DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT APPOINTED ..................... 1
POLICE TO FACE CHALLENGES AHEAD ..................................... 1
EMPLOYER FINED FOR NOT PAYING COMPENSATION .......................... 2
10 STUDENTS TO ATTEND CONVENTION IN JAPAN ........................... 3
CURTAIN FALLS FOR YOUTH MUSIC CAMP .................................. 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MAREKT OPERATIONS .......... 4
*
r
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1992
1 NEW DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT APPOINTED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR CHOW CHE-KING, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO SUCCEED DR NIP KAM-FAN AS DIRECTOR.
DR NIP, AGED 59, RETIRED ON JULY 20, THIS YEAR.
HE JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE ENGINEER IN 1956 AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN 1981 AND TO DIRECTOR OF EIGINEERING DEVELOPMENT IN 1986.
IN 1989 HE WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT.
ON HIS RETIREMENT, DR NIP HAS COMPLETED 35 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR CHOW, AGED 58, JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A JUNIOR ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN 1955.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN 1980 AND TO PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER TWO YEARS LATER.
MR CHOW HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
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POLICE TO FACE CHALLENGES AHEAD ******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL BRANCH, MR DON WATSON, TOOK THE SALUTE FROM 226 PASSING OUT POLICE OFFICERS AT THE WONG CHUK HANG POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
REVIEWING THE POLICE OFFICERS ON PARADE, MR WATSON SAID HUMAN RIGHTS WOULD COME MORE SHARPLY INTO FOCUS AND WOULD INCREASINGLY AFFECT THE WAY THEY CONDUCT THEMSELVES PROFESSIONALLY.
’’POLICE POWERS AND PROCEDURES, LONG TAKEN FOR GRANTED, WILL BE CHALLENGED AND MAY BE REVOKED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT INADVERTENTLY VIOLATE THE SACRED RIGHTS OF EVERY CITIZEN,” HE SAID.
MR WATSON SAID POLICE OFFICERS WOULD WITNESS HISTORIC CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES IN THIS TERRITORY AND BE EXPECTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO POLICE HONG KONG ACCORDING TO THE RULE OF LAW AND TO NO LESS THAN THE VERY HIGH STANDARDS OF IMPARTIAL POLICING.
’’YOU WILL BE CALLED UPON TO DEAL WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF SITUATIONS WHICH WILL CALL UPON EVERY OUNCE OF TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, TACT AND COMMON SENSE YOU POSSESS,” HE TOLD THE OFFICERS ON PARADE.
/"YOU WILL .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1992
2
"YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO ACT INSTANTLY, OFTEN IN LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS, AND YOU MAY BE CRITICISED ON OCCASIONS FOR TAKING, IN A SPLIT SECOND, A DECISION WHICH MAY TAKE DAYS, OR WEEKS, TO ANALYSE BY SOMEONE WHO HAS THE LUXURY OF TIME TO CONSIDER THE COMPLEX SITUATION IN WHICH YOU, UNDER PRESSURE, HAD TO REACT INSTINCTIVELY."
MR WATSON TOLD THE PASSING OUT OFFICERS THAT WITH MODERN TRAINING AND CONTINUED DEDICATION AS GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE THEY COULD MEET AND OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES.
THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO GRADUATED TODAY COMPRISE SEVEN MALE INSPECTORS, 161 POLICE CONSTABLES AND 58 WOMAN POLICE CONSTABLES.
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EMPLOYER FINED FOR NOT PAYING COMPENSATION *******
EMPLOYERS ARE LIABLE TO HEAVY FINES FOR NOT MAKING PERIODICAL PAYMENTS WITHIN A TIME LIMIT TO EMPLOYEES INJURED AT WORK, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HOUDINI HO, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR HO GAVE THE ADVICE AFTER A CASE IN WHICH AN EMPLOYER WAS CONVICTED OF FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
1 THE CITY DRAINAGE CLEANING SERVICE WAS FINED $1,000 BY A SOUTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE FOR NOT PAYING AN INJURED EMPLOYEE HIS ENTITLED COMPENSATION FOR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY CAUSED BY A WORK ACCIDENT WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD AFTER THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ISSUED A CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AN INJURED EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO PERIODICAL PAYMENTS DURING HIS PERIOD OF INCAPACITY AT A RATE OF TWO-THIRDS OF HIS MONTHLY EARNINGS, AND THE PAYMENTS ARE PAYABLE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE EMPLOYEE’S NORMAL PAY DAY.
"WHERE AN EMPLOYER OBJECTS TO THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE A CERTIFICATE TO BOTH THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE STATING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION AND REQUIRING PAYMENT TO BE MADE WITHIN 21 DAYS," HE EXPLAINED.
ANY EMPLOYER FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
MR HO ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A NEW DIRECT SETTLEMENT SYSTEM HAS COME INTO OPERATION RECENTLY.
UNDER THE SYSTEM, AN EMPLOYER MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT, EITHER WRITTEN OR VERBAL, WITH HIS EMPLOYEE ON COMPENSATION FOR WORK-RELATED INJURIES RESULTING IN NO PERMANENT INCAPACITY AND INVOLVING SICK LEAVE OF NOT MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS, HE ADDED.
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/3 .....
SATURDAY, AUGUST I, 1992
3 -
10 STUDENTS TO ATTEND CONVENTION IN JAPAN ******
TEN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOURTH ASIAN-PACIFIC CHILDREN’S CONVENTION WHICH WILL BE HELD IN FUKUODA LATER THIS YEAR.
CHILDREN FROM SOME 39 COUNTRIES WILL JOIN THE CONVENTION.
THE CONVENTION WOULD BROADEN AND ENRICH CHILDREN’S CULTURAL EXPERIENCE AND ALSO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND GOODWILL, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR ROBERT LO, SAID WHEN OFFICIATING AT A CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE MARINER’S CLUB.
MR LO ALSO THANKED THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN YOUNG PEOPLE.
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CURTAIN FALLS FOR YOUTH MUSIC CAMP
♦ * * * *
A GRAND FINALE CONCERT WAS HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE 1992 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP.
THE CONCERT, PRESENTED BY MORE THAN 200 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MUSICIANS FROM BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, SINGAPORE AND OTHER COUNTRIES, WAS THE CULMINATION OF THE TWO-WEEK HARD WORK BY CAMP INSTRUCTORS AND CAMPERS.
IT PROVIDED THE CAMPERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN PUBLIC AND FOR AUDIENCE TO SEE HOW THEY HAI) BEEN BENEFITED FROM THE INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING GIVEN BY OVERSEAS INSTRUCTORS.
THE (AMP HAD BEEN HELD AT THE TSO KUNG TAM
OUTDOOR
RECREATION
CENTRE, TSUEN WAN, OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
THE TWO-HOUR CONCERT INCLUDED CHINESE AND WESTERN PIECES SUCH AS ’’THE BUTTERFLY LOVERS’’, ’’LOVERS AT TURBULENT TIMES", "O SING UNTO THE LORD", AND PETER 1. TCHAIKOVSKY’S "SYMPHONY NO.5 IN E MINOR, OP. 64", BY THE MUSIC CAMP CHINESE ORCHESTRA, THE CAMP SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CAMP CHOIR.
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/4 ........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1992
4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
******
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,988
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,000
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2°
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 968
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FREE BOOKLETS ON WORK SAFETY IN CONFINED SPACES ....................... 1
SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES 1993-94 ........................................................ 1
OPEN NIGHTCLUB CLOSES DOWN ..........................................
VIEWS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SOUGHT ............................ 3
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE ON MOVE ........................ 4
WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG................................................. 5
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1992
FREE BOOKLETS ON WORK SAFETY IN CONFINED SPACES ******
FREE COPIES OF TWO BOOKLETS ON WORK SAFETY IN CONFINED SPACES ARE AVAILABLE AT LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
"WRITTEN IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE, THE BOOKLETS ARE USEFUL TO EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS ALIKE," CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"A GUIDE TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATIONS EXPLAINS THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DANGERS ' RESULTING FROM THE PRESENCE OF NOXIOUS FUMES, TOXIC GAS, OXYGEN DEFICIENCY OR EXCESSIVE HEAT IN CONFINED SPACES," MR CHAN SAID.
"IN PARTICULAR, EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING BREATHING AND REVIVING APPARATUS, FOR WORKERS," HE ADDED.
"CONFINED SPACES INCLUDE SEWERS, CAISSONS, MANHOLES, TANKS, WELLS AND TUNNELS, AND SO ON.
"THE SAFETY GUIDE TO WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES DESCRIBES THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORK AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISOR AND WORKER IN A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK," MR CHAN SAID.
"WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE GUIDE ALSO EXPLAINS THE VARIOUS SAFETY MEASURES NEED TO BE ADOPTED, INCLUDING TESTINGS FOR OXYGEN CONTENT AND TOXIC GASES, CLEANING PROCESSES TO REMOVE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MATERIALS, VENTILATION AND RESCUE WORK,” HE ADDED.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES REQUIRIES CAREFUL PLANNING AND EVERY STEP MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS.
"IN THIS RESPECT, EMPLOYERS, SUPERVISORS AND WORKERS ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY," HE ADDED.
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SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES 1993-94 *****
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT ITS FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1993-94 WILL BE OPEN FOR APPLICATION STARTING FROM AUGUST 3.
THE FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AIMED AT ENCOURAGING THE BEST STUDENTS TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION IN REPUTABLE INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS.
/SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1992
2
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR THE AWARDS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND BE READY TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE COMMUNITY UPON RETURN FROM THEIR OVERSEAS STUDIES.
THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO SERVE IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS UPON GRADUATION.
THE FELLOWSHIPS ARE FOR STUDIES LEADING TO POSTGRADUATE DEGREES EITHER BY RESEARCH OR BY COURSEWORK; THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO FIRST DEGREES.
THE APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE, AND BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY.
THE VALUE FOR THE FELLOWSHIP IS ABOUT $160,000 PER YEAR FOR UP TO TWO YEARS; THE VALUE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IS ABOUT $145,000 PER YEAR FOR UP TO THREE YEARS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
* STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, G/F, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
» STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, 5/F, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, 16 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
* EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION, ROOM 206, MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.
» YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, G/F, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
* THE BRITISH COUNCIL EASEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING 255 HENNESSY ROAD HONG KONG.
/FOR ENQUIRIES .......
3
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1992
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 867 2735.
CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE OCTOBER 3. SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE SELECTION INTERVIEW IN HONG KONG TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
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OPEN NIGHTCLUB CLOSES DOWN *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE "OPEN NIGHTCLUB" BORDERING THE WATERFRONT POLICE STATION IN CENTRAL WOULD BE CLOSED DOWN AFTER MIDNIGHT TODAY.
HE SAID THE OPERATORS WERE INFORMED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR THAT THEY HAD TO VACATE THE SITE AS IT WOULD BE USED AS A WORKS AREA FOR THE PROPOSED CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION PROJECT.
IN ADDITION, A PUBLIC NOTICE ISSUED UNDER THE CROWN LAND ORDINANCE HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE CLUB’S SITE SINCE JULY 28 TO REMIND THE OPERATORS OF THE CLOSURE DEADLINE.
THE NOTICE ALSO ADVISES THAT THE OPERATORS HAVE TO REMOVE I'HEIR BELONGINGS FROM THE SITE, AND THAT ANY PROPERTY LEFT BEHIND WILL BE FORFEITED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTIFICATION.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT HAWKERS’ BUSINESS IN THE AREA *'OULD NO LONGER BE TOLERATED AND STRICT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WOULD BE 'AKEN AGAINST OFFENDERS.
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VIEWS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SOUGHT
******
THE WORKING PARTY ON THE REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE SERVICES.
SUBMISSIONS SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARIAT OF THE WORKING PARTY IN ROOM 908, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI BY SEPTEMBER 15.
APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE WORKING PARTY COMPRISES 17 MEMBERS FROM YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, ACADEMIC INSTITUTES, SCHOOLS, SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE GOVERNMENT.
/IT WAS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1992
4
IT WAS FORMED IN MARCH THIS YEAR TO REVIEW CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES AND THE CENTRES’ MODE OF OPERATION IN AN EFFORT TO ADOPT A MORE REALISTIC AND FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO MAXIMISE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNGSTERS.
’’THE REVIEW WAS MADE IN LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING PARTY SAID.
HE SAID THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, YOUTH WORK AGENCIES AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAD ALSO BEEN INVITED TO GIVE VIEWS.
’’BEING CLIENTS OF THE CENTRES, YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE ISSUE,” HE SAID.
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SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE ON MOVE
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE WILL MOVE FROM THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING TO NEW PREMISES IN THE WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING.
THE NEW OFFICE, IN ROOM 902 OF THE BUILDING, 290 UN STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, WILL START OPERATION ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 4).
CHAU
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO MAKE ANY ENQUIRY ON SCHOOL MATTERS IN THE DISTRICT MAY CALL THE FOLLOWING STAFF OF THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE:
SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SSP) MR KWOK WAI-KWONG 304 3808
DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER (LAI CHI KOK, LI CHENG UK AND CHEUNG SHA WAN) MR TAM SIU-HANG 304 3809
ASSISTANT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER MR NG KING-TONG 304 3810
ASSISTANT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER MISS LI MUN-WAH 304 3815
DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER MR TAI CHAK-CHIU 304 3811
ASSISTANT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER MRS HO CHEUNG KA-WEI, SHIRLEY 304 3812
DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER MRS MEE LAM SUK-CHONG 304 3813
ASSISTANT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER GENERAL OFFICE MR CHO TAT-WAI 304 3814 304 3816
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/5.........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1992
5
WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG *»»«**
FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES GO OFF FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 4) TO 6 AM FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
TN YUEN LONG WILL
THE NEXT DAY TO
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT (ASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG SECTION), TAI TONG ROAD, KAU YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG HONG LOK ROAD, SAI CHING STREET, SAI YU STREET, HONG KING STREET, YU KING SQUARE AND MA TIN ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 1ST QUARTER OF 1992 ............ 1
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR MAY 1992 RELEASED .. 3
ORDERLY RETURN OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANT TOMORROW ..................... 6
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED.................... 7
WATER STORAGE FIGURE............................................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 8
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR
******
1ST QUARTER OF 1992
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, AMOUNTED TO $16.1 BILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 DROPPED BY 4.5%.
THE DECREASE WAS HOWEVER PARTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEWER WORKING DAYS IN THE QUARTER DUE TO THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, IT WAS 3.2% HIGHER.
THE LARGEST PART OF THE QUARTER TO QUARTER DECREASE RELATED TO WORKS ON PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED ON PRIVATE SITES, AT $8.0 BILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, WAS 10.2% LOWER THAN THAT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THIS WAS DUE TO THE WINDING DOWN OF A FEW LARGE PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, IT WAS 5.1% HIGHER.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS DECREASED BY 5% FROM THE PRECEDING QUARTER TO $1.1 BILLION BUT WAS 18.4% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WORK PERFORMED ON PUBLIC SITES RECORDED INCREASES OF 3.6% AND 5.4% OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION WORK IN A FEW AIRPORT RELATED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
NON-SITE CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS ALSO INCREASED BY 2.4% OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER TO $2.9 BILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 BUT DECREASED BY 8.6% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO.
ANALYSED BY END USE, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO COMBINED RESIDENTIAL/NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, CONTINUED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE GREATEST PORTION OF THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
THE GROSS VALUE OF WORK PERFORMED AMOUNTED TO $4.9 BILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992. THIS REPRESENTED A DROP OF 3.7% FROM THE PRECEDING QUARTER, BUT A RISE OF 5.4% FROM THE LEVEL A YEAR AGO.
/SIMILARLY, THE ........
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
2
SIMILARLY, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED IN COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, WHICH TOTALLED $2.3 BILLION, WAS LOWER BY 14.1% THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, THE VALUE OF WORK, HOWEVER, INCREASED BY 9.3%. COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECTS CONTINUED TO FORM THE SECOND LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED IN TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WAS $1.4 BILLION.
THIS WAS 1.9% HIGHER THAN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 6.8% LOWER THAN A YEAR AGO. TRANSPORT PROJECTS STILL CONSTITUTED THE THIRD LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK.
AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BY THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR CLASSIFYING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES COVERED BY THE SURVEY.
THE FIGURES FOR THE PRECEDING QUARTERS HAVE BEEN REVISED TO FACILITATE COMPARISON. A NEW SAMPLE SERIES HAD ALSO BEEN SELECTED FOR USE IN THIS AND SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT AT THE SAME TIME.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING BOTH GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, COVERS ONLY THOSE PROJECTS IN WHICH THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT TAKES THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, BUT NOT PROJECTS IN WHICH IT TAKES ONLY THE ROLE OF A SUB-CONTRACTOR.
HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS’ CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT ARE GIVEN IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 1ST QUARTER 1992”.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $4 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, WANCHAI TOWER I, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION, REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3265.
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/3.........
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY
*****
FOR MAY 1992 RELEASED
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN MAY THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $12.6 BILLION, INCREASED BY 19% WHEN COMPARED WITH MAY 1991, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE LARGE INCREASE IN
STRENGTHENING IN DEMAND FROM
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE
TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED
RETAIL SALES IN RECENT MONTHS REFLECTED A BOTH LOCAL CONSUMERS AND TOURISTS.
EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, BY 13% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GROWTH IN CONSUMER SPENDING ON MOTOR VEHICLES, CLOTHING, JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND OTHER CONSUMER DURABLES.
SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN MAY CONTINUED TO REGISTER THE LARGEST YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE, BY 47% TN VALUE AND 38% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES WENT UP BY 26% IN VALUE AND 25% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 30% IN VALUE AND 19% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, CLOCKS AND VALUABLE GIFTS IN MAY RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 14% IN VALUE AND 18% IN VOLUME. THE LARGER INCREASE IN VOLUME WAS A RESULT OF THE FALL IN THE PRICES OF JEWELLERY ITEMS.
SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 15% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.
SALES IN SUPERMARKETS IN MAY INCREASED BY 13% IN VALUE AND 4% IN VOLUME, WHILE SALES IN OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS INCREASED BY 5% IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF FUELS WENT UP BY 13% IN VALUE AND 4% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO MAY 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 20% IN VALUE AND 13% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH APRIL 1992, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN MAY 1992 INCREASED BY 7% IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
/CHANGES IN .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES ARE DERIVED FROM FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER HAVING ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE MAY' 1992 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $1.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 802 1258),
/TABLE 1 .......
5
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total ietail Sales (or Nay 1992 (Provisional Figure) = 8I$12,625.4 till ion
for April 1992 (Revised Figure) 5 HI$11,758.0 lillion
TABLE 2 : VALBE AND VOLPKE INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR APRIL 1992 AND NAY 1992 (Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Index of Nay 1992 Nay 1992 Jan.-Nay.1992
Itei Retail April Nay coipared with coipared with ’ coipared vith
Sales 1992 1992 April 1992 Nay 1991 Jan.-Nay.1991
(Revised (Provisional Points \ Points \ Points \
figures) figures)
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS
Value 125.2 134.4 ♦9.2 *7.4 ♦21.5 +19.0 ♦21.6 *19.6
1 Vol Die 109.? 117.5 ♦7.8 ♦?.! ♦13.5 *13.0 ♦13.6 *13.1
(B) BI TYPE OF RETAIL OOTLET
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 115.4 118.1 ♦2.7 *2.3 ♦5.8 ♦J.l ♦8.5 H.9
drinks and tobacco Vohie 94.6 100.5 ♦5.9 *6.2 -1.5 -1.5 -1.9 -2.0
(other than
superiarkets)
Superiarkets Value 116.7 126.7 ♦10.1 *8.6 ♦14.8 ♦13.2 ♦13.5 nij
Vohie 96.1 104.0 ♦7.9 *8.2 ♦4.3 H.3 ♦3.2 ♦).!
Fuels Value 115.8 141.4 ♦25.6 +22.1 ♦16.7 H3.4 ♦6.1 *5.3
Vohie 90.3 109.9 ♦19.6 ♦21.7 ♦4.3 *4.0 -1.0 -1.0
Clothing, footvear and Value 131.? 150.3 ♦18.6 ♦14.1 ♦34.7 *30.0 ♦25.2 111.5
allied products Vohie 109.6 121.7 ♦12.2 ♦11.1 ♦19.7 *19.3 ♦12.3 *11.2
Consoler durable goods1 Value 151.2 162.4 ♦11.2 ♦?.< ♦42.1 *34.9 ♦43.0 *39.8
Vohie 116.1 146.1 ♦10.0 U.4 ♦33.9 +30.2 ♦34.1 ♦33.3
- Notor vehicles Value 171.5 179.0 ♦7.5 *4.4 ♦57.4 H7.2 ♦81.4 *83.7
and parts Vohie 145.3 151.3 ♦6.0 H.l ♦41.9 ♦38.4 ♦64.4 U1.2
- Coosaier durable Value 136.6 150.4 ♦13.8 *10.1 ♦31.0 +25.9 ♦14.5 ♦12.6
goods other thai Vohie 129.4 142.4 ♦13.0 no.o ♦28.1 *24.6 ♦12.2 *11.0
lotor vehicles
and parts
Departieut stores Value 110.4 120.5 ♦10.1 i9.2 ♦15.8 *15.1 ♦18.2 *17.1
Vohie 94.0 100.1 ♦6.1 ♦M ♦5.8 H.2 ♦7.8 ♦?.?
Jevellery, vatches Value 111.5 128.6 ♦11.1 *9.4 ♦15.4 ♦13.6 ♦24.1 *23.0
aid clocks, and Vohie 119.6 131.9 ♦12.3 H0.3 ♦20.5 *18.4 ♦29.4 +28.9
valuable gifts
Other consoler goods Value 127.8 123.4 -4.5 -3.5 ♦16.7 H5.6 ♦14.4 *12.0
not elsewhere Vohie 111.5 106.8 -4.7 -4.2 ♦5.7 *5.6 ♦3.0 ♦1.6
classified •
NOTE : 1 This covers bob "Motor vehicles and parts’ and "Consuaer durable goods other tbai aotor vehicles and parts".
---------0-----------
/6.........
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
6
ORDERLY RETURN OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANT TOMORROW
******
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A FIFTH GROUP OF ABOUT 60 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES WILL RETURN TO VIETNAM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) UNDER THE CONTINUING ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME.
THIS IS THE FIFTH REPATRIATION FLIGHT UNDER THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME AGREED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON OCTOBER 29 LAST YEAR.
IT FOLLOWS THE SUCCESSFUL ORDERLY REPATRIATION FLIGHTS ON NOVEMBER 9 AND DECEMBER 10 LAST YEAR AND FEBRUARY 12 AND JUNE 19 THIS YEAR WHEN A TOTAL OF 15.1 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RETURNED TO VIETNAM.
THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FACILITATE MEDIA COVERAGE:
AIRPORT
THERE WILL BE A FIXED POSITION INSIDE THE AIRPORT WHERE JOURNALISTS WILL BE ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BOARDING THE PLANE WHICH WILL TAKE THEM BACK TO VIETNAM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM IN THE ARRIVAL HALL NOT LATER THAN 8.15 AM. TELEPHOTO LENSES WILL BE NECESSARY.
EDITORS SHOULD NOTE THAT REPORTING TEAMS GOING ON THE PRESS BOAT WILL NOT BE BACK IN TIME TO MAKE USE OF THE PRESS FACILITY AT THE AIRPORT.
THEY ARE REMINDED THAT THEIR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST BE ABLE TO PRODUCE PROOF THAT THEY ARE BONA FIDE JOURNALISTS BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO USE ANY OF THE MEDIA FACILITIES.
PRESS BOAT
A PRESS BOAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE TRANSFER OF THE VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM GREEN ISLAND TO THE AIRPORT.
JOURNALISTS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL HARBOUR SERVICES PIER, PIER ROAD, CENTRAL (THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY’S VEHICULAR FERRY PIER IN CENTRAL) NOT LATER THAN 6.50 AM.
THE PRESS BOAT WILL THEN SAIL TO GREEN ISLAND, WHERE JOURNALISTS WILL BE ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE VIETNAMESE GETTING ONTO A FERRY WHICH WILL TAKE THEM TO THE AIRPORT.
/THE PRESS .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
7
THE PRESS BOAT WILL FOLLOW THE FERRY TO THE AIRPORT, WHERE JOURNALISTS WILL BE ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DISEMBARKING. AFTER THAT, THE PRESS BOAT WILL RETURN TO CENTRAL, ARRIVING ABOUT 9.30 AM.
EDITORS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE PRESS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DISEMBARK AT EITHER GREEN ISLAND OR THE AIRPORT. TELEPHOTO LENSES WILL BE NECESSARY.
------0--------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED * * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN KWUN TONG SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IS ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT A, 12TH FLOOR, CHIU KWAN BUILDING, 8 PING SHING LANE, KWUN TONG.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 27 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 86.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 504.594 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 203.385 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 34.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/8.........
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ ♦ * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 968
REVERSAL OF LAF +20
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.7 *+0.0* 3.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.69 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.33 3.61
1 MONTH 2.58 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.34 3.95
3 MONTHS 2.52 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.34 4.17
6 MONTHS 2.73 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.30 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,960 MN
CLOSED 3 AUGUST 1992
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO WORK FOR HK'S INTERESTS ........................ 1
THE GOVERNOR'S LUNCHEON ADDRESS TO THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE HELD AT THE REGENT HOTEL ON TUESDAY, 4TH AUGUST 1992 .... 3
CONSULTATION PAPER ON HEARSAY RULE IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS ............ 9
SUCCESSFUL REPATRIATION WELCOMED ................................... 10
63,253 ALLOCATED SUBSIDISED SECONDARY 4 PLACES ..................... 11
CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AWARDED ........................ 12
CELEBRATIONS TO MARK CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY ......................... 13
SAFETY COURSE FOR CAISSON WORKERS .................................. 14
4.4M USE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE .................................... 14
STRATEGIC INFORMATION STUDY FOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ............... 15
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON OVERSEAS STUDY ............................. 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................. 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPREATIONS ......... 18
TUESDAY, AUGUST I, 1992
1
GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO WORK FOR HK’S INTERESTS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HIS ONLY ALM WAS TO WORK FOR THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AND FOR THE FAMILIES WHO MAKE THE TERRITORY THEIR HOME, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
MR PATTEN SAID IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS HE INTENDED TO ACT DURING THE ENTIRE PERIOD, WITH THE AUTHORITY WHICH WAS INCUMBENT UPON HIM AS GOVERNOR.
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I THINK THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW AT LEAST FIVE PRINCIPLES IN ATTEMPTING TO ENSURE THAT WE BUILD ON THE FOUNDATIONS THAT YOU AND OTHERS HAVE LAID IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.”
’’FIRST, WE SHOULD STICK TO POLICIES THAT HAVE WORKED, FOR EXAMPLE, CONTINUE TO BE A LOW-TAX COMMUNITY, AND THAT MEANS LOW TAX ON INDIVIDUALS AND LOW TAX ON BUSINESS. IN ORDER TO REMAIN A LOW-TAX HIGH-GROWTH ECONOMY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE REMAIN PRUDENT ABOUT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND ITS CONTROL," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR CRITERION WHICH I INTEND THAT WE SHOULD STICK TO, AND THAT IS THAT PUBLIC SPENDING SHOULD NOT GROW BY MORE THAN THE TREND GROWTH RATE IN THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE,” HE ADDED.
”WE ALSO HAVE TO REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF A MARKET ECONOMY, WITH A GOVERNMENT DEDICATED TO MINIMUM INTERVENTION BUT MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SECOND PRINCIPLE WE HAVE TO FOLLOW WAS TO HAVE THE SELF-CONFIDENCE TO GO ON BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE.
’’THAT DOESN’T JUST MEAN BUILDING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, IT ALSO MEANS BUILDING OUR SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL, AND IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS OUR PHYSICAL FABRIC," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN GAVE HIS VIEWS ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT: "EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A NEW AIRPORT. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, INCLUDING OF COURSE THE NEW RAILWAYLINE, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THOSE PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED AS WELL.”
"BECAUSE THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS ARE FOR DOING THAT. THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS FOR HONG KONG, THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS FOR CHINA, THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS FOR THE WHOLE REGION. ONE OF THE THINGS WHICH HAS ENSURED THAT THIS REGION GOES ON EXPANDING IS INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE," HE SAID.
"WE KNOW, TOO, SOME OF THE SPECIFIC AND IDENTIFIABLE ADVANTAGES. WE KNOW OF THE ASSESSMENT THAT THE AIRPORT WOULD ADD IN ADDITIONAL WEALTH TO HONG KONG, $420 BILLION BETWEEN 1997 AND 2010, A HUGE INCREASE IN OUR GNP. WE KNOW THAT FOR STARTERS, WE SEE ANOTHER 350 HECTARES OF LAND RECLAIMED, IN A CITY WHERE THE PRESSURE ON LAND IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE," HE ADDED.
/MR PATTEN .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
- 2 -
MR PATTEN SAID NO COMMUNITY HAD CARRIED THROUGH SO MANY MAJOR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ON TIME, UNDER THE BUDGET AND MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG ONLY HAS ONE AIM, AND THAT IS TO BUILD THE BEST POSSIBLE AIRPORT FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE.
"MY BOTTOM-LINE IS TO GET AN AIRPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AT THE BEST PRICE, WITH ALL ITS ASSOCIATED PROJECTS. AND THAT, I REPEAT, IS THE TOTALITY OF MY POSITION ON THAT EVER-INTERESTING TOPIC,” HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN SAID THE RULE OF LAW WAS THE THIRD PRINCIPLE: "A GOOD HONEST PUBLIC SERVICE, AND A VIGOROUS AND RIGOROUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION, ARE ALL ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S CONTINUING PROSPERITY.”
HE SAID CORRUPTION WOULD BE HUNTED-OUT WHEREVER IT HAPPENS: ’’THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE WHAT HAPPENS IN HONG KONG, AND WE SHALL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GUARANTEE THAT IT CONTINUES TO BE THE POSITION IN HONG KONG FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE FOURTH PRINCIPLE WAS THAT WHILE TRUE THAT OUR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY HELPED TO SUSTAIN OUR LIFE, IT WAS ALSO TRUE THAT OUR WAY OF LIFE HELPED US TO STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
IT WAS WAY OF SUSTAIN
ON THE SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997, HE SAID: "WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE AS WE BROADEN PART IC1PATION IN GOVERNMENT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THAT IT IS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO HAVE AN ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS ALSO STRONG, DECISIVE AND EFFECTIVE."
“I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE WILL TAKE THAT POINT TO HEART, IT PLACES RESPONSIBILITY ON ALL OF US.
"WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS SENSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE AND FAIR. AND IF WE CAN ACHIEVE BOTH OF THOSE OBJECTIVES, THEN I BELIEVE, VERY STRONGLY, THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONVINCE OTHERS - IN FOR EXAMPLE, PEKING AND LONDON - THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IN HONG KONG CAN CONTINUE SMOOTHLY AND UNINTERRUPTED THROUGH 1997," HE SAID.
ON THE FINAL POINT, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE WANT, ALL OF US WANT, A GOOD TRUSTING CO-OPERATIVE CANDID RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.”
"THAT’S CERTAINLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WANTS, AND I ASSUME THAT IS WHAT CHINA WANTS AS WELL. MUCH! IS GOING TO REST ON OUR RELATIONSHIP, MUCH IS GOING TO REST ON OUR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
/•'THERE'LL BE.........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
- 3 -
"THERE’LL BE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE TO TRY THAT LITTLE BIT HARDER TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER’S POINT OF VIEW. AT ALL TIMES, WE’LL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE A CERTAIN GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT, WHICH ISN’T ALWAYS A VERY COMMON CURRENCY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BUT I’M SURE WILL BE IN OURS.
"NONE OF THAT MEANS RESILING FROM WHAT WE BELIEVE IS BEST FOR HONG KONG. IT DOES MEAN BEING PATIENT AND CAUTIOUS AND UNDERSTANDING, AS WELL AS FIRM, IN EXPLAINING WHAT WE BELIEVE IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
--------0-----------
THE GOVERNOR’S LUNCHEON ADDRESS TO THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELD AT THE REGENT HOTEL
ON TUESDAY, 4TH AUGUST 1992
CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
YOUR REFERENCE TO A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE REMINDS ME OF WHAT IS PERHAPS AN APPROPRIATE WAY OF BEGINNING MY REMARKS TODAY. A BRITISH HOME SECRETARY, A FEW YEARS AGO - AND THE HOME SECRETARY, AS YOU WILL KNOW, IS THE MINISTER IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE AMONG OTHER THINGS FOR OUR PRISON SERVICE, FOR BRITAIN’S PRISONS - HE WAS PAYING HIS FIRST VISIT AS HOME SECRETARY TO ONE OF BRITAIN’S LARGEST PRISONS, DARTMOOR, WHERE MOST OF BRITAIN’S LONGEST-SERVING CAPTIVE AUDIENCE IS HELD. AND IN HIS PREVIOUS LIFE HE’D BEEN A LAWYER WITH A REPUTATION FOR A GREAT DEAL OF WORK IN THE FIELD OF REFORM AND REHABILITATION AND HE THOUGHT IT WOULD MAKE A NICE CHANGE IF HE WAS ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE ASSEMBLED CONVICTS WHEN HE GOT TO DARTMOOR, TO GIVE THEM HIS USUAL SPEECH ON THE SUBJECT. THE GOVERNOR AGREED THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA AND ON HIS WAY DOWN TO THE PRISON CANTEEN TO ADDRESS THE ASSEMBLED ’LIFERS' AND ’20-YEAR MEN’, THE MINISTER WONDERED HOW HE SHOULD BEGIN HIS REMARKS. "GENTLEMEN”, HE THOUGHT SOUNDED A LITTLE TOO CIVIL, "COMRADES" SOUNDED TOO MUCH LIKE A PARTYMEETING, SO IN THE EVENT HE BEGAN HIS SPEECH BY SAYING, "I’M PLEASED TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU HERE TODAY". I’M OBVIOUSLY PLEASED TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU HERE TODAY, RECOGNISING THAT ON BALANCE, I THINK THAT A SPEECH ON REFORM AND REHABILITATION WOULD BE OUT OF PLACE, BUT I GUESS YOU MAY GIVE ME CAUSE TO CHANGE MY MIND DURING THE COURSE OF THE NEXT TWENTY MINUTES OR SO.
/AS A........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
4
AS A NEWCOMER, I AM OBVIOUSLY DELIGHTED TO MEET SO MANY OF THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED TO MAKE HONG KONG THE SUCCESS STORY THAT IT IS. AND AS A NEWCOMER, AS A NEW RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, I’M AS OVERWHELMED AS OTHERS HAVE BEEN, BY THE SOCIAL, THE INTELLECTUAL AND THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THIS CITY AND THIS TERRITORY. I DESCRIBED IT, IN MY INAUGURAL SPEECH, AS ’ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD’, AND DAY AFTER DAY I HAVE SEEN FOR MYSELF WHAT AN UNDERSTATEMENT THAT REMARK AMOUNTED TO. ’WONDER OF THE WORLD’ IN ONE VERY PRACTICAL SENSE WHICH AFFECTS ALL OF YOU. ’WONDER OF THE WORLD’ BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD - ACROSS ASIA ONE FINDS VIRTUALLY ALL OF THEM -WHICH ISN’T AT PRESENT FLAT ON ITS BACK ECONOMICALLY.
IN EUROPE WE SEE COUNTRIES GRAPPLING WITH INFLATION, WITH THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COSTS OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET EMPIRE, COUNTRIES WORRIED ABOUT COMPETITIVENESS AND A PREY, IN SOME RESPECTS, TO PROTECTIONISM. WE SEE MUCH THE SAME PICTURE IN NORTH AMERICA: GOVERNMENTS WRESTLING WITH HUGE FISCAL DEFICITS, AGAIN CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR COMPETITIVENESS. LATIN AMERICA: COUNTRIES WRESTLING WITH CRIPPLING DEBT BURDENS. AND AFRICA, FACING GRINDING POVERTY, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, DEBT, POLITICAL INSTABILITY.
NOT THE STORY IN ASIA, AND NOT THE STORY AT ASIA’S HEART, IN HONG KONG. IN ASIA, WE’VE BEEN GROWING AT ABOUT THREE-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE AVERAGE GLOBAL RATE. GROWING AT THAT RATE, FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN INCREASING OUR MARKET SHARE GLOBALLY, AND SECONDLY, BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN DOING MORE TRADE WITH ONE ANOTHER. AND BOTH THOSE THINGS ARE ABUNDANTLY TRUE OF HONG KONG. WE’VE MOVED UPMARKET, WE’VE BECOME A MORE SOPHISTICATED ECONOMY, WE’VE ADDED VALUE; WE’VE BECOME, THEREFORE, INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE, AND AT THE SAME TIME WE’VE ACTED AS A TRIGGER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SOUTHERN CHINA. SO HONG KONG HAS BEEN BOOMING WHILE THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS BEEN FALLING BEHIND.
THAT DOESN’T JUST HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR PEOPLE’S STANDARD OF LIVING, IT ALSO HAS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES. BECAUSE WE HAVE A STRONG ECONOMY WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MEET MANY OF THE COLLECTIVE AMBITIONS WHICH OUR COMMUNITY SHARES. WE’VE SEEN A REVOLUTION IN THE STANDARDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING. WE’VE SEEN ASTONISHING CHANGES IN HEALTH, WITH DISEASES THAT NOT LONG AGO KILLED PEOPLE BY THE TEN THOUSAND VIRTUALLY ERADICATED. A COMMUNITY WHICH NOW HAS A BETTER CHILD MORTALITY RATE THAN THE UNITED STATES OR THE UNITED KINGDOM OR AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND. A COMMUNITY WHICH BECAUSE OF ITS STRONG ECONOMY CAN NOW SEND ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION YOUNG PEOPLE BY THE THOUSAND RATHER THAN BY THE HUNDRED AS WAS THE CASE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.
NONE OF THAT MEANS THAT WE CAN BE COMPLACENT. NONE OF THAT MEANS THAT WE DON’T HAVE NEW SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HURDLES TO CLEAR. SO HOW CAN WE TACKLE OUR NEW PROBLEMS WITHOUT LOSING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS? HOW CAN WE DO THAT AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD IS IN A WHIRLWIND OF CHANGE, AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE SEEING A MELT-DOWN OF WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT WERE THE IMPLACABLE CERTAINTIES OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY? HOW CAN WE DO THAT AT A TIME WHEN WE ALL KNOW WE ALL REQUIRE GREATER SENSITIVITY AND GREATER SOPHISTICATION IN HANDLING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PRC? I THINK THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW AT LEAST FIVE PRINCIPLES IN ATTEMPTING TO ENSURE THAT WE BUILD ON THE FOUNDATIONS THAT YOU AND OTHERS HAVE LAID IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
/FIRST OF .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
- 5 -
FIRST OF ALL, WE SHOULD STICK TO POLICIES THAT HAVE WORKED. WE SHOULD, FOR EXAMPLE, CONTINUE TO BE A LOW-TAX COMMUNITY, AND THAT MEANS LOW TAX ON INDIVIDUALS AND LOW TAX ON BUSINESS. FAIR TAXES -AND THAT’S A POINT I’M SURE WE’LL WANT TO DEBATE FROM TIME TO TIME BUT LOW TAXES. IN ORDER TO REMAIN A LOW-TAX HIGH-GROWTH ECONOMY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE REMAIN PRUDENT ABOUT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND ITS CONTROL. WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR CRITERION WHICH I INTEND THAT WE SHOULD STICK TO, AND THAT IS THAT PUBLIC SPENDING SHOULD NOT GROW BY MORE THAN THE TREND GROWTH RATE IN THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. BECAUSE
THE TREND GROWTH RATE IS ABOUT 5% A YEAR, THAT GIVES US ENORMOUS
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YEAR AFTER YEAR TO UNDERTAKE THE SOCIAL AND
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES THAT WE WANT. THE PARADOX IS THAT IF WE WERE
TO LOSE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, WE COULD EASILY FIND OURSELVES GROWING LESS FAST AND THEREFORE HAVING LESS MONEY IN THE LONG RUN TO SPEND ON THE OBJECTIVES THAT WE ALL SHARE. WE ALSO HAVE TO REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF A MARKET ECONOMY, WITH A GOVERNMENT DEDICATED TO MINIMUM INTERVENTION BUT MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. BUT WITH A GOVERNMENT AS WELL, DETERMINED TO ENSURE - AS ADAM SMITH WOULD HAVE LIKED US TO - THAT WE HAVE AN ECONOMY WHICH IS OPEN AND COMPETITIVE IN ALL ASPECTS. AND I’M SURE THAT COMPETITION IS AN ISSUE THAT WE’LL WANT TO DEBATE BOTH INSIDE THE CHAMBER AND OUTSIDE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
SECONDLY, THE SECOND PRINCIPLE WE HAVE TO FOLLOW IS TO HAVE THE SELF-CONFIDENCE TO GO ON BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE. THAT DOESN’T JUST MEAN BUILDING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, THOUGH I’LL RETURN TO THAT IN A MOMENT, IT ALSO MEANS BUILDING OUR SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL, AND IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS OUR PHYSICAL FABRIC. I’VE GOT NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT THERE WILL BE AN INCREASINGLY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP IN THE FUTURE BETWEEN THE EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND THEIR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, AND WE THEREFORE HAVE A CLEAR AGENDA FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND FOR INCREASING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION. BUT WE ALSO NEED - AND HERE I COME TO A SUBJECT ALREADY FAMILIAR IN EVERY SOUND-BITE WHICH I’M REQUIRED TO GIVE - WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BUILD THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE NEED. I KEEP ON READING IN THE NEWSPAPERS SPECULATIVE ARTICLES ABOUT MY VIEWS ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND IT MIGHT BE SIMPLE IF I SET THEM OUT TODAY AS PUBLICLY AND COGENTLY AS I CAN. MY VIEWS ARE SIMPLE AND THEY ARE THREEFOLD.
/FIRST OF .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
- 6 -
FIRST OF ALL, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A NEW AIRPORT. I REPEAT, EVERYBODY. AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, INCLUDING OF COURSE THE NEW RAILWAY-LINE, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THOSE PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED AS WELL. AND WHY? WHY? - BECAUSE THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS ARE FOR DOING THAT. THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS FOR HONG KONG, THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS FOR CHINA, THE OVERWHELMING ARGUMENTS FOR THE WHOLE REGION. ONE OF THE THINGS WHICH HAS ENSURED THAT THIS REGION GOES ON EXPANDING IS INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE. LOOK AT THE INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE IN SINGAPORE, IN TAIWAN, IN MALAYSIA, IN THAILAND, IN SOUTH KOREA. ARE WE REALLY TO SAY THAT WHAT IS RIGHT IN THOSE COMMUNITIES IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD TURN OUR BACKS ON IN HONG KONG? WE KNOW, TOO, SOME OF THE . SPECIFIC AND IDENTIFIABLE ADVANTAGES. WE KNOW OF THE ASSESSMENT THAT THE AIRPORT WOULD ADD IN ADDITIONAL WEALTH TO HONG KONG, $420 BILLION BETWEEN 1997 AND 2010, A HUGE INCREASE IN OUR GNP. WE KNOW THAT FOR STARTERS, WE SEE ANOTHER 350 HECTARES OF LAND RECLAIMED, IN A CITY WHERE THE PRESSURE ON LAND IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE. AND WE KNOW AS WELL, THAT WE ARE GOING TO OPEN UP NEW AREAS, LIKE NORTH LANTAU, FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT. WE KNOW OF THE ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE OF A NEW AIRPORT FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE IN KOWLOON WHO WON’T HAVE, ANYMORE, TO HAVE THE AEROPLANES FLYING IN BETWEEN THEIR LAUNDRY. WE KNOW THAT ALL THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE. SO THE SOONER WE CAN TURN THEM INTO REALITY, THE BETTER.
AND MY SECOND POINT: I CAME ACROSS, THE OTHER DAY, A REMARK BY ONE OF HONG KONG’S WISEST ELDER STATESMEN - I HOPE I LIVE TO BE HIS AGE - WHO SAID THAT SO LONG AS PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE DIGGING HOLES IN THE GROUND EVERYTHING IN THE ECONOMY WOULD BE ALL RIGHT. WELL WE’VE DUG A LOT OF HOLES IN THE GROUND, NOT BOTTOMLESS-PITS BUT HOLES IN THE GROUND WHICH HAVE TURNED INTO SPECTACULAR TUNNELS, WHICH HAVE TURNED INTO EFFICIENT RAIL-SYSTEMS - RAIL-SYSTEMS THAT MAKE A PROFIT, HEAVENS ABOVE! - ROADS THAT WORK, WE’VE DONE ALL THAT. WHEN I’M TOLD ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COST-EFFECTIVE INVESTMENT, WHEN I’M TOLD ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DELIVERING PROJECTS ON TIME AND TO COST, I MUST SAY I’M INCLINED TO RESPOND BY SAYING: THESE AREN’T ISSUES ON WHICH PEOPLE IN HONG KONG NEED TO STARE INTO THE CRYSTAL-BALL, THEY AREN’T ISSUES WHERE WE NEED THE HELP OF SOOTHSAYERS OR FORTUNE-TELLERS. NO COMMUNITY HAS CARRIED THROUGH SO MANY MAJOR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ON TIME, UNDER THE BUDGET, NO COMMUNITY HAS DONE THAT MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN HONG KONG. AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE BEFORE WE CAN AND WILL DO AGAIN - I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE - IN RELATION TO THE AIRPORT AND THE RAILWAY AND ALL THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. SO THE SOONER WE CAN GET ON WITH IT AGAIN, THE BETTER.
/THIRD - MY........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
7
THIRD - MY THIRD POINT ON THE AIRPORT - MY LAST, AT LEAST TODAY - MY LAST UNTIL THE NEXT SOUND-BITE, I'VE ONLY GOT ONE AIM, THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG ONLY HAS ONE AIM, AND THAT IS TO BUILD THE BEST POSSIBLE AIRPORT FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE. NO OTHER AIM - A VERY GOOD TRACK-RECORD WHICH SHOWS WE’VE DONE IT BEFORE - BUT NO OTHER SET OF OBJECTIVES. SO IF ANYBODY WAS SAYING TO US, "YOU CAN GET A BETTER AIRPORT FOR A LOWER PRICE IN THIS WAY OR THAT", IT WOULD BE PERVERSE OF US TO TURN THEM DOWN. BUT ALAS, I DON’T HEAR THAT BEING SAID. IF IT IS SAID, WE WILL LISTEN. WE'LL BE FLEXIBLE AND SENSIBLE AND CONSTRUCTIVE AND PATIENT AND COURTEOUS - I’LL GO ON THROUGH ROGET’S THESAURUS. MY BOTTOM-LINE IS TO GET AN AIRPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AT THE BEST PRICE, WITH ALL ITS ASSOCIATED PROJECTS. AND THAT, I REPEAT, IS THE TOTALITY OF MY POSITION ON THAT EVERINTERESTING TOPIC.
THREE OTHER POINTS WHICH I WILL MAKE BRIEFLY. THREE OTHER PRINCIPLES WHICH I BELIEVE WE MUST STICK TO. FIRST, AND IT’S A POINT THAT I’VE MADE ONCE OR TWICE ALREADY AND I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS VERY SURPRISING: THE RULE OF LAW, A GOOD HONEST PUBLIC SERVICE, AND A VIGOROUS AND RIGOROUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION, ARE ALL ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S CONTINUING PROSPERITY. INVESTORS WANT TO BE CONFIDENT THAT THEY’RE ON A LEVEL PLAYING-FIELD, THEY WANT TO BE CONFIDENT THAT EVERYONE IS PLAYING BY THE SAME RULES, THEY WANT TO BE CONFIDENT - TO REPEAT A POINT I’VE JUST MADE - THAT CORRUPTION WILL BE HUNTED-OUT WHEREVER IT HAPPENS. THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE WHAT HAPPENS IN HONG KONG, AND WE SHALL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GUARANTEE THAT IT CONTINUES TO BE THE POSITION IN HONG KONG FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
FOUR, AGAIN A POINT THAT I SHALL CONTINUE TO MAKE: WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT OUR STABILITY AND OUR PROSPERITY HELP TO SUSTAIN OUR WAY OF LIFE, SO IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT OUR WAY OF LIFE HELPS US TO SUSTAIN OUR STABILITY AND OUR PROSPERITY. WHAT WAY OF LIFE? A COMMITMENT TO THE THINGS I’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. A COMMITMENT TO FREE-MARKET ECONOMICS, A COMMITMENT TO AN OPEN SOCIETY, A COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW, A COMMITMENT TO A FREE PRESS - EVEN WHEN THEY COURTEOUSLY FOLLOW THE GOVERNOR INTO DEPARTMENT STORES. THE GOVERNOR THINKS THAT THE MORE HE GOES INTO DEPARTMENT STORES, THE LESS THEY’LL HAVE TO FOLLOW HIM INTO THEM. A COMMITMENT TO FREEDOM OF WORSHIP, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, AND A COMMITMENT TO INCREASED PARTICIPATION BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THEIR OWN COMMUNITY. HOW DO WE DO THAT IN A WAY WHICH IS SENSIBLE? HOW DO WE DEVELOP THAT PROCESS IN A WAY WHICH IS MATURE AND SUSTAINABLE? WHAT WILL MAKE THAT INCREASED PARTICIPATION SUSTAINABLE? PEOPLE TALK QUITE PROPERLY, ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR BEING A SMOOTH TRANSITION THROUGH 1997, AND OF COURSE THAT’S RIGHT, NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND COULD WANT SOMETHING OTHER THAN A SMOOTH TRANSITION. WE DON’T WANT TO FIND IN 1997 THAT WE’RE HAVING TO CHANGE FROM ONE GAUGE TO ANOTHER. WE DON’T WANT TO FIND THE LIGHTS ARE SET AT RED. WE WANT TO SEE A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
/LET ME .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
8 -
LET ME TELL YOU TWO THINGS WHICH I THINK ARE IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO SECURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION. FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE AS WE BROADEN PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THAT IT IS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO HAVE AN ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS ALSO STRONG, DECISIVE AND EFFECTIVE. AND I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE WILL TAKE THAT POINT TO HEART, IT PLACES RESPONSIBILITY ON ALL OF US. SECONDLY, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS SENSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE AND FAIR. AND IF WE CAN ACHIEVE BOTH OF THOSE OBJECTIVES, THEN I BELIEVE, VERY STRONGLY, THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONVINCE OTHERS - IN FOR EXAMPLE, PEKING AND LONDON - THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IN HONG KONG CAN CONTINUE SMOOTHLY AND UNINTERRUPTED THROUGH 1997.
LET ME MAKE ONE LAST POINT. WE WANT, ALL OF US WANT, A GOOD TRUSTING CO-OPERATIVE CANDID RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA. THAT’S CERTAINLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WANTS, AND I ASSUME THAT IS WHAT CHINA WANTS AS WELL. MUCH IS GOING TO REST ON OUR RELATIONSHIP, MUCH IS GOING TO REST ON OUR MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IN THE YEARS AHEAD. THERE’LL BE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE TO BITE OUR TONGUES ON BOTH SIDES. MINE IS ALREADY A LITTLE SHORTER THAN IT WAS WHEN I ARRIVED IN HONG KONG. THERE’LL BE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE TO TRY THAT LITTLE BIT HARDER TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER’S POINT OF VIEW. AT ALL TIMES, WE’LL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE A CERTAIN GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT, WHICH ISN’T ALWAYS A VERY COMMON CURRENCY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BUT I’M SURE WILL BE IN OURS. NONE OF THAT MEANS RESILING FROM WHAT WE BELIEVE IS BEST FOR HONG KONG. IT DOES MEAN BEING PATIENT AND CAUTIOUS AND UNDERSTANDING, AS WELL AS FIRM, IN EXPLAINING WHAT WE BELIEVE IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
I HOPE, GOD WILLING, TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997. I ONLY USE THE WORD "HOPE" AND THE WORDS "GOD WILLING" - THIS IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY SPECULATION IN THE PRESS - BECAUSE I GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS AND HAVE AN INTENSE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF HUBRIS IN POLITICS. SO, I SHALL BE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, WITH THOSE QUALIFICATIONS, UNTIL 1997, AND I INTEND TO ACT DURING THAT PERIOD, DURING THAT ENTIRE PERIOD, WITH THE AUTHORITY WHICH IS INCUMBENT UPON ME AS GOVERNOR. I ONLY HAVE ONE AGENDA, I ONLY HAVE ONE AIM, I ONLY HAVE ONE BOTTOM-LINE, AND THAT IS TO WORK FOR THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AND FOR THE FAMILIES WHO MAKE HONG KONG THEIR HOME, BOTH TODAY, AND WHO WILL MAKE HONG KONG THEIR HOME IN THE FUTURE LONG AFTER THE LAST BRITISH GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN UP THE BURDENS OF AN OFFICE WHICH HE CARRIES WITH PRIDE AND ENTHUSIASM.
/9 ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
9
CONSULTATION PAPER ON HEARSAY RULE TN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS
******
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS ISSUED A CONSULTATION PAPER REGARDING THE PROPOSED REFORM OF THE LAW RELATING TO HEARSAY RULE IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS.
THE CONSULTATION PAPER, WHICH IS LARGELY BASED ON THE FINDINGS
OF A 1991 ENGLISH LAW COMMISSION CONSULTATION PAPER, SETS OUT TWO
REFORM MODELS FOR HONG KONG.
THE ACTING SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION, MR STUART STOKER, SAID: ’’THE FIRST OPTION IS TO REFINE THE EXISTING LAK RY SIMPLIFYING THE NOTICE PROCEDURE AND STRENGTHENING THE EVIDENTIAL AND PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS.
"THE SECOND OPTION IS TO DO CIVIL PROCEEDINGS ALTOGETHER."
AWAY with THE HEARSAY RULE IN
THE PRESENT LAW RELATING TO THE HEARSAY RULE IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVED COMPLEX PROCEDURES, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE GIVING OF NOTICE WHERE A PARTY WISHED TO USE HEARSAY EVIDENCE IN COURT.
"IT HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CRITICISM. A REVIEW OF THE LAW WOULD THEREFORE BE USEFUL," MR STOKER SAID.
COPIES OF THE PAPER HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE LAW SOCIETY, THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARBITRATORS (HONG KONG BRANCH), THE FEDERATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS, THE HONG KONG MAGISTRATES’ ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ADVOCATES, THE JUDICIARY AND THE LAW FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE LAW DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG.
COPIES HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO THOSE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH INVOLVEMENT IN CIVIL LITIGATION. THE COMMISSION WOULD WELCOME COMMENTS BY NOVEMBER 30.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER OR TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT ARE INVITED TO TELEPHONE OR WRITE TO THE SECRETARIAT, LAW REFORM COMMISSION, FIRST FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG. (TEL 867 2020; FAX: 815 2215).
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/10........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
10
SUCCESSFUL REPATRIATION WELCOMED
******
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN, TODAY WELCOMED THE SUCCESSFUL AND SMOOTH REPATRIATION OF 60 VIETNAMESE NON-REFUGEES UNDER THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME (ORP).
"THIS IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT EVEN NON-VOLUNTEERS ARE BEGINNING TO ACCEPT THAT THEIR FUTURE LIES IN VIETNAM, WHERE THEY CAN START A NORMAL LIFE INSTEAD OF LANGUISHING IN DETENTION CENTRES IN HONG KONG."
MR BRESNIHAN CONFIRMED THAT 16 OF THE NUNG ETHNIC GROUP REFERRED TO IN THE RECENT ASIA WATCH SUBMISSION TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WERE ON BOARD THE ORP FLIGHT.
THE ALLEGATION BY ASIA WATCH THAT 133 MEMBERS OF THIS ETHNIC GROUP WOULD BE SUBJECT TO PERSECUTION IF RETURNED TO VIETNAM WAS TOTALLY UNFOUNDED, HE SAID.
"TWENTY-FOUR OF THEM RETURNED VOLUNTARILY LAST YEAR AND - LIKE ALL THOSE WHO HAVE RETURNED SO FAR - THERE IS NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO ANY PERSECUTION AT THE HANDS OF THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES," HE SAID.
MR BRESNIHAN POINTED OUT THAT REFUGEE STATUS DETERMINATION PROCEDURES ARE APPLICABLE TO INDIVIDUALS ONLY.
WHILE CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO GROUP ALLEGIANCE - BE IT ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL - NO ONE IS CONSIDERED TO BE A REFUGEE SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF MEMBERSHIP OF SUCH A GROUP.
"THIS APPROACH IS ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH UNHCR
HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALL THE RETURNEES ON TODAY’S SCREENED-OUT NON-REFUGEES AND THEIR CASES HAD BEEN UNHCR.
PRINCIPLES,"
FLIGHT WERE
REVIEWED BY
FIFTEEN OF THEM, INCLUDING NINE OF THE 10 DEPORTEES, CHOSE TO RETURN AS VOLUNTEERS BEFORE THEY BOARD THE FLIGHT.
HE FIRMLY REJECTED THE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY ASIA WATCH THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S SCREENING PROCEDURES WERE FLAWED AND BIASED.
"THERE IS NO SUBSTANCE IN THIS ALLEGATION. OUR PROCEDURES WERE DRAWN UP WITH THE FULL INVOLVEMENT OF THE UNHCR. THEY HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF JUDICIAL REVIEW AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE FAIR AND PRACTICAL," HE SAID.
HE SAID APART FROM THE 16 NUNG RETURNEES ON TODAY’S FLIGHT AND THE 24 VOLUNTEERS WHO RETURNED LAST YEAR, ALL RUT A FEW OF THE NUNG GROUP HAD NOW BEEN THROUGH THE SCREENING PROCESS. THE MAJORITY HAD BEEN SCREENED OUT, AND 30 OF THEM HAD APPLIED FOR VOLUNTARY RETURN.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
11
HE SAID 12 OF THE NUNG GROUP HAD BEEN SCREENED-IN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS REFUGEES, THE UNHCR HAD EXERCISED THEIR MANDATE IN RESPECT OF THREE FURTHER CASES.
AN ADDITIONAL FIVE WERE UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION FOR REFUGEE STATUS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NORMAL STATUS DETERMINATION PROCESS.
MR BRESNIHAN SAID A REPLY HAI) BEEN ISSUED TO ASIA WATCH THIS MORNING RELATING TO THE NUNG GROUP. THE OTHER ISSUES RAISED IN THEIR SUBMISSION WERE UNDER CONSIDERATION AND A FURTHER REPLY WOULD BE SENT TO ASIA WATCH AT A LATER DATE.
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63,253 ALLOCATED SUBSIDISED SECONDARY 4 PLACES
THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ALLOCATED SUBSIDISED SECONDARY 4 PLACES AND POST-SECONDARY 3 CRAFT COURSE PLACES THIS YEAR IS 89.97 PER CENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
ANNOUNCING THE RESULTS OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA), THE SPOKESMAN SAID 75,702 STUDENTS TOOK PART THIS YEAR.
APART FROM 954 STUDENTS WHO HAVE OPTED OUT DURING THE YEAR, 63,253 HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SUBSIDISED SECONDARY 4 PLACES, INCLUDING 55,324 WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS.
"IN ADDITION, 3,999 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FULL-TIME POST-SECONDARY 3 CRAFT COURSE PLACES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADVISED STUDENTS TO RETURN TO THEIR ORIGINAL SCHOOLS TO CHECK THE ALLOCATION RESULTS ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 6).
STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO OTHER SCHOOLS OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES WILL EACH BE GIVEN A REGISTRATION FORM WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DESIGNATED SCHOOL DURING REGISTRATION THE FOLLOWING DAY (FRIDAY).
FOR REGISTRATION, STUDENTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM:
♦ THE REGISTRATION FORM;
* THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD;
* TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS; AND
* ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER ONE MONTH’S SCHOOL FEE WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE SCHOOL.
/STUDENTS FAILING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
12
STUDENTS FAILING TO REGISTER ON FRIDAY WOULD BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN UP THE SUBSIDISED SCHOOL PLACE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOCATED SUBSIDISED SCHOOL PLACES WILL EACH BE PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION SHEETS ON THE POST-SECONDARY 3 CRAFT COURSES AND ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO SECONDARY 4 OF THE GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL START FROM NEXT TUESDAY TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 11-14).
HE SAID APPLICANTS SHOULD CALL IN PERSON AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THE 11TH FLOOR OF WU CHUNG HOUSE AT 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI (TEL 892 6669).
ALSO, THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEN THEIR STUDENT’S PARTICULARS SLIP ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION RECORDS AND JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SECTION AND A PHOTOCOPY OF THE SLIP WHICH WILL BE KEPT BY THE SECTION.
"STUDENTS SEEKING INFORMATION ON ADULT EDUCATION COURSES SHOULD CONTACT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION DIRECT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALL ENQUIRIES ON THE ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE EDUCATION RECORDS AND JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SECTION (TEL 891 9099).
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CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AWARDED * * * * *
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $7.7 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE KWUN TONG SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT.
WORKS ON THE CONTRACT, WHICH IS FOR THE STAGE TWO EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING SCREENING PLANT, INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF TWO ADDITIONAL SCREW PUMPS, ONE COARSE SCREEN AND ONE FINE SCREEN.
UPON COMPLETION THE CAPACITY OF THE PLANT WILL BE INCREASED FROM 600,000 CUBIC METRES TO 1 MILLION CUBIC METRES A DAY.
THE WORKS WILL ENABLE THE PLANT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FLOWS FROM FUTURE PUMPING STATIONS IMPLEMENTED UNDER THE EAST KOWLOON SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME.
THE INSTALLATION WORKS WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMMISSIONING IN OCTOBER NEXT YEAR.
THE KWUN TONG SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT IS A PRELIMINARY TREATMENT PLANT DESIGNED TO SCREEN AND REMOVE GRIT FROM THE SEWAGE COLLECTED FROM NGAU TAU KOK, SAU MAU PING, KWUN TONG AND YAU TONG AREAS BEFORE IT IS DISCHARGED THROUGH SUBMARINE OUTFALLS.
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713
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
13 -
CELEBRATIONS TO MARK CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY
A PROCESSION AND A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 6) TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY OF TAI PO MARKET, WHICH WAS FORMLY KNOWN AS TAI WO SHI .
THE CELEBRATION WILL BEGIN WITH AN OFFERING TO ANCESTORS IN MAN MO TEMPLE, FU SIN STREET AT 8.30 AM.
A LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE PROCESSION WILL THEN BE HELD AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND, HEUNG SZE WUI STREET AT 10 AM.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM; DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT; AND REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
THE PROCESSION, INVOLVING 16 FLOATS, DRAGON AND LION DANCES, BAND PERFORMANCES, AND "PIU SIK", WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS.
IT WILL EN ROUTE THE MAJOR STREETS IN TAI PO MARKET, AND ROAD CLOSURE AND TRAFFIC DIVERSION MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE AREA FROM 9.30 AM TO 1.30 PM.
IN THE EVENING, A SPECTACULAR CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM.
THE CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE SINGING PERFORMANCES, PUPPET SHOW, GAME STALLS, LION DANCES, BAND PERFORMANCES, AND A VARIETY OF CHINESE FOLK ARTS DEMONSTRATIONS.
THE CELEBRATION WILL CONTINUE ON THE NEXT DAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE HOLDING OF A BANQUET FOR THE ELDERLY IN TAI PO DISTRICT.
THE BANQUET, OFFICIATED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG; AND THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR PANG HANG-YIN; WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM AT A RESTAURANT IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ABOVE ACTIVITIES.
PRESS BADGES FOR ENTERING THE GUEST SPECTATOR STAND ON TAI PO KWONG FUK ROAD WILL BE ISSUED AT THE RECEPTION COUNTER PUT UP AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE STAND.
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/14 .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
SAFETY COURSE FOR CAISSON WORKERS *****
A ’’SAFETY COURSE FOR CAISSON WORK” WILL BE HELD LATER THIS MONTH TO ENHANCE WORKERS’ AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL DANGERS WHEN OPERATING IN CAISSONS AND MANHOLES.
THE ONE-DAY COURSE, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, WAS PLANNED TO BE HELD IN MID-SEPTEMBER BUT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD FOLLOWING RECENT ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUCH WORKERS.
IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF THE ’’SAFETY COURSES OF HIGH-RISK NATURE”.
AS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CAISSON AND MANHOLE OPERATIONS ARE CAUSED MAINLY BY THE PRESENCE OF HARMFUL GASES AND OXYGEN DEFICIENCY WHICH MAY RESULT TN DEATHS, THE COURSE WILL AIM AT TEACHING WORKERS THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS THEY SHOULD TAKE BEFORE THE OPERATION.
IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF SELECTED CASES WILL BE ANALYSED AND DISCUSSED IN CLASS TO FURTHER INCREASE THE GENERAL SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG WORKERS AND HELP PREVENT THE OCCURENCE OF SIMILAR ACCIDENTS.
THE COURSE, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM ON AUGUST 20, WILL BE HELD AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
INTERESTED WORKERS MAY CALL THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL ON 739 9377 FOR APPLICATION OR ENQUIRIES.
- - 0 - -
4.4M USE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE *****
MORE THAN 4.4 MILLION PEOPLE MADE USE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES (PESCS) AND THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE PESCS, ATTACHED TO THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, PROVIDED VARIOUS TYPES OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
"THESE INCLUDED ANSWERING GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES; HANDING OUT GOVERNMENT FORMS, LEAFLETS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS; ADMINISTERING DECLARATIONS AND OATHS; AND MAKING REFERRALS UNDER THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME AND THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME,” HE ADDED.
DURING THE PERIOD, 222,017 DECLARATIONS AND OATHS WERE ADMINISTERED. THE MOST IN DEMAND WERE DECLARATIONS OF TRUE COPIES OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO EDUCATION, EXAMINATION AND EMIGRATION.
/THE PESCS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
15
THE PESCS HAVE ALSO REFERRED 1,192 CASES TO THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY UNDER THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, WHICH IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE SOCIETY AND CNTA.
RENT OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT ATTENDING 15 DISTRICT OFFICES HANDLED A TOTAL OF 7,711 ENQUIRIES ON RENT AND TENANCY PROBLEMS IN THE SAME PERIOD.
MEANWHILE, THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE HANDLED 73,091 TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES FROM JANUARY TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE CENTRE WAS SET UP LAST APRIL TO BACK UP THE DISTRICT PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE.
"ANYONE WHO WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT PESCS OR ABOUT GOVERNMENT SERVICES MAY TELEPHONE THE CENTRE ON TEL 835 2500.
"THE LINE OPERATES FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0--------
STRATEGIC INFORMATION STUDY FOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED ON A MAJOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGIC STUDY FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN A CONCERTED MOVE TO ALIGN DEPARTMENTAL PLANNING WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES.
THE STUDY UNDERLINES THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT IN MOVING AWAY FROM THE PROJECT-BY-PROJECT APPROACH TRADITIONALLY USED TO IMPLEMENT COMPUTERISATION, AND REPLACING IT BY A STRATEGIC PLANNING APPROACH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE STRATEGY WAS EXPECTED TO COVER INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION RECORDS, INTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND SYSTEMS INTEGRATION.
A CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY WAS HELD TODAY AT THE NEW EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN WU CHUNG HOUSE, WAN CHAI.
TAKING PART WERE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG; THE DIRECTOR OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, MR K.H. LAU; THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS, MR STAN MILLER, AND THE HEAD OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE COMPANY, MR DAVID NICHOLLS.
THE $1.7 MILLION STUDY WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND IS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE IN FOUR MONTHS.
/THE CONSULTANTS .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
16
THE CONSULTANTS ARE REQUIRED TO RECOMMEND, IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS OF THE INFORMATION NEEDS STUDY AND THE LIKELY TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIONS AND RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A FIVE-YEAR INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY PLAN TO MEET THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION NEEDS.
THE PLAN WILL COVER, AMONG OTHER AREAS:
* A PORTFOLIO OF STRATEGIC APPLICATIONS WITH PRIORITIES;
* A BLUEPRINT OF THE INFORMATION SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE IN SUPPORT OF THE STRATEGIC APPLICATIONS;
* PROFILES OF RESOURCES, CASH FLOW REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS;
♦ STRATEGIES FOR HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE BASED ON THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE;
» INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RELATED MANAGEMENT, STAFFING, AND TRAINING IMPLICATIONS; AND
* A PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT, MONITORING AND REVIEW MECHANISM. FOR THE STRATEGY PLAN.
THE STUDY WILL BE OVERSEEN BY A STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, THE FINANCE BRANCH AND THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON OVERSEAS STUDY
*****
SIX OFFICERS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL LEAVE FOR EUROPE AND USA FOR TRAINING LATER THIS MONTH.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR LAI TUNG-KWOK; CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, MR EDDY TSUI AND MR KUO KWOK-TUNG; AND SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR TAM TAK-KWONG; WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM, NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY ON AN EIGHT-WEEK STUDY OF THE IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES IN THOSE COUNTRIES.
ACTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR HO KWOK-YAN; AND CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR AU CHEUK-LUEN; WILL SPEND NINE MONTHS IN PROGRAMME AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, USA.
AT A BRIEFING TODAY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR JOHN YEUNG, SAID HE ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OFFICERS RECEIVING OVERSEAS TRAINING AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING CONTACTS WITH AND LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF FOREIGN IMMIGRATION SERVICES.
/THE STUDY
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
17
THE STUDY TRIPS WOULD HELP OFFICERS IN SELF DEVELOPMENT AND ENABLE THEM TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERENT CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF OVERSEAS VISITORS WHOM THEY WOULD MEET IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES.
MR YEUNG STRESSED THAT THE DEPARTMENT FULLY RECOGNISED THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS THAT COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THESE OVERSEAS STUDY TRIPS AND COURSES AND THAT EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE OFFICERS WITH SUCH OPPORTUNITIES.
HE URGED THE OFFICERS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND TO ACHIEVE SELF ENRICHMENT.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 4 AUG 92 4 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q232 H270
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,720 MN HKD 1,410 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.69 PCT 2.78 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.72 PCT 2.82 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 19 PCT ABOUT 14 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.73 PCT 2.85 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 10 AUGUST 1992 -
TENDER DATE 11 AUG 92 11 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q233 Y293
ISSUE DATE 12 AUG 92 12 AUG 92
MATURITY DATE 11 NOV 92 11 AUG 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 800+160 MN HKD 200+60 MN
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/18........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1992
- 18 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT - 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +150
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,138
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *+0.1* 4.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.03 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.32 3.62
1 MONTH 2.76 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.31 3.97
3 MONTHS 2.69 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.30 4.19
6 MONTHS 2.79 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.30 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11.795MN
CLOSED 4 AUGUST 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUICK COMPLETION OF NEW AIRPORT REITERATED ......................... 1
GOVERNOR PRAISES EFFICIENT TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ................ 1
FEES FOR TEACHER TRAINING COURSES REVISED .......................... 2
SECOND CHANCE TO BE TEACHERS ....................................... 3
BOOKLETS ON WASTE PAPER RECYCLING REPRINTED ........................ 4
FESTIVAL HK CHILDREN'S CHOIR IN CONCERT............................. 5
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ......................................... 6
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON CITY TO BE CLOSED..................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 7
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
QUICK COMPLETION OF NEW AIRPORT REITERATED *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REITERATED THAT HE WANTED TO SEE THE NEW AIRPORT COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TOURING VARIOUS TRANSPORT FACILITIES, MR PATTEN SAID: "IT’S IN ALL OUR INTEREST THAT WE GET IT DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE ALL KNOW THAT IN OUR OWN PERSONAL LIVES JUST AS IN GOVERNMENT, IT DOESN’T COST LESS IF YOU TAKE LONGER TO DO THINGS."
"I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE AIRPORT COMPLETED ON TIME, I REPEAT THAT IF IT GOES BEYOND THEN, IT WILL LIKELY COST MORE MONEY AND WE WON’T HAVE AS GOOD AN AIRPORT AND AS GOOD A RAILWAY AS RAPIDLY AS WE’D LIKE. SO I WANT TO SEE IT COMPLETED AS SOON AS I POSSIBLY CAN," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HIS DISCUSSION WITH AMBASSADOR MA YUZHEN AT DINNER LAST NIGHT HAD BEEN CONGENIAL: "I WAS HAVING A GENERAL CONVERSATION WITH HIM ABOUT SOME OF MY IMPRESSIONS. I WASN’T IN ANY SENSE NEGOTIATING WITH HIM NOR WAS HE HERE TO NEGOTIATE."
"HE WAS HERE BECAUSE HE HADN’T VISITED HONG KONG BEFORE. HE WAS HERE PARTLY ON HOLIDAY BUT PARTLY ALSO TO ENSURE THAT HE UNDERSTANDS RATHER MORE ABOUT HONG KONG BECAUSE IT’S AN IMPORTANT PART OF HIS RESPONSIBILITIES AS AMBASSADOR IN LONDON," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS POSSIBLE VISIT TO CHINA, MR PATTEN SAID: "IN DUE COURSE IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT I SHOULD GO TO PEKING AND IT’S EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM PEKING SHOULD VISIT HONG KONG."
- - 0 - -
GOVERNOR PRAISES EFFICIENT TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID AN EFFICIENT AND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND GOOD TRANSPORT COMPANIES WERE NOT ONLY CRUCIAL TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE’S QUALITY OF LIFE.
"WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EVERYDAY IN HONG KONG TRAVELLING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO WORK OR TO SCHOOL OR TO VISIT THEIR FRIENDS, THAT’S PARTICULARLY VITAL," HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER SEEING VARIOUS TRANSPORT FACILITIES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT INSTITUTIONS, MR PATTEN SAID HE HAD SEEN SOME VERY BIG PROJECTS, INCLUDING RAIL SYSTEMS, TUNNELS AND ROADS WHICH HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY HONG KONG IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND HAD BEEN DONE ON TIME, SOMETIMES AHEAD OF TIME AND AT PRICE.
/"SO, WE'VE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
2
"SO WE’VE SHOWN AGAIN AND AGAIN IN HONG KONG HOW COMPETENT WE ARE AT CARRYING THROUGH MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY AND I’M SURE THAT WHAT WE’VE DONE IN THE PAST WE’LL BE ABLE TO DO IN THE FUTURE.
"AND THAT SHOULD GIVE US VERY GREAT CONFIDENCE FOR CONTINUING TO INVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR BEGAN THE DAY’S VISIT WITH A BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, ON TRANSPORT POLICY, ROAD AND RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
TOGETHER WITH MR LEUNG, MR PATTEN VISITED THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION OFFICE AT WORLDWIDE HOUSE WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE MTRC CHAIRMAN, MR HAMISH MATHERS, ON THE SYSTEM AND THE PROPOSED RAILWAY FOR THE NEW AIRPORT.
AT TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, HE SAW THE OPERATION OF THE CONTROL ROOM AND A TOLL COLLECTION BOOTH.
RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR GORDON SIU, AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF KOWLOON MOTOR BUS, MR CHARLES LUI, AT KMB DEPOT, HE TOURED THE PLACE IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED BUS AND MET WORKERS AND DRIVERS.
AT THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION HO TUNG LAU ROLLING STOCK MAINTENANCE CENTRE, MR PATTEN WAS BRIEFED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR KEVIN HYDE, ON KCRC’S OPERATION AND ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
AFTER LUNCH, THE GOVERNOR VISITED LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING. HE WALKED TO THE BRIDGE AND WAS BRIEFED ON CROSS BORDER LIAISON AND INFRASTRUCTURAL TRANSPORT PROJECT.
HE THEN WENT TO YUEN LONG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TERMINUS AND TOOK A RIDE ON AN LRT VEHICLE TO TUEN MUN.
FROM THERE, HE TOOK A HELICOPTER TO TSING YI TO VISIT THE TSING MA BRIDGE SITE, WHERE HE WAS DRIVEN TO A VANTAGE POINT TO SEE THE PROJECT’S PROGRESS.
HE CONCLUDED THE DAY’S VISIT BY TAKING A HOVER FERRY FROM TUEN MUN TO CENTRAL.
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FEES FOR TEACHER TRAINING COURSES REVISED *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE FEE LEVELS FOR PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION COURSES FOR TEACHER TRAINEES FROM SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
FOR FULL-TIME PRE-SERVICE COURSES, THE NEW FEE LEVELS WILL BE SET AT $6,300 IN 1993-94 AND $8,700 IN 1994-95.
/ALSO FROM .......
3
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
ALSO FROM NEXT YEAR, FEES WILL BE CHARGED ON FOUR IN-SERVICE COURSES FOR TEACHER TRAINING (ICTT) WHICH LEAD TO A FORMAL TEACHER QUALIFICATION.
THE FEE LEVELS FOR THESE COURSES WILL RANGE FROM $1,580 TO $3,610 IN 1993-94, AND $2,010 TO $4,580 IN 1994-95.
DETAILS OF THE FEE INCREASES WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY.
COMMENTING ON THE REVISED FEES FOR FULL-TIME TEACHER TRAINING COURSES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COST OF PROVIDING THESE COURSES IS INCREASING EVERY YEAR.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S ESTABLISHED POLICY IS THAT STUDENTS SHOULD BEAR A REASONABLE SHARE OF THE COST," HE SAID.
"THIS SHARE, SIMILAR TO MOST OTHER FEES FOR EDUCATION SERVICES, IS 18 PER CENT OF THE COSTS.
"TO LIMIT ANNUAL INCREASES TO REASONABLE LEVELS, THIS WILL BE PHASED IN OVER FIVE YEARS, THAT IS BY 1997-98."
AS REGARDS THE DECISION TO CHARGE FEES FOR THE PART-TIME ICTT COURSES WHICH ARE AT PRESENT OFFERED FREE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THESE COURSES, LIKE THE PRE-SERVICE COURSES, LEAD TO A FORMAL TEACHER QUALIFICATION WHICH WOULD OPEN UP PROSPECTS FOR A LIFE-LONG CAREER.
SINCE FEES ARE ALREADY CHARGED FOR PRE-SERVICE COURSES, IT IS ONLY REASONABLE THAT IN-SERVICE COURSES LEADING TO A RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION SHOULD ALSO BE CHARGED FOR, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN TO PRE-SERVICE STUDENTS WHO NEED IT.
"THE ENHANCED SCHEME OF GRANTS AND LOANS INTRODUCED IN 1990 FOR COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDENTS WILL CONTINUE.
"HOWEVER, SUCH ASSISTANCE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS IN IN-SERVICE COURSES AS THEY WILL BE WAGE-EARNING TEACHERS ABLE TO PAY THEIR OWN WAY," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
SECOND CHANCE TO BE TEACHERS * * * *
SECONDARY 7 GRADUATES WILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPLY FOR THE TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE AT THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO RUN ANOTHER RECRUITMENT DRIVE AFTER RECEIVING MANY ENQUIRIES FROM THE GRADUATES.
"THIS IS APPLICABLE TO THE ENGLISH COURSE ONLY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
/MORE THAN .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
MORE THAN 8,000 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE ON JUNE 30.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND ADMISSION PROCEDURE ARE GIVEN IN THE APPLICATION FORMS WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM MONDAY (AUGUST 10) AT THE FURTHER EDUCATION DIVISION IN ROOM 1156 AT WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, AND THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.
CURRENT YEAR SECONDARY 7 GRADUATES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS THROUGH THEIR HEAD OF SCHOOL TO THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
BUT APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ALREADY LEFT SCHOOL BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1991 SHOULD SUBMIT THE FORMS IN PERSON.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS WOULD BE NOON ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 14).
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 892 6661 OR 892 6662.
- - 0 - -
BOOKLETS ON WASTE PAPER RECYCLING REPRINTED
TWO BOOKLETS SETTING OUT GUIDELINES ON WASTE PAPER RECYCLING FOR BOTH OFFICES AND HOMES HAVE BEEN REPRINTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION.
ENTITLED ’’WASTE PAPER RECYCLING FROM HOME” AND ’’WASTE PAPER RECYCLING FROM OFFICE", THE BOOKLETS ARE PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER CARRYING SIMPLE GUIDELINES FOR INTERESTED GROUPS TO ORGANISE WASTE PAPER RECYCLING PROGRAMMES.
THEY ALSO CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL WASTE PAPER COLLECTORS.
THESE BOOKLETS WERE FIRST PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED IN NOVEMBER
COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECEPTION COUNTER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON THE 28TH FLOOR OF SOUTHORN CENTRE, WAN CHAI AND THE MARKETING OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON TEL 835 1594.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
5
FESTIVAL HK CHILDREN’S CHOIR IN CONCERT » * « * t
THE MUSIC OFFICE’S FESTIVAL HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHORUS AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE WILL MAKE THEIR DEBUT IN THE "MUSIC ACROSS THE PACIFIC" PRE-TOUR CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON AUGUST 29 (SATURDAY).
THE TWO GROUPS WILL FLY TO CANADA AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
THEY WILL GIVE A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES IN TORONTO AND CALGARY AS PART OF THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG 1992.
IT IS HOPED THAT THEIR PERFORMANCES WILL PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA.
IN THE "MUSIC ACROSS THE PACIFIC" CONCERT, THE CHILDREN’S CHORUS WILL SING THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG 1992’S THEME SONG "HEARTS ACROSS THE PACIFIC" AND OTHER CHINESE FOLK SONGS.
THE CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE WILL PRESENT PIPA SOLO, PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS OTHER MUSICAL PROGRAMMES.
THE 40 MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN’S CHORUS WERE SELECTED FROM 1,300 CANDIDATES IN MARCH THIS YEAR BY THE MUSIC OFFICE.
SINCE THEN THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVING INTENSIVE TRAINING AND HAVE JUST COMPLETED A TRAINING PROGRAMME IN THE 1992 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP.
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE ARE MOSTLY WINNERS IN INTER-SCHOOL MUSICAL CONTESTS.
THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING OVERSEAS PERFORMANCES IN AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA IN RECENT YEARS.
TICKETS OF THE CONCERT, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE ACADEMY’S DRAMA THEATRE AT 7.45 PM, ARE NOW ON SALE AT $30 EACH AT THE URBTIX.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 722 6240.
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/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
6 GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND AT TUNG YUEN STREET, YAU TONG, KOWLOON.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,480 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR CARGO AND/OR CONTAINER HANDLING AND/OR STORAGE OF NON-DANGEROUS GOODS EXCLUDING AGGREGATE AND CEMENT.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON AUGUST 21.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON CITY TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE SEVERAL ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN TWO BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON CITY SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT C, 22ND FLOOR, 29-33 SOARES AVENUE AS WELL AS ON THE ROOF OVER FLATS B, C AND D, SEVENTH FLOOR, 249-259 TO KWA WAN ROAD, 15-19 LOK SHAN ROAD AND 1-7 MEI KING STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 28 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
- - 0--------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1992
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,138
REVERSAL OF LAF -150
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +1,020
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,008
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *+0.0» 5.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.45 PCT 15 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.90 PCT 18 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.74 PCT 21 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.81 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.26 PCT
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.37 3.57
2402 5.50 102.35 3.94
2405 5.50 102.35 4.16
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 5 AUGUST 1992
- 12,472MN
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT ........................... 1
LIQUIDITY INJECTED INTO INTERBANK MARKET ............................ 2
SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO MEET WALLED CITY CLEAREES ...................... 3
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR FIRST QUARTER 1992 ............... 3
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ...................................... 6
GRAND PROCESSION TO CELEBRATE TAI PO'S CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY ........ 10
SEMINAR ON LIFT SAFETY .............................................. 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS........... 11
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG WILL ACHIEVE ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH WITHOUT DEGRADING THE ENVIRONMENT.
IN A DETAILED REPLY TO THE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH’S LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR LAST MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, EXPLAINED GOVERNMENT’S PLAN OF ACTIONS TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
ON WATER POLLUTION, MR EASON SAID: "MUCH IS BEING DONE TO PLAN AND BUILD URGENTLY NEW SEWAGE, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL WORKS, AND THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE SEWAGE STRATEGY.
"IT IS ALSO EXPLORING VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR FUNDING THE MAJOR PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS VIA CHARGES FOR SEWAGE SERVICES."
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DECLARE THE EASTERN AND WESTERN BUFFER WATER CONTROL ZONES IN MID-1993 AND TO DESIGNATE NO LATER THAN 1995, VICTORIA HARBOUR AS THE LAST OF THE 10 WATER CONTROL ZONES SET OUT IN THE FIRST REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER IN 1991.
REGARDING RECYCLING OF WASTE PAPER, MR EASON SAID MANY RESIDENTIAL ESTATES AND OFFICES HAD WASTE PAPER SEPARATION AND COLLECTION SCHEMES IN PLACE AND NEARLY 75 PER CENT OF WASTE PAPER WAS RECOVERED.
THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO EXTEND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS BY INCREASING THE PUBLIC’S ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS GENERALLY AND BY MAINTAINING THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS ON RECYCLING.
ON ENERGY CONSERVATION, MR EASON SAID IN FUTURE THE POWER COMPANIES WOULD BE REQUIRED UNDER THE SCHEMES OF CONTROL TO FORMULATE MEASURES TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION.
MOREOVER, THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS IN THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICY FOR HONG KONG.
ON MEASURES TO ABATE VEHICLE EMISSIONS, MR EASON POINTED OUT THAT APART FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL, TWO OTHER MEASURES WERE INTRODUCED ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR TO REQUIRE NEW VEHICLES WITH PETROL ENGINES FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND ALL IMPORTED VEHICLES TO COMPLY WITH THE STRICTEST INTERNATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO MONITORING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS SUCH AS METHANOL, NATURAL GAS, LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS OR ELECTRICITY.
MEASURES ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO FURTHER REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES BY ENCOURAGING MAJOR USERS TO RECYCLE CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS) AND TO USE OTHER AVAILABLE SUBSTITUTES.
/MR EASON .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
2
MR EASON SAID REGULATIONS WERE BEING PREPARED TO BAN THE VENTING OF CFCS DURING THE SERVICING OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL AIR-CONDITIONS AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS.
MR EASON ALSO REASSURED THE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH THAT ALL DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, WERE RECREATION AND TOURISM, PROVIDING FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR SCRUTINISED AGAINST COUNTRY PARKS’ MAIN OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTING PUBLIC ENJOYMENT AND PROTECTING VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TERRITORY HAD BEEN DESIGNATED AS COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS.
AREAS OF CONSERVATION VALUE CAN ALSO BE ZONED FOR SUCH PURPOSES UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
ON WASTAGE OF TROPICAL TIMBER IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, MR EASON SAID THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD PRODUCED HOARDINGS MOCK-UPS TO TEST THE VIABILITY OF FIBRE-GLASS, METAL CLADDING AND CEMENTITIOUS PARTICLE BOARDS AS ALTERNATIVES TO HARDWOODS.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO PLANNING A PILOT REFURBISHING PROJECT USING ONLY SOFTWOODS.
IN ADDITION, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS REVIEWING THOSE SECTIONS IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE THAT MAY BE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ENCOURAGING THE USE OF TIMBER.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO CONSIDERING HOW TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENTS REACHED AT THE UNITED NATIONS EARTH SUMMIT IN BRAZIL EARLIER THIS YEAR, MR EASON SAID.
------0-------
LIQUIDITY INJECTED INTO INTERBANK MARKET
THE EXCHANGE FUND THIS MORNING INJECTED SUBSTANTIAL LIQUIDITY INTO THE INTERBANK MARKET.
THE LEVEL OF INTERBANK LIQUIDITY, AS MEASURED BY THE BALANCE ON HONGKONG BANK’S ACCOUNT MAINTAINED WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND, WAS RAISED FROM HK$988 MILLION TO HK$l,500 MILLION.
COMMENTING ON THE ACTION TAKEN, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND, MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID THE PURPOSE WAS TO RELIEVE TIGHTNESS IN THE INTERBANK MARKET, CAUSED BY A SERIES OF RELATIVELY LARGE NEW SHARE ISSUES ON STREAM.
SHORT-TERM INTERBANK INTEREST RATES HAVE THIS WEEK FIRMED TO AROUND FOUR PERCENT AND THE EXCHANGE RATE HAS STRENGTHENED FURTHER.
/THERE HAS .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
THERE HAS ALSO BEEN QUITE FREQUENT USE OF THE LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY BY BANKS RECENTLY.
THE AMOUNT OF LATE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED LAST NIGHT (WEDNESDAY), FOR EXAMPLE, WAS OVER HK$l,000 MILLION.
RESPONDING TO THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THE INJECTION OF LIQUIDITY IS A SIGNAL TO THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS TO ADJUST DEPOSIT INTEREST RATES ON FRIDAY, MR YAM SAID: "NO."
"IF A SIGNAL IS THOUGHT NECESSARY, IT WOULD BE GIVEN AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE BID AND OFFER RATES OF THE LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO MEET WALLED CITY CLEAREES
******
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CLEARANCE OF KOWLOON WALLED CITY UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL MEET ON MONDAY (AUGUST 10) TO DISCUSS OUTSTANDING COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING CASES ARISING FROM THE CLEARANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): "THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO GO OVER THE POINTS RAISED BY THE CLEAREES IN THEIR RECENT PETITIONS TO CNTA."
MEANWHILE, CNTA HAS ALSO LINED UP A MEETING BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR HU FA-KUANG, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CLEAREES AFTER THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE’S MEETING.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM. ALSO ATTENDING WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR PHILIP CHOK.
THE CLEAREES WERE INFORMED OF THE ARRANGEMENT THIS AFTERNOON.
- - 0 - -
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR FIRST QUARTER 1992 *****
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS FOLLOWED AN INCREASE OF 0.8% FOR 1991 AS A WHOLE.
/COMPARED WITH
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
4
COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, THE INDEX FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 SHOWED A DECREASE OF 20.9%. THIS SIGNIFICANT DROP WAS HOWEVER SEASONAL ONLY, AS MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION IS USUALLY LESS INTENSIVE AFTER THE CHRISTMAS DELIVERIES.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 14.5% IN PRODUCTION WAS RECORDED IN THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING. THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE CONTINUED BOOMING ACTIVITIES IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY.
THE OUTPUT OF THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS ALSO SHOWED A NOTABLE INCREASE OF 7.5%. THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE IN THE PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A DROP OF 5.9% IN PRODUCTION WAS RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY, IN WHICH THE MANUFACTURE OF GLOVES AND HEADGEAR REPORTED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN PRODUCTION.
THE OUTPUT OF THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS ALSO SHOWED A DECREASE OF 3.6%. WITHIN THIS GROUP, THE PRODUCTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PRIMARILY INTENDED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES OVER TIME OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 1ST QUARTER 1992", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $3.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3250.
FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN GREATER DETAIL. AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC) IS USED TO FORM THE INDUSTRY GROUPS AND BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS PRESENTED IN THE TABLE. THE PAST INDEXES HAVE BEEN RECOMPILED ACCORDINGLY TO FACILITATE COMPARISON.
INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP AND SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP
(1986 = 100)
/INDEX .......
5
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP / SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP INDEX FOR 1ST QTR. 1992 % CHANGE OVER
1ST QTR. 1991 4TH QTR. 1991
1. FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 135 -2.9 -12.9
2. WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 95 -5.9 -18.8
3. TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 88 + 3.5 -36.2
4. PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING 189 + 14.5 -12.5
5. CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 72 + 7.5 -23.4
-- PLASTIC PRODUCTS (57) (+5.6) (-26.9)
6. BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 101 -1.0 -11.4
— FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, (101) EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (+1.0) (-9.8)
7. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, MACHINERY,PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS 133 -3.6 -17.9
— CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (105) (-13.9) (-23.9)
-- MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, (167) APPARATUS PARTS AND COMPONENTS (+3.7) (-12.1)
8. MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 92 + 5.7 -16.4
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 106 0.0 -20.9
NOTES:1. FOUR SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS, WHICH CARRY RELATIVELY LARGE WEIGHTS AND ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS THEY BELONG, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE TABLE. FOR EASY READING, THE FIGURES OF THESE SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS ARE SHOWN IN BRACKET.
2. AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC) IS USED TO FORM THE INDUSTRY GROUPS AND BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS PRESENTED IN THE ABOVE TABLE. THE PAST INDEXES HAVE BEEN RECOMPILED ACCORDINGLY TO FACILITATE COMPARISON. FOR THE EXACT COVERAGE OF THE GROUPS IN TERMS OF HSIC CODES, PLEASE REFER TO THE ’REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 1ST QUARTER 1992’.
- - 0 - -
/6 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
- 6 -
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY t * * » * ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE GRADING SYSTEM SERVES TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GRADES ON BEACH WATER QUALITY ARE:
* GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
* GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
« GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
/* GRADE "4
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
7
» GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A GRADE "4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A GRADE "3" OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE:
PREVIOUS PRESENT
BEACH GRADING GRADING
HONG KONG SOUTH (AS AT 23.7.92) (AS AT 6.8.92)
BIG WAVE BAY 3 3
CHUNG HOM KOK 2 1
DEEP WATER BAY 2 2
HAIRPIN 2 2
MIDDLE BAY 2 2
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK 0 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST STEPHEN'S 2 2
/TURTLE COVE .......
8
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
TURTLE COVE 2
STANLEY MAIN 2
ROCKY BAY X
TO TEI WAN* 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 3
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 4
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1
SJLVERSTRAND 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2
HUNG SHING YEH 1
2
2
X
1
X
3
X
3
3
2
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
/KWUN YAM .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
9
KWUN YAM WAN 2 2
TONG FUK 2 2
LO SO SHING 1 1
PUI 0 2 2
SILVERMINE BAY 3 3
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 2
TUNG O» 2 2
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 4 4
APPROACH 3 3
CASAM 3 3
GEMINI 3 3
HOI MEI WAN 3 3
LIDO 3 3
TING KAU 4 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 3 2
NOTE: ”X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING
♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACH
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
CHUNG HOM KOK FROM "2" TO ”1”; TUNG WAN AND MA WAN FROM ”3” TO "2”; TING KAU AND BUTTERFLY FROM ”4” TO ”3”; CLEAR WATER BAY (1ST) AND CLEAR WATER BAY (2ND) FROM ”2” TO ”3”.
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES. THE VERY POOR WATER QUALITY AT ANGLERS’ BEACH IS DUE TO THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH HAD FLUSHED THE POLLUTANTS IN THE BEACH HINTERLAND INTO THE SEA WATER.
- - 0 - -
/10........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
10
GRAND PROCESSION TO CELEBRATE TAI * * » »
PO’S CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY *
A MASSIVE PROCESSION WAS HELD IN TAI PO TODAY (THURSDAY) TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY OF TAI PO MARKET, WHICH WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS TAI WO SHI.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE PROCESSION, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID TAI PO HAD UNDERGONE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE SINCE IT WAS DEVELOPED INTO A MARKET PLACE A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
HE SAID THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE RAILWAY AND THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL HAD FURTHER SPEEDED UP THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL FLATS BUILT IN RECENT YEARS HAD ALSO ATTRACTED MANY URBAN DWELLERS TO MOVE INTO THE DISTRICT.
HE SAID NOWADAYS THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN DEVELOPED INTO A MODERN COMMUNITY, WITH WELL-ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL AREAS AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES.
"I HOPE BOTH THE NEW AND INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS WILL CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY SO AS TO CREATE A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE," MR LAM SAID.
THIS MORNING’S PROCESSION, INVOLVING 16 FLOATS, DRAGON AND LION DANCES, BAND PERFORMANCES AND "PIU SIK", ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS.
IT WENT THROUGH THE MAJOR STREETS IN TAI PO MARKET AND LAST ABOUT TWO HOURS.
A SPECTACULAR CARNIVAL WILL ALSO BE HELD ON TAI PO PLAYGROUND THIS EVENING. IT WILL FEATURE SINGING PERFORMANCES, PUPPET SHOW, GAME STALLS, LION DANCES, BAND PERFORMANCES AND A VARIETY OF CHINESE FOLK ARTS DEMONSTRATIONS.
THE CELEBRATION WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW WITH THE HOLDING OF A BANQUET FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING GUESTS OF THE CEREMONY ALSO INCLUDED DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT, AND REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
--------0-----------
/Il ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
- 11
SEMINAR ON LIFT SAFETY ♦ » ♦
A SEMINAR ON LIFT SAFETY WILL BE HELD NEXT WEEK TO ENHANCE WORKERS’ AWARENESS OF POSSIBLE HAZARDS WHEN THEY WORK IN LIFTS OR ESCALATORS.
OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF TWO LIFT COMPANIES WILL TALK ON LABOUR LEGISLATION RELATING TO LIFT SAFETY AND THE HAZARDS INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF LIFTS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A 15-MINUTE DISCUSSION SESSION FOR PARTICIPATING WORKERS.
ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.
THE SEMINAR, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FROM 2.30 PM TO 4.30 PM ON AUGUST 11 (TUESDAY), WILL BE HELD AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
INTERESTED WORKERS MAY CALL THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE ON 852 3564 FOR APPLICATIONS OR ENQUIRIES.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » * » »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,008
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,020
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY +512
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.0 *+0.2* 6.8.92
/HONG KONG
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1992
12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 1 BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.47 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.38 3.56
1 MONTH 2.73 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.38 3.92
3 MONTHS 2.57 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.38 4.14
6 MONTHS 2.65 PCT
12 : MONTHS 3.25 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,147MN
CLOSED 6 AUGUST 1992
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VISITS IMPORTANT TO SHAPE POLICY DIRECTION: GOVERNOR ................... 1
LINK PROVIDES STABLE MONETARY ENVIRONMENT — FS ......................... 2
GDP - PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AND REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1990 AND 1991 ............................................. 5
MANUFACTURERS URGED TO BE MORE INNOVATIVE .............................. 8
POLLUTION OF POWER STATION GREATLY REDUCED ............................. 9
CONSTRUCTION OF LAST SECTION OF WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR .................. 10
PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN INDUSTRIES ............................. 11
CONSTRUCTION OF JETTIES AND PIER ON BROTHERS ISLANDS ................... 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR TUNG CHAU STREET PROJECT ........................... 13
CONTRACTORS INVITED TO SEEK PREQUALIFICATION FOR RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE PROJECT................................................................. 14
MORE PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION URGED .......... 14
RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE STREET FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ..................... 15
SALE OF GOVT LAND BY TENDER ............................................ 16
BEACH SHOW TO PROMOTE REUSABLE BAGS .................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 17
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
VISITS IMPORTANT TO SHAPE POLICY DIRECTION: GOVERNOR * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IT HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO SEE THINGS FOR HIMSELF IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD BECAUSE IT WAS NECESSARY FOR HIM TO CONSIDER PRIORITIES IN PUBLIC SPENDING PROGRAMMES SO THAT HE COULD HELP SHAPE THE DIRECTION OF SOCIAL POLICY FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE GOVERNOR MADE THE REMARKS AFTER VISITING A NUMBER OF WELFARE AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS TODAY (FRIDAY).
DESCRIBING TODAY’S VISITS AS A VALUABLE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, MR PATTEN SAID HE WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSED BY THE WORK UNDERTAKEN BY VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND BY THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTLY, ON BEHALF OF SOME OF THE NEEDIER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY; THE ELDERLY, THE HANDICAPPED AND THE POORER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
"HOWEVER, SUCCESSFUL WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY, AND THERE ARE VERY FEW COMMUNITIES WHICH HAVE DONE BETTER ECONOMICALLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THAN HONG KONG, IT’S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR US NOT TO FORGET ABOUT THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO DON’T DO AS WELL, WHO DON’T SUCCEED AS WELL AS OTHERS, OR WHO BECAUSE OF AGE OR INFIRMITY OR HANDICAP, NEED AN EXTRA BIT OF ASSISTANCE," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON PRESS REPORTS THAT HE HAD SENT A MESSAGE TO MR LU PING, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WELL, I DON’T THINK THAT THERE IS ANY SECRET ABOUT IT, SINCE I ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT IT ON A SIMILAR OCCASION TO THIS I THINK LAST WEEK. ”
"MR LU PING HAS SENT ONE OR TWO MESSAGES TO ME, AS YOU KNOW, INCLUDING ONE BY THE DELEGATION FROM THE DABHK (THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FOR BETTERMENT OF HONG KONG) WHICH WENT UP TO PEKING TO SEE HIM.
"I’VE ALSO SENT A MESSAGE TO MR LU PING SAYING THAT I HOPED TO SEE HIM BEFORE TOO LONG, EITHER IN PEKING OR IN HONG KONG, AND POINTING OUT WHAT I SAID IN MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADING AN EFFECTIVE, STRONG GOVERNMENT; AN EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT.
"I DREW HIS ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE THINGS I’VE SAID IN MY INAUGURATION SPEECH WHICH WAS EXACTLY FOUR WEEKS AND ONE DAY AGO," MR PATTEN SAID.
THE GOVERNOR BEGAN HIS WELFARE DAY WITH A BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY MRS WONG AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M D CARTLAND, THE GOVERNOR FIRST TOURED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL/WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON A PACKAGE OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, INCLUDING FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION.
/HE ALSO .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
- 2
HE ALSO SAW FOR HIMSELF THE OPERATION OF A FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND A SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT.
MR PATTEN THEN MOVED ON TO VISIT TWO HOMES FOR THE AGED AND A PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
AFTER LUNCH WITH LEADING PERSONALITIES IN THE WELFARE FIELD, HE WENT TO SEE A DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE RUN BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE LAST STOP WAS THE PAK TIN SHELTERED WORKSHOP IN WESTERN KOWLOON, WHERE THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED ON THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN REHABILITATION SERVICES BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALLAN CHOW.
- - 0----------
LINK PROVIDES STABLE MONETARY ENVIRONMENT -- FS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, AND A KEY FACTOR UNDERPINNING THIS CONFIDENCE IS A STABLE FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE STABILITY OF THE EXCHANGE RATE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE HONG KONG TEXTILES COUNCIL LUNCHEON WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES.
"FOR BUSINESSMEN, WHETHER IN TEXTILES INDUSTRY OR ANY OTHER INDUSTRY OR OPERATION IN HONG KONG, CONFIDENCE MATTERS AND PREDICTABILITY MATTERS," HE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT HE BELIEVED THE CASE FOR RETAINING THE EXISTING LINK WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR WAS OVERWHELMING.
"WE NEED A MONETARY ANCHOR. WE NEED A STABLE AND PREDICTABLE MONETARY ENVIRONMENT. AND THE PARTICULAR SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE HAS STOOD UP MAGNIFICENTLY TO THE TESTS WHICH IT’S BEEN PUT TO IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, INCLUDING STOCK MARKET CRASH AND EVENTS IN CHINA," HE SAID.
ON THE "MINI-DEBATE" REVIVED RECENTLY ABOUT THE OLD IDEA OF PEGGING THE HK DOLLAR TO A BASKET OF CURRENCIES, MR MACLEOD SAID: "ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS BEING USED AT PRESENT IS THAT THE HK DOLLAR IS UNDERVALUED AND THAT THIS IS A PRIME CAUSE OF INFLATION. IN OTHER WORDS, THAT WE ARE "IMPORTING INFLATION" BECAUSE A WEAK DOLLAR MAKES IMPORTS MORE EXPENSIVE.
"IT IS A PERFECTLY RESPECTABLE ARGUMENT AS A THEORETICAL ARGUMENT, BUT IT DOESN’T HAPPEN TO FIT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.
"THE FACTS ARE QUITE DIFFERENT. THE FACTS ARE THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY ONLY ABOUT 2 PER CENT LAST YEAR AND IT SO HAPPENS THAT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, IMPORT PRICES ACTUALLY DECLINED SLIGHTLY.
/"SO THE .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
- 3 -
"SO THE LEVEL OF THE HK DOLLAR IS CLEARLY NOT A PRIME CAUSE OF INFLATION. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT IT IS."
MR MACLEOD SAID MORE GENERALLY, IT WAS WELL ACCEPTED BY MOST COMMENTATORS THAT THE MAIN CAUSE OF INFLATION WAS IN FACT THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN OUR ECONOMY, COUPLED WITH THE DEMAND FROM INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION IN SOUTHERN CHINA ON A HONG KONG ECONOMY WHICH WAS TO SOME EXTENT LIMITED BY ITS SHORTAGE OF LAND AND LABOUR.
"THE SECOND ARGUMENT BY THOSE WHO ARGUE FOR A BASKET SOLUTION IS THAT WE NEED MORE FREEDOM TO USE HIGHER INTEREST RATES AS A WEAPON TO COMBAT INFLATION -- AGAIN A PERFECTLY RESPECTABLE ARGUMENT IN ITSELF.
"BUT THE FLAW IN THE ARGUMENT IS IN LINKING THIS TO PROPOSING THAT WE SHOULD LINK TO A BASKET OF CURRENCIES RATHER THAN THE U.S. DOLLAR.
"THE FACT IS THAT WE WOULD STILL BE CONSTRAINED IN OUR INTEREST RATE POLICY, WHETHER THE PEG IS TO A BASKET OR TO THE U.S. DOLLAR.
WHATEVER THE HK DOLLAR IS PEGGED TO, THE INTEREST RATE CANNOT VARY TOO FAR FROM THE INTEREST RATE OF THE OTHER CURRENCY OR CURRENCIES. THAT’S SIMPLY A FACT OF LIFE. THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE IDEA, BUT I THINK THAT’S THE MAIN ONE."
TAKING STOCK OF THE CHALLENGES FACING HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES AT PRESENT, MR MACLEOD SAID THE TREND WHICH STOOD OUT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS WAS THE DRAMATIC EXPANSION OF THE SERVICES SECTOR.
"THE RESULTS ARE PLAIN FOR EVERY ONE TO SEE — THE FACT THAT WE CAN FORECAST HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FUTURE, THE FACT THAT OUR CONTAINER PORT IS EXPANDING, IT SEEMS FAST AND ENDLESSLY, THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY BOOM CONTINUES FOR AN AMAZINGLY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
"ALL THESE ARE RESULTS, MAINLY, NOT ONLY, OF THIS DYNAMIC GROWTH IN SOUTHERN CHINA FEEDING BACK INTO HONG KONG, GROWTH IN HONG KONG FEEDING BACK INTO SOUTHERN CHINA," HE SAID.
"THE GROWTH IN THE SERVICES SECTOR IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN STORIES OF THE NEXT FIVE OR 10 YEARS. I WOULDN’T ATTEMPT TO LOOK INTO 15 OR 20 YEARS, BUT I THINK THAT CERTAINLY IS GOING TO BE THE TREND.
"WE ARE FORTUNATE NOT ONLY TO BE IN OUR PRESENT CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, BUT OF COURSE WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION IN GENERAL.
"IT’S VERY EVIDENT WHEN YOU HAVE VISITORS FROM EUROPE OR THE UNITED STATES, IT JUST KEEPS REMINDING US HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE TO BE IN ONE OF THE FEW GROWTH AREAS IN THE WORLD.
"DOES THAT MEAN THAT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, AMONG OTHERS, HAVE NO FUTURE IN HONG KONG? I DON’T THINK IT DOES. I THINK IT HAS A RATHER DIFFERENT FUTURE.
/AND IT'S .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
4
’’AND IT'S TRUE OF COURSE IT IS AND WILL BE EMPLOYING A SMALLER PROPORTION OF THE WORKFORCE.
’’CURRENTLY, MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES ABOUT 17 OR 18 PER CENT OF OUR GDP. AN INTERESTING POINT THOUGH IS THAT ALTHOUGH MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS EMPLOYING ONLY THREE-QUARTERS OF THE MANPOWER IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO, IT IS PRODUCING 80 PER CENT MORE IN REAL TERMS THAN IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO.
”SO PRODUCTIVITY HAS BEEN GOING UP IN I THINK A QUITE UNPRECEDENTED RATE — AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE 9.5 PER CENT.”
’’CLEARLY NOT JUST AUTOMATION AND MACHINERY AND ALL THE REST OF IT, PARTLY ALSO THE SHIFT OF THE LESS PRODUCTIVE, THE MORE LABOUR INTENSIVE INTO CHINA, SO WE CAN'T SAY IT IS SOLELY A SELF-GENERATED INCREASE IN PRODUCTION. BUT STILL IT IS NOTABLE, IT IS DRAMATIC, AND IT IS USEFUL.
MR MACLEOD SAID INDUSTRY FACED CONSIDERABLE CHALLENGES. MANPOWER IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM.
OTHERS INCLUDE PROTECTIONISM IN OUR VARIOUS MARKETS, THE VERY FLAT GROWTH IN MANY OF THE DEVELOPED ECONOMIES, AND COMPETITION FROM LOWER COST ECONOMIES.
"WE ARE SEEING WAYS IN WHICH AT LEAST SOME SECTORS OF INDUSTRY OR SOME PARTS OF SECTORS ARE COPING WITH THIS SUCCESSFULLY,” HE SAID.
AFTER OUTLINING THE STRATEGIES DEVELOPED BY MANUFACTURERS TO MEET CHALLENGES TO THEIR COMPETITIVENESS, MR MACLEOD AFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORTIVE ROLE IN INDUSTRY.
"ALTHOUGH WE WILL KEEP ON BEING CAUTIOUS ABOUT INTERVENING, WE SHOULD NEVERTHELESS NOT FORGET THAT WE DO ACTUALLY ASSIST,” HE ADDED.
CITING EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE THIS, HE SAID COMPANIES COULD TURN TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND ITS CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE FOR HELP WITH AUTOMATION.
FOR HELP WITH MARKET ACCESS, EXPORTERS CAN LOOK TO THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR HELP WITH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURERS CAN MAKE USE OF THE COURSES OFFERED BY THE CLOTHING AND INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
"LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, WE HAVE THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT RECENTLY PUBLISHED A QUITE DETAILED RESEARCH STUDY ON THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES WHICH I HOPE PEOPLE HAVE FOUND AND WILL FIND USEFUL.
"IT'S ACTUALLY NOW BEING STUDIED FURTHER BY THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHICH I HAPPEN TO BE CHAIRMAN.
"AND THAT COUNCIL ITSELF IS ANXIOUS TO PLAY A SOMEWHAT MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN ASSISTING INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY AND I THINK A USEFUL SYMBOL OF THAT DETERMINATION IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY APPROVED $200 MILLION -- A SMALL BUT I HOPE USEFUL AMOUNT -- FOR INVESTMENT IN APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ON A 50-50 BASIS.
/"THAT IS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
5
"THAT IS TO SAY THOSE WHO APPLY WILL HAVE TO PUT UP 50 PER CENT OF THE MONEY."
"SO LET’S NOT TALK OURSELVES INTO TOO PESSIMISTIC A STATE OF MIND ABOUT INDUSTRY. I AM QUITE SURE THAT ALTHOUGH SERVICE SECTOR IS GROWING FASTER, THERE WILL STILL BE AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL SECTOR HERE IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS TO COME," HE SAID.
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GDP - PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1992
AND REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1990 AND 1991
*****
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GREW BY 4.7% IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1991, ACCORDING TO THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AMONG THE MAIN EXPENDITURE COMPONENTS OF GDP, PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GREW BY 8.7% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1991.
UNDERLYING THIS RAPID GROWTH WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE ON DURABLE GOODS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GREW BY 7.4% IN REAL TERMS.
AMONG THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION, INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT CONTINUED TO GROW RAPIDLY, BY 10.3% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 OVER THE YEAR EARLIER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE ON BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION DECREASED BY 2.6% IN REAL TERMS.
EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUED TO RECORD SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS REGISTERED A YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF 20.8% IN REAL TERMS. OF THESE, RE-EXPORTS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 31.7%, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECLINED MARGINALLY BY 0.5%. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR IMPORTS OF GOODS WAS 21.9%.
AS REGARDS EXPORTS OF SERVICES, THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS WAS 13.9%, REFLECTING AN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF TOURIST INDUSTRIES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AS COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR WHEN TOURIST INDUSTRIES WERE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE GULF WAR. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR IMPORTS OF SERVICES WAS 9.3%.
/THE IMPLICIT .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
- 6 -
THE IMPLICIT PRICE DEFLATOR OF GDP, AS A BROAD MEASURE OF OVERALL INFLATION IN THE ECONOMY, ROSE BY 12.1% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 11.2% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
THE FASTER INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER DID NOT CONSTITUTE A CASE FOR CONCERN, BECAUSE IT WAS MAINLY DUE TO A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE TERMS OF TRADE.
THE GROWTH RATE OF OVERALL GDP FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WAS COMPARATIVELY LOWER THAN THE GROWTH RATES RECORDED FOR THE VARIOUS FINAL DEMAND COMPONENTS, INCLUDING PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION AND TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE INCREASES FOR THE VARIOUS FINAL DEMAND COMPONENTS WERE SUPPORTED TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT BY A LARGE INCREASE IN IMPORTS, APART FROM THE INCREASE IN LOCAL PRODUCTION.
GDP REFLECTS HOW MUCH THE LOCAL ECONOMY HAS PRODUCED AND IS ACTUALLY THE SUM OF ALL FINAL DEMAND COMPONENTS NET OF THEIR CORRESPONDING IMPORT CONTENTS.
ALONG WITH THE RELEASE OF THE PRELIMINARY GDP ESTIMATES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, GDP ESTIMATES FOR 1990 AND 1991 HAVE ALSO BEEN UPDATED, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT LATEST DATA SOURCES, SUCH AS THE RESULTS FROM VARIOUS ECONOMIC SURVEYS.
AS A RESULT, THE REAL GROWTH RATE OF GDP FOR 1990 WAS SLIGHTLY REVISED FROM 3.0% TO 3.2%, THAT FOR 1991 REVISED FROM 3.9% TO 4.2%.
FOR THE PRODUCTION-BASED GDP, THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1990 SHOW THAT, AMONG THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, "WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS” ACCOUNTED FOR THE LARGEST SHARE (24.3%) OF GDP, FOLLOWED BY "FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES" (20.8%) AND "MANUFACTURING" (17.2%).
LATEST EXPENDITURE-BASED GDP FIGURES FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 1. REVISED PRODUCTION-BASED GDP ESTIMATES FOR 1990 ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
LATEST ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE-BASED GDP FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ENTITLED "QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, 1ST QUARTER 1992". THE REVISED (AUGUST 92) PRODUCTION-BASED GDP ESTIMATES FOR 1990 ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PUBLICATION.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GERERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 582 5077.
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
TABLE 1
EXPENDITURE-BASED GDP ESTIMATES
FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 TO FIRST QUARTER OF 1992
GDP AT CURRENT MARKET PRICES
GDP AT CONSTANT (1980) MARKET PRICES
% %
CHANGE OVER CHANGE OVER
SAME PERIOD OF SAME PERIOD OF
YEAR/QUARTER HK$ MN THE PRECEDING YEAR HK$ MN THE PRECEDING YEAR
1990 559,623 12.1 262,603 3.2
1991 643,728 15.0 273,547 4.2
1990 Ql 122,894 11.5 59,127 0.8
Q2 132,574 11.7 61,943 3.6
Q3 150,011 12.5 70,579 4.2
Q4 154,144 12.6 70,954 4.0
1991 Ql 139,937 13.9 61,753 4.4
Q2 152,117 14.7 64,318 3.8
Q3 172,268 14.8 73,199 3.7
Q4 179,406 16.4 74,277 4.7
1992 Ql 164,274 17.4 64,641 4.7
TABLE 2
PERCENTAGE
SHARE OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN
PRODUCTION-BASED GDP ESTIMATES, 1990
REVISED (AUGUST 92) ESTIMATES FOR 1990
% SHARE
1. AGRICULTURE AND FISHING 0.3
2. MINING AND QUARRYING #
3. MANUFACTURING 17.2
4. ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER 2.3
5 • CONSTRUCTION 5.6
/6. WHOLESALE, RETAIL .........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
8
6. WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT 24.3
TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
7. TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION 9.4
8. FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND 20.8
BUSINESS SERVICES
9. COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES 15.0
10. OWNERSHIP OF PREMISES 10.8
LESS IMPUTED BANK SERVICE CHARGE 5.7
100.0
# LESS THAN 0.05
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6 MANUFACTURERS URGED TO BE MORE INNOVATIVE *****
MANUFACTURERS IN HONG KONG HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE MORE INNOVATIVE AND SKILL-INTENSIVE ACTIVITIES TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T H BARMA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PRODUCTIVITY SHOWCASE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (HKPC), MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS NOW UNDERGOING A PROCESS OF RAPID CHANGE.
"WITH THE OPENING UP OF CHINA AND THE RELOCATION OF ASSEMBLY OPERATIONS ACROSS THE BORDER, HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO MOVE UP THE VALUE-ADDED LADDER AND EQUIP ITSELF AS A SUPPLIER OF QUALITY GOODS AND PRECISION PARTS, COMPONENTS AND TOOLING.
"THERE IS A GROWING NEED TO STRIVE FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVED QUALITY, AND NEW PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT," MR BARMA SAID.
HE SAID DURING THIS PERIOD OF CHALLENGE AND TRANSITION, SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HKPC HAD A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT BY STATUTE IN 1967, THE HKPC HAD EVOLVED FROM A SMALL TRAINING AND INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTRE INTO A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ORGANISATION OFFERING A FULL RANGE OF INDUSTRY SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING A VARIETY OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES, INDUSTRIAL AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES, MR BARMA SAID.
/WITH THE .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
9
WITH THE OPENING OF ITS NEW PURPOSE-BUILT BUILDING LAST YEAR, THE COUNCIL COULD NOW UNIFY ALL ITS FACILITIES UNDER ONE ROOF.
MR BARMA SAID THE HKPC HAD RECENTLY TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO UNDERTAKE MULTI-CLIENT PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO THE NEED FOR IMPROVED PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT.
IN THE LIGHT OF INCREASING EMPHASIS ON THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS AS WELL AS THE ASSOCIATED PRODUCTION PROCESS, THE COUNCIL HAD ALSO EMBARKED ON A RANGE OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO HELP MANUFACTURERS OBTAIN ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION, HE ADDED.
MR BARMA SAID THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY’S RESPONSE TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN ENTHUSIASTIC.
"THIS IS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT THE COUNCIL HAD OVER 1,200 CONSULTANCY CLIENTS LAST YEAR.
"IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, THE COUNCIL ORGANISED OVER 600 TRAINING PROGRAMMES, IN WHICH OVER 14,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED," MR BARMA SAID.
---------------------0------- POLLUTION OF POWER STATION GREATLY REDUCED ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) WELCOMED THE DECISION OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO LTD (CLP) TO INTRODUCE A PROGRAMME THAT WILL REDUCE NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSIONS FROM THE COAL-FIRED CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION IN TUEN MUN BY 50 PER CENT.
THE PROGRAMME IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED DURING THE WINTER OF 1994-95 AT A TOTAL COST OF MORE THAN $150 MILLION.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, CLP WILL RETROFIT ALL THE ’B’ STATION BOILERS WITH AN ADVANCED TYPE OF COAL BURNER THAT WILL PRODUCE LOWER QUANTITIES OF NITROGEN OXIDES (NOx) GASES THAN CONVENTIONAL BURNERS. THEY ARE KNOWN AS "LOW-NOx BURNERS".
EARLY LAST YEAR, CLP BEGAN A PILOT PROGRAMME TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF REDUCING THEIR EMISSIONS BY INSTALLING LOW-NOx BURNERS IN ONE OF THE BOILERS AT THE CASTLE PEAK ’B’ STATION.
THE RESULTS HAVE SO FAR PROVED ENCOURAGING AND A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN OVERCOME.
THE EPD POINTED OUT THAT NITROGEN DIOXIDE IS A MAJOR AIR POLLUTANT WHICH IS PRODUCED MAINLY BY THE OXIDATION OF ATMOSPHERIC NITROGEN DURING THE COMBUSTION OF FOSSIL FUELS IN POWER STATIONS AND MOTOR VEHICLES.
/WHEN PRESENT .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
- 10 -
WHEN PRESENT IN HIGH CONCENTRATIONS, NITROGEN DIOXIDE POSES A SERIOUS HEALTH THREAT SINCE IT IMPAIRS LUNG DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION, CAUSES RESPIRATORY IRRITATION AND INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO RESPIRATORY INFECTION.
IT IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO ACID RAINFALL WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MICROBIOLOGY OF SOILS AND THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF RIVERS AND LAKES.
LOW-NOx BURNERS USE A MODERN COMBUSTION TECHNIQUE WHICH INHIBITS THE FORMATION OF NITROGEN OXIDES BY REDUCING THE TEMPERATURE AND OXYGEN CONTENT OF THE FLAME IN THE INITIAL COMBUSTION ZONE AROUND THE BURNER.
ALTHOUGH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MODIFIED BURNERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MONITORED CLOSELY BY CLP IN THE FUTURE, THE INITIAL TESTS HAVE INDICATED THAT REDUCTIONS OF AROUND 50 PER CENT IN THE LEVEL OF NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSIONS CAN BE ACHIEVED.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROGRAMME WAS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE OVERALL PLAN TO IMPROVE LOCAL AIR QUALITY AND WAS A REFLECTION OF THE CONTINUING ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND A LEADING INDUSTRIAL COMPANY.
HE ALSO CONFIRMED THAT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH CLP TO INCLUDE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS A CONDITION FOR THE RENEWAL OF THEIR SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
--------------------------0------- CONSTRUCTION OF LAST SECTION OF WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR » » t * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS TO PUT THE FINAL TOUCHES ON THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR PROJECT WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE YAU MA TEI SECTION OF THIS ELEVATED ROADWAY.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR WILL FORM PART OF ROUTE 2.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT IT WOULD PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE THROUGH ROUTE TO THE PROPOSED WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY BRINGING TRAFFIC FROM THE FUTURE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TO MEI FOO AREA.
"IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LINK TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ACROSS THE CENTRAL PART OF SOUTH KOWLOON," HE ADDED.
THE WORKS MAINLY COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ESSENTIALLY DUAL THREE-LANE FLYOVER ABOUT 650 METRES LONG ALONG FERRY STREET ACROSS WATERLOO ROAD JUNCTION WITH FOUR CONNECTING RAMPS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A TWO-LANE UPRAMP ABOUT 400 METRES LONG WOULD BE BUILT ALONG CHERRY STREET TO LINK WITH THE EXISTING NORTHBOUND FLYOVER IN TAI KOK TSUI ROAD.
WORKS WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE DEMOLITION OF TWO EXISTING SUBWAYS ACROSS FERRY STREET NEAR DUNDAS STREET AND TUNG KUN STREET AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTBRIDGES AND NEW PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS.
THE WORKS FOR THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1996.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK;
* YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, YAU MA TEI.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 6 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
- - 0 - -
PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN INDUSTRIES
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR
RICKY FUNG, AT A BREAKFAST BRIEFING ON ISO 9000 THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE PROGRAMME INVOLVED FURTHER EXPANSION OF EXISTING GOVERNMENT-FUNDED QUALITY SERVICES, SUCH AS THE STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY, THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME AND THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU, MR FUNG SAID.
/IN ADDITION,
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
12
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1989 TO PROVIDE ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION SERVICES FOR HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES, HE ADDED.
ANOTHER STEP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO TAKE UP THE QUALITY CHALLENGE WAS THE LAUNCHING OF A QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN MARCH 1990.
"THE CAMPAIGN EMPHASISES THAT 'HONG KONG NEEDS QUALITY’ AND ’QUALITY IS PROFITABLE’.
"THE MESSAGE IS CONVEYED TO INDUSTRY THROUGH AN ONGOING PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING QUALITY MANAGEMENT SEMINARS, TRAINING SESSIONS AND THE PUBLICATION OF A RANGE OF PROMOTIONAL AND INFORMATIVE LITERATURE," HE SAID.
MR FUNG SAID A SERIES OF BREAKFAST BRIEFINGS ON ISO 9000 WOULD BE HELD TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OF ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION.
"WE INTEND TO HOLD SUCH BRIEFINGS ONCE EVERY MONTH AND EVEN BIWEEKLY, IF NECESSARY.
"PROMINENT INDUSTRIALISTS OR CONSULTANTS WHO HAVE GOOD EXPERIENCES OF ISO 9000 WILL BE INVITED AS GUEST SPEAKERS.
"CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, MAINLY FROM SIMILAR SECTORS OF INDUSTRY FOR EACH BRIEFING, WILL BE INVITED," HE SAID.
MR FUNG SAID AS OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS WERE BECOMING EVER MORE DISCERNING IN THEIR DEMAND FOR HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS, THERE WAS A GROWING TREND FOR BUYERS TO SOURCE GOODS FROM QUALITY ASSURED SUPPLIERS, AND REGISTRATION OF COMPANIES TO THE INTERNATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARD ISO 9000 WAS FAST BECOMING A PREREQUISITE FOR DOING BUSINESS, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE.
------0------------
CONSTRUCTION OF JETTIES AND PIER ON BROTHERS ISLANDS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PREMIT THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT TWO TEMPORARY JETTIES ON THE BROTHERS ISLANDS, AND A PERMANENT PIER ON THE EAST BROTHER ISLAND.
ABOUT 2.85 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED OF THE TWO ISLANDS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT AND THE EXTENT WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE FACILITIES ARE REQUIRED FOR THE EXCAVATION OF THE ISLANDS AND SUBSEQUENT INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION WHICH IS NEEDED FOR TRACKING AND CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT LANDINGS AND TAKE-OFFS DURING THE OPERATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
/THE PROPOSED .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
13
THE PROPOSED PROJECT WAS A MODIFICATION TO THE PREVIOUS ONE WHICH WAS GAZETTED ON JANUARY 3 UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS TO THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED (RECLAMATION) ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE NEW PROPOSALS THE POSITIONS OF THE TWO FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AREAS AT THE EAST BROTHER ISLAND HAVE BEEN SHIFTED FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTHERN TIP OF THE ISLAND TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE AREA.
HOWEVER, THE POSITION AND AREA OF THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED OF THE WEST BROTHER ISLAND WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 6 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AND AT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES.
-----0-----
TENDERS INVITED FOR TUNG CHAU STREET PROJECT
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (UADO) IS INVITING TENDERS TO UNDERTAKE WORKS FOR THE EXTENSION AND WIDENING OF TUNG CHAU STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
THE WORKS MAINLY INVOLVE THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING TUNG CHAU STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TONKIN STREET TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND TO WIDEN THIS SECTION OF THE STREET TO A TWO-LANE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY.
AFTER IMPROVEMENTS, THE STREET WILL PROVIDE EASIER ACCESS TO THE NEW WHOLESALE MARKET ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WHICH WILL BE OPENED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
WORKS WILL START THIS OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 1993.
CONSULTANTS MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED HAVE DESIGNED THE WORKS AND WILL SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE UADO.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CONSULTING COMPANY ON 12TH FLOOR, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE DEADLINE FOR TENDER IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 4.
------0--------
/14 ......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
14
CONTRACTORS INVITED TO SEEK PREQUALIFICATION FOR RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE PROJECT *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM CONTRACTORS TO PREQUALIFY FOR TENDERING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE AND ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS WHICH FORM PART OF ROUTE 3.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE BRIDGE WOULD BE BUILT ACROSS THE RAMBLER CHANNEL FROM THE EAST OF TSING YI , AT A POINT JUST NORTH OF THE EXISTING TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE, TO THE JUNCTION OF KWAI TSING ROAD AND KWAI KING ROAD.
IT WILL BE A 1.2-KILOMETRE DUAL THREE-LANE EXPRESSWAY ON VIADUCTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE BUILDING THREE SECTIONS OF 122 METRES SPAN BALANCED CANTILEVER BRIDGE USING PRECAST SEGMENTS TO CROSS THE RAMBLER CHANNEL.
A NOTICE OF THE INVITATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE WORKS WILL START IN MAY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION BY MID-1996.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS CONTRACT WAS ONE OF THE THREE MAIN CIVIL CONTRACTS FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PORTION OF ROUTE 3 FROM NORTHWEST TSING YI TO MEI FOO.
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSULTANTS AT 38TH FLOOR, METROPLAZA TOWER 1, 223 HING
FONG ROAD, KWAI FONG.
APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT BY NOON ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4.
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR FOR THE PROJECT.
---------0-----------
MORE PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION URGED » » » ♦ ♦
CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MRS PEGGY LAM, TODAY (FRIDAY) APPEALED TO THE BUSINESS SECTOR TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
SPEAKING AT THE CHEQUE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS SCHEME 1992, MRS LAM SAID STUDENTS SHOULD BE EDUCATED TO TREASURE NATURAL RESOURCES AND TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THEY WERE FUTURE LEADERS OF SOCIETY WHO WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS THRIVING CITY WORK IN THE FUTURE.
/MRS LAM ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
MRS LAM POINTED OUT THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAD OVER THE YEARS INTRODUCED STRINGENT CONTROLS TARGETED AT PREVENTING THE DETERIORATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, IMPROVING AIR AND WATER QUALITY AND REDUCING NOISE POLLUTION.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED LEGISLATION BANNING THE USE OF HEAVY FUEL OIL BY INDUSTRY.
AS A RESULT, EMISSIONS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE HAD REDUCED BY 80 PER CENT, CLEARING THE AIR OVER VICTORIA HARBOUR, MRS LAM ADDED.
STRESSING THAT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH, MRS LAM SAID PRIVATE CORPORATIONS SHOULD STOP EXPLOITING THE SCARCE NATURAL RESOURCES AND SHOULD TAKE ON AN ACTIVE ROLE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
AT THE CEREMONY, MRS LAM PRESENTED CHEQUES FOR $5,000 TO EACH OF THE 19 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND $4,000 TO EACH OF THE TWO KINDERGARTENS TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME.
SCHOOLS WILL USE THE AWARDED FUNDS TO CARRY OUT THEIR PROPOSED EDUCATION PROJECTS AND TO MOUNT DISPLAYS IN NOVEMBER.
"THE PROJECT PROPOSALS REFLECTED A KEEN INTEREST AND COMMITMENT OF THE STUDENTS," MRS LAM SAID.
THE PROJECT PROPOSALS CENTRED ON FOUR AREAS, NAMELY BUILDING A BETTER ENVIRONMENT; FIGHTING AGAINST POLLUTION; WHAT HONG KONG WILL BE LIKE IN 2001 AND HOW TO BEAUTIFY THE NEIGHBOURHOOD/DISTRICT.
MRS LAM THANKED THE OTB CARD COMPANY LTD FOR ITS COMMITMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
SHE SAID THE COMPANY’S SPONSORSHIP FOR THE SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS SCHEME MADE IT POSSIBLE TO FURTHER PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS.
"IN THE COMING YEARS, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF BUSINESS SECTORS," MRS LAM SAID.
- - 0 - -
RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE STREET FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME FOO MING STREET, PRESENTLY A PRIVATE STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY FOR PUBLIC WORKS PURPOSES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 357 SQUARE METRES, THE LAND TO BE RESUMED WILL BE USED FOR CARRYING OUT A ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME WHICH WILL INVOLVE REPAIRS WORKS OF THE DEFECTIVE CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTWAYS IN THE STREET AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORK.
/THE NOTICE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
16
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLAN OF THE RESUMPTION WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LAND WILL BE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ON EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING NOTICES ON THE SITE.
------------0-------- SALE OF GOVT LAND BY TENDER » » » * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR USE AS FUNERAL PARLOUR.
THE LAND IS LOCATED AT YAU ON STREET, AREA 18, SHA TIN AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,744 SQUARE METRES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE FUNERAL PARLOUR SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND MAKE FIT FOR OCCUPATION ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 18.
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 THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
----------------0-------- BEACH SHOW TO PROMOTE REUSABLE BAGS ♦ * * ♦ ♦
BEACH-GOERS TO REPULSE BAY THIS SUNDAY (AUGUST 9) AFTERNOON WILL BE TREATED TO A FREE CONCERT PRESENTED BY POP SINGERS IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO USE LESS PLASTIC BAGS.
THE ONE-HOUR SHOW WILL BE STAGED AT FOUNTAIN CAFE, RB DELIGHT, REPULSE BAY, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
POPULAR SINGER, MR ANDY LAU, WILL SING THE THEME SONG "THE GREENER MOUNTAINS" WHICH HE IS PRODUCING AS HIS PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION TO THIS YEAR’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CAMPAIGN.
/OTHER SINGERS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
17
OTHER SINGERS WILL INCLUDE MR DICKY CHEUNG, MS SHIRLEY YUEN AND MR LUI SHAN.
THE AUDIENCE WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN ENVIRONMENTAL-RELATED GAMES. WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED WITH PRIZES INCLUDING REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS.
THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
IT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PLASTICS BAGS AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO SWITCH TO REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS.
AUDIENCE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO OBTAIN A REUSABLE BAG DONATED BY DU PONT ASIA PACIFIC LTD.
THE CONCERT, TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK FROM 2 PM TO 3 PM, IS PART OF ITS SOLAR PROJECT ’92.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONCERT WHICH WILL BE HELD AT FOUNTAIN CAFE, RB DELIGHT, *0 BEACH ROAD, REPULSE BAY, BEGINNING AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 9).
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +940
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,440
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.0 »+0.0* 7.8.92
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1992
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.67 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.44 3.49
1 MONTH 2.53 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.44 3.87
3 MONTHS 2.49 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.43 4.10
6 MONTHS 2.64 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.16 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14.608MN
CLOSED 7 AUGUST 1992
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REPORT ON EXCO APPOINTMENTS REFUTED.................................. 1
PLANNING GUIDELINES ON COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS REVISED 1
POLICE'S VIDEO RECORDING OF PUBLIC ORDER INCIDENTS .................. 2
246 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME .......................................... 2
GAMES HALL FOR WESTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS ........................... 3
THREE MINIBUS ROUTES TO ADJUST FARES ................................ 3
SALT WATER SUSPENSION IN KOWLOON EAST................................ 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1992
1
REPORT ON EXCO APPOINTMENTS REFUTED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON A REPORT IN A CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING ABOUT A SECRET MEETING BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND OFFICIALS OF XINHUA NEWS AGENCY TO DISCUSS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S APPOINTMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE REPORT IS PURE FICTION AND HAS NO TRUTH IN IT WHATSOEVER."
- 0------------
PLANNING GUIDELINES ON COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS REVISED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS RECENTLY ENDORSED THE REVISED ’’GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION FOR COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS IN INDUSTRIAL ZONE" UNDER SECTION 16 OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE REVISED GUIDELINES AIMED TO PROVIDE GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THAT THE REQUIREMENT ON THE LOCATION OF THE ANCILLARY OFFICE HAD BEEN RELAXED TO PERMIT OFFICE TO BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN AN INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDING AS LONG AS IT WAS ANCILLARY TO AN INDUSTRIAL OPERATION LOCATED WITHIN THE SAME INDUSTRIAL AREA.
’’SPECIAL CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO RELAX THE INDUSTRIAL PARKING REQUIREMENTS IF THE APPLICATIONS INVOLVE THE CONVERSION OF EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS OR REDEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SITES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO SEVERE SITE CONSTRAINTS.
"SIMILARLY, THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICE USERS WITHIN AN INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDING MAY BE RELAXED IF THE SIZE, DIMENSION AND CONFIGURATION OF THE APPLICATION SITES ARE TOO CONSTRAINED TO COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADVISED THE APPLICANTS TO CONSULT THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT BEFORE SUBMITTING THE PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
THE GUIDELINES ALSO SPECIFY THE TYPES OF USES THAT ARE PERMITTED WITHIN AN INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDING AND THE MAIN PLANNING CRITERIA FOR SUCH APPLICATIONS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE PLANNING INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATION UNIT OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ON TEL 848 2402.
FREE COPIES OF THE REVISED GUIDELINES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
- - 0----------
/2 ........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1992
POLICE’S VIDEO RECORDING OF PUBLIC ORDER INCIDENTS
*****
IN VIEW OF RECENT MEDIA INTEREST IN THE VIDEO RECORDING BY POLICE OF PUBLIC ORDER INCIDENTS, THE FOLLOWING IS AN OUTLINE OF INTERNAL POLICE GUIDELINES ON THIS SUBJECT.
1. IT IS THE EVENT, NOT THE PARTICIPANTS, WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE RECORD.
2. FILMING IS NORMALLY DONE BY OFFICERS CONSPICUOUSLY IDENTIFIABLE AS POLICE OFFICERS AND WHERE POSSIBLE ACCOMPANIED BY UNIFORMED OFFICERS.
3. WHERE VIDEO RECORDINGS ARE NOT REQUIRED AS EVIDENCE THEY WILL NORMALLY BE RETAINED FOR A PERIOD OF NO MORE THAN THREE MONTHS AND THEN WILL BE WIPED CLEAN.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING SINISTER BEHIND POLICE USE OF VIDEOPHOTOGRAPHY OR STILL CAMERAS.
HE SAID SUCH A PRACTICE WAS ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY AS AN EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AID, AND WAS USED EXTENSIVELY BY MANY POLICE FORCES TO ASSIST THEM IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DAILY DUTIES.
THESE FORCES INCLUDE THE METROPOLITAN POLICE IN LONDON.
IN HONG KONG, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE MAKES EXTENSIVE USE OF VIDEO TO RECORD EVENTS SUCH AS VIETNAMESE REPATRIATIONS, DISORDER IN VIETNAMESE CAMPS, QUEUING FOR FLAT SALES, ILLEGAL ROAD RACING, FESTIVALS, CRIME RECONSTRUCTIONS AS WELL AS PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROCEDURES EMPLOYED WERE TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN CARRYING OUT THEIR STATUTORY DUTIES, WHILE NOT INFRINGING THE RIGHTS OF ORDINARY CITIZENS.
- - 0 -
246 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME * * * ♦
TWO GROUPS COMPRISING 246 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (SATURDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
THE FIRST GROUP WAS MADE UP OF 53 MEN, 31 WOMEN, 19 BOYS AND 18 GIRLS AND WAS THE 115TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME. THEIR FLIGHT TOOK OFF AROUND 6.30 AM TODAY.
THE SECOND GROUP - THE 116TH BATCH - COMPRISED 46 MEN, 29 WOMEN, 31 BOYS AND 19 GIRLS. THEIR FLIGHT LEFT FOR VIETNAM AROUND 8.30 AM TODAY.
THE TWO GROUPS BROUGHT TO 6,684 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE LEFT VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 20,563 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1992
GAMES HALL FOR WESTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS *****
RESIDENTS OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY MORE SPORTS FACILITIES WHEN AN INDOOR GAMES HALL IS COMPLETED IN 1994.
THE INDOOR GAMES HALL, TO BE DEVELOPED ON A SITE OF MORE THAN 5,800 SQUARE METRES ON WESTERN RECLAMATION, WILL HAVE A MAIN GAMES HALL FOR VARIOUS SPORTS, FOUR SQUASH COURTS, TWO MULTI-FUNCTION ROOMS AND CHANGING ROOMS.
A CAFETERIA WILL BE OPERATING ON THE FOURTH LEVEL OF THE HALL.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO START THIS NOVEMBER.
FORMS OF TENDER. AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDERS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON AUGUST 28.
- - 0 - -
THREE MINIBUS ROUTES TO ADJUST FARES
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FARES OF THREE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES IN KOWLOON WOULD BE ADJUSTED FROM MONDAY (AUGUST 10) WITHIN A RANGE BETWEEN $0.3 AND $0.5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
THE ROUTES ARE: 27M (BETWEEN LOK MAN SUN CHUEN AND MONG KOK MTR STATION); 28M (BETWEEN WAI HANG CHEONG SUN CHUEN AND MONG KOK MTR STATION); AND 29 (BETWEEN BROADCAST DRIVE AND BEACON HILL),
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1992
4 SALT WATER SUSPENSION IN KOWLOON EAST *****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KOWLOON EAST WILL GO OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 10) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS MAINTENANCE WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN LAM TIN ESTATE, HONG TIN COURT, HONG WAH COURT, HING TIN ESTATE, SAU MAU PING ESTATE, UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, HONG NING ROAD TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA (THA) KUNG LOK ROAD, HONG LEE ROAD, CHEUNG WO COURT, HIU KWONG STREET, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN LEE TSUEN THA, CHOI WAN ESTATE, LOK WAH ESTATE AND SHUN CHI COURT.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * * ♦
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,440
REVERSAL OF LAF -800
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,640*
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,640
♦ LAF TO BE REVERSED ON 10/8 -140
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRANSPORT NEEDS OF NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE MET ................ 1
MOTORISTS URGED TO BE COURTEOUS AND SELF-DISCIPLINED .................... 2
NEW PROCEDURE FOR SECONDARY 6 ADMISSION ................................. 3
LABOUR ENQUIRY SERVICE DOUBLED .......................................... 4
PLEA ON NEIGHBOURHOOD HELP .............................................. 5
CAREER ADVICE FOR FORM 5 LEAVERS ........................................ 6
AFD SUBSIDIES FOR SECONDARY STUDIES ..................................... 6
GOVT PROPOSES NEW BRIDGE FOR VILLAGERS ON LANTAU ........................ 7
BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE IN SHAM SHUI PO............................... 8
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
TRANSPORT NEEDS OF NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE MET
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES TO MEET BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE TRANSPORT NEEDS.
AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO IMPROVE TUEN MUN’S EXTERNAL TRANSPORT LINK, PASSENGER CAPACITY OF FERRY SERVICE FROM CENTRAL TO TUEN MUN HAS RECENTLY BEEN INCREASED BY 800 WITH TWO ADDITIONAL SAILINGS DURING MORNING PEAK HOURS.
WORK IS ALSO AT AN ADVANCED STAGE TO EXTEND SOME OF THE FERRY SAILINGS DURING MORNING PEAK HOURS TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST. IT IS HOPED THAT A DECISION CAN BE TAKEN SHORTLY.
FURTHERMORE, ACTIVE CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A FERRY SERVICE FROM SAM SHING HUI, TUEN MUN TO CENTRAL.
ON ROAD TRANSPORT, ACTION IS IN HAND TO INTRODUCE MORE BUS PRIORITY SCHEMES ON THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE REGION AS A WAY TO SHORTEN THE TRAVELLING TIME OF THIS IMPORTANT MASS TRANSPORT MODE.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS ALSO DISCUSSING WITH KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY ON THEIR PLANS TO INTRODUCE NEW ROUTES TO THE URBAN AREA VIA THE TOLO HIGHWAY.
A NUMBER OF MAJOR NEW ROADS ARE NOW BEING BUILT INCLUDING THE YUEN LONG/TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR, THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BY-PASS AND THE FINAL SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD FROM AU TAU TO FAN KAM ROAD.
ON COMPLETION BY MID-1994, THE TUEN MUN ROAD WILL BE LINKED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD VIA NEW DUAL TWO-LANE EXPRESSWAYS WHICH WILL GREATLY ENHANCE ROAD CAPACITY.
MEANWHILE, ABOUT 20 LOCAL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES ARE IN PLACE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
OTHER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN HAND INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION BY THE END OF THE YEAR OF TRAFFIC INDICATORS ON TUEN MUN ROAD TO GIVE ADVANCE WARNINGS OF ROAD CONDITIONS AHEAD SO THAT MOTORISTS CAN DIVERT TO OTHER ROUTES TO AVOID CONGESTION.
INSTALLATION OF WEIGHING DEVICES ON TUEN MUN ROAD TO DETECT OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES IS ALSO PLANNED.
IN ADDITION, THE POLICE WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO BREAKDOWNS OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT OBSTRUCTION IS REDUCED TO A MINIMUM.
PLANS ARE IN HAND TO WIDEN THE UPHILL SECTIONS OF TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AND SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
/PRELIMINARY DESIGN .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
- 2 -
PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 BETWEEN AU TAU AND TSING YI IS IN HAND. IN PARALLEL, A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE BEST POSSIBLE OPTION TO FINANCE THIS PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1992.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REITERATED THAT THE OPTION TO BUILD A RAIL LINK WITH NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES IS STILL OPEN AND IS BEING EXAMINED WITH OTHER POSSIBLE OPTIONS IN THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE PUBLIC WILL BE CONSULTED BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION TAKES A VIEW ON THE ALIGNMENT OF THIS NEW RAILWAY, IF IT IS DECIDED THAT IT SHOULD GO AHEAD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL THESE PROJECTS AND MEASURES SHOWED GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION IN MEETING THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE REGION IN BOTH SHORT AND LONG TERMS.
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MOTORISTS URGED TO BE COURTEOUS AND SELF-DISCIPLINED * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED MOTORISTS TO EXERCISE COURTESY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON THE BUSY AND CROWDED ROADS IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE ROAD COURTESY CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHEAST, MR LEUNG SAID TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARISING FROM CARELESSNESS AND IMPATIENCE BROUGHT NOT ONLY LOSS OF TIME AND PROPERTY BUT ALSO LOSS OF VALUABLE LIVES.
LAST YEAR 20,321 ROAD USERS WERE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHILE 315 WERE KILLED, REPRESENTING A DAILY AVERAGE OF 55 INJURIES AND ONE DEATH.
"SUCH CASUALTY FIGURES ARE AS WORRYING AS THOSE BROUGHT ABOUT BY CANCER OR HEART DISEASE. WHILE DOCTORS ARE STILL TRYING HARD TO FIND A CURE FOR CANCER, ONE QUICK AND SIMPLE WAY TO REDUCE THE FATALITIES IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IS PATIENCE AND COURTESY ON THE PART OF MOTORISTS,” MR LEUNG SAID.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR, 4,147 ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS WERE INJURED AND 113 KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
HE REMINDED MOTORISTS TO EXERCISE GREATER CARE AND PATIENCE WHEN ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS MADE THEIR CROSSINGS AS THEY WERE SLOWER IN MOVEMENTS AND MORE PRONE TO INACCURATE JUDGEMENT ON ROAD CONDITIONS.
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
- 3 -
NEW PROCEDURE FOR SECONDARY 6 ADMISSION *****
STUDENTS ACHIEVING 14 OR MORE POINTS IN SIX SUBJECTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION CAN APPLY FOR SECONDARY 6 PLACES IN THEIR OWN/CONSORTIUM/FEEDER-LINK SCHOOLS FROM 9 AM TO 3.30 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 11).
REMINDING STUDENTS OF THE REVISED SECONDARY 6 ADMISSION PROCEDURE, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID STUDENTS WITH 14 POINTS OR MORE WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR SECONDARY 6 PLACES IN OTHER SCHOOLS CAN DO SO FROM 9 AM TO 3.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY AND, IF SUCCESSFUL, THEY SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE SCHOOL BEFORE 3.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
FOR THOSE OBTAINING RESULTS THAT ARE BETTER THAN THE NEW MINIMUM A-LEVEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, THEY CAN APPLY ON FRIDAY BEFORE 3.30 PM TO THEIR OWN SCHOOL OR LINKED SCHOOL IF IT STILL HAS VACANCIES.
IF STUDENTS STILL HAVE NOT OBTAINED A PLACE ON MONDAY (AUGUST 17), THEY MAY APPLY BEFORE 3.30 PM ON THE DAY TO OTHER SCHOOLS FNCLUDING PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND BOUGHT-PLACE SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE VACANCIES AND, IF SUCCESSFUL, THEY SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE SCHOOL BY 3.30 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 18).
CURRENT YEAR HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION ANDIDATES WISHING TO APPLY FOR SECONDARY 6 PLACES THROUGH CENTRAL \LLOCATION CAN SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION AT FOUR CENTRES BETWEEN 9 AM \ND 3.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 19).
THE FOUR CENTRES ARE:
HONG KONG REGION TANG SHIU KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL 5 OI KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI KOWLOON REGION HOMANTIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 8 PERTH STREET, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON NEW TERRITORIES TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 70 HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 11-17 MAN LAI ROAD, SHA TIN THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATIONS FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION WOULD BE PROCESSED ON AUGUST 20 AND 21 AND THE RESULTS WOULD BE DISPLAYED AT THE CENTRES ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 25).
/APPLICANTS FOR .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
4
APPLICANTS FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION SHOULD GO TO THE SAME CENTRE WHERE THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY HANDED IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO COLLECT AN ALLOCATION RESULTS SLIP AND SUBMIT IT TO THE SCHOOL FOR REGISTRATION BY 3.30 PM ON THE SAME DAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID STUDENTS CAN SEEK FURTHER ADVICE FROM THEIR SCHOOLS ON THE ADMISSION PROCEDURE AND GET NAMES OF CONSORTIUM AND FEEDER-LINK SCHOOLS.
THIS YEAR’S SECONDARY 6 ADMISSION PROCEDURE INCLUDES PRIVATE CANDIDATES AND STUDENTS OF EVENING SCHOOLS.
"PRIVATE CANDIDATES AND EVENING STUDENTS OF SCHOOLS WHICH DO NOT OPERATE SECONDARY 6, OR OPERATE SECONDARY 6 BUT CHOOSE TO HAVE A LINK WITH THE PLK VICWOOD KT CHONG SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AT 12 WILLOW STREET, MAY APPLY TO THE SCHOOL AS A FEEDER STUDENT ON THE DAY WHEN EXAMINATION RESULTS ARE RELEASED (AUGUST 11) IF THEY HAVE OBTAINED 14 POINTS OR MORE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PAST STUDENTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED RESULTS THAT MEET THE NEW MINIMUM A-LEVEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY TO THEIR OWN SCHOOL OR LINKED SCHOOL FOR A DISCRETIONARY PLACE.
BUT ADMISSION WILL BE SOLELY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED STUDENTS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT DETACH THE TEARAWAY PORTION OF THE EXAMINATION RESULTS SLIP WHICH WOULD BE RETAINED BY THE SCHOOL AFTER THE CANDIDATE HAS ACCEPTED THE OFFER OF A SECONDARY 6 PLACE AND REGISTERED WITH THE SCHOOL.
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LABOUR ENQUIRY SERVICE DOUBLED * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED THE CAPACITY OF ITS .SERVICE TO RESIDENTS MAKING TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL LABOUR MATTERS.
"SINCE THE THIRD PHASE OF THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE (GETS) CAME INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 1, WE HAVE ON AVERAGE HANDLED 798 ENQUIRIES EVERYDAY, COMPARED WITH 305 IN MAY," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
IN OTHER WORDS, THE GETS RECEIVED 33,842 ENQUIRIES IN THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY, MR CHAN SAID.
OF THESE ENQUIRIES, ABOUT 94 PER CENT OR 31,837 WERE ANSWERED DIRECTLY BY LABOUR INSPECTORS, WHILE 520 CALLS WERE ANSWERED BY A DATAPHONE WHICH PLAYED BACK PRE-RECORDED TAPES ON 29 SELECTED LABOUR TOPICS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
/THE REMAINING .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
5
THE REMAINING 1,485 ENQUIRIES, WHICH REQUIRED IN-DEPTH ANSWERS OR FOLLOW-UP ACTION, WERE REFERRED TO RELEVANT DIVISIONS OR TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE ENQUIRIES RELATED TO PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, WHILE OTHERS WERE ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) AND EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS AND OTHER LABOUR LAWS.
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES RELATING TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION AND THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION WERE STILL DEALT WITH SEPARATELY BECAUSE OF THEIR SPECIAL NATURE.
HE SAID THE GETS HOTLINE - 717 1771 - HAS 13 LINES OPERATING FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM INCLUDING LUNCH TIME, FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 ,AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
NOTING THAT ENQUIRERS MAY HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING THROUGH THE BUSY HOTLINE, MR CHAN ASKED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CALL BETWEEN 11.30 AM AND 2 PM OR AFTER 4 PM FOR EASIER ACCESS.
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PLEA ON NEIGHBOURHOOD HELP
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M D CARTLAND, TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO THE COMMUNITY TO ESTABLISH MUTUAL HELP TO PREVENT YOUNG CHILDREN FROM BEING LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME.
MR CARTLAND MADE THE CALL WHEN ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PROJECT, ’’THE ELDERLY, THEY STILL CARE”, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DRAGON JAYCEES, THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF SECRETARIES.
’’PARENTS IN THE SAME NEIGHBOURHOOD SHOULD HELP EACH OTHER TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR CHILDREN WHEN THE NEED ARISES,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THERE WERE INCREASING NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT FACED ECONOMIC PRESSURES REQUIRING BOTH PARENTS TO GO TO WORK.
’’SOME PARENTS ARE TEMPTED TO TAKE RISKS BY LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME UNATTENDED,” HE SAID.
NOTING THAT ACCIDENTS AND TRAGEDIES HAD OCCURRED FROM TIME TO TIME, HE SAID FAMILIES AT RISK IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION NEEDED HELP AND GUIDANCE.
’’ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IS AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL WHERE THE ELDERLY AND THE RETIRED ARE WELL PLACED TO EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER CHILD CARE,” MR CARTLAND ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THEY COULD ALSO HELP PUBLICISE THE AVAILABILITY OF CHILDMINDING FACILITIES AND PERHAPS EVEN TO PROVIDE CHILDMINDING SERVICES THEMSELVES BY OFFERING HELP TO THEIR NEIGHBOURS.
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/6.........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
- 6 -
CAREER ADVICE FOR FORM 5 LEAVERS *****
SECONDARY 5 LEAVERS MAY GET ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON FURTHER STUDIES AND CAREERS FROM THE CAREERS AND GUIDANCE SERVICES SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FROM TUESDAY (AUGUST 11) TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 14) .
OFFICERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM EVEN DURING THE LUNCH HOUR IN EXPECTATION OF AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF YOUNG VISITORS WHO WOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE RESULTS OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION ON TUESDAY MORNING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
STUDENTS CAN GET ACCESS TO MATERIALS ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDIES AND TRAINING, AND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS PROFESSIONS.
THE SECTION IS IN ROOM 206 OF THE MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN LUEN WAN STREET.
NORMAL OPENING HOURS ARE: 8.45 AM TO 12.45 PM AND 2.15 PM TO 4.45 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND 9.15 AM TO 11.45 AM ON SATURDAYS.
FROM NEXT TUESDAY TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 11 TO 14), THE SECTION WILL BE OPEN WITHOUT A BREAK FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM.
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AFD SUBSIDIES FOR SECONDARY STUDIES *****
CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES WHO ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPLETE THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION ARE REMINDED TO APPLY EARLY FOR THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID APPLICATIONS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 19 (WEDNESDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AND FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES LIAISON OFFICES.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE STUDENTS IN FORMS 4 TO 7 AND THE AWARDS CAN BE TENABLE AT ANY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HONG KONG.
SCHOLARSHIPS MAY BE AWARDED TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED A STANDARD OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"STUDENTS APPLYING .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
7
"STUDENTS APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS MAY ALSO APPLY FOR GRANTS TO COVER TUITION FEES AND PURCHASE OF BOOKS. SUCH SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A FINANCIAL-NEED BASIS," HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATION PROCEDURES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 733 2249.
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GOVT PROPOSES NEW BRIDGE FOR VILLAGERS ON LANTAU * * * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO PROVIDE A NEW FOOTBRIDGE AT HANG MEI, TAI O ON LANTAU ISLAND TO REPLACE AN EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE WAS DILAPIDATING AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE VILLAGERS OF HANG MEI WITH A NEW ACCESS ROAD.
THIS PROJECT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS A RIVER WEST OF HANG MEI AND THE SUBSEQUENT DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE.
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO AND FROM HANG MEI WOULD BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFF ICE/ISLANDS, 19TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 6 THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1992
8
BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE IN SHAM SHUI PO
*****
MEMBERS OF THE OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO ARE INVITED TO ENROL ON A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE COURSE NEXT MONTH.
BUILDING CARETAKERS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE COURSE ARE ALSO WELCOME TO JOIN.
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE COURSE AIMS AT PROMOTING BETTER BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE.
IT WILL INCLUDE LECTURES AND CASE STUDIES ON BUILDING SECURITY, ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, FIRE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF MULTISTOREY BUILDINGS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON SIXTH FLOOR, WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290-296 UN CHAU STREET.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 720 4251 EXTENSION 47.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS APPROVES INTEREST CHARGES WAIVING IN BCCHK ........................ 1
THREE CANDIDATES STAND FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION ......................... 2
TENDER FOR FOURTH ISSUE OF GOVT BONDS ................................ 3
CLEAREES GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPEAL .............................. 4
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MAY .................. 5
PAMPHLET ON SATELLITE TV RECEPTION PUBLISHED ......................... 10
REFRAIN FROM PARKING ON SLOPES TO AVOID ACCIDENTS .................... 11
INFORMATION BOOKLET ON HIV TEST PUBLISHED ............................ 12
GOVT COMMITTED TO IMPROVING WHOLESALE MARKETING ...................... 13
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES SHOULD NOT OVERCHARGE JOB-SEEKERS ................ 14
SIX CHAPTERS OF TOWN-PLANNING MANUAL ON SALE ......................... 15
BLITZ ON ILLEGAL CHILDREN EMPLOYMENT ................................ 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................. 16
SALT WATER CUT........................................................ 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 17
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
FS APPROVES INTEREST CHARGES WAIVING IN BCCHK ******
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND LIQUIDATOR OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) ("BCCHK") MR ROBIN HEARDER TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, HAD APPROVED THE WAIVING OF THE INTEREST CHARGES IN BCCHK, ESTIMATED AT HK$71 MILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE LIQUIDATION.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD UNDER DELEGATED POWERS PURSUANT TO SECTION 96 OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE (CAP. 1)., APPROVED THE WAIVER OF THE 1.5% P.A. INTEREST CHARGEABLE UNDER SECTION 295 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE OF FUNDS INVESTED IN THE COMPANIES LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT IN RESPECT OF BCCHK.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND LIQUIDATOR MAKING AN APPLICATION TO THE HIGH COURT OF HONG KONG TO WAIVE THE AD VALOREM FEES WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE CHARGED ON THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF ASSETS REALISED AND BROUGHT TO THE CREDIT BY THE LIQUIDATOR UNDER THE COMPANIES (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) ORDER.
THE AMOUNT OF THIS FEE WAS ESTIMATED AT HK$59 MILLION.
ASSUMING THE APPROVAL OF THE COURT IS OBTAINED, THE ONLY FEES THAT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WOULD CHARGE FOR BEING THE LIQUIDATOR (INCLUDING HIS SERVICES AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR) OF BCCHK WOULD BE BASED UPON THE HOURS WORKED BY THE STAFF OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE ON BCCHK SINCE IT WENT INTO PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATION ON JULY 17, 1991 ON A TIME-COST RECOVERY SCALE.
UP TO MAY 31, 1992, MR HEARDER SAID THE FEES CALCULATED ON THIS BASIS TOTALLED $6.5 MILLION, AND WOULD CONTINUE DURING THE PROGRESS OF THE LIQUIDATION ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S STAFF WORKING OF BCCHK HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLY REDUCED.
THE WAIVER OF THE INTEREST PAYABLE AND THE APPROVAL FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER TO APPLY TO COURT FOR AD VALOREM CHARGES BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOLLOWS AN UNDERTAKING GIVEN TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON JULY 19, 1991, WHEN A GOVERNMENT INDEMNITY WAS GIVEN TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND TO THE SPECIAL MANAGERS, IN ORDER TO MAKE AN INTERIM RELIEF DISTRIBUTION TO CREDITORS OF 25%, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $500,000, THAT THE FEES AND CHARGES OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WOULD BE REDUCED IF BCCHK WENT INTO LIQUIDATION.
MR HEARDER SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD BEEN ABLE TO APPROVE THE WAIVER OF THESE FEES AND CHARGES AS BCCHK WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL LIQUIDATION CASE WHICH COULD BE DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHER LIQUIDATIONS.
/BCCHK HAD .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
2
BCCHK HAD BEEN WOUND UP ON THE PETITION OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST DUE TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLDWIDE BCCI GROUP UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND NOT BY AN INDIVIDUAL CREDITOR; THE GROSS REALISATIONS OF BCCHK TODATE ARE APPROXIMATELY HK$5 BILLION; THE MAJORITY OF CREDITORS WERE INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL COMPANIES USING ITS TRADE FINANCING FACILITIES AND NOT OTHER BANKS OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS; AND THAT SPECIAL MANAGERS HAD BEEN APPOINTED BY THE COURT TO CARRY OUT THE OPERATIONAL CONDUCT OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO ASSIST THE LIQUIDATOR.
MR HEARDER SAID THE DECISION OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD BE OF CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT TO ALL CREDITORS BY REDUCING THE COSTS OF THE LIQUIDATION AND THEREBY INCREASING THE ASSETS AVAILABLE TO PAY THE FIRST DIVIDEND IN LATE SEPTEMBER 1992.
IT WOULD PARTICULARLY ASSIST THE LARGE CREDITORS (OWED OVER $100,000) WHO HAVE TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSED SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1992, WHEREBY ALL THE SMALL CREDITORS OF UNDER $100,000, REPRESENTING 85% OF CREDITORS AND TOTALLING SOME 30,000 IN NUMBER, WOULD BE PAID IN FULL, IF THE SCHEME WAS APPROVED.
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THREE CANDIDATES STAND FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION *****
A TOTAL OF THREE NOMINATIONS ARE RECEIVED FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY WHEN THE NOMINATION PERIOD CLOSES TODAY (MONDAY).
THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 30. THE NOMINATION STARTED ON JULY 27.
PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES ARE:
NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
MR HO CHUN-YAN M 40 SOLICITOR 522 7721 858 8785 OR 94869719
DR TANG SIU-TONG M 49 MEDICAL PRACTITIONER 443 2033 459 7667
MR SUI SEE-CHUN M 43 BARRISTER 510 0183
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
- 3 -
TENDER FOR FOURTH ISSUE OF GOVT BONDS ♦ »»»»»
THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE TENDER FOR THE FOURTH ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 17 (MONDAY) FOR SETTLEMENT ON AUGUST 18, 1992 (TUESDAY).
AS WITH THE PREVIOUS THREE ISSUES, AN AMOUNT OF HK$500 MILLION TWO-YEAR BONDS WILL BE ON OFFER.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, ANOTHER HKS100 MILLION WILL BE HELD AS RESERVE BY THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND FOR SUPPLY TO MARKET MAKERS THROUGH SECONDARY MARKET TRADING.
THE BONDS WILL MATURE ON THURSDAY AUGUST 18, 1994 AND WILL CARRY INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 4.375% PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE BONDS MAY DO SO THROUGH ANY OF THE MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNIZED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AT 24TH FLOOR, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 18 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG (OR TELEPHONE 528 9110).
EACH TENDER MUST BF. FOR AN AMOUNT OF HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES THEREOF.
FOLLOWING IS THE TENDER INFORMATION FOR FOURTH ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS:
ISSUE NUMBER • 2408
TENDER DATE AND TIME • MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992, 9.30 AM TO 10.30 AM
ISSUE AND SETTLEMENT DATE TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
AMOUNT OF OFFER HKS500 MILLION PLUS AN ADDITIONAL HK$100 MILLION AS RESERVE STOCK FOR THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND
MATURITY TWO YEARS
MATURITY DATE AUGUST 18, 1994
INTEREST RATE 4.375% PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES • FEBRUARY 18, 1993, AUGUST 18, 1993. FEBRUARY 18, 1994, AUGUST 18, 1994
/TENDER AMOUNT
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
4
TENDER AMOUNT
OTHER DETAILS
EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES THEREOF, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE BONDS MAY APPROACH MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNIZED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST
PLEASE SEE INFORMATION MEMORANDUM PUBLISHED OR APPROACH MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNIZED DEALERS
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CLEAREES GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPEAL
*****
KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEAREES WHO HAVE NOT ACCEPTED THE COMPENSATION AND/OR REHOUSING OFFERS WILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPEAL FOLLOWING A DECISION BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE CLEARANCE TO REOPEN THE APPEAL PERIOD.
THE APPEAL PERIOD, WHICH EXPIRED ON AUGUST 1, WILL REOPENED WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR A PERIOD MONTHS, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CLEARANCE OF WALLED CITY, MR HU FA-KUANG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
NOW BE OF TWO KOWLOON
MR HU NOTED THAT MORE THAN 98 PER CENT OF ALL THE CLEAREES HAD ACCEPTED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION AND/OR REHOUSING OFFERS, WITH ONLY 188 CASES YET TO DO SO, WHEN THE DEADLINE EXPIRED.
OF THE 188 UNRESOLVED CASES, 70 HAVE DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT (BLD) TO SUBSTANTIATE CLAIMS FOR HIGHER COMPENSATION AND THESE DOCUMENTS ARE PRESENTLY BEING EXAMINED.
’’ANOTHER 33 HAVE SUBMITTED APPEAL APPLICATIONS TO THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD (ARB).
”IT MEANS THAT 85 CLEAREES HAVE NEITHER. SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS TO THE BLD NOR APPEALED TO THE ARB," MR HU SAID.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE DECIDED AT A MEETING TODA\ TO REOPEN THE APPEAL PERIOD TO ENABLE THESE 85 CLEAREES SEEK APPEALS SHOULD THEY WISH TO DO SO.
BEFORE TAKING A DECISION ON WHETHER TO LODGE AN APPEAL, THE CLEAREES CAN ASK FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IF THEY CONSIDER IT DESIRABLE TO HAVE YET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLES FOR COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING.
THE CLEAREES ('AN CONTACT THE SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE OF THE BLD AT 10TH FLOOR, SWIRE A MACLAINE HOUSE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.
/HE URGED .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
- 5 -
HE URGED THE CLEAREES TO MAKE USE OF THIS FINAL OPPORTUNITY FOR APPEAL.
HOWEVER, MR HU STRESSED THAT THE COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING PRINCIPLES WOULD BE MAINTAINED WHEN REVIEWING THEIR CASES.
"IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS EQUITY IN TREATMENT BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE EARLIER ACCEPTED THE COMPENSATION OFFERS AND THESE UNSETTLED CASES," HE SAID.
THE NEWS OF REOPENING THE APPEAL PERIOD WAS CONVEYED TO THE CLEAREES BY MR HU AND THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PHILIP CHOK, AT A SEPARATE MEETING WITH THE CLEAREES’ REPRESENTATIVES TODAY.
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PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE TN MAY *****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS THIS YEAR DECREASED BY 1%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 29% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 21% IN VOLUME.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES WITH THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES HAVING BEEN DISCOUNTED.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1% WHILE THOSE OF REEXPORTS ROSE BY 2%. IMPORT PRICES WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
PRICE CHANGES ARE REFLECTED BY CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE INDEXES, WHICH ARE COMPILED BASED ON AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OR, FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, BASED ON SPECIFIC PRICE DATA.
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX IS THE RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX. IT INCREASED BY 1% IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1992 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 25%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 18%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 21%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED, WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1%. IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY 1%.
/THE CHANGES .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
6
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR MAY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS HAD A VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS (+53%). INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN TEXTILE FABRICS (+9%) AND TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+5%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (-54%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-45%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-44%); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-24%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES, BY 6%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, COMMODITY GROUPS WITH CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES INCLUDED METAL ORES AND SCRAP; AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, BY 6% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR MAY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 1% IN MAY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1991.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; RICE; LIVE POULTRY; AND ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR AND VEGETABLES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 18%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS; AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES. HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS NOTED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 19% IN MAY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1991.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; BASE METALS (OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL); AND WOVEN FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; SILK FABRICS; AND RAW COTTON.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 90% IN VOLUME IN MAY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1991.
/AS REGARDS .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
7
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 31% IN MAY 1992 OVER MAY 1991,
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF OFFICE MACHINES; ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; AND TEXTILE MACHINERY. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE NOTED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; AND SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS.
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991, THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); FUELS (+2%); CAPITAL GOODS (+2%); AND FOODSTUFFS (+1%). HOWEVER, THE IMPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 3%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END- USE CATEGORY FOR MAY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 37%, 29% AND 23% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 15% AND 8% RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS, FOODSTUFFS AND FUELS INCREASED BY 4%, 2% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 2% WHILE THOSE OF CAPITAL GOODS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE MAY 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SALE AROUND AUGUST 14 THIS YEAR AT $6 PER COPY AT EITHER (1) THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR (II) THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL NO.: 582 4918) .
/TABLE 1 .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
8
TABLE 1 : CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991 COMPARING JAN-MAY 1992 WITH JAN-MAY 1991
UNIT UNIT
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING 1 2 -1 1 2 -2
TEXTILE FABRICS 11 2 9 2 2 ♦
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 2 -3 5 -5 -2 -3
TEXTILE MAKE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -7 6 -13 -15 6 -20
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -45 -1 -44 -39 -1 -38
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 45 -5 53 17 -5 23
FOOTWEAR -53 2 -54 -34 3 -36
METAL MANUFACTURES * 3 -3 8 4 3
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -28 -6 -24 -21 -5 -17
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -10 -1 -9 -15 -2 -13
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -10 2 -12 10 3 7
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -45 * -45 -34 2 -35
ALL COMMODITIES * * * * 1 -1
* LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABLE 2 .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
9
TABLE 2 : CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991 COMPARING JAN-MAY WITH JAN-MAY 1992 1991
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 2 1 1 11 1 10
CONSUMER GOODS 22 3 18 28 2 25
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 16 -3 19 15 -2 17
FUELS 94 2 90 -7 -19 15
CAPITAL GOODS 33 2 31 28 1 27
ALL COMMODITIES 21 1 21 21 * 21
* LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3 : CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY ] END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MAY WITH MAY 1992 1991 COMPARING WITH JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 1992 1991
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
FOODSTUFFS -6 2 -8 6 2 4
CONSUMER GOODS 27 4 23 33 3 29
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 27 -2 29 25 -2 27
FUELS -14 1 -15 23 -18 49
CAPITAL GOODS 37 * 37 4 3 1 41
ALL COMMODITIES 27 1 25 31 2 29
* LESS THAN 0.5%
/10 .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
- 10 -
PAMPHLET ON SATELLITE TV RECEPTION PUBLISHED * * * * *
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY HAS TODAY PUBLISHED AN
INFORMATION PAMPHLET ON THE RECEPTION OF SATELLITE TELEVISION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY SAID OVER 140,000 HOUSEHOLDS WERE RECEIVING SATELLITE TELEVISION PROGRAMMES THROUGH SATELLITE MASTER ANTENNA TELEVISION (SMATV) SYSTEMS AND MORE WERE EXPECTED TO INSTALL SUCH SYSTEMS IN THE COMING MONTHS.
"WE SEE THE NEED TO EXPLAIN TO THE CONSUMERS THEIR RIGHTS UNDER SMATV REGULATIONS AND THE DETAILS TO BE CHECKED BEFORE ENTERING INTO SMATV CONTRACTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR
SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION HAS NOT (’HANGED THE ROLE OF SMATV LICENSEES.
"DURING THE THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD OF THE FUTURE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION LICENCE, THE SMATV LICENSEES WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES ONLY AND MAY NOT COLLECT PROGRAMMING FEES," HE SAID.
USERS CONNECTED TO SMATV SYSTEMS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE FUTURE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICES.
HE SAID SMATV CONTRACTS MIGHT NOT CONTAIN ANY CLAUSE RESTRICTING THE CONSUMERS’ RIGHT TO SUBSCRIBE TO ALTERNATIVE TELEVISION SERVICES.
THE FUTURE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICES MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE SUBSCRIBERS’ HOMES THROUGH SMATV SYSTEMS IF AN AGREEMENT SHOULD BE REACHED BETWEEN THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION LICENSEE AND SMATV LICENSEE.
"IN CASE SUCH A COMMERCIAL APPROACH FAILS, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY WILL BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ON WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE MANDATORY INTERCONNECTION AND, IF SO, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INTERCONNECTION," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY OBTAIN COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET FROM POST OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND OFFICES OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
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/Il .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
- 11 -
REFRAIN FROM PARKING ON SLOPES TO AVOID ACCIDENTS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED GOODS VEHICLE DRIVERS THE IMPORTANCE ON SAFE PARKING OF THEIR VEHICLES ON SLOPES TO AVOID THEM RUN DOWNHILL AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID DRIVERS SHOULD TRY NOT TO PARK THEIR VEHICLES ON SLOPES, ESPECIALLY THOSE MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES.
"WHERE THEY CAN, DRIVERS SHOULD LOOK FOR A LEVEL PARKING SPACE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS A SERIES OF PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VEHICLES WERE PROPERLY AND SAFELY PARKED.
"IF DRIVERS HAVE TO PARK ON THE ROAD OTHER THAN A PROPERLY DESIGNATED CARPARK COMPOUND, STOP AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE EDGE.
"BEFORE LEAVING THE VEHICLE, DRIVERS MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE HANDBRAKE IS FIRMLY ON. MORE, ALWAYS HAVE THE VEHICLE LOCKED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO RE-ITERATED THE GUIDELINES IN PARKING UPHILL OR DOWNHILL.
THE IMPORTANCE IS TO STOP AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE NEARSIDE KERB AND LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT WHEN PARKING UPHILL.
"IF THE VEHICLE SHOULD ROLL BACKWARDS, IT WILL BE CHECKED BY THE FRONT WHEEL COMING AGAINST THE KERB.
"LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR AND APPLY THE HANDBRAKE FIRMLY," HE SAID.
"THE REVERSE SHOULD BE DONE TO THEIR STEERING WHEEL BY TURNING IT TO THE LEFT WHEN PARKING DOWNHILL AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE GEAR," HE ADDED.
THE USE OF A PROPER WEDGE, MADE OF WOOD OR OTHER STRONG MATERIALS, PUT AT THE REAR TYRES CAN ENSURE VEHICLES FROM SLIDING DOWN A SLOPE.
THESE PROCEDURES ARE ALSO PERTINENT TO LOADING AND UNLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES ON SLOPES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID DRIVERS SHOULD ONLY PARK IN DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES TO AVOID OBSTRUCTING OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS, AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
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/12 .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
12
INFORMATION BOOKLET ON HIV TEST PUBLISHED
*****
THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS (CEPAIDS) HAS PUBLISHED AN INFORMATION BOOKLET WHICH GIVES GUIDELINES AND ADVICE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SURE WHETHER THEY SHOULD TAKE AN HIV TEST.
THE BOOKLET HAS LISTED DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERED AT RISK AND SHOULD THINK ABOUT TAKING AN HIV TEST. THEY ARE:
* MEN OR WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE SEX PARTNERS, WHETHER HOMOSEXUAL, BISEXUAL OR HETEROSEXUAL;
* PEOPLE WHO HAVE USED PROSTITUTES (MALE OR FEMALE) OR STRANGERS FOR SEX;
* SEXUAL PARTNERS OF INFECTED PERSONS;
* DRUG USERS WHO HAVE SHARED NEEDLES;
* PEOPLE WHO NEED FREQUENT BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS OR BLOOD PRODUCT INCLUDING HEMOPHILIACS;
* INFANTS BORN OF AN INFECTED MOTHER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR CEPAIDS TODAY (MONDAY) POINTED OUT THAT THE LEAFLET EXPLAINED WHAT EXACTLY WERE AIDS AND HIV; WHAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE HIV TEST, AND POINTS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CONSIDERING WHETHER TO TAKE A TEST.
"FOR MANY PEOPLE, UNCERTAINTY IS THE WORST FEAR OF ALL. A TEST CAN LIFT A GREAT WEIGHT OFF PEOPLE’S MIND AND WHATEVER THE RESULT, IT CAN HELP PEOPLE AND THEIR. PARTNERS TO LIVE A SAFER LIFESTYLE IN THE FUTURE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT ONLY A PERSON COULD DECIDE FOR HIMSELF WHETHER HE SHOULD TAKE AN HIV TEST.
"IF PEOPLE WANT TO TALK THINGS OVER AT ANY TIME WITH TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED ADVISORS, THEY CAN CALL AIDS COUNSELING & HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE ON TEL 780 2211.
"FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE AN HIV TEST, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TO TELEPHONE 780 2211 ANY TIME BETWEEN 8 AM AND 8 PM (MONDAY TO FRIDAY). ALL CALLS ARE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.
"ALTERNATIVELY, THEY COULD CONSULT THEIR DOCTORS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FREE COPIES OF THE BOOKLET WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES; GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS; MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES; PUBLICITY DIVISION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
/THEY CAN .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
13
THEY CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT 7TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI
SHA TIN HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE SHA TIN LEK YUEN HEALTH CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, 9 LEK YUEN STREET, SHA TIN
YUNG FUNG SHEE HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE
YUNG FUNG SHEE MEMORIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHA KWO LING ROAD, KWUN TONG
- - d - -
GOVT COMMITTED TO IMPROVING WHOLESALE MARKETING *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO FINDING THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PROVIDING A WHOLESALE MARKETING SERVICE . FOR THE EXISTING RANGE OF FRESH PRODUCE MARKETED IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER SIGNING AN AGREEMENT TO COMMISSION A CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON WHOLESALE MARKETING.
DR LEE SAID THE MAIN AIMS OF THE STUDY WERE TO REVIEW THE EXISTING MARKETING FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS FOR THE WHOLESALING OF FRESH PRODUCE IN THE TERRITORY AND TO COME UP WITH A PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME.
’’THE STUDY WILL EXAMINE THE DESIRABILITY, FEASIBILITY AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF ESTABLISHING A WHOLESALE FRESH PRODUCE MARKETING CORPORATION OR AUTHORITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE EXISTING WHOLESALE MARKETS.
"IT WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF PRIVATISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE II OF THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET COMPLEX AND ITS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION UPON COMPLETION."
THE RECOVERY OF CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE COMPLEX’S PHASE I IN EXCHANGE FOR ITS OPERATION FRANCHISE WILL BE EXAMINED AS WELL, DR LEE ADDED.
THE $1.9 MILLION STUDY, SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE IN SIX MONTHS, WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY PANNELL KERR FORSTER SERVICES LIMITED.
/ATTENTION NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
- 14
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE WHOLESALE MARKETING OF FRESH PRODUCE IN HONG KONG WILL BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MARKET OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, ADMINISTRATION BLOCK, WESTERN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET, WESTERN RECLAMATION, SAI YING PUN. THE CONFERENCE WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
AN AFD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR ROY CHILVERS; THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR MARKETING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, MR TSOI HOO-CHOI AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PANNELL KERR FORSTER SERVICES LIMITED, MS MARTHA SUGARS, WILL BE PRESENT TO INTRODUCE THE STUDY AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
-----0-------
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES SHOULD NOT OVERCHARGE JOB-SEEKERS
*****
EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OPERATORS OVERCHARGING JOB-SEEKERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000.
LABOUR OFFICER (EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES) MR FRANCIS WONG MADE THE REMINDER TODAY (MONDAY) FOLLOWING A COURT CASE IN WHICH AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AND ITS THREE DIRECTORS WERE FINED FOR OVERCHARGING FOUR JOB-SEEKERS.
DICQUEEN LIMITED IN YUEN LONG, THE LICENCE HOLDER OF MICKEY EMPLOYMENT, AND ITS THREE DIRECTORS WERE SUMMONED FOR CHARGING COMMISSION RANGING FROM $4,000 TO $10,000 ON FOUR JOB-SEEKERS WITHOUT SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT.
THE COMPANY WAS FINED BY A FANLING MAGISTRATE $1,000 FOR EACH OF THE FOUR SUMMONSES, WHILE ITS THREE DIRECTORS WERE FINE $3,000 EACH FOR THE THREE SUMMONSES AGAINST EACH OF THEM.
THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WAS ALSO ORDERED TO REFUND THE PLACEMENT FEES TO THE FOUR JOB-SEEKERS.
"UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, THE COMMISSION CHARGEABLE TO A JOB-SEEKERS ON SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT BY AN AGENCY IS NO MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF HIS FIRST MONTH’S WAGE,” MR WONG SAID.
NOTING THAT THE COMPANY HAS NOT APPLIED FOR RENEWAL OF ITS LICENCE UPON EXPIRY LAST MONTH, MR WONG SAID THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY LICENCE OF AN OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO BE REVOKED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
HE ALSO REMINDED PROSPECTIVE OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO OBTAIN A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND TO PAY ATTENTION TO OTHER PROVISIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS ON CHARGING OF REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL FEES FOR PLACEMENT AND VACANCIES.
/"OPERATING AN .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
15
"OPERATING AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE IS ALSO AN OFFENCE CARRYING A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000," MR WONG SAID.
ENQUIRIES RELATING TO THE OPERATING OF OR FEES CHARGEABLE BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES CAN BE MADE TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ADMINISTRATION ON TEL 852 3540 OR 852 3541.
- - 0 - -
SIX CHAPTERS OF TOWN-PLANNING MANUAL ON SALE * * * * ♦
AN ADDITIONAL CHAPTER AND A REPRINTED CHAPTER OF THE "HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES", A COMPREHENSIVE TOWN-PLANNING MANUAL PREPARED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, ARE NOW ON SALE. '
THE PUBLICATIONS, IN A SERIES OF 11 CHAPTERS EACH DEVOTED TO A PARTICULAR ASPECT OF LAND USES OR FACILITIES, ARE SOLD ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
CHAPTER 3 - "COMMUNITY FACILITIES" IS REPRINTED MAINLY TO INCORPORATE A NEW STANDARD DESIGN FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WORKED OUT JOINTLY BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SO THAT PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS CAN BE CONVERTED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL USE WHEN NECESSARY.
THE CHAPTER ALSO COVERS THE STANDARD AND REQUIREMENT OF A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES WHICH PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, CULTURAL, JUDICIAL, SOCIAL AND PUBLIC SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
CHAPTER 8, ENTITLED "INTERNAL TRANSPORT FACILITIES", DEFINES THE ROAD HIERARCHY ADOPTED IN THE TERRITORY AND PROVIDES DESIGN STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING LAND REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNAL TRANSPORT FACILITIES INCLUDING PARKING.
THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ENTIRELY NEW CHAPTER MAKES THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CHAPTERS AVAILABLE TO SIX. THE FIVE CHAPTERS ALREADY ON SALE. ARE "INTRODUCTION", "RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES", "COMMUNITY FACILITIES", "RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE" AS WELL AS "MISCELLANEOUS PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES".
THE NEW CHAPTER AND THE REPRINTED ONE, AT $24 AND $20 A COPY RESPECTIVELY, CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
CHAPTER ONE, "INTRODUCTION", IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO BUYERS OF OTHER CHAPTERS.
THE REMAINING CHAPTERS, COVERING TOPICS ON INDUSTRY, RETAIL FACILITIES, UTILITY SERVICES, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDSCAPE AND CONSERVATION, WILL GO ON SALE LATER.
- - 0 - -
/16
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
- 16 -
BLITZ ON ILLEGAL CHILDREN EMPLOYMENT *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE ON CHILD WORKERS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, PARTICULARLY DURING SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION) MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN MADE THE APPEAL FOLLOWING TWO TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATIONS MOUNTED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, WHERE 14 FACTORIES WERE FOUND TO HAVE ILLEGALLY EMPLOYED 14 CHILDREN AGED BELOW 15.
"UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO EMPLOY CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING," MR CHAN SAID.
"AS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, ONLY CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 14 MAY BE EMPLOYED ON A PART-TIME BASIS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS," HE SAID.
"EMPLOYERS SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE MINDFUL OF THE REQUIREMENT PARTICULARLY WHEN OFFERING EMPLOYMENT TO STUDENT SEEKING SUMMER JOBS," MR CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TWO OPERATIONS, EACH INVOLVING ABOUT 80 LABOUR INSPECTORS, COVERED 6,416 INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AND 343 NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
THESE OPERATIONS FORMED PART OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PREVENT ILLEGAL CHILD EMPLOYMENT.
"SUCH ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT NOT ONLY INTERFERES WITH THE CHILD’S SCHOOLING BUT ALSO POSES SAFETY AND HEALTH PROBLEMS," MR CHAN SAID ADDING THAT AN OFFENDING EMPLOYER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000 UNDER THE REGULATIONS.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 85.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 503.342 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 206.463 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 35.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/17........
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1992
- 17 -
SALT WATER CUT * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK WILL GO OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 1.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 12) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER AND ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, GASCOIGNE ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WYLIE ROAD, YIM PO FONG STREET, ARGYLE STREET, CHERRY STREET, FERRY STREET AND MAN CHEONG STREET.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI
1,640
-140
1,500
NIL
NIL
1,500
109.9 *+0.1* 10.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.44 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.64 3.33
1 MONTH 2.35 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.64 3.73
3 MONTHS 2.39 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.64 3.98
6 MONTHS 2.55 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 17,646MN
CLOSED 10 AUGUST 1992
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK FACES ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES .................................. 1
PARENTS, STUDENTS URGED TO MAKE FULL USE OF ED'S SERVICES .......... 2
8,173 FORM 6 PLACES FILLED ON FIRST DAY OF ADMISSION ............... 3
EXCO APPROVES ADMINISTRATION STREAMLINING OF 20,000 LOCAL VESSELS .. 4
PUBLIC GIVEN MORE TIME TO COMMENT ON COMPLAINTS SYSTEM ............. 7
AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ........................ 8
22 LONG-SERVING MARKETING STAFF RETIRE ............................. 9
181 VIETNAMESE GO HOME ............................................. 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEYMARKET OPERATIONS .......... 11
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
HK FACES ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES * * * ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED FOR COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT TO MEET THE MANY AND VARIED ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THAT HONG KONG FACES IN SUSTAINING ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH.
MR EASON WAS SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE PUSH BY GREEN GROUPS AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION FOR ACTION ON ENV1ORNMENTAL PROTECTION AS A SIGN THAT THE TIME AND MOOD ARE RIPE FOR HONG KONG TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE AND TO TACKLE THE POLLUTERS AND PROBLEMS THEY CAUSE WITH GREATER. ENERGY AND DETERMINATION.
HE SAID WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE THE LEAD, THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY IS NEEDED TO SUCCEED.
MR EASON SAID TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME AREA HAD GROWN BY 337 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS FROM 1987/88 TO 1991/92.
ON AIR POLLUTION, MR EASON SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE USE OF HIGH SULPHUR FUEL OIL ON JULY 1, 1990 HAD REDUCED DRASTICALLY THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE ON HEALTH.
THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL ON APRIL 1 LAST YEAR PAVED THE WAY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF STRINGENT VEHICLE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR NEW PETROL VEHICLES ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, MR EASON SAID THREE LARGE STRATEGIC LANDFILLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD BEEN EARMARKED AS PART OF A CONTROL AND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME STRETCHING WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
IN ADDITION, A PURPOSE-BUILT TREATMENT CENTRE WILL BE COMMISSIONED ON TSING YI IN APRIL NEXT YEAR TO HANDLE ABOUT 100,000 TONS OF CHEMICAL WASTES PRODUCED ANNUALLY.
MR EASON SAID A NUMBER OF SEWAGE SCHEMES TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY WERE ALREADY WELL UNDER WAY.
THESE INCLUDED A $1.3 BILLION PROJECT IN NORTHWEST KOWLOON AND A $0.9 BILLION PROJECT TO ABATE POLLUTION TN TOLO HARBOUR.
IN ADDITION, A SERIES OF SEWAGE MASTER PLANS, INVOLVING THE SEWERING OR RESEWERING OF THE REST OF HONG KONG ARE ALREADY IN THE PLANNING OR IMPLEMENTATION STAGE.
ON WAYS TO TACKLE NOISE POLLUTION, MR EASON SAID APART FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDED BETTER CONTROL OVER NOISY CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT STEP TAKEN WAS THE DECISION TO RELOCATE THE NEW AIRPORT AWAY FROM THE URBAN AREA, THEREFORE BENEFITING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM THE ABSENCE OF AIRCRAFT NOISE.
/TURNING TO
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
2
TURNING TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AGAINST POLLUTION, MR EASON SAID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORTS WERE REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND PROJECTS.
THESE REPORTS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHERE SIGNIFICANT.
MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF MEASURES FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION.
THESE INCLUDE AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY; INTRODUCTION OF STATUTORY CONTROLS ON THE OVERALL THERMAL TRANSFER VALUE OF BUILDINGS, PUBLICATION OF A SERIES OF ADVISORY NOTES ON GOOD ENERGY HOUSEKEEPING; SETTING UP AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY DISPLAY AND EXHIBITION CENTRE; A LABELLING SYSTEM FOR VARIOUS ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND FURTHER RESEARCH ON ENERGY SAVING.
ON THE WAY AHEAD, MR EASON SAID: "WE MUST PUSH AHEAD TOWARDS THE MANY TARGETS SET OUT IN THE ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER AND CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED."
"HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE A DESERVED REPUTATION FOR MAKING A DOLLAR GO A LONG WAY. WE SHOULD NOW BE MORE PREPARED TO SEE A GREATER PORTION OF THAT DOLLAR GO INTO SPENDING ON OUR ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING WHETHER WE SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TOWARD A MODEST CHARGE FOR A BETTER SEWERAGE SYSTEM," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
PARENTS, STUDENTS URGED TO MAKE FULL USE OF ED’S SERVICES
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, TODAY URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY PARENTS AND STUDENTS, TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY HIS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY MR WONG DURING HIS VISIT TO THE CAREERS AND GUIDANCE SERVICES SECTION.
TODAY WAS THE START OF AN EXTENSION OF SERVICE HOURS AT THE SECTION FOR SECONDARY 5 LEAVERS SEEKING ADVICE AND GUIDANCE OF FURTHER STUDIES AND CAREERS AFTER RECEIVING THE RESULTS OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE).
AT HIS DISCUSSION WITH SOME STUDENT VISITORS ON THEIR FUTURE PLANS, MR WONG SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE MANY STUDENTS SEEKING ADVICE ON FURTHER STUDIES OR EMPLOYMENT.
MR WONG ALSO EXPLAINED TO STUDENTS THAT SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE FOR THEM, PARTICULARLY AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HKCEE RESULTS.
/"IN ORDER
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
3
”IN ORDER TO COPE WITH AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VISITORS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS EXTENDED THE WORKING HOURS OF THE CAREERS AND GUIDANCE SERVICES SECTION FROM TODAY (TUESDAY) TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 14),” HE SAID.
THE OFFICE WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING LUNCH TIME.
’’SECONDARY 5 LEAVERS WHO WISH TO SEEK ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE SECTION. ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO RENDER ASSISTANCE,” HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING ADVICE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES, THE SECTION ALSO HAS A WIDE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION LEAFLETS FOR VISITING STUDENTS’ REFERENCE.
THE SECTION RECEIVED 900 SECONDARY 5 LEAVERS LAST YEAR AND HANDLED 1,300 TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES IN THE FIRST WEEK AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE HKCEE RESULTS.
--------0-----------
8,173 FORM 6 PLACES FILLED ON FIRST DAY OF ADMISSION
*****
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT 8,173 OF THE 21,993 SECONDARY 6 PLACES AVAILABLE IN THE 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR HAVE BEEN FILLED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW ADMISSION PROCEDURE.
STUDENTS WITH 14 OR MORE POINTS FROM SIX SUBJECTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION WERE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PLACES IN THEIR OWN SCHOOL OR CONSORT IUM-FEEDER SCHOOLS TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED STUDENTS WITH 14 POINTS OR MORE WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR SECONDARY 6 PLACES IN OTHER SCHOOLS TO DO SO FROM 9 AM TO 3.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE SCHOOL BEFORE 3.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
THE NUMBER OF PLACES FILLED ACCORDING TO DISTRICTS ARE:
DISTRICT ENGLISH CHINESE
ARTS SCI COMM ARTS SCI COMM
CENTRAL AND WESTERN 157 14 0 21 6 10
HK EAST 122 60 40 3 5 0
SOUTH 106 1 52 0 19 19 0
WAN CHAI 176 165 22 45 40 0
KOWLOON CITY 270 232 12 104 47 0
/WONG TAI .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
4
WONG TAI SIN 265 189 29 56 35 0
SHAM SHUI PO 316 182 KWUN TONG 304 350 YAU TSIM 77 48 MONG KOK 171 130 KWAI TSING 388 350 TSUEN WAN 120 88 SAI KUNG 101 78 NORTH 126 20 TAI PO 134 80 ISLANDS 51 48 YUEN LONG 161 133 TUEN MUN 290 267 SHA TIN 365 377 IN ADDITION, THE SPOKESMAN 57 67 0 95 53 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 26 42 SAID 165 0 25 16 44 0 0 28 0 29 0 75 26 STUDENTS 0 0 0 0 15 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 0 0 0 23 0 19 0 APPLIED FOR THE
ENGINEERING AND 130 FOR THE COMMERCIAL STREAMS IN PREVOCATIONAL
SCHOOLS. MEANWHILE, FIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY AREA OFFICES OF
THE DEPARTMENT, ALL OF WHICH WERE UNSUBSTANTIATED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THREE WERE ON ADMISSION OF STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS AND TWO WERE ON ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH LESSER POINTS.
--------0-----------
EXCO APPROVES ADMINISTRATION STREAMLINING OF 20,000 LOCAL VESSELS ******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL IMPLEMENT FROM NEXT YEAR A PACKAGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO STREAMLINE THE ADMINISTRATION OF 20,000 LOCAL VESSELS INCLUDING BARGES, FERRIES, FISHING BOATS AND PLEASURE VESSELS.
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR ROGER TUPPER, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID:
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 28 THIS YEAR APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WERE MODIFIED AND FURTHER DEVELOPED FROM A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ENTITLED ’LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW’.
/"THE MARINE .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
5
"THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THAT THE LOCAL SHIPPING INDUSTRY IS ABLE TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY AND OPERATION OF THEIR FLEET.
"THIS WILL RAISE THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC ATTENTION TO SAFETY AND REDUCE GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT TO AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL WITHOUT LOSS OF SAFETY AND GOOD ORDER. LEGISLATION GOVERNING LOCAL VESSELS SHOULD ENABLE THEM TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT AND SAFE SERVICE.
"THESE AIMS SHOULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A NEW BILL AND AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LEGISLATION WHERE APPROPRIATE IN STAGES STARTING NEXT YEAR WITH COMPLETION EXPECTED BY 1996."
LOCAL VESSELS ARE LICENSED IN HONG KONG. THEY ARE THOSE WHICH OPERATE EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN THE HONG KONG WATERS OR REGULARLY PLYING TO AND FROM THE TERRITORY.
MR TUPPER EXPLAINED THAT THE "LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW" WAS PUBLISHED IN APRIL 1989 SETTING OUT PROBLEM AREAS AND POSSIBLE REFORM MEASURES.
"IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED, THE MEASURES IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WERE MODIFIED AND FURTHER DEVELOPED IN DETAIL AND ARE SET OUT IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL," MR TUPPER SAID.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE:
* PUBLICATION OF A SAFETY CODE AND PERIODIC SURVEYS AND INSPECTIONS;
* REGISTRATION OF OWNERSHIP FOR LOCAL VESSELS AND PERMIT TO OPERATE;
* SIMPLIFICATION OF VESSEL CLASSIFICATION;
* INTRODUCTION OF AUTHORISED PERSONS TO CONDUCT SURVEYS OF VESSELS;
* STANDARDISATION AND SIMPLIFICATION OF EXISTING REGULATIONS AS EARLY REFORMS PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATION.
MR. TUPPER SAID: "A SAFETY CODE STIPULATING SAFETY STANDARDS FOR VESSEL OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO FOLLOW IN SURVEYING AND MAINTAINING THEIR VESSELS WILL BE PUBLISHED.
"WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THIS CODE, SUITABLY QUALIFIED PERSONS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, APART FROM MARINE DEPARTMENT SURVEYORS, MAY BE AUTHORISED TO CONDUCT SURVEYS OF SHIPS.
"AS A FIRST STEP CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES WILL BE AUTHORISED TO CONDUCT SURVEYS OF LOCAL VESSELS ON BEHALF OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS THEY ARE AUTHORISED TO DO SO ON HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS."
/MR TUPPER .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
6
MR TUPPER SAID TWO SEPARATE DOCUMENTS WOULD BE ISSUED TO BETTER SERVE THE DUAL FUNCTIONS CURRENTLY PERFORMED BY THE LICENCE OF A VESSEL.
THE TWO DOCUMENTS ARE REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS WHICH PROVIDE A FORMAL LINK BETWEEN THE VESSEL AND ITS OWNER AND A PERMIT TO OPERATE WHICH WILL BE ISSUED AND RENEWED ONLY AFTER THE VESSEL HAS PASSED PERIODIC SURVEY OR INSPECTION.
MR TUPPER SAID: "THE CATEGORISATION OF LOCAL VESSELS WILL BE SIMPLIFIED FROM 11 TO FIVE CLASSES TO FACILITATE THE APPLICATION OF A COHERENT BODY OF SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.”
"THESE MAJOR STRUCTURAL REFORMS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A NEW LOCAL VESSEL BILL TO BE INTRODUCED WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS."
OF MORE IMMEDIATE EFFECT, EXISTING REGULATIONS WILL BE AMENDED TO INTRODUCE A NUMBER OF REFORMS ON A "FAST TRACK". THESE INCLUDE:
* THE SIMPLIFICATION OF THE PRESENT QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE;
* THE EXISTING BANDING OF COXSWAINS AND ENGINEERS WILL ALSO BE STREAMLINED FROM 12 CATEGORIES TO NINE TO REMOVE INCONSISTENCIES IN THE CURRENT SYSTEM. THE NEW QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD BE OBTAINABLE THROUGH SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF APPROVED TRAINING COURSES RUN BY RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS, OR A COMBINATION OF SUCH COURSES AND EXAMINATIONS BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT;
* TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR HOLDERS OF EXISTING QUALIFICATIONS TO TRANSFER TO CORRESPONDING RANKS IN THE NEW SCALE;
* STANDARDISATION OF PORT FORMALITIES PROCEDURES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A PORT DUES PERMIT FOR RIVER TRADE VESSELS;
* THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY RADAR INSTALLATIONS ON FERRIES OPERATING TO OUTLYING DISTRICTS;
* ABOLITION OF RESTRICTIONS ON OPERATING AREAS FOR FERRIES AND CARGO LIGHTERS; AND
* FORMAL EXEMPTION OF PLEASURE VESSELS NOT CAPABLE OF FITTING ENGINES FROM LICENCING PROCEDURES.
"THESE SHORT-TERM MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED PROGRESSIVELY DURING 1993," MR TUPPER SAID.
IN JUNE 1991, A PROVISIONAL LOCAL VESSEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPRISING PERSONS WELL-VERSED IN ALL MAJOR ASPECTS OF THE LOCAL SHIPPING INDUSTRY WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE INPUT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW SECTION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 852 1720.
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/7........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
PUBLIC GIVEN MORE TIME TO COMMENT ON COMPLAINTS SYSTEM ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR THE REVIEW OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (COMAC) BY ONE MONTH TO SEPTEMBER 15.
THE CONSULTATION PERIOD IS ORIGINALLY DUE TO EXPIRE THIS FRIDAY (AUGUST 14).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE REVIEW. THE AIM WAS TO BUILD ON THE EXISTING COMAC SYSTEM TO MAKE IT MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC.
"IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC THINK OF THE PRESENT COMAC SYSTEM AND WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCE IN MAKING USE OF THIS AVENUE OF REDRESS HAS BEEN.
"WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT PROBLEMS THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED AND WHAT IMPROVEMENTS THEY WOULD SUGGEST TO OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT IS REVIEWING THE ROLE, THE JURISDICTION, AND THE OPERATION OF THE COMAC OFFICE TO SEE IF ANY CHANGES ARE NECESSARY.
APART FROM THE ROLE AND JURISDICTION OF THE COMAC, THE REVIEW ALSO COVERS AREAS SUCH AS THE EXISTING REFERRAL SYSTEM UNDER WHICH COMPLAINTS MAY ONLY BE REFERRED TO THE COMMISSIONER BY NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE COMAC OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH 1989 TO SUPPLEMENT AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING CHANNELS FOR THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.
SINCE THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE BEGAN IN JUNE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BRIEFED A NUMBER OF RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ASKED VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO GIVE THEIR COMMENTS.
THREE SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR.
SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO: ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ADMINISTRATION) 3, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
/8 ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
8 -
AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
EX667 EX3282 EX388 EX8900
EX973 ♦CC600 ♦ FAI 1 AY1673
EW8348 EX911 EX605 EXI 112
♦ FA57 AA8119 CF314 ♦AV7878
EX6008 ♦ FA2 ♦ CS69 EW9 11
AL5020 EX1668 EX3219 EX1033
EX199 EX3288 EX880 EX9005
♦ BC20 ♦FB828 ♦ FA86 ♦DA929
EX2336 EX899 EX7301 EX6188
EW8266 EX936 XX791 EX662
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDING. BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE'AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE CONDUCT THEREOF, WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE 178TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
/9 ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
- 9 -
22 LONG-SERVING MARKETING STAFF RETIRE ******
TWENTY-TWO STAFF MEMBERS OF THE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATIONS, WHO ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF 539 YEARS OF SERVICE, RETIRED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE LONG-SERVING STAFF MEMBERS, COMPRISING SEVEN FROM THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION AND 15 FROM THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION, HAVE EACH SERVED AN AVERAGE OF 25 YEARS.
TEN HAVE SERVED IN THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND THREE OF THEM HAVE MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF SERVICE.
AT A CEREMONY TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, PRESENTED THEM WITH RETIREMENT SOUVENIRS AND COMMENDED THEIR LOYALTY AND SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.
DR LEE SAID: ’’THEIR HARD WORK AND DEVOTION TO DUTY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF BOTH THE FISH AND VEGETABLE ORGANISATIONS.
”AS THEY LOOK BACK AT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF BOTH THE ORGANISATIONS AND THE WORK WHICH THEY HAVE DONE, THEY SHOULD FEEL SATISFIED AND TAKE PRIDE OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION.’’
JOINED BY OTHER SENIOR STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATIONS, DR LEE BADE FAREWELL TO THE RETIRING STAFF INDIVIDUALLY AND WISHED THEM GOOD HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND HAPPY RETIREMENT.
---------0------------
181 VIETNAMESE GO HOME *****
A GROUP OF 181 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY' (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 74 MEN, 44 WOMEN, 39 BOYS AND 24 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 117TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,865 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 20,744 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0-------
/10 .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 11 AUG 92 11 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q233 Y293
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,530 MN HKD 1,080 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 800 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.38 PCT 3.10 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.39 PCT 3.10 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 51 PCT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.42 PCT 3.21 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 17 AUGUST 1992 -
TENDER DATE 17 AUG 92 18 AUG 92 18 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER GOVT BOND EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER 2408 Q234 H271
ISSUE DATE 18 AUG 92 19 AUG 92 19 AUG 92
MATURITY DATE 18 AUG 94 18 NOV 92 17 FEB 93
TENOR 2 YEARS 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 500 + 100 MN HKD 800 + 160 MN HKD 300 + 60 MN
COUPON 4.375 PCT N. A. N. A.
0
/Il........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1992
11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.9 *+0.0* 11.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.36 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.71 3.26
1 MONTH 2.33 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.75 3.66
3 MONTHS 2.34 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.77 3.90
6 MONTHS 2.53 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12.712MN
CLOSED 11 AUGUST 1992
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT A MAJOR TASK: GOVERNOR ...................... 1
GOVERNOR ON SHENZHEN INCIDENT ......................................... 2
APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCE .................... 3
TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE TRAFFIC RESUMES NORMAL .......................... 4
STUDENTS WITH BASIC A-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR S6 PLACES ....... 4
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JUNE RELEASED ........................... 5
TWO LOTS IN QUARRY BAY, YAU TONG TO LET ............................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 12
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT A MAJOR TASK: GOVERNOR
******
IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IS A VERY BIG AND IMPORTANT TASK AND ONE WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL WANT TO UNDERTAKE WITH ENTHUSIASM, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID THE BIGGEST POLLUTERS SHOULD PAY THE BIGGEST BILLS AS IT WAS ONE WAY IN WHICH THEY COULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE GREATER ACCOUNT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
AT THE END OF A DAY’S VISIT TO UPDATE HIMSELF ON THE TOWN PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR REITERATED THAT THERE WAS A HUGE AND GROWING MARKET IN THE WORLD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES.
"IT IS THE SORT OF AREA WHERE I AM SURE HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS AND SCIENTISTS WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE A LEAD, AND IT IS A SORT OF AREA WHERE I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARVE OUT THE ENTIRE SIZE OF THE MARKET TO OURSELVES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO WARNED AGAINST DISCHARGING FURTHER POISON INTO THE TERRITORY’S AIR AND WATERS AS THESE MIGHT HAVE AWFUL CONSEQUENCES TO BOTH THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT AND TO THE ONE THAT PEOPLE PASS ON TO THEIR CHILDREN.
"WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO CLEAN UP OUR AIR BY AN EFFECTIVE REGIME OF CONTROL OVER EMISSIONS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE PROBLEMS INTERFACED BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS SHOULD ALSO BE DEALT WITH VIGOROUSLY THROUGH BETTER PLANNING SYSTEM.
ON THE PROBLEMS WITH RED TIDES AND OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE BEACHES, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD SET OUT SOME PROPOSALS ON THAT SUBJECT LATER IN THE YEAR IN A BID TO CLEAN UP THE TERRITORY’S WATERS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TODAY STARTED WITH A CALL ON THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH AT MURRAY BUILDING IN CENTRAL WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE BRANCH’S SECRETARY, MR TONY EASON ON GENERAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR EASON, HE MET SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE BRANCH TO LEARN ABOUT OPERATIONS OF ITS VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR TED PRYOR, ON A REVIEW OF THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHICH SOUGHT TO MAP OUT AN OVERALL LAND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO MEET THE LONG-TERM SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC NEEDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR STUDIES UNDERTAKEN FOR THE METRO AREA AND IMPORTANT ISSUES RELATING TO DISTRICT PLANNING.
/FROM THERE, ........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
- 2 -
FROM THERE, THE GOVERNOR PROCEEDED TO WESTERN MARKET. THE CHIEF TOWN PLANNER (URBAN DESIGN AND URBAN RENEWAL), MR RICHARD CHENG, OUTLINED TO HIM THE URBAN RENEWAL PROGRAMME FOR WESTERN DISTRICT WHILE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC), MR ABRAHAM RAZACK, EXPLAINED WESTERN MARKET RENOVATION AND OTHER LDC PROJECTS IN THE AREA.
AT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR STAFF QUARTER IN KENNEDY TOWN, HE LEARNED ABOUT VARIOUS LOCAL PLANNING ISSUES AND PROPOSALS FOR GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION.
AFTER LUNCH, MR PATTEN WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, ON THE WORK OF HIS DEPARTMENT.
HE ALSO LISTENED TO AN INTRODUCTION ON SEWAGE STRATEGY PROJECTS BY THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON BOARD THE "LADY MAURINE" THE VARIOUS POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES INCLUDING CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES. HE ALSO SAW FOR HIMSELF INCOMPATIBLE LAND USES ON TSING YI.
HAVING ARRIVED AT TSUEN WAN BAY, HE OBSERVED SEDIMENT SAMPLES EXTRACTED BY STAFF OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON A VESSEL. HE WAS ALSO TOLD ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF CONTAMINATED MUD.
THEN HE WENT ON TO WANG LUNG STREET TO SEE POLLUTED EFFLUENTS DISCHARGE TO STORMWATER DRAINS FROM NEARBY FACTORIES.
HE CONCLUDED HIS VISIT BY GOING UP TO THE ROOFTOP OF A BUILDING IN WO YI HOP ROAD WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS FACED BY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ADJACENT TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
--------0-----------
GOVERNOR ON SHENZHEN INCIDENT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE HAS YET TO RECEIVE ANY REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OR OTHERS REGARDING THE SHENZHEN INCIDENT.
MR PATTEN WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY REPORTERS AT THE END OF HIS VISIT TO TSUEN WAN TODAY ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE A PROTEST TO CHINA OVER THE TREATMENT OF HONG KONG JOURNALISTS IN SHENZHEN.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE THOUGHT THE MATTERS THAT HE HAD HEARD SO FAR WERE PROBABLY ONES THAT THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION WOULD WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THEMSELVES.
/"IF THERE .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
3 -
"IF THERE ARE ANY POINTS THEY WISH TO PUT TO ME I AM SEEING THEM REASONABLY SOON AND I AM SURE THAT THEY WON’T BE SLOW IN COMING FORWARD," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THE AUTHORITIES IN SHENZHEN AND OTHERS IN CHINA WERE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT THERE WAS BOUND TO BE A LEARNING CURVE AS THEY OPENED UP THEIR ECONOMY, THEY WERE BOUND TO HAVE TO LEARN SOME LESSONS ALONG THE WAY.
BUT THE OVERRIDINGLY IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE WAS THE ENTHUSIASM FOR A DEVELOPING MARKET IN SHENZHEN AND ELSEWHERE IN CHINA, HE NOTED.
"SO FAR AS THE REPORTING OF THOSE EVENTS IS CONCERNED, WE USE VERY OFTEN THE PHRASE ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’. PART OF OUR SYSTEM IS THAT WE HAVE A FREE PRESS WHICH FREELY REPORTS WHAT HAPPENS IN HONG KONG.
"THAT’S OUR WAY OF LIFE. THAT’S OUR SYSTEM. THAT’S HOW THE PRESS OPERATES IN OUR SYSTEM.
"EVEN THOUGH I DON’T ALWAYS LIKE WHAT I HEAR OR READ IN THE NEWSPAPERS, I DON’T TAKE THE VIEW THAT THE BEST WAY OF DEALING WITH A MESSAGE YOU DON’T LIKE IS BY TAKING IT OUT ON THE MESSENGER. I THINK THAT ALL THE PAPERS, PRETTY WELL ALL THE PAPERS IN HONG KONG MADE THEIR POINTS LIKE THAT UNDERSTANDABLY THIS MORNING AND I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY FOR THE ARGUMENTS THAT THEY PRODUCED," MR PATTEN SAID.
ON THE PROBLEM OF CORRUPTION THAT HONG KONG MAY FACE IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE VITAL PARTS OF THE SYSTEM HERE WERE THE RULE OF LAW AND THE GOOD, CLEAN AND HONEST PUBLIC SERVICE.
"WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE VIGOROUSLY AND RIGOROUSLY ANY CORRUPTION IN OUR SOCIETY BECAUSE AMONG OTHER THINGS IT DETERS INVESTMENT AS WELL AS BEING A CORROSIVE ELEMENT IN A SOCIETY LIKE OURS.
"SO MY VIEWS ON CORRUPTION, AND MY VIEWS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DEALING WITH CORRUPTION IN OUR SYSTEM COULDN’T BE PLAINER."
--------0-----------
APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCE * * ♦ * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS DECIDED TO EXERCISE THE POWERS CONFERRED ON HIM BY SECTION 143(1)(C) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE CAP 32 TO APPOINT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF ALLIED GROUP LIMITED, ALLIED PROPERTIES (UK) LIMITED, CRUSADER HOLDINGS LIMITED, PARAGON HOLDINGS LIMITED AND WAI YICK LIMITED.
THE DECISION WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO A RECOMMENDATION BY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION.
A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE IN DUE COURSE WHEN THE INSPECTOR IS NAMED.
- - 0---------
WEDNESDAY, M’GUST 12, 1992
TSTNG Y1 SOUTH BRIDGE TRAFFIC RESUMES NORMAL
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TRAFFIC ON TSI NG YI SOUTH BRIDGE WILL RESUME NORMAL FROM 6 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF URGENT REPAIRS ON A DAMAGED SECTION OF ITS CARRIAGEWAY.
TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE WILL REVERT TO THE ORIGINAL TWO-LANE TWO-WAY FLOW WHILE MINOR REPAIR WORKS WILL BE CONTINUED ON THE BROKEN SECTION OF ITS FOOTPATH AND PARAPET.
THE BRIDGE WAS DAMAGED IN AN INCIDENT INVOLVING A BARG! DURING HEAVY RAINSTORM ON JULY 18.
DURING THE REPAIR PERIOD, TRAFFIC WAS REDUCED TO ONE-LANE TWO-WAY THROUGH REGULATION B\ SIGNAI LIGHTS.
- - 0 - -
STUDENTS WITH BASIC A-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS TO \PPLY FOR S6 PLACES ******
STUDENTS WITH GRADE E IN SIX SUBJECTS (INCLUDING CHINESE LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE) OR GRADE E OR ABOVE IN FIVE SUBJECTS (INCLUDING CHINESE LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE) WITH A TOTAL OF NO LESS THAN EIGH'I POINTS IN ONE SITTING OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION CAN APPLY FOR SECONDARY 6 PLACES ON FRIDAX AND NEXT TUESDAY.
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAS (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED
STUDENTS THAT II THEN HAD BASIC X-LFVEL ENTRX REQI I RI- MENTS BUT HAD NOT OBTAINED SECONDARY 6 PLACES, THIA MAX \PPLY \T THEIR OWN OR CONSORTIUM-FEEDER SCHOOLS FROM 9 AM To 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY ( AUGI ST 14).
RESULTS OF APPLICATIONS WILL BE RELEASED ON THE SAME DAY.
STUDENTS WITH THESE QUA I IF l( AT IONS WHO WISH TO STUM IN OTHER SCHOOLS INC LUDING PREVOC AT TONAL SCHOOLS AND BOUGHT PLACE S( IIOOLS MAY SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BEFORE 3.30 PM ON TUESDAY.
A LIST OF SCHOOLS WITH VACANCIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES FROM 9 AM THAT DAY FOR STUDENTS’ REFERENCE AND A LIST OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE POSTED AT SCHOOLS FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 19).
STUDENTS OFFERED SECONDARY 6 PLACES BY MORI-
THAN ONE
SCHOOL
WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DEC I S I ON AND REG USTER WITH Till SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE BEFORE 3.30 PM ON THE SAMF DAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
- 5 -
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JUNE RELEASED
*****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JUNE THIS INCREASED BY 32% TN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY DEPARTMENT.
YEAR, AT $164,846 MILLION, JUNE LAST YEAR, ACCORDING THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 12% TO $21,111 MILLION WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 40% TO $59,114 MILLION.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED B^ 31% TO $80,225 MILLION. MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 33% TO $81,621 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, AT $858,820 MILLION, INCREASED BY 23% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2% TO $106,941 MILLION WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 33% TO $309,232 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 23% TO $416,173 MILLION WHILE THAT OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 23% TO $442,646 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JUNE 1992 WITH JUNE 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY 36%), THE NETHERLANDS (BY 22%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 17%), SINGAPORE (BY 13%) AND TAIWAN (BY 10%) .
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE (-17%), GERMANY (-14%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-6%) AND JAPAN (-3%).
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, SINGAPORE, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN INCREASED BY 17%, 13%, 9%, 8% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS AND JAPAN DECREASED BY 29%, 17%, 14%, 12% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $1,098 MILLION OR 13%); CLOTHING (BY $731 MILLION OR 2%); MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $352 MILLION OR 30%); AND TEXTILES (BY $232 MILLION OR 3%).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
- 6 -
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,528 MILLION OR 20%); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,015 MILLION OR 10%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JUNE 1992 WITH JUNE 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS: SINGAPORE (BY 59%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 57%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY 44%), GERMANY (BY 39%), CHINA (BY 33%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY 33%), MALAYSIA (BY 33%), ITALY (BY 33%), JAPAN (BY 29%) AND TAIWAN (BY 16%).
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, THE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS WERE: GERMANY (BY 31%), MALAYSIA (BY 30%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY 29%), JAPAN (BY 28%), CHINA (BY 25%), ITALY (BY 23%), TAIWAN (BY 19%), SINGAPORE (BY 18%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 14%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY 14%).
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $7,868 MILLION OR 33%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $7,342 MILLION OR 21%); TEXTILES (BY $6,983 MILLION OR 16%); CLOTHING (BY $6,784 MILLION OR 24%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $6,308 MILLION OR 23%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $484 MILLION OR 19%); AND TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $241 MILLION OR 6%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JUNE 1992 WITH JUNE 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CHINA, CANADA, JAPAN AND SINGAPORE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 53%, 51%, 17%, 44%, 40% AND 32% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO FRANCE, TAIWAN AND GERMANY ALSO INCREASED, BY 15%, 14% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED BY 7%.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN AND FRANCE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 16%, 46%, 41%, 38%, 26% AND 24% RESPECTIVELY.
/THOSE TO........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
THOSE TO SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 17% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO GERMANY AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED, BY 5% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $12,126 MILLION OR 43%); CLOTHING (BY $7,297 MILLION OR 27%); TEXTILES (BY $6,567 MILLION OR 25%); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5,623 MILLION OR 31%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUITS (BY $134 MILLION OR 53%); AND FISH, CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS AND AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $117 MILLION OR 6%).
STARTING FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE THIRD REVISION OF THE STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN HONG KONG IN PLACE OF THE SECOND REVISION FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF TRADE STATISTICS BY COMMODITY.
TO ACHIEVE COMPARABILITY, THE COMMODITY TRADE STATISTICS FOR 1991 PRESENTED HERE HAVE BEEN RE-CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE NEW SYSTEM.
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JUNE WILL BE RELEASED TN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE JUNE 1992 ISSUE OF THE ’’HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE” WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN JUNE WILL BE ON SALE AT $52 A COPY AROUND AUGUST 21.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802), AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 : .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
8
TABLE 1 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
JUN JUN 92 JAN-JUN JAN -JUN 92
MAJOR MARKET 1992 OVER 1992 OVER
JUN 91 JAN -JUN 91
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 5,820 + 36 28,499 + 17
UNITED STATES 6,018 + 17 28,039 + 8
GERMANY 1,437 - 14 6,892 - 29
UNITED KINGDOM 1,086 - 6 5,611 - 14
JAPAN 891 - 3 5,369 - 2
SINGAPORE 840 + 13 4,740 13
TAIWAN 538 + 10 3, 158 + 6
NETHERLANDS 4 86 + 22 2,370 - 12
CANADA 444 + 2 2,34 1 + 9
FRANCE 271 - 17 1,542 — 17
TABLE 2 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JUN 1992 (HKD MN.) JUN 92 OVER JUN 91 ( % ) JAN-JUN 1992 (HKD MN.) JAN-JUN 92 OVER JAN-JUN 91 ( % )
ARTICLES OP APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,040 + 9 32,221 + 2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1 ,974 <• 4 10,729 *
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC
DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,904 + 4 7 9,626 + 13
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,766 + 7 9,243 + 3
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,612
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,598
+ 1 8,860 - 10
+ 11 8,471 + 3
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3 : IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
JUN JUN 92 JAN-JUN JAN-JUN 92
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1992 OVER 1992 OVER
JUN 91 JAN-JUN 91
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 31,151 + 33 16 1,383 + 25
JAPAN 14,204 + 29 75,612 + 28
TAIWAN 7,576 + 16 10,857 + 19
UNITED STATES 7,001 + 57 32, 176 + 14
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 4,044 + 33 22,107 + 29
SINGAPORE 3,820 + 59 18,422 + 18
GERMANY 1,903 + 39 10,154 + 31
UNITED KINGDOM 1,742 + 4 4 9,314 + 14
ITALY 1,130 + 33 6,64 5 + 23
MALAYSIA 1,189 + 33 6,001 + 30
TABLE I : IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JUN-1992 (HKD MN.) JUN 9 2 OVER JUN 91 ( % ) JAN-JUN 1992 (HKD MN.) JAN-JUN 92 OVER JAN-JUN 91 ( % )
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 9,305 + 15 51 ,090 + 16
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
10 -
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 8,529 + 20 43,131 + 21
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,849 + 39 35,268 + 24
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 6,093 + 31 33,819 + 23
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 6,695 + 4 4 31,651 + 33
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4,026 + 32 21 ,452 + 18
TABLE 5 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
JUN JUN 92 JAN-JUN JAN-JUN 92
MAJOR MARKET 1992 OVER 1992 OVER
JUN 91 JAN-JUN 91
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD NN.) ( % )
CHINA 18,317 + 47 95,180 + 41
UNITED STATES 1 3,4 4 2 + 53 63,917 + 46
JAPAN 2,742 + 40 16,322 + 26
GERMANY 2,742 + 6 14,953 - 5
TAIWAN 2,060 + 14 13,239 + 12
UNITED KINGDOM 1 ,751 + 51 8,241 + 38
REPUBLIC OF KORE A 1,120 - 7 6,893 - 3
SINGAPORE 1,163 + 32 6,457 + 17
FRANCE 919 + 15 5,212 + 24
CANADA 1,030 + 4 4 5,1 16 + 1G
/TABLE 6 : .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
11
TABLE 6 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION
JUN JUN 9 2 JAN-JUN JAN-JUN 92
1992 OVER 1992 OVER
JUN 91 JAN-JUN 91
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 8,491 + 42 40,115 + 43
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES • 6,687 + 41 34,468 + 27
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,365 + 29 32,718 + 25
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,472 + 38 23,720 + 31
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,693 + 36 23,618 + 22
FOOTWEAR 3,126 + 53 15,569 + 48
- - 0 - -
TWO LOTS IN QUARRY BAY, YAU TONG TO LET *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED OFF HOI TAI STREET, QUARRY BAY, HONG KONG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,550 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR THE STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS, CONTAINERS, CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS).
IT COULD ALSO BE USED AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE PURPOSES OF WASTE PAPER COLLECTING AND SORTING, PUBLIC FEE-PAYING VEHICLE PARK FOR LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS), OR VEHICLE REPAIRING (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS).
/THE TENANCY .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
- 12 -
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS ANND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER SITE, AT SHUNG SHUN STREET, YAU TONG, KOWLOON, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,825 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASIS ATTACHED BUT EXCLUDING PRIVATE CARS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON AUGUST 28.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
--------0 - -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.0 »+0.1* 12.8.92
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1992
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.58 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.69 3.27
1 MONTH 2.38 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.77 3.64
3 MONTHS 2.39 PCT 6 MONTHS 2.56 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.10 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.76 3.90
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,156 MN
CLOSED 12 AUGUST 1992
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SHARES FUN WITH JPC MEMBERS ...................................... 1
WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION A GOOD DEAL: CS .................................. 2
ENHANCED PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE FERRY SERVICES .............................. 3
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TWO NEW RETRAINING COURSES ....................... 4
RESULTS OF QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY FOR SECOND QUARTER ................... 5
MEASURES TO AVERT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON SHATIN PASS ROAD ................... 9
TENDERS FOR PURCHASE OF A USED 250-SEAT AIR-CONDITIONED FERRY ............ 10
JULY AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED ......................................... 10
THREE BUILDINGS ON CHEUNG CHAU DECLARED DANGEROUS ........................ 13
SUBSIDIES FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ......................... 13
SAFETY ADVICE ON WORK AT HEIGHT........................................... 14
FEES FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSE REVISED .................................. 15
NEW GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE IN KWUN TONG ................................... 16
BUS PARADE TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES ................................ 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 17
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
GOVERNOR SHARES FUN WITH JPC MEMBERS
******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND MRS PATTEN SHARED THE FUN WITH MORE THAN 600 JUNIOR POLICE CALL (JPC) MEMBERS AT AN ANNUAL JPC SUMMER CAMP IN SAI KUNG TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE GOVERNOR AND MRS PATTEN , ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, ARRIVED AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP BY HELICOPTER .
THE GOVERNOR OFFICIATED AT THE CAMP’S OPENING CEREMONY TOGETHER WITH THE COMMISSIONER BY RE-ASSEMBLING PUZZLE BLOCKS OF THE "JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME" LOGO AT THE OPEN AIR AUDITORIUM.
AFTER ENJOYING A KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT JPC , THE GOVERNOR TOURED THE CAMP AND ITS FACILITIES THERE AND CHATTED TO SOME JPC MEMBERS.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE JPC SCHEME HAS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN IMPROVING AND STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR EXCELLENT POLICE AND THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY.
"IT ALSO PROVIDE VERY WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS."
THE FIVE-DAY CAMP WHICH STARTED OFF ON MONDAY (AUGUST 10) IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ANNUAL FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH FOR JPC MEMBERS IN SUMMER.
SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, IT AIMS TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO MORE THAN 1,500 DAY AND NIGHT CAMPERS.
THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S CAMP IS "JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME".
A WIDE RANGE OF CAMP EVENTS, INCLUDING FIGHT CRIME SEMINARS, SPORTS PROGRAMMES AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MAKE THE CAMPERS MORE AWARE OF CRIME PROBLEMS.
IT IS ALSO THE INTENTION TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY IN CRIME PREVENTION.
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
2 WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION A GOOD DEAL: CS ***** u
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (THURSDAY) DESCRIBED THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AS A PRETTY GOOD DEAL AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL OPERATION.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS DURING A VISIT TO THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION SITE, SIR DAVID SAID ABOUT $50 BILLION OF REVENUE COULD BE GENERATED FROM THE SALE OF ABOUT 90 HECTARES OF LAND RECLAIMED.
"WE’VE SPENT ABOUT $10 BILLION ON THE RECLAMATION IN ALL, $50 BILLION IN REVENUE. I CALL THAT A PRETTY GOOD DEAL AND OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL OPERATION," HE SAID.
HE SAID THIS RECLAMATION WAS CERTAINLY NEEDED INDEPENDENT OF THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
"BUT THIS RECLAMATION SERVES MANY PURPOSES," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THIS WAS ESSENTIAL TO RELIEVE THE TRANSPORT CONGESTION ON THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR, AND TO REDEVELOP AND REDESIGN YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK.
"EVEN IF WE HAVE NOT BEEN BUILDING THE AIRPORT, THIS RECLAMATION WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN NECESSARY.
"BUT CLEARLY WE’RE MAKING THE BEST VALUE-FOR-MONEY OUT OF IT BY SERVING TWO PURPOSES - THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IS NEEDED TO RELIEVING NATHAN ROAD AND OF COURSE TO PROVIDE NEW LINKS TO THE AIRPORT," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE COST OF THIS PROJECT WOULD RISE.
AS FOR THE SITE FORMATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT, HE SAID THERE WOULD BE COST IMPLICATIONS IF IT WERE DELAYED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
"EVERY MONTH IS CRUCIAL IN TERMS OF TIMING. WE STILL HAVE THE PLANNING DATE OF JUNE 1997. IT’S THE TARGET DATE OF THE AIRPORT.
■ "BUT AS THIS HAPPENS, SO THEY BECOME MORE IN QUESTION, AND AS THE MONTHS GO BY, SO THE COSTS RISE. NOTHING IS PENALTY FREE, REALLY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROPOSAL FROM THE CHINESE SIDE ON AIRPORT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT.
"WE’VE GIVEN DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT AS I HAVE SAID AND WE’RE WAITING FOR THEM NOW TO CONSIDER THOSE AND TO COME BACK," SIR DAVID ADDED.
HE SAID THERE WAS NO SET MEETING YET FOR THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"THAT WILL DEPEND REALLY WHEN WE FEEL WE CAN MAKE SOME PROGRESS AND THAT WILL DEPEND ON WHEN THE CHINESE SIDE ARE PREPARED TO COME BACK AND TALK TO US," HE SAID.
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/3 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
3
ENHANCED PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE FERRY SERVICES
*****
THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY (HYF), IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT, IS LAUNCHING AN ENHANCED PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE FERRY SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
AS PART OF ITS PLAN TO STRENGTHEN SERVICES TO TUEN MUN, HYF WILL EXTEND BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH ITS SERVICES BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND CENTRAL TO THE STAR FERRY PIER IN KOWLOON DURING MORNING PEAK HOURS.
THIS FOLLOWS THE RECENT ADDITION OF FIVE MORE SAILINGS, THREE IN THE MORNING AND TWO IN THE EVENING, ON THE TUEN MUN-CENTRAL ROUTE.
CONSIDERATION IS ALSO GIVEN BY HYF TO BUY TWO HIGH-SPEED FERRIES, EACH WITH A PASSENGER CAPACITY OF 350, TO SERVE THE TUEN MUN-CENTRAL ROUTE.
THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WAS OUTLINED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S AD HOC GROUP MEETING BY THE COMPANY AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
GROUP MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE SERVICE TO TSUEN WAN HAD ALREADY BEEN STRENGTHENED WITH AN ADDITIONAL SAILING VIA TSING YI TO CENTRAL IN THE MORNING AND AN EXTENSION OF THE TSUEN WAN-CENTRAL ROUTE TO WAN CHAI.
FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS, SINCE THE NEW FARE SCALE CAME INTO EFFECT, THE ROUTE OF MUI WO-CENTRAL VIA PENG CHAU HAS BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO INDEPENDENT SERVICES OPERATING ON AN HOURLY BASIS.
FOR THE CENTRAL-CHEUNG CHAU ROUTE, TWO MORE SAILINGS HAVE BEEN ADDED DURING RUSH HOURS ON WEEKDAYS AND ONE SAILING DURING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.
A NEW EXCURSION ROUTE ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS BETWEEN TAI O AND TSUEN WAN VIA TUEN MUN AND SHA LO WAN WAS INTRODUCED ON JULY 20.
ON FARE STRUCTURE, HYF INTRODUCED HALF FARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS OVER 65 AND CUT THE FARE OF VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICES BY 50 CENTS.
ON TOP OF THIS, HYF IS ALSO IMPROVING ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE.
A NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE WAS SET UP LAST MONTH TO HANDLE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES. IT WILL CONDUCT A PASSENGER SURVEY LATER THIS MONTH IN TUEN MUN. VIEWS OF PASSENGERS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN DETERMINING THE FREQUENCY OF THE SERVICES.
IT WILL ALSO SET UP NEW PASSENGER LIAISON GROUPS ON A ROUTE-BY-ROUTE BASIS FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS AND NEW TOWN SERVICES BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE COMPANY EXPLAINED THAT HYF’S NEW FARE SCALE INTRODUCED ON JULY 20 WAS FAIR AND REASONABLE AND FULLY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE INTEREST OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR, RESIDENTS ON OUTLYING ISLANDS.
/THE AVERAGE .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
4
THE AVERAGE INCREASE OF 16 PER CENT APPROVED FOR HYF IS THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE 19 PER CENT RISE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) SINCE THE LAST HYF FARE REVISION 20 MONTHS AGO IN NOVEMBER 1990.
BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND HYF ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF RESIDENTS ON OUTLYING ISLANDS.
WITH THIS IN MIND, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN FARES FOR OUTLYING ISLAND SERVICES ON WEEKDAYS HAS BEEN CONSCIOUSLY SET AT A LOWER RATE OF 10.6 PER CENT, WHICH IS ABOUT 9 PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE GENERAL INFLATION RATE SINCE THE LAST FARE REVIEW.
IN ADDITION, WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1, RETURN TICKETS AT WEEKDAY FARES WILL BE VALID FOR TRAVEL THROUGHOUT WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.
AND FROM AUGUST 21, THE CONCESSIONARY TICKETS WILL BE SOLD IN ADVANCE ON FRIDAY NIGHT TO CATER FOR RESIDENTS’ TRANSPORT NEEDS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FARE INCREASES WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HIGHER HAD HYF NOT TAKEN CONSCIOUS STEPS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP COST DOWN BY CURTAILING SIX LOSS-INCURRING ROUTES IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND TO INCREASE ITS REVENUE BY ATTRACTING MORE ADVERTISING ON VESSELS AND PIER TOPS.
THE NEW FARES ARE NEEDED NOT ONLY TO OFFSET HIGHER OPERATING COSTS AND LOWER PATRONAGE ON SOME ROUTES, BUT ALSO TO FURTHER IMPROVE ITS SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TWO NEW RETRAINING COURSES
******
LOCAL WORKERS WHO WISH TO UNDERTAKE RETRAINING IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY CAN NOW APPLY FOR TWO NEW PILOT COURSES DUE TO START ON SEPTEMBER 7.
THE FOUR-WEEK JUNIOR COOK (ROASTED FOOD) COURSE AND THE TWO-WEEK WAITER/WAITRESS COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED BY EXPERIENCED CHEF AND RESTAURANT MANAGERS.
"THE COURSES ARE BEING ORGANISED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF RESTAURANT MANAGERS IN VIEW OF THE SEVERE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY AND THE IMMENSE INTEREST OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES FOR RETRAINING THAT LEADS TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICE SECTOR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ON COMPLETION OF THESE COURSES, HE ADDED, A TRAINEE WILL BE ABLE TO SERVE AS A JUNIOR COOK (ROASTED FOOD) OR A WAITER/WAITRESS IN A CHINESE RESTAURANT.
/OTHER RETRAINING .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
5
OTHER RETRAINING CLASSES DUE TO START IN SEPTEMBER INCLUDE BASIC RETAIL SALES TECHNIQUES AND SAMPLE MAKING.
APPLICATIONS TO THE COURSES ARE OPEN TO LOCAL WORKERS WHO ARE HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS AGED ABOVE 30 AND HAVE MET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
* HAVE BEEN WITH THE SAME EMPLOYER OR INDUSTRY FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND HAVE LOST OR ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR JOB BECAUSE THEIR PLANT OR BUSINESS HAS CLOSED DOWN OR MOVED OR THEIR POSITION OR SHIFT HAS BEEN ABOLISHED, OR NOT ENOUGH WORK IS AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO DO, OR THAT THEY WISH TO ACQUIRE A NEW SKILL OR UPGRADE THEIR EXISTING SKILLS; AND
* HAVE THE NECESSARY APTITUDE, EDUCATION AND PHYSIQUE REQUIRED BY THE RELEVANT PROGRAMMES.
A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF $2,800 WILL BE GIVEN TO WORKERS UNDERGOING RETRAINING TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED MAY APPLY AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES).
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM LES ON TEL 606 2145.
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RESULTS OF QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY FOR SECOND QUARTER *****
MANUFACTURERS GENERALLY EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS LARGELY DUE TO A SEASONAL INCREASE IN ORDERS FROM OVERSEAS MARKETS.
LOOKING AHEAD, MANUFACTURERS GENERALLY EXPECT A CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
SUCH AN EXPECTATION IS IN LINE WITH THE USUALLY BIGGER VOLUME OF ORDERS RECEIVED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND TRADES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY.
THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS THEY FACED.
/CONTRARY TO .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
- 6 ~
CONTRARY TO THE GENERAL TREND OF AN IMPROVED BUSINESS SITUATION IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO INDUSTRY HAD ONLY EXPERIENCED A STABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THE BUSINESS EXPERIENCE OF MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED WAS COMPATIBLE WITH THEIR EARLIER EXPECTATION. THE EXPERIENCES OF THREE INDUSTRIES WERE, HOWEVER, DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HAD BEEN EXPECTED.
FIRMS IN THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO INDUSTRY FOUND THE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 SIMILAR TO THE PRECEDING QUARTER, ALTHOUGH AN IMPROVEMENT HAD EARLIER BEEN EXPECTED.
THEY REPORTED INCREASED WORRIES ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF HIGH WAGE RATES AND HIGH MATERIAL PRICES.
THE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY IMPROVED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, BUT THE IMPROVEMENT WAS NOT AS LARGE AS EXPECTED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRY, WHICH HAD EARLIER EXPECTED THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO REMAIN THE SAME, ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
WHILE CAPACITY UTILISATION IN THIS INDUSTRY IMPROVED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, THE PROBLEMS OF PRICE COMPETITION AND HIGH MATERIAL PRICES ALSO SUBSIDED IN THE QUARTER.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992, FIRMS IN ALL INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, EXCEPT THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES, ANTICIPATE THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO IMPROVE OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION REMAINED STABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
LOOKING AHEAD, FIRMS IN THE SECTOR EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 TO REMAIN SIMILAR, ALTHOUGH MANY ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, ALTHOUGH AN IMPROVEMENT HAD EARLIER BEEN EXPECTED.
THEY WERE FACED WITH A GROWING PROBLEM OF PRICE COMPETITION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, RESTAURANTS EXPERIENCED A DETERIORATION IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AS THE SECOND QUARTER IS GENERALLY A CALM PERIOD FOR THE CATERING BUSINESS.
IN CONTRAST, BUSINESS SITUATION FOR HOTELS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
/REGARDING THE .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
REGARDING THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992, RESTAURANTS AND FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES ANTICIPATE AN IMPROVEMENT.
FOR HOTELS, THE BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO DETERIORATE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992. IN PARTICULAR, THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE SERIOUS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992.
IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, THE FIRMS GENERALLY EXPERIENCED A MILD IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
AMONG THEM, BANKS AND FIRMS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES EXPERIENCED CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION THOUGH BANKS HAD EXPECTED ONLY A STABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
FOR BANKS, THERE WAS IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROBLEMS OF PRICE COMPETITION AND SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED STAFF IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
AGAINST THIS OVERALL FAVOURABLE TREND FOR THE SECTOR, FIRMS IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED MILD DETERIORATION IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
THEY REPORTED INCREASED CONCERN OVER THE PROBLEMS OF HIGH STAFF COSTS AND PRICE COMPETITION.
REGARDING THE PROSPECTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992, BANKS AND FIRMS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES ANTICIPATE A CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION.
FOR THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE FROM THE LESS FAVOURABLE SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED THE COMMON PROBLEMS OF HIGH WAGE RATES AND. PRICE COMPETITION. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO THE THIRD QUARTER.
DURING THE PAST FEW QUARTERS, HIGH WAGE RATES EMERGED AS THE MOST WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM IN THE SECTOR. THE PROBLEM WAS PARTICULARLY PREVALENT IN THE PRINTING, THE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES, AND THE WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, PRICE COMPETITION, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR, INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS/CONTRACTS AND HIGH WAGE RATES CONTINUED TO BE THE MAIN PROBLEMS TO THE FIRMS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
IN PARTICULAR, THE PROBLEM OF PRICE COMPETITION WAS MORE WIDELY REPORTED IN THE SECTOR. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
/IN THE .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
8
IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR, PRICE COMPETITION AND HIGH STAFF COSTS CONTINUED TO BE THE COMMON PROBLEMS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
DURING THE PAST FEW QUARTERS, PRICE COMPETITION EMERGED AS THE MOST WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES.
IN THE SECOND QUARTER, MORE RESTAURANTS REPORTED THE PROBLEMS OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS AND HIGH STAFF TURNOVER.
NEVERTHELESS, BOTH PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO SUBSIDE SOMEWHAT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992. FOR HOTELS, THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS EASED OFF CONSIDERABLY IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
FIRMS IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR ALSO EXPERIENCED THE COMMON PROBLEMS OF PRICE COMPETITION AND HIGH STAFF COSTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO THE THIRD QUARTER.
ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG FROM A SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE.
IN THE SURVEY, PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND THE LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD ’IMPROVED’, ’REMAINED THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATED’ IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO ’IMPROVE’, 'REMAIN THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATE’ IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992.
THE OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE THEN ANALYSED AND THE SUMMARY FINDINGS PUBLISHED IN THE "REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, SECOND QUARTER 1992".
MOREOVER, THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS, AND A BREAKDOWN OF THE VIEWS OF FIRMS BY EMPLOYMENT SIZE GROUP.
THE SPOKESMAN CAUTIONED THAT IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST AND PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PURCHASE COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $9 A COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3250.
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/9 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
- 9 -
MEASURES TO AVERT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON SHATIN PASS ROAD *****
MORE CRASH BARRIERS WILL BE INSTALLED ON SHATIN PASS ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN TO PREVENT ILLEGAL VEHICLE PARKING CAUSING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
STRINGENT ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL ALSO BE TAKEN BY THE POLICE AGAINST ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY OF SHATIN PASS ROAD WHICH IS ONE OF THE STEEPEST ROADS IN KOWLOON.
DURING A SITE VISIT THERE THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT/URBAN, MR LEE SHU-CHEE, SAID THE ADDITIONAL CRASH BARRIERS COULD BE INSTALLED IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
.MR LEE EXPLAINED THAT CRASH BARRIERS HAD ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED IN MOST PARTS OF SHATIN PASS ROAD AS RESIDENTS WERE CONCERNED THAT THEY MIGHT BE EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC HAZARDS.
MORE CRASH BARRIERS MEANT THAT PARKING ON PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
MR LEE REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT IT WAS ILLEGAL TO PARK OUTSIDE DESIGNATED SPACES, ADDING THAT THE ACT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO PENALTIES.
"IT IS SAFER TO PARK ON LEVEL GROUND THAN ON A SLOPE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AFTER PARKING," HE SAID.
IMPORTANT PROCEDURES TO OBSERVE INCLUDE STOPPING AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE NEARSIDE KERB; LOCKING THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE HANDBRAKE FIRMLY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SO THAT THE TYRES COULD BE CHECKED BY THE KERBSIDE IF THE VEHICLE SHOULD ROLL DOWNHIL.
"THE USE OF A PROPER WEDGE AT THE REAR TYRES CAN ALSO PREVENT VEHICLES FROM SLIDING DOWN A SLOPE," HE ADDED.
REGULAR MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE TO THE VEHICLES INCLUDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO ENSURE SAFETY.
MR LEE SAID THERE WERE ONLY TWO ACCIDENTS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS ON SHATIN PASS ROAD.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL NEVERTHELESS INSTALL A SIGNALISED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THERE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO ERADICATE JAYWALKING.
ADDITIONAL BOLLARDS WILL ALSO BE PLANTED AT THE DOWNHILL SIDE OF A LAYBY WHERE STOPPING, AND LOADING AND UNLOADING ARE PERMITTED TO PREVENT VEHICLES FROM SLIDING BACK.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONSIDER BANNING HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES FROM USING THE DOWNHILL LANE OF THE ROAD.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
TENDERS FOR PURCHASE OF A USED 250-SEAT AIR-CONDITIONED FERRY ******
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A USED 250-SEAT AIR-CONDITIONED FERRY RETURNED FROM THE BRITISH FORCES.
THE FERRY, WHICH HAS BECOME SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENT, WAS IN SERVICE FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS AND WAS LAST OVERHAULED IN JANUARY 1990.
ITS OVERALL LENGTH IS 33.40 METRES AND THE FULL LOAD DISPLACEMENT IS 222.66 TONNES.
THE FERRY IS NOW MOORED IN HMS TAMAR NAVAL BASIN. INSPECTION CAN BE ARRANGED BY APPOINTMENT WITH THE TAMAR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ON TEL 588 3739 OR BY FAX 824 2968.
TENDER NOTIFICATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE WILL BE GAZETTED AND PUBLISHED IN MAJOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21.
TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT PROCUREMENT DIVISION, SIXTH FLOOR, GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 12 OIL STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
JULY AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR JULY.
THIS IS THE EIGHTH MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT NORMALLY CONTAINS MONITORING RESULTS OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2) AND NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2) WHICH ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY ROUND THE CLOCK, AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP) AND RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) WHICH ARE SAMPLED FOR 24 HOURS EVERY SIX DAYS.
THESE AIR POLLUTANTS MAINLY COME FROM COMBUSTION OF FUEL IN INDUSTRIAL PLANTS AND MOTOR VEHICLES ENGINES. TSP AND RSP ARE ALSO GENERATED BY CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND SOME MANUFACTURING PROCESSES, AS WELL AS NATURAL SOURCES.
/THE HIGHER
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
11
THE HIGHER DISPERSIVE CAPABILITY OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN JULY KEPT AIR POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS AT LOW LEVELS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT SERVED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE GENERAL AIR QUALITY LEVELS TO WHICH THEY MIGHT BE EXPOSED.
THE DAILY HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES OF SO2, NO2, TSP AND RSP ARE 350, 150, 260 AND 180 MICROGRAMS PER CUBIC METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THESE OBJECTIVES ARE COMPARABLE TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AIR QUALITY STANDARDS RECOMMENDED FOR PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HIGH LEVELS OF SO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION AND INCREASES MORTALITY RATE.
NO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY IRRITATION, INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND IMPAIRS LUNG DEVELOPMENT.
TSP ACTS SYNERGISTICALLY WITH OTHER GASEOUS POLLUTANTS AND RSP CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND REDUCES LUNG FUNCTON. SOME FORMS OF RSP MAY CAUSE CANCER.
THE MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG STATIONS BROADLY REPRESENT AIR QUALITY RESPECTIVELY AT LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICT; COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; AND DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
CURRENTLY THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES A TOTAL OF 11 FIXED AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE.
THE OTHER EIGHT STATIONS ARE AT KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA TSUI, TSEUNG KWAN O, TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG SOUTH, TAI PO AND SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRY CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER MR W S TSUI ON TEL 810 3049.
/Hong Kong .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
- 12 -
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for July 1992
Microgram per Cubic Meter Microgram per Cubic Meter Microgram per Cubic Meter
Kwai Chung
Key® Total Suifwxiad Partbdate Aasptrwbfc Suipanoad ParttUtfa
July 1992
- - 0 - -
/13.........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
- 13 -
THREE BUILDINGS ON CHEUNG CHAU DECLARED DANGEROUS
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 240 TAI SUN BACK STREET ON CHEUNG CHAU AND THE TWO BUILDINGS ON THE RIGHT AND IN FRONT OF 236 OF THE STREET TO BE DANGEROUS.
ALSO, NO. 236 OF THE STREET HAS BEEN DECLARED AS LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE BUILDINGS WERE SINGLESTOREY STRUCTURES MADE OF LOAD-BEARING BRICK AND MASONRY WALLS WITH TIMBER ROOFS WHILE THE FRONT PORTION OF NO. 236 WAS OF CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.
THE ROOFS OF NO. 240 AND THE BUILDING ON THE RIGHT OF NO. 236 ARE IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DETERIORATION WITH DEFECTIVE ROOF RAFTERS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE FAILED. THE BUILDINGS SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS THEY ARE DANGEROUS.
THE BUILDING FRONTING NO. 236 (A PORCH) WAS ALSO IN A DILAPIDATED CONDITION WITH DEFECTIVE RAFTERS AND BATTENS. IT SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING DANGEROUS.
THE PGBS SAID ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO SUBSTANTIAL DEFECTS FOUND ON THE WALLS OR THE CONCRETE ROOF AT THE FRONT PORTION OF NO. 236, YET SOME OF THE JOISTS SUPPORTING THE COCKLOFT AS WELL AS THE RAFTERS OF THE MAIN ROOF OF THE BUILDING WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.
IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THE BUILDING WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF THE ADJOINING BUILDINGS AND SHOULD BE CLOSED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS AND BE DEMOLISHED AS A JOINT OPERATION WITH THE OTHER, HE SAID.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 13 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
- - 0---------
SUBSIDIES FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
*****
A SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IS NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM REGISTERED COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS FOR SUBSIDIES TO FINANCE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION.
THE SUBSIDIES WOULD COME FROM A $1 MILLION DONATION MADE BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO HELP BOOST THE WORK OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
/THE SUB-COMMITTEE .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
"IN ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME, THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS ALSO PLANNING TO MAKE USE OF THE DONATION TO PRODUCE INFORMATION KITS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, PUBLISH PAMPHLETS ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE AND ORGANISE A SEMINAR.
"IT WILL ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE MAIN COMMITTEE IN ORGANISING FUNCTIONS ON THE THEME OF 'RULE OF LAW’ WHICH IS THE MAJOR WORK EMPHASIS OF THE COMMITTEE IN 1992-93," HE ADDED.
ELABORATING ON THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME, HE SAID THE PROJECTS SHOULD FOCUS ON THE SUB-COMMITTEE’S OBJECTIVE OF FOSTERING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.
"EACH APPLICATION WILL BE ASSESSED ACCORDING TO THE CONTENT OF THE PROJECT, ITS TARGET GROUP AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS.
"CONSIDERATION WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE PARTICIPATION OF TEAM MEMBERS AND THE CONTINUITY AND VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT," HE ADDED.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 15 AND THE PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE MARCH 15 NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH THE PROJECT PLANS, SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, 31ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 835 1381 OR 810 2048
- - 0 - -
SAFETY ADVICE ON WORK AT HEIGHT * * * * *
DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT NO WORKER SHOULD OPERATE AT A HEIGHT WITHOUT TAKING ADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
COMMENTING ON A RECENT ACCIDENT IN WHICH A SHIPYARD WORKER FELL TO DEATH FROM THE WORKING PLATFORM OF A METAL TUBULAR SCAFFOLD, MR KAN SAID: "THE TRAGEDY COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS BEEN TAKEN."
HE CAUTIONED EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES THAT THEY BOTH HAVE STATUTORY REOPONSIBILITY FOR WORK SAFETY.
/"UNDER THE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
- 15 -
"UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS AND THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, THE PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING OR THE CONTRACTOR OF A SITE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE SCAFFOLD FOR WORKERS OPERATING AT A HEIGHT," HE SAID.
"THE WORKING PLATFORM OF THE SCAFFOLD SHALL BE OF SOUND CONSTRUCTION, ADEQUATE WIDTH AND CLOSELY PLANKED," HE SAID, ADDING THAT GUARDRAILS SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE SIDES OF THE PLATFORM.
MR KAN POINTED OUT THAT WHERE IT WAS IMPRACTICABLE TO PROVIDE A SCAFFOLD, SAFETY BELT ATTACHED TO SECURE ANCHORAGE SUCH AS AN INDEPENDENT LIFELINE SHOULD BE USED.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TAKING A VERY SERIOUS VIEW ON THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT WHICH IS COMMON ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND IN FACTORIES," HE SAID.
"ANYONE WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000," HE STRESSED.
------0--------
FEES FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSE REVISED *****
TUITION FEES FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSES HAVE BEEN REVISED. DETAILS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HOWEVER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN LINE WITH THE POLICY TO PROVIDE NINE-YEARS FREE TUITION IN SCHOOLS, THE GENERAL BACKGROUND ADULT EDUCATION COURSE AND THE SECONDARY 1-3 GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE WILL CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE.
TUITION FEE FOR THE SECONDARY 4-5 GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE WILL ALSO REMAIN UNCHANGED AT $880 A YEAR IN THE 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR.
REVISIONS ARE MADE TO THE FEES FOR THE PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND GCE ’O’ LEVEL ENGLISH COURSES, WHICH WILL RANGE FROM $410 TO $770 A YEAR.
FEES FOR SHORT COURSES AT THE EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES WILL BE REVISED TO $460 PER COURSE.
FEES FOR HOBBY GROUP SHORT COURSES, WHICH PROVIDE PERSONAL ENJOYMENT AND INTEREST BUT LEAD TO NO FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS, HAVE BEEN REVISED TO $240 PER COURSE.
ALSO, FEES FOR THE PART-TIME TECHNICAL TRAINING COURSES RUN BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL BE ADJUSTED TO LEVELS RANGING FROM $450 TO $2,250 IN 1992-93.
"DESPITE THE REVISION, THE FEES ARE STILL REASONABLE. NO STUDENTS WILL BE PAYING MORE THAN A FAIR SHARE OF THE COST OF PROVIDING THE COURSES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
/16 .....
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
SERVICE In KWUN.TONG » * »
NEW GREEN MINIBUS * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A NEW GREEN MINIBUS CIRCULAR ROUTE 59 PLYING BETWEEN TSUI PING ESTATE (PHASE 7) AND HIP WO STREET WILL COME INTO SERVICE FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
IT WILL TRAVEL VIA KAI LIM ROAD, TSUI PING ROAD, HIP WO STREET, KWUN TONG ROAD, TSUI PING ROAD AND KAI LIM ROAD.
THE NEW ROUTE WILL RUN AT FREQUENCIES OF BETWEEN SEVEN AND 10 MINUTES FROM 6.30 AM TO 11.33 PM DAILY. ITS FARE WILL BE $2 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
--------0----------
BUS PARADE TO SPREAD
t » *
FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES * *
TWO OPEN-TOP VINTAGE BUSES IN BRIGHT COLOURS WILL BE CRUISING ALONG THE STREETS OF WAN CHAI TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 15).
MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL WILL BE ON BOARD TO DISTRIBUTE SOUVENIRS AND PROMOTION PAMPHLETS TO MEN-IN-THE-STREET.
ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE BUS PARADE WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT’S ANNUAL FIGHT CRIME PROGRAMME.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO HOPEWELL CENTRE, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
ACTING WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TOM FONG; THE DISTRICT’S POLICE COMMANDER, MR LEE MING-KWAI AND DFCC MEMBER, MR CHIU WAI-SHING WILL OFFICIATE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS OPENING CEREMONY CUM BUS PARADE AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 15) AT THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY, HOPEWELL CENTRE, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
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/17........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1992
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * » *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +400
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,900
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.9 »-0.1* 13.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.50 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.69 3.26
1 MONTH 2.39 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.80 3.61
3 MONTHS 2.38 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.80 3.87
6 MONTHS 2.55 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,049 MN
CLOSED 13 AUGUST 1992
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR ASSURED GREAT STEP FORWARD IN PUBLIC HOUSING PROVISION .. 1
MEETING WITH ZHOU KICKS OFF WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSIONS: GOVERNOR ... 3
INSPECTOR APPOINTED UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCE .................... 4
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR APRIL - JUNE ..... 4
MANAGEMENT OF GOVT TUNNELS ....................................... 5
DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WORKS ON TSING YI ....................... 6
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WORKS .. 7
OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHINA ......................................... 7
MA ON SHAN SITE UP FOR SALE ,..................................... 8
STUDENTS ADVISED ON CHOOSING COURSE ENROLMENT .................... 8
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT NGAU CHI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ............. 9
NEW FIREMEN SPURRED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ...................... 10
TIN SHUI WAI TO GET MORE WELFARE FACILITIES ..................... 11
LANGUAGE LEARNING STRESSED ...................................... 11
SCHOOL SPONSORS PRAISED ......................................... 12
FUNDING SOUGHT FOR TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ..................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...... 14
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
1
GOVERNOR ASSURED GREAT STEP FORWARD IN PUBLIC HOUSING PROVISION * * * * »
HONG KONG HAS SPENT AND WILL BE SPENDING TWICE AS MUCH MONEY ON PUBLIC HOUSING AS ON THE NEW AIRPORT, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT ABOUT $80 BILLION HAD BEEN SPENT ON PUBLIC HOUSING AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WHILE A FURTHER $80 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF ANOTHER SUBSTANTIAL MOVE FORWARD IN HOUSING PROVISION," HE SAID, AFTER COMPLETING A DAY’S VISIT TO NEW TOWNS AND VARIOUS HOUSING PROJECTS.
"THE INVESTMENT IS PARTLY GOING INTO NEW TOWNS AND NEW ESTATES, AND PARTLY INTO KNOCKING DOWN SOME OF THE OLDER ESTATES THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT IN THE LAST 30 YEARS," HE EXPLAINED.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOME-OWNERS OVER THE YEARS.
"THAT FIGURE TODAY STANDS AT ABOUT 41 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION.
"BUT WE EXPECT IT TO RISE TO ABOUT 66 PER CENT, ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG BY 2001," HE ADDED.
AS FOR THE SITTING TENANTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE GOVERNOR ALSO ASSURED THEM THAT SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PUT INTO IMPROVING THEIR HOMES.
"WE ALL KNOW THAT GOOD QUALITY HOMES, GOOD QUALITY FLATS, AND GOOD QUALITY HOUSING ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO FAMILY LIFE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT HONG KONG HAD ACHIEVED ONE OF THE GREATEST RECORDS IN PROVIDING NEW PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE LAST GENERATION, WHICH HAD HELPED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN HONG KONG.
' HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING HOUSING POLICY WAS BOTH SENSIBLE AND REASONABLE, WITH A GREAT DEAL MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE PROVISION OF FLATS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE SINGLE.
ON THE PROBLEM FOR THE SANDWICHED CLASS, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND HE WOULD BE MAKING SOME PROPOSALS ON THAT SUBJECT LATER IN THE YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO STRESSED THAT ANY CORRUPTION OR GANGSTERISM INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WOULD BE PURSUED RIGOROUSLY AND VIGOROUSLY.
"IT IS OBVIOUSLY AND EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD ENSURE THAT IN PROVIDING SUB-CONTRACTING SERVICES FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND FOR OTHERS, WE GET THE BEST POSSIBLE QUALITY AND THE BEST POSSIBLE BARGAIN FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
/DURING TODAY'S .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
2
DURING TODAY’S VISIT, MR PATTEN WAS BRIEFED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, AND THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, ON HOUSING POLICY, NEW TOWN PROGRAMME AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR EASON AND MR BLAKE, THE GOVERNOR TOOK A HELICOPTER TO TIN SHUI WAI TO SEE DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
THE NEW TOWN WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR 140,000 PEOPLE WITH A FULL RANGE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES INCLUDING SCHOOLS, CLINICS, A PARK, A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, A SPORTS STADIUM AND AN INDOOR-RECREATIONAL CENTRE.
HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TSEUNG KWAN 0 FOR A TOUR OF THE NEW TOWN DESIGNED FOR A POPULATION OF 443,000 WITH FACILITIES SIMILAR TO THOSE IN TIN SHUI WAI. *
APART FROM HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, TSEUNG KWAN O WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR A NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND PORT DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING A DOCKYARD AND DEEP WATERFRONT INDUSTRY.
AFTERWARDS, HE VISITED THE NEARBY YAU YUE WAN RESITE VILLAGE. IT WAS BUILT IN 1988 TO REHOUSE ABOUT 200 VILLAGERS FROM THEIR ORIGINAL LOCATION REQUIRED FOR DEVELOPMENT.
HAVING SEEN THE NEW TOWNS, MR PATTEN PROCEEDED TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS. HE HAD LUNCH WITH CHAIRMEN OF THE AUTHORITY’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE OVERALL PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME BY AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR DEREK MESSLING.
HE SAW THE APPLICATIONS SECTION AND PRIORITY SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
ACCOMPANIED BY SIR DAVID AND MR MESSLING, HE TOURED UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, ONE OF THE EARLIER ESTATES WHICH IS TO BE REPLACED UNDER THE AUTHORITY’S REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. HE VISITED A FAMILY WHICH HAD BEEN LIVING THERE FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.
FROM THERE, HE WENT TO SEE PHASE 7 OF THE NEW WANG TAU HOM ESTATE, WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. HE WAS SHOWN DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLATS WITH BETTER ORGANISED LIVING SPACE IN THE NEW HARMONY BLOCK SERIES.
HE ALSO VISITED TAK TIN ESTATE, ONE OF THE NEWLY BUILT ESTATES FOR REHOUSING TENANTS FROM NEARBY LAM TIN ESTATE, WHICH IS BEING REDEVELOPED.
HE LEARNED ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME FOR REPLACING OLD PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND FOR REHOUSING TENANTS AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT. HE THEN CALLED ON A FAMILY RELOCATED FROM LAM TIN ESTATE.
THE GOVERNOR ENDED HIS VISIT WITH A TOUR OF TAK TIN ESTATE’S SHOPPING CENTRE.
---------0-----------
/3 ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
3
MEETING WITH ZHOU KICKS OFF WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSIONS: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, MR ZHOU NAN, NEXT WEEK WILL BE THE FIRST OF MANY WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSIONS WITH HIM.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.
WHEN ASKED IF THE NEW AIRPORT WAS ON THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING, THE GOVERNOR SAID:
"IT WOULD BE SURPRISING IF THE AIRPORT WASN’T ONE OF THE SUBJECTS THAT WE DISCUSS. BUT WE WON’T BE NEGOTIATING BECAUSE NEGOTIATIONS ARE FOR THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE."
HE SAID HE WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH MR ZHOU ON MATTERS WHICH WERE OF COMMON INTEREST AND COMMON CONCERN TO CHINA AND TO HONG KONG.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE US-HONG KONG ACT 1992, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE DIDN’T THINK IT WAS SURPRISING THAT A COUNTRY WHICH DID SO MUCH TRADE WITH HONG KONG BE INTERESTED IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"I THINK THAT FREE TRADE IS GOOD FOR HONG KONG, GOOD FOR UNITED STATES AND GOOD FOR CHINA. I THINK IT IS GOOD FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.
"WE ALL KNOW THAT THE WORLD EXPECTS TO SEE THE JOINT DECLARATION FULFILLED AND IMPLEMENTED IN EVERY PARTICULAR AND THAT IS OF COURSE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN."
ON WHETHER THE US-HONG KONG ACT WAS AN INTERFERENCE OF CHINA’S INTERNAL AFFAIRS, MR PATTEN SAID: "NO, I DON’T THINK IT IS INTERFERENCE.”
NOTING THAT UNITED STATES IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST INVESTORS IN HONG KONG, HE REITERATED THAT HE DIDN’T THINK IT WAS SURPRISING THAT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN HONG KONG.
"IT DOES A GREAT DEAL OF TRADE WITH HONG KONG AND I WANT TO SEE IT DOING MORE TRADE WITH HONG KONG BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
"WE HAVE MADE OUR VIEWS ON THAT BILL PERFECTLY WELL-KNOWN, MORE TO THE POINT WE HAVE MADE CLEAR AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN THAT WE ARE IN FAVOUR OF UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF MFN STATUS FOR CHINA.
"FREE TRADE, IN MY VIEW, HAS BEEN AND INVARIABLY ALWAYS WILL BE ON THE SIDE OF PROGRESS," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED IF HIS INCREASING POPULARITY AMONG HONG KONG CITIZENS MIGHT RAISE PEOPLE’S EXPECTATION, MR PATTEN SAID HE MADE NO PROMISES THAT HE COULD DELIVER EVERY ASPIRATION OR EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE WANTED.
/"I AM ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
4
”1 AM THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, I AM NOT FATHER CHRISTMAS. WHAT I CAN DO IS TO GO ON BEING AS OPEN WITH PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. WHAT I CAN AND WILL DO IS TO GO ON TELLING PEOPLE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE TRUTH.”
HE SAID WHAT HE WOULD BE DOING WHEN MAKING HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER WAS SETTING OUT WHERE HE THOUGHT HONG KONG SHOULD BE GOING ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MATTERS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
’’AND WHAT I WANT TO DEMONSTRATE TO PEOPLE IS THAT I DO WHAT I
SAY, THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE WHAT’S IMPORTANT," MR PATTEN SAID.
ANY POLITICAL LEADER SHOULD RECOGNISE THAT POLITICS WAS ABOUT A
LONG AGENDA OF VERY DIFFICULT AND TOUGH CHOICES, HE SAID.
"AND YOU CAN’T ALWAYS DO WHAT IS POPULAR IN THE SHORT TERM, WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS RIGHT," HE ADDED.
------0-----------
INSPECTOR APPOINTED UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCE
******
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED ON HIM BY SECTION 143(1) (C) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 32), HAS APPOINTED MR NICHOLAS ALLEN OF COOPERS AND LYBRAND AS INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF ALLIED GROUP LIMITED, ALLIED PROPERTIES (HK) LIMITED, CRUSADER HOLDINGS LIMITED, PARAGON HOLDINGS LIMITED AND WAI YICK LIMITED.
-----0------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR APRIL - JUNE
******
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD APRIL - JUNE 1992 WAS 2.3%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.2%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD MAY - JULY 1992 WAS 2.1%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.2%.
THE LATEST FIGURES SUGGEST THAT THE LABOUR MARKET MAY HAVE TIGHTENED UP AGAIN IN RECENT MONTHS, GIVEN THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS EDGED DOWN FURTHER.
MEANWHILE, THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE HAS REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE.
/DURING THE .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
5
DURING THE PERIOD APRIL - JUNE 1992, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOBSEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 65,800, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 62,000.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUAL GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR APRIL - JUNE 1992 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,700 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,200 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WERE OBTAINED BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 1992 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND SEPTEMBER 21 AT $15.5 A COPY.
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MANAGEMENT OF GOVT TUNNELS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED THE CONTRACTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FOUR GOVERNMENT TUNNELS TO TWO SEPARATE TUNNEL OPERATORS.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE SHING MUN AND TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNELS IS AWARDED TO MACK & COMPANY TUNNEL MANAGEMENT LIMITED WHILE THAT FOR THE LION ROCK AND AIRPORT TUNNELS GOES TO SERCO GUARDIAN (F.M.) LIMITED.
THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACTS WILL START IN JANUARY 1993, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF AIRPORT TUNNEL, ALL THE OTHER THREE TUNNELS ARE TOLL TUNNELS.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL RETAIN FULL CONTROL OVER THE TUNNEL TOLLS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OPERATORS.
/MEANWHILE, THE ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
6
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN HELPING THE 300 TUNNEL STAFF AFFECTED IN SEEKING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO REMAIN WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
AS A RESULT OF SUCH EFFORTS, 160 TUNNEL STAFF HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING RE-DEPLOYED TO OTHER JOBS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
IN ADDITION, 17 STAFF HAVE OPTED TO RETIRE.
AS FOR THE REMAINING STAFF, THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO FINDING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT FOR THEM AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE.
APART FROM OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, A FAIR NUMBER OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO BE EMPLOYED BY THE INCOMING OPERATORS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WORKS ON TSING YI ♦ * * ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WORKS WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 19.4 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE SOUTH COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND TO PROVIDE LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED FOR THE BULK STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND PETROCHEMICALS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF PIERS.
THE WORKS WILL BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN 1995.
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 OCTOBER 13 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AND AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
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/7........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
7 -
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WORKS
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING CONTRACTORS TO SEEK PREQUALIFICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNG CHUNG SECTION OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE 2.6-KILOMETRE FUNG CHUNG SECTION WOULD BE BUILT PARTLY ON HILLSIDE AND PARTLY ON RECLAIMED LAND.
WORKS WILL COMPRISE A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, THE FORMATION OF RESERVES FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND PUBLIC UTILITIES, PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BRIDGES AND THE INSTALLATION OF WATER MAINS AND A TRUNK SEWER.
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED, 12TH FLOOR, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. THE CLOSING DATE IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 11.
DETAILS OF THE TENDERS ARE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO INVITE TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS IN LATE THIS YEAR.
0---------
OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHINA
* * * * *
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, WILL BE VISITING CHINA FROM AUGUST 25 TO SEPTEMBER 2 AT THE INVITATION OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE.
MR CHAU WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY SEVEN OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THIS IS ONE IN A SERIES OF VISITS WHICH STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO FOR GENERAL FAMILIARISATION.
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
8
MA ON SHAN SITE UP FOR SALE * * * * »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN AREA 92, MA ON SHAN, SHA TIN.
AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,500 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR A PETROL-FILLING STATION INCLUDING LUBRICATING AND CAR WASHING FACILITIES BUT EXCLUDING VEHICLE REPAIR WORKSHOPS AND SERVICING FACILITIES.
THE STATION SHOULD BE COMPLETED FOR OPERATION BY DECEMBER 31, 1994.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 11.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES 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 THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO , NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
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STUDENTS ADVISED ON CHOOSING COURSE ENROLMENT
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TODAY (FRIDAY) ARE ADVISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN THEY ARE SEEKING ENROLMENT IN VARIOUS COURSES INCLUDING THOSE LEADING TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT SOME INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SUCH COURSES MAY ACTUALLY BE UNREGISTERED ESTABLISHMENTS.
STUDENTS SHOULD IN THE FIRST INSTANCE MAKE ENQUIRIES AT THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES OR THE REGISTRATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT THE INSTITUTION OF THEIR CHOICE WAS REGISTERED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MOST OF THE COURSES ARE AIMED AT SECONDARY 5 STUDENTS WHO WERE UNSATISFIED WITH THEIR RESULTS IN THIS YEAR’S HKCEE.
THE COURSES ARE ADVERTISED TO BE TAILORED TO THEIR NEEDS TO SECURE GOOD GRADES IN SUCH SUBJECTS AS ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS.
COMMERCIAL AND COMPUTER COURSES ARE ALSO POPULAR SUBJECTS ADVERTISED BY SUCH INSTITUTIONS.
/AN EDUCATIONAL .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
9
AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION THAT IS PROPERLY REGISTERED SHOULD BE ABLE, ON REQUEST, TO PRODUCE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:
(1) A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OR ADDRESSES OF THE INSTITUTION; AND
(2) A FEES CERTIFICATE DETAILING THE APPROVED COURSES WITH THEIR SCALE OF CHARGES.
ANYONE WHO IS IN DOUBT OF THE REGISTRATION STATUS OF AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION SHOULD APPROACH THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
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AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT NGAU CHI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT NGAU CHI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (NO. S/K12/3).
ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS IS THE REZONING OF A SITE IN NGAU CHI
WAN NORTH VILLAGE FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT", WHICH IS MADE UNDER SECTION 6(7) OF THE TOWN
PLANNING ORDINANCE.
AMENDMENTS MADE UNDER SECTION 7 OF THE ORDINANCE INCLUDE THE
REZONING OF A SITE AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD FROM "OPEN SPACE" TO
"GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" AND THE RENAMING OF A SITE AT PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD FROM "CEMETERY" TO "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "CEMETERY".
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE NOTES OF THE PLAN HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE.
DETAILS CAN NOW BE INSPECTED AT:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KOWLOON; AND
» KOWLOON DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 28 AND SEPTEMBER 4 FOR AMENDMENT MADE UNDER SECTION 6(7) AND THOSE MADE UNDER SECTION 7 RESPECTIVELY.
/THE OBJECTIONS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
10
THE OBJECTIONS SHOULD SET OUT THE NATURE OF AND REASONS FOR THE OBJECTION; AND IF THE OBJECTION WOULD BE REMOVED BY AN ALTERATION OF THE DRAFT PLAN, ANY ALTERATION PROPOSED.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN (PLAN NO. S/K12/4) ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR AT THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
NEW FIREMEN SPURRED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, URGED FRESH GRADUATES OF THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL TO DO THEIR UTMOST TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND TO ENHANCE THE REPUTATION OF THEIR DEPARTMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE 95TH PASSING-OUT PARADE THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING, MR SUEN TOLD THE FIREMEN THAT THEY HAD TO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF THE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS IN SERVING HONG KONG AND ITS COMMUNITY.
"HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY HAS CREATED A UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT WITH CROWDED HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS AND MULTI-PURPOSE COMPLEXES IN THE MAIN URBAN CENTRE.
"ON THE FRINGES, WE FIND CONGESTED SQUATTER ACCOMMODATIONS AND A FLOATING POPULATION IN OUR TYPHOON SHELTERS."
ALL THESE, HE SAID, TRANSLATE IN FIRE SAFETY TERMS TO CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTIES FOR FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE WORK.
HE ALSO TOLD THE NEW RECRUITS THAT THEY HAD A FINE TRADITION AND A HIGH REPUTATION TO UPHOLD.
"THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICE IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD. THE HIGH REPUTATION IT ENJOYS WORLDWIDE HAS BEEN EARNED BY THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF MEMBERS OF ALL RANKS IN THE FIRE SERVICE, PAST AND PRESENT, OVER MANY YEARS," HE SAID.
AT THE END OF THE PARADE, MR SUEN PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AWARDS TO STATION OFFICER LEE KOON-YAU AND FIREMAN CHONG SZE-HON FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES DURING TRAINING.
THE PASSING-OUT SQUADS COMPRISED 13 STATION OFFICERS AND 34 FIREMEN.
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/Il
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
- 11
TIN SHUT WAI TO GET MORE WELFARE FACILITIES * * * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES IN AREA 24, TIN SHUI WAI, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY NURSERY, AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE OCCUPYING A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 1,500 SQUARE METRES.
EXTERNAL WORKS SUCH AS ERECTION OF BOUNDARY FENCE WALL, PLANTERS AND EXTERNAL PAVINGS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT.
UPON COMPLETION, THE BUILDING WILL PROVIDE DIVERSIFIED FACILITIES SUCH AS READING ROOM, MUSIC ROOM, DARK ROOM, STORES, GAMES ROOMS, GROUP ACTIVITIES ROOMS, KITCHEN, DOMESTIC SCIENCE ROOM, TOILETS AND REST AREAS.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MID-NOVEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON SEPTEMBER 4.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
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LANGUAGE LEARNING STRESSED
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MR DOMINIC S W WONG TODAY (FRIDAY) APPEALED TO SCHOOLS TO ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO TEACHING BASIC GRAMMAR, PRONUNCIATION AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE.
LANGUAGE LEARNING, MR WONG SAID, REQUIRED PATIENCE AND REGULAR PRACTICE.
IN LAUNCHING THE "ONE MINUTE OF ENGLISH" PROGRAMME PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK), HE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD APPROACH PUBLISHERS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PUBLISH MORE TEXTBOOKS OR REFERENCE MATERIAL TO HELP DEVELOP THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS.
HE NOTED THAT OWNING TO THE EVOLUTION OF AUDIO-VISUAL TECHNIQUES IN THE 90S, MANY PEOPLE HAD SWITCHED FROM READING TO WATCHING TELEVISION OR MOVIES.
"SOME EDUCATIONISTS ATTRIBUTED THIS CHANGE IN HABIT AS ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS LEADING TO A DECLINE IN LANGUAGE STANDARD," HE SAID.
/"MANY EMPLOYERS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
- 12 -
"MANY EMPLOYERS ALSO FEEL THAT THE LANGUAGE STANDARD OF THEIR STAFF IS RELATIVELY LOW AND WORRY THAT THIS MAY AFFECT THE TERRITORY’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT," HE CONTINUED.
MR WONG PRAISED THE RTHK FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME AND THANKED THE HANG SENG BANK FOR ITS SPONSORSHIP.
HE ADDED THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE ONE-MINUTE PROGRAMME WOULD BE POPULAR AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
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SCHOOL SPONSORS PRAISED
* * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH, PRAISED NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN PROVIDING DIVERSIFIED EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THIS DURING A COURTESY VISIT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE YAN 01 TONG THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THE IMPORTANCE OF CLOSE COMMUNICATION AND CO-OPERATION WITH SPONSORING BODIES WHICH HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE PROVISION OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY THE NEW TERRITORIES," HE SAID.
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FUNDING SOUGHT FOR TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION * * * * *
THE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE (TC) OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC) HAS RECOMMENDED TO EXPLORE OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING SUPPORT, OTHER THAN THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, TO FUND THE SETTING UP OF DESK-TOP-MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION FACILITIES.
SPEAKING TO THE PRESS AFTER THE TC MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TC, DR RAYMOND HO, SAID OPERATING THE DEMONSTRATION FACILITIES ON A FEE-CHARGING BASIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THE DAYS.
DR HO SAID THE TC HAD BEEN EXAMINING THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT ON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION STUDY IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND HAD NOW COME UP WITH ITS OWN RECOMMENDATIONS.
HE SAID IN STUDYING THE REPORT, THE TC HAD ALSO SOUGHT COMMENTS FROM THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS.
/DR HO .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
- 13 -
DR HO SAID THE TC SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE THE CONSULTANTS’ PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP AN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION TASK FORCE TO HELP MANUFACTURERS TO GO AUTOMATION.
IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WOULD, HOWEVER, HAVE TO BE DRAWN UP BY THE TC IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CONSULTANTS.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT VIDEOTAPES ON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SHOULD BE PRODUCED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO MANUFACTURERS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
IF FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT, THE POSSIBILITY OF EITHER PRODUCING TELEVISION PROGRAMMES OR EDITING MATERIALS CONTAINED IN THE PROPOSED VIDEOTAPES INTO SUCH PROGRAMMES FOR BROADCAST SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AT A LATER STAGE, HE ADDED.
ON SOURCING OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, DR HO SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT WHILE IT MIGHT NOT BE NECESSARY FOR TECHNOLOGY ATTACHES TO BE POSTED TO GOVERNMENT OFFICES OVERSEAS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER STRENGTHENING THE TECHNOLOGICAL WORK OF ITS OVERSEAS OFFICES IF SUCH NEED AROSE IN THE FUTURE.
"THE NEED FOR ESTABLISHING SECTOR-SPECIFIC COMMITTEES ON AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES UNDER THE ITDC SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN A YEAR’S TIME," HE ADDED.
DR HO POINTED OUT THAT SINCE SOME OF THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS HAD, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, BEEN ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED BY EXISTING POLICIES OR MEASURES, THE TC WAS THEREFORE OF THE VIEW THAT NO FURTHER ACTION WOULD BE NECESSARY.
HE SAID THE TC CONSIDERED THAT THE 12 MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSULTANTS IN THE REPORT WERE USEFUL IN THAT THEY HAD PROVIDED A BASIS FOR THE COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE ITS OWN RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ITDC AT A LATER STAGE.
"ALTHOUGH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN TOTALLY ACCEPTED BY THE TC, THIS SHALL NOT BE TAKEN AS A REFLECTION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF 'THE CONSULTANTS IN THE STUDY OR THE QUALITY OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS," HE NOTED.
THE TC WOULD SUBMIT ITS VIEWS ON THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT AND ITS OWN RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ITDC LATER THIS YEAR.
AFTER CONSIDERING THE VIEWS OF THE TC, THE ITDC WOULD THEN ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS TO TAKE TO ENHANCE INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION IN HONG KONG.
/14........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1992
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,900
REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT -400 1,500 NIL +1,270 2,770
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 109.7 »-0.2» 14. EXCHANGE FUND 8.92
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.48 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.57 3.35
1 MONTH 2.40 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.75 3.64
3 MONTHS 2.39 PCT 21 MONTHS 6 MONTHS 2.55 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.08 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7 2405 5.50 ,884 MN 102.74 3.90
CLOSED 14 AUGUST 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT OPENING CEREMONY OF JUNIOR MEN'S SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS ........................................................ 1
RESERVOIR FISHING SEASON TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH ........................ 2
SPECIAL ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS .............. 3
40 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SOLD ............................ 4
TENDERS CALLED FOR TWO PUBLIC WORK PROJECTS ......................... 5
YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO STAGE CONCERT..................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 6
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1992
1
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT OPENING CEREMONY OF JUNIOR MEN’S SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS *****
THE FOLLOWING IS FULL TEXT OF A SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FUJIFILM WOR ,D JUNIOR MEN’S SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS 1992 THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY IN OPENING THIS CHAMPIONSHIPS TO WELCOME, ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG SQUASH RACKETS ASSOCIATION AND ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THOSE WHO COME FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD TO TAKE PART IN THIS CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH US. WE OFFER THEM ALL OUR HOSPITALITY AND WE ARE SURE THAT, AS WELL AS ENJOYING THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, YOU ENJOY THE DAYS THAT YOU SPEND WITH US IN HONG KONG AS WELL.
I HAVE TO CONFESS AT THE OUTSET THAT I HAVEN’T PLAYED SQUASH SINCE I WAS AT UNIVERSITY AND THEN I WAS A PRETTY INADEQUATE PLAYER. I NEVER HAD THAT BRUTAL DRIVE WHICH I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN TO BE ESSENTIAL TO PLAY SQUASH REALLY WELL. I KNOW THAT SQUASH, LIKE ALL GREAT GAMES, IS MORE THAN JUST A SPORT. SOME OF YOU MAY RECALL THE WORDS OF THE LATE BILL SHANKLEY, THE MANAGER OF LIVERPOOL FOOTBAL , CLUB, WHO ONCE SAID THAT FOOTBALL ISN’T A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, IT’S MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT. AND FROM MY EXPERIENCE, THOSE OF MY FRIENDS WHO STILL PLAY SQUASH WELL INTO MIDDLE LIFE AND BEYOND FEEL ABOUT IT AS BILL SHANKLEY FELT ABOUT FOOTBALL.
CERTAINLY IT’S A GAME WHICH HAS MANY SUPPORTERS, ENTHUSIASTIC PLAYERS HERE IN HONG KONG. WE’VE BEEN PLAYING SQUASH FOR WELL OVER A HUNDRED YEARS AND TODAY I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE 600 SQUASH COURTS, 3,000 OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG SQUASH RACKETS ASSOCIATION AND ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE WHO IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, PERHAPS SOME ALMOST AS BADLY AS ME, PLAY SQUASH THEMSELVES. SO WE ARE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SQUASH AND THAT IS WHY I AM SURE IT’S WHOLLY APPROPRIATE THAT WE ABOUT SQUASH AND THAT IS WHY I AM SURE IT’S WHOLLY APPROPRIATE THAT WE SHOULD BE THE VENUE FOR THIS IMPORTANT CHAMPIONSHIPS.
I TOO WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE TO HOLD THIS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HONG KONG. I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN MR MURRAY IN THANKING THOSE WHO’VE WORKED SO HARD TO ORGANISE THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. I KNOW HOW MUCH EFFORT HAS BEEN INVOLVED. AND OF COURSE I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERLINE THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THOSE WHO IN VARIOUS WAYS HAVE SPONSORED THIS - THE FUJIFILM, WHO HAVE GIVEN US THEIR COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP, THEIR PRIVATE PATRONAGE WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO THIS CHAMPIONSHIPS; THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD; AND OF COURSE THE URBAN COUNCIL WHO DO MUCH TO IMPROVE AND RAISE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SO TO ALL OF THEM I SAY A VERY WARM THANK YOU.
BUT ABOVE ALL I SAY TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE TAKING PART IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, OR WATCHING THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, THAT WE HOPE YOU’LL HAV! A VERY ENJOYABLE FEW DAYS, WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY YOURSELF SO MUCH THAT YOU’LL COME BACK TO HONG KONG MANY TIMES IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN DEED.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1992
- 2
RESERVOIR FISHING SEASON TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH * * * * * *
ANGLERS WISHING TO INDULGE THEIR PASTIME IN LOCAL RESERVOIRS DURING THE COMING FISHING SEASON MAY APPLY FOR A LICENCE FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, STARTING AUGUST 17 (MONDAY).
THE NEXT FISHING SEASON IN RESERVOIRS WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 1.
THOSE WHO WISH TO APPLY CAN CALL AT THE CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 44TH FLOOR OF WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
APPLICATIONS CAN ALSO BE MADE AT THE GROUND FLOOR OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S MAINLAND DEPOT AT THE JUNCTION OF SAI YEE STREET AND ARGYLE STREET IN MONG KONG, CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRES ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 21 ON WAH STREET AND ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS IN PO MAN STREET, SHAU KEI WAN.
APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND PAY A LICENCE FEE OF $20. A LICENCE WOULD NORMALLY BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY UPON SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION.
APPLICATIONS CAN ALSO BE MADE BY POST TO THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT WANCHAI TOWER II, GIVING THE APPLICANT’S NAME, ADDRESS, PHOTOCOPY OF HIS IDENTITY CARD, TOGETHER WITH A CROSSED CHEQUE FOR $20 MADE PAYABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
A LICENCE WILL THEN BE SENT TO THE APPLICANT BY ORDINARY MAIL. A LICENCE WILL NOT BE ISSUED TO PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 13.
ANGLERS HAVE TO OBSERVE CERTAIN RULES WHILE FISHING IN RESERVOIRS. THEY SHOULD NOT USE A NET OR OTHER EQUIPMENT AS ONLY ROD AND LINE IS ALLOWED.
EXPLOSIVES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES ARE PROHIBITED. THE USE OF A BOAT, DINGHY OR RAFT FOR FISHING IS ALSO BANNED.
AN ANGLERS’S DAILY CATCH SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN TWO BLACK BASS (360 MM OR OVER IN LENGTH), TWO SNAKEHEAD (300 MM OR OVER) AND TWO TILAPIA (180 MM OR OVER).
THESE AND OTHER RULES ARE PRINTED ON THE BACK OF THE LICENCE.
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1992
3
SPECIAL 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 WEEK OR SO FOR FISHERMEN TO HAVE THEIR DOGS IMMUNISED AGAINST RABIES.
THE DRIVE, A REGULAR EXERCISE SINCE 1980, IS INTENDED TO HELP FISHERMEN WHO HAVE LITTLE TIME TO TAKE THEIR DOGS TO AN INOCULATION CENTRE OR A GOVERNMENT KENNEL FOR INOCULATION.
STARTING FROM MONDAY (AUGUST 17), THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE DOG INOCULATION TEAMS WILL GO TO THE TERRITORY’S SEVEN FISHING PORTS ONE AFTER THE OTHER AND MAKE BOAT-TO-BOAT VISITS BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM DAILY.
THE WHOLE OPERATION IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR SEVEN WORKING DAYS UNTIL AUGUST 25.
THEY WILL VISIT THE FISHING PORTS IN SHA TAU KOK ON AUGUST 17; SHAU KEI WAN ON AUGUST 17 AND 18; SAM MUN CHAI ON AUGUST 18 AND 19; CHEUNG CHAU ON AUGUST 19 AND 20; CASTLE PEAK BAY ON AUGUST 20 AND 21; SAI KUNG ON AUGUST 20 AND 21; AND ABERDEEN ON AUGUST 24 AND 25.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR K K LIU, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE DRIVE WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE OUTBREAK OF RABIES IN HONG KONG.
"THE TERRITORY REGAINED THE RABIES-FREE AREA STATUS ON JULY 10, 1989 BY HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PREVENTED THE OUTBREAK OF ANY INDIGENOUS RABIES CASE SINCE JULY 10, 1987," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, HE STRESSED THAT RABIES WAS A DEADLY DISEASE TRANSMISSIBLE FROM ANIMALS TO HUMAN.
DOGS ON FISHING VESSELS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR POSSIBLE CONTACTS 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 LIU ADDED.
HE CALLED ON FISHERMEN WHO OWN DOGS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SPECIAL INOCULATION SERVICE.
"THE DRIVE WAS LAUNCHED IN 1980, SINCE THEN A TOTAL OF 4,521 DOGS OWNED BY FISHERMEN HAVE BEEN INOCULATED," HE NOTED.
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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/4 ........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15,
1992
4
40 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SOLD ******
FORTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE SOLD IN AN AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,705,800.
THE SUM WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE AUCTION.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK FA11 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $240,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK FA2 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $210,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 FOR EW8348.
FOLLOWING ARE RESULTS OF THE AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EX667 15,000 EX3282 21,000 EX388 82,000 EX8900 6,000
EX973 7,000 *CC600 130,000 *FA11 240,000 AY1673 11,000
EW8348 1,000 EX911 40,000 EX605 5,000 EXI 112 11,000
*FA57 41,000 AA8119 26,000 CF314 9,000 ♦AV7878 72,000
EX6008 8,000 *FA2 210,000 ♦ CS69 136,000 EW911 40,000
AL5020 8,000 EX1668 61,000 EX3219 4,000 EX1033 5,000
EX199 16,800 EX3288 38,000 EX880 40,000 EX9005 5,000
*BC20 121,000 *FB828 80,000 *FA86 88,000 *DA929 23,000
EX2336 5,000 EX899 32,000 EX7301 2,000 EX6188 6,000
EW8266 4,000 EX936 13,000 XX791 31,000 EX662 12,000
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 178TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $143,404,905.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1992
- 5 -
TENDERS CALLED FOR TWO PUBLIC WORK PROJECTS
*****
IMPROVEMENT WORKS WILL SOON BE CARRIED OUT TO THE TO KWA WAN MARKET AT THE JUNCTION OF MA TAU WAI ROAD AND LOK SHAN ROAD TO ENHANCE CIRCULATION.
DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE MARKET WILL BE MORE COMMODIOUS AND ACCESSIBLE AFTER A RE-ARRANGEMENT OF LAYOUT AND THE OPENING OF AN ADDITIONAL ENTRANCE.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE WORKS, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 158 WET FOODSTUFF STALLS, 30 DRY FOODSTUFF STALLS, 30 FISH STALLS AND NINE MEAT STALLS, WHILE THE EXISTING EIGHT COOKED FOOD STALLS WILL BE AIR-CONDITIONED.
WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A MARKET ECONOMIC AIR TREATMENT SYSTEM, THE INDOOR TEMPERATURE OF THE MARKET WILL BE LOWERED AND VENTILATION IMPROVED.
IMPROVEMENT WORKS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE RECREATION AREAS AND CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND OUTSIDE THE MARKET AND THE BASKETBALL COURT ON THE ROOF.
THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR BID BEFORE NOON ON SEPTEMBER 4.
MEANWHILE, THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF AN ELECTRONIC SCOREBOARD SYSTEM FOR THE TAT PO SPORTS COMPLEX.
THE SYSTEM WILL COMPRISE A DISPLAY BOARD, AN ANALOGUE REAL TIME CLOCK, A 45-MINUTE SOCCER CLOCK AND A DOTS-COLOURED DISPLAY MATRIX.
IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISPLAY BOTH CHINESE CHARACTERS AND ENGLISH LETTERS, SOCCER SCORES, TIMING AND SCORES FOR TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS AND ALSO PERMIT SIMPLE ANIMATION AND GRAPHIC DISPLAY FOR PRESENTING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADVERTISEMENTS.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WILL CLOSE AT NOON, SEPTEMBER 11.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1992
- 6 -
YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO STAGE CONCERT * * * ♦
THE 75-MEMBER HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL STAGE AN ’’ENCHANTING SYMPHONIC MUSIC” CONCERT ON SEPTEMBER 13 (SUNDAY) AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE THEATRE.
JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM.
UNDER THE BATON OF ITS CONDUCTOR, MR FUNG WING-KIT, THE ORCHESTRA WILL PLAY TWO CLASSICAL PIECES: BEETHOVEN’S ’’SYMPHONY NO. 1 IN C MAJOR, OP. 21” AND SCHUBERT’S ’’SYMPHONY NO. 7 IN C MAJOR”.
OVER THE YEARS, THE ORCHESTRA HAS HELD REGULAR CONCERTS IN HONG KONG AND HAS PERFORMED OVERSEAS IN AUSTRALIA, CYPRUS, FRANCE, ISRAEL, UNITED KINGDOM AS WELL AS IN CHINA AND MACAU, WITH INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED MUSICIANS AND CONDUCTORS INCLUDING FOU TS’ONG, EDEN AND TAMIR, SHALOM RONLY-RIKLIS, GEORG TINTNER, SIR DAVID WILLCORKS, KENNETH TEAN AND WING-SEI YIP.
OTHER PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED A JOINT CONCERT WITH THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA ON THE 1987/88 SEASON, PRESENTATION BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN ITS ’’PLATFORM FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS SERIES” IN 1987 AND TWO PERFORMANCES AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN 1988.
TICKETS AT $20 AND $30 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 802 0657.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,770
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,000
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,770 *
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,770
♦ LAF TO BE REVERSED ON 17.8.92 -270 MN
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER ----------------------------------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CALL TO MAKE USE OF OCCASIONAL CHILD-CARE SERVICE ..................... 1
HK TO TAKE PART IN STAMP EXHIBITION ................................... 1
SMO BOOKLET FOR GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM USERS ....................... 3
REMINDER ON FLOATING HOLIDAY FOR EMPLOYEES ............................ 4
SECONDARY 6 VACANCIES ................................................. 4
MORE TEACHING FACILITIES FOR SEA SCHOOL ............................... 5
WEATHER OF JULY ....................................................... 5
SALT WATER CUTS IN YAU TONG, HO MAN TIN ............................... 9
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
1
CALL TO MAKE USE OF OCCASIONAL CHILD-CARE SERVICE *****
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED PARENTS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OCCASIONAL CHILD-CARE SERVICE, INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
"THE SERVICE IS BEING PROVIDED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN 53 DAY NURSERIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, WITH A VIEW TO REMOVING THE RISK OF HAVING CHILDREN LEFT ALONE AT HOME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN, THEY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME, EVEN FOR A SHORT WHILE, HE ADDED.
"A FLEXIBLE MODE OF FEE CHARGING HAS ALSO BEEN ADOPTED FOR PARENTS WHO NEED THE SERVICE FOR A SHORT SPAN OF TIME," HE SAID.
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE NURSERIES OFFER SHORT-TERM TEMPORARY CARE ON A TWO-HOUR OR QUARTER-DAY BASIS, CHARGING FEES IN THE RANGE OF $10 TO $15 PER ADMISSION.
CHARGES AT PRESENT ARE AT A RATE OF $25 FOR HALF-DAY AND $50 FOR FULL-DAY CARE.
THE UTILISATION RATE OF THE SERVICE HAS BEEN RISING STEADILY, HE NOTED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SERVICE MAY CALL THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD-CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ON 836 3114.
"PARENTS HAVING ANY CHILD-CARE PROBLEMS COULD ALSO SEEK HELP FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S 30 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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HK TO TAKE PART IN STAMP EXHIBITION ******
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MRS DORIS HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WOULD PARTICIPATE IN SINGPEX ’92, AN INTERNATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN SINGAPORE FROM AUGUST 21 TO 23.
TO COMMEMORATE THE POST OFFICE’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EXHIBITION, A GOLD BLOCKED SOUVENIR COVER WILL BE ISSUED ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 21).
/SOUVENIR COVERS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
2
SOUVENIR COVERS AT $1 EACH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE FOLLOWING SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES FROM FRIDAY:
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
EACH CUSTOMER QUEUING UP EACH TIME WILL BE ENTITLED TO ONLY 10 COVERS ON THE DAY OF ISSUE.
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES ON THE DAY FOR OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING AN INDICATION OF THE STAMP EXHIBITION.
A SPECIAL DATESTAMP AND A CACHET WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE PURPOSE.
MRS HO ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE WOULD NO LONGER BE DESIGNATED AS A PHILATELIC POST OFFICE WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 21.
THIS DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT EXPERIENCE WHEN LARGE CROWDS GATHERED AROUND THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE TO BUY PHILATELIC PRODUCTS, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE OBSTRUCTION TO DEPARTING PASSENGERS.
TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO AIRPORT OPERATIONS, NEW STAMPS AND ASSOCIATED PHILATELIC PRODUCTS WILL NO LONGER BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE AIRORT POST OFFICE FROM AUGUST 21.
THE PICTORIAL DATESTAMP WHICH WAS SPECIALLY INTRODUCED FOR THE PHILATELIC COUNTER THERE WILL ALSO BE WITHDRAWN FROM USE ON THE SAME DAY.
COLLECTORS WISHING TO OBTAIN THE LAST-DAY IMPRESSION OF THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE PICTORIAL POSTMARK ARE ADVISED TO PLACE THEIR ITEMS, WHICH SHOULD BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED, IN THE SPECIAL POSTING BOX AT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE PHILATELIC COUNTER ON AUGUST 20.
NO HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED.
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
3
SMO BOOKLET FOR GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM USERS *****
LOCAL USERS OF GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) CAN NOW RESORT TO A COMPREHENSIVE BOOKLET PRODUCED BY THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE (SMO) OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TO CONVERT THE DATA OBTAINED INTO A FORM COMPATIBLE WITH SMO MAPS.
TALKING ABOUT THE ADOPTION OF GPS, A SPOKESMAN FOR SMO SAID APART FROM HIS OFFICE, ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN LARGE-SCALE CIVIL AND HYDROGRAPHIC ENGINEERING PROJECTS WERE ALSO LIKELY TO ACQUIRE AND UTILISE THE SYSTEM.
"IT IS EXPECTED TO GAIN MORE POPULARITY AS THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS START," HE SAID.
GPS IS AN EQUIPMENT FOR LOCATING ONE’S POSITION ON EARTH BY PICKING UP ON GROUND SIGNALS EMITTED FROM SEVERAL ORBITING SATELLITES AND PROCESSING THE DATA INTO A LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE REFERENCE.
"THE POSITIONING SYSTEM EMPLOYS A REFERENCE SPHEROID CALLED WGS 84 AS DATUM FOR LOCATING POSITION IN LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES.
"BUT WE IN HONG KONG ARE USING THE INTERNATIONAL SPHEROID, WHICH IS FOUND TO BE ACCURATE AND SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO SERVE THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCING LARGE-SCALE LOCAL MAPS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT GPS WAS A SPEEDY AND EASY INSTRUMENT ADOPTED WORLDWIDE IN SURVEYING, MAPPING, ENGINEERING AND GENERAL POSITION FIXING.
"IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO FIND A MEANS TO CONVERT THE CO-ORDINATES OF POINTS FROM WGS 84 TO A SET OF SURVEY DATUM COMPATIBLE WITH THAT CURRENTLY IN USE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
WITH THIS MISSION, A FIELD SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A SET OF TRANSFORMATION PARAMETERS FOR THE TWO SETS OF SURVEY DATA.
THOSE PARAMETERS, TOGETHER WITH THE FORMULAE USED, ARE CONTAINED IN A BOOKLET RECENTLY PRODUCED BY THE SMO.
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET, AT $50 EACH, ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
4
REMINDER ON FLOATING HOLIDAY FOR EMPLOYEES
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THIS YEAR’S SECOND STATUTORY HOLIDAY FALLS ON AUGUST 31, THE LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL EMPLOYEES SHALL BE GRANTED THEIR SECOND FLOATING HOLIDAY ON THIS DATE IF THE EMPLOYER HAS NOT ALREADY FIXED A DATE FOR THAT HOLIDAY OR IF THE EMPLOYEE HAS NOT REQUESTED IT TO BE ADDED TO HIS PAID ANNUAL LfiAVE.
IN ADDITION, AN EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO BE PAID FOR THAT HOLIDAY IF HE HAS WORKED FOR HIS EMPLOYER CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COSTS OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, THE HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD OF 28 TO 31 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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SECONDARY 6 VACANCIES
******
STUDENTS WITH MINIMUM ADVANCED LEVEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY FOR SECONDARY 6 PLACES IN OTHER SCHOOLS, INCLUDING PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND BOUGHT PLACES SCHOOLS, BEFORE 3.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) WHEN THE NEW ADMISSION PROCEDURE WILL ENTER ITS FOURTH STAGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THERE ARE STILL 1,986 VACANT SECONDARY 6 PLACES.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED STUDENTS THAT TOMORROW FROM 9 AM ON A LIST OF SCHOOLS STILL WITH VACANCIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES.
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/5.........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
MORE TEACHING FACILITIES FOR SEA SCHOOL ******
TEACHING FACILITIES IN THE HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL, WHICH PROVIDES A DIVERSIFIED AND PRACTICAL EDUCATION, WILL BE EXPANDED WITH A GENEROUS DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE CLUB HAD ALLOCATED A GRANT OF $1.57 MILLION TO THE SCHOOL TO PROVIDE FOR FIVE SPECIAL ROOMS TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A MODIFIED CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THIS WILL PROVIDE THE SCHOOL WITH A METAL-WORK WORKSHOP, AN ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING WORKSHOP, A MUSIC ROOM, AN ART AND DESIGN ROOM AND A COMPLEMENTARY STUDIES ROOM.
THE GRANT WILL ALSO COVER COSTS FOR PROVIDING THE NECESSARY FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND COMPUTERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SCHOOL, AT STANLEY, FORMERLY SERVED AS A JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED STUDENTS PROVIDING GENERAL EDUCATION, SEAMANSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP TRAINING FOR BOYS.
IN SEPTEMBER 1990, THE SCHOOL INTRODUCED A MODIFIED CURRICULUM OFFERING A MORE DIVERSIFIED AND PRACTICAL ORIENTATED SUBJECTS AND THE GRANT FROM THE JOCKEY CLUB WILL HELP THE SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW CURRICULUM.
THE SCHOOL IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS.
THE OLD SECTION CONTINUES TO ADOPT THE EXISTING SEAMANSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMMES LEADING STUDENTS TO SEAMANSHIP PROFESSION, WHILE THE NEW SECTION WILL ADOPT THE MODIFIED CURRICULUM LEADING STUDENTS TO POST-JUNIOR SECONDARY COURSES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES, SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS/INSTITUTES OR EMPLOYMENT.
EVENTUALLY, THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 450 PLACES WITH BOARDING FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS AGED 12 TO 15.
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WEATHER OF JULY
*****
WITH A MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 358.1 MILLIMETRES, JULY WAS THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH THIS YEAR WITH ABOVE-AVERAGE PRECIPITATION.
ALTHOUGH THIS MONTHLY FIGURE WAS ONLY 11 PER CENT ABOVE THE MEAN FOR JULY, THE TOTAL AMOUNT SINCE JANUARY 1, WAS A RECORD HIGH OF 2,410.6 MILLIMETRES.
/THIS WAS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
6
THIS WAS 83 PER CENT ABOVE THE JANUARY-JULY NORMAL OF 1,316 MILLIMETRES AND ALREADY ABOUT 200 MILLIMETRES MORE THAN THE ANNUAL MEAN OF 2,214.3 MILLIMETRES.
WHILE THE JULY RAIN WAS PERHAPS SOMEWHAT OVERSHADOWED BY RAIN EPISODES IN PREVIOUS MONTHS, THE WINDY WEATHER CERTAINLY CAPTURED THE HEADLINES DURING THE MONTH.
ACTIVE SOUTHWEST MONSOON BLEW FOR NEARLY A WEEK IN EARLY JULY AND WAS FOLLOWED BY THE SUCCESSIVE PASSAGES OF THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES, ONE OF WHICH PROMPTED THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 GALE OR STORM SIGNAL ON JULY 22.
MOST OF THE MONTH’S RAINFALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE WEATHER SYSTEMS, THE HEAVIEST OF WHICH WAS BROUGHT BY TROPICAL STORM FAYE ON JULY 18 WHICH BOASTED THE NINTH HIGHEST JULY DAILY RAINFALL OF 177.7 MILLIMETRES.
THE RED AND BLACK RAINSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED THAT DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE SYSTEM IN JUNE.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE DAYS WITH HEAVY RAIN, THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE REMAINED A DOMINANT FEATURE IN THE MONTH.
FINE CONDITIONS WERE SOON RESTORED AFTER EACH STORMY INTERLUDE AND THERE WAS A SPELL OF SUNNY WEATHER IN LATE JULY.
AS A RESULT, THE MONTHLY MEAN PRESSURE OF 1,007.9 HECTOPASCALS TURNED OUT TO BE THE THIRD HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JULY.
THE FIRST DAY IN THE MONTH WAS FINE AND WARM.
BUT OVER THE NEXT SIX DAYS, THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON INCREASED IN STRENGTH PROGRESSIVELY AND WINDS WERE RATHER GUSTY AT TIMES. SHOWERS, OCCURRING MAINLY IN THE MORNINGS, REMAINED LIGHT AND BRIEF.
THE WEATHER TURNED CLOUDIER ON JULY 4 AND WINDS BECAME OCCASIONALLY STRONG OFFSHORE THE NEXT DAY AS A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE FORMED OVER SOUTHERN CHINA.
AS THE TROUGH MOVED SOUTHWARDS ACROSS GUANGDONG, THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON BECAME MORE ACTIVE AND WINDS BECAME GENERALLY STRONG ON JULY 6.
THE WEATHER DETERIORATED WITH AN INTENSE OUTBREAK OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT EVENING. TEMPERATURES AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DROPPED BY MORE THAN FOUR DEGREES IN AN HOUR AS THE RAIN SET IN.
THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH, 23.4 DEGREES, WAS RECORDED ON JULY 7. FRESH TO STRONG MONSOON WINDS PREVAILED UNTIL THE TROUGH CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST THAT DAY.
WINDS THEN TURNED NORTHERLY AND SUBSIDED RAPIDLY IN STRENGTH ON THE EVENING OF JULY 7.
HOWEVER, THE WEATHER STAYED CLOUDY WITH INTERMITTENT RAIN ON JULY 8 AS THE TROUGH LINGERED OVER THE COASTAL WATERS BEFORE GRADUALLY DISSIPATING.
/IN HONG .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
7
IN HONG KONG, SOME DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY THE BLUSTERY WINDS ON JULY 6 AND 7 AS EVIDENCED BY TOPPLED TREES AND LAMP POSTS AS WELL AS COLLAPSED SCAFFOLDINGS AND SIGNBOARDS.
SUNNY PERIODS EMERGED ON JULY 9 AND APART FROM SOME BRIEF THUNDERY SHOWERS IN THE EARLY HOURS OF JULY 10, THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY FINE.
THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES THEN TRAVERSED THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN QUICK SUCCESSION OVER THE NEXT 12 DAYS.
TYPHOON ELI SWEPT ACROSS CENTRAL LUZON ON JULY 11 AND LANDED ON HAINAN ISLAND A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. THE OUTER RAINBANDS OF ELI BROUGHT SOME SQUALLY SHOWERS TO HONG KONG ON JULY 12 AND 13.
HOWEVER, THE OVERALL RAINFALL AMOUNT WAS NO MORE THAN 40 MILLIMETRES AND THERE WERE EVEN LONG PERIODS OF SUNSHINE DURING THE DAYS. EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED LATE ON JULY 12 AND WERE STRONG FOR MOST PART OF JULY 13 BEFORE GRADUALLY SUBSIDING DURING THE NIGHT.
FAYE DEVELOPED INTO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION ON JULY 17 OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND INTENSIFIED TO A TROPICAL STORM AS IT HEADED TOWARDS THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY THAT NIGHT.
IN HONG KONG, PERIODS OF RAIN STARTED ON JULY 17. WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE EAST TO NORTHEAST DURING THE DAY, TURNING TO SOUTHERLY AND INCREASING IN STRENGTH DURING THE NIGHT.
BY EARLY NEXT MORNING, THE INTENSE RAINBANDS NEAR THE CENTRE OF A LANDING FAYE AFFECTED THE TERRITORY, BRINGING HEAVY RAIN, FREQUENT THUNDERSTORMS AND SEVERE SQUALLS.
THE WORST HIT AREA WAS THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES WHERE OVER 300 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN FELL AND EXTENSIVE FLOODING WAS REPORTED.
THE STORMY WEATHER PERSISTED FOR MOST PART OF THE DAY BUT FIZZLED OUT RAPIDLY THAT EVENING.
GARY MOVED ACROSS LUZON AS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION ON JULY 20. BUT BY THE TIME ITS CENTRE MOVED TO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 21, IT HAD ALREADY INTENSIFIED TO A SEVERE TROPICAL STORM.
THE FIRST OF GARY’S OUTER RAINBANDS REACHED HONG KONG ON THE AFTERNOON OF JULY 21, BUT SUBSEQUENT RAINBANDS DID NOT AFFECT THE TERRITORY UNTIL THE EVENING OF THE NEXT DAY.
MEANWHILE, THE EASTERLY WINDS STRENGTHENED SIGNIFICANTLY AND GALES LASHED ACROSS THE TERRITORY IN THE EARLY PART OF JULY 22. WINDS GRADUALLY MODERATED LATER THAT DAY BUT THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY WITH INTERMITTENT LIGHT RAIN ON JULY 23.
A PROLONGED SPELL OF FINE WEATHER FINALLY SET IN ON JULY 24 AND WAS STILL MAINTAINED AT THE END OF THE MONTH. SOME BRIEF PASSING SHOWERS AND THE TURNING OF WINDS FROM SOUTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST ON JULY 29 WERE THE ONLY VARIATIONS DURING THE WEEK-LONG SUNNY AND HOT WEATHER. THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH, 32.4 DEGREES, WAS ATTAINED DURING THE PERIOD, ON JULY 28 AND AGAIN ON JULY 31.
/FOUR TROPICAL .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
8
FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC OR THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN JULY. AS A RESULT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, 58 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DURING THE MONTH.
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT ON JULY 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17, 18 AND 30. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JULY 6, 7 AND 18. THE LANDSLIP WARNING AS WELL AS THE RED AND BLACK RAINSTORM WARNINGS WERE ALSO ISSUED ON JULY 18.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
SIGNALS HOISTED
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
MONSOON (SW) SMS JULY 6 6.30 AM JULY 6 11.00 PM
MONSOON (SW) SMS JULY 7 1.10 PM JULY 7 5.35 PM
T.ELI 1 JULY 11 8.30 PM JULY 12 10.00 AM
3 JULY 12 10.00 AM JULY 13 9.45 AM
T.S. FAYE 1 JULY 17 9.00 AM JULY 17 11.50 PM
3 JULY 17 11.50 PM JULY 18 4.05 PM
S.T.S. GARY 1 JULY 20 10.30 PM JULY 21 3.45 PM
3 JULY 21 3.45 PM JULY 22 5.45 AM
8NE JULY 22 5.45 AM JULY 22 11.00 AM
8SE JULY 22 11.00 AM JULY 22 4.15 PM
3 JULY 22 4.15 PM JULY 22 6.50 PM
RAINSTORM WARNINGS
WEATHER SYSTEM COLOUR START END
FAYE RED JULY 18 9.55 AM JULY 18 10.10 AM
BLACK JULY 18 10.10 AM JULY 18 3.10 PM
RED JULY 18 3.10 PM JULY 18 4.10 PM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 209.6 HOURS ; 21.5 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 16.70 MJ/SQ.M ; 2.45 MJ/SQ.M BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 358.1 MM ; 34.6 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 66% ; 1% MORE THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 81% ; 1% HIGHER THAN NORMAL
/MEAN DAILY .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1992
9
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 30.9 DEGREES CELSIUS:
0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 28. 2 DEGREES CELSIUS;
0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR 26. 2 DEGREES CELSIUS;
TEMPERATURE 0.4 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 24. 6 DEGREES CELSIUS;
0.3 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 130 .9 MM ; 40.7 MM BELOW NORMAL
---------0------------
SALT WATER CUTS IN YAU TONG, HO MAN TIN
* * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN YAU TONG AND HO MAN TIN WILL GO OFF FROM 8 AM AND 9 AM RESPECTIVELY ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 18) TO FACILITATE CLEANSING OF THE SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIRS IN THE TWO DISTRICTS.
NORMAL SUPPLY WILL BE RESUMED TO ALL PREMISES IN YAU TONG AT MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY. THOSE IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE SUSPENSION UNTIL 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 19).
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ORDERS, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR JUNE RELEASED ... 1
MOTHER-TONGUE TEACHING MORE EFFECTIVE .................................. 5
FUNDS FOR TERTIARY STUDIES IN UK........................................ 7
YAXLEY SPELLS OUT HK OPPORTUNITIES TO FINNAS ........................... 8
NEW AIRPORT PLATFORM CHANGES WELCOMED .................................. 10
PARENTS ASSURED OF EARLY SCHOOL CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENTS .................. 10
THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS UP FOR SALE....................................... 11
VIETNAMESE ON MOVE TO PAVE WAY FOR CAMP CLOSURE......................... 12
ANNUAL REPORT ON ENVIRONMENT GOES ON SALE .............................. 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE.................................................... 14
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION IN SAI KUNG...................................... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ...................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.............. 15
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
ORDERS, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR JUNE RELEASED
*****
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS INCREASED BY 1% IN JUNE THIS YEAR OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A MONTHLY SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ORDERS POSITION IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES IMPROVED MODERATELY OVER A YEAR AGO.
A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN ORDERS POSITION WAS ALSO RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY. ON THE OTHER HAND, SLIGHT DECREASES IN ORDERS WERE REPORTED BY THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED DECREASED BY 1% IN JUNE 1992.
DECREASES IN ORDERS WERE RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES WHILE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE ENI) OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS DECREASED BY 10% IN JUNE 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO. THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE CONTINUING TREND OF RELOCATING PRODUCTION PROCESSES TO SOUTH CHINA.
HOWEVER, COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED INCREASED BY 1% IN JUNE 1992 .
IN JUNE 1992, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 15% IN MONEY TERMS OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, THERE WAS LITTLE CHANGE.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED IN JUNE 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, BUT REMAINED STABLE WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN JUNE 1992 OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY (’OVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/THE TOTAL ......
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 2 -
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN LARGE COMPANIES IN THE SERVICE SECTOR INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN JUNE 1992 OVER BOTH A MONTH AND A YEAR AGO.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICE COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, AND INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH.
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 MANUFACTURERS AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERS ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURI NG, CONSTRUCTION AND THE SERVICE SECTORS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF SHORT-TERM DEVELOPMENTS IN THOSE SECTORS.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR JUNE 1992 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $4.5 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6441.
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF JUNE 1992 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
MAY 92 JUNE 91
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 4.48 -1 + 1
WEARING APPAREL 4.81 -1 + 2
TEXTILES 2.25 -6 -1
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.57 -10 -1
FABRICATED METAL 4.55 + 3 + 9
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.61 + 1 + 4
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 3.99 + 1 -3
/TABLE 2 : .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
3
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AS AT THE END OF JUNE 1992
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 91
INDUSTRY/SERVICES MAY 92
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED + 1 -10
FOOD AND DRINKS + 3 t
WEARING APPAREL ♦ -11
TEXTILES -2 -9
PLASTIC PRODUCTS + 11 -9
FABRICATED METAL ♦ -17
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND + 2 -18
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS + 1 -1
CONSTRUCTION # * -5
— —
SERVICES + 1 + 1
—
BANKS + 1 -1
HOTELS * ♦
PUBLIC UTILITIES * + 1
OTHERS + 1 + 1
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3 : .......
f
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
NOTE: OWING TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN JUNE 1992 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
MAY 92 JUNE 91
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 7,793 * + 15
FOOD AND DRINKS 8,214 + 3 + 8
WEARING APPAREL 5,910 + 3 + 12
TEXTILES 6,704 -7 + 8
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 7,487 -4 + 21
FABRICATED METAL 7,644 * + 21
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 8,284 + 3 + 18
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 9,852 -1 + 15
CONSTRUCTION & 10,753 -1 + 12
SERVICES 12,481 + 1 + 12
BANKS 12,297 + 5 + 12
HOTELS 8,365 + 6 + 6
PUBLIC UTILITIES 11,831 -1 + 14
OTHERS 14,271 + 1 + 12
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
WORKERS
NOTE TO TABLES 1 - 3 :
UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS", WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONG 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.
------0-----------
/5 ........
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
5
MOTHER-TONGUE TEACHING MORE EFFECTIVE
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO INTRODUCE IN 1994 "LANGUAGE GROUPING" IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT WHILE PROPER ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOLS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM IT, OTHER STUDENTS SHOULD BE PLACED IN CHINESE MEDIUM SCHOOLS WHERE, HOWEVER, ENGLISH WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TAUGHT AS A CORE SUBJECT.
"DUAL-MEDIUM SCHOOLS OFFERING SOME ENGLISH MEDIUM AND SOME CHINESE MEDIUM CLASSES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE SYSTEM TO SMOOTH THE TRANSITION," HE SAID.
"BUT MIXED-CODE TEACHING WILL BE REDUCED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE SPLIT BETWEEN ENGLISH MEDIUM AND CHINESE MEDIUM CLASSES IS LIKELY TO BE IN THE RATIO OF 3 TO 7."
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE COMMONWEALTH COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION SEVENTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TODAY (MONDAY), MR CHAN NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD FOR OVER 130 YEARS REPEATEDLY ADVOCATED MOTHER-TONGUE TEACHING FOR LOCAL CHILDREN.
BUT PARENTS HAVE CONSISTENTLY RESISTED IT, BELIEVING THAT THEIR CHILDREN WILL HAVE BETTER JOB PROSPECTS IF TAUGHT IN ENGLISH.
HOWEVER, MR CHAN SAID, THE MAJORITY OF LOCAL CHILDREN TODAY COULD NOT MANAGE TO LEARN PROPERLY THROUGH ENGLISH, ESPECIALLY WHEN SOME OF THEIR TEACHERS’ ENGLISH MIGHT ALSO BE NOT VERY GOOD.
THIS HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A PHENOMENON CALLED "MIXED-CODE" TEACHING, WHEREBY MANY SCHOOLS CALL THEMSELVES ENGLISH MEDIUM AND USE TEXTBOOKS WRITTEN IN ENGLISH, BUT THE TEACHERS TEACH LARGELY IN CANTONESE.
"THIS PRODUCES STUDENTS WHOSE LANGUAGE STANDARDS ARE HIGH NEITHER IN ENGLISH NOR IN CHINESE," MR CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT THIS IS A SITUATION TO WHICH HONG KONG HAS TO FACE UP SQUARELY.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE LANGUAGE GROUPING MEASURE WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE LANGUAGE STANDARDS BUT WILL ALSO IMPROVE LEARNING GENERALLY IN OUR SCHOOLS.
"ALL THE EVIDENCE IS THAT TEACHING AND LEARNING ARE MORE EFFECTIVE IF THE MOTHER TONGUE IS USED,” MR CHAN STATED.
MR CHAN TOLD THE GATHERING THAT MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IS ONLY ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL REFORMS PLANNED OR INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE 1990S TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF SCHOOLS AND THE EDUCATION PROVIDED IN THEM.
/ANOTHER MAJOR .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
6
ANOTHER MAJOR REFORM TO BE INTRODUCED INTO PUBLIC SECTOR
SCHOOLS IS TARGETS AND TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENTS (TTRA) SCHEME.
IT SEEKS TO MAKE SCHOOL EDUCATION LESS TEACHER-CENTRED AND MORE STUDENT-CENTRED - IN OTHER WORDS, TO MAKE EDUCATION MORE USER-FRIENDLY TO STUDENTS AS WELL AS TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL "CHALK AND TALK" TO A MORE ENJOYABLE AND MORE RELEVANT TASK-BASED APPROACH.
MR CHAN SAID: "THE SCHEME WILL START AT PRIMARY 4 LEVEL IN MAY NEXT YEAR IN THE THREE CORE SUBJECTS - ENGLISH, CHINESE AND MATHEMATICS.
"WE SHALL EXTEND THE FRAMEWORK TO COVER ALL PRIMARY AND JUNIOR CLASSES BY 1997.
"EVENTUALLY TTRA WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALL SUBJECTS, AND POSSIBLY TO THE UPPER SECONDARY LEVEL, IF AND WHEN OUR ’O’ AND ’A’ LEVELS CAN BE MADE CRITERION-REFERENCED.”
A THIRD MAJOR REFORM WHICH MR CHAN DESCRIBED AS "BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT REFORM OF ALL” IS TO UPGRADE THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS TAKEN A LO1.G, HARD LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND PUBLISHED TWO MONTHS AGO A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT CONTAINING A SERIES OF FAR-REACHING RECOMMENDATIONS.
THESE INCLUDED:
* SEPARATE THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AND UPGRADE THEM INTO AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY OFFER DEGREE AS WELL AS CERTIFICATE COURSES;
* SETTING AN ALL GRADUATE TEACHING PROFESSION AS A
LONG-TERM GOAL; AS A FIRST STEP, 35 PER CENT OF PRIMARY TEACHERS SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO GRADUATE STATUS OVER 15 YEARS; AND
* IMPROVE THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT IN SCHOOLS, ALLEVIATE TEACHERS’ WORKLOADS AND ENHANCE HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE AIMED AT UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS AND AT ENABLING THE TEACHING PROFESSION TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN HIGH QUALITY PEOPLE.
HE ALSO REVEALED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD LAUNCHED THE "SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE" LAST YEAR WHICH SOUGHT TO DEVOLVE MORE DECISION-MAKING POWER TO SCHOOLS.
THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF CHANGE INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVE ARE:
t ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLEAR DEFINITION OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL SPONSORS, MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS AND PRINCIPALS TO ENSURE GREATER EFFECTIVENESS AND
ACCOUNTABILITY;
/* GREATER PARTICIPATION ........
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
7
* GREATER PARTICIPATION OF TEACHERS, PARENTS AND ALUMNI IN MAKING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS IN AND FOR THEIR SCHOOLS;
* SYSTEMATIC PLANNING AND EVALUATION OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES;
AND
* MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR SCHOOLS TO USE THE RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM, IN WAYS THAT WOULD BEST MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT’S EDUCATION OBJECTIVES.
TWENTY-ONE SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE JOINED THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME AND IT IS HOPED THAT ALL PUBLIC SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE PERSUADED TO JOIN BY THE MID-1990S, TO BE FOLLOWED SOON AFTER THAT BY PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
"THE ROLE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL THEN HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM ONE OF CONTROL TO ONE OF SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SCHOOLS," HE SAID.
"THIS WILL GIVE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MORE ROOM TO SHOW THEIR METTLE, TO INNOVATE AND TO DERIVE MORE SATISFACTION FROM THEIR WORK," MR CHAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
FUNDS FOR TERTIARY STUDIES IN UK *****
NEW STUDENTS WHO INTEND TO PURSUE TERTIARY EDUCATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM STARTING FROM THE 1992-93 ACADEMIC YEAR ARE REMINDED TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE UNITED KINGDOM/HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS JOINT FUNDING SCHEME BY OCTOBER 1.
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG AND UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENTS TO HELP NEEDY HONG KONG STUDENTS MEET THE HIGHER TUITION FEES CHARGED ON OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY SAID THE SCHEME WAS OPEN TO HONG KONG STUDENTS PURSUING FULL-TIME FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSES AT UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, SUBJECT TO THEIR HAVING RESIDED CONTINUOUSLY OR BEEN DOMICILED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE COURSE STARTS .
THE SCHEME IS MEANS-TESTED AND THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUITION FEES PAYABLE BY AN OVERSEAS STUDENT AND A NOTIONAL BRITISH HOME STUDENT FEE ADOPTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING STUDENTS’ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1992-93, THE NOTIONAL "HOME" FEE WILL BE 702 POUNDS STERLING.
/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 8
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, BUT IF THE TOTAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THE JOINT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, THEN EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT’S SHARE OF GRANT WILL BE PROPORTIONATELY REDUCED, WITH THE BALANCE MADE UP BY A LOAN SOLELY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
AN INTEREST ON THE LOAN BORROWED BY APPLICANTS IS CHARGEABLE AT THE RATE OF 2.5 PER CENT A YEAR CALCULATED FROM THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF THE LOAN REPAYMENT PERIOD.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED BY AN INSTITUTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ONE OF THE COURSES COVERED BY THE SCHEME (PROOF OF CONDITIONAL OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTABLE).
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO 867 3547.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY HAND TO THE AGENCY ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1.
--------0-----------
YAXLEY SPELLS OUT UK * *
OPPORTUNITIES TO FINNAS * * *
THE DRAMATIC EXPANSION IN THE ECONOMIES OF SOUTH CHINA, INCLUDING HONG KONG AND THE EAST ASIAN REGION, PRESENTED EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS AND TRADERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, IN HIS ADDRESS ON "HONG KONG UP TO THE YEAR 2000" TO BUSINESSMEN AT A SEMINAR IN HELSINKI TODAY (MONDAY).
HE SAID IN THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMY, WHICH IN A DECADE OR SO WOULD BE LARGER THAN EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA, THERE WOULD BE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FINNISH BUSINESSMEN, AND HONG KONG WAS THE BEST BASE FROM WHICH TO GRASP THEM.
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE FINNISH/HONG KONG TRADE ASSOCIATION AT THE FINNISH CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
MR YAXLEY URGED FINNISH BUSINESSMEN TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR TRADING RELATIONS WITH THE TERRITORY, POINTING OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY NOT ONLY IN THE OPENING UP OF CHINA, BUT ALSO AS A FOCUS OF ACTIVITY WITHIN THE EAST ASIA AREA.
BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FINLAND HAS BEEN GROWING IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
/HONG KONG'S .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 9
HONG KONG’S MAJOR EXPORTS TO FINLAND GREW AT AN ANNUAL AVERAGE RATE OF 11.6 PER CENT BETWEEN 1981 AND 1991, WHILE MAJOR RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS GREW AT AN ANNUAL AVERAGE RATE OF 54.1 PER CENT AND 32.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
MR YAXLEY SAID TRADE WITH THE MAINLAND HAD QUADRUPLED SINCE 1985, AND LAST YEAR ALONE TRADE WITH CHINA INCREASED 27 PER CENT.
IN 1991, HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH THE REGION INCREASED 23 PER CENT - EXCEEDING THE TERRITORY’S TRADE WITH EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA COMBINED.
"DESPITE PROSPECTS IN EUROPE, BOTH EAST AND WEST, I BELIEVE THAT FOR THE NEXT DECADE AND PROBABLY WELL BEYOND, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE ECONOMIES OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WILL OFFER THE MOST EXCITING BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN THE WORLD.
"HONG KONG IS WELL PLACED TO BENEFIT FROM WHAT ’THE ECONOMIST' RECENTLY CALLED THE MOST RAPID INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN," HE SAID.
THE ECONOMIES OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WERE LIKELY TO ACHIEVE GROWTH RATES DOUBLE THOSE OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA OR EVEN JAPAN OVER THE NEXT DECADE, AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS BELIEF THAT HONG KONG HAD LAUNCHED A MASSIVE INVESTMENT PROGRAMME IN THE TERRITORY’S INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING THE NEW AIRPORT.
"HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THIS RAPID EXPANSION AND, INDEED, THAT OF CHINA’S WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE HAD NOT DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH 10 BILLION POUNDS WORTH OF NEW INVESTMENT IN OUR NEW AIRPORT,” HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE, MR YAXLEY REITERATED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT "WHICH EFFECTIVELY GUARANTEES HONG KONG’S CURRENT WAY OF LIFE FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997".
"CHINA NEEDS HONG KONG AND HONG KONG NEEDS CHINA ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT,” SAID MR YAXLEY, NOTING THAT IN RECENT YEARS CHINA HAD INVESTED HEAVILY IN HONG KONG, IN THE SAME WAY AS HONG KONG HAD INVESTED IN CHINA.
TOMORROW (TUESDAY), MR YAXLEY WILL CALL ON FINLAND’S DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS, MR PEKKA LINTU, AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS AT THE MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR JAAKKO LAAFOVA.
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/10........
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 10
NEW AIRPORT PLATFORM CHANGES WELCOMED * * * * *
COMMENTING ON THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S (PAA) ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHANGES TO THE DESIGN OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM AT CHEK LAP KOK, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
"THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES MOVES BY THE PAA TO REDUCE COSTS AND TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF THE AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
"THE PAA IS CONDUCTING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE LAYOUT MODIFICATIONS TO THE AIRPORT PLATFORM IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE."
-----0------
PARENTS ASSURED OF EARLY SCHOOL CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENTS
******
PARENTS WERE ASSURED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF CLASS SUSPENSION DUE TO TYPHOONS AND RAINSTORMS WOULD BE ISSUED AT AN APPROPRIATE AND EARLY OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID CONFUSION AND ANXIETY.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, MADE THE ASSURANCE WHEN HE VISITED THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE WORK OF THE WEATHER FORECASTERS.
"THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IS ONE OF THE MAIN SOURCES OF INFORMATION WHICH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DEPENDS UPON IN MAKING DECISIONS ON SCHOOL CLOSURE AS A RESULT OF BAD WEATHER," MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HAD FOR YEARS ALERTED THE DEPARTMENT AND HAD GIVEN EXPERT ADVICE ON WEATHER CONDITIONS.
MR WONG PAID TRIBUTE TO ROYAL OBSERVATORY STAFF FOR THEIR LOYAL SERVICE, NOTING THAT THIS WAS NOT ALWAYS APPRECIATED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS A HIGH DEGREE OF INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION AND CO-OPERATION.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM, MR WONG WAS BRIEFED ON THE GENERAL OPERATION OF THE OBSERVATORY, PARTICULARLY DURING THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL CYCLONES AND BAD WEATHER.
--------0------------
/Il .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 11 -
THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS UP FOR SALE * * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE IN A PUBLIC AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 19).
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT BERWICK STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 114 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL, PETROL FILLING STATION AND SERVICES APARTMENT) PURPOSES.
THE SECOND SITE IS IN WANG YIP STREET WEST, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,778 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES), WHILE THE FIRST FLOOR IS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIRS.
THE REMAINING SITE IS IN MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU.
THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 741 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, CINEMA AND HOTEL) PURPOSES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
A PRESS AREA WILL BE DESIGNATED AT THE VENUE. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE INVITED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
--------0-----------
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
VIETNAMESE ON MOVE TO PAVE WAY FOR CAMP CLOSURE
*****
ABOUT 2,000 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE WILL BE TRANSFERRED SHORTLY TO CHI MA WAN (LOWER) DETENTION CENTRE TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE CLOSURE OF THE SHEK KONG CENTRE TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE ACTING REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR EDDY CHAN, SAID A REVIEW OF THE OVERALL VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS’ SITUATION HAD CONCLUDED THAT THE SHEK KONG CENTRE SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO CLOSE DOWN BECAUSE THE FACILITIES AND CONDITIONS THERE WERE LESS FAVOURABLE THAN THOSE IN OTHER CENTRES.
"FURTHERMORE, THE CLOSURE OF THE SHEK KONG CENTRE WILL RELEASE MORE THAN 200 POLICEMEN FOR NORMAL LAW AND ORDER ENFORCEMENT DUTIES."
MR CHAN SAID THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS’ POPULATION HAD DROPPED BY ALMOST 10,000 IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS AND WAS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DECREASE GRADUALLY AS AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 1,000 RETURNED TO VIETNAM EACH MONTH UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
"PROVIDED THAT THE PRESENT TRENDS CONTINUED, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONSIDER GRADUALLY CLOSING DOWN MORE DETENTION CENTRES AND AT THE SAME TIME GRADUALLY THINNING OUT THE POPULATION AT OTHER CENTRES SUCH AS THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE," HE SAID.
THE FUTURE OF THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION CENTRE IN SECTION C OF SHEK KONG WILL BE REVIEWED ONCE THE OTHER SECTIONS ARE CLEARED.
AFTER THE ENTIRE CENTRE HAVE BEEN CLOSED, THE DETENTION CENTRE SITE, WHICH ACTUALLY IS PART OF THE AIR-STRIP OF THE SHEK KONG BARRACKS, WILL BE HANDED BACK TO THE GARRISON.
"THERE ARE AT PRESENT NO DEFINITE PLANS TO CLOSE OTHER CENTRES AFTER SHEK KONG. WE WILL REVIEW THE SITUATION AS THE VIETNAMESE MIGRENTS’ POPULATION DROPS FURTHER," MR CHAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
ANNUAL REPORT ON ENVIRONMENT GOES ON SALE * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IS REFLECTED IN THE WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES SET OUT IN AN ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE 165-PAGE REPORT "ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1992", CONTAINING 78 DIAGRAMS AND 20 TABLES OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION, AS WELL AS 158 PICTURES, GIVES A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE WORK DONE TO PREVENT AND CONTROL POLLUTION LAST YEAR.
/"IT IS
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 13 -
"IT IS AN ESSENTIAL REFERENCE FOR ANYONE WHO WISHES TO KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING ON POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN HONG KONG," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE REPORT RECORDS THE GOVERNMENT’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 10-YEAR PROGRAMME SET OUT IN THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION PUBLISHED IN 1989.
I
I
THIS INCLUDES THE AVAILABILITY OF UNLEADED PETROL AT ALL PETROL FILLING STATIONS; THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE STRINGENT VEHICLE EMISSION STANDARDS; LEGISLATIVE CONTROL ON HAND-HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS AND AIR COMPRESSORS; THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE MARINE DUMPING ACTION PLAN IN ORDER TO DETER ILLEGAL AND SHORT DUMPING; AND THE REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF CHEMICAL WASTES UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE.
FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE MEASURES, THE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED TWO LOCAL CONTROL OFFICES TO CARRY OUT ROUTINE INSPECTIONS AND TACKLE LOCAL POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
LAST YEAR SAW THE START OF CONSTRUCTION AIMED AT UPGRADING THE TERRITORY’S SEWERAGE SYSTEM, AND THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE DESIGNING, BUILDING AND OPERATING OF THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY ON TSING YI ISLAND.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANOTHER ENCOURAGING FEATURE OF THE PAST YEAR WAS THAT MORE AND MORE INITIATIVES WERE BEING TAKEN BY NON-GOVERNMENT BODIES, AND THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE DRIVE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT WAS GROWING STRONGER.
A COLOURFUL PICTORIAL SECTION IN THE REPORT FEATURES THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAMMES THAT HAVE BEEN WIDELY SUPPORTED BY VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT, AT $22 A COPY, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE CHINESE VERSION WILL BE ON SALE NEXT WEEK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE CONTENT OF THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT
BILL FARRELL TEL 835 1102
SHIRLEY LEE TEL 835 1106
/AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
14
AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL 810 2907
NOISE
RAYMOND CHAN TEL 835 1122
WATER
DAVID HALL TEL 835 1234
H.Y. YEUNG TEL 835 1238
WASTES
MICHAEL WU TEL 835 1216
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
HEIDI KWAN TEL 835 1043
-----0-----
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 85.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 501.857 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 226.632 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 38.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
---------0-----------
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION IN SAI KUNG *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT A SECTION OF SAI SHA ROAD BETWEEN WONG CHUK WAN AND CHEUNG MUK TAU, INCLUDING THOSE IN LONG KENG, O TAU, YUNG SHUE 0, KEI LING HA LO WAI, KEI LING HA SAN WAI, SAI KENG, NGA YIU TAU, TAI TUNG, TAI TUNG WO LIU, TSENG TAU, MA KWU LAM, CHE HA, KWUN HANG, NAI CHUNG AND SAI 0.
---------0-----------
/15........
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 15 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ♦ » » » »
TENDER DATE
PAPER ON OFFER
ISSUE NUMBER
AMOUNT APPLIED
AMOUNT ALLOTTED
AV PRICE (YIELD) ACCEPTED
LOWEST PRICE (YIELD) ACCEPTED
PRO RATE RATIO
AV TENDER PRICE (YIELD)
17 AUG 22
GOVT BOND 2408
HKD 1,789 MN
HKD 500 MN 100.77 (4.01)
100.75 (4.02)
ABOUT 67 PCT
100.62 (4.09)
---------0 - -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,770
REVERSAL OF LAF -270
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +1,000
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *+0.1* 17.8.92
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1992
- 16 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.37 PCT 15 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.36 PCT 18 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.36 PCT 21 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.53 PCT 24 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 3.07 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.57 3.35
2402 5.50 102.78 3.61
2405 5.50 102.78 3.88
2408 4.375 100.76 4.02
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 17 AUGUST 1992
- 6,360 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM EXPLAINED ................................. 1
FIGURES ON OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE WITH CHINA FOR FIRST QUARTER 1992 ................................................................. 3
CURFEW SYSTEM IN VIET DETENTION CENTRES ............................ 6
LINE-UP OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED ........... 6
SEMINAR ON WORK SAFETY IN CONFINED SPACES .......................... 7
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICE .................. 8
HOUSEHOLD CIRCULAR SERVICE FOR ADVERTISING MATERIALS ............... 9
MORE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURN HOME ............................... 9
COMPANIES IN BREACH OF POLLUTION LAW NAMED ......................... 10
NEW IMMIGRATION OFFICE FOR EAST KOWLOON ............................ 17
150 FORM 6 VACANCIES FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION ........................ 18
WATER CUTS IN SHAM SHUI PO, TAI KOK TSUI ........................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................. 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 20
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
1
RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM EXPLAINED
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE DISTRIBUTION OF FURTHER PUBLICITY MATERIALS ON THE RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM AND EXPLAINED IN FURTHER DETAIL WHAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD DO WHEN A RAINSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED.
THE MOST SERIOUS WARNING SIGNAL UNDER THE RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM IS THE BLACK WARNING.
WHEN THE BLACK WARNING IS IN FORCE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE SHELTER IN A SAFE PLACE AND LISTEN TO THE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITUATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BLACK WARNING IS ISSUED WHENEVER 100 MM OF RAIN OR MORE HAS BEEN RECORDED DURING THE IMMEDIATE PAST TWO-HOUR PERIOD OR LESS.
"IF THE BLACK WARNING IS ISSUED BEFORE WORKING HOURS, ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, EXCEPT THOSE WITH EMERGENCY DUTIES TO PERFORM, SHOULD STAY HOME UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOLLOWING THE CANCELLATION OF THE BLACK WARNING, PEOPLE CAN THEN GO TO WORK BUT THEY SHOULD EXERCISE DUE CARE AND CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON TRANSPORT SERVICES AND ROAD CONDITIONS.
EMPLOYERS SHOULD ADOPT A FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN SUCH INSTANCES AS SOME STAFF MEMBERS MAY HAVE GENUINE DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING TO WORK QUICKLY.
IF THE BLACK WARNING IS NOT CANCELLED UNTIL TOWARDS THE CLOSE OF THEIR BUSINESS DAY, EMPLOYERS MAY DECIDE THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THEIR STAFF TO COME TO WORK.
IF THE BLACK WARNING IS ISSUED DURING WORKING HOURS, PEOPLE WORKING INDOORS SHOULD GENERALLY BE ENCOURAGED TO STAY INDOORS FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED.
EMPLOYERS SHOULD EXERCISE DISCRETION IN DECIDING WHETHER INDIVIDUAL STAFF SHOULD BE RELEASED, HAVING REGARD TO THEIR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORT AND SO ON.
PEOPLE WORKING OUTDOORS IN EXPOSED AREAS SHOULD STOP WORK AND TAKE SHELTER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SECOND MOST SERIOUS WARNING SIGNAL UNDER THE RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM WAS THE RED WARNING.
WHEN THE RED WARNING IS IN FORCE, STAFF SHOULD GO TO WORK AS USUAL BUT EMPLOYERS SHOULD ADOPT A FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN CASES WHERE STAFF HAVE GENUINE DIFFICULTIES IN ARRIVING FOR WORK ON TIME.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
2
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED EMPLOYERS TO EXERCISE THEIR DISCRETION TO RELEASE STAFF LIVING IN AREAS WHERE TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE ABOUT TO BE SUSPENDED, IF THE WARNING WAS ISSUED DURING WORKING HOURS.
SUPERVISORS OF STAFF WORKING OUTDOORS IN EXPOSED AREAS SHOULD SUSPEND OUTDOOR DUTIES IF WEATHER CONDITIONS SO WARRANT. THEY SHOULD ARRANGE FOR STAFF TO TAKE SHELTER TEMPORARILY AND RESUME DUTY WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS PERMIT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ENCOURAGED EMPLOYERS TO DRAW UP GUIDELINES NOW TO FIT THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR ORGANISATIONS, BASED ON ALL OF THE ABOVE ADVICE AND THE PUBLICITY MATERIALS ON THE RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM BEING ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY ISSUED ITS OWN INTERNAL GUIDELINES.
TURNING TO THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOLS, THE SPOKESMAN ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS OR SUSPENSION OF CLASSES WOULD BE ISSUED PROMPTLY.
IF A RED OR BLACK WARNING IS ISSUED BEFORE 6.15 AM, AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE ON THE CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS.
IF THE RED WARNING IS ISSUED AFTER 6.15 AM, AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE THAT CLASSES WILL BE SUSPENDED, BUT SCHOOLS WILL KEEP THEIR PREMISES OPEN TO RECEIVE CHILDREN WHO ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL.
SCHOOL STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO LOOK AFTER THE CHILDREN UNTIL IT IS SAFE FOR THEM TO RETURN HOME.
IF THE RED WARNING IS ISSUED WHILE MORNING SCHOOL IS ALREADY IN SESSION, AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE TO ADVISE THAT ALL SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED IN THE AFTERNOON BUT THAT SCHOOLS ALREADY IN SESSION WILL CONTINUE THEIR CLASSES UNTIL THE END OF THE MORNING SESSION SO THAT STUDENTS CAN RETURN HOME USING THEIR NORMAL TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS.
SCHOOLS WILL AGAIN KEEP THEIR PREMISES OPEN TO RECEIVE CHILDREN SHOULD THE RED WARNING BE ISSUED AT A TIME WHEN SOME CHILDREN MIGHT ALREADY BE ON THEIR WAY TO THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
SHOULD A BLACK WARNING BE ISSUED WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, THE CHILDREN WILL BE KEPT AT THEIR SCHOOLS UNTIL IT IS SAFE FOR THEM TO RETURN HOME, USING SCHOOL TRANSPORT, OR ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, OR ON THE CANCELLATION OF THE BLACK WARNING.
ONCE ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS OR SUSPENSION OF CLASSES, SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO GO TO SCHOOL ON THE DAY CONCERNED EVEN IF THE RED OR BLACK WARNING IS SUBSEQUENTLY CANCELLED.
IN ANY EVENT, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS OF DETAILS REGARDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.
/AS REGARDS .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
3
AS REGARDS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG EXAMINATION AUTHORITY, SEPARATE ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE ON WHETHER THE EXAMINATIONS SCHEDULED FOR THE DAY WILL BE HELD OR NOT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TO HELP THE PUBLIC TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM, AN EXPLANATORY LEAFLET DETAILING THE WARNING AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO TAKE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT ALL CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICES CENTRES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE FRENCH MISSION BUILDING.
POSTERS AND LAMINATED BOOKMARKS EXPLAINING THE SYSTEM ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
"THESE ITEMS SHOULD REINFORCE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON THE RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM NOW BEING BROADCAST ON TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0-----------
FIGURES ON OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE WITH CHINA
FOR FIRST QUARTER 1992
*****
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, 72 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, 51 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WERE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 72 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 45 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WERE 67 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS, 56 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 79 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 47 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
THE DECREASES IN THE PROPORTION OF EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AS RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 REFLECT THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS FOR MEETING DOMESTIC DEMAND IN CHINA, VIZ EXPORTS TO CHINA NOT DESTINED FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING, INCREASED AT A FASTER PACE THAN OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE DURING THE PERIOD.
THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE SUSTAINED INCREASE IN DOMESTIC DEMAND IN CHINA FOR IMPORTED GOODS.
TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE WITH CHINA, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A SAMPLE SURVEY FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 TO DISTINGUISH HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO CHINA - BOTH DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS - INTO THOSE THAT ARE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT.
/THE SCOPE .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
4
THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENDED FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 SO AS TO SEGREGATE HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA INTO THOSE THAT ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT.
THE RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
IN VALUE TERMS, $51,681 MILLION OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 36 PER CENT OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT TO $26,492 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 5 PER CENT TO $8,238 MILLION AND BY 34 PER CENT TO $18,255 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE CORRESPONDING CHANGES OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 ARE SUMMARISED IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
ESTIMATED VALUE AND PROPORTION OF TRADE INVOLVING OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA, 1ST QUARTER 1992
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
VALUE PROPORTION
INVOLVING INVOLVING
TOTAL VALUE OUTWARD OUTWARD
OF TRADE PROCESSING PROCESSING
WITH CHINA* IN CHINA IN CHINA
1ST % CHANGE 1ST % CHANGE 1ST 1ST
QTR OVER 1ST QTR OVER 1ST QTR QTR
1992 QTR 1991 1992 QTR 1991 1992 1991
(HK$ MN) (%) (HK$ MN) (%) (%) (%)
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 71,798 + 26.3 51,681 + 35.7 72.0 67.0
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 52,260 + 35.3 26,492 + 23.2 50.7 55.7
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 11,417 + 15.0 8,238 + 4.5 72.2 79.4
RE-EXPORTS 40,843 + 42.4 18,255 + 34.0 44.7 47.5
TO CHINA
* THE VALUE EXCLUDES COMMODITIES AND TRANSACTIONS NOT CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO KIND.
/FOR THE .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
5
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY, EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE EXPORTATION OF RAW MATERIALS OR SEMIMANUFACTURES FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING WITH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT RE-IMPORTATION OF THE PROCESSED GOODS INTO HONG KONG.
IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE IMPORTATION OF PROCESSED GOODS FROM CHINA OF WHICH ALL OR PART OF THEIR RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES ARE UNDER CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT EXPORTED FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING.
A SAMPLE OF TRADE DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA (IMPORTS FROM CHINA, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA) IS SELECTED FOR ENUMERATION TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SYSTEM OF RECORDING TRADE FLOWS, ALL MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ACROSS THE BORDER, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE, WERE RECORDED AS EXTERNAL TRADE.
THUS THE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTWARD PROCESSING ARE CORRECTLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS.
"THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, HOWEVER, FACILITATE \ MORE INFORMED ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE OF HONG KONG-CHINA TRADE. THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT TO THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE".
THE REPORT WILL BF ON SALE AT THE END OF AUGUST AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES'COUNTER OF THE C ENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AT $52 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 582 5037.
- - 0----------
/6 ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1H, 1992
6
CURFEW SYSTEM IN VIET DETENTION CENTRES *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
’’THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ALL VIETNAMESE UNDER OUR CARE IS PARAMOUNT. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS FOR EMERGENCIES SUCH AS FIRE WILL ENSURE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO EVACUATE ALL PERSONS SAFELY.
’’THE CURFEW SYSTEM WHEREBY VIETNAMESE IN OUR SMALLER CENTRES ARE LOCKED INSIDE THEIR DORMITORIES WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1988 AND IS CURRENTLY IN USE AT HEI LING DETENTION CENTRE, NEI KWU CHAU DETENTION CENTRE AND GREEN ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WAS INSTITUTED TO COMBAT HIGH LEVELS OF CRIME AND SERIOUS ACTS OF VIOLENCE. THESE MEASURES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CURBING CRIME AND AITS OF VIOLENCE \T NIGHT.
"IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS IN THE LARGER CENTRES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF BASIC TOILET FACILITIES IN DORMITORIES.
"WE BELIEVE THAT FOR LAW AND ORDER REASONS \ND FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE INHABITANTS, THE NEED I OR A CURFEW REMAINS.
"DESPITE OUR CONFIDENCE THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH EMERGENCIES, WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ENFORCING THE CURFEW AT NIGHT."
- - 0 - -
LINE-UP OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF 13 NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES FOR 1992-93.
APART FROM NINE RE-APPOINTMENTS, FOUR ARE NEW APPOINTEES TO THE COMMITTEE. THEY ARE MR HO KWAN-YIU, MR WONG YUNG-KAN, MR KWOK SO AND PROFESSOR DANIEL CHAN KWONG-ON.
THE INCUMBENTS RE-APPOINTED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ARE MR ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI, MR LEUNG CH IK, MR YUNG TIN-TACK, MR HO TAK-YAU, DR ZEE SZE-YONG, PROFESSOR LEUNG TIN-PUI, DR STAN CHEUNG TSANG-KAY AND MR IP YEUK-LAM.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMITTEE WOULD STILL BE CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
/OTHER OFFICIAL
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
7
OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS INCLUDE \ REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WERE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATING TO:
* THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES PRODUCTION IN HONG KONG;
* THE FORMULATION OF AGRICULTURAL, FISHERIES \ND OTHER RELATED POLICIES; AND
* ANY OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES PRODUCTS AS MAY ARISE.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL ALSO APPOINT SUB-COMMITTEES, LIAISON OR WORKING GROUPS, WHICH INCLUDE CO-OPTED PERSONS AND PUBLIC OFFICERS, TO FURTHER ITS FUNCTIONS, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
SEMINAR ON WORK SAFETY IN CONFINED SPACES
*****
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD NEXT MONDAY FOR EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS TO AROUSE THEIR AWARENESS OF POSSIBLE RANGERS WHEN OPERATING IN CAISSONS AND DRAINAGE MANHOLES.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE RECENT FATAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CAISSON AND MANHOLE WORKERS,” CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"WE HOPE THAT BY TAKING PART IN SEMINARS AND TRAINING COURSES, EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS WILL BECOME MORE SAFETY-CONSCIOUS," MR CHAN SAID.
CO-ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISIONS AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, THE SEMINAR COMPRISES TALKS ON RISKS IN CONFINED SPACES, RISK ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
"PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS THE SUBJECTS WITH THE MEDICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SPECIALISTS," MR CHAN SAID.
THE SEMINER WILL BE HELD AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFEY TRAINING CENTRE, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
INTERESTED EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS MAY CALL THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL ON 739 9377 FOR APPLICATIONS OR ENQUIRIES.
/MEANWHILE, THE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
8
MEANWHILE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS MET SENIOR STAFF OF THE WORKS BRANCH, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS TO MAKE EMPLOYERS TAKE THEIR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY MORE SERIOUSLY.
"THE MEASURES UNDER CONSIDERATION INCLUDE INCORPORATING SAFETY PROVISIONS IN THE CONTRACTS, SUSPENDING CONTRACTORS WITH POOR SAFETY RECORDS FROM TENDERING, AND REQUIRING CONTRACTORS TO PRODUCE SAFETY WORKPLANS BEFORE WORK IS ALLOWED IN CONFINED SPACES," MR CHAN SAID.
"WE HOPE SOME OF THESE MEASURES WILL COME INTO OPERATION BEFORE TOO LONG," HE ADDED.
------0-----------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM OPERATORS TO PROVIDE CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA THROUGH THE LOK MA CHAU CONTROL POINT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING STATING THE NATURE OF THEIR PROPOSED SERVICE INCLUDING THE NUMBER, TYPE AND SEATING CAPACITY OF VEHICLES TO BE USED.
"APPLICANTS SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED SCHEDULES OF CROSSINGS, CROSSING TIME AT LOK MA CHAU BRIDGE, ROUTEING AND TERMINAL FACILITIES," HE ADDED.
"THEY SHOULD, AT THE SAME TIME, ALSO PROVIDE THEIR PERSONAL PARTICULARS INCLUDING THEIR NAME, IDENTITY DOCUMENT, ADDRESS AND CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER, AND IN THE CASE OF A COMPANY, THE NAME OF THE PERSON(S) TO BE CONTACTED AND COMPANY REGISTRATION INFORMATION."
"AS A PREREQUISITE, ALL APPLICANTS MUST PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF APPROVAL FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR PROVIDING CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICE," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 28, MEZZANINE FLOOR, MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 2 MURRAY ROAD, CENTRAL ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 4, 1992.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION ON «01 5991.
------0--------
/9 ........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
9
HOUSEHOLD CIRCULAR SERVICE FOR ADVERTISING MATERIALS
******
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MRS DORIS S Y HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A NEW POSTAL SERVICE, KNOWN AS THE HOUSEHOLD CIRCULAR SERVICE, WOULD BE INTRODUCED NEXT MONDAY (AUGUST 24).
THE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE TO ANY CUSTOMER WHO WISHES TO SEND HIS ADVERTISING MATERIALS, WEIGHING NOT MORE THAN 100 GRAMS EACH, TO A PARTICULAR AREA WITHIN THE TERRITORY.
SENDERS MAY SEND THEIR ADVERTISING MATERIALS, UNSTAMPED AND UNADDRESSED, ENVELOPED OR UNENVELOPED, TO ALL LOCAL ADDRESSEES WITH LETTER BOXES ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE POSTAGE WILL BE THE SAME AS THAT FOR LOCAL PRINTED MATTER, THAT IS $0.7 FOR ITEMS WEIGHING UP TO 30 GRAMS, $0.8 FOR ITEMS WEIGHING UP TO 50 GRAMS AND $1.2 FOR ITEMS WEIGHING UP TO 100 GRAMS.
THE MINIMUM QUANTITY FOR POSTING IS 5,000 ITEMS.
THE MINIMUM SIZE IS 90 MM x 140 MN WHILE THE MAXIMUM SIZE IS 110 MM x 220 MM.
DELIVERY OF THE ITEMS WILL NORMALLY BE COMPLETED WITHIN SEVEN WORKING DAYS.
HOWEVER, THE POST OFFICE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WITHHOLD THE SERVICE DURING PEAK PERIODS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS, CHINESE NEW YEAR AND ELECTION PERIODS.
MRS HO SAID THE SERVICE WOULD BE TRIED OUT FOR SIX MONTHS.
"IT WILL THEN BE REVIEWED TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON A LONG-TERM BASIS," SHE SAID.
FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE. POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 868 1868 OR 868 3868.
-------------------0-------- MORE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURN HOME *****
A GROUP OF 238 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR1S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 86 MEN, 89 WOMEN, 30 BOYS AND 33 GIRLS, THE GROUP WAS THE 118TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THEY BROUGHT TO 7,103 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS
WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 20,982 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
--------0-----------
/.IO ..........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
10
COMPANIES IN BREACH OF POLLUTION LAW NAMED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS DURING JULY OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE MONTHLY.
AS THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME CONSUMING, THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
FOLLOWING
IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES
AND THE
ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING JULY :
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE RECORD OF FINES($) OFFENCE COURT
1.CLEVER POWER IND LTD FUK MAN RD, SAI KUNG 24.4.91- 19.12.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 2ND KWUN TONG
2.GRAND HOTEL GROUP LTD PATERSON ST, CAUSEWAY BAY 9.5.91- 21.2.92 APCO : 2,000 2ND EASTERN
3.TWINKLE SUCCESS DEVELOPMENT LTD KING’S 19.6.91 RD, NORTH POINT APCO : " 1,500 1ST Vf
4.SPRING WEAL LTD WANG WO TSAI ST, TSUEN WAN 25.7.91- 26.3.92 APCO : 4,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
5.RICHWAY DEVELOPMENT LTD ON YUK RD, TSUEN WAN 5.8.91- 8.11.91 APCO : ” 3,000 1ST it
6.THE CHINA CLUB LTD CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL 13.8.91- 27.8.91 APCO : " 2,000 1ST WESTERN
7.FAIRWOOD FAST FOOD LTD HONG NING RD, KWUN TONG 28.8.91- 18.10.91 APCO : 1,500 3RD EASTERN
/8.CHINESE .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
- 11 -
8.CHINESE KING’S DEVELOPMENT LTD TO KWA WAN RD, TO KWA WAN 23.10.91 NCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND SAN PO KONG
9.CONTAI ENGINEERING CO LTD (LICENSEE) KAI HING RD, KOWLOON BAY / 25.11.91 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 7TH EASTERN
AND
KWOK CHING-KWAI (TUG BOAT MASTER) LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU 25.11.91 DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
AND
KEUNG FOR-KUN (BARGE OPERATOR) SIU SAI WAN ESTATE, CHAI WAN 25.11.91 DASO : ” 3,000 1ST H
10.GUIDE TRIP SILK DYEING & FINISHING WORKS LTD WING KEI RD, KWAI CHUNG 28.11.91 APCO : 3,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST TSUEN WAN
/ll.CHINA .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
12 -
11.CHINA STATE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION (LICENSEE) HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 23.12.91 DASO : 2,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST SAN PO KONG
AND
LAI GIN-CHEUNG (BARGE SAILOR) AP LEI CHAU ESTATE AP LEI CHAU 23.12.91 t DASO : 1,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES 1ST
OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
12.FORTUNE HOUSE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LTD FEI FUNG ST, WONG TAI SIN 27.12. 91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST »»
13.TAK WAH LAU • RESTAURANT WAN FUNG ST, WONG TAI SIN 27.12. 91 APCO : ” 2,500 1ST it
14.HERAEUS LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 31.12. 91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 13,500 4TH KWUN TONG
15.NG KA-HING SAI KUNG MAIN ST, SAI KUNG 2.1.92 WPCO : DISCHARGE POLLUTING 5,000 2ND KWUN TONG
MATTER INTO THE PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONE
/16.THE GREAT
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
13
16.THE GREAT EAGLE PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT CO LTD THE 13.1.92 RIVIERA (UPPER LEVEL), SILVER-STRAND WPCO : DISCHARGE WASTE MATTER INTO THE PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONE 8,000 1ST t<
AND
THE GREAT EAGLE PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT CO LTD THE 13.1.92 RIVIERA (LOWER LEVEL), SILVER-STRAND WPCO : 8,000 1ST
AND
THE GREAT EAGLE PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT CO LTD GOLDEN 28.1.92 LAKE VILLA, SILVER-STRAND wpco : 8,000 1ST f.
17.REALTY WEAVING & DYEING WORKS LTD SHEK WU 22.1.92 TONG, KAM TIN WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
18.GRAND HOTEL GROUP LTD PATERSON 29.1.92 ST, CAUSEWAY BAY APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
19.WINSURE CO LTD NATHAN RD, 29.1.92 TSIM SHA TSUI APCO : " 3,500 2ND it
20.THE PERGOLA 28.1.92 INCORPORATED VILLA, OWNERS OF SAI KUNG VILLA PERGOLA WPCO : DISCHARGE WASTE MATTER INTO THE PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONE 8,000 1ST KWUN TONG
21.GUANGDONG ASHLEY RD, 19.2.92 WATER TSIM SHA CONSERVANCY TSUI & HYDRO-POWER ENGRG DEVELOPMENT CO LTD APCO : 10,000 CONTRAVENING TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE 10TH SAN PO KONG
/22.REGENT .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
14
22.REGENT SMART LTD SAI YU ST, YUEN LONG 21.2.92 NCO : 10,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST FANLING
23.TELLY WEAVING AND DYEING FACTORY LTD KIU TAU WAI, PING SHAN 21.2.92 NCO : " 7,000 1ST o
24.SHING YIP METAL ELECTROPLATING FTY TAN KWAI TSUEN, HUNG SHUI KIU 25.2.92 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST it
25.WING SHUN (HOP WO) ELECTROPLATING FTY TAN KWAI TSUEN, HUNG SHUI KIU 25.2.92 WPCO : " 10,000 1ST •I
26.LAM SAU-KWOK OF WING FAT LAM KEE ELECTROPLATING FACTORY WO SHING ST, FO TAN 25.2.92 WPCO : 3,500 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST SHA TIN
27.KEUNG FOR-KUN (BARGE SAILOR) SIU SAI WAN ESTATE CHAI WAN 26.2.92 9 DASO : 4,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA IN HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION AREA NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 2ND EASTERN
28.NG PUI-FUN (ABC SERVICE BUREAU) D’ AGUILAR ST, CENTRAL 28.2.92 WPCO : 5,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST WESTERN
/22.SUNLY .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
15
29.SUNLY TUNG HING 28.2.92 RD, SHEUNG SHUI WPCO : DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 15,000 1ST FANLING
30.HOPEWELL FEATHER WORKS KWAN TEI PAK TSUEN, FANLING 28.2.92 WPCO : 5,000 1ST
31.YEE HING COLD MEAT AND SEAFOOD CO LTD MERCURY 28.2.92 ST, NORTH POINT NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 5,000 1ST EASTERN
32.ADORE CO LTD YIU ON ESTATE, MA ON SHAN 2.3.92 NCO : ” 2,500 1ST SHA TIN
33.CHOSERISE LTD SHAU KEI WAN RD, SHAU' KEI WAN 6.3.92 NCO : " 10,000 1ST EASTERN
34.GUANGDONG ASHLEY RD, WATER TSIM SHA CONSERVANCY TSUI & HYDRO-POWER ENGRG DEVELOPMENT CO LTD 11.3.92 APCO : 10,000 CONTRAVENING TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE 11TH SAN PO KONG
35.SUNAM LTD QUEEN’S RD CENTRAL, CENTRAL 13.3.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 7,000 1ST WESTERN
36.FULL KAU BLEACHING LTD KWAI SAU RD, KWAI CHUNG 23.3.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
37.CHUNG DOK RESTAURANT LTD CHUNG ON ST, TSUEN WAN 24.3.92 APCO : 4,000 1ST ••
38.U-TEAM CO LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 30.3.92 APCO : 8,000 3RD it
l
/39.PRIME .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
16
39.PRIME TRUE LTD CHEUNG SHA 2.4.92 WAN RD, SHAM SHUI PO NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 5,000 2ND NORTH KOWLOON
40.ULTRAFAIR DEVELOPMENT LTD TA CHUEN PING ST, KWAI CHUNG 3.4.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
41.KAM HING TEA HOUSE & RESTAURANT DES VOEUX RD CENTRAL, CENTRAL 15.4.92 APCO : ” 3,500 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
42.POFUNG FINISHING WORKS LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 16.4.92 APCO : 4,000 2ND KWUN TONG
43.CARRY BEAUTY DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN.TONG 22.4.92 APCO : ” 2,500 1ST KWUN TONG
44.ULTRAFINE CIRCUITS LTD WONG CHUK YEUNG ST, FO TAN 22.4.92 WPCO : 100,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE 5TH SHA TIN
45.JET WAY INDUSTRIES LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 23.4.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
46.CHI SHUN BLEACHING & DYEING FTY LTD WO YI HOP RD, KWAI CHUNG 4.5.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
47.RICHWAY DEVELOPMENT ON YUK RD, TSUEN WAN 21.5.92 APCO : ” 7,500 1ST ii
LTD
NOTE :
APCO : AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO : DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
WPCO : WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
/UNDER THE .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
17
UNDER THE PROVISION OF CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOISE PERMIT, ONE PERSON WAS $6,000.
NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A CONSTRUCTION PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND FINED
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS : THE FOLLOWING
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL 810 2907
NCO DR ANDREW KWAN TEL 810 2800
WPCO CASE 26, 44 DR MIKE CHIU TEL 417 4101
WPCO CASE 17, 24, 25, 29, 30 DR ELLEN CHAN TEL 650 6955
WPCO CASE 28 MR DAVID WONG TEL 835 1184
WPCO CASE 15, 16, 20 DR DANIEL LAU TEL 755 2200
DASO MR PATRICK LEI TEL 755 3553
BE DIRECTED TO
THE
ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
--------0-----------
NEW IMMIGRATION OFFICE FOR EAST KOWLOON ******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S KWUN TONG OFFICE AT ROOMS 54-60, SECOND FLOOR, AMOY PLAZA, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON, WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A FULL REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE ON SEPTEMBER 1.
THE OFFICE AT PRESENT PROVIDES BOTH DOCUMENTS AND REGISTRATION OF PERSONS SERVICES.
IN ADDITION, A NEW EAST KOWLOON OFFICE WILL BE OPEN ALSO ON SEPTEMBER 1 AT PODIUM LEVEL 2, SCENEWAY GARDEN, LAM TIN, KOWLOON TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON CITY OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HANG CHIEN COURT, 7-9 WAI KING STREET, KOWLOON WILL BE CLOSED ON THE SAME DAY.
"THE ABOVE CHANGES WILL HELP MAXIMISE THE UTILISATION OF OUR RESOURCES AND AS A RESULT, SERVICES IN GENERAL CAN BE IMPROVED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 824 6111.
--------0-----------
/18........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
18
150 FORM 6 VACANCIES FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION *****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A TOTAL OF 150 VACANT SECONDARY 6 PLACES WERE AVAILABLE FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION.
ELIGIBLE STUDENTS SHOULD APPLY AT ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR CENTRES FROM 9 AM TO 3.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY):
HONG KONG REGION
TANG SHIU KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL
5 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI
KOWLOON REGION
HOMANTIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
8 PERTH STREET, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON
NEW TERRITORIES
TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
70 HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN
SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
11-17 MAN LAI ROAD, SHA TIN
THE VACANCIES COMPRISE 71 IN THE ARTS, 17 IN THE SCIENCE AND SEVEN IN THE COMMERCIAL STREAMS (ENGLISH); 54 IN THE ARTS AND ONE IN THE SCIENCE STREAMS (CHINESE).
- - 0 - -
WATER CUTS IN SHAM SHUI PO, TAI KOK TSUI
******
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO AND TAI KOK TSUI WILL GO OFF FROM 10 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 20) TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY TUNG CHAU STREET, YEN CHOW STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND TONG MI ROAD.
- - 0 - -
/19
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 18 AUG 92 18 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q234 H271
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,800 MN HKD 980 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 800 MN HKD 300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.45 PCT 2.60 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.47 PCT 2.62 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 70 PCT ABOUT 50 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.48 PCT 2.64 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 24 AUGUST 1992 -
TENDER DATE 25 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q235
ISSUE DATE 26 AUG 92
MATURITY DATE 25 NOV 92
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 800 + 160 MN
--------0-----------
/20........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1992
20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,500
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,000
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.7 *-0.1» 18 .8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.37 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.57 3.30
1 MONTH 2.37 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.74 3.60
3 MONTHS 2.43 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.75 3.85
6 MONTHS 2.61 PCT 24 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.10 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5 CLOSED 18 AUGUST 1992 2408 ,479MN 4.375 100.72 4.00
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MARKET REGULATORY SYSTEM PROTECTS INVESTORS ......................... 1
GOVERNOR LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING ZHOU NAN ........................... 2
NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ................................... 2
LAND AUCTION FETCHES $113 MILLION ................................... 3
PROPERTY TRANSACTION STATISTICS FOR JULY ............................ 4
THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER .............................. 5
CALL TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY .................................. 5
DORMITORY ARRANGEMENT FOR VIETNAMESE ................................ 6
REPORTS ON TAXI MERGING REFUTED...................................... 7
1,974 APPLY FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF FORM 6 PLACES ................. 7
SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERY ON HOLIDAY .................................... 7
FIREMEN COMMENDED FOR ROLE IN RAINSTORM ............................. 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MAREKT OPERATIONS .......... 9
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
MARKET REGULATORY SYSTEM PROTECTS INVESTORS ******
HONG KONG HAS A SYSTEM OF REGULATION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS WHICH GIVES INVESTORS CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR MONEY IS PROPERLY LOOKED AFTER, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED TODAY TO SEE SO MANY OF THOSE WHO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR AND REGULATE THE MARKETS WHICH UNDERPIN OUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS.
"AND I AM SURE MYSELF THAT THEIR WORK AND THE CONTINUING VITALITY OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WILL ENSURE THAT WE BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S FINANCIAL CENTRES," HE SAID, ROUNDING UP A DAY’S VISIT TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
HE SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REASONS BEHIND HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SUCCESS: "FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE WE ARE A FREE ENTERPRISE ECONOMY. SECONDLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOW AND STABLE TAX REGIME. THIRDLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO SYSTEM OF EXCHANGE CONTROLS. AND FOURTHLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE CERTAINTY OF THE RULE OF LAW."
EARLIER THIS MORNING, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, BRIEFED MR PATTEN AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR NENDICK, HE CALLED ON THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND (OEF). THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR JOSEPH YAM, EXPLAINED TO HIM HOW THE EXCHANGE FUND WAS MANAGED.
HE TOURED THE DEALING ROOM AND THE CENTRAL MONEY MARKETS UNIT TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF OEF.
MR PATTEN WENT ON TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) AT EXCHANGE SQUARE. HE WAS BRIEFED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MR ROBERT NOTTLF, ON HOW THE COMMISSION REGULATED THE STOCK MARKET. HE ALSO MET EXECUTIVE AND NON-EXECUT IVE DIRECTORS OF THE COMMISSION.
HE THEN PROCEEDED TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG (SEHK) TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORKINGS OF THE INSTITUTION. HE SAW HOW DEALINGS WERE CARRIED OUT IN THE TRADING HALL JUST BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE MORNING SESSION. AFTERWARDS HE MET MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF SEHK COUNCIL.
IN THE AFTERNOON, THE GOVERNOR PAID A VISIT TO HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE. HE SAW ACTIVITIES IN THE TRADING HALL.
AFTERWARDS, HE WENT ON TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT. RECEIVED BI THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, HE WAS BRIEFED ON VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT. HE SAW THE BUSY ACTIVITIES AT THE PUBLIC SEARCH SECTION OF THE COMPANIES REGISTRY.
BEFORE WINDING UP THE VISIT, MR PATTEN CALLED ON THE OFFICES OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO LEARN ABOUT WORKINGS OF THE TWO OFFICES.
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/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
2
GOVERNOR LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING ZHOU NAN
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, MR ZHOU NAN, AND EXCHANGING VIEWS ON GENERAL ISSUES WITH HIM.
"IT’S A MEETING AT WHICH WE WILL, I AM SURE, BE ABLE TO GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER MUCH BETTER BECAUSE WE WILL BE WORKING TOGETHER, I HOPE, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AHEAD,” MR PATTEN SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS "FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DAY", THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT HIS MEETING WITH MR ZHOU NAN WOULD NOT BE A NEGOTIATING SESSION.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION ON THE NEW AIRPORT, HE SAID HE WAS ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT THAT THE AIRPORT WOULD BE BUILT AND THAT THE PROBLEMS WHICH HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED BE SORTED OUT ON THEIR MERITS IN DUE COURSE VERY RAPIDLY.
"WE ALL RECOGNISE THAT HONG KONG HAS A TREMENDOUS REPUTATION FOR IMPLEMENTING LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS COST-EFFECTIVELY AND ON TIME.
"WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH WITH A BIG PROJECT, YOU ARE CONSTANTLY, AT LEAST IF YOU ARE DOING THINGS IN HONG KONG, LOOKING FOR WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN DO IT BETTER AND DO IT CHEAPER. THAT’S WHAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO.
"IF ANYBODY HAS GOT ANY ADVICE AS WE GO ALONG, I AM SURE WE WILL LISTEN TO IT," HE ADDED.
ASKED WHEN HE WOULD VISIT BEIJING, MR PATTEN SAID HE WOULD DO SO AS SOON AS HE COULD, BUT THE DATE OF HIS VISIT WAS VERY MUCH A MATTER FOR HIS HOSTS.
"I WANT TO VISIT BEIJING AS SOON AS IT IS POSSIBLE, AND I WANT TO DEVELOP A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH MY OPPOSITE NUMBER IN BEIJING," HE SAID.
------0--------
NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS *****
IN RESPONSE TO REPORTS THAT SOME HONG KONG RESIDENTS WITH WIVES IN CHINA WERE UNABLE TO MEET IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY HELD FOUR LENGTHY MEETINGS WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON JULY 8, 10, 14 AND 28.
"WE HAVE LISTENED VERY CAREFULLY TO THEIR VIEWS AND REQUESTS WHICH WERE ALSO MADE KNOWN TO VARIOUS AUTHORITIES INCLUDING OMELCO.
"HOWEVER, AS THE LEVEL CONTROLLED IN THE INTERESTS OF QUESTION OF AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL FOR ENTRY FROM CHINA WILL REMAIN
AND RATE OF IMMIGRATION MUST BE OUR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, THERE IS NO INMIGRANTS. THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS UNCHANGED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/A LETTER .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
3
A LETTER OUTLINING THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION HAS ALSO BEEN SENT TO THESE REPRESENTATIVES ON AUGUST 18.
THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THEY HAD NEW ISSUES TO RAISE OR VIEWS TO EXPRESS, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE THEM IN WRITING AND THESE WOULD BE LOOKED AT SERIOUSLY.
EARLIER THIS MORNING, A GROUP OF THE HUSBANDS WHO HAVE WIVES IN CHINA WENT TO THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS SEEKING ANOTHER MEETING WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS.
LATER THEY GATHERED ON THE 23RD FLOOR OF WANCHAI TOWER II, BRINGING CONSIDERABLE DISRUPTION TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THEY LEFT THE 23RD FLOOR AT 2.40 PM UNDER THE ADVICE AND SUPERVISION OF IMMIGRATION AND POLICE OFFICERS.
------0-------
LAND AUCTION FETCHES $113 MILLION
*****
THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $113 MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN A PUBLIC AUCTION THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST SITE IS AT MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, LANTAU. IT WAS SOLD TO EVER CHAMPION DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT $54 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $20 MILLION.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 741 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, CINEMA AND HOTEL) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 2,085 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
THE SECOND SITE IS IN WANG YIP STREET WEST, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY KEENFORD REALTY LIMITED AT $44 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $30 MILLION.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,778 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES) AND THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIRS.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 13,600 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
THE REMAINING SITE IS IN BERWICK STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON. IT WAS SOLD TO SUNKING DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT $15 MIL1ION. BIDDING OPENED AT $9 MILLION.
/THE SITE .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
4
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 114 SQUARE METRES, IS EARMARKED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL, PETROL FILLING STATION AND SERVICES APARTMENT) PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 350 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AND CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR NIGEL BURLEY.
-----0-------
PROPERTY TRANSACTION STATISTICS FOR JULY
*****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE IN JULY DECREASED BY 8.9 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND BY 5 PER CENT COMPARED WITH JULY LAST YEAR.
IN ALL, 12,607 AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED DURING THE MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATION INVOLVED WAS ABOUT $30.53 BILLION.
THESE FIGURES WERE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS REGISTERED IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES WHICH WERE RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
THERE WERE ONE BUILDING MORTGAGE AND 18,296 OTHER MORTGAGES REGISTERED IN THE MONTH, COMPARED WITH 14 AND 19,718 RESPECTIVELY IN JULY 1991.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH WAS $4.8 MILLION AS COMPARED WITH ABOUT $1,126.4 MILLION IN JULY 1991.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DROPPED BY 9.3 PER CENT, FROM ABOUT $8.04 BILLION IN JULY 1991 TO ABOUT $7.29 BILLION IN JULY 1992.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT ACTUALLY DRAWN DOWN ON BUILDING AND OTHER MORTGAGES AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE'S RECEIPTS, DECREASED BY 3.1 PER CENT, FROM ABOUT $3.81 BILLION IN JULY 1991 TO ABOUT $3.69 BILLION IN JULY 1992.
MEANWHILE, DETAILS OF LAND OFFICE CONSENTS GIVEN TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS FOR SALES AND PURCHASES OF UNCOMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE ALSO RELEASED.
IN JULY, SEVEN SUCH CONSENTS WERE GRANTED INVOLVING 1,583 UNITS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 2,196 UNITS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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/5.........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
- 5 -
THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE IS AT AREA 10, PO LAM, TSEUNG KWAN 0, SAI KUNG.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,280 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR PUBLIC PARKING OF LORRIES ONLY (EXCLUDING PRIVATE CARS AND LIGHT VANS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER TWO LOTS ARE SITUATED OFF FUNG SHING STREET, NGAU CHI WAN, MEASURING ABOUT 3,970 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 1,320 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH SITES ARE DESIGNATED FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASSIS ATTACHED). THEY MAY ALSO BE USED AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA.
THEIR TENANCIES ARE FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON SEPTEMBER 4.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THOSE FOR THE FIRST LAND LOT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAI KUNG, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, THIRD FLOOR, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
------0-------
CALL TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES AND CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE (CHOI SUM) THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR W K LO, FOLLOWING THE DETECTION OF A BATCH OF CHOI SUM IMPORTED FROM SHENZHEN THAT HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED WITH METHAMIDOPHOS.
DR LO SAID WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, SAMPLES OF THE VEGETABLES WERE TAKEN FROM THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET YESTERDAY FOR LABORATORY TEST.
IT WAS CONFIRMED THIS MORNING THAT THE VEGETABLES WERE PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED.
/AS A........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
6
AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE BATCH OF VEGETABLES, TOTALLING 787 KILOGRAMMES, WAS SEIZED AND DESTROYED.
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE FINDINGS AND THE NAME OF THE FARM IMPLICATED FOR THEIR NECESSARY ACTIONS.
DR LO SAID THE DETECTION ONCE AGAIN PROVED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.
HE ADDED THAT SO FAR THIS YEAR, ONLY ONE CASE OF FOOD POISONING RESULTING FROM PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES WHICH INVOLVED A MAN AND HIS SON HAD BEEN REPORTED.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS TIGHTENED UP CHECKING AND SAMPLING AT THE BORDER CHECKPOINTS.
TO PREVENT FOOD POISONING BY PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
* DON’T BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
* WASH WELL BEFORE COOKING;
* DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR SOME TIME TO ALLOW PESTICIDES TO LEACH OUT;
* BLANCH IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED FOR BLANCHING AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
* COOK THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
--------0-----------
DORMITORY ARRANGEMENT FOR VIETNAMESE
******
VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN HEI LING DETENTION CENTRE, NEI KWU DETENTION CENTRE AND GREEN ISLAND RECEPTION CENTRE WILL NOT BE LOCKED INSIDE THEIR DORMITORIES FROM TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID HOWEVER NIGHT CURFEW, WHICH HAD PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN CURBING CRIME, WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ENFORCED AT THOSE CENTRES.
AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, A STAFF MEMBER WILL BE STATIONED INSIDE THE DORMITORY IN GREEN ISLAND RECEPTION CENTRE. IN NEI KWU, THE DOORS OF THE DORMITORIES WILL BE CLOSED BUT NOT LOCKED.
IN HEI LING, AT THE REQUEST OF THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, BOLTS ARE BEING FITTED TO THE DOORS OF THE DORMITORIES TO ALLOW THEM TO LOCK THEMSELVES IN AND TO GET OUT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
REPORTS ON TAXI MERGING REFUTED * * * »
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID PRESS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SUGGESTED THE DEPARTMENT SUPPORTED THE OF URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WERE GROSSLY UNTRUE.
REPORTS MERGING
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD NOT TAKEN AND WOULD NOT TAKE A VIEW ON THE MATTER BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF A STUDY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NEW AIRPORT KOK, INCLUDING TAXI SERVICES.
BE ABLE TO
CONSULTANCY
AT CHEK LAP
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE STUDY WILL START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1993.
--------0-----------
1,974 APPLY FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF FORM 6 PLACES
******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID A TOTAL OF 1,974 STUDENTS APPLIED FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF SECONDARY 6 PLACES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN THE 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR, 21,993 SECONDARY 6 PLACES ARE PROVIDED IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED SECONDARY AND PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, AND BOUGHT-PLACE SCHOOLS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE REVISED ADMISSION PROCEDURE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR, 21,843 ELIGIBLE SECONDARY 5 STUDENTS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY SCHOOLS, LEAVING ONLY 150 PLACES FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION.
STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT RESULTS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT TUESDAY (AUGUST 25).
---------0-----------
SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERY ON HOLIDAY
*****
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MRS DORIS HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE WOULD BE PROVIDED ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY ON AUGUST 29 (SATURDAY). NO DELIVERY WILL, HOWEVER, BE MADE ON AUGUST 30 AND 31.
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LIBERATION DAY HOLIDAYS (AUGUST 29-31).
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
- 8 -
FIREMEN COMMENDED FOR ROLE IN RAINSTORM
THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR CHAN HOI, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRESENTED COMMENDATIONS TO SEVEN FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN A RESCUE OPERATION DURING A RAINSTORM IN MAY THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT KWONG WAN FIRE STATION, MR CHAN PRAISED THE OFFICERS FOR THEIR BRAVERY, EFFICIENCY, PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP IN THE OPERATION.
THE OFFICERS AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATIONS WERE SENIOR STATION OFFICER WONG KWONG-CHI, PRINCIPAL FIREMAN TAM FAI-CHUN AND SENIOR FIREMAN SO YEUK-HON. EACH OF THEM RECEIVED A LETTER OF NOTIFICATION SIGNED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
THE OTHER FOUR FIREMEN AWARDED THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER’S COMMENDATIONS WERE MOK CHUN-KEUNG, KI TAK-YAN, CHAN MING-CHAI AND LEUNG CHEONG-YUEN.
THE RESCUE OPERATION STARTED SHORTLY AFTER A CALL WAS RECEIVED ABOUT A MUDSLIP AT BAGUIO VILLA AROUND 3.30 PM ON MAY 8.
WHEN THE OFFICERS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, THEY FOUND MUDS SLIDING FROM VICTORIA ROAD HAD ENGULFED THE CARPARK, THE PODIUM AND SOME UNITS ON LOWER LEVELS IN SOME BLOCKS.
SENIOR STATION OFFICER WONG KWONG-CHI IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED STAFF TO SEARCH FOR TRAPPED PERSONS AND HELP EVACUATE RESIDENTS.
DURING THE OPERATION, MR WONG AND HIS COLLEAGUES HEARD SOMEONE CRY FOR HELP INSIDE A LIFT.
A WOMAN, A GIRL AND THEIR PET DOG WERE BROUGHT TO SAFETY. A MAN WAS ALSO RESCUED IN ANOTHER LOCATION AT THE SCENE.
---------0-----------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.7 *-0.0* 19.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.30 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.57 3.36
1 MONTH 2.37 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.74 3.61
3 MONTHS 2.44 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.75 3.88
6 MONTHS 2.60 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.72 4.02
12 ! MONTHS 3.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,988 MN
CLOSED 19 AUGUST 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY,AUGUST 20, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR MEETS NCNA DIRECTOR ......................................... 1
GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO REVIEW PRESS FREEDOMS ............................ 1
GOOD PATIENT CARE IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL ASSURED........................ 2
NO INTENTION TO LEVY DOMESTIC WASTE CHARGE............................ 2
MORE VEGETABLES SEIZED ............................................... 3
BY-ELECTIONS FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL, TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD ........... 4
MRS PATTEN TO OPEN FESTIVAL HK POSTCARD DISPLAY ...................... 4
STATEMENT ON REVISION OF TEXTBOOKS ................................... 6
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ....................................... 6
COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN INVITES APPLICATIONS 10
SAFETY COURSE FOR CAISSON WORKERS ................................... 11
TWO UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS TO BE CLOSED.............................. 12
YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW MEMBERS ................................ 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
13
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
GOVERNOR MEETS NONA DIRECTOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (THURSDAY) MET THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR ZHOU NAN, FOR AN HOUR AND FORTY MINUTES OF DISCUSSIONS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE MR ZHOU IN GOOD HEALTH AND ADDED:
"ALTHOUGH THIS WAS NOT A NEGOTIATING SESSION, WE DID DISCUSS, VERY USEFULLY, MANY OF THE MAJOR ISSUES ON THE HONG KONG AGENDA. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY FRIENDLY FIRST MEETING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO REGULAR AND PRODUCTIVE CONTACTS WITH THE DIRECTOR JN THE FUTURE."
--------0-----------
GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO REVIEW PRESS FREEDOMS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE WAS PREPARED TO LOOK AGAIN AT WHAT MIGHT BE DONE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND TO REINFORCE PRESS FREEDOMS.
MR PATTEN GAVE THIS UNDERTAKING DURING A MEETING AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE WITH A DELEGATION FROM THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION.
"WHILE I REMAIN SCEPTICAL ABOUT THE VALUE OF GENERAL DECLARATORY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION, I AM PREPARED TO CONSIDER THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION WITH AN OPEN MIND," MR PATTEN SAID.
THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION DELEGATION EXPLAINED THEIR PROPOSAL FOR A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE AND THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT VARIOUS LAWS WHICH THEY CONS IDER TO BE A THREAT TO THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD COMMISSION A REVIEW TO CONSIDER THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION’S CONCERNS AND TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC MEASURES WHICH MIGHT BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THEM.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WORK COULD NOT BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 7, BUT THAT HE HOPED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LATER IN THE AUTUMN.
/2 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
2
GOOD PATIENT CARE IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL ASSURED
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, STRESSED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE STAFF SHORTAGE SITUATION AT TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WAS NOT RESULTING IN ANY ADVERSE EFFECT UPON THE PATIENTS AT ALL.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL THIS AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE BOUND TO BE SOME TEETHING TROUBLES IN THE EARLY MONTHS IN ANY NEW HOSPITAL WHERE SERVICES AND STAFF WERE STILL BEING BUILT UP.
"IT SIMPLY MEANS THAT THE STAFF ARE HAVING TO WORK RATHER HARDER, AND I WAS VERY HAPPY TO COMPLIMENT THEM ON THEIR GOOD SPIRITS SOMETIMES UNDER QUITE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES," HE SAID.
"THIS IS NOT ACROSS THE BOARD, I MIGHT SAY; THERE ARE PARTICULAR STRAINS BECAUSE THE BIRTH RATE IS VERY HIGH IN TUEN MUN, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF BABIES BEING BORN HERE; THEY'VE HAD TO TAKE OVER SOME EXTRA WARDS AND IT’S THOSE SORT OF THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO FORESEE IN THE PLANNING STAGES BUT I’M HOPEFUL THAT THOSE WILL BE PUT RIGHT TOO," HE ADDED.
"BUT I’VE TAKEN PAINS TO ASK ALL THE DOCTORS AND ALL THE MEDICAL STAFF HERE, AND I’M ASSURED THAT THE PATIENT CARE HERE IS AS GOOD AS IN ANY HOSPITAL ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG, AND SO THERE IS NO QUESTION OF PATIENTS SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF SOME OF THE STRAIN WHICH IS HAPPENING IN TERMS OF STAFF SHORTAGES," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE’VE BEEN ASSURED THAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS TRYING TO SORT OUT THE STAFFING SITUATION; THEY’RE SENDING MORE STAFF HERE ALL THE TIME AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME THE SHORTAGES WILL BE ALLEVIATED AND THAT THE STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO WORK A MORE NORMAL ROUTINE," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
NO INTENTION TO LEVY DOMESTIC WASTE CHARGE
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION AT THIS STAGE TO INTRODUCE A FEE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC WASTES.
COMMENTING ON A PRESS REPORT TODAY (THURSDAY) ON DISPOSAL OF WASTES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID IT WAS MISLEADING TO SAY THAT HOUSEHOLDERS MAY BE HIT WITH A RUBBISH DISPOSAL FEE.
/DOMESTIC WASTES .......
V
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
- 3 -
DOMESTIC WASTES ARE MAINLY COLLECTED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE POSITION WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING A FEE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF PRIVATELY COLLECTED WASTES — COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND CONSTRUCTION WASTES -- PRESENTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT LANDFILLS.
"WE FEEL THERE IS A GOOD CASE FOR SUCH A FEE CONSIDERING THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE AMOUNTS OF THESE WASTES BEING PRESENTED FOR DISPOSAL, AS WELL AS THE HIGH COST OF PROVIDING DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
"BESIDES, A FEE MAY ENCOURAGE MINIMISATION OF THESE WASTES AND REDUCE THE DEMAND ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUCH EXPENSIVE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
"DETAILS OF THE SCHEME HAVE NOT YET BEEN FINALISED AND FULL CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY HAS YET TO BE COMPLETED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
---------0-----------
MORE VEGETABLES SEIZED
******
A LORRY-LOAD OF VEGETABLES WEIGHING OVER ONE TONNE WERE SEIZED AND DESTROYED BY HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING AT MAN KAM TO BORDER CHECKPOINT.
THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR W K LO, SAID THE LORRY CAME FROM THE SAME FARM IN SHENZHEN AS THE ONE IMPLICATED YESTERDAY WHEN 787 KILOGRAMMES OF PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES WERE SEIZED AND DESTROYED.
HE SAID FOUR SAMPLES OF CHOI SUM (CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE), > WATER SPINACH, PAK CHOI (CHINESE WHITE CABBAGE) AND CHINESE SPINACH WERE TAKEN FOR QUICK SCREENING TESTS FOR PESTICIDE AND THE RESULTS WERE ALL POSITIVE.
DR LO SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS STEPPED-UP CHECKING AND SAMPLING AT THE BORDER CHECKPOINTS AND RETAIL OUTLETS.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
------0-------
/4 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
BY-ELECTIONS FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL, TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD * * * * *
BY-ELECTIONS FOR THE TUEN MUN WEST CONSTITUENCY OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI HING CONSTITUENCY OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE HELD SOON AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY ON AUGUST 30.
NOMINATIONS WILL BE CALLED FOR ON SEPTEMBER 1 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BY-ELECTION AND ON SEPTEMBER 7 FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION.
PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES MAY NOW OBTAIN COPIES OF NOMINATION
rnuorrj-i l v n L/Hiwiiirt i do rm i ixxjn udimiiv vv/rxno '-/r iwuinn i FORMS AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TO QUALIFY AS A CANDIDATE, A PERSON MUST BE A REGISTERED ELECTOR AND HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE NOMINATION.
A CANDIDATE CAN BE A RESIDENT ANYWHERE IN HONG KONG, BUT HIS NOMINATION MAY ONLY BE SUBSCRIBED BY REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE CONSTITUENCY CONCERNED.
EACH NOMINATION REQUIRES 10 SUBSCRIBERS AND EACH SUBSCRIBER MAY GIVE SUPPORT TO ONE CANDIDATE ONLY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER OR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON 827 1122.
- - 0 - -
MRS PATTEN TO OPEN FESTIVAL HK POSTCARD DISPLAY
******
YOUNGSTERS WHO WISH TO EXTEND FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL TO CANADIAN CHILDREN ARE WELCOME TO VISIT A "FESTIVAL POSTCARD DISPLAY" AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE OVER THE WEEKEND.
THEY CAN FILL IN POSTCARDS WITH THEIR DRAWINGS AND PERSONAL MESSAGES WHICH WILL BE DISPATCHED TO TORONTO, MONTREAL, CALGARY, OTTAWA AND VANCOUVER.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED TO PROMOTE FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE FIVE CANADIAN CITIES AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
THE DISPLAY IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB.
/ON SHOW
THURSDAY,AUGUST 20, 1992
5 -
ON SHOW WILL BE 500 OUTSTANDING POSTCARDS SELECTED FROM ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY 25,000 STUDENTS FROM SOME 400 SCHOOLS UNDER AN "OPERATION POSTCARD" LAUNCHED IN MARCH.
THE "OPERATION POSTCARD" WAS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE THEME OF THE FESTIVAL - "HONG KONG AND CANADA: BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC".
THE IDEA WAS TO INVITE HONG KONG YOUNGSTERS TO WRITE MESSAGES OR PRODUCE DRAWINGS ON PRE-PRINTED POSTCARDS WHICH SERVE AS GREETINGS TO THEIR PEERS IN CANADA.
THE POSTCARDS WILL HOPEFULLY RESULT IN LASTING PEN FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN YOUTHS IN THE TWO COMMUNITIES.
YOUTHS VISITING THE THREE-DAY DISPLAY BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5 PM DAILY WILL BE GIVEN THE POSTCARDS TO FILL IN. COMPLETED CARDS SHOULD BE DROPPED IN A COLLECTION BOX AT THE VENUE.
THE "FESTIVAL POSTCARD DISPLAY" WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 22) BY MRS PATTEN; THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG; AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA, MR JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL 5 PM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 24).
THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE, ONE OF THE PERFORMING GROUPS IN THE FESTIVAL, WILL PRESENT A PROGRAMME AT 10.20 AM ON SATURDAY IN THE FOYER OF THE CULTURAL CENTRE.
FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92, THE BIGGEST-EVER OVERSEAS PROMOTION PROGRAMME STAGED BY HONG KONG, WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 26 IN TORONTO.
IT WILL SHOWCASE A SPECTRUM OF HONG KONG’S BUSINESS, CULTURAL I AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES TO PEOPLE IN CANADA, AIMING TO FORGE CLOSER TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "FESTIVAL POSTCARD DISPLAY" WILL BE HELD AT THE FOYER OF THE AUDITOR!A BUILDING OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 22) AT 11 AM.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
-----0-------------
/6 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
6
STATEMENT ON REVISION OF TEXTBOOKS
*****
IN REPLY TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON REVISION OF TEXTBOOKS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS WELL AWARE THAT PARENTS SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY BURDENED FINANCIALLY THROUGH TEXTBOOKS BEING CHANGED UNNECESSARILY.
HE SAID SCHOOLS WERE ADVISED EVERY YEAR THROUGH CIRCULARS THAT CHANGES BE MADE ONLY IN TEXTBOOKS CURRENTLY IN USE BUT WHICH HAD BEEN FOUND TO BE UNSUITABLE.
"WHERE A SERIES OF GRADED BOOKS IS TO BE REPLACED, THE NEW SERIES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED GRADUALLY, BEGINNING AT THE LOWEST LEVEL AND NOT AT ALL LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL AT ANY ONE TINE EXCEPT IN THE EVENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW SYLLABUS.
"THE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATIONS MEET TWICE A YEAR TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND REVIEW THE SYSTEM CURRENTLY IN PRACTICE.
"BUT IN VIEW OF TODAY’S PETITION AT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTACT THE COUNCIL TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF THE COMPLAINTS TO FACILITATE INVESTIGATION.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO CONTACT THE ASSOCIATIONS TO REVIEW THE CURRENT PRACTICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE GRADING SYSTEM SERVES TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATER WAS USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
/THE GRADING
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
7
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATER IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS:
* GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
* GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR.
THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A GRADE "4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, AS THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A GRADE "3” OR BETTER WAS CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
/IN ADDITION .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
8
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER
QUALITY OF VARIOUS
BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE:
PREVIOUS PRESENT
BEACH GRADING GRADING
HONG KONG SOUTH (AS AT 6.8.92) (AS AT 20.8.92)
BIG WAVE BAY 3 2
CHUNG HOM KOK 1 1
DEEP WATER BAY 2 2
HAIRPIN 2 1
MIDDLE BAY 2 2
REPULSE BAY 1 2
SHEK 0 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST STEPHEN’S 2 1
TURTLE COVE 2 1
STANLEY MAIN 2 1
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA
NEW CAFETERIA
CASTLE PEAK
KADOORIE
BUTTERFLY
/SAI KUNG ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
9
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 2 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 3 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 3 2
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1 1
SILVERSTRAND 2 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2 2
HUNG SHING YEH 1 1
KWUN YAM WAN 2 1
TONG FUK 2 2
LO SO SHING 1 1
PUI 0 2 2
SILVERMINE BAY 3 2
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 2
TUNG O* 2 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 4 3
APPROACH 3 2
CASAM 3 2
/GEMINI .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
10
GEMINI 3
HOI MEI WAN 3
LIDO 3
TING KAU 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2
3
2
2
3
2
NOTE: ”X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING ♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACH
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
HAIRPIN, ST STEPHEN*S, TURTLE COVE, STANLEY MAIN, KWUN YAM WAN, TUNG O AND CAMPERS FROM "2” TO ”1”; BIG WAVE BAY, SILVERMINE BAY, CLEAR WATER BAY (1ST), CLEAR WATER BAY (2ND), APPROACH, CASAM, HOI MEI WAN AND LIDO FROM ”3” TO ”2”; ANGLERS’ FROM ”4" TO "3”; REPULSE BAY FROM ”1” TO ”2”.
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR DAVID L HALL ON 835 1234.
--------0-----------
COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN INVITES APPLICATIONS
*******
A NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE OFFERED UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND AND NIGERIA.
THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INTENDED FOR HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HIGH INTELLECTUAL PROMISE WHO ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG ON THEIR RETURN FROM STUDY ABROAD.
THEY ARE PRIMARILY AVAILABLE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY OR RESEARCH AT OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES NORMALLY EXTENDING OVER A PERIOD OF TWO ACADEMIC YEARS.
THE AWARDS WILL COVER APPROVED EXPENSES FOR TRAVEL, LIVING AND STUDY DURING THE TENURE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP.
/CANDIDATES SHOULD .......
11
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE:
* PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG;
* NORMALLY NOT MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF AGE AT THE TIME THE SCHOLARSHIP STARTS (PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE BELOW 28 YEARS OF AGE); AND
* GRADUATES OF RECOGNISED UNIVERSITIES OR HOLDERS OF EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS. CANDIDATES WHO ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THE AWARDS MUST SATISFY CERTAIN LANGUAGE, HEALTH AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, FIFTH FLOOR, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, 16 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL, HONG KONG (TEL 801 5776) FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
COMPLETED FORMS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 30. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- - 0 - -
SAFETY COURSE FOR CAISSON WORKERS ******
AN ADDITIONAL COURSE ON CAISSON WORK SAFETY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR NEXT THURSDAY (AUGUST 27) TO MEET THE OVERWHELMING ENROLMENT TO THE ONE HELD TODAY (THURSDAY).
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE WORKERS BECOME MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK," CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID.
"WE HOPE THAT BY TAKING PART IN TRAINING COURSES WORKERS WILL HAVE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE POTENTIAL RISKS IN CAISSON AND MANHOLE WORK AND WILL MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO AVOID ACCIDENTS," HE ADDED.
THE ONE-DAY COURSE, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, FEATURES TALKS ON PRECAUTIONS AGAINST POTENTIAL HAZARDS SUCH AS HARMFUL GASES IN CAISSON AND MANHOLE OPERATIONS.
IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF SELECTED CASES WILL BE ANALYSED AND DISCUSSED IN CLASS TO FURTHER INCREASE THE GENERAL SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG WORKERS.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, I3TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM ON AUGUST 27.
INTERESTED WORKERS MAY CALL THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL ON 739 9377 FOR APPLICATIONS OR ENQUIRIES.
- - 0 - -
/12
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1992
- 12 -
luo UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS IN NORTH POINT AND MONG KOK SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS ARE LOCATED ON THE REAR LANE OF WINNER HOUSE, 310-316 KING’S ROAD AND THE STAIRHEAD OF KINGLAND APARTMENTS, 737-74 IC NATHAN ROAD AND 46-50 BUTE STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 20 AND NOVEMBER 26 RESPECTIVELY WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
-----0------
YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW MEMBERS
*****
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 1992-93.
THE ORCHESTRA WAS FORMED IN 1978 WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING TRAINEES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE WITH ORCHESTRAL TRAINING.
OVER THE YEARS, THE ORCHESTRA HELD REGULAR CONCERTS IN HONG KONG AND GAVE PERFORMANCE OVERSEAS, INCLUDING AUSTRALIA, CYPRUS, FRANCE, ISRAEL, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SINGAPORE.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE ATTAINED GRADE VII OR ABOVE IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION, OR EQUIVALENT, IN AT LEAST ONE ORCHESTRAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 16. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION AT A LATER STAGE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 802 0657.
- - 0----------
/13........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20,11992
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS t ♦ * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1> 500
NET INJECTION/WITIIDRAWAL TODAY NHj
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TW1 109.6 *-0.1* 20.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF TERMS BILLS YIELD TERM ISSUE HONG KONG COUPON GOVERNMENT BONDS
PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.30 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.57 3.41
1 MONTH 2.37 PCT IS MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.74 3.67
3 MONTHS 2.45 PCT 21 MONTHS 2 105 5.50 102.75 3.93
6 MONTHS 2.65 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.72 4.07
12 MONTHS 3.15 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 2,885 MN
CLOSED 20 AUGUST 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LOOKS FORWARD TO REGULAR MEETINGS WITH NCNA DIRECTOR .......... 1
GOVERNOR IMPRESSED BY HONG KONG'S CULTURAL LIFE ........................ 2
US/CHINA SECTION 301 NEGOTIATIONS ...................................... 3
BOARD EXPLAINS CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 PROPOSAL ........................... 4
146 CAUGHT IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ..................... 4
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER ............................... 5
GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY GETS $1.6 MILLION BOOST .................. 6
APPLICATIONS FOR UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS TO CLOSE NEXT WEEK ................. 7
13 ADVERTISED SCHOOL PREMISES INSPECTED ................................ 8
DEMAND FOR TRADER FAX SERVICE GROWING .................................. 9
THREE SITES FOR SALE BY AUCTION ........................................ 10
TENDERS INVITED FOR THREE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ........................ 11
NEW CAMPING SITE AT TSING LUNG TAU ..................................... 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR LEACHATE TREATMENT WORKS ........................... 13
CENTRAL AND WESTERN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO CLOSE .................... 13
FIRING PRACTICE IN SEPTEMBER ........................................... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 15
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
GOVERNOR LOOKS FORWARD TO REGULAR MEETINGS WITH NONA DIRECTOR
******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT DURING HIS MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, MR ZHOU NAN, THEY HAD SET OUT A NUMBER OF THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BEST WAY IN WHICH THEY COULD REACH AGREEMENTS IN THE FUTURE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES, MR PATTEN SAID HE WANTED TO HAVE AS REGULAR MEETINGS AS POSSIBLE, NOT ONLY WITH MR ZHOU NAN BUT WITH OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL FOR US TO TALK ABOUT; THERE IS A GREAT DEAL FOR US TO FIND AGREEMENT ON OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS," HE SAID.
"WELL, SO FAR AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE NCNA IS CONCERNED, I MADE IT CLEAR TO HIM YESTERDAY THAT I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE HIM WHENEVER HE WANTED TO SEE ME."
"WHENEVER HE WISHES TO SEE ME ALL HE HAS TO DO IS TO PICK UP THE TELEPHONE AND I WILL BE DELIGHTED TO MEET HIM. AND SOMETIMES, I ■ DARE SAY, I’LL BE PICKING UP THE TELEPHONE ON HIM AS WELL," MR PATTEN ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE AND MR ZHOU NAN DID TALK ABOUT THE NEW AIRPORT YESTERDAY.
"I’M SURE THAT WE BOTH WANT TO SEE THE PRESENT PROBLEMS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WHAT MEETINGS LIKE YESTERDAY’S CAN CONTRIBUTE IS GREATER UNDERSTANDING ON BOTH SIDES OF OUR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS AND GREATER TRUST, IN A SENSIBLE, COOPERATIVE SET OF NEGOTIATIONS.
"YOU DON’T ALWAYS AGREE ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ISSUE BUT YOU TRY TO FIND A WAY THROUGH, YOU TRY TO FIND SENSIBLE ACCOMMODATIONS WHICH ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO VISITING BEIJING BEFORE TOO LONG AND MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS.
"WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THE TRANSITION BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 AND BEYOND IS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE, AND I WILL OF COURSE BE DOING ALL THAT I CAN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG IS EFFECTIVELY AND VIGOROUSLY AND COMPETENTLY GOVERNED WITH A GREAT DEAL OF PARTICIPATION BY THE COMMUNITY IN THAT PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT," MR PATTEN SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE CORPORATISATION OF RTHK, THE GOVERNOR SAID MOST OF THE JOURNALISTS WHO SPOKE TO HIM THIS AFTERNOON APPEARED TO ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT CORPORATISATION.
"I THINK MOST OF THE ARGUMENT WHICH HAVE BEEN PUT HAVE BEEN ABOUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH CORPORATISATION COULD HELP THE EFFICIENCY OF RTHK, HELP IT TO REDUCE COSTS AND REDUCE BUREAUCRACY," HE SAID.
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/2 ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
2
GOVERNOR IMPRESSED BY HONG KONG’S CULTURAL LIFE
******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) HE WAS DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE WIDE-RANGING CULTURAL AND SPORTING FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
NOTING THAT THE FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS WERE REMARKABLE, MR PATTEN SAID HE WAS ALSO GRATEFUL TO OTHERS, INCLUDING THE JOCKEY CLUB, WHO SPONSORED OR CONTRIBUTED TO IT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, THE GOVERNOR FIRST VISITED THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
HE WAS RECEIVED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE, MR TANG PUI-TAT, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR CANICE MAK.
THE GOVERNOR WATCHED A REHEARSAL BY PUPILS OF JEAN M WONG BALLET SCHOOL IN THE AUDITORIUM. AT A MUSIC STUDIO, THE GOVERNOR LISTENED TO THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR PRACTISING THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG’ 92 THEME SONG "HEARTS ACROSS THE PACIFIC".
THE CHOIR WILL BE ONE OF THE MANY PERFORMING GROUPS FROM HONG KONG TO TOUR CANADA DURING THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD IN TORONTO IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
HE THEN MOVED ON TO THE ADJOINING SHA TIN CENTRAL LIBRARY WHERE HE WAS SHOWN A DEMONSTRATION OF THE LIBRARY’S AUTOMATION PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD BE IN SERVICE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
AT HIS NEXT STOP, THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE, THE GOVERNOR WAS MET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MAJOR-GENERAL GUY WATKINS.
HE TOURED FACILITIES IN THE INSTITUTE AND SAW A NUMBER OF TRAINING SESSIONS, INCLUDING ONE BY TOP DISABLED TABLE-TENNIS PLAYERS.
AFTER LUNCH WITH PROMINENT PERSONALITIES IN THE RECREATION, CULTURE AND BROADCASTING SECTOR, MR PATTEN PROCEEDED TO RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK).
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE, HE WAS TAKEN ON A TOUR OF VARIOUS STUDIOS AT TELEVISION HOUSE.
HE THEN VISITED STUDIOS OF THE CHINESE AND THE ENGLISH RADIO CHANNELS AT BROADCASTING HOUSE. BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE LAST STOP OF HIS DAY’S VISIT, THE GOVERNOR MET STAFF REPRESENTATIVES OF RTHK.
ARRIVING AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, HE WAS GREETED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA.
/HE ENJOYED .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
3
HE ENJOYED PART OF A CONCERT PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND SAW THE HONG KONG DANCE COMPANY AT REHEARSAL.
THE GOVERNOR ENDED HIS TOUR AT THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WHERE HE WATCHED YOUNG PEOPLE PLAY BADMINTON AND VOLLEY BALL.
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US/CHINA SECTION 301 NEGOTIATIONS *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, EXPRESSED CONCERN THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING AT NEWS THAT THE U.S. INTENDED TO PUBLISH A PRELIMINARY LIST OF POSSIBLE TARIFF INCREASES ON CHINESE PRODUCTS.
"THE LIST IS PRIMARILY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT," SAID MR CHAU. "THE U.S. WILL NOT MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON THE TARIFF INCREASES UNTIL AFTER THE NEGOTIATING DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 10. WE HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THE U.S. AND CHINESE NEGOTIATORS WILL HAVE REACHED A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT BEFORE THEN. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A BILATERAL ISSUE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE U.S., TRADE RETALIATION AND COUNTER-RETALIATION BETWEEN OUR TWO LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DAMAGING TO HONG KONG. WE HAVE MADE THIS VERY CLEAR TO BOTH SIDES."
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD QUICKLY ANALYSE THE LIST AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE, IN ORDER TO ASSESS ITS LIKELY IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA-MADE GOODS, ON A PRODUCT-BY-PRODUCT BASIS.
"WE WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS," SAID MR CHAU. "THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF THEM ON THE DETAILS OF THE LIST AND SEEK THEIR COMMENTS. WE WILL BE ENCOURAGING BUSINESS GROUPS TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON THE LIST TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL CERTAINLY SUBMIT ITS COMMENTS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED BY THE ECONOMIC HARM WHICH THIS COULD DO TO HONG KONG."
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO CONDUCT MARKET ACCESS TALKS WITH CHINA ON OCTOBER 10 LAST YEAR. UNDER SECTION 301 OF THE U.S. TRADE ACT (1974) THE U.S. NEGOTIATORS HAVE ONE YEAR TO OBTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO CHINESE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE IMPORT OF U.S. GOODS.
THE U.S. PUBLICATION OF A PRELIMINARY LIST OF POSSIBLE TARIFF INCREASES IS IN PREPARATION FOR ANNOUNCING RETALIATORY ACTION BY OCTOBER 10 THIS YEAR IF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT INSUFFICIENT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.
THE PUBLIC WILL NORMALLY BE GIVEN 30 DAYS TO COMMENT ON THE PRELIMINARY LIST.
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
4
BOARD EXPLAINS CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 PROPOSAL * * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON A DECISION BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD (TPB) TODAY (FRIDAY) NOT TO AMEND THE DRAFT TSING YI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IN RELATION TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 PROPOSAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID:
"AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION DETAILED CONSULTANCY STUDIES ON THE FEASIBILITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 (CT-9) ON SOUTHEAST TSING YI, THE TPB IS OF THE VIEW THAT IT IS THE ONLY SUITABLE LOCATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONTAINER TERMINAL TO MEET THE PROJECTED ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE TERRITORY.
"THE TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT UNDERTAKEN IN RELATION TO THE CT-9 DEVELOPMENT INDICATES THAT THE EXISTING AND PLANNED ROAD NETWORK WILL HAVE ADEQUATE CAPACITY FOR THE TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.
"IN PARTICULAR, TWO LANES OF THE FOUR-LANE DUPLICATE SOUTHERN TSING YI BRIDGE WILL, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST PROGRAMME, BE COMPLETED AND OPEN TO TRAFFIC IN JUNE 1995 TO TIE IN WITH THE COMMISSIONING OF THE FIRST BERTH OF CT-9, WHILST THE WHOLE BRIDGE WILL BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1996 BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF CT-9 IN EARLY 1997.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT UNDERTAKEN IN RELATION TO THE CT-9 DEVELOPMENT INDICATES THAT WITH THE PROVISION OF THE RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES, WHICH WILL BE ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENT, THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL BE COMPATIBLE ENVIRONMENTALLY WITH THE EXISTING SURROUNDING LAND USES.
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146 CAUGHT IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
******
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS RECENTLY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 146 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, 129 WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
THE REMAINING 17 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 REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/"OUR LATEST .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
- 5 -
"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 SAID 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 AT 5 AM TODAY, 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 10,220 PERSONS, 1,853 VEHICLES AND 268 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 2,429 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 10,680 EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR PROOF OF IDENTITY CHECKED DURING THE OPERATION.
EIGHTEEN 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.
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EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER ******
A 10TH ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN EXPERTS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG ON AUGUST 26 AND 28.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE MR ALAN PAUL. THE CHINESE TEAM WILL BE LED BY CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE MR LUO JIAHUAN.
THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES.
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/6.........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
6
GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY GETS $1.6 MILLION BOOST *****
REPRESENTATIVES FROM 16 ORGANISATIONS TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED CHEQUES TOTALLING $1.6 MILLION AS SPONSORSHIP FOR THE 1992 GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY.
THE CHEQUES, FOR $100,000 EACH, WERE RECEIVED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR. T H BARMA, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE AWARD’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER FIVE ORGANISERS OF THE AWARD.
THEY INCLUDED DEPUTY TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, MR HENRY TANG; PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MR HERBERT LIANG; CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, MR JAMES TIEN; CO-ORDINATOR OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, MR HUMPHREY KEENLYSIDE AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MR DENNIS YAU.
SPEAKING AT THE CHEQUE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY, FOUNDED IN 1989, HAD GROWN BOTH IN REPUTATION AND IN SIZE.
HE SAID TWO NEW CATEGORIES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED UNDER THIS YEAR’S AWARD: EXPORT MARKETING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE.
"THE EXPORT MARKETING CATEGORY IS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT 90 PER CENT OF OUR DOMESTIC PRODUCTS ARE EXPORTED AND THAT THE PROSPERITY OF OUR INDUSTRIES RELIES VERY MUCH ON THE SKILL WITH WHICH OUR EXPORTERS CAN DEVELOP OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE CATEGORY RECOGNISES THAT SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURERS ARE CONSCIOUS OF, AND RESPECT, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, INCLUDING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
"THESE TWO NEW CATEGORIES ARE IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING CATEGORIES OF CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN, PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE SPONSORSHIP OF $1.6 MILLION WAS $300,000 MORE THAN LAST YEAR.
"THIS IS, OF COURSE, A REFLECTION OF YOUR GENEROSITY AND PUBLl’C-SPIRITEDNESS. BUT, EQUALLY IMPORTANT, IT DEMONSTRATES YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE ABILITY OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS TO CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN, PRODUCTION AND MARKETING," HE SAID.
/THE ASSESSMENT .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE 163 ENTRIES FOR THE SIX CATEGORIES OF THIS YEAR’S GOVERNOR’S AWARD IS NOW UNDER WAY. FINAL JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER AND THE AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD LATER THIS YEAR.
THE 16 SPONSORS ARE: A FAI ENGINEERING &. SHIPREPAIRERS LTD; BANK OF CHINA GROUP; CHEKIANG FIRST BANK LTD; CHIAPHUA-SHINKO COPPER ALLOY CO LTD; THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONG KONG; GOLD PEAK INDUSTRIES (HOLDINGS) LTD; HANG SENG BANK LTD; HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LTD; LIPPO GROUP; REGATEX MANUFACTURERS LTD; SHANGHAI COMMERCIAL BANK LTD; SHUI ON GROUP; SINO GROUP; STANDARD CHARTERED BANK; SULTAN VICWOOD CHONG, MBE; AND SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES LTD.
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APPLICATIONS FOR UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS TO CLOSE NEXT WEEK
******
STUDENTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM/HONG KONG SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1993-94 MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BY NEXT FRIDAY (AUGUST 28).
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES SCHOLARSHIPS IS SEPTEMBER 30, 1992.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED BY THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
"THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A FIRST DEGREE OR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A HIGHER DEGREE EITHER BY RESEARCH OR BY COURSEWORK," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY EXPLAINED.
"APPLICANTS MAY CHOOSE ANY SUBJECT OF STUDY OR RESEARCH AT ANY LEADING ACADEMIC INSTITUTION AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE AND SHOULD BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY," HE ADDED.
"IN ADDITION, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO POSSESS HIGH ACADEMIC PROWESS AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO DEMONSTRATE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND SHOULD HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG," THE'SPOKESMAN SAID.
"UPON GRADUATION, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS," HE STRESSED.
/THE SCHOLARSHIPS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
- 8
THE SCHOLARSHIPS NORMALLY COVER UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, A MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE AND AN ALLOWANCE FOR AIR TRAVEL.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, 5TH FLOOR, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, 16 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION, ROOM 206, MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.
YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15, MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
THE BRITISH COUNCIL, EASEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING 255, HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 867 2735.
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13 ADVERTISED SCHOOL PREMISES INSPECTED *****
IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON "PRIVATE” SCHOOLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT THIS WEEK CONDUCTED SYNCHRONISED INSPECTIONS AT 13 ADVERTISED SCHOOL PREMISES PURPORTING TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL COURSES.
OF THESE, THREE WERE FOUND TO HAVE 20 OR MORE STUDENTS, SIX WERE VACANT AND FOUR REFUSED TO ALLOW OFFICERS FROM THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS TO ENTER.
/”APPROPRIATE FOLLOW-UP .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
- 9 -
"APPROPRIATE FOLLOW-UP ACTION WHICH MAY LEAD TO PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN," HE SAID.
REGARDING MONITORING OF THE SITUATION, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALWAYS ACTIVELY TAKEN ACTION THROUGH VETTING OF NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS AND REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"THE EXISTENCE OF ESTABLISHMENTS PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATION INDICATES THE ASPIRATION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO ACQUIRE BETTER QUALIFICATION.
"MOST OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS COMPLY FULLY WITH THE CONDITIONS SET OUT IN THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE.
"THE DEMAND FOR BETTER EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS HAS INCREASED IN PACE WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND THE DEPARTMENT IS AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THERE MAY BE A NEED TO RATIONALISE SUBSEQUENT INCREASE IN THOSE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES WHICH MAY CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS IN THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE.
"IN THIS RESPECT THE DEPARTMENT WILL EXAMINE THE PROPRIETY REGARDING THE PUBLICITY OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES," HE SAID.
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DEMAND FOR TRADER FAX SERVICE GROWING ******
ALMOST ONE-SIXTH OF THE 7,100 TRADERS SUBSCRIBING FOR TRADE DEPARTMENT’S TRADE INFORMATION CIRCULARS HAVE SWITCHED TO SUBSCRIPTION-BY-FAX SERVICE SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED TWO YEARS AGO.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ALAN LAI, SIGNING A NEW CONTRACT TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE MANAGER OF BUSINESS SALES BRANCH OF HONGKONG TELECOM, MR LEE G LAM, SAID THE TREND HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING.
"I HOPE EVENTUALLY THE FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION SERVICE WILL REPLACE MAILING AS FAX HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE POPULAR AND PEOPLE KNOW ITS ADVANTAGE OVER DELIVERY BY MAIL," HE SAID.
TRADE DEPARTMENT NOTICES AND CIRCULARS, ONCE PUBLISHED, ARE SENT TO HONGKONG TELECOM IMMEDIATELY BY HAND. THROUGH THE COMPANY’S SOPHISTICATED CENTRAL FAX BROADCASTING SYSTEM, SUBSCRIBERS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS CAN RECEIVE THE DOCUMENTS ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME.
"CHARGES FOR SUBSCRIPTION BY FAX ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE FOR MAIL SUBSCRIBERS," MR LAI ADDED.
SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR LAM OF HONGKONG TELECOM SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WITH THEIR ADVANCED BROADCAST FAX SERVICE TO HELP DELIVER USEFUL TRADE INFORMATION TO THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG.
/"WE BELIEVE .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
10
"WE BELIEVE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, A PIONEERING TELECOM USER IN THE GOVERNMENT, HAS SET AN EXAMPLE OF MAKING THE BEST USE OF ADVANCED TELECOM TECHNOLOGIES IN SERVING THE PUBLIC," MR LAM SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY ISSUES THREE TYPES OF DOCUMENTS TO TRADERS WHICH CONTAIN INFORMATION ON TRADE POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND TARIFFS IN HONG KONG'S OVERSEAS MARKET, REPORT ON TEXTILES QUOTA UTILISATION AND TRADE NEWS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 275 INFORMATION CIRCULARS WERE PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEES FOR THESE DOCUMENTS ARE: $135 FOR NOTICES TO EXPORTERS (SERIES 1 TO 3); $60 FOR NOTICES TO EXPORTERS (SERIES 1A TO 3A); $130 FOR COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULARS AND $65 FOR CERTIFICATION BRANCH CIRCULARS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUBSCRIPTION TO FAX OR MAIL SERVICE FOR THESE TRADE CIRCULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ENQUIRY COUNTER OF TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. ENQUIRERS CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR C K LAW ON 398 5337.
---------------0------- THREE SITES FOR SALE BY AUCTION t ♦ » * *
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN A PUBLIC AUCTION ON SEPTEMBER 18.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED OFF SUN SING STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, HONG KONG. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,685 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING HOTEL AND GODOWN) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 9,500 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
THE SECOND SITE IS ON KIN ON STREET, AREA 9, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,464 SQUARE METRES, THE LAND IS EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES AND MULTI-STOREY CARPARK.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 14,045 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
THE THIRD SITE IS AT CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU ISLAND, NEW TERRITORIES. MEASURING ABOUT 855 SQUARE METRES, IT IS DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
/ACCORDING TO .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
- 11 -
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 171 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, SAI KUNG, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH AND ISLANDS.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR THREE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS
******
STABILISATION WORK FOR 15 RETAINING WALLS AND SLOPES IN THE TERRITORY WILL BEGIN SOON.
TO IMPROVE THE STABILITY OF EXISTING FEATURES, WORKS SUCH AS INSTALLATION OF SOIL NAILS, CUTTING BACK OF EXISTING SLOPES, ROCK SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS AND RECOMPACTION OF FILL SLOPES WILL BE CARRIED OUT.
OTHER WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SKIN AND CAISSON WALLS, REPAIRING EXISTING SURFACE DRAINAGES AND PROVISION OF SURFACE DRAINS AND SURFACE PROTECTION TO FINISHED SLOPE SURFACES.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE WORKS WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR TWO OTHER PROJECTS.
THE FIRST IS FOR THE PHASE II SOUTH APRON DEVELOPMENT AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 35,000 SQUARE METRES OF AIRCRAFT PAVEMENT AND 10,000 SQUARE METRES OF VEHICULAR PAVEMENT ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION AREA.
THE EXTENSION WILL PROVIDE MORE AIRCRAFT PARKING SPACE TO COPE WITH INCREASING DEMAND.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START THIS DECEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 13 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
/THE OTHER .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
- 12 -
THE OTHER TENDER EXERCISE IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTAKE CHAMBER AT THE SHA TIN SEAFRONT SALT WATER PUMPING STATION TO PROVIDE SALT WATER FOR FLUSHING.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START THIS NOVEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 13 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER OFFERS FOR THE THREE PROJECTS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON SEPTEMBER 11.
--------0------------
NEW CAMPING SITE AT TSING LUNG TAU
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED A 9,000-SQUARE-METRE CAMPING SITE IN THEIR YUEN TUN CAMP AT TSING LUNG TAU, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE CAMP IS 230 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A DONATION OF $1.5 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE NEWLY DEVELOPED CAMPING AREA WAS ORIGINALLY A PADDY FIELD. IT WAS WET AND NOT SUITABLE FOR ANY KIND OF ACTIVITIES.
THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND LEVELLING OF THE PADDY FIELDS.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND THE AREA CAN NOW BE USED AS A CAMPING GROUND FOR MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE AT ANY ONE TIME.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB’S DONATION ALSO SUFFICED OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS SUCH AS A CONCRETE ACCESS ROAD TO THE CAMPING AREA AND A TOILET BLOCK NEARBY.
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES ALSO THANKED THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR ITS INVALUABLE HELP IN THE PLANNING, ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND SUPERVISION OF THE PROJECT.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
13
TENDERS INVITED FOR LEACHATE TREATMENT WORKS
*****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LEACHATE TREATMENT WORKS (PHASE 1) AND PIPELINE.
THE CONTRACT COMPRISES A LEACHATE TREATMENT WORKS COVERING AN AREA OF 6.7 HECTARES AND AN 8.4-KILOMETRE PRESSURE PIPELINE WITH THREE PUMPING STATIONS.
THE LEACHATE TREATMENT WORKS, WHICH CONSISTS OF OPEN AIR LAGOONS, UNDERGROUND PUMPING STATIONS AND A CONTROL BUILDING, WILL PRE-TREAT LEACHATE FROM THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL.
THE PRESSURE PIPELINE IS TO CONVEY THE PRE-TREATED LEACHATE TO SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR FINAL TREATMENT.
OTHER MINOR WORKS INCLUDE PIPE BRIDGES CROSSING RIVER GANGES AND RIVER INDUS, IMPROVEMENT TO SECTIONS OF LIN MA HANG ROAD AND MAN KAM TO ROAD AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TRACKS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD WILL BE 27 MONTHS AND THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER.
TENDER FORMS AND OTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CONSULTANT ENGINEERS OF THE PROJECT, MOUCHEL ASIA LIMITED, ON 24TH FLOOR, CITICORP CENTRE, 18 WHITFIELD ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 18.
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CENTRAL AND WESTERN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO CLOSE
******
THE MONTH-LONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL END WITH A VARIETY SHOW THIS SUNDAY (AUGUST 23).
THE THREE-HOUR SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE SMITHFIELD TEMPORARY PARK IN KENNEDY TOWN.
HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE A MAGIC SHOW, ACROBATICS, A TAEKWONDO DEMONSTRATION, AND SINGING, DANCING AND CHOIR PERFORMANCES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE THREE GAME STALLS WITH ADMISSION TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE.
/OFFICIATING GUESTS .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
14
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, CENTRAL AND WESTERN, MISS MARY TSANG; CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR WONG HON-HIN AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR KAMSON LAM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CLOSING CEREMONY CUM VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 23) IN THE SMITHFIELD TEMPORARY PARK, SMITHFIELD ROAD, KENNEDY TOWN.
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FIRING PRACTICE IN SEPTEMBER ♦ ♦ » ♦ *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 23 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THE FIRING PRACTICE:
DATE TIME
SEPTEMBER 1 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 2 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 3 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 4 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 5 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 7 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 8 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 9 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 PM
SEPTEMBER 10 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 14 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 7.30 PM
SEPTEMBER 15 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 7.30 PM
SEPTEMBER 16 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 7.30 PM
SEPTEMBER 17 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 7.30 PM
SEPTEMBER 18 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 19 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 21 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 22 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 23 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 24 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 25 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 28 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
SEPTEMBER 29 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 PM
SEPTEMBER 30 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
------0------------
/15 ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1992
15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * ♦ * * »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.6 »-0.0» 21.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.37 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.57 3.42
1 MONTH 2.43 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.74 3.72
3 MONTHS 2.48 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.75 3.97
6 MONTHS 2.66 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.72 4.12
12 ! MONTHS 3.20 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,864 MN
CLOSED 21 AUGUST 1992
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LAW CHANGES TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ............................. 1
AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETURNING EMIGRANTS ............................ 2
MRS PATTEN SENDS REGARDS TO CANADIAN CHILDREN .......................... 3
FORUM FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION CANDIDATES ................................. 5
NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICE FOR SHA TIN RESIDENTS .................. 6
FARE INCREASES FOR SCHEDULED PLB SERVICES IN KWUN TONG.................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 7
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992 1
LAW CHANGES TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT * * * * *
THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, AFTER ENACTMENT, WILL PROVIDE A PRACTICAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS A BASIS ON WHICH PROBLEMS RELATING TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT CAN BE RESOLVED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR PAUL WONG, AT A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AND TO CHANGE ITS SHORT TITLE TO "BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE" TO REFLECT MORE APPROPRIATELY ITS PURPOSE.
OUTLINING THE MAIN POINTS OF THE BILL, MR WONG SAID SECTION 2A OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WOULD BE REPEALED.
"FLAT OWNERS WHO WERE PRECLUDED FROM FORMING OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO IN FUTURE, FREE FROM THE RESTRICTION OF THE DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT (DMCs) OF THE BUILDING," HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT TENANTS REPRESENTATIVES MAY SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AND VOTE AT MEETINGS. SUCH A PROPOSAL AIMS AT ENCOURAGING TENANTS’ ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN AND SUPERVISION OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORK.
"ANOTHER PROPOSAL CONTAINED IN THE BILL SERVES TO EMPOWER OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS TO DISMISS THEIR MANAGERS AND PROVIDES THAT THIS POWER SHALL EXTEND TO ALL DMCs SO AS TO AVOID ANY CONFLICTS CONCERNING MANAGEMENT POWER," MR WONG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN SOME SPECIAL CASES, IT WAS NECESSARY FOR DEVELOPERS TO TAKE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGING COMPLEX DEVELOPMENTS WHICH HAVE WIDE-RANGING FACILITIES.
THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSES THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS BE GIVEN THE DISCRETION TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPERS CONCERNED TO CONTINUE WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF SUCH BUILDINGS FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME AND SUBJECT TO ANY CONDITIONS WHICH HE MAY SPECIFY, HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE SUGGESTION THAT A BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRIBUNAL SHOULD BE SET UP TO ARBITRATE DISPUTES OVER BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS, MR WONG SAID AS THE ISSUES INVOLVED WERE FAR FROM BEING SIMPLE, THOROUGH STUDIES WERE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY DECISION COULD BE MADE.
NOTING THAT THE BILL WAS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE STRESSED THAT WHETHER IT COULD ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS WOULD DEPEND ON THE SINCERE CO-OPERATION, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND FULL PARTICIPATION OF RESIDENTS, OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.
/TODAY'S SEMINAR .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992
2
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
SPEAKERS INCLUDED A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL, MR TONY KAN; A COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, MR MINGO KWAN; A PROFESSIONAL IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, MR BENNY CHAN; A VICE-CHAIRMAN OF AN OWNERS CORPORATION, MR WONG MAN-LEUNG; AND A CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR SIU CHE-WING.
THEIR TALKS COVERED THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS, FINANCIAL PLANNING AND SECURITY CONTROL IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION.
OTHER GUESTS INCLUDED THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR LIM YEW-GUAN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, DR RAYMOND HO.
- - 0---------
AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETURNING EMIGRANTS * * * * »
HONG KONG IS BEGINNING TO WITNESS THE RETURN OF A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF EMIGRANTS AND WILL BENEFIT FROM THEIR BROADENED HORIZON, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR WONG SAID THE TERRITORY’S BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND JOB MARKET WERE SO DIVERSIFIED AND SUBSTANTIAL THAT FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS HAD SO FAR NOT BEEN DISAPPOINTED.
TURNING TO STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD, HE SAID IN TERMS OF EDUCATION, AUSTRALIA CONTINUED TO OCCUPY A PROMINENT POSITION IN THE HEARTS OF MANY YOUNG HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"THERE ARE ABOUT 3,600 HONG KONG STUDENTS STUDYING IN AUSTRALIA, REPRESENTING ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF OUR OVERSEAS STUDENT POPULATION," MR WONG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE NUMBER OF HONG KONG STUDENTS PURSUING EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA AT VARIOUS LEVELS HAD INCREASED FIVE-FOLD IN RECENT YEARS.
THE FACT THAT SO MANY PARENTS HAD CHOSEN TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO AUSTRALIA CLEARLY INDICATED THEIR APPRECIATION OF THE STRENGTH OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THERE, HE SAID.
"BECAUSE OF THE RECOGNITION OF AUSTRALIAN ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS, OUR OVERSEAS GRADUATES CAN USEFULLY FILL THE GAP BETWEEN LOCAL MANPOWER AVAILABLE AND OUR ACTUAL MANPOWER REQUIREMENT," MR WONG SAID.
/HE SAID .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992
3
HE SAID THESE QUALIFICATIONS HAD THE FURTHER ATTRACTION OF BEING NORMALLY RECOGNISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT.
HONG KONG HAD ALSO ADOPTED SOME AUSTRALIAN CONCEPTS ON EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME AND THE TARGETS AND TARGET RELATED ASSESSMENT PROJECT, HE SAID.
HE EXPRESSED APPRECIATION OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY AUSTRALIAN EDUCATIONISTS TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
MR WONG SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD DECIDED TO INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN SENIOR SECONDARY CLASSES AND THAT A PILOT SCHEME INVOLVING 26 SCHOOLS WOULD BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER 1993.
"THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT WILL HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BECOME AWARE OF AND ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN THE MODERN WORLD," HE ADDED.
------0----------
MRS PATTEN SENDS REGARDS
TO CANADIAN CHILDREN
******
MRS PATTEN TODAY (SATURDAY) JOINED THOUSANDS OF HONG KONG CHILDREN TO SEND GREETINGS TO CANADIAN CHILDREN BY FILLING IN A FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 POSTCARD WITH THE PERSONAL MESSAGE: "ENJOY THE FESTIVAL, BEST WISHES FROM HONG KONG".
ON THE SAME CARD, THE GOVERNOR’S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, ALICE, PAINTED A HEART SHAPE AND EXTENDED WELCOME TO THE CANADIANS.
THE POSTCARD AND A BATCH OF 25,000 CARDS WRITTEN BY STUDENTS WILL BE SENT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO YOUTHS IN TORONTO, MONTREAL, CALGARY, OTTAWA AND VANCOUVER WHERE FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92 WILL BE HELD BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
THE POSTCARDS SERVE TO PUBLICISE THE THEME OF THE FESTIVAL -"HONG KONG AND CANADA: BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC".
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE POSTCARD DISPLAY, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL STEERING COMMITTEE, MR JAMES SO, SAID IN SELECTING POSTCARDS FOR DISPLAY, HE HAD COME ACROSS MESSAGES WHICH WERE MOST TOUCHING AND SINCERE AS WELL AS BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN PICTURES.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP WILL BE VERY WARMLY RECEIVED AND WILL HELP TO BUILD A LASTING BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND CANADA," MR SO SAID.
MRS PATTEN AND MR SO WERE JOINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA, MR JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM IN THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE THREE-DAY DISPLAY HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE.
/AFTER THE .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MRS PATTEN, ACCOMPANIED BY MR SO, TOURED THE DISPLAY VENUE. SHE WAS DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE CREATIVITY AND THOUGHTFULNESS OF HONG KONG STUDENTS.
THE DISPLAY IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB.
THE HUNDREDS OF POSTCARDS ON SHOW REPRESENT THE BEST SELECTION OF THE ENTRIES OF THE "OPERATION POSTCARD" PROJECT LAUNCHED TN MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO INVOLVE THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN THE FESTIVAL AND TO HELP THEM DEVELOP FRIENDSHIP WITH CANADIAN YOUNG PEOPLE.
YOUTHS VISITING THE DISPLAY BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5 PM WILL BE OFFERED WITH POSTCARDS TO FILL IN.
COMPLETED POSTCARDS COULD BE DROPPED INTO A COLLECTION BOX IN THE VENUE. THESE POSTCARDS WILL ALSO BE SENT TO CANADA FOR DISTRIBUTION TO YOUNG PEOPLE THERE.
THE DISPLAY WILL CLOSE AT 5 PM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 24).
FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92, THE BIGGEST OVERSEAS PROMOTION HONG KONG HAS EVER STAGED, WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 26 IN TORONTO.
THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 100 EVENTS FEATURING A MULTI-FACETED PROGRAMME BY HONG KONG PERFORMING GROUPS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, HONG KONG BALLET, HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA, HONG KONG DANCE COMPANY, CHUNG YING THEATRE COMPANY, CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, FESTIVAL HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHORUS AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
IN ADDITION TO CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, BUSINESS SEMINARS, A LANTERN FESTIVAL AND A DRAGON BOAT RACE WILL BE HELD IN THE FIVE CITIES.
THE FESTIVAL WILL CLOSE WITH A GALA DINNER ON OCTOBER 21 IN VANCOUVER.
A 12-METRE LONG DRAGON BOAT PRESENTED TO THE MUSEUM OF CIVILISATION IN OTTAWA WILL PERMANENTLY REMIND CANADIANS OF HONG KONG’S SPECTACULAR SHOWCASE THEY WOULD HAVE ENJOYED DURING THE FESTIVAL.
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/5 .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992
- 5 -
FORUM FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION CANDIDATES ******
CANDIDATES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION WILL INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO VOTERS AND ELABORATE ON THEIR PLATFORMS IN A FORUM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE FORUM WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM BESIDE THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN IN TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA.
IT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY RTHK. A VIDEO FILM ON THE EVENT WILL ALSO BE PRODUCED AND SHOWN ON TVB JADE CHANNEL AT 7.30 PM ON THE SAME DAY. THE FILM WILL ALSO BE SHOWN AT SOME VENUES IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
AS PART OF THE DRIVE TO PUBLICISE THE BY-ELECTION, A BROADCASTING BUS WILL PARADE THE STREETS OF TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG TOMORROW.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, WILL PARTICIPATE TO PERSUADE VOTERS TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 30).
A TEAM OF GIRL GUIDES AND AN ELDERLY ROAD SAFETY SQUAD IN TUEN MUN, AS WELL AS SEVEN TVB ARTISTES WILL JOIN IN THE PARADE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM.
THE BUS WILL SET OUT FROM THE TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AND WILL STOP AT 15 LOCATIONS. THESE INCLUDE:
VENUE TIME
ON TINO ESTATE, TUEN MUN 10.05 AM - 10.15 AM
YAU 01 ESTATE, TUEN MUN 10.20 AM - 10.30 AM
BUTTERFLY ESTATE, TUEN MUN 10.40 AM - 10.50 AM
WU KING ESTATE, TUEN MUN 10.55 AM - 11.05 AM
YAN CHING STREET, TUEN MUN SAN HUI, TUEN MUN 11.15 AM - 11.30 AM
YU KING SQUARE, YUEN LONG NOON - 12.20 PM
YUEN LONG PLAZA, YUEN LONG 12.30 PM - 12.50 PM
TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA, TUEN MUN 1.05 PM - 1.20 PM
TAI HING ESTATE, TUEN MUN 2.15 PM - 2.25 PM
SHAN KING ESTATE, TUEN MUN 2.30 PM - 2.40 PM
LEUNG KING ESTATE/SIU KWAI COURT, TUEN MUN 2.50 PM - 3 PM
/SIU HONG .......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992
- 6
SIU HONG COURT, TUEN MUN 3.10 PM - 3.20 PM
KING FUNG PATH, TUEN MUN 3.30 PM - 3.40 PM
CHI LOK FA YUEN, TUEN MUN 3.50 PM - 4 PM
SAM SHING ESTATE, TUEN MUN 4.10 PM - 4.20 PM
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THESE EVENTS.
--------0----------
NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICE FOR SHA TIN RESIDENTS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTE 280P RUNNING FROM SUI WO COURT IN SHA TIN TO STAR FERRY IN TSIM SHA TSUI WOULD COME INTO SERVICE DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS FROM MONDAY (AUGUST 24).
THE BUS WILL TRAVEL VIA SUI WO COURT ACCESS ROAD, SUI WO ROAD, SHAN MEI STREET, FO TAN ROAD, YUEN WO ROAD, TAM KON PO STREET, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, PAK HOK TING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, LION ROCK TUNNEL, WATERLOO ROAD, NATHAN ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD.
IT WILL DEPART SUI WO COURT AT 7.30 AM AND 8 AM DAILY FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE FARE WILL BE $6 PER SINGLE JOURNEY. THE SECTION FARE AFTER THE BUS LEAVES LION ROCK TUNNEL IS $4.
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/7........
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1992
7
FARE INCREASES FOR SCHEDULED PLB SERVICES IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 24), FARES OF THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) SERVICES IN KWUN TONG WOULD BE INCREASED BY 20 CENTS EACH ROUTE.
THEIR NEW FARES ARE:
ROUTE 34M
$1.7 PER SINGLE JOURNEY BETWEEN LOWER SAU MAU PING AND KWUN TONG (YUE MAN SQUARE).
ROUTE 36
$1.9 PER SINGLE JOURNEY BETWEEN NGOK YUE SHAN (HONG LEE COURT) AND KWUN TONG FERRY.
ROUTE 36A
$1.7 PER SINGLE JOURNEY BETWEEN NGOK YUE SHAN (HONG LEE COURT) AND KWUN TONG (YUE MAN SQUARE).
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -150
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,350
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMMITMENT ON SAFE USE OF ELECTRICITY REITERATED ..................... 1
HAND-HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS REQUIRE NOISE EMISSION LABEL ........... 2
GUIDE TO CAVERN ENGINEERING ON SALE .................................. 3
CONTROL OVER MARICULTURE OPERATIONS TIGHTENED ........................ 4
POST OFFICE TO JOIN KUALA LUMPUR EXHIBITION .......................... 5
61 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JUNE ............................... 5
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT ................................................ 6
PHOTO CONTEST ON FAMILY LIFE ......................................... 7
WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ................................................ 7
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1992
COMMITMENT ON SAFE USE OF ELECTRICITY REITERATED
*****
THE ENACTMENT OF THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS DEMONSTRATES THE GOVERNMENT’S DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY IN ELECTRICITY USAGE, THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR KWOK PING-KI, SAID TONIGHT (SUNDAY).
MR KWOK MADE THE REMARK WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE 34TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER PARTY OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND APPLIANCES TRADE WORKERS UNION (EEATWU). » •
OUTLINING THE PROGRESS IN MAKING THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ENACTED IN NOVEMBER 1990, HE SAID DRAFTING OF THE NEW ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WAS UNDER WAY.
UNDER THESE NEW REGULATIONS, ALL THE STATUTORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS WOULD BE SPECIFIED AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELEVANT STATUTORY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS WOULD PROBABLY BE INTRODUCED LATE NEXT YEAR AFTER CONSULTATION WITH CONCERNED PARTIES AND APPROVAL BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MEANWHILE, MR KWOK SAID THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REGULATIONS WERE ALSO BEING AMENDED IN JOINT CONSULTATION WITH THE TWO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANIES.
"THE OBJECTIVE OF MAKING THIS AMENDMENT IS TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION PROVIDED BY THE TWO POWER COMPANIES, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE,” HE SAID.
MR KWOK SAID UNDER THE ELECTRICITY (WIRING) REGULATIONS 1990 WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS WITH RESPECT TO THE DESIGN, SELECTION AND USE OF SUITABLE MATERIALS AS WELL AS THE CORRECT TESTING AND PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE INSTALLATION WAS CLEARLY DEFINED.
"IN ORDER TO SET OUT DETAILED COHERENT TECHNICAL GUIDELINES ON HOW THESE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS CAN BE MET, MY DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THESE NEW REGULATIONS BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
"AND THESE CODES OF PRACTICE ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
/ON THE ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1992
2
ON THE NEW ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS WHICH SPECIFY THAT ALL WORK ON FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS MUST BE CARRIED OUT BY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, MR KWOK SAID THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD REGISTERED 41,000 ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND 4,600 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE REGULATIONS IN NOVEMBER 1990.
EARLIER, MR KWOK PAID TRIBUTE TO THE EEATWU FOR HELPING ITS MEMBERS COPE WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY TO ORGANISE THE THIRD GRADE ’B’ ELECTRICAL WORKER EXAMINATION WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH.
"THIS EXAMINATION WILL ALLOW THOSE LESS QUALIFIED TO SATISFY THE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADE ’B’ REGISTRATION IF THEY CAN PASS THE EXAMINATION," HE ADDED.
--------0 - - , _
HAND-HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS REQUIRE NOISE EMISSION LABEL
******
ALL HAND-HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS HEAVIER THAN 10 KILOGRAMS FOR USE IN KONG KONG MUST BE FITTED WITH A NOISE EMISSION LABEL ISSUED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 1.
THE NOISE CONTROL (HAND HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS) REGULATIONS REQUIRE ALL SUCH EQUIPMENT COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT NOISE EMISSION STANDARD SET OUT IN THE REGULATIONS.
AIR COMPRESSORS FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSE WILL SIMILARLY BE CONTROLLED WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1.
OFFENDERS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION, AND $100,000 AND ALSO A DAILY FINE OF $10,000 ON SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE CONCERNED BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND THE RENTAL AGENCIES OF SUCH EQUIPMENT THAT APPLICATIONS FOR NOISE EMISSION LABELS FOR HAND-HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS AND AIR COMPRESSORS CAN BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT.
LABEL APPLICATIONS, IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM ACCOMPANIED BY A RELEVANT EEC TYPE-EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE OR A NOISE TESTING REPORT AND A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE OF $100 FOR EACH LABEL, SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT’S NOISE CONTROL GROUP ON FIFTH FLOOR, WEST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CENTRAL.
AFTER SEPTEMBER 4, THE NEW ADDRESS IS 45TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER III, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS WITHIN 28 DAYS. ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE OF THE DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 810 2811, OR 594 6533 AFTER SEPTEMBER 4.
---------0 - -
/3........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1992
3
GUIDE TO CAVERN ENGINEERING ON SALE ******
THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE (GEO) OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAS ADDED ANOTHER NEW TITLE, "GUIDE TO CAVERN ENGINEERING", TO ITS PORTFOLIO OF PUBLICATIONS.
THE 156-PAGE GEOGUIDE, AT $36 A COPY, IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE.
THE BOOKLET, THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF GEOGUIDES, PRESENTS A RECOMMENDED STANDARD OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING ASPECTS OF ROCK CAVERN APPLICATIONS IN HONG KONG.
IT IS AIMED AT PROVIDING DESIGNERS AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PRODUCE COST-EFFECTIVE AND SAFE INTEGRATED DESIGNS.
VIEWS OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE FIELD, BOTH LOCAL AND ABROAD, HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FINALISING THE DOCUMENT.
THE NEW TITLE WAS CONCEPTUALISED IN CONNECTION WITH THE STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL USE OF UNDERGROUND SPACE (SPUN) INITIATED BY GEO EARLIER.
ACTING DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, DR ANDREW MALONE, SAID SPUN CONFIRMED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERGROUND SPACE IN MAN-MADE ROCK CAVERNS IN HONG KONG COULD BE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT ABOVE GROUND, AND ONE WHICH COULD CONFER SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.
CITING AN EXAMPLE, DR MALONE SAID CONSTRUCTION HAD RECENTLY STARTED FOR AN UNDERGROUND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT STANLEY WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
STUDIES ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN FOR TWO OTHER UNDERGROUND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, ONE AT MOUNT DAVIS WHICH FORMS PART OF THE $12 BILLION STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME AND THE OTHER AT SHAM TSENG.
PLANS ARE ALSO BEING PREPARED TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF HOUSING A NEW REFUSE TRANSFER STATION IN A MAN-MADE ROCK CAVERN AT MOUNT DAVIS, ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF POTENTIAL USE FOR CAVERNS.
"THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING INTEREST IN HONG KONG IN PLACING FACILITIES UNDERGROUND.
"THIS INTEREST HAS BEEN RISEN BECAUSE OF THE CONSIDERABLE PLANNING AND COST ADVANTAGES THAT CAN BE REALISED AND AN INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE CAVERN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED ELSEWHERE FOR ROCK CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND IN HONG KONG," DR MALONE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PLACING CERTAIN ACTIVITIES UNDERGROUND WOULD RELEASE LAND FOR OTHER USES AND YIELD POTENTIAL PLANNING BENEFITS.
/"WE CAN .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1992
4
"WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE MAN-MADE CAVERNS USED IN FUTURE WHERE THEY ARE THE RIGHT SOLUTION.
"THIS ACCEPTANCE HAS BEEN HELPED BY INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
IN THIS DIRECTION, PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR ROCK CAVERN DEVELOPMENT HAVE NOW BEEN INCORPORATED IN THE GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNING MANUAL, THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES, TO FACILITATE RELATED DEVELOPMENTS.
-------------------0-------- CONTROL OVER MARICULTURE OPERATIONS TIGHTENED * * * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL TIGHTEN ITS LICENSING CONTROL OVER THE TERRITORY’S MARICULTURE OPERATIONS FROM OCTOBER.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT MAY REFUSE TO RENEW OR CANCEL LICENCES WHERE THE LICENSING CONDITIONS UNDER THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN BREACHED.
"STARTING FROM OCTOBER 1, LICENCES WILL BE RENEWED ONLY IF ALL LICENCE SPECIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS ARE COMPLIED WITH.
"FOR ANY CONTRAVENTION IDENTIFIED, SUCH AS MAINTENANCE OF OVERSIZED STRUCTURES, WARNINGS WILL BE GIVEN AND A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME WILL BE ALLOWED FOR RECTIFICATION," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MEASURE RESULTED FROM A RECENT REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT ON ITS POLICY REGARDING THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
HE STRESSED THAT IN THE PAST THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING A NEW FISH CULTURE LICENCE, HAD RELIED UPON PROSECUTIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT AGAINST THE BREACHES OF THE LICENSING CONDITIONS.
CANCELLATION OR NON-RENEWAL OF LICENCES WOULD BE CONSIDERED ONLY AFTER TWO OR THREE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS, HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THIS PRACTICE HAS BEEN USED BY SOME MARICULTURISTS AS AN EXCUSE FOR CONTINUING THE OFFENCE ON THE MISCONCEPTION THAT IT WAS TOLERATED BY THE LICENSING AUTHORITY," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO CALLED ON THE MARICULTURISTS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE AND URGENT ACTIONS TO RECTIFY, WITHIN THE PERIOD GIVEN FOR RECTIFICATION, ANY BREACH OF THE LICENSING CONDITIONS, IN PARTICULAR THE NUMBER, DIMENSIONS AND USAGE OF STRUCTURES ON THE LICENSED RAFT AND THE SIZE OF THE LICENSED RAFT.
ENQUIRIES ON THIS ENFORCEMENT POLICY CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S AQUACULTURE REGULATORY AND MANAGEMENT SECTION ON 733 2182.
- - 0-----------
/5 ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23,
1992
- 5 -
POST OFFICE TO JOIN KUALA LUMPUR EXHIBITION
******
THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE FIFTH ASIAN INTERNATIONAL PHILATELIC EXHIBITION, "KUALA LUMPUR ’92”, TO BE HELD IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA FROM SEPTEMBER 1 TO 7.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), THE ACTING POSTMASTER-GENERAL, MRS DORIS HO, SAID A $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET (NO. 5) WOULD BE ISSUED ON SEPTEMBER 1 TO COMMEMORATE THE POST OFFICE’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT.
SOUVENIR COVERS AT $1 EACH WILL BE ON SALE ON THE DAY AT ALL POST OFFICES, EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE HAS BEEN EXCLUDED IN ORDER TO AVOID DISRUPTIONS TO THE AIRPORT OPERATIONS.
EACH CUSTOMER QUEUING UP EACH TIME IS ENTITLED TO ONLY 10 SHEETLETS ON THE DAY OF ISSUE.
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL POST OFFICES, EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, ON SEPTEMBER 1 FOR OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING AN INDICATION OF THE OCCASION.
A SPECIAL DATESTAMP AND A CACHET WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE PURPOSE.
-----0------
61 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JUNE
*****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 61 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN JUNE.
OF THESE, 18 WERE FOR HONG KONG, 17 FOR KOWLOON AND 26 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 29 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/ COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, EIGHT FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THREE FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 32 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 258,984 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 60,572 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $700 MILLION.
USABLE FLOOR AREA FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 29,766 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 75,901 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
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/6 ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1992
6
IN JUNE, THE OFFICE ISSUED 29 OCCUPATION PERMITS - SEVEN FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 FOR KOWLOON, AND 12 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 43 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 89 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 518 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,374 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 828 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 633 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED 19 EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
--------0-----------
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT *****
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE WHO HOLD CASH ORDER BOOK COUPONS MAY RECEIVE THEIR WELFARE PAYMENT EARLIER IF THEIR PAY-DAY FALL ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID PAYMENT SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 29, 30 AND 31 WOULD BE ADVANCED TO AUGUST 26, 27 AND 28 RESPECTIVELY.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR RECIPIENTS TO COLLECT THEIR WELFARE PAYMENT AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AS THE POST OFFICE WOULD ISSUE A COMMEMORATIVE STAMP SHEETLET ON SEPTEMBER 1, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE FOR THESE RECIPIENTS WHO HOLD CASH ORDER BOOK COUPONS WITH PAYDAY FALLING ON THAT DAY AND PAYMENT OFFICE DESIGNATED AT POST OFFICES TO GET PAYMENT ON OR AFTER AUGUST 28, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
PAYMENT AT SUB-TREASURY OFFICES AND CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION DISTRICT OFFICES WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID.
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/7........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1992
- 7 -
PHOTO CONTEST ON FAMILY LIFE
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN A PHOTO CONTEST ON HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE TO SUBMIT THEIR ENTRIES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 4.
THE CONTEST, ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, IS ONE OF THE EVENTS OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN TO FURTHER PROMOTE GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
’’THE ENTRIES SHOULD INCLUDE A SET OF FOUR CAPTIONED PHOTOGRAPHS PORTRAYING HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE. APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
’’PARTICIPANTS MAY SHARE THE JOY OF FAMILY LIFE WITH OTHERS WHILE HAVING A CHANCE TO WIN ATTRACTIVE PRIZES INCLUDING FOUR RETURN TICKETS TO BANGKOK, PHOTOGRAPHIC APPLIANCES AND GIFT COUPONS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT YOUTH OFFICES AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, 24TH FLOOR SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 451 3133.
---------0-----------
WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 25) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT SILVERSTRAND BEACH ROAD, MANG KUNG UK, HANG HAU WING LUNG ROAD, NG FAI TIN, PAN LONG WAN, SHEUNG YEUNG, HA YEUNG, MIU TSAI, MAU PO, TAI AU MUN, LEUNG FAI TIN, SHEUNG SZE WAN, SIU HANG HAU, TAI HANG HAU, LUNG HA WAN ROAD, TSIU WO, TAI WAN TAU, TAI O MUN ROAD, SHEUNG LAU WAN, TIN WAN TSAI, TIN HA, TAI WONG KUNG, PO TOI O, TAI MIU AU AS WELL AS THE CLEAR WATER BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB.
-----0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
CONTENTS ' PAGE NO.
ONE TONNE OF VEGETABLES DESTROYED ....................................... 1
GOVERNMENT ASKS FOR REPORT ON LANTAU BUS ACCIDENT........................ 1
THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SITE TAKING SHAPE ............................... 2
SECONDARY 6 CENTRAL ALLOCATION RESULTS TO BE RELEASED ................... 3
POSTAL APPLICATION SERVICE FOR PASSPORT APPLICANTS ...................... 4
REPORT ON 1990 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY ON SALE ..................... 5
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 7
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
1
ONE TONNE OF VEGETABLES DESTROYED ******
SOME 1,000 KILOGRAMS OF VEGETABLES WERE SEIZED BY HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AT MAN KAM TO BORDER CHECKPOINT THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR W K LO, SAID THE SEIZED VEGETABLES INCLUDING CHOI SUM AND PAK CHOI HAD FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT IMPORT REQUIREMENTS.
THE NAME OF THE VEGETABLE FARM APPEARING ON THE TAGS DIFFERED FROM THAT SHOWN ON THE PESTICIDE DECLARATION FORMS.
THE VEGETABLES WERE TAKEN TO THE PLOVER COVE LANDFILL FOR DESTRUCTION.
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE FINDINGS FOR THEIR NECESSARY ACTION.
DR LO SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO STEP UP CHECKING AND SAMPLING AT THE BORDER CHECKPOINT.
HE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
THEY ARE ADVISED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
* DO NOT BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
* WASH VEGETABLES WELL BEFORE COOKING;
» DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR SOME TIME TO ALLOW PESTICIDE TO LEACH OUT;
* BLANCH VEGETABLES IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED FOR BLANCHING AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
* COOK VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNMENT ASKS FOR REPORT ON LANTAU BUS ACCIDENT
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ASKED THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH A REPORT ON THE BUS ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON SOUTH ISLAND ROAD ON LANTAU YESTERDAY (SUNDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT ITS OWN STUDY INTO THE INCIDENT. A SITE VISIT WILL BE MADE TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.
/A SPOKESMAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
- 2 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCIDENT, AND WOULD CONSIDER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS, WHETHER ANY IMPROVEMENT MEASURES NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO PREVENT SIMILAR ACCIDENTS FROM HAPPENING.
HE SAID IT WAS TOO EARLY AT THIS STAGE TO SPECULATE AS TO WHAT HAD CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AS INVESTIGATION WAS UNDER WAY.
-----0-------
THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SITE TAKING SHAPE
******
ABOUT 90 HECTARES OF LAND IS BEING FORMED FROM THE SEA OFF TSEUNG KWAN O TO BECOME THE HOME TO HONG KONG’S THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
TSEUNG KWAN O WAS CHOSEN FOLLOWING FEASIBILITY STUDIES BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (TDD) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION (HKIEC).
THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IS BEING FORMED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF TSEUNG KWAN O. THE SITE IS SEPARATED FROM THE MAJOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS BY OPEN SPACES AND NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY TO MINIMISE ANY ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE.
TDD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS ON THE LAND FORMATION AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS ROADS AND DRAINS, SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES AND WATER SUPPLY.
SITE FORMATION TOGETHER WITH SERVICES AND FACILITIES ARE CONSTRUCTED BY HKIEC.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A VISIT TO THE SITE WILL BE ARRANGED TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE MASSIVE ENGINEERING WORKS GOING ON THERE.
THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WORKS INCLUDING THE SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION OF WICK DRAINS AND THE LAYING OF GEOTEXTILE.
A LAUNCH CRUISE WILL BE ARRANGED. TDD OFFICIALS WILL BRIEF THE MEDIA. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER IN CENTRAL AT 1.45 PM.
THE VISIT IS SCHEDULED TO LAST UNTIL 4 PM.
/THOSE MAKING .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
- 3 -
THOSE MAKING THEIR OWN WAY TO THE AREA SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 2.30 PM OUTSIDE THE HKIEC SITE OFFICE OF CHINA FUJIAN CORPORATION ON WAN PO ROAD, TSEUNG KWAN 0 WHICH IS NEAR THE CHIAPHUA-SHINKO COPPER ALLOY COMPANY PLANT AND PO LAM NORTH ROAD.
DETAILS OF THE EXACT LOCATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT OF THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS ON 848 2701.
- - 0----------
SECONDARY 6 CENTRAL ALLOCATION RESULTS TO BE RELEASED
STUDENTS WHO HAVE REGISTERED FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF THE REMAINING SECONDARY 6 VACANCIES ARE REMINDED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE FOUR REGISTRATION CENTRES FROM 9 AM TOMORROW:
HONG KONG
TANG SHIU KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL 5 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG
KOWLOON
HOMANTIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 8 PERTH STREET, HOMANTIN, KOWLOON
NEW TERRITORIES
TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
70 HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES
SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
11-17 MAN LAI ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES
STUDENTS SHOULD RETURN TO THE SAME CENTRE WHERE THEY LODGED THEIR APPLICATIONS TO SEE THE RESULTS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS SHOULD COLLECT AN ALLOCATION SLIP FROM THE CENTRE AND SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE ALLOCATED SCHOOL BEFORE 3.30 PM THE SAME DAY,’’ HE SAID.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG THEIR HONG KONG SCHOOL OF EDUCATION EXAMINATIONS RESULTS NOTICE AND IDENTITY CARDS,” HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
/4 ........
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
POSTAL APPLICATION SERVICE * * * *
FOR PASSPORT APPLICANTS *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT FIRST TIME APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORT AND HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY COULD BE MADE BY POST FROM SEPTEMBER 1 AS A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THESE TWO TYPES OF APPLICATIONS IN PERSON.
THE POSTAL APPLICATION SERVICE PRESENTLY COVERS ONLY REPLACEMENT APPLICATIONS FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS.
"ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS OF WHATEVER AGE WHO ARE HOLDERS OF HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS AND ARE IN HONG KONG MAY SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN PASSPORTS OR BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORTS BY POST TO THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (PASSPORT) SECTION, IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS, THIRD FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED.
"FOR CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY, THEY MAY SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (OTHER SERVICES) SECTION, IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS, FOURTH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
"PRE-PRINTED ENVELOPES WILL BE PROVIDED TOGETHER WITH APPLICATION FORMS TO FACILITATE THE PUBLIC TO RETURN THEIR APPLICATIONS," HE SAID, NOTING THAT APPLICANTS MAY DEPOSIT THEIR FORMS INTO THE DROP-IN BOXES INSTALLED AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED APPLICANTS THAT THEY MUST ENCLOSE TWO IDENTICAL RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS, A CROSSED CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER MADE PAYABLE TO THE ’HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’ FOR PAYMENT OF DOCUMENT FEES, COPIES OF THEIR HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS AND OTHER RELEVANT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WHEN RETURNING THEIR APPLICATION FORMS.
"FIRST-TIME PASSPORT APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED BRITISH NATIONALITY BY BIRTH IN HONG KONG, SHOULD, HOWEVER, SEND IN THEIR ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES," HE NOTED.
"APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER OF THE DATE AND OFFICE TO COLLECT THEIR NEW DOCUMENTS WITHIN FIVE WORKING DAYS UPON RECEIPT OF THEIR APPLICATIONS.
"THE PROCESSING TIME WILL BE THE SAME AS THAT FOR APPLICATIONS MADE IN PERSON," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF APPLICATION AND THE OFFICE WHERE THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED, THE NEW DOCUMENT WILL NORMALLY BE READY FOR COLLECTION BETWEEN 10 AND 20 WORKING DAYS.
/APPLICANTS SHOULD .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
5
APPLICANTS SHOULD COLLECT THEIR DOCUMENTS IN PERSON IN THE CASE OF FIRST-TIME APPLICATIONS, AND MAY AUTHORISE A REPRESENTATIVE TO COLLECT THE DOCUMENTS ON THEIR BEHALF, IF APPLYING FOR REPLACEMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN existing procedures for other document services, such as application FOR ADDITION OF CHILDREN, CHANGE OF PARTICULARS AND EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS OR CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY.
"APPLICATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS MUST BE PRODUCED FOR EXAMINATION AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.
"APPLICANTS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PREVIOUS PASSPORTS OF CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY OR WHO REQUIRE A DOCUMENT FOR URGENT TRAVEL SHOULD ALSO APPLY IN PERSON," HE SAID.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 824 6111.
-----0-----
REPORT ON 1990 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY ON SALE
******
THE REPORT ON THE 1990 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND IS NOW ON SALE AT $26 A COPY.
THE ANNUAL REPORT CONTAINS A WIDE RANGE OF STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER IN 1990.
THE STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM DATA COLLECTED FROM ABOUT 8,600 SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THESE ACTIVITIES.
EXAMPLES OF STATISTICAL ITEMS INCLUDED ARE:
* GROSS OUTPUT;
* SALES OF GOODS, INDUSTRIAL WORK AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES;
* OTHER RECEIPTS;
* COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES;
* PURCHASES OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL WORK/ SERVICES;
* OTHER EXPENSES;
/* VALUE ADDED .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
6
* VALUE ADDED (A MEASURE OF CONTRIBUTION TO GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT); AND
* GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS.
APART FROM STATISTICS RELATING TO 1990, THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS SOME SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE YEARS 1988 AND 1989 TO SHOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE ACTIVITIES IN RECENT YEARS.
THE STATISTICS ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR POLICY FORMULATION, DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
THE REPORT MAY BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL OR AT CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 805 6441.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
at 85.1 stood
CVBTC d&S. MILU0N
---------o-----------
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1992
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,350
REVERSAL OF LAF +150
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -370
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,130
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.1 *-0.2* 24.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.46 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.57 3.53
1 MONTH 2.49 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.74 3.84
3 MONTHS 2.53 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.75 4.08
6 MONTHS 2.74 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.72 4.21
12 MONTHS 3.30 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4.749MN
CLOSED 24 AUGUST 1992
--------0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THREE MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED .................................... 1
STATISTICS ON RE-EXPORT TRADE FOR FIRST HALF OF 1992 ............... 2
NEW SOLICITOR GENERAL APPOINTED .................................... 5
218 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME ......................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
7
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
1
THREE MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED * * * * *
SEVEN MORE PERSONS WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (JULY), BRINGING THE NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 304.
REVIEWING THE LATEST AIDS SITUATION AT A MONTHLY MEDIA SESSION THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN (SPECIAL PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME), DR S S LEE, SAID THREE OF THE NEW HIV INFECTED BATCH HAD ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED AS AIDS PATIENTS DURING THE MONTH.
HOWEVER, ONE PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED AIDS PATIENT DIED IN THE SAME MONTH, HE SAID.
THIS BRINGS TO 66 CONFIRMED AIDS CASES WITH 41 DEATHS. THE 25 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 304 HIV INFECTED, 60 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 207 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, SIX WERE DRUG ABUSERS AND THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION BEFORE 1985 WHEN ANTI-HIV SCREENING TEST WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FOR THE REMAINING 28, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 242,957 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE (HKRCBTS) HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,111,403 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 26 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
ALSO SPEAKING TO MEDIA MEMBERS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HKRCBTS, DR C K LIN, EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE INCREASED NUMBER OF ANTI-HIV POSITIVE DONORS SCREENED LAST MONTH.
DR LIN SAID IN PREVIOUS YEARS, UP TO FOUR DONORS A YEAR WERE FOUND TO BE ANTI-HIV POSITIVE.
•
"HOWEVER, DURING THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1992, OUT OF THE 102,929 UNITS OF DONATED BLOOD RECEIVED, A TOTAL OF NINE DONORS WERE FOUND TO BE ANTI-HIV POSITIVE," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE HKRCBTS AIMED AT COLLECTING AND ISSUING SAFE BLOOD. BLOOD UNITS WERE ROUTINELY SCREENED AND WHEN FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED WERE DESTROYED.
"THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE INFECTION MIGHT NOT BE DETECTED BY THE EXISTING SCREENING TEST ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS AFTER CONTRACTION OF THE DISEASE," HE SAID.
HE THUS URGED THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WHO ARE AT RISK OF INFECTION, NOT TO COME FORWARD TO DONATE BLOOD.
--------0----------
/2.........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
- 2 -
STATISTICS ON RE-EXPORT TRADE FOR FIRST HALF OF 1992
******
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 AMOUNTED TO $309,232 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 33% OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO LATEST STATISTICS ON HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF DESTINATION
CHINA AND THE U.S. ARE THE TWO LARGEST COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 31% AND 21% RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, GERMANY AND TAIWAN ACCOUNTED FOR 5%, 5% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION INCREASED.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S. (+46%), CANADA (+46%), CHINA (+41%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+38%), JAPAN (+26%) AND FRANCE (+24%).
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 17% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY WHEREAS THAT TO GERMANY AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED BY 5% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA AMOUNTED TO $95,180 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILES (BY $4,602 MILLION OR 29%); MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $2,379 MILLION OR 78%); AND PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS (BY $2,212 MILLION OR 51%) .
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $48 MILLION OR 46%); AND PULP AND WASTE PAPER (BY $5 MILLION OR 11%).
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO CHINA (INCLUDING RE-EXPORTS AS WELL AS DOMESTIC EXPORTS) ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, AS RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURED GOODS WERE EXPORTED TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING AND THE FINAL PRODUCTS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED TO HONG KONG.
RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S. IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WERE VALUED AT $63,917 MILLION.
/COMMODITIES WITH
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
3
COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE TO THIS MARKET INCLUDED MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES. THEIR MAIN COMPONENTS WERE BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $6,213 MILLION OR 59%); FOOTWEAR (BY $2,836 MILLION OR 45%); AND CLOTHING (BY $2,649 MILLION OR 36%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR FISH, CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS AND AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $103 MILLION OR 27%); AND MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS AND PREPARATIONS (BY $22 MILLION OR 30%).
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN AMOUNTED TO $16,322 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,328 MILLION OR 50%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $784 MILLION OR 52%).
A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR BEVERAGES (BY $181 MILLION OR 40%).
RE-EXPORTS TO GERMANY WERE WORTH $14,953 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO GERMANY WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,222 MILLION OR 25%); AND TELECOMMUNICATION AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $366 MILLION OR 16%).
HOWEVER, A NOTABLE INCREASE WAS RECORDED FOR FOOTWEAR (BY $261 MILLION OR 41%).
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN TOTALLED $13,239 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN WERE RECORDED FOR TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $507 MILLION OR 20%) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $220 MILLION OR 108%). A DECREASE WAS HOWEVER REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $208 MILLION OR 50%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
CHINA CONTINUED TO BE THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S REEXPORTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 58% OF THE TOTAL RE-EXPORT VALUE IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM JAPAN, TAIWAN, THE U.S. AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA CONTRIBUTED 12%, 8%, 5% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, RE-EXPORTS FROM MOST OF THE MAJOR ORIGIN COUNTRIES REGISTERED INCREASES IN VALUE, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM JAPAN (+46%), TAIWAN (+34%), CHINA (+33%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+33%).
/OF THE ........
4
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
OF THE RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM CHINA, ONE-THIRD (IN VALUE TERMS) WENT TO THE U.S.. RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S. OF CHINA ORIGIN RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 47% IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
ANOTHER 8% AND 7% OF THE RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM CHINA WENT TO GERMANY AND JAPAN RESPECTIVELY. WHILST THOSE TO GERMANY DECLINED BY 5%, THOSE TO JAPAN INCREASED BY 42% IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF 1991.
OF THE RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN JAPAN, THE LARGEST SHARE (64% IN VALUE TERMS) WENT TO CHINA. AN INCREASE OF 50% IN VALUE WAS REGISTERED FOR JAPAN-ORIGIN GOODS RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA.
RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, MACAU AND VIETNAM EACH ACCOUNTED FOR 4% TO 5% OF THE VALUE OF JAPAN-ORIGIN GOODS RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
AS REGARDS RE-EXPORTS OF TAIWAN ORIGIN, AN OVERWHELMING PROPORTION (90% IN VALUE) WENT TO CHINA. RE-EXPORTS OF TAIWAN-ORIGIN TO CHINA RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 39% IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991.
RE-EXPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS REGARDING HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE ARE PUBLISHED IN THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, JUNE 1992" WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT $52 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 582 4915.
TABLE 1: RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION
MAJOR COUNTRY OF DESTINATION JAN-JUN 1992 (HK$ MN) JAN-JUN 1991 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
( % )
CHINA 95,180 67,530 + 27,650 + 41
UNITED STATES 63,917 43,688 + 20,229 + 46
JAPAN 16,322 12,976 + 3,346 + 26
GERMANY 14,953 15,770 - 816 - 5
TAIWAN 13,239 11,800 + 1,439 + 12
UNITED KINGDOM 8,241 5,987 + 2,254 + 38
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 6,893 7,113 — 220 - 3
SINGAPORE 6,457 5,530 + 926 + 17
FRANCE 5,212 4,207 + 1,005 + 24
CANADA 5,146 3,535 + 1,611 + 46
/TABLE 2 .......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
5
TABLE 2: RE-EXPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN JAN-JUN 1992 (HK$ MN) JAN-JUN 1991 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
CHINA 178,021 133,843 + 44,178 + 33
JAPAN 37,214 25,487 + 11,727 + 46
TAIWAN 24,770 18,547 + 6,224 4- 34
UNITED STATES 15,287 12,472 + 2,815 + 23
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 9,286 6,970 + 2,316 + 33
GERMANY 3,942 3,094 4- 847 + 27
UNITED KINGDOM 3,530 2,813 + 717 ED KIN + 25
SINGAPORE 3,504 2,708 796 + 29
FRANCE 3,116 2,646 + 470 + 18
SWITZERLAND 2,777 2,658 + 1 19 + 4
---------0-----------
NEW SOLICITOR GENERAL APPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MR BERTRAND EDOUARD DOGER DE SPEVILLE HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO SUCCEED MR FRANK STOCK AS SOLICITOR GENERAL IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 10 THIS YEAR.
MR STOCK HAS TAKEN UP APPOINTMENT AS JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT IN THE JUDICIARY SINCE MAY 21.
MR DE SPEVILLE, AGED 51, JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN JANUARY 1981, FOLLOWING THREE YEARS’ LEGAL SERVICE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM CIVIL SERVICE AND 10 YEARS’ PRIVATE PRACTICE IN LONDON.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN OCTOBER 1985.
MR DE SPEVILLE HAS CONSIDERABLE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH LAW REFORM AND LEGAL POLICY WORK.
------0--------
/6......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
- 6 -
218 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME
*****
A GROUP OF 218 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 80 MEN, 57 WOMEN, 43 BOYS AND 38 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 119TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,321 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 21,200 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER RESULTS
*****
TENDER DATE 25 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q235
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,466 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 800 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.68 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.71 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 46 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.72 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 31 AUGUST 1992 -
TENDER DATE 1 SEPT 92 1 SEPT 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q236 H272
ISSUE DATE 2 SEPT 92 2 SEPT 92
MATURITY DATE 2 DEC 92 3 MAR 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 800 + 160 MN HKD 300 + 60 MN
-------0----------
/7........
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1992
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* » * ♦ ♦
$ MILLION
1,130
+ 370
1,500
NIL
NIL
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 108.8 *-0.3* 25.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.32 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.30 3.51
1 MONTH 2.46 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.41 3.84
3 MONTHS 2.60 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.41 4.08
6 MONTHS 2.78 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.41 4.20
12 MONTHS 3.32 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12,131 MN
CLOSED 25 AUGUST 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BRITISH MILITARY FORCES SECURE HK'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY ....... 1
GOVERNOR'S OVERSEAS TRIPS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON ..................... 2
AIRPORT PROJECT COST EFFECTIVE ..................................... 3
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS MAJOR ROLE IN METROPLAN ........... 4
RESIDENTS URGED TO REPORT ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .................... 5
REWARD SCHEME TO CATCH EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ............. 6
NO DEPARTURE FROM POLICY TO TOLL TUNNELS ........................... 6
NEW CLINIC FOR AP LEI CHAU RESIDENTS ............................... 7
THREE SITES IN NEW TERRITORIES TO LET............................... 8
BOOKLET ON DISCHARGES FROM VILLAGE HOUSES PUBLISHED ................ 9
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES ............................................ 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 10
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
BRITISH MILITARY FORCES SECURE UK’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID HE HAD HAD AN EXTREMELY INTERESTING AND EDUCATIONAL DAY LOOKING AT THE ROLE IN WHICH THE BRITISH MILITARY FORCES PLAYED IN HELPING TO SECURE AND GUARANTEE THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING VARIOUS MILITARY FACILITIES TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR PATTEN SAID THIS WAS A ROLE THAT "THEY’VE PLAYED WITH GREAT DISTINCTION FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS".
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO HAVE SEEN THE WORK OF THE BRITISH MILITARY FORCES HELP THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE POLICE DEAL WITH CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, IN PARTICULAR SMUGGLING.
HE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO SEE THE WORK OF THE HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS WHO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPORT OF THE GARRISON.
EARLIER IN THE MORNING, THE GOVERNOR, AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF. THE BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG, CALLED ON HMS TAMAR WHERE HE WAS GREETED BY THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FOLEY.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE ROLE AND TASKS OF THE BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG. HE WAS ALSO TOLD OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORCES, INCLUDING ITS WITHDRAWAL PLANS AND THE RUNDOWN OF THE BRIGADE OF GURKHA AND THE HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS.
HE THEN VISITED THE ROYAL NAVY. AT THE ENGINEERING WORKSHOPS, HE MET LOCALLY ENLISTED PERSONNEL WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT AT THE NAVAL BASE.
ON BOARD HMS PEACOCK, HE LISTENED TO A BRIEFING ON THE OPERATION OF A THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL EQUIPMENT FOR DETECTING SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES. HE WATCHED SOME VIDEO FOOTAGES OF ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS.
AT THE BASE ENGINEERING WORKSHOP, MR PATTEN INSPECTED AN AUTO MELARA 76-MILLIMETRE GUN WHICH IS NORMALLY MOUNTED ON FRIGATES SUCH AS THE HMS PEACOCK.
HE ALSO INSPECTED A FAST PURSUIT CRAFT WHICH IS NORMALLY USED IN ANTI-SMUGGLING BY THE ROYAL MARINES.
FROM THERE, HE TOOK THE HELICOPTER TO SEK KONG. LOOKING DOWN FROM THE AIRCRAFT, HE HAD A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE GUN CLUB HILL BARRACKS, THE OSBORN AND BLACKDOWN BARRACKS, THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL AND THE HEADQUARTERS OF ROYAL AIR FORCE (RAF) AND THE HEADQUARTERS OF 48 GURKHA INFANTRY BRIGADE.
RECEIVED BY RAF COMMANDER, GROUP CAPTAIN SIMON HUNT, AT SEK KONG, MR PATTEN TOURED THE HANGAR AND SAW AIRCRAFT ROLE DEMONSTRATION AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT FACILITIES.
/AFTER LUNCH .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
2 -
AFTER LUNCH, HE FLEW TO CASTLE PEAK TRAINING AREA TO SEE DEMONSTRATIONS BY BRIGADE TROOPS. THESE INCLUDED MORTAR AND SMALLARMS LIVE FIRING.
HE THEN WENT ON TO STONECUTTERS ISLAND TO SEE WORK PROGRESS OF THE NEW NAVAL BASIN AND MEET MEMBERS OF THE HK MILITARY SERVICE CORPS.
MR PATTEN ENDED HIS "MILITARY DAY" WITH A RIDE ON A LANDING CRAFT OF 415 MARITIME TROOP BACK TO HMS TAMAR.
- - 0---------
GOVERNOR’S OVERSEAS TRIPS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WOULD SHORTLY MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF VISITS ABROAD.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING A NUMBER OF MILITARY FACILITIES, MR PATTEN SAID HE VERY MUCH HOPED TO VISIT CHINA SOON AFTER HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WHAT I WANTED TO DO, AFTER MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH, WAS TO GIVE MY HOSTS IN PEKING AS MUCH FREEDOM AS POSSIBLE IN DECIDING WHAT DATES MIGHT BE CONVENIENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER IMPORTANT VISITORS LATER IN THE AUTUMN, AND I ALSO WANTED TO GIVE MYSELF SOME TIME TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ABOUT THE PROPOSALS THAT I’LL BE MAKING IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH TO EXPLAIN THOSE PROPOSALS AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM," HE SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ABOUT PROPOSALS MADE BY THE CHINESE SIDE AT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP EXPERT MEETING ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "IF THE CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY THEIR PROPOSALS ARE CONSTRUCTIVE AND POSITIVE, THEN I SHALL VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO BEING BRIEFED ABOUT THEM AND I HOPE THEY WILL HELP US RESOLVE WHAT EVERYONE KNOWS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE."
"THERE IS, I’M SURE COMMON GROUND TO ALL OF US IN THIS. AS THESE SITES, AS THIS MILITARY ESTATE HAS BEEN NEEDED LESS AND LESS BY MILITARY FORCES; SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE IN HONG KONG THAT WE SHOULD DEVELOP THEM FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL USES," HE ADDED.
"I THINK THAT IS COMMON TO ALL OF US BUT WHAT WE’VE GOT TO DO IS TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WHICH MAKES SENSE FOR US, WHICH MAKES SENSE FOR THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND WHICH ENABLES US TO DEVELOP FOR OTHER PURPOSES, PARTICULARLY INNER CITY SITES, WHICH AREN’T NEEDED BY THE GARRISON," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR THE MILITARY FORCES, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
/"IT EQUALLY .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
"IT EQUALLY MAKES THE GREATEST POSSIBLE SENSE TO ENSURE THAT WHERE LANDS ARE SURPLUS TO MILITARY REQUIREMENTS, THEY’RE AVAILABLE FOR CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PURPOSES.
"WE’VE ALREADY SEEN SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF THOSE SORT OF REDEVELOPMENTS AND WE’LL SEEN MANY MORE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. HONG KONG HASN’T STOOD STILL FOR THE LAST FEW DECADES AND IT’S CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO STAND STILL FOR THE NEXT FEW," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
AIRPORT PROJECT COST EFFECTIVE
*****
NO ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE YET FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION’S SOY STREET RESIDENTIAL PROJECT, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT MEETING."
"WE WILL BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS TO SAY ABOUT OUR PROPOSALS. WE BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE VERY COST EFFECTIVE PROPOSALS.
"WE ARE PROCEEDING WELL WITH THE ARRANGEMENTS AND, INDEED, I THINK THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR PROPOSAL HAS BEEN WELL BORNE OUT IN RECENT MONTHS.
"WE HAVE NOW LET NO LESS THAN $29 BILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS. TENDERS HAVE COME IN WITHIN BUDGET. THAT’S A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE WHOLE OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
"AND WE WERE VERY PLEASED THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INSTITUTE COST CONTROL MEASURES WHICH HAVE ENABLED BOTH CONTRACTS AND THOSE TENDERS TO COME IN WITHIN THE PRICE.
"I THINK THAT’S A VERY GOOD EVIDENCE OF WE HAVE THE PROJECT WELL UNDER CONTROL. IT’S FINANCIALLY VIABLE, IT’S COST EFFECTIVE, AND OF COURSE WE BELIEVE IT’S GOOD FOR HONG KONG," THE CHIEF SECRETARY ADDED.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
- 4 -
LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS MAJOR ROLE IN METROPLAN *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) WAS PROVIDING HOMES FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CLEARANCES.
"THIS, I HOPE, WILL BE THE POLICY IN FUTURE THAT WE WILL ENCOURAGE THE LDC ALWAYS TO TRY, WHERE POSSIBLE, TO GIVE PEOPLE A HOME IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT WHEN THEY ARE AFFECTED BY SUCH MOVES," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE NOTED THAT ANY REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME SUCH AS THE ONES UNDERTAKEN BY THE LDC INEVITABLY CREATE SOME DIFFICULTIES FOR TENANTS WHO HAVE TO BE DISRUPTED AND MOVED.
"WE ACCEPT THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH THE LDC AND THE GOVERNMENT MAKE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT. WE ARE REVIEWING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LDC AND THE GOVERNMENT TO HOPE TO IMPROVE THE ARRANGEMENTS SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED CAN HAVE BETTER TREATMENT IN THE FUTURE. ;
"BUT THESE THINGS TAKE SOME TIME TO WORK OUT," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION’S SOY STREET RESIDENTIAL PROJECT.
IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE CEREMONY, SIR DAVID SAID THE LDC, IN THE LONGER TERM, WOULD HAVE A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF METROPLAN.
UNDER THE METROPLAN, THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS TO APPLY THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS DEVISED FOR THE NEW TOWNS TO THE OLDER URBAN AREAS, HE ADDED.
"WE WILL MAKE USE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THE NEW RECLAMATIONS AT WEST KOWLOON AND ELSEWHERE AROUND THE HARBOUR TO ACHIEVE THIS AMBITIOUS GOAL.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE CORPORATION, OTHER AGENCIES, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE COMMUNITY TO DO THIS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE EASY PART OF THE JOB OF THE LDC WAS TO IDENTIFY AND PLAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WHILE THE MORE DIFFICULT PART WAS TO DEAL WITH COMPENSATING AND RELOCATING TENANTS AFFECTED BY ITS REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
SUCH MATTERS REQUIRED PATIENT EXPLANATION AND NEGOTIATION, DETERMINATION AND INGENUITY, RESOURCEFULNESS AND PRAGMATISM, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY PLACED ON THE LDC WAS A HEAVY ONE.
/CONCEDING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
5
CONCEDING THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR URBAN RENEWAL WERE NOT PERFECT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CORPORATION ARE NOW REVIEWING PROGRESS TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE THE URBAN RENEWAL PROCESS BOTH QUICKER AND SMOOTHER."
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THROUGH ITS HARD WORK AND BY MAINTAINING CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH THE AFFECTED TENANTS, THE CORPORATION WILL CONTINUE TO WIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
STR DAVID SAID THE LDC, UNDER ITS CHAIRMAN MR STEVEN POON AND WITH ITS DEDICATED STAFF, HAD MADE A DETERMINED EFFORT TO DEVISE A COMPENSATION PACKAGE AND REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE FAIR TO ALL AND ACCEPTABLE TO MOST.
THE 168 UNITS TO BE BUILT ON THE SOY STREET SITE WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE LDC’S EFFORT, HE ADDED.
THE DEVELOPMENT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PHASE I PROJECTS. THEIR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1994 WILL MEET THE REHOUSING NEEDS OF THE AFFECTED TENANTS.
"I AM ALSO CONFIDENT THAT THE CORPORATION WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR THE AFFECTED TENANTS IN THE SUBSEQUENT PHASES OF ITS REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
--------0-----------
RESIDENTS URGED TO REPORT ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE POLICE IN CURBING THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
HE SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD COME FORWARD TO REPORT ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS WELL AS THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO GAVE JOBS TO THESE EVADERS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS DURING A VISIT TO THE FIELD PATROL DETACHMENT AT THE SHA TAU KOK SECTOR OF THE BORDER, MR LI POINTED OUT THAT EFFORTS NEEDED TO BE PLACED ON STEMMING THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, THAT IS, JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BY LAW-BREAKING EMPLOYERS.
HE NOTED THAT EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WAS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, AND AS IN ANY OTHER CRIMINAL CASES, THE POLICE WOULD PREPARE TO OFFER MONETARY AWARD TO INFORMANTS IF THE INFORMATION THEY PROVIDED WOULD LEAD TO THE ARREST AND SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS OF THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO HAD HIRED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE COMMISSIONER STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY IN HONG KONG FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THAT ALL WHO WERE INTERDICTED WOULD BE REPATRIATED TO CHINA.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
6
HE ALSO URGED LABOUR GROUPS TO COME FORWARD TO REPORT EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THE EMPLOYERS WHO HIRED THESE EVADERS.
TURNING TO STATISTICS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, MR LI SAID THIS YEAR UP TO 5 AM THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING THERE WERE OVER 20,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BEING ARRESTED, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 40 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OF THOSE ARRESTED, ABOUT 80 PER CENT WERE MEN, THREE PER CENT WERE PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 16 AND THE REST WERE WOMEN.
MR LI NOTED THAT THE FIELD PATROL DETACHMENT (FPD) HAD FULLY TAKEN OVER THE POLICING OF THE 36 KILOMETRES LAND BORDER SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR.
THE BORDER IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTORS AND EACH IS MANNED BY A POLICE TACTICAL UNIT COMPANY OF 170 OFFICERS. A FOURTH QUICK REACTION FORCE COMPANY WILL BE READY IN OCTOBER.
FPD IS SUPPORTED BY MANY TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THERMAL IMAGER AND THE MINIATURE INTRUDER DETECTION SYSTEM, AS WELL AS BACK-UP FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE IN THEIR BORDER POLICING DUTIES.
- - 0 - -
REWARD SCHEME TO CATCH EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ******
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID A REWARD FOR INFORMATION SCHEME WAS BEING CONSIDERED AS A MEANS TO IDENTIFY EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AS MENTIONED EARLIER TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
HE SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE HAD BEEN LOOKING AT WAYS OF IMPROVING THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO PROSECUTE EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0 - -
NO DEPARTURE FROM POLICY TO TOLL TUNNELS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO DEPART FROM ITS EXISTING POLICY TO ONLY TOLL TUNNELS.
REFERRING TO PRESS REPORTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 MAY BECOME A TOLLED ROAD, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECT WAS UNDER A FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY STUDY AND IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO COMMENT ON ITS FUTURE TOLLING ARRANGEMENTS.
/HE ADDED
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
7
HE ADDED THAT IT HAD BEEN GOVERNMENT POLICY TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY WHERE SUCH PROJECTS PROVED VIABLE UPON STUDY.
"THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION AND TING KAU BRIDGE OF ROUTE 3 IS ONE SUCH PROJECT WHICH IS BEING EXAMINED TO SEE IF IT CAN BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON A BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER BASIS."
"THIS PART OF ROUTE 3 IS NOT AN AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECT.
"ITS FINANCING IS, THEREFORE, TOTALLY UNRELATED TO AND INDEPENDENT OF THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
--------0-----------
NEW CLINIC FOR AP LEI CHAU RESIDENTS
*****
THE AP LEI CHAU CLINIC, LOCATED AT 161 AP LEI CHAU MAIN STREET, WILL BEGIN OPERATION NEXT MONTH (SEPTEMBER).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE CLINIC WOULD PROVIDE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, AND GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 1 AND SEPTEMBER 7 RESPECTIVELY.
OPERATION HOURS OF THE VARIOUS SERVICES ARE:
SERVICE OPERATION HOURS
GENERAL OUT-PATIENT MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 AM - 1 PM
DEPARTMENT 2 PM - 5 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM - 1 PM
MATERNAL AND CHILD
HEALTH CENTRE
* CHILD HEALTH MONDAY 9 AM - 1 PM
SERVICE 2 PM - 5 PM
TUESDAY AND 2 PM - 5 PM
FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY, 9 AM - 1 PM
THURSDAY AND
SATURDAY
/* COMPREHENSIVE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
8
* COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SERVICE MONDAY 9 2 AM -PM - 1 5 PM PM
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY 2 PM - 5 PM
THURSDAY 9 AM - 1 PM
♦ FAMILY PLANNING TUESDAY 9 AM - 1 PM
THURSDAY 2 PM - 5 PM
♦ ANTENATAL SERVICE (NEW CASE) WEDNESDAY 2 PM - 5 PM
* ANTENATAL SERVICE (REVISIT) FRIDAY 9 AM - 1 PM
* POST-NATAL SERVICE TUESDAY 9 AM - 1 PM
ALL UNITS WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
------0----------
THREE SITES IN NEW TERRITORIES TO LET *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE IS ON WING KEI ROAD, AREA 38, KWAI CHUNG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,480 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR A FEE-PAYING CAR PARK FOR PRIVATE CARS AND GOODS VEHICLES CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER TWO LOTS ARE SITUATED AT YIP CHEONG STREET, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING.
BOTH OF THEM MEASURE ABOUT 785 SQUARE METRES AND ARE DESIGNATED FOR THE REPAIR AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
/THEIR TENANCIES .......
9
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
THEIR TENANCIES ARE FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON SEPTEMBER 11.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON OR THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
---------0---------
BOOKLET ON DISCHARGES FROM VILLAGE HOUSES PUBLISHED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PUBLISHED AN INFORMATION BOOKLET ON THE MANAGEMENT OF DOMESTIC DISCHARGES FROM VILLAGE HOUSES.
THE 22-PAGE "GUIDANCE NOTES ON DISCHARGES FROM VILLAGE HOUSES", AVAILABLE IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR VILLAGE HOUSE OWNERS WHO RELY ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THEIR DOMESTIC WASTE WATER.
THESE SYSTEMS ARE COMMONLY USED IN AREAS WITH NO PUBLIC FOUL SEWERS, IN PARTICULAR FOR SMALL VILLAGE HOUSE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE BOOKLET EXPLAINED THE OPERATION OF A SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM, THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN FOR PROPER OPERATION OF SUCH SYSTEMS AND ALSO THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
"WE WISH TO ENCOURAGE VILLAGE HOUSEHOLDERS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO OPERATING AND MAINTAINING THEIR SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"PROPER DISPOSAL OF THEIR DOMESTIC WASTE WATER WILL HELP REDUCE PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS AS WELL AS POLLUTION TO THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO MAKE A POLLUTING DISCHARGE IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE.
A PERSON WHO HAS OBTAINED A DISCHARGE LICENCE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND COMPLIES WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE LICENCE WILL BE ABLE TO FULLY SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE CONTROLS NOW COVER THE WHOLE OF THE TERRITORY INCLUDING THE OUTLYING ISLANDS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE URBAN AREAS AROUND VICTORIA HARBOUR.
/TO ENSURE .......
WEDNESDAY, AGUUST 26, 1992
10
TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED VILLAGE HOUSEHOLDERS TO APPLY FOR A DISCHARGE LICENCE WHICH WOULD SPECIFY CLEARLY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR DISCHARGES.
THE BOOKLET IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT OFFICES AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
DETAILS OF LICENCE APPLICATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT OFFICE.
---------0-----------
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES * * * »
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICE WOULD BE SUSPENDED ON AUGUST 29 WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
HOWEVER, EIGHT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN ON AUGUST 31 (LIBERATION DAY AND THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST) WHICH IS ALSO A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
THEY ARE THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, THE ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE CLINICS WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM. ALL OTHER GENERAL OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 108.8 *-0.0* 26.8.92
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1992
11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.23 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.42 3.41
1 MONTH 2.37 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.66 3.66
3 MONTHS 2.53 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.66 3.93
6 MONTHS 2.72 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.64 4.07
12 MONTHS 3.23 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7.789MN
CLOSED 26 AUGUST 1992
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT PEKING ................................................ 1
BEIJING VISIT IMPORTANT IN DEVELOPING RELATIONS WITH CHINA: GOVERNOR 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JULY ....................................... 1
CONTRACT SIGNED TO EXPAND TRANSFER CAPACITY FOR CHINA WATER ............. 8
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JULY 1992 ................................. 9
POLICY ON EX-CHINESE VIET ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS EXPLAINED ................. 11
NON-INTERVENTIONIST POLICY COMPLEMENTS FREE TRADE REGIME: STI .......... 12
GOVT COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ADEQUATE SERVICES FOR DISABLED ............. 13
DISABLED A SOURCE OF TALENTED MANPOWER ................................. 14
MARINE DEPARTMENT OFFICES REMAIN OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS .................. 16
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OPENS LAM TIN OFFICE ............................ 16
POSTAL SERVICE TO SOMALIA SUSPENDED .................................... 17
NEW PLB ROUTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND....................................... 17
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 18
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
1
GOVERNOR TO VISIT PEKING * * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) MADE THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT:
"AT THE INVITATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL VISIT PEKING FROM OCTOBER 12 TO 14."
--------0-----------
BEIJING VISIT IMPORTANT IN DEVELOPING RELATIONS WITH CHINA: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) HE HOPED HIS VISIT TO CHINA WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN BEGINNING TO DEVELOP HIS RELATIONS WITH OFFICIALS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER RECEIVING THE MAYOR OF WUHAN AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MR PATTEN SAID: "IT WILL BE MY FIRST VISIT TO BEIJING AS GOVERNOR, THOUGH OF COURSE NOT MY FIRST BECAUSE I’VE HAD TWO PREVIOUS VISITS, ONE WHEN I WAS NEGOTIATING AN IMPORTANT CONCESSIONAL FINANCING AGREEMENT WITH CHINA."
"I LOOK FORWARD, I HOPE, TO MANY FUTURE ONES AND TO WELCOMING MR LU PING AND HIS COLLEAGUES TO HONG KONG FROM TIME TO TIME.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO DO. THERE IS A BIG AGENDA FOR
US TO GET THROUGH AND THE MORE WE CAN DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL
CONFIDENCE, THE EASIER IT WILL BE FOR US TO HANDLE SOME OF THE VERY
DIFFICULT ISSUES THAT LIE AHEAD OF US," HE SAID.
------0-----------
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JULY * * * * *
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN JULY THIS YEAR WAS 8.8% HIGHER THAN IN JULY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS LOWER THAN THE FIGURE OF 9.3% IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.
THE SLOWER YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) LAST MONTH THAN IN JUNE THIS YEAR WAS MAINLY DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT AS WELL AS MORE MODERATE INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND IN CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS.
/THE ACTING .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 2 -
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, COMMENTED THAT THE LATEST TREND IN RESPECT OF CPI(A) WAS ENCOURAGING.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 9.3% AND 10.1% RESPECTIVELY IN JULY 1992 THAN IN JULY LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN JUNE 1992 WERE 9.6% AND 10.0%.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH WAS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 9.3% IN JULY 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1991. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN JUNE 1992 WAS 9.6%.
DUE TO THE SAME REASONS FOR CPI(A), THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(B) WAS SLOWER IN JULY THAN IN JUNE.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE HANG SENG CPI WAS, HOWEVER, SLIGHTLY HIGHER IN JULY 1992. THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A LOW BASE OF COMPARISON FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR IN JULY LAST YEAR, AS A RESULT OF MAJOR SUMMER SALE IN SOME OF THE RETAIL OUTLETS.
MOREOVER, THE EFFECT OF THE SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES OF FOOD ITEMS WAS LESS SIGNIFICANT ON THE HANG SENG CPI THAN ON THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B).
COMPARING JULY 1992 WITH JULY 1991, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (2.1% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)>; FOOD (EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS) (4.8% IN CPI(A) AND 4.9% IN CPI(B)); TRANSPORT (6.4% AND 6.7%); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.7% AND 6.5%); FUEL AND LIGHT (7.1% AND 6.9%); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (8.0% AND 7.7%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (10.2% IN THE CPI(A) AND 10.1% IN THE CPI(B)); ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (11.2% AND 11.1%); HOUSING (12.4% AND 13.6%); AND SERVICES (12.6% AND 11.3%).
COMPARING JULY 1992 WITH JUNE 1992, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 0.2% WHILE THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI INCREASED BY 0.3% AND 0.1% RESPECTIVELY. THIS COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
THE INCREASES IN THE INDICES WERE LARGELY DUE TO HIGHER RENT FOR SOME PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS AND AN INCREASE IN THE CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS, ALTHOUGH FOR THE LATTER THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE WAS ALREADY MODERATING IN JULY. THE EFFECT OF SOME OF THESE PRICE INCREASES WAS OFFSET BY LOWER PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT AND FRESH VEGETABLES DURING THE MONTH.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.0% THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR THE CPI(B) WAS 9.3%.
/FOR THE .
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 3 -
FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.4% AND 9.6% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1991.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JULY 1992, BOTH THE CPI(A) AND THE CP1(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 10.2% THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE INDICES. THE DESEASONALISED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.5% AND 0.6% RESPECTIVELY PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 1992.
DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR JULY 1992, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $9 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE 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.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6403.
DETAILS OF THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/TABLE 1 .......
4
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
Tab1e 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for July 199?
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Component CPI (A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI Composite CPI
Index for Jul 92 % change over Jul 91 Index for Jul 92 % change over Jul 91 Index for Jul 92 % change over Jul 91 Index for Jul 92 % change over Jul 91
Food 124.5 +7.5 125.5 +8.0 124.3 +9.1 124.8 +8.0
Meals bought away from home 1.30.2 +10.2 130.1 +10.1 126.7 +11.4 129.4 +10.4
Food, excluding meals bought away from home 118.8 +4.8 119.1 +4.9 120.3 +5.3 119.1 +4.9
Housing 131.7 +12.4 132.3 +13.6 132.9 +11.9 132.3 +12.7
Fuel and light 116.4 +7.1 115.8 +6.9 115.6 +6.4 116.0 +6.9
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 161.7 +11.2 154.0 +11.1 150.5 +11.0 157.4 +11.1
Clothing and footwear 118.2 +8.0 119.0 +7.7 124.0 +16.5 120.5 + 10.7
Durable goods 106.9 +2.1 106.0 +2.1 109.2 +4.5 107.2 +2.8 p
Miscellaneous goods 115.2 +6.7 114.3 +6.5 113.6 +5.9 114.4 +6.4
Transport 125.5 x6.4 125.4 +6.7 126.3 +6.4 125.7 +6.5
Services 129.5 +12.6 127.4 +11.3 123.2 +10.2 126.7 +11.4
All items 125.5 +8.8 125.4 +9.3 125.4 +10.1 125.4 +9.3
The 1989/90-based consumer price indices are based on the expenditure patterns derived from the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI (A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of $2,500-59,999 a month in 1989/90. The CPI(B) is based on the expenditure pattern of the next. 30% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-817,499 in the same period. The Hang Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $17,500-$37,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPT(A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Composite CPI is compiled based on the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Thus, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI show the impact of consumer price changes on different groups of households, the Composite CPI shows the impact of consumer price changes on the household sector generally.
/TABLE 2 .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 5 -
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices for October 1990 - Julv 1992 (Oct'. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month OPT (A) CPI(B) Hang Sena OPT Composite CPI
1990 October 105.8 105.9 106.7 106.1
November 106.5 106.7 107.8 106.9
December 107.4 107.6 108.1 107.7
1991 January 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
May 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
July 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
August 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
September 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
October 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
November 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
December 118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 January 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
February 121.8 121.2 121.0 121.4
March 122.5 121.9 121.8 122.1
April 124.0 123.4 122.9 123.5
May 124.0 123.8 124.2 124.0
June 125.3 125.1 125.2 125.2
July 125.5 125.4 125.4 125.4
/CHART 1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 6 -
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/CHART 3 .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
------0------------
/8 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
8 -
CONTRACT SIGNED TO EXPAND TRANSFER CAPACITY FOR CHINA WATER
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A $194 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS OF THE TAI PO TAU ’D’ PUMPING STATION IN TAI PO.
THIS IS THE FIFTH IN A SERIES OF CONTRACTS FOR THE CHINA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT WHICH PROVIDES FOR PHASED EXPANSION OF FACILITIES TO RECEIVE AND TRANSFER ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA.
STAGE I OF THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PUMPING STATION AT MUK WU FOR CONNECTING WITH A NEW DELIVERY POINT AT THE NORTHERN BANK OF SHENZHEN RIVER, AS WELL AS UPGRADING THE TRANSFER AND PUMPING CAPABILITY AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS ALONG THE DISTRIBUTION ROUTES.
ON COMPLETION OF THE EXPANSION, THE RECEPTION AND TRANSFER CAPACITY WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING 620 MILLION CUBIC METRES TO 1,100 MILLION CUBIC METRES A YEAR.
TAI PO TAU PUMPING STATION IS A FOCAL POINT IN ONE OF THE ROUTES WHICH RECEIVE WATER FROM MUK WU PUMPING STATION AND WHENCE DISTRIBUTES THE WATER TO PLOVER COVE AND SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS.
THERE ARE THREE EXISTING PUMPING SYSTEMS AT TAI PO TAU, DESIGNATED AS TAI PO TAU ’A’, ’B' AND ’C’ PUMPING STATIONS, WHICH PROVIDE A COMBINED PUMPING CAPACITY OF 1.4 MILLION CUBIC METRES A DAY.
THE TAI PO TAU ’D’ PUMPING STATION, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY HOUSE 14 PUMPS AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL PUMPING CAPACITY OF 3.1 MILLION CUBIC METRES A DAY, WILL BE THE LARGEST RAW WATER PUMPING STATION IN HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION BUILDING, A SCREEN HOUSE AND A POWER SUB-STATION, WHICH WILL PROVIDE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO THE PUMPING STATION AND THE SCREEN HOUSE.
CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNELS AND PIPELINES TO CONNECT THE NEW PUMPING STATION TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1994.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR HU MAN-SHIU, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF AOKI CORPORATION.
- - 0----------
/9 ........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
9
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JULY 1992 *****
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT IN JULY THIS YEAR, REEXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW STRONGLY, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED A SMALL INCREASE. IMPORTS ALSO RECORDED A MARKED GROWTH.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY $12,275 MILLION OR 25.3% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $60,782 MILLION IN JULY 1992. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ALSO INCREASED, BY $202 MILLION OR 1.0% TO $21,380 MILLION.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN JULY GREW BY $12,477 MILLION OR 17.9% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $82,162 MILLION.
MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN JULY INCREASED BY $15,884 MILLION OR 23.0% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $84,966 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,804 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN JULY 1992. THIS COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $603 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN JULY 1991.
IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1992, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $88,394 MILLION OR 31.4% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $370,014 MILLION. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $128,321 MILLION, $2,218 MILLION OR 1.8% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1991.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $498,335 MILLION IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1992, WAS $90,612 MILLION OR 22.2% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $99,309 MILLION OR 23.2% TO $527,612 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $29,277 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1992. THIS COMPARED WITH THE DEFICIT OF $20,580 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO .4.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE JULY TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAD REBOUNDED FROM THE EARLIER DECLINE FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, ALTHOUGH THE LATEST INCREASE WAS ONLY SMALL.
THE ROBUST RE-EXPORT PERFORMANCE WAS UNDERPINNED BY THE CONTINUED STRONG GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS INVOLVING CHINA IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
INDICATIVE OF A SUSTAINED INCREASE IN DOMESTIC DEMAND AND PROBABLY ALSO A BETTER OUTLOOK FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS RETAINED FOR LOCAL USE CONTINUED TO SHOW A SUBSTANTIAL RISE. IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1992, RETAINED IMPORTS GREW BY 13.1% IN VALUE TERMS OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 10 -
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS
JULY 1992:
THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES
FOR
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : RE-EXPORTS ; TOTAL EXPORTS : IMPORTS : TRADE BALANCE : $21,380 MILLION $60,782 MILLION $82,162 MILLION $84,966 MILLION $2,804 MILLION ( IN DEFICIT)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
MAY 92 TO MAY 91 TO INCREASE
LATEST 3 MONTHS JUL 92 JUL 91
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 61,897 59,420 2,477 4.2
RE-EXPORTS 177,072 135,747 41,325 30.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 238,969 195,167 43,802 22.4
IMPORTS 251 , 105 199,812 51,293 25.7
TRADE BALANCE -12,136 -4,645 -7,491
JULY JULY INCREASE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1992 1991
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,380 21,178 202 1.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (26.0%) (30.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 60,782 48,507 12,275 25.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 82,162 69,685 12,477 17.9
IMPORTS 84,966 69,082 15,884 23.0
TRADE BALANCE -2,804 603 -3,407
JULY JUNE INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1992 1992
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,380 21,111 269 1.3
. (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (26.0%) (26.3%)
RE-EXPORTS 60,782 59, 114 1,668 2.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 82,162 80,225 1,937 2.4
IMPORTS 84,966 84,621 345 0.4
TRADE BALANCE -2,804 -4,396 1,592
JAN-JUL JAN-JUL INCREASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1992 1991
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 128,321 126,103 2,218 1.8
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (25.7%) (30.9%)
RE-EXPORTS 370,014 281,620 88,394 31 .4
TOTAL EXPORTS 498,335 407,723 90,612 22.2
IMPORTS 527,612 428,303 99,309 23.2
TRADE BALANCE -29,277 -20,580 -8,697
/LAST 12 .......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 11 -
AUG 91 TO AUG 90 TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS JUL 92 JUL 91
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 233,264 231,031 2,233 1.0
RE-EXPORTS 623,234 476,329 146,905 30.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 856,498 707,360 149,138 21.1
IMPORTS 878,291 721,521 153,770 21.2
TRADE BALANCE -21,793 -17 , 161 -4,632
---------0-----------
POLICY ON EX-CHINESE VIET ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
EXPLAINED
* ♦ * ♦ *
EX-CHINESE VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVIIs) WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY RESETTLED IN CHINA BEFORE THEY CAME TO HONG KONG ARE REPATRIATED TO CHINA UPON CONFIRMATION OF THEIR PREVIOUS RESIDENCY IN CHINA, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THESE PEOPLE HAVE SOUGHT AND OBTAINED ASYLUM IN CHINA, HAVE RESETTLED THERE, AND ARE CHINESE RESIDENTS. IF THEY SUBSEQUENTLY ENTERED HONG KONG, THEIR STATUS IS NO DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA," MR ASPREY EXPLAINED.
MR ASPREY SAID A MARRIAGE BETWEEN AN ECVII AND A VIETNAMESE NON-REFUGEE DID NOT PROVIDE THEM WITH A RIGHT TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG. THE ECVII WOULD HAVE TO BE REPATRIATED TO CHINA AND THE VIETNAMESE NON-REFUGEE WOULD HAVE TO RETURN TO VIETNAM.
"PRIOR TO ANY MARRIAGE BETWEEN AN ECVII AND A VIETNAMESE MIGRANT, THE GOVERNMENT INVARIABLY EXPLAINS THE POSITION TO THEM, AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THEIR LIKELY SEPARATION UPON RETURNING TO CHINA OR VIETNAM.
"IT IS SADDENING TO SEE FAMILIES BEING BROKEN UP AND WIVES BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR HUSBANDS. HOWEVER, A REPATRIATED WIFE OR HUSBAND CAN APPLY THROUGH NORMAL PROCEDURES IN CHINA TO REJOIN THEIR SPOUSE IN VIETNAM OR VICE VERSA," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE UNHCR WAS WILLING TO HELP IN SUCH CASES AND TO SEE IF ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE FOR HUSBAND AND WIFE TO REUNITE.
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/12........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 12 -
NON-INTERVENTIONIST POLICY COMPLEMENTS FREE TRADE REGIME: STI
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTIONIST POLICY AND THE FREE TRADE REGIME PRACTISED BY HONG KONG HAVE PERFECTED THE ADAPTABILITY, RESILIENCE AND RESOURCEFULNESS OF OUR PRIVATE SECTOR, ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF HONG KONG LUNCHEON, MISS YUE SAID AN OPEN AND FREE TRADE REGIME MEANT THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS DEPENDED LARGELY ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS, FLEXIBILITY AND RESILIENCE OF ITS BUSINESSMEN.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PART, EFFORTS WERE CENTRED ON COMPLEMENTING THIS PRIVATE SECTOR-LED NATURE OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
"UNDER A POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTIONIST REGIME, THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS ONE OF FACILITATION.
"IN THE TRADE AREA, FOR EXAMPLE, A SIZEABLE PORTION OF ■ GOVERNMENT RESOURCES IS DEVOTED TO THIS PURPOSE," SHE SAID.
THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE HONG KONG SURVIVES ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE, IT HAS TO PLAY THE TRADE GAME ACCORDING TO RULES AGREED INTERNATIONALLY.
"WE, THEREFORE, NEED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG EXERCISES ITS RIGHTS AND MEETS ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER VARIOUS TRADE ARRANGEMENTS," SHE SAID.
"THE INTEGRITY OF OUR SYSTEMS AND OUR ABILITY TO ABIDE STAUNCHLY BY OUR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS HAVE GAINED US THE RESPECT THAT HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO CONCRETE TRADE BENEFITS," SHE ADDED.
SHE STRESSED THAT THE BELIEF IN FREE TRADE DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO GIVE TRADERS A HELPING HAND.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN COUNTERING UNJUSTIFIED ANTI-DUMPING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HONG KONG COMPANIES AND ITS LOBBYING EFFORT IN CONNECTION WITH THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MOST-FAVOURED-NATION TRADING STATUS IN THE U.S. ARE AIMED AT CREATING A CONGENIAL INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WHERE TRADE CAN CONTINUE ON A FREE AND STABLE BASIS," SHE SAID.
MISS YUE NOTED THAT FREE AND OPEN TRADE HAD SERVED HONG KONG WELL.
"NOTHING EXISTS TO SUGGEST WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS. LIKEWISE NOTHING EXISTS TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF MINIMUM INTERVENTION BUT MAXIMUM FACILITATION SHOULD BE CHANGED," SHE SAID.
--------0-----------
/13........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27,
1992
- 13 -
GOVT COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ADEQUATE SERVICES FOR DISABLED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S WING LUNG BANK GOLDEN JUBILEE SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL IN SAI KUNG, MRS WONG APPEALED TO THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THE REHABILITATION SERVICES.
"IN PARTICULAR, I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE PUBLIC WILL BACK UP PLANS TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE REHABILITATION SERVICE UNITS IN THEIR DISTRICTS SO THAT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED COULD BE SMOOTHLY DEVELOPED.
"IN DOING SO, IT WILL ENABLE THE EARLY PROVISION OF THESE SERVICES. AT THE SAME TIME, IT COULD HELP RELIEVE THEIR FAMILY OF . THE BURDEN OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS," MRS WONG ADDED.
THE DISABLED COULD DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL ABILITIES AND WOULD BECOME USEFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THROUGH TRAINING AT DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND HOSTELS AS WELL AS PROVISION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, JOB TRAINING AND VARIOUS REHABILITATION SERVICES, SHE SAID.
ON THE NEW WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL, MRS WONG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WING LUNG BANK FOR ITS DONATION OF $5 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE ESTABLISHMENT.
THE WING LUNG BANK GOLDEN JUBILEE SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL PROVIDES 140 SHELTERED WORKSHOP PLACES FOR THE DISABLED AND 100 HOSTEL PLACES FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.
"I ALSO THANK THE BANK’S SUPPORT TO THE MOST NEEDY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BY OFFERING THEM MEANINGFUL SERVICES," SHE SAID.
THE OPENING OF THE WORKSHOP WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, MRS WONG SAID, ADDING THAT THE BANK HAD ALSO SET AN EXCELLENT INSTANCE OF TAKING THE LEAD AMONG COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN SPONSORING REHABILITATION SERVICE UNITS.
---------0-----------
/14........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 14 -
•DISABLED A SOURCE OF TALENTED MANPOWER
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, TODAY (THURSDAY) APPEALED TO EMPLOYERS IN ALL TRADES AND INDUSTRIES TO TAKE ON DISABLED PEOPLE AS THEY PROVIDE AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF WORKING TALENTS IN DIFFERENT JOBS'.
SPEAKING AT THE 12TH SOUVENIR-PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR EMPLOYERS’ OF DISABLED PERSONS AND OUTSTANDING DISABLED EMPLOYEES, MRS FOK SAID MANY INDUSTRIES HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGES. • . * * f
"IT IS BOTH TIMELY AND DESIRABLE TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THIS RELATIVELY UNTAPPED SOURCE OF MANPOWER," MRS FOK POINTED OUT.
"IN ADDITION, THIS WILL ENABLE THEM TO INTEGRATE IN THE COMMUNITY," SHE ADDED.
ORGANISED BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE ANNUAL EVENT IS AIMED AT PAYING TRIBUTE TO EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE EITHER EMPLOYED THE LARGEST NUMBER OF DISABLED PERSONS OR WHO HAVE MADE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH WORKERS IN THE PAST YEAR.
DURING THE CEREMONY, DISABLED EMPLOYEES WITH OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AT WORK WERE ALSO COMMENDED.
NOTING THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE EMPLOYERS WHO RECEIVED SOUVENIRS BELONG TO THE SERVICE INDUSTRY, MRS FOK SAID THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE RESTRUCTURING OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AS THE TREND WAS SHIFTING TOWARDS THE TERTIARY INDUSTRIES.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT TOGETHER WE WILL WORK FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE WHICH IS THE MOTTO ON THE SOUVENIR PLAQUES," MRS FOK SAID.
THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION PROVIDES A FREE COUNSELLING AND PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR DISABLED PERSONS INTERESTED IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, MENTALLY RETARDED AND EX-MENTALLY ILL.
"SINCE ITS INAUGURATION IN 1980, THE DIVISION HAS BEEN WORKING STEADILY IN PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE WORKING ABILITIES OF THE DISABLED AND PLACING DISABLED PERSONS IN SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT IN THE OPEN MARKET," SHE SAID.
"THROUGH A SERIES OF PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, INCLUDING EXHIBITIONS, PROMOTION VISITS, ISSUE OF NEWSLETTERS AND PAMPHLETS, EMPLOYERS IN VARIOUS SECTORS HAVE BEEN GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE SKILLS, MOTIVATION AND RELIABILITY OF THE DISABLED EMPLOYEES," SHE ADDED.
"THE DIVISION MADE A TOTAL OF 1,152 PLACEMENTS BETWEEN JULY 1991 AND JUNE THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 2.2 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR," SHE SAID, NOTING THAT THERE WERE 511 EMPLOYERS USING THE SERVICE.
/DURING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
15
DURING THE CEREMONY, MRS FOK CONGRATULATED EMPLOYERS ON A JOB WELL-DONE. SHE ALSO COMMENDED EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK PERFORMANCE.
"THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR WORKING ABILITY AND ATTITUDE WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN HAMPERED IN ANY WAY BY THEIR DISABILITIES.
"I AM SURE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DEVOTE THEMSELVES WHOLEHEARTEDLY TO THEIR WORK,” SHE ADDED.
THE TOP 10 EMPLOYERS OF DISABLED PERSONS WHO WERE AWARDED SOUVENIR PLAQUES TOGETHER EMPLOYED 262 DISABLED WORKERS BETWEEN JULY 1991 AND JUNE THIS YEAR.
THEY ARE:
MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS (HK) LTD, QUALITY SECURITY LTD, ONCLEVER LTD, SECURITY ALLIANCE LTD, FENG KEE CLEANING CO LTD, LO’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD, FAIRWOOD FAST FOOD CO LTD, P.S. FOOD FACTORY, R & G SPEEDPOST & DELIVERY LTD; AND R.G.F. INTERNATIONAL LTD.
IN ADDITION, CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION WERE PRESENTED TO THE FOLLOWING 10 ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THEIR SPECIAL EFFORTS IN ARRANGING DUTIES AND REDEPLOYING STAFF TO ACCOMMODATE DISABLED WORKERS:
CHRISTCO LTD,
YAT LOY SHUM PEKING FOOD RESTAURANT,
KOLINKER INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENTS LTD,
PIONEER FAST FOOD SHOP,
JOSIAH’S INSTITUTE OF ENGLISH AND COMMERCE POLYTYPE LTD, SYLVA INDUSTRIES LTD, PARK’N SHOP LTD, TSE SUI LUN JEWELLERY COMPANY LTD; AND GRAND HYATT HONG KONG.
THE 12 RECIPIENTS OF OUTSTANDING DISABLED EMPLOYEES AWARDS FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY WORK PERFORMANCE ARE:
MR CHOW KIN-CHUN OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR MOK HING-WAH OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR NG CHOR-MING OF HONG KONG TELECOM, MR CHAN LAP-KEUNG OF HYATT REGENCY HONG KONG, MR LUI TAT-SHING OF AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS LTD, MISS TONG MAN-SHAN OF C.C.C. NIM TSI SCHOOL, MR CHAN CHI-KWONG OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LTD, MR CHAN SZE-KIT OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR LEUNG WAI-KIN OF HOP TUNG CLEANING SERVICES CO, MR WONG CHI-WING OF THE TREASURY, MR YUEN SUN-TAT OF VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION; AND MISS LAU PUI-FAN OF P & G MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD.
/16........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
16
MARINE DEPARTMENT OFFICES REMAIN OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT ALL PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM DAILY ON AUGUST 29 (SATURDAY), AUGUST 31 (MONDAY) AND SEPTEMBER 12 (SATURDAY) WHICH ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (CENTRAL REGION) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR LEUNG LAI-KIT, SAID: "THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT, SHEUNG WAN, WAN CHAI, SHAM SHUI PO, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, CHA KWO LING, TSUEN WAN AND RAMBLER CHANNEL."
"THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT WILL ALSO BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM DURING THE HOLIDAYS."
ON THE THREE DAYS, THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WILL REMAIN OPEN ROUND THE CLOCK. THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE OPEN AS USUAL BETWEEN 6 AM AND 10 PM DAILY.
ON AUGUST 30 (SUNDAY), THE VICTORIA MARINE OFFICE IN ROOM 3)4 ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING AT 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM TO FACILITATE ENTRY AND OUTWARD CLEARANCE FOR SHIPS.
THE PORT FORMALITIES OFFICE, WHICH IS IN ROOM 318 ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, WILL ALSO BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM TO HANDLE APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS NORMALLY ISSUED BY THE OFFICE.
- - 0 - -
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OPENS LAM TIN OFFICE
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN A NEW EAST KOWLOON OFFICE ON PODIUM LEVEL 2, SCENEWAY GARDEN, LAM TIN ON SEPTEMBER 1 TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
FROM THE SAME DAY, THE KWUN TONG OFFICE SITUATED IN ROOMS 54-60, SECOND FLOOR, AMOY PLAZA, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE CONVERTED TO A FULL REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE.
THE KWUN TONG OFFICE AT PRESENT PROVIDES BOTH DOCUMENTS AND REGISTRATION OF PERSONS SERVICES.
ON SEPTEMBER 1, THE KOWLOON CITY OFFICE SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR, HANG CHIEN COURT, 7-9 WAI KING STREET WILL BE CLOSED.
"THE CHANGES WILL HELP TO MAXIMISE UTILISATION OF OUR RESOURCES. AS A RESULT, SERVICES IN GENERAL CAN BE IMPROVED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.
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/17
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
- 17 -
POSTAL SERVICE TO SOMALIA SUSPENDED
* * * *
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MRS DORIS S Y HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT AIR LETTER AND AIR PARCEL SERVICES TO THE SOMALI DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC HAD BEEN SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
HOWEVER, AIR LETTER SERVICE TO FOUR DESTINATIONS IN THE NORTH OF THE COUNTRY, NAMELY BERBERA, BORAMO, BURAO AND HARGEISA WILL CONTINUE.
SHE SAID SURFACE LETTER AND PARCEL SERVICES HAD BEEN SUSPENDED SINCE NOVEMBER 1, 1991.
--------0-----------
NEW PLB ROUTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT NEW OVERNIGHT PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, ROUTE 44M, WILL START OPERATION FROM 00.01 AM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 29) BETWEEN SIU SAI WAN ESTATE AND CHAI WAN MTR STATION.
IT WILL OPERATE FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM DAILY. THE FARE WILL BE $3 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG STOOD AT 85.4 PER CENT
KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT OF CAPACITY OR 500.744
9 AM TODAY (THURSDAY) MILLION CUBIC METRES.
CUBIC cXS. "ILLI0N
---------o-----------
/18........
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY + 500
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 108.8 *-0.0* 27.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.22 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.42 3.40
1 MONTH 2.35 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.66 3.66
3 MONTHS 2.45 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.65 3.93
6 MONTHS 2.67 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.17 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.66 4.06
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,680 MN
CLOSED 27 AUGUST 1992
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN FIRST HALF OF 1992 AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES FOR 1992 .............................................. 1
HK ASSESSING IMPACT OF U.S. RETALIATORY TRADE LIST .................. 8
CHIEF SECRETARY COMMENTS ON TAP SHEK KOK INCIDENT.................... 8
PROPOSED ENGINEERING WORKS FOR CENTRAL RECLAMATION .................. 9
CONTAINER THROUGHPUT CONTINUES TO GROW .............................. 9
YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN RESIDENTS URGED TO GO TO THE POLLS .............. 12
PREQUALIFICATION FOR LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS INVITED .............. 12
TENDERS FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL INVITED ............................. 13
MOSQUITO PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS IN SEPTEMBER .................... 13
MORE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURN HOME ................................ 14
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY REGISTRATION REVOKED ......................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 15
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN FIRST HALF OF 1992
AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES FOR 1992
*****
THE ECONOMY MAINTAINED ITS GROWTH MOMENTUM IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR. THE ROBUST PERFORMANCE OF RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE THE KEY IMPETUS TO GROWTH, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS ALSO SHOWED A SLIGHT PICK-UP.
LOCALLY, BOTH CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT EXPENDITURES REMAINED BUOYANT. MEANWHILE, CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION CONTINUED TO MODERATE.
THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GREW BY AN ESTIMATED 4.7% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 4.2% FOR 1991 AS A WHOLE. THE GROWTH RATE IN THE SECOND QUARTER WAS PROBABLY IN THE REGION OF 4.5%-5%.
'?HESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE HALF-YEARLY ECONOMIC REPORT 1992 RELEASED TODAY.
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST SAID FOLLOWING THE REGULAR PRACTICE, THE ECONOMIC' FORECASTS FOR 1992 HAD BEEN REVIEWED AND UPDATED. AS A RESULT, ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE TO CERTAIN COMPONENTS, BUT THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THE GDP IS MAINTAINED AT 5%.
MATCHING THIS FORECAST AGAINST THE GDP GROWTH RATE ATTAINED IN THE FIRST TWO QUARTERS, IT IMPLIES THAT THE ECONOMY IS EXPECTED TO GROW SLIGHTLY FASTER TN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR THAN IN THE FIRST HALF. THE FORECAST INFLATION RATE, IN TERMS OF BOTH THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND THE GDP DEFLATOR, IS ALSO KEPT UNCHANGED AT 9.5%.
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS REVIVED TO SHOW A MODERATE INCREASE OF ABOUT 3% IN REAL TERMS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING VIRTUALLY NO GROWTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER. THE INCREASE IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WAS ABOUT 1%.
THE REVIVAL IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, NOTWITHSTANDING THE WEAK DOMESTIC DEMAND IN SOME OF THE OVERSEAS MARKETS, WAS ATTRIBUTABLE IN PART TO AN INCREASED EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS FOLLOWING THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ALONG WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR DURING THE LATTER PART OF 1991.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA SURGED FURTHER, WHILE THOSE TO THE UNITED STATES CONTINUED TO REVIVE. BUT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOWED FURTHER SIGNIFICANT DECREASES. THOSE TO JAPAN ALSO RECORDED A MODERATE DECLINE.
CHINA OVERTOOK THE UNITED STATES TO BECOME THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992. CHINA’S SHARE IN THE TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED FURTHER, FROM 24% IN 1991 TO 27% IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SHARE TAKEN UP BY THE UNITED STATES FELL FURTHER, FROM 27% IN 1991 TO 26% IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
/RE-EXPORTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
- 2 -
RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST, GROWING BY ABOUT 31% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991. AS RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW FASTER THAN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE SHARE OF REEXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED FURTHER, FROM 70% FOR 1991 AS A WHOLE TO 74% IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
THERE WAS A SUSTAINED MARKED INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS INVOLVING CHINA IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, REFLECTING BOTH A GREATER ABSORPTION OF IMPORTS BY CHINA FOR ITS OWN USE AND A FURTHER EXPANSION IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER.
CHINA REMAINED THE LARGEST MARKET FOR AS WELL AS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 31% AND 58% RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
SUPPORTED BY THE CONTINUED SURGE IN RE-EXPORTS AND THE BUOYANT DOMESTIC DEMAND, IMPORTS RECORDED A FURTHER MARKED INCREASE, BY ABOUT 23% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
I
RETAINED IMPORTS ALSO SHOWED A NOTABLE INCREASE, BY ABOUT 14% IN REAL TERMS. AMONG THE VARIOUS END-USE CATEGORIES, RETAINED IMPORTS OF FUELS RECORDED THE FASTEST GROWTH, FOLLOWED BY THOSE OF CAPITAL GOODS, CONSUMER GOODS, FOODSTUFFS, AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $26,473 MILLION WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992, EQUIVALENT TO 6% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS. THE CORRESPONDING DEFICIT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR WAS $21,183 MILLION, ALSO EQUIVALENT TO 6% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS. THE RELATIVELY HIGHER TRADE DEFICIT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR WAS PARTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SEASONAL FACTORS.
ACCORDING TO THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF QUARTERLY GDP IN CONSTANT PRICE TERMS, PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, AS THE LARGEST COMPONENT OF DOMESTIC DEMAND, GREW BY 9% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING A SIMILAR INCREASE IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. CONSUMPTION OF DURABLE GOODS SHOWED A PARTICULARLY NOTABLE INCREASE.
AS REGARDS GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, THE GROWTH RATE IN NATIONAL ACCOUNTS TERMS WAS 7% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, AFTER A 6% INCREASE IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
LOCAL INVESTMENT, MEASURED IN TERMS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION, GREW BY 5% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 8% IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS, EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT RECORDED A FURTHER SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF 10% IN THE FIRST QUARTER, HAVING SURGED BY 20% LN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. ON THE OTHER HAND, EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCT ION CONTINUED TO FALL, RY 3% IN THE FIRST QUARTER, LARGELY DUE TO THE WINDING DOWN OF SOME LARGE PROJECTS SINCE THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR.
/CONSUMER DEMAND .......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
3
CONSUMER DEMAND REMAINED STRONG IN THE SECOND QUARTER. RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS GREW BY ABOUT 9% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, HAVING SURGED BY 28% IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
CONCURRENTLY, THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES ALSO SHOWED A MARKED INCREASE, BY 1.3% IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1992 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991. THESE INCREASES WERE SUPPORTED BY THE SPENDING OF BOTH LOCAL CONSUMERS AND TOURISTS.
INVESTMENT DEMAND WAS ALSO STRONG. RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS GREW BY ABOUT 25% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, HAVING INCREASED BY 12% IN THE FIRST QUARTER. WITHIN THIS CATEGORY, THERE WAS A SHARP RISE IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING USE.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION CONTINUED TO MODERATE DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR. THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) SLOWED DOWN FROM 12.3% AND 10.9% RESPECTIVELY IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1991, TO 10.1% IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND 9.0% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 (THE INCREASE WAS 8.8% IN JULY).
THIS REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT DECELERATION FROM THE PEAK FIGURE OF 1.3.9% IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE AVERAGE INCREASE FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 AS A WHOLE WAS 9.6%. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN THE CPI(B) AND HANG SENG CPI WERE 9.6% AND 9.8%, WHILE THE COMPOSITE CPI WAS 9.7% HIGHER.
FOLLOWING A TEMPORARY EASING IN THE EARLY PART OF 1992, LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS SEEMED TO HAVE TIGHTENED UP AGAIN IN THE MORE RECENT MONTHS. THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE SECOND QUARTER, AT 2.3%, WAS 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT LOWER THAN IN BOTH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR (THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JULY WAS 2.1%).
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE, AT 2.2% IN THE SECOND QUARTER, WAS THE SAME AS IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER, THOUGH 0.5 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
VACANCIES IN ALL SECTORS COMBINED IN THE FIRST QUARTER WERE MORE THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND IN A NUMBER OF SECTORS VACANCIES SHOWED MARKED INCREASES.
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET VARIED AMONGST SUBSECTORS. IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET, PRICES CONTINUED TO RISE MOSTLY DURING THE FIRST QUARTER WHILE RENTALS ALSO ROSE, ALBEIT MORE SLOWLY.
THE ANTI-SPECULATION MEASURES INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT SINCE LATE 1991 AND THE TIGHTER MORTGAGE LENDING POLICY PURSUED BY THE BANKS HAD PRODUCED SOME NOTICEABLE EFFECTS. AS THE MARKET ADJUSTED ITSELF, THE VOLUME OF TRANSACTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR WAS SMALLER THAN IN THE SECOND HALF OF LAST YEAR, AND PRICES HAD TENDED TO STABILISE IN RECENT MONTHS.
/IN THE ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
4
IN THE MARKET FOR SHOPPING SPACE, PRICES AND RENTALS HELD STEADY, EXCEPT FOR THE PRIME LOCATIONS WHERE DEMAND STRENGTHENED AS A RESULT OF A PICK-UP IN LOCAL CONSUMER SPENDING AND TOURIST BUSINESS.
AGAINST AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY, THE DEMAND FOR OFFICE SPACE IMPROVED WITH A SLIGHT RECOVERY IN RENTALS IN SOME LOCATIONS, WHILE THE SALES MARKET FOR OFFICE SPACE PERFORMED FAIRLY WELL.
THE DEMAND FOR FLATTED FACTORY SPACE VARIED AMONGST LOCATIONS BUT THE MARKET REMAINED GENERALLY SLACK.
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS WERE OBSERVED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992. FIRST, THE MARKET EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM. DUE TO AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR HONG KONG DOLLARS CAUSED IN PART BY AN INFLOW OF FOREIGN FUNDS INTO THE LOCAL STOCK MARKET, THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR STRENGTHENED SLIGHTLY, CLOSING THE SECOND QUARTER AT HK$7.732 TO US$1. THIS, HOWEVER, REPRESENTED ONLY A SMALL DEVIATION FROM THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE OF 7.80.
SECONDLY, REFLECTING THE MOVEMENTS OF THE U.S. DOLLAR AGAINST OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, THE TRADE-WEIGHTED EXCHANGE RATE INDEX OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EDGED UP FROM 109.2 AT THE END OF 1991 TO AROUND 113.0 IN MID-APRIL, BEFORE FALLING BACK TO 110.2 AT THE END OF JUNE 1992.
FOLLOWING THE EASING IN INTERBANK INTEREST RATES, DEPOSIT RATES ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS WERE LOWERED TWICE ACROSS-THE-BOARD DURING THE MONTH OF MAY.
THIRDLY, PARTLY DUE TO AN INFLOW OF FUNDS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS RECORDED A MARKED INCREASE DURING THE SECOND QUARTER, HAVING DECLINED MARGINALLY DURING THE FIRST QUARTER. THE BROADER DEFINITIONS OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M2 AND HK$M3, GREW BY 22% AND 20% RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, SOMEWHAT FASTER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF NOMINAL GDP.
MEANWHILE, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ROSE MORE SLOWLY THAN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS DURING THE SECOND QUARTER.
FOURTHLY, THE STOCK MARKET SHOWED A STRONG RALLY. THE HANG SENG INDEX HIT A RECORD HIGH OF 6,113 ON JUNE 26, BEFORE CLOSING THE SECOND QUARTER AT 6,104, 1,807 POINTS OR 42% HIGHER THAN AT THE END OF 1991. THIS GAIN CONSIDERABLY OUTPERFORMED THOSE IN THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OVERSEAS.
FIFTHLY, ON MONETARY MANAGEMENT, A LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY WAS INTRODUCED IN JUNE TO ASSIST LICENSED BANKS IN MAKING LATE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR LIQUIDITY POSITIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST SAID THAT THE GDP AND PRICE FORECASTS FOR 1992 WERE REVIEWED BY INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS IN THE LIGHT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND THE SHORT-TERM OUTLOOK FOR THE ECONOMY. THE UPDATED FORECASTS ARE SHOWN IN THE TABLE ANNEXED.
/IN THE ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
- 5 -
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IS REVISED SLIGHTLY UPWARDS FROM 1% TO 1.5%, HAVING REGARD TO THE LATEST TREND AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENT IN THE ORDERS-ON-HAND POSITION AND THE STEADY GROWTH IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES.
THE RECENT EXCHANGE RATE MOVEMENTS SHOULD ALSO ENHANCE THE EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD CONTINUE TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT GROWTH, SUPPORTED BY THE INCREASE IN CHINA’S IMPORTS FOR ITS OWN USE AMD THE CONTINUED EXPANSION IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE FAVOURABLE OUTTURN SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF RE-EXPORTS IS RAISED SLIGHTLY FURTHER, FROM 24% TO 25%. AS IT NOW STANDS, THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1992 APPEARS FAIRLY SECURE.
OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES CAN BE EXPECTED TO GROW FURTHER, THEREBY INCREASING RE-EXPORTS INVOLVING CHINA IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE RAPID GROWTH IN CHINA’S IMPORTS FOR MEETING ITS OWN DEMAND ALSO UNDERPINS RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA. HOWEVER, THE MARKET ACCESS NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA UNDER SECTION 301 OF THE US TRADE ACT ARE GIVING RISE TO SOME UNCERTAINTY IN THE RE-EXPORT TRADE AND THIS IS A MATTER OF MUCH CURRENT CONCERN.
HAVING REGARD TO THE HIGHER GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS AND A FASTER INCREASE IN RETAINED IMPORTS FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF IMPORTS OF GOODS IS RAISED FROM 17.6% TO 19%.
WITH THE FASTER GROWTH IN TOTAL TRADE AND THE SIGNIFICANT REVIVAL IN TOURISM SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATES IN REAL TERMS OF EXPORTS OF SERVICES AND OF IMPORTS OF SERVICES ARE BOTH LIFTED, FROM 10% AND 9.5% TO 11% AND 10% RESPECTIVELY.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS REVISED UPWARDS FROM 7% TO 7.5%, MAINLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH ATTAINED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, A FURTHER STEADY INCREASE SUPPORTED BY HIGHER HOUSEHOLD INCOMES CAN BE EXPECTED. SPENDING ON DURABLE GOODS AND RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD ARE LIKELY TO INCREASE FASTER THAN EXPENDITURE ON OTHER CONSUMER ITEMS.
THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 6%.
AS REGARDS NVESTMENT, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION IS REVISED MARGINALLY UPWARDS FROM 7.1% TO 7.2%.
/AS THE ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
6
AS THE CURRENT TREND OF INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IS STRONGER THAN INITIALLY EXPECTED, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IS REVISED UPWARDS FROM 10% TO 14%. BY CONTRAST, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IS REVISED DOWNWARDS, FROM 6.1% TO 2.6%, HAVING REGARD TO THE CURRENT SLACK IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY.
WHILE PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION HAS ALREADY BEEN SHOWING CONSIDERABLE UNDERSPENDING SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE REDUCTION IN BUILDING CONSENTS SINCE 1991 AND THE WINDING DOWN OF A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROJECTS SUGGEST THAT PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COULD ALSO SLACKEN IN THE SHORT TERM.
OVERALL, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THE GDP IS MAINTAINED AT. 5%.
GIVEN THE CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY, THE RAPID INCREASES IN SOME OF THE FINAL DEMAND COMPONENTS ARE BEING SUPPORTED TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT BY GREATER IMPORTS, AS DISTINCT FROM LOCAL SUPPLY.
ON CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION, THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) FOR 1992 AS A WHOLE IS MAINTAINED AT 9.5%. THIS HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE ACTUAL INFLATION RATE AND THE MODERATING TREND IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
SUSTAINED INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND THE ARRIVAL OF FOREIGN WORKERS UNDER THE 1992 LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME SHOULD ENABLE THE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF THE ECONOMY TO BE EXPANDED TO MEET THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND.
MOREOVER, THE GENERALLY STABLE WORLD COMMODITY PRICES SHOULD HELP' TO RESTRAIN THE INCREASE IN IMPORT PRICES, THEREBY KEEPING IMPORTED INFLATION AT A LOW LEVEL NOTWITHSTANDING THE RECENT MOVEMENT OF THE US DOLLAR.
THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE GDP DEFLATOR, AS A MEASURE OF OVERALL INFLATION IN THE ECONOMY, IS ALSO KEPT UNCHANGED AT 9.5%.
THE HALF-YEARLY ECONOMIC REPORT 1992 WILL BE ON SALE ON AUGUST 28, 1992 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $30 A COPY.
/FORECAST
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
7
FORECAST CURRENT
FOR 1992 UPDATE
AS RELEASED RELEASED ON
ON 29.5,1992 28.8.1992
(%) (%)
GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS :
PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 7 7.5
GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 6 6
GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION 7.1 7.2
TRANSFER COSTS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS 8 8
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 6.1 2.6
PRIVATE SECTOR 2 0
PUBLIC SECTOR 15 8
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ MARGIN 2 0
MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 10.3 13.9
PRIVATE SECTOR 10 14
PUBLIC SECTOR 20 8.5
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS 16.6 17.4
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 1 1.5
RE-EXPORTS 24 25
IMPORTS OF GOODS 17.6 19
EXPORTS OF SERVICES 10 11
IMPORTS OF SERVICES 9.5 10
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 5 5
PER CAPITA GDP 4.2 3.9
GROWTH RATE IN MONEY TERMS OF :
GDP • PER CAPITA GDP 14.9 14 . 1 14.9 13.8*
RATE OF INCREASE IN :
GDP DEFLATOR 9.5 9.5
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) 9.5 9.5
(*)
NOTE
REVISED FORECAST BASED ON THE MID-YEAR POPULATION ESTIMATE FOR 1992.
------0 - -
/8.........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
HK ASSESSING IMPACT OF U.S. RETALIATORY TRADE LIST
*****
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED IN FHE FEDERAL REGISTER THE PROPOSED LIST OF CHINESE PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE SUBJECT TO RETALIATORY TARIFFS UNDER THE SECTION 301 PROVISION.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE AVAILABLE THE FULL LIST TO LOCAL. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS TODAY (FRIDAY) AND HAS WRITTEN TO THEM ENCOURAGING INDUSTRY LEADERS AND TRADERS TO GIVE VIEWS ON THEIR UNDERSTANDNG OF THE COVERAGE OF THE LIST AND ITS LIKELY IMPACT TO HONG KONG'S TRADING INTERESTS.
IN THE LETTER THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ASSURED TRADERS THAT IT WAS WORKING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO ANALYSE THE LIST.
“WE ARE WORKING ON THE LIST TO DEFINE ITS COVERAGE AND DETERMINE ITS LIKELY IMPACT ON HONG KONG'S TRADING INTERESTSA SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
“THERE ARE SLIGHT DIFFERENCES IN THE U.S. AND HONG KONG HARMONISED SYSTEMS OF TRADE CLASSIFICATION WHICH MAKES CORRELATING THE LIST WITH OUR OWN DATA A RATHER COMPLICATED PROCESS,” HE ADDED.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT PROMISED TRADERS THAT IT WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM EARLY NEXT WEEK TO ARRANGE FURTHER MEETINGS.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TODAY ON THE SUBJECT.
- - 0 - -
CHIEF SECRETARY COMMENTS ON TAP SHEK KOK INCIDENT
*****
COMMENTING ON AN INCIDENT AT A CHINA LIGHT AND POWER PLANT AT
TAP SHEK KOK THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, FORD. SAID: ”1 AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT SOMEONE HAS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INJURIES CAUSED.”
SIR DAVID
DIED AND
’’BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE EMERGENCY SERVICES WERE QUICKLY ON THE SCENE AND EVACUATED PEOPLE.
WE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENED IN AN ANCILLIARY BUILDING, NOT ON THE POWER STATION ITSELF. AND OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT POWER SUPPLY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. I THINK ALL THE ACTION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN HAS BEEN TAKEN AND HAS BEEN TAKEN PROMPTLY.”
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
9
PROPOSED ENGINEERING WORKS FOR CENTRAL RECLAMATION
*****
THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A NOTICE OUTLINING PROPOSED ROAD WORKS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS THAT FORM PART OF THE PHASE I CENTRAL RECLAMATION PROJECT.
THE WORKS ARE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE REPROVISIONED WATERFRONT FACILITIES, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY HONG KONG STATION AND THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE NEW RECLAMATION AREA.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF DISTRICT ROADS, HIGHWAY STRUCTURES AND THE ASSOCIATED ROAD WORKS.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE THE CONSTRUCTION OF STORMWATER DRAINS AND FOUL SEWERS AND THE UPGRADING OF EXISTING STORMWATER DRAINS IN THE CATCHMENT AREA BEHIND THE NEW RECLAMATION.
OTHER WORKS COMPRISE THE REPROVISIONING OF COOLING WATER MAINS AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES AFFECTED BY THE NEW RECLAMATION, LANDSCAPING AND UTILITIES.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS SHOULD SENT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 27, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS.
- - 0 - -
CONTAINER THROUGHPUT CONTINUES TO GROW
*****
HONG KONG’S TOTAL CONTAINER THROUGHPUT REACHED 3.567 MILLION TEUS (20-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS) IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE BY 26.4 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
RELEASING THE STATISTICS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (PORT, PLANNING AND LOCAL SERVICES), MR REGGIE KENT, SAID: "IF THIS TREND CONTINUES, IT SHOULD PUT HONG KONG’S THROUGHPUT OVER THE SEVEN MILLION MARK THIS YEAR.
"THE GROWTH RATE FOR. CONTAINER THROUGHPUT IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG REMAINS HEALTHY. THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT HAS SHOWN A STEADY INCREASE BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS THIS YEAR," MR KENT SAID.
/'•THIS SHOULD
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
- 10 -
’’THIS SHOULD ENABLE THE OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN THEIR CAPACITY TARGETS, TO PROVIDE FOR FUTURE PLANNING, AND TO MAINTAIN INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 9," HE NOTED.
ON THE RIVER TRADE CONTAINER THROUGHPUT, MR KENT POINTED OUT THAT A MORE QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY REQUIRING OPERATORS OF THE RIVER TRADE TO SUBMIT A MORE DETAILED MANIFEST.
’’THIS HAS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE READ AS AN OVERALL GROWTH IN THROUGHPUT,” SAID MR KENT.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE CONTAINER THROUGHPUT FIGURES
FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1992:
1991 1992 INCREASE
JANUARY 459 855 585 175 27.3%
FEBRUARY 386 385 449 139 16.2%
MARCH 443 682 581 082 31 .0%
APRIL 473 759 605 815 27.9%
MAY 526 947 667 490 26.7%
JUNE 532 376 679 235 27.6%
TOTAL 2 823 004 3 567 936 26.4%
/Il
11
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
The following figures are released by the Marine Department
Comparative Container Statistics CorJJShuary - June 1992*
% th t Loaded Full (T.E.U.) Discharged Full (T.E.U.) Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) Throughput a) T.E.U. b) Actual c) Ratio % of T.E.U. throughput being empty % of T.E.U. throughput being transhipment Container Tonnage (Tonnes) a) Loaded b) Discharged c) Total Average Weight per full T.E.U. (Tonnes) a) T.E.U. Loaded b) T.E.U. Discharged c) T.E.U. Total * STREAM AND ELSEWHERE Loaded Full (T.E.U.) Dischargea Full (T.E.U.) Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) Throughput (T.E.U.) RIVER TRADE (Other than those handled at First 6-month 1991 First Change 6-month 1992 Percent
1 2 1 6 7 14 Kwai 016 906 736 551 66 945 262 405 082 807 362 862 1.53 15.81% 21.48% 963 596 170 197 133 793 6.85 9.73 8.06 271 455 348 855 43 985 45 423 709 718 . Chung Te: 1 234 485 11.6% 830 565 12.8% 59 564 -11.0% 260 165 -0.9% 2 284 779 9.7% 1 469 296 7.8% 1.56 13.99% 18.44% 7 5R4 152 8.9% 8 074 653 12.6% 15 658 8C5 iC.8% 6.69 9.72 7.97 465 244 71.4% 546 521 56.7% 90 370 105.5% 60 362 32.9% 1 162 597 63.8% rminals
Loaded Full (T.E.U.) 11 928 Discharged Full (T.E.U.) 11 990 Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) 6 765 Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) 6 633 Throughput (T.E.U.) 37 316 # THROUGHPUT (Kwai Chu^g^T^rmina^s + Stream* T Elsewhere 42 796 36 960 13 408 30 445 128 609 Rive^T^^e 258.8% 208.3% 172.1% 359.0% 244.6% -f:
Loaded Full (T.E.U.) Discharged Full (T.E.U.) Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) Throughput (T.E.U.) 1 1 2 295 368 095 549 117 626 314 461 823 004 • 1 1 3 635 790 412 893 168 281 350 972 567 936 26.3% 29.0% 43.1% 11.6% 25.4%
* Figures include a total of 6 837 T.E.U. in 1991 and 8 049 T.E.U. in 1992 respectively handled by terminal vessels contracted to work in the stream.
# To avoid double counting figures are adjusted downwards by 6 337 T.E.U. in 1991 and 8 049 T.E.U. in 1992 respectively handled by terminal vessels contracted to work in the stream.
---------0-----------
/12 ........
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN RESIDENTS URGED TO GO TO THE POLLS
*****
THE 202,632 ELECTORS IN THE YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICTS ARE URGED TO VOTE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 30).
A TOTAL OF 40 POLLING STATIONS WILL BE OPEN FOR 15 HOUR FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SAID ALL THE ELECTORS HAD TO DO WAS TO GO TO THE SPECIFIED POLLING STATION, BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARD AND POLL CARD.
’’THOSE WHO HAVE LOST OR FAILED TO RECEIVE THEIR POLL CARD ARE STILL ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE DESIGNATED POLLING STATION,” HE SAID.
THEY MAY ENQUIRE ABOUT THEIR DESIGNATED POLLING STATION OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE BY TELEPHONING 827 1122 BETWEEN 9 AM AND 9 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND DURING THE POLLING HOURS ON SUNDAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ELECTORS WHO HAD BEEN REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICTS BUT HAD RECENTLY MOVED TO OTHER DISTRICTS WERE ALSO ENTITLED TO VOTE IN THE BY-ELECTION.
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR POLL CARD MAY ENQUIRE ABOUT THEIR DESIGNATED POLLING STATION BY CALLING THE OFFICE.
- - 0 - -
PREQUALIFICATION FOR LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS INVITED
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPROVED CONTRACTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN A PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS UNDER THE CURRENT YEAR’S LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME.
UNDER THE TWO-YEAR CONTRACT, LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT FOR ABOUT 30 SLOPES IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE TERRITORY.
WORKS WILL INCLUDE SOIL NAILING, CUT BACK, SKIN WALL AND ROCK SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS SUCH AS ROCK DOWEL, ROCK BOLT, CONCRETE BUTTRESS, SPRAYED CONCRETE, SCALING, PROVISION OF SURFACE DRAINAGE CHANNELS AND HYDROSEEDING TO COMPLETED SLOPE PROFILE.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO START THIS DECEMBER.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I IN GROUP B OR C FOR SITE FORMATION AND/OR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS MAY APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION.
/INTERESTED PARTIES
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
13
INTERESTED PARTIES MAY APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM CHIEF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER/DESIGN, 10TH FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 18.
- - 0 - -
TENDERS FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL INVITED *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FROM SEVEN PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROUTE 3 - CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL AND ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS ON TSING YI ISLAND.
THE CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL IS THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME SECTION OF ROUTE 3 WHICH WILL FORM PART OF THE DIRECT LINK TO THE FUTURE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT.
THE CONTRACT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1.5-KILOMETRE DUAL THREE-LANE BORED TUNNEL; TWO TUNNEL PORTAL CONTROL BUILDINGS AND 0.9 KILOMETRE OF ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS ON TSING YI.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 47 MONTHS.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 27.
- - 0 - -
MOSQUITO PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS IN SEPTEMBER
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL LAUNCH A TERRITORY-WIDE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON MOSQUITO PREVENTION NEXT MONTH.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE TWO-MONTH "PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING AT HOME” CAMPAIGN AIMS TO REINFORCE PUBLIC ATTENTION ON PREVENTIVE ACTION AGAINST MOSQUITO BREEDING.
TO DRIVE HOME THE MOSQUITO PREVENTION MESSAGE, A TELEPHONE HOTLINE (723 0013) WILL OPERATE ROUND-THE-CLOCK TO PROVIDE TAPED MESSAGE IN CANTONESE ON THE SUBJECT.
PUBLICITY LITERATURE SUCH AS ADVISORY LETTERS, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, MANAGEMENT OFFICES OF LARGE HOUSING ESTATES, BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND SCHOOLS.
/PRINTED EDUCATIONAL
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
14
PRINTED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS WILL ALSO BE OBTAINABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE) OF BOTH THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
IN ADDITION, A TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WILL BE BROADCAST TO DISSEMINATE THE MESSAGE.
THE CAMPAIGN ALSO INCLUDES A DISPLAY ON MOSQUITO PREVENTION WHICH WILL BE STAGED AT THE RESOURCE UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK.
THE DISPLAY WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE FROM 9.30 AM TO NOON AND FROM 2.30 PM TO 4.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 AM ON SATURDAYS.
TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED
TO:
i DISPOSE OF ALL TINS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES THAT COULD HOLD
WATER;
* COVER TIGHTLY ALL WATER CONTAINERS, WATER STORAGE TANKS AND
WELLS;
* CHANGE WATER FOR FLOWERS AND PLANTS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND LEAVE NO WATER IN PLATES OR TRAYS UNDERNEATH THE FLOWER POTS ;
* KEEP ALL DRAINS FREE FROM CHOKAGE; AND
» TOP UP ALL DEFECTIVE GROUND SURFACES TO PREVENT ACCUMULATION OF STAGNANT WATER.
ALLOWING MOSQUITO BREEDING ON PREMISES IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
- _ 0 - -
MORE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURN HOME
*****
A GROUP OF 242 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 101 MEN, 57 WOMEN, 45 BOYS AND 39 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 120TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,563 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 21,442 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
/15
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1992
- 15 -
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY REGISTRATION REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF MIDDLE EAST FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LTD AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAD BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON AUGUST 28 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
-----0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000
REVERSAL OF LAF -500
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +300
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,800
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 108.6 *-0.2* 28.8.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.25 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.46 3.35
1 MONTH 2.40 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.68 3.64
3 MONTHS 2.45 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.69 3.90
6 MONTHS 2.65 PCT 24 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.69 4.05
12 MONTHS 3.17 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,543 MN
CLOSED 28 AUGUST 1992
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMPUTERISATION FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS ................................. 1
ELECTORS URGED TO VOTE IN LEGCO BY-ELECTION ......................... 1
DAY AFTER MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL A STATUTORY HOLIDAY ................... 2
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1992
1
COMPUTERISATION FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS
*****
COMPUTERS ARE USED IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS AS EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION AND REHABILITATION AIDS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE" ROADSHOW AT THE HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM, MR WONG SAID: "WE ARE LIVING IN A TECHNOLOGICAL AGE WHERE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF LIFE.
"IT IS CLEAR THAT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HAS ALSO STARTED TO CHANGE THE APPROACH TO EDUCATION," HE NOTED.
"THE DAY WILL COME WHEN COMPUTERS BECOME A BASIC TOOL IN DAY-TO-DAY SCHOOLING.
"WE HAVE BEEN PROMOTING COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE AMONG SECONDARY STUDENTS THROUGH VARIOUS PROJECTS," HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT STARTING FROM NEXT MONTH, 21 SCHOOLS WOULD BEGIN TO TEACH A-LEVEL COMPUTER STUDIES AND AS-LEVEL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS.
EARLIER, MR WONG SAID THAT AS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ADVANCEMENT AND BENEFITS WHICH HAD DEVELOPED THROUGH THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE EDUCATION FIELD.
"SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION HAS BECOME MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTERS AND COMMON APPLICATION PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
"WORD PROCESSING, STUDENT RECORDS AND BALANCE SHEETS ARE BEING HANDLED BY COMPUTERS," HE ADDED.
MR WONG SAID THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS AT PRESENT HELPING HIS DEPARTMENT ON A PROJECT WHICH WOULD PROVIDE SPEEDY COMMUNICATION AND EASY FLOW OF INFORMATION WITH SCHOOLS.
- - 0 - -
ELECTORS URGED TO VOTE IN LEGCO BY-ELECTION
*****
REGISTERED VOTERS IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG WERE URGED TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST LEGISTATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER , MR ROBIN IP, AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, JOINTLY MADE THE APPEAL TODAY (SATURDAY).
/"YOU WILL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1992
- 2 -
"YOU WILL BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG BY TURNING UP AT THE ELECTION TOMORROW," MR IP SAID.
MEANWHILE, MR LEUNG, WHO IS THE RETURNING OFFICER, REMINDED VOTERS TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS AND IDENTITY CARDS WHEN THEY GO TO THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATION.
A TOTAL OF 40 STATIONS WILL BE SET UP IN THE CONSTITUENCY. THE STATIONS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
--------0-----------
DAY AFTER MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL A STATUTORY HOLIDAY *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT SEPTEMBER 12 (SATURDAY), THE DAY FOLLOWING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL, IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
ALL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR AN EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A FULL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE OF THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 717 1771.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK HAS RECORD FOR FAIR ELECTIONS: GOVERNOR ......................... 1
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT BECOMES MORE POPULAR ................. . 2
TENDERS INVITED FOR DISTRICT OPEN SPACE WORKS ...................... 4
NEW CARD-OPERATED PARKING METERS TO BE INTRODUCED................... 5
PROPRIETOR FINED FOR ENGAGING WOMEN IN OVERTIME WORK ............... 6
FARE INCREASE FOR TWO KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES ................. 6
TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING COMPETITION .................................. 7
FLAG DAYS LINED UP FOR COMING FOUR MONTHS .......................... 7
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30,
1992
1
HK HAS RECORD FOR FAIR ELECTIONS: GOVERNOR ♦ *♦♦♦♦
HONG KONG HAS A RECORD FOR HOLDING FAIR ELECTIONS; FOR CONDUCTING THE WHOLE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS EQUITABLY AND IMPARTIALLY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING A POLLING STATION IN TUEN MUN DURING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION FOR NEW TERRITORIES WEST, MR PATTEN SAID: "I’VE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH WHAT I’VE SEEN THIS MORNING AND IT’S GOOD TO SEE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BEING CONDUCTED SO WELL HERE IN HONG KONG."
"THIS IS THE FIRST ELECTION THAT'S BEEN HELD SINCE I BECAME GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND I WAS VERY KEEN TO SEE FOR MYSELF HOW THE ELECTION IN THIS CONSTITUENCY WAS BEING CONDUCTED," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON TODAY’S TURNOUT RATE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "IT’S A BIT EARLY TO SAY WHAT THE FINAL TURNOUT WILL BE. SO FAR IN THE CONSTITUENCY, I THINK ALMOST 9,000 PEOPLE HAVE VOTED AND THAT IS A HIGHER TURNOUT RATE THAN AT A SIMILAR TIME WHEN THE LAST BYELECTION HERE WAS HELD."
"BUT IT’S VERY DANGEROUS TO START SPECULATING ABOUT THE TURNOUT RATE AS I KNOW FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE AS A POLITICIAN. I MUST SAY THAT AS A DEMOCRATIC POLITICIAN THE DISTANT SOUND OF ELECTORAL BATTLE CONDUCTED FAIRLY AND VIGOROUSLY DID HAVE THE BLOOD RUNNING RATHER FASTER THROUGH MY VEINS WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I WANTED TO COME HERE AND SEE THINGS FOR MYSELF THIS MORNING.," HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT WHILE MOST PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE THE TURNOUT GRADUALLY INCREASE IN THE COMMUNITY, THERE WERE PLENTY OF EXAMPLES OF TURNOUT RATES ACROSS THE WORLD WHICH WERE NOT VERY HIGH.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ABOUT HIS INTENTIONS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY HE SAID: "I THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD EXPECT ME TO HAVE THE BROADEST POSSIBLE DISCUSSIONS IN THE COMMUNITY BEFORE I SET OUT SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ON THE PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION, AND THE RIGHT TIME TO DO THAT IS AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION AT THE .BEGINNING OF OCTOBER."
"IT’S SENSIBLE BOTH TO HAVE WIDE RANGING DISCUSSIONS AND IT’S SENSIBLE TO GIVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHEN IT COMES BACK TO WORK, THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING MY VIEWS AND THAT’S WHAT I INTEND TO DO," HE ADDED.
"THERE IS, OF COURSE, ALREADY SUBSTANTIAL AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE FORWARD THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATISATION. THAT IS MADE CLEAR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION; IT’S ALSO MADE CLEAR IN THE BASIC LAW.
"EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT WE’LL BE DISCUSSING THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995 WITH OFFICIALS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. I WANT TO SEE OUR GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG MORE DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY AND I’M SURE THAT SHOULD BE AN AIM COMMON TO ALL OF US," MP. PATTEN SAID.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1992
2
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT BECOMES MORE POPULAR
*****
THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED MORE COMPLAINTS IN 1991-92 LARGELY OWING TO INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE UNIT AND HIGHER EXPECTATION Of PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
THE UNIT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 8,843 COMPLAINTS IN 1991-92, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 13 PER CENT OVER 7,805 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN 1990-91.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TCU SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE INCREASE INDICATED THAT THE PUBLIC WERE MORE WILLING TO COME FORWARD TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS.
"IT ALSO REFLECTED THAT THE PUBLIC HAVE HIGHER EXPECTATION ON THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
"THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE ROLE OF THE TCU AND ARE MORE READY TO USE THIS CHANNEL TO LODGE COMPLAINTS AND TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN 1991-92, THE TCU COMPLETED INVESTIGATIONS INTO 8,911 COMPLAINTS. OF THESE, 66 PER CENT WERE FOUND TO BE SUBSTANTIATED.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION WAS TAKEN BY RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS/TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO EITHER ADDRESS THE COMPLAINTS OR TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION.
DURING THE YEAR, THE TWO MAIN AREAS OF COMPLAINT WERE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, ACCOUNTING FOR 58 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY COMPLAINTS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ROAD MAINTENANCE.
THERE WAS AN 11% INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS ON BUS SERVICES, RISING FROM 1,994 CASES IN 1990-91 TO 2,217 IN 1991-92. MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE RELATED TO INADEQUATE SERVICE AND STANDARD OF SERVICE.
OF THE COMPLAINTS ON INADEQUATE SERVICE, 98 WERE AGAINST THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) WHICH HAS A BUS FLEET OF 964, AND 524 WERE AGAINST THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KMB), WHICH HAS A FLEET OF 3,036.
MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS WERE ABOUT FREQUENCY OF BUS SERVICES OR ROUTEINGS, PARTICULARLY TO NEW TOWNS.
IN 1990-91, 106 AND 459 COMPLAINTS AGAINST CMB AND KMB WERE RECEIVED.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THERE WERE 125 COMPLAINTS ON CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES, COMPARED WITH 110 RECEIVED LAST YEAR.
/REGARDING COMPLAINTS .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1992
- 3 -
REGARDING COMPLAINTS ON THE STANDARD OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES INCLUDING FAILURE TO ADHERE TO SERVICE SCHEDULES AND UNSATISFACTORY BEHAVIOUR OF DRIVERS, THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS INCREASED BY 92 TO 467 FOR CMB AND BY 66 TO 715 FOR KMB AS COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR.
ON CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES, THERE WERE 202 COMPLAINTS. COMPARED WITH 209 LAST YEAR. *
ON TAXI SERVICES, A TOTAL OF 2,070 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED IN 1991-92, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 36 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR.
OF THESE, 2,009 OR 97% WERE RELATED TO TAXI DRIVER MALPRACTICES. THE MAJOR CAUSES OF COMPLAINT WERE OVERCHARGING (34 PER CENT) AND REFUSING HIRE (23 PER CENT).
THE UNIT RECEIVED 1,543 COMPLAINTS ABOUT WHICH 752 WERE RELATED TO ROAD CONGESTION.
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS,
OF
SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE ROAD CONGESTIONS AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TOTALLED 1,009 CASES AS COMPARED WITH 993 CASES IN 1990-91.
THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT SET UP UNDER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVES AND MONITORS COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS.
IT ALSO TAKES STOCK OF CURRENT OPINION ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INTERNAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND RESEARCHES INTO CASES OF SPECIAL INTEREST.
VERY OFTEN, STAFF OF TCU HANDLING COMPLAINTS HAVE TO SEEK CLARIFICATION FROM THE COMPLAINANTS AND CONDUCT SITE VISITS BEFORE PROCESSING THE COMPLAINTS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS OR LODGE COMPLAINTS COULD DIAL THE TCU HOTLINE ON 577 6866 WHICH PROVIDES ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICES.
AFTER INVESTIGATION, THE UNIT WOULD GIVE THE COMPLAINANT A VERBAL OR WRITTEN REPLY AS APPROPRIATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30,
1992
4
TENDERS INVITED FOR DISTRICT OPEN SPACE WORKS
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S SOUTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE NEAR PO LAM ESTATE IN AREA 12, TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF AN 11-A-SIDE SOCCER/HOCKEY GROUND, A SEVEN-A-SIDE FOOTBALL PITCH, SIX TENNIS COURTS, THREE TENNIS PRACTICE COURTS, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, A JOGGING TRAIL WITH FIVE FITNESS STATIONS, VIEWING PAVILIONS AND SEVERAL LANDSCAPE AREAS.
IT ALSO COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE BUILDING WITH PARK MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND TOILET FACILITIES, CHANGING ROOM, REST ROOM AND STORE ROOM.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT’S NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANOTHER DISTRICT OPEN SPACE IN TAI PO.
FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE PROJECT IS PART OF A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NEW TOWN.
TO BE BUILT AT THE SOUTH OF TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FRONTING TOLO HARBOUR, THE OPEN SPACE WILL INCLUDE OF A WATERFRONT PROMENADE, A CYCLING TRACK, A JOGGING TRAIL, SITTING-OUT AREAS, GARDENS AND PUBLIC TOILETS.
IN ADDITION, A 500-SEA1 SPECTATORS STAND WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. HOWEVER, THE SPECTATORS STAND WILL BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR.
TENDER FORMS AND OTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FOR THE TWO PROJECTS, EARTHASIA LIMITED, IN ROOM 2001, CAMERON COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 458-468 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE TENDER CLOSING DATE FOR BOTH PROJECTS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 18.
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/5 ........
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1992
5
NEW CARD-OPERATED PARKING METERS TO BE INTRODUCED ♦ * * ♦ *
A NEW TYPE OF CARD-OPERATED ELECTRONIC PARKING METER WILL BE TESTED IN TSIM SHA TSUI FROM NEXT MONTH AS PART OF A TRIAL SCHEME CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS THE APPLICABILITY OF NEW ON-STREET PARKING DEVICES IN THE TERRITORY.
THE NEW METERS WILL BE POWERED BY SOLAR BATTERIES SUPPLEMENTED BY BACK-UP BATTERIES.
ALL 94, EXISTING COIN-OPERATED PARKING METERS AT MODY ROAD, CORNWALL AVENUE, HANOI ROAD AND HART AVENUE WILL BE REPLACED BY CARD-OPERATED METERS FOR A YEAR FROM WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 2).
THESE METERS ARE FOR PARKING SPACES FOR PRIVATE CARS AND LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID MOTORISTS SHOULD PURCHASE IN ADVANCE A STORED-VALUE CARD KNOWN AS "PARKCARD" FOR $250 EACH, INCLUDING A REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT OF $50.
"EACH CARD CARRIES 100 UNITS OF $2 PER HALF-HOUR PARKING TIME," HE ADDED.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE SALE OF THESE CARDS AT THE OUTLETS OF THE CIRCLE K CONVENIENCE STORES AT 6-6A HART AVENUE; 12 ASHLEY ROAD; 6-10 MAN WAI STREET, YAU MA TEI; AND 519 SHANGHAI STREET, MONG KOK.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE CARD INTO THE METER, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF PARKING UNITS WOULD BE DEDUCTED AND THE REMAINING AMOUNT WOULD BE DISPLAYED ON THE METER.
"THE USER CAN THEN RETRIEVE THE CARD AND THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR WHICH PARKING IS ALLOWED WILL BE SHOWN," HE ADDED.
"FULL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, CAN BE FOUND ON THESE METERS," HE NOTED.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR BEEN CONDUCTING TESTS ON TWO NEW PARKING DEVICES, CARD-OPERATED ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS AND "PAY AND DISPLAY" TICKETING MACHINES, ON 50 PARKING SPACES IN LO TAK COURT IN TSUEN WAN AND 111 PARKING SPACES IN CAUSEWAY BAY SINCE APRIL AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1992
PROPRIETOR FINED FOR ENGAGING WOMEN IN OVERTIME WORK
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS NOT TO ENGAGE WOMEN IN WORK OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL, PERMITTED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT.
THE ADVICE WAS GIVEN FOLLOWING A CASE IN WHICH NEW BRIGHT INDUSTRIAL COMPANY LIMITED IN KOWLOON BAY WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRATE FOR ENGAGING WOMEN IN UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK.
DURING A VISIT TO THE FACTORY, LABOUR INSPECTORS FOUND 73 WOMEN WORKING OUTSIDE THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT STATED IN A NOTICE OF PERMISSIBLE HOURS OF WORK POSTED IN THE FACTORY.
"UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR AN EMPLOYER TO CHANGE THE PRESCRIBED WORKING HOURS OF WOMEN IN INDUSTRY OR TO ENGAGE THEM IN OVERTIME WORK, WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFOREHAND," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, SAID.
"THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES AN EMPLOYER TO DISPLAY IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN THE FACTORY A PRESCRIBED NOTICE SETTING OUT THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT, INTERVALS FOR MEALS OR REST, AND REST DAY FOR WOMEN WORKERS," HE SAID.
"EMPLOYERS SHOULD STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE PERMISSIBLE HOURS OF WORK SET OUT IN THE PRESCRIBED NOTICE," MR CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT YOUNG PERSONS SHOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED TO WORK OVERTIME IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
- 0 -
FARE INCREASE FOR TWO KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 1), THE FARE OF KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 7 - KOWLOON CITY (WYLER GARDENS) TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST (SCIENCE MUSEUM SQUARE) (CIRCULAR) - WILL BE RAISED FROM $3.80 TO $4.30 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
WHILE THE FULL FARE AND SECTION FARE OF GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 16 - JAT’S INCLINE (CHOI WAN ESTATE) TO PING SHEK ESTATE (CIRCULAR) -WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1.40 TO $1.60 AND FROM $1.30 TO $1.40 PER SINGLE JOURNEY RESPECTIVELY.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30,
1992
7
TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING COMPETITION ♦ * * * *
THIS YEAR’S CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING CONTEST WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11.
THE COMPETITION, TO BE ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, WILL BEGIN AT SHA LAN BEACH IN SHUEN WAN AND END AT TAI MEI TUK WATER ACTIVITIES CENTRE, COVERING A DISTANCE OF 2,400 METRES.
THERE WILL BE A MEN’S DIVISION AND A WOMEN’S DIVISION. ANY PERSONS AGED ABOVE 12 ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RACE.
' THE FIRST 10 WINNERS IN EACH DIVISION WILL RECEIVE PRIZES, WHILE THOSE WHO FINISH THE RACE WITHIN ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND FROM THE ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT 2 ON CHEUNG ROAD, TAI PO.
COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH A $15 APPLICATION FEE, SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ASSOCIATION BY POST OR IN PERSON BY SEPTEMBER 18.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 664 8661.
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FLAG DAYS LINED UP FOR COMING FOUR MONTHS
*****
SIXTEEN MORE ORGANISATIONS WILL HOLD FLAG DAYS TO RAISE FUNDS ON SATURDAYS IN THE REST OF THE YEAR, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255 IN CASE OF DOUBTS ABOUT ANY WELFARE ORGANISATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO FLAG DAY ORGANISERS TO ADOPT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST ANY POSSIBLE FRAUD.
’’THEY SHOULD EXERCISE GREATER CARE IN MONITORING THEIR FLAGSELLING ACTIVITIES,” HE ADDED.
HE ADVISED ORGANISERS TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, SETTING OUT THE PLACES AND THE TIME FOR SELLING, AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
"FLAG DAY ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF FLAGS OR COLLECTION BAGS, AND SEEK THEIR HELP WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND,” HE SAID.
/THE FLAG .......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1992
- 8 -
THE FLAG DAYS ARE:
DATE ORGANISATION
SEPTEMBER 5 SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND
12 HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION
19 PO LEUNG KUK
26 TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS
OCTOBER 3 HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
10 SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED
17 MONGKOK KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION
24 HONG KONG FEDERATION OF HANDICAPPED YOUTH
31 BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUB ASSOCIATION
NOVEMBER 7 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
14 SALVATION ARMY
21 YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG
28 HONG KONG OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
DECEMBER 5 COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG
12 SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CHILDREN (DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN HOSPITAL)
19 HONG KONG PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK DELEGATION TO ATTEND WORLD CONGRESS OF REHABILITATION ........... 1
BLITZ ON UNSAFE CONSTRUCTION SITES .................'............... 2
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL SEAT.......................... 3
NEW PAMPHLETS ON WELFARE BENEFITS PUBLISHED ........................ 3
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1992
1
HK DELEGATION TO ATTEND WORLD CONGRESS OF REHABILITATION
* * * * *
A 30-MEMBER HONG KONG DELEGATION, LED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, LEFT FOR NAIROBI, KENYA THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO ATTEND THE 17TH WORLD CONGRESS OF REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL.
DEPUTY LEADERS OF THE DELEGATION INCLUDED CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT COUNCIL FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED, DR HARRY FANG; VICE-PRESIDENT OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION OF REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL, MR M B LEE; AND COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALLAN CHOW.
OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN THE REHABILITATION FIELD.
DESCRIBING THE EVENT AS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, MRS WONG SAID: "IT PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR DELEGATES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO REVIEW ACHIEVEMENTS AND TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND TO CAST THEIR VISION FURTHER AFIELD.”
"WE PUBLISHED A GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION EARLIER THIS YEAR AND WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING PUBLIC OPINIONS AND REEXAMINING THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAP OUT THE WAY FORWARD.
"THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF OTHER COUNTRIES WILL BE OF GREAT RELEVANCE TO OUR WORK.
"WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DEMONSTRATE HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT TO THE PROMOTION OF REHABILITATION WORLDWIDE AS WELL AS ITS CONTINUING INVOLVEMENT IN REHABILITATION AT AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL," MRS WONG ADDED.
AT THE INVITATION OF THE ORGANISER, MRS WONG WILL DELIVER A SPEECH AT THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE CONGRESS WHEN SHE WILL INTRODUCE THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION.
SHE WILL ALSO SPEAK ON THE FORMULATION OF DISABILITY POLICY AND LEGISLATION, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO HONG KONG EXPERIENCE.
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION WILL ATTEND DISCUSSION SESSIONS ON SUCH SUBJECT AS HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, CREATING AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE, AS WELL AS CAUSES, PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DISABILITIES.
THE WORLD CONGRESS OF REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL, HELD ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 7 AND 11.
THE REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL IS A FEDERATION OF NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES WORKING TOGETHER TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
IT IS CURRENTLY MADE UP OF 120 LEADING ORGANISATIONS OF DISABILITY PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES DEVELOPMENT IN 80 NATIONS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
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/2 ;.......
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1992
2
BLITZ ON UNSAFE CONSTRUCTION SITES
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A SPECIAL TASK FORCE OPERATION TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN A BID TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
"THE TWO-MONTH EXERCISE IS, IN FACT, AN EXTENSION OF THE FIRST OPERATION CARRIED OUT BETWEEN APRIL AND JULY THIS YEAR," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR KAN HON-SANG SAID.
"DURING THE OPERATION, FACTORY INSPECTOR WILL CONCENTRATE ON BLACK SPOTS SUCH AS PLACES LIABLE TO CAUSE FALLS OF PERSONS AND CAISSON WORKS," INSPECTOR KAN SAID.
"THEY WILL ALSO CHECK ON THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS THE SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, AND HOUSE-KEEPING," HE ADDED.
NOTING THE SUCCESS IN THE FIRST OPERATION, INSPECTOR KAN SAID: "WE HOPE THIS KIND OF EXERCISE AND ROUTINE INSPECTIONS WILL HELP CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK SAFETY AND CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS MINIMISING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS."
"OF THE 251 SITES INSPECTED, A TOTAL OF 288 SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST 135 SITES FOR VIOLATION OF THE SAFETY REGULATIONS," INSPECTOR KAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE OFFENCES RELATED TO HIGH RISK AREAS.
"THESE INCLUDE FAILING TO PROVIDE GUARD RAILS ON WORKING PLATFORMS AND FLOOR EDGES, FAILURE TO ENSURE WORKERS TO WEAR SAFETY HELMETS, WORKING PLATFORMS TOO SMALL, NO SUITABLE SCAFFOLD, FAILURE TO PROVIDE A GATE TO THE HOISTWAY ENCLOSURE AND FAILURE TO KEEP HOISTWAY ENCLOSURE GATE CLOSED," INSPECTOR KAN SAID.
UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS AT WORK IN CONSTRUCTION SITES, MR KAN REITERATED, ADDING THAT WORKERS MUST ALSO USE THE REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO AVOID BEING INJURED.
"UNSCRUPULOUS CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WHO CHOOSE TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW WILL BE PROSECUTED," HE STRESSED.
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/3 ........
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1992
3
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL SEAT
* * * * *
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL SEAT FOR THE TUEN MUN WEST CONSTITUENCY WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES SHOULD HAND IN THEIR NOMINATION PAPERS TO THE DISTRICT OFFICER, TUEN MUN, BY SEPTEMBER 15.
ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING NOMINATION IS ELIGIBLE TO STAND FOR ELECTION.
EACH NOMINATION HAS TO BE SUBSCRIBED BY A TOTAL OF 10 ELECTORS LIVING IN THE CONSTITUENCY.
NOMINATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE BY-ELECTION FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL SEAT WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 5 .
NEW PAMPHLETS ON WELFARE BENEFITS PUBLISHED *****
A SET OF UPDATED INFORMATION SHEETS ON THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND A NEW PAMPHLET ON THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT OFFICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE INFORMATION SHEETS OUTLINED THE BASIC SCALE RATES, SUPPLEMENTS, RENT ALLOWANCE AND SPECIAL GRANTS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE NEEDY UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
THE PAMPHLET ON THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME FURTHER EXPLAINED THE REQUIREMENTS, APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT OF THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, AS WELL AS THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, HE SAID.
"A GENERAL MISCONCEPTION IS THAT A SINGLE PERSON ONLY RECEIVES A PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BASIC RATE OF $825 A MONTH," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN FACT, SUPPLEMENTS, RENT ALLOWANCE AND SPECIAL GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO A PERSON IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE DEPENDING ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR THE ELDERLY AND SEVERELY DISABLED, THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RESPECTIVELY," HE POINTED OUT.
/THE PUBLICATIONS .......
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1992
4
THE PUBLICATIONS ARE AIMED AT PROMOTING BETTER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE VARIOUS FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT WHILE THE BASIC RATE COVERED ESSENTIAL NEEDS, INCLUDING FOOD AND CLOTHING, THE RENT ALLOWANCE WAS PAYABLE TO COVER ACTUAL RENT UP TO A PRESCRIBED CEILING, CURRENTLY AT $743 FOR A SINGLE PERSON.
"SUPPLEMENTS ARE ALSO GIVEN TO CHILDREN, ELDERLY PERSONS, THE PARTIALLY DISABLED AND LONG-TERM PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS TO COVER THEIR PERSONAL OR OTHER NEEDS," HE ADDED.
THE SUPPLEMENT FOR A CHILD IS NOW SET AT 25 PER CENT OF THE HIGHEST BASIC RATE AND THOSE FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED ARE AT 50 PER CENT.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CONTINUOUSLY FOR 12 MONTHS, AN ANNUAL LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT OF $1,050 FOR A SINGLE PERSON, $2,100 FOR A FAMILY WITH TWO TO FOUR MEMBERS OR $3,150 FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE OR MORE MEMBERS ARE GIVEN TO MEET THE EXTRA COSTS INCURRED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
"SPECIAL GRANTS ARE ALSO GIVEN UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO COVER VARIOUS NEEDS ON INDIVIDUAL CASE BASIS, SUCH AS ESSENTIAL TRAVELLING, SCHOOLING EXPENSES, TELEPHONE EXPENSES, NURSERY FEES, SPECIAL DIETS, REMOVAL GRANTS AND EVEN SPECTACLES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATIONS FOR ALLOWANCES UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEMES MAY BE MADE DIRECT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON THE DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 343 2255.
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