAL OF LAF 4-895
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -120
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,880
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.7 *4-0.1* 25.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.11 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.41 3.59
1 MONTH 2.97 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.87 3.88
3 MONTHS 3.04 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.95 4.09
6 MONTHS 3.15 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.87 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.48 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 35 MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 18,849 4.20 98.80 4.70 MN
CLOSED 25 NOVEMBER 1993
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW AIRPORT WELL-PLACED TO MEET CARGO DEMANDS ............ 1
RULE OF LAW ESSENTIAL FOR FUTURE: GOVERNOR ............... 2
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THIRD QUARTER AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES FOR 1993 .................................... 2
HK - CENTRE FOR PROJECT FINANCE .......................... 11
STAMP DUTY ON AGREEMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALE ... 12
CALL TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY ....................... 13
CLUB CERTIFICATE FEES TO BE REVISED NEXT YEAR ............ 14
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR OCTOBER ........ 14
CHANGES TO NORTH POINT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ............... 17
ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE FEES TO BE REVISED ................. 18
EXEMPTION TO CERTAIN AIR-POLLUTING SPECIFIED PROCESSES ... 19
MORE WAGE PROTECTION FOR WORKERS ......................... 20
LOT SALE BY AUCTION ...................................... 20
MORE SERVICES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN ...................... 21
TWO SEABED PROJECTS APPROVED ............................. 22
TRADERS HAVE TO SUPPLY SAFE CONSUMER GOODS ............... 23
TING KAU BRIDGE AND APPROACH VIADUCT ..................... 24
NORTH WEST TSING YI INTERCHANGE .......................... 25
ROUND ISLAND YACHT RACE ON SUNDAY ........................ 25
267 RETURN TO VIETNAM .................................... 26
METHADONE CLINIC MOVES ................................... 26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 26
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
*SW AIRPORT WELL-PLACED TO MEET CARGO DEMANDS * * * * *
THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVISE A NEW STRATEGY FOR HONG KONG’S ROLE IN THE PROCESSING OF AIR CARGO, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE "MILLION TONNES CELEBRATION" AT HACTL, MR SIU SAID CHEK LAP KOK, WITH ITS TWO RUNWAYS AND 24-HOUR OPERATION, WOULD BE WELL-PLACED TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF SERVING INCREASED CARGO DEMANDS.
"ALL THE SPACE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER CONSTRAINTS MAKING THE OPERATION OF KAI TAK SO DIFFICULT WILL DISAPPEAR," HE SAID.
"THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY IS NOW ACTIVELY DISCUSSING ITS PLANS FOR AIR CARGO FACILITIES AT CHEK LAP KOK WITH ALL INTERESTED PARTIES," HE ADDED.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS ALREADY EXPERIENCING AIR CARGO THROUGHPUT FIGURES THAT AIR TRAFFIC FORECASTERS WERE PREDICTING MIGHT BE REACHED ON THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK IN 1997.
HE SAID THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY WAS NOW CONDUCTING A MAJOR REVIEW OF ALL THE AIR TRAFFIC FORECASTS WHICH HAD BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN STUDY, INCLUDING THOSE FOR AIR CARGO.
"THESE NEW FORECASTS WILL CERTAINLY SHOW HIGHER LEVELS OF CARGO THROUGHPUT EXPECTED FOR THE EARLY YEARS OF CHEK LAP KOK.
"THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE POWERFUL ENGINE DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN HONG KONG AND THE EVER MORE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN CHINA, IN PARTICULAR, WILL SLOW DOWN OR FALTER.
"THIS LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THAT EXPECTED IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION AS A WHOLE ARE BOUND TO CREATE EVER-INCREASING VOLUMES OF AIR CARGO," HE SAID.
MR SIU NOTED THAT MORE THAN A MILLION TONNES OF AIR CARGO WOULD BE PROCESSED THROUGH KAI TAK THIS YEAR, ALMOST ALL OF IT THROUGH HACTL’S FACILITIES.
"IT IS ALSO A CELEBRATION FOR OUR ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, FOR THIS HIGH CARGO THROUGHPUT REPRESENTS ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL EXPORT AND 18 PER CENT OF OUR IMPORTS.
"IN OTHER WORDS, A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE TRADE SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR PROSPERITY AS A WHOLE IS PASSING THROUGH HACTL’S FACILITIES," HE SAID.
------0 - -
/2 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
2
RULE OF LAW ESSENTIAL FOR FUTURE: GOVERNOR * » * » »
LIVING AND WORKING TOGETHER BETTER NEEDS MORE THAN JUST BETTER TECHNOLOGY.
A SECURE FRAMEWORK OF LAW, AND A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED TO LIVE UNDER THE LAW, IS ALSO NECESSARY IF SOCIETY IS TO FUNCTION FREELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF EXPO 2001 ORGANISED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPO 2001 IS ONE OF THE PROGRAMMES OF THE UNIVERSITY’S YEARLONG CELEBRATION OF ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE THEME "LIVING IN HONG KONG IN 2001".
"IT IS GOOD, IF I MAY SAY SO, TYPICAL THAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FORWARD, BEYOND THE PRESSING PROBLEMS OF THE PRESENT DAY, TO WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO BE LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY -- THE NEW MILLENNIUM," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID FROM THE DISPLAYS IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE MEGALOPOLIS WOULD BE A MORE COMPLEX PLACE IN FUTURE.
"MORE COMPLEX BOTH PHYSICALLY AND IN THE INSTITUTIONS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT IT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY TO GIVE US A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND A BETTER WORKING ENVIRONMENT," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAD DONE SO MUCH TO LIVE UP TO ITS AIM OF BRINGING TOGETHER EASTERN AND WESTERN SCHOLARSHIP AND LEARNING.
--------0-----------
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THIRD QUARTER AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES FOR 1993 *****
THE HONG KONG ECONOMY MAINTAINED STEADY GROWTH IN OVERALL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
LOCALLY, CONSUMER SPENDING SHOULD HAVE REMAINED ROBUST. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY ACCELERATED FURTHER, MAINLY PROPELLED BY PUBLIC SECTOR ACTIVITY ON INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
BUT INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SLACKENED.
EXTERNALLY, TOTAL EXPORTS CONTINUED TO REGISTER A NOTABLE INCREASE, THOUGH AT A LESS RAPID RATE THAN IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR.
/THE GROWTH .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 3 -
THE GROWTH IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 SHOULD HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN 5%.
MEANWHILE, BASED ON THE LATEST INFORMATION CONCERNING CHANGES IN STOCKS, THE GDP GROWTH RATE FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR WOULD VERY LIKELY HAVE TO BE REVISED UPWARDS FROM THE EARLIER ESTIMATE OF 5.3% TO AROUND 5.5%.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993, WHILE THE LABOUR MARKET TIGHTENED UP SOMEWHAT WITH BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES EDGING DOWNWARDS.
THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1993 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K Y TANG, SAID FOLLOWING AN ONGOING PRACTICE, THE ECONOMIC FORECASTS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR HAD BEEN REVIEWED AND UPDATED IN PARALLEL WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE ECONOMIC REPORT.
OVERALL, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THE GDP FOR 1993 IS KEPT UNCHANGED, AT 5.5%.
WHILE THERE WAS A SLOW-DOWN MOST RECENTLY IN THE GROWTH OF EXPORTS AS WELL AS IN SOME OF THE DOMESTIC DEMAND INDICATORS, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY OFFSET BY A CORRESPONDING REDUCED GROWTH IN IMPORTS.
THE FINAL OUTTURN FOR THE YEAR WILL DEPEND ON THE BALANCE BETWEEN THESE GDP DEMAND COMPONENTS AND THE IMPORT ABSORPTION FACTOR.
ON INFLATION, THE FORECAST RATES OF INCREASE IN BOTH THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND THE GDP DEFLATOR ARE REVISED DOWNWARDS, FROM 9% TO 8.5% AND FROM 9.5% TO 9% RESPECTIVELY, IN THE LIGHT.OF THE FIGURES RECORDED SO FAR.
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY ABOUT 15% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
RE-EXPORTS STILL SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE, BY ABOUT 21% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
BY CONTRAST, DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED WEAK, WITH A DECLINE OP ABOUT 5% IN REAL TERMS.
WITH THESE DIFFERENTIAL GROWTH RATES, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED FURTHER, TO 79% IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 FROM 75% IN THE SAME QUARTER IN 1992.
RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR MARKETS REMAINED GENERALLY ROBUST IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
HOWEVER, TOWARDS THE END OF THE QUARTER, THERE WERE SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS IN NORTH AMERICA AND CONTINENTAL EUROPE.
THE GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, THOUGH STILL SIGNIFICANT, ALSO MODERATED SOMEWHAT.
/AS TO ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
AS TO DOMESTIC EXPORTS, PERFORMANCE CONTINUED TO BE AFFECTED BY THE ON-GOING STRUCTURAL SHIFT IN THE COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS FROM DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO RE-EXPORTS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE STRENGTHENING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ALONG WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR EARLIER ON COULD HAVE WEAKENED THE PRICE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN THE OVERSEAS MARKETS.
IN PARALLEL WITH TOTAL EXPORTS, IMPORTS ROSE BY ABOUT 16% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASE WAS LIKEWISE LESS RAPID THAN IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR. IT ENCOMPASSED THE STILL SIGNIFICANT RISE IN RE-EXPORTS, BUT A MORE MODERATE GROWTH IN RETAINED IMPORTS, BY ABOUT 7% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $1.3 BILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THIS COMPARES WITH A SURPLUS OF $2.1 BILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
DOMESTIC DEMAND CONTINUED TO BE UNDERPINNED MAINLY BY THE STEADY INCREASE IN CONSUMER SPENDING.
THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES ROSE BY ABOUT 6% IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER. THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HIGHER THAN THIS IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
THIS WAS APPARENT FROM THE FACT THAT RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS GREW BY ABOUT 19% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER, ALTHOUGH THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME BUILDING UP OF STOCKS DURING THAT PERIOD.
FIXED CAPITAL INVESTMENT CONTINUED TO SHOW A STEADY GROWTH IN OVERALL TERMS.
ALTHOUGH PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING ACTIVITY REMAINED SLACK IN THE THIRD QUARTER, THERE WAS AN UPSURGE IN PUBLIC SECTOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY SUPPORTED BY THE ACCELERATED WORK ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
AS A RESULT, THE MARKED INCREASE IN OVERALL BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY SHOULD HAVE ADEQUATELY OFFSET THE CONSOLIDATION IN INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
THERE WAS A DECLINE IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS, BY ABOUT 2% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING THE LARGE INCREASES FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE QUARTERS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE SLACK PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS MIGHT HAVE DAMPENED THE DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
THUS RETAINED IMPORTS OF MACHINERY FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ALSO FELL, BY ABOUT 2% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER, HAVING ALREADY DECREASED BY 6% IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
/RETAINED IMPORTS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
5
RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY DECLINED BY ABOUT 18% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER, AFTER THE SHARP UPSURGE IN RECENT QUARTERS.
THE LABOUR MARKET TIGHTENED UP SOMEWHAT IN THE THIRD QUARTER, HAVING REMAINED RELATIVELY STABLE EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE THIRD QUARTER, AT 2%, WAS 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER, THOUGH 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE, AT 1.3% IN THE THIRD QUARTER, WAS 0.7 AND 0.6 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT RESPECTIVELY LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS IN THE SERVICE SECTORS REMAINED GENERALLY TIGHTER THAN IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS.
REFLECTING THE ON-GOING SHIFT IN LABOUR RESOURCES TOWARDS SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT IN MOST OF THE MAJOR SERVICE SECTORS ROSE FURTHER IN THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1993, WHILE THAT IN MANUFACTURING CONTINUED TO FALL.
EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ALSO RECORDED A DECLINE.
CONCURRENTLY, VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR CONTINUED TO DECREASE, WHILE THOSE IN FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES INCREASED MARKEDLY. VACANCIES ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES SHOWED VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE.
BENEFITED FROM WHAT WAS IN EFFECT A FULL EMPLOYMENT SITUATION, AVERAGE EARNINGS IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS CONTINUED TO RISE SIGNIFICANTLY IN MONEY TERMS BETWEEN JUNE 1992 AND JUNE 1993.
AFTER ADJUSTING FOR INFLATION, THERE WERE STILL REAL GAINS OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES IN ALL THESE SECTORS.
THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET REMAINED GENERALLY ACTIVE IN JULY AND AUGUST, BUT SHOWED CLEAR SIGNS OF MODERATION IN SEPTEMBER.
NOTWITHSTANDING A SUSTAINED LOW MORTGAGE RATE, THE REDUCED AFFORDABILITY OF FLATS FOLLOWING THE RECENT PRICE UPSURGE, COUPLED WITH THE FURTHER TIGHTENING OF MORTGAGE LENDING BY THE MAJOR BANKS DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, HAD SET IN TO DAMPEN ACTIVITY.
TRADING IN THE SECONDARY MARKET QUIETENED DOWN CONSIDERABLY TOWARDS THE END OF THE QUARTER.
RESPONSE TO THE PRE-COMPLETION SALES OF FLATS IN THE PRIMARY MARKET ALSO TURNED LESS ENTHUSIASTIC. THE PRICES OF FLATS SOFTENED LATELY, ALTHOUGH RENTALS CONTINUED TO SHOW A STEADY INCREASE.
ON OFFICE SPACE, DEMAND WAS STILL FIRM IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
THE SALES MARKET REMAINED FAIRLY ACTIVE, ALTHOUGH PRICES HAD TENDED TO STABILISE. RENTALS NEVERTHELESS CONTINUED TO RISE.
/ON SHOPPING .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 6 -
ON SHOPPING SPACE, PRICES AND RENTALS SHOWED FURTHER INCREASES IN THE THIRD QUARTER AS DEMAND REMAINED STRONG AMIDST THE STEADY GROWTH IN TOURIST AND LOCAL CONSUMER SPENDINGS.
ON INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY, OVERALL DEMAND CONTINUED TO BE DAMPENED BY THE ON-GOING RELOCATION OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES ACROSS THE BORDER.
PRICES AND RENTALS REMAINED SOFT IN THE THIRD QUARTER, EXCEPT FOR THOSE OF MODERN MULTI-PURPOSE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WHERE INTEREST WAS CONCENTRATED MORE IN OFFICE USE.
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS WERE OBSERVED DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
FIRST, THE MARKET EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, MOVING BETWEEN HK$7.731 AND HK$7.761 TO U.S.11.
AT THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER, THE MARKET EXCHANGE RATE STOOD AT HKS7.737 TO U.S.$1.
SECONDLY, REFLECTING THE MOVEMENTS OF THE U.S. DOLLAR AGAINST OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES, THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MOVED WITHIN A NARROW RANGE OF 112 - 113 DURING THE THIRD QUARTER.
APART FROM THE IMPACT OF AD HOC EVENTS SUCH AS THE SEVERAL NEW SHARE ISSUES, LOCAL MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES GENERALLY MOVED CLOSELY IN LINE WITH THE CORRESPONDING U.S. DOLLAR INTEREST RATES.
DEPOSIT RATES ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED DURING THE THIRD QUARTER.
THIRDLY, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS RECORDED SOLID GROWTH DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, FOLLOWING ONLY A MARGINAL INCREASE DURING THE SECOND QUARTER.
GROWTH IN THE BROADER DEFINITIONS OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M2 AND HK$M3, AT 16.5% AND 15.3% RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, REMAINED BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN NOMINAL GDP.
MEANWHILE, LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO SHOW A STEADY INCREASE IN OVERALL TERMS DURING THE THIRD QUARTER.
FOURTHLY, THE LOCAL STOCK MARKET HAD OUTPERFORMED THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OVERSEAS IN TERMS OF PRICE GAIN SO FAR IN THE YEAR.
HAVING UNDERGONE SOME CONSOLIDATION IN JUNE, THE HANG SENG INDEX RESUMED AN UPWARD MOMENTUM IN JULY FOLLOWING FLOTATION OF THE SHARES OF THE FIRST OF THE NINE CHINA STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES.
THE INDEX RALLIED TO A HIGH OF 7,605 ON AUGUST 19 ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF FAVOURABLE CORPORATE RESULTS.
/IT THEN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
IT THEN SETTLED SOMEWHAT, BEFORE REBOUNDING TO A NEW RECORD HIGH OF 7,676 ON SEPTEMBER 30. THIS WAS UP BY 8.1% OVER THE END OF JUNE 1993, AND BY 39.3% OVER THE END OF DECEMBER 1992.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) DECELERATED FROM 8.8% IN THE FIRST QUARTER TO 8.2% IN THE SECOND QUARTER, AND STAYED AT 8.2% IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 AS A WHOLE, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 8.4% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN THE CPI(B), HANG SENG CPI AND COMPOSITE CPI WERE 8.8%, 9.4% AND 8.8%.
MEASURING INFLATION ON A BROADER BASIS, THE GDP DEFLATOR ROSE BY 9.4% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER, SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE 9.5% RISE RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
THE RELATIVELY RAPID INCREASE IN THE GDP DEFLATOR WAS MAINLY A RESULT OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE TERMS OF TRADE.
TN FACT, FOR MOST GDP COMPONENTS, THE INCREASES IN THEIR PRICE DEFLATORS WERE MORE MODERATE THAN IN THE CPI(A).
SPECIFICALLY, THE DOMESTIC DEMAND DEFLATOR ROSE BY ONLY 6% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST SAID THE GDP AND PRICE FORECASTS FOR 1993 WERE REVIEWED BY INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS HAVING REGARD TO THESE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND THE IMMINENT OUTLOOK. THE UPDATED FORECASTS ARE SUMMARISED IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF RE-EXPORTS IN 1993 IS REVISED DOWNWARDS FROM 22% TO 20%, MAINLY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LATEST SLOW-DOWN IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS IN NORTH AMERICA AND CONTINENTAL EUROPE.
A MORE MODERATE GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA IS ALSO EXPECTED. CONCEIVABLY, THIS IS PARTLY DUE TO THE DAMPENING EFFECT OF THE WEAKER DEMAND OVERSEAS ON OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER, AND PARTLY DUE TO CHINA’S RESTRAINT MEASURES WHICH COULD HAVE SOME EFFECT ON IMPORTS FOR ITS OWN CONSUMPTION.
ON THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE SLACK DEMAND IN THE MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, THE SHIFT IN THE COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TOWARDS MORE RE-EXPORTS, AND THE RELEVANT EXCHANGE RATE MOVEMENTS.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO SHOW SLOWER GROWTH.
AS A RESULT, THE FORECAST RATE OF DECLINE IN REAL TERMS IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1993 IS ADJUSTED FURTHER DOWNWARDS, FROM 1.5% TO 5%.
/TAKING RE-EXPORTS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, .1.993
- 8 -
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN 1993 IS ACCORDINGLY LOWERED, FROM 15.6% TO 13.2%.
THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF RETAINED IMPORTS IN 1993 IS REDUCED FROM 9% TO 5%, HAVING REGARD TO THE ACTUAL OUTURN IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS AS WELL AS THE LIKELY PERFORMANCE AGAINST A RELATIVELY HIGH BASE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
RETAINED IMPORTS OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO BE SUBDUED, WHILE RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS CAN BE EXPECTED TO INCREASE FURTHER IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN CONSUMER SPENDING.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND RETAINED IMPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL IMPORTS ARE FORECAST TO GROW BY 13.6% IN REAL TERMS IN 1993, AS COMPARED TO THE EARLIER FORECAST OF 16%.
THE FORECAST GROWTH RATES IN REAL TERMS OF EXPORTS AND IMPORTS OF SERVICES IN 1993 ARE BOTH KEPT UNCHANGED, AT 10% AND 8.5%.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, HAVING REGARD TO THE CONTINUED STEADY INCREASE IN CONSUMER SPENDING IN RECENT MONTHS, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IN 1993 IS MAINTAINED AT 7.5%.
THAT OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS ALSO LEFT UNCHANGED, AT 3%.
ON INVESTMENT, AS WORK ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR PUBLIC SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IS REVISED SUBSTANTIALLY UPWARDS, FROM 25% TO 40%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, GIVEN THE SLACK PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING ACTIVITY, PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO FALL BY 4% IN REAL TERMS, FURTHER DOWN FROM THE EARLIER FORECAST OF A 2% DECLINE.
TAKEN TOGETHER, OVERALL EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IS ENVISAGED TO INCREASE BY 10.5% IN REAL TERMS IN 1993, FASTER THAN THE EARLIER FORECAST INCREASE OF 6.9%.
AS REGARDS MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IS SUBSTANTIALLY RAISED, FROM 30% TO 60%.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE SMALL PROPORTION OF THIS EXPENDITURE IN THE TOTAL IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO OFFSET THE DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT IN THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE, FROM 12% TO 8.5%.
OVERALL EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IS THUS ENVISAGED TO RISE BY 9.5% IN REAL TERMS IN 1993, SLOWER THAN THE EARLIER FORECAST INCREASE OF 12.3%.
/COMBINING ALL .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
9
COMBINING ALL THESE COMPONENTS, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION IN 1993 IS REVISED DOWNWARDS FROM 7.6% TO 6.6%.
OVERALL, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THE GDP FOR 1993 IS MAINTAINED AT 5.5%. THE SLOWER GROWTH IN SOME OF THE GDP DEMAND COMPONENTS IS EXPECTED TO BE OFFSET BY A CORRESPONDINGLY SLOWER ABSORPTION OF IMPORTS.
ON CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION, WHILE THERE MAY BE SHORT-TERM VOLATILITIES DUE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICES OF FRESH FOOD ITEMS, CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION SHOULD REMAIN BROADLY STABLE IN THE COMING MONTHS.
A NUMBER OF FACTORS ARE CONDUCIVE TO THIS SITUATION.
FIRST, WORLD COMMODITY PRICES HAVE BEEN GENERALLY SOFT IN RECENT MONTHS AND ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN SO IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
SECONDLY, DESPITE THE ACCELERATED INFLATION IN CHINA SINCE THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA IN HONG KONG DOLLAR TERMS HAVE GENERALLY BEEN ON THE DECLINE.
THE SIGNIFICANT DEPRECIATION OF THE RENMINBI EARLIER THIS YEAR SHOULD HAVE HELPED TO KEEP IMPORT PRICES DOWN.
THIRDLY, AGAINST THE SHARP APPRECIATION OF THE JAPANESE YEN, JAPANESE PRODUCERS ARE APPARENTLY KEEPING THE PRICES OF THEIR EXPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS UNDER RESTRAINT.
FOURTHLY, CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS AND HENCE PRICE PRESSURES IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY ARE BEING ALLEVIATED TO SOME EXTENT BY THE EARLIER INCREASE IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND THE RECENT RISE IN OVERALL LABOUR SUPPLY.
GIVEN THE ACTUAL OUTTURN OF AN 8.5% INCREASE IN THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE IS LOWERED FURTHER BY HALF OF A PERCENTAGE POINT, FROM 9% TO 8.5%.
CONCURRENTLY, THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE GDP DEFLATOR IS ALSO REVISED DOWNWARDS, FROM 9.5% TO 9%.
THE THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1993 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $36 A COPY.
/GROWTH RATE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 10 -
FORECAST CURRENT
FOR 1993 UPDATE
AS RELEASED RELEASED ON
ON 27.8.1993 26.11.1993
(%) (%)
GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF:
PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 7.5 7.5
GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 3 3
GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION 7.6 6.6
TRANSFER COSTS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS 0 -2
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 6.9 10.5
PRIVATE SECTOR -2 -4
PUBLIC SECTOR 25 40
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ MARGIN -2 -4.5
MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 12.3 9.5
PRIVATE SECTOR 12 8.5
PUBLIC SECTOR 30 60
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS 15.6 13.2
DOMESTIC EXPORTS -1.5 -5
RE-EXPORTS 22 20
IMPORTS OF GOODS 16 13.6
EXPORTS OF SERVICES 10 10
IMPORTS OF SERVICES 8.5 8.5
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 5.5 5.5
PER CAPITA GDP 4.8 4.8
GROWTH RATE IN MONEY TERMS OF:
GDP 15.5 15.0
PER CAPITA GDP 14.8 14.3
RATE OF INCREASE IN:
GDP DEFLATOR 9.5 9
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) 9 8.5
---------0-----------
/Il ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
11
HK - CENTRE FOR PROJECT FINANCE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
HONG KONG IS ALREADY WELL-ESTABLISHED AS A CENTRE FOR PROJECT FINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR MACLEOD WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE PACIFIC/ASIA ENERGY FINANCING FORUM ORGANISED BY THE WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL.
ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY, HE SAID, 41 OF THE 50 TOP ARRANGERS OF ASIAN SYNDICATED LOANS LAST YEAR HAD A PRESENCE IN HONG KONG.
"IN THE ENERGY FIELD WHAT IS REPORTED TO BE THE BIGGEST EVER SYNDICATED LOAN FACILITY ARRANGED IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CASTLE PEAK POWER COMPANY LTD: JOINTLY OWNED BY EXXON ENERGY LTD AND CHINA LIGHT AND POWER.
FINANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAJIAO C POWER STATION IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE WAS ALSO ARRANGED IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"APART FROM THE MORE TRADITIONAL FORMS OF FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS SYNDICATED LENDING BY THE BANKING SECTOR, WE ARE NOW SEEING THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEBT MARKET IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S CAPITAL MARKET WAS NOT ONLY PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING TO FINANCE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA, IT WAS ALSO ENABLING HONG KONG TO BECOME A MAJOR CENTRE FOR THE RAISING OF FUNDS BY CHINA’S ENTERPRISES.
ON ENERGY SUPPLY IN HONG KONG, HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD A LONG HISTORY OF RELYING ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SUPPLY THE TERRITORY WITH ALL OF ITS ENERGY NEEDS.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG MONITORED THE OPERATIONS OF THE TWO ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANIES THROUGH A MECHANISM KNOWN LOCALLY AS A SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT WHICH SET OUT, ON A MUTUALLY AGREED BASIS, THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF THE COMPANIES AND OF THE GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS.
"UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNMENT IS ABLE TO MONITOR THE FINANCIAL PLANNING AND TECHNICAL AND OPERATING STANDARDS OF THE COMPANIES AND REQUIRE THEM TO SEEK GOVERNMENT APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THEIR FINANCING PLANS, INCLUDING PROJECTED TARIFF LEVELS.
"AS A RESULT, WE ARE ABLE TO SATISFY OURSELVES AS TO THE COSTEFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMPANIES’ DEVELOPMENT PLANS," HE SAID.
IN RETURN FOR AGREEING TO CLOSELY MONITOR THEIR COMPANIES’ OPERATIONS, SHAREHOLDERS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT THEY MAY EARN UP TO A CERTAIN MAXIMUM PERMITTED RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENTS.
/GIVEN THE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
12 -
GIVEN THE HUGE SCALE OF INVESTMENT NECESSARY IN NEW POWER PLANTS AND THE LONG PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THAT INVESTMENT CAN BE RECOVERED, THIS PROVISION HAS PROVED AN IMPORTANT INCENTIVE, HE ADDED.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PRACTICE OF WORKING IN RELATIONSHIP WITH PRIVATE SECTOR ENERGY SUPPLIERS HAD PRODUCED BENEFITS BOTH FOR CONSUMER AND SHAREHOLDER.
STAMP DUTY ON AGREEMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALE * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WILL MOVE A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 15 TO EXTEND THE REQUIREMENT UNDER THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE TO PAY STAMP DUTY ON ALL AGREEMENTS FOR SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FOR TWO YEARS BEYOND DECEMBER 31.
THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992 CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 31 LAST YEAR.
THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE REQUIRES STAMP DUTY TO BE CHARGED ON ALL AGREEMENTS FOR SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
PREVIOUSLY, BY CONTRAST, STAMP DUTY WAS ONLY PAYABLE ON THE ASSIGNMENT OF PROPERTY.
THE RELEVANT SECTIONS WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR UNLESS THEY ARE EXTENDED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY RESOLUTION.
"THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED AS ONE IN A SERIES OF MEASURES TO CURB SPECULATION ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. GENUINE HOME-BUYERS ARE NOT AFFECTED EXCEPT INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE TO PAY STAMP DUTY SLIGHTLY EARLIER," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BY CONTRAST, THE COST OF SPECULATION THROUGH THE USE OF LONG CHAINS OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS PRIOR TO ACTUAL ASSIGNMENT IS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID TAKING THE PERIOD SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE IN JANUARY LAST YEAR AS A WHOLE, THE PROPERTY MARKET HAD REMAINED BUOYANT.
"BUT THE EXTENT OF SPECULATION ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY HAS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT BEEN CONTAINED.
"THIS IS GENERALLY PERCEIVED TO BE THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THE TIGHTER MORTGAGE LENDING POLICY OF THE BANKS AS WELL AS THE INCREASED COST OF SPECULATION AS A RESULT OF THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE.
/"ALTHOUGH IT .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
’’ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PINPOINT THE EXACT EFFECT OF THE STAMP DUTY PROVISIONS ON CURBING SPECULATION, THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE RISK THAT SPECULATION MIGHT BECOME RIFE AGAIN TO THE DETRIMENT OF GENUINE HOME-BUYERS IF THOSE PROVISIONS WERE NOT EXTENDED BEYOND MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31.
’’THE RESOLUTION THEREFORE SEEKS THE CONTINUATION OF A MEASURE WHICH HAS SERVED AS A USEFUL TOOL TO TACKLE AND CONTAIN SPECULATION WHILST NOT AFFECTING GENUINE HOME-BUYERS,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
CALL TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR MAHOMMED ALI, FOLLOWING REPORTS RECEIVED THIS AFTERNOON OF FOOD POISONING RELATED TO PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED CHOI SUM AND PAK CHOI BOUGHT FROM TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET.
INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT THE CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES CAME FROM THE WHOLESALE MARKET IN LUEN WO HUI, FANLING.
THE RECENT OUTBREAKS AFFECTED 19 PERSONS FROM FOUR FAMILIES AND ALL OF THEM HAD BEEN TREATED AND DISCHARGED.
TO PREVENT POISONING BY PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:
♦ DON’T BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
♦ WASH WELL BEFORE COOKING;
* DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR SOME TIME TO ALLOW PESTICIDES TO LEACH OUT;
* BLANCH IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
* COOK THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
14
CLUB CERTIFICATE FEES TO BE REVISED NEXT YEAR * * * * *
THE FEES FOR THE ISSUE OR RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATES TO CLUB OPERATORS WILL BE REVISED FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR TO COVER THE INCREASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS SINCE 1992.
THE NEW RATES FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE OR EXEMPTION ARE SET OUT IN THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) (FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993, WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID THESE FEES WERE SUBJECT TO REVIEW ONCE A YEAR.
HE SAID THE PRESENT RATES, INTRODUCED IN 1992, WERE BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF A COSTING EXERCISE CONDUCTED IN 1991.
"IN ORDER TO COVER THE INCREASE IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS SINCE THEN, IT IS NECESSARY TO RAISE THE FEES BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1994."
THE NEW FEE FOR THE ANNUAL CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION WILL BE $600 WHILE THAT FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WILL RANGE FROM $2,410 TO $13,250, DEPENDING ON THE GROSS FLOOR AREA OF THE CLUB,
CLUB OPERATORS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE NEW SCALE OF FEES WHEN THEY APPLY FOR OR RENEW THEIR CERTIFICATES.
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE OF CNTA’S OFFICE OF LICENSING AUTHORITY ON TELEPHONE 881 7034.
------0-------
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR OCTOBER
*****
RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW SIGNIFICANTLY IN OCTOBER THOUGH LESS RAPIDLY THAN IN THE PREVIOUS MONTHS.
THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED WEAK. IMPORTS REGISTERED A MUCH SLOWER INCREASE.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR OCTOBER RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS, AT $76,697 MILLION IN OCTOBER 1993, WAS $8,774 MILLION OR 13% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
REFLECTING IN PART THE CONTINUED STRUCTURAL SHIFT TO REEXPORTS, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED FURTHER, BY $2,189 MILLION OR 10% TO $19,665 MILLION IN OCTOBER.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN OCTOBER GREW BY $6,585 MILLION OR 7.3% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $96,362 MILLION.
/OVER THE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 15 -
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED ONLY MODERATELY, BY $3,545 MILLION OR 3,9% TO $93,566 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS GREATER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $2,797 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN OCTOBER 1993.
THIS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $244 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN OCTOBER 1992.
IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $677,099 MILLION, WHICH WAS $113,859 MILLION OR 20% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $183,300 MILLION, WAS $8,838
MILLION OR 4.6% LOWER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993, AT $860,399 MILLION, WAS $105,020 MILLION OR 14% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $104,122 MILLION OR 13% TO $884,078 MILLION.
A TRADE DEFICIT OF $23,679 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.7% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993.
THIS COMPARED WITH A TRADE DEFICIT OF $24,577 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED A YEAR EARLIER.
COMMENTING ON THE LATEST TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MORE MODEST TRADE PERFORMANCE IN OCTOBER WAS PARTLY AFFECTED BY THE HIGH BASE OF COMPARISON IN OCTOBER 1992 WHEN RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 33% AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 3% OVER OCTOBER 1991.
THE WEAKER DEMAND IN THE OVERSEAS MARKETS, PARTICULARLY IN NORTH AMERICA AND CONTINENTAL EUROPE, HAD ALSO DAMPENED EXPORT PERFORMANCE IN RECENT MONTHS.
CONCURRENTLY, CHINA’S RESTRAINT MEASURES MIGHT HAVE BEGUN TO FILTER THROUGH TO AFFECT HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE.
THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE FURTHER TO 79% IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993, FROM 75% IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, FROM 16% IN 1992 TO ONLY 4.2% IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THIS REFLECTED A CONSOLIDATION AFTER THE LARGE INCREASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTERS.
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER 1993, BY COMMODITY AND COUNTRY, WILL BE RELEASED IN MIDDECEMBER.
/PROVISIONAL FIGURES .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 16 -
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR OCTOBER 1993
MERCHANDISE: Domestic Exports : 119,665 million
Re-exports : $76 , 697 million
Total Exports : $96,362 mil lion
Imports : $93,566 mil 1 ion
Trade balance : + t2 ,797 mi 11 Ion
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Latest 3 months Aug 93 In Aug 92 to Change
Oct 93 Oct 92
IIK$ Mu. IIK$ Mn. IIK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 58,748 63,817 -5,068 -7.9
(% of Total Exports) (20.7%) (2 1.8%)
Re-exports 224,807 193,227 +31,580 + 16.3
Total Exports 283,555 257,043 +26,512 + 10.3
Imports 278,661 252,343 + 26,318 + 10.4
Trade balance 4,894 4 , 700 + 194
Same month last year Oc tobe r Oc tobe r Change
1 993 1 992
l!KS Mu. IIK$ Mn, IIK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 19,665 21,854 -2,189 -10.0
(% of Total Exports) (20.4%) (24.3%)
Re-exports 76,697 67,923 +8,774 + 12.9
Total Exports 96,362 89,777 +6,585 + 7.3
Imports 93,566 90,021 +3,545 + 3.9
Trade balance 2,797 -244 + 3,040
Last month Oc tober September Change
1 993 1993
HKS Mu. IIKS Mn. IIKt Mn. %
Domestic Exports 19,665 19,456 + 209 + 1.1
(% of Total Exports) (20.1%) (20.6%)
Re-exports 76,697 75,198 + 1 ,4 99 + 2.0
Total Exports 96,362 94,655 + 1 ,707 + 1.8
Imports 93,56G 92,055 +1,511 + 1 .6
Trade balance 2,797 2,600 + 197
Calendar year to-date Jan-Oct 1993 Jan-Oct 1992 Change
IIK$ Mu. IIKS Mn. IIK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 183,300 192,138 -8,838 -4.6
(% of Total Exports) (21.3%) (25.4%)
Re-exports 677,099 563,240 +113,859 + 20.2
Total Exports 860,399 755,379 +105,020 + 13.9
Imports 884,078 779,956 +104,122 + 13.3
Trade balance -23,679 -24,577 + 898
Last 12 months Nov 92 to Nov 91 to Chang e
Oct 93 Oct 92
I1K$ Mn. UK* Mn. I1K$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 225,285 234,894 -9,609 -4.1
(% of Total Exports) (21.9%) (26.0%)
Re-exports 804,688 668,027 +136,662 + 20.5
Total Exports 1,029,973 902,921 +127,052 + 14.1
Imports 1,059,417 927,G45 + 131 ,773 + 14.2
Trade balance -29,444 -24,724 -4,721 -
0 - — _
/17........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
17 -
CHANGES TO NORTH POINT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN *******
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE NORTH POINT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
’’THE SITE OF A TWO-STOREY GOVERNMENT BUILDING NEAR THE JUNCTION OF JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD HAS BEEN REZONED FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’COMMERCIAL’ DUE TO ITS ACCESSIBLE LOCATION AND PROXIMITY TO THE MTR NORTH POINT STATION,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
FOUR OTHER SITES AT PAK FUK ROAD, THE EASTERN END OF TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD, THE SOUTHERN END OF BRAEMAR HILL ROAD AND THE WESTERN SIDE OF YEE KING ROAD, ALL LARGELY COMPRISING STEEP SLOPES WITH NATURAL VEGETATION, HAVE BEEN REZONED FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’OPEN SPACE’ AND ’GREEN BELT’ TO CONSERVE THEIR NATURAL LANDSCAPE.
"TO COMPENSATE THE LOSS OF ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ SITES, OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO REZONE THE ’OPEN SPACE’ SITE ON WAI TSUI CRESCENT TO ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’.
"THE EXISTING ROCK SLOPE AT PAK FUK ROAD ADJOINING THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUP AND THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN REZONED FROM ’GREEN BELT’ TO ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ USE TO FACILITATE A JOINT REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL BY THE TWO ORGANISATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE REZONING OF TWO STEEP SLOPES AT TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD/PAK FUK ROAD AND LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD FROM ’OPEN SPACE’ TO ’GREEN BELT’, DELETION OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD AND BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, AND ADDITION OF A TURNING CIRCLE TO THE EASTERN END OF THE EXISTING TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD TO FACILITATE TRAFFIC MOVEMENT.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN (NO. S/H8/5) AND THE SCHEDULE OF AMENDMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL JANUARY 26 NEXT YEAR AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE HONG KONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY;
♦ THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL;
« THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
♦ THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO; AND
* THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 2 O’BRIEN ROAD.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 18 -
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SEND WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 26 NEXT YEAR.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE ON SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
---------0-----------
ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE FEES TO BE REVISED » ♦ ♦ » *
VARIOUS FEES PAYABLE UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE WILL BE REVISED ON DECEMBER 30, TO REFLECT THE INCREASED COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.
TWO SETS OF REGULATIONS TO THIS EFFECT WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THEY ARE THE ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993 AND THE ELECTRICITY (WIRING) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993.
THE ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS STIPULATE THE FEES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION, AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION, AS AN ELECTRICAL WORKER, AS AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AND OF A GENERATING FACILITY.
THE ELECTRICITY (WIRING) REGULATIONS STIPULATE THE FEES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF AN APPLICATION FOR ENDORSEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES OF A CERTIFICATE FROM THE OWNER PREPARED BY A REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR OR WORKER AS TO THE SAFETY OF PRESCRIBED TYPES OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.
"IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT FEES CHARGED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IN GENERAL BE SET AT A LEVEL SUFFICIENT TO RECOVER THE FULL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE EXISTING FEES WERE BASED ON THE COSTS FOR 1988/89 AND HAVE BEEN IN FORCE SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE IN 1990. THE COSTS HAVE INCREASED SINCE 1988/89.
THE FEES WOULD HAVE TO BE INCREASED BY 60 PER CENT IF THEY WERE TO BE BROUGHT UP TO 1992/93 COSTS LEVEL; OR BY 72 PER CENT IF THEY WERE TO BE BROUGHT UP TO 1993/94 COSTS LEVEL.
"HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO EASE THE IMPACT ON THE TRADE, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO PHASE IN THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INCREASE OVER TWO YEARS<
"THE FEES WILL BE INCREASED BY 40 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 30 AND BE REVISED FURTHER TO BRING THEM UP TO 1994/95 COSTS LEVEL ABOUT 12 MONTHS LATER," HE SAID.
------0--------
/19 .....
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
19 EXEMPTION TO CERTAIN AIR-POLLUTING SPECIFIED PROCESSES » « » » »
AN ORDER TO REMOVE EXEMPTIONS GRANTED TO PREMISES CONDUCTING : CERTAIN AIR-POLLUTING SPECIFIED PROCESSES STARTING NOVEMBER 26 NEXT YEAR IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE THOSE THAT CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIED PROCESSES: ALUMINIUM WORKS, PETROCHEMICAL WORKS, TAR AND.{. BITUMEN WORKS, AND CEMENT WORKS. . —
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST BATCH OF SPECIFIED PROCESSES TO COME UNDER FULL LICENCE CONTROL UNDER THE AMENDED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
OWNERS OF THESE PREMISES ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FROM EPD BEFORE THEY CAN CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE SPECIFIED PROCESSES AFTER NOVEMBER 26 NEXT YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID EXEMPTIONS GRANTED TO ALL THE PREMISES CONDUCTING ALUMINIUM, PETROCHEMICAL, AND TAR AND BITUMEN WORKS WOULD BE REMOVED BY THAT DATE.
"FOR CEMENT WORKS WHICH INCLUDE CONCRETE BATCHING PLANTS, CEMENT DEPOTS AND PRECAST CONCRETE PLANTS, THE EXEMPTION REMOVAL i.x EXERCISE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO PHASES.
"THE FIRST PHASE, WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT IN NOVEMBER, 1994 IS TARGETED AT CEMENT AND CONCRETE PLANTS THAT ARE LOCATED WITHIN 100 METRES OF RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS WHERE POLLUTION IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC IS MOST SIGNIFICANT," HE SAID.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE EXISTING 80 CEMENT WORKS WILL BE AFFECTED. THE REMAINING TWO-THIRDS WILL BE PUT UNDER LICENCE CONTROL AROUND AUGUST 1995.
CONTROL MEASURES IS EXPECTED TO REDUCE SIGNIFICANTLY THE AIR POLLUTION IMPACT ON AREAS SURROUNDING THOSE PREMISES.
GUIDANCE NOTES ON THE BEST PRACTICABLE MEANS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL AERIAL EMISSIONS FROM THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BEING ISSUED BY EPD.
THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED CAN CONTACT THE AIR MANAGEMENT GROUP OF EPD FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE.
/20........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 20 -
MORE WAGE PROTECTION FOR WORKERS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED TO AMEND THE LAW TO EMPOWER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND (PWIF) BOARD TO RECOVER FROM A RETIREMENT SCHEME ANY EX-GRATIA SEVERANCE PAYMENT MADE BY THE FUND TO AN EMPLOYEE COVERED BY SUCH A SCHEME.
THE PROPOSAL, WHICH WAS SET OUT IN THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1993, HAS RECENTLY BEEN ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, SAID PART VA OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE (EO) PROVIDED THAT SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT COULD BE SET OFF AGAINST EACH OTHER TO ENSURE THAT AN EMPLOYEE WOULD NOT GET DOUBLE BENEFITS.
HOWEVER, THERE IS, AT PRESENT, NO PROVISION UNDER THE LAW TO ENABLE PWIF TO RECOVER FROM A RETIREMENT SCHEME THE EX-GRATIA SEVERANCE PAYMENT MADE TO AN EMPLOYEE COVERED BY THE SCHEME.
CONSEQUENTLY, AN EMPLOYEE MAY RECEIVE BENEFITS FROM BOTH THE PWIF AND THE RETIREMENT SCHEME OF WHICH HE IS A MEMBER, IF HIS EMPLOYER BECOMES INSOLVENT, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT WHEN AN EMPLOYER BECAME INSOLVENT, HIS EMPLOYEE WOULD NORMALLY APPLY TO THE PWIF FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT IF HE HAD NOT YET RECEIVED HIS RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT.
THE EMPLOYEE MIGHT BE GRANTED EX-GRATIA PAYMENT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND THEN COULD OBTAIN HIS RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT AFTERWARDS.
’’THIS IS AT VARIANCE WITH THE INTENTION OF PART VA OF THE EO AND IS UNFAIR TO PWIF,’’ MR CHAN SAID.
’’THEREFORE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED,” HE ADDED.
MR CHAN ALSO SAID THE BILL WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION EARLY NEXT MONTH.
------0--------
LOT SALE BY AUCTION *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL AUCTION TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND ON NOVEMBER 29 (MONDAY).
THE PUBLIC AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND.
/WITH AN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 21 -
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 840 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL USE, GODOWNS, HOTELS OR OFFICES.
THE SECOND LOT, LOCATED IN MA TIN ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,350 SQUARE METRES FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
A PRESS AREA WILL BE DESIGNATED. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
--------0-----------
MORE SERVICES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS PUTTING MORE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT NEEDY FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH DISABLED CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR STRACHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF HEEP HONG SOCIETY FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN HAPPY VALLEY.
SUPPORT IN THE FORMS OF COUNSELLING ACCOMMODATION, HOME-HELP AND FAMILY AIDE, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHICH INCLUDES A CHILD SUPPLEMENT, OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE AND RESPITE SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED.
MR STRACHAN SAID PARENTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN WERE BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE BURDEN IN TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.
"IF THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH MORE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES IN DISCHARGING THEIR CARING DUTIES, THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT MORE AND THE FAMILY CAN PROBABLY REMAIN STRONG AND INTACT."
MORE SUPPORT FOR DISABLED CHILDREN IN THE FORMS OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE AND PARENTS RESOURCES CENTRES ARE BEING DEVELOPED.
A PARENTS RESOURCE CENTRE PROVIDES A PLACE WHERE INFORMATION ON SERVICES, TOYS AND TRAINING EQUIPMENT ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
IT ALSO PROVIDES A MEETING POINT FOR PARENTS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OF CARING FOR THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN.
APART FROM MAKING USE OF THE CENTRE'S RESOURCES, PARENTS CAN HELP IN CENTRE MANAGEMENT AS VOLUNTEERS.
"ABOVE ALL, THEY CAN HELP TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY," MR STRACHAN SAID.
/AS TO ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 22 -
AS TO OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE, MR STRACHAN SAID PARALLEL WOULD BE DRAWN TO A SIMILAR SERVICE PROVIDED TO ORDINARY CHILDREN.
HE ADDED THAT IT ENABLED PARENTS TO PLACE THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN TEMPORARILY IN A SPECIAL PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE TO FREE THEMSELVES FOR OTHER FAMILY OR PERSONAL AFFAIRS.
"THIS HELPS PARENTS MINIMISE THE RISKS OF LEAVING THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME AS WELL AS RELIEVING THEIR UNNECESSARY ANXIETY AND BURDEN," MR STRACHAN EXPLAINED.
HE HOPES THE SUPPORT SERVICES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
"WITH THESE, I AM SURE FAMILIES WITH DISABLED CHILDREN WILL BE FURTHER ENHANCED IN THEIR CARING AND TRAINING FUNCTIONS AT HOME," HE CONCLUDED.
------0-------
TWO SEABED PROJECTS APPROVED ***** • • • • ' ."i. . . • ;
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED A DREDGING PROJECT TO GET MARINE SAND FROM ABOUT 195 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO THE WEST OF SULPHUR CHANNEL FOR CONSTRUCTION AND RECLAMATION USES.
MEANWHILE, AUTHORISATION HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP AN ARTIFICIAL MARINE HABITAT WITH BLOCKS MADE OF COAL ASH AND CEMENT WITHIN ABOUT 400 SQUARE METRES OF SEABED AT PAK SHA O, SAI KUNG. A-’ 'l';
THIS IS TO STUDY ITS ENHANCEMENT EFFECT ON FISHERIES RESOURCES, THE COLONISATION PROCESS AND THE LEACHING OF TRACE METALS.
THE WORKS OF THE TWO PROJECTS WILL START BY THE END OF THIS YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1997 AND BY THE END OF 1996 RESPECTIVELY.
: . -S ;. • fl. Q
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE PROJECTS IS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY DELIVER A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE NOVEMBER 26 NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICES AND THEIR PLANS CAN BE SEEN OR BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG. THEY CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES.
---------0-----------
/23 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 23 -
TRADERS HAVE TO SUPPLY SAFE CONSUMER GOODS
*****
THROUGH EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL, THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO BE ABLE TO INSTIL A GREATER SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF SUPPLIERS, MANUFACTURERS OR IMPORTERS TO SUPPLY SAFE CONSUMER GOODS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, WHEN SHE WAS ADDRESSING THE 13TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFICATION LABORATORIES LIMITED.
MRS IP SAID THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL SOUGHT TO IMPOSE A STATUTORY DUTY ON MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS THEY SUPPLIED FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION WERE REASONABLY SAFE.
SHE SAID THE PROPOSED SCHEME OF CONTROL MAINLY FOLLOWED THAT SET OUT IN THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE.
"HOWEVER, IN RECOGNITION OF THE WIDE RANGE OF CONSUMER GOODS AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG AND THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS A VERY SMALL MARKET TO MOST MANUFACTURERS OF CONSUMER GOODS, WE DO NOT CONSIDER IT PRACTICABLE FOR HONG KONG TO PRESCRIBE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR EACH AND EVERY CLASS OF CONSUMER GOODS AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION.
"WE DECIDED THEREFORE TO FOLLOW THE CONTROL REGIME IN THE UK CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT BY INTRODUCING A GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT," SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT, SHE ADDED, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO PRESCRIBE STATUTORY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC CONSUMER GOODS AND IN EXTREME CASES, TO PROHIBIT THE SUPPLY OF CERTAIN CONSUMER GOODS.
IN SUCH SITUATIONS, THE INTENTION IS TO ADOPT WELL-ESTABLISHED AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED SAFETY STANDARDS FOR LOCAL APPLICATION.
"THIS POWER WILL ONLY BE INVOKED ON RARE OCCASIONS WHEN DANGEROUS CONSUMER GOODS ARE FOUND IN THE MARKET WHICH FALL OUTSIDE ANY SPECIFIC CONTROL SCHEMES AND REQUIRE CLEARLY STIPULATED SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SPEEDY AND EFFECTIVE PROTECTION OF THE INNOCENT CONSUMER," SHE SAID.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL IS THAT THE SUPPLY, IMPORT AND MANUFACTURE OF GOODS WHICH ARE REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE UNSAFE OR WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT OR ESTABLISHED REGULATIONS WILL BE AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY FINES AND IMPRISONMENT, SHE SAID.
- - 0-----------
Z24 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 24 -
TING KAU BRIDGE AND APPROACH VIADUCT
t » * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THE TING KAU BRIDGE AND ITS APPROACH VIADUCT FROM NORTHWEST TSING YI ISLAND TO TING KAU OF TSUEN WAN.
THE TING KAU BRIDGE, AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3, WILL CARRY DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AND WILL SPAN ACROSS THE RAMBLER CHANNEL BETWEEN NORTHWEST TSING YI ISLAND AND TING KAU.
IT WILL CONNECT THE REMAINING SECTIONS OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 AT THE NORTH AND THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND TSING YI SECTION OF ROUTE 3 AT THE SOUTH.
RAMPED ACCESS TO THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY AND FROM THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD AT TING KAU WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
UPON ITS COMPLETION IN MID-1997, A DIRECT ROAD LINK BETWEEN TSING YI AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PROVIDED.
IT WILL THEN REDUCE THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC IN THE CONTAINER PORT AREA AS TRAFFIC ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD MAY PROCEED TO AND FROM THE URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK VIA THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF ROUTE 3 AND THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING RESPECTIVELY.
CONDITIONS WILL BE IMPOSED UPON THE CONTRACTOR TO ENSURE THAT MARINE AND LAND TRAFFIC WILL BE DISRUPTED AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/TSUEN WAN AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KWAI TSING, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE/TSUEN WAN, FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
» THE DISTRICT OFFICE/KWAI TSING, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES
BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW
TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 25 NEXT YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
/25........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
25
NORTH WEST TSING YI INTERCHANGE
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM SUITABLE CONTRACTORS OR JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS TO PREQUALIFY FOR TENDERING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH WEST TSING YI INTERCHANGE.
THE CONTRACT IS ONE OF THE MAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTS FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
IT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED INTERCHANGE CONNECTING THE TSING MA BRIDGE WITH THE ROUTE 3, A PORTION OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY CUT AND COVER TUNNEL AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING HOUSING THE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND ASSOCIATED PARTS OF ROUTE 3.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION BY APRIL 1997.
DETAILS OF THE PREQUALIFICATION INVITATION WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
CONTRACTORS OR JOINT VENTURES WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION.
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSULTANTS: THE PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR, ROUTE 3 PROJECT, SPHW CONSULTANTS, 38TH FLOOR, METROPLAZA TOWER 1, 223 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI FONG, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 428 8866.
APPLICATIONS FOR PREQUALIFICATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON DECEMBER 24.
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
---------------0-------- ROUND ISLAND YACHT RACE ON SUNDAY *****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A YACHT RACE WILL TAKE PLACE ROUND HONG KONG ISLAND IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION DURING DAY TIME ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 28).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE RACE WOULD START AND FINISH OFF AT KELLET ISLAND IN CAUSEWAY BAY, AND THAT ABOUT 200 YACHTS INCLUDING SEVEN WINDSURFERS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE.
HE URGED THAT MASTERS, COXSWAINS AND THOSE IN CHARGE OF VESSELS NAVIGATING NEARBY TO EXERCISE WITH CARE AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION, GIVING CONSIDERATION TO THE CONTESTANTS.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS OF PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972 IS MANDATORY, HE SAID.
------0-------
/26........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 26 -
267 RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
A GROUP OF 267 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 92 MEN, 79 WOMEN, 45 BOYS AND 51 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 181 ST BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 10,080 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 36,392 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
-----0-------
METHADONE CLINIC MOVES
*****
THE YAU MA TEI METHADONE CLINIC WILL MOVE TO LEVEL 3 OF THE YAU MA TEI SPECIALIST CLINIC EXTENSION, 143 BATTERY STREET NEXT WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 1).
IT WILL BE OPEN FROM 6 PM TO 10 PM, MONDAY TO SUNDAY, INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE NEW TELEPHONE ENQUIRY NUMBER IS 770 2584.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,880
REVERSAL OF LAP +120
BALANCE AFTER REVERSL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +765
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,765
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.7 *+0.0* 26.11.1993
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1993
- 27 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.18 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.36 3.63
1 MONTH 3.02 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.83 3.91
3 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.94 4.09
6 MONTHS 3.17 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.87 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.49 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT OF 35 BILLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 19 4.20 ,524 MN 98.71 4.73
CLOSED 26 NOVEMBER 1993
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBERS REAPPOINTED ................. 1
MARINE DIRECTOR ATTENDS SHIP CONTROL MEETING ................. 2
OWNERS TO PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT ............ 4
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB PRAISED FOR CONSERVING COUNTRY PARKS ... 5
SWD PUBLICISES FAMILY LIFE ................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
7
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
1
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBERS REAPPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THE REAPPOINTMENT OF SIR S Y CHUNG AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
ALSO REAPPOINTED AT THE SAME TIME ARE 24 EXISTING MEMBERS WHO REPRESENT A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INTERESTS.
ESTABLISHED AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY IN DECEMBER 1990, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:
* TO USE HOSPITAL BEDS, STAFF, EQUIPMENT AND OTHER RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE HOSPITAL SERVICES OF THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD WITHIN THE RESOURCES OBTAINABLE;
♦ TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES BY
DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES;
♦ TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS;
* TO ATTRACT, MOTIVATE AND RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF;
* TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM; AND
♦ TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
COMMENTING ON THE RE-APPOINTMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SIR S Y CHUNG AND OTHER MEMBERS, HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
’’APART FROM ACHIEVING A SMOOTH INTEGRATION OF 36 PUBLIC HOSPITALS WITHOUT AFFECTING SERVICE DELIVERY, MANAGEMENT REFORMS AND NEW INITIATIVES ARE NOW SHOWING RESULTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THESE INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PATIENT-ORIENTED SERVICE CULTURE, REDUCTION TN OVERCROWDING AND WAITING TIME, BETTER HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT, CARING STAFF ATTITUDES AND IMPROVED PATIENTS FACILITIES.
"SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS ALSO BEEN MADE IN RATIONALISING THE DISTRIBUTION OF HOSPITAL SERVICE."
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE AUTHORITY WOULD KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE RE-APPOINTMENTS WILL BE GAZETTED NEXT FRIDAY (DECEMBER 3).
/NOTE TO .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
2
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING IS A MEMBERSHIP LIST OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BOARD:
SIR S Y CHUNG, GBE, JP (CHAIRMAN) DR CHIU HIN-KWONG, OBE, JP THE HON HO MUN-KA, MICHAEL MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM, MBE, JP DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, OBE, JP DR LEUNG NAI-KONG MRS LEUNG LAU YAU-FUN, JP DR WILLIAM H P LEWIS PROFESSOR LI KWOK-CHEUNG, ARTHUR PROFESSOR THE HON FELICE LI EH MAK, OBE, JP MRS LING LI CHING-MAN, ELEANOR, JP PROFESSOR MA CHUNG HO-KET, OBE, JP MR ANTHONY F NEOH, QC, JP MR NG SHUI-LAI MR JAMES C S RANKIN PROFESSOR KENNETH J SELLICK PROFESSOR DAVID TODD, CBE, JP THE HON WONG HONG-YUEN, PETER, OBE, JP MR WOO KWONG-CHING, PETER, JP PROFESSOR YOUNG TSE-TSE, ROSIE, OBE, JP DIRECTOR OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR, HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SECRETARY GENERAL, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY -------------------------0--------
MARINE DIRECTOR ATTENDS SHIP CONTROL MEETING
* * ♦ ♦ t
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, WILL GO TO TOKYO TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO ATTEND THE FINAL PREPARATORY MEETING ON THE ASIA-PACIFIC CO-OPERATION ON THE CONTROL OF SHIPS AND DISCHARGES.
HE WILL BE JOINED BY SURVEYOR GENERAL OF SHIPS AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR JOHN YAN-CHT TSE.
THE MEETING IS HOSTED BY THE MARITIME TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY BUREAU, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, JAPAN, IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE SHIP AND OCEAN FOUNDATION OF JAPAN.
IT WILL RUN FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 29) TO THURSDAY (DECEMBER
EIGHTEEN MARITIME AUTHORITIES TN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, INCLUDING THE BUREAU OF HARBOUR SUPER INTENDENCY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WILL ATTEND.
OTHER PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION, THE SECRETARIAT OF THE EUROPEAN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, THE LATIN AMERICAN SECRETARIAT OF THEIR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON PORT STATE CONTROL (PSC), INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION AND THE UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC.
/"WE EXPECT........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
3
"WE EXPECT THAT THE ASIA-PACIFIC MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON PORT STATE CONTROL (MOU) COULD BE FINALISED DURING THE MEETING AND WILL OPEN FOR SIGNATURE FOR PARTICIPATING MARITIME AUTHORITIES UNTIL MARCH 31, 1994," MR PYRKE SAID.
"THE MOU WILL THEN COME INTO OPERATION ON APRIL 1, 1994," HE
SAID.
THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE MOU COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD IN APRIL 1994 IN BEIJING.
ONE OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE MOU IS THAT EACH PARTICIPATING MARITIME AUTHORITY WILL HAVE ONE VOTE IN THE COMMITTEE.
"DECLINING SAFETY STANDARDS OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPS ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF SEAFARERS, THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND THE VIABILITY OF THE SHIPPING BUSINESS," MR PYRKE SAID.
"GLOBAL CO-OPERATION IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT BY ELIMINATING SUB-STANDARD SHIPS," HE SAID.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG, AS A MAJOR MARITIME CENTRE, SHOULD BE A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE NEW REGIONAL COMMITTEE TO PURSUE THESE GOALS."
ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPS OPERATING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION CALL AT HONG KONG EACH YEAR.
"SHIPPING INDUSTRY WELCOMES HONG KONG’S EFFORT. IT WILL BRING CONVENIENCE TO THE SHIPPING COMMUNITY BECAUSE SHIPS INSPECTED BY ONE AUTHORITY ARE UNLIKELY TO BE INSPECTED BY ANOTHER WITHIN SIX MONTHS," HE SAID.
MR PYRKE NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING ISSUES HAD 'TO BE AGREED. THEY ARE:
* WHICH MARITIME AUTHORITY WILL HOST THE SECRETARIAT THAT WILL WORK UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE MOU COMMITTEE;
* HOW TO SHARE OUT THE FUNDING OF THE RUNNING OF THE SECRETARIAT;
* TRAINING OF THE PSC SURVEYORS; AND
* WHETHER THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS tO PROTECT THE WELL-BEING OF SEAFARERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED tN THE MOU.
AFTER THE MEETING IN TOKYO, MR TSE WILL ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON "PORT STATE CONTROL - NEW SOLUTION OR NEW PROBLEM" IN LONDON. ON DECEMBER 6 AND 7.
HE WILL DELIVER A PAPER ON "THE DEVELOPMENT OF PORT STATE CONTROL FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION".
------0--------
/4 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
4
OWNERS TO PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE MAIN PROVISIONS IN THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, FLAT OWNERS CAN NOW PLAY A MORE ACTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
THIS WAS STATED BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR JOHNNY CHAN, AT A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE, AFTER DUE AMENDMENTS IN MAY THIS YEAR, HAD CHANGED ITS TITLE TO THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE TO REFLECT PRECISELY ITS PURPOSES AND APPLICATIONS.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES WAS TO FACILITATE FLAT OWNERS TO FORM OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS (OC’S) TO OVERSEE THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE FLAT OWNERS’ SUPERVISION OVER THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE OC, IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROVISIONS ON THE FORMATION AND OPERATION OF THE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE PROCEDURES OF CONVENING OC MEETING.
"THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE RANGE OF THREE TO NOT FEWER THAN FIVE PERSONS TO THAT OF THREE TO NOT FEWER THAN NINE PERSONS, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF FLATS IN A BUILDING.
"THIS PROVISION HAS ALLOWED GREATER PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION OF OWNERS," MR CHAN ADDED.
ON THE REMUNERATION OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS, HE SAID THE ORDINANCE HAD STIPULATED THAT SUCH ALLOWANCES SHOULD BE APPROVED BY RESOLUTION PASSED AT A GENERAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH, BUT, NOT EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN THE FOURTH SCHEDULE.
AS REGARDS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE BUILDING, MANDATORY TERMS ON HOW OC’S AND BUILDING MANAGERS SHOULD PROPERLY USE THEIR RESOURCES WERE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ORDINANCE.
MR CHAN SAID THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS HAD ISSUED A CODE OF PRACTICE UNDER SECTION 44 OF THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE.
THE CODE STIPULATES THAT ANY SUPPLIES, GOODS OR SERVICES, THE VALUE OF WHICH EXCEEDS OR LIKELY TO EXCEED A SPECIFIC SUM, SHALL BE PROCURED BY INVITATION TO TENDER.
TURNING TO THE EXTENSION OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE EXISTING LANDS TRIBUNAL TO HANDLE DISPUTES OVER BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS, MR CHAN SAID THE JUDICIARY STILL NEEDED TO FINALISE THE MANPOWER AND RESOURCES REQUIRED TO COPE WITH THIS ADDITIONAL WORK.
"WHEN THE JUDICIARY HAS DECIDED ON THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF THE RELATED PROVISIONS AS WELL AS THE 10TH SCHEDULE," HE ADDED.
/THE SEMINAR ......
5
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
THE SEMINAR WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE 01 HOUSING (HONG KONG BRANCH) AND HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, AND SPONSORED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
IT WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 100 BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, FLAT OWNERS, AND MEMBERS OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS AND OWNERS’ COMMITTEES.
------0--------
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB PRAISED FOR CONSERVING COUNTRY PARKS *****
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (SATURDAY) PRAISED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) FOR HELPING TO CONSERVE COUNTRY PARKS.
IN LAUNCHING THIS YEAR’S CYC COUNTRY PARK ADOPTION SCHEME AT THE SPACE MUSEUM IN TSIM SHA TSUI, DR LEE SAID THE MEMBERS’ HARD WORK AND SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HAI) SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SCHEME AIMS TO FOSTER A SENSE OF COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AMONG STUDENTS.
"CYC MEMBERS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN TREE PLANTING AND TENDING, APPLYING FERTILISER, WEEDING, PATH MAINTENANCE AND LITTER COLLECTION. THIS DEMONSTRATES THEIR CARE AND CONCERN FOR COUNTRY PARKS," DR LEE SAID.
IN VIEW OF THEIR ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT, FROM THIS YEAR THE SCHEME WILL BF. EXTENDED FROM A ONE-YEAR TO A THREE-YEAR PROJECT. IT WILL STRESS ON PERSISTENCE AND CONTINUITY IN PARTICIPATION.
HE BELIEVED THAT THROUGH A LONGER-TERM PROJECT, A CONSISTENT AND BROADER RANGE OF SUCH ACTIVITIES COULD BE OFFERED FOR CYC MEMBERS.
DR LEE SAID THE SCHEME HAD PROVED TO BE A POPULAR SCHOOL PROJECT SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1989. THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS HAS INCREASED FROM 10 IN 1989 TO 70 THIS YEAR, INVOLVING SOME 1,800 STUDENTS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR HO CHI-LEUNG, SAID THE SCHEME HAD BEEN GAINING MORE SUPPORT FROM SCHOOLS.
THIS YEAR, A RECORD NUMBER OF 72 SCHOOLS TAKE PART IN THE SCHEME, WITH 420 STUDENTS ENROLLED AS JUNIOR COUNTRY PARK WARDENS.
SOME 5,000 PARTICIPANTS WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN 7,000 MAN-DAYS OF SERVICES, HE ADDED.
MR HO THANKED THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY FOR PROVIDING FORESTRY WORK TRAINING FOR PARTICIPANTS.
- - 0----------
Z6 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
6
SWD PUBLICISES FAMILY LIFE
t * * * t
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY TIES FOR PROPER FUNCTIONING AND BETTER QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN WHEN LAUNCHING THE 1993/95 FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAGIN IN CENTRAL TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS HANDLED OVER 14,000 CASES INVOLVING FAMILY PROBLEMS LAST FISCAL YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF DIVORCE CASES HAD INCREASED BY 11 PER DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, TO ABOUT 5,600 A YEAR.
CENT
"THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN HAS THEREFORE PROPOSED 'STRENGTHENING FAMILY COMMUNICATION WITH CARE AND CONCERN’ AS THE MAIN THEME FOR THE CAMPAIGN," MR STRACHAN SAID.
AMONG THE 1,100 ENTRIES TO A SLOGAN COMPETITION IN AUGUST, TWO SLOGANS "OPEN THE WINDOW OF YOUR HEART AND SHARE OUR INNER FEELINGS" AND "A HARMONIOUS FAMILY PROVIDES WARMTH AND CARE" WHICH HIGHLIGHT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HARMONIOUS FAMILY TIES, HAVE BEEN SELECTED.
"THESE TWO SLOGANS WILL BE USED IN ALL OUR FUTURE PUBLICITY FORMATS," MR STRACHAN SAID.
A 13-PART RADIO SERIES "HARMONIOUS LIFE" HAS BEEN BROADCAST ON RADIO 5 EVERY SATURDAY SINCE EARLY SEPTEMBER.
A TELEVISION DRAMA, WITH 13 EPISODES FEATURING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE AND STUDENT SUICIDE, WILL GO ON AIR IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
ANOTHER SERIES OF RADIO PROGRAMMES IS BEING PLANNED.
"I HOPE THAT THESE RADIO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES WILL CONVEY POSITIVE MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, PARENTS-TO-BE, YOUNG COUPLES AND PARENTS WITH TEENAGE CHILDREN, ON HOW TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE FAMILY.
"THE FUTURE FOCUS OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS TO HELP SUCH GROUPS AND MORE INDEPTH GROUP COUNSELLING WILL BE PROVIDED," HE ADDED.
THE CLIMAX OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A PROGRAMME - "HIGHLIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY CUM MAJOR EVENT OF 1993/95 FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN" - TO BE HELD NEAR THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
0
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1993
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ★ ★ ★ ★ *
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 »+0.1»
------0-------
$ MILLION
3,765
-820
2,945
NIL
-234
2,711
27.11.93
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1993
GOVERNOR ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS .............................. 1
POST OFFICE TO SET UP CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP .................... 2
INMATES MAKE LITTER CONTAINERS FOR URBAN COUNCIL ................ 2
ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE PROVIDES RESPECTED SERVICES ........... 3
STUDENTS ATTEND MENTAL HEALTH TALKS ............................. 3
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR DECEMBER ............................ 4
65 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER ..................... 5
RENT OFFICERS HANDLE OVER 10,000 ENQUIRIES ...................... 6
1,300 TUEN MUN RESIDENTS DONATE BLOOD ........................... 6
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1993 - 1 -GOVERNOR ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS » » ♦ » »
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO THE PRESS AFTER INSPECTING THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE ANNUAL PARADE AT THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STADIUM:
GOVERNOR: GOOD MORNING.
QUESTION: COULD YOU TELL US YOUR REACTION TO THE EVENT TO DATE?
GOVERNOR: WE HAD, ALAS, ANOTHER SAD AND DISAPPOINTING ROUND, THE 17TH IN THE TALKS THAT WE’VE BEEN HAVING ABOUT MATTERS WHICH, SHOULD I THINK, BE PRETTY STRAIGHT-FORWARD AND 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS WHICH WE WENT INTO IN GOOD FAITH. THROUGHOUT THOSE TALKS THAT THEY’VE GONE ON FOR WEEKS AFTER WEEKS AND MONTHS AFTER MONTHS, WE’VE BEEN DOING ALL WE REASONABLY COULD TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME. WE OFFERED, AS YOU KNOW, DURING THE COURSE OF THE TALKS SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS BUT ALAS, THERE HASN’T BEEN MUCH SIGN OF MOVEMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE. CHRISTOPHER HUM AFTER THIS ROUND OF TALKS IS GOING BACK TO LONDON TO REPORT TO MINISTERS AND MICHAEL SZE AND BOB PEIRCE AND PETER LAI WILL BE COMING BACK TO HONG KONG TO REPORT TO ME AND TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. WE’VE ONLY REALLY AGREED ONE ISSUE SO FAR AFTER 17 ROUNDS. WE HAVEN’T, ALAS, EVEN BEEN ABLE TO AGREE THE STRAIGHT-FORWARD THINGS ON WHICH, I THINK, THERE IS A LOT OF AGREEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY AND A LOT OF AGREEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SO, YOU CAN IMAGINE THE GAP ON THE BIG ISSUES IS STILL VERY CONSIDERABLE. I THINK THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN VERY VERY PATIENT BUT I THINK THAT PATIENCE IS UNDERSTANDABLY WEARING A BIT THIN. SO, WE’LL BE CONSIDERING THE WAY FORWARD IN A CALM AND MEASURED WAY. WE’LL HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THINGS DEVELOP IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. I STILL HOPE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO PROCEED BY AGREEMENT. WE HAVE CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND WE’LL CARRY THEM OUT TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.
QUESTION: DO YOU NOW TABLE THE LEGISLATION? IF SO, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IS SUGGESTED THE PROCEDURE .... YOUR OWN AGENDA?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I NOW DO IS TALK TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND HEAR FROM MICHAEL SZE AND OTHERS ABOUT HOW THIS ROUND OF TALKS WENT. OBVIOUSLY, WE’LL BE TALKING TO MINISTERS IN LONDON AS WELL.
QUESTION: YOU’VE SAID FOR A YEAR THAT A UNIFIED LEGISLATION WASN’T A PIECE OF MEAL AND COULDN’T BE PIECEMEAL AND WE SHOULD HAVE IT ALL AT ONCE. HOW COULD YOU BRING FORWARD LEGISLATION NOW THAT IS BROKEN APART WITHOUT TRYING TO...?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I’VE ACTUALLY SAID AND SAID IT IN A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH YOU AND ME CROWDED OF THOSE WHO ASKED ME THE QUESTIONS IS THAT IT WASN'T A SOLUTION TO TRY TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ON THE ONE HAND AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON THE OTHER BECAUSE, AS I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS, THE REAL TASK OF PRESSURE ON US CONCERNS THE LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE FOR THE LEGCO ELECTIONS. EVEN THOUGH IT’S THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS WHICH COME FIRST, WE HAVEN’T, I REPEAT, BEEN GIVING DEADLINES BUT THE CALENDER ITSELF PRODUCES THEM AND PRODUCES THEM ELECTIVELY. IN A YEAR'S TIME, WE'LL ALREADY HAVE, AS I SAID TO YOU BEFORE, THE DISTRICT BOARD'S IS A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEHIND US AND WE WON’T BE VERY FAR AWAY FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. SO, WE’LL PROCEED IN A SENSIBLE WAY AND I CAN PROMISE YOU WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SENSIBLE AND MEASURED AND WE CERTAINLY WON’T BE MAKING THREATS ABOUT ANYTHING TO ANYONE.
/QUESTION: DO........
2
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1993
QUESTION: DO YOU MEAN THAT YOU’RE TAKING ................ WALKING AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE . ...?
GOVERNOR: WE ARE NOT WALKING AWAY FROM ANY NEGOTIATING TABLE. WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WALKING FIRMLY IN THE DIRECTION OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT WE’LL CONTINUE TO DO. THANKS VERY MUCH.
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POST OFFICE TO SET UP CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP » * * » *
A CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP WILL BE SET UP THIS TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 30) TO PROMOTE BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE POST OFFICE AND ITS SERVICE USERS.
COMPRISING 60 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THE GROUP WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE REGIONAL SUB-GROUPS - HONG KONG ISLAND AND OUTLYIMG ISLANDS, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES.
EACH OF THEM WILL BE CHAIRED BY A SENIOR CONTROLLER OF POSTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POSTAL SERVICES OF THAT REGION.
THEY WILL MEET REGULARLY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACKS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON POSTAL SERVICES SO THAT THE POST OFFICE CAN RESPOND BETTER TO THE NEEDS OF CUSTOMERS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY AND A FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING WILL BE ARRANGED FOR THE GROUP MEMBERS THIS TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 30).
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, WILL ATTEND THE CEREMONY.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT AND THE CEREMONY. THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 5.30 PM ON TUESDAY ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, 2 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
------0-------
INMATES MAKE LITTER CONTAINERS FOR URBAN COUNCIL
*****
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY OBTAINED AN ORDER FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MAKING 11,200 LITTER CONTAINERS AT A COST OF MORE THAN $7.28 MILLION.
LAST YEAR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL, HAS DEVELOPED A NEW, ROUNDSHAPED, DARK BLUE-COLOURED FIBREGLASS LITTER CONTAINER.
THE NEW CONTAINER IS DIFFERENT FROM THE CONVENTIONAL ONE WHICH IS MADE OF METAL AND IS RECTANGULAR-SHAPED AND ORANGE-COLOURED.
SOME 2,000 OF THE NEW CONTAINERS WERE MANUFACTURED BY THE INDUSTRIES AND WERE PUT ON TRIAL IN VARIOUS URBAN AREAS EARLY THIS YEAR.
/AS A.........
3
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1993
AS A RESULT OF THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, THE URBAN COUNCIL DECIDED TO ADOPT THE NEW DESIGN AND WILL REPLACE ALL EXISTING ONES BY PHASES.
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES OPERATES SOME 120 WORKSHOPS ENGAGING OVER 6,500 INMATES IN VARIOUS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
IT HAS AN IMPORTANT DUAL ROLE OF KEEPING PRISONERS FULLY EMPLOYED AND SAVING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY BY PRODUCING A WIDE RANGE OF GOODS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING GARMENT, LAUNDRY, OFFICE FURNITURE AND PRECAST CONCRETE.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL ALSO ENABLE INMATES TO ACQUIRE THE HABIT OF DOING USEFUL WORK SO THAT THEY CAN GET JOBS AFTER THEIR RELEASE.
THE FIBREGLASS LITTER CONTAINERS WILL BE MADE BY PRISONERS AT MA PO PING PRISON AND IT IS HOPED THAT THE NEW CONTAINERS WILL GIVE A NEW LOOK TO THE CITY.
------0--------
ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE PROVIDES RESPECTED SERVICES *****
THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT AND RESPECTED PART IN HELPING THE ELDERLY AND MANY LESS FORTUNATE YOUNG PEOPLE, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING FIRST AID SERVICES.
THE TRIBUTE WAS PAID BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (SUNDAY) AS HE WAS REVIEWING THE ANNUAL PARADE OF THE BRIGADE.
MR PATTEN SAID IT PROVIDED FIRST AID AND AMBULANCE SERVICES AT A VAST AND INCREASING RANGE OF PUBLIC FUNCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
LAST YEAR MEMBERS WERE ON DUTY FOR OVER 106,000 HOURS AND AMBULANCES ANSWERED OVER 3,000 CALLS FOR HELP.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE BRIGADE WAS SEEKING WAYS TO EXPAND ITS WORK AND REACH OUT MORE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
"I AM FULLY CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE HONG KONG WELL IN THE YEARS AHEAD," HE SAID.
------0-------
STUDENTS ATTEND MENTAL HEALTH TALKS
*****
STUDENTS FROM MORE THAN 100 SECONDARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED A SERIES OF TALKS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND STRESS MANAGEMENT GIVEN BY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXTENDED APRECIATION TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR HELPING STUDENTS GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO HANDLE STRESS.
/"THERE HAS .......
4
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1993
"THERE HAS BEEN INCREASING COMMUNITY AND MEDIA PARTICIPATION IN HELPING STUDENTS ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE," HE SAID.
ABOUT 120 DOCTORS OF DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES AND PSYCHIATRISTS HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE TALKS SINCE APRIL.
SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED INTEREST. SO FAR ABOUT 180 SCHOOLS HAVE REQUESTED THESE VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONALS TO GIVE MORE TALKS WHILE A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ARE SENDING IN APPLICATIONS.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE ORGANISING FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS EXHIBITIONS, RELAXATION EXERCISES AND STUDENT-TEACHER DISCUSSIONS, AFTER THE SEMINARS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0-------
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR DECEMBER
*****
A TOTAL OF EIGHT ORGANISATIONS WERE GRANTED PERMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS NEXT MONTH, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE ORGANISATIONS WILL EITHER SELL FLAGS, TOKENS OR SIMILAR ITEMS, OR PLACE DONATION BOXES IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC AREAS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ON 866 8123 IN CASE OF DOUBTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO ORGANISERS TO ADOPT PRECAUTIONS AGAINST ANY POSSIBLE FRAUD.
"SELLERS SHOULD DISPLAY THE PERMIT OR CARRY COPIES OF THE PERMIT FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST IF THE FUND-RAISING IS MOBILE," HE ADDED
HE ADVISED THEM TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, SETTING OUT THE PLACES AND THE TIME FOR SELLING, AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND SEEK THEIR HELP WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND.
DETAILS OF THE EVENTS ARE:
* FOR FLAGS
EVENT DATE
4.12
11.12
18.12
22.12 (WEDNESDAY)
ORGANISATION
HK OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CHILDREN (DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN HOSPITAL)
COMMUNITY CHEST OF HK
HK PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION
/* FOR PUBLIC .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1993
5
♦ FOR PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
EVENT DATE
PERMITTEE
4.12
11.12
18.12
25. 12
LIFEWAY FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH
4. 12
5.12
HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR UNICEF
5.12
26.12
HONG KONG CHURCH OF CHRIST
5.12
19.12
SOWERS
ACTION
- - 0 - -
65 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER *****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 65 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
OF THESE, 22 ARE FOR HONG KONG, EIGHT FOR KOWLOON AND 35 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDE 24 FOR APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 12 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND 17 FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
IN THE MONTH, CONSENTS WERE GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 22 PROJECTS, WHICH INVOLVE 17,748 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 21,612 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
MEANWHILE, THE DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN THE SAME MONTH TOTALLED ABOUT $2,478 MILLION.
OF THE BUILDINGS CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION IN THE MONTH, USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USE ARE 159,974 SQUARE METRES AND 118,792 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN SEPTEMBER, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 33 OCCUPATION PERMITS - 14
FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE FOR KOWLOON AND 10 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 25 DEMOLITION CONSENTS INVOLVING 62 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 672 COMPLAINTS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,797 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 1,538 REMOVAL ORDERS IN RESPECT OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED 947 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED TWO EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
--------0-----------
/6 ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1993
6
RENT OFFICERS HANDLE OVER 10,000 ENQUIRIES
t * * *
THE RENT OFFICERS ON DUTY AT DISTRICT OFFICES HANDLED A TOTAL OF 10,476 PUBLIC ENQUIRIES IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR.
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT MOST OF THE ENQUIRIES CONCERNED LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OF TENANCY DISPUTED, RECOVERY OR EVICTION OF PREMISES AND ARREARS OF RENT.
UNDER THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, RENT OFFICERS FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT ARE ON DUTY AT 15 DISTRICT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS ON SPECIFIED DAYS OF THE WEEK.
THEY ALSO HANDLE CASES REFERRED BY STAFF OF THE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES (PESCS) OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES ALL OVER THE TERRITORY.
THE 15 DISTRICT OFFICES ARE CENTRAL AND WESTERN, EASTERN, SOUTHERN AND WAN CHAI ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KOWLOON CITY, KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUT PO, WONG TAI SIN AND YAU TSIM IN KOWLOON; AND KWAI TSING, SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY APPROACH ANY PESCS OR CALL THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE ON TEL 835 2500 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
1,300 TUEN MUN RESIDENTS DONATE BLOOD * * » » »
ABOUT 1,300 TUEN MUN RESIDENTS RESPONDED TO THE BLOOD DONATION CALL DURING THE TUEN MUN FESTIVAL ’93.
THE EXERCISE WAS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND TO STRENGTHEN THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING.
THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL ENDED TODAY (SUNDAY) WITH THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN FESTIVAL ’93 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT, PRESENTING SOUVENIRS TO LOCAL GROUPS FOR CONTRIBUTING TO ITS SUCCESS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA AND COMMENDATIONS TO 110.............. 1
TWO GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $315 MILLION ............................. 6
FIVE MORE MEN GET HIV ........................................... 6
ROAD TEST REPEATERS CAN APPLY FOR EMPTY SLOTS ................... 7
FARMING CARNIVAL TO BE STAGED NEXT MONTH ........................ 7
EMPLOYERS URGED TO QUIT CARELESSNESS ............................ 9
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ..................................... 11
ENTREPRENEURS CAN BUILD A BETTER ASIA-PACIFIC ................. 11
NEW PHONE FOR WATER SUPPLIES SUB-OFFICE ........................ 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
12
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
1
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA AND COMMENDATIONS TO 110 » ♦ » * *
INSIGNIA AND COMMENDATIONS WERE PRESENTED TO 110 PEOPLE BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT A CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
OF THEM, 80 WERE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, 24 WERE AWARDED ST JOHN INSIGNIA AND SIX GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATIONS.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF RECIPIENTS:
CBE
MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK
MR THOMAS CHEN TSENG-TAO
OBE
THE HONOURABLE RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI
MRS KATHERINE FOK LO SHIU-CHING
MR FREDERICK HO WING-HUEN
MR BRIAN JENNEY
MR KEITH LAM HON-KEUNG
DR PUN KWOK-SHING
MR SIU CHUEN
MR DONALD TSANG
MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH
MBE
MR CHAN WAH-CHAU
MR CHAU KA-KI
MRS CHIU SO YIM-SHAN
MR CHUNG KIN-GUP
MR KISHORE KUMAR GURUNG
DR RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI (ALSO ATTENDING AS ST JOHN)
MR KO YEE-KWAN
/MR KWOK .......
it 2 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
X •
MR KWOK YAO-KEE
MR RAYMOND LAI MING-KEE
MR LAM KAM-HOP
MR LAU KAI
MR LAU SHIU-NIN
MR LEE CHEUK-KING
MRS DAISY LI WOO TZE-HA •' •*
MR LING CHIU-LOK
MR LO HO-KWONG
MR JOHN LOO WUN-LOONG
MRS MING CHAN CHUNG-TING, JOAN
MR SUEN KIN-CHUNG
MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG
MR WONG CHI-KEUNG
MR WONG KWONG-CHUNG
MR YUEN TAK-MING
MBE(MIL)
MS CHENG MEI-LING FOR THE LATE MAJOR SIMON CHENG CHAN-WING
MAJOR IAN BRUCE FERGUS LANE
QPM ' •
MR CHRISTOPHER JOHN WESTAWAY BAGLEY
MR ALASTAIR WILLIAM JAMIESON GUNN
’z A’ % . :
QFSM
.
MR JAMES HO KWOK-CHUEN
• • ’ « I *
ISM
•• aC
MR CHING KING-MAN . - .1 jiTi
MR LAU ON
.OWa v"'
/CPM......
3
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993 /
CPM
MR WILLIAM IAN NICHOLSON
MR MICHAEL BRIAN DOWIE
MR ERIC LEUNG CHI-BUN
MR RICHARD HUGH YOUNGE
MR GERARD ANTHONY MCSTRAVICK
MR STEPHEN HENRY ROBINS
MR LESLIE BURTON
MR CHARLES JOHN REARDON
MR TANG CHIU-WING
MR FUNG KAM-WONG
MR LEUNG TUNG-CHOI
MR CHAUDHRY MOHAMMAD ANWAR
MR YAM CHI-NAM
MR AHMAD NAZIR
MR CHEUNG TAM-CHING
MR FUNG TAK-SHING
FIRE
MR TSE YU-HING
MR LUN PING-CHUEN
MR LO PING-LAM
MR CHAN LUNG
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR HENRY CHAN HAY
MR WILLIAM CHANG
MR TONY CHOY KWAI-SANG
DR CHUNG CHI-YUNG
MR HO KWAN-CHU
/MRS TERESA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
4
MRS TERESA HOWELL
MR KWAN MING
MR LAI HIN-WA
MR LAM KIN-KWOK
MS LEONA LAM WAI-LING
MR LO KWOK-HUNG
MS MA LAI-WAH
MR PANG KAM-CHUEN
MR TANG YING-HEI
MR WILLY TSAO SING-YUEN
MR WAN YUET-KAU
MR WONG KWOK-KEUNG
MR WONG KWONG
MR YIM KWOK-ON
GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATIONS
MR CHOY KIN-CHEUNG
MR CHEUNG KWAI-KEE
MR CHAN WING-FU
MR LEUNG KING-LUN
MR LEE CHI-WAI
MR CHAN LIN-FAI
ST JOHN
OFFICER BROTHER
MR WOO MAN-KAI
DR PETER C Y LEE
MR CHAN CHEUK-SANG
MR CHIU SZE-HOI
/SERVING BROTHER ....
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
• • » . '■ ■ > : I .
- 5 -
SERVING BROTHER
DR WILLIAM FUNG KIN-KONG
MR STANLEY AU PING-LUN
MR ALLAN LEUNG TING-KAI
DR LAWRENCE LAM CHI-KIT
DR LAM CHO-YEE
MR WONG TAT-CHUEN
MR HO SHIU-KUEN
MR LAI TAT-KWAN
DR EDMUND WOO KIN-WAI
DR YEUNG CHUNG-HIM
MR WILLIAM T C CHEUNG
MR WONG CHING-CHI
MR TONY CHAU MUN
MR CHENG HOI-CHUEN
DR RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI (ALSO MBE)
MR LEE KWONG
MR CHAN CHAI-ON
MR TSANG SIN-TAK
SERVING SISTER
MISS MAY KWONG MAY-LING . • ■ .i . '
DR CHING KIT-MING
. ■ J
• ’ ‘ ' • . :s
------------------------------o---------
/6 ........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
6
TWO GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $315 MILLION
*****
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $315 MILLION AT THE PUBLIC LAND AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED AT MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND WAS BOUGHT BY HORTIG INTERNATIONAL (HK) LTD AT THE OPENING PRICE OF $ 18 MILLION.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 840 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, GODOWNS, HOTELS OR OFFICES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 840 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
THE SECOND LOT, LOCATED IN MA TIN ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES, AND WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,350 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO EVER LEAD LIMITED AT $297 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $220 MILLION.
IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 7,830 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, AND WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR JOHN CORRIGALL.
------0-------
FIVE MORE MEN GET HIV *****
FIVE MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (OCTOBER), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF HIV-INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 408.
NO NEW AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES IS 91 WITH 61 DEATHS. THE 30 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 408 HIV-INFECTED, 299 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, NINE WERE INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS, AND 65 WERE INFECTED THROUGH CONTAMINATED BLOOD OR BLOOD PRODUCTS BEFORE 1985 WHEN HIV ANTIBODY TEST AND SAFE HEAT TREATED CLOTTING CONCENTRATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
FOR THE REMAINING 35, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
SINCE THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WAS STARTED IN 1985, 299,119 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
/THE HONG .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
1
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,324,255 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 29 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE,
------0--------
ROAD TEST REPEATERS CAN APPLY FOR EMPTY SLOTS
* » » t t
ROAD TEST REPEATERS CAN APPLY FOR EMPTY SLOTS CREATED FROM POSTPONEMENTS STARTING FROM DECEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE SLOTS WOULD BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
"THE ARRANGEMENT IS AN IMPROVEMENT TO SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
EXCEPT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A TEST FORM, NO EXTRA FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE APPLICATION. THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICANTS HAD TO APPLY IN PERSON AT THE DRIVING TEST SECTION.
THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THEIR IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT, A COPY OF THEIR PREVIOUS TEST RESULT OR PARTICULARS OF DRIVING TEST.
APPLICATIONS BY AN AGENT SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
SLOTS FOR DRIVING TESTS INVOLVING PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL CARS TO BE CONDUCTED IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE HANDLED BY COUNTER 34 OF THE DRIVING TEST SECTION ON NINTH FLOOR, PARK-IN CCilMERClAL CENTRE, DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
TESTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE PROCESSED AT COUNTER 1 AT 2 HURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG.
NO SUCH SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE SHA TIN APPOINTMENTS OFFICE AT THIS STAGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR APPOINTMENTS OBTAINED UNDER THE SCHEME, APPLICATIONS FOR POSTPONEMENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED UNLESS FOR HEALTH REASONS, IN WHICH CASE ONLY END-OF-LIST APPOINTMENTS WOULD BE GIVEN.
------0-------
FARMING CARNIVAL TO BE STAGED NEXT MONTH « » t t » t »
THE 1993 AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS, WILL BE HELD AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND DURING THE COMING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FESTIVE SEASON.
THE SPECTACLE WILL RUN FROM DECEMBER 18 TO JANUARY 2. IT IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS.
/IT IS .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
8
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE JOINT FEDERATION OF HONG KONG AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SOCIETIES (JFAFPMS) AND THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE CARNIVAL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THE 16-DAY EVENT, ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $7 MILLION, WAS FULLY SUPPORTED BY AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG, CHINA, TAIWAN AND OVERSEAS.
"THE MAIN AIM IS TO INCREASE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND FUTURE TRENDS," HE SAID.
DESCRIBING IT AS BOTH EDUCATIONAL AND INTERESTING, DR LEE SAID THERE WOULD BE EXHIBITIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON ADVANCED FARMING TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT.
VISITORS CAN ALSO TAKE PART IN MANY INTERESTING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
"THIS IS A FUNCTION THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS," HE SAID.
DR LEE SAID PRIMARY PRODUCTS, INCLUDING VEGETABLES, PIGS AND POULTRIES, HAD HELPED TO REGULATE AND STABILISE THE SUPPLY AND PRICES OF FRESH FOODSTUFFS.
IN ADDITION, THE FARM PRODUCTION HAS PLAYED A RATHER IMPORTANT ECONOMIC ROLE IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, WITH A TURNOVER AMOUNTING TO $1.1 BILLION LAST YEAR.
THE INDUSTRY ALSO HELPS TO CONSERVE THE COUNTRYSIDE, DR LEE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, SAID AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FROM THE 1950’S TO 1970’S WERE POPULAR, ATTRACTING VISITORS FROM BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS.
"IT IS A PITY THAT SHOWS OF THIS KIND HAVE NOT BEEN ORGANISED SINCE 1972," MR CHEUNG SAID.
FOR THE SAKE OF PRESERVING TRADITIONAL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, HE SAID THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD DECIDED TO JOIN IN THE EVENT.
"I HOPE IT WOULD HELP THE PUBLIC GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND REMIND THEM THAT OUR AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES SECTOR STILL PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR SOCIETY," HE ADDED.
ON SHOW IS A CONSOLIDATED FARMING VILLAGE FEATURING INTEGRATED FARMING, LIVESTOCK HUSBANDRY, CHICKEN HATCH DEMONSTRATION, PLANT NURSERIES AND CROP FARMS.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE A GIANT TOMATO ARCHWAY, HUGE HEXAGON ASSORTED VEGETABLE AND FLOWER ARRANGEMENT, A MINI BEE REARING FARM AND A FLOWER BAZAAR. I
/THERE WILL .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
9
THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 70 STALLS SELLING AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS FROM HONG KONG AND A NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COUNTRIES INCLUDING AUSTRALIA AND NETHERLANDS.
TO ADD SPICE TO THE CARNIVAL, THERE WILL BE VARIOUS KINDS OF STAGE PERFORMANCES AND GAME STALLS AS WELL AS DOG SHOWS, HORSE RIDING AND PIG RACES.
THE EVENT WILL OPEN DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM AND WILL EXTEND TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ADMISSION IS $10 PER PERSON. TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND NEXT TO THE KWAI FONG MTR STATION. THE VENUE IS ALSO EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY MANY OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
DISCOUNT GROUP TICKETS WILL BE OFFERED TO SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROMOTION COMPANY ON 367 5778.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR ADOLF HSU, CHAIRMAN OF JFAFPMS, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MISS VERA SO AND REGIONAL COUNCIL’S FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR, MR JOHNNY WOO.
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY A NUMBER OF COMPANIES INCLUDING TOM LEE PIANO COMPANY, HUTCHISON-WHAMPOA TELEPHONE, SHARP ELECTRIC APPLIANCES AND NINTENDO, WING HONG WOO CO LTD, DUTCH LADY, FUJI PHOTO PRODUCTS CO LTD AND MONGKOK VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION CO LTD, WITH THE TREASURE MARK DEVELOPMENT LTD AS THE PROMOTER OF THE EVENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT MISS SYLVIA NG OR MISS SHIRLEY LAU OF TREASURE MARK DEVELOPMENT LTD ON 367 5778.
-----0 - - - -
EMPLOYERS URGED TO QUIT CARELESSNESS
*****
LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR MR CHAN TAT-KING TODAY (MONDAY) APPEALED TO EMPLOYERS IN ALL INDUSTRIES TO TAKE CARE OF SAFETY AT WORK.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE FOLLOWING TWO RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH TWO SEPARATE COMPANIES WERE HEAVILY FINED FOR VIOLATING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAWS.
ON JUNE 15 THIS YEAR, FACTORY INSPECTOR (II) MR CHEUK WAI-MAN OF THE BUILDING ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION/KOWLOON OFFICE INSPECTED A CONSTRUCTION SITE AT AUSTIN AVENUE IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND FOUND A FLOOR EDGE ON THE 15TH FLOOR OF A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION WAS UNFENCED.
/FOLLOW-UP .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
10
FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS RESULTED IN THE PROSECUTION OF WOON LEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED UNDER SECTION 38P(1) OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
UNDER THIS SECTION, THE CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR A CONSTRUCTION SITE SHALL ENSURE THAT EVERY OPENING, EDGE OR OTHER DANGEROUS PLACE THROUGH OR FROM WHICH ANY PERSON ON THE SITE IS LIABLE TO FALL A DISTANCE OF MORE THAN TWO METRES IS PROVIDED WITH EITHER SUITABLE STRONG GUARD-RAILS OR COVERINGS SO CONSTRUCTED AS TO PREVENT THE FALL OF PERSONS, MATERIALS AND ARTICLES.
THE MAXIMUM FINE OF THIS OFFENCE IS $50,000.
THE COMPANY WAS FINED $45,000 BY THE COURT ON NOVEMBER 12.
ANOTHER COURT CASE INVOLVED A FATAL ACCIDENT IN CENTRAL EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE T-YOUNG’S SERVICES LIMITED, WHO WAS CHARGED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 5(1) OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ELECTRICITY) REGULATIONS, WAS FINED $30,000. THIS IS THE MAXIMUM PENALTY UNDER THIS SECTION.
THE VICTIM OF THE ACCIDENT WAS AN 18-YEAR-OLD WORKER. HE RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK WHILE USING A COMPRESSOR IN A CLEANING OPERATION AT THE DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WORK PLACE ON MAY 14. HE LATER DIED IN HOSPITAL.
IT WAS LATER ESTABLISHED THAT THE COVER OF THE COMPRESSOR WAS NOT SECURELY FASTENED AND THE CAP COVERING LIVE TERMINALS WAS LOOSE, RESULTING IN THE FATAL ELECTRICAL LEAK.
"THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WOULD NOT TOLERATE CONTRACTORS WHO FAIL TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS TO FLOOR EDGES IN BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS," MR CHAN SAID.
UNDER THE LAW, IT IS THE DUTY OF ALL EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT, AND PROPERLY AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED ELECTRICAL APPARATUS IN SAFE WORKING CONDITION FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
OTHERWISE, THEY WILL BE PUNISHED UNDER THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LEGISLATION, HE SAID.
MR CHAN ALSO ASKED EMPLOYEES AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TO ADOPT A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO SAFETY, INSTEAD OF THE "COULDN’T CARE LESS" OR "I’M ALRIGHT, JACK" ATTITUDE. ;p r
"TO PROTECT THEIR OWN LIVES, ALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD 1 FULLY COOPERATE WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS BY TAKING SAFETY MEASURES AS SPECIFIED IN SAFETY REGULATIONS WHICH COVER ALMOST EVERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
------0--------
/Il .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
- 11 -
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY * * * * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER TWO BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 1).
OF THE TWO BILLS, BRF.WIN TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON IT IS DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATE ON GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WILL BE RESUMED. IT IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION TO SET UP A DISASTER RELIEF FUND.
THERE WILL ALSO BE FOUR OTHER MOTIONS.
ONE MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON JAMES TO UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE. ANOTHER MOTION ON THE TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF MR ALEX TSUI BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) ORDINANCE.
THE HON FRED LI WILL MOVE A MOTION ON SINGLE PARENT FAMILY AND THE HON PETER WONG WILL MOVE A MOTION ON SEWAGE CHARGING POLICY WITH AMENDED MOTIONS PROPOSED SEPARATELY BY DR THE HON C H LEONG AND REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
------0-------
ENTREPRENEURS CAN BUILD A BETTER ASIA-PACIFIC
*****
HONG KONG AND CANADIAN ENTREPRENEURS CAN JOIN HANDS TO BUILD WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN THE REGION A BETTER, BRIGHTER AND EVEN MORE VIBRANT ASIA-PACIFIC, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY> MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A BUSINESS SEMINAR ORGANISED AS PART OF THE METRO TORONTO WEEK IN HONG KONG, MR CHAU SAID BOTH HONG KONG AND CANADA BELONGED TO ASIA-PACIFIC, WHICH WAS THE FASTEST-GROWING REGION IN THE WORLD TODAY.
’’THE DYNAMISM OF THE REGION IS DUE IN NO SMALL WAY TO THE ECONOMIC LIBERALISATION PURSUED BY CHINA AND OTHER EAST ASIAN ECONOMIES," HE SAID.
"MANY OF THESE EAST ASIAN ECONOMIES ARE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH ARE QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF HONG KONG AND CANADA," .MR CHAU ADDED.
HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE EXISTING STRONG ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND HUMAN BONDS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND TORONTO, IT WAS ONLY NATURAL THAT BUSINESS TIES BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES WOULD GROW EVER STRONGER.
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/12 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
12
NEW PHONE FOR WATER SUPPLIES SUB-OFFICE *******
THE MAIN EXCHANGE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S ARGYLE STREET SUB-OFFICE WILL BE CHANGED FROM 395 3131 TO 399 4399 NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 6).
THE PRESENT TELEPHONE SYSTEM, WHICH REQUIRES SWITCHBOARD OPERATORS TO CONNECT PHONE CALLS TO INDIVIDUAL EXTENSIONS, WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW SYSTEM OPERATING THROUGH INDIVIDUAL DIRECT LINES.
"IN THE FIRST MONTH AFTER THE CHANGE, CALLERS WILL BE TOLD TO USE THE NEW DIRECT LINES IN FUTURE, BUT OPERATORS WILL STILL FORWARD THEIR CALLS TO INDIVIDUALS EXTENSIONS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENT COULD HELP TO STREAMLINE COMMUNICATION AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE - 396 0210 - FOR REPORTING TECHNICAL FAULTS OF WATER SUPPLY IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES REMAINS UNCHANGED.
------0--------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* * * ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 79.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 464.417 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 395.191 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 67.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,711
REVERSAL OF LAF +289
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -210
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,790
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.9 *+0.1* 29.11.93
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1993
13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/ HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.09 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.37 3.62
1 MONTH 3.03 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.83 3.91
3 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.95 4.08
6 MONTHS 3.14 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.91 4.24
12 : MONTHS 3.44 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.74 4.72
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 15.799MN
CLOSED 29 NOVEMBER 1993 ---------------------------------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CS HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CIVIL SERVICE AND LEGCO ... 1
JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING ............................... 3
TELEPHONE COMPETITION ON THE WAY .......................... 3
11 MORE SUMMONSES ISSUED ON PASSENGER HOIST ACCIDENT ...... 4
ASSESSMENT OF BUS AND RAIL OPERATOR'S PERFORMANCE ......... 5
MORE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS IN THIRD QUARTER ................ 6
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER 1993 ...................... 6
TOUGHER RULES FOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES .................. 10
AIRPORT WORKS PROGRESS WELL ............................... 10
42,000 PRIMARY 1 DISCRETIONARY PLACES TAKEN ............... 11
AIDS COUNCIL HELPS MARK WORLD AIDS DAY .................... 12
INTEGRATION TO ENHANCE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT ................. 13
DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN .. 14
CHIEF SECRETARY URGES COMMUNITY TO HELP NEEDY ............. 17
MANUFACTURING SECTOR FULL OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ..... 17
POST OFFICE READY TO RECEIVE VIEWS ........................ 19
IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING COMMUNITY CARE STRESSED ........... 19
VTC TO OFFER COURSES ON SAFE STEVEDORING .................. 21
222 VMS RETURN HOME ....................................... 22
AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS ................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ......... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 24
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
1
CS HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CIVIL SERVICE AND LEGCO ♦ * * * *
THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS SET ABOUT BUILDING A CREATIVE AND COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE NEW CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TONIGHT (TUESDAY).
MRS CHAN SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE RESPONDED TO HONG KONG1S UNIQUE POLITICAL SITUATION IN TERMS OF A PARTNERSHIP.
”1 VALUE THIS PARTNERSHIP, AND I WANT TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," SHE SAID.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP DINNER OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
BUT SHE SAID CO-OPERATION WAS A TWO-WAY THING AND IMPLIED A DEGREE OF TRUST ON THE PART OF BOTH PARTIES.
"IT SEEMS TO ME NOT UNREASONABLE TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO GET ON WITH THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS OF RUNNING A LARGE CIVIL SERVICE."
SHE SAID THE DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD BE IN DANGER IF:
* OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS BECOME PART OF A STRUGGLE FOR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE, OR,
* INDIVIDUALS CANNOT BE DISCIPLINED OR PROMOTED WITHOUT PROVOKING POLITICAL CONTROVERSY.
"AS CHIEF SECRETARY, I WILL HELP THE CIVIL SERVICE TO RESIST THESE DANGERS," SHE SAID.
THIS WILL BE BY:
* PROTECTING ITS IMPARTIALITY AND POLITICAL NEUTRALITY,
* DEFENDING ITk TRADITION OF MAKING APPOINTMENTS AND
PROMOTIONS STRICTLY ACCORDING TO MERIT AND QUALIFICATIONS, AND
* MAINTAINING OBJECTIVE AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF
MANAGEMENT.
"THE CIVIL SERVICE, ABOVE ALL, MUST REMAIN A MERITOCRACY," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID HER BIGGEST PERSONAL CHALLENGE IN THE COMING YEARS WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE MADE ITS FULL CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO 1997.
"HONG KONG IS IN A PERIOD OF RAPID POLITICAL EVOLUTION.
/•'THE COMMUNITY.......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
2
’’THE COMMUNITY MUST BE ABLE TO RELY ON THE CIVIL SERVICE TO PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL STABILITY AND CONTINUITY TO OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS."
THE SERVICE, SHE SAID, WAS WELL AWARE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES, AND IT WAS WELL-EQUIPPED TO DISCHARGE THEM.
,,.f; - .... 1
"IN PARTICULAR, I AND MY CIVIL SERVICE COLLEAGUES WILL MAKE EVERY ENDEAVOUR TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.
"THROUGH UNDERSTANDING, GREATER CO-OPERATION WILL FOLLOW," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID SHE WOULD WORK SINCERELY TO SEE THE LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WERE MET. THESE EXPECTATIONS INCLUDED COMMITMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, HONG KONG TO BE WELL RUN AND "HONG KONG PEOPLE TO RUN HONG KONG".
"I WANT IT TO GET THE WHOLEHEARTED COMMITMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TO MAKING A SUCCESS OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’.
"I WANT IT TO GET THE ENTHUSIASTIC CO-OPERATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IN PROMOTING ’STABILITY AND PROSPERITY’ THROUGH FIRST-CLASS ADMINISTRATION.
"I WANT IT TO BE ABLE TO FIND WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF MEN AND WOMEN WELL-QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT AS PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS OR TO OTHER SENIOR POSITIONS," SHE SAID.
AS CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS CHAN SAID IT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE HER MAJOR CONCERN THAT THE CIVIL SERVANTS WERE FULLY EQUIPPED BY 1997 TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA.
SHE ALSO SAID SHE SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK TO SEE THAT THE EXCELLENT CIVIL SERVICE WAS FAIRLY TREATED.
"IT WILL BE MY DUTY TO SEE THAT IT CONTINUES TO ENJOY THE STANDARDS OF PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WHICH MEET THE OBLIGATIONS OF A GOOD EMPLOYER.
"THE CIVIL SERVICE OWES A DEBT OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY; THE COMMUNITY OWES A DEBT OF FAIRNESS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE."
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
3
JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING
*****
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING THAT THE TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON HONG KONG WILL TAKE PLACE IN LONDON FROM DECEMBER 7 TO 9,
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, MR HUGH DAVIES.
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE MR ALAN PAUL (COUNSELLOR, OFFICE OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH , JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HONG KONG), MR ROBERT PEIRCE (POLITICAL ADVISER, HONG KONG), AND MR PETER RICKETTS (HEAD OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE).
------0-------
TELEPHONE COMPETITION ON THE WAY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY LICENSE THREE NEW COMPETITIVE FIXED TELECOMS NETWORKS, MARKING AN IMPORTANT NEW STAGE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT’S PRO-COMPETITION TELECOMS POLICY.
"I AM PLEASED TO SEE THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE LICENSING EXERCISE OF FIXED TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK SERVICES (FTNS) WHICH WILL BRING SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS TO BOTH CONSUMERS AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND IN ITS TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY. IT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD," MR SIU SAID.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S LIBERALISATION POLICY, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR ALEXANDER ARENA, ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD BE PREPARED TO AWARD FTNS LICENCE TO THREE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS: IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, HUTCHISON COMMUNICATIONS LTD, NEW T&T HONG KONG LTD AND NEW WORLD TELEPHONE LTD, SUBJECT TO FINALISATION OF THE TERMS OF THE LICENCES AND CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AS THE LICENCES WILL SPAN 1997.
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY HAS BASED THE AWARD OF LICENCES ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP, INVOLVING THE OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE FINANCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, THE FINANCIAL MONITORING UNIT AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
ARTHUR D LITTLE, A CONSULTANCY FIRM, HAD ALSO BEEN COMMISSIONED TO ASSIST IN ASSESSING THE FUTURE FIXED NETWORK MARKET STRUCTURE, AND ESTABLISHED THAT THE HONG KONG MARKET COULD SUPPORT THREE NEW LOCAL FIXED TELECOM NETWORKS.
AD LITTLE PROJECTED THAT THE TOTAL MARKET SIZE WOULD DOUBLE IN REAL TERMS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS FROM THE CURRENT $7 BILLION TO ABOUT $14 BILLION, OR $28 BILLION IN PRICE OF THE DAY.
/MR ARENA .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
4
MR ARENA SEES THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPETITIVE NEW TELECOM NETWORKS WILL TAKE HONG KONG INTO A NEW ERA OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS. CONSUMERS COULD EXPECT TO BENEFIT FROM SERVICE INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVE PRICING IN TELEPHONE, FAX AND IDD SERVICES.
THE ESTIMATED BENEFITS TO CONSUMERS FROM PRICE DISCOUNTS OFFERED BY COMPETING NETWORKS WOULD AMOUNT TO $1.7 BILLION IN REAL TERMS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
MEANWHILE HONG KONG TELEPHONE WILL CONTINUE TO BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC TELEPHONE SERVICE TO ALL PARTS OF HONG KONG, WITH PRICE INCREASES LIMITED BELOW INFLATION BY A PRICE CAP.
"THE LICENSEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO OBSERVE A CODE OF PRACTICE IN CO-ORDINATING THEIR ROAD WORKS TO REDUCE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC, AND THE EXPECTED ADDITIONAL ROAD OPENING WILL BE CONTAINED TO BELOW ONE PER CENT OF THE EXISTING LEVEL,” MR ARENA ADDED.
0----I ■■ ■ •--• . . ■ ■ . • •
11 MORE SUMMONSES ISSUED ON PASSENGER HOIST ACCIDENT *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ISSUED ANOTHER 11 SUMMONSES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PASSENGER HOIST ACCIDENT IN NORTH POINT.
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT, ON JUNE 2 IN WHICH 12 PERSONS DIED'.
THE LATEST LEGAL ACTION BRINGS TO 13 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUMMONSES TAKEN OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT.
TWO OF THE SUMMONSES, ONE TO THE SITE CONTRACTOR, AOKI CORPORATION, AND THE OTHER TO A COMPETENT EXAMINER, WERE ISSUED IN EARLY AUGUST THIS YEAR.
COURT HEARING OF THESE TWO SUMMONSES HAS BEEN FIXED FOR JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR AT THE EASTERN MAGISTRACY.
OF THE 11 SUMMONSES ISSUED TODAY, 10 WERE LAID AGAINST THE AOKI CORPORATION UNDER VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
THE REMAINING SUMMONS WAS LAID AGAINST A REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICER OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE UNDER SECTION 6B(1)(A) OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
THE CASE WILL BE HEARD IN THE EASTERN MAGISTRACY ON JANUARY 3.
THE PROSECUTION ACTIONS WERE TAKEN FOLLOWING IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ACCIDENT BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
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/5 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
5
ASSESSMENT OF BUS AND RAIL OPERATOR’S PERFORMANCE * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS TODAY (TUESDAY) BRIEFED ON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PERFORMANCES OF THE FOUR FRANCHISED BUS OPERATORS AND THE TWO RAILWAY CORPORATIONS LAST YEAR.
THE ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT SERVICES OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT WERE OF A HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN TERMS OF FREQUENCY AND SAFETY STANDARD.
IT WAS NOTED THAT THE MTR SYSTEM, WHICH CARRIED AN AVERAGE OF 2.06 MILLION PASSENGERS A DAY, WAS PROBABLY THE BEST AMONG THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES IN HONG KONG.
ON BUS SERVICES, THE ASSESSMENT SHOWED THAT BUSES OF BOTH KOWLOON MOTOR BUS AND CHINA MOTOR BUS WERE LESS CROWDED LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH THE YEAR BEFORE.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT KMB’S PERFORMANCE HAD BEEN CONSISTENTLY GOOD AND ONE REASON FOR THE FALL IN DAILY PATRONAGE, FROM 890 PASSENGERS PER BUS IN 1991 TO 862 LAST YEAR, WAS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
CMB ALSO EXPERIENCED A DROP IN PATRONAGE FROM 790 PASSENGERS PER BUS PER DAY IN 1991 TO 729 IN 1992. THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO KEEN COMPETITION FROM OTHER TRANSPORT OPERATORS, A LOWER VEHICLE UTILISATION AND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LOST JOURNEYS.
CMB’S ACTUAL BUS AVAILABILITY RATE AGAINST SCHEDULE DECLINED FROM 100 PER CENT IN 1991 TO 97.5 PER CENT LAST YEAR WHILE THE NUMBER OF LOST JOURNEYS INCREASED FROM 9.89 PER CENT IN 1991 TO 11.56 PER CENT LAST YEAR, MAINLY DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGE.
FOR KMB, THE BUS AVAILABILITY RATE HAD IMPROVED FROM 93.3 PER CENT IN 1991 TO 97.5 PER CENT LAST YEAR WHILE THE NUMBER OF LOST JOURNEYS DECREASED FROM 10.62 PER CENT IN 1991 TO 8.39 PER CENT IN 1992, MAINLY DUE TO THE EASING OF STAFF SHORTAGE PROBLEM.
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW LANTAU BUS’S WAS CONSISTENTLY SATISFACTORY IN TERMS OF BUS AVAILABILITY AND UTILISATION RATE.
AS REGARDS CITYBUS, MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE COMPANY’S FRANCHISED OPERATION IN 1992 WAS LIMITED TO ROUTE 12A BETWEEN CENTRAL AND MACDONNELL ROAD. THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN BUS DEFECTS AND ACCIDENTS, BUT THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THIS ROUTE HAD NOT BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, TAC WAS ALSO BRIEFED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ON THE REVIEW OF TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHICH PROVIDES A PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR THE TERRITORY UP TO THE YEAR 2011.
THE STRATEGY RECOGNISES THE NEED TO PLACE GREATER RELIANCE ON HIGH CAPACITY PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEMS WITHIN MAJOR URBAN AREAS.
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
6
MORE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS IN THIRD QUARTER * * t * *
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT TO 3,713 AS COMPARED WITH 3,056 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS (213) AGAINST CITYBUS WHICH STARTED OPERATING 26 ROUTES ON SEPTEMBER 1 AND A RISE IN COMPLAINTS AGAINST GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES (+52 PER CENT FROM 147 TO 223 CASES) AND TAXI MALPRACTICES (+58 PER CENT FROM 676 TO 1,065 CASES).
MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT CITYBUS WERE RELATED TO THE STANDARD AND FREQUENCY OF SERVICES.
ON TAXI MALPRACTICES, THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOTED THAT ABOUT 55 PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE UNIT INDICATED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO TESTIFY IN COURT IF THERE WAS A CASE AGAINST THE PERSON THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT.
ALL THE COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN REFERRED T0 THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS TAXI DRIVERS DURING THE PERIOD. MEMBERS WELCOMED THIS.
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES WAS LARGELY RELATED TO THE STANDARD OF SERVICE.
------0-------
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER 1993
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE DURING OCTOBER, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO TWO FLOTATION EXERCISES THAT TOGETHER TIED UP $81.9 BILLION IN THE BANKING SYSTEM.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, THE BROADEST HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M3, ROSE CONSIDERABLY IN OCTOBER. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED DURING THE MONTH.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 11.7% IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 0.8% IN AUGUST AND AN INCREASE OF 0.9% IN SEPTEMBER.
/AS THE ........
7
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
AS THE SUBSCRIPTION MONIES WERE PARTLY PLACED AS DEMAND DEPOSITS AND PARTLY PLACED AS TIME DEPOSITS, DEMAND AND TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 52.3% AND 8.9% RESPECTIVELY DURING THE MONTH.
SAVINGS DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.7%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 7.6%.
THIS MODERATE GROWTH RATE WAS DUE TO A SHARE SUBSCRIPTION EXERCISE IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, WHICH INVOLVED AN EVEN LARGER AMOUNT OF SUBSCRIPTION MONIES AND INFLATED THE BASE OF COMPARISON.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.6% IN OCTOBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 0.5% IN AUGUST AND A DECREASE OF 2.1% IN SEPTEMBER.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.8% AND 1.4% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 5.6%.
DURING OCTOBER, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY 6.5% AND 6.7% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 1.4%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 7.3% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 18.0% AND 9.2% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 31.4%, 10.9% AND 10.7% RESPECTIVELY IN OCTOBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING RATES OF CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER WERE -2.5%, +0.9% AND +0.9% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, HK$M1 DECLINED BY 11.6% WHILE HK$M2 AND HKSM3 INCREASED BY 9.2% AND 8.4% RESPECTIVELY. THESE GROWTH RATES WERE DISTORTED BY THE HIGH COMPARISON BASES.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 27.1%, 6.2% AND 6.2% RESPECTIVELY IN OCTOBER.
IN SEPTEMBER, THEY DECLINED BY 2.1%, 0.5% AND 0.5% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL Ml FELL BY 10.1% WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 7.9% AND 7.4% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 0.6% IN OCTOBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.9% AND 0.01% IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE LOANS, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS INCREASED BY 6.4% WHILE FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS DECREASED BY 2.2%.
/COMPARED WITH .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
8
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 5.7% AND 12.9% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.1% IN OCTOBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 0.04% IN AUGUST AND A DECREASE OF 0.8% IN SEPTEMBER. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 15.5%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 5.2% IN OCTOBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.3% AND 1.2% IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 6.7%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DECREASED BY 2.1% IN OCTOBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.3% IN AUGUST AND A DECREASE OF 0.6% IN SEPTEMBER. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 12.7%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 2.0% DURING OCTOBER, AFTER DECREASES OF 2.0% AND 3.4% IN AUGUST AND SePTEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 5.5%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 167. THE NUMBER OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 57 WHILE THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 142.
/TABLE 1 .........
< •
9
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - OCT 1993
(HKS ran)
Oct 1993 Earlier months (% champs to Oct 1993)
Money Supply Sep 1993 Jul 1993 Oct 1992
Ml -HKS 203,878 155,162 ( 31.4 ) 153,130 33.1 ) 230,705 ( -11.6 )
Foreign currency 18,746 20,044 ( -6.5 ) 18,522 1.2 ) 16,879 ( 11.1 )
Total 222,624 175,206 ( 27.1 ) 171,652 29.7 ) 247,584 ( -10.1 )
M2 - HKS* 930,390 839,114 ( 10.9 ) 835,516 11.4 ) 851,699 ( 9.2 )
Foreign currency* 840,923 829,505 ( 1.4 ) 840,879 < 0.0 ) 789,850 ( 6.5 )
Total 1,771,312 1,668,619 ( 6.2 ) 1,676,394 5.7 ). 1,641,549 ( 7.9 )
M3 - HKS* 946,987 855,680 ( 10.7 ) 852,041 < 11.1 ) 873,362 ( 8.4l)
Foreign currency* 876,183 861,769 ( 1.7 ) 873,315 •( 0.3 ) 823,510 ( 6.4 )
Total 1,823,169 1,717,450 ( 6.2 ) 1,725,356 5.7 ) 1,696,872 ( 7.4 )
Notes and coins in circulation 68,752 69,215 ( -0.7 ) 66,768 3.0 ) 56,748 ( 21.2 )'
of which held by public 60,462 61,013 ( -0.9 ) 58,954 ( u \, ) 49,588 ( 21.9 )
_ .r- 1
Total Deposits •
Total Demand deposits 162,161 114,193 ( 42.0 ) 112,699 ( 43.9 ) 197,996 ( -18.1 )
Total Savings deposits 410,358 397,090 ( 3.3 ) 387,498 X 5.9 ) 352,604 ( 16.4 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 1,117,826 1,075,580 ( 3.9 ) 1,097,952 X 1.8 ) 1,024,495 ( 9.1 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 28,043 26,276 ( 6.7 ) 27,926 X 0.4 ) 34,183 ( -18.0 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 17,417 17,662 ( -1.4 ) 17,853 ( -2.4 ) 19,187 ( -9.2 )
HKS deposits* 871,171 779,682 ( 11.7 ) 779,227 ( 11.8 ) 809,604 ( 7.6 )
USS deposits* 412,990 405,708 ( 1.8 ) 407,846 ( 1.3 ) 375,617 ( 9.9 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 451,644 445,412 ( 1.4 ) 456,855 X -1.1 ) 443,245 ( 19 )
All deposits 1,735,805 1,630,802 ( 6.4 ) 1,643,927 ( 5.6 ) 1,628,466 ( 6.6 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 68,274 66,620 ( 2.5 ) 63,029 ( 8.3 ) 52,329 ( ; 30.5 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 103,056 103,113 ( -0.1 ) 103,856 ( -0.8 ) 89,210 < : 15.5 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 12,079 12,324 ( -2.0 ) 13,020 ( -7.2 ) 11,450 < ! 55 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 1,107,082 1,052,591 ( 5.2 ) 1,037,321 ( 6.7 ) 1,037,830 < ( 6.7 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,616,305 1,651,266 ( -2.1 ) 1,641,384 ( -1.5 ) 1,434,577 I ( 12.7 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 41,578 42,401 ( -1.9 ) 41,766 X -0.5 ) 37,266 i ( 11.6 )
Loans in HKS 990,694 930,740 ( 6.4 ) 926,190 ( 7.0 ) 937,192 i ( 5.7 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,889,406 1,930,957 ( -2.2 ) 1,911,157 X -1.1 ) 1,673,141 I ( 12.9 )
Total loans and advances 2,880,100 2,861,697 ( 0.6 ) 2,837,347 ( 1.5 ) 2,610,333 i ( 10.3 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be brnfcn down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : ’Restricted licence banks’ and ’deposit-taking companies’ were known as ’licensed deposit-taking companies’ and ’registered deposit-taking companies* respectively before 1 February 1990.
-------o---------- /10 •.............................................
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
10
TOUGHER RULES FOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES
» » « » ♦
THE AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES ORDINANCE WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, LICENSED AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES WILL BE CATEGORISED INTO TWO TYPES: THOSE FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE REACHED 16 YEARS OF AGE AND THOSE FOR CHILDREN BELOW THAT AGE.
LICENSEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY A NOTICE IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH AT THE ENTRANCE TO EACH CENTRE SHOWING THE AGE RESTRICTION ON ENTRY.
THOSE PERSONS WHOSE AGE FAILS TO MEET THE RESTRICTION WILL BE REFUSED ENTRY BY CENTRE OPERATORS.
’’OTHER THAN THOSE AUTHORISED AND EXEMPTED PERSONS, ANYONE WHO HAS REACHED THE AGE OF 16 ENTERING A CENTRE FOR CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 16 WITHOUT A REASONABLE EXPLANATION MAY COMMIT AN OFFENCE.
”ON CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRE OPERATORS TO STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS.
’’ANYONE CONVICTED OF CONTRAVENING CONDITION OF THE LICENCE IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
"THERE WILL BE HEAVIER PENALTY FOR A RECURRENT CONTRAVENTION. IN ADDITION, LICENSEES MAY HAVE THEIR LICENCE SUSPENDED, REVOKED OR NOT RENEWED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING,” HE SAID.
------0-------
AIRPORT WORKS PROGRESS WELL
******
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEVEN GOVERNMENT PROJECTS UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME IS PROGRESSING WELL, THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR S K KWEI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ALL THE PROJECTS ARE PROCEEDING ACCORDING TO BUDGET AND PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES, HE ADDED.
MR KWEI WAS SPEAKING AT A RETIREMENT CEREMONY ON THE SITE OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE, ONE OF SEVERAL MAJOR BRIDGE AND HIGHWAY PROJECTS OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME BEING BUILT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
HE WILL PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE ON DECEMBER 3, AFTER 36 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
HE SAID THE PROJECTS FORMED AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD UNDERPIN HONG KONG’S CONTINUING GROWTH WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
/" I AM.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
11
"1 AM EXTREMELY HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THESE CRUCIAL PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THEIR ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
AT THE CEREMONY, HE UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO MARK HIS VISIT TO THE BRIDGE SITE AND HIS RETIREMENT.
THE CEREMONY WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, MR H S KWONG.
IT WAS HOSTED BY THE CONTRACTOR, THE ANGLO JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION JOINT VENTURE AND THE CONSULTANT ENGINEER FOR THE PROJECT, MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED.
- - 0 - -
42,000 PRIMARY 1 DISCRETIONARY PLACES TAKEN I ***** *
ABOUT 42,000 OUT OF 71,000 APPLICANTS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN OBTAINING A DISCRETIONARY PRIMARY ONE PLACE AT GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
RESULTS FOR SCHOOL ENTRY IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR WILI BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 3) BY THESE SCHOOLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION SYSTEM, A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL CAN ADMIT CHILDREN TO FILL UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 65 PER CENT OF ITS TOTAL PRIMARY ONE PLACES AT ITS OWN DISCRETION.
"THE REMAINING 35 PER CENT OF PLACES WILL BE RESERVED FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION AT A LATER STAGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
NO NATTER WHETHER OR NOT THEIR CHILDREN HAD BEEN INTERVIEWED BY THE SCHOOL, HE ADVISED PARENTS TO GO BACK TO THE SCHOOL TO WHICH THEY HAD APPLIED FOR A DISCRETIONARY PLACE ON FRIDAY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM OK' ON SATURDAY BETWEEN 9 AM AND NOON TO FIND OUT THE RESULTS.
REGISTRATION OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL TAKE' PLACE ON DECEMBER 6 AND 7 (MONDAY AND TUESDAY) DURING SCHOOL HOURS.
"PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN OFFERED A PRIMARY 1 PLACE ARE ADVISED TO NOTE CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS GF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, SUCH AS PARENT’S COPY OF THE APPLICATION FORM FOR PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION AND THE NUMBER OF PHOTOS TO BE BROUGHT ALONG TO THE SCHOOL," HE SAID.
REGISTRATION OF THE CHILD WITH THE SCHOOL WILL BE REGARDED AS BINDING ON BOTH THE SCHOOL AND THE PARENT.
PARENTS WHO CANNOT REGISTER THEIR CHILD WITH THE SCHOOL WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD SHOULD NOTIFY' THE SCHOOL OR THROUGH THE PRIMARY' ONE ADMISSION UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (TEL 572 4383) TO MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
"IF THEY FAIL TO DO THIS, THEY WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN UP THE DISCRETIONARY PLACE OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/BECAUSE OF
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
12
BECAUSE OF OVERSUBSCRIPTION, SOME CHILDREN MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SECURE A PRIMARY 1 PLACE AT THIS STAGE.
PARENTS OF THESE CHILDREN, TOGETHER WITH THOSE WHO ONLY INTENDED TO TAKE PART IN THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION, WILL BE INFORMED BY LETTER SOME TIME IN LATE FEBRUARY/EARLY MARCH NEXT YEAR TO GO TO A DISTRIBUTION/COLLECTION CENTRE IN THEIR HOME DISTRICT FOR CHOICE OF SCHOOLS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL THEN ALLOCATE A PRIMARY 1 PLACE TO THEIR CHILDREN WITHIN THEIR HOME DISTRICT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARENTAL CHOICES AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
DETAILED PROCEDURE OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED
LATER.
- - 0 - -
AIDS COUNCIL HELPS MARK WORLD AIDS DAY *****
THE COUNCIL FOR THE AIDS TRUST FUND IS MARKING WORLD AIDS DAY BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR EVENTS TAKING PLACE AROUND HONG KONG THIS WEEK.
’’WORLD AIDS DAY GIVES US IN HONG KONG AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW OUR COMMITMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS/’ SAID C0UNC11 CHAIRMAN, PROFESSOR DAVID TODD.
THE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FUNDING FOR SIX PROJECTS. THESE ARE:
* $84,000 JOINTLY TO THE HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION, AIDS
CONCERN AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE PUBLICITY
CAMPAIGN FOR WORLD AIDS WEEK;
* $90,000 TO AIDS CONCERN TO FUND ’'THE FLAME OF LIFE”, AN
AWARENESS RAISING PROGRAMME;
? $37,000 TO AIDS CONCERN TO FUND THE DISTRIBUTION OF SAFER
SEX KITS;
t $109,400 TO AIDS CONCERN TOWARDS AIDS ON SCREEN ’93;
* $10,500 TO AIDS CONCERN FOR STAGING THE ’’INTERNATIONAL
POSTERS ON AIDS EXHIBITION”; AND
1 $31,500 TO THE MONG KOK DISTRICT WORKING GROUP ON AIDS FOR A
POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.
”WE HOPE THAT THESE EVENTS WILL HELP RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND FOSTER A SYMPATHETIC AND CARING ATTITUDE 1’0 THOSE LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS,” PROFESSOR TODD SAID.
’’THE COUNCIL IS DELIGHTED TO LEND ITS SUPPORT TO SUCH INITIATIVES,” HE ADDED.
THE COUNCIL FOR THE AIDS TRUST FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL OF FUNDS ON APRIL 16 THIS YEAR.
/THE COUNCIL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
13
THE COUNCIL HAS ALREADY APPROVED 50 EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS TO PATIENTS INFECTED KITH HIV THROUGH TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD AMD BLOOD PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG BEFORE AUGUST 1985.
THE PAYMENTS TOTAL OVER $28 MILLION.
------0--------
INTEGRATION TO ENHANCE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT * t t t t » t
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSED INTEGRATION OF THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE IS TO PROVIDE A SINGLE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION IN HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSAL WAS EXPLAINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, AFTER THIS MORNING’S LEGCO BILLS COMMITTEE MEETING TO EXAMINE THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
"THE PROPOSED INTEGRATION WILL PROVIDE A CLEAR FOCUS FOR COORDINATING EFFORTS IN SPORTS DEVELOPMENT.
"IT WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO ADOPT A UNIFIED APPROACH TO SUCH MATTERS AS ADMINISTRATION, POLICY FORMATION AND FUND RAISING.
"THE RESULT WILL BE A SMOOTHER MECHANISM FOR THE DELIVERY OF SPORTS AND GREATER COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN THE UTILISATION OF RESOURCES," MR SO SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WILL BE INTEGRATED TO FORM A NEW ORGANISATION, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO EITHER THE STATUS OR ROLF. OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (ASFA.OC) AND NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.
THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL \ITAL ROLES IN SPORTS DEVELOPMENT.
"THE INDIVIDUALITY AND AUTONOMY OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WILL BE PRESERVED," MR SO STRESSED.
A SEPARATE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INSTITUTE’S DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BF. HEADED BY A CHAIRMAN APPOINTED DIRECTLY BY THE GOVERNOR FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
THE INTENTION IS TO ENSURE THAT THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE IS ABLE TO FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY WITHIN THE BROAD POLICY PARAMETERS DEFINED BY THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
THE ROLE OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WILL, IN FACT, BE CLEARER AND LARGER AFTER THE INTEGRATION.
/THE INSTITUTE........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
14
THE INSTITUTE WILL REMAIN THE TECHNICAL ARM OF SPORTS, RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSISTING ELIGIBLE ATHLETES TO ACHIEVE SPORTING EXCELLENCE, COACH TRAINING, AND SPORTS SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS SPORTS SCIENCE AND SPORTS MEDICINE.
IT WILL ALSO CO-ORDINATE SPORTS AID FOUNDATION AND COACH ACCREDITATION.
THE EMPHASIS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL BE ON PROMOTING PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS AND RECREATION AT THE GRASSROOT LEVEL TO A BROADER CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, ENCOURAGING A FULLER USE OF LEISURE TIME, MAXIMISING THE UTILISATION OF THEIR SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES AND PROVIDING NEW FACILITIES WHEN REQUIRED.
THE ASFKOC AND NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE VOICE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG SPORTS INTERNATIONALLY.
’’THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT A HARMONIOUS AND CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD, HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, ASF&OC AND NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE,” MR SO ADDED.
THE INTEGRATION WILL PROVIDE A SIMPLER AND MORE DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION.
THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN AND CULTIVATE ITS PRESENT DIRECT LINKS WITH THE ASFfrOC AND NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ON MATTERS WITHIN ITS SCOPE.
SINCE THE AMENDMENT BILL WAS GAZETTED AND PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS DURING THE HEARINGS BY THE BILLS COMMITTEE, \ARIOUS POINTS WERE RAISED ON THE FUTURE OPERATION OF THE REORGANISED SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
EXAMPLES ARE THE CALL FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND MORE CONSULTATION IN THE BOARD’S WORKINGS, THE LOCALISATION OF SENIOR POSTS AND THE NEED TO CONTAIN THE ADMINISTRATION COSTS OF THE BOARD AT AN ECONOMIC LEVEL.
"THE GOVERNMENT NOTES THESE CONCERNS AND WILL PASS THEM TO THE NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR ATTENTION,” MR SO CONCLUDED.
- - 0 - -
DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ♦ 4 » t t
THE THREE MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUPS OF TEXTILES, WEARING APPAREL, AND CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 57% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MANUFACTURED GOODS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WEARING APPAREL IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 INCREASED BY 1% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $11.8 BILLION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS DECREASED BY 11% AND 13% TO $13.9 BILLION AMD $8.5 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
/AS FOR
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
15
AS FOR OTHER INDUSTRY GROUPS, MORE SIGNIFICANT ABSOLUTE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE FOUND IN THE GROUPS OF MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS (+$794 MILLION OR +12%); NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (+$135 MILLION OR +138%); AND PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+$90 MILLION OR + 4%) .
FOR THE TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY AND THE PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL INDUSTRY, ALTHOUGH THE ABSOLUTE VALUES OF THE CHANGES WERE NOT AS LARGE, MARKED PERCENTAGE INCREASES OF 71% AND 39% RESPECTIVELY WERE REGISTERED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, INDUSTRY GROUPS THAT RECORDED MORE NOTABLE ABSOLUTE DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (-$744 MILLION OR -16%); PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$277 MILLION OR -16%); AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (-$176 MILLION OR -27%).
FOR THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY, ALTHOUGH THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF THE CHANGE WAS NOT AS LARGE, MARKED PERCENTAGE DECLINE OF 48% WAS REGISTERED.
THE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING THE MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS ORIGINALLY GROUPED UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED.
TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION USED IS THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC).
THE HSIC IS TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S1TC) USED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
IN COMPARISON, THE HSIC IS MORE RELATED TO PRODUCTION PROCESSES WHEREAS THE SITC IS MORE GEARED TO END USES OF PRODUCTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO THE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN.
THERE MAY BE SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IN THE PRODUCTION OF CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS.
HE SAID IN COMPILING THE STATISTICS, THE TOTAL VALUE OF SUCH AN ITEM HAD HOWEVER BEEN WHOLLY RELATED TO THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH THE ITEM WAS FINALLY PRODUCED.
"DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS OF A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY PRODUCED MAY INCLUDE PRODUCTS THAT ARE PRODUCED AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS BY ESTABLISHMENTS BELONGING TO OTHER INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE FOUND IN A TABLE WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 839 3223).
A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR MAJOR . MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, SEPTEMBER 1993".
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS
16
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
Domestic exports of manufactured goods classified by industrial origin for the third quarter of 1993
(Value in HK$’000)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic exports
1993 3rd qtr. 1992 3rd qtr. Value change % change
Food 521,234 538,525 -17,291 -3.2
Beverages 149,297 132,153 *17,144 + 13.0
Tobacco manufactures 486,151 661,712 -175,561 -26.5
Textiles (including knitting) 13,855,455 15,573,067 -1,717,612 -11.0
Wearing apparel, except footwear 11,845,433 11,698,486 *146,947 + 1.3
Leather and leather products, except footwear and wearing apparel 457,680 430,037 *27,643 *6.4
Footwear, except rubber, plastic and wooden footwear 61,287 116,703 -55,416 -47.5
Wood and cork products, furniture and fixtures 113,687 120,288 -6,601 -5.5
Paper and paper products, printing and publishing 2,224,909 2,134,612 *90,297 *4.2
Chemicals and chemical products 1,740,819 1,695,053 *45,766 +2.7
Products of petroleum and coal 5,088 3,654 *1,434 *39.2
Rubber products 28,915 29,503 -588 -2.0
Plastic products 1,504,752 1,782,231 -277,479 -15.6
Non-metallic mineral products, except products of petroleum and coal 233,044 98,112 *134,932 + 137.5
Basic metals and fabricated metal products 2,425,664 2,469,584 -43,920 -1.8
Machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components 7,628,790 6,834,432 +794,358 + 11.6
Consumer electrical and electronic products 8,469,059 9,769,359 -1,300,300 -13.3
Transport equipment 106,523 62,331 *44,192 +70.9
Professional and optical equipment 4,061,768 4,805,611 -743,843 -15.5
Other manufacturing industries 3,834,907 3,620,857 +214,050 +5.9
Total 59,754,462 62,576,310 -2,821,848 -4.5
Notes: 1. Individual entries of 3 column may not add up exactly to the corresponding total due to rounding. All percentage changes arc calculated from unrounded figures.
2. The above statistics are derived by re-grouping the merchandise export items under the external trade classification system according to the industries in which these items are normally produced. As from 1992, the Third Revision of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC R3) has been adopted in place of the Second Revision (SITC R2) for the classification of trade statistics. The above statistics may not be strictly comparable with those published for earlier years due to the change in trade classification.
----------0-------------
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
- 17 -
CHIEF SECRETARY URGES COMMUNITY TO HELP NEEDY *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED UPON THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THOSE IN NEED.
SPEAKING AT HER FIRST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS CHIEF SECRETARY DURING THE OPENING OF THE OPERATION SANTA CLAUS 1993, SHE SAID: "YOUR DONATION CAN BE THE GIFT OF HEALTH AND HOPE FOR OTHERS.”
"THERE CAN BE NO BETTER CHRISTMAS PRESENT THAN THIS," SHE ADDED.
THIS YEAR, THE OPERATION IS DEDICATED TO PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM BLOOD DISEASES.
PART OF THE DONATIONS WILL BE USED TO FUND A HALFWAY HOME FOR MARROW TRANSPLANT PATIENTS FROM THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.
SOME OF THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO ENLARGE THE HONG KONG MARROW MATCH FOUNDATION’S DONOR REGISTRY FROM 16,000 TO AT LEAST 20,000, AND HOPEFULLY TO 25,000.
"THIS WILL HELP PATIENTS INCREASE GREATLY THE CHANCES OF FINDING A MATCH FOR BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS,” MRS CHAN SAID.
THE DONATION WILL ALSO ENABLE THE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT UNIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL TO BUY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE SERVICES TO PATIENTS.
------0-------
MANUFACTURING SECTOR FULL OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES 1 t ♦ » »
HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS BRIMMING WITH ATTRACTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS, THE ACTING DEPUTT DIRECIOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR FRANCIS HO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN INVESTMENT PROMOTION SEMINAR IN OSAKA, JAPAN, MR HO SAID CONSISTENT WITH THE FREE MARKET SPIRIT OF THE TERRITORY, THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT TREATED FOREIGN INVESTORS IN THE MANIFACTURING SECTOR l.N EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS LOCAL INVESTORS AND IMPOSED NO FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROL.
"WE HAVE NO ARTIFICIAL, LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS TO TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
"WE ALSO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS BY LAW AND B\ RIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTION," HE SAID.
ON MANPOWER, MR HO SAID HONG KONG HAD A SKILLED LABOUR FORCE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CONSTANTLY TRAINED AND RETRAINED TO ENSURE THAT THE WORKERS HAD ACCESS TO ALL THE NEW SKILLS REQUIRED TO KEEP ABREAST OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AND CHANGING STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY.
LAND WAS ALSO PROVIDED IN SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ON CONCESSIONARY TERMS TO CATER FOR HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES WHICH COULD NOT OPERATE IN CONVENTIONAL FLATTED FACTORIES, HE ADDED.
/MR HO ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
18
MR HO NOTED THAT THERE WERE A WHOLE RANGE OF ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG TO HELP MANUFACTURERS UPGRADE THEIR TECHNOLOGY.
’’ONE OF OUR LATEST INITIATIVES IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE TO PROVIDE INCUBATOR SERVICES.
’’WHEN THIS CENTRE IS FULLY OPERATIONAL THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, IT WILL ASSIST IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES AND STIMULATE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION,” HE SAID.
ANOTHER INITIATIVE IS THE PROVISION OF A FUND TOTALLING US$25 MILLION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP COMPANIES IN APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
”1N RETURN, THE GOVERNMENT SHARES IN THE BENEFITS FROM COMMERCIALLY VIABLE PROJECTS WHICH IT HAS SUPPORTED,” MR HO SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S UNIQUE POSITION WAS ANOTHER ATTRACTION IT HAD FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
"AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA, CHINA’S WINDOW ON THE WORLD AND THE ENGINE FOR CHINA’S PHENOMENAL ECONOMIC GROWTH, HONG KONG IS UNIQUELY PLACED TO HELP THOSE FOREIGN INVESTORS WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART IN WHAT IS PERHAPS THE SINGLE BIGGEST ECONOMIC TAKEOFF IN THIS CENTURY,” HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO THE JAPANESE MINISTRY OF FINANCE, UP TO LAST YEAR JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO ABOUT USS11.5 BILLION AND THIS ACCOUNTED FOR ONE-FIFTH OF TOTAL JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN ASIA.
ON MANUFACTURING ALONE, JAPANESE INVESTMENT INCREASED BY ALMOST TWO-FOLD FROM 1985 TO 1991.
’’TODAY, JAPAN IS THE LEADING FOREIGN INVESTOR IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, ACCOUNTING FOR 32 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THIS SECTOR,” HE NOTED.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR HO SAID HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN A SEPARATE ECONOMIC ENTITY AFTER 1997.
AS A HIGHLY AUTONOMOUS SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE RIGION OF CHINA, HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY AND THE BORDER BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN WOULD CONTINUE TO EXIST, HE SAID.
HONG KONG WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO BE A SEPARATE MEMBER OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AND WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE TRADE AND ECONOMIC DECISIONS ENTIRELY ON ITS OWN, HE ADDED.
’’ALL THIS IS PROVIDED FOR IN BOTH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND THE BASIC LAW FOR THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONG KONG WHICH WILL COME INTO BEING IN JULY 1 997.
’’AND IT IS WHOLLY RIGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE SO, FOR IT IS BY REMAINING AN AUTONOMOUS TRADING PARTNER AND A SEPARATE ECONOMIC FORCE THAT HONG KONG CAN BEST RETAIN ITS DYNAMISM, BUILD ON ITS CURRENT ROLE AND CONTINUE TO BE OF BENEFIT TO ITSELF AND TO CHINA,” MR HO SAID.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
19
POST OFFICE READY TO RECEIVE VIEWS *****
THE POST OFFICE CAN NOW RESPOND BETTER TO THE NEEDS OF ITS SERVICE USERS WITH THE SETTING UP OF A CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE GROUP HELPS TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROGRAMME AND TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND VIEWS ON POSTAL SERVICES.
OFFICIATING AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGL1ARI, SAID: "OUR CUSTOMERS’ CONCERNS ARE OUR CONCERNS. WE HOPE THAT THROUGH THIS GROUP WE CAN PROMOTE BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND COMMUNICATION WITH OUR CUSTOMERS.”
THE GROUP CONSISTS OF REGIONAL SUB-GROUPS COVERING HONG KONG, INCLUDING OUTLYING ISLANDS, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
EACH HAS 20 MEMBERS SELECTED BY BALLOT FROM RESPONSES TO THE POST OFFICE’S PUBLIC INVITATION. THEY WILL MEET QUARTERLY.
MR PAGLIAR] EXPECTS THAT THEY WOULD CONTRIBUTE VALUABLE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR HIS OFFICE TO CONSIDER.
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IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING COMMUNITY CARE STRESSED ♦ * * * *
THERE AKE ENORMOUS ADVANTAGES IN PROMOTING COMMUNITY CARE IN HONG KONG AS IT IS A BETTER SYSTEM OF SERVICE DELIVERY AND IS COST-EFFECTIVE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, SAID.
IT CAN HELP PATIENTS AVOID ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS WHICH ARE QUITE COMMON FOR PATIENTS DISCHARGED AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE, HE SAID.
IT ALSO ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE ELDERLY, THE MENTALLY ILL AND DISABLED PERSONS.
DR LEE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE ON COMMUNITY CARE AND CHINESE COMMUNITY WHICH OPENED TODAY (TUESDAY).
HOWEVER, DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAJOR HURDLE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY CARE WAS, IRONICALLY, THE LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS.
“SOME RESIDENTS STILL HAVE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND MENTALLY ILL PERSONS AND DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THEM,” HE SAID.
“SOME RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG HAVE OBJECTED TO THE SETTING UP OF
COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILIT1ES.
"THEY HAVE ADOPTED A ’NOT IN MY BACKYARD’ ATTITUDE WITH REGARD TO COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION FACILITIES.
/”WE SHOULD ......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
20
"WE SHOULD OVERCOME SUCH OPPOSITION BY MORE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY," DR LEE STATED, ADDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD USE $31 MILLION ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
ON THE HEALTH SIDE, DR LEE NOTED THAT THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER 1990 AFFIRMED THE POLICY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE AND MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE.
APART FROM THE PROVISION OF IN-PATIENT AND OUT-PATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES, OUTREACHING HEALTH SERVICES ARE ALSO BEING DEVELOPED.
THESE INCLUDE COMMUNITY GERIATRIC, PSYCHOGERIATRIC, REHABILITATION AND COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC TEAMS.
THE TEAMS COMPRISE HEALTH AND PARA-MEDICAL PERSONNEL WHO REACH OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
"THE PRINCIPAL AIM OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE IS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN HOSPITAL TREATMENT AND OUT-PATIENT CARE BY PROMOTING SELF-RELIANCE AND BY PROVIDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES,” DR LEE TOLD THE GATHERING.
"BY REDUCING UNNECESSARY HOSPITALISATION OF PATIENTS, HOSPITALS CAN CONCENTRATE THEIR RESOURCES ON THE TREATMENT OF THE ACUTELY ILL AND THOSE WHO NEED INTENSIVE MEDICAL CARE," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE WELFARE SIDE, DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE WORKING PARTY ON THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY CONCLUDED IN 1973 THAT THE RIGHT APPROACH WAS TO CONCENTRATE ON ’CARE IN THE COMMUNITY’.
THE "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1980'S WHITE PAPER" IN 1979 REAFFIRMED THE POLICY OF COMMUNITY CARE AND RECOMMENDED THE PROMOTION OF THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY "THROUGH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY AND BY THE COMMUNITY".
THE PRESENT POLICY, AS SET OUT IN THE "1991 SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND WHITE PAPER”, AIMS TO ENCOURAGE THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY BY FAMILY MEMBERS WITHIN A FAMILY CONTEXT AND TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR THE CARERS.
"HOWEVER, IT IS RECOGNISED THAT THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY VARY AND THAT RESIDENTIAL CARE MAY BE REQUIRED FOR SOME ELDERLY PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE TAKEN CARE OF AT HOME.
"THE BROAD AIM OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IS TO ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN AT HOME FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
"THESE SERVICES INCLUDE HOME HELP SERVICE, SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES AND DAY CARE CENTRES," DR LEE ADDED.
AS REGARDS REHABILITATION, DR LEE SAID THE PRESENT POLICY WAS BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF "HAVING RESOURCES FOR REHABILITATION AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY".
/AS FAR .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
21
AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, HE SAID, RESOURCES WERE TRANSFERRED TO DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENABLE THEM TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AS MEMBERS OF THE LARGER COMMUNITY.
TO ENABLE PATIENTS TO BE REHABILITATED IN THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN IN HOSPITALS, COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS DOMICILIARY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, DOMICILIARY PHYSIOTHERAPY, COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE, COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSING SERVICE AND DAY CARE FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED.
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VTC TO OFFER COURSES ON SAFE STEVEDORING
*****
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS OFFERING TRAINING COURSES FOR STEVEDORES SUPERVISORS AND EXPERIENCED STEVEDORES TO PROMOTE THEIR AWARENESS OF SAFE WORKING PRACTICES IN SHIPBOARD CARGO HANDLING.
THREE SUCH COURSES WILL BE INITIALLY ORGANISED AND MORE WILL BE OFFERED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR, A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE FIRST COURSE WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 3) AND TWO OTHERS ON DECEMBER 7 AND 15 RESPECTIVELY. EACH COURSE WILL LAST TWO DAYS.
THF COURSES WILL COVER:
* BASIC THEORIES IN CARGO LIFTING APPLIANCES;
♦ HANDLING OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CARGO USING CORRECT SLINGING AND LIFTING METHODS AND APPLIANCES;
* LEGISLATIONS ON CARGO HANDLING SAFETY;
* HANDLING OF DANGEROUS GOODS;
* HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS AT WORK;
* MANUAL HANDLING;
* USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND FIRE-FIGHTING
EQUIPMENT.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SET UP AN IN-HOUSE WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW THE SAFETY OF CARGO HANDLING ACTIVITIES WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.
AS A RESULT OF THE REVIEW, RECOMMENDATIONS WERE PUT FORTH TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE THAT TRAINING COURSES SHOULD BE ORGANISED TO EDUCATE WORKERS IN THE STEVEDORING INDUSTRY ON SAFE WORKING PRACTICES FOR SHIPBOARD CARGO HANDLING,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL JOINED HANDS WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
22
EACH COURSE CAN TAKE 10 TO 12 MEMBERS WHO WILL HAVE TO ATTEND LECTURES AND TO TAKE PART IN PRACTICAL SESSIONS. MEMBERS WITH FULL ATTENDANCE WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSES CAN BE MADE DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE MARINE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SECTION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON 852 4472 AND AT THE RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT OFFICER OF THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING CENTRE ON TEL 458 3833.
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222 VMS RETURN HOME * * * * *
A GROUP OF 222 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 74 MEN, 64 WOMEN, 42 BOYS AND 42 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 182ND BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 10,302 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 36,614 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY ( DECEMBER 4 ) AT 9.30 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 50 LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
FMG628 FM822 FM1203 FM803 AC127
FL1 18 FL380 AB332 AL1289 FL3566
♦ AE92 ♦ FS2 ♦ FK19 ♦ 1988 ♦FT111
FM34 8 HK2808 FM4 4 9 FM370 CE2922
AA31 1 FM1668 FL988 FN7351 FL4510
FM9 32 FL7380 CC216 BB3353 AY6146
FL4888 FM296 FM388 FM1357 FM8184
*3933 *DK1 1 ♦FL3333 ♦ AB16 ♦CW400
FL806 FM1G62 CD105 FM9332 FM5096
FM2229 FK9288 FM216 EV6983 FM5154
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE CAR REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE CAR REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
IMMEDIATELY
REGISTERED
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
23
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED,
WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 207TH ORGANISED BY THE
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973. 0 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS » t * * *
TENDER DATE 30 NOV 93 30 NOV 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q348 Y39G
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,258 MN HKD 620 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 1,000 MN HKD 300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.05 PCT 3.50 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.07 PCT 3.52 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 21 PCT ABOUT 43 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.07 PCT 3.53 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 6 DECEMBER 1993 -
TENDER DATE 7 DEC 93 7 DEC 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q349 H379
ISSUE DATE 8 DEC 93 8 DEC 93
MATURITY DATE 9 MAR 94 8 JUN 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 1,000+200 MN HKD 400+80 MN
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/24 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1993
24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS t 4 t * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,790
REVERSAL OF LAF +210
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET 1N.1ECT1ON/WITHDRAWAL TODAY N]L
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY _30
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,970
LAF RATE 2.00 B1D/4.00 OFFER TW1 113.8 *-0.1* 30.11.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.91 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4 . 75 101.35 3.63
1 MONTH 2.94 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.77 3.95
3 MONTHS 3.03 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.85 4.15
6 MONTHS 3.15 PCT 24 MONTHS 251 1 4.15 99.80 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.48 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.62 4.77
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 16,589 MN
CLOSED 30 NOVEMBER 1993
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