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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1994
GOVERNMENT POLICY PROGRESS REPORT READY ON MONDAY....... 1
NEW CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE 691 TO SERVE HANG HAU
RESIDENTS.................................................. 1
INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS LOOK AT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME.... 2
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN ELECTED................... 2
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL A STATUTORY HOLIDAY................... 3
AIRPORT PROJECT EXHIBITION DRAWS LARGE CROWDS.............. 3
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.... 4
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1994
GOVERNMENT POLICY PROGRESS REPORT READY ON MONDAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PUBLISH A PROGRESS REPORT ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 3) DETAILING ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE UNDERTAKINGS MADE IN THE 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESSES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.
THE TWO POLICY ADDRESSES SET OUT A COMBINED TOTAL OF 221 SPECIFIC POLICY PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WHILE SOME OF THESE PLEDGES WERE TO BE ACHIEVED IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, OTHERS IN THE LONGER TERM.
COPIES OF THE PROGRESS REPORT IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY.
THEY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES FROM 2 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN ALSO COLLECT COPIES BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM AT SIX MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AT CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, MONG KOK, TSUEN WAN, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG.
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NEW CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE 691 TO SERVE HANG HAU RESIDENTS *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 3), A NEW AIR-CONDITIONED CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE 691 WILL BE INTRODUCED TO SERVE BETWEEN HANG HAU (NORTH) AND CENTRAL (MACAU FERRY).
IT WILL REPLACE THE SPECIAL MORNING TRIPS OF ROUTE 690P.
ROUTE 691 WILL TRAVEL VIA PO NING ROAD, PO LAM NORTH ROAD, TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL, EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, KING’S ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
IT WILL BE OPERATIONAL FROM 6.40 AM TO 9 AM AND FROM 3.25 PM TO 8.10 PM DAILY FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ITS FULL FARE IS $13 AND SECTION FARES OF $9.50 AND $8 FOR PASSENGERS BOARDING AFTER TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL AND AT EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TOLL PLAZA RESPECTIVELY ON JOURNEY TO CENTRAL.
A SECTION FARE OF $4.5 WILL BE CHARGED FOR PASSENGERS BOARDING AFTER EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ON BOTH JOURNEYS TO HANG HAU ^ND CENTRAL.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1994
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INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS LOOK AT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME » » * » *
THREE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL HAVE JUST CONCLUDED A VISIT TO HONG KONG TO UPDATE THEMSELVES ON THE PROGRESS OF A REVIEW OF OPTIONS FOR STAGE II OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME.
THEY WERE PROFESSOR POUL HARREMOES FROM THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK, PROFESSOR QIAN YI FROM TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY AND PROFESSOR DONALD HARLEMAN FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
THE REVIEW OF STAGE II OPTIONS IS CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY PYPUN ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS LIMITED. THE PANEL OF EXPERTS ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PRESENT INDEPENDENT VIEWS ON THE ALTERNATIVES OF SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED BY CONSULTANTS.
DURING THE VISIT OF THE EXPERTS, THE CONSULTANTS PROVIDED A DETAILED UPDATE OF THEIR PROGRESS IN SHORTLISTING THE TYPES OF TREATMENT PROCESSES THAT ARE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG. THE INITIAL REACTION OF THE EXPERTS TO THE CONSULTANTS’ WORK IS THAT THE LIST IS COMPREHENSIVE.
DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG, THE EXPERTS ALSO MET REPRESENTATIVES OF INTEREST GROUPS INCLUDING FRIENDS OF THE EARTH, WORLD WIDE FUND AND THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THE EXPERTS WILL REVISIT HONG KONG EARLY NEXT YEAR WHEN THE REVIEW REPORT IS COMPLETED.
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SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN ELECTED
*****
MR KO TAM-KAN WAS ELECTED UNOPPOSED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD AT A MEETING TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE CHAIRMENSHIP OF THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE; ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE; TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE AND WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE WENT TO MR TENNY HUNG, MS MAR YUET-HAR, MR WONG KING-CHEUNG AND MR CHAN YAU-YUE RESPECTIVELY.
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/3........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1994
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CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL A STATUTORY HOLIDAY
* » » ♦ *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY ON OCTOBER 13 (THURSDAY) IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR AN EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE'S EARNINGS ON A FULL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
. ' •; -J
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 AND 31 DAYS, BEFORE THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE OF THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL 717 1771.
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AIRPORT PROJECT EXHIBITION DRAWS LARGE CROWDS ♦ ♦ *
MORE THAN 5,000 PEOPLE YESTERDAY ATTENDED THE FIRS'! DAY OF AN EXHIBITION THAT SHOWS THE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
ORGANISED BY THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPUO), THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IS BEING HELD AT THE CENTRAL BRIDGE, SECOND FLOOR, CITYPLAZA, TAI KOO SHING. IT FEATURES MODELS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO SHOWS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR NAPCO SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE EXHIBITION, AIMED AT KEEPING THE PUBLIC ABREAST OF THE RAPID PROGRESS THAT IS BEING MADE ON THE 10 AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS, HAS PROVED TO BE V ERV POPULAR AND HAS DRAWN LARGE CROWDS.
THE PROJECTS HAVE PROGRESSED WELL WITH FORMATION OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM ABOUT 70 PER CENT COMPLETE.
THE RECLAMATION WORK FOR THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN HAS BEEN FULLY COMPLETED AND THAT FOR THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION IS OVER 80 PER (ENT COMPLETE; SPINNING FOR THE TSING MA BRIDGE’S MAIN SUSPENSION CABLES BEGAN IN JULY; AND THE FIRST CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL UNIT FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WAS IMMERSED TWO WEEKS AGO.
THE EXHIBITION WILL CONTINUE TODAY AND TOMORROW AND IS OPEN FROM 10.30 AM TO 8.30 PM
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1994
4
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
CUMULATIVE
TIME CHANGE
$ MILLION (HOURS) ($ MILLION)
j 1 j? OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,113 0930 + 180
' -i CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2, 126 1000 + 180
(’RANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 180
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 180 1200 + 180
LAF TODAY -167 1500
LAE RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER
TWI 121.7 *+0.1* 1.10.94
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
AIRCRAFT SALVAGE OPERATION ENDS............................. 1
TSUEN WAN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES CLEARED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY...................................................... 1
CONSULTATION ON REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS TO END SOON.... 2
REDEVELOPMENT OF ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE............. 2
HONG KONG AIRCREW WIN TOP AIR-SEA RESCUE AWARD.............. 3
COUNTRY PARKS VISITORS INVITED TO JOIN LIAISON GROUP........ 5
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBER GETS IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL....................................................... 6
56 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED.............................. 6
JOB BAZAAR IN SHA TIN FOR RETRAINEES........................ 7
COMPUTER GAMES SOFTWARE CONTEST PROMOTES ORAL HEALTH..... 8
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
AIRCRAFT SALVAGE OPERATION ENDS
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE LAST OF THE PROPELLERS AS WELL AS THE LAST OF THE ENGINES OF THE HERCULES AIRCRAFT THAT CRASHED INTO THE SEA ON SEPTEMBER 23 (FRIDAY) HAD BEEN FOUND.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SINCE ALL OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN LOCATED, THE SALVAGE OPERATION HAD SINCE THEN BEEN COMPLETED.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH ITS FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THE AIRCRAFT INCIDENT.
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TSUEN WAN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES CLEARED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY *****
IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE PETITION TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE BY OCCUPANTS OF ROOFTOP STRUCTURES IN TSUEN WAN TODAY (SUNDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS, MRS HELEN YU, POINTED OUT THAT THE STRUCTURES ARE UNAUTHORISED AND ARE BEING CLEARED IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
SHE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN GIVEN NOTICE OF THE CLEARANCE MANY MONTHS AGO, AND THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, HAD MADE REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE IN NEED WOULD NOT BE RENDERED HOMELESS.
SHE EXPLAINED: ’’THE BUILDINGS WHERE THE UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED HAVE ONLY SINGLE STAIRCASES. IF FIRE BREAKS OUT IN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS, AND IF THE FIRE AFFECTS THE SINGLE STAIRCASE, THE EXISTENCE OF THE UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES WILL DENY RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDING ACCESS TO THE ROOFTOP TO AWAIT RESCUE BY FIREMEN. AT THE SAME TIME, THE LIFE OF THE ROOFTOP OCCUPANTS WILL ALSO BE ENDANGERED.”
MRS YU STRESSED THAT AT A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROOFTOP OCCUPANTS, SHE AND HER STAFF HAD URGED THE OCCUPANTS TO HAVE DUE REGARD FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDINGS CONCERNED.
IN EARLY AUGUST, THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT HAD ARRANGED A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE ROOFTOP OCCUPANTS TO DISCUSS REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND OTHER OFFICIALS, SHE SAID.
"EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO TREAT THEIR CASES SYMPATHETICALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING POLICY,” SHE NOTED.
/2 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
CONSULTATION ON REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS TO END SOON
*****
CONSULTATION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PUT REAL ESTATE AGENTS UNDER A LICENSING FRAMEWORK IS DUE TO END ON OCTOBER 10 (MONDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE REPORT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS MAY DO SO BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID VIEWS EXPRESSED IN SUBMISSIONS TO THE BRANCH AND THROUGH THE MEDIA WERE IN FAVOUR OF THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SETTING UP A STATUTORY AND SELF-FINANCING LICENSING AUTHORITY WITH POWERS TO DETERMINE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, TO TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND TO ARBITRATE IN DISPUTES OVER COMMISSIONS AND FEES BETWEEN AN AGENT AND HIS CLIENT.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE DRAWN UP BY THE WORKING GROUP WITH WIDE REPRESENTATION FROM THE TRADE.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF VIEWS COLLECTED DURING THE TWO-MONTH CONSULTATION EXERCISE BEFORE FINALISING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
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REDEVELOPMENT OF ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SUBVENTIONS AND LOTTERIES FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD ENDORSED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A LOTTERIES FUND GRANT OF OVER $332 MILLION TOWARDS THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COST MORE THAN $500 MILLION ON COMPLETION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE LARGEST LOTTERIES FUND GRANT EVER ENDORSED BY THE COMMITTEE.
"THE GRANT WOULD NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER IN THE YEAR," HE ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SUBVENTED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED TO OPERATE THE NEW PROJECT AND WAS NEGOTIATING WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS PART OF THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID GIVEN THE GREAT NEED TO EXPAND REHABILITATION SERVICES TO MEET KEY TARGETS OF THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO REDEVELOP THE SITE OF THE CENTRE AS A LARGE REHABILITATION COMPLEX.
/"CONSTRUCTION OF
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
3
"CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CENTRE WOULD COMMENCE IN EARLY 1996 AND WOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE 1998.
"OPERATION OF THE FACILITIES AT THE NEW CENTRE WILL BE INTRODUCED BY PHASES. PHASE I IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1996," HE SAID.
THE FACILITIES INCLUDE A SHELTERED WORKSHOP, TWO HOSTELS FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, THREE CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS, FIVE DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES, FIVE HOSTELS FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, TWO HOMES FOR THE AGED BLIND AND SIX CA^E AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE AGED BLIND.
TO FACILITATE THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, EXISTING SERVICES OF THE CENTRE WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO STANLEY FORT UNTIL PHASE I OF THE NEW CENTRE IS READY.
"THE NEW CENTRE WILL HAVE A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 30,000 SQUARE METRES WITH 24 UNITS, PROVIDING 1,410 PLACES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF DISABILITIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HONG KONG AIRCREW WIN TOP AIR-SEA RESCUE AWARD *****
THE FOUR-MAN CREW OF A HONG KONG-BASED ROYAL AIR FORCE (RAF) WESSEX HELICOPTER IS TO RECEIVE BRITAIN’S TOP AIR-SEA RESCUE AWARD. IT RECOGNISES THEIR HEROISM IN RESCUING 13 CHINESE CREWMEN FROM A SINKING JUNK, PLUS ONE DOWNED RAF AIRMAN, DURING TYPHOON BECKY ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1993.
THE EDWARD AND MAISIE LEWIS AWARD, GIVEN ANNUALLY BY BRITAIN’S SHIPWRECKED MARINERS’ SOCIETY, WILL BE PRESENTED AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY IN LONDON NEXT WEEK.
SQUADRON LEADER STEVEN WAUDBY WAS CAPTAIN OF A NO.28 (AC) SQUADRON AIRCRAFT, CALLSIGN "RESCUE TWO ZERO", WHICH DESPITE NOT BEING FULLY SERVICEABLE WAS THE THIRD AIRCRAFT TO BE SCRAMBLED BY THE SQUADRON AT THE HEIGHT OF TYPHOON BECKY. THE FIRST WESSEX TO BE SCRAMBLED HAD ALREADY BEEN FORCED TO DITCH THROUGH ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY THE EXTREME CONDITIONS.
DESPITE WINDS OF OVER 100 MILES AN HOUR, VIOLENT AIR TURBULENCE, AND 40-FOOT WAVES, SQUADRON LEADER WAUDBY AND HIS CREW FIRST FLEW TO THE SITE OF THE DITCHED HELICOPTER WHERE THE SECOND WESSEX WAS ALREADY WINCHING IN THREE MEMBERS OF ITS CREW. THEY LOCATED THE FOURTH CREW MEMBER AND RESCUED HIM FROM HIS SINGLE-SEAT DINGHY.
RESCUE TWO ZERO WAS THEN SENT TO INVESTIGATE A FURTHER REPORT OF A JUNK IN DIFFICULTY. IT WAS FOUND BEING BATTERED BY HEAVY SEAS AND DRIVEN TOWARDS ROCKS ONLY 500 METRES AWAY. THE DECK OF THE BOAT WAS STREWN WITH NETS AND DEBRIS AND AS IT PITCHED AND CORKSCREWED IN THE STORM, THE TALL MASTS AT THE STERN MADE WINCHING PERILOUSLY DIFFICULT.
/WITH FLIGHT .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
WITH FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS AND THE HELICOPTER’S INTERCOM BY NOW OUT OF ORDER, SQUADRON LEADER WAUDBY RELIED ON HAND SIGNALS FROM HIS CREW TO POSITION HIS AIRCRAFT AND SUCCESSFULLY LIFTED 13 CREWMEN FROM THE STRICKEN VESSEL IN FOUR LIFTS.
BY THE END OF THE RESCUE THE JUNK WAS ONLY 100 METRES FROM THE ROCKS AND ITS MAST HAD COME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE THE RESCUE TWO ZERO’S ROTOR BLADES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
THIS WAS A MOST SKILFUL AND COURAGEOUS RESCUE BY SQUADRON LEADER WAUDBY AND HIS CREW, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT REG BARKER, SERGEANT CARL BROWN AND MASTER AIR LOADMASTER PAUL GIBSON, NONE OF WHOM HAD ANY SPECIALIST SEARCH AND RESCUE EXPERIENCE, AND WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY LED TO THE SAVING OF 14 LIVES.
IN SPITE OF THE SEVERE TROPICAL STORM AND THE LOSS OF MOST OF THEIR AVIONICS AND RADIO EQUIPMENT, THE AIRCREW SHOWED PROFESSIONALISM, JUDGMENT AND SELFLESS COURAGE WORTHY OF THE HIGHEST COMMENDATION.
THE EDWARD AND MAISIE LEWIS AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED AT A CEREMONY IN LONDON ON OCTOBER 5. IT WILL BE ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF NO. 28 (AC) SQUADRON BY SQN LDR WAUDBY, WHO IS NOW SERVING IN THE UJ£» THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CREW AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL ALSO BE PRESENT-, AS WILL SQN LDR DICK BARTON, OFFICER COMMANDING NO. 28 (AC) SQUADRON, WHO WILL CARRY THE TROPHY BACK TO HONG KONG.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
THE EDWARD AND MAISIE LEWIS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING AIR/SEA RESCUE WAS INSTITUTED BY THE SHIPWRECKED MARINERS’ SOCIETY IN 1980 FOLLOWING A DONATION FROM MR RICHARD LEWIS IN MEMORY OF HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, SIR EDWARD AND LADY LEWIS. WINNERS OF THE AWARD HOLD THE TROPHY FOR ONE YEAR AND ALSO RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL PLATES AND CERTIFICATES. THE TROPHY IS A REPLICA OF DECCA NAVIGATOR MK 21 NAVIGATION RECEIVER AND WAS ORIGINALLY PRESENTED TO SIR EDWARD LEWIS, THEN CHAIRMAN OF DECCA LTD, BY HIS WORKFORCE TO CELEBRATE THE PRODUCTION OF THE 10.000TH DECCA RECEIVER.
FULL DETAILS OF THE CREW OF "RESCUE TWO ZERO" ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CAPTAIN FLT LT (NOW SQN LDR) STEVEN WAUDBY (31), NOW
SERVING AT RAF BENSON, OXFORDSHIRE, UK.
CO-PILOT FLT LT REG BARKER (26), FROM ALTRINCHAM,
CHESHIRE, UK. STILL SERVING WITH NO. 28 (AC) SQN, RAF SEK KONG, HONG KONG. MARRIED, TWO CHILDREN.
WINCHMAN MASTER AIR LOADMASTER PAUL GIBSON (40), FROM
DRIFFIED, YORKS, UK. STILL SERVING WITH NO. 28 (AC) SQN, RAF SEK KONG, HONG KONG. MARRIED, TWO CHILDREN.
WINCH OPERATOR SGT CARL BROWN (33), FROM ALNWICK, NORTHUMBERLAND, UK, NOW SERVING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. SINGLE.
/A PHOTO-CALL........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
5 -
A PHOTO-CALL WITH THE REMAINING HONG KONG CREW MEMBERS AND THE EDWARD AND MAISIE LEWIS TROPHY WILL BE OFFERED WHEN THEY RETURN TO HONG KONG.
NEWS DESKS SHOULD NOTE THAT A SUMMARY OF THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT INTO THE LOSS OF THE WESSEX AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THE ABOVE NEWS RELEASE WILL BE RELEASED TODAY.
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COUNTRY PARKS VISITORS INVITED TO JOIN LIAISON GROUP
*****
FREQUENT COUNTRYSIDE-GOERS WITH GOOD SUGGESTIONS IN MIND TO IMPROVE SERVICES AT THE TERRITORY'S COUNTRY PARKS ARE INVITED TO ENROL AS PARTICIPANTS IN NEXT MONTH’S COUNTRY PARKS VISITOR LIAISON GROUP MEETING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF COUNTRY PARKS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE DISCUSSIONS ON NOVEMBER 12 (SATURDAY) WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT STAFF ON MATTERS RELATING TO THESE PUBLIC SCENIC PARKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE MEETING WOULD BE THE THIRD-ROUND DISCUSSIONS OF THE LIAISON GROUP SINCE IT WAS SET UP A YEAR AGO.
THE LAST TWO MEETINGS HAD PROVED USEFUL AS THERE WERE DIRECT AND FRANK EXCHANGES OF VIEWS BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS AND THE DEPARTMENT ON SERVICES PROVIDED AT COUNTRY PARKS AND ON SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE SERVICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE HOPE THAT MORE SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE FORTHCOMING IN THE NOVEMBER 12 MEETING SCHEDULED TO BE HELD BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 4.30 PM AT THE RANGER HEAD OFFICE, SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK," HE ADDED.
ENROLMENT FORMS FOR TAKING PART IN THE MEETING ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTRY PARKS MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CPMO) IN ROOM 1462, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THEY ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM VISITOR CENTRES AT SIX COUNTRY PARKS IN ABERDEEN, SHING MUN, CLEAR WATER BAY, TAI MO SHAN, PLOVER COVE AND SAI KUNG AS WELL AS IN THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY MAIL TO CPMO OR IN PERSON TO ANY OF THE SEVEN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRES BY OCTOBER 22.
BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC MEMBERS OF THE LIAISON GROUP IS LIMITED TO 30, SELECTION BY LOT MAY BE REQUIRED IF THERE ARE TOO MANY APPLICANTS. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY POST BEFORE NOVEMBER 1.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
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EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBER GETS IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL *****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, HAS FORWARDED A CONGRATULATION LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR TO MR WONG YAT-KBUNG, AN OFFICE ASSISTANT IN THE DEPARTMENT, INFORMING HIM OF THE QUEEN’S APPROVAL TO AWARD HIM THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL.
MR WONG YAT-KEUNG DEVOTED HIS ENTIRE 38-YEAR CAREER TO SERVICES IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WORKING IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS. HE JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN 1956.
HE SERVED IN THE MA TAU CHUNG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL FROM 1964 AND WAS PROMOTED FROM LABOURER TO OFFICE ATTENDANT IN 1972. HE WAS DESCRIBED BY HIS SUPERVISORS AS "AN EXPERIENCED, EFFICIENT, COMPETENT AND DEDICATED OFFICER".
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: "WHEN SERVING IN THE MA TAU CHUNG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, MR WONG HAD, OUT OF HIS OWN INITIATIVE, TAKEN ON EXTRA WORK IN LOOKING AFTER THE NATURE CORNER OF THE SCHOOL.
"WITH HIS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN HORTICULTURAL MAINTENANCE, THE NATURE CORNER WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. MR WONG’S EFFORT HAD BEEN A GREAT HELP TO STUDENTS IN BRINGING ABOUT A GREENER ENVIRONMENT."
AFTER RETIREMENT THIS SCHOOL YEAR, MR WONG YAT-KEUNG’S IMMEDIATE PLAN IS TO TAKE A TRIP WITH HIS WIFE TO VISIT HIS SON’S FAMILY IN TAIWAN.
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56 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED
* * * * *
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 56 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN JULY THIS YEAR.
OF THEM, 17 ARE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 FOR KOWLOON AND 25 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDE 23 FOR APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, EIGHT FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND FIVE FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
IN THE SAME MONTH, CONSENT WAS GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 32 BUILDING PROJECTS, WHICH INVOLVE 27,214.9 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 137,434.2 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN THE MONTH TOTALLED ABOUT $800 MILLION.
/OF THE .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
OF THE BUILDINGS CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION IN THE MONTH, USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES ARE 42,667.8 SQUARE METRES AND 47,252.0 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN THE SAME MONTH, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 26 OCCUPATION PERMITS - 12 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE FOR KOWLOON AND 11 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 37 DEMOLITION CONSENTS INVOLVING 94 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT’S CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 581 COMPLAINTS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,586 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 629 REMOVAL ORDERS ON UNAUTHORISED WORKS.
THE DEPARTMENT’S DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION ALSO INSPECTED 784 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED 27 EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE COURT.
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JOB BAZAAR IN SHA TIN FOR RETRAINEES » » * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A JOB BAZAAR IN SHA TIN ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 7) TO HELP WORKERS AFFECTED BY ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING, INCLUDING RETRAINEES, FIND JOBS.
ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) AND SPONSORED BY THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING BOARD (ERB), THE BAZAAR AIMS AT PROVIDING A CHANCE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO MAKE DIRECT CONTACT AND DISCUSS ABOUT JOB VACANCIES AND EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
"A TOTAL OF 15 EMPLOYERS FROM DIFFERENT TRADES INCLUDING HOTEL, COMMUNICATION, SECURITY, CATERING, COURIER SERVICE, RETAIL SALES AND DEPARTMENT STORE WILL TAKE PART TO BRIEF JOB-SEEKERS ABOUT THEIR TRADES AND PROVIDE THEM WITH VACANCY INFORMATION," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (EMPLOYMENT SERVICES) MR RAYMOND CHAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THEY WILL ALSO SELECT POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES FOR ON-THE-SPOT INTERVIEWS OR ARRANGE INTERVIEWS ON OTHER DATES."
NOTING THAT THE TWO JOB BAZAARS HELD IN JULY AND SEPTEMBER WERE WELL RECEIVED, MR CHAN SAID: "WE HOPE THAT THE COMING BAZAAR WILL BE EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL AND WILL FACILITATE JOB-SEEKERS TO SECURE JOBS THEY LIKE."
DURING THE BAZAAR, THE ERB WILL GIVE A TALK ON THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING SCHEME. TWO OF THE TRAINING ORGANISATIONS - THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN ACTION AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE - WILL COUNSEL JOB-SEEKERS WHO NEED TO CHANGE JOBS BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING.
/IN ADDITION.........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1994
- 8 -
IN ADDITION, SEVERAL EMPLOYERS WILL ALSO CONDUCT TALKS ON THEIR TRADES TO ACQUAINT JOB-SEEKERS WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
HE URGED INTERESTED JOB-SEEKERS WHO WERE 30 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE TO VISIT THE JOB BAZAAR WHICH WOULD BE HELD FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM AT THE EXHIBITION GALLERY ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
ENQUIRIES ON JOB BAZAARS CAN BE MADE ON TEL 591 1260 OR 552 0134.
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COMPUTER GAMES SOFTWARE CONTEST PROMOTES ORAL HEALTH
*****
ENTHUSIASTS FOR COMPUTER GAMES DESIGN ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A COMPUTER GAMES SOFTWARE COMPETITION FOR THE PROMOTION OF ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION.
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY, THE HONG KONG DENTAL ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS AND THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR MULTIMEDIA AND IMAGE COMPUTING, IS OPEN TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WOULD HOLD A BRIEFING SESSION ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8) TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE PARTICIPANTS. ENQUIRIES COULD BE MADE ON TEL 768 8077.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ENTRIES SHOULD BRING HOME MESSAGES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH CARE AND METHODS TO PREVENT DENTAL DISEASES.
"PARTICIPANTS ARE FREE TO MAKE USE OF ANIMATION STORIES, STILL OR MOTION IMAGE GAMES, OR QUESTION-AND-ANSWER FORMAT IN DESIGNING THEIR ENTRIES.
"THE ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED ON THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN BRINGING OUT ORAL HEALTH MESSAGES, THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE GAMES AND THEIR VISUAL EFFECTS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WINNING ENTRIES WOULD BE USED FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY ON AN "EDUCATION BUS" AND IN EXHIBITIONS TO BE LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL AND OPEN DIVISIONS. PARTICIPANTS MAY BE INDIVIDUALS, IN GROUPS OR FAMILIES.
THE COMPETITION WAS SPONSORED BY AST ASIA PACIFIC. THREE WINNERS OF EACH DIVISION WOULD RECEIVE A SOUVENIR AND A CASH COUPON WORTH $5,000 TO $10,000.
APPLICATION FORMS AND HEALTH MANUALS ARE AVAILABLE FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS, DISTRICT OFFICES AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
ENTRIES WITH COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE UNIT BY HAND OR BY MAIL ON OR BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHIEF SECRETARY PRESENTS PROGRESS REPORT ON POLICY ADDRESS UNDERTAKINGS......................................'....... 1
GOVERNOR TO PRESENT THIRD POLICY ADDRESS.................. 2
TRANSCRIPT OF CHIEF SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION............. 3
FOOD SURVEILLANCE FIGURES FOR SECOND QUARTER.............. 4
HK AND WORLD BANK/IMF SIGN MEMORANDUM..................... 5
HK’S TRADE POLICY TO BE PRESENTED IN GENEVA............... 6
JUDGES SHOULD TAKE ON JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION: CJ......... 6
NEW WSD COMPLAINT AND ENQUIRY FAXLINE SERVICE............. 8
MRS PATTEN STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY ROLE............. 9
YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW MEMBERS ..................... 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE..................................... 10
CLOSURE OF SAI YING PUN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT........ 10
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS 11
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
CHIEF SECRETARY PRESENTS PROGRESS
REPORT ON POLICY ADDRESS UNDERTAKINGS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, PRESENTED TODAY (MONDAY) THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE UNDERTAKINGS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESSES.
"I AM GLAD TO PRESENT THE PROGRESS REPORT AND TO SHARE WITH YOU THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND RANGE OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY," MRS CHAN SAID.
THE 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESSES ANNOUNCED A COMBINED TOTAL OF 221 SPECIFIC POLICY PROPOSALS, EACH AIMED AT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACCOUNT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THE PROGRESS MADE IN HONOURING ITS COMMITMENTS. WE ARE, THEREFORE, PUBLISHING THE PROGRESS REPORT TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION TO JUDGE THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE, THE AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT AS WELL AS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ANY SHORTFALLS OR DELAYS," SHE SAID.
OF THE 221 COMMITMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED 75 IN FULL, AND WILL CONTINUE TO HONOUR ANOTHER 31 ON-GOING INITIATIVES. THE REMAINING 115 COMMITMENTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED AND WILL BE FULLY HONOURED BY 1997 OR BEFORE.
”1 AM GLAD TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE WELL ON TARGET TO MEET VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR OBJECTIVES. INDEED, WE HAVE DONE EXCEPTIONALLY WELL IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, INCLUDING EMPLOYEE RETRAINING, PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS, PROVISION OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND INCREASE IN RECURRENT SPENDING ON EDUCATION, WHERE WE ARE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE," MRS CHAN SAID.
THE PROGRESS REPORT ALSO IDENTIFIES 13 UNDERTAKINGS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS BEHIND SCHEDULE.
"WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THOSE UNDERTAKINGS WHERE WE ARE BEHIND SCHEDULE AND EXPLAINED FULLY THE REASONS FOR THE SHORTFALLS. BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT WE ARE TAKING THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURES POSSIBLE TO CATCH UP WITH THE ORIGINAL TARGETS, AND BELIEVE THAT WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO HONOUR OUR COMMITMENTS IN THESE AREAS," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE INVITED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO READ THE PROGRESS REPORT AND ASSESS FOR THEMSELVES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PUBLICATION OF NEXT YEAR’S REPORT TO GIVE AN UP-TO-DATE ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS MADE ON ALL OUTSTANDING COMMITMENTS, TOGETHER WITH THOSE SET OUT IN THIS YEAR’S ADDRESS," MRS CHAN SAID.
COPIES OF THE PROGRESS REPORT IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CENTRAL AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM TODAY AT SIX MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AT CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, MONG KOK, TSUEN WAN, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG.
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/2 .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
- 2 -
GOVERNOR TO PRESENT THIRD POLICY ADDRESS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL PRESENT HIS THIRD POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5) WHEN HE OPENS THE 1994/95 SESSION OF THE COUNCIL.
MR PATTEN WILL BEGIN HIS ADDRESS AT 2.30 PM. THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON FIVE TELEVISION CHANNELS, AS WELL AS RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG CHANNELS 1 AND 5.
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF HIS SPEECH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM 4 PM THAT DAY AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
A SUMMARY OF THE SPEECH WILL BE AVAILABLE AS WELL.
THE SUMMARY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM ON THAT DAY AT SIX MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AT CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, MONG KOK, TSUEN WAN, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG.
IN THE EVENING, MR PATTEN WILL GIVE A BROADCAST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION ON THE MAIN AREAS OF HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A SPECIAL CLOSED-DOOR WORKING SESSION WILL BE ARRANGED ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5) IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE TO ENABLE MEDIA MEMBERS TO WORK ON ADVANCE COPIES OF THE POLICY ADDRESS. THE SESSION WILL START AT NOON UNTIL THE GOVERNOR FINISHES HIS SPEECH.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WORKING ON THE ADVANCE COPIES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM DURING THIS PERIOD.
YOU ARE REMINDED THAT CONTENTS OF THE POLICY ADDRESS ARE EMBARGOED UNTIL AFTER DELIVERY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE USE OF MOBILE TELEPHONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE WORKING SESSION. SOUND FEED IS AVAILABLE INSIDE THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AROUND 4 PM AT THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, THE NEW ANNEXE OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE. MEDIA MEMBERS SHOULD ARRIVE BY 3.30 PM. REPRESENTATIVES OF TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS SHOULD ARRIVE EVEN EARLIER TO SET UP EQUIPMENT.
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/3.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
3
TRANSCRIPT OF CHIEF SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEDIA SESSION BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE PROGRESS REPORT ON UNDERTAKINGS IN THE 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESSES TODAY (MONDAY):
CS: I’LL SAY A FEW WORDS AND THEN I’LL TAKE ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS. TODAY, WE ARE PUBLISHING THE PROGRESS REPORT WHICH GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE IN MEETING THE POLICY OBJECTIVES, A TOTAL OF 221 POLICY PROPOSALS, WHICH WERE PUT FORWARD IN THE GOVERNOR’S 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESS. ON THE WHOLE, WE HAVE ACHIEVED REMARKABLE PROGRESS. WE HAVE ALREADY FULLY IMPLEMENTED 75 OF THE COMMITMENTS THAT WE MADE IN THESE TWO POLICY ADDRESSES AND WE ARE WELL ON TARGET TO ACHIEVING 94 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL COMMITMENTS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE THE PROGRESS HAS NOT BEEN AS GOOD AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED. BUT, WE WILL BE MAKING EVERY EFFORT AND ON CURRENT PROGRESS, WE STILL EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO MEET OUR TARGET BY THE STIPULATED DATE. I THINK THERE CAN BE VERY FEW GOVERNMENTS WHICH, FIRST OF ALL, HAVE PUBLISHED THEIR POLICY OBJECTIVES AND GIVEN SUCH A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ITS PERFORMANCE AND IN RESPECT OF THE SUCCESS RATE OF 94 PERCENT, I THINK WE CAN ALL BE ENCOURAGED BY THIS VERY HIGH SUCCESS RATE. AS I’VE STRESSED, WE ARE AN ACCOUNTABLE AND EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT. WE BELIEVE IN SETTING OUT OUR POLICY OBJECTIVES AND ACCOUNTING TO THE PUBLIC HOW ACTUALLY WE HAVE ACHIEVED THESE TARGETS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THE BEST OF EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET BY THE STIPULATED DATE. I’LL TAKE A FEW QUESTIONS.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, WHERE THERE HAS BEEN SOME SHORTFALLS, IS IT THE CASE OF THE ADMINISTRATION BEING TOO AMBITIOUS IN SETTING THE ORIGINAL TARGET OR IS IT OVERTAKEN BY UNFORESEEN EVENTS WHICH HAVE SET YOU BACK?
CS: I THINK THERE ARE VARIOUS REASONS. MOST OF THE AREAS WHERE THE PROGRESS HAS NOT BEEN, PERHAPS, AS GOOD AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED, ARE IN FACT IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE AREA AND THERE, ONE PARTICULAR DIFFICULTY WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED, IS LOCATING SUITABLE PREMISES FOR THE VARIOUS SERVICES THAT WE WISH TO LAY ON FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN, AND DISABLED PEOPLE. WE ARE RECEIVING MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION FROM ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO LOCATE SUITABLE PREMISES. IN OTHER AREAS, I THINK PROBABLY, FOR EXAMPLE, SOME OF THE PROJECTS, WE MAY HAVE UNDER-ESTIMATED THE DIFFICULTIES IN ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, CARRYING OUT RESUMPTIONS AND CLEARANCES OF LAND. SO, THERE AGAIN, WE WOULD BE MAKING STRENUOUS EFFORTS. BUT ON THE WHOLE, I STRESS AGAIN, IT IS A REMARKABLE SUCCESS RATE TO HAVE ACHIEVED 94 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL COMMITMENTS.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, DO YOU THINK THAT SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS BEING THE WAY THEY ARE NOW, HAVE HINDERED PROGRESS...?
CS: I HAVE SAID THAT IN ONE OR TWO AREAS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE CASE OF THE ADAPTATION AND LOCALISATION OF LAW, IT IS A COMMON FACT, IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT PROGRESS IN THE JLG HAS NOT BEEN AS GOOD AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED BUT I THINK YOU WILL ALSO HAVE HEARD FROM THE RECENT MEETING BETWEEN DOUGLAS HURD AND QIAN QICHEN THAT BOTH SIDES DO WISH TO CO-OPERATE AND I VERY HOPE THAT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WE WILL BE SITTING DOWN TO EXAMINE THOSE AREAS WHERE BOTH SIDES CAN INTENSIFY COOPERATION.
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/4 .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
4
FOOD SURVEILLANCE FIGURES FOR SECOND QUARTER *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS CARRIED OUT 11,850 EXAMINATIONS FOR CHEMICAL, BACTERIOLOGICAL, AND RADIOACTIVITY TESTS UNDER ITS REGULAR FOOD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THE PROGRAMME IS CONDUCTED BY THE HYGIENE DIVISION TO MONITOR THAT FOOD SUPPLIED TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHOLESOME, UNADULTERATED, UNCONTAMINATED, PROPERLY LABELLED AND OF NUTRITIOUS QUALITY.
AMONG 8,546 EXAMINATIONS FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, 8,433 WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 113 OR 1.3 PER CENT WERE UNSATISFACTORY.
THE UNSATISFACTORY CASES WERE MAINLY DUE TO FOOD CONTAINING NON-PERMITTED OR EXCESSIVE FOOD ADDITIVES SUCH AS COLOURING MATTERS AND PRESERVATIVES; AND SEAFOOD CONTAINING HIGHER LEVEL OF BIOTOXIN.
THE TRADERS HAD BEEN REMINDED OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON THE USE OF COLOURING MATTERS AND PRESERVATIVES.
ANY FOOD PRODUCTS NOT CONFORMED TO THE LOCAL FOOD LEGISLATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET. THEY ARE EITHER RETURNED TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OR SURRENDERED FOR DESTRUCTION.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS ALSO SHOWED THAT OUT OF THE 3,115 SAMPLES TAKEN, 2,978 WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 137 SAMPLES OR 4.4 PER CENT WERE UNSATISFACTORY.
MOST OF THE 137 SAMPLES WERE ICE CREAM, SHELLFISH, FISH AND MEAT PRODUCTS WITH HIGH BACTERIAL AND FAECAL COLIFORM COUNTS.
HEALTH ADVICE ON FOOD HYGIENE WAS CONVEYED TO THE MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE SAMPLES. THEY WERE ALSO WARNED THAT CONTINUAL SALE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL SUBSTANDARD FOOD WOULD RESULT IN PROSECUTION.
ON THE MONITORING OF RADIOACTIVITY IN FOOD, ALL THE 189 SAMPLES TAKEN WERE SATISFACTORY.
THE DIVISION TOOK OUT 47 PROSECUTIONS AND ISSUED 125 WARNING LETTERS DURING THE PERIOD. AMONG THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TAKEN, ONE PROSECUTION AND 36 WARNING LETTERS AROSE FROM THE CHECKING OF 3,844 LABELS FOR PRE-PACKAGED FOOD.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE DIVISION INSPECTED 1,508,799 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED MEAT AND 2,778,863 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED POULTRY IN 626 INSPECTIONS.
A TOTAL OF 182,586 KILOGRAMS OF MEAT AND POULTRY WERE FOUND UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION AND WERE DESTROYED.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 65 REPORTS OF FOOD POISONING CASES, AFFECTING 259 PERSONS. INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT 45 CASES WERE DOMESTIC OUTBREAKS AND 20 FOOD-PREMISES OUTBREAKS. AMONG THESE CASES, 28 WERE DUE TO BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION, 15 WERE PESTICIDE-TAINTED VEGETABLE POISONING AND 15 CASES WERE DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF SEAFOOD CONTAMINATED WITH BIOTOXIN.
/FOOD POISONING .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
5
FOOD POISONING CASES DUE TO BACTERIAL CAUSES OCCURRED MAINLY BECAUSE OF IMPROPER HANDLING, PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD.
THE 15 CASES OF PESTICIDE-TAINTED VEGETABLE POISONING INVOLVED CONSUMPTION OF WHITE CABBAGE AND CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE. AMONG 15 CASES OF BIOTOXIN POISONING, NINE WERE CIGUATERA POISONING, FIVE WERE PARALYTIC SHELLFISH POISONING AND ONE WAS PUFFER FISH POISONING.
MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF FOOD POISONING WERE DOMESTIC OUTBREAKS. THE PUBLIC IS REMINDED THAT STRICT PERSONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD HYGIENE MUST BE OBSERVED WHEN PREPARING FOOD AT HOME.
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HK AND WORLD BANK/IMF SIGN MEMORANDUM *****
HONG KONG AND THE WORLD BANK/INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) TODAY (MONDAY) SIGNED A MEMORANDUM ON PROVIDING SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR THE WORLD BANK/IMF ANNUAL MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG IN 1997.
THE MEMORANDUM WAS SIGNED IN MADRID BETWEEN HONG KONG -REPRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, MR JOSEPH YAM -AND THE WORLD BANK/IMF SECRETARIES.
THE MEMORANDUM ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES SETS OUT IN DETAIL HONG KONG’S OBLIGATIONS IN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES AND FACILITIES AS MEETING ROOMS AND FACILITIES, TEMPORARY OFFICES, HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE.
SIR HAMISH SAID HONG KONG WAS COMMITTED TO SUCCESSFULLY ORGANISING THE 1997 ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE WORLD BANK/IMF TN HONG KONG, "THE STAGING OF SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS EVENT IN HONG KONG SOON AFTER THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY WILL BE A TIMELY AFFIRMATION OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUING STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE AFTER 1997 AND WILL BE GOOD FOR THE CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS CHAIRING A STEERING COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE OVERALL PLANNING OF THIS IMPORTANT EVENT.
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATING THE PLANNING WORK FOR THE MEETINGS, WILL ALSO SET UP COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS, TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE PLANNING WORK.
SIR HAMISH AND MR YAM ARE IN MADRID ATTENDING THE 1994 ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE WORLD BANK/IMF.
MR YAM IS ALSO LEADING A TEAM TO STUDY THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE WORLD BANK/IMF.
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/6 .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
6
HK’S TRADE POLICY TO BE PRESENTED IN GENEVA
*****
A REPORT ON HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) COUNCIL IN GENEVA BY A GOVERNMENT DELEGATION LED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP.
MRS IP WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY OFFICIALS FROM THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH AND THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
THE PRESENTATION, TO TAKE PLACE ON OCTOBER 5 AND 6, IS PART OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM UNDER THE GATT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF ITS MEMBERS.
HONG KONG, WHICH HAS BEEN A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT SINCE 1986, IS REVIEWED UNDER THIS MECHANISM EVERY FOUR YEARS. THE LAST REVIEW OF HONG KONG WAS CONDUCTED IN 1990.
"HONG KONG HAS ONE OF THE FREEST TRADING REGIMES IN THE WORLD AND WE WILL BE PLEASED TO SHARE WITH OTHER GATT MEMBERS OUR RELIANCE ON FREE TRADE AND OPEN MARKETS AS THE BEST WAY TO STIMULATE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY," MRS IP SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE REVIEW WILL COVER A REPORT PREPARED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN JULY ON THE FULL RANGE OF HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AGAINST THE WIDER ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT," SHE EXPLAINED.
A REPORT HAS ALSO BEEN PREPARED BY A TEAM FROM THE GATT SECRETARIAT WHO VISITED THE TERRITORY EARLIER THIS YEAR TO UNDERTAKE AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AND ITS ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS.
"IN ADDITION TO REVIEWING BOTH REPORTS, THE MEETING IN GENEVA WILL ASSESS THE IMPACT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM," MRS IP SAID.
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JUDGES SHOULD TAKE ON JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION: CJ
*****
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, HAS TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON JUDGES TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION.
IN DELIVERING HIS INAUGURAL LECTURE FOR THE ERIC AU MEMORIAL LECTURES THIS AFTERNOON, SIR TI LIANG SAID: "WE HAVE TO TRANSFORM THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL SIDE OF OUR COURTS WITHIN A SHORT TIME, FROM A RELATIVELY PASSIVE INERT STRUCTURE, INTO AN ACTIVE, INITIATING ORGANISATION UNIT.
"JUDGES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THE INITIATIVES AND ACTIONS WHICH WILL ADVANCE THE COURT’S CASEFLOW MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY," HE STRESSED.
/SIR TI .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
SIR TI LIANG SAID JUDGES MUST FREE THEMSELVES FROM "THE DEEPLY EMBEDDED FICTION OF JUDICIAL CULTURE THAT THE ONLY WORK WORTHY OF A JUDGE IS SITTING IN COURT WITH A WIG ON DURING THE COURT DAY AND WRITING JUDGMENTS AFTERWARDS.
"TIME PROPERLY SPENT IN THINKING, PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COURT SYSTEM IS JUST AS WORTHY," HE ADDED.
SIR TI LIANG NOTED THAT THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND HAD PLEDGED TO CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE JUDICIARY THERE BY MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND ITS AIMS MORE EXPLICIT AND, GRANTED THE NECESSARY RESOURCES, TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC BY REDUCING DELAYS AND MAKING COURTS MORE EFFICIENT AND LESS DAUNTING FOR ALL COURT USERS.
"THESE LAUDABLE PLEDGES MAY WELL SERVE AS A GUIDE TO THE JUDICIARY IN HONG KONG," SIR TI LIANG SAID. "TO MAKE GOOD THESE PLEDGES, A WHOLE NEW MANAGEMENT CULTURE MUST BE DEVELOPED AND NURTURED
"WE MUST REMOVE THE FETTERS IMPOSED ON US IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND EQUIP OURSELVES IN EVERY WAY, MENTALLY, TECHNOLOGICALLY AND FINANCIALLY, TO FACE NEW CHALLENGES, SWIFTLY AND DECISIVELY.
"JUDGES CAN NO LONGER SHOW A DISDAINFUL DISREGARD FOR ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE POINTED OUT THAT SUBSTANTIAL OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF A JUDICIAL SYSTEM COULD NOT BE MADE BY A FEW ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES AND THEIR STAFF.
"IT CAN ONLY COME ABOUT IF EACH JUDGE DEVELOPS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, NOT JUST FOR HIS OWN PERFORMANCE, BUT FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM AS WELL," HE SAID.
AS TO WHETHER IT IS PRACTICABLE FOR THE JUDGES, WITH THEIR HEAVY ADJUDICATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES, TO SHOULDER ALSO NON-ADJUDICATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES, SIR TI LIANG QUOTED THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, MCGARVIE QC, AS SAYING THAT IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE JUDGES HAVING THE SUPPORT OF COURT ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE TO THE COURT AND DEDICATED TO ITS VALUE.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID COURT ADMINISTRATOR COULD HELP PROMOTE THE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND ENHANCE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIARY.
"THE FUNDAMENTAL GOAL OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR IS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE COURT’S ABILITY TO RESOLVE DISPUTES JUSTLY, EXPEDITIOUSLY AND ECONOMICALLY," SIR TI LIANG SAID.
"INHERENT IN THIS IS THE PROTECTION OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE WHICH IS INSTRUMENTAL TO THAT GOAL.
"WE NEED TO ESTABLISH OUR CREDIBILITY IN THIS REGARD WITH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE ARMS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS THE MEDIA AND, THROUGH THEM, THE PUBLIC.
"ULTIMATELY, IT IS THE CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC WHICH SUSTAINS US," THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID.
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/8 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
8 -
NEW WSD COMPLAINT AND ENQUIRY FAXLINE SERVICE
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT INTRODUCED TODAY (MONDAY) A FAXLINE SERVICE FOR RECEIVING COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE ITS SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS.
THIS NEW SERVICE WILL ALSO HELP PERSONS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT TO REPORT WATER SUPPLY FAULTS.
WITH THE NEW SERVICE, THE PUBLIC CAN NOW SEND THEIR COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES TO THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE FOLLOWING FAXLINE NUMBERS:
« WATER SUPPLY FAULT COMPLAINTS (24 HOURS)
* HONG KONG AND OUTLYING ISLANDS : 564 3434
* KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES : 396 5731
* ACCOUNT-RELATED ENQUIRIES : 824 2455
* GENERAL ENQUIRIES : 824 0578
THE ABOVE FAXLINE FACILITIES SUPPLEMENT THE DEPARTMENT’S EXISTING COMPLAINT AND ENQUIRY SERVICE WHICH COMPRISES THE FOLLOWING:
* 24-HOUR HOTLINES FOR WATER SUPPLY FAULT COMPLAINT
« HONG KONG AND OUTLYING ISLANDS : 811 0788
* KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES : 396 0210
* HOTLINE FOR ACCOUNT-RELATED ENQUIRIES : 824 5000
* 24-HOUR AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE INFORMATION
SYSTEM "WATER INFOLINK" : 802 9966
* GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
HEADQUARTERS : 829 4500
*HONG KONG AND OUTLYING ISLANDS : 880 2500
*KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES : 399 4399
» SEVEN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY
SUGGESTIONS, ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS CAN ALSO BE SENT BY MAIL TO THE WATER AUTHORITY, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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/9 ........
MONLnY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
9
MRS PATTEN STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY ROLE
* * « » »
MRS PATTEN TODAY (MONDAY) BROUGHT HOME THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE FAMILY IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN.
AS PATRON OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, SHE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ITS OPERATING OFFICE IN 01 MAN ESTATE.
MRS PATTEN RECOGNISED THAT CHILDREN’S WELFARE COULD BE NEGLECTED IN THE PURSUIT OF MATERIALISM IN SOME HOUSEHOLDS.
"IN BUSY HONG KONG MANY PARENTS CANNOT SPEND ENOUGH TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND MAY NOT HAVE SATISFACTORY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.
"THE RAPID CHANGES IN OUR SOCIETY ARE HAVING A CONTINUING IMPACT ON FAMILY STRUCTURES AND ARE ERODING THE OLD FAMILY VALUES," SHE SAID.
THE SOCIETY HAS ESTABLISHED A PARENT EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, PUBLISHED VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLETS AND BOOKLETS, AND CONDUCTED SPECIAL COURSES ON "PARENT EFFECTIVE TRAINING".
IT IS NOW ADDRESSING THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN INCREASED INCIDENCE OF DIVORCE, AND IS OFFERING A SPECIAL PROGRAMME ON "CO-PARENTING FOR DIVORCED OR SEPARATED PARENTS".
TO HELP TO PREVENT THE TRAGEDY OF YOUNG LIVES BEING WASTED, THE SOCIETY HAS PUBLISHED A BOOKLET ON TEENAGE SUICIDES.
MRS PATTEN HOPED THAT THE OPENING OF THIS OPERATING OFFICE WOULD PROVIDE THE SOCIETY WITH EVEN BETTER SUPPORT FOR THEIR MANY PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES.
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YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW MEMBERS
*****
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE UNDER THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH IS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 1994/95.
THE ORCHESTRA WAS FORMED IN 1978 TO PROVIDE ORCHESTRAL TRAINING FOR YOUNG INSTRUMENTALISTS IN HONG KONG.
OVER THE YEARS, THE ORCHESTRA HAS HELD REGULAR CONCERTS IN HONG KONG AND GIVEN PERFORMANCES OVERSEAS, INCLUDING AUSTRALIA, CYPRUS, FRANCE, ISRAEL, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, MACAU AND MORE RECENTLY, SINGAPORE AND CHINA.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE ORCHESTRA WILL BE RECRUITED ANNUALLY BY OPEN AUDITION.
AN INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME CONSISTING OF MASTER CLASSES AND REHEARSALS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY MORNINGS.
/APPLICANTS SHOULD .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
10 -
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE ATTAINED GRADE VII OR ABOVE IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT, IN AT LEAST ONE ORCHESTRAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC OFFICE CENTRES, QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ON OCTOBER 29.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO MUSIC OFFICE KWUN TONG MUSIC CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 21 ON WAH STREET, KWUN TONG ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 22 BY MAIL OR FAX AT 795 8663.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVIORS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 98.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 575.098 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 532.129 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 90.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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CLOSURE OF SAI YING PUN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING TO CLOSE FOUR UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN SAI YING PUN SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES USED FOR STORAGE ARE LOCATED ON THE 13TH AND 15TH FLOORS OF A BUILDING AT 25-29 KO SHING STREET.
NOTICES APPLYING FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON NOVEMBER 30 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
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/Il........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * * CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS)
OPENING BALANCE IN CLOSING BALANCE IN CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE MONEY MARKET LAF TODAY • THE ACCOUNT THE ACCOUNT TO : ACTIVITY 2,126 2,394 + 373 -105 0930 1000 1100 1200 1500 1600 + 363 + 363 + 373 + 373 + 373 + 373
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5 .00 OFFER TWI 121.9 *+0.2* 3.10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD 1 WEEK 4.14 20 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.36 6.20 1 MONTH 4.22 23 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.67 6.44 3 MONTHS 4.41 31 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.28 7.01 6 MONTHS 4.77 34 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.74 7.17 12 MONTHS 5.44 60 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.69 7.92 TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 15,016 MN CLOSED 3 OCTOBER 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
STI TO ATTEND APEC TRADE MINISTERS MEETING.................. 1
GOVT READY TO HELP MANUFACTURERS ON TECHNOLOGIES........ 1
GOVT POLICY TO MAINTAIN GOOD BUS SERVICE.................... 2
DEGREE IN THERAPY REGISTRABLE............................... 3
WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL OPENS......................... 3
ILLEGAL BEAR PARTS TRADE IN HK UNDER CONTROL................ 4
OBJECTION TO CHANGE OF LAND USE IN YUEN LONG................ 6
FIRST MEETING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS AND CONSUMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE................................ 6
GOVERNOR EXPLAINS POLICY ADDRESS ON TV AND RADIO............ 7
100 CAR MARKS OPEN FOR AUCTION.............................. 8
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY TENDER RESULTS................. 9
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....
10
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
1
STI TO ATTEND APEC TRADE MINISTERS MEETING
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE TRADE MINISTERS MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) TO BE HELD IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 6).
THE MEETING WILL REVIEW THE OUTCOME OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AND ASSESS ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. WAYS TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE AND FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOME WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
"SUPPORT FOR THE MULTILATERAL TRADE SYSTEM UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE POLICY. WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE PROMPT AND FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENTS," MR CHAU SAID.
"I WILL ALSO URGE OTHER APEC MEMBER ECONOMIES TO RATIFY THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION CAN BE SET UP ON JANUARY 1, 1995," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH TRADE MINISTERS FROM OTHER APEC ECONOMIES ON ISSUES OF CONCERN TO HONG KONG.
APEC IS A FORUM FOR INFORMAL HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE ON REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND TRADE ISSUES, AND AT PRESENT COMPRISES 17 MEMBERS.
BESIDES HONG KONG, OTHER MEMBERS ARE: AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, CHINA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, CHINESE TAIPEI, THAILAND AND THE USA.
MR CHAU WILL BE ACCOMPANIED AT THE MEETING BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, AND OTHER TRADE OFFICIALS.
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GOVT READY TO HELP MANUFACTURERS ON TECHNOLOGIES t * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT STANDS READY TO HELP LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO APPLY NEW OR IMPROVED PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, DESIGNS, PROCESSES AND MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES, THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR DOMINIC LAW, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE THIRD VARSITY COMPETITION IN ELECTRONIC DESIGN, MR LAW SAID: ’’THE CULTURE OF APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R AND D) AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT WORK IN HONG KONG IS ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH A $200 MILLION APPLIED R AND D FUND SCHEME.
’’FURTHERMORE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS, STARTING FROM THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, PROVIDED $180 MILLION TO SUPPORT PROJECTS WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY,” HE SAID.
/'•ONE OF...........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
2
"ONE OF THE PROJECTS APPROVED UNDER THE SCHEME IS THE ESTABLISHMENT BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (HKPC) OF A CENTRE FOCUSING ON APPLIED R AND D AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT WORK IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR OF THE ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY.
"THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROMOTES AND RECOGNISES EXCELLENCE IN CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN, AND EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY DESIGN THROUGH THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY.
"ANOTHER INITIATIVE BY THE GOVERNMENT IS THE PUTTING UP OF A CAPITAL GRANT OF $250 MILLION PLUS A LOAN OF $188 MILLION TO ESTABLISH THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE CORPORATION TO NURTURE TECHNOLOGY BASED START-UP COMPANIES, DEVELOPING NEW AND IMPROVED PRODUCTS.
"IN ADDITION, THE HKPC OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SERVICE TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN THEIR DESIGN WORK.
"ALL THESE SUPPORT SERVICES AND SCHEMES UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AS IT MOVES INTO HIGH-VALUE ADDED MANUFACTURING TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE," MR LAW ADDED.
THE VARSITY COMPETITION IN ELECTRONIC DESIGN, WHICH IS. FUNDED BY THE ZONTA CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, AIMS AT PROMOTING INTERESTS AMONG POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS IN ELECTRONIC DESIGNS.
"THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION, STUDENTS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO APPLY THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATIVE THOUGHTS TO PRACTICAL DESIGN. THE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE GAINED IN DESIGNING ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS WILL BE IMPORTANT IN PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR PURSUING A CAREER IN INDUSTRY," SAID MR LAW.
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GOVT POLICY TO MAINTAIN GOOD BUS SERVICE
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT BRANCH SAID: "IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO MAINTAIN A GOOD AND EFFICIENT BUS SERVICE FOR THE PUBLIC.
"WE ARE REVIEWING THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE REGULARLY.
"A CASE IN POINT IS THAT AS A RESULT OF OUR REVIEW, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED AN AMENDMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR TO IMPOSE HEAVIER FINANCIAL PENALTIES ON PUBLIC BUS COMPANIES FOR SERVICE DEFICIENCIES.
"THE QUESTION OF BUYING UP THE BUS FLEET OF A FRANCHISED COMPANY UPON THE CESSATION OF SERVICE IS ONE OF THE AREAS WE ARE LOOKING INTO.
"DETAILS AND TIMETABLE OF THE REVIEW HAVE NOT YET BEEN WORKED OUT.
"IF THERE IS A NEED TO AMEND THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE AMENDMENT, SUBJECT TO LEGCO’S APPROVAL, WILL BE APPLICABLE TO ALL FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES."
/3.........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
3
DEGREE IN THERAPY REGISTRABLE *****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AWARDED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1994 TO BE A REGISTRABLE QUALIFICATION UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATION.
"THE NEW QUALIFICATION REPLACES THE PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ISSUED PREVIOUSLY BY THE POLYTECHNIC, WHICH HAS BEEN PHASED OUT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"HOWEVER, THE PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA ISSUED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1994 WILL REMAIN A VALID QUALIFICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST,” THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
"NO ONE WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY MAKING THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE A REGISTRABLE QUALIFICATION," HE ADDED.
THE DEGREE WAS AWARDED FOR THE FIRST TIME TO STUDENTS GRADUATING IN SUMMER THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A DIPLOMA ISSUED BY THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WAS ALSO A REGISTRABLE QUALIFICATION.
"IN ADDITION, THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD, WILL DECIDE WHETHER A PARTICULAR OVERSEAS QUALIFICATION IS REGISTRABLE," HE SAID.
THE REGULATION WILL ALSO ALLOW AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST FROM EITHER THE GOVERNMENT OR THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO BE APPOINTED TO THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE WHICH DEALS WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST ANY REGISTERED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST OR APPLICANT FOR REGISTRATION.
DETAILED PROVISIONS ARE CONTAINED IN THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 7).
_ 0-----
WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL OPENS * * * * «
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR PETER WONG TODAY (TUESDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL, WHICH IS THE FIRST OF THE GOVERNMENT’S THREE STRATEGIC LANDFILLS TO BE COMMISSIONED.
SITUATED AT NIM WAN OF TUEN MUN, THE LANDFILL FIRST RECEIVED WASTE IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR. IT WILL BE ABLE TO ACCEPT A TOTAL OF 61 MILLION TONNES OF WASTE WITH A DAILY INTAKE RATE OF SOME 8,000 TONNES PER DAY OVER THE NEXT TWO DECADES.
THE $3.7 BILLION LANDFILL PROVIDES THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE FACILITY TO CATER FOR THE PRESSING WASTE DISPOSAL NEED OF THE COMMUNITY.
/STATE-OF
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
4
STATE-OF-THE-ART ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN ENGINEERED INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS LANDFILL TO PREVENT POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT. CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF THE AIR, NOISE, GROUND WATER AND SEAWATER QUALITY WITHIN AND NEAR THE LANDFILL IS BEING CARRIED OUT TO ENSURE THAT HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS ARE MET.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR WONG SAID THE OPENING OF THE LANDFILL MARKED A MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S WASTE CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HE SAID THE NEW LANDFILL WOULD BE SUPPLIED WITH CONTAINERISED WASTE FROM A NETWORK OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS IN KOWLOON AND WOULD BE SERVICED BY FLEETS OF COLLECTION VEHICLES AND MARINE CONTAINER VESSELS.
NOTING THAT THE LANDFILL WOULD BE OPERATED TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND WOULD BE RUN BY A REPUTABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, MR WONG SAID: "I HAVE THEREFORE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PIONEERING PROJECT THAT WILL SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE SOUTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES AND NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILLS TO FOLLOW."
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT LANDFILLING SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED UPON AS THE ONLY OPTION, ADDING THAT MORE COULD BE DONE TO EXPLORE BETTER WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGIES.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON; THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED; THE CHAIRMAN OF SWIRE PACIFIC LIMITED, MR PETER SUTCH, AND THE DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER OF SWIRE BFI WASTE SERVICES LIMITED, MR LIONEL KRIEGER.
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ILLEGAL BEAR PARTS TRADE IN HK UNDER CONTROL
* » » t »
WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRICT DOMESTIC MEASURES AND THE STEPPING UP OF ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLICITY, ILLEGAL TRADE IN BEAR PARTS IN HONG KONG IS UNDER CONTROL.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S (AFD) SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR CHAN PING-KWONG, AT A MEDIA SESSION ON SEIZURES OF BEAR PARTS AND PRODUCTS IN A SERIES OF OPERATIONS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
MR CHAN SAID THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF ALL BEAR SPECIES INCLUDING THEIR PARTS, SUCH AS GALL BLADDER, BILE AND BILE POWDER WERE SUBJECT TO CONTROL SINCE THE AMENDMENT OF THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE IN HONG KONG IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
ANY PERSON IN POSSESSION OF OLD STOCK BEFORE THE AMENDMENT WAS GIVEN A THREE-MONTH PERIOD WHICH ENDED IN LATE APRIL, TO APPLY FOR THE REQUIRED POSSESSION LICENCES.
/"THE DOMESTIC .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
5
"THE DOMESTIC MEASURES OVER POSSESSION ADOPTED BY HONG KONG ARE STRICTER THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) WHICH ONLY REQUESTS MEMBER COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES TO IMPOSE CONTROL OVER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES," HE SAID.
THE AFD HAS ALSO TAKEN STEPS TO REGISTER THE OLD STOCK HELD BY TRADERS AND MONITOR THE MOVEMENT OF THE SPECIMENS BY REQUIRING TRADERS TO FILE REGULAR RETURNS ON STOCK. IN ADDITION, ALL LEGALLY LICENSED BEAR GALL BLADDERS ARE TAGGED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
"BY SO DOING, SMUGGLING INTO HONG KONG OF NEW ITEMS CAN BE DETERRED AND PREVENTED.
"HONG KONG’S STRINGENT MEASURES AND EFFORT ON THE CONTROL OF BEAR PARTS FOR MEDICINAL USE' HAD BEEN DULY RECOGNISED AT THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE TRADE OF BEAR PARTS FOR MEDICINAL USE HELD IN SEATTLE, UNITED STATES, LAST MONTH," MR CHAN SAID.
"AT THE SYMPOSIUM, AFD SHARED HONG KONG’S INITIATIVES AND EXPERIENCE IN ENFORCING STRICT DOMESTIC MEASURES ON THE CONTROL OF BEAR TRADE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GOVERNMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENT CONSERVATION ORGANISATIONS."
ON THE ENFORCEMENT SIDE, MR CHAN SAID THE AFD HAD INSPECTED SOME 1,080 CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOPS BETWEEN MAY AND SPETEMBER THIS YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 58 ITEMS CLAIMED OR SUSPECTED BEAR GALL BLADDERS AND 0.32 KILOGRAMS OF CLAIMED OR SUSPECTED BEAR POWDER WERE SEIZED FROM 17 SHOPS IN THESE OPERATIONS.
"THE SEIZED ITEMS CARRIED A MARKET PRICE TAG OF ABOUT $500,000. PROSECUTION WILL BE INITIATED WHEN INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED. OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A FINE AND IMPRISONMENT TERMS IN ADDITION TO MANDATORY FORFEITURE OF GOODS UPON CONVICTION. HEAVIER PENALTIES ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
"FROM THE QUANTITY SEIZED AND THE TIGHT REGISTRATION SYSTEM ADMINISTERED BY AFD, IT IS BELIEVED THAT ILLEGAL TRADE IN THESE ITEMS IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN KEPT UNDER STRICT CONTROL," MR CHAN SAID.
APART FROM ENFORCEMENT, AFD’S EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES HAVE ALSO BEEN PLAYING A ROLE IN ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE PROTECTION OF BEARS AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES.
MR CHAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM PURCHASING ANY BEAR PARTS OTHER THAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES.
HE SAID THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE ITEMS WERE FAKE SINCE THEY COULD NOT BE DISTINGUISHABLE FROM GENUINE ONES BY PHYSICAL INSPECTION. IDENTIFICATION CAN ONLY BE DONE THROUGH SOPHISTICATED LABORATORY TESTS.
HE CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED ILLEGAL SALE OF BEAR GALL BLADDER TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ON TEL 733 2144.
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/6 ....'.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
- 6
OBJECTION TO CHANGE OF LAND USE IN YUEN LONG
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAID A PRIVATE LAND ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SHA PO VILLAGE ACROSS THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, YUEN LONG, WAS THE SUBJECT OF LOCAL OBJECTIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) OVER ITS CHANGE OF USE TO OPEN STORAGE FOR CONTAINERS.
HE SAID THE LAND (LOT 1743 IN DD 105) WAS ZONED "OPEN STORAGE" ON THE DRAFT NAM SANG WAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
AN APPLICATION FOR CONTAINER STORAGE WAS MADE AND CONSIDERED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ON AUGUST 19 THIS YEAR.
AFTER CONSIDERING THE LIKELY IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL VIEWS, THE BOARD GAVE TEMPORARY.APPROVAL OF THREE YEARS WITH CONDITIONS WHICH INCLUDE ENSURING THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD HAVE INSIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON DRAINAGE, FLOODING AND TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.
------0-------
FIRST MEETING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS AND CONSUMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE *****
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS AND CONSUMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, A NEWLY ESTABLISHED CONSULTATIVE ORGAN TO ADVISE THE OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (OFTA), HELD ITS FIRST MEETING LAST SATURDAY (OCTOBER 1).
"THE COMMITTEE ADVISES OFTA ON THE DEVELOPMENT, PROVISION AND MAINTENANCE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FROM THE CONSUMER AND USER PERSPECTIVE AND TO ADVISE ON THE EDUCATION OF AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION TO CONSUMERS AND USERS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES," SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OFTA AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR ANTHONY S K WONG, SAID.
"REPLACING ITS PREDECESSOR (HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD), THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS AND CONSUMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TOGETHER WITH THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NUMBERING ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE RADIO SPECTRUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE, FORMS A TASK-ORIENTED FORUM FOR SPECIALISED DISCUSSION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES," MR WONG SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS AND CONSUMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WERE APPOINTED BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY FOR ONE YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1, 1994.
THEY ARE MRS CHAN WONG SHUI, (REPRESENTING THE CONSUMER COUNCIL); MR JOSEPH TSUI (REPRESENTING HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION); MR SIMON CHAN (REPRESENTING HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS GROUP); DR CHAN WAI-KWAN (REPRESENTING HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE); PROFESSOR LEONG CHI-YAN (REPRESENTING THE DISABLED COMMUNITY INTERESTS); MS LEE WAI-FONG (REPRESENTING THE AGED COMMUNITY INTERESTS) AND FIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: MR CHAN HOI-WING; MS LAM WAI-LING; MR LO KAM-WAH; MR WAN TUNG-LAM; AND MR WONG KWOK-KEUNG. IN ADDITION, TWO OTHERS WILL BE APPOINTED ON A PERSONAL BASIS TO THE COMMITTEE.
/IN THE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
7
IN THE FIRST MEETING, USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD ON SUBJECTS SUCH AS INFOLINE, MOBILE TELEPHONE, PAYPHONES, TELEPHONE BILL PAYMENT REMINDER, UNSOLICITED FAX, SERVICES FOR THE AGED AND DISABLED PERSONS.
"THE MEETING WAS LIVELY AND MEMBERS HAVE SHOWN GREAT INTEREST IN THEIR PARTICIPATION IN OFFERING USEFUL ADVICE TO OFTA ON SUBJECTS WHICH AFFECT THE DAILY LIVES OF EVERYONE TN HONG KONG.
"THEIR VIEWS WILL BE EXTREMELY USEFUL IN IMPROVING THE EXISTING SERVICES AND IN THE FORMULATION OF FUTURE POLICIES ON THE REGULATION OF PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES," MR WONG REMARKED.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR ATTENDANCE IN ITS MEETINGS. ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY APPLY TO THE CHAIRMAN FOR ATTENDANCE IN MEETINGS AS OBSERVERS.
THE AGENDA AND MINUTES OF MEETING ARE CLASSIFIED AS PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AND ARE FREE FOR ACCESS BY ANYONE ON APPLICATION TO OFTA.
FOR DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT THE SECRETARY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS AND CONSUMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, 29TH FLOOR, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN'S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG. ITS FAX NO. IS 803 5112 AND TEL NO. 961 6629.
GOVERNOR EXPLAINS POLICY ADDRESS ON TV AND RADIO
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL GIVE A FIVE-MINUTE BROADCAST ON THE MAIN AREAS OF HIS THIRD POLICY ADDRESS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE BROADCAST TIME SCHEDULE IS:
TELEVISION STATION TIME
TVB (JADE) 6.10 PM
ATV (HOME) 5.50 PM
TVB (PEARL) 6.50 PM
ATV (WORLD) 6.55 PM
WHARF CABLE (NEWS) 7 PM, 8 PM AND 9 PM
RADIO STATION TIME
RTHK 1 5.05 PM
RTHK 3 5.05 PM
/8 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
8
100 CAR MARKS OPEN FOR AUCTION *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL AUCTION 100 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTrATION MARKS ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL AVAILABLE FOR BIE OF 50 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE
>DING AT 9.30 AM. THEY ARE:
GC720 GC349 ♦DG767 GB8283 GA2333 GC9893 GC5613 *GD1001 GC2618 GC103 GC3382 FK654 GC4271 GB8567 GC281 GC6669 AA3108 GC328 GC122 *CF6699 *GC7 *EJ63 GC708 GC1965 GB6270 GC230 GC568 GC1112 GC163 HK112 AA1838 AL8660 GC3323 GC3339 *997 *AL1881 *AA2020 XX521 GB8328 GC903 GC1398 GC1129 GC435 GC927 »CJ1010 BB3517 GD1002 GC841 *CG1616 AD1933
IN THE AFTERNOON SESSION, WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM, ANOTHER
50 LUCKY VEHICLE THEY ARE: GC729 GD9388 *AV700 GC1207 GC3008 GD510 GC3112 *GD12 GC115 GC379 GD1004 AA841 HK105 * SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR GC980 GC3288 AK1885 GC918 GC8933 GC127 *GC9 *FG18 *8698 GC355 GC631 GC133 AK993 GC8633 GD1489 GD560 GD822 GD8889 GA2888 GD663 CH105 *120 *GB8 *EV2222 GC8666 BM675 EL3365 GD127 EX2329 GD1023 GD1319 *GB7 GD632 GD220 GD270 *DD456 GC3991 REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE) BIDDING.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDING. BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN 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 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
9
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCUR RED
IN THE CONDUCT THEREOF, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTIONS WILL BE THE 242ND AND 243RD ORGANISED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973. 0 HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY TENDER RESULTS * » ♦ ♦ * TENDER DATE 4 OCT 94 4 OCT 94 PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q440 Y494 AMOUNT APPLIED HK$4,490 MN HK$1,280 MN AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$1,500 MN HK$500 MN AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.44 PCT 5.54 PCT HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.45 PCT 5.58 PCT PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 41 PCT ABOUT 30 PCT AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.49 PCT 5.59 PCT HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 10 OCT 1994 - TENDER DATE 11 OCT 94 11 OCT 94 PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q441 H475 ISSUE DATE 12 OCT 94 12 OCT 94 MATURITY DATE 11 JAN 95 12 APR 95 TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$ 1,500 4- 300 MN HK$800 + 160 MN 0 BY
710 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1994
10
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,394 0930 + 104
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,007 1000 + 104
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 72
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 13 1200 + 73
LAF TODAY -400 1500 + 73
1600 + 13
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TWI 121.7 *-0.2* 4.10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.96 20 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.28 6.26
1 MONTH 4.18 23 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.52 6.53
3 MONTHS 4.41 31 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.15 7.07
6 MONTHS 4.80 34 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.55 7.25
12 MONTHS 5.47 60 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.40 8.00
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 20.976MN
CLOSED 4 OCTOBER 1994
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MAHJONG/TIN KAU LICENCE FEES TO BE REVISED................. 1
ROYAL NAVY SAILOR ABDUCTED BY SMUGGLERS.................... 1
YUEN LONG SITE TO LET...................................... 2
NO POST SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.................... 2
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.... 3
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5. 1994
MAHJONG/TIN KAU LICENCE FEES TO BE REVISED * * * * *
LICENCE FEES FOR MAHJONG/TIN KAU WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM NOVEMBER 10 THIS YEAR.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID BASED ON A COSTING EXERCISE CONDUCTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, IT WAS PROPOSED TO SET THE LICENCE FEES ON A PER TABLE BASIS AT $900 PER TABLE PER YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADE ASSOCIATION HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED REVISION AND THAT THE INCREASE WAS UNLIKELY TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR OPERATING PROFITS.
"IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT FEES SHOULD IN GENERAL BE SET AT A LEVEL TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING THE GOODS OR SERVICES," HE ADDED.
THE ADJUSTMENT, CONTAINED IN THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) REGULATION 1994, WILL BE GAZETTED THIS FRIDAY (OCTOBER 7).
- - 0 - -
ROYAL NAVY SAILOR ABDUCTED BY SMUGGLERS » * * * % *
A ROYAL NAVY SAILOR WAS ABDUCTED BY SMUGGLERS AFTER BOARDING THEIR SPEEDBOAT EARLY THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
LEADING WEAPONS ENGINEER TONY MOORE, 23, WAS OPERATING IN A FAST PURSUIT CRAFT FROM HMS PLOVER DURING AN ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE OPERATION WHEN HI.S CRAFT CAUGHT UP WITH A SUSPECTED SMUGGLER’S DAI FEI.
AS SOON AS HE BOARDED THE DAI FEI, IT TOOK OFF AT SPEED.
AFTER A SHORT STRUGGLE, LWE MOORE MANAGED TO ESCAPE FROM THE SMUGGLERS AND SWAM TO SHA CHAU ISLAND, SIX MILES MORTH OF LANTAU.
HE SUFFERED NO SERIOUS INJURIES AND WAS RECOVERED BY A MARINE POLICE LAUNCH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS AT 2 PM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN LWE MOORE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO ATTEND SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE GUARDROOM NO LATER THAN 1.45 PM.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
YUEN LONG SITE TO LET *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN AREA 14, TIN SHUI WAI, YUEN LONG, IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COVERING AN AREA OF 5,100 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS TO BE USED AS A CAR PARK FOR THE TENANT’S MOTOR VEHICLES OR AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES EXCEPT CONTAINER TRACTORS WITHOUT CONTAINER TRAILORS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR 15 MONTHS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS OF TENDERS IS AT NOON ON OCTOBER 21.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM 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 AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG.
TENDER PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
- - 0 - -
NO POST SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL *****
THERE WOULD BE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON OCTOBER 13, CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, THE ACTING POSTMASTER-GENERAL, MISS NANCY LAW, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 3 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ * * ♦
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS CUMULATIVE CHANGE
3) ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,007 0930 + 477
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,953 1000 + 477
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 427
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 426 1200 + 427
LAP TODAY -480 1500 + 427
1600 + 426
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TW f 121.8 * + 0.1* 5. 10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.10 20 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.23 6.29
1 MONTH 4.22 23 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.53 6.52
3 MONTHS 4.48 31 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.13 7.08
6 MONTHS 4.85 34 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.53 7.26
12 MONTHS 5.63 60 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.33 8.02
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 43,551 MN
CLOSED 5 OCTOBER 1994
------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
POLICY ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
GOVERNOR GIVES BROADCAST ON POLICY ADDRESS............. 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE.......... 4
GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES 22 POLICY COMMITMENTS............ 11
1994/95 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME: HIGHLIGHTS............. 13
GOVERNMENT WILL BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO HK PEOPLE...... 14
FIRST-CLASS ADMINISTRATION KEY TO FLOURISHING ECONOMY. 15
CIVIL SERVANTS GIVEN TRIBUTE.......................... 16
GOVERNMENT PLAYS FULL PART TO FIGHT INFLATION......... 17
GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO PROMOTE FAIR AND EFFICIENT MARKETS 18
BUSINESS INITIATIVE AND INVESTMENT TO BE ENCOURAGED... 19
FULL EMPLOYMENT IS HK’S BLESSING...................... 20
WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY TOPS SOCIAL PRIORITIES.......... 20
/OVERWHELMING PUBLIC.
CONTENTS
PAGE NO,
OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT ON OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME......... 21
MORE BENEFITS TO THOSE IN NEED................................ 22
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS FOR THE DISABLED....................... 24
BETTER CARE FOR THE SICK...................................... 25
MORE AND BETTER HOUSING PLANNED............................... 26
CATERING FOR NEEDS OF SPECIAL GROUPS IN EDUCATION............. 28
FURTHER COMMITMENTS TO PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT................. 29
PRESSURE TO BE MAINTAINED ON CRIMINALS........................ 29
AMBITIOUS PACKAGE TO DEFEND RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS............. 30
GOVERNMENT AND LEGCO TO STRENGTHEN CO-OPERATION............... 31
GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR SUCCESS OF LEGCO ELECTIONS............... 32
PROSPERITY BUOYED BY ECONOMIC CHANGES IN CHINA................ 33
DEVELOPING TIES WITH CHINA.................................... 34
IMPRESSIVE RECORD SINCE 1984.................................. 35
NOT RIGHT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO ATTEND PWC MEETINGS........ 37
JLG STILL HAS FORMIDABLE VOLUME OF WORK....................... 38
AIRPORT FINANCING STILL TO BE RESOLVED........................ 39
A FRAMEWORK FOR CO-OPERATION.................................. 40
GOOD START FINANCIALLY FOR SAR................................ 41
HONOURABLE, SENSIBLE CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA.................. 43
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
GOVERNOR GIVES BROADCAST ON POLICY ADDRESS
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S BROADCAST ON TELEVISION AND RADIO THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING:
TEN YEARS AGO, BRITAIN AND CHINA SIGNED THE JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE. BRITAIN AND CHINA TOGETHER PROMISED HONG KONG THAT ITS FREE ENTERPRISE WAY OF LIFE WOULD NOT COME TO AN END AFTER 1997 AND THAT WE WOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG’S PRESENT SUCCESS - ITS STABILITY AND ITS PROSPERITY - WILL CONTINUE LONG AFTER 1997.
AFTER 10 YEARS OF THE TRANSITION, AND WITH EXACTLY 1,000 DAYS REMAINING BEFORE JULY 1, 1997, IT IS A GOOD TIME TO TAKE STOCK. TO LOOK BACK AT WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AND AT WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE.
I DON’T THINK ANYONE SERIOUSLY DOUBTS THAT HONG KONG HAS BEEN BOTH STABLE AND PROSPEROUS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. IT WOULD BE HARD TO
FIND A MORE SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. LET ME GIVE
YOU A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT I MEAN :
* WE HAVE SEEN THE GENERAL LEVEL OF CRIME FALL BY 10 PER
CENT, BUT OF COURSE WE MUST GO ON WORKING FOR FURTHER
IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTAINING CRIME AND PROSECUTING CRIMINALS. HONG KONG IS A SAFE CITY BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS BUT WE MUST MAKE IT EVEN SAFER.
* WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF FAMILIES OWNING THEIR OWN HOMES FROM 31 PER CENT TO 48 PER CENT, AND THIS FIGURE WILL RISE FURTHER IN THE FUTURE.
* WE HAVE SEEN AN EQUALLY DRAMATIC INCREASE FROM 3 PER CENT TO 18 PER CENT IN THE PROPORTION OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE STUDYING FOR DEGREES IN HONG KONG.
THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN BY A STABLE COMMUNITY. A COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS STEADILY IMPROVING AND A COMMUNITY IN WHCCH EVERYONE CAN SHARE IN THE FRUITS OF SUCCESS.
IN TERMS OF PROSPERITY, THE RECORD IS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE. SINCE 1984 :
* REAL EARNINGS HAVE INCREASED BY 66 PER CENT.
* OUR GDP, THE TOTAL WEALTH OF OUR BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES, HAS INCREASED BY 79 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
SO HONG KONG HAS BEEN BOTH STABLE AND PROSPEROUS SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. THIS IS A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT WHEN YOU CONSIDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE PREPARED TO WRITE HONG KONG OFF BACK IN 1984.
/WE IN .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 2 -
WE IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE DETERMINED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG GOES ON BEING STABLE AND PROSPEROUS AND THAT IS WHY WE GO ON TAKING THE DECISIONS WHICH HAVE TO BE MADE, IMPLEMENTING THE IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC SERVICES WHICH THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS. THIS IS WHAT I MEAN BY AN ACCOUNTABLE EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT.
ON MONDAY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, PUBLISHED A DETAILED REPORT ON THE PROGRESS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN IMPLEMENTING THE 221 INITIATIVES I ANNOUNCED IN MY FIRST TWO POLICY ADDRESSES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT RECORDS AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE BY THE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. 94 PER CENT OF THESE INITIATIVES HAVE EITHER BEEN MET OR ARE ON TARGET. WE HAVE FALLEN BEHIND WITH ONLY 13 OF THESE INITIATIVES. BUT EVEN HERE, WE ARE DETERMINED TO CATCH UP.
IN MY POLICY ADDRESS TODAY, I EXPLAINED THAT EACH POLICY SECRETARY, TOGETHER WITH THE JUDICIARY, THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S CHAMBERS AND THE ICAC HAS PREPARED A CLEAR STATEMENT OF HOW THEY ARE GOING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THE COMING YEAR. THEY SPELL OUT THEIR COMMITMENTS IN DETAIL. THEY ALSO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS THAT LIE AHEAD.
THE POLICY COMMITMENTS SET OUT 337 NEW UNDERTAKINGS, EACH OF WHICH WILL BRING REAL BENEFITS TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MAKE UP OUR COMMUNITY. THESE POLICY COMMITMENTS WERE PUBLISHED EARLIER TODAY. WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO SPEND MONEY UNWISELY. AFTER ALL, IT’S YOUR MONEY. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING AFTER IT PRUDENTLY - NEVER SPENDING MORE THAN HONG KONG CAN AFFORD. LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT OUR PLANS WILL MEAN FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY:
* WE WILL BE PROVIDING FUNDS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND CARE IN NURSING HOMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
* WE WILL MAKE MONEY AVAILABLE SO THAT AN EXTRA 850 ELDERLY PEOPLE CAN HAVE THE CATARACT OPERATION THEY NEED TO RESTORE THEIR SIGHT.
* WE WILL INCREASE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE PROVIDE FOR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES.
* THERE WILL BE OVER 700 MORE PLACES IN PRE-SCHOOL CENTRES FOR THE DISABLED CHILDREN AND AN EXPANSION OF THE REHABUS SCHEME.
* THERE WILL BE 950 MORE HOSPITAL BEDS THIS YEAR AND 500 MORE NURSES NEXT YEAR. WE ARE PROPOSING TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 PROVIDING A FURTHER 400 BEDS.
* THERE WILL BE 1000 MORE PLACES IN HOSPICES.
* AND WE ARE PROVIDING THE RESOURCES TO ENABLE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TO MEET IN FULL THE DEMAND FOR DIALYSIS SERVICES WHICH ARE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH FOR KIDNEY PATIENTS.
/THESE PUBLIC .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
3
THESE PUBLIC SERVICES MATTER A GREAT DEAL TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM, AND 1 KNOW THE COMMUNITY BELIEVES THAT SUCH LIVELIHOOD ISSUES SHOULD BE RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENDA. THEY ARE; AND I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR TODAY. THAT THEY WILL REMAIN THERE.
NEXT YEAR WE WILL PUBLISH ANOTHER PROGRESS REPORT DESCRIBING WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. AND I GIVE YOU A PLEDGE NOW THAT WE ARE DETERMINED TO REPEAT THE SUCCESS OF THE PAST TWO YEARS.
IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, I ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE NEED TO FIND PRACTICAL WAYS TO CO-OPERATE WITH CHINA TO ENSURE THAT WE MAKE BETTER PROGRESS ON THE MANY ISSUES WHICH REMAIN ON THE AGENDA OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP - THE JLG.
I THINK THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WANTS BRITAIN AND CHINA TO FIND NEW WAYS OF WORKING TOGETHER. IT’S A GREAT PITY THAT WE COULDN’T REACH AGREEMENT ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR ELECTIONS. BUT IF WE FAIL TO AGREE IN ONE AREA, WE MUST PUT THAT BEHIND US AND REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO REACH SENSIBLE AGREEMENTS ELSEWHERE. THAT IS WHY 1 HAVE SET OUT A SERIES OF PRACTICAL MEASURES WHICH I HOPE WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR WHAT THEY ARE: A REASONABLE, COMMON-SENSE FRAMEWORK FOR CO-OPERATION OVER THE 1,000 DAYS AHEAD.
THESE PROPOSALS ARE INTENDED TO DO TWO THINGS.
* FIRST, TO ENSURE THAT THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE SET UP IN 1996 AND THE FUTURE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND.HIS OR HER TEAM HAVE ALL THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEED IN PREPARING FOR THEIR HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES.
* SECOND, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRST 1997 ADMINISTRATION HAS THE BEST POSSIBLE START IN TERMS OF RESOURCES.
I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT. IT IS CERTAINLY MY AIM AND THAT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. I HOPE CHINA WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN WITH US IN WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE TRANSITION. ONLY IN THIS WAY WILL HONG KONG BE ABLE TO MAKE ITS FULL CONTRIBUTION TO CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT AFTER 1997 AS IT HAS BEFORE 1997 .
THE NEXT 1,000 DAYS WON’T BE EASY. YOU KNOW THAT AND I KNOW THAT. THEY WERE NEVER GOING TO BE. BUT I THINK THAT IF WE ALL WORK AT IT, IF WE ALL TRY IMAGINATIVELY AND WITH A BIT MORE GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THINGS. THAT’S WHAT I’M DETERMINED TO TRY TO DO. AND IF WE SUCCEED, WHEN WE SUCCEED -WELL, IT WILL OF COURSE BE GOOD FOR BRITAIN AND GOOD FOR CHINA, BUT ABOVE ALL IT WILL BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
/4
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE *****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR THE- RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON:
QUESTION: IS THERE REALLY ENOUGH IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS TO
CONVINCE CHINA YOU’RE SINCERE ABOUT IMPROVING RELATIONS?
GOVERNOR: I SAID IN MY SPEECH THAT SINCERITY DOESN’T MEAN THAT
ONE PARTY ALWAYS HAS TO AGREE WITH THE OTHER AND I POINTED OUT - WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I’VE SAID BEFORE - THAT CO-OPERATION ISN’T A ONE-WAY STREET. I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL RECOGNISE THAT IN A COMMONSENSE WAY WE’VE HELD OUT A HAND AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL HOPE THAT THE CHINESE OFFICIALS HOLD OUT A HAND TOO. WHAT’S AT STAKE IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR. WHAT’S AT STAKE IS THE FUTURE WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG AND WE DO HAVE TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO SECURE THOSE OBJECTIVES. SO I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE WILL HAVE OVER THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD, A POSITIVE AND SINCERE AND CO-OPERATIVE RESPONSE FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS. AND I THINK THAT THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WHO SET OUT MANY OF THESE IDEAS IN HIS MEETING WITH VICE-PREMIER QIAN, REGARDED THE MEETING HE HAD WITH THE VICE-PREMIER AS BEING EXTREMELY CONSTRUCTIVE AND UNRHETORICAL.
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: JUST TO FOLLOW UP, WOULD YOU CALL IT A
CONCILIATORY RATHER THAN A CONFRONTATIONAL POLICY ADDRESS?
GOVERNOR: I THOUGHT IT WAS - BUT THEN I’M BIASED, AIN’T I? - I THOUGHT IT WAS SENSIBLE. AND I THINK IT IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE WANTED AND EXPECTED: FULL OF PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR ENSURING THAT THE TRANSITION IN ’97 WAS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE. LET ME GIVE YOU AN ANALOGY. WHEN THERE’S A CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON THERE’S A TRANSITIONAL TEAM; THERE’S A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM BOTH THE INCUMBENT ADMINISTRATION AND THOSE WHO ARE COMING IN TO ENSURE THAT THINGS GO AS SMOOTHLY AND WELL AS POSSIBLE. NOW WE’RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING WHICH IS MUCH MORE CONSIDERABLE AS A CHANGE THAN THAT AND WE’VE GOT THEREFORE TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO SMOOTH OVER THE ROUGH EDGES.
GOVERNOR: WHEN THERE IS A CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON THERE IS A TRANSITIONAL TEAM, THERE’S A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM BOTH THE INCUMBENT ADMINISTRATION AND THOSE WHO ARE COMING IN TO ENSURE THAT THINGS GO SMOOTHLY AND AS WELL AS POSSIBLE. NOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING WHICH IS MUCH MORE CONSIDERABLE AS A CHANGE THAN THAT AND WE’VE GOT THEREFORE TO DO ALL WE CAN TO SMOOTH OVER THE ROUGH EDGES.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, THE PWC - AS YOU WOULD CALL IT CHINA’S CREATION - WHAT RIGHT DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS YOU SAID IN YOUR SPEECH GIVEN BY PARTICIPATING IN THE JLG DISCUSSIONS AND SECONDLY, HOW WOULD THAT ACTUALLY SPEED UP THE WORK OF THE JLG?
/GOVERNOR: .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 5 -
GOVERNOR: WELL, WHAT WE’VE DONE - AND WE DID IT DURING THE COURSE OF THE LAST JLG MEETING AND DOUGLAS DID IT ALSO IN HIS MEETING WITH THE VICE PREMIER, THOUGH IN A MORE LIMITED WAY, - IS TO SKETCH OUT FOR CHINESE OFFICIALS A WHOLE RANGE OF WAYS IN WHICH WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET MORE CRUNCHED THROUGH THE JLG OVER THE NEXT 1,000 DAYS. THAT RANGES FROM THE PROPOSAL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE MORE PLENARY JLG MEETINGS TO THE
IDEA THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO, AS IT WERE, SPIN OFF SOME OF THE MORE DETAILED, SOME OF THE MORE TECHNICAL JLG WORK TO EXPERT GROUPS AND IT SEEMED TO US THAT IF A PROBLEM FOR EXAMPLE, WAS A LACK OF LEGAL ADVICE
IN THOSE SORT OF EXPERT GROUPS THEN A WAY OF COPING WITH THAT WAS TO USE SOME OF THE LEGAL EXPERTISE WHICH CHINA HAS NOMINATED TO THE JLG IT’S ONLY AN EXAMPLE, RATHER THAN A PRE! ISE PROPOSAL OR PROPOSITION BUT SINCE IT’S RECOGNISED, AS IT WERE, IN THE SACRED TEXTS THAT THE JOB OF SOLVING TRANSITION PROBLEMS IS ONE FOR THE JLG THEN WE’VE GOT
TO TRY TO LOOK AT WAYS IN WHICH WE, IF POSSIBLE, CAN PUT A PETROL IN THE J LG’S TANK AND WE HAVE EXPERTS IN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND WE HAVE TO PUT EVENTUALLY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO GET IT THROUGH.
BIT MORE HONG KONG EVERYTHING
IF CHINA
THINKS IT WILL BE A GOOD IDEA TO USE PWC MEMBERS THEN SO BE IT. I WAS
A BIT PUZZLED THIS MORNING WHEN I THINK AN NCNA OFFICIAL SAID THAT, TO INVOLVE PWC MEMBERS IN THIS WAY WOULD BE THREE-LEGGED STOOLISM AND THAT PWC MEMBERS SHOULDN’T BE INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH THESE TRANSITION ISSUES BUT I THOUGHT THAT’S WHAT THE PWC WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.
QUESTION: BUT MR PATTEN, Ml QUESTION WAS THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE WERE HAND-PICKED BY CHINA. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT LEGAL EXPERTS. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER BARRISTERS AND LAWYERS IN HONG KONG. WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL? WHAT RIGHT DO THEY HAVE TO SAY —
GOVERNOR: WELL, CHINESE NEGOTIATORS AT THE TABLE DRAW ON A GOOD DEAL OF EXPERTISE AND WE WERE JUST POLITELY SUGGESTING ONE WAY IN WHICH THAT POOL COULD BE INCREASED BUT EVENTUALLY, ANYTHING THAT IS DISCUSSED IN THE JLG HAS TO BE AGREED BY THE TWO SOVEREIGN POWERS AND IF IT INVOLVES LEGISLATION, LEGISLATION WHICH PERTAINS TO HONG KONG -THEN IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN (INAUDIBLE)... BUT NOW YOU ARE SUGGESTING THAT CHINESE GOVERNMENT CAN APPOINT PWC MEMBERS TO COME AS EXPERTS AT THE JLG (INAUDIBLE) TO TAKE PART IN THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS OF HONG KONG. HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE PROPOSING THIS TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND ALSO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY DEMANDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE OFFICIAL CONTACT BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE PWC BUT YOUR PROPOSAL IS EVADING THE QUESTION WITH CHINA AND YOU .... THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE FORMAL CONTACT BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS AND PWC. SO HOW CAN YOU CONVINCE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT YOUR PROPOSAL DEMONSTRATES A GENUINE DESIRE TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE CHINFSE GOVERNMENT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
6
GOVERNOR: WELL, FOR US THE MAIN ISSUES ARE HOW WE DEAL WITH AND CO-OPERATE WITH THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE AND ANY FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE’S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND ANY MEMBERS OF HIS OR HER TEAM AND SECONDLY, HOW WE CAN GIVE GREATER IMPETUS TO THE JLG. THE QUESTION OF HOW THE PWC WORKS IS NOT A MATTER FOR ME. I WAS INDICATING THIS AFTERNOON HOW WE COULD BE FLEXIBLE AND HELPFUL WITHOUT SEEKING TO BY-PASS THE JLG OR WITHOUT IGNORING THE AGREEMENTS REACHED BETWEEN THE SOVEREIGN POWERS ABOUT THE TRANSITION. LET ME SAY A WORD MORE ABOUT HOW I SEE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PWC. SOME PEOPLE SAY THE PWC WAS SET UP TO HELP THE TRANSITION. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THE PWC WAS SET UP AS A SECOND STOVE IN ORDER NOT TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BUT IN ORDER TO ERODE THE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. NOW, IT’S NOT FOR ME TO SPECULATE ABOUT WHICH OBJECTIVE CHINESE OFFICIALS HAD BUT I AiM PERFECTLY HAPPY IF THE OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP DEAL WITH THE TRANSITION TO BE OPEN MINDED ABOUT THAT. WE’VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WOULD BE WHOLLY WRONG, AND I’M SURE YOU’D AGREE WITH THIS, FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO BE MEMBERS OF THE PWC OR OF PWC SUB GROUPS. WE’VE MADE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO ACT AS ADVISORS TO PWC OR PWC SUB GROUPS. WE’VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO BE SUMMONED BY PWC MEETINGS OR THE MEETINGS OF SIB GROUPS. ON THE OTHER HAND I SHOULD THINK ON VIRTUALLY EVERY SUBJECT OF INTEREST TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE BRIEFED INDIVIDUAL PWC MEMBERS AND I AM PERFECTLY CONTENT THAT THAT SHOULD CONTINUE. BUT I REPEAT - WHAT IS OF PRIMARY CONCERN TO US WITHOUT LOOKING, WITHOUT BEING IDEOLOGICAL, ABOUT OUR RELATIONS WITH THE PW’C - WHAT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO US IS HOW WE GIVE MORE IMPETUS TO THE JLG AND HOW IN DUE-COURSE WE CO-OPERATE WITH THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, IT IS NOW TWO YEARS - ANNIVERSARIES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. NOW, WITHOUT WASTING TIME AND BREATH ON RECRIMINATIONS, AS YOU SAID IN YOUR SPEECH, IT’S DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW TO MOVE FORWARD IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I DON’T MEAN YOU BUT US. THERE IS A LOG-JAM; THE RELATIONSHIP IS NOT GOOD. YOU’VE NOW BEEN HERE TWO YEARS, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BASIC DIFFICULTY OR DIFFICULTIES ARE BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND PEKING? IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THEM WITHOUT IDENTIFYING THEM OR DESCRIBING THEM.
GOVERNOR: WELL, I’VE BEEN TOLD VERY OFTEN, BOTH IN PRINT AND TO MY FACE, THAT I’M NOT A SINOLOGIST AND THEREFORE I’M SURE THAT IT’S MORE SENSIBLE FOR ME TO LEAVE IT TO DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS TO SPECULATE ABOUT THE PRECISE REASONS FOR THE DIFFICULTIES WE’VE HAD IN OUR RELATIONSHIP. I DON’T THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG LISTENING TO THE MATTER OF FACT SENSIBLE PROPOSALS WE’VE PUT FORWARD TODAY WOULD FIND IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE WASN’T OVER THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS A PRETTY POSITIVE RESPONSE. I THINK THEY WOULD BE PRETTY PUZZLED BY THAT. BUT I’M HOPING FOR THE BEST - THERE’S NOT MUCH POINT IN DOING OTHER THAN THAT - HOPING FOR THE BEST AND WORKING FOR THE BEST. AND IF I’M WRONG, THEN THOSE WHO DECLINE - TO GO BACK TO ONE OF MY WORN OUT METAPHORS ’TO HIT THE BALL BACK OVER THE NET’ - THEY WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT IN DUE COURSE.
/BUT ONE........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WHICH IS, 1 GUESS, A SOURCE OF BEWILDERMENT TO MANY IS TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT COOPERATING ON THESE PRACTICAL MATTERS. THE CONSEQUENCES AREN'T HARM TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, EXCEPT TO OUR ATTEMPTS TO DISCHARGE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES COMPETENTLY, THE HARM, IF WE DON'T GET THROUGH THESE ISSUES LN A SENSIBLE WAY, IS TO THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT AND IN A SENSE TO CHINA, PARTICULARLY TO SOUTHERN CHINA, AND NONE OF US CAN CONCEIVABLY WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. SO 1 VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WITH A LITTLE BITING OF TONGUES ON BOTH SIDES WE CAN FIND SOME WAYS OF PRACTICALLY CO-OPERATING ON ALL THOSE ISSUES WHICH FRANKLY IF THEY DIDN’T REQUIRE DISCUSSION ACROSS THE TABLE HONG KONG WOULD HAVE SORTED OUT AS WELL AS IT’S SORTED OUT EVERYTHING ELSE.
THE STATISTICS I SET OUT FOR WHAT HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED WHERE IT’S BEEN ABLE TO TAKE DECISIONS OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS ARE I THINK AN EXTRAORDINARY INDICATOR OF HONG KONG’S REMARKABLE SUCCESS. I WISH THAT SUCCESS COULD HAVE BEEN MORE COMPREHENSIVE.
QUESTION: YESTERDAY, CHINESE OFFICIALS SAID THAT SINCE THE QIAN-HURD MEETING BRITAIN HAD DEMONSTRATED ITS LACK OF SINCERITY AND WAS NOT PREPARED TO CO-OPERATE. DOESN’T THAT ATTITUDE UNDERMINE THE PROPOSALS THAT YOU’VE PUT FORWARD TODAY?'
GOVERNOR: HOW HAD BRITAIN DEMONSTRATED ITS LACK OF SINCERITY?
QUESTION: I GATHER HE’S REFERRING TO THE LACK OF PROGRESS LN THE JLG. ALSO THE KMT DECISION.
GOVERNOR: WELL, LET ME DEAL VERY BRIEFLY WITH THAT. THE ORGANISATION CONCERNED ISN’T ILLEGAL. IT APPLIED FOR USE OF THE FACILITIES IN A WHOLLY LEGAL WAY. UNDER WHAT LAW COULD THE URBAN COUNCIL OR THE GOVERNMENT INTERVENE AND OVERTURN THE DECISION? 1 MEAN WE HAVE THE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG. UNDER WHAT LAW COULD THE GOVERNMENT THROW THE DECISION OUT OR ORDER THE URBAN COUNCIL TO THROW THE DECISION OUT? AND I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING SPOKESMEN FOR THE NCNA, RECOGNISES THAT WITH THE RULE OF LAW THE GOVERNOR, THE GOVERNMENT, THE URBAN COUNCIL - THE NCNA - ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAW AND THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
I THINK THAT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT MAKES A GREAT DEAL OF SENSE TO PUT AWAY OLD GRAMOPHONE RECORDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY’RE BADLY SCRATCHED, AND TRY TO ENGAGE IN SERIOUS FORWARD LOOKING, POSITIVE DEBATE AND DIALOGUE, AND I THINK WE’VE LONG SINCE ARRIVED AT THAT SITUATION IN HONG KONG. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROPAGANDA AND CO-OPERATING IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION: CAN 1 JUST FOLLOW THAT UP?
GOVERNOR: NO, YOU’VE HAD ONE TURN.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, ALTHOUGH YOU SAID YOU WANT TO DO THE BEST BUT IN FACE OF THE SLUGGISH PROGRESS WITH JLG AND THEN WE JUST DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH CHINA WILL RESPOND TO THE METHODS OF CO-OPERATION YOU JUST MENTIONED OR OUTLINED IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH. WILL THE GOVERNMENT FORMULATE A CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR AN IMPERFECT TRANSITION AND ALSO, SHOULD HONG KONG PEOPLE BE REALISTIC AND PREPARE THAT THERE WILL BE NO PERFECT TRANSITION?
/GOVERNOR: .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 8 -
GOVERNOR: 1 DON’T THINK THAT HAVING JUST SET OUT OUR HOPES AND PROPOSALS FOR GREATER CO-OPERATION AND FOR THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTABILITY IT WOULD MAKE VERY MUCH SENSE FOR ME TO START TALKING ABOUT THE ALTERNATIVES IF THAT FAILS. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WORK FOR THE BEST AS I SAID AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. BUT I DO THINK THAT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHAT ELSE REASONABLY AND HONOURABLY AND SENSIBLY ANYBODY ELSE THINKS THAT WE SHOULD BE OFFERING? WHAT ELSE? AND IF THAT ISN’T ENOUGH, AND IF THAT IS TO BE TURNED DOWN AND REJECTED, THEN I HOPE THOSE WHO TURN IT DOWN AND REJECT IT WILL BE ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS THEMSELVES. I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY MORAL OK POLITICAL EQUIVALENTS BETWEEN THE HONG RONG GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MAKING THESE POSITIVE PROPOSALS AND OTHERS TURNING THEM DOWN. SO I DO HOPE THAT OF COURSE THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF DISCUSSION, OF COURSE THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT OF DEBATE ABOUT THESE MATTERS BUT 1 DO HOPE THAT WE CAN TAKE THINGS FORWARD, HAVING DISAGREED ABOUT SOME VERY FUNDAMENTAL MATTERS IN THE PAST. MAY BE INEVITABLY. 1 HOPE WE CAN FIND WAYS IN WHICH WE CO-OPERATE ABOUT THESE THINGS.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, THERE IS IMPLICIT IN YOUR ADDRESS, IN YOUR ANSWERS TODAY, A FEELING THAT HONG KONG IS SO CAPABLE OF DOING THINGS BY ITSELF, THAT WANTS TO GET ON WITH IT, WITH THE 1,000 DAYS YOU’VE GOT TO GET ON, JUST FOR EXAMPLE THE LOCALISATION OF LAWS. WHY NOT SIMPLY GET ON WITH THE LOCALISATION OF LAWS, DO THE JOB, HAND IT OVER AT THF END OF THE DAY AND SAY "IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THESE LAWS, AMEND THEM WITH YOUR LEGISLATURE AFTERWARDS" AND AT LEAST GET IT DONE.
GOVERNOR: WELL, BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO THROUGH, FOR EXAMPLE, THE LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS EXERCISE, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TO REMOVE DOUBTS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND THE COURSE OF ACTION WHICH YOU PROPOSE DOES CONTAIN THE DANGER OF CONTINUING UNCERTAINTIES. SO IF WE CAN DO THINGS AND TOGETHER, IF WE CAN Do THINGS CO-OPERATIVELY, IT’S BETTER THAN HAVING TO GOVERN WITHOUT THAT SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION. BUT, OF COURSE, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES IF WE CAN’T CO-OPERATE.
QUESTION: ON THE ONE HAND YOU ARGUE AGAINST GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PENSION SCHEME WHILE AT THE SAME TIME YOU SET UP THIS ELDERLY SERVICES FUND AND PUBLIC SPENDING ON THE ELDERLY. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE LOGIC ON THAT POLICY DECISION?
GOVERNOR: WELL, WE HAVEN’T DECLINED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PENSION SCHEME, WE’VE ACTUALLY PROPOSED PUTTING 10 BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS IN AND IF THAT’S UNREASONABLE I WOULDN’T MIND BEING BATTERED AROUND THE HEAD WITH A CHEQUE FOR $10 BILLION. IT’S A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION, AS WELL, OF COURSE, AS THE CONTRIBUTION REPRESENTED BI THE CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS THAT WE PAY ALREADY. WE’VE PROPOSED, FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND, 200 MILLION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION SERVICES FOR 'IHE ELDERLY, FOR SELF-FINANCING SERVICES, THE SORT OF THINGS WHICH I’VE SEEN WORKING VERY SUCCESSFULLY AROUND THE TERRITORY, LIKE DAY-CARE CENTRES, LIKE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY - LIKE THE ONE THAT 1 SAW IN WAN CHAI A FEW MONTHS AGO. I THINK IT’S A SENSIBLE WAY OF DEVELOPING A BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ELDERLY. BUT I DON’T SEE ANY CONTRADICTION BETWEEN OUR COMMITMENT OF 10 BILLION FOR THE PENSION SCHEME AND 200 MILLION FOR THE ELDERLY SERVICES FUND.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 9
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, ARE YOU INTERESTED IN YOUR IMAGE - OF THE SUN IMAGERY? THE SUN SETS AND THE SUN RISES. CAN YOU APPLY THAT TO THE PRESENT SITUATION AND WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT IN THE LAST DAY THAT YOU LEAVE HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: WELL IT JUST SHOWS THE DANGER OF METAPHORS BECAUSE I’LL LEAVE HONG KONG AT MIDNIGHT WHICH IS USUALLY HALFWAY BETWEEN ONE AND THE OTHER. IT WAS A LITERARY FLOURISH TO TRY TO MAKE THE POINT - I PLEAD GUILTY - THAT WHILE INEVITABLY I THINK IN TERMS OF THE NEXT 1,000 DAYS, ALL OF US HAVE TO. THINK TO THE 1,000 1,000 DAYS BEYOND THAT AND HAVE TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THERE ISN’T A DISJUNCTURE BETWEEN THE ONE AND THE OTHER, HENCE THAT HAPPY METAPHOR.
QUESTION: IS THERE ANY LINKAGE WITH THE METAPHOR WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM AS THE SETTING SUN AND YOU’RE MAKING SOME CONNOTATIONS FROM THAT?
GOVERNOR: NO. THE UNITED KINGDOM IS ONLY,.AS IT WERE, A SETTING SUN IN RELATION TO THE SOVEREIGNTY AND THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG. ELSEWHERE IT RISES AT PARTY CONFERENCES AND IN MANY OTHER PLACES. I’M SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE MEETING IN BLACKPOOL THIS WEEK WOULD NOT LIKE TO THINK OF SUNSET.
QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BEIJING ATTACKING YOUR WELFARISM, OR WHAT SOME COULD CALL CAPITALISM WITH SOCIALIST CHARACTERISTICS?
GOVERNOR: WELL, - THIS IS WHERE I’M SURE MY ADVISORS ARE KEEPING THEIR FINGERS CROSSED THAT I GIVE YOU A VERY CAUTIOUS ANSWER - LET ME GIVE YOU AN ANSWER WHICH SEEKS TO LEARN THE TRUTH FROM FACTS. THE YEAR BEFORE THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS SIGNED PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AS A PROPORTION OF GDP WAS HIGHER THAN ON OUR ESTIMATES IT WILL BE IN 1997. SO, IF THIS IS WELFARISM, IT’S PRETTY CAUTIOUS WELFARISM. IF IT’S WELFARISM TO INCREASE PERSONAL TAX ALLOWANCES BY 56 PER CENT AND THE MARRIED TAX ALLOWANCE BY 56 PER CENT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS SO AS TO REDUCE THE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE PAYING TAX BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT - IF THAT’S WELFARISM, THEN IT WOULD SOUND PRETTY ODD TO ANYBODY LEFT OF CENTRE IN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO DO PRUDENTLY AND CAUTIOUSLY IS TO USE SOME OF THE RESOURCES PRODUCED BY A SUCCESSFUL, LOW TAX, MARKET ECONOMY IN HONG KONG TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE DECENT PUBLIC PROVISION - DECENT PROVISION FOR THE ELDERLY, DECENT PROVISION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED, DECENT PROVISION FOR THOSE WHO WERE DEPRIVED, DECENT PROVISION FOR KIDS IN KINDERGARTENS, DECENT PROVISIONS - OR BETTER PROVISIONS - FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT. WE CAN DO THOSE THINGS BECAUSE, THANKS TO MARKET ECONOMICS AND THE RULE OF LAW AND THE GOOD ADMINISTRATION, THIS ECONOMY HAS BEEN GROWING AT FIVE OR SIX PER CENT FOR THREE DECADES. WE CAN DO THOSE THINGS WHILE STILL HAVING SURPLUSES IN OUR PUBLIC FINANCES. THE LATEST ESTIMATE IS THAT THE SURPLUS THIS YEAR WILL BE JUST UNDER $8 BILLION AND WE CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS, KEEPING THE RATE OF GROWTH OF PUBLIC SPENDING BELOW THE TREND RATE OF GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE AND I DON’T THINK HONESTLY, THAT I REGARD THAT AS A GROTESQUE EXAMPLE OF FAILED WELFARE ECONOMICS. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW ADVANCED ECONOMIES AROUND THE WORLD WHICH WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE, YEAR AFTER YEAR, TO PROVIDE BETTER FOR THOSE IN NEED WHILE CUTTING TAXES AND INCREASING SURPLUSES. THAT’S WHAT HONG KONG IS ABLE TO DO AND, IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO COME AND SEE EXACTLY HOW WE DO IT, THE HARDWORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF HONG KONG WILL BE DELIGHTED TO SHOW THEM. THAT WAS THE CAUTIOUS ANSWER. .
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
10
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, WHILE YOU’VE JUST EMPHASISED YOU HAVE TO GIVE A DECENT PROVISION TO THE DRIVE BUT WHAT YOU PROPOSED IN YOUR SPEECH, THE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO A SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY, IS ONLY $200 PER MONTH. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT A FAMILY TO BENEFIT FROM THIS MERELY $200 A MONTH?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I MEAN HERE WE GET INTO THE JOY OF POLITICS. WE WILL BE ATTACKED FROM ONE SIDE, PERHAPS A RATHER SURPRISING SIDE, FOR SOCIALIST WELFARISM AND WE WILL BE ATTACKED FROM THE OTHER SIDE FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH. I THINK WE’VE PITCHED IT ABOUT RIGHT BUT I’M DELIGHTED THAT YOU GO ON REMINDING ME AND THIS COMMUNITY THAT JUST BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE ARE PRETTY WELL OFF DOESN’T MEAN THAT EVERYBODY IS WELL OFF, THAT WE DO HAVE TO DO MORE TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE IN REAL NEED DESPITE THEIR BEST EFFORTS. AND ONE OF THE MAIN GROUPS THAT WE’VE BEEN TRYING TO HELP ARE SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES AND THE CHILDREN IN ALL FAMILIES, HENCE THE TWO PROPOSALS THAT WE MADE THIS AFTERNOON, I THINK PERHAPS SLIGHTLY TO SOME PEOPLE’S SURPRISE.
YOU WILL KNOW THAT THE $200 EXTRA A MONTH FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES IS NOT BY ANY MEANS ALL THAT THOSE FAMILIES ARE GETTING. ONE OF THE THINGS I REFERRED TO THIS AFTERNOON WAS THE PLETHORA OF SPECIAL GRANTS WHICH ARE VERY RARELY ADDED IN WHEN PEOPLE’S OVERALL INCOME ON CSSA IS CALCULATED. I HOPE THAT IN THE REVIEW THAT WE’RE DOING OF CSSA SCALE RATES, BASING OUR PROPOSALS ON THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND ITS FINDINGS, 1 HOPE THAT IN THAT REVIEW WE CAN LOOK AT WAYS IN WHICH WE COULD CONSOLIDATE SOME OF THOSE SPECIAL GRANTS SO AS TO GIVE A MORE SENSIBLE VIEW, A MORE SENSIBLE PACKAGE OF HELP FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN REAL NEED.
I THINK WHAT WE ARE DOING IN HONG KONG IN RESPONDING TO THE SORT OF SOCIAL NEEDS YOU IDENTIFY IN A PRUDENT WAY FINANCIALLY, I THINK WHAT WE’RE DOING IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE MARKET ECONOMY.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YOUR INTERPRETATION OF CO-OPERATION IS THAT THE TWO SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENTS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST. BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS ABOUT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS, HOW CAN THEY WORK TOGETHER IN THE COMING 100 DAYS?
GOVERNOR: WELL IT IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN A 100 - 900 MORE THAN A 100. I THINK THAT IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES WE WOULD BE OBLIGED, BOTH OF US, TO EXPLAIN TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HOW OUR VIEWS OF THEIR INTERESTS FAILED TO COINCIDE. AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL EXPECT THOSE WHO DON’T CO-OPERATE ON REASONABLE MATTERS IN A POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAY TO EXPLAIN PRECISELY WHAT THE HANG-UP IS ABOUT CO-OPERATION. SO I TRUST THAT RECOGNISING THAT AND RECOGNISING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO SIX MILLION EXTREMELY TALENTED AND CREATIVE PEOPLE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER IN WHAT IS, OF COURSE, AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ENTERPRISE.
I MENTIONED THAT IN MY SPEECH; SOMETIMES PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE CRITICISE BRITAIN, CHINA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AS THOUGH SOMEHOW WHAT WE WERE INVOLVED IN WAS A PUSHOVER. IT’S ACTUALLY A VERY DIFFICULT TASK. IT WILL BE GREATLY TO THE CREDIT OF CHINA, TO THE CREDIT OF BRITAIN AND TO THE ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG IF WE PULL IT OFF SUCCESSFULLY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED. I DARESAY WE WILL HAVE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES OF DISCUSSING THESE MATTERS BEFORE NEXT YEAR, THE NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
--------0-----------
/Il .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 11 -
GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES 22 POLICY COMMITMENTS *****
THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES TODAY (WEDNESDAY) 22 POLICY COMMITMENTS OUTLINING THE KEY FEATURES OF THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES AND NEW INITIATIVES OF THE POLICY BRANCHES, THE JUDICIARY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC).
THE 22 POLICY COMMITMENTS CONTAIN A TOTAL OF 354 NEW POLICY PROPOSALS. THEY EXPLAIN THE POLICY OBJECTIVES, HIGHLIGHT THE ON-GOING PROGRAMMES, OUTLINE THE NEW INITIATIVES AND IDENTIFY THE LONGER-TERM CHALLENGES IN THE RESPECTIVE POLICY AREAS.
"EACH OF THE POLICY PROPOSALS WILL BRING REAL BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT," THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID.
THE POLICY COMMITMENTS REPRESENT PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GOVERNM0HIT’ S PRESENT AND FUTURE AGENDA.
"THE PUBLICATION OF THE POLICY COMMITMENTS IS A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS MAKING THE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF MY POLICY ADDRESS, AND I URGE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO STUDY THEM CAREFULLY," MR PATTEN SAID.
"THE POLICY COMMITMENTS HAVE INCORPORATED MANY SUGGESTIONS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROPOSALS FROM POLITICAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND ADVISORY BODIES, AND IDEAS AND INITIATIVES SUGGESTED BY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
THE POLICY COMMITMENTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE ACCOUNT COVERING THE ENTIRE OPERATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT. THEY AIM TO SET OUT CONCISELY THE PRINCIPAL WAYS IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
"NEXT YEAR, I SHALL BE REPORTING TO THIS COUNCIL ON OUR PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING EACH OF THE UNDERTAKINGS CONTAINED IN THE POLICY COMMITMENTS, AS WELL AS PRESENTING THE POLICY COMMITMENTS FOR 1995," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
TWO DAYS AGO, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE 221 UNDERTAKINGS MADE IN THE 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESSES.
THE POLICY SECRETARIES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE COMMISSIONER, ICAC, WILL BE BRIEFING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE MEDIA IN THE COMING TWO WEEKS TO EXPLAIN THEIR POLICY COMMITMENTS IN GREATER DETAIL.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WHO WILL BE MEETING THE LEGISLATORS AND THE MEDIA ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 7), WILL BE THE FIRST POLICY SECRETARY TO DO THE BRIEFINGS. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8).
/COPIES OF .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 12 -
COPIES OF THE POLICY COMMITMENTS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH THE POLICY ADDRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME, ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CENTRAL, THE MARKETING OFFICE IN FRENCH MISSION BUILDING AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES FROM 4 PM TODAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
FOLLOWING IS A TENTATIVE PROGRAMME SETTING OUT THE PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE POLICY COMMITMENTS. DETAILS FOR EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL PRESS SESSIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
DATE/TIME
POLICY SECRETARY
OCTOBER 7 AM MRS KATHERINE FOK, SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE VISIT TO AN ELDERLY CENTRE AND MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 8 AM MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 10 AM MR BERTRAND DE SPEVILLE, COMMISSIONER, ICAC MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 10 PM MR DONALD TSANG, SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY MEET THE MEDIA AFTER LEGCO BRIEFING
OCTOBER 10 PM MR HAIDER BARMA, SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT OPENING OF QUEENSWAY LICENSING OFFICE AND MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 11 AM MR T H CHAU, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY VISIT TO HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 11 AM MR JAMES BLAKE, SECRETARY FOR WORKS SITE VISIT AND MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 11 PM MR MICHAEL CARTLANI), SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES MEET THE MEDIA AFTER LEGCO BRIEFING
OCTOBER 11 PM MR MICHAEL SUEN, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 12 AM MR NICHOLAS NG, SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 12 AM MR GORDON SIU, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 12 AM MR JEREMY MATHEWS, ATTORNEY GENERAL MEDIA SESSION
/OCTOBER 14 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 13 -
OCTOBER 14 MR JAMES SO, SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE
PM MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 14 PM
OCTOBER 15 AM
MR TONY EASON, SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS
SITE VISIT AND MEDIA SESSION
MR MICHAEL SZE, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE
MEDIA SESSION
OCTOBER 15 MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
AM MEDIA SESSION
- - 0 - -
1994/95 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME: HIGHLIGHTS
*****
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED A PROGRAMME OF THE PRINCIPAL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS THAT IT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE FORTHCOMING SESSION.
THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME 1994/95: HIGHLIGHTS, PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY), LISTS 56 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO PUT FORWARD DURING THE 1994/95 SESSION.
"MANY OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS AND THE POLICY COMMITMENTS WILL NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH LEGISLATION. THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME WILL GIVE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC A CLEARER IDEA OF THE MAIN PROPOSALS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO PUT FORWARD TO LEGCO IN THE COMING SESSION," DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, MR RICHARD HOARE, SAID.
"INEVITABLY, THE PROGRAMME MAY NEED TO BE AMENDED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES. THE PROGRAMME IS ALSO NOT A COMPLETE LIST. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MINOR LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS, OF WHICH THERE ARE USUALLY A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, A TOTAL OF 80 TO 100 BILLS HAVE BEEN PASSED EACH SESSION," MR HOARE SAID.
COPIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR’S 1994 POLICY ADDRESS AND THE POLICY COMMITMENTS, ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CENTRAL, THE MARKETING OFFICE IN FRENCH MISSION BUILDING AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES FROM 4 PM TODAY.
/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994.
- 14 -
GOVERNMENT WILL BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO HK PEOPLE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS THIRD POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, UNDERLINED HIS DETERMINATION TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT IS NOT JUST A POLITICAL SLOGAN. IT IS, QUITE SIMPLY, A FUNDAMENTAL SAFEGUARD FOR EVERY SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, THE MOST EFFECTIVE GUARANTEE OF THE INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY OF AN EXECUTIVE-LED ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT MACHINE AND A SMALLER PUBLIC SECTOR THAN ANY OTHER ADVANCED ECONOMY.
HE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO A DEDICATED AND HIGHLY-PROFESSIONAL CIVIL SERVICE.
"WE HAVE ALSO MADE IT A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. WE DO NOT ALLOW GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE TO GROW AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE ECONOMY."
AS A RESULT, PUBLIC SPENDING HAS REMAINED BELOW 20 PER CENT OF GDP. HE SAID ALL OF THE PROPOSALS FOR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES HE WOULD OUTLINE THIS AFTERNOON FELL FULLY WITHIN THIS STRICT EXPENDITURE GUIDELINE.
"WE ARE NOT DEPARTING ONE INCH FROM THE PRUDENT APPROACH TO FUNDING OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES THAT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE ENTRUST VERY CONSIDERABLE POWERS TO OUR ADMINISTRATION WHICH IS AND WILL REMAIN EXECUTIVE-LED," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD TO BE CHECKS AND BALANCES ON THE EXERCISE OF SUCH POWERS, AND THAT WAS THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE THE POWER TO QUESTION OFFICIALS AND TO APPROVE OR REJECT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES WHEN PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL IN THE FORM OF LEGISLATIVE OR FINANCIAL PROPOSALS.
"FOR THIS REASON, THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN, AND WILL REMAIN, CENTRAL TO THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 15 -
FIRST-CLASS ADMINISTRATION KEY TO FLOURISHING ECONOMY *****
ACCOUNTABILITY MUST BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN PERFORMANCE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT ITS 1994/95 OPENING SESSION THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
"WE CANNOT EXPECT HONG KONG’S FIRST-WORLD ECONOMY TO GO ON FLOURISHING UNLESS ITS GOVERNMENT HAS A RECORD OF PERFORMANCE TO MATCH.
"WE HAVE RECOGNISED THE NEED TO PROVIDE A MORE PROFESSIONAL, MORE ACCOUNTABLE, MORE RfeSPONSIVE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND EXPANDED TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT’S CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS WITH AN INDEPENDENT PROCEDURE FOR INVESTIGATING AND FOR REDRESSING GRIEVANCES, HE SAID.
SPECIALISED ORGANISATIONS, LIKE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE MONETARY AUTHORITY, HAVE BEEN SET UP TO ACHIEVE NEW STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEVELOPED NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES TO TACKLE PRESSING SOCIAL PROBLEMS. FOR INSTANCE, INTEGRATED MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO MEET THE HEALTH, HOUSING AND FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.
RESPONDING TO GROWING COMMUNITY INTEREST IN THE ARTS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO TURN THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INTO AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND A WIDE RANGE OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, MR PATTEN SAID.
"IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, EVERY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT WHICH SERVES THE PUBLIC DIRECTLY HAS PUBLISHED ’PERFORMANCE PLEDGES’ SETTING OUT EXACTLY WHAT STANDARDS OF SERVICE THE COMMUNITY HAS A RIGHT TO EXPECT," HE SAID.
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/16 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 16 -
CIVIL SERVANTS GIVEN TRIBUTE
*****
HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS WERE PRAISED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, FOR THEIR QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE WHICH WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO MATCH ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
"THEY HAVE HELPED HONG KONG TO COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THE TRANSITION TO 1997, AND WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO DO SO," HE SAID.
DELIVERING HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO DEVELOP THE POOL OF TALENTED LOCAL OFFICERS CAPABLE OF FILLING THE POSTS SPECIFIED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION AT THE LEVEL OF PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL AND IMMEDIATELY BELOW."
BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, NO OVERSEAS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS WILL HOLD POSTS AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL LEVEL, HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL STEP UP ITS TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN CHINA STUDIES, PUTONGHUA AND WRITTEN CHINESE. NEXT YEAR, THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WILL GO UP FROM 7,000 TO 45,000.
A UNIFORM SET OF EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP TO REMOVE, ONCE AND FOR ALL, THE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS TERMS OF SERVICE.
"WE WILL, OF COURSE, NEED TO CONSULT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT BEFORE THEY CAN BE INTRODUCED," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THERE WERE ALREADY THE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE CALIBRE HONG KONG NEEDED TO DELIVER A FIRST-CLASS ADMINISTRATION.
"WE LOOK TO THEIR DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP TO GIVE US THE HIGH QUALITY AND HIGHLY-MOTIVATED CIVIL SERVICE WHICH HONG KONG WILL NEED AFTER 1997.
"THE LOYALTY, THE INTEGRITY AND THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED, NOR SHOULD IT BE THOUGHT THAT THESE QUALITIES CAN BE TURNED ON OR TURN OFF, PROFFERED OR THOUGHT THAT THESE QUALITIES CAN BE TURNED ON OR TURNED OFF, PROFFERED OR WITHDRAWN, ACCORDING TO PARTISAN CALCULATION OR SELECTIVE WHIM.
"THEY MUST BE NURTURED AND RESPECTED, AND THAT MEANS RECOGNISING THAT THEY ARE IN THE SERVICE OF HONG KONG AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG - BEFORE AND AFTER 1997," MR PATTEN SAID.
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/17
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 17 -
GOVERNMENT PLAYS FULL PART TO FIGHT INFLATION *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ASSURED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PLAY ITS FULL PART IN TACKLING INFLATION.
"WE WILL KEEP UP OUR DRIVE FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE PRUDENT HOUSEKEEPERS, NOT CARELESS BIG SPENDERS.
"ABOVE ALL, WE WILL MAINTAIN OUR STRICT FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE AND OUR SOUND BUDGETARY POLICIES," HE SAID.
RECOGNISING THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION, MR PATTEN SAID ITS CONTINUING SEARCH FOR LOWER COSTS AND HIGHER STANDARDS OF PRODUCTIVITY WAS VITAL TO MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS IN THE FACE OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
"IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL, WE CONTINUE TO IMPORT, ON A LIMITED AND STRICTLY-CONTROLLED BASIS, THE FOREIGN WORKERS NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE MOST ACUTE BOTTLENECKS IN OUR LABOUR MARKET," HE SAID.
TO MAINTAIN EFFORTS TO STABILISE THE PROPERTY MARKET, THE GOVERNMENT MOVED RAPIDLY THIS SUMMER TO PROTECT THE GENUINE PURCHASER FROM SPECULATIVE PRESSURES ON THE PRICE OF DOMESTIC FLATS.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE ON LAND SUPPLY AND PROPERTY PRICES ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED.
"WE SHALL NOT HESITATE TO INTRODUCE FURTHER MEASURES IF THE MARKET SHOWS FRESH SIGNS OF OVERHEATING," HE ADDED.
THOUGH IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE PRICE STABILITY UNDER HONG KONG’S SPECIAL ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, MR PATTEN SAID IT WAS A GOAL WHICH MUST BE PURSUED CONTINUOUSLY YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT.
HE NOTED THAT DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 7.5 PER CENT, A USEFUL IMPROVEMENT FROM THE AVERAGE OF 8.5 PER CENT FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE.
PRESSURE ON FOOD PRICES CAUSED BY FLOODING HERE AND IN SOUTHERN CHINA DURING THE SUMMER PUSHED UP THE INFLATION RATE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
NEVERTHELESS, INFLATION FOR 1994 IS EXPECTED TO BE NO HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR’S FIGURE.
"THIS SUMMER’S EXPERIENCE IS AN UNPLEASANT REMINDER THAT WE MUST NOT RELAX OUR EFFORTS TO BRING INFLATION UNDER CONTROL," MR PATTEN SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 18 -
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS.
"TRADE, INVESTMENT AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY REMAIN, AS ALWAYS, AT THE TOP OF THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENDA."
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GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO PROMOTE FAIR AND EFFICIENT MARKETS » » * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO ALL IN ITS POWER TO PROMOTE FAIR AND EFFICIENT MARKETS, TO DEFEAT THE SPECULATOR AND TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE BUSINESS OPERATIONS MORE EFFICIENT BY INCREASING THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY."
FOR EXAMPLE, OVER A MILLION POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS STAND TO BENEFIT NEXT YEAR WHEN SIX MORE MOBILE PHONE OPERATOR LICENCES ARE ISSUED.
ON BANKING COMPETITION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONDED PROMPTLY TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
ALTHOUGH LIBERALISATION MUST BE BALANCED AGAINST THE REQUIREMENTS OF BANKING AND MONETARY STABILITY, THE PUBLIC STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM THE PHASED REMOVAL OF THE INTEREST CAP ON TIME DEPOSITS, MR PATTEN SAID.
FUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED NEXT YEAR FOR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO SET UP A NEW TRADE PRACTICES DIVISION WHICH WILL HELP TO PROMOTE COMPETITION.
"WE WILL RESPOND PROMPTLY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY TO THE REPORTS WHICH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS PREPARING ON THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET, ON SUPERMARKETS, ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ON GAS SUPPLY AND ON BROADCASTING," HE SAID.
THE 1994 WORLD COMPETITIVENESS REPORT RATED HONG KONG FOURTH AMONG THE WORLD’S MAJOR ECONOMIES, AHEAD OF EVERY EUROPEAN COUNTRY.
"WE HAVE DONE MUCH BETTER THAN MOST OF THE WORLD IN PROMOTING BUSINESS EFFICIENCY AND THE FULL PLAY OF MARKET FORCES.
"NEVERTHELESS, FACED WITH RENEWED INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, WE MUST IMPROVE ON THIS PERFORMANCE," HE SAID.
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/19 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 19 -
BUSINESS INITIATIVE AND INVESTMENT TO BE ENCOURAGED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO ENHANCING HONG KONG’S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), HE ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMES TO ENCOURAGE INITIATIVE AND INVESTMENT:
» NEW INCENTIVES WILL BE PROVIDED TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS IN MANUFACTURING. THESE MEASURES INCLUDE PLANS TO PROVIDE, BY 1996, 70 HECTARES OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIES WHICH CANNOT USE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, AS WELL AS MORE SPACE FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY-BASED BUSINESSES;
* HONG KONG’S CAPACITY FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH WILL BE EXPANDED. THIS YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE HAS ALLOCATED $260 MILLION FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS, 67 PER CENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR. NEXT YEAR, $50 MILLION WILL BE PROVIDED TO ESTABLISH AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE WHICH WILL PROMOTE JOINT PROJECTS WITH CHINA’S LEADING RESEARCH INSTITUTES;
* TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE UPGRADED. THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND ABOUT $30 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ON CREATING THE MODERN ROAD SYSTEM WHICH HONG KONG NEEDS;
* IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES WILL BE FURTHER SIMPLIFIED TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF VISA APPLICATIONS AND APPROVALS. ANYTHING WHICH FACILITATES TRAVEL FACILITATES BUSINESS; AND
» PAPERWORK IN FOREIGN TRADE WILL BE REDUCED. FROM 1996, THE NEW COMMUNITY ELECTRONIC TRADING SERVICE WILL ENABLE BUSINESSES TO COMPLETE KEY IMPORT AND EXPORT PROCEDURES BY COMPUTER.
MR PATTEN SAID EVERY MEMBER AND EVERY POLITICAL GROUP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RECOGNISED THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAS THE ENGINE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS.
"I THINK WE ALL RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BUSINESS SECTOR CONTINUING TO PLAY A FULL PART IN GOVERNMENT POLICY-MAKING AND CONTRIBUTING NO LESS FULLY TO THE WIDER PROCESS OF POLITICAL DISCUSSION AND DEBATE.
"WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE STEADY, PROMISED DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG DOES NOT LEAD TO TENSION BETWEEN THOSE WHO CREATE OUR WEALTH AND THOSE WHO VOTE FOR OUR TAXES, OUR PUBLIC SPENDING AND OUR LAWS.
"WITH UNDERSTANDING ON BOTH SIDES, THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD," HE SAID.
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/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 20 -
FULL EMPLOYMENT IS UK’S BLESSING *****
FULL EMPLOYMENT HAS KEPT HONG KONG’S WELFARE COSTS MANAGEABLE, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS ENABLED IT TO GO ON RAISING THE STANDARDS OF CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED OR AT RISK, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID.
PRESENTING HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), HE POINTED OUT: "ONE OF HONG KONG’S GREAT STRENGTHS IS THAT WE HAVE NEVER LOST SIGHT OF ECONOMIC REALITIES: OF THE NEED TO GENERATE WEALTH BEFORE WE SPEND IT, OF THE NEED TO KEEP TAXES LOW AND GOVERNMENT SMALL.
"AS A CONSEQUENCE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID THE WELFARE CRISES WHICH HAVE AFFLICTED SO MANY OTHER DEVELOPED ECONOMIES.
"WE HAVE ALSO BEEN BLESSED WITH VIRTUALLY UNBROKEN FULL EMPLOYMENT FOR THREE DECADES."
A WHOLE HONG KONG GENERATION HAS GROWN UP, KNOWING NOTHING BUT FULL EMPLOYMENT, AN ALMOST UNIQUE PHENOMENON FOR AN ADVANCED ECONOMY.
MR PATTEN SAID THIS HAD MEANT HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SERVICES HAD NOT BEEN OVERWHELMED BY MASS UNEMPLOYMENT.
ALSO, IT HAS ESCAPED THE EMERGENCE OF A LARGE UNDERCLASS OF UNDERPRIVILEGED AND DEMORALISED MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE FAMILIES DEPEND ON WELFARE HANDOUTS, HE ADDED.
------0--------
WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY TOPS SOCIAL PRIORITIES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PLACES THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY AT THE TOP OF SOCIAL PRIORITIES IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS.
IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE ELDERLY HAD CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG’S PRESENT PROSPERITY AND INVESTED IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG THROUGH INVESTMENT IN THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION.
ON PRESENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS YEAR HONG KONG SPENT $6.8 BILLION ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY; PROVIDED AN EXTRA 1,150 PLACES IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES; AND GAVE THE ELDERLY PRIORITY TO PUBLIC HOUSING.
IN HIS 1993 POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR ESTABLISHED A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW EXISTING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND CONSIDER WHAT MORE WAS REQUIRED.
HE SAID IN THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE’S POLICY COMMITMENTS, THERE WOULD BE 12 SPECIFIC INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY BASED ON THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
/THESE PROPOSALS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 21 -
THESE PROPOSALS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PLEDGES:
* TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND CARE FOR THE 17,600 OLD PEOPLE LIVING IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY BY OFFERING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COVER THE COST OF MORE STRINGENT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND BY TRAINING AN ADDITIONAL 400 HEALTH WORKERS.
» TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY. NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ESTABLISH FOUR NEW TEAMS TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CARE FOR 9,500 ELDERLY PEOPLE EACH YEAR IN RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS. THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO RESTORE THE EYESIGHT OF AN EXTRA 850 ELDERLY CATARACT PATIENTS EACH YEAR BY REDUCING THE AVERAGE WALTING TIME FOR SURGERY FROM 15 MONTHS TO LESS THAN NINE MONTHS.
* SET UP A $200 MILLION ELDERLY SERVICES DEVELOPMENT FUND TO HELP NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ESTABLISH SELF-FINANCING WELFARE PROJECTS FOR THE ELDERLY.
HE SAID: "I THINK THESE MEASURES ARE A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF OUR DETERMINATION TO PROVIDE GREATER SUPPORT AND PROTECTION FOR THE ELDERLY."
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THERE WOULD BE 700,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE AGED 65 OR OVER BY THE YEAR 2000, 22 PER CENT MORE THAN TODAY.
"THE ELDERLY POPULATION IS ALREADY SO LARGE, AND GROWING SO RAPIDLY, THAT THERE CAN BE NO GOOD EXCUSE FOR FURTHER DELAYS IN SETTING UP A SCHEME TO MEET THEIR NEEDS," HE SAID.
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OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT ON OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME
* » * t »
THERE IS OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS ON OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME ALTHOUGH IT STILL HAS ITS CRITICS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID: "IT HAS BEEN ARGUED THAT WE SHOULD SCRAP THE LOW LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTIONS WE HAVE PROPOSED AND FINANCE OLD AGE PENSIONS OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE.
"IF WE FOLLOWED THIS COURSE, THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER WOULD BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WE WOULD HAVE TO RAISE THE RATE OF CORPORATE PROFITS TAX TO 20.5 PER CENT AND THE STANDARD RATE OF SALARIES TAX TO 19 PER CENT, SIMPLY TO ACHIEVE THE SAME LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH OUR PROPOSED OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE.
"IT HAS ALSO BEEN ARGUED THAT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, OR SOME OTHER FORM OF COMPULSORY RETIREMENT SCHEME, WOULD BE A BETTER OPTION.
/"BUT SUCH .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 22 -
’’BUT SUCH SCHEMES WOULD NOT HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS FOR ANYONE FOR 20 TO 30 YEARS.
’’LET THERE BE NO DOUBT. WE HAVE RULED OUT THE INTRODUCTION OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID CONSULTATION ON THE SCHEME WOULD END THIS MONTH AND VIEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE HEARD.
"WE DO NOT HAVE A CLOSED MIND. BUT WE DO WANT TO GO FORWARD.
”WE WILL ALSO NEED, OF COURSE, TO GIVE FURTHER BRIEFINGS TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON OUR PROPOSALS AND BE PREPARED TO RESPOND PROMPTLY ON ANY ISSUES WHERE IT REQUESTS MORE DETAILED EXPLANATIONS.
’’THERE IS CLEARLY MUCH TO BE DONE, AND WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO GIVE THIS WORK THE PRIORITY IT DESERVES.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY ESTABLISH A SMALL TASK FORCE TO PROVIDE THE EXPERTISE NEEDED TO RESEARCH THE COMPLEX TECHNICAL ISSUES INVOLVED, WITH A MINIMUM OF DELAY.
"HONG KONG PLAINLY NEEDS TO SET UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE A PRACTICAL SCHEME WHICH WILL SECURE FINANCIAL PEACE OF MIND FOR THE PRESENT GENERATION OF ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN AND ASSURE THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF THE ELDERLY GENERATIONS TO COME. NOTHING LESS WILL DO.
”IF WE DO NOT TAKE A DECISION NOW, IT WILL NOT BE ANY EASIER TO TAKE ONE IN 1997 OR 1998.
"I HOPE WE CAN REACH AN UNDERSTANDING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND WITH CHINA, WHICH NATURALLY HAS A CLOSE AND PROPER INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE,” HE SAID.
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MORE BENEFITS TO THOSE IN NEED
*****
MORE FINANCIAL AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES, THE NUMBER OF WHICH STANDS AT 130,000 AT PRESENT, AND DEPEND ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME STARTING APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THIS WAS PROPOSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS WILL BE AIMED TO:
* PROVIDE EACH SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY WITH A NEW SUPPLEMENT OF $200 A MONTH TO HELP OFFSET THE SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES WHICH SINGLE PARENTS FACE IN BRINGING UP A FAMILY.
/* INCREASE THE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
23
* INCREASE THE STANDARD RATES FOR CHILDREN BY $205 A MONTH, ON TOP OF THE $100 INCREASE IMPLEMENTED FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR. THIS WILL GIVE THEM MORE MONEY TO TAKE PART IN THE SOCIAL AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ESSENTIAL TO THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. IT ALSO MEANS THAT CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE THE SAME STANDARD RATES AS THE ELDERLY.
* EXTEND THE AGE AT WHICH THE STANDARD RATES FOR CHILDREN ARE PAID TO FULL-TIME STUDENTS FROM 18 TO 21. AS A RESULT, THEIR MONTHLY BENEFITS WILL INCREASE BY BETWEEN $420 AND $555 A MONTH.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE LEVEL OF BENEFIT OFFERED BY THE SCHEME HAD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED OVER THE YEAR BUT THERE WERE PARTICULAR CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES OF SINGLE PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHO DEPENDED ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS HAD GONE UP IN REAL TERMS BY 62 PER CENT FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND BY 104 PER CENT FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR SINCE 1985.
THE SCHEME TODAY PROVIDED AN AVERAGE MONTHLY PAYMENT EQUAL TO 30 PER CENT OF THE MEDIAN WAGE FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND 83 PER CENT OF THE MEDIAN WAGE FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.
THE GOVERNOR SAID A COMMUNITY AS PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL AS HONG KONG HAD TO REGULARLY REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
HE HAD ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO MAKE A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE CURRENT SOCIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN DEVELOPED OVER MORE THAN TWO DECADES.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS HAD EVOLVED FROM PROVIDING FOR BASIC SUBSISTENCE TO A SCHEME WHICH MET NOT ONLY THE NEEDS OF THE AVERAGE CLIENT BUT THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF INDIVIDUALS AS WELL, HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT 90 PER CENT OF THE CLIENTS RECEIVED SPECIAL GRANTS UNDER THE 24 BROAD CATEGORIES.
"WE OBVIOUSLY NEED TO LOOK AGAIN, VERY CAREFULLY, AT BOTH THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE BENEFITS IT PROVIDES, TO ASSESS HOW WELL THEY ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THEIR CLIENTS.
"I EXPECT TO START TO RECEIVE PROPOSALS RESULTING FROM THIS EXERCISE BY THE END OF 1995," HE SAID.
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/24 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 24 -
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS FOR THE DISABLED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS THAT ISOLATE THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AND RESTRICT THEIR OPPORTUNITIES IN LIFE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT HAD TO GO BEYOND PROVIDING THEM WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
THE COMMITMENT INCLUDED TRAINING, REHABILITATION, TRANSPORT, EMPLOYMENT AND ALL THE OTHER SERVICES WHICH WILL HELP THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO LEAD AS FULL AND REWARDING LIVES AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT HONG KONG HAS 286,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH SOME FORM OF DISABILITY AND NEARLY $6 BILLION WILL BE SPENT THIS YEAR ON PROGRAMMES TO HELP PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY.
THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO HELP THE DISABLED BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS WILL BE:
* TO FIGHT PREJUDICE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY THROUGH A MAJOR PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN;
* TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TRAINING IN 109 SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, TO PROVIDE 737 ADDITIONAL PLACES IN PRE-SCHOOL CENTRES TO HELP MEET INCREASED DEMAND AND TO EXPAND THE PROGRAMMES FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM;
* TO IDENTIFY HOW TO IMPROVE THE JOB PROSPECTS OF THE DISABLED NEXT YEAR WHEN A JOINT WORKING GROUP COMPLETES A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED FOR THEM;
« TO SUPPORT A FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE REHABUS SERVICE IN 1995/96. AS A RESULT, IT WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE OVER 300,000 PASSENGER TRIPS A YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT, AND
* TO PROPOSE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE DISABLED AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WE MEAN EVERYONE: THE POOR AS WELL AS THE RICH, THE DISABLED AS WELL AS THE ABLE-BODIED. AND IT IS THE RIGHTS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS IN OUR SOCIETY WHICH SHOULD HAVE FIRST CLAIM ON OUR ATTENTION.
"I BELIEVE THAT, THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, THERE IS A STRONG CONSENSUS THAT ALL THOSE WITH A DISABILITY HAVE A RIGHT TO OUR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THEY GET IT," HE SAID.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
25
BETTER CARE FOR THE SICK
* t * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL INCREASE HOSPITAL FACILITIES, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NURSES AND PROVIDE THEM WITH BETTER TRAINING IN MEETING THE COMMUNITY’S DEMAND FOR EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH CARE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS SPEECH, MR PATTEN OUTLINED THE PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH CARE FOR THE COMING YEARS. THESE INCLUDED:
» AN ADDITIONAL 950 HOSPITAL BEDS THIS YEAR AT AN ANNUAL RECURRENT COST OF $619 MILLION.
* PUTTING FORWARD A PROPOSAL NEXT YEAR FOR A NEW 400-BED HOSPITAL AT TSEUNG KWAN 0. THIS WOULD PROVIDE HIGHER STANDARDS OF CARE FOR RESIDENTS OF THE RAPIDLY-DEVELOPING SOUTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES.
♦ PROVIDING AN EXTRA 500 NURSES NEXT YEAR FOR HOSPITALS AND CLINICS (IN ADDITION TO REPLACING THOSE WHO LEAVE); SEEKING WAYS TO INCREASE THE ATTENTION THEY CAN DEVOTE TO THEIR PATIENTS BY RELIEVING THEM OF NON-PROFESSIONAL DUTIES.
* IMPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROVIDED FOR 2,400 STUDENT NURSES. THEIR WORK SCHEDULES WOULD BE REORGANISED TO GIVE THEM 22 PER CENT MORE TIME FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES.
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT PUBLIC HOSPITALS WOULD TREAT 770,000 IN-PATIENTS THIS YEAR AND PROVIDE 3.9 MILLION CONSULTATIONS AT THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS.
SPECIALIST CLINICS WOULD ALSO PROVIDE SOME 5.8 MILLION CONSULTATIONS FOR OUT-PATIENTS, HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH CARE MEANT GOING BEYOND THE PROVISION OF HOSPITAL BEDS AND HIGHLY-QUALIFIED STAFF.
HE SAID: "IT ALSO INVOLVES DEVELOPING NEW PROGRAMMES FOR THE GROUPS WHO NEED SPECIAL CARE TO REDUCE THEIR SUFFERING AND TO COPE WITH THEIR ILLNESSES.
"NEXT YEAR, WE WILL GIVE A NEW PRIORITY TO THE CRITICALLY-ILL, THE CHRONICALLY-ILL AND THE TERMINALLY-ILL."
MR PATTEN SAID THE 1994 POLICY COMMITMENTS SET OUT SEVEN SPECIFIC UNDERTAKINGS TO IMPROVE BOTH THE STANDARD OF MEDICAL TREATMENT THEY RECEIVE AND THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
» NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXPAND DIALYSIS FACILITIES TO TREAT AN EXTRA 100 PATIENTS A YEAR. AS A RESULT, THE COMBINED SERVICES OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET IN FULL THE CURRENT PROJECTED DEMAND.
/* THE GOVERNMENT........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 26 -
* THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO REDUCE THE MORTALITY RATE OF THE LARGEST GROUP OF HEART PATIENTS BY 20 PER CENT. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, IMPROVED METHODS.OF TREATMENT WOULD BE PROVIDED OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS FOR 200 ADDITIONAL PATIENTS A YEAR WITH ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE.
* IT WAS PLANNED TO REDUCE THE MORTALITY RATE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS BY 10 PER CENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, FOUR DIABETIC CARE CENTRES WOULD BE SET UP NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE TREATMENT AND ADVICE TO 8,000 PATIENTS A YEAR.
* HOSPICE SERVICES WOULD BE EXPANDED OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. AS A RESULT, BY 1998-99, AN EXTRA THOUSAND PATIENTS A YEAR WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE OUT THEIR TERMINAL ILLNESSES IN COMFORT AND DIGNITY.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT HONG KONG OFFERED VIRTUALLY FREE ACCESS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE BUT IT HAD TO CONTINUE THE DRIVE TO RAISE STANDARDS FROM ACCEPTABLE TO EXCELLENT.
"OUR PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO SUFFER CHRONIC ILLNESS OR DISABILITY. THERE IS STILL AMPLE SCOPE FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT, HOWEVER, AND WE WILL NOT REST HERE," HE SAID.
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MORE AND BETTER HOUSING PLANNED *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND $15.4 BILLION THIS YEAR ON HOUSING PROGRAMMES, ABOUT 400 PER CENT MORE IN REAL TERMS THAN 10 YEARS AGO TO HOUSE THOSE IN NEED, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID: "OUR CONTINUOUS INVESTMENT IN NEW HOUSING MEANS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO RAISE OUR SIGHTS WELL ABOVE THE MASS RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMMES OF THE PAST."
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT A TOTAL OF 1.2 MILLION PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FLATS HAD BEEN BUILT OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO IMPROVE ITS PRESENT PROGRAMME IN THE COMING YEARS WITH THE FOLLOWING PLANS:
* PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES MADE SAFER AND MORE PLEASANT. THIS YEAR, $3.3 BILLION IS PROPOSED TO BE SPENT TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, INCLUDING $433 MILLION TO REFURBISH AND RENOVATE THE OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. ANOTHER $650 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS ON THE STAFF AND TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP CRIME AWAY FROM PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
/* THE GOVERNMENT.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
27 -
* THE GOVERNMENT IS STARTING TO GET RID OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS. BY 1997, EVERYONE LIVING IN A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AT THE END OF LAST YEAR WOULD HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE OFFER OF REHOUSING. BY MARCH 1996, ALL URBAN SQUATTERS ON GOVERNMENT LAND WOULD HAVE BEEN OFFERED REHOUSING.
ON CURBING HIGH PROPERTY PRICES, MR PATTEN SAID A TASK FORCE ON LAND SUPPLY AND PROPERTY PRICES WAS SET UP TO IDENTIFY HOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD ASSIST THE PROPERTY SECTOR TO RETURN TO MORE STABLE PRICES AND MORE ORDERLY TRADING CONDITIONS.
THE TASK FORCE PRODUCED A PACKAGE OF MEASURES DESIGNED TO CURB SPECULATION, TO ELIMINATE BOTTLENECKS, REDUCE BUREAUCRACY AND, GENERALLY, TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTION OF NEW FLATS IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND THE PUBLIC SECTORS.
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH WERE ACCEPTED FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION, INCLUDED PROVISION OF AN EXTRA 70 HECTARES OF LAND FOR HOUSING BEFORE 1997/98 SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE LAND COMMISSION, PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT LAND FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROJECT ACTION TEAM TO ATTEND TO PROBLEMS IN THE PROCESSING OF NEW HOUSING PROJECTS AND THE CREATION OF A NEW POLICY BRANCH TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HOUSING MATTERS.
MR PATTEN SAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ENCOURAGED A WELCOME SLACKENING OF THE PRICE SPIRAL.
"THE BEST LONG-TERM CONTRIBUTION THE GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE TO ENSURING THAT OUR PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS TO BOOST THE SUPPLY OF NEW FLATS TO MATCH DEMAND.
"WE SHALL ACHIEVE OUR GOAL THROUGH PURSUING WELL-MANAGED INVESTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES, TO WHICH THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DO THE FOLLOWING BEFORE APRIL 2001:
« TO HELP THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PRODUCE 195,000 NEW FLATS (AN INCREASE OF 15,000 OVER THE PREVIOUS TARGET), BY ACCELERATING THE FORMATION OF SITES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE;
» TO HELP AN ADDITIONAL 180,000 FAMILIES TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES BY PROVIDING SUBSIDISED HOUSING OR FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE; AND
* TO PRODUCE AT LEAST 310,000 NEW FLATS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR (AN INCREASE OF 30,000 OVER THE PREVIOUS TARGET).
IN STRESSING THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO HOUSING, MR PATTEN SAID: "I WANT TO ASSURE THIS COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO HIGHER PRIORITY THAN MEETING THE COMMUNITY’S HOUSING NEEDS.
/"WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 28 -
"WE HAVE SET AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR BOTH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE PROGRAMME J HAVE JUST OUTLINED TO THIS rniiNCTI OFFERS OUR BEST CHANCE OVER THE LONG RUN OF STABILISING 1 HE raiS CYC?,E “d enabling more families to find the modeen, comfortable SI THEY EXPECT, AT PRICES AND RENTS THEY CAN AFFORD."
---------o-----------
CATERING FOR NEEDS OF SPECIAL GROUPS IN EDUCATION ♦ * ♦ * *
AS HONG KONG HAS A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS AND STANDARDS ARE RISING, THE GOVERNMENT NOW HAS TO FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF SPECIAL GROUPS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’ r-
IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WOULD BE PRESENTING 11 NEW EDUCATION INITIATIVES IN HIS 1994 POLICY COMMITMENTS.
SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES WOULD CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF SPECIAL GROUPS. THEY INCLUDED:
* THE OFFERING OF BETTER QUALITY FOR THE VERY YOUNGEST CHILDREN. A SUM OF $163 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO IMPROVE THE TRAINING OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RAISE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING COURSES FOR 1,130 SERVING KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
♦ STUDENTS WITH SEVERE LEARNING PROBLEMS OR WHO LACK MOTIVATION WOULD BE OFFERED MORE HELP. A SUM OF $340 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO BUILD THE SPECIAL SCHOOLS THEY NEEDED.
♦ THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO MORE TO HELP STUDENTS WITH LIMITED FAMILY MEANS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION. AN EXTRA $325 MILLION IN LOANS AND GRANTS WOULD BE PROVIDED OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WHICH WOULD BENEFIT OVER 6,000 STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES.
MR PATTEN ALSO NOTED THAT PROVISION IN EDUCATION WOULD BE RAISED BY 4.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS NEXT YEAR ON TOP OF THIS YEAR’S RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF ALMOST $24 BILLION.
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/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
29
FURTHER COMMITMENTS TO PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PREPARE LEGISLATION TO MAKE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE AMONG THE 17 NEW INITIATIVES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE 1994 POLICY COMMITMENTS.
AS FOR OTHER NEW INITIATIVES, MR PATTEN SAID THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF HARMFUL AIR POLLUTION IN THE URBAN AREAS - DIESEL VEHICLES - WOULD ALSO BE TACKLED.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REQUIRE THE USE OF CLEANER FUEL, STEP UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST SMOKY VEHICLES AND DEVISE SCHEMES TO ENCOURAGE A SWITCH TO UNLEADED PETROL, HE SAID.
VEHICLE POLLUTION WAS EXPECTED TO BE CUT BY 20 PER CENT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, HE ADDED.
ON NOISE POLLUTION, MR PATTEN SAID THERE WOULD BE NEW RESTRICTIONS FROM NEXT YEAR ON PILING EQUIPMENT AND POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REDUCE THE NUISANCE CAUSED BY NOISY VEHICLES AND BURGLAR ALARMS ON CARS, HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON THE ENVIRONMENT WOULD BE INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS NEXT YEAR OVER THIS YEAR’S PROVISION OF $1.7 BILLION.
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PRESSURE TO BE MAINTAINED ON CRIMINALS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAINTAIN THE PRESSURE ON THE CRIMINALS WHO MENACE HONG KONG’S SECURITY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS.
MR PATTEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT AN ADDITIONAL 400 POLICE OFFICERS WOULD BE PUT ON THE STREETS NEXT YEAR AND AN EXTRA 80 OFFICERS WOULD BE PROVIDED TO COMBAT TRIADS AND THE TRADE IN NARCOTICS.
TO PROSECUTE CRIMINALS MORE EFFICIENTLY, THE STAFF OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT’S PROSECUTION DIVISION WOULD BE EXPANDED BY 25 PER CENT NEXT YEAR, HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE RATE OF VIOLENT CRIME HAD FALLEN FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
"THIS IS A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT BY OUR POLICE FORCE AND REFLECTS THE GREATEST CREDIT ON THEIR PROFESSIONALISM," HE SAID.
TO CONTINUE THE BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS SET UP TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE SPECIAL POWERS OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WERE STILL APPROPRIATE, NECESSARY AND SUFFICIENT, AND WHETHER ITS SYSTEMS OF ACCOUNTABILITY WERE ADEQUATE.
IT WOULD PRESENT ITS REPORT BY THE END OF THE YEAR, HE SAID.
"IN CONSIDERING THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF RELAXING HONG KONG’S LONG-STANDING INSISTENCE THAT HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS MUST APPLY TO BOTH THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE BUSINESS WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
- - 0 - -
AMBITIOUS PACKAGE TO DEFEND RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNVEILED A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE TO BE INTRODUCED OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS TO STRENGTHEN THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION.
FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS OF THE PACKAGE:
* THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD WILL BE IMPLEMENTED;
♦ AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO EXTEND TO HONG KONG THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW);
* LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO PROHIBIT SEX
DISCRIMINATION IN AREAS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND THE PROVISION OF GOODS AND SERVICES. ALSO, LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE GROUNDS OF DISABILITY;
* AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION WILL BE SET UP TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-DISCRIM[NATION LEGISLATION;
♦ THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTRODUCE A CODE ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION WHICH WILL COVER THE WHOLE OF THE GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF 1996. THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS WILL INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE BY OFFICIALS TO HONOUR THIS CODE;
vj•• • • ’’r . Ti'-r
* LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED BASED ON ESTABLISHED INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPLES TO SAFEGUARD THE INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO THE PRIVACY OF PERSONAL DATA, TO BE ENFORCED BY AN INDEPENDENT DATA PROTECTION AGENCY; AND
/* MORE FUNDS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 31 -
♦ MORE FUNDS WILL BE MADE.AVAILABLE TO ENABLE THE JUDICIARY TO REDUCE COURT WAITING TIMES AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO LEGAL AID.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE COMPREHENSIVE AND AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME WOULD COST $235 MILLION IN ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
ON PRESS FREEDOM, HE SAID THE PROGRAMME TO REMOVE THE LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON PRESS FREEDOM WOULD BE CONTINUED.
FIFTY-THREE SEPARATE PROVISIONS IN 27 ORDINANCES HAVE BEEN EXAMINED. OF THESE, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL HAVE TAKEN ACTION TO AMEND 37 PROVISIONS BY THE END OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THIS LEAVES 16 PROVISIONS WHICH IT DOES NOT PROPOSE TO AMEND BECAUSE THEY EXIST TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY OR THE PUBLIC INTEREST, HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE RULE OF LAW WAS ESSENTIAL FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR, HE SAID THE RULE OF LAW WAS CRUCIAL.
’’WITHOUT IT, THERE IS NO PROTECTION AGAINST CORRUPTION, NEPOTISM OR EXPROPRIATION.
’’ONLY UNDER THE RULE OF LAW ARE BUSINESSMEN GUARANTEED THE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHICH THEY NEED,” HE SAID.
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GOVERNMENT AND LEGCO TO STRENGTHEN CO-OPERATION
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID PRACTICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COULD BE STRENGTHENED BY PRESENTING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WITH A STATEMENT OUTLINING THE MAIN ITEMS OF LEGISLATION ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SEEK THEIR SUPPORT.
TOGETHER WITH THE POLICY SPEECH, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES A SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS WHICH IT PLANS TO INTRODUCE IN THE CURRENT SESSION.
"1 WANT TO EMPHASISE THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST, AND IT WILL, OF COURSE, BE SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT.
■ i .
’’MEMBERS WILL FIND THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS ANOTHER YEAR OF CHALLENGING LEGISLATIVE WORK AHEAD,” HE SAID.
UNDER THE HONG KONG SYSTEM, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE TO PUT ITS LEGISLATIVE AND EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ALONE HAS THE POWER TO DECIDE WHETHER THESE PROPOSALS WILL BECOME LAW OR RECEIVE FUNDING.
/MR PATTEN .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994 .
32
MR PATTEN SAID GIVEN THIS BACKGROUND, IT WAS REMARKABLE TO NOTE HOW WELL THE SYSTEM HAD WORKED IN PRACTICE.
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF BILLS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT.
THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS HAS INCREASED BY 200 PER CENT.
THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSIONS TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL WORK HAS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT.
’’PRACTICE HAS SHOWN THAT ACCOUNTABILITY OILS THE WHEELS OF OUR CONSTITUTION. HONG KONG GETS THE LEGISLATION IT NEEDS, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVEN THE RESOURCES IT REQUIRES TO DELIVER THE SERVICES WHICH THE COMMUNITY WANTS.
"THE SYSTEM WORKS, AND THERE IS NO CONFLICT BETWEEN THE CONCEPT OF ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT AND THAT OF EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT,” HE SAID.
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GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR SUCCESS OF LEGCO ELECTIONS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE UP AN IMMEDIATE TASK TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF NEXT YEAR’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A RECORD NUMBER OF VOTERS - 2.45 MILLION - HAVE BEEN REGISTERED.
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND $102 MILLION ON NEXT YEAR’S REGISTRATION EXERCISE AND $31 MILLION ON PROMOTING NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS.
ADDRESSING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID IN THE LAST RESORT, THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE ELECTIONS WOULD NOT DEPEND ON THE GOVERNMENT OR THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC MONEY IT SPENT ON THEM.
"THE ELECTIONS CAN ONLY BE COUNTED A SUCCESS IF WE END UP WITH A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHOSE MEMBERS COMMAND THE COMMUNITY’S RESPECT.
"HONG KONG WILL ACHIEVE THIS GOAL ONLY IF WE HAVE PUBLIC-SPIRITED MEN AND WOMEN OF THE RIGHT CALIBRE TO STAND FOR ELECTION AND IF THE POLITICAL PARTIES OFFER A GENUINE CHOICE OF BOTH INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES AND PARTY PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT IF HONG KONG PEOPLE WISHED THE INSTITUTIONS OF A FREE AND PLURAL SOCIETY TO SURVIVE, WHATEVER THE OCCASIONAL THREATS OF TURBULENCE, THEY WOULD DO SO.
'’CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN RUNNING THE COMMUNITY’S AFFAIRS, ARE HERE TO STAY."
/MR PATTEN .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 33 -
MR PATTEN BELIEVED A DECISIVE MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE ELECTED IN SEPTEMBER 1995 SERVE ITS FULL TERM THROUGH TO 1999.
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS STATED THAT THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CANNOT CONTINUE BEYOND JUNE 30, 1997 AND THAT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE NEW ELECTIONS.
"WE HAVE NEVER DISPUTED CHINA’S POWER TO DISSOLVE AND THEN RECONSTITUTE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1997.
"BUT WE HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT WE DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANY GOOD REASON TO DO SO.
"AS I SAY, WE REGRET THAT AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA ON THIS ISSUE WAS NOT POSSIBLE BUT THE TIME HAS COME TO DRAW A LINE UNDER THE DEBATE," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SETTLED HONG KONG’S ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS, THOUGH, ALAS, NOT BY AGREEMENT WITH CHINA.
THE COMMUNITY DECIDED THAT IT WANTED FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS AND CREDIBLE INSTITUTIONS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED INTO LAW THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS TO MEET THE COMMUNITY’S EXPECTATIONS.
"LAST MONTH’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WERE CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE COMMUNITY DOES VALUE ITS VIGOROUS AND CREDIBLE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS.
"THE ELECTIONS WERE HELD IN AN ORDERLY AND RESPONSIBLE FASHION. THEY DID NO DAMAGE TO HONG KONG’S STABILITY. QUITE THE REVERSE," HE SAID.
------0-------
PROSPERITY BUOYED BY ECONOMIC CHANGES IN CHINA *****
HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY DURING THE FIRST DECADE OF THE TRANSITION TO 1997 HAS BEEN BUOYED BY THE DRAMATIC CHANGES WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE IN CHINA, WHERE ECONOMIC MODERNISATION HAS CREATED A WEALTH OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE NOTED THAT:
♦ HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA HAS GROWN BY AN ASTOUNDING RATE OF OVER 500 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
♦ CHINA IS NOW HONG KONG’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, THE LARGEST MARKET FOR THE TERRITORY’S EXPORTS AND THE BIGGEST SUPPLIER OF THE TERRITORY’S IMPORTS.
/* CHINA IS ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 34 -
* CHINA IS NOW THE BIGGEST INVESTOR IN HONG KONG, AND HONG KONG IS THE BIGGEST INVESTOR IN CHINA.
MR PATTEN SAID THE MAIN THREAT TO THIS VITAL RELATIONSHIP HAD BEEN EXTERNAL, THE THREAT OF SANCTIONS OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS BEING IMPOSED ON CHINA.
"I DO NOT NEED TO REMIND THIS COUNCIL THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON’S BRAVE DECISION EARLIER THIS YEAR TO SEPARATE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION TRADING STATUS FROM NON-TRADE ISSUES WAS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG.
"ANYTHING WHICH DISRUPTS THE TRADING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS WOULD BE BAD NEWS FOR HONG KONG."
AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, HONG KONG BELIEVES THAT TRADE ISSUES SHOULD BE TACKLED STRICTLY ON THEIR OWN MERITS AND THAT THERE ARE OTHER, MORE EFFECTIVE AVENUES TO DISCUSS ISSUES SUCH AS HUMAN RIGHTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"WE SHALL GO ON DEVELOPING OUR TRADING LINKS WITH CHINA IN THE REMAINING YEARS OF THE TRANSITION AND HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH BRITAIN, WILL GO ON SUPPORTING CHINA’S RE-ENTRY TO THE GATT AND ITS RIGHT TO FOUNDER MEMBERSHIP IN THE GATT’S SUCCESSOR BODY, THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION.
"LET ME SAY AGAIN WHAT 1 HAVE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE. AN INCREASINGLY PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL CHINA IS GOOD NEWS FOR HONG KONG, GOOD NEWS FOR THE REGION, AND VERY GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD," HE SAID.
------0--------
DEVELOPING TIES WITH CHINA * * * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO THE TASK OF BUILDING UP THE RELATIONSHIPS OF ITS POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS WITH THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
VIRTUALLY EVERY PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION HAS DEVELOPED TIES WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN CHINA - THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER - AT BOTH THE CENTRAL AND THE LOCAL LEVELS, HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID AT THE FORMAL LEVEL, THE CONTINUING CONTACTS WERE BY NOW FAR TOO EXTENSIVE FOR HIM TO REPORT IN DETAIL TO THE COUNCIL.
OFFERING EXAMPLES OF THE MAIN CATEGORIES INTO WHICH THEY FELL, HE SAID:
♦ THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF CONTACTS BETWEEN POLICE, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS TO DEAL WITH CROSS-BORDER CRIME AND TO STRENGTHEN OUR SECURITY.
/* WE CO-OPERATE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 35 -
* WE CO-OPERATE CLOSELY ON BORDER-RELATED TRADE AND TRANSPORT MATTERS, INCLUDING AVIATION, RAIL AND ROAD TRAFFIC, POSTAL SERVICES, WATER SUPPLIES AND THE SAFETY OF FOOD IMPORTS ALL ESSENTIAL TO THE WELL-BEING AND CONVENIENCE OF THE COMMUNITY.
* WE HAVE ESTABLISHED BILATERAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SECURITIES MARKETS TO REINFORCE THE STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE REGULAR CONTACTS BETWEEN OUR BANKING AUTHORITIES.
* THERE IS A HOST OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES, SEMINARS AND BRIEFING VISITS TO ALLOW BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE ON A VAST VARIETY OF TOPICS, RANGING FROM AUDIT WORK TO FIREFIGHTING.
HE SAID: "THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THESE WORKING-LEVEL MEETINGS AND CONTACTS EVERY YEAR. THESE HAVE GIVEN OUR OWN OFFICIALS EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH THEIR CHINESE COLLEAGUES TO TACKLE PROBLEMS OF COMMON CONCERN. THIS IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
"THESE TIES WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP. THEY HAVE THE GREAT MERIT OF BEING A TRIED AND TESTED APPROACH, WITH OFFICIALS FROM BOTH SIDES WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO SHARED PROBLEMS.
"THE NEXT STAGE MUST BE TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FURTHER MEASURES TO EXPAND CONTACTS BETWEEN OUR CIVIL SERVICES IN PREPARATION FOR 1997," HE SAID.
------0--------
IMPRESSIVE RECORD SINCE 1984
*****
DECLARING THAT "HONG KONG IS A WINNER", THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WHATEVER INDICATORS ARE LOOKED AT, HONG KONG’S PERFORMANCE IN THE PAST DECADE HAS BEEN IMPRESSIVE, AND BY THE STANDARDS OF MOST OF THE DEVELOPED WORLD, IT HAS BEEN SPECTACULAR.
NOTING THAT 10 YEARS HAD PASSED SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, MR PATTEN SAID EXACTLY 1,000 DAYS REMAINED OF BRITISH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID: "WE ARE THUS THREE-QUARTERS OF THE WAY THROUGH THE TRANSITION, A GOOD MOMENT TO TAKE STOCK OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AND OF WHAT STILL REMAINS TO BE DONE.
"OUR FIRST DUTY, TO QUOTE FROM THE JOINT DECLARATION, HAS BEEN ’MAINTAINING AND PRESERVING THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY OF HONG KONG’.
"THIS PHRASE HAS BEEN QUOTED SO OFTEN IN THE PAST 10 YEARS THAT IT IS IN DANGER OF BECOMING A CLICHE."
/BITT BACK...........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 36 -
BUT BACK IN 1984, THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY LOOKED TO SOME LIKE A PRETTY TALL ORDER, MR PATTEN SAID.
"THERE WERE MANY WHO DOUBTED OUR ABILITY TO DISCHARGE THIS RESPONSIBILITY. THERE WERE DIRE PREDICTIONS OF ECONOMIC DISRUPTION AND EVEN OF SOCIAL DISORDER. THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF COMMENTATORS WHO LOOKED ON THE JOINT DECLARATION AS A DEAD-END, WHO REFUSED TO RECOGNISE THE RESILIENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEIR DETERMINATION TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES CREATED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"WELL, THOSE WHO PROPHESIED NOTHING BUT TROUBLE AHEAD, AND THOSE WHO PREDICTED THE PAINFUL DECLINE OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE, HAVE BEEN PROVED WRONG."
ON THE ECONOMY, MR PATTEN SAID THAT SINCE 1984:
* LIVING STANDARDS FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY HAVE IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY. TOTAL GDP HAS GROWN BY 79 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, AND IN TERMS OF GDP PER PERSON, WE NOW RANK 17TH IN THE WORLD INSTEAD OF 28TH, AS WE WERE IN 1984;
* THE VALUE OF OUR FOREIGN TRADE HAS INCREASED BY ABOUT 350 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. IN 1984, HONG KONG WAS THE 13TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY IN THE WORLD; WE ARE NOW EIGHTH AND RISING;
* WE HAVE MADE THE TRANSITION FROM A MANUFACTURING BASE TO AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE, WITH LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY RISING 54 PER CENT IN THE PROCESS. THE SERVICE SECTOR NOW GENERATES ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF OUR GDP AND PROVIDES 70 PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT.
MR PATTEN SAID THE INDICES OF SOCIAL STABILITY WERE JUST AS IMPRESSIVE AS THE ECONOMIC STATISTICS. SINCE 1984:
* REAL EARNINGS HAVE RISEN BY 66 PER CENT, WHILE UNEMPLOYMENT HAS FALLEN FROM ALMOST FOUR PER CENT TO UNDER TWO PER CENT;
* THE OVERALL CRIME RATE HAS FALLEN BY 10 PER CENT AND THE RATE OF VIOLENT CRIME BY SEVEN PER CENT;
* THE PROPORTION OF FLATS WHICH ARE OWNER-OCCUPIED HAS INCREASED FROM 31 PER CENT TO 48 PER CENT;
* THE PROPORTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP ABLE TO STUDY FOR A DEGREE HAS INCREASED FROM 3 PER CENT TO 18 PER CENT.
"I COULD REEL OFF A GREAT MANY MORE STATISTICS, BUT I WOULD ONLY BE TELLING HONOURABLE MEMBERS WHAT THEY KNOW ALREADY. THE PAST DECADE HAS BEEN ONE OF ASTONISHING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR HONG KONG. HONG KONG IS A WINNER," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
/37........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 37 -
NOT RIGHT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO ATTEND PWC MEETINGS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE DID NOT BELIEVE IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS TO ATTEND FORMAL MEETINGS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE OR ITS SUB-GROUPS.
HE NOTED THAT CIVIL SERVANTS DID HAVE CONTACTS NOT ONLY WITH CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BUT ALSO WITH MEMBERS OF OFFICIAL BODIES LIKE THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS, WITH HONG KONG AFFAIRS ADVISERS AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE.
ON CONTACTS WITH THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE, HE SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS DISTINCT FROM THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE. IT WAS NOT ONE OF THE INSTITUTIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION OR THE BASIC LAW; IT WAS AN ADVISORY BODY OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS.
"THERE IS THEREFORE NO FORMAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE.
"BUT, AS I HAVE SAID TO THIS COUNCIL BEFORE, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THERE CAN BE NO CONTACT.
"THERE IS NO BAN ON CONTACTS WITH PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THAT WOULD NOT BE SENSIBLE OR REALISTIC. HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ALREADY PROVIDE INFORMATION TO HONG KONG MEMBERS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE.
"I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT CONTACTS WILL CONTINUE AND WILL BE HELPFUL TO THESE MEMBERS IN PREPARING THEMSELVES FOR THEIR MEETINGS.
"I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS TO ATTEND FORMAL MEETINGS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE OR ITS SUB-GROUPS.
"THERE CAN BE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE WORK WHICH CAN ONLY TAKE PLACE BETWEEN THE TWO SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"BUT CONTACTS WITH THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE ALONG THE LINES I HAVE DESCRIBED ARE USEFUL AND I AM HAPPY FOR THEM TO TAKE PLACE," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/38........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- <38 -
JLG STILL HAS FORMIDABLE VOLUME OF WORK
*****
A FORMIDABLE VOLUME OF WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE . IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN THE 1,000 DAYS BEFORE 1997, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPRESS ON OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES THE URGENCY OF THE TASK AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH CHINA TO ACCOMPLISH THAT TASK,” HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE NEW BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, SIR LEONARD APPLEYARD, HAD CARRIED WITH HIM JUST SUCH A MESSAGE FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS POST IN PEKING LAST MONTH.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, HAD ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING NEW WAYS TO GIVE IMPETUS TO THE WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP DURING HIS MEETING WITH CHINA’S VICE-PREMIER, MR QIAN QICHEN, IN NEW YORK LAST WEEK.
"WE HAVE INDICATED TO THE CHINESE SIDE OUR WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE FURTHER WITH THEM WHETHER THERE ARE INFORMAL WAYS IN WHICH THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED, PERHAPS BY EXPANDING THE POOL OF EXPERTISE ON WHICH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP CAN DRAW.
"MEMBERS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE FOR EXAMPLE MAY BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROCESS. WE WOULD WELCOME THAT.
"WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT FAILURE TO SETTLE THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES BEFORE 1997 WILL COMPROMISE HONG KONG’S FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED TO PREVENT,” HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THERE WAS PRECIOUS LITTLE TO BE SAID FOR WASTING TIME AND BREATH ON PUBLIC RECRIMINATION ABOUT WHO WAS MOST TO BLAME FOR THE SNAIL’S PACE OF JOINT LIAISON GROUP WORK.
"WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS HONG KONG’S FUTURE. AND IT IS THAT WHICH IS THREATENED BY THE SLUGGISH PROGRESS MADE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. "
IT IS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO WILL PAY FOR A FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP’S AGENDA BY 1997, HE SAID.
"TO LEAVE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HONG KONG’S LAWS, UNCERTAINTY ABOUT RIGHTS OF RESIDENCE AND ABOUT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, UNCERTAINTY ABOUT AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS WILL DO NOTHING TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"IF HONG KONG IS TO GET OFF TO THE BEST POSSIBLE START AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AND TO CONTINUE TO MAKE A FULL CONTRIBUTION TO CHINA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE MUST REMOVE THESE UNCERTAINTIES."
--------0---------
/39 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 39 -
AIRPORT FINANCING STILL TO BE RESOLVED
* * * t *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SET OUT EXAMPLES OF ISSUES STILL TO BE RESOLVED IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
THOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SUCCESS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, MUCH MORE REMAINED TO BE DONE, AND MR PATTEN CITED THE FOLLOWING:
» AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS OF DISCUSSIONS ON OUR NEW AIRPORT SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE 1991 MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING, WE HAVE STILL NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONCLUDE AN AGREEMENT ON THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS. WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL, WE HAVE NEVERTHELESS ROLLED OUR SLEEVES UP AND GOT ON WITH THE JOB OF BUILDING AN AIRPORT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.
* DESPITE YEARS OF TALKS, THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS MADE ONLY LIMITED PROGRESS ON THE REMAINING AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL ALLOW THE WORLD’S AIRLINES TO FLY TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997.
* WE NEED TO ’EASE CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY BY REACHING AGREEMENTS ON THE RIGHT OF ABODE. WE ALSO NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE MAXIMISE THE EASE AND FREEDOM OF TRAVEL OF HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE.
(
* WE HAVE STILL NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 FOR REASONS WHICH HAVE WORRYING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR BUSINESS. WHILE WE MARK TIME ON THIS PROJECT, THE SHIPPING BUSINESS GOES ELSEWHERE.
» WE HAVE MADE ONLY SLOW PROGRESS ON THE VITAL ISSUES OF THE LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS. THE LOCALISATION OF SOME 89 UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS STILL NEEDS TO BE AGREED, AND WE WILL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THE 600 LOCAL ORDINANCES AND 1000 PIECES OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION IN THE ADAPTATION EXERCISE. AND WE HAVE TO TAKE FORWARD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES HAD HELD 30 PLENARY MEETINGS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND HUNDREDS OF MEETINGS AT EXPERT LEVEL.
AMONG THE SUCCESSES OF THE PAST DECADE, THE TWO SIDES HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT:
* ON DEFENCE LANDS, UNDER WHICH 140 HECTARES OF LAND WORTH UP TO $65 BILLION WILL BE RELEASED TO THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE MORE HOUSING, SCHOOLS, PARKS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES;
» ON A COMMON APPROACH TO EIGHT IMPORTANT FRANCHISES, CONTRACTS AND LICENCES WHICH WILL CONTINUE BEYOND 1997, INCLUDING THE SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS FOR OUR TWO POWER COMPANIES;
/* ON HONG..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
40
» ON HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN 29 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE GATT;
* ON THE CONTINUED APPLICATION TO HONG KONG OF 161 MULTILATERAL TREATIES;
* ON LOCALISING 56 UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS COVERING SUCH TOPICS AS SHIPPING AND AVIATION; AND
* ON NINE INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS.
"I THINK THIS PARTIAL CATALOGUE OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED DEMONSTRATES THAT WE ALREADY HAVE THE NECESSARY DIPLOMATIC MACHINERY TO HANDLE COMPLEX AND SOMETIMES CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.
"THE EXAMPLES I HAVE QUOTED ALSO SHOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING NECESSARY TO CEMENT IN PLACE THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AFTER 1997," HE SAID.
------------0-------- A FRAMEWORK FOR CO-OPERATION *****
A "SENSIBLE AND REASONABLE FRAMEWORK" FOR MUTUAL CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OVER THE NEXT 1,000 DAYS WAS OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE ALONE CANNOT ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION. THIS WILL REQUIRE THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
NEITHER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT NOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT BY THEMSELVES CAN ENSURE COMPLETION OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP’S FORMIDABLE AGENDA, HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN SAID HOW CO-OPERATION MIGHT BE ENHANCED WAS A MAJOR SOURCE OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, AND THE CHINESE VICE-PREMIER, MR QIAN QICHEN, IN NEW YORK LAST WEEK.
THE PRACTICAL APPROACH ADOPTED SOUGHT TO CREATE THE MOST CONSTRUCTIVE BASIS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT AND FOR SECURING HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS.
IT WAS A HONG KONG APPROACH TO A HONG KONG PROBLEM. HE SAID:
* FIRST, WHEN THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS ESTABLISHES THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE IN 1996, WE WILL WANT TO BE IN A POSITION TO GIVE, TN AN AGREED WAY, THE IMMEDIATE AND PRACTICAL HELP THAT THE COMMITTEE MAY REQUIRE IN ITS WORK OF PREPARING FOR THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION’S FUTURE GOVERNMENT.
* WHEN THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE IS CHOSEN, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS READY TO PROVIDE EVERY POSSIBLE SUPPORT TO THIS OFFICIAL IN PREPARING TO TAKE UP RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG’S ADMINISTRATION IN 1997.
/* THE HONG.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
41
* THF, HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO OFFER WHATEVER ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAY BE DESIGNATED AS FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OR AS PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS OF THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
GOVERNMENT.
* IN 1997, THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY WILL ASSUME
RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG’S DEFENCE. IN THE MEANTIME, THE OUTGOING BRITISH GARRISON WILL OFFER ITS FULL CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE MILITARY AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE A SMOOTH HANDOVER OF DEFENCE RESPONSIBILITIES.
» WE SHALL ALSO BE HAPPY TO BEGIN DISCUSSIONS WHENEVER CHINA WISHES TO DO SO ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CEREMONIES TO MARK IN AN APPROPRIATELY DIGNIFIED WAY THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997.
MR PATTEN SAID THESE MEASURES WERE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO DOING EVERYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO GIVE THE NEW ADMINISTRATION THE BEST POSSIBLE START.
BEFORE OUTLINING HIS FRAMEWORK, MR PATTEN SAID THAT IN THE EFFORTS TO SECURE CLOSER CO-OPERATION, HE KNEW THAT THE COUNCI I , AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, HOPED THAT "WE WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK BEYOND THE AGENDA OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP".
"I APPROACH THE SEARCH FOR GREATER CO-OPERATION WITH THE SAME PRACTICAL ATTITUDE.
"OUR EXPERIENCE DURING THE 10 YEARS SINCE 1984 PLAINLY SHOWS THAT WHENEVER HONG KONG HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET ON WITH THE JOB, Wf- HA\ E ACHIEVED OUTSTANDING RESULTS, AS I HAVE ALREADY DESCRIBED IN SOME DETAIL THIS AFTERNOON.
"HONG KONG’S PERFORMANCE HAS ONLY BEEN LESS IMPRESSIVE WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN PROTRACTED DISCUSSIONS ON STRAIGHTFORWARD ISSUES WHICH OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN DECIDED PROMPTLY ON THEIR FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC MERITS.
"SO WHAT MORE CAN WE DO TO ACHIEVE THE RATE OF PROGRESS WE NEED TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE TRANSITION? FOR ITS PART, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE AVAILABLE WHATEVER RESOURCES ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT AND SPEED UP THE WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
------U--------
GOOD START FINANCIALLY FOR SAR » » « » »
THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY ASSURED OF A GOOD START IN FINANCIAL TERMS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RI HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID IT HAD BEEN FORECAST IN THE LAST BUDGET THAT THE FISCAL RESERVES WOULD BE $120 BILLION AT THE END OF 1996-97.
/THE FISCAL .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 42 -
THE FISCAL RESERVES, TOGETHER WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND’S ASSETS, WILL OF COURSE BE HANDED OVER IN 1997.
"WE ARE PREPARED TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN IDENTIFYING THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH THESE ASSETS WILL BE TRANSFERRED IN 1997.
"IN ADDITION, WE WILL PREPARE A LIST OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S PROPERTY ASSETS FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO LAY FIRM FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE ADMINISTRATION IN FRAMING ITS CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANS. IT MAKES NO SENSE TO DRAFT PLANS FOR HONG KONG'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT IN ISOLATION FROM GUANGDONG AND THE REST OF CHINA.
"WE WILL BE RESPONDING TO VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS TO IMPROVE THE ARRANGEMENTS ALREADY IN PLACE FOR COOPERATION ON THESE MATTERS.
"WE ENTIRELY AGREE THAT STRENGTHENING CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION ON INFRASTRUCTURE IS SENSIBLE AND BENEFICIAL TO BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO NEEDED TO HAVE CONSULTATIONS ON THE 1997-98 BUDGET.
"IN THIS PROCESS, WE WILL OFFER EVERY CO-OPERATION TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO AVOID DISRUPTION AND CONFUSION ON 1ST JULY 1997. TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG’S PEOPLE," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN ADDED: "THE CLOSER WE GET TO THE 1ST JULY 1997, THE CLOSER OUR MUTUAL INTEREST IN SECURING THE GOOD GOVERNMENT OF THE TERRITORY. WE CANNOT SIMPLY SAY, ’FROM NOW UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON 30TH JUNE 1997, WE TAKE THE DECISIONS, AND AFTER THAT, IT IS UP TO THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT’.
• "WE ARE NOT HANDING OVER A BATON; WE ARE HANDING OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIVES AND THE WELFARE OF HONG KONG’S PEOPLE. WE ARE HANDING OVER THE GOVERNMENT OF A GROWING, BUSTLING, THRIVING COMMUNITY.
"IT IS A MATTER OF COMMON SENSE AND GOOD ORDER FOR US TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE AND THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE HAVE ALL THE HELP THEY NEED TO HANDLE A DIFFICULT JOB WITH THE SKILL AND COMPETENCE WHICH I AM SURE THEY WILL DISPLAY. WE WILL BE PLEASED TO GIVE THEM EVERY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE."
THE GOVERNOR SAID: "AFTER ALL, THOUGH IT IS THE LAST 1,000 DAYS OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG, IT IS FAR FROM BEING THE LAST 1,000 DAYS OF HONG KONG.
"THE SUN SETS, AND THE SUN RISES."
/43........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
43
HONOURABLE, SENSIBLE CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA
*****
EVERYTHING THAT IS HONOURABLE AND SENSIBLE WILL BE DONE TO COOPERATE WITH CHINA FOR THE REMAINING 1,000 DAYS OF BRITISH RULE IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
CONCLUDING HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS, HE SAID CO-OPERATION, HOWEVER, WAS NOT A ONE-WAY STREET; NOR WAS SINCERITY TO BE JUDGED BY WHETHER ONE PARTY ALWAYS AGREED WITH THE OTHER.
"THAT IS NOT WHAT THE REAL WORLD IS LIKE. CO-OPERATION MUST MEAN EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS, WORKING TOGETHER: IN THIS CASE, WORKING TOGETHER IN HONG KONG’S INTERESTS, PUTTING BEHIND US PAST DIFFERENCES AND FOCUSING, INSTEAD, ON HOW TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HE HAD HEARD CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY THAT ENSURING THE PROSPERITY AND FUTURE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG WAS FOR THEM A TREMENDOUS AND HISTORIC TASK. HE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THEIR COMMITMENT, NOT LEAST FOR REASONS OF HISTORY AND PATRIOTISM, TO THE SUCCESS OF THAT TASK.
"WHATEVER OUR DISAGREEMENTS, WHATEVER OUR DIFFERENCES OF PERCEPTION AND BACKGROUND, WHATEVER THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND THE MISTRUST, I URGE THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE, TOO, ARE SIMILARLY COMMITTED,” HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HE HAD TRIED TO PROVIDE A CANDID ASSESSMENT NOT ONLY OF SUCCESSES BUT ALSO OF THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM NOT COMPLETING THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP’S AGENDA BY 1997 AND FROM FAILING TO PRESS ON WITH THE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES THAT WOULD MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG BEYOND 1997.
"IT WILL BE IN NO ONE’S INTERESTS IF THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT RESOLVED, NOT IN BRITAIN’S, NOT IN HONG KONG’S, NOT, IF I MAY SAY SO, IN CHINA’S."
HE SAID: "WE ARE NOT ARROGANT ABOUT HONG KONG’S ROLE IN CHINA OR THE REGION. NO ONE SHOULD IMAGINE THAT HONG KONG IS INDISPENSABLE TO THE WELL-BEING OF A VAST NATION LIKE CHINA. NOR IS HONG KONG INDISPENSABLE TO CHINA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DESPITE THE IMPORTANT PART PLAYED BY HONG KONG TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE MODERNISATION PROCESS.
"BUT WE CANNOT FORGET THAT THIS REMARKABLE TERRITORY, WITH A DYNAMIC POPULATION OF ONLY SIX MILLION, DOES REPRESENT ABOUT A QUARTER OF CHINA’S GDP.
"GIVEN THE CHANCE, HONG KONG HAS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997. IT IS, I AM SURE, THE EARNEST HOPE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THEY BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THAT CONTRIBUTION.
/"AS THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
- 44 -
"AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTING SOVEREIGN POWER, I AM WELL AWARE THAT WE WILL BE JUDGED IN PART BY WHETHER THAT AMBITION, THAT HOPE, IS SATISFIED."
MR PATTEN ADDED: "NO ONE SERIOUSLY ARGUES THAT WE HAVE GOVERNED HONG KONG BADLY. WHY HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE COME? AND HOW HAVE SO MANY PROSPERED?
"WE HAVE NOT CARRIED OUT OUR DUTY IN THE PAST ONLY TO DESTROY AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR ALL THAT HAS BEEN CREATED. THAT WOULD BE AN ACT OF SUBLIME AND SELF-DEFEATING FOLLY. WE HAVE A STAKE HERE - YES, A STAKE IN THE COMMERCIAL SENSE, BUT ALSO A STAKE IN PEOPLE AND A STAKE IN HONOUR. THIS IS PART OF OUR HISTORY, TOO.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE TASK WAS MOMENTOUS FOR CHINA AND FOR BRITAIN.
"THAT IS PART OF OUR SHARED INTEREST - THE FOREIGN SECRETARY’S WORDS - OUR SHARED INTEREST IN A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION. WHAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING (WE CANNOT FORGET THIS) IS HUGELY DIFFICULT. THE WORLD WATCHES to SFR WHETHER WE SUCCEED OR FAIL. WE WILL BOTH BE JUDGED BY THE OUTCOME.
"ABOVE ALL, WE WILL BE JUDGED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE DESTINY WE NOW HOLD IN OUR HANDS. THEY WILL NOT FORGIVE US - BRITAIN OR CHINA - IF WE FAIL."
MR PATTEN SAID HE HOPED FOR SUCCESS AND PRAYED FOR SUCCESS.
"I WILL WORK FOR SUCCESS WITH ALL WHO SHARE MY BELIEF AND MY CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG."
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER
PATTEN’S QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY)......................................... 1
GOVERNOR MEETS TERTIARY STUDENTS........................... 15
PROPOSALS BY GOVERNOR OFFERED WITH GOODWILL AND SINCERITY.................................................. 31
TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION......... 32
CS TO VISIT CANADA AND U.S................................ 33
STI URGES EARLY RATIFICATION OF URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT.... 34
STI IN JAKARTA............................................. 35
CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND................................ 36
TRIBUNAL INQUIRES INTO SHARES DEALING OF PIIL.............. 38
VISA APPLICATION PROCEDURE TO BE SIMPLIFIED................ 39
/MERCHANT JAILED
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
MERCHANT JAILED AND FINED FOR TAX EVASION..................... 40
S FOR WORKS ON AIRPORT PROJECT................................ 40
ACP CONTRACT AWARDED FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER......... 41
MORE PEOPLE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HK’S PROSPERITY: POLL....... 42
HONG KONG FILM EXHIBITION IN THE U.S.......................... 42
BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL TO CLOSE............................ 43
NAVAL' BASIN HOSTS FINAL VISITORS............................. 44
BUS PARADE TO PUBLICISE BEATING RETREAT....................... 45
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS....... 46
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) *****
DR DAVID LI: SIR, YOU HAVE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF
COMPETITIVENESS TO THE FUTURE GROWTH OF HONG KONG ECONOMY. IN THIS
CONTEXT THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE HONG KONG SERVICE INDUSTRY TO GDP HAS
SURGED FROM 60 PER CENT IN 1970 TO 72 PER CENT IN 1972. THE RESULT OF
A RECENT SURVEY OF COALITION OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES SURVEY REACHED A CLEAR CONSENSUS ON THE NEED TO PROMOTE OUR SERVICE INDUSTRIES ABROAD. SIR, WOULD YOU INFORM THIS COUNCIL WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN FOR OUR PLAN TO PROMOTE OUR SERVICE INDUSTRY INTERNATIONALLY TO THE ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: I’M GRATEFUL TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR THAT QUESTION
BECAUSE IT ENABLES ME TO ADVERTISE THAT OVER THE NEXT WEEK A NUMBER OF OUR SECRETARIES WILL BE SETTING OUT IN DETAIL THE VISION MISSION STATEMENTS OF THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND IN THAT ENTERPRISE WE WILL OF COURSE BE HEARING FROM THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER SECRETARIES WHO WILL BE ADDRESSING PRECISELY THE ISSUE WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER RAISED.
PERHAPS I CAN JUST SAY A FURTHER WORD ABOUT THE POLICY COMMITMENTS DOCUMENT WHICH CAME OUT YESTERDAY AND WHICH I’M SURE BY NOW ALL HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO READ, ALL 184 PAGES OF IT. STARTING FROM TOMORROW WITH A PRESS CONFERENCE FROM THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF PRESS CONFERENCES OVER THE NEXT 10 DAYS BY SECRETARIES. AND THEY ARE TAKING NEXT THURSDAY OFF BECAUSE IT IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, BUT OTHERWISE EVERY DAY ONE, TWO, OR MORE SECRETARIES WILL BE SPEAKING ABOUT OUR POLICIES FOR THE THE NEXT YEAR, AND THAT WILL INCLUDE NEXT TUESDAY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES. THE POINT THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS RAISED, HAS OF COURSE BEEN RAISED BY OTHERS, NOT LEAST IN HIS OWN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY WHO’VE POINTED OUT THAT THE TDC HAS A SPECIFIC ROLE RELATED TO LARGELY IN THE PAST TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THAT THAT WORK SHOULD EMBRACE THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR AND THE SERVICE SECTOR AS A WHOLE. I’M WHOLLY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT IDEA, I THINK IT MAKES A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SENSE. WHILE MANUFACTURING REMAINS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR ECONOMY, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT WE MADE YESTERDAY ABOUT LAND FOR FURTHER INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, THE SERVICE SECTOR IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST AND IT DESERVES THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVE SUPPORT IN SELLING THE SERVICE SECTOR TO THE REGION AND TO THE WORLD.
MR ALLEN LEE: MR PRESIDENT, A QUESTION FOR THE GOVERNOR. WITH REGARD TO THE GUIDELINES ON THE PART OF CO-OPERATING WITH THE PWC HE HAS ALREADY SPELT THE STAND CLEARLY. NOW ON PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, WILL THE CIVIL SERVANTS BY ALLOWED TO HAVE TALKS WITH PWC AS A COMMITTEE AND NOT AS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PWC ON TRANSITIONAL MATTERS? WILL THE CIVIL SERVANTS BE WORRIED THAT IF THEY TAKE A WRONG STEP THEY MAY BE REPRIMANDED BY THE GOVERNMENT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 19^4
2
GOVERNOR: CHIEF SECRETARY THIS MORNING IN AN EXTREMELY ELOQUENT SPEECH SET OUT IN RATHER GREATER DETAIL OUR VIEWS ON CONTACTS WITH THE PWC. SHE SET OUT THE GUIDELINES THAT WE ARE INCORPORATING IN A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS SO THAT CIVIL SERVANTS ARE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE SITUATION IS. AND I THINK THE POSITION THAT WE HAVE SPELT OUT IS WHOLLY REASONABLE. WHAT WE HAVE SAID IS THAT WE DON’T THINK IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO BE MEMBERS OF THE PWC OR ITS SUB-GROUPS TO ACT AS ADVISERS? TO THE PWC OR ITS SUB-GROUPS OR TO BE SUMMONED TO FORMAL MEETINGS OF THE PWC OR ITS SUB-GROUPS, BUT WE ARE WHOLLY RELAXED ABOUT CIVIL SERVANTS BRIEFING INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PWC. THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON ALREADY. IT WILL DOUBTLESS CONTINUE, AND I HOPE HELP THE PWC IN ANY WORK IT DOES RELATING TO TRANSITION ISSUES.
THE PWC IS AN ADVISORY BODY TO THE NPC, WHEN IT WAS SET UP SOME PEOPLE SAID IT WAS MEANT TO HELP SMOOTH THE TRANSITION; OTHER PEOPLE SAID IT WAS MEANT TO ERODE THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT. I’M SURE THAT THE LATTER CAN’T HAVE BEEN IN ANYBODY’S MIND, BUT I’M SURE THAT THIS COUNCIL WOULDN’T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE THE JLC; WE’LL HAVE IN DUE COURSE THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE; AND WE HAVE TODAY’S INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT WITH CIVIL SERVANTS REPORTING TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND RECEIVING DIRECTIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. I DON’T THINK ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO MUDDY OR COMPLICATE THAT ISSUE. SO THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL BE MAKING THE POSITION ABSOLUTELY CLEAR IN THE GUIDELINES THAT I MENTIONED. I THINK THAT WILL BE WELL RECEIVED BY OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. AND I HOPE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE PWC WILL FIND ANY BRIEFINGS THEY GET FROM TIME TO TIME FROM MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE EXTREMELY USEFUL IN THEIR WORK.
MR MARTIN LEE: MR GOVERNOR, WITH REGARD TO YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, ONE THING IS MISSING. IT IS ALSO OMITTED FROM THE OTHER DOCUMENTS. I AM REFERRING TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE. NOW, IN THE FIRST YEAR YOU SEPARATED THE TWO; WILL THE SEPARATION CONTINUE UNTIL 1997? BECAUSE IF THAT IS THE CASE IT VIOLATES THE STIPULATIONS OF THE BASIC LAW. THE BASIC LAW SAYS THAT SOME LEGCO MEMBERS SHOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE EXCO. HAVE YOU MADE A DECISION ON THIS POINT YET? IF NOT, WHEN WILL YOU MAKE A DECISION? BECAUSE IN MY OPINION, BEFORE THE 1995 ELECTIONS, YOU SHOULD INFORK THE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES WHAT YOUR DECISION WILL BE. WE CANNOT STALL ON THIS MATTER.
GOVERNOR: I POINT OUT TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SOMETHING WHICH HE KNOWS EVEN BETTER THAN I DO, THAT IS, THAT THE BASIC LAW APPLIES AFTER THE 1ST OF JULY 1997 RATHER THAN BEFORE. THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT I MADE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE AUTUMN OF 1992 WASN’T ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF THE EXECUTIVE FROM THE LEGISLATURE; THAT EXISTS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT I MADE WAS THAT I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS RIGHT AT THAT STAGE OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT TO HAVE DUAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATURE. I ALSO SAID THAT OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD NEED TO REVIEW THE SITUATION IN DUE COURSE, MOST OBVIOUSLY AT THE TIME OF THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS OR SHORTLY AFTERWARDS AND THAT REMAINS MY POSITION. I’M SURE THAT OVER THE NEXT YEAR WE WILL HEAR MANY DIFFERENT VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE SUBJECT. I HAPPEN TO THINK THAT THE PRESENT SITUATION, GIVEN HONG KONG’S UNIQUE CONSTITUTION, WORKS REASONABLY WELL. I PUT FORWARD AT ONE STAGE OTHER PROPOSALS FOR TRYING TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATURE WHICH THE LEGISLATURE WASN’T TOO KEEN ON BUT WE ARE ALWAYS PREPARED TO CONSIDER OTHER IDEAS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE NEXT LEGCO ELECTIONS.
/MR MARTIN LEE: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
3
MR MARTIN LEE: MR GOVERNOR, I THINK THAT’S RATHER UNFAIR. YOU WAIT TILL THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER BEFORE YOU COME TO A DECISION. THIS WILL BE UNFAIR TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND TO THE CANDIDATES. YOU SHOULD TELL THEM IN ADVANCE BEFORE THE ELECTIONS OR PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT YOU WILL SEE WHO WILL WIN IN THE ELECTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL APPOINT THEM TO EXCO. SO YOU SHOULD NOT COME TO A DECISION AFTER THE ELECTIONS; YOU SHOULD DECIDE BEFORE THE ELECTIONS AND YOU SHOULD TELL ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT YOUR DECISION.
GOVERNOR: I’LL BEAR IN MIND THAT ARGUMENT. I CAN SEE THE FORCE OF WHAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SAYS, THOUGH THERE ARE OF COURSE ARGUMENTS ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL.
MR JAMES TIEN: GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YESTERDAY, YOU MENTIONED HOW THE EXPANSION OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE BUSINESS AND ECONOMY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR LONG TERM FUTURE. ON THAT SIDE YOU MENTIONED THINGS LIKE YOU’RE SETTING ASIDE 70 HECTARES OF NEW LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USE - I ASSUME IT’S THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN JUNK BAY AND SO FORTH - AND YOU ALSO MENTIONED SOMETHING LIKE THE $50 MILLION APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE. HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER HAND WE SEE THE CURRENT STATISTICS AS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED DOWN TO 1.6 PER CENT AND INFLATION EDGING UP. SO GOVERNOR, MAY I ASK YOU, AS A : EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT, WOULD YOU CONSIDER INCREASING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CURRENT 25,000 IMPORTED LABOUR TO LET’S SAY 50,000, IN VIEW OF ALL THE POINTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE?
GOVERNOR: NO, I WOULDN’T CONSIDER A UNILATERAL INCREASE OF THAT DIMENSIONS AND I SUSPECT THAT IF I PUT ONE FORWARD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD FIND A LOT OF REASONS FOR OBJECTING TO IT. I THINK IT IS SOMETIMES IMPORTANT TO LOOK NOT JUST AT THE SIZE OF THE IMPORT SCHEME AND THE VARIOUS OTHER IMPORT SCHEMES, FOR EXAMPLE THE VERY SENSIBLE PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED TO ALLOW GRADUATES FROM CHINESE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO COME AND WORK IN AREAS OF THEIR EXPERTISE IN HONG KONG, I THINK IT IS SOMETIMES IMPORTANT TO LOOK BEYOND THOSE SCHEMES TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE LABOUR MARKET. I BELIEVE I AM RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THE SIZE OF THE LABOUR MARKET WENT UP BY ALMOST THREE PER CENT LAST YEAR AND IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR WENT UP BY THREE-AND-A-HALF PER CENT. THAT’S WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE LABOUR MARKET AND THANKS TO THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY - AND I SHOULD HAVE PERHAPS SAID THIS TO THOSE WHO WERE LOBBYING ME OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING WHEN I CAME IN - THANKS TO THE STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY, EVEN THOUGH WE’VE SEEN THAT INCREASE IN LABOUR SUPPLY OVER THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF, WE’VE ALSO SEEN A FALL IN UNEMPLOYMENT.
SO, I THINK THAT PEOPLE LIKE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND MYSELF HAVE TO GET ACROSS AS FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE TO THOSE WHO CRITICISE ANY IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, THE FACT THAT IMPORTING LABOUR CAN AND VERY OFTEN DOES MAKE OUR ECONOMY EVEN STRONGER AND EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE. BUT I REPEAT THAT I DON’T THINK THAT I’LL BE IN THE BUSINESS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS OF PROPOSING UNILATERALLY A DOUBLING IN THE SIZE OF THE LABOUR IMPORT SCHEME, THOUGH THERE WILL BE PARTICULAR MEASURES THAT WE’LL WANT TO LOOK AT, LIKE THE IMPACT OF LARGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ON OUR LABOUR MARKET AND THE NEED THEREFORE TO BRING IN WORKERS FOR PARTICULAR PROJECTS LIKE THAT.
MR JAMES TIEN: GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU THINK THAT THE 1.6 PER CENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AS NOW WILL BE ACCEPTABLE FOR OUR FUTURE MANPOWER CONSTRAINT FOR OUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT?
/GOVERNOR; .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 199,4
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, I THINK A LEVEL OF 1.6 PER CENT UNEMPLOYMENT WOULD BE GREETED BY MOST OF THE REST OF THE WORLD WITH LYRICAL SURPRISE. I THINK THE REST OF THE WORLD WOULD BE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT A RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH KEYNES WOULD HAVE DEFINED, I THINK, AS FULL EMPLOYMENT.
SECONDLY, I THINK THERE ARE LABOUR MARKET RESTRAINTS WHICH WE NEED TO HAVE TO ADDRESS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, PARTLY THROUGH IMPORTATION, PARTLY THROUGH IMPORTING SPECIAL SKILLS, PARTLY THROUGH BETTER EDUCATION, PARTLY THROUGH BETTER VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PARTLY - AND I PUT CONSIDERABLE EMPHASIS ON THIS AND HAVE DONE SO WHEN I HAVE SPOKEN TO TRADE UNION MEMBERS SUCH AS MR PANG AND OTHERS WHO HAVE COME TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS - PARTLY THROUGH RETRAINING WHICH I THINK WE’VE MADE MUCH PROGRESS OVER IN THE LAST YEARS, BUT HAVE TO DO EVEN BETTER WITH.
MR MICHAEL HO: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR THIS QUESTION. LAST YEAR IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU PROMISED THAT BETWEEN 1995 AND 1998, IN THIS UPGC TRIENNIUM, YOU WILL PROVIDE 160 DEGREE NURSING PLACES. NOW THESE PLACES SHOULD BE PROVIDED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE OF COURSE, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE WORKFORCE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THIS MORNING I RECEIVED SOME INFORMATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SAYING THAT THE UPGC SAYS THAT THE ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WILL ONLY TAKE PLACE IN 1996. BUT THEN THEY SAY THAT IN FACT THEY CAN HAVE ADMISSION OF STUDENTS AS EARLY AS IN 1995. SO HOW WILL YOU INSTRUCT YOUR GOVERNMENT AND THE UPGC NOT TO WASTE TIME AND TO TRY TO INTRODUCE THESE COURSES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE?
YOUR GOVERNMENT, LAST YEAR, ALLOCATED $1.1 BILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND THIS YEAR WE ARE TOLD THAT YOU WILL USE $1.2 BILLION TO BUILD THE TSEUNG KWAN O HOSPITAL. YOU ONLY NEED A FEW MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE NURSING DEGREE PROGRAMMES, WHAT ARE THE DIFFICULTIES? IS THERE A PROBLEM OF CO-ORDINATION?
GOVERNOR: I WILL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THE QUESTION THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER RAISED ABOUT DEGREE COURSES FOR NURSING. I RECOGNISE HIS INTEREST IN AND EXPERTISE IN THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT AND HIS REQUEST THAT WE SHOULD BOTH IMPROVE NURSE TRAINING AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NURSES AND MAKE SURE THAT A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THE CONTENT OF NURSE TRAINING IS IN THE LECTURE ROOM WITH PERHAPS SLIGHTLY LESS BEING SPENT ON THE WARD, ALL THOSE POINTS WE HAVE TAKEN IN GOOD PART AND ARE SEEKING TO IMPLEMENT. I THINK THAT IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO RECRUIT MORE NURSES NOT JUST TO REPLACE THOSE WHO LEAVE US - SOME, ALAS, TO EMIGRATE - BUT ALSO TO ADD ABSOLUTELY TO THE NUMBERS. AND THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF NURSES BY 500 A YEAR ON TOP OF ANY REPLACEMENTS WE NEED FOR WASTAGE.
THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL ALSO KNOW, AS I HAVE MENTIONED, THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GIVE NURSES A BIT MORE TIME IN THE CLASSROOM AND THAT WE ARE ALSO ATTEMPTING TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE SOME OF THE, AS IT WERE, NON-MEDICAL ROUTINE TAKEN OUT OF THEIR JOB BY THE EMPLOYMENT OF OTHER MEDICAL AUXILIARIES. BUT THE PARTICULAR POINT ON DEGREE COURSES THAT HE MENTIONED CERTAINLY HAD NOT BEEN RAISED WITH ME BEFORE BUT I WILL LOOK INTO IT AND GIVE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER A REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/MR VINCENT CHENG: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 5 -
MR VINCENT CHENG: THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. GOVERNOR, IN THE CURRENT TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, THE CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE THE UNENVIABLE TASK OF DEFENDING POLICIES WITH WHICH CHINA DOES NOT WHOLLY AGREE. NOW, WHAT MEASURES CAN YOU, SIR, PUT IN TO ENSURE THAT THESE FINE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE CAUGHT IN THE CROSS-FIRE BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE HONG KONG AS A CIVIL SERVANT AFTER 1997?
GOVERNOR: CAN I SAY STRAIGHTAWAY THAT I DON’T SEE PRESENT ARGUMENTS AS BEING A TUG-OF-WAR, THOUGH I RECOGNISE THAT IF THERE ISN'T A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP IT MAKES THE TASK OF OUR EXTREMELY FINE CIVIL SERVICE ALL THE MORE DIFFICULT. THE CIVIL SERVICE DO REQUIRE REASSURANCES ABOUT THE FUTURE. THEY DO IN SOME CASES NEED TO BE CONVINCED THAT THEY CAN, TO BORROW A PHRASE, PUT THEIR MINDS AT REST. I THINK IT IS REASONABLE TO SAY THAT CIVIL SERVANTS HAVEN’T PRESSED FOR A PENSION FUND BECAUSE THEY ARE WORRIED THAT THEIR PENSION WON’T BE HONOURED BEFORE 1997. I DON’T THINK THAT CIVIL SERVANTS BELIEVE THAT THEIR TASK IS GOING TO BE POLITICISED BEFORE 1997 OR THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CHOSEN ON OTHER THAN MERIT BEFORE 1997. SO I THINK THAT IT IS INCUMBENT UPON BOTH CHINESE OFFICIALS AND OURSELVES TO MAKE SURE THAT CIVIL SERVANTS RECOGNISE THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS GOING TO BE RUN ON THE SAME BASIS OF PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY IN THE FUTURE AS IT HAS BEEN RUN IN THE PAST.
I THINK THAT WHEN INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS WHO HAVE DONE THEIR BEST FOR HONG KONG ARE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC ATTACK AND PRIVATE INNUENDO, IT IS EXTREMELY BAD FOR THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THIS TERRITORY, AND THAT IS BEFORE AND AFTER 1997. AND I SUSPECT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER KNOWS EXAMPLES OF EXACTLY WHAT I’VE SAID. PEOPLE VERY OFTEN SAY, AND THEY ARE RIGHT SO TO DO, THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR HONG KONG’S OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IS THE QUALITY OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE. AND THAT ISN’T JUST A QUESTION OF INTELLIGENCE AND INCORRUPTABILITY, IT IS ALSO A QUESTION OF PROMOTION ON MERIT AND OF KNOWING PRECISELY WHO YOU ARE WORKING FOR. THE CIVIL SERVICE IN HONG KONG IS WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE SHOULDN’T PERSONALISE ISSUES. CIVIL SERVANTS ARE LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT SERVES THE PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO ACCOUNTABLE, IT HAS TO BE SAID, TO THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I JUST HOPE THAT THESE MATTERS ARE AS WIDELY UNDERSTOOD AS THEY SHOULD BE BECAUSE IF THEY ARE NOT WIDELY UNDERSTOOD, HONG KONG WILL SUFFER, AS WELL AS VERY FINE INDIVIDUAL MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES TO THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THIS COMMUNITY.
IF I CAN JUST ADD ONE OTHER THING. I HOPE THAT AS WELL AS LISTENING WITH PERHAPS PRIVATE AGREEMENT TO THE REMARKS I HAVE JUST MADE, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL MAKE THE SAME POINTS BOTH PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY IN HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE BECAUSE THOSE ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINTS AND RELATE DIRECTLY TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THIS COMMUNITY.
/MRS MIRIAM LAU: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
6
MRS MIRIAM LAU: IT WAS STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL DISCUSS WITH CHINESE AUTHORITIES PRACTICAL MEASURES TO DEVELOP CO-OPERATION IN, INTER ALIA, THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG, I BELIEVE YOU RECALL THAT. CAN YOU TELL THIS COUNCIL MR GOVERNOR, FIRSTLY, WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN ANY SUCH DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA VIS-A-VIS TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE? SECONDLY, WHAT PRACTICAL MEASURES HAVE YOU COME UP WITH TO DEVELOP COOPERATION WITH CHINA IN THE AREA OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AFFECTING HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG? AND FINALLY, IF NO SUCH CO-OPERATION AS IS HOPED FOR IS DEVELOPED WITH CHINA, HOW IS THIS GOING TO AFFECT MAJOR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NORTH-WEST RAILWAY?
GOVERNOR: IN MY STATEMENT YESTERDAY I REFERRED TO SOME OF THE PRACTICAL DAY-BY-DAY, WEEK-BY-WEEK, CONTACTS WHICH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE HAD WITH OPPOSITE NUMBERS IN GUANGDONG AND IN PEKING, AND I THINK I AM RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THERE HAVE BEEN WELL OVER 350 SUCH CONTACTS OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND SOME OF THOSE HAVE AFFECTED INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING WATER, AND TRANSPORT. BUTIN MY JUDGMENT THOSE CHINESE OFFICIALS WHO WOULD NOW LIKE TO RAISE THOSE CONTACTS TO A SLIGHTLY HIGHER LEVEL ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO HAVE THAT OBJECTIVE, AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE’LL HAVE SOME EXAMPLES OF THAT HAPPENING IN A WAY WHICH IS WHOLLY IN THE INTERESTS OF BOTH HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG AND INDEED THE WHOLE OF CHINA.
MR PETER WONG: MR GOVERNOR, ALTHOUGH TOXIC METALS IN SEWAGE HAS FALLEN QUITE DRASTICALLY, STAGE 1 OF THE SSDS WILL NOT BRING ABOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN NUTRIENT LEVELS IN THE HARBOUR UNTIL SOME TIME WHEN WE HAVE STAGE TWO COMPLETED, EITHER IN THE FORM OF OCEANIC OUTFALL OR BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT. WHAT PROGRESS HAS THE GOVERNMENT MADE IN THE JLG OR ITS EXPERT GROUPS IN COMING TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THIS NECESSARY BIT OF INFRASTRUCTURE?
GOVERNOR: THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW, NOT LEAST BECAUSE HE PRESSED US ON THE POINT, THAT WE ARE REVIEWING IN AN ENTIRELY OPEN-MINDED WAY EXACTLY HOW STAGE TWO SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT. OUR ORIGINAL HOPE WAS THAT WE COULD HAVE AGREEMENT ON A LONG SEA OUTFALL, OTHERS INCLUDING I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND SOME OF HIS PANEL HAVE ARGUED THAT THAT MAY NOT BE THE BEST OPTION, AND THAT IT MAY BE THAT OTHER WORK SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND TO DEAL WITH THE SECOND STAGE. I THINK THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ARGUMENT ON THAT ON WHICH I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A PARTISAN VIEW. I THINK IT IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE DECIDED IN CONSULTATION ENTIRELY ON GROUNDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. AND WE’VE STARTED DISCUSSING IN THE JLG THE SEWAGE STRATEGY, AND I AM SURE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL WANT TO TAKE A VERY FULL INTEREST IN THE RESOLUTION OF THE STAGE TWO ISSUES. I DON’T THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO SAY THAT STAGE ONE IS DISCREET, ALONG WITH THE OTHER MEASURES THAT WE’RE TAKING, COSTING I THINK ABOUT THREE BILLION TO IMPROVE SEWAGE TREATMENT AROUND HONG KONG. THAT’S THREE BILLION ON TOP OF THE EIGHT BILLION BEING SPENT ON THE HIGH PRIORITY FIRST STAGE. I THINK THOSE MATTERS ARE DISCREET, BUT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT STAGE ONE IS ONLY STAGE ONE, AND THAT THE DECISIONS ABOUT STAGE TWO ARE ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL.
/DR HUANG CHEN-YA: ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
DR HUANG CHEN-YA: MR GOVERNOR, WITH PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT WHEN THEY REACH MIDDLE AGE AND BEYOND THAT THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING JOBS, BOTH WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND AFTER RE-TRAINING THEY STILL CAN’T FIND JOBS, AND WITH PEOPLE THEY ALSO FIND THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE DOWN-GRADING OF THEIR SALARY POSITION IN ORDER TO FIND JOBS. AND WE HAVE THIS SO-CALLED LOW UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURE MASKING THE FACT THAT WE HAVE IN FACT A LOW PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE FEMALE POPULATION. IT PROBABLY REFLECTS THE FACT THAT WOMEN HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING JOBS AND THEREFORE THEY HAVE GIVEN UP TRYING TO LOOK FOR JOBS. SO GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU CONSIDER REVIEWING THE MANPOWER POLICIES SO THAT WE CAN ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION RATE, MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE IMPLEMENTATION OF RE-TRAINING AND TRAINING PROGRAMME THAT IS COUPLED WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEMAND, AND ENHANCE THE LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY SO THAT IN FACT THE MANPOWER CAN BE USED MORE EFFECTIVELY?
GOVERNOR: I REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER, THAT I THINK THAT THE ISSUE IMPORTANT AS IT IS SHOULD BE SEEN AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF AN ASTONISHINGLY LOW LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. I’M NOT SURE THAT I AGREE WITH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ABOUT THE LOW PARTICIPATION RATE BY FEMALE WORKERS IN OUR ECONOMY. I THINK THAT THAT PARTICIPATION RATE HAS BEEN GOING UP PRETTY STEADILY, HENCE, AMONG OTHER REASONS, THE CONSIDERABLE DEMAND FOR PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, FOR GOOD KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN, IT’S ONLY ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THAT, BUT IT DOES UNDOUBTEDLY EXIST. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS RIGHT TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE NOT JUST OF MORE TRAINING, BUT, OF QUALITY TRAINING. AND HE IS ALSO RIGHT TO SAY THAT HAVING TRAINED, OR RE-TRAINED WORKERS IT’S IMPORTANT TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THEY SLOT INTO THE JOBS FOR WHICH THEY ARE SKILLED. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE DEBATE IN THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT ABOUT WHETHER WE’RE AT PRESENT SUFFICIENTLY ADROIT IN ENSURING THAT THOSE WHO ARE RE-TRAINED GO INTO JOBS. AND THERE IS SOME DISPUTE ABOUT THE STATISTICS, PARTLY I THINK BECAUSE THE LES HAS ONLY BEEN MEASURING THOSE THAT IT MANAGES TO PLACE IN JOBS AFTER RE-TRAINING, WHEREAS THE OTHER FIGURES GIVE PERCENTAGES FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER WHO FIND JOBS AFTER RE-TRAINING. BUT WE’RE VERY HAPPY TO CONSIDER WITH WORKERS GROUPS, WITH EMPLOYERS, AND WITH OTHERS WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN IMPROVE THE SERVICE THAT’S PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO ARE RE-TRAINED TO ENSURE THAT THEY GET THE JOBS THEY NEED. IN AN ECONOMY LIKE OURS, WHICH IS CONSTANTLY SKILL HUNGRY, IT SHOULD BE THE CASE THAT THOSE WITH SKILLS SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND GOOD JOBS IN MIDDLE LIFE OR AT ANY OTHER TIME OF LIFE, BUT IT MAY NEED SOME INTERVENTION IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN ORDER TO HELP SECURE THAT.
MR HENRY TANG: SIR, THE GOVERNOR IN A FORUM YESTERDAY SAID THAT IF PWC DISCUSSED A SUBJECT LIKE THE PEGGING BETWEEN THE U.S. DOLLAR AND THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, THEN MAYBE OFFICIALS FROM THE MONETARY AUTHORITY CAN ATTEND THE MEETINGS. BUT IN THIS MORNING’S GUIDELINES FROM CS TO THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, THE OFFICIALS, THE CIVIL SERVANTS WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD ONLY PROVIDE INFORMATION TO INDIVIDUAL PWC MEMBERS, SO THERE IS CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TWO. WHAT ARE THE REASONS? WHY IS THERE A DISCREPANCY: THESE GUIDELINES MAY PUZZLE THE CIVIL SERVANTS. THEY MAY THEREFORE BE WORRIED, THEY WOULD RATHER NOT THEN TO HAVE CONTACTS WITH PWC. IS IT TRUE TO SAY THAT YOU ARE NOT SINCERE IN ENCOURAGING CONTACTS BETWEEN THE CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE PWC?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994.
8
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE WORD SINCERE IF I MAY SAY SO IS THE MOST OVER-WORKED WORD IN PROPAGANDA, AND WE WOULD ALL BE WELL SERVED IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS IF WE USE WORDS THAT MEANS THINGS, RATHER THAT JUST REPEATED PHRASES LIKE THAT.
LET ME DEAL PRECISELY WITH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S QUESTION. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WAS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THAT FORTUNATE GROUP OF INSOMNIACS WHO HEARD ONE OR TWO OF US LAST NIGHT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO COULDN’T SLEEP IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG TALKING IN VARIOUS STAGES OF ANIMATION ABOUT MY POLICY COMMITMENTS AND MY POLICY ADDRESS. DURING THE COURSE OF THAT WE DISCUSSED RELATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PWC, AND AS AN INDICATION OF THE FLEXIBILITY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN AND THE GOOD SENSE WHICH IT CONTINUES TO TREAT THIS ISSUE, I POINTED OUT THAT WE HADN’T BEEN HIDEBOUND OR IDEOLOGICAL OR DOGMATIC IN THE APPROACH THAT WE HAD TAKEN. I THINK I POINTED OUT, IF I DIDN’T I SHOULD HAVE DONE, THAT THE TDC IS COSPONSORING A SEMINAR WITH THE PWC ON ECONOMIC ISSUES. I THINK I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE PWC WAS INTENDING TO RUN A SEMINAR ON THE LINK. NOW I DON’T KNOW WHETHER THE FACT THAT IT WAS RUNNING A SEMINAR ON THE LINK HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT A VERY DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE PWC TAKES THE VIEW THAT THE LINK SHOULD BE BROKEN, WHICH ISN’T THE VIEW I THINK EITHER OF PRC OFFICIALS OR OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG. BUT I WOULD VERY MUCH WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY OF SHOWING THAT PRC AND THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG ARE BOTH ABSOLUTELY ROCK SOLID BEHIND THE LINK. SO IT SEEMED THAT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA WITH OTHER BANKERS, DISTINGUISHED BANKERS, INCLUDING SOME WHO AREN’T MEMBERS OF THE PWC, WITH DISTINGUISHED BANKERS PRESENT AT A SEMINAR LIKE THAT, THAT ONE OF OUR LEADING EXPERTS AT THE MONETARY AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO ALONG AND MAKE THE POSITION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ABSOLUTELY PLAIN. AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE BANKING SECTOR IN CHINA WILL BE THERE TO MAKE THE POSITION OF THE PRC GOVERNMENT PLAIN AS WELL, BECAUSE I THINK IT’S IN ALL OUR INTEREST THAT THERE SHOULDN’T BE ANY INSTABILITY IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS, AND I REGARD THE DECISION THAT WE TOOK ON THAT AS BEING EXTREMELY SENSIBLE AND AN INDICATION OF OUR GOOD SENSE IN THESE MATTERS. AND 1 DON’T THINK THAT ANY PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHETHER IN THE MONETARY AUTHORITY OR IN THE TREASURY OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE FOUND THAT DECISION REMOTELY CONFUSING, AND I SURE THAT THEY WILL FIND THE LETTER FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY AS ENLIGHTENING AS ALL HER CORRESPONDENCE IS.
MR TANG: FOLLOW-UP, MR PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR THIS QUESTION CONCERNING SINCERITY. DO YOU THINK IT IS ONLY USED BY THE CHINESE SIDE IN PROPOGANDA, HAS THE BRITISH HONG KONG SIDE USED THE WORD SINCERITY IN ORDER TO SEEK CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT WHAT WE NOW NEED ARE DEEDS NOT WORDS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS, TO BORROW A CLICHE 'A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY’, AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ALL SEEK TO GO THROUGH IT, RATHER THAN FIND REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO. WHAT WE’VE DONE, WHAT I DID YESTERDAY, WHAT THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAS DONE IS TO SKETCH OUT A NUMBER OF IDEAS WHICH IN OUR VIEW WOULD HELP TO PROMOTE CO-OPERATION DURING THE TRANSITION. THEY ARE NOT AN EXCLUSIVE LIST; WE DON’T HAVE A CLOSED MIND, WE HAVE AN OPEN MIND ON THESE ISSUES. AND IF OTHERS WISH TO PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN IDEAS, IF OTHERS WISH TO PUT FORWARD OTHER PROPOSALS WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO LOOK AT THEM IN A CONSTRUCTIVE AND POSITIVE WAY. BUT I DON’T THINK IT IS ENOUGH JUST TO RESPOND WHEN WE PUT FORWARD AT THIS TIME SENSIBLE IDEAS. I DON’T THINK IT IS ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE JUST TO SAY WELL YOU MAY PUT FORWARD THOSE IDEAS, BUT YOU’RE NOT SINCERE. I DON’T THINK IT’S ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO SAY THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH YOU’VE GOT TO DO MORE. I THINK WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD DO IF THEY THINK THAT OUR PROPOSALS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH IS TO PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN IDEAS AS WELL.
/CAN I .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 9 -
CAN I JUST ADD ONE OTHER POINT BECAUSE IT TOUCHES ON SOMETHING WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ON MY LEFT SAID YESTERDAY, AND I THINK ONE OR TWO OTHERS HAVE SAID. WE’RE NOT SAYING THAT CO-OPERATION HAS TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST 365 DAYS BEFORE THE TRANSITION TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY ON THE 1ST JULY 1997, IT’S NOT OUR POSITION. WE’RE HAPPY FOR THINGS TO START TOMORROW, WE’RE HAPPY FOR THINGS TO START THIS AFTERNOON. WHEN I TALKED YESTERDAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLDIERS TALKING TO SOLDIERS ABOUT DEFENCE AND GARRISON ISSUES, THAT COULD START TOMORROW. WE’LL OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO START TALKING SOON ABOUT HOW BEST WE CAN SUPPORT AND HELP THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE, NOT IN ANY INTERVENTIONIST WAY, BUT IN AN AGREED WAY, AND A WAY AGREED WITH MEMBERS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE AND WITH CHINA, THAT CAN START SOON. THE PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE PUT FORWARD FOR PUTTING A BIT MORE ENERGY INTO THE JLG COULD START STRAIGHTAWAY. WE’VE PUT A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE DURING THE THIRTIETH MEETING OF THE JLG, AND THAT COULD ALL START TOMORROW. SO IT’S NOT OUR POSITION THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE 30TH JUNE 1996 BEFORE WE START CO-OPERATING. WE’RE ALL IN FAVOUR OF CO-OPERATING FROM TEN PAST THREE THIS AFTERNOON.
MRS PEGGY LAM IN THE ADDRESS THIS YEAR, YOU THINK THAT THE ELDERLY SERVICES TOP YOUR AGENDA CONCERNING SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES. YOU TALK ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ELDERLY IN THE PAST AND AT PRESENT AND I THINK ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE VERY ENCOURAGED BY YOUR REMARKS IN THE POLICY ADDRESS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT YOU, THE GOVERNOR, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM. BUT, MR GOVERNOR, ARE YOU AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: THAT IS TO SAY, MANY ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN CAGEHOUSES, MANY ARE STREET-SLEEPERS. AND SO FOR THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE, MR GOVERNOR, WHAT CONCRETE ASSISTANCE WILL YOU GIVE TO THEM? WILL YOU PROVIDE PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE? WILL YOU INCREASE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR THEM SO THAT STREET-SLEEPERS AND THOSE LIVING IN CAGE-HOUSES CAN LEAD A MORE DIGNIFIED LIFE?
GOVERNOR: YES. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT IN WHAT SHE SAYS AND ENTIRELY RIGHT TO GIVE THAT ISSUE PRIORITY. WE ARE, AS I THINK WE HAV% INDICATED, THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE 4,000 SINGLE ELDERLY ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S LIST, BY 1997. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF TARGETING MORE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY, HAVE PROGRAMME FOR PROVIDING, I THINK IT IS 22,000 FLATS FOR THE ELDERLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THOSE ARE BOTH EXAMPLES OF US TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE ELDERLY ARE AS WELL-HOUSED AS POSSIBLE. MOST ELDERLY PEOPLE, PROVIDED THEY ARE NOT FRAIL, WISH TO GO ON COPING ON THEIR OWN, WISH TO GO ON LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE MUST MAKE IT POSSIBLE, WHEREVER THEY WISH, FOR THEM TO DO SO. THAT REQUIRES GOOD HOUSING AND IT REQUIRES OTHER THINGS AS WELL. IT REQUIRES THE PROVISION OF GOOD HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES, IT REQUIRES THE PROVISION OF DAY-CARE CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THEM. ALL THOSE ISSUES ARE DEALT WITH IN THE EXCELLENT WORKING PARTY REPORT ON THE ELDERLY WHICH THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT A GOOD DEAL, I IMAGINE, AT HER PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW WHEN SHE ANNOUNCES THAT WE ARE IMPLEMENTING ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THAT WORKING GROUP REPORT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS COMMUNITY HAS A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AFTER THE ELDERLY BETTER.
/DR C H LEONG: ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994'
- 10 -
DR C H LEONG: THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. GOVERNOR, HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS SHOWN VERY ADMIRABLE HEALTH STATISTICS. I HAVE TO SAY, IT IS COMPARABLE IF NOT BETTER THAN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD. YOU YOURSELF, YESTERDAY, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, INDICATED THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOOK FORWARD TO EVEN IMPROVING THIS AND I AM SURE WE ALL WELCOME IT. YET A FEW MONTHS AGO THERE WAS A FLAW IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT IN THAT WE HAD A SUDDEN SURGE OF CHOLERA, CHOLERA WHICH IS ACTUALLY DEVELOPED AND PERPETUATED IN HONG KONG. NOW THIS, TO ME, AND I PRESUME TO YOURSELF TOO, WOULD BE REALLY UNACCEPTABLE IN A PLACE OF HIGH STANDARDS - IN HONG KONG.
I AM IN NO WAY CRITICISING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, NOR THE BRANCH, BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT KNOWS VERY WELL AND HAS INDICATED THAT POLLUTED WATER IN OUR OWN HARBOUR IS A TIME-BOMB. YET, RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS HAVE NOT TAKEN HEED OF THIS DANGER UNTIL THE CRISIS STARTED. NOW THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE BUT SUCH LACK OF COORDINATION AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT DOES EXIST AND WE CAN BRING A LOT OF EXAMPLES.
NOW GOVERNOR, WHAT IS YOUR POLICY SOLUTION IN THIS AREA OF CO-OPERATION OF RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS SO THAT EFFECTIVE PRO-ACTIVE STEPS CAN TAKE PLACE BEFORE A CRISIS SETS IN?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER RAISES THE POINT ABOUT WHICH I AM CONCERNED, ABOUT WHICH THE CHIEF SECRETARY IS CONCERNED AND ABOUT WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH IS CONCERNED. I THINK ALL THREE OF US AND OTHERS LEARNT A GOOD DEAL FROM THE OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA IN JULY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE VARIOUS ARMS OF GOVERNMENT; NOT JUST, AS IT WERE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, BUT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT AS THINGS TURNED OUT, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HER COLLEAGUES HANDLED THAT POTENTIAL CRISIS EXTREMELY ENERGETICALLY AND WITH SUPPORT FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND OTHERS. BUT OBVIOUSLY THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS RIGHT - AND HE KNOWS AS MUCH ABOUT THESE MATTERS AS ANYONE - OBVIOUSLY HE IS RIGHT TO SAY THAT WE MUST ENSURE IN FUTURE THAT THERE IS BETTER CO-ORDINATION SO THAT WE ARE NOT FACED WITH THESE PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS AGAIN.
MR K C LAM: ... OVER THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE GOVERNOR, WHAT ARE THE UNDERLYING AND IMMEDIATE CAUSES OF THIS LACK OF PROGRESS AND WHAT DOES HE PROPOSE TO DO TOWARDS RECTIFYING THESE CAUSES OF SUCH AN UNSATISFACTORY STATE SO THAT WORK IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP CAN MOVE AHEAD?
GOVERNOR: I SAID, YESTERDAY, THAT I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS LITTLE POINT IN PUBLIC RECRIMINATION ABOUT THE SLUGGISH PROGRESS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WE ALL HAVE OUR VIEWS ABOUT WHY PROGRESS HAS BEEN LESS RAPID THAN WE WOULD LIKE, NOT LEAST PERHAPS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, BUT I DON’T THINK IT DOES VERY MUCH GOOD TO SPEAK FOR THE RECORD BOOK ON THOSE MATTERS. WHAT WE HAVE DONE, AS I SAID IN ANSWER TO AN EARLIER QUESTION, IS TO PUT TO CHINESE OFFICIALS A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ABOUT SPEEDING UP THE WORK OF THE JLG. AMBASSADOR DAVIS DID THAT DURING THE 30TH MEETING. SOME OF THOSE PROPOSALS WERE SPECIFIC RESPONSES TO IDEAS WHICH CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE HAD OVER THE MONTHS AND YEARS AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT AT THE NEXT JLG AND BEFORE THE NEXT JLG, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE AN AGREEMENT ON SOME OF THOSE MEASURES. AND, OF COURSE, IF CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE VIEWS THEMSELVES FOR MAKING MORE PROGRESS WE WILL BE DELIGHTED TO RESPOND TO THEM.
/I THINK ...
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
11
I THINK IT IS, IF I MAY SAY SO, NOT JUST A QUESTION OF MACHINERY, I THINK IT IS ALSO A QUESTION OF WILL AND A MATTER OF RECOGNISING THAT TIME IS RUNNING SHORT, THAT ISSUES THAT WE MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT WE COULD DEVOTE A LONG AND ACADEMIC DISCUSSION TO A FEW YEARS OR A FEW MONTHS AGO ARE NOW PRESSING IN ON US. SO WE’VE PUT IDEAS TO THE CHINESE SIDE, THEY MAY HAVE IDEAS THAT THEY WANT TO PUT TO US, AND I HOPE WE CAN FIND A BETTER WAY OF DOING BUSINESS TOGETHER.
DR SAMUEL WONG: MR GOVERNOR, YESTERDAY, IN PARAGRAPH 15 OF YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU SAID THAT UNDER STRINGENT CONTROL THERE WILL BE A QUOTA OF IMPORTED WORKERS ALLOWED INTO HONG KONG. AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO PROVIDE RE-TRAINING FOR THOSE IN THE DECLINING INDUSTRIES. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED RE-TRAINING SOME HAVE NOT GOT NEW JOBS. I WONDER IF THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CAN SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY EMPLOYING THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED RE-TRAINING TO TAKE UP SIMPLE CLERICAL WORK FOR EXAMPLE, OR TO ACT AS OFFICE ASSISTANTS AND SO ON?
GOVERNOR: ... QUESTIONS ABOUT RE-TRAINING AND THE LABOUR MARKET. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I DON’T THINK THAT IF YOU ARE TRAINED OR RE-TRAINED IN ONE PARTICULAR SKILL THAT IT NECESSARILY MAKES VERY MUCH SENSE TO BE EMPLOYED IN AN UNSKILLED WAY BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR. I THINK THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS BETTER EMPLOYED TRYING TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH YOUR SKILLS CAN BE USED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE INTENT ON ENSURING IS THAT GOVERNMENT IS AS EFFICIENTLY MANAGED AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR, EVEN PERHAPS IN SOME AREAS MORE EFFICIENTLY MANAGED THAN PARTS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN IMPERATIVE FOR THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND I DON’T THINK, THEREFORE, THAT WE CAN REGARD OUR ROLE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AS THE EMPLOYERS OF LAST RESORT. BUT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS QUITE RIGHT TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND HE IS QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT WE IN GOVERNMENT HAVE TO FIND BETTER WAYS OF ENSURING THAT THOSE WHO ARE RETRAINED GET THE JOBS THEY HAVE BEEN RE-TRAINED FOR.
MR MAN SAI-CHEONG: ... IT SEEMS THAT YOU ARE RATHER PLEASED ABOUT THE MOST RECENT DB ELECTIONS AND STARTING FROM NOW WE CAN HAVE PEOPLE ELECTED FAIRLY ON TO THESE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCILS OR BODIES. WILL YOU CONSIDER TAKING ONE STEP FURTHER, THAT IS, WILL YOU OPEN UP OTHER STATUTORY BODIES, FOR EXAMPLE THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE PEOPLE IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY ELECTING MEMBERS ON THE COUNCIL SO THAT THEY WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE? IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THAT CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY NOT? DOES IT MEAN THAT YOU WILL NOT TAKE THAT EXTRA STEP IF YOU DO NOT HAVE APPROVAL FROM CHINA? BECAUSE FREEDOM OF THE ARTS IS VERY IMPORTANT, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT BUT THESE TWO FREEDOMS ARE UNDER RESTRICTION IN CHINA.
GOVERNOR: THERE IS A LOT PACKED INTO THAT QUESTION ABOUT THE ARTS, INCLUDING THE IMPLICATION THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCEPTABLE IN RUNNING PUBLIC BODIES, TO THE PUBLIC, ARE THOSE WHO ARE ELECTED. I THINK THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN RUNNING OR MANAGING PARTS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WHO AREN’T ELECTED WHO ARE WHOLLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE PUBLIC. I DON’T THINK THAT EVERY PUBLIC BODY SHOULD BE ELECTED, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TIERS OF GOVERNMENT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS ACCOUNTABLE WHICH ARE AND SHOULD BE ELECTED BUT I AM NOT, FRANKLY, AT THE MOMENT - AND IT IS NOT BECAUSE ANYBODY HAS TOLD ME WHAT CHINA’S VIEW IS ON THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD, I’M NOT SURE THAT CHINA HAS EXPRESSED A VIEW ON THAT ILLUSTRIOUS BODY - I DON'T THINK THAT IT MAKES VERY MUCH SENSE TO EXTEND THE DEMOCRATISATION OF HONG KONG BEYOND THE LIMITS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY SKETCHED OUT.
/I DON'T .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994 '
12
I DON’T HAVE A PARTICULARLY STRONG PASSION ABOUT IT. I’D LIKE TO SEE THE SUPPORT OF THE ARTS DEVELOP IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I’D LIKE TO SEE IT DEVELOP IN A WAY WHICH IS COMPETENT AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENEROUSLY FINANCED. I’M NOT SURE THAT I THINK THAT ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BODY THAT PROVIDES AN UMBRELLA FOR ARTS SPONSORSHIP IS NECESSARILY AN IMPERATIVE ELEMENT IN SECURING THAT OBJECTIVE.
MR MAN SAI-CHEONG: A SHORT FOLLOW UP. I KNOW THAT FOR THOSE OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING ARTS AND RECREATION, THEY HAVE LISTENED TO THE VIEWS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY. IF SOME MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ARE ELECTED, THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE OFFICIALS, BUT THEN THERE IS A TIME CONSTRAINT THEREFORE THAT CANNOT BE DONE RIGHT AWAY. NOW, IF YOUR OFFICIALS RECOMMEND THAT MODE OF HAVING MEMBERS ON THE COUNCIL, TO YOU, WILL YOU REGARD IT AS ACCEPTABLE AND WILL YOU IMPLEMENT THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE?
GOVERNOR: IF MY OFFICIALS RECOMMEND THAT COURSE OF ACTION TO ME, I WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ALL THE ATTENTION WHICH THEY DESERVE.
MR WONG WAI-YIN: THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU ATTACHED A LOT OF IMPORTANCE TO CARE FOR THE ELDERLY BECAUSE THE ELDERLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG BUT IT SEEMS THAT YOUR DEEDS ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH YOUR WORDS FOR THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE, THEY DO NOT SHARE IN THE FRUITS OF THE SUCCESS OF OUR ECONOMY. MR GOVERNOR, IT SEEMS THAT YOU ARE DEAF TO SOME VOICES IN THE COMMUNITY CALLING UPON THE IMMEDIATE INCREASE IN THE RATES UNDER THE CSSA SCHEME.
WHEN MR HUI YIN-FAT AND I MET YOU SOME TIME AGO IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER THE REPORT BY DR MCPHERSON AND THAT ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE MADE TO THE RATES. THE REPORT HAS NOW COME OUT BUT IT SEEMS THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL THE END OF NEXT YEAR BEFORE THERE WILL BE CONCRETE PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE. EVEN IF THERE ARE TO BE INCREASES AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR THAT WILL BE TOO FAR INTO THE FUTURE. THE IMMEDIATE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE ELDERLY CANNOT BE SOLVED. SO, DID YOU JUST GIVE US AN EMPTY PROMISE? WILL YOU CONSIDER THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE ELDERLY OR THOSE WHO BENEFIT UNDER THE CSSA SCHEME? SO IN THE COMING YEAR’S BUDGET WILL YOU CONSIDER INCREASING THE CSSA RATE SO THAT THEY CAN LEAD A BETTER LIFE, SO THAT THEY CAN INDEED SHARE IN THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF HONG KONG? WHEN YOU GIVE US A REPLY, PLEASE DO NOT RESORT TO THE EXCUSE OF THE OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME.
GOVERNOR: WELL, WITH RESPECT TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER, I’LL REPLY AS I WANT AND I MAY REFER TO THE OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME WHICH ISN’T IRRELEVANT TO THE ARGUMENT, WHICH IS, I GUESS, WHY HE WANTED ME TO AVOID TALKING ABOUT IT. WE ARE AT PRESENT PROVIDING 6.8 BILLION OF SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY AND THAT FIGURE WILL GO UP AS WE IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE ELDERLY. EVERY YEAR THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, ANXIOUS TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO BUDGET PRUDENTLY, DETERMINED TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO KEEP PUBLIC SPENDING BELOW 20 PER CENT OF GDP SO THAT WE CAN KEEP TAXES LOW AND KEEP A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT, EXTREMELY ANXIOUS OF COURSE TO AVOID CHARGES OF WELFARISM BY NEWS AGENCIES IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE, EVERY YEAR THE GOVERNOR HAS TO BALANCE, WITH HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE ADMINISTRATION, UNDERSTANDABLE ARGUMENTS FOR GREATER RESOURCES AGAINST THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO SPEND. IT SEEMED TO ME AND TO US THIS YEAR, THAT THE RIGHT PLACE TO PUT OUR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WAS:
/I. INTO BETTER ..........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 199*4
- 13 -
1. INTO BETTER AND MORE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR THE
ELDERLY IN THE HOUSING AND THE HEALTH AND THE WELFARE FIELDS.
2. AS FAR AS CSSA RATES WERE CONCERNED, AS FAR AS THE PROVISION OF BENEFIT WAS CONCERNED, TO CONCENTRATE THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT WE HAD ON SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES AND ON CHILDREN.
I THINK THOSE WERE THE RIGHT PRIORITIES BUT IF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS OTHER PRIORITIES THEN OBVIOUSLY WE’LL HAVE A CHANCE OF LISTENING TO THEM WHEN HE SPEAKS ON THE POLICY COMMITMENTS IN MY POLICY ADDRESS A LITTLE LATER IN THE MONTH.
I DO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND FOR OTHERS OUTSIDE, TO RECOGNISE THAT WHILE IT IS TOTALLY RIGHT FOR US TO TRY TO USE SOME OF THE PROCEEDS OF A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY FOR ENHANCING WELFARE AND OTHER PROGRAMMES, WHILE THAT IS A REFLECTION OF OUR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS A COMMUNITY, IF WE GO TOO FAR AND IF WE TRY TOO RAPIDLY TO MEET EVERY SOCIAL OBJECTIVE, WE WON’T ANY LONGER BE ABLE TO BE A LOW TAX COMMUNITY, WE WON’T ANY LONGER BE ABLE TO ATTRACT THE BUSINESS INVESTMENT, THE REPUTATION FOR COMPETITIVENESS WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR OUR CONTINUING SUCCESS. AND I THINK BALANCING THE DEMANDS FOR MORE WELFARE SPENDING AGAINST THE DEMANDS OF OUR ECONOMY WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPORTANT, EVEN SHOULD THE HONOURABLE MEMBER, WHICH I’M SURE WOULD BE WIDELY WELCOMED, BECOME THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN THE SAR.
MR WONG WAI-YIN: JUST NOW THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES THEY ARE GIVEN PRIORITIES THIS YEAR, AND HE STRESSES THAT WHEN I SPEAK ON THE MOTION CONCERNING THE POLICY ADDRESS I CAN MAKE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS. NOW MR GOVERNOR, IN THE PAST YEARS DID YOU HEAR THE VIEWS OF LEGCO MEMBERS AS WELL AS THE VIEWS OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS, THEY HAVE ASKED FOR THE IMMEDIATE UPWARD ADJUSTMENT OF THE PA ALLOWANCE OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE, DID YOU HEAR THESE VIEWS. THESE HAVE BEEN SAID FOR MANY YEARS, WHY IS IT THAT YOU ASK US TO CONTINUE SAYING THESE THINGS? I HOPE THAT MR GOVERNOR YOU CAN REALLY GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY THE ELDERLY PEOPLE. AS YOU SAY IN THE PAST THEY DID A LOT FOR HONG KONG AND IN THEIR ELDERLY YEARS WE HOPE THAT THEY CAN LIVE A BETTER LIFE AND SO I HOPE THAT MR GOVERNOR YOU CAN RECONSIDER INCREASING THE CSSA PAYMENT FOR THE ELDERLY.
GOVERNOR: I SAID THAT THE PRIORITIES WHICH WE’D SET OURSELVES THIS YEAR WERE FOR IMPROVING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, AND AS FAR AS SCALE RATES WERE CONCERNED, FOR IMPROVING SCALE RATES FOR THE SINGLE PARENTS AND FOR CHILDREN, SO YOU MUSTN’T, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MUSTN’T LEAVE OUT THE ACTUAL RESOURCES THAT WE’RE PROVIDING FOR THE ELDERLY. WE HAVE IN THE PAST, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW, LISTENING TO HIM AND OTHERS, IMPROVED BENEFITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE ELDERLY. I AM VERY KEEN THAT WE SHOULD PROVIDE THE ELDERLY WITH AS MUCH FINANCIAL SECURITY AS POSSIBLE, WHICH SINCE I FORGOT TO MENTION IT BEFORE, IS WHY I AM IN FAVOUR OF OUR OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME, AND I SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS TOO BECAUSE HE IS VERY SENSIBLE IN DISCUSSING THESE MATTERS.
/MR EDWARD HO: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 14 -
MR EDWARD HO: MR GOVERNOR, I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU HAVE NOT MENTIONED, OR HARDLY MENTIONED INFRASTRUCTURE IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YESTERDAY. NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF MY SPECIAL INTEREST, BUT I THINK IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE. I WANT TO ASK YOU SIR, HOW MUCH OF THAT WHAT I WOULD CALL OMISSION IS DUE TO THE PROBLEM OF LACK OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN YOU AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, SO THAT YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE DECISION TO PROCEED WITH MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT THAT SPANS, THAT STRADDLES 1997, SUCH AS THE NORTHWEST RAILWAY.
GOVERNOR: I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE MAIN REASON WHY I DIDN’T SAY AS MUCH AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WOULD HAVE LIKED ON INFRASTRUCTURE ts THAT THE OH« THAT I MFMTlnMHH PAPMFP, J KI FUTWRC VUAPP If THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND OTHER HONOURABLE MEMBERS WOULD LIKE HAVE ME READ OUT THE WHOLE OF THE POLICY COMMITMENTS DOCUMENT, THAT WOULD RESULT IN A CASTRO LENGTH SPEECH, BUT WE COULD ACTUALLY DO THAT. I THINK IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO HAVE A PUBLISHED DOCUMENT, EACH PART OF WHICH IS EXPLAINED TO THE COMMUNITY BY INDIVIDUAL POLICY SECRETARIES, THUS MAKING IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS NOT A ONE-ISSUE GOVERNMENT IT IS ALSO NOT A ONE-PERSON GOVERNMENT, BUT HAS A WIDE RANGE OF SECRETARIES ALL IMPLEMENTING DETAILED POLICIES ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY. I THINK MAKING THAT SEPARATION IS GOOD SENSE, BUT IT DOES MEAN THAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO PERHAPS, RESTRAIN THE HUNT FOR THE SNAGS UNTIL THEY’VE ACTUALLY READ ALL OUR DOCUMENTS, AND NOT JUST LISTENED TO MY SPEECH. ON INFRASTRUCTURE WE ARE COMMITTED TO A CAPITAL PROGRAMME OF A HUNDRED AND FORTY BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS, ABOUT A HUNDRED AND FIVE BILLION OF THAT IS OUTSIDE THE ACP, THE REST IS ON THE ACP, THAT INCLUDES FOR EXAMPLE OUR THIRTY BILLION PROGRAMME ON ROAD BUILDING. THAT I’M SURE WON’T FALL VICTIM TO ANY FAILURE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN OURSELVES AND PRC OFFICIALS, THOUGH SUCH COOPERATION WE SHALL CONTINUE DILIGENTLY TO HUNT FOR. THERE ARE MATTERS SUCH AS THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHICH WILL NATURALLY HAVE TO BE DISCUSSED AND AGREED WITH THE PRC, BECAUSE VIRTUALLY ALL THE EXPENDITURE WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER 1997. THAT’S WHY TO GO BACK TO THE QUESTION I ANSWERED EARLIER I AM VERY KEEN THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS ON INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS SO AS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE BUILD RAILWAYS IN HONG KONG THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING SOMEWHERE AND JOIN UP WITH RAILWAYS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER, TO PUT THE POINT AT ITS SIMPLEST AND CRUDEST. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS RIGHT TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE IS PART OF THE INHERITANCE WHICH I HOPE WILL BE HANDED OVER IN GOOD ORDER ON THE 30TH JUNE 1997.
MR EDWARD HO: MR GOVERNOR, FOR YOU INFORMATION I HAVE READ THE POLICY COMMITMENTS AFTER HEARING YOUR SPEECH, AND IN THERE ALSO THERE IS VERY LITTLE REFERENCE TO NEW INITIATIVES, I MEAN THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE ONGOING. MY SPECIFIC QUESTION IS ON AS YOU ALREADY ANSWERED IN PART ON PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE TO INITIATE, AND PROJECTS THAT STRADDLE 1997, WHEN I MENTIONED THE NORTHWEST RAILWAY, I MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN WIDELY RUMOURED THAT EXCO WOULD MAKE A DECISION ON THAT LAST APRIL, AND I THOUGHT THAT AN IMPORTANT PROJECT LIKE THAT, A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY SUPPORTED AND URGED IN THIS COUNCIL, THAT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD MAKE THE DECISION PRIOR TO YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, SO THAT YOU CAN GIVE US SOME GOOD NEWS. AND THE PARTICULAR QUESTION I PUT TO YOU WAS THAT THE REASON YOU HAVE NOT MADE UP YOUR MIND ON THAT WAS IT BECAUSE OF PROBLEM OF AGREEING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
15
GOVERNOR: NO, THAT ISN’T A FACTOR ON THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, WE HAVEN’T YET DISCUSSED THE RDS WITH PRC OFFICIALS, BUT WE WILL WISH TO DO SO AND THE SOONER WE CAN HOLD THOSE DISCUSSIONS THE BETTER. I WOULD SAY THAT I’M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER, AND I HOPE HE IS IN THE MAJORITY FOR HAVING READ ALL 184 PAGES OF OUR POLICY COMMITMENTS. I’D DRAW HIS ATTENTION IN PARTICULAR TO THE SECTION UNDER THE HEADING SECRETARY FOR WORKS, PUBLIC WORKS ON PAGE 155 WHICH SETS OUT FAIRLY EXTENSIVELY WHAT WE ARE DOING ON INFRASTRUCTURE. HE MIGHT ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT THE SECTION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES ON WHICH THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WILL BE HOLDING A PRESS CONFERENCE IN WHICH HE TOO POINTS OUT SOME OF THE MAIN AREAS OF INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING. DOUBTLESS, THERE ARE OTHER REFERENCES WHICH I COULD POINT TO, AND I’M SURE THAT ON A SECOND AND THIRD READING OF THE POLICY COMMITMENTS, HE WILL SEE WHAT A SPECTACULAR PROGRAMME WE’RE STILL COMMITTED TO.
--------0----------
GOVERNOR MEETS TERTIARY STUDENTS
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S PUBLIC MEETING WITH TERTIARY STUDENTS AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC TONIGHT (THURSDAY):
GOVERNOR: WELCOME TO THIS FORUM WHICH IS REALLY MORE AN OCCASION FOR YOU THAN IT IS FOR ME. AFTER MY LAST TWO POLICY ADDRESSES WE’VE HAD A NUMBER OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AT WHICH WE’VE INVITED PEOPLE TO COME ALONG AND ASK QUESTIONS. THE PROBLEM WE’VE HAD IS THAT, AS YOU KNOW, I DON’T UNFORTUNATELY SPEAK CANTONESE SO WE’VE HAD TO TRANSLATE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND IT’S MEANT THAT FEWER PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS AS WE ARE WAITING FOR THE TRANSLATIONS. WHAT WE THEREFORE THOUGHT WE’D TRY TO DO THIS YEAR, IN A SMALLER HALL NECESSARILY, WAS TO HAVE SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION SO THAT WE COULD HAVE A BIT MORE GIVE AND TAKE AND GET THROUGH MORE QUESTIONS.
I’VE GOT UNTIL ABOUT 7:15 AND I GUESS YOU WILL WANT TO GO AWAY AND HAVE SOME SUPPER ABOUT THEN. AS THE LADY SOMEWHERE BEHIND THERE WAS SAYING A FEW MOMENTS AGO THE IDEA IS THAT I CHOOSE THREE OR FOUR QUESTIONERS AT RANDOM AND IF YOU THEN LINE UP AT THE MIKES WE’LL GET THROUGH AS MANY QUESTIONS AS WE CAN. THAT MEANS THAT, IF YOU’RE GOING TO ASK A QUESTION, COULD YOU MAKE IT A QUESTION RATHER THAN A LONG SPEECH AND, IN ORDER TO REACH A BARGAIN WITH YOU, IF YOU KEEP THE QUESTIONS SHORT, I WILL TRY TO KEEP THE ANSWERS SHORT AS WELL. AND IF I KEEP THE ANSWERS SHORT IT DOESN’T ONLY MEAN THAT I AM TRYING TO EVADE THE ANSWER AND IT DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT I DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER, BUT IT’S SO THAT YOU CAN GET IN MORE QUESTIONERS. SO, WE’VE GOT, AS I SAY UNTIL 7:15. AT PRESENT MY HEAD PIECE ISN’T WORKING. MAY BE THAT’S BECAUSE I AM SPEAKING ENGLISH AND THEY THINK I UNDERSTAND MYSELF. NOW, HANDS AND I WILL PICK ONE OR TWO.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THIS IS MY QUESTION. YOU ARE HERE TODAY. ARE YOU TRYING TO WORK FOR THE INTERESTS OF CHILDREN OF SINGLE PARENTS. IF YOU ARE A SINGLE MALE AND YOU DON’T KNOW ENGLISH AND YOU DON’T KNOW CHINESE EITHER, AND YOUR INCOME IS EXTREMELY LOW, SO HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT TAKING CARE OF YOUR CHILD? WOULD YOU BE ASKING THIS QUESTION IF I WERE THE GOVERNOR? MY CHILD ACTUALLY IS PART OF THE SOCIETY. HOW CAN HE GO ABOUT GETTING EDUCATED? I HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS, COULD YOU ANSWER THIS ONE FIRST?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994’
- 16 -
GOVERNOR: I THINK IT’S ONLY FAIR TO THE REST OF THE AUDIENCE IF EVERYBODY ONLY ASKS ONE QUESTION, BUT JUST SINCE YOU ARE THE FIRST QUESTIONER, WE WILL GIVE YOU TWO QUESTIONS BUT AFTER THAT IT’S QUESTION EACH. THAT’S THE DEAL, ALRIGHT? OTHERWISE NOBODY ELSE WILL BE ABLE TO ASK ANY. SO YOU CAN ASK ONE MORE AND THEN I WILL ANSWER BOTH YOUR QUESTIONS.
QUESTIONER: OKAY, SO ONE MORE QUESTION FOR ME.
GOVERNOR: MAKE IT AN EASY ONE.
QUESTIONER: YOU WANT ONE EASY ONE?
GOVERNOR: WHAT’S THE CAPITAL OF BOLIVIA! I KNOW THAT!
QUESTIONER: THIS WILL BE AN EASY QUESTION FOR YOU. YOU HAVE TWO DOGS, RIGHT? HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU SPEND ON ONE DOG? WE HAVE PEOPLE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, CHILDREN ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND HOW MUCH DO THEY GET PER MONTH?
GOVERNOR: THAT’S YOUR TWO QUESTIONS. I THINK THAT YOUR TWO QUESTIONS ARE RELATED. THE QUESTION OF LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN IF YOU ARE A SINGLE PARENT AND THE QUESTION OF THE LEVEL OF CSSA RATES, THAT IS THE AMOUNT OF BENEFIT THAT WE GIVE TO THE NEEDY AND THE DISADVANTAGED IN THE COMMUNITY. WE DO RECOGNISE THAT THERE ARE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS FACED BY SINGLE PARENTS AND PARTICULAR PROBLEMS FACED BY CHILDREN WHO ARE NEEDY. WHO FOR NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN ARE SHORT OF MONEY. THAT’S WHY IN THIS SPEECH WE ANNOUNCED, FIRST OF ALL, THAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO GIVE A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO SINGLE PARENTS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE DEMANDS ON THEM.
SECONDLY, WE’VE INCREASED THE ALLOWANCE FOR CHILDREN TO THE SAME LEVEL AS THAT FOR THE ELDERLY. WE’VE INCREASED IT BY $205 A MONTH SO THAT I HOPE THAT WILL BE OF SOME ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN PARTICULARLY SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. I DON’T HONESTLY THINK THAT MY DOGS ARE QUITE AS RELEVANT AS YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE EXTREMELY SMALL DOGS AND THEREFORE DON’T COST TOO MUCH TO FEED. BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS POINT BEHIND YOUR QUESTION AND IT’S THIS. HOW DO WE, IN A COMMUNITY AS AFFLUENT AS HONG KONG HAS BECOME, MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK AFTER THE NEEDY WITHOUT RUNNING INTO THE SAME SORT OF PROBLEMS OF EXCESSIVE WELFARE SPENDING WHICH HAVE CRIPPLED ECONOMIES IN OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. AND THAT’S, I THINK, GOING TO BE THE FOCUS FOR CONSIDERABLE DEBATE HERE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. THE GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR PROPOSED THAT AFTER THIRTY YEARS OF DEBATE WE SHOULD INTRODUCE IN HONG KONG AN OLD AGE PENSION. THAT OLD AGE PENSION INVOLVES A VERY SMALL TRANSFER OF WEALTH. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT’S TOO MUCH FOR HONG KONG, EVEN THOUGH IN HONG KONG ONLY 2% OF THOSE WHO ARE IN WORK ARE PAYING A TOP RATE OF SALARIES TAX OF 15%. WE ARE A VERY LIGHTLY TAXED ECONOMY AND I WOULD LIKE US TO STAY THAT WAY. BUT I DIDN’T MYSELF THINK THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF AN OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME AND THE VERY MARGINAL TRANSFER OF WEALTH THAT THAT INVOLVED WAS TOO MUCH FOR AN ECONOMY LIKE OURS. SO I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HAVE TO BE AS GENEROUS AS POSSIBLE TO THOSE IN NEED WITHOUT ALLOWING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE TO RUN AHEAD OF WHAT THE ECONOMY CAN BEAR AND I HOPE THAT NOBODY WILL REGARD THAT AS BEING THE SORT OF WELFARISM - TO BORROW A PHRASE - WHICH HAS GOT OTHER ECONOMIES INTO TROUBLE.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
17 -
QUESTION: I HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ON TERTIARY EDUCATION AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD. WELL, I WILL JUST ASK ABOUT THE TERTIARY EDUCATION, OKAY? FIRST QUESTION. WE HAVE A THREE-YEAR CURRICULUM FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION BUT MR WOO, THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROPOSED TO TURN THE CURRICULUM FROM THREE YEARS TO FOUR YEARS BUT BEFORE THAT HE HAS NEVER CONSULTED ANYBODY. SO WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THAT?
SECONDLY, I AM A YEAR TWO STUDENT IN ONE OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS. THIS YEAR I HAVE TO PAY $12,100 FOR FEES WHICH IS MORE THAN THE $8,800 LAST YEAR AND SO, THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE THIS YEAR BUT FOR THE STUDENT LOAN SCHEME AND GRANT SCHEME IT REALLY CANNOT HELP US TO TIDE OVER THIS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY. SO HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT?
GOVERNOR: ON THE FIRST - IS THAT RIGHT ON TERTIARY? OKAY. ON THE FIRST QUESTION - WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING, INCIDENTALLY?
QUESTIONER: SOCIAL SCIENCE.
GOVERNOR: ON THE FIRST QUESTION, I DIDN’T KNOW YOUR VICE CHANCELLOR WAS PROPOSING TO EXTEND YOUR COURSE FROM THREE TO FOUR YEARS. THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU. UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE WORLD AND POLYTECHNICS VARY IN WHETHER THEY ASK FOR THREE YEAR OR FOUR YEAR COURSES DEPENDING VERY OFTEN ON THE STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATIONS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE AT 18 OR 19. BUT I’LL AS THE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY -ACTUALLY I WILL LET YOU INTO A SECRET, I AM CHANCELLOR OF ALL THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS IN HONG KONG, NOT THROUGH ANY PERSONAL MERIT - AS THE CHANCELLOR, I WILL FIND OUT ABOUT THE PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT YOU’VE RAISED AND PERHAPS IF YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR NAME WITH ONE OF MY OFFICIALS I WILL WRITE TO YOU ABOUT IT.
CAN I NOW TURN TO THE QUESTION OF LOANS AND GRANTS WHICH WILL, I GUESS, AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS AUDIENCE. AND I AM SURE THAT IN AN AUDIENCE OF A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS LIKE THIS IT’S GOING TO BE REALLY POPULAR TO MAKE SOME REMARKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INCREASING FEES IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR. LET ME SKETCH OUT WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE BACKGROUND AND WHAT I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD DO ABOUT IT.
/THE YEARS .......
Ti JRSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 18 -
TEN YEARS AGO, 3% OF YOUR AGE GROUP WENT INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION. WE ARE ALMOST AT THE POSITION WHERE ABOUT 24% OF THE AGE GROUP WILL GO INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION EITHER TO DO DEGREES IN THE CASE OF ABOUT 18% OR TO DO DIPLOMAS IN THE CASE OF THE OTHER 6%. IT’S AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPANSION AND ONE THAT’S BEEN EXTREMELY COSTLY AND PART OF THE COST OF THAT EXPANSION HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY FEES FOR TUITION AND FEES IN GENERAL FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION. THAT PLACES HONG KONG TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN VERY MUCH THE SAME SITUATION AS UNIVERSITIES OR POLYTECHNICS EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE HAVING TO PAY FEES, FEES WHICH WILL IN DUE COURSE RECOUP ABOUT 18% OF THE COST OF TERTIARY EDUCATION BUT AT PRESENT RECOUP ABOUT 13% OF THE COST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE AS ADEQUATE AS POSSIBLE LOANS AND GRANTS FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T AFFORD THE FEES. ABOUT 40% OF TERTIARY EDUCATION STUDENTS AT PRESENT RECEIVE LOANS AND GRANTS AND THE LEVEL OF LOANS AND GRANTS, EVEN ALLOWING FOR THE INCREASE IN FEES, HAS RUN 25% AHEAD OF THE RATE OF INFLATION OVER THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS. WE HAVE DECIDED THIS YEAR THAT WE NEED TO BE MORE GENEROUS IN THE PROVISION OF BOTH LOANS AND GRANTS AND WE ARE PROPOSING FIRST OF ALL TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT WE MAKE AVAILABLE TO GRANTS, SECONDLY TO MAKE AVAILABLE MORE MONEY FOR LOANS. THE TOTAL COST OF THAT IS JUST OVER $300 MILLION AND IT SHOULD BENEFIT ABOUT 4,800 PEOPLE WHO ARE AT PRESENT RECEIVING LOANS OF GRANTS AND IT SHOULD BRING ABOUT ANOTHER 1,400 OR SO INTO THE NET WHO WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE LOANS AND GRANTS BEFORE. SO OVER 6,000 PEOPLE IN TERTIARY EDUCATION WILL BENEFIT FROM THAT. I RECOGNISE THAT PAYING FEES OR HAVING TO PAY FOR ANYTHING IS RARELY POPULAR BUT I THINK THAT THE LEVEL OF FEES IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR IN HONG KONG IS JUSTIFIED (A) BY THE RAPID EXPANSION THAT WE’VE HAD IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR AND (B> BY THE FACT THAT IT’S USUALLY xHE CASE THAT AFTER GETTING A DEGREE OR A DIPLOMA YOU ARE LIKELY TO GET TO MAKE MORE MONEY IN THE MARKETPLACE THAN YOU WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE DONE.
I REPEAT THAT THERE IS - I THINK THERE IS HARDLY A COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD WHERE STUDENTS AREN’T HAVING TO PAY A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THEIR EDUCATION, BUT IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE AND GENEROUS LOANS AND GRANTS TO HELP THOSE WHO CAN’T PAY.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, JUST ONE QUESTION FOR YOU. CABLE TV WILL GIVE THREE CHANNELS TO THE GOVERNMENT, WOULD YOU DESIGNATE ONE AS A PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL SO THAT THERE WILL BE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND SPEECH?
GOVERNOR: IT IS A SUBJECT THAT WE’RE, I THINK, HOPING TO DISCUSS IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND IN THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE LONG AND THE PROPOSAL IS, I BELIEVE, THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE CHANNELS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR WHAT I THINK THE AMERICANS WOULD CALL PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THE SORT OF PROGRAMMES WHICH THEY MIGHT BE DENIED IF THEIR PROGRAMMING WAS DEPENDING ON PURELY COMMERCIAL FACTORS. SO I THINK THE ANSWER IS THAT, YES, WE DO WANT TO SEE MORE ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION TELEVISION CHANNELS AND THE PROVISION OF CABLE PROVIDES AN ADMIRABLE WAY OF DOING THAT.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, NOW FOR THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, THEY ARE SUFFERING. THEY HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF REQUESTS AND FOR SOME WORKERS THEY ARE UNABLE TO EARN ENOUGH WAGE. AND THE SECOND QUESTION I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY. AFTER 1997, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? DO WE HAVE ENOUGH PENSION? THANK YOU.
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
19
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, ELDERLY PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HOUSING. OF COURSE I RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING ELDERLY PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HOUSING BUT I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS FACED BY ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO WANT PUBLIC HOUSING BUT CAN’T GET PUBLIC HOUSING. THERE ARE TOO MANY ELDERLY, PARTICULARLY SINGLE ELDERLY, WHO DON’T HAVE ADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION. THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING TO LIVE IN CAGES ARE ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT AND ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE AGREED WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TO PROVIDE 4,000 UNITS OF ACCOMMODATION FOR THE SINGLE ELDERLY BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 WHICH SHOULD MEAN THAT WE HAVE MOVED ALL THE SINGLE ELDERLY WHO ARE AT PRESENT ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY LIST INTO ACCOMMODATION OVER THAT THREE YEAR PERIOD.
WE ARE ALSO TRYING, IN PLANNING NEW ESTATES, TO MAKE SPECIFIC ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE FOR THE ELDERLY AND THERE IS A PROGRAMME FOR PROVIDING ABOUT 22,000 FLATS OR ROOMS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN OUR NEW ESTATES. MY OWN VIEW IS THAT THE ELDERLY, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO ON LIVING INDEPENDENTLY ON THEIR OWN UNLESS THEY ARE TOO FRAIL TO DO SO AND WE MUST TRY TO MAKE THE PUBLIC HOUSING AVAILABLE FOR THAT AND TO PROVIDE THE OTHER FACILITIES, HEALTH AND WELFARE FACILITIES, WHICH ENABLE PEOPLE TO GO ON LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR DIGNITY.
YOU THEN MENTIONED RETIREMENT BENEFITS WHICH I REFERRED TO EARLIER. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT BEFORE I LEAVE HONG KONG AT MIDNIGHT ON THE 30 JUNE 1997 - IT’S 999 DAYS AND FIVE-AND-A-HALF HOURS FROM NOW - BEFORE THEN I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE WILL HAVE AGREED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND WITH THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER ON A SCHEME FOR PROVIDING A FINANCIAL SAFETY-NET FOR THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG.
AS I SAID BEFORE, WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR 30 YEARS. MANY OF OUR ELDERLY HAVEN’T MADE AS MUCH PROVISION FOR THEMSELVES AS THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY WERE PUTTING THEIR SAVINGS INTO EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN, INTO HELPING TO BUILD UP THIS COMMUNITY AND WE THEREFORE HAVE, IN MY JUDGMENT, A SPECIFIC OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY IN A WAY WE HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE. I THINK THE PROPOSALS WHICH WE’VE PUT FORWARD, WHICH WE’RE DISCUSSING AT THE MOMENT, ARE THE BEST APPROACH TO DEALING WITH THAT PROBLEM. WE NEED, OF COURSE, TO DISCUSS THEM WITH CHINA AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AND I HOPE WE CAN CONVINCE EVERYBODY TO ACT AND ACT SOON.
IT ISN’T GOING TO BE ANY EASIER TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE IN 1998 OR 1999 THAN IT IS TODAY. INDEED, IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG, WHICH IS VERY GOOD IN MOST WAYS - I HOPE IT EFFECTS GOVERNORS TOO - IS THAT WE’RE ALL LIVING LONGER. WE’RE ALL LIVING LONGER BUT OBVIOUSLY IF PEOPLE LIVE LONGER THEY HAVE GROWING FINANCIAL NEEDS AND THAT IS PARTICULARLY THE CASE AS THEY GET RATHER FRAILER AND NEED MORE ACCESS TO HEALTH AND WELFARE FACILITIES AS WELL. SO WHILE TODAY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION IS RETIRED, THAT WILL BE DOUBLED OVER THE NEXT GENERATION. SO DEMOGRAPHY PRECLUDES PUTTING OFF TAKING DECISIONS AND THE SOONER WE GET ON WITH THIS AND TAKE DECISIONS THE BETTER. IT IS A PROBLEM IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AS WELL. IN JAPAN, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY ARE MOVING WITHIN THE SPACE, ALMOST LITERALLY OF ONE GENERATION, OF HAVING THE YOUNGEST POPULATION IN THE WORLD TO HAVING ONE OF THE OLDEST POPULATIONS, AND THAT HAS TERRIFIC IMPLICATIONS FOR WELFARE SPENDING AND PENSIONS. BUT I HOPE WE CAN SORT THAT OUT BEFORE 1997. IT IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE SORT OF ISSUE ON WHICH THERE SHOULD BE PRACTICAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN US AND OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 20 -
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, GOOD EVENING. RECENTLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED THE SUGGESTIONS OF THE MCPHERSON REPORT AND IN THE GOVERNMENT’S OPS THEY SAY THAT IF THE ELDERLY WANT TO LEAD A DIGNIFIED LIFE, THAT THEY SHOULD GET $2,300, SO WHY CAN’T YOU IMMEDIATELY RAISE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE TO THIS FIGURE?
GOVERNOR: CAN I SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT THE MCPHERSON REPORT, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT ACADEMIC STUDY OF PROVISION FOR THE NEEDY IN HONG KONG, A VERY RESPECTABLE PIECE OF ACADEMIC WORK COMMISSIONED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE. WHAT IT DOES IS TO PROPOSE A BASIS FOR CALCULATING SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THAT USED IN ONE OR TWO OTHER COUNTRIES, NOT MANY OTHER COUNTRIES BUT SOME OTHER .COUNTRIES, WHICH THOSE COUNTRIES HAVE STARTED TO FEEL, IN THE CASE OF GERMANY FOR EXAMPLE, IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THEM TO BEAR. NOW IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT ONE SHOULD RULE OUT ALL THE PERCEPTIONS AND INSIGHTS OFFERED BY DR MCPHERSON BUT IT WOULD BE A VERY EXPENSIVE PROGRAMME FOR HONG KONG TO IMPLEMENT, NOT LEAST SINCE IT WOULD, THROUGH CHANGING THRESHOLDS, MEAN THAT AN AWFUL LOT MORE PEOPLE WERE PROVIDED WITH BENEFIT. THERE IS SOME DISPUTE ABOUT THE PRECISE COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING MCPHERSON BUT NO DISPUTE, I THINK, THAT IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND CHANGE THE NATURE OF PROVISION FOR THOSE IN NEED IN HONG KONG.
I THINK WE DO NEED TO REVIEW - TAKING ACCOUNT OF WHAT DR MCPHERSON HAS RECOMMENDED - I THINK WE DO HAVE TO REVIEW THE BASIS ON WHICH WE PAY ALLOWANCES TO THE NEEDY IN HONG KONG AND THAT WE HAVE TO BASE THAT ON THE NEW HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY WHICH IS BEING DONE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. WE ALSO HAVE, IN THE COURSE OF THAT REVIEW, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY SPECIAL GRANTS WHICH PEOPLE ARE INVARIABLY ENTITLED TO, WHICH AREN’T VERY OFTEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN PEOPLE GIVE GLOBAL FIGURES ABOUT THE ALLOWANCES THAT PEOPLE GET AND THERE IS A STRONG CASE FOR CONSOLIDATING SOME OF THOSE SPECIAL GRANTS INTO THE BASIC LEVELS OF GRANT. SO WE WILL HAVE, DURING THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, TO TAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE SORT OF WELFARE PROVISION THAT WE WANT TO PROVIDE IN HONG KONG ON THE BASIS OF THE MCPHERSON REPORT AND ON THE BASIS OF A REVIEW OF THE NEXT HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THIS YEAR, WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF RESOURCES, WE HAD TO DECIDE WHERE TO CONCENTRATE EXTRA ASSISTANCE AND IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THE PRIORITY SHOULD GO IN ALLOWANCES TO SINGLE PARENTS AND TO CHILDREN, AS I WAS EXPLAINING EARLIER, AND IN SERVICES TO PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF SERVICES FOR ’THE ELDERLY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE ELDERLY WHOSE REPORT IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW. SO AS EVER, IT WAS A QUESTION OF JUGGLING WITH PRIORITIES AGAINST WHAT TN HONG KONG EVEN, IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF MONEY. I HOPE WE’VE GOT IT RIGHT BUT I REALISE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THOSE WHO SAY, "NO, YOU SHOULD HAVE SPENT MORE ON THIS OR THAT NEEDY GROUP", AND THERE ARE ALWAYS NEEDY GROUPS WITH VERY GOOD CASES FOR HAVING MORE MONEY SPENT ON THEIR NEEDS.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 21 -
QUESTION: JUST NOW ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES ASKED ABOUT THE ISSUE OF FEE INCREASE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH YOUR REPLY AND I THINK WHAT YOU SAID SHOWS YOUR IGNORANCE BECAUSE, AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, THERE ARE MANY UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD WHICH DO NOT CHARGE SCHOOL FEES. THAT’S THE CASE IN CHINA. THEY ONLY NEED TO PAY $200, $300 FOR MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES. NOW, WE ARE IN 1994 AND IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS WE WILL EVENTUALLY PAY UP TO $36,000 OR MORE PER YEAR FOR FEES. SO HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT OUR FAMILIES COULD AFFORD SUCH EXORBITANT FEES WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT GIVING US ENOUGH GRANTS AND LOAN. I HOPE YOU WILL ANSWER MY QUESTION DIRECTLY. DON’T CITE ANY EXAMPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
GOVERNOR: WELL, YOU CITED EXAMPLES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AND SINCE I BELIEVE IN FAIRNESS IN ARGUMENT AND DEMOCRACY IN DEBATE I WILL CITE SOME EXAMPLES AS WELL. I CAN’T THINK OF A SINGLE OTHER COUNTRY, A SINGLE OTHER COMMUNITY AS WELL-OFF AS HONG KONG WHERE THERE AREN’T FEES FOR THE TERTIARY SECTOR. I CAN’T THINK OF ONE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE OF OECD COUNTRIES WHICH ARE A GOOD DEAL LESS PROSPEROUS THAN HONG KONG, THEY ARE INVARIABLY SETTING HIGHER FEES FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION. NOW, I DON’T SEE THAT THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THE ARGUMENT. OF COURSE IT DOESN’T. ONE HAS TO LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL CASES AND THE PROBLEM IN INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES. BUT I DON’T THINK IT IS QUITE AS UNUSUAL AS YOU WERE IMPLYING TO ASK TERTIARY EDUCATION STUDENTS TO PAY A FEE TOWARDS THE COST OF THEIR EDUCATION. I AM NOT SO DUMB AS TO THINK THAT ARGUING THE CASE FOR FEES AND FEE INCREASES IN FRONT OF A PREDOMINANTLY TERTIARY EDUCATION AUDIENCE GUARANTEES YOU A STANDING OVATION. I AM AWARE OF THE FACT THAT IT’S ABOUT AS POPULAR AS ARGUING THE CASE FOR CHRISTMAS WITH TURKEYS. I MEAN, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WHICH IS LIKELY TO MAKE ONE VERY POPULAR. BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNISE THAT WE CAN’T HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR NOTHING. IT DOES COST MONEY AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR AT THE MOMENT IS 13 PER CENT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE COST FROM THOSE WHO ARE BEING EDUCATED.
THERE IS JUST ONE OTHER THING I ADD. WE ARE TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE LOANS AND GRANTS SYSTEM MEANS THAT WE DON’T RUN INTO THE SORT OF PROBLEMS THAT YOU MENTIONED IN WHICH PEOPLE FROM NEEDIER BACKGROUNDS AREN’T ABLE TO GO TO TERTIARY EDUCATION BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE CASH. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF EVIDENCE THAT SOCIOLOGICALLY THE TERTIARY EDUCATION IS EXTREMELY MIXED IN HONG KONG AND THAT, BY AND LARGE, WE HAVE MANAGED TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A BROADENING OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE IN HONG KONG AND THAT’S GOT TO CONTINUE WITH THE CASE. BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR SPEECH THIS YEAR WE’VE ANNOUNCED OVER $300 MILLION MORE FOR LOANS AND GRANTS IN ORDER TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS FACED BY NEEDIER STUDENTS.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THERE WAS THE NATIONALIST CELEBRATION. WERE YOU AWARE OF THE FACT THAT SOME STUDENTS WERE TAKEN AWAY BY FORCE BY THE ROYAL HK POLICE FORCE. SO MY QUESTION IS, THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS WHEN STUDENTS WERE TREATED IN SUCH A MANNER. SO HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT? AND WHAT ABOUT THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE? IS IT ACTUALLY DEPRIVING US OF OUR HUMAN RIGHTS AND ARE OUR POLICE TOO POWERFUL?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994 ’*
- 22 -
GOVERNOR: AS I THINK YOU KNOW, AT THE MOMENT OUR PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE IS BEING DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BECAUSE WE’VE MADE CERTAIN PROPOSALS WHICH BRING OUR PUBLIC ORDER LEGISLATION INTO LINE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN A WAY WHICH I BELIEVE STILL GUARANTEES PEOPLE’S RIGHTS TO DEMONSTRATE FREELY, PROVIDED THEY DEMONSTRATE IN A RESTRAINED AND ORDERLY WAY. IT ISN’T UNUSUAL IN FREE, PLURAL, OPEN SOCIETIES LIKE HONG KONG TO HAVE RULES, TO HAVE LAWS ABOUT PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION. AND I THINK PART OF THE PRICE THAT WE ALL PAY FOR BEING ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE IN PUBLIC IS THAT WE SHOULD DO THAT IN A RESTRAINED AND CIVILISED WAY. ONE OF THE GREATEST POLITICAL PHILOSOPHERS IN THE WEST, EDMUND BURKE, USED TO ARGUE - AND I QUOTE -I DARE SAY MANY OF YOU WHO ARE DOING POLITICAL SCIENCE HAVE COME ACROSS THIS QUOTE MANY TIMES - "LIBERTY MUST BE LIMITED IN ORDER TO BE POSSESSED", BY WHICH HE MEANT THAT WE’LL GUARANTEE OUR FREEDOMS IF WE PURSUE THEM WITH A DEGREE OF RESTRAINT. I DON’T THINK THAT THE POLICE IN HONG KONG HAVE EXCESSIVE POWERS. I THINK WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY GOOD POLICE FORCE. I THINK THEY OPERATE WITHIN THE RULE OF LAW AND IT’S IMPERATIVE TO HONG KONG’S WELL-BEING THAT THEY CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITHIN THE RULE OF LAW. THE RULE OF LAW COVERS THEM; IT COVERS THE OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES; IT COVERS THE GOVERNOR; IT COVERS THE GOVERNMENT AND IT COVERS NEWS AGENCIES IN HONG KONG WHEREVER THEY COME FROM.
QUESTION: I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS YEAR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION TO FREEZE SCHOOL FEE INCREASE AND ALSO TO REVIEW THE SCHOOL FEE POLICY FOR TERTIARY I SUPPOSE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW COME A MOTION WAS CARRIED IN LEGCO BUT THE GOVERNMENT SIMPLY TURNED A DEAF EAR TO THAT. DOES IT MEAN THAT THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT NEED NOT TAKE HEED OF THE VIEWS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY CARRIED A MOTION FORMALLY AND LEGALLY? IN THAT CASE, WHAT’S THE POINT OF US ELECTING OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS?
GOVERNOR: WELL, WE HAVE IN HONG KONG, AS THEY DO IN WASHINGTON, A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE. AND THE FACT THAT THE LEGISLATURE IN WASHINGTON COULD PASS A MOTION BUT THE PRESIDENT WOULDN’T NECESSARILY TAKE MUCH NOTICE OF IT DOESN’T MEAN THEY DON’T HAVE DEMOCRACY IN WASHINGTON. EQUALLY, THE FACT THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSES A MOTION AND WE DON’T AUTOMATICALLY AGREE WITH IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE DON’T HAVE ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG. THE LEGISLATURE HAS SPECIFIC POWERS AS WELL AS ITS ABILITY TO DEBATE MATTERS AND TO PASS MOTIONS. IT CAN AGREE TO, OR DISAGREE WITH, OR AMEND LAWS. IT CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD SPEND YOUR MONEY ON GIVEN PUBLIC PROJECTS AND IT HAS OTHER POWERS IN THE AREA OF SPENDING AND TAXATION. BUT WE DON’T HAVE A SYSTEM ANY MORE THAN WASHINGTON DOES IN WHICH WHATEVER THE LEGISLATURE SAYS HAS TO BE AUTOMATICALLY DONE BY THE EXECUTIVE.
YOU CAME BACK TO THE QUESTION OF STUDENT FEES AND, AS I SAID A MOMENT OR TWO AGO, I DON’T BELIEVE THAT A GOVERNOR OR ANY OTHER POLITICAL LEADER TO STAND UP IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE LARGELY MADE UP OF STUDENTS AND ARGUE THE CASE OF STUDENT FEES IS NECESSARILY GOING TO BE A VERY POPULAR ARGUMENT. IT MIGHT BE A MORE POPULAR ARGUMENT WITH A SLIGHTLY OLDER AUDIENCE. BUT IF WE WEREN’T HAVING TO - IF WE WEREN’T RECOVERING 13 PER CENT OF TERTIARY EDUCATION COSTS THROUGH FEES WE’D BE PAYING FOR IT THROUGH TAXATION. AND THAT MIGHT NOT BE VERY POPULAR WITH YOU AFTER YOU’VE LEFT UNIVERSITY OR POLYTECHNIC AND IT MIGHT NOT BE VERY POPULAR WITH YOUR PARENTS TODAY.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
23
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, MY QUESTION IS ON HONG KONG-CHINESE RELATIONSHIP. NOW THE JLG HAS HELD 30 PLENARY MEETINGS AND YOU ARE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OUTSTANDING ITEMS, SO HOW CAN YOU ENSURE THAT ALL THESE OUTSTANDING ITEMS OR ISSUES COULD BE RESOLVED BEFORE 1997? IF, UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CAN’T BE RESOLVED, THEN HOW WOULD THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEAL WITH THE SITUATION?
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU FOR RAISING A QUESTION WHICH I SPEND A GOOD DEAL OF MY TIME THINKING ABOUT. IT’S UNFAIR, AS SOME PEOPLE SUGGEST, TO ARGUE THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS ACHIEVED VERY LITTLE DURING ITS 30 MEETINGS. IT HAS DONE SOME GOOD WORK. IT’S DONE SUFFICIENT WORK TO CONVINCE US THAT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DO A GREAT DEAL MORE BUT IT IS EQUALLY TRUE TO SAY THAT IT HASN’T DONE NEARLY AS MUCH AS ANY OF US WOULD HAVE LIKED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THAT IS BY AND LARGE SINCE 1989 WHEN, I THINK, THINGS BECAME A LITTLE TRICKIER AND A LITTLE MORE AWKWARD IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS. THE ONLY TWO REALLY BIG AGREEMENTS THAT IT HAS REACHED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE BEEN, ONE, THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL WHICH IS STILL A MATTER OF CONSIDERABLE CONTROVERSY IN HONG KONG, THOUGH I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THAT SATISFACTORILY IN THE NEXT YEAR; AND SECONDLY, AN AGREEMENT THAT WE CONCLUDED THIS SUMMER, AFTER SEVEN YEARS OF NEGOTIATION, ON THE FUTURE OF THE DEFENCE LANDS IN HONG KONG. IT’S A VERY GOOD DEAL, IT WILL ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 65 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF LAND TO DEVELOP OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. BUT THAT ISN'T NEARLY AS MUCH AS WE SHOULD HAVE ACHIEVED AND THERE ARE A WHOLE HOST OF ISSUES ON THE AGENDA WHICH ARE UNRESOLVED AND THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WHICH SHOULD BE ON THE AGENDA WHICH HAVEN’T BEEN EVEN DISCUSSED YET.
LET ME GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES. WE STILL HAVEN’T GOT AN AGREEMENT ON ALL THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE TIED UP WITH RIGHT OF ABODE, FUTURE OF SAR PASSPORTS, VISAS, ALL THOSE ISSUES LOOSELY CONNECTED WITH NATIONALITY. AND THEY ARE-EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, BOTH FOR PEOPLE’S PEACE OF MIND IN HONG KONG AND FOR EASE OF TRAVEL AFTER 1997 WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESS. WE HAVEN’T REACHED AGREEMENT ON SOME IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE SUBJECTS. THE CONTAINER TERMINAL IS ONE, THE AIRPORT IS ANOTHER. THANK HEAVENS, BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS STILL BEEN VOTING US FUNDS FOR BUILDING THE AIRPORT. WE’VE BEEN BUILDING IT AT A FAR FASTER RATE THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER COMMUNITY COULD MANAGE, BUT WE DO STILL NEED AN OVERALL FINANCING AGREEMENT IF WE ARE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AS RAPIDLY AS WE WOULD LIKE.
THERE IS AN AREA WHICH I GUESS WILL SEEM TO SOME PEOPLE TO BE DRY AS DUST BUT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, THAT IS THE LOCALISATION OF LAWS; TURNING UK COLONIAL ENACTMENTS INTO LOCAL HONG KONG LEGISLATION AND ADAPTING HONG KONG LAWS - AND THERE ARE ABOUT 600 OF THEM - SO THAT THEY ARE IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW AFTER 1997. NOW WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE UNLESS WE HAVE DONE THAT BY THE 30TH JUNE 1997, THERE IS A DANGER OF GAPS IN THE LAW BOOK, WHICH WOULD HAVE CONSIDERABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESSES WONDERING, FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER TO SIGN CONTRACTS IN HONG KONG OR TO GO OFF TO SINGAPORE OR SEOUL OR SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DO BUSINESS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO TACKLE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WHICH ARE AS IMPORTANT AS THAT.
/WE’VE MADE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 24 -
WE’VE MADE A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO CHINESE OFFICIALS ABOUT WAYS IN WHICH THE WORK OF THE JLG CAN BE SPEEDED UP. WE’VE SUGGESTED MORE MEETINGS. WE’VE SUGGESTED MORE MEETINGS OF EXPERTS, AND I’VE SAID AS WELL THAT ONE POSSIBILITY - IT’S ONLY A POSSIBILITY, IT’S NOT PUT FORWARD AS AN IRON PROPOSAL, BUT IT IS THE SORT OF THINGS WE COULD DISCUSS. IF IT WOULD BE EASIER TO MAKE PROGRESS BY PUTTING SOME OF THE WORK THAT IS FORMALLY DONE IN THE JLG FOR DISCUSSION INTO INFORMAL GROUPS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JLG AND IF CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD LIKE SOME OF THEIR ADVISERS IN HONG KONG, FOR EXAMPLE THE MEMBERS OF THE PWC, TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, THEN THAT IS SOMETHING WE WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO DISCUSS AND IT MIGHT BE A WAY OF PUTTING MORE VITALITY INTO THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP PROCESS.
OF COURSE AT THE END OF THE DAY WHATEVER MACHINERY YOU SET UP, WHATEVER STRUCTURES YOU CREATE, WHAT WILL ACTUALLY DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS THE PROGRESS THAT WE NEED IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, IS THE WILL ON BOTH SIDES. I HOPE THAT WE HAVE THE WILL TO DO ALL THAT IS NECESSARY. A POINT I MAKE AGAIN AND AGAIN IS THAT IF WE DON’T GET THROUGH ALL THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, IT WON’T BE THE 28TH AND LAST GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WHO SUFFERS -EXCEPT THAT HE WON’T HAVE LOOKED AS COMPETENT AS HE WOULD HAVE LIKED. IT WON’T BE THE OUTGOING SOVEREIGN, THE DEPARTING SOVEREIGN WHO SUFFERS, IT WILL BE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND IN A SENSE IT WILL BE CHINA BECAUSE HONG KONG WON’T BE AS SUCCESSFUL A CONTRIBUTOR TO CHINA’S ECONOMIC MIRACLE AS EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG WOULD LIKE IT TO BE. SO IT IS IN ALL OUR INTERESTS, IT IS IN OUR JOINT INTERESTS, TO MAKE A GREATER SUCCESS OF THE NEXT FEW YEARS IN THE JLG.
WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD WE’VE ONLY GOT NINE -10 MEETINGS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP LEFT, UNLESS WE INCREASE THE NUMBER EACH YEAR. SO THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO DO IN A RATHER LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME. WE CAN’T ALLOW ISSUES IN HONG KONG SIMPLY TO ATROPHY, WE HAVE TO GO ON GOVERNING AS BEST WE CAN BUT I HOPE WE CAN DO SO THROUGH THE CO-OPERATIVE FRAMEWORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. AS SOON AS THINGS HAVE GOT INITIALS, ”JLG", AS SOON AS THEY’VE GOT NAMES LIKE ’’JOINT LIAISON GROUP”, IT ALL SOUNDS RATHER DULL AND DISTANCED FROM REAL LIFE, BUT THE IMPACT OF THE DECISIONS THE JLG IS MAKING, THE IMPACT ON PEOPLE’S DAILY LIVES, IS AND WILL BE REALLY CONSIDERABLE. SO I DO HOPE THAT WE CAN REGARD THE END OF THE ARGUMENT OVER ELECTORAL ISSUES. I HOPE WE CAN NOW REGARD THIS AUTUMN AND WINTER AS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY. IF CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE PROPOSALS WHICH THEY WANT TO PUT FORWARD FOR SPEEDING UP THE DEBATE ABOUT THESE MATTERS WE WILL BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR THEM. IF ANYBODY ELSE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS IDEAS - IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE MAKE AS MUCH PROGRESS AS POSSIBLE AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE. IT’S IN YOUR INTEREST AND IF WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE REASSURANCE ABOUT THE FUTURE THEN THERE IS NO BETTER WAY WE COULD DO IT THAN BY COMING BACK FROM JLG MEETINGS WITH A FEW SUCCESSES UNDER OUR BELT.
I DON’T KNOW IF YOU SAW MUCH OF THE WORLD CUP, I DARE SAY YOU SAW A BIT MORE THAN I DID, BUT ALL OF US GET PRETTY BORED WITH THOSE GOAL-LESS DRAWS AND I FEAR THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG MUST BE STARTING TO THINK THAT MEETINGS OF THE JLG ARE LIKE ONE OF THOSE GAMES AND THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING US SCORING A FEW GOALS.
/THERE WAS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 25 -
THERE WAS A LADY IN THE MIDDLE, YOUNG WOMAN. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO NO. 2, AND THE YOUNG WOMAN CAN GO TO NO. 1, IS THAT ALRIGHT? WELL, WHATEVER YOU WANT, WHATEVER IS NEARER. IF THE YOUNG LADY COULD GO FIRST, YES, SHE IS RUNNING, STARTING PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
QUESTION: THAT’S ONLY BECAUSE I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE QUESTION. YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CIVIL SERVANTS TO HAVE CONTACT WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE AND YOU DESCRIBED IT AS USEFUL. SO I JUST WONDER HOW IS IT USEFUL AND IT IS USEFUL IN WHAT WAYS? IF YOU DO MEAN THE PWC CAN BE TREATED EFFECTIVELY FUNCTIONING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THEN I DOUBT BECAUSE THE MEMBERS OF THE PWC, AS WE ALL KNOW, THEY ARE ALL APPOINTED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND HOW EFFECTIVELY THEY CAN REVEAL THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
GOVERNOR: WELL I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT AND SPEAK FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ARE REASONABLE AND FLEXIBLE AND WE ARE TRYING TO BE AS HELPFUL AND AS OPEN MINDED AS POSSIBLE. LET ME SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE, ABOUT WHICH YOU WILL ALL HAVE YOUR INDIVIDUAL VIEWS. WHEN THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE WAS SET UP, THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO SAID, "WELL IT’S THERE TO HELP DEAL WITH PROBLEMS OF THE TRANSITION." THERE WERE OTHERS WHO SAID, "IT’S THERE TO CREATE A SECOND STOVE." AND WHAT THEY MEANT, I THINK, BY A SECOND STOVE, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH CUISINE AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH TRYING TO UNDERMINE THE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. NOW I’M SURE THAT THAT WASN’T THE INTENTION AND I’M SURE THAT IT HASN’T HAPPENED.
THE PWC IS AN ADVISORY BODY TO THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS. IT DOESN’T FEATURE IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, IT DOESN’T FEATURE IN THE BASIC LAW. THERE ARE INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE TRANSITION WHICH DO COME OUT OF THOSE DOCUMENTS. THERE IS THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, WHICH I’VE MENTIONED, AGREED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA AS THE FORUM FOR DEBATING ISSUES RELATING TO HONG KONG AND THERE IS THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE SET UP IN 1996 TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE TRANSITION. WE HAVE SUGGESTED WAYS IN WHICH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP COULD BE IMPROVED AND WE’VE SAID THAT WE WANT TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE AND WE’RE PREPARED TO START DISCUSSING NOW HOW WE CAN WORK CLOSELY WITH THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE.
BUT I DON’T THINK IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR US TO TREAT THE PWC AS A FORMAL PART OF OUR INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, LIKE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. I DON’T THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR ON CIVIL SERVANTS. ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO BE SUMMONED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SUMMONED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND SUMMONED TO PEKING TO THE PWC? THAT WOULDN’T BE REASONABLE. NEVERTHELESS, ANSON CHAN AND I HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PREPARED FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO BRIEF INDIVIDUAL PWC MEMBERS. WE BRIEF ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE ARE PERFECTLY PREPARED TO BRIEF INDIVIDUAL PWC MEMBERS IN THE HOPE THAT THAT WILL MAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO DISCUSSION ON THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT HONG KONG ISSUES BETTER INFORMED AND MORE IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST. WE’VE MADE THAT CLEAR AGAIN TODAY.
/BUT WHAT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 26 -
BUT WHAT WE’RE NOT PREPARED TO DO IS TO ALLOW CIVIL SERVANTS TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE PWC OR OFFICIAL ADVISERS TO THE PWC OR BE SUMMONED TO PWC GROUP MEETINGS OR SUB-GROUP MEETINGS AND I THINK THAT IS PERFECTLY FAIR TO CIVIL SERVANTS BECAUSE IF WE ALLOW THAT SITUATION TO BE CONFUSED THEY WOULD WONDER PRECISELY WHO THEY WERE WORKING FOR. OUR CIVIL SERVANTS ARE WORKING FOR ONE PERSON TO WHOM THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE AND THAT IS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THEY DON’T WORK FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL, THEY DON’T WORK FOR ME, THEY WORK FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THROUGH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THEY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEY DO THAT EXTREMELY WELL.
QUESTION: ALSO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PWC. I WANT TO ASK THAT IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, ARTICLE NUMBER 77, IN SOME WAY YOU RECOGNISE THE STATUS OF THE PWC AND WHY DON’T YOU EXPAND THE WORK BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE PWC? BECAUSE I THINK SOME QUESTIONS CANNOT BE DISCUSSED IN THE JLG, THEY MAY BE BETTER DISCUSSED IN THE PWC.
GOVERNOR: WELL I HAVE, I HOPE, JUST TRIED TO ANSWER A QUESTION ABOUT THE PWC FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVELY. OUR VIEW IS THAT WHILE WE CAN TALK TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PWC AND PROVIDE AS MUCH ASSISTANCE AS THEY WOULD LIKE, IT DOESN’T MAKE VERY MUCH SENSE TO TRY TO BYPASS THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP OR TO SET UP SOME RIVAL INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT TO THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. IF WE CAN’T MAKE THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WORK SUCCESSFULLY, WHY DOES ANYBODY THINK THAT SOME OTHER ARRANGEMENT COULD WORK WHICH HASN’T YET BEEN TRIED? I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT SOME LIFE INTO THE JLG. I HOPE THAT WE CAN DO SO AND IF WE CAN DO SO BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG HELD BY HONG KONG MEMBERS OF THE PWC, THEN SO BE IT.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR I THINK FOR CHILDREN, THEY HAVE A LOT OF EXPENSES. NOW THEY ARE PAID ONLY $180. SO HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO LOOK AFTER OUR CHILDREN WITH SUCH MEAGRE ASSISTANCE? ACCORDING TO DR MCPHERSON’S REPORT THERE SHOULD BE MORE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
GOVERNOR: I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE WERE INCREASING THE GRANT FOR CHILDREN TO THE SAME LEVEL AS THAT RECEIVED BY THE ELDERLY, INCREASING IT BY $205 A MONTH FOR NEXT APRIL. IT’S BEING INCREASED BY $100 - OR IT WAS INCREASED BY $100 A MONTH THIS APRIL I BELIEVE - OF COURSE IT’S ALSO THE CASE THAT MANY CHILDREN WILL BE RECEIVING SPECIAL GRANTS TOWARDS THINGS LIKE SCHOOL COSTS. SO I DON’T THINK THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK JUST AT THE BASIC ALLOWANCE BUT ALSO AT THE SPECIAL GRANTS WHICH CHILDREN ARE GETTING AS WELL. BUT I ALSO REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER. WE’RE GOING TO LOOK COMPREHENSIVELY AT ALL GRANTS, ALL THE ALLOWANCES IN THE LIGHT OF BOTH THE MCPHERSON REPORT AND THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND HOPE THAT WE CAN START COMING TO SOME CONCLUSIONS BEFORE THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, IN THE POLICY ADDRESS YOU TALKED ABOUT INCREASING NURSES BY 500. DOES THAT MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE MORE PLACES IN THE NURSING COURSE IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS? AND IF THERE’S AN INCREASE IN PLACES IN SUCH COURSES, ACTUALLY THERE WAS SOME OBJECTION TO THE INCREASE IN PLACES OF SUCH COURSES.
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 27 -
GOVERNOR: CAN I CLARIFY THE 500. WE ARE AIMING FOR 500 ADDITIONAL NURSES A YEAR. ON TOP OF THOSE THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE NURSES WHO LEAVE THE PROFESSION OR LEAVE HONG KONG. SO THE GROSS NUMBER WILL BE MORE THAN 500 AND THAT IS GOING TO BE PRETTY CHALLENGING. BUT WE ARE ALSO TRYING, AS YOU SAID, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE FOR NURSING DEGREES. WE ARE DISCUSSING THAT WITH THE UGC AT THE MOMENT AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MEET OUR OBJECTIVE OF HAVING MORE NURSING DEGREES AVAILABLE AS WELL AS MORE NURSING DEGREE PLACES AVAILABLE AS WELL AS MORE NURSES IN THE PROFESSION.
THERE ARE TWO OTHER THINGS WHICH I THINK ARE RELEVANT TO THE PROBLEMS FACED BY NURSES. FIRST, A LOT OF THOSE WHO ARE STUDYING TO BE NURSES FEEL THAT THEY DON’T SPEND QUITE ENOUGH TIME IN THE LECTURE ROOM AND SLIGHTLY TOO MUCH TIME ON THE WARD AND WE ARE ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME IN THE CLASSROOM OR LECTURE ROOM. AND SECONDLY, I THINK A LOT OF NURSES-FEEL THAT THERE ARE MANY JOBS THEY DO WHICH COULD BE BETTER DONE BY OTHER HEALTH WORKERS, BY ANCILLARY HEALTH WORKERS, AND WE ARE HOPING TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM AS WELL. SO THAT NURSES ARE SPENDING THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME ON PROFESSIONAL DUTIES RATHER THAN ON DUTIES WHICH COULD BE DONE BY A VALUABLE ANCILLARY WORKER WHO HASN’T BEEN TRAINED AS A NURSE.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR - NOT SO MUCH TALKED-ABOUT QUESTION SO I HAVE TO GATHER MY COURAGE TO ASK THAT QUESTION. IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU SEEM TO HAVE INVESTED HEAVILY IN THE ARTS AND OF COURSE WE HAVE A VERY GRAND CULTURAL CENTRE BUT HAVE YOU CONSIDERED INVESTING IN ARTS, BASIC ARTS EDUCATION AND LOCAL CRITICS MAGAZINES AND SO ON? BECAUSE IN OTHER AREAS, RTHK FOR EXAMPLE, IT WOULD HAVE CRITICISMS ON PUBLIC ACTION, GOVERNMENT ACTION AND SO ON. BUT THEN ALSO THERE WAS A PUBLICATION WHICH’S CALLED "CROSS" I BELIEVE, WHICH STOPPED PRESS BECAUSE THERE IS NO MORE SUBSIDY. HOW COME IN HONG KONG WE CANNOT EVEN TOLERATE SUCH A MAGAZINE?
GOVERNOR: I AM AFRAID IT’S NOT A MAGAZINE THAT I’VE READ BUT I’VE OBVIOUSLY MISSED OUT. WE SET UP AS YOU KNOW, THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD WITH A VERY DISTINGUISHED GROUP OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE ARTS ON IT AND I THINK THAT THE ARTS ARE PRETTY WIDELY REPRESENTED ON THAT BOARD. AND I BELIEVE MYSELF THAT IT IS RIGHT GIVEN THE LEVEL OF ECONOMIC PROSPERITY THAT HONG KONG HAS ARRIVED AT AND GIVEN THE EDUCATIONAL LEVELS WHICH HONG KONG HAS ARRIVED AT THAT WE SHOULD DO MORE TO SPONSOR AND ENCOURAGE THE ARTS. SO WE’VE GOT THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD SET UP AND WE HAVE OF COURSE GOT A THRIVING ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS.
/ONE OF .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 28 -
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE DISPENSING MONEY TO ARTS ORGANISATIONS HAVE TO ADDRESS, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THEY ARE ALWAYS FACED WITH, IS HOW MUCH OF THEIR CASH TO GIVE TO ESTABLISHED ART FORMS AND HOW MUCH TO GIVE TO AVANT-GARDE, A MORE EXPERIMENTAL ART FORMS? THEY ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY SHOULD LEAVE SOME AREAS OF THE ARTS TO MARKET FORCES. TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY. WHETHER YOU SHOULD SUBSIDISE THE PUBLISHING OF POETRY OR THE PUBLISHING OF MAGAZINES WHICH PROVIDE CRITICISM OF MUSIC OR THE VISUAL ARTS OR WHETHER YOU SHOULD ASSUME THAT THE MARKET WILL TAKE CARE OF THOSE. I AM CONTENT TO LEAVE THOSE SORT OF ISSUES TO THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BECAUSE I HAVE TO SAY, SPEAKING AS A POLITICIAN OR A POLITICAL ADMINISTRATOR, I AM A BIT SUSPICIOUS OF POLITICIANS TAKING THOSE DECISIONS. VERY OFTEN IN MY JUDGMENT POLITICIANS TAKE THOSE SORT OF DECISIONS FOR THE WRONG REASONS. THEY TAKE THOSE DECISIONS BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE ON THEM FROM PARTICULAR LOBBY GROUPS. OR THEY TAKE THOSE DECISIONS BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR INTERESTS. I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE NAME I WON’T MENTION, WHO WAS A MINISTER OF THE ARTS IN THE U.K. FOR SOME TIME, WHO WAS PASSIONATELY INTERESTED IN THE OPERA. DURING HIS PERIOD AS MINISTER OF THE ARTS IT WON’T SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW THAT FUNDING OF THE OPERA INCREASED VERY SUBSTANTIALLY BUT THERE WERE ONE OR TWO OTHER ART FORMS WHICH PERHAPS DIDN’T GET QUITE AS MUCH. SO I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF LEAVING THOSE VERY TRICKY AND DIFFICULT DECISIONS SO FAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE BOARD THAT WE’VE SET UP TO DEAL WITH THEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THAT JUST AS WE’VE SEEN IN HONG KONG IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES, JUST AS WE’VE SEEN HONG KONG BECOME THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND IN SOME SENSES, ONE OF THE BUSINESS CENTRES OF ASIA, SO WE WILL SEE HONG KONG BECOMING THE ARTS CENTRE OF THIS PART OF ASIA AS WELL. WE NEED TO GIVE THAT A BIT OF ENCOURAGEMENT, BUT I AM SURE MYSELF THAT WE’VE GOT ALL THE MAKINGS OF THAT, BOTH THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, THE CONSERVATOIR AND THEIR GROWING APPETITE FOR THE VISUAL ARTS AND FOR PERFORMANCE. I AM ABLE TO SEE QUITE A BIT OF THE VISUAL ARTS AND TO HEAR QUITE A BIT OF MUSIC IN HONG KONG AND I THINK WE ARE JUST AT THE BEGINNING OF A REAL CULTURAL RENAISSANCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: BEFORE 1997 THE COST OF FEES RECOVERY WILL BE 18%. NOW YOU ARE SAYING THAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE DOING THE SAME. SO MY QUESTION FOR THE GOVERNOR IS, WHAT OTHER STATISTICS AND RATIONALE DO YOU HAVE TO BACK UP YOUR DECISION TO RAISE IT TO 18%? YOU SAY THAT THERE ARE LOANS AND GRANTS IN ORDER TO HELP STUDENTS. IS THIS A GOOD WAY? BECAUSE IF WE HAVE TO REPAY THE LOANS AFTER ALL, IF OUR FEES IS $10,000, DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO GET A LOAN OF $10,000? IS THIS REALLY APPROPRIATE? THANK YOU.
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 29 -
GOVERNOR: THE COST RECOVERY OF 18% I’D BE DELIGHTED TO COMPARE FOR YOU WITH COST RECOVERY IN OTHER OECD COUNTRIES AND, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, THOUGH I DON’T HAVE THE FIGURES ON THE BACK OF MY CUFF, I WILL FIND OUT THE FIGURES FOR YOU AND WRITE TO YOU OR TO - IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A STUDENT UNION - YOUR STUDENT UNION AND LET YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE FIGURES ARE. I DON’T MYSELF BELIEVE THAT IT IS UNREASONABLE EVEN IF ONE IS CONSIDERING THE ISSUE IN A STRICTLY EGALITARIAN WAY TO EXPECT THOSE WHO GO THROUGH TERTIARY EDUCATION TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THAT WHICH THEY HAVE TO REPAY WHEN THEY ARE USUALLY BUT NOT ALWAYS GETTING RATHER BETTER PAID IN LATER LIFE THAN WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CASE IF THEY HADN’T BEEN TO TERTIARY EDUCATION. I THINK THAT IF I HAVE TO CHOOSE FOR EXAMPLE, BETWEEN PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME FOR KINDERGARTENS OR DELAYING COST RECOVERY IN THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR I WOULD THINK THAT THERE WAS A GREATER EGALITARIAN SOCIAL NEED FOR US DOING MORE AT THE LEVEL OF 3 TO 5 YEAR OLDS, ESPECIALLY WHERE THEIR PARENTS FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO AFFORD KINDERGARTEN FEES. SO, FOR ME, THERE ARE EGALITARIAN ASPECTS TO THIS AS WELL AS OTHER ASPECTS BUT I HAD BETTER NOT GO ON ABOUT EGALITARIANISM BECAUSE YOU MIGHT THINK, SOME OF OUR FRIENDS TO THE NORTH THINK THAT I AM A SOCIALIST.
QUESTION: I AM ALSO ASKING A QUESTION ON EDUCATION. I DON’T THINK EDUCATION SHOULD BE REGARDED AS PERSONAL INVESTMENT, IT IS A SOCIAL INVESTMENT RATHER, SO THE GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY SHOULD BEAR THE BIGGEST RESPONSIBILITY. THE RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD NOT REST WITH STUDENTS. I AM NOT SAYING THAT WE STUDENTS DON’T WANT TO PAY THE FEE BUT WE WANT TO PAY A REASONABLE FEE, ONE THAT CAN BE AFFORDED BY OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES. NOW IN THIS YEAR, 1994, I AM PAYING $12,000 -- SORRY, $12,000 FOR A HALF-YEAR - AND THEN NEXT YEAR FOR THE FULL TERM IT WILL BE $36,000. NOW FOR THE FIGURE OF $36,000 FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, IN MY CASE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO AFFORD. I DEFINITELY HAVE TO TAKE A PART-TIME JOB TO PAY THAT FEE. SO IT WAS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM MY ORIGINAL THINKING THAT I WOULD NOT TAKE A PART-TIME JOB DURING MY THREE-YEAR COURSE.
MR PATTEN, YOU SAID YOU ARE ONLY GIVING $300 MILLION MORE FOR THE GRANT AND LOAN SCHEME BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR ALL TERTIARY STUDENTS. THERE ARE OVER 40,000 OF US, SO THAT SUM WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEM. I HOPE YOU CAN ANSWER MY QUESTION. THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: THERE ARE ABOUT 46,000 OF YOU, I THINK, AND ABOUT 40 PER CENT ARE GETTING LOANS AND GRANTS. 1 AGREE WITH YOU THAT INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION ISN’T JUST A UTILITARIAN ECONOMIC INVESTMENT. INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION IS ALSO VALUABLE IN LIBERAL - WITH A SMALL ’L’ - TERMS AS WELL. INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, INVESTMENT IN UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS HELPS TO PRODUCE A MORE DECENT AND CIVILISED SOCIETY AND HAVING READ CARDINAL NEWMAN ON THE SUBJECT, I FEEL EXTREMELY STRONGLY ABOUT IT. BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU CAN TOTALLY IGNORE THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF EXPANDING TERTIARY EDUCATION AS RAPIDLY AS WE HAVE EXPANDED IT HERE. AND THAT DOES MEAN THAT SOMEBODY HAS TO FOOT THE BILL AND WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING AT THE MOMENT IS THAT STUDENTS SHOULD MEET ABOUT 13 PER CENT OF IT.
/YOUR SAID .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994 '
- 30 -
YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE HAVING TO CONSIDER A PART-TIME JOB. I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MORE TIRESOME THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO FACE WHEN YOU’RE A STUDENT OR YOUNG, IS YOUR PARENTS OR OLDER PEOPLE TELLING YOU WHAT LIFE USED TO BE LIKE FOR THEM BUT YOU’RE LISTENING TO SOMEBODY WHO HAD TO DO A NUMBER OF PART-TIME JOBS HIMSELF. I WAS ONE OF THE BEST POSTMEN IN NORTH-WEST LONDON; I WAS A PRETTY INADEQUATE BRICKLAYER ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE; I DID MANY PART-TIME JOBS TO HELP GET ME THROUGH UNIVERSITY BECAUSE I HAD A SMALL SCHOLARSHIP BUT ONE WHICH DIDN’T COVER THE WHOLE OF MY UNIVERSITY COSTS. SO TAKING OCCASIONAL PART-TIME JOBS IN ORDER TO HELP PAY FOR THE BILLS ISN’T AN UNUSUAL FEATURE OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR. IF YOU THINK IT IS, READ ANY AMERICAN LITERATURE ABOUT GROWING UP OR GO AND TALK TO ANYBODY WHO IS AT AN AMERICAN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.
QUESTION: LAST QUESTION. MR GOVERNOR, I HAVE READ YOUR POLICY ADDRESS AND YET I CAN’T FIND ANYTHING ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL AND SO I ASK THIS QUESTION. OK, WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THE AIRPORT, WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, AND YET A QUARTER OF THE ADDRESS IS ON MENDING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. SO DOES THAT MEAN THAT ONCE THE RELATIONSHIP IS MENDED THEN ALL MATTERS WILL BE RESOLVED? AND YET THERE IS NO POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE TO WHAT'YOU HAVE PROPOSED. SO MY QUESTION IS, THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT ARE IN THE WAY THAT STOPPED YOU FROM ARRIVING AT A CONCLUSION? I WANT THE TRUE REASON, NOT WAFFLING AND WANDERING.
GOVERNOR: I’M SURPRISED THAT YOU SAY THERE IS NO MENTION OF EITHER THE AIRPORT OR THE CONTAINER TERMINAL IN MY POLICY SPEECH BECAUSE I AM, EVEN AS I SPEAK TO YOU, STARING AT JUST SUCH A MENTION ON THE TURN, FOR EXAMPLE, OF PAGES 29 AND 30. BUT IF YOU WANT EVEN MORE COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCES TO THE AIRPORT AND THE CONTAINER TERMINAL THEN I DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE POLICY COMMITMENTS. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE POLICY COMMITMENTS.
WE DECIDED, THIS YEAR, THAT THE GOVERNOR, NOT LEAST AS AN ACT OF CHARITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SHOULDN’T SAY EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON HIMSELF AND SHOULD MAKE A SHORTER SPEECH AND THAT WE SHOULD HAVE ALL THE POLICY SECRETARIES SETTING OUT THEIR OWN MISSION STATEMENTS AS BUSINESS MANAGERS WOULD CALL THEM, SETTING OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN ALL THEIR OWN DEPARTMENTS, AND THEY WILL BE DOING THAT AT A SERIES OF PRESS CONFERENCES ABOUT THIS HUGE DOCUMENT, 184 PAGES LONG, OVER THE NEXT TEN DAYS AND THERE IS A GREAT DEAL IN THAT DOCUMENT ABOUT THE AIRPORT AND THE CONTAINER TERMINAL.
WHY HAVEN’T WE REACHED A FINAL AGREEMENT ABOUT THE AIRPORT OR THE CONTAINER TERMINAL? IT IS A QUESTION WHICH, IF I WAS BEING MORE PROVOCATIVE, I MIGHT SAY THAT YOU SHOULD ASK OF PRC OFFICIALS BECAUSE I THINK IT MUST PUZZLE EVERYONE THAT AFTER YEARS OF DISCUSSION WE STILL HAVEN’T, FOR EXAMPLE, REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT. I CAN’T THINK OF ANY OTHER EXAMPLE IN HUMAN HISTORY OF TWO GREAT COUNTRIES SPENDING SO MUCH TIME TALKING ABOUT AN AIRPORT. AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, AIRPORTS ARE THINGS THAT PRIME MINISTERS AND FOREIGN SECRETARIES SHOULD FLY IN AND OUT OF, THEY ARE NOT THINGS THEY SHOULD SPEND ALL THEIR TIME TALKING ABOUT. I THINK THAT WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT NOW ON THE AIRPORT. I THINK WHAT SEPARATES THE TWO SIDES IS VERY SLIM. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN REACH AN AGREEMENT EXTREMELY SOON BUT EVEN WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT WE ARE BUILDING THAT AIRPORT EXTREMELY FAST.
/I DON'T .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 31 -
I DON’T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SEEN WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT TWO-THIRDS, MAYBE THREE-QUARTERS NOW, OF THE SITE HAS BEEN RECLAIMED AND THE FIXED-CROSSING IS NOW SUBSTANTIALLY IN PLACE. WE’RE MAKING VERY SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS, WE’RE ALMOST THERE. I’M AFRAID THAT WE HAVEN’T QUITE GOT A FINANCIAL AGREEMENT BUT I HOPE THAT WILL COME SOON.
ON THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, I FEAR THAT WHAT MAY HAVE PREVENTED AN AGREEMENT IS POLITICAL FACTORS, WHICH HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BY SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS. BUT SINCE MY INTEREST IS IN TRYING TO GET AN AGREEMENT ON THE CONTAINER TERMINAL RATHER THAN TRYING TO PROVOKE ANOTHER ARGUMENT I’LL BE EXTREMELY DIPLOMATIC AT THIS POINT. BUT I SUSPECT THAT YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I KNOW WHAT THE ARGUMENT HAS BEEN ABOUT.
CAN I THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING. I REALISE THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD AN EVEN FRIENDLIER MEETING IF WE WEREN’T HAVING ANY COST RECOVERY FROM THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR BUT I HOPE THAT EVEN WITHOUT THAT ISSUE OF LOANS AND GRANTS, YOU HAVE FELT IT WORTHWHILE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF ASKING ME QUESTIONS. I’VE CERTAINLY ENJOYED IT AND I HOPE WE CAN DO IT AGAIN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
------0---------
PROPOSALS BY GOVERNOR OFFERED WITH GOODWILL AND SINCERITY
*****
THE PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE GOVERNOR YESTERDAY TO SETTLE THE DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA ARE OFFERED WITH GOODWILL AND SINCERITY AND WITH HONG KONG’S FUTURE WELL-BEING AT HEART, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THESE WERE PRACTICAL, PRAGMATIC, DESIRABLE AND WHOLLY ACHIEVABLE MEASURES AND THEIR ACCEPTANCE WOULD BRING A WELCOME ASSURANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND SEND A POSITIVE SIGNAL TO HONG KONG’S PARTNERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, MRS ANSON CHAN SAID WHILE ADDRESSING THE ASIAN AFFAIRS SEMINAR.
MRS CHAN ALSO CLARIFIED SOME MISUNDERSTANDINGS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TOWARDS THE PRELTMINERY WORKING COMMITTEE (PWC).
THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A BAN ON CONTACTS BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS AND PWC MEMBERS AND THERE HAD BEEN VARIOUS SUCH CONTACTS IN THE PAST, SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HOPED THESE CONTACTS WOULD CONTINUE AND WOULD BE HELPFUL TO PWC MEMBERS.
"HOWERVER, GIVEN THE DIFFERENCES IN THE ROLES OF VARIOUS PARTIES, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS TO BECOME MEMBERS OF PWC; ATTEND FORMAL MEETINGS OF THE PWC OR ITS SUBGROUPS; OR ACT AS ADVISERS TO THE PWC OR ITS SUBGROUPS," SHE SAID.
"WITHIN THESE PARAMETERS, CIVIL SERVANTS ARE FREE TO DEVELOP OR MAINTAIN CONTACTS WITH PWC MEMBERS, EITHER IN THEIR OFFICIAL OR PRIVATE CAPACITIES," SHE ADDED.
/SHE NOTE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 32 -
SHE NOTE THAT PWC WAS AN ADVISORY BODY TO THE NATIONAL PEOPLES' CONGRESS (NPC) OF THE PEOPLES' REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND IT SHOULD BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) WHICH, UNDER AN NPC DECISION, WAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG SAR.
’’THE JOINT DECALARATION MAKES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP AS THE FORUM FOR THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES TO WORK TOGETHER TO IMPLEMENT THE JOINT DECLARATION AND TO PROMOTE THE SMOOTH TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT ON JULY 1, 1997.
’’THIS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES - FOR EXAMPLE, MEETINGS BETWEEN THE BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER- PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF FORUMS FOR RESOLVING ALL TRANSITION ISSUES BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNEMTNS, AND WILL REMAIN SO.
’’NEITHER THE JOINT DECLARATION NOR THE BASIC LAW AND THEIR ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS REFER TO THE PWC,” MRS CHAN SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID CIVIL SERVANTS IN THE DISCHARGED OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES WERE RESPONSIBLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"AS PART OF THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THERE SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE NO CONFUSION ON THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THESE VARIOUS PARTIES,” SHE EXPLAINED.
-----0-------
TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY'S MEDIA SESSION
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEDIA SESSION BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, AFTER ADDRESSING THE AMERICAN WOMEN ASSOCIATION’S ASIAN AFFAIRS SEMINAR THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING:
QUESTION: WHAT GUIDELINE IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO ISSUE TO CIVIL SERVANTS REGARDING THE PWC?
MRS CHAN: LET ME STRESS, FIRST OF ALL, THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN OUR POLICY AS REGARDS CONTACTS WITH THE PWC. THE ROLE OF THE PWC IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ROLE OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WHICH IS, OF COURSE, LAID DOWN IN THE BASIC LAW AND SO, THEREFORE, WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT’S RIGHT OR APPROPRIATE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO BECOME FORMAL MEMBERS OF THE PWC OR TO HAVE FORMAL CONTACTS. BUT, OF COURSE, THERE IS NO BAN, AND I STRESS, THERE IS NO BAN ON CONTACTS BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS EITHER IN THEIR OFFICIAL OR PRIVATE CAPACITY WITH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS O‘F THE PWC. INDEED, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SUCH CONTACTS ALREADY AND WE HOPE THAT THESE CONTACTS WILL BE MAINTAINED AND WILL BE INCREASED. WE WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. AS REGARDS FORMAL ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS, THERE ARE, AS I HAVE STRESSED ON MANY OCCASIONS, RECOGNISED CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO SOVEREIGN POWERS AND THAT IS THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, THROUGH MEETINGS, FOR EXAMPLE, BETWEEN THE TWO FOREIGN SECRETARIES, SUCH AS THE ONE THAT WE HAD RECENTLY. AND SO, WE BELIEVE THERE ARE PLENTY OF CHANNELS FOR INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN TO THE CHINESE SIDE ON ANY MATTER OF POLICY OR PROCEDURE THAT THEY WISH TO SEEK CLARIFICATION ON.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 33 -
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, JUDGING FROM SOME INITIAL REACTIONS, IT SEEMS THAT CHINA IS STILL NOT CONVINCED BY THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE RELATION WITH THE MAINLAND...?
MRS CHAN: I CAN STRESS AGAIN THAT WE HAVE OUTLINED A NUMBER OF CONCRETE MEASURES FOR CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. I THINK YOU’LL HAVE TO ALLOW TIME FOR OUR PROPOSALS TO BE DIGESTED, TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CHINESE. WE VERY MUCH HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP ON OUR SUGGESTIONS AND I STRESS AGAIN, AS THE GOVERNOR HAS STRESSED, THESE ARE NO MORE THAN PROPOSALS ON OUR PART. IF THE CHINESE FEEL THAT CERTAIN SUGGESTIONS ARE NOT WHAT THEY WISH TO SEE, THEN WE’LL BE VERY HAPPY TO CONSIDER COUNTER-PROPOSALS FOR THEM. BUT I DO STRESS AGAIN, WE ARE VERY SINCERE IN WISHING TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE CHINESE. THERE IS, INDEED, NO ALTERNATIVE TO CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE, OR WITH THE REMAINING SLIGHTLY UNDER 1,000 DAYS BEFORE SOVEREIGNTY REVERSES. IT IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY WISHES TO SEE AND I CAN ASSURE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OF OUR FULL CO-OPERATION.
------0--------
CS TO VISIT CANADA AND U.S.
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 9) FOR A TWO-WEEK OFFICIAL VISIT TO CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.
MRS CHAN WILL BEGIN HER VISIT IN TORONTO AND LATER FLY TO OTTAWA. IN BOTH CITIES SHE WILL MEET A NUMBER OF FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. SHE WILL ALSO ATTEND BUSINESS LUNCHEONS AND A GALA DINNER IN TORONTO.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID RELATIONS BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE. APART FROM BEING MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, THE TWO COMMUNITIES HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED CLOSE LINKS IN CULTURAL, MIGRATION AND OTHER AREAS.
"THIS VISIT WILL ENABLE MRS CHAN TO BROADEN THE ALREADY STRONG TIES BETWEEN OUR TWO COMMUNITIES,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FOLLOWING HER VISIT TO CANADA, MRS CHAN WILL LEAD A TOP-LEVEL BUSINESS DELEGATION TO THREE CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, THE SETTING FOR HONG KONG-USA ’94 - THE BIGGEST PROMOTION HONG KONG HAS EVER HELD IN THE COUNTRY.
THE WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL, WHICH BEGINS ON OCTOBER 17, IS BEING STAGED IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND ATLANTA AND WILL INCLUDE BUSINESS CONFERENCES, GALA DINNERS, FILM FESTIVALS AND AN ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, WERE AIMED AT ENHANCING UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES.
IN EACH OF THE THREE CITIES, MRS CHAN WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE LUNCHEON ADDRESS TO THOSE ATTENDING BUSINESS CONFERENCES UNDER THE THEME "HONG KONG-BUSINESS PARTNER FOR THE PACIFIC CENTURY”.
/SPECIALISED WORKSHOPS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 34 -
SPECIALISED WORKSHOPS ORGANISED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BUSINESS SEMINARS WILL FOCUS ON HONG KONG’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOOM, THE NEW AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, HONG KONG’S CAPITAL MARKETS AND TIPS FOR ENTERING CHINA’S CONSUMER MARKET.
MRS CHAN WILL ALSO OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF HONG KONG FILM EXHIBITIONS IN THE THREE CITIES, THE ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION ’’HONG KONG - THE CITY OF VISION" AT THE CHICAGO ATHENAEUM, MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN, AND THE HONG KONG SHOWCASE EXHIBITION IN ATLANTA.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT GALA DINNERS IN THE THREE U.S. CITIES WHICH WILL FEATURE A SPECIAL CULTURAL PERFORMANCE ARRANGED BY THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
DURING HER VISIT, MRS CHAN WILL CALL ON A NUMBER OF SENIOR U.S. OFFICIALS AND MEET WITH CORPORATE LEADERS.
HONG KONG-USA *94 IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
THE PATRONS OF THE PROMOTION ARE: EXXON ENERGY LIMITED, HONGKONG BANK, HONGKONG TELECOM, HUTCHISON WHAMPOA LIMITED AND WHARF (HOLDINGS) LIMITED. THE OFFICIAL CARRIER IS UNITED AIRLINES.
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STI URGES EARLY RATIFICATION OF URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT
* * * » *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED MEMBER ECONOMIES AT THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) TRADE MINISTERS MEETING HELD AT JAKARTA TO RATIFY THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION BY JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) WAS NOTIFIED ON OCTOBER 1 OF HONG KONG’S RATIFICATION.
"BECAUSE HONG KONG IS SUCH A SMALL ECONOMY, WE RELY MORE THAN MANY OTHER ECONOMIES ON THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM TO SAFEGUARD OUR EXTERNAL TRADE INTERESTS.
"THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE GATT, THEREFORE, FORM THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR EXTERNAL TRADE POLICY. THESE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, SUCH AS MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN), AS WELL AS THE RULEBASED AND BASICALLY CONSENSUS APPROACH OF GATT HAVE WORKED WELL FOR HONG KONG," MR CHAU SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND GREATER TARIFF REDUCTIONS, FURTHER LIBERALISATION IN TRADE IN SERVICES, AND . IMPROVEMENT IN THE RULES ON SAFEGUARDS, AND ANTIDUMPING.
/ON THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 35 -
ON THE POST-URUGUAY ROUND ERA, MR CHAU WARNED THAT ’’THE SIGNIFICANT TARIFF CUTS UNDER THE ROUND MIGHT HEIGHTEN DOMESTIC PRESSURES IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES FOR THE USE OF TRADE POLICY INSTRUMENTS TO RESTRICT IMPORTS.
’’POTENTIAL DANGERS LIE IN THE USE OF SAFEGUARDS, ANTI-DUMPING, RULES OF ORIGIN AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS TO ACHIEVE PROTECTIONIST TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES,” HE SAID.
ON FURTHER REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRADE LIBERALISATION, MR CHAU URGED FOR MORE AND FASTER LIBERALISATION OF TRADE IN BOTH GOODS AND SERVICES, AND SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL FOR APEC TO GATHER INFORMATION ON IMPEDIMENTS TO REGIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT.
”IN SUPPORTING THE PROPOSAL, HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THE NEED FOR PURPOSE AND FOCUS. THE REGION’S BUSINESSMEN AND INVESTORS ARE LOOKING TO APEC FOR LEADERSHIP IN THE FORM OF A REAL REDUCTION OF THE RESTRICTIVE RULES AND ADMINISTRATIVE HASSLES WHICH THEY ENCOUNTER EVERYDAY," MR CHAU SAID.
HE AND THE HONG KONG DELEGATION COMPRISING THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, WILL FLY BACK TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON AFTER ATTENDING THE APEC TRADE MINISTERS MEETING IN JAKARTA.
A PRESS POSITION WILL BE ARRANGED OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT CLINIC FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL. MR CHAU WILL BE ON FLIGHT CX 718 AND THE EXPECTED ARRIVAL TIME IS 2.30 PM.
STI IN JAKARTA
* * * * ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, ATTENDING THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) TRADE MINISTERS MEETING AT JAKARTA, HAD A SERIES OF INFORMAL BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE MET TRADE MINISTERS FROM INDONESIA, CHINA, SINGAPORE, CHINESE TAIPEI, NEW ZEALAND, AS WELL AS THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE NEGOTIATION FROM MEXICO.
DISCUSSIONS COVERED BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENTS, ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION, AS WELL AS THE ORIENTATION FOR FUTURE
OF APEC.
/•’THESE MEETINGS ..........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 36 -
’’THESE MEETINGS SUPPLEMENT THE FORMAL MINISTERIAL MEETING AND OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A CORDIAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN. PERSONAL CONTACT AT THIS SENIOR LEVEL, ESTABLISHED IN PREVIOUS APEC MINISTERIAL MEETINGS ARE VERY USEFUL,” MR CHAU SAID.
"THEY HELP TO ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION AND IN MANY WAYS ARE ONE OF THE MOST BENEFICIAL ASPECTS OF PARTICIPATION."
THE FORMAL MINISTERIAL MEETING WILL BE INAUGURATED BY PRESIDENT SUHARTO TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR CHAU WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE FURTHER BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH OTHER TRADE MINISTERS.
------0-------
CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND * ♦ » » »
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A $10 MILLION CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST CONSUMERS IN BRINGING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS TRADERS.
THE FUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED AS A CHARITABLE TRUST. "THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THAT UNDER SECTION 4(1)(E) OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL SHALL BE APPOINTED TO ACT AS THE TRUSTEE OF A TRUST TO BE TERMED THE CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THE FUND WILL BE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
"THE FUND WILL PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO GROUPS OF CONSUMERS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION ON A COLLECTIVE BASIS. THIS WILL AVOID MULTIPLE ACTIONS AND HENCE PROMOTE MORE EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS," HE SAID.
"THE FUND WILL ALSO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS TO INITIATE LEGAL ACTIONS WHICH HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC," HE ADDED.
THE FUND WILL ONLY ASSIST THOSE LEGAL ACTIONS ON CONSUMER TRANSACTIONS WHICH ARE WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND PERMITTED UNDER EXISTING LAW, FOR EXAMPLE, LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST SUPPLIERS OF UNMERCHANTABLE GOODS AND UNREASONABLE EXEMPTION CLAUSES.
"THE FUND WILL IMPROVE CONSUMERS’ ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND HELP PROTECT THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS,” HE SAID.
"WHERE BUSINESSES ARE CONCERNED, THE AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FUND WILL HELP ENCOURAGE GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES THROUGH INCREASING THE RISK OF BEING SUED FOR MALPRACTICES."
/THE FUND .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
37 -
THE FUND IS INTENDED TO BE SELF-FINANCING WITH INCOME GENERATED FROM THE INVESTMENT OF THE FUND, LEGAL COSTS RECOVERED AND CONTRIBUTION PAID BY ASSISTED CONSUMERS IF THEIR CASES ARE SUCCESSFUL.
THE FUND WILL CHARGE THE APPLICANT AN ADMINISTRATION FEE OF $100 FOR SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL CASES AND $1,000 FOR DISTRICT COURT CASES. IT WILL RECEIVE 10 PER CENT OF ANY DAMAGES RECOVERED BY ASSISTED CONSUMERS IN SUCCESSFUL CASES, AND DEDUCT FROM SUCH DAMAGES AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT TO COVER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEGAL COSTS PAID BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL BUT NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OPPONENT PARTY.
"THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE RECOVERED FROM THE CONSUMERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A CEILING OF 25 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL DAMAGES AWARDED FOR SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL CASES AND 50 PER CENT FOR DISTRICT COURT CASES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ESTIMATES THAT IN THE FIRST YEAR THE RECURRENT INCOME GENERATED WOULD BE ADEQUATE FOR 25 SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL CASES AND 10 DISTRICT COURT CASES.
UNDER THE TRUST DEED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL APPOINT A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN MANAGING THE FUND.
"TO ENHANCE THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE FUND, THERE WILL BE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN THE TRUST DEED TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC TO MONITOR THE OPERATION OF THE FUND. THESE INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT OF ANNUAL AUDIT OF ITS ACCOUNTS AND THE TABLING OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WILL PRESCRIBE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA WHICH CONSUMERS NEED TO FULFIL IN SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND. THESE REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF A MERITS TEST.
THE MERITS TEST WILL FOCUS ON WHETHER THE CASE WILL INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST AND INJUSTICE; WHETHER IT AFFECTS A GROUP OF CLAIMANTS OR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE; WHETHER COURT ACTION IS COST-EFFECTIVE AND MORE DESIRABLE THAN ANY OTHER AVAILABLE MEANS; AND WHETHER THE LEGAL ACTION WILL HAVE PUBLICITY VALUE AND BE ABLE TO BOTH PROMOTE THE CONSUMER CAUSE AND HAVE A DETERRENT EFFECT ON UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESS PRACTICES.
"APPLICANTS NEED NOT UNDERGO A MANDATORY MEANS TEST IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO DECLARE THEIR MEANS BY MAKING A STATUTORY DECLARATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE FUND WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AN APPLICANT’S ABILITY TO SEEK LEGAL REDRESS AT HIS OWN COST AS ONE OF THE MANY FACTORS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO ACCEPT OR REJECT A PARTICULAR CASE.
"THE MEANS OF THE CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE THE OVERRIDING CONSIDERATION IN PROVIDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FUND," HE SAID.
"SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC FOR THE FUND TO ASSIST AGGRIEVED CONSUMERS IN TAKING GROUP LEGAL ACTIONS EVEN THOUGH NOT ALL THE CONSUMERS IN THE GROUP LACK THE NECESSARY MEANS.
/"SUBJECT TO .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994-
38
’’SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WE HOPE TO ESTABLISH THE TRUST IN NOVEMBER FOR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO RECEIVE THE FIRST APPLICATION IN DECEMBER 1994,” HE SAID.
THE FUNDING APPLICATION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION IN EARLY NOVEMBER 1994.
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TRIBUNAL INQUIRES INTO SHARES DEALING OF PIIL
**♦»»*
THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL WHICH HAS BEEN TASKED TO INQUIRE INTO DEALINGS IN THE SHARES OF PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED (PIIL) WILL BEGIN ITS PUBLIC SITTINGS ON OCTOBER 31, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN TWO OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: THE TRIBUNAL’S TERMS OF REFERENCE HAD BEEN WIDENED, AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH POTENTIAL WITNESSES HAD RESULTED IN CHANGES TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TRIBUNAL.
THE TRIBUNAL STARTED ITS WORK IN EARLY AUGUST. IT HAS MET ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS SINCE THEN AND HAS DIRECTED INQUIRIES TO BE CARRIED OUT AND EVIDENCE TO BE GATHERED AHEAD OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
IN THE COURSE OF THAT EXERCISE, THE TRIBUNAL DECIDED TO REQUIRE MATERIAL EVIDENCE FROM A PARTY WITH WHOM ONE OF THE MEMBERS, MR DEREK MURPHY, IS WELL ACQUAINTED. MR MURPHY AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TRIBUNAL AGREED THAT HE SHOULD, FOR THAT REASON, RESIGN FROM THE APPOINTMENT.
MR GUY HENDERSON WAS SUBSEQUENTLY APPOINTED TO REPLACE MR MURPHY BUT HE HAS ALSO WITHDRAWN FROM THE TRIBUNAL FOR SIMILAR REASONS.
"PRECAUTIONS ARE ALWAYS TAKEN BEFORE AN APPOINTMENT TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER A PROSPECTIVE MEMBER OF THE TRIBUNAL IS ACQUAINTED OR CONNECTED WITH A WITNESS OR RELEVANT CORPORATION OR ADVISER.
"BECAUSE OF THE TRIBUNAL’S INVESTIGATIVE ROLE, HOWEVER, IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO PREDICT SITUATIONS WHICH MAY CALL FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CASE. THE TRIBUNAL’S INQUIRIES ARE AT AN ADVANCED STAGE AND THE NEED TO REPLACE MEMBERS HAS NOT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DELAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HAVING CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS RECENTLY APPOINTED MR DUFFY WONG CHUNG-NAM AS A NEW MEMBER FOR THE INQUIRY. MR WONG IS A PARTNER OF HO, WONG AND WONG. HE SPECIALISES IN CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL LAW.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD AMENDED THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE CASE.
ORIGINALLY, THE TRIBUNAL WAS REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER INSIDER DEALING IN PIIL SHARES TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER 199’2, BUT SINCE HEAVY TRADING IN PIIL SHARES STARTED IN LATE NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO ASK THE TRIBUNAL TO WIDEN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE TO ENABLE IT TO INQUIRE INTO WHETHER INSIDER DEALING TOOK PLACE IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1992.
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/39
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
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VISA APPLICATION PROCEDURE TO BE SIMPLIFIED *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT PEOPLE FROM PLACES OTHER THAN CHINA AND TAIWAN WHO WISH TO ENTER HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT, INVESTMENT, EDUCATION, TRAINING OR RESIDENCE MAY SUBMIT THEIR VISA APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY TO THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
"THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL, DIRECT CHANNEL FOR PEOPLE TO SUBMIT THEIR VISA APPLICATIONS.
"SUCH PROCEDURAL CHANGE IS PART OF OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO SIMPLIFY THE VISA APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND PROVIDE BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENT CUSTOMER SERVICES," AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT PRESENT, VISA APPLICATIONS ARE NORMALLY SUBMITTED THROUGH BRITISH VISA POSTS OVERSEAS.
"THE NEW ARRANGEMENT ENABLES THE NORMAL PROCESSING TIME TO BE REDUCED FROM SIX WEEKS TO FOUR WEEKS AS APPLICATIONS DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BRITISH VISA POSTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AN APPLICANT WHO WISHES TO MAKE USE OF THE NEW CHANNEL SHOULD COMPLETE A STANDARD VISA APPLICATION FORM, OBTAINABLE FROM AN OVERSEAS VISA POST OR FROM THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, AND SEND IT TO THE DEPARTMENT BY POST OR THROUGH A SPONSOR IN HONG KONG.
AFTER AN APPLICATION IS APPROVED, A VISA LETTER WILL BE ISSUED TO THE LOCAL SPONSOR WHO WILL BE ASKED TO SEND IT TO THE APPLICANT. IF THE APPLICANT DOES NOT HAVE A SPONSOR, THE VISA AUTHORISATION LETTER WILL BE SENT TO HIM BY MAIL.
ON ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG, THE APPLICANT SHOULD PRESENT THE VISA LETTER TOGETHER WITH A VALID TRAVEL DOCUMENT FOR IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENT DOES NOT COVER APPLICATIONS FROM CHINA AND TAIWAN BECAUSE THEY ARE AT PRESENT COVERED BY DIFFERENT PROCEDURES DESIGNED TO SUIT THEIR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111, OR OBTAIN A COPY OF THE RELEVANT GUIDANCE NOTES FROM THE INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS OR THROUGH THE FAXLINE 877 7711.
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/40 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
40
MERCHANT JAILED AND FINED FOR TAX EVASION *****
A 53-YEAR-OLD MERCHANT WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) CONVICTED OF TAX EVASION AND SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 18 MONTHS, SUSPENDED FOR TWO YEARS.
IN ADDITION FINES TOTALLING $1,532,990, OR 200 PER CENT TO THE TAX EVADED, WERE IMPOSED.
THE DEFENDANT WAS PROSECUTED FOR SUBMITTING, WILFULLY WITH INTENT TO EVADE TAX, FRAUDULENT PROFITS TAX RETURNS AND STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS, CONTRARY TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE (SECTION 82(1)(A) AND (D)).
HE HAD EARLIER PLEADED GUILTY TO SIX CHARGES RELATING TO THE YEARS FROM 1986/87 TO 1988/89.
THE DEFENDANT KWOK LAI-YEE WAS THE SOLE PROPRIETOR OF LAI KEE COMPANY, A COTTON YARN DEALER.
SALES, PURCHASES AND STOCK WERE INCORRECTLY REPORTED FOR THE YEARS OF ASSESSMENT 1986/87 TO 1988/89 AND THE DEFENDANT’S TRUE PROFITS WERE FIVE TIMES THOSE DECLARED IN HIS RETURNS, REPRESENTING AN UNDERSTATEMENT OF $4,653,050, OR 80 PER CENT. THE TAX EVADED WAS $758,995.
IN PASSING SENTENCE, JUDGE CHUA SAID TAX EVASION WAS A SERIOUS OFFENCE AND THE DEFENDANT DESERVED IMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE. THE JUDGE, HOWEVER, SUSPENDED THE SENTENCE AFTER GIVING THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO THE DEFENDANT ON THE POOR STATE OF HIS HEALTH.
AN INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT TAX EVASION WAS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
UPON CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE IS THREE YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $20,000 ON EACH CHARGE, PLUS A FURTHER FINE EQUIVALENT TO THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED.
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S FOR WORKS ON AIRPORT PROJECT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT IT REMAINS CLOSE TO BASELINE FOR MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE COMPLETION OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) WITHIN BUDGET BY JUNE 30, 1997, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING ON ”ACP CONDITIONS IN ACTION” AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CLUB SEMINAR, MR BLAKE SAID THIS FOLLOWED A RECENT RIGOROUS ANALYSIS OF ACP ESTIMATES, OUT TURN FORECASTS, AND PROGRAMME ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE.
IN VIEW OF THE SCALE AND THE VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE OF THE PROJECT, HE SAID, IT WAS CONSIDERED ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO IMPLEMENT A NUMBER OF CHANGES IN THE ACP CONTRACTS TO ENSURE THAT PROPER CONTROL OF COST AND PROGRAMME COULD ALWAYS BE MAINTAINED.
/MR BLAKE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
41
MR BLAKE SAID BOTH THE CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT, AND THE INTERNAL PROCEDURES WHICH ACCOMPANIED THEM, WERE 1 NDEK CONTINUAL REVIEW BY THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT CO-ORDINATING OFFICE (NAPCO), THE LEGAL ADVISERS AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCT LON ASSOCIATION (HKCA).
”1N ADDITION TO THIS, NAPCO MEET WITH THE HKCA AT DIFFERENT TIMES TO REVIEW WHERE THINGS ARE AT, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE IMPORTANT SUBJECT OF SITE SAFETY, MR BLAKE SAID THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OE ALL WORKERS HAD TO BE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE AND IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN THE ACP CONDITIONS WERE ’’BEEFED UP”.
’’SITE SAFETY IS A 24 HOUR PER DAY MATTER AND I ASK THAT ALL OF YOU STRIVE FOR EVEN SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENTS - NOT ONLY ON THE ACP, BUT IN ALL AREAS OF WORK YOU ARE INVOLVED,” HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
ACP CONTRACT AWARDED FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER *****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF AN AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) CONTRACT FOR THE BUILDING OF AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AND COMPLEX FOR THE .NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE CONTRACT, VALUED AT ABOUT $360 MILLION, WILL BE AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO YAU LEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED OF HONG KONG.
THE COMPANY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING AN 80-METRE HIGH CONTROL TOWER AND A SEVEN-STOREV COMPLEX COMPRISING THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AND OFFICES FOR THE CJVJI. AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL OVSERVATORY.
WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER, 1996.
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VCP CONTRACTS AWARDED So FAR TO 65, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT $51.7 BILLION.
THESE INCLUDE 51 CONTRACTS WORTH ABOUT $33.9 BILLION AWARDED BY I HE GOVERNMENT, 12 CONTRACTS WORTH ABOUT $11.5 BILLION AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, AND A $0.6 BILLION IMMERSED TUBE TUNNEL CONTRACT FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AWARDED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
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/42........
TE RSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 42 -
MORE PEOPLE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HK ’ S PROSPERITY: POLL *****
A RECENT OPINION POLL CONDUCTED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH HAS REVEALED THAT 63 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE.
THIS FIGURE REPRESENTED A SIX PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE OVER THAT RECORDED IN THE JULY SURVEY.
RELEASING THE FINDINGS OF THE BI-MONTHLY OPINION POLL IN SEPTEMBER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE SATISFIED WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION WERE ALSO UP FROM 72 PER CENT IN JULY TO 75 PER CENT IN THE CURRENT POLL.
OF THE THREE MOST-MENTIONED PROBLEMS FACING THE TERRITORY, ’’TRANSPORT-RELATED PROBLEMS” HAD REPLACED ’’HOUSING-RELATED PROBLEMS” TO TOP THE LIST WITH 37 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS MENTIONING IT.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY ’’HOUSING-RELATED PROBLEMS” WHICH CONTINUED TO DROP FROM 54 PER CENT IN MAY AND 47 PER CENT IN JULY TO STAND AT 35 PER CENT IN THE CURRENT POLL.
AND THE THIRD ON THE LIST WAS "HONG KONG FUTURE” MENTIONED BY 28 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS.
AS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, 45 PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS SAID IT WAS EFFICIENT WHILE 53 PER CENT FELT THAT CIVIL SERVANTS’ WORKING ATTITUDES WERE GOOD. THE RESPECTIVE FIGURES RECORDED IN THE LAST SURVEY WERE 42 PER CENT AND 50 PER CENT.
THE SURVEY WAS THE 54TH IN THE SERIES TO GAUGE THE TREND OR PUBLIC OPINION IN RESPECT OF PERCEIVED PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG AND- THE COMMUNITY’S EXPECTATION OF THE GENERAL SITUATION.
A TOTAL OF 1,496 PERSONS WERE SUCCESSFULLY CONTACTED IN THIS POLL WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 12 AND 16.
INTERVIEWEES WERE CONTACTED USING A RANDOM SAMPLE OF RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS CONTAINED IN THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES. WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD OF A SELECTED TELEPHONE NUMBER, A RESPONDENT AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 64 WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN FOR INTERVIEW.
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HONG KONG FILM EXHIBITION IN THE U.S.
* * * » »
NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND ATLANTA WILL GET THE CHANCE TO ENJOY A FASCINATING COLLECTION OF HONG KONG MOVIES DURING A MAJOR GOVERNMENT PROMOTION IN THE UNITED STATES - HONG KONG-USA’94.
AS PART OF A CONTINUING EFFORT TO PROMOTE HONG KONG OVERSEAS, A SERIES OF EVENTS ARE BEING ORGANISED IN THE THREE AMERICAN CITIES. THE CORE PROGRAMME IN EACH CITY INCLUDES A BUSINESS CONFERENCE, A FILM EXHIBITION AND A GALA DINNER.
/ENTITLED "EVOLUTIONS: ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
- 43 -
ENTITLED "EVOLUTIONS: COMING OF AGE IN THE HONG KONG CINEMA", THE FILM EXHIBITION AIMS AT PROVIDING A PORTRAIT OF HONG KONG AS SEEN THROUGH ITS CINEMA, AND ESPECIALLY AS FRAMED IN STORIES OF GROWING UP OR COMING OF AGE.
THE SERIES OF 11 FILMS TRACES AN EVOLUTION ON THEMES AND GENRES THROUGH THE WORK OF SELECTED DIRECTORS, MARKING THE GROWTH OF THE HONG KONG CINEMA, ESPECIALLY THROUGH A NUMBER OF FILMS THAT HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN SCREENED IN THE U.S.
THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (MPIA).
IT . WILL BE HELD DURING OCTOBER AT THE PRESTIGIOUS MUSEUM OF MODERN ART IN NEW YORK, THE FILM CENTRE IN CHICAGO AND HIGH MUSEUM OF ART IN ATLANTA.
TWO HONG KONG STARS, MISS MICHELLE YEOH AND MR ANTHONY WONG, HAVE ACCEPTED THE INVITATION TO SERVE AS CULTURAL AMBASSADORS TO THE AUDIENCES OF THE THREE CITIES.
IN HONOUR OF THEIR PERSONAL APPEARANCES, EACH INSTITUTION WILL PRESENT A SPECIAL GALA SCREENING OF THE HEROIC TRIO IN WHICH THEY BOTH STAR.
DETAILS OF THE FILM EXHIBITION WERE ANNOUNCED IN A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY). SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OVERSEAS PUBLIC RELATIONS), GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, MR GEORGE YUEN; CHAIRMAN OF MPIA MR CRUCINDO HUNG; MISS MICHELLE YEOH CHOO-KHENG AND MR ANTHONY WONG CHAU-SANG.
ALSO PRESENT WERE THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU; AND TWO MPIA VICE-CHAIRMEN, MR MA FUNG-KWOK AND MR ALBERT LEE.
----. - 0------
BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL TO CLOSE
* t » * *
THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL IS TO CLOSE IN 1995, HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF A NEW PACKAGE OF MEDICAL SERVICES BEING INTRODUCED FOR MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH GARRISON AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING THE FINAL TWO YEARS 01- ACCOMPANIED SERVICE. THE CHANGES HAYE BEEN GENERATED BY THE REDUCED SIZE OE THE GARRISON.
THE HOSPITAL’S MATERNITY WARD WILL CLOSE IN DECEMBER, WITH i'HF REMAINDER OF THE HOSPITAL FOLLOWING IN MID-1995.
THE HOSPITAL, AT KING’S PARR, KOWLOON. PROVIDES SECONDARY MEDICAL (ARE FOR MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH GARRISON AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN SOLELY ON MEDICAL GROUNDS.
/THE REDUCED .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
44
THE REDUCED DEPENDENCY ON HOSPITAL SERVICES OF THE SMALLER NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE GARRISON MEANS THAT IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE VERY HIGH QUALITY OP SERVICE 10 WHICH SERVICEMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE ENTITLED.
UNDER THE REVISED MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS I* OR THE GARRISON, PRIMARY7 MILITARY MEDICAL FACILITIES WILL BE ENHANCED THROUGH A GROUP PRACTICE SYSTEM OPERATING ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MEMBERS OF THE GARRISON AND THEIR FAMILIES REQUIRING HOSPITAL TREATMENT WILL IN FUTURE BE REFERRED To. CIVILIAN PRIVATE HOSPITALS UNDER CONTRACT ARRANGEMENTS WITH HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES,. HONG KONG.
ALL MATERNITY CASES WILL BE UNDER THE CARE OF CIVILIAN CONSULTANTS, WITH CONFINEMENT IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS.
UNDER THE DEFENCE LANDS AGREEMENT WITH CHINA, THE KING'S PARK SITE IS DUE TO BE PASSED TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR DISPOSAL IN .1997. - .
HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES WJL1 NOW NEGOTIATE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AN EARLIER DATE FOR RETURN OF THE HOSPITAL BUILDINGS. OTHER PARTS OF THE SITE WILL BE RETAINED.
THE BRITISH GARRISON HAS MAINTAINED A BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG SINCE THE LAST CENTURY. THE PRESENT HOSPITAL AT KING'S PARK WAS BUILT IN 1967.
---------0-----------
NAVAL BASIN HOSTS FINAL VISITORS t * * * ♦
BEFORE IT IS FINALLY FILLED IN TO BECOME PART OF THE CENTRAL-WAN CHAI RECLAMATION, THE NAVAL BASIN AT THE PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS - FORMERLY HMS TAMAR - WILL HOST ITS FINAL VISITOR.
THE DESTROYER HMAS BRISBANE WILL BERTH INSIDE THE BASIN ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER B), THUS SECURING HER - AND AUSTRALIAN NAVY'S PLACE IN THE NAVAL HISTORY OF HONG KONG.
VISITING SHIPS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO USE OTHER BERTHS AT THE BARRACKS, BUT WORK ON FILLING THE BASIN ITSELF WILL START SOON.
HMAS BRISBANE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE FRIGATES HMAS ADELAIDE, HMAS MELBOURNE AND HMAS NEWCASTLE AND THE TANKER SUPPORT SHIP HMAS WESTRAL1A. THE FRIGATES WILL BERTH ALONGSIDE THE WEST WALL AND HMAS WESTRALIA ON THE NORTH ARM.
/THE AUSTRALIAN .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
THE AUSTRALIAN SHIPS WILL DEPART HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 15 (SATURDAY).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOUR ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHIPS ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8). THE FIRST ARRIVAL WILL BE HMAS BRISBANE AT 9 AM WITH THE FIRGATES FOLLOWING SHORTLY THEREAFTER; HMAS WESTRALIA WILL ARRIVE LAST, AT ABOUT 11.30 AM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THIS SHOULD PRESENT THEMSELVES AT THE GUARDROOM, THE PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS. REPRESENTATIVES OF JSPRS .WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
VISITS ON BOARD THE SHIPS ARE BEING ARRANGED BY AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING THESE FACILITIES SHOULD CONTACT MS CAITLAIN WONG ON 585 4482.
- - 0 - -
BUS PARADE TO PUBLICISE BEATING RETREAT
* ♦ * » *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) WILL HOLD A BUS PARADE ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 8) IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON TO PUBLICISE THE ’’BEATING RETREAT” SHOW BY CSD SCOUTS LATER THIS MONTH.
THE PARADE WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM AT EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL AND IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS.
MEMBERS OF THE 221ST HONG KONG SCOUT GROUP WILL BE ON BOARD THE OPEN-DECKED BUS AND PRESENT BAND PERFORMANCES. THE BUS WILL TOUR ROUND CENTRAL DISTICT, WESTERN DISTRICT, QUARRY BAY, NORTH POINT, CAUSEWAY BAY, TSIM SHA TSUI, MONG KOK AND KWUN TONG.
’’BEATING RETREAT" WILL BE STAGED AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON OCTOBER 19 AND 20. IT IS A CHARITY FUND-RAISING EVENT FOR YOUTH OUTREACH.
ADMISSION TICKETS AT $20 ARE NOW ON SALE AT URBTIX OUTLETS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BUS PARADE.
CSD’S SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (YOUNG OFFENDER), MR CHOW TAK-WAH, WHO IS ALSO THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE 221ST HONG KONG SCOUT GROUP, WILL TALK TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BUS ABOUT THE BEATING RETREAT AND SCOUTING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY CSD FOR INMATES OF TRAINING CENTRES.
MEMBERS OF THE SCOUT GROUP WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR PRESS INTERVIEWS.
- - 0 - -
/46
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1994
46
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » * * ♦ t
CUMULATIVE TIME CHANGE
$ MILLION (HOURS) ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,953 0930 + 530
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,232 1000 + 530
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 500
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 499 1200 + 501
■• <c LAF TODAY -220 T 1500 + 501
1600 + 499
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TWI 121.7 • ■ r »-0.1* 6.10.94 • -i >. .. ’ ■
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ? A ■'/' .
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS <1
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON > PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.02 20 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.20 6.31
1 MONTH 4.24 23 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.48 6.55
3 MONTHS 4.51 31 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.05 7.12
6 MONTHS 4.88 34 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.44 7.30
12 MONTHS 5.66 60 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.09 8.08
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 22,263 MN • - . • «
CLOSED 6 OCTOBER 1994 0 - ’■ - f.x • A
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
CONTENTS EAfiE_NO,
HIRE OF HK CULTURAL CENTRE FOR DOUBLE TENTH CELEBRATION -AG’S STATEMENT.............................................. 1
HONG KONG - GATEWAY TO ASIA............................... 2
GATT REVIEW ON HK’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES......... 3
HERCULES PROPERLY LICENSED FOR VM FLIGHTS.................... 4
MEMBER APPOINTED TO PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY........ 5
LAUNCHING OF PILOT RECORDING SCHEME IN DISTRICT COURT.... 5
LEGAL DEPARTMENT OFFERS TRAINING GROUND FOR LOCAL LAW GRADUATES................................................... 6
REVISION OF FEES............................................. 7
CONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION - PHASE II.. 10
TSING YI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED....................■ 11
CHEUNG SHA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED............... 12
OZPS AMENDED TO FACILITATE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.... 13
BOARD TO REVIEW TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN............ 14
/KWUN TONG.....
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
KWUN TONG (NORTH) OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED....'....... 14
HEI LING CHAU TYPHOON SHELTER TO BE BUILT................. 15
RECLAMATION TO FACILITATE SHIPYARD RELOCATION............. 16
GREEN LIGHT FOR DAM AND RESERVOIR CONSTRUCTION............ 17
MARINE WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND....................... 18
ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG PROPOSED............... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS............ 19
NEW ROADS FOR TUEN MUN AUTHORISED......................... 20
CLOSURE AND RECONSTRUCTION OF WAI WAH STREET.............. 20
WATER SUPPLY TO EXTEND TO WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION...... 21
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY 1994 21
PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS GIVE CULTURAL PRESENTATION TO PROMOTE HK................................................ 27
JOINT EFFORTS REQUIRED FOR HILL FIRE PREVENTION........... 27
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS.................. 29
ALTRUIST SUITABLE FOR FIREMAN JOB......................... 30
EXHIBITIONS TO PUBLICISE EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.. 30
CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM................................... 31
SWIMMING RACE ON SUNDAY................................... 31
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....
32
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
HIRE OF HK CULTURAL CENTRE FOR DOUBLE TENTH CELEBRATION - AG’S STATEMENT *****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ON THE LEGAL POSITION CONCERNING THE BOOKING OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE:
THE QUESTION HAS ARISEN WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAS POWER TO OVERTURN THE DECISIONS TO PERMIT THE DOUBLE TENTH CELEBRATION IN THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE.
TWO DECISIONS ARE IN ISSUE HERE. THE FIRST WAS TAKEN BY THE URBAN COUNCIL UNDER S.105Q OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, CAP. 132 IN DISCHARGING ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE CIVIC CENTRES. THE SECOND DECISION WAS TAKEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, AS DELEGATE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, UNDER S.105S OF THE SAME ORDINANCE. THAT PROVISION REQUIRES PERMISSION FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR THE HOLDING OF A PUBLIC MEETING IN A CIVIC CENTRE. IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY, APPLICATIONS FOR SUCH PERMISSION ARE APPROVED PROVIDED THE PROPOSED MEETING DOES NOT POSE A THREAT TO PUBLIC ORDER OR PUBLIC SAFETY.
IN RESPECT OF THE DECISION BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, ANY CANCELLATION OF THE BOOKING BASED ON CONSIDERATIONS THAT WERE NOT RELEVANT TO THE PURPOSES AND OBJECTS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE QUASHED BY A COURT UPON JUDICIAL REVIEW AND COULD GIVE RISE TO A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.
REGARDING THE PERMISSION GIVEN BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S DELEGATE UNDER S.105S, IT COULD NOT BE WITHDRAWN IN THE ABSENCE OF REASONABLE GROUNDS OF A PUBLIC ORDER OR PUBLIC SAFETY NATURE. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH A GROUND, WITHDRAWAL OF THE PERMISSION WOULD BE AN ARBITRARY EXERCISE OF THE STATUTORY POWER AND WOULD, THEREFORE, BE UNLAWFUL. FURTHERMORE, WITHDRAWAL OF THE PERMISSION SOLELY ON POLITICAL GROUNDS WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BREACH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS POWER TO DIRECT THE URBAN COUNCIL TO CANCEL THE BOOKING UNDER S.45 OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE, CAP. 101. THAT SECTION IS IN TWO PARTS; SUB-SECTION (1) PROVIDES THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNCIL, GIVE IT DIRECTIONS OF A GENERAL CHARACTER AS TO THE DISCHARGE BY THE COUNCIL OF ITS FUNCTIONS IN RELATION TO MATTERS APPEARING TO THE GOVERNOR TO AFFECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR TO DIRECT THE COUNCIL TO CANCEL A SPECIFIC BOOKING WHICH IT HAS MADE; SUCH A DIRECTION WOULD CLEARLY NOT BE A DIRECTION OF A GENERAL CHARACTER AS TO THE DISCHARGE OF THE COUNCIL’S FUNCTIONS. MOREOVER, IN GIVING A DIRECTION OF A GENERAL CHARACTER, THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE TO HAVE REGARD TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
SUB-SECTION (2) OF S.45 PROVIDES THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNCIL, GIVE TO THE COUNCIL SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMEDYING ANY FAILURE OF THE COUNCIL TO DISCHARGE ANY OBLIGATION OR TO FULFIL ANY FUNCTION IMPOSED UPON THE COUNCIL. CLEARLY, THIS PROVISION IS INAPPLICABLE IN THE PRESENT CASE WHERE THERE IS NO SUGGESTION THAT THE COUNCIL HAS FAILED TO DISCHARGE ANY OBLIGATION OR TO FULFIL ANY FUNCTION.
------0--------
/2 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 2 -
HONG KONG - GATEWAY TO ASIA *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THERE WAS A GROWING AWARENESS OF OPPORTUNITIES IN ASIA, HONG KONG AND CHINA IN PARTICULAR, FOR EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN.
SPEAKING ON "HONG KONG: THE GATEWAY TO ASIA" TO THE MADRID CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 6, MADRID TIME), SIR HAMISH SAID EXPORTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) TO DEVELOPING ASIAN COUNTRIES NOW ACCOUNTED FOR 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EU EXPORTS, EXCEEDING THE 18 PER CENT TO THE UNITED STATES.
"AND THE TRADE BALANCE WITH HONG KONG IS IN EU’S FAVOUR," HE SAID.
SIR HAMISH SAID THE TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SPAIN WAS GROWING RAPIDLY AND HAD INCREASED BY TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES BETWEEN 1988 AND 1993.
HE ALSO OUTLINED HONG KONG'S ECONOMY SUCCESS TO THE 150 PROMINENT BUSINESS PERSONALITIES OF THE MADRID CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS THE EIGHTH LARGEST TRADER AND ITS CONTAINER PORT WAS THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD.
"HONG KONG IS ALSO THE WORLD’S MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE - IT IS THE WORLD’S FOURTH LARGEST BANKING CENTRE AND THE SEVENTH LARGEST STOCK EXCHANGE AND HAS THE SIXTH LARGEST FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDINGS," HE SAID.
"THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO HONG KONG RECENTLY WOULD BE SURPRISED - OR EVEN SHOCKED - AT HOW FAR IT HAS ADVANCED," HE ADDED.
SIR HAMISH SAID HONG KONG’S CONTINUING STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE AFTER 1997 HAD BEEN FURTHER AFFIRMED BY THE DECISION TO HOLD THE WORLD BANK/INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) ANNUAL MEETINGS IN HONG KONG SOON AFTER THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997.
"IT IS AN HONOUR FOR HONG KONG TO HOST THIS IMPORTANT EVENT AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUCCESSFULLY ORGANISING IT," HE SAID.
SIR HAMISH, WHO IS IN MADRID ATTENDING THE 1994 ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE WORLD BANK/IMF, EARLIER CALLED ON THE SPANISH MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM, MR JOVIER GOMEZ NAVARRO, AND MET MEMBERS OF THE SPANISH PARLIAMENT AS WELL AS BANKERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS.
- - 0----------
/3 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
3
GATT REVIEW ON HE’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES *****
THE TWO-DAY MEETING CONVENED BY THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) COUNCIL IN GENEVA TO REVIEW HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES COMPLETED YESTERDAY (THURSDAY).
THE MEETING WAS WELL ATTENDED AND MANY GATT MEMBERS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAISE HONG KONG’S OPEN MARKET, ITS PURSUIT OF FREE TRADE, ITS SUCCESSFUL TRANSFORMATION FROM A MANUFACTURING TO A SERVICES-LED ECONOMY AND ITS STAUNCH FAITH IN THE MULTILATERAL. TRADING SYSTEM.
IN RESPONDING TO MEMBERS’ WIDE-RANGING STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES, THE LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, MRS REGINA IP, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, RE-AFFIRMED HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT TO FREE TRADE AND SUPPORT FOR THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM WHICH HAD SERVED HONG KONG SO WELL IN THE PAST.
”HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE GATT BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997,” SHE SAID.
"OUR FREE TRADE AND FREE MARKET POLICIES HAVE SERVED US WELL SO THERE IS NO QUESTION OF US DEPARTING FROM THESE PRINCIPLES.”
DURING THE MEETING, IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING, THE GENERAL POLICY FRAMEWORK UNDER WHICH HONG KONG OPERATES, HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS ASIAN NEIGHBOURS, POST-URUGUAY ROUND TRADE POLICY AND OTHER SPECIFIC ISSUES SUCH AS RULES OF ORIGIN, EXCISE DUTIES ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENTS.
MRS IP SAID THE MEETING HAD ENABLED GATT MEMBERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICY AND THE OPERATION OF ITS PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES.
IN HIS CLOSING REMARKS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GATT COUNCIL, AMBASSADOR ZAHRAN FROM EGYPT SAID THAT "COUNCIL MEMBERS CONSIDERED HONG KONG AS AN EXEMPLARY CASE OF AN OPEN, MARKET-DRIVEN ECONOMY FOUNDED ON THE MOST-FAVOURED-NATION PRINCIPLE. HONG KONG HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE URUGUAY ROUND PROCESS AND FURTHERED A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.”
HE ADDED: "HONG KONG’S RAPID ECONOMIC ASCENT TESTIFIES TO THE BENEFITS THAT A SMALL TERRITORY, DESTITUTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES, CAN REAP FROM THE FREE OPERATION OF MARKET FORCES.
"RAPID STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT, AN OUTWARD-LOOKING BUSINESS COMMUNITY, INSTITUTIONAL STABILITY, AND THE AUTHORITIES’ UNFETTERED COMMITMENT TO AN OPEN, MOST FAVOURED NATION-BASED TRADE REGIME HAVE HELPED TO SHAPE AND PROPEL ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIES.”
/"WITH THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
’’WITH THE POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THE URUGUAY ROUND, THE STAGE APPEARS SET FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED EXPANSION WITHIN A STRENGTHENED MULTILATERAL SYSTEM,” HE SAID.
HIS REMARKS WERE ECHOED BY THE TWO DISCUSSANTS, AMBASSADOR ARMSTRONG FROM NEW ZEALAND AND MR PALECKA FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC.
IF THE CURRENT CYCLE OF REVIEW IS MAINTAINED, HONG KONG WILL NEXT BE REVIEWED IN 1998.
------0--------
HERCULES PROPERLY LICENSED FOR VM FLIGHTS ♦ * * ♦ t
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR PETER LOK KUNG-NAM, TODAY (FRIDAY) CATEGORICALLY REJECTED THE ALLEGATION THAT THE HERCULES AIRCRAFT USED TO RETURN VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG WAS NOT PROPERLY CERTIFICATED TO CARRY PASSENGERS’.
"THE COMPETENT AERONAUTICAL AUTHORITIES OF INDONESIA AUTHORISED THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE DOMESTIC AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER CARRIAGE,” HE SAID.
THE CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED SINCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS FITTED OUT IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER TO CARRY PASSENGERS AND AFTER THE AUTHORITIES WERE SATISFIED THAT IT HAD ADEQUATE SAFETY FEATURES, MR LOK SAID.
"THE HERCULES USED FOR THE REPATRIATION FLIGHTS HAD ADEQUATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND LIFERAFTS FOR UP TO 150 PEOPLE,” HE POINTED OUT.
"CONTRARY TO A PRESS REPORT STATING THAT THERE WAS NO WAY OUT OF THE CARGO HOLD OF THE PLANE IN AN EMERGENCY, THE HERCULES IN QUESTION HAD TWO EXTRA SIDE DOORS IN THE REAR FUSELAGE AND ITS REAR LANDING RAMP COULD BE OPENED IN FLIGHT FOR EVACUATION IN A FORCED LANDING," HE ADDED.
MR LOK SAID THE CERTIFICATION WAS DONE BY INDONESIA AS A MEMBER STATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO).
"UNDER ICAO RULES, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ISSUING S^CH CERTIFICATES RESTS WITH THE COMPETENT AUTHORITIES OF THE COUNTRY OF REGISTRATION OF THE AIRCRAFT CONCERNED, AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE MEMBER STATE TO SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE OF THE AIRCRAFT,” MR LOK EMPHASISED.
---------0 - -
/5........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
5 -
MEMBER APPOINTED TO PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, HAS APPOINTED MR LO CHUNG-HING A MEMBER OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
MR LO IS DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BANK OF CHINA HONG KONG BRANCH, A POST HE HAS HELD SINCE 1986.
MR LO REPLACES MR SHU TSE-WONG, CHAIRMAN AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE NANYANG COMMERCIAL BANK, WHO HAS SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY SINCE OCTOBER 1991.
-----0-------
LAUNCHING OF PILOT RECORDING SCHEME IN DISTRICT COURT *****
THE PILOT SCHEME FOR A COMPUTER ASSISTED RECORDING SYSTEM IN THE DISTRICT COURT IS A TANGIBLE SIGN OF THE JUDICIARY’S DETERMINATION AND EFFORTS TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY IN A BID TO MAXIMISE THE EFFICIENT USE OF COURTS, THE JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR, MS ALICE TAI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE LAW SOCIETY, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT WERE INVITED TO ATTEND A BRI EFING-CUM-DEMONSTRATION SESSION IN THE DISTRICT COURT THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING WHICH MARKED THE LAUNCHING OF THE PILOT SCHEME.
MS TAI TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE NEW COMPUTER ASSISTED RECORDING SYSTEM WILL ENABLE THE KEEPING OF ACCURATE RECORDS OF COURT PROCEEDINGS AND RELIEVE JUDGES FROM HAVING TO TAKE NOTES TN LONGHAND.
’’INITIALLY EIGHT COURTS IN THE DISTRICT COURT HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED FOR THE PILOT SCHEME.
"SUBJECT TO TESTING AND FINE-TUNING, WE WILL EXTEND THE SAME OR A SIMILAR SERVICE TO ALL OTHER COURTS IN THE DISTRICT COURT, MAGISTRACIES AND TRIBUNALS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR," MS TAI SAID.
MS TAI NOTED THAT THE PILOT SCHEME ALSO MARKED THE CO-OPERATION OF MANY PARTIES INVOLVED, SUCH AS JUDGES, ADMINISTRATOR, LEGAL AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS, IN THE SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION TO A LONG STANDING PROBLEM OF OUR COURTS.
"WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY, IMPROVED PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES AND THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, I AM SURE THAT WE WILL MAXIMISE THE EFFICIENT USE OF THE COURTS SO THAT OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM CAN COPE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE GROWING VOLUME AND COMPLEXITY OF CASES."
AT PRESENT, ONLY THE COURT OF APPEAL AND THE HIGH COURT ARE PROVIDED WITH PROFESSIONAL COURT REPORTERS TO RECORD COURT PROCEEDINGS.
/NOTES OF .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
6
NOTES OF PROCEEDINGS IN OTHER COURTS HAVE TO BE HAND WRITTEN BY THE JUDGES THEMSELVES AS THEY NEITHER HAVE PROFESSIONAL COURT REPORTERS NOR ANY AUDIO RECORDING FACILITIES.
EACH OF THE EIGHT COURTS NOW INVOLVED IN THE PILOT SCHEME IS EQUIPPED WITH DIGITAL RECORDING EQUIPMENT AND PLAYBACK COMPUTERS WITH OPERATIONS CONTROLLED BY A CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM.
THE COMPUTER ASSISTED RECORDING SYSTEM WOULD NOT ONLY SAVE THE JUDGES* TIME AND ATTENTION IN TAKING LONGHAND NOTES, IT WOULD ALSO ENABLE QUICKER PROCESS AND THUS CUT DOWN THE TIME OF CASES TOOK IN COURT. THIS IN TURN WOULD RESULT IN SHORTER WAITING TIME FOR TRIALS.
------0-------
LEGAL DEPARTMENT OFFERS TRAINING GROUND FOR LOCAL LAW GRADUATES * t * * ♦
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICANTS ORDINARILY DOMICILED IN HONG KONG TO FILL VACANCIES UNDER THE LEGAL TRAINEE SCHEME (LTS) FROM AUGUST 1, 1995.
THE SCHEME, INTRODUCED* FOR THE THIRD YEAR, IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION FOR LAW GRADUATES OF LOCAL UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC.
THE SCHEME IS ALSO OPEN TO GOVERNMENT OFFICERS SERVING (N LEGAL/JUDICIAL GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS WHO HOLD QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNISED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT TO GIVE MORE LEGAL TRAINEES A CHANCE TO ACQUIRE EXPERIENCE IN VARIOUS TYPES OF LEGAL WORK UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT LAWYERS, QUOTA FOR THE SCHEME IN 1995 WOULD BE EXPANDED TO SEVEN PLACES IN THE BARRISTER STREAM AND EIGHT IN THE SOLICITOR STREAM.
WHEN THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN FEBRUARY 1993, THERE WERE ONLY A TOTAL OF FIVE PLACES. THE QUOTA WAS EXPANDED TO 10 THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
’’ALTHOUGH NO OBLIGATION IS PLACED ON LEGAL TRAINEES TO JOIN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AFTER COMPLETING THE TRAINING, NOR IS THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OBLIGED TO OFFER APPOINTMENT TO THEM, THE SCHEME PROVIDES A CONSTANT POOL OF HIGH QUALITY YOUNG LOCAL LAWYERS WHO ARE MUCH NEEDED IN THE SPEEDING UP OF THE LOCALISATION PROGRAMME OF THE DEPARTMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE SCHEME, TRAINEES OF BOTH STREAMS WILL WORK IN THE CIVIL AND PROSECUTIONS DIVISIONS OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR PERIODS OF THREE TO SIX MONTHS. THEY WILL ALSO SPEND SEVERAL MONTHS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO GAIN EXPERIENCE THERE.
DURING THE PERIOD OF ATTACHMENT TO THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION, ALL TRAINEES WILL ATTEND A FOUR-WEEK PRACTICAL PROSECUTING COURSE CONSISTING OF LECTURES, DISCUSSIONS AND MOCK COURT SESSIONS.
/ON COMPLETION .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THEY WILL BE ASSIGNED TO CARRY OUT PROSECUTION WORK IN COURTS.
IN ADDITION, TRAINEE SOLICITORS WHO WILL JOIN THE SCHEME FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WILL, ACCORDING TO THEIR PREFERENCE, WORK FOR A TOTAL OF SIX MONTHS IN THE LEGAL/JUDICIAL GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS.
ASSISTANT CROWN COUNSEL (OR TRAINEES UNDER THE BARRISTER STREAM), WILL JOIN THE SCHEME FOR ONE YEAR AND UNDERGO A 12-MONTH PUPILLAGE PROGRAMME.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES ATTACHMENT TO A JUDGE’S MARSHALL FOR ONE MONTH SO THAT THEY MAY SEE THE COURTS IN ACTION AS SEEN FROM THE BENCH.
THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE TRAINING PERIOD IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, ALL TRAINEES WILL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF EXPERIENCED COUNSEL WHO WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE TO THEM WHILE A MORE SENIOR COUNSEL WILL MONITOR THE TRAINING AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IF NEEDED.
TRAINEES WILL ALSO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST EXPERIENCED COUNSEL IN DEALING WITH MAJOR AND COMPLICATED CASES.
LEGAL TRAINEES WILL RECEIVE A MONTH HONORARIUM OF $26,335 IN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS AND $27,570 IN THE SECOND 12 MONTHS.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING WITH A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM (GF 340) TO THE SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BEFORE OCTOBER 22.
AN ACADEMIC REFERENCE IS REQUIRED FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SERVING OFFICERS AND SHOULD BE SENT DIRECT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR FACULTY OF LAW TO THE SAME ADDRESS BEFORE NOVEMBER 10.
INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, NINTH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 867 2166.
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REVISION OF FEES » « * * t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED THE LEVELS OF FEES CHARGED UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE, QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE ORDINANCE AND THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A RECENT STUDY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOWED THE EXISTING FEE LEVELS WERE BELOW COST.
"THE FEES IN THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE AND THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE ORDINANCE WERE LAST REVISED IN 1989 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THOSE PAYABLE ....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 8 -
"THOSE PAYABLE UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE FIRST SET IN 1990," HE ADDED.
THE NEW FEES ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE AND WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 14 (MONDAY).
DETAILS OF THE FEE REVISION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE EXISTING FEES REVISED FEES
ITEM
($) ($)
LICENCE TO MANUFACTURE DANGEROUS DRUGS 500 1,340
WHOLESALE DEALER'S LICENCE TO SUPPLY DANGEROUS DRUGS 500 780
QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE ORDINANCE
ITEM EXISTING FEES REVISED FEES
($) ($)
FOR THE ISSUE OF A DERATTING CERTIFICATE 5,310 11,140
FOR THE ISSUE OF A DERATTING EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE 1,335 1,790
FOR SUPERVISION DURING DISINFECTING AN AIRCRAFT AND CERTIFICATION 435 595
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE
MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS
ITEM EXISTING FEES REVISED FEES
($) ($)
REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 13 735 1,020
PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION UNDER 735 985
SECTION 15
/PRACTISING CERTIFICATE ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 9 -
PRACTISING CERTIFICATE ISSUED UNDER SECTION 16 -
(A) IN THE CASE OF A MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST HOLDING AN APPOINTMENT DESCRIBED IN SECTION 30(1) OF THE ORDINANCE 75 155
(B) IN ALL OTHER CASES 245 355
DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 14(7) 245 260
RESTORATION TO THE REGISTER UNDER SECTION 10(5) 245 425
ANY ALTERATION .TO THE REGISTER UNDER SECTION 10(2) 245 335
CERTIFICATE OF STANDING UNDER SECTION 14A 325 520
CERTIFICATE VERIFYING REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 14A 245 395
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS
ITEM EXISTING FEES REVISED FEES
($) ($)
REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 13 735 1,020
PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 15 735 985
PRACTISING CERTIFICATE ISSUED UNDER SECTION 16 -
(A) IN THE CASE OF AN OCCUPATIONAL' THERAPIST HOLDING AN APPOINTMENT DESCRIBED IN SECTION 30(1) OF THE ORDINANCE 75 155
(B) IN ALL OTHER CASES 245 355
DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 14(7) 245 260
RESTORATION TO THE REGISTER UNDER SECTION 10(5) 245 425
/ALTERATION TO .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 10 -
ALTERATION TO THE REGISTER UNDER SECTION 10(2) 245 335
CERTIFICATE OF STANDING UNDER SECTION 14A 325 520
CERTIFICATE VERIFYING REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 14A 245 395
---------0-----------
CONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION - PHASE II *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THE ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION (TAI LAM TUNNEL AND YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD) PHASE II WORKS.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION BETWEEN TING KAU BRIDGE AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IS A VITAL PORTION OF ROUTE 3 CONNECTING THE BORDER WITH KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED TO EXPRESSWAY STANDARDS.
A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY OF 4.6 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN MA ON KONG IN THE SOUTH AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD NEAR MO FAN HEUNG IN THE NORTH, FORMING THE MAIN CARRIAGEWAY OF THE NORTHERN SECTION OF YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD.
A PAIR OF TWO-LANE LINK ROADS WILL BE PROVIDED CONNECTING KAM TIN ROAD WITH THE MAIN CARRIAGEWAY OF YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD.
THE PHASE II WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTERCHANGE NORTH OF AU TAU, CONSISTING OF FOUR TWO-LANE LINK ROADS AND A SECTION OF DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AND ASSOCIATED SLIP ROADS, WHICH TOGETHER CONNECTS THE MAIN CARRIAGEWAY OF YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD WITH YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
A TWO-LANE ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT SHA PO ROUNDABOUT WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD WILL BE BUILT.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED ROADS, FOOTPATHS, PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASSES, DRAINAGE, LANDSCAPING AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE PROJECT.
THE PHASE II WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN DECEMBER 1995 WITH A VJEW TO COMPLETION BY THE END OF 1998.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF 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 YUEN ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 11 -
* THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/YUEN LONG, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT 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 DECEMBER 6.
--------0-----------
TSING YI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED
« » » t *
THE GOVERNORr-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE TSING YI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (OZP) (NO. S/TY/10), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE PLAN PROVIDES A STATUTORY LAND USE FRAMEWORK TO CONTROL DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE TSING YI AREA," HE SAID.
ON THE PLAN, ABOUT 72 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, AND ABOUT NINE HECTARES IN THE TSING YI TOWN AREA HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE TO FACILITATE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THERE ARE ALSO THREE "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS" (CDAS) ON THE PLAN. THEY ARE LOCATED IN NGA YING CHAU, LIU TO AND TO THE SOUTH OF TSING TSUEN BRIDGE.
"THE CDA SITE TO THE SOUTH OF TSING TSUEN BRIDGE HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR TSING YI STATION OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WITH RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNED ABOVE THE STATION.
"THE ONE IN NGA YING CHAU IS TO ENCOURAGE RELOCATION OF THE EXISTING OIL DEPOT AND TO ALLOW SUBSEQUENT COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT.
"THE ONE IN LIU TO, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS MAINLY FOR MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO CATER FOR.THE NEED OF INDUSTRIAL USES, ABOUT 173 HECTARES OF LAND AT THE SOUTHEASTERN, SOUTHERN AND WESTERN COAST OF THE ISLAND HAVE BEEN ZONED FOR "INDUSTRIAL" USE.
MEANWHILE, ABOUT 148 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN ZONED FOR "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" FOR THE PROPOSED CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 AND BACKUP AREAS FOR CARGO HANDLING, CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION, CONTAINER VEHICLE PARKING AND CONTAINER STORAGE.
OTHER USES INCLUDE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, CHEMICAL WASTES TREATMENT FACILITY, CEMENT PLANT, BOATYARDS AND BURIAL AREA.
/ON THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 12 -
ON THE PLAN, THERE ARE ALSO AREAS DESIGNATED FOR "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT", "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY", "OPEN SPACE" AND "GREEN BELT".
THE APPROVED PLAN IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNITL NEXT FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14) FROM:
» PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 27TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE, 38 SAI LAU KOK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, THE NEW TERRITORIES; AND
» TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE,
FIRST FLOOR,
TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COPIES OF THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MUARRY BUILDING, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - - - 0------
CHEUNG SHA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT CHEUNG SHA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (NO. S/K5/9).
A SITE AT TAI PO ROAD (NEW KOWLOON INLAND LOT [NKIL] 3512 REMAINING PORTION [RP] AND EXTENSION) HAS BEEN REZONED FROM "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP C)" TO "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" (CDA).
"WITHIN THIS ZONE, DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IN THE FORM OF A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN TOGETHER WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC VIEW, THE TWO CDA SITES DESIGNATED ON THE PLAN ARE RESTRICTED TO HAVING FLOOR AREA AND BUILDING HEIGHT OF 9,000 SQUARE METRES AND 103 METRES (FOR NKIL 3512 RP AND EXTENSION), AND 17,649 SQUARE METRES AND 111.5 METRES (FOR NKIL 4850 RP).
THE AMENDMENT PLAN (NO. S/K5/10)
INSPECTION UNTIL OCTOBER 28 FROM:
IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
/* KOWLOON DISTRICT ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 13 -
♦ KOWLOON DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 6TH FLOOR, 290 UN CHAU STREET, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE PLAN MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING BEFORE OCTOBER 28.
MEANWHILE, COPIES OF THE PLAN CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
OZPS AMENDED TO FACILITATE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT » » t ♦ *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SHAU KEI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZP) (NO. S/H9/4) AND THE DRAFT QUARRY BAY OZP (NO. S/H21/8).
"THE AMENDMENTS ARE LARGELY RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF IN-FILL SITES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
ON THE SHAU KEI WAN OZP, A SITE NEAR HING TUNG ESTATE HAS BEEN REZONED FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" USE FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
ON THE QUARRY BAY OZP, A SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HONG STREET AND LEI KING ROAD HAS BEEN REZONED FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" USE TO FACILITATE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR SMALL HOUSEHOLDS.
A SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF GREIG ROAD AND KING’S ROAD HAS ALSO BEEN REZONED FROM "COMMERCIAL" TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" TO REFLECT THE EXISTING LAND USE.
THE AMENDMENT PLANS (NO. S/H9/5 AND S/H21/9) ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL OCTOBER 28 FROM:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
» HONG KONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE,
11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE,
77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING,
29 TAI ON STREET, HONG KONG.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 14 -
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE PLAN(S) MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING BEFORE OCTOBER 28.
COPIES OF THE PLANS CAN ALSO BE BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
BOARD TO REVIEW TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS REFERRED THE TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (NO. S/TW/6) TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE LATEST PLANNING PROPOSALS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN WAS LAST APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL LAST YEAR.
"THE BOARD WILL REVISE THE PLAN. AFTER INCORPORATING THE LATEST AMENDMENTS, IT WILL BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN DUE COURSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
----o--------
KWUN TONG (NORTH)
OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE KWUN TONG (NORTH) OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (OZP), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE PLAN PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND A PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KWUN TONG (NORTH) AREA," HE SAID.
THE MAJOR TYPE OF LAND USE ON THE PLAN IS "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "MINING AND QUARRYING", WHICH OCCUPIES ABOUT 88 PER CENT (ABOUT 150 HECTARES) OF THE TOTAL PLANNING SCHEME AREA.
THE ZONING WILL FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REHABILITATION SCHEME AS PART OF THE CONTINUING QUARRY OPERATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUARRY OPERATIONS IN THE PAST THREE DECADES HAD CREATED A MAJOR LANDSCAPE SCAR.
"A REHABILITATION SCHEME TO PERMIT PROGRESSIVE RESTORATION OF THE LANDSCAPE AND CREATION OF PLATFORMS FOR DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CONTINUATION OF QUARRY OPERATION HAS BEEN FORMULATED.
"BY ERADICATING A MAJOR LANDSCAPE SCAR, THE SCHEME WILL BRING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT TO THE AREA," HE ADDED.
/AN OUTLINE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
15
AN OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL BE PREPARED TO GUIDE THE DETAILED LAYOUTS OF PLATFORMS AND THEIR FUTURE USES FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING, OPEN SPACE AND LANDSCAPE RESTORATION.
"ACCORDING TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT EARLIER, THE POTENTIAL ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ARISING FROM REHABILITATION WILL BE MINIMISED TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OTHER LAND USES ON THE PLAN INCLUDE "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" FOR THE EXISTING SAU MAU PING SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR, AND "GREEN BELT" COVERING MAINLY STEEP HILLSLOPE AREA.
THE APPROVED PLAN (NO. S/K14N/2) IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL NEXT FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14) FROM:
» PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
» KOWLOON DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG; AND
* KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE,
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, TUNG YAN STREET, KOWLOON.
COPIES OF THE PLAN CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
HEI LING CHAU TYPHOON SHELTER TO BE BUILT *****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS GIVEN AUTHORISATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TYPHOON SHELTER, 22 MOORING DOLPHINS AND SECURITY FACILITIES FOR THE HEI LING CHAU ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE WITHIN 280 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED TO THE SOUTHWEST OF HEI LING CHAU.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE PROJECT INDICATED IT WOULD HAVE MINIMAL EFFECT ON WATER QUALITY.
THE FISHING INDUSTRY’S CONCERNS HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
THE TYPHOON SHELTER WILL PROVIDE BETTER ANCHORAGE FACILITIES FOR FISHERMEN IN FOUL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
ADDITIONALLY, A WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO ENSURE EARLY DETECTION AND CONTAINMENT OF ADVERSE IMPACT ON FISHERIES.
/THE EXTENT.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND AT ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 7, 1995.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
- - 0 - -
RECLAMATION TO FACILITATE SHIPYARD RELOCATION
*****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS GIVEN AUTHORISATION FOR THE RECLAMATION OF 5.8 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT TO KAU WAN, NORTH LANTAU TO FACILITATE RELOCATION OF A SHIPYARD.
THE WORK WILL START AROUND DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLAN ARE DISPLAYED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND AT ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 7, 1995.
HE SHOULD STATE THE AMOUNT HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT THOSE PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
- - 0 - -
/17
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 17 -
GREEN LIGHT FOR DAM AND RESERVOIR CONSTRUCTION *****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS GIVEN AUTHORISATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 140-METRE DAM ACROSS KWAT TAU TAM INLET FOR THE CREATION OF A FRESHWATER RESERVOIR.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DAM AND RESERVOIR IS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR IRRIGATION WATER FROM THE PUBLIC GOLF CENTRE AT KAU SAI CHAU.
"A FULL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY TOGETHER WITH A CONSULTATION EXERCISE HAS BEEN COMPLETED,” A LANDS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH THE LOSS OF MANGROVES BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION WAS IDENTIFIED AS A KEY ISSUE, THE PROBLEM WOULD BE ALLEVIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES WHICH INCLUDED TRANSPLANTING OF MANGROVES UNDER SUPERVISION OF AN EXPERT.
’’PRACTICAL MEASURES HAVE ALSO BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE PLANNING AND DESIGN TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TO THE MINIMUM,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT WILL COMMENCE IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED AROUND JUNE NEXT YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED, COVERING 5.73 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT KAU SAI CHAU, IS DESCRIBED IN A GOVERNMENT GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN CLAIM TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 7, 1995 TO CLAIM COMPENSATION.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
/18........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 18 -
MARINE WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL DREDGE AND RECLAIM ABOUT 12 HECTARES OF LAND AND CONSTRUCT ABOUT 2,100 METRES OF SEAWALLS AND BREAKWATERS AT THE SOUTH SHORE OF THE ISLAND.
THE WORK, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 80.65 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED, IS TO PROVIDE BERTHING AND LAND FACILITIES AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT ON DEFENCE LANDS REACHED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
THE WORK WILL START IN NOVEMBER AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1997.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; AND AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290-296 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON AND THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 7, 1995 TO CLAIM COMPENSATION.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
--------0 - -
ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG PROPOSED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED TO CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO YING YIP ROAD AND SILVERSTRAND BEACH ROAD IN SAI KUNG.
THE ROAD WORKS ARE INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN THE TRANSPORT LINKS OF TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN TO THE CLEAR WATER BAY PENINSULA AND EASTERN SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
AN EXISTING 650 METRE SECTION OF YING YIP ROAD AND 250 METRE SECTION OF SILVERSTRAND BEACH ROAD WILL BE REALIGNED.
/THE PROPOSED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 19 -
THE PROPOSED WORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE CONVERSION OF THE EXISTING JUNCTIONS OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, HANG HAU ROAD, YING YIP ROAD, SILVERSTRAND BEACH ROAD INTO ONE NEW ROUNDABOUT.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, ALTERNATIVE CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTPATHS WILL BE PROVIDED TO MINIMISE ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND A NOTICE IS POSTED NEAR THE SITES OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 6 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS * * * * »
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE FOUNDATION AND SUPERSTRUCTURE WORK OF A CLINIC AT SAI SHA ROAD, MA ON SHAN.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE-STOREY BUILDING WHICH WILL HOUSE A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC, A DENTAL CLINIC AND A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CLINIC.
A SOCIAL AND ELDERLY CENTRE WILL ALSO BE BUILT ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CLINIC BUILDING.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC TOILETS AT HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-STOREY PUBLIC TOILET AND THE CONVERSION OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-STOREY PUBLIC TOILET INTO A STAFF TOILET AND CHANGING ROOMS.
WORKS FOR THE TWO PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION BY MAY 1996 AND JULY 1995 RESPECTIVELY.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON OCTOBER 28.
------0-------
/20 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 20 -
NEW ROADS FOR THEN MUN AUTHORISED • . < *****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO CONSTRUCT TWO ROADS IN CHUNG UK TSUEN, TUEN MUN TO SERVE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE NEW ROADS, LI AND L2, ARE ONE OF THE PROPOSED ITEMS UNDER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BASED RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY PROGRAMME.
THE WORKS WILL BEGIN IN MARCH NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN IS MONTHS.
------0-------
CLOSURE AND RECONSTRUCTION OF WAI WAH STREET
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE PART OF WAI WAH STREET TO THE WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD FROM APRIL NEXT YEAR TO DECEMBER 1996.
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADJACENT REDEVELOPMENT OF TSZ ON ESTATE PHASE 1.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS AND ROAD CLOSURE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEDULE MAY BE INSPECTED 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;
* KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, AND
* TSZ WAN SHAN SUB-OFFICE OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHUNG WAH STREET, TSZ WAN SHAN.
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 DECEMBER 6 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
---------0----------
/21........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
21
WATER SUPPLY TO EXTEND TO WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR BUILDING A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WITH A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 40,000 CUBIC METRES OFF CHAK ON ROAD AND FOR LAYING ASSOCIATED WATER MAINS IN SHEK KIP MEI AND SHAM SHUI PO AREAS.
THE PROJECT AIMS AT SUPPLYING WATER TO WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION TO COPE WITH DEMAND ANTICIPATED TO ARISE FROM FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER FOR COMPLETION IN TWO
YEARS.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 44TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON NOVEMBER 4.
- - 0 - -
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY 1994 *****
THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 13% OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHILE THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 5.8%, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 8.9%. MEANWHILE, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 11% 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 RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 0.7% AND 1.2% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 1.8%.
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, DECREASED BY 1.0% IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1994 OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMPARING JULY 1994 WITH JULY 1993, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 9.0%, WHILE THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 6.1%. TAKEN TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 5.7%. MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 8.8%.
/OVER THE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 22 -
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1.2% AND 1.5% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 2.7%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JULY 1994 WITH JULY 1993, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES RECORDED INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES: FOODSTUFFS (+16%), RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+13%), FUELS (+12%), CAPITAL GOODS (+12%) AND CONSUMER GOODS (+5.7%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS, CONSUMER GOODS, CAPITAL GOODS, AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 2.3%, 1.5%, 1.1% AND 0.5% RESPECTIVELY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS DECREASED BY 7.8%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
COMPARING JULY 1994 WITH JULY 1993, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS WHICH RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 12%, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR OTHER COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED, PARTICULARLY RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-57%), FOOTWEAR (-40%) AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-39%).
COMMODITY GROUPS WHICH RECORDED INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES INCLUDED TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+3.8%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+3.4%); AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+2.9%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FOOTWEAR (-7.2%) AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-1.5%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 14% IN JULY 1994 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1993.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATION. HOWEVER, A MARKED DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 4.6%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; AND CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. ON THE OTHER HAND, A MARKED DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS NOTED OF PASSENGER MOTOR CARS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 9.1% IN JULY 1994 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1993.
/SIGNIFICANT INCREASES .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 23 -
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; AND CHEMICAL ELEMENT AND COMPOUNDS. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOVEN COTTON FABRICS; AND WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED MARKEDLY BY 72% IN VOLUME IN JULY 1994 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1993.
as Regards capital goods, the import volume increased by 10% in JULY 1994 OVER JULY 1993.
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND OFFICE MACHINERY. HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND TEXTILE MACHINERY DECLINED.
COMPARING JULY 1994 WITH JULY 1993, THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: CONSUMER GOODS (+3.3%), RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+3.2%), CAPITAL GOODS (+2.1%) AND FOODSTUFFS (+1.5%). THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS, HOWEVER, DECREASED BY 11%.
DETAILS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE JULY 1994 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SALE AROUND OCTOBER 11 AT $9 A COPY 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 REGARDING 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 INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4918).
/Table 1 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 24 -
Table 1 : Changes in re-exports by end-use category
Comparing JUL 1994 with JUL 1993 Comparing JAN-JUL 1994 with JAN-JUL 1993 % changes
• End-use category % changes
Value Unit Value Volume Value Unit Value Volume
Foodstuffs 16.7 2.3 15.7 17.8 1.7 16.2
Consumer goods 6.9 1.5 5.7 11.2 1.0 10.3
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 13.9 0.5 13.4 19.0 -0.5 19.5
Fuels 5.4 -7.8 11.8 10.0 -14.8 25.7
Capital goods 12.9 1.1 11.6 10.4 1.8 9.6
ALL COMMODITIES 9.9 1.2 9.0 13.2 0.7 13.0
/Table 2 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 25 -
Table 2 : Changes in domestic exports by principal commodity group
• Commodity group Comparing JUL 1994 with JUL 1993 Comparing JAN-JUL 1994 with JAN-JUL 1993 % changes Unit
5 Value s changes Unit Value Volume
Value Value Volume
Clothing 0.9 1.9 -0.8 -1.3 1.4 -2.1
Textile fabrics -18.7 0.8 -18.9 -13.4 -3.5 -10.4
Textile yarn and thread -5.7 1.5 -6.9 -7.1 0.3 -6.5
Textile made-ups and related articles 2.7 3.4 -1.4 -2.5 0.6 -4.4
Radios of all kinds -58.7 -1.5 -56.6 -57.5 1.4 -57.5
Electronic components 16.8 2.9 12.2 -1.0 3.8 -4.8
Footwear -42.5 -7.2 -39.9 -25.0 -3.3 -25.9
Metal manufactures -3.3 2.5 -2.7 -0.8 2.2 -0.5
Metal ores and scrap -15.3 1.6 -19.2 -11.6 -1.2 -12.5
Watches and clocks -19.3 2.3 -20.3 -9.0 1.7 -9.3
Travel goods, handbags and similar articles -1.9 3.8 -5.0 -1.1 4.5 -4.9
Domestic electrical appliances -34.9 * -38.6 -19.6 2.2 -24.1
ALL COMMODITIES -4.3 1.5 -6.1 -4.2 1.2 -5.8
* less than 0.05%
/Table 3 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 26 -
Table 3 : Changes in imports by end-use category
Comparing JUL 1994 with JUL 1993 Comparing JAN-JUL 1994 with JAN-JUL 1993 % changes
tnd-use category • q6 changes
Value Unit Value Volume Value Unit Value Volume
Foodstuffs 14.8 1.5 13.7 15.3 0.3 15.3
Consumer goods 6.4 3.3 4.6 10.1 2.1 9.1
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 13.1 3.2 9.1 17.1 2.3 14.0
Fuels 50.7 -11.1 72.4 21.5 -16.4 40.9
Capital goods 12.9 2.1 10.5 9.5 2.0 7.3
ALL COMMODITIES 10.8 2.7 8.8 12.8 1.8 11.5
- - 0 - -
/27
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS GIVE CULTURAL PRESENTATION TO PROMOTE HK * * * * *
TALENTED STUDENTS FROM THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS (APA) WILL BE THE CULTURAL AMBASSADORS IN THE BIGGEST PROMOTION HONG KONG HAS EVER LAUNCHED IN THE UNITED STATES LATER THIS MONTH.
THE HONG KONG - USA ’94 IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION TO FOSTER BILATERAL BUSINESS AND CULTURAL LINKS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL LEAD A TOP-LEVEL BUSINESS DELEGATION FOR A WEEK-LONG PROGRAMME OF SPECIAL EVENTS, INCLUDING BUSINESS SEMINARS, GALA DINNERS, AN ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION, A PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY OF HONG KONG LIFE AND FILM FESTIVALS IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND ATLANTA FROM OCTOBER 17 TO 21.
THE APA PERFORMANCE DURING THE GALA DINNERS WILL HIGHLIGHT HONG KONG’S ROLE AS THE CULTURAL CROSSROADS OF EAST AND WEST IN A MODERN, MULTI-CULTURAL AND SOPHISTICATED INTERNATIONAL CITY.
ACCOMPANIED BY THREE APA STAFF MEMBERS, THE PERFORMANCE GROUP COMPRISES 10 STUDENTS FROM THE ACADEMY’S SCHOOL OF DANCE, EIGHT FROM THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND SIX FROM THE SCHOOL OF TECHNICAL ARTS.
THE PERFORMANCE OPENS WITH A FAST-MOVING AND LIVELY FAN DANCE FROM HUBEI PROVINCE, FOLLOWED BY A CHINESE FOLK SONG. THE CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE WILL THEN SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS ON INSTRUMENTS DATING FROM THE DAYS OF MARCO POLO AND THE SILK ROUTE.
MODERN HONG KONG IS PORTRAYED IN SONG BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED GUEST ARTIST, FRANCES YIP, AS SHE SINGS IN CANTONESE, MANDARIN AND ENGLISH, ILLUSTRATING THE COSMOPOLITAN NATURE OF THE TERRITORY.
THE FINALE FEATURES THE ENTIRE COMPANY AND MARKS A RETURN TO TRADITION WITH THE SPECTACULAR FLOWER DRUM DANCE FROM ANHUI PROVINCE.
DURING THEIR SEVEN-DAY VISIT, THE STUDENTS WILL GIVE A TOTAL OF THREE PERFORMANCES AT THE GALA DINNERS IN THE PLAZA HOTEL, NEW YORK; THE TRADING ROOM OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO AND THE RITZ-CARLTON IN BUCKHEAD, ATLANTA.
- - 0 - -
JOINT EFFORTS REQUIRED FOR HILL FIRE PREVENTION
* * * * *
CONTINUED CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE COMMUNITY IS REQUIRED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES THOUGH THE NUMBER OF HILL FIRES DURING THE PREVIOUS DRY SEASON WAS ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S (AFD) SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, MR LAI CHING-WAI, SAID THIS AT THE LAUNCHING OF THIS YEAR’S COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION DRIVE AT THE MA ON SHAN COUNTRY PARK TODAY (FRIDAY).
/MR LAI
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 28 -
MR LAI SAID THE NUMBER OF HILL FIRES INSIDE OR THREATENING COUNTRY PARKS IN 1993/94 WAS 155, THE SECOND LOWEST IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
NONETHELESS, THESE RELATIVELY LOW HILL FIRE OCCURRENCES HAD RESULTED IN ABOUT 86,200 TREES ON 1,024 HECTARES OF COUNTRY PARK LAND BEING DAMAGED.
HE STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO LET-UP IN COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT.
BUT IS IS ESSENTIAL THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD ADHERE TO ADVISE ON THE SAFE USE OF FIRE IN THE COUNTRYSIDES SO AS TO KEEP THE NUMBER OF HILL FIRES TO AN EVEN LOWER LEVEL.
’’GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE OUTBREAK OF HILL FIRES IS MAINLY CAUSED BY THE PREVAILING WEATHER CONDITIONS. A PARTICULARLY DRY AND WINDY DAY, COUPLED WITH THE CARELESSNESS OF COUNTRY PARK VISITORS, MAY RESULT IN A DISASTROUS FIRE.
"THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THESE FIRES COULD BE VERY DESTRUCTIVE TO OUR COUNTRYSIDE VEGETATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES. IT WOULD ALSO UPSET THE LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND SCENIC VALUE, DESTROY WILDLIFE HABITATS AND CAUSE SOIL EROSION,"HE SAID.
THE SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER REITERATED THAT MOST OF THE HILL FIRES COULD BE AVOIDED IF THE PUBLIC WERE ABLE TO TAKE SOME SIMPLE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.’
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE LIGHTING FIRES ONLY IN DESIGNATED BARBECUE SITES, NO DISCARDING OF CIGARETTE ENDS, NO BURNING WEEDS AND RUBBISH ON HILLSIDE FARMLAND AS WELL AS NEVER LEAVING BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER UNATTENDED.
HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS HAD BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION, BOTH IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THE URBAN PROPER, AFTER YEARS OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICITY EFFORTS.
IN THE COMING MONTHS, THE AFD WOULD PREPARE A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES THROUGH TELEVISION, RADIO AND THE PRINTED MEDIA AS WELL AS EXHIBITIONS TO PUT ACROSS THE MESSAGE OF HILL FIRE PREVENTION TO ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO BACK UP THE CAMPAIGN THROUGH THE PRODUCTION OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS.
TURNING TO THE FIGHTING OF HILL FIRES, MR LAI POINTED OUT THAT 44 FIRE FIGHTING CREWS EACH OF 10 MEMBERS WOULD BE MOBILISED WITHIN AFD DURING THE DRY SEASON.
IN ADDITION TO HAVING 10 FIRE LOOKOUTS, THE AFD ALSO HAS A FIRE CONTROL CENTRE AT TAI PO ROAD TO CO-ORDINATE ALL FIRE FIGHTING ARRANGEMENTS.
A 24-HOUR HOTLINE (720 0777) IS ALSO MAINTAINED TO COLLECT HILL FIRE REPORTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
/MR LAI ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
29
MR LAI THANKED OTHER DEPARTMENTS, IN PARTICULAR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AID SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT FLYING SERIVCE (GFS), FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO HILL FIRE FIGHTING IN COUNTRY PARKS.
AS THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL WAS JUST DAYS AWAY, MR LAI REMINDED GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WHEN BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER.
"LIGHTING FIRES INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS INDISCRIMINATELY WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT," HE ADDED.
THERE WERE A TOTAL OF SIX PROSECUTIONS AGAINST THE ILLEGAL USE OF FIRES IN COUNTRY PARKS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND OFFENDERS WERE FINED UP TO $1,000.
------0--------
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS
*****
THE OPENING OF THE ACUPRESSURE AND MASSAGE CENTRE OF THE BLIND, THE SECOND OF ITS KIND IN THE TERRITORY, IS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS ACHIEVING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CENTRE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
"IT IS ABOUT AN ENTERPRISE, A PROFIT-MAKING BUSINESS, GENERATING INCOME NOT ONLY FOR A FEW DISABLED PERSONS, BUT ALSO FOR RE-INVESTMENT TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE DIABLED PERSONS.
"I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FURTHER EXPANSION SO THAT MORE VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS CAN BENEFIT.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THEM TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THEIR SOCIAL STATUS, EARNINGS POTENTIAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE," MR STRACHAN SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE IDEA GENERATED FROM A GROUP OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED MASSEURS, MR STRACHAN SAID THE FIRST CENTRE WAS SET UP IN 1987 WITH ASSISTANCE FROM SOME VOLUNTARY HELPERS.
"IT WAS TRANSFORMED FROM A VISITING SERVICE MODEL WHEREBY MASSEURS DELIVERED DOOR-TO-DOOR TREATMENT SERVICE UPON REQUEST," HE SAID.
SINCE THEN, THE CENTRE’S BUSINESS HAS DEVELOPED STEADILY AND IT HAS GENERATED ENOUGH SURPLUS AS CAPITAL FOR A SECOND CENTRE WHICH IS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY.
/30 .......
30
ALTRUIST SUITABLE FOR FIREMAN JOB
*****
IT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE FOR PEOPLE TO STRESS TOO MUCH ON PERSONAL INTEREST IN JOINING THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT BECAUSE ITS WORK IS TO SAVE PEOPLE AND PROTECT OTHERS’ PROPERTY.
THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR WONG MAN-CHIU, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF FIREMAN RECRUITS IN THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL.
"IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES, FIREMEN HAVE TO WORK IN EXTREME DANGEROUS, DIFFICULT AND MISERABLE SITUATIONS THAT THEY MAY GET HURT," HE POINTED OUT.
"IN THE PAST, WE HAD COLLEAGUES WHO WERE KILLED ON DUTY BECAUSE OF THEIR DEVOTION TO DUTY AND ALTRUISM," HE SAID.
MR WONG ADVISED THE GRADUATES TO RESPECT AND BE CONTENT WITH THEIR CAREER ONCE THEY EMBARKED ON IT.
"ONLY A PERSON WHO RESPECTS AND IS CONTENT WITH HIS CAREER IS A SUCCESSFUL PERSON AS HIS ENTHUSIASTIC WORKING ATTITUDE HELPS HIM DEVELOP AN ENTHUSIASTIC OUTLOOK ON LIFE," HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO CALLED ON THE GRADUATES TO KEEP ON LEARNING AND TAKING IN THE EVER-CHANGING KNOWLEDGE TO ENRICH THEMSELVES AND PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR ALL CONTINGENCIES.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 45 RECRUITS WHO HAD COMPLETED A 26-WEEK BASIC TRAINING AND WHO WOULD SOON BE POSTED OUT TO VARIOUS FIRE STATIONS TO GAIN MORE FIELD EXPERIENCE.
------0-------
EXHIBITIONS TO PUBLICISE EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT
*****
A MOBILE EXHIBITION TO PUBLICISE MERITS OF EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL BE MOUNTED AT SEVERAL SHOPPING ARCADES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ON THREE CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS.
THE FIRST WILL TAKE PLACE IN YUEN LONG PLAZA THIS SUNDAY (OCTOBER 9) WHILE TWO OTHERS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 16 AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN AND OCTOBER 23 AT THE METROPOLIS PLAZA IN SHEUNG SHUI.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT AGENT, PROCEDURE FOR THE SELECTION OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY, BUILDING INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR BUILDING.
FIVE VIDEO TAPES PRODUCED BY CNTA TO PROMOTE PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL BE SHOWN AT THE VENUE.
STAFF FROM CNTA’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL ALSO BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
------0-------
/31 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 31 -
CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM
*****
THE 25TH CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 9).
OF THE 927 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 742 WERE FROM MEN’S AND 185 FROM WOMEN’S DIVISION. THE YOUNGEST ENTRANT IS NINE YEARS OLD AND THE OLDEST 76.
THE RACE IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND COSPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
IT WILL START AT 10.30 AM AT SHA LAN BEACH IN SHUEN WAN AND FINISH AT THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, COVERING A DISTANCE OF 2,400 METRES.
ACTING TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER MISS SHIRLEY YUEN WILL OFFICIATE AT THE STARTING CEREMONY.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE WATER SPORTS CENTRE AT 12.10 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 25TH CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 9).
A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE FOR THE STARTING POINT AT SHA LAN FROM THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE, 2
ON CHEUNG ROAD, TAI PO, AT 9 AM.
THOSE TRAVELLING ON THEIR OWN SHOULD GATHER AT THE PIER NEAR THE ROUNDABOUT OF SAM MUN TSAI ROAD NEAR THE LUEN YICK SEAFOOD HOUSE IN THE LUEN YICK FISHERMEN VILLAGE BY 9.30 AM.
------0 -- ---
SWIMMING RACE ON SUNDAY
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A SWIMMING RACE INVOLVING ABOUT 1,200 CONTESTANTS WILL BE HELD IN SHUEN WAN HOI, TAI PO ON SUNDAY.(OCTOBER 9).
THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE FROM SHA LAN TO TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE BETWEEN 10 AM AND 1 PM.
THE DEPARTMENT URGED MASTERS, COXSWAINS AND PERSONS-IN-CHARGE OF VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE VICINITY TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND GIVE PRACTICAL CONSIDERATION TO THE CONTESTANTS.
--------0----------
/32 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994
- 32 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ t * * »
• $ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,232 0930 + 248
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,286 1000 + 248
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 249
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 249 1200 + 249
LAF TODAY -195 1500 + 249
1600 + 249
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TW1 121.8 ♦ + 0.1* 7.10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.03 20 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.19 6.32
1 MONTH 4.31 23 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.46 6.56
3 MONTHS 4.60 31 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.09 7. 10
6 MONTHS 4.94 34 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.49 7.28
12 MONTHS 5.71 60 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.15 8.06
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,763 MN
CLOSED 7 OCTOBER 1994
---------0-------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
NO LEGAL BASIS FOR REVERSING UC DECISION..................... 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION............ 1
BEAT THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY FUNDS 2
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION............. 3
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS...... 4
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1994
1
NO LEGAL BASIS FOR REVERSING UC DECISION
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING SAID NEITHER THE GOVERNOR NOR HERSELF COULD SEEK TO REVERSE THE URBAN COUNCIL’S DECISION TO ALLOW THE DOUBLE TENTH CELEBRATION TO BE HELD IN THE CULTURAL CENTRE.
RESPONDING TO MEDIA QUESTIONS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE MATILDA HOSPITAL’S ANNUAL SEDAN CHAIR RACE PRIZE PRESENTATION, MRS CHAN SAID: ’’THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT YESTERDAY WHICH MAKES IT QUITE CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO LEGAL BASIS UPON WHICH EITHER THE GOVERNOR OR MYSELF CAN SEEK TO REVERSE THE DECISION MADE BY THE URBAN COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE ACTIVITY TO GO AHEAD.
"IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW, EVERY ACT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND QUASI-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS OR STATUTORY CORPORATIONS SHOULD BE FULLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON YESTERDAY’S REPORT ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO APPOINT 60 LEGISLATORS BEFORE 1997, MRS CHAN SAID: "THE COMPOSITION OF THE FIRST LEGISLATURE IN THE SAR GOVERNMENT IS VERY CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE BASIC LAW AND WE EXPECT THOSE PROVISIONS IN THE BASIC LAW TO BE MET AND FAITHFULLY CARRIED OUT."
ASKED ABOUT THE LIST OF ASSETS TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE SAR GOVERNMENT, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNOR HAD MADE IT QUITE CLEAR IN HIS RECENT ADDRESS THAT HONG KONG VERY MUCH WISHED TO INTENSIFY CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE.
"ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH THE CHINESE IS THE QUESTION OF WHAT ASSETS TO HAND OVER AND WHAT MATERIALS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WISHES TO HAVE, ON THIS AND ON OTHER MATTERS.
"WE HOPE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS IN GREATER DETAILS WITH THE CHINESE," SHE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEDIA SESSION BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE MATILDA HOSPITAL ANNUAL SEDAN RACE PRIZE PRESENTATION ON TODAY (SATURDAY):
CS: MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I THOUGHT I’LL SAY A FEW WORDS. TOMORROW, I AM LEAVING ON A TWO-WEEK TRIP. I AM, FIRST OF ALL, CALLING IN TO TORONTO AND OTTAWA AND DURING THAT ONE WEEK, I SHALL BE MEETING WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS, ESSENTIALLY TO BRING THE HONG KONG MESSAGE TO THE CANADIANS. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE EXTREMELY CLOSE TIES WITH CANADA. ON THIS OCCASION, I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT I SHALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER AND I VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO MY MEETING WITH HIM. FOLLOWING THAT, I SHALL BE VISITING THREE CITIES IN THE STATES, THAT IS, NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND ATLANTA. THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF BUSINESS CONFERENCES. THERE WILL ALSO BE A FILM EXHIBITION OF HONG KONG FILMS AND I AM TAKING WITH ME ON THIS TRIP TWO OF OUR MORE FAMOUS ACTORS AND ACTRESSES. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION OF SOME OF OUR MORE NOTABLE HONG KONG BUILDINGS AND 1 SHALL, OF COURSE, BE ALSO SEEING A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE EDITORIAL BOARDS OF VARIOUS NEWSPAPERS WHILE I AM IN THE STATES.
2
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1994
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE REPORT YESTERDAY ON THE PROPOSAL THAT WE’RE GOING TO SET UP 60 LEGISLATORS, APPOINT 60 LEGISLATORS BEFORE 1997?
CS: AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE FIRST LEGISLATURE IN THE SAR GOVERNMENT, THE COMPOSITION OF THAT LEGISLATURE IS VERY CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE BASIC LAW AND WE EXPECT THOSE PROVISIONS IN THE BASIC LAW TO BE MET AND FAITHFULLY CARRIED OUT. THAT’S ALL I WISH TO SAY.
QUESTION: WILL THEY ACCEPT THIS PROPOSAL?
CS: I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT IS CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE BASIC LAW WILL NOT BE FAITHFULLY IMPLEMENTED.
QUESTION: CAN YOU REPEAT THAT IN ENGLISH, PLEASE?
CS: I WAS ASKED ABOUT THE LIST OF ASSETS TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE SAR GOVERNMENT. AS YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE IT QUITE CLEAR IN HIS RECENT ADDRESS THAT WE VERY MUCH WISH TO INTENSIFY OUR CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AND ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH THE CHINESE IS THE QUESTION OF WHAT ASSETS TO HAND OVER AND WHAT MATERIALS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WISHES TO HAVE. ON THIS AND ON OTHER MATTERS, WE HOPE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS IN GREATER DETAILS WITH THE CHINESE.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, CAN I JUST ASK THAT IN ENGLISH? I MEAN, THE FACT THAT WE’RE ALLOWING THE TAIWANESE......?
CS: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT YESTERDAY WHICH MAKES IT QUITE CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO LEGAL BASIS UPON WHICH EITHER THE GOVERNOR OR MYSELF CAN SEEK TO REVERSE THE DECISION MADE BY THE URBAN COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE ACTIVITY TO GO AHEAD. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW, EVERY ACT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND QUASI-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS OR STATUTORY CORPORATIONS SHOULD BE FULLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.
------0--------
BEAT THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY FUNDS t t » * *
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS UNDER THE 1994/95 COMMUNITY AGAINST DRUGS SCHEME (CADS).
PARTICIPANTS OF SELECTED PROJECTS WILL RECEIVE A MAXIMUN SPONSORSHIP OF $6,000 TO ORGANISE AND PROMOTE ANTI-DRUG PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THE END OF THIS MONTH.
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, MORE THAN $68,000 WAS ALLOCATED TO SPONSOR A TOTAL OF 13 CADS PROJECTS ORGANISED BY YOUTH CLUBS, COMMUNITY CENTRES, SCHOOLS AND OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORKER TEAMS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT NARCOTICS DIVISION, 23RD FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG. FOR ANY ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 867 2767.
------0--------
/3 .....
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1994
3
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION * * * * *
ONE HUNDRED VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $3,018,000 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 *120 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $520,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK *GB8 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $310,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR GC349, GC5613, GB8567, GC1129, GB6270, GC927, BB3517, GC4271, GC729, GC3112, EL3365, GD1004, GD1319.
FOLLOWING ARE THE
RESULTS OF TODAY'S MORNING SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
GC720 3,000 GB8567 1,000 GC281 10,000 GC6669 6,000
GC349 1,000 AA3108 20,000 GC328 100,000 GC122 17,000
*DG767 WITHDRAWN *CF6699 39,000 *GC7 130,000 *EJ63 30,000
GB8283 9,000 GC708 6,000 GC1965 9,000 GB6270 1,000
GA2333 14,000 GC230 15,000 GC568 3,000 GC1112 16,000
GC9893 7,000 GC163 63,000 HK112 130,000 AA1838 40,000
GC5613 1,000 AL8660 11,000 GC3323 9,000 GC3339 11,000
*GD1001 10,000 *997 150,000 *AL1881 38,000 *AA2020 61,000
GC2618 3,000 XX521 27,000 GB8328 4,000 GC903 3,000
GC103 19,000 GC1398 11,000 GC1129 1,000 GC435 2,000
GC3382 11,000 GC927 1,000 *CJ1010 7,000 BB3517 1,000
FK654 4,000 GD1002 2,000 GC841 3,000 *CG1616 16,000
GC4271 1,000 AD1933 18,000
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AFTERNOON SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
GC729 1,000 GC980 9,000 GC3288 30,000 AK1885 4,000
GD9388 2,000 GC918 10,000 GC8933 6,000 GC127 5,000
*AV700 8,000 *GC9 145,000 *FG18 135,000 *8698 160,000
GC1207 WITHDRAWN GC355 4,000 GC631 7,000 GC133 29,000
GC3008 5,000 AK993 27,000 GC8633 4,000 GD1489 5,000
GD510 3,000 GD560 3,000 GD822 16,000 GD8889 21,000
GC3112 1,000 GA2888 30,000 GD663 35,000 CH105 34,000
*GD12 35,000 *120 520,000 *GB8 310,000 *EV2222 WITHDRAWN
GC115 3,000 GC8666 9,000 BM675 5,000 EL3365 1,000
GC379 3,000 GD127 9,000 EX2329 2,000 GD1023 3,000
GD1004 1,000 GD1319 1,000 *GB7 144,000 GD632 9,000
AA841 22,000 GD220 16,000 GD270 6,000 *DD456 14,000
HK105 69,000 GC3991 WITHDRAWN
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
THERE WERE NO BIDDER FOR * DG767, GC1207, *EV2222, GC3991 AND GC1207, GC3991 WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANTS.
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1994
4
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 242ND AND 243RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $349,700,905.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG MONETARA AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ t ♦ t t
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULAT1VE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,286 09 30 + 4 0
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,396 1000 + 4 0
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1 100 + 4 0
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 40 1 1 30 + 10
LAE TODAY -930 1 500
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TW1 121.9 ♦ + 0 . It 8. IO.9I
- - 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO FRESH BIDS FOR CT9...................................... 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION... 2
STUDENTS TO SEE THE WORLD OF WORK.......................... 5
VACANCIES FOR GOVT SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS............... 6
MARINE DEPARTMENT TEAM SHOWS GOOD TEAM SPIRIT.............. 6
HUNDREDS JOIN CROSS TOLO SWIM.............................. 7
CLINIC SERVICE TO BE SUSPENDED ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.. 7
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
1
NO FRESH BIDS FOR CT9
*****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON THE CT9 PROJECT:
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO CALL FOR FRESH BIDS FOR THE CT9 PROJECT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE BASIS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON THE AWARD OF THE CT9 GRANT WAS TO INTRODUCE GREATER COMPETITIVENESS INTO HONG KONG’S CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATIONS, TO PREVENT THE EXISTING OPERATORS FROM MONOPOLISING THE MARKET AND THEREBY DICTATING PRICES.
"AFTER A CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF THE BIDS, AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WE DECIDED TO DISPOSE OF CT9 BY WAY OF A PRIVATE TREATY GRANT TO THE EXISTING CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS AND A NEW CONSORTIUM, THUS MEETING OUR OBJECTIVE OF INTRODICING MORE COMPETITION," MRS CHAN SAID.
"THE DECISION WAS TAKEN IN LINE WITH HONG KONG’S 'LEVEL PLAYING FIELD' POLICY, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROCEDURES FOLLOWED IN SUCH CASES BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR MANY YEARS.
"INDEED, WE HAVE IN THE PAST DISPOSED OF CONTAINER TERMINAL FACILITIES EITHER BY PUBLIC TENDER OR PRIVATE TREATY GRANT, DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES PREVAILING AT THE TIME."
"TO SUGGEST THAT OUR DECISIONS WERE TAKEN ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN ECONOMIC OR FINANCIAL GROUNDS UNDERMINES BUSINESS CONFIDENCE AND IMPUGNS THE INTEGRITY AND COMPETENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE EXERCISE.
"WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THE EXERCISE WAS CONDUCTED NORMALLY AND PROPERLY AND JN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED IN THE MEANTIME TO CAUSE US TO CALL FOK FRESH BIDS FOR CT9.”
MRS CHAN, WHO LEAVES TODAY FOR AN OFFICIAL TWO-WEEK VISIT TO CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES, SAID THE PURPOSE OF HER MISSION WAS TO BOOST HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE PROVIDING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR BOTH FOREIGN AND LOCAL BUSINESSMEN, SO AS TO PROMOTE INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND ITS FUTURE.
"THIS TASK IS NOT MADE EASIER BY SOME OF THE STATEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS ISSUE. I WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THE POSITION TO THE SENIOR-GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CORPORATE LEADERS I MEET IN BOTH COUNTRIES," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD ALREADY POINTED OUT, EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST IN THE CT9 PROJECT WERE INVITED IN EARLY 1992, WHICH RESULTED IN FIVE SUBMISSIONS.
ONE WAS REJECTED BECAUSE OF LACK OF PROVEN CONTAINER TERMINAL EXPERTISE. THREE OF THE OTHER SUBMISSIONS INVOLVED THE TWO MAJOR EXISTING TERMINAL OPERATORS, MODERN TERMINALS LIMITED (MTL) AND HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS (HIT), IN VARYING COMBINATIONS.
/THE OTHER .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
2
THE OTHER BIDDER - TSING YI CONTAINER TERMINAL CONSORTIUM -PRIMARILY INVOLVED JARDINES, SEALAND, SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES AND NEW WORLD DEVELOPMENT. THE CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATING EXPERIENCE WAS PROVIDED BY SEALAND.
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE COMPETITION, CT9 WAS SPLIT INTO TWO
BERTHS FOR HIT AND MTL, AND TWO BERTHS FOR THE TSING YI CONSORTIUM.
MRS CHAN SAID: "I THINK IT IS PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT THE
ARRANGEMENTS WE MADE DID IN FACT OPEN UP THE PROJECT TO GREATER
COMPETITION AND THEREBY PRODUCE A BETTER DEAL FOR THE HONG KONG
TAXPAYER AND MAXIMISE THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR PORT OPERATIONS, WHICH ARE SO VITAL TO OUR INTERNATIONAL TRADING POSITION.
"IT IS A GREAT PITY THAT THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR MORE THAN 18 MONTHS NOW, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO OUR ECONOMY.
"THE PORT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONGESTED AND WE BADLY NEED ADDITIONAL CONTAINER FACILITIES IF WE ARE TO SUSTAIN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"IN THE INTERESTS OF MAINTAINING OUR PROSPERITY, I URGE THE CHINESE SIDE TO ALLOW THE PROJECT TO PROCEED WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY."
------0-------
TRANSCRIPT OF THE'FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, HAS RETURNED TO HONG KONG TODAY (SUNDAY) AFTER ATTENDING THE WORLD BANK/1 MF MEETING IN MADRID. THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF HIS REMARKS AT THE AIRPORT:
FS: HI, IT’S NICE TO BE BACK.
I’VE HAD A VERY GOOD WEEK - IT SEEMS LIKE MUCH LONGER. TWO THINGS MAINLY, OF COURSE. FIRST, DOING ALL THE SIGNING AND FINALISING THE APPROVAL FOR US TO HOST THE IMF MEETING IN 1997. WE HAVE A BIG TEAM THERE; SOME OF THEM ARE STILL THERE WORKING ON - WELL, WATCHING WHAT HAPPENS EVEN AFTER THE MEETING, IN TERMS OF FOLLOW UP.
SECONDLY, OF COURSE, AND AS IMPORTANTLY, I TOOK THE CHANCE TO SPEAK, IN PUBLIC AND IN PRIVATE, TO A LOT OF SPANISH BUSINESSMEN AND BANKERS. I GOT THE USUAL SORTS OF QUESTIONS, I WOULD SAY. ON THE ONE HAND THEY WANT TO KNOW, THEY WANT TO HEAR, WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN 1997, HOW THE TRANSITION IS GOING. ALSO, AT THE MOMENT, THEY DO ASK ABOUT COSTS HERE - PARTICULARLY PROPERTY COSTS - AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THEM UP TO DATE ON THAT ASPECT. BUT THE BIG PLUS THAT I'M FINDING IS THAT THEY ARE STILL VERY MUCH REGARDING HONG KONG AS A NATURAL GATEWAY TO CHINA. THEY ARE VERY KEEN TO TRADE AND INVEST MORE, BOTH HERE AND IN CHINA. AND FOR CHINA, THEY ARE AWARE THAT THEY NEED SOME EXPERT ASSISTANCE. SO 1 THINK THAT IS HOPEFUL.
/THE FACT .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
3
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE GOT FOUR SPANISH BANKS NOW WITH BRANCHES IN HONG KONG - I DETECTED SOME INTEREST POSSIBLY FROM ANOTHER ONE BUT WE’LL SEE WHETHER THAT COMES OFF. SO STILL KEEN TO MOVE IN HERE, PARTLY FOR OUR OWN MERITS - AND I REMINDED THEM THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY A BIGGER TRADER THAN CHINA, OR SPAIN FOR THAT MATTER - SO PARTLY FOR OUR OWN MERITS, BUSINESS TO BE DONE HERE, OR PARTLY AS A BASE FOR CHINA.
ALSO, I WAS REMINDING PEOPLE THAT WE ARE BECOMING A GATEWAY TO VIETNAM. SO THAT IS ALSO OF INTEREST. THERE’S A LOT OF INTEREST IN VIETNAM AT THE MOMENT. QUESTIONS?
QUESTION: FS, YOU KNOW, WHY COULDN’T THE GOVERNMENT RE-TENDER THE CONTRACT FOR TERMINAL NUMBER 9?
FS: WELL, I KNOW THAT THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAS JUST ISSUED A LONG STATEMENT. I AM NOT GOING TO TRY AND ADD TO IT - I’VE JUST READ IT.
QUESTION: SO HOW CAN THE DEADLOCK BE SOLVED HERE?
FS: I DON’T KNOW HOW THE DEADLOCK CAN BE SOLVED, IT’S VERY DIFFICULT.
QUESTION: BUT, YOU KNOW, THE CHINESE, LU PING SAID IT WOULD BE BETTER TO DO THAT. WHY COULDN’T IT? I MEAN WHY COULDN’T THE GOVERNMENT JUST RE-TENDER IT?
FS: WELL, THIS IS RATHER A NEW IDEA BECAUSE THE WHOLE HISTORY OF THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACT ON THE CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 GOES BACK, I’M AFRAID, RATHER A LONG TIME NOW AND WE’VE SET OUT RATHER CLEARLY WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID. IT WAS NOT NEW; IT AIMED TO BRING IN MORE COMPETITION TO THE PORT. TO CARRY ON SIMPLY HAVING THE SAME, BASICALLY THE TWO LARGEST CONTAINER PORT OPERATORS - GETTING THE NEW ONES, THEN WE WILL HAVE LESS COMPETITION. THAT WAS THE REASON AND I HOPED WE HAD EXPLAINED THAT VERY WELL.
QUESTION: CHINA HAD ALREADY MADE CLEAR THAT IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT JARDINES - WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE PRIVATE TREATY THAT YOU OFFERED TO JARDINES. CAN’T YOU MAKE A SOFTENING OF STANCE AS TO ... (INAUDIBLE)
FS: AS I SAY, OUR POSITION WAS SET OUT VERY CLEARLY BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
QUESTION: WELL, FS, YOU KNOW, THE PWC SAID YESTERDAY THAT OUR NEXT BUDGET - YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU FORMULATE OUR NEXT BUDGET, YOU SHOULD CONSULT CHINA.
FS: YES, I’VE JUST BEEN READING WHAT THEY HAVE SAID. OF COURSE, THEY ARE ADVISING CHINA. I HAVE NO DOUBT, IN DUE COURSE, CHINA WILL TELL US WHAT THEIR VIEWS ARE. SO MEANWHILE - OF COURSE IN THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH WE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THEM ON THE LAST BUDGET - THE LAST ONE, THE 1997/98 BUDGET. WE ARE HAPPY TO BRIEF THEM ON OUR SYSTEM - WE’VE DONE THAT ALREADY - OUR BUDGETARY SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM - WE’RE HAPPY TO DO MORE OF THAT IF THAT IS NEEDED.
/QUESTION .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
4
QUESTION: BUT THEY ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET --
QUESTION: BUT ... THAT MIGHT BE TOO LATE ... TO CONSULT ’95 - ’97.
FS: WELL, AS I SAID, THIS IS, IN A WAY, THE PROBLEM WITH THE
PWC. THE PWC DOESN’T SPEAK FOR ANYONE, IT ADVISES CHINA. SO WE CAN'T KEEP RESPONDING TO WHAT A PWC SUB-COMMITTEE MAY HAVE SAID. THAT IS NOT AN OFFICIAL VIEW.
QUESTION: PERHAPS, JUST FOR THE ENGLISH CHANNEL, CAN YOU EXPLAIN
SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT MRS CHAN PUT FORWARD BECAUSE SHE DIDN’T SPEAK IN ENGLISH.
FS: WELL, THE ARGUMENTS ON CT9, OF COURSE, I PUT FORWARD
MYSELF SOME TIME PREVIOUSLY. WE WERE KEEN TO INTRODUCE SONI- MORE COMPETITION INTO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL. THERE WERE BASICALLY TWO BIG OPERATORS AND ONE SMALLER ONE. AND WE INVITED EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FROM FIRMS OR CONSORTIA, WAY BACK - I MEAN SOME YEARS AGO. WE GOT, FROM MEMORY, FIVE. AND AT THE END OF THE PROCESS WE ENDED UP WITH THE TWO WHICH YOU ARE ALL AWARE OF, ONE OF WHICH, OF COURSE, INCLUDES JARDINES - IT'S NOT ONLY JARDINES - AND THE TERMINAL WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THOSE TWO CONSORTIA. THAT’S THE POSITION WE’RE IN.
WE’RE NOW, 1 THINK, 18 MONTHS BEHIND IN GETTING ON WITH EXPANDING THE CONTAINER PORT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM - THE LACE OF A RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM - AND I THINK THAT IS A GREAT PITY FOR HONG KONG.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN SAID SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S
REPUTATION. IF YOU ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE, HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, THEN WHY CAN’T YOU, YOU KNOW, GIVE SOME WAY TO RETENDER THE WHOLE PROCESS?
FS: WELL, BECAUSE WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL 1997, AND WE’VE
GONE THROUGH AN OPEN PROCESS WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A PARTICULAR RESULT, WHICH HAPPENS TO INCLUDE JARDINES IN ONE OF THE CONSORTIA, AND TO HAVE THAT OVERTURNED AND TO START THE PROCESS AGAIN IN SOME DIFFERENT WAY FOR SOME POLITICAL REASON, DOESN’T SEEM, TO US, TO BE A VERY GOOD MESSAGE TO THE WORLD. THAT’S OUR PROBLEM.
QUESTION: FS, 1 WANT TO MAKE ONE MORE —
FS: YES, THE LAST ONE.
QUESTION: WHAT THE PWC SUGGESTS IS THAT YOU SHOULD CONSULT CHINA
ON THE NEXT BUDGET, NOT THE BUDGET FOR 1997.
FS: YES, I KNOW. MY ANSWER IS THE SAME.
QUESTION: REALLY?
FS: YES, MY ANSWER IS THE SAME. I MEAN BY THAT WHAT 1 JUST
SAID EARLIER. WE’VE OFFERED ON THE LAST BUDGET. I CAN’T START RESPONDING TO PWC SUB-COMMITTEES HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE. WE’VE OFFERED BRIEFINGS - WE’VE ALREADY GIVEN THEM SOME. THANK YOU VERYMUCH.
------0--------
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
5
STUDENTS TO SEE THE WORLD OF WORK * * * * *
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE REAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS IN THE "VISITS TO WORK PLACES" PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS).
"THE PROGRAMME AIMS AT HELPING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF WORK SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE BETTER PLANS FOR THEIR FUTURE," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS ADA LEUNG SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE FIRST GROUP OF 40 STUDENTS VISITED THE SCHOOL OF GENERAL NURSING OF QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL LAST WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 5) TO GAIN A REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF NURSES IN A HOSPITAL.
"DURING THE VISIT, STUDENTS WERE TAKEN ON A GUIDED TOUR AROUND THE SCHOOL AND WERE BRIEFED ON THE DUTIES OF NURSES, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND CAREERS PROSPECTS," MRS LEUNG SAID.
MRS LEUNG DISCLOSED THAT BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER, MORE THAN 830 SECONDARY 3 TO SECONDARY 7 STUDENTS FROM 27 SCHOOLS WILL VISIT VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDE HOTELS, BANKS, DEPARTMENT STORES, TRAINING INSTITUTES, HOSPITALS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"WE HOPE THAT THROUGH VISITS TO VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS, STUDENTS CAN OBTAIN FIRST-HAND AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON DIFFERENT CAREERS," MRS LEUNG SAID.
MRS LEUNG ADDED THAT THE CAS ALSO PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS IN ORGANISING THEIR OWN VISITS TO WORK PLACES SO THAT MORE STUDENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY.
SHE SAID APART FROM THESE VISITS, THE CAS ORGANISED A LARGE VARIETY OF CAREERS EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS, QUIZZES AND SEMINARS.
THE CAS OPERATES TWO CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES (CICS) TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHOOSING A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTEREST AND ABILITIES.
"EACH CIC HAS A REFERENCE LIBRARY, AN AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT WITH SLIDE PRESENTATION, CASSETTE RECORDINGS AND VIDEO TAPES ON CAREERS, AS WELL AS A FREE ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING INFORMATION ON CAREERS AND TRAINING," MRS LEUNG SAID.
"YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREERS INFORMATION ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CICS WHICH ARE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHORN CENTRE IN WAN CHAI AND THE MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES," SHE ADDED.
- - 0---------
/6 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
6
VACANCIES FOR GOVT SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS TO FILL TEACHING POSTS IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID APPLICANTS SHOULD POSSESS A HONG KONG OR BRITISH DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT. FINAL YEAR STUDENTS TAKING THEIR FINAL DEGREE EXAMINATION IN SUMMER 1995 MAY ALSO APPLY.
HE SAID PREFERENCE WOULD BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WHO HAD A MAJOR IN THE RELEVANT SUBJECT.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO FILL TEACHING POSTS IN THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE/ENGLISH LITERATURE, CHINESE LANGUAGE, CHINESE HISTORY, MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, ECONOMICS, PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTS, HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, MUSIC, COMPUTER STUDIES, POLITICAL SCIENCE/GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART AND DESIGN, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, HOME ECONOMICS AND FRENCH.
HE SAID CANDIDATES SHOULD MARK CLEARLY IN THE APPLICATION FORM THE MAJOR AND MINOR SUBJECTS IN THEIR DEGREE COURSES AND SPECIFIC POST APPLIED FOR. THOSE WISHING TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MORE THAN ONE SUBJECT SHOULD SUBMIT SEPARATE APPLICATION FORMS.
THE PAY SCALE FOR THE POST IS BETWEEN $16,475 AND $34,690. THE ENTRY POINT DEPENDS ON EXPERIENCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS OCTOBER 21.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL SUB-DIVISION IN ROOM 1631, 16TH FLOOR, 213 WU CHUNG HOUSE, QUEEN'S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
------0-------
MARINE DEPARTMENT TEAM SHOWS GOOD TEAM SPIRIT * * * * *
WHILE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS CONSULTING ITS STAFF WHETHER A MOTTO - WORKING TOGETHER TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS BETTER - SHOULD BE ADOPTED, 12 STAFF MEMBERS HAVE FIRST TRIED THIS IDEA IN A FUND-RAISING EXERCISE FOR THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL AND PROVED THE SPIRIT OF THE MOTTO DID WORK.
"IT WAS THE TEAMWORK MADE US SECURE THE SEVENTH POSITION IN A TOUGH COMPETITION LIKE THE BOUNDABOUT '94," THE CAPTAIN OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TEAM, MR NG KWING-KEE, SAID.
MR NG WAS GLAD THAT THE TEAM MEMBERS HAD FULLY DEMONSTRATED TEAM SPIRIT AND CO-OPERATION NOT ONLY IN THE OFFICE BUT ALSO IN A CHARITABLE EVENT.
/THE MARINE .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1994
7
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WAS THE ONLY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATING IN THE BOUNDABOUT '94 HELD AT ST GEORGE’S SCHOOL IN KOWLOON TONG IN LATE SEPTEMBER.
A TOTAL OF 42 ORGANISATIONS TOOK PART IN THE EVENT AND THEY TOGETHER RAISED MORE THAN $600,000 FOR THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL.
IT WAS THE SECOND YEAR THAT MARINE OFFICERS, SURVEYORS, COXWAINS, LAUNCH ASSISTANTS AND CLERICAL OFFICERS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FORMED A TEAM TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT.
WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THEIR COLLEAGUES AND BUSINESS CONTACTS, THE TEAM RAISED SOME $21,000 FOR THE SCHOOL.
------0-------
HUNDREDS JOIN CROSS TOLO SWIM
*****
THE 25TH CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM TOOK PLACE IN TAI PO THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING, ATTRACTING 795 SWIMMERS.
THE SWIMMERS INCLUDED 637 MEN AND 158 WOMEN. THE YOUNGEST WAS NINE YEARS OLD AND THE OLDEST 76.
THEY STARTED THEIR COURSE FROM SHA LAN BEACH IN SHUEN WAN TO THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, COVERING A DISTANCE OF 2,400 METRES.
THE RACE WAS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND COSPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD. .
TAI PO’S DISTRICT OFFICER MISS SHIRLEY YUEN OFFICIATED AT THE STARTING CEREMONY AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
TROPHIES WERE AWARDED TO THE FIRST 10 WINNERS IN THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS RESPECTIVELY WHILE 760 SWIMMERS WHO COMPLETED THE FULL COURSE WITHIN 90 MINUTES RECEIVED COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATES.
THE CHAMPION IN THE MEN’S SECTION WAS MR TANG WING-HING WHILE MS CHEUNG MAN-YIU CAME FIRST IN THE WOMEN’S SECTION.
-----0-------
CLINIC SERVICE TO BE SUSPENDED ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 13).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
CONTENTS EA_GE.NO
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC MEETING................. 1
EUROCLEAR LINKS UP WITH CMU IN HONG KONG................... 16
COMMITMENT TO AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM................ 17
NEW LICENSING OFFICE WELCOMED BY THE PUBLIC................ 18
CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND NOT CONSIDERED...................... 19
SMALLER INCREASE IN VTC TUITION FEES....................... 20
CONSULTATION ON LICENSING ESTATE AGENTS ENDS............... 21
EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES STATISTICS IN JUNE RELEASED.... 21
STI TO VISIT HKPC.......................................... 24
PLEDGE OF HIGHER SERVICES STANDARDS BY CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT...................................... 24
CLOSURE OF SHAM SHUI PO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT.......... 25
WATER STORAGE FIGURE....................................... 25
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....
26
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC MEETING » * » » »
FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S PUBLIC MEETING AT THE CULTURAL CENTRE TODAY (MONDAY):
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR
WHEN YOU GIVE THE FIRST CHANCE TO THE DISABLED. YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING THE PAST TWO YEARS TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS IN RELATION TO TRANSPORT AND EMPLOYMENT. EVEN THOUGH THOSE ARE' VERY DIFFICULT QUESTIONS YOU HAVE MADE VERY GOOD START. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION THIS YEAR. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TRY AND GIVE US MORE TAX CONCESSIONS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE EXTRA EXPENSES BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHEEL CHAIR IT’S $7,000 OR EVEN $10,000. AND ALSO WITH PROSTHETICS, IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. SO MR GOVERNOR, THESE ARE NECESSITIES. FOR INSTANCE, WE NEED MEDICATION AND WE NEED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. AND SO, COULD THESE BE MADE INTO DEDUCTIBLE ITEMS, THAT IS, TAX DEDUCTIBLE ITEMS? AND, OF COURSE, NOT EVERY DISABLED PERSON CAN WORK AND, OF COURSE, IF THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK THEN OF COURSE, THEN THEY CAN GET TAX ALLOWANCES. BUT IF THEY HAVE TO STAY AT HOME AND THEY CAN’T REALLY GO OUT TO WORK, SO COULD IT BE DONE IN THE WAY OF SINGLE PARENTS. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU GIVE MORE ALLOWANCES TO THOSE FAMILIES SO THAT THEY ARE MORE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE DISABLED MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY. NOW, IN FACT, IN SINGAPORE SOMETHING SIMILAR HAS BEEN DONE. HONG KONG IS AN AFFLUENT SOCIETY AND HONG KONG IS ALSO A CARING AND NOT A HEARTLESS SOCIETY AND I AM SURE YOU ARE VERY WILLING TO HELP THE ELDERLY, THE FRAIL AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THIS OF YOU, THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: CAN I SAY A GENERAL THING ABOUT DISABLED MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMUNITY AND THEN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT TAX ALLOWANCES
SPECIFICALLY. THERE ARE, I THINK IT’S JUST OVER 280,000 PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WITH SOME FORM OF DISABILITY - 286,000 - AND IT IS, I BELIEVE, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE THOSE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE DISABLED THE OPPORTUNITY OF PLAYING A FULL PART IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OF DEVELOPING THEIR OWN ABILITIES TO THE FULL THAT’S NOT ONLY THE HUMANE AND COMPASSIONATE WAY A COMMUNITY LIKE THIS SHOULD BEHAVE BUT CANDIDLY, IT’S ALSO IN OUR ECONOMIC INTEREST. WE ARE SHORT OF SKILLS; WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SHORTAGES IN OUR LABOUR MARKET AND THEREFORE WE CAN’T AFFORD JUST TO THROW ON ONE SIDE ALL THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SOME FORM OF DISABILITY. SO IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WITH THE HELP OF THE MEMBERS OF THE DISABLED COMMUNITY, WE’VE ORGANISED SEMINARS ON BOTH THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED AND ON THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING NEEDS OF THE DISABLED. I THINK AS A RESULT OF THAT WE’VE STARTED TO MAKE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN BOTH THOSE IMPORTANT AREAS. WE’LL BE PUBLISHING A WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION, PARTICULARLY ON THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR WHICH WILL FOLLOW UP THE 1992 GREEN PAPER. AND DURING THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR WE’LL BE PRODUCING A DOCUMENT AS THE RESULT OF DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ABOUT EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING.
/SO WE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
2
SO WE ARE MAKING, I THINK, PROGRESS IN THOSE AREAS. I BELIEVE THAT BEHIND ALL THAT IT’S IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE EQUALITY OF RESPECT AS WELL AS EQUALITY OF CARE. AND THAT’S WHY WE ARE GOING TO LEGISLATE IN THE COMING SESSION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE DISABLED WHICH I THINK HAS NO PART IN A CIVILISED COMMUNITY LIKE HONG KONG.
WE TURN NEXT TO THE QUESTION OF TAX ALLOWANCES. THERE ARE TWO FEATURES OF HONG KONG’S TAX SYSTEM WHICH IMMEDIATELY STRIKE OUTSIDERS. THE FIRST IS THAT OUR TAX SYSTEM IS EXTREMELY SIMPLE. IT’S NOT ON THE WHOLE HUNG ABOUT WITH DIFFERENT ALLOWANCES AND CONCESSIONS. AND, SECOND, WHICH IS ONE ' OF THE REASONS FOR THAT FIRST POINT OF SIMPLICITY, WE ACTUALLY PAY VERY LOW RATES OF TAX. GETTING AFTER THE LAST COUPLE OF BUDGETS, GETTING ON FOR 60 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO ARE IN WORK DON’T PAY SALARIES TAX AT ALL AND ONLY 2 PER CENT OF THE WORKING POPULATION PAY THE TOP RATE OF TAX OF 15 PER CENT, SO THAT IT MAY BE THOUGHT BY SOME THAT TAX ALLOWANCES WITH SUCH A LOW LEVEL OF TAX WOULDN’T NECESSARILY BE THE BEST WAY OF HELPING THOSE WITH DISABILITY. I AM SURE THAT THERE WERE SOME WHO WOULD SAY YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING MORE AT THE CSSA RATES FOR THE DISABLED. YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING MORE AT THE GRANTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR THINGS LIKE WHEEL CHAIRS AND PROSTHETIC DEVICES RATHER THAN LOOKING AT THOSE WHO WERE PAYING SALARIES TAX AND WHO MIGHT GET SOME SORT OF CONCESSION. NEVERTHELESS, I WILL ENSURE THAT THAT PARTICULAR PROPOSAL IS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AS HE THINKS ABOUT HIS NEXT BUDGET. IT’S BEEN DISCUSSED I KNOW AT SOME OF OUR SUMMITS IN THE PAST. YOU PUT A SERIOUS ARGUMENT ABOUT IT AND WE WILL GIVE IT THE SERIOUSNESS IT DESERVES. I HAVE TO SAY THAT ONE OF THE REASONS WHY 1 THINK WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY MADE PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IS BECAUSE THE INTEREST GROUPS, THE LOBBIES, WHICH ARGUE THE CASE FOR THE DISABLED HAVE DONE SO WITH CONSIDERABLE ELOQUENCE AND INTELLIGENCE AND I THINK THAT’S HELPED THEIR CAUSE NO END. THANKS VERY MUCH.
QUESTION: AS WE APPROACH 1997, THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IS GOING TO
BECOME MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT IN HONG KONG. MANY FIRMS REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO BE FLUENT IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE, NOT ONLY THE SPOKEN PART BUT ALSO THE WRITTEN AND READING PART OF IT. I KNOW THAT GOVERNMENT IS UNDERGOING PLANS TO PROPOSE, SORT OF A LEVEL OF CHINESE REQUIREMENT BEFORE YOU CAN HAVE GOVERNMENT JOBS. WHAT I WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS IS, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE FOR THE MINORITIES. AS YOU WELL KNOW, MANY MINORITIES IN HONG KONG MAY SPEAK THE LANGUAGE BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO WRITE CHINESE OR READ CHINESE, WHICH PUTS THEM AT A VERY SERIOUS DISADVANTAGE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNMENT IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG AND IF THERE ARE PROPOSALS TO HAVE A MINIMUM CHINESE REQUIREMENT, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE MINORITIES WOULD BE BARRED FROM HAVING GOVERNMENT JOBS. THE MINORITIES IN HONG KONG ARE INCREASING. 1 MEAN WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL I WAS TAUGHT THAT 99% OF THE POPULATION IS CHINESE BUT NOW, THESE DAYS, MORE THAN 1% OF THE POPULATION ARE FILIPINOS, AND THE OVERALL MINORITY POPULATION IS, I THINK, ABOUT TWO TO THREE PER CENT. WHEN I SAY ’MINORITY’, YOU MAY ASK ME: WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A MINORITY? TO ME, I FEEL THAT A MINORITY IS A PERSON WHO - I MEAN NOT ONLY THE INDIANS AND PAKISTANIS, SRI LANKANS AND SO ON, BUT ALSO THE BRITISH, NEW ZEALANDERS, CANADIANS, OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
/I'VE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
3
I’VE ASKED SOME FRIENDS, "WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CHINESE REQUIREMENT? DO YOU THINK THAT YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILDREN TO HAVE A CHINESE EDUCATION, SO THAT WHEN THEY GROW UP THEY WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES JOB-WISE, AND OTHERS?" AND THEY SAY THAT THEY REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT HAVE A SYSTEM SO THAT THEIR CHILDREN, RIGHT FROM KINDERGARTEN, WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN CHINESE, SO THAT WE CAN COMPETE WITH OUR FELLOW CHINESE PEOPLE. AND IN FACT NOT ONLY WILL THIS BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE MINORITIES, BUT ALSO BENEFICIAL FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, AS THE WHOLE SOCIETY CAN SORT OF INTEGRATE, INSTEAD OF HAVING, THESE DAYS, SOMETIMES THERE ARE MINORITIES AND CHINESE LIVING APART IN THEIR OWN SEPARATE WORLDS. COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME SOME COMMENTS ON THIS ISSUE?
GOVERNOR: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE
PROSPERITY AND COMMERCIAL SUCCESS, AS WELL AS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S HARMONY, THAT WE PROVE THAT WE ARE NOT JUST A BILINGUAL BUT A TRILINGUAL COMMUNITY. I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT IN BUSINESS AND IT IS IMPORTANT IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AS WELL. IT RAISES A NUMBER OF ISSUES, NOT JUST, IF 1 MAY SAY SO, FOR THOSE YOU DESCRIBED AS THE MINORITIES - BECAUSE IN GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE ALL MINORITIES - AND I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY IN AN OPEN COMMUNITY LIKE HONG KONG, NOT TO THINK OF MINORITIES BUT TO THINK OF US ALL AS PART OF THE RICH TAPESTRY OF LIFE HERE IN HONG KONG. BUT THERE ARE PARTICULAR ISSUES AFFECTING THOSE WHO YOU DESCRIBE AS THE ^MINORITIES, IN WHOM I’D BETTER INCLUDE MYSELF, I GUESS, AND PERHAPS I CAN COME TO THOSE IN A MOMENT.
BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, WE HAVE TO TACKLE THE SUBJECT AT A NUMBER OF LEVELS. FIRST OF ALL, OF COURSE, AT SCHOOL. AND ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT OUR EDUCATORS FACE AT THE MOMENT, IS WHETHER THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, AS IT IS CALLED IN THE JARGON, IN OUR SCHOOLS, SHOULD BE ENGLISH OR CANTONESE. NOW, MANY EDUCATORS THINK THAT YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO LEARN GOOD CANTONESE AND PUTONGHUA, AND GOOD ENGLISH, IF YOU’RE TAUGHT IN, AS IT WERE, YOUR MOTHER TONGUE, BUT YOU HAVE VERY GOOD SPECIFIC LANGUAGE TEACHING ON TOP OF THAT.
IT’S AN ISSUE ABOUT WHICH MANY PARENTS FEEL VERY STRONGLY, BECAUSE AT THE MOMENT A LOT OF PARENTS THINK THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF THEIR CHILDREN WENT TO SCHOOLS WHERE TEACHING WAS IN ENGLISH RATHER THAN CANTONESE, AND WE HAVE TO PERSUADE THEM THAT THE WORST OF ALL, IS TO GO TO SCHOOLS WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT IN CHINGLISH - IN NEITHER ENGLISH NOR CHINESE, CANTONESE OR PUTONGHUA. SO WE’VE GOT TO TALK TO PARENTS ABOUT THE BEST MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR LANGUAGE TEACHING.
I THINK THAT WE’VE ALSO GOT TO USE THE LANGUAGE FUND, WHICH I
ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR WHICH IS WORTH $300 MILLION, AS IMAGINATIVELY AS
POSSIBLE TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE LANGUAGE TEACHING IN BOTH PUTONGHUA
AND IN ENGLISH. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS COMING FORWARD TO
THE COMMITTEE WHICH IS ALLOCATING THE FUNDS AT THE MOMENT, A NUMBER OF VERY GOOD PROJECTS COMING FORWARD TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP OUR LANGUAGE TEACHING.
WE ALSO HAVE TO SPEND A LOT MORE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ON IMPROVING LANGUAGE SKILLS, PARTICULARLY FOR MOST OF OUR CIVIL SERVANTS LEARNING PUTONGHUA.
/BUT I .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
4
BUT I THINK YOU RAISE A SPECIFIC ISSUE ABOUT THOSE YOU DESCRIBE AS THE MINORITIES AND I’D LIKE TO THINK OF YOU AS A CENTRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND I THINK THAT PERHAPS WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE IN THE FIELD OF ADULT EDUCATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVEN’T PICKED UP CANTONESE OR PUTONGHUA AT SCHOOL, TO COME BACK AND PICK UP CANTONESE OR PUTONGHUA, BOTH WRITTEN AND SPOKEN, IN LATER LIFE.
I’LL MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMITTEE WHICH IS ADMINISTERING THE LANGUAGE FUND TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE POINT YOU’VE RAISED TODAY, BECAUSE IT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE. IT’S AN IMPORTANT ONE FOR BOTH THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOME MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE, AND IT’S IMPORTANT, IN MY JUDGMENT, FOR OUR FUTURE PROSPERITY AS WELL, BECAUSE THERE IS NO DOUBT AT ALL, I THINK, THAT THE TWO LANGUAGES OF BUSINESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY, WILL BE CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
QUESTION: IN HONG KONG, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MEDIA, NOW WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FATE. RTHK DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE A CLEAR ENOUGH ROLE, OR THEIR ROLE IS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH. FOR INSTANCE, IN RTHK, ACTUALLY ONE OF THEIR PROGRAMMES DID CLIP PART OF A PROGRAMME PRODUCED BY ATV WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT. SO MY QUESTION IS: REGARDING RTHK PROGRAMMES, DO THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MONITOR THE PROGRAMMES OF ANOTHER TV CHANNEL, OR DO THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CLIP CERTAIN PARTS WITHOUT CONSENT?
GOVERNOR: . WELL, A LOT OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE WILL HAVE BEEN AS PUZZLED BY THAT QUESTION AS I MIGHT HAVE BEEN HAD I NOT ALREADY KNOWN THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN ATV AND RTHK OVER A PARTICULAR PROGRAMME. NORMALLY, A JOURNALIST WOULD ASK A QUESTION AT A PRESS CONFERENCE RATHER THAN AT AN OCCASION LIKE THIS, BUT SINCE YOU’VE ASKED THE QUESTION, WHAT I’LL SUGGEST TO YOU IS THAT YOU TAKE THE ISSUE UP:
(A) WITH SIR ROGER LOBO, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BROADCASTING
AUTHORITY; AND
(B) WITH CHEUNG MAN YEE, THE HEAD OF RTHK.
I’M SURE THAT’S THE BEST WAY OF PURSUING AN ARGUMENT BETWEEN TWO SUCH DISTINGUISHED BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS. AND . HAVING APPEARED ON BOTH RTHK AND ON ATV IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS, I AM OF COURSE OBLIGED TO SAY THAT VERY STRONGLY.
/QUESTION .......
NCJDZA', OCTCDER 10, 1994
- 5 -
QUESTION: YOU SAID THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE A FAIR SOCIETY WITH INTEGRITY. I FULLY APPRECIATE THAT STATEMENT BUT I HAVE A QUESTION. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR GOVERNMENT SAYS BECAUSE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT LAND SO SOME LAND ORIGINALLY RESERVED FOR SCHOOL BUILDING WOULD BE USED INSTEAD FOR HOUSING. NOW, I AM NOT AGAINST THAT SPIRIT BUT IN SOME COMMUNITIES THERE ARE MORE URGENT MATTERS THAT NEED TO BE ATTENDED TO BUT THEY ARE NOT ATTENDED TO AND I HAVE STRONG RESENTMENT ABOUT THAT. IN LAM TIN THERE ARE FIVE DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCIES AND IN FOUR OF THEM THERE ARE NO PRIMARY SCHOOLS. EVEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ADMITTED IN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING THAT THEY HAVE TO CHANGE SOME LAND ORIGINALLY FOR SCHOOL BUILDING INTO HOUSE BUILDING PURPOSE BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT LAND SUPPLY BUT WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS THEY MANAGED TO FIND ANOTHER SUITABLE SITE OUTSIDE THAT AREA SO THEY SEEM TO BE CONTRADICTING THEIR OWN STATEMENTS. IN THAT CASE HOW COULD WE RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL PLACES IN OUR AREA? NOW WHEN WE BUY HOUSING UNITS WE LOOK AT THE FLAT DESCRIPTIONS AND THE PRICES GIVEN BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, WE MAKE COMPARISON BASED ON THOSE INFORMATION BUT EVEN THOUGH IT IS MONITORED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS MISLED RESIDENTS OF THE HONG PARK COURT. WE WERE DECEIVED TIME AND AGAIN, WE WERE MISLED TIME AND AGAIN. SO MR GOVERNOR, I HOPE YOU WOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PROPERLY AND I HOPE YOU HAVE THE MORAL COURAGE TO GIVE AN UNDERTAKING TO RECTIFY THE WRONG SO THAT LAND ORIGINALLY RESERVED FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS WOULD BE USED EXACTLY FOR THAT PURPOSE. THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: PERHAPS I CAN DEAL WITH THE GENERAL AND THEN WITH THE SPECIFIC. WHAT I CAN’T DO - WITH OR WITHOUT THE MORAL COURAGE WHICH YOU REFER TO - WHAT I CAN’T DO IS MAGICALLY INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF LAND THAT WE HAVE IN HONG KONG AND WE REGULARLY HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT JUDGEMENTS ABOUT PRIORITIES FOR THE USE OF LAND, NOT JUST BETWEEN EDUCATION AND HOUSING BUT BETWEEN HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL USE WHICH IS ANOTHER PRESSURE POINT. THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM AND IF I MAY SAY SO WE ARE GOING TO FACED EVEN MORE PRESSURES ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, EVEN MORE DEMANDS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES BECAUSE THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENTER HONG KONG AFTER 1997 - AT LEAST 70,000 WHO HAVE A PARENT IN HONG KONG BUT ARE THEMSELVES AT PRESENT IN CHINA - AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START ADDRESSING THAT PROBLEM AS WE HAVE BEEN BEFORE 1997 SO THAT IT’S NOT TOO DIFFICULT AFTER 1997. WE ARE AT PRESENT BUILDING PARTLY TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE CHILDREN WHO ARE COMING IN, WE ARE BUILDING A PRIMARY CLASS EVERY THREE DAYS AND THAT’S SOON GOING TO BE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH WHEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD MORE SO THE PRESSURES YOU’VE IDENTIFIED ON THE EDUCATION FRONT ARE LIKELY TO INCREASE RATHER THAN DIMINISH. THERE ARE GENERAL GUIDELINES AS YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CATCHMENT AREAS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THE SORT OF POPULATION WHICH REQUIRES A PRIMARY SCHOOL AND WE TRY TO SATISFY THOSE WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
/THE CASE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
6 -
THE CASE WHICH YOU MENTION HAS BEEN RAISED WITH ME RECENTLY. I THINK YOU SENT ME, OR OTHERS SENT ME A LETTER ABOUT IT DURING THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND I WILL LOOK INTO YOUR PARTICULAR CASE AND RESPOND TO YOU AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE. CLEARLY WHERE PARENTS FOR EXAMPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL A LONG WAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN ORDER TO PUT THEM INTO A SCHOOL IT CAUSES SOCIAL STRAINS AND IT CAUSES DOMESTIC PROBLEMS. SO IT IS IMPORTANT WHEREVER POSSIBLE TO HAVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS CLOSE TO WHERE PEOPLE LIVE AND NOT AT SOME DISTANCE FROM WHERE THEY LIVE. IT’S EASIER WHEN WE ARE PLANNING A NEW HOUSING ESTATE ON THE WHOLE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT HEALTH FACILITIES, THE RIGHT SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES AND THE RIGHT SCHOOLING INTEGRATED IN THE ESTATE. IT’S SOMETIMES MORE DIFFICULT WHEN ONE’S DEALING WITH AN OLDER URBAN AREA AND WE FOUND THAT IN PROVIDING THINGS LIKE HEALTH AND WELFARE FACILITIES IN SOME OF OUR OLDER URBAN AREAS. BUT I’LL LOOK AT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CASE AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT THE POSITION IS.
QUESTION: YOUR EXCELLENCY, I’VE BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR THE LAST 42 YEARS, PART AND PARCEL OF HONG KONG, IDENTIFIED WITH HONG KONG. I MET MANY GOVERNORS. EVERY GOVERNOR HAS PLAYED AN EXCELLENT ROLE. YOUR GOOD SELF HAS PLAYED AN EXCELLENT ROLE TOO. STILL THE PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH WORRIED BECAUSE OF SINO-BRITISH RELATION. EVERYTHING’S FINE, HONG KONG WAS- NOTHING BECAUSE THE BRITISH RULE HAS DONE SO GOOD. HONG KONG IS PROSPERING EVERYWHERE, ALL THE WAY AND I THINK THE PART WHICH YOU ARE PLAYING IS EXCELLENT. I PAY TRIBUTE, I HAT OFF BEFORE YOU BUT I CAN’T UNDERSTAND, IN SPITE OF YOUR SO GOOD EFFORTS, WORKING VERY VERY HARD DAY AND NIGHT - MIDNIGHT WORK - PREPARING THE SPEECHES AND ALL THOSE THINGS, WHY PEOPLE OF HONG KONG - I MEET WITH THEM, I AM A PAST PRESIDENT OF LIONS CLUB, I AM NOW A SENIOR CITIZEN, I AM A LIFE MEMBER OF LIONS CLUB - I CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE LIVING ALL IN THIS STRESS. HOW CAN IT BE ELIMINATED SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE HAPPY AND GAY? THAT’S MY ONLY QUESTION.
GOVERNOR: I AM IN FAVOUR OF PEOPLE, AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE BEING HEALTHY AND GAY AND I PAY TRIBUTE TO YOU STRAIGHTAWAY FOR THE WORK WHICH THE LIONS DO IN TRYING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY AS SUCCESSFUL AND HARMONIOUS AS POSSIBLE.
/YOUR QUESTION .....
MONDAY, OCTOEER IC, 1994
7
YOUR QUESTION GOES I GUESS RIGHT TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM WHICH I HAVE TO ADDRESS AS GOVERNOR AND WHICH I AM SURE CHINESE OFFICIALS THINK ABOUT - DIRECTOR LU PING AND OTHER CHINESE OFFICIALS. WE MAY SEE THE CHALLENGE IN DIFFERENT WAYS, INEVITABLY WE HAVE DIFFERENT HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER’S HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES BUT THE QUESTION AT THE END OF THE DAY - AND THE QUESTION ON THE 30TH OF JUNE 1997 - WILL BE THE SAME ONE. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL AND I THINK PRETTY HAPPY COMMUNITY. AND IT’S ACHIEVED THAT SUCCESS AND IT’S ACHIEVED THAT HARMONY LARGELY THROUGH AN ASTONISHING CHEMICAL COMBINATION OF THE HARD WORK, THE COMMITMENT, THE ENERGY OF SHANGHAINESE, CANTONESE, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE RULE OF LAW, ALL OPERATING A MARKET ECONOMY SO SUCCESSFULLY THAT MOST OF THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS LOOKED ON WITH AWE - THAT HASN’T JUST PRODUCED PEOPLE WHO ARE FABULOUSLY RICH, THOUGH IT’S OF COURSE PRODUCED SOME OF THOSE - IT HASN’T JUST PRODUCED THE SORT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH RATES WHICH THE REST OF THE WORLD WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE ACHIEVED, IT’S ALSO PRODUCED TREMENDOUS ADVANCES IN HEALTH. WE’VE NOW GOT AMONG THE BEST HEALTH INDICATORS IN THE WORLD, IN EDUCATION, IN PUBLIC HOUSING, IN WELFARE. OF COURSE MUCH MORE TO DO BUT WE’VE PRODUCED HERE A TERRIFIC SUCCESS STORY AND THAT SUCCESS STORY EVERYBODY WANTS TO CONTINUE AFTER THE 30TH OF JUNE 1997. I THINK THAT THERE IS EVERY REASON WHY IT CAN CONTINUE AS WELL AS WHY IT SHOULD CONTINUE BUT THAT IS GOING TO DEMAND FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS FROM ME AND AS WELL AS FROM MY COLLEAGUES IN GOVERNMENT, THAT IS GOING TO DEMAND CO-OPERATION AND A REAL EFFORT TO GET ON TOGETHER. I PUT FORWARD SOME PROPOSALS IN MY POLICY ADDRESS LAST WEEK, NOT A COMPLETE AGENDA BUT SOME IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION AND PEOPLE SAY TO ME "WELL WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF CHINA SIMPLY IGNORES THEM OR THROWS THEM OUT”. I’M NOT SURE THAT’S A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK BECAUSE A BETTER QUESTION TO ASK IS "WHY SHOULD CHINA JUST WANT TO REJECT THOSE PROPOSALS"? "WHY DOESN’T CHINA PUT FORWARD SOME PROPOSALS WHICH WE WOULD WANT TO DISCUSS IN AS OPEN-MINDED A WAY AS POSSIBLE?"
I THINK IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT JOBS THAT ANYBODY HAS TRIED THIS CENTURY, THE TRANSFER PEACEFULLY OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY, THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ONE-COUNTRY-TWO-SYSTEMS CONCEPT - A CHINESE CONCEPT - IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THAT IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A CERTAIN GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT ON ALL SIDES AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DESERVE NO LESS THAN THAT.
I’VE SAID BEFORE THIS IS PREDOMINANTLY A CHINESE CITY, IT’S 97 PER CENT CHINESE AND I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO PLAY A HUGELY SUPPORTIVE ROLE IN CHINA IN THE 21ST CENTURY WHICH MANY PEOPLE THINK IS GOING TO BE THE CENTURY OF CHINA AND THE CENTURY OF ASIA. THIS CAN BE ONE OF THE GREATEST CITIES IN WORLD HISTORY, GIVEN EVEN HALF A CHANCE. SO, I HOPE THAT WE CAN -AS I’VE SAID BEFORE - STOP SHOUTING AND START DOING A LITTLE MORE TALKING. I THINK THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DESERVE NO LESS THAN THAT AND I TRUST WE CAN LIVE UP TO THEIR EXPECTATIONS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. BUT WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE WILL TRY TO DO OUR DUTY WHICH I DEFINE AS BEING TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION HAS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF BEING THE GUIDELINE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS IT’S THE GUIDELINE FOR HONG KONG’S PRESENT.
/QUESTION .......
8
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
QUESTION: GOOD EVENING, MR PATTEN. I REPRESENT A NUMBER OF ARTS ORGANISATIONS TODAY BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE ORGANISATIONS WERE NOT SO FORTUNATE TO GET TICKETS IN TO COME AND TALK TO YOU THIS EVENING, SO I'M POSING A QUESTION ON THEIR BEHALF.
WHEN YOU PROPOSED, TWO YEARS AGO, THAT YOU WERE ESTABLISHING A HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE ARTS COMMUNITY WAS OVERJOYED. BUT I MUST CONFESS THAT THIS TIME ROUND, WHEN YOU SAID THAT YOU’D ACHIEVED YOUR TARGET OF ESTABLISHING THE HKADC, WE WERE A BIT DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE YOU SEEMED TO BE HAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THE BILL, WHICH IS NOW COMING UP BEFORE THE BILLS COMMITTEE, STILL STATED THAT YOU WOULD BE APPOINTING ALL THE MEMBERS TO THIS HKADC. THE BILL IS NOW UP BEFORE THE BILLS COMMITTEE AND AT THE LAST TWO MEETINGS THE BILLS COMMITTEE WAS IN FAVOUR OF INTRODUCING AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS BUT MR JAMES SO, YOUR SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, WAS AGAINST THIS IDEA. WE HAVE SENT OUR VIEWS TO YOU BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE TOO BUSY TO ANSWER THE VIEWS OF WHAT MR JAMES SO SO CALMLY DISMISSES AS "THE NOISY FEW”.
SO I’M TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU WHETHER YOU IN FACT SUPPORT THE IDEA OF INTRODUCING AT LEAST AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS INTO THE HKADC, OR WHETHER YOU SUPPORT MR JAMES SO IN SAYING THAT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE? AND IF YOU INDEED SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT IT IS NOT EVEN POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE A SMALL ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION INTO THE HKADC, THEN YOU ARE IN FACT, I THINK, PROVING MISS CHRISTINE LOH QUITE RIGHT WHEN SHE WRITES IN THE ’SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST’ ABOUT YOUR REFUSAL TO TIDY UP A FEW OF THESE LOOSE ENDS WHICH WOULD INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS INTO HONG KONG. COULD WE HAVE YOUR OPINION ON THIS, PLEASE?
GOVERNOR: YES, CERTAINLY. AND I THINK THAT IT’S INTERESTING HOW THE DEBATE MOVES ON. AT, 1 THINK, THE VERY FIRST OF THESE MEETINGS THAT I HAD, I WAS PRESSED VERY HARD ON WHETHER I WOULD SET UP AN ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR HONG KONG BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE ARRANGEMENTS THEN. INDEED, I WAS CRITICISED AT, I THINK, MY VERY FIRST PUBLIC MEETING FOR NOT HAVING TALKED ABOUT THE ARTS IN MY FIRST POLICY ADDRESS, AND I WAS PRESSED, AS WELL, ABOUT THE INADEQUATE FUNDING OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG. SO WE RESPONDED, AND WE PROPOSED SETTING UP AN ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. THE FIRST STAGE, WE SET UP AN ARTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD WITH A BROAD AND COMPREHENSIVE MEMBERSHIP AND WE PROVIDED IT WITH FUNDS IN ORDER TO 'PRIME THE PUMP’ OF THE ARTS HERE IN HONG KONG. I THINK DEVELOPING OUR ARTS - OUR VISUAL, OUR PERFORMING ARTS, OUR MUSIC - ALL THOSE ARE ASPECTS OF OUR INCREASING SUCCESS AS A COMMUNITY.
NOW IT IS ARGUED THAT IT’S ONLY IF WE MAKE THAT COUNCIL AN ELECTED BODY THAT WE’LL HAVE ADEQUATELY RESPONDED TO PRESSURE FROM THE ARTS COMMUNITY. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I DON’T AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT. I LOOK AROUND THE WORLD AND I SEE ARTS AGENCIES IN ALL SORTS OF OTHER DEVELOPED COMMUNITIES, FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO NORTH AMERICA, TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE, AND THEY HAVE, BY AND LARGE, APPOINTED BODIES - PEOPLE APPOINTED ON MERIT BECAUSE OF THE CONTRIBUTION THEY CAN MAKE TO THE ARTS. AND PROVIDED ONE HAS OVERALL DEMOCRATIC CHECKS AND BALANCES - I THINK WE’D HAVE WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - I DON’T SEE THE ARGUMENT FOR CREATING ANOTHER SET OF - IF YOU DON’T MIND ME MAKING THE POINT - FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THE ARTS, IN ORDER TO ELECT AN ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. SO I’M NOT PERSUADED THAT JAMES SO IS WRONG. IN FACT I THINK HE’S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
/I WANT ......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
9 -
I WANT TO SEE THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL DISPERSING FUNDS IN AS EFFECTIVE A WAY AS POSSIBLE. I WANT TO SEE THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ESTABLISHING A REPUTATION FOR INDEPENDENCE AND WISE JUDGEMENT. I DON’T THINK THAT THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IS THE SAME AS A DISTRICT BOARD OR THE URBAN COUNCIL OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SO I’M VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF A STRONG, WELL-RESOURCED, WELL-FUNDED, BROADLY BALANCED, WELL-SERVED ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. BUT I DON’T SEE IT AS A SURROGATE FOR DEMOCRACY. SO WHEREAS I HOPE WE’LL AGREE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS, I’M AFRAID I DON’T AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YOU’VE JUST SAID THAT IN THE 21ST CENTURY THE TWO LANGUAGES OF THE CENTURY WILL BE ENGLISH AND CHINESE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ABOUT IS, DURING THE LAST 150 YEARS, THERE’S THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE INTRODUCED HERE AND THERE IS NO DOUBT AN EFFORT TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
I DO HOPE VERY MUCH THAT OBVIOUSLY BY 1997, THERE WILL BE WAYS AND MEANS THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WILL DO TO IMPROVE OUR CHINESE AND PUTONGHUA. I DO HOPE THAT BEFORE 30TH JUNE 1997, YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT WILL DO AN EASY JOB - AN EASY JOB OF REVISING MOST OF THE ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS, WHICH ARE TERRIBLE IN HONG KONG. I BROUGHT THIS QUESTION UP TWO YEARS AGO. IT’S SUCH A SIMPLE SUBJECT, I THINK, TO YOUR ABILITY AND TO THE ABILITY OF YOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. I’M VERY SURPRISED THAT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS SUBJECT.
I DO NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE PAID ATTENTION, AND YOUR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS QUESTION BY TAKING SOME ACTION. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE CASES WAS THAT AFTER I BROUGHT UP THIS QUESTION TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A CASE WHERE THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION BROUGHT UP THE CASE AGAINST A PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, AND AS A RESULT OF THAT HE WAS CONVICTED. I THOUGHT, AT ONE TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WAS POINTING AT THE RIGHT DIRECTION - BUT THEN IT STOPPED. IS THAT THE END OF THE STORY OF THAT CASE, OR DO YOU THINK THAT’S ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG?
THEN YOU ANSWERED ME, TWO YEARS AGO, THAT YOU INTEND TO BRING UP THIS SUBJECT TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR BUSINESS COUNCIL. WELL UNFORTUNATELY, I’VE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING ANYTHING ABOUT IT IN PUBLIC. MAYBE YOU COULD TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? AND I THINK THIS IS SUCH AN EASY THING THAT I’M SURE YOU CAN DO, IF YOU ARE DETERMINED TO DO IT - RIGHT.
GOVERNOR: AS A RESULT OF YOUR ELOQUENCE ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, AND THAT OF OTHERS, INCLUDING SOME MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SOME OF OUR UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNICS GRANTS COMMITTEE WHO FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS, AND AS A RESULT OF THE VIEWS OF MANY TEACHERS, WE DID, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, SET UP THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FUND WITH $300 MILLION IN IT, LAST YEAR, AND THAT HAS STARTED TO DISPERSE MONEY. AND I’M SURE THAT ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH IT CAN USEFULLY SPEND MONEY IS ON FURTHER DEVELOPING AND REFINING CLASSROOM AIDS, INCLUDING OF COURSE, TEXTBOOKS. BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO LOOK, IF YOU’D LIKE TO SEND THEM TO ME, AT EXAMPLES OF INADEQUATE TEXTBOOKS, AND AT ANY IDEAS YOU HAVE FOR IMPROVING FURTHER THE QUALITY OF OUR TEXTBOOKS.
/I GO.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
- 10 -
I GO BACK TO SOMETHING I SAID EARLIER - AND WHILE I’M JUST COMPLETING THE QUESTION, I’M GOING TO ASK CHRIS IF HE’D LIKE TO ASK THE NEXT QUESTION - YES, HE WOULD! - BECAUSE CHRIS WAITS OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ME. BUT YOU’VE GOT TO BE SHORT TODAY, CHRIS -AND NO POEMS - NO POEMS!
I’D JUST LIKE TO, JUST TO FINISH, IT IS CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT USING THE RIGHT LANGUAGE. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY PARENTS SHOULD OFTEN FEEL THAT A CHILD IS MORE LIKELY TO LEARN GOOD ENGLISH IF SHE OR HE IS GOING TO A SCHOOL IN WHICH THE LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION IS ENGLISH. BUT I THINK YOU KNOW THAT THAT’S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE AND YOU CAN LEARN BETTER ENGLISH, VERY OFTEN, IF YOU’VE GOT GOOD SUPPORT AND GOOD TEACHERS IN A SCHOOL WHERE OTHER SUBJECTS ARE TAUGHT IN CANTONESE. YOU COULD SAY THE SAME ABOUT PUTONGHUA. BUT IT IS A DIFFICULT POINT, IT’S ONE WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN CAREFULLY TO PARENTS. WE HAVE TO CARRY PARENTS WITH US BECAUSE I THINK THAT IN ANY COMMUNITY LIKE THIS, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL TO EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. BUT GIVE ME THE EXAMPLES AND WE’LL COME BACK TO YOU.
QUESTION: I’M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU REJECTED MISS ANNA WU’S DEMAND TO PRESENT HER PRIVATE BILL TO SET UP A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO IMPLEMENT THE HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES. BECAUSE WE’RE GOING BACK TO CHINA, THE SOVEREIGNTY, AND WE KNOW THAT THE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD IN CHINA IS NOT SO GOOD. DO YOU THINK IT IS A RESPONSIBLE WAY TO TREAT THIS MATTER? DO YOU HAVE TO SEEK CHINESE CONSENT?
GOVERNOR: NO, WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE THINK IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG. BUT IT’S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION AND PERHAPS I CAN GIVE IT THE ATTENTION WHICH YOUR QUESTIONS ALWAYS DESERVE, CHRIS.
WE’VE REJECTED A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, BUT WE HAVEN’T REJECTED THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES, AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION. WE ARE ATTEMPTING, IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, TO ENSURE THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ARE PROPERLY PRESERVED AND PROTECTED IN HONG KONG. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR BILL OF RIGHTS. IT’S THE PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW THAT WE’RE UNDERTAKING OF ALL THOSE LAWS WHICH HAVE SOME IMPACT ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH. IT’S THE PURPOSE OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON GOVERNMENT INFORMATION THAT WE’RE INTRODUCING. IT’S THE PURPOSE OF OUR DECISION TO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT LEGAL AID SERVICE COUNCIL AND TO EXTEND LEGAL AID. IT’S THE PURPOSE OF OUR DETERMINATION TO ENSURE THAT OUR COURTS CAN DEAL WITH HUMAN RIGHTS CASES MORE RAPIDLY. ALL THOSE ARE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF OUR DETERMINATION TO ENSURE THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
WE DIDN’T THINK THAT THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A HUGE NEW INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT WAS THE BEST WAY OF PROCEEDING. WE THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD CAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF CONTROVERSY IN THE COMMUNITY, WE THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE, AND WE THOUGHT THAT IT WOULDN’T ACHIEVE ANYTHING THAT WE WEREN’T GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE BY TAKING A NUMBER OF SENSIBLE STEPS, COVERING, SOME OF THEM, VERY MUCH THE SAME GROUND THAT ANNA WU IS TALKING ABOUT. WE’RE GOING TO SET UP AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION; WE’RE GOING TO LEGISLATE, I HOPE, ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE DISABLED. SO I DON’T THINK THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND ANNA WU AND SOME OTHER LEGISLATORS, IS ONE OF OBJECTIVE. I THINK IT’S ONE OF THE BEST MEANS OF ACHIEVING THAT OBJECTIVE.
/WE HAVEN'T .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
11
WE HAVEN’T, AND WOULDN’T, DENY THE RIGHT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS, BUT WE DON’T THINK THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA. WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT A GREAT DEAL THIS SUMMER, AND THAT’S THE CONCLUSION WE CAME TO.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I AM FROM A THA AND I REPRESENT PEOPLE LIVING AT THAS. ACTUALLY IN 92 - 93, IN YOUR TWO POLICY ADDRESSES YOU TOLD US THAT BY 97 WE WILL ALL BE RE-J1OUSED AND WE WERE EXTREMELY HAPPY. NOW, MR GOVERNOR, YOU ALWAYS KEEP US IN MIND AND YET UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEPARTMENT UNDER YOU - THAT IS THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT - KEEP POSTPONING THE CLEARANCE DATES. FOR INSTANCE, IN SOME THAS THEY SAY THAT "OKAY, WITHIN SIX MONTHS TO NINE MONTHS THEY WILL BE CLEARED" AND YET THE DATE IS POSTPONED TIME AND AGAIN AND ORIGINALLY THE DAY WAS SET AT MARCH 94 AND YET THEY STILL STAND. FOR INSTANCE, IN PING SHEK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THAS. FOR INSTANCE, IN PING SHEK SHUN LING. IN PING SHEK THE THA HAS BEEN THERE FOR 20 YEARS AND THE DATE WAS ORIGINALLY SET FOR CLEARANCE AND YET THEY ARE STILL THERE. IT HAPPENS IN OTHER THAS AS WELL.
IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS THIS YEAR YOU ALSO TALK ABOUT THAS AND YOU SAY THAT BY THE END OF 9/ ALL THAS - THAT ALL THOSE LIVING IN THAS IN 1993 WOULD BE RE-HOUSED. WHEN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ALLOCATE UNITS THEY DON'T REALLY LOOK AT WHAT WE NEED. FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE ELDERLY PEOPLE, THEY MAY BE OVER 70 AND YET THEY ARE PUT ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF A BUILDING WITHOUT LIFTS AND SO OF COURSE THEY WILL REJECT IT AND THEN THEIR CHANCE IS GONE AND SO, YOU DON’T SEEM TO BE KEEPING YOUR PROMISE. SO COULD YOU CLARIFY THE CLEARANCE DATES. DON’T JUST TAKE THE NOTIFICATION DATE AS THE CLEARANCE DATE. ONCE YOU HAVE NOTIFIED US PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE AND ALLOCATION OF FLATS IS PROPERLY DONE. SOME MAY HAVE CHILDREN STUDYING IN THE VICINITY AND THE COUPLE MAY BE WORKING IN THE AREA AND YET YOU SEND THEM AS FAR AWAY AS TIN SHUI WAI. SO IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO ADJUST.
ONE FURTHER POINT. TO THE ELDERLY YOU HAVE PRIORITY HOUSING FOR THOSE WITH ELDERLY MEMBERS, BUT NOW THEY HAVE TO SHARE ACCOMMODATION. ORIGINALLY THIS WAS SAID TO BE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE PHASED OUT AND ACTUALLY IN TAI WOR ESTATE NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE HAD A TRAGEDY WHERE ONE CHOPPED ANOTHER UP, BUT NOW SUCH ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE STILL PUT TOGETHER AND THEY WILL HAVE TO SHARE ACCOMMODATION. SOME ELDERLY PEOPLE, THEY ARE NOT SINGLE. THEY MAY HAVE CHILDREN BUT YOU REFUSE TO ALLOW THEM TO ADD THE NAMES TO THEIR APPLICATION. THEY MUST BE UNDER 18 BEFORE THEIR NAMES CAN BE ADDED AND SO YOU ARE FORCING THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO BE SINGLETONS OR SINGLE MEMBERS FOR ACCOMMODATION. SO, MR GOVERNOR YOU HAVE MADE PROMISES. COULD YOU HONOUR YOUR PROMISES? PLEASE FOLLOW UP. PLEASE MONITOR WHAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS DOING TO SEE WHETHER THEY ARE DOING WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO. THANK YOU.
/GOVERNOR .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
12
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE HOUSING AUTHORITY DOES DESERVE SOME APPLAUSE SOMETIMES AS WELL. WHERE WE AND MOSTLY THEY ARE SPENDING I THINK 400 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS MORE ON HOUSING TODAY THAN THEY WERE TEN YEARS AGO. SO EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE PROBLEMS WHICH REMAIN AS YOU MENTIONED MADAM, AND DIFFICULT PROBLEMS, I DON’T THINK ONE SHOULD IGNORE THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE. LET ME SAY EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING AND THEN POINT OUT TO YOU WHAT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN MEETING THE OBJECTIVE IS. IT USED TO BE THE CASE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY RE-DEVELOPED TEMPORARY HOUSING AUTHORITY SITE, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA SITES ACCORDING TO NEED -ACCORDING TO DEVELOPMENT NEED. AND WHAT THAT MEANT WAS THAT SOME OF THE OLDEST TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS WHICH PROVIDED THE LEAST SANITARY AND LEAST SATISFACTORY CONDITION WERE CONTINUING TO BE LIVED IN BY PEOPLE AND I SAW SOME OF THOSE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND I THOUGHT THEY WERE PRETTY DEPLORABLE. SO WE HAVE NOW CONCENTRATED ON CLEARING ALL THE OLDER TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS FIRST. WE WILL CLEAR SEVEN OF THE 11 REMAINING PRE-1984 TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS DURING THE COURSE OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AND WE WILL CLEAR THE LAST FOUR OF THE OLDER TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS NEXT YEAR. WE ALSO REMAIN ON TARGET TO OFFER RE-HOUSING TO ALL TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TENANTS BY 1997. BY AUGUST THIS YEAR, WE’D OFFERED RE-HOUSING TO OVER 30 PER CENT OF ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN OCTOBER 1993.
BUT THAT’S WHERE WE COME TO THE PROBLEM WHICH YOU MENTIONED BECAUSE SOMETIMES, IT’S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT - EVEN WITH THE VERY BEST WILL IN THE WORLD - TO OFFER PEOPLE RE-HOUSING IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN WHICH THEY’VE BEEN LIVING. IT’S NOT BECAUSE OF ANY TERRIBLE BUREAUCRATIC DISEASE ON THE PART OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY; IT’S A FACT OF DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT VERY OFTEN SOMEBODY WHO IS PERHAPS LIVING IN A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, HOME, IN KOWLOON, AND IS OFFERED RE-HOUSING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ISN’T VERY KEEN ON GOING. BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT NOT ONLY TO OFFER PEOPLE ACCOMMODATION BUT TO OFFER PEOPLE ACCOMMODATION OF PRECISELY THE SORT THAT THEY WANT IN PRECISELY THE AREA THAT THEY WANT. WE’VE OBVIOUSLY GOT TO TRY AS HARD AS WE CAN BUT THE PRIORITY MUST BE TO OFFER PEOPLE RE-HOUSING AND HOPE THAT WE CAN OFFER THEM RE-HOUSING IN PLACES THAT THEY WANT TO BE IN. WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO OFFER ALL THA TENANTS AND AT LEAST ONE OFFER OF REHOUSING BY 1997 AND I HOPE MOST OF THEM WILL HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE THAS BY THEN. WE’LL CERTAINLY HAVE GOT RID OF ALL THE OLDER TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS BY THE END OF THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR AND THAT’S AS IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THE STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED IN THEM, PARTICULARLY THE OLDER ONES, IS A GREAT DEAL LESS GOOD THAN ANY OF US SHOULD WANT TO SEE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IN THE 1990’S LIVING IN.
ON THE ELDERLY, I’D JUST LIKE TO MAKE TWO POINTS AND THEY ARE BOTH DEALT WITH IN A LOT MORE DETAIL IN THE WORKING GROUP REPORT ON THE ELDERLY WHICH CAME OUT AT THE END OF LAST WEEK. FIRST OF ALL, WE WILL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RE-HOUSE ALL 4,000 SINGLE ELDERLY ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAITING LIST BY 1997. SECONDLY, WE ARE GIVING PRIORITY WHERE WE CAN, TO THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE LOOKING AFTER AN ELDERLY RELATIVE, AND WERE ABLE TO REDUCE SUBSTANTIALLY THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY WILL HAVE TO SPEND ON THE WAITING LIST. SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY AS WELL AS PROVIDE THE HOUSING WHICH TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TENANTS NEED AND REQUIRE. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE DIFFICULTY ON THE FORMER POINT IS THE ONE I DESCRIBED. YOU CAN’T ALWAYS OFFER SOMEBODY HOUSING EXACTLY WHERE THEY WANTED IT.
/QUESTION .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
13
QUESTION: GOOD EVENING MR PATTEN. MY SURNAME IS YEN. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FEW POINTS. FIRSTLY ON HOUSING. THEN, I AM AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR BECAUSE IMPORTED LABOUR THREATENS THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES OF LOCAL WORKERS AND ALSO I HOPE YOU WOULD INCREASE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE AND ALSO, YOU SHOULD SPEED UP THE ALLOCATION TIME FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND ALSO, I AM AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE DISABLED AND THE MENTALLY ILL. AND ALSO, WITH THE PRESENT MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE AND FOR INVOLUNTARY ADMISSION TO MENTAL HOSPITALS IT NEEDS THE APPROVAL GIVEN BY A JUDGE. I HOPE THAT PROCEDURE CAN BE CHANGED. I DON’T THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE SENT TO MENTAL HOSPITALS IF THEY ARE NOT DOING SO VOLUNTARILY.
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, LABOUR IMPORTATION. I AM ALWAYS SURPRISED WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT LABOUR IMPORTATION IS DESTROYING JOBS HERE IN HONG KONG. AFTER ALL, THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED UNEMPLOYED IN HONG KONG IS ABOUT HALF THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED JOB VACANCIES. WE’VE GOT ONE OF THE LOWEST LEVELS OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN ANY DEVELOPED ECONOMY AND, IF ANYTHING, THE PRESSURES ON US ARE TO FIND MORE PEOPLE FOR THE JOBS THAT NEED TO BE DONE RATHER THAN FINDING OURSELVES WITH AN EMBARRASSMENT OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR JOBS. THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THERE AREN’T SOME PROBLEMS. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WHEN PEOPLE SOMETIMES GET RE-TRAINED AND CAN’T FIND A JOB IN THE SECTOR FOR WHICH THEY’VE BEEN RE-TRAINED AND WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT. BUT I DON’T MYSELF BELIEVE THAT THE OBJECTIONS TO THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME OR TO THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR ELSEWHERE, OR TO THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR FOR PARTICULAR PROJECTS LIKE THE AIRPORT - I DON’T THINK THOSE ARGUMENTS ARE GOOD ECONOMICALLY OR SOCIALLY. I’LL JUST SAY ONE OTHER THING. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORKING IN HONG KONG HAS ACTUALLY BEEN INCREASING QUITE STEADILY AND THE LATEST FIGURE SHOWED AN INCREASE I THINK OF OVER 3-1/2 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR. AND THAT’S BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CONTINUING HIGH LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT. SO WHAT WE ARE MANAGING TO DO BECAUSE WE ARE GROWING SO RAPIDLY IS CONTINUING TO FIND MORE JOBS AND INDEED REQUIRE MORE PEOPLE TO COME IN AND DO THEM. WE HAVE TO RESTRICT IT, WE CAN’T HAVE NO CHECKS AT ALL ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING IN, BUT I THINK THE PRESENT SYSTEM WORKS RATHER BETTER THAN YOU WERE SUGGESTING AND I AM UNDER A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE FROM EMPLOYERS IN BUSINESS THE WHOLE TIME TO ALLOW MORE PEOPLE TO COME INTO HONG KONG.
WE HAVE PROPOSED SOME QUITE IMPORTANT INCREASES IN CSSA SCALE RATES IN THE COMING YEAR. WE’VE CONCENTRATED THE ASSISTANCE ON SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES AND ON CHILDREN AND I THINK THAT’S THE CORRECT PRIORITY. BUT WE ARE ALSO USING THE, WHAT’S CALLED THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO LOOK AT WHETHER THE WHOLE BASIS FOR OUR CSSA RATES IS THE RIGHT ONE. I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN SEEING WHETHER WE CAN CONSOLIDATE INTO THE BASIC RATES SOME OF THE SPECIAL GRANTS WHICH ARE GIVEN AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET A RATHER DISTORTED VIEW OF WHAT’S AVAILABLE TO CLAIMANTS BECAUSE THEY IGNORE THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL GRANTS THAT ARE BEING QUITE PROPERLY TAKEN UP.
/ON ALLOCATION .......
14
MONDAY, OCTOEER 10, 1994
ON ALLOCATION TIME FOR PUBLIC HOUSING. AS A RESULT OF COMMITTING OURSELVES TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING OVER THE FIVE, SIX YEARS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REDUCE THE WAITING LIST. THE WAITING LIST ISN’T OF COURSE ENTIRELY ACCURATE BECAUSE THERE’S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OVERLAPPING AND DOUBLE-COUNTING ON THE WAITING LIST, AND BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST ARE ABOVE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA BUT, NEVERTHELESS, AND I HOPE THAT THE INCREASE IN PUBLIC HOUSING THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST. IT WOULD REDUCE, OF COURSE, EVEN MORE IF THE 10 PER CENT OF PEOPLE IN HOUSING AUTHORITY ACCOMMODATION WHO HAVE INCOMES DOUBLE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA MOVED ON TO HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES AND WE MUST ENCOURAGE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE TO DO THAT.
I HOPE YOU WILL APPROVE - INDEED I THINK YOU DID - OF OUR DETERMINATION TO LEGISLATE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION ON THE DISABLED AND THE POINT THAT YOU MADE ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION HASN’T BEEN MADE TO ME BEFORE, BUT I WILL FOLLOW IT UP. AND IF YOU LEAVE YOUR NAME WITH ONE OF THE STEWARDS I WILL RESPOND TO YOU ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE.
QUESTION: GOOD EVENING, MR GOVERNOR. I WISH TO THANK YOU - YOU MADE A PROMISE THAT YOU WILL BE GIVING A REPLY TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO MENTIONED THE PIECE OF LAND FOR A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN LAM TIN AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THIS: THE GRASSROOTS PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HOPE THAT YOU WILL SPEND MORE TIME ON BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES. THIS IS MY FIRST INVITATION TO YOU. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN COME TO LAM TIN ONCE AGAIN. MY INVITATION IS VERY SINCERE. THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: WELL, THESE PUBLIC MEETINGS WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE UNLESS I GOT AN OFFER, WHICH I CAN’T REFUSE, TO VISIT ONE PART OF HONG KONG OR ANOTHER. AT LEAST ONE AFTERNOON A WEEK I GO OUT AND VISIT DISTRICT BOARDS OR VISIT OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND I WILL CERTAINLY RESPOND TO YOUR INVITATION TO COME AND VISIT YOU - AND I HOPE YOU’LL PROVIDE A CUP OF TEA. ALRIGHT? WE’LL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU. YOU WON THE JACKPOT!
QUESTION: I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR YOU AS OUR GOVERNOR. AFTER YOU DELIVERED YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, SOME CRITICISED THAT AS AN EMPTY ADDRESS BUT I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR POSITION BECAUSE IT IS SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DECIDE ON ISSUES AFTER 1997 ON BEHALF OF THE CHINESE SIDE. SO IF YOU PAINT TOO ROSY A PICTURE, IT MAY BE EXAGGERATION. BUT IF YOU PAINT A GRIM PICTURE, THEN YOU MAY BE CRITICISED BY THE CHINESE SIDE. SO YOU’RE IN A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION.
WITH REGARD TO YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, I THINK IT’S RATHER PRACTICAL AND PRAGMATIC. YOU HAVE NOT EXAGGERATED WHAT TASKS NEED TO BE DONE AFTER 1997 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND SO ON. YOU HAVE PUT FORWARD A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL PROPOSALS BUT IT SEEMS THAT IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESSES YOU HAVE NEVER MENTIONED MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS. IN THE EIGHTIES, WHEN THE MTR CAME INTO PLACE, WHEN HONG KONG WAS DEVELOPING A MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM, THAT WAS ABOUT THE TIME WHEN THE PROGRESS STOPPED. IT IS ONLY RECENTLY THERE IS MENTION OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, BUT FOR OTHER MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT, MA ON SHAN, TSEUNG KWAN O, OR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, IT SEEMS THAT ALL SUCH DEVELOPMENTS HAVE STOPPED. SO I HOPE WHEN YOU CONSIDER MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS, YOU WOULD PUT FORWARD MORE PROPOSALS BECAUSE HONG KONG IS RAPIDLY EXPANDING AND DEVELOPING.
/GOVERNOR .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
15
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH THE LAST POINT THAT YOU MADE -AND I WAS VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THE FIRST POINT YOU MADE AS WELL - BUT I VERY STRONGLY AGREED WITH THE LAST POINT. WE DO SUFFER, IN HONG KONG, INCREASINGLY, FROM AWFUL PROBLEMS OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION. NOW IT’S ONLY OF LIMITED COMFORT TO KNOW THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE WORSE IN A NUMBER OF OTHER PLACES - WORSE IN BANGKOK, WORSE IN A NUMBER OF NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN CITIES. THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE CAN BE COMPLACENT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS HERE AND UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING, THE PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO GET WORSE.
AT PRESENT, GIVEN THE AFFLUENCE OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE ACTUALLY HAVE RATHER LOW CAR OWNERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY BUT WE HAVE A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF CARS FOR THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF ROADS THAT WE’VE GOT. SO IF, AS ONE MIGHT EXPECT, CAR OWNERSHIP CONTINUES TO INCREASE AT 10% A YEAR, WHICH IT HAS BEEN, OUR TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO GET WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE.
PART OF THE ANSWER HAS GOT TO BE THE PROVISION OF EVEN MORE EXTENSIVE, EVEN BETTER, PUBLIC TRANSPORT, BOTH MASS TRANSIT AND BUSES. WE’LL BE PRODUCING A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THIS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND IF YOU THINK THAT ANYTHING THAT I HAVE DONE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL, YOU WAIT UNTIL THE DEBATE STARTS ON DEALING WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. BECAUSE IN MY EXPERIENCE, THOSE ARE ISSUES WHICH PUSH UP THE TEMPERATURE IN ANY COMMUNITY.
OF COURSE THE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR PROPOSALS ON RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT IS THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, WHICH IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IF YOU’RE DISCUSSING, FOR INSTANCE, THE MOVEMENT OF FREIGHT IN AND AROUND HONG KONG, OR IF YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES, OR INDEED ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, HAVE RATHER BETTER ACCESS TO THE CENTRE OF HONG KONG. THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IS PRECISELY THE SORT OF SUBJECT WHICH YOU WERE REFERRING TO. EVEN THOUGH WE NEED TO PLAN FOR IT BEFORE 1997, THE INVESTMENT AND THE COSTS WILL BE NEARLY ALL AFTER 1997. IT’S A SUBJECT THAT WE’LL WANT TO TALK TO OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES ABOUT AND, I HOPE, HAVE THEIR UNDERSTANDING.
I SAID IN MY POLICY ADDRESS THAT ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE AS A WHOLE I THOUGHT THAT WE NEEDED TO BE MORE POSITIVE IN LOOKING, WITH GUANGDONG AND WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, AT THE WAY WE DEVELOP THINGS IN HONG KONG. I’M SURE THAT’S RIGHT. I’M SURE THAT’S RIGHT FOR THE REGION, I’M SURE IT’S RIGHT FOR CHINA AS A WHOLE, AND I HOPE WE CAN GET ON WITH THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
THERE ARE OTHER SUBJECTS WHERE WE, AGAIN QUITE PROPERLY, HAVE TO DISCUSS ISSUES WITH THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN. THE OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME IS ONE OF THEM. AND I HOPE THAT ON ALL THESE SUBJECTS WE CAN RESPECT ONE ANOTHER’S GOOD INTENTIONS AND NOT ENDLESSLY HUNT FOR THE SNAG OR THE PROBLEM, BUT DO WHAT HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO GOOD AT, WHICH IS ROLLING ITS SLEEVES UP AND GETTING ON WITH THINGS. THAT’S WHAT HAS MADE THIS COMMUNITY SO SUCCESSFUL AND I HOPE THAT’S WHAT WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS COMMUNITY SUCCESSFUL FOR THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED. I HOPE SOME OF YOU WILL COME ALONG AND ASK QUESTIONS NEXT YEAR AND I HOPE WE’LL HAVE EVEN MORE SUCCESSES AND FEWER PROBLEMS TO TALK ABOUT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
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/16 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
16
EUROCLEAR LINKS UP WITH CMU IN HONG KONG * * * * *
• THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EUROCLEAR CLEARANCE SYSTEM SOCIETE COOPERATIVE HAVE AGREED TO ESTABLISH A LINK BETWEEN THE EUROCLEAR SYSTEM AND THE CENTRAL MONEYMARKETS UNIT (CMU), THE CENTRALISED CLEARING SYSTEM FOR DEBT INSTRUMENTS OPERATED BY THE HKMA, ACCORDING TO A JOINT STATEMENT FROM HKMA AND EUROCLEAR.
THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS THE AGENT OF EUROCLEAR TO PROCESS TRANSACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THOSE INSTRUMENTS CLEARED BY THE CMU. THE EUROCLEAR LINK WITH THE CMU IS EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY DECEMBER 1994.
THIS LINK IS THE FIRST ESTABLISHED BY AN INTERNATIONAL CLEARING SYSTEM WITH A DOMESTIC DEBT CLEARING SYSTEM IN EAST ASIA. THE BASIS FOR THE LINK BETWEEN THE EUROCLEAR OPERATIONS CENTRE AND CMU IS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE GREATLY INCREASING INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT SECURITIES AND THE VAST POTENTIAL OF THE CHINA DEBT MARKET.
THE LINK WILL FACILITATE OVERSEAS INVESTORS TO TRADE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENTS THROUGH THE VAST INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF THE EUROCLEAR.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HKMA, MR JOSEPH YAM, WELCOMED THE DEVELOPMENT OF LINKAGE BETWEEN THE CMU AND EUROCLEAR.
"THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH A LINK REPRESENTS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG DEBT MARKET BY WIDENING THE OVERSEAS INVESTOR BASE OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT SECURITIES. THIS IS PART OF HKMA’S ON-GOING EFFORTS TO DEVELOP THE MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT MARKET," HE SAID.
CMU, THE CENTRALISED BOOK-ENTRY SAFEKEEPING, CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT SECURITIES, STARTED MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AGO FOR THE EXCHANGE FUND PAPER PROGRAMME.
IT ENTENDED ITS SERVICE TO PRIVATE SECTOR DEBT SECURITIES AT THE BEGINNING OF 1994 AND THIS CMU SERVICE HAS DEVELOPED VERY RAPIDLY SINCE THEN.
MOST OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE CMU. CURRENTLY THERE ARE 131 RECOGNISED DEALERS FOR THE TRADING OF EXCHANGE FUND PAPER AND 158 CMU MEMBERS FOR THE TRADING OF PRIVATE SECTOR DEBT SECURITIES.
AS AT END SEPTEMBER 1994, THE HOLDINGS OF EXCHANGE FUND PAPER (BILLS AND NOTES) AMOUNTED TO HKS5O.3 BILLION (US$6.5 BILLION) AND OF PRIVATE SECTOR DEBT SECURITIES TO HK$19.3 BILLION (US$2.5 BILLION). THE TURNOVER (SETTLEMENTS) OF EXCHANGE FUND PAPER WAS HK$23.5 BILLION (US$3.0 BILLION) PER DAY IN AUGUST AND A RECORD HIGH OF HK$60 BILLION (US$7.7 BILLION) WAS ACHIEVED ON JULY 28, 1994.
THE EUROCLEAR SYSTEM IS THE LARGEST CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM’ FOR INTERNATIONALLY TRADED DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES. EUROCLEAR PARTICIPANTS CAN CONFIRM, CLEAR AND SETTLE TRADES BY BOOKENTRY IN ANY OF 29 CURRENCIES BY SIMULTANEOUS TRANSFER OF SECURITIES AGAINST PAYMENT.
/IN ADDITION .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
17
IN ADDITION TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES, LINKS WITH MORE THAN 20 DOMESTIC MARKETS EXTEND EUROCLEAR SERVICES TO MANY DOMESTIC DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES.
THE SYSTEM SERVES OVER 2,700 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ACTIVE IN INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES MARKETS.
IN 1993, THE EUROCLEAR SYSTEM CELEBRATED 25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP WITH RECORD GROWTH TO US$1,470 BILLION OF SECURITIES DEPOSITED AND TURNOVER (SETTLEMENTS) IN EXCESS OF' US$17 TRILLION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PRESS BRIEFING WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON 30TH FLOOR, 3 GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO TV FILMING OR PHOTO-TAKING DURING THE SESSION.
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COMMITMENT TO AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM TO MEET THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID: "OUR THREE PRONGED POLICY OBJECTIVE IS TO EXPAND THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPROVE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND MANAGE ROAD USE EFFECTIVELY."
ON TRAFFIC CONGESTION, MR BARMA SAID OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS INCREASED BY ONE-THIRD AND WAS CONTINUING TO INCREASE AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF 10 PER CENT.
MR BARMA SAID: "TRAFFIC SPEEDS IN SOME OF THE URBAN AREAS ARE ALREADY DETERIORATING.
"IF NOTHING IS DONE, THE SITUATION WILL GET WORSE. IN SOME OF THE MAJOR ROUTES, SUCH AS THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER AND GLOUCESTER ROAD, TRAFFIC WILL EVEN GRIND TO A HALT," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID TRAFFIC CONGESTION WOULD HAVE SERIOUS ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS. CONGESTION ALREADY CAUSED A DAILY LOSS OF 1,500 BUS TRIPS LAST YEAR.
MR BARMA SAID TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, A WORKING GROUP UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP WAS FINALISING A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS FOR WIDE PUBLIC CONSULTATION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
ON THE $30 BILLION TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENDITURE ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR BARMA SAID, IN ADDITION TO THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME ROAD PROJECTS, THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO COMPLETE FIVE MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS - TING KAU BRIDGE BY MID-1997; ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SEC^ON AND THE HUNG HOM BYPASS AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD LINK BY 1998; AND ROUTE 16 FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN TO SHA TIN; AND THE WIDENING OF TOLO HIGHWAY FROM SHA TIN TO TAI PO BY 2000.
/"IN PARALLEL .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
18
"IN PARALLEL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS UPGRADING AND EXPANDING THE COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT 550 ROAD JUNCTIONS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES," HE SAID.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT, MR BARMA SAID: "THE KCRC AND MTRC ARE UNDERTAKING A MASSIVE PROGRAMME TO INCREASE THEIR CARRYING CAPACITY BY 25 PER CENT AND 10 PER.CENT RESPECTIVELY BY 1996.
"WE ARE ALSO FINALISING THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHICH WILL GIVE HIGH PRIORITY TO TWO NEW RAIL LINKS, A NEW RAILWAY FOR THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND AN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION TO TSEUNG KWAN O.
"GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS OF OUR DENSELY BUILT-UP URBAN AREAS ' AND THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENTS IN OTHER IMPORTANT AREAS SUCH AS HOUSING, WELFARE AND EDUCATION, NO ACHIEVABLE ROAD/RAIL BUILDING PROGRAMMES OR TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT SCHEMES COULD COPE WITH THE PRESENT RATE OF PRIVATE VEHICLE GROWTH," MR BARMA SAID.
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NEW LICENSING OFFICE WELCOMED BY THE PUBLIC *****
THE NEW ACCOMMODATION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES FOR HONG KONG ISLAND HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY THE PUBLIC WHO VISIT THE OFFICE FOR LICENSING SERVICES.
THE NEW ACCOMMODATION, ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF UNITED CENTRE, QUEENSWAY, WAS OPENED FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 30 THIS YEAR UPON THE CLOSING OF THE OLD OFFICE AT 2 MURRAY ROAD.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE OFFICE WAS HELD TODAY (MONDAY). IT WAS JOINTLY OFFICIATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG; A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP, MR YUEN CH1-PO; AND A STAFF REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING DIVISION, MR WONG KWING-TONG.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR BARMA SAID THE NEW OFFICE WAS ABOUT 33 PER CENT LARGER THAN THE OLD ONE AND WAS EQUIPPED WITH MORE USER-FRIENDLY FACILITIES.
AS EXAMPLES, MR BARMA SAID CUSTOMERS COULD MAKE USE OF THE ONE-STOP COUNTER FOR OBTAINING BOTH A LEARNER’S DRIVING LICENCE AND ROAD TEST BOOKINGS; THEY COULD USE THE NEW SELF-SERVICE MULTI-MEDIA ENQUIRY MACHINES, THE 24-HOUR TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE, OR MAKE PERSONAL ENQUIRIES OVER THE COUNTER FOR INFORMATION; AND A NEW 24-HOUR DROP-IN-BOX FOR LICENSING APPLICATION.
"I AM ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS ANNOUNCING TODAY THE SECOND PHASE OF THEIR PERFORMANCE PLEDGE SCHEME IN WHICH MORE SERVICES, FROM LICENSING TO VEHICLE EXAMINATION MATTERS, ARE COVERED," HE SAID.
/THE PLEDGES .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
19
THE PLEDGES NOW COVERED BY THE SCHEME INCLUDE:
» GENERAL LICENSING SERVICES,
* LICENSING SERVICES FOR PUBLIC VEHICLES,
« DRIVING TEST SERVICES,
* VEHICLE RECORDS AND AUCTION SERVICES, AND
* VEHICLE EXAMINATION SERVICES.
THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OF THE SERVICES UNDER THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PERFORMANCE PLEDGE SCHEME ARE EXPRESSED AS WAITING TIMES, THAT IS, QUEUING AND PROCESSING TIMES.
UNDER THE SCHEME, TWO CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS (CLG) HAVE BEEN SET UP TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN MONITORING THE DEPARTMENT’S SERVICES AND ADVISING ON HOW TO MAKE THEM MORE CUSTOMER-ORIENTED.
SO FAR, FIVE CLG MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD AND SIX NEWSLETTERS PUBLICISING THE SERVICES THE DEPARTMENT OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC WHICH INCLUDE SUGGESTIONS FROM THE CLG MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD MORE REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE CLG MEMBERS AND CONDUCT REGULAR OPINION AND WAITING-TIME SURVEYS ON THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE SCHEME TO ENSURE THAT THE CUSTOMER-ORIENTED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE MANNER AT ALL TIMES.
------U--------
CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND NOT CONSIDERED * ♦ * » ♦
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, TODAY (MONDAY) REAFFIRMED THAT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (CPF) WAS NO LONGER UNDER CONSIDERATION.
’’THE GOVERNOR HAS RULED OUT THE INTRODUCTION OF A CPF IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS. NOR WOULD WE RECONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMPULSORY PRIVATELY MANAGED PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME, WHICH RECEIVED LITTLE PUBLIC SUPPORT IN THE LAST CONSULTATION EXERCISE," MR W K LAM SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S STATEMENT THAT THEY WOULD INTRODUCE A CPF THROUGH A PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILL, MR LAM SAID ' HE WAS SURPRISED AT THE PARTY'S ASSERTION THAT A CPF COULD BE SET UP WITHOUT INVOLVING GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AND WITHOUT INCURRING A CHARGE ON PUBLIC REVENUE.
"CLEARLY, THERE WOULD NEED TO BE A PUBLIC AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE CONTRIBUTIONS, TO VET AND APPROVE EXEMPTIONS, TO MANAGE THE INVESTMENT OF THE FUND, AND TO PAY OUT BENEFITS TO RETIREES.
"WITHOUT GOVERNMENT BACKING AND INVOLVEMENT IN ITS MANAGEMENT, THE FUND LACKS THE NECESSARY CREDIBILITY TO ACHIEVE ITS PURPOSE," MR LAM SAID.
/MR LAM
20
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
MR LAM SAID THERE WERE SERIOUS INADEQUACIES INHERENT IN ANY TYPE OF PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES, INCLUDING A COMPULSORY PRIVATELY MANAGED PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME, WHICH HAD BEEN ADVOCATED BY THE LIBERAL PARTY.
"UNLIKE THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME, COMPULSORY PROVIDENT FUNDS, WHETHER CENTRAL OR PRIVATE, OFFER NO PROTECTION FOR THAT HALF OF THE POPULATION OUTSIDE THE WORKFORCE.
"OF THE REMAINING HALF, THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY MIDDLE-AGED AND THOSE WITH LOW INCOME WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCRUE SUFFICIENT BENEFITS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH INCOME SECURITY UPON RETIREMENT," MR LAM SAID.
"THESE PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES WILL NOT HELP THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED, AND IN VIEW OF THE LONG TIME REQUIRED TO BUILD UP SUFFICIENT FUNDS, THEY WILL NOT MEET THE COMMUNITY’S WISH OF PROVIDING INCOME SECURITY FOR THE ELDERLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE," MR LAM ADDED.
MR LAM EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE INADEQUACIES OF THE VARIOUS PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES, WHICH WERE WELL DOCUMENTED, WERE ONCE AGAIN BEING OVERLOOKED.
------0-------
SMALLER INCREASE IN VTC TUITION FEES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) TO INCREASE TUITION FEES FOR ITS SUB-DEGREE COURSES TO $15,300 PER YEAR FOR THE 1994/95 ACADEMIC YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE VTC HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO SET ITS OWN LEVEL OF TUITION FEES FOR SUB-DEGREE COURSES FROM 1994/95.
"AS PART OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATION EXPANSION PROGRAMME, THE VTC’S TWO TECHNICAL COLLEGES HAVE OFFERED FULL-TIME SUB-DEGREE COURSES TRANSFERRED FROM THE TWO LOCAL POLYTECHNICS SINCE OCTOBER 1993," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE TUITION FEES FOR THE VTC COURSES WERE SET AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THOSE OFFERED BY THE POLYTECHNICS, THAT IS $12,750 PER YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ACCORDING TO A FORMULA FOR DETERMINING FEE LEVELS BASED ON COST RECOVERY RATES, THE FEE LEVEL FOR SUB-DEGREE COURSES PROVIDED BY THE POLYTECHNICS HAS BEEN REVISED TO $18,000 PER YEAR FOR THE 1994/95 ACADEMIC YEAR.
"HOWEVER, AS THE GENERAL SERVICES AND AMENITIES PROVIDED BY THE VTC AND THE POLYTECHNICS ARE DIFFERENT, THE VTC HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE A LOWER UNIT OPERATING COST FOR SUB-DEGREE COURSES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE SAME COST RECOVERY RATE CAN THEREFORE BE ACHIEVED BY A SMALLER INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF FEES," HE EXPLAINED.
"THE VTC HAS PROPOSED, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED, THAT THE BENEFIT SHOULD BE PASSED ON TO THE STUDENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------o--------
‘ /21 ....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
21
CONSULTATION ON LICENSING * * * ♦
ESTATE AGENTS ENDS *
THE WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS HAS RECEIVED VIEWS FROM A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN RESPECT OF A REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR THE TRADE IN THE TERRITORY.
DURING THE TWO-MONTH CONSULTATION WHICH ENDED TODAY (MONDAY), THE WORKING GROUP HAS SO FAR RECEIVED 40 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
IN ADDITION, A LARGE BODY OF OPINIONS WAS EXPRESSED IN THE PRESS AND DISCUSSION FORUMS.
THE OPINION MAKERS INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ACADEMICS, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, PROFESSIONAL BODIES, AND INDIVIDUAL ESTATE AGENTS, WHO IN GENERAL EXPRESSED SUPPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (HOUSING POLICY), MR WILLIAM SHIU, SAID THE WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WOULD MEET LATER THIS MONTH TO CONSIDER THE OPINIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING ITS FINAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"WE AIM TO SUBMIT THE DRAFT BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITHIN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND TO SET UP THE PROPOSED REGULATORY AUTHORITY AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE," MR SHIU SAID.
------0-------
EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES STATISTICS IN JUNE RELEASED *****
COMPARING JUNE 1994 WITH JUNE 1993, THERE WAS CONTINUED GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE VARIOUS SERVICES SECTORS, BUT EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECLINED FURTHER.
THIS MAINLY REFLECTED THE CONTINUED RE-ORIENTATION OF THE ECONOMY TOWARDS SERVICES, ALONG WITH THE RELOCATION OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES TO CHINA. MEANWHILE, EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES REGISTERED A SLIGHT INCREASE.
VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL FURTHER COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. BUT VACANCIES IN VARIOUS SERVICES SECTORS AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES REGISTERED INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES.
ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THERE WERE 443,500 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN JUNE 1994, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 15.0% FROM JUNE 1993.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/BXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 1,034,000 IN JUNE 1994, WAS 10.9% HIGHER THAN IN JUNE J 993.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 351,200, WAS UP BY 7.3% OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
/EMPLOYMENT ON .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
22
EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES (MANUAL WORKERS ONLY), AT 57,400, WAS 1.0% HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1993.
THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR JUNE 1994 IN SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1993 AND MARCH 1994, ARE AS FOLLOWS :
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR JUN 93 MAR 94 JUN 94 JUN 94 OVER JUN 93 JUN 94 OVER MAR 94
MANUFACTURING 522,000 455,900 443,500 -15.0 -2.7
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 56,900 58,000 57,400 + 1.0 -0.9
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS * 932,700 997,800 1,034,000 + 10.9 + 3.6
FINANCING, 327,200 349,400 351,200 + 7.3 + 0.5
INSURANCE,
REAL ESTATE AND
BUSINESS SERVICES
THE ABOVE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS IN JUNE 1994 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
IN THE FORMER SURVEY, EMPLOYMENT IN THE RETAIL TRADE EXCLUDED HAWKERS AND PERSONS WORKING AT RETAIL PITCHES BUT INCLUDED THOSE WORKING IN MARKET STALLS.
THE TWO SURVEYS MENTIONED ABOVE ALSO PROVIDE THE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS. THE VACANCY FIGURES, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1993 AND MARCH 1994, ARE AS FOLLOWS :
/NUMBER OF .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
23
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR JUN 93 MAR 94 JUN 94 JUN 94 OVER JUN 93 JUN 94 OVER MAR 94
MANUFACTURING 14,760 14,890 11,240 -23.8 -24.5
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 490 440 530 + 7.7 + 19.6
WHOLESALE, 27,240 42,100 35,400 + 30.1 -15.8
RETAIL AND
IMPORT/EXPORT
TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 10,540 14,550 11,890 +12.8 -18.3
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
COMPARING JUNE 1994 WITH JUNE 1993, VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL BY 23.8%.
HOWEVER, VACANCIES IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR INCREASED BY 30.1% WHILE THOSE IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 12.8%. VACANCIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ALSO RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 7.7% IN JUNE 1994 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, JUNE 1994 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, JUNE 1994.
THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $24 PER COPY AND $13 PER COPY RESPECTIVELY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
------0----------
/24 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
24
STI TO VISIT HKPC * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, WILL VISIT THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING TO SEE ITS NEWEST DEVELOPMENTS TO ENHANCE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
SUCH DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE THE WORLD’S SMALLEST POCKET-SIZED PERSONAL COMPUTER, RAPID PROTOTYPING TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS, AND KARAT GOLD ELECTROFORMING.
MR CHAU WILL MEET THE PRESS TO SPEAK ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASPECTS OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TOUR.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER MR CHAU’S VISIT TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE PRESS BRIEFING.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, HKPC BUILDING, 78 TAT CHEE AVENUE, KOWLOON. (ABOUT TWO MINUTES WALK FROM THE KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION). THE TOUR WILL START AT 10.15 AM AND THE PRESS BRIEFING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10.45 AM.
------0-------
PLEDGE OF HIGHER SERVICES STANDARDS BY CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS PLEDGED TO FURTHER IMPROVE ITS SERVICES IN ITS NEW PERFORMANCE PLEDGE FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING THE TARGETS SET LAST YEAR.
"FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST PERFORMANCE PLEDGE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING OUR PERFORMANCE AGAINST TARGETS,” THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR FREDERICK HO WING-HUEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE PROGRESS IS REPORTED IN OUR SECOND PLEDGE.
"IN THE SECOND PLEDGE, WE HAVE REVISED OUR TARGETS. FOR A NUMBER OF SERVICES, WE PLEDGE TO FURTHER SHORTEN THE TIME NEEDED TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES TO OUR CUSTOMERS," MR HO ADDED.
LAST YEAR, TO FACILITATE THE PUBLIC IN SUPPLYING REQUIRED INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE COMPILATION OF STATISTICS, THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO VIRTUALLY HANDLE ALL SIMPLE ENQUIRIES BY TELEPHONE OR PERSONAL VISIT WITHIN 15 MINUTES. FOR WRITTEN ENQUIRIES, A REPLY COULD BE GIVEN WITHIN SEVEN WORKING DAYS.
FOR THE COMING YEAR, IT PLEDGES THAT FOR SIMPLE ENQUIRIES BY TELEPHONE OR PERSONAL VISIT, ANSWERS CAN BE PROVIDED WITHIN 12 MINUTES AND FOR WRITTEN ENQUIRIES, WITHIN SIX WORKING DAYS.
/THE DEPARTMENT .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
25
THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY INSTALLED AN INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM (IRVS) TO HANDLE ENQUIRIES ON TRADE MATTERS.
A HANDY USER CARD CONTAINING THE HOTLINE ENQUIRY NUMBER AND THE TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED VIA THE IRVS AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE BY THE USER.
"FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE OR THE WORK OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGERS OR OFFICERS OF SPECIFIC SUBJECT SECTIONS," MR HO SAID.
A DIRECTORY OF THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE RELEVANT OFFICERS/SECTIONS IS GIVEN IN THE PLEDGE.
------0-------
CLOSURE OF SHAM SHUI PO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT * * * * *
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING TO CLOSE FIVE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC.
A TWO-STOREY AND FOUR SINGLE-STOREY UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES USED FOR DWELLING ARE LOCATED ON THE 10TH FLOOR ROOF AND ROOF TOP OF A BUILDING AT THE JUNCTION OF 37-41 WONG CHUK STREET AND 2A-2B FUK WING STREET.
NOTICES APPLYING FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON FEBRUARY 23, 1995 HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THE PREMISES.
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
------0-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 98 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 574.098 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 523.322 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 89.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0 - -
/26 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1994
26
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
♦ * * * ♦ $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,396 0930 +1,078
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,974 1000 +1,078
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ! 1100 +1,058
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY +1,058 1200 +1,058
LAF TODAY -480 1500 • +1,058
1600 +1,058
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5 .00 OFFER TWI 122.0 » + 0.1» 10.10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.58 20 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.21 6.30
1 MONTH 4.65 23 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.55 6.51
3 MONTHS 4.93 31 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.22 7.04
6 MONTHS 5.16 34 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.64 7.21
12 MONTHS 5.79 60 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.37 8.01
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 45,045 MN
CLOSED 10 OCTOBER 1994 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY FS................................... 1
TOURIST ASSOCIATION OPENS NEW HEADQUARTERS.................... 3
RIGHTS PROTECTION WELL ON TARGET.............................. 4
INVESTIGATORY ASSISTANCE TO OVERSEAS REGULATORS............... 6
22,000-SQUARE-METRE SPACE FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED COMPANIES.. 8
MAJOR PROJECTS SYMBOLIC OF BUILDING BOOM...................... 9
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR WATER WORKS IN TUNG CHUNG............ 11
SPACE ROCK LANDS AT PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY......... 11
NEW DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN ELECTED.......................... 12
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON LANGUAGE REPORT ENDS ON SATURDAY.. 13 FOURTH QUARTER RATES DUE ON OCTOBER 31....................... 14
AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS.................. 15
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY TENDER RESULTS.................. 17
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.... 18
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY FS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER OPENING THE NEW HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS:
FS: HI, IT’S NICE TO SEE THE MONEY BEING TURNED INTO SOMETHING USEFUL, AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH, AND I DO BELIEVE TOURISM IS A VERY IMPORTANT INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG. WE’VE GOT TO KEEP PROMOTING IT. WE’VE GOT TO KEEP PROMOTING HONG KONG FOR TOURISM, AND I THINK THE HKTA DOES IT VERY WELL, SO I’M VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE JUST TO SAY THAT. - QUESTIONS?
QUESTION: SIR HAMISH, IF THE INFORMATION, THE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ON THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS RELEASED TO THE CHINESE OFFICIALS AND SOMEBODY ELSE, WILL THERE BE ABUSE? AND HOW TO AVOID THAT?
FS: WELL, I DON’T KNOW WHY SO MUCH ATTENTION IS FOCUSED ON THE EXCHANGE FUND BECAUSE I DON’T THINK THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE ORIGINAL REQUEST. THE REQUEST FROM THE CHINESE SIDE WAS MAINLY AIMED AT THE BUDGET AND THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM, NOT THE MONETARY SIDE. I MEAN IN GENERAL, THE EXCHANGE FUND, OF COURSE, SINCE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, WE PUBLISH THE MAIN RESULTS EVERY YEAR, SO THERE IS NO SECRET ABOUT THAT, WE TABLE IT IN LEGCO EVERY YEAR.
NO DOUBT, AS WE GET NEARER TO 1997, WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A DIALOGUE ON THE EXCHANGE FUND, BUT I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY GREAT REQUESTS FOR DETAIL ON THE EXCHANGE FUND. IN FACT THERE IS A LOT OF SPECULATION ABOUT WHO KNOWS WHAT IS IN THE EXCHANGE FUND. I MEAN EVEN THE EXCHANGE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, SETS THE GUIDELINES, IT DOESN’T DEAL WITH INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS, INVESTMENT DECISIONS. SO IT’S VERY MUCH KEPT TO THE EXPERT STAFF - THE INVESTMENT DECISIONS. AND I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR THAT SORT OF THING TO BE DISCUSSED WITH ANYONE ELSE.
QUESTION: WHEN SHOULD THE APPROPRIATE TIME BE? CAN YOU TELL US?
FS: WELL, IT’S A VERY NEW SUBJECT, I DON’T THINK WE HAVE GIVEN IT, ACTUALLY, MUCH THOUGHT. BUT CLEARLY, WHEN WE’RE ACTUALLY NEARING 1997 AND WE HAVE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAND OVER VARIOUS ASSETS, THE EXCHANGE FUND WILL BE AMONG THEM, AND WE’LL HAVE A DIALOGUE ON THAT. BUT MEANWHILE, I’M NOT AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INFORMATION WHICH WE’RE ACTUALLY BEING ASKED FOR.
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK .THERE SHOULD BE RESTRICTIONS RIGHT NOW, WHEN THERE’S GOING TO BE A TRANSFER OF THESE HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DATA ...
FS: AS I SAY, I DON'T THINK, ACTUALLY, THAT THE CHINESE SIDE HAS ASKED FOR DETAILS ON THE INVESTMENTS DECISIONS AND THAT SORT OF THING. I DON’T THINK THEY’VE ASKED FOR THAT.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
2 -
QUESTION: so, you do think that that should be as restrictive as
RIGHT NOW, AS RESTRICTED TO TEN PERSONS...
FS: WE’D HAVE TO THINK VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE WE STARTED
GOING INTO THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT DECISIONS AND THE ACTUAL INVESTMENTS,
AS OPPOSED TO THE BROAD CRITERIA.
QUESTION: AND THESE GUIDELINES SHOULD BE OBSERVED?
FS: YES, I’M SURE IT SHOULD. I MEAN THERE WILL NEVER BE A
DAY WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT THE INVESTMENT DECISIONS ARE IN THE EXCHANGE FUND. OTHERWISE, OBVIOUSLY, THAT WOULD LEAD TO SPECULATION.
QUESTION: ... BID TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, AND HOW’S PROGRESS
OF CT 10 AND CT11?
FS: WELL, AS YOU KNOW, WHILE WE CARRY ON TRYING TO GET CT9
OFF THE GROUND - OR UP FROM THE WATER PERHAPS - WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT CT10 AND 11. WE NEED TO GET ON WITH CT10 AND 11 PRETTY FAST. SO WE’RE LOOKING AT ALL OF THEM, CT9, 10 AND 11. WE HAVEN’T ACTUALLY MADE ANY DECISIONS ON 10 AND 11 YET.
QUESTION: YOU KNOW, THE DISPUTE HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED. HOWEVER,
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID IT WILL GO AHEAD WITH CT10 AND CT11 PROJECTS. WILL IT OFFEND CHINA? DO YOU THINK IT WILL OFFEND CHINA FURTHER AND MAKE IT MORE UNCO-OPERATIVE ON FUTURE PROJECTS?
FS: NO, I DON’T THINK SO AT ALL. I MEAN IT WAS ALWAYS
INTENDED. IT WAS NEVER THAT WE WERE JUST GOING TO DO CT9, WE WERE
ALWAYS GOING TO DO 9, AND AS THE NUMBERS SUGGEST, 10 AND 11. AND I GUESS LATER ON THERE WILL BE 12 AND SO ON AND SO ON. BUT IN THE NEXT
FEW YEARS, 9, 10 AND 11 WOULD BE THE PRIORITIES. SO I DON’T THINK
THERE IS ANY CONTROVERSY OVER 10 AND 11.
QUESTION: WILL CT10 BE RAISED IN THE NEXT JLG ITINERARY ...?
FS: I DON’T KNOW YET. WE HAVEN’T DECIDED YET.
QUESTION: ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE A BRIEFING TO THE CHINESE SIDE
ON CT10 BEFORE IT GOES TO TENDER ...
FS: I’VE NO DOUBT WE’LL BE QUITE TRANSPARENT ON CT10 AND
11, THERE’S NO PARTICULAR SECRETS THERE.
QUESTION: ... CT9 AND CT10. YOUR SIDE WOULD LIKE TO FINISH AND
RESOLVE THE CT9 CONTROVERSY FIRST ...
FS: WELL, 1 WOULD LIKE TO RESOLVE THE CT9 CONTROVERSY, BUT
I DON’T QUITE SEE AT THE MOMENT EXACTLY HOW THAT’S GOING TO BE DONE. THAT’S THE PROBLEM.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
3 -
QUESTION: BUT IF THE PRESENT WRANGLING CONTINUES OVER THE NEW AIRPORT AND IT IS NOT BUILT ON SCHEDULE, ISN’T THIS OPENING OF AN OFFICE LIKE THIS TO PROMOTE TOURISM, SORT OF AN EMPTY GESTURE, BECAUSE THE PRESENT AIRPORT CAN’T CONTAIN THE NUMBER TOURISTS THAT ARE ARRIVING?
FS: NO. I MEAN AT THE MOMENT, OF COURSE, ALTHOUGH WE HAVEN’T SIGNED THE FINANCING AGREEMENTS WITH CHINA, FORTUNATELY WE ARE STILL ABLE TO GET ON WITH THE AIRPORT. I HOPE THAT BEFORE TOO LONG WE WILL SIGN THOSE AGREEMENTS AND THEN THERE WILL BE NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE AIRPORT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
-----0------
TOURIST ASSOCIATION OPENS NEW HEADQUARTERS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (TUESDAY) OPENED THE NEW HEADQUARTERS OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AT CITICORP CENTRE, NORTH POINT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR HAMISH SAID THE OPENING WOULD BE THE START OF A NEW CHAPTER OF GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
SIR HAMISH NOTED THAT OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS VISITORS TO HONG KONG HAD INCREASED FROM 1.3 MILLION TO 8.9 MILLION AND HONG KONG HAD CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED ITS SUPREMACY AS ASIA’S MOST POPULAR TOURISM DESTINATION.
HE SAID THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTION WHICH TOURISM NOW MADE TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY HAD NOT HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT. "IT IS THE PRODUCT OF SUSTAINED EFFORT AND PROMOTIONAL EXPERTISE," HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, HE SAID, TOURISM WAS ONCE AGAIN THE SECOND LARGEST EARNER OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOR HONG KONG.
"1993 WAS ALSO A RECORD YEAR FOR VISITOR ARRIVALS, DESPITE CONTINUING RECESSION IN SOME KEY MARKETS AND EVER-INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER DESTINATIONS IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
/4 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
RIGHTS PROTECTION WELL ON TARGET *****
A GREAT DEAL OF PREPARATORY WORK'HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST YEAR IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND CONCRETE RESULTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AFFAIRS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN THE FIELD OF THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL, POLICY TARGETS AND OBJECTIVES AT A CONCEPTUAL STAGE WHEN THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH (HAB) WAS FORMED IN MID-OCTOBER 1993 HAVE EITHER BEEN TRANSLATED INTO FIRM LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS OR HAVE ALREADY BECOME PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
ELABORATING ON HAB’S POLICY COMMITMENTS AT A MEDIA BRIEFING, MR SUEN SAID THE ON-GOING PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS AND NEW INITIATIVES WHICH RUN THE GAMUT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESS TO INFORMATION, DATA PROTECTION, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WERE CLEARLY SET OUT IN A BROCHURE ENTITLED "HUMAN RIGHTS IN A RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY" PRESENTED AS PART OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS PACKAGE.
ON THE PROMOTION OF GENDER EQUALITY, MR SUEN SAID A SEX DISCRIMINATION BILL WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 1994-95 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
"THE BILL WILL MAKE SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT UNLAWFUL AND PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION.
"WE ARE ALSO SEEKING THE EXTENSION TO HONG KONG OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW)," HE SAID.
TURNING TO DATA PROTECTION, MR SUEN SAID PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO THE PRIVACY OF PERSONAL DATA WERE BEING FINALISED.
"STATUTORY CONTROL OF THE COLLECTION, HOLDING, USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL DATA SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL’S PRIVACY WITH RESPECT TO PERSONAL DATA IS PROPERLY PROTECTED.
"IT SHOULD ALSO SAFEGUARD THE FREE FLOW OF PERSONAL DATA TO HONG KONG FROM THE IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS BY COUNTRIES THAT ALREADY HAVE DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION," HE ADDED.
ON THE EXTENSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD TO HONG KONG, MR SUEN EXPECTED FORMALITIES TO BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER.
"EXTENSION OF THE CONVENTION WILL PLACE HONG KONG UNDER CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND PROTECT AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR INTERESTS.”
AS FOR THE COMMITMENT TO GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT, MR SUEN SAID DRAFTING OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION WAS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE.
/"WE ARE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 5 -
"WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY TO MEET OUR TARGET OF LAUNCHING THE CODE WITH A PILOT SCHEME IN EARLY 1995. FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE IN THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE PLACE WITHIN 1996.”
THE CODE WILL SET OUT THE TYPES OF INFORMATION TO WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY HAVE ACCESS, THE MEANS OF ACCESS, AND A TIMEFRAME WITHIN WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.
REGARDING THE ON-GOING EFFORTS TO REMOVE LEGAL PROVISIONS WHICH ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, MR SUEN SAID SO FAR 14 ORDINANCES HAD BEEN AMENDED AND AMENDMENTS PROPOSED TO THREE. DRAFT AMENDMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED TO A FURTHER SIX ORDINANCES IN THE 1994/95 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
MR SUEN EMPHASISED THE GOVERNMENT’S STRONG COMMITMENT TO UPHOLDING THE PRINCIPLE OF PRESS FREEDOM AND POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY REVIEWED LAWS WHICH MIGHT INFRINGE ON PRESS FREEDOM.
"WE HAVE EXAMINED 53 SEPARATE PROVISIONS IN 27 ORDINANCES AND DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION TO AMEND 37 OF THEM," HE SAID.
HE CITED THE WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION (CPCE) IN 1995/96 AS AN EXAMPLE IN WHICH COMMITMENTS TO BOLSTER HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY WERE FIRMLY CARRIED OUT.
OUT OF A TOTAL PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF $11 MILLION FOR 1995/96, SPENDING ON HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION WILL TAKE UP ABOUT $8 MILLION.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL FOCUS ON ISSUES WHICH INCLUDE CIVIC RIGHTS AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT; EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ANTIDISCRIMINATION; AND THE RULE OF LAW," MR SUEN SAID.
TO FACILITATE THE COMMITTEE TO EMBARK ON LONG-TERM COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES ON HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION FOR THE COMMUNITY, A FULL-TIME EDUCATION UNIT WILL BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE CPCE ON APRIL 1, 1995.
"STAFFED BY OFFICERS WITH EDUCATIONAL TRAINING, THE UNIT WILL BE OF PARTICULAR VALUE IN RESPECT OF THE DESIGN OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND TEACHING PLANS FOR THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AMONG THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
"THE EDUCATION UNIT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-QUALITY AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS SUCH AS TEACHING KITS FOR STUDENTS AND VIDEOS ON HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION.
"IT WILL ALSO HOLD SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON VARIOUS TOPICS CONCERNING HUMAN RIGHTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THROUGH CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES IN ARRANGING SOME OF THE SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS, COMMUNICATION WITH THESE ORGANISATIONS AND THEIR AWARENESS WILL BE ENHANCED. THE HUMAN RIGHTS MESSAGES WILL THUS BE MORE EFFECTIVELY DISSEMINATED TO A WIDER COMMUNITY," HE POINTED OUT.
/ARMED WITH .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 6 -
ARMED WITH THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE COMING YEAR, THE CPCE WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR ITS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME, STEP UP MEDIA PUBLICITY AND ORGANISE MORE TERRITORY-WIDE PROJECTS.
MR SUEN ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 15 THIS YEAR, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE OVER FROM THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS).
HE EXPLAINED THAT THESE MINOR WORKS PROJECTS WERE AIMED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE RURAL RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWNS. EXAMPLES ARE IMPROVEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION AND EXTENSION OF VILLAGE ACCESS ROADS, RIVER DESILTING, MINOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS AND PROVISION OF SEWERS AND SEWAGE FACILITIES.
"THROUGH OUR CLOSE CONTACTS WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK, WE CAN WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THEM TO RESOLVE MOST OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS.
"THESE INCLUDE LENGTHY NEGOTIATIONS REQUIRED TO ACQUIRE LAND, TO RESOLVE LOCAL OBJECTIONS AND TO MEET SPECIAL REQUESTS MADE B\ LOCAL INHABITANTS AFFECTED BY THE WORKS.
"REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND STEERING GROUP MEETINGS CHAIRED BY ME TO OVERSEE THE PROGRESS OF RPIS," HE SAID.
ON ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, MR SUEN SAID A DEDICATED TEAM HAD BEEN SET UP TO DO THE NECESSARY WORKS.
"FURTHERMORE, ADEQUATE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT RPIS MINOR WORKS PROJECTS -- OUT OF THE $1.6 BILLION EARMARKED FOR THE PROGRAMME, ONLY $539 MILLION HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED UP TO THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," HE SAID.
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INVESTIGATORY ASSISTANCE TO OVERSEAS REGULATORS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO AMEND EXISTING LEGISLATION TO ENABLE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) TO PROVIDE RECIPROCAL INVESTIGATORY ASSISTANCE TO OVERSEAS REGULATORS AND COMPANY INSPECTORS.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND THE LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 26.
THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THIS EXERCISE WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME WHICH FORMED PART OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS DELIVERED LAST WEEK.
/AT PRESENT, .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
AT PRESENT, THE SFC CAN DISCLOSE TO OVERSEAS REGULATORS NONPUBLIC INFORMATION IN ITS POSSESSION PURSUANT TO THE SFC ORDINANCE AND THE LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING ORDINANCE, SUBJECT TO PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS.
HOWEVER, IT CANNOT ENTERTAIN REQUESTS FROM OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES FOR INVESTIGATORY ASSISTANCE UNLESS THE CASE ALSO INVOLVES A BREACH OF RELEVANT HONG KONG LAWS.
"THE GRADUAL INTERNATIONALISATION OF THE LOCAL MARKET HOWEVER MAKES IT INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT FOR THE SFC TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUCH ASSISTANCE ON A RECIPROCAL BASIS," MR CARTLAND EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY COMMUNITY WAS PUTTING HEAVIER EMPHASIS ON CROSS-BORDER REGULATORY CO-OPERATION.
"THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF SECURITIES COMMISSION (IOSCO) ADOPTED IN 1991 10 PRINCIPLES FOR CONCLUDING A BILATERAL OR MULTILATERAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG REGULATORS IN DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS.
"THE FIRST OF SUCH PRINCIPLES URGES REGULATORS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE INVESTIGATORY ASSISTANCE TO OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS TO CONSIDER RECOMMENDING APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO ENABLE SUCH ASSISTANCE TO BE GIVEN," MR CARTLAND SAID.
THIS YEAR, THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OF IOSCO CALLS FOR SELFEVALUATION REPORTS FROM MEMBERS REGARDING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE MUTUAL ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN SECURITIES AND FUTURES REGULATORS.
"IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR OUR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO LAG BEHIND WORLD STANDARD. LEGISLATION IN MAJOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETS ALREADY ALLOWS THEIR REGULATORS TO PROVIDE INVESTIGATORY ASSISTANCE TO THEIR COUNTERPARTS ELSEWHERE. THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE AMENDED ALONG SIMILAR LINES," MR CARTLAND SAID.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS NEVERTHELESS MINDFUL OF THE NEED SUITABLY TO CIRCUMSCRIBE THE NEW PROVISIONS. FIRST, IT WILL NOT BE AN OBLIGATION FOR THE SFC AUTOMATICALLY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ON REQUEST. IT WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER INDIVIDUAL CASES ON THEIR OWN MERITS AND AGAINST CERTAIN CRITERIA," HE ADDED.
THE CRITERIA TO BE MET BEFORE ASSISTANCE CAN BE PROVIDED INCLUDE THAT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE REQUESTING PARTY SHOULD BE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE HONG KONG REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE SECRECY PROVISIONS.
THE CASES SHOULD INVOLVE SITUATIONS SIMILAR TO THE THRESHOLDS FOR THE SFC TO INVOKE ITS POWERS FOR ITS OWN INVESTIGATIONS LOCALLY.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE IS THAT IT MUST EITHER BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC OR THE INVESTING PUBLIC LOCALLY FOR THE SFC TO PROVIDE THE ASSISTANCE.
MR CARTLAND EMPHASISED THAT, WHEN CONSIDERING INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS, THE SFC WOULD ALSO HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ABILITY OF THE REQUESTING AUTHORITY TO RECIPROCATE AND TO REIMBURSE THE COST TO BE INCURRED BY THE SFC.
/"THE PROPOSED
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 8 -
"THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WILL PILL A GAP IN THE EXISTING REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND PUT HONG KONG ON PAR WITH MAJOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. IN THE ABSENCE OF THE NEW PROVISIONS, THE SFC WOULD FACE INCREASING RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF OVERSEAS REGULATORS TO PROVIDE INVESTIGATORY ASSISTANCE.
"THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE THEREFORE ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK," HE SAID.
THE TWO BILLS WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 14).
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22,000-SQUARE-METRE SPACE FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED COMPANIES *****
SEVERAL HIGH-TECHNOLOGY START-UP COMPANIES WILL BE MOVING INTO THE NEW INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE THIS MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE CENTRE WILL PROVIDE 22,000 SQUARE METRES OF SPACE FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED COMPANIES, AND WILL OFFER BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED SUPPORT SERVICES TO TENANTS SO AS TO MAXIMISE THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCESS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE CONTINUING MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND TO HELP INDUSTRIALISTS MOVE UP THE TECHNOLOGY LADDER.
EXPLAINING THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASPECTS OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), MR CHAU SAID TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, A LARGE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS WAS DEVOTED TO MEETING THE EVOLVING REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRIALISTS FOR LAND AND ACCOMMODATION.
"LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRIES REQUIRING EXTENSIVE SPACE AND WATERFRONT ACCESS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TSEUNG KWAN O INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, WHICH OPENED LAST MONTH.
"NEXT YEAR, WE SHALL COMPLETE A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCIENCE PARK IN HONG KONG. THE STUDY WILL LOOK AT POSSIBLE SITES, AS WELL AS CONSIDER HOW A SCIENCE PARK COULD INTERFACE WITH OTHER INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES."
ON THE EXPANSION OF HONG KONG’S CAPACITY FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH, MR CHAU SAID HIS BRANCH WOULD BE SEEKING $50 MILLION TO COVER THE INITIAL SETTING UP COSTS OF AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE TO PROMOTE JOINT PROJECTS WITH CHINA’S LEADING RESEARCH INSTITUTES.
"TO MAXIMISE SYNERGY AND KEEP OVERHEADS LOW, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO COMBINING THIS WITH AN EXISTING INITIATIVE - THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND COMPANY LIMITED.
"WE SHALL BE DISCUSSING FURTHER WITH THE COMPANY WHAT CHANGES WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT BOTH THE EXISTING SCHEME AND THE NEW INITIATIVE CAN BE OPERATED EFFECTIVELY," HE SAID.
/IN ACHIEVING .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 9 -
IN ACHIEVING. THE GOAL OF PROMOTING THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS, MR CHAU SAID IT WAS INTENDED THAT MORE RESOURCES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL SO AS TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO EXAMINE UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE TO THE CONSUMERS.
"WE WILL BE SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF CONSUMERS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, BY MAKING IT EASIER TO OBTAIN LEGAL REDRESS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND."
ON ASPECTS RELATING TO IMPROVING THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, MR CHAU SAID A SERIES OF BILLS WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
EXAMPLES ARE THE PATENT BILL WHICH IS AIMED TO BE PUT FORWARD TO THE LEGCO IN THE 1994/95 SESSION AND THE TRADE MARKS BILL WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED IN 1995.
IN SECURING THE FREEST POSSIBLE ACCESS TO WORLD MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORTS, MR CHAU SAID AFTER MANY YEARS OF HARD NEGOTIATIONS ON NEW MULTILATERAL TRADING ARRANGEMENTS, HONG KONG HAD FORMALLY ACCEPTED THE AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION (WTO) IN 1995; AND WOULD BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE WTO WHEN IT WAS SET UP, MOST PROBABLY ON JANUARY 1, 1995.
"THE SETTING UP OF THE WTO AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND RESULTS IS A MATTER OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG.
"BECAUSE HONG KONG IS SUCH A SMALL ECONOMY, WE RELY MORE THAN MANY OTHER ECONOMIES ON THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM TO SAFEGUARD OUR EXTERNAL TRADE INTERESTS.
"WE WILL NEED TO GUARD AGAINST THE BENEFITS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND BEING ERODED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS RESULTS AND AGAINST DISGUISED PROTECTIONISM BEING PROMOTED UNDER THE WTO."
DURING THIS MORNING'S VISIT TO THE HONG KONG -PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, MR CHAU WAS SHOWN THE LATEST PROJECTS OF THE COUNCIL TO ENHANCE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
- - 0---------
MAJOR PROJECTS SYMBOLIC OF BUILDING BOOM *****
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THE MANY MAJOR PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WERE SYMBOLIC OF AN UPCOMING PUBLIC SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING BOOM.
AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION ON THE WORKS BRANCH’S POLICY COMMITMENTS, MR BLAKE POINTED OUT THAT THE BUDGETTED EXPENDITURE ON NON-AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS IN 1994/95 YEAR WAS $11 BILLION, A REAL INCREASE OF MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE FIGURE FOR LAST YEAR.
/THE FORECAST .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 10 -
THE FORECAST EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS $105 BILLIO14. THE FIGURE FOR 1992 TO 1997 IS $78 BILLION AND THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE THIS.
AT PRESENT, THE NEW AIRPORT AND OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS ARE IN FULL SWING. MR BLAKE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPORT ISLAND WAS READY FOR RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS WOULD SOON BEGIN.
"A TOTAL OF $11 BILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR NEW PORT AND AIRPORT WORKS THIS YEAR.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING $1.7 BILLION ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AND A FURTHER $600 MILLION ON THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION. WORK ON THESE TWO PROJECTS ARE MOVING FORWARD SATISFACTORILY.”
MR BLAKE STRESSED THAT WORKS ON THE MAJOR PROJECTS WERE PROGRESSING FASTER THAN PREVIOUSLY, WITH TING KAU BRIDGE, HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION CAMPUS AND LANTAU PORT DEVELOPMENT TO START IN 1994/95.
"THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE EXTENSION ANNOUNCED IN 1993 WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1997 AT A COST OF $4.8 BILLION ON A NEW ISLAND RECLAMATION WHICH DID NOT EXIST SIX MONTHS AGO," HE SAID.
NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL AT THE SAME TIME WILL BEGIN TO OPEN ITS 600 BEDS TO THE COMMUNITY IN JANUARY 1998.
TO ENSURE THAT THESE AND ALL PROJECTS REMAIN ON TRACK TO MEET TARGET, COST AND PROGRAMME, MR BLAKE SAID THE WORKS BRANCH AND ITS DEPARTMENT HAD INTRODUCED NEW INITIATIVES INCLUDING ESTIMATING USING RISK ANALYSES, SETTING RELIABLE BASELINES AND SPECIAL MONITORING OF HIGH-IMPACT PROJECTS.
ALSO THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMPUTERISED PUBLIC WORKS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH HAS ALREADY CONTAINED DATA FOR 1,700 PROJECTS.
ON CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY, MR BLAKE SAID SAFETY INITIATIVES ON GOVERNMENT WORK SITES WERE SHOWING IMPROVEMENTS TO SAFETY STANDARDS, BUT MUCH MORE NEEDED TO BE DONE.
HE WARNED THAT CONTRACTORS FAILING TO MEET SAFETY STANDARDS WOULD BE PENALISED AND THEY WOULD BE REMOVED FROM LISTS OF GOVERNMENT APPROVED CONTRACTORS IN EXTREME CASES.
HOWEVER, CONTRACTORS WITH GOOD SAFETY AND SITE MANAGEMENT WOULD BE RECOGNISED UNDER AN AWARD SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED EARLY NEXT YEAR, MR BLAKE ADDED.
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/Il .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
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CONTRACT AWARDED FOR WATER WORKS IN TUNG CHUNG
*****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TO CARRY OUT CIVIL WORKS FOR THE TUNG CHUNG FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR.
THE CONTRACT, VALUED AT ABOUT $135 MILLION, HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO THE CHINA STATE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE NORTH LANTAU WATER SUPPLY PROJECT TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN AND OTHER PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS ON THE NORTH LANTAU.
THE COMPANY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CIVIL WORKS FOR THE TUNG CHUNG FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR, WHICH INCLUDE DRAINAGE, LANDSCAPING, SITE FORMATION AND LAYING OF A WATER MAIN.
THE WORKS WILL START LATER THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN APRIL 1996.
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR TO 66, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT $51.8 BILLION.
THESE INCLUDE 52 CONTRACTS WORTH ABOUT $34 BILLION AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, 12 CONTRACTS WORTH ABOUT $11.5 BILLION AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, AND A $0.6 BILLION IMMERSED TUBE TUNNEL CONTRACT FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AWARDED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
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SPACE ROCK LANDS AT PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY *****
A SMALL "PIECE" OF HONG KONG THAT HAS COMPLETED 236 ORBITS OF THE EARTH, TRAVELLING 6.1 MILLION MILES BEFORE LANDING BACK ON EARTH WAS TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED TO THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA).
THE PRESENTATION WAS MADE BY DR LEROY CHIAO, ASTRONAUT OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) WHO CARRIED THE ENGRAVED QUARTZ DUG UP FROM CHEK LAP KOK ON BOARD THE U.S. SPACE SHUTTLE, COLUMBIA, DURING ITS MISSION IN JULY.
DR CHIAO, ON A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG, IS THE FIRST ASTRONAUT OF 100 PER CENT CHINESE ANCESTRY. IN A SIMPLE CEREMONY AT THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S HEADQUARTERS, HE HANDED OVER THE SMALL CHUNK OF QUARTZ TO THE PAA’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DR HANK TOWNSEND.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 12 -
HE SAID IT WAS A PLEASURE TAKING A MEMENTO WITH HIM FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON HIS MAIDEN SPACE VOYAGE.
THE STONE, WEIGHING 500 GRAMS, WAS ENGRAVED WITH HONG KONG’S CITY FLOWER, THE BAUHINIA BY SCULPTOR, LIEM KHING TIANG. THF QUARTZ, TOGETHER WITH A CERTIFICATE OF FLIGHT WILL BE ON PUBLIC DISPLAY IN HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.
DURING HIS BRIEF STAY HERE, DR CHIAO HAS GIVEN A LECTURE AT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON HIS RECENT SPACE MISSION. HE HAS ALSO MET GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND VISITED THE NEW AIRPORT SITE AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE SCIENCE MUSEUM.
------0-------
NEW DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN ELECTED *****
MR LAU WONG-FAT OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND MR CHOW CHUN-FAI OF THE YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT BOARD WERE RE-ELECTED CHAIRMEN AT THEIR MEETINGS TODAY (TUESDAY).
. MR LAU GOT 15 VOTES WHILE HIS CONTESTANT MS CHEUNG YUET-LAN 11 VOTES. MR CHOW WAS RETURNED UNOPPOSED.
MEANWHILE, MR GEORGE NG SZE-FUK WAS ELECTED AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENT, MR WAN YUET-KAU WAS ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
MR WAN GOT EIGHT VOTES WHILE ANOTHER CANDIDATE MR CHAU YIN-MING GOT FIVE VOTES.
MR IP KWOK-CHUNG WAS ELECTED AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT BOARD IN THE URBAN COUNCIL.
FIVE CHAIRMEN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES HAVE ALSO BEEN NAMED. THEY ARE MR LAM WING-YIN OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE; MR AU NING-FAT OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE; MR FRANCIS CHAU YIN-MING OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE; MR SING HON-KEUNG OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE; AND MR WAN YUET-KAU OF THE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
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/13
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
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PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON LANGUAGE REPORT ENDS ON SATURDAY * » * t *
THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY WILL END ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15), AND THE WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN, MRS ANGELA CHEUNG, URGED PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH HONG KONG STUDENTS’ LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE REPORT BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
SUMMING UP THE THREE-MONTH PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH STARTED ON JULY 11, MRS CHEUNG SAID: "WE HAVE CONSULTED WIDELY IN THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE CONDUCTED EDUCATION FORUMS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND TERTIARY ACADEMICS, AND FOUR PUBLIC BRIEFING SESSIONS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF THE TERRITORY.
"LEGISLATORS, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, EDUCATION OFFICIALS AND THE PRE-PRIMARY SECTOR WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE REPORT AS PART OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
"WE HAVE SO FAR RECEIVED ABOUT 35 WRITTEN RESPONSES FROM DIFFERENT BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS. WE EXPECT MORE TO ARRIVE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS," MRS CHEUNG SAID.
"I HOPE SOME OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BEGIN TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE 1995/96 SCHOOL YEAR. THIS MEANS THAT THE COMMISSION WILL NEED TO CONSIDER THE PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE WORKING GROUP REPORT IN NOVEMBER, AND START DRAFTING EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 6.
"WE SHALL START ANALYSING THE RESPONSES AS SOON AS THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDS, SO ANYONE WHO HAS VIEWS ON OUR REPORT SHOULD TRY THEIR BEST TO MEET THE DEADLINE."
CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION PROFESSOR ROSIE YOUNG SAID: "I AM HAPPY THAT THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY HAS GONE SO WELL.
"PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY BY THE COMMISSION BEFORE IT MAKES FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUE OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY."
COPIES OF THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND A LEAFLET SUMMARISING THE AIMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES, AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION SECRETARIAT. COPIES OF THE LEAFLET ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT POST OFFICES.
ALL VIEWS ON THE WORKING GROUP REPORT SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EDUCATION COMMISSION SECRETARIAT AT THE SECRETARY, WORKING GROUP ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, C/O EDUCATION COMMISSION SECRETARIAT, NINTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL HONG KONG. ITS FAX NO. IS 537 4591.
FOR ENQUIRY, PLEASE CALL 810 2543 OR 810 3031.
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/14 .....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
14
FOURTH QUARTER RATES DUE ON OCTOBER 31 *****
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED TO PAY RATES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
* * : - i * ' , • \
THEY MAY USE THE PAYMENT BY PHONE SERVICE, OR PAY BY POST ADDRESSING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, PO BOX 8000, GPO, HONG KONG, OR IN PERSON AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, IMMIGRATION TOWER, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
» THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, MAX SHARE CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, 373 KING'S ROAD, HONG KONG;
* THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG;
* THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON; AND
» DISTRICT OFFICE AT SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN OR KWAI TSING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID DEMAND NOTES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER RATES HAD BEEN ISSUED.
’’RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEM SHOULD BRING ALONG THOSE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER TO ANY OF THE TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES.
"DUPLICATE RATES DEMAND NOTES WILL BE ISSUED TO THEM," HE SAID.
IF THEY CANNOT PRODUCE DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER, THEY SHOULD ENQUIRE OF THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, HE SAID.
UNLESS SO PAID, RATEPAYERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE. A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE LEVIED ON THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT, INCLUDING THE FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE, WHICH REMAINS UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
/RATEPAYERS WHO .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 15 -
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD STILL BE MADE BY OTHER MEANS UNLESS THE WORDING ’PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY’ IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON OCTOBER 31. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTION 30(1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TO SAVE QUEUING TIME, THE SPOKESMAN URGED RATEPAYERS TO USE THE PAYMENT BY PHONE SERVICE, OR PAY BY POST USING CHEQUES OR CASHIER ORDERS, OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE COLLECTION OFFICES.
’’HOWEVER THE MOST CONVENIENT PAYMENT METHOD IS AUTOPAY,” HE SAID.
APPLICATIONS FOR AUTOPAY ARE OBTAINABLE FROM TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND ALL MAJOR BANKS IN HONG KONG OR BY TELEPHONING 829 5019. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE PAYMENT BY PHONE SERVICES, PLEASE CALL 1702 22329.
------0-------
AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL AUCTION 100 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 50 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING AT 9.30 AM. THEY ARE:
GC112 GC398 HK468 BB170
GC3337 GD113 GB998 HK4440
»DN1919 ♦ GC6 ♦ GA8 *AL8118
GA1333 AC143 BL1882 GD520
GC8660 AS6188 GC7038 BB2273
GD1005 BD1230 GE1828 GD9100
HK841 GD908 AL226 GD662
♦EC4400 *3048 *GD11 ♦GD1010
GC9686 GD103 GD6318 GD3323
GC2223 GD2265 GE8988 AW1958
GD1020 GD122 *DL575 BB1110
GD930 GD6891 GD1015 ♦CF4224
GD3927 GE1023
/IN THE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
- 16
IN THE AFTERNOON SESSION, WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM, ANOTHER
50 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE THEY ARE: AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING.
GC268 GE118 EY188 GE7338
GE9777 GD9867 GE4838 GD318
♦BB2020 ♦AL1818 *GA1 *FF456
GC378 BW9063 CB3088 GE886
GD1007 GC382 CL1882 AA844
GA 108 CP105 XX844 EL8831
GC728 BC468 HK1833 GD8068
*6977 *BB66 ♦GA888 *AB89
HK198 CR2389 GD911 GD689
GD1318 GD968 GD7177 AK1026
BB110 BL7727 *AD7070 GD1013
GD1019 GD3331 GD601 GE3991 GE1002 ♦GC6363
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN 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 AUCTIONS WILL BE THE 244TH AND 245TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
• r , - 17 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY TENDER RESULTS
*****
TENDER DATE 11 OCT 94 U OCT 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q441 H475
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$ 3,880 MN HK$ 1,900 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$ 1,500 MN HK$ 800 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.91 PCT 5.18 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.92 PCT 5.21 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 80 PCT ABOUT 29 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.94 PCT 5.22 PCT
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 17 OCT 1994 -
TENDER DATE 18 OCT 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q442
ISSUE DATE 19 OCT 94
MATURITY DATE 18 JAN 95
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$ 1,500 + 300 MN
--------0----------
/18........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1994
18
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
MONEY MARKET t * * OPERATIONS * *
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,974 0930 + 525
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,939 1000 + 525
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO • 1100 + 525
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 525 1200 + 525
LAF TODAY -560 1500 + 525
1600 + 525
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TWI 121.9 »-0.1» 11.10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.54 19 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.15 6.34
1 MONTH 4.65 22 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.49 6.55
3 MONTHS 4.92 30 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.15 7.07
6 MONTHS 5.17 33 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.56 7.25
12 MONTHS 5.79 59 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.25 8.04
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 21,199 MN
CLOSED 11 OCTOBER 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AWARD OF FRANCHISES NOT TO BE DECIDED BY POLITICAL FACTORS 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S MEDIA SESSION............... 2
CHIEF SECRETARY'S FIRST DAY IN CANADA.................... 4
LEGCO'S BOUNDARY REPORT IS PROPER AND FAIR............... 5
LRT IS SAFE.............................................. 7
FEAR OF PUBLIC WEALTH DISAPPEARING UNFOUNDED............. 8
HK TO REMAIN ECONOMIC HUB............................... 10
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NEW AIRPORTS RADAR SYSTEMS....... 11
NEW PROCEDURE FOR BUILDINGS APPEAL TRIBUNAL PROPOSED.. 12
STI TO ATTEND EUROPE/EAST ASIA SUMMIT................... 13
COMMITTEE DISCUSSES EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS FOR FARMERS.... 13
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS HONG KONG..................... 14
GOVERNOR VISITS YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT.................. 15
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER........................ 15
MONTHLY STATISTICAL BULLETIN RELEASED................... 17
FANLING LOT TO LET...................................... 18
CLOSURE OF KOWLOON TONG ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT..... 18
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.. 19
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
AWARD OF FRANCHISES NOT TO BE DECIDED BY POLITICAL FACTORS *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL GO ON ATTEMPTING TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG AND WILL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WHATEVER THE PRESSURES AND WHATEVER THE CRITICISMS, ALLOW THE AWARD OF FRANCHISES AND GRANTS TO BE DETERMINED BY POLITICAL RATHER THAN ECONOMIC FACTORS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
RESPONDING TO MEDIA QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE NEED TO DEVELOP OUR CAPACITY IN THE PORT IN QRDER TO KEEP UP WITH GROWTH, AND IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE PORT SERVING THE WHOLE OF SOUTHERN CHINA WHICH THE ECONOMIC. REVOLUTION IN THE REGION DEMANDS.
"SO THE SOONER WE CAN GET ON WITH THINGS IN A WAY WHICH DOESN’T UNDERMINE INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE ’IN HONG KONG THE BETTER."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE REMARKS OF AN OFFICIAL OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE THAT THE PROBLEM ON THE AIRPORT ISSUE., WOULD BE RESOLVED VERY SOON, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THERE ISN’T VERY MUCH DIVIDING THE TWO TEAMS OF NEGOTIATORS, BUT THERE HASN’T BEEN VERY MUCH FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
"OBVIOUSLY, THE SOONER WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, AND THE SOONER WE HAVE AGREEMENT ON THE PARTICULAR FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE MTRC FOR THE RAILWAY, THE SOONER WE HAVE ALL THOSE THINGS IN PLACE THE BETTER."
ON THE PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE PROPOSED BY THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNOR DID NOT THINK THAT IT WAS UNDERMINING THE BRITISH AUTHORITY IN HONG KONG.
"THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS, PROPOSALS WHICH ARE ENTIRELY IN LINE NOT ONLY WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION BUT ALSO IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW," MR PATTEN SAID.
"I AM SURE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
"IF ANYONE WISHES TO DISRUPT THOSE ARRANGEMENTS, THEY WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THE COMMUNITY HERE IN HONG KONG WHY THAT IS NECESSARY AND WHY IT HELPS STABILITY AND THE SMOOTH TRANSFTION."
- - 0 - -
/2 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR'S MEDIA SESSION ♦ * » ♦ *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEDIA SESSION BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN. AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
GOVERNOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS THE FIRST DISTRICT VISIT I’VE MADE SINCE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS. I WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE SINCE MY LAST VISIT AND I WAS ALSO INTERESTED TO SEE HOW SUCCESSFULLY THE NEW DISTRICT BOARD HAS CARRIED THROUGH THE MERGER WHICH-WAS MADE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF SHIFT IN POPULATION. 1 THINK THEY’VE COPED WITH SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED EXTREMELY SUCCESSFULLY. THEY’VE RAISED WITH ME A NUMBER OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE LOCALLY, PROBLEMS LIKE CRIME AND PROBLEMS LIKE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND WE WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD TO TRY TO SORT OUT AND SOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR TRIP TO LONDON? WOULD YOU GIVE NEW VITALITY TO THE S1NO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP ..........?
GOVERNOR: WE SET OUT IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH SOME PROPOSALS THAT WE’D LIKE TO WORK ON AND DISCUSS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS AND IF CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SOME POSITIVE PROPOSALS THEMSELVES, I AM SURE THEY’LL WANT TO PUT THEM FORWARD. AS I SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, I THINK WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO SEE IS BETTER AND GREATER AND MOKE SUCCESSFUL CO-OPERATION. THAT’S CERTAIN WHAT WE WANT AND WHAT WE ARE WORKING FOR AND 1 HOPE WE WILL SEE THE SAME FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS AS WELL. MY TRIP TO LONDON IS ONE OF THE REGULAR TRIPS I’VE MADE. I THINK 1 TOLD YOU THE DATE OF IT BACK IN JULY AND IT IS RIGHT TO GO BACK TO LONDON FOUR TIMES OR MAY BE FIVE TIMES A YEAR. MY NEXT PLANNED VISIT WILL BE AT THE END OF JANUARY AND I WON’T HAVE A VISIT TO LONDON FOR SOME TIME AFTER THAT UNLESS SOMETHING UNFORESEEN COMES UP BUT THAT’S ABOUT THE REGULAR PATTERN OF VISITS OF MV PREDECESSORS AND IT’S WHAT I ’LL BE DOING AS WELL.
GOVERNOR: GOVERNOR, DO YOU THINK THAT THE PWC PROPOSAL OF PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE IS UNDERMINING THE BRITISH AUTHORITY IN HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: NO.
QUESTION: WHY NOT?
GOVERNOR: BECAUSE I DON’T. WHY? I MEAN, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS, PROPOSALS WHICH ARE ENTIRELY IN LINE NOT ONLY7 WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION BUT ALSO IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW. AND I AM SURE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
QUESTION: AND HOW ABOUT THE 1995 LEGCO PASSES SOME OF THE LAW WHICH MAY BE OVERTURNED BY THE TEMPORARY7 LEGISLATURE?
/GOVERNOR:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 3 -
GOVERNOR: I’VE SAID THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL VOTED FOR AT THE ENI) OF JUNE ARE ENTIRELY IN LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.. IF ANYONE WISHES TO DISRUPT THOSE ARRANGEMENTS, THEY WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THE COMMUNITY HERE IN HONG KONG WHY THAT IS NECESSARY AND WHY IT HELPS STABILITY AND THE SMOOTH TRANSITION.
QUESTION: AND DO YOU THINK THAT THE PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE IS VIOLATING THE JOINT DECLARATION?
GOVERNOR: I’VE SAID THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WE’VE PUT LN PLACE ARE IN LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AND IT IS FOR OTHERS TO EXPLAIN THEIR OWN IDEAS. A SUB-GROUP OF AN ADVISORY BODY OF THE NPC HAS PUT FORWARD SOME PROPOSALS.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, AN OFFICIAL FROM THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE SAID TODAY THAT ON THE AIRPORT ISSUE, BOTH THE CHINESE AND BRITISH SIDES HAD A PRINCIPAL AGREEMENT, AND MAYBE THE PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED VERY SOON. GAN YOU TELL US WHAT’S THE PROGRESS AND ARE YOU ALSO OPTIMISTIC?
GOVERNOR: 1 AM ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY HAS WAITED PATIENTLY OVER THE LAST YEARS, AND I THINK PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE THERE’S AN AGREEMENT WHEN THEY SEE PEOPLE’S NAME ON THE PAPER. THERE ISN’T VERY MUCH DIVIDING THE TWO TEAMS OF NEGOTIATORS, BUT THERE HASN’T BEEN VERY MUCH FOR A VERY LONG TIME. OBVIOUSLY, THE SOONER WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, AND THE SOONER WE HAVE AGREEMENT ON THE PARTICULAR FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE MTRC FOR THE RAILWAY, THE SOONER WE HAVE ALL THOSE THINGS IN PLACE THE BETTER. IN THE MEANTIME, AS SOME OF YOU WILL HAVE SEEN WHEN YOU CAME OUT TO THE AIRPORT WITH NE AND WITH DOUGLAS HURD, WE ARE MAKING VERY GOOD PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT. IT AMAZES VISITORS THE RAPID PROGRESS THAT WE’RE MAKING ON THE BRIDGE, ON THE AIRPORT AND SO ON. BUT NEVERTHELESS, THE SOONER WE CAN HAVE A BETTER, OVERALL AGREEMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN SO ALLUSIVE FOR SO LONG, THE SOONER WE’LL BE ABLE TO WORK EVEN FASTER. AT PRESENT, WE’RE WORKING AT A PACE WHICH MOST OF THE REST OF THE WORLD IS SURPRISED BY. WE’LL BE ABLE TO DO EVEN BETTER AND WORK AT THE WINNING PACE WH1( H HONG KONG REGULARLY SHOWS ONCE WE’VE GOT AN AGREEMENT.
QUESTION: IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S REFUSAL TO THE CHINESE PROPOSAL TO RE-OPEN TENDER FOR CT9 IS SIGNING A DEATH WARRANT FOR (.'T9 ?
GOVERNOR: NO. THE POSITION HAS BEEN MADE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AND BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS. AND I DON’T THINK I’VE GOT ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT. WE NEED TO DEVELOP OUR CAPACITY IN THE PORT IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH GROWTH, AND IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE PORT SERVING THE WHOLE OF SOUTHERN CHINA WHICH THE ECONOMIC REVOLUTION IN THE REGION DEMANDS. SO THE SOONER WE CAN GET ON WITH THINGS IN A WAY WHICH DOESN’T UNDERMINE INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG THE BETTER. ONE MORE.
QUESTION: WHEN WILL THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEET AGAIN AND DO YOU EXPECT ANY BREAKTHROUGH ?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T WANT TO ADD TO WHAT 1 SAID EARLIER. 1 VERY MUCH HOPE THAT IT’LL BE ABLE TO MEET SOON AND REACH AGREEMENT. LAST ONE.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
4
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEADLOCK FOR CT9 . ? WH&T FACTORS ....REJECT THE RE-TENDER OF CT9 ?
GOVERNOR: WE’VE MADE OUR POSITION CLEAR, THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND OTHERS. 1 DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO WHAT THEY’VE SAID.
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK THE CONCESSIONS YOU’VE MADE ON THE AIRPORT TALK IS A MAJOR ONE SO THAT AN AGREEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED ?
GOVERNOR: I THINK WE’VE MADE A SERIES OF MAJOR AND CONSTRUCTIVE EFFORTS TO GET AN AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT, AND I THINK WE’VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR SOME YEARS. SO I HOPE THAT WE MAY AT LAST HIT THE JACKPOT.
QUESTION: WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM CT9 ON THE COMING CT10 OR 11 ?
GOVERNOR: WHAT YOU CAN LEARN IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL GO ON ATTEMPTING TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG AND WILL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WHATEVER THE PRESSURES AND WHATEVER THE CRITICISMS, ALLOW THE AWARD OF FRANCHISES AND GRANTS AND SO ON, TO BE DETERMINED BY POLITICAL RATHER THAN ECONOMIC FACTORS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
------0--------
CHIEF SECRETARY’S FIRST DAY IN CANADA
* * t ♦ t
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, HAS ARRIVED IN TORONTO FOR A WEEK-LONG OFFICIAL VISIT IN CANADA. THIS IS MRS CHAN’S FIRST VISIT TO CANADA SINCE SHE BECAME CHIEF SECRETARY LN NOVEMBER 1993.
ON HER FIRST DAY IN TORONTO (TUESDAY), CHAIRMAN OF METROPOLITAN TORONTO COUNCIL, MR ALAN TONKS, HOSTED A WELCOME LUNCH IN HER HONOUR AT THE METRO HALL, WHICH WAS WELL ATTENDED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
MRS CHAN SAID SHE WAS PLEASED TO BE IN TORONTO. SHE SAID HER MISSION IS TO CEMENT THE VERY STRONG TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA, AND TO INFORM THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY -- IN PARTICULAR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY -- THAT HONG KONG IS LIVE AND WELL AND REMAINS AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS, TO LIVE AND WORK IN.
IN THE MORNING, MRS CHAN CALLED ON THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO, MR HENRY JACKMAN. SHE ALSO BRIEFED THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF THE GLOBE AND MAIL AND THE EDITOR OF THE FINANCIAL POST ON THE LATEST POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG. THE TWO NEWSPAPERS ARE CANADA’S MAJOR NATIONAL DAILIES.
MRS CHAN FLEW TO OTTAWA LATER IN THE AFTERNOON. SHE WILL CALL ON THE PRIME MINISTER, MR JEAN CHRETIEN, ON WEDNESDAY.
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/5.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 5 -
LEGCO’S BOUNDARY REPORT IS PROPER AND PAIR
*****
THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) HAS STRUCK A PROPER AND FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN COMMUNITY SENSITIVITY AND THE POPULATION QUOTA CRITERION IN DRAWING UP ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DEMARCATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE BEC CHAIRMAN, MR JUSTICE WOO KWOK-HING, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE CONTAINED IN A TWO-VOLUME REPORT. THE REPORT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, ON SEPTEMBER 29 AND TABLED IN THE LEGCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE COMMISSION HAS CONDUCTED A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE BETWEEN JULY 29 AND AUGUST 27 ON ITS PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS.
DURING THE PERIOD, IT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 24 WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS AND HELD THREE PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
"THERE WAS GENERALLY NO' ARGUMENT WITH THE PRINCIPLE ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION IN DELINEATING THE PROVISIONALLY RECOMMENDED CONSTITUENCY AREAS FOR THE LEGCO ELECTION (PLCS)," MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
TWO WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS FOUND THE PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS SATISFACTORY, AND TWO OTHERS WELCOMED THOSE REGARDING THE GROUPING OF DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCY AREAS IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT.
TWO REPRESENTATIONS MADE COUNTER-PROPOSALS GENERALLY, WHILE THE REST, 18 ALTOGETHER, OPPOSED TO CERTAIN SPECIFIC PLCS, SOME WITH COUNTER-PROPOSALS.
THERE WAS NO VIEW RECEIVED ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES IN FIVE DISTRICTS - CENTRAL AND WESTERN, NORTH, TAI PO, SAI KUNG AND SHA TIN.
"HAVING CONSIDERED ALL THE REPRESENTATIONS VERY CAREFULLY, THE COMMISSION FEELS UNSWAYED BY THEM, NOR IS IT PERSUADED THAT THE REASONING FOR ITS DECISIONS AS SET OUT IN THE PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS IS WRONG OR UNSOUND.
"THE COMMISSION THEREFORE MAINTAINS ITS PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING DELINEATION OF LEGCO'S GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES IN TOTAL," HE SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN ALSO SAID: "THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS THAT IT HAS STRUCK A PROPER AND FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN COMMUNITY SENSITIVITY AND THE POPULATION QUOTA CRITERION IN THIS HIGHEST TIER OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT."
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 6 -
HE SAID EACH OF THE 20 LEGCO’S CONSTITUENCY AREAS DELINEATED HAD A POPULATION WITHIN THE 25 PER CENT RANGE OF THE POPULATION QUOTA.
THE COMMISSION SEES NO CASE WHERE IT IS DESIRABLE, LET ALONG NECESSARY, TO DEPART FROM THE RANGE, HE ADDED.
WHEN DRAWING UP THE LEGCO CONSTITUENCIES, THE COMMISSION HAS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION SEVERAL IMPORTANT CRITERIA:
* EACH LEGCO CONSTITUENCY IS TO CONSIST OF A NUMBER OF COMPLETE DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCY AREAS;
* THE POPULATION IN EACH LEGCO AREA SHOULD BE AS NEAR THE POPULATION QUOTA AS IS PRACTICABLE;
» REGARD HAS TO BE MADE TO COMMUNITY IDENTITIES, PRESERVATION OF LOCAL TIES, PHYSICAL FEATURES AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELEVANT AREA.
A LEGCO CONSTITUENCY AREA HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 300,000, 17 TIMES LARGER THAN THAT OF A DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCY AREA AND THREE TIMES OF A MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA.
"IN THIS HIGHEST TIER OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT OF LEGCO, A LARGER TERRITORIAL CONCEPT MUST BE ADOPTED, BY THE COMMISSION AND THE POPULATION OR ELECTORATE ALIKE.
"THE COMMISSION IS SURE THAT APPROPRIATE ADJUSTING ARRANGEMENTS CAN ALWAYS BE MADE BY THOSE COUNCILLORS WHO ARE ALONG THE LINE OF COMMAND AND COMMUNICATION IN THREE-TIER REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM."
VOLUME 1 OF THE REPORT IS THE REPORT PROPER WITH REASONS AND EXPLANATIONS AS TO HOW THE COMMISSION CARRIED OUT ITS DEMARCATION WORK AND HOW IT ARRIVED AT ITS PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
IT ALSO COMPILES THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION, HAVING REGARD TO THE PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS.
VOLUME 2 CONTAINS THE LISTS OF CONSTITUENCY AREAS IN RESPECT OF THE 1995 LEGCO ELECTION AND MAPS WITH RECOMMENDED NAMES FOR THE CONSTITUENCIES AND THE RECOMMENDED DEMARCATION OF LEGCO ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
LRT IS SAFE ♦ * * * *
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT (TRANSPORT SERVICES), MRS CARRIE YAU, SAID A PRESS REPORT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SUGGESTING THAT THE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM WAS ’’RIDDLED WITH POSSIBLE DEATHTRAPS" WAS GROSSLY UNTRUE.
SHE SAID HONG KONG’S RAIL SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE LRT WERE AMONG THE SAFEST IN THE WORLD. THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LRT VEHICLES REMAINED STEADILY LOW IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, NAMELY 28 IN L992 AND 21 IN L993 AND 10 SO FAR THIS YEAR. IT ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR 0.2 PER CENT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG.
SHE EMPHASISED THAT BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION TOOK A SERIOUS VIEW ON RAIL ACCIDENTS.
INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG RAILWAY INSPECTORATE INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE LAST LRT ACCIDENT IN SEPTEMBER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO INHERENT PROBLEM WITH 'I HE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION OR OPERATION OF THE LRT.
"IN ORDER TO BE DOUBLE SURE THAT SAFETY IS NOT COMPROMISED IN ANY WAY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT HAS ASKED ME TO HEAD AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM KCRC TO REVIEW THE TRAFFIC SITUATION OF THE LRT WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ALL ROAD CROSSINGS IN THE SYSTEM.
"THE COMMITTEE MET RECENTLY TO AGREE ON A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN THE SAFETY OF THE ROAD CROSSING IN THE SYSTEM.
"THESE INCLUDE A REVIEW BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OF ALL LRT JUNCTIONS, MORE ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY THE POLICE, INTENSIFYING PUBLICITY AND A PROPOSAL TO INSTALL CAMERAS AT SOME OF THE JUNCTIONS TO DETER MOTORISTS FROM JUMPING RED LIGHTS," SHE SAID.
MRS YAU EMPHASISED THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT VEGETATION AT JUNCTIONS WAS A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS.
"THE SAFE USE OF LRT CROSSINGS, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ROAD JUNCTION, DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE OBSERVANCE OF SIGNS AND SIGNALS INSTALLED IN THESE JUNCTIONS," SHE SAID.
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- ' 8 -
FEAR OF PUBLIC WEALTH DISAPPEARING UNFOUNDED * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DISPELLED FEARS THAT HONG KONG’S PUBLIC WEALTH WOULD SOMEWHAT DISAPPEAR IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997.
IN A SPEECH ENTITLED "BASIC INSTINCT" TO THE 97 JAPANESE BUSINESS CLUB, MR TSANG SAID THERE WAS CONCERN THAT EITHER THE MONEY WOULD BE SPIRITED AWAY TO THE BENEFIT OF OTHER PARTIES OR IT WOULD BE FRITTERED AWAY IN EXTRAVAGANT SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES.
"THIS FEAR IN ANY OF ITS VARIATIONS IS TOTALLY UNFOUNDED," HE SAID.
MR TSANG EXPLAINED THAT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN HONG KONG WAS GOVERNED BY LAW -- THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE -- AND EVERY PROPOSAL TO SPEND MONEY HAD TO BE PUT FORWARD BY THE ADMINISTRATION, IN PUBLIC, TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND JUSTIFIED.
"IT IS INCONCEIVABLE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD PUT FORWARD A PROPOSAL TO GIVE OUR MONEY TO SOMEONE ELSE.
"IT IS EVEN MORE INCONCEIVABLE - IF SUCH A PHRASE EXISTS - THAT LEGCO WOULD APPROVE IT IF WE DID," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, ALL OF GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVITIES ON SPENDING WERE SUBJECT TO SCRUTINY BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE.’
"THEIR REPORTS ARE PUBLISHED, AND DEBATED IN PUBLIC. ANY HINT OF IMPROPRIETY WOULD QUICKLY BE BROUGHT TO LIGHT."
. "AS YOU CAN SEE, JUST LIKE THE STAR OF BASIC INSTINCT HERSELF, WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE," HE SAID.
HE SAID NEITHER DIRECTLY, NOR INDIRECTLY, WOULD THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EVER PERMIT HONG KONG’S PUBLIC WEALTH TO BE USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, FROM WHOSE HARD WORK THAT WEALTH DERIVED AND UPON WHOSE BEHALF THE GOVERNMENT HELD THOSE ASSETS IN TRUST.
"IT IS OUR FIRM INTENTION TO PASS EVERYTHING TO THE SAR GOVERNMENT IN DUE COURSE, INTACT," HE SAID.
ON THE FEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUT IN PLACE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES THAT WOULD DRAIN AWAY HONG KONG’S RESERVES AND UNDERMINE THE FINANCES OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT, MR TSANG SAID IN THE RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE HELD EVERY YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT BEGAN BY CALCULATING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SPENDING THAT WOULD BE PERMITTED WITHIN ITS BUDGETARY GUIDELINES.
"OUR MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST AT PRESENT ASSUMES A TREND GROWTH RATE OF FIVE PER CENT PER ANNUM IN GDP. SO WE ALLOW GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO GROW BY FIVE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS EVERY YEAR.
/"THEN WE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 9 -
"THEN WE CALCULATE HOW MUCH MONEY' WILL BE NEEDED TO FUND EXISTING SERVICES, OR TO MEET KNOWN COMMITMENTS SUCH AS NEW SCHOOLS OR HOSPITALS COMING ON STREAM.
"BY DEDUCTING ONE FIGURE FROM THE OTHER, WE CAN DEDUCE HOW MUCH SPARE MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO START NEW PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
MR TSANG SAID THE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWED THE SAME PROCEDURE THIS YEAR THAT IT HAD FOLLOWED FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.
HE ADDED THAT JUST TO MAKE SURE THERE COULD BE NO OVERSIGHTS, THERE WERE CHECKING MECHANISMS IN PLACE.
"BEFORE THE GOVERNOR STOOD UP TO SPEAK LAST WEEK, EVERY LINE OF HIS DRAFT SPEECH HAD BEEN CAREFULLY SCRUTINISED BY FINANCE BRANCH. AT HIS REQUEST.
"EVERY PROMISE, EVERY PROPOSAL, EVERY COMMITMENT, IS FULLY COVERED BY OUR PLANNING FORECASTS. AND WE HAVE NOT DEVIATED FROM OUR BUDGETARY GUIDELINES BY SO MUCH AS A SINGLE DOLLAR.
"INDEED, MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG BELIEVE THAT WE ARE NOT SPENDING ENOUGH.
"THE GOVERNMENT MUST THEREFORE SPEND WHERE EXPENDITURE IS JUSTIFIED AND AFFORDABLE, BUT IT MUST ALSO ENSURE THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY AND REFUSE TO BE IMPRUDENT. WE HAVE WRITTEN NO BLANK CHEQUES," HE SAID.
MR TSANG SAID THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE WAS MADE UP OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHOM WERE ON PENSIONABLE TERMS OF SERVICE AND WOULD STILL BE WORKING, OR DRAWING A PENSION, FOR MANY YEARS AFTER 1997.
"EVEN LEAVING ASIDE THEIR SENSE OF PUBLIC DUTY, OUR CIVIL SERVANTS THEREFORE HAVE A DIRECT PERSONAL INTEREST IN ENSURING THAT HONG KONG’S PUBLIC FINANCES CONTINUE TO BE MANAGED PRUDENTLY.
"IT IS THE BEST POSSIBLE GUARANTEE OF THEIR OWN CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, AND THE SECURITY OF THEIR PENSIONS.
"SO TO THOSE WHO STILL HAVE THEIR DOUBTS, I SAY THIS: IF YOU CANNOT BELIEVE IN OUR ALTRUISM, AT LEAST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR SENSE OF SELF PRESERVATION. IT IS THE MOST BASIC INSTINCT OF ALL," HE SAID.
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/10 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 10 -
HK TO REMAIN ECONOMIC HUB
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED ITS REVIEW OF MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND DETAILS OF ITS PLANS TO INVITE APPLICATIONS FOR PROVIDING PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES (PCS) AND OTHER NEW CORDLESS TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, WHEN HE ELABORATED ON THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY COMMITMENTS GIVEN WITH THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR SIU SAID THE REVIEW CONCLUDED THAT WITH DEMAND FOR CELLULAR PHONES GROWING AT A RATE OF 30 PER CENT PER YEAR, THE EXISTING NETWORKS WOULD REACH CAPACITY IN A FEW YEARS TIME.
"AN ADVANCED AND EFFICIENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM IS ESSENTIAL TO ANY MODERN ECONOMY AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND UPGRADE OUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS TO PROVIDE THE WIDEST CHOICE OF QUALITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, AT AFFORDABLE PRICES TO BOTH PRIVATE CONSUMERS AND BUSINESS OPERATORS," MR SIU SAID.
HONG KONG’S TELEPHONE AND MOBILE PHONE PENETRATION RATES ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD. THERE ARE NOW OVER ONE MILLION SUBSCRIBERS TO 35 LICENSED RADIO PAGING SERVICES, 357,000 SUBSCRIBERS TO SEVEN MOBILE TELEPHONE NETWORKS AND 160,000 SUBSCRIBERS TO THE THREE LICENSED CT2 "TELEPOINT" NETWORKS.
"SIX NEW MOBILE PHONE LICENCES USING THE LATEST PCS TECHNOLOGY WILL BE ISSUED IN EARLY 1995 AND THE NEW SERVICES WILL EXPAND OUR NETWORK CAPACITY TO OVER 1.25 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS, AND INTRODUCE MORE VIGOROUS COMPETITION IN THE MARKET," MR SIU SAID.
MR SIU SAID GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE ON THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS AIMED AT ENHANCING HONG KONG’S POSITION AS THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS HUB IN THE REGION.
A NEW LICENCE TO ALLOW MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND ORGANISATIONS TO SELF-PROVIDE PRIVATE EXTERNAL CIRCUITS FOR INTRACORPORATE COMMUNICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATION IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS; A BILL PROVIDING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORDINANCE AND THE INCORPORATION OF THE REMNANTS OF THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1995; AND PORTABLE TELEPHONE NUMBERS, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO SAVE CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN THE NEXT 15 YEARS, WILL BE INTRODUCED WHEN FIXED NETWORK SERVICES ARE OPENED TO COMPETITION IN JULY NEXT YEAR.
MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE, SERVING THE RAPIDLY GROWING REGION AND LINKING CHINA WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT CAN MEET THE GROWTH IN USER DEMAND AND TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT STRATEGY IS A KEY TO ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE."
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 11 -
ON THE NEW AIRPORT, MR SIU SAID CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON WORKS, AND SITE PREPARATION WAS NOW 70 PER CENT COMPLETE.
PREPARATIONS ARE ALSO ADVANCING ON THE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THESE SERVICES NEED TO REACH FRUITION AT THE SAME TIME AS THE GOVERNMENT’S WORKS.
"EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO PUT IN PLACE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE THE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS SUCH AS AN AGREEMENT ON FINANCING, THE AIRPORT BILL AND THE LAND GRANT, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S BORROWINGS AND THE AWARD OF FRANCHISES.
"TO PREPARE FOR OUR FUTURE REQUIREMENTS, WE INTEND TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN AT LEAST 80 ADDITIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT, TO PROCURE NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT, AND TO ESTABLISH A NEW AERODROME STANDARDS DIVISION IN THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IN 1995/96 TO DEVELOP OPERATING AND SAFETY STANDARDS FOR CHEK LAP KOK," MR SIU SAID.
BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT, MR SIU SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAXIMISE THE EFFICIENT USE OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY UPGRADING AIR. TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT AT A COST OF $160 MILLION, AND BY IMPROVING ROAD ACCESS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PASSENGER PROCESSING FACILITIES.
REGARDING PORT DEVELOPMENT, MR SIU SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE PORT FACILITIES, WHICH WERE THE VITAL ARTERIES OF HONG KONG’S TRADE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE START FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 AND TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE LAND FOR CARGO BACK-UP SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE OPERATION OF THE PORT BY PROVIDING 22 HECTARES BY THE END OF 1994 AND AT LEAST A FURTHER SEVEN HECTARES BY 1997.
"LOOKING TO TAKE LONGER TERM, WE WILL PRESS AHEAD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF LANTAU PORT TO MEET FORECAST DEMAND TOWARDS THE END OF THE DECADE. WE AIM TO HAVE THE FIRST BERTH OPEN DURING 1998 OR EARLIER IF AT ALL POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
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CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NEW AIRPORT’S RADAR SYSTEMS
*****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF AN AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF TWO RADAR SYSTEMS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE CONTRACT, VALUED AT ABOUT $67 MILLION, WILL BE AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO RAYTHEON COMPANY OF THE UN(TED STATES.
THE COMPANY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF AN APPROACH SURVEILLANCE RADAR AT SHA CHAU, AN ISLAND LOCATED NORTHWEST OF CHEK LAP KOK, AS WELL AS A ROUTE SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR AT MOUNT PARKER IN QUARRY BAY.
/THE TWO........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
12
THE TWO RADAR SYSTEMS WILL FORM PART OF THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RADAR NETWORK FOR AIRCRAFT SURVEILLANCE.
WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY 1996.
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR TO 67, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $51.8 BILLION.
THESE INCLUDE 53 CONTRACTS WORTH OVER $34 BILLION AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, 12 CONTRACTS WORTH ABOUT $11.5 BILLION AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, AND A $0.6 BILLION IMMERSED TUBE TUNNEL CONTRACT FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AWARDED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
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NEW PROCEDURE FOR BUILDINGS APPEAL TRIBUNAL PROPOSED *****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INTRODUCE NEW PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
THE NEW PROCEDURE, SET OUT IN THE BUILDING (APPEAL) REGULATION TO BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY, WILL REPLACE THE OLD PROVISIONS FOR APPEALING TO THE BUILDINGS APPEAL TRIBUNAL,
THE TRIBUNAL WAS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S DECISIONS ON MATTERS SUCH AS DISAPPROVAL OF BUILDING PLANS OR SERVING OF DEMOLITION ORDERS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED IN JULY THIS YEAR TO MAKE THE APPEAL PROVISIONS CONFORM WITH PRESENT LEGAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES.
IT BROUGHT DIFFERENT APPEALS, WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY DEALT WITH BY DIFFERENT APPEAL BODIES, UNDER ONE APPEAL TRIBUNAL.
IN LINE WITH THIS CHANGE, A NEW SET OF APPEAL PROCEDURES, WHICH SUIT CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES, IS INTRODUCED IN THE REGULATION TO REPLACE THE OLD PROCEDURES.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT REGULATION ALSO TO BE GAZETTED SEEKS TO STREAMLINE THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR RECOGNISED , PROFESSIONALS . AND — CONTRACTORS.
UNDER THE PROPOSED BUILDING (ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) REGULATION 1993, AUTHORISED PERSONS, REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, REGISTERED BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND REGISTERED VENTILATION CONTRACTORS MAY APPLY FOR REGISTRATION OR RETENTION OF EXISTING REGISTRATION FOR ONE OR THREE YEARS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REGISTRATION FEES HAVE BEEN REVISED TO REFLECT THE RISE IN COST INCURRED IN PROCESSING SUCH APPLICATIONS.
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/13 .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
13
STI TO ATTEND EUROPE/EAST ASIA SUMMIT
t * * « *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, LEFT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR SINGAPORE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EUROPE/EAST ASIA SUMMIT AS A GUEST OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, THE ORGANISERS OF THE MEETING. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD FROM OCTOBER 12 TO 14.
DURING THE MEETING, WHICH WILL BE OPENED BY MR GOH CHOK TONG, PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE, MR CHAU WILL SPEAK AT A PLENARY SESSION ON "THE OUTCOME OF THE URUGUAY ROUND: WILL THERE BE MORE OR LESS FRICTION?"
MR CHAU WILL ALSO SPEAK AT A LUNCH, WHICH HE WILL CO-HOST WITH THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE SUMMIT, THE AIM OF WHICH TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS LINKS BETWEEN EUROPE AND EAST ASIA, HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AS A KEY EVENT FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND EXPERTS FROM THESE TWO REGIONS.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE MEETING IS BEING HELD. THE LAST TWO MEETINGS WERE HELD IN HONG KONG IN 1992 AND 1993.
MR CHAU WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15).
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSES EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS FOR FARMERS *****
IMPROVEMENT OF EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS WERE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (ACAF) YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS NOTED THAT IN VIEW OF THE SEVERE DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY FARMS IN FLOODINGS WHICH WERE UNPRECEDENTED IN SCALE AND SEVERITY, THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS IT REASONABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO SUCH VICTIMS UNDER THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND ON AN EVENT BY EVENT BASIS.
THE REVISED RATE, IF PASSED, WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE EXTRA LABOUR COST REQUIRED FOR CLEARING UP AND PREPARING’THE FARM LAND FOR RESUMING PRODUCTION.
THIS MEANS THAT VEGETABLE FARMERS WILL GET, INSTEAD OF THE EXISTING $358 PER DAU CHUNG OF GRANT SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF $2,150, $613 PER DAU CHUNG SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF $3,680.
WHILE SUPPORTING THIS IMPROVEMENT, MEMBERS REQUESTED THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FARMERS' LOSS OF INCOME DURING THE PERIOD AFTER THE NATURAL DISASTER AND FURTHER REVISES THE RATE ACCORDINGLY.
/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 14 -
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS HONG KONG
*****
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND, THE HONOURABLE SIR ANGUS OGILVY, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) FOR A WEEK-LONG VISIT.
DURING HER STAY IN HONG KONG, THE PRINCESS WILL UNDERTAKE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDING SEVERAL MAJOR EVENTS MARKING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROY'AL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE (RHKP) .
IN HER CAPACITY AS THE RHKP’S HONORARY COMMANDANT GENERAL, THE PRINCESS WILL OFFICIATE AT A 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE AND TIME CAPSULE LAYING CEREMONY AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS, ATTEND AN INVITATION LADIES VOLLEYBALL MATCH AND A 150TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION A'l FHE POLICE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB, AND OPEN AN RHKP PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY CLUB EXHIBITION.
APART FROM CEREMONIAL FUNCTIONS, SHE WILL \LSO CALL AT THE BORDER TO VISIT THE POLICE UNITS AT MAN KAM TO AND PAK FU SHAN, AND MEET AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS AND VIEW THEIR TRAINING AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE.
HER BUSY ITINERARY ALSO COVER A VISIT TO HMS PEACOCK AT THE PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS.
THE ROYAL PARTY WILL .LEAVE HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 21.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS AND HER PARTY WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG FROM LONDON BY FLIGHT BA027 AT 5.30 PM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15). SHE WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR EDDIE HUI.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER HER ARRIVAL AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 4.30 PM AT THE LATEST AND BRING ALONG THEIR PRESS IDENTITY CARDS.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
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/15 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 15 -
GOVERNOR VISITS YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT ♦ t * t »
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WAS GIVEN AN UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT DURING A WALKABOUT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR PATTEN FIRST VISITED THE YANG MEMORIAL METHODIST SOCIAL SERVICE WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF A DAY NURSERY AND AN ACTIVITY CENTRE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
LATER AT CHUNG KING MANSION, HE VIEWED THE RECENT IMPROVEMENT AND RENOVATION WORKS CARRIED OUT BY THE OWNERS’ INCORPORATION. THE $5 MILLION PROJECT INCLUDED A NEW TRANSFORMER TO ENABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO THE BUILDING TO BE UPGRADED.
HE THEN TOURED HONG LOK STREET (BIRD STREET), WHERE HE WAS TOLD OF THE PROGRESS OF THE REPROVISIONING OF THE BIRD MARKET WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO BE CLEARED BEFORE 1996 TO MAKE WAY FOR A LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PROJECT.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS TOUR, MR PATTEN DISCUSSED LOCAL ISSUES WITH THE YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AT A RECEPTION.
THE SECRETARY CHRISTINE
GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE TRIP BY THE REGIONAL FOR HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHOW AND THE YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BART
IRELAND.
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AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER » » « * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR LAST MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF THE AIR QUALITY LEVELS IN THE TERRITORY AND TO EXPLAIN THE MEASUREMENTS.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS MONITORING RESULTS FROM MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG, WHICH REPRESENT THREE IMPORTANT LAND USE TYPES IN THE TERRITORY :
* LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN AREAS;
* COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; AND
» DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY MONITORS AIR QUALITY CONTINUOUSLY AT EIGHT STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED. SHORT-TERM MEASUREMENT EXERCISES ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN AS AND WHERE THE NEED ARISES.
/THE REPORTED .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 16 -
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2), TOTAL SUSPENDED' PARTICULATES (TSP) WHICH COMPRISE ALL SIZES OF DUST PARTICLES, AND THE RESPIRABLE FRACTION OF THE DUST (RSP).
ALL THESE POLLUTANTS CAN AFFECT RESPIRATORY HEALTH IN SUFFICIENT CONCENTRATION.
IN SEPTEMBER, THE STREET LEVEL SITE IN MONG KOK RECORDED THE HIGHEST POLLUTANT LEVELS OF THE THREE SITES, AS USUAL. HOWEVER, NO EXCEEDANCES OF THE 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES WERE RECORDED AT ANY OF THE STATIONS DURING THE MONTH.
HIGH POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS TENDED TO COINCIDE WITH LOW WINDSPEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, ON SEPTEMBER 17, THE LOW WINDSPEEDS PREVENTED LOCALLY EMITTED POLLUTANTS FROM DISPERSING QUICKLY, RESULTING IN HIGHER AIR POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS.
THE OCCURRENCE OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE NEAR HONG KONG ON SEPTEMBER 1 AND 2 ALSO RESULTED IN HIGHER POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS BECAUSE DESCENDING AIR KEPT A 'LID' ON THE ATMOSPHERE OVER HONG KONG.
AS IN MOST MONTHS, THERE WERE LOW LEVELS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE AT ALL SITES, USUALLY LESS THAN 20 PER CENT OF THE 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS, WHICH LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF SULPHUR IN FUELS, HAVE ACHIEVED THEIR OBJECTIVES.
THE GASES AND PARTICLES DESCRIBED ORIGINATED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. SO2 IS MOSTLY PRODUCED WHEN FUELS THAT CONTAIN SULPHUR ARE BURNED. NO2 IS FORMED DURING COMBUSTION BY THE COMBINATION OF NITROGEN AND OXYGEN. HOWEVER THE MAJORITY OF IT IS FORMED IN THE ATMOSPHERE BY THE OXIDATION OF NITRIC OXIDE (NO), ALSO A PRODUCT OF COMBUSTION.
VEHICLE EXHAUST IS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF NO AND NO2 IN TERMS OF IMPACT ON LOCAL AIR QUALITY. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR SOURCE OF AIRBORNE PARTICULATE MATTER, ESPECIALLY THE SMALLER RESPIRABLE PARTICLES.
DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES SUCH AS TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, PASSENGER COACHES, FRANCHISED BUSES AND LIGHT AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES ARE THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTOR. OTHER SOURCES OF PARTICLES INCLUDE INDUSTRY, FURNACES AND BOILERS, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, THE SEA AND THE SOIL.
IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT WHILE THE WEATHER AND CLIMATE ALWAYS AFFECT THE CONCENTRATIONS OF POLLUTANTS IN THE AIR, THE ONLY SURE WAY OF REDUCING THE LEVELS IS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM THE MAN-MADE SOURCES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS AIR QUALITY REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT MR RAYMOND LEUNG ON TEL 594 6401.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 17 -
MONTHLY STATISTICAL BULLETIN RELEASED *****
THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE MONTHLY STATISTICAL BULLETIN, PUBLISHED BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) TODAY (WEDNESDAY), REVEALS THAT THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT OF HONG KONG DOLLAR NEGOTIABLE CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT (NCDS) AT END-AUGUST INCREASED 67 PER CENT FROM A YEAR EARLIER.
TOTAL OUTSTANDING OF HONG KONG DOLLAR NCDS AT END-AUGUST AMOUNTED TO $48.3 BILLION, DOWN 1.3 PER CENT FROM END-JULY BUT UP 44 PER CENT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THIS IS COMPARED WITH 24 PER CENT GROWTH FOR ALL OF 1993.
"THE FIGURES REFLECT A TREND THAT BANKS IN HONG KONG ARE KEEN FOR LONGER-TERM FUNDS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HKMA WHO REGARDS THE DROP IN AUGUST AS TEMPORARY SAYS.
THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF THE BULLETIN ALSO SHOWS THAT TOTAL VALUE OF DEBT ISSUES LODGED WITH THE HKMA’S CENTRAL MONEYMARKETS UNIT SERVICE ROSE TO $19.2 BILLION AT END-SEPTEMBER, UP 41 PER CENT FROM END-AUGUST.
THE AVERAGE YIELD OF THE FIRST ISSUE OF FIVE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WAS 7.78 PER CENT FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION ON SEPTEMBER 26. THE AVERAGE YIELDS FOR THREE-YEAR AND TWO-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WERE 6.92 PER CENT AND 6.25 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR SEPTEMBER.
THE YIELDS SERVE AS IMPORTANT BENCHMARKS FOR OTHER HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
AT THE SAME TIME, AVERAGE DAILY TURNOVER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ANDNOTES DROPPED TO $15.8 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER FROM $23.5 BILLION IN AUGUST PROBABLY BECAUSE OF A MORE CAUTIOUS ATTITUDE TAKEN BY MARKET PARTICIPANTS IN VIEW OF THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE TIMING FOR FURTHER U.S. FEDERAL RESERVES ACTION TO RAISE INTEREST RATES.
THE BULLETIN, WHICH PUBLISHES IN THE SECOND WEEK OF EACH MONTH, WAS LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER AS A VEHICLE TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED AND COMPREHENSIVE DATA ON HONG KONG’S MONETARY AND BANKING ACTIVITIES.
IMPROVING ON THE FORMAT OF THE FIRST ISSUE, THE SECOND ISSUE HAS ADDED TO THE LIST OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS A SECTION ON NEW ENTRANTS AND THOSE DELETED FROM THE LIST.
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/IB .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
18
FANLING LOT TO LET * * ♦ * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN AREA 49A, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
COVERING AN AREA OF 16,700 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS TO BE USED FOR PARKING OF VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICHLES, OR STORAGE OF GOODS INCLUDING UNREGISTERED VEHICLES BUT EXCLUDING DUSTY MATERIALS AND DANGEROUS GOODS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, AND IS RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON OCTOBER 28.
TENDER FORMS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NORTH.
TENDER PLAN CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
— — — — 0------
CLOSURE OF KOWLOON TONG ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT
* ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON TONG SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SUCH AS FLOWER RACKS AND SMALL METAL CAGES USED FOR STORAGE PURPOSES ARE LOCATED ON THE SECOND AND EIGHTH FLOORS OF A BUILDING AT 1 MARCONI ROAD.
NOTICES APPLYING FOR THE CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON NOVEMBER 16 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
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/19 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 19 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » * * ♦ »
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,939 0930 + 555
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,277 1000 + 555
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ! 1100 + 555
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 548 1200 + 558
LAF TODAY -210 1500 + 558
1600 + 548
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TWI 121.8 ♦ -0.1 * 12.10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON. PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.54 19 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.14 6.35
1 MONTH 4.63 22 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.48 6.55
3 MONTHS 4.92 30 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.15 7.08
6 MONTHS 5.20 33 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.56 7.25
12 ! MONTHS 5.79 59 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.18 8.06
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 22,833 MN
CLOSED 12 OCTOBER 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
LAND REGISTRY TRADING FUND ACHIEVES REMARKABLE SUCCESS... 1
COMPANIES REGISTRY'S FIRST REPORT AS A TRADING FUND TABLED IN LEGCO TODAY.............................................. 2
LEGCO PASSES FOUR CONSUMER PROTECTION BILLS................. 3
ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE STREAMLINED AND UPDATED.............. 5
PROSECUTORS NO LONGER RELY ON SECTION 25 OF PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE........................................... 6
MOTION DEBATE ON RIGHT OF ABODE IN UK..................... 7
MOTION DEBATE ON KWUN LUNG LAU LANDSLIP..................... 9
CONTROL OF PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTICES....................... 12
APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND...................... 13
APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE.................................... 13
PUBLIC HOUSING FOR ELDERLY................................. 14
/HONORARIA FOR...
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
HONORARIA FOR DEPUTY JUDGES TO BE ADJUSTED................. 15
CORRUPTION COMPLAINTS...................................... 15
OMBUDSMAN RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED......................... 16
MINUTES ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TABLED................ 17
WEED AND PEST CONTROL...................................... 19
ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS.................................... 19
RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY............................... 20
LIGHT RAIL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS............................... 21
SERVICES OF HK HOSPITALS REGULATED......................... 22
SECOND READING OF TIMBER STORES BILL....................... 23
SECOND READING OF MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994.. 24
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR HK.......... 25
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
1
LAND REGISTRY TRADING FUND ACHIEVES REMARKABLE SUCCESS *****
THE LAND REGISTRY HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT OPERATING AS A TRADING FUND DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE REGISTRY’S FIRST TRADING FUND ANNUAL REPORT TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON.
THE LAND REGISTRY WAS ONE OF THE PIONEER TRADING FUND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ESTABLISHED ON AUGUST 1, 1993 TO OPERATE ON A SELF-FINANCING BASIS.
THE LAND REGISTRAR AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LAND REGISTRY TRADING FUND, MR KENNETH PANG, REPORTED A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF OPERATION IN ACHIEVING THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS IN HIS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
"THE LAND REGISTRY HAS NOT ONLY MET ALL THE FINANCIAL AND SERVICE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, BUT HAS ALSO INTRODUCED NEW AND IMPROVED SERVICES TO MEET ITS CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS.
"WHILE THERE WERE MANY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, SUCCESS WAS BASICALLY THE RESULT OF THE FLEXIBLE USE OF FINANCIAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES, AND A FIRM COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER-BASED SERVICES BY THE STAFF OF THE REGISTRY," MR PANG SAID.
THE LAND REGISTRY TRADING FUND ACHIEVED A NET PROFIT OF $23.6 MILLION FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1991. THIS REPRESENTS AN ANNUALISED RATE OF RETURN OF 13.5 PER CENT ON AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS, EXCEEDING THE TARGET OF 10 PER CENT.
"THE ACHIEVEMENT WAS DUE PRINCIPALLY TO LAND REGISTRY’S EFFECTIVE COST CONTROL MEASURES," MR PANG NOTED.
THE LAND REGISTRAR ALSO REPORTED ON THE REGISTRY’S ACHIEVEMENT OF ITS FIRST PERFORMANCE PLEDGES SETTING SERVICE STANDARDS BASED ON CUSTOMERS’ EXPECTATIONS IN AUGUST 1993.
"THESE STANDARDS HAVE BEEN MET AND WERE FURTHER ENHANCED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
MR PANG ADDED THAT THE LAND REGISTRY WAS COMMITTED TO MAKING THE BEST USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE VALUE-FOR-MONEY SERVICES TO ITS CUSTOMERS.
"WE HAVE RECENTLY INTRODUCED \ FULLY COMPUTERISED LAND SEARCH FACILITY CALL ’DIRECT ACCESS SERVICES’ (DAS) FOR CUSTOMERS TO MAKE ON-LING SEARCHES OF THE COMPUTERISED URBAN LAND REGISTERS AND PLACE ORDERS FOR COPIES OF LAND RECORDS THROUGH THEIR OWN OFFICE COMPUTER TERMINALS WITHOUT HAVING TO CALL AT OUR OFFICES," HE SAID.
OTHER EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS INCLUDE THE COMPUTERISATION OF LAND REGISTERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE OPTICAL IMAGING OF LAND RECORDS.
/"THE ULTIMATE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 2 -
’’THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE A FULLY COMPUTERISED AND UNIFIED LAND REGISTER FOR THE WHOLE TERRITORY SO THAT CUSTOMERS CAN LODGE DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION AND CONDUCT LAND SEARCHES AT ANY OF THE LAND REGISTRY OFFICES, AND CAN HAVE ON-LINE ACCESS TO THE CENTRALISED LAND REGISTER THROUGH THE DAS," HE EXPLAINED.
THE ANNUAL REPORT ALSO POINTS OUT THAT DRAFTING WORK ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO CONVERT THE PRESENT LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO ONE OF TITLE REGISTRATION IS IN THE FINAL STAGES.
’’THE NEW SYSTEM WILL GUARANTEE THAT A PERSON REGISTERED AS THE OWNER OF A PROPERTY IN THE LAND REGISTER IS THE LEGAL OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY,’’ MR PANG SAID.
STRIDING INTO THE SECOND YEAR OF TRADING FUND OPERATION, MR PANG IS CONFIDENT THAT THE LAND REGISTRY WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON ALL FRONTS TO MEET THE MANY CHALLENGES AND TO DELIVER QUALITY SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY.
------0--------
COMPANIES REGISTRY’S FIRST REPORT AS A TRADING FUND TABLED IN LEGCO TODAY *****
THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND,
TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE COMPANIES
REGISTRY TRADING FUND’S FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
THE REPORT INDICATES THAT THE REGISTRY WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE A
SURPLUS OF $15.6 MILLION FOR THE PERIOD SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT AS A
TRADING FUND ON AUGUST 1, 1993. THIS RESULT IS SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL PROJECTION OF $4.3 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE BETTER THAN EXPECTED RESULTS WERE BECAUSE OF LOWER THAN ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURE ON STAFF AND ON-COSTS CHARGED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN RESPECT OF CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING IN THE TRADING FUND, AS WELL AS LOWER THAN EXPECTED INTEREST RATES.
THE REPORT COVERS THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THE REGISTRY’S OPERATIONS FROM AUGUST 1, 1993, WHEN IT BECAME A TRADING FUND, UNTIL MARCH 31, 1994. ITS NORMAL FINANCIAL YEAR RUNS FROM APRIL 1 TO MARCH 31 .
"IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TRADING FUND STATUS, A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT MUST BE ABLE TO BE FINANCIALLY SELF SUFFICIENT AND PAY ALL ITS EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES FROM THE INCOME IT RECEIVES. THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS’ FIGURES SHOW THAT THE COMPANIES REGISTRY TRADING FUND HAS MADE A HEALTHY START," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
WHEN THE REGISTRY WAS SET UP AS A TRADING FUND, THE GOVERNMENT VESTED IN IT ASSETS WORTH $415 MILLION, COMPRISING $138 MILLION OF TRADING FUND CAPITAL AND $277 MILLION OF LOAN CAPITAL. THE LOAN IS REPAYABLE IN 10 ANNUAL INSTALMENTS AND A DIVIDEND MAY BE PAYABLE ON THE TRADING FUND CAPITAL.
/THE REPORT ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
3
THE REPORT SUMMARISES THE COMPANIES REGISTRY’S SUCH MAIN FUNCTIONS AS TO INCORPORATE AND STRIKE-OFF COMPANIES, RECEIVE AND MAINTAIN INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY COMPANIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS, AND TO MAKE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. IT ALSO PLAYS AN ENFORCEMENT ROLE IN ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMPANIES AND OTHER ORDINANCES.
AS AT END OF THE 1993/94 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES ON THE REGISTER WAS ABOUT 430,000; THE NUMBER OF NEW INCORPORATIONS DURING THE YEAR WAS 59,784. A TOTAL OF 1.25 MILLION DOCUMENTS WERE RECEIVED FOR FILING AND AROUND 1.9 MILLION SEARCHES CONDUCTED DURING 93/94.
NEW SERVICES WHICH THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES EXPECTS TO INTRODUCE DURING 1994/95 INCLUDE AN INDEX OF THE DIRECTORS OF LISTED COMPANIES AS WELL AS A COMPUTERISED INDEX OF ALL DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE REGISTRY.
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LEGCO PASSES FOUR CONSUMER PROTECTION BILLS *****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, MOVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE THIRD READING OF THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL, SALE OF GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, SUPPLY OF SERVICES (IMPLIED TERMS) BILL AND UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL.
"THE PASSAGE OF FOUR BILLS REPRESENTS A MAJOR MILESTONE IN OUR DRIVE FOR GREATER CONSUMER PROTECTION, AS THE GOVERNOR HAD PLEDGED IN HIS 1993 POLICY ADDRESS," MRS IP SAID.
"THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL SEEKS TO IMPOSE A STATUTORY DUTY ON MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS THEY SUPPLY FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION ARE SAFE," SHE SAID.
"IT CREATES A GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT AND PROVIDES FOR JUDICIAL GUIDELINES IN DETERMINING THE REASONABLE LEVEL OF SAFETY REQUIRED OF DIFFERENT CONSUMER GOODS. THESE GUIDELINES INCLUDE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CONSUMER GOODS ARE PRESENTED; THE USE OF ANY MARKS, INSTRUCTIONS OR WARNINGS FOR THEIR CONSUMPTION; THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY RELEVANT ESTABLISHED OVERSEAS SAFETY STANDARDS; AND THE EXISTENCE OF ANY MEANS TO MAKE THEfj SAFER."
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION. HE WILL BE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE NOTICES TO SUPPLIERS REQUIRING THEM TO WARN CONSUMERS OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS, AND TO RECALL OR PROHIBIT THE SUPPLY OF UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS.
"TO FACILITATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT STIPULATED IN THE ORDINANCE, SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS MAY APPROACH THE PRODUCTS STANDARD INFORMATION BUREAU OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR INFORMATION ON ESTABLISHED OVERSEAS SAFETY STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO THE CONSUMER GOODS THEY SUPPLY," SAID MRS IP.
/"SUPPLIERS MAY .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
4
’’SUPPLIERS MAY ALSO HAVE THEIR CONSUMER GOODS TESTED BY LABORATORIES ACCREDITED UNDER THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME AND OVERSEAS LABORATORIES WITH EQUAL STANDING,” SHE ADDED.
"IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE LEGISLATION, THE COURT MAY CONSIDER THE EXISTENCE OF A TESTING CERTIFICATE IN DECIDING WHETHER THERE IS A DEFENCE OF DUE DILIGENCE.”
A PERSON WHO SUPPLIES UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS COMMITS AN OFFENCE. 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 THREE BILLS ON SALE OF GOODS, SUPPLY OF SERVICES AND UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS,” MRS IP SAID.
THE SALE OF GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 MODIFIES THE EXISTING LAW GOVERNING CONTRACTS FOR THE SALE OF GOODS BY IMPROVING THE DEFINITION OF MERCHANTABLE QUALITY REQUIRED OF GOODS. IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT A CONSUMER SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THE GOODS UNLESS HE HAS HAD A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE THEM, NOTWITHSTANDING HIS SIGNING OF AN ACCEPTANCE NOTE.
THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES (IMPLIED TERMS) BILL SEEKS TO CODIFY SOME COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES GOVERNING CONTRACTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES. IT STIPULATES THAT A SUPPLIER OF SERVICE IS OBLIGED TO PERFORM THE SERVICE WITH REASONABLE CARE AND SKILL, AND WITHIN REASONABLE TIME.
THE BUYER ON THE OTHER HAND SHOULD PAY A REASONABLE CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE IF THIS IS NOT DETERMINED BY THE CONTRACT. THE BILL DOES NOT AFFECT ANY DUTIES ARISING FROM THE LAW IF THEY ARE STRICTER THAN THOSE IMPOSED BY THE BILL ITSELF.
"WE SHALL SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO EXEMPT COMPANY DIRECTORS AND ADVOCATES IN COURT FROM THE OPERATION OF THIS BILL,” SAID MRS IP.
’’THE DUTIES OF COMPANY DIRECTORS HAVE BEEN LAID DOWN ALREADY IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND COMMON LAW," SHE EXPLAINED, "WHEREAS THE PROPOSED EXEMPTION OF ADVOCATES IN COURT IS A LIMITED ONE. IT ONLY RELATES TO THE CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS IN COURTS AND THE PREPARATION OF PRE-TRIAL WORK. THE PROPOSAL WILL ALLOW COMMON LAW TO DEVELOP NATURALLY IN THIS AREA."
THE UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL EMPOWERS THE COURT TO STRIKE DOWN OR REWRITE UNCONSCIONABLE TERMS IN CONSUMER CONTRACTS. THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES GUIDELINES TO THE COURT IN DETERMINING UNCONSCIONABILITY.
"IN PREPARING THESE FOUR PIECES OF LEGISLATION, WE FULLY RECOGNISE THE NEED FOR STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN ENHANCING CONSUMER PROTECTION AND NOT INTERFERING UNNECESSARILY WITH THE WAY IN WHICH BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED," MRS IP SAID.
/"WE BELIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
5 -
”WE BELIEVE THESE BILLS WILL PROVIDE OUR CONSUMERS WITH APPROPRIATE LEGAL REMEDIES AGAINST UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES.”
THE SALE OF GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES (IMPLIED TERMS) BILL WILL COME INTO IMMEDIATE EFFECT UPON THEIR ENACTMENT ON OCTOBER 20, 1994.
THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL AND THE UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL WILL BE COMMENCED IN OCTOBER 1995 TO ALLOW A ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD FOR THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO ADJUST.
- - 0 - -
ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE STREAMLINED AND UPDATED
*****
A BILL SEEKING TO STREAMLINING AND UPDATING THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) 2) BILL 1994 TRANSFERRED THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR-1N-COUNCIL MAKING REGULATIONS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF OPERATIONAL MATTERS AND REVISING THE ROAD USERS’ CODE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.
(NO.
IN IN
"HOWEVER, THE POWERS TO MAKE REGULATIONS IN THE MORE SENSITIVE AREAS, SUCH AS FEES AND CHARGES, PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES, POWERS OF ARREST AND POLICE POWERS, WILL BE RETAINED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID. -vvuknuk in
THE BILL ALSO REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC OFFICER SHOULD SERVE IN THE TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL AND ALLOWS THE TRIBUNAL TO SELECT ITS OWN LEGAL ADVISER, INSTEAD OF CHOOSING FROM A PANEL APPOINTED B^ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO DEMONSTRATE THE 1NDEPENDENCF AND IMPARTIALITY OF THE TRIBUNAL. and
IT PROVIDES FOR THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO REFUSE TO LICENSE OR TO CANCEL THE LICENCE OF A VEHICLE IF ITS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER HAD BEEN ALTERED OR TAMPERED WITH.
IT ALSO EXTENDS THE CONTROL ON BICYCLES AND TRICYCLES To MULTICYCLES, A NEW TYPE OF PEDAL CYCLE WITH FOUR WHEELS.
THE BILL WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 28 THIS YEAR.
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/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
6
PROSECUTORS NO LONGER RELY ON
SECTION 25 OF PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE
*****
IN THE LIGHT OF CASE LAW UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE CONCERNING PRESUMPTIONS, PROSECUTORS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO INVITE THE COURTS NOT TO RELY UPON SECTION 25 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANNA WU HUNG-YUK, MR MATHEWS SAID SECTION 25 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE WAS USED RELATING TO PROSECUTIONS FOR BRIBERY UNDER SECTION 4 OR 5 OF THAT ORDINANCE.
IT PROVIDES THAT, WHERE IT IS PROVED THAT THE ACCUSED GAVE OR ACCEPTED AN ADVANTAGE, THE ADVANTAGE SHALL BE PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND ACCEPTED FOR THE PURPOSES ALLEGED IN THE PARTICULARS OF THE OFFENCE, UNLESS THE CONTRARY IS PROVED.
IN THE LIGHT OF CASE LAW UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE CONCERNING PRESUMPTIONS, PROSECUTORS WOULD NOW HAVE TO PROVE THAT AN ALLEGED ADVANTAGE WAS GIVEN AND ACCEPTED FOR THE PURPOSES ALLEGED, HE SAID.
HE ADDED: "SHOULD THE SECTION BE CHALLENGED AS BEING INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, PROSECUTORS ARE INSTRUCTED TO INFORM THE COURT THAT IT IS THE CROWN’S VIEW THAT THE SECTION HAS BEEN REPEALED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE."
HE ALSO NOTED THAT SECTION 25 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE WAS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE INDEPENDENT ICAC REVIEW COMMITTEE IN THE LIGHT OF LEGAL ADVICE CONCERNING THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
ON OTHER STATUTORY PROVISIONS WHICH MIGHT BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, MR MATHEWS SAID IT WAS NOT THE POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO DECLINE TO RELY ON ANY PROVISION OF THE CRIMINAL LAW BECAUSE IT MIGHT POSSIBLY BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINACE.
HOWEVER, IF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT CONSIDERED THAT SUCH A PROVISION WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, PROSECUTORS WOULD BE INSTRUCTED NOT TO RELY UPON THE PROVISION AND LEGISLATIVE STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN TO DELETE THE PROVISION FROM THE ORDINANCE CONCERNED, HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SOME PROVISIONS HAD ALREADY BEEN DELETED FOR THAT REASON AND STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO DELETE FIVE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.
THE ARE:
* SECTION 8(D) OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE (CAP. 228), WHICH MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR PEOPLE TO ASSEMBLE IN THE NIGHT-TIME WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE, OR FOR A PERSON TO FAIL TO REPORT SUCH AN ASSEMBLY;
/* SECTION 30 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
« SECTION 30 OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE WHICH MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO BE IN POSSESSION OF ANYTHING REASONABLY SUSPECTED OF HAVING BEEN STOLEN AND TO FAIL TO GIVE A SATISFACTORY ACCOUNT OF HOW HE CAME BY THAT THING;
» SECTION 4(4) OF THE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS ORDINANCE (CAP. 266), WHICH PROVIDES FOR AN ENHANCED PENALTY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, UNLESS THE DEFENDANT PROVES CERTAIN FACTS;
* SECTION 29(6)(A)(I) AND (II) OF THE THEFT ORDINANCE (CAP. 210), UNDER WHICH TWO PRESUMPTIONS OPERATE AGAINST A PERSON ACCUSED OF CERTAIN OFFENCES INVOLVING THE DISHONEST USE OF CHEQUES ; AND
* SECTION 40(A)' OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE (CAP.109) WHICH CREATES A PRESUMPTION THAT ANY GOODS TO WHICH THE ORDINANCE APPLIES ARE DUTIABLE GOODS.
PROVISIONS TO DELETE THE FIRST FOUR ITEMS WERE CONTAINED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL 1994, WHICH WAS NOW BEFORE THE COUNCIL, MR MATHEWS SAID.
MOTION DEBATE ON RIGHT OF ABODE IN UK
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGCO MOTION DEBATE ON RIGHT OF ABODE IN UK FOR ALL HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONALS:
MR PRESIDENT:
NATIONALITY AND RIGHT OF ABODE HAVE A DIRECT BEARING ON HONG KONG PEOPLE’S LIVES. THEY ARE SUBJECTS IN WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL AND DIRECT INTEREST. THEY ARE AMONG THE ISSUES AT THE HEART OF THE TRANSITION.
THE MOTION BEFORE US TODAY PROPOSES THAT ALL BRITISH NATIONALS IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE GRANTED BRITISH CITIZENSHIP AND, THEREBY, THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THIS HAS BEEN DEBATED PREVIOUSLY IN THIS COUNCIL; IT HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY DEBATED IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT; AND IT HAS - AND IS - OFTEN DISCUSSED IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THE ISSUE WAS DISCUSSED AT LENGTH BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1989. AT THAT TIME THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MADE ITS POSITION CLEAR; WE BELIEVED THAT THE BEST SOLUTION WOULD BE FOR BRITAIN TO GRANT THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO ALL BRITISH NATIONALS IN HONG KONG. THAT WAS OUR POSITION THEN; AND IT REMAINS OUR POSITION TODAY.
/OUR LOBBYING .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 8 -
OUR LOBBYING EFFORTS - AND THE EFFORTS OF MANY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL - RESULTED, IN LATE 1989, IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME. THIS SCHEME DID NOT GO AS FAR AS WE WISH. NEVERTHELESS, DESPITE ITS LIMITATIONS, I BELIEVE THAT IT HAS HELPED - AS WAS ITS AIM - TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG, AND TO ENSURE THAT BUSINESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUE TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY AND SUCCESSFULLY.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO URGE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO GO FURTHER. BUT MEMBERS WILL BE AWARE OF THE EXTENSIVE DEBATE THAT HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE IN BRITAIN ON THE MATTER. THE QUESTION OF GRANTING FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP TO HONG KONG BDTCS WAS CONSIDERED CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY BY PARLIAMENT WHEN IT DEBATED THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT IN 1990. IT IS NOT A POSITION THAT HAS THE SUPPORT OF EITHER THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OR THE MAJOR OPPOSITION PARTY IN BRITAIN.
WE HAVE IN PREPARATION FOR THIS DEBATE CONSULTED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON THIS SUBJECT ONCE MORE. AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS REITERATED ITS POSITION. IN THEIR VIEW, THE AWARD OF CITIZENSHIP TO 50,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD WAS THE RIGHT RESPONSE, WHICH HAS HELPED TO BOLSTER CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE SCHEME WAS SET UP TO CHANGE THEIR VIEW. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ARE NOT PREPARED TO AWARD CITIZENSHIP TO ALL THE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 MILLION BDTCS; THEY CONSIDER THAT THEY COULD NOT BIND A FUTURE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO SUCH A LARGE POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION COMMITMENT. THEY CONSIDER THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF BDTCS HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT THEY WISH TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN HONG KONG; AND THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION MAKES PROVISION FOR ALL BDTCS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE TO RESIDE IN HONG KONG TO DO SO.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND TO PUT OUR POSITION AND THE POSITION OF THIS COUNCIL TO THEM. BUT I HAVE TO SAY TO MEMBERS THAT, ON THE BASIS OF OUR MOST RECENT CONTACTS, AND ON THE BASIS OF THE CONSISTENTLY EXPRESSED POSITION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN RECENT YEARS, IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT A CHANGE OF POLICY.
IN LINE WITH OUR CONSISTENT POSITION, WE WILL BE VOTING FOR THIS MOTION TODAY. BUT WE BELIEVE ALSO THAT OUR ENERGIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO ENSURING THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A PLACE WHERE HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT TO REMAIN; THAT ITS WAY OF LIFE AND ITS PROSPERITY ARE PRESERVED AND UNDERPINNED, THAT THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE SAFEGUARDS FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROVIDED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION ARE HONOURED IN FULL.
MR PRESIDENT, I SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SPECIAL CASE FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR THE ETHNIC MINORITIES. WITHOUT DETRACTING FROM OUR SUPPORT FOR THE GRANT OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP TO ALL HONG KONG BDTCS, WE HAVE GIVEN OUR SUPPORT PARTICULARLY FOR THE GRANT OF CITIZENSHIP AND RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO THE ETHNIC MINORITIES WHO ARE BDTCS. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS NOT AS YET ACCEPTED OUR ARGUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE ETHNIC MINORITIES, ALTHOUGH THESE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS THEIR CASE. THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT.
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
9
MOTION DEBATE ON KWUN LUNG LAU LANDSLIP
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON KWUN LUNG LAU LANDSLIP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
IT IS FOR LEGCO TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD CONDUCT ITS OWN ENQUIRY INTO THE KWUN LUNG LAU (KLL) CASE AND RELATED ISSUES. HOWEVER, MAY I ASK THAT MEMBERS SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO JUDGE THE NEED FOR A SELECT COMMITTEE, UNDER THE STATED ORDINANCE, FOLLOWING THE FULL TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE TRAGEDY AT KLL BECOMING AVAILABLE IN ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS FROM NOW.
THE VERY COMPLEX ONGOING TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND ANALYSES ARE REQUIRED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSES OF THE SLOPE AND WALL FAILURE. IT MUST BE ASKED THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER A SELECT COMMITTEE, IN VIEW OF THESE COMPLICATIONS, IS BETTER PLACED TO CARRY OUT THIS TASK RATHER THAN THE INDEPENDENCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERT SUCH AS PROFESSOR MORGENSTERN AND THE PRESENT TEAM OF EXPERTS IN THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE. PARALLEL LINES OF ENQUIRY COULD WELL LEAD TO CONFUSION, NOT CLARITY.
WE ARE ALREADY COMPLETING MUCH OF A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING ARCHIVE RESEARCH, INTERVIEWS, TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS, SURVEYS OF EXISTING SERVICES, GEOLOGICAL MAPPING, DRILLING AND SAMPLING, EXCAVATION OF TRIAL PITS, STUDY OF GROUNDWATER CONDITIONS, LABORATORY TESTING. WE ARE NOW PROCEEDING WITH THE EXTENSIVE ENGINEERING ANALYSES. THIS WORK WILL CONTINUE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE UNTIL CONCLUSIONS CAN BE DRAWN AS TO THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. ONLY THEN WILL IT BE POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE LANDSLIP COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.
PROFESSOR MORGENSTERN HAS ALSO ACCEPTED IN HIS BRIEF A REQUIREMENT THAT IN ADDITION TO HIS FINDINGS ON THE CAUSE OF THE KLL COLLAPSE, HE SHOULD ALSO ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON THE ADEQUACY OF OUR CURRENT APPROACH TO SLOPE SAFETY. THIS ADVICE CAN INCLUDE ANY FURTHER MEASURES THAT HE CONSIDERS COULD IMPROVE SLOPE SAFETY IN HK.
•
REVIEWING THE EXCELLENT PROGRESS THUS FAR WITH THE INVESTIGATION GIVES ME ASSURANCE THAT ENQUIRY COMPLETION BY THE END OF NOVEMBER WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF THE INCIDENT, ALTHOUGH A VERY DEMANDING TASK, CAN BE ACHIEVED. FOR THIS REASON, THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE ARE CONCENTRATING THEIR EFFORTS ON THIS TASK, WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED BY OTHER ISSUES. THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROGRESS AND THE QUALITY OF THE REPORT WILL RECEIVE ABSOLUTE PRIORITY, A PRIORITY THAT COULD WELL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ANOTHER LINE OF ENQUIRY BEING OPENED AT THIS TIME.
/WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
10 -
WE HAVE GIVEN A PUBLIC ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. THUS FAR WE HAVE PUBLISHED OUR INITIAL REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION AND THE RELATED REPORTS FROM THE HOUSING SOCIETY CONSULTANTS. WE WILL ALSO PUBLISH IN FULL OUR FINAL FINDINGS AS WELL AS PROFESSOR MORGENSTERN’S INDEPENDENT REPORT. I DO NOT SEE FULL TRANSPARENCY TO BE A PROBLEM. ALL RELEVANT PUBLIC BODIES AND OFFICERS ARE AVAILABLE TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH LEGCO MEMBERS NO MATTER WHETHER THEY ARE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) ORDINANCE OR NOT.
THE HONOURABLE MEMBERS HAVE TODAY RESTATED THE VIEWS WHICH WERE PUT FORWARD IN CONNECTION WITH A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
THE CAUSES OF THE LANDSLIP AND WHETHER IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.
- THE ADEQUACY OF OUR EXISTING LEGISLATION, POLICY AND RESOURCES.
- THE ADEQUACY OR OTHERWISE OF CONTINGENCY MEASURES FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.
ANY IMPROVEMENT AND REMEDIAL MEASURES THAT COULD BE ADOPTED TO PREVENT THE RECURRENCE AND IDENTIFYING THOSE WHO SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.
I BELIEVE THAT THE SELECT COMMITTEE, IF APPOINTED, WOULD INDEED BE TASKED TO ENQUIRE INTO THESE SIMILAR CONCERNS AND IN THIS REGARD, THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS MAY BE HELPFUL.
AS TO THE FIRST CONCERNS I.E. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, PARTIES RESPONSIBLE AND IMPROVEMENT MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS THESE PROPERLY WITHOUT THE FULL TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT. HENCE THE DECISION BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO AWAIT THE REPORT BEFORE DECIDING ON A COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. THIS IS NOT A STALLING TACTIC. IT ADDRESSES THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION, WHILE UTILISING THE BEST AVAILABLE EXPERTISE TO DEAL WITH THIS FIRST CRITICALLY IMPORTANT STAGES OF THE ENQUIRY INTO THIS MATTER.
AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF THE LEGISLATION, POLICY AND RESOURCES IN THE PREVENTION OF LANDSLIPS, THE WORKS BRANCH IS CURRENTLY OVERSEEING A FOCUSED REVIEW INTO THESE MATTERS. THIS IS BEING COMPLETED WITH SEPARATE RESOURCES, THAT IN PARALLEL WITH THE TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION, AND I WILL BE PLEASED TO REPORT TO MEMBERS ON THE OUTCOME OF OUR REVIEW, WITH AS MUCH DETAIL AS MEMBERS REQUIRE. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT DEPARTMENTAL REVIEWS OF SLOPE SAFETY POLICY HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN AT VARIOUS TIMES SINCE THE 1980S. FURTHERMORE IT IS CLEARLY A MATTER OF RECORD THAT SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE, THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SAFETY OF SLOPES. AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY USING, THIS WILL BE TOUCHED UPON IN OUR REVIEW AND I WILL BRING THIS TO OUR HONOURABLE MEMBERS FOR THEIR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IN DUE COURSE.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 11 -
ON THE CONTINGENCY MEASURES FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, THE FACTS OF THE MEASURES THAT WE HAVE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS EMERGENCY HAVE ALREADY BEEN LAID BEFORE MEMBERS BY WAY OF A DETAILED REPORT. SUFFICIENT TO SAY THAT INFORMATION SHOWS THAT ALL POLICE, FIRE SERVICE, HOUSING SOCIETY, BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT ENGINEERS FROM GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT STAFF WERE ON SITE PROMPTLY. A COMMAND POST WAS SET UP BY 9.16 PM AND ABOUT 2,500 RESIDENTS WERE SAFELY EVACUATED BY 10.30 PM. TEMPORARY SHELTERS WERE OPENED. MEALS, BLANKETS, AND RELIEF ARTICLES WERE PROVIDED. A 24-HOUR HOTLINE WAS SET UP BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO FACILITATE ENQUIRIES. ALL OF THESE AND OTHER POST-INCIDENT ACTIONS TOOK PLACE PROMPTLY IN VERY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. I ARRIVED BACK FROM LONDON JUST A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT IN TIME TO VISIT THE SITE THAT NIGHT AND THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO SEE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE MEASURES.
MEMBERS WOULD BE WISHED TO BE ASSURED THAT IN THE EVENT THAT THE TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION DOES PROVIDE EVIDENCE A FURTHER INQUIRY IS NEEDED INTO THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC BODIES OR PUBLIC OFFICERS IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE TRAGEDY, THE APPROPRIATE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. THE CHIEF SECRETARY IS ON RECORD TO CONFIRM THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT AVOIDING THIS ISSUE. WHILST THE ESSENTIAL FIRST STEP IS TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE SLOPE FAILURE, THE TECHNICAL ENQUIRY PHASE DOES NOT PRECLUDE FURTHER ENQUIRY ON THE QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY, BUT INDEED THIS PRESENT PHASE IS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE THE BODY OF EVIDENCE NEEDED TO DETERMINE RESPONSIBILITY.
MR PRESIDENT, TO SUM UP, TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION IS NOW WELL IN HAND. THE INDEPENDENT REPORT FROM PROFESSOR MORGENSTERN AND THE FINDINGS OF OUR OWN TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JUST A FEW WEEKS. OUR ACTIONS ARE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. THE EXISTING COMMUNICATION CHANNELS BETWEEN LEGCO AND THE ADMINISTRATION ARE EFFECTIVE AND AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS AT ALL TIMES. THE APPOINTMENT OF A SELECT COMMITTEE AT THIS TIME WILL NOT ADD TO THE PRESENT ENQUIRIES. AND INDEED MAY WELL HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE PROGRESS AND QUALITY OF THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION. MR PRESIDENT, MAY I ASK HONOURABLE MEMBERS TO KEEP THIS IMPORTANT POINTS IN MIND WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS. THANK YOU.
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 12 -
CONTROL OF PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTICES ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS A WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS KATHERINE FOK, TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
(A) THE PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE INCORPORATION OF COMPANIES ARE CONTAINED IN PART I OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CAP 32). SECTION 4 OF THIS ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT ANY TWO OR MORE PERSONS, ASSOCIATED FOR ANY LAWFUL PURPOSE, MAY FORM AN INCORPORATED COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY. THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC PROVISIONS WHICH PROHIBIT AN INVESTOR FROM INCORPORATING A LIMITED COMPANY TO OWN A MEDICAL PRACTICE WHICH IS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER OR A GROUP OF REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. IF THE OBJECTS OF A COMPANY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE ILLEGAL, THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES CANNOT REFUSE THE INCORPORATION.
(B) THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC STATUTORY PROVISIONS WHICH PROHIBIT AN INDIVIDUAL DOCTOR OR A GROUP OF DOCTORS FROM INCORPORATING A COMPANY TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF MEDICAL PRACTICE, OR TO INVEST IN SUCH A BUSINESS.
(C) UNDER THE MEDICAL CLINICS ORDINANCE (CAP 343), PRIVATE CONSULTING ROOMS USED EXCLUSIVELY BY REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN THE COURSE OF THEIR PRACTICE ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT AND NOT BEARING ANY TITLE OR DESCRIPTIONS WHICH INCLUDE THE WORD ’’CLINIC” OR ’’POLYCLINIC” IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARE SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THAT ORDINANCE. NEVERTHELESS, ALL REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STANDARD OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE (CAP 161) AND THE PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT ISSUED BY THE MEDICAL COUNCIL.
(D) THE ANSWER TO (C) ABOVE IS THE SAME WHETHER OR NOT THE MEDICAL PRACTICE IS INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN THE SITUATIONS AS DESCRIBED IN (A) AND (B) ABOVE.
---------0-----------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 13 -
APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND *****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING SCHEME IS ADMINISTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND CO LTD, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO SEEK A RETURN OF FIVE PER CENT ON FUNDS ADVANCED FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND. SINCE THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED IN FEBRUARY 1993, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME 300 ENQUIRIES, LEADING TO 28 APPLICATIONS, OF WHICH TEN HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND SIX ARE BEING PROCESSED. (THIS APPROVAL RATE COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH PRIVATE SECTOR VENTURE CAPITAL COMPANIES.)
NEVETHELES8, AS THE ORIGINAL EXPECTATION WAS THAT THE SCHEME WOULD HELP TO FUND AN AVERAGE OF 20 PROJECTS EACH YEAR, THE COMPANY IS CONSIDERING CHANGES TO THE SCHEME TO MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO POTENTIAL APPLICANTS, INCLUDING STREAMLINING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, EXPANDING BOTH THE PROPORTION AND THE SCOPE OF EXPENDITURE WHICH MAY BE COVERED BY FUNDING, AND BY MAKING MORE OF THE FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH EQUITY PARTICIPATION RATHER THAN REPAYABLE, INTEREST-BEARING LOANS. THE COMPANY HAS RECOMMENDED AGAINST MAKING OUTRIGHT GRANTS TO APPLICANTS, BUT HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE OBLIGATION TO ACHIEVE A FIVE PER CENT RATE OF RETURN BE LIFTED, NOTING THAT THIS WOULD ENABLE IT TO OFFER SOFT LOANS AND TO ASSUME A HIGHER LEVEL OF RISK.
THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO PROPOSALS TO INCREASE THE PROPORTION OF EXPENDITURE WHICH MAY BE FUNDED AND TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT TO ACHIEVE A FIVE PER CENT RATE OF RETURN, BOTH OF WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE CONSENT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL.
-----0------
APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO ADVISE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE, AND EXPECTS TO RECEIVE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. FUNDING PROPOSALS WILL BE MADE TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER.
/THE COUNCIL ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 14 -
THE COUNCIL BRINGS TOGETHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM MANY INDUSTRIAL SECTORS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND IS THUS WELL PLACED TO REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
IN CONSIDERING WHETHER A NEW OR EXISTING ORGANISATION COULD BEST DISCHARGE THE PROPOSED FUNCTIONS OF THE APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE, FACTORS SUCH AS THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS OF EXISTING ORGANISATIONS TO DO SO, AND THE SCOPE FOR OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL SYNERGIES WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
----0------
PUBLIC HOUSING FOK’ ELDERLY
*****
FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
(A) IN THE PAST THREE YEARS; THERE WERE 7 CASES OF CONFLICT BETWEEN ELDERLY PEOPLE IN SHARED FLATS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH. 4 DEATHS WERE CAUSED.
(B) THERE ARE 10,790 TENANTS SHARING ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, 490 COMPLAINTS ABOUT CONFLICT WERE RECEIVED. IN SUCH CASES HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF NORMALLY INTERVIEW THOSE CONCERNED TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE. WHILE MANY DISPUTES ARE RESOLVED OR DEFUSED IN THIS WAY, OTHERS ARE REFERRED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR COUNSELLING AND ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC HELP AND THE PROVISION OF HOME CARE SERVICES.
WHERE DISPUTES APPEAR MORE SERIOUS, TRANSFERS ARE ARRANGED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, A TOTAL OF 161 TRANSFERS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.
(C) AS WELL AS MAKING UNITS WITH SHARED FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO ELDERLY TENANTS FOR WHOM SUCH ACCOMMODATION IS SUITABLE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDES PURPOSE-BUILT SELF-CONTAINED FLATS FOR 1 OR 2-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. A TOTAL OF 38,000 SMALL FLATS, NEW AND REFURBISHED, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION TO 1 OR 2-PERSON AND MOSTLY ELDERLY HOUSEHOLDS FROM 1994/95 TO 1998/99.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO ADOPTED OTHER MEASURES TO PREVENT AND RESOLVE CONFLICTS AMONG ELDERLY TENANTS. UNDER THE HOUSING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS SCHEME, HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION WITH A WARDEN SERVICE TO HELP RESIDENTS GET ON TOGETHER BETTER IS PROVIDED. THERE ARE NOW 15 HOUSING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS PROJECTS, WITH ANOTHER 38 PROVIDING 4,900 PLACES COMING ON STREAM IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS.
IN ADDITION, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT STARTED AN ESTATE LIAISON OFFICERS SCHEME IN 1991 TO LOOK AFTER THE ELDERLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. THIS SCHEME HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO TEN ESTATES.
------0--------
Z15......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
15
HONORARIA FOR DEPUTY JUDGES TO BE ADJUSTED
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
(A) THE CURRENT DAILY HONORARIA FOR DEPUTY HIGH COURT JUDGES, DEPUTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGES AND TEMPORARY MAGISTRATES ARE $4,600, $3,750 AND $2,500 RESPECTIVELY.
(B) THE RATES WERE LAST REVISED IN JUNE 1989.
(C) THE JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR ACCEPTS THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR ADJUSTING THESE RATES, AND HOPES TO BE ABLE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.
(D) ALTHOUGH THE HONORARIA ARE NOT DESIGNED TO COMPENSATE DEPUTY JUDGES AND TEMPORARY MAGISTRATES FOR THEIR LOSS OF EARNINGS, THE EXISTING RATES HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION. SOME PRACTITIONERS, PARTICULARLY THE MORE JUNIOR ONES, HAVE CITED THIS AS A REASON FOR THEIR REFUSAL TO SERVE AS DEPUTY JUDGES AND TEMPORARY MAGISTRATES.
--------0-----------
CORRUPTION COMPLAINTS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR ACCOUNTED FOR 42 PER CENT OF THE 3,284 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED CORRUPTION REPORTED TO THE ICAC IN 1993. DURING THAT YEAR, THE ICAC RECEIVED 1,365 GOVERNMENT SECTOR COMPLAINTS. IN 1990, THE FIGURE WAS 1,125, IN 1991 978 AND IN 1992 1,032. SO FAR THIS YEAR, 1,008 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
NOT ALL ALLEGATIONS WERE CAPABLE OF INVESTIGATION. 834 FELL INTO THE INVESTIGATED CATEGORY IN 1993. CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR 1990 TO 1992 WERE 513, 577 AND 661. THIS YEAR, 656 COMPLAINTS WERE SO FAR CAPABLE OF INVESTIGATION.
/IN 1993..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
IN 1993, ON THE ADVICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, PROSECUTIONS WERE CONDUCTED AGAINST 44 GOVERNMENT SERVANTS AND A FURTHER 18 WERE OFFICIALLY CAUTIONED ON ADVICE THAT PROSECUTION WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THE FIGURES FOR PROSECUTION IN THE THREE PREVIOUS YEARS WERE 29, 33 AND 26 AND FOR CAUTIONS 19, 18 AND 25. IN 1994 SO FAR, 31 GOVERNMENT SERVANTS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED AND 12 CAUTIONED.
ARISING FROM THE PROSECUTIONS IN 1993, 24 GOVERNMENT SERVANTS WERE CONVICTED. IN THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS, THE FIGURES WERE 15, 18 AND 15 AND SO FAR IN 1994 19 OFFICERS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT STATISTICS FOR EACH YEAR DO NOT PRECISELY INTER-RELATE. INVESTIGATIONS OF REPORTS MADE IN ONE YEAR MAY AND FREQUENTLY DO RUN INTO THE NEXT YEAR(S) AND PROSECUTIONS ARISING FROM THEM WILL BE ACCORDINGLY CARRIED FORWARD FROM ONE YEAR TO ANOTHER. IN A TIME OF HEAVY CASELOAD AND INCREASINGLY COMPLEX CRIME, INVESTIGATIONS TAKE LONGER TO COMPLETE AND THIS ALSO MAKES CORRELATION BY YEARS IMPRECISE.
- - 0 - -
OMBUDSMAN RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, WHEN TABLING THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO COMAC’S SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
WHEN PRESENTING THE SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS TO THE COUNCIL ON 6 JULY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THAT A GOVERNMENT MINUTE WOULD BE PREPARED IN THREE MONTHS’ TIME, AND THAT THIS WOULD OUTLINE THE ACTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN OR PROPOSES TO TAKE IN RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY COMAC IN RELATION TO THE CASES LISTED IN HIS REPORT ON WHICH COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND TO BE SUBSTANTIATED OR PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED. THIS GOVERNMENT MINUTE IS TABLED TODAY.
IN 1993-94, COMAC FOUND 37 COMPLAINT CASES TO BE SUBSTANTIATED OR PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED. IN THE MAJORITY OF THESE CASES, THE BRANCHES OR DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED HAVE ACCEPTED AND FOLLOWED UP ALL OF COMAC’S RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE ARE THREE CASES IN WHICH ONE OF COMAC’S RECOMMENDED MEASURES HAS HAD TO BE MODIFIED BECAUSE OF OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS. I AM REFERRING TO CASES NOS. OCAC 24/93 (A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT), OCAC 65/93 (AGAINST THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT) AND OCAC5/93 (AGAINST THE LANDS DEPARTMENT). THE REASONS FOR THE MODIFICATIONS ARE SET OUT IN THE MINUTE.
SHOULD ANY MEMBER WISH TO HAVE FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON ANY OF THE EXPLANATIONS GIVEN IN THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE PLEASED TO PROVIDE THIS.
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/17
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 17 -
MINUTES ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TABLED * * * * *
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, WHEN INTRODUCING THE GOVERNMENT MINUTES IN RESPONSE TO REPORT NO. 21A AND 22 OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
LAID ON THE TABLE TODAY ARE THE GOVERNMENT MINUTES WHICH RESPOND RESPECTIVELY TO REPORTS NO. 21A AND NO. 22 OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. THE MINUTES SET OUT THE ACTIONS THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN, OR IS PLANNING TO TAKE, ON THE CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORTS.
THE HONOURABLE PETER WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, SPOKE IN THIS COUNCIL ON 1 JUNE 1994 AND 6 JULY 1994 WHEN TABLING THE TWO PAC REPORTS. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE POINTS HE MADE.
PAC REPORT NO. 21A DEALS WITH TWO OUTSTANDING ISSUES, NAMELY, PROVIDENT FUND AND SUPERANNUATION SCHEMES OPERATED BY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS, AND THE SALE OF A COMMERCIAL SITE IN GARDEN ROAD.
AS REGARDS THE FIRST ISSUE, WE NOTE THAT THE COMMITTEE’S CONCERN IS FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON THE SUPERANNUATION SCHEMES OF THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS. WE WELCOME THE COMMITTEE’S SUPPORT OF OUR VIEW THAT IT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR SCHEMES ARE WELL MANAGED. THE UPGC ACCEPTS THE NEED FOR ACTIVE MONITORING OF THE SCHEMES. IT REQUIRES THE INSTITUTIONS TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS AND ACTUARIAL ADVICE ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THEIR SUPERANNUATION SCHEMES. THIS ENABLES THE UPGC TO CONSIDER AND, IF NECESSARY, ADVISE THE INSTITUTIONS ON THE REMEDIAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN TO RECTIFY ANY DOUBTS OVER THE LONGER TERM FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF ANY OF THE SCHEMES.
THE COMMITTEE DREW ATTENTION SPECIFICALLY TO THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE SUPERANNUATION SCHEMES OF THE HKU AND THE CUHK. THE TWO INSTITUTIONS HAVE RECENTLY SUBMITTED REPORTS TO THE UPGC ON THEIR PLANS TO ADDRESS THE MATTER. THE UPGC WILL CONSIDER THESE REPORTS AT ITS FORTHCOMING MEETING. WE WILL INFORM THE PAC OE THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE INSTITUTIONS IN DUE COURSE.
ON THE SECOND ISSUE, WE HAVE LOOKED VERY CAREFULLY INTO THE WAY IN WHICH THE SALE OF THE COMMERCIAL SITE IN GARDEN ROAD WAS HANDLED. OUR CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE ANY ACT OF MISCONDUCT WHICH WOULD WARRANT DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS. THE EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT THE OFFICERS CONCERNED TOOK ACCOUNT OF A NUMBER OF CONSIDERATIONS WHICH THEY FELT JUSTIFIED THEIR DECISIONS AND ACTED IN GOOD FAITH. THEIR JUDGEMENT MAY NOW BE QUESTIONED, BUT THAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MISCONDUCT WARRANTING DISCIPLINARY ACTION. WE WOULD LIKE TO REASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS AND RECORD FULLY ANY SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCES IN TENDER PRICES IN CONSIDERING WHETHER TO ACCEPT A TENDER.
/I NOW .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 18 -
I NOW TURN TO PAC REPORT NO. 22 WHICH EXAMINES THE RESULTS OF VARIOUS VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS. FIRST, ON THE QUESTION OF FEES AND CHARGES. I WISH TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE ARE DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE THE POLICY OBJECTIVE THAT FEES CHARGED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD, WITH CERTAIN SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS, BE SET AT A LEVEL TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING THE GOODS OR SERVICES. WE AGREE WITH THE PAC’S OBSERVATION THAT THE LONGER THE TIME SPAN BETWEEN FEE INCREASES, THE LARGER THE INCREASE WOULD HAVE TO BE AND HENCE THE MORE DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO SECURE PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE.
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE REFINED OUR SYSTEM LAST YEAR FOR MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTING FEE REVIEWS AND ADJUSTMENTS. FEES AND CHARGES FOR GOODS OR SERVICES, WHERE CLIENTS OR USERS SHOULD PAY THE FULL COSTS INCURRED, ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION. THEY ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO A FULL COSTING EXERCISE EVERY FOUR YEARS. FOR BOTH TYPES OF EXERCISES, THE DEPARTMENTS WORK TO A PRE-DETERMINED SCHEDULE. THIS ENSURES THAT INCREASES IN GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES ARE PHASED DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR TO REDUCE THE IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC AT ANY ONE TIME. I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN WORKING WELL. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, STILL INSTANCES WHERE FULL COST RECOVERY CANNOT YET BE ACHIEVED. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE CASE OF LICENSING HOTELS, GUESTHOUSES AND CLUBS, THE FULL COST OF OPERATING THE LICENSING SCHEMES WILL ONLY BE RECOVERABLE UPON FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEMES.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR WONG COMMENTED ON THE INADEQUACIES IN THE PLANNING OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC PROJECTS. I AGREE THAT THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO WORK OUT THEIR PRECISE REQUIREMENTS AT THE PLANNING AND DESIGN STAGE. THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE SETS OUT IN DETAIL THE ACTIONS WE HAVE TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO PAC’S ADVICE IN THIS REGARD, BOTH PROJECT-SPECIFIC AND IN GENERAL TERMS. I WISH TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT PROJECTS ARE ADEQUATELY PLANNED, THAT THEY ARE COMPLETED ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET, AND THAT THEY ACHIEVE THEIR INTENDED OBJECTIVES.
ON THE UTILISATION OF SPACE IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, TO WHICH MR WONG REFERRED IN PARTICULAR, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING HAS, IN HIS RESPONSE IN THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE, ASSURED THE PAC THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WITH ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION TO FACILITATE THE AUTHORITY IN ITS CONSIDERATIONS OF HOUSING POLICY AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, LIKE THE GOVERNMENT, FULLY RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PAC’S OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IN THE LIGHT OF THE PAC’S REPORT, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS REQUESTED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ALLOCATION AND UTILISATION OF OFFICE SPACE AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING. THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING WILL PROVIDE TO THE PAC THE RESULTS OF THE REVIEW.
MR PRESIDENT, THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE IN THE QUEST FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE MEASURES WE HAVE TAKEN, OR ARE PLANNING TO TAKE, WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS THIS END.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
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WEED AND PEST CONTROL
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
(A) PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES ARE USED TO CONTROL THE GROWTH OF INSECTS, FUNGI AND WEEDS ON GOLF COURSES. THE USE OF THESE PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES IS GOVERNED BY THE PESTICIDES ORDINANCE.
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT EXCESSIVE PESTICIDES OR HERBICIDES HAVE BEEN USED ON GOLF COURSES. NOR IS THERE EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT LAND OR WATER COURSES IN THEIR VICINITY HAVE BEEN POLLUTED BY PESTICIDES.
(B) THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING THE USE OF BIOLOGICAL AND MANUAL CONTROL OF WEEDS AND PESTS (I.E. HAND-WEEDING AND HAND-PICKING) ON GOLF COURSES. THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY
DISCUSSING WITH THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION THE PREPARATION OF A CODE OF PRACTICE ON WEED AND PEST CONTROL. THE CODE WOULD ADVOCATE THE USE OF NON-CHEMICAL CONTROLS WHEREVER THIS IS POSSIBLE.
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ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFIARS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MISS EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
AT PRESENT, A NUMBER OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ALREADY ROUTINELY CONDUCT THEIR MEETINGS IN PUBLIC AND GENERALLY MAKE AVAILABLE THEIR PAPERS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. IN THE CASE OF ANOTHER 41 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, THE CHAIRMAN AND/OR MEMBERS HOLD PRESS BRIEFINGS TO EXPLAIN MATTERS DISCUSSED BY THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE CONCERNED ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST. ALTERNATIVELY, PRESS RELEASES ARE ISSUED FROM TIME TO TIME BY SOME BOARDS AND COMMITTEES TO KEEP THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC INFORMED. THERE IS THEREFORE A DEGREE OF OPENNESS BEING PRACTISED BY SOME BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ALREADY. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST STATISTICS, MORE THAN 180 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES CONCERNED HAVE ALREADY ADOPTED ONE OF THE TWO WAYS TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF OPENNESS. I SHOULD ALSO POINT OUT IN THIS CONNECTION THAT THERE IS AN INCREASING TREND TOWARDS MORE FORMAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES BEFORE THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED.
/IN CONSIDERING .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
IN CONSIDERING WHETHER OTHER BOARDS & COMMITTEES CAN BE MORE OPEN, IT HAS TO BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY THE 350 ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES VARY GREATLY IN NATURE. SOME HANDLE CONFIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION ON A REGULAR BASIS WHILE OTHERS RENDER ADVICE ON GENERAL ISSUES AND DEAL WITH ROUTINE MATTERS. IT WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO APPLY ANY ACROSS-THE-BOARD MEASURES TO MAKE THESE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES MORE OPEN. INDEED IT WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC TO EXPECT THAT SOME OF THESE BOARDS CAN OPERATE PUBLICLY.
HAVING SAID THIS, WE RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY’S ASPIRATION FOR EASIER ACCESS TO INFORMATION. I INTEND TO ASK POLICY SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TO EXAMINE THE NATURE AND OPERATION OF THE ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES UNDER THEIR PURVIEW AND TO CONSIDER WHICH BOARD OR COMMITTEE CAN BE MADE MORE OPEN. A KEY CONSIDERATION IN THIS REGARD WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE AN ASSESSMENT AS TO WHETHER THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION WOULD HAMPER THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE, OR PREJUDICE THE FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AMONG MEMBERS. WHERE THE POLICY SECRETARY OR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR A BOARD OR COMMITTEE TO BE MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, SHE OR HE WOULD CONSULT THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE CONCERNED AND SEEK AGREEMENT TO PUT IN PLACE APPROPRIATE MEASURES.
IN THE MEANTIME, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, WHERE POSSIBLE, WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF THEIR WORK EITHER BY WAY OF REGULAR PRESS RELEASES OR PRESS BRIEFINGS.
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RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION Bl THE HON ALFRED TSO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
IN THE MOTION DEBATE HELD ON 9 MARCH THIS YEAR, I DID INFORM MEMBERS THAT WE HOPED TO FINALIZE THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WITHIN THREE MONTHS. THIS FORECAST HAS PROVEN TO BE OVER OPTIMISTIC. MORE TIME HAS BEEN REQUIRED FOR ADDITIONAL STUDIES, FOR EXAMPLE ON HOW BEST TO MEET THE TRAVEL NEEDS OF EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY ARISING FROM THE FINDINGS OF THE TASK FORCE ON LAND SUPPLY AND PROPERTY PRICES. INSOFAR AS THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY IS CONCERNED, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE WESTERN CORRIDOR RAILWAY, THIS REMAINS A HIGH PRIORITY UNDER OUR PROPOSED RAILWAY STRATEGY. I REMAIN CONFIDENT THAT DESPITE THE DELAY IN ANNOUNCING THE STRATEGY, IT CAN BE COMPLETED AND OPERATIONAL BY 2001.
/THE STRATEGY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
- 21 -
THE STRATEGY IS NOW ALMOST FINALIZED AND THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, SINCE MOST OF THE EXPENDITURE ON NEW RAILWAYS WILL BE POST 1997, THEREAFTER WE WOULD ANNOUNCE THE STRATEGY PUBLICLY. I HOPE THAT WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE VERY SOON.
AS REGARDS THE SECOND PART OF THE QUESTION, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE GUANGZHOU TO ZHUHAI RAILWAY WILL RUN ALONG THE WEST BANK OF THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AND THAT IT WILL NOT HAVE ANY DIRECT CONNECTION TO HONG KONG. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT SHOULD NOT DIRECTLY IMPACT ON OUR PROPOSED NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY. BUT THIS IS PRECISELY THE SORT OF SUBJECT AND DETAIL WE WISH TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE OFFICIALS IN THE CONTEXT OF IMPROVING COOPERATION ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS. AS THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST WEEK, WE WILL BE RESPONDING TO VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS IN THIS REGARD.
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LIGHT RAIL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS *****
FOLLOWING IS THE WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT. MR HAIDER BARMA, TO THE HON ZACHARY WONG’S QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
THERE WERE 28 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES (LRVS) IN 1992, 21 IN 1993 AND 10 UP TO END SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. RESULTING IN A TOTAL OF 150 CASUALTIES.
NO LRV HAS BEEN WRITTEN OFF. ABOUT $1.8 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ARISING FROM THESE ACCIDENTS. PART OF THE EXPENSES INCURRED HAVE BEEN RECOVERED FROM INSURANCE OR DAMAGES CLAIMED FROM THE OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLYOVERS OR TUNNELS AT JUNCTIONS TO SEGREGATE LRVS WITH OTHER ROAD TRAFFIC IS NOT A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION GIVEN THE VAST LAND IMPLICATIONS, FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE AND OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS INVOLVED.
LRVS ARE GIVEN A DEGREE OF PRIORITY' AT SIGNAL JUNCTIONS. HOWEVER, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT MONITORS ROAD TRAFFIC VOLUMES SO AS TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH PRIORITY NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ACCIDENTS.
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE HAS RECENTLY CONVENED TO CONSIDER WAYS OF ENHANCING SAFETY AND HAS RECOMMENDED THAT -
(A) THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD ENSURE THAT ALL TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS ARE IN ORDER AND THE PHASING OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS IS APPROPRIATE;
/(B) THE POLICE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
(B) THE POLICE SHOULD STEP UP LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DETER MOTORISTS FROM IGNORING TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND REGULATIONS;
(C) "RED LIGHT" CAMERAS SHOULD BE INSTALLED AT SOME OF THE ROAD JUNCTIONS TO DETER MOTORISTS FROM JUMPING LIGHTS; AND
(D) PUBLICITY ON TV TARGETED AT MOTORISTS TO EXERCISE EXTRA CAUTION AT LRT JUNCTIONS SHOULD BE LAUNCHED.
IN ADDITION, THE KCRC WILL ALSO ORGANISE MORE ROAD SAFETY ACTIVITIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
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SERVICES OF HE HOSPITALS REGULATED
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS KATHERINE FOK, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
ALL HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG ARE REGULATED BY VARIOUS ORDINANCES PRESCRIBING CONDITIONS ON ACCOMMODATION, STAFFING LEVEL AND EQUIPMENT, QUALIFICATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL.STAFF AS WELL AS REGULATIONS ON DRUGS, FIRE SAFETY, STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND OTHER OPERATIONAL MATTERS.
SINCE 1993, THE QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVISION AND PATIENT CARE IN PUBLIC HOSPITAL HAS BEEN STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE MECHANISM IN ALL CLINICAL SPECIALTIES. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE ADOPTION OF STRUCTURED APPROACHES INCLUDING ’’MEDICAL AUDIT” TO ENSURE CONFORMANCE TO ESTABLISHED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND STANDARDS.
FURTHERMORE, TO ASSIST PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN SAFEGUARDING THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH HAS ISSUED A SET OF GUIDELINES ENDORSED BY THE FORMER MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ALL THEIR OPERATORS COVERING ASPECTS INCLUDING ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE, PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT, PATIENTS' RIGHTS, STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON SPECIFIC ISSUES ARE ALSO PROMULGATED AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.
IN KEEPING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION CODING SYSTEM, INFORMATION IS COLLATED BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND PUBLISHED IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT IN THE FORM OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY DATA FOR VARIOUS DISEASE CONDITIONS RATHER THAN ACCORDING TO MAJOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS. THESE FIGURES ARE SUBSEQUENTLY USED AS A MONITORING TOOL ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PATTERN OF DISEASES IN THE COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, SINCE THESE STATISTICS ARE AFFECTED BY FACTORS SUCH AS THE PRE-OPFRATIVE HEALTH CONDITION, DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE AND CASEMIX, THEY SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS AN INDICATOR OF THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY PARTICULAR HOSPITAL.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
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SECOND READING OF TIMBER STORES BILL * * * * ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, ON SECOND READING OF TIMBER STORES BILL TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
I MOVE THAT THE TIMBER STORES BILL BE READ A SECOND TIME. THIS BILL SEEKS TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT ORDINANCE FOR THE LICENSING OF TIMBER STORES.
THE LICENSING OF TIMBER STORES IS AT PRESENT EFFECTED UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE, WHICH COVERS A VARIETY OF UNRELATED ESTABLISHMENTS, RANGING FROM AUCTIONEERS TO TIMBER STORES, PUBLIC DANCE HALLS AND PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINICS. IN 1982, THE VARIOUS LICENSING FUNCTIONS UNDER THIS ORDINANCE WERE REVIEWED; IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE ORDINANCE SHOULD IN DUE COURSE BE REPEALED, AFTER EACH LICENSING FUNCTION WAS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE OR ABOLISHED.
A LICENSING SYSTEM FOR TIMBER STORES IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE FIRE SAFETY. WITHOUT A LICENSING SYSTEM, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS IN TIMBER STORES. THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY OF PROVIDING A LICENSING SYSTEM IS TO ENACT AN INDEPENDENT ORDINANCE RELATING TO TIMBER STORES, OF WHICH THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 120 OPERATING IN THE TERRITORY.
THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL GENERALLY FOLLOW THOSE AT PRESENT IN THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE. BUT THERE IS ONE NEW PROVISION IN CLAUSE 10, WHEREBY ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES IN A MATTER RELATING TO A TIMBER STORE LICENCE MAY APPEAL TO THE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD. THE BOARD SHALL GIVE THE APPELLANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AND, AFTER CONSIDERING THE APPEAL, MAY CONFIRM, VARY OR REVERSE THE DECISION MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES.
THE BILL ALSO UPDATES THE FEES CHARGED FOR TIMBER STORE LICENCES, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1984. THE FEES WILL BE INCREASED TO ACHIEVE COST RECOVERY FOR THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT, RENEWAL, TRANSFER, AMENDMENT AND DUPLICATION OF A LICENCE.
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/24 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
24
SECOND READING OF MATRIMONIAL (AUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 * ♦ * ♦ *
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON MR MICHAEL M Y SEEN, ON SECOND READING OF THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
1 MOVE THAT THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 BE READ A SECOND TIME.
THE LAW OF DIVORCE IN HONG KONG HAS REMAINED ESSENTIALLY UNCHANGED SINCE THE EARLY 1970S. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARDS DIVORCE. IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, AND WITH DUE REGARD TO THE OUTCOME OF WIDE-RANGING CONSULTATION AND A SURVEY OF PUBLIC OPINION, THAT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED A THOROUGH OVERHAUL OF THIS AREA OF THE LAW. THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 SEEKS TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
UNDER THE PRESENT LAW, DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS MUST BE CONDUCTED ON THE ADVERSARIAL BASIS OF PETITIONER AND RESPONDENT. THE SOLE GROUND FOR DIVORCE IS IRRETRIEVABLE BREAKDOWN OF MARRIAGE. TO ESTABLISH THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS, APPLICATIONS FOK DIVORCE HAVE TO BE BASED ON ONE OR MORE OF FIVE FACTS. THESE INCLUDE SEPARATION FOR TWO YEARS WHERE BOTH PARTIES CONSENT TO THE DIVORCE AND SEPARATION FOR FIVE YEARS WHERE ONE PARTY DOES NOT CONSENT. THE PRESENT LAW ALSO PROVIDES THAT PETITIONS FOR DIVORCE CANNOT NORMALLY BE MADE UNTIL THREE YEARS AFTER MARRIAGE.
THE REFORMS EMBODIED LN THE BILL ARE INTENDED TO BRING THE LAW OF DIVORCE INTO LINE WITH CURRENT DAY COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS AND REDUCE THE HARDSHIP, ACRIMONY AND DISTRESS IN DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS. THESE AIMS ARE TO BE ACHIEVED BY REDUCTIONS IN THE MINIMUM PERIODS OF SEPARATION AND MARRIAGE BEFORE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS MAY BE COMMENCED, AS WELL AS THROUGH PROVISION OF A NEW NON-ADVERSARIAL PROCEDURE OF DIVORCE BY MUTUAL CONSENT. PROCEEDINGS ON THIS BASIS MAY RELY ON THE FACTS OF EITHER ONE YEAR’S SEPARATION OR ONE YEAR’S PRIOR NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DIVORCE DURING WHICH THERE WOULD BE NO SEPARATION REQUIREMENT.
THE OPPORTUNITY HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN IK THE BILL TO REMEDY PROVISIONS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE FOR DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT BETWEEN THE SEXES WITH RESPECT TO THE COURT’S JURISDICTION AND DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS CITING THE FACT OF ADULTERY, WHICH MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
TURNING TO THE MAIN PARTS OF THE BILL : CLAUSES 3 TO 6 PROVIDE FOR HUSBANDS AND WIVES TO BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME CRITERIA WITH RESPECT TO THE COURT’S JURISDICTION IN’ MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE ORDINANCE. HABITUAL RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG FOR THREE YEARS IS INCLUDED AS A NEW BASIS FOR JURISDICTION.
/CLAUSE 7 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994
25
CLAUSE 7 PROVIDES FOR REDUCTIONS IN THE MINIMUM PERIODS OF SEPARATION IN DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS FROM TWO YEARS TO ONE YEAR, WHERE BOTH PARTIES CONSENT, mND FROM FIVE YEARS TO TWO YEARS, WHERE ONE PARTY DOES NOT CONSENT. WITH THE LATTER REDUCTION, THE CURRENT FACT OF DESERTION FOR TWO YEARS WILL BECOME REDUNDANT. ACCORDINGLY, THIS CLAUSE PROVIDES FOR ITS REPEAL. THE CLAUSE ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE NEW PROCEDURE OF JOINT APPLICATION FOR DIVORCE BY MUTUAL CONSENT.
WITH RESPECT TO THE CURRENT THREE-YEAR PROHIBITION, EXCEPT IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, ON DIVORCE EARLY IN MARRIAGE, CLAUSE 8 PROVIDES FOR A REDUCTION TO ONE YEAR.
CLAUSE 9 PROVIDES FOR PROCEEDINGS FOR DIVORCE IN CASES OF PRIOR JUDICIAL SEPARATION TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEW PROCEDURE OF JOINT APPLICATIONS FOR DIVORCE. IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR HUSBANDS AND WIVES TO BE TREATED EQUALLY IN DIVORCE PETITIONS CITING ADULTERY.
CLAUSE 16 PROVIDES FOR THE ABOLITION OF ACTIONS FOR DAMAGES FOR ADULTERY.
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LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR HK *****
A MOTION URGING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ITS POLICY AND TO HONOUR ITS OBLIGATION TO ALL BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS AND BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS) IN HONG KONG BY EXTENDING TO THEM FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION, TO WHICH THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, REPLIED, WAS MOVED BY THE HON EMILY LAU.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY HON ALBERT CHAN WHICH CALLED FOR A SELECT COMMITTEE BE APPOINTED TO ENQUIRE INTO THE KWUN LUNG LAU LANDSLIP AND RELATED ISSUES WAS ALSO PASSED. THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
MEMBERS ALSO ASKED A TOTAL OF 19 QUESTIONS AND PASSED 10 BILLS WITH AMENDMENTS. THESE BILLS WERE THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992; CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL; SALE OF GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994; SUPPLY OF SERVICES (IMPLIED TERMS) BILL; UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL; HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994; RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDELY PERSONS) BILL; AND THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994.
INTRODUCED FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AT TODAY’S SITTING WERE THREE BILLS - THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, THE TIMBER STORES BILL AND THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1994.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
BUSY DAY IN OTTAWA FOR THE CHIEF SECRETARY................. 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY'S MEDIA SESSION.......... 3
HONG KONG CELEBRATES WORLD STANDARDS DAY................... 7
FRESH WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG............................... 8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
BUSY DAY IN OTTAWA FOR THE CHIEF SECRETARY * * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, CONTINUED WITH HER WEEKLONG VISIT IN CANADA. SHE HAD A BUSY DAY YESTERDAY (OCTOBER 12) IN OTTAWA, DURING WHICH SHE MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON SEMINAR ATTENDED BY OVER 200 PEOPLE FROM THE CANADIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
DURING THEIR MEETING, MRS CHAN THANKED THE PRIME MINISTER, RT. HON JEAN CHRETIEN, FOR CANADA’S FRIENDSHIP AND UNSTINTING SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG. SHE SAID AFTER THE MEETING THAT THEY BOTH FELT EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG, IN CHINA AND IN THE ENTIRE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
MRS CHAN SAID THAT SHE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE PRIME MINISTER’S FORTHCOMING VISIT TO HONG KONG NEXT MONTH.
"WE ARE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE- FACT THAT THE PRIME MINISTER HIMSELF TOGETHER WITH THE PREMIERS OF NINE CANADIAN PROVINCES ARE GOING ALONG ON THIS TRIP TO CHINA AND THEN TO HONG KONG, AND WE GREATLY LOOK FORWARD TO THAT," MRS CHAN SAID.
DURING THE DAY, MRS CHAN ALSO MET WITH MINISTER OF FINANCE, THE HON PAUL MARTIN, DEPUTY MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION, MR PETER HARDER, AND SECRETARY OF STATE (ASIA PACIFIC), MR RAYMOND CHAN, TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. ‘
AT THE LUNCHEON BUSINESS SEMINAR JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE OTTAWA-CARLETON BOARD OF TRADE AND THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (OTTAWA CHAPTER), MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT ONLY A NATURAL GATEWAY FOR BUSINESS IN CHINA, BUT ALSO A SPRINGBOARD FOR DOING BUSINESS IN THE ENTIRE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
"HONG KONG’S BUSINESS LINKS EXTEND TO ALL PARTS OF CHINA. WE COULD OFFER CANADIAN BUSINESS A WELL-ESTABLISHED NETWORK OF CONTACTS AND JOINT-VENTURE PARTNERS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE ALSO A BUSINESS BASE FOR THE ENTIRE EAST ASIAN REGION, INCLUDING KOREA, JAPAN AND .VIETNAM. SEVENTY PER CENT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FIRMS WITH FAR EAST HEADQUARTERS HAVE THEM IN HONG KONG," MRS CHAN SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON SEMINAR, MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION HAD BEEN REMARKABLE.
/"WE ARE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
- 2 -
"WE ARE NOW THE WORLD’S EIGHTH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY, THE BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT, THIRD BUSIEST PASSENGER AIRPORT AND SECOND BUSIEST CARGO AIRPORT. TODAY, HONG KONG’S PER CAPITA GDP IS ABOUT US$20,000, WHICH IS AHEAD OF THAT OF BRITAIN, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA. OUR ECONOMY GROWS BY AN AVERAGE OF SIX PER CENT EVERY YEAR AND GDP IS NOW DOUBLING IN REAL TERMS ROUGHLY EVERY DECADE," MRS CHAN SAID.
MRS CHAN EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN ITS WELL EARNED REPUTATION FOR OPERATING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, AND FOR RUNNING A CLEAN, EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION FREE OF CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL INTERFERENCE.
"THE PRESERVATION OF THE RULE OF LAW IS VITAL TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, NOT LEAST THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. ONCE THAT BECOME ERODED, OR UNDERMINED, BUSINESS, LIKE THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, WILL FIND ITSELF PLAYING ON A FIELD THAT IS ANYTHING BUT LEVEL, FAMILIAR OR FRIENDLY. THIS IS ONE PLAYING FIELD WHERE THE GOAL POSTS CANNOT BE SHIFTED, AND I HOPE THAT OUR FRIENDS IN BUSINESS MAKE THAT CLEAR AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO ALL OF US INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO SECURE HONG KONG’S FUTURE," MRS CHAN SAID. .
TODAY (THURSDAY), MRS CHAN WILL MEET WITH SENIOR CANADIAN BUSINESS EXECUTIVES OF COMPANIES WITH HONG KONG LINKS AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE TREASURY BOARD OF CANADA AND MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, THE HON ARTHUR EGGLETON. SHE WILL THEN FLY BACK TO TORONTO IN THE AFTERNOON AND ATTEND A HONG KONG GALA DINNER AT THE METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE IN THE EVENING.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
3
TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S MEDIA SESSION
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY MRS ANSON CHAN’S MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION AFTER THE OTTAWA-CARLETON BOARD OF TRADE AND HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 12) IN OTTAWA:
CS: AS YOU WILL HAVE HEARD, THIS IS MY FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT IN OTTAWA, ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, WEARING DIFFERENT HATS, TO TORONTO AND VANCOUVER. AS I HAVE HAD AN
EXCELLENT VISIT SO FAR, AND I HAVE A VERY, VERY CORDIAL
DISCUSSION WITH YOUR PRIME MINISTER TODAY, AND I WAS ABLE TO PASS ON GOVERNOR CHRIS PATTEN’S GREETINGS TO YOUR PRIME MINISTER AND TO SAY HOW VERY MUCH WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS VISIT IN EARLY NOVEMBER. THE PRIME MINISTER AND I DISCUSSED THIS
OPPORTUNITY AND CLEARLY WE BOTH FEEL EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT
OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG, IN CHINA, AND IN THE ENTIRE ASIA
PACIFIC REGION. AND AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH JUST NOW TO THE
GATHERING, HONG KONG’S'PROSPECTS ARE EXTREMELY RIGHT IN THE VERY STRATEGIC MENTALITY, WE SEE OURSELVES NOT ONLY AS THE NATURAL GATEWAY TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA, BUT ALSO VERY MUCH AS A SPRING BOARD FOR DOING BUSINESS IN THE ENTIRE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, WELL ACCORDING TO, YOU SEE THE STATISTICS THAT AREA IS GOING TO BE THE AREA OF FASTEST GROWTH. OF COURSE, EVERYBODY’S ATTENTION IS FORECAST ON 1997, BUT THE PRIME MINISTER AND I DISCUSSED TODAY AND HE WAS SAYING TO ME HOW HE RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT THE PARTICULARLY EVENTFUL DAY, 1 BELIEVED IT WAS THE 24TH OF JUNE, WHEN SOME DIFFICULT DECISIONS HAD TO BE MADE AND HE WAS ASKED WELL WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER 24TH, AND HE SAID WELL 25TH, 26TH, 27TH, AND IN THE SIMILAR EVENT, WHEN I WAS ASKED ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997, MY RESPONSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL THE ONLY THING THAT YOU CAN BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN ABOUT IS THAT 1998 WILL FOLLOW 1997. AS SERIOUSLY AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH JUST NOW, NOTWITHSTANDING SOME DIFFERENT DIFFICULTIES THAT WE HAVE WITH CHINA, BOTH CHINA AND BRITAIN WERE THE TWO SOVEREIGN POWERS WHO PUT THEIR SIGNATURE TO THE JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. I FULLY COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS EQUALLY COMMITTED. WE ARE VISUALLY TRYING TO PUT IN PLACE THE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK THAT WILL ENSURE HONG KONG CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY A HIGHLY AUTONOMY AFTER 1997 THAT THE SAR GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL BE THE GOVERNMENT, THE FIRST GOVERNMENT POST 1997. WELL, INDEED, WE ARE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE CONCEPT OF ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS. OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH CANADA IS AN EXTREMELY CLOSE ONE, IT HAS STRENGTHENED OVER THE YEARS, AND IT WILL NO DOUBT CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN, WE VERY MUCH VALUE THAT FRIENDSHIP, AND INDEED I HAVE BEEN VERY ENCOURAGED IN MY DISCUSSION SO FAR WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AT A CONSIDERABLE GOODWILL THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TOWARDS HONG KONG AND AT THE WILLINGNESS OF CANADIANS TO CONTINUE TO BE INTERESTED IN PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG, AND IN PARTICULAR TO EXPRESS THE INTEREST IN WISHING TO SEE HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE, ITS SYSTEMS, ITS FREEDOMS CONTINUED AFTER 1997. SO THANK YOU, THAT’S ALL BY WAY OF MY BRIEF REMARKS.
/Q: ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
Q; (INAUDIBLE ......... NEW AIRPORT PROJECT)
CS: WELL, ACTUALLY SPEAK, IN FACT, THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS GOING ON BETWEEN EXPERTS ON BOTH SIDES, THAT IS ON THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SIDE AND THE CHINESE SIDE PUTTING THIS AS A WELL DEFINISHING TOUCHES TO THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HOPE TO SIGN WITH THE CHINESE AND I’M VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE VERY SOON. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE CHINESE MAIN CONCERN WISHES IN RESPECT OF THE LEVEL OF EQUITY INJECTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL PUT INTO THE TWO STATUTORY CORPORATIONS THAT WILL VOTE THE AIRPORT AND THE RAILWAY AND ALSO AT THE LEVEL OF DEBT TO BE INCURRED BY THESE TWO STATUTORY CORPORATIONS. IN THIS CONTEXT, WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT IN ADDITION TO REACHING AGREEMENT ON THESE ISSUES, IT IS ALSO VERY ESSENTIAL THAT WE SHOULD SECURE THE CHINESE AGREEMENT TO THE TWO FINANCIAL SUPPORT AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL BE NEEDED IN ORDER TO GIVE COMFORT TO POTENTIAL LENDERS WHO WILL BE LENDING MONEY TO THE MASS TRANSIT CORPORATION AND THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY. AS I SAID, I AM HOPEFUL THAT VERY VERY SHORTLY, WE WILL REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE, OF COURSE, READILY CARRIED OUT A GOOD DEAL AT THE WORST WE HAVE FOR EXAMPLE A READILY CLAIMED TWO-THIRD OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM WHICH DELIBERATELY RISING FROM THE SEA. WE PUT UP THE TOWERS FOR THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE WHICH WHEN COMPLETED WILL BE THE LONGEST COMBINED ROAD AND RAIL SUSPENSION BRIDGE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Q: (INAUDIBLE .... JOINT DECLARATION)
CS: BUT WE DO HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE. THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONG KONG IS VERY CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND IN THE BASIC LAW WHICH IS THE MINI-CONSTITUTION FOR THE SAR GOVERNMENT AFTER 1997 IS VERY CLEARLY LAID OUT. WE WILL CONTINUE WITH OUR EXISTING SYSTEMS ETC. ETC. AS I SAID EARLIER IN MY PRELIMINARY REMARKS, CLEARLY OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS AND FRIENDS SUCH AS YOUR COUNTRY, UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA AND SO ON. THEY TOO HAVE INTEREST IN HONG KONG NOT LEAST OF COURSE, THEY HAVE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT THERE AND SEE CONSIDERABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS IN HONG KONG. AND SO CLEARLY, THEY SEE AS IN THEIR INTEREST AND IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST THAT OUR CURRENT WAY OF LIFE, THE FREEDOMS THAT WE ENJOY, OUR ECONOMIC AUTONOMY, OUR FINANCIAL AUTONOMY, OUR INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND OPEN LEGISLATURE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT, ALL THOSE SHOULD CONTINUE AFTER 1997. BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE KEY TO FAVOURABLE AND ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
Q: (INAUDIBLE ......... QUEBEC PREMIER NOT GOING TO CHINA VISIT WITH
THE PRIME MINSITER)
CS: WE ARE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT THE PRIME MINISTER HIMSELF TOGETHER WITH THE PREMIERS OF NINE PROVINCES ARE GOING ALONG ON HIS TRIP TO CHINA AND THEN TO HONG KONG, AND WE GREATLY LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
Q: (INAUDIBLE)
CS: I THINK WE INVITED THE PRIME MINISTER AND WHOEVER A MEMBER OF THIS TEAM, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
/Q: ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
5
Q: (INAUDIBLE)
CS: THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S FULL COMMITMENT IS TOWARDS THE FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. ITS TASKS FOR THE 993 DAYS THAT REMAIN BEFORE SOVEREIGNTY REVERSED TO CHINA IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE THAT THE TRANSITIONAL ISSUES ARE SORTED OUT WITH THE CHINESE SO THAT, AS I SAID EARLIER, THE SAR GOVERNMENT CAN ENJOY HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AFTER 1997. AND THE BRITISH AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CLEARLY SEE THAT UNDERPINNING ORDERS, IT IS CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN A LEGISLATURE THAT IS OPENLY AND FAIRLY ENACTED, BECAUSE IT IS ONLY IN THAT WAY THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, THAT WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, AND THAT WE HAVE A HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND CORRUPTION FREE CIVIL SERVICE. AND LET ME STRESS AGAIN, BOTH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO THAT, IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MEET AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, BUT ALL THAT IS BEHIND US, WE WISH TO DRAW A LINE UNDER THAT. WE WISH AND ARE VERY SINCERE IN THE PROPOSALS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUT FORWARD IN THIS OCTOBER ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THE PRACTICAL WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN CO-OPERATE WITH CHINESE TO RESOLVE THE MANY TRANSITIONAL ISSUES THAT STILL NEED TO BE DISCUSSED. THESE
PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD. THEY ARE PROPOSALS, WE WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR FROM THE CHINESE WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THESE PROPOSALS OR INDEED TO HEAR ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS FROM THE CHINESE, BUT I STRESS AGAIN, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT BOTH SIDES SIT DOWN, TALK ABOUT ISSUES AND INTENSIFY CO-OPERATION.
Q; (INAUDIBLE - ADVISE TO CANADIAN BUSINESSES)
CS: WELL, I AM IN THE VERY HAPPY POSITION OF BEING ABLE TO, FIRST OF ALL, EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR CANADA’S FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT ALL THESE YEARS. TO SAY HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THE CONTINUING INTEREST THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS PEOPLE HAVE TO HONG KONG AND IN PARTICULAR, YOUR INTEREST ENSURING, AS 1 SAID EARLIER, THAT OUR CURRENT WAY OF LIFE, OUR SYSTEMS CONTINUED AFTER 1997, BECAUSE THAT’S THE BEST GUARANTEE FOR HONG KONG, AND IF YOU HAVE A CROSS REFERENCE IN HONG KONG, THERE WILL BE MORE AND MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE FROM YOUR COUNTRY, FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO HAVE IN HONG KONG. AND AS I SAID ALSO, WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE HONG KONG, A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE CHINA WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD AND FOR EVERY INVESTORS AND CLEARLY, THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, INCLUDING CHINA, HONG KONG AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE GOING TO BE THE AREA OF FASTEST GROWTH IN THE NEXT DECADE. SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT CANADIANS CANNOT AFFORD TO LET THIS OPPORTUNITY GO BY. THANK YOU.
CS: WELL, OBVIOUSLY WE WISH TO SEE AN INTENSIFICATION OF OUR TIES WITH CANADA THEY ARE ALREADY VERY CONSIDERABLE. IF YOU LOOK AT OUR TRADE TIES, TRADE HAS BEEN GROWING VERY RAPIDLY, AIR TIES, FOR EXAMPLE, ALSO HAS BEEN GROWING, FOR EXAMPLE, AT 10 PER CENT EVERY YEAR, AND IN RECENT YEARS, WE CLEARLY HAVE A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DECIDED THAT "THEY WOULD PREFER TO EMIGRATE AND LIVE IN CANADA AND OF COURSE, FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, WE WOULD RATHER NOT LOSE THESE PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THE SKILLED PEOPLE. BUT IF WE DO HAVE TO LOSE THEM, THEN AS 1 SAID TO YOUR MINISTER TODAY, I CAN’T THINK OF A BETTER COUNTRY THAN CANADA, AND WE ALL SEE THAT A QUITE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EMIGRATED, WHO HAVE DECIDED TO COME BACK TO WORK IN HONG KONG, AND I THINK THAT’S GOOD FOR BOTH OUR COUNTRY AND FOR CANADA. TRADE HAS BEEN EXPANDING VERY, VERY FAST.
/Q: ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
6 -
Q: (INAUDIBLE ....... FUTURE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON TAIWAN)
CS: OUR POLICY TOWARDS TAIWAN IS VERY CLEAR. WE HAVE NEVER, IN ANY ACT, AND WE WILL NOT WISH TO GIVE ANY INDICATION THAT WE RECOGNISE THE LEGITIMACY OF THE TAIWANESE GOVERNMENT, BUT OF COURSE IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT, IN TERMS OF DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, TAIWAN IS DOING BEST. THEY INVEST IN HONG KONG, THEY INVEST IN CHINA.
Q: (INAUDIBLE ..... PRESS FREEDOM)
CS: WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MAINTAINING PRESS FREEDOM BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT TO BE ONE OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS THAT GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN OPEN, CREDIBLE GOVERNMENT THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, PRESS WOULD BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. WE ARE ENGAGED IN ENSURING THAT NOTHING ON OUR STATUTORY BOOKS IN ANY WAY INHIBIT PRESS FREEDOM AND WE HAVE ALREADY, FOR EXAMPLE, MADE AMENDMENT TO SOME LEGISLATIONS ON OUR BOOKS WHICH HAVE BEEN THERE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, BUT WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN EXERCISED. BUT AS I SAID, WE ARE KEEN TO MAINTAIN PRESS FREEDOM AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NOTHING IN OUR STATUTORY BOOKS THAT WILL IN ANY WAY INHIBIT PRESS FREEDOM. WE ARE OF COURSE ALSO CONCERNED PARTICUALRY AS 1997 DRAWS NEARER THAT THE PRESS, MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, OR THE MEDIA THEMSELVES, SHOULD NOT IN ANY WAY FEEL THAT THEY HAVE TO EXERCISE SELF CENSORSHIP. WE WILL WISH TO SEE, CONTINUE TO SEE AN OPEN, THRIVING PRESS, A RESPONSIBLE PRESS WHO WILL QUESTION THE ACTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE, WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN INQUIRING MIND. I THINK THAT THIS WOULD BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG AND WOULD OBVIOUSLY I THINK ALSO, CONTINUE TO INSPIRE BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997. BUT THERE IS A DANGER OF SELF CENSORHIP. WE HAVE SEEN SOME INDICATION AND, BUT I THINK ALSO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CAN DO ITS PART, OBVIOUSLY MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA CAN ALSO DO ITS PART, BUT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, IN TERMS OF THE FACT THAT THEY WILL BE THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER CAN ALSO DO A GREAT DEAL TO GIVE CONFIDENCE TO THE PRESS. Q: (INAUDIBLE)
CS: YES, WELL, I THINK MOST OF THE MANY SYSTEMS IN CHINA ARE NOT QUITE THE SAME AS THEY ARE IN HONG KONG OR IN WESTERN COUNTRIES. BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT ALL OF OUR FREEDOMS ARE GUARANTEED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE CHINESE WILL, ALONG THAT, THEY HAVE AFTER ALL ON MANY OCCASIONS, STRESSED THEIR FULL COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW. THANK YOU.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
HONG KONG CELEBRATES WORLD STANDARDS DAY
*****
HONG KONG WILL BE JOINING MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD IN CELEBRATING THE 25TH WORLD STANDARDS DAY TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ANNOUNCING THIS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR DOMINIC LAW, SAID THE WORLD STANDARDS DAY PROVIDED AN ANNUAL FOCAL POINT THAT PAID TRIBUTE TO THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF THOUSANDS OF EXPERTS INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THE WORLD STANDARDS DAY IS CELEBRATED ON OCTOBER 14 EACH YEAR BY MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ISO) AND THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC), WHICH ARE MAJOR ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THIS YEAR, THE THEME CHOSEN IS "STANDARDS AND THE CONSUMER: PARTNERS FOR A BETTER WORLD".
"THIS THEME COINCIDES WITH A NUMBER OF RECENT LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AIMED AT CONSUMER PROTECTION IN HONG KONG," MR LAW SAID.
FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE, WHICH REQUIRES MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS TO ENSURE THAT TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS MEET THE STANDARDS STIPULATED IN THE ORDINANCE, THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL HAS JUST BEEN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AND WILL COME INTO OPERATION IN OCTOBER 1995 AFTER THE ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD.
THE PLUGS AND ADAPTORS (SAFETY) REGULATION, WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT ON MARCH 23, 1995, STIPULATES SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PLUGS AND ADAPTORS AND REQUIRES ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE TO BE FITTED WITH SUITABLE PLUGS.
EFFORTS ARE ALSO BEING MADE TO INTRODUCE THE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATION, WHICH COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.
"ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ATTENDING MEETINGS OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION ON STANDARDS AND CONFORMANCE, WHICH IS RECOGNISED AS AN IMPORTANT AREA OF WORK AND WHERE EFFORTS CAN BE MADE TO ACHIEVE TRADE FACILITATION," MR LAW SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO ATTENDED MEETINGS OF THE PACIFIC AREA STANDARDS CONGRESS, WHICH IS A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND VIEWS REGARDING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDISATION ACTIVITIES.
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING OTHER PARTIES TO THE GATT AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE OF SAFETY STANDARDS STIPULATED IN HONG KONG’S LEGISLATION.
"AS AN EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMY, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR GOODS MEET THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF OUR MARKETS. TO ASSIST OUR MANUFACTURERS, THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OFFERS A RANGE OF STANDARDS-RELATED SERVICES," MR LAW SAID.
/THE BUREAU .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1994
8 ’ -
THE BUREAU MAINTAINS A LIBRARY WHICH HOLDS SOME 80,000 INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL STANDARDS. THEY INCLUDE STANDARDS ISSUED BY ISO, IEC AND HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS. THESE ARE MADE READILY AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS.
TO ENHANCE ITS SERVICE, THE BUREAU HAS RECENTLY INSTALLED A FULL SET OF IEC STANDARDS IN THE FORM OF COMPACT DISKS, WITH WHICH IEC STANDARDS CAN BE READILY RETRIEVED ONTO A COMPUTER SCREEN.
THE BUREAU ALSO OPERATES A SALES AGENCY SERVICE FOR THE PROVISION OF PHOTOCOPIES OF STANDARDS AND FOR THE PURCHASE OF ORIGINALS OF STANDARDS FROM OVERSEAS STANDARDISATION BODIES. THE BUREAU IS AUTHORISED BY ISO, IEC, THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, AND THE STANDARDS AUSTRALIA TO REPRODUCE AND SELL PHOTOCOPIES OF THEIR STANDARDS.
IN ADDITION, THE BUREAU PROVIDES A TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICE TO ASSIST, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, MANUFACTURERS IN THE INTERPRETATION OF STANDARDS.
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FRESH WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG t t t » t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO KAM TIN, PAT HEUNG AND SHEK KONG IN YUEN LONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 15) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE OF WATER MAINS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
GOVERNOR GIVES LUNCHEON SPEECH............................ 1
TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY FINANCIAL SECRETARY................ 13
SPEL OUTLINES POLICY COMMITMENTS............................ 15
LAND REGISTRY RELEASES FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1994........... 18
BILL TO PROHIBIT SEX DISCRIMINATION ANNOUNCED............... 19
REPORT ON LEGCO MEMBERS' REMUNERATION SENSIBLE.............. 22
RADAR SIMULATOR CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NEW AIRPORT.......... 22
ACP HIGHWAYS PROJECTS MAKE GOOD PROGRESS.................... 23
HONG KONG SUPPORTS FREE TRADE IN ASIA-PACIFIC............... 24
QUOTA CONTROL FOR IMPORTING CARBON TETRACHLORIDE............ 25
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1994................... 26
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN ELECTED....................... 35
MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS SEIZED.... 35
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER 1994...... 36
/WIDER PROTECTION.
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
WIDER PROTECTION FOR INJURED EMPLOYEES PROPOSED............ 39
INTL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN HK 40
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS....................... 41
MARRIAGE CEREMONY SERVICE TO BE EXTENDED................... 42
ACCESS ROAD FOR TSING YI PROPOSED.......................... 43
FLOOD MITIGATION WORKS FOR SHENZHEN RIVER.................. 43
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY............................. 44
KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED..................... 48
INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR SHEK KIP MEI PARK.................... 48
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .... 49
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
1
GOVERNOR GIVES LUNCHEON SPEECH
* « « » »
FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT THE JOINT LUNCHEON OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES TODAY (FRIDAY):
WILLIAM, RAYMOND, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
IT’S ALMOST EXACTLY TWO YEARS SINCE I SPOKE TO YOU AFTER MY FIRST LEGCO SPEECH. IT CERTAINLY HASN’T BEEN AN UNEVENTFUL PERIOD. I RATHER WISH IT HAD BEEN. THERE’S NOTHING I’D HAVE LIKED MORE THAN A QUIET LIFE. BUT WHAT HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED HERE IN HONG KONG DURING THAT PERIOD? HOW HAVE YOU ALL DONE? IS HONG KONG STILL A GOOD PLACE TO DO BUSINESS? OR HAS IT TURNED INTO A WELFARE STATE ON THE ROAD TO BANKRUPTCY, UNFRIENDLY TO BUSINESS, OVER-REGULATED, OVER-TAXED, RIVEN BY SOCIAL DISORDER AS PEOPLE ASSUME THE LIMITED POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEY HAVE LONG BEEN PROMISED?
PERHAPS YOU’LL ALLOW ME BRIEFLY TO REVIEW WHAT’S HAPPENED IN HONG KONG. THEN TO GIVE YOU MY FOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE LAST 990 DAYS OR SO OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION.
FIRST - WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENED? LET’S FOLLOW THAT OLD CHINESE PRECEPT "TO SEEK TRUTH FROM FACTS". HAS BUSINESS HAD A ROUGH, TOUGH TIME IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?
FACT - HONG KONG TODAY IS UP FROM THE 10TH TO THE 8TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD - IF YOUR COUNT THE EUROPEAN UNION AS ONE, WE’RE THE FIFTH LARGEST TRADING COMMUNITY.
FACT - OUR ECONOMY GREW BY 5.5 PER CENT LAST YEAR. AND WE SHOULD HIT 5.7 PER CENT THIS YEAR. THAT WILL BE OUR 34TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR OF GROWTH.
FACT - OUR STOCK MARKET IS UP FROM ABOUT 5,500 TO OVER 9,000. ITS CAPITALISATION HAS RISEN FROM ABOUT $1,300 BILLION TO OVER $2,500 BILLION. IT’S GONE UP TO THE 7TH LARGEST MARKET IN THE WORLD.
AND TAKE THE POSITION OF INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES. THE NET CORPORATE PROFITS OF THE TOP FIVE LISTED COMPANIES WERE 50 PER CENT HIGHER LAST YEAR THAN THE YEAR BEFORE, AND PROFITS ARE ALMOST DOUBLE THE FIGURE FOR THE YEAR BEFORE THAT. THE SHARE PRICES OF THOSE COMPANIES HAVE SOARED, TOO. IN ONE CASE, THE SHARE PRICE HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN TWO YEARS. IN TWO CASES, IT’S ALMOST DOUBLED. AND THE OTHER TWO COMPANIES HAVE REGISTERED HANDSOME ADVANCES.
ANOTHER FACT - OUR PER CAPITA GDP IS UP 7.5 PER CENT ON 1992. IT’S NOW HIGHER THAN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR AUSTRALIA: THE HIGHEST IN ASIA AFTER JAPAN AND BRUNEI.
SO WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD THINK ABOUT DOING BUSINESS HERE. DO OTHERS RUN A MILE? WELL, MAYBE SLIGHTLY MORE THAN A MILE -BUT WHEN THEY RUN, IT’S IN OUR DIRECTION.
/THERE ARE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
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THERE ARE 'NEARLY 30,000 AMERICANS WORKING HERE - UP 28 PER CENT ON AUGUST 1992.
OVER 24,500 BRITONS, UP 42 PER CENT.
OVER 23,000 CANADIANS, UP 42 PER CENT.
NO WONDER OVER 153,600 NEW BUSINESSES - I’LL REPEAT THAT FITURE, 153,600 NEW BUSINESSES - HAVE BEEN SET UP IN HONG KONG IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
'NO WONDER, THERE ARE NOW 714 REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS BASED IN HONG KONG, UP FROM 588 IN 1992; AND 1,132 REGIONAL OFFICES, COMPARED WITH 757 TWO YEARS AGO. THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN COMPANIES REGISTERED HERE IS UP FROM AROUND 3,200, TWO YEARS AGO, TO OVER 3,800 IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
WHY HAVE THEY ALL COME? IS IT BECAUSE WE ARE ALLEGEDLY TURNING SOCIALIST? RED SKIES OVER HONG KONG. WELFARISM STRIKES BACK. BANKRUPTCY LOOMS. RAMPANT CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS THREATENS TO UNDO DECADES OF SUCCESS. IS THAT IT? IS THAT WHY THEY ARE HERE? WELL, HARDLY. I HAVEN’T SPENT THE LAST 50 YEARS OF MY LIFE AS A CONSERVATIVE, AS A TORY, AS A FREE MARKETEER, TO TURN SOCIALIST IN MIDDLE-AGE. CERTAINLY NOT IN HONG KONG. I LEAVE IDEOLOGICAL ADVENTURES AND PHILOSOPHICAL CHANGES OF GEAR TO OTHERS. AND I GUESS IF THEY WERE HERE, ANSON CHAN AND HAMISH MACLEOD WOULD SAY EXACTLY THE SAME.
IT IS TRUE, HOWEVER, THAT WE ARE SPENDING MORE ON SOCIAL PROGRAMMES.
MORE ON HOUSING, FOR EXAMPLE. BUT DO WE THINK HONG KONG WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF WE LEFT THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, AND THE SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS, AND THE CAGE-MEN, EXACTLY AS THEY ARE. I GUESS THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM TODAY WHO GREW UP IN SQUATTER HOUSING. ISN’T IT A FACT THAT MASSIVELY IMPROVED HOUSING CONDITIONS ARE ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR HONG KONG’S SUCCESS, AS WELL AS FOR HONG KONG’S IMPROVED HEALTH AND FOR HONG KONG’S SOCIAL HARMONY.
YES, WE ARE SPENDING MORE ON EDUCATION. AND SO WE SHOULD IF WE WANT TO SAY AHEAD OF THE GAME. TEN YEARS AGO, THREE PER CENT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WERE GOING TO UNIVERSITY TO STUDY FOR DEGREES. NOW WE’RE UP TO 18 PER CENT FOR DEGREES AND ANOTHER SIX PER CENT FOR DIPLOMAS. OH, AND YES - WE’RE SPENDING 67 PER CENT MORE ON RESEARCH THIS YEAR. IS THAT A WASTE OF OUR MONEY?
YES, WE ARE SPENDING MORE ON WELFARE. ON THE ELDERLY FOR EXAMPLE. AND SO WE SHOULD BE. THE MONEY THAT THE ELDERLY COULD HAVE PUT BY FOR THEIR OLD AGE, WAS IN MANY CASES SPENT ON EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN AND INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. THEY DESERVE A MODEST SHARE IN TODAY’S SUCCESS.
LET ME SAY THREE OTHER THINGS ABOUT SPENDING, ABOUT ALLEGED TO WELFARISM, ABOUT LEARNING TRUTH FROM FACTS.
/FIRST, YES ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
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FIRST, YES WE’VE INCREASED SPENDING IN SOME AREAS. BUT WE HAVE KEPT, AND WILL KEPT, PUBLIC SPENDING GROWTH WITHIN THE BROAD RATE OF GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. WE INTEND THAT PUBLIC SPENDING SHOULD REMAIN BELOW 20 PER CENT AS A PROPORTION OF GDP. WHERE ELSE DOES THAT HAPPEN? IN GERMANY, FOR EXAMPLE, I WAS LOOKING AT THE FIGURE THIS MORNING. ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THE SUCCESSFUL MARKET ECONOMY OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, PUBLIC SPENDING AS A PROPORTION OF GDP IS 2.5 TIMES THE LEVEL THAT IT IS IN HONG KONG. WE CONFIDENTLY PREDICT THAT PUBLIC SPENDING IN 1997 WILL BE LOWER - LOWER - AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP THAN IT WAS IN 1982, BEFORE THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS SIGNED. WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD DO YOU THINK THAT HAS HAPPENED?
TRUTH FROM FACTS DEPARTMENT ONCE AGAIN. WE’VE GROWTH NOT JUST TO RAISE SPENDING PRUDENTLY, BUT TO CUT TAXES FOR BOTH BUSINESS AND FOR THE WORK-FORCE. IN 1992, HONG KONG HAD THE LOWEST, MOST BUSINESSFRIENDLY TAX REGIME IN ASIA, MAYBE IN THE WORLD. WELL, SINCE THEN WE’VE CUT TAXES EVEN FURTHER. IDEOLOGICALLY, AS WELL AS GUBERNATORIALLY, WHILE I BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP A BALANCE BETWEEN SENSIBLE SPENDING AND TAXES, I AM UNSHAKEABLY OF THE VIEW THAT THE MONEY WE TAX IS YOUR MONEY, AND THAT YOU USUALLY SPEND IT MORE SENSIBLY THAN WE DO. I AM WHOLLY AGAINST USING TAXES FOR SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC ENGINEERING. SO WE’VE CUT TAXES TWO YEARS RUNNING - AND AT THE SAME TIME WE’VE PUT MONEY INTO OUR RESERVES AS WELL. WE CUT PROFITS TAX BY ONE PER CENT. WE RAISED ALLOWANCES FOR FAMILIES AND FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS BY 56 PER CENT. WE TOOK 420,000 PEOPLE OUT OF THE TAX NET THIS YEAR AND 250,000 LAST. WE CUT THE TAX BURDEN FOR 1.13 MILLION THIS YEAR AND FOR 1.2 MILLION LAST. WE’VE INCREASED THE PROPORTION OF THE WORKING POPULATION WHO PAY NO TAX AT ALL BY ABOUT ONE FIFTH, TO ALMOST SIX OUT OF EVERY 10. WE’VE CUT THE PROPORTION PAYING THE FULL RATE FROM SIX PER CENT TO TWO PER CENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. HOW’S THAT FOR SOCIALISM? ONLY TWO PER CENT OF THE WORKING POPULATION, TWO PER CENT, PAY A TOP RATE OF TAX OF 15 PER CENT. THAT’S THE SORT OF WEALTH DISTRIBUTION THAT I AM KEEN ON, BECAUSE IT FETCHES UP DISTRIBUTING MORE WEALTH TO MORE PEOPLE.
LAST POINT ABOUT TAX AND SPENDING. IF A MARKET ECONOMY IS GOING TO SURVIVE AND CONTINUE TO PROSPER IT HAS TO SHOW THAT IT IS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. IF WE SAY TO PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE WANT TO GO ON GROWING - BUT AS FOR YOUR AMBITIONS FOR BETTER HEALTH CARE, FOR BETTER TEACHERS, FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT, WELL FORGET ABOUT THEM, WE’RE GOING TO SQUIRREL ALL THE MONEY AWAY; IF WE WERE TO SAY THAT, IT WOULD BE A RECIPE FOR SOCIAL TENSION, FOR DISHARMONY, FOR UNDERMINING FAITH IN OUR ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND IN THE MORALITY AS WELL AS THE AUTHORITY OF OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. I DON’T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD WHERE IT SHOULD BE EASIER TO PUT THE CASE FOR PRUDENT SPENDING, FOR ADAM SMITH AND FOR MILTON FRIEDMAN. BUT THAT REQUIRES US- TO ACCEPT THAT MEN AND WOMEN ARE NOT JUST ECONOMIC VARIABLES, THEY HAVE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL - POLITICAL WITH A SMALL ”P" - AMBITIONS AND HOPES WHICH WE CANNOT IGNORES.
SO, WE’VE GOT A TIP TOP ECONOMIC RECORD. BUT WE ARE NOT COMPLACENT. WE MAY BE FOURTH IN THE WORLD COMPETITIVENESS LEAGUE. HIGHER THAN ANY EUROPEAN COUNTRY. BUT WE WANT TO BE THIRD, OR SECOND, OR BEST OF ALL FIRST.
/THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
4
THIS IS A COSTLY PLACE TO DO BUSINESS. WE’VE GOT INFLATION DOWN FROM 13 PER CENT AT ITS WORST. BUT IT’S STILL FAR TOO HIGH, THE UNCOMFORTABLE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR UNIQUE POSITION, AS WELL AS A RESULT OF SUSTAINED GROWTH AND FULL EMPLOYMENT.
WE’VE SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC LABOUR SHORTAGES SINCE THE 1960S AND WE’VE RESPONDED WITH THE MOST LIBERAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES IN THE REGION. IN ALMOST EVERY CASE WHERE FIRMS CAN POINT TO NEED, YOU CAN IMPORT PROFESSIONALS OR QUALIFIED STAFF. THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDABLY OPPOSES THE UNRESTRICTED IMPORTATION OF CHEAP LABOUR. IT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE SOCIAL COSTS, FOR EXAMPLE FOR EDUCATION AND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING. AND IT DOESN’T WANT TO RETURN TO THE DAYS WHEN THE WORLD ALLEGED THAT HONG KONG WAS JUST A SWEAT SHOP ECONOMY. NEVERTHELESS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT VIGOROUSLY THE EMPLOYERS’ CASE TO IMPORT LABOUR UNDER CAREFULLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS - CONDITIONS WHICH DON’T DISRUPT THE ORDERLY WORKING OF HONG KONG’S LABOUR MARKET.
WE’VE ACTED THIS YEAR ON PROPERTY PRICES. NEVER A SUBJECT TO BRAG ABOUT. BUT BY CONCENTRATING MAINLY ON THE SUPPLY SIDE OF THE EQUATION AND ON INEXCUSABLE SPECULATION, WE HAVE - I BELIEVE -DAMPENED THE MARKET SUCCESSFULLY. TO MIX MY METAPHORS, WE’RE WALKING A TIGHT-ROPE. THE LAST THING ANY OF US SHOULD WANT TO DO IS TO TURN A SLACKENING OF PRICES INTO A SLUMP. IF YOU THINK PEOPLE GET CROSS WHEN PRICES SOAR, YOU SHOULD SEE HOW THEY REACT WHEN PROPERTY PRICES PLUMMET.
SO NO COMPLACENCY ON COMPETITIVENESS, NO COMPLACENCY ON INFLATION. BUT NO EASY, OPEN AND SHUT SOLUTIONS EITHER.
SO MUCH FOR THE PAST. WHAT OF THE FUTURE?
I- HAVE FOUR PRIORITIES. I’LL EXPRESS THEM TELEGRAMMATICALLY TODAY, AND I WON’T BE BUDGED FROM THEM TOMORROW OR THE DAY AFTER, OR THE DAY AFTER THAT.
FIRST, I AM OBLIGED BY TREATY, BY HONOUR, BY THE POLICY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, BY THE WILL OF ALL PARTIES AT WESTMINSTER, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST BY OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, TO WORK RIGHT DOWN TO THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT AT THE END OF JUNE 1997 FOR THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION - HONG KONG’S GUARANTEE OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
THE JOINT DECLARATION MEANS WHAT IT SAYS. IT HAS TO MEAN WHAT IT SAYS. YOU CAN’T PICK AND CHOOSE. YOU CAN’T SAY - "WELL, I’LL TAKE THE ECONOMIC BITS AND TRADE IN THE REST". HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS BASED NOT JUST ON THE CAPITALIST ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES, BUT ALSO ON THE RULE OF LAW, ON CLEAN, ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT AND ON THE FREE INSTITUTIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETY. START TO UNPICK ANY OF THAT, AND YOU RISK WRECKING THE WHOLE OF OUR SYSTEM. FOR MOST OF OUR POPULATION, THEIR ONLY COMMUNAL INSURANCE IS THE FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. FOR MOST, THERE IS NO FOREIGN PASSPORT IN THE BOTTOM DRAWER. SO IF I’M EVER ASKED FOR A JOB DESCRIPTION OR FOR A VISION STATEMENT, I TURN TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND RECALL THE HOMELY ADVICE OF MARK TWAIN, OFTEN QUOTED BY HARRY TRUMAN WHEN IN DOUBT, HE SAID: "ALWAYS TRY TO DO RIGHT! THIS WILL GRATIFY SOME PEOPLE AND ASTONISH THE REST."
/SECOND, I ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
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SECOND, I AM SORRY THAT IN STANDING UP FOR THE PRINCIPLES IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, WE HAD TWO YEARS OF ARGUMENT WITH CHINA - NOT IT HAS TO BE SAID, THE FIRST ARGUMENT SINCE 1989 OR EVEN SINCE 1984. I SAY WITH ALL THE FORCE I CAN MUSTER, THAT THERE IS NO POINT IN US CONTINUING THOSE ARGUMENTS. WE HAVE DISAGREED. THAT’S A GREAT PITY. BUT THE TIME HAS COME TO CLOSE THAT CHAPTER AND TO MOVE ON. THAT IS WHAT WE INTEND TO TRY TO DO. WE HOLD OUT A HAND OF CO-OPERATION. WE DON’T THINK THAT HAS TO INVOLVE UNDERMINING THE AUTHORITY OF OUR EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT, NOR DO WE THINK IT NEED INVOLVE UNDERMINING OUR INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, OR OUR WAY" OF DOING THINGS. WE HAVE PROPOSED SPECIFIC MEASURES TO IMPROVE CO-OPERATION AND TO SMOOTH THE TRANSITION. MEASURES WHICH WE HOPE WILL SPEED UP THE WORK - HEAVENS, WE NEED TO DO SO - IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. MEASURES WHICH WILL REASSURE PEOPLE ABOUT THE FUTURE AND AVOID ANY FALL IN CONFIDENCE IN THE NEXT TWO AND A HALF YEARS. MEASURES WHICH WILL GET THE SAR GOVERNMENT OFF TO A FLYING START. THE MEASURES WE HAVE SUGGESTED ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE. IF CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE OTHER IDEAS, I HOPE THEY WILL PUT THEM FORWARD. WE DO NOT HAVE A MONOPOLY OF WISDOM ON THIS SUBJECT. WE ARE OPEN-MINDED - GENUINELY OPEN-MINDED - AND KEEN TO DO BUSINESS. THAT IS THE COMMON SENSE WAY FORWARD. I HOPE WE CAN TAKE IT. I AM SURE THAT WE ALL WANT TO FEEL THAT WE ARE DRIVING FORWARD ALONG A HIGHWAY, NOT BACKING UP A CUL-DE-SAC.
THIRD, OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND CHINA’S ARE CLOSELY RELATED. WE HAVE BENEFITED HUGELY FROM CHINA’S ECONOMIC REVOLUTION. SO HAS THE WHOLE WORLD. AND WE’VE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO IT. WE ARE CHINA’S LARGEST SOURCE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT - WE ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE TOTAL.
SO CHINA’S SUCCESS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY. AND WE WILL CONTINUE -BRITAIN, I MIGHT ADD, AS WELL AS HONG KONG - TO ARGUE FOR GIVING CHINA THE PLACE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY THAT HER ECONOMIC STRENGTH TODAY AND HER POTENTIAL TOMORROW WHOLLY JUSTIFY. WE ARGUED THE CASE FOR MFN RENEWAL WITHOUT STRINGS. AND WE HAD THE CREDIBILITY THAT ENSURED WE WERE HEARD. TODAY, WE WANT TO SEE CHINA AS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION. NOTHING LESS WILL DO.
FOURTH, I INTEND TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO SEE THAT HONG KONG IS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE SHAPE WHEN WE HAND OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DESTINY IN 1997.
WE WILL ENSURE THAT OUR FINANCES CONTINUE TO BE CAREFULLY LOOKED AFTER AND THAT WE HAVE A BIG SURPLUS TO HAND OVER - A SURPLUS WHICH SOME PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK WE SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR NOW PREDICTING AT A MUCH, MUCH HIGHER LEVEL THAN WE ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED. I MUST SAY THAT AS MISTAKES GO, THAT ONE APPEARS TO ME TO BE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
/WE'LL DO .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 6
WE’LL DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO GET OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN AS GOOD CONDITION AS OUR FINANCES. I HOPE THAT WE CAN SEE AGREEMENT SOON ON OUR AIRPORT - WHICH, DESPITE THE LACK OF SIGNATURES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, RISES MAGNIFICENTLY FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. I HOPE TOO THAT WE CAN MOVE AHEAD SENSIBLY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PORT. HONG KONG NEEDS IT. SO DOES SOUTHERN CHINA. AND THE SOONER WE CAN GET INTO A DIALOGUE WITH OFFICIALS IN PEKING AND GUANGDONG ABOUT COORDINATING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ON A REGIONAL BASIS THE BETTER. WE HAVE A $30 BILLION ROAD BUILDING PROGRAMME UNDERWAY. WE WANT TO INVEST MASSIVELY IN OUR RAILWAYS, BRINGING THE NEW TERRITORIES CLOSER TO OUR URBAN HEARTLAND AND PRODUCING BETTER NORTH-SOUTH LINKS FOR OUR TRADE WITH THE NORTH. CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT THEY WANT TO GET THINGS MOVING IN THIS AREA. THEY HAVE SUGGESTED TALKS. AND WE WILL RESPOND ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THAT.
WE'LL NATURALLY GO ON ENSURING THAT OUR POLICIES ARE BUSINESSFRIENDLY, WHICH IN MY BOOK MEANS HONG KONG-FRIENDLY. WE DON’T INTEND TO START TRYING TO SECOND GUESS YOUR BUSINESS JUDGEMENTS. BUT WE’LL HELP WHERE WE CAN. WE’VE SET UP THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND THAT YOU ASKED FOR. WE’VE ESTABLISHED THE HONG KONO INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE. WE’RE LIBERALISING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET. WE’RE GOING TO SET UP AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE TO BRING TOGETHER OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. WE’RE CUTTING RED TAPE - ABOLISHING AND SIMPLIFYING GOVERNMENT FORMS - AND WE ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICE TO YOU THROUGH THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES. WE’RE SPENDING $300 MILLION TO RAISE STANDARDS OF PUTONGHUA AND ENGLISH IN OUR SCHOOLS. WE ARE MAKING MORE LAND AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL BUILDING. ALL THAT AND MORE, WE’LL DO TO KEEP HONG KONG BUSINESS AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE. OF COURSE, THE BIGGEST JOB BELONGS TO YOU. ABOVE ALL, TO GO ON OUTPERFORMING THE COMPETITION. BUT IF I MAY SAY SO, YOU’LL ALSO HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT LIFE MOVES ON, AND WHETHER IT’S BEFORE OR AFTER 1997, HONG KONG HAS CHANGED, COME OF AGE, AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY HAS TO ADJUST TO THAT. FRANKLY, THAT SEEMS TO ME RATHER LESS SUBSTANTIAL AN ADJUSTMENT THAN MANY THAT YOU’VE HAD TO MAKE IN THE LAST 45 YEARS.
SO WHERE SHOULD ALL THAT LEAVE HONG KONG WHEN THE 28TH BRITISH GOVERNOR FLIES OR SAILS OFF INTO THE NIGHT ON 1ST JULY IN 990 DAYS’ TIME?
I HOPE AND INTEND THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE SAY THAT HONG KONG HAS BEEN WELL-GOVERNED TO THE END. DOES ANYONE SERIOUSLY ARGUE THAT OVER THE LAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN BADLY GOVERNED? AND I HOPE THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR GOOD GOVERNMENT - THOSE CIVIL SERVANTS WHO MANAGE OUR PUBLIC SERVICES, THOSE POLICE OFFICERS WHO DEFEND THE RULE OF LAW AND WHO HAVE (WHERE ELSE HAS THIS HAPPENED?) HELPED TO CUT CRIME BY 10 PER CENT IN THE LAST DECADE (TO CUT IT - I ADD - TO BELOW SINGAPORE’S HARDLY EXCESSIVE LEVELS, AT LEAST ON THE LATEST FIGURES WE HAVE): I HOPE - I REPEAT - THAT THOSE CIVIL SERVANTS AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE RESOLVED TO STAY IN HONG KONG TO WRITE AN EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THIS REMARKABLE COMMUNITY.
/AND I .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
7
AND I HOPE YOU WILL STAY AND PROSPER, TOO. YOU MADE - MANY OF YOU - YOU MADE HONG KONG. LITERALLY MADE IT. AND I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT HONG KONG HELPED TO MAKE YOU. SO, TO BORROW A PHRASE FROM THE ROMANS, THE TOAST TO HONG KONG AND TO YOU, HAS TO BE - "AD MULTOS ANNOS" - "TO MANY YEARS" - MANY YEARS OF MARKET ECONOMICS, MANY YEARS OF DECENCY AND INTEGRITY IN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC LIFE, MANY, MANY YEARS OF THE RULE OF LAW. AND WITH ALL THAT WILL COME MANY YEARS OF HAPPINESS AND FULFILMENT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
QUESTION: THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, PROBABLY INCLUDING OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS, ARE MOSTLY BUSINESS MINDED AND OR EMPLOYMENT MINDED. THEY HAVE NO TIME FOR POLITICS. UNFORTUNATELY THE POLITICAL GAMBLING WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN INDULGING IN WITH CHINA USING HONG KONG PEOPLE AS THEIR MAIN STACK IS CAUSING CHAOS TO HONG KONG. THE FACTS ARE OPERATING COSTS OF THE BUSINESSMAN HAS BEEN SKY-ROCKETING AND THEY STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE COMMON PEOPLE IS DETERIORATING, THUS ERODING YOUR INITIAL POPULARITY, I AM SURE YOUR SUPPORTORS WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT YOU’LL RE-GAIN YOUR POPULARITY OR EVEN AUGMENT IT. SO I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM YOU ON YOUR PART ON HOW TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION.
GOVERNOR: WELL, I HOPE YOU WON’T REGARD IT AS BEING UNCIVIL OF ME IF I SUGGEST THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT QUESTION BEFORE I MADE MY SPEECH. BECAUSE, A GOOD DEAL OF MY SPEECH WAS DIRECTED TO ANSWERING SOME OF THOSE POINTS, WHICH I HAD JUST AN INKLING MIGHT COME UP DURING THIS HALF HOUR OR SO OF QUESTIONS. I MUST SAY THAT IF WHAT WE HAVE IN HONG KONG TODAY IS CHAOS, A GREAT DEAL OF THE REST OF THE WORLDS WOULD SETTLE FOR IT VERY HAPPILY, AND I DON’T KNOW
QUESTIONER: MAY I MENTION EVEN THE CAGEMEN ARE DEPRIVED AT THEIR
GOVERNOR: WELL, THIS ISN’T A PLATONIC DIALOGUE, I GET THE CHANCE OF ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION, AND I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL WANT TO GIVE MY ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION THE CAREFUL ATTENTION WHICH I AM SURE YOU GAVE MY SPEECH. THE STANDARD OF LIVING IN HONG KONG, FAR FROM DECLINING, HAS BEEN GOING UP, SO AGAIN I AM NOT QUITE SURE THE BASIS FOR YOUR PROPOSITION. AS FOR OPERATING COSTS IN HONG KONG, AND I REFERRED TO THOSE, WHATEVER THEY MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH, THEY DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE NATURE OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. TWO OTHER THOUGHTS, FIRST OF ALL, WE WERE DETERMINED THAT IN THE ARGUMENT THAT ALAS RAGED OVER HOW WE COULD FIGHT CLEAN ELECTIONS HERE IN HONG KONG, IT SHOULD BE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WHO TOOK THE FINAL DECISION, WHO DECIDED WHETHER WE SHOULD GO FURTHER OR LESS FAR. THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED, IT WAS NOT A DECISION IMPOSED ON AN UNGRATEFUL OR UNRECEPTIVE ELECTORATE BY THE GOVERNMENT, WE WERE RESPONDING TO PRESSURES, PRESSURES WHICH FROM MANY PEOPLE WAS TO GO A GREAT DEAL FURTHER THAN WE WERE PREPARED TO GO BECAUSE WE WERE NOT PREPARED TO GO FURTHER THAN WAS ALLOWED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW. AND FINALLY, ON POPULARITY, IT IS FOR OTHERS TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT ON WHAT IS A SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF POPULARITY, BUT WHAT I SUGGEST YOU DO, SOMETIME, IF YOU THINK THAT THE FIGURES ARE UNSATISFACTORY HERE IS TO GO AND TELL PRESIDENT CLINTON, OR THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, OR MOST OTHER PRIME MINISTERS OF OECD COUNTRIES THAT 57% APPROVAL RATING IS PRETTY BAD, I THINK MOST OF THEM WOULD SETTLE STRAIGHT AWAY. - BRIGADIER.
/IAN CHRISTIE ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 8 -
IAN CHRISTIE OF HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: SIR, THE CHAMBER HAS OFTEN BEEN CRITICISED IN THE PAST AS BEING THE SECOND VOICE OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, SO ON THE VERY RARE OCCASIONS WHEN WE TAKE ISSUE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON SOME SUBJECTS I HOPE THAT OUR CRITICISM WILL BE RECEIVED IN THE CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS INTENDED. THE GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY IS VERY ACTIVELY PROMOTING PAY AS YOU GO UNIVERSAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY UNDER ITS OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME. NOW THIS. FLIES IN THE FACE OF CURRENT WORLD PRACTICE AND OPINION, INCLUDING THAT OF THE WORLD BANK, WHICH IN A RECENT REPORT ENTITLED AVERTING THE OLD AGE CRISIS, SUPPORTS PRIVATE SECTOR SAVINGS FOR RETIREMENT, AND GOVERNMENT WELFARE PAYMENTS FROM GENERAL REVENUE. WE SEEK YOUR ASSURANCE SIR, THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A GENUINELY OPEN MIND IN RESPECT OF ITS CHOSEN COURSE AT THE END OF THE CURRENT PERIOD OF CONSULTATION.
GOVERNOR: PEOPLE VERY OFTEN SAY WHAT WE WANT IN HONG KONG AND WHAT WE WANT TO SEE CONTINUE DESPITE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY, DESPITE THE PROPER DEVELOPMENT OF CHECKS AND BALANCES HERE IN THE COMMUNITY, WHAT WE WANT IS EXECUTIVE LEAD GOVERNMENT. WE WANT IN OTHER WORDS A GOVERNMENT WHICH TAKES DECISIONS, WHICH MAKES UP ITS MIND WHICH GIVES A LEAD ON ALL ISSUES INCLUDING THE MOST DIFFICULT AND CONTENTIOUS. NOW, LONG BEFORE ANYBODY HAD HEARD OF CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THE COMMUNITY HAD BEEN DISCUSSING AND DEBATING THE QUESTION OF HOW WE COULD BEST PROVIDE FOR THE ELDERLY. I’M TOLD THAT THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN DEBATED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THIRTY YEARS, I’M TOLD THAT SIR DAVID TRENCH USED TO HAVE A VERY INTERESTING ANECDOTE ABOUT HOW HE HADN’T BEEN ABLE TO DO WHAT HE WOULD HAVE LIKED IN RESPECT TO OLD AGE PENSIONS, BUT I BETTER LEAVE THAT TO THE THIRTY YEAR RULE, BEFORE THAT BECOMES TOO PUBLIC, SO THE ISSUE HAS BEEN DEBATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IN EVERY PHILOSOPHICAL SENSE I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT WE SHOULD PROVIDE AS MUST THROUGH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT WE SHOULD LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE THAT THE TAX PAYER HAS TO BEAR TO WELFARE SPENDING, BECAUSE I WOULD NOT WISH SEE THIS COMMUNITY GO ANYWHERE NEAR THE SORT OF WELFARE BLACKHOLE DOWN WHICH ECONOMIES ARE DISAPEARING IN SOME OF THE OECD COUNTRIES, THAT MUST BE COMMON GROUND TO ALL OF US.
/THE QUESTION .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 9 -
THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU BEST ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING A SAFETY WELFARE NET FOR THE ELDERLY, WHITHOUT RUNNING ALL THE RISKS OF RAMPANT BANKRUPTING WELFARISM TO WHICH YOU PROPERLY REFERRED TO WHICH THE WORLD BANK REFERRED, AND I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THE WORLD BANK HAS TO SAY ON THE ISSUE. WE CONCLUDE THAT THE BEST WAY OF AVOIDING THE TAX PAYER ENDLESSY BEING HIT FOR INCREASED WELFARE SPENDING IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELDERLY THROUGH A RINGFENCE SCHEME WITH SMALL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE. NOW THERE ARE OTHERS WHO SAY, WE SHOULDN’T DO THAT, WE SHOULD GO ON ENCOURAGING PRIVATE PROVISION, THOUGH I THINK THE VIEW OF THE COMMUNITY WAS THAT IT WASN’T JUST ENOUGH TO ENCOURAGE IT, THAT THERE HAD TO BE SOME MANDATORY ELEMENT, BUT LEAVE THAT ON ONE SIDE, WE WILL GO ON ENCOURAGING PRIVATE PROVISION, AND AS FOR THE NEEDY ELDERLY, WE WILL MEET THEIR NEEDS THROUGH THE TAX PAYER, BUT IT STANDS TO REASON THAT AS SOON YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MEETING THEIR NEEDS THROUGH THE TAX PAYER, YOU ARE NARROWING THE BASE OF THOSE WHO PAY THE BILL, I SAID IN MY REMARKS THAT SIX OUT OF TEN IN HONG KONG DON’T PAY TAX AT ALL, SO THE OTHER FOUR OUT OF TEN FETCH UP ON THEIR SALARY TAX SCALE RATES HAVING TO PAY THE COSTS FOR INCREASING PROVISION FOR THE ELDERLY. I NOTICED, AND I WANT TO STUDY THE SURVEY WHICH YOU PRODUCED TODAY ON ATTITUDES TO OLD-AGE PENSIONS, AND I NOTICED THAT, I THINK TWO FIFTHS OF THE ELEVEN PER CENT WHO HAD RESPONDED SAID THAT ON BALANCE THEY WOULD BE PREPARED TO PAY EXTRA TAX TO MEET THE ADDITIONAL COSTS OF WELFARE. I HAVE TO SAY THAT WHILE I THINK THAT IS AN INTERESTING FINDING I DON’T THINK I COULD BASE INCREASING TAXES ON A BASE AS NARROW AS THAT. WE WILL LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT ANY AND EVERY THOUGHT THROUGH OPTION THAT IS PRODUCED IN THE COMMUNITY. WE CAN’T, EVEN IF WE WANTED TO, WE CAN’T SIMPLY BLAZE AWAY WITHOUT HAVING A CONCENSUS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND, LET US BE FRANK, WITHOUT HAVING THE UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT OF CHINA AS WELL, BECAUSE THIS IS ALL GOING TO AFFECT ABOVE ALL WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 1997, BUT WHATEVER DECISION WE COME TO, WHAT I BEG YOU TO BELIEVE IS THAT SOONER OR LATER WE MUST COME TO A DECISION, IT’S NOT GOING TO BE ANY EASIER TO DEAL WITH IT IN 1997, OR 1998, OR 1999, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY AS WELL, I DOUBT WHETHER ANYBODY WILL COME FORWARD, THOUGH THEY MAY DO, WITH A SOLUTION WHICH RINGFENCES THE COSTS OF WELFARE PROVISION AS TIGHTLY AS WE HAVE PROPOSED IN THIS SCHEME. AT THE MOMENT ABOUT TEN PER CENT OF THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG ARE OVER 65, ANOTHER GENERATION IT WILL BE TWENTY PER CENT OVER 65, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE LIVING LONGER, THE LONGEVITY RATES IN THIS COMMUNITY, THE SECOND BEST IN THE WORLD, HOPE IT GOES FOR GOVERNORS TOO, IT CERTAINLY GOES FOR THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY. DEMOGRAPHY ITSELF, PROCLUDES PROCRASTINATION, SO I WELCOME THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBATE, WE DO ALL HAVE TO THRASH OUT A SOLUTION WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY, AND WHILE WE DEBATE IT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE LIVE LONGER, AND ALAS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE LIVE LONGER IN REAL NEED.
GUY CLAYTON: GOVERNOR, HAVE YOU FOUND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS MORE INTRACTABLE THAN YOU HAD EXPECTED WHEN YOU FIRST CAME HERE? AND ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATION’S PROGRESS IN THIS MATTER?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 10 -
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE IS SO GREAT THAT NOBODY COULD BE SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS MADE. I THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE HERE. I THINK ABOUT THE DIRTY AIR THAT WE BREATHE AND THE FILTHY WATER AROUND OUR SHORES. I THINK, TOO, OF THE REAL LAND USE PLANNING PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THAT WE HAVE TO COPE WITH AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE AND BY TAKING. SOME TOUGH AND DIFFICULT DECISIONS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. I HOPE ' THAT EVEN IF WE ARE NOT GOING FAST ENOUGH - AS FAST AS THE IMPERATIVE SUGGESTS IS OBLIGATORY ON US - I HOPE THAT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS.
I THINK THAT OUR SEWAGE STRATEGY SCHEME IS THE RIGHT WAY OF STARTING TO CLEAR UP OUR WATERS THOUGH THE SECOND STAGE OF IT NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY DISCUSSED WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AFTER 1997 AND THERE ARE SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER THE BEST MEANS OF DISPOSAL INVOLVES INVESTMENT IN SECONDARY TREATMENT OF THE STUFF, OR WHETHER IT IS ENOUGH TO HAVE PRIMARY TREATMENT AND A LONG SEA OUTFALL. THESE ARE RATHER UNPLEASANT SUBJECTS AND I WON’T GET INTO A DISCUSSION.ABOUT PLUMES. BUT I THINK THAT AT LEAST WE ARE NOW PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE THE PROBLEM IS AND WE’RE STARTING TO SEE SOME PROGRESS.
I THINK WE’VE SEEN PROGRESS, AS WELL, IN WASTE DISPOSAL, AND I THINK WE’VE SEEN SOME PROGRESS, THOUGH THERE IS STILL A LOT FURTHER TO GO, IN CLEANING UP THE AIR. THOUGH AS YOU KNOW, IN MY LEGCO SPEECH I PROPOSED ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE EMISSIONS FROM DIESEL ENGINES AND FROM CARS IN GENERAL.
I ALSO PUT FORWARD SOME PROPOSALS ON NOISE WHICH I HOPE WILL BE POPULAR. NOT NOISE FROM ANYTHING GENERATED BY POLITICIANS OR GOVERNORS IN HONG KONG - THOUGH I HOPE WE CAN ALL SEE A QUIETER DISCUSSION AND DEBATE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS - BUT NOISE FROM BUILDING SITES, AND THAT HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE USE OF DIESEL AS OPPOSED TO HYDRAULIC HAMMERS.
SO I DO THINK WE’VE GOT A SERIOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME WORKED OUT. OF COURSE WHAT WILL HAPPEN AS WE DEVELOP OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES IS, SOME PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN THAT WE’RE NOW REGULATING THE ECONOMY TOO MUCH, SOME PEOPLE WILL GRUMBLE ABOUT THE COSTS OF ENVIRONMENTALISM. I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE END OF THIS CENTURY AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT HAS TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENT. SO THE SOONER WE CAN FACE UP, WITH ALL OUR RESOURCEFULNESS, TO THAT PROBLEM, THE BETTER.
GOVERNOR: THE BEST JAZZ BAND IN HONG KONG.
QUESTION: THANK YOU, MR PATTEN, FOR THE FREE ADVERTISING. SO I DON’T HAVE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF - MY NAME IS JOOP LITMAATH, I’M A MUSICIAN, AND IN MY SPARE TIME I WORK A LITTLE BIT FOR THE CHAMBER.
GOVERNOR, I DID THE SAME AS THE FIRST GENTLEMAN WHO ASKED YOU A QUESTION, I PREPARED A QUESTION BEFORE YOU CAME IN BUT CONTRARY TO WHAT HE DID, I LISTENED TO YOUR SPEECH FIRST. AND I NOTICED THAT YOU DID ADDRESS THE LABOUR SHORTAGE - AS YOU DID IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS - YOU REFERRED TO THE NEED TO IMPORT ON A LIMITED AND CONTROLLED BASIS, AND THAT FOREIGN WORKERS NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE MOST ACUTE BOTTLENECK IN OUR LABOUR MARKET. THAT IS THE STRONG FEELING OF THE CHAMBER.
/APART FROM .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
APART FROM THE CONSTRAINTS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH CAUSED BY THE CHRONIC LABOUR SHORTAGE, WHICH IS RIGHTLY ACKNOWLEDGED, MANY ECONOMISTS BELIEVE THAT THE ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE IS A PRIMARY CAUSE BOTH DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY OF INFLATION. THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS, I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SAY THESE THINGS. BUT NOW I WILL ADD A FEW THINGS.
GOVERNOR: I KNOW THE FEELING - I QUITE OFTEN HAVE IT.
QUESTION: I WISH WE COULD PLAY SOME MUSIC TOGETHER THEN!
YOU DO ALLOW, GOVERNOR, TO LET - AND BY NOW THE LATEST FIGURE IS 110,000 - FILIPINA DOMESTIC SERVANTS TO COME TO HONG KONG. ON THE OTHER HAND YOU DO RESTRICT ONLY 32,000 FOREIGN WORKERS, WHICH IS ABOUT ONE PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE, TO COME HERE. THIS BARELY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE OF THE PROBLEM. THE GOVERNMENT’S 'JOB RETRAINING SCHEME’ HAS RETRAINED, INDEED, 30,000 WORKERS BUT THE CHAMBER FEELS, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT THE JOB SUCCESS RATE IS STILL PRETTY LOW.
ONE SUGGESTION, SIR, IF I MAY: WE DO NOT ALWAYS WANT TO LISTEN TO WHAT SINGAPORE HAS TO TELL US, BUT MAYBE HERE IS ONE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER. WHY WILL NOT THE GOVERNMENT AGREE TO LOOK AT A SCHEME SIMILAR TO THE MARKET ORIENTATED SINGAPOREAN LABOUR IMPORT SCHEME AS PROBABLY THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE OF REDUCING CONSTRAINTS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INFLATION? FOR YOUR INFORMATION, ON A COMPARATIVE BASIS, SINGAPORE IMPORTS RIGHT NOW APPROXIMATELY 250,000 WORKERS. IF YOU WOULD MULTIPLY HONG KONG’S LARGER POPULATION BY THAT, THEN UNDER THE SAME SCHEME HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO IMPORT ABOUT 575,000.
I’M SORRY, GOVERNOR, FOR THE LENGTHINESS OF MY QUESTION, BUT YOU KNOW MUSICIANS, IF THEY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH THEY RATHER TALK THAN PLAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOVERNOR: THANKS VERY MUCH. CAN I SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT LABOUR SHORTAGE BUT FIRST OF ALL, IN ORDER TO JUST OFFER A LITTLE CONTROVERSIAL INTRODUCTION, SAY THAT I AM GLAD YOU MENTIONED THOSE FILIPINA WORKERS BECAUSE I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THEM A BIT RECENTLY. THEY DO MAKE A CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY AND I DO SOMETIMES WONDER WHY THOSE WHO ARE PERFECTLY HAPPY TO LET FILIPINOS LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN SEEM MORE RELUCTANT TO WORK TO PROVIDE SOMEWHERE FOR THEM TO GO ON THEIR DAYS OFF. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING MORE IMAGINATIVELY AS A COMMUNITY, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO IN GOVERNMENT, TO FIND THEM FACILITIES ON SUNDAYS AND OTHER PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
/HONG KONG.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 12 -
HONG KONG, AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH, HAS SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC LABOUR SHORTAGES FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND IT’ IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT HAS AFFECTED BOTH CHANGES IN OUR LABOUR MARKET AND INFLATION. IN FACT IT’S INTERESTING TO LOOK AT THE ACTUAL INCREASE IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND OF A TIGHT MARKET. IN 1992 THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OUR LABOUR MARKET ACTUALLY FELL. IN 1993 IT INCREASED BY, I THINK JUST UNDER THREE PER CENT, ABOUT 2.9 PER CENT. IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR THE NUMBER IN OUR LABOUR MARKET WENT UP BY ALMOST THREE-AND-A-HALF PER CENT. SO EVEN THOUGH WE WERE EXPANDING, UNEMPLOYMENT DIDN’T MOVE, IT STAYED ABOUT THE SAME, AND I DON’T THINK THERE WAS ANY DIRECT IMPACT ON TIGHTNESS OR LABOUR COST PUSH INFLATION IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS OR SO BUT THAT IS BECAUSE, SURPRISINGLY, GIVEN THE LONGER HISTORICAL TREND, THE NUMBER IN OUR LABOUR MARKET HAS ACTUALLY BEEN GOING UP FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS.
WE DO HAVE SPECIFIC SCHEMES WHICH ARE DIRECTED, OF COURSE, TO TRYING TO MEET PARTICULAR LABOUR SHORTAGES. WE HAVE THE GENERAL IMPORTATION SCHEME, WE HAVE PARTICULAR SCHEMES WHEN WE HAVE A BIG PROJECT LIKE THE AIRPORT, AND WE’VE INTRODUCED, AS YOU WILL KNOW, A PARTICULAR SCHEME TO BRING THE GRADUATES OF CHINESE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS DOWN TO HONG KONG TO DO PARTICULAR JOBS. AND I THINK THAT SCHEME HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO WORK AND WORK SUCCESSFULLY AND I HOPE WE’LL BE ABLE TO DO MORE IN THE FUTURE.
WE’VE ALSO ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY OUR INVESTMENT IN TRAINING AND RETRAINING IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE SKILLS THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE. I VERY MUCH DOUBT WHETHER IT WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE TO ABANDON ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE IMPORT OF LABOUR, I THINK THE COMMUNITY WOULD FIND THAT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. BUT IF THERE ARE GOOD IDEAS ELSEWHERE, SUCH AS IN SINGAPORE, WHICH WE SHOULD CONSIDER, THEN I’M SURE THAT WE WILL NEED, BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUING PROBLEMS OF LABOUR SHORTAGE, TO LOOK AT THEM. AND JUST AS I’M SURE SINGAPORE LEARNS FROM US FROM TIME TO TIME, SO WE MAY BE ABLE TO LEARN FROM THEM TOO.
SPEAKER: GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY AND SHARING SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US - FORCEFULLY AND OPENLY. AND I AM SURE I’M SPEAKING FOR MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THAT WE AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FOUR POINT DECLARATION THAT YOU JUST MADE, MATERIALIZE.
AND AS A GESTURE OF OUR APPRECIATION OF YOU COMING TODAY, CAN I ASK WILLIAM ALSO TO COME UP AND WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SMALL MEMENTO.
---------0------------
/13 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
13
TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY FINANCIAL SECRETARY
♦ * * ♦ *
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE REMARKS BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, FOLLOWING THE LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TODAY (FRIDAY):
GOOD AFTERNOON,
AS YOU KNOW, I WAS REALLY TAKING THIS CHANCE - AHEAD OF THE APEC MEETING IN NOVEMBER - TO SET OUT WHAT THE MAIN ISSUE IS LIKELY TO BE AND THAT IS, THE CHALLENGE WHICH THE REPORT DONE BY THE EMINENT PERSONS, WHICH IS POSED TO US, IS WHETHER THE MEMBERS OF APEC CAN AGREE TO MOVE TOWARDS FREE TRADE AND TO ACHIEVE THAT AIM BY 2020. SO IT’S A Bib ISSUE. IT WILL NOT BE EASY TO RESOLVE BUT WHAT I’VE BEEN SAYING IS, I AM REASONABLY OPTIMISTIC - I’M REASONABLY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN MAKE SOME PROGRESS AT THE MEETING IN NOVEMBER, EVEN IF THE DETAILS HAVE TO BE SORTED OUT AT A LATER DATE. QUESTIONS?
QUESTION: THE PRE-SALE OF THE BAYSHORE TOWERS IN MA ON SHAN HAS BEEN OVER-SUBSCRIBED BY MORE THAN 30 TIMES. DO YOU THINK THAT AFTER THE CONSOLIDATION THE PROPERTY PRICES .... ?
FS: WELL, I HOPE NOT. I MEAN I DON’T THINK I CAN TELL FROM ONE OR TWO SPECIFIC SALES. AND ACTUALLY, WE’RE WATCHING, OF COURSE, PRICES, WE’RE WATCHING THE NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS, AND TO SOME EXTENT ALSO THE RENTAL SIDE WHICH TENDS TO LAG THE PURCHASE PRICE. AND AS YOU KNOW FROM FIGURES WHICH HAVE BEEN PRODUCED OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE MONTHS, THE NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS IS STILL RUNNING WELL BELOW THE LEVEL LAST YEAR, SO I THINK THAT’S ENCOURAGING - BUT WE’LL HAVE TO KEEP MONITORING THIS.
*•
QUESTION: WHEN CAN WE EXPECT AN AGREEMENT ON THE CAPPING OF DEBT LEVELS OF THE AIRPORT AND THE RAIL-LINK?
FS: WELL, IT’S A BRAVE MAN WHO IS WILLING TO FORECAST EXACTLY WHEN WE’LL REACH AGREEMENT BECAUSE THIS HAS, AFTER ALL, BEEN GOING ON FOR AN AWFUL LONG TIME. BUT WE WILL CARRY ON DOING OUR BEST - I KNOW THAT THE CONTACTS ARE CONTINUING ON THE WHOLE AIRPORT ISSUE - WE WILL CARRY ON DOING OUR BEST, BUT I’M NOT GOING TO MAKE A FORECAST.
QUESTION: WHAT’S THE PROGRESS?
FS: NOR AM I GOING TO TRY AND DETAIL DAY BY DAY WHAT THE PROGRESS IS. THE TEST IS WHETHER WE CAN REACH AGREEMENT SOON AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TOWARDS THAT BUT I’M NOT GOING TO FORECAST A TIME.
QUESTION: YOU HAVE SAID THAT THE CT9 MUST BE BUILT. HAVE YOU FOUND ANY SOLUTION TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM NOW?
FS: I’M AFRAID MY ANSWER IS THE SAME AS IT WAS ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO, THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY SOLUTION TO THAT BUT WE WILL KEEP HOPING AND AT THE SAME TIME WE WILL KEEP ON CONSIDERATION OF HOW BEST TO PROCEED QUICKLY WITH CT10 AND 11.
QUESTION: IS LT NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF THE ANTI-SPECULATION MEASURES?
/FS: ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
14
FS: I DON’T THINK - YET. I DON’T THINK SO YET. I THINK
THE INITIAL REACTION OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, TO OUR MEASURES -AND OF CONSUMERS OF COURSE - WAS QUITE ENCOURAGING. I MEAN BY THAT THE TWO THINGS I MENTIONED EARLIER: THE TRANSACTIONS HAVE GONE DOWN AND OF COURSE PRICES HAVE GONE DOWN AROUND 10 TO 15 PER CENT. WE WERE NOT TRYING TO HAVE A RADICAL REACTION IN THE PROPERTY MARKET. SO, WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT.
QUESTION: HAS THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED HOW IT WILL TENDER OUT THE
CT10 AND 11 CONTRACTS?
FS: NO, WE HAVE NOT YET MADE A DECISION ON THAT. - ONE
MORE QUESTION, YES.
QUESTION: A NEWSPAPER REPORTED THAT DONALD TSANG WILL BE THE NEXT
FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND DO YOU THINK HE IS THE BEST PERSON TO GET THE POST?
FS: YES, I READ ALL THIS SPECULATION WITH GREAT INTEREST,
BUT OF COURSE I’M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
QUESTION: CAN I ASK A QUESTION ABOUT APEC?
FS: YES, ASK ME A QUESTION ABOUT APEC. VERY WELCOME, YES.
QUESTION: YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE MAKING NOISES
ABOUT NOT HAVING FREE TRADE MEASURES. CAN YOU TELL US WHO IS MAKING NOISES AND WHAT THE NOISES ARE?
FS: NO, I’M CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO SAY WHO BECAUSE, AFTER
ALL, AGAIN MY AIM IN THIS, AS IN OTHER ISSUES, IS TO TRY AND REACH AGREEMENT NOT TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT. BUT I’M JUST SOUNDING A LITTLE NOTE OF REALISM HERE THAT, AS I’VE SAID, IT IS EASIER FOR
PLACES LIKE HONG KONG TO ADOPT THIS TARGET THAN FOR SOME OTHERS.
THERE WILL BE A LOT OF SPECIAL PLEADING AS WE GET INTO THE DETAILS AND
OUR AIM WILL BE TO TRY AND RESIST AN ENDLESS LIST OF EXCEPTIONS AND
QUALIFICATIONS EMERGING, WHICH WILL REALLY MAKE FREE TRADE NOT FREE TRADE AT ALL. THAT’S OUR WORRY, THAT WE END UP WITH SOMETHING CALLED FREE TRADE THAT ISN’T.
QUESTION: DO YOU EXPECT THERE WILL BE ANY CONCRETE RESULTS FROM
APEC?
FS: I AM CAUTIOUSLY HOPEFUL THAT THERE WILL BE A RESULT -
AT LEAST BROAD AGREEMENT ON THE TARGET AND THEN PERHAPS REMITTING THE DETAIL TO BE SORTED OUT BY TRADE MINISTERS. I MEAN I THINK THAT’S QUITE A LIKELY SCENARIO.. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN.
/15 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
15
SPEL OUTLINES POLICY COMMITMENTS
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEAKING NOTES OF THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (FRIDAY) ON HIS POLICY COMMITMENTS:
MY POLICY COMMITMENTS COVER THREE AREAS AT PRESENT. THEY ARE: MANAGING HONG KONG’S LAND RESOURCES, PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING. THE LAST ONE WILL BE TAKEN OVER BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING ASSUMING THE POST WILL BE CREATED LATER THIS YEAR. HOUSING IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF MOST HONG KONG PEOPLE. IT DESERVES THE FULL TIME ATTENTION OF A POLICY SECRETARY.
IN GENERAL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ADDRESS, THE PROGRESS REPORT, THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME, THE POLICY COMMITMENTS AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR EXAMPLE ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER REVIEW, REPORT OF TASK AND LAND SUPPLY AND PROPERTY PRICES, YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF EXTENSIVE PROGRAMMES ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF INTER-RELATED ACTIVITIES. I WILL ELABORATE BRIEFLY AND THEN TAKE QUESTIONS.
A.MANAGING HONG KONG’S LAND RESOURCES
I WILL SAY A LITTLE ABOUT THREE PARTICULAR ITEMS UNDER THIS HEADING. FIRST, BUILDING SAFETY. THE DEATHS AND INJURIES CAUSED BY THE COLLAPSE OF A WALL UNDER DEMOLITION AT NATHAN ROAD ON SEPTEMBER 9 AND A FALLEN CANOPY IN ABERDEEN ON AUGUST 1 AGAIN FOCUSED PUBLIC ATTENTION ON THE QUESTION OF BUILDING SAFETY. THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND I HAVE BRIEFED THE LAND AND WORKS PANEL ON THE ADMINISTRATION’S FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS. WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAIL AGAIN, [ WISH TO REPEAT SOME OF THIS.
(A) WE ARE SEEKING EXTRA RESOURCES TO SET UP A TEAM OF PERMANENT STAFF SO AS TO PUT DEMOLITION SITES UNDER REGULAR MONITORING BY BUILDING AUTHORITY STAFF. IN THE MEANTIME, STAFF HAVE BEEN RE-DEPLOYED FROM OTHER AREAS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
(B) WE HAVE ALREADY ISSUED NEW PRACTICE NOTES TO AUTHORIZED PERSONS AND REGISTERED CONTRACTORS TO TIGHTEN UP EXISTING PROCEDURES. WITHIN THE LIMITS OF PRESENT POWERS, WE HAVE IMPOSED MORE STRINGENT SAFETY CONDITIONS ON FUTURE DEMOLITIONS.
(C) WE ARE URGENTLY REVIEWING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S CAPABILITY TO MONITOR DEMOLITION SITES. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE AUTHORIZED PERSONS, REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND REGISTERED CONTRACTORS.
SECONDLY, • THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE REVIEW IS TO ESTABLISH A BROAD, LONG TERM LAND USE-TRANSPORT-ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE NECESSARY LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE PROVIDED, HAVING REGARD TO RESOURCE AVAILABILITY, TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO GROW AS A REGIONAL AND AN INTERNATIONAL CITY AND BECOME A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
/ONE IMPORTANT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994*
- 16 -
ONE IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW IS THE OBVIOUS DESIRABILITY OF ACHIEVING COMPLEMENTARITY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR ECONOMIC HINTERLAND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. IN THIS CONNEXION, WE HAVE ALREADY MADE CONTACT WITH OUR PLANNING COUNTERPARTS IN GUANGDONG OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS TO SHARE THINKING ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN, SUCH AS CROSS-BORDER TRANSPORT LINKS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN DEEP BAY AND INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS. WE WILL BE BUILDING ON THESE CONTACTS IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
WE HAVE ALSO ASSESSED THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE MOUNTED IN LATE LAST YEAR. A REPORT SUMMARISING THE MAIN POINTS AND SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED IN INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS WITH THE RESPONSES OF THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PREPARED.
AFTER THREE YEARS* WORK, THE REVIEW IN REACHING ITS CONCLUDING STAGES. THE COMMENTS RECEIVED THROUGH PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND VIEWS GATHERED THROUGH OUR CONTACTS WITH GUANGDONG WILL ASSIST US IN FORMULATING THE STRATEGY. 1 EXPECT OUR PROPOSALS ON THE STRATEGY TO BE READY FOR PRESENTATION IN EARLY 1995.
THIRDLY, THE MAL PO MARSHES. THIS IS AN AREA OF INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE. WE ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERING DESIGNATING IT A ’’WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY AS WATERFOWL HABITAT" UNDER THE RAMSAR CONVENTION. TO TAKE THIS PROPOSITION FORWARD*, WE HAVE SET UP AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP TO STUDY' THE VARIOUS ISSUES INVOLVED, INCLUDING OPTIONS AS REGARDS BOUNDARIES AND MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS THEIR RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS. THE WORKING GROUP HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED ITS ASSESSMENT AND IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF RESOURCES, WE WILL NEED TO RESOLVE. WHEN READY WE WILL CONSULT THE PUBLIC ON THE MATTER.
B.PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, WE HAVE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION, FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND INDEED FOR PUBLIC ACTION, A WIDE RANGE OF REPORTS, REVIEWS, BRIEFS, ADVISORY NOTES, AND APIS, ON THE ENVIRONMENT. IN THIS WAY WE HAVE SOUGHT TO CEMENT IN PLACE ONE OF THE KEY FOUNDATION STONES FOR A CLEANER, GREENER HONG KONG - SOLID PUBLIC INFORMATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT. REINFORCING OUR EFFORTS ARE PUBLICATIONS FROM THE GREEN GROUPS, FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, FROM THE ENVIRONMENT DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, AND FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ENVIRONMENT CENTRE, TO NAME JUST SOME OF THE NON-GOVERNMENT SOURCES.
OUR GOALS IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ARE CLEAR:
- WE MUST CORRECT PAST ABUSE;
- WE MUST PREVENT FUTURE ABUSE; AND
- WE MUST PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY' AND CONSERVATION.
/ALL OUR .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 17 -
ALL OUR PROGRAMMES REFLECT THESE GOALS. THESE PROGRAMMES, ESPECIALLY THAT SET OUT IN THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE STATUTORY WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN, HAVE A 10-YEAR TIME FRAME. THEY ARE IN EFFECT ACTION PLANS, PLANS AIMED NOT SO MUCH AT DEBATING POLLUTION, BUT ABATING POLLUTION. THIS IS A POINT, I FEEL, THAT MERITS SOME EMPHASIS SINCE 1 DETECT A TENDENCY IS SOME QUARTERS TO WISH TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW INDEFINITELY WITH APPARENTLY LITTLE REGARD TO THE NEED TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. NEVERTHELESS, I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT WE ARE WELL ADVANCED WITH MANY OF OUR PROGRAMMES AND PLANS, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS OF SOLID AND CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL.
MORE REMAINS TO BE DONE, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS OF CURTAILING WATER AND AIR POLLUTION. OUR PRIORITIES ARE THEREFORE TO TACKLE THESE ISSUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, TO PLAN AGAINST POLLUTION, TO BROADEN THE COMMUNITY’S KNOWLEDGE AND SYMPATHY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE THE TASK OF MAKING HONG KONG A QUIETER PLACE.
HOWEVER, WE ARE NOT CONCENTRATING SOLELY ON POLLUTION PAST. WE WILL, ALSO BE, EXAMINING HOW THE CONCEPT OF ’’SUSTAINABILITY” CAN BE APPLIED TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES IN THE WIDER CONTEXT. IN THIS WAY, WE WILL TRY TO MOVE FORWARD ON TWO FRONTS - CLEANING UP THE LEGACY OF THE PAST, AND PREVENTING FUTURE PROBLEMS.
C.HOUSING
LET ME NOW TURN TO HOUSING. PROPERTY PRICES HAVE MODERATED SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR. IT IS NOT SURPRISING, THEREFORE, TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF INTEREST AMONG POTENTIAL HOME BUYERS IN ENTERING THE MARKET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWER PRICES, ESPECIALLY IN GOOD QUALITY DEVELOPMENTS. THE SITUATION IS HEALTHY FOR THE LONGTERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY MARKET AND IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR OBJECTIVE OF MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP POSSIBLE FOR MORE PEOPLE THROUGH ADEQUATE SUPPLY. WE HAVE LONG RECOGNISED THAT THERE IS A STRONG UNDERLYING DEMAND FOR HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP IN HONG KONG, AND WE ARE WORKING HARD TO INCREASE SUPPLY TO MEET THE DEMAND.
ON LAND SUPPLY, IT IS OUR AIM TO GRANT ANOTHER 15 HA OF LAND IN 1994/95 SO AS TO PRODUCE APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MORE FLATS. TO THIS END A SUPPLEMENTARY LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE LAND COMMISSION. WE HAVE RECEIVED SOME QUESTIONS FROM THE CHINESE SIDE WHICH SHOWS THAT THEY ARE STUDYING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS ENCOURAGING AND WE HOPE THE LAND COMMISSION WILL MEET SOON.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE PRESSING AHEAD WITH THE NECESSARY GROUND WORK, SUCH AS CHANGE OF LAND USE AND PREPARATION OF LAND GRANT CONDITIONS, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE SO AS TO ENABLE THE SITES TO BE DEVELOPED AFTER LAND COMMISSION APPROVAL.
ON SPECULATION, THE GENERAL PERCEPTION IS THAT SPECULATORS ARE STILL IN RETREAT FROM THE MARKET. TWO INDICATORS WHICH THE TASK FORCE HAS USED TO GAUGE THE EXTENT OF SPECULATION SUPPORT THIS VIEW.
/(A) VACANCY ........
t ■
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
18
(A) VACANCY POSITION
RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT ANOTHER VACANCY SURVEY AT THE END OF AUGUST TO UPDATE THE POSITION IN RESPECT OF THE PREMISES COVERED IN THE APRIL SURVEY. AT THE TIME, 1,803 FLATS COMPLETED IN 1992, AND 7,099 IN 1993, WERE FOUND TO BE VACANT.
THE LATEST SURVEY SHOWED THAT 48 PER CENT OF THE 1992 FLATS FOUND VACANT IN APRIL HAD BEEN OCCUPIED. THE REDUCTION WAS SIGNIFICANT FOR A FOUR-MONTH PERIOD. OF THE 925 UNITS WHICH REMAINED VACANT, 177, OR 19 PER CENT, WERE BEING LET OR SOLD BY DEVELOPERS. OVER 75 PER CENT (706 UNITS) OF THE VACANT FLATS ARE IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, FANLING, SHEUNG SHUI AND TIN SHUI WAI.
IN THE CASE OF THE FLATS SUPPLIED IN 1993, THE VACANCY RATE FELL BY 38 PER CENT FROM 7,099 TO 4,256 UNITS. OVER HALF (51.5 PER CENT) OF THE VACANT UNITS WERE HELD BY DEVELOPERS, EITHER FOR SALE OR LETTING. AGAIN, A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE VACANT UNITS (3,563 OR 83.7 PER CENT) WERE IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
(B) SHORT-TERM RESALES
»< j;-
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN MONITORING THE STATISTICS ON SHORT-TERM RESALE OF FLATS. THE NUMBER OF SUCH TRANSACTIONS HAS DECLINED FROM OVER 3,000 IN APRIL 1994 TO JUST OVER 1,000 IN AUGUST 1994. PROFITS FROM RESALE ALSO DROPPED BY HALF, FROM AN AVERAGE OF $1.12 M PER CASE IN APRIL TO $0.58 M IN AUGUST. IN SOME CASES, PROPERTIES WERE SOLD AT A LOSS.
TO POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS, MY ADVICE IS THE SAME AS BEFORE. THERE IS NO NEED TO RUSH INTO THE MARKET IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IMMEDIATE HOUSING NEED. THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS OF VACANT UNITS MANY OF WHICH WILL COME ONTO THE MARKET, MANY OF WHICH WILL COME ONTO THE MARKET, PROBABLY ONCE SPECULATORS REALIZE THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT OF A QUICK RETURN. AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, WOULD-BE HOMEBUYERS WHO REFUSE TO BE STAMPEDED INTO ACTION BY SEDUCTIVE MARKETING CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON PROPERTY PRICES.
-------0------------
LAND REGISTRY RELEASES FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1994
*****
THE NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING UNITS RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE LAND REGISTRY LAST MONTH WAS 7,651, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 20.4 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DECREASE OF 15.2 PER CENT COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1993.
THE TOTAL CONSIDERATION OF THE AGREEMENTS AMOUNTED TO $23.2 BILLION, UP 12.6 PER CENT BUT DOWN 5.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE AMOUNTS FOR AUGUST 1994 AND SEPTEMBER 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
/THE FIGURES .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 19 -
THE FIGURES ARE CONTAINED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE LAND REGISTRY ON DEEDS RELATING TO PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES LAST MONTH.
RELEVANT STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1994 AND SEPTEMBER 1993 WERE PROVIDED FOR COMPARISON. FIGURES ON SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS RECEIVED FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF CHANGE WERE ALSO RELEASED.
THESE STATISTICS GENERALLY RELATE TO LAND TRANSACTIONS EXECUTED UP TO FOUR WEEKS PRIOR TO THEIR SUBMISSION FOR REGISTRATION, AS THERE IS USUALLY A TIME LAG BETWEEN THE EXECUTION OF DEEDS AND
OF
DEEDS
AND
THEIR
LODGMENT FOR REGISTRATION.
---------0-----------
BILL TO PROHIBIT SEX DISCRIMINATION ANNOUNCED »»»»♦»
A BILL TO OUTLAW SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
INTRODUCING THE PROVISIONS OF THE SEX DISCRIMINATION BILL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THE BILL WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE WIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION AGAINST GENDER-RELATED DISCRIMINATION.
"WE HAVE INCORPORATED IN THE BILL ALL THE KEY AREAS IN WHICH THERE IS CONSENSUS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR LEGISLATIVE MEANS TO BAN SEX DISCRIMINATION," MR SUEN SAID.
"THE BILL PUBLISHED TODAY TAKES INTO ACCOUNT A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC OPINIONS COLLECTED DURING THE GREEN PAPER CONSULTATION EXERCISE CONDUCTED LATE LAST YEAR.
"EVEN DURING THE DRAFTING STAGE, WE CONTINUED TO LISTEN TO VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONCERNED GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS IN ORDER TO FINETUNE OUR PROPOSAL TO BEST FIT COMMUNITY ASPIRATIONS AND HONGKONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES," MR SUEN SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO FOSTERING GENDER EQUALITY IN HONG KONG. WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL REMOVE POTENTIAL INJUSTICE AND UNFAIR RESTRICTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S PROSPECTS ON ACCOUNT OF HIS OR HER GENDER," HE SAID.
"THE BILL MAKES SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT UNLAWFUL IN MANY AREAS OF ACTIVITY INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, PROVISION OF GOODS AND SERVICES, AND THE DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT OF PREMISES," MR SUEN SAID.
"IT RENDERS UNLAWFUL IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIELD TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PERSON ON THE GROUND OF MARITAL STATUS OR PREGNANCY," HE ADDED.
/••WITH SUCH ..........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
20
’’WITH SUCH PROVISIONS IN THE BILL, IT WILL BE ILLEGAL FOR AN EMPLOYER TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PERSON, ON THE GROUND OF HIS OR HER SEX, PREGNANCY OR MARITAL STATUS IN MATTERS RELATING TO RECRUITMENT, TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, REMUNERATION, PROMOTION AND TRAINING."
THE BILL ALSO RENDERS UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION BY WAY OF VICTIMISATION. "THIS MAY OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS ASSERTED HER RIGHTS UNDER THE BILL IS SUBSEQUENTLY SUBJECT TO UNFAVOURABLE TREATMENT BY HER EMPLOYER AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE ACTION TAKEN UNDER THE BILL."
"TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEX DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATUTORY BODY, THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION."
"THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE TO PERFORM A WIDE RANGE OF IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS -- ALL POINTING TOWARDS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ACHIEVING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN THE SEXES," HE POINTED OUT.
IT WILL WORK TOWARDS THE ELIMINATION OF SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT; PROMOTE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN THE SEXES; AND INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AND ENDEAVOUR THE SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER IN DISPUTE BY CONCILIATION.
"IN LINE WITH ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN, THE COMMISSION WILL CARRY OUT PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND CONDUCT RESEARCH INTO GENDER-RELATED ISSUES."
THE COMMISSION WILL BE EMPOWERED TO DEVELOP AND ISSUE CODES OF PRACTICE IN CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS. THESE CODES WILL PROVIDE PRACTICAL GUIDANCE TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO COMPLY WITH THE LEGISLATION.
"SINCE THE LEGISLATION WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT UPON THE EMPLOYMENT SECTOR, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO EMPLOYMENT WOULD COME INTO FORCE WHEN THE CODES OF PRACTICE IN RESPECT OF EMPLOYMENT MATTERS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED AND ISSUED," MR SUEN SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT UNDER THE BILL, THE COMMISSION WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSULT BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE ORGANISATIONS IN DRAWING UP SUCH CODES.
HIGHLIGHTING THE STRONG CONCILIATION ROLE OF THE COMMISSION, MR SUEN SAID THE COMMISSION WAS EMPOWERED UNDER THE BILL TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS, AND IT MAY, FOR EXAMPLE, REQUIRE PARTIES RELEVANT TO A COMPLAINT TO ATTEND CONFERENCES WITH A VIEW TO RESOLVING THE MATTER BY CONCILIATION.
"WHERE CONCILIATION FAILS, THE COMMISSION MAY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN RESPECT OF PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT.
"THE COMMISSION WILL ALSO HAVE THE POWER UNDER THE BILL TO CONDUCT FORMAL INVESTIGATIONS ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE OR UPON THE REQUEST OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY. THE COMMISSION WILL PREPARE AND PUBLISH OR MAKE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION A REPORT ON ANY FORMAL INVESTIGATION IT INITIATES.
/"THE COMMISSION ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 21 -
"THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE ENFORCEMENT NOTICES AGAINST PERSONS WHERE, IN THE COURSE OF ANY FORMAL INVESTIGATION, THE COMMISSION BECOMES SATISFIED THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY ACTS OR UNLAWFUL ACTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.
"WHERE A PERSON PERSISTENTLY COMMITS SUCH ACTS, THE COMMISSION IS ALSO EMPOWERED TO APPLY TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR AN INJUNCTION RESTRAINING THE PERSON FROM SO DOING.
"WITH STRONG CONCILIATION POWERS, THE COMMISSION WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE IMPORTANT TASK OF SAFEGUARDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN THE SEXES WITHOUT CREATING AN UNDULY LITIGATIOUS SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT," MR SUEN SAID.
ON THE JUDICIAL MECHANISM, MR SUEN SAID THE DISTRICT COURT WILL BE VESTED WITH THE POWER TO HEAR ALL SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASES.
"TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE AGGRIEVED PARTIES, THE JUDICIARY PROPOSES TO DESIGNATE A COURT AT THE DISTRICT COURT LEVEL TO HEAR ALL SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASES UNDER THE BILL. TO ENCOURAGE ACCESS TO THE COURT, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE DISTRICT COURT’S DISCRETION TO PERMIT PERSONS TO ADDRESS IT WHO ARE NEITHER LEGALLY QUALIFIED NOR PARTIES TO THE PROCEEDINGS WOULD BE FAVOURABLY EXERCISED IN APPROPRIATE CASES.
"MOREOVER, THE USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE IN THE COURT WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED. TO MAKE LITIGANTS LESS WORRIED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE THE OTHER SIDE’S LARGE BILL OF COSTS TO PAY IF THEY LOSE, CONSIDERATION COULD BE GIVEN TO MAKING THE COURT’S POWER TO MAKE ORDERS FOR COSTS EXERCISABLE ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
"TAKEN TOGETHER, THE ABOVE MEASURES WILL PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT AND ACCESSIBLE AVENUE OF REDRESS FOR THE AGGRIEVED," MR SUEN POINTED OUT.
ON PROVISIONS FOR EXEMPTIONS, MR SUEN SAID THE BILL PROVIDED EXCEPTIONS TO ALLOW FOR SITUATIONS WHERE BEING A PARTICULAR SEX WAS A GENUINE OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATION.
"SUCH SITUATION WILL ARISE FROM THE NATURE OF THE JOB (E.G. IN THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES), CONSIDERATIONS OF DECENCY OR PRIVACY, THE CHARACTER OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AT WHICH THE DUTIES ARE PERFORMED AND THE NEED FOR WELFARE, EDUCATIONAL OR OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY A PERSON OF A PARTICULAR SEX.
"WITH REGARD TO DISCRIMINATION ON THE GROUND OF MARITAL STATUS, IT WILL NOT BE UNLAWFUL FOR AN EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SPECIFIED BENEFITS OR ALLOWANCES FOR EMPLOYEES WITH DIFFERENT MARITAL STATUS. THIS WOULD ALLOW, FOR EXAMPLE, AN EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE A HIGHER LEVEL OF HOUSING ALLOWANCE TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE MARRIED," MR SUEN EXPLAINED.
/"TO PROVIDE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 22 -
”TO PROVIDE SMALL EMPLOYERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE BILL AND BENEFIT FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF LARGE BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS TO ALLOW BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS WITH NOT MORE THAN FIVE EMPLOYEES TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL."
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 26 THIS YEAR.
------0--------
REPORT ON LEGCO MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION SENSIBLE * * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD DECLINED TO APPROVE THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON REMUNERATION FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
"THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THIS REPORT TO BE SENSIBLE, THOROUGH AND WELL-BALANCED," HE SAID.
"WE WILL HAVE TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON WHETHER TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE COMMISSION."
IN THE MEANTIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LOOK INTO THE POINTS MADE BY MEMBERS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE, SUCH AS THE ADEQUACY OF THE WINDING-UP ALLOWANCE OF $73,000 AND WHETHER THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE NAMES AND SALARIES OF LEGCO MEMBERS’ ASSISTANTS SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC NOW SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.
------0-------
RADAR SIMULATOR CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NEW AIRPORT *****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF AN AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A RADAR SIMULATOR FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE CONTRACT, VALUED AT ABOUT $9 MILLION, WILL BE AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO UNISYS CHINA/HONG KONG LIMITED.
THE COMPANY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE RADAR SIMULATOR. THE SIMULATOR WILL BE USED FOR TRAINING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS.
WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST 1995.
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR TO 69, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $52 BILLION.
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/23 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 23 -
ACP HIGHWAYS PROJECTS MAKE GOOD PROGRESS
* » t » »
WORK IS PROGRESSING WELL ON ALL THE FIVE MAJOR HIGHWAYS PROJECTS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP), THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR H S KWONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY),
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN EXHIBITION ON THE ACP ORGANISED BY THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO), MR KWONG SAID THE ACP’S HIGHWAYS PROJECTS WERE DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE NEW AIRPORT’S TRAFFIC AND TO RELIEVE EXISTING TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
THE FIVE HIGHWAYS PROJECTS ON THE ACP, WHICH WILL PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH A TOTAL OF 34 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS WHEN COMPLETED IN 1997, INCLUDE THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, THE 12.5-KILOMETRE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE TSING YI AND KWAI CHUNG SECTIONS OF ROUTE 3, THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, HONG KONG’S THIRD CROSS-HARBOUR ROAD TUNNEL.
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, COMPRISING THE TSING MA SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE, WOULD LINK UP THE LANTAU ISLAND WITH THE MAIN URBAN AREAS AND SERVE AS THE KEY TO OPEN UP LANTAU, MR KWONG SAID.
"THE OPENING OF LANTAU COULD PROVIDE VITAL PORT FACILITIES TO HELP SUPPORT THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG AND SOUTH CHINA INTO THE NEXT CENTURY,” HE SAID.
ON THE TSING MA SUSPENSION BRIDGE, MR KWONG SAID IT WOULD BECOME INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN AS A MAJOR HONG KONG LANDMARK.
"ITS MAIN SPAN OF 1,377 METRES WILL BE THE WORLD’S LONGEST CARRYING BOTH ROAD AND RAILWAY, AND ITS CONCRETE TOWERS WITH A HEIGHT OF 206 METRES ARE AS HIGH AS SOME OF THE TALLEST OFFICE BUILDINGS IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.
"CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN SUSPENSION CABLES BY AERIAL WIRE SPINNING HAS COMMENCED AND ITS DECK UNITS WILL BE ERECTED IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1995," HE SAID.
MR KWONG SAID HONG KONG’S ROADS HAD ONE OF THE HIGHEST VEHICLE DENSITIES IN THE WORLD.
"TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING TRANSPORT DEMANDS, THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING AN EXTENSIVE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME WITH OVER 100 ROAD PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND 50 BEING PLANNED.
"TO IMPROVE THE CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC AND ACCESS TO THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT TUEN MUN ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TING KAU BRIDGE ARE UNDER WAY. BESIDES, THE ROUTE 3 - COUNTRY PARK SECTION IS TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION IN EARLY 1995.
"THESE PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1996, 1997 AND 1998, WHICH WILL WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ACP SECTION OF ROUTE 3 TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD AND IN KWAI CHUNG," HE SAID.
/THE ACP .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 24 -
THE ACP EXHIBITION, HELD AT THE ATRIUM OF THE TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA, IS THE FIFTH OF THE 10 LOCAL EXHIBITIONS BEING ORGANISED BY NAPCO TO KEEP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABREAST OF THE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS ON THE 10 ACP PROJECTS.
THE TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA EXHIBITION IS OPEN DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM UNTIL SUNDAY (OCTOBER 16).
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAU WONG-FAT, MR ALFRED TSO, MR TANG SIU-TONG, MR ZACHARY WONG; AND THE DIRECTOR OF NAPCO, MR BILLY LAM.
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HONG KONG SUPPORTS FREE TRADE IN ASIA-PACIFIC * t * * t
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL STATE UNEQUIVOCALLY HONG KONG’S SUPPORT FOR THE VISION OF FREE TRADE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION DURING THE SECOND ECONOMIC LEADERS MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) IN INDONESIA NEXT MONTH.
SPEAKING ON “FREE TRADE AND APEC: A NEW WAY FORWARD?” TO THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TODAY (FRIDAY), SIR HAMISH SAID HE BELIEVED THAT SUCH A VISION SHOULD GIVE APEC A SENSE OF DIRECTION AND A SENSE OF COMMON PURPOSE.
"HONG KONG WANTS APEC TO SUCCEED. WE SEE APEC AS THE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT FOR FREE TRADE IN ASIA-PACIFIC.
"PLAYING A ROLE COMPLEMENTARY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE FRAMEWORK, APEC CAN LEAD THE WAY TO GLOBAL LIBERALISATION,” HE SAID.
SIR HAMISH SAID HE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT TRADE AND INVESTMENT WERE THE MOST POWERFUL ENGINES BEHIND GROWTH.
"THE MOST OPEN ONE IS, THE MORE COMPETITIVE AND SUCCESSFUL ONE BECOMES,” HE SAID.
SIR HAMISH SAID APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS WOULD ALSO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS ON LAUNCHING THE PROCESS OF TRADE LIBERALISATION MADE BY APEC’S EMINENT PERSONS GROUP (EPG).
EPG HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROCESS SHOULD START IN THE YEAR 2000 AND THE FREE TRADE GOAL SHOULD BE ATTAINED BY THE YEAR 2020.
SIR HAMISH SAID AS ONE OF THE FREEST, IF NOT THE FREEST, TRADERS OF THE WORLD, HONG KONG FULLY EMBRACED THE FREE TRADE GOAL.
"WE WOULD IN FACT BE OVERJOYED IF THE FREE TRADE GOAL WERE TO BE REACHED TODAY! HONG KONG IS ALREADY FREE - TARIFF FREE, QUOTA FREE, DISCRIMINATION FREE," HE SAID.
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/25......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 25 -
QUOTA CONTROL FOR IMPORTING CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
*****
THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION FOR THE RETAINED IMPORTS OF CARBON TETRACHLORIDE FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995.
"THIS MOVE BUILDS ON THE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS ALREADY MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1989," PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD), MR FRANKLIN CHUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID: "THESE LATEST STEPS ARE IN LINE WITH THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, UNDER WHICH A REVISED AND ACCELERATED CONSUMPTION REDUCTION SCHEDULE TO PHASE OUT HALONS BY 1994 AND CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS), 1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE AND CARBON TETRACHLORIDE BY 1996 WAS ADOPTED BY PARTY COUNTRIES IN THE COPENHAGEN MEETING IN 1992.
"UNDER THE ADJUSTMENT, HONG KONG’S CONSUMPTION LEVEL OF CARBON TETRACHLORIDE OF 1995 SHOULD BE FROZEN AT OR BELOW 15 PER CENT OF THAT IN 1989.
"TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT, STARTING FROM JANUARY 1, 1995, ANY PERSON WHO IMPORTS CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INTO HONG KONG FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION WILL BE REQUIRED TO POSSESS A QUOTA ALLOCATED BY THE EPD BEFORE AN IMPORT LICENCE CAN BE ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
"THE QUOTA SYSTEM WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE ONES CURRENTLY OPERATED FOR CFCS AND 1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE. QUOTAS WILL BE ISSUED TO APPLICANTS WITH A PROVEN RECORD OF IMPORTING CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INTO HONG KONG FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION," MR CHUNG SAID.
HE SAID AS A CONTINUED EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL TO PROTECT THE OZONE LAYER, THE EPD HAD REVISED THE ADMINISTRATIVE QUOTA ALLOCATION SYSTEM TO ACCOMMODATE THE CHANGES IN THE CONSUMPTION REDUCTION SCHEDULE FOR PHASING OUT CFCS AND 1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE.
"THE IMPORTATION OF HALONS INTO HONG KONG FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION HAS BEEN BANNED SINCE JANUARY 1994, WHILE CARBON TETRACHLORIDE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO LICENSING CONTROL SINCE AUGUST 1993,” MR CHUNG SAID.
WHILE CARBON TETRACHLORIDE IS A SOLVENT USED IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY FOR DRY-CLEANING OF GARMENTS, MR CHUNG SAID: "LOCAL DEMAND FOR THIS CHEMICAL, WHICH IS KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER, HAS DECREASED.
"THEREFORE, THE IMPENDING QUOTA CONTROL ON THE CHEMICAL IS NOT EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE INDUSTRY SIGNIFICANTLY."
APPLICATIONS FOR QUOTAS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON BY 5 PM ON NOVEMBER 11, TO EPD’S AIR MANAGEMENT GROUP, 33RD FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THE QUOTA SYSTEM CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ABOVE ADDRESS OR BY TELEPHONE 594 6242 OR 594 6243.
------0--------
/26 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 26 -
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1994
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) RELEASED DETAILED STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE WITH BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY AND COMMODITY FOR AUGUST 1994.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN AUGUST 1994, AT $87.4 BILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 20% OVER AUGUST 1993.
COMPARING AUGUST 1994 WITH AUGUST 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (+31%), JAPAN (+27%), THE UNITED STATES (+21%), CANADA (+21%), CHINA (+20%), FRANCE (+18%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+13%), GERMANY (+9.3%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+4.8%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED MARGINALLY BY 0.3%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAIN DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994 WAS $599.7 BILLION, 14% HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN (+24%), THE UNITED STATES (+17%), CHINA (+16%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+15%), SINGAPORE (+13%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+11%), CANADA (+6.6%), GERMANY (+5.3%) AND FRANCE (+3.2%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1.4%
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993, INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF MOST PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $16.2 BILLION OR 37%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $7.7 BILLION OR 18%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING MAINLY OF BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $7.5 BILLION OR 11%); TEXTILES (BY $7.2 BILLION OR 16%); FOOTWEAR (BY $4.6 BILLION OR 15%); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $1.5 BILLION OR 26%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $1.3 BILLION OR 5.8%).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC’ EXPORTS IN AUGUST 1994, AT $21.1 BILLION, INCREASED BY 7.5% OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
/COMPARING AUGUST .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
COMPARING AUGUST 1994 WITH AUGUST 1993, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MALAYSIA INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY 46%. INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (+16%), THE NETHERLANDS (+13%), THE UNITED STATES (+12%), JAPAN (+11%), CHINA (+3.4%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+0.2%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA, GERMANY AND TAIWAN DECREASED BY 6.4%, 2.3% AND 1.6% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAIN DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA (-13%), GERMANY (-11%), CHINA (-5.9%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-5.9%) AND TAIWAN (-2.6%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS. TO MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN INCREASED BY 8.9%, 6.8%, 2.4%, 1.5% AND 0.3% RESPECTIVELY.
TAK™n A’ I. destinations TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994, AT $140.3 BILLION, DECREASED BY 2.7% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993. THIS REFLECTED PARTLY THE CONTINUED STRUCTURAL SHIFT TO RE-EXPORTS AND PARTLY THE WEAK DEMAND IN OVERSEAS MARKETS.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1.4 BILLION OR 16%); TEXTILES (BY $1.1 BILLION OR 9.9%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $726 MILLION OR 6.9%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING MAINLY OF JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $718 MILLION OR 5.5%); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $338 MILLION OR 3.0%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A MODERATE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1.4 BILLION OR 9.3%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN AUGUST 1994, AT $109.7 BILLION, INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY 18% OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAIN SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING AUGUST 1994 WITH AUGUST 1993, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL OF THE MAIN SUPPLIERS SHOWED INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES: ITALY (+32%), GERMANY (+28%), SINGAPORE (+24%), CHINA (+22%), MALAYSIA (+19%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+17%), TAIWAN (+13%), JAPAN (+10%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+7.4%) AND THE UNITED STATES (+4.3%).
/COMPARING THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 28 -
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL OF THE MAIN SUPPLIERS SHOWED INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES: ITALY (+28%), SINGAPORE (+28%), MALAYSIA (+24%), CHINA (+16%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+16%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+14%), TAIWAN (+10%), GERMANY (+8.4%), THE UNITED STATES (+8.0%) AND JAPAN (+1.0%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994, AT $792.4 BILLION, INCREASED BY 13% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993. THIS WAS SUPPORTED LARGELY BY THE GROWTH IN HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE 10 PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1994 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF MOST PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $16.7 BILLION OR 29%); TEXTILES (BY $11.9 BILLION OR 18%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $11.6 BILLION OR lbx>) ; Ui-i-iLE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $6.0 BILLION OR 26%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING MAINLY OF BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $5.0 BILLION OR 9.7%); AND CLOTHING (BY $4.7 BILLION OR 8.4%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $5.6 BILLION OR 15%).
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR AUGUST 1994 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY NOVEMBER.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE AUGUST 1994 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST 1994 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $86 A COPY AROUND OCTOBER 24.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED EITHER 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 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 STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 29 -
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAIN DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) AUG 94 OVER AUG 93 (X CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN-AUG 94 OVER JAN-AUG 93 (X CHANGE)
CHINA 27,792 + 19.7 207,009 + 16.2
UNITED STATES 21,828 + 21.3 132,788 + 16.7
JAPAN 4,941 ♦ 26.6 32,886 + 23.5
GERMANY 3,751 + 9.3 26,746 + 5.3
UNITED KINGDOM 2,650 + 13.5 17,184 + 15.2
TAIWAN 1,732 - 0.3 14,254 - 1.4
SINGAPORE 1,738 + 30.5 12,462 + 13.5
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,279 + 4.8 * 10,906 + 11.0
CANADA 1,531 + 20.9 8,881 + 6.6
FRANCE 1,311 + 18.1 8,828 + 3.2
/TABLE 2 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 30 -
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE TEN PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) AUG 94 OVER AUG 93 (X CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN-AUG 94 OVER JAN-AUG 93 (X CHANGE)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 13,769 + 21.4 75.385 + 11.0
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 10,000 + 15.4 59.897 ♦ 5.8
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 8,147 + 31.6 59.733 + 37.1
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7.548 + 32.1 52.749 + 15.8
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 7.338 % + 21.6 50,560 + 17.9
FOOTWEAR 5,158 • + 13.7 35,977 ♦ 14.8
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3.709 + 19.2 25.612 + 11.4
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2.942 + 25.1 22.180 + 25.5
ROAD VEHICLES 2.543 - 11.0 21.444 - 5.8
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,909 + 18.9 20.201 ♦ 15.0
/TABLE 3 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 31 -
TABLE 3 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAIN DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) AUG 94 OVER AUG 93 (X CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN-AUG 94 OVER JAN-AUG 93 (X CHANGE)
CHINA 5,627 + 3.4 39,519 - 5.9
UNITED STATES 6,189 + 11.7 37,391 ♦ 1.5
GERMANY 1,263 - 2.3 8,282 - 11.2
SINGAPORE 1,094 + 16.4 7,837 + 6.8
UNITED KINGDOM 1,054 + 0.2 6,535 - 5.9
JAPAN 912 + 10.6 6,471 + 0.3
TAIWAN 498 - 1.6 3,738 - 2.6
NETHERLANDS 447 + 12.6 • * 3,109 + 2.4
CANADA 431 - 6.4 2,705 - 13.1
MALAYSIA 258 + 46.2“ 1,889 + 8.9 '
/TABLE 4 : .......
1
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 32 -
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE TEN PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) AUG 94 OVER AUG 93 (X CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN-AUG 94 OVER JAN-AUG 93 (X CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,798 4 8.3 44,814 4 T/ ;. 0.3
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,290 4 23.0 15,986 + 9.3
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,681 - 6.9 12,372 5:5
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,533 + 24.5 10,892 - 3.0
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS % 1,394 + 11.8 9,768 - 9.9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,314 + 0.6 9,733 - 6.9
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,032 - 8.1 7,648 - 15.8
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 424 4 7.3 3,028 - 0.6
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 404 + 45.8 2,510 4 7.7
MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 257 - 15.7 2,142 - 11.2
/TABLE 5 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 33 -
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAIN SUPPLIERS
SUPPLIER AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) AUG 94 OVER AUG 93 (X CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN-AUG 94 OVER JAN-AUG 93 (X CHANGE)
CHINA 45,115 + 22.0 295,907 + 16.0
JAPAN 15,978 + 10.3 124,463 + 4.0
TAIWAN 9,040 ♦ 12.9 67,913 + 10.2
UNITED STATES 7,761 + 4.3 57,309 + 8.0
SINGAPORE 4,922 + 24.4 38,725 + 27.8
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 4,284 + 7.4 37,182 + 15.5
GERMANY 2,591 + 28.1 18,093 + 8.4
UNITED KINGDOM 2,204 + 16.6 * 15,779 + 14.2
ITALY 2,349 + 32.0 . 14,655 + 28.3
MALAYSIA 1,622 + 18.7 ‘ 12,766 + 23.7
/TABLE 6 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 34 -
TABLE 6 : IMPORTS OF THE TEN PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) AUG 94 OVER AUG 93 (X CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN-AUG 94 OVER JAN-AUG 93 (X CHANGE)
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 11,604 + 14.6 85.078 + 15.8
TEXTILE YARN. FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 10,074 + 29.7 77,454 + 18.2
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 9,759 + 10.5 73.866 + 29.3
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 10,031 + 18.9 61.361 + 8.4
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 9,498 < X % .+ 21.0 56.479 t + 9.7
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4,456 + 15.7 34.055 + 9.2
ROAD VEHICLES 4,433 + 7.8 32,781 - 14.6
FOOTWEAR 4,365 + 6.2 31,360 + 14.0
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 4,066 . + 41.8 29,056 + 26.2
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS 2,888 + 17.4 25,784 + 13.3
--------0-----------
/35 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 35 -
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN ELECTED *****
MR TANG KWOK-YUNG WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AT ITS MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE DEFEATED ANOTHER CANDIDATE MR RAYMOND PANG HANG-YIN BY EIGHT TO SEVEN VOTES.
MR KAN PING-CHEE ALSO BEAT ANOTHER CANDIDATE MR CHEUNG FOR-TAI BY EIGHT TO SEVEN VOTES TO BECOME REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THREE CHAIRMEN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMITTEES WERE ALSO ELECTED. THEY ARE MR HAU KAM-LAM OF THE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE; MR WAN CHUNG-PING OF THE RECREATION, CULTURE AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE; AND MR TANG KUN-NIN OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
---------0-----------
MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS SEIZED *****
BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CUSTOMS, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) SEIZED A LARGE QUANTITY OF MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS IN TWO OPERATIONS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS.
AFD SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER MR CHAN PING-KWONG SAID THE TWO OPERATIONS RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF OVER 20,000 PACKETS OF MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF OVER $542,000.
THE FIRST OPERATION WAS MOUNTED FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL INTERCEPTION BY THE CUSTOMS OF THREE POSTAL SHIPMENT CARTONS OF TIGER MEDICINES (948 PACKETS) FROM MALAYSIA ON OCTOBER 1 DURING A CHECK ON THE GOODS AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
BASED ON THESE INFORMATION, STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A SEARCH ON OCTOBER 4 AT A PREMISES BELIEVED TO BE THE OFFICE OF THE CONSIGNEE AND SEIZED A TOTAL OF 20,500 PACKETS OF TIGER MEDICINES, TWO PACKETS OF RHINO/TIGER MEDICINES AND TWO VIALS OF CLAIMED BEAR GALL BLADDER POWDER.
INVESTIGATIONS ON THE CONSIGNEE ARE STILL CONTINUING, MR CHAN SAID.
THE SECOND OPERATION WAS CONDUCTED JOINTLY WITH THE POLICE EARLY THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING AFTER A PERIOD OF OBSERVATION ON A WOMAN WHO WAS FOUND BY THE CUSTOMS AT LOWU CHECKPOINT IN JULY FOR BRINGING IN 99 PACKETS OF TIGER MEDICINES WHEN RETURNING FROM CHINA.
AT 6.50 AM TODAY, POLICE AND AFD OFFICERS STOPPED THE SUSPECTED WOMAN HAWKER AT THE TAK TIN STREET BUS TERMINUS, LAM TIN, AND SEIZED FROM HER 21 PACKETS OF TIGER MEDICINES.
/A SUBSEQUENT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 36 -
A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH ON HER PREMISES RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF ANOTHER 101 PACKETS OF THE SAME PROHIBITED ITEMS,
THE WOMAN IS EXPECTED TO BE CHARGED tflTH RELATED OFFENCES ONCE INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETED.
COMMENTING ON THE CASES, MR CHAN SAID THE AFD WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE CUSTOMS AND POLICE ON THEIR ENFORCEMENT OVER THE ILLEGAL IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION OF TIGER AND RHINO MEDICINES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SPECIAL ATTENTION WOULD BE PAID TO DIFFERENT WAYS OF SMUGGLING THE PROHIBITED ITEMS INTO THE TERRITORY, SUCH AS POSTAL CONSIGNMENT.
MR CHAN REITERATED THAT THE BAN ON IMPORT AND EXPORT OF ALL TIGER MEDICINES HAD BECOME EFFECTIVE SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, PEOPLE FOUND GUILTY OF POSSESSING, IMPORTING AND EXPORTING ENDANGERED ITEMS WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQNENT OFFENCES.
HE SAID CONSIDERATION WAS BEING MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE PENALTIES.
--------0 ----------
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER 1994 *****
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR DECREASED MARGINALLY BY 0.8% OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A DECREASE OF 8.0% WAS RECORDED IN THE INDUSTRY GROUP OF CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS. WITHIN THIS GROUP, THE PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC PRODUCTS RECORDED A NOTABLE DECREASE OF 17.9%.
PRODUCTION OF THE TEXTILE (INCLUDING KNITTING) INDUSTRY DECREASED BY 5.4%.
A SMALL DECREASE OF 1.3% WAS ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDUSTRY GROUP OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS.
WITHIN THIS GROUP, THE PRODUCTION OF MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS INCREASED BY 1.8% WHEREAS THE PRODUCTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS DECREASED BY 3.9%.
NEVERTHELESS, MODERATE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING INDUSTRY GROUP (6.0%) AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (4.3%).
/OUTPUT OF .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 37 -
OUTPUT OF THE FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO INDUSTRY GROUP ALSO INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 2.0%.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1994, THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SHOWED A NOTABLE INCREASE OF 12.1%. THIS INCREASE WAS, HOWEVER, LARGELY SEASONAL AS THE 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, IT MEASURES THE VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE "QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 2ND QUARTER 1994" REPORT, WHICH IS ON SALE AT $5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GENERAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6643.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN THE INDICES 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 COMPONENT INDUSTRIES. %
INDICES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY INDUSTRY GROUP AND SELECTED COMPONENT INDUSTRY (1986 = 100)
INDUSTRY GROUP / SELECTED COMPONENT INDUSTRY INDEX FOR 2ND QTR. 1994 % CHANGE 2ND QTR. 1993 OVER 1ST QTR. 1994
1. FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 153 + 2.0 + 1.3
2. WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 103 + 1.0 + 12.0
3. TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 106 -5.4 + 24.7
4. PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING 281 + 6.0 + 26.6
5. CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 69 -8.0 + 16.9
—PLASTIC PRODUCTS (46) (-17.9) (+17.9)
/6. BASIC METALS ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
38
6. BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED 96 + 4.3 + 14.3
METAL PRODUCTS
--FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (94) (+3.3) (+14.6)
7. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS 157 -1.3 + 3.3
--CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (122) (-3.9) (+16.2)
--MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS (223) (+1.8) (+0.5)
8. MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 82 -2.4 + 2.5
120 -0.8 +12.1
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
NOTES: 1. FOUR SELECTED COMPONENT INDUSTRIES, WHICH CARRY
RELATIVELY LARGE WEIGHTS AND ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THEIR RELEVANT INDUSTRY GROUPS, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE TABLE. FOR EASY READING, THE FIGURES OF THESE SELECTED COMPONENT INDUSTRIES ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS.
2. AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC) HAS BEEN USED TO FORM THE INDUSTRY GROUPS AND SELECTED COMPONENT INDUSTRIES PRESENTED IN THE ABOVE TABLE. FOR THE EXACT COVERAGE OF THE INDUSTRY GROUPS AND COMPONENT INDUSTRIES IN TERMS OF HSIC CODES, PLEASE REFER TO THE "QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 2ND QUARTER 1994".
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/39 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
39 -
WIDER PROTECTION FOR INJURED EMPLOYEES PROPOSED
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED TO MAKE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE (ECO) TO PROVIDE WIDER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE INJURED AT WORK.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1994 WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"UNDER THE PROPOSAL, AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS INJURED WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING ANY MEANS OF TRANSPORT PROVIDED BY HIS EMPLOYER BETWEEN HIS HOME AND HIS PLACE OF WORK IN CONNECTION WITH HIS EMPLOYMENT WOULD BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION,” SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (COMPENSATION) MR CHOW CHEUNG-FAT SAID.
"SIMILARLY, AN EMPLOYEE WOULD BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS TO HIM WHILE HE IS TRAVELLING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND HIS PLACE OF WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG BY MEANS OF TRANSPORT ARRANGED BY OR AGREED WITH HIS EMPLOYER."
AT PRESENT, AN EMPLOYEE WHO SUSTAINS INJURY WHEN HE TRAVELS FROM HIS PLACE OF RESIDENCE TO HIS PLACE OF WORK OR VICE VERSA IS NOT ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION UNLESS HE IS TRAVELLING AS A PASSENGER BY MEANS OF TRANSPORT PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER.
AS REGARDS MEDICAL EXPENSES, THE AMENDMENT BILL PROPOSED TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR THE POWER TO PROCESS A CLAIM FROM AN EMPLOYEE FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRED BY HIM OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND TO ASSESS THE AMOUNT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES PAYABLE BY THE EMPLOYER, MR CHOW SAID.
"IT ALSO PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE DEFINITION OF ’MEDICAL EXPENSES’ TO INCLUDE THE MEDICAL EXPENSES SO ASSESSED AND OTHER FORMS OF CURATIVE TREATMENT GIVEN BY REGISTERED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS UNDER THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
"IN ADDITION, IF AN EMPLOYEE IS INJURED WHILE WORKING OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND IS GIVEN MEDICAL TREATMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG, HIS EMPLOYER IS LIABLE TO PAY FOR THE COST OF A PROSTHESIS OR SURGICAL APPLIANCE REQUIRED BY HIM AS A RESULT OF THE INJURY PROVIDED THAT THE PROSTHESES AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES BOARD (PSAB) GIVES ITS APPROVAL," HE ADDED.
ON THE COST OF ATTENDING TO AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WHO SUFFERS SERIOUS PERMANENT INCAPACITY, MR CHOW SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE COURT MIGHT AWARD COMPENSATION TO MEET THE COST OF ATTENTION IF THE EMPLOYEE REQUIRED THE CARE OF ANOTHER PERSON.
"WE ALSO PROPOSED TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING PROVISION BY ALLOWING AN EMPLOYER AND HIS INJURED EMPLOYEE TO AGREE ON THE COMPENSATION FOR THE COST OF ATTENTION AND SUBMIT SUCH AN AGREEMENT FOR APPROVAL BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, ON CONDITION THAT THE AMOUNT AGREED SHOULD BE THE STATUTORY MAXIMUM," HE SAID.
/TO IMPROVE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
40
TO IMPROVE THE PROTECTION TO EMPLOYEES WHOSE PERIOD OF TEMPORARY INCAPACITY OR SICK LEAVE EXTENDS BEYOND THE STATUTORY CEILING OF 24 MONTHS, MR CHOW SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PROPOSED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH A DISCRETIONARY POWER TO EXTEND THE MAXIMUM PERIOD IN RESPECT OF WHICH PERIODICAL PAYMENTS WERE PAYABLE BY UP TO 12 MONTHS IN DESERVING CASES.
"WE ALSO PROPOSED AN ADJUSTMENT OF EARNINGS FOR CALCULATING PERIODICAL PAYMENTS AND COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF TEMPORARY INCAPACITY BEYOND 12 MONTHS OR 24 MONTHS AS APPROPRIATE," HE SAID.
"THE RATE OF EARNING ADJUSTMENT SHALL BE THE AVERAGE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE EARNINGS OF OTHER PERSONS EMPLOYED BY THE EMPLOYER IN SIMILAR EMPLOYMENT, OR WHERE NO OTHER PERSONS ARE EMPLOYED BY THE EMPLOYER IN SIMILAR EMPLOYMENT, THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS OR 24 MONTHS AS APPROPRIATE," MR CHOW ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT SOME AMENDMENTS WERE PROPOSED TO CLARIFY CERTAIN EXISTING PROVISIONS AND STREAMLINE PROCEDURES.
"THESE INCLUDE CLARIFICATION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH AN INJURED EMPLOYEE IS PROTECTED FROM TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND THOSE UNDER WHICH AN EMPLOYEE SUFFERING FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IS ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION," MR CHOW SAID.
"ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS AIMED AT MAKING LESS RESTRICTIVE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PERIODICAL PAYMENTS ARE PAYABLE TO RECIPIENTS WHO INTEND TO LEAVE HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
------0-------
INT’L LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN HK *****
THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) UNDER THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL PLAY HOST TO AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO BE ATTENDED BY 200 DELEGATES FROM OVER 30 COUNTRIES FROM OCTOBER 17
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR OF HOKLAS, DR L H NG, SAID: THE INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE (ILAC) IS A FORUM FOR ESTABLISHING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS TO GOVERN THE OPERATION OF LABORATORIES, ACCOMPANIED BY NATIONAL ACCREDITATION SCHEMES THAT ENSURE ADHERENCE TO THESE STANDARDS.
"LABORATORY ACCREDITATION HAS ASSUMED INCREASED SIGNIFICANCE WORLDWIDE AS INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF TEST RESULTS HAS TAKEN ON GREATER IMPORTANCE IN THE REDUCTION OF TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE " C'U L A I T
"MOST PRODUCTS ARE TESTED BEFORE THEY ARE MARKETED THE REQUEST OF PURCHASERS OR REGULATORS.
EITHER AT
/"A PRODUCT........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
"A PRODUCT THAT IS DESTINED FOR SALE IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES MIGHT BE SUBJECTED TO A GREAT DEAL OF TESTING AND RETESTING IF LABORATORIES FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES DO NOT MEET THE SAME OPERATIONAL STANDARDS.
”ILAC IS TACKLING THIS PROBLEM BY SETTING THE STAGE FOR COUNTRIES TO REACH AGREEMENTS ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF TEST RESULTS/’ SHE ADDED.
HONG KONG HAS ENTERED THROUGH HOKLAS INTO MUTUAL BILATERAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS ON LABORATORY ACCREDITATION WITH FIVE MAJOR OVERSEAS LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEMES.
A VOLUNTARY SCHEME LAUNCHED IN 1985, THE PRIME OBJECTIVES OF HOKLAS IS TO UPGRADE THE STANDARDS OF TESTING AND MANAGEMENT OF LABORATORIES, CONFER OFFICIAL RECOGNITION TO COMPETENT LABORATORIES AND PROMOTE THE .ACCEPTANCE OF TEST CERTIFICATES FROM ACCREDITED LABORATORIES BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
THE- CONFERENCE, TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1977, WILL BE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEMES, LABORATORIES, STANDARDS BODIES, CERTIFICATION BODIES, INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND THOSE WHO ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE POLICIES.
IT WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY ON OCTOBER 17 TO BE OFFICIATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU.
A SEMINAR ON ’’MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS” WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 20, FEATURING SPEAKERS FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, FRANCE, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, NEW ZEALAND, UNITED KINGDOM AND UNITED STATES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF I LAC, SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 17 AT 9 AM AT THEATRE 1, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
- - 0 - -
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS * » » * »
MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL HOLD ITS PLENARY MEETING AT 2.30 PM NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 17).
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MR CHAN HO-KEUNG AT 829 6745 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
/AS SEATING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 42 -
AS SEATING IN THE CONFERENCE HALL IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
I. •/
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
---------0-----------
MARRIAGE CEREMONY SERVICE TO BE EXTENDED
*****
THE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES AT COTTON TREE DRIVE, TS1M SHA TSUI AND SHA TIN WILL EXTEND THEIR SERVICE TO COVER THE AFTERNOON FROM 2 PM TO 4.45 PM ON NINE SATURDAYS NEXT YEAR.
THE DATES ARE JANUARY 14, MARCH 4 AND 11, MAY 6, SEPTEMBER 16, OCTOBER 7, AND DECEMBER 2, 9 AND 30.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THIS WAS PART OF THEIR EFFORTS TO FURTHER ENHANCE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
WHEN TWO PEOPLE WISH TO GET MARRIED, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THEM TO GIVE A WRITTEN NOTICE OF MARRIAGE ON THE PRESCRIBED FORM IN ADVANCE AT A MARRIAGE REGISTRY, WHETHER THE MARRIAGE IS TO TAKE PLACE AT A MARRIAGE REGISTRY OR IN A LICENSED PLACE OF PUBLIC WORSHIP.
THE NOTICE WILL BE EXHIBITED AT THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY WHERE IT IS GIVEN AND ALSO AT THE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION AND RECORDS OFFICE FOR AT LEAST 15 CLEAR DAYS.
IF NO OBJECTION IS RECEIVED AFTER THAT PERIOD, THE MARRIAGE MAY TAKE PLACE WITHIN A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, OTHERWISE THE NOTICE BECOMES VOID AND FRESH NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN.
”IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A FAIR CHANCE TO CHOOSE A DESIRED DAY FOR MARRIAGE, APPOINTMENTS FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONIES ARE GIVEN ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111 OR THROUGH THE FAXLINE 877 7711.
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/43 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 43 -
ACCESS ROAD FOR TSING YI PROPOSED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED CONSTRUCTING AN ACCESS ROAD IN AREA 3, TSING YI.
THE ROAD, ROAD TY 3/1, WILL BE BUILT ALONG TSING KING ROAD OPPOSITE TSING YI PARK.
THE WORKS ALSO INVOLVE IMPROVEMENT TO THE JUNCTIONS OF EXISTING TSING KING ROAD WITH THE PROPOSED ROAD TY 3/1, CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTWAY, RETAINING WALL, LANDSCAPING, DRAINAGE AND ANCILLARY WORKS.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSAL WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED 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;
* THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG STREET, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, AND
* THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN MTR STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, 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, CENTRAL, NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 13, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
------0-------
FLOOD MITIGATION WORKS FOR SHENZHEN RIVER
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL REALIGN TWO SECTIONS OF SHENZHEN RIVER WITHIN 14 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT LOK MA CHAU AND LIU POK TO FORM WIDENED AND DEEPENED REALIGNED RIVER CHANNELS.
THE REALIGNMENT IS EXPECTED TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODING IN THE AREA. THE WORK WILL COMMENCE NEXT APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY ABOUT OCTOBER 1997.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN. A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE NOTICE........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
44
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, THRID FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NORTH, SIXTH FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES; THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG, NINTH FLOOR 11TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 14, 1995.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
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GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BI-WEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS WERE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
45
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR. THE E COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF GRADE "4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
AT PRESENT, FOUR GAZETTED BEACHES: ANGLERS’, CASTLE PEAK, OLD CAFETERIA AND ROCKY BAY, ARE CLOSED TO SWIMMERS. THE DECISION TO CLOSE THE BEACHES HAS BEEN MADE BY THE REGIONAL AND URBAN COUNCILS ON THE BASIS OF BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING DATA FOR 1993. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT THESE BEACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
/THE GRADES .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 46 -
THE GRADES OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
BEACH PREVIOUS GRADING PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 29.9.94) (AS AT 14.10.94)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 3 3
CHUNG HOM KOK 1 1
DEEP WATER BAY 2 2
HAIRPIN 2 2
MIDDLE BAY 1 1
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK 0 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST. STEPHEN’S 2 1
TURTLE COVE 1 1
STANLEY MAIN 3 2
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 4
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 3
X 3 X 3 3
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS ? r ’ 0 ? *! 1 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2 2
1 1
1 2 2
1 1
1
2
1
HAP MUN BAY KIU TSUI PAK SHA CHAU SILVERSTRAND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN)
/ISLANDS DISTRICT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
47 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2
HUNG SHING YEH 1
KWUN YAM WAN 2
TONG FUK 2
LO SO SHING 1
PUI O 2
SILVERMINE BAY 2
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2
TUNG O* 2
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ X
APPROACH 3
CASAM 2
GEMINI 2
HOI MEI WAN 3
LIDO 2
TING KAU 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2
1
2 2
1
1 1
1
1
3
2 1
X 3 2 2 2 2 3 2
NOTE : "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING, t NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
ST. STEPHEN’S, KWUN YAM WAN, TONG FUK, PUI 0, TUNG O, AND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) FROM ”2” TO ”1", STANLEY MAIN AND HOI MEI WAN FROM ”3” TO ”2”; NEW CAFETERIA FROM ”4” TO ”3”, AND SILVERMINE BAY FROM ”2” TO ”3”.
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER DR M J BROOM ON TEL 835 1234.
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/48 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED
* * * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (NO. S/KC/9).
TO MAKE PROVISION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, THREE SITES AT KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, NEAR KWAI FUK ROAD AND ADJACENT TO CHO YIU CHUEN, HAVE BEEN REZONED FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY” TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" USE.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE REZONING OF AN AREA FRONTING CHEUNG WING ROAD FROM "INDUSTRIAL" TO "ROAD” AND A SITE NEAR KWAI FUK ROAD FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "OPEN SPACE" TO REFLECT THE EXISTING USES.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN (NO. S/KC/10) IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL NOVEMBER 4 FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 27TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE, 38 SAI LAU KOK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE,
10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, BEFORE NOVEMBER 4.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR SHEK KIP MEI PARK *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF CURTAIN WALLING, CLADDING, WINDOWS, LOUVRES, ENTRANCE CANOPY AND SUSPENSION RODS AS WELL AS GLASS DOORS FOR AN INDOOR GAMES HALL TO BE BUILT IN SHEK KIP MEI PARK.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE NEXT MONTH FOR COMPLETION BY JULY 1996.
/TENDER FORMS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1994
- 49 -
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON NOVEMBER 4.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,277 0930 + 215
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,455 1000 + 215
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 217
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 218 1200 + 218
LAF TODAY -40 1500 + 218
1600 + 218
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TWI 121.4 *-0.4* 14.10.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.57 19 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.06 6.40
1 MONTH 4.64 22 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.40 6.60
3 MONTHS 4.94 30 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.12 7.09
6 MONTHS 5.22 33 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.49 7.28
12 MONTHS 5.86 59 MONTHS 5909 7.45 98.05 8.09
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 13,852 MN
CLOSED 14 OCTOBER 1994
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHIEF SECRETARY IN TORONTO................................. 1
GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL DELEGATION VISITS HK............... 5
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS TORONTO CHILDREN HOSPITAL AND ELDERLY HOME............................................... 6
NEW BUS ROUTE 292P SERVES SAI KUNG RESIDENTS............... 7
SEPTEMBER A HUMID MONTH.................................... 7
CAR MARKS SOLD FOR CHARITY.............................. 10
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.... 12
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
CHIEF SECRETARY LN TORONTO *****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY MRS ANSON CHAN’S MEDIA SESSION AFTER THE LUNCHEON MEETING IN TORONTO ON OCTOBER 14 :
CS: GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WOULD LIKE TO SAV A FEW WORDS. I HAD A VERY ENJOYABLE AND IN MANY WAYS AERY REWARDING VISIT SO FAR. UNHAPPY THIS COMING TO AN END. TOMORROW I HAVE A LUNCH WITH PREMIER BOB RAE, AND THEN 1 LEAVE ON SUNDAY FOR THE UNITED STATES WHERE WE HAVE A MAJOR PROMOTIONAL TOUR. I HAVE MET WITH YOUR PRIME MINISTER AND WITH OTHER MINISTERS AND I HAVE BEEN GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THE CONSIDERABLE GOODWILL SHOWN TOWARDS HONG KONG, BY THE DISTINCT LEVEL OF INTEREST IN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG, WHAT WE ARE DOING IN HONG KONG, WHAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS ATTEMPTING TO DO IN ORDER TO SECURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND TO PUT IN PLACE THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE THAT THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL GET OFF TO A GOOD START. THE LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA AS YOU KNOW ARE EXTREMELY STRONG. IT DATES BACK MANY MANY YEARS. IT HAS STRENGTHENED OVER THE YEARS AND THE HUMAN FLOW BETWEEN US HAS, I AM TOLD BY YOUR DEPUTY MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION, BEEN A VERY BENEFICIAL ONE. IT HAS ENHANCED THE QUALITY OF LIFE HERE AND PARTICULARLY HAS ADDED TO THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY. WE VERY MUCH VALUE OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH CANADA. IT WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT BOTH TN THE RUN UP TO 1997 AND AFTER 1997 THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS, CONTINUE TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WE WILL REMAIN A VERY ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR BUSINESSMEN TO DO BUSINESS IN AND TO WORK IN, AND WHAT THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION CURRENTLY IS ENGAGED IN DOING IS TO PUT FLESH TO THE PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PROSPER WELL INTO THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Q: IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT CANADIAN OR TORONTO BUSINESSES ARE NOT PURSUING EFFECTIVELY ENOUGH IN HONG KONG THAT THEY COULD BE DOING?
CS: I THINK AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH THAT THERE ARE, I WOULD SAY UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR CANADIAN BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN HONG KONG. CANADIANS, OF COURSE, ARE ALREADY INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE PARTICULAR EXPERTISE, FOR EXAMPLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, FOR EXAMPLE CANADIAN FIRMS HELP US INSTALL OUR VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. A LOT OF CONTRACTS COMING UP IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT. YOU ARE PARTICULARLY GOOD, FOR EXAMPLE, IN PROVIDING SIGNALLING EQUIPMENT AND WE HAVE QUITE A FEW TRANSPORT PROJECTS COMING UP. SO PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES. YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WHICH WE ARE VERY VERY ANXIOUS AND ARE DETERMINED TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN AND AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH, I AM SURE THAT CANADIAN BUSINESSMEN, LIKE BUSINESSMEN ELSEWHERE, HAVE A HARDNOSE FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND WILL GRASP THE OPPORTUNITIES.
/O: ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
2
Q: ARE THERE AREAS THEY COULD BE DOING BETTER?
CS: I, OF COURSE, LOOK AT FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, WE WOULD WISH THAT CANADIAN BUSINESSMEN WOULD, IN ADDITION TO THE TRADITIONAL AREA, THAT THEY ALREADY ARE INVOLVED IN OR HAVE AN INTEREST IN, THAT THEY WOULD DIVERSIFY AND WOULD LOOK AT OTHER MARKETS. HONG KONG IS A FREE MARKET. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW AREAS COMING UP AND I THINK IT IS VERY MUCH UP TO THE CANADIAN BUSINESSMEN THEMSELVES TO LOOK FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY WISH TO INFLUENCE OR DICTATE IN WHICH DIRECTION INVESTMENT SHOULD GO OR INDEED HOW DEVELOPMENT SHOULD PROCEED.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPECTATION HOW THE TRADE RELATIONSHIP .... HOW TRADE CONTINUES TO GROW BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES?
CS: YES, TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA HAS IN FACT INCREASED VERY SUBSTANTIALLY AND WITH THE INCREASING GLOBALISATION OF ECONOMIES, AND WITH HONG KONG AT THE HUB OF WHAT WILL BE THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY SURGING IN THE COMING DECADE, I CAN SEE TRADE INCREASING NOT DECREASING.
Q: ANY MORE SPECIFIC FIGURES ON THAT IT WILL INCREASE?
CS: 1 AM NOT ABLE TO SAY IN PERCENTAGE TERMS HOW MUCH, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS TRADE BETWEEN OUR TWO PLACES HAVE INCREASED BY 40 ODD PERCENT.
Q: (INAUDIBLE ...... POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG)
CS: YES, THE CHINESE HAVE SAID THAT THEY WILL DISMANTLE ALL THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. WE BELIEVE THAT THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND ENACTED BY OUR LEGISLATURE ARE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW, THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE UNDERSTANDING REACHED BETWEEN THE TWO SOVEREIGN POWERS THAT THEY PROVIDE FOR FAIR, OPEN ELECTIONS ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE HAVE JUST, AS I POINTED OUT, HAD THE FIRST LOCAL ELECTION UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS. THOSE HAVE GONE WELL. WE BELIEVE THAT IN PRACTICE THEY WILL WORK WELL AND IF THEY WORK WELL, AND THE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WITH THEM, I THINK THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WILL, IF THEY WISH TO DISMANTLE, WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN IN WHAT WAY THEY WILL DISMANTLE IT, AND WHY CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE CLEARLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE DISMANTLED, BEARING IN MIND THAT AS I SAID, THEY ARE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
Q: (INAUDIBLE .....)
CS: OF COURSE I ACCEPT THAT THE CHINESE CAN’T TAKE THAT DECISION, BUT I SUGGEST AND I AM SURE THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING A FINAL DECISION, AND AFTER ALL WE ARE STILL SOME YEARS OFF 1997. WE WILL WISH TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
/O: ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
- 3 -
Q: (INAUDIBLE .... NEW AIRPORT FINANCING)
THE THE OF
obviously THE LONGER WE DO NOT HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINESE ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY MORE RISK THERE IS OF DELAY. OUR COMMITMENT UNDER THE MEMORANDUM UNDERSTANDING SIGNED WITH THE CHINESE ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT IS TO COMPLETE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OF THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY BEFORE 1997 AND THIS WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO AND CURRENTLY DOING. WE ARE MAKING EXTREMELY GOOD PROGRESS BUT CLEARLY’ IF WE CAN REACH AGREEMENT, THEN WORK CAN PROCEED FASTER. WE HAVE BEEN VERY
ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT EXPERTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE CONTINUING THEIR TALKS AND I AM PERSONALLY' VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT SHORTLY WE WILL HAVE AN AGREEMENT.
Q: (INAUDIBLE .... CANADA’S POSITION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA)
CS: I DO NOT GET THE IMPRESSION THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO PUT ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS ABOVE HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS. I THINK I AGREE WITH YOUR PRIME MINISTER THAT OF COURSE, WE ALL CARE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, I THINK THERE IS NO COUNTRY, NO TERRITORY IN THE WORLD WHO CARES MORE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS THAN HONG KONG, GIVEN THAT CHINA IS GOING TO BE OUR SOVEREIGN POWER AFTER 1997, BUT WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE WAY TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS, TO SECURE IMPROVEMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS IS THROUGH TRADE SANCTIONS. WE BELIEVE THAT THE TWO SHOULD BE KEPT APART, AND INDEED THAT WAS THE MESSAGE THAT I GAVE TO THE AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WHEN IN APRIL I WENT ON A LOBBYING EXERCISE ON THE MFN, PRESIDENT CLINTON. I HAD A CLEAR IMPRESSION AND A CLEAR MESSAGE BOTH FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR PRIME MINISTER AND WITH OTHER MINISTERS THAT THEY CONTINUE TO CARE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS. OF COURSE THEY WISH ALSO TO BE IN A POSITION TO EXPLOIT THE UNLIMITED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG AND THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO INDICATE TO THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPART THEIR INTEREST IN SEEING HONG KONG MAINTAIN ITS CURRENT SYSTEMS, ITS CURRENT WAY OF LIFE, OR CREDIBLE LEGISLATURE, INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, THE RULE OF LAW AND ALL THAT AFFECTS HUMAN RIGHTS.
0: ON THE AIRPORT ISSUE, YOU SAID YOU EXPECT AN AGREEMENT SHORTLY. WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME THAT THEY GAVE?
CS: I .THINK SHORTLY. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO PUT A TIME FRAME TO IT.
Q: (IN CANTONESE) MRS CHAN, YOU JUST MENTIONED DURING YOUR SPEECH THAT HONG KONG HAS VERY SOUND COMMERCIAL LAWS, WHICH PROVIDE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF CONTRACTS AND PROTECTION OF PRICES, DO YOU CONSIDER THE CT-9 CONTROVERSY AN COUNTER-EXAMPLE TO THAT? ALSO, IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO SHOULDER LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY?
/cs: ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
4
CS: (IN CANTONESE) THE CT-9 ISSUE DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY LEGAL PROBLEM. WE’RE SORR1 TO SEE THAT THE CONSTRICTION OF CT9 HAS BEEN POSTPONED FOR 18 MONTHS, WHILE HONG KONG’S PORT FACILITIES ARE IN A DESPERATE NEED FOR FURTHER EXPANSION. WE HAVE SUPPLIED THE CHINESE SIDE WITH A LOT OF INFORMATION AND HAVE ANSWERED ALL THEIR QUERIES. BUT IT IS OF REGRET THAT THE CHINESE SIDE STILL HAS NOT AGREED TO LET THE CONSTRUCTION OF CT-9 TO GO AHEAD. WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT IN THE PROCESS OF DECIDING WHICH COMPANY SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPERATION RIGHTS OF CT-9, WE DON’T HAVE TO MAKE ANY POLITICAL CONSIDERATION. HONG KONG HAS HAD VERY GOOD REPUTATION FOR ITS FAIRNESS IN HANDLING TENDERING OF CONTRACTS. THAT PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS ALSO APPLIES TO CT-9 OPERATION RIGHTS. OUR DECISION WAS REACHED AFTER VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT WE SHOULD BRING IN MORE COMPETITION IN THE CONTAINER INDUSTRY. THEREFORE WE HOPE TO HAVE A NEW COMPANY, AND AS YOU KNOW THAT NEW COMPANY HAS FOUR PARTNERS. WE ARE STILL DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, AND WE HAVE MET THE THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES STATED BY CHINA. WE HOPE CHINA WILL AGREE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE THAT WE SHOULD GO AHEAD TO BUILD CT-9.
Q: (IN CANTONESE) CT-9 .... POSTPONEMENT .... ANY COMPENSATION (INAUDIBLE)
CS: (IN CANTONESE) THE DELAY, WHICH LOOKS LIKE CAUSED BY POLITICAL REASONS, OF COURSE IS A CONCERN FOR INVESTORS. FOR HONG KONG, IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE, AND INVESTORS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG BECAUSE OF ITS FAIRNESS AND OPENNESS.
Q: (IN CANTONESE) OVERSEAS INVESTMENT .... AFTER 1997 (INAUDIBLE)
CS: (IN CANTONESE) THE CHINESE SIDE DID NOT STATE CLEARLY THAT CONTRACTS WOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO COMPANIES WITH BRITISH INTEREST. THIS IS A MATTER OF CONCERN FOR US ALL. WE DO NOT WANT ANY POLITICAL, RACIAL OR NATIONALITY FACTORS TO INFLUENCE OUR USUAL TENDERING PROCEDURE. INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION CLEARLY STATES THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE ITS USUAL AND CURRENT ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PRACTICES AND ARRANGEMENTS. AS TO TENDERING OF CONTRACTS BEYOND 1997, WE ARE TOO HAPPY TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, BUT WE HOPE THE CHINESE SIDE WILL NOT LET POLITICAL FACTOR TO GET INVOLVED TN DECISION-MAKING.
Q: (IN CANTONESE) HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT FUTURE INVESTMENTS FROM CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY POLITICAL FACTORS?
CS: (IN CANTONESE) OF COURSE, I CANNOT GUARANTEE. BUT UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, THE FUTURE SAR. GOVERNMENT HAS A HIGH-LEVEL OF AUTONOMY. THE MOST URGENT TASK FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE IN PLACE FOR THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT TO ENJOY THAT HIGH-LEVEL OF AUTONOMY. AND I THINK THIS IS MY BEST GUARANTEE.
/O: ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
- 5 • -
Q: (IN CANTONESE) (INAUDIBLE .. PRESS FREEDOM AFTER 1997)
CS: (IN CANTONESE) CERTAINLY, WE HAVE ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PRESS FREEDOM. AT THE PRESENT MOMENT, WE ARE REVIEWING ALL OUR EXISTING LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT ALL LEGISLATION THAT INTERFERE WITH FREEDOM OF THE PRESS WOULD BE REVOKED. ON PRESS FREEDOM, WE ALSO HOPE THAT THE MEDIA WOULD NOT EXERCISE "SELF-CENSORSHIP". THEY SHOULD ADOPT AN OPEN AND RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE. IF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE COURAGE TO POINT IT OUT. OF COURSE, IN ENSURING PRESS FREEDOM, THE CHINESE SIDE COULD DO A LOT TO MAKE PEOPLE MORE CONFIDENT.
Q: (IN CANTONESE) (INAUDIBLE - SITUATION OF FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS RETURNING TO WORK IN HONG KONG.)
CS: (IN CANTONESE) IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN MANY FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS RETURNING TO HONG KONG. ONE OF THE MAIN FACTORS IS THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IS VERY BUOYANT. THAT’S WHY MANY WHO HAVE OBTAINED CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP HAVE RETURNED TO LIVE AND TO WORK IN HONG KONG. ON THE SECOND QUESTION, ACCORDING TO THE JOINT DECLARATION, ALL HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN MOVE IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG FREELY DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT. REGARDING A SERIES OF ISSUES INCLUDING PROBLEMS RELATING TO EMIGRATION, THE DEFINITION OF PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Q: (IN CANTONESE) WHAT IS YOUR PLAN AFTER 1997?
CS: (IN CANTONESE) AFTER 1997, I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE RETIREMENT AGE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS 60 YEARS. BY 1997, I HAVE NOT YET REACHED 60.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
---------0-----------
GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL DELEGATION VISITS HK
*****
A FOUR-MEMBER DELEGATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE HAS JUST CONCLUDED A THREE-DAY PROGRAMME OF BRIEFINGS AND VISITS TO UPDATE THEMSELVES ON THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU, MR WANG YINKUN, BRIEFED THE HONG KONG SIDE ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL FRONT IN GUANGDONG.
SUBSEQUENTLY, MR WANG AND HIS DELEGATION WERE BRIEFED ON A WIDE RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, INCLUDING HONG KONG’S WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY AND THE OPERATION OF LOCAL CONTROL OFFICES.
/THEY ALSO .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
- 6
THEY ALSO VISITED THE ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION, THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL, THE TSING YI CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT'S LABORATORIES AND THE MARINE MONITORING VESSEL, "DR CATHERINE LAM".
DESCRIBING THE VISIT AS VERY USEFUL AND BUILDING ON THE GOOD RELATIONSHIP ALREADY ESTABLISHED FROM PREVIOUS INTERCHANGES, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID: "THE VISIT IS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME FOR BOTH SIDES TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND EXCHANGE VIEWS AT A TECHNICAL LEVEL ON VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN."
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS TORONTO CHILDREN HOSPITAL AND ELDERLY HOME ♦ * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, ON FRIDAY (TORONTO TIME) VISITED THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN AND THE MON SHEONG HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN TORONTO. SHE IS CURRENTLY ON A WEEK-LONG OFFICIAL VISIT IN CANADA.
AT THE CHILDREN HOSPITAL, MRS CHAN TOURED THE FACILITIES AND WAS BRIEFED BY DR ALAN GOLDBLOOM ON THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE HOSPITAL’S PATIENT PROGRAMMES.
SHE MET AND VISITED SEVERAL CHILDREN PATIENTS AND THEIR PARENTS IN THE PLAYROOM, AND WATCHED SOME OF THEM HAVE FUN IN A PLAYHOUSE THAT SHE DONATED TO THE HOSPITAL.
MRS CHAN ALSO MET AND TALKED TO A GROUP OF SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCHERS FROM HONG KONG WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL.
THE HOSPITAL CATERS NOT ONLY FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN THE CITY OF TORONTO, BUT ALSO FOR THOSE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CITY AND FROM OUTSIDE CANADA. LAST YEAR, THREE PATIENTS FROM HONG KONG WERE TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL.
MRS CHAN LATER VISITED A 67-BED HOME FOR THE ELDERLY OPERATED BY A CHINESE CANADIAN VOLUNTARY AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATION. SHE TOURED THE FACILITIES AND TALKED TO SOME OF THE RESIDENTS, INCLUDING A 102-YEAR-OLD LADY. SHE ALSO WATCHED SOME OF THE RESIDENTS TAKE PART IN A PHYSIO EXERCISE CLASS.
EARILER IN THE MORNING, MRS CHAN ATTENDED A BREAKFAST MEETING WITH CHAIRMEN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF CANADIAN CORPORATIONS. LATER, SHE DELIVERED A KEY-NOTE ADDRESS ENTITLED "HONG KONG: CANADA’S GATEWAY TO THE PACIFIC CENTURY" AT A LUNCHEON JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EMPIRE CLUB OF CANADA, THE CANADIAN CLUB OF TORONTO, AND THE HONG KONG CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (TORONTO CHAPTER).
ON SATURDAY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL ATTEND A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY PREMIER BOB RAE OF ONTARIO. JOINING THE LUNCHEON WILL BE LOCAL POLITICIANS, AND BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
MRS CHAN WILL DEPART TORONTO FOR NEW YORK ON SUNDAY.
/7........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
7 -
NEW BUS ROUTE 292P SERVES SAI KUNG RESIDENTS
*****
A NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTE 292P WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 17) TO SERVE COMMUTERS TRAVELLING FROM SAI KUNG TO KWUN TONG (YUE MAN SQUARE), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
IT IS A SPECIAL MORNING SERVICE TO PROVIDE A SINGLE TRIP FROM SAI KUNG TO KWUN TONG AT 7.35 AM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY. NO SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE ROUTE WILL RUN VIA WAI MAN ROAD, FUK MAN ROAD, PO TUNG ROAD, HIRAMS HIGHWAY, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD.
THE FARE FOR EACH TRIP IS $6.
---------0-----------
SEPTEMBER A HUMID MONTH
*****
LAST MONTH WAS MORE HUMID THAN NORMAL WITH A MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 83 PER CENT, THE 1OTH HIGHEST FOR SEPTEMBER SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884.
THE MONTH WAS ALSO CLOUDY AND TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE AMOUNTED TO ONLY 124.8 HOURS, THE SECOND LOWEST FOR SEPTEMBER.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL OF 298.9 MILLIMETRES WAS NEAR THE SEPTEMBER NORMAL OF 299.7 MILLIMETRES.
HOWEVER, THE RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, 2,600.6 MILLIMETRES, WAS STILL 30 PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 2,007.1 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE MONTH STARTED FINE AND HOT. WITH LONG PERIODS OF SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES CLIMBED TO THE MONTH’S HIGHEST OF 31.9 DEGREES IN THE AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 2.
AN EASTERLY AIRSTREAM ARRIVED ON SEPTEMBER 3, BRINGING SHOWERS TO THE TERRITORY THAT MORNING.
MEANWHILE, A TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMED JOEL DEVELOPED OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON SEPTEMBER 3.
RAINBANDS ASSOCIATED WITH IT AFFECTED THE TERRITORY THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. HOWEVER, THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 6 WITH GENERALLY FINE PERIODS AND BRIEF SHOWERS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 9.
UNSETTLED WEATHER WITH HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS AFFECTED THE TERRITORY ON THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 10. THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 9 PM AND OVER 50 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED IN KOWLOON.
/TWENTY-ONE CASES .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
8
TWENTY-ONE CASES OF FLOODING WERE REPORTED AND FIVE PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE RAINSTORM.
AFTER CROSSING THE LUZON STRAIT, TROPICAL STORM LUKE ENTERED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON SEPTEMBER 11.
AS IT MOVED CLOSER TO HONG KONG THAT NIGHT, WINDS BEGAN TO STRENGTHEN FROM THE EAST.
STRONG WINDS AND SQUALLY SHOWERS AFFECTED THE TERRITORY ON SEPTEMBER 12. OVER 50 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
MEANWHILE, A CONTINENTAL NORTHEAST MONSOON ARRIVED AT THE SOUTH CHINA COAST AND RAIN EASED OFF ON SEPTEMBER 13. WINDS REMAINED STRONG OFFSHORE THAT DAY.
IT WAS WINDY AND CLOUDY ON SEPTEMBER 14 BUT THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 15 AND A MAINLY FINE SPELL LASTED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 22.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A COOL NORTHEAST MONSOON, TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO THE MONTH’S LOWEST OF 23.1 DEGREES EARL\ ON SEPTEMBER 18.
■ (• <•. . ’•
DISTURBED WEATHER RETURNED AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 23. HEAVY THUNDERY SHOWERS OCCURRED IN THE EARLY MORNING AND ALSO LATER THAT NIGHT.
DAILY RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF OVER 100 MILLIMETRES WERE REPORTED IN TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
A TRANSPORT PLANE CRASHED INTO THE WATERS OF KOWLOON BAY TYPHOON SHELTER IN THE EVENING. SIX PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND SIX OTHERS WERE INJURED IN THE INCIDENT.
THE WEATHER STAYED CLOUDY ON SEPTEMBER 24 BUT IT BECAME GENERALLY FINE ON SEPTEMBER 25 AND 26.
IT TURNED CLOUDY AGAIN WITH SOME RAIN ON SEPTEMBER 27 AND 28.
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A DRV CONTINENTAL AIRSTREAM FROM THE NORTH, THE WEATHER BECAME SUNNY AND DRY IN THE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH.
THERE WERE ALTOGETHER 12 TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.
DETAILS OF THE ISSUANCE/HO1 ST I NG AND CANCELLATI ON/LOWER ING OF VARIOUS WARNINGS/SIGNALS IN THE MONTH ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.1. MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL OF SEPTEMBER ARE TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
/TABLE 1.1 ........
4 ‘ l SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994 | - 9 - TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN SEPTEMBER 1994
WARNINGS / SIGNALS EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS NAME OF T.C. SIGNAL NO.
! LUKE 1 SEP 11 7.50 AM — SEP 11 10.30 PM
3 SEP 11 10.30 PM — SEP 12 11.50 AM
STRONG MONSOON WARNINGS SEP 12 5 PM — SEP 14 11.45 AM I
SEP 14 11.20 PM — SEP 15 6 AM
FLOOD WARNINGS SEP 10 7.55 PM SEP 10 10.10 PM
• * SEP 11 6.20 AM - SEP 11 8.40 AM 1
SEP 23 5.55 AM - SEP 23 7.45 am :
SEP 23 8.45 PM — SEP 23 11.30 PM
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS SEP 1 4.40 PM SEP 1 6.40 PM |
SEP 2 12.55 PM - SEP 2 2.55 PM i
SEP 3 5.20 AM - SEP 3 6.20 AM
SEP 5 4 PM — SEP 5 6 PM
SEP 5 6.30 PM — SEP 5 10 PM
SEP 5 11.15 PM — SEP 6 6.15 AM 1
SEP 6 12.30 PM — SEP 6 2.30 PM
SEP 8 2 PM — SEP 8 4 PM
SEP 10 12.30 PM — SEP 10 4 PM
SEP 10 7.40 PM — SEP 10 10.40 PM
SEP 11 5.55 AM — SEP 11 10 AM
SEP 11 4.50 PM - SEP 1 1 7.50 PM
SEP 17 11.45 PM — SEP 18 5.45 AM
SEP 20 5.50 AM — SEP 20 6.50 AM 1
SEP 22 11.30 PM — SEP 23 8 AM 1
SEP 23 5 PM — SEP 23 7 PM 1
SEP 23 7.45 PM — SEP 23 11.30 PM I
SEP 28 00.15 AM — SEP 28 2.15 AM
। FIRE DANGER WARNING
। YELLOW SEP 20 00.02 AM — SEP 20 5 AM
SEP 21 6.15 AM — SEP 21 10.40 AM
/TABLE 1., 2
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
I
- 10 -
TABLE 1.2 FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL - SEPTEMBER 1994
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL
SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM
TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
124.8 HOURS ; 56.9 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
12.10 MJ/SQ M ; 4.39 MJ/SQ M BELOW NORMAL
298.9 MM
73 PER CENT
83 PER CENT
29.2 DEGREE CELCIUS
27.1 DEGREE CELCIUS
25.4 DEGREE CELCIUS
23.9 DEGREE CELCIUS
; 0.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
; 10 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL
; 5 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL
; 1.1 DEGREE CELCIUS BELOW NORMAL
; 0.5 DEGREE CELCIUS BELOW NORMAL
•
; 0.1 DEGREE CELCIUS BELOW NORMAL
; 0.6 DEGREE CELCIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION
85.1 MM ; 65.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
REMARKS: ALL MEASUREMENTS WERE MADE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY EXCEPT SUNSHINE, SOLAR RADIATION AND EVAPORATION WHICH WERE RECORDED AT KING’S PARK.
-----0--------
CAR MARKS SOLD FOR CHARITY
*****
ONE HUNDRED VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE SOLD IN AN AUCTION TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $2,981,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK GA 1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $700,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK HK198 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $190,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR GD6891, GD1015, CF4224, GD3927, GE9777, GD9867, GE4838, GE7338, GD1013, GD1019 AND GE1002.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
11 -
FOLLOWING ARE RESULTS OF THE MORNING-SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
GC112 9,000 GC398 19,000 HK468 66,000 BB170 30,000
GC3337 9,000 GD113 22,000 GB998 36,000 HK4440 20,000
»DN1919 10,000 ♦ GC6 125,000 ♦ GA8 180,000 ♦AL8118 18,000
GA1333 12,000 AC143 11,000 BL1882 13,000 GD520 5,000
GC8660 4,000 AS6188 11,000 GC7038 7,000 BB2273 3,000
GD1005 3,000 BD1230 2,000 GE1828 15,000 GD9100 3,000
HK841 21,000 GD908 7,000 AL226 21,000 GD662 16,000
»EC4400 2,000 *3048 50,000 ♦ GD11 100,000 ♦GD1010 16,000
GC9686 8,000 GD103 8,000 GD6318 8,000 GD3323 6,000
GC2223 9,000 GD2265 1,000 GE8988 20,000 AW1958 2,000
GD1020 3,000 GD122 10,000 *DL575 2,000 BB1110 8,000
GD930 8,000 GD6891 1,000 GD1015 1,000 ♦CF4224 1,000
GD3927 1,000 GE1023 3,000
FOLLOWING ARE RESULTS OF THE AFTERNOON-SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ ,i r • $
GC268 16,000 GE118 55,000 EY188 29,000 GE7338 1,000
GE9777 1,000 GD9867 1,000 GE4838 1,000 GD318 40,000
*BB2020 26,000 »AL1818 55,000 *GA1 700,000 ♦FF456 17,000
GC378 4,000 BW9063 2,000 CB3088 6,000 GE886 25,000
GD1007 4,000 GC382 18,000 CL1882 4,000 AA844 51,000
GA108 41,000 CP105 7,000 XX844 50,000 EL8831 5,000
GC728 12,000 BC468 12,000 HK1833 44,000 GD8068 3,000
*6977 90,000 ♦ BB66 155,000 ♦GA888 WITHDRAWN »AB89 94,000
HK198 190,000 CR2389 4,000 GD911 65,000 GD689 13,000
GD1318 40,000 GD968 35,000 GD7177 3,000 AK1026 15,000
BB110 50,000 BL7727 2,000 »AD7070 9,000 GD1013 1,000
GD1019 1,000 GD601 4,000 GE1002 1,000 «GC6363 15,000
GD3331 2,000 GE3991 WITHDRAWN
THERE WERE NO BIDDERS FOR GA888 AND GE3991. GE3991 WILL BE
ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT.
♦ 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 244TH AND 245TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $352,681,905.
--------0-----------
/12 .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1994
12
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * ♦ ♦ ♦
$ MILLION < TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2.455 0930 NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1 ,845 1000 NIL
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 NIL
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY NIL 1130 NIL
LAF TODAY -610 1500
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER
TW1 121.3 *-0.1* 15.10.94
---------0-----------
.‘i -) r
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TO ENHANCE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY.. 1
NEW FEES FOR MARINE FISH CULTURE LICENCES................... 2
TREATED DRUG ABUSERS ARE USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY....... 2
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SCOUTS TO STAGE "BEATING RETREAT".. 3
DSW TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL WELFARE CONFERENCE.............. 4
SALT WATER CUT IN SHA TIN................................... 4
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1994
1
INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TO ENHANCE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH AN EXTENSIVE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN ON FACTORIES AND CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS TOMORROW (MONDAY) AS PART OF ITS CONTINUED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE SAFETY THROUGH STRINGENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
"ALTHOUGH THE ACCIDENT FIGURES FOR THE TWO INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN ON THE DECLINE FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS ALWAYS COMMITTED TO BRINGING DOWN FURTHER THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING FIRE AND CHEMICALS," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR MR KAN HON-SANG SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"PROPRIETORS OF FACTORIES AND CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS SHOULD ALSO MAINTAIN THEIR VIGILANCE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE COMING DRY SEASON, AS THERE WERE STILL TWO FATAL ACCIDENTS IN CONNECTION WITH FIRE IN 1993."
THE SPECIAL INSPECTION CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL LAST TWO MONTHS, WILL TARGET ON FACTORIES AND CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS INVOLVING LARGE QUANTITIES OF FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES AND DANGEROUS CHEMICALS, AND THOSE WITH POOR PERFORMANCE RECORDS UNDER THE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY REGULATIONS.
"DURING THE CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL MAKE SURPRISE INSPECTIONS TO THESE INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND PROSECUTIONS WILL BE TAKEN, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AGAINST PROPRIETORS OR WORKERS WHO BREACH THE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROVISIONS," HE SAID.
MR KAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN MEANS OF ESCAPES SUCH AS DOORWAYS, PASSAGEWAYS AND STAIRCASES IN GOOD CONDITION AND FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION.
"EXIT DOORS SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED TO OPEN OUTWARD AND MAINTAINED UNLOCKED OR UNFASTENED AT ALL TIMES TO FACILITATE SPEEDY ESCAPE OF WORKERS IN CASE OF FIRE," HE SAID.
"IN PLACES WHERE SMOKING IS PROHIBITED, PROPRIETORS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY PROHIBITION NOTICES CONSPICUOUSLY AND ENSURE THAT NO PERSON SMOKES IN THE AREA," HE ADDED.
WITH REGARD TO THE HANDLING OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS, MR KAN SAID CONTAINERS OF THESE SUBSTANCES SHOULD BE PROPERLY LABELLED TO INDICATE ANY RISK INHERENT IN THE SUBSTANCES AND THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE SUBSTANCES.
HE REMINDED PROPRIETORS THAT CONTRAVENING THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY REGULATIONS WOULD RENDER THEM LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT WHILE AN EMPLOYEE WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
IN THE INTEREST OF THEIR OWN SAFETY AND HEALTH, MR KAN CALLED ON ALL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THE WORKPLACE SAFE.
------0-------
/2 .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1994
2
NEW FEES FOR MARINE FISH CULTURE LICENCES
*****
THE REVISED FEES FOR APPLYING OR RENEWING MARINE FISH CULTURE LICENCES WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 20), THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
AN AFD SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW FEES, AT $7.40 PER SQUARE METRE OF MARINE FISH CULTURE ZONE, WERE ADJUSTED TO RECOVER THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF LICENSING.
"THE LAST REVISION OF THE LICENSING OR RENEWAL FEES WAS MADE IN 1989," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE NEW FEES WOULD ONLY REPRESENT LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF THE OPERATING EXPENSES OF A TYPICAL FISH FARM.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CALCULATION OF THE NEW FEES HAD BEEN BASED ON A NEW AND FAIRER METHOD WHICH WAS WELCOMED BY PEOPLE IN THE TRADE.
THE MARINE FISH CULTURE (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994, WHICH SETS OUT THE REVISED FEES, WAS PUBLISHED AT THE GAZETTE IN JUNE.
------0-------
TREATED DRUG ABUSERS ARE USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY
*****
DRUG ABUSERS UNDERGOING TREATMENT ARF USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR ALASDAIR SINCLAIR, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CONCERT CUM PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN PLAZA.
"PEOPLE WHO GET TRAPPED INTO DEPENDENCY ON DRUGS NEED HELP. THEY ARE VICTIMS OF THE DRUG DEALERS AND THEY NEED SUPPORT.
"WITH YOUR ASSISTANCE THEY CAN BE REHABILITATED," MR SINCLAIR ADDED.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT TOLERATE TRAFFICKING IN ILLICIT DRUGS AND WAS DETERMINED TO FIGHT AGAINST IT.
FIRM ACTION WAS NEEDED TO STAMP OUT THEIR ACTIVITIES. THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WORKED- HARD TO CUT DOWN THE SUPPLY, HE SAID.
"DRUG PUfJHERS EXPLOIT HUMAN WEAKNESS. THEY MAKE MONEY BY DESTROYING PEOPLE’S LIVES," HE REMARKED.
"YOUNGSTERS LACK INSIGHT AND MATURITY, THEY MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY IN DISTINGUISHING BAD PEERS FROM GOOD ONES.
"THEY NEED TO DEVELOP CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM AND THE SKILLS TO RESIST OFFERS OF DRUGS," HE SAID.
"PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.
"BE SMART, SAY NO TO DRUGS," THE COMMISSIONER REPEATED THE CURRENT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN MESSAGE.
------0-------
/3 .....
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1994
3
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SCOUTS TO STAGE ’’BEATING RETREAT” » * * ♦ *
A GROUP OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SCOUTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR MUSIC TALENT AND MAGNIFICENT MARCHING DISPLAY IN TWO ’’BEATING RETREAT” SHOWS TO BE STAGED ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (OCTOBER 19 AND 20) NIGHTS AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
THE EVENT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ISLAND 221ST GROUP, IS A FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY FOR A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION, THE YOUTH OUTREACH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT SCOUTING ACTIVITIES FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR TRAINING CENTRE INMATES.
’’THROUGH SCOUTING ACTIVITIES, INMATES CAN DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS AND CULTIVATE SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND APPRECIATE THE MEANING OF DISCIPLINE AND SPIRIT OF TEAMWORK,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE * BEATING RETREAT’ SHOWS HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING, FOR MOST OF THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT,” HE ADDED.
THE MAIN PERFORMERS AT THE ’’BEATING RETREAT” ARE MEMBERS OF THE 221ST HONG KONG ISLAND SCOUT GROUP, WHICH WAS SET UP BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1986. SINCE THEN, THE GRAND MUSICAL EVENT WAS HELD EVERY TWO YEARS TO PROMOTE THE IMAGE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY ' FOR THE SCOUT MEMBERS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THE "BEATING RETREAT” PERFORMANCE WOULD ALSO INVITE THE 141ST HONG KONG RANGER GUIDES UNIT, A GIRL GUIDE GROUP ESTABLISHED BY THE • DEPARTMENT IN 1987, AS GUEST PERFORMERS. THEY WILL PERFORM BAND DISPLAY AND THE "PAVANE” FOLK DANCE.
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SCOUTS HAVE TAKEN PART IN.VARIOUS SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, INCLUDING CLEANING WORK IN COUNTRY PARKS, GRASS CUTTING AND MAINTENANCE WORK ON CAMP SITES, AND SERVICES FOR THE AGED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PREVIEW OF THE "BEATING RETREAT” PERFORMANCE SPECIALLY ARRANGED FOK THE MEDIA WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 18) AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEGINNING AT 3.40 PM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE PREVIEW AND TAKE PICTURES OF THE PERFORMANCE^
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (YOUNG OFFENDERS), MR CHOW TAK-WAH, THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE 221ST HONG KONG J, ISLAND SCOUT GROUP, MR STEVE LAU AND MR HERMAN HUI, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ON SCOUTING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR TRAINING CENTRE INMATES.
MEMBERS OF THE SCOUT GROUP WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS ON THEIR PREPARATIONS FOR THE EVENT.
/4 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1994
- 4 -
DSW TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL WELFARE CONFERENCE
* * * t ♦
. . • f. • /■••••• •
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, WILL LEAVE FOR MANILA THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING TO ATTEND THE FIFTH ASIAN AND PACIFIC MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN PREPARATION FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
ORGANISED BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP), THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD BETWEEN OCTOBER 12 AND 18.
MR STRACHAN WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE ON OVERALL SOCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG SINCE 1991 AND ITS STRATEGY TOWARDS THE YEAR 2,000 AND BEYOND.
’’THE. CONFERENCE PROVIDES A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR DELEGATES IN THE ESCAP REGION TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND TO SHARE EXPERIENCE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THEIR OWN PLACES.
"IT ALSO INTENDS TO REVIEW THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SITUATION IN THE REGION AND TO LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES SUCH AS HEALTH, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
ALSO REPRESENTING HONG KONG AT THE CONFERENCE IS THE REGIONAL OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MRS PUN LEE WAI-CHUN, WHO WILL DELIVER A TALK ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN HONG KONG.
SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LUCAS CHAN, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.
- - - - 0-----
SALT WATER CUT IN SHA TIN
*****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHA TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 18) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK.
THE AFFECTED AREAS INCLUDE BELAIR GRRDENS, CITY ONE SHATIN, YUE TIN COURT, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, CHAP WAI KON STREET, YUEN SHUN CIRCUIT, KWONG YUEN ESTATE, ’KWONG LAM COURT, HONG LAM COURT, TREASURE FLOATING RESTAURANT, ON KING STREET, ON MUK STREET, ON LAI STREET, ON YIU STREET, ON PING STREET, ON SUM STREET, ON KWAN STREET, ON MING STREET AND THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
-----0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
NO REQUIREMENT FOR AIR AGREEMENTS TO BE RENEGOTIATED.. 1
BA APPROVES TVB TO INVEST IN SATELLITE TV.................. 1
TSUEN WAN UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES.................. 2
LAB SUPPORTS SPIRIT OF PROPOSED DISABILITY LAW............. 3
TENDER FOR 5TH ISSUE OF 3-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES......... 4
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE -AUGUST 1994................................................ 5
NEW ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR CHEUNG CHAU SUB-LESSEES... 6
HK RECOGNISES IMPORTANCE OF LAB ACCREDITATION SYSTEMS... 7
BUSINESS RECEIPTS FOR SERVICE INDUSTRIES FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1994.................................................... 8
PUBLIC URGED NOT TO FEED MONKEYS.......................... 10
TWO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN ELECTED....................... 11
GOVT TO ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY.............. 11
HK SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL TO BE LAUNCHED ON WEDNESDAY.... 12
TIDE TABLES ON SALE....................................... 13
CLOSURE OF TSUEN WAN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ................... 13
WATER STORAGE FIGURE...................................... 13
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.... 14
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
- 1 -
NO REQUIREMENT FOR AIR AGREEMENTS TO BE RENEGOTIATED
* * * ♦ *
COMMENTING ON AN ARTICLE IN THE EASTERN EXPRESS TODAY (MONDAY), ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHFK, SAID THERE WAS NO REQUIREMENT EOR AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS (ASAS) SIGNED WITH OTHER COUNTRIES TO BE RENEGOTIATED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE.
THE ARTICLE CLAIMED THAT THE RIGHT OI REVIEW BY CHINA HAD BEEN WRITTEN INTO EVERY ASA CONCLUDED BY THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP (JLG).
"THIS IS SIMPLY NOT SO," MRS BOSHER SAID.
"UNDER ARRANGEMENTS AGREED IN THE JLG, THE ' CHINESE SIDE IS CONSULTED ON THE TEX'l <’p EACH ASA BEFORE IT IS SIGNED WITH THE CONTRACTING ' COUNTRY, TO ENSURE THAf'^HE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS HAPPY FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE VAI ID BEYOND 1997," SHE EXPLAINED.
"THE AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED AND CONCLUDED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DO NOT CONTAIN A PROVISION EOR THE RIGHT" OF REVIEW BY CHINA, AS CLAIMED IN THE ARTICLE."
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT WILL BE AUTHORISED TO RENEW OR EXTEND EXISTING ASAS AND TO NEGOTIATE AND CONCLUDE NEW AGREEMENTS IN RESPECT OF SERVICES WHICH DO NOT OPERATE TO, FROM OR THROUGH THE MAINLAND OF CHINA. 1 • t . •
"THERE IS NO QUESTION OF HONG KONG’S AVIATION PARTNERS BEING REQUIRED TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF SUCH ASAS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT," MRS BOSHER POINTED OUT. • •
------o--------
BA APPROVES TVB TO INVEST LN SATELLITE TV
*****
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) HAS GIVEN TVB APPROVAL TO INVEST IN A SATELLITE TELEVISION BROADCASTING SERVICE.
: • / ’ . ■
A SPOKESMAN SAID: "THIS APPROVAL IS AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROMOTE HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL BROADCASTING HUB. "
WHILE OVERSEAS SATELLITE OPERATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE HONG KONG AS A BASE, THE BA FELT THAT HOME GROWN BROADCASTERS SHOULD ALSO BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE AND EXPAND REGIONALLY.
"HOWEVER," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, ’THE BA’S FOREMOST CONCERN IS TO LOOK APTER THE INTERESTS Ob HONG KONG VIEWERS".
IN APPROVING TAB’S PLANS THE BA HAS BUILT IN SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THAT TVB'S INVESTMENT WILL NOT AFFECT ADVERSELY TVH’S COMMITMENT TO LOCAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
/THE BA .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
2
THE BA HAS ALSO MADE SURE THAT ITS APPROVAL DOES NOT TAKE AWAY ANY EXISTING RIGHTS HELD BY THE OTHER LOCAL BROADCASTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BA’S APPROVAL WAS FOR TVB TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE REGIONAL SATELLITE BROADCASTING BUSINESS, BUT THE OPERATION OF UPLINKING FACILITIES BY TVB AND/OR ITS PARTNERS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SEPARATE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
------0--------
TSUEN WAN UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES * » * * *
CONCERNING THE SIT-IN AT MURRAY BUILDING STAGED BY OCCUPANTS OF UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES IN TSUEN WAN, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS, MRS HELEN YU, TODAY (MONDAY) SAID SHE WOULD BE PROCEEDING WITH APPLICATION FOR CLOSURE ORDER ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19).
"IN ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW, I MUST PROCEED WITH THE CLOSURE ORDER," MRS YU EXPLAINED. "HOWEVER, I WILL DEFER DEMOLITION ACTION FOR TWO MONTHS."
THIS DEFERMENT IS TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR THOSE OCCUPANTS WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR REHOUSING TO DO SO.
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT WILL ARRANGE FOR A SPECIAL MEETING FOR SUCH OCCUPANTS TO DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS ALSO UNDERTOOK TO TRANSMIT THE OCCUPANTS’ REQUEST THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY MEET WITH THEM.
MRS YU REITERATED THAT, IN THIS CASE AS WITH ALL OTHERS WHEN HER DEPARTMENT SOUGHT TO CLEAR UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES, THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT LIAISED CLOSELY WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WELL BEFOREHAND IN ORDER THAT REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE NECESSARY COULD BE OFFERED TO ALL ELIGIBLE OCCUPANTS. THOSE IN NEED WOULD NOT BE RENDERED HOMELESS.
THE PRESENT POLICY PROVIDES THAT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR REHOUSING IN A PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING UNIT, THE AFFECTED ROOFTOP OCCUPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVE:
(A) THEY WERE LIVING IN THE ROOFTOP STRUCTURES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1, 1982; AND
(B) THE MAJORITY OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN LIVING IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS OR MORE.
ROOFTOP OCCUPANTS WHO MEET CRITERION (A) BUT NOT CRITERION (B) WILL BE REHOUSED IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN THE SAME DISTRICT. OTHERS WILL BE REHOUSED IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THE TSUEN .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
THE TSUEN WAN ROOFTOP OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN NOTIFIED SINCE ABOUT MID-1993 THAT THEIR UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES HAD TO BE CLEARED.
MRS YU EXPLAINED: "THE BUILDINGS WHERE THE UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED HAVE ONLY SINGLE STAIRCASES.
"IF FIRE BREAKS OUT IN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS AND IF THE FIRE AFFECTS THE SINGLE STAIRCASE, THE EXISTENCE OF THE UNAUTHORISED ROOFTOP STRUCTURES WILL DENY RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDING ACCESS TO THE ROOFTOP TO AWAIT RESCUE BY FIREMEN.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE ROOFTOP WILL ALSO BE ENDANGERED."
MRS YU URGED THE OCCUPANTS TO HAVE DUE REGARD FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDINGS CONCERNED.
- - 0 - -
LAB SUPPORTS SPIRIT OF PROPOSED DISABILITY LAW * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) TODAY (MONDAY) SUPPORTED THE SPIRIT OF THE PROPOSED DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION, BUT SUGGESTED THAT THE LAW SHOULD BE DRAFTED CAUTIOUSLY TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT.
AT THE MEETING CHAIRED BY THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR YIU YAN-NANG, THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALLAN CHOW, BRIEFED MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION AND LISTENED TO THEIR VIEWS.
DURING THE MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS NOTED AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE PROPOSED REVISION OF FEES FOR ISSUING CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE AND RECEIVED A REPORT ON HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 81ST SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE IN GENEVA IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
LAB CHAIRMAN MR YIU ALSO INFORMED MEMBERS THAT THE ELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 1995/96 TERM OF THE LAB WOULD BE CONDUCTED ON DECEMBER 3 (SATURDAY) AT THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN KOWLOON.
HE SAID LETTERS INVITING TRADE UNIONS TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION WOULD BE SENT OUT ON WEDNESDAY.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
4
TENDER FOR 5TH ISSUE OF 3-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES
*****
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES THAT THE TENDER FOR THE FIFTH ISSUE OF THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 24) FOR SETTLEMENT ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 25).
SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ISSUE, AN AMOUNT OF HK$500 MILLION THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WILL BE ON OFFER. ANOTHER HKS100 MILLION FOR EACH ISSUE 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 OCTOBER 27, 1997 AND WILL CARRY INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 7.25 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 HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES THEREOF.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ISSUE ARE:
ISSUE NUMBER :
TENDER DATE AND TIME :
ISSUE AND SETTLEMENT DATE :
AMOUNT ON OFFER :
MATURITY MATURITY DATE INTEREST RATE
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES
TENDER AMOUNT
OTHER DETAILS
3710
MONDAY 24 OCT 1994, 9.30 AM TO 10.30 AM TUESDAY 25 OCT 1994 HK$500 MILLION PLUS AN ADDITIONAL
HK$100 MILLION AS RESERVE STOCK FOR THE MONETARY AUTHORITY THREE YEARS
27 OCT 1997
7.25% PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS APR 25 1995, OCT 25 1995 APR 25 1996, OCT 25 1996 APR 25 1997, OCT 27 1997
EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL
MULTIPLES THEREOF. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE NOTES MAY APPROACH MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST
PLEASE SEE INFORMATION MEMORANDUM PUBLISHED OR APPROACH MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS
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/5........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
- 5
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1994 *****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE-AUGUST’ 1994 WAS 2.1%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.1%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY - SEPTEMBER 1994 WAS 2.3%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.1%.
THE LATEST FIGURES INDICATE THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE EDGED UP SLIGHTLY' IN RECENT MONTHS, WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE.
DURING THE PERIOD OF JUNE - AUGUST 1994, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRSTTIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 62,200, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 32,700.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1994 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 12,400 HOUSEHOLDS OR 42,600 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WAS OBTAINED FROM 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 WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE BY THE END OF DECEMBER AT $24 A COPY.
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/6........
I
4
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
- 6 -
NEW ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR CHEUNG CHAU SUB-LESSEES *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WONG WAI TSAK TONG, WHICH HOLDS THE BLOCK CROWN LEASE OF CHEUNG CHAU, AND ITS SUB-LESSEES.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE PROCEDURE FOR THE RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF SUB-LEASES, PAYMENT BY SUB-LESSEES OF GOVERNMENT RENT AND PREMIUM FOR LEASE MODIFICATIONS AND LAND EXCHANGES.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, SUB-LEASES REGISTERED IN THE LAND REGISTRY AT THE DATE WHEN THE LEGISLATION COMES INTO EFFECT WOULD BE RENEWED AND EXTENDED FROM THEIR EXPIRY DATE UNTIL JUNE 27, 2047.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID MOST OF THE SUB-LEASES ON CHEUNG CHAU WOULD EXPIRE ON NOVEMBER 8, 1994, AND THEY WOULD BE RENEWED AND EXTENDED BY THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IF THEY WERE REGISTERED IN THE LAND REGISTRY BEFORE THEIR EXPIRY DATE.
THIS WILL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO SUB-LEASES ALREADY EXTENDED BEYOND NOVEMBER 1994 BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TONG AND THE SUBLESSEES .
THE TONG WILL CONTINUE TO COLLECT GOVERNMENT RENT FROM THE SUBLESSEES AND PAY THE FULL AMOUNT TO THE GOVERNMENT UNDER ITS BLOCK CROWN LEASE BEFORE JULY 1, 1997.
BUT, STARTING FROM JULY 1, 1997, THE SUB-LESSEES WILL PAY THE RENT AT THREE PER CENT OF RATEABLE VALUE, DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE TONG WILL BE ENTITLED TO COLLECT ONLY THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN A SUB-LEASE AND NO OTHER ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND FEES.
AS LESSEE UNDER THE BLOCK CROWN LEASE, THE TONG WILL BE ALLOWED TO CHARGE THE SUB-LESSEES UP TO 10 PER CENT OF THE PREMIUM CHARGED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR LEASE MODIFICATION AND LAND EXCHANGE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD WRITTEN TO THE TONG AND THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE TO SEEK THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID SUB-LESSEES ON CHEUNG CHAU WERE ALSO INVITED TO FORWARD THEIR VIEWS TO THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH ON THE PROPOSALS. COPIES OF A NOTE EXPLAINING THE PROPOSALS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE (ISLANDS).
0
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
7
HK RECOGNISES IMPORTANCE OF LAB ACCREDITATION SYSTEMS *****
HONG KONG FULLY RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SYSTEMS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT PRODUCERS OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES NEED IF THEY ARE TO MEET THE RISING EXPECTATIONS OF CONSUMERS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1985. SINCE THEN, HOKLAS HAS ACCREDITED MORE THAN 50 LABORATORIES, OFFERING SERVICES RANGING FROM TESTING THE CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT TO THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF GARMENTS.
MR CHAU WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 13TH PLENARY MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE ( I LAC) AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE. THIS IS THE FIRST OCCASION THAT HONG KONG HOSTED THIS EVENT.
MR' CHAU SAID AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST TRADING ECONOMIES, HONG KONG WAS AN ENTHUSIASTIC CONVERT TO THE MERITS OF LABORATORY ACCREDITATION.
"CONSUMERS ALL OVER THE WORLD INCREASINGLY DEMAND THAT THE PRODUCTS THEY BUY MEET OBJECTIVE STANDARDS FOR QUALITY, WITH ALL THAT THAT IMPLIES IN TERMS OF SAFETY, PERFORMANCE AND CONFORMANCE TO STANDARDS.
"BUYERS AND RETAILERS IN TURN ARE DEMANDING THAT THEIR SUPPLIERS SHOULD BE QUALITY OPERATIONS. THIS TREND HAS CREATED A LARGE AND GROWING DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES OF ACCREDITED LABORATORIES.
RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF GREATER INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE AREA OF LABORATORY ACCREDITATION, MR CHAU SAID TN SETTING UP ITS OWN SYSTEMS, HONG KONG BENEFITED CONSIDERABLY FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEMES AROUND THE WORLD.
"OUR MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS ALSO BENEFIT DIRECTLY FROM THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE NEGOTIATED WITH ACCREDITATION BODIES IN MANY OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS, AS THIS MEANS THAT TESTS CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG ARE RECOGNISED AS VALID BY THE AUTHORITIES IN THOSE COUNTRIES.
MR CHAU SAID THE GLOBALISATION OF TRADE WOULD REINFORCE THE NEED FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE, WHICH WILL COME INTO FORCE WHEN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION IS ESTABLISHED NEXT YEAR, WILL BIND SIGNATORIES TO ENSURE THAT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS, AS WELL AS TESTING AND CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES, DO NOT CREATE UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES TO TRADE.
"THE AGREEMENT ALSO STATES THAT ACCREDITATION SHALL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS AN INDICATION OF TECHNICAL COMPETENCE, AND THAT MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS IS TO BE ENCOURAGED," HE SAID.
/ALREADY, REGIONAL ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
- 8 -
ALREADY, REGIONAL GROUPINGS SUCH AS THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION FORUM AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE PURSUING THE HARMONISATION OF MEMBERS’ CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS AS A MEANS OF ELIMINATING TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE.
"ILAC HAS A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS PROCESS, BY PROMOTING WIDER UNDERSTANDING OF THE BENEFITS OF MUTUALLY RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITATION SCHEMES, AS WELL AS PROVIDING A FORUM TO DISCUSS THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS WHICH MUST BE SURMOUNTED.
”HONG KONG HAS BEEN A KEEN PARTICIPANT OF ILAC FOR MANY YEARS, AND WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN THE YEARS AHEAD," MR CHAU SAID.
------0--------
BUSINESS RECEIPTS FOR SERVICE INDUSTRIES FOR
SECOND QUARTER OF 1994 * * * * ♦
BUSINESS RECEIPTS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES (OTHER THAN BANKING) ROSE BY 27% IN VALUE TERMS IN THE SECOND QUARTER Ob THIS YEAR OVER A YEAR EARLIER, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, RECEIPTS FROM BUSINESS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES HOWEVER FELL BY 33% IN VALUE TERMS. THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE SLOWDOWN IN TRANSACTIONS IN THE LOCAL STOCK MARKET SINCE FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
BUSINESS RECEIPTS IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY REGISTERED A STRONG GROWTH OF 22% IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR. THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A LARGE INCREASE IN LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS.
BUSINESS RECEIPTS IN THE COMMUNICATION INDUSTRY ALSO ROSE BY 17% OVER THE SAME PERIOD, MAINLY OWING TO A CONTINUED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MOBILE TELEPHONE USERS.
NOTABLE INCREASES IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING SERVICE INDUSTRIES: HOTELS (+14%); BUSINESS SERVICES (+14%); STORAGE (+13%); IMPORT/EXPORT (+11%); RETAIL (+11%); AND WHOLESALE (+8%).
MODERATE INCREASES IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS WERE RECORDED IN THE BANKING SERVICE (+4%) AND THE TRANSPORT SECTOR (+4%).
STATISTICS ON BANKING ARE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY; AND THOSE ON RETAIL AND RESTAURANT BUSINESS ARE OBTAINED FROM TWO EXISTING SURVEYS REGULARLY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT ’’QUARTERLY BUSINESS RECEIPTS INDICES FOR SERVICE INDUSTRIES, SECOND QUARTER 1994” IS NOW ON SALE AT $6 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
IT CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUSINESS SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1244.
/Table 1 : .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
9
T.ahteJ_L.Bu$.in.e$$ receipts indices for 1st and 2nd quarter 1994
(Quarterly average of 1992 ■ 100)
(-AA-^^¥W6»-ioo)
Type of Service Industry 1994 1st Quarter 1994 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1994 compared with 1st Quarter 1994 2nd Quarter 1994 compared with 2nd Quarter 1993
(Revised figures) (&SJKT) (Provisional figures) (fiSffi?»^) Points (K) % (W) Points («) %
Wholesale 108.4 110.9 +2.5 +2.3 +8.1 +7.9
Import / Export 108.0 117.2 +9.1 +8.5 +11.8 +11.2
Retail »> 123.4 119.1 -4.3 -3.5 +11.5 -10.7
Hotels 121.3 120.2 -1.1 -0.9 +15.1 +14.4
Restaurants m 114.3 105.3 -9.0 -7.9 +7.0 +7.1
Transport 112.2 113.6 +1.4 +12 +4.0 +3.6
Storage 95.1 104.1 +9.0 +9.4 +11.6 +12.6
Communication 129.5 135.1 +5.6 +4.3 +19.5 +16.9
Banking 0) 116.9 115.4 -1.5 +3.9 +3.5
Financing (except Banking) 219.6 148.2 -71.4 -32.5 +312 +26.7
Insurance 150.2 144.1 -6.2 -4.1 +26.1 +22.1
Business services 125.6 128.0 +2.4 +1.9 +16.1 +14.3
Notes K :
(1) Based on the survey results of the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales
(2) Based on the survey results of the Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases
(3) Business receipts data are obtained from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
(4) Excluding investment and holding companies
./10 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
- 10 -
PUBLIC URGED NOT TO FEED MONKEYS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO FEED MONKEYS AT THE KOWLOON HILLS TO AVOID BEING ATTACKED BY THESE WILD ANIMALS.
THE ADVICE CAME FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION OFFICER DR SO PING-MAN FOLLOWING LAST SATURDAY’S INCIDENT IN WHICH A WOMAN WAS ATTACKED AND SLIGHTLY INJURED BY A MONKEY NEAR THE SHEK LEI PUI RESERVOIR.
DR SO SAID: "IT IS DANGEROUS FOR VISITORS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, TO FEED THE MONKEYS BECAUSE THESE WILD ANIMALS CAN EASILY GET AGGRESSIVE AND HURT PEOPLE IN THEIR CHASE FOR FOOD."
FEEDING OF MONKEYS MAY LEAD TO THEIR CONGREGATION AT CERTAIN AREAS, THEREBY CAUSING INCONVENIENCE AND DANGERS TO OTHER VISITORS, HE SAID.
"IT IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT MONKEYS WOULD GO HUNGRY IF NOT BEING FED. INDEED THESE ANIMALS CAN OBTAIN FOOD FROM THE NEARBY FOREST BY FEEDING ON ABOUT 100 DIFFERENT PLANT SPECIES," DR SO SAID.
AT PRESENT, MOST OF THE RHESUS MONKEYS THERE USE ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE AVAILABLE FOREST AREA, ITS NATURAL FOOD SOURCES, AS THEY HAVE BEEN FED BY FREQUENT FEEDERS AND VISITORS.
DR SO POINTED OUT THAT THE CONTINUED FEEDING OF MONKEYS AT THE KOWLOON HILLS WOULD HAVE TWO CONSEQUENCES.
FIRST, MANY OF THE MONKEYS HAVE LOST THEIR FEAR OF HUMANS, MAKING THEM AGGRESSIVE, THREATENING AND CHASING FOR FOOD FROM VISITORS.
SECONDLY, THE LARGE QUANTITY OF FOOD FED TO THESE WILD ANIMALS WOULD MAKE THEIR POPULATION GROW RAPIDLY.
HE NOTED THAT THE MONKEY POPULATION IN HONG KONG NOW STOOD AT ABOUT 800, OF WHICH 700 LIVED NEAR THE KOWLOON HILLS.
DR SO ALSO GAVE SEVERAL SAFETY HINTS TO PEOPLE VISITING THE KOWLOON HILLS:
* DO NOT FEED MONKEYS THERE;
* DO NOT LET SMALL CHILDREN GO CLOSE TO MONKEYS;
* DO NOT STARE AT OR ATTEMPT TO TOUCH MONKEYS;
* DO NOT THROW FOOD OR OBJECTS AT MONKEYS; AND
* DO NOT MAKE RAPID MOVEMENTS OR LOUD NOISE IN FRONT OF MONKEYS.
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/Il........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
11
TWO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN ELECTED *****
MR CHAN LAU-FONG OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD AND MR LAM WAI-KEUNG OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WERE ELECTED CHAIRMEN OF THEIR RESPECTIVE BOARDS TODAY (MONDAY).
MR CHAN SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED MR YEUNG FUK-KWONG BY NINE VOTES TO EIGHT, WHILE MR LAM WAS RE-ELECTED UNOPPOSED.
MEANWHILE, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR < HOW PING-TIM WAS ELECTED AS THE BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AFTER HE BEAT TWO OTHER CANDIDATES, MR CHEN YOH-WEN AND MR TAM TAI-ON.
MR CHOW SECURED NINE VOTES WHILE MR CHEN AND MR TAM GOT SIX AND TWO VOTES RESPECTIVELY.
ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR CHOW YUK-TONG WAS ELECTED UNOPPOSED AS THE BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE MEMBER TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
---------0-----------
GOVT TO ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
*****
THE BIOTECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC) WILL HOLD A RECEPTION TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS RELATED INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE • RECEPTION WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BIOTECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE, DR STAN CHEUNG, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RAYMOND YOUNG.
DR CHEUNG WILL LAUNCH THE PUBLICATION OF A BIOTECHNOLOGY DIRECTORY WHICH IS DESIGNED TO HELP PROMOTE AND COORDINATE THE COMMERCIALISATION OF APPLIED RESEARCH PRODUCTS AND ENHANCE THEIR PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG.
HE WILL ALSO REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE BIOTECHNOLOGY
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN MAY THIS YEAR.
MR YOUNG WILL INTRODUCE THE VARIOUS BIOTECHNOLOGY-RELATED PROJECTS AWARDED FUNDING UNDER THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SCHEME 1994/95.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE RECEPTION IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 18 (TUESDAY) AT 3.30 PM AT RENAISSANCE BALLROOM A, HONG KONG RENAISSANCE HOTEL, 5 PEKING ROAD, KOWLOON.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FUNCTION.
------0--------
/12 .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
12 -
HK SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL TO BE LAUNCHED ON WEDNESDAY * * * * *
THE HONG KONG SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL 1994/95 LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19).
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, KOWLOON, DR LEUNG WING-CHIU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY.
THE ANNUAL EVENT - FIRST HELD IN 1991 - IS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, KOWLOON.
A TOTAL OF 160 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE FESTIVAL WAS AIMED AT INCULCATING INTO STUDENTS INTEREST IN DRAMA ACTIVITIES AND THE ASSOCIATED KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUES.
IT WAS ALSO AIMED AT BROADENING STUDENTS’ SCOPE AND EXPOSURE AS PART OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT IN THE INFORMAL CURRICULUM, HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE PARTICIPATING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WITH UPDATED KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUES ON DRAMA ACTIVITIES, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED TRAINING PROGRAMME, OUT-REACHING TUTORIAL AND TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS FOR THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THIS SUPPORT, ALL PARTICIPATING SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE GIVEN A PRODUCTION SUBSIDY OF $1,200 EACH AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS $1,000 EACH IN THE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PHASE, WHILE $1,700 IS GIVEN TO SCHOOLS IN THE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE PHASE AND THE GALA EVENINGS.
THE DRAMA FESTIVAL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN FOUR PHASES. THE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE WILL BE HELD FROM FEBRUARY TO MARCH NEXT YEAR, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND PRIZES PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN APRIL AND GALA EVENINGS IN MAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE HONG KONG SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL 1994/95 LAUNCHING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX, 345 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, AT 3.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 19).
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/13 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
13
TIDE TABLES ON SALE *****
A BILINGUAL PUBLICATION PROVIDING AN INFORMATIVE REFERENCE ON TIDES IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THE ’’TIDE TABLES FOR HONG KONG 1995" LIST THE PREDICTED HEIGHTS AND TIMES OF DAILY HIGH AND LOW WATERS AT EIGHT LOCATIONS IN CHI MA WAN, KO LAU WAN, LOK ON PAI, QUARRY BAY, TAI O, TAI PO KAU, TS1M BEI TSUI AND WAGLAN ISLAND. PHASES OF THE MOON ARE ALSO GIVEN.
ENGINEERS, SHIPPING AND WHARFING COMPANIES, CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS, YACHTSMEN, FISHING AND WATER SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS SHOULD FIND THESE TABLES USEFUL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID.
AT ONLY $10 A COPY, IT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS.
------0--------
CLOSURE OF TSUEN WAN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE
*****
THE BUILDINGS AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN TSUEN WAN SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE USED FOR DWELLING IS LOCATED ON THE ROOF ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF A BUILDING AT 14-18 SAM PEI SQUARE, TSUEN WAN.
A NOTICE APPLYING FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MARCH 1, 1995 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 97.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 572.885 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 523.565 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 89.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
/14 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1994
14
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* » * * * CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,845 0930 + 632
CLOSING BALANCE IN CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE THE ACCOUNT TO : 2,405 1000 1100 + 602 + 637
MONEY MARKET LAF TODAY ACTIVITY + 622 -62 1200 1500 1600 + 638 + 638 + 622
LAF RATE 3.00 BID/5.00 OFFER TWI 121.1 *-0.2* 17.10.94 HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.62 19 MONTHS 2605 6.35 100.14 6.35
1 MONTH 4.63 22 MONTHS 2608 6.15 99.46 6.57
3 MONTHS 4.91 30 MONTHS 3704 6.15 98.18 7.07
6 MONTHS 5.20 33 MONTHS 3707 6.95 99.58 7.24
12 MONTHS 5.80 59 MONTHS TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS 5909 - 21,584 MN 7.45 98.15 8.06
CLOSED 17 OCTOBER 1994
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
CHIEF SECRETARY GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK............ 1
TAC ENDORSES TAXI FARE RISES.................................. 7
GOVT RESPONDS TO INQUIRY REPORT ON ALEX TSUI'S DISMISSAL.. 8
13 MORE HIV-INFECTED CASESCONFIRMED........................... 8
CHIEF SECRETARY OPENS HONG KONG *USA '94...................... 9
PRINCESS ENDS BUSY FIRST DAY OF VISIT TO RHKPF............... 10
EARNINGS STATISTICS FOR JUNE 1994............................ 12
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 2ND QUARTER 1994.......... 14
DSTI ATTENDS OECD HIGH-LEVEL INFORMAL MEETING................ 15
NEW DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN ELECTED.......................... 16
FUNDS TO SUPPORT BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT................... 16
TWO NEW TERRITORIES LOTS FOR SALE............................ 18
CAR PARK MONTHLY PASSES ON SALE.............................. 19
44 POLLUTION CASES IN SEPTEMBER.............................. 19
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY TENDER RESULTS.................. 20
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS....
21
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
- 1 -
CHIEF SECRETARY GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK *****
FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, IN NEW YORK ON OCTOBER 17, 1994:
MRS ANSON CHAN: GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I’M DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN NOW YORK AFTER A GAP OF SIX MONTHS. WE ARE THIS TIME CONDUCTING A MAJOR PROMOTIONAL TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES - THE BIGGEST THAT WE’VE EVER ATTEMPTED. AND WITHIN MY DELEGATION WE HAVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY LEADERS, WE HAVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS VISIT IS TO STRENGTHEN AND TO BUILD ON THE VERY CLOSE TIES THAT WE ALREADY HAVE WITH THE UNITED STATES, NOT ONLY ON THE TRADE SIDE, BUT ALSO ON THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SIDE.
AS PART OF THIS TOUR, IN ADDITION TO EXPLAINING THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG, WE WILL ALSO WISH TO INTRODUCE THE OTHER ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE - THE CULTURAL SIDE. WE WILL BE HAVING A FESTIVAL OF HONG KONG FILMS; AS WELL AS AN EXHIBITION OF SOME OF OUR MORE NOTABLE BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ACTIVITIES FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK. I’M SURE WE’LL ALL HAVE A VERY, VERY BUSY TIME, BUT WE ARE EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE OF THE ALREADY STRONG TIES THAT WE HAVE WITH THE UNITED STATES. AMERICA HAS BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF HONG KONG IN OUR EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND WE HOPE THAT IT - AMERICA WILL REMAIN OUR FRIEND FOR, FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME.
SO I THINK WITH THOSE FEW PRELIMINARY REMARKS, I SHALL BE VERY HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS.
QUESTION: I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WOULD YOU BE MEETING ANY U.S. OFFICIALS TALKING ABOUT HONG KONG POLITICAL DEMOCRACY, PACE OF DEMOCRACY?
MRS ANSON CHAN: I’M NOT MEETING WITH ANY SPECIFIC OFFICIALS, BUT OF COURSE I WILL BE MEETING WITH PEOPLE IN THE - FOR EXAMPLE, I’VE JUST HAD A VERY USEFUL DISCUSSION WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS. I WILL OF COURSE BE MEETING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND BUSINESS OFFICIALS.
QUESTION: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT, OR MORE DETAILS ABOUT YOUR MEETING WITH THE OFFICIALS OF COUNCIL OF FOREIGN RELATIONS?
MRS ANSON CHAN: WE HAD A VERY FRANK AND USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS OF WHERE HONG KONG SEES ITSELF GOING, WHAT THE PROSPECTS ARE OF HONG KONG BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN ITS CURRENT SYSTEMS AND WAY OF LIFE AFTER 1997.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TO THIS GROUP OF EXPERTS - AND THEY ARE EXPERTS ON HONG KONG/CHINA RELATIONSHIP - EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THAT WE’RE ATTEMPTING TO DO WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION TO FLESH OUT THE PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW THAT WILL ENSURE THAT AFTER 1997, THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONG KONG IS IN A POSITION TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE CONCEPT OF ONE ..COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS.
/WE DISCUSSED .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
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WE DISCUSSED THE ROLE THAT HONG KONG CAN PLAY IN THE VERY STRONG AND SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT WE WILL SEE IN THE ENTIRE EAST ASIAN REGION IN THE COMING DECADE. HONG KONG IS NOT ONLY A PREEMINENT GATEWAY TO CHINA, FOR DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA, BUT WE ARE ALSO AN EXCELLENT SPRINGBOARD TO DOING BUSINESS IN THE ENTIRE EAST ASIAN REGION.
WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, RECENTLY SEEN A GOOD DEAL OF INTEREST -IN USING HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR EXPLOITING THE VIETNAMESE MARKET, AND OF COURSE THERE ARE ALSO VERY GOOD BUSINESS PROSPECT(S) IN COUNTRIES LIKE MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE AND THAILAND.
AND OF COURSE HONG KONG IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT CONSUMER OF AMERICAN BUSINESSES AND SERVICES. WE HAVE OVER 900 UNITED STATES COMPANIES IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 180 HAVE DECIDED TO USE HONG KONG AS A BASIS FOR THEIR FAR EAST HEADQUARTERS.
THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG IS THE MOST ACTIVE IN HONG KONG, AND THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY NOW IN HONG KONG NUMBERS SOME 30,000, AND THEY PLAY A VERY ACTIVE ROLE, NOT ONLY IN THE COMMERCIAL LIFE OF HONG KONG, BUT IN THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE OF HONG KONG. AND WE WISH TO SEE THOSE TIES CLEARLY CONTINUING.
QUESTION: ACCORDING TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINESE AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS, DO YOU THINK HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE INAUDIBLE CENTER OF, INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF CENTER?
MRS ANSON CHAN: YES, WE ARE ALREADY A VERY IMPORTANT REGIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER, AND WITH THE TRANSFORMATION IN OUR ECONOMY, WITH THE MOVE, STEADY MOVE FROM THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TO THE SERVICES AND BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, WE SEE HONG KONG REMAINING AND CONTINUING TO BUILD ON ITS ROLE AS A PRE-EMINENT BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTER.
WE ALSO FEEL THAT DEVELOPING IN THAT WAY, HONG KONG CAN BEST, CAN BEST SERVE CHINA. CHINA WILL CONTINUE TO USE HONG KONG AS A MARKETING AND SERVICES CENTER. WE HAVE THE SKILLS, THE TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW, THE JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS, AND OF COURSE THE CULTURAL LINKS TO ENABLE THOSE WHO WISH TO DO BUSINESS IN CHINA TO DO SO AND TO DO SO IN A MOST SUCCESSFUL WAY!
OF COURSE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAVE NOT BEEN EASY (SIC) - AND PARTICULARLY HAVE NOT BEEN EASY IN THE LAST TWO TO THREE YEARS. BUT WE WISH VERY MUCH TO INTENSIFY OUR COOPERATION WITH THE CHINESE, AND THERE IS A REAL NEED TO COOPERATE, BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY TRANSITIONAL ISSUES. THAT NEED TO BE SORTED OUT BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, HAS HAD A GOOD MEETING WITH HIS COUNTERPART, MR QIAN QICHEN IN SEPTEMBER, AND WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS WE WILL BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH THE CHINESE TO DISCUSS HOW THE TWO SIDES CAN INTENSIFY COOPERATION ON PRACTICAL ISSUES AND ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE ECONOMY AND THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
/QUESTION .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
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QUESTION: MRS CHAN, CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE RELATIONS, CURRENT RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND TAIWAN?
MRS ANSON CHAN: I THINK HONG KONG’S POSITION TOWARDS TAIWAN IS VERY CLEAR. WE OF COURSE ADHERE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM POLICY WHICH IS THAT WE RECOGNIZE ONLY ONE CHINA.
OF COURSE HONG KONG WELCOMES EVERYBODY WHO WISHES TO DO BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, AND FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW, AS YOU KNOW, TAIWAN AS MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DO HAVE INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG. AND IN PARTICULAR HONG KONG IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT CONDUIT FOR TAIWAN TO DO BUSINESS WITH CHINA. GIVEN THAT THEY DO NOT AT PRESENT HAVE DIRECT ECONOMIC LINKS AND TRADE TIES WITH CHINA. TIE WITH CHINA.
QUESTION: I THINK I HAVE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION IN CHINESE BECAUSE I NEED YOUR ANSWER (INAUDIBLE) REGARDING CT-9 AND THE NEW AIRPORT. THERE ARE ECONOMIC CONCERNS OF THE ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES. SINCE BRITAIN HAVE NOT REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA OVER THE GRANTING OF CT-9 FRANCHISE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?
MRS ANSON CHAN: HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT CT-9 AND THE NEW AIRPORT BECAUSE THERE IS TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON THE PORT FACILITIES AND THE AIRPORT. WE NEED TO SPEED UP THE CONSTRUCTION OF CT-9 AND THE NEW AIRPORT. REGRETTABLY, ON CT-9 DEVELOPMENT, THE CHINESE SIDE RECENTLY SEEMED TO INDICATE THAT THERE WERE POLITICAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN GRANTING CT-9 FRANCHISE. WE ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO SEE POLITICAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN BUSINESS DECISIONS. REGARDING THE FRANCHISE AND OPERATIONS OF CT-9, WE HAD CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND BASED ON ECONOMIC PRINCIPLE AS WELL AS WHO ,HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO OPERATE CT-9 EFFICIENTLY IN REACHING A DECISION TO GRANT THE FRANCHISE TO THE THREE COMPANIES. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE COULD AGREE THE CONSTRUCTION OF CT-9 SHORTLY. ON THE NEW AIRPORT, WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AND THERE IS GOOD PROGRESS. I HOPE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. BUT EVEN BEFORE REACHING AN AGREEMENT ON THE NEW AIRPORT FINANCING, YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE MADE VERY GOOD PROGRESS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BUILD THE NEW AIRPORT.
QUESTION: I HEARD THAT THERE WOULD BE A FINANCIAL AGREEMENT ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT VERY VERY SOON. BUT EVEN THOUGH THE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETED, THERE IS STILL A TESTING PERIOD. DO YOU THINK, ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT PROGRESS, THE NEW AIRPORT WILL BE OPENED BY THE CHANGEOVER IN 1997?
MRS ANSON CHAN: ACCORDING TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG AND RELATED QUESTIONS (MOU) SIGNED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES, THE BRITISH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BUILD THE NEW AIRPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IT IS STILL OUR AIM. OF COURSE, THE PROGRESS WILL BE LIMITED BEFORE AN AGREEMENT IS " REACHED. THEREFORE, WE HOPE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE SHORTLY SO THAT THE CONSTRUCTION CAN GO AHEAD SMOOTHLY.
QUESTION: HOW OPTIMISTIC YOU ARE ABOUT THE CHANCE IN REACHING AN AGREEMENT AND IS THERE ANY DATE SET?
MRS ANSON CHAN: OF COURSE,
I HOPE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/QUESTION .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
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QUESTION: TO FOLLOW UP, YOUR TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES ALWAYS STRESSES THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES. BUT WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT ON CT-9, AND THOUGH THERE ARE INDICATIONS IN THE NEW AIRPORT, BUT UP TO NOW THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TELL THE UNITED STATES BUSINESS COMMUNITY OR PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS WITH HONG KONG AND CHINA THAT HONG KONG IS STILL A GOOD BUSINESS CENTER?
MRS ANSON CHAN: OF COURSE, I CONCEDE THAT WITHOUT AGREEMENTS ON THE TWO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, IT WILL SOMEHOW AFFECT INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE. BUT INVESTORS CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT. IF WE CAN REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, IT WILL HAVE GOOD IMPACT ON INVESTORS. APART FROM ARGUMENTS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OVER THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WE HAVE HAD PROSPEROUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IN THE SHORT TERM, WE EXPECT TO HAVE FIVE PERCENT GROWTH IN REAL GDP. AND IN THE COMING DECADE, THE GROWTH FOR THE ENTIRE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WILL BE FASTER THAN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, SO HONG KONG IS STILL A VERY GOOD PLACE FOR INVESTMENT.
QUESTION: ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU KNOW, DO YOU THINK THE NEW AIRPORT COULD BE COMPLETED BY 1997?
MRS ANSON CHAN: I JUST SAID THAT WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, THE PROGRESS WILL BE LIMITED. BUT ACCORDING TO THE MOU, WE WOULD DO OUR BEST TO BUILD THE NEW AIRPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS TO FOLLOW UP.
QUESTION: A MOMENT AGO, YOU MENTIONED THAT THE CHINESE SIDE SEEMED TO BE DEALING AN ECONOMIC ISSUE AS A POLITICAL ISSUE (INAUDIBLE). WHAT MEASURES HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE SO THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WILL DEAL WITH ECONOMIC ISSUES AS THEY ARE?
MRS ANSON CHAN: THE GOVERNMENT STANCE IS QUITE CLEAR. ALL ALONG, WE HAVE BEEN USING FAIR AND REASONABLE MANNER TO GRANT FRANCHISES OR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS. WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE IN INVESTING IN HONG KONG, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO HAVE POLITICAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN BUSINESS DECISIONS. IN ADDITION, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE CAN AGREE TO CONSTRUCTION OF CT-9 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS CHIEF SECRETARY?
MRS ANSON CHAN: I DON’T THINK IT’S REALLY FOR ME TO, AS IT WERE, BLOW MY OWN TRUMPET. I THINK THAT IT’S, IT’S A GREAT HONOUR FOR ME TO BE OCCUPYING THIS CHIEF SECRETARY POST AT THIS VERY EXCITING PERIOD OF HONG KONG’S HISTORY. I AM THE FIRST CHINESE TO OCCUPY THIS POST, AND IF NOTHING ELSE, I THINK IN TERMS OF MY COMMUNICATION WITH CHINA, THE FACT THAT I AM AN ETHNIC CHINESE, I THINK COMMUNICATION-WISE, I’M IN A PARTICULARLY ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION.
I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH A DIAL - DIRECT DIALOGUE WITH THE CHINESE. I STAND READY TO DISCUSS PRACTICAL ISSUES WITH THE CHINESE ANY TIME, ANY PLACE THAT THEY CHOOSE.
/I SEE .......
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
I SEE MYSELF ALSO AS PLAYING A, A ROLE IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING HIGH MORALE WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, IN TAKING A LEAD IN ENSURING THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A CLEAN, EFFICIENT, AND HONEST ADMINISTRATION; THAT WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT CORRUPTION. BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN ON THE PART OF BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE CORRUPTION FRONT.
WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT FALL BACK INTO THE BAD OLD WAYS, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, UNTIL WE SET UP THE ICAC SOME 20 YEARS AGO, WE DID IN FACT ENDEMIC CORRUPTION WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE. *
BUT IT IS CRUCIAL TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS, AND CRUCIAL TO BUSINESS CONFIDENCE THAT WE MAINTAIN A CLEAN, HONEST AND EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE, AND I’M COMMITTED FULLY TO THAT TASK.
QUESTION: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER QIAN QICHEN RECENTLY SAID IN NEW YORK IT IS NOT IMPORTANT TO SEE WHAT I SAY BUT IMPORTANT TO SEE WHAT I AM DOING. DO YOU THINK HONG KONG WILL GIVE THIS MESSAGE POSITIVE RESPONSE?
MRS ANSON CHAN: MOST CERTAINLY! I THINK WE ARE BOTH BY WORD AND DEED DEMONSTRATING THAT WE DO WANT TO COOPERATE WITH THE CHINESE. THE GOVERNOR IN HIS RECENT STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS SET OUT A SERIES OF CONCRETE POSITIVE PROPOSALS IN WHICH WE CAN INTENSIFY COOPERATION WITH CHINA.
HE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THESE ARE PROPOSALS; THAT WE WOULD VERY MUCH WISH TO HAVE THE VIEWS OF THE CHINESE ON THIS; IF THEY HAVE COUNTER PROPOSALS, WE WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THEM.
BUT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT COOPERATING; IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE FOR THE TWO SOVEREIGN POWERS NOT TO COOPERATE. THERE ARE A GREAT NUMBER OF TRANSITIONAL ISSUES STILL TO BE SORTED OUT TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, AND WE ARE COMMITTED, AS INDEED CHINA ITSELF SAYS IT IS COMMITTED, TO FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR, FOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE HONG KONG FILMS TO AMERICANS.
MRS ANSON CHAN: WELL, WE WANTED TO AS IT WERE NOT JUST - CONCENTRATE ON TRADE TIES. THERE ARE MANY ASPECTS TO HONG KONG LIFE. WE HAVE A RICH AND VARIED CULTURAL LIFE.
HONG KONG FILMS ARE BECOMING MORE POPULAR. SOME OF OUR ACTORS AND ACTRESSES ARE MAKING THEIR IMPACT AND A MARK ON THE AMERICAN AUDIENCE HERE, SO WE WANTED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SEE A DIFFERENT AND PERHAPS A SOFTER SIDE OF HONG KONG LIFE.
HENCE, THE FESTIVAL OF HONG KONG FILMS, AND HENCE ALSO AN EXHIBITION OF SOME OF OUR MORE NOTABLE BUILDINGS!
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU MAKE A COMMENT ON THE REACTION FROM THE DIFFERENT PARTIES IN HONG KONG TO THE GOVERNOR’S REPORTS, AS WE LEARN HERE THAT THE.REPORT WAS NOT FAVORABLY REACTED TO OR RECEIVED BY MAJOR PARTIES.
MRS ANSON CHAN: WHICH, WHICH REPORT ARE YOU REFERRING TO?
QUESTION: THE STATE OF UNION REPORT.
MRS ANSON CHAN: I ....
/QUESTION .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
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question: a lot of spokesmen from different parties in HONG KONG MAKING SOME OF THE CRITICISMS OF (INAUDIBLE).
MRS ANSON CHAN: I THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE UNQUALIFIED AND ENTHUSIASTIC REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS. I THINK AS USUAL, YOU HAVE A MIXED REACTION.
THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS IS NOT JUST ON POLITICAL ISSUES AND ON COOPERATION WITH CHINA - ALTHOUGH IT IS A CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT FACTOR, BUT THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS ALSO INCLUDED A WHOLE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING OUR SOCIAL WELFARE, OUR MEDICAL AND HEALTH, OUR EDUCATION FACILITIES.
NOW THESE ARE MATTERS THAT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE ARE INTERESTED IN, AND I BELIEVE THAT ON THE WHOLE, REACTION TO THE PROPOSALS AS TO HOW WE’RE GOING TO TAKE FORWARD THE SOCIAL OBJECTIVES, REACTION TO THE SUCCESS THAT WE’VE HAD IN IMPLEMENTING PAST PLEDGES, AND WE HAVE A 94 PERCENT SUCCESS RATE, WHICH IS A VERY HIGH SUCCESS RATE - HAS ON THE WHOLE BEEN REASONABLY FAVORABLE. BUT OF COURSE AS USUAL, PEOPLE IN A WAY ARE NEVER SATISFIED. THEY WANT TO HAVE MORE AND AT A QUICKER PACE! BUT WE KNOW THAT RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED; RESOURCES ARE LIMITED, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESOURCES ARE SPENT IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER.
BUT WE DO TAKE SATISFACTION IN THE FACT THAT GIVEN OUR VERY STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS - WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE VERY, VERY SIGNIFICANT INROADS INTO A WHOLE RANGE OF SOCIAL — HEALTH AND WELFARE PROGRAMS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO GIVEN SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH.
QUESTION: I’D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS SUCH AS THE AIRPORT ARE GOING.
MRS ANSON CHAN: THE AIRPORT WE WERE REFERRING EARLIER ON TO THE FACT THAT REGRETTABLY WE STILL DO NOT HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE ON THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AIRPORT.
BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE CLOSE TO A DEAL; TALKS ARE GOING ON BETWEEN EXPERTS ON BOTH SIDES, AND I’M HOPEFUL THAT SHORTLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE.
IN THE MEANTIME OF COURSE NOTWITHSTANDING THAT WE DO NOT HAVE AN AGREEMENT - WE HAVE IN FACT MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN CONSTRUCTING THE AIRPORT.
WE HAVE ALREADY RECLAIMED TWO-THIRDS OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM FROM THE SEA. WE HAVE ERECTED THE TOWERS THAT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE LONGEST COMBINED ROAD AND RAIL SUSPENSION BRIDGE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
THE GOVERNMENT - INSOFAR AS THE GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN THE WHOLE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAM IS CONCERNED - IS MAKING EXTREMELY GOOD PROGRESS. SO FAR WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO LET EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET, AND WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS TRACK RECORD.
SO ON THE WHOLE, MAKING SUBSTANTIAL AND VERY GOOD PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAM. gl
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/7........
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TAC ENDORSES TAXI FARE RISES
*****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY) ENDORSED THAT FARES FOR URBAN TAXIS SHOULD GO UP BY A WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF 11.27 PER CENT AND FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS BY 10.47 PER CENT.
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE NEW FARES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW FARE STRUCTURE, FLAGFALL FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES FOR AN URBAN TAXI WILL INCREASE FROM $11.50 TO $13, AND FOR A NEW TERRITORIES TAXI FROM $10 TO $11.
FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.2 KILOMETRE, THE FARES FOR BOTH URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL GO UP BY 10 CENTS TO $1.1 AND $1 RESPECTIVELY.
THE WAITING TIME CHARGE WILL GO UP BY 10 CENTS PER MINUTE TO $1.1 FOR AN URBAN TAXI AND $1 FOR A NEW TERRITORIES TAXI.
IN ENDORSING THE FARE INCREASE, MEMBERS TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASE IN OPERATING COSTS, THE REDUCTION IN NET INCOME FOR BOTH URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI OPERATORS SINCE THE LAST FARE INCREASE IN NOVEMBER 1993, THE FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN TAXI AND OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY.
IN VIEW OF THE HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE LANTAU TAXI TRADE, MEMBERS FELT THERE IS NO CASE FOR A FARE RISE NOW, BUT AGREED TO REVIEW THE SITUATION IN SIX MONTHS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR FIVE TAXI-RELATED OFFENCES, NAMELY, REFUSING HIRE, SOLICITING PASSENGERS, OVERCHARGING, REFUSING TO DRIVE TO DESTINATION AND NOT TAKING THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE, SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM $5,000 TO $10,000 IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE DETERRENT EFFECT.
MEMBERS ALSO SUPPORTED THAT TWO OF THE MOST PREVALENT OFFENCES -- REFUSING HIRE AND SOLICITING PASSENGERS -- SHOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY SYSTEM WITH A FINE OF $450.
AS A GENERAL RULE, POLICE WILL ISSUE FIXED PENALTY TICKETS ON THE BASIS OF EVIDENCE PRODUCED BY POLICE OFFICERS, AND NOT PASSENGERS’ COMPLAINTS. OFFENCES STEMMING FROM PASSENGERS’ COMPLAINTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEALT WITH BY WAY OF SUMMONS.
THE STIFFER PENALTY IS PART OF THE PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICE RECOMMENDED IN THE TAXI POLICY REVIEW IN MARCH 1994. THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION WHEN THE HIGHER PENALTIES ARE INTRODUCED.
/8 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
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GOVT RESPONDS TO INQUIRY REPORT ON ALEX TSUI’S DISMISSAL *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) WELCOMED THE FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SECURITY PANEL THAT THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) COMMISSIONER HAD ACTED REASONABLY AND PROPERLY IN TERMINATING THE SERVICES OF MR ALEX TSUI, THE FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS OF THE ICAC.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE WELCOME THE PANEL’S FINDING THAT THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISION TO DISMISS MR TSUI WAS REASONABLE AND PROPER.
"THERE WAS NEVER ANY QUESTION IN OUR MIND ABOUT THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISION, WHICH WAS TAKEN IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE ICAC AND THE COMMUNITY.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO UPHOLD THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF INTEGRITY IN THE ICAC IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN REPORTS OF CORRUPTION ARE ON THE INCREASE."
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE PANEL HAD MADE EIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ICAC.
"THE FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT COVER AREAS THAT ARE ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED BY THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH IS LOOKING INTO THE POWERS AND THE SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE ICAC. COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL OF COURSE BE PASSED TO THE REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR REFERENCE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE OTHER FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS COVERED INTERNAL MATTERS OF THE ICAC WHICH WERE FOR THE COMMISSIONER’S CONSIDERATION.
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13 MORE HIV-INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED
*****
TWELVE MEN AND ONE WOMAN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 493.
THREE NEW AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES IS 118 WITH 71 DEATHS REPORTED.
OF THE 493 HIV-INFECTED, 185 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH HOMOSEXUAL OR BISEXUAL SEX AND 190 THROUGH HETEROSEXUAL SEX, 11 WERE INJECTING DRUG USERS, ONE WAS A MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION AROUND THE TIME OF BIRTH; AND 66 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH CONTAMINATED BLOOD OR BLOOD PRODUCTS BEFORE 1985 WHEN HIV ANTIBODY TEST AND SAFE HEAT TREATED CLOTTING CONCENTRATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
/AS FOR ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
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AS FOR THE REMAINING 40, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 339,869 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,475,334 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 34 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
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CHIEF SECRETARY OPENS HONG KONG »USA ’94
* * * t *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, HAS LAUNCHED HONGKONG «USA '94, A WEEK-LONG, HIGH-LEVEL BUSINESS AND CULTURAL SHOWCASE PROMOTING HONG KONG IN AMERICA.
THE THREE-CITY FESTIVAL, WHICH FEATURES BUSINESS SEMINARS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMES, IS THE BIGGEST PROMOTION THAT HONG KONG HAS EVER HELD IN THE UNITED STATES. IT BEGAN IN NEW YORK THIS MORNING (HONG KONG TIME) AND MOVES ON TO CHICAGO AND ATLANTA DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK.
SPEAKING AT A GALA DINNER, MRS CHAN STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES.
"WE DRAW GREAT STRENGTH FROM THE SUPPORT OF OUR FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU HERE IN NEW YORK WHERE OUR PERSONAL AND BUSINESS TIES GO BACK SO MANY YEARS," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE SAID THE FACT THAT SO MANY U.S. CORPORATIONS HAD THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG WAS TESTIMONY TO THE ROLE THE TERRITORY PLAYED AS A LEADING REGIONAL, TRADING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WHICH INTERLOCKED WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD COMMERCIAL COMMUNITY.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY PAID SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON, VICE-PRESIDENT GORE (WHOM SHE MET IN WASHINGTON IN APRIL) AND SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER FOR THEIR PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG.
"HONG KONG HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING TO MAINTAIN THE BALANCE OF STABILITY IN EAST ASIA. THAT’S ANOTHER SHARED INTEREST WITH THE U.S. A PROSPEROUS CHINA IS VITAL TO REGIONAL STABILITY. HONG KONG’S INVESTMENTS IN CHINA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE REGION PLAY ITS PART TO HELP BUILD A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE REGION," SHE SAID.
HONG KONG ALSO HAD A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO CHINA’S EMERGENCE AS AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE THROUGH INVESTMENT IN THE COUNTRY AND AS THE SERVICES AND MARKETING CENTRE FOR THE BOOM IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
/THE CHIEF ..
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1994
10
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID HER PRIORITY WAS TO WORK FOR FULL AND FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND BASIC LAW AND THE BEST WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG COULD SERVE CHINA WAS TO ALLOW THE TERRITORY TO CONTINUE MUCH AS IT WAS NOW.
ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF MRS CHAN'S FIRST FULL DAY IN NEW YORK WAS HER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HONG KONG FILM EXHIBITION AT THE WORLD-RENOWNED MUSEUM OF MODERN ART. ACCOMPANIED BY TWO OF HONG KONG’S MOST POPULAR FILM STARS, MICHELLE YEOH AND ANTHONY WONG, MRS CHAN ATTENDED THE EXHIBITION WITH LEADING MEMBERS OF NEW YORK’S ARTS COMMUNITY.
SHE BEGAN HER DAY IN NEW YORK WITH A MEETING WITH MR DAVID ROCKEFELLER, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF CHASE MANHATTAN BANK AND CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BANK'S INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. A WELL-KNOWN PHILANTHROPIST, MR ROCKEFELLER DEVOTES A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ASIAN AFFAIRS.
FOLLOWING THE MEETING WITH MR ROCKEFELLER, MRS CHAN WAS INTERVIEWED BY TWP rfspfc’TRD amp WTDFLY WATCHED PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT.
ANOTHER KEY EVENT ON MRS CHAN'S SCHEDULE INCLUDED A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINA STUDY GROUP OF THE PRESTIGIOUS COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS DURING WHICH THERE WAS A FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR DOING BUSINESS TN THE ENTIRE EAST ASIAN REGION.
DURING THE GALA DINNER, LEADING MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES AND FRIENDS OF HONG KONG WERE TREATED TO AN EVENING OF EXCITING PERFORMANCES BY A TROUPE OF 25 YOUNG ARTISTS FROM THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND RENOWNED HONG KONG SINGING STAR, FRANCES YIP.
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PRINCESS ENDS BUSY FIRST DAY OF VISIT TO RHKPF ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, THE HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, HAS ENDED THE FIRST DAY OF A BUSY SCHEDULE OF FUNCTIONS FOR THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORCE.
THE PRINCESS AND HER HUSBAND SIR ANGUS OGILVY STARTED THE DAY WITH A FLIGHT IN A BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER TO THE BORDER DISTRICT POLICE OPERATIONAL BASE AT MAN KAM TO.
SHE WAS MET BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR EDDIE HUI KI-ON, THE REGIO