DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
'KING SIZE' BIRTHDAY CAKE TO CELEBRATE NEW DECADE .............................. 1
NEW YEAR FUN FOR ELDERLY IN NORTH DISTRICT...................................... 2
PUBLIC URGED TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS ................................... 3
CHESS COMPETITION FOR YOUTHS ................................................... 4
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT ................................ 5
MARKET STALLS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........................................... 5
NIGHT CLOSURES OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER .......................................... 6
URBAN CLEARWAY IN TUEN MUN ..................................................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG .............................................. 7
MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990 - 1 -
’KING SIZE’ BIRTHDAY CAKE TO CELEBRATE NEW DECADE ******
A BIRTHDAY CAKE — 205 KILOGRAMS IN WEIGHT AND 152 CM BY 91 CM BY 13 CM IN SIZE — WAS THE MAIN FARE FOR SOME 800 TEN-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN SHA TIN TODAY (MONDAY).
THE CAKE, PROBABLY THE BIGGEST EVER BAKED IN HONG KONG, FEATURED AN ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF SHA TIN, WITH AMAH ROCK IN THE FOREGROUND AND MODERN BUILDINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF SHING MUN RIVER.
THIS WAS SYMBOLIC OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN FROM A RURAL VALLEY 10 YEARS AGO TO A MODERN TOWNSHIP WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 500,000 PEOPLE TODAY.
ANOTHER EVENT OF TODAY'S "NEW SHA TIN TEN-YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY PARTY" WAS HAVING THESE CHILDREN JOT DOWN THEIR WISHES AND VISIONS OF SHA TIN IN THE NEXT DECADE.
AN OMELCO MEMBER, MRS ROSANNA TAM, AND THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD TSANG, WERE AMONG THE GUESTS WHO BURIED A TIME CAPSULE CONTAINING THESE "WISH SLIPS" IN THE AMPHITHEATRE AREA OF CENTRAL PARK.
WISHING THE YOUNG PEOPLE GOOD LUCK TN THE NEW YEAR, MRS TAM URGED THEM TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND IN COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
"I HOPE YOU WILL LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF YOUR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND WILL WORK DILIGENTLY TOWARDS YOUR GOALS," SHE SAID.
MR TSANG, ON THE OTHER HAND, SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE FAST DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT, WHICH HE HAD SERVED AS DISTRICT OFFICER EIGHT YEARS AGO.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION, ESPECIALLY THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION, SHA TIN WOULD BECOME A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
"WHEN THE TIME CAPSULE IS RECOVERED IN THE YEAR 2000, I HOPE ALL YOUR WISHES, FOR SHA TIN AND YOURSELVES, WILL BE REALISED," HE SAID.
BESIDES THE TIME CAPSULE, WHICH ALSO CONTAINS PUBLICATIONS OF THE SHA TIN FESTIVAL, A CASSETTE TAPE OF THE LAST DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, CHINESE AND ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS, DISTRICT BOARD TERM REPORT AND SHA TIN FACT SHEETS, A MURAL WAS PAINTED ON A 17-METRE WIDE TRAPEZIUM WALL SURROUNDING THE AMPHITHEATRE TO COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION.
/THE MURAL .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990
2
THE MURAL, TITLED "SHA TIN — YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW", FEATURES AMAH ROCK, MODERN BUILDINGS, RICH PASTURE AND WATER ACTIVITIES.
NEARBY IN THE AZALEA GARDEN, A ONE METRE BY SEVEN METRE "YOUTH PATH" HAD BEEN COMPLETED BY STUDENTS FROM TWO PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS ALSO PLANTED TREES IN THE CHINESE WATER GARDEN AREA TO MARK THE OCCASION.
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NEW YEAR FUN FOR ELDERLY IN NORTH DISTRICT ♦ * ♦ t ♦
ABOUT 700 ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN NORTH DISTRICT ATTENDED A NEW YEAR. GATHERING IN THE DISTRICT’S TOWN HALL THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ELDERLY ACTIVITIES, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
"BESIDES PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS TN THE DISTRICT, THE EVENT ALSO AIMED AT AROUSING PEOPLE’S AWARENESS IN CARING FOR AND RESPECTING THE ELDERLY, WHO IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SOCIETY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SAID.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED CANTONESE OPERA SONGS, AEROBICS, TRADITIONAL CHINESE SHADOW BOXING (TAIJIQUAN), A UNICORN DANCE, AND A LUCKY DRAW.
AMONG THE GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE ASSISTANT NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER (COMMUNITY AFFAIRS), MR PATRICK HO; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (TAI PO AND NORTH), MR STEPHEN CHAU; AND DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER, MR YIP SHEK-KONG.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990
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PUBLIC URGED TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS » * * * »
A MEMBER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), MRS PEGGY LAM, TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO FULFIL THEIR ROLE AND BE COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS IN HONG KONG.
MRS LAM SAID THE SUCCESS IN ANTI-DRUG WORK COULD ONLY BE ATTAINED WITH THE FULL SUPPORT AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ANTI-DRUG CARNIVAL HELD IN VICTORIA PARK IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
"THE YEAR OF 1990 HAS A SPECIAL MEANING TO ACAN WHICH WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY," MRS LAM SAID.
"A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD TO COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION AND THE FREE DISTRIBUTION OF ACAN SILVER JUBILEE POSTCARDS IS ONE OF THE EVENTS," SHE ADDED.
ORGANISED BY THE ACAN YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP, THE CARNIVAL WAS AIMED AT AROUSING, THROUGH GAMES AND EXHIBITIONS, PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PERILS OF DRUG ABUSE. THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ATTENDED.
AN ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT’S NARCOTICS DIVISION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
THIS DEPICTED HONG KONG'S OVERALL ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS AND GAVE AN IN-PERSPECTIVE LOOK AT PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE.
OTHER EXHIBITS INCLUDED SEIZED DRUGS, A MOBILE X-RAY SCAN VEHICLE FROM THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, AND OPIUM-SMOKING PARAPHERNALIA.
THERE WAS AN INFLATABLE ANIMAL FOR CHILDREN, AND 30 GAMES STALLS WERE SET UP BY LOCAL YOUTH ORGANISATIONS OR GROUPS. THESE STALLS ALL HELPED TO SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES.
JOINING MRS LAM AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR DAVID WEEKS, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG KAM-KUEN.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW WHICH INCLUDED A MINI-CONCERT, PERFORMANCE BY CAPE COLLISON MARCHING BAND, A DRUG SEARCH DEMONSTRATION BY A CUSTOMS DOG UNIT, AND A CYCLING SHOW BY THE BICYCLE DEMONSTRATION TEAM FROM THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.
WINNING ENTRIES IN THE RECENT ANT I-NARCOTICS SYMBOL DESIGN COMPETITION WERE ALSO PUT ON DISPLAY.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990
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CHESS COMPETITION FOR YOUTHS *****
MORE THAN 200 YOUTHS AND STUDENTS WILL TAKE PART IN A TERRITORY-WIDE CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6).
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO COUNCIL FOR THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES AND SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE CHESS COMPETITION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS TN THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURE AND ARTS COMPETITIONS.
OTHER COMPETITIONS INCLUDE CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, SPEECH, PAINTING, QUIZ, TRANSLATION AND SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE CHESS COMPETITION WILL HELP PROMOTE CHINESE CULTURE AND YOUNGSTERS’ INTEREST IN THE GAME, AS WELL AS DEVELOP THEIR THINKING ABILITIES.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THE YOUTH SECTION AND THE STUDENT SECTION, EACH WITH 128 CONTESTANTS. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AT THE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL.
THE KNOCK OUT COMPETITION WILL BE BASED ON THE RULES NOW ADOPTED BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE CHESS ASSOCIATION.
THE CHAMPION, FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP OF EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND COUPONS OF $500, $300 AND $100 RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE CHESS ASSOCIATION.
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE COMPETITION WILL INCLUDE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAT TUNG-NGOK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION TO BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6) AT THE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL, 12 TAT HANG TUNG ROAD (NEAR THE YAU YAT CHUEN EXIT OF THE SHEK KIP MEI MTR STATION).
A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT ******
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF TSUEN WAN TOWN CENTRE AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL PRESENT AN INFORMATION PAPER ENTITLED "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 199O’£ AND BEYOND”.
MEMBERS WILL ASK QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSUEN WAN WEST OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AND THE PROPOSED SPLITTING OF TSUEN WAN CENTRAL (NORTH), A CONSTITUENCY OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE REPORTS ON THE WORK OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
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MARKET STALLS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE REARRANGEMENT OF MARKET STALLS TN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S LOCKHART ROAD COMPLEX AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
FIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE COMPLEX BE CONVERTED INTO A CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL CENTRE.
/MEMBERS WILL
MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, AND STUDY THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AND CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN IN WAN CHAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
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NIGHT CLOSURES OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY (JANUARY 3 TO 6) TO FACILITATE RESURFACING WORKS AT GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER DOWNRAMP AND THE ADJACENT SLIP ROADS ON HONG KONG ISLAND:
THE RIGHT LANE OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER DOWNRAMP WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER HEADING FOR EASTBOUND QUEENSWAY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA COTTON TREE DRIVE, LAMBETH WALK, MURRAY ROAD TO JOIN EASTBOUND QUEENSWAY.
THE LEFT LANE OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER AND THE SLIP-ROAD LINKING GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER AND COTTON TREE DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER HEADING FOR LAMBETH WALK WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEENSWAY, TAMAR STREET, WESTBOUND HARCOURT ROAD, THE U-TURN LOOP ROAD ON COTTON TREE DRIVE TO JOIN LAMBETH WALK.
THE SLIP ROAD LINKING COTTON TREE DRIVE AND QUEENSWAY WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1.30 AM TO 6 AM ON SATURDAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON COTTON TREE DRIVE HEADING FOR EASTBOUND QUEENSWAY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE U-TURN LOOP ROAD ON COTTON TREE DRIVE, LAMBETH WALK, MURRAY ROAD TO JOIN EASTBOUND QUEENSWAY.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1990
URBAN CLEARWAY IN TUEN MUN ♦ * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 3), THE SECTION OF ROAD Dll NORTH OF ROAD 16C AND .ITS ASSOCIATED SLIP ROADS WITH WONG CHU ROAD IN TUEN MUN WILL BE DESIGNATED A DAILY 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4), THE RIGHT TURN FROM TSUI PING ROAD TO LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND, KWUN TONG, WILL BE BANNED.
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES, INCLUDING KMB BUSES ON ROUTES 1 IB, 11C, 13B, 70X AND 89C ON TSUI PING ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LET YUE MUN ROAD EASTBOUND, ROAD CK 1 AND CHA KWO LING ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT NORTH DISTRICT ............................................. 1
EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .............................. 2
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT MEASURES ......................... 2
LEAFLET ON KWAI TSING AREA COMMITTEES ........................................ 3
MATURE STUDENT SCHEME FOR STUDENT NURSE TRAINING ............................. 4
FORMS SENT TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM RATEPAYERS ............................. 5
C & S DEPT CONTINUES TO CONDUCT GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ..................... 5
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................................... 6
WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN .................................................... 6
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ............................................... 7
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1990
1 GOVERNOR TO VISIT NORTH DISTRICT *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT NORTH DISTRICT ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4) TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT THERE.
ACCOMPANYING HIM ON THE VISIT WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU; NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI.
SIR DAVID WILL FIRST FLY TO THE BORDER TOWN OF SHA TAU KOK WITHIN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA, WHICH IS UNDERGOING A FACELIFT UNDER A REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR.
HE WILL TOUR THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL WHICH HAD REPLACED FIVE SUB-STANDARD RURAL SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.
HE WILL ALSO TOUR THE LOW-RISE SHA TAU KOK RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AIMED AT UPGRADING THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF SQUATTERS FROM TWO NEARBY AREAS.
ON HIS WAY TO* TIN PING ESTATE, SIR DAVID WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF A FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME IN THE NORTH DISTRICT.
IN TIN PING ESTATE, SIR DAVID WILL BE UPDATED ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUT NEW TOWN.
LATER, HE WILL VISIT THE TIN PING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, FOR A LOOK AT THE LEISURE FACILITIES.
BEFORE ENDING HIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR WILL MEET NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AT A TEA RECEPTION TO BE HELD AT THE TIN PING INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO NORTH DISTRICT ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4) AFTERNOON.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED THEIR NAMES WITH THE INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE FOR FRONTIER CLOSED AREA .PERMITS TO COVER THE SHA TAU KOK TOWN PART OF THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE YMCA HOSTEL AT MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI AT 12.45 PM ON THAT DAV. GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT WILL TAKE THEM TO SHA TAU KOK.
THOSE WHO WISH TO ('OVER ONLY THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHU1 NEW TOWN PART OF THE ITINERARY SHOULD GATHER ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF TIN MEI HOUSE IN TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI AT 3.45 PM. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HANI) TO ASSIST.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1990
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EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
******
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL, AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4), REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING SINCE ITS OPENING LAST SEPTEMBER.
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY LTD, MR VICTOR LEUNG, AND THE OPERATIONS MANAGER, MR SHEK CHUN-WAH, WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE EXPANSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TA IKOO STATION TO CATER FOR AN INCREASING FLOW OF TRAIN COMMUTERS.
TN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER MEASURES TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF NOISE GENERATED BY TRAMS MOVING OUT FROM THE SAT WAN HO TRAM DEPOT IN THE EARLY MORNING.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME RELATED TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER, BUS SERVICES FOR HENG FA CHUEN AND NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY BUSES AT THE SHAU KEI WAN BUS TERMINUS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT MEASURES ******
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL SUGGEST, AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4), THE INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS NEAR THE CITY POLYTECHNIC TO ENSURE STUDENTS’ SAFETY.
THEY WILL ALSO SUGGEST WAYS TO STAMP OUT ILLEGAL PARKING AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT YAU YAT CHUEN.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1990
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OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED ARE THE REPROVISIONING OF THE BUS STOP AT PO ON ROAD, TEMPORARY CARPARK CHARGES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE CONNECTING LEI CHENG UK ESTATE AND THE PO ON ROAD UC COMPLEX.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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LEAFLET ON KWAI TSING AREA COMMITTEES *****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE WILL PUBLISH A LEAFLET ON THE DISTRICT’S AREA COMMITTEES EARLY THIS MONTH FOR DISTRIBUTION TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS.
THE LEAFLET WILL INTRODUCE THE FUNCTIONS AND ORGANISATION STRUCTURE OF THE DISTRICT’S EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES AND THEIR ACTIVITIES.
PUBLICATION OF THIS BILINGUAL AND FULL-COLOUR LEAFLET HAS BEEN SPONSORED BY THE KWAI TSING FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.
ABOUT 15,000 COPIES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO THE DISTRICT.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1990
4
MATURE STUDENT SCHEME FOR t * *
STUDENT NURSE TRAINING t *
SUBSEQUENT TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE NURSES (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1989 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 29), THE NURSING BOARD OF HONG KONG TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF A MATURE STUDENT SCHEME.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, THE NURSING BOARD MAY ADMIT INTO STUDENT NURSE TRAINING PERSONS WITH SUITABLE TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE OR SKILL BUT WHO DO NOT POSSESS THE NORMAL MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS OF HAVING ATTAINED SUCH GRADES/CREDITS IN CERTAIN SUBJECTS AT THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION.
THE NURSING BOARD HAS INITIALLY SET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS UNDER THE MATURE STUDENT SCHEME:
* THE APPLICANT SHOULD BE QUALIFIED AS EITHER ENROLLED NURSE OR REGISTERED MIDWIFE IN HONG KONG;
* THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS* SATISFACTORY POST-ENROLMENT OR POST-REGISTRATION SERVICE;
♦ THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN ACTIVE BED-SIDE NURSING DUTIES (INCLUDING COMMUNITY NURSING DUTIES) IN A RECOGNISED TRAINING HOSPITAL FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF ONE YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE PROPOSED DATE FOR COMMENCEMENT OF STUDENT NURSE TRAINING; AND
* THE APPLICATION MUST BE RECOMMENDED BY THE NURSING ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL WHICH IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE APPLICANT FOR STUDENT NURSE TRAINING.
APPLICANTS WHO ARE ENROLLED NURSES (GENERAL.) AND REGISTERED MIDWIVES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR STUDENT NURSE TRAINING ONLY IN THE GENERAL STREAM.
SIMILARLY, APPLICANTS WHO ARE ENROLLED NURSES (PSYCHIATRIC) WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR TRAINING ONLY IN THE PSYCHIATRIC STREAM.
THE NURSING BOARD HAS NOTIFIED ALL HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG OF DETAILS OF THE SCHEME AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES. ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO JOIN THE SCHEME SHOULD APPROACH THE HOSPITAL TN WHICH HE WORKS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.
APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR ENTRY INTO THE MATURE STUDENT SCHEME WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF STUDENT NURSE TRAINING AND TO SIT THE NURSING BOARD EXAMINATION FOR REGISTRATION.
UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THESE REQUIREMENTS, THESE PERSONS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO BECOME REGISTERED NURSES IN HONG KONG.
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FORMS SENT TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM RATEPAYERS *******
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT IS NOW PREPARING FOR A GENERAL REVALUATION WHEN THE RATEABLE VALUES OF ALL PROPERTIES IN HONG KONG WILL BE REVIEWED.
THE REVISED VALUES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1991.
SOME 350,000 REQUISITION FORMS WERE DESPATCHED TO RATEPAYERS TODAY (TUESDAY), SEEKING DETAILS OF RENTS FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF PROPERTY INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PREMISES.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT SAID ONLY ABOUT ONE IN EVERY THREE RATEPAYERS WILL RECEIVE A REQUISITION FORM BECAUSE THE FORMS ARE ISSUED ON A SELECTIVE BASIS TO PREMISES WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE LET ON RECENTLY NEGOTIATED RENTS.
A SEPARATE REQUISITION FORM IS ISSUED IN RESPECT OF EACH UNIT FOR WHICH A RETURN IS REQUIRED.
NORMALLY EACH FORM SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED, BUT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARE POSSIBLE FOR RATEPAYERS WHO OWN A LARGE NUMBER OF PROPERTIES. ANY SUCH OWNER IS REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS.
RATEPAYERS WHO RECEIVE THE FORMS MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM WITHIN THE 21 DAYS ALLOWED, AS FAILURE TO DO SO RENDERS THEM LIABLE TO A FINE OF 82,000.
ANYONE WHO IS IN DOUBT AS TO HOW TO COMPLETE THE FORM MAY TELEPHONE THE ENQUIRY NUMBER PRINTED ON THE FORM, OR MAY VISIT THE DEPARTMENT AT THE 17TH FLOOR OF HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG FOR ASSISTANCE.
ASSISTANCE MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE.
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C It S DEPT CONTINUES TO CONDUCT GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IN JANUARY TO MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
/IN ADDITION ......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1990
-r,6. -
IN ai>1)JHON, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS1 FXPFNnTTiiPP
AWARENESS "FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION" AND "TOY wSiSSF-ff-TS-ir1
THE
SOME 4,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM FATH month ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN;, TliE SURVEY
Wil 1 PEASUrVFYFDF-vrfTMH-rA ''?USEHObDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS illvE accurately the changes
FROM
AGO, THAT
ALL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE REVEALED DEPARTMENT.
COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY 10 ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE
AND
THE
WATER STORAGE FIGURE t ♦ ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 41.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 242.056 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 230.473 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 39.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
---------0-----------
WATER CUT IN WONG TAJ SIN i t 4 '* t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO-CERTAIN PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 4) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS. :
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY SHATIN PASS ROAD, LUNG FUNG STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET, PO KONG LANE, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD, AND YING FUNG LANE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1990
7 -
AUCTION OF SPEC I Al, CAR NUMBERS * » t » t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON THEATRE. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN
WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL SATURDAY (JANUARY 6) AT THE CITY HALL AT 10 AM.
A TOTAL OF 21 BIDDING. THEY ARE:
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE
FOR
2828 818 1 188
178 223 15
988 8833 822
1313 11 939
67 983 27
886 388 813
2222 89 399
RinnTMr.SUCCESaFUIj BlnDERS MURT PAY RY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE n .1 UD 1 NG .
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 THE AUCTION.
THAT THE A VEHICLE MONTHS OF
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY’ CORPORATE.
IMMEDIATELY
IS TO BE
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS LOTTERIES FUND.
USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
146TH ORGANISED BY
THE
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOREIGN SECRETARY TO VISIT HK............................................ 1
TWO SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ........................... 1
EMPLOYMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ON AGENDA ............................. 2
MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS REPATRIATION OF VBP .............................. 3
TRAINING OF YOUTH LEADERS ON AGENDA ..................................... 3
SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .......................... 4
PHOTO EXHIBITIONS TO PROMOTE TOURISM ON ISLANDS ......................... 5
TOO MORE FARMS READY FOR DEMONSTRATION .................................. 5
AIDS EXHIBITION IN WAN CHAI ............................................. 6
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT.................................................... 7
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS ............................................ 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN .................................... 8
SPEED LIMIT ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD
8
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1990
1
FOREIGN SECRETARY TO VISIT HK *****
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY, THE RT HON DOUGLAS HURD, CBE, MP, AND MRS HURD WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM JANUARY 13 TO 16.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST VISIT THAT MR HURD HAS MADE TO HONG KONG SINCE BECOMING FOREIGN SECRETARY ALTHOUGH HE HAS BEEN SPENDING A GREAT DEAL OF TIME WORKING ON HONG KONG ISSUES.
HE WILL BE HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HIS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND MANY OTHERS IN HONG KONG, ABOUT WHAT BRITAIN IS DOING AND CAN DO IN THE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG.
•------------------------------0--------------------------------
TWO SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED TWO SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WILL SUCCEED MR GEOFFREY BARNES AS THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY ON FEBRUARY 26 THIS YEAR. MR BARNES WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN STRACHAN, WILL SUCCEED MR ASPREY AS THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY IN MARCH.
AGED 45, MR ASPREY JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1965. HE HAS HELD VARIOUS POSTS IN THE FORMER COUNCILS BRANCH, THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS SERVED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT (1980-83); ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN THE FORMER COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH (1983-84); PRIVATE SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT HOUSE (1984-86); AND DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE FORMER LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH (1986-87).
MR ASPREY WAS SENT ON AN OVERSEAS COURSE IN 1988-89 AND BECAME THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY IN FEBRUARY 1989. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A ON DECEMBER 1, 1989.
MR STRACHAN, AGED 45, JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1971. HE HAS SERVED IN A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.
/MOVE RECENTLY .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1990
- 2
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS SERVED AS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES (1976-80), CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (WONG TAI SIN) (1980-83), ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY (1984-86), DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (1986-87), AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY (1987-88).
MR STRACHAN BECAME THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN MAY 1988. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl ON DECEMBER 1, 1989.
---------0-----------
EMPLOYMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ON AGENDA
A SET OF STATISTICS AND INFORMATION ON WORKING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM CENTRES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TABLED FOR EXAMINATION AND DISCUSSION TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT A MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE.
THE STATISTICS INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYED REFUGEES, THEIR SEX AND AGE, THE NATURE OF THEIR JOBS AND THE LOCATIONS OF THEIR WORK PLACES.
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PAPER HAS BEEN FURNISHED BY THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN AID FOR REFUGEES IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION RAISED BY A MEMBER AT A PREVIOUS MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL* BEGIN AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
---------0-----------
/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1990
- 3 -
MONG KOK I)B TO DISCUSS REPATRIATION OF VBP * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG SO AS TO HELP THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN PRODUCING A WHITE PAPER ON FUTURE SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES.
THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, WILL RAISE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE OUTSTANDING UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS COMPLAINT CASES REFERRED TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0-----
TRAINING OF YOUTH LEADERS ON AGENDA
*****
THE TRAINING OF YOUNG COMMUNITY LEADERS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WILL ASK THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE IF THERE ARE ANY FIRM PLANS TO SET UP DISTRICT YOUTH COMMITTEES TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
HE WILL ALSO ASK HOW MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE APPOINTED TO THE DISTRICT’S ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTACTED POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS TO IDENTIFY SUITABLE YOUTH LEADERS TO JOIN THESE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
/ANOTHER QUESTION .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1900
ANOTHER QUESTION CONCERNS DELAYS IN THE INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONERS IN COMMUNITY HALLS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS OF WORKING GROUPS, APPLICATION FOR FUNDS AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
--------0-----------
SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA »«»«»*
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE TERRITORY-WIDE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE 1990’S AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE CONTENTS AND FORMAT OF A PAMPHLET ON THE DISTRICT’S COMMUNITY SERVICES AND RESOURCES.
THE COMMITTEE’S REVISED WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE PERIOD UP TO MARCH 1991 WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
COVER THE CENTRAL AND AND SERVICES COMMITTEE (THURSDAY) IN ROOM 1416,
/5.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1990
- 5 -
PHOTO EXHIBITIONS TO PROMOTE TOURISM ON ISLANDS ♦ * ♦ t *
THE WINNING ENTRIES IN A PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION ORGANISED B\ THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE EXHIBITED AT SHUN TAK CENTRE, SHEUNG WAN FROM JANUARY 5 TO 9.
THE PICTURES SHOW ATTRACTIVE SCENERIES, HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, CONSTRUCTIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISLANDS, AS WELL AS THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE ISLANDERS. THEY WERE TAKEN IN THE DISTRICT’S EIGHT RURAL COMMITTEE AREAS.
THE COMPETITION WAS INITIATED BY THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE CHEUNG CHAU PHOTOGRAPHY SOCIETY, TO PROMOTE TOURISM ON THE ISLANDS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL MOVE TO NEW WORLD CENTRE, TSIM SHA r” ’ FROM JANUARY 12 TO 14.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT SHUN TAK CENTRE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 5) AT 5.30 PM.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MR MARTIN BARROW AND MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, AND ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD, WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUESTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT SHUN TAK CEN IRE, SHEUNG WAN ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 5) AT 5.30 PM.
---------0----------
TWO MORE.FARMS READY FOR DEMONSTRATION
*****
TWO MORE PRIVATE FARMS TAKING PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT METHODS ARE EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR DEMONSTRATION BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
AT A MEETING OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECTS.
/THEY LEARNT .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1990
- 6
THEY LEARNT THAT OUT OE THE NINE PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECTS, FIVE FARMS HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE SIX-MONTH DEMONSTRATION PERIOD WHILE A PIG FARM USING THE HYBRID SYSTEM IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR DEMONSTRATION FOR TWO MORE MONTHS.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TOLD THE MEETING THAT A PIG FARM USING THE WET MUCK-OUT METHOD AND ANOTHER USING THE PIG-ON-LITTER METHOD WOULD BE READY FOR DEMONSTRATION BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
REGARDING THE REMAINING FARM FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE HYBRID METHOD, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE FARM OPERATOR HAD STARTED RECEIVING TRAINING ON THE OPERATION OF THE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM LAST MONTH.
THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ARE AIMED AT ENABLING LIVESTOCK FARMERS, WHO WISH TO CONTINUE BUSINESS IN THE CONTROL AREAS, TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE VARIOUS TREATMENT METHODS WHICH CAN HELP THEM COMPLY WITH ANT I-POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS ALSO DISCUSSED THE PROBLEMS IN SOME OF THE PRIVATE FARMS TAKING PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AND SUGGESTED WAYS TO RESOLVE THEM.
AFTER THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP VISITED A PIG FARM IN SHEUNG SHU J AND A POULTRY FARM IN FANLING TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS THERE.
------0--------
AIDS EXHIBITION IN WAN CHAI * * * * *
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON AIDS WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 5) AT THE CHINESE METHODIST CHURCH IN WAN CHAI.
THE EXHIBITION IS THE THIRD TN A SERIES OF MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON AIDS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBITION IS TO INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING AIDS ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IT ALSO AIMS AT FOSTERING A POSITIVE, SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE IN THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS AND CARRIERS," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION, BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, COVERS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIDS.
/APART FROM .......
WEDNEDAY, JANUARY 3, 1990
APART FROM SHOWING THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE, IT ALSO ILLUSTRATES HOW AIDS THREATENS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THIS CAN BE COUNTERED.
MEDICAL STAFF WILL BE PRESENT AT THE EXHIBITION TO GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER PUHI,IC ENQUIRIES.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON AIDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS, WHO WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN HANDSOME PRIZES BY ANSWERING A QUIZ DESIGNED TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON AIDS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL SUNDAY (JANUARY 7). THE NEXT ONE WILL BE HELD FROM JANUARY 12 TO 14 ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF CITYPLAZA 1, TA1KOO SHING.
- - 0 - -
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT * * * » »
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOKS MAY RECEIVE EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT IF THEIR PAY DAY FALLS ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND 29.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THESE RECIPIENTS MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS FROM JANUARY 22 TO 25, OR AFTER THE HOLIDAYS AT THEIR DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, THE DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
- 0 - -
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS * » ♦ » »
A TOTAL OF 160 FIELD STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT MOUNTED A TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATION TO DISTRIBUTE BLANKETS TO STREET SLEEPERS LAST (TUESDAY) NIGHT.
A TOTAL OF 534 BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 509 STREET SLEEPERS. THEY INCLUDED 172 STREET SLEEPERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 57 IN EAST KOWLOON, 246 IN WEST KOWLOON, 28 IN NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND SIX IN NEW TERRITORIES WEST.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3,
1990
- 8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN ♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SLIP-ROAD LEADING FROM SHING TAI ROAD, HENG FA CHUEN TO ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WESTBOUND, AND THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR GROUND LEVEL ROAD BETWEEN MONG LUNG STREET AND ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH A KUNG NGAM VILLAGE ROAD IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 5).
ALSO, SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY LUNG STREET AND SHAU KEI ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
MAIN STREET EAST NORTH OF KAM WA STREET SOUTHBOUND, AND KAM WA STREET BETWEEN MONG WAN MAIN STREET EAST WILL BE RE-ROUTED
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR GROUND LEVEL ROAD BETWEEN MONG LUNG STREET AND ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH A KUNG NGAM VILLAGE ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ZONE.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY.
THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ZONE IN SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST NORTHBOUND FROM FACTORY STREET TO KAM WA STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
-----0-----
SPEED LIMIT ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD
*****
(JANUARY 5), THE SECTION OF CASTLE MILESTONE, TSING LUNG TAU AND 15 MILESTONE, SUBJECT TO A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KILOMETRES PER
™ P«TnTvK TRANSP0RT department announces that with eeeect from 10
ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 5). THE SEOTinM rw pEA|{ ™
KA LOON TSUEN WILL
HOUR.
AM 14 BE
THE EXISTING 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ZONE ON THIS SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL
SPEED LIMIT BE RESCINDED.
RESTRICTED
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO TELL PEKING OF HK'S CONCERNS .................................. 1
PARTICIPATION IN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGED .......................... 2
WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES ..................... 3
PUBLIC URGED TO SUBMIT VIEWS ON WELFARE SERVICES .......................... 4
EXOTIC VEGETABLES INTRODUCED TO LOCAL FARMERS ............................. 5
SEMINAR TO FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .............................. 7
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN EASTERN .................................... 8
TSUEN WAN DB MEMBERS ON STUDY TOUR ........................................ 8
FIGHT CRIME DAY IN WONG TAI SIN ........................................... 9
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN KWUN TONG ........................................ 10
RELOCATION OF GMB TERMINUS IN YUEN LONG .................................. 10
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN NGAU CHI WAN ................................. 11
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ................................. 12
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN STANLEY ............................................... 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN AP LEI CHAU ....................................... 13
PLB BAN ZONE IN YUEN LONG
13
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
1 GOVERNOR TO TEH. PEKING OE HK 1 S CONCERNS ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE MAIN PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT TO PEEING IS TO GET ACROSS TO CHINESE OFFICIALS THE CONCERNS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG, HOW DEVELOPMENT WAS GOING ON IN THE TERRITORY AND TRY TO RE-ESTABLISH SOME DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THE PEOPLE IN PEKING WHO WERE INVOLVED IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
HE HOPED THAT WITH RE-ESTABLISHED CONFIDENCE WE COULD MANAGE THE RELATIONSHIP TO THE ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG AND THAT IT WOULD BE AN EASIER RELATIONSHIP THAN IT HAD BEEN OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
SIR DAVID SAID ONE OF THE SUBJECTS HE WOULD BE COVERING WHEN MEETING THE CHINESE LEADERS WAS THE QUESTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING ITS PACE AND THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE NORTH DISTRICT.
ON THE BASIC LAW, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS STILL ARGUMENT ABOUT ONE OR TWO POINTS, INCLUDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE NEW LEGISLATURE SHOULD HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS.
"I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE GOT TO GO ON DISCUSSING WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRAFTING THE BASIC LAW, TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BASIC LAW WHICH MATCHES THE NEEDS AND THE WISHES OF THE MAIN STREAM OF OPINION IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ASKED IF HE WOULD RAISE THE SUBJECT OF THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS CERTAINLY SOMETHING HE WOULD BE VERY WILLING TO EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP, THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PACKAGE WHICH HAD BEEN PROPOSED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS TO KEEP PEOPLE IN HONG KONG SO THAT THEY COULD CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
”1 SHOULD BE VERY HAPPY AND WILLING TO EXPLAIN TO CHINESE LEADERS IF THEY ASK ME ABOUT IT,” SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE COMING VISIT TO HONG KONG BY THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, THE GOVERNOR SAID MR HURD WOULD BE COMING HERE ESSENTIALLY TO SEE HONG KONG FOR HIMSELF, TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE, AND TO HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE’S CONCERNS.
"THAT WILL BE THE OBJECTIVE OF HIS VISIT RATHER THAN HIM MAKING ANY ANNOUNCEMENT AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME," HE ADDED.
------0------------
/2 ........
THURSDAY. JANUARY 4, 1990
2
PARTICIPATION IN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGED
******
IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR NOW REALISES THE FULL POTENTIAL OF NORTH DISTRICT AND IS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN ITS COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY.) DURING A VISIT TO THE DISTRICT.
"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING PROPER INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC FACILITIES," SIR DAVID ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN FROM THE ROOFTOP OF TIN MEI HOUSE IN TIN PING ESTATE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO REACH 250,000 BY THE LATE 1990’S.
"WITH THE STEADY BUILD-UP IN POPULATION, WE AIM TO PROVIDE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING, INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT," HE SAID.
EARLIER, SIR DAVID VISITED SHA TAU KOK TOWN FOR A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT SOME OF THE FACILITIES PROVIDED UNDER A $300 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH COMMENCED IN 1986 AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1991.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO TOURED THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY’S SHA TAU KOK RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, WHICH HOUSES ALMOST 4,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE OF TWO NEARBY VILLAGES, AND THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL WHICH HAS REPLACED FIVE RURAL SCHOOLS IN REMOTE VILLAGES.
AT THE SHEUNG SHUI FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME SITE, SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF THIS $20 MILLION PROJECT. THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT PREVENTING FLOODING IN SHEUNG SHUI VILLAGE WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE OVERFLOWING OF THE RIVER INDUS AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THE SCHEME CONSISTED OF A PROTECTIVE BUND SEPARATING THE VILLAGE FROM THE RIVER INDUS FLOOD PLAIN, A FLOOD STORAGE POND FOR STORING THE CUMULATIVE RUNOFF DURING SEVERE STORMS, AND A STORMWATER PUMPING STATION.
BEFORE WINDING UP HIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR ATTENDED A TEA RECEPTION AT THE TIN PING INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WHERE HE MET MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU; NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI.
--------0 - -
Z3 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4,
1990
3 -
WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE
POLICIES AND SERVICES
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF A WORKING PARTY TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES.
THE DECISION TO CONDUCT SUCH A REVIEW WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE 1989-90 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE IS TO TAKE STOCK OF THE PROGRESS MADE IN DEVELOPING SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE 1979 WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
'IT WILL ALSO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICIES AND STANDARDS CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
"THE REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND WILL LEAD TO THE PUBLICATION IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR OF A NEW WHITE PAPER SETTING OUT PROPOSALS FOR THE WAY AHEAD."
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE WORKING PARTY WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY ARE PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN, MRS ALICE CHONG, DR NELSON CHOW, MR DAVID CHU, MISS KAY KU, MR THOMAS KWOK, MRS TERESA LAM, MR ERIC LI, MR NG SHU1-LAI, DR WONG HOI-KWOK, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FINANCE BRANCH.
MRS LOUISE WONG AND MR J.T. MICHIE WILL BE THE SECRETARIES.
AS ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE, THE WORKING PARTY WILL, IN CONSULTATION AS APPROPRIATE WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, FORMULATE PROPOSALS IN THE FORM OF A DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, INCLUDING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS OF IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSALS.
"IN SO DOING, IT WILL REVIEW CURRENT POLICIES AND THE PROJECTED PROVISION OF EXISTING SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, INCLUDING SOCIAL SECURITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT WILL ALSO HAVE REGARD TO THE CURRENT SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION AS WELL AS TO PROJECTED DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS.
"IN ADDITION, IT WILL REALISTICALLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LIKELY' MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND THE INEVITABLE NEED TO DETERMINE PRIORITIES.
/"ALSO TO .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
’’ALSO TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT EXISTING OR PROPOSED NEW SERVICES PROVIDE THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY.
TO ASSIST THE WORKING PARTY IN ITS WORK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID WIDE CONSULTATIONS WITH MANY INTERESTED BODIES AND I NS FI 1UTIONS, INCLUDING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, CONCERNED GROUPS, AND DISTRICT BOARDS, WERE TAKING PLACE.
THE FIRST MEETING WILL BE HELD AROUND THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH.
------0--------
PUBLIC URGED TO SUBMIT VIEWS ON WELFARE SERVICES ♦ * t ♦ *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S WELFARE SERVICES INTO THE 1.990 ’S AND BEYOND.
AT THE REQUEST OF SOME DISTRICT BOARDS AND INTERESTED PARTIES, THE DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY 31 TO THE END OF FEBRUARY. WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS CAN BE SENT TO BOX NO. 7333, GPO, HONG KONG.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE REVIEW WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL SERVICES: SOCIAL SECURITY; CHILDREN AND YOUTH; ELDERLY; FAMILY, INCLUDING CHILD CARE; AND SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING TRAINING, RESEARCH AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO SET THEIR PRIORITIES AS TO WHICH OF THESE SERVICES ARE MOST NEEDED.
"ALL WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE BRIEF OR OTHERWISE PROVIDE A SUMMARY. THE SWD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PUBLISH VIEWS IN FULL OR IN PART," HE ADDED.
INVITATION LEAFLETS AND A BACKGROUND INFORMATION PAPER ARE AVAILABLE AT SOCIAL WELFARE DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, SUCH AS THE FIVE YEAR PLAN AND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SWD, HAVE BEEN PLACED AT SOCIAL WELFARE DISTRICT OFFICES FOR REFERENCE BY INTERESTED GROUPS OR ORGANISATIONS.
- - 0---------
/5.........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
- 5 -
EXOTIC VEGETABLES INTRODUCED TO LOCAL FARMERS t ♦ t ♦ t i
LOCAL FARMERS WILL SOON BE ABLE TO PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY EXOTIC VEGETABLES TO MEET UPPER MARKET DEMANDS.
CURRENTLY THEY ARE BEING ENCOURAGED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO APPLY A LATEST DEVELOPED TECHNIQUE - THE MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION SYSTEM - IN GROWING THESE EXOTIC VEGETABLES.
THE DEPARTMENT'S TAI LUNG EXPERIMENTAL STATION IN SHEUNG SHUI IS NOW HOLDING A SERIES OF SEMINARS AND DEMONSTRATIONS TO INTRODUCE TO FARMERS MODERN, HIGH-QUALITY VARIETIES OF EXOTIC VEGETABLE TYPES WHICH HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SUITABLE FOR CULTIVATION UNDER LOCAL CONDITIONS AS WELL AS THE NEW SEEDLING PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE.
THE SEMINARS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, WHICH STARTED YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY), WILL RUN TILL JANUARY 9.
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S AGRICULTURAL OFFICER (HORTICULTURE), MR HO KOON-YU, THE TAI LUNG STATION BEGAN THE EXPERIMENT ON GROWING EXOTIC VEGETABLES ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.
"VARIETIES FROM MANY SOURCES, NAMELY THE U.S., THE NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN AND TAIWAN WERE TESTED AND ABOUT 120 VARIETIES FROM 30 VEGETABLE TYPES HAVE BEEN FOUND SUITABLE FOR CULTIVATION IN LOCAL CLIMATIC AND CULTURAL CONDITIONS," HF SAID.
THE VARIETIES INCLUDE THE POPULAR CELERY, HEAD LETTUCE, TOMATO, AND FRENCH BEAN, AS WELL AS THE MORE GOURMET TYPES SUCH AS AUBERGINE, BEET ROOT, LEEK, SUPER-SWEET CORN, CHERRY TOMATO, BABY CARROT, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CAPSICUM, ZUCHINNI, HERBS, AND MANY OTHERS.
AT PRESENT, THE DEMAND FOR THESE EXOTIC VEGETABLES ARE MET MAINLY THROUGH IMPORTS FROM COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA.
"THE STUDY WAS INITIATED BECAUSE EXOTIC VEGETABLES CATER TO UPPER MARKET DEMANDS AND CAN FETCH BETTER RETURNS FOR FARMERS," MR HO EXPLAINED.
HE NOTED THAT TN 1988, HONG KONG IMPORTED 113,000 TONNES OF EXOTIC VEGETABLES VALUED AT $550.7 MILLION. THE AVERAGE IMPORT PRICE WAS $4.87 PER KILOGRAM OR $2.94 PER CATTY AND WHOLESALE PRICES WERE MUCH HIGHER.
TN THE SAME YEAR, 132,000 TONNES OF FRESH VEGETABLES VALUED AT $331.7 MILLION WERE PRODUCED LOCALLY. THE AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICE WAS ONLY $2.51 PER KILOGRAM OR SI.52 PER CATTY.
PRICES RECORDED IN 1989 WERE NOT VASTLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
/MR HO ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
6
MR HO ADDED THAT IN CARRYING OUT THE EXPERIMENT, ONE OF THE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WAS TO STUDY HOW FARMERS COULD STAGGER THEIR CROPS TO SECURE A STEADY SUPPLY.
THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE BUYERS OF SUPERMARKETS, RESTAURANT-CHAINS AND HOTEL GROUPS HAVE STRESSED THAT WHAT THEY NEED IS A RELIABLE SOURCE WHICH CAN PROVIDE A STEADY AND REGULAR SUPPLY OF HIGH-QUALITY EXOTIC VEGETABLES.
"THE MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION SYSTEM, WHICH IS GAINING POPULARITY IN WESTERN COUNTRIES AND HAS BEEN VALUED BY OUR FARMERS WHEN THEY VISITED THE U.S. AND THE NETHERLANDS IN OVERSEAS STUDY TOURS, IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS," HE CONTINUED.
THE SYSTEM INVOLVES THE USE OF A LOW-COST PLASTIC-FILM GREENHOUSE FOR PROTECTION OF SEEDLINGS GROWN IN PLUG-TRAYS. THE TRAYS HAVE CELLS TO ACCOMMODATE SEEDLINGS INDIVIDUALLY.
DUE TO STANDARDISATION, SINGLE SEEDS CAN BE PRECISELY SOWN INTO A CELL OF CLEAN, TAILOR-MADE MEDIUM BY A SEMI-AUTOMATIC MACHINE. MASS QUANTITIES CAN THUS BE PROCESSED TO REDUCE COST PER SEEDLING.
AS A RESULT OF THE ADEQUATE ENVIRONMENT AND CENTRALISED CARE, A SUPPLY OF UNIFORM, HEALTHY AND VIGOROUS SEEDLINGS CAN BE ENSURED TO MEET PLANTING SCHEDULES OF FARMERS.
MR HO SAID IN PARTICULAR, THE VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE UP THE MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE AND TO ESTABLISH COLLECTIVELY THE NECESSARY FACILITIES TO SERVE THEIR MEMBERS.
"A STRONGER FARMING INDUSTRY EMPLOYING MODERN TECHNIQUES CAN SECURE LOCAL PEOPLE WITH TOP FRESH AND HIGH QUALITY VEGETABLES AT REASONABLE PRICES, AND CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PEACEFUL AND SCENIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES," MR HO CONCLUDED.
CURRENTLY THERE ARE ABOUT 7,000 VEGETABLE FARMS IN HONG KONG AND THEY SUPPLY ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF LOCAL DEMAND FOR FRESH VEGETABLES.
PRODUCTIVITY OF VEGETABLE FARMING IN THE TERRITORY IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST*IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF YIELD PER UNIT AREA PER YEAR. THE COMMON VEGETABLES GROWN ARE WHITE CABBAGE, FLOWERING CABBAGE, CHINESE KALE, SPINACH, WATERCRESS AND CHINESE GOURD SPECIES.
/7........
THURSDAY. JANUARY 4, 1990
7 -
SEMINAR TO FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
******
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM AND THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6).
FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND MEMBERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, DR ELLEN CHAN; BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, MR DAVY YUEN; AND HOUSING MANAGER OF THE CO-ORDINATING TEAM, MR LEE KANG-SUM.
A FACTORY PROPRIETOR IN THE BLEACHING AND DYEING INDUSTRIES WILL TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN COMPLYING WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION.
TWO SLIDE SHOWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND EFFLUENT DISCHARGE WILL BE PRESENTED. IN ADDITION, AN EXHIBITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL BE SET UP.
QUESTIONS RAISED BY PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ANSWERED BY THE SPEAKERS AND THREE SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR WORK RELATED TO NOISE, AIR AND WATER POLLUTION.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO OPEN THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI.
ENROLMENT IN THE SEMINAR MAY BE MADE BY TELEPHONING THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE ON 4212855.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6) IN THE FOUR SEASONS SUITE OF THE NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI.
- - 0 - -
/8 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
8
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN EASTERN
♦ * * * *
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD FOR MEMBERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN EASTERN DISTRICT ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6) TO ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THE SEMINAR HAS BEEN CO-ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR CHUNG PUI-LAM WILL SPEAK ON THE WORK OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, WHILE A SENIOR STATION OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WONG KWONG-CHI, WILL TALK ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION AND HOME SAFETY MEASURES.
THERE WILL BE A SLIDE SHOW ON THREE CORRUPTION CASES RELATED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT, FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.
THE SEMINAR, TO BE HELD AT GRAND PLAZA HOTEL TN QUARRY BAY, WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AND LAST UNTIL 5.30 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; AND REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG EAST) OF ICAC, MR CHU LOK-SANG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6) ON THE NINTH FLOOR, GRAND PLAZA HOTEL, 2 KORNHILL ROAD, QUARRY BAY. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0-----
TSUEN WAN DB MEMBERS ON STUDY TOUR
*****
A DELEGATION OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND CO-OPTED MEMBERS LEFT FOR KUALA LUMPUR THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING FOR A SEVEN-DAY STUDY TOUR OF MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT MATTERS WILL BE THEIR MAJOR INTEREST IN VIEW OF THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN TSUEN WAN.
/LED BY .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
- 9 -
LED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SH1U, THE 20-MEMBER DELEGATION WILL VISIT A PUBLIC HOUSING SCHEME AND A SPORTS COMPLEX IN KUALA LUMPUR.
THE PARTY WILL THEN FLY TO SINGAPORE WHERE MEMBERS WILL CALL ON DEPARTMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS SPECIALISING IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, HOUSING, AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS.
THE GROUP WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JANUARY 10 (WEDNESDAY).
---------0-----------
FIGHT CRIME DAY IN WONG TAI SIN ♦ * t * *
A ’’TELEMATCH DAY" TO DRIVE HOME THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE HELD AT MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SIN ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 7), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
FOURTEEN TEAMS, EACH REPRESENTING AN AREA COMMITTEE IN THE DISTRICT, WILL TAKE PART IN FOUR TELEMATCHES WITH HOME SECURITY, ANTI-SHOP THEFT, ANTI-TRIAD AND ANTI-NARCOTICS AS THE THEMES.
THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AFTER THE COMPETITION, AT ABOUT 4.30 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR MARTIN LEE; AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MISS CECILIA YEUNG; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR STEPHEN PAANG; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHAN CHUN-FAT; CHAIRMAN OF THE EFCC’S ACTIVITY WORKING GROUP, MADAM LEE TSUAN-E; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT LI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME TELEMATCH DAY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 7) AT THE HARD GROUND FOOTBALL PITCH IN MORSE PARK. THE TELEMATCHES WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AND THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AROUND 4.30 PM.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN KWUN TONG *****
THE ANNUAL KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 7) AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE EVENT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, AS WELL AS THE KWUN TONG AND SAU MAU PING POLICE DISTRICTS, AIMS AT SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF FIGHTING AND PREVENTING CRIME.
THERE WILL BE A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING ITEMS, INCLUDING A DISPLAY OF PHOTOGRAPHS, GAMES STALLS AND A DEMONSTRATION OF MOTORCYCLING TECHNIQUES. THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS.
DURING THE CARNIVAL, 10 RESIDENTS WILL BE PRESENTED THE "GOOD RESIDENT AWARD" FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN HELPING TO FIGHT CRIME.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (KWUN TONG), MR A.W. HIGGINBOTTOM; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (SAU MAU PING), MR A.J. FERRI GE; CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR MAU KEI-ON; AND A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR PETER WONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 7) AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND, KWUN TONG.
- - 0 - -
RELOCATION OF GMB TERMINUS IN YUEN LONG i * t ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE TERMINAL POINTS OF NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 31, 32 AND 39 IN YUEN LONG TOWN WILL BE RELOCATED FROM THE EXISTING ON-STREET TERMINAL FACILITIES TO FUNG CHEUNG ROAD PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED SERVICES) TERMINUS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6).
MEANWHILE, THE ABOVE SERVICES WILL BE REROUTED AS FOLLOWS:
/* NT GMB
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
- 11
» NT GMB ROUTES 31 AND 32
YUEN LONG BOUND
THE GREEN MINIBUSES WILL OMIT THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG) BETWEEN KIK YEUNG ROAD AND HONG KING STREET AND WILL BE OPERATED VIA TUNG LOK STREET, YUEN LONG ON NING ROAD, SAI TAI STREET, KUK TING STREET, TAI TONG ROAD, FAU TSOI STREET, KIN LOK STREET AND TERMINATE AT FUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
TONG YAN SAN TSUEN BOUND/TAN KWEI TSUEN BOUND
FROM FUNG CHEUNG ROAD, THE GREEN MINIBUSES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG), TAI TONG ROAD, YU KING SQUARE, HONG KING STREET, YUEN LONG HONG LOK ROAD AND THEN RESUME TO THEIR NORMAL ROUTEINGS.
» NT GMB ROUTE 39
YUEN LONG BOUND
THE GREEN MINIBUSES WILL OMIT KIN LOK STREET AND KIN YIP STREET AND TERMINATE AT FUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
KUNG OM BOUND
FROM FUNG CHEUNG ROAD, THE GREEN MINIBUSES WILL BE OPERATED VIA KIN LOK STREET AND YAU SAN STREET. NORMAL ROUTEING WILL THEN BE USED.
THE PRESENT FARE STRUCTURE AND TIMETABLE WILL BE MAINTAINED.
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN NGAU CHI WAN ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHOI HUNG ROAD IN NGAU CHI WAN FROM A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LUEN YEE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 170 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
/DURING THIS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
DURING THIS PERIOD, THE FOLLOWING URBAN CLEARWAYS ON CHOI HUNG ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY RESCINDED:
* THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBAN CLEARWAY (FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY) ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHOI HUNG ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LUEN YEE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 170 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE URBAN CLEARWAY (FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY) ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHOI HUNG ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LUEN YEE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
AND
* THE URBAN CLEARWAY (FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY) ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHOI HUNG ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LUEN YEE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 170 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
- - 0 - -
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TN SHA TIN WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORKS.
THE ONE TRAFFIC LANE SECTION (ABOUT 600 METRES IN LENGTH) NEAR KAK TIN WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 10.30 PM TODAY (THURSDAY) AND 6 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY); BETWEEN 11 PM TOMORROW AND 6 AM ON SATURDAY; AND BETWEEN 10.30 PM ON SUNDAY AND 6 AM ON MONDAY.
THE ONE TRAFFIC LANE SECTION (ABOUT 600 METRES IN LENGTH) NEAR SUN TIN WAI ESTATE WILL HE CLOSED BETWEEN 10.30 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING ON MONDAY (JANUARY B), TUESDAY (JANUARY 9), THURSDAY (JANUARY 11) AND SUNDAY (JANUARY 14); AND BETWEEN 11 PM AND 6 AM NEXT MORNING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10) AND FRIDAY (JANUARY 12).
- - 0
/13
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN STANLEY *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF STANLEY NEW STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY:
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT SIX METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN AP LEI CHAU ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6), THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF MAIN STREET, AP LEI CHAU FROM A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LEE CHI ROAD TO HOUSE NO. 165 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO
7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 - -
PLB BAN ZONE IN YUEN LONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6), THE FUNG CHEUNG ROAD PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED SERVICE) TERMINUS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR BAN ZONE TO ALL VEHICLES.
THE CURRENT PROHIBITION IMPOSED AT THE YUEN LONG (EAST) BUS TERMINUS FOR ALL VEHICLES WILL BE RESCINDED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT CONFIDENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INTEREST IN PADS ......................... 1
WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN PUBLISHED ....................i........................ 3
GOVT CONCENTRATES EFFORTS IN PROMOTING HIGH TECHNOLOGY .................... 4
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER PUBLISHED ................................ 6
DOWNWARD TREND IN NEW INSOLVENCIES CONTINUES ............................. 10
LAW REFORM COMMISSION TO CONSIDER FAMILY LAW ISSUES ...................... 11
DECEMBER SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL BEING CONDUCTED ........ 12
PUBLICATION ON TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AVAILABLE .............. 12
GOLD SHOPS FINED FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY MARKING ORDER NOTICES ............ 13
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 DEVELOPMENT ............................ 14
NEW ROADS PLANNED FOR TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT ........................... 15
ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS ......................... 15
PROPOSED LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLE ....................................... 16
ROAD SAFETY DAY FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS .................................... 17
YUEN LONG TO STAGE FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW ......................».... 18
VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY IN WONG TAI SIN ............................ 18
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1932-35 ..................................... 19
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY ..................................... 20
FRIDAY, .JANUARY 5, 1990
GOVT CONFIDENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INTEREST IN PADS ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONFIDENT THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT PRIVATE SECTOR INTEREST IN FINANCING MANY OF THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS), THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM AIM TO CONTINUE TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET AND TO MAINTAIN STRONG RESERVES IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE ITS CREDIT-WORTH I NESS.
•'IT IS IN ALL OUR INTERESTS TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF OUR PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY SO THAT THE FUTURE SAR MAY CONTINUE TO FLOURISH," SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT EXHAUSTIVE STUDIES HAD DEMONSTRATED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S SATISFACTION THAT THESE PROJECTS WERE VITAL TO THE FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF HONG KONG AND THAT THEY MADE SOUND COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL SENSE.
"WE WILL NEED TO DO MUCH MORE WORK PARTICULARLY ON COSTINGS, REVENUE PROJECTIONS AND FINANCING PACKAGES BEFORE WE ARE READY TO GO TO THE MARKETS TO RAISE THE NECESSARY FINANCE.
"THIS WORK IS LIKELY TO TAKE ANOTHER 18 MONTHS," SHE ADDED.
UPDATING THE AUDIENCE ON THE PROGRESS IN THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT WHICH HAS ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, MRS CHAN SAID A CONSULTANCY FOR THE MASTER PLAN DESIGN SHOULD BE AWARDED BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
"THE FIRST CONTRACT FOR PREPARATION OF THE WORKS SITE SHOULD START EARLY 1991 AND WE SHOULD HOPE TO CALL TENDERS FOR THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE RECLAMATION WORKS BY THE MIDDLE OF 1991 WITH WORK STARTING EARLY 1992.
"LEGISLATION IS BEING DRAFTED TO ESTABLISH A PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT.
"WE ARE ALSO ENLISTING THE HELP OF HEAD-HUNTING FIRMS TO RECRUIT A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR THIS PROJECT," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW AIRPORT, AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $35 BILLION IN 1989 PRICES, WOULD BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE SINGLE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECT EVER UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT, WHILE THE RELATED ROAD AND RAIL ACCESS INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD COST A FURTHER $27 BILLION.
"GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS PROJECT, COUPLED WITH A VERY TIGHT TIMETABLE, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO APPOINT A REPUTABLE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION TO ASSIST IN MANAGING AND CO-ORDINATING THIS COMPLEX PROJECT," SHE SAID.
/CLEARLY THE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
- 2 -
CLEARLY THE PADS PROJECTS WOULD GENERATE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN THE 1990’S, SHE POINTED OUT.
"IN THE YEAR OF PEAK BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE (1993), THE PADS-RELATED WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE UP ABOUT 18 PER CENT OF THE PROJECT CAPACITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
"TAKEN TOGETHER WITH CONCURRENT DEMANDS FROM A NUMBER OF OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS, EVEN HEAVIER PRESSURE ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CAN BE EXPECTED.
"IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS DEMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION LABOUR WOULD PUT UPWARD PRESSURES ON CONSTRUCTION WAGES, AND THUS PUSH UP UNIT CONSTRUCTION COSTS," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT IN DUE COURSE THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT ON THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WAS EXPECTED TO FEED THROUGH TO OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, PRINCIPALLY THROUGH THE LABOUR MARKET.
"THIS IS BECAUSE THE HIGHER WAGES OFFERED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WOULD ATTRACT WORKERS POSSESSING SIMILAR SKILLS FROM OTHER INDUSTRIES, AND THE INDUSTRIES THEREBY AFFECTED WOULD HAVE TO RAISE WAGES AND IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS IN ORDER TO RETAIN THEIR WORKERS," SHE SAID.
REGARDING THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT OF THE PADS PROJECTS ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND ON OTHER ECONOMIC SECTORS, MRS CHAN SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT AT THIS STAGE TO QUANTIFY THIS.
"MUCH DEPENDS ON THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEMANDS ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AT THAT TIME, AS WELL AS ON WHETHER THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CAN ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS.
"AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS CONCERNED, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE VARIOUS PADS AND NON-PADS RELATED PROJECTS SHOULD BE PRIORITISED AND IMPLEMENTED SYSTEMATICALLY WITH A VIEW TO REDUCING THE STRAIN ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THE LIKELY INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
"STEPS SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
"HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO KEEP CONSTRUCTION COSTS DOWN IT MAY WELL BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER EXCEPTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF CONSTRUCTION LABOUR, FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH SELECTIVE IMPORTATION ON A PROJECT-ORIENTED BASIS," SHF SAID.
EARLIER, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATELY FOR HONG KONG’S AIR TRAFFIC, SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS, ESTIMATED BY CONSULTANTS TO AMOUNT TO S101 BILLION BETWEEN 1996 AND 2010, WOULD BE INCURRED.
/THE FIRST .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
3 -
THE FIRST RUNWAY AT CHEK LAP KOK, EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY EARLY 1997, WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO HANDLE 28.6 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR COMPARED WITH 24 MILLION AT KA 1 TAK WHEN ALL IMPROVEMENT WORKS HAD BEEN COMPLETED.
THE NEW AIRPORT WOULD ULTIMXTELY BE ABLE TO HANDLE 80 MILLION PASSENGERS PER ANNUM WITH TWO RUNWAYS, AND OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.
- - 0---------
WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN PUBLISHED
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED ITS FIRST WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN FOR HONG KONG.
THE $5 BILLION PLAN OUTLINES THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY TO IMPROVE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF WASTES THROUGH STRUCTURED DEVELOPMENT OF NEW WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
THE PLAN, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 12, IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MEASURES OUTLINED IN CHAPTER 2 OF THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION AND THE DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION BETWEEN AUGUST 4 AND SEPTEMBER 18 LAST YEAR.
THE PLAN EMPHASISES THAT ACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS MUST BE APPLIED TO BOTH COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES THAT BY THE YEAR 2001 SOME 30,000 TONNES OF WASTES WILL BE GENERATED DAILY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN IS ALREADY WELL ADVANCED, AND HONG KONG’S FIRST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION IS DUE TO BE COMMISSIONED IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PLANNING FOR THREE LANDFILLS IS ALSO WELL UNDERWAY AND CAPITAL FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAMME HAVE ALREADY BEEN EARMARKED.
AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE PLAN IS THAT WITH THE OPENING OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS, URBAN LANDFILLS AND INCINERATORS WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY CLOSED, THUS SPARING URBAN RESIDENTS FROM CONSIDERABLE POLLUTION NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.
COPIES OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES MARKETING SUB-DIVISION, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL, AND FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, AND ITS BRANCH OFFICE AT 11'1’11 FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
/4 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5,
1990
GOVT CONCENTRATES EFFORTS IN PROMOTING HIGH TECHNOLOGY t t » * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCENTRATING ITS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING HIGH TECHNOLOGY IN LINE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY 1 .
"IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO TIIF HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, WILL CONTINUE TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVING PRODUCT QUALITY," Ml,’ CHAN SAID AT A SEMINAR ON HONG KONG COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY 1990 ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, THE HONG SET UP THREE LABORATORIES IN ITS KWUN YEAR, NAMELY THE SURFACE MOUNT PHOTO-CHEMICAL MACHINING LABORATORY DIGITAL COMMUNICATION LABORATORY.
KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAD
TONG CENTRE IN SEPTEMBER LAST
TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY, THE
AND THE RADIO FREQUENCY AND
"THESE FACILITIES WILL FURTHER HELP BREAKTHROUGHS IN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND SAID.
MANUFACTURERS TO ACHIEVE
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT," HE
IN ADDITION, CENTRE.
HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SET UP A
TECHNOLOGY
"APART FROM PROVIDING SUITABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR INDUSTRIALISTS WHO ARE TAKING PART IN RESEARCH ON AND PRODUCTION OF HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS, THE CENTRE WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH HIGH STANDARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THROUGH THE PROPOSED DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FACILITIES," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WOULD BE COMPLETED AROUND MID-1993 AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW LOOKING CAREFULLY INTO THE LOCATION OF THE CENTRE AND THE NECESSARY FACILITIES.
AS REGARDS THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO BUILD A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O AND THE FIRST LOT OF LAND WAS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN 1993 TO MEET THE HUGE DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL LANI).
MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS POLICY OF GIVING POSITIVE ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, CONDUCT REGULAR REVIEWS INTO ITS POLICY AND LOOK INTO MORE EFFICIENT AND SUITABLE STRATEGIES.
TURNING TO FUTURE DIFFICULTIES AND CHALLENGES FACING HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE, MR CHAN NOTED THAT AFTER TWO YEARS OF RAPID GROWTH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THIS YEAR’S ECONOMY WOULD SLOW DOWN TO THREE PER CENT.
/"I BELIEVE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
- 5 -
"I BELIEVE THAT PROVIDED ALL FACTORS FAVOURABLE TO TRADE DEVELOPMENT REMAIN UNCHANGED, AND GIVEN THE ADAPTABILITY OF HONG KONG’S TRADE AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS, THE SLOW DOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE.
"IT ONLY MEANS THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT IS ENTERING A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION, WHICH IS A NORMAL PHENOMENON IN THE PROCESS OF PERIODIC ADJUSTMENT," HE SAID.
ON THE RETRENCHED ECONOMIC POLICY RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED BY CHINA, MR CHAN NOTED THAT LOCAL MANUFACTURERS ONLY MOVED PART OF THEIR PRODUCTION PROCESS TO THE MAINLAND AND THE RAW MATERIALS WERE SUPPLIED BY HONG KONG.
FINISHED PRODUCTS AND SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCTS WERE ALSO SHIPPED BACK TO HONG KONG FOR SALE ABROAD.
"WE BELIEVE THEREFORE THAT THE RETRENCHED POLICY OF THE MAINLAND WOULD NOT GREATLY AFFECT THE ARRANGEMENTS OF PROCESSING WITH SUPPLIED MATERIALS.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SHARP DEPRECIATION OF RENMINBI RECENTLY SHOULD BE FAVOURABLE TO LOCAL BUSINESSMEN WHO HAVE SET UP THEIR FACTORIES IN THE MAINLAND," HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME. HE ADDED, AS HONG KONG HAD BEEN OPENING UP NEW MARKETS OVER THE YEARS, EVEN IF CHINA’S DEMAND FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS SLACKENED BECAUSE OF THE RETRENCHED POLICY, HONG KONG COULD STILL HOPE TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SALE OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS THROUGH THE OPENING UP OF NEW MARKETS.
"IN THIS RESPECT, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS PLANS TO CARRY OUT A TRADE PROMOTION PROGRAMME IN A NUMBER OF SOUTH AMERICAN AND EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS ANTI-DUMPING ACCUSATIONS, MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CLOSELY CO-OPERATE WITH PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS TO ARGUE THE CASE THROUGH LEGAL PROCEDURES AND CANVASSING.
"MOREOVER, IT WILL ALSO FIGHT FOR RATIONAL AND FAIR TREATMENT FOR HONG KONG ON THE BASIS OF THE PROVISIONS OF GATT," HE SAID.
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/6 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5,
1990
- 6 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER PUBLISHED ******
BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS REGISTERED CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN NOVEMBER, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
REFLECTING THE RISE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS INCREASED DURING THE MONTH. ALL TYPES OF LOANS, EXCEPT THOSE TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG, RECORDED INCREASES IN NOVEMBER.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.2 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND A MARGINAL DECLINE OF 0.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. EVEN EXCLUDING THE SUBSCRIPTION MONIES FOR A NEW SHARE ISSUE, WHICH AMOUNTED TO $2.75 BILLION, THERE WAS STILL AN INCREASE OF AROUND 1.5 PER CENT IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS DURING NOVEMBER.
DEMAND DEPOSITS ROSE STRONGLY BY 6.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, PARTLY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE ABOVEMENTIONED NEW SHARE ISSUE.
SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS, ON THE OTHER HAND, ROSE BY 1.7 PER CENT AND 1.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1989, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 10.2 PER CENT, AND WHEN SWAP DEPOSITS ARE INCLUDED, BY 14.5 PER CENT, VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY IN MONEY TERMS IN 1989.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 3.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 0.8 PER CENT AND 3.3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 5.8 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 21.9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS DECLINED BY 0.8 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 4.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND A ZERO GROWTH IN OCTOBER. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.8 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND BY 14.5 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER.
/ON THE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
7 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 3.9 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND BY 19.3 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS ROSE BY 3.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 1.3 PER CENT. OVER THE 12 MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1989, THE FORMER ROSE BY 18.1 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER GREW BY 5.9 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HKSM2 AND HKSM3 INCREASED BY 3.9 PER CENT, 2.4 PER CENT AND 2.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER. IN OCTOBER, THEY DECLINED BY 3.4 PER CENT, 0.2 PER CENT AND 0.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1989, HK$M1, HKJM2 AND HKSM3 ROSE BY 8.8 PER CENT, 11.6 PER CENT AND 10.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HKUM2 INCREASED BY 2.0 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND BY 15.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. HKSM3 INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND BY 14.0 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 3.2 PER CENT, 2.9 PER CENT AND 2.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN OCTOBER WERE -2.9 PER CENT, 1.6 PER CENT AND 1.8 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 6.9 PER CENT, 17.7 PER CENT AND 16.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.2 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 11.3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND A DECLINE OF 4.6 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.0 PER CENT WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES INCREASED BY 2.3 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG FELL BY 1.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING DECLINES OF 4.1 PER CENT AND 0.8 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 14. () PER CENT.
/OTHER LOANS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
- 8 -
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 2.3 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 1.2 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 29.5 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 30.2 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND A DECLINE OF 9.4 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 24.5 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG INCREASED BY 3.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 11.4 PER CENT AND 0.4 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 35.2 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 165. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY ONE TO 36 WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY THREE TO 206.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
9
MONETARY STATISTICS - NOVEMBER 1989
*- Nov 1989 Oct 1989 Earlier months (X change to November 1989)
Money Supply Aug 1989 Nov 1988
Ml - HK$ 85,661 82,441 ( 3.9 X) 79,478 ( 7.8 X) 78.698
Foreign currency 8,894 9,178 ( -3.1 %) 8,695 ( 2.3 X) 9,742
Total 94,554 91,619 ( 3.2 X) 88,172 ( 7.2 X) 88,439
M2 - HK$ 395,529 386,216 ( 2.4 *X) 277,983 ( 42.3 X) 354.334
Foreign currency 570,510 552,309 ( 3.3 X) 534,011 ( 6.8 466,567
Total 966,039 938,525 ( 2.9 %) 911,994 ( 5.9 X) 820,900
M3 - HK$ 426,742 418,370 ( 2.0 X) 410,901 ( 3.9 X) 387,345
Foreign currency 610,671 591,129 ( 3.3 X) 567,824 ( 7.5 X) 501,688
Total 1,037,413 1,009,499 ( 2.8 %) 978,724 ( 6.0 X} 889,033
Notes and coins in circulation 36,542 36,565 ( -0.1 X) 36,192 ( 1.0 X) X) 32,298
of which held by public 31,974 31,843 ( 0.4 X) 31,563 ( 1.3 28,363
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 62,580 183,354 59,776 ( 4.7 x) 56,610 ( 10.5 X) 60,076
Total Savings deposits 179,977 ( 1.9 %) 173,163 ( 5.9 X) 174,278
Total Time deposits with banks 671,205 649,924 ( 3.3 X) 633,727 ( 5.9 X) 542,529
Total Time deposits with dtcs 69,964 69,039 ( 1.3 %) 64,694 ( 8.1 X) 66,044
HK$ deposits 382,174 373,929 ( 2.2 %) 366,626 ( 4.2 X) X) 346,700
US$ deposits 312,362 308,162 ( 1.4 %) 302,263 ( 3.3 264,336
Other foreign currency deposits 292,567 276,626 ( 5.8 X) 259,305 ( 12.8 231,889
All deposits 987,103 958.716 ( 3.0 %) 928,194 ( 6.3 X} 842,926
Foreign currency swap deposits 61,488 61,954 ( -0.8 X) 59,561 ( 3.2 X) 40,755
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 63,215 63,899 ( -1.1 X) 67,201 ( -5.9 %) 55.436
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 10,425 10,066 ( 3.6 X) 8,998 ( 15.9 X) 7,709
Other loans for use in H.K. 577,988 564,974 ( 2.3 X) 554,892 ( 4.2 X) 446,183
Other loans for use outside H.K. 467,631 456,347 ( 2.5 X) 386,980 ( 20.8 X) 375.550
Other loans where the place of use is not known 80,205 78,506 ( 2.2 X) 87,277 ( -8.1 %) 65^923
Loans in HK$ 518,205 507,919 ( 2.0 X) 500,363 ( 3.6 %) 396,930
Loans in foreign currencies 681,257 665,873 ( 2.3 X) 604,986 ( 12.6 X) 553^871
Total loans and advances 1,199,462 1,173,792 ( 0 - 2.2 X) 1,105,349 ( 8.5 %) 950,801 /10 ..
(HKSmn)
( 8 8 X ■ ( £j
( 6.9 X) ( 11.6 X) ( 22.3 X' ( 17.7 r, ( 10.2 X) ( 21.7 X) ( 16.7 n
( 13.2
1 c »? e
( 4.2 X)
( 5.2 X) ( 23.7 X) ( 5.9 X)
( 10.2 %) ( 18.2 X)
( 26.2 X) ( 17.1 X)
( 50.9 %)
( 14.0 t)
( 25.2 X)
( 29.5 X)
( 24.5 X)
( 21.7 X)
30.6 X)
23.0 X)
26.2 %)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5,
1990
- 10 -
DOWNWARD TREND IN NEW INSOLVENCIES CONTINUES
*»»»♦$
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT 1989 WAS THE FOURTH YEAR IN SUCCESSION WHICH SHOWED A DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES REACHING THE COURTS.
THERE WERE 158 NEW COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 177 NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 163 AND 216 IN 1988, A DECREASE OF 11.61 PER CENT.
THIS DOWNWARD TREND IN INSOLVENCIES REFLECTED THE CONTINUED GOOD PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY GENERALLY AND FOLLOWED A 27.J2 PER CENT DECREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES IN 1988 COMPARED WITH 1987, MR GLEESON SAID.
TOTAL DIVIDENDS DECLARED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER DURING 1989 AMOUNTED TO $139.9 MILLION IN 308 INSOLVENCIES, AS AGAINST $87.6 MILLION IN 428 INSOLVENCIES IN 1988.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSOLVENCIES BEING HANDLED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR WAS 2,425, BEING 1,232 COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 1,193 PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIESj AS AGAINST A TOTAL OF 2,988 AT THE END OF 1988.
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF THE YEAR TOTALLED $1,297 MILLION AS AGAINST $1,259 MILLION AT THE END OF 1988, AN INCREASE OF 3.02 PER CENT. THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER ALSO ADMINISTERED A SUM OF US$7.9 MILLION TOGETHER WITH A JOINT LIQUIDATOR*
MR GLEESON SAID DISCUSSIONS WERE CONTINUING WITH THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS ON PROPOSALS FOR PASSING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR MORE OF THE WORK OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE, PARTICULARLY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS.
A FIRM OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS WOULD ALSO BE REPORTING TO HIM ON THIS AND OTHER OPTIONS SOON, HE SAID.
THE INTERESTS OF CREDITORS AND ALSO SAVINGS TO GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PRIME FACTORS IN WHATEVER DECISIONS WERE TAKEN.
---------0-----------
/Il ........
FRF DAY, JANUARY 5,
1990
11 LAW REFORM COMMISSION TO CONSIDER FAMILY LAW ISSUES ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS BEEN ASKED TO STUDY THREE AREAS OF FAMILY LAW IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY WHETHER THERE IS ANY NEED FOR CHANGES IN THE LIGHT OF THE SOCIAL CLIMATE OF TODAY.
THE THREE TOPICS REFERRED TO THE COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION ARE: (1) ILLEGITIMACY; (2) GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY; AND (3) MATTERS RELATING TO MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS AND GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE.
’ THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE COMMISSION HAS TURNED ITS ATTENTION TO ASPECTS OF FAMILY LAW.
THESE ARE ALL AREAS OF THE LAW WHERE THE LEGAL POSITION IN HONG KONG MAY BE SAID TO HAVE LAGGED BEHIND DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
THE STUDY IN RELATION TO ILLEGITIMACY WILL LOOK AT THE LAW RELATING TO LEGITIMATION AND ILLEGITIMATE PERSONS AND WILL HAVE PARTICULAR REGARD TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
ON GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY, THE COMMISSION WILL FOCUS ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE GUARDIANSHIP AND MINORS ORDINANCE RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY.
THE STUDY ON MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS WILL LOOK AT THE GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE AS WELL AS THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS IN MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS, THE PRESENT RESTRICTION ON PETITIONS FOR DIVORCE WITHIN THREE YEARS OF MARRIAGE, AND THE RELEVANCE OF THE CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES TO ORDERS FOR FINANCIAL PROVISION ON DIVORCE AND RELATED MATTERS.
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH ON THE THREE TOPICS BY THE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT IS ALREADY UNDER WAY AND PRELIMINARY REPORTS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 5. 1990
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DECEMBER SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL BEING CONDUCTED *******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE DECEMBER 1.989 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 40,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING; INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1989. REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON DECEMBER 29, 1989 FOR EACH SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1989.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 8235076.
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PUBLICATION ON TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AVAILABLE ******
THE 1990 EDITION OF "HONG KONG TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS" PUBLISHED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS NOW AVAILABLE.
THIS BILINGUAL ANNUAL PUBLICATION PROVIDES BASIC INFORMATION SUCH AS ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND THE NAMES OF KEY OFFICIALS OF MORE THAN 260 TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS IN HONG KONG.
COMPILED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, THE PUBLICATION SERVES AS A DIRECTORY FOR LOCAL TRADERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND AS A USEFUL REFERENCE FOR THE PUBLIC.
/THE ORGANISATIONS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
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THE ORGANISATIONS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER FOR EASY SEARCH AND THERE IS A CROSS REFERENCE CLASSIFYING ORGANISATIONS BY THE NATURE OF THEIR BUSINESS.
FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER THE SECTION "APPAREL AND ASSESSORTES", A TOTAL OF 12 RELATED ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.
FIRST INTRODUCED IN THE LATE 1970’S, THE PUBLICATION HAS PROVED TO BE POPULAR AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THOSE INTERESTED IN GETTING A FREE COPY MAY WRITE TO MR JOHNNY LEUNG OF THE DATA AND SERVICES DIVISION, INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, 1OTH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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GOLD SHOPS FINED FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY MARKING ORDER NOTICES
THE COURT TODAY (FRIDAY) IMPOSED A TOTAL FINE OF $23,000 ON SEVEN GOLD AND JEWELLERY SHOPS WHICH HAD FAILED TO DISPLAY IN THEIR SHOP PREMISES THE MARKING ORDER NOTICES REQUIRED IN THE SALE OF GOLD AND PLATINUM ITEMS.
THE DEFENDANTS ALL PLEADED GUILTY AT THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY TO CHARGES OF FAILING TO DISPLAY IN THEIR SHOPS THE MARKING ORDER NOTICE AS SPECIFIED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULES OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (GOLD AND GOLD ALLOY I ORDER 1984 AND THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (PLATINUM) ORDER 1988.
THE GOLD MARKING ORDER NOTICE OR THE PLATINUM MARKING ORDER NOTICE SHOULD INDICATE THAT EVERY ARTICLE MADE OF GOLD, GOLD ALLOY OR PLATINUM, THAT IS SUPPLIED OR OFFERED FOR SUPPLY IN THE COURSE OF TRADE, SHOULD BEAR A MARK INDICATING THE FINENESS OF THE GOLD OR PLATINUM CONTENT.
THESE NOTICES SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AT A PROMINENT SITE IN THE PLACES WHERE GOLD OR Pl.ATINUM ITEMS ARE SUPPLIED OR OFFERED FOR SUPPLY IN THE COURSE OF TRADE OR BUSINESS.
THE DEFENDANTS WERE LAI HING JEWELLERY COMPANY LIMITED, TAI SENG HO SILVER AND GOLD JEWELLERY COMPANY LIMITED, RU SAI SHING GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY COMPANY LIMITED, PC FORTUNE COMPANY LIMITED TRADING AS JADE JEWELLERY AND GOLD COMPANY LIMITED, WU SUI-FUNG OF TIN SANG JEWELLER AND GOLDSMITH, CHAN SIU OF SH1U CHEONG GOLDSMITH AND LAI HAU-YEE OF FU WAI JEWELLERY AND GOLDSMITH.
THE COURT HEARD THAT OFFICERS OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT VISITED THESE SHOPS DURING A TERRITORY-WIDE INSPECTION ON AUGUST 30 LAST YEAR.
/IT WAS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
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IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FOUR OF THESE SHOPS HAD NOT DISPLAYED THE REQUIRED GOLD MARKING ORDER NOTICES, TWO HAD NO PLATINUM MARKING ORDER NOTICES AND ONE WAS WITHOUT BOTH NOTICES.
THE PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, MR H.Y. LI, SAID THAT APART FROM THESE SEVEN CASES, SEVEN OTHER SIMILAR CASES WHICH WERE DISCOVERED DURING THE OPERATION IN AUGUST LAST YEAR HAD EARLIER BEEN BROUGHT TO COURT.
MR LI RECALLED THAT THESE SEVEN OPERATORS OF GOLD AND JEWELLERY SHOPS HAD BEEN FINED A TOTAL OF $13,500 FOR CONTRAVENING THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (GOLD AND GOLD ALLOY) ORDER 1984 AND THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (PLATINUM) ORDER 1988.
’’THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING THE ORDERS IS A FINE OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FQR TWO YEARS ON SUMMARY CONVICTION AND A FINE OF $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT," HE SAID.
HE REMINDED TRADERS OF GOLD AND PLATINUM ARTICLES THAT OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WOULD CARRY OUT INSPECTIONS TO THEIR SHOPS FROM TIME TO TIME.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE TRADERS WILL EVENTUALLY COMPLY WITH THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS IN THE LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR TSEUNG KWAN O DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR RECLAMATION, SITE FORMATION AND ROAD WORKS IN TSEUNG KWAN O AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, ABOUT 35 HECTARES OF LAND TO THE SOUTHWEST OF KING LAM ESTATE AND SOUTHEAST OF HAVEN OF HOPE SANATORIUM WILL BE RECLAIMED.
SITE FORMATION WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT FOR FUTURE USES OF PUBLIC HOUSING, PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL, GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTIONAL, COMMUNITY, ROAD WORKS AND OPEN SPACE.
IN ADDITION, FOUR KILOMETRES OF ROADS, THREE PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS AND A SECTION OF MTR TUNNEL OF ABOUT 100 METRES LONG WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT 33 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 16.
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/15........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
15
NEW ROADS PLANNED FOR TIN SHUT WAI DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT NEW ROADS, ROAD WIDENING RESERVE, FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS, VEHICULAR BRIDGES, FOOT AND CYCLE BRIDGES, PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS AND WATERSIDE AMENITY AREA AS PART OF THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
THE CONSTRUCTION WILL ALL TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE TIN SHUI WAI
LANDHOLDING.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
A COPY OF THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKINGS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
- CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
- YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG;
- YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY NEXT TUESDAY (JANUARY 91.
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ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS
******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A SPECIAL DOG INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS SO THAT FISHERMEN CAN HAVE THEIR DOGS IMMUNISED AGAINST RABIES.
THE DRIVE, A REGULAR EXERCISE HELD SINCE 1980, IS SPECIALLY TIMED TO SUIT THE CONVENIENCE OF FISHERMEN, MOST OF WHOM WILL BE COMING BACK FROM SEA THESE FEW WEEKS TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
STARTING FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 8), THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE DOG INOCULATION TEAMS WILL GO TO THE TERRITORY’S SEVEN FISHING PORTS ONE BY ONE AND MAKE BOAT-TO-BOAT VISITS BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM DAILY. THE WHOLE OPERATION WILL LAST FOR NINE WORKING DAYS UNTIL JANUARY 19.
/THEY WILL .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
- 16 -
THE’i WILL VISIT THE FISHING PORTS IN ABERDEEN ON JANUARY 8 AND 9; CHEUNG CHAU ON JANUARY 10 AND 11; SHA TAI) KOK ON JANUARY 15; SAI KUNG AND SHAL’ KEI WAN ON JANUARY 15 AND 16: SAM MUN TSAI ON JANUARY 16 AND 17; AND CASTLE PEAK BAY ON JANUARY 18 AND 19.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR NORMAN CHENG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE DRIVE WAS PART OF GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RABIES TO HONG KONG.
"THE TERRITORY REGAINED THE RABIES-FREE-AREA STATUS ON JULY 10 LAST YEAR, HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PREVENTED THE OUTBREAK OF ANY INDIGENOUS RABIES CASE SINCE JULY 10, 1987," HE NOTED.
NEVERTHELESS. DR ('HENG STRESSED THAT RABIES WAS A DEADLY DISEASE TRANSMISSABLE FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS. DOGS ON FISHING VESSELS WERE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR POSSIBLE CONTACT WITH OTHER ANIMALS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"IT IS, THEREFORE, IMPORTANT THAT FISHERMEN’S DOGS ARE INOCULATED AGAINST THE DISEASE AT LEAST EVERY THREE YEARS TO KEEP UP THEIR IMMUNITY," DR CHENG ADDED.
HE URGED FISHERMEN WHO OWN DOGS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SPECIAL INOCULATION SERVICE.
UNDER THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE, ALL DOGS OVER FIVE MONTHS OLD ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED AND INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RENDER THE OWNER LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
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PROPOSED LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLE
******
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT PERMISSION TO CABLE AND WIRELESS (HK) LTD FOR THE LAYING OF A SUBMARINE CABLE WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS TO EXTEND TELECOMMUNI CATION SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND TAIWAN.
THE COMPANY INTENDS TO LAY A SUBMARINE CABLE WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 27.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED FROM LOBSTER BAY, CAPE D’AGUI LAR TOWARDS TAIWAN.
THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE AFTER AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 14 DAYS TO COMPLETE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
- 17 -
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 4 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
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ROAD SAFETY DAY FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ******
THE EASTERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY DAY WILL BE HELD IN VICTORIA PARK ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 7) TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLYING WITH TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
THE ACTIVITY WILL CONCLUDE THE 1989-90 ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE ATTRACTION OF THE DAY WILL BE A SKID CAR DEMONSTRATION AND PERFORMANCES BY A SIX-MEMBER MOTORCYCLING TEAM FROM THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING.
CHILDREN WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE FUN OF SAFE DRIVING IN SPEC I ALLY-DES 1GNED "CAREFUL COBBERS" MINI VEHICLES TRAVELLING AT A SPEED OF 20 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
OTHER GAMES WILL INCLUDE A "ROAD SAFETY TOWN", A MINIATURE RAILWAY AND A COLOURING COMPETITION.
THE "ROAD SAFETY DAY" WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT THE VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCHES NOS. 4 TO 6, AND WILL RUN UNTIL 5 PM.
ADMISSION IS FREE. TICKETS FOR STALL GAMES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE. THEY CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED BEFOREHAND AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS THREE SUB-OFFICES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE ROAD SAFETY DAY WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (EASTERN), MRS WONG LEUNG KAM-SHAN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR YUE HUI-KWONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY DAY TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY THE VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCHES NOS. 4 TO 6.
THE EASTERN
(JANUARY 7) AT
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/18 .......
FRIDAY. JANUARY 5, 1990
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YUEN LONG TO STAGE FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOU’ *****
A VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTI FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES WILL BE STAGED AT YUEN LONG STADIUM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
STARTING AT 2.30 PM, THE EVENT WILL BE PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE B\ COMMERCIAL RADIO.
BEFORE IT BEGINS, THERE WILL BE A CEREMONY IN WHICH CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE YUEN LONG POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR LIM SHEK-YEUNG; YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP; AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAT KUEN.
BESIDES THE VARIETY SHOW, OTHER ACTIVITIES HELD SY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS HAVE INCLUDED VISITS TO A DRUG TREATMENT CENTRE AND THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, A FIGHT CRIME CROSSWORD PUZZLE COMPETITION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT YUEN LONG STADIUM, TAI YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
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VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY IN WONG TAI SIN
*****
MORE THAN 200 ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN NGAU CHI WAN AND DIAMOND HILL AREAS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE TREATED TO A VARIETY SHOW SPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR THEM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SHOW, WHICH IS FREE, WILL BE HELD AT THE CHI LIN SCHOOL IN DIAMOND HILL BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4 PM. THERE WILL BE SINGING AND PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS.
/ORGANISED BY .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
19
ORGANISED BY THE NGAU TSUEN AREA COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT HOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SHOW AIMS AT PROMOTING LOVE AND CONCERN FOR ELDERLY MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CHI LIN SCHOOL, 33 DIAMOND ROAD. DIAMOND HILL, WONG TAI SIN. THE SHOW WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4 PM.
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NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1932-35 *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MEN BORN IN 1932, 1933, 1934, OR 1935 WOULD BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM JANUARY 15 TO FEBRUARY 24.
"MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND THE AFTERNOONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CAI.LING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 5747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD TEL. NO. 7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 4981259
/SHA TIN : ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1990
20
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE,
11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD
TEL. NO. 4771543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR,
CHI LOK FA YUEN
TEL. NO. 4580862
SHEUNG SHU1 : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 6727191
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOCUMENT TO BE BROUGHT ALONG, THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DIALLING 8909393.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 OR
1940 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON JANUARY 13.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT CLEVELAND STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 7) FOR HOLDING THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL CARNIVAL.
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE CLOSURE.
VEHICLES ON GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD HEADING FOR PATERSON STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CANNON STREET, LOCKHART ROAD, EAST POINT ROAD, GREAT GEORGE STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD, AND KINGSTON STREET.
AIRPORT COACH ROUTE NO. A3 ON JOURNEYS TO CAUSEWAY BAY WILL OMIT CLEVELAND STREET, KINGSTON STREET, PATERSON STREET AND THE BUS STOP OUTSIDE PARK LANE HOTEL.
IT WILL INSTEAD OBSERVE THE BUS STOP ON GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD NEAR CLEVELAND STREET AND THEN PROCEED ALONG GLOUCESTER ROAD TO RESUME ITS NORMAL ROUTE I NG ON PERCIVAL STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MANY PRIVATE BUILDINGS NEED REPAIR, SURVEY FINDS ............................... 1
$170 MILLION BEING SPENT ON YOUTH SERVICES ..................................... 2
NEW APPOINTMENT TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE ............................ 2
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ............................................ 3
PROPER MANAGEMENT OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS URGED .............................. 4
YOUTH SERVICES NEED TO ADJUST TO CHANGING NEEDS ................................ 5
ENVIRONMENTAL, MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR FACTORY OPERATORS ........................ 5
STUDENTS INVITED TO ENTER HEALTH EDUCATION COMPETITIONS ........................ 6
REVIEW ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICE NECESSARY ..................................... 8
REMINDER ON NEED FOR IVORY POSSESSION LICENCE .................................. 9
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN SHA TIN ............................... 9
24-HOUR PORT PATROLS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR .................................... 10
BRIEFING ON EFFECT OF DIVERTING RIVER COURSES ................................. 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS ........................... 12
88 PAIRS TO COMPETE IN DANCE CONTEST........................................... 12
AREA COMMITTEE CARNIVAL IN CAUSEWAY BAY ....................................... 13
CHINESE ROWING TEAMS COMPETING AT SHA TIN ..................................... 14
NEW FARES FOR YI LONG WAN FERRY SERVICES ...................................... 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH .................................... 15
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI .............................................. 15
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ...................................... 16
TOLO HIGHWAY PARTIALLY CLOSED ................................................. 16
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
MANY PRIVATE BUILDINGS NEED REPAIR, SURVEY FINDS * * * * *
MORE THAN 8,000 PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG ARE TN A DEFECTIVE STATE OF REPAIR, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY UNDERTAKEN BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS WERE GIVEN TODAY (SATURDAY) RY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A CONFERENCE ON BUILDING MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS AND THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (HONG KONG BRANCH).
MR BARNES SAID SOME 22,500 PRIVATE BUILDINGS HAD BEEN INSPECTED SINCE OCTOBER. THE SURVEY TEAM FOUND THAT SEVEN OF THEM HAD TO BE CLOSED AND SOME 67 WERE IN A DANGEROUS STATE REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ACTION.
SOME 14,000 DID NOT NEED MAJOR REPAIRS FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.
THERE WERE ABOUT 60,000 PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG AND THE SURVEY WOULD COVER ALL OF THEM, MR BARNES SAID.
AFTER THIS INITIAL SURVEY, A FULL SURVEY ON ALL THOSE BUILDINGS FOUND TO BF. DEFECTIVE WOULD BE CARRIED OUT.
"THIS FULL SURVEY WILL RESULT IN A DECISION WHETHER TO ISSUE REPAIR NOTICES OR, IN VERY SERIOUS CASES, CLOSURE ORDERS AND DEMOLITION NOTICES," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID FLAT OWNERS WERE NOW CO-OPERATING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN EFFECTING REPAIRS WAITING FOR THE OFFICE TO PUT IN ITS OWN CONTRACTORS.
BETTER WITH
RATHER THAN
THIS WAS EVIDENCED BY LOWER DRAWINGS ON THE VOTE WHICH WAS PROVIDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR.
"THE SURVEY IS A START AND I BELIEVE IT WILL LEAD TO MUCH MORE ACTION. AND IT MAY EVEN LEAD TO A SITUATION WHERE A LAW ENFORCING MAINTENANCE WOULD BE GENERALLY MORE ACCEPTABLE. FOR THIS IS WHAT HONG KONG NEEDS," MR BARNES ADDED.
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/2 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY .6, 1990
- 2 -
$170 MILLION BEING SPENT ON YOUTH SERVICES * * * * *
A TOTAL OF $170 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR TO SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WHICH PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CHINESE YMCA KWONG FUK CENTRE IN TAI PO, MRS GOODSTADT SAID THIS REFLECTED THE GREAT IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED TO THE SERVICES.
"THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRES, IT IS HOPED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BECOME RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
"THE AIM HAS BREN SET OUT CLEARLY IN THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
MRS GOODSTADT POINTED OUT THAT TO ACHIEVE THIS AIM, THE CENTRES ORGANISED VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WHICH OFFERED LEARNING AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
"BESIDES, THE CENTRES ORGANISE A SERIES OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES TO INSTIL IN YOUNG PEOPLE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE FAMILY.
"COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO ORGANISED WITH A VIEW TO ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
MRS GOODSTADT NOTED THAT THERE WERE NOW OVER 200 CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN HONG KONG, AND 22 MOEW WOULD BE OPENED IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
---------0----------
NEW APPOINTMENT TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE ******
AN EXPERIENCED EDUCATIONALIST, MR LUKE YIP JING-PING. HAS BEEN APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED PRIVATE SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR YIP, WHO IS THE PRINCIPAL OF ST STEPHEN’S COLLEGE IN STANLEY, WILL REPLACE MR TIMOTHY HA WING-HO WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 3990
3 -
THE COMMITTEE, SET UP IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, HAS < OMR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THREE OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE: DR LEONG CHE-HUNG. A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; MR TAM MAN-KWUN. PRINCIPAL OF YUEN LONG PAK KAI ENGLISH SCHOOL; PROFESSOR TO CHO-YEE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR CHRIS GODWIN OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH: MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN OF THE FINANCE BRANCH; AND MR CHAN YAM-PANG OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION
* ♦ t *
TWENTY-ONE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR. AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $8,980,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 11 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $1,100,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER, 15, WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $930,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $190,000 FOR 1313.
FOLLOWING . ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY ’S AUCTION:
2828 $ 490,000 818 $ 290,000 1 188 $ 290,000
178 220,000 223 380,000 15 930.000
988 250,000 8833 320,000 822 310,000
1313 190,000 1 1 1,100,000 939 270,000
67 330,000 983 300,000 27 700,000
886 360,000 388 380,000 813 300,000
2222 540,000 89 680,000 399 350,000
AFTER SUCCESSFUL THE BIDDING BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL ASSIGNED ONLY BIDDERS WITHIN 12 TO VEH IC MONTHS LES OF
THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 146TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $97,770,305.
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/4 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
4
PROPER MANAGEMENT OE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS URGED ******
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS TO MAKE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
ADDRESSING A SEMINAR FOR MEMBERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN EASTERN DISTRICT, MR YEUNG SAID AS SOCIETY ADVANCED RESIDENTS ATTACHED GREATER IMPORTANCE TO THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF BUI I,DINGS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS OF BLOCKAGE OF FIRE EXITS, LACK OF MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES, UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AND IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OFTEN AFFECTED RESIDENTS’ SAFETY AND PROPERTIES.
"IT IS NOW TIMELY' FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND TENANTS TO WORK TOGETHER TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BUILDINGS AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
OUTLINING THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN THIS AREA, MR YEUNG SAID IT HAD BEEN WORKING ON AN EFFECTIVE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR FLAT OWNERS TO LOOK AFTER THEIR PROPERTIES.
"SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR THE DRAFTING OF NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT WERE INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 1987 AND LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1988 TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS AND REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXISTING POLICY.
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO ESTABLISHED BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS TO OFFER ADVICE TO RESIDENTS, MR YEUNG SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM, GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THE SEMINAR WAS CO-ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS TO GIVE RESIDENTS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
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/5 .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
YOUTH SERVICES NEED TO ADJUST TO CHANGING NEEDS ******
YOUTH SERVICE AGENCIES SHOULD ADJUST THEIR SERVICES TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE IN FACING THE CHALLENGES IN THE 1990'S, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG (KOWLOON REGION) IN TSIM SHA TSUI, MR KWOK SAID THE AGENCIES NEEDED TO CONSIDER THREE ASPECTS WHEN DEVISING THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THEIR SERVICES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED.
"THE FIRST ASPECT IS CIVIC EDUCATION. THE AGENCIES SHOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE AND CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS OF THE SOCIETY THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION," HE SAID.
"THE SECOND ASPECT IS PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AFFAIRS. YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES OF THEIR DISTRICT AND HENCE DEVELOP A SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
"THE THIRD ASPECT IS PROGRAMME DESIGN. AS THE LIVING STANDARD IMPROVES, YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE GREATER CHOICES OF PASTIME ACTIVITIES.
"HENCE, THERE IS A NEED TO DEVISE PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES TO MEET THEIR CHANGING NEEDS,”
MR KWOK NOTED THAT IN VIEW OF THE CHANGES IN HONG KONG, YOUTH LEADERS WILL HAVE A NEW ROLE TO PLAY IN THE 1990’S.
HE URGED THEM TO EQUIP THEMSELVES WELL TO PREPARE FOR THE CHALLENGES AHEAD AND TO ASSIST THEIR PEER GROUP TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY.
- - 0 - -
ENVIRONMENTAL, MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR FACTORY OPERATORS
******
ABOUT 100 FACTORY OPERATORS AND MEMBERS OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS TODAY (SATURDAY) ATTENDED A SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD AND THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, THE HOUSING MANAGER OF THE CO-ORDINATING TEAM, MR LEE KANG-SUM, SAID KWAI TSING DISTRICT, BEING A MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREA, CONTAINED VARIOUS KINDS OF INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES OF DYEING AND BLEACHING, ELECTROPLATING, LEATHER TANNING AND BOILING OF LARD.
THESE TRADES, PARTICULARLY DYEING AND BLEACHING, WERE THE CAUSE OF MANY ENVIRONMENTAL AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, MR LEE SAID.
_ - 0 - -
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
- 6 -
COMMON PROBLEMS FOUND IN DYEING AND BLEACHING FACTORIES WERE ILLEGAL CONNECTION TO RAIN WATER PIPES, IMPROPER DISCHARGE OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT AND BLOCKAGE OF DRAINAGE PIPES.
AN OPERATOR OF A DYEING FACTORY WAS INVITED TO TALK ABOUT THE INDUSTRY’S DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLYING WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S REGULATIONS AND THE ASSISTANCE WHICH THE OPERATORS HOPED THE GOVERNMENT COULD PROVIDE.
A SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, DR ELLEN CHAN, AND BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, MR DAVY YUEN, IN RESPONSE, ADVISED THE OPERATORS ON WAYS TO OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES.
TWO SLIDE SHOWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND EFFLUENT DISCHARGE WERE SHOWN TO GIVE PARTICIPANTS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF COMMON PROBLEMS AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CO-ORDINATING TEAM ALLOCATED ABOUT $100,000 THIS FINANCIAL YEAR TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
---------------------------0------- STUDENTS INVITED TO ENTER HEALTH EDUCATION COMPETITIONS * » ♦ t t
LOCAL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE 1990 INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION AND THE 1990 INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PAINTING COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN THE COMING MONTHS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH. THE COMPETITIONS ARE AIMED AT AROUSING STUDENTS’ AWARENESS AND CONCERN TOWARDS PERSONAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES.
"SCHOOLS COULD ALSO MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN SOCIAL STUDIES, HEALTH EDUCATION, CIVIC EDUCATION AND MORAL/ETHI CAL EDUCATION," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
IN THE 1990 INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION, PARTICIPATING SECONDARY SCHOOLS MAY CHOOSE ANY ONE OF THE THREE THEMES FOR THEIR PROJECTS, NAMELY THE "MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS OF TOMORROW", "POLLUTION TN HONG KONG AND ITS PREVENTION" AND "DEVELOPING A HEALTHY PERSONALITY".
/COMPETING SCHOOLS .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
COMPETING SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO SET UP THEIR DISPLAYS IN THEIR SCHOOLS DURING THE JUDGING PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 12 TO 16. THEY ARE RECOMMENDED TO EXHIBIT THEIR PROJECTS LONGER THAN THE STIPULATED PERIOD TO ALLOW STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS, TO SEE THEM.
MARKS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE PROJECTS ACCORDING TO FOUR CRITERIA! RESEARCH (RELEVANCE, ACCURACY, EXTENT AND DEPTH); THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE EXHIBITS ILLUSTRATE APTLY AND GRAPHICALLY THE CHOSEN THEME; ARTISTRY, SKILL AND INGENUITY OF PRESENTATION; AND OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS INCLUDING LAYOUT.
A SUBSIDY OF Si250 WILL BE GIVEN TO EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL FOR THE PURCHASE OF ART MATERIALS FOR THE COMPETITION.
A TRANSPORT SUBSIDY UP TO $300 WILL ALSO BE GRANTED TO EACH OF THE PRIZE-WINNING SCHOOLS WHICH ARE OBLIGATED TO PARTICIPATE IN A JOINT EXHIBITION OF THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS TO BE HELD IN MARCH.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AT 123A, FA YUEN STREET, EIGHTH FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL kA YUEN STREET COMPLEX, KOWLOON ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 12.
BOOK COUPONS AND TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FIRST FIVE PRIZE-WINNING SCHOOLS IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION. UP TO 10 MERIT PRIZES WHICH INCLUDE SOUVENIR PLAQUES AND BOOK COUPONS WILL ALSO BE AWARDED IF THE JUDGES ARE SATISFIED THAT THE STANDARDS OF THE PROJECTS ARE SUFFICIENTLY HIGH.
IN ADDITION, A BEST ARTWORK DESIGN PRIZE WILL RE SPECIALLY AWARDED TO ONE OF THE 15 PR IZE-WI NN I NG PROJECTS WITH THE BEST ARTWORK DURING THE JOINT EXHIBITION.
AS FOR THE 1990 INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDIICAT ION PAINTING COMPETITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS OPEN TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
"THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY EACH SCHOOL. BUT ONLY ONE ENTRY IS ALLOWED FOR EACH STUDENT," HE POINTED OUT.
EACH PARTICIPANT MAY CHOOSE ANY ONE OF THE THEMES INCLUDING "GOOD HYGIENE HABITS"; "LOVE OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT" AND "ENJOY LIFE IN A GROUP".
THE IDEA OF THE THEME MUST BE EXPRESSED THROUGH A COLOUR PAINTING ON WHITE PAPER MEASURING 420 MM BY 594 MM. THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE KIND OF DRAWING MATERIALS USED.
THE ADJUDICATION CRITERIA FOR THIS COMPETITION INCLUDE CREATIVITY, PAINTING TECHNIQUE, RELEVANCE OF THE HEALTH MESSAGE AND ABILITY TO CONVEY IT IN THE PAINTING.
/HEADS OF .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
- 8 -
HEADS OF THE PARTICIPATING PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO SEND THE COMPLETED ENTRY EORM TOGETHER WITH ALL ENTRIES TO THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 9.
BOOK COUPONS AND TROPHIES WILL BE WINNERS. ANOTHER 10 MERIT PRIZES WHICH SOUVENIR PLAQUES WILL ALSO BE AWARDED.
AWARDED TO THE FIVE TOP
INCLUDE BOOK COUPONS AND
ALL WINNING PAINTINGS WILL BE EXHIBITED JOINTLY WITH THE WINNING PROJECTS OF THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FROM MARCH 16 TO 19. THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 16.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING BOTH COMPETITIONS CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 7871229 OR 7871230.
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REVIEW ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICE NECESSARY
******
THERE IS A NEED TO REVIEW THE PRESENT SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICE AND MAP OUT THE DIRECTION FOR WELFARE POLICY FOR THE NEXT DECADE, THE REGIONAL OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES EAST) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR ANTHONY CHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TIN PING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE IN SHEUNG SHUI, MR CHAN SAID THAT A WHITE PAPER WOULD BE ISSUED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR.
’THIS DOCUMENT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT WELFARE SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO MEET NEEDS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT A WORKING PARTY HAD BEEN SET UP TO CONDUCT THE REVIEW, BUT THE OPINIONS COMING FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD BE MOST IMPORTANT.
"THE SWD IS NOW INVITING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES.
"THE REVIEW COULD NOT BE A SUCCESS WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM INTERESTED PARTIES AND VARIOUS SOCIAL COMMUNITIES," HE SAID.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS AND SET OUT THEIR PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT TN SERVICES.
MR CHAN COMMENDED THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES FOR PROMOTING AND PROVIDING YOUTH SERVICES OVER THE YEARS. THE TIN PING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, WHICH STARTED OPERATION LAST FEBRUARY, IS POPULAR, AND HAS REGISTERED A MEMBERSHIP OF 2,000.
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/9.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
- 9 -
REMINDER ON NEED FOR IVORY POSSESSION LICENCE ******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND IVORY TRADERS WHO ARE IN POSSESSION OF RAW OR WORKED IVORY, INCLUDING ANTIQUE ITEMS, ARE REMINDED THEY HAVE TO APPLY FOR A POSSESSION LICENCE FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) BEFORE NEXT FRIDAY (JANUARY 12).
"THE ONLY EXEMPTION FROM THE POSSESSION LICENCE REQUIREMENT IS WORKED IVORY FOR. PERSONAL USE WEIGHING NOT MORE THAN FIVE KILOGRAMS," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THE LICENCE FEE IS $55," HE ADDED.
THE POSSESSION LICENCE REQUIREMENT SUPPLEMENTS THE DEPARTMENT’S BID TO REGISTER ALL EXISTING IVORY STOCKS AND WILL HELP DETER IVORY SMUGGLING AS WELL AS PREVENT NEW IVORY OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN FROM ENTERING THE MARKET.
FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATIONS IN TIME AND THE POSSESSION OF IVORY WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE IS AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 PLUS MANDATORY FORFEITURE OF THE IVORY CONCERNED. THE PENALTY FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE IS A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION ON 7332123 OR 7332124.
------0-------
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN SHA TIN
******
FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT SHA KOK ESTATE, SHA TIN, TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 11 AM TO 3.30 PM.
THIS IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF NINE FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS BEING ORGANISED THIS WINTER BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP.
"THE EXHIBITIONS AIM TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF ELECTRICAL FAULT WHICH REMAINS A MAJOR CAUSE OF DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL FIRES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"ELECTRIC FAULTS CAN BE AVOIDED IF REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF POWER POINTS AND APPLIANCES IS CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS," HE SAID.
/"IN ORDER .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
- 10
"IN ORDER TO HELP THE PUBLIC OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECT, OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT AT THE EXHIBITION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE EXHIBITION TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO PREVENT HILL FIRES.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE A BOOKLET ON THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC FIRES AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY KWONG ON BANK LTD.
---------0------------
24-HOUR PORT PATROLS ♦ * ♦
DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR ♦ *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE 24-HOUR PATROLS FOR THE MAJOR FISHING PORTS OF ABERDEEN AND SHAU KEI WAN OVER A TWO-WEEK PERIOD DURING THE UPCOMING LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
"THE PATROLS WILL ASSIST FISHING VESSELS RETURNING FOR THE FESTIVITIES TO FIND SAFE MOORINGS," MR STRACHAN SAID. HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE 26TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHAI WAN FISHERMEN’S RECREATION CLUB.
NOTING THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD SERVED ITS MEMBERS’ NEEDS FOR OVER 25 YEARS, MR STRACHAN SAID THE ASSOCIATION HAD FORMED AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE INTERESTS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY IN CHAI WAN.
CITING THE LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD PROPOSED A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE LOCAL CRAFT REGULATORY SYSTEM AIMED AT IMPROVING AND SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURES IN THE AREAS OF LICENSING, PROFICIENCY AND SAFETY.
"FOR EXAMPLE THE PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH THE PLYING RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON OPEN SAMPANS INVOLVED TN THE MARICULTURE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY THE FISHING COMMUNITY.
"FURTHER CONSULTATION WITH ASSOCIATIONS SUCH AS YOURS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE FUTURE AS THE LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW PROGRESSES," MR STRACHAN SAID.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE AND ENABLE BOTH LONG AND SHORT TERM IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE OPERATION OF THE FISHING FLEET. AS REGARDS THE LATTER, IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE SEEN SOON IN THE INTRODUCTION OF A SIMPLIFIED SYSTEM OF APPROVED SEA-TIME FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY AS MASTER OR ENGINEER ON ALL LOCAL VESSELS.
/"THIS WILL .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1QQ0
’’THIS WILL MAKE THE CREW BOOK REDUNDANT. LEGISLATIVE STEPS ARE NOW UNDERWAY TO ELIMINATE THE NEED TO MAINTAIN CREW BOOKS AND THE NEED TO REGISTER THE ENGAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE OF MASTERS AND ENGINEERS ON SMALL CRAFT INCLUDING FISHING VESSELS.” HE ADDED.
MOREOVER, THE UPGRADING OF THE FISHING FLEET AND ITS MODE OF OPERATION WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT.
"THE TREND TO REPLACE WOODEN HULLED FISHING VESSELS WITH STEEL HULLED TRAWLERS IS WELCOMED,” MR STRACHAN SAID.
"THIS WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED SAFETY FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN FISHING AND A BETTER EQUIPPED AND MORE PRODUCTIVE FISHING FLEET FOR HONG KONG."
TO THIS END, HE SAID, COURSES HAD BEEN INITIATED TO ENABLE MASTERS AND ENGINEERS QUALIFIED TO OPERATE TRADITIONAL WOODEN FISHING VESSELS TO UPGRADE THEIR SKILLS TO A STANDARD SUFFICIENT FOR MANNING THESE NEW STEEL TRAWLERS.
- - 0 - -
BRIEFING ON EFFECT OF DIVERTING RIVER COURSES
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8) ON THE EFFECT THAT DIVERTING RIVER COURSES TO WATER CATCHMENTS WILL HAVE ON THE WATER QUALITY OF TOLO HARBOUR.
THE BRIEFING WILL BE GIVEN BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY) OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR MIKE STOKOE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE A PROGRESS REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE TAI PO ENVIRONMENT CONTROL WORKING GROUP AND DISCUSS PROPOSED MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAT PO.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0
/12
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
- 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS
******
AN ANALYSIS OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS BY DISTRICT BOARD AREA WILL BF. TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT A MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8) .
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED TAI WO ESTATE.
AND TRANSPORT
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ACCESSIBILITY PROBLEM AT TAI WO STATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
--------0-----------
88 PAIRS TO COMPETE IN DANCE CONTEST
*****
EIGHTY-EIGHT PAIRS OF DANCERS WILL TAKE PART IN A TERRITORY-WIDE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE COMPETITION, SPONSORED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE SHAM SHUI PO KA1FONG WELFARE ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AS A MAJOR EVENT OF THE MONTH-LONG SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS: BEGINNERS, PRE-AMATEURS AND AMATEURS. THEY WILL COMPETE IN WALTZ, TANGO, JIVE OR CHA-CHA.
THE COMPETITION WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM IN THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM OF THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION WILL BE HELD AT 7.45 PM AND AFTER THIS THERE WILL BE A HALF-HOUR DEMONSTRATION BY THE WINNERS IN EACH GROUP.
/IN ANOTHER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
- 13 -
IN ANOTHER EVENT, THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION YOUTH CHOIR WILL GIVE A CONCERT ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8) AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM, TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL. THE ASSOCIATION’S CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL ALSO PERFORM AT THE FUNCTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM OF THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE, BEGINNING AT 4.30 PM.
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AREA COMMITTEE CARNIVAL IN CAUSEWAY BAY t * * * *
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON IN CLEVELAND STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY BY THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND SPONSORSHIP FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, AIMS AT CULTIVATING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG CAUSEWAY BAY RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING FREE ENTERTAINMENT TO THE PUBLIC.
IT WILL BEGIN WITH A DRAGON AND LION DANCE, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A PROGRAMME OF BALLET, POP SONGS, FOLKS SONGS, CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS AND PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN POP SINGERS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF INTERESTING STREET SHOWS, FEATURING ACROBATICS BY THE "HONG KONG BROTHERS", MIME BY MEMBERS OF THE FRINGE CLUB, MASK THEATRE BY OWEN LEE, CLOWN MAGIC BY ALEX YU, AND STREET THEATRE BY THE "TOGETHER TRY" GROUP.
VISITORS CAN ALSO HAVE THEIR CARICATURES DRAWN, ASK A CHINESE CALLIGRAPHER TO WRITE THEM "FAI CHUNS", OR INQUIRE ABOUT THEIR FORTUNE AT A PALM READING STALL, ALL FREE OF CHARGE.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM AND ADMISSION IS FREE.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE WAN CHAT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR PANG KING-WO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM TOMORROW IN CLEVELAND STREET (BETWEEN FOOD STREET AND THE DAIMARU DEPARTMENT STORE), CAUSEWAY BAY.
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/14 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1990
14
CHINESE ROWING TEAMS COMPETING AT SHA TIN * * ♦ ♦ »
ROWING TEAMS FROM SHANGHAI AND GUANGDONG WILL COMPETE WITH NINE WELL-KNOWN ROWING TEAMS IN HONG KONG IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS 1990 ON THE SHING MUN RIVER TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE LOCAL TEAMS WILL COME FROM THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB, HONG KONG NATIONAL SQUAD CHING YING ROWING CLUB, LION ROCK ROWING CLUB, HONG KONG ISLAND SCHOOL, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE ROWING CLUB, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ROWING CLUB, PUI YING COLLEGE AND CHONG HEEP ROWING CLUB.
THE FINALS WILL BE HELD AT ABOUT 2.15 PM.
OTHER ROWING COMPETITIONS WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM. THE FINISHING POINT WILL BE AT THE ROWING CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION NEXT TO THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE ROWING CENTRE AT 3 PM.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG PO-MING; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR ANDREW WONG; AND PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION, MR ROBERT WILSON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SHING MUN RIVER TOMORROW (SUNDAY). THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM AT THE ROWING CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION NEAR JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, SHA TIN.
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/15 .......
SATURDAY. JANUARY 6. 1990
15
NEW FARES FOR YI LONG WAN FERRY SERVICES
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE NEW FARES CHARGED ON THE LICENSED FERRY SERVICES FROM SEA RANCH (YI LONG WAN) ON LANTAU TO CENTRAL WILL BE $22 PER SINGLE JOURNEY FOR MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AND $26 PER SINGLE JOURNEY FOR SATURDAYS. SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 8).
ALSO EFFECTIVE FROM THE SAME DATE. THE FARES FROM SEA RANCH (YI LONG WAN) TO CHEUNG C’!AU WILL BE $8 PER SINGLE JOURNEY FOR MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AND $10 PER SINGLE JOURNEYS FOR SATURDAYS. SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE FARES ARE THE SAME FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH ♦ ♦»*♦*
THE TR NSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH ETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND THOSE WITH LABELS ISSUED BY THE JUDICIARY ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM ON I AT DAY FOR HOLDING THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR 1990.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8). THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING FUNG STREET FROM QUEEN’S ROAD EAST TO HOUSE NO. 15 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FRQM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
ALSO TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS. WING FUNG STREET WEST BETWEEN WING FUNG STREET AND MONMONTH PATH WILL BE MADE A CUL-DE-SAC WITH ACCESS FROM MONMONTH PATH ON MONDAY FOR TWO WEEKS.
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/16.........
SATURDAY. JANUARY «. 1890
- 16 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8). THE EXISTING LEFT TURNING FROM THE SOUTHERN LANES OF WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST INTO WING LOK STREET WILL BE BANNED FOR FIVE WEEKS BECAUSE OF ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
VEHICLES ON WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST HEADING FOR WING LOK STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NORTHERN LANES OF WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND THE TEMPORARY U-TURN LOOP ROAD WEST OF THE JUNCTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO JOIN WING LOK STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME. TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THE SECTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND WESTERN STREET.
ALSO. THE SECTION OF WESTERN STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD W1 ST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
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TOLO HIGHWAY PARTIALLY CLOSED
♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE TJ .NSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF TOLO HIGHWAY IN TAI PO WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.4 KILOMETRES OF THE SLOW LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8).
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.9 KILOMETRES OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO TAI WO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED ON TUESDAY' (JANUARY 9).
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.3 KILOMETRES OF THE SLOW LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO TAI WO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 15 (MONDAY).
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.6 KILOMETRES OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO TAI WO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 16 (TUESDAY).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NQt
PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES HANDLE 6.2M CASES ................................ 1
RESULTS OF OCTOBER RETAIL SALES SURVEY .......................................... 2
MANAGEMENT FAMILIARISATION WORKSHOPS OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ..................................................................... 5
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR SPORTS AID FOUNDATION GRANTS .............................. 6
CARNIVAL DRIVES HOME FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ........................................ 7
RESIDENTS GIVEN FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE AT TELEMATCH DAY ............................ 7
ENTRY OPENS FOR FESTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION ................................. 8
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ...................................... 9
TWO "FLEXI-DESIGN" SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR HUNG SHUI KIU.......................... 10
EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS IN SAI KUNG PROPOSED ................................ 10
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO.................................. 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TUEN MUN
11
SUNDAY. .JANUARY 7, 1990
1
PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES HANDLE 6.2M CASES t » t t I J t
Till' 68 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE. IPES ) CENTRES OF THE CITY AND
NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) HANDLED A TOTAL OF 6.2 MILLION CASES DURING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1989.
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE FIGURE REFLECTED THE POPULARITY Of Till SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PES CENTRES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TIIF MOST COMMON SUBJECTS OF ENQUIRY CONCERNED DECLARATIONS AND OATHS, CIVIL SERVICE JOB VACANCIES, THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS. LOCATION AND OFFICE HOURS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND ENROLMENT IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
DURING THE: PERIOD, SOME 9.8 MILLION FORMS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO Till PUBLIC, REPRESENTING A FIVE PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
IN ADDITION TO ANSWERING ENQUIRIES AND ISSUING FORMS AND GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS, THE PES CENTRES ALSO ARRANGED INTERVIEWS UNDER THE "MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME, ADMINISTERED OATHS AND DECLARATIONS. AND REFERRED CASES UNDER THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME AND THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE "MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHED TO VOICE COMPLAINTS OR SUGGESTION COULD APPROACH THE NEAREST PES CENTRE TO ARRANGE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THEIR COMPLAINTS AND OPINIONS WOULD THEN BE REFERRED TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTION.
NOTING THAT THE DECLARATION SERVICE WAS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CENTRES ADMINISTERED 785,000 DECLARATIONS AND OATHS FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1989, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 13.1 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE IN 1988.
THE MOST COMMON MATTERS WERE DECLARATING TRUE COPIES OF DOCUMENTS, AND DECLARATIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS.
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CNTA AND THE LAW SOCIETY SINCE 1978. UNDER. IT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SEEK ADVICE ON CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO CONSULT LAWYERS. CAN RECEIVE I REF. CONSULTATION WITH LAWYERS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR SERVICES.
A TOTAL OF 2,811 CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE LAW SOCIETY IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1989.
UNDER THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, LANDLORDS OR TENANTS WHO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR STATUTORY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS CAN SEEK ADVICE FROM RENT OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WHO ARE ON DUTY AT 15 DISTRICT OFFICES.
/DURING THE .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
2 -
DURING THE PERIOD. 18,011 PEOPLE CONSULTED THE RENT OFFICERS AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE PES CENTRES ARE LOCATED CONVENIENTLY IN THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICE'S AND THEIR SUB-OFFICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE CENTRES MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE CENTRES OR THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE SECTION AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON 29TH FLOOR. SOUTHORN CENTRE. 130 HENNESSY ROAD. WAN CHAI. OR TELEPHONE 8351501.
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RESULTS OF OCTOBER RETAIL
*****
SALES SURVEY
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER 1989, ESTIMATED AT 88,972 MILLION, INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988 WHILE THEIR VOLUME DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURES SUGGEST THAT BOTH LOCAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE AND TOURIST SPENDING WERE SLUGGISH IN OCTOBER 1989.
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ROSE BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS. ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES DROPPED BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES BY SUPERMARKETS INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT DOWN BY 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DROPPED BY 13 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
/RETAIL SALES .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
- 3 -
RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE RY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
OTHER CONSUMER GOODS WENT UP BY 6 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME,
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY SUPERMARKETS INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. HOWEVER. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 16 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, AND BEARING TN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS. TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR OCTOBER 1989 INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. FUELS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 2 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS WENT UP BY 3 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 18 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 16 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES BY SUPERMARKETS DECREASED BY 10 PER. CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR SEPTEMBER 1989 AND Till-: PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR OCTOBER 1989.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 1989 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, IB) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF OCTOBER 1989 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR SEPTEMBER 1989 AND WITH THOSE FOR OCTOBER 1988, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE OCTOBER 1989 SURVEY RESULTS IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PI.ACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5565240).
/TABLE 1 .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for October 1989 (Provisional Figure) - HKI 8.972million for September 1989 (Revised Figure) « HKI 8,786miIlion
TABLE 2 * VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR SEPTEMBER 1989 AND OCTOBER 1989
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 = 100)
Index of 1 October 1989 i October 1989 Jan.-Oct. 1989
'■ Item Retail 1 September October compared with compared with compared with
Sales 1989 1989 September 1989 October 1988 Jan.-Oct. 1988
(Revised (Provisional Points I Points I Points X
figures) figures)
! (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES
Value 157 160 3 2 3 2 10 6
Volume 121 123 2 2 -6 -4 -1 -I
1 (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS
1 Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 163 159 -4 -3 16 11 18 14
' drinks and tobacco Volume 126 123 -2 -2 3 2 4 4
1 Fuels Value 121 126 5 4 15 13 9 9
Voluae 120 125 5 4 4 3 3 2
1 Clothing, footwear Value 156 171 15 10 4 2 13 8
! and allied products Volume 113 123 10 9 -9 -7 -2 -2
1 Consueer durables Value 142 145 3 2 -13 -11 -2 -2
Volume 106 108 2 2 -19 -15 -9 -7
' Other consumer goods Value 165 170 5 3 4 2 10 6
Volume 128 130 2 2 -5 -4 1 4
: (C) BY SELECTED TRADES
' (see note 1 below)
! Supermarkets Value 212 191 -21 -10 27 16 22 14
Volume 162 145 -17 -11 7 5 3 2
’ Motor vehicles Value 271 275 4 2 -25 -8 42 17
' and parts Volume 178 181 2 1 -30 -14 17 10
1 Consumer durables Value 103 105 2 2 -16 -13 -16 -13
1 other than motor Voluae 84 86 2 2 -15 -15 -17 -16
! vehicles and parts
I Department stores Value 177 208 31 18 14 7 20 11
Volume 129 150 21 16 -3 -2 2 1
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN aajor trade groups, the value and volume indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) ’Supermarkets* - a trade in the "Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco" group.
lb) 'Motor vehicles and parts’ - a trade in the "Consumer durables' group.
(c) ’Consumer durables other than actor vehicles and parts’ - & trade in the "Consumer durables' group.
(d) 'Department stores" - a trade in the "Other consumer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived frca the unrounded index figures.
3. *1' denotes a figure within 10.5.
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/5
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
5 -
MANAGEMENT FAMILIARISATION WORKSHOPS OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY * t t t t
Till PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL BE CONDUCTING TWO MANAGEMENT FAMILIARISATION WORKSHOPS, EACH LASTING FOR FIVE DAYS. THIS MONTH.
THE FIRST WORKSHOP WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND THE SECOND WILL BEGIN THE FOLLOWING MONIW (JANUARY 15).
THESE WORKSHOPS ARE ORGANISED FOR DOCTORS, NURSES, PARAMEDICAL STAFF AND HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS IN BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS WHO ANTICIPATE HAVING ENHANCED MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OR WISH TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLES IN HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AND TO IMPROVE THEIR MANAGERIAL EFFECTIVENESS. THERE WILL BE 31 PARTICIPANTS IN EACH WORKSHOP.
THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO PREPARE PARTICIPANTS FOR THE NEW HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BY:
(A) DEVELOPING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF GENERAL MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND SKILLS, WITH EMPHASIS ON DECISION MAKING, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, PERSONNEL AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE;
(B) ACQUAINTING THEM WITH THE ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF KEY HOSPITAL MANAGERS IN THE NEW HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM;
AND
(C) DEVELOPING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE MANAGEMENT ISSUES RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THE WORKSHOP IS STRUCTURED AROUND THE CENTRAL THEME OF HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT. THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXAMINING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE REFORM, THE PROPOSED ORGANISATIONAL ROLES, CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND THE HUMAN AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT. OTHER ISSUES ARE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM ORGANISATION, BETTER UTILISATION OF RESOURCES, THE ROLE OF CLINICIANS IN MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT INFORMAT I ON SYSTEMS.
THE LEARNING ATMOSPHERE WILL BE INFORMAL AND THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROUP DISCUSSION AND FEEDBACK. THERE WILL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO IDENTIFY AND PLAN THEIR
WILL BE
ALSO BE PERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS.
/THE WORKSHOPS .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
- 6 -
THE WORKSHOPS ARE BEING ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE SENIOR STAFF COURSE CENTRE AND THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS OF A UK HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY FIRM AND ALSO LOCAL CONSULTANTS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ASSIGNMENTS FOR PHA.
OVER 300 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR PLACES IN THE TWO WORKSHOPS. A SPOKESMAN FROM THE PHA SECRETARIAT SAID THAT IN THE LIGHT OF THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO ORGANISING SIMILAR WORKSHOPS OR OTHER TRAINING COURSES IN THE NEAR. FUTURE TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT MANAGEMENT TALENT AMONG SERVING STAFF WHEN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TAKES OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR SPORTS AID FOUNDATION GRANTS i i * i t
ATHLETES WISHING TO ACHIEVE AN ADVANCED STANDARD AT THE ASIAN OR WORLD LEVEL ARE INVITED TO APPLY TO THE SPORTS AID FOUNDATION FOR GRANTS TO COVER EXPENSES IN RELEVANT COMPETITIONS, AND TRAINING FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM AND FORWARD IT TO THE PROVISIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE SPORT ASSOCIATIONS BEFORE JANUARY 31.
WHEN SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS, APPLICANTS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ATTACH A PROGRAMME PLAN OF TRAINING/COMPETITION AND THE OBJECTIVES THEY WISH TO ATTAIN DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD.
THOSE WHO HAD APPLIED SUCCESSFULLY IN JULY LAST YEAR NEED NOT APPLY AGAIN.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROVISIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON THE 1OTH FLOOR OF HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5740409.
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/7........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
- 7 -
CARNIVAL DRIVES HOME FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ******
THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME REQUIRES THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
AT THE FUNCTION, 10 RESIDENTS WERE PRESENTED THE "GOOD RESIDENTS AWARD" FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
MR WAN POINTED OUT THAT THE CARNIVAL, HIGHLIGHTING THE DISTRICT'S FIGHT CRIME EFFORTS IN 1989-90, ALSO MARKED THE CO-OPERATION AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY IN FIGHTING CRIME.
"DURING THE YEAR, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING VISITS BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"THE VISITS ENABLED THE MEMBERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH RESIDENTS ON CRIME-FIGHTING AND PREVENTION, AND TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN FIGHTING CRIME.
"TO SUPPORT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO COMBAT TRIADS, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD ALSO ORGANISED A DAV CAMP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE THEM MORE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF TRIADS," MR WAN SAID.
AT THE CARNIVAL, HELD AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND, HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS WERE TREATED TO A FULL PROGRAMME THAT INCLUDED A PHOTO DISPLAY, GAMES STALLS, A DEMONSTRATION OF MOTOR-CYCLING, A VARIETY SHOW, AND PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN SINGERS.
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RESIDENTS GIVEN FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE AT TELEMATCH DAY
******
HUNDREDS OF WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS RECEIVED THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE AT A TELEMATCH DAY HELD AT MORSE PARK THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
FOURTEEN TEAMS, EACH REPRESENTING AN AREA COMMITTEE IN THE DISTRICT, TOOK PART IN FOUR TELEMATCHES IN WHICH HOME SECURITY, ANTI-SHOP THEFT, ANTI-TRIAD, AND ANTI-NARCOTICS WERE THE THEMES.
THE EVENT, WHICH AIMED TO DRIVE HOME THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
/SPEAKING AT.........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
8 -
SPEAKING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AFTER THE COMPETITION, THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU, SAID TWO OF THE TELEMATCH THEMES — ANTI-SHOP THEFT AND HOME SECURITY --COINCIDED WITH THE COMMITTEE’S PUBLICITY THEME THIS YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMITTEE WOULD DEPLOY THE "ROBOT COP" AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS TO PUBLICISE THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT MESSAGE AT SHOPPING CENTRES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES.
GIVE-AWAY ITEMS, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS BEARING THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WERE ALSO BEING PRODUCED TO WARN YOUNGSTERS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF SHOP THEFT, HE ADDED.
REGARDING HOME SECURITY, MR LAU SAID THE BEST WAY TO COMBAT BURGLARY WAS TO ADOPT PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE BECOME A CONTINUING PROJECT.
HOME SECURITY CAMPAIGN HAD
"THE PURPOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO LEARN ABOUT THE GOOD POINTS OF IMPROVING HOME SECURITY SO AS TO PROMOTE MUTUAL HELP AMONG RESIDENTS IN CRIME PREVENTION," MR LAU SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, CHAIRMAN WORKING GROUP OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT MADAM LEE TSUAN-E, SAID APART FROM PUTTING ACROSS
OF THE ACTIVITY CRIME COMMITTEE, THE FIGHT CRIME
MESSAGE, THE TELEMATCH DAY WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN THE LIAISON AMONG
AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY INCLUDED AN URBAN COUNCILLOR. MISS CECILIA YEUNG; WONG TAI SIN POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER. MR STEPHEN PAANG; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHAN CHUN-FAT; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT LI.
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ENTRY OPENS FOR FESTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION ******
PHOTOGRAPH' ENTHUSIASTS WHO HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR LIGHTING ARE INVITED TO ENTER A TERRITORY-WIDE PHOTO COMPETITION.
THE CONTEST IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. THE MID-LEVELS (WESTERN) AREA COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION (HKUSU) PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND STEREO LTD.
/A DISTRICT........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1990
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID PHOTOGRAPHERS, BOTH AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL, COULD TAKE PICTURES OF LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING IF THEY HAD NOT PHOTOGRAPHED CHRISTMAS LIGHTING.
"COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS DEPICTING THE JOYFUL ATMOSPHERE OF THE FESTIVE SEASON ARE ALSO WELCOME." HE SAID. THE SIZE OF ENTRIES SHOULD BE 3R.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO OPEN AND STUDENTS GROUPS, AND THE CHAMPION, AND FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL EACH BE AWARDED A CAMERA AND A TROPHY.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE HANDED IN AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 11 TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR THE HKUSU PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY IN THE SWIRE BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, POK FU LAM ROAD, BEFORE FEBRUARY 9.
THE WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE EXHIBITED AT THE HKU FONG SHUE CHUEN EXHIBITION BALI, BETWEEN MARCH 12 AND 17.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN RE MADE ON 8523499.
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DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS t t t t *
THE CULTURE. RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER NINE APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 9).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE SITUATION CONCERNING DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 9) IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE 1990 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM JANUARY 31 TO FEBRUARY 4 WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 PM AFTER THE COMMITTEE MEETING.
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/10
SUNDAY. JANUARY 7, 1990
10
TWO ’’FLEXI-DESIGN" SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR HUNG SHUI K1U * * * * ♦
WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO ’’FLEXI-DESIGN” SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN YUEN LONG HAS STARTED FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF A $57.52 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
INTERLOCKED WITH EACH OTHER, THE TWO SCHOOLS ARE LOCATED AT A 11,570-SGUARE-METRE SITE IN AREA 74. HUNG SHUT KIU.
THE SCHOOLS WILL EACH HAVE A GENERAL CLASSROOM BLOCK WITH 26 CLASSROOMS AND THREE REMEDIAL TEACHING ROOMS, A SPECIAL BLOCK WITH 14 SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL AND A BASKETBALL COURT.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST NEXT* YEAR.
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EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS IN SAI KUNG PROPOSED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD AN EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS FROM SEE CHEUNG STREET TO THE NEW VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT AREA IN SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ALSO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A PARKING AREA NEAR SAI KUNG MAIN STREET, ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS, PLANTER. BEDS. DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING WORKS.
THEY ARE PROGRAMMED TO COMMENCE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE. A NOTICE HAS BEEN POSTED NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
A PLAN SHOWING THE EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED WORKS TOGETHER WITH A SCHEME DESCRIPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 6.
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/Il
SUNDAY. JANUARY 7. 1990
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'TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT. WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 9). THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR ROAD REINSTATEMENT WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF WOH CHAI STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO:
* THE LEFT-TURN VEHICULAR TURNING MOVEMENT FROM WOH CHAI STREET EASTBOUND INTO NAM CHEONG STREET NORTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED. MOTORISTS ON WOH CHAI STREET EASTBOUND HEADING FOR NAM CHEONG STREET NORTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA WOH CHAI STREET, WAI CHI STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET.
* KMB ROUTES 2B. 2F. 86 AND 86A WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA WOH CHAI STREET, WAI CHI STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET BEFORE THEY REJOIN THEIR ORIGINAL ROUTEINGS TO WONG TAI SIN/ SHA TIN.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TUEN MUN
* * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 10 METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN TUEN HING ROAD AND PUI TO ROAD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 9) AND THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PUI TO ROAD AND TUEN SHING STREET ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10), FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM, TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT BRIDGE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
COOTENTS PAGE NO.
INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY FUNDAMENTAL TO A HEALTHY SOCIETY: CJ ................... 1
CONTINUOUS PROCESS TO IMPROVE LAW ................................ 6
WORK SAFETY SYMPOSIUM OVERSUBSCRIBED ......................................... 9
TEACHING KIT FOR CIVIC EDUCATION WORKERS ..................................... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF ZOO.................................... 10
KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN ON ISLANDS ............................................... 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOUSING REPORT ....................................... 12
DB ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ...................................... 12
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS .................................. 13
SCOUT, GUIDE TEAMS HELP COMMUNITY ............................................ 13
REMOVAL OF HEALTH CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN......................................... 14
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................................... 14
1
INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY FUNDAMENTAL TO A HEALTHY SOCIETY: CJ
* » * t t *
IN HONG KONG, JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE MANIFESTS ITSELF IN VARIOUS ASPECTS, THE MOST OBVIOUS OF WHICH IS FREEDOM FROM EXECUTIVE INTERFERENCE IN WHATEVER FORM. THEN THERE IS THE PROTECTION OF PERSON AND THE FAMILY OF THOSE WHO HOLD JUDICIAL OFFICE. THIRDLY, THE PROTECTION OF THE OFFICE ITSELF. FOURTHLY, THE WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE TO CARRY OUT OR TO ASSIST IN CARRYING OUT THE COURT'S ORDERS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
UNDER OUR SYSTEM, THE JUDICIARY'S INDEPENDENCE IS IN THE MAIN
PROTECTED IN THREE DIFFERENT BUT INTER-RELATED WAYS. FIRST, A FREE
AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA, MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR ENJOYMENT OF FREEDOM OF
SPEECH GENERALLY, ACTS AS THE GUARDIAN AS WELL AS CRITIC OF THE
COURTS. SECOND, A FREE AND INDEPENDENT LEGAL PROFESSION, IMBUED WITH OUR TRADITIONAL VALUES, ALSO PERFORMS A SIMILAR ROLE. THIRD, OUR GOVERNMENT SEES THE IMPORTANCE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AND CONDUCTS
ITS BUSINESS ACCORDINGLY, THEREBY ENHANCING ITS OWN AUTHORITY AND CREDIBILITY, SIR TI LIANG SAID IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY
OF THE 1990 LEGAL YEAR HELD AT THE CITY HALL.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT IT WAS WITH THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, IMPLEMENTED BY A GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC WILL, THAT JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE MAY TAKE ROOT AND FLOURISH.
"IT CANNOT BE STRESSED TOO STRONGLY THAT AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY IS FUNDAMENTAL TO A HEALTHY SOCIETY AND TO THE FREEDOM WE ENJOY. IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, HOWEVER, THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY MAY ONLY BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED TO THE EXTENT THAT SOCIETY WANTS IT PRESERVED AND PROTECTED," HE EMPHASISED.
SIR TI LIANG EXPLAINED THAT THE JUDICIARY ITSELF HAD NEITHER EXECUTIVE, ECONOMIC, NOR MILITARY POWER. IF A GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEEK TO INTERFERE WITH THE JUDICIARY, BY WHATEVER MEANS AT ITS DISPOSAL, THE JUDICIARY’S ONLY WEAPON WITH WHICH TO RESIST SUCH INTERFERENCE WAS ITS MORAL AUTHORITY, AND EVEN THAT AUTHORITY WAS AS STRONG AND PERVASIVE AS SOCIETY WAS PREPARED TO MAKE IT.
"ULTIMATELY, WE LOOK TO A GOVERNMENT WHICH UNDERSTANDS THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AND IS PREPARED TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT. EVEN MORE, WE LOOK TO THE PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE AND CHERISH THIS VITAL PRINCIPLE AND INSIST THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST REFRAIN FROM INTERFERENCE, RESPECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM, AND ACCORD THE JUDICIARY EVERY CO-OPERATION AND PROTECTION," HE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, SIR TI LIANG MENTIONED A NUMBER OF MEASURES AND PROPOSALS WHICH WERE ADOPTED LAST YEAR WITH A VIEW TO LAYING GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, STATING THAT:
/(I) JUDGES OF
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
- 2 -
< I)
( II )
(III)
JUDGES OE THE SUPREME COURT AND OF THE DISTRICT COURT
ENJOY A SECURITY r>I TENURE WHICH CAN ONLY BE DISTURBED
ON EXHAUSTIVE JUDICIAL ENQUIRY INTO MISCONDUCT. OTHER JUDICIAL OFFICERS TERMS ENJOY THE CONSIDERABLE SECURITY UNDER CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS. IN THE
ALLEGATIONS OF ON PENSIONABLE OF THAT STATUS COURSE OF THE
NEXT SIX MONTHS, HOWEVER, LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE APPROVAL OF Till LEGISLATURE WHICH WILL EXTEND
THE PROTECTION ENJOYED BY PENSIONABLE OFFICERS TO THOSE
JUDICIAL OFFICERS SERVING ON CONTRACTUAL TERMS. THE
CONTRACTUAL TERMS FOR TERMINATION OF SUPERSEDED BY THIS NEW LEGISLATION PROCEDURES FOR RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS SAME.
CONTRACT WILL BE BUT THE PRESENT WILL REMAIN THE
TO EMPHASISE THE SEPARATION OF THE JUDICIARY FROM THE GOVERNMENT THE LEGISLATION WILL PROVIDE THAT JUDICIAL OFFICERS WILL NO LONGER. BE SUBJECT TO CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS WHICH WILL BE REPLACED, AS FAR AS THE JUDICIARY IS CONCERNED, BY THE JUDICIAL SERVICE REGULATIONS. THE FINAL AUTHORITY UNDER THE JUDICIAL SERVICE REGULATIONS WILL BE THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
A JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR HAS RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED AT THE LEVEL OF D3 IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TO STRENGTHEN ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT. THIS NON-JUDICIAL POST WAS ORIGINALLY CANVASSED AT D6 IN THE 1986 ROBINSON REPORT ON THE JUDICIARY. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT THIS HIGH-LEVEL OFFICER WAS TO BE THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD OF THE JUDICIARY, ANSWERABLE ONLY TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.. THE LEVEL AND FUNCTION OF THE POST WERE, HOWEVER, PERCEIVED BY THE JUDGES AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS TO COMPROMISE THE JUDICIARY’S INDEPENDENCE. THE GOVERNMENT RESPECTED THE JUDICIARY’S CONCERN AND ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR THE JUDICIARY BOTH TO BE, AND TO BE SEEN TO BE, INDEPENDENT. THE PRESENT APPOINTMENT BRINGS VALUABLE EXPERTISE IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE DISCIPLINE AND STRENGTHENS THE JUDICIARY’S SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
IMPLICIT IN JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, IS, OF COURSE, THE QUALITY OF THOSE WHO FORM THE JUDICIARY. THE JUDICIARY THEREFORE AIMS AT PRESERVING AND ENHANCING QUALITY. JUSTICE IS ILL SERVED BY THE IDLE AND INCOMPETENT, HOWEVER INDEPENDENT THE STRUCTURE WITHIN WHICH THEY MAY OPERATE. TO THIS END, A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED:
1 )
JUDICIAL PENSIONS NOW ACCRUE AT THE AGE OF 50, TO ATTRACT INTO MIDDLE LIFE THE ABLEST AND MOST
A HIGHER RATE OVER JUDICIAL OFFICE IN EXPERIENCED MEMBERS
OF THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS.
/2) THE RECENT ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
3 -
2) THE RECENT UPGRADING OF THE MAGISTRATES' POSTS WAS ALSO DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE WELL-QUALIFIED LAWYERS T ; JOIN THE JUDICIARY.
3) A JUDICIAL STUDIES BOARD, CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE WAS SET UP LAST YEAR TO ENABLE HOLDERS OF JUDI CI \L OFFICE TO WIDEN AND DEEPEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK.
(IV) JUDICIAL SALARIES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CIVIL
SERVICE SCALE, GIVING GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND
INDEPENDENCE IN ADMINISTRATION. INDEPENDENT OF GOVERNMENT, THERE IS NOW A STANDING COMMITTEE ON
JUDICIAL SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. THIS
COMMITTEE HAS IN ITS FIRST OVERALL REVIEW RECENTLY MADE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WILL FURTHER DISTINGUISH THE JUDICIARY FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.
(V) A FURTHER CHANGE CONCERNS THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION, WHICH ADVISES ON APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS. A BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED WHICH, IF PASSED INTO LAW, WILL ENLARGE THE COMMISSION TO INVOLVE MORE NON-LAWYERS IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES. IT WILL NO LONGER NEED TO BE UNANIMOUS IN ITS RESOLUTIONS BUT MAY TENDER ADVICE TO THE GOVERNOR ON A DECISION OF A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF ITS MEMBERS. AT THE APPROPI IATE MOMENT IN THE FUTURE IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE COMMISSION ITSELF WILL MAKE DECISIONS ON APPOINTMENTS OF JUDICIAL. OFFICERS AND CEASE TO PERFORM ONLY AN ADVISORY ROLE, ALTHOUGH IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THE GOVERNOR INVARIABLY ACCEPTS THE ADVICE OF THE COMMISSION ON SUCH MATTERS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY ASPECTS OF AN EXECUTIVE
COMMISSION WHICH NEED CAREFUL STUDY AND THIS WILL TAKE TIME.
(VI) HONG KONG’S COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN DUE COURSE, AND 1 HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE SEVERAL YEARS IN ADVANCE OF 1997. THIS WILL BE A STRONG COURT, WITH THE BEST BRAINS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE JUDICIARY. THIS COURT WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF PRIVY COUNCIL IN LONDON AND UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION MAY INCLUDE JUDGES INVITED FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. AFTER 1997 OUR FINAL APPEALS WILL CONTINUE TO BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN HONG KONG AND NOT IN BEIJING.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT THOSE CHANGES WERE EITHER ALREADY IN PLACE OR WERE SCHEDULED TO COME WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
’’THEY ILLUSTRATE THE EVOLUTION OF HONG KONG’S JUDICIARY INTO WHAT IS BOTH ACTUALLY AND PERCEPTIBLY A STRONG AND INDEPENDENT BULWARK OF A FREE SOCIETY.
/"I SPEAK........
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
"I SPEAK OF BOTH ACTUALITY AND PERCEPTION, FOR TH ''' ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN. LIKE JUSTICE ITSELF, AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY MUST NOT ONLY EXIST BUT BE SEEN TO EXIST. ONLY WHEN THE ACTUALI'lV IS PERCEIVED DOES THE INSTITUTION GENERATE THE NECESSARY CONFIDENCE IN ITS ABILITY TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZEN, AS WELL AS TO ENFORCE HIS OBLIGATIONS," HE SAID.
ON JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, SIR TI LIANG MENTIONED THAT THE SINO-BR1T1SH JOINT DECLARATION UNDERTOOK TO PRESERVE IT BY RETAINING HONG KONG’S LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
"IN PRACTICAL TERMS, THE JUDICIARY IS NOT, AND WILL NOT BE, AN ARM OF THE EXECUTIVE. IT IS NOT PART OF THE PROCESS WHEREBY, TO A GREATER. OR LESSER. DEGREE, A GOVERNMENT CONTROLS THE DAILY LIVES OF ITS CITIZENS.
"THE JUDICIARY IS A DISTINCT ENTITY CHARGED WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF RECIPROCAL RIGHTS BETWEEN SUBJECT AND SUBJECT, AND BETWEEN SUBJECT AND GOVERNMENT. IT IS THE MUTUALITY AND RECIPROCITY OF THOSE RIGHTS WHICH ARE IMPORTANT AND WHICH A JUDICIAL SYSTEM SHOULD GUARD."
TO EXPLAIN IT, SIR Tl LIANG SAID THAT IN THE FIELD OF CIVIL DISPUTE, THE JUDICIAL EXERCISE WAS TO BALANCE THE RIGHTS OF OPPOSING PARTIES TO LITIGATION. RIGHTS IN CIVIL DISPUTES WERE AKIN TO BOUNDARIES IN ADJACENT PROPERTIES; IF A PERSON EXERCISED HIS RIGHTS TO EXCESS, THEY MAY CEASE TO BE RIGHTS ON INFRINGING THOSE OF HIS NEIGHBOUR, GIVING THE OTHER PERSON A RIGHT IN TURN TO COMPENSATION FOR THE INFRINGEMENT.
"IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALISE THAT THESE RIGHTS IN CIVIL DISPUTES CAN ALSO EXIST BETWEEN THE CITIZEN AND THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS VITAL THAT A JUDICIARY SHOULD BE FREE TO DECIDE IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS INFRINGED THE PRIVATE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND IF THE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE AWARDED COMPENSATION. JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE ENSURES THAT THIS WILL BE DONE."
HE SAID THAT IN CRIMINAL MATTERS, HOWEVER SMALL, III JUDICIARY WOULD ENSURE THE FAIR TRIAL OF AN ALLEGATION THAT AN OFFENCE HAD BEEN COMMITTED. THE FAIRNESS OF THE TRIAL LAY IN THE REGULATION OF ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE, IN THE TIME-HONOURED RULES OF PROCEDURE AND SPEEDY TRIALS, AND IN THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE UNTIL PROVEN TO THE CONTRARY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT AMONG THE PUBLIC THERE MAY BE THOSE TO WHOM THE SEPARATION OF THE JUDICIARY FROM THE GOVERNMENT MAY NOT BE SO FAMILIAR A CONCEPT.
"TO THESE PEOPLE AND TO EVERYONE ELSE, I GIVE MY ASSURANCE THAT OUR JUDICIARY IS AND WILL REMAIN INDEPENDENT," HE SAID.
/SIR TI .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
- 5 -
SIR TI LIANG FURTHER ASSURED THE AUDIENCE IN CITY HALL AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL THAT THE JUDICIARY WOULD ENFORCE THE LAW ONLY WITHIN THE LAW, HAVING REGARD AT ALL TIMES FOR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND EQUALITY BEFORE THE COURTS.
"ON A LESS FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY WILL CONTRIBUTE IN NO SMALL WAY TO OUR CONTINUING PROSPERITY. TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, HONG KONG’S ATTRACTION IS ENHANCED BY AN EVIDENTLY STRONG AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, ABLE IMPARTIALLY TO DECIDE THE COMPLEXITIES OF COMMERCIAL DISPUTE ON FAMILIAR PRINCIPLES. THE RULE OF LAW AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL BE JUSTLY APPLIED BOTH ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT AND ARE AN INCENTIVE TO THE ABLEST PEOPLE EITHER TO STAY IN HONG KONG OR TO COME HERE FOR ITS OPPORTUNITIES," HE SAID.
AT THE END OF HIS ADDRESS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE ACKNOWLEDGED, ON BEHALF OF THE JUDICIARY, THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR JUSTICE HOPKINSON AND MR JUSTICE DE BASTO, WHO HAVE RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THE HIGH COURT AFTER MANY YEARS WITH THE JUDICIARY.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, MR ROBERT TANG, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR DONALD YAP.
THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR, ORGANISED BY THE JUDICIARY, WAS WELL ATTENDED BY JUDGES, MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES.
IT BEGAN WITH A CHURCH SERVICE AT ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL AT 4 PM.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, AT EDINBURGH PLACE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE INSPECTED A GUARD OF HONOUR MOUNTED BY THE DRAGON COMPANY OF THE HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS, WITH MUSIC PROVIDED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S ROYAL REGIMENT.
AFTER THE INSPECTION, ADDRESSES WERE GIVEN IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL, AND THIS PART OF THE PROGRAMME FINISHED AT ABOUT 6.30 PM.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
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CONTINUOUS PROCESS TO IMPROVE LAW t » » * »
THE PROCESS OF' IMPROVING AND REFINING THE LAW WILL CONTINUE IN 1990, THE ATTORNEY' GENERAL, MR JEREMY' MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR, MR MATHEWS SAID THE COMMON THREAD IN THE CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF REFINEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT IS THE MAINTENANCE OF A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE RULE OF LAW.
OUTLINING SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAW LIKELY TO EMERGE THIS YEAR, HE SAID A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE COMPETENCE AND COMPELLABILITY OF SPOUSES IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
HE SAID THIS REFORM WILL BRING THE LAW INTO LINE WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN MANY OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS AND REMOVE OUTDATED, OFTEN ARCANE, RESTRICTIONS ON THE TESTIMONY OF SPOUSES.
ON THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S REPORT ON BAIL PUBLISHED A FEW WEEKS AGO, MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT THE CORNERSTONE OF THE REPORT IS THAT THERE BE A RIGHT TO BAIL ENSHRINED IN STATUTE, POSSIBLY IN A CODIFICATION OF THE LAW.
"GIVEN THAT BAIL IS A TOPIC CLOSELY TIED UP WITH THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE," HE SAID, "THE REPORT IS BEING CONSIDERED WITH ALL POSSIBLE SPEED AND I HOPE THAT RECOMMENDATIONS WILL SHORTLY BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL."
MR MATHEWS SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS AT PRESENT COMPLETING ITS CONSIDERATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT ON CONTEMPT OF COURT PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER 1986.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THE ENACTMENT OF A CONTEMPT OF COURT ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES OF LAW IN THIS AREA.
THIS LENGTHY PERIOD OF REVIEW HAS BEEN NECESSITATED BY THE COMPLEXITY OF THE LAW' OF CONTEMPT OF COURT WHICH HAS SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS NOT ONLY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. BUT ALSO FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN HONG KONG. HE SAID.
"SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES UNDER CONSIDERATION INCLUDE CLARIFICATION OF THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLICATIONS WHICH PREJUDICE OR INTERFERE WITH THE DUE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AS WELL AS CLARIFICATION OE THE POWERS AND PROCEDURES OF THE COURTS IN THIS AREA," MR MATHEWS SAID.
ANOTHER AREA OF DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS THE JURISDICTION AND POWER OF CORONERS. WHICH IS A VITAL ASPECT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
/MR MATHEWS ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
MR MATHEWS SAID WORK WILL START SHORTLY ON THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION. THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES OF WHICH ARI TO ENSURE THAT THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK UNDERTAKEN BY CORONERS CAN BE DISCHARGED THOROUGHLY. SPEEDILY AND INDEPENDENTLY.
UNCERTAINTY IN RELATION TO THE DUTY TO REPORT CERTAIN TYPES OF DEATH TO THE CORONER WILL BE REMOVED.
THE CORONER WILtrBE GIVEN POWER TO OBTAIN POLICE ASSISTANCE FOR THE PURPOSES OF HIS INVESTIGATION AND INQUEST PROCEDURES WILL BE MADE CLEARER AND MORE EFFICIENT. THE POWER TO REQUIRE A CORONER TO REOPEN AN INQUEST WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND GIVEN TO THE HIGH COURT.
PRESENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION IS A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN OFFICE OF OFFICIAL SOLICITOR IN THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
THE ROLE OF THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR WILL BE TO PROVIDE NECESSARY LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION FOR PERSONS WHO ARE IN PARTICULAR NEED ‘OF SUCH ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF A VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS MENTAL ILLNESS OR AGE.
"THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR WILL. IN EFFECT, PROVIDE A LEGAL SAFETY NET FOR THE DISADVANTAGED.” MR MATHEWS SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID DRAFT LEGISLATION IS UNDER PREPARATION TO COUNTER COMPUTER RELATED CRIME AND THE UNAUTHORISED ACCESSING OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS.
THE VOLUME AND SENSITIVITY OF THE INFORMATION STORED IN COMPUTERS. THEIR ABILITY TO PROCESS THAT INFORMATION AT SPEED AND THEIR VULNERABILITY TO UNAUTHORISED INTERFERENCE PRESENT NOVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABUSES WHICH ARE NOT CURRENTLY PROSCRIBED BY LAW.
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IS STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF CODIFICATION OF ASPECTS OF THE CRIMINAL LAW.
MR MATHEWS SAID A CONSULTATION PAPER ON CODIFICATION OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LAW HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND IS NOW BEING STUDIED BY' LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT. PRIVATE PRACTICE AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
ONE OF THE OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES OF ALMOST ANY CODE IS THAT THE LAW THAT IT COVERS WILL BE MORE ACCESSIBLE. COMPREHENSIBLE. CONSISTENT AND CERTAIN. A CODE MAY BE MORE READILY TRANSLATED INTO CHINESE.
’’THERE IS ALWAYS THE RISK THAT CODIFICATION MIGHT STULTIFY' ONE OF THE AVENUES FOK’ GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COMMON LAW AND ITS TRADITIONS: JUDICIAL PRECEDENT.
’’PLAINLY WE HAVE TO BALANCE SUCH PROBLEMS AGAINST ANY ADVANTAGES OF ACCESSIBILITY AND CLARITY THAT SOME FORM OF CODIFICATION MIGHT PRODUCE." HE SAID.
/MR MATHEWS .........
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
- 8 -
MR MATHEWS SAID ALL JUDGES AND LAWYERS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN ENSURING THAT THE LAW AND ITS ADMINISTRATION MEET THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THOSE WHO ADMINISTER THE LEGAL SYSTEM MUST BE EVER ALERT TO KEEP THE LEGAL SYSTEM UNDER REVIEW AND TO PROPOSE CHANGES. HE SAID. "SOME OF THE CHANGES WE HAVE MADE. AND PROPOSE TO MAKE, REPRESENT MAJOR CHANGES IN APPROACH. OTHERS ARE SIMPLY FINE-TUNING."
HE CITED THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL. WHICH PROPOSED MINOR AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING ORDINANCES, SUCH AS WITNESSES ALLOWANCES AND AMENDING INDICTMENTS, AS A FINE TUNING PROCESS.
ON MAJOR CHANGES, MR MATHEWS SAID THAT TWO IMPORTANT ORDINANCES THAT WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE LEGAL SYSTEM WERE ENACTED LAST YEAR.
FIRST WAS THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE. THE ORDINANCE PERMITS THE TRACING. FREEZING AND SEIZURE OF THE ASSETS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS. IN ADDITION IT ESTABLISHES PROCEDURES WHEREBY FOREIGN ORDERS IN RELATION TO CONFISCATION OF THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING MAY BE ENFORCED HERE.
"THROUGH THE ENACTMENT OF THIS LAW. WE CONTINUE TO DO OUR PART TO ERADICATE THIS HORRIFYING INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM," HE SAID.
SECOND. ARBITRATION AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE TO INCORPORATE THE MODEL LAW DEVELOPED BY THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW.
"THE ADOPTION OF THIS LAW WILL GREATLY STRENGTHEN THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE AND WILL ENSURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR CENTRE IN THE PACIFIC REGION IN WHICH TO CONDUCT INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS."
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT THE TASK OF CONTINUING TO DEVELOP THE LAW IS A NEVER-ENDING AND CHALLENGING ONE.
AS COMMUNITY ATTITUDES CHANGE SO MUST THE LAW AND THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES.
"AS LAWYERS WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE KEEP PACE - I AM SURE WE CAN .
"WHILE THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SOURCE OF IDEAS FOR THIS PROCESS, THE NEED FOR ALL OF US IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION TO CONTRIBUTE REMAINS.
"EVERY ONE OF US OWES IT TO OUR COMMUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE IDEAS -WHETHER THE TINIEST REFINEMENT OR THE VISTA OF A FUNDAMENTAL AND NEW APPROACH TO A PROBLEM." MR MATHEWS SAID.
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/9 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
9
WORK SAFETY SYMPOSIUM OVERSUBSCRIBED * * * * *
THE "SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT - GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AT WORK" ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10) HAS MET WITH OVERWHELMING RESPONSE AND HAS BEEN OVERSUBSCRIBED.
"THE SYMPOSIUM WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR 330 PEOPLE BUT WE HAVE HAD TO INCREASE THE ENROLMENT TO 530 TO MEET DEMAND FROM THE INDUSTRIAL AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS," THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ACCORDING TO MR YIP, MOST PARTICIPANTS IN THE SYMPOSIUM ARE MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS AND SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICERS OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
"IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING TO SEE BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES BECOME INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK," HE SAID.
"THE SYMPOSIUM WILL GIVE THEM A VALUABLE CHANCE TO DISCUSS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE RECENTLY ENACTED FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1989 WHICH PRESCRIBES THE GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN WORK SAFETY." MR YIP SAID.
ONE OF THE SPEAKERS AT THE SYMPOSIUM IS MR J.D.G. HAMMER, PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LABOUR INSPECTION AND RETIRED DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE.
MR HAMMER HAS MORE THAN 35 YEARS' SERVICE IN BRITAIN’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPECIALLY TO SPEAK AT THE SYMPOSIUM.
ANOTHER SPEAKER IS MR SUNG WING-KWONG, A SOLICITOR, WHO WILL DISCUSS "CIVIL LIABILITIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ON SAFETY AND HEALTH".
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BE OPENED BY OMELCO MEMBER MR CHENG HON-KWAN. COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR TONY HAMMOND. VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS MISS LAM SHUK-YEE, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE SYMPOSIUM MR K.Y. TONGSON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT - GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AT WORK" AT THEATRE 1. HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, 1 HARBOUR ROAD. WAN CHAI AT 5.45 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10).
/10 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
10
TEACHING KIT FOR CIVIC EDUCATION WORKERS
*****
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS PRODUCED A TEACHING KIT FOR CIVIC EDUCATION WORKERS AND TEACHERS TO ILLUSTRATE THE CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE KIT CONSISTS OF A SET OF 19 EXHIBITION BOARDS, A 10-MINUTE VIDEO AND AN INFORMATION LEAFLET.
THE TEACHING KIT IS THE RESULT OF SIX MONTHS’ WORK BY AN 11-MEMBER CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE BOARD.
THE EXHIBITION BOARDS WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) UNTIL THURSDAY (JANUARY 11) AT THE CENTRAL BRIDGE, CITY PLAZA, TAIKOO SHING AND FROM JANUARY 19 TO 21 AT THE NEW JADE SHOPPING CENTRE, CHAI WAN.
THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR LOAN AFTER THE EXHIBITION. INTERESTED LOCAL ORGANISATIONS MAY CONTACT MRS CHRISTINE CHENG OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTRE IN HING WAH COMMUNITY HALL, CHAI WAN ON TEL. 5572495.
THE VIDEO WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 880-886 KING’S ROAD. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION WORKING GROUP AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE BEFORE JANUARY 20.
THE INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS THREE SUB-OFFICE'S ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
--------------------0-------- DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF ZOO *****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ZOO IN MA KWU LAM, SAI KUNG NORTH AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC BEACHES AND THE PROVISION OF A TOWN HALL IN TAI PO.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
11
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT REPORTS ON THE RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR, AND PLANNED COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR THIS MONTH AND NEXT MONTH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG PUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
---------0-----------
KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN ON ISLANDS i * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT’S KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN STARTED YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) WITH CLEAN-UP EXERCISES AT MUI WO ON LANTAU AND ON SOUTH LAMMA ISLAND.
SIMILAR ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD AT THE OTHER SIX RURAL COMMITTEE AREAS IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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/12 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
- 12 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOUSING REPORT *****
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE SUMMARY OF A REPORT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY A PAPER PREPARED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT - "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND - AN INVITATION FOR YOUR VIEWS".
A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, FOR FINANCING VARIOUS PROJECTS, WILL BE CONSIDERED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
---_0-------
DB ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW *****
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS SEVERAL PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE DISTRICT’S LIVING ENVIRONMENT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE PROJECTS INCLUDE BUILDING A RAIN SHELTER AT WYLIE ROAD OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB LI PING MEMORIAL SCHOOL, AND BEAUTIFYING FOUR SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT WITH PLANTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
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/13 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER REQUESTS FOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS TN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THESE INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VAN TRACK IN HO SHEUNG HEUNG, SHEUNG SHUI, AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF PLAYGROUNDS IN VILLAGES IN FANLING AND TA KWU LING.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS, SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND VILLAGE LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
- - 0 - -
SCOUT, GUIDE TEAMS HELP COMMUNITY ******
MEMBERS OF THE SCOUT AND GUIDE TEAMS FROM THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING CENTRES TOOK PART IN TWO COMMUNITY SERVICES TODAY (MONDAY).
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO EXERCISES FORMED PART OF A PROGRAMME TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF CITIZENSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE INMATES.
MALE INMATES BELONGING TO THE 221ST HONG KONG SCOUT GROUP OF CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION HELPED TO REPAIR A FOOTPATH LEADING TO CAPE COLLINSON ROAD AND ALSO REMOVED UNDERGROWTH ALONG THE ROADSIDE.
FEMALE INMATES, OF THE 141ST ISLAND RANGER GUIDE UNIT OF THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, COLLECTED RUBBISH IN TAI TAM COUNTRY PARK AS PART OF EFFORTS TO KEEP THE PARK CLEAN.
THE SCOUTS AND GUIDES WILL CONTINUE TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
- - 0 - -
/14
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1990
REMOVAL OF HEALTH CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN ******
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE MAURINE GRANTHAM MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE, NOW LOCATED AT KWAN MUN HAU STREET, TSUEN WAN, WILL BE MOVED TO 115 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN ON JANUARY 15 (MONDAY).
A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES, BOTH PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE, WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED FOR WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE AND CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE.
THESE SERVICES INCLUDE INFANT AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, IMMUNISATION, COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SERVICE, ANTENATAL CARE, POSTNATAL CARE AND FAMILY PLANNING.
THE ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE NEW CENTRE IS 4935204.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 40.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 238.640 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 229.790 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 39.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER ......................... 1
EXCITING CHANGE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HK INDUSTRIES ............................ 5
14 QUESTIONS, SEVEN BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA .................................. 7
EXOTIC VEGETABLES DRAW FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM BUYERS ....................... 7
SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS ON JANUARY 31 .............................. 9
BUILDING MANAGEMENT CARNIVAL IN SHAM SHUT PO ................................ 11
DB TO BE BRIEFED ON WALLED CITY DEMOLITION .................................. 12
DB TO EXAMINE URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS ........................................ 12
GMB SERVICE SOUGHT FOR TSEUNG KWAN O......................................... 13
HELP THE POLICE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION ............................... 13
ACAN SILVER JUBILEE POSTCARDS ............................................... 15
WATER CUT IN YAU TONG........................................................ 16
URBAN CLEARWAY IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST ....................................... 16
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 1 -
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER
*******
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 2 PER CENT AND 23 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 13 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) ROSE BY 1 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 1989 WITH OCTOBER 1988, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT. TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 8 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR OCTOBER 1989 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF SOME COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN OCTOBER 1989 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-39 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-23 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (-21 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-15 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-14 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-13 PER CENT); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-1 PER CENT).
NEVERTHELESS, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+20 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+17 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+9 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+7 PER CENT); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+6 PER CENT).
/PRICES OF
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 2
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF IN OCTOBER 1989 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER
MOST COMMODITY GROUPS 1988.
INCREASED
THESE INCLUDED TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+7 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+7 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+7 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+4 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+4 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+3 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+3 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+1 PER CENT); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (-3 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-2 PER CENT); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-1 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR OCTOBER 1989 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN OCTOBER 1989 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; TEA AND COFFEE; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS AND VEGETABLES. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RICE; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR); AND SUGAR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING. DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; AND RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1989 COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988. DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES; IRON AND STEEL; BASE METALS, EXCLUDING IRON AND STEEL; AND WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR. SOME COMMODITY ITEMS RECORDED INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME, NOTABLY WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; AND LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 80 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN OCTOBER 1989 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1989 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988. THERE WERE DECREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND TEXTILE MACHINERY. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF OFFICE MACHINES AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
COMPARING THE IMPORT PRICES IN OCTOBER 1989 WITH THOSE IN OCTOBER 1988, ALL END-USE CATEGORIES SHOWED SOME INCREASES: FUELS (+21 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+6 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (+4 PER CENT); FOODSTUFFS (+4 PER CENT) AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+1 PER CENT).
/THE CHANGES .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 3 -
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR OCTOBER 1989 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1888 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FUELS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY BY 120 PER CENT. THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS AND CAPITAL GOODS ALSO INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED, BY 13 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1989 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1988: FUELS (+23 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+6 PER CENT); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+6 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (+4 PER CENT) AND FOODSTUFFS (+3 PER CENT).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE OCTOBER 1989 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JANUARY 11 AT S2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 8234918).
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING OCTOBER 1989 COMPARING JAN-OCT 1989
WITH OCTOBER 1988 WITH JAN-OCT 1988
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING 11 4 7 8 2 5
TEXTILE FABRICS 13 3 9 11 * 11
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 24 4 20 13 2 10
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -8 7 -14 -8 7 -14
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -38 1 -39 -42 * -42
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 19 1 17 18 -4 23
/FOOTWEAR -18 ............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
FOOTWEAR -18 -3 -15 -19 t -19
METAL MANUFACTURES -16 7 -21 -1 1.1 -11
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 5 -1 6 18 2 17
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -3 -2 -1 2 -1 2
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -17 7 -23 -13 5 -17
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -11 3 -13 -21 5 -25
ALL COMMODITIES 4 3 1 5 3 2
t LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING OCTOBER 1989 COMPARING JAN-OCT 1989
WITH OCTOBER 1988 WITH JAN-OCT 1988
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS * 4 -4 8 3 4
CONSUMER GOODS 16 6 10 27 5 20
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES -3 1 -4 11 3 8
FUELS 117 21 80 44 10 32
CAPITAL GOODS 2 4 -2 16 4 12
ALL COMMODITIES 7 4 3 17 4 13
t LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
/TABLE 3: .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 5 -
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARI NG OCTOBER 1989
WITH OCTOBER 1988
COMPARING JAN-OCT 1989
WITH JAN-OCT 1988
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS -10 3 -13 3 6 -3
CONSUMER GOODS 45 6 36 46 6 38
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES -3 6 -9 15 7 8
FUELS 169 23 120 147 6 132
CAPITAL GOODS 9 4 5 31 6 24
ALL COMMODITIES 20 6 13 31 6 23
---------0-----------
EXCITING CHANGE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HK INDUSTRIES • ******
THE 1990’S WILL BE YEARS OF EXCITING CHANGE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
"THERE WILL NO DOUBT BE SURPRISES IN STORE, BUT THE FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR HAS ALWAYS ENABLED US TO RESPOND WITH ENVIABLE SPEED TO CHANGING CONDITIONS.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR TRADITIONAL RESILIENCE IN THE COMING DECADE," MR BARMA TOLD TOY TRADERS AND MANUFACTURERS AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG TOYS COUNCIL AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
HE SAID IT WAS A REASONABLE ASSUMPTION THAT THE TOYS INDUSTRY WAS FAST APPROACHING THE LIMITS OF COST-REDUCTION THROUGH RELOCATION OF LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES OFFSHORE.
MR BARMA SAID MOST TOYS MANUFACTURERS WOULD CONTINUE TO HANDLE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS MARKETING, FINANCING, MATERIALS SOURCING, MOULD DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING, QUALITY CONTROL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN HONG KONG, WHETHER THE MAIN MANUFACTURING PROCESSES TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG, CHINA OR ELSEWHERE.
/TO THESE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 6 -
TO THESE MANUFACTURERS, HE SAID THE MAIN CHALLENGE OF THE 1990’S WOULD BE "QUALITY".
"YOU WILL HAVE TO PRODUCE TOYS WHICH ARE FIT FOR USE: WHICH COMPLY WITH RELEVANT SAFETY STANDARDS; WHICH ARE ATTRACTIVELY DESIGNED; WHICH ARE RELIABLE; AND WHICH OFFER VALUE FOR MONEY," HE SAID.
MR BARMA ASSURED INDUSTRIALISTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY TAKEN STEPS TO ESTABLISH A SOUND QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN HONG KONG, AND INTENDED TO BUILD ON THE TERRITORY’S SUCCESS IN THE 1990’8.
"RESIDES IMPROVING OUR EXISTING RANGE OF STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION SERVICES, WE HAVE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED AN ACCREDITATION AGENCY TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE FOR MANUFACTURERS TO PRODUCE TO INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS.
"WE WILL ALSO SHORTLY BE LAUNCHING A MAJOR QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE BASIC MESSAGE WOULD BE SIMPLE - PROPER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IS PROFITABLE - AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE DISTRIBUTING TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL ADVICE ON QUALITY MANAGEMENT WHICH HAD PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
"WE WILL ALSO STRESS IN OUR MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS THAT HONG KONG IS MOVING DECISIVELY INTO HIGH-QUALITY MANUFACTURING," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN IT WAS TODAY.
"FACED WITH INCREASING COMPETITION FROM LOW-COST ECONOMIES IN THE REGION. AND WITH DEMAND IN ITS MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS FOR EVER-HIGHER STANDARDS OF QUALITY, IT WILL RETAIN ITS COMPETITIVENESS BY MOVING DECISIVELY INTO HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
HE SAID AUTOMATION WOULD BE ONE PART OF THE UPGRADING PROCESS, BUT SUCCESS WOULD ALSO REQUIRE MANUFACTURERS TO ADOPT A PHILOSOPHY DIRECTED AT THE CONSUMER’S REQUIREMENTS.
QUALITY, FLEXIBILITY, RESPONSIVENESS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT, HE STRESSED.
MR BARMA EXPECTED HONG KONG’S "SWEATSHOP" IMAGE WOULD HAVE GONE FOR EVER.
"OUR FACTORIES WILL BE CLEAN, SAFETY STANDARDS WILL BE HIGH, AND OUR PRODUCTS WILL HAVE ESTABLISHED AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR QUALITY.
"WE WILL INCREASINGLY BE MANUFACTURING TO LOCAL DESIGNS INSTEAD OF RELYING ON SPECIFICATIONS PROVIDED BY OVERSEAS BUYERS.
"WE WILL HAVE A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH CREATIVE IDEAS CAN FLOURISH," HE SAID.
---------0 - -
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
7
14 QUESTIONS, SEVEN BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 14 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX GOVERNMENT BILLS AND ONE PRIVATE BILL AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989, HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1989, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BILL 1989 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL RESUME AND WHEN IT IS COMPLETED THE BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PRIVATE BILL, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS INCORPORATION BILL 1989.
IN ADDITION, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG AND JAMES TIEN WILL PRESENT THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1988-89 AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1988-89 RESPECTIVELY. WHILE THE HON ROSANNA TAM WILL SPEAK ON THE MENTAL HEALTH (GUARDIANSHIP) REGULATIONS 1989.
THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, WHO WILL BE SITTING IN COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME AS SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WILL TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
-----0------
EXOTIC VEGETABLES DRAW FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM BUYERS
*****
EXOTIC VEGETABLES GROWN AT A GOVERNMENT FARM ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS HAVE INITIALLY DRAWN A FAVOURABLE AND ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM LOCAL BUYERS.
ABOUT 120 BUYERS FROM 60 TRADER-COMPANIES HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S TAI LUNG EXPERIMENTAL STATION IN SHEUNG SHUI AS PART OF A PROGRAMME TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL FARMERS TO GROW EXOTIC VEGETABLES USING THE LATEST DEVELOPED MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE.
THE PROGRAMME, COMPRISING SEMINARS FOR FARMERS AND BRIEFINGS FOR BUYERS, STARTED LAST WEDNESDAY AND WAS CONCLUDED THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
/THE BUYERS .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 8 -
THE BUYERS CAME FROM LEADING SUPERMARKET, RESTAURANT AND FAST-FOOD CATERER CHAINS. AMONG THEM WERE ALSO MAJOR VEGETABLE IMPORTERS AND HOTEL SUPPLIERS.
THEY ACTIVELY TOOK PART IN DISCUSSIONS AND MADE POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS ON THE 120 VARIETIES OF ABOUT 30 VEGETABLE TYPES DEMONSTRATED IN THE FIELDS OF THE TAI LUNG STATION.
"EXOTIC VEGETABLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED FOR LOCAL PRODUCTION LONG AGO," ONE BUYER REMARKED.
THEY GENERALLY AGREED THAT EXOTIC VEGETABLES GROWN LOCALLY COULD HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS FACED BY IMPORTERS.
THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE INSTABILITY IN' VEGETABLE PRICES DUE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE EXCHANGE RATES OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES, UNSTEADY SUPPLY DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LOCAL DEMAND IN THE EXPORTING COUNTRIES, HIGH FREIGHT COSTS AND DAMAGE OF THE PRODUCTS DURING TRANSPORTATION.
THE SENIOR MANAGER OF THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION (VMO), MR EDWARD LAI, SAID THAT IN 1988, HONG KONG IMPORTED 113,000 TONNES OR $550.7 MILLION WORTH OF EXOTIC VEGETABLES FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, TAIWAN, THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM AND OTHER COUNTRIES.
"OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE AVERAGE IMPORT PRICE OF THE EXOTIC VEGETABLES WAS AROUND $4.8 PER KILOGRAM AND WHOLESALE PRICES WERE MUCH HIGHER," MR LAI NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT THE VMO COULD PLAY A MIDDLE-MAN’S ROLE IN THE PROJECT BY UNDERTAKING LIAISON AND PROMOTION WORK AND BY PROVIDING SERVICES IN THE PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION OF THE LOCALLY-GROWN EXOTIC VEGETABLES.
"THE BUYERS CAN SIMPLY SIGN CONTRACTS WITH THE VMO FOR THE SUPPLY OF EXOTIC VEGETABLES AND WE CAN COLLECT THE PROCEEDS ON BEHALF OF THE PRODUCERS," HE SAID.
UNDER THE LAWS OF HONG KONG, VEGETABLES PRODUCED LOCALLY MUST BE SOLD THROUGH THE MARKETS OF THE VMO, THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF WHICH IS TO PROVIDE AN ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT MARKETING SYSTEM FOR FARMERS AND BUYERS.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE FEEDBACK FROM BUYERS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS MARKET POTENTIAL FOR MOST OF THE 30 VEGETABLE TYPES DEMONSTRATED ALTHOUGH IMPROVEMENTS WERE NEEDED IN THE TIMING OF HARVEST AND PACKAGING OF THE PRODUCE IN ORDER TO CATER TO UP-MARKET DEMANDS, AFD'S AGRICULTURAL OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT, MR HO KOON-YU, POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS TREND THAT DIFFERENT GROUPS OF BUYERS TOOK TO DIFFERENT SPECIES. FOR INSTANCE, THE SNAP PEAS, WHICH IS USED IN HOT CHINESE DISHES IN BANQUETS, WAS WELCOMED BY CHINESE RESTAURANT BUYERS.
/THE HOTEL .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
9
THE HOTEL AND SUPERMARKET SUPPLIERS, MEANWHILE, PREFERRED THE RED LETTUCE VARIETIES WHICH IS AN ESSENTIAL SALAD INGREDIENT, THE HERB SPECIES, AND THE CHERRY TOMATOES.
MANY BUYERS IN THE LATTER GROUP ALSO SAW GOOD POTENTIAL IN THE BULB-SHAPED, BLACKISH PURPLE AUBERGINES, A FAVOURITE AMONG JAPANESE AND EUROPEAN GOURMETS.
SOME SPECIES WERE POPULAR AMONG BOTH SECTORS OF BUYERS. THESE INCLUDED THE PURE WHITE CAULIFLOWERS, BROCCOLI WITH TIGHT AND BIG HEADS, THICK AND WHITE LEEKS, FINELY WRINKLED PARSLEY, YOUNG ZUCHINNI FRUIT STILL BEARING YELLOW FLOWER AT ITS TIP, CELERY AND LETTUCE WITH FIRM HEARTS, SMALL BUT SCARLET-RED RADISHES, THE PURPLE AND GREEN TYPES OF KOHLRABI, THE SMALL AND UNIFORM CARROTS AND THE SUPER-SWEET CORN, MR HO SAID.
THE FRENCH BEANS AND THE SUGAR PEAS, HOWEVER, RECEIVED LITTLE ATTENTION, PROBABLY DUE TO THE AVAILABILITY OF LOW-PRICED AND GOOD-QUALITY FROZEN COMMODITIES.
MR HO SAID A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS' OF THE BUYERS’ COMMENTS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUAL GROWERS AND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES OF FARMERS WHO WERE PLANNING TO BETTER ORGANISE THEMSELVES TO PRODUCE EXOTIC VEGETABLE TYPES.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE PROJECT, FARMERS WILL GAIN A GREATER SHARE OF THE UP-MARKET PROFITS WHILE CONSUMERS AND TOURISTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY TOP FRESH, HIGH-QUALITY VEGETABLES TAILOR-GROWN TO THEIR SATISFACTION AT REASONABLE PRICES," HE CONCLUDED.
------0--------
SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS ON JANUARY 31 *****
SAI KUNG DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE IN A RANGE OF ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES WHEN THE 1990 DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS HELD FROM JANUARY 31 TO FEBRUARY 4, DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST ANNUAL EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT, THE FESTIVAL WILL PROVIDE A VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THESE WILL INCLUDE SPRING GATHERINGS, VARIETY SHOWS, CANTONESE OPERA AND A CARNIVAL.
THE VARIOUS EVENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL AS WELL AS AT THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL IN TSEUNG KWAN 0, SO THAT RESIDENTS BOTH IN SAI KUNG AND IN TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE FUN.
/THE CHAIRMAN .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 10 -
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE 1990 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL, MR CHU KWOK-WAI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE FESTIVAL WAS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND TO FOSTER AMONG THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT. THIS APPLIED ESPECIALLY TO NEWCOMERS IN TSEUNG KWAN 0.
"THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL IS 'IT'S JOY LIVING IN SAI KUNG’ .
"MEMBERS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE URGE ALL THE PEOPLE IN SAI KUNG AND NEW RESIDENTS IN TSEUNG KWAN O TO TAKE PART AND TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER," MR CHU ADDED.
REFERRING TO THE VARIOUS EVENTS, MR CHU SAID THE APPEARANCE OF THE GUANGDONG DANCE AND DRAMA TROUPE WOULD BE A HIGHLIGHT.
THE TROUPE WILL PERFORM AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL ON JANUARY 31 AND FEBRUARY 2, AND AT THE CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL ON FEBRUARY 1.
BESIDES A FAMOUS CHINESE PLAY, THE TROUPE'S REPERTOIRE WILL INCLUDE TRADITIONAL DANCES, HAKKA SONGS AND AN INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL.
THERE WILL BE THREE NIGHTS OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHINESE OPERA FANS. SHOWS WILL BE GIVEN AT THE CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL ON FEBRUARY 1, AND AT THE TOWN HALL ON FEBRUARY 2 AND 3.
IN SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE SAI KUNG SPORTS ASSOCIATION WILL JOINTLY HOLD A SERIES OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A NEW YEAR MARATHON, POTTED GAMES AND A SOCCER TOURNAMENT.
THE COST OF THE FESTIVAL IS ESTIMATED AT #460,000, OF WHICH $240,000 WILL COME FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE REMAINDER FROM DONATIONS BY LOCAL DIGNITARIES.
THE 1990 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ADMISSION TICKETS AND PROGRAMMES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, FROM 2.30 PM TO 6.30 PM ON JANUARY 15 AND 16, AND AT THE TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE AND TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL, FROM 2.30 PM TO 6.30 PM ON JANUARY 22 AND 23.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE ON TEL. 7923240.
- - 0----------
/Il .........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 11 -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT CARNIVAL IN SHAM SHUT PO
***««*«
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
ONE OF THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE FIRE-FIGHTING DEMONSTRATIONS BY OFFICERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THEY WILL ALSO TEACH RESIDENTS HOW TO USE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
LOCAL OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL SET UP GAMES STALLS AIMED AT MAKING RESIDENTS MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN RELATION TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, ACROBATICS AND GAMES FOR CHILDREN.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; AND GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR CHENG WAI-TAT.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP EXERCISE SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 20.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 PM, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY FIRE-FIGHTING DEMONSTRATIONS AND STAGE PERFORMANCES.
--------0-----------
/12 .........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
12
DB TO BE BRIEFED ON WALLED CITY DEMOLITION
*****
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL BRIEF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD ON DEMOLITION METHODS FOR THE WALLED CITY AT THE BOARD’S MEETING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 11).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR RICHARD SIEGEL, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER QUERIES BY MEMBERS ON A PRESS REPORT CONCERNING LIFTING OF THE EXISTING RESTRICTIONS ON LANDING AND TAKING-OFF AFTER MIDNIGHT AT THE AIRPORT.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL VOICE THEIR CONCERN ON ILLEGAL CAR RACING ACTIVITIES AT NIGHT ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD IN HO MAN TIN. THEY WILL ALSO RAISE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE 1991 ELECTIONS AND THE OMELCO CONSENSUS ON POLITICAL REFORM.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE GOVERNMENT’S MANDATORY REPATRIATION POLICY, THE FUTURE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND WAYS TO MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 11) IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUT LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
---------0-----------
DB TO EXAMINE URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS
*****
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TWO LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING ON THURDDAY (JANUARY 11).
THE PROJECTS INVOLVE BUILDINGS SITUATED AT THE JUNCTIONS OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WITH WING LOK STREET AND JUBILEE STREET.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED RENOVATION OF THE FORMER WESTERN MARKET BUILDING BY THE LDC.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 11) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
------0--------
/13.......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 13 -
GMB SERVICE SOUGHT FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL ASK THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO CONSIDER PROVIDING A GREEN MINIBUS (GMB) SERVICE IN TSEUNG KWAN O AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
AT PRESENT, RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN ARE SERVED BY ONLY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY TN SCHEDULED PUBLIC TRANSPORT,
THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ON TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL, ILLEGAL ROADSIDE PARKING AT SEVERAL SPOTS IN SAI KUNG, AND THE INSTALLATION OF A REFLECTIVE MIRROR AT THE JUNCTION OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND PAK KONG ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE BOARD’S CONFERENCE ROOM ON SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
--------0-----------
HELP THE POLICE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION ******
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 20 ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN A "HELP THE POLICE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION" AND WIN A FREE TRIP TO THE UNITED KINGDOM THIS SUMMER.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND SPONSORED BY THE BRITISH AIRWAYS.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CRIME, MR WONG TSAN-KWONG, SAID THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: THE JUNIOR OPEN SECTION FOR THOSE AGED 14 TO 16; THE SENIOR OPEN SECTION FOR THOSE AGED 17 TO 20: AND A THIRD SECTION FOR POLICE FAMILY MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 20.
"EACH PARTICIPANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO FILL IN AN ENTRY FORM WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES," HE SAID.
/THE FORM ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
- 14 -
THE FORM ALSO CONTAINS THE FIRST STAGE OF THE COMPETITION WHICH CONSISTS OF A SET OF MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND THE CREATION OF A FIGHT CRIME SLOGAN. AFTER COMPLETION, THE FORM CAN BE RETURNED TO ANY OF THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31.
"OUT OF ALL ENTRANTS, THE 60 WITH THE HIGHEST SCORES WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW SESSION IN APRIL.
"THE INTERVIEW BOARD WILL THEN SELECT 30 FINALISTS TO TAKE PART IN A TV QUIZ PROGRAMME PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG," MR WONG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT FIVE WINNERS, TWO FROM EACH OF THE OPEN SECTIONS AND ONE FROM THE POLICE SECTION. WOULD BE CHOSEN BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE AT THE INTERVIEW AND THE TV QUIZ.
THE FIVE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED AN 18-DAY TRIP TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM JULY 23 TO AUGUST 9, VISITING LONDON, MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW.
"THE AIR-TICKETS FOR THE UK TRIP WILL BE SPONSORED BY THE BRITISH AIRWAYS AS PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE.
"ON BEHALF OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE BRITISH AIRWAYS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT TOWARDS THE COMPETITION," MR WONG SAID.
"WHILE IN THE UK, BESIDES SIGHTSEEING PROGRAMME, THE FIVE WINNERS WILL’ALSO ACT AS HONG KONG'S YOUTH AMBASSADORS WHEN THEY MEET LOCAL POLICE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS." HE ADDED.
APART FROM THE WINNERS, FIVE RUNNERS-UP WILL ALSO BE AWARDED FREE TRIPS TO A SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRY.
MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE LAUNCHING OF THE "HELP THE POLICE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION" HAD A PARTICULAR RELEVANCE TO THE PRESENT CRIME CLIMATE.
"IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCES TOOK UP MORE THAN 34 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ARRESTED FOR CRIMES.
"IN 1988, THERE WERE 14,196 OUT OF A TOTAL OF 41,594; WHILE IN 1989, THE NUMBER WAS 15,720 OUT OF A TOTAL OF 43,684.
"THE TREND THAT MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF PERSONS ARRESTED FOR CRIMES ARE YOUNG OFFENDERS IS AN ALARMING ONE AND GIVES US CAUSE FOR CONCERN," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THROUGH THE COMPETITION, YOUNGSTERS WOULD BE REMINDED TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE CRIME SITUATION AND BE MORE ON THE ALERT.
/"THIS WILL .
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
’’THIS WILL HELP THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM CRIMES, OR, TO GO A STEP FURTHER. THEY MIGHT EVEN BE ENCOURGAED TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND CONTRIBUTE ACTIVELY TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME,” HE SAID.
MR WONG CALLED ON YOUNGSTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EXCITING EVENT, ADDING THAT IT WAS A CHANCE TO TEST THEIR ABILITIES, IN PARTICULAR THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, AND A CHANCE TO REPRESENT HONG KONG ON AN OVERSEAS VISIT.
OTHER PANELISTS AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE MR WONG CHI-KEUNG, RTHK’S CONTROLLER OF PUBLIC AND CURRENT AFFAIRS; MR HO SHIU-CHEONG. STAFF OFFICER OF THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH; AND MR FREDDY LI, SALES MANAGER (HONG KONG) OF THE BRITISH AIRWAYS.
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ACAN SILVER JUBILEE POSTCARDS It**#
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 12) WILL START DISTRIBUTING SPECIAL POSTCARDS TO COMMEMORATE ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE DISTRIBUTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A TOTAL 41,000 SETS OF POSTCARDS HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION WITH THE SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTION OF $60,000 FROM THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK.
THE DESIGNS OF THE SET OF FOUR POSTCARDS ARE BASED ON THE YEAR OF THE HORSE SPECIAL STAMPS ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE, TOGETHER WITH AN ACAN MESSAGE.
REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, THE DESIGNS OF THE FOUR POSTCARDS DEPICT IN AN EMBROIDERY STYLE VARIOUS POSTURES OF THE HORSE.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POSTCARDS WILL BE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS ON THE RESPECTIVE DATES AT THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES:
♦ GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL (JANUARY 12);
♦ TUEN MUN CENTRAL POST OFFICE, TUEN HI ROAD /JANUARY 15);
♦ SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE, KCR HOUSE (JANUARY 16); AND
t TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, MIDDLE ROAD (JANUARY 17).
THE DISTRIBUTION WILL START FROM 10 AM DAILY UNTIL ALL STOCKS ARE GIVEN OUT. EACH PERSON WILL BE OFFERED ONE SET OF POSTCARDS ONLY.
MEANWHILE, THE ACAN SILVER JUBILEE POSTCARDS ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE AT THE HEAD OFFICE AND THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK BETWEEN JANUARY 12 AND 17.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1990
16
WATER CUT IN YAU TONG t * t t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU TONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 11) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KO FAI ROAD, TUNG YUEN STREET AND SHUNG SHUN STREET, INCLUDING SHUNG TAK WAI, YAN YUE WAI AND SZE SAN STREET.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST * * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 11), DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM HOUSE NO. 334 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH KA ON STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
FROM THE SAME TIME, ALL VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES LONG, TRAVELLING ON KA ON STREET SOUTHBOUND, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT ONTO DES VOEUX ROAD WEST EASTBOUND. THIS MEASURE WILL ALSO BE IN FORCE FOR THREE WEEKS BECAUSE OF THE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
BILL INTENDED TO GIVE PROTECTION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES ............... 1
BILL INTENDED TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ...... 3
PURPOSE OF COMPANIES AMENDMENT BILL EXPLAINED .................... 5
OBJECTIVE OF BILL OUTLINED ....................................... 6
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BILL INTRODUCED ......................... 7
NOT YET POSSIBLE TO GIVE COST OF BANK RESCUE ..................... 8
UK MEETING HALF THE COSTS OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION .............. 9
HOUSING FOR ELDERLY REVIEWED ..................................... 9
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO TUNNEL OPERATIONS OUTLINED ............... 10
STUDY ON NEED FOR DEGREE COURSES IN SPORT, RECREATION ............ 11
ARRANGEMENTS COVER REPATRIATION, REINTEGRATION ................... 12
PROPOSALS FORMULATED ON REGULATING RETIREMENT SCHEMES ............ 12
EXISTING CONTROL OVER FILM PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS TO CONTINUE ..... 14
NO CHANGE IN LOCALISATION POLICY ................................. 14
TOO EARLY TO GIVE PUBLICATION DATE FOR ACCIDENT REPORT............ 16
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AN IMPORTANT SERVICE ....................... 17
ENSURING COST EFFECTIVENESS OF CONSULTANTS ....................... 18
LEGISLATION AGAINST COMPUTER CRIME BEING PREPARED ................ 19
BOAT PEOPLE SUBJECT TO LAWS OF HK ................................ 20
FINAL PREPARATORY WORK FOR THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ............... 21
MORE FUNDS URGED FOR PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ........................ 22
MENTAL HEALTH REGULATIONS WELCOMED ............................... 23
TWO BILLS PASSED.................................................. 24
GOVERNOR AIMS TO CONVEY CLEAR PICTURE OF HK PEOPLE'S VIEWS ......... 25
NEW WORK SAFETY LAW A MILESTONE .................................... 25
/HK MANUFACTURERS .....
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
HK MANUFACTURERS RENOWNED FOR FLEXIBILITY .............................. 27
GOVT AND PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE ....................... 28
DB TO DISCUSS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ............ 29
WELFARE PAPER ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ................................... 30
CHILD CARE SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ............................. 31
AIDS EXHIBITION IN TAIKOO SHING ........................................ 31
CANCELLATION OF URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL .............................. 32
URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWUN TONG............................................ 32
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
1
BILL INTENDED TO GIVE PROTECTION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
*****
AS THE WAGE LEVEL DISTINCTION BETWEEN MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES HAS BECOME OUTDATED UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO REMOVE THIS DISTINCTION SO THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WOULD IN FUTURE BE PROTECTED BY THE ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AT PRESENT COVERED ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES REGARDLESS OF WAGE LEVELS AND NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WHOSE MONTHLY WAGES DID NOT EXCEED A WAGE CEILING OF $11,500.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT REMOVING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING EMPLOYERS’ LONG SERVICE PAYMENT AND SEVERANCE PAYMENT LIABILITIES TOWARDS NON-MANUAL WORKERS WHO WERE PAID ABOVE THE CURRENT WAGE CEILING.
“THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO EMPLOYERS GENERALLY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT EMPLOYEES WHOSE MONTHLY WAGES EXCEED THE CURRENT WAGE CEILING ARE USUALLY AND ADEQUATELY PROTECTED BY CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT THAT PROVIDE FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
"ACCORDINGLY, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT WAGES IN EXCESS OF THE CEILING SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE CALCULATION OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG ADDED THAT THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO LIFT THE WAGE CEILING FROM $11,500 TO $15,000, IN LINE WITH WAGE MOVEMENTS SINCE MAY 1987, WHEN THE CURRENT CEILING HAD BEEN FIXED.
ON THE QUESTION OF PROTECTION TOWARDS EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ON CONTINUOUS CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT, MR YEUNG SAID: "AT THE PRESENT TIME AN EMPLOYEE WITH A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IS DEFINED AS ONE WHO HAS BEEN EMPLOYED FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, WITHIN WHICH HE HAS BEEN WORKING FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE DAYS A WEEK AND NOT LESS THAN SIX HOURS A DAY.
"THIS RIGID DEFINITION HAS HAD THE EFFECT OF EXCLUDING FROM THE PROTECTION OF THE ORDINANCE MANY PART-TIME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN FACT BEING EMPLOYED ON A REGULAR BASIS, SUCH AS HALF-DAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND PART-TIME WORKERS IN FAST-FOOD SHOPS.
"THE BILL SEEKS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF CONTINUOUS CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT TO COVER ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE WORKED FOR NOT LESS THAN 18 HOURS A WEEK WITHIN A PERIOD OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, SO THAT REGULAR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES WOULD ALSO BE PROTECTED BY THE ORDINANCE."
/MR YEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
2
MR YEUNG SAID A THIRD AREA OF IMPROVEMENT COULD BE FOUND LN THE REVISED DEFINITION OF LAY-OFF.
"AT THE PRESENT TIME. AN EMPLOYEE WHOSE EARNINGS DEPEND ON THE AMOUNT OF WORK PROVIDED BY HIS EMPLOYER - AS DISTINGUISHED FROM AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS PAID ON A MONTHLY BASIS - IS DEEMED TO BE LAID OFF, AND HENCE ENTITLED TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT, IF THE EMPLOYER DOES NOT PROVIDE WORK FOR HIM ON MORE THAN 12 NORMAL WORKING DAYS WITHIN A PERIOD OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.
"THIS DEFINITION STEMS FORM THE ASSUMPTION THAT EMPLOYEES COULD REASONABLY EXPECT THE EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE THEM WITH WORK FOR 24 DAYS IN A PERIOD OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, SO THAT ANY EMPLOYEE WHO IS PROVIDED WITH WORK FOR LESS THAN HALF OF THIS NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN SUCH A PERIOD WOULD BE REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN LAID OFF," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE DEFINITION HAD BEEN FOUND TO BE INFLEXIBLE.
"IT HAS WORKED TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE USUALLY PROVIDED WITH WORK FOR MORE THAN 24 DAYS OVER ANY PERIOD OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.
"CONVERSELY, IT HAS WORKED TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF EMPLOYERS WHO USUALLY PROVIDE WORK FOR LESS THAN 24 DAYS OVER. THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME.
"THE BILL, THEREFORE, SEEKS TO REMOVE THE INFLEXIBILITY AND TO RE-DEFINE LAY-OFF AS MEANING A SITUATION IN WHICH THE EMPLOYER FAILS TO PROVIDE WORK ON MORE THAN HALF OF THE NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN A PERIOD OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS." HE SAID.
IN ORDER. TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROM PROLONGED UNDER-PROVISION OF WORK, MR YEUNG SAID THE BILL FURTHER PROPOSED THAT AN EMPLOYEE WOULD ALSO BE REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN LAID OFF IF NO WORK WAS PROVIDED ON MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN A PERIOD OF 26 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.
THE BILL ALSO REMOVED AN AMBIGUITY REGARDING THE PROTECTION OF PREGNANT EMPLOYEES AGAINST DISMISSAL.
•:r
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT DOUBTS HAD BEEN RAISED AS TO WHETHER AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAD GIVEN NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE WAS PROTECTED FROM TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT UNLESS SHE HAD COMPLETED A QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE.
THE BILL MADE IT CLEAR THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAD COMPLETED A QUALIFYING PERIOD OF 12 WEEKS OF CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT WOULD BE ENTITLED TO PROTECTION, HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS.
/“THEY INCLUDE........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
3 -
"THEY INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT THAT WHERE THERE IS A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IN WRITING, THE EMPLOYER SHOULD PROVIDE THE EMPLOYEE WITH A COPY OF THE CONTRACT,
"THE BILL MAKES IT CLEAR THAT HOLIDAY EQUIVALENT TO THE WAGES EARNED BY THE EMPLOYEE
PAY SHALL BE A SUM ON A FULL WORKING DAY.
"IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS MAY BE OFFSET BY THE EMPLOYER’S CONTRIBUTION TO PENSION SCHEMES AND RETIREMENT SCHEMES," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BILL INTENDED TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION
******
OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1989 WILL AMEND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE AND THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO REMOVE SOME LEGAL ANACHRONISMS AND TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID NONE OF THE PROPOSALS WAS PARTICULARLY NOVEL OR RADICAL, BUT THEY WERE NONETHELESS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY HAD THE EFFECT OF MODERNISING AND MAKING MORE EFFICIENT SOME AREAS OF THE CRIMINAL LAW WHICH WERE SOMETIMES OVERLOOKED WHEN OTHER MORE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES WERE BEING PLANNED.
HE SAID HE HOPED TO INTRODUCE ONE OR TWO BILLS A YEAR LIKE THIS ONE WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING FURTHER ALL ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL, WHICH AMENDED SECTION 9B OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, WOULD REMOVE A PROHIBITION ON DEFENDANTS AND PRIVATE PROSECUTORS FROM CLAIMING THE WITNESS ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF THE TIME THEY ATTENDED COURT. THEY WOULD BE ENTITLED TO AN ALLOWANCE IF SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR DEFENCE OR PROSECUTION.
A FURTHER CHANGE WAS THAT PUBLIC SERVANTS WOULD BE ENTITLED TO CLAIM AN ALLOWANCE IF THEY INCURRED PERSONAL EXPENSE IN ATTENDING COURT AS PROSECUTION OR DEFENCE WITNESSES. THIS WOULD NOT APPLY TO POLICE OR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS UNLESS ATTENDING IN THEIR PRIVATE CAPACITY.
/CLAUSE 3 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
CLAUSE 3 ENABLED THE PROSECUTION TO ADD FURTHER COUNTS TO AN INDICTMENT AFTER COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL BY A MAGISTRATE EVEN THOUGH THE NEW CHARGES WERE NOT THE SUBJECT OF THE COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS SO LONG AS THOSE NEW OFFENCES WERE DISCLOSED IN THE PAPERS USED IN THE COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS, HE SAID.
CLAUSES 4 AND 6 REMOVED REFERENCES TO THE "SESSIONS" JURISDICTION OF THE HIGH COURT BECAUSE NO CRIMINAL COURT IN HONG KONG SAT IN "SESSIONS".
CLAUSE 5 REPEALED IN ITS ENTIRETY SECTION 67 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE. THIS SECTION CONTAINED SPECIAL MEASURES TO DEAL WITH CASES OF LARCENY, EMBEZZLEMENT AND OTHER COMMON LAW OFFENCES OF DISHONESTY. THESE OLD COMMON LAW OFFENCES WERE ABOLISHED IN 1970 BY THE THEFT ORDINANCE AND THE SECTION NO LONGER SERVED ANY FUNCTION.
MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSE 7 AMENDED SECTION 109AA OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE WHICH DEALT WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN SUPERVISION ORDERS WERE MADE IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF YOUNG PRISONERS. THE AMENDMENT REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT TO MAKE AN "AFTERCARE" ORDER IN RESPECT OF A PERSON WHO WAS TO BE REMOVED OR DEPORTED FROM HONG KONG AS IT WAS POINTLESS MAKING SUCH AN ORDER IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
CLAUSE 8 AMENDED SECTION 80B(2)(B) OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE. THE SECTION REQUIRED ALL STATEMENTS USED IN COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS TO BE SIGNED BY THE MAKER WITH AN ENDORSEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT MAKING A STATEMENT WHICH THEY KNEW TO BE FALSE OR DID NOT BELIEVE TO BE TRUE WAS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 33 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.
SECTION 33 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE PROHIBITED THE MAKING OF FALSE STATEMENTS WHICH WERE USED IN COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS OR WHICH WERE AGREED BY THE PROSECUTION AND THE DEFENCE, MR MATHEWS SAID.
HOWEVER. VERY FEW STATEMENTS TAKEN BY THE POLICE ENDED UP AS BEING USED IN COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS OR WERE AGREED IN EVIDENCE. MOST WERE USED FOR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES OR FORMED THE BASIS OF PROSECUTIONS BEFORE A MAGISTRATE OR IN THE DISTRICT COURT.
MR MATHEWS SAID IT WAS DECIDED, THEREFORE, THAT THE ENDORSEMENT SHOULD BE BROADENED IN ITS TERMS SO AS TO BE CAPABLE OF APPLICATION TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE MAKER OF A STATEMENT WOULD BE ASKED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MAKING A STATEMENT WHICH HE KNEW TO BE FALSE OR DID NOT BELIEVE TO BE TRUE MIGHT RENDER HIM LIABLE TO PROSECUTION FOR A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSES 9 AND 10 OF THE BILL EXTENDED ALIBI PROVISIONS TO ACCUSED PERSONS WHO WERE TRIED IN THE DISTRICT COURT.
THIS BROUGHT THE PRACTICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT INTO LINE WITH THAT OF THE HIGH COURT WHERE, SINCE 1971, AN ACCUSED PERSON WHO WISHED TO USE THE DEFENCE OF ALIBI WAS OBLIGED TO GIVE NOTICE OF THAT FACT TO THE PROSECUTION SO THAT THE PARTICULARS OF THE ALIBI COULD BE CHECKED.
/IF ENQUIRIES .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
- 5 -
IF ENQUIRIES REVEALED THAT THE ALIBI WAS LIKELY TO BE TRUE THEN THE PROSECUTION WOULD BE DISCONTINUED AND MUCH TIME AND EXPENSE SAVED.
CLAUSE 11 SOUGHT TO EN ILE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES TO IMPOSE TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT WHICH WERE CONCURRENT OR CONSECUTIVE TO EACH OTHER. AT PRESENT A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE MIGHT ONLY IMPOSE CONSECUTIVE TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON ALL OF THE PROPOSALS EXCEPT FOR THAT RELATING TO THE DISCHARGE OF SUPERVISIONS AND THAT THEY WERE BROADLY IN AGREEMENT WITH THEM ALL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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PURPOSE OF COMPANIES AMENDMENT BILL EXPLAINED ******
THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1989 IS THREEFOLD, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID IT WOULD:
- FIRST. INCREASE CERTAIN PENALTIES PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE;
- SECONDLY, IMPOSE A ONE-TIME FINE FOR CONTINUING DEFAULT CASES; AND
- LASTLY, STREAMLINE THE ARRANGEMENT FOR PRESCRIBING PENALTIES IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
ON AN INCREASE IN PENALTIES, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY CARRIED OUT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE LEVEL OF PENALTIES PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
"AS A RESULT, WE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO INCREASE CERTAIN PENALTIES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT.
"IN GENERAL TERMS. THE PROPOSED INCREASES RELATE TO FOUR CLASSES OF OFFENCE : FIRST, THOSE FOR WHICH THE EXISTING PENALTY IS INSUFFICIENT TO SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE; SECONDLY, THOSE INVOLVING PROSPECTUSES; THIRDLY, THOSE INVOLVING THE MAKING OF UNTRUE STATEMENTS OR THE GIVING OF FALSE INFORMATION; AND LASTLY. THOSE WHICH NEED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION AS WELL AS THE NATURE OF PARTICULAR OFFENCES," HE SAID.
ON A ONE-TIME FINE, SIR PIERS SAID AT PRESENT THE ORDINANCE PRESCRIBED ONLY A DAILY FINE FOR CONTINUING DEFAULT CASES.
/"WE PROPOSE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
6
"WE PROPOSE TO ADD A ONE-TIME FINE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TWO ASPECTS OF A CONTINUING DEFAULT OFFENCE, NAMELY, THE INITIAL COMMISSION OF THE OFFENCE AND ITS CONTINUATION.
"THIS FOLLOWS THE APPROACH IN OTHER RELEVANT HONG KONG LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
ON A NEW CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PENALTIES, HE SAID THE PENALTIES FOR HIE VARIOUS OFFENCES WERE CURRENTLY SET OUT IN THE RELEVANT SECTIONS Ob' THE ORDINANCE.
"WE PROPOSE TO CONSOLIDATE DETAILS OF THESE OFFENCES AND CORRESPONDING PENALTIES IN A NEW SCHEDULE. THIS WILL FACILITATE REFERENCE AND SIMPLIFY THE AMENDMENT PROCEDURE," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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OBJECTIVE OF BILL OUTLINED * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, OUTLINED THE AIM OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID SECTION 17(2) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT THE APPOINTMENT BY THE CORPORATION OF AN OFFICER WHOSE SALARY EXCEEDED *85,000 PER YEAR SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.
"THIS WAS DESIGNED TO ENSURE SOME CONTROL OVER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE MORE SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION.
"WHEN THE SECTION WAS LAST AMENDED, THE SALARY POINT SPECIFIED WAS THAT OF A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT A RECENT REVIEW OF SECTION 17(2) OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN AMENDED SINCE 1974, HAD REVEALED THAT, WITH THE UPWARD REVISIONS IN SALARY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR SINCE 1974, THE SPECIFIED SALARY LEVEL OF *85,000 HAD BEEN SURPASSED NOT ONLY BY THE CHIEF OFFICER, A RANK EQUIVALENT TO A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, BUT ALSO BY MANY OFFICERS BELOW THAT RANK.
"THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN UNNECESSARY WIDENING OF THE SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE CORPORATION’S EMPLOYMENT OF OFFICERS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL PROPOSED TO REPLACE THE SALARY LEVEL BY A CLAUSE TO THE EFFECT THAT ONLY APPOINTMENTS OF OFFICERS WITH AN ANNUAL SALARY EQUIVALENT TO OR ABOVE THAT OF A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.
/"THE DELETION .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
"THE DELETION OF A SPECIFIC FIGURE WOULD OBVIATE THE NECESSITY FOR PERIODIC AMENDMENTS TO THE SECTION AS AND WHEN SALARIES ARE ADJUSTED.
"THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION SUPPORTS THIS PROPOSAL." SIR PIERS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BILL INTRODUCED *****
THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BILL 1989, WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A STATUTORY CORPORATION TO BE KNOWN AS THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD. WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS. THE HON PETER TSAO,. SAID THE FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD WERE TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION IN HONG KONG. AND TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF SUCH PROMOTION.
HE NOTED THAT LAST NOVEMBER 1. A PROVISIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED AND ASSUMED THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE FORMER COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORTS WHICH WAS THEN DISSOLVED.
"SECTION 5 OF THE BILL SETS OUT THE POWERS OF THE BOARD AND PROVIDES THE TERMS OF REFERENCE UNDER WHICH THE BOARD WILL OPERATE.
"UNLIKE THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT. THIS BOARD WILL ASSUME EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS. INCLUDING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ITS OWN WORKING PROCEDURES. AND APPOINTMENT OF STAFF.
"IT WILL ALSO BE GIVEN THE POWER TO RAISE FUNDS. EITHER THROUGH DONATIONS OR SPONSORSHIP. TO SUPPLEMENT THE SUBVENTION ALLOCATED BY GOVERNMENT." MR TSAO SAID.
MR TSAO SAID THE BOARD WOULD HAVE A NON-OFFICIAL CHAIRMAN AND A NON-OFFICIAL VICE-CHAIRMAN AND NOT MORE THAN SEVEN OTHER MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
IN ADDITION. THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG AND THE CHAIRMEN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL. OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES. WOULD BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.
THESE APPOINTMENTS. MR TSAO SAID. WOULD ENSURE CLOSE LIAISON AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE VARIOUS AGENCIES PROVIDING SPORTS AND RECREATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
/A PUBLIC .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUA”v 10, 1990
- 8
A PUBLIC OFFICER WOULD ALSO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD TO REPRESENT THE INTEREST OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE BOARD SHOULD START FUNCTIONING FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR. PROVIDED THAT THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION COULD BE ENACTED BEFORE THEN.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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NOT YET POSSIBLE TO GIVE COST OF BANK RESCUE
******
ALTHOUGH THE HANG LUNG BANK HAS RECENTLY BEEN SOLD, IT IS NOT YET POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE OVERALL COST OF ITS RESCUE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER H.Y. WONG, STR PIERS SAID THE CALCULATION OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR THE SALE DEPENDED, IN PART, ON THE NET ASSET VALUE OF THE BANK, AND THIS HAD YET TO BE FINALLY AGREED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.
"FURTHERMORE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN CERTAIN INDEMNITIES AND WARRANTIES IN RELATION TO PRE-GOVERNMENT ACQUISITION LIABILITIES, IF ANY.
"EVEN AT THIS STAGE, IT IS CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECOVER ALL THE COSTS INCURRED IN THE RESCUE OF THE HANG LUNG BANK," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE ACQUISITION OF THE HANG LUNG BANK BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INCORPORATED, FUNDS TOTALLING $1.7 BILLION WERE INJECTED INTO THE BANK BY THE EXCHANGE FUND TO ENABLE IT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE, AND TO CONTINUE CARRYING ON BANKING BUSINESS.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
9 -
UK MEETING HALF THE COSTS OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION
******
THE UK GOVERNMENT WILL MEET HALF THE COSTS OF THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR BARNES SAID IT WAS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE TO REPATRIATE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THE NORMAL PROCEDURE WAS FOR THE COUNTRY RETURNING SUCH IMMIGRANTS TO PAY THE COST OF THEIR RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
IN THE CASE OF THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE WHO HAD BEEN FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES, AND WHOSE STATUS WAS THEREFORE SIMILAR TO THAT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, IT WOULD THEREFORE BE NORMAL FOR COSTS TO BE BORNE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THIS WOULD BE CHEAPER THAN FUNDING THEIR INDEFINITE DETENTION IN HONG KONG.
"WE HAVE, HOWEVER, ALWAYS SOUGHT TO OBTAIN THE MAXIMUM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM. THIS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF REPEATED REPRESENTATIONS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE CLOSEST PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT BY UK MINISTERS.
"THESE EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BEING PROVIDED.
"IN THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROCESS THIS WILL TAKE THE FORM OF THE UK GOVERNMENT MEETING HALF THE COSTS," MR BARNES SAID.
0
HOUSING FOR ELDERLY REVIEWED *****
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY WAS SET UP IN NOVEMBER 1988 AT THE INSTIGATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO EXAMINE, INTER ALIA. THE EXTENT TO WHICH PROVISION OF PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY PEOPLE COULD BE IMPROVED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HO SAI-CHU, MR TSAO SAID: "ARISING FROM THIS REVIEW, A NUMBER OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CURRENT ALLOCATION AND TRANSFER POLICIES WILL BE PUT TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION SHORTLY."
/HE ADDED
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
10
HE ADDED THAT APPROPRIATE PUBLICITY WOULD BE ARRANGED ONCE A DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN ON THESE PROPOSALS.
IN VIEW OF A RECENT INCIDENT AT LAM TIN ESTATE IN WHICH AN ELDERLY PERSON JUMPED TO HIS DEATH AFTER HACKING ANOTHER ELDERLY PERSON WITH WHOM HE SHARED THE SAME HOUSING UNIT. MR HO ASKED FOR THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR CASES OF HOMICIDE FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REVIEW THE CURRENT POLICY OF PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION FOR THE ELDERLY. BEARING IN MINI) THAT THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN OF THE POPULATION WAS ON THE INCREASE.
ACCORDING TO MR TSAO. APART FROM THE INCIDENT REFERRED TO IN MR HO’S QUESTION, THERE WAS ONLY ONE SIMILAR CASE OF HOMICIDE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS INVOLVING ELDERLY PERSONS SHARING PUBLIC HOUSING ACCOMMODATION.
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FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO TUNNEL OPERATIONS OUTLINED *******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS MADE INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO GOVERNMENT TUNNEL OPERATIONS FOLLOWING A REVIEW CONDUCTED AFTER THE SERIOUS FIRE IN THE LION ROCK TUNNEL LAST MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW, MR LEUNG SAID THESE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED:
* SHORTENING THE RESPONSE TIME STILL FURTHER;
* REVIEWING THE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN GOVERNMENT TUNNELS; AND
* INTENSIFYING THE TRAINING OF TUNNEL STAFF IN FIRE FIGHTING.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT HAD ALSO SET UP SEVERAL WORKING GROUPS TO PURSUE THESE AND OTHER POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE FIRE ON DECEMBER 13, INVOLVING A VAN AND AN ARMY RECOVERY VEHICLE WHICH WAS TOWING IT, WAS THE MOST SERIOUS EVER TO OCCUR IN THE TUNNEL SINCE IT OPENED IN 1967, AND THE ARMY VEHICLE WAS ONE OF THE HEAVIEST VEHICLES EVER TO HAVE BROKEN DOWN THERE.
AS SUCH, JT PUT THE EXISTING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO TEST UNDER THE MOST SERIOUS CONDITIONS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT CONDUCTED AN IMMEDIATE REVIEW WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND RECOMMENDED A NUMBER OF MEASURES.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
MR LEUNG SAID THE TUNNEL STAFF HANDLED THE FIRE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHICH GAVE TOP PRIORITY TO THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE, FOLLOWED BY THE PROTECTION OF PROPERTY.
ONCE THESE WERE ASSURE!'. ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO THE CLEARANCE OF TRAFFIC AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.
IN ADDITION. THE PUBLIC WERE IMMEDIATELY INFORMED THROUGH RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS AND THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS NOTIFIED SO THAT THEY COULD ADJUST THEIR SERVICES ACCORDINGLY.
MR LEUNG SAID NO INJURIES OCCURRED, AND NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW WAS RESTORED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
- - 0 - -
STUDY ON NEED FOR DEGREE COURSES IN SPORT. RECREATION *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL. IN CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT BODIES INCLUDING THE FUTURE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD. EXAMINE THE NEED FOR FULL-TIME DEGREE COURSES IN THE FIELD OF RECREATION AND SPORTS AND ASSESS PROSPECTS FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR SUCH GRADUATES.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO. SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PAUL CHENG. MR TSAO SAID THAT SUBJECT TO THE FINDINGS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES. IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE TERTIARY-LEVEL COURSES ON PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS ADMINISTRATION.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PART-TIME NON-DEGREE COURSES IN RECREATION AND SPORTS CURRENTLY OFFERED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
A PART-TIME DEGREE COURSE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION WAS OFFERED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, AND THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ALSO RAN TEACHERS’ COURSES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION. MR TSAO ADDED.
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ARRANGEMENTS COVER REPATRIATION, REINTEGRATION i * t *
THE AGREED ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS COVER THE REPATRIATION, AND REINTEGRATION IN VIETNAM, OE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE NON-REFUGEF.S , AND WHO HAVE NO PROSPECT OF RESETTLEMENT IN THIRD COUNTRIES.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN.
MRS FAN HAD ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REQUEST THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO MAKE PUBLIC THE AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG COULD BE PROPERLY INFORMED.
MR BARNES SAID THE UK GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN CONSULTED, AND HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT THE PRACTICE FOR THE TEXTS OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS OF THIS NATURE TO BE MADE PUBLIC.
HOWEVER, THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE THAT:
(A) THE RETURNEES WILL BE TREATED HUMANELY AFTER THEIR RETURN TO VIETNAM, AND WILL NOT BE PUNISHED FOR HAVING LEFT VIETNAM CLANDESTINELY;
(B) REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, THE UNHCR AND AGENCIES WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE RETURNEES AFTER THEIR RETURN TO VIETNAM; AND
(C) REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE WILL BE GIVEN TO HELP THE RETURNEES TO RE-ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN THEIR FORMER COMMUNITIES IN VIETNAM.
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PROPOSALS FORMULATED ON REGULATING RETIREMENT SCHEMES t t t * * *
PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION TO REGULATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES HAVE NOW BEEN FORMULATED AND DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED, THE SECRETARY FOK EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HU) YIN-FAT, MR YEUNG SAID THE BILL INTENDED TO BE INTRODUCED WOULD NOT SPECIFY LEVELS OF BENEFITS, NOR WOULD IT COMPEL EMPLOYERS TO SET UP RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
INSTEAD, IT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS ACCRUING TO EMPLOYEES WOULD BE PAID WHEN THEY FELL DUE.
/MR YEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
- 13 -
MR YEUNG SAID THAT FROM THE END OF 1986-87 TO THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, FIGURES SHOWED A CUMULATIVE GROWTH OF 3,434 RETIREMENT SCHEMES APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, REPRESENTING A GROWTH OF 71 PER CENT.
HE SAID THAT ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN JULY LAST YEAR, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 26,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD SET UP RETIREMENT SCHEMES WHICH COVERED ABOUT 618,000 EMPLOYEES, OR ABOUT 28 PER CENT OF ALL PERSONS ACTUALLY EMPLOYED AT THAT TIME.
MR YEUNG SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. ENCOURAGED EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SET UP PROVIDENT FUNDS AND OTHER SCHEMES OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT.
ACCORDING TO FIGURES, THE NUMBER OF APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEMES STOOD AT 4,826 AT THE END OF 1986-87; IT INCREASED BY 976 AND 1,379 RESPECTIVELY IN THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS AND THE NUMBER HAD GROWN BY A FURTHER 1,079 IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1989-90.
"TO THIS EXTENT THE PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CAN BE SAID TO HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID ANY DETAILS ABOUT THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER THESE APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEMES WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS EMPLOYERS APPLYING TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT WERE NOT REQUIRED TO SUPPLY DETAILS OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES INVOLVED.
"NEVERTHELESS. IT IS REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT SOME OF THE APPROVED SCHEMES. PARTICULARLY THOSE OPERATED BY BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES ON BEHALF OF A GROUP OF BUSINESSES, OR THOSE ADMINISTERED BY TRUSTEES ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANISED PROFESSION, COVER VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES," HE SAID.
THE INTENDED BILL WOULD PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES, THE SEPARATION OF THE ASSETS OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES FROM THOSE OF THE EMPLOYER’S BUSINESS, ADEQUATE FUNDING, THE PRUDENT INVESTMENT OF ASSETS, PROMPT DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT INFORMATION, AND THE EXPOSURE OF ALL SCHEMES TO ANNUAL AUDIT AND TO PERIODIC ACTUARIAL REVIEW.
AS TO THE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS TO SET UP PROVIDENT FUNDS AND OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES, MR YEUNG SAID THESE INCLUDED THE REGULAR ISSUE OF NEWSLETTERS DESIGNED TO GENERATE INTEREST IN PROVIDENT FUNDS AND RETIREMENT SCHEMES, AND THE HOSTING OF CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS FOR THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO HAD SHOWN INTEREST.
THE CONTENT OF THIS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY INCLUDES BOTH HELPFUL ADVICE ON THE WAY IN WHICH SUCH SCHEMES CAN BE SET UP AND THE TAX BENEFITS THAT WOULD ACCRUE TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 10. 1990
- 14 -
EXISTING CONTROL OVER FILM PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS TO CONTINUE t » ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTROL OVER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS RELATING TO FILMS SHOULD CONTINUE AND DOES NOT PROPOSE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO IMPOSE CENSORSHIP ON PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS ON FILMS. THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.. THE HON PETER TSAO. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM. MR TSAO SAID BEFORE THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE IN NOVEMBER 1988, FIGURES AND ADVERTISEMENTS RELATING TO FILMS INTENDED FOR SHOWING IN CINEMAS WERE SUBJECT TO CENSORSHIP BEFORE THEY WERE ALLOWED TO BE DISPLAYED.
HE SAID THAT IN PROMULGATING THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE 1988. THE GOVERNMENT SOUGHT TO SET OUT CLEAR CRITERIA WITHIN WHICH THE CENSOR WAS PERMITTED TO CARRY OUT HIS DUTIES; AND TO INTRODUCE A MORE LIBERAL APPROACH TOWARDS FILM CENSORSHIP THEREBY GIVING FILM PRODUCERS GREATER FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND VIEWERS GREATER FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
"IN THE SAME SPIRIT, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO TOOK THE VIEW THAT THE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR FILM CENSORSHIP SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO PRINTED ADVERTISING MATERIALS AND FILM STILLS WHICH ARE NOT PART OF A FILM.
"SUCH PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATELY CONTROLLED UNDER THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE," MR TSAO SAID.
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NO CHANGE IN LOCALISATION POLICY * ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT DOES LOCALISATION POLICY IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOT INTEND TO CHANGE ITS LONG-ESTABLISHED RUN-UP TO 1997, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE
HE WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CH 1-FAI ON THE PROGRESS OF LOCALISATION IN THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE POLICE.
"MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION PLANNING AND TRAINING FOR OFFICERS OF POTENTIAL WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP SUITABLE LOCAL OFFICERS TO FILL SENIOR POSITIONS AS THESE BECOME AVAILABLE," MR BARNES SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
- 15 -
HE SAID AS AT OCTOBER 1 LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS WAS 2,543, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 1.4 PER CENT OF THE STRENGTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
MR BARNES SAID THE JO J NT DECLARATION PROVIDED THAT OVERSEAS OFFICERS MIGHT CONTINUE TO Bl EMPLOYED AFTER 1997, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A SMALL NUMBER OF VERY SEN I R POSTS.
’’WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN NO MAJOR CHANGES IN LOCALISATION POLICY FOLLOWING THE JOINT DECLARATION, ADDITIONAL LOCALISATION MEASURES ARE INTRODUCED WHERE NECESSARY,” HE SAID.
SINCE 1985, ALL OVERSEAS OFFICERS HAD BEEN APPOINTED ONLY ON AGREEMENT TERMS. AGREEMENTS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS WOULD ONLY BE RENEWED IF THEY WERE NOT BLOCKING THE PROMOTION OF CAPABLE LOCAL OFFICERS.
MR BARNES SAID THERE HAD BEEN A DECREASE OF ABOUT 0.1 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL PROPORTION OF EXPATRIATES IN THE CIVIL SERVICES PER YEAR SINCE 1985.
IN THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT (BLD), THE PERCENTAGE OF OVERSEAS CONTRACT OFFICERS HAD DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY FOR MOST OF THE GRADES, FROM 18 PER CENT TO SIX PER CENT FOR THE BUILDING SURVEYOR GRADE, 52 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT FOR THE ESTATE SURVEYOR GRADE, 33 PER CENT TO 14 PER CENT FOR THE LAND SURVEYOR GRADE AND 36 PER CENT TO 12 PER CENT FOR THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER GRADE.
MR BARNES SAID THE BLD’S LONG-TERM POLICY WAS TO LOCALISE THE FOUR GRADES AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. THE DEPARTMENT REGULARLY REVIEWED AND MONITORED THE PROGRESS AND PACE OF LOCALISATION IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING THE TARGET AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.
FOR THE TOWN PLANNER GRADE, FORMERLY OF THE BLD AND NOW OF THE NEW PLANNING DEPARTMENT. THE PERCENTAGE OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS ON AGREEMENT TERMS FELL FROM 21 PER CENT IN 1985 TO FOUR PER CENT AT PRESENT.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, THE PERCENTAGE OF EXPATRIATE OFFICERS HAD DROPPED RAPIDLY OVER THE PAST NINE YEARS.
THE PERCENTAGE OF PROFESSIONAL EXPATRIATE STAFF TO TOTAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF HAI) STOOD AT 47 PER CENT TN 1981, AND WAS NOW NINE PER CENT.
FOR THE POLICE, IT WAS INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT LEADERSHIP IN THE SENIOR RANKS WAS PREDOMINANTLY LOCAL BY THE YEAR 2000, MR BARNES ADDED.
IN 1981, THERE HAD BEEN 49 LOCAL OFFICERS AT OR ABOVE SUPERINTENDENT RANK. EXPATRIATE OFFICERS NUMBERED 205. NOW THERE WERE 183 LOCAL OFFICERS COMPARED TO 306 EXPATRIATE OFFICERS.
”1T IS EXPECTED THAT BY THE YEAR 2000 LOCAL OFFICERS WILL HAVE PROGRESSED FURTHER IN THEIR CAREERS AND THAT THE PRINCIPAL AIM WILL HAVE BEEN MET,” MR BARNES SAID.
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/16 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
TOO EARLY TO GIVE PUBLICATION LATE FOR. ACCIDENT REPORT
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FORECAST AT THIS STAGE WITH ANY DEGREE OF ACCURACY IF. WHEN AND HOW THE ACCIDENT REPORT ON THE CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA (CAAC) AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED AT KAI TAK ON AUGUST 31, 1988, WILL BE PUBLISHED.
"IT IS, HOWEVER, UNLIKELY THAT ANYTHING WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION MUCH BEFORE THE END OF 1990," MRS CHAN SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER H.Y. WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
DETAILING THE PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION UNDER HONG KONG CIVIL AVIATION (INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS) REGULATIONS, MRS CHAN SAID THE TIMESCALE WAS NOT UNUSUAL, SINCE SUCH REPORTS NORMALLY TOOK TWO TO THREE YEARS TO FINALISE.
IN THE ACCIDENT, SIX CREW MEMBERS OF THE PLANE WERE KILLED AND 13 PASSENGERS INJURED. ONE OF THESE DIED LATER FROM HIS INJURIES.
MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT TN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HONG KONG CIVIL AVIATION (INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS) REGULATIONS, THE CHIEF INSPECTOR. OF ACCIDENTS ANNOUNCED IN GAZETTE NOTICE 467 OF 1988, THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN INSPECTOR’S INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACCIDENT.
"THE DRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR IS NOW COMPLETE AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION 11(1) OF THE REGULATIONS, COPIES WILL SHORTLY BE PASSED TO THE OPERATOR, THE NEXT-OF-KIN OF THE COMMANDER, AND PERSONS WHOSE REPUTATION IS LIKELY TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE REPORT.
"THESE PERSONS WILL THEN HAVE 28 DAYS IN WHICH TO SUBMIT TO THE INSPECTOR ANY REPRESENTATION THEY MAY WISH TO MAKE.
"REGULATION 21 PROVIDES FOR THIS PERIOD TO BE EXTENDED IF NECESSARY AND EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT SUCH AN EXTENSION MAY BE NECESSARY FOR AS LONG AS SIX MONTHS," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT ANY REPRESENTATIONS MADE WOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY THE INSPECTOR BEFORE HE FINALISED HIS REPORT.
"THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION WILL FORWARD THE FINAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, AT THE SAME TIME, COPIES WILL BE SENT TO ALL THOSE WHO RECEIVED COPIES OF THE DRAFT REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION 11(1)," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT IF ANY OF THOSE PERSONS CONSIDERED THAT THE FINAL REPORT HAD NOT FAIRLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT HIS OR HER REPRESENTATIONS, THAT PERSON MIGHT APPLY, UNDER REGULATION 12, FOR THE RELEVANT FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORT TO BE REVIEWED BY A BOARD OF REVIEW.
/"IN ACCORDANCE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
- 17 -
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION 15, THE GOVERNOR SHALL, UNLESS THERE ARE REASONS TO THE CONTRARY, ARRANGE FOR THE INSPECTOR’S REPORT AND THE REPORT OF ANY BOARD OF REVIEW THAT MAY HAVE BEEN HELD TO BE PUBLISHED EITHER IN WHOLE OR IN PART, AS HE THINKS FIT," SHE SAID.
ELABORATING ON THE TIMESCALE TAKEN TO FINALISE THE REPORT, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT, BY WAY OF COMPARISON, IN THE CASE OF THE LAST MAJOR ACCIDENT AT KAI TAK, INVOLVING A LUFTHANSA PLANE ON OCTOBER 18, 1983, THE INVESTIGATION REPORT TOOK SLIGHTLY OVER THREE AND A HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE.
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FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AN IMPORTANT SERVICE
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (FLE) SERVICE HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN IMPORTANT SERVICE AND THERE ARE PLANS TO STRENGTHEN IT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY}.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MRS WONG SAID A PROGRAMME COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, HAD BEEN NEWLY SET UP, TO EXAMINE EXISTING POLICY, SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL AND MANNING RATIO WITH A VIEW TO STRENGTHENING THE SERVICE AND TO GIVE CENTRAL DIRECTIVES TO STEER ITS DEVELOPMENT.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS DIRECTED AT ALL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, AT A MANNING RATIO OF ONE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WORKER AT ASSISTANT SOCIAL WORK OFFICER LEVEL TO 100,000 POPULATION.
"THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 13 AGENCIES SUBVENTED WITH A TOTAL OF 56 FLE WORKERS TO SERVE THE TOTAL POPULATION OF 5.7 MILLION," SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT A REVISED MANNING RATIO OF 1:50,000 WAS RECOMMENDED IN THE 1981 PROGRAMME PLAN REVIEW ON PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, MRS WONG SAID IT COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED DUE TO RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS.
"FOR 1990-91, IT IS PLANNED TO HAVE THREE ADDITIONAL FLE WORKERS, AND FUNDS ARE BEING SOUGHT FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"IT IS HOPED THAT IMPROVEMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE PROGRESSIVELY IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF PREVENTIVE SERVICE,” MRS WONG SAID.
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/18 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
18
ENSURING COST EFFECTIVENESS OF CONSULTANTS
*****
THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF A CONSULTANT ENGAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT IS ENSURED, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, BY PROPER MANAGEMENT BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE CLIENT DEPARTMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"PERFORMANCE OF CONSULTANTS IS REGULARLY MONITORED AND REPORTED. SUITABILITY FOR FURTHER GOVERNMENT WORK DEPENDS ON EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE ON EXISTING OR RECENT ASSIGNMENTS," MR BARNES SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG.
"WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT OF CONSULTANTS WITH A VIEW TO DEVISING A SYSTEM FOR PAYMENT AND CONTROL WHICH WILL ENSURE EVEN GREATER INCENTIVE TO ACHIEVE EFFICIENT, COST EFFECTIVE WORKS WHICH AT THE SAME TIME FULLY COMPLY WITH REQUIRED STANDARDS."
MR BARNES SAID THE HIRING OF CONSULTANTS WAS, LIKE THE EMPLOYMENT OF STAFF, A COMMERCIAL PROCESS AND WAS ONLY DONE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT COULD SHOW FIRSTLY THAT IT NEEDED A JOB DONE AND, SECONDLY, THAT THE BEST WAY OF DOING THAT PARTICULAR JOB WAS BY HIRING CONSULTANTS RATHER THAN EITHER USING EXISTING STAFF OR BY EMPLOYING ADDITIONAL STAFF.
THE SELECTION, APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF CONSULTANTS WAS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ENGINEERING SPECIALISTS REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THE APPOINTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS TO THE BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL. THIS WAS INDEPENDENT OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY’S APPROVAL.
MR BARNES SAID THE NEED TO EMPLOY CONSULTANTS WAS ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE APPROVAL OF A SELECTION BOARD WAS SOUGHT.
USUALLY THE NEED AROSE WHERE THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN THE PARTICULAR DEPARTMENT, OR WHERE EXISTING STAFF RESOURCES WERE INADEQUATE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO UNDERTAKE THE WORK.
"BUT THERE MAY ALSO BE OTHER REASONS, SUCH AS TO ACCELERATE TIMESCALES OR TO COPE WITH A FLUCTUATING DEMAND FOR RESOURCES.
"THE AUTHORITY TO USE CONSULTANTS IS USUALLY OBTAINED THROUGH A SUBMISSION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE AT WHICH TIME FULL JUSTIFICATION IS PROVIDED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID FUNDS FOR EMPLOYING CONSULTANTS MIGHT BE PROVIDED THROUGH INCLUSION OF THE PROJECT IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, FROM A BLOCK VOTE FOR. SUCH PURPOSE, OR FROM A RECURRENT VOTE .
/UNDER NO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
19
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WERE AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF FUNDS.
"FEES PAID TO CONSULTANTS ARE BASED ON ONE OF THREE STANDARD METHODS OF REMUNERATION.
"THE MAJORITY OF PROJECTS ARE UNDERTAKEN ON THE BASIS OF A STANDARD SCALE WHICH SPECIFIES THE FEES AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION COST, WITH THE PERCENTAGE DECREASING AS THE CONSTRUCTION COST INCREASES.
"WHERE A CONSULTANCY IS A FEASIBILITY STUDY, THE FEE IS USUALLY NEGOTIATED AS A FIXED SUM CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF STAFF RESOURCES USED ON THE STUDY.
"IN SOME CASES A CONSULTANT IS PAID FOR HIS SERVICES ON A ’TIME CHARGE’ BASIS, BY WHICH HE IS REIMBURSED AS FIXED HOURLY RATES FOR THE STAFF EMPLOYED ON THE PROJECT.
"ALL FEES ARE SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNED AND THE CONSULTANT, AND APPROVAL BY THE SELECTION BOARD," MR BARNES SAID.
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LEGISLATION AGAINST COMPUTER CRIME BEING PREPARED «***»»»
DRAFT LEGISLATION IS NOW BEING PREPARED TO SPECIFICALLY COVER GRIMES INVOLVING THE USE OF COMPUTERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN, ON CRIMINAL SANCTIONS AGAINST TAMPERING WITH COMPUTER DATA, MR TSAO SAID THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO SPECIFIC LEGISLATION PROVIDING SANCTIONS AGAINST SUCH CONDUCT.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT ANY PERSON COMMITTING SUCH ACTS MIGHT BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER EXISTING CRIMINAL LAW, SUBJECT TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE ACTS WERE COMMITTED.
"FOR EXAMPLE, A CHARGE OF FALSE ACCOUNTING COULD BE LEVELLED AT A DISHONEST PAYROLL CLERK WHO PROGRAMMED HIS FIRM’S COMPUTER TO INCREASE HIS OWN MONTHLY PAY," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID THERE WAS LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT COMPUTER-RELATED CRIME, INCLUDING UNAUTHORISED ALTERATIONS OR ERASURES OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMES OR DATA, POSED A MAJOR PROBLEM IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER. AS THE USE OF COMPUTERS IN BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR BECOMES MORE EXTENSIVE, THERE IS A RISK THAT THEY MAY BE USED FOR DISHONEST PURPOSES," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
20
BOAT PEOPLE SUBJECT TO LAWS OF UK * * * *
DURING THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE’S STAY IN HONG KONG THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF HONG KG-G IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE SECRETARY Ft SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR BARNES SAID THAT THEIR CONDUCT IN THE DETENTION CENTRES WAS ALSO SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS PROVIDED BY THE IMMIGRATION (VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE) (DETENTION CENTRE) RULES 1989 MADE UNDER SECTION 13H OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
"IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR PREVIOUS BACKGROUND, ANY BOAT PEOPLE HELD AT DETENTION CENTRES OR REFUGEES CAMPS WHO ARE SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED AN OFFENCE UNDER HONG KONG LAW WILL BE REFERRED TO THE POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION AND DEALT WITH THROUGH THE DUE PROCESS OF LAW.
"IF CONVICTED AND GIVEN CUSTODIAL SENTENCES, SUCH PERSONS WILL BE SENT TO PRISON," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE WAS NO RELIABLE WAY OF IDENTIFYING BOAT PEOPLE IN DETENTION CENTRES AND REFUGEES CAMPS WHO WERE KNOWN, OR ALLEGED, TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AND WANTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES IN VIETNAM, MR BARNES POINTED OUT.
"CRIMINAL RECORDS FROM VIETNAM ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THERE IS NO MEANS OF VERIFYING THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OR VALIDITY OF ANSWERS GIVEN BY BOAT PEOPLE DURING THEIR SCREENING INTERVIEWS.
"A NUMBER OF OFFENCES, HOWEVER, ARE SOMETIMES ADMITTED AND STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO CHECK ON THE DETAILS AND NATURE OF THESE IN RELATION TO THE CONDUCT OF THOSE CONCERNED IN THE DETENTION CENTRES," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THAT ANY BOAT PEOPLE IN DETENTION CENTRES WHO WERE FOUND TO HAVE INFRINGED THE DETENTION CENTRE RULES WOULD BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THOSE RULES.
"SECTION 37(1) OF THE RULES EMPOWERS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF A CENTRE TO ORDER A DETAINEE WHO COMMITS ANY OFFENCE AGAINST DISCIPLINE TO BE PUNISHED BY SEPARATE CONFINEMENT.
"THE PURPOSE OF SEPARATE CONFINEMENT IS TO DISCIPLINE THE OFFENDER AND TO PREVENT HIM OR HER FROM CONTINUING TO CAUSE TROUBLE OR INTIMIDATING OTHER BOAT PEOPLE AS WELL AS STAFF AT THE CENTRE.
"SEPARATE CONFINEMENT CAN TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE SAME CENTRE IN PURPOSE-BUILT SEGREGATION UNITS OR IN UNITS IN OTHER CENTRES," HE SAID.
TO REINFORCE GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH OFFENDERS THROUGH SEPARATE CONFINEMENT, MR BARNES SAID THAT CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO THE PROVISION OF SEPARATE ACCOMMODATION AND ADDITIONAL SEGREGATION SPACES.
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FINAL PREPARATORY WORK FOR THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
FINAL PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO BE BUILT IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 WILL BE PUT IN HAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE LAND COMMISSION’S CONSENT LAST MONTH THAT ENGINEERING WORK MAY PROCEED, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BOARD SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN TABLING THE CORPORATION’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1988-89.
HE NOTED THAT THE THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE ABOUT 70 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND.
DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FORMATION AND SERVICING OF THE NEW ESTATE HAD BEEN PROCEEDING DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 1989, HE SAID.
’’AGREEMENT IS EXPECTED TO BE REACHED BEFORE LONG AND A PROPOSAL FOR A LOAN FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND WILL BE PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.”
REVIEWING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE CORPORATION OVER THE YEAR, MR CHEONG RECALLED THAT IN 1988 HE REPORTED ON THE RECORD RESULTS OF THE CORPORATION FOR 1987-88 WHEN ALMOST 20 HECTARES OF LAND WERE SOLD.
THE CORPORATION DID NOT EXPECT THOSE EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS TO BE REPEATED AND SO SET ITSELF A SOMEWHAT LOWER TARGET FOR 1988-89. IN THE EVENT 10 HECTARES WERE GRANTED TO 12 APPLICANTS.
"THIS RESULT IS COMPARABLE WITH THE AVERAGE LAND DISPOSAL FIGURE FOR THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS AND REFLECTS CONTINUED SATISFACTORY DEMAND FROM BOTH MULTI-NATIONAL AND HONG KONG COMPANIES.” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OFFER TO GRANT AN ADDITIONAL SITE OF ABOUT TWO HECTARES LATER IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR. THE CORPORATION SHOULD HAVE ADEQUATE LAND AVAILABLE AT TAI PO FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS OVER THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS.
REFERRING TO THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MR CHEONG SAID IT WAS PLEASING TO NOTE THAT THE AVERAGE COMMITTED INVESTMENT PER HECTARE WAS $88 MILLION, WHICH WAS A $20 MILLION INCREASE OVER THE YEAR BEFORE.
'•THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE QUALITY OF THE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT ON THE ESTATE AND CONFIRMS THAT THE CORPORATION IS FULFILLING ITS BRIEF TO ATTRACT NEW CAPITAL-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES TO HONG KONG AND TO BROADEN OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE,” HE SAID.
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MORE FUNDS URGED FOR PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ♦ * * *
THE HON JAMES TIEN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE THE FUNDINGS FOR THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, WHICH WOULD HELP DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY TO DEMONSTRATE CONFIDENCE IN THE INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG.
TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR TIEN SAID THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED FOR THE HKPC TO UPGRADE ITS CAPACITY TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY, IN PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND VALUE ADDED PRODUCTION.
"WHAT INDUSTRY NEEDS IS A STRONGER HUMAN RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY BASE THAT WILL ENABLE HONG KONG TO BUILD A NEW COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE IN TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING," HE SAID.
MR TIEN POINTED OUT THAT THE SO-CALLED NON-1NTERVENTIONISM IN THE ’70S AND ’80S WAS OUTDATED AND THE TENDENCY OF GOVERNMENTS IN THE OTHER "LITTLE DRAGONS" WAS TO GIVE ACTIVE SUPPORT TO THEIR INDUSTRIES.
HE SAID HONG KONG INDUSTRY HAD BEEN THREATENED BY SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES WHICH HAD TRIED TO ATTRACT LOCAL INVESTORS WITH THEIR CHEAP LABOUR COSTS, WHICH WOULD MEAN HIGHER PROFITS.
COUPLED WITH POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY FOLLOWING THE JUNE 4 EVENTS IN CHINA, THESE COUNTRIES HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR FOR. HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AND THE IMPACT OF RELOCATION OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE FELT SHOULD INDUSTRIALISTS CHOOSE TO DIVERSIFY THEIR CAPITALS, HE ADDED.
BUT, FROM THE CURRENT ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES, IT APPEARED THAT THE GOVERNMENT FAILED TO GIVE RECOGNITION TO THE CHALLENGES THAT WERE NOW CONFRONTING HKPC, HE SAID.
MR TIEN NOTED THAT THE TOTAL PROVISION FOR 1989-90 OF $96 MILLION WAS AN INCREASE OF A MERE $5 MILLION FROM PREVIOUS YEAR, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY A "DECREASE" OF $3.5 MILLION IN REAL TERMS.
HE SAID WITH HKPC TAKING ON AN EXPANDED ROLE TO HELP INDUSTRY TO MEET FUTURE CHALLENGE FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, HELP FIGHT POLLUTION AND MAINTAIN ITS EXPERIENCED STAFF FROM BEING ATTRACTED TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS WHICH COULD OFFER BETTER REMUNERATION PACKAGE, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE MORE RESOURCES TO THE COUNCIL.
IN REVIEWING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HKPC IN THE PAST YEAR, MR TIEN SAID IT WAS A YEAR OF CONTINUED PROGRESS WITH SUSTAINED GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR SERVICES.
FEE INCOME DERIVED FROM SERVICES DURING THE YEAR INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT OVER 1987-88. HE NOTED.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
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MENTAL HEALTH REGULATIONS WELCOMED *****
THE CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE MENTAL HEALTH (GUARDIANSHIP) REGULATIONS 1989, THE HON ROSANNA TAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SHE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WELCOMED AND SUPPORTED THE REGULATIONS.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS TAM SAID THE REGULATIONS REPRESENTED THE OUTCOME OF EFFORTS MADE JOINTLY BY THE LEGCO MEMBERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION, AND HELPED TO EXPEDITE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE WHICH HAD BEEN EXTENSIVELY AMENDED IN 1988.
SHE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT HER AD HOC GROUP HAD SOME SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
"FIRST, THE REGULATIONS MAKE NO PROVISION FOR A GUARDIAN'S POWERS AND DUTIES OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY AND FINACNCES OF A PERSON UNDER GUARDIANSHIP WHO IS UNABLE TO MANAGE HIS OWN AFFAIRS," SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT TIME WAS REQUIRED TO SORT OUT THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS INVOLVED IN SUCH A PROVISION, MRS TAM SAID THE AD HOC GROUP HOPED THAT THE SUBJECT WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE SECOND SUGGESTION OF THE AD HOC GROUP STEMMED FROM THE FACT THAT THE REGULATIONS DID NOT PROVIDE FOR THE APPPOINTMENT OF A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER TO ACT AS THE MEDICAL ATTENDANT OF A PERSON UNDER GUARDIANSHIP, AS PROVIDED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
MRS TAM SAID WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION HAD EXPLAINED THAT SUCH A PROVISION WAS NOT PRACTICABLE GIVEN THE EXISTING MANPOWER RESOURCES, THE GROUP NEVERTHELESS HOPED THAT THE SITUATION COULD BE REVIEWED ONCE THE MANPOWER POSITION OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IMPROVED.
LASTLY, MRS TAM SAID THAT THE AD HOC GROUP WELCOMED GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO PROVIDE A GUIDE FOR INTERESTED PARTIES AS REGARDS THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GUARDIAN, BUT WISHED TO REITERATE THAT MAXIMUM PUBLICITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE MAJOR PROVISIONS IN THE AMENDED ORDINANCE AND ITS RULES AND REGULATIONS.
"NOT ONLY SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, BUT ALSO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD UNDERSTAND THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES TO MAKE THE SCHEME WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR LESS FORTUNATE NEIGHBOURS." SHE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
TWO BILLS PASSED * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A PRIVATE BILL, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS INCORPORATION BILL 1989, WAS ALSO PASSED. THIS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE HON EDWARD HO.
FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989, THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1989, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BILL 1989.
DEBATES ON ALL FIVE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
AT THE START OF THE MEETING, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SITTING IN THE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME AS SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, TOOK THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
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GOVERNOR ATMS TO CONVEY CLEAR PICTURE OF HK PEOPLE'S VIEWS ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF HIS VISIT TO PEKING IS TO TRY TO GIVE PEOPLE IN PEKING A VERY CLEAR PICTURE OF THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD ALSO EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE LEADERS THE NEED FOR TAKING ACCOUNT OF THOSE VIEWS IF WE WERE TO HAVE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG AND IF WE WERE TO HAVE A BASIC LAW WHICH COMMANDED CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT TO PEKING, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE SEEING THE PRIME MINISTER, MR LI PENG, AND VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR ZHOU NAN.
THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO MEET WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, MR JI PENGFEI, AND THE TWO DEPUTY DIRECTORS, MR LI HOU AND MR LU PING.
"I WILL BE COVERING ALL THE MATTERS WHICH ARE OF CONCERN BETWEEN OURSELVES AND CHINA AT THE MOMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
"I WILL BE HOPING TO BRING UP TO DATE THE PEOPLE IN PEKING WHO ARE DEALING WITH HONG KONG AFFAIRS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HONG KONG, WHAT OUR OWN PLANS ARE FOR DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE FUTURE, AND WHAT THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE AT THE MOMENT," HE ADDED.
"I HOPE THAT THROUGH THIS VISIT TO PEKING IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO TRY TO RE-ESTABLISH A PRODUCTIVE DIALOUGE WITH THE PEOPLE IN PEKING WHO ARE DEALING WITH HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
"THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR DEALING WITH THE VARIOUS ISSUES WE FACE NOW AND IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
SEEING THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON OFF AT THE AIRPORT WAS THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD.
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NEW WORK SAFETY LAW A MILESTONE *****
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH IS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE WHICH WILL PLACE UPON EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES A SET OF GENERAL DUTIES TO ADOPT SAFE PRACTICE AT WORK AND TO ENSURE SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
OMELCO MEMBER MR CHENG HON-KWAN SAID THIS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT - GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AT WORK" AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
/MR CHENG ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
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MR CHENG NOTED THAT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION HAD BEEN MADE ON THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE TO ENSURE IT WAS GOT RIGHT BECAUSE OF ITS LONG-TERM EFFECT.
"IT IS OUR FIRM BELIEF THAT THE PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL INJURY AND DISEASES SHOULD BE A TRIPARTITE BUSINESS IN THAT THE EMPLOYERS, THE EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO TENDER THEIR FULL AND WILLING CO-OPERATION," HE SAID.
THE SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 580 SUPERVISORS, MANAGERS AS WELL AS SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICERS FROM MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
SPEAKERS AT THE SYMPOSIUM WERE MR J.D.G. HAMMER, FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE, AND MR SUNG WING-KWONG, A SOLICITOR.
MR HAMMER WAS DESCRIBED BY MR CHENG AS "ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE UK’S GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS ON SAFETY AT WORK WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974".
OUTLINING THE PRACTICAL AND FUNDAMENTAL REASONS FOR INTRODUCING GENERAL DUTIES IN THE AMENDING ORDINANCE, MR HAMMER SAID AS ORDINANCES WOULD ALWAYS BECOME OUT OF DATE THERE WAS A SERIOUS GAP IN THE PROTECTION AFFORDED TO WORKERS.
"GENERAL DUTIES THEREFORE PUT INTO PRACTICAL AND LEGAL FORM THE SOCIAL JUDGEMENT THAT THOSE WHO EMPLOY OTHERS AT WORK SHOULD SEE THAT THEY ARE PROTECTED FROM FORESEEABLE HAZARDS TO THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY," MR HAMMER NOTED.
"IT PUTS A COMPREHENSIVE OBLIGATION ON MANAGEMENT TO LOOK AT EVERY ASPECT OF ITS ACTIVITIES FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF HEALTH AND SAFETY," HE ADDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT GENERAL DUTIES WERE SO COMPREHENSIVE THAT THEY EMBRACED ANY OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARD WHICH REQUIRED THE PROPRIETOR TO TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS, WHETHER IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL CONTROLS, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT LAYOUT, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, JOB ROTATION OR WORK BREAKS.
MR HAMMER NOTED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN RELIABLE DATA ON THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT.
HOWEVER, HE IDENTIFIED SOME OF THE FACTORS FROM HIS UK EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING FEWER PROSECUTIONS, LOWER EMPLOYER LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUMS, INCREASED ALERTNESS AT PLANTS WITH HIGH POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND INCREASE ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GOOD QUALITY LABOUR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR HAMMER SAID EMPLOYEES HAD A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN ACHIEVING HEALTH AND SAFETY.
/"THE EMPLOYEE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
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"THE EMPLOYEE IS UNDER A DUTY TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE PROPRIETOR IN ENABLING HIM TO PERFORM HIS OWN DUTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"THIS IS WHERE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RIGHT TO ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, OF SAFETY COMMITTEES THROUGH WHCIH EMPLOYEES CAN MAKE THEIR IDEAS, COMMENTS AND VIEWS KNOWN."
MR HAMMER POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROCESS OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT WAS DIFFICULT IT WAS "IMMENSELY WORTHWHILE".
"WITH THE NECESSARY DETERMINATION ON THE PART OF ALL, THIS NEW ORDINANCE CAN LEAD TO GREATLY IMPROVED STANDARDS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, FEWER ACCIDENTS AND LESS ILL HEALTH AT A COST WHICH IS COMMENSURATE WITH THE RISKS," MR HAMMER SAID.
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HK MANUFACTURERS RFNOWNED FOR FLEXIBILITY » » t * *
HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS ARE RENOWNED FOR THEIR FLEXIBILITY IN ADAPTING TO MARKET CHANGES, WHICH CAN BEST BE REFLECTED BY THEIR EFFORTS IN DIVERSIFYING PRODUCTS AND MARKETS IN THE FACE OF INCREASINGLY INTENSE COMPETITION OVERSEAS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TOYS AND GAMES FAIR 1990 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR CHAN SAID TOYS AND GAMES PRODUCTS WERE A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HONG KONG'S SUCCESS IN DIVERSIFYING ITS MANUFACTURING BASE FROM TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES SUCH AS TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
"THEY NOW ACCOUNT FOR AROUND FIVE PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS," HE SAID.
"AS FAR AS MARKETS ARE CONCERNED, WHILE THE U.S. REMAINS OUR MAJOR MARKET WHICH TAKES UP AROUND 40 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL TOYS AND GAMES EXPORTS, THERE IS QUITE AN EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF MARKET SHARES AMONG OUR OTHER MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, LIKE CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CANADA AND FRANCE," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES IN RECENT YEARS, MANUFACTURING REMAINED ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF HONG KONG'S EXTERNALLY ORIENTED ECONOMY.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS VARIETY OF ATTRACTIVE TOYS AND GAMES WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND DESIGNS AS WELL AS NANI RADIO CONTROLLED PLASTIC TOYS AND ELECTRONIC GAME SETS BEING DISPLAYED IN THE FAIR.
"AU mTS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
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"ALL THIS WILL HELP ESTABLISH THE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE IMAGE OF HONG KONG’S TOYS AND GAMES EXPORTS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS WOULD PERSIST IN MAINTAINING THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE BOTH BY DIVERSIFYING THEIR MARKETS AND UPGRADING PRODUCT QUALITY.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT OUR TOYS AND GAMES INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO COMMAND A SIGNIFICANT SHARE IN HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE," HE SAID.
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GOVT AND PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE
HONG KONG’S US$16 BILLION-PLUS PORT AND AIRPORT EXPANSION IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR THE TERRITORY WHICH RUN WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, SAID ON TUESDAY (U.S. TIME).
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF BUSINESS LEADERS AND ACADEMICS AT THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF SAN DIEGO, MR JOHNSON SAID THAT AS WELL AS SECURING HONG KONG’S ROLE FOR THE FUTURE THIS EXPANSION WAS PROVIDING GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN HONG KONG IN FIELDS RANGING FROM PROJECT MANAGEMENT TO FINANCING AND CONSTRUCTION.
BY MARCH THIS YEAR. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PICK A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS, FROM A SHORTLIST OF EIGHT, TO DRAW UP A MASTER PLAN FOR THE AIRPORT, MR JOHNSON SAID, NOTING THAT FIVE AMERICAN FIRMS WERE AMONG THOSE VYING FOR THE JOB.
"THE PLANS FOR THE PORT ARE JUST AS DRAMATIC.
"THEY HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP ON THE BASIS OF A FIVE-FOLD EXPANSION OF THROUGHPUT BETWEEN NOW AND 2001. BY THEN WE EXPECT THAT THE PORT WILL BE HANDLING 450 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO AND 20 MILLION CONTAINERS EACH YEAR," HE ADDED.
MR JOHNSON TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT THE COST OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECT WOULD BE MET IN PART BY THE GOVERNMENT AND IN PART BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD NOT, HOWEVER, BE THE ONLY MAJOR PROJECT SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION WITHIN THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS UNDERLINING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE.
"OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDE A SECOND ROAD TUNNEL BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THIS IS COSTING US$250 MILLION, WILL OPEN IN THE SUMMER OF 1991 AND IS BEING BUILT AND WILL BE OPERATED BY A PRIVATE SECTOR CONSORTIUM.
/"WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
- 29 -
"WE HAVE JUST LET A FRANCHISE FOR A TERRTTORY-WIDE CABLE TV NETWORK. THIS WILL INVOLVE INVESTMENT OF US$700 MILLION AND IS ALSO BEING UNDERTAKEN BY A PRIVATE CONSORTIUM INCLUDING AN AMERICAN CORPORATION, US WEST, WHO HAVE A 25 PER CENT STAKE.
"THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO FURTHER EXPAND OUR ROAD AND RAIL NETWORKS," HE SAID.
"AND WE SHALL BE SPENDING US$2.5 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS ON ENVIRONMENT RELATED PROJECTS, INCLUDING A HUGE EXPANSION AND UPGRADING OF THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM. AND WE SHALL BE BUILDING 527,000 PUBLIC SECTOR APARTMENTS BETWEEN NOW AND THE YEAR 2001," MR JOHNSON ADDED.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR JOHNSON NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS EMBARKING ON A DRAMATIC EXPANSION OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR.
"WE INTEND THAT IN 1995 THE NUMBER OF FIRST YEAR, FIRST DEGREE PLACES IN BONG KONG UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS SHALL BE 15,000, COMPARED WITH 7,000 IN 1990.
"THE NUMBER OF SUB-DEGREE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PLACES IS BEING SIMILARLY INCREASED.
"WE BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TASKS CONFRONTING US IF HONG KONG IS TO HAVE THE EDUCATED AND SKILLED LABOUR FORCE, IN ALL SECTORS, NEEDED TO ENSURE OUR CONTINUING PROSPERITY IN YEARS TO COME. IT IS TRULY AN INVESTMENT IN OUR LONGER TERM FUTURE," HE SAID.
"THIS I HOPE GIVES SOME IDEA OF THE COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND BY MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENSURING THAT HONG KONG IS PROVIDED WITH THE MEANS TO CONTINUE OPERATING AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE AT AND ABOVE PRESENT LEVELS UNTIL WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY," MR JOHNSON SAID.
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DB TO DISCUSS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ******
THE KWAI TSI NG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE NOISE POLLUTION PROBLEM CAUSED BY LARGE COTTON MILLS AT CASTLE PEAR ROAD AND THAT CAUSED BY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AT CHEUNG ON AND CHEUNG FAT ESTATES ON TSING Yl.
/ALSO, THEY ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
- 30 -
ALSO, THEY WILL MOVE A MOTION REQUESTING THE TRANSPORT BRANCH TO MONITOR THE SERVICES OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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WELFARE PAPER ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
A CONSULTATION PAPER, ENTITLED "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND", WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR MEMBERS’ COMMENTS.
THE PAPER LISTS OUT THE EXISTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND GIVES A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ASKED THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE FORMATION OF A STANDING WORKING GROUP ON THE "FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY", AND WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR $25,000 TO PUBLICISE STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY REPORTS BY THE COMMITTEE’S FOUR WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/31 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
31
CHILD CARE SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON A PILOT SCHEME ON OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO GIVE OPINIONS ON A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON ’’SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND” AND WILL DISCUSS THE CASUALTY AND AMBULANCE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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AIDS EXHIBITION IN TATKOO SHING
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT AIDS WHEN THEY VISIT A AN AIDS EXHIBITION IN TAIKOO SHING WHICH WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 12).
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION, THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON AIDS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, WILL BE HELD ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF CITYPLAZA 1 FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM DAILY.
’THE EXHIBITION AIMS AT INCREASING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AIDS, AND FOSTERING A POSITIVE, SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE IN THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS AND CARRIERS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’THE FOCUS IS ON YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MORE LIKELY THAN OTHERS TO ENGAGE IN RISK BEHAVIOUR, YET ARE OFTEN LESS LIKELY TO BE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF INFECTION WITH AIDS,” HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION, BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, COVERS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIDS.
/APART FROM .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1990
- 32 -
APART FROM SHOWING THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE, IT ALSO ILLUSTRATES HOW AIDS THREATENS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THIS CAN BE COUNTERED.
MEDICAL STAFF WILL BE PRESENT AT THE EXHIBITION TO GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER PUBLIC ENQUIRIES.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON AIDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS WHO WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN HANDSOME PRIZES BY ANSWERING A QUIZ DESIGNED TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON AIDS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL SUNDAY (JANUARY 14), AND WILL MOVE TO SHUN TAK CENTRE, SHEUNG WAN ON FEBRUARY 23 TO 25.
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CANCELLATION OF URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL ♦ * t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 12), THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD WILL BE CANCELLED.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWUN TONG
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 12), THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WANG KEE STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAI LY .
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOREIGN SECRETARY TO ARRIVE ON SATURDAY ............................... 1
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR PRAISES CSD'S WORK ............................. 1
PLANS FOR REDUCING POLLUTANTS IN AIR OUTLINED ......................... 2
CIVIL SERVICE CAREER MORE THAN JUST AN 'IRON RICE BOWL' ............... 4
SIZE OF REGISTERED ELECTORATE REMAINS AT 1.6 M ........................ 4
FIVE SPECIAL STAMP ISSUES IN 1990 ..................................... 5
POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ON HOME CLEANLINESS ......................... 6
CONNAUGHT ROAD UPGRADING ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ....................... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE PAPER .......................... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS .............................. 8
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ............................ 8
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ........................................ 9
HEALTH DAY FOR ELDERLY IN EASTERN ..................................... 9
SPECIAL OFFER DAY FOR THE ELDERLY .............................. 10
SEMINAR ON HOUSEHOLD FIRE PREVENTION .................................. 11
FOUR CSD TEAMS JOIN COMMUNITY CHEST WALK .............................. 11
CFPA APPROVES GRANTS TO GROUPS, INDIVIDUALS ........................... 12
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED ............................................. 13
MARICULTURISTS FINED FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY LICENCE NUMBERS ........... 14
SHARP CONTRAST IN DECEMBER WEATHER .................................... 15
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES DEMOLISHED IN KWUN TONG ............................ 17
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SAI YING PUN ................................... 17
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ........................ 17
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN TO KWA WAN . . ................... 19
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN YUEN LONG ....................... 19
WATER CUI IN HO MAN TIN AND KING'S PARK ............... 19
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 1 -
FOREIGN SECRETARY TO ARRIVE ON SATURDAY
* * * * *
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 13) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT.
THIS WILL BE MR HURD'S FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG SINCE HE TOOK OVER AS FOREIGN SECRETARY IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
THE PROGRAMME OF HIS VISIT WILL INCLUDE MEETINGS WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OMELCO MEMBERS AND A CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE WILL ATTEND AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING AND SIT IN ON A DISTRICT BOARD MEETING IN ADDITION TO HAVING LUNCH WITH MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG AND BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE WHERE HE WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE SPEECH.
MR HURD WILL TAKE AN EXTENSIVE HELICOPTER TOUR TO SEE HONG KONG’S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND VISIT SHA TIN AND A FACTORY IN THE TAIPO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
THE PROGRAMME WILL ALSO INCLUDE VISITS TO A VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMP AND A VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRE.
MR HURD WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 16) AFTERNOON BEFORE RETURNING TO THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE EVENING.
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DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR PRAISES CSD’S WORK * * t ♦
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO THE STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR WORK IN LOOKING AFTER INMATES AND VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHEN HE VISITED FOUR INSTITUTIONS ON HEI LING CHAU THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
SIR DAVID SAID, "THE REHABILITATION OF INMATES AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THOUSANDS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN VARIOUS DETENTION CENTRES ARE ARDUOUS AND DIFFICULT TASKS.
“THE STAFF ARE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB DESPITE CONSTRAINTS AND DIFFICULTIES, AND I AM SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO RELY ON THEIR DEVOTION TO SERVICE.”
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SIR DAVID FIRST TOURED THE HEI LING CHAU DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE WHICH WAS OPENED IN 1975.
/MR CHAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 2 -
MR CHAN EXPLAINED TO SIR DAVID THAT THE TREATMENT CENTRE IS OPERATED UNDER THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE ORDINANCE AND PERSONS SENTENCED UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE DETAINED IN THE CENTRE FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO MONTHS TO A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS, DEPENDING ON THEIR HEALTH, PROGRESS AND LIKELIHOOD OF THEIR REMAINING FREE FROM DRUG ABUSE FOLLOWING RELEASE.
THEY ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ONE YEAR OF AFTERCARE SUPERVISION UPON RELEASE.
AT THE LAI SUN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE COMPREHENSIVE CORRECTIVE PROGRAMME SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS AND SHOWN THE VARIOUS FACILITIES AVAILABLE THERE, INCLUDING TRAINING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSROOMS.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS PROVIDED AT THIS INSTITUTION FOR ALL YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED PRIMARY EDUCATION ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND HALF-DAY SCHOOLING.
EVENING REMEDIAL EDUCATION CLASSES ARE ALSO ORGANISED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED PRIMARY SIX EDUCATION, BUT PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY.
SIR DAVID ALSO VISITED THE HEI LING CHAU DETENTION CENTRE AND THE NE1 KWU DETENTION CENTRE AND TOURED THE FACILITIES AND DORMITORIES FOR THE 4,500 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN THE CENTRES.
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PLANS FOR REDUCING POLLUTANTS IN AIR OUTLINED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE MORE EFFECTIVE AND QUICKER SOLUTION TO REDUCING SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN AIR IS TO REDUCE SULPHUR CONTENT IN INDUSTRIAL FUEL OIL.
SPEAKING AT A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON, MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT UNLEADED PETROL WOULD BE INTRODUCED A YEAR FROM NOW.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD THEN INTRODUCE STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS FOR NEW VEHICLES.
MR BARNES SAID IN ORDER TO BRING THE SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN THE AIR DOWN TO A SAFE LEVEL, IT WAS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE A 75 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE GAS FROM MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
HE SAID AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO DEAL WITH IT WAS TO REQUIRE FACTORIES TO USE INDUSTRIAL DIESEL OIL WHICH CONTAINED LESS SULPHUR.
/"REDUCING THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 3 -
"REDUCING THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF FUEL OIL FROM 2.5 PER CENT TO 0.5 PER CENT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WILL ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULT," HE SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE COST OF USING LOW SULPHUR INDUSTRIAL DIESEL WOULD BE SOME 40 PER CENT HIGHER THAN HIGH SULPHUR HEAVY FUEL OIL WHICH WOULD MEAN INCREASING OPERATING COSTS OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, MR BARNES STRESSED THAT WE MUST BE SURE THAT THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT SUFFER.
THE SECRETARY SAID THAT INDUSTRY’S COUNTER PROPOSAL OF A PHASED REDUCTION IN USE OF HIGH SULPHUR HEAVY FUEL OIL WAS UNACCEPTABLE.
"PHASING THE REDUCTION OF SULPHUR CONTENT WOULD MEAN A DELAY IN REDUCING THE EXPOSURE OF PEOPLE TO POLLUTION, WITH NO SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE PRESENT SITUATION DURING THE EARLY PHASES," HE SAID.
ON METHODS TO REDUCE OXIDES OF' NITROGEN AND PARTICULATES EMITTED BY MOTOR VEHICLES, MR BARNES SAID IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROGRAMME OF CONTROLLING SMOKY VEHICLES HAD ALREADY BEGUN.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INCREASED THE NUMBER OF SMOKE SPOTTERS FROM 150 TO 230.
FURTHER DETERRENT MIGHT BE NEEDED IN THE FORM OF AN AUTOMATIC FINE APPLIED TO THE OFFENCE OF USING A SMOKY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD, HE ADDED.
"ALSO, A MORE SUBSTANTIAL FINE, WHEN COMBINED WITH A STRICT TEST, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF LICENCE CANCELLATION FOR NON-COMPLIANCE, SHOULD SEE A DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN THE EMISSION PERFORMANCE OF IN-USE VEHICLES.
"ALL THESE POSSIBILITIES ARE BEING EXAMINED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO REDUCE THE RELIANCE ON DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES BECAUSE THEY EMITTED MUCH MORE NITROGEN OXIDES AND RESPIRABLE PARTICLES.
"THIS IS, HOWEVER, A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND WE ARE STILL EXAMINING VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES, INCLUDING FISCAL AND REGULATORY MEASURES," HE SAID.
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/4 .........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
CIVIL SERVICE CAREER MORE THAN JUST AN ’IRON RICE BOWL’
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT OFFERS MORE THAN JUST AN "IRON RICE BOWL" TO LOCAL TALENTS WHO WANT TO JOIN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY),
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A CIVIL SERVICE CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR LEI SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE OFFERED NO FANTASTIC FINANCIAL INDUCEMENT OR OFFER THAT COULD NOT BE REFUSED.
"NEITHER DOES IT PROMISE PASSPORTS NOR RIGHTS OF ABODE," HE SAID.
"WHAT WE DO OFFER IS AN IDEA. THE IDEA THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ULTIMATELY FOR THE PEOPLE; AND TO BE PART OF THAT GOVERNMENT IS TO BE OF THE PEOPLE," MR LEI SAID.
REVIEWING HIS 35-YEAR EXPERIENCE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE DIRECTOR SAID THE JOB HAD BEEN A TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE.
"MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, I HAVE HAD A HAPPY CAREER AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT TWO POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT A CIVIL SERVICE CAREER -- THAT CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY HAVE TO OR UNTIL THEY ARE FORCED INTO IT AND THAT PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH THEIR HANDS WOULD NEVER GET TO THE TOP OF THE PILE.
DISAGREEING WITH THESE, MR LEI SAID: "WE DO OFFER A CHALLENGING CAREER AND PARTICIPATION IN AN EVER-VIBRANT WORKING ATMOSPHERE WHERE YOUR TALENTS CAN DEVELOP AND PROSPER, YOUR IDEAS TRANSLETAD INTO REALITIES AND YOUR TRAINING GIVEN EVERY CHANCE TO BE EXERCISED AMONG COLLEAGUES WITH THE SAME ASPIRATION," HE SAID.
HE LIKENED A CIVIL SERVICE CAREER TO A LARGE AND HEAVY BOWL THAT A PERSON WOULD NEED SKILLED HANDS AND A FIRM GRIP TO HOLD IT.
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SIZE OF REGISTERED ELECTORATE REMAINS AT 1.6 M
*****
THE 1989 FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS WILL BE PUBLISHED (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION.
TOMORROW DISTRICT
THERE IS LITTLE CHANGE IN THE SIZE OF ELECTORATE. THE REGISTER CONTAINS 1,597,567 ENTRIES 1,604,048 IN THE 1988 ISSUE.
THE REGISTERED
AS COMPARED TO
/THERE WERE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 5 -
THERE WERE 25,582 ADDITIONS, OFFSET BY A DELETION OF 32,063 ENTRIES DUE TO DEATH AND LOSS OF CONTACT, RESULTING IN A MINOR NET REDUCTION OF 6,481 ELECTORS.
THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF POPULATION FROM THE URBAN AREAS IS EVIDENT. OVER THE YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN A LOSS OF 21,616 ELECTORS FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
"ELIGIBLE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO GET ENROLLED MAY SEND IN THEIR APPLICATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION EXPLAINED.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES AND HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATE OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO APPEALED TO REGISTERED ELECTORS TO REPORT ANY CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BY LETTER OR BY USING THE SAME REGISTRATION FORM.
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FIVE SPECIAL STAMP ISSUES IN 1990 *****
THERE WILL BE FIVE SPECIAL STAMP ISSUES THIS YEAR, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY ARE:
* YEAR OF THE HORSE (JANUARY 23)
THIS SET OF STAMPS WILL COMPRISE FOUR DENOMINATIONS OF 6.0 CENT, $1.40, $1.80 AND $5.
THERE WILL BE A RELATED PRODUCT, YEAR OF THE HORSE ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABELS, WHICH WILL BE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 21.
THE LABEL PAPER BEARS THE DESIGN OF A MOUNTAIN PATTERN IN THE BACKGROUND, AND THE LABELS WILL COMPRISE DENOMINATIONS OF 10 CENT, 60 CENT, $1.40 AND $1.80.
* HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CUISINE (APRIL 26)
THIS SET OF STAMPS WILL DEPICT SOME OF THE POPULAR CUISINES IN HONG KONG, NAMELY CHINESE, INDIAN, THAI, JAPANESE AND FRENCH.
IT WILL COMPRISE SIX DENOMINATIONS OF 60 CENT,
70 CENT, $1.30, $1.40, $1.80 AND $5.
/* UNITED NATIONS ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
6
* UNITED NATIONS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (JUNE 5)
THIS SET OF STAMPS WILL HIGHLIGHT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION EFFORTS AND ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG, AND WILL COMPRISE FOUR DENOMINATIONS OF 60 CENT, $1.40, $1.80 AND $5.
* ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONG (SEPTEMBER)
THIS SET OF STAMPS WILL DEPICT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONG AND WILL COMPRISE FOUR DENOMINATIONS. A PRESTIGE STAMP BOOKLET AND SOUVENIR SHEET WILL ALSO BE ISSUED.
* CHRISTMAS (NOVEMBER)
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST SET OF CHRISTMAS GREETING STAMPS TO BE ISSUED IN HONG KONG.
MR WONG ADDED THAT FURTHER DETAILS OF EACH STAMP ISSUE WOULD BE ANNOUNCED CLOSER TO THE DATE OF ISSUE.
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POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ON HOME CLEANLINESS
******
TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AT HOME, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST WILL HOLD A POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
THE COMPETITION IS ALSO INTENDED TO FOSTER POSITIVE EFFORTS IN THE MAINTENANCE OF CLEANLINESS AT HOME AND TO ENCOURAGE THE RAISING OF STANDARDS IN HOME CLEANLINESS.
IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS - PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTION FOR PRIMARY 5 AND 6 STUDENTS, AND SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION FOR SECONDARY 1 TO 5 PUPILS.
ENTRIES IN THE FORM OF PAINTING, PRINT COLLEGE OR ANY OTHER TWO-DIMENSIONAL UNMOUNTED WORK IN THE SIZE OF A3 (297 MM X 420 MM) WILL BE ACCEPTED. THE THEME FOR THE WORK IS HOME CLEANLINESS.
THERE WILL BE THREE TOP PRIZES AND 10 MERIT PRIZES IN EACH GROUP.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AT LEE GARDENS, FOURTH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE FEBRUARY 28.
- - 0---------
/7........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
7 -
CONNAUGHT ROAD UPGRADING ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *****
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE FINAL STAGES OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONNAUGHT ROAD UPGRADING AND DUALLING PROJECT AT A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
SOME MEMBERS WILL ASK WHEN THE REMAINING LANES OF THE PEDDER STREET UNDERPASS WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
THE SEQUENCE OF REINSTATEMENT OF THE ROAD SURFACE AT CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL ALSO BE EXAMINED, AND ENGINEERS FROM THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUERIES ON THE PROJECT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE PAPER
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL
INFORMATION COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AN "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990*8 AND BEYOND (FRIDAY).
SERVICES
INFORMATION " AT ITS I
AND PAPER
MEETING
COMMUNITY ENTITLED TOMORROW
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER INVITING SPONSORSHIP PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY.
FOR THE
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE COMMITTEE’S WORK I NG GROUPS AND FUND ORGANISATIONS.
PROGRESS REPORTS FROM THE APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOI'I AL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATI ON MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/8 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL STUDY A SURVEY ON MUNICIPAL SERVICES PROBLEMS AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
PREPARED BY NINE REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT IN SIX NEW TOWNS INCLUDING TUEN MUN LAST AUGUST.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE EFFECTS OF CONTAINER DEPOTS ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE CONTROL ON UNNECESSARY NOISE PRODUCED BY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
_ _ 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE COMMITTEE’S FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND A REPORT FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE USAGE PATTERN OF MAJOR RECREATIONAL VENUES IN THE DISTRICT, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, AND THE ATTENDANCE RATE AT CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 9 -
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET *****
THE CULTURE COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIFTH MEETING FOR 1989-90 TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE ON THE WORK OF THE OFFICE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR HOLDING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, PROGRESS REPORTS ON DB-SPONSORED CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURAL COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
---------0-----------
HEALTH DAY FOR ELDERLY IN EASTERN ******
A HEALTH DAY FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE HELD IN EASTERN DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) TO ENHANCE SENIOR CITIZENS’ KNOWLEDGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND HOME SAFETY.
IN ADDITION TO TALKS AND AN EXHIBITION, FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS WILL BE GIVEN.
THE EVENT HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED EASTERN DISTRICT MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE MADAM CHAN WAI-CHOW MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NORTH POINT, FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM.
COUPONS FOR THE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VENUE, STARTING AT 1.45 PM.
AN ENVIRONMENTALIST, DR CHOW SHIU-CHEONG, AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED WILL GIVE TALKS ON THE EFFECT OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON HEALTH AND HOME SAFETY RESPECTIVELY.
/OTHER ACTIVITIES .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A TAICHI DEMONSTRATION, A MAGIC SHOW AND PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN SINGERS.
OFFICIATING AT AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS LINDA SO; EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED, MR TSANG KAM-YAN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD'S COMMUNITY SERVICES WORKING GROUP, MR SHUM CHI-KIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT ELDERLY HEALTH DAY ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE MADAM CHAN WAI-CHOW MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, 82 MARBLE ROAD, NORTH POINT. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL OFFER DAY FOR THE ELDERLY *****
ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE OFFERED DISCOUNTS ON THEIR PURCHASES AT SHOPS IN FOUR SHOPPING CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE "SPECIAL OFFER DAY" WILL BE HELD AT THE SHOPPING CENTRES IN CHOI WAN, CHUK YUEN, LOK FU AND WONG TAI SIN ESTATES BETWEEN 9 AM AND 9 PM FOR RESIDENTS OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SERVING OLD PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
"IT AIMS TO PROMOTE THE COMMITTEE'S FEE REDUCTION SCHEME AS WELL AS LOVE AND CONCERN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"RED PACKETS AND LEAFLETS WITH INFORMATION ON THE VARIOUS SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SHOPPING CENTRES," HE ADDED.
FREE ENTERTAINMENT AND EXHIBITIONS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS AT THE SHOPPING CENTRES.
THERE WILL BE SINGING, LION DANCE AND A MAGIC SHOW AT THE CHUK YUEN SHOPPING CENTRE BETWEEN 1 PM AND 3 PM.
/IN ADDITION
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
IN ADDITION TO AN EXHIBITION ON ELDERLY SERVICES, A FUN FAIR AND FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE CHOI WAN SHOPPING CENTRE BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4 PM.
A HEALTH EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5.30 PM. ANOTHER EXHIBITION FEATURING USEFUL APPLIANCES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE HELD AT THE WONG TAI SIN SHOPPING CENTRE BETWEEN 10.30 AM AND 6.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
SEMINAR ON HOUSEHOLD FIRE PREVENTION *****
RESIDENTS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON HOUSEHOLD SAFETY AND FIRE PREVENTION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY)EVENING.
IT IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE TIN PING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE IN TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI FROM 8.30 PM TO 10 PM. A SLIDE SHOW ON FIRE PREVENTIVE MEASURES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON FIRE PREVENTION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FROM 8.30 PM TO 10 PM AT THE TIN PING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE IN TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI.
- - 0 - -
FOUR CSD TEAMS JOIN COMMUNITY CHEST WALK
*****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) HAS FORMED FOUR TEAMS TO TALK PART IN THE HONG KONG WALK, ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST, ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE TEAMS WILL REPRESENT THE SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS AND THE OFFICERS’ CLUB OF THE CSD, SCOUT MEMBERS OF THE TRAINING CENTRES, AND INMATES AND STAFF OF THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE ON HEI LING CHAU .
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALWAYS GIVEN GREAT SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST AND OTHER CHARITY ACTIVITIES.
/"A SPECIAL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 12 -
”A SPECIAL ’WALK FOR MILLIONS’ WAS HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT AT TAI LAM IN 1988 AND RAISED $450,000 FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST, A CSD S SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE TEAMS FROM THE SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS AND THE OFFICERS’ CLUB TAKING PART IN THE WALK INCLUDE SENIOR OFFICERS AND STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO ARRANGED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOR SCOUT MEMBERS OF THE TRAINING CENTRES TO TAKE PART IN THE WALK AS PART OF THE PROGRAMME TO ENHANCE THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SOCIAL AWARENESS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE INMATES AND STAFF OF THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE WILL WALK UNDER THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) BANNER, TOGETHER WITH MEMBERS OF THE ACAN YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP.
------0--------
CFPA APPROVES GRANTS TO GROUPS, INDIVIDUALS » * t * *
OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) HAS APPROVED 19 PROJECT GRANTS, TOTALLING NEARLY $0.67 MILLION, TO 14 PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS.
THEY ARE THE HONG KONG ORATORIO SOCIETY, THE HONG KONG COMPOSERS’ GUILD AND MR KUNG CHl-SHING IN THE MUSIC FIELD; AND THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, THE MANY-LEVELS IN PERFORMANCE AND MR DANNY SO KAI-LEUNG IN THE DANCE FIELD.
IN THE DRAMA FIELD, GRANTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE CHING YING DRAMA SOCIETY, THE ANONYMITY DRAMATIC CLUB, THE PERFORMERS, THE BESTREBEN DRAMA SOCIETY, THE NOVICE, THE HONG KONG CANTONESE MUSIC RESEARCH CENTRE, THE CARLSBERG WANCHAI THEATRE AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.
APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT GRANTS CAN BE MADE ANY TIME IN THE YEAR. THEY SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE PLANNED PERFORMANCES DATES TO ALLOW TIME FOR ASSESSMENT BY THE COUNCIL’S COMMITTEES.
THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION MUST BE AN APPROVED CHARITABLE INSTITUTION OR A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT-MAKING BODY.
THE NEXT ROUND OF MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL’S COMMITTEES IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH. THOSE WISHING TO HAVE THEIR APPLICATION ASSESSED SHOULD SUBMIT THEM NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 23.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COUNCIL'S SECRETARIAT ON THE 25TH FLOOR, SHUI ON CENTRE, 6-8 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 8660649.
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/13 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
13 EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED * * t t *
THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS AGAINST EMPLOYERS LAST YEAR FOR FAILING TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPENSATING THEIR EMPLOYEES IN CASE OF WORK ACCIDENTS.
ACCORDING TO LABOUR DEPARTMENT STATISTICS, 251 SUCH CASES WERE HEARD IN COURT LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 140 IN 1988.
TOTAL FINES IMPOSED ALSO INCREASED FROM $189,650 TO $324,300.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, ALL EMPLOYERS WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR INJURY OR DEATH AT WORK.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WILL OBTAIN COMPENSATION TO WHICH HE IS ENTITLED UNDER THE LAW," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"EMPLOYERS MUST BEAR THE FULL COST OF THE POLICIES AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEDUCT IT FROM THE EARNINGS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES," HE ADDED.
EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO DISPLAY AT A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN THE WORKPLACE A NOTICE SHOWING THE PARTICULARS OF THE INSURANCE POLICIES AND TO PRODUCE THE POLICIES FOR INSPECTION BY LABOUR INSPECTORS.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT AN EMPLOYER OF A FACTORY AND ANOTHER OF A BAKERY WERE EACH FINED $3,500 RECENTLY BY A FANLING MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO INSURE THEIR EMPLOYEES.
"ANY EMPLOYER WHO CONTRAVENES THE PROVISION IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS," HE SAID.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION MAY BE MADE TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 8524030.
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/14 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 14 -
MARICULTURISTS FINED FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY LICENCE NUMBERS
»*»»»»
SIX MARICULTURISTS WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $1,400 BY THE SAN PO KONG AND SHA TIN MAGISTRACIES TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY THEIR FISH FARM LICENCE NUMBERS CONSPICUOUSLY ON THEIR FISH RAFTS.
THE MARICULTURISTS, OPERATING IN YIM TIN TSAI, TIU CHAM WAN AND TAI TAU CHAU, WERE PROSECUTED UNDER REGULATION 7A OF THE MARINE FISH CULTURE REGULATIONS.
AN AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR 37 MARICULTURISTS WERE PROSECUTED FOR THE OFFENCE AND WERE FINED FROM $100 TO $500 EACH.
"THE REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY THE FISH FARM LICENCE IS TO FACILITATE EASY IDENTIFICATION OF THE LICENSEES OF THE FISH RAFTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. ANYONE FOUND BREACHING THE REGULATION IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $500," HE SAID.
"REHULAR PATROLS OF THE FISH CULTURE ZONES ARE UNDERTAKEN BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING AND REGULATORY SECTION.
"OPERATORS NOT COMPLYING WITH PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE ARE WARNED AND THOSE WHO FAIL TO HEED THE WARNINGS ARE PROSECUTED AND FINED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED OPERATORS THAT UNDER SECTIONS 6 AND 7 OF THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE, ALL FISH CULTURE OPERATIONS MUST BE PRACTISED UNDER LICENCE WITHIN DESIGNATED FISH CULTURE ZONES.
"THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR PRACTISING WITHOUT A LICENCE AND OPERATING OUTSIDE DESIGNATED CULTURE ZONES ARE $20,000 PLUS ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT AND $5,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT RESPECTIVELY," HE SAID.
IN 1989, 54 OPERATORS WERE BROUGHT TO COURT FOR BREACHING SECTIONS 6 AND 7 OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS, AND IN DOING SO, IT WOULD ALSO BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.
CURRENTLY 28 FISH CULTURE ZONES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED IN HONG KONG AND 1,780 LICENCES HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO MARICULTURISTS.
0
/15........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11,
1990
- 15 -
SHARP CONTRAST IN DECEMBER WEATHER * t ♦ ♦ *
THERE WAS A SHARP CONTRAST BETWEEN THE WEATHER IN THE FIRST PART OF DECEMBER AND THAT IN THE LATTER PART OF THE MONTH. THE FIRST PART WAS CHARACTERISED BY CLEAR SKY AND BRILLIANT SUNSHINE WHILE THE LATTER PART WAS CLOUDY AND RAINY, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) IN ITS MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT.
TWO MAJOR RAIN EPISODES OCCURRED DURING THE PERIODS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR. TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO 40.2 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS 59 PER CENT ABOVE THE AVERAGE FOR DECEMBER.
THE ANNUAL TOTAL WAS 1,944.6 MILLIMETRES, REPRESENTING 87 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 2,224.7 MILLIMETRES.
FOR THE FIRST 17 DAYS OF THE MONTH, SOUTHERN CHINA WAS DOMINATED BY DRY CONTINENTAL AIR. NIGHT-TIME CONDITIONS WERE GENERALLY COOL BUT DAY-TIME WEATHER WAS MILD WITH LONG HOURS OF SUNSHINE.
THE WINTER MONSOON WAS RELATIVELY MILD DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER. TEMPERATURES CLIMBED STEADILY DURING THE PERIOD AND THE MAXIMUM OF 23.3 DEGREES CELSIUS RECORDED ON DECEMBER 7 WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH. UNDER A VERY STABLE ATMOSPHERE, HAZE OCCURRED AT TIMES DURING THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 5 TO 9 AND FROM DECEMBER 14 TO 16.
FRESH EASTERLY WINDS SET IN EARLY ON DECEMBER 17, AND THE WEATHER TOOK A NOTICEABLE TURN FOR THE WORSE THE NEXT DAY. FROM DECEMBER 18 ONWARDS, AN EXTENSIVE AREA OF CLOUD AND RAIN AFFECTED SOUTHERN CHINA.
LOCALLY, SOME LIGHT RAIN OCCURRED IN THE NIGHT HOURS OF DECEMBER 18 AND 19.
THERE WERE PERIODS OF SUNSHINE ON DECEMBER 21 AFTER A FEW TRACES OF RAINFALL IN THE MORNING.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ACTIVE UPPER AIR DISTURBANCES, RAIN FREQUENTLY DEVELOPED AND MOVED IN FROM THE WEST. RAIN BECAME HEAVIER AND MORE PERSISTENT IN THE EVENING OF DECEMBER 22.
THE RAIN EASED OFF AFTER THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 25, BUT THE WEATHER REMAINED RATHER COOL. SINCE THE START OF THE RAIN EPISODE, TWO MOVEMENTS OF COOL AIR ARRIVED FROM THE NORTH ON DECEMBER 23 AND 26
THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 13.1 DEGREES RECORDED IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 24 AND AGAIN ON DECEMBER 27 WAS THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH.
/IT WAS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 16 -
IT WAS A MUCH BRIGHTER DAY ON DECEMBER 28 BUT CLOUDY WEATHER RETURNED THE NEXT DAY FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF A WEAK COLD FRONT. LIGHT RAIN OCCURRED IN THE TWO MORNINGS THAT FOLLOWED AND HEAVIER RAIN SET IN DURING THE EVENING ON DECEMBER 30. RAINY AND COOL WEATHER THEN PERSISTED TILL THE END OF THE MONTH.
DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON DECEMBER 1-4 AND 5. THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR DECEMBER 6-9, 10 AND 14-17.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON DECEMBER 00.00 AM 10 DECEMBER 10 9 AM
WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON DECEMBER 11 AM 18 DECEMBER 19 9 AM
WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON DECEMBER 10.40 PM 19 DECEMBER 20 7 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 164.1 HOURS » 15.2 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 9.69 MJ/ SQUARE METRE » 2.54 MJ/SQUARE METRE BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 40.2 MM 14.9 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 45 PER CENT 7 PER CENT LESS THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 74 PER CENT 5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 19.9 DEGREES CELSIUS 0.9 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 17.8 DEGREES CELSIUS 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 15.8 DEGREES CELSIUS > 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 12.8 DEGREES CELSIUS > 1.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 69.0 MM » 47.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
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/17........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 17 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES DEMOLISHED IN KWUN TONG
******
SIX ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG WERE DEMOLISHED IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
THE STRUCTURES, LOCATED AT THE REAR LANE OF KA LOK STREET, WERE USED FOR STORAGE PURPOSES. NO ONE WAS AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE.
THE CLEARANCE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME INITIATED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
IT WAS JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
-----0------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT TN SAI YING PUN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 13), THE EXISTING BAN ON LEFT-TURNING FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES FROM EASTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST INTO CENTRE STREET IN SAI YING PUN WILL BE LIFTED.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON EASTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST HEADING FOR WESTERN STREET AND POK FU LAM ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN LEFT INTO CENTRE STREET AND THEN VIA WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO JOIN WESTERN STREET.
-----------------------0-------- TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN WONG TAI SIN TO FACILITATE URGENT ROAD REPAIR WORKS. THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ABOUT A WEEK.
A SECTION OF WONG TAI SIN ROAD BETWEEN SHATIN PASS ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO WONG TAI SIN UPPER ESTATE HAS BEEN CLOSED.
VEHICLES ON SHATIN PASS ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR WONG TAI SIN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHATIN PASS ROAD, NGA CHUK STREET AND WONG TAI SIN ROAD.
/VEHICLES ON .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 18 -
VEHICLES ON MA CHAI HANG ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR SHATIN PASS ROAD OR FUNG TAK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MA CHAI HANG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND, SLIP ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD; FUNG TAK ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.
VEHICLES ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR SHATIN PASS ROAD OR FUNG TAK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.
KMB BUSES ON ROUTE 211 ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO TSUI CHUK GARDEN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHATIN PASS ROAD, NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD INSTEAD OF SHATIN PASS ROAD AND WONG TAI SIN ROAD.
MINIBUSES ON GMB ROUTE 38M (NORMAL SERVICE) ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO WONG TAI SIN MTR STATION WILL BE DIVERTED VIA NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD, MA CHAI HANG ROAD, FLYOVER, FUNG MO STREET, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD AND CHING TAK STREET INSTEAD OF NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD, SHATIN PASS ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, SLIP ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING TAK STREET.
MINIBUSES ON GMB ROUTE 38M (SHORT-WORKING SERVICE) ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO WONG TAI SIN MTR STATION (SHATIN PASS ROAD) WILL BE DIVERTED VIA NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD WESTBOUND, MA CHAI HANG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD INSTEAD OF NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD EASTBOUND, SHATIN PASS ROAD, MING FUNG STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET AND FUNG TAK ROAD.
ON THEIR WAY TO CHUK YUEN (NORTH) ESTATE, MINIBUSES ON THIS SERVICE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHATIN PASS ROAD, NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD, MA CHAI HANG ROAD, CHUK YUEN ROAD EASTBOUND AND WING CHUK STREET INSTEAD OF SHATIN PASS ROAD, WONG TAI SIN ROAD, NGA CHUK STREET, CHUK YUEN ROAD WESTBOUND AND WING CHUK STREET.
MINIBUSES ON GMB ROUTE 52 ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO SAN PO KONG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MA CHAI HANG ROAD, FLYOVER, FUNG MEI STREET, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, SHATIN PASS ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD INSTEAD OF MA CHAI HANG ROAD, WONG TAI SIN ROAD, SHATIN PASS ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0----------
/19 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1990
- 19 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN TO KWA WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 13), THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TO KWA WAN ROAD BETWEEN KWE1 CHOW STREET AND SAN MA TAU STREET, EFFECTIVE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CONVERTED TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY, FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS.
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
---------0------------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN YUEN LONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 13), THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN) TO CHIU’S VILLA IN YUEN LONG WILL BE DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE FOR VEHICLES EXCEEDING SIX METRES IN LENGTH.
ALL VEHICLES WITH A LENGTH EXCEEDING SIX METRES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE ZONE, 24 HOURS DAILY.
--------0
WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK
******
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 1 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 13) TO 6 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 15) TO FACILITATE THE REPLACEMENT OF WATER PIPES.
THE AREA AFFECTED INCLUDES KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, OI MAN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VALLEY ROAD ESTATE.
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TALKS IN PEKING ARE WORKMANLIKE AND DOWN TO EARTH: GOVERNOR ........... 1
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED ....................... 3
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS, PURCHASES .............................................................. 10
LAND OFFICE FIGURES FOR 1989 RELEASED ............;.................... 13
REGIONAL COUNCIL BY-ELECTION NOMINATIONS INVITED ...................... 15
FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES FORMED TO EXAMINE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ......... 16
GOVT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER .......................................... 17
TRADITIONAL VILLAGE DINNER TO END SHA TIN FESTIVAL .................... 18
Carnival to close family life education campaign ...................... 19
VARIED PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL .......................... 20
CARNIVAL TO SPREAD ANTI-TRIAD MESSAGE TO ISLANDERS .................... 21
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR WAN CHAI RESIDENTS .................... 21
DISTRICT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN CLOSES ON SUNDAY .................... 22
GARMENT MANUFACTURER FINED FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS ................ 23
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN TYPHOON SHELTERS .......................... 24
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON 1ST QUARTER PAYMENT ...................... 25
ACAF MEMBERS VISIT CHEUNG PO, TAI LUNG FARM ........................... 26
CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE VISITS SWD .................................. 27
ACAN DISTRIBUTES SILVER JUBILEE POSTCARDS ............................. 27
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMMUNITY CHEST WALK ......................... 28
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI .................................... 30
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON CITY ................................... 31
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHAI WAN ...................................... 31
BAN ZONE AT BUS TERMINUS IN EASTERN DISTRICT........................... 32
FERRY SERVICE FROM LEI YUE MUN TO SAM KA TSUEN ........................ 32
FRIDAY. JANUARY 12, 1990
TALKS IN PEKING ARE WORKMANLIKE AND DOWN TO EARTH: GOVERNOR »***♦»
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING DESCRIBED THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE TALKS HE HAD IN PEKING WITH CHINESE LEADERS AS WORKMANLIKE AND DOWN TO EARTH.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT AFTER HIS THREE-DAY VISIT TO PEKING. SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH SIDES TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS AND THEIR CONCERNS CLEARLY AND IN A SENSIBLE WAY..
"WE COVERED A RANGE OF ISSUES AFFECTING HONG KONG AND HONG KONG-CHINA RELATIONS," HE SAID.
"AMONGST THOSE WERE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS HERE,. ECONOMIC. RELATIONS WITH CHINA, INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, BY THAT I MEAN THE BIG PLANS WE’VE GOT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AIRPORT AND THE PORT," HE ADDED.
"WE TALKED ABOUT THE BASIC LAW AND WE TALKED ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, AND THAT GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ACROSS THE VIEWS AND THE CONCERNS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ON ALL THOSE ISSUES." SIR DAVID SAID.
"I CAN’T SAY THAT WE HAVE SOLVED ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT FACE US, BUT IT HAS BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO RE-ESTABLISH A SENSIBLE DIALOUGE WITH PEOPLE IN PEKING WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
"AND THAT, I THINK, HAS BEEN HELPFUL AND WILL, I HOPE, BE HELPFUL ALSO IN THE FUTURE," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR HAD TALKS AND MEETINGS WITH CHINESE PRIME MINISTER, MR LI PENG; THE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR ZHOU NAN; THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, MR. JI PENGFEI; AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTORS, MR LI HOU AND MR LU PING.
SIR DAVID SAID THE MAIN ACHIEVEMENT OF THE VISIT WAS THE REESTABLISHMENT OF A DIALOUGE WITH CHINESE LEADERS.
"WE’VE HAD A LONGISH PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THERE HASN’T BEEN MUCH STRAIGHTFORWARD DIALOUGE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND CHINESE LEADERS.
"WE’VE GOT A LOT OF CONCERNS HERE AND PROBLEMS HERE. TO BE ABLE TO RE-ESTABLISH THAT DIALOUGE, TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS IN A STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY, THAT, I THINK, IS THE MAIN ACHIEVEMENT OF THE VISIT." Till GOVERNOR SAID.
ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, SIR. DAVID SAID HE TALKED TO THE CHINESE LEADERS ABOUT ALL THE RANGE OF OPINIONS IN HONG KONG. "THE OMELCO CONCENSUS IS PART OF THAT, THE FOUR-FOUR-TWO PROPOSAL IS PART OF THAT. I WAS PUTTING ACROSS TO THEM THE RANGE OF THE VIEWS THERE ARE IN HONG KONG ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT," HE ADDED.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
r
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 2
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT ONE POINT HE WAS TRYING TO GET ACROSS IN HIS TALKS WITH CHINESE LEADERS WAS THE IMPORTANCE OF PROSPERITY, NOT JUST TO HONG KONG BUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT PROSPERITY MADE TO CHINA.
"THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DISCUSSED WITH PRIME MINISTER, MR LI PENG, AND HE WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE ROLE THAT HONG KONG PLAYS IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA AND VICE VERSA OF COURSE, BECAUSE IT ALWAYS WORKS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS,” HE SAID.
"I WAS ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE QUESTION OF DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL STABILITY IN HONG KONG.
’’THAT MEANS EVOLVING THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN A WAY THAT CREATES STABILITY AND CREATES A SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY HAVE A CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO THE PROGRESS OF THAT SOCIETY,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE SAID MR LI WAS VERY INTERESTED IN THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF THE ECONOMY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA AND CLEARLY THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CHINA AS WELL AS HONG KONG.
IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION, SIR DAVID SAID NOBODY SUGGESTED TO HIM IN HIS TALKS THAT DEMONSTRATIONS IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE PUT TO AN END.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID THAT THE CHINESE SIDE TOUCHED VERY BRIEFLY ON THE QUESTION WHICH THEY HAD SPOKEN ABOUT A GOOD DEAL RECENTLY TN PUBLIC, AND THAT WAS THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR SUBVERSION AGAINST CHINA.
"I SAID TO THEM TWO THINGS. ONE IS WE HAVE NO WISH THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE A BASE FOR SUBVERSION AGAINST CHINA. SECONDLY WE ATTACH A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE TO THE FREEDOMS OF PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO OPERATE UNDER THE LAW AND WE ARE DETERMINED THAT THOSE FREEDOMS SHOULD CONTINUE,” HE SAID.
"THERE WAS NO CHALLENGE TO THAT VIEW,” SIR DAVID ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON WERE MET ON THEIR ARRIVAL BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD.
---------0 - -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 3
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED
******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1989, AT $95,802 MILLION, SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1989 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT TO $19,412 MILLION IN NOVEMBER 1989. HOWEVER, RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 8 PER CENT TO $30,046 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1989 TO $49,458 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 4 PER CENT OVER NOVEMBER 1988.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT TO $46,344 MILLION.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1989, AT $1,036,345 MILLION, INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT TO $204,189 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT TO $316,819 MILLION. THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT TO $521,008 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT TO $515,337 MILLION.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1989 WITH NOVEMBER 1988, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS DECREASED, PARTICULARLY THOSE TO AUSTRALIA (-17 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-15 PER. CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (-11 PER CENT) AND CANADA (-9 PER CENT). THOSE TO THE USA, CHINA AND JAPAN DECLINED BY 4 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, A SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, BY 35 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, SWITZERLAND AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC. OF GERMANY DECREASED BY 31 PER CENT, 23 PER CENT, 15 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, CHINA, THE USA, TAIWAN AND ITALY INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 1 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CANADA, THE USA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, SINGAPORE AND JAPAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS IN NOVEMBER 1989 OVER NOVEMBER 1988, BY 42 PER CENT, 32 PER CENT, 28 PER. CENT, 20 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA DECREASED BY 19 PER CENT.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER. 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, THE MARKETS WITH SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED TAIWAN (+27 PER CENT), JAPAN (+16 PER CENT), CHINA (+15 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+12 PER CENT). HOWEVER, THOSE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT, 4 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE USA SHOWED NO CHANGE.
/IMPORTS IN ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
4
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1989 FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH THOSE IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM CHINA (+28 PER CENT), ITALY (+26 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+22 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+19 PER CENT) AND THE USA (+13 PER CENT). IMPORTS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SWITZERLAND AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 6 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE USA, CANADA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS, BY 54 PER CENT, 48 PER CENT, 46 PER CENT, 41 PER CENT, 34 PER CENT AND 30 PER. CENT RESPECTIVELY. INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED FOR VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE, TAIWAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND CHINA, BY 27 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT, 14 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ALL TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED 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 PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1989 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY FEBRUARY.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, INCREASES IN VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $4,782 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1,521 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT); TEXTILES (BY $1,245 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT) AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $986 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,654 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $997 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS. THE MORE NOTABLE ONES WERE CLOTHING (BY $11,772 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT); TEXTILES (BY $9,499 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $8,255 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $7,118 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 5 -
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $2,093 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES (BY $1,307 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, NOTABLE INCREASES IN VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $13,135 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $11,905 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT); TEXTILES (BY $7,943 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $7,517 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIA),S, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $1,225 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES (BY $480 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS. THE NOVEMBER 1989 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND JANUARY 15, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1989 WILL BE AVAILABLE AROUND JANUARY 20 AT $17.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. 8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 8234915 ) .
TABLE I: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS JAN-NOV
89
NOV 89 OVER
NOV OVER JAN-NOV JAN-NOV
MAJOR MARKET 1989 NOV 88 1989 88
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
USA 6,372 - 4 65,947 ♦
/CHINA 3,757 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 6
CHINA 3,757 — 2 39,723 4 15
FR OF GERMANY 1,299 ♦ 13,933 - 3
UK 1,219 - 15 13,233 - 5
JAPAN 1,120 - 2 11,970 4 16
CANADA 435 - 9 5,745 4 7
SINGAPORE 527 - 1 5,326 4 12
NETHERLANDS 379 - 1 1 4,209 - 4
TAIWAN 443 + 35 3,996 4 27
AUSTRALIA 363 - 17 3,844 4 2
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5 %.
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JAN-NOV
COMMODITY NOV NOV 89 OVER JAN-NOV 89 OVER JAN-NOV
DIVISION 1989 NOV 88 1989 88
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL
AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,199 4 7 64,423 4 8
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,330 - 16 25,918 - 6
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,723 - 14 17,899 4 2
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1 ,523 - 3 16,471 4 3
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 ,553 ♦ 15,317 4 9
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
7 -
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,381 - 19 14,810 • •< • ■ - $
■ w
» DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5 %.
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER NOV 1989 (HKD MN.) NOV 89 OVER NOV 88 (%) JAN-NOV 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-NOV 89 OVER JAN-NOV 88 (%)
CHINA 17,375 + 11 178,710 + 28
JAPAN 6,852 - 23 85,755 * 3
TAIWAN 4,468 + 1 47,285 + 19
USA 3,782 + 6 42,639 + 13
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,834 - 31 23,505 t
SINGAPORE 1,901 + 13 20,429 + 22
FR OF GERMANY 1,149 - 5 12,525 + 6
UK 1,057 - 15 11,953 + 2
ITALY 779 + 1 9,220 + 26
SWITZERLAND 825 - 9 8,727 + 5
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%.
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS 4
COMMODITY DIVISION NOV 1989 (HKD MN.) NOV 89 OVER NOV 88 (%) JAN-NOV 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-NOV 89 OVER JAN-NOV 88 (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,145 ♦ 66,187 + 17
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 8 —
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,618 10 52,288 + 10
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,016 + 25 40,435 + 41
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,615 + 3 36,373 + 24
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,260 + 17 • 34,360 + 32
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,432 5 26,860 + 10
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%.
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET NOV 1989 (HKD MN.) NOV 89 OVER NOV 88 (%) JAN-NOV 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-NOV 89 OVER JAN-NOV 88 (%)
CHINA 8,263 - 19 94,938 * 12
USA 6,353 + 28 65,990 + 48
JAPAN 1,965 + 17 20,531 + 30
TAIWAN 1,423 + 10 14,994 + 19
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1, 128 + 13 12,260 + 14
FR OF GERMANY 1,206 + 42 11,766 + 54
SINGAPORE 997 + 19 9,981 + 27
UK 718 + 20 8,180 4- 41
/AUSTRALIA
511
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
9
AUSTRALIA 511 * 5,299 ♦ 34
CANADA 454 + 32 4,935 + 46
» DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%.
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JAN-NOV
89
NOV 89 OVER
NOV OVER JAN-NOV JAN-NOV
COMMODITY DIVISION 1989 NOV 88 1989 88
(HKD MN. ) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES 37 38,983 4- 51
AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,743 4-
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,637 + 3 38,968 4 26
ARtlCLES OF APPAREL And CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,270 4- 40 34,070 + 54
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,782 — 3 30,605 + 19
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,708 4- 17 25,078 + 43
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,233 + 9 12,169 + 29
--------0 - -
/10 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
10
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS, PURCHASES » * * * *
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989, ESTIMATED AT $8,061 MILLION, WAS 16 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1988, WHILE THE VOLUME REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989 WAS $3,308 MILLION, WHICH WAS 10 PER CENT HIGHER IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, FAST FOOD SHOPS RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (28 PER CENT) IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988.
THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (19 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (15 PER CENT), "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" - COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY ETC. - (14 PER CENT) AND BARS (5 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS AND NONCHINESE RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 10 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FOR CHINESE RESTAURANTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED, WHILE THOSE FOR BARS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THE TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 14 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" GREW BY 25 PER CENT, 17 PER CENT, 16 PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE FOR BARS RECORDED ALMOST NO CHANGE.
IN VOLUME TERMS, INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR FAST FOOD SHOPS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS. AT 10 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. WHILE DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR CHINESE RESTAURANTS, "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND BARS, AT 1 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989 WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER -AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS - TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 9 PER CENT.
/IN VALUE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, BARS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" ROSE BY 14 PER CENT, 13 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 10 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS B'i TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE SECOND AND THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989, Wl1 THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 AND FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988. COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO 1 HE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5565240).
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/12 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 12 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
2nd qtr. 1989 (Revised figures) 3rd qtr. 1989 (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HKt oillion) 7 276 8 061
Total purchases by restaurants (in HK$ ail lion) 3 025 3 308
TABLE 2 ! VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 2ND QUARTER 1989 AND 3RD QUARTER 1989
(Quarterly average of October 84 - September 85 - 100)
» Type of restaurant Index of • total ! restaurant' receipts • 2nd quarter ' 1989 । । 3rd • quarter ' 1989 J । 3rd qtr. coapared 2nd qtr. 1 1989 : with '• 1989 5 3rd qtr. coapared -3rd qtr. 1 1989 hst-3rd qtr. 1989 • with ' coapared with 1988 ’lst-3rd qtr. 1988 * । ।
J • • (Revised ‘(Provisional ' figures) 'figures) ' । । Points I I Points I '• Points 1 1 ! । । । ।
Chinese restaurants । Value 1 • 151 166 5 I 15 10 । 21 15 s 22 । 16 । 1
1 Volute ' 1 HO 115 । 1 • 1 5 5 -3 t I -1 1 { -1 ! 1
Non-Chinese restaurants Value ! 162 1 183 ' । 21 13 29 19 ' 24 | 17 J I
Volute ! । 118 130 $ । 12 10 5 4 • 3 । 3 » •
' Fast food shops Value ! 1 208 » 237 < । 29 14 52 । 28 5 42 1 25 ? I
Volute ! 163 179 5 I 1 16 10 17 10 • 15 । 10 • 1
Bars 1 Value 1 । 123 1 1 136 '• ■ 14 11 6 I 5 ‘ 1 I । t '• 1
Volute 1 • 103 110 1 1 8 8 -2 -1 • -4 • -4 !
* Other eating and drinking places Value J 161 1 1 (68 7 4 20 14 • 19 .<; 1
Volute ' 119 121 ! । 2 2 -6 -5 ; -3 -2 •
' Entire restaurant sector Value ! 157 । • 174 I । 17 11 25 । 16 ! 23 । 1 17 '• 1
1 Vol use ! 1 115 123 • • 7 6 1 t ! 1 1 1 •
Notes: I. Figures denoting changes are derived froa unrounded figures.
2. t denotes a figure within *0.5.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12,
1990
- 13 -
LAND OFFICE FIGURES FOR 1989 RELEASED *****
REPORTING ON LAND OFFICE FIGURES FOR 1989, THE -REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS REGISTERED FOR THE AREAS OF HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON WAS 61,365, A DECREASE OF 7.7 PER CENT FROM THE FIGURE FOR 1988.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE AGREEMENTS, HOWEVER, INCREASED BY 12.1 PER CENT FROM $79,986 BILLION IN 1988 TO $89.7 BILLION IN 1989.
DURING 1989, 87,676 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE REGISTERED IN THE URBAN AREA, COMPARED WITH 90,486 IN 1988.
OF THESE, A TOTAL OF 10,709 ASSIGNMENTS WERE COMPLETED BY HIS DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 4,418 IN 1988.
THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT FROM $79,096 BILLION TO $98,842 BILLION.
THERE WERE 760 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 23.4 PER CENT LESS THAN IN 1988. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS WAS LOWER DURING 1989, BEING DOWN BY 3.8 PER CENT FROM $32,411 BILLION IN 1988 TO $31,176 BILLION.
SIXTY BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 90,822 OTHER MORTGAGES FOR THE URBAN AREA WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 55 AND 97,423 RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE YEAR ROSE BY 226.2 PER CENT, FROM $0,783 BILLION TO $2,555 BILLION.
THE AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DROPPED BY 19.5 PER CENT, FROM $74,034 BILLION TO $59,597 BILLION.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS IN THE URBAN AREA, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEES' RECEIPTS, ROSE BY 22.2 PER CENT, FROM $28,656 BILLION IN 1988 TO $35.03 BILLION IN 1989.
SEARCHES IN THE HONG KONG LAND OFFICE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DECREASED BY 6.1 PER CENT TO 1,565,167.
THERE WERE 2,095 SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS OF LAND WITH A TOTAL COMPENSATION OF $1,567 BILLION PAID IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPARED WITH 1,309 AND $0,714 BILLION IN 1988.
/DURING 1989 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
14
DURING 1989, THE SEVEN NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 238,022 INSTRUMENTS, AGAIN AN ALL-TIME HIGH.
THESE INCLUDED 43,668 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS, 58,293 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS, 4,735 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 45 BUILDING MORTGAGES, 63,334 OTHER MORTGAGES AND 37,664 MORTGAGEES’ RECEIPTS, REASSIGNMENTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF CONSIDERATION OF $32,337 BILLION, $33,058 BILLION, $14,127 BILLION, $1.1 BILLION, $15,146 BILLION AND $9,347 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
COMMENTING ON THE OVERALL FIGURES, MR GLEESON SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THEY WERE DOWN BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT DURING THE MONTHS OF JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST, THEY REFLECTED A CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN THE PROPERTY MARKET GENERALLY DURING THE YEAR AND ALSO THE CONTINUING URBANISATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE TERRITORY NOW STOOD AT 1,213,000, AN INCREASE OF 96,791 OR 8.7 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE AT THE END OF 1988 WHICH ITSELF WAS AN INCREASE OF 9.0 PER CENT OVER 1987.
A TOTAL OF 1,380 GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS WERE CONCLUDED IN 1989 IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES COMPARED WITH 1,125 IN 1988. AMONG THE MORE SIGNIFICANT OF THESE TRANSACTIONS WERE THE FOLLOWING: i •
* THE GRANT ON JANUARY 24 OF A 47,000-SQUARE METRE SITE (NEW KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 6046) AT LEI YUE MUN ROAD, LAM TIN TO NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $750,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN AND HOTEL) PURPOSES.
* THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 25 OF A 7,230-SQUARE METRE SITE (INLAND LOT NO. 8643) AT HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI TO CHEER CITY PROPERTIES LIMITED AND PROTASAN LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $3,350,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (INCLUDING HOTEL AND/OR SERVICE APARTMENTS BUT EXCLUDING GODOWN AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL) PURPOSES.
* THE GRANT ON FEBRUARY 13 OF A 58.7-HECTARE SITE (LOT NO. 846 IN DD227) AT TAI PO TSAI, SAI KUNG TO THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PURPOSES OF A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY AND OTHER ANCILLARY PURPOSES.
* THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON MARCH 28 OF A 2.215-HECTARE SITE (TAI PO TOWN LOT NO. 66) AT AREA 22, TAI PO, TO ALLWAYS SUCCESS DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $700,000,000 fOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
/* THE SALE ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 15 -
* THE SALE BY CASH TENDER ON AUGUST 3 OF A 8,546-SQUARE METRE
SITE (INLAND LOT NO. 8888) AT GARDEN ROAD TO SHINE HILL
DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $2,700,000,000 FOR
NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN AND RESIDENTIAL BUT
INCLUDING HOTEL AND SERVICE APARTMENTS) PURPOSES AND A PUBLIC CARPARK.
* THE AWARD OF A CASH TENDER ON DECEMBER 21 OF A
11,220-SQUARE METRE SITE (RURAL BUILDING LOT NO. 3) AT PEAK
ROAD, HONG KONG TO STOOKET LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF
$328,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
♦ THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON DECEMBER 28 OF A
27,300-SQUARE METRE SITE (NEW KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 5983) AT TAT CHEE AVENUE, YAU YAT TSUEN TO GRANNIS LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $1,065,000,000 FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
OF THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES, SEVEN HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AND, WITH INCREASES OF STAFF AND BETTER ACCOMMODATION, HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE OVER THE REMAINING ONE, AT NORTH DISTRICT, THIS YEAR.
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REGIONAL COUNCIL BY-ELECTION NOMINATIONS INVITED
A REGIONAL COUNCIL BY-ELECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED TO FILL THE VACANCY ARISING FROM THE DEATH OF MR KWONG PING-YAU OF THE ISLANDS CONSTITUENCY.
THE VACANCY IS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CURRENT TERM ENDING MAY 31, 1991.
NOMINATIONS WILL BE CALLED FOR NEXT FRIDAY (JANUARY 19) BY NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
NOMINATION FORMS WILL BE OBTAINABLE FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, HARBOUR BUILDING, 20TH FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
INTENDING CANDIDATES MUST BE REGISTERED ELECTORS ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AND HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEEDING NOMINATION.
A CANDIDATE CAN BE A RESIDENT ANYWHERE IN HONG KONG, BUT HIS NOMINATION MAY ONLY BE MADE BY REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
/EACH NOMINATION ........
FRIDAY, JANIPRY 12, 1990
- 16 -
EACH NOMINATION REQUIRES 10 SUBSCRIBERS AND EACH SUBSCRIBER MAY GIVE SUPPORT TO ONE CANDIDATE ONLY.
THE ISLANDS CONSTITUENCY OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL COVERS THE ENTIRE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND HAS A REGISTERED ELECTORATE OF 21,764.
NOMINATIONS WILL CLOSE ON FEBRUARY. UNLESS THERE IS ONLY ONE VALID NOMINATION, A BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 22.
ENQUIRY MAY BE MADE WITH THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE (8524334) OR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION (8934796).
------------------------------0------- FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES FORMED TO EXAMINE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ******
THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES, AT ITS MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY), SET UP FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES TO EXAMINE SPECIFIC AREAS OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
THE FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES COVER THE SERVICE PROGRAMMES OF FAMILY SERVICES (INCLUDING CHILD CARE), SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT DEALING WITH THE SAME SERVICE PROGRAMME WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RESPECTIVE SUB-COMMITTEE.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEES ARE BEING NOMINATED AND WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE WORKING PARTY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY WILL BE NOTIFIED SEPARATELY. THEY ARE ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THEIR SPECIFIC AREAS OF WORK, AND ARE MAINLY FROM THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.
THE WORKING PARTY IS CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MRS WONG REITERATED THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PREPARATION OF A NEW SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER SETTING OUT PROPOSALS FOR THE WAY AHEAD AND, ON THE ADVICE OF THE WORKING PARTY, CLARIFIED TWO POINTS:
* MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH THEY FEEL ARE INADEQUATE OR INVALID AND TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW THEY FEEL THESE SERVICES CAN BE IMPROVED. THESE INCLUDE CHILD CARE AND FAMILY SERVICES, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPORT SERVICES; AND
/* THE WORKING ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 17 -
* THE WORKING PARTY STRESSED THAT THE CONSULTATION IS A CONTINUOUS EXERCISE AND THAT AFTER EACH WORKING PARTY MEETING, THERE WILL BE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTION AND CONSULTATION BEFORE THE FINALISATION OF A DRAFT WHITE PAPER.
MRS WONG WAS PLEASED WITH THE FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND THE SUPPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY, WHO ARE ALL EXPERTS IN THEIR OWN FIELDS. SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER WOULD BE A SUCCESS.
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GOVT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER » * * » t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING FOR SALE BY TENDER A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND AT MEI WO CIRCUIT, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
MEASURING ABOUT 949 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, THE SITE IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND SHALL BE OCCUPIED BY ONE FAMILY. THE DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS AS TO WHAT CONSTITUTES ONE FAMILY SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING UPON THE PURCHASER.
THE BUILDING CONVENANT OF THE LOT STIPULATES THAT A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 228 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TS1NG, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON FEBRUARY 9 THIS YEAR.
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/18
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 18 -
TRADITIONAL VILLAGE DINNER TO END SHA TIN FESTIVAL
******
A TRADITIONAL CHINESE VILLAGE DINNER WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) EVENING IN THE CARITAS HALL, TAI WAI, SHA TIN TO CONCLUDE THE MONTH-LONG SHA TIN FESTIVAL.
THE TRADITIONAL CUISINE, CONSISTING OF CANTONESE FOOD SERVED IN "WASH-BASINS", IS SERVED DURING FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS IN INDIGENOUS VII.LAGES.
ABOUT 450 LOCAL CELEBRITIES, COMMUNITY LEADERS, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NOW WORKING OR WHO HAVE FORMERLY WORKED IN SHA TIN HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THE FEAST.
EARLIER IN THE MORNING, A VILLAGE BAZAAR WILL BE STAGED IN CENTRAL PARK, SHA TIN. THERE WILL BE 20 STALLS PROVIDING OLD RURAL LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT SUCH AS FORTUNE TELLING, HANDICRAFTS, AND TRADITIONAL SNACKS.
A SPECIAL ATTRACTION FOR CHILDREN WILL BE A LARGE INFLATED TOY AEROPLANE.
FREE GAMES TICKETS FOR THE BAZAAR WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF THE PARK AROUND 10.45 AM.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, A CLOSING CEREMONY AND A VARIETY SHOW, FEATURING DANCES, SINGING AND A MAGIC SHOW, WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM IN THE AMPHITHEATRE AREA.
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, HR VICTOR YUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; SHA TIN (■ESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG PO-MING; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR ANDREW WONG.
AT 7.30 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL, THERE WILL
BE A DANCE PERFORMANCE BY 14 WINNING TEAMS OF THE 10TH SHA TIN DISTRICT DANCE COMPETITION AND FOUR INVITATION TEAMS.
THE PERFORMANCE WILL INCLUDE A CHILDREN’S DANCE, BALLET, JAZZ, ORIENTAL AND WESTERN FOLK DANCES, SOCIAL DANCE AND A DANCE DRAMA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FOLLOWING EVENTS OF THE SHA TIN FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14):
* THE CLOSING CEREMONY TO BEGIN AT 11 AM AT THE AMPHITHEATRE, CENTRAL PARK, SHA TIN.
* THE TRADITIONAL VILLAGE DINNER TO BEGIN AT 6 PM AT THE CARITAS HALL, 18-24 MAN LAI ROAD, TAI WAI, SHA TIN. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM MRS DIANA LEE, INFORMATION OFFICER OF SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, ON REQUEST.
* THE WINNERS’ NIGHT OF THE 10TH SHA TIN DISTRICT DANCE COMPETITION TO BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AT THE AUDITORIUM, SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
- - 0 - -
19
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 19 -
CARNIVAL TO CLOSE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
*****
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD IN KENNEDY TOWN ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE FIVE-MONTH LONG CENTRAL AND WESTERN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
THE OUTDOOR EVENT, FEATURING A VARIETY SHOW, STALL GAMES, A PUPPET SHOW AND.A PRIZE-CARRYING QUIZ, WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT THE FORBES STREET PLAYGROUND.
IT HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND FOUR LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
AMONG THE OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MONICA CHEN; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (CENTRA!,, WESTERN AND ISLANDS), MRS KATHERINE SHIN; A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR ALEXANDER CHANG; AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD POINTED OUT TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE EVENT WOULD MARK THE FINALE IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT.
"ACTIVITIES HELD DURING THE PAST FIVE MONTHS INCLUDED TALKS, EXHIBITIONS, ESSAY COMPETITIONS AND FAMILY CAMPS, ALL WITH THE POSITIVE THEME OF DEVELOPING HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.
"THE DB’S SPONSORSHIP OF OVER $140,000 FOR THESE EVENTS HAS ACHIEVED ITS DESIRED OBJECTIVES, JUDGING FROM THE VERY GOOD PARTICIPATION AND FEEDBACK FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS," HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN THANKED THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE CARITAS, YMCA AND YWCA, FOR ORGANISING THESE ACTIVITIES.
HE REMINDED THOSE INTENDING TO TAKE PART IN THE STALL GAMES AT SUNDAY'S CARNIVAL TO OBTAIN FREE COUPONS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE'S THREE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES AND THE CAINE ROAD AND SHEK TONG TSUI CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CLOSING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE FORBES STREET PLAYGROUND, KENNEDY TOWN.
/20 .........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 20 -
VARIED PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL
******
A VARIED PROGRAMME OF OVER 40 EVENTS HAS BEEN DRAWN UP FOR THE 12TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL FROM JANAURY 19 TO MARCH 2.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY) BY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, WHO DESCRIBED THE FESTIVAL AS AN IMPORTANT ANNUAL CULTURAL EVENT WELL SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLIC.
"IN THIS 12TH YEAR, WE WILL AGAIN ADHERE TO THE FESTIVAL’S OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING THE VARIOUS FORMS OF PERFORMING ARTS BY PRESENTING RENOWNED ARTISTS, AS WELL AS ENCOURAGING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT," MR SHIU SAID.
HE SAID THE GRAND OPENING NEXT FRIDAY (JANUARY 19) WOULD FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY TROUPES FROM CHINA AND JAPAN AS WELL AS BY THE DISTRICT’S CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG CHUNG-YAN, SAID HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WOULD BE CANTONESE OPERA BY THE CHOR FUNG MING OPERA TROUPE AND PERFORMANCES BY THE XIAO BAI HUA SHAOXING OPERA TROUPE AND THE JIANGSU WUXI MUSIC AND ART TROUPE.
"OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE AN ORCHESTRAL CONCERT BY HONG KONG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, DRAMA BY HIGH NOON PRODUCTION AND ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON, MIME PERFORMANCE, NAM YIN (SOUTHERN MELODIES) CONCERT, JAZZ MUSIC AND POP-FOLK CONCERTS," MR CHEUNG SAID.
THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION.
THE ESTIMATED COST OF $2 MILLION WILL BE FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL SPONSORSHIP.
PROGRAMME LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
PEOPLE WISHING TO ATTEND THE SHOWS ARE ADVISED TO BOOK THEIR TICKETS AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND THE URBTIX OUTLETS NOW.
TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE ON 7349009, AND ENQUIRIES ON 4140144 OR 4149662.
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/21 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 21
CARNIVAL TO SPREAD ANTI-TRIAD MESSAGE TO ISLANDERS * ♦ t ♦ t
RESIDENTS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO JOIN AN ANTI-TRIAD CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE FIRE STATION PLAZA ON PENG CHAU ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE CARNIVAL, FEATURING SINGING AND AN EXHIBITION OF ANTI-TRIAD MATERIALS, WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE EVENT FORMS PART OF AN ANTI-TRIAD CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
THE CAMPAIGN’S AIMS ARE TO URGE ISLANDERS TO AVOID INVOLVEMENT IN TRIAD ACTIVITIES, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO REPORT ANY SUCH ACTIVITIES TO THE POLICE, AND TO PUBLICISE THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME.
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, AND THE ISLANDS POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR WILLIAM WORRALL, WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CARNIVAL’S OPENING CEREMONY.
WINNERS OF AN ANTI-TRIAD POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, HELD EARLIER FOR STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, WILL BE PRESENTED PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY.
A TOTAL OF 84 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED AND THEY WILL BE EXHIBITED AT THE VENUE.
------0-----------
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR WAN CHAI RESIDENTS t t t t t t
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOUSING, URBAN SERVICES, AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY WILL SPEAK ON THE TECHNIQUES AND VARIOUS ASPECTS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT AT A SEMINAR TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SEMINAR HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE TO IMPROVE RESIDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND TO MAKE THEM MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
COMMENTING ON THE CONDITIONS OF BUILDINGS IN WAN CHAI, THE HOUSING MANAGER OF THE WAN CHAI BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM, MR JAMES LAU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE WAS HAPPY TO SEE A RECENT TREND IN THE DISTRICT TO RENOVATE BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN 20 AND 30 YEARS AGO.
"IT SHOWS THAT PROPERTY OWNERS ARE BEGINNING TO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT GOOD MAINTENANCE WILL BOOST THE VALUE OF THEIR FLATS. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT THE WORK OF OUR TEAM IS BEARING FRUIT," HE NOTED.
/ACCORDING TO ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
22
ACCORDING TO MR LAU, IMPROVEMENT WORK WAS CARRIED OUT ON 55 ’’TARGET BUILDINGS” IN WAN CHAI SELECTED BY HIS TEAM DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS. A FURTHER 25 BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR IMPROVEMENT THIS YEAR.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORK USUALLY INVOLVED UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF THE BUILDING, FOSTERING STRONGER NEIGHBOURHOOD TIES, AND RECTIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE BUILDING, MR LAU SAID.
AT THE SEMINAR, MR LAU WILL SPEAK ON THE PREVAILING PROBLEMS LN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT.
OTHER SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE THE CHIEF HEALTH INSPECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN KWOK-KAN; LABOUR OFFICER, MR AU CHI -HEUNG; AND MANAGER (BUILDING MANAGEMENT) OF HONG YIP SERVICE CO. LTD, MR EDMUND KWOK.
THEY WILL SPEAK ON WAYS TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM IN. ROOM 606, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE. IT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY AN EXHIBITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WAN CHAI BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN ROOM 606, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, 1 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG, BEGINNING AT 3 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
DISTRICT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN CLOSES ON SUNDAY
*******
A COMBINED PRIZE PRESENTATION AND VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD IN WONG TAI SIN ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) TO MARK THE CLOSING OF A CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE FIRE PREVENTION AND TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TAPPING OF ELECTRICITY AT SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
4 THE FUNCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE SITTING-OUT AREA OF SUN HING ROAD IN TAI HOM VILLAGE, DIAMOND HILL, BEGINNING AT 8 PM.
PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF VARIOUS COMPETITIONS HELD DURING THE CAMPAIGN.
/THE VARIETY ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 23 -
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL FEATURE SINGING AND A DRAMA ON FIRE PREVENTION.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE, MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM: WONG TAI SIN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY CHAN; FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF KOWLOON CENTRAL DIVISION, MR LAM CHUNG-MING; A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED, MR LEUNG SHU1-CHUNG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR LI YUK-WA.
THE CAMPAIGN, ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE, WAS LAUNCHED ON DECEMBER 17.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION AND VARIETY SHOW OF THE WONG TAI SIN SQUATTER AREAS FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE SITTING-OUT AREA OF SUN HING ROAD IN TAI HOM VILLAGE, DIAMOND HILL.
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GARMENT MANUFACTURER FINED FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS
*******
A GARMENT MANUFACTURER WAS FINED $360,000 TODAY (FRIDAY) AFTER HE PLEADED GUILTY TO MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS WHEN APPLYING FOR EXPORT LICENCES COVERING ABOUT 7,000 PIECES OF COTTON WOVEN ANORAK AND BLOUSON FOR EXPORT TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY.
THE VALUE OF THE COTTON ITEMS WAS ABOUT $1 MILLION.
THE DEFENDANT COMPANY, NGAT LAM GARMENT FACTORY LIMITED, ADMITTED THE CHARGES WHEN APPEARING BEFORE THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY.
THE COURT HEARD THAT IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED FROM THE DEFENDANT COMPANY TWO APPLICATIONS FOR EXPORT LICENCES COVERING A TOTAL OF 6,984 PIECES OF MEN’S 100 PER CENT COTTON WOVEN ANORAK AND BLOUSON FOR EXPORT TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY.
IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DECLARATION IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATIONS, THE DEFENDANT COMPANY STATED THAT THE GOODS COVERED BY THESE APPLICATIONS WERE OF HONG KONG ORIGIN.
/SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 24 -
SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THE SEWING PROCESS IN RESPECT OF THE GARMENT ITEMS HAD IN FACT BEEN SUBCONTRACTED TO CHINA.
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT GOODS CLAIMING HONG KONG ORIGIN MUST UNDERGO PRINCIPAL PROCESSES IN HONG KONG. IN THE MANUFACTURE OF I NITTED ANORAKS AND BLOUSONS, SEWING IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL PROCESSES.
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FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN TYPHOON SHELTERS * * * * *
THE MARINE DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG FIRE COMMAND TODAY (FRIDAY) STARTED A LUNAR NEW YEAR FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN VARIOUS TYPHOON SHELTERS.
THE CAMPAIGN IS TO MAKE USE OF THE COMING FESTIVE PERIOD. WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY RETURN TO THE TERRITORY AND MOOR THEIR BOATS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, TO DRIVE HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION.
FROM TODAY UNTIL JANUARY 26 (FRIDAY) AND BETWEEN JANUARY 30 (TUESDAY) AND FEBRUARY 2 (FRIDAY), FIRE BOATS WILL VISIT THE ABERDEEN AND SHAU KEI WAN TYPHOON SHELTERS DAILY.
FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL WILL BROADCAST FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES AND DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS TO FISHERMEN AND BOAT DWELLERS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS.
SIMILAR DAILY VISITS BY FIRE BOATS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO THE YAU MA TEI AND CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTERS BETWEEN TODAY AND JANUARY 30.
FIRE BOATS WILL ALSO VISIT TYPHOON SHELTERS IN CHAI WAN, TUEN MUN AND CHEUNG CHAU DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
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/25 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 25 -
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON * * * * *
1ST QUARTER PAYMENT ♦
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOU’ HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE QUARTER JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1990 WHICH ARE DEMANDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE MAY BRING A RATES DEMAND NOTE OF ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER AND MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
t THE TREASURY CENTRAL COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
♦ THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, HONG KONG;
* THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
t THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE AND CANNOT PRODUCE A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER SHOULD INQUIRE AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON JANUARY 31, 1990 AND UNLESS SO PAID MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT IMPOSED UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST, OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THW WORDING "PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JANUARY 31, 1990. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATEPAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE AMOUNT PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED DATE IS INDICATED ON THE DEMAND NOTE BY AN ARROW-HEAD IN THE "TOTAL AMOUNT DUE" BOX.
/RATES ARE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 26 -
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTIONS 30 (1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR PARKING OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
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ACAF MEMBERS VISIT CHEUNG PO, TAI LUNG FARM *****
MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED CHEUNG PO IN YUEN LONG AND THE GOVERNMENT'S TAI LUNG EXPERIMENTAL STATION IN SHEUNG SHUI TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE PROGRESS OF THE AGRICULTURAL LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME AND THE INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC VEGETABLES FOR LOCAL PRODUCTION.
ACCOMPANIED BY STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), THE PARTY FIRST VISTED CHEUNG PO WHICH, TOGETHER WITH HOK TAU IN SHEUNG SHUI, WAS SELECTED FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PILOT AGRICULTURAL LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME IN MID-1988.
THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING ACTIVE USE OF ARABLE LAND AND ASSISTING DISPLACED OR POTENTIAL FARMERS TO OBTAIN LAND FOR CROP FARMING.
MEMBERS LEARNT THAT THE SCHEME HAD BEEN MAKING STEADY PROGRESS DESPITE VARIOUS INHERENT PROBLEMS. ALTOGETHER, A TOTAL AREA OF 8.7 HECTARES OF FALLOW, ARABLE LAND IN CHEUNG PO AND HOK TAU HAD BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO VEGETABLE AND FLOWER CULTIVATION, SO FAR.
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE TAI LUNG EXPERIMENTAL STATION WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE AFD’S PROGRAMME TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL FARMERS TO GROW EXOTIC VEGETABLE SPECIES BY A NEWLY DEVELOPED TECHNIQUE - THE MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION SYSTEM. THEY WERE TOLD THAT BUYERS’ INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN FAVOURABLE.
MEMBERS SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE 120 VARIETIES OF 30 EXOTIC VEGETABLE SPECIES DEMONSTRATED IN THE FIELD. THEY WERE PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THE TASTE OF THE SUPER-SWEET CORN.
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/27........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
27
CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE VISITS SWD * * * * *
THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC (FRIDAY) VISITED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK IN PROMOTING IN HONG KONG.
EDUCATION TODAY ]GATN A FULLER CIVIC EDUCATION
THIS IS ONE IN A SERIES OF VISITS ARRANGED FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TO STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
MEMBERS WERE RECEIVED BY THE ASSISTANT WELFARE (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION), MR KWOK OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL
KA-CHI, AND SENIOR
THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE WORK DONE BY THE THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS TO PROMOTE CIVIC
DEPARTMENT EDUCATION.
BOTH AT
THE COMMITTEE WAS SET AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBILITY.
UP IN MAY 1986 TO PROMOTE CIVIC
ACAN DISTRIBUTES SILVER JUBILEE POSTCARDS ******
A TOTAL OF 12,000 SETS OF SPECIAL POSTCARDS TO COMMEMORATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) DISTRIBUTED FREE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE TN CENTRAL.
’’THIS IS THE FIRST BATCH OF THE 41,000 SETS OF SPECIAL POSTCARDS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC BY ACAN,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT’S NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID.
’’THIS IS THE SECOND ACAN PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP PROJECT POSTCARDS WERE PRINTED WITH THE SUPPORT AND A CONTRIBUTION OF FROM THE HONGKONG CHINESE BANK,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AS THE $60,000
THE DESIGNS OF THE FOUR POSTCARDS, WHICH DEPICT IN AN EMBROIDERY STYLE VARIOUS POSTURES OF THE HORSE, ARE BASED ON THE YEAR OF THE HORSE SPECIAL STAMPS TO BE ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE.
THE POSTCARDS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED
AT THE
FOLLOWING
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
* TUEN MUN CENTRAL POST OFFICE, TL’EN HI ROAD (JANUARY 15);
/* SHA TIN .........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 28
* SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE, KCR HOUSE (JANUARY 16); AND
* TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, MIDDLE ROAD (JANUARY 17).
THE DISTRIBUTION WILL START AT 10 AM DAILY ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. EACH PERSON WILL BE OFFERED ONLY ONE SET OF POSTCARDS.
THE ACAN SILVER JUBILEE POSTCARDS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE HEAD OFFICE AND THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE HONGKONG CHINESE BANK FROM TODAY TO JANUARY 17.
------0--------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMMUNITY CHEST WALK * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S WALK FOR MILLIONS ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14), THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT:
ROAD CLOSURES:
i'
- LINK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8.45 AM AND 9.30 AM.
- UPPER BLUE POOL ROAD SOUTH OF TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT WITH POLICE APPROVAL BETWEEN 8 AM AND 2 PM.
THESE TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEINGS WILL BE IN EFFECT BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND NOON:
- EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD FROM THE HONG KONG STADIUM TO TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
- THE WESTERN ARM OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD FROM LEIGHTON ROAD TO THE HONG KONG STADIUM WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEAR-SIDE LANE.
- EXCEPT WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY CLOSED FROM 8.45 AM TO 9.30 AM, THE SECTION OF LINK ROAD FROM BROADWOOD ROAD TO THE WESTERN ARM OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND (DOWNHILL), TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEAR-SIDE LANE.
- BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN LINK ROAD AND TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE MADE ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND (UPHILL), TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEAR-SIDE LANE.
/- TAI HANG .........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 29 -
TAI HANG ROAD FROM BROADWOOD ROAD TO BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEAR-SIDE LANE. THE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC, ALONG TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN BROADWOOD ROAD AND UPPER BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES BETWEEN 8 AM AND li AM.
WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD WILL BE REDUCED FROM TWO LANES TO ONE LANE SOUTHBOUND (UPHILL) BETWEEN THE HONG KONG TENNIS CENTRE AND OPPOSITE THE PETROL STATION AT THE NORTHBOUND LANE. TWO-LANE TRAFFIC WILL BE RESUMED, ONCE THE LAST WALKER HAS PASSED THIS POINT.
TRAFFIC ENTERING TAI HANG ROAD FROM STUBBS ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED NORTH DOWN BLUE POOL ROAD.
MOUNT BUTLER ROAD FROM TAI HANG ROAD TO HENDERSON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND (UPHILL), TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NEAR-SIDE LANE.
- THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF MOUNT CAMERON ROAD FROM THE JUNCTION WITH WAN CHAI GAP TO ABOUT 50 METRES OF THE SAME ROAD WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR ONE LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC BETWEEN 6 AM AND 4 PM.
LINK ROAD BETWEEN BROADWOOD ROAD AND CAROLINE HILI, ROAD, HAVING BEEN CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC AT 8.45 AM, WILL BE OPENED AGAIN AT 9.30 AM FOR ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FROM BROADWOOD ROAD TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD. THE UPHILL LANE WILL BE BLOCKED OFF BY CONES AND RESTRICTED TO WALKERS ONLY. THIS DIVERSION WILL REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL 11 AM.
BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 2 PM, NORTH POINT-BOUND BUSES ON CMB ROUTE NO. 41 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LOWER STUBBS ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, MORRISON HILL ROAD, TIN LOK LANE, HENNESSY ROAD, YEE WO STREET AND CAUSEWAY ROAD.
CMB ROUTE NOS. 7, 38, 42, 70, 72, 76, 95 AND 98 WILL BE
STRENGTHENED BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5 PM.
BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND NOON, SERVICES ON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 14M BOUND FOR JARDINE’S LOOKOUT WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LEIGHTON ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND BROADWOOD ROAD. GREEN MINIBUSES BOUND FOR CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA TAI HANG ROAD, FUK KWAN AVENUE, TAI HANG ROAD, TUNG LO WAN ROAD, MORETON TERRACE AND CAUSEWAY ROAD.
BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND NOON, SERVICES ON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 24M BOUND FOR MOUNT BUTLER WILL BE DIVERTED ALONG QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, MORRISON HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, HYSAN AVENUE, SUNNING ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, PENNINGTON STREET, YEE WO STREET, TUNG LO WAN ROAD, AND TAI HANG ROAD.
THE CARPARK AT THE HONG KONG TENNIS CENTRE IN WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 AM.
/THE PARKING .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
THE PARKING SPACES ON THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE NO. 1 CARPARK OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 6 AM AND 4 PM.
ONLY VEHICLES WITH VALID PARKING LABELS WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE THE NOS. 1, 2 AND 5 CARPARKS OF THE STADIUM.
BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 5 PM, LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED IRON USING TAI HANG ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD SOUTHBOUND, STUBBS ROAD FLYOVER SOUTHBOUND, ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD. YUE KWONG ROAD AND YUE HONG STREET.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI * t t ♦ *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE VICINITY OF YAU MA TEI FRUIT MARKET FROM MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 13) TO MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 26 (FRIDAY) TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO THE FRUIT MARKET DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
RECLAMATION STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD; AND WATERLOO ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND FERRY STREET WILL BE REDUCED FROM THREE-LANE TO TWO-LANE TRAFFIC.
THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND; CHING PING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND; TUNG KUN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND; AND THE RIGHT TURNING FROM CANTON ROAD NORTHBOUND TO TUNG KUN STREET WILL BE BANNED.
SHEK LUNG STREET BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET, AND MAN MING LANE BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND DESIGNATED A PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.
THE METERED PARKING SPACES AT CANTON ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG SHUI STREET AND THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET; AND AT LEE TAT STREET BETWEEN CANTON ROAD AND CHING PING STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/31
i
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 31 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT TN KOWLOON CITY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TIN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN HOP YAT ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) TO 5 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 15) TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORK ON A SALT WATER MAIN AT THE JUNCTION OF TIN KWONG ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
BUSES ON KMB ROUTE 17, ON JOURNEYS TO KWUN TONG (YUET WAH STREET), WILL BE DIVERTED AT FAT KWONG STREET TO OPERATE VIA PUI CHING ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, ARGYLE STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTEING.
GREEN MINIBUSES ON GMB ROUTE 13, ON JOURNEYS TO HUNG HOM FERRY, WILL BE DIVERTED AT ARGYLE STREET TO OPERATE VIA PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD AND MA TAU WAT ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMA). ROUTE I NG.
ROUTE 28M GREEN MINIBUSES, ON JOURNEYS TO KOWLOON CITY (WAI HANG CHEONG SUN CHUEN), WILL BE DIVERTED AT SHEUNG SHING STREET TO OPERATE VIA TIN KWONG ROAD, ARGYLE STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTEING.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
0
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHAI WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 14), THE UNNAMED ROAD LINKING CHAI WAN ROAD AND SIU SAI WAN ESTATE WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
AT THE .SAME TIME, THE OUTERMOST TRAFFIC LANE OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THIS UNNAMED ROAD IMMEDIATELY OFF THE SIU SAI WAN BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DESIGNATED A RUS LANE 24 HOURS DAILY.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE BUS LANE.
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/32 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
- 32 -
BAN ZONE AT BUS TERMINUS IN EASTERN DISTRICT *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY baiTzone 14,1 SIU SAI WAN BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR
ALU MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE TERMINUS.
FERRY SERVICE FROM LEI YUE MUN TO SAM KA TSUEN
THE LICENSED FERRY SERVICE FROM LEI YUE MUN TO SAM KA TSUEN (ACROSS TSAU WAN) WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 4 PM AND MIDNIGHT INSTEAD OF 6 AM AND 12.10 AM WITH EFFECT FROM SUNDAY (JANUARY 14), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DECISION ON CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS SHORTLY: FOREIGN SECRETARY .... 1
1989 RAINFALL BELOW AVERAGE DESPITE BRENDA'S DELUGE .................... 3
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STRESSED ....................... 6
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF IN REFUGEE UNIT COMMENDED .................. 7
REVISED RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS .............. 8
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP BEGINS IN YAU TSIM ................................... 8
4
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN WONG TAI SIN ............................. 9
KWONG YUEN COMMUNITY HALL OPENS ON MONDAY .............................. 10
DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR ISLANDS DISTRICT ACTIVITIES ..................... 10
MORE SAFETY COURSES IN THE PIPELINE .................................... 11
SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL BEGINS ON THURSDAY .............................. 12
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL ............................................. 13
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN TSIM SHA TSUI ....................................... 13
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF SHA TIN ROAD ................................ 14
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD .................................. 14
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
DECISION ON CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS SHORTLY: FOREIGN SECRETARY »««»♦»
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE DECISION ON CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG IN 1991 SHOULD BE TAKEN BY THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS WITHIN WEEKS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT AT THE START OF A FOUR-DAY VISIT, MR HURD SAID THAT BESIDES SEEING AS MUCH OF HONG KONG AND MEETING AS MANY PEOPLE AS HE COULD, HE HAD ALSO COME TO EXPLAIN THE DECISIONS THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN AND TO PREPARE THOSE DECISIONS THAT WERE STILL TO BE TAKEN.
"IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS WE HAVE TAKEN DECISIONS ON TWO OF THE THREE MAIN PROBLEMS WHICH WERE FACING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT -- THAT IS TO SAY ON PASSPORTS AND ON BOAT PEOPLE.
"THE THIRD MAIN DECISION WHICH WE AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO TAKE, ON CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1991, WILL FOLLOW, I HOPE, WITHIN WEEKS," MR HURD SAID.
"WE SHALL TAKE OUR DECISIONS, THE DECISIONS I'VE MENTIONED, OTHER DECISIONS WHICH MAY COME UP IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, IN A COOL AND CONSIDERED WAY, LISTENING TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT THEN MAKING UP OUR MINDS ON WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE FUTURE AND LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF THIS AMAZING AND SUCCESSFUL TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
MR HURD SAID THAT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY WOULD BE WORKING MORE CLOSELY THAN EVER BEFORE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"AND OBVIOUSLY HE WILL DO THAT BEST IF HE COMES TO HONG KONG AND SEES THE PROBLEMS AND SUCCESSES FOR HIMSELF,” HE SAID.
"DURING THIS VISIT I WILL BE SEEING AS MUCH AS I CAN IN THE TIME, AND MEETING AS MANI PEOPLE AS I CAN. I WILL BE HAVING DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HIS SENIOR OFFICIALS AND WITH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
"1 WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY -- BUSINESSMEN, BANKERS, PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AND, I HOPE, THE MAN AND THE WOMAN IN THE STREET," MR HURD SAID.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID HF HOPED TO SEE A GOOD DEAL OF HONG KONG INCLUDING A NEW TOWN, A HOUSING ESTATE, THE BORDER AND VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CAMPS.
HE WOULD ALSO BE PAYING A VISIT TO THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION, TALKING TO LOCAL BUSINESSMEN AND ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL AND BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.
/"SO THIS .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
- 2 -
"SO THIS ISN’T AN INTELLECTUAL EXERCISE. THE BRITISH COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG IS A VERY PRACTICAL ONE. IT CONTINUES, AND IT’S VERY MUCH IN OUR INTEREST, OUR BRITISH INTEREST, AS WELL AS THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, THAT IT SHOULD,'' MR HURD SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR HURD SAID THE REACTION IN THE WORLD TO THE DECISION TO REPATRIATE 51 BOAT PEOPLE LAST MONTH HAD ACTUALLY BEEN MORE UNDERSTANDING THAT HE HAD EXPECTED.
"THERE HAVE BEEN CRITICISMS, AS WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE, AS EVERYONE IN HONG KONG KNEW THERE WOULD BE, BUT 1 THINK THERE IS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING THAN THERE USED TO BE," HE SAID.
"IT REALLY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE LEFT IN THE CAMPS. THAT THEY SHOULD BE LEFT IN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HONG KONG AND IT IS EVEN LESS ACCEPTABLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE THE DANGER OF A FURTHER INFLOW DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
"I HAVE BEEN EMPHASISING TO EVERYBODY I HAVE TALKED TO ON THIS SUBJECT, THAT THERE IS THE REAL WORRY OF A FURTHER ONSET, AND I HOPE THAT THE SENDING BACK OF THE 51 WOULD HAVE CONVEYED A CLEAR MESSAGE AS FAR AS THAT IS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
ON A QUESTION ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1991, MR HURD SAID THE DECISION TO BE TAKEN WITHIN WEEKS WOULD BE THE FIRST AND IMPORTANT STEP ON WHAT HE HOPED WOULD BE A LONG AND DEMOCRATIC PATH.
"WE ARE NOT GOING TO SIT BACK, AS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, PASSIVELY AND LET THE CLOCK TICK ON TO 1997. WE HAVE A JOB TO DO DURING THIS PERIOD, A JOB SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND A JOB WHICH COMES FROM BEING THE SOVEREIGN POWER IN HONG KONG DURING THAT TIME," HE SAID.
"I WILL BE LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE I MEET, I’LL BE LISTENING TO THE COUNCILLORS, I’LL BE LISTENING TO THE OMELCO SO THAT WE WILL BE BETTER EQUIPPED BACK IN LONDON TO TAKE THE DECISIONS WHICH FALL TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
"SO IT WILL BE A QUESTION OF LISTENING, BUT ALSO OF EXPLAINING WHAT WE’VE ALREADY DECIDED AND HOW WE ARE PREPARING FOR THE NEXT DECISION, ' MR HURD SAID.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND MRS HURD WERE MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON; THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA DUNN; THE ACTING SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN CHEONG; THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR PETER HEAP, AND THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY.
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
3
1989 RAINFALL BELOW AVERAGE » * * *
DESPITE BRENDA’S DELUGE * *
TYPHOON BRENDA, WHICH BROUGHT 439.4 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL IN MAY, RANKED AS THE 1OTH WETTEST STORM ON RECORD, BUT TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE YEAR WAS BELOW AVERAGE.
IN ITS REPORT ON THE YEAR’S WEATHER, RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY), THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID BRENDA WAS ONE OF 11 TROPICAL CYCLONES WHICH TRAVERSED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE YEAR. SEVEN REQUIRED THE HOISTING OF TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS IN HONG KONG.
ALTHOUGH THE RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL CYCLONES AMOUNTED TO 646.4 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS 14 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE, THE ANNUAL RAINFALL WAS ONLY 1,944.6 MILLIMETRES, 13 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 2,224.7 MILLIMETRES.
IN JANUARY, IT RAINED ON- 19 DAYS BUT RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO ONLY 23.9 MILLIMETRES. THIS WAS SLIGHTLY BELOW THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 26.9 MILLIMETRES FOR JANUARY. IT WAS FOGGY ON JANUARY 8 AND THE VISIBILITY AT WAGLAN ISLAND AND IN THE HARBOUR WAS REDUCED TO 100 AND 600 METRES RESPECTIVELY. THE FOGGY CONDITIONS AFFECTED FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU.
FEBRUARY WAS A VERY DRY MONTH. THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL WAS ONLY 2.7 MILLIMETRES, THE EIGHTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR FEBRUARY. IT WAS FOGGY FROM FEBRUARY 16 TO 18, RESULTING IN THE SUSPENSION OF FERRY SERVICES TO SOME OUTLYING ISLANDS AND ALSO AFFECTING AIR TRAFFIC IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG.
IT WAS DRIER THAN USUAL IN MARCH, WITH A MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 75 PER CENT, THE FIFTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR MARCH. THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 47.8 MILLIMETRES WAS 13 PER CENT LESS THAN THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 54.8 MILLIMETRES FOR MARCH.
WITH ONLY SEVEN DAYS TN THE MONTH WITHOUT RAIN, THE TOTAL DURATION OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE IN APRIL WAS 71.1 HOURS, THE NINTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR APRIL. A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST DURING THE EVENING OF APRIL 22, BRINGING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO THE TERRITORY. RAINFALL WAS ESPECIALLY HEAVY TN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE 25 CASES OF FLOODING WERE REPORTED.
MAY WAS AN EVENTFUL MONTH IN WEATHER TERMS. RAINFALL WAS MUCH ABOVE NORMAL AND TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE HOISTED FOR THE FIRST TIME TN THE YEAR.
THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON BRENDA NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 GALE OR STORM SIGNAL WHICH HAD NOT BEEN RAISED SINCE AUGUST 1986.
THE MONTHLY HIGHEST ON RECORD ASSOCIATED WITH AN THE MONTH AND WITH COASTAL AREAS FROM
TOTAL RAINFALL OF 771.9 MILLIMETRES WAS THE FOURTH FOR MAY. MOST OF THE RAIN TN THE MONTH WAS ACTIVE TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE AT THE BEGINNING OF TYPHOON BRENDA, WHICH AFFECTED THE SOUTH CHINA MAY 19 TO 21.
/ON MAY 2, ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
ON MAY 2, 104.8 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN FELL BETWEEN NOON AND 1 PM. THIS AMOUNT WAS THE HIGHEST HOURLY RAINFALL EVER RECORDED FOR MAY. THE HEAVY RAIN RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS OVER THE TERRITORY, BRINGING SEVERE DISRUPTIONS TO ROAD, RAIL AND AIR TRANSPORT. A MAN WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED BY LIGHTNING AND TWO OTHER PEOPLE WERE DROWNED.
THE DAILY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 322.8 MILLIMETRES ON MAY 20, ASSOCIATED WITH TYPHOON BRENDA, WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST DAILY RAINFALL ON RECORD FOR MAY.
DURING THE PASSAGE OF BRENDA, A TOTAL OF SIX PEOPLE WERE KILLED, ONE WAS REPORTED MISSING, 62 WERE INJURED AND 50 MADE HOMELESS. IN ADDITION, TORRENTIAL RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH BRENDA RESULTED IN 100 CASES OF LANDSLIPS AND 118 OF FLOODING.
AT THE AIRPORT, MORE THAN 100 FLIGHTS WERE DIVERTED, DELAYED OR CANCELLED. BUS, TRAM AND FERRY SERVICES WERE SUSPENDED.
IN SHARP CONTRAST WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, JUNE WAS EXCEPTIONALLY DRY. ONLY A TOTAL OF 137.5 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AGAINST A NORMAL AMOUNT OF 431.8 MILLIMETRES. THIS WAS THE EIGHTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR JUNE. THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 WAS HOISTED DURING THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON DOT FROM JUNE 9 TO 10.
ALTHOUGH TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES AFFECTED HONG KONG IN JULY, THE MONTHLY RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO ONLY 237.9 MILLIMETRES, EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 316.8 MILLIMETRES.
THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON GORDON NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 GALE OR STORM SIGNAL BETWEEN JULY 17 AND 18.
THE TYPHOON BROUGHT SQUALLY SHOWERS AND ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES TO THE TERRITORY, CAUSING FLOODING, MOSTLY IN THE OUTLYING ISLANDS AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE MORE SEVERE CASES OCCURRED IN TAI O WHERE WATER LEVEL ROSE BY MORE THAN ONE METRE, AND AT PING HA ROAD IN YUEN LONG.
AN OLD WOMAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HER FLOODED SQUATTER HUT IN TAI O. IN THE SAME VILLAGE, NINE SENIOR RESIDENTS HAD TO BE EVACUATED.
DURING THE PASSAGE OF GORDON, SERVICES OF LOCAL FERRIES, BUSES AND TRAMS, AND FERRY SERVICES TO CHINA AND MACAU, WERE SUSPENDED.
AT THE AIRPORT, 40 FLIGHTS WERE DELAYED, 19 DIVERTED AND 13 CANCELLED.
A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE MOVED FROM NORTH TO SOUTH ACROSS HONG KONG ON JULY 29. THE COOL AIR BEHIND THE TROUGH CAUSED A DROP IN TEMPERATURE THE NEXT MORNING TO 21.7 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE LOWEST JULY TEMPERATURE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG SINCE RECORD-KEEPING BEGAN.
AUGUST WAS WARMER AND DRIER THAN USUAL. THE MEAN TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH OF 28.9 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS THE SIXTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR AUGUST.
/ALTHOUGH EIGHT .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
- 5 -
ALTHOUGH EIGHT TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED IN THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC IN AUGUST, NONE OF THEM AFFECTED HONG KONG. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO ONLY 218.0 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS ABOUT HALF OF THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 413.4 MILLIMETRES.
THE WEATHER WAS RAINY AND THUNDERY ON AUGUST 20 AND A 33-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS REPORTED KILLED BY LIGHTNING AT LOK MA CHAU.
RAIN BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND HEAVY LATER ON AUGUST 22. IN TAI PO, AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND A 15-YEAR-OLD BOY WERE SWEPT AWAY BY SWIFT STREAM CURRENTS AND WERE LATER FOUND DEAD. THE HEAVY RAIN PERSISTED INTO THE NEXT DAY.
DURING THESE TWO DAYS, 10 MINOR CASES OF FLOODING WERE REPORTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND EIGHT IN THE URBAN AREAS. TWO MINOR LANDSLIPS ALSO OCCURRED, IN DIAMOND HILL AND TSUEN WAN.
ON THE WHOLE, SEPTEMBER WAS RATHER WARM WITH THE MONTH’S MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 28.1 DEGREES CELSIUS BEING THE FOURTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR SEPTEMBER AND THE MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE, 26 DEGREES CELSIUS, BEING THE FIFTH HIGHEST.
OCTOBER WAS RATHER WINDY. THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 WAS HOISTED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL ON FOUR OCCASIONS. FOUR TYPHOONS TRAVERSED THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH.
HOWEVER, THEY ALL PASSED WESTWARDS, TO THE SOUTH OF HONG KONG WITH THEIR MAJOR RAINBANDS STOPPING SHORT OF THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS. AS A RESULT, THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO ONLY 15.2 MILLIMETRES, A FRACTION OF THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 121.2 MILLIMETRES.
DURING THE PASSAGE OF THESE TYPHOONS, THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF DEMAGE OR CASUALTIES IN HONG KONG.
THE WEATHER IN NOVEMBER WAS DOMINATED BY THE ASIATIC CONTINENTAL ANTICYCLONE AND THE ASSOCIATED MONSOON. AS A RESULT, THE MONTHLY MEAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE OF 1,019.7 HECTOPASCALS IN HONG KONG WAS THE FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR NOVEMBER, AND THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
RAIN DURING THE MONTH WAS MOSTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ONSET OF THE WINTER MONSOON SURGES. THE MONTHLY TOTAL OF 20.3 MILLIMETRES WAS 59 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 34.7 MILLIMETRES.
THERE WAS A SHARP CONTRAST BETWEEN THE WEATHER IN THE FIRST PART OF DECEMBER AND THAT IN THE LATTER PART OF THE MONTH. THE FIRST PART WAS CHARACTERISED BY CLEAR SKY AND BRILLIANT SUNSHINE WHILE THE LATTER PART WAS CLOUDY AND RAINY.
TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO 40.2 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS 59 PER CENT ABOVE THE AVERAGE FOR DECEMBER.
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/6.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
- 6
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STRESSED
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS NOW GENERALLY RECOGNISED.
HE NOTED THAT STUDIES CONDUCTED IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD BY PROFESSIONALS IN EDUCATION, PAEDIATRICS, PSYCHOLOGY, PSYCHIATRY AND NUTRITION ATTESTED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EARLY YEARS OF LIFE TO A PERSON’S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENJNG OF THE SEVENTH ASIAN CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE AT SHUE YAN COLLEGE, MR LI NOTED THAT THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF AN APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN WHICH TOOK FULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE VARIOUS STAGES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
"IT IS, I THINK, A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR THOUGHT AND ACTION FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
"HOWEVER, WHETHER A CURRICULUM CAN BE EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTED Wli>L DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH IS THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHER," HE SAID.
IN THIS RESPECT, MR LI SAID, IT WAS THE BELIEF OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THAT ANY FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION SHOULD INVOLVE THE EMPLOYMENT OF HIGHER NUMBERS OF TRAINED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, KINDERGARTEN OPERATORS MUST HAVE THE INCENTIVE TO INCREASE SALARIES SUFFICIENTLY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GOOD QUALITY STAFF AND KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS MUST BE WILLING TO COME FORWARD FOR TRAINING.
TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES, MR LI SAID THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:
* AN IMPROVED TRAINING COURSE FOR QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AT DISTRICT CENTRES WITH FLEXIBLE TRAINING HOURS SO AS TO REDUCE THE INCONVENIENCE TO TEACHERS AND HELP ENSURE THAT MORE TEACHERS WOULD COME FORWARD FOR TRAINING; ■
* KINDERGARTEN OPERATORS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW SPECIFIC TARGETS FOR IMPROVING STANDARDS FOR. STAFFING AND TO PAY TEACHERS ACCORDING TO A RECOMMENDED SALARY SCALE;
* THE INTRODUCTION OF A KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME WHEREBY THE NUMBER OF NEEDY PARENTS BENEFITTING FROM IT WILL BE TWICE AS fiANY AS AT PRESENT; AND
* THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING PARTY' ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION WHICH WILL INCLUDE NON-GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES, TO CONSIDER THE LONG-TERM POSSIBILITY OF UNIFYING THE PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE SERVICES.
/THE CONFERENCE, .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
THE CONFERENCE, TUI' SECOND TIME BEING HELD IN HONG KONG, WAS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
MORE THAN 120 DELEGATES FROM INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN, THAILAND AND HONG KONG ARI TAKING PART IN THE FIVE-DAY EVENT WHICH WILL END WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 17).
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CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF IN REFUGEE UNIT COMMENDED * * * t » »
ALTHOUGH CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF IN THE REFUGEE UNIT HAVE TO WORK LONG HOURS IN OFTEN REMOTE STATIONS, THEY HAVE BEEN STEADFAST IN THEIR JOB AND MADE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HARSH WORKING CONDITIONS WITH NO PROMISE OF ANY SPECIAL REWARD FOR THEIR DILIGENCE AND LOYALTY.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (REFUGEE UNIT), MR ISH BHAGAT, AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PASSING-OUT PARADE AT STANLEY TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR BHAGAT SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW LOOKING AFTER ABOUT 35,000 REFUGEES AND VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO WERE BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
'DESPITE THE HEAVY DEMANDS MADE ON US, WE HAVE MANAGED WITH A VERY LIMITED SUPPLY OF BOTH HUMAN AND MATERIAL RESOURCES,” HE ADDED.
AS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN CHARGE OF THE REFUGEE UNIT, MR BHAGAT EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO ALL THE STAFF WORKING IN THE UNIT FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION AND UNFALTERING SUPPORT LN THE PAST YEARS.
MR BHAGAT WILL RETIRE FROM THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SOON, AFTER 31 YEARS OF SERVICE. HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN DEVISING THE FIRST DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMME FOR PRISONERS IN HONG KONG AND LN DEVELOPING CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS DURING HIS LONG YEARS OF SERVICE. HE BECAME ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN
TODAY'S PARADE MARKED THE PASSING-OUT OF 50 OFFICERS AND 107 ASSISTANT OFFICERS W|1O HAVE JUST COMPLETED 26-WEEK BASIC TRAINING AT THE DEPARTMENT'S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
MR BHAGAT ALSO PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES TO THE FIVE BEST RECRUITS.
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/8 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13,
1990
8
REVISED RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THE REVISED RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO PIG AND POULTRY FARMERS AFFECTED BY THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME OR DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE.
THE ANNUALLY REVISED RATES, EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 1990 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
TYPES OF LTVERSTOCK
KEEPING STRUCTURE PER CAPITA* RATES/BUlLDING AREA
S/BIRD ♦ $/SQUARE METRE
CHICKEN 27.96 414.80
LEGHORN 45.41 489.40
PIGEON 34.00 453.30
QUAIL 3.42 367.71
DUCK/GOOSE 20.15 -
PIG - 338.60
PIG PENS ACCOMMODATING — 457.60
BREEDER PIGS AND WITH GESTATION AND FARROWING CRATES
* ONLY APPLICABLE TO ’’BACKYARD” AND FREE RANGE POULTRY FARM IN WHICH THE NUMBER OF POULTRY IS SMALL AND CAN BE PRACTICALLY COUNTED, THAT IS LESS THAN 1,000.
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YEAR-END CLEAN-UP BEGINS IN YAU TSIM
******
A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP DRIVE BEGAN IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT TODAY (SATURDAY) TO HELP RESIDENTS PROPERLY DISPOSE OF RUBBISH BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
TO SET AN EXAMPLE TO RESIDENTS, DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT (KOWLOON), MR LAI MAN-CHI, AND MEMBERS OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE TOOK PART IN A ’’KEEP CLEAN” EXERCISE AT THE MARKET STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
/A DECORATED .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
9
A DECORATED BUS LATER TOURED THE DISTRICT AND BROADCAST MESSAGES REMINDING RESIDENTS TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
FURTHER HELP WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL SET UP EXTRA REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE MONTH.
THE CLEAN-UP DRIVE ALSO MARKS THE END OF THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT THROUGH SUMS OF $150,000 AND $50,000 RESPECTIVELY.
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED DURING THE FIVE-MONTH CAMPAIGN, INCLUDING CLEANLINESS CONTESTS AMONG BUILDINGS AND COOKED FOOD STALLS, A SEMINAR, A COLOURING CONTEST ON HOUSEHOLD CLEANLINESS, A VARIETY SHOW, REMOVAL OF ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS, AND AREA PATROLS TO IDENTIFY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
THE WINNERS OF THE CONTESTS WERE AWARDED PRIZES AT TODAY’S FUNCTION.
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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN WONG TAI SIN
*******
MESSAGES ON FIRE PREVENTION WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE RESIDENTS OF WONG TAI SIN THROUGH AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 11 AM TO 3.30 PM AT THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP, IS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF NINE FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS.
"THE EXHIBITIONS AIM TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF ELECTRIC FAULT WHICH REMAINS A MAJOR CAUSE OF DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL FIRES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"ELECTRIC FAULTS CAN BE AVOIDED IF REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF POWER POINTS AND APPLIANCES ARE CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS," HE SAID.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE PANELS CONTAINING GRAPHICS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ON GENERAL FIRE PREVENTION AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION.
"OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE A BOOKLET ON THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC FIRES AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY KWONG ON BANK LTD.
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/10 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
10
KWONG YUEN COMMUNITY HALL OPENS ON MONDAY ******
THE KWONG YUEN COMMUNITY HALL IN KWONG YUEN ESTATE, SIU LEK YUEN, SHA TIN WILL BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 15) TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR THE DEVELOPING AREA.
OPENING HOURS WILL BE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 10 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND DURING THE 1 PM TO 2 PM LUNCH BREAK.
THE COMMUNITY HALL IS MANAGED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE. IT COMPRISES A HALL, DRESSING ROOMS, A CONFERENCE ROOM AS WELL AS BADMINTON COURTS FOR HIRE BY REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND NON-PROFIT MAKING BODIES.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, CHARITABLE BODIES, ADVISORY BOARDS AND COUNCILS USING THE FACILITIES FOR ORGANISING NON-PROFIT MAKING ACTIVITIES MAY HAVE THEIR FEES WAIVED.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMMUNITY HALL AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO MR LIU ON TEL. 6376767.
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DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR ISLANDS DISTRICT ACTIVITIES
******
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND YOUTH CENTRES TN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WISHING TO ORGANISE CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR ISLANDERS IN 1990-91 CAN NOW SEND IN APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
’’ACTIVITIES FINANCED BY DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS SHOULD BE NON-PROFIT MAKING, AND SHOULD NOT GIVE UNDUE CREDIT OR PUBLICITY TO A PARTICULAR PERSON OR INCUR ANY RECURRENT EXPENSES TO BE BORNE BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO OBSERVE THE VARIOUS DEADLINES SET BY THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AND SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
DEADLINES FOR THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF APPLICATIONS ARE:
- SPORTS, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL MARCH 1
ACTI V J TIES/COMMUNITY AFFAI RS ACTIVITIES
- DRAGON BOAT ACTIVITIES (1990) APRIL 15
- LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES (1991) JUNE 30
/ALL THE .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
THE APPLlCAT^ONS will be vetted by the cultural, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 8524325.
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MORE SAFETY COURSES IN THE PIPELINE » * * t t *
THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL RUN A WIDE RANGE OF COURSES UNDER ITS ONGOING SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR EMPLOYEES IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES THIS YEAR.
’’THE COURSES ARE AIMED AT ENABLING INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE ACTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS IN THEIR WORKPLACES AND TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF TACKLING SAFETY PROBLEMS,” THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE CENTRE, MR CHAN HON-TING SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR CHAN NOTED THAT MORE THAN 13,600 EMPLOYEES TOOK PART IN 495 COURSES ON 32 MAJOR SAFETY SUBJECTS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE LAST YEAR.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, HE SAID, 218 BASIC AND ADVANCED COURSES OF 31 TYPES WOULD BE OFFERED.
’’THEY ARE DESIGNED MAINLY FOR MANAGERS, TECHNICIANS, FOREMEN AND WORK SUPERVISORS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE SO ACQUIRED TO THEIR WORKING ENVIRONMENT,” HE SAID.
THE COURSES, WHICH LAST FROM HALF A DAY TO FIVE DAYS, COVER SUCH AREAS AS INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION, HEARING CONSERVATION, MANUAL LIFTING AND HANDLING, ELECTRICAL SAFETY, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS, SAFE USE OF ABRASIVE WHEELS, SLINGING, MACHINERY, POWER PRESS, AND SO ON.
TO CURB THE SPIRALLING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, COURSES WILL BE OFFERED ON ACCIDENT-PRONE OPERATIONS SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION, WORK IN CONFINED SPACES, ASBESTOS HAZARDS AND CONTROLS, CAISSON WORK, CRANE SAFETY, WORKING AT HEIGHT, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPREPAIRING.
EMPHASIS WILL ALSO BE LAID ON THE LABELLING AND SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS AND THE PROMOTION OF SAFETY PROGRAMMES, WHILE NEW COURSES WILL BE INTRODUCED ON SAFETY IN FOOD CATERING AND CONTAINER HANDLING INDUSTRIES.
THE COURSES ARE CONDUCTED MAINLY IN CANTONESE AND ADMISSION IS FREE. APPLICATION MUST BE MADE THROUGH EMPLOYERS.
/IN VIEW .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
IN VIEW OF THE KEEN RESPONSE TO THE COURSES, MR CHAN URGED INTERESTED EMPLOYEES TO APPLY FOR ENROLMENT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
"PROSPECTUS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE CENTRE ON THE 13TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 8523563 OR 8523565," HE SAID.
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SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL BEGINS ON THURSDAY t * * t » »
THE 26TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE IN SHAM SHUI PO BETWEEN JANUARY 18 (THURSDAY) AND FEBRUARY 9.
MORE THAN 370 TEAMS, COMPRISING 3,680 STUDENTS, HAVE ENTERED THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR.
OF THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS, 171 ARE FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS, 190 FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 18 FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
THEY WILL COMPETE IN WESTERN FOLK DANCE, CHINESE DANCE, ORIENTAL DANCE AND CREATIVE DANCE.
OVERALL CHALLENGE AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE ATTAINED THE HIGHEST TOTAL SCORES IN THE FOUR DANCE SECTIONS.
THE MOST PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED TO ONE SECONDARY AND ONE PRIMARY SCHOOI. BASED ON THEIR PAST AND CURRENT PARTICIPATION, AND RESULTS, AS WELL AS ON THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE SCHOOLS IN DANCE PROMOTION.
WINNERS WILL BF, INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONIES TO BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM BETWEEN APRIL 6 AND 8, AND AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL BETWEEN APRIL 17 AND 21 .
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/13
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
- 13 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 15), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, FROM A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ICE HOUSE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ALL GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, 24 HOURS DAILY.
THE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 24-HOUR RESTRICTION FOR ALL VEHICLES ON THIS SECTION OF WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
IN ADDITION, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT PLACE IN FRONT OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, EXCLUDING THE LAYBY, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PEDDER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 85 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS IN THESE URBAN CLEARWAYS.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS TN TSIM SHA TSUI
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 15), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS 24 HOURS DAILY:
- THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SALISBURY ROAD SECTION BETWEEN CANTON ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK DRIVE:
- THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CANTON ROAD BETWEEN ITS
JUNCTION WITH SALISBURY ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES
NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
- THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KOWLOON PARK DRIVE BETWEEN ITS
JUNCTION WITH SALISBURY ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES
NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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t
/14 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1990
- 14 -
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF SHA TIN ROAD ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A SECTION OF ABOUT 300 METRES OF SHA TIN ROAD NEAR THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 11.30 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 15) TO JANUARY 20 (SATURDAY) TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD T5.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ADJACENT SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SHA TIN WAI ROAD JUNCTION BEFORE REJOINING SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON SHA TIN NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR TAI PO WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ADJACENT SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SHA TIN WAI ROAD JUNCTION BEFORE REJOINING SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD t ♦ * ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
A SECTION OF ABOUT 700 METRES OF THE INNERMOST LANE AND CENTRE LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) SOUTHBOUND NEAR CHEUNG WAH ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE REST OF THE TIME, FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 15) TO JANUARY 23 (TUESDAY).
A SECTION OF ABOUT 650 METRES OF THE INNERMOST LANE AND CENTRE LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) SOUTHBOUND NEAR WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE REST OF THE TIME, FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO 17 .
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG HAS COMMUNITY SPIRITS: DOUGLAS HURD.............................. 1
REMINDER ON USING ACCURATE WEIGHING, MEASURING EQUIPMENT .................. 1
ROAD SAFETY PATROL A SUCCESS .............................................. 3
MORE THAN 100,000 PATRONISE SHA TIN FESTIVAL .............................. 3
RESIDENTS SHOW SUPPORT FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT ............................ 4
FIRE WATCH TEAMS PRAISED .................................................. 5
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT SINGING COMPETITION .................. 6
SOUTHERN DISTRICT TO HOLD SINGING CONTEST NEXT MONTH ...................... 7
NEW YEAR GIFTS FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS .................................... 8
DB MEMBERS' VIEWS ON SOCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT SOUGHT ................... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASSISTANCE FOR SHIP ACCIDENT VICTIMS .............. 9
1,462 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN DECEMBER .............................. 9
REMINDER ON FIREWORKS BAN ................................................ 10
VEGETABLE GROWING CONTEST FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS ........................... 10
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1932-35 ..................................... 11
WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN .................................................. 13
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI
13
SUNDAY, .JANUARY 14, 1990
HONG KONG HAS COMMUNITY SPIRITS; DOUGLAS HURD *******
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, TODAY (SUNDAY) DESCRIBED THE COMMUNITY CHEST WALK AS A VERY HAPPY AND PLEASANT OCCASION FOR THE TERRITORY AND SHOWS THAT HONG KONG IS FULL OF COMMUNITY SPIRITS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER JOINTLY OFFICIATING WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT THE OPENING OF THE WALK IN THE HONG KONG STADIUM, MR HURD SAID THAT THE OCCASION WAS A HAPPY DAY FOR HONG KONG.
"I THINK THIS IS PART OF HONG KONG WHICH IS SOMETIMES FORGOTTEN. IT’S NOT JUST A MATTER OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS AND PROSPERITY, IT'S A MATTER OF A LOT OF COMMUNITY WORK AND COMMUNITY SPIRITS, AND THAT IS WORTH NOTICING TODAY," HE SAID.
ASKED IF RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA WERE IMPROVING, MR HURD SAID: "RELATIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS EASY BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE A DISCUSSION, A DIALOUGE WITH THEM, PARTICULARLY ON MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"THERE WILL BE A WHOLE SERIES OF CONTINUING CONTACTS WITH CHINA BECAUSE THAT IS NECESSARY," HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING TO THE PRESS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID HE HAD GIVEN THE FOREIGN SECRETARY A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF WHAT HE HAD BEEN DOING DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO PEKING.
"DURING YESTERDAY AND TODAY WE WILL BE GOING THROUGH ALL THE VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN HONG KONG. IT’S NOT SIMPLY A QUESTION OF RELATIONS WITH CHINA, BUT 1 WANT HIM TO BE FULLY BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AS WELL, SO THAT HE IS UP-TO-DATE AND FULLY IN THE PICTURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
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REMINDER ON USING ACCURATE WEIGHING, MEASURING EQUIPMENT *******
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED PRODUCE RETAILERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY USE ACCURATE WEIGHING OR MEASURING EQUIPMENT WHEN SUPPLYING GOODS BY WEIGHT OR MEASURE.
"IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MORE PROSECUTION ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN THIS YEAR AGAINST OFFENDERS UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 LAST YEAR," THE PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR LI HUNG-YUE, SAID.
MR LI SAID THAT IN THE 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE, THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 94 COMPLAINTS, OF WHICH 64 WERE LODGED AGAINST RETAILERS OF VARIOUS FOOD ITEMS.
/"AS REGARDS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 2 -
"AS REGARDS THE NATURE OE THOSE COMPLAINTS, 75 ALLEGED THE TRADERS USING INACCURATE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT WHICH WERE INVARIABLY THE 'CHING1 OR SI,ANTED DIAL SPRING BALANCE, THE TWO TYPES OF WEIGHING EQUIPMENT MOST COMMONLY USED IN THE RETAIL TRADE," HE SAID.
MR LI SAID INVESTIGATIONS INTO 76 CASES HAD BEEN COMPLETED.
THE FINDINGS SHOWED THAT 45 COMPLAINTS WERE NOT SUBSTANTIATED WHILE THE OTHER 31 CASES WERE ESTABLISHED WHICH RESULTED IN WARNING BEING SERVED ON THE OWNERS OF THE BUSINESS IN 20 CASES AND INSTITUTION OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST 11 TRADERS.
"OI THE CASES DECIDED FOR PROSECUTION, SIX HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED WITH THE IMPOSITION OF A TOTAL FINE OF $17,000, RANGING FROM $1,000 TO $5,000," MR LI SAID.
UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $20,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
IN ADDITION TO INVESTIGATIONS IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS, MR LI SAID, 70 SPOT CHECKS WERE CONDUCTED AT PETROL FILLING STATIONS, GROCERY SHOPS AND VARIOUS FOOD RETAILERS’ PREMISES.
DISCREPANCY
BEING GIVEN TO SIX
WAS FOUND IN FOUR CASES WHICH RESULTED IN WARNING TRADERS AND PROSECUTION RECOMMENDED AGAINST ONE.
MR LI ADDED THAT A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED DURING THE PERIOD ON THE ACCURACY OF THE NET WEIGHT OF 49 BRANDS OF PACKAGED RICE ON SALE IN THE LOCAL MARKET.
THE RESULT SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH INADEQUATE PACKAGES EXISTED IN 39 BRANDS, THE DEFICIENCY DID NOT EXCEED THE TOLERANCE LEVEL.
A SIMILAR SURVEY WAS ALSO CONDUCTED AT 127 RETAILERS, SUPERMARKETS AND DEPARTMENT STORES ON THE ACCURACY OF NET WEIGHT OF PREPACKED FROZEN MEAT AND POULTRY.
"OF THE 153 BRANDS CHECKED, 81 WERE FOUND INADEQUTE BUT AGAIN THE DEFICIENCY WAS WITHIN TOLERANCE," HE SAID.
MR LI EXPLAINED THAT SINCE WEIGHING AND
COULD NOT BE 100 PER CENT ACCURATE, IT WAS
MEASURING EQUIPMENT
NECESSARY FOR THE
DEPARTMENT, LIKE SIMILAR AUTHORITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, TO SET A TOLERABLE ERROR LEVEL TO DECIDE WHETHER. AN OFFENDER SHOULD BE WARNED OR PROSECUTED.
MR LI SAID THAT IN AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE CONSUMERS TO REPORT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MALPRACTICES, POSTERS PUBLICISING A COMPLAINT HOTLINE WOULD BE DISPLAYED AT ALL MARKET PLACES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG NEXT MONTH.
"CONSUMERS WHO ^USPECT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN SHORT WEIGHT OR MEASURE SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 7146146 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR ON TEL. 8523185 OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS," HE SAID.
/3 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 3 -
ROAD SAFETY PATROL A SUCCESS * * * *
THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL HAS, SINCE ITS INCEPTION, BEEN TAKING CARE OF SOME 300,000 STUDENTS CROSSING THE ROADS EVERY DAY AND NOT A SINGLE CHILD HAS BEEN INJURED WHILE UNDER SUCH CARE, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL KOWLOON REGIONAL INSPECTION AT THE POLICE RECREATION CLUB, MR CHAN SAID SUCH MAGNIFICENT RECORD COULD ONLY AFFIRM THE SUCCESS OF THE PATROL.
"THE MORE EXTENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE PATROL ARE REALISED IN EDUCATING THE YOUNGER GENERATION ON ROAD SAFETY AND IN FOSTERING THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A ROAD USER.
"ONE CAN EXPECT THE EDUCATIONAL FUNCTION OF THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL TO SOMEHOW BRING ABOUT SOME POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THE STUDENTS AT LARGE."
IN THE LONG RUN, HE SAID, SUCH AN INFLUENCE WOULD HELP IN ENSURING ROAD SAFETY IN HONG KONG.
"TO THE PATROL MEMBERS," MR CHAN SAID, "THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THEY ACQUIRE ARE OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE.
"OBSERVING RULES, KEEPING DISCIPLINE AND COMING FORWARD TO LEAD HELP FOSTER A LAW-ABIDING AND CIVIC-MINDED YOUNGER GENERATION, PROVIDING THEM A SOUND BEHAVIOUR MODEL FOR THEIR UPBRINGING."
WHILE ENCOURAGING YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE MORE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS JOINING THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL, MR. CHAN HOPED THEY WOULD MAKE GOOD USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER THEMSELVES WHILE SERVING THE COMMUNITY IN THEIR PARTICULAR ROLE.
THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL STARTED 26 YEARS AGO WITH ABOUT 50 MEMBERS. IT NOW HAS OVER 12,000 MEMBERS SERVING PATROL TEAMS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY — THE TOP OF ITS COUNTERPARTS IN THE WORLD.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 26 TEAMS OF ROAD SAFETY PATROL.
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MORE THAN 100,000 PATRONISE SHA TIN FESTIVAL *****
MORI- THAN 100,000 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE MONTH-LONG SHA TIN FESTIVAL, REFLECTING RESIDENTS’ TREMENDOUS SUPPORT AND ENTHUSIASM IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL PARK, SHA TIN, MR YUNG SAID THESE ACTIVITIES ALSO HELPED LOCAL ARTISTES, SPORTSMEN AND PERFORMING TROUPES.
AT CENTRAL
TO DEVELOP
/"WE HAVE .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
"WE HAVE HAD A COMPREHENSIVE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME TAILORED TO THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF OUR DISTRICT," HE SAID.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WERE THE FESTIVE LIGHTING CELEBRATIONS, ART AND CRAFTS MARKETS FOR THE ELDERLY AND YOUNGSTERS, AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CAMPAIGN, THE NEW SHA TIN 10 YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY PARTY, AREA COMMITTEES’ VARIETY SHOW, INTERNATIONAL ROWING COMPETITION AS WELL AS A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON SHA TIN S HISTORY," HE ADDED.
FROM 11 AM TO 3 PM TODAY, A VILLAGE BAZAAR WAS STAGED IN CENTRAL PARK, WITH 20 STALLS PROVIDING OLD RURAL LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT SUCH AS FORTUNE TELLING, HANDICRAFTS AND TRADITIONAL SNACKS.
A SPECIAL ATTRACTION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WAS A LARGE INFLATED TOY AEROPLANE IN THE PARK.
IN THE EVENING AT THE CARITAS HALL, TAI WAI, A TRADITIONAL CHINESE VILLAGE DINNER WAS ATTENDED BY 450 LOCAL CELEBRITIES, Community leaders, district board members and government officials.
IN ANOTHER EVENT, A DANCE PERFORMANCE BY 14 WINNING TEAMS OF THE 10TH SHA TIN DISTRICT DANCE COMPETITION AND FOUR INVITATION TEAMS WAS HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
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RESIDENTS SHOW SUPPORT FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT
*****
MORE THAN A THOUSAND SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS TOOK PART IN A CARNIVAL AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND TODAY (SUNDAY) TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE PROMOTION OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THE CARNIVAL WAS ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND A PRIVATE COMPANY.
SPEAKING AT THE CARNIVAL, SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG, SAID VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE SOCIETY, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT AND MANY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS, HAD CONTRIBUTED A LOT TOWARDS ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
HE SAID OWNERS AND TENANTS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS NOWADAYS HAD HIGHER EXPECTATIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT STANDARDS OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE THEREFORE, IN 1988, APPOINTED A COMMITTEE COMPRISING ENTHUSIASTIC LOCAL PERSONALITIES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO ADVISE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
/A BUILDING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 5 -
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM WITH OFFICERS SECONDED FROM Till: HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO SET UP UNDER THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO ASSIST THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE AND TO CO-ORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN IMPROVING CONDITIONS IN SOME SELECTED BUILDINGS WITH MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
MR FUNG NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT. THESE INCLUDED A MANAGEMENT SKILLS CERTIFICATE COURSE, A BRIEFING AND A SEMINAR.
TODAY'S CARNIVAL WAS A REFLECTION OF THE SUPPORT LOCAL OWNERS' CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES WHICH HAD DEMONSTRATED MUCH CONCERN ABOUT MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
SHOWN BY
VOLUNTARY
BUILDING
ACTIVITIES AT THE CARNIVAL INCLUDED FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATIONS, STAGE PERFORMANCE, STALL GAMES AND EXHIBITIONS ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, AND THE URBAN SERVICES AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS CONCERNING BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
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FIRE WATCH TEAMS PRAISED *****
FIRE WATCH TEAMS IN WONG TAI SIN WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) PRAISED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN THE PREVENTION OF FIRE OUTBREAKS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
"MEMBERS OF THE TEAMS NOT ONLY SACRIFICED THEIR SPARE TIME TO SERVE THEIR FELLOW RESIDENTS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME ASSISTED IN PUBLICISING THE FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE," MR LI YUK-WA, THE CHAIRMAN OF A CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP TO PROMOTE FIRE PREVENTION FORMED UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE, SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE DISTRICT’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, MR LI NOTED THAT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THESE TEAMS, THE CAMPAIGN WC'LD NOT HAVE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL.
MR LI ALSO COMMENDED RESIDENTS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AS WELL AS THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED, FOR THEIR JOINT EFFORTS IN MAKING THE CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MESSAGES OF FIRE PREVENTION AND ANTI-ILLEGAL POWER TAPPING HAD BASICALLY REACHED MOST OF THE RESIDENTS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
/"LARGE PUBLICITY .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 6 -
’’LARGE PUBLICITY BOARDS WERE PUT UP AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT’S 12 SQUATTER. VILLAGES. PUBLICITY POSTERS AND CALENDARS WERE ALSO WIDELY DISTRIBUTED,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALL THE CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COLOUR-SHADING COMPETITIONS, CROSSWORD PUZZLES, HOUSEHOLD VISITS, SEMINARS AND VISITS TO FIRE STATIONS, HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE, MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM, SAID RESIDENTS MUST KEEP UP THEIR EFFORTS.
THE FOUR-WEEK-LONG CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17 WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND THE DANGER OF ILLEGAL POWER TAPPING.
PRIZES WERE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS HELD DURING THE CAMPAIGN, WHILE THE VARIETY SHOW PROVIDED ENTERTAINMENT WHICH INCLUDED SINGING AND A DRAMA ON FIRE PREVENTION.
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY INCLUDED THE WONG TAI SIN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY CHAN; FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF KOWLOON CENTRAL DIVISION, MR LAM CHUNG-MING; AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED, MR LEUNG SHU1-CHUNG.
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TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT SINGING COMPETITION ******
A LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE FINALS OF THE EIGHTH CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SINGING COMPETITION SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 21.
THE TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S THREE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES AT HARBOUR BUILDING AT 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING) AND IN BELCHER’S STREET, AS WELL AS FROM THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 36A WESTERN STREET.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPETITION’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR OR SHING-MOK, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT RESPONSE TO THE ANNUAL CONTEST WAS ENCOURAGING, WITH MORE THAN 300 ENTRANTS ACCEPTED TO THE CLASSICAL SONG (SOLO), POP AND FOLK SONG (SOLO) AND POP AND FOLK SONG (GROUP) CATEGORIES.
’’FOLLOWING AUDITIONS HELD ON JANUARY 4 AND 6, A TOTAL OF 19 SOLO OR GROUP CONTESTANTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE FINALS WHICH WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 21, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
/'•APART FROM..........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
’’APART FROM THE ANTICIPATED KEEN COMPETITION AMONG THE CONTESTANTS, A WINNER FROM A TERRITORY-WIDE SINGING CONTEST HELD SEVERAL YEARS AGO, MR SO WING-HONG, WILL BE THE GUEST PERFORMER AT THE SHOW," MR OR ADDED.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE COMPETITION WILL BE MR OR; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION, MR WONG CHUNG-YING; ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MONICA CHAN; MUSIC OFFICE’S ASSISTANT MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR Y.S. WANG; AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MISS ESTHER CHAN.
THE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED CASH PRIZES AND TROPHIES.
- - 0 - -
SOUTHERN DISTRICT TO HOLD SINGING CONTEST NEXT MONTH
THE THIRD SOUTHERN DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST, AIMED AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN SINGING AND ALSO IDENTIFYING LOCAL TALENT, WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH.
IT IS OPEN TO ALL PERSONS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 35 WHO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN THE DISTRICT. THOSE WHO ARE AFFILIATED TO ANY LOCAL ORGANISATION ARE ALSO WELCOME TO ENTER THE CONTEST.
THE COMPETITION, AN ANNUAL EVENT, IS DIVIDED INTO SOLO AND CHORUS DIVISIONS. FOR THE CHORUS DIVISION, EACH TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF NO MORE THAN 10 PERSONS.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 4. CONTESTANTS MEETING THE REQUIRED STANDARD WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER THE FINALS WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE, ON FEBRUARY 25.
THE WINNER AND THE RUNNERS-UP IN EACH DIVISION WILL BE AWARDED GIFT COUPONS OF $1,000, $700 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY, IN ADDITION TO TROPHIES. ALL FINALISTS WILL BE GIVEN SOUVENIRS.
THE CONTEST HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION AND THE MUS 1C OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DISTRICT’S JOINT SCHOOLS' CONFERENCE, HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION, ABERDEEN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY CENTRE AND ABERDEEN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE. SPONSORSHIP HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE CONTEST ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, AS WELL AS FROM ALL ORGANISER ORGANISATIONS.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JANUARY 30.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 8 -
NEW YEAR GIFTS FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS
*****
A TOTAL OF 800,000 LAISEE PACKETS AND 100,000 SPRING SCROLLS PRODUCED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD SPENT ABOUT $150,000 TO WISH RESIDENTS A YEAR OF FORTUNE AND PROSPERITY.
THE SCROLLS FEATURE THE CHINESE CHARACTER "FOOK”, WHICH MEANS GOOD FORTUNE, BLESSING AND HAPPINESS.
THESE WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TUESDAY (JANUARY 16) AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
---------0-----------
DB MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON SOCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT SOUGHT ******
THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR LOK MAN-PAN, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON A SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY PAPER AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 16 I .
ENTITLED "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND, AN INVITATION FOR. YOUR VIEWS", THE POLICY PAPER OUTLINES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND SEEKS VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER (SAI KUNG) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MRS LEUNG PO SIU-TO, WILL REPORT TO MEMBERS THE PRESENT POPULATION INTAKE AND PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE AMENDMENTS TO THE DISTRICT BOARD FUNDING GUIDELINES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 16) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
--------0-----------
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 9 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASSISTANCE FOR SHIP ACCIDENT VICTIMS
******
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A MEMBER’S PROPOSAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF SHIP ACCIDENTS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
IN THE WAKE OF AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A JETFOIL IN THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER ON DECEMBER 15 LAST YEAR, THE MEMBER IS EXPECTED TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET UP A RELIEF FUND OR EXTEND THE EXISTING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ASSISTANCE TO COVER SHIP ACCIDENT VICTIMS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE SUGGESTED MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT KIMBERLEY ROAD, THE WIDENING OF AUSTIN ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0-----------
1,462 TRAFFIC
ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN DECEMBER
******
A TOTAL OF 1,907 CASUALTIES WAS REPORTED IN 1,462 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT 351 OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 782 IN KOWLOON AND 329 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR DECEMBER SHOWED THAT 32 PERSONS WERE KILLED. 374 PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,501 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 6.95 PER CENT AND 5.24 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
/10 .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
REMINDER ON FIREWORKS BAN *****
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR DISCHARGE FIREWORKS OR FIRE-CRACKERS WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE.
"UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WHO POSSESSES OR DISCHARGES ANY FIREWORKS WITHOUT A LICENCE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF <825,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF EXPLOSIVES OFFICER, MR CHARLES CHINS, SAID.
MR CHING SAID OFFICERS FROM THE MINES DIVISION WERE CONDUCTING SPOT CHECKS ON SHOPS AND PREMISES SUSPECTED OF SELLING OR STORING SUCH GOODS.
"ANY UNLICENSED FIREWORKS FOUND WILL BE SEIZED AND THE OFFENDER PROSECUTED," HE SAID.
MR CHING ALSO URGED PEOPLE POSSESSING FIREWORKS TO SURRENDER THEM IMMEDIATELY TO THE MINES DIVISION ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KOWLOON, OR TO ANY NEARBY POLICE STATION.
"THEY MAY ALSO CONTACT THE DIVISION ON TEL. 7332356 OR 7332358 FOR SUCH GOODS TO BE COLLECTED," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
VEGETABLE GROWING CONTEST FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS » » , » »
WINNERS OF THE VEGETABLE GROWING (IN POT) COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS, WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 16) AFTERNOON.
THE PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM PLANNING OFFICER (PRIMARY) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR CHOW HING-PO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION RECEIVED MORE THAN 300 ENTRIES FROM ABOUT 100 PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
THE COMPETITION IS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHAPE, STRUCTURE AND GROWTH OF PLANTS THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND OBSERVATION.
/SEEDS OF
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 11 -
SEEDS OF FIVE SPECIES SUITABLE FOR GROWING IN POTS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS LAST SEPTEMBER AND STUDENTS WERE TASKED TO THE CARING AND GROWING OF THE PLANTS FROM SEEDLING TO FULL-GROWN STAGE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THEIR TEACHERS.
ALL ENTRIES WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS1 CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT BETWEEN 3 PM AND 5 PM ON TUESDAY AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 16).
---------0-----------
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1932-35
MEN BORN IN 1932, 1933, 1934 OR 1935 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM JANUARY 15 TO FEBRUARY 24.
$
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR TO AVOID THE CROWDS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.
"ALTHOUGH THE CLOSING DATE FOR THEIR APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 24, APPLICANTS ARE URGED TO COME FORWARD AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE TO AVOID THE CROWDS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH WE HAD EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST YEARS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF S3,000," HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO RENEW THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND THE AFTERNOONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
/THE ADDRESSES
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 12 -
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 5747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD TEL. NO. 7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 4981259
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 4771543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 4580862
SHEUNG SHUT : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 6727191
’’APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING
IDENTITY CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN
SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE *** SYMBOL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT’S IDENTITY CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE *»* SYMBOL, HE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE PERSONAL PROOFS.
"IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING HIS EXISTING IDENTITY CARD, HE MUST PRODUCE HIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING (IF ANY) HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE OR HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.
"IN SOME CASES, APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIM TO HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG. IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WILL BE ADVISED INDIVIDUALLY," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0-----------
/13
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1990
- 13 -
WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 16) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE PREMISES AT 127-133 (ODD NUMBERS) AND 76-130 (EVEN NUMBERS) OF HOLLYWOOD ROAD, LADDER STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND LOWER LASCAR ROW, CIRCULAR PATHWAY, SHING WONG STREET BETWEEN GOUGH STREET AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD, 1-2 TSUI ON LANE, 270-276 (EVEN NUMBERS) QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, AND LOWER LASCAR ROW.
------0--------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI * * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM (JANUARY 16), HENNESSY ROAD WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 120
URBAN CLEARWAY, FROM 7 AM ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
METRES TO THE WEST WILL BE
TO 7 PM DAILY FOR TWO
ON
WITH
TUESDAY
STEWART
DESIGNATED AN
DAYS, TO FACILITATE
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
BE ALLOWED TO STOP
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING RESTRICTION FROM 7 AM TO in am B™TEN'pORlR™rTCA»crLLE».THE A"°VE S""i SECT,°N °F HENNESS’' »»*» “1>-L
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIRST STEPS IN DIRECTLY ELECTED DEMOCRACY IN 1991: FOREIGN SECRETARY .. 1
FOREIGN SECRETARY VISITS SHA TIN .............................................. 5
FOREIGN SECRETARY VISITS HI-TECH FACTORY ...................................... 6
DECISION NOT MADE ON 1991 FIGURES ............................................. 6
FOREIGN SECRETARY ATTENDS DB MEETING .......................................... 7
CONSTRUCTIVE AND FRANK MEETING WITH OMELCO: FOREIGN SECRETARY ................. 8
LARGE POOL OF SKILLED YOUNG PEOPLE NEEDED: GOVERNOR ........................... 8
HK EXTENDS ROLE AS BUSINESS HUB FOR AISA/PACIFIC ............................. 10
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S CRITICISMS UNFOUNDED: SECRETARY FOR SECURITY .. 13
SEPT EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ................... 14
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR SEPT - NOV RELEASED ............. 19
INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS FOR TRADE MARKS IN 1989 ............................. 21
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT DISCUSSED ....................... 22
SWD HOTLINE PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING ................................ 24
MSB HYGIENE DIVISION ON MOVE ................................................. 25
JFIU GETS NEW HOTLINE NUMBER ................................................. 25
CHANGE IN TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR DRAINAGE COMPLAINTS .......................... 25
POSTAL SERVICES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ............................... 26
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FOOTBRIDGE CONGESTION PROBLEM ........................ 26
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CHILD CARE SERVICE ................................... 27
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ................................... 27
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ...............................................■ 28
WATER CUT IN MUI WO .......................................................... 28
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD IN SHA TIN ............................. 28
1
FIRST STEPS IN DIRECTLY ELECTED DEMOCRACY
*******
IN 1991: FOREIGN SECRETARY
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD. SAID TODAY (MONDAY) IT IS CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG WILL ACHIEVE IN 1991 A MOMENTOUS (MlANGE IN THE WAY IT IS GOVERNED BY TAKING THE FIRST STEPS IN DIRECTLY ELECTED DEMOCRACY.
’’WHAT IS ALSO CERTAIN IS THAT THESE STEPS WILL BE BIGGER THAN WAS PROPOSED BY US TWO YEARS AGO IN THE WHITE PAPER,” MR HURD SAID.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON JOINTLY HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID: "IF POSSIBLE, THE SYSTEM WE ESTABLISH BEFORE 1997 SHOULD BE PART OF A PROCESS WHICH WILL CONTINUE IN THE YEARS THEREAFTER.”
’’THAT WOULD BE THE BEST PRIZE. WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SCORING DEBATING POINTS.” HE ADDED.
"WE WANT TO START A PROCESS OF DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG WHICH WILL ATTRACT SENSIBLE PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL TO PLAY A FULL ROLE IN POLITICAL LIFE. THIS IS MOST LIKELY TO BE ACHIEVED IF THEY CAN SEE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE AND PROGRESS AFTER 1997,” HE SAID.
MR HURD SAID SINCE HE BECAME FOREIGN SECRETARY, HE HAD SPENT MUCH TIME ON HONG KONG ISSUES AND SO HAD OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS MINISTERIAL TEAM — MR FRANCIS MAUDE IN PARTICULAR.
"THERE IS NOTHING SURPRISING ABOUT THAT. HONG KONG MATTERS TO BRITAIN. IT MATTERS TO ME PERSONALLY. WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF BEING NEGATIVE OR DEFENSIVE ABOUT HONG KONG, EITHER. HERE. OR IN PARLIAMENT OR IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES,” HE SAID.
"YOU ARE ENTITLED TO AN ACTIVE, INTELLIGENT BRITISH POLICY WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF AND THAT IS WHAT YOU WILL GET,” HE ADDED.
MR HURD SAID HE WOULD DO ALL HE COULD TO ENSURE THAT BRITAIN’S LONG ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG ENDED HONOURABLY FOR BRITAIN AND SUCCESSFULLY FOR HONG KONG.
DESCRIBING HONG KONG’S SITUATION AS A UNIQUE ONE, HE SAID THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE WAS BASED ON THE FAR-SIGHTED CONCEPT OF ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS. "NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE IT WORK."
HE SAID THE TASK WOULD NOT BE EASY OR. STRAIGHTFORWARD. "THERE ARE NO CONVENIENT PRECEDENTS, NO READY MADE MODELS TO FOLLOW. THERE ARE BOUND TO BE PROBLEMS AND SETBACKS. BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THIS ENTERPRISE.”
MR HURD STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT JUST SITTING BACK AND LETTING THE CLOCK TICK TOWARDS 1997. "OF COURSE THE CHOICES FROM TIME TO TIME WILL BE HARD. WE SHALL TAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS WHEN THESE ARI NECESSARY," HE SAID.
/MR HURD .......
2
MR HURD SAID THAT THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WAS THE BEST FRAMEWORK FOR HONC KONG AND THAT IT REQUIRED A CONTINUOUS DISCUSSION ON EQUAL TERMS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
"IT IS FRANKLY FRIVOLOUS TO PRETEND OTHERWISE. AND THOSE WHO DO SO CAN HAVE NO STANDING AS FRIENDS OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"BUT IT WOULD BE NONSENSE TO PRETEND THAT THE AGREEMENT MARKS THE END OF OUR PROBLEMS. THE TASK NOW IS TO TURN THE JOINT DECLARATION INTO REALITY," HF SAID.
"THAT MEANS WORKING ON MATTERS OF METICULOUS TECHNICAL DETAIL. IT MEANS, I REPEAT. CONDUCTING A TENACIOUS AND CONSISTENT DIALOGUE WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, NEITHER HOSTILE NOR SUBSERVIENT, AIMING AT THE LONG VIEW RATHER THAN THE QUICK TRICK, ALWAYS SEEKING TO JUDGE AND SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG. WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS TASK," THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID.
MR HURD WELCOMED THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP’S CONFIRMATION OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE JOINT DECLARATION. "OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA ARE GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT PERIOD BUT WE WANT TO REBUILD THOSE RELATIONS: IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRITAIN AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG THAT WE SHOULD DO SO."
"HONG KONG ALSO NEEDS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF ITS FUTURE AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA, BUT ALSO BECAUSE CHINA IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT AS A VALUABLE BACK-UP TO HONG KONG’S OWN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AND THE TERRITORY HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY AS AN ECONOMIC BRIDGE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO CHINA LAST WEEK WAS AN IMPORTANT ONE IN MAINTAINING A DIALOGUE WITH CHINESE LEADERS ON MATTERS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG. "HE CONDUCTED HIS TALKS IN PEKING WITH CHARACTERISTIC DEDICATION TO HONG KONG’S INTERESTS."
TURNING TO BRITAIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT LAST MONTH OF A PACKAGE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE KEY PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY TO REMAIN IN THE TERRITORY. MR HURD SAID THE PACKAGE WAS THE RESULT OF A GREAT DEAL OF WORK BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, IN CONSULTATION' WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
"WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST TO DEVISE A SCHEME WHICH TACKLES AS FAIRLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE THE PROBLEM OF EMIGRATION OF TALENTED PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"OF COURSE, MANY PEOPLE HERE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED THE NUMBERS COVERED BY THE SCHEME TO BE LARGER. I UNDERSTAND THEIR WISH. BUT WE HAVE HAD TO BALANCE OUR. WISH TO BE AS GENEROUS AS POSSIBLE AGAINST OUR ABILITY TO ACCEPT PEOPLE FOR SETTLEMENT IN BRITAIN SHOULD THAT EVER BE NECESSARY.
"I BELIEVE THIS POLITICAL REALITY IS WELL UNDERSTOOD IN HONG KONG. IT IS A REALITY WHICH CANNOT BE IGNORED. RECENT CONTROVERSY AT HOME MAKES THAT CLEAR," HE ADDED.
/"WF. COULD ............
MONDAY, JANUARY.15, 1990
"WE COULD HAVE GONE FOR AN EASIER OPTION, INVOLVING THE GUARANTEE OF SETTLEMENT WITHOUT FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP. WE DID NOT DO THAT, BECAUSE WE JUDGED THAT IT WAS CITIZENSHIP RATHER THAN ANYTHING LESS WHICH WOULD MOST ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE OF ENABLING PEOPLE TO STAY IN HONG KONG WITH CONFIDENCE," THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID.
"WE WANT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DYNAMIC PROSPERITY OF THIS TERRITORY. WE CHOSE THE HIGHER ROAD. OUR OBLIGATION UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY MEANT THAT NOTHING LESS THAN THIS WOULD DO, WHATEVER THE DIFFICULTIES," HE SAID.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID THE SECOND CRUCIAL DECISION TAKEN BY BRITAIN BEFORE CHRISTMAS WAS TO AUTHORISE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED WITH THE FIRST MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
"THIS WAS NOT A DECISION WHICH I RELISHED, NOR IS IT AN OPERATION WHICH ANY OF THOSE INVOLVED LIKED HAVING TO CARRY OUT. BUT IT WAS RIGHT TO PROCEED, AND TO FACE THE INEVITABLE CRITICISM FROM PEOPLE IN BRITAIN AND AROUND THE WORLD," MR HURD SAID.
"HONG KONG CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO COPE INDEFINITELY WITH AN ENDLESS STREAM OF IMMIGRANTS FROM VIETNAM, MOST OF WHOM HAVE NO PROSPECT OF EVER FINDING A HOME IN THE WEST.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPERATIVE THAT WE FIND EFFECTIVE WAYS OF DETERRING THIS FUTILE EXODUS AND THAT WE EMPTY THE CAMPS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. HONG KONG HAS SHOULDERED THIS BURDEN FOR TOO LONG," HE ADDED.
ON THE BASIC LAW, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID THAT THROUGHOUT THE DRAFTING PROCESS, WHICH HAD REACHED A CRUCIAL PHASE, HONG -KONG PEOPLE HAD EXPRESSED THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT THE DRAFT IN A THOROUGH AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAY.
"I CONGRATULATE THEM ON WHAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN A MATURE RESPONSE FROM AN INCREASINGLY MATURE POLITICAL COMMUNITY. THE VIEWS OF THIS COMMUNITY DESERVE THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE ATTENTION FROM THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRAFTING THE BASIC LAW," MR HURD SAID.
"THE OUTCOME OF THIS PROCESS IS A MATTER OF MAJOR CONCERN TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. IT WILL BE A CHINESE LAW. BUT OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CO-SIGNATORIES OF THE JOINT DECLARATION MEAN THAT WE HAVE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE INTEREST IN A LAW INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT," HE ADDED.
"THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW IS A MATTER FOR CHINA. BUT THAT HAS NOT PREVENTED US FROM TAKING EVERY SUITABLE OPPORTUNITY TO GET ACROSS OUR VIEWS. IN DOING SO, WE HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED THE WISHES OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT THIS SHOULD BE DONE PRIVATELY AND IN CONFIDENCE," HE SAID.
/THE FOREIGN ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
4
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT A KEY AREA OF THE BASIC LAW WAS THE CHAPTER ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL STRUCTURE. "IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT THIS SECTION SHOULD HAVE BECOME THE FOCUS OF DEBATE IN HONG KONG.
"ITS PROVISIONS WILL HAVE A CRUCIAL EFFECT ON WHAT HONG KONG PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE BASIC LAW AS A WHOLE. IT IS RIGHT THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE EXPRESSED ITS VIEWS FULLY AND VIGOROUSLY.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT, IN THE SEARCH FOR CONSENSUS AND COMPROMISE. A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS SHOULD HAVE EMERGED FROM THE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG. THIS IS VERY MUCH TO HONG KONG’S CREDIT," MR HURD SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE DEBATE ON THE BASIC LAW HAD STIMULATED INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT BEFORE 1997. "IN TAKING OUR DECISIONS ABOUT THIS WE MUST TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THE EVOLUTION OF OPINION IN HONG KONG. WE MUST DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT THE CHANGES WE MAKE MATCH THE ASPIRATIONS OF THIS SOCIETY."
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY CONSCIOUS OF THE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF BRITAIN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH HONG KONG. "AS THE ELEVENTH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD, HONG KONG MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AS A MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT, NOT JUST AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA -- IMPORTANT THOUGH THAT IS."
"HONG KONG BUYS MORE GOODS PER HEAD FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM THAN FROM THE REST OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY PUT TOGETHER. THE WORK OF THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, PETER HEAP, AND HIS STAFF IS CRUCIAL.
"THAT IS WHY I AM MAKING A POINT DURING MY VISIT OF SEEING. FOR MYSELF HIS OPERATION AND MEETING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HERE. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE BRITISH COMPANIES TO PLAY THE FULLEST POSSIBLE PART IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE. WE ARE DETERMINED TO BUILD A GREATER SHARE OF THIS IMPORTANT MARKET," HE SAID.
"THIS IS NOT A SHORT TERM STRATEGY. BRITISH INTERESTS IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE WELL BEYOND 1997. WE ARE WORKING URGENTLY ON PLANS TO ESTABLISH A SUBSTANTIAL REPRESENTATION AFTER 1997, TO MATCH OUR CONTINUING INTERESTS IN THE TERRITORY. I KNOW THAT THE BRITISH COUNCIL ALSO HAVE PLANS TO EXTEND THEIR PRESENCE HERE," HE ADDED.
MR HURD SAID HONG KONG WAS ALSO IMPORTANT AS A SIGNIFICANT FORCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL WORLD AND WAS A FOCUS OF INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT.
"RECENT INVESTMENT DECISIONS BY BRITISH, JAPANESE AND AMERICAN FIRMS; INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS AND CABLE TV DEVELOPMENTS ARE ALL AN INTERNATIONAL VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/"THE PROSPECTS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 5 -
"THE PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG AS WE ENTER THE 1990’3 HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE EXCITING. WE ARE LIVING IN A PERIOD OF DRAMATIC CHANGES AROUND THE WORLD, OFTEN AT A BEWILDERING PACE. HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO ADAPT SHOULD PUT HER IN A STRONG POSITION TO SUCCEED AND PROSPER." HE ADDED.
MR HURD SAID HE DID NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE NEXT DECADE. BRITAIN WOULD NOT REST IN DEFENDING AND PROMOTING HONG KONG’S INTEREST IN ANY WAY IT COULD.
"OUR AIMS WILL BE: TO MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY AND WAY OF LIFE OF A UNIQUELY GIFTED AND RESOURCEFUL PEOPLE; TO BRING ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION OF HONG KONG FROM A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY TO A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA ------- ONE COUNTRY, TWO
SYSTEMS.
"WE SHALL WORK WITH YOU FOR A STABLE, PROSPEROUS HONG KONG, CONSTANTLY RENEWING ITSELF, CONSTANTLY SURPRISING THE WORLD WITH ITS SKILLS, ITS DISCIPLINE, ITS IMAGINATIVE ENERGY," MR HURD SAID.
- - 0 - -
FOREIGN SECRETARY VISITS SHA TIN t t * * »
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, THIS (MONDAY) MORNING VISITED SHA TIN NEW TOWN --ONE OF THE MOST POPULOUS DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND ALSO TOURED ONE OF THE LATEST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT MA ON SHAN.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF SHA TIN FROM THE ROOF OF GARDEN RIVERA WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MI,' VICTOR 1 YUNG, AND THE PROJECT MANAGER, MR LAM MOON-TIM.
ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF SHA TIN’S 514,000 POPULATION LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES INCLUDING HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES, WHILE THE • REMAINDER FORMS A MIXTURE OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS AND VILLAGES.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY LEARNED THAT THE DESIGNED POPULATION OF SHA TIN BY THE MID-90’S WAS 700,000 SERVED BY A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES, A VAST ROAD NETWORK AND RAIL LINKS.
THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COST FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $17.4 BILLION OF WHICH SOME $11.3 BILLION HAD BEEN SPENT TO DATE.
THE SHING MUN RIVER WHICH DIVIDES THE DISTRICT PROVIDES AN AESTHETICAL ATTRACTION IN THE NEW TOWN’S LAYOUT, AND ALTHOUGH POLLUTED THERE ARE PLANS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SLUDGE EXPORT SCHEME AND EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME.
MR HURD TRAVELLED TO HENG ON ESTATE IN MA ON SHAN WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FREDDIE PANG.
/THE FOREIGN .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 6 -
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY TOURED THE ESTATE GARDEN AND SHOPPING ARCADE. AND VISITED A FAMILY IN ONE OF THE HOUSING BLOCKS.
MR HURD LEARNED THAT MA ON SHAN’S CURRENT POPULATION OF 54,000 WOULD GROW TO ABOUT 200,000 BY 1998. TO DATE ABOUT $800 MILLION HAD BEEN SPENT ON LAND FORMATION AND OTHER ENGINEERING CONTRACTS AND A TOTAL OF $1.8 BILLION WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LAND INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO SERVE THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN POPULATION.
THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO IMPROVE THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE 40 INDIGENOUS VILLAGES IN THE DISTRICT. A RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY IS BEING FORMULATED TO EFFECT LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS TO RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
------0--------
FOREIGN SECRETARY VISITS HI-TECH FACTORY * * * * *
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED A FACTORY TN TAI PO WHICH MAKES HI-TECH PRECISION EQUIPMENT AND MACHINES FOR MOULDING.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR ANDREW LEUNG, MR HURD VISITED THE CHEN HSONG MACHINERY COMPANY LIMITED IN THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, MR CHIANG CHEN, BRIEFED THE FOREIGN SECRETARY’ ON THE FACTORY’S OPERATION AND INVESTMENT. THE COMPANY PRODUCES PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES, PRECISION ROBOTS, PRECISION MOULDED PRODUCTS, MOULDS AND CASTED DUCTILE IRON, USING IRON, STEEL, BRASS AND OTHER ALLOYS.
MR HURD LEARNED THAT THE COMPANY EXPORTS ITS PRODUCTS TO MAJOR MARKETS IN EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA, CHINA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AMERICA, WEST AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA.
--------0-----------
DECISION NOT MADE ON 1991 FIGURES *****
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, SAID THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON THAT NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE ON FIGURES IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1991.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR HURD SAID WHAT HE HAD BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN UIS VISIT CONCERNED THE PRINCIPLES, THE ARGUMENTS AND THE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH WERE IMPORTANT.
/HE SAID ......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
HE SAID MANY OF THE VARYING THOUGHTS AND ARGUMENTS WERE EXPRESSED IN THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING HE ATTENDED.
"THE EXPRESSION OF VIEWS IN THERE WAS VERY VARIED AS YOU WOULD EXPECT," HE SAID.
"I OBVIOUSLY LISTENED TO THEM ALL AND WE MUST ABSORB AS MANY VIEWS AS WE CAN WHILE MAKING THIS DECISION," HE ADDED.
MR HURD POINTED OUT THERE WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL MOVE TOWARDS DEMOCRATIC ELECTION IN 1991, A MOVE WHICH WOULD BE MORE SUBSTANTIAL THAN WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED IN THE WHITE PAPER TWO YEARS AGO.
"EXACTLY WHAT THE FIGURE, THE OPENING FIGURE, WILL BE, THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE YET TO DECIDE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A VERY LONG DELAY IN DECIDING IT.
ASKED IF HE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE A SHIFT IN CHINA’S POLICY WITH THE REPORTED APPOINTMENT OF MR ZHOU NAN AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN HONG KONG SOMEONE WHO CLEARLY WAS INFLUENTIAL IN PEKING SO THAT MATTERS WHICH HAD TO BE DISCUSSED COULD BE DISCUSSED IN AN AUTHORITATIVE WAY.
------------------0------- FOREIGN SECRETARY ATTENDS DB MEETING *****
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, ATTENDED A MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON WHERE HE HEARD MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES AFFECTING HONG KONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, MR HURD WAS MET AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE BY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN.
ITEMS ON THE DISTRICT BOARD’S AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDED THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE; THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE PROPOSED FOR HONG KONG BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT; AND THE FUTURE POLITICAL REFORM IN HONG KONG.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD COMPRISES 24 ELECTED AND 12 APPOINTED MEMBERS WHO REPRESENT A TOTAL POPULATION OF 630,000. BOARD MEMBERS COME FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY RANGING FROM HOUSEWIVES TO MERCHANTS.
/8 ........
MONDAY. JANUARY 15, 1990
8 -
CONSTRUCTIVE AND FRANK MEETING WITH OMELCO: FOREIGN SECRETARY
************
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, TONIGHT (MONDAY) DESCRIBED HIS MEETING WITH OMELCO MEMBERS AS CONSTRUCTIVE AND FRANK.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE MEETING-CUM-DINNER, MR HURD SAID HE HAD A LONG TALK ON MANY MATTERS WITH OMELCO. "IT WAS EXTREMELY USEFUL. AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF THE BOAT PEOPLE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF DEMOCRACY, WE TALKED ABOUT THE NATIONALITY PROBLEM. WE TALKED ABOUT THE BASIC LAW.
"EVERYBODY SET OUT THEIR VIEWS COURTEOUSLY AND REASONABLY BUT ALSO VERY FRANKLY, AND I GAVE MY REPLIES IN THE SAME SENSE," HE SAID.
ASKED IF HE MADE ANY NEW PROMISE TO THE OMELCO MEMBERS, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID: "NO. WE WENT OVER THE GROUND IN DETAIL AND IN FRANKNESS AND I THINK THE ARGUMENTS WERE WELL DEPLOYED.
"IT WAS A VERY CONSTRUCTIVE MEETING. IT WAS THE FIRST OCCASION WHERE I MET OMELCO IN THEIR. FULL SESSION. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED,” MR HURD SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ABOUT THE CIVIL SERVANTS PENSION SCHEME WHICH WAS RAISED AT AN EARLIER MEETING HE HAD WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SERVANTS ASSOCIATIONS. THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID THE PROVISION TO PAY THE PENSION ON TERMS NOT LESS FAVOURABLE THAN AT PRESENT WAS CLEARLY IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. "AND WE EXPECT IT TO BE THERE IN THE BASIC LAW.
"THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TELLS ME. AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, HE IS REVIEWING THE POSSIBILITIES OF FURTHER STRENGTHENING THAT POSITION. THAT ASSURANCE BECAUSE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT." MR HURD SAID.
--------0-----------
LARGE POOL OF SKILLED YOUNG PEOPLE NEEDED: GOVERNOR *******
HONG KONG MUST MAKE SURE THAT IT WILL HAVE AS LARGE A POOL AS POSSIBLE OF SKILLED YOUNG PEOPLE AS IT MOVES INTO AN ERA WHERE TECHNOLOGY WILL HAVE AN INCREASINGLY KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN THE ECONOMY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"OUR MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE SECTORS ARE EXPERIENCING A MAJOR SHIFT FROM LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES TO MORE ’KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE’ PROCESSES.
/"IN THIS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
9
"IN THIS NEW ERA WE MUST RELY ON OUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE THE TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS THAT OUR ECONOMY WILL NEED," SIR DAVID SAID WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW CAMPUS OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE CITY POLYTECHNIC HAD RESPONDED BY PROVIDING UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES WHICH WERE DIRECTLY RELEVANT 70 THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES HONG KONG WOULD NEED IF ITS GOODS AND SERVICES WERE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE WORLD-WIDE.
"ITS COURSES ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING ARE ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID REFERRED TO THE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME HE HAD ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE AIM WAS TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF FIRST YEAR, FIRST DEGREE PLACES FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF 7,000 PLACES TO ABOUT 15,000 BY THE MIDDLE OF THE DECADE.
THIS WOULD REPRESENT ABOUT 18 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP OF THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ENOUGH PLACES AT CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA LEVELS TO ENSURE THAT WE MEET THE VARIED NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT TAKEN THESE IMPORTANT DECISIONS SIMPLY TO CONFRONT THE PROBLEM OF EMIGRATION OR TO BOOST CONFIDENCE, AND HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPANSION OF UNDERGRADUATE NUMBERS WAS PLAINLY NOT ENOUGH ON ITS OWN IN MEETING THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
"WE MUST ALSO CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY THROUGH CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY AND THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRY AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC LAST YEAR ARE MAJOR STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
"WE MUST DO WHAT WE CAN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENCOURAGE OTHER SUCH PROJECTS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAT HONG KONG AS A COMMUNITY WOULD COUNT ON THE CITY POLYTECHNIC TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR A POOL OF TECHNICALLY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS ALIKE.
"YOU HAVE A SPLENDID NEW HOME WELL SUITED FOR THE TASKS AHEAD," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 10 -
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT IT WAS ONLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS SINCE HE HAD LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE BUILDINGS OPENED TODAY.
"THE CITY POLYTECHNIC NOW HAS SOME 10,000 FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STUDENTS AND ITS AWARDS ARE HIGHLY REGARDED BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS,” HE SAID.
CITY
THE GOVERNOR POLYTECHNIC ON
CONGRATULATED THE COUNCIL AND THE HAVING ACHIEVED SO MUCH SO QUICKLY.
STAFF OF
THE
------0--------
HK EXTENDS ROLE AS BUSINESS HUB FOR ASIA/PAC1FIC ♦ ♦♦♦** *
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A BUSINESS HUB FOR THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION REQUIRES THE NECESSARY PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON ATTENDED BY FINNISH, SWEDISH, NORWEGIAN AND DANISH BUSINESSMEN, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT HAD BEEN REASSERTED SPECTACULARLY OVER THE PAST DECADE AND ITS ECONOMIC LINKS EXTENDED BEYOND THOSE WITH CHINA.
"HONG KONG IS INCREASINGLY PROVIDING AN ENTREPOT ROLE FOR THE RAPIDLY GROWING ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIES, AND HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN HAVE DIVERSIFIED THEIR INVESTMENTS TO OTHER LOW COST MANUFACTURING LOCATIONS IN THE REGION, SUCH AS THAILAND AND MALAYSIA.
"IN ESSENCE, HONG KONG IS CAPITALISING ON ITS UNIQUE GEOGRAPHY TO EMERGE AS A BUSINESS HUB FOR THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION," HE SAID.
UNDERLINING THE NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, SIR PIERS NOTED THAT WHILE HONG KONG’S CONTAINER PORT AT PRESENT WAS THE BUSIEST INTHE WORLD AND ALSO AMONG THE MOST EFFICIENT AND MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, ITS CAPACITY RECENTLY HAD BEEN STRETCHED BY THE ENORMOUS GROWTH OF TRADE.
"IT FACES COMPETITION FROM ELSEWHERE, PARTICULARLY FROM OUR FRIENDS IN SINGAPORE," HE SAID.
THE AIRPORT AT KAI TAK WHICH HANDLED NOT ONLY RECORD NUMBERS OF PASSENGERS BUT ALSO CONSIDERABLE QUANTITIES OF CARGO WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF STRAIN.
"SO WE CANNOT REST ON WHAT WE HAVE,” SIR PIERS STRESSED, ADDING THAT THE PLANNED TRANSFORMATION OF THE PORT WOULD EVENTUALLY ALLOW FOR A FIVE-FOLD INCREASE IN CONTAINER TRAFFIC AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WOULD PROVIDE OVER THREE TIMES THE CAPACITY OF KAI TAK.
/"I KNOW .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
11
"I KNOW THAT HONG KONG IS RENOWNED FOR ITS SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, BUT THIS PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE THE LARGEST AND MOST EXCITING YET," HE SAID.
WHILE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WAS VITAL, SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG HAD ALSO BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN WORLD-CLASS TECHNOLOGICAL STANDARDS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CABLE TELEVISION, HONG KONG WOULD ACQUIRE A SECOND TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, AND THIS WOULD FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR LINKS WITH THE WORLD, HE SAID.
"LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, ROUTINE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS WILL INCREASINGLY BE DONE BY COMPUTER TO COMPUTER COMMUNICATION, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR HUMAN INTERVENTION.
"THIS 'ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE’ OR EDI WILL BE OF PARTICULAR VALUE TO ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN TRADING, FOR WHOM SPEED AND ACCURACY IN HANDLING DOCUMENTATION ARE CRITICAL TO PROFIT MARGINS AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS.
"IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG NOT TO LAG BEHIND IN THIS RESPECT, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO ITS TRADING PARTNERS IN EUROPE AND THE U.S. WHERE EDI IS BECOMING WELL-ESTABLISHED.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY EXPLORING WHAT IT CAN OR SHOULD DO, TOGETHER WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDI IN THE TRADING COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG. THE SUBJECT IS COMPLEX, BUT WE CANNOT IGNORE IT," HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF HONG KONG’S PEOPLE -- ANOTHER CORNERSTONE FOR CONTINUED PROSPERITY, SIR PIERS NOTED THAT HONG KONG'S ABILITY TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND THREAT ALIKE WAS DUE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY FLEXIBILITY AND RESILIENCE OF ITS PEOPLE.
"ONE CONSEQUENCE OF THAT ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IS THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY IS FRAGMENTED.
"HONG KONG CARRIES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MANUFACTURING AND TRADING ENTERPRISES, EACH WITH, ON AVERAGE, JUST A HANDFUL OF EMPLOYEES.
"ALTHOUGH HONG KONG DOES HAVE SOME LARGE AND SUCCESSFUL FIRMS, THE TYPICAL ENTERPRISE IS SMALL AND IT IS LINKED TO MANY OTHER SUCH CONCERNS TO FORM AN EXTENDED NETWORK OF SUPPLIERS, SUB-CONTRACTORS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, BROKERS AND SO ON.
"THIS BUSINESS STRUCTURE THAT WF, HAVE IN HONG KONG OFFERS UNPARALLELED ADAPTABILITY PLUS THE MOTIVATION AND SATISFACTION THAT COMES WITH OWNERSHIP AND INDEPENDENCE," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS AFFIRMED THAT THESE WERE VALUABLE ASSETS IN RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD MARKETS, "SO MUCH SO THAT U.S. MANAGEMENT EXPERTS ARE NOW SUGGESTING THAT THE NETWORK MODEL MAY BE THE INDUSTRI STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE".
/"I ACCEPT .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 12 -
"I ACCEPT THAT THIS MODEL ALSO HAS ITS DISADVANTAGES. THERE CAN BE A LACK OE LONG TERM THINKING, OR A LACK OF THE RESOURCES NEEDED FOR, SAY, MAJOR TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS.
"HERE WE RECOGNISE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A ROLE TO PLAY, AND OUR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME AIMS TO HELP BUSINESSES IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND DEVELOP TECHNOLOGICALLY.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE BENEFITS OF OUR BUSINESS STRUCTURE FAR OUTWEIGH!' THE DIFFICULTIES OR PROBLEMS," HE STRESSED.
EARLIER, SIR PIERS DWELT ON THE STRUCTURE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND SAID IT HAD MOVED TOWARDS MORE VALUE ADDED SERVICES FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADING ROLES BOTH IN RELATION TO CHINA AND THE REGION GENERALLY.
"THIS STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY HAS CARRIED ITS SHARE OF GROWING PAINS. IT HAS GENERATED UNCOMFORTABLE LEVELS OF INFLATION AS A RAPIDLY GROWING SERVICE SECTOR COMPETED FOR LABOUR WITH A BUOYANT INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
"SOME SLOWING DOWN IN THE RATE OF GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY WAS INEVITABLE AS THE ECONOMY REACHED CAPACITY AFTER THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH.
"OUR CURRENT FORECAST THAT GDP WILL INCREASE BY ONLY THREE PER CENT IN 1989 REFLECTS THAT.
"HOWEVER, THESE ARE TRANSITIONAL TROUBLES. THERE ARE SIGNS THAT INFLATION IS LEVELLING OFF, AND IT SHOULD BEGIN TO SUBSIDE, NOW THAT THERE IS LESS PRESSURE ON CAPACITY," HE SAID.
ON THE "BRAIN DRAIN" PROBLEM, HE SAID WHILE THIS WAS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN, ONE NEEDED TO BEAR IN MIND THAT A SHORTAGE OF SKILLED MANPOWER WAS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR HONG KONG, WHERE UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS HAD TRADITIONALLY BEEN LOW.
"HONG KONG MANAGERS HAVE HAD TO BECOME ADEPT AT FINDING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO VACANCIES AND SHORTAGES AND THEY ARE CONTINUING TO DO SO.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO SUPPORT THEM," HE SAID, REFERRING TO THE MASSIVE EXPANSION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
"WE ARE ALSO TAKING A MORE RELAXED VIEW WHERE EMPLOYERS WANT TO BRING IN QUALIFIED PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG TO CONTRIBUTE TO MEETING LOCAL SKILL SHORTAGES," HE SAID.
/13 ........
MONDAY. JANUARY 15, 1990
- 13 -
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S CRITICISMS UNROUNDED: SECRETARY FOR SECURITY *******
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. MR GEOFFREY BARNES. TODAY (MONDAY) DESCRIBED AS "UNFOUNDED" CRITICISMS MADE BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OF HONG KONG’S SCREENING PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
MR BARNES SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO THE OPERATION OF FAJR STATUS DETERMINATION PROCEDURES WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING ANY PERSONS WITH A GENUINE CLAIM TO REFUGEE STATUS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF UNDUE FORCE BEING USED IN THE REMOVAL OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM CHI MA WAN CENTRE TO PHOENIX HOUSE LAST OCTOBER.
ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION. HF, SAID THIS WAS THE LOGICAL OUTCOME OF THE SCREENJ NG/APPEALS PROCEDURES FOR THOSE BOAT PEOPLE DETERMINED AS NON-REFUGEES AND WHO DID NOT VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK.
IN OPERATING THE SCREENING AND APPEALS PROCEDURES. MR BARNES SAID: "THE BENEFIT OF DOUBT WAS GIVEN TO VIETNAMESE CLAIMING REFUGEE STATUS WITH THE RESULT THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY A GREAT MANY MORE: SUCCESSFUL CLAIMS THAN WOULD BE WARRANTED BY A STRICT APPLICATION OF THE UNHCR CRITERIA."
MR BARNES SAID THE UNHCR HAD PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SCREEN I NG/APPEALS PROCEDURES AND THAT THEY HAD UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE PRE-SCREENING DATA COLLECTION INTERVIEWS AND TO ALL SCREENING INTERVIEWS.
"UNHCR HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING CASES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO THE ATTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD REGULARLY TO DISCUSS CASES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN." HE SAID.
"ON THE SAME DAY THE SCREENING RESULT IS MADE KNOWN TO THE APPLICANTS OF APPEALS. A COPY OF THE COMPLETE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FILE IS GIVEN TO THE LEGAL CONSULTANTS OPERATING UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNHCR WHO WILL ASSIST APPELLANTS IN THE PREPARATION OF THEIR APPEALS.
"A FURTHER. COPY OF THE FILE IS GIVEN TO THE UNHCR TO AID THEM IN PERFORMING THEIR PROTECTION ROLE.
"IT IS OUR FIRM UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNHCR THAT UNHCR LAWYERS ARE PERMITTED TO SEEK CLARIFICATION ON UNCLEAR POINTS OR ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE INTERVIEWS.
"AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY PRECAUTION IS THE RIGHT OF THE UNHCR TO EXERCISE ITS MANDATE IN CASES WHERE THEY WISH TO DECLARE SOMEONE A REFUGEE."
/ON ALLEGATIONS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 14 -
ON ALLEGATIONS OF ILL-TREATMENT. MR BARNES SAID THE REMOVAL OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM CHI MA WAN TO PHOENIX HOUSE HAD BEEN FULLY INVESTIGATED AND NO EVIDENCE HAD BEEN PRODUCED TO SUBSTANTIATE CLAIMS THAT ANYTHING MORE THAN MINIMUM AND NECESSARY FORCE WAS USED ON THAT OCCASION.
"THERE IS NO TRUTH WHATSOEVER IN THE ACCUSATION THAT PEOPLE AT CHI MA WAN WERE ILL-TREATED OR RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS. NONE WAS STUNNED OR BECAME UNCONSCIOUS OR WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND." HE SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS INVOLVED DISCHARGED THEIR DUTIES WITH GREAT RESTRAINT AND PATIENCE AND THAT AN INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY IS NOT JUSTIFIED."
REFERRING TO MANDATORY REPATRIATION, MR BARNES SAID IT REMAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM INTENTION TO PUT INTO PLACE A CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO RETURN TO VIETNAM ALL THOSE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN DETERMINED TO BE NON-REFUGEES.
"UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FINALLY SCREENED OUT CANNOT BE RESETTLED. THEY HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO RETURN TO VIETNAM TO RESTART THEIR LIVES. IT WOULD BE WRONG AND CANNOT BE HUMANE TO LEAVE THEM IN DETENTION INDEFINITELY." HE SAID.
-----0-----
SEPT EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED
*******
THERE WERE 803,000 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER 1989, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 4.9 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH SEPTEMBER 1988, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 757,700 IN SEPTEMBER 1989, WAS 8.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1988.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 249,500, WAS UP BY 8.2 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 7.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN SEPTEMBER 1989 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
/THESE SECTORS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 15 -
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1989 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 AND JUNE 1989, ARE AS
FOLLOWS: PERSONS ENGAGED PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
(EMPLOYMENT) IN*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 88 JUNE 89 SEPT 89 SEPT 89 ON SEPT 88 SEPT 89 ON JUNE 89
MANUFACTURING 844,600 824,300 803,000 - 4.9 - 2.6
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 73,100 72,000 67,500 - 7.6 - 6.2
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 698,500 746,300 757,700 + 8.5 i + L.5
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 230,500 253,300 249,500 + 8.2 - 1.5
♦ FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HUNDRED.
** BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1989 WITH JUNE 1989, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING, THE CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS, DECREASED BY 2.6 PER CENT, 6.2 PER CENT, AND 1.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.5 PER CENT.
/THE QUARTERLY .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 16 -
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ALSO PROVIDES VANCANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS (EXCEPT CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH ARE COVERED IN A SEPARATE SURVEY).
THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 AND JUNE 1989 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY VACANCIES IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SEPT 88 JUNE 89 SEPT 89 SEPT 89 ON SEPT 88 SEPT 89 ON JUNE 89
MANUFACTURING 55,070 43,450 43,960 -20.2 + 1.2
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 34,380 23,070 28,830 -16.1 + 25.0
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 9,640 8,990 10,850 4-12.6 + 20.7
* FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST TEN.
* * BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
RELATIVE TO SEPTEMBER 1988, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTORS DECREASED BY 20.2 PER CENT, AND 16.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE OF 12.6 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH JUNE 1989, AND BEARING IN MIND THE POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS, THF NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS INCREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT, 25.0 PER CENT AND 20.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
/ALSO AVAILABLE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 17 -
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 3RD QTR. 1988 3RD QTR. 1989 3RD 3RD QTR. 1989 ON QTR. 1988
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 10,137 11,125 + 9.7
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 8,184 10,446 + 27.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 4,435 5,698 + 28.5
* BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 9.7 PER CENT, 27.6 PER CENT AND 28.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN SEPTEMBER 1988 AND SEPTEMBER 1989, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED.
TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THESE TWO INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 AND SEPTEMBER. 1989 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW:
/NOMINAL INDEX .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 18 -
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 88 SEPT 89 SEPT 89 ON SEPT 88
MANUFACTURING 277.1 321.7 + 16.1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 258.7 303.5 + 17.3
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 246.5 295.3 + 19.8
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 88 SEPT 89 SEPT 89 ON SEPT 88
MANUFACTURING 146.8 154.9 + 5.5
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 137 . 1 146.1 + 6.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 130.6 142.2 + 8.9
BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1988 AND SEPTEMBER 1989, PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OE ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
AN INCREASE OF 16.1 PAYROLL PER PERSON
/FOR THE ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 19 -
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 17.3 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 19.8 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 5.5 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 6.6 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 8.9 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, SEPTEMBER 1989, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $11 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE SALES COUNTER. OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
------0-----------
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR SEPT - NOV RELEASED
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STABLE AT A LOW LEVEL WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED MARGINALLY DURING THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1989, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES INDICATE THAT THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET SITUATION CONTINUED.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER -NOVEMBER 1989 WAS 1.3 PER CENT WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1989 AND THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1989 WAS ESTIMATED AT 37,000, COMPARED WITH 36,700 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1989 AND 36,900 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1988.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1989 WAS 0.8 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.6 PER CENT FOR BOTH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1989 AND THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1988.
THE INCREASE OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT, WHILE THE INCREASE OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER. THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
/THE ESTIMATED .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 20 -
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR SEPTEMBER -NOVEMBER 1989 WAS 22,000, COMPARED WITH 17,500 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1989 AND 18,100 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1988.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH. UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY. THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1989 WAS 1.3 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.8 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THIS SURVEY COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 52,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED. IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
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 DECEMBER 1989 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND MARCH 20 AT $10 PER COPY.
/21 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 15,
1990
- 21 -
INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS FOR TRADE MARKS IN 1989 * * * * *
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY OF HIS DEPARTMENT SHOWED AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR TRADE MARKS RECEIVED DURING 1989, WITH APPLICATIONS TOTALLING 10,255, COMPARED WITH 8,956 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THERE WERE 4,060 NEW TRADE MARKS REGISTERED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRADE MARKS REGISTERED TO 54,255.
TN THE PATENTS REGISTRY, THE NUMBER OF UNITED KINGDOM PATENTS RE-REGISTERED LOCALLY DURING 1989 WAS 1,030, AS AGAINST 1,070 IN 1988.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF "LIVE” OR VALID PATENTS RE-REGISTERED WAS NOW APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO GIVE A PRECISE FIGURE AS THIS DEPENDED ON THE LIVES OR VALIDITY OF THE PATENTS AS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN THE UK PATENTS OFFICE IN LONDON, MR GLEESON SAID.
THE RECORDS OF THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY WERE NOW COMPUTERISED BUT THIS DID NOT AS YET EXTEND TO SEARCH FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC, HE POINTED OUT.
MR GLEESON SAID THE STANDARDS OF THE TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS REGISTRIES, BOTH OPERATIONALLY AND IN THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THEM, WERE HIGH AND WERE WELL REGARDED INTERNATIONALLY.
NEVERTHELESS, THERE WAS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND, FOLLOWING UPON A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY HIM, THESE REGISTRIES WOULD FORM LATER THIS YEAR THE CORE OF A NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT WOULD CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF LEGITIMATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
THE DEPARTMENT, UNDER THE POLICY DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, WOULD TN DUE COURSE BE EXPANDED TO ENABLE IT TO FUNCTION MORE EFFICIENTLY AND WIDEN THE RANGE OF ITS ACTIVITIES.
MR GLEESON SAID THIS FURTHER EXPANSION WOULD INCLUDE THE FORMULATION OF LAWS FOR THE PROTECTION OF NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES (AS DISTINCT FROM TRADE MARKS FOR GOODS) WOULD BE GIVEN A HIGH PRIORITY, AS AND WHEN RESOURCES PERMITTED.
OTHER FIELDS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WOULD INCLUDE THE PROTECTION OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND A NEW SYSTEM AND LAW FOR THE PROTECTION OF PATENTS AND PETTY PATENTS.
/THIS EXPANSION .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 22 -
THIS EXPANSION WOULD BE PHASED ACCORDING TO REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL STAFF AND OTHER RESOURCES.
THE NEW DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WOULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING HONG KONG’S IMAGE OVERSEAS IN THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FIELD, PARTICULARLY AMONG ITS MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, AND ALSO ITS CONCERN FOR PROTECTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
MR GLEESON SAID THE WORK OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT WOULD BE CHALLENGING AND EXCITING.
-----0-------
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT DISCUSSED
*****
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) CONSIDERED PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT (LSP) SCHEME UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
ONE OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS IS TO REMOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF LSP BASED ON AGE UNDER AN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME TO BE PHASED OVER TWO YEARS SO THAT ANY EMPLOYEE AGED BELOW 40 WILL EVENTUALLY ALSO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE FULL RATES OF PAYMENT.
AT PRESENT. EMPLOYEES AGED BETWEEN 36 AND 40 RECEIVE ONLY 75 PER CENT OF THE FULL PAYMENT WHILE THOSE AGED BELOW 36 RECEIVE ONLY 50 PER CENT.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL IS THAT PARTIAL ENTITLEMENT TO LSP SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS DISMISSED AND WHO HAS FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE BUT LESS THAN THE QUALIFYING SERVICE REQUIRED UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THESE PROPOSALS WERE DIVERSE AND THE CHAIRMAN UNDERTOOK TO REFLECT THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT.
THE BOARD ALSO CONSIDERED SOME PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE AIMED AT CLARIFYING THE PROVISIONS CONCERNING SETTING OFF OF LSP OR SEVERANCE PAY AGAINST PAYMENT OF PROVIDENT FUND OR OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO ENSURE AN EMPLOYER WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY DOUBLE BENEFITS TO HIS EMPLOYEES.
MEMBERS AGREED TO THIS TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
ALSO AGREED AT TODAY’S MEETING WAS A PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE "CROSS-HARBOUR” PROVISION IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE RELATING TO AN EMPLOYEE’S ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE PAY UPON A CHANGE IN THE PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.
/UNDER THE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
- 23 -
OF WORKPLACE WITHOUT DISMISSAL SEVERANCE PAYMENT UNLESS SUCH A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE THAT IT IS TO CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT AT THE NEW
UNDER THE PROPOSAL. A CHANGE WILL NOT ENTITLE AN EMPLOYEE TO CHANGE CAUSES UNDUE HARDSHIP TO HIM UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THE EMPLOYEE WORKPLACE.
WAS A PROPOSAL THAT ALL MINOR
ANOTHER ITEM DISCUSSED TODAY
WORK-INJURY CLAIMS FOR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION NOT EXCEEDING SEVEN DAYS AND WITHOUT PERMANENT SETTLED DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND
INVOLVING SICK LEAVE INCAPACITY SHOULD BE THE INJURED EMPLOYEE
WITHOUT ANY NEED FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT TO BE
ISSUED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL. HOWEVER. CONTINUE TO ASSIST EMPLOYEES IN CASES OF DISPUTE AND WILL INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING NON-PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION OR OTHER IRREGULARITIES.
AFTER SOME DISCUSSION. THE BOARD AGREED TO THE PROPOSAL.
THE BOARD ALSO CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF "EMPLOYEE" AND "DEPENDANTS" IN THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO EXTEND THE PROTECTION TO COVER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF PERSONS:
(A) SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS WHO ARE ENGAGED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE EMPLOYER’S TRADE OR BUSINESS:
(B) SHARE LABOURERS AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS;
(C) PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELPERS: AND
(D) PROSPECTIVE DEPENDANTS SUCH AS A CHILD BORN AFTER THE EMPLOYEE’S DEATH.
THE BOARD GENERALLY AGREED TO THE PROPOSAL IN PRINCIPLE BUT SOME MEMBERS FELT THAT THE REVISED DEFINITION OF "EMPLOYEE" SHOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL LOOK AT THIS MORE CLOSELY AND WILL CIRCULATE A FURTHER PAPER TO MEMBERS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH DR'AFTING AN AMENDMENT BILL.
SOME OTHER PROPOSALS WERE ALSO AGREED AT TODAY’S MEETING TO STREAMLINE CONTROLS OVER THE ACTIVITIES OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
THESE INCLUDE THE REMOVAL OF THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS LICENCES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES. THE ABOLITION OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO KEEP REGISTERS OF JOB APPLICANTS IN A PRESCRIBED FORM AND TO SUBMIT QUARTERLY RETURNS. PROHIBITING EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES FROM RECEIVING ANY REGISTRATION FEE FROM JOB APPLICANTS, REQUIRING THE AGENCIES TO MAINTAIN RECORDS OF OVERSEAS JOB APPLICATIONS AND ALLOWING THE AGENCIES TO SHARE FEES EXCEPT FOR CONTRACTORS. CONTRACTORS’ AGENTS OR OTHER PERSONS TO WHOM JOB APPLICANTS ARE SENT FOR WORK.
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/24 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
SWT) HOTLINE PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING »**»«*
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S TELEPHONE HOTLINE, WHICH PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING AND FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON SOCIAL SERVICES, ENTERS ITS 11TH YEAR THIS YEAR.
THE HOTLINE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 14,000 ENQUIRIES IN 1989, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 30 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 9,800 CALLS WHEN THE SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1980. OVER THE PAST DECADE THE HOTLINE HAS HANDLED ABOUT 158,000 ENQUIRIES.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE CALLS RECEIVED TN 1989 SHOWED THAT ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF THE ENQUIRIES WERE RELATED TO SWD SERVICES.
THESE INCLUDED ENQUIRIES ABOUT ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME BENEFITS, AND INFORMATION ABOUT SERVICES AVAILABLE AT FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES AND THOSE PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY, DISABLED CHILDREN AND THE NEEDY.
OTHER ISSUES INCLUDED EMOTIONAL AND RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS SUCH AS PARENT-CHILD, IN-LAWS, MARITAL PROBLEMS, CONFLICTS AND BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS OF BOYS AND GIRLS.
"IN THESE CASES, OUR SOCIAL WORKERS WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH IMMEDIATE COUNSELLING OVER THE TELEPHONE OR REFER THEM TO THE RIGHT CHANNEL FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
"SOME CASES WILL REQUIRE WRITTEN FOLLOW-UP SERVICE BY THE RELEVANT UNITS," AN SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE ADDED THAT THE SERVICE PROVED TO BE VERY USEFUL AS IMMEDIATE TELEPHONE COUNSELLING OR. ADVICE COULD BE RENDERED IN A CRISIS SITUATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE CALLS WHICH WERE NOT CONNECTED WITH SWD SERVICES WERE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE HOTLINE IS MANNED BY A TEAM OF FOUR SOCIAL 'WORK ASSISTANTS ON ROTATION FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, AND FROM 1 PM TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. IT ALSO HAS AN AUTOMATIC RECORDING SYSTEM OPERATING OUTSIDE NORMAL WORKING HOURS.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CALL THE HOTLINE -3432255 - WHENEVER THEY REQUIRED ASSISTANCE.
- - 0 - -
/25
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
25 -
MSB HYGIENE DIVISION ON MOVE t * t i
THE HYGIENE DIVISION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL MOVE FROM HARBOUR CENTRE IN WAN CHAI TO THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET. KOWLOON, TOMORROW I TUESDAY) .
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES WILL BE 7870007.
HOWEVER. Till DIVISION’S HEALTH EDUCATION HOTLINE -- 7230013 --WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED. IT WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TAPED MESSAGES TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON HYGIENE MATTERS.
AT PRESENT THE HOTLINE IS PUBLICISING THE ANNUAL ANTI-RAT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN WHICH STARTED LAST MONTH.
------0--------
JFIU GETS NEW HOTLINE NUMBER t * ♦ *
THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE TELEPHONE HOTLINE OF THE JOINT POLICE/CUSTOMS FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT (JFIU) WILL BE CHANGED TO 86b3366 ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 21.
THE JFIU STARTED OPERATION WHEN (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE 1989 CAME LAST YEAR.
THE NEW DRUG TRAFFICKING
INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1
THE UNIT RECEIVES DRUG-RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
REPORTS ABOUT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED
ALL CALLS AND INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENCE.
IN
ITS PRESENT NUMBER IS 5520520.
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CHANGE IN TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR t * t t t ♦
DRAINAGE COMPLAINTS
STARTING FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) WANT TO MAKE ENQUIRIES OR COMPLAINTS ON THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS AS FOLLOWS:
MEMBERS DRAINAGE
OF THE PUBLIC WHO SERVICES SHOULD CALL
REGION
TELEPHONE NUMBER
NEW TERRITORIES
KOWLOON
HONG KONG
3001441
7 I 10920
8056344
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/26.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
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POSTAL SERVICES DURING ♦ ♦
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS * t *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC WONG, TODAY (MONDAY! ANNOUNCED THE SPECIAL LETTER DELIVERY SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY EACH ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE (JANUARY 26) AND ON JANUARY 29 (MONDAY). THERE WILL BE NO LETTER DELIVERY ON JANUARY 27 AND 28 (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY).
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 26 TO 29 EXCEPT FOR THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE BOTH OF WHICH WILL OPEN FOR COUNTER BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON JANUARY 29.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FOOTBRIDGE CONGESTION PROBLEM t t * t ♦
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE NAM FUNG CENTRE FOOTBRIDGE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL ASK QUESTIONS CONCERNING TRAFFIC NOISE IN WAI TSUEN ROAD AND INADEQUATE COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN LOWER HON MAN VILLAGE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS FROM VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS AND APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
/27........
MONDAY. JANUARY 15, 1990
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CHILD CARE SERVICE
******
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE OPERATION OE AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT ON OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
IN MONG KOK, THE PORTLAND STREET DAY NURSERY OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN HAS BEEN SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE PROJECT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY THE FUNDING OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AS AT JANUARY 5.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSED TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR THE JUNCTION OF WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND SPORTS ROAD AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SCHEME, PROPOSED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, INVOLVES PROHIBITING VEHICLES COMING OUT FROM SPORTS ROAD FROM GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD TO QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, AND PROVIDING A U-TURN FACILITY AT THE MORRISON HILL ROAD NORTHBOUND LANE AT ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY A REPORT MADE BY THE DB CHAIRMAN ON THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT’S VISIT TO WAN CHAI DISTRICT IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOL'THORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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/28
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1990
% r'.‘
- 28 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * t
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 40 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 234.237 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 227.290 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 38.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
WATER CUT IN MUI WO * * * t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 3 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 17) TO FACILITATE WATERMAIN CONNECTION.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT MUI WO CHUNG HAU STREET, CHUNG HAU, MUI WO RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD, LUK TEI TONG, TAI TEI TONG, CHOI YUEN TSUEN, TSENG TAU SAN TSUEN, PAK NGAN HEUNG, WONG KUNG TIN, NAM PING, WANG TONG, METHODIST CONFERENCE CENTRE, OUTDOOR RECREATION CAMP, TUNG WAN TAU, KIU TAU TSUEN AND WO TIN.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON ♦ ♦ *
TAI PO ROAD IN SHA TIN * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A SECTION OF ABOUT 300 METRES OF THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 8 PM TO 8 AM THE NEXT MORNING FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 17) TO FRIDAY (JANUARY 19) TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
ROAD SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOREIGN SECRETARY TALKS OF BRITISH PRESENCE IN HK ............................. 1
UK CONTRIBUTES $148M MORE TO VBP CENTRES ...................................... 1
GOVT WELCOMES UK CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS VBP ACCOMMODATION ...................... 3
FOREIGN SECRETARY'S WIFE VISITS AP LEI CHAU SCHOOL ............................ 4
PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON METROPLAN ........................................... 4
IMPLEMENTATION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL IN STAGE 3 AREA ..................... 6
TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER TO BE TABLED IN LEGCO TOMORROW .......................... 7
PLUMMER VILLAGE CLEARED THIS MORNING .......................................... 7
DB FUNDS FOR ACTIVITIES ON ISLANDS ............................................ 8
EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT .................................... 8
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT SITUATION IN NORTH DISTRICT TOPS AGENDA ...................... 9
CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .............................. 9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE PAPER ................................. 10
CALL TO PREVENT FIRE ON FISHING VESSELS ....................................... U
RED PACKETS FOR 11,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE ......................................... H
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY OFFICE RELOCATED ......................................... 12
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN ABERDEEN ............................'.................. 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ............................... 13
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS ................................ 13
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
1 FOREIGN SECRETARY TALKS OF BRITISH PRESENCE IN HK »««»»»
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING HE HOPED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE TOO LONG BEFORE SOME DECISIVE PROGRESS WAS MADE CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MR HURD SAID: "IT’S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL BRITISH PRESENCE IN HONG KONG, BOTH FOR THE PROTECTION OF BRITISH CITIZENS AND ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE.”
HE SAID IT WAS AN IMPORTANT MATTER "THAT WE’VE GOT TO GET ON WITH".
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT WHILE DISCUSSIONS IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WERE CONFIDENTIAL, A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS THAT WERE OF INTEREST TO HONG KONG WERE DISCUSSED WHEN HE ATTENDED THIS MORNING.
"BUT IT WON’T SURPRISE YOU THAT CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, THE BOAT PEOPLE AND THE NATIONALITY WERE AMONG THE SUBJECTS WHICH CAME UP," MR HURD SAID.
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UK CONTRIBUTES S148M MORE TO VBP CENTRES » » t * »
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS MADE AN EXTRA CONTRIBUTION OF $148 MILLION TOWARDS THE RUNNING OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES IN HONG KONG. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING A REFUGEE CENTRE AT PILLAR POINT AND A VBP CENTRE AT HEI LING CHAU, MR HURD SAID THAT FINANCING WAS NOT A KEY PART OF THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
"THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE HERE IN TOO SMALL A SPACE." HE SAID.
"IT JUST REDOUBLES ONE’S WISH TO CLEAR THE CAMPS AS SOON AS ONE CAN AND PREVENT OTHER COMING. PREVENT THE CAMPS FILLING AND REFILLING," HE ADDED.
ASKED FOR HIS RESPONSE TO A SPECIFIC CRITICISM BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OF THE SCREENING PROCESS AND AN ALLEGATION THAT REFUGEES WERE BEING SENT BACK TO VIETNAM, MR HURD SAID: "I DON’T THINK THAT THAT CAN BE THE ALLEGATION BECAUSE WE HAVE. APART FROM THE VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE RETURNING ALL THE TIME OF COURSE. WE HAVE SENT BACK 51 AND I DON’T THINK AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS SUGGESTING THAT ANY OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SENT BACK ARE REFUGEES.
/"THE GOVERNMENT .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 2 -
"THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG WILL LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE SPECIFIC POINTS IN THE AMNESTY REPORT. MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED OF COURSE ALREADY AND FOUND TO BE WITHOUT FOUNDATION.
"BUT OBVIOUSLY IF THERE ARE SERIOUS FURTHER POINTS IN THE REPORT THEY WILL BE LOOKED AT. BUT I DON’T THINK THE SUGGESTION THAT REFUGEES HAVE BEEN SENT BACK TO VIETNAM, STANDS A MOMENT’S EXAMINATION," MR HURD SAID.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MONITORING BY THE UNHCR OF ALL THOSE WHO RETURN, BOTH VOLUNTARILY AND THOSE WHO ARE REPATRIATED.
MR HURD POINTED OUT THAT REPATRIATION WAS NOT AN AGREEABLE BUSINESS. "AND NO ONE WHO ACTUALLY HAS TO DO IT HERE PRETENDS THAT IT IS, BUT IT IS BETTER AND MORE HUMANE, IN MY VIEW, THAN KEEPING PEOPLE HERE INDEFINITELY WHO HAVE SHOWN NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
"IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO SHOW PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOW BE PLANNING IN VIETNAM TO COME HERE, IN THE COMPLETELY FALSE BELIEF THAT COMING HERE LEADS TO RESETTLEMENT IN THE WEST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW THEM THAT THAT IS NOT SO," HE SAID.
"AND THAT THE TRAFFIC WHICH IS BUILDING UP, A TRADE ONE COULD ALMOST SAY WHICH IS BUILDING IN THIS BUSINESS, IS A FALSE ONE AND LEADS TO NOTHING EXCEPT DISAPPOINTMENT.
"MOST OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ARRIVED FROM VIETNAM IN RECENT MONTHS HAVE COME TO A LARGE EXTENT, OVERLAND THROUGH CHINA, ON JUST THE LAST IMMEDIATE STRETCH BY WATER.
"THIS IS NOW QUITE SUBSTANTIALLY ORGANISED AND NO DOUBT SOME PEOPLE ARE MAKING MONEY OUT OF IT. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD IN VIETNAM BY PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO TAKE THAT ROAD, THAT IT DOES NOT LEAD TO RESETTLEMENT OR TO A BETTER LIFE FORTH," HE SAID.
"IT’S A CRUEL DECEPTION TO PRETEND OTHERWISE," MR HURD SAID.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS’ NO QUESTION OF HONG KONG DOING WHAT SOME OTHER COUNTRIES DO, WHICH WAS SIMPLY TURNING BOATS AWAY WITHOUT SCREENING.
"BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND SOME WAY IN WHICH ONE COULD SCREEN’ AND RETURN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES MORE QUICKLY, BECAUSE 1 THINK OTHERWISE THE DANGER OF THE CAMPS REMAINING AS FULL AS THEY ARE NOW, AND PERHAPS EVEN FULLER, WOULD BE GREAT AND WE MUST TRY TO AVOID THAT," HE SAID.
MR HURD SAID BRITAIN HOPED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE AMERICANS, WOULD ACCEPT THAT REPATRIATION AS WELL AS VOLUNTARY RETURN WERE NECESSARY.
/"THAT THEY .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
3
"THAT THEY WILL AGREE TO MONITOR THOSE WHO RETURN, WHETHER VOLUNTEERS OR PEOPLE WHO ARE REPATRIATED, AND THAT IS THE PROPOSITION WE WILL BE PUTTING WHEN THE GENEVA MEETING IS HELD," HE SAID.
"THE AMERICANS ARE OBVIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE POSITION THEY WILL TAKE AND I HOPE THAT THEY' LEAD THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN MAKING A MORE PRACTICAL EFFORT TO HELP HONG KONG DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM," THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID.
------0-------
GOVT WELCOMES UK CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS VBP ACCOMMODATION
*******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) WELCOMED THE CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALLING ABOUT $148 MILLION WHICH HAD BEEN MADE BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MAINLY FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, SPOKE OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS WHILE SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AT THE END OF HIS VISIT TO THE HEI LING CHAU DETENTION CENTRE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "THESE ARE VERY GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS AND SHOULD GO A LONG WAY IN ASSISTING HONG KONG TO COPE WITH THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
"THEY BRING TO $283 MILLION THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1989 FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES."
LAST APRIL, BRITAIN CONTRIBUTED SIX MILLION POUNDS <HKS80 MILLION) TO COVER THE FULL CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE. TWO MONTHS LATER, ANOTHER 4.5 MILLION POUNDS (HK$55 MILLION) WERE CONTRIBUTED FOR EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION-
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LATEST CONTRIBUTIONS WERE YET ANOTHER SIGN OF BRITAIN’S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG IN GENERAL. , >
’’THEY INDICATE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S RECOGNITION OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON HONG KONG OF THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM AND ITS READINESS TO ASSIST." HE SAID.
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/4 ........
•>
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
4
FOREIGN SECRETARY’S WIFE VISITS AP LEI CHAU SCHOOL
******
THE WIFE OF THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MRS DOUGLAS HURD, TOOK A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT HONG KONG’S PRIMARY EDUCATION SYSTEM THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, MRS HURD VISITED THE APLICHAU KAIFONG PRIMARY SCHOOL, ABERDEEN, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 1953.
SHE WAS GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY ONE OF THE SCHOOL’S MANAGERS, MR PAUL YOUNG, THE HEADMISTRESS OF THE SCHOOL’S AM SESSION, MISS SUSAN LAU, AND THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SOUTHERN) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, DR JIMMY CHAN.
AFTER SEEING A PERFORMANCE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS BY THE PUPILS, MRS HURD TOURED THE SCHOOL BUILDING AND OBSERVED VARIOUS CLASSES, INCLUDING MUSIC, ART, LANGUAGE AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION, IN SESSION.
SHE ALSO TALKED TO A NUMBER OF PUPILS AND ASKED THEM ABOUT THEIR SCHOOL WORK AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
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PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON METROPLAN *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON HOW THEY WOULD LIKE THEIR CITY TO BE RESTRUCTURED SO AS TO CREATE A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED TWO BOOKLETS "METROPLAN - INITIAL OPTIONS” AND THE MORE TECHNICAL "METROPLAN THE FOUNDATIONS AND FRAMEWORK” — FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THE INITIAL METROPLAN CONCEPTS WOULD BE MODIFIED AND BROUGHT TOGETHER AS A RECOMMENDED STRATEGY FOLLOWING A 10-WEEK PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD.
"THE ATM IS TO SUBSTANTIVELY COMPLETE STUDIES BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND RELEASE A FINAL METROPLAN BY THE END OF THE YEAR, MR BARNES SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED IN APRIL 1988 THE FIRST METROPLAN BOOKLET OUTLINING THE GENERAL ISSUES TO BE TACKLED IN RESTRUCTURING THE CITY AND PROPOSING A NUMBER OF MAJOR AIMS TO BE USED AS A BASIS FOR PREPARING A COMPREHENSIVE. LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
/OVER THE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 5
OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS, A TEAM OF GOVERNMENT EXPERTS, ASSISTED BY SPECIALIST CONSULTANTS, HAS PRODUCED MORE THAN 40 TECHNICAL REPORTS TO PROVIDE A BASIS FOR THREE INITIAL OPTIONS SHOWING HOW THE URBAN AREAS AROUND THE HARBOUR COULD BE REPLANNED.
MR BARNES SAID A MAJOR CATALYST FOR CHANGE WOULD BE THE RELOCATION OF THE AIRPORT FROM KAI TAK TO CHEK LAP KOK.
"THIS WILL EXPEDITE THE NEED TO PROCEED WITH RECLAMATION WORKS AT CENTRAL AND WEST KOWLOON, TOGETHER WITH THE EARLY PROVISION OF TRUNK ROAD AND PASSENGER RAIL LINKS TO THE NEW AIRPORT," HE SAID.
BESIDES, THE MOVING OF THE AIRPORT WILL RELEASE HEIGHT CONTROLS OVER LARGE PARTS OF KOWLOON, THUS ENABLING REDEVELOPMENT IN SELECTED LOCATIONS.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THIS WOULD ALSO MAKE AVAILABLE, AFTER 1997, THE EXISTING KAI TAK AIRPORT SITE FOR OTHER DEVELOPMENT AND OPEN UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW URBAN PROJECTS ON RECLAMATION IN KOWLOON BAY.
HE SAID OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE WOULD ARISE THROUGH RECLAMATIONS AT HUNG HOM BAY, CENTRAL/WAN CHAI, ALDRICH BAY, GREEN ISLAND AND TSUEN WAN BAY. THESE WOULD OPEN SUBSTANTIAL SCOPE FOR REDEVELOPMENT BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
"BESIDES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, A NEED IS FORESEEN FOR DEVELOPING NEW COMMERCIAL OFFICES AND HOTELS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THAT ARE WELL SERVED BY HIGH CAPACITY TRANSPORT SYSTEMS," HE ADDED.
OBSOLETE INDUSTRIAL AREAS WILL NEED TO BE REPLANNED AND PROVISION MADE FOR NEW HI-TECH FACTORIES AND GODOWNS IN PROXIMITY TO EXPANDED PORT FACILITIES AT KWAI CHUNG.
"MORE ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO .CONSERVING SENSITIVE LANDSCAPE AREAS AND TO PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF OPEN SPACES WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE PROVISION OF NEW RECREATIONAL AMENITIES.
"THE BETTER DESIGN OF WATERFRONT AREAS AS PROMENADES FOR PEDESTRIANS IS ALSO SEEN TO BE AN IMPORTANT AIM." MR BARNES SAID.
LINKING ALL THE VARIOUS LAND USES TOGETHER WOULD BE A HIGH CAPACITY, MULTI-MODE TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF BOTH HIGHWAYS AND PASSENGER RAIL SERVICES. SUCH IDEAS ARE INCORPORATED IN THE THREE OPTIONS CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS.
THE OPTIONS PRODUCED HAVE ASSUMED A TOTAL METRO POPULATION OF BETWEEN FOUR TO 4.2 MILLION PERSONS BY 2011. THIS LIMIT ASSUMING A CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AND THE WIDER USE OF NEW TOWN STANDARDS IN THE METRO AREA.
/FREE COPIES .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
6 -
FREE COPIES OF THE "METROPLAN - INITIAL OPTIONS" CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE MARKETING SECTION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL OR THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT OF THE WORKS AND THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCHES, MURRAY BUILDING, 21ST FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE MORE TECHNICAL DOCUMENT, "METROPLAN - THE FOUNDATIONS AND FRAMEWORK", IS ON SALE AT $124 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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IMPLEMENTATION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL IN STAGE 3 AREA
*****
THE STATUTORY DATE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME IN PHASE I STAGE 3 CONTROL AREA WAS JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE PHASE I STAGE 3 CONTROL AREA COVERS THE TUEN MUN ENVIRONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE SAME ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE APPLIED TO THE STAGE 2 CONTROL AREAS, GENERAL ENFORCEMENT OF CONTROL WOULD NOT BE EXTENDED TO THE TUEN MUN ENVIRONS PENDING THE REVIEW OF THE PRIVATE FARM DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
HOWEVER, AFFECTED FARMERS WHO WISH TO CEASE BUSINESS CAN APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE OPERATION CAN APPLY FOR CAPITAL GRANT AND LOAN.
LETTERS FOR APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE SENT TO THE AFFECTED FARMERS SHORTLY.
MEANWHILE, THE EPD HAS COMPLETED THE PRE-OPERATIONAL SURVEY FOR ACTIVE FARMS IN THE PHASE I STAGE 3 CONTROL AREA.
OPERATORS OF ANY LIVESTOCK FARMS TN THE AREA THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SURVEYED SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE 7332281 AND 7245659.
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/7........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
7
TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER TO BE TABLED IN LEGCO TOMORROW
******
THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG (JANUARY 1990) WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL SPEAK ON THE WHITE PAPER.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF NINE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER ONE GOVERNMENT AND ONE PRIVATE BILL AT TOMORROW'S MEETING.
THE SECOND READING DEBATES ON THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 AND ON THE PRIVATE BILL, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS BILL 1989, WILL BE RESUMED AND WHEN THEY ARE COMPLETED EACH BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THE PRIVATE BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN.
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PLUMMER VILLAGE CLEARED THIS MORNING
*****
A CLEARANCE OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT AT PLUMMER VILLAGE, A SQUATTER SLUM IN TAI PO, THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING, FOLLOWING RESETTLEMENT OF ITS INHABITANTS.
THE CLEARANCE INVOLVED A TOTAL OF 662 STRUCTURES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC UNITS, SHOPS AND POULTRY SHEDS.
THE CLEARED SITE WILL BE TURNED INTO A GREENERY AREA.
SOME RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE HAVE BEEN REHOUSED IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND OTHERS IN TAI WO ESTATE, TAI PO AND TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI. ? .
PLUMMER VILLAGE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1969 TO RESETTLE FISHERMEN WHO LIVED ON BOARD SMALL FISHING JUNKS AT YUEN CHAU TSAI.
IT ORIGINALLY CONSISTED OF A NUMBER OF TWO-STOREY STRUCTURES, CONTAINING 212 DOMESTIC UNITS.
THE CONDITIONS DETERIORATED AS THE VILLAGERS BUILT NEW STRUCTURES AND ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS. THE POPULATION THEN GREW FROM THE PLANNED CAPACITY OF 1,500 TO 3,000.
IN LATE 1985, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO DEMOI.ISH THE VILLAGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 8 -
DB FUNDS FOR ACTIVITIES ON ISLANDS *****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ESTIMATES AND APPORTIONMENT OF FUNDS FOR 1990-91 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE FUNDS, ESTIMATED TO BE $600,000, WILL REPRESENT AN INCREASE OF 12.8 PER CENT OVER THOSE FOR THE PAST YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL DIVIDE THE FUNDS AMONG FOUR MAIN CATEGORIES OF ACTIVITIES, NAMELY DRAGON BOAT RACES, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL, SPORTS, AND LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PRIORITIES FOR FUND ALLOCATIONS AND REVISE THE GUIDELINES ON VETTING APPLICATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
-----0------
EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT
*****
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 18).
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CONTAINED IN A REPORT PREPARED BY A WORKING GROUP SET UP IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT- TO REVIEW LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO SEEK DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED CLEARANCE OF BLOCKS ONE TO EIGHT OF CHAI WAN ESTATE.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING AS PART OF HIS FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO DISTRICTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 18) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/9 ........
TUESDAY. JANUARY 16. 1990
- 9 -
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT SITUATION IN NORTH DISTRICT TOPS AGENDA
******
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A REPORT ENTITLED "ANALYSIS OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS BY DISTRICT BOARD AREA 1988" WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
PRESENTING THE REPORT WILL BE AN ENGINEER FROM THE ROAD SAFETY AND STANDARDS DIVISION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. MR CECIL ABEYKOON.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL PARKING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A BUS SHELTER PROVISION PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT. AND A PROPOSED SURVEY ON PASSENGERS’ VIEWS ON SERVICES OFFERED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD. FANLING.
THF MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
---------0-----------
CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *******
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE HOLDING OF A CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 18).
THE COMPETITION WILL COVER ABOUT 100 VILLAGES AND IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR TWO MONTHS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF #1,600 FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC TO CARRY OUT A STUDY ON LANDSLIPS AT PAK SHA CHAU.
/THE FOUR-MONTH .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 10 -
THE FOUR-MONTH STUDY, WHICH WILL START NEXT MONTH, AIMS INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF LANDSLIPS AND DRAW UP REMEDIAL PROPOSALS.
TO
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 18) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
-----0------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE PAPER
*****
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL EXPLAIN THE DOCUMENT AND COLLECT MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED ON A REPORT COMPILED BY A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW IMPROVEMENT MEASURES ON THE USE OF THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE LANGUAGES.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING SOCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT FROM APRIL TO JUNE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/Il .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 11 -
CALL TO PREVENT FIRE ON FISHING VESSELS ♦ » » » ♦
THE FISHING COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR FISHING VESSEL OPERATORS, HAS BEEN URGED TO TAKE ALL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE DURING THE COMING WEEKS WHEN THEIR VESSELS RETURN TO PORT FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
LAST YEAR, SIX FIRES INVOLVING FISHING VESSELS WERE RECORDED, RESULTING IN NINE CASUALTIES AND AN ESTIMATED LOSS OF OVER $10 MILLION IN PROPERTY.
’’FIRE HAZARDS IN TYPHOON SHELTERS ARE PARTICULARLY HIGH AT TIMES OF FESTIVITY WHEN THEY ARE CROWDED WITH WOODEN FISHING VESSELS MOORED ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER,” AN AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE RECALLED THAT IN DECEMBER 1986 A DISASTROUS OUTBREAK OF FIRE IN THE ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER DESTROYED 14 FISHING VESSELS AND MANY OTHER DWELLING BOATS.
“TO PREVENT FIRE, FISHERMEN SHOULD AVOID AS FAR AS POSSIBLE COOKING, BURNING OF INCENSE OR STORING INFLAMMABLE GOODS ON BOARD THEIR VESSELS,” HE URGED.
’’FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND OTHER FIRE-FIGHTING APPLIANCES SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN THE WHEELHOUSE, KITCHEN AND THE ENGINE ROOM. MOVEOVER, THESE APPLIANCES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AND MAINTAINED AT REGULAR INTERVALS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT FISHERMEN SHOULD MAINTAIN WATCH ON THEIR VESSELS WHEN THEY ARE MOORED.
------0--------
RED PACKETS FOR 11,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE
* » » * »
ABOUT 11,000 RESIDENTS OF 99 HOSTELS AND HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED LUNAR NEW YEAR LAFSEE OF $100 EACH FROM THE SHANGHAI FRATERNITY ASSOCIATION.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE ASSOCIATION'S HEADQUARTERS IN CENTRAL, CHEQUES WERE PRESENTED TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE RESIDENTS.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, COMMENDED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS ZEAL AND WORK IN PROMOTING WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY'S DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY WERE THE ASSOCIATION'S CHAIRMAN, MR WONG CHI-WAI; HONORARY CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WAI-LEE; AND VICE-CHAIRMEN, MR LEE WOO-SING, MR RICHARD SUNG, AND MR TOMMY ZAU AND MRS H.T. LIU.
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/12 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 12 -
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY OFFICE RELOCATED
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICE DEALING WITH CONSTRUCTION SAFETY LN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES IN TUEN MUN TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE BUILDING AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION OFFICE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, AT PRESENT LOCATED AT THE TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WILL OPERATE FROM THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, 16 TSUN WEN ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE INCLUDING INSPECTION OF CONSTRUCTION SITES, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND ADVISING EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS ON HOW TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL WORK HAZARDS.
ENQUIRIES ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CAN BE MADE TO THE OFFICE ON TEL. 4638345.
- - - - 0-----------
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN ABERDEEN
*****
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN ABERDEEN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 18) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE, YUE FAI COURT, CHENGTU ROAD, ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, TUNG SING ROAD, TSUNG MAN STREET, SAI ON STREET, WU PAK STREET, 162-178 OLD MAIN STREET ABERDEEN, WONG CHUK HANG ROAD (FROM ABERDEEN TECHNICAL SCHOOL TO HOUSE NO. 63), TONG BIN LANE, YIP KAN STREET, ABERDEEN POLICE STATION, HEUNG YIP ROAD (HOUSE NOS. 2-50) AND YIP FAT STREET, WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, WELFARE ROAD, NAM LONG SHAN ROAD, POLICE SCHOOL ROAD, OCEAN PARK ROAD, INCLUDING THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL AND SHUM WAN ROAD.
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/13........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
13
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN
*****
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WONG TAI SIN FROM 11 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 18) FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK TO FACILITATE URGENT ROAD REPAIR WORKS.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON WONG TAI SIN ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING LEFT ONTO SHATIN PASS ROAD NORTHBOUND.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON MA CHAI HANG ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR SHATIN PASS ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MA CHAI HANG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND, SLIP ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR SHATIN PASS ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.
GREEN MINIBUSES ON ROUTE 38M (SHORT-WORKING SERVICE) ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO WONG TAI SIN MTR STATION (SHATIN PASS ROAD) WILL BE DIVERTED VIA NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD WESTBOUND, MA CHAI HANG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, SLIP ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND FUNG TAK ROAD INSTEAD OF USING NGA CHUK STREET, WONG TAI SIN ROAD EASTBOUND, SHATIN PASS ROAD, MING FUNG STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET AND FUNG TAK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0----------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WUHL’ VEHICULAR UNDERPASS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM CHATHAM ROAD NORTH NORTHBOUND TO GILLIES AVENUE SOUTHBOUND HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM DAILY FROM SUNDAY (JANUARY 14) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORKS.
THE ARRANGEMENT WILL LAST UNTIL THURSDAY (JANUARY 18).
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM TSTM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WISHING TO PROCEED TO HUNG HOM AREA ARE ADVISED TO USE EITHER CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH. CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD. CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE: OR GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN —SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, ON JANUARY 16, 1990
TUESDAY. JANUARY 16. 1990
- 1 -
FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS. MR DOUGLAS HURD. TODAY (TUESDAY):
MR HURD: I’VE HAD A MOST USEFUL AND ENJOYABLE VISIT HERE AND I’D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE IN HONG KONG WHO HAS BEEN KIND AND COURTEOUS IN THE WAY THEY' HAVE MET ME AND THE WAY' THEY HAVE RECEIVED ME. IT’S BEEN. AS I SAID. MOST ENJOYABLE. AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE MEDIA WHO HAVE BEEN PRESENT ON EVERY' OCCASION. AND THEN OTHER OCCASIONS AS WELL. FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THEY HAVE PUT THEIR QUESTIONS.
I WANT TO SAY JUST A BRIEF WORD OF INTRODUCTION. I DON’T WANT TO UNDERPLAY THE ANXIETIES WHICH I HAVE FOUND, WHICH YOU WILL BE QUESTIONING ME ABOUT, WHICH CERTAINLY EXIST AND WHICH HAVE BEEN REFLECTED IN MANY OF THE THINGS WHICH PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING HERE HAVE SAID TO ME. BUT ACTUALLY, THE MAIN IMPRESSSION I WILL CARRY BACK TO LONDON THIS EVENING IS NOT ONE OF THE ANXIETIES AND THE PROBLEMS, ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAS MORE THAN ITS SHARE OF PROBLEMS. I KNEW HONG KONG A BIT 30 YEARS AGO, OR 25 YEARS AGO, AND OF COURSE I KNEW THAT IT HAD TRANSFORMED ITSELF SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I WAS LAST HERE WITH MRS THATCHER, BUT I HADN’T ENTIRELY BEEN PREPARED FOR THE IMPACT OF THOSE CHANGES ON THE VISITOR. THIS IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST MODERN CITIES; A FABULOUS SKYLINE. A FIRST-CLASS TRANSPORT SYSTEM, A PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME SECOND TO NONE AND FAR SUPERIOR TO MOST BEING OPERATED IN EUROPE. IT IS THE WORLD’S 11 TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY AND RANKS JUST ABOVE THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA. A COUNTRY WHICH HAS OVER SIX TIMES HONG KONG’S POPULATION. THAT MUCH, EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS.
WHAT I HADN’T ENTIRELY BEEN PREPARED FOR WAS THE PLANS TO TRANSFORM HONG KONG YET AGAIN. I’VE BEEN BRIEFED ON THESE, AND I’VE FLOWN OVER THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE ISLANDS, AND SEEN THE SCALE OF WHAT IS PROPOSED. A NEW AIRPORT WITH A CAPACITY FOR 80 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR. THAT IS MORE THAN HEATHROW AND GATWICK TOGETHER, ARE HANDLING NOW. A PORT DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL TAKE HONG KONG FROM ITS PRESENT POSITION, WHEN IT IS ALREADY THE WORLD'S LARGEST CONTAINER PORT, TO A POSITION WHERE IT WILL BE MORE THAN FIVE TIMES ITS PRESENT SIZE EARLY IN THE NEXT CENTURY. 250 MILES OF-NEW ROADS, UP TO 10 MAJOR NEW TUNNELS, SEVERAL NEW TOWNS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING FOR TWO MILLION PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. I’M TOLD THE SIZE OF THESE PROJECTS IS UNIQUE IN THE WORLD TODAY. AND THIS ISN’T JUST PIE-IN-THE-SKY, MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF COMPANIES AND BANKS LINING UP TO JOIN IN THE REST. THIS WILL AGAIN TRANSFORM HONG KONG, AND IT WILL ALSO TRANSFORM THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION OF CHINA; AND THIS SEEMS TO ME THE NUB.
/THE PEARL .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
2 -
THE PEARL. RIVER DELTA IS ALREADY THE HINTERLAND OF HONG KONG. TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE WORKING THERE. DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR HONG KONG MANUFACTURING COMPANIES. MANY MORE FARMERS AND OTHERS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE ARE SELLING THEIR PRODUCE TO HONG KONG. 1 SAW THE QUEUE OF LORRIES WENDING THEIR WAY SOUTH ACROSS THE BORDER BRINGING THEIR PRODUCE TO HONG KONG. FOUR-AND-A-HALF THOUSAND HONG KONG VENTURES ARE OPERATING IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE. GUANGDONG, AND THE DELTA IN PARTICULAR, IS THE FASTEST GROWING PART OF CHINA, AND GUANGDONG HAS LONG OVERTAKEN SHANGHAI AS THE MAIN EXPORTING PROVINCE, THANKS TO THE PRESENCE AND VIGOUR OF HONG KONG.
BUT EQUALLY, HONG KONG’S GROWTH IN THE EIGHTIES, AMAZING GROWTH. COULDN’T HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE GROWTH OF TRADE WITH CHINA AND WITHOUT CHINESE WORKERS. HONG KONG AND CHINA ARE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS AND EACH OTHER’S LARGEST INVESTORS. 1 SAY THIS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ME AN IMPORTANT FACTOR WHICH MUST NOT BE NEGLECTED. WE HAVE TO LOOK IN ECONOMIC TERMS AT HONG KONG AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AS A WHOLE. AND IF YOU DO THAT YOU SEE THE SCALE OF THE PROSPECTS. HONG KONG AND THE DELTA TOGETHER FORM A REGION WITH PROSPECTS UNIQUE IN THE WORLD. HONG KONG IS PREPARING ITSELF FOR THAT. IT’S BUILDING NOW. PLANNING NOW, FOR A MUTUALLY PROFITABLE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DELTA WHICH WILL DWARF ANYTHING WE'VE SO FAR SEEN. SO THAT IS WHAT IS BEING AIMED AT, HERE, NOW. WE ARE NOT SIMPLY - THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG OR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG -ARE NOT SIMPLY TRYING TO KEEP HONG KONG TICKING OVER, WORKING AS IT IS TODAY, BEYOND 1997. THEY WANT TO CONTINUE ITS DRAMATIC PROGRESS AS A RESULT OF CONFIDENCE IN ITS FUTURE AND CONTINUED GROWING CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA AND PARTICULARLY WITH THE SOUTH, AND WITH GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO SAY BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ME A FACTOR WHICH IS SOMETIMES MISSING IN THE COMMENTS AND ANALYSES WHICH I HAVE READ. BUT IT IS ONLY, I THINK, AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND OF THE FUTURE THAT ONE CAN GET INTO CONTEXT AND DEAL SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE THE PROBLEMS OF THE PRESENT. NOW I. AM OPEN TO YOUR QUESTIONS.
ANDREW MCEWEN (THE TIMES): MR HURD, THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. THIS MORNING. QUOTED ONE OF THE OFFICIALS WHO SIR DAVID WILSON SAW IN HIS VISIT TO CHINA, AS SAYING THAT CHINA HAD MADE SOME CONCESSIONS BUT THAT BRITAIN HAD ASKED FOR MORE AND THAT THE TWO SIDES NEEDED TO COME CLOSER TOGETHER. HAVE THERE BEEN CONCESSIONS? WAS THERE A SHIFT? AND IS IT TOO EARLY TO SPEAK OF OPTIMISM?
/MR HURD: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 3 -
MR HURD: IT IS TOO EARLY TO SPEAK OF OPTIMISM. THERE IS A DISCUSSION, AND OBVIOUSLY THESE WERE MATTERS RAISED BY THE GOVERNOR AND. INDEED. BY SIR PERCY CRADOCK WHEN THEY RECENTLY VISITED PEKING. I'VE ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR STANCE ON THIS COPIOUSLY ENOUGH DURING THIS VISIT. AND OF COURSE HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO DO SO AGAIN. YOU MUST ASK THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR STANCE. OUR STANCE IS THAT IT IS RIGHT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD. NEXT YEAR. START SUBSTANTIALLY ON THE UPWARD PATH TOWARDS DEMOCRACY WITH THE DIRECT ELECTION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS. OUR STANCE IS THAT THAT START SHOULD OCCUR AT A HIGHER LEVEL, CONSIDERABLY HIGHER LEVEL, THAN WAS PLANNED TWO YEARS AGO IN OUR WHITE PAPER OF JANUARY 1988. OUR STANCE IS THAT THE BEST WAY WOULD BE TO ENSURE FOR THOSE RUNNING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE, FOR SEATS, AND FOR THOSE WHO WOULD ELECT THEM, TO ENSURE THAT THIS PROCESS WOULD CONTINUE. AND NOT ONLY CONTINUE BUT PROGRESS AND DEVELOP UPWARDS DURING THE YEARS WHICH FOLLOW. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE AIMING AT. 1 WILL GO BACK FROM THIS VISIT VERY CLEAR OF THE KEEN INTEREST OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG THAT THIS SHOULD BE ACHIEVED.
SIMON WONG (SING TAO YAT PO): 1 WANT TO ASK A FOLLOW UP QUESTION. DOES LI HOU'S SPEECH MEAN THAT WE WILL GET 20 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN LEGCO NEXT YEAR?
MR HURD: YOU MUST ASK HIM: I DON’T KNOW THAT IT DOES. I DON’T KNOW THAT HE WOULD ANSWER YOU IMMEDIATELY AND TOTALLY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. NO, I DON'T THINK HE WOULD. BUT YOU MUST ASK THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ABOUT THEIR STANCE ON THIS MATTER, I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN THEIR MOUTHS. I AM SIMPLY PERFECTLY PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE ARE AIMING FOR. IT’S NOT JUST A MATTER OF DISCUSSION WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. I HAVE LISTENED TO MANY. MANY PEOPLE HERE. INDEED. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN PURPOSES OF MY VISIT, TO ASSESS OPINION AMONG PEOPLE HERE. AND I GO BACK. AS I SAY, WITH A KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF THE VERY STRONG INTEREST HERE IN MAKING THIS SUBSTANTIAL FIRST MOVE NEXT YEAR TOWARDS DIRECT ELECTIONS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.
CLAUDIA MO (AFP): SIR, HAVE YOU OR YOUR DELEGATE ACTUALLY TOLD THE CHINESE BEFOREHAND YOUR DECISION TO BRING IN MORE DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG. AND WHAT WAS THEIR RESPONSE?
MR HURD: WELL, THEY KNOW THAT WE INTEND TO BRING IN -MORE DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG AND THAT IS PROVIDED- FOR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. THERE HAS BEEN NO SECRET ABOUT THAT. THE QUESTION IS, AT WHAT LEVEL YOU START AND HOW YOU CONTINUE? THOSE ARE THE TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. AND THEY KNOW OUR THINKING ABOUT THAT, AND THEY KNOW BECAUSE WE HAVE REPRESENTED TO THEM, THE STRENGTH OF FEELING HERE. 1 THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG SHOULD THEMSELVES TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THESE AND SIMILAR POINTS IN PEKING. 1 WAS, THEREFORE, VERY GLAD TO READ OF THE DELEGATION WHICH HAS JUST RETURNED TO HONG KONG FROM PEKING - I SAT NEXT TO ONE OF ITS MEMBERS AS IT HAPPENS TODAY, AT A MEAL - AND 1 WAS GLAD THAT THEY WERE RECEIVED AT A SUITABLY HIGH LEVEL, BY THE CHINESE PRIME MINISTER. THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE SORT OF DIRECT CONTACT AND DIALOGUE WHICH I HOPE WILL BECOME MORE NORMAI,, MORE INTENSE, DURING THE MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD.
/CLAUDIA MO .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
CLAUDIA MO (AFP): I’M SORRY, J PROBABLY DIDN’T MAKE MYSELF VERY CI,EAR. I WAS SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO YOUR CHANGE OF MIND CONCERNING 1991 LEGCO ELECTIONS.
MR HURD: HAVE I DECISION...
CHANGED MY MIND? I HAVEN’T ANNOUNCED A
CLAUDIA MO: IT’S MORE THAN 10 NOW?
NR HURD: I HAVEN'T ANNOUNCED A DECISION AND I’VE...
CLAUDIA MO: WILL IT BE MORE THAN 10?
MR HURD: OH YES. IT WILL BE MORE THAN 10. AND IF YOUR QUESTION IS: DO THE CHINESE KNOW THAT I'VE SAID IT IS MORE THAN 10? YES, THE ANSWER IS YES.
PERI CHOW (COMMERCIAL RADIO): MR HURD, YOU SAID EARLIER THAT CONVERGENCY IN POLITICAL REFORMS BEFORE AND AFTER 1997 IS VERY IMPORTANT BUT IF THAT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED, BRITAIN WILL STILL GO AHEAD WITH ITS OWN DECISION. BUT ANY DECISION ALONG THIS LINE WILL VERY PROBABLY ANGER CHINA. IS BRITAIN WILLING TO PAY SUCH A PRICE?
MR HURD: WELL, THE BEST WAY IS TO ACHIEVE AN ARRANGEMENT WHICH WILL BE CONTINUOUS, AND NOT JUST CONTINUOUS BUT WHICH WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE PROGRESS TOWARDS GREATER DEMOCRACY WILL BE CONTINUED
AND INCREASED AFTER 1997. THAT IS THE BEST WAY. IF THAT BEST WAY IS NOT ATTAINABLE, THEN. AS YOU RIGHTLY SAY, WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AS REGARDS THE
ELECTIONS. THE PERIOD WHICH IS UNDER OUR CONTROL FOR WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE. AND WE WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT DECISION AND JUSTIFY
THAT DECISION TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. BUT THAT, AS IS PERFECTLY CLEAR UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION, IS A DECISION FOR US AND
THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG TO TAKE.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): IF YOU CAN’T GET THAT AGREEMENT WITH CHINA, MIGHT YOU CONSIDER JUST ANNOUNCING YOUR PLANS FOR 1991. LEAVING 1995 IN ABEYANCE FOR DECISION LATER?
MR HURD: THAT WOULD BE ONE OPTION BUT IT'S NOT A DECISION WE’D TAKE.
JOHN ELLIOTT: DO YOU THINK, THOUGH, IT WOULD BE SEEN BY SOME PEOPLE HERE AS SELLING THE PASS? BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NO PROMISE THEN OF ANYTHING HAPPENING IN 1995.
MR HURD: IT MIGHT BE SEEN BY SOME PEOPLE AS THAT: ON THE OTHER HAND IT IS A COURSE WHICH HAS BEEN URGED UPON ME BY OTHER PEOPLE HERE.
/JOHN ELLIOTT: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 5 -
JOHN ELLIOTT: DO YOU FAVOUR IT?
MR HURD: AS I’VE SAID, I’VE TAKEN NO DECISION ON THAT: WE’VE TAKEN NO DECISION ON THAT. IT IS AN OPTION, BUT IT'S NOT THE BEST WAY. 1 WON”I’ REPEAT AGAIN FOR YOU WHAT THE BEST WAY IS. BUT 1 AM PERFECTLY CLEAR, AFTER MY DISCUSSIONS HERE. WHAT THE BEST WAY IS: IT IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO ME. BECAUSE I HAVE HAD TWO STRONG PIECES OF ADVICE URGED ON ME BY MANY PEOPLE. THE FIRST PIECE OF ADVICE, I’VE ALREADY MENTIONED, THE FIRST PIECE 01 ADVICE IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE CLEAR DEMONSTRATION BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OF ITS KEENNESS TO SEE A RAPID START TO DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG; THAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE HAD FROM MANY. MANY PEOPLE.
THE SECOND PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE HAD. SOMETIMES FROM THE SAME PEOPLE, SOMETIMES FROM OTHER PEOPLE. IS THAT WHAT IS WEAKENING, WHAT IS DIFFICULT IN HONG KONG, IS THE CONSTANT FLOW OF HOSTILE STATEMENTS ON ONE ASPECT OR ANOTHER OF HONG KONG LIFE FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
PATRICIA LEUNG (TIN TIN DAILY NEWS): MR LI HOU ALSO POINTS OUT THAT THE RIGHT OF ABODE PACKAGE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAMPERS THE NORMALISATION OF SINO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP. DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS?
MR HURD: EVERYBODY HEARD THE QUESTION. DID THEY? IT’S WHETHER 1 AGREE WITH WHAT MR LI HOU SAID IN PEKING YESTERDAY, THAT THE RIGHT OF ABODE QUESTION IS ONE OF THOSE WHICH HAMPERS UNDERSTANDING AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
WELL. THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE - IT ISN'T ACTUALLY A RIGHT OF ABODE PACKAGE - Till NATIONALITY PACKAGE WHICH I PROPOSED TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS. IS NOT OF COURSE AIMED AGAINST CHINA AND WOULD NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGING EFFECTS FOR CHINESE INTERESTS. IT IS DESIGNED, INDEED. TO HONOUR THE IMPORTANT PURPOSE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. TO MAINTAIN Till PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG. THAT IS ITS PURPOSE; WE’VE EXPLAINED THAT ' NOW TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND I HOPE THAT ON CONSIDERATION THIS WILL NOT BE A CONTINUING OBSTACLE TO DIALOGUE AND CO-OPERATION. WE BELIEVE IN THIS PACKAGE. I GO BACK TO BRITAIN CONFIRMED IN MY VIEW THAT THIS WILL BE A USEFUL PACKAGE, AND NOW WE HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON PERSUADING THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT TO ACCEPT IT AND TO PASS THE LEGISLATION.
HELLA PICK (THE GUARDIAN): UNTIL NOW, IT HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE IN LONDON TO SAY THAT UNTIL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE HONG KONG CONSENSUS ON DEMOCRACY, IT CANNOT TAKE A DECISION. DO YOU NOW ACCEPT THE OMELCO VIEW AS A HONG KONG CONSENSUS OF WHAT THEY WANT ON POLITICAL REFORM? AND DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS ANY WAY OF BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN BEIJING AND THIS CONSENSUS?
/MR HURD: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
6
MR HURD: I ACCEPT, PARTICULARLY AFTER MY USEFUL MEETING WITH OMELCO LAST NIGHT, A MEETING WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MY MEETINGS WITH, REALLY QUITE - NOT A TOTAL SPREAD - BUT REALLY QUITE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY, THAT THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT, STRONG SUPPORT, FOR THE CONSENSUS WHICH OMELCO WORKED OUT, AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF WORE AND A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT ON THEIR PART. WHETHER THAT CAN BE RECONCILED WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF CONTINUITY UP TO AND BEYOND 1997, IS OF COURSE THE QUESTION TO WHICH WE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR AN ANSWER. BUT THAT SEARCH. AS I INDICATED, CAN’T GO ON FOR VERY LONG.
K.Y. LAU (RTHK): MR HURD, CAN YOU GIVE ANY ASSURANCE THAT HONG KONG INTERESTS WILL NOT BE IGNORED WHEN BRITAIN NEGOTIATES WITH CHINA ON THE POLITICAL REFORM IN HONG KONG?
MR HURD: YES. I CAN. SOME PEOPLE STILL SEEM TO THINK THAT THERE IS SOME GREAT BRITISH VESTED INTEREST IN SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS QUITE SEPARATE FROM HONG KONG. THAT THERE IS SOME CONSIDERATION WHICH WOULD LEAD US TO OVERRIDE HONG KONG. OR NEGLECT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS. I'VE LOOKED IN EVERY CUPBOARD IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE AND 1 CAN’T FIND ANY SUCH BRITISH INTEREST. THE OVERWHELMING FACTOR, MUCH THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT. IN BRITISH RELATIONS WITH CHINA IS HONG KONG. AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE JUDGEMENTS AND TAKE DECISIONS IN THE LONG TERM INTERESTS OF HONG KONG. SO LONG AS WE ARE THE SOVEREIGN POWER. OUR OBLIGATION TO MAKE SENSE, IN TERMS OF HONG KONG, OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. SO THAT IS THE MAIN COMPONENT OF OUR DEALINGS WITH CHINA AND I AM GLAD OF THE OPPORTUNITY HERE TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.
SIMON WALTERS (THE SUN): MR HURD. MANY COUNTRIES HAVE CRITICISED BRITAIN’S POLICY OF FORCIBLE REPATRIATION AS BEING VERY CRUEL. DID THE NATURE OF YOUR RECEPTION AT THE BOAT PEOPLE’S CAMP TODAY - THE POLITE RECEPTION. THE PEACEFUL PROTEST, AND THE RANKS OF WELL BEHAVED CHILDREN - DID THAT MAKE YOU HAVE ANY SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT BRITAIN’S DECISION?
MR HURD: I. DON’T THINK MANY COUNTRIES HAVE DENOUNCED IT AS CRUEL. THE CRITICISMS HAVE CERTAINLY COME, BUT -ON THE WHOLE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN AS FIERCE CRITICISMS AS I. PERSONALLY, HAD EXPECTED BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS NOW’ A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HONG KONG HAS ACCEPTED AND ENDURED AS A RESULT OF ITS WILLINGNESS TO RECEIVE BOAT PEOPLE. I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THE DEMONSTRATION TODAY WAS PEACEFUL. WAS WELL ORGANISED. IT WAS A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST REPATRIATION: IT WAS A DEMONSTRATION ORGANISED, 1 THINK, FOR YOUR BENEFIT RATHER THAN MINE, BUT THAT IS PERFECTLY FAIR AND I MAKE NO COMPLAINT ABOUT THAT. IT DOESN’T ALTER THE POSITION. I MUST SAY, ONE OF THE IMPRESSIONS I RETURN TO LONDON WITH IS OF THE VERY STRONG FEELING AT THE GRASSROOTS HERE IN HONG KONG ON THIS QUESTION OF THE BOAT PEOPLE.
SALLY BLYTH (RTHK): MR HURD, I'D JUST LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE QUESTION OF POLITICAL REFORM. YOU SAID WHEN YOU ARRIVED HERE THAT THE TIMING WOULD BE WITHIN WEEKS. CAN YOU SAY WHETHER A DECISION WILL BE MADE BEFORE THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY?
/MR HURD: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
7
MR HURD: NO, I CAN’T BE DEFINITE ABOUT THAT. I’VE USED THE PHRASE "WITHIN WEEKS, I HOPE" AND THAT REMAINS THE POSITION.
HARVEY PONG (WAH KIU YAT PO): DO YOU KNOW THAT SOME LOCAL COMMITTEE LEADERS FEEL VERY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GIVEN A CHANCE OF MEETING YOU TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE. THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AND THE LIKE?
MR HURD: YES, I DO KNOW OF THAT DISAPPOINTMENT AND I AM VERY, VERY SORRY TO TH M AND 1 APOLOGISE TO THEM. 1 KNOW, ALSO. THAT IF 1 HAD BEEN HERE FOR THREE WEEKS INSTEAD OF THREE DAYS. I WOULD NOT HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO SEE EVERYBODY WHO WOULD HAVE WISHED TO EXPRESS OPINIONS TO ME ON THOSE MATTERS WHICH YOU MENTION. I ASKED MY
PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARY, TIM YEO, IF HE WOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH TO RECEIVE, YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, GROUPS WHO WANTED TO MAKE POINTS OF THAT KIND WHILE 1 WAS ATTENDING ONE DISTRICT BOARD, WHILE 1 WAS SPEAKING AND LISTENING TO PUBLIC SERVANTS. AND HE DID THAT AND HE HAS REPORTED TO ME ON THEIR REPRESENTATIONS. I’VE ALSO RECEIVED QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF LETTERS. INCLUDING FROM VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AND OF COURSE WE WILL TAKE THOSE INTO ACCOUNT AS WELL. I’VE DONE MY BEST. AND WE’VE DONE OUR BEST AS A TEAM. TO MEET AND LISTEN TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE COULD DURING THIS TIME. AND I APOLOGISE TO THOSE WHOM I HAVE NOT BEEN ARLE TO MEET OR LISTEN TO, PERSONALLY.
CLAUDIA ROSETT (WALL STREET JOURNAL): HAVE YOU ABSOLUTELY RULED OUT A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE BY 1997? AND IF YOU HAVE - THE SECOND PART - IS IT STRICTLY BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANT TO IRRITATE CHINA. OR IS IT BECAUSE THERE IS SOME WAY IN WHICH THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE NOT YET READY FOR THAT?
MR HURD: THE CONCENTRATION HAS BEEN ON THE OMELCO CONSENSUS. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT CONTAINS: IT’S A STATESMAN-LIKE PROPOSAL PUT TOGETHER AFTER CONSULTING A GREAT DEAL OF HONG KONG OPINION. THE BEST WAY - AND I HOPE YOU WOULD ACCEPT THIS. AND I HOPE YOUR AMERICAN READERS WOULD ACCEPT THIS 1'00 - THE BEST WAY IS A SYSTEM WHICH WILL ACTUALLY ENDURE: THE BEST WAY IS A SYSTEM WHICH WILL MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL START NEXT YEAR TOWARD DEMOCRACY. A START WHICH WILL THEN BE MAINTAINED AND DEVELOPED. THAT IS THE BEST WAY IF ONE IS SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG AND WISHING TO RECONCILE THAT WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION. WITH THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT. IT’S A UNIQUE SITUATION, HONG KONG. BECAUSE THE OUTCOME OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IS NOT INDEPENDENCE. CANNOT BE INDEPENDENCE; IT IS THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT. IT IS INCORPORATION IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC AS AN SAR. IF THAT IS THE OUTCOME WK HAVE TO FIND A WAY OF STARTING AND THEN SUSTAINING AND IMPROVING THE MOVEMENT TO DEMOCRACY WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK, AND THAT’S WHAT WE'RE AIMING AT.
CLAUDIA ROSETT: MAY I JUST FOLLOW UP. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU EXPECT IT TO HAVE GONE BY 1997?
MR HURD: WELL. THAT IS ONE OF THE MATTERS WHICH WE ARE DISCUSSING, AS TO HOW FAR THAT CAN ACTUALLY BE DONE. WITH THE CONTINUED UPWARD SLOPE BEYOND THAT. I.E. WITHOUT THE WHOLE THING COLLAPSING IN 1997.
/SIMON MACKLIN .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
8
SIMON MACKLIN (SCMP): FOREIGN SECRETARY, NOW YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WHAT OTHER VOICES DO YOU HAVE TO HEAR DEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE POLITICAL REFORM? WHY IS IT YOU CAN’T BE PRECISE ABOUT YOUR TIME-TABLE? IS I'I' THAT THERE IS SOME OTHER INFLUENCE YOU’RE WAITING FOR?
MR HURD: BECAUSE I DON'T YET KNOW IF THE BEST WAY WHICH I’VE DESCRIBED IS ATTAINABLE. WHEN I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. WE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A DECISION, AND I DON’T THINK THAT WILL BE VERY LONG.
SIMON MACKLIN: BUT HOW WILL YOU ATTAINABLE? WHAT WILL HELP YOU MAKE...
HEAR WHETHER
OR NOT
IT IS
MR HURD: WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT AS A RESULT OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID HERE, AS A RESULT OF CONTACTS WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC, AS TO WHETHER THE BEST WAY IS ATTAINABLE. IF IT’S NOT ATTAINABLE THEN WE WILL HAVE, AS I’VE SAID, TO TAKE THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS* OWN DECISION IN WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
SIMON MACKLIN: SO IT’S UP TO CHINA, THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC, TO TELL YOU WHETHER OR NOT IT IS ATTAINABLE?
MR HURD: NO. IT’S NOT. OBVIOUSLY, IF ONE IS TALKING ABOUT A CONTINUED PROGRESS AFTER 1997 THERE ARE ’IWO PARTS OF IT; ONE IS BEFORE AND ONE IS AFTER. WHAT IS BEFORE IS WITHIN OUR DECISION; WE HAVE TO TAKE DECISION AND THAT IS NOT A MATTER WHICH CHINA DICTATES. 1 MADE THAT CLEAR FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. BUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER, WHETHER IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN AND CONTINUE THE PROGRESS, THEN THAT IS NOT A MATTER FOR OUR DECISION. AND THAT IS WHY THE KIND OF CONTACTS WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD, THE KIND OF DISCUSSIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN HAD WITH THE CHINESE ON THIS, ARE ESSENTIAL, IF ONE IS LOOKING, SERIOUSLY, FOR THE BEST WAY. IT IS NOT GIVING THEM A VETO OR A RIGHT OF DECISION ON WHAT IS WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION BUT IT IS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR HONG KONG - NOT THE SINO-BR1T1SH RELATION - THE BEST WAY FOR HONG KONG IS ACTUALLY ATTAINABLE.
PHILIP BOWRING I FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW): 1 CAN’T CONFESS
TO HAVE READ IT, BUT I GATHER YOU HAVE WRITTEN A NOVEL ABOUT THE LAST DAYS OF HONG KONG...
MR HURD: IT’S A BEST SELLER WITH A HAPPY ENDING.
PHILIP BOWRING: WILL TRUTH BE STRANGER THAN FICTION?
MR HURD: DO READ IT. YOU MIGHT EVEN PERSUADE MY PUBLISHERS TO REPRINT IT.
/EMILY LAU .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
9
EMILY LAU (FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC .REVIEW): FOREIGN SECRETARY, IN YOUR CONTACT WITH THE HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, DO YOU DETECT A LEVEL OF CYNICISM AND DISENCHANTMENT WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON HONG KONG, AND THAT SOME PEOPLE FEEL THAT - TO QUOTE YOUR OWN WORDS - "THIS LAST MAIN CHAPTER OF THE STORY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE MAY INDEED END IN A SHABBY AND EVEN DISHONOURABLE WAY"?
MR HURD: NO. I DON’T. I MEAN. I READ BEFORE I CAME THAT’S WHAT 1 WOULD FIND AND I HAVEN’T FOUND IT. I HAVE FOUND ANXIETIES EXPRESSED TO ME. AND STRONGLY EXPRESSED TO ME, BUT NOT IN AT ALL A CYNICAL VEIN. AND I’VE FOUND, AS I’VE TRIED TO EXPRESS IN WHAT I’VE SAID AT THE BEGINNING, HERE, A MUCH MORE EXCITING PROSPECT OF THE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG THAN I’D REALISED WHEN I CAME HERE.
STEVEN VINES (THE OBSERVER): MR HURD, GIVEN THE EVENTS OF JUNE, DO YOU THINK BRITAIN IS NEGOTIATING WITH A REASONABLE LEADERSHIP IN PEKING?
MR HURD: I THINK THAT OUR CONTACTS WITH THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC ABOUT CHINA HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY FEEL SOMEWHAT DEFENSIVE AFTER THE EVENTS OF JUNE. FOR REASONS WHICH YOU’VE ANALYSED IN YOUR NEWSPAPER AND WHICH ARE PRETTY CLEAR. THEY ARE, AS A RESULT, MORE SUSPICIOUS THAN THEY WERE BEFORE. BUT EQUALLY, 1 BELIEVE THAT
THERE IS A POWERFUL CHINESE INCENTIVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SENSE OF THE PHILOSOPHY. WHICH AFTER ALL THEY INVENTED AND WHICH THE CHINESE PRIME MINISTER REAFFIRMED ONLY YESTERDAY, OF TWO SYSTEMS IN ONE COUNTRY. BECAUSE IT IS ONLY UNDER THAT PHILOSOPHY, WITH HONG KONG AS A FREE AND VIGOROUS SAR WITHIN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC, IT’S ONLY UNDER THAT PHILOSOPHY THAT THEY HAVE A CHANCE OF REALISING FOR CHINA THE KIND OF
BENEFITS WHICH 1 WAS SKETCHING EARLIER.
PETER SEIDLITZ (HANDELSBLATT): AS THE COUNTRY CLOSEST TO HONG KONG FROM THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE THE AMERICANS
AND THE EUROPEANS TO DO NOW IN DEALINGS WITH CHINA? BUSINESS AS
NORMAL? CREDIT AS NORMAL? SHOULD ONE DO LIKE BEFORE JUNE -1TH OR..?
MR HURD: NO. WE ARE BOUND BY THE AGREEMENTS REACHED IN EUROPE
AMONG THE 12, ABOUT HIGH LEVEL CONTACTS WITH CHINA, AND WE ARE BOUND
BY THE DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE AGREED THEN AND THOSE REMAIN.
PETER SEIDLITZ: ARE YOU CRITICAL OF THE VISIT OF MR SCOWCROFT TO CHINA? OBVIOUSLY THIS BROKE THE AGREEMENT.
MR HURD: NO. 1 AM NOT CRITICAL. OR OF THE VISITS OF SIR PERCY CRADOCK OR THE GOVERNOR, THEY ARE NOT HIGH LEVEL MINISTERIAL VISITS.
PETER SEIDLITZ: BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE OF A COMMON
POLICY, IF YOU BREAK. I ND IVI DUALLY. THIS POLICY?
MR HURD: NO. 1 WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT I DON’T BELIEVE IT WAS BROKEN.
/CHAN OI-LAI .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 10 -
CHAN OI-LAI (MING PAO DAILY NEWS): I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION ON THE RIGHT OF ABODE ISSUE. IN THE NATIONALITY ACT OF CHINA IT DOES NOT MAKE A CLEAR ANSWER TO US WHETHER THOSE WHO ARE GRANTED THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK WILL BE RECOGNISED AS FOREIGNERS OR AS CHINESE CITIZENS. AND SO WHAT IS THE VIEW OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON IT? AND HOW IS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS DUALNATIONALITY ISSUE? AND ALSO, SO THAT THE RIGHT OF ABODE ISSUE WILL NOT BE AN EMPTY PROMISE AND WILL ENCOURAGE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG.
MR HURD: I’M SORRY, I MISSED THE
FIRST PART BUT COULD YOU REPEAT THE SECOND
SECOND PART. I GOT PART OF THE QUESTION?
THE
CHAN OI-LAI: I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE VIEW OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON THIS DUAL-NATIONALITY ISSUE? AND ALSO, WHAT WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DO TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM AND SO THAT THE RIGHT OF ABODE WILL NOT BE AN EMPTY PROMISE AND WILL ENCOURAGE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG?
MR HURD: WELL, WE NATURALLY HOPE. AND WOULD EXPECT, THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE UNITED KINGDOM PASSPORTS, HOWEVER THEY RECEIVED THEM, WILL BE TREATED AS ONE AS UNITED KINGDOM CITIZENS. AND 1 DON’T THINK THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS REASON TO DOUBT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE NATIONALITY PROPOSAL. AS I’VE SAID. WE BELIEVE IT TO BE FULLY IN CONFORMITY WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ACTUALLY HELPFUL IN THE AIM WHICH THE JOINT DECLARATION STATES. I DON’T THINK THERE SHOULD BE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS THERE.
C.Y. CHEUNG (BBC WORLD SERVICE - CHINESE): THE LABOUR PARTY AND MANY OF YOUR PROMINENT BACK-BENCHERS ARE STILL PRESSING THEIR CASE AGAINST YOUR NATIONALITY PACKAGE. CAN YOU NOW ASSURE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT THAT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WILL PASS YOUR PACKAGE WHEN IT IS BEING PUT FORWARD TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN APRIL OR MAY?
MR HURD: YES. I DON’T KNOW ABOUT APRIL OR MAY BECAUSE NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN ABOUT TIMING. BUT I BELIEVE THAT WHEN THAT TIME COMES. YES, THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WILL PASS THE PACKAGE. AND I WILL GO BACK NOW AND SAY, PERHAPS WITH YOUR HELP. THAT IT REMAINS MY VIEW, IN FACT MY VIEW IS CONSIDERABLY STRENGTHENED, THAT THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART - IT’S NOT THE TOTAL ANSWER - BUT IT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF BUILDING UP CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND THAT IT WOULD BE A VERY GRAVE MISTAKE ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IF, WHEN THE TIME COMES. IT WERE TO REJECT IT.
CHARLES WATSON (1CRT RADIO. TAIWAN): GIVEN THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT WHICH WILL FORM THE BASIS OF THE BILL 01 RIGHTS. ARE LOGGED WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. IF THE BASIC LAW SEEMS INCOMPATIBLE IN ANY WAY. WHAT WILL BRITAIN’S RESPONSE BE?
/MR HURD: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
11
MR HURD: WELL THE BASIC LAW INCLUDES - I THINK IT'S ARTICLE 39 - IT INCLUDES SPECIFIC PROVISION IN ITS PRESENT DRAFT FOR THE TWO PRINCIPAL UNITED NATIONS' COVENANTS WHICH DEAL WITH HUMAN RIGHTS. SO. I MEAN. SO FAR SO GOOD.
CHARLES WATSON: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND LEVELS OF DEMOCRACY WHICH ARE STATED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ARE DISCUSSED ON NONOFFICIAL LEVELS. IF THOSE ARE - NOT SO MUCH CONTRAVENED BUT IF THE BASIC LAW’S STANDING IS NOT WHAT BRITAIN WANTS. HOW WILL BRITAIN REACT?
MR HURD: WE HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC ABOUT VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. WE'VE AGREED WITH THEM THAT WE WILL DO SO. NOT IN PUBLIC, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT, SO FAR AS WE CAN, THE DRAFT BASIC LAW DOES REFLECT FULLY THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS THE LETTER OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
OSWALD KWAN (ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS): AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF
THE TRIP. YOU SAID THAT YOU’VE COME HERE TO LISTEN TO OPINIONS. AND
NOW IT COMES TO THE END. HAVE YOU MADE ANY CONCLUSIONS ON THE HONG
KONG PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS ON POLITICAL REFORM IN 1991? CONCEIVE ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE EXPECTATIONS AND GOVERNMENT’S POINT OF VIEW? IF THERE IS. HOW WOULD
AND DO YOU THE CHINESE THE BRITISH
GOVERNMENT REACT TO THESE DIFFERENCES?
MR HURD: I RETURN VERY CLEAR FROM MANY CONVERSATIONS OF THE KEEN INTEREST AMONG MANY. THE PASSIONATE INTEREST AMONG SOME. IN MAKING AN EARLY DEFINITE STRONG START IN HONG KONG TOWARDS DIRECT ELECTIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THAT HAS BEEN ABUNDANTLY CLEAR. YOU MUST ASK THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT EXACTLY HOW THEY STAND TODAY ON THE QUESTION OF NUMBERS AND PROCEDURES. THE BEST ANSWER, WHICH WE CONTINUE TO SEEK FOR, IS ONE WHICH WILL RECONCILE THE PRESENT WISHES - EXPRESSED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE OMELCO CONSENSUS - FOR HOW HONG KONG SHOULD START. RECONCILE THAT WITH THE CONTINUATION AND THE FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS AFTER 1997. AND WE ARE SEEKING TO RECONCILE THOSE TWO BECAUSE THAT IS CLEARLY THE BEST WAY. IF WE CAN'T ACHIEVE THAT BEST WAY. THEN WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT. THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS WILL HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT. IN WHICH THE STRONGLY EXPRESSED VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL OBVIOUSLY BE A CRUCIAL FACTOR. AND JUST TO COMPLETE THE STORY AGAIN. WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE THAT JUDGEMENT, 1 HOPE WITHIN WEEKS.
LORNA WONG (SING TAO IN LONDON): SECRETARY OF STATE, HAS THIS TRIP HELPED YOU TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM? AND HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO A DECISION? CAN WE EXPECT ANYTHING BEFORE THE END OF NEXT MONTH? AND IS THE OMELCO PROPOSAL THE MOST FAVOURABLE ONE TO YOU AT THE MOMENT?
/MR HURD: ........
5
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
12
MR HURD: YES, IT HAS HELPED. I’VE HAD MANY EXPRESSIONS OF VIEW. THEY HAVEN’T BEEN UNANIMOUS: 1 WOULDN’T LIKE TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT EVERYTHING I'VE HEARD FROM HONG KONG CHINESE ON THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN UNANIMOUS. AT THE JOINT BOARD I WENT TO YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, THERE WAS QUITE A DIVISION OF VIEW ON THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT. BUT CERTAINLY, THERE IS A VERY' STRONG VIEW BACKING THE OMELCO CONSENSUS. AS YOU SAY. WHAT WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH IS. AT WHAT LEVEL AND IN WHAT WAY WE CAN START THE PROCEDURE WHICH CLEARLY MOST PEOPLE HERE WANT. FOR A STRONG START FOR DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG IN 1991. HOW WE CAN BEST START THAT AND MAXIMISE AND INCREASE TO THE GREATEST POSSIBLE EXTENT THE PROSPECT OF THAT CONTINUING AND DEVELOPING UP TO AND BEYOND 1997.
SARAH HELM (THE INDEPENDENT): YOU'VE SAID THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE URGED THE COURSE OF MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT JUST FOR 1991, AND LEAVING THE REST UP IN THE AIR. CAN YOU SAY HOW MANY PEOPLE AND WHO THEY’VE BEEN...?
MR HURD: NO. I DIDN’T SAY MANY' PEOPLE, I SAID THE POINT HAD BEEN PUT TO ME - AND I CAN’T ACTUALLY REMEMBER BY WHOM. BUT CERTAINLY I DO REMEMBER. I THINK IN THE COURSE OF TODAY, IT BEING SAID: WELL, WHY DON’T YOU JUST MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 1991? BUT WE HAVEN'T REACHED A CONCLUSION ABOUT THAT AND I WOULDN’T WANT TO GIVE YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS A FAVOURED OPTION, BUT IN ANSWER TO YOUR COLLEAGUE I SAID, OBVIOUSLY' IT WAS AN OPTION WHICH WE HAVEN’T AS YET EXCLUDED.
PAUL HARRINGTON (HK STANDARD): MR HURD, YOU HAVE SAID IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR BRITAIN TO MAKE A UNILATERAL DECISION ON THE PACE OF DEMOCRATIC REFORMS FOR 1991. UP UNTIL WHEN DO YOU THINK SUCH DECISIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR BRITAIN. CONCERNING HONG KONG?
MR HURD: WELL. IT WOULD ALWAYS BE POSSIBLE TO DO THAT. THAT POSSIBILITY. OF COURSE, EXISTS AND WE MAY WELL HAVE TO EXERCISE IT.
LOUIS TING (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): DO YOU THINK THAT THE PEOPLE INCLUDED IN THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE HAVE THE CONSULAR PROTECTION IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997? THE FIRST QUESTION. ■
NR HURD: YES. THE ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUESTION IS. YES.
LOUIS
DRAFTING IN OVERRIDE ALL
YOU HAVE SAID
TING: ACCORDING TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS NOW UNDER HONG KONG. DO YOU THINK THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS SHOULD THE OTHER ORDINANCES IN HONG KONG? AND THE OTHER IS: THAT HONG KONG HAS SHOULDERED A VERY BIG RESPONSIBILITY
ON THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE ISSUE. DO YOU THINK THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY ALL THE EXPENSES IN DEALING WITH THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE
PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG?
/MR HURD: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
MR HURD: ON THE RILL Ob' RIGHTS. DISCUSSION OF THAT IS PROCEEDING IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONS Ob HONG KONG. IT WAS AN IDEA WHICH I THINK STARTED WITH MY PREDECESSOR. GEOFFREY HOWE. WHEN HE WAS HERE IN JULY. I’M GLAD IT’S BEEN TAKEN UP. Till NOTION THAT SOMEHOW THE TEXT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO THE CHINESE AND THEY’VE MADE REPRESENTATIONS AGAINST IT. HAS NO BASIS SO FAR AS I KNOW AND 1 AM MYSTIFIED AS TO HOW IT AROSE. IT’S BEING DISCUSSED HERE IN HONG KONG. THE: DRAFT BASIC LAW. AS 1 THINK I’VE ALREADY MENTIONED. DOES INCORPORATE RECOGNITION OF THE TWO MAIN UN COVENANTS INVOLVED. WHICH. THE BILL Ob RIGHTS SEEKS TO REFLECT ONE. AND SO THIS IS PROCEEDING IN. IT SEEMS TO ME. AN ORDERLY WAY IN HONG KONG THROUGH ITS OWN INSTITUTIONS.
AS REGARDS THE BOAT PEOPLE. ONE OF THE POINTS PUT MOST STRONGLY TO ME. IN FACT THE POINT ON WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARD - ITS MEMBERS WERE ACTUALLY MOST VEHEMENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON - WAS ON THE QUESTION OF THE BOAT PEOPLE AND ON THE PARTICULAR POINT YOU MAKE ABOUT RESOURCES AND FINANCING. RECENTLY, WE HAVE ANNOUNCED A NEW CONTRIBUTION - THIS IS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT - OF SIXTY-TWO-AND-A-HALF-MILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS TOWARDS IMPROVING EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION, AND SEVENTY-MILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS AS A CONTRIBUTION OF 50 PERCENT TOWARDS A NEW CAMP AT TAI A CHAU. AND IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE PAY SUBSTANTIALLY - THAT’S SIXTEEN-AND-A-QUARTER-MILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS - IN HELPING WITH REINTEGRATION AND TRANSPORT COSTS. SO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS MAKING A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF THE BOAT PEOPLE. BUT OF COURSE THE RIGHT ANSWER IS TO EMPTY THE CAMPS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN AND TO PREVENT THEM RE-FILLING. THOSE ARE THE TWO ARMS OF THE PROBLEM. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT AT THE MEETING IN GENEVA, WHICH SHOULD Bl HELD BEFORE LONG. 1 WOULD HOPE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MIGHT AGREE THAT THERE SHOULD BE REPATRIATION AS WELL AS VOLUNTARY RETURN, AND IF THEY’ Dll) SO AGREE. AND TO THE MONITORING, THEN OF COURSE THAT WOULD ALL TAKE PLACE UNDER THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH COVER THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE MOMENT, AND ARE INTERNATIONAL AND DON’T FALL ON HONG KONG OR ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
LOUIS TING: THE OTHER QUESTION -- OVERRIDE THE OTHER ORDINANCES?
MR HURD: WELL. THAT’S A MATTER FOR HONG KONG -- I HAVEN’T STUDIED THE TEXT. I KNOW THAT EXCO DECIDED TO HAVE ANOTHER LOOK AT THEM AND THAT’S THEIR RIGHT. THAT’S A MATTER TO BE WORKED OUT HERE.
CHOI SUK-FONG (SING TAO MAN PO): MR HURD. AS YOU KNOW. THE CIVIL SERVICE IS NOW FACING A BRAIN-DRAIN PROBLEM. DO YOU THINK SETTING UP A FUND FOR THEIR PENSION IS THE PROPER SOLUTION?
MR HURD: I KNOW THAT THE AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE -- IT’S THE JOINT DECLARATION ITSELF. ISN’T IT? — DOES PROVIDE THAT PENSIONS SHOULD BE PAID. AFTER 1997. ON TERMS NOT LESS FAVOURABLE THAN THOSE AT PRESENT EXISTING. SO THAT IS A CLEAR COMMITMENT. BUT 1 ALSO KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF ANXIETIES WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED - AND WERF ACTUALLY EXPRESSED TO ME YESTERDAY. AGAIN. - I KNOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IS LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH THAT CLEAR ASSURANCE. CLEAR AGREEMENT. CAN BE BUTTRESSED. SO AS TO RELIEVE THE ANXIETY YOU MENTION. BUT IT IS THERE. CLEAR ENOUGH. IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
/CHRISTOPHER LOCKWOOD .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 14 -
CHRISTOPHER LOCKWOOD (DAILY TELEGRAPH): WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE SIDE OF THE BASIC LAW BUT NOT VERY MUCH ABOUT THE REST OF IT. AND I AM REFERRING TO THINGS LIKE THE FACT. THAT AN ARTICLE AGAINST SUBVERSION HAS BEEN WRITTEN IN: THAT CHINA RETAINS THE RIGHT TO INTERPRET AND AMEND THE BASIC LAW. IS BRITAIN HAPPY WITH THE DRAFT BASIC LAW AS IT EXISTS? AND AS IT IS VIRTUALLY NOW COMPLETE. IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO REVISE IT SUBSTANTIALLY NOW. AND WHAT IS BRITAIN DOING TO TRY TO CALM THE FEARS OF PEOPLE THAT SAY THAT THIS BASIC LAW ACTUALLY GIVES TOO MUCH POWER TO CHINA AND TOO LITTLE TO HONG KONG?
MR HURD: WELL. OF COURSE WE DON'T HAVE A SEAT AT THE DRAFTING TABLE. WHEREAS THERE ARE REPRESENTATIVES FROM HONG KONG WHO DO. BUT WE HAVE TAKEN OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO US TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE CHINESE ABOUT THE COURSE THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW WAS TAKING. FOR EXAMPLE. WE DID PASS TO THE CHINESE THE OMELCO PAPER ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WHICH COVERED SOME OF THE POINTS WHICH ARE MENTIONED. AND WE THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD PAPER.
CHRISTOPHER LOCKWOOD: SO ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE DRAFT BASIC LAW IS BASICALLY NOW IN CONFORMITY WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION?
MR HURD: NO. I’M NOT. I’M SAYING WE’VE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO US TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT IT. I THINK I ALSO SAID. TN ANSWER TO AN EARLIER QUESTION. THAT WE AGREED THAT WE SHOULD NOT PUBLISH THOSE REPRESENTATIONS. BUT WE’VE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO US TO INFLUENCE THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, EVEN THOUGH UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT WE ARE NOT, AS IT WERE, A NEGOTIATING PARTY TO THAT.
MIMI YEUNG (TVB): MR FOREIGN SECRETARY. CHINA HAS REPEATEDLY ATTACKED THE HONG KONG ALLIANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN CHINA WHICH IS BASED IN HONG KONG AS BEING SUBVERSIVE. NOW HAS THERE BEEN ANY PRESSURE EXERTED ON TO YOU TO DISBAND THIS ORGANISATION? AND DO YOU THINK THE EXISTENCE OF THIS ORGANISATION WILL STAND IN THE WAY OF GOOD SINO-HONG KONG-BRITISH RELATIONS?
MR HURD: WHEN THIS KIND OF POINT HAS BEEN RAISED. WE’VE HAD TO EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. AND WE WILL HAVE TO GO ON EXPLAINING TO IT. THAT A FUNDAMENTAL POINT ABOUT HONG KONG IS THAT PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO EXPRESS THESE OPINIONS AND THAT THAT IS NOT SUBVERSION. THAT IS EXPRESSION OF FREE OPINION. AND WE SHALL GO ON HAVING TO MAKE THAT POINT. IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL POINT.
MIMI YEUNG: BUT DO YOU THINK THAT IT WILL STAND IN THE WAY OF GOOD SINO-HONG KONG-BRITISH RELATIONS?
MR HURD: J CAN’T REALLY HELP THE CHINESE ON THAT POINT. I
MEAN. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY BASIC POINT. WHETHER IT STANDS IN THE WAY DEPENDS ON THEM. I HAVE NO POWER. AND THE GOVERNOR HAS NO POWER, AND THANK GOD - TO SUPPRESS SUCH ORGANISATIONS; THAT’S NOT WHAT HONG KONG IS ABOUT.
/CHARLES WALLACE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 15 -
CHARLES WALLACE (LOS ANGELES TIMES): WILL BRITAIN AND THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES NOW PRESS AHEAD WITH MANDATORY REPATRIATION. OR ARE YOU PREPARED TO ACCEPT A DELAY IN FURTHER MANDATORY REPATRIATION AND GIVE THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME A CHANCE. IN ORDER TO GET THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED STATES TO COME ON SIDE WITH YOUR PROGRAMME?
MR HURD: I'M ALL IN FAVOUR OF THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME. AND AS YOU KNOW. IT’S GOING AHEAD: 1 THINK THERE WAS ANOTHER PLANELOAD YESTERDAY. SO I'M ALL IN FAVOUR OF THAT AND DISCUSSED IT WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNHCR TODAY WHEN I HAD A BRIEF WORD WITH HIM. SO I’M ALL IN FAVOUR OF THAT. BUT THE TROUBLE IS THAT. PEOPLE WHO ARE SCREENED OUT. WHO. AFTER THE SCREENING HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED ARE NOT REFUGEES. ARE BY AND LARGE NOT VOLUNTEERING. AND THEREFORE. IT WAS BECAUSE THE VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMME WAS NOT COPING TO ANY EXTENT WITH THOSE WHO IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WERE NOT REFUGEES. THAT 1 FELT BOUND TO AGREE THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG SHOULD REPATRIATE A PLANELOAD BEFORE CHRISTMAS. NOW. NO DATE HAS BEEN FIXED FOR FUTURE PLANELOADS. BUT 1 DON’T SEE ANYTHING ON THE IMMEDIATE HORIZON WHICH WOULD ENABLE US TO ALTER THAT POLICY. NOT BECAUSE WE LOVE THE POLICY OF REPATRIATION. IT’S AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ONE. BUT BECAUSE I DON’T SEE AT THE MOMENT. ANOTHER WAY OF MAKING IT CLEAR THAT MOVING FROM VIETNAM TO HONG KONG. MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THAT IS NOT A ROAD TO RESETTLEMENT IN THE WEST AND TO A HAPPIER LIFE.
K.Y. LAU (RT11K): SOME OMELCO MEMBERS HAVE POINTED OUT THAT THE SUGGESTION OF A TWO-CHAMBER SYSTEM FOR FUTURE LEGISLATURE WILL MAKE CONVERGENCE IMPOSSIBLE. WILL BRITAIN REQUEST CHINA NOT TO ADOPT THIS MODEL OF LEGISLATURE AFTER 1997?
MR HURD: WELL. J THINK IT IS TRUE THAT THERE HAS BEEN SUCH CLOSE CONCENTRATION ON THE OPENING NUMBERS FOR 1991 IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. THAT OTHER PARTS OF IT. OTHER ASPECTS OF IT. HAVE NOT PERHAPS RECEIVED ALL THE ATTENTION THEY MIGHT HAVE IN PUBLIC. BUT THE DISCUSSIONS WE’VE HAD. THE DISCUSSIONS I’VI HAD WITH OMELCO. THE POINTS RAISED WITH ME HERE. AND THE POINTS WHICH HAVE’ BEEN DISCUSSED WITH Till- PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC. GO WIDER.AND THEY COVER THE KIND OF POINT YOU MENTION.
KEVIN LAU (HK ECONOMIC JOURNAL): IF THE BEST WAY IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IS TO AGREE ON SOMETHING THAT WILL CONTINUE. WILL YOU DO THE SAME IN ENACTING THE BILL OF RIGHTS. NAMELY, TO AMEND THE LETTERS PATENT BY MI l.’ROR-1 MAG 1 NG ARTICLE 39 OF THE BASIC LAW. SO THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS COULD BE SAFELY ENTRENCHED BY THE LETTERS PATENT BEFORE 199". AND BY THI ARTICLE 39 OF THE BASIC LAW AFTER 1997?
AND ON CONSULAR PROTECTION. THOSE PEOPLE WHO'VE GOT BRITISH NATIONALITY ARE STILL CHINESE NATIONALS UNDER CHINESE NATIONALITY LAW. AND THE CASE OF DUAL-NATIONALITY BRITAIN HAS NO GENUINE AND EFFECTIVE LINK WITH THOSE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALL THEIR FRIENDS AND PROPERTIES HERE. SO HOW COULD BRITAIN CLAIM DIPLOMATIC PROTECTION OVER THEM AFTER 1997?
/MR HURD: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
- 16 -
MR HURD: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DUALNATIONALITY AND THAT THEY THEREFORE WOULD BE ENTITLED TO CONSULAR PROTECTION. THAT IS A MATTER OF CHINESE LAW. BUT I BELIEVE THAT WAS I’VE SAID IS RIGHT.
ON THE FIRST POINT. I REGARD THAT AS A MATTER FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HONG KONG. IT’S BEING DISCUSSED. OUR CONCERN HAS BEEN THAT THERE SHOULD BE A BILL OF RIGHTS, I THINK THAT THAT’S RIGHT, AND THAT THE DRAFT BASIC LAW SHOULD INCLUDE PROTECTION FOR THE TWO RELEVANT UNITED NATIONS COVENANTS. ART[OLE 39 DOES DO SO. HOW THAT IS REFLECTED... IT’S NOT PARALLEL TO THE QUESTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. IT DOES SO. I MEAN IT IS THERE IN THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, AND HOW THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND IN THE ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. IS A MATTER FOR HONG KONG TO DECIDE.
KEVIN LAU: AND NOT, REALLY, BECAUSE ENTRENCHMENT OF THE BILL IS A CONSTITUTIONAL MATTER, AN AMENDMENT OF THE LETTERS PATENT MUST BE DONE BY THE FOREIGN OFFICE, BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. IT’S NOT FOR THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION TO DO IT.
MR HURD: WELL, IF THE RESULT OF THE DISCUSSIONS IN HONG KONG IS THAT WE ARE REQUESTED TO DO THAT. WELL THEN OF COURSE WE WILL CONSIDER THAT. BUT THAT IS PART OF THE DISCUSSION TAKING PLACE HERE, AS TO WHETHER WE ARE ASKED TO DO THAT. OUR CONCERN IS, FIRSTLY, THAT THERE SHOULD BE A BILL OF RIGHTS - THAT’S THE GENERAL IDEA WHICH WE'VE PUT FORWARD - AND SECONDLY. THAT THE DRAFT BASIC LAW SHOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE PROTECTION TO INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TWO UN COVENANTS. IF WE’RE ASKED TO ALTER THE LETTERS PATENT. WE WILL CONSIDER THAT. THAT HASN’T YET HAPPENED.
JULIE MAPLESTON IATVI: 1 APPRECIATE THAT A DECISION ON THE POLITICAL REFORMS IN HONG KONG IS SOME WEEKS OFF, BUT CAN YOU INDICATE WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF' SEATS THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO PREVENT AN EROSION OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG'S POLITICAL SYSTEM.'
MR HURD: NOW THAT IS A BRAVE EFFORT. BUT THE ANSWER IS: NOT THIS AFTERNOON.
EDDIE YUEN (WEN WEI POI: SACK TO THE RIGHT OF ABODE QUESTION. WOULD YOU SAY THAT GIVING A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS THE FULL CITIZENSHIP OF THE UK WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG AFTER 1997?
MR HURD: YES. I THINK IT WOULD ENABLE SUCH PEOPLE - GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE TO REMAIN HERE AND CONTINUE TO DO THE KEY JOBS WHICH THEY AT PRESENT HOLD. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PACKAGE AND IT APPLIES WITHIN THE NUMBERS THAT YOU KNOW OF. TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES AS WELL AS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
EDDIE YUEN: A FOLLOW UP QUESTION: WHAT IF THEY LEAVE ALL AT A TIME?
/MR HURD: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990
MR HURD: IF THEY LEAVE, THEY LEAVE. WE CAN’T IMPRISON THEM HERE AND THAT IS NOT THE INTENTION OF THE PACKAGE. THE INTENTION IS TO GIVE THEM SUFFICIENT CONFIDENCE TO STAY.
PAUL HARRINGTON (HR STANDARD); MR HURD, HAS YOUR BRIEF VISIT. APART FROM ENCOURAGING YOU ON THE CHANGES IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE, HAS IT CHANGED YOUR OPINIONS OF HONG KONG AT ALL?
MR HURD: I DON’T THINK IT HAS, REALLY. BUT UP TO NOW — I CAME HERE AS ' YOUNG DIPLOMAT MANY TIMES, REALLY, FROM PEKING, BUT 1 WASN’T INVOLVED IN ALL THE EXCITEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG. I WAS PETRIFIED AT GOING TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE - THAT 1 READILY RECALL. AFTER THAT. I CAME HERE WITH MR HEATH, AND I CAME HERE WITH MRS THATCHER - SUCH HAS BEEN THE VARIETY OF MY POLITICAL LIFE - BUT THOSE AGAIN WERE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I MEAN THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WHICH 1 HAVE REALLY BEEN IMMERSED - SHALL WE PUT IT IN THAT WAY -IMMERSED IN HONG KONG AND MET SO MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND I’VE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THAT.
PATRICIA LEUNG (TIN TIN DAILY NEWS): DO YOU AGREE THAT PROVISION NUMBER 23 OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFT WILL MUCH TIGHTEN THE CONTROL OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OVER THE SAR GOVERNMENT SO THAT IT WILL AFFECT THE AUTONOMY OF THE SAR GOVERNMENT? AND WILL YOU TRY TO RAISE ANY SUGGESTION TO IMPROVE THAT?
MR HURD: WELL I THINK I HAVE ANSWERED. AS FAR AS 1 CAN. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATE OF THE BASIC DRAFT LAW. WE'RE NOT NEGOTIATORS ROUND THAT TABLE. WE HAVE TAKEN OPPORTUNITIES. AND WILL CONTINUE SO LONG AS THAT IS POSSIBLE, TO EXPRESS OUR VIEWS PRIVATELY ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THE LAW, AND WE’VE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS TO THE CHINESE CERTAIN OPINIONS WHICH WE’VE FORWARDED BECAUSE WE’VE RECEIVED THEM FROM HERE.
CHEUNG KIT-FUNG (ASIAWEEK): SOME PEOPLE HAVE VIEWED YOUR TRIP AS A SUCCESSFUL PR EXERCISE. DO YOU THINK THAT IS A FAIR JUDGEMENT? AND NUMBER TWO. WHAT ARE THE MAIN PRIORITIES THAT YOU WILL CARRY BACK TO LONDON?
MR HURD: IT’S A HARD LIFE, ISN’T IT? ' I MEAN, IF YOU DON’T SEE THE MEDIA. IF YOU’VE DASHED PAST THEM AT ALL Till- STREET CORNERS WHERE YOU’VE COLLECTED - IN THE RAIN SOMETIMES - IF YOU DO ALL THAT YOU’RE ACCUSED OF BEING HAUGHTY AND ARROGANT AND NEGLECTFUL. IF YOU DO PAUSE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AT EVERY STREET CORNER. YOU'RE TOLD YOU’RE ON A PR TRIP. I’VE LONG AGO LEARNED. YOU CAN’T WIN IN THESE EXCHANGES. I'VE TRIED TO DO MY BEST AND I WILL CARRY BACK TO LONDON A LOT OF VERY SPECIFIC OPINIONS - Wil I CH ARE OBVIOUSLY MUCH MORE VIVID IF THEY ARE EXPRESSED TO YOU DIRECTLY - A LOT OF VERY SPECIFIC OPINIONS. NOT ALL OF THEM HARMONIOUS. NOT ALL OF THEM THE SAME. BUT ALSO AN IMPRESSION OF A TERRITORY. A HUGE MAJORITY OF WHOSE CITIZENS. WHOSE PEOPLE. ARI WORKING HARD AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE. FOR A FUTURE WHICH COULD BE AMAZING. BUT THE HARD WORK. THE IMAGINATION. THE EXPECTATIONS FOK’ THE FUTURE. GO ALONGSIDE THE ANXIETIES OF THE PRESENT, AND THAT'S THE IMPRESSION I’LL CARRY BACK.
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
TRANSPORT STRATEGY FOR NEW DECADE UNVEILED ............................... 1
TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO BANKING BILL ..................................... 3
BANKING BILL WILL BENEFIT FINANCIAL SECTOR ............................... 5
INCREASED CHARGE FOR IMPOUNDING CARS ..................................... 5
MEASURES TO SHORTEN TREATMENT WAITING TIME ............................... 6
VIETNAMESE RETURNEES RECEIVE SYMPATHETIC TREATMENT ....................... 7
STEPS TAKEN TO PREVENT FURTHER COMPUTER VIRUS ATTACKS .................... 8
DOCTORS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES ...................... 9
REVIEW ON UNCONDITIONAL STAY STILL IN PROGRESS .......................... 10
HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT CHANGE LATER IN YEAR ................................ 11
CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY ................................ 11
CONTROLS ON SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES ON FLATS 'CLUMSY' .................... 12
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CHILD CARE PLACES BEING PROVIDED ..................... 13
BANKING BILL PASSED...................................................... 14
GOVERNOR SPEAKS ON RETURN OF VBP .......................................... 15
FASHION INDUSTRY NEEDS TO MOVE UP MARKET: GOVERNOR ........................ 16
SURVEY OF ATTENDEES AT GOVT CLINICS COMPLETED.............................. 17
DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY SPEAKS ON QUALITY ENHANCEMENT ........................ 18
IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS ON MOVE .......................................... 19
ASD MAINTENANCE BRANCH TO GET HEADQUARTERS BLDG............................ 20
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TOURISM PROMOTION CAMPAIGN......................... 21
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND ALLOCATION .................................. 21
DB WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS CONSTRUCTION OF CEMENT DEPOT................... 22
EMPLOYERS REMINDED OF LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ............................. 22
GUIDE TO SAFETY OF NAVIGATION ON SMALL CRAFT AVAILABLE .................... 23
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ................................................ 24
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KING'S ROAD ............................. 25
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN QUARRY BAY ........................................ 25
URBAN CLEARWAY AT HK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT................................. 26
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHA TIN................................................. 26
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
TRANSPORT STRATEGY EOR t t t
NEW DECADE UNVEILED
t t
THE GOVERNMENT’S BROAD TRANSPORT STRATEGY EOR THE COMING DECADE WAS UNVEILED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG.
ENTITLED "MOVING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY", THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG IS THE CULMINATION OF AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE LAST YEAR.
MR LEUNG TOLD THE COUNCIL THE GREEN PAPER’S TRANSPORT FORECAST HAD BEEN REVISED AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME SUBSTANTIALLY EXPANDED AS A RESULT OF THE DECISION ON THE NEW AIRPORT.
HE SAID THAT PLANNED PROJECTS NOW INCLUDED THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND NEW ROADS TO NEW PORT FACILITIES ON TSING YI AND STONECUTTERS ISLANDS AND AT TUEN MUN.
COMPLETION OF THESE PROJECTS WAS PLANNED FOR MID-1990S TO TIE IN WITH THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND IN TIME FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK BY 1997.
MR LEUNG SAID THE WHITE PAPER ADDRESSED THE PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR BETTER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN TRANSPORT AND LAND USE PLANNING ON THREE FRONTS:
* COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WILL BE SPREAD OUT AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR LONG JOURNEYS;
» STRATEGIC ROAD AND RAIL CONNECTIONS WILL BE PLANNED TO LINK UP THE MAJOR RESIDENTIAL AND EMPLOYMENT AREAS; AND
» LONG-TERM PLANS WILL BE DEVISED TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE LAND-USE DEVELOPMENTS CAN BE SUPPORTED BY THE EXISTING AND PLANNED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.
"THE METROPLAN STUDY. THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND THE URBAN RENEWAL SCHEMES WILL ALL CONTRIBUTE TO ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE." MR LEUNG SAID.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY WAS TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES. BOTH IN QUANTITY AND QUALITY, TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC REMAINED WILLING AND ABLE TO TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
HE SAID THAT EFFECTIVE CO-ORDINATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WAS ESSENTIAL II THESE OBJECTIVES WERE TO BE ACHIEVED.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
2
MR LEUNG ADDED THAI’ THE MERITS OF HEALTHY COMPETITION WERE ALSO RECOGNISED. THE POLICY WOULD BE APPLIED FLEXIBLY TO MEET CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY COMPETITION BETWEEN DIFFERENT MODES, AND TO GIVI IMPETUS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THAT MORE FRANCHISED BUSES WOULD BE USED TO HELP RELIEVE CONGESTION ALONG THE RAIL CORRIDORS, AND THERE WOULD BE WIDER INTRODUCTION OF GOOD QUALITY NON-FRANCHISED BUSES TO HELP MEET PEAK HOUR DEMANDS IN CERTAIN AREAS.
ON MEASURES FOR MANAGING ROAD USE, MR LEUNG SAID THE CONTINUOUS EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WOULD HELP TO REDUCE, BUT COULD NOT REPLACE, THE NEED FOR BETTER ROAD MANAGEMENT.
HE WARNED THAT GROWTH OF PRIVATE CARS AND GOODS VEHICLES WHICH HAD BEEN AT 10 PER CENT A YEAR. SINCE 1987 COULD TRIPLE IN 10 YEARS.
"THIS WOULD OUTSTRIP THE 37 PER CENT INCREASE IN ROAD CAPACITY PROVIDED BY THE COMMITTED AND PLANNING BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR THE SAME PERIOD," HE SAID.
THE MOBILITY OF PEOPLE AND GOODS WOULD BE SERIOUSLY IMPEDED. THIS WOULD IMPOSE CONSIDERABLE STRAINS ON THE ECONOMY, AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE WHITE PAPER SET OUT A BALANCED PACKAGE OF MEASURES FOR MANAGING ROAD USE. IT HAD THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES:
- TO MAKE EFFECTIVE USE OF ROAD SPACE BY MODERN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE VEHICLES, ACCIDENTS AND ROAD WORKS;
- TO MAKE MORE RATIONAL USE OF ROAD SPACE BY GIVING PRIORITY TO THE MORE EFFICIENT AND ESSENTIAL ROAD USERS; AND
- TO MANAGE THE DEMAND FOR ROAD USE BY SPREADING OUT TRAVEL DEMAND AND MANAGING ITS GROWTH TO A LEVEL WITH WHICH THE ROAD SYSTEM CAN COPE.
"THIS INCLUDES THE USE OF FISCAL AND REGULATORY MEASURES WHEREVER NECESSARY AND PRACTICABLE TO HELP CONTAIN THE GROWTH AND USAGE OF VEHICLES," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG EMPASISED THAT TRANSPORT PLANNING WAS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS REQUIRING REGULAR UPDATING OF FORECASTS AND PROJECTION ASSUMPTIONS.
THE TRANSPORT STRATEGY OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER WOULD BE APPLIED FLEXIBLY AND REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING DEMANDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ADDED.
/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17. 1990
3 TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO BANKING BILL *****
SOME TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 BEFORE IT WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS WERE MOVED SECRETARY, Till HON SIR PIERS JACOBS. WHO SAID THE EXAMINED AND SUPPORTED BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP BILL.
BY THE FINANCIAL CHANGES HAD BEEN THAT STUDIED THE
IN MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 1. 29, 39, 44, 46, 49 AND 52, SIR PIERS SAID BOTH THE AD HOC GROUP AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS CONSIDERED THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF THE PENALTY FOR BREACHES OF' OFFICIAL SECRECY UNDER THE ORDINANCE WAS TOO LOW TO CONSTITUTE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT.
HE AGREED WITH THEM AND PROPOSED THAT AN AMENDMENT BE MADE TO CLAUSE 46 TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF $100,000 TO $500,000 ON CONVICTION UPON INDICTMENT.
THIS WOULD BRING THE PENALTY MORE IN LINE WITH THOSE FOR SIMILAR OFFENCES UNDER OTHER ORDINANCES.
SIR PIERS SAID CLAUSE 52 WAS INTENDED TO AMEND Till THIRD SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO.
THAT SCHEDULE HAD NOW BEEN REPLACED BY VIRTUE OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE (REPLACEMENT OF THIRD SCHEDULE) NOTICE 1989 GAZETTED ON DECEMBER 22, 1989 TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE NEW CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS. CLAUSE 52 WAS THEREFORE NO LONGER REQUIRED.
HOWEVER, IF CLAUSE 52 WAS DELETED IN ITS ENTIRETY, THE PRESENT THIRD SCHEDULE CONTAINED IN THE SAID NOTICE WOULD BE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF "BANK" CONTAINED THEREIN CONTAINED NO SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK.
TO RECTIFY THAT DEFECT. IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE RELEVANT PART OF CLAUSE 52 BE RETAINED.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO OTHER CLAUSES SOUGHT TO CLARIFY CERTAIN DRAFTING POINTS AND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE SLIPPAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE TIME-TABLE, SIR PIERS SAID.
ON A NEW CLAUSE 47A, SIR PIERS SAID THE PROPOSED SECTION 72A(4) IN CLAUSE 29 MADE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY SPECIFIED PERSON IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES STATED TO SIGN ANY DOCUMENT FOR GIVING INFORMATION UNDER THE PROPOSED SECTION 72A(2) WHICH HE KNEW, OR OUGHT TO KNOW, TO BE FALSE IN A MATERIAL PARTICULAR.
/THE PROPOSED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
THE PROPOSED SECTION 72A(4 I WAS MODELLED AETER SECTION 64(5) OE THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE AND WAS INTENDED TO COVER SITUATIONS WHERE OFFENCES WERE KNOWINGLY COMMITTED.
ACCORDINGLY, HE PROPOSED THAT CLAUSE 47A BE ADDED TO EXCLUDE SECTION 72AI4) FROM THE AMBIT OF SECTION 126(1), WHICH PROVIDED FOR A GENERAL DEFENCE IN CASES WHERE AN OFFENCE WAS COMMITTED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OR CONNIVANCE OF THE PERSONS CONCERNED.
IN MOVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SCHEDULE TO THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID THE TITLE OF THE MONEY CHANGERS LEGISLATION HAD RECENTLY BEEN CHANGED FROM "MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) ORDINANCE" TO "MONEY CHANGERS ORDINANCE". IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO REFLECT THAT CHANGE ACCORDINGLY.
EARLIER, IN WINDING UP THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE RILL. SIR PIERS SAID REPRESENTATIONS ON A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL POINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE BANKING SECTOR.
HF SAID THE AD HOC GROUP HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN IN RELATION TO THE EXTRA-TERRITORIAL APPLICATION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S INFORMATION GATHERING POWER UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE GROUP SUGGESTED THAT AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION ORDINANCE MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THAT FAILURE OF SUBSIDIARY OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION TO COMPLY COMMISSIONER'S REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT INFORMATION DUE TO BY THE LAW OF ITS HOME JURISDICTION SHALL CONSTITUTI A EXCUSE" UNDER SECTION 63(6) AS AMENDED BY CLAUSE 26(C) OF
63 0} THE
AN OVERSEAS
WITH THE
PROIII BIT ION "REASONABLE
THE Bl IL.
"GIVEN THE CONCERN EXPRESSED. THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS HAS BEEN CONSULTED.
"HE HAS ADVISED THAT FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT INFORMATION DUE TO PROHIBITION BY FOREIGN LAW WOULD CONSTITUTE A REASONABLE EXCUSE UNDER SECTION 63(6).
"IN HIS OPINION, NO AMENDMENT TO SECTION 63 IS REQUIRED.’ AND I AM GLAD THAT THIS VIEW IS NOW SHARED BY THE AD HOC GROUP," SIR PIERS SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 5
BANKING BILL WILL BENEFIT FINANCIAL SECTOR ******
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL ASSIST IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IN HONG KONG, AND IS IMPERATIVE AT A TIME WHEN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION IS PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY, THE HON DAVID LI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR LI SAID THAT THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE BILL HAD CONSIDERED IN DETAIL SUBMISSIONS FROM INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS.
HE SAID THAT AMONG THE ISSUES CONSIDERED WAS THE PROPOSAL TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ADDITIONAL POWERS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND CERTAIN OTHER PERSONS.
"FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION AS REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE," MR LI SAID.
MR LI ALSO SAID THAT THE AD HOI' GROUP HAD BEEN CONCERNED, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE SEVERE PENALTIES INVOLVED, THAT THE WIDE INFORMATION-GATHERING POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER MIGHT BE ABUSED.
MEMBERS WERE GLAD THAT THE ADM IN1 STRATI ON HAD AGREED TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT TO LIMIT THE COMMISSIONER’S INFORMATION-GATHERING POWERS TO THOSE NECESSARY FOR THE EXERCISE OF HIS FUNCTIONS UNDER PART XI11 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH CONCERNED OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, HE NOTED.
------0-------
INCREASED CHARGE FOR IMPOUNDING CARS
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO INCREASE THE CHARGES FOR THE IMPOUNDING, REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY PARKED ON RESTRICTED ROADS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE HOUSING (TRAFFIC) (AMENDMENT) BY-LAWS 1989 WERE MADE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ON DECEMBER 9, 1989
UNDER SECTION 30 OF THE HOUSING ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR INCREASED CHARGES FOR THESE SERVICES RESULTING FROM ILLEGAL PARKING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
/"THE EXISTING ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 6 -
"THE EXISTING CHARGES UNDER BY-LAW 30 OF THE PRINCIPAL BY LAWS ARE : FOR IMPOUNDING A VEHICLE, $140; FOR REMOVING A VEHICLE, $200; AND FOR STORING A VEHICLE, $50 FOR EACH DAY AFTER THE FIRST DAY DURING WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DETAINED," HE SAID.
"EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THE PRESENT CHARGES ARE TOO LOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO OFFENDING MOTORISTS AND IT IS, THEREFORE, PROPOSED THAT THESE CHARGES BE INCREASED TO $200, $280 AND $70 RESPECTIVELY," HE SAID.
--------0----------
MEASURES TO SHORTEN TREATMENT WAITING TIME ******
TWO MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN BY THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO SHORTEN THE WAITING TIME FOR TREATING LESS URGENT CASES AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT PRESENT, THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR TREATING SUCH CASES WAS ABOUT AN HOUR, MRS WONG SAJI) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW WONG.
"FIRST, TWO ADDITIONAL DOCTORS WILL BE DEPLOYED HY MID-YEAR THIS YEAR TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE HOSPITAL.
"SECONDLY, AN ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION CUBICLE WILL BE INSTALLED TO ENABLE MORE RAPID TURNOVER OF PATIENTS," MRS WONG SAID.
THE NECESSARY' CONVERSION WORKS BEING PLANNED WERE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR.
MRS WONG STRESSED THAT PATIENTS IN SERIOUS CONDITION WERE GIVEN IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND TREATMENT BY HOSPITAL STAFF UPON ARRIVAL AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
"AN EXPERIENCED NURSING OFFICER REGISTRATION AREA OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ABSOLUTELY NO DELAY IN RENDERING TREATMENT SAID.
IS STATIONED AT ENSURE THAT THERE TO SUCH PATIENTS."
THE
IS
SHE
--------0-----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 7 -
VIETNAMESE RETURNEES RECEIVE SYMPATHETIC TREATMENT ******
REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN HANOI HAVE ASSURED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER THAT ANY VIETNAMESE WHO HAVE RETURNED UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION SCHEME HAVE RECEIVED ANYTHING BUT HELPFUL AND SYMPATHETIC TREATMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON DANIEL TSE.
MR BARNES ADDED THAT THE REPORTS CONCERNED ALL BUT THE MOST RECENT RETURNEES, AND COVERED THE EIGHT BATCHES TO WHICH DR TSE REFERRED.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP IN TOUCH OVER THE GENERAL TREATMENT GIVEN TO VOLUNTARY RETURNEES BY MEANS OF PERIODIC REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN HANOI AND FROM INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM VISITORS TO VIETNAM WHO VISIT RETURNEES TO ASSESS THEIR WELFARE," MR BARNES EMPHASISED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SO FAR SUCH COMPLAINTS AS HAD BEEN MADE BY RETURNEES HAD TURNED OUT TO BE BASED UPON A LACK OF INFORMATION ON THEIR PART ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS, RATHER THAN ANY UNHELPFULNESS ON THE PART OF LOCAL OFFICIALS.
THERE HAD ALSO BEEN CASES OF RETURNEES BEING TOO EMBARRASSED TO SEEK THE HELP TO WHICH THEY WERE ENTITLED: AND OCCASIONALLY SOME RETURNEES HAD ATTEMPTED TO SECURE MORE THAN THEIR ENTITLEMENT BY CLAIMING THAT NO HELP HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO THEM WHEREAS, UPON INVESTIGATION, IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THEY HAD, IN FACT, RECEIVED
assistance: .
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE RETURNED TO THEIR OWN VILLAGES WHERE THE EXTENDED FAMILY SYSTEM. WHICH WAS ONE OF THE STRENGTHS OF VIETNAMESE SOCIETY, PROVIDED ASSISTANCE.
TUI. UNHCR PAYMENT 01 US$30 PER HEAD PER MONTH FOR ONE YEAR WAS PAID IN LOCAL CURRENCY, QUARTERLY IN ADVANCE, AND THIS WAS A WELCOME SOURCE OF INCOME DURING THE INITIAL SETTLING-IN PERIOD AFTER RETURN.
"UNEMPLOYMENT IS, OF COURSE, A SEVERE PROBLEM THROUGHOUT VIETNAM AND PARTICULARLY SO FOR THOSE VIETNAMESE WHO HAD BECOME INACTIVE AFTER LONG PERIODS IN CAMPS IN HONG KONG," MR BARNES SAID.
HE SAID THOSE WITHOUT SPECIAL SKILLS HAI) FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT, BUT IT HAD BEEN OBSERVED THAT MANY BECAME SMALL-SCALE TRADERS AND SHOPKEEPERS.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT UNDERSTOOD THAT THE UNHCR ONLY HAD ONE MONITOR AT PRESENT IN VIETNAM.
/THE MONITOR'S .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 8 -
THE MONITOR’S METHOD OF WORKING WAS TO SELECT CERTAIN AREAS AND TO BECOME WELL-ACQUAINTED WITH THE LOCAL OFFICIALS AND THE RETURNEE FAMILIES IN THOSE AREAS BY MEANS OF FREQUENT VISITS.
"IT IS, OF COURSE, NOT POSSIBLE TO VISIT ALL RETURNEES WITH THE SAME FREQUENCY BUT VISITS TO OTHERS ARE MADE AT RANDOM FOR COMPARISON WITH THOSE SELECTED FOR MORE INTENSIVE MONITORING.
’’THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN HANOI ASSESSES THE SYSTEM AS APPARENTLY WORKING WELL,” MR BARNES ADDED.
---------0-----------
STEPS TAKEN TO PREVENT FURTHER COMPUTER VIRUS ATTACKS ******
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT’S MID-RANGE AND MAINFRAME COMPUTERS HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACKED BY COMPUTER VIRUSES, SOME MICRO-COMPUTERS HAVE BEEN SO ATTACKED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, SIR PIERS SAID NONE OF THE INCI DENTS HAD CAUSED ANY DESTRUCTION OR LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION BECAUSE USERS HAD BEEN ABLE TO RESTORE INFORMATION FROM BACK-UP COPIES.
”AS TO REMEDIAL ACTION, GUIDELINES ON THE PREVENTION OF COMPUTER VIRUS ATTACKS WERE ISSUED BY THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN APRIL 1989 TO ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,” HE SAID.
THESE GUIDELINES EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR COMPUTER USERS AT ALL TIMES TO BACK-UP IMPORTANT PROGRAMS AND FILES, TO AVOID USING SOFTWARE FROM UNKNOWN SOURCES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO PREVENT UNAUTHORISED ACCESS.
"ANTI-VIRUS COMPUTER PROGRAMS WERE ISSUED TO ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
’’THESE PROGRAMS SERVE TO CHECK AGAINST POSSIBLE INFECTIONS BY VIRUSES WHEN A COMPUTER BEGINS OPERATION,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID ALL MACHINES INSTALLED SINCE OCTOBER 1989 ALREADY HAD THE VIRUS CHECKING SYSTEMS AUTOMATICALLY I N(’ORPORATEI).
”WE SHALL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND TO IMPROVE OUR GUIDELINES AND SECURITY PRACTI CFS A.S NECESSARY .
’’THIS WILL BE THE BEST DEFENCE AGA I NST ANY FUTURE COMPUTER VIRUS ATTACKS," HE ADDED.
------0------------
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 9 -
DOCTORS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
*»»*»*
WITH THE TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION THAT IS GIVEN, REGISTERED DOCTORS IN HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE MAJORITY OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PATIENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MRS WONG SAID AS REGARDS THE LESS COMMON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, PROMPT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION AND APPROPRIATE REFERRAL.
"UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE SHOULD BE NO DELAY IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT "OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE" REFERRED TO ANY DISEASE WHICH HAD RESULTED FROM WORK IN A PARTICULAR OCCUPATION. IT MIGHT APPEAR IN THE FORM OF RESPIRATORY DISEASE, BLOOD DISEASE OR DISEASE OF THE SKIN, EYE OR BONE.
"KNOWLEDGE OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IS ACQUIRED BY MEDICAL STUDENTS DURING THEIR BASIC MEDICAL EDUCATION.
"THEY ARE TRAINED IN THE CLINICAL ASPECTS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES UNDER THE RELEVANT SPECIALTIES DURING THEIR FIVE-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE COURSE AND THEIR ONE-YEAR INTERNSHIP," MRS WONG SAID.
AS PART OF THEIR TRAINING LN COMMUNITY MEDICINE, MEDICAL STUDENTS UNDERWENT A STRUCTURED COURSE ON THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE, SHE SAID.
"THIS COURSE CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF LECTURES AND TUTORIALS CONDUCTED BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD. PROJECTS AND VISITS TO MAJOR INDUSTRIES ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
"TRAINING IN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE RECEIVED BY MEDICAL STUDENTS IN HONG KONG IS SIMILAR. TO THAT PROVIDED TO THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER ADVANCED COUNTRIES AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE ADEQUATE AND SATISFACTORY," SHE SAID.
AS PART OF AN ON-GOING AND CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MEDICAL EDUCATION, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT REGISTERED DOCTORS WERE, IN GENERAL, ABLE TO UPDATE THEMSELVES IN ADVANCES IN THE PRACTICE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE INCLUDING THE IDENTIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES BY REFERENCE TO MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS AND THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS, REFRESHER COURSES. SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS.
/"IN ADDITION.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
10
Dn.„,. nn*n?! ^*)DrTI0N> THR CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG RUNS A DOCTORS ran S,«uP.n^MA COURS1' lN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE FOR REGISTERED DOCTORS WHO WISH TO ACQUIRE A MORE IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE IN THIS FIELD.
IN THE HEALTH
"DOCTORS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE DIAGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES FROM THE OCCUPATIONAL
DIVISION IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT," SHE ADDED.
--------0 - -
REVIEW ON UNCONDITIONAL STAY STILL IN PROGRESS
*****
A REVIEW TO DETERMINE HOW FOREIGN NATIONALS IN HONG KONG SHOULD RE GRANTED UNCONDITIONAL STAY AFTER HAVING LIVED HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS, AS OPPOSED TO THE CURRENT REQUIREMENT OF NINE YEARS, HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MR BARNES SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED, AND FURTHER CONSULTATION HAD PROVED NECESSARY.
IT HAD BEEN ORIGINALLY EXPECTED THAT THE REVIEW COULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF LAST YEAR.
MR BARNES SAID THE REVIEW WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR THE EVENTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT OF ABODE PROVISIONS IN THE JOIN! DECLARATION.
THESE STATED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT ALL CHINESE NATIONALS BORN OR WHO HAD ORDINARILY RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS OR MORE, AND ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAD ORDINARILY RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS OR MORE AND WHO HAD TAKEN HONG KONG AS THEIR PLACE OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE, SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, .JANUARY 17, 1990
11
HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT CHANGE LATER IN YEAR »$****
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, EVEN WHEN SET UP UNDER THE LAW, WILL NOT TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNTIL TOWARDS THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WOULD ALLOW THE TIME NEEDED FOR COMPLETION OF ALL ESSENTIAL PREPARATORY WORK AS WELL AS THE NECESSARY CONSULTATIONS WITH THE STAFF CONCERNED, MRS WONG SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW.
THE SECRETARY SAID SHE HOPED TO INTRODUCE INTO THE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE A BILL ON THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"THIS WILL BE DEBATED IN COUNCIL AND, SUBJECT TO ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION. IT IS MY AIM TO SET UP THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY LATER THIS YEAR," SHE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS ON VARIOUS MATTERS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS THEY WERE READY.
"THERE WILL BE FULL CONSULTATIONS WITH THE STAFF OVER ISSUES WHICH AFFECT THEM DIRECTLY, SUCH AS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE MAIN REPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAD BEEN RECEIVED ON DECEMBER 30.
"IT CONTAINS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FUTURE AUTHORITY' STRUCTURE, THE INTEGRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS, THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT REFORMS. AND MANY' OTHER POINTS.
"THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ARE BEING CAREFULLY STUDIED WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION," SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY * * t * *
THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAS AN ORGANISATION AND METHODS CAPABILITY COMPRISING SOME 150 MANAGEMENT STAFF, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, ’<(!.' ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP AN INTERNAL ORGANISATION AND METHODS CAPABILITY TO ACHIEVE A SIMPLIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND A REDUCTION IN UNNECESSARY PAPERWORK.
/SIR PIERS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 12 -
SIR PIERS SAID THAT GENERALLY OFFICERS IN THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES GRADE WERE BASED IN THE FINANCE BRANCH, BUT THERE WERE SPECIALISED UNITS IN SELECTED DEPARTMENTS.
”WE ALSO EMPLOY THE RESOURCES OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IF WE ARE EXAMINING THE USE OR POSSIBLE USE OF COMPUTERS.
"IF NEED BE, WE ENGAGE OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS TO ASSIST US IN OUR CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY," HE SAID.
-----0------
CONTROLS ON SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES ON FLATS ’CLUMSY’
*****
CONTROLS ON SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES ON PRE-COMPLETED DOMESTIC FLATS WOULD BE CLUMSY AND DISRUPTIVE TO DEVELOPMENT FINANCING AND WOULD PROBABLY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD TO THE ECONOMY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER TAKING ANY MEASURES TO CONTROL OR EVEN PROHIBIT SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES CONCERNING PRE-COMPLETED DOMESTIC FLATS.
HE SAID SPECULATION IN UNCOMPLETED FLATS HAD LONG BEEN A FEATURE OF THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY. AS IT WAS IN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES.
"IN TIMES OF SHORT SUPPLIES AND RISING MARKETS, IT TENDS TO TAKI': THE CONVENTIONAL FORM OF BUYING, HOLDING AND RESELLING, HOPEFULLY AT A HIGHER PRICE; THE HIGHER MARKET PRICE WOULD THEN STIMULATE ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES.
"IN TIMES OF GREATER SUPPLIES, SUCH AS THE PRESENT, THERE IS SOME EVIDENCE THAT SOME DEVELOPERS USE ARRANGED SALES TO STIMULATE A HEATED MARKET FOR THEIR PROPERTIES^" HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID IN EITHER CASE THE ONLY REALLY EFFECTIVE MEASURE AGAINST SPECULATION WOULD BE SOME KIND OF BAR ON EARLY RESALE, ALTHOUGH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS WOULD DEPEND ON WHETHER THE INGENUITY OF THOSE INTERESTED WOULD FIND WAYS TO OUTWIT THE SYSTEM.
"AND ASSUMING THAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO HAVE SUCH CONTROLS IF THE MARKET FOR HOMES WAS NOT BEING SIGNIFICANTLY DISRUPTED, YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE CRITERIA FOR SWITCHING YOUR CONTROLS ON AND OFF," HE SAID.
"THIS IS PROBABLY NOT IMPOSSIBLE, BUT CERTAINLY DIFFICULT, ' MR BARNES ADDED.
- 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 13 -
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CHILD CARE PLACES BEING PROVIDED
THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL 360 PLACES IN SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES (SCCC) BY THE END OE 1989-90 AGAINST THE EXISTING 675 PLACES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MRS WONG SAID BY THE END OF 1991-92, THERE WOULD RE A FURTHER 300 ADDITIONAL PLACES, BRINGING THE TOTAL PROVISION TO 1,335 PLACES.
AGAINST A PROJECTED DEMAND OF 1,305 IN 1991-92, THE PROVISION WAS ANTICIPATED TO BE ADEQUATE BY THE END OF THAT YEAR, SHE SAID.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT IN THE 1987 REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN (RPP) REVIEW, ESTIMATES ON Till' DEMAND FOR SCCC, EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRES AND INTEGRATED PROGRAMME IN CHILD CARE CENTRES WERE PROJECTED ON THE BASIS OF PREVALENCE RATES BORROWED FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
AS THE PROJECTED FIGURES BORE LITTLE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KNOWN NUMBER OF DISABLED CHILDREN IN NEED OF PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES, THE METHODOLOGY FOR FORECASTING DEMAND WAS REVIEWED.
IT WAS ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE 1987 RPP REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT IT WOULD BE MORE REALISTIC TO PROJECT REQUIREMENT ON THE BASIS OF KNOWN DEMAND IN HONG KONG, THAT IS, THE NUMBER OF ENROLMENT PLUS THE NUMBER ON THE WAITING LIST, WITH A PERCENTAGE ADDED ON TO ESTIMATED HIDDEN DEMAND.
THIS FORMULA FOR PROJECTION HAD BEEN ADOPTED FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR DISABLED ADULTS; AND ON THAT BASIS, THE PROJECTED DEMAND FOR SCCC IN 1989-90 WAS 1,330.
REFERRING TO Till PLACES IN
FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SAID THERE
SHELTERED WORKSHIPS, THE SECRETARY WERE AT PRESENT 3,175 SUCH PLACES.
"EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO SPEED UP THE COMPLETION OF
PLANNED
PROJECTS WITH ENCOURAGING RESULT," MRS WONG SAID.
ACCORDINGLY, THERE WOULD BE AN ADDITION OF 1,465 PLACES AND A FURTHER 900 PLACES RESPECTIVELY BY THE END OF 1990-91 AND 1992-93.
"WITH A TOTAL OF 5,540 PLACES IN 1992 93 AGAINST A PROJECTED DEMAND OF 5,4 92 THE SERVICE NEED SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY MEI’ IN THE END OF 1992-93," SHE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME MRS WONG SAID INTERIM MEASURES SUCH AS HOME-BASED TRAINING AND COMMERCIAL HIRED VEHICLES WERE PROVIDED TO ASSIST THOSE DISABLED PERSONS AWAITING PLACEMENT INTO SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.
/••A SUPPORTED.......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
”A SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SCHEME IS ALSO BEING TRIED OUT FOR TWO YEARS WHICH, IF PROVED SUCCESSFUL, WILL BROADEN THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OF DISABLED PERSONS AND THEREBY RELIEVE TO SOME EXTENT THE DEMAND FOR SHELTERED WORKSHOP PLACES," SHE SAID.
MOREOVER, TWO COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEMS, NAMELY THE CO-ORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED PRE-SCHOOLERS AND THE CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED ADULTS, HAD BEEN SET UP BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR PRE-SCHOOL DISABLED CHILDREN AND
i/isr mjv i I’ji'.iN i ruK EKE-SCHOOL DISABLED CHILDREN AND DISABLED ADULTS RESPECTIVELY TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE POSITION OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY AND 1’0 FACILITATE REALISTIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF
SERVICES.
AND
DEVELOPMENT
- - 0 - -
BANKING BILL PASSED * ♦ t t
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 WAS PASSED IN TH1 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ADDITION, A PRIVATE BILL, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE SURVEYORS BILL 1989, WAS PASSED. THIS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE
QF
HON
CHENG HON-KWAN.
THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY, ENTITLED "MOVING INTO 21ST CENTURY", WAS TABLED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7.
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/15
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 15 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS ON RETURN OF VBP t t t * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING THAT IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM, BUT IF THEY DID NOT, SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE FOR THEM TO DO SO.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG FASHION WEEK, STR DAVID SAID THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WERE GIVEN EVERY CHANCE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO RETURN VOLUNTARILY.
’’AND INDEED SOME OF THE FIRST GROUP THAT WAS GOING TO BE SENT BACK DID IN FACT VOLUNTEER, SO IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT THEY HAVE THE CHANCE TO VOLUNTEER,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE REPORT BY LORD ENNALS WHO MONITORED THE 51 VBP WHO WERE SENT BACK MANDATOR!LY TO VIETNAM LAST MONTH.
SIR DAVID SAID ALTHOUGH HE HAD NOT READ THE REPORT IN FULL, HE THOUGHT THE KEY POINT MADE WAS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WENT BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN VIETNAM HAD NOT IN ANY WAY BEEN MALTREATED WHEN THEY RETURNED.
’’THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF HIS MISSION AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN THAT IT MATTERS TO US A LOT,” HE SAID.
’’WHAT I WOULD SAY ABOUT THE SENDING OF THAT GROUP BACK TO VIETNAM IS WHENEVER YOU DO AN OPERATION LIKE THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SUCCESSFUL.
"AND THEN THEREFORE YOU NEED TO HAVE SUFFICIENT PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE IT IS SUCCESSFUL SO THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE ANY EXCESSIVE PERSUASION, AND IT WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL OPERATION,” HE ADDED.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON HONG KONG’S POLITICAL REFORM, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION GOING ON AT THE MOMENT TO TRY TO FIND A SATISFACTORY WAY FORWARD ON THE QUESTION OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. WE WOULD LIKE TO FIND THAT SORT OF SATISFACTORY PATTERN.”
SIR DAVID SAID ALTHOUGH HE COULD NOT COMMENT FURTHER BECAUSE DISCUSSIONS WERE STILL GOING ON, HE SAID: "IT’S NOT A QUESTION IN ANY WAY, AT ANY TIME OF TRADING IN HONG KONG’S INTERESTS. IT’S TRYING TO ACHIEVE IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY FORWARD ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE VISIT BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WAS VERY USEFUL AND IMPORTANT.
”HE SAW A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IF THE MEMBERS 01 OMELCO WISH TO CARRY FORWARD DISCUSSION, THEN OF COURSE THEY SHOULD DO SO,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT’S RIGHT THERE SHOULD HE A CONTINUING DISCUSSION ON MATTERS WHICH ARE OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
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/16.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
16
FASHION INDUSTRY NEEDS TO MOVE UP MARKET: GOVERNOR
HONG KONG’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY WILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE UP MARKET IN THE YEARS TO COME IF THE TERRITORY IS TO KEEP ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE OVER THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS SNAPPING AT HONG KONG’S FASHIONABLE HEELS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "HONG KONG FASHION WEEK 1990” ORGANISED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR SAID PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO UPGRADE AND DIVERSIFY PRODUCTS, AND THE ABILITY TO RESPOND RAPIDLY TO CHANGING MARKET NEEDS WERE PART OF THE KEYS TO OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG MUST ALSO LOOK TO ITS YOUNG HOME-GROWN TALENTS TO TAKE THE TERRITORY INTO THE NEXT CENTURY AS A TREND-SETTER IN WORLD MARKETS.
’’THE YOUNG DESIGNERS’ SHOW, A MAJOR EVENT IN FASHION WEEK, WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN ENCOURAGING OUR UP AND COMING FASHION DESIGNERS,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT AS HONG KONG DEVELOPED INTO AN INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED ECONOMY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS SERVICE INDUSTRIES GREW, THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS STILL GOING TO REMAIN ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE ECONOMY.
"IN THIS GARMENTS AND CLOTHING HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT IN 1989 CLOTHING AND TEXTILE EXPORTS ACCOUNTED FOR 39 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS. AND THE INDUSTRY EMPLOYED OVER 40 PER CENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE.
HONG KONG RANKED SECOND AMONG THE WORLD’S EXPORTERS OF GARMENTS AFTER ITALY, AND LESS WELL KNOWN WAS THAT IT WAS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST GARMENT IMPORTER IN ASIA AFTER JAPAN, SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG’S GARMENT PRODUCERS HAD SWEPT ASIDE ITS LONG OUT-DATED IMAGE AS A PRODUCER OF CHEAP, LOW QUALITY GOODS.
”WE RELY ON THEIR ENTERPRISE TO HELP US MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S LEADING ECONOMIC POSITION IN THE WORLD’S FASHION MARKETS, A POSITION WHICH HAS BEEN BUILT UP OVER THE LAST DECADE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG FASHION WEEK HAI) DEVELOPED OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS FROM A SMALL-SCALE FASHION SHOW INTO ONE OF THE MAJOR FASHION SPECTACULARS IN ASIA.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 17 -
"THIS IS A GREAT CREDIT TO THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHICH WORKED CLOSELY WITH GARMENT MANUFACTURING COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO PRODUCE A UNIQUE EVENT: AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY BOTH TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S GARMENT EXPORTS AND FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURERS TO SWAP IDEAS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE FASHION INDUSTRY WAS A SECTOR OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY THAT HAD ALWAYS BEEN UNIQUELY WELL ABLE TO ADJUST ITS OWN PRODUCTS AND STRATEGIES IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS, THE GOVERNOR CONCLUDED.
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SURVEY OF ATTENDEES AT GOVT CLINICS COMPLETED
* » * * *
THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE HAD COMMISSIONED A SURVEY OF ATTENDEES AT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES AND THE REPORT WOULD FORM A VALUABLE INPUT INTO THE WORKING PARTY’S CONSIDERATION OF THESE TWO SERVICES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE WORKING PARTY’S FIFTH MEETING THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON, THE CHAIRMAN, PROFESSOR ROSIE YOUNG, SAID SURVEY WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE ANALYSIS WOULD BE FINISHED AND A REPORT PRODUCED BY THE END OF MARCH.
REVIEWING THE WORK PROGRESS OF THE WORKING PARTY, PROF YOUNG SAID MEMBERS HAD HAD STIMULATING DISCUSSIONS ON MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN HONG KONG.
"THESE PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WILL HELP MEMBERS TO KEEP IN MIND THE OVERALL PICTURE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WHEN THEY COME TO REVIEW THE INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS," SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT ONE IMPORTANT AREA FOR THE WORKING PARTY TO CONSIDER WAS THE FINANCING OF HEALTH CARE.
"WITH THIS IN MINI), FOUR MEMBERS ATTENDED AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON HEALTH CARE FINANCING HELD IN TAIPEI IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR," SHE SAID.
THE SYMPOSIUM EXAMINED THE HEALTH CARE FINANCING SYSTEMS IN A NUMBER OF WESTERN COUNTRIES AND IN JAPAN.
PROF YOUNG SAID THE WORKING PARTY WOULD IN THE NEXT FEW MEETINGS CONSIDER THE LESSONS WHICH COULD BE DRAWN FOR HONG KONG FROM THESE COUNTRIES’ EXPERIENCE.
/MEMBERS OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY WILL BE VISITING SINGAPORE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY TO STUDY THE COUNTRY’S PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
’’THE WORKING PARTY WILL LOOK AT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CLINICS IN SINGAPORE AND THE WAY IN WHICH THE SYSTEM ENABLES PATIENTS TO BE CARED FOR WITHOUT ADMISSION TO HOSPITALS," PROF YOUNG SAID.
"ANOTHER AREA WHICH THE.WORKING PARTY WILL LOOK AT IS THE SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE," SHE ADDED.
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DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY SPEAKS ON QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
NO AMOUNT OF COMPUTERISATION CAN IMPROVE THINGS IF QUALITY ASSURANCE HAD NOT BEEN FIRST FIRMLY ESTABLISHED BY MANUFACTURERS, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE COMPUTER AIDED QUALITY ENHANCEMENT SEMINAR, MR BARMA SAID ONE HAD TO KNOW WHAT ONE WANTED TO DO BEFORE ONE COULD PROGRAMME THE COMPUTER TO DO IT.
HE SAID IT WAS THEREFORE A WISE DECISION FOR THE Q-MARK COUNCIL AND IBM TO JOIN FORCES IN PUTTING TOGETHER THIS SEMINAR.
"IN MY VIEW. THE EVENT UNDOUBTEDLY COMPLEMENTS A HOST OF OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE QUALITY AWARENESS PROGRAMME."
HE NOTED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SYSTEMS HAD BEEN DRAMATIC.
"IN THE LATE 1970’S AND EARLY 1980’8 WHEN CONSUMERS WERE LESS DEMANDING. MOST MANUFACTURERS OF CONSUMER GOODS*WORLDWI DE, WITH A FEW NOTABLE EXCEPTIONS, PAID ONLY SCANT ATTENTION TO THE CONCEPT OF QUALITY SYSTEMS IN THEIR INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES.
"QUALITY CONTROL, WHERE IT EXISTED, INVOLVED NO MORE THAN RANDOM INSPECTION OF THE FACTORY’S FINAL PRODUCT. QUALITY ASSURANCE WAS LARGELY UNHEARD OF.
"TRIGGERED BY SEVERE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IN TRADE, EMPHASIS HAD GRADUALLY SHIFTED TO MANUFACTURING CONSUMER GOODS OF IMPROVED QUALITY AND PROVIDING CONSUMERS WITH VALUE FOR MONEY," MR BARMA SAID.
HE NOTED THAT FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRIES TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE AND MOVE INTO THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH-VALUE-ADDED GOODS, THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WAS A PREREQUISITE.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
HE SAID A SOUND QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE WAS DEVELOPED TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE.
TURNING TO THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THE NEWLY RE-CONSTRUCTED HKQ-MARK AND LOOKED FORWARD TO IT PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE OVERALL QUALITY ENHANCEMENT EFFORTS.
MR BARMA BELIEVED THE CLIMATE WAS NOW CHANGING AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO AS THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN MESSAGE TOOK HOLD.
"AS THE DEMANDS OF INDUSTRY UNFOLD, THE HKQ-MARK NOW APPEARS TO BE BETTER PLACED TO ASSIST IN SATISFYING SOME OF THOSE DEMANDS," HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF MR T.H. BARMA’S SPEECH WILL BE BOXED.
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IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS ON MOVE
*****
THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL MOVE TO WANCHAT TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI ON MONDAY (JANUARY 22).
"THE EXISTING HEADQUARTERS WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 19) TO FACILITATE REMOVAL," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EFFECTIVE FROM MONDAY, THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF PROVIDENT CENTRE, NORTH POINT AND THE HONG KONG ISLAND OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL,' WILL ALSO BE REPROVISIONED TO THE NEW HEADQUARTERS. .
THE NEW IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE WAN CHAI MTR STATION. IT OCCUPIES 25 FLOORS OF WANCHAI TOWER II, OF WHICH EIGHT LOWER PUBLIC FLOORS ARE USED TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS FOR VARIOUS IMMIGRATION FACILITIES.
THE INFORMATION OFFICE, WHICH PROVIDES INFORMATION SERVICES AND APPLICATION FORMS TO THE PUBLIC, IS SITUATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.
/THE PUBLIC
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 20 -
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBER AT THE NEW IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS IS 8246111.
RECORDED ANSWERS WILL BE INTRODUCED EOR STRAIGHT-FORWARD ENQUIRIES WHILE MORE DETAILED ANSWERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED BY EXPERIENCED IMMIGRATION STAFF.
’’DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE EXISTING HEADQUARTERS ON JANUARY 19 AND 20, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REQUIRING URGENT IMMIGRATION FACILITIES MAY APPROACH OUR OTHER IMMIGRATION OFFICES FOR ASSISTANCE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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ASD MAINTENANCE BRANCH TO GET HEADQUARTERS BLDG ******
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENT, THE MAINTENANCE BRANCH OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL HAVE ITS OWN HEADQUARTERS BUILDING LATER THIS YEAR.
WHEN THE BRANCH MOVES FROM ITS PRESENT LEASED ACCOMMODATION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE ABOUT $32 MILLION PER ANNUM ON RENTS.
THE BRANCH, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED 28 YEARS AGO, PROVIDES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO MAJOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND DOMESTIC COMPLEXES. IT ALSO UNDERTAKES ALTERATION, ADDITION, REFURBISHMENT AND FITTING-OUT WORKS FOR ALL EXISTING GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
SPEAKING AT THE TOPPING-OUT OF THE BRANCH’S NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN TO KWA WAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI, SAID THE BRANCH HAD A PORTFOLIO OF 6,000 PUBLIC BUILDINGS, RANGING FROM PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS TO HOSPITALS OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE UPKEEP OF THE PREMISES OCCUPIED BY THE ARMED FORCES ALSO FELL WITHIN THE BRANCH’S RESPONSIBILITY, HE SAID.
THE BRANCH IS SPENDING $2.5 MILLION DAILY TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND FACILITIES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
ENSURE THAT
THE NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, WHICH ALSO INCORPORATES STORES AND CONTRACTORS WORKSHOPS, HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE BRANCH.
THE BRANCH WILL BE RENAMED THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BRANCH FROM APRIL.
/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
21
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TOURISM PROMOTION CAMPAIGN
*****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT’S TOURISM PROMOTION CAMPAIGN AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL REVIEW THE ACTIVITIES HELD UNDER THE CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME, WHICH INCLUDED A PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION AND AN EXHIBITION OF THE WINNING ENTRIES, AND WILL MAKE SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIVITIES.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ESTIMATES FOR THE COMMITTEE IN 1990-91, WAYS TO DETER NUISANCES CAUSED BY HOLIDAY MAKERS, SANITARY CONDITIONS OF MUI WO PARK, PROGRESS ON THE PREPARATION OF TOURIST MAP BOARDS, AND THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUSEUM IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND ALLOCATION
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING
-- -• — FUNDS
COMMITTEE
FOR 21
WILL CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF ABOUT $120,000 IN DB ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING MONTHS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAYJ.
THESE INCLUDE A SEMINAR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION FOR FORM FIVE STUDENTS, THE PRINTING OF A CORRESPOND^GE LIST FOR ALL SHAM SHU1 PO SCHOOLS, A LARGE-SCALE INTER-S(,HOOL SING1N-. CONTEST, AREA COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND FUNCTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THI SHAM SHU1 PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HEU TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 17, 1990
22
DB WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS CONSTRUCTION OF CEMENT DEPOT t » * * *
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CEMENT DEPOT AT SHUEN WAN AT THE WORKING GROUP’S MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE IMPROVEMENT OF FISH CULTURE ZONE FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE WATER POLLUTION IN TOLO HARBOUR AND REFUSE PROBLEMS IN FISH CULTURE ZONES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAJ PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE. 152 KWONG FUK ROAD. TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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EMPl.OYERS REMINDED OF LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS » ♦ * * ♦
EMPLOYERS ARE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED THAT LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE, NEW YEAR’S DAY AND THE THIRD DAY OF THE NEW YEAR, WHICH FALL ON JANUARY 26, 27 AND 29, ARE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS.
AS THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FALLS ON A SUNDAY, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOULD INSTEAD BE MADE A STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCE, NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT MORK THAN $11,500 A MONTH AND ALL MANUAL WORKERS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS AND MUST BE PAID FOR. THE DAYS OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAYS.
WHERE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD OF BETWEEN 28 AND 31 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUSI' BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF EITHER 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY WITH 48 HOURS’ NOTICE.
/EMPLOYERS WHO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 23 -
EMPLOYERS WHO FAIL TO GRANT THEIR EMPLOYEES ANY ENTITLED STATUTORY HOLIDAYS OR HOLIDAY PAY ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF S10,000.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CONCERNING STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT'S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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GUIDE TO SAFETY OF NAVIGATION ON SMALL CRAFT AVAILABLE
*»»***«
A GUIDE TO SAFETY OF NAVIGATION ON SMALL CRAFT IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM VARIOUS MARINE OFFICES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE GUIDE, AVAILABLE IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, IS THE LATEST EFFORT TO EDUCATE SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS ON HOW THEY SHOULD SAIL THEIR CRAFT SAFELY.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED SEVERAL NOTICES RELATING TO SAFETY ON BOARD VESSELS BUT ACCIDENTS STILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR.
"ALTHOUGH THE ACCIDENT RATE IS NOT VERY HIGH COMPARED TO THE TRAFFIC IN THE HARBOUR, THE DEPARTMENT IS CONCERNED AS MANY OF THESE ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY AVOIDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
LAST YEAR. 288 ACCIDENTS WERE REPORTED WITH IN 4) LIVES LOST AND 50 PERSONS INJURED. TWENTY-NINE PER CENT OF THESE ACCIDENTS INVOLVED FISHING VESSELS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANY OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CREWS DID NOT OBSERVE SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS WHEN HANDLING THEIR VESSELS.
HE CITED A RECENT COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF A 22-METRE FISHING VESSEL.
INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE VESSEL WAS OPERATED BY A FAMILY OF FIVE, THREE MEMBERS (TWO GIRLS AND ONE BOY I OF WHOM WERE 10 TO 12 YEARS OLD. NOBODY POSSESSED A COMPETENCY CERT 1FI CATE FOR HANDLING THE VESSEL OR OPERATING THE ENGINE.
IT WAS LEARNT THAT IN THE HOUR BEFORE THE COLLISION, EVERYONE ON BOARD WAS BUSY HAULING THE NET. NOBODY NOTICED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AROUND THEM AND NOBODY WAS STEERING THE VESSEL.
ONL'i THE FATHER AND A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL WERE RESCUED IN THE ACCIDENT.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 24 -
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE APPROACH OF THE FOGGY SEASON, THE DEPARTMENT WISHED TO REMIND COXSWAINS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CORRECT USE OF RADARS.
“SOME PEOPLE MAY THINK THAT THE RADAR IS SIMPLE TO USE AND THAT IT ENABLES YOU TO GO FAST IN FOG," HE SAID.
“THIS IS NOT THE CASE. YOU HAVE TO BE TRAINED TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND RADAR INFORMATION AND, EVEN THEN, YOUR VESSEL’S SPEED SHOULD BE SLOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE RADAR SHOWS HEAVY TRAFFIC.”
THE SPOKESMAN HOPED THAT ALL SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS WOULD READ THE GUIDEBOOK CAREFULLY.
THE ADVICE IN THE BOOKLET IS ALSO USEFUL FOR CANDIDATES PREPARING FOR ALL GRADES OF THE LOCAL MASTERS’ CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY.
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GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
* * ♦ * t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TO LET BY TENDER A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN D.D. NO. 91, FANLING, AREA 29B, NEW TERRITORIES.
MEASURING ABOUT 7.300 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, THE LOT IS TO BE USED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS (INCLUDING NEW MOTOR VEHICLES NOT LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, BUT EXCLUDING THE STORAGE OF CONTAINERS) OR STORAGE AND SALE OF POTTED PLANTS (BUT NOT BOTH).
THE LEASE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND IS RENEWABLE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE. PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING; THE BUFLD1NGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 2 THIS YEAR.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 17. 1990
- 25 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KING'S ROAD »*.*»»
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM
ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 19), CERTAIN SECTIONS OF KING’S ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY DESIGNATED 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE WESTERN ARM OF SHIPYARD LANE TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS.
KING'S ROAD EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KORNHILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 175 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
ALL VEHICLES. EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN QUARRY BAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KING’S ROAD. THE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FLOW IN SHIPYARD LANE, QUARRY BAY, WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 19) FOR 18 MONTHS.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO GREIG ROAD.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR GREIG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND, KORNHILL ROAD WESTBOUND AND KING'S ROAD WESTBOUND. GREEN MINIBUSES ON ROUTE 33 ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO KORNHILL WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA THIS ROUTEING.
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/26........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990
- 26 -
URBAN CLEARWAY AT HK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 19), THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE DEPARTURE CIRCUIT, FROM THE BAGGAGE VEHICLES HOLDING AREA TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME AREA AT THE DEPARTURE LEVEL IN THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT. WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHA TIN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 19), THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY:
* THE SECTION OF KONG PUI STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS
JUNCTION WITH SHA KOK STREET AND YI SHING SQUARE:
* THE SECTION OF SHA KOK STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS
JUNCTION WITH KONG PUI STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 53 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION: AND
* THE SECTION OF YI SHING SQUARE BETWEEN ITS SOUTHERN END JUNCTION WITH KONG PUI STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 33 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
ALL VEHICLES. EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS AT THESE ROAD SECTIONS.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON VISIT KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL ...................... 1
CS SEES BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORK IN YAU TSIM ............................ 1
GOVT TO SPEND $65 BILLION ON PUBLIC WORKS ............................... 2
INFORMATION ABOUT PADS .................................................. 4
ENHANCED PUBLICITY, EDUCATION ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ABUSE ............... 5
IVORY TRADE BAN: UK AGREES TO ENTER RESERVATION ON HK’S BEHALF .......... 7
COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES FOR 1989 RELEASED ............................ 8
GOVERNOR TO TAKE SALUTE AT CSD INSPECTION ............................... 10
KUN TING STUDY HALL TO BE RESTORED ...................................... 11
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME HAS BEGUN ................................... 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WEIGHTS AND MEASURES PUBLICITY ................. 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ........................ 13
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ............. 14
MANUFACTURER, EXPORTER FINED UNDER IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE .......... 14
IMPORTANT ROLE FOR YOUTH ................................................ 15
I.AISEE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES .............................................. 16
GENERAL REVALUATION REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS .............................. 16
CHANCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIAN TO ATTEND MUSIC CAMP IN U.S.................... 17
RECLAMATION AND ROAD PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN ............................... 18
WATERMAINS TO BE LAID IN SHEUNG SHUI AND FANLING ........................ 19
FRESH WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN, KWAI CHUNG ................................. 19
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN AND KING'S PARK ........................ 20
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON BAY ............................ 20
URBAN CLEARWAY IN CANTON ROAD............................................ 21
URBAN CLEARWAY IN POK FU LAM ............................................ 21
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF VEHICULAR UNDERPASS ................................ 22
EXTENSION OF URBAN CLEARWAY IN HUNG HOM .................................
URBAN CLEARWAY IN ABERDEEN ..............................................
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD, SHA TIN ............................... 22
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18,
1990
GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON VISIT KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, DR T.Y. CHAU, AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE HOSPITAL, SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON TOURED THE FACILITIES OF THE HOSPITAL WHICH, WITH 1,592 BEDS, IS HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON VISITED AN ADMISSION WARD FOR FEMALE VOLUNTARY PATIENTS, AN ADMISSION WARD FOR MALE INVOLUNTARY PATIENTS AND A CHILDREN’S WARD.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT MORE THAN 1,300 PSYCHIATRIC BEDS WOULD BE PROVIDED OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH BEDS IN PUBLIC HOSITALS FROM THE EXISTING 4,651 TO ABOUT 6,000 BY 1993.
THE NEW BEDS WILL BE PROVIDED IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSION STAGE II, PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL, SIU LAM HOSPITAL EXTENSION, SHATIN INFIRMARY AND WONG CHUK HANG COMPLEX FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON PLANS TO OPEN MORE PSYCHIATRIC' DAY CENTRES, PSYCHIATRIC OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSING CENTRES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON LATER VISITED A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR PATIENTS PROVIDED FOR THOSE LESS SERIOUSLY DISTURBED AS PART OF THEIR REHAB 1 I. f TAT I ON PROGRAMME.
BEFORE ENDING THEIR VISIT, THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON ALSO TOURED THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDES JOB TRAINING AND SUPERVISES DAILY ACTIVITIES TO HELP PATIENTS TO REINTEGRATE IN THE COMMUNITY.
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CS SEES BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORK IN YAU TSIM » ♦ * » ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, VISITED THREE BUILDINGS IN TSIM SHA TSUI TODAY (THURSDAY) TO LOOK AT THE WORK OF A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM (BMCT).
AT MIRADOR MANSION IN NATHAN ROAD, SIR DAVID SAW THE PROGRESS Ol A $15 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE BUILDING’S FACADE, AND ITS FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY AFTER A THIRD ALARM BLAZE IN AUGUST 1988.
/HE WAS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
- 2 -
HE WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE FIRE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BMCT HELPED RECONSTITUTE AND ENLARGE THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BUILDING’S OWNERS’ CORPORATION (OC) SO THAT IT WOULD CARRY OUT THE RENOVATION WORK MORE EFFECTIVELY.
THE TEAM ALSO ADVISED THE OC ON WORKING OUT THE RENOVATION PLAN, THE MAIN FEATURES OF WHICH INCLUDED REPAIRS TO SPALLING CONCRETE AND THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM: INSTALLATION OF A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN THE SHOPPING ARCADE WHERE THE FIRE BROKE OUT; UPGRADED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARD; AND REPAINTING THE EXTERNAL WALLS.
EARLIER, SIR DAVID VISITED CHUNG KING MANSION AND GRANVILLE BUILDING.
AT CHUNG KING MANSION, SIR DAVID LOOKED AT THE CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM INSTALLED IN ALL LIFTS UNDER THE ADVICE OF THE BMCT TO INCREASE SECURITY, AND TOURED THE BASEMENT SHOPPING ARCADE WHERE AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HAD BEEN INSTALLED.
AT PRESENT, THE BMCT IS PLAYING A LIAISON ROLE BETWEEN PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON THE REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED ALTERATION WORK, PARTICULARLY THOSE AFFECTING FIRE ESCAPES, SIR DAVID WAS TOLD.
SIR DAVID WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IN GRANVILLE BUILDING THE TEAM HAS STARTED HELPING THE OC TO IMPROVE SANITATION, FIRE SAFETY AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT WORK.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT BY THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO.
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GOVT TO SPEND $65 BILLION ON PUBLIC WORKS ♦ ♦ * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND APPROXIMATELY $65.1 BILLION (AT 1989 PRICES) ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME COVERING SOME 1,220 PROJECTS IN THE FIVE YEARS SPANNING 1989-90 TO 1993-94, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN A SPEECH TO THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT 363 WERE NEW PROJECTS AND ABOUT 90 OF THEM COST OVER $100 MILLION EACH.
HE SAID THAT IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND STRATEGIES WHICH WERE MANIFESTED IN THE VARIOUS CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE DIFFERENT FIELDS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE NEED OF SOCIETY, THE RELATIVE URGENCY OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMME AREAS AND THE ECONOMIC COSTS AND BENEFITS OF THE RECOMMENDED PROGRAMMES.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
- 3 -
HE SAID AFFORDABILITY AS A GOVERNMENT AND AS A COMMUNITY IN THE RECOMMENDED TIME FRAME WAS ANOTHER DECIDING FACTOR.
"AS A BUDGETARY GUIDELINE. THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO EXCEED THE FORECAST TREND GROWTH RATE OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR SPENDING LEVELS ARE PLANNED BY REFERENCE TO WHAT THE ECONOMY CAN SUPPORT AND NOT BY THE REVENUE AVAILABLE.
"OTHERWISE, WE WOULD ONLY EXERT INFLATIONARY PRESSURE ON THE ECONOMY AND OBTAIN LESS REAL GAIN FROM OUR SPENDING," HE SAID.
AS AN EXAMPLE, SIR PIERS IDENTIFIED THE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE COURSE OF FORMULATING THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS).
HE SAID THESE CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDED THE OPTIMAL SPLIT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION; THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTING AND NOT IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY: THE CONSTRAINTS EXPERIENCED OR ENVISAGED BY HONG KONG’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY; AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FROM BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SOURCES OF FINANCING.
ONE FURTHER FACTOR IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS WAS THE RECOGNITION THAT BY PUTTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AS OUR PRIORITY ITEM, EXPENDITURE ON AND DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER PROGRAMME AREAS WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSTRAINED AND SUITABLY ADJUSTED, HE ADDED.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE BY POLICY AREAS IN THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD SHOWED THAT CIVIL AND ENGINEERING AND WORKS WOULD TAKE UP SI 6.3' BILLION; TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE $12.7 BILLION; PADS $8.2 BILLION; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION $7.9 BILLION AND GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION $5.6 BILLION.
PUBLIC CAPITAL WORKS CONNECTED WITH HEALTH AND WELFARE WOULD COST $1.9 BILLION; ECONOMIC SERVICES S3 BILLION; SECURITY $2.5 BILLION: EDUCATION $2.2 BILLION; RECREATION AND SPORT $1.3 BILLION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING $0.5 BILLION.
ON THE FUNDING OF PROJECTS, SIR PIERS SAID THIS WOULD COME FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES.
WHILE PROJECTS DIRECTLY FUNDED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT (ITEMS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WERE FINANCED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, THOSE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FORM OF SUBVENTIONS AND CARRIED OUT BY SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS WERE FINANCED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, LOTTERIES FUND AND SUPPLEMENTED BY PRIVATE DONATIONS.
/PROJECTS FUNDED .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
PROJECTS FUNDED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WERE FINANCED BY THE COUNCIL’S OWN INCOME. RATES AND GOVERNMENT GRANTS.
PROJECTS FUNDED BY STATUTORY BODIES WHICH WERE WHOLLY GOVERNMENT-OWNED - INCLUDING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MTRC, KCRC, THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CORPORATION, AND THE FUTURE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, WERE FINANCED BY THE ORGANISATION’S OWN INCOME AND GOVERNMENT FINANCE THROUGH LOANS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND AND/OR EQUITY FROM VARIOUS OTHER FUNDS.
THERE WERE ALSO PROJECTS INITIATED BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT FUNDED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SUCH AS THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE FUTURE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, SIR PIERS SAID.
SOME BROAD ORDERS OF COSTS OF GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT IN THFSF PROJECTS ARE:
1989-90 TO 1993-94 (S BILLION) 1989 PRICES
PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME
CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS
EQUITY INJECTION INTO HOUSING AUTHORITY, MTRC
POSSIBLE EQUITY INJECTION FOR REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY
65.14
9.70
10.36
14.03
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INFORMATION ABOUT PADS t » t *
THE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING A ’’ONE STOP” UNIT TO DEAL WITH ALL ENQUIRIES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PADS PROJECT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE UNIT WILL COVER BOTH TECHNICAL AND GENERAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE NEW PORT DEVELOPMENT, AND ALL RELATED ROAD AND RAIL LINKS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEW UNIT BE OPERATIONAL LATER THIS MONTH.
IN THE MEANTIME, ANY COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL WISHING TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF PADS IS WELCOME TO CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
/SECRETARY FOR .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
5
SECRETARY FOR WORKS: INFORMATION ABOUT WORKS PROJECTS, THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, CONTRACTS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANCIES
SECRETARY FOR : INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW AIRPORT ECONOMIC SERVICES
SECRETARY FOR : INFORMATION ABOUT PORT DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS
SECRETARY FOR THE : INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS TREASURY
SECRETARY FOR : INFORMATION ABOUT TRANSPORT LINKS
TRANSPORT
ANYONE IN DOUBT ABOUT WHO TO CONTACT IS WELCOME TO SEEK CLARIFICATION FROM MISS ELAINE CHUNG, DEPUTY SECRETARY (WORKS) (TELEPHONE: 8482708; FAX: 8453489) OR BY WRITING TO WORKS BRANCH, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL PERSONS WERE WELCOME TO . APPROACH THE GOVERNMENT DIRECT AND THE SAME INFORMATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO EVERYONE, FREE OF CHARGE.
•'NO INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION HAS PRIVILEGED ACCESS TO ANY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ON PADS,” HE SAID.
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ENHANCED PUBLICITY, EDUCATION ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ABUSE t t » * * t t
AN ENCOURAGING TREND FROM THE DRUG SITUATION REPORT FOR. THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1989 IS THE CONTINUED DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, AT A "MEET-THE-MEDIA” SESSION THIS AFTERNOON (THURSDAY).
THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED PERSONS DROPPED BY EIGHT PER CENT FROM 1,625 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1988 TO 1,495.
HOWEVER, SET AGAINST THIS GENERAL TREND WAS AN INCREASE FROM 506 TO 569, IN THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED YOUNG PEOPLE AGED UNDER 21.
/"ALSO CAUSING.......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
- 6 -
"ALSO CAUSING CONCERN TO THE COMMITTEE WAS THE RISE IN THE NUMBER OE PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSERS," DR CHOA SAID.
"THE LARGEST INCREASE WAS IN THE ABUSE OF CANNABIS WHILE THE OTHERS TOOK MANDRAX AND TYPES OF BENZODIAZEPINES SUCH AS ROHYPNOL," HE SAID.
THE NUMBER OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSERS REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY INCREASED FROM 376 IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1988 TO 831 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989. THE LARGEST INCREASE WAS IN THE ABUSE OF CANNABIS, RISING FROM 111 TO 383.
IN VIEW OF THIS, ACAN’S WORKING PARTY ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WAS RECONVENED IN EARLY 1989 TO MONITOR THIS TREND AND EXAMINE EXISTING CONTROLS.
"BASED ON THE WORKING PARTY’S RECOMMENDATIONS, WE SEE A NEED TO INCREASE OUR EFFORTS TO PUBLICISE, AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON, THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ABUSING SUCH DRUGS," DR CHOA SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN REMINDED DOCTORS AND PHARMACISTS OF THE ABUSE POTENTIAL OF CERTAIN DRUGS SUCH AS ROHYPNOL, HALCION AND OTHER TYPES OF BENZODIAZEPINES.
DR CHOA POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE STRINGENT CONTROLS OVER THE SALE OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS, WHICH COULD ONLY BE SUPPLIED UNDER THF. AUTHORITY OF PRESCRIPTION GIVEN BY MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.
"IF THESE CONTROLS ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING ABUSES, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PHARMACISTS AND DOCTORS EXERCISE GREAT CARE WHEN SUBSCRIBING AND PRESCRIBING SUCH DRUGS," HE SAID.
"ACAN WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY," HE ADDED.
DR CHOA SAID THAT HEROIN ADDICTION WAS STILL THE MAIN DRUG PROBLEM. MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE ADDICTS RECORDED IN THE REGISTRY TOOK HEROIN.
DESPITE RELENTLESS EFFORTS BY THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS, THE CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF HEROIN AT LOW PRICES, COUPLED WITH HIGH JOB OPPORTUNITIES, HAD PROBABLY LED TO THE DECREASE IN THE UTILISATION OF TREATMENT FACILITIES.
"THIS MAY BE A DISINCENTIVE FOR ADDICTS TO SEEK TREATMENT," DR CHOA SAID.
"THIS IS, HOWEVER, A VERY SHORT-SIGHTED VIEW," HE WARNED, URGING ADDICTS TO COME FORWARD FOR TREATMENT.
TURNING TO THE ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY STRATEGY FOR THE COMING YEAR, DR CHOA NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD ADOPTED A "SAY ’YES’ TO LIFE AND ’NO’ TO ALL DRUGS" APPROACH AS ONE OF THE MAJOR THEMES.
/THERE WERE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
THERE' WERE INDICATIONS THAT YOUNGSTERS, IN T0 ABUSB A WIDE RANGE OF DRUGS AND THUS THERE
PARTICULAR, WERE
WAS
NEED
1’0
InE?heSOaTpS?t?^B?^ 0E ABUS1NG all K1N1,S and
HE SAID H M P0SITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE AND A SENSE OF SELF-ESTEEM,
A
"OUR SECOND MAJOR THEME WILL BE THE TREATMENT FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO DR CHOA ADDED.
TO REINFORCE ENCOURAGE ADDICTS
INFORMATION ON TO SEEK HELP,"
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IVORY TRADE BAN: UK AGREES TO ENTER RESERVATION ON HK’S BEHALF * * * ♦ ♦ *
THE UK GOVERNMENT HAS ENTERED A LIMITED, SIX-MONTH RESERVATION ON HONG KONG’S BEHALF IN RELATION TO A DECISION TAKEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO LIST THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT ON APPENDIX I TO THE CITES CONVENTION, THE GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE LISTING WOULD MEAN A BAN ON ALL INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN IVORY AND ELEPHANT PRODUCTS.
THE RESERVATION WILL GIVE MORE TIME NOT ONLY FOR TRADERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LEGALLY HELD STOCKS BUT ALSO TO ENABLE WORKERS AND CARVERS IN THE TRADE TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
MEANWHILE, IMPORTS OF IVORY INTO HONG KONG WILL REMAIN BANNED.
AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A RAPID DECLINE IN THE NUMBERS' OF AFRICAN ELEPHANTS AND IN A BID TO CONSERVE THE SPECIES, MEMBER NATIONS OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) DECIDED LAST OCTOBER TO IMPOSE A COMPLETE BAN ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN IVORY. THIS BAN COMES INTO FORCE TODAY.
DESPITE HONG KONG’S REQUEST, EXISTING, CONTROLLED, STOCKS OF IVORY HAVE NOT BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE TRADE BAN.
HONG KONG IS A PARTY TO CITES THROUGH UK’S MEMBERSHIP. IT IS A MAJOR IVORY TRADING CENTRE AND HOLDS OVER 600 TONNES OF RAW AND WORKED IVORY ACQUIRED FROM SOURCES APPROVED BY CITES.
BECAUSE OF ITS UNIQUE POSITION HONG KONG REQUESTED THE UK GOVERNMENT TO ENTER A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION ON THE TERRITORY’S BEHALF.
"NOW THAT THIS RESERVATION HAS BEEN AGREED, HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO EXPORT EXISTING REGISTERED STOCKS OF IVORY TO CERTAIN MARKETS, UNDER STRICT LICENSING CONTROL.
/"THESE MARKETS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
8
"THESE MARKETS, HOWEVER, WILL EXCLUDE ALL CITES PARTIES WHICH HAVE BANNED THE IMPORT OF IVORY,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
• < - :
HE STRESSED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REMAINED FULLY COMMITTED TO THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NO IMPORTS OF [VORY INTO HONG KONG HAD BEEN ALLOWED FOR SOME MONTHS; THESE CONTROLS WOULD CONTINUE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE RESERVATION WAS TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR THE ORDERLY DISPOSAL OF THE LEGALLY ACQUIRED STOCKS OF IVORY NOW HELD IN HONG KONG.
TIGHT CONTROLS OVER THE IMPORT, POSSESSION AND EXPORT OF IVORY WOULD REMAIN IN FORCE AND ON THE EXPIRY OF THE RESERVATION IN SIX MONTHS’ TIME, ALL INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN IVORY FROM HONG KONG WOULD CEASE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SIX-MONTH RESERVATION WAS AN APPROPRIATE COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF IVORY TRADERS AND CARVERS AND THE DECISION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OVER MEANS OF CONSERVING THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. i
.NEW LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE IVORY TRADE BAN WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY, HE ADDED.
COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES FOR 1989 RELEASED * * ♦ ♦ * a
FIGURES FOR THE COMPANIES REGISTRY DEPARTMENT RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY
OF THE. REGISTRAR
unrKKmKN! KKLEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL NOEL GLEESON, INDICATED INCREASES OF ACTIVITY IN MOST AREAS DECREASES IN OTHERS FOR 1989 BY COMPARISON WITH 1988.
GENERAL’S
MR
AND MINOR
THE COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES NOW REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAD INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT FROM 213,515 TO 2.42,709 WHILE THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED DURING THE YEAR HAD INCREASED BY FOUR PFR CENT FROM 30,474 TO 31,674. ‘
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH HAD AN ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF THE YEAR INCREASED BY FIVE PFR CFNT FROM 2,348 TO 2,464. ... ,
THE NUMBER OF NEW OVERSEAS COMPANIES ESTABLISHING- A PLAGE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI DURING 1989 WAS 266, AN INCREASE OF S®X PER CENT OVER THE NUMBER OF SUCH COMPANIES JN 1988. . ;.
/NO SEPARATE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
9 -
NO SEPARATE STATISTICS ARE MAINTAINED ON HOW MANY OVERSEAS COMPANIES INCORPORATE LOCAL SUBSIDIARIES OR TAKE UP A MAJORITY SHARE-HOLDING IN A HONG KONG COMPANY.
EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY 827,406 MILLION, A DECREASE OF 39 PER CENT OVER THE INCREASE OF $45,052 MILLION IN 1988, WHILE THE NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DURING THE YEAR DECREASED BY 23 PER CENT FROM $4,400 MILLION TO $3,371 MILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES INCREASED BY 250 PER CENT FROM $76,515 MILLION TO $267,925 MILLION WHILE THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, INCREASED BY 78 PER CENT FROM $7,539 MILLION TO $13,415 MILLION.
DURING THE YEAR A TOTAL OF 127 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 65 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED COMPARED WITH 153 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 67 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE YEAR INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT FROM 692,571 TO 842,763.
THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE RESERVATION OF NEW COMPANY NAMES DURING 1989 WAS 194,765 WHICH WAS A 19 PER CENT DECREASE ON 240,679 IN 1988.
THE FIGURES FOR 1989 INDICATED THAT IN THE SECOND SIX MONTHS OF 1989, 12,174 COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED COMPARED WITH 19,500 IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, AND THE NUMBER OF NAMES RESERVED SHOW THAT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS 116,970 NAMES WERE RESERVED COMPARED WITH 77,795 IN THE SECOND SIX MONTHS, INDICATING A SLOWER RATE OF EXPANSION IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS TAKEN BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR BREACHES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR. FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, IN 1989 WAS 217. ANOTHER 182 SUMMONSES WERE OUTSTANDING FROM 1988.
OF THIS TOTAL OF 399 SUMMONSES, 211 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS (COMPARED WITH 232 IN 1988) AND 87 REMAINED TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR CONVICTIONS IN 1989 WAS
$597,570, COMPARED WITH $446,715 IN 1988.
MR GLEESON EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF COMPANY NAMES RESERVATION UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. THAT SYSTEM HAD BECOME UNWORKABLE IN PRACTICE, AND IT HAD BEEN DECIDED THAT IT SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN FAVOUR OF A NEW SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
/UNDER THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
10
UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM THE REGISTRAR WOULD CHECK ONLY FOR AND REFUSE NEW COMPANY NAMES THAT WERE IDENTICAL WITH EXISTING COMPANY NAMES.
THE PROMOTORS OF NEW COMPANIES AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEIR COMPANY NAME WAS TOO SIMILAR TO ANY EXISTING COMPANY NAME.
COMPUTERISED SEARCH FACILITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE COMPANIES REGISTRY TO CHECK EXISTING COMPANY NAMES, AND IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR ANY AGGRIEVED COMPANY TO APPLY TO THE REGISTRAR WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE REGISTRATION OF A NEW COMPANY TO REQUIRE THE NEW COMPANY TO CHANGE ITS NAME ON THE GROUND THAT IT WAS TOO SIMILAR TO NAME OF THE EXISTING COMPANY.
MR GLEESON SAID HE WOULD SOON RECOMMEND AND BRING FORWARD LEGISLATION TO INTRODUCE THE NEW SYSTEM WHICH WOULD UNBLOCK THE PRESENT LOGJAM OF COMPANY NAMES APPLICATIONS IN THE COMPANIES REGISTRY AND SIMPLIFY AND SPEED UP THE PROCEDURE FOR COMPANY REGISTRATION.
------0--------
GOVERNOR TO TAKE SALUTE AT CSD INSPECTION
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT .THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY.
THE INSPECTION WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO PRESENT COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 36 OFFICERS WHO HAVE EACH GIVEN 18 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CSD'S ANNUAL INSPECTION WHICH WILL START AT 4 PM. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE ARRANGED AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE GROUND FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 3 PM.
PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES AS THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS.
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/Il ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18,
1990
KUN TING STUDY HALL TO BE RESTORED » * t * *
THE KUN TING STUDY HALL AT PING SHAN IN YUEN LONG WILL REGAIN ITS FORMER SPLENDID APPEARANCE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF RESTORATION WORK THERE.
WITH A DONATION OF $2 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE RESTORATION WORK ON THE STUDY HALL STARTED YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT NINE MONTHS* TIME.
THE STUDY HALL IS ANOTHER HISTORICAL BUILDING BEING RESTORED IN HONG KONG FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF RESTORATION WORK ON TAI FU TAI WHICH WAS FUNDED BY A DONATION OF $2.5 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE STUDY HALL WAS BUILT IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY BY DESCENDANTS OF THE TANG CLAN TO COMMEMORATE THEIR 21ST GENERATION ANCESTOR, TANG KUN TING (1815-1838), WHO WAS A PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE CLAN.
AT THE TIME THE STUDY HALL WAS CONSTRUCTED, THE INFLEUNCE OF THE TANGS IN YUEN LONG WAS AT ITS HEIGHT AND THE CLAN HAD BUILT MANY ANCESTRAL AND STUDY HALLS IN AND AROUND THE DISTRICT.
THESE HALLS WERE CONSTRUCTED FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO STUDY FOR THE IMPERIAL CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION TO BECOME MANDARINS IN THE QING ADMINISTRATION. IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE FAMILY’S PROMINENT POSITION.
THE BUILDING ITSELF IS A FINE TRADITIONAL CHINESE TWO-HALL TYPE BUILDING. WITH THE CENTRAL PORTION CONSISTING OF AN ENTRANCE HALL, A COURTYARD AND A MAIN HALL, AND THREE CHAMBER ROOMS ON EITHER SIDE.
THE WOODEN CARVINGS OF THE ROOF BRACKETS, THE PLASTER MOULDINGS, THE CARVED PANELS AND MURALS, THOUGH ALL DILAPIDATED THROUGH LONG NEGLECT, STILL SHOW EXQUISITE WORKMANSHIP OF THE PAST.
AFTER THE DEMOLITION OF SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR STUDY HALLS, THE BUILDING IS THE BEST OF ITS KIND LEFT IN HONG KONG.
THE STUDY HALL WAS PRESERVED IN 1981 ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD.
WITH THE CONSENT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE MANAGERS OF TANG SHUNG TAK TONG, THE STUDY HALL WAS CONFERRED THE STATUS OF A DEEMED-TO-BE MONUMENT TN 1986.
THE OWNERS OF THE BUILDING HAD AGREED NOT TO DEMOLISH OR ALTER THE BUILDING WITHIN AN AGREED PERIOD OF TIME, MAINTAIN THE DESIGNATED USE OF THE BUILDING AND ALLOW REASONABLE ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC.
- - 0 - -
/12
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
- 12 -
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME HAS BEGUN
******
THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE TO TIE IN WITH THE TRADITIONAL PRACTICE OF "SPRING CLEANING" BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HAS BEGUN.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES ABOUT 150 CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS IN THE TERRITORY’S 19 DISTRICTS,
ADDITIONAL LORRIES .AND MANPOWER ARE BEING DEPLOYED TO CLEAN UP LITTER BLACKSPOTS BY REMOVING REFUSE AND UNCLAIMED ARTICLES FROM THE STREETS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IN THE WEEK BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR LAST YEAR, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REFUSE COLLECTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE ISLANDS INCREASED BY 60 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE NORMAL AMOUNT.
"THE AMOUNT OF BULKY ARTICLES SUCH AS UNWANTED FURNITURE WENT BY 137 PER CENT, AS A RESULT OF THE CHINESE TRADITION OF ’DISCARDING THE OLD TO HAIL THE NEW YEAR’".
TO FACILITATE THE DISPOSAL OF UNWANTED BULKY ARTICLES, TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN ALL URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO ENSURE THAT THEY DISCARD REFUSE IN NEARBY COLLECTION POINTS BEFORE THEY ARE CLOSED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CLOSING TIME OF VARIOUS COLLECTION POINTS DURING THE YEAR-END AND DETAILS OF THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS CAN. BE MADE TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE, 8680000, OR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE, 4145555, AND RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF REFUSE IN PUBLIC PLACES OTHER THAN COLLECTION POINTS IS A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
----0------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WEIGHTS AND MEASURES PUBLICITY
*******
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE WILL GIVE VIEWS ON PUBLICISING THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE 1987 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A MEMBER WILL SUGGEST THAT MORE PUBLICITY EFFORTS SHOULD BE TARGETTED AT MARKET STALL OPERATORS.
/THE CHIEF .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
- 13 -
THE CHIEF TRADE CONTROL OFFICER OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT’S TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR ANDREW WONG, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS.
A PAPER CALLING FOR GREATER INDEPENDENCE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS WILL BE TABLED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSED WORK PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0--------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES * ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE 1990’S AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
ON LOCAL ISSUES, MEMBERS WILL RAISE QUESTIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TSING YI AND INADEQUATE LORRY PARKING SPACES IN EAST KWAI CHUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING KWAI CHUNG.
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING,
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
/14 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
- 14 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
*****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1990-91 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A TOTAL OF 20 PROJECTS, WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1.69 MILLION, ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1989-90 AND THE POSSIBLE POLLUTION CAUSED BY THE PUBLIC LATRINE AT TUNG WAN TAU, MUI WO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
--------0 - -
MANUFACTURER, EXPORTER FINED UNDER IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE
*****
A TEXTILES MANUFACTURER AND A GARMENT EXPORTER WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $290,000 TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE.
AT THE SOUTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY, LEE KING FASHION MANUFACTURING LIMITED ADMITTED A CHARGE OF MAKING FALSE STATEMENT IN AN APPLICATION FOR EXPORT LICENCE AND WAS FINED $120,000.
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPANY APPLIED TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER 1987 FOR AN EXPORT LICENCE UNDER THE YEAR-END SPECIAL SHIPMENT SCHEME IN RESPECT OF A QUANTITY OF LADIES’ 55 PER CENT RAMIE 45 PER CENT COTTON WOVEN BLOUSES FOR EXPORT TO THE USA.
INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS SHOWED THAT THE COMPANY HAD FALSELY DECLARED THAT THE GOODS WERE ITS PRODUCTS. MOREOVER, THE GOODS SHIPPED WERE IN FACT CUT PIECES AND RAGS.
THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONSIGNMENT WAS DECLARED TO BE ABOUT $760,000.
/IN THE ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
IN THE SAME COURT, A GARMENT EXPORTER, COLBY & STATON FASHIONS LIMITED, WAS FINED $170,000 AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO TWO COUNTS OF CAUSING TO BE FURNISHED FALSE INFORMATION IN EXPORT MANIFEST IN DECEMBER 1987 IN RESPECT OF 2,240 CARTONS STUFFED WITH CUT PIECES AND DOLL DRESSES FALSELY DECLARED AS WEARING APPARELS, AND 2,232 PIECES OF ASSORTED BLOUSES FALSELY DECLARED AS 9,627 PIECES OF WEARING APPAREL AND HANGING GARMENT.
THE SHIPMENT WAS EFFECTED UNDER THE YEAR-END SPECIAL SHIPMENT SCHEME IN 1987.
THE VALUE OF THE DECLARED CONSIGNMENTS WAS ABOUT $4.5 MILLION AND $620,000 RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0 - -
IMPORTANT ROLE FOR YOUTH » * » *
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHI, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN PROMOTING THE GROWTH, AND MAINTAINING THE STABILITY, OF HONG KONG.
MR KWOK WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BAUHINIA JAYCEES AT A HOTEL IN WAN CHAI.
"TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO HELP THEM DEVELOP A SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"THIS CAN BE DONE BY OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES TO THEM TO PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY IN THE PLANNING AND ORGANISATION OF ACTIVITIES IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS.
"BY DOING SO, THEY WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL SKILLS."
MR KWOK SAID IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT TO INSTIL IN YOUNG PEOPLE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIETY.
"YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO WIDEN THEIR PERSPECTIVES IN ORDER TO CONTRIBUTE TO FUTURE SOCIETY," HE ADDED.
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/16
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
- 16 -
LAISEE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES *****
ABOUT 400 SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TODAY (THURSDAY) RECEIVED NEW YEAR "LAISEE” OF $100 EACH FROM THE TANG SHIU-KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND.
A FURTHER 2,500 FAMILIES AND 650 ELDERLY PERSONS WILL RECEIVE THEIR RED PACKETS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
THEY COMPRISE SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AGED PATIENTS OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND RESIDENTS OF AN ELDERLY HOSTEL.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY AT TUNG WAH HOSPITAL WERE DR HO TIM, A FOUNDER OF THE FUND; SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT; SINGER MISS PAULA TSUI; AND MEMBERS OF THE FUND’S COMMITTEE.
THE FUND, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES IN COPING WITH HARDSHIP BROUGHT ABOUT BY UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES.
GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE TO GIVE A CHILD EDUCATION, TO PURCHASE SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OR TO MEET HIGH COSTS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OR OTHER NEEDS.
PAYMENTS ARE ALSO MADE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ARISING FROM PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY OR CHRONIC ILLNESS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE FUND HELPS VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS WITH URGENT NEEDS.
APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND -CAN BE MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KUK OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
SOCIAL WORKERS OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES MAY ALSO REFER HARDSHIP CASES TO THE SECRETARY OF THE FUND OR THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
-----0------
GENERAL REVALUATION REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS
*****
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT ABOUT 130,000 OUT OF 350,000 REQUISITION FORMS ISSUED ON JANUARY 2 HAVE ALREADY BEEN RETURNED.
THESE FORMS WERE ISSUED TO SELECTED RATEPAYERS WHOSE PREMISES ARE LIKELY*TO BE LET ON RECENTLY NEGOTIATED RENTS.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
17 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED THESE FORMS THAT THEY MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM ON OR BEFORE TUESDAY (JANUARY 23).
FAILURE TO DO SO WOULD RENDER THEM LIABLE TO A FINE OF #2,000.
PERSONS HAVING DIFFICULTY IN COMPLETING THE FORMS MAY APPROACH ANY DISTRICT OFFICE, OR CALL AT THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, 17TH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, FOR ASSISTANCE.
--------0-----------
CHANCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIAN TO ATTEND MUSIC CAMP IN U.S.
A TALENTED YOUNG STRING PLAYER FROM HONG KONG WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN SYMPHONIC MUSIC PERFORMANCE BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN THE 1990 NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP.
THE ANNUAL MUSIC CAMP AT INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN, USA IS RECOGNISED AS A PREMIER FINE ARTS CAMP IN THE WORLD. THIS YEAR THE CAMP WILL BE HELD FROM JUNE 24 TO AUGUST 20.
THERE WILL BE MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES BY SOME OF THE MOST RENOWNED ARTISTS IN THE WORLD.
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS INVITING INTERESTED MUSICIANS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18, WHO HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS, AND HAVE ATTAINED GRADE VIII (PRACTICAL) IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT TO APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMP.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE AND A REASONABLE COMMAND OF ENGLISH.
APPLICANTS WILL HAVE TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE IN MID-MARCH.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE RETURN AIR PASSAGE DONATED BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND. THE FEES FOR THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP WILL BE MET BY THE CAMP ORGANISER.
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE, HOWEVER, WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS PERSONAL INSURANCE ABROAD, AND TO PLACE A SUM OF US$300 IN HIS PERSONAL ACCOUNT WITH THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO MEET MINOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.
/THE FINAL .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
18
WILL BE™EwSA™rS;i;?Nom““1NG ™E SELECTI™ OT ™E PARTICIPANT
OF LONG 16.
C CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, 55 SAU FU STREET, YUEN LONG BY FEBRUARY FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 4750465.
------o------------
RECLAMATION AND ROAD PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN t * * * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR RECLAMATION AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
THE CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION, WIDENING AND REALIGNMENT OF PART OF THE EXISTING LUNG MUN ROAD SOUTHBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION AT THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT DEPOT TO THE WONG CHU ROAD/TSING WUN ROAD/LUNG MUN ROAD INTERCHANGE AND THE SLIP ROAD OF THIS INTERCHANGE.
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMBINED CYCLEWAY/PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY UNDERNEATH THE PROPOSED SLIP ROAD TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY WORKS.
THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION WILL INVOLVE ABOUT SIX HECTARES (OUTER PART) AND FIVE HECTARES (INNER PART) RESPECTIVELY OF FORESHORE AND SEABED NEAR THE LOWER REACHES OF THE TUEN MUN NULLAH.
THE RECLAMATION, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR LIGHT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND FOR COMPLETING THE ROAD LINK BETWEEN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT AT THE NORTH AND SOUTHWEST PARTS OF TUEN MUN.
WORKS ON THIS CONTRACT ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS MUST REACH THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 16.
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/19 .......
THURSDAY. JANUARY 18. 1990
- 19 -
WATERMAINS TO BE LAID IN SHEUNG SHUI AND FANLING
******
TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 4.400 METRES OF WATERMAINS IN SHEUNG SHUI AND FANLING.
THE WATERMAINS WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM 150 MILLIMETRES TO 800 MILLIMETRES WILL BE LAID IN LUEN WO HUT. ON LOK TSUEN, LUNG YEUK TAU. AND LING SHAN TSUEN (AREAS 18. 19 AND 21 FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI).
THE MA1NLAYING WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ROADWORKS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 19 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 2.
---------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN, KWAI CHUNG *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATERMAIN CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY TSING WUN ROAD AND LUNG MUN ROAD (FROM PUI TO ROAD TO LUNG KWU TAN), INCLUDING AREA 31, 32, TSING SHAN TSUEN, TSING SHAN BOY’S HOME, YEUNG SIU HANG, SHAN SHEK WAN TSUEN, AREA 18, 19, 40, 44 AND 46, SIU SHAN COURTj WU KING ESTATE, BUTTERFLY ESTATE, SIU HEI COURT, AND HOI CHIU GARDEN.
IT WILL ALSO AFFECT MELODY GARDEN, BUTTERFLY BEACH RECREATION CENTRE, PAK KOK AND WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, CHINA CEMENT CO. LTD., TAP SHEK KOK POWER STATION A AND B, LUNG KWU TAN, SHA PO KONG, NAM LONG, PAK LONG, PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE, AND ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE BOUNDED AREA.
ON THE SAME DAY (SATURDAY), FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TO 6 PM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES LOCATED AT LAI KING HILL ROAD, TAI LIN PAI ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, HING FONG ROAD, CONTAINER PORT ROAD, YUET LAI COURT, LAI KING ESTATE, WAH SING STREET, KUNG YIP STREET, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI HING ESTATE, KWAI FONG ESTATE, SUN KWAI HING GARDENS, KWAI HING THA AND CONTAINER TERMINALS.
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/20 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK
******
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 1 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20) TO 6 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 22) TO FACILITATE THE REPLACEMENT OF WATER PIPES.
THE AREAS AFFECTED INCLUDE KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, 01 MAN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VALLEY ROAD ESTATE.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON BAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KOWLOON BAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
THE LEFT TURN FROM WANG CHIU ROAD EASTBOUND TO CHEUNG YIP STREET NORTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HOI BUN ROAD, KAI HING ROAD, LAM CHAK STREET AND CHEUNG YIP STREET.
THE RIGHT TURN FROM HOI BUN ROAD WESTBOUND TO CHEUNG YIP STREET NORTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KAI HING ROAD, JAM CHAK STREET AND CHEUNG YIP STREET OR VIA WANG CHIU ROAD, SHEUNG YEE ROAD AND CHEUNG YIP STREET.
THE LEFT TURN FROM CHEUNG YIP STREET NORTHBOUND TO WANG CHIU ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE BANNED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LAM CHAK STREET, KAI HING ROAD AND HOI BUN ROAD OR VIA CHEUNG YIP STREET, SHEUNG YEE ROAD AND WANG CHIU ROAD.
THE STRAIGHT AHEAD MOVEMENT FROM THE SECTION OF CHEUNG YIP STREET NORTH OF WANG CHIU ROAD TO THE OTHER SECTION OF CHEUNG YIP STREET SOUTH OF THE SAME ROAD JUNCTION WILL BE BANNED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HOI BUN ROAD, KAI HING ROAD AND LAM CHAK STREET FOR ACCESS TO THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF CHEUNG YIP STREET.
THE RIGHT TURN FROM CHEUNG YIP STREET SOUTHBOUND TO WANG CHIU ROAD WILL BE BANNED. TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HOI BUN ROAD, SHUN YIP STREET, WAI YIP STREET, SHEUNG YEE ROAD AND WANG CHIU ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
21 URBAN CLEARWAY IN CANTON ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20), SOME SECTIONS OF CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY.
THE KERBSIDE LANE OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CANTON ROAD, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KOWLOON PARK DRIVE TO A POINT ABOUT 119 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE KERBSIDE LANE OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CANTON ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KOWLOON PARK DRIVE TO A POINT ABOUT 235 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
THE KERBSIDE LANE OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CANTON ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH AUSTIN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 115 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE SECTION OF TRAFFIC LANE IMMEDIATELY TO THE EAST OF THE VERGE AT THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CANTON ROAD OUTSIDE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
. ------------------0-------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN POK FU LAM * » t »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20), SOME SECTIONS OF POK FU LAM ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE SECTIONS ARE THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF POK FU LAM ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CLAYMORE AVENUE TO A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CLAYMORE AVENUE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH POK FU LAM ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
/22 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1990
22
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF VEHICULAR UNDERPASS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE ROAD/NAM CHEONG STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN SHAM smut jjSSmF™ ” “=T
LUNG CHEUNG
PO, LEADING
VIA
BASTBOUND
-NO PING HOAD, S,,”
--------o------------
EXTENSION OF URBAN CLEARWAY IN HUNG HOM
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20), THE EXISTING 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HUNG HOM WAN STREET TO THE EAST OF PO LOI STREET WILL BE EXTENDED TO ITS JUNCTION WITH GILLIES AVENUE.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0--------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN ABERDEEN * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN WAN CLOSE, FROM A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN WAN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 85 METRES FROM THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATEDw AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
--------0-----------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD, SHA TIN * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF A SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL bS CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 20) TO 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 25) TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY.
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CAMP VIOLENCE MUST BE DEALT WITH FIRMLY: GOVERNOR ......................... 1
PAST SUCCESS PROVIDES GOOD FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE: CS ...................... 3
NATIONALITY QUESTION MUST BE PUT IN PERSPECTIVE: CS ....................... 4
FUNDS APPROVED FOR VBP INITIAL MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME ........... 5
DB CHAIRMEN BRIEFED ON TRANSPORT POLICY ................................... 6
DEVELOPMENT WORKS FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 ................................ 7
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED .......................... 7
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR OPERATING PUBLIC RADIO PAGING SERVICES ........... 9
ALLOCATION OF FREE QUOTAS FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF CFC'S ................... 9
NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES .................. 10
TSEUNG KWAN 0 CLEAN HOMES TO GET PRIZES .................................. 15
OPENING OF TSEUNG KWAN 0 SUB-OFFICE ...................................... 15
YAU TSIM TO HOLD ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL..................................... 16
YEAR-END CLEAN UP IN SHAM SHUI PO........................................ 17'
CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANTI-NARCOTICS DAY NEXT MONTH ........................ 18
JOINT AREA COMMITTEE VARIETY SHOW IN SHA TIN ............................. 19
CLEAN HARBOUR PUBLICITY TOUR IN TAI PO.................................... 20
PREVENTIVE APPROACH TO MAINTENANCE OF FISHING VESSEL ENGINES URGED .... 20
SEIZURE OF SUSPECTED ADULTERATED LIQUOR BY CUSTOMS ....................... 21
FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY .............................................. 22
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHEUNG WAN
23
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
CAMP VIOLENCE MUST BE DEALT
WITH FIRMLY: GOVERNOR
* t » * *
HONG KONG CANNOT ALLOW VIOLENCE TO BECOME A WAY OF LIFE IN THE CAMPS FOR THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, NOR CAN WE ALLOW THOSE IN THE CAMPS TO FASHION LETHAL WEAPONS WHICH ARE A THREAT TO FELLOW INHABITANTS OF THE CAMPS AND TO THE STAFF WHO RUN THEM, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"WE MUST BE PREPARED TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM WITH HUMANITY AND WITH FIRMNESS," THE GOVERNOR SAID WHEN ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
"RECENTLY WE HAVE SEEN A GOOD DEAL OF TENSION IN THE CAMPS. THIS HAS MADE MANAGEMENT OF THE CAMPS MORE DIFFICULT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SLR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM HAD AROUSED STRONG EMOTIONS, UNDERSTANDABLY SO.
"INEVITABLY IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE THREE KEY ELEMENTS TO DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF PEOPLE ARRIVING HERE BY BOAT FROM VIETNAM.
"THOSE WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES MUST BE RESETTLED.
"THOSE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE POLITICAL REFUGEES MUST BE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES IN VIETNAM JUST AS WE RETURN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA.
"AND, WHILE THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT THEIR OWN HOMES TO SEEK A BETTER. LIFE OVERSEAS ARE HERE IN OUR TERRITORY, WE MUST DO OUR BEST TO LOOK AFTER THEM IN A WAY WHICH IS BOTH HUMANE AND SECURE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT 1989 WAS A YEAR OF TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE FOR. THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND HAD BROUGHT NEW CHALLENGES FOR THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS MORE TRADITIONAL, BUT NO LESS IMPORTANT, WORK OF CARING FOR OFFENDERS.
"THERE IS NOW SERIOUS OVERCROWD I NG IN MANY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS. LARGELY AS A RESULT OF THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA NOW SERVING SENTENCES.
"THE LAV. IN THIS MATTER IS AN IMPORTANT DETERRENT AGAINST FURTHER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF NEW ARRIVALS.
"BUT I AM CONSCIOUS THAT IT ALSO DEPARTMENT’S SKILLS AND RESOURCES," THE
PLACES EXTRA DEMANDS UPON GOVERNOR SAID.
THE
/IN RECENT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 2 -
IN RECENT YEARS WITHIN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS GREATER EMPHASIS HAD BEEN PLACED ON PROGRAMMES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS AND THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT TASK, HE ADDED.
"VARIOUS NEW SCHEMES SUCH AS THE PROGRAMMES FOR RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION; THE PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT SCHEME; AND THE YOUNG OFFENDERS ASSESSMENT PANEL ARE ALL NOW MAKING EXCELLENT PROGRESS.
"IT IS SIGNIFICANT THE INMATES OF OUR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS HAVE RECENTLY ACHIEVED REMARKABLE RESULTS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
"FROM SOME 300 CANDIDATES IN 1989, AMONGST THE 190 RESULTS SO FAR RECEIVED THERE WERE 13 DISTINCTIONS AND 21 CREDITS," HE NOTED.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID THAT DESPITE THE REAL STRAINS ON THE DEPARTMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO APPROACH TRADITIONAL TASKS WITH A SPIRIT OF INNOVATION.
"AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE IS THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES WHICH HAVE CONTINUED TO DEVELOP AND DIVERSIFY.
"PRISONERS AND INMATES PRODUCED GOODS AND SERVICES DURING 1989 TO A COMMERCIAL VALUE OF $210 MILLION.
"THIS WAS A 18 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1988.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL SOON BE TAKING OVER THE OPERATION OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL LAUNDRY, ALMOST DOUBLING THE EXISTING CAPACITY OF THE LAUNDRY.
"THIS CARRIES A DOUBLE BENEFIT FOR US ALL: IT BOTH REDUCES THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER AND IMPROVES SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
STR DAVID SAID THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT COULD LOOK BACK ON 1989 AS A YEAR IN WHICH IT HAD CONTINUED TO PERFORM ITS DUTIES WITH GREAT PATIENCE AND EFFICIENCY, AND AT THE SAME TIME HAD FACED NEW CHALLENGES RESOLUTELY AND WITH CONFIDENCE.
"THE NEXT DECADE WILL BE ONE OF IMMENSE IMPORTANCE FOR ALL OF YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, AND YOUR SERVICE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
AT THE EVENT, SIR DAVID PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 36 STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAD GIVEN EXAMPLARY SERVICE OVER THE PAST 18 YEARS.
- - 0----------
/3........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 3 -
PAST SUCCESS PROVIDES GOOD FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE: CS ******
THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, THE ESSENTIALLY PRACTICAL AND PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO PROBLEMS, AND THE IRREPRESSIBLE DETERMINATION TO GET THINGS DONE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY’S PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROVIDE THE SUREST GUARANTEES OF OUR FUTURE SUCCESS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE "HONG KONG INTO THE 90’s" EXHIBITION, BEING HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, SIR DAVID SAID THE EXHIBITION WAS APTLY TITLED AS HONG KONG STOOD AT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DECADE THAT SEEMED CERTAIN TO BE EXHILARATING AND CHALLENGING AS ANY IN ITS HISTORY. AND A POSITIVE APPROACH WAS JUST WHAT WAS REQUIRED.
POINTING OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLEASED TO BE TAKING PART WITH THE GALAXY OF PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ESPECIALLY SATISFYING WHEN, IN THE FACE OF NEW CHALLENGES, THE PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONDED BY STEPPING FORWARD ENTHUSIASTICALLY, AS IT HAD DONE TODAY, WITH IMAGINATION AND INITIATIVE.
"WE IN HONG KONG HAVE BECOME ALMOST BLASE ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS WHICH OTHER PEOPLE FIND DIFFICULT EVEN TO CONCEIVE OF. BUT THE GLIMPSE OF WHAT LIES AHEAD, WHICH THIS EXHIBITION PROVIDES, IS QUITE ASTOUNDING.
"OF COURSE THERE WILL BE HAZARDS, BUT WE WILL FACE THEM DOWN, AS WE HAVE DONE OTHERS BEFORE. FOR WHAT OTHER PEOPLE CALL DIFFICULTIES, WE HAVE THE HAPPY KNACK OF TURNING INTO OPPORTUNITIES.
"AND, AS TODAY'S EXHIBITION SO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES, THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE TO BE SEIZED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IMAGINATION AND INITIATIVE, THE QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP, WERE WHAT THE EXHIBITION WAS ALL ABOUT, AND ON SHOW WAS THE COLLECTIVE VISION OF HONG KONG INCORPORATED FOR THE FUTURE.
"THERE ARE EXCITING EXHIBITS OVER THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES EMBRACING' FINANCIAL SERVICES, HI-TECH INDUSTRIES, TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM AND MANY OTHERS.
"THERE ARE PLANS, BOTH FOR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS, FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES; INITIATIVES WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE WHOLE QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS QUITE SURE THAT HONG KONG NOT ONLY HAD THE VISION, IT HAD BOTH THE RESOURCES AND THE RESOURCEFULNESS TO MAKE THAT VISION A REALITY.
/"DESPITE THE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
4
“DESPITE THE BRAIN DRAIN WE WILL HAVE TALENTED YOUNG LEADERS IN INDUSTRY, IN COMMERCE AND, IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TO DRIVE THESE PROJECTS THROUGH.
“TO THEM I SAY: THIS IS THE CHALLENGE AS WE MOVE INTO THE NINETIES," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
NATIONALITY QUESTION MUST BE PUT IN PERSPECTIVE: CS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE QUESTION OF NATIONALITY MUST BE PUT IN PERSPECTIVE AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE OVER-REACTION TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN CANTON.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER HE OPENED THE “HONG KONG INTO THE 90’8“ EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING, SIR DAVID SAID: “IT’S BEEN CLEAR THAT THESE ARE EARLY PROPOSALS AND CLEARLY WE WOULD WANT TO STUDY WHAT APPEARS IN THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.”
HE SAID THESE PROPOSALS CAME AS NO GREAT SURPRISE BECAUSE AFTER ALL THERE WAS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION A VERY CLEAR INDICATION THAT AS FAR AS PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS WERE CONCERNED THAT THEY SHOULD BE CHINESE NATIONALS.
“WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE CONCERNED IF THOSE PROPOSALS WERE EXTENDED WIDELY INTO CIVIL SERVICE.
"BUT, SO FAR, THERE IS NO INDICATION OF THAT. SO THE NUMBER AFFECTED BY WHAT IS BEING SAID IN CANTON IS VERY LIMITED," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID: "CLEARLY TO SUGGEST THAT THESE PROPOSALS IN ANY WAY TORPEDO THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE ARE NONSENSE.
“THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IS 20 OR 30 AT THE MOST AND THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE PROVIDES ASSURANCES FOR SOME 50,000 FAMILIES 'AND SO THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THESE PROPOSALS WILL UNDERMINE SERIOUSLY THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
---------0-----------
/5 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
5 -
FUNDS APPROVED FOR VBP INITIAL MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME $»*«»*
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED A NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENT OF $6.07 MILLION AS THE GOVERNMENT’S 50 PER CENT CONTRIBUTION TO AN INITIAL MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME FOR UP TO 1,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROGRAMME WAS ESTIMATED AT #12,140,000 BUT IT HAD BEEN AGREED WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD PAY ONLY HALF.
IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTIMATED PER CAPITA COST EVEN OF REPATRIATION BY AIR REPRESENTED SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE NOTIONAL ANNUAL COST OF $15,700 PER ANNUM FOR THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF A BOAT PERSON IN A DETENTION CENTRE.
THE COMMITTEE LEARNED THAT IT HAD BEEN AGREED WITH VIETNAM THAT, IN ADDITION TO VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION AND IN LINE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, THOSE BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED OUT SHOULD BE MANDATORILY RETURNED TO VIETNAM.
FOLLOWING THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF THE FIRST GROUP IN DECEMBER, ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION ARRANGEMENTS.
GIVEN THE SECURITY AND OTHER OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, THE NUMBER OF RETURNEES PER FLIGHT WILL BE LIMITED TO ABOUT 80.
IT IS INTENDED THAT UP TO 1,000 NON-REFUGEES BE RETURNED BY AIR UNDER THE INITIAL REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF #12,140,000 FOR THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES $7 MILLION FOR CHARTERING AIRCRAFT, $4.9 MILLION AS REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE AND $240,000 AS CASH ALLOWANCE FOR RETURNEES.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT REPATRIATION BY AIR HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF ESTABLISHING QUICKLY AND FIRMLY THE PRACTICE OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION.
HOWEVER, FOR THE LONGER TERM, THERE IS A NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE MODI OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH ALLOWS FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF NON-REFUGEES TO BE REPATRIATED REGULARLY AND ECONOMICALLY.
THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE OPTION, THAT IS REPATRIATION BY SEA.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO LEARNED THAT TO ENABLE THOSE REPATRIATED TO SUCCESSFULLY RE-ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN VIETNAM, IT HAD BEEN AGREED TO PROVIDE REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION AND RESETTLEMENT WITHIN VIETNAM.
/THIS WOULD ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
6 -
THIS WOULD INCLUDE BASIC FOOD SUPPLY FOR UP TO ONE YEAR, MEDICINES, DOMESTIC APPLIANCES, HOUSING, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT AND PRODUCTION TOOLS, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
IT WAS ALSO AGREED PROVISIONALLY THAT THE AVERAGE VALUE OF THE ASSISTANCE PER RETURNEE WOULD BE US$620 (OR HK$4,900). TN ADDITION, RETURNEES WOULD EACH RECEIVE A CASH ALLOWANCE OF US$30 PER ADULT OR US$15 PER CHILD TO COVER THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS ON ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM.
------0--------
DB CHAIRMEN BRIEFED ON TRANSPORT POLICY * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) GAVE A BRIEFING ON THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG TO THE CHAIRMEN OF ALL DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES.
MR LEUNG ASSURED THE CHAIRMEN THAT THE TRANSPORT STRATEGY SPELT OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER WOULD BE APPLIED FLEXIBLY, AND REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING DEMANDS AND DEVELOPMENTS.
THIS IS THE SECQND TIME THEY HAVE BEEN BRIEFED ON THE TRANSPORT POLICY BY MR LEUNG, THE FIRST BEING IN JUNE LAST YEAR WHEN THE GREEN PAPER WAS PUBLISHED.
THE BRIEFING WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR GORDON SIU; THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWE1 SEE-KAN; AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALBERT LAM.
COPIES OF THE WHITE PAPER ARE AVAILABLE FREE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT LICENSING OFFICES, DRIVING 'TEST CENTRES AND VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
/7........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19,
1990
DEVELOPMENT WORKS FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 8
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PROVIDE LAND AND AN APPROACH CHANNEL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 AND BACK-UP AREAS TO MEET THE RAPID GROWTH OF CONTAINERISED TRADE.
THIS WOULD BE DONE BY DREDGING AND RECLAIMING WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 148.2 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND LATER THIS YEAR.
MEANWHILE, TO PROVIDE MARINE ACCESS OF THE TERMINAL TO AND FROM THE SHAM SHU1 PO COASTLINE, DREDGING WORK WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 295 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT YAU MA TEI ANCHORAGE WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY NEXT MARCH 18.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHOULD DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICES, TOGETHER WITH THE PLANS, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITES.
THE PLANS COULD ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
-----0------
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED
*****
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, AND THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 47 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, THREE WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
/THE REMAINING .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 8 -
THE REMAINING 44 HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN RI ITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
"A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 AM YESTERDAY AND ENDED THIS MORNING, THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 35,703 PERSONS, 4,001 VEHICLES AND 780 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
TWELVE PERSONS WERE SUMMONSED AND FOUR PERSONS CHARGED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY. A FURTHER 19 PERSONS WERE WARNED IN RESPECT OF THIS OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 3,804 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF 7,583 EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR PROOF OF IDENTITY CHECKED DURING THE OPERATION.
FOUR ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR INSPECTION A RECORD OF EMPLOYEES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $50,000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/9 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
9
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR OPERATING PUBLIC RADIO PAGING SERVICES
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES TO OPERATE PUBLIC RADIO PAGING SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE NOTICE ON THIS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN RADIO PAGING BUSINESS IN RECENT YEARS," THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, SAID.
"THE DEMAND IS SUCH THAT THERE ARE NOW NEARLY 600,000 PAGERS LICENSED, AND WE EXPERIENCE THE HIGHEST PENETRATION RATE PER CAPITA IN THE WORLD.
"IN ORDER TO MEET FURTHER DEMAND FOR PAGING AS WELL AS RELATED INFORMATION DISSEMINATION SERVICES, THE 279 - 281 MHZ FREQUENCY BAND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"THIS WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 60 NEW CHANNELS WITH A HIGHER TRANSMITTER POWER OF 100 WATTS."
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE DEMAND FOR PAGING SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO GROW. RECENTLY, RADIO PAGING HAS ALSO BEEN USED FOR DISSEMINATING FINANCIAL OR OTHER TYPES OF INFORMATION TO SUBSCRIBERS.
NEW MODELS OF PAGER WITH THE ABILITY TO DISPLAY LONGER MESSAGES OR MESSAGES IN CHINESE CHARACTERS ARE ALSO BECOMING POPULAR.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH, SINCERE BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS WILL THEN BE SUPPLIED TO THEM.
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO FULL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BEFORE MARCH 30 THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
ALLOCATION OF FREE QUOTAS FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF CFC’S »»»»«»
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED APPLICATIONS FOR FREE QUOTAS FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF CHLOROFLUROCARBONS (CFC’S). THESE FREE QUOTAS ARE FOR THE QUOTA YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1990.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE, A LICENSING SYSTEM, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A QUOTA ALLOCATION SCHEME, HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE JULY 1 LAST YEAR TO CONTROL THE IMPORT OF CFC’S.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
10
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO IMPORT ANY QUANTITY OF CFC’S CONTROLLED UNDER THE ORDINANCE MUST HAVE SUFFICIENT QUOTA TO COVER THE QUANTITY IN ORDER TO GET A LICENCE FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
FOR THE CURRENT QUOTA YEAR, FROM JULY 1, 1989, TO JUNE 30, 1990, ALL NORMAL QUOTAS WERE ALLOCATED LAST JUNE.
ADDITIONAL QUOTAS, AMOUNTING TO A QUANTITY OF 340 TONNES OF CFC’S WEIGHTED BY THEIR OZONE DEPLETING POTENTIAL, ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND WILL BE ALLOCATED IN MARCH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNLIKE THE NORMAL QUOTAS, THE FREE QUOTAS ARE NOT TRANSFERRABLE AMONG IMPORTERS AND THERE ARE SOME CONDITIONS ON THE UTILISATION WHICH AN APPLICANT SHOULD NOTE BEFORE ACCEPTANCE.
THESE QUOTAS ARE VALID FOR IMPORTS ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
ALL IMPORTERS OF CFC’S REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE AND WHO HAVE NOT COMMITTED ANY OFFENCE BEFORE UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE WELCOME TO APPLY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS FEBRUARY 15 AND APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE ON SPECIFIED FORMS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, ON THE 26TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 8351089.
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NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES
******
IN NOVEMBER. 1989, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 AND BY 2 PER. CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1989 WITH OCTOBER 1989, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY BUT DECREASED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, WEARING APPAREL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ORDERS SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988, THE ORDERS POSITION IN NOVEMBER 1989 IMPROVED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
/ON THE ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
11
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, AND SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE TN NOVEMBER 1989 DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 AND NOVEMBER 1988 RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989, EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1989 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE TN THE TEXTILES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, FOOD AND DRINKS AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1989 WITH NOVEMBER 1988, EMPLOYMENT INCREASED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY. ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT DECREASED IN MOST OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASE RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1989 WITH OCTOBER 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS. MODERATE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, DUE LARGELY TO LESS PAYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1989 FOR OVERTIME WORK.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, LITTLE CHANGE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1989 INCREASED SUBSTANT I ALLY, BY 17 PER CENT. WHILE PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, THE LARGEST INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1989 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 AND MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1988. PER- CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1989 INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER OCTOBER 1989 BUT SUBSTANTIALLY OVER NOVEMBER 1988.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS SECTOR COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1989 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 AND NOVEMBER 1988. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1989 INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER OCTOBER 1989 BUT SUBSTANTIALLY OVER NOVEMBER 1988.
/THE PERCENTAGE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990 '
- 12 -
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY IS NOT BASED ON A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE MERELY A REFLECTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED.
HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1989 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $2 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 8234820.
TABLE 1: ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY
ORDERS-ON-HAND
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AS AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1989 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED NOV. 88
OCT. 89 WITH
(MONTHS) 4.24 (%) -1 — CJ 1 1 1
WEARING APPAREL 4.72 -2 *
TEXTILES 2.30 ♦ 3 -3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.57 -5 + 7
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.43 -2 -6
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 5.06 ♦ -2
OTHERS 4.12 t -2
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
/TABLE 2: .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 13 -
INDUSTRY/SERVICES TABLE 2: EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1989
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
OCT. 89 NOV. 88
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -1 -8
FOOD AND DRINKS -1 + 3
WEARING APPAREL -1 -10
TEXTILES t -1
PLASTIC PRODUCTS t -11
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS * -9
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -3 -16
OTHERS ♦ + 2
CONSTRUCTION # -1 -4
SERVICES + 1 + 3
BANKS * 42
HOTELS t t
PUBLIC UTILITIES t *1
OTHERS + 1 + 8
♦ CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS
EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3: .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 14 -
TABLE 3: PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE AS IN NOVEMBER 1989 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
OCT. 89 NOV. 88
* (HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 5, 188 -1 417
-- — —
FOOD AND DRINKS 5,929 -4 + 20
WEARING APPAREL 4,352 + 13
TEXTILES 4,783 -4 + 10
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 5,055 -3 + 20
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 5,046 * + 13
ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRONIC 5,064 t + 20
OTHERS 6,676 -1 + 17
CONSTRUCTION # 7,762 ♦ 3 + 25
SERVICES 8,710 + 1 + 21
BANKS 8,379 ♦ + 19
HOTELS 5,627 + 1 + 17
PUBLIC UTILITIES 8,815 + 1 + 24
OTHERS 9,618 * + 20
» CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
NOTES TO TABLES 1-3: UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND” AND ’’PER CAPITA EARNINGS”, WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
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/15 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
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TSEUNG KWAN O CLEAN HOMES TO GET PRIZES * * * * *
REPRESENTATIVES OF 15 HOUSEHOLDS IN TSEUNG KWAN O THAT HAVE WON A HOME CLEANSING COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT A CEREMONY ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 21).
THE COMPETITION FORMS PART OF THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IN THE AREA WHICH INCLUDES FIVE HOUSING ESTATES - PO LAM AND TSUI LAM ESTATES, YING MING AND KING MING COURTS, AND HONG SING GARDEN.
THE PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, MR BRIAN LO; CHAIRMAN OF THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR EDWARD PONG; CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR. HO KOON-SHUN; SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER (SAI KUNG) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MRS LEUNG PO SIU-TO; AND DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (SAI KUNG) OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHU WING-WAI.
THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WILL INCORPORATE A CLEAN TSEUNG KWAN O FORTNIGHT, AND ACTION AGAINST LITTERBUGS WILL BE STEPPED UP.
THE EXERCISE HAS BEEN ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN. IT BEGAN ON JANUARY 13 AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JANUARY 26.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE HOME CLEANING COMPETITION PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 21) AT TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL, TSUI LAM ESTATE. TSEUNG KWAN O.
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OPENING OF TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE ******
THE TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED RY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR LEO KWAN, TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SUB-OFFICE IS LOCATED AT FLAT 121-122, GROUND FLOOR, PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE.
A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER HAS BEEN SET UP TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS. THESE INCLUDE ADMINISTERING DECLARATIONS, THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, RENT OFFICER SCHEME, AND ANSWERING ENQUIRIES CONCERNING GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
/THE COUNTER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 16 -
THE COUNTER ALSO HELPS DISTRIBUTE GOVERNMENT FORMS, PUBLICATIONS, FACT SHEETS, PAMPHLETS, AND ENROLMENT FORMS OF TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.
RESIDENTS CAN ALSO APPROACH THE SUB-OFFICE TO MAKE SIMPLE COMPLAINTS, AND TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT VACANCIES REGISTERED AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND ON THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF TSEUNG KWAN O.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TOMORROW'S OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND THE ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER OF TSEUNG KWAN O, MR WONG KWOK-YEE.
AN EXHIBITION ON THE SERVICES OF THE SUB-OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES OF TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN WILL BE STAGED OUTSIDE THE SUB-OFFICE.
i
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE’S TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) OUTSIDE THE SUB-OFFICE AT FLAT 121-122, GROUND FLOOR, PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE.
YAU TSIM TO HOLD ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL *****
ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE CONVEYED TO YAU TSIM RESIDENTS THROUGH A CARNIVAL AND A DRAWING CONTEST TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 21) AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA.
THE DRAWING CONTEST IS OPEN TO CHILDREN AGED UNDER 12. THEY CAN ENROL AT THE PIAZZA AT NOON THAT DAY. CRAYONS AND DRAWING PAPER WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISER.
ADJUDICATION WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM AND TOYS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE CARNIVAL, WHICH STARTS AT 2.30 PM, INCLUDES STALL GAMES, SINGING AND DANCE PERFORMANCES AND A GAME OF REMOTE CONTROLLED MODEL CARS TO TEACH CHILDREN TRAFFIC RULES.
THE EVENTS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, THE POLICE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER■ (YAU MA TEI), MR LAU YUK-KUEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY7 CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 21), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM. IT WILL BE PRECEDED BY A CHILDREN'S DRAWING CONTEST AT THE SAME VENUE, BEGINNING AT NOON.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENTS.
- - 0 - -
YEAR-END CLEAN UP IN SHAM SHUI PO *****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IS LAUNCHING A PUBLICITY DRIVE TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO CLEAN UP THEIR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL FOCUS ON KEEPING COMMON AREAS, ESPECIALLY FIRE EXITS IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS, CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTION TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARDS.
TO SHOW THE COMMITTEE’S SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE DRIVE, A TEAM OF ABOUT 20 VOLUNTEERS WILL BE SENT TO THREE PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO HELP IN THE CLEAN UP OPERATIONS.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE CO-ORDINATED DRIVE WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH MADE AN INSPECTION AT THE BUILDINGS TODAY. THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ARRANGE FOR THE COLLECTION OF REFUSE FROM THE BUILDINGS TOMORROW.
POSTERS LISTING THE VARIOUS PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
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/18
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
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CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANTI-NARCOTICS DAY NEXT MONTH »***»»
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO STAMP OUT THE DRUG MENACE DESPITE AN ENCOURAGING OVERALL DROP IN THE NUMBER OF DRUG ABUSERS IN THE TERRITORY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY (NARCOTICS), MISS ANNETTE LEE, SAID THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD TODAY (FRIDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANTI-NARCOTICS DAY TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 11 (SUNDAY).
HOWEVER, MISS LEE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PERSONS AGED BELOW 21 REGISTERED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE.
"THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN THIS AGE GROUP REGISTERED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF LAST YEAR HAI) RECORDED A 12.5 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988," SHE NOTED.
"ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE TAKING NO. 4 HEROIN AND MORE YOUNGSTERS HAVE STARTED TAKING SOFT DRUGS," SHE SAID.
YOUTH HAD BEEN THE TARGET OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION’S TERRITORY-WIDE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, MISS LEE SAID, ADDING THAT DISTRICT ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANTI-NARCOTICS DAY, WERE WIDELY SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MONICA CHEN, DISTRICT’S FIRST ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITY, AN ANT I-NARCOTICS DESIGN COMPETITOR, WAS HELD IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND HAD ABOUT 400 ENTRIES FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS.
SAID THE
BOOKMARK ATTRACTED
"BOOKMARKS BASED ON THE PRIZE-WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PUT ACROSS THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE," SHE ADDED.
MISS CHEN ANNOUNCED THREE ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD BE- HELD DURING NEXT MONTH’S DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS DAY.
FIRST, A CLASSICAL TRAM CAR WOULD TOUR THE DISTRICT TO PUBLICISE THE TWO OTHER EVENTS TO BE HELD IN THE AFTERNOON -- A POP CONCERT AND A "VITALITY SHOW" AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL AND THE FORBES STREET PLAYGROUND IN KENNEDY TOWN RESPECTIVELY, SHE SAID.
THE POP CONCERT WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY SINGERS ROMAN TAM, MARIA CORDERO, YAN CHOR-SIN, KWAN SHUK-YEE AND THE GROUP GRASSHOPPERS. HOSTED BY DISC JOCKEYS WONG HOI-KUN AND CHOW WAI-MUN, THE CONCERT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK’S RADIO 2 BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4 PM.
/THE "VITALITY .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 19 -
THE "VITALITY SHOW” WILL INCLUDE TELEMATCHES, STALL GAMES, AN INFLATED ELEPHANT FOR CHILDREN, AN ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION AND A VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL GROUPS. A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION WILL ALSO BE HELD.
THE DISTRICT’S FOUR MAJOR ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
OTHER CO-ORGANISERS INCLUDE RTHK, THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT SCHOOL HEADS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG YWCA.-
ALSO SPEAKING AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE HEAD OF RTHK’S RADIO 2, MR CHEUNG MAN-SUN; CHAIRMAN OF THE DFCC, MR WU CHOR-NAM; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S TWO ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY WORKING GROUPS, MR NGAI WAI-MING AND MR CHAN TAK-CHOR.
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JOINT AREA COMMITTEE VARIETY SHOW IN SHA TIN » « » » »
A JOINT VARIETY SHOW FEATURING 12 PERFORMANCES BY THE NINE: AREA COMMITTEES IN SHA TIN WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR AROUND 1,400 MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES. OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND OTHER RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS.
THE SHOW WILL INCLUDE MUSIC, DRAMA, DANCES AND MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATIONS.
THE FUNCTION HAS BEEN ORGAINSED BY THE SHA TIN FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE’S COMMUNITY BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE JOINT VARIETY SHOW BY NINE AREA COMMITTEES IN SHA TIN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE AUDITORIUM, SHA TIN TOWN HALL. THE FUNCTION WILL BEGIN AT 7 PM.
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/20.........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 20 -
CLEAN HARBOUR PUBLICITY TOUR IN TAI PO t » ♦ t *
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN TN TAI PO DISTRICT TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED MARICULTURI STS TO PUBLICISE THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
THEY WENT TO THE MARICULTURE ZONES IN YIM TIN TSAI, SHUM WAN AND KO LAU WAN, WHERE THEY DISTRIBUTED GARBAGE BAGS AND PUBLICITY STICKERS.
THE CONVENER OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR TSUI SZE-KIT, SAID HE HOPED MARICULTUR1STS WOULD KEEP UP THEIR EFFORTS IN MAINTAINING A CLEAN AND TIDY ENVIRONMENT.
"IT IS TIME TO CARRY OUT CLEANING OPERATIONS AS LUNAR NEW YEAR DRAWS ON,” HE SAID.
THE CLEAN TOLO HARBOUR PUBLICITY TOUR CONCLUDED THE FOUR-MONTH KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT.
IN EARLIER ACTIVITIES, THE WORKING GROUP HAD ORGANISED A CARNIVAL, CLEAN SCHOOL COMPETITION, CLEAN BUILDING COMPETITION AND CLEAN BEACH OPERATION. THE ACTIVITIES WERE SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
------0--------
PREVENTIVE APPROACH TO MAINTENANCE OF FISHING VESSEL ENGINES URGED
FISHERMEN AND FISHING VESSEL OPERATORS HAVE BEEN URGED TO ADOPT A PREVENTIVE APPROACH IN THE DAILY MAINTENANCE OF THE ENGINES OF THEIR FISHING VESSELS.
MEMBERS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY ATTENDING A SEMINAR AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN FISHERIES OFFICE TODAY (FRIDAY) WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD EASILY MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR FISHING VESSEL ENGINES BY SUBMITTING SAMPLES OF THE LUBRICATING OIL USED IN THESE ENGINES TO OIL COMPANIES FOR ANALYSIS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THE SEMINAR, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY AFD AND A LOCAL OIL COMPANY, WAS AIMED AT INTRODUCING THE ENGINE MAINTENANCE THROUGH PROGRESSIVE ANALYSIS (EM/PA) TECHNIQUE TO FISHERMEN.
’’UNDER THE EM/PA PROGRAMME, EACH OIL SAMPLE WILL GO THROUGH A SERIES OF STANDARD ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES WHICH ARE INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED TO PINPOINT ANY OIL CONDITION AND SELECTED METAL CONTENTS THAT MAY DEVIATE FROM A HEALTHY OIL,” AFD’S FISHERIES OFFICER (FISHERIES TECHNOLOGY ) , MR. JOSEPH SHAM, EXPLAINED.
/•'BASED ON.........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 21 -
"BASED ON THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE LUBRICANT IN USE AND THE LUBRICATED EQUIPMENT, ENGINEERS CAN EASILY DIAGNOSE THE OPERATING CONDITION OF THE EQUIPMENT AND IDENTIFY ENGINE TROUBLES AT AN EARLY STAGE," HE CONTINUED.
"HENCE IT IS POSSIBLE FOR FISHING VESSEL OPERATORE TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES BEFORE THE ENGINES BREAK DOWN," MR SHAM SAID.
NOTING THAT MOST OIL COMPANIES IN HONG KONG PROVIDE LUBE OIL ANALYSIS SERVICE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, MR SHAM URGED FISHING VESSEL OPERATORS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THESE SERVICES.
HE SUGGESTED THAT LUBE OIL SAMPLES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED FOR ANALYSIS WHEN ENGINES OF A VESSEL HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 400 TO 600 HOURS.
"POORLY MAINTAINED ENGINES DO NOT ONLY CONSUME MORE OIL BUT ARE ALSO MORE PRONE TO BREAKDOWNS WHICH IN TURN CURTAIL VALUABLE FISHING TIME," MR SHAM POINTED OUT.
"MINOR ENGINE TROUBLES, IF NOT ATTENDED TO AT AN EARLY STAGE, COULD LEAD TO EXTENSIVE WEAR AND TEAR TO THE ENGINE COMPONENTS, STERN GEAR AND EVEN THE VESSEL STRUCTURE.
"MEANWHILE, SERIOUS ENGINE BREAKDOWNS COULD ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF THE VESSEL, ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS," HE WENT ON.
MR SHAM ADDED THAT THE HONG KONG FISHING FLEET COMPRISED 4,700 VESSELS WITH SOME 6,800 DIESEL ENGINES USED FOR PROPULSION.
VESSEL MAINTENANCE, OF WHICH ENGINE MAINTENANCE WAS THE KEY ITEM, ACCOUNTED FOR AT LEAST 12 PER CENT OF THE COST OF FISH MARKETED.
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SEIZURE OF SUSPECTED ADULTERATED LIQUOR BY CUSTOMS * t * * t
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE WARY OF BUYING IN ADULTERATED LIQUOR DURING THF LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE ADVICE WAS MADE FOLLOWING THE SEIZURE OF FIVE BOTTLES OF SUSPECTED ADULTERATED LIQUOR BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS IN A TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATION YESTERDAY (THURSDAY).
THIS WAS A JOINT OPERATION BY THE FORCE, THE LAND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION AND WITH A VIEW TO STAMPING OUT THE SALE PROTECT!NG CONSUMERS’ 1NTEREST.
DEPARTMENT’S CUSTOMS TASK
THE INVESTIGATION BRANCH OF ADULTERATED LIQUOR AND
/THE INSPECTION .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 22 -
THE INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED BY 106 CUSTOMS OFFICERS IN 200 STORES AND SUPERMARKETS SELLING LIQUOR.
AS A RESULT, FIVE BOTTLES OF SUSPECTED ADULTERATED LIQUOR VALUED AT ABOUT $900 WERE FOUND IN A SUPERMARKET IN JORDAN ROAD.
A 51-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS ARRESTED. HE HAS BEEN RELEASED ON BAIL OF $2,000 PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
A SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, MR RAYMOND LI, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORT TO KEEP STRICT VIGIL ON THE SALE AND MANUFACTURE OF ADULTERATED LIQUOR IN ORDER TO WIPE OUT THE ILLICIT TRADE.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND STORE OPERATORS SHOULD REPORT ANY CASES OF SUSPECTED ADULTERATED LIQUOR TO THE DUTY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 8521-137 OR 8521-138," HE SAID.
THE LAST MASSIVE OPERATION MOUNTED BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS ON ADULTERATED LIQUOR WAS ON DECEMBER 20 LAST YEAR RESULTING IN THE SEIZURE OF -11 BOTTLES OF ADULTERATED LIQUOR.
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FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY * t * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 24 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE:
DATE TIME
FEBRUARY 1 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 2 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 3 (SATURDAY ) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 5 (MONDAY I 8.30 AM - 9 PM
FEBRUARY 6 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 9 PM
FEBRUARY 7 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 9 PM
/FEBRUARY 8 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1990
- 23 -
FEBRUARY 8 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 9 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 10 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 12 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 13 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 14 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 15 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 16 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 17 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 19 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 6 PM
FEBRUARY 20 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .59 PM
FEBRUARY 21 (WEDNESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 22 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 . 59 PM
FEBRUARY 23 (FRIDAY) MIDNIGHT — 5 PM
FEBRUARY 24 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY- 26 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 1 1 .59 PM
FEBRUARY 27 (TUESDAY) MIDNIGHT — 11 .59 PM
FEBRUARY 28 (WEDNESDAY) MIDNIGHT — 5 PM
------0--------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHEUNG WAN t ♦ * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT EROM 10 (JANUARY 21). THE RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER IN SHFUNG DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
AM ON SUNDAY
WAN WILL BE
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
BE ALLOWED TO STOP
---------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEED FOR LOCAL SPECIALIST MEDICAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES .......................... 1
YOUTH MUST BE EDUCATED ON PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT................................ 2
PRIZE-GIVING FOR ESSAY COMPETITION ON AIDS ..................................... 3
50 GOOD CITIZENS COMMENDED...................................................... 4
NEW SUt-OFFICE OPENS IN NEW TOWN................................................ 4
RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER OPENED ................................................... 6
FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES GIVE SUPPORT TO CORE FAMILIES .......................... 6
WARNING ON CUTTING TREES AND PLANTS ............................................ 7
JFIU GETS NEW HOTLINE NUMBER ................................................... 8
1989-90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ...................... 8
LONG DISTANCE RUN AND CLEANING EXERCISE ON CHEUNG CHAU.......................... 9
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN NGAU TAU KOK .................................... 10
NEW SALT WATER PUMPING STATION FOR EAST KOWLOON ............................... 10
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TIN ..................................... 11
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI .................................................... 11
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1990
1
NEED FOR LOCAL SPECIALIST MEDICAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES ♦ * t t *
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO ESTABLISH FORMALISED, LOCALLY-BASED POST-GRADUATE AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG TO HELP DOCTORS ACQUIRE SPECIALIST TRAINING MORE EASILY AND WITHOUT HAVING TO GO OVERSEAS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THIS AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG COLLEGE OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
SHE NOTED THAT IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO SUCH NEED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
THE DECISION TO ESTABLISH THIS STATUTORY BODY ALSO FOLLOWED THE RECOGNITION THAT WITH THE RAPID ADVANCE OF MEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING WERE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE COMPETENCY OF DOCTORS AFTER GRADUATION AND TO PROVIDE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF CARE IN MEDICAL SPECIALISATIONS.
’’FOLLOWING ON FROM THIS, IT IS ALSO AS DESIRABLE TO HAVE LOCALLY-DEFINED STANDARDS OF SPECIALISATION, INSTEAD OF RELYING ENTIRELY ON STANDARDS SET BY OVERSEAS BODIES SUCH AS THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF EDINBURGH AND AUSTRALASIA.
’’WITH OUR MANY YEARS OF EXPERTISE IN HONG KONG, WE ARE WELL POISED TO ENHANCE HONG KONG’S REPUTATION INTERNATIONALLY AND TO ESTABLISH A RIGHTFUL NICHE IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA OF SPECIALISATION," MRS WONG SAID.
THE PRINCIPAL ROLE OF THE ACADEMY WOULD BE TO SET STANDARDS, ORGANISE EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXAMINATIONS, AND ACCREDIT THOSE DOCTORS WHO HAD SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE REQUIRED COURSE OF STUDIES.
"THE ACADEMY WILL BE MADE UP OF COLLEGES, FACULTIES AND SPECIALTY BOARDS, WITH WHOM THE ACTUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRAINING AND EXAMINATION WILL LIE.
"THERE WILL INITIALLY BE SEVEN COLLEGES AND SIX FACULTIES, BUT THESE WILL INCREASE AS NEW SPECIALTIES DEVELOP AND GROW," MRS WONG POINTED OUT.
A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WOULD SHORTLY BE APPOINTED TO UNDERTAKE THE NECESSARY PLANNING WORK FOR THE FORMATION OF THE ACADEMY AND TO ADVISE ON THE LEGISLATION REQUIRED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE ACADEMY’S OPERATIONS.
MRS WONG SAID THE COLLEGE OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS HAD BEEN CHOSEN TO BE ONE OF THE NOMINATING BODIES FOR THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE.
"THE WORK OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, LEADING TO THE INAUGURATION OF THE ACADEMY WITH ITS FOUNDATION COLLEGES, FACULTIES AND SPECIALTY BOARDS IN THE MIDDLE OF 1991," SHE SAID.
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/2 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1990
- 2 -
YOUTH MUST BE EDUCATED ON PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT
******
EDUCATING YOUNGSTERS AT SCHOOL LEVEL ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS OF FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE TO THE FUTURE.
THIS WAS THE MESSAGE GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, WHEN HE SPOKE TO TEACHERS THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
ABOUT 130 TEACHERS FROM 111 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE TERRITORY WERE BRIEFED ON DETAILS OF THE SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS SCHEME.
THE AWARDS SCHEME IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND CO-SPONSORED BY DUTY FREE SHOPPERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AND THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST.
"THE OBJECTIVES OF THE AWARDS SCHEME ARE TO RAISE THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT AMONG THE YOUNG GENERATION,” DR REED SAID.
IN ORDER TO TAKE PART IN THIS SCHEME, STUDENTS FROM THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS HAVE TO TEAM UP AND SUBMIT PROPOSALS BEFORE FEBRUARY 24 TO THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE AWARDS SCHEME.
THE THEME OF THE PROJECT MAY EITHER BE BUILDING A BETTER ENVIRONMENT OR FIGHTING POLLUTION.
TWENTY PROPOSALS WILL BE SELECTED FROM THE ENTRIES AND EACH SELECTED TEAM WILL BE SUBSIDISED TO THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 TO DEVELOP ITS PROJECT AND PREPARE FOR THE DISPLAY TO BE HELD IN AUGUST.
IN THE AUGUST EXHIBITION, THE THREE TOP SCHOOLS WILL EACH BE AWARDED A COMPUTER AND A TROPHY. THE MEMBERS OF THE WINNING SCHOOL TEAMS WILL BE AWARDED BOOK COUPONS TOTALLING $36,000 IN VALUE AND OTHER PRIZES.
TODAY’S BRIEFING SESSION WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY MR LIU YUK-WAH, A PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT: DR LAU MAY-MING, TECHNICAL SECRETARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT; MR ROGER THOMAS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER OF DUTY FREE SHOPPERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED; AND MR PHILLIP CRAWLEY, EDITOR OF THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST.
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/3.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1990
- 3 -
PRIZE-GIVING FOR ESSAY COMPETITION ON AIDS *****
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT AIDS THROUGH VARIOUS AIDS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AND JOIN THE WORLDWIDE FIGHT AGAINST THE DISEASE, THE CH IRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON AIDS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, MRS PEGGY LAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY FOR THE INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL ESSAY COMPETITION ON AIDS.
THE COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AIMED AT AROUSING AWARENESS AND CONCERN AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT AIDS.
THERE WERE FOUR SECTIONS IN THE COMPETITION -- CHINESE SENIOR, CHINESE JUNIOR, ENGLISH SENIOR AND ENGLISH JUNIOR.
ALTOGETHER, 275 ESSAYS WERE ENTERED IN THE COMPETITION AND, OF THESE, 112 WERE FOR THE ENGLISH SENIOR SECTION.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR S.W. WONG, SAID THAT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THEIR TEACHERS, STUDENTS HAD MADE GREAT EFFORTS TN COLLECTING USEFUL INFORMATION ON AIDS, AND HAD GAINED A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISEASE.
"SUCH OBSERVATION INDICATES THAT THE COMPETITION HAS REALLY SERVED ITS PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIDS PROBLEM," HE ADDED.
THE WINNERS OF THE CHINESE SENIOR SECTION AND CHINESE JUNIOR SECTION WERE JENNY MOK FROM ST PAUL'S CONVENT SCHOOL AND SUE . CHAN FROM KING’S COLLEGE, RESPECTIVELY. THE FIRST PRIZE FOR THE ENGLISH SENIOR SECTION WENT TO YAM CHI-KIN FROM ST JOAN OF ARC SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE ENGLISH JUNIOR SECTION FIRST PRIZE WAS WON BY CHENG LING-CHEUNG FROM QUEEN’S COLLEGE.
THE PRIZES, WHICH INCLUDED CASH COUPONS FOR BOOKS AND STATIONERY AND TROPHIES, WERE SPONSORED BY SING TAO JIH PAO, WAH KIU YAT PO AND HANG SENG BANK.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SPECIAL HEALTH SERVICES) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DR PAUL T.A. SAW, AND THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (GEOGRAPHY, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND HEALTH EDUCATION) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS SANDRA LAU.
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/4.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1990
- 4 -
50 GOOD CITIZENS COMMENDED * * * » ♦
FIFTY CIVIC-MINDED RESIDENTS WERE PRESENTED GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR YANG TSZ-KIANG, PRAISED THE RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR ALERTNESS AND BRAVERY IN HELPING THE POLICE CATCH THE CULPRITS IN 35 CASES IN THE DISTRICT.
THESE INCLUDED SHOP AND CAR BURGLARIES, PICK-POCKETING, INDECENT ASSAULTS ON MTR TRAINS, THEFT AND ROBBERY.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION HELD AT THE ACTIVITY CENTRE OF THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO, AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (YAU MA TEI), MR LAU YUK-KUEN.
A DISPLAY OF PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES IN A FIGHT CRIME POSTERS DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED RY THE COMMITTEE WAS HELD AT THE VENUE.
ANOTHER PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY BEING ORGANISED IS A SINGING CONTEST SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 4 AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE.
---------------0------- NEW SUB-OFFICE OPENS IN NEW TOWN * » * *
THE SETTING UP OF THE TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE OF THE SAI ' KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE WILL PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE AND HELP BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY IN THE NEW TOWN, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. FREDERICK TONG, SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SUB-OFFICE TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID TSEUNG KWAN O TOOK IN ITS FIRST RES I DENTS IN EARLY 1988 AND THE NEW COMERS FACED SOME PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE SERVICES AND FACILITIES. THE DISTRICT OFFICE THEREFORE SET UP TWO PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTERS AT PO LAM AND TSUI LAM ESTATES LATER THAT YEAR TO STRENGTHEN LIAISON AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE RES I DENTS.
MR TONG SAID, "THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE NEW TOWN HAD PROMPTED THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO SET UP THE TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE AT PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE, ON DECEMBER 11, 1989 TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR THE RESIDENTS.
"THE SERVICES INCLUDE ANSWERING ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES, STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, JOB VACANCIES AND THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME.
/"THE SUB-OFFICE .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1990
5 -
"THE SUB-OFFICE ALSO ACTS AS A CONVENIENT CHANNEL FOR THE RESIDENTS TO LODGE COMPLAINTS AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS REGARDING TRANSPORT, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE AREA."
MR TONG HOPED THE SUB-OFFICE WOULD HELP STEP UP COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK IN THE NEW TOWN.
HE ADDED: "THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SUCCESSFULLY ASSISTED IN FORMING A NUMBER OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THE PAST ONE OR TWO YEARS, AND THE TSEUNG KWAN O AREA COMMITTEE IN THE MIDDLE OF 1989.
"APART FROM THE CONTRIBUTIONS BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THESE COMMITTEES COULD HARDLY BE FORMED WITHOUT THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
"THE TSEUNG KWAN O AREA COMMITTEE HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKING THE NEW TOWN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN. THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES HAVE ORGANISED MANY CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND CAMPAIGNS TO FORGE BETTER COMMUNICATION AND LINK AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
"THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD IS ALWAYS CONCERNED WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TOWN AND HAS FORMED A WORKING GROUP ON TSEUNG KWAN O TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK. DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ALSO REFLECT THE VIEWS AND NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT FROM TIME TO TIME."
MR TONG SAID TSEUNG KWAN O WOULD CONTINUE UNDERGOING MANY CHANGES WITH THE COMPLETION OF KING LAM ESTATE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AS WELL AS VAN MING AND HO MING COURTS AND FU NING GARDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR LEO KWAN; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER OF TSEUNG KWAN O, MR WONG KWOK-YEE.
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WERE LATER BRIEFED BY MR TONG ON THE SERVICES OF THE NEW OFFICE AND THE FACILITIES OF TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN AT A MINI-EXHIBITION.
- - 0---------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20,
1990
- 6 -
RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER OPENED ♦ * * ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED THE RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER WHICH IS BUILT ALONG A SECTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN GILMAN STREET AND SUTHERLAND STREET.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KWAN; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR AMBROSE LAU; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAM KIN-LAI.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR KWEI SAID THAT AFTER THE FLYOVER WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM TOMORROW, THROUGH TRAFFIC ON CONNAUGHT ROAD BETWEEN ADMIRALTY AND HILL ROAD WOULD BE UNIMPEDED BY SIGNAL CONTROLS AND SEGREGATED FROM LOCAL TRAFFIC.
HE SAID THE 1.1-KILOMETRE-LONG FLYOVER WOULD INITIALLY CARRY DUAL TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC.
HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THE FLYOVER WAS BUILT TO TAKE DUAL THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO CATER FOR FUTURE GROWTH AFTER COMPLETION OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND EXTENSION OF ROUTE 7 FROM SAI YING PUN TO ABERDEEN.
HE ADDED THAT THE CEREMONY ALSO MARKED THE COMPLETION OF THE LAST OF THREE MAJOR GRADE-SEPARATED ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT FOR UPGRADING AND DUALLING OF CONNAUGHT ROAD.
THE OTHER TWO MAJOR ELEMENTS WERE THE HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER AND THE PEDDER STREET UNDERPASS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER STARTED IN DECEMBER 1986 AND WAS COMPLETED AT A COST OF $187 MILLION.
------0--------
FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES GIVE SUPPORT TO CORE FAMILIES ♦ t * ♦ t
YOUNG CORE FAMILIES HAVING PROBLEMS IN ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT SHOULD SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE REGIONAL OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES EAST) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR ANTHONY CHAN, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHENG KUNG HUI - THE CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE IN TAI PO.
/MR CHAN .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1990
MR CHAN SAID THAT WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS IN RECENT YEARS, MANY YOUNG PEOPLE MARRIED AND MOVED INTO THESE NEW TOWNS TO RAISE THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
"AS A RESULT, MANY OF THEM LOST THEIR SUPPORTIVE LINKS FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES LIVING IN URBAN AREAS. SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE SUBJECT TO GREAT PRESSURES IN ADJUSTING TO THEIR NEW ENVIRONMENT,"
HE SAID THE NEW RESIDENTS SHOULD APPROACH THE SWD’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, SET UP TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES COPE WITH FAMILY OR SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING OR OTHER ASSISTANCE.
TO ENCOURAGE BETTER COMMUNICATION AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS AND PREVENT FAMILY PROBLEMS, MR CHAN SAID THE SWD ALSO SUBVERTED VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES AND RELATED SERVICES.
HE COMMENDED THE CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR MULTI-SERV1CE CENTRE WHICH PROVIDES FAMILY COUNSELLING AS WELL AS ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES TN TAI PO, WHICH NOW HAS A POPULATION OF 190,000.
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WARNING ON CUTTING TREES AND PLANTS * * * t
THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) WARNED NOT TO CUT ANY TREES OR PLANTS LN THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR DECORATIVE USE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
THE SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR MARTIN LEUNG, EXPLAINED THAT CUTTING TREES OR PLANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE.
"CONTRAVENTION OF THE ORDINANCE MAY LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH THE PUBLIC IS BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT, FIVE PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED LAST YEAR FOR CL’TT I NG TREES AND PLANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE." HE SAID. ’
MR LEUNG SAID THAT WILD FLOWERS AND TREES ARE BEST APPRECIATED IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AND SHOULD NOT BE PICKED OR CUT.
HE APPEALED FOR PUBLIC CO-OPERATION BY REPORTING OF ANY SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES TO THE NEAREST COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE.
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/8 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20,
1990
- 8 -
JFIU GETS NEW HOTLINE NUMBER *****
THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE TELEPHONE HOTLINE OF THE JOINT POLICE/CUSTOMS FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT (JFIU) WILL BE CHANGED TO 8663366 TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
---------0-----------
1989-90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY MAKING GOOD PROGRESS
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS APPEALING TO ALL SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS TO SUPPORT THE 1989-90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE 12-MONTH SURVEY, WHICH BEGAN LAST OCTOBER, IS JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE HANG SENG BANK LTD TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE PATTERNS FOR REVISING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY). "PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE SURVEY IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING; THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS WERE VERY CO-OPERATIVE IN SUPPLYING THE REQUIRED INFORMATION."
INTERVIEWERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR THE HANG SENG BANK WILL CONTINUE TO VISIT SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COMING MONTHS. EACH PARTICIPATING HOUSEHOLD IN THE SURVEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP DAILY RECORDS OF THEIR EXPENSES FOR 14 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.
"OUR INTERVIEWING OFFICERS ARE READY TO ASSIST THE HOUSEHOLDS IN THEIR RECORD KEEPING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND THEY ALSO WORK IN THE EVENING TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS." THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION WILL BF KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND PARTICULARS OF INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS IN ANY 1 DENT IF1 ABLE FORM.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BF MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT ON 8234968 OR 8235065, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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/9 ........
SATURDAY. JANUARY 20, 1990
LONG DISTANCE RUN AND CLEANING EXERCISE ON CHEUNG CHAU
*****
ABOUT 350 RUNNERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE CHEUNG CHAU LONG DISTANCE RUN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING. THIS WILL ROUND OFF A SERIES OF LONG DISTANCE RUNS HELD ON THE FOUR MAIN ISLANDS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT FOR 1989-90.
RUNNERS IN THE SIX-KILOMETRE RACE WILL START FROM CHEUNG CHAU SPORTS GROUND AT 11 AM, PASS THROUGH PEAK ROAD AT SAI WAN AND TURN BACK TO THE STARTING POINT.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT LONG DISTANCE RUN IS AN ANNUAL EVENT JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, ISLANDS SPORTS ASSOCIATION, AND ISLANDS POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SECTION. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AND ISLANDS ROTARY CLUB.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD, WILL START THE RACE. HE WILL ALSO OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AROUND NOON.
IN THE AFTERNOON, A CLEANING FOR CHARITY DAY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD AT TUNG WAN PLAYGROUND, CHEUNG CHAU.
ABOUT 200 STUDENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS OF VARIOUS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF THE DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE. THE FUNDS RAISED WILL BE DONATED TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, DISTRICT OFFICER MR SALKELD. ISLANDS DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER MISS LAU CHAN-YEE, AND THE DB’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MR KWONG KWOK-KAM WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHEUNG CHAU LONG DISTANCE RUN AND THE CLEANING FOR CHARITY DAY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER IN CENTRAL AT 9.30 AM AND TAKE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCH "MD5" TO CHEUNG CHAU.
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/10
20, 1990
FIRE
THE FIFTH ORGANISED BY THE WILL BE HELD AT (SUNDAY) FROM 11
THE IMPORTANCE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL
10
PREVENTION EXHIBITION
IN A SERIES OF FIRE PREVENTION LOK WAH (NORTH) AM TO 3.30 PM.
EXHIBITIONS AIM TO OF FIRE PREVENTION FAULT WHICH REMAINS FIRES.
NINE
SATURDAY, JANUARY
IN NGAU TAU KOK
FIRE PREVENTION
EXHIBITIONS,
CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING ESTATE, NGAU TAU KOK,
GROUP, TOMORROW
OF
AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS
AND OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD A MAJOR CAUSE OF DOMESTIC
THE OF AND
♦ *
♦ * ♦
“ELECTRICAL FAULTS CAN BE AVOIDED IF REGULAR MAINTENANCE POWER POINTS AND APPLIANCES IS CARRIED OUT B^t PROFESSIONALS, SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID.
OF A
IN ORDER TO HELP THE PUBLIC OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTAND IN(
THE SUBJECT PRESENT AT
OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WI LI
THE EXHIBITIONS
TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS
OF BE
THE AGRICULTURE AND EXHIBITIONS, TO ADVISE THE
FISHERIES
PUBLIC ON
DEPARTMENT IS ALSO TAKING IN HOU TO PREVENT HILL FIRES.
THE
VISITORS TO TOMORROW’S EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE A BOOKLET ON
THE
PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC FIRES AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY KWONG ON BANK
NEW SALT WATER PUMPING STATION FOR EAST KOWLOON ♦ t * t *
A NEW SALT WATER PUMPING STATION HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED IN CHA KWO LING TO CATER FOR. FLUSHING WATER DEMAND IN THE EAST KOWLOON AREAS AND TO IMPROVE THE INTAKE OF SEA WATER.
THE PUMP SETS,
ONE-STOREY PUMPING STATION CONSISTS EACH WITH A CAPACITY OF 50.000 CUBIC
OF THREE ELECTRICAL METRES PER DAY.
THE
PROJECT ALSO COMPRISES CONSTRUCTION
OF ASSOCIATED INTAKE
CULVERT. MA INLAY I NG AND REINSTATEMENT OF VERTICAL SEAWALL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE
OF SALT WATER FOR FLUSH I NG SUPPLY TO THE AREAS AFTER THE PUMPING STATION CAME INTO SERVICE.
WAS MUCH
QUALITY IMPROVED
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- - 0 - -
/Il
SATURDAY. JANUARY 20, 1990
- 11 -TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TIN
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TIN WAT ROAD BETWEEN NGAN SHING STREET AND SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON MONDAY (JANUARY 22) AND WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 24) TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD T5 IN SHA TIN.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD HEADING FOR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA NGAN SHING STREET, SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND SHA TIN ROAD.
MOTORISTS ON THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF NGAN SHING STREET HEADING FOR SHA KOK ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND, SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, TAT CHUNG KIU ROAD, SHA TIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND AND SHA KOK STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0--------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI * * t t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 22). HENNESSY ROAD WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN LOK LANE TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE DESIGNATED A TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR TWO DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME. THE EXISTING RESTRICTION FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED SECTION OF HENNESSY' ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRAVELLERS URGED TO OBSERVE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE REQUIREMENTS .................... 1
TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING FULLY COMPUTERISED FROM FEBRUARY 1 ................... 3
YAU TSIM CARNIVAL SPREADS ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE .................................. 4
DB JOINT COMMITTEE ON LRT TO MEET ON TUESDAY ................................... 4
CHARITY DAY ROUNDS OFF CLEANING EXERCISE ON ISLANDS ............................ 5
PRIZES FOR CLEAN AND TIDY HOMES ................................................ 6
DB TO DISCUSS LANGUAGE REPORT .................................................. 7
ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING OF WONG CHU ROAD INTERCHANGE .......................... 7
MEASURES TO REDUCE SMELL OF YUEN LONG NULLAH ................................... 8
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
1 TRAVELLERS URGED TO OBSERVE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE REQUIREMENTS *****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL OVERSEAS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YAER HOLIDAYS NOT TO BRING BACK TO HONG KONG PROHIBITED ITEMS WITHOUT VALID IMPORT LICENCES.
AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR MAN SHU-HUNG, SAID THE IMPORTATION OF PROHIBITED ITEMS INTO THE TERRITORY WAS GOVERNED BY LAW AND LICENCES WERE REQUIRED IN ADVANCE BY THE AUTHOR IT1ES CONCERNED.
PROHIBITED ITEMS INCLUDE NARCOTICS, CERTAIN MEDICINAL DRUGS, ARMS AND AMMUNITION, FIREWORKS, STRATEGIC COMMODITIES, TEXTILES, SOME ANIMALS AND PLANTS, AND MEAT AND POULTRY.
"TRAVELLERS ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IF THEY BRING INTO HONG KONG ANY OF THESE PROHIBITED ITEMS WITHOUT A LICENCE.
"A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE DOES NOT EXEMPT A PERSON FROM BEING PROSECUTED WHEN HE IS CARRYING A PROHIBITED ARTICLE WHICH MIGHT BE A SOUVENIR FOR HIMSELF ONLY," HE SAID.
MR MAN ALSO REMINDED TRAVELLERS TO DECLARE TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS ANY LIQUORS, TOBACCO, CIGARETTES, CIGARS, COSMETICS AND MERCHANDISE IMPORTED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
"LOCAL RESIDENTS, WHO HOLD HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS, ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO BRING IN FREE OF DUTY ONE LITRE OF STILL WINE, 100 CIGARETTES OR 25 CIGARS OR 125 GRAMS OF SMOKERS' TOBACCO, 60 MILLILITRES OF PERFUME AND 250 MILLILITRES OF TOILET WATER," HE SAID.
"PASSENGERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE DO NOT QUALIFY FOR DUTY FREE LIQUOR AND TOBACCO.
"AN INCOMING PASSENGER SHOULD NOTE THAT HE CAN ONLY CARRY HIS OWN DUTY FREE ITEMS AND NOT THOSE OF HIS COMPANIES," HF ADDED. K
Ml? MAN ALSO APPEALED TO TRAVELLERS OOM I NG RACK FROM OVERSEAS NOT TO VIOLATE THE LAW BY BRINGING INTO HONG KONG COUNTERFEIT GOODS THAT THEY BOUGHT IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THESE GOODS INCLUDE WATCHES, LEATHERWARE ITEMS AND SPORTING ITEMS.
NOTICES STATING THE CONCESSION RIGHTS OF TRAVELLERS, ARTICLES REQUIRED TO BE DECLARED TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS, AND ARTICLES REQUIRING IMPORT LICENCES ARE DISPLAYED AT THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE HALLS OF ALL CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS.
COPIES OF A LEAFLET, ’’ADVICE TO TRAVELLERS - PROHIBITED ITEMS”, WHICH INFORMS INCOMING PASSENGERS WHAT THEY CAN OR CANNOT BRING INTO HONG KONG, ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO TELEPHONE THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AT 8523185 FOR INFORMATION.
/THE AMOUNT .......
V
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
- 2 -
THE AMOUNT AND TYPES OF MAJOR ITEMS SEIZED FROM INCOMING PASSENGERS AT VARIOUS CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS LAST FEBRUARY (INCLUDING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD) ARE AS FOLLOWS:
TYPE QUANTITY
CIGARETTES 99,279 PIECES
CIGAR 370 PIECES
TOBACCO 10 KILOGRAMS
ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR 209 LITRES
HARPOON GUNS 6 PIECES
FLICK KNIFE 1 PIECE
FIREWORKS 29 KILOGRAMS
ANIMALS (INCLUDING PARTS) 36 PIECES
GRASSHOPPERS 2,000 PIECES
CRICKETS 68 PIECES
MEALWORM 4 KILOGRAMS
PLANTS 218 PIECES
MAKE-UP PREPARATIONS 74 PIECES
COUNTERFEIT LEATHERWARE ITEMS 461 PIECES
NO. 3 HEROIN 33 GRAMS
CANNABIS 6 GRAMS
METHADONE SOLUTION 24 MILLILITRES
BARBITONE SOLUTION 80 MILLILITRES
GENTAMYCIN SULPHATE 40 MILLILITRES
PROGESTERONE 20 MILLILITRES
PREDNISONE ACETATE 1,000 TABLETS
INDOMETHACIN 1,000 TABLETS
DIAZEPAM 100 TABLETS
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
- 3 -
TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING FULLY COMPUTERISED FROM FEBRUARY 1
*****
THE TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM ADMINISTERED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WILL BE FULLY COMPUTERISED AS FROM FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
’’THE MOVE IS AIMED AT STREAMLINING CURRENT PROCEDURES AND ENHANCING MANAGEMENT INFORMATION,” THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID.
HE REMINDED THE TRADE THAT TO TIE IN WITH THE COMPUTERISATION, IMPORTERS WOULD HAVE TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE BEFORE THEY MIGHT APPLY FOR IMPORT LICENCES.
A REGISTERED IMPORTER WILL BE ALLOCATED A TEXTILES IMPORTER REGISTRATION (TIR) NUMBER WHICH SHOULD BE QUOTED ON ALL APPLICATIONS FOR TEXTILES IMPORT LICENCES AS FROM FEBRUARY 1.
"TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DELAY IN THE PROCESSING OF TEXTILE IMPORT LICENCES, IMPORTERS ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31,” MR CHEUNG SAID.
ALTOGETHER 4,160 TRADERS HAVE ALREADY COME FORWARD FOR REGISTRATION.
DETAILS ON THE COMPUTERISED TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM AND THE TEXTILES IMPORTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM ARE SET OUT IN CIRCULARS ISSUED EARLIER TO THE TRADE BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE IMPORT LICENCE (TEXTILES) FORM 7 HAS BERN REVISED TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR FILLING IN THE TEXTILES IMPORTER REGISTRATION NUMBER.
MR CHEUNG SAID APPLICATIONS FOR TEXTILE IMPORT LICENCES SHOULD ONLY BE MADE ON THE REVISED FORMS ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1.
"AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO ENHANCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION, IMPORTERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPORT ANY SHORT-SHIPMENTS OR NON-UTILISATION OF IMPORT LICENCES.
"ALSO, TO ENSURE THAT LICENSING DATA CAN BE CORRECTLY CAPTURED ON THE COMPUTERISED SYSTEM, ALL LICENCE APPLICATION FORMS SUBMITTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1 WILL HAVE TO BE COMPLETED IN ENGLISH,” HE SAID.
ANY IMPORTER WHO ENCOUNTERS DIFFICULTIES MAY SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SECTION OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 1,211,319 TEXTILE IMPORT LICENCES LAST YEAR, 17.2 PER CENT UP OVER THE 1988 FIGURE.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
- 4
YAU TSIM CARNIVAL SPREADS ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE
*****
A SURVEY OF ROAD CROSSING FACILITIES IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WILL START SHORTLY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT'S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR NG KIN-SUN, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE SURVEY IS BEING SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
PEDESTRIANS USING 20 CROSSINGS THAT ARE TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED.
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE READY IN MARCH. INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE PASSED TO THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR ACTION, MR NG ADDED, WHILE SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL HELD AT THE PIAZZA OF KOWLOON PARK.
AMONG THOSE OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE CHAIRMAN OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (YAU MA TEI), MR LAU YUK-KUEN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR IP KWOK-CHUNG.
HUNDREDS OF YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE CARNIVAL WHICH INCLUDED GAMES STALLS SET UP BY THE POLICE, ROAD SAFETY PATROL TEAMS FROM FOUR SCHOOLS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS A QUIZ ON ROAD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE, SONG AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, A FASHION SHOW, AND A GAME INVOLVING REMOTE-CONTROL MODEL CARS.
A CHILDREN'S DRAWING CONTEST HELD EARLIER IN THE DAY HAI) ABOUT 1,000 PARTICIPANTS.
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DB JOINT COMMITTEE ON LRT TO MEET ON TUESDAY
*****
THE TL'EN MUN - YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICES WILL HOLD ITS FIFTH MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 23).
DURING THE MEETING, TWO MEMBERS WILL ASK FOR THE LATEST FIGURES AND INFORMATION ON ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED AT LRT JUNCTIONS AND MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION.
/A QUESTION .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
A QUESTION CONCERNING THE FREQUENT ACCIDENTS AT THE LEVEL CROSSING ON TSING LUN ROAD WILL ALSO BE RAISED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN - YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LRT SERVICES TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 23) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13 PH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
0 - -
CHARITY DAY ROUNDS OFF CLEANING EXERCISE ON ISLANDS
******
ABOUT 250 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS OF VARIOUS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TOOK PART IN A ('LEANING FOR CHARITY DAY ON CHEUNG ('HAU TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE ACTIVITY, ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ('OMMITTEI AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S CURRENT KEEP HONG KONG ('LEAN CAMPAIGN, WAS AN EXERCISE TO ROUND OFF THE CLEAN-UP FORTNIGHT HELD IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE COMMITTEE ('HA IRMAN, MR KWONG KWOK-KAM, SAID: "EVERY ISLANDER SHOULD TREASURE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT KF ARE LIVING IN AND KEEP IT CLEAN SO THAT IT BECOMES A BETTER PLA( E TO LIVE IN, AND TO ATTRACT TOURISTS.’
HE YLSO URGED VISITORS TO "PITCH TN" WITH THE ISLANDERS IN THEIR KEEP ('LEAN EFFORTS.
THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN WITH A KEEP CLEAN SLOGAN WRITING COMPETITION LAST SUMMER, AND BOOKMARKS BEARING THE WINNING ENTRY WERE PRINTED TO SPREAD THE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE.
IN Till PAST TWO WEEKS, CLEAN-UP EXERCISES WERE: HELD AT THE EIGHT RURAL COMMITTEE AREAS IN THE DISTRICT. THEY WERE ORGANISED IN DIFFERENT FORMS, INCLUDING A CLEAN-UP OF STREETS, FISHING RAFTS AND CREEKS.
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN Illi: CLEAN-UP WERE DIVIDED INTO TEAMS TO PICK UP LITTER ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF CHEUNG CHAU.
THEY WERE SPONSORED BY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHO WILL MAKE DONATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
/LAST YEAR
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
- 6 -
LAST YEAR, A SIMILAR EVENT WAS ORGANISED AND A TOTAL OF $35,000 WAS RAISED.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIN SALKELD, AND ISLANDS DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER, MISS LAU CHAN-YEE, WERE OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY.
------0--------
PRIZES FOR CLEAN AND TIDY HOMES *****
FIFTEEN WINNERS OF THE TSEUNG KWAN O HOME CLEANSING COMPETITION WERE PRESENTED PRIZES AT A CEREMONY TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR KEEPING THEIR HOMES AND CORRIDOR AREAS CLEAN AND TIDY.
THE WINNERS CAME FROM PO LAM AND TSUI LAM ESTATES, YING MING AND KING MING COURTS, AND HONG SING GARDEN.
A TOTAL OF 44 HOUSEHOLDS TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION.
THE PRIZES WERE PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, MR BRIAN LO; CHAIRMAN OF THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR EDWARD PONG; CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN; SENIOR. HOUSING MANAGER (SAI KUNG) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MRS LEUNG PO SIU-TO; AND THE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (SAI KUNG) OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHU WING-WAI.
THE COMPETITION WAS PART OF THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IN THE NEW' TOWN.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDED A CLEAN TSEUNG KWAN O FORTNIGHT AND THE STEPPING UP OF PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST LITTERBUGS BY THE STAFF TEAMS SPECIALLY FORMED UNDER THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO KEEP THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND TO CLEAN UP THEIR HOMES BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP ACTIVITY STARTED ON JANUARY 13 AND WILL LAST UNTIL LUNAR NEU YEAR’S EVE ON JANUARY 26, DURING WHICH THE HOUSING ESTATES WILL PROVIDE EXTRA SPACES FOR COLLECTING JUNK, AND ALSO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLEANING SERVICES.
- - 0---------
)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
DB TO DISCUSS LANGUAGE REPORT t t t * *
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL COMMENT ON A REPORT ON LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES AT THE BOARD'S MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 23).
THE REPORT, COMPILED BY AN INTERNAL WORKING GROUP OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HAS REVIEWED EXISTING LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES AND PROPOSED MEASURES FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT.
THE VICE PRINCIPAL (CHINESE) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, DR LEE HOK-MING, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE REPORT.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 23) AT THE FUNG MING HALL OF WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING OF WONG ('HU ROAD INTERCHANGE
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL RE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 23) FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF WONG CHU ROAD INTERCHANGE IN THEN MUN.
THE UNNAMED LINK ROAD IBA AND WONG CHU ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO 1 TRAFFIC.
ALL LEARNER DRIVERS, CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF DI 1 NORTH OF ROAD 16C.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING BETWEEN WONG CHU ROAD AND AREA 16 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD DI 1 AND ROAD IBC.
KMB ROUTES 60M, 60X, 61X AND 62X AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 47S WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA WONG CHU ROAD, ROAD Dll, ROAD ROAD 16C, ROAD 1BE AND ROAD IBA ON JOURNEYS FROM TSUEN WAN.
THESE SERVICES AND KMB ROUTE 59S WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA ROAD 16A, ROAD I BE, ROAD I6C, ROAD Dll AND WONG CHU ROAD ON .JOURNEYS TO TSUEN WAN.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1990
- 8 -
MEASURES TO REDUCE SMELL OF YUEN LONG NULLAH
******
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT MEASURES TO REDUCE THE FOUL SMELL OF YUEN LONG NULLAH AND TO CONSTRUCT A PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE BRIDGE LINKING LONG PING ESTATE AND YEUNG UK, YUEN LONG.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE KILOMETRES OF DRY-WEATHER FLOW CHANNELS AND CONCRETE LINING OF THE NULLAHS, AN INFLATABLE DAM TO PREVENT POLLUTED TIDAL WATERS GUSHING INTO YUEN LONG FROM DEEP BAY, A PUMPING STATION AND TREATMENT OF EXISTING NULLAH WALLS INCLUDING CLEANING AND BRUSHING.
THE MEASURES WILL REDUCE BOTH THE SMELL AND THE VISUAL IMPACT OF THE YUEN LONG NULLAHS IN THE INTERIM PERIOD PENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL PROGRAMME.
ALSO, A 150-METRE LONG, EIGHT-METRE-WI DE PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE BRIDGE LINKING LONG PING ESTATE AND YEUNG UK, AND ASSOCIATED ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS, WILL BF. CONSTRUCTED.
THIS WILL ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE AN EXCLUSIVE GRADESEPARATED SYSTEM FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS FROM THE NORTHWESTERN PORTION OF YUEN LONG TOWN THROUGH THE LONG PING ESTATE TO YEUNG UK.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 23.
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS MARINE POLICE DIVISION ................................. j SPECIAL CHECK-IN FACILITIES AT AIRPORT FOR NEW YEAR .................... 2 GROWING TRADE LINKS WITH CALIFORNIA .................................... 3 BOE MEMBERS VISIT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ........................ 4 HK CELEBRATES CUSTOMS DAY .............................................. 5 SIZE CRITERIA FOR BANKING LICENCE APPLICANTS ........................... 5 'FAI-CHUNS' PUBLICISE DB MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME ........................ 6 ENVIRONMENT PROBLEM ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ............................. 7 LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME FOR TAI PO..................................... 7 SPEECH CONTEST TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION .............................. 8 DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CIVIC CENTRES SURVEY REPORT .................... 8 ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS ....................................... 9 HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE ................................................. 9 IMPROVED TV RECEPTION FOR TAI PO TSAI VILLAGERS ........................ 10 TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICES ON MOVE ....................................... 10 DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ............................................... H
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................... ’ n LEFT-TURN BAN IN KWUN TONG..............................................'............................................. 11 TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO .................................... 11
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
1
GOVERNOR VISITS MARINE POLICE DIVISION *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED ONE OF THE MARINE POLICE REGION’S BUSY DIVISIONS AND ITS TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT IN ABERDEEN.
SIR DAVID, VISITING THE SOUTH DIVISION AT SHUM WAN, WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR NICK SWAIN. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE DIVISION SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF ITS TIME AND EFFORT IN INTERCEPTING, PROCESSING, DOCUMENTING AND ESCORTING SOME 24,300 OF THE TOTAL INFLUX OF OVER 34,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
MR SWAIN EXPLAINED THE WORK OF THE DIVISION IN MANNING AND RUNNING VBP CAMPS AT TAI A CHAU AND SHEK KWU CHAU, AND IN PROVIDING LOGISTIC SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPS RUN BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT HET LING CHAU AND CHI MA WAN. SIR DAVID COMMENDED THE POLICE, THE OTHER DISCIPLINED AND AUXILIARY SERVICES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED FOR THE ENORMOUS EFFORTS THEY HAD MADE IN COPING WITH THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE THAT HONG KONG HAD FACED IN 1989.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON OTHER AREAS OF WORK OF THE DIVISION INCLUDING THE APPREHENSION OF VESSELS ENGAGED IN SMUGGLING FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, CASUALTY EVACUATION, SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF MARITIME LEGISLATION.
SIR DAVID LATER BOARDED THE POLICE LAUNCH "SEA HORSE" WHICH SERVES AS A FLOATING DIVISIONAL COMMAND CENTRE. IN THE WEST LAMMA CHANNEL, HE SAW A DEMONSTRATION IN WHICH COMPUTER-ASSISTED RADAR WAS USED TO TRACK A TARGET, WITH "COURSE AND SPEED TO INTERCEPT" DATA BEING QUICKLY RELAYED TO SMALL BOAT UNIT PURSUIT CRAFT OPERATING IN THE AREA.
EARLIER, SIR DAVID, ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA AND THE REGIONAL COMMANDER MARINE, MR JOHN MACDONALD, VISITED THE MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT ABOUT 170 COURSES ARE HELD ANNUALLY COVERING NAVIGATION AND SEAMANSHIP, ENGINEERING, RADAR, SEARCH AND RESCUE AND COMMUNICATIONS; AND THAT MORE THAN 2,000 OFFICERS WOULD HAVE ATTENDED COURSES OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL BY MARCH 1990.
SIR DAVID CONCLUDED HIS AFTERNOON’S VISIT WITH A RETURN TRIP ON BOARD A MARK III DAMEN, ONE OF THE 15 LAUNCHES OF THIS CLASS WHICH FORM THE BACKBONE OF THE MARINE POLICE FLEET.
/2 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
- 2 -
SPECIAL CHECK-IN FACILITIES AT AIRPORT FOR NEW YEAR ******
A SPECIAL PASSENGER CHECK-IN AREA WILL BE SET UP AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR CHINA-BOUND TRAVELLERS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT (CAD) SAID THE SPECIAL CHECK-IN AREA WOULD BE LOCATED AT THE WESTERN END (NEAR TO KWA WAN) OF THE DEPARTURES HALL OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING.
IT WOULD BE IN OPERATION FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 24) UNTIL WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 31).
"THIS FACILITY IS PART OF A NUMBER OF MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO AID THE LARGE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS EXPECTED TO LEAVE FOR CHINA DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD," HE SAID.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA (CAAC) WILL OPERATE OVER 170 ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS WHILE OTHER AIRLINES WILL OPERATE ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS ABROAD DURING THE HOLIDAY.
THE BUSIEST DAY WILL BE ON THE LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE (FRIDAY) WHEN 47 EXTRA OUT-BOUND FLIGHTS CARRYING OVER 8,000 PASSENGERS WILL BE OPERATED.
"FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE DEPARTING PASSENGERS, CAD WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO PUT UP DIRECTIONAL BANNERS AT PROMINENT POINTS ADVISING PASSENGERS OF THEIR FLIGHT NUMBERS AND THE CHECK-IN COUNTERS.
"IN ADDITION, PERIODICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BI MADE THROUGH THE AIRPORT PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM ADVISING PASSENGERS TO PROCEED TO IMMIGRATION CONTROLS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEANWHILE, TAXI OPERATORS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO USE THE WESTERN END OF THE DEPARTURES KERBSIDE FOR OFF-LOADING PASSENGERS BOUND FOR CHINA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD HELP TO ENSURE A SMOOTH FLOW OF PASSENGERS AND BAGGAGE THROUGH THE TERMINAL BUILDING.
HE ALSO URGED PASSENGERS TO FOLLOW A FEW SIMPLE RULES TO EASE CONGESTION AT THE AIRPORT:
DEPARTING PASSENGERS SHOULD ARRIVE EARLY AT THE AIRPORT, AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORF THE STATED DEPARTURE TIME, FOR CHECK I NG-IN;
PASSENGERS SHOULD PROCEED TO IMMIGRATION CONTROLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHECK I NG-I N TO ENSURE THAT THEY' BOARD THEIR FLIGHTS IN TIME;
- PASSENGERS SHOULD ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
- 3
- PASSENGERS SHOULD USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT INSTEAD OF PRIVATE CARS FOR TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT. ALSO, CONSTRUCTION WORK TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACE IN THE MULTI-STOREY 'CARPARK HAS CAUSED A TEMPORARY REDUCTION IN AIRPORT CAR PARKING CAPACITY;
- TO AVOID CONGESTION, PASSENGERS SHOULD DISCOURAGE THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES FROM TRAVELLING TO THE AIRPORT TO BID THEM FAREWELL;
- USE THE NEW FLYOVER FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS ROUTE TO THE PASSENGER TERMINAL; AND
- ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT, TRAVELLERS SHOULD LOOK FOR SIGNS INDICATING FLIGHT NUMBERS AND CHECK-IN AREAS.
--------0------------
GROWING TRADE LINKS WITH CALIFORNIA
*****
HONG KONG IS EQUIPPED WITH EXCELLENT TRADE, TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION LINKS WITH ALL THE COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WITHIN THE ASIAN PACIFIC REGION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA’S SOUTHEAST ASIAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE IN HONG KONG, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG’S UNIQUE ROLE AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA WOULD BE OF IMMENSE HELP TO CALIFORNIAN BUSINESSMEN NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
MR CHAN SAID THE TRADE, INVESTMENT, SOCIAL AND OTHER TIES BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND HONG KONG WERE MANY AND LONGSTANDING.
"THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, IN ITS OWN RIGHT, IS HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST EXPORT MARKET. HONG KONG INVESTMENTS IN CALIFORNIA, PARTICULARLY THE BAY AREA, HAVE ATTRACTED A FAIR AMOUNT OF PUBLICITY. THERE ARE FOUR TO FIVE THOUSAND HONG KONG STUDENTS BEING EDUCATED IN CALIFORNIA," HE SAID.
IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, MR CHAN SAID, HONG KONG WAS A MAJOR MARKET — AND A TOTALLY OPEN MARKET -- FOR CALIFORNIAN EXPORTS OF A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING RESINS AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS, DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT, COMPUTER PARTS AND COMPONENTS AND FRESH FRUIT.
"THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AND GROWING AMERICAN PRESENCE IN HONG KONG, WITH OVER 900 U.S. CORPORATIONS AND SOME 18,000 U.S. CITIZENS, MANY FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA," HE SAID.
/MR CHAN .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
4
MR CHAN SAID THESE WERE JUST A FEW INDICATORS OF THE CLOSE TIES WHICH ALREADY EXISTED BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND HONG KONG AND PROVIDED A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE NEW TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE. ’’MUCH MORE CAN BE BUILT UPON THAT FOUNDATION,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ALREADY VERY GOOD PORT, AIRPORT AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THESE WOULD GIVE RISE TO INCREASING TRADE, FINANCING AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
"WE WELCOME AMERICAN COMPANIES, AND INDEED COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, TO BE OUR PARTNERS IN THIS AMBITIOUS UNDERTAKING,” HE SAI D.
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA’S SOUTHEAST ASIAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE IN HONG KONG HAS BREN SET UP TO PROMOTE TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN ASIA AND CALIFORNIA AND TO SERVE AS AN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA TO ALL OF THE INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.
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BOE MEMBERS VISIT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ******
A TOTAL OF 5,364 KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY TEACHERS
ATTENDED COURSES RUN BY THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION SINCE
HAVE 1983.
OF THESE, 1,665 WERE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AND 3,699 WERE PRIMARY TEACHERS.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WERE TOLD THIS WHEN THEY VISITED THE ARGYLE ANNEXE OF THE COLLEGE ’I’ll IS (MONDAY) MORNING. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER EDUCATION), MRS RUBY LAU.
THE VISITORS WERE XLSO TOLD THAT COURSES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS COMPRI SU) A TWO-YEAR. PART-TIME DAY RELEASE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE AND A 12-WEEK PART-TIME IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE.
THE TWO-YEAR (’CURSE IS FOR TEACHERS WITH AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE. PART ICI PANTS ARE REQU I RED TO ATTEND TWO THREE-HOUR SESSIONS PER WEEK.
ITS AIM IS TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PRI-SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE CURRICULUM AREAS IN PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION AND THE BASK SKILLS FOR TEACHING KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN.
A FIVE-WEEK RETRAINING COURSE FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS WAS IMPLEMENTED LAST NOVEMBER TO ACQUAINT SERVING TEACHERS WITH MODERN METHODS AND APPROACHES, TO PROMOTE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING IN USING RESOURCES AND TO INTRODUCE NEW CONCEPTS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
/THIS COURSE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
5
THIS COURSE IS FOR TEACHERS WITH AT EXPERIENCE AFTER THEIR INITIAL TRAINING.
THE PARTY WHO TOURED THE ANNEXE INCLUDED CHAIRMAN. MR TIMOTHY HA, AND MEMBERS MR CHAN BRIAN COOKE, MRS MINNIE LAI, MS SO VAN-LAP, MRS SANSAN (HING.
LEAST FIVE YEARS OF
THE COMMITTEE’S NEW
YING-LUN. PROFESSOR
NANCY YUNG, AND MS
-----0------
HK CELEBRATES CUSTOMS DAY
*****
HONG KONG, AS AN INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION IN CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL (CCCI SINCE 1987. CELEBRATED INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY TODAY (MONDAY).
THE
THE
TO MARK THE OCCASION, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, THIS EVENING HOSTED A COCKTAIL RECEPTION WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 200 GUESTS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OMELCO MEMBERS. CONSULS-GENERAL AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF NON-GOVERNMENT ORGAN I SAT IONS.
Till- CCC. NOW WITH 104 MEMBER ADMINISTRATIONS, WAS SET UP IN 1953 WITH A MUTUAL GOAL OF PROMOTING CO-OPERATION, HARMONY AND UNIFORMITY, AND CIRCULATION OF I NT ORM AT I ON AMONG IT’S MEMBERS .
Till CELEBRATION Ol Till INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY SERVES AS A MEANS OF PROMOTING CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION IN THE INTERESTS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADI . AND IS ALSO INTENDED TO FORGE CLOSE LINKS AMONG CUSTOMS OFFICIALS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS.
THIS WAS THE THIRD II ME HONG KONG CELEBRATED THE INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAA SINCE BECOMING AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER. OF THE CCC IN JULY 1 98 7 .
---------0-----------
SI 71 (RI'I I RIA FOR BANKING LICENCE APPLICANTS
******
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SIZE 1 h I I IRI A LOR BANKING LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR FOREIGN BANKS AND LO( ALLA INCORPORATED COMPANIES ARI TO REMAIN UNCHANGED.
Illi SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT A PPL I ('AT I ONS FOR BANKING LICENCES ARI JUDGED AGAINST (JRTAIN SPECIFIED CRITERIA, ONI- OF WHICH IS SIZE 1EASIRED HA IOIAL ASSETS I LESS CONTRA ITEMS) FOR FOREIGN APPLKANI’S, AND TOTAL ASSET'S (LISS CONTRA ITEMS) AND DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR LOCAL APPLICANTS.
/THE SIZE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
- 6 -
THE SIZE CRITERIA FOR BOTH FOREIGN AND LOCAL APPLICANTS ARE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW.
"THE 1989 REVIEW HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO CHANGE TO THE SIZE CRITERIA," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TOTAL ASSETS THRESHOLD REMAINS AT US$14 BILLION FOR FOREIGN APPLICANTS. FOR LOCAL APPLICANTS, THE SIZE CRITERIA REMAIN AT HK$2,500 MILLION FOR TOTAL ASSETS AND AT HK$l,750 MILLION FOR DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC.
--------0-----------
’FAI-CHUNS’ PUBLICISE DB MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME »*»»»*
SPRING SCROLLS OR "FAI-CHUNS" TO PUBLICISE THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TN THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
PREPARED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE "FAI-CHUNS" SERVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF BEING A USEFUL ITEM FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR DECORATIONS AND REMINDING RESIDENTS TO MAKE FULLER USE OF THE MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME.
THEY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, THE SHA TAU KOK COMMUNITY HALL, THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI, AND FROM THE THREE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING, IN SAN FUNG AVENUE, AND IN TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI.
SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN FEBRUARY 1983, THE MEET-THE-PUBLIC SCHEME OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD HAS BECOME A CHANNEL FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND BOARD MEMBERS.
EVERY THURSDAY, FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, TWO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ANSWER RESIDENTS’ QUERIES, RECEIVE COMPLAINTS, ■ HEAR SUGGESTIONS AND OFFER ASSISTANCE AT THE MEMBERS' INTERVIEW ROOM AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
DURING 1989, NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 66 CASES, OF WHICH 33 CASES WERE RESOLVED.
THESE CASES MAINLY RELATED TO MATTERS SUCH AS HOUSING, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENT, LAND, AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO MEET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MAY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BY TELEPHONING 6758041.
- - 0---------
/7........
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
- 7 -
ENVIRONMENT PROBLEM ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF NOISE NUISANCE AT THE SAI WAN HO TEMPORARY COOKED FOOD MARKET AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
RECENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS THAT COOKED FOOD STALLS IN THE MARKET WERE CAUSING DISTURBANCE TO NEARBY RESIDENTS AT NIGHT.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER SUBSTANDARD SIGNBOARDS INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, AND CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT A TRAIL FOR MORNING WALKERS BESIDE THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR IN CHAI WAN.
A BRIEF CEREMONY WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE MEETING TO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A DRAWING COMPETITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0-------
LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME FOR TAI PO *****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME STARTED TONIGHT (MONDAY) WITH A VARIETY SHOW WHICH INCLUDED SINGING AND ACROBATIC ACTS .
THE 20-DAY PROGRAMME WILL PROVIDE 21 RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THE DISTRICT’S FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE..
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS YIU, SAID HE HOPED THAT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME, RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND INTEREST IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WERE THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG; CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG NORTH RURAL COMMITTEE, MR TANG KWONG-WING; AND TAI PO DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR S.P. CORR1CK.
MEANWHILE, DECORATIVE LIGHTINGS SET UP AT LAM TSUEN RIVER TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WERE SWITCHED ON LAST WEEK.
0
/8 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
8
SPEECH CONTEST TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION ******
THE SHAM SHU] PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE SHAM SHUT PO SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE ARE ORGANISING A SPEECH CONTEST TO MARK THE TERRITORY-WIDE ’’CIVIC EDUCATION DAY" ON FEBRUARY 25.
THE CONTEST ALSO AIMS AT ENHANCING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE CONTEST, WHICH IS OPEN TO ALL THOSE WHO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN THE DISTRICT, IS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY, JUNIOR SECONDARY (FORMS ONE TO THREE), SENIOR SECONDARY (FORMS FOUR TO SEVEN), AND OPEN SECTIONS.
THE TOPIC FOR THE PRIMARY SECTION IS "A GOOD CITIZEN" AND THOSE FOR THE SECONDARY AND THE OPEN SECTIONS ARE "CARE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, WORK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY" AND "HONG KONG NEEDS YOU AND THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS" RESPECTIVELY.
SPEECHES FOR THE PRIMARY SECTION SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES AND THOSE FOR Till OTHER SECTIONS TO FIVE MINUTES.
THE PRELIMINARY ROUND IS SCHEDULED FOR. FEBRUARY 17 AND THE FINAL FOR FEBRUARY 25.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHU.I PO DISTRICT OFFICE, AT 37 TONKIN STREET, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 9. ENQUIRIES ON DETAILS CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 7295334.
------0--------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CIVIC CENTRES SURVEY REPORT ******
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A SURVEY REPORT ON CIVIC CENTRES IN KWUN TONG AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY A PROGRESS REPORT ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
/9 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
9
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS * * t »
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE FOLLOWING'EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO HAVE HELD MACAU IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 14, 1979 FOR SEVEN YEARS MAY APPLY FOR ENTRY TO HONG KONG:
* HUSBANDS/WIVES (TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN) TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENTS SPOUSE IN HONG KONG; AND
* AGED PARENTS/DEPENDENT CHILDREN TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT CHILDREN/PARENTS IN HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED BY THE HONG KONG SPONSORS IN PERSON TO THE ENTRY VISA SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE SPONSOR’S STAY IN HONG KONG MUST NOT BE LIMITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
MEMBERS OF Till': PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ENTRY SCHEME MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON TEL. 8246111.
- - 0 - -
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE * t * *
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S EVE (FRIDAY, JANUARY 26) AND ON THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR (MONDAY, JANUARY 29).
THE CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 27 AND 28 (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY).
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SBAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE, YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC IN KOWLOON; SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
- - 0 - -
Z10
MONDAY. JANUARY 22, 1990
- 10 -
IMPROVED TV RECI'PTION EOR TAI PO TSAI VILLAGERS t * f t K t
TELEVISION RECEPTION IN TAI PO TSAI VILLAGE HAS BECOME MUCH CLEARER FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF A TEMPORARY REBROADCASTING SYSTEM EARLY THIS (JANUARY) MONTH, i • • . » V
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE NEW SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED AT TV CITY OF TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL TV USERS IN TAI PO TSAI SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE OFF AIR TELEVISION SIGNALS FROM THE NEW ACTIVE DEFLECTOR SYSTEM.
HE SAID THE REBROADCASTING CHANNELS WERE CHANNELS 48, 50, 52
AND 54, WHICH WERE DIFFERENT FROM THE CHANNELS TRANSMITTED PREVIOUSLY BY THE TELEVISION REPEATER STATION AT THE HILLTOP OF RAZOR HILL.
FOR GOOD RECEPTION, THE VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO TUNE THE RECEIVERS TO THE CORRECT CHANNELS AND MOUNT THE RECEIVING ANTENNAE IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION POINTING TO THE DIRECTION OF TV CITY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING COMPANIES WERE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT TELEVISION TRANSPOSER STATION FOR USERS IN TAI PO TSAI AND THE NEIGHBOURING AREAS WITHIN THIS YEAR.
------0--------
TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICES ON MOVE * * * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES IN ARGYLE CENTRE, TOWER II, IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MRS REGINA IP, SAID ALL THE OFFICES AND COUNTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING^ THE RECEIPT AND ISSUE COUNTERS FOR LICENCES, CERTIFICATES AND RELATED .APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT OCEAN CENTRE WILL MOVE TO THE NEW ACCOMMODATION.
“THE NEW PREMISES AT ARGYLE CENTRE, WHICH IS LOCATED ABOVE THE MONG KOK MTR STATION, WILL BE MORE CONVENIENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE TO USE THE SERVICES OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT,” SHE SAID.
THE NEW PREMISES WILL BE READY FOR BUSINESS ON AUGUST 28.
/Il .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1990
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED t t t
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF BENEFICIAL FINANCE (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (MONDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE t * ♦ * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 39.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 230.406 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 224.336 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 38.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
LEFT-TURN BAN IN KWUN TONG t t * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE LEFT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM HOI YUEN ROAD SOUTHBOUND ONTO III NG VIP STREET IN KWUN TONG HAS BREN BANNED DUE TO A WATERMAIN BURST.
Till LEFT-TURN BAN WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL AROUND JANUARY 26 (FRIDAY) TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORKS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HOI YUEN ROAD, WAI YIP STREET, KING YIP STREET AND HING YIP STREET.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHAM SHU I PO ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
rill- TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM
ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 24), TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE RESUMED ON THE SECTION OF SAI YEUNG (HOI STREET NORTH BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND POPLAR. STREET, UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE LAYING OF WATER PIPES.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC’ SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR HOPES DRAFTERS WOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF HK'S VIEWS ....................... 1
GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $466M ....................................................... 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED .................................. 2
SECOND BRIDGE AT LOK MA CHAU CROSSING........................................... 5
HK CONTINUES TO BE RESILIENT, ADAPTABLE ........................................ 6
EXPANSION AND REMOVAL OF IMMIGRATION OFFICES ................................... 7
RETAILERS, HAWKER FINED FOR USING INACCURATE INSTRUMENTS ....................... 8
45 PASS LICENTIATE EXAMINATION ................................................ 10
FESTIVE LIGHTS TO HERALD YEAR OF THE HORSE..................................... 10
LANGUAGE LABORATORY TO OPEN AT CSD INSTITUTION ................................ 11
STUDENT SINGING CONTEST IN SSP ................................................. H
TAI PO ROAD WIDENED............................................................ 12
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES ............................ 12
LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS ....................... 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR FAIR IN SAN PO KONG................................... 16
NEW AIRPORT BUS SERVICE TO MONG KOK ........................................... 17
PLB BAN ZONES, URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL ...................................... 17
LEFT-TURN BAN IN SHAM SHUI PO TO BE LIFTED..................................... 18
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEUNG WAN TO BE CLOSED.................................. 18
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 1 -
GOVERNOR HOPES DRAFTERS WOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF HK ’ S VIEWS
*******
THF. GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THAT HE HOPED WHEN THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE HOLDS ITS PLENARY SESSION IN FEBRUARY, THE DRAFTERS WOULD TAKE ACCOUNT TO THE VIEWS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED STRONGLY IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER. TODAY’S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN FOLLOWING THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING PROCESS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST.
"THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THE UPSHOT SO FAR OF THE DRAFTING ON THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT TO MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
"BUT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON IS AFTER ALL A SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING AND THERE WILL BE A PLENARY SESSION OF THF. DRAFTING COMMITTEE IN FEBRUARY," HE SAID.
-----0-----
GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $466M
*****
FOUR PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A TODAY (TUESDAY).
TOTAL OF $466 PUBLIC AUCTION
TOPPING THE LIST IS A LOT AT WANG HOI ROAD, KOWLOON BAY, WHICH WAS BOUGHT BY SOLANA LIMITED FOR $238 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $200 MILLION.
THE LOT IS FOR NON-INDUSTR1AL (EXCLUDING RESIDENI1AL, HOTEL, CINEMA AND GODOWN) PURPOSES AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,941 SQUARE METRES.
THE SECOND LOT IS A GODOWN SITE LOCATED IN MAN LOK STREET, HUNG HOM, 'AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,220 SQUARE METRES. IT WAS SOLD AT THE OFFSET PRICE OF $200 MILLION TO VIEW SUCCESS INVESTMENTS LIMITED.
TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN 2,382 SQUARE METRES. IT IS PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED IN TUNG LONG, WHICH COVERS AN AREA 01 ABOUT DESIGNATED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN
TRAD!'.
THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY' CH INTA REALTY' LIMITED AT THE OFFSET PRICE OF $20 MILLION.
/THE FOURTH
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 2 -
THE FOURTH LOT IS A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE LOCATED LN SHA HA, SAI KUNG, WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,282 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $5 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY MAIN CONCEPT LIMITED FOR $8 MILLION.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR TIM MILLS.
MR MILLS SAID HE WAS REASONABLY SATISFIED WITH
THE PRICES.
----------------------0------- CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED ♦ » * t * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1989.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR DECEMBER 1989 WERE 133.5 AND 133.3 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 9.7 PER CENT AND 9.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER DECEMBER 1988.
THESE RATES OF INCREASE WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE RECORDED FOR NOVEMBER 1989, BUT WERE LOWER THAN THOSE RECORDED FOR THE SIX MONTHS PRECEDING NOVEMBER.
COMPARING DECEMBER WITH NOVEMBER 1989, THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1989, AT 129.4 AND 129.0 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 10.1 PER CENT AND 9.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1988.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT RATE OF 0.6 PER CENT PER MONTH.
1989, THE
AN AVERAGE
THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984-85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPl(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
/CHANGES IN .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
3
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1989 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989 AND DECEMBER 1988, ARE GIVEN BELOW. .
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR DEC.89 % CHANGE OVER NOV.89 % CHANGE OVER DEC.88 INDEX % FOR DEC.89 CHANGE % OVER NOV.89 CHANGE OVER DEC.88
FOODSTUFFS 133.8 ♦ 0.3 + 1 1.2 135.6 + 0.4 + 11.7
HOUSING 125.5 + 0.5 + 7.1 120.2 + 0.5 + 6.3
FUEL AND LIGHT 98.2 + 1 .7 + 5.8 98.2 + 1 .6 + 5.1
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 141.8 + 6.0 + 13.0 142.5 + 5.5 + 12.7
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 141.5 + 0.8 + 6.7 144 . 1 + 0.6 + 6.5
DURABLE GOODS 122.9 -0.0» + 2.5 121.8 -0.1 +2.2
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 136.2 + 1.0 + 4.0 135.9 + 1.0 + 4.5
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 139.6 + 0.0* + 14.1 138.8 + 0. 1 + 13.9
SERVICES 151.1 + 0.6 + 13.3 151.0 + 1.0 + 13.2
ALL ITEMS 133.5 + 0.6 + 9.7 133.3 + 0.6 + 9.5
* LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS AND BY 0.4 PER. CENT IN CPI(B). T THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT IN CPI(A) HIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES
AND IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT AND LIVE POULTRY, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES.
/THE INDEX ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 4
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.6 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER .CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY AND TOWNGAS AND THE FULL EFFECT OF THE INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF KEROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 6.0 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 5.5 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF MEN’S AND CHILDREN’S OUTER CLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF JEWELLERY.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR PACKAGE TOURS AND ADMISSION TO NIGHT CLUBS AND DISCOTHEQUES AROUND THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
ALL FIGURES REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR DECEMBER 1989, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.50 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 142.1 IN DECEMBER 1989, UP BY 0.7 PER CENT OVER NOVEMBER 1989 AND UP BY 11.1 PER CENT OVER DECEMBER 1988.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $10,000-J24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984-85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT. OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/5 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 5 -
SECOND BRIDGE AT LOK MA CHAU CROSSING *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND BRIDGE OVER SHAM CHUN RIVER AT LOK MA CHAU AND ROAD WIDENING WORKS FOR A SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO SAN TIN.
THE S110 MILLION CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/NEW TERRITORIES, MR KWONG HON-SANG AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANKI KIER LIMITED, MR J.L. HOLLAND.
MR KWONG SAID THE STAGE I OF THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER LINK PROJECT, WHICH COMPRISED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1.8-KILOMETRE DUAL-TWO-LANE HIGHWAY TOGETHER WITH A BRIDGE OVER SHAM CHUN RIVER CARRYING TWO TRAFFIC LANES, HAD BEEN OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN DECEMBER.
TO CATER FOR THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC, A SECOND BRIDGE CARRYING TWO ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC LANES WOULD BE BUILT ADJACENT TO THE FIRST BRIDGE.
UPON ITS COMPLETION, A DUAL-TWO-LANE ROAD LINK WOULD BE PROVIDED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN AT LOK MA CHAU.
UNDER THE SAME CONTRACT, A SECTION OF NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO SAN TIN WILL BE WIDENED.
MR KWONG NOTED THAT THE 12-KILOMETRE-LONG NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD FROM AU TAU TO FAN KAM ROAD WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN FOUR PHASES.
PHASE 1 FROM PAR SHEK AU TO FAN KAM ROAD AND PHASE 2 FROM MAI PO TO PAK SHEK AU WERE OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN APRIL 1987 AND DECEMBER 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
PHASE 3 (FAIRVIEW PARK TO MAI PO) FAIRVIEW PARK) WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND RESPECTIVELY.
AND PHASE 4 (AU TAU TO AND WERE EXPECTED TO BE THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR
THE ROAD WAS DESIGNED AS A DUAL-TWO-LANF, HIGHWAY WITH PROVISION FOR FUTURE EXPANSION TO DUAL-THREE-LANE.
"TO CATER FOR THE FUTURE TRAFFIC GROWTH ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER LINK, IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT THE WIDENING WORKS SO THAT A DUAL-THREE-LANE HIGHWAY WOULD BE PROVIDED BETWEEN AU TAU AND SHEUNG SHUI IN 1991," MR KWONG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS INCLUDED A FOOTBRIDGE NEAR SHEK WU WAI VILLAGE AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT CHAU TAU, MAI PO, HA SAN WAI AND POK WAI VILLAGES.
WORKS WOULD COMMENCE IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AND BE DUE FOR COMPLETION IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED HY BINNIE CONSULTANT LIMITED, WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES AND HARRIS AND SUTHERLAND (FAR EAST) FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
/6.........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
HK CONTINUES TO BE RESILIENT, ADAPTABLE * * * * *
HONG KONG CONTINUES TO SHOW ITS "IMPRESSIVE RECORD OF RESILIENCE AND ADAPTABILITY", THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID IN CANADA TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN A SPEECH ENTITLED "THE EVER SHINING PEARL OF THE ORIENT" TO THE MANDARIN CLUB OF TORONTO, MR LAN SAID THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS SERVED TO ILLUSTRATE THE TERRITORY’S ABILITY OF TIDING OVER ADVERSITIES:
* IN JULY LAST YEAR, A SITE IN CENTRAL WAS BOUGHT BY A COMPANY FOR US$350 MILLION;
* SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS ARRANGED A SYNDICATED LOAN FOR US$1.35 BILLION. THE SYNDICATE INCLUDED U.S. JAPANESE AND LOCAL INTERESTS, AND THE LOAN PERIOD EXTENDS BEYOND 1997; AND
* ON AUGUST 1, THE GOVERNMENT LET THE FRANCHISE FOR THE WORLD’S BIGGEST CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM TO A CONSORTIUM FORMED BY U.S., BELGIUM AND LOCAL INTERESTS. THE CONSORTIUM HAS PLEDGED US$700 MILLION TOWARDS COMPLETION OF THIS MASSIVE PROJECT.
"THESE ARE THE DECISIONS OF RATIONAL, PRUDENT BUSINESSMEN. IT IS CLEAR THAT THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG’S DYNAMIC ECONOMY WILL BE CARRIED THROUGH INTO THE 21ST CENTURY," MR LAN SAID.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT FOUR YEARS AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, HONG KONG REMAINED A "THRIVING BUSINESS HUB" IN THE ASIAN PACIFIC RIM.
"THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES THE BLUEPRINT FOR OUR FUTURE. MUCH DETAILED WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE. BUT WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED SO FAR HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING," HE NOTED.
IN 1988, HONG KONG’S PER CAPITA GDP HAD REACHED US$9,600, SECOND ONLY TO JAPAN TN EAST ASIA, HE ADDED.
MR LAN ALSO SAID THAT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND CAPITAL CONTINUE TO GROW.
THERE HAD BEEN INCREASES TN THE NUMBER OF WESTERN CORPORATIONS SETTING UP OFFICES TN HONG KONG, AND INTERNATIONAL BANKS HAD ALSO
SHOWN KEEN INTEREST IN SETTING UP BRANCHES LN THE TERRITORY.
"SOME 75 PER CENT OF THE TOP 100 BANKS IN THE WORLD ARE
ALREADY IN HONG KONG.
"ALTHOUGH WE ALREADY HAVE 166 LICENSED BANKS, OF WHICH 134 ARE
FROM OVERSEAS, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO LACK OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF
POTENTIAL NEWCOMERS.
/"ELEVEN LICENCES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
"ELEVEN LICENCES HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO FOREIGN BANKS LAST YEAR, SEVEN OF THEM SINCE JUNE," MR LAN SAID.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS ALSO MAKING SUBSTANTIAL INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
THESE INCLUDED THE $3 BILLION EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE $2 BILLION TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND THE $7.5 BILLION CONTAINER TERMINAL 7.
"THESE ARE LARGE INVESTMENT PROJECTS BY ANY STANDARD AND ILLUSTRATE THE LONG-TERM CONFIDENCE OF THE FOREIGN INVESTORS IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG," MR LAN SAID.
EXPANSION AND REMOVAL OF IMMIGRATION OFFICES t » * t t *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE WEST KOWLOON RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE AT FIRST FLOOR, 789 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON WILL BE RENAMED THE WEST KOWLOON OFFICE FROM FEBRUARY 5.
"FROM THAT DAY, THE OFFICE WILL ALSO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH PASSPORTS, HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY, EXTENSIONS OF STAY, RE-ENTRY VISAS AND OTHER IMMIGRATION FACILITIES IN ADDITION TO PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ALSO FROM FEBRUARY 5, THE MACAU VISIT PERMIT OFFICE CURRENTLY SITUATED AT SECOND FLOOR, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY AND THE CROSS BORDER PERMIT OFFICE AT SECOND FLOOR, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO THE NEW IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS AT 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WANCHA1 TOWER II, HONG KONG.
"FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL 8246111," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------0-----------
/8........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
8
RETAILERS, HAWKER LINED FOR USING INACCURATE INSTRUMENTS
»*»»*»*
A POULTRY RETAILER, A MOBILE HAWKER AND TWO ROAST MEAT RETAILERS HAVE BEEN FINED A TOTAL OF $11,500 FOR USING INACCURATE WE 1GHI NG 1NSTRUMENTS.
THEY HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO JANUARY 1 LAST YEAR.
DEPARTMENT
EFFECT ON
THE FOUR DEFENDANTS ARE WONG TONG-MING COMPANY; YIU HON-PING OF CHUI YIU ROASTED MOBILE HAWKER SELLING FRUIT; AND HO KWAI-MUI
MEAT STALL.
AT THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY, WONG CHARGE ON JANUARY 19 AND WAS FINED $3,000.
OF TAI SANG LUNG MEAT
MEAT; LEE SHU-KWAN, A
OF HO CHUN KEE ROAST
TONG-MING ADMITTED THE
THE COURT HEARD THAT OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, ACTING ON COMPLAINT, CARRIED OUT AN INSPECTION IN TAI SANG LUNG MEAT COMPANY AT GROUND FLOOR, 72 PEI HO STREET ON JUNE 6 LAST YEAR.
A PRELIMINARY CHECK ON A CHINESE STEELYARD USED IN THE SELLING OF POULTRY SHOWED THAT THE WEIGHING INSTRUMENT WAS INACCURATE.
THE STEELYARD WAS LATER SENT TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR EXAMINATION AND TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST ERROR OF THE WEIGHING INSTRUMENT WAS 18.75 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT.
IN THE SECOND CASE, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT VISITED CHUI YIU ROASTED MEAT AT CHEUNG HONG ESTATE, TSI NG YI ON AUGUST 3 LAST YEAR AND DISCOVERED TWO CHINESE STEELYARDS WHICH WERE FOUND TO BE INACCURATE ON A PRELIMINARY CHECK.
TESTS BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY LATER SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST ERROR OF THE TWO STEELYARDS WAS 12.5 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT.
THE MANAGER OF THE ROAST MEAT STALL, YIU HONG-PING, PLEADED GUILTY TO THE CHARGE AT THE TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY ON JANUARY 3 AND WAS FINED $2,500.
IN THE THIRD CASE, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, ACTING ON INFORMATION, INSPECTED THE WEIGHING INSTRUMENT OF THE FRUIT HAWKER, LEE SHU-KWAN, ON AUGUST 18 LAST YEAR.
THE MOBILE HAWKER WAS THEN SELLING GRAPES AT THE JUNCTION OF MARBLE ROAD AND SHU KUK STREET, NORTH POINT.
/A PRELIMINARY .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 9 -
A PRELIMINARY CHECK ON THE BALANCE SHOWED THAT THE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT WAS INACCURATE AND A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOUND THAT THE HIGHEST ERROR WAS 68 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF ACTUAL WEIGHT.
LEE WAS FINED $3,000 AT THE WESTERN MAGISTRACY ON JANUARY 16 AFTER HE PLEADED GUILTY TO THE CHARGE.
THE FOURTH CASE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AFTER A COMPLAINT ON THE HO CHUN KEE ROAST MEAT STALL IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE MARKET, SHEUNG SHUI HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC.
OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT VISITED THE DEFENDANT'S MEAT STALL ON SEPTEMBER 11 LAST YEAR. A STEELYARD USED IN THE SELLING OF ROAST MEAT WAS FOUND TO BE INACCURATE ON A PRELIMINARY CHECK.
THE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT WAS LATER TESTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY AND A HIGHEST ERROR OF 31.25 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT WAS FOUND.
HO KWAI-MUI, PROPRIETOR OF THE STALL, PLEADED GUILTY TO THE CHARGE AT THE FANLING MAGISTRACY TODAY (TUESDAY) AND WAS FINED $3,000.
THE CHIEF TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 94 COMPLAINTS ABOUT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES IN THE 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
"OF THESE COMPLAINTS, 45 ARE NOT SUBSTANTIATED, 33 ARE SUBSTANTIATED AND 16 OTHERS ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.
"AS FOR THE COMPLAINTS WHICH ARE SUBSTANTIATED, WRITTEN WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO 20 TRADERS, 10 TRADERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED AND THREE OTHER CASES ARE EXPECTED TO BE BROUGHT TO COURT SHORTLY.
"THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," MR WONG SAID.
IF ANY PERSON WANTS TO MAKE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALPRACTICES IN RESPECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, HE MAY CONTACT EITHER THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 7146146) OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
COMPLAINTS MAY ALSO BE MADE TO THE DUTY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON 8523185 AFTER. NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
--------0 - -
/10 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 10 -
45 PASS LICENTIATE EXAMINATION * * » *
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT 45 CANDIDATES HAD PASSED PART I OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS.
A TOTAL OF 132 CANDIDATES SAT THE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTION PAPER ON PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE ON JANUARY 3.
PART II OF THE EXAMINATION, DESIGNED TO TEST THE CANDIDATES' ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 6 AND MAY 1.
IN ADDITION TO THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FROM PART I, A FURTHER THREE CANDIDATES WHO FAILED PART II IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WILL BE SITTING THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION.
CANDIDATES MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE THE PART 11 LICENTIATE EXAMINATION ON EITHER DATE.
--------0-----------
FESTIVE LIGHTS TO HERALD YEAR OF THE HORSE
*****
EASTERN DISTRICT WILL USHER IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH THE LIGHTING UP OF A DECORATIVE "PAI LAU" IN VICTORIA PARK TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
MEASURING 48 FEET BY 36 FEET, THE "PAI LAU" IS BEING PUT UP BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT A COST OF ABOUT $72,000.
THE LIGHTS TAKE THE DESIGN OF TWO VIGOROUS HORSES WITH NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL. THEY WILL BE TURNED ON DAILY FROM 6 PM TO 11 PM UNTIL FEBRUARY 12.
ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE (FRIDAY, JANUARY 26), THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON OVERNIGHT UNTIL 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 6 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCH NO. 6.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MRS WONG LEUNG KAM-SHAN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DB WORKING GROUP ON LUNAR NEW YEAR. LIGHTING, MR LAM TAK-ON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCH NO. 6 (NEAR THE HING FAT STREET ENTRANCE). THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM.
------0--------
/Il .....
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 11 -
LANGUAGE LABORATORY TO OPEN AT CSD INSTITUTION
*****
A LANGUAGE LABORATORY AT PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB PROVIDED 31?00 TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR SETTING UP THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY.
A STEWARD OF THE JOCKEY CLUB, SIR OSWALD CHEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 3 PM. HE WILL ALSO PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO 18 INMATES WHO HAVE PASSED PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING LABORATORY AT PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND CERTIFICATES.
OF THE LANGUAGE
THE PRESENTATION OF
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO GATHER AT THE GROUND FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 1.30 PM.
--------0-----------
STUDENT SINGING CONTEST IN SSP
*****
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A SINGING CONTEST JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OE CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB IN THE DISTRICT.
THE DB SPONSORED CONTEST AIMS AT FOSTERING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG STUDENTS AND PROMOTING THEIR SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.
CONTESTANTS ARE THEREFORE REQUIRED TO CHOOSE SONGS WITH A POSITIVE THEME.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO SOLO AND GROUP SECTIONS. A PRELIMINARY ROUND WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 24 AT THE NAM CHEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE WHILE THE FINAL HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 10 AT THE SAME VENUE.
THE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND BOOK COUPONS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, AT TONKIN STREET, AND ITS FOUR SUB-OFFICES. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 9.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 7294959.
------0-------
/12 .....
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
12
TAI PO ROAD WIDENED
* * * * *
THE FINAL STAGE OF THE TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE ROAD FROM TWO LANES TO THREE LANES HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THIS ROAD SECTION WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ENTIRE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT COVERED THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD FROM SHA TIN TO TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE, WHICH WAS FIVE KILOMETRES IN LENGTH.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE FINAL STAGE, THIS SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD WILL PROVIDE AT LEAST THREE TRAFFIC LANES THROUGHOUT — ONE LANE FOR NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND TRAFFIC AND TWO FOR KOWLOON-BOUND.
IN ADDITION, A CLIMBING LANE IS PROVIDED FOR THE STEEP GRADE SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE AND CALDECOTT ROAD TO ALLOW FAST MOVING VEHICLES TO OVERTAKE.
AS PART OF THE PROJECT, FOUR CARPARKS WERE BUILT ALONG THE ROAD. THREE OF THEM ARE NEAR THE KOWLOON RESERVOIR AND SHOULD BE WELCOMED BY VISITORS TO THE GOLDEN HILL AND LION ROCK COUNTRY PARKS.
LANDSCAPE WORKS WERE ALSO CARRIED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WAS IMPLEMENTED IN THREE STAGES, WITH THE FIRST TWO COMPLETED AND OPENED TO TRAFFIC LAST YEAR.
THE ENTIRE PROJECT TOOK ABOUT 46 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, AT A COST OF $150 MILLION.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT AND THE OPENING OF ROUTE 5 IN APRIL, SOME RELIEF TO THE CONGESTION AT LION ROCK TUNNEL COULD BF. EXPECTED BEFORE THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL NEXT YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----0------
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING CHINA AND OVERSEAS COUNTRIES DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD ARE REMINDED NOT TO BRING BACK WITH THEM ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY): "BOTH THE CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT HAVE STEPPED UP CONTROL MEASURES AT ALL ENTRY POINTS TO CHECK ON TRAVELLERS AND GOODS VEHICLES DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.
/"ANYONE WHO .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 13 -
’’ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ILLEGALLY BRING IN ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS PARTS DERIVATIVES, WILL BE PROSECUTED.”
DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1989, MR CHEUNG SAID, 70 SEIZURES WERE MADE AT CUSTOMS CHECKPOINTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ILLEGAL IMPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THE ENDANGERED ANIMALS INVOLVED WERE MAINLY PARROTS, OWLS AND OTHER BIRDS OF PREY. OTHER SPECIES INCLUDED SEA TURTLE SPECIMENS AND EGGS, PANGOLIN, MONITOR LIZARD AND CROCODILE STUFFED SPECIMENS AND SKIN AS WELL AS IVORY.
"IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
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LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS t » * * *
SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO BE HELD IN VICTORIA HARBOUR ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 28). THE DISPLAY WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
THE DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CMB BUS SERVICES
FROM 6.30 PM, ROUTES 8, 11A AND 40 ON JOURNEYS TO AND FROM WAN CHAI WILL OMIT WAN CHAI FERRY AND OPERATE ON A CIRCULAR BASIS.
THE FREQUENCY OF ROUTE 15 WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO ABOUT 10 MINUTES SUBJECT TO PASSENGER DEMAND.
ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL BE OPERATED ON ROUTES 8, 38, 40, 40M, 70, 72, 90, 92, 96, AND 97.
ROUTE 780 WILL BE CURTAILED AT 6 PM IN CHAI WAN EAST AND AT 6.40 PM IN CENTRAL.
/EMPTY BUSES .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 14 -
EMPTY BUSES WILL BE DEPLOYED AT NORTH POINT FERRY, MORETON TERRACE, ADMIRALTY MTR STATION, CENTRAL (EXCHANGE SQUARE) AND THE PEAK TERMINI TO CATER FOR PASSENGER DEMANDS AFTER THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
FROM 7 PM, THE BUS STOP FOR ROUTES 20, 21, *80, 81M, 102 AND 106 ON GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND OUTSIDE EXCELSIOR HOTEL WILL BE SUSPENDED.
CMB BUS SERVICES WILL RESUME NORMAL ROUTEING WHEN CLOSED ROADS ARE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
KMB BUS SERVICES
TEMPORARY DIVERSIONS, CHANGE OF TERMINAL POINTS AND CURTAILMENT OF KMB BUSES SERVICES IN TSIM SHA TSUI AREA WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM 6.30 PM TO ABOUT 11 PM.
ROUTES 1, 1A, IK, 2, 2K, 6, 6A, 7, 8A, 9, 26 AND Al WILL BE DIVERTED.
ROUTES 2C AND 28 WILL BE TEMPORARILY TERMINATED AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST BUS TERMINUS IN SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD.
ROUTES 5, 5C AND 8 WILL BE TEMPORARILY RELOCATED FROM STAR FERRY BUS TERMINUS TO TEMINATE AT THE GRANVILLE ROAD TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
ROUTE 81C WILL BE TEMPORARILY RELOCATED TO TERMINATE AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL.
ROUTE 202 WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM SERVICE FROM 6 PM.
ROUTE 5A WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM SERVICE FROM 6 PM AT KOWLOON CITY AND FROM 5.25 PM AT STAR FERRY.
ROUTE 208 WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM SERVICE FROM 5.30 PM AT BROADCAST DRIVE AND FROM 6 PM AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES
ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL BE OPERATED ON CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND.
FROM 6.30 PM, ROUTE 110 ON JOURNEYS TO AND FROM TSIM SHA TSUI EAST BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DIVERTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, ROUTES 104, 105 AND A2 ON JOURNEYS TO
KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD. THEIR BUS STOP ON HARBOUR ROAD OPPOSITE HARBOUR VIEW CENTRE WILL BE SUSPENDED.
/ROUTES 103 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 15 -
ROUTES 103 AND 601 ON JOURNEYS TO POKFIELD ROAD AND ADMIRALTY MTR STATION (EAST) RESPECTIVELY WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED TO AVOID THE CLOSED ROADS IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND WAN CHAI.
FERRY SERVICES
HYF HOVERFERRY SERVICE FROM CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI (EAST) WILL BE TRUNCATED. THE LAST SAILINGS FROM CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI (EAST) WILL BE ADVANCED TO 7.20 PM AND 7.30 PM RESPECTIVELY.
ADDITIONAL HYF FERRY SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED AS NECESSARY, DEPENDING ON PASSENGER DEMAND.
STAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON POINT AND WAN CHAI FERRY WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9.10 PM. ADDITIONAL SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND.
GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE GREEN MINIBUS STAND AT HMS TAMAR WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 6.30 PM.
ROUTES 1, 2, AND 3 ON JOURNEYS TO CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED TO TERMINATE AT A TEMPORARY STAND OUTSIDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CENTRAL.
FROM 6.30 PM, ROUTES 6, 7, 11, 24A, 24M, 25, 25A, 31 AND 36
WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED.
IN KOWLOON, THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR GMB WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 6.30 PM TO ABOUT 11 PM.
ROUTE 1 (STAR FERRY TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) AND ROUTE IM (TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE.
THE EXISTING TERMINUS FOR ROUTE 3 (TSIM SHA TSUI TO TAI TUNG SUN CHUEN) IN HANKOW ROAD WILL BE CANCELLED AND THE SERVICE WILL BE REVISED TO OPERATE FROM LOCK ROAD.
ROUTE 6 (WHAMPOA GARDENS TO TSIM SHA TSUI) WILL BE TEMPORARILY CONVERTED INTO A CIRCULAR ROUTE LINKING WHAMPOA GARDENS WITH JORDAN ROAD FERRY CONCOURSE.
ROUTE 7 (KOWLOON CITY TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST) AND ROUTE 31M (MONG KOK MTR STATION TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST I WILL BE DIVERTED.
ROUTE 8 (HO MAN TIN ESTATE TO TSIM SHA TSUI) WILL BE TEMPORARILY CONVERTED INTO A CIRCULAR ROUTE.
PEAK TRAM SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED AS NECESSARY, DEPENDING ON PASSENGER DEMAND.
/HONGKONG TRAMWAYS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
16
HONGKONG TRAMWAYS WILL LAY ON ADDITIONAL SERVICE FROM NORTH POINT TO WHITTY STREET AND ALSO FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO SHAU KEI WAN AFTER THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO COPE WITH THE PASSENGER DEMAND.
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED ACCORDING TO NORMAL SUNDAY TIMETABLE. PASSENGERS SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR THE STATION RE-ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, JORDAN AND WAN CHAI.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SERVICES WILL OPERATE SIX ADDITIONAL TRIPS TO SHEUNG SHUI DEPARTING AT 8.43 PM, 9 PM, 9.20 PM, 9.52 PM, 10.13 PM AND 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT AT KOWLOON STATION.
---------0-----------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR FAIR IN SAN PO KONG t * * ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SAN PO KONG TO FACILITATE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN FLOW DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR AT KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND.
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED FROM 6 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 26) TO 8 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 27): THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING TAI YAU STREET AND SZE MEI STREET BETWEEN NG FONG STREET AND LUK HOP STREET; LUK HOP STREET; THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING TAI YAU STREET AND TSAT PO STREET BETWEEN LUK HOP STREET AND PAT TAT STREET; THE WESTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF SZE MEI STREET BETWEEN LUK HOP STREET AND KING FUK STREET; KING FUK STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN SZE MEI STREET AND KING HONG STREET; TSAT PO STREET BETWEEN LUK HOP STREET AND PAT TAT STREET; AND THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD CONNECTING TAI YAU STREET AND TSAT PO STREET BETWEEN PAT TAT STREET AND SAM CHUK STREET.
DURING THE PERIOD, ONE TEMPORARY TAXI. STAND WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF KING FUK STREET OUTSIDE SAN PO KONG FACTORY ESTATE BLOCK V.
ON-STREET METERED PARKING SPACES IN CERTAIN STREETS WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 25) TO 8 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 27).
THESE ARE IN NG FONG STREET, SZE MEI STREET, LUK HOP STREET, TSAT PO STREET, PAT TAT STREET, KING FUK STREET BETWEEN SAM CHUK STREET AND SZE MEI STREET, AND SAM CHUK STREET BETWEEN TAI YAU STREET AND KING FUK STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
/17........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 17 -
NEW AIRPORT BUS SERVICE TO MONG KOK *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A NEW AIRPORT BUS ROUTE TO MONG KOK WILL BE INTRODUCED BY KMB TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE AIRBUS ROUTE A4 WILL PLY BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND THE MONG KOK KCR STATION FROM 7 AM TO 11.30 PM DAILY.
THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE AT A FREQUENCY OF 10 MINUTES EXCEPT FROM 9.50 AM TO 10.50 AM AND FROM 6.40 PM TO 7.40 PM WHEN IT WILL OPERATE AT 20-MINUTE INTERVALS.
THE FARE WILL BE $5 PER SINGLE JOURNEYS.
THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE AS A CIRCULAR ROUTE VIA OLYMPIC
AVENUE, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT, PRINCE EDWARD
ROAD WEST, SAI YEE STREET, ARGYLE STREET, LUEN WAN ROAD, BUTE STREET,
SAI YEE STREET, BOUNDARY STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, PRINCE
EDWARD ROAD EAST, A FLYOVER, DEPARTURES CIRCUIT, CONCORDE ROAD AND AIRPORT TRANSPORT TERMINUS.
--------0-----------
PLB BAN ZONES, URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 25), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ZONES:
- THE SECTION OF RUMSEY STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL; AND
- THE SECTION OF WING WO STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE BAN ZONES 24 HOURS DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF RUMSEY STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA, DRIVERS OF ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS.
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/18 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1990
- 18
LEFT-TURN BAN IN SHAM SHUI PO TO BE LIFTED t * * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 25), VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM WOH CHAI STREET EASTBOUND ONTO NAM CHEONG STREET NORTHBOUND IN SHAM SHUI PO FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB BUSES ON ROUTES 2B, 2F, 86 AND 86A, ON JOURNEYS TO WONG TAI SIN OR SHA TIN, WILL OPERATE VIA WOH CHAI STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET.
---------------------0-------- ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEUNG WAN TO BE CLOSED ♦ * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE ROOF OVER 9 AND 10 WAH IN FONG EAST, SHEUNG WAN, SO THAT THEY CAN BF. DEMOLISHED AND THE ROOF SLAB BE REINSTATED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MARCH 14 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THESE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AND THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE ROOF SLAB.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 5 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOOD PROGRESS IN NEW AIRPORT PROJECT: STI ...................... 1
WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER PUBLISHED ........................... 3
CHANNELS FOR TRANSPORT CUSTOMER RELATIONS CALLED FOR ........... 7
SURVEY OF VACANCIES AT BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION SITES ............ 7
CASTLE PEAK FISH MARKET STAMPS OUT MALPRACTICES ................ 9
MORE HOMES FOR ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI ............................ 10
'PAI LAU' TO CELEBRATE YEAR OF HORSE .......................... 11
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS ................................. 12
LANGUAGE LABORATORY OPENS AT CSD INSTITUTION ................. 12
SOUTHERN DB TO GIVE VIEWS ON WELFARE ......................... 13
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES DURING HOLIDAYS ..................... 14
CERTAIN MARINE DEPT OFFICES TO REMAIN OPEN .................... 16
CUSTOMS OFFICERS PROMOTED ..................................... 17
TRAFFIC PLANS FOR FAIR AT CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND ........... 18
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL ................................ 18
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES TN WONG TAI SIN ....................... 18
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN SAI YING PUN TO BE CLOSED ................ 19
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
GOOD PROGRESS IN NEW AIRPORT PROJECT: STI
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT WHICH HAS ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID IN TOKYO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE "HONG KONG: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE" SEMINAR IN THE JAPANESE CAPITAL, MR CHAN SAID A CONSULTANCY FOR THE MASTER PLAN DESIGN SHOULD BE AWARDED BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
"THE FIRST CONTRACT FOR PREPARATION OF THE WORKS SITE SHOULD START EARLY IN 1991 AND WE WOULD HOPE TO CALL TENDERS FOR THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE RECLAMATION WORKS BY THE MIDDLE OF 1991 WITH WORK STARTING EARLY IN 1992," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID LEGISLATION WAS BEING DRAFTED TO ESTABLISH A PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT.
"WE ARE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF RECRUITING A CHIEF EXEUCTIVE OFFICER FOR THIS PROJECT.
"AND WE SHALL BE CONSIDERING IN DETAIL, OVER THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS, THE QUESTION OF FUNDING, INCLUDING PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE PORT, MR CHAN SAID THAT TO CATER FOR THE ESTIMATED EXPANSION IN DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S PORT SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD PUT THE FIRST PRIORITY ON BUILDING THE NEXT CONTAINER TERMINAL - TERMINAL NO. 8 - ON RECLAIMED LAND AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
"TO CO-ORDINATE THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ALL ITS DIFFERENT USERS, WE SHALL SHORTLY BE SETTING UP A PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO ADVISE ON THE DETAILED PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PORT EXPANSION," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS IN THE NATURE OF THINGS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO PROVIDE MOST OF THIS PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, THERE HAD BEEN MANY' SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES IN HONG KONG OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
"WE THEREFORE WELCOME ANY LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES WHICH ARE INTERESTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THESE PADS I PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY) DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS," HE SAID.
APART FROM IMPROVING THE ROAD NETWORK AND PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES, MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO BEEN PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN OTHER FORMS.
/HE SAID
WVWSML* JANUARY 24, 1990
2
HE SAID LAND HAD BEEN EARMARKED FOR A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO BE ESTABLISHED AT TSEUNG KWAN O.
’’THE NEW ESTATE IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS INVOLVING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE READY IN 1993," HE SAID.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING TO ESTABLISH A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN HONG KONG TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR NEW AND SMALL-SCALE HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES UNTIL THEY COULD STAND ON THEIR OWN FEET.
"MEANWHILE, A SERIES OF SERVICES SUCH AS PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PRODUCT DESIGN SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS SO AS TO STRENGTHEN OUR MANUFACUTURI NG INDUSTRIES,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE FORMULATION OF SUCH MASSIVE PLANS AS PADS FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES WAS IN FACT A MANIFESTATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S PHILOSOPHY OF PROVIDING THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS TO SUCCEED, OF RELYING ON THE FORCES OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND OF CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE PROVISION OF THE TERRITORY’S KEY INFRASTRUCTURE.
LOOKING INTO THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG'S TRADE AND INDUSTRY WOULD BE FACED WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AS THE SLACKENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMY, THE INCREASINGLY INTENSE COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, THE SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA AND THE RISING PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES IN ITS TRADITIONAL WESTERN MARKETS.
"HOWEVER, WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THESE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WILL EQUIP HONG KONG WITH NEW AND EFFECTIVE TOOLS IN TERMS OF AN IMPROVED TRADING ENVIRONMENT AND INCREASED INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
"THESE, TOGETHER WITH THE USUAL RESILIENCE AND ENTERPRISING SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WILL ENABLE US TO STRIVE THROUGH SUCH DIFFICULTIES AND CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE RESULTS," HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
3
WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER PUBLISHED *****
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER 1989, AT 186.7, INCREASED BY 13.4 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988 AND BY 2.2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1989, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE SEPTEMBER 1989 AND SEPTEMBER 1988 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURI NG SECTOR INCREASED BY 12.1 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETA IL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 13.4 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 18.1 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 19.0 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 22.2 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE SEPTEMBER 1989 AND JUNE 1989 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 2.0 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 6.4 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 3.5 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 3.6 PER CENT.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 1989 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 112.4 IN SEPTEMBER 1989, WAS 2.9 PER CENT HIGHER. THAN THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1988 AND 0.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN JUNE 1989.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 1989 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
THESE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EACH QUARTER BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, COVERING BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADM INISTRATI VI AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURI NG SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD 01- THE WAGE INDEXES.
/WHILE THE ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY, ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDEXES.
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS. APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NONGUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, SEPTEMBER 1989 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN M1D-FEBRUARY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 8234744 OR 8234747.
/TABLE 1 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
TABLE 1 : NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100) % CHANGE SEPT. 89/ SEPT. 88
SEPT. 1988 DEC. 1988 MAR. 1989 JUN. 1989 SEPT. 1989
MANUFACTURING 161.1 161.9 171.3 177.6 180.6 + 12.1
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 159.6 164.4 174.8 177.5 181.0 ♦ 13.4
TRANSPORT SERVICES 188.2 190.4 199.9 208.9 222.3 + 18.1
BUSINESS SERVICES 182.3 185.4 201.7 209.6 217.0 + 19.0
PERSONAL SERVICES 171.3 178.7 194.8 202.2 209.4 + 22.2
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 1(54.7 166.6 176.7 182.7 186.7 + 13.4
TABLE 2 : NOMI NAI. W MANUI XCTU AGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES RING SECTOR IN THE
SELECTED MAJOR INDUSTRI IS 1NDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100) % CHANGE SEPT. 89/ SEPT. 88
SEPT. 1988 DEC. 1 988 MAR. 1 989 JUN. 1 989 SEPT. 1 989
GARMENTS 1 39.7 II 0.0 114.2 1 19.9 153.1 ♦ 9.6
GLOVES 169.3 170.1 1 89 . 1 192.8 192.2 ♦ 13.5
HANDBAGS 151.4 151.1 162.2 17 4.3 180.5 + 19.2
COTTON SPINNING/ WEAVING 174.7 175.0 190.3 191.7 193.0 + 10.5
/KNITTING
152.9
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
6
KNITTING 152.9 153.8 161.6 167.8 168.3 + 10.1
BLEACHING AND DYEING 181.9 182.4 189.6 197.1 200.6 + 10.3
PRINTING 186.7 190.9 203.5 218.0 222.9 + 19.4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 159.9 160.4 165.2 170.4 170.5 + 6.6
METAL PRODUCTS 170.4 174.8 182.7 192.1 193.9 + 13.8
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 186.7 189.4 208.0 220.9 227.7 + 22.0
ELECTRONICS 183.9 183.9 202.8 205.8 210.6 + 14.5
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 191.0 190.9 215.3 219.4 224.6 + 17.6
MANUFACTURING 161.1 161 .9 171.3 177.6 180.6 + 12.1
TABLE 3 : REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS SEPT. 1988 INDEXES DEC. 1988 (MARCH 1982 = 100) SEPT. 1989 % CHANGE SEPT. 89/ SEPT. 88
MAR. 1989 JUN. 1989
MANUFACTURING 1 06.8 106.2 1 09.1 109.2 108.7 + 1.8
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 1 05.8 107.9 111.3 109.1 108.9 + 2.9
TRANSPORT SERVICES 124.7 124.9 127.2 1 28.4 133.8 + 7.3
BUSINESS SERVICES 120.8 121.7 128.4 128.8 1 30.6 + 8.1
PERSONAL SERVICES 113.5 117.3 124.0 124.3 126. 1 + 11.1
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 109.2 109.3 112.5 112.3 112.4 + 2.9
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/7 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
CHANNELS FOR TRANSPORT *
CUSTOMER RELATIONS CALLED FOR
* * * * I
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR GORDON SIU
(WEDNESDAY) URGED ALL PUBI.H TRANSPORT COMPANIES TO ESTABLISHING A VARIETY OF CHAN .ELS, FORMAL OR INFORMAL, PURPOSE OF IMPROVING DIALOGUE WITH USERS AND FOR ENHANCING
RELATIONS.
MR SIU WAS ADDRESSING THE CLEAN FERRIES AND PIER ORGANISED BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO. LTD.
TODAY CONSIDER FOR THE CUSTOMER
CAMPAIGN
HE SAID IN MANY RESPECTS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS IN HONG KONG FACED THE SAME CHALLENGES AS ANY PRIVATE COMPANY IN THAT THEY MUST MAINTAIN A FINANCIALLY VIABLE SERVICE, SEEK NEW MARKETS AND CATER FOR THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.
"WHEN IT COMES TO IDEAS AND INSPIRATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT, WHO SHOULD THEY LISTEN TO? EXPERTS IN THE FIELD? CERTAINLY. THE GOVERNMENT, AS THE REGULATOR? DEFINITELY.
"BUT I WOULD SUBMIT THAT THEY SHOULD LISTEN TO ONE MORE VOICE -THAT OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.
"AFTER ALL, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE SERVICES MOST FREQUENTLY," HE SAID.
MR SIU ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE AND THE MANAGEMENT AND STAIF OF THE FERRY COMPANY FOR WORKING TOGETHER TO SEEK FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF FERRY SERVICES.
"I EXPECT TO SEE MORE RESULTS FROM WHICH FERRY PASSENGERS WILL BENEFIT.
"I ALSO HOPE THAT THIS CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND ITS CUSTOMERS TO SEEK IMPROVEMENT TO SERVICES WILL BECOME A MODEL FOR OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES," MR SIU ADDED.
'I SURVEY OF VACANCIES AT BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION SITES
BUILDING AND TOTAL NUMBER VACANCIES AT DEPARTMENT.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN SEPTEMBER 1989 WAS 67,544 AND THE OF VACANCIES WAS 4,054, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, WHICH COVERED SOME 409 PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND 906 PRIVATE SECTOR SITES ACTIVE IN SEPTEMBER 1989, WERE PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/THE VACANCY .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
8
THE VACANCY RATE, WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE SUM TOTAL OF THE NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AND THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES, WAS 5.7 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
OF THE 4,054 VACANCIES REPORTED FROM THE SITES ENUMERATED, 3,317 WERE FOUND IN PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND 737 IN PRIVATE SECTOR SITES.
THE VACANCY RATES FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR SITES WERE RESPECTIVELY 10.9 PER CENT AND 1.8 PER CENT.
A SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS IS GIVEN IN THE TABLE BELOW
PUBLIC SECTOR SITES PRIVATE SECTOR SITES TOTAL
NUMBER OF ACTIVE SITES 409 906 1,315
NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS 27,167 40,377 67,544
AVERAGE NUMBER OF WORKERS PER SITE 66.4 44.6 51.4
NUMBER OF VACANCIES 3,317 737 4,054
AVERAGE NUMBER OF VACANCIES PER SITE 8.1 0.8 3.1
VACANCY RATE (PER CENT) 10.9 1.8 5.7
WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988, THERE WERE DECREASES IN BOTH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND THE VACANCY RATE. IN SEPTEMBER 1988, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES WAS 7,600 AND THE VACANCY RATE WAS 9.4 PER CENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN DEFINING AND OBTAINING ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, READERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE DUE NOTE OF THE DEFINITION OF VACANCY ADOPTED AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE SURVEY WHEN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
IN THE SURVEY, VACANCIES REFER TO THOSE UNFILLED, IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE JOB OPENINGS FOR WHICH ACTIVE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO RECRUIT THE WORKERS. THIS DEFINITION IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT ADOPTED IN OTHER SURVEYS CONDUCTED B\ THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL SUBSTITUTION AND RE-SCHEDULING POSSIBILITIES IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN LABOUR SUPPLY AND WORK REQU IREMENTS.
/CONSEQUENTLY THE........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
9
CONSEQUENTLY THE CONCEPT OF VACANCIES TAKES ON A MUCH LOOSER SENSE AS FAR AS BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE CONCERNED.
THIS ALSO HAS THE CONSEQUENCE THAT VACANCY DATA SUPPLIED BY CONTRACTORS OR SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECT TO RELATIVELY LARGE VARIATION IN REPORTING BEHAVIOUR.
AMONG THE SITES SURVEYED IN SEPTEMBER 1989, SOME WERE FOUND TO HAVE NO VACANCIES AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHETHER IN THESE SITES THE CONTRACTORS WERE ABLE TO FILL ALL VACANCIES OR THEY HAD IN FACT DELAYED THE PROJECTS INSTEAD.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN A ’’REPORT OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES". COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $7 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 8234758 OR 8234753.
0 -
CASTLE PEAK FISH MARKET STAMPS OUT MALPRACTICES
*****
STRINGENT MEASURES INTRODUCED BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) TO CURB MALPRACTICES IN FISH MARKETING ACTIVITIES WILL SOON BE EXTENDED TO THE CASTLE PEAK WHOLESALE FISH MARKET.
WHEN THE CASTLE PEAK FISH MARKET RESUMES BUSINESS ON FEBRUARY 3 AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, FISH BUYERS WILL BE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN FROM LABELLING THE FISH BEFORE TRANSACTION.
MOREOVER, THE SORTING FLOOR OF THE MARKET WILL BE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO FISHERMEN, THEIR AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH PERMITS. FISH BUYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO TN.
IN ENFORCING THESE MEASURES, THE CASTLE PEAK FISH MARKET AUTHORITIES WILL BE BACKED UP BY THE POLICE.
"THE MOVE IS AIMED AT IMPROVING MARKET ORDER, PREVENTING MANIPULATION OF FISH PRICES AND ENSURING THAT BUYERS CAN TAKE PART IN A FAIR TRANSACTION OF THE FISH CATCHES," THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), MR CHAN KIN-WING, EXPLAINED.
/MR CHAN
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
- 10 -
MR CHAN SAID AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE (TUEN MUN), THE TUEN MUN DIVISION OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE AFD WAS SET UP IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO MAKE PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NEW CONTROLS IN THE MARKET.
FISHERMEN AND THEIR AGENTS AS WELL AS BUYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS IN CASTLE PEAK WERE CONSULTED ON THE ISSUE IN DECEMBER AND THE NEW MEASURES WERE SUPPORTED.
SINCE JULY 1988, THE FMO, ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP ON GANGS, HAS BEEN TAKING POSITIVE STEPS TO STAMP OUT MALPRACTICES BY TRIAD ELEMENTS ON THE SORTING FLOOR OF THE FISH MARKETS. SUCH MALPRACTICES OFTEN RESULT IN GOOD-QUALITY FISH BEING PRE-SELECTED, MARKED AND MANIPULATED THROUGH THE SALE PROCESS.
"STRINGENT CONTROLS ARE ALREADY IN FORCE IN THE CHEUNG SHA WAN, ABERDEEN, SHAU KEI WAN AND TAI PO WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS AND THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL," MR CHAN SAID.
"IN THE SHAU KEI WAN FISH MARKET, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF FISH FETCHED AT AUCTIONS HAD GONE UP BY NEARLY 50 PER CENT AND THE VOLUME OF FISH TRADED HAD INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW MEASURES IN AUGUST LAST YEAR. THIS SHOWS THAT THE MEASURES ARE EFFECTIVE IN ENSURING A FAIR PRICE FOR THE FISH," MR CHAN NOTED.
THE CASTLE PEAK FISH MARKET, THE THIRD BIGGEST WHOLESALE MARKET UNDER THE FMO, USUALLY ATTRACTS SOME 300 FISHERMEN, AGENTS AND BUYERS, AND ABOUT 40 TONNES OF FISH ARE TRADED DAILY.
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MORE HOMES FOR ELDERLY IN WAN CHAI
*****
A HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IS LIKELY TO BE INCLUDED IN A COMPOSITE BLOCK TO BE BUILT AS PART OF THE LT CHIT STREET RE-DEVELOPMENT PLAN, THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. PETER MANN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AFTER DISTRIBUTING "LAI SEE" PACKETS TO SENIOR CITIZENS AT A CHARITY DRIVE ORGANISED BY A LOCAL MEDIA GROUP, MR. MANN SAID EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN WAN CHAI IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
"AS A FIRST STEP. A SURVEY ON THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY AND EXISTING FACILITIES HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED, THE RESULT OF WHICH WILL BE KNOWN IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS’ TIME," HE SAID.
/’’BASED ON.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
11
’’BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, WE WILL REVIEW THE CURRENT LEVEL OF ELDERLY SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT, AND LOOK INTO WAYS TO IMPROVE ELDERLY WELFARE,” HE ADDED.
ACCORDING TO MR MANN, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AGED 60 AND ABOVE IN WAN CHAI WOULD INCREASE TO 35,000 IN THE EARLY 1990S, WHICH WOULD REPRESENT 18 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT POPULATION AND THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION OF ALL DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY.
HE BELIEVED THE DEMAND FOR ACCOMMODATION FOR THE AGED WOULD GROW AS A RESULT.
AT PRESENT, HE SAID, THERE WAS A TREND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE DISTRICT WHEN THEY SET UP THEIR OWN FAMILIES, LEAVING THEIR OLD FOLK BEHIND.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT VARIOUS WAYS TO MEET THIS DEMAND FOR ELDERLY HOUSING, INCLUDING THE LEASING OF PRIVATE APARTMENTS, MR MANN SAID.
HE HOPED THE LI CHIT STREET RE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WOULD HELP TO ADDRESS THE DEMAND.
THE CHARITY DRIVE TODAY WAS HELD IN ASSOCIATION WITH AN INFORMATION DAY FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.
SLIDE SHOWS WERE PRESENTED AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ON THE RANGE OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN WAN CHAI WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 900 ELDERLY PARTICIPANTS IN THE FUNCTION.
O
’PAI LAU* TO CELEBRATE YEAR OF HORSE
KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE WAS LIT UP THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE HORSE WHEN MORE THAN 2,000 LIGHT BULBS ON A "PAI LAU” OUTSIDE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET WERE SWITCHED ON.
ERECTED AT A COST OF J150,000 BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE 216-SQUARE-METRE "PAI LAU" FEATURES A DRAGON AND A HORSE AS WELL AS THE CHINESE CHARACTER FOR "FORTUNE” TO WISH RESIDENTS A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, SAID THAT THE "PAI LAU" WOULD BE LIT UP IN THE EVENINGS TO SYMBOLISE HONG KONG’S BRIGHT FUTURE.
/THE SWITCHING-ON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
12 -
THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY IS PART OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD.
OTHER. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE DISTRIBUTION OF SPRING SCROLLS AND LAISEE PACKETS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
"APART FROM ADDING A MORE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE TO THE DISTRICT, THESE ACTIVITIES AIM AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS," MR WAN SAID.
HE ALSO URGED RESIDENTS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, AND SOME OTHER BOARD MEMBERS.
THE "PAI LAU" WILL BE LIT UP BETWEEN 6 PM AND MIDNIGHT FROM TODAY UNTIL FEBRUARY 13.
-------o----------
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS * * * *
A TOTAL OF 451 BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO STREET SLEEPERS BY 164 FIELD STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN AN OPERATION LAST (TUESDAY) NIGHT.
THE BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS WERE GIVEN TO 137 STREET SLEEPERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 45 IN EAST KOWLOON, 172 TN WEST KOWLOON, 30 TN NF.W TERRITORIES EAST AND SEVEN IN NEW TERRITORIES WEST.
-------o----------
LANGUAGE LABORATORY OPENS AT CSD INSTITUTION
******
THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY IN PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION REPRESENTS A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROVISION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, A STEWARD OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, SIR OSWALD CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE LABORATORY.
"THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY IS AN INVALUABLE AID IN THE LEARNING OF LANGUAGES WHICH IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE DEMANDS IN HONG KONG.
/"I KNOW .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
- 13 -
"I KNOW THE TEACHING STAFF WILL MAKE VERY GOOD USE OF THIS FACILITY IN PREPARING CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS," SIR OSWALD SAID.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB GRANTED 8137,000 TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR SETTING UP THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY AT THE INSTITUTION.
THE LABORATORY HAS A CAPACITY FOR 24 INMATES AT A TIME. IT WILL BE OPEN EVEN AFTER SCHOOL AND ON HOLIDAYS, APART FROM NORMAL TRAINING SESSIONS, IN ORDER TO LET HARD-WORKING INMATES TO MAKE FULL USE OF THEIR SPARE TIME.
AFTER UNVEILING A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE LABORATORY, SIR OSWALD PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 18 INMATES WHO HAVE PASSED PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY CERTIFICATES, AND THE PITMAN EXAMINATION.
"THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE PERFORMED EXCEEDINGLY WELL. THEIR ACHIEVEMENT WILL NO DOUBT BRING ABOUT FURTHER FULFILMENT IN LIFE ON THEIR SUBSEQUENT RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY," SIR OSWALD SAID.
"THERE WILL BE NUMEROUS OBSTACLES ALONG THE ROAD TO REHABILITATION. TO OVERCOME THEM WILL REQUIRE NOT ONLY YOUR DETERMINATION BUT ALSO THE VITAL ASSISTANCE OF MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY," HE ALSO TOLD THE INMATES.
DURING THE SECOND HALF OF LAST YEAR, 31 INMATES OF THE INSTITUTION SAT FOR A TOTAL OF 91 PAPERS IN THE VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS AND OBTAINED 17 CREDITS AND 62 PASSES.
_ _ _ _ O--
SOUTHERN PB TO GIVE VIEWS ON WELFARE
*»»♦»*
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL VIEWS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE TOMORROW (THURSDAY I.
EXPRESS THEIR AT A MEETING
THEIR OPINIONS WILL,THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS CONSULTING DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE FORMULATION OF A WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE SO’S AND BEYOND.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE COMPOSITION, MEMBERSHIP, ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN, AND APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS FOR ITS VARIOUS COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR 1990-91.
/A PROPOSED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
- 14 -
A PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES FOR 1990-91 WILL BE TABLED FOR ENDORSEMENT.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR FARES INCREASES, AND THE TOLL INCREASE FOR THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE RAISED DURING THE MEETING.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE REPORTS BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE BOARD’S CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES DURING HOLIDAYS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S EVE (FRIDAY) UNTIL EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.
TO COPE WITH FESTIVE CROWDS FLOCKING TO FLOWER FAIRS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, THE TRAMS AND THE MTR WILL RUN ALL NIGHT.
THE STAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE AND KOWLOON POINT WILL BE EXTENDED TO 3 AM AND THE PEAK TRAM SERVICE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED IF NECESSARY.
SUPPLEMENTARY HYF PASSENGER FERRY SERVICES FROM CENTRAL TO MUI WO (VIA PENG CHAU) AND FROM CENTRAL TO CHEUNG CHAU (VIA YUNG SHUE WAN, LAMMA ISLAND) WILL BE OPERATED AT 12.30 AM ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
SAILINGS ON NEW YEAR’S DAY (SATURDAY) AND SUNDAY FROM MA LIU SHUT AT 11.15 AM AND FROM PING CHAU AT 1.10 PM WILL BE SUSPENDED.
ALSO OPERATING OVERNIGHT WILL BE KMB ROUTES 6, 26, ROM, 82M AND 85K AND KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 18, 33M AND 37M.
/DURING THE........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
15
DURING THE EXTENDED OPERATING PERIOD, KMB ROUTE 80M WILL BE REROUTED TO OPERATE BETWEEN KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION AND WO CHE AND KMB ROUTE 82M WILL BE EXTENDED TO KWONG YUEN AND TERMINATE AT YUEN CHAU KOK.
THE LAST KCR TRAIN BOUND FOR SHEUNG SHUI WILL DEPART FROM KOWLOON STATION AT 2 AM ON SATURDAY.
ALL LRT SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED TO 2.30 AM ON NEW YEAR’S DAY. LRT FEEDER BUS ROUTES 521, 559 AND 670 WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1 AM.
AS MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE FLOWER FAIR AT VICTORIA PARK, SPECIAL CROSS-HARBOUR BUSES ON ROUTES 1 IIS (CAUSEWAY BAY TO CHOI HUNG) AND ROUTE 112S (CAUSEWAY BAY TO MONG KOK) WILL BE IN SERVICE FROM HALF AN HOUR AFTER MIDNIGHT TO 5.50 AM AND 5.16 AM RESPECTIVELY.
SPECIAL CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICE WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON ROUTE 121 AND 122.
MOREOVER, CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES 112 AND 116 WILL OPERATE SUPPLEMENTARY JOURNEYS LINKING CAUSEWAY BAY WITH MONG KOK AND CHOI HUNG RESPECTIVELY FROM 8 PM TO MIDNIGHT.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTARY BUS SERVICE ON ROUTES 101, 102, 106, 107 AND 170 WILL BE OPERATED ON NEW YEAR’S DAY (JANUARY 27), JANUARY 28 AND 29.
CMB WILL ALSO RUN FOUR SPECIAL ROUTES TO VICTORIA PARK. OF THESE, ROUTE 86 PLYING BETWEEN CHAI WAN EAST AND CAUSEWAY ROAD WILL OPERATE FROM 8 PM TO MIDNIGHT. ROUTES 304, 308 AND 392 LINKING CAUSEWAY ROAD WITH WAH FU, CHAI WAN EAST, AND AP LEI CHAU ESTATE RESPECTIVE),Y, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5 AM.
FROM 7 PM, CMB ROUTE 5B WILL BE EXTENDED TO CAUSEWAY ROAD OUTSIDE VICTORIA PARK. ROUTES 2, 10, 11, 11A, 19, 23A. 23B, 25, 26, 81, 72, 76, 92 AND 96; AND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTES 102, 103, 106, 107 AND 108 WILL BE DIVERTED TO AVOID CLOSED ROADS.
MEANWHILE, MANY BUS SERVICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR WILL FINISH LATER THAN USUAL.
THESE INCLUDE CMB ROUTES 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 37, 38, 40, 47, 48, 70, 71, 73, 81, 83, 90, 92, 95,97 AND 98 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES 102 AND 106 WHICH WILL CEASE OPERATING ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THAN ON NORMAL SUNDAYS.
SERVICES ON MORE THAN 40 KMB ROUTES WILL BE EXTENDED BY AN HOUR. THEY ARE ROUTES I, 2A, 3C, 6B, 14, 16, 24K, 28, 31M, 32, 32B, 33, 34, 34B, 34M, 35, 36, 36A, 36M, 37, 37M, 38A, 39A, 39M, 41A, 41M, 43, 43C, 43M, 44, 44M, 46, 46A, 58M, 59M, 60M, 66M, 67M, 68M, 71S, 72X, 81C, 83K, 85 AND 85A, 86, 88K AND 238M.
/OTHER ROUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
OTHER ROUTES 1A, 2, 5C, 60, 11, 15, 27K, 29M, 31, 43B, SOK, 81K, 89, 89A, 89C, 95M AND 211 WILL FINISH AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF AFTER NORMAL SERVICE SCHEDULES.
GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY WILL ALSO OPERATE WELL INTO THE EARLY HOURS OF NEW YEAR’S DAY.
AS FROM 6 PM ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, KMB ROUTE A2 WILL BE DIVERTED TO COVER PART OF THE ROUTEINGS OF ROUTE A3 BY OPERATING VIA GLOUCESTER ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO MACAU FERRY.
DURING THE EXTENDED OPERATING PERIOD ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, ROUTE 95M WILL BE EXTENDED FROM TSUI LAM TO PO LAM; AND ROUTE 26 ON JOURNEYS BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND SHUN TIN WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO AVOID CLOSED ROADS.
IN SOME CASES, GREEN MINIBUSES WILL CHARGE A FLAT FARE DURING THE EXTENDED OPERATING HOURS.
PASSENGERS SHOULD ALSO WATCH OUT FOR THE BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE DIVERSION AND SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN BUS AND TRAM STOPS IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
DURING THE HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED ON KMB ROUTES 1A, 2A, 38, 43B, 44, 59A, 59X, 60X , 60M, 61X, 66M, 67M, 68, 68A, 68X, 70X, 71S, 72K, 73X, 74X, 75X, 80K, BOM, 81K, 82M, 85K, 89, 89A AND 93A. ROUTES 89R, 93R, 95R AND 291R WILL SUSPEND SERVICES.
KMB ROUTE A3 WILL STOP FROM 6 PM ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, WHILE 288S WILL STOP FROM 12.20 AM TO 5 AM ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.
TO COPE WITH WORSHIPPERS GOING TO CHE KUNG TEMPLE ON JANUARY 29, ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL RUN BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN.
CERTAIN MARINE DEPT OFFICES TO REMAIN OPEN
*****
A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM JANUARY 26 TO 29, MOST OF THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED, WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS.
THOSE OFFICES WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS ARE:
* THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL (CENTRAL) CONTINUOUSLY;
WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN
/• THE CHINA
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
» THE CHINA KERRY TERMINAL (TSIM SHA TSUI) WHICH WILL BE OPEN AS USUAL EROM 6 AM TO 10 PM DAILY;
* THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AT WAN CHAT, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN, WESTERN DISTRICT, RAMBLER CHANNEL, CHAI WAN, SHAM SHUI PO, SHEUNG WAN, CHA KWO LING AND THE PUBLIC WATERFRONTS AT YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON BAY AND TUEN MUN, WHICH WILL BE CLOSED FROM 5 PM ON JANUARY 26 AND WILL OPEN FOR NORMAL OPERATION AT NOON ON JANUARY 29.
* THE VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN CONTINUOUSLY;
* THE VICTORIA MARINE OFFICE AT ROOM 314, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON JANUARY 26 AND JANUARY 28 FOR ENTRY AND OUTWARD CLEARANCE ONLY .
» PORT FORMALITIES AND DANGEROUS - GOODS OFFICE AT ROOM 318, HARBOUR BUILDING WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON JANUARY 26 AND JANUARY 28.
< 1 »
------o -------
CUSTOMS OFFICERS PROMOTED ‘
A TOTAL OF 212 OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WERE PROMOTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
••••.. ’, ■ ! . ’
FIFTY-SIX SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICERS WERE PROMOTED TO CHIEF CUSTOMS OFFICER AND 156 CUSTOMS OFFICERS WERE PROMOTED TO SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICER. - - •
THIS WAS THE FIRST BATCH OF OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS OFFICER GRADES TO BE PROMOTED SINCE THE REORGANISATION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR.
IN A CEREMONY HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, PRESENTED PROMOTION LETTERS TO THE OFFICERS,
I- •
------------o----------------
/18 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
18 -
TRAFFIC PLANS FOR FAIR AT CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND » * ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO TO FACILITATE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR AT CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND.
THE SECTION OF FAT TSEUNG STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES AND VEHICLES LOADING AND UNLOADING LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR ARTICLES FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 26) TO 6 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 27).
BUS STOPS AT CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WESTBOUND OUTSIDE CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND WILL BE TEMPORARILY RESTTF.D TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WESTWARD FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 26) TO 6 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 27).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0 ---------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL
» » » t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THE EXISTING RIGHT-TURNING MOVEMENT FROM WESTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL INTO WING WO STREET WILL BE BANNED FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
VEHICLES ON WESTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL HEADING FOR WING WO STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WING LOK STREET, HILLIER STREET AND EASTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO JOIN WING WO STREET.
-------0 --------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN WONG TAI SIN * » ♦ * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WONG TAI SIN TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF WORSHIPPERS VISITING THE WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 8 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 26) TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 27) AND FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FROM SUNDAY (JANUARY 28) TO TUESDAY (JANUARY 30); FROM FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 2) TO SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 4); AND ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 10).
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
19
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, SHATIN PASS ROAD BETWEEN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND FUNG TAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED EXCEPT FOR GREEN MINIBUS (SCHEDULED) SERVICE NOS. 37M AND (SHORT-WORK ING SERVICE) NO. 38M AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE AND WONG TAI SIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED EXCEPT FOR GREEN MINIBUS (SCHEDULED) SERVICE ROUTE NO. 18 AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------o-------
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN SAI YING PUN TO BE CLOSED * * ♦ t t
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJACENT TO FLAT C, FIRST FLOOR, 6 NEW STREET, SAI YING PUN, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON AUGUST 23 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 29 THIS YEAR HAS BEEN POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE A CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GENERAL RECOGNITION OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION ACHIEVED ................. 1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER RELEASED ........................
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR SETTING UP HKCAA ............................. 4
NEW CONTROLS ON SULPHUR CONTENT OF INDUSTRIAL FUELS ....................
NO RELAXATION IN CURB ON ILLEGAL FISH MARKETING ACTIVITIES .............
TAX EXEMPTION FOR EXCHANGE FUND BILLS PROPOSED .........................
AMENDMENT TO DEFINITION OF 'PUBLIC MONEYS' PROPOSED ....................
GOVERNOR TO SPEAK ON RADIO, TV .........................................
14 CHEMICALS TO COME UNDER EXPORT LICENSING CONTROL.....................
CENTRAL, WESTERN, WAN CHAI WEST SEWERAGE STUDY .........................
CAMPAIGN ENHANCES FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY .............................
LAND RESUMPTION FOR EXTENSION OF BORROW AREA ...........,...............
1 4
SHA TIN LOT FOR SALE BY TENDER .........................................
THURSDAY. JANUARY 25. 1990
- 1 -
GENERAL RECOGNITION OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION ACHIEVED
*****
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR. MR MIKE HANSON. SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE MAIN ACHIEVEMENT OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING IN GENEVA WAS THE GENERAL RECOGNITION OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION BY THE WORLD COMMUNITY.
HE SAID WHAT WAS NOT AGREED AT THE MEETING WAS WHEN MANDATORY REPATRIATION SHOULD START.
HE SAID THIS FAILURE TO ACHIEVE A CONSENSUS ON A TIME-FRAME FOR MANDATORY REPATRIATION WAS DISAPPOINTING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DISCUSSIONS AT THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING HAD COME CLOSE TO A FULL CONSENSUS WITH ONLY TWO COUNTRIES OPPOSING THE GENERAL AGREEMENT.
"APART FROM THE UNITED STATES AND VIETNAM. ALL PARTICIPANTS AGREED THAT THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME SHOULD COMMENCE IN JULY.
"IT WAS AGREED THAT THERE WOULD BE MONITORING OF RETURNEES’ WELFARE BY AN INTERNATIONAL AGENCY.
"THIS AMOUNTS TO VERY CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS AND UNHCR HAVE AGREED TO UNDERTAKE FURTHER CONSULTATIONS WITH A VIEW TO REMOVING THE REMAINING OBSTACLES TO CONSENSUS."
MR HANSON SAID HF. HOPED THAT THE FURTHER CONSULTATIONS WOULD RESULT IN AN AGREEMENT ON TIMING.
"WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THESE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY REMAINS THAT OF REPATRIATING THOSE BOAT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR REFUGEE STATUS." HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF A NEW DEADLINE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. AND THAT ALL VBP ARRIVING IN HONG KONG AFTER THE JUNE 16. 1988 CUT-OFF DATE. INCLUDING NEW ARRIVALS. WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SCREENING POLICY.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION OF A NEW CUT-OFF DATE." HE SAID.
"ALL THOSE WHO ARE NOT SCREENED IN AS REFUGEES MUST BE REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS NOW ENDORSED THIS GENERAL PRINCIPLE AND THE ONLY OUTSTANDING ISSUE IS THE MATTER OF TIMING."
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990,
- 2 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER RELEASED
*****
DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED WEAK IN DECEMBER, WHILE THE GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN. AFFECTED BOTH BY THE REDUCED RE-EXPORT GROWTH AND BY A SLACKENING IN RETAINED IMPORTS, IMPORTS CONTINUED TO DECLINE FROM A YEAR EARLIER.
THIS IS SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN DECEMBER 1989 WAS $19,915 MILLION, $1,258 MILLION OR 5.9 PER CENT LESS THAN IN DECEMBER 1988, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $1,464 MILLION OR 5.2 PER CENT TO $29,587 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $49,502 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1989, WAS THUS ONLY $206 MILLION OR 0.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1988.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS DECREASED BY 5.5 PER CENT OR $2,738 MILLION FROM A YEAR EARLIER, TO $47,445 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1989.
AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $2,057 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1989.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $887 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.8 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1988.
PUTTING THESE TRADE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR 1989 AS A WHOLE WAS $570,509 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $224,104 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $346,405 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH 1988, IN VALUE TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $77,440 MILLION OR 15.7 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $6,440 MILLION OR 3.0 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $71,000 MILLION OR 25.8 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $63,984 MILLION OR 12.8 PER CENT, TO $562,782 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $7,727 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN 1989.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $5,729 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED TN 1988.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAD BEEN SLUGGISH SINCE MAY 1989.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED NEGATIVE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES IN SEPTEMBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
/ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
3
ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT OF CONCERN WAS THE CONTINUED DECELERATION OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN THE GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS.
A LARGE PART OF THIS WAS DUE TO A MARKED DECLINE IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, ALTHOUGH RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN STILL RECORDED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT, ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS SHOWED CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989.
THIS SUGGESTED THAT BOTH DOMESTIC DEMAND AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS WOULD REMAIN RELATIVELY WEAK IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1989:
MERCHANDISE:
DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE
S 1 9,91 5 $29,587 $49,502 $47,445 $2,057
MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION
(IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS OCT 89 TO DEC 89 HK$ MN. OCT 88 TO DEC 88 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 60,177 61,291 -1,114 -1.8
RE-EXPORTS 91,617 82,457 9,160 11.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 151,794 143,748 8,046 5.6
IMPORTS 142,552 144,195 -1,643 -1.1
TRADE BALANCE 9,242 -447 9,689
DECEMBER DECEMBER
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1989 1988 INCREASE
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 19,915 21, 173 -1,258 5.9
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (40.2%) (43.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 29,587 28,123 1 ,464 5.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 49,502 49,296 206 0.4
IMPORTS 47,445 50,183 -2,738 5.5
TRADE BALANCE 2,057 -887 2,944
/LAST MONTH .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
DECEMBER NOVEMBER
LAST MONTH 1989 1989 INCREASE
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 19,915 19,412 503 2.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (40.2%) (39.2%) -459 -1.5
RE-EXPORTS 29,587 30,046
TOTAL EXPORTS 49,502 49,458 44 0.1
IMPORTS 47,445 46,344 1,101 2.4
TRADE BALANCE 2,057 JAN-DEC 3,114 JAN-DEC -1,057
LAST 12 MONTHS 1989 1988 INCREASE
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 224,104 217,664 6,440 3.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (39.3%) (44.1%)
RE-EXPORTS 346,405 275,405 71,000 25.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 570,509 493,069 77,440 15.7
IMPORTS 562,782 498,798 63,984 12.8
TRADE BALANCE 7 , 727 -5,729 13,456
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR SETTING UP HKCAA * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO SET UP THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION (HKCAA).
THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION BILL 1990 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 14.
THE HKCAA WILL CARRY OUT ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION OF LOCAL NON-UN1VERSITY INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT THE ACADEMIC STANDARDS OF THEIR DEGREE-LEVEL PROGRAMMES ARE COMPARABLE TO THOSE RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY.
''THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKCAA CONCLUDES THE WORK OF THE PROVISIONAL HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION APPOINTED IN 1987 TO SET UP THE PERMANENT COUNCIL." A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE BILL SETS OUT THE HKCAA* S FUNCTIONS, OF WHICH THE MAIN ONES ARE ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION, DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON ACADEMIC STANDARDS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH ACCREDITING BODIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
/"UNDER THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
5
"UNDER THE BILL, THE HKCAA WILL BE EMPOWERED TO CARRY OUT ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION OF THE POLYTECHNICS, THE BAPTIST COLLEGE, THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE AND THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
"SUBJECT TO THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR, OTHER INSTITUTIONS MAY ALSO REQUEST THE SERVICES OF THE HKCAA. IN CARRYING OUT ITS FUNCTIONS, THE HKCAA WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CREATION OF THE HKCAA AS PART OF HONG KONG'S HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE WAS IMPORTANT IN ENSURING THAT STANDARDS WOULD REMAIN HIGH IN A FAST EXPANDING AND INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL.
"SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO ACCELERATE THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DEGREE LEVEL PLACES BY 1995 MAY LEAD TO LOWER. ACADEMIC STANDARDS. THE HKCAA WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT THIS SITUATION DOES NOT OCCUR," HE SAID.
"THE BILL PROVIDES THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIST OF A MAXIMUM OF 21 MEMBERS DRAWN FROM LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ACADEMICS AS WELL AS LOCAL PERSONALITIES WITH EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE PROFESSIONS. THEY WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. IN ADDITION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE A MEMBER EX-OFFICIO.
"THE COUNCIL WILL BE SERVICED BY A STAFF OF ACADEMICS AND SOME CIVIL SERVANTS ON SECONDMENT FROM GOVERNMENT.
"THE BILL REQUIRES AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE BILL ALSO MAKES UNAUTHORISED USE OF THE TITLE OF HKCAA AN OFFENCE."
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NEW CONTROLS ON SULPHUR CONTENT OF INDUSTRIAL FUELS » ♦ * * «
NEW LEGAL CONTROLS TO REDUCE THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF INDUSTRIAL FUELS WILL BE TN PLACE ON JULY 1.
THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY) THE NEW AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS 1990.
THE REGULATIONS INTRODUCE A TERR I TORY-WI DE RESTRICTION ON THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF INDUSTRIAL LIQUID FUEL TO NO MORE THAN 0.5 PER CENT BY WEIGHT.
INDUSTRIAL DIESEL IS SPECIFIED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR HIGH SULPHUR INDUSTRIAL FUEL OIL.
/THE REGULATIONS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990 6
THE REGULATIONS ALSO LIMIT THE USE OF SOLID FUEL TO NO MORE THAN ONE PER CENT SULPHUR BY WEIGHT. IN SHA TIN, THE PRESENT BAN ON LIQUID AND SOLID FUEL REMAINS. THIS MEANS THAT ONLY GASEOUS FUEL, WHICH CONTAINS PRACTICALLY NO SULPHUR, IS ALLOWED.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (ENVIRONMENT) OF THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, MR MARTIN LEWIS, SAID THESE REGULATIONS REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN REDUCING AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE AIR WE BREATHE," MR LEWIS SAID.
"AND THE NEW CONTROLS REPRESENT A COMPLETELY EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE METHOD OF REDUCING SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN THE AIR," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, NON-COMPLIANCE WILL RESULT IN A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $20,000, PLUS A DAILY FINE OF $5,000 FOR A CONTINUING OFFENCE.
HE ALSO SAID THERE WERE ALSO OTHER INCIDENTAL BENEFITS TO BE GAINED FROM SWITCHING TO LOW-SULPHUR INDUSTRIAL DIESEL: EMISSIONS OF OXIDES OF NITROGEN AND EMISSIONS OF RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES WOULD ALSO BE VERY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED.
"BOTH OF THESE ARE ALSO HARMFUL POLLUTANTS WHICH EXIST IN TOO HIGH A CONCENTRATION IN OUR AIR," MR LEWIS SAID.
HONG KONG SUFFERS FROM SERIOUS AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY SULPHUR DIOXIDE. AT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS, IT CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES SUCH AS ASTHMA AND BRONCHITIS, REDUCED LUNG FUNCTION, AND A GENERAL INCREASE IN MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY RATES.
OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE PRESENTLY EXPOSED TO UNACCEPTABLY HIGH SULPHUR DIOXIDE LEVELS.
THE SERIOUS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A NUMBER OF FACTORS, MR LEWIS SAID.
"WE HAVE A VERY HIGH DENSITY OF BOTH INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS COMMON THAT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS. IN SOME CASES, LOCAL TOPOGRAPHY ALSO INHIBITS THE DISPERSION OF POLLUTANTS.
"ADDING TO THIS, THE MOST COMMON FUEL USED BY FACTORIES CONTAINS 2.5 PER CENT SULPHUR BY WEIGHT. BURNING JUST ONE TONNE OF THIS FUEL CAUSES 50 KILOGRAM OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE TO RE EMITTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE," HE SAID.
MR LEWIS SAID IN ORDER TO BRING THE SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN THE AIR DOWN TO A SAFE LEVEL, IT WAS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE A 75 PER CENT REDUCTION IN SULPHUR DIOXIDE.
/IN PREPARING .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
IN PREPARING THE REGULATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED INDUSTRY’S COUNTER PROPOSALS, INCLUDING A PHASED REDUCTION OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND LETTING INDUSTRY CHOOSE ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS.
HOWEVER, PHASING THE REDUCTION OF SULPHUR CONTENT WOULD MEAN A DELAY IN REDUCING THE EXPOSURE OF PEOPLE TO POLLUTION, WITH NO SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE PRESENT SITUATION DURING THE EARLY PHASES.
TO ALLOW EACH FACTORY TO CHOOSE ITS OWN METHOD MEANS TACKLING EMISSIONS ON A FACTORY BY FACTORY BASIS. THIS WOULD REQUIRE A LARGE ARMY OF ENFORCEMENT STAFF TO CHECK EMISSIONS FROM EACH INDIVIDUAL FACTORY.
MR LEWIS SAID THERE WOULD ALSO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF LONG DRAWN-OUT COURT CASES, MAKING FURTHER DEMANDS ON PUBLIC RESOURCES AND FURTHER DELAYING IMPLEMENTATION.
THE FACTORY BY FACTORY APPROACH WAS SIMPLY NOT AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO SOLVE THE PRESENT PROBLEM.
"IT WOULD NOT BRING ABOUT THE DESIRED RESULT IN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. WE MUST ACT QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY, AS PEOPLE’S HEALTH IS SUFFERING," HE SAID.
NO RELAXATION IN CURB ON ILLEGAL FISH MARKETING ACTIVITIES * » ♦ » »
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND THE POLICE WILL CONTINUE TO JOIN FORCES IN ELIMINATING ILLEGAL MARKETING ACTIVITIES IN THE WHOLESALE OF MARINE FISH, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, STRESSED TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION’S ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET, DR LEE APPEALED- TO THE FISHERMEN FOR THEIR CONTINUOUS CO-OPERATION BY MARKETING THEIR FUTURE CATCHES THROUGH THE FMO MARKETS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) ORDINANCE.
"IN THE PAST YEAR, THERE WERE OVER 100 CASES OF SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS WITH ALL THE OFFENDERS FINED AND THEIR CATCHES CONFISCATED.
"ONE OF THE OFFENDERS WAS EVEN SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT, SUSPENDED FOR 18 MONTHS," DR LEE POINTED OUT.
MEANWHILE, THE FMO SPARED NO EFFORT IN ENHANCING MARKETING SERVICES AND EFFICIENCY.
/"FOLLOWING THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
- 8 -
"FOLLOWING THE STRICT BAN ON FISH BUYERS FROM ENTERING THE SORTING FLOOR AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN FISH MARKET IN 1988, SIMILAR SCHEMES WERE INTRODUCED ONE AFTER THE OTHER AT THE ABERDEEN, SHAU KEI WAN AND TAI PO FISH MARKETS LAST YEAR," DR LEE NOTED.
"THESE MEASURES PROVE TC BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING MARKET ORDER AND WERE WELCOMED BY THE FISHERMEN AND TRADERS. AS TRADING OF FRESH FISH WAS CONDUCTED UNDER UNBIASED CONDITIONS, BETTER SELLING PRICES WERE FETCHED AND AS A RESULT FISHERMEN WERE THE ONES TO BENEFIT," HE CONTINUED.
HE SAID A SIMILAR SCHEME FOR THE CASTLE PEAK FISH MARKET WAS SCHEDULED TO BE IMPLEMENTED AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
A TOTAL OF 74,000 TONNES OF FISH VALUED AT $610 MILLION WERE SOLD THROUGH FMO FISH MARKETS LAST YEAR.
"OTHER THAN MARKETING SERVICES, THE FMO ALSO PROVIDES LOCAL FISHERMEN WITH LOW-INTEREST LOANS AND EDUCATION SUBSIDIES," DR LEE SAID.
IN 1989, LOANS AMOUNTING TO $8.64 MILLION WERE GRANTED TO MEET FISHERMEN’S OPERATIONAL NEEDS. FROM THE MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND, SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND LOANS AMOUNTING TO $247,000 IN TOTAL WERE AWARDED TO FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN AND STUDENTS.
THE FMO ALSO ORGANISED A STUDY TOUR TO EUROPE FOR LOCAL FISHERMEN LAST YEAR.
VISITS PAID TO VARIOUS EUROPEAN HARBOURS, FISH MARKETS AND MARINE EXHIBITIONS DURING THE TRIP HAD BROADENED THE HORIZON OF LOCAL FISHERMEN AND THE EXPERIENCE THEY GAINED WOULD BENEFIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL FISHERIES INDUSTRY, DR LEE CONTINUED.
TURNING TO AFD’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY OF LOCAL FISHERMEN, DR LEE NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUED TO RUN VOCATIONAL TRAINING CLASSES FOR COXSWAINS AND ENGINEERS, AS WELL AS NAVIGATION AND MARINE ELECTRONICS COURSES IN 1989.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE AFD CONDUCTED A NEW, 10-WEEK SEA-FISHING COXSWAIN ENDORSEMENT COURSE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE COURSE IS TO ENHANCE THE NAVIGATION SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF FISHERMEN, TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTANT FISHING BY THE LOCAL FISHING FLEET AND TO CATER FOR THE FUTURE NEEDS OF STELL HULL VESSELS," DR LEE EXPLAINED.
AT TODAY’S PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY, THE FIRST BATCH OF SEVEN GRADUATES OF THE SEA-FISHING COXSWAIN ENDORSEMENT COURSE RECEIVED THEIR CERTIFICATES FROM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TIM FRAWLEY.
THESE GRADUATES HAD PASSED AN EXAMINATION ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AND TWO OF THEM WERE ALREADY WORKING ON STEEL HULL VESSELS.
/MEANWHILE, SIX ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
9
MEANWHILE, SIX GRADUATES OF THE NAVIGATION TRAINING GLASS WERE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES BY DR LEE.
DR LEE ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES TO TWO FISHERMEN - MR SO SAI AND MR CHENG AH-FOOK, WHO HAD BRAVELY SAVED THE LIVES OF NINE PEOPLE AT SEA.
NINE FMO STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAD EACH SERVED THE ORGANISATION FOR 25 YEARS WERE AWARDED LONG SERVICE MEDALS.
TWENTY-FOUR FISHERMEN WHO LANDED THE TOP CATCHES IN THE FMO’S WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS LAST YEAR WERE PRESENTED PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES BY MRS LEE.
AMONG THEM, MR PO YAN-FOO, MR PO YAN-YAU, MR KWAN CHUB, MR LAU KAM-FAI, MR LEUNG NGAU AND MR NG CHUEN-HEE WERE NAMED CHAMPION FISHERMEN OF THE YEAR.
- - 0 - -
TAX EXEMPTION
FOR EXCHANGE FUND BILLS PROPOSED ******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ADVISED THAT DRAFT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXEMPTION OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS FROM PROFITS TAX AND STAMP DUTY.
"THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST STEPS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE WE CAN PROCEED WITH ISSUING THE BILLS," THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDTCK, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE DRAFT LEGISLATION IS IN THE FORM OF TWO BILLS, ONE TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER TO AMEND THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE.
BOTH WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 7.
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE THREE REASONS FOR EXEMPTING EXCHANGE FUND BILLS FROM PROFITS TAX AND STAMP DUTY:
- TO LOWER THE YIELD AT WHICH THE BILLS ARE SOLD;
- TO MAKE THE BILLS MORE EASILY MARKETABLE; AND
- TO ENCOURAGE SECONDARY MARKET TRADING.
"THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ANNOUNCED ON AUGUST 24, 1989 THAT
THIS WAS HIS INTENTION, ' MR NENDICK SAID.
"THE PROPOSAL IS IN LINE WITH MARKET EXPECTATIONS," HE ADDED.
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/10........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
10
AMENDMENT TO DEFINITION OF ’PUBLIC MONEYS’ PROPOSED
******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF “PUBLIC MONEYS” UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 PROPOSES THAT MONEYS HELD BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL OR THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT ON BEHALF OF OTHERS BUT WHICH DO NOT FORM PART OF THE GENERAL REVENUE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION OF "PUBLIC MONEYS", A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THE AMENDMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE NON-GOVERNMENT MONEYS WERE ACCOUNTABLE UNDER OTHER LEGISLATION AND WERE SUBJECT TO DIRECTION FROM PERSONS OTHER THAN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE POSSIBILITY OF CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC FJNANCE ORDINANCE AND THE PROVISIONS OF OTHER ENACTMENTS (OR DIRECTIONS OF A COURT) MAY ARISE," HE ADDED.
"EXCLUDING NON-GOVERNMENT MONEYS FROM THE DEFINITION OF ’PUBLIC MONEY’ WOULD AVOID SUCH CONFLICTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES TO DIRECT PUBLIC OFFICERS TO PREPARE AND MAINTAIN ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS OF SUCH NON-GOVERNMENT MONEYS, HE SAID.
"THE ACCOUNTS OF THESE MONEYS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AUDITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUD 1’1’ UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE AUDIT ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 7.
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GOVERNOR TO SPEAK ON RADIO, TV * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL DELIVER. HIS NEW YEAR MESSAGE ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE TIMETABLE FOR BROADCASTS OF THE MESSAGE IS AS FOLLOWS:
/DAY AND ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
DAY AND TIME
TELEVISION FRIDAY (JAN 26) SATURDAY (REPEAT)
(JAN 27)
ATV (HOME CHANNEL) APPROX. 1845 APPROX. 1300
TVB (JADE) APPROX. 1900 APPROX. 1315
TVB (PEARL) APPROX. 1950 APPROX. 1300
ATV (WORLD CHANNEL) APPROX. 2025 APPROX. 0950 SATURDAY (REPEAT)
RADIO FRIDAY (JAN 26) (JAN 27)
RTHK 1 (CHINESE) 1900 1300
RTHK 3 (ENGLISH) 1815 0730
COMMERCIAL RADIO 1 (CHINESE) 1820 0005, 1210
COMMERCIAL RADIO 2 (CHINESE) 1800 1210
COMMERCIAL RADIO (ENGLISH) 1805 -
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14 CHEMICALS TO COME UNDER EXPORT LICENSING CONTROL
FOURTEEN CHEMICALS WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF BEING USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TOXICOLOGICAL AGENTS FOR MILITARY USE WILL BE BROUGHT UNDER EXPORT LICENSING CONTROL WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 5 THIS YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE CHEMICALS SUBJECT TO EXPORT LICENSING ARE SET OUT IN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT OF SECOND SCHEDULE) ORDER 1990 WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
A PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, MR ALAN CHU, SAID THE CONTROL WAS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO CHECK THE PROLIFERATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS.
"AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT TRADE THROUGH HONG KONG HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM OF PROLIFERATION," MR CHU SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INFORMING THE TRADE, BY A CIRCULAR LETTER, OF DETAILS OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENT. ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE WITH THE TRADE LICENSING (NON-TEXTILES) SECTION, TRADE DEPARTMENT, OCEAN CENTRE, 13TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON (TELEPHONE NUMBERS 7372504 OR 7372516).
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/12
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
- 12 -
CENTRAL, WESTERN, WAN CHAI WEST SEWERAGE STUDY
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEM RESULTING FROM THE IMPROPER DISCHARGE OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS TO STORMWATER DRAINS AND WATER COURSES WITHIN THE CENTRAL, WESTERN AND WAN CHAI WEST REGION.
THE STUDY WILL ASSESS THE INADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND SCHEMES FOR REMEDIAL WORKS WILL BE FORMULATED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SEWAGE WILL BE PROPERLY COLLECTED AND DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
A SEWERAGE MASTER. PLAN WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND A PRIORITISED PROGRAMME FOR PROGRESSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF NECESSARY ENGINEERING WORKS WILL BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE FOR SHORT AND LONG TERM MEASURES TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN STAGES.
EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO ACHIEVING EARLY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
THE AGREEMENT FOR. THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN THE EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. (WASTE AND WATER. POLICY), MR MIKE STOKOE, AND MR A.J. MORRIS, DIRECTOR OF BALFOURS INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) CONSULTING ENGINEERS LTD.
THE STUDY, AT A COST OF $12 MILLION, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
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CAMPAIGN ENHANCES FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCEEDED IN DRIVING HOME THE MESSAGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TO FACTORY OWNERS AND WORKERS THROUGH A SPECIAL FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR.
DURING THE TWO-MONTH OPERATION WHICH ENDED IN FACTORY INSPECTORS VISITED MORE THAN 12,100 FACTORIES WITH FIRE OR CHEMI (’AL HAZARDS TO WORKERS.
DECEMBER, POTENTIAL
"FACTORY MANAGEMENTS AND EMPLOYEES WERE REMINDED OF THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS
(FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES) AND (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS AND WERE ADVISED ON THE PRECAUTION TO BE TAKEN," THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTING CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR. CHAN TAT-KING, SAID
TODAY (THURSDAY).
/"THE INSPECTIONS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
"THE INSPECTIONS HAVE ALSO RESULTED IN PROSECUTION BEING RECOMMENDED AGAINST 368 OFFENDING EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS," MR CHAN ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT MOST OF THE INTENDED PROSECUTIONS CONCERNED OBSTRUCTIONS OF FIRE EXITS AND LOCKING UP OF FIRE ESCAPE DOORS.
PROSECUTION MAY ALSO BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST 39 OFFENDERS FOR FAILURE TO PROPERLY LABEL CONTAINERS HOLDING LISTED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES.
"IN ADDITION, FIVE WORKERS MAY BE PROSECUTED FOR SMOKING IN PROHIBITED AREAS IN THEIR WORKPLACES," MR CHAN SAID.
APART FROM PROSECUTIONS, MR CHAN SAID SOME 7,900 PUBLICATIONS CONTAINING USEFUL INFORMATION ON SAFETY WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED DURING THE INSPECTIONS.
"LEAFLETS ON SAFETY TRAINING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE WERE DISTRIBUTED TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, WHO WERE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO ENROL FOR COURSES ON THE SAFE HANDLING OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT 68 FACTORIES HAVE ALREADY SENT WORKERS TO ATTEND CHEMICAL-RELATED COURSES, WHILE ANOTHER 1,016 FACTORIES HAVE SHOWN INTENTION TO DO SO," MR CHAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
LAND RESUMPTION FOR EXTENSION OF BORROW AREA *****
A PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOT IN SAI KUNG IS TO BE RESUMED FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING BORROW AREA FOR JUNK BAY LANDFILL STAGE I, PHASES V AND VI.
THE LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 2,266.3 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED IN PAK SHING KOK.
A NOTICE ON THE RESUMPTION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE LOT WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT THREE MONTHS AFTER THF NOTICE IS POSTED ON THE LOT.
- - 0 - -
/14
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1990
14
SHA TIN LOT FOR SALE BY TENDER * ♦ ♦ *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A LAND LOT IN MEI WO CIRCUIT, SHA TIN.
MEASURING ABOUT 1,120 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND SHOULD BE OCCUPIED BY ONE FAMILY.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE PURCHASER SHOULD COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA NOT LESS THAN 268 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
THE ANNUAL RENTAL IS $300 UP TO JUNE 30, 1997 AND THEREAFTER AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THREE PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE FOR THE TIME BEING OF THE LOT.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER. PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 23 THIS YEAR.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE ...................................... 1
MAJOR STEP BY STEERING COMMITTEE ....................................... 3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL ............................. 4
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TOLO HIGHWAY
5
FRIDAY. JANUARY 26. 1990
- 1 -
TEXT OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE DELIVERED THIS EVENING BY THE GOVERNOR. SIR DAVID WILSON:
GOVERNOR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE t * * * » * «
"THE NEW YEAR IS A FAMILY FESTIVAL. WE TREASURE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH OUR CHILDREN AND WITH PARENTS. WE ALSO PAUSE IN THE DAILY HUSTLE OF OUR LIVES AND THINK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE WE HAVE GOT TO AND WHERE WE ARE GOING.
"THIS IS NOW THE START OF A NEW DECADE. THE LAST DECADE. THE 1980S. WAS A MOMENTOUS TIME FOR HONG KONG. DECISIONS WERE MADE THEN ABOUT OUR FUTURE WHICH ARE GOING TO AFFECT EVERYBODY’S LIVES. AS PEOPLE LOOK AT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE. THEY WONDER HOW THEY ARE GOING TO WORK TN PRACTICE. NATURALLY SO. PARTICULARLY WHEN LAST YEAR - THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE - WE HAD TO DEAL WITH MORE THAN OUR USUAL SHARE OF CHALLENGES.
"SO LET’S TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK BACK AT THE PAST 10 YEARS TO REMIND OURSELVES HOW FAR WE HAVE COME IN THAT SHORT TIME. DOING THIS CAN HELP TO GIVE US CONFIDENCE FOR THE FUTURE.
"TAKE. FOR EXAMPLE. THE WAY OPPORTUNITIES HAVE OPENED UP FOR OUR CHILDREN. YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS. RIGHTLY SO. AND MOST HONG KONG PARENTS ARE DETERMINED TO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN A BETTER LIFE THAN THEY HAD THEMSELVES.
"TEN YEARS AGO. WE HAD ONLY JUST BEGUN TO PROVIDE THREE YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN.
"TODAY WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT ALL YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO SCHOOLING UP TO THE AGE OF 15. MANY GO ON AFTER THAT. AND OUTSIDE SCHOOL. THERE ARE PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES FOR RECREATION AND FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.
"THE NEXT 10 YEARS ARE GOING TO SEE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS. AND THERE WILL BE MORE VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN SKILLS. ALSO THAT HONG KONG HAS A LABOUR FORCE WHICH CAN COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"OUR UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS WILL BE GROWING RAPIDLY. MORE AND MORE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO GOING ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION AFTER THEY LEAVE SCHOOL.
"THE WELL-BEING OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE. THE UNITY OF THE FAMILY IS INDEED ONE OF THE STRENGTHS OF HONG KONG. TO IMPROVE FAMILY LIFE WE NEED DECENT HOMES. HOUSING IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT WAS ACHIEVED TN THE 19808.
/"JUST 10 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1990
2
"JUST 10 YEARS AGO. OVER 600.000 PEOPLE STILL LIVED IN SQUATTER HUTS. THEY COVERED MANY OF OUR URBAN HILLSIDES. ALL THIS HAS BEEN CHANGED DRAMATICALLY WITH THE BUILDING OF LARGE NUMBERS OF NEW HOUSING PROJECTS.
"MANY OF THESE NEW HOMES ARE IN COMPLETELY NEW TOWNS. THEY HAVE GROWN UP WHERE THERE USED TO BE FIELDS AND SEA - FOR EXAMPLE LIKE SHA TIN. WHICH HAS JUST CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY.
"IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF OUR HOUSING WILL GO ON. IT WILL BE ONE OF OUR MAJOR TASKS IN THE 1990S. IF WE CAN MANAGE TO CARRY OUT OUR PRESENT PLANS. THEN WITHIN ONLY A FEW YEARS ALL THE SQUATTERS IN OUR URBAN AREAS WILL BE REHOUSED.
"IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF WE WANT TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT TO DEAL WITH THE MAJOR PROBLEM POLLUTION OF OUR AIR AND WATER. IN THIS EFFORT TO MAKE HONG KONG
LIFE ISN’T JUST A MATTER OF HOUSING.
THAT IS SAFE AND PLEASANT. WE NEED
AREAS - TO REDUCE NOISE AND THE
ALL OF US HAVE A PART TO PLAY AN EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE AND HEALTHY
PLACE TO LIVE.
"THERE ARE MANY OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS OF WHICH WE CAN AND OF WHICH WE SHOULD CONGRATULATE OURSELVES.
"WITH HONG KONG’S REMARKABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE APPEARANCE OF THE TERRITORY HAS BEEN TOTALLY TRANSFORMED FROM WHAT IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO. WE NOW HAVE AN ULTRA MODERN CITY SKYLINE - AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST EFFICIENT MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS.
"WE HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL TO BUILD A CITY AND A COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN BE PROUD 01.
"THAT WORK WILL CONTINUE IN THIS NEW DECADE. IN THE 1990S. FOR EXAMPLE. WE’LL BE STARTING WORK ON THE LARGEST PROJECTS IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY - THESE INCLUDE A BRAND NEW AIRPORT AND WHAT IS GOING TO AMOUNT TO A SECOND HARBOUR - AS WELL AS DEVELOPING NEW LAND AND BUILDING ROADS AND TUNNELS. ALL OF THIS IS PART OF THE EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A MODERN. COMPETITIVE CITY - AND ALSO THAT IT’S A CONVENIENT AND A PLEASANT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK.
"WE NOW HAVE OUR OWN INDIGENOUS CULTURE. AN INCREASINGLY LIVELY ARTS AND RECREATION SCENE AND A BOOMING ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA INDUSTRY. WE HAVE BUILT A HONG KONG THAT IS UNIQUE.
"AS WE ENTER THE 19908. WE CAN LOOK AND WE CAN BE JUSTLY PROUD OF OUR RECORD. PRESENT NEW CHANGES AND NEW CHALLENGES. FACING THEM. WE CAN DRAW STRENGTH FROM
BACK ON THE PAST 10 YEARS
THE 1990S ARE GOING TO NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. IN WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED IN
THE PAST.
"WE KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COMMUNITY WHEN WE ARE AND UNITED TO DO IT.
DETERMINED
/"ANY COMMUNITY........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1990
’’ANY COMMUNITY IS ULTIMATELY COMPOSED OF A NUMBER OF FAMILIES. AND THE NEW YEAR IS ABOVE ALL A FESTIVAL WHEN FAMILIES SPEND TIME TOGETHER. WHEN PEOPLE PAY RESPECTS TO THEIR ELDERS. MAKE MUCH OF THEIR CHILDREN AND VISIT RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
’’AT THE START OF THIS NEW DECADE - MY WIFE. MY FAMILY AND I MYSELF WOULD LIKE TO WISH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. PROSPERITY AND EVERY HAPPINESS FOR THIS YEAR OF THE HORSE.”
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MAJOR STEP BY STEERING COMMITTEE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. MR GEOFFREY BARNES. TODAY (FRIDAY) UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FACT THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION HAD NOW BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE WORLD COMMUNITY AT THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN GENEVA.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA ON HIS RETURN FROM THE MEETING. MR BARNES SAID HE HOPED THAT THIS IN ITSELF WAS GOING TO HELP STEM BOAT PEOPLE COMING TO HONG KONG.
'’IT IS A MAJOR STEP FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE TO HAVE GOT THAT FAR. WHAT IS LEFT UNDECIDED IS THE REALISTIC TIMING FOR MANDATORY REPATRIATION TO START.” HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THAT AS DECIDED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE. THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES. MR THORVALD STOLTENBERG. HAD BEEN ASKED TO MEDIATE AND TO CONSULT WITH THE UNITED STATES AND THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS BEFORE THE END OF NEXT WEEK IN AN EFFORT TO FIND A SOLUTION.
"MR STOLTENBERG WILL REPORT TO HEADQUARTERS IN GENEVA ON THE OUTCOME OF THE CONSULTATIONS.” HE SAID.
"THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: IT MEANS THE UNHCR WILL BE GETTING INVOLVED NOW IN CONSULTATIONS IN TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION.”
MR BARNES SAID HONG KONG STILL HAI) A BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH Till. VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION.
"WE SHALL OBVIOUSLY CONSIDER FURTHER ACTION IN THAT DIRECTION IN THE LIGHT OF Till OUTCOME OF MR STOLTENBI RG ’ S EFFORTS.
"WE HOPE THE UNITED STATES AND VIETNAM WILL REFLECT IMMEDIATELY ON Till EXTRAORDINARY AND I NDEFENS I BLI POSITIONS WHICH THEY HAVE TAKEN IN THE MATTER.
/"THESE TWO
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1990
"THESE TWO COUNTRIES WERE ALONE IN THEIR REFUSAL TO COMPROMISE AT GENEVA: ALL THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS WERE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE CONSENSUS BASED ON THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF JULY 1. 1990 FOR MANDATORY REPATRIATION.’’
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT SHOULD AN UNMANAGEABLE INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE TO HONG KONG OCCUR. IT HAD BEEN AGREED THAT "WE CAN APPEAL TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR AN AMERGENCY MEETING TO BE HELD TO EXAMINE AND TO RECOMMEND SPECIAL MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.
"THAT IS AN EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO TRY TO OFFER SOME POSITIVE ASSISTANCE TO HONG KONG AND TO OTHER COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM IN THE AREA."
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHA TIN FROM 8 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 28) TO 6 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF THE CHE KUNG FESTIVAL.
THE SECTION OF THE CHE KUNG MIU ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN TAU ROAD AND CHUT TIN STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES. GREEN MINTBUSES ON ROUTE 68K FROM SHA TIN KCR STATION (PAT TAU STREET) TO JUL(MOUNT GARDEN. ANT) EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
THE TWO BUS STOPS ON THIS SECTION OF CHE KUNG MIU ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE. TRAFFIC HEADING FOR H1N KENG AND TIN SAM AREAS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD.
FRANCHISED BUS AND KCR TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED DURING THE PERIOD OF THE FESTIVAL IF NECESSARY.
IN VIEW OF THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE CARPARK IN CHUI TIN STREET NEAR SAN TIN WAI AND THE LIMITED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE. WORSHIPPERS GOING TO THE TEMPLE ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
AT THE SAME TIME. TAXIS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CHUI TIN STREET.
A TAXI STAND IS AVAILABLE ON TSUEN NAM ROAD NEAR TAI WAI KCR STATION AND TEMPORARY STOPPING PLACES FOR TAXIS WILL BE PROVIDED ON SHA TIN TAU ROAD NEAR THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
- - 0 -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1990
- 5 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OE TOLO HIGHWAY * ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SECTION OE THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OE TOLO HIGHWAY BETWEEN ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE AND MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 28) IN CONNECTION WITH 1990 HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL MARATHON EVENT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, KMB EXPRESS ROUTES 70X, 7IX, 72X, 73X, 74X AND 75X WILL CONTINUE TO USE TOLO HIGHWAY ON NORTHBOUND JOURNEYS. ON SOUTHBOUND JOURNEYS, THE EXPRESS ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTD TO OPERATE NON-STOP VIA TAI PO ROAD AND SHA TIN ROAD. THE EXISTING EXPRESS FARES WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED.
MOTORISTS WILL BE ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO MA LIU SHUI PIER, MEI SHA PIER, THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND NEARBY DESTINATIONS, ONLY IF THEY TRAVEL IN THE NORTHERLY DIRECTION ON TOLO HIGHWAY TO EXIT AT MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE.
ON LEAVING THE AREA, VEHICLES CAN ONLY EXIT ONTO THE NORTHBOUND TOLO HIGHWAY. MOTORISTS GOING TO DESTINATIONS SOUTH OF THE ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE CAN DO SO BY EXITING AT THIS INTERCHANGE TO JOIN THE SOUTHBOUND TAI PO ROAD.
AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION MAY OCCUR ON TAI PO ROAD NEAR KWONG FUK ESTATE, THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AND POLICE WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOSTER CARE PROVIDES LOVE FOR UNFORTUNATE CHILD........................... 1
UK TUITION FEE REMISSION AWARDS .......................................... 2
SUNDAY. JANUARY 28. 1990
- 1 -EOSTER CARE PROVIDES LOVE FOR UNFORTUNATE CHILD *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN TSUEN WAN. KWAI TSING OR KOWLOON AREAS TO PROVIDE FOSTER CARE FOR A BABY BOY SO THAT HIS MOTHER COULD SPARE THE TIME TO LOOK AFTER HIS TWIN BROTHER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID FOSTERING FOR THE SIX-MONTH OLD TAI MING WOULD LAST FOR ONLY A YEAR.
"THE MOTHER WHOSE HUSBAND RAN AWAY BEFORE THE TWINS WERE BORN PLANS TO RAISE THE TWINS HERSELF. BUT THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND SUPPORT FROM HER FAMILY FORCED HER TO RESOLVE TO FOSTERING." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ALLOW THE MOTHER TO VISIT TAI MING. THE IDEAL FOSTER PARENTS SHOULD LIVE IN TSUEN WAN. KWAI TSING OR KOWLOON URBAN AREAS. INTERESTED PARTIES CAN CALL 5618504 OR 5618946 FOR DETAILS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOSTERING AIMED AT PLACING A CHILD IN A STABLE FAMILY WITH PEOPLE WHO COULD ACT AS SATISFACTORY SUBSTITUTE PARENTS FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD.
"THUS. FAMILY CARE COULD BE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN WHOSE NATURAL PARENTS HAVE TO BE SEPARATED FROM THEM TEMPORARILY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH FOSTERING. THE CHILD WOULD CONTINUE TO ENJOY FAMILY LIFE. AND SHARE THE AFFECTIONS OF THE FOSTER PARENTS. A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE IS GRANTED TO FOSTER PARENTS AS AN INCENTIVE."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOSTER CHILDREN MIGHT MAKE GREAT DEMANDS ON ALL PARTIES CONCERNED BUT IT MIGHT BE THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH THESE CHILDREN COULD FIND THE AFFECTION AND HAPPINESS THEY NEEDED AT THE CRUCIAL STAGES OF THEIR LIVES.
HE URGED FAMILIES WHO WERE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF SIBLING GROUPS AND OLDER CHILDREN TO EXTEND THEIR LOVE TO THOSE UNFORTUNATE CHILDREN BY BECOMING FOSTER PARENTS.
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/2 ........
SUNDAY. JANUARY 28. 1990
- 2 -
UK TUITION FEE REMISSION AWARDS » » * *
RESEARCH STUDENTS ATTENDING UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ARE NOW BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR PARTIAL REMISSION OF TUITION FEES.
ABOUT 850 OVERSEAS RESEARCH STUDENTS AWARDS ARE NOW BEING OFFERED. EACH COVERING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TUITION FEE FOR A HOME (UK) POSTGRADUATE STUDENT AND THE "FULL COST" FEE CHARGEABLE TO AN OVERSEAS POSTGRADUATE STUDENT.
"THE AWARDS ARE BEING OFFERED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS TO OVERSEAS POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OF OUTSTANDING MERIT AND RESEARCH POTENTIAL." A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE STUDENTS. THE SPOKESMAN SAID. SHOULD BE:
» GRADUATES OF A RECOGNISED UNIVERSITY OR STUDENTS EXPECTING TO GRADUATE BY SEPTEMBER 30. 1990.
* ACCEPTED. OR CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED BY ONE OF THE
PARTICIPATING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE UK FOR ADMISSION IN THE 1990-91 ACADEMIC YEAR AS REGISTERED RESEARCH
STUDENTS TO A FULL-TIME COURSE FOR A HIGHER DEGREE. OR MUST BE ALREADY REGISTERED AS FULL-TIME RESEARCH STUDENTS AT ONE OF THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
"THE ONLY CRITERIA FOR THE AWARDS ARE OUTSTANDING MERIT AND RESEARCH POTENTIAL. OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS MEANS. NATIONALITY. PROPOSED FIELD AND INSTITUTION OF STUDY. WILL NOT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT." THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT SUBJECT TO THE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS OF THE AWARD HOLDER. AN AWARD WILL BE RENEWED FOR A SECOND OR THIRD YEAR. ACCORDING TO THE NORMAL OR REMAINING LENGTH OF THE RESEARCH COURSE BEING UNDERTAKEN.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE ON THE OFFICIAL FORM OBTAINABLE FROM THE REGISTRAR OR SECRETARY OF ANY OF THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED APPLICANTS TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE OVERSEAS RESEARCH STUDENTS AWARD THROUGH ONLY ONE INSTITUTION.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATION BY THE REGISTRAR OR SECRETARY IS APRIL 30.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. AT THE LEE GARDENS. 33-37 HYSAN AVENUE. FIFTH FLOOR. ROOM 530. CAUSEWAY BAY, OR BY TELEPHONING 8392571.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG OFFICIAL SPEAKS OF RESILIENCE ............................... 1
MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO DIAMOND HILL ENVIRONMENT......................... 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY ....................... 3
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROVIDES TIMELY HELP ............................... 4
FAMILY DAY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS ........................... 5
CHILDREN'S CHOIR TO GIVE NEW YEAR CONCERT.............................. 6
TOILET, REFUSE COLLECTION POINT PROJECT IN HUNG HOM ................... 6
MONDAY. JANUARY 29. 1990
- 1 -
HONG KONG OFFICIAL SPEAKS OF RESILIENCE *****
HONG KONG HAS THRIVED DESPITE SOME TUMULTUOUS EVENTS IN CHINA AND THE VICISSITUDES OF THE WORLD’S ECONOMY. SAID MR K.C. KWONG. HONG KONG’S DEPUTY COMMISSIONER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE INFLUENTIAL CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY. MR KWONG SAID HONG KONG’S UNIQUE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY HAD MADE IT THE WORLD’S ELEVENTH LARGEST TRADING TERRITORY WITH A PER CAPITA INCOME TN 1988 OF HKS75.000.
THE FACTORS THAT ENABLED HONG KONG TO REACH THE POSITION IT NOW COMMANDS INCLUDE:-
* ITS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND A DEVELOPED INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH MAKE IT A NATURAL AND PRIMARY HUB IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC RIM;
» THE DILIGENCE AND VERSATILITY OF ITS PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADAPTED WELL TO THE CHANGING INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH BUSINESSES OPERATE:
* THE MARKET-ORIENTED SYSTEM WHICH OPERATES UNDER THE RULE OF LAW: AND
* THE PRAGMATISM OF BOTH CHINA AND HONG KONG IN HANDLING THEIR DELICATE INTERDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP.
COMPLEMENTING THIS EXCEPTIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH WERE AMBITIOUS EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMMES. MR KWONG SAID. BY 1995 TERTIARY EDUCATION PLACES WOULD BE INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT 14 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP TO 25 PER CENT. AND A TRAINING FUND WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO GIVE MANAGERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
THESE STEPS WOULD HELP MATCH THE SKILLS SHORTAGE CREATED BY THE "BRAIN DRAIN" THROUGH EMIGRATION.
"THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE PROPOSED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS ANOTHER. FACTOR. IT WILL PROVIDE AN ’INSURANCE POLICY’ FOR MANY OF THE SKILLED. PROFESSIONAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM THE CONFIDENCE TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG." MR KWONG SAID.
MR KWONG STRESSED THAT THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WAS THE BEST GUARANTEE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE. IT WAS AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. LEGALLY BINDING. DEPOSITED AT THE UNITED NATIONS. CHINA ALSO HAD AN EXCELLENT RECORD IN ABIDING BY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.
"IN MORE PRACTICAL TERMS. HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE TO CHINA CANNOT BE OVER-ESTIMATED." HE SAID. "HONG KONG ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT A THIRD OF CHINA’S FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS AND TWO-THIRDS OF ITS OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS. IN ADDITION TO BEING A SHOP WINDOW TO CHINA. IT IS A GATEWAY FOR THE MAINLAND TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. THE TERRITORY ALSO OFFERS INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS TO CHINA."
/MR KWONG .......
JAi iJARY 2.9, .1990
- 2 -
MR KWONG POINTED OUT THAT CHINA HAD MADE REPEATED PUBLIC ASSURANCES TO HONG KONG AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF ITS DETERMINATION TO ADHERE TO THE POLICY OF "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS". THE AGREEMENTS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BASIC LAW - THE MINI CONSTITUTION FOR HONG KONG POST-1997.
MR KWONG SAID THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE PROSPECT FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PROSPERITY AND STABILITY WAS GOOD.
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MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO DIAMOND HILL ENVIRONMENT t » * * *
THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF RESIDENTS IN DIAMOND HILL SQUATTER AREAS IN WONG TAI SIN HAS BEEN FURTHER IMPROVED THROUGH JOINT EFFORTS MADE BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE. THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT CONTRACTORS.
THE IMPROVEMENTS WERE OUTLINED TODAY (MONDAY) BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENT MEASURES CONCERNING HYGIENE. POLLUTION. ROADS AND GENERAL SAFETY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES INVOLVED IN THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT IN RECENT WEEKS.
THE POLLUTION PROBLEM AT A STREAM IN THE DIAMOND NEW VILLAGE HAS ALSO BEEN EASED FURTHER FOLLOWING TWO CLEANSING OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT LAST WEEK BY CONTRACTORS HIRED WITH DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
RESIDENTS AND WORKERS IN DYEING FACTORIES ARE URGED TO EXERCISE MORE SELF-DISCIPLINE AND NOT TO DUMP RUBBISH INTO THE STREAM.
RUBBISH BINS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN STRAIGHT STREET BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IN DIAMOND NEW VILLAGE. A TEMPORARY ROAD WITH RAILINGS ON BOTH SIDES HAS BEEN BUILT BETWEEN HAMMER HILL ROAD AND DIAMOND ROAD BY A HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT CONTRACTOR. LIGHTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE RAILINGS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS.
ANOTHER ROAD HAS ALSO BEEN BUILT TO LINK STRAIGHT STREET WITH THE TEMPORARY ROAD.
IN THE THIRD LANE OF THE VILLAGE. A METAL FOOTBRIDGE OVER THE STREAM HAS BEEN BUILT UNDER THE SQUATTER AREAS IMPROVEMENTS SCHEME OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
A FOOTPATH WITH RAILINGS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN TAI HOM ROAD AND TAI KWUN ROAD TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH SAFER ACCESS BETWEEN LUNG POON COURT AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD. WITHOUT HAVING TO PASS UNDER THE FLYOVERS NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED THERE.
/MEANWHILE, SAFETY ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1990
3 -
MEANWHILE. SAFETY MEASURES HAVE BEEN STEPPED UP AT THE FLYOVERS. INCLUDING SAFETY NETS TO PREVENT FALLING OBJECTS FROM INJURING PEDESTRIANS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID OTHER IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BEING PLANNED INCLUDE INSTALLING ADDITIONAL STREET LIGHTS IN STRAIGHT STREET. CONSTRUCTING A CONCRETE FOOTPATH LINKING STRAIGHT STREET AND HAMMER HILL ROAD. AND PLACING MORE RUBBISH BINS IN DIAMOND NEW VILLAGE.
"ALTHOUGH THESE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE DIAMOND HILL SQUATTER AREAS,” HE ADDED.
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SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY * * » * »
A VARIETY SHOW AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE 1990 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 31).
AMONG THE PERFORMERS IN THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BE THE GUANGDONG DANCE AND DRAMA TROUPE.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE CHINESE PLAYS. TRADITIONAL DANCES. HAKKA SONGS AND AN INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL.
A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD BEFOREHAND. AND THEN THERE WILL BE A SPRING GATHERING.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER. MR FREDERICK TONG: CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD. MR WILLIAM WAN: CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THF REGIONAL COUNCIL. MR TANG PUT-TAT: AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES. MR LEE YUN-SAU AND MR PONG TING-YUEN.
ABOUT 900 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WITH THE AIM OF CULTIVATING RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
/MANY OTHER .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1990
- 4 -
... «•
MANY OTHER EVENTS. SUCH AS CANTONESE OPERA AND SPORTS
ACTIVITIES. WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE FESTIVAL CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 4.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL. CHAN MAN STREET. SAI KUNG TOWN ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 31) AT 7 PM.
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
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PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROVIDES TIMELY HELP t * ♦ t t
THE CHAN FAMILY IS AT LAST ABLE TO STAND ON THEIR. OWN FEET. THEIR CHILDREN HAVE RECENTLY SECURED RESPECTABLE JOBS UPON THE COMPLETION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
A FAMILY OF FOUR. THE CHAN FAMILY IS SIMILAR TO ANY OTHER FAMILY OF THE SAME SIZE IN THE TERRITORY. EXCEPT THAT THEY HAD BEEN LIVING ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OVER THE PAST DECADE.
AS THE CHAN’S CHILDREN HAVE GROWN UP AND SECURED EMPLOYMENT. THE FAMILY WITHDREW THEIR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICATION LAST AUTUMN.
IN ANOTHER CASE. A WIDOW WITH FOUR CHILDREN RECENTLY ALSO WITHDREW FROM FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
THE WOMAN HAD NO OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME SINCE THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND IN THE EARLY 80’S.
WITH THE HELP OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT. THE FAMILY HAD BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR LIVING WITH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND WAS ALLOCATED A PUBLIC HOUSING UNIT UNDER THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING PROGRAMME.
THE WOMAN WITHDREW HER APPLICATION FOR FURTHER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LAST DECEMBER ON THE GROUNDS THAT HER CHILDREN ARE NOW GROWN UP AND SHE HAS CONFIDENCE TO TAKE UP OPEN EMPLOYMENT TO SUPPORT HER FAMILY.
COMMENTING ON THE CASE OF THE CHAN FAMILY. AN SAID THEIR DIFFICULTIES WERE FIRST MADE KNOWN TO THE THE LATE 70’S.
SWD SPOKESMAN
DEPARTMENT IN
"AS THE FATHER WAS BEDRIDDEN PRIMARY STUDENTS. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WAS
AND THE CHILDREN WERE ONLY IMMEDIATELY RENDERED TO THEM.
/"IT IS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1990
"IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING TO LEARN THAT ALL THE CHILDREN HAD RECEIVED PROPER EDUCATION UP TO TERTIARY LEVEL." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS THE DEPARTMENT’S ULTIMATE GOAL TO PROVIDE TIMELY ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THAT NEEDY FAMILIES ARE TAKEN CARE OF." HE ADDED.
THE AIM OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE IMMEDIATE HELP TO TIDE OVER DIFFICULT PERIODS.
OVER THE YEARS. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAD BENEFITTED FROM THE SCHEME AND WERE ABLE TO TIDE OVER ALL SORTS OF DIFFICULTIES. MANY OF THEM HAD SUBSEQUENTLY WITHDRAWN FROM FURTHER ASSISTANCE AFTER RESTORING THE ABILITY TO STAND ON THEIR OWN FEET.
AT PRESENT THE DEPARTMENT HAS ABOUT 60.000 ACTIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASES WITH A TOTAL OF ABOUT 90.000 RECIPIENTS.
THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT COMPRISES FIVE SCHEMES. THEY ARE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME. SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES SCHEME (COMPRISING OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE). CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME. TRAFFIC ACC I DENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND EMERGENCY RELIEF.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CAN APPROACH Till DEPARTMENT’S 34 FIELD UNITS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THEY CAN ALSO TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENTAL HOTLINE 3432255 FOR DETAILS.
- - 0 - -
FAMILY DAY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS tit*#*
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT STAFF ARE ORGANISING A FAMILY DAY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SO THAT THEY CAN SHARE THE JOY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
ABOUT 200 FAMILIES. WITH 400 CHILDREN. HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND TWO FAMILY EVENTS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 1). IN TUEN MUN AND IN SHEUNG SHUT.
THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (EAST NEW TERRITORIES). MR ANTHONY CHAN. SAID STAFF HOPED THE EVENTS COULD PROMOTE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS.
"MORE IMPORTANT. THEY WANT TO PROVIDE A GOOD TIME FOR THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED. ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN AMONG THEM.
/"TOYS DONATED
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, ]990
- 6 -
“TOYS DONATED BY OUR COLLEAGUES AND BENEVOLENT TOY MANUFACTURERS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO CHILDREN ATTENDING THE EVENTS.” HE SAID.
THE PROGRAMME FOR EACH EVENT WILL INCLUDE SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES BY DEPARTMENT STAFF. MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOWS. AND A BUFFET LUNCH. THERE WILL ALSO BE A LUCKY DRAW WITH ATTRACTIVE PRIZES.
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CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO GIVE NEW YEAR CONCERT *****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL GIVE A LUNAR NEW YEAR CONCERT ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 3) AT THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL. AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE ONE-HOUR CONCERT. BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM. WILL INCLUDE CHORUS SINGING. INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES AND RECITATIONS. THERE WILL BE A SELECTED STRING OF REVELLING LUNAR NEW YEAR SONGS.
THE 50-STRONG CHOIR. COMPRISING CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 15 YEARS OLD IN THE DISTRICT. WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1978. IT HAS SINCE GIVEN NUMEROUS PERFORMANCES AT DISTRICT FUNCTIONS. INCLUDING THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL. AND HAS STAGED ITS OWN CONCERTS.
THE CONCERT HAS BERN ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD. ADMISSION IS FREE.
ENQUIRIES CAN RE MADE ON TEL. 5550187 AND 5520595.
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TOILET. REFUSE COLLECTION POINT PROJECT IN HUNG HOM
******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC LATRINE IN HUNG HOM.
LOCATED IN HOK YUEN STREET. THE EXISTING PUBLIC TOILET WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND PUBLIC TOILETS.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND PUBLIC TOILETS WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS AN OFFICE. A STORE ROOM. A SWITCH ROOM. THE PUMP ROOMS AND A WATER SCRUBBER.
PILE FOUNDATION WORKS AND DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC LATRINE ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED IN JULY NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 23.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXCO APPROVES LICENSING SYSTEM FOR GUESTHOUSES ................. 1
NO NEW AIDS CASES REPORTED ..................................... 3
PUBLICATION ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS ON SALE .............. 5
PUBLIC URGED TO JOIN COUNTRYSIDE TREE COMPETITION .............. 5
CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN ON SUNDAY ...................... 6
ENTRIES INVITED FOR NORTH DISTRICT COUNTRY RACE ................ 7
REDUCED SERVICES AT HO MAN TIN ENQUIRY COUNTER ................. 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 8
TUESDAY. JANUARY 30, 1990
1
EXCO APPROVES LICENSING SYSTEM FOR GUESTHOUSES
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE A PLAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) TO OPERATE A LICENSING SYSTEM FOR GUESTHOUSES.
THE PLAN WAS DRAWN UP BY A PLANNING COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CNTA, THE SECURITY BRANCH, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
OUTLINING DETAILS OF THE PLAN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR K.K. FUNG, SAID THE CNTA WOULD CONSULT THE RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS AND DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSALS BEFORE INTRODUCING RELEVANT LEGISLATION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ORGANISATIONS TO BE CONSULTED WILL MAINLY BE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG HOTELS ASSOCIATION, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG HOTEL OWNERS LTD. AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH HOSTELS ASSOCIATION.
THE VIEWS OF CERTAIN DISTRICT BOARDS, SUCH AS YAU TSIM, WAN CHAT AND ISLANDS, WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT.
IT IS HOPED THAT CONSULTATION WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF MARCH.
MR FUNG SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED LICENSING SYSTEM WAS TO ENSURE THAT GUESTHOUSES COMPLIED WITH EXISTING REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF FIRE SAFETY, STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND HYGIENE CONDITIONS UNDER THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES.
THE SCOPE OF CONTROL WOULD INCLUDE ALL GUESTHOUSES WHICH PROVIDED TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION TO TOURISTS AND TRANSIENTS AND WOULD EXCLUDE ACCOMMODATION NORMALLY LET FOR PERIODS OF A MONTH OR MORE.
"THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMITTEE WILL THEREFORE BE DRAWN MOSTLY FROM EXISTING LEGISLATION, INCLUDING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE.
"GUESTHOUSES WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO BE KEPT IN A CLEAN AND HYGIENIC CONDITION AT ALL TIMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE", HE SAID.
MR FUNG ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 2,500 EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD FALL WITHIN THE MEANING OF A GUESTHOUSE. THESE WERE GUESTHOUSES FOR BUDGET TOURISTS IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS; HOTELS; HOLIDAY FLATS, SUCH AS THOSE ON CHEUNG CHAU; GUESTHOUSES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS: LOW-RISE MOTELS AND YOUTH HOSTELS.
/HOWEVER, HE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1990
i
2
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICABLE TO REQUIRE ALL OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO BE LICENSED AT ONE TIME DUE TO RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS AND THE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS FACING THEM.
THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HAD THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT THE LICENSING SYSTEM SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES. IT HAD ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE FIRST PHASE SHOULD COVER ONLY GUESTHOUSES FOR BUDGET TOURISTS AND HOTELS.
"IN RECOMMENDING THE PRIORITY FOR LICENSING, THE COMMITTEE HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THAT GUESTHOUSES IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS POSE HIGHER RISK, PARTICULARLY TO TOURISTS WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH LOCAL CONDITIONS, AND THAT THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS A TOURIST CENTRE SHOULD BE PROTECTED," MR FUNG NOTED.
HE SAID THE LICENSING PROCEDURES WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THREE STAGES - NOTIFICATION, PROCESSING, AND COMPLIANCE.
THE NOTIFICATION STAGE WOULD LAST FOR THREE MONTHS, COMMENCING ON THE DATE OF ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION FOR THE LICENSING SYSTEM. DURING THIS STAGE, THE OPERATORS OF ALL TYPES OF EXISTING GUESTHOUSES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE LICENSING AUTHORITY OF THEIR OPERATIONS.
THE OPERATORS WOULD THEN BE GRANTED EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES WHICH WOULD EXEMPT THEM FROM LICENSING UNTIL SUCH TIME AS SUCH CERTIFICATES WERE REVOKED.
IN THIS REGARD, ESTABLISHMENTS COVERED BY PHASE I OF THE SCHEME WOULD HAVE THEIR EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES REVOKED 24 MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE NOTIFICATION PERIOD.
DURING THIS 24-MONTH GRACE PERIOD, THE OPERATORS SHOULD OBTAIN A LICENCE FROM THE LICENSING AUTHORITY; OTHERWISE THEY WOULD HAVE TO CEASE BUSINESS, MR FUNG SAID.
NEW GUESTHOUSES FOR BUDGET TOURISTS AND HOTELS TO BE OPENED AFTER THE NOTIFICATION PERIOD WOULD HAVE TO OBTAIN A LICENCE BEFORE COMMENCING BUSINESS.
ESTABLISHMENTS NOT COVERED BY PHASE I WOULD BE GRANTED EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES. IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED, THE LICENSING AUTHORITY WOULD CONSIDER THE TIMING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE II OR ANY FURTHER PHASES.
ALL LICENCES AND EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES WOULD BE RENEWED ANNUALLY, AND LICENSED GUESTHOUSES WOULD BE INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUED TO COMPLY WITH THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
MR FUNG SAID IT HAD BEEN PROPOSED THAT THE LICENSING AUTHORITY SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE A LICENCE IF LICENSING CONDITIONS WERE NOT COMPLIED WITH, AND THAT OPERATING A GUESTHOUSE WITHOUT A LICENCE, AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS FOR OBTAINING A LICENCE SHOULD BE CRIMINAL OFFENCES.
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/3 .........
TUESDAY. JANUARY 30, 1990
- 3 -
NO NEW AIDS CASES REPORTED » » » » »
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) CASES IN HONG KONG REMAINS AT 32 TO DATE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HOWEVER, ONE OF THE AIDS PATIENTS, WHO WAS CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE IN 1988, DIED THIS MONTH.
THIS BRINGS TO 18 THE TOTAI. NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY WHILE 14 OTHER PATIENTS ARE STILL ALIVE AND ARE UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER LAST YEAR, FIVE MORE PERSONS WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 171.
AMONG THE INFECTED PERSONS, WHO WERE ALL MALE, ONE WAS AN INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSER AND WAS CONFIRMED TO BE AN AIDS PATIENT IN DECEMBER.
OF THE 171 CARRIERS, 55 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, ONE WAS AN INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSER, 18 WERF PERSONS WHO ATTENDED SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 57 WERE PATIENTS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AND 40 WERE REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVF.NTED ORGANISATIONS.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME STARTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 148,000 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
MEANWHILE, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO DECEMBER, 658,574 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 10 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1990
< & & Z4> & fa
AIDS virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
Department of Health
Virus unit
Apr 85 - Nov 89 December 89 Total
No, tested* No. +ve tested* i SI NO. tested* NO. +ve
Referrals from Govt. 9 499 hospitals and clinics 53 184 4 9 683 57
Referrals from private practitioners and 1 853 subvented hospitals 39 9 1 1 862 40
fcJ-M ft a 4 Attendances at social 129 219 hygiene clinics 18 2 126 0 1 L31 345 ’8
Haemophiliacs 405 55 6 0 411 55
IV drug abusers 3 782 1 69 0 3 851 1
Referrals from Family 200 planning Association 0 1 0 201 0
o fL* Health care personnel 636 0 11 0 647 0
, > 145 594 166 t W /) t A f ii. £ , .M < & ♦This indicates the number of specimens repeated for certain individuals 'L £ & Aug 85 - Nov 89 2 406 5 148 000 171 / $ A A f A_ < fa and not persons as tests are December 89 Total
NO. . . tested K 1 S I fa A < Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion 646 051 Service No. +ve 10 No. tested 12 523 NO. +ve 0 No. tested 658 574 No. +ve 10
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/5
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1990
PUBLICATION ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS ON SALE
**■»**
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED THE HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS 1978-1988, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER THE MAIN STATISTICAL SERIES DESCRIBING HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DURING THAT TIME.
THE PRESENT EDITION IS THE SEVENTH IN THE SERIES. IT PRESENTS KEY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATISTICS GOING BACK TO 1978, WHERE AVAILABLE, BUT ITS MAIN EMPHASIS IS IN THE YEARS 1983-1988.
SUCH ANALYTICAL STATISTICS AS RATES, INDEXES AND RATIOS ARE INCLUDED, WHERE APPROPRIATE, TO FACILITATE COMPARISONS.
THE PUBLICATION COVERS STATISTICS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING POPULATION AND VITAL STATISTICS, LABOUR, NATIONAL INCOME, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE, DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES, TRANSPORT AND SERVICES, EXTERNAL TRADE, TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS AND TOURISM, CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, MONEY, BANKING AND FINANCE, PUBLIC FINANCE, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE AND REPORTED CRIME.
ALTOGETHER, THERE ARE 65 TABLES AND 35 CHARTS IN 16 SECTIONS.
THE PUBLICATION IS AVAILABLE AT S46 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALE COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
PUBLIC URGED TO JOIN COUNTRYSIDE TREE COMPETITION » » t » t »
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO BELIEVE THEY HAVE LOCATED THE BEST TREE TN HONG KONG'S COUNTRYSIDE WHILE VISITING THE COUNTRY PARKS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS SHOULD NOT MISS THE CHANCE OF TAKING PART IN THE "BEST COUNTRYSIDE TREE COMPETITION".
THE COMPETITION. ONE OF THE EVENTS IN THE CURRENT "CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME" ORGANISED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY. UNDER. THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD). IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TREES AND TO REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING THIS NATURAL ASSET OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.
/THE SENIOR
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1990
6
THE SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. MR MARTIN LEUNG. SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTENDING TO TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR ENTRIES BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE OF FEBRUARY 28.
PARTICIPANTS HAVE SIMPLY TO IDENTIFY A TREE WHICH THEY THINK IS THE BEST IN HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE. TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH ( 3R SIZE) OF IT. AND RETURN THE PHOTOGRAPH. TOGETHER WITH A SIMPLE LOCATION MAP OF THE TREE AND A DULY COMPLETED ENTRY FORM. TO THE ORGANISER.
THE ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRES AND THE AFD’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION SECTION. EACH FORM MAY BE USED FOR ONE ENTRY ONLY.
’’ATTRACTIVE PRIZES. INCLUDING A CAMERA SET. CAMPING EQUIPMENT, HIKING EQUIPMENT AND SPORTING GOODS GIFT COUPONS ARE OFFERED TO WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION.” MR LEUNG SAID.
ALTOGETHER. THERE ARE 10 PRIZES AND THEY ARE SPONSORED BY THE ROTARY CLUB. HONG KONG HARBOUR.
"THE CRITERIA ON ADJUDICATION WILL BE BASED ON THE SPECIES, SIZE. HEALTH AND FORM OF THE TREE. THE PANEL OF JUDGES INCLUDE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD MEMBERS DR JIM CH I-YUNG AND DR JOHN HODGKISS AS WELL AS THE AFD’S ECOLOGIST. MR ANTHONY LEUNG. THE PANEL’S DECISION WILL BE FINAL.
"IF THE TREE SELECTED AS THE BEST IS NOMINATED BY MORE THAN ONE PARTICIPANT. THE WINNER WILL BE DETERMINED BY A LUCKY DRAW.” MR LEUNG SAID.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CONSERVATION EDUCATION SECTION, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. 14TH FLOOR. CANTON .ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES. 393 CANTON ROAD. KOWLOON. OR ANY COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COMPETITION MAY BE MADE ON 4200529 OR 7332121.
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CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN ON SUNDAY *****
A CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN. KNOWN AS "PAINT AND PLAY DAY”. WILL BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 4).
THE CHILDREN WILL TAKE PART IN MORE THAN 20 CREATIVE ACTIVITIES. INCLUDING WOODWORK. SANDWICH MAKING, WATER-COLOUR PAINTING. DOUGH MODELLING, CLAY-DOLL MAKING AND A BUBBLE GAME.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1990
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISERS SAID THAT THROUGH SUCH PARTICIPATION THE CHILDREN WOULD LEARN HOW TO ORGANISE THEIR WORK, MAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN. AND BUILD UP CONFIDENCE.
"IT WILL ALSO BE AN EYE-OPENER FOR PARENTS ACCOMPANYING THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLE IN HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR CREATIVITY," HE ADDED.
THE PROJECT IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG HOME ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
IT WILL BEGIN AT 12.30 PM AND END AT 4.30 PM. ALL CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SEVEN ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 8523487 DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
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ENTRIES INVITED FOR NORTH DISTRICT COUNTRY RACE
AMATEUR SPORTSMEN AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 60 ARE INVITED TO I AKE PART LN A CROSS COUNTRY RACE TO RE HELD IN NORTH DISTRICT ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25.
THE RACE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO WOMEN’S AND MEN’S SECTIONS, COVERING EIGHT KILOMETRES AND 10 KILOMETRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE EVENT WILL BE OPEN TO COMPETITORS FROM THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. ENTRIES SHOULD BE MADE BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19.
ORGANISED BY THE SHEUNG SHUT DISTRICT SPORTS SPONSORSHIP BY THE NORTH DISTRICT’ BOARD, THE RACE IS PROMOTE SPORTS AND TO HELP BODY-BUILDING.
ASSOCIATION WITH
HELD ANNUALLY TO
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES RUN BY THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
NORTH DISTRICT SHEUNG SHUI;
, FANL1NG; AT OR THE SHEUNG SHEUNG SHUI.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE SAN FUNG AVENUE AND IN TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUT; SHU1 DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT 47 FU HING STREET,
0
/8
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1990
8
REDUCED SERVICES AT HO MAN TIN ENQUIRY COUNTER ******
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE’S HO MAN TIN SUB-OFFICE WILL OPERATE ON A REDUCED BASIS FROM THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 1).
THE SUB-OFFICE, SITUATED AT ROOMS 123 - 126, BLOCK 8, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHING STREET, WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES SUCH AS DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT STANDARD FORMS, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS, BUT IT WILL NOT HANDLE GENERAL ENQUIRIES OR STATUTORY DECLARATIONS.
FOR THESE SERVICES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO APPROACH THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS TWO OTHER SUB-OFFICES AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
- KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE,
141 - 143, KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN;
- HUNG HOM SUB-OFFICE,
81 - 85, BULKELEY STREET,
BERKELEY BUILDING, HUNG HOM; AND
- LUNG SHING SUB-OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR,
68 - 74, JUNCTION ROAD, KOWLOON CITY.
THESE SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICES.
-----0------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 39.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 230.129 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 220.188 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 37.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0
4
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN •
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BRITAIN'S DECISION ON PASSPORTS WELCOMED ............................ 1
SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS ................................... 2
CHANNELS AVAILABLE TO REPORT WEIGHING MALPRACTICES .................. 3
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMME ................ 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN, WAN CHAI .......................... -6
LONG VEHICLE BAN IN TUEN MUN ........................................ 6
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31,
1990
BRITAIN’S DECISION ON PASSPORTS WELCOMED * * * *
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S DECISION LAST DECEMBER TO GRANT PASSPORTS TO 50,000 HONG KONG FAMILIES HAS BEEN WELCOMED IN THE TERRITORY, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID RECENTLY.
SPEAKING AT THE ROYAL OVER-SEAS LEAGUE, HE SAID THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE WAS NOT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME TO BRITAIN, BUT TO GIVE THEM SUFFICIENT CONFIDENCE TO STAY IN HONG KONG AND MAKE IT WORK.
"THE HEADS OF THESE 50,000 FAMILIES ARE THE KEY PLAYERS IN HONG KONG’S SUCCESS STORY. IF NOTHING WAS DONE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO STAY THEN MANY, PROBABLY MOST OF THEM, WOULD EMIGRATE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WITH CATASTROPHIC EFFECT FOR HONG KONG’S ECONOMY."
IT WAS AN INSURANCE AND A CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURE, HE SAID, AND IT WAS GRATIFYING TO SEE THAT THE BRITISH SENSE OF FAIR PLAY AND JUSTICE PREVAILED IN THIS LAST MAJOR EXERCISE OF IMPERIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
ANOTHER CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURE WAS THE CURRENT EFFORT BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO CONVINCE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT THE BASIC LAW SHOULD ENSHRINE THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG REGARDING DEMOCRACY, HE SAID.
MR YAXLEY TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT THERE WAS MOUNTING PRESSURE FOR A MORE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND, IN PARTICULAR, A PROGRESSIVE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
"IT IS THEREFORE A MATTER OF GREAT INTEREST AT THIS TIME AS TO WHAT ARRANGEMENTS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE FOR THE 1991 AND 1995 ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ARRANGEMENTS FOR WHICH IT REMAINS RESPONSIBLE."
MR YAXLEY WAS CRITICAL OF AMERICA’S STAND OVER THE QUESTION OF THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT POLITICAL REFUGEES.
HE SAID AMERICA’S DECISION TO DECLINE THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME WAS DISAPPOINTING FOR HONG KONG. "AND I MIGHT SAY, NOT A LITTLE HYPOCRITICAL, BEARING IN MIND WHAT THE AMERICANS DO WITH SOME OF THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO ENTER THEIR COUNTRY ILLEGALLY."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION ABOUT FORCING PEOPLE ON TO BOATS AND AEROPLANES AT GUNPOINT. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE FIRST MANDATORY REPATRIATION EXERCISE TOOK PLACE.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE THE SAME AS THOSE APPLIED IN ANY CIVILISED COUNTRY FOR DEPORTATION. THE SORT OF ARRANGEMENTS THAT APPLY ALMOST DAILY AT HEATHROW AIRPORT WHEN AN IMMIGRANT ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE UNITED KINGDOM ILLEGALLY.
/MR YAXLEY .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990
2 -
MR YAXLEY ALSO SPOKE ABOUT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC MIRACLE AND HOW IT HAD MADE THE TERRITORY THE 11TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD, THE LARGEST EXPORTER OF GARMENTS, TOYS, WATCHES AND FROCKS, AND THE WORLD’S THIRD INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, WHICH ALSO HAD THE LARGEST CONTAINER TERMINAL IN THE WORLD.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION WOULD BE ADHERED TO, AND EXPLAINED THAT CHINA HAD A GOOD RECORD IN ABIDING BY INTERNATIONAL TREATIES IT HAD SIGNED.
HONG KONG PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN CHINA’S LIBERALISED ECONOMY, AND ACTED AS A GO-BETWEEN FOR THE MAINLAND AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. IT ALSO PROVIDED SOUTHERN CHINA WITH THE WORLD’S FINEST HARBOUR IN THE REGION AND A RANGE OF SERVICES THAT WERE UNPARALLELED.
IN ADDITION TO THESE IMPORTANT BENEFITS, MR YAXLEY EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG WAS CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER AND THEIR LARGEST SINGLE MARKET. HONG KONG WAS ALSO CHINA’S LARGEST EXTERNAL INVESTOR ACCOUNTING FOR OVER 60 PER CENT OF ALL FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS.
MEANWHILE, CHINA ALSO HAD A GROWING STAKE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY. CHINA’S INVESTMENT IN BANKING, PROPERTY, MANUFACTURING AND RETAILING WERE GROWING FAST; AND HAD INVESTED IN MANY HONG KONG COMPANIES RANGING FROM CATHAY PACIFIC AIRLINES TO THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
’’THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ CONCEPT ARE NOT, THEREFORE, POLITICAL ABSTRACTIONS. THEY ARE FIRMLY ROOTED IN A REAL NEED TO PRESERVE A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS OF GREAT PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE TO CHINA AS WELL AS TO HONG KONG,” MR YAXLEY SAID.
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SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS *****
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL, FEATURING A VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT AND WILL MAKE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR EVEN MORE JOYFUL, THE SAT KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. FREDERICK TONG, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1990 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
MR. TONG HOPED THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS WOULD GET TO KNOW BETTER BY TAKING PART IN THE FESTIVAL, THUS ENHANCING THEIR BELONGING TO THE I) I STR I CT.
SAI KUNG
SENSE OF
’’EVERY YEAR, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL VARY GREATLY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT FIELDS AND OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.
/"FOR THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990
3
"FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE HAVE INVITED A CHINESE DANCE AND DRAMA TROUPE TO PERFORM, PROVIDING SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE RESIDENTS.
"IN ADDITION, THE ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED TO TAKE PLACE IN BOTH SAI KUNG AND TSEUNG KWAN 0, SO THAT PEOPLE IN THE TWO AREAS WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE FUN," MR TONG SAID.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR WILLIAM WAN; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION ANT) CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR TANG PUI-TAT; THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAT KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL, MR PONG TING-YUEN; AND LOCAL DIGNITARY, MR LEE YUN-SAL’.
MR TANG ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF THE NEW YEAR FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT, WHICH WAS ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL.
ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 500 GUESTS AND RESIDENTS, THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW BY THE RENOWNED GUANGDONG DANCE AND DRAMA TROUPE.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED CHINESE PLAYS, TRADITIONAL DANCES, HAEKA SONGS AND AN INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL.
THE 1990 SAT KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE TO FORGE THE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
OTHER PROGRAMMES SUCH AS CANTONESE OPERA AND SPORTS EVENTS ARE TO BE HELD IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
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CHANNELS AVAILABLE TO REPORT WEIGHING ♦ t * ♦ t *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS MAKE USE OF THE AVAILABLE CHANNELS TO REPORT INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS.
MALPRACTICES
REMINDED CONSUMERS TO MALPRACTICES CONCERNING
IF ANY PERSONS WISH TO MAKE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALPRACTICES IN RESPECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, THEY MAY CONTACT EITHER THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT (TEL. 7146146) OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
COMPLAINTS MAY ALSO BE MADE TO THE DUTY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON 8523185 AFTER NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWED A COURT CASE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN WHICH A FRUIT RETAILER WAS FINED $2,500 AT THE TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY AFTER SHE PLEADED GUILTY TO A CHARGE OF USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS.
/THE CASE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990
4
THE CASE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEPARTMENT’S ATTENTION AFTER A COMPLAINT HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC.
THE DEFENDANT, LAM YUK-MUI, WHO OPERATED A FRUIT STALL AT THE TAK WAH STREET TEMPORARY MARKET IN TSUEN WAN, WAS PROSECUTED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 LAST YEAR.
THE COURT HEARD THAT OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT AN INSPECTION AT THE DEFENDANT’S STALL ON OCTOBER 3 LAST YEAR.
A PRELIMINARY CHECK OF THREE SPRING BALANCES USED IN THE SELLING OF FRUIT REVEALED THAT THE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS WERE INACCURATE.
THE SPRING BALANCES WERE LATER SENT TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR EXAMINATION AND TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST ERRORS OF THE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS WERE IN THE RANGE OF 10.71 PER CENT TO 20.24 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT.
THE CHIEF TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 94 COMPLAINTS ABOUT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES IN THE 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
"OF THESE COMPLAINTS, 45 ARE NOT SUBSTANTIATED, 33 ARE SUBSTANTIATED AND 16 OTHERS ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.
"AS FOR THE COMPLAINTS WHICH ARE SUBSTANTIATED, WRITTEN WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO 20 TRADERS, 11 TRADERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED AND TWO OTHER CASES ARE EXPECTED TO BE BROUGHT TO COURT SHORTLY," HE SAID.
"THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," MR WONG POINTED OUT.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMME ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FROM FAMILIES WISHING TO TAKE PART IN AN AFTER SCHOOL CARE PILOT SCHEME WHICH PROVIDES HALF-DAY CARE TO PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN FIVE DISTRICTS.
THE DISTRICTS ARE EASTERN, KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUT PO, SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN/KWAI TSING.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE TARGET GROUP FOR THIS SERVICE WOULD BE FAMILIES WITH SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL NEEDS WHICH WERE VULNERABLE AND LACKING ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO BUY SUCH A SERVICE.
/"THE AIM .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990
- 5 -
"THE AIM OF THE $3 MILLION PILOT SCHEME IS TO TEST THE DEMAND FROM THESE FAMILIES AS WELL AS SETTING UP A MORE SYSTEMATIC AND STANDARDISED OPERATIONAL MODEL," HE SAID.
"THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT A SELECTED CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE IN ONE OF THE DISTRICTS OF EACH SWD ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
"THE FIVE DISTRICTS ARE SELECTED BECAUSE OF THEIR RELATIVELY HIGHER NUMBER OF KNOWN CASES OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES AND OF CHILDREN LIVING IN FOUR-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS WITH A MONTHLY INCOME BELOW $4,000."
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT CHILDREN BETWEEN SIX AND 12 YEARS OLD FROM THE FOLLOWING FAMILY BACKGROUND ARE CLASSIFIED AS HAVING SOCIAL NEEDS:
* PARENTS WITH ILL HEALTH, DISABILITY, LONG TERM
HOSPITALISATION;
* SINGLE WORKING PARENTS;
* PARENTS SERVING PRISON SENTENCES;
* PARENTS WITH DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS;
* NEW IMMIGRANTS WITH ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS;
* CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS IN REPORTED CHILD ABUSE CASES.
AS TO FINANCIAL NEEDS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE WERE DEFINED ACCORDING TO THE EXISTING SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME.
HE NOTED THAT EACH CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE WOULD HAVE THE CAPACITY OF 30 CHILDREN FOR EACH HALF-DAY SESSION, BENEFITTING A TOTAL OF 60 CHILDREN A DAY.
"IT WILL BE OPERATED FIVE TO SIX DAYS PER WEEK, WITH FOUR TO FIVE HOURS PER SESSION.
"NORMALLY THE MORNING SESSION WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 1 PM AND THE AFTERNOON SESSION FROM 1 PM TO 6 PM," HE SAID.
THE PROGRAMME FOR EACH HALF-DAY SESSION WOULD INCLUDE HOME WORK GUIDANCE, MEAL AND PLAY, GROUP ACTIVITIES, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
"THE EXPERIMENT WILL BE TRIED OUT FOR 20 MONTHS, AND A REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED AFTER 12 MONTHS OF OPERATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"INFORMATION SHEETS ON THE SERVICES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO DISTRICT OFFICES, PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WITHIN THE FIVE TARGET DISTRICTS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICE," HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON THE SWD HOTLINE, 3432255.
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/6
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 31, 1990
6 TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN, WAN CHAI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS, SAI WOO LANE IN WESTERN WILL BE TEMPORARILY
CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 2) FOR TWO WEEKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EASTBOUND KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX
ROAD WEST FROM HOUSE NO. 147 TO HOUSE NO. 119 WILL BE DESIGNATED
AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS.
THE SECTION OF EASTERN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES TO THE NORTH AND THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EASTERN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES TO THE SOUTH WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA. ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS.
TN WAN CHAI, THE TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS ON THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE EXTENDED FOR EIGHT WEEKS TO FACILITATE LAYING OF WATER MAINS:
- THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF JAFFE ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TONNOCHY ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, AND
- THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TONNOCHY ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH JAFFE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
--------------0-------- LONG VEHICLE BAN IN TUEN MUN
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 2), VEHICLES EXCEEDING 12 METRES IN LENGTH WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER A ROAD SECTION OPPOSITE CHUNG UK TSUEN IN TUEN MUN.
THE LONG VEHICLE BAN WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE ACCESS ROAD OPPOSITE CHUNG UK TSUEN BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (HUNG SHUT KIU) AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTHWEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
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