DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO SET OUT POSITION IN ELECTION TALKS TO LEGCO ......... 1
RULES TO COMBAT DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING ........................... 1
UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA .......................... 3
SWITCH TO COAL BENEFITS CONSUMERS ............................... 4
. tr !
DB ELECTION FORUM IN WONG UK .................................... 4
CAD CO-ORDINATES ANNUAL SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE .............. 5
DOCTORS HELP IMPROVE DRUG ABUSE REPORTING SYSTEM ................ 6
HK YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL .......................................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
8
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 1 -
GOVERNOR TO SET OUT POSITION IN ELECTION TALKS TO LEGCO *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON HE WOULD BE SETTING OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON THE TALKS ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW, WITH THE HOPE THAT HONG KONG COULD STILL PROCEED BY AGREEMENT TO PUT IN PLACE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION CENTRE, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE’VE OBVIOUSLY BEEN DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES WITH GREAT SINCERITY IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL JUST AS WE DID IN LONDON.
"WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO PUT IN PLACE, AS THE GOVERNMENT, ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG. WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT AS A RESULT OF AGREEMENT WITH CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN THE CHINESE SIDE. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT THINGS HAVEN’T BEEN VERY EASY."
NOTING THAT 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS HAD TAKEN PLACE WITHOUT REACHING AGREEMENT ON AS MANY ISSUES AS THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WHICH HAD NOT BEEN AGREED WHICH HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY WOULD REGARD AS BEING CONTROVERSIAL.
"BUT OBVIOUSLY I'LL BE SETTING OUT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THINK IS THE BEST WAY AHEAD TOMORROW AND HOPING THAT WE CAN STILL PROCEED BY AGREEMENT TO DISCHARGE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO PUT IN PLACE AS THE JOINT DECLARATION SAYS, AS THE BASIC LAW SAYS, ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH ARE FAIR AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE PROPER FOUNDATIONS FOR THE RULE OF LAW HERE IN HONG KONG FOR THE FUTURE," HE ADDED.
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF MR ALEX TSUI BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS NOT SURE THE COMMUNITY WOULD THINK IT WAS PARTICULARLY WISE FOR LEGCO TO GET INVOLVED IN PARTICULAR CASES OR IN SOME SECOND GUESS, PARTICULAR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS.
"WHAT I FEEL VERY STRONGLY IS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY, HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE STRONG MEASURES TO DEAL WITH CORRUPTION AND THE THREAT OF CORRUPTION,0 HE SAID.
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RULES TO COMBAT DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTRODUCE TWO BILLS TO AMEND THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE THE COMBAT AGAINST DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING TN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES MARKETS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES. MR TAM WING-PONG,TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/THE BILLS .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 199J
- 2 -
THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 15.
THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME INTO FORCE IN SEPTEMBER 1989, PRESCRIBES THAT DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENCE AND CONTAINS PROVISIONS FOR TRACING, FREEZING AND CONFISCATING DRUG TRAFFICKING PROCEEDS.
THE FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF), AN INTERNATIONAL BODY ESTABLISHED IN 1989, HAS PUT FORWARD 40 RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL EFFORTS AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN FIGHTING DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING.
FATF RECOMMENDS THAT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD DEVELOP MEASURES AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING SUCH AS INTERNAL ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND CONTROLS AND ON-GOING EMPLOYEE TRAINING.
IN HONG KONG, THE MONETARY AUTHORITY HAS ISSUED GUIDELINES ON PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS IN COUNTERING AND REPORTING SUSPECTED MONEY LAUNDERING TRANSACTIONS.
BREACHES OF GUIDELINES MAY LEAD TO DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS.
’’THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) WILL PROMULGATE RULES FOR THE SAME PURPOSES AND UNCERTAINTIES UNDER THE EXISTING LAW WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS,” MR TAM SAID.
THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE EMPOWERS THE SFC TO MAKE RULES IN RESPECT OF THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF PERSONS REGISTERED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THERE IS NO CORRESPONDING PROVISION IN THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE. THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL WILL RECTIFY THIS DISPARITY. I
UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE, THE SFC CAN ALSO TAKE ACTION AGAINST A REGISTERED PERSON FOUNDS, INTER ALIA, GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT.
POSSIBLE ACTIONS INCLUDE A REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION OR A REPRIMAND.
IT IS UNCERTAIN WHETHER MISCONDUCT INCLUDES A BREACH OF RULES MADE BY THE SFC SUCH AS THOSE RELATING TO DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING. SIMILAR POTENTIAL AMBIGUITIES ALSO EXIST IN THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE.
"TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG CAN IMPLEMENT THE FATF RECOMMENDATIONS IN RELATION TO INSTITUTIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES INDUSTRIES, THE BILLS WILL CLARIFY THAT FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH RULES MADE BY THE SFC CONSTITUTES A ’MISCONDUCT’," MR TAM SAID.
"THE AMENDMENTS CONTEMPLATED, THOUGH SIMPLE IN NATURE, WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE SFC CAN EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE RULES TO BE MADE FOR THE COMBAT AGAINST DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES MARKETS," MR TAM ADDED.
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/3........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 3 -
UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA
« * * * *
THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION 883 ON NOVEMBER 11, IMPOSING A RANGE OF SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA.
THE RESOLUTION COMES INTO FORCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPECIFIC POWERS FOR THE BETTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESOLUTION BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN A UNITED KINGDOM ORDER IN COUNCIL WHICH COMES INTO FORCE TODAY.
THE ORDER RE-ENACTS, WITH CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS, THE PROVISIONS OF THE LIBYA (UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS) (DEPENDENT TERRITORIES) ORDER 1992 (S.I. 1992/976).
IT IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON THE EXPORT TO LIBYA, AND THE SUPPLY TO PERSONS CONNECTED WITH LIBYA OF FURTHER GOODS, INCLUDING CERTAIN OIL INDUSTRY EQUIPMENT AND AIRFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE ORDER RESTRICTS CERTAIN ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE TRAINING OF LIBYAN PILOTS AND OTHER AVIATION PERSONNEL.
IT ALSO PLACES RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN ACTIONS MAKING AVAILABLE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRING CERTAIN FUNDS OR OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF CERTAIN PERSONS CONNECTED WITH LIBYA.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT FULLY ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ORDER IN COUNCIL.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SUBJECT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS FOLLOWS:
GENERAL AND PRESS ENQUIRIES:
DUTY OFFICER, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
(TEL 842 8747) • i ■' TRADE RELATED MATTERS: TRADE DEPARTMENT (TEL 398 5556 OR 398 5572) CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT (TEL 852 3303)
MARINE MATTERS:
MARINE DEPARTMENT
(TEL 852 4603 OR 852 4538)
FLIGHTS AND AVIATION RELATED MATTERS:
CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT
(TEL 867 4210 OR 867 4211)
i • 1 ■ J. .(•» •
FINANCIAL RELATED MATTERS:
FINANCIAL SERVICES BRANCH
(TEL 528 2139 OR 527 1893)
- - 0-----------
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
4
SWITCH TO COAL BENEFITS CONSUMERS
*****
ELECTRICITY TARIFFS ARE NOW SOME 40 PER CENT LOWER IN REAL TERMS THAN THOSE IN WITH TUP SWITCH TO ppAL, SEC^gTW
ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR 0O.R50N S IP t SAID TORAY | WERNESRAY| .
SPEAKING AT THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY CONFERENCE ON THE CLEAN AND EFFICIENT USE OF COAL AND LIGNITE, MR SIU SAID THIS HAD BEEN OF GREAT BENEFIT TO CONSUMERS.
’’SUCCESSIVE OIL CRISES POINTED US TOWARDS COAL AS A FUEL FOR POWER GENERATION,” HE SAID.
"TWELVE YEARS AGO, PRACTICALLY NO COAL WAS USED FOR POWER GENERATION IN HONG KONG.
"NOW, SOME 90 PER CENT OF THE ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY OUR POWER COMPANIES IS FUELLED BY COAL," HE ADDED.
MR SIU SAID THE SWITCH HAD BROUGHT ABOUT A GREATER SECURITY FOR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY, WHICH WAS IMPORTANT CONSIDERING THAT ELECTRICITY ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 38 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ENERGY CONSUMED IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHARED THE INCREASING GLOBAL CONCERN OVER THE THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT POSED BY THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS.
"EVERY COMMUNITY WHICH USES COAL HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO INVEST IN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE WAYS OF USING IT," MR SIU SAID.
"HONG KONG IS PLAYING ITS PART," HE SAID.
"MUCH WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE BY THE POWER COMPANIES AND THE GOVERNMENT TO MINIMISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF EXISTING GASEOUS AND PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM POWER STATIONS.
"ANY NEW GENERATING UNITS FUELLED BY COAL ARE REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH FLUE GAS DESULPHURISATION FACILITIES," HE SAID.
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DB ELECTION FORUM IN WONG UK ♦ * * ♦ »
THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A FORUM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR THE THREE CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE DISTRICT BOARD WONG UK CONSTITUENCY SEAT.
THE FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM AT THE MAIN HALL OF THE CHURCH OF ST BENEDICT, 7 KONG PUI STREET, WONG UK.
/A REO ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 5 —
A REO SPOKESMAN SAID THE FORUM WAS TO ENABLE ELECTORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTES IN THE BY-ELECTION ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 5).
HE APPEALED TO ELECTORS AND RESIDENTS IN THE WONG UK CONSTITUENCY TO ATTEND THE FORUM, DURING WHICH THE CANDIDATES WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THE CANDIDATES ARE MR LEUNG CHI-WAI, A 40-YEAR-OLD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE; MR VINCENT WONG KENG-CHUEN, A 33-YEAR-OLD UNIVERSITY LECTURER; AND MR WONG YIU-SANG, A 35-YEAR-OLD ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER.
THE WONG UK CONSTITUENCY COVERS SHA TIN WAI, BELAIR GARDENS, SHA TIN PARK, RIVERA GARDEN, SPRINGFAIR GARDEN, CHUEN FAI CENTRE, GREEN LEAVES GARDEN, GREENFIELD COURT, LAI SHING GARDEN, GREENWOOD GARDEN, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, FUI YIU HA, WONG UK, AND TSE UK.
IT HAS A TOTAL OF 6,015 REGISTERED ELECTORS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUM.
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CAD CO-ORDINATES ANNUAL SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE
*****
A FOUR-DAY SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE CO-ORDINATED ANNUALLY BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
THE EXERCISE INVOLVES THE DISPLAY OF SEARCH AND RESCUE AIRCRAFT, A SYMPOSIUM, A SHORT-RANGE AND A LONG-RANGE DEMONSTRATION AND A MOUNTAIN RESCUE EXERCISE.
A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND EMERGENCY UNITS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE EXERCISE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EXERCISE WAS TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND FAMILIARISATION IN SEARCH AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES FOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER RESCUE UNITS.
PERSONNEL FROM OTHER PARTICIPATING UNITS FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION INVOLVED IN SUCH OPERATIONS WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE EXERCISE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE ALERTING AND CO-ORDINATING PROCEDURES AND COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES WOULD BE TESTED.
/IN ADDITION.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 6 -
IN ADDITION, THE EXERCISE PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES TO CO-ORDINATE THEIR PROCEDURES.
THE EXERCISE COMPRISES A SHORT-RANGE AND A LONG-RANGE SEARCH OPERATION INVOLVING FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT, HELICOPTERS AND VESSELS PLUS A SERIES OF GROUND-BASED SUPPORTING SERVICES.
THE SHORT-RANGE EXERCISE WAS HELD THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON IN TSO WO HANG, SAI KUNG SIMULATING A DISTRESS AIRCRAFT DITCHING WITH A DEMONSTRATION OF WINCHING "SURVIVORS” FROM THE SEA ONTO HELICOPTERS.
THE LONG-RANGE EXERCISE WILL BE ACTIVATED THIS EVENING, SIMULATING AN AIRCRAFT IN DISTRESS ABOUT 100 KILOMETERS SOUTH-WEST OF HONG KONG. AIRCRAFT, HELICOPTERS AND SHIPS WILL BE DESPATCHED TO SEARCH AND LOCATE THE TARGETS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S EXERCISE ARE THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, MARINE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AND NAVY, JAPANESE MARITIME SAFETY AGENCY, ROYAL NAVY, MARINE POLICE, CIVIL AID SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
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DOCTORS HELP IMPROVE DRUG ABUSE REPORTING SYSTEM
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR ALASDAIR SINCLAIR, APPEALED TO MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO REPORT DRUG ABUSE CASES THEY ENCOUNTERED.
IT WILL HELP THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE OF NARCOTICS DIVISION ACHIEVE ITS GOALS TO THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE EXTENT, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR FOR 40 MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AT THE CONFERENCE HALL OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT THIS AFTERNOON, MR SINCLAIR SAID: "THE MONITORING OF THE LOCAL DRUG SCENE IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT INPUT FROM DOCTORS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE."
"INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM DOCTORS WILL HELP OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUG ABUSERS WHO MAY NOT BE OTHERWISE KNOWN TO US.
"THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION IS USEFUL SINCE IT BRINGS TO LIGHT ANY INADEQUACY OF TREATMENT PROGRAMMES IN CATERING FOR A PARTICULAR GROUP AND IT ALSO HELPS US OBTAIN A FULLER PICTURE OF THE LOCAL DRUG SCENE," HE ADDED.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE SEMINAR WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO SEEK SUPPORT FROM MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE.
/OTHER SPEAKERS .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
7
otHER SPEAKERS INCLUDED DR BENJAMIN I AT HONG KONG COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS AND MR PHARMACIST OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE
ANTHONY CHAN, CHIEF
IN THE
SOCIAL
--------o - -
HK YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL
* » t t *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A SERIES OF BAND MUSIC CONCERTS PERFORMED BY LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS DURING THE 1993 HONG KONG YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM DECEMBER 23 TO 28.
THE FESTIVAL WAS ORGANISED ANNUALLY BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SINCE 1979, AIMING TO CULTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN BAND MUSIC AND IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL BAND PLAYERS.
IT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS YOUNG MUSICIANS TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCES.
STUDENTS FROM NEARLY 30 SCHOOL BANDS WILL JOIN HANDS WITH THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND AND DISTRICT YOUTH SYMPHONIC BANDS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PRESENT A SERIES OF CONCERTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY)THAT THE ALEXANDRA HILLS STATE HIGH SCHOOL WIND ORCHESTRA FROM AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN INVITED AS THE GUEST PERFORMER OF THE FESTIVAL.
THE BAND COMPRISES OF 55 MEMBERS, AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 17 AND WILL BE LED BY THEIR MUSIC DIRECTOR, SCOTT STRACHAIU.
DURING THE FESTIVAL, FOUR CHRISTMAS CONCERTS WILL BE STAGED AT HENG ON SHOPPING CENTRE, METRO PLAZA AT KWAI FONG, LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE PHASE II AND LANDMARK FROM DECEMBER 24 TO 27.
APART FROM A SERIES OF CONCERTS, THERE WILL ALSO BE A SYMPHONIC BAND CONTEST AND A MARCHING BAND CONTEST FOR LOCAL WIND BANDS AND MARCHING BANDS ON DECEMBER 23 AND 27 RESPECTIVELY.
THE CLIMAX OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE A CONCERT HELD AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM AT 7.30 PM ON DECEMBER 28.
AUDIENCES WILL BE TREATED WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF BAND MUSIC INCLUDING JAZZ, ROCK, CLASSICAL AND THEME SONGS FROM FAMOUS MOVIES.
TICKETS FOR THE FESTIVAL CONCERT AT $30 AND $40 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
/HALF-PRICE TICKETS .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 8
HALF-PRICE TICKETS WOULD
STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AGED
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT
ALSO BE AVAILABLE 60 OR ABOVE.
FOR FULL-TIME
THE TWO CONTESTS ARE ALL MUSIC CENTRES
AVAILABLE ON OF THE MUSIC
OFFICE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 39S 2196 OR 796 7537.
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HONO KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
S $ 4 $ 4
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,970
REVERSAL OF LAF 430
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -520
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,480
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.9 *10.1* 1.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.42 FCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.25 3.71
1 MONTH 2.80 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.70 4.00
3 MONTHS 3.01 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.77 4.19
6 MONTHS 3.17 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.69 4.36
12 MONTHS 3.54 FCT 35 MONTHS TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - CLOSED 1 DECEMBER 1993 3610 25r384MN 4.20 98.44 4.84
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: ICAC SERVED BY SOUND MEN: CS .................................... 1
CS DISAPPOINTED BY MOTION OUTCOME ............................... 2
LANDMARK DAY IN ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY ........................... 3
MOTION DEBATE ON SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES ......................... 4
LEGCO’S GREENLIGHT ON DISASTER RELIEF FUND ...................... 9
BREWIN TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED .................. 10
GOVT WILL ACT UPON AIRCRAFT INCIDENT FINDINGS .................. 10
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AFTER 1997 UNDER REVIEW ........................ 11
TUEN MUN FLOODING NOT CAUSED BY PUBLIC WORKS ................... 11
NO EXEMPTION FOR GOVT DISCHARGES IN WATER CONTROL ZONES ........ 12
POLICY TOWARDS VM CENTRE VISITORS EXPLAINED .................... 13
PROVISION OF SUBTITLES ON TV PROGRAMMES FOR HEARING IMPAIRED 13 RECRUITMENT OF OVERSEAS POLICE INSPECTORS TO BE PHASED OUT .. 14
CONCERTED EFFORTS TO CURB ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF MEAT .......... 15
MAN-MADE SLOPES UNDER ONGOING INSPECTION ....................... 16
TUITION FEES FOR PART-TIME TERTIARY COURSES .................... 17
/IMPROVED SERVICES .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
IMPROVED SERVICES FOR PATIENTS WITH CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES 18
ADEQUATE PROVISIONS FOR SCAFFOLDING SAFETY ..................... 18
CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT OF ADJUDICATORS EXPLAINED ............. 19
96 PASS TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT EXAM ................. 20
WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ELDERLY SERVICES ........................ 21
PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATED TO MEET TENANTS' EXPECTATION .......... 21
CONTRACTORS MUST ENSURE WORK SITE SAFETY ....................... 22
JOB TRAINING FOR DISABLED SCHOOL LEAVERS ....................... 22
MORE TIMELY TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR ROAD USERS ..................... 23
GNP STUDY TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR ............................ 24
LEGCO TO CONDUCT HEARINGS ON ALEX TSUI'S TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT ................................................... 25
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 1 -
ICAC SERVED BY SOUND MEN: CS » » » t *
THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION MUST NOT BE INHIBITED FROM TERMINATING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICER IN WHOM HE HAD LOST CONFIDENCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
HRS CHAN SAID WHILE THE EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, IT COULD NOT BE RIGHT, IN HER VIEW, THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD REQUIRE THE EXECUTIVE TO EXPLAIN DECISIONS AFFECTING THE APPOINTMENT, DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE MOTION DEBATE UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) ORDINANCE ON ENQUIRY INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF MR ALEX TSUI KA-XIT, SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR HOLDING THE POST OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OPERATIONS OF THE ICAC.
"WE BELIEVE IN ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT BUT WE CANNOT AGREE TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ITS PANELS EXERCISING THE JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS OF A COURT TO DETERMINE A MATTER WHICH IS CLEARLY WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE," SHE SAID.
THE COMMISSION HAS SO FAR EXERCISED THE POWER OF SUMMARY DISMISSAL ON 58 OCCASIONS.
"AND OFFICERS CAN BE IN NO DOUBT THAT THE POWER WILL BE EXERCISED IF THE COMMISSIONER THINKS NECESSARY," SHE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID ALL THESE DECISIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY BY THE COMMISSIONER.
SHE SAID THE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT IMPOSED UPON OFFICERS IN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES INCLUDING THE ICAC WERE MOST RIGOROUS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY DEPARTURE FROM THOSE STANDARDS HAY INCLUDE SUMMARY DISMISSAL WITHOUT ASSIGNING ANY REASON.
"WHEN OFFICERS JOIN THE ICAC THEY ARE MADE FULLY AWARE OF THE STANDARDS EXPECTED OF THEM AND OF THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES IF THEY CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A WAY WHICH CAUSES THE COMMISSIONER TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR INTEGRITY OR WHICH MAY PREJUDICE THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMMISSION," MRS CHAN SAID.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXERCISING THE POWER OF DISMISSAL PLACED A HEAVY BURDEN ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE COMMISSIONER ALONE TO BEAR.
"WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO REVIEW THE DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ICAC STAFF. IN THIS CONTEXT WE WILL CONSIDER THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS."
MRS CHAN SAID IF THE MOTION WAS PASSED, SHE SHOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER WHETHER THE PUBLIC INTEREST REQUIRED THAT SOME INFORMATION ON HR TSUI'S CASE SHOULD BE WITHHELD FROM THE SECURITY PANEL.
/IN THOSE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 2 -
IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, SHE SHOULD BE SEEKING URGENT GUIDANCE FROM LEGCO PRESIDENT ON HOW A CLAIM OF PUBLIC INTEREST IMMUNITY SHOULD BE DETERMINED.
"IF IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE WITHHOLDING OF INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE ICAC THEN THE EFFECT OF THIS MOTION WILL BE TO PERMIT MR TSUI UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) ORDINANCE TO MAKE UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS AGAINST OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ICAC WHICH THE COMMISSIONER CANNOT-CONSISTENT WITH THE WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST, EXPLAIN OR REBUT.”
MRS CHAN SAID THE BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION WAS A CONTINUING ONE IN WHICH THE SERVICES OF THE MEN AND WOMEN CF THS ICAC ARE DEPENDED UPON. ’ .•
"THERE MUST BE NO REASON TO DOUBT THEIR SOUNDNESS,” SHE SAID.
- - . 1 0 - - - -
CS DISAPPOINTED BY MOTION OUTCOME
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SHE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE OUTCOME OF A MOTION PASSED BY LEGISLATORS TO CONDUCT HEARINGS ON THE TERMINATION BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF HR ALEX TSUI KA-KIT LAST MONTH.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, MRS CHAN SAID SHE DOUBTED IF THE HEARINGS THAT MEMBERS WISHED TO CONDUCT WOULD HELP CLARIFY WHETHER THE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT WAS LEGITIMATE OR NOT.
"ON THE CONTRARY, I THINK, IT WILL ONLY SERVE TO MUDDY THE WATERS AS SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY POINTED OUT DURING THE DEBATE," SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT AT A TIME WHEN THERE APPEARED TO BE AN INCREASE IN CORRUPTION CASES, THE PUBLIC WOULD BE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED IF ANY PUBLIC HEARING WOULD UNDERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ICAC.
"THE PUBLIC HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE WORK OF THE ICAC AND SURELY AT THIS POINT IN TIME, GIVEN THE PUBLIC CONCERN, EVERYBODY SHOULD BE GIVING THE ICAC EVERY SUPPORT THAT IT POSSIBLY CAN," SHE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID GIVEN THE VERY SPECIAL TASK GIVEN TO THE ICAC TO ADDRESS A PARTICULARLY SERIOUS PROBLEM OVER WHICH THAT THE PUBLIC WAS VERY CONCERNED, THE COMMISSIONER HAD ACTED FULLY WITHIN THE STATUTORY POWERS CONFERRED UPON HIM.
MRS CHAN SAID WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE MOTION, SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONSULT 2JE COMMISSIONER AND CONSIDER TOGETHER WITH HIM WHETHER IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST CERTAIN INFORMATION ON MR TSUI SHOULD BE WITHHELD.
IF IT WAS SO, SHE SAID SHE WOULD SEEK GUIDANCE FROM LEGCO PRESIDENT AS TO HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CLAIM IMMUNITY.
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/3........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 3 -
LANDMARK DAY IN ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY ««»*»»»
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, DESCRIBED AT THE MOTION DEBATE ON SEWAGE CHARGES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THAT TODAY WAS A LANDMARK DAY IN THE HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS READY TO PUSH FORWARD A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO TACKLE WATER POLLUTION.
THE COMMUNITY HAS SIGNALLED ITS READINESS; INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE ARE FACING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, THE MEDIA ARE WITH IT AND MANY LEGCO MEMBERS TOO, HE SAID.
HE SAID MEMBERS SHOWED SUPPORT FOR THE POLLUTER-PAYS PRINCIPLE, NOT JUST AS A MATTER OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, BUT AS A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD THAT THEY WERE TAKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY.
ON THE SEWAGE CHARGING SCHEME, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE DETERMINED EFFORTS TO KEEP DOMESTIC CHARGES DOWN TO ALMOST NOMINAL LEVELS.
HOUSEHOLDS CONSUME MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE WATER SUPPLY AND WILL BE CONTRIBUTING ONLY 30 PER CENT OF THE CHARGING REVENUE, WHILE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WILL CONTRIBUTE 60 PER CENT.
HE SAID TO PERMIT FURTHER EXEMPTIONS WOULD BE TO MOVE SO FAR FROM THE POLLUTER-PAYS PRINCIPLE AS TO NEGATE IT.
HE SAID THERE WAS NO SUGGESTION THAT DOMESTIC USERS WERE TO BE CRITICISED OR PENALISED FOR USING THE SEWAGE SERVICE.
"THEIR NEED FOR IT IS A FACT OF LIFE, BUT IT DOES COST MONEY TO PROVIDE AND HAS TO BE PAID FOR.
"TO EXEMPT ONE MAJOR GROUP OF USERS WOULD LOAD THE COSTS ONTO OTHERS AND WOULD WITHOUT DOUBT MAKE ALL THOSE NOW WILLING TO PAY HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN THOROUGH CONSULTATION ON THE CHARGING PROPOSALS. THE GOVERNMENT HAS BRIEFED THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE LEGCO ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS PANEL TWICE, MAJOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, TRE MAIN POLITICAL GROUPS AS WELL AS THE MAIN GREEN GROUPS AND A NUMBER OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
"WE HAVE GIVEN NUMEROUS TELEVISION AND PRESS INTERVIEWS AND PARTICIPATED IN RADIO PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES AND RTHK PANEL DISCUSSIONS.
"MOREOVER, WE HAVE ARRANGED THE BROADCAST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON TELEVISION AND RADIO, AND WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED 100,000 PAMPHLETS EXPLAINING THE CHARGING SCHEME. ALL THIS HAS GENERATED SUBSTANTIAL MEDIA COVERAGE."
/HE ALSO ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
HE ALSO NOTED THAT IN THE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED, A MAJORITY (60 PER CENT) SUPPORT THE POLLUTER-PAYS PRINCIPLE.
MOST OF THE GROUP SUBMISSIONS, PARTICULARLY THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS, SUPPORT BOTH THE PRINCIPLE AND THE CHARGING PROPOSALS.
THERE IS ALSO MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPLE AMONG THE INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS.
SOME SUBMISSIONS DID ASK FOR FURTHER CONCESSIONS ON DOMESTIC CHARGES, POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF A MISUNDERSTANDING THAT SEWAGE CHARGES WOULD BE CALCULATED AT A FIXED RATE OF WATER BILLS.
"THIS IS NOT THE CASEf AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE FURTHER EXPLANATIONS TO CLEAR UP SUCH MISUNDERSTANDINGS," MR EASON SAID.
- - 0 - -
NOTION DEBATE ON SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES t ♦ X t »
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH
AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, AT THE MOTION DEBATE ON SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING:
MADAM DEPUTY,
THE FAMILY IS THE CORNER-STONE OF SOCIETY. HERE IN HONG KONG WE HAVE A STRONG TRADITION OF FAMILY WHERE CHILDREN ARE BROUGHT UP IN A CARING AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE CARE FOR THEIR ELDERLY AND DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBERS. OUR POLICY IS TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY AS A BASIC UNIT AND TO DEVELOP CARING INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS. TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY, WE HAVE IN PLACE A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE WHICH ALSO CATERS FOR THE NEEDS OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES.
IN THIS MOTION DEBATE, HONOURABLE MEMBERS HAVE HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE PROBLEMS SUCH AS HOUSING AND FINANCIAL NEEDS FACED BY SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES IN HONG KONG. THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT PECULIAR TO SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. OTHER FAMILIES AND DISADVANTAGED GROUPS MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR DIFFICULTIES FROM TIME TO TIME. OUR SERVICES ARE THEREFORE AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO NEED THEM INCLUDING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES.
/A SINGLE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
5
A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "SINGLE PARENT FAMILY"? A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY IS COMMONLY DEFINED AS "A FAMILY WITH THE MOTHER OR THE FATHER BEING WIDOWED, DIVORCED OR SEPARATED AND LIVING WITH CHILD OR CHILDREN AGED UNDER 18." ACCORDING TO CENSUS DATA, THERE WERP 34,538 SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES IN HONG KONG IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 36,541 IN 1986. ALTHOUGH THIS NUMBER ONLY ACCOUNTS FOR 2.2% IN 1991 OR 2.5% IN 1986 OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES DESERVE OUR ATTENTION BECAUSE THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE VULNERABLE IN COPING WITH PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL THAT WE DO NOT STIGMATIZE SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. THERE SHOULD BE NO DISCRIMINATION AMONG DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAMILY IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DESCRIBE SOME OF THE KEY SERVICES AVAILABLE TO SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES.
HOUSING
I AGREE WITH HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT HOUSING TENDS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. BUT, BEING A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY DOES NOT AND SHOULD NOT BY ITSELF CONSTITUTE A CRITERION FOR PRIORITY TREATMENT IN THE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS. IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO THOSE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME AND WHOSE ACCOMMODATION NEEDS MAY BE AS GREAT AS OR NO LESS THAN THOSE OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE HOUSING ASSISTANCE CAN BE REHOUSED UNDER THE COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. OUT OF AN ANNUAL ADJUSTABLE QUOTA UNDER THE SCHEME, A TOTAL OF 217 PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS WERE ALLOCATED TO SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES IN 1991/92. THE NUMBER INCREASED TO 327 IN 1992/93. SO FAR IN 1993/94, 301 SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES HAVE BEEN REHOUSED UNDER THE SCHEME.
FOR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES WHO HAVE JUST SEPARATED OR DIVORCED AND WHO CANNOT CONTINUE TO REMAIN UNDER THE MATRIMONIAL HOME, A CONDITIONAL TENANCY PROGRAMME UNDER THE COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN JULY 1991 TO ALLOCATE PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS TO MEET THEIR URGENT REHOUSING NEEDS. WHEN THE PROGRAMME WAS REVIEWED EARLIER THIS YEAR, FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO PROVIDE BETTER AND QUICKER ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES IN NEED. THESE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE:
- THE SETTING ASIDE OF AN ADJUSTABLE SUB-QUOTA FOR CONDITIONAL TENANCY;
- RAISING THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMIT FOR APPLICANTS;
- ACCEPTING RECOMMENDATIONS ON CASES REFERRED BY NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS; AND
- STREAMLINING OF PROCEDURES BETWEEN SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE SPEEDY REFERRALS AND PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS.
/A TOTAL .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
6
A TOTAL OF 318 CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR CONDITIONAL TENANCY SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN 1991. SO FAR, 238 CASES HAVE BEEN REHOUSED AND 72 CASES ARE UNDER PROCESSING. PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED IN AS QUICK AS SIX WEEKS OR IN NINE WEEKS ON AVERAGE.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING OR CONDITIONAL TENANCY, CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP THESE FAMILIES ARRANGE FOR PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
THE DEATH OF THE SPOUSE OR SEPARATION MAY MAKE SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE HEADED BY WOMAN, MORE VULNERABLE FINANCIALLY. THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE (CSSA) SCHEME INTRODUCED ON 1 JULY 1993 PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. THE SCHEME EMBRACES DIFFERENT STANDARD RATES AND A RANGE OF SPECIAL GRANTS WHICH MEET THE GENERAL NEEDS OF RECIPIENTS AND SPECIAL NEEDS ARISING FROM ACCOMMODATION, TRAVELLING, CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION, ETC. THE RATES OF PAYMENT UNDER THE CSSA SCHEME PROVIDE REAL INCREASES BETWEEN 4% AND 37% OVER THOSE UNDER THE PREVIOUS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEMES. THESE RATES WILL BE REVISED ANNUALLY TO MAINTAIN THEIR PURCHASING POWER. IN ADDITION, THE STANDARD RATES FOR CHILDREN WILL BE INCREASED BY $100 FER CHILD PER MONTH WITH EFFECT FROM 1 APRIL 1994 TO PROVIDE MORE POCKET MONEY FOR CHILDREN TO SOCIALIZE WITH THEIR PEERS. SPECIAL GRANTS CAN ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FROM CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS TO MEET OTHER NEEDS OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES WHICH CANNOT BE COVERED BY THE CSSA SCHEME.
LEGAL AID
WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THE REALITY THAT MARRIAGES DO HAVE THEIR UPS AND DOWNS. SHOULD A MARRIAGE BREAK DOWN IRRETRIEVABLY AND DISSOLUTION OF THAT MARRIAGE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PARTIES CONCERNED, THE FAMILY LITIGATION SECTION OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO SINGLE PARENTS IN DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS, FOR CUSTODY OF CHILDREN AND FOR MAINTENANCE. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ASSISTS SINGLE PARENTS TO ENFORCE MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS IF THE OTHER PARENT REFUSES TO PAY.
DAY CARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
APART FROM HOUSING, FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE, A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY HAS ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY ARE ACCORDED PRIORITY FOR DAY NURSERY AND DAY CRECHE SERVICES IN VIEW OF THEIR NEEDS. AN ADDITIONAL 5,SOO AND 1,220 DAY NURSERY AND DAY CRECHE PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED BY 1996/97. NOT ALL PARENTS REQUIRE REGULAR CHILD CARE SERVICES. THE OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE PROVIDES A MORE FLEXIBLE SERVICE TO PARENTS WHO ARE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN BUT MAY REQUIRE HELP OCCASIONALLY. EXTENDED HOURS IN SOME CHILD CARE CENTRES WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS. SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE SERVICES.
/HOME MANAGEMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
7 -
HOME MANAGEMENT
OUR HOME HELP SERVICES PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE SUCH AS MEAL SERVICE, CHILD CARE SERVICE, LAUNDRY, ETC. SINGLE PARENTS, IN PARTICULAR SINGLE FATHERS WHO LACK HOME-MAKING SKILLS, ARE ONE OF THE TARGET GROUPS FOR THIS SERVICE. AN ADDITIONAL 44 HOME HELP TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED BY.1996/97. TO ENHANCE PARENTING SKILLS IN CHILD CARE AND HOME MANAGEMENT, A NEW FAMILY CARE DEMONSTRATION AND RESOURCE CENTRE WILL BE ESTABLISHED NEXT YEAR.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
ONCE THE TRAUMA OF SEPARATION OR WIDOWHOOD IS OVER, SINGLE PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WANT TO GET ON WITH THEIR LIFE. MANY OF THEM ARE SELF-RELIANT. OTHERS MAY NEED SOME HELP, PARTICULARLY THOSE HOMEMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE EMPLOYMENT MARKET FOR A LONG TIME. THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OPERATES THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FROM A NETWORK OF 10 OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES ARE ORGANIZED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WHILE THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING BOARD OFFERS RETRAINING PROGRAMMES TO THOSE WHO WISH TO EQUIP . THEMSELVES WITH SOME SKILLS FOR TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT.
COUNSELLING AND SUPPORTING SERVICES
CONCERNS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED ON COUNSELLING AND SUPPORTING SERVICES, OUR FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICES ALONGSIDE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES WHO HAVE SUCH NEEDS. THE FAMILY CASE WORK SERVICE WILL BE IMPROVED IN 1994/95 BY BRINGING DOWN THE MANNING RATIO FROM ONE CASE WORKER TO 70 CASES TO ONE CASE WORKER TO 65 CASES. REFERRALS WILL BE MADE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN GROUP ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS SHARING SESSIONS ORGANIZED BY THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION UNITS.
SOME HONOURABLE MEMBERS HAVE RAISED THE QUESTION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES. THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CHUK YUEN CHILDREN RECEPTION CENTRE IS OPEN ON A 24-HOUR BASIS. CHILDREN CAN BE TAKEN THERE IF HELP IS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
/MUTUAL HELP .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993 •
8 -
MUTUAL HELP GROUPS
THE PROVISION OF SERVICES BY GOVERNMENT ALONE IS NEVER ENOUGH. A COMMUNITY NEEDS TO DEVELOP NEIGHBOURLINESS AND MUTUAL HELP. SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE PART OF CHINESE CULTURE AND THEY SHOULD OPERATE IN DIFFERENT STRATA OF OUR SOCIETY. MUTUAL HELP THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKS IS A VERY IMPORTANT FORM OF ASSISTANCE TO MANY TYPES OF FAMILIES INCLUDING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES WHOSE SUPPORT FROM WITHIN THE FAMILY MAY BE LACKING AND SOME SORT OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED. OUR POLICY THEREFORE IS TO ENCOURAGE FORMATION OF MUTUAL HELP GROUPS. SO FAR, ABOUT 100 MUTUAL HELP GROUP ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED IN THE PAST YEAR AT DISTRICT LEVEL TO PROVIDE A NETWORK OF CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND SHARING FOR NEEDY FAMILIES. MANY OF THESE GROUP ACTIVITIES HAVE DEVELOPED INTO INFORMAL MUTUAL HELP GROUPS WHICH OFFER ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF TEMPORARY CHILD CARE AND HOME HELP TO EACH OTHER IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES.
AS HONOURABLE MEMBERS ARE AWARE THAT 1994 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS AS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY. WE WILL STEP UP PUBLICITY AND THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE NEEDS OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE FAMILIES. WE NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO AMELIORATE THE PROBLEMS FACING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES.
FAMILY WELFARE POLICY
IN CLOSING, I MUST REITERATE THAT WE HAVE A WELL-DEFINED FAMILY WELFARE POLICY WHICH EMBRACES THE NEEDS OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES.' THIS POLICY IS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A WIDE NETWORK OF SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS. THEY WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER IN THE COORDINATION OF AND IN REVIEWING THE ADEQUACY OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES. I DO NOT SEE THE NEED FOR A SEPARATE WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW AND LOOK INTO THE MEASURES AND SERVICES NEEDED BY SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. WHERE THERE ARE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS, THEY CAN BE TACKLED UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
FURTHERMORE, IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO SEGREGATE SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES FROM OTHER TYPES OF FAMILIES IN OUR PROVISION OF SERVICES. IN DOING SO, WE WILL UNDULY LABEL SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES AS PROBLEMATIC. ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE BASED ON NEEDS RATHER THAN DETERMINED BY THE COMPOSITION OR STRUCTURE OF A FAMILY.
OUR FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES ARE REVIEWED AND ■ DEVELOPED CONSTANTLY TO KEEP UP WITH CHANGING NEEDS WHICH INCLUDE THOSE OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. IMPROVEMENT TO OUR FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES WILL BENEFIT ALL FAMILIES. WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF A CARING COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP THEM.
THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 9 -
LEGCO’S GREENLIGHT ON DISASTER RELIEF FUND
* * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A DISASTER RELIEF FUND TO HELP VICTIMS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE FUND WOULD BE SET UP THIS FINANCIAL YEAR UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE WITH AN INITIAL APPROPRIATION OF $50 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE.
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO TOP UP THE FUND EVERY YEAR AS NECESSARY, HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FUND WILL PROVIDE A READY MECHANISM FOR HONG KONG TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO INTERNATIONAL APPEALS FOR HUMANITARIAN AID.
A COMMITTEE TO BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY WOULD BE SET UP TO ADVISE ON THE POLICY AND PRACTICES REGARDING THE USE OF FUNDS FOR INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF, ADVISE ON GRANT OF SPECIFIED AMOUNTS TO SPECIFIED RECIPIENTS AND MONITOR THE USE OF GRANTS.
MEMBERS WILL INCLUDE THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, TWO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TWO LEGCO MEMBERS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL BE DESIGNATED AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FUND.
DISBURSEMENTS MADE WITHIN THE LIMIT OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY WILL BE DEALT WITH ADMINISTRATIVELY.
’’THE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL WILL BE SOUGHT FOR INDIVIDUAL DISBURSEMENTS WHICH EXCEED THE LIMIT OF DELEGATED POWERS, CURRENTLY $8 MILLION,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
PUBLIC ARE ALSO WELCOME TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THE FUND.
’’HOWEVER, FOR PRACTICAL REASONS, PUBLIC DONATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR GENERAL RELIEF PURPOSE, NOT TIED TO INDIVIDUAL DISASTERS,” HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL APPEALS FOR ASSISTANCE IS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT ON AN AD HOC BASIS.
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/10........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
BREWIN TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED *******
A BILL AIMING AT REMEDYING TWO ANOMALIES IN THE BREWIN TRUST FUND ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BREWIN TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THE ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN 1955, PROVIDED FOR THE FUND TO BE USED TO GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO CHINESE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.
"IN PRACTICE, FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED BY A TRUST FUND COMMITTEE TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ADVISED LAST YEAR THAT THIS PRACTICE DID NOT COMPLY WITH SECTION 4 OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRES THE COMMITTEE TO SATISFY ITSELF THAT AN APPLICANT IS IN NEED OF MAINTENANCE OR BENEFIT BEFORE A GRANT IS MADE.
THE BILL NOW SEEKS TO REPEAL THE OLD SECTION AND SUBSTITUTE IT BY A NEW ONE TO ENABLE THE COMMITTEE TO ALLOCATE MONEYS OF THE TRUST FUND TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS FOR FURTHER DISBURSEMENT TO DESERVING APPLICANTS.
IN ADDITION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO ADVISED THAT THE RESTRICTION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE TRUST FUND TO CHINESE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS WAS INCONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE 22 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, HE EXPLAINED.
THE BILL, THEREFORE, PROPOSES TO REPEAL THE DEFINITION OF "CHINESE" AND INCORPORATE THE WORD "WIDOWERS" SO THAT THE ORDINANCE WOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
_ _ 0 - -
GOVT WILL ACT UPON AIRCRAFT INCIDENT FINDINGS *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL IMMEDIATELY ACT UPON ANY FINDINGS OR RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO AN INCIDENT IN WHICH AN AIRCRAFT SLID OFF THE KAI TAK RUNWAY ON NOVEMBER 4 THIS YEAR.
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, GAVE HIS ASSURANCE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODA'i (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG, MR SIU SAID: "THE REPORT WILL SEEK TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE OR CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MEASURES WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF THE INVESTIGATORS WILL ASSIST IN PREVENTING RECURRENCE OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT."
/THE INVESTIGATION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
11
THE INVESTIGATION IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY INVESTIGATORS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE HONG KONG CIVIL AVIATION (INVESTIGATION OK ACCIDENTS) REGULATIONS.
IT WILL COVER DETAILED ANALYSIS OF A WIDE RANGE OF AERONAUTICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL DATA, AND CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF ALL AVAILABLE EVIDENCE.
INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS CREWMEN, PASSENGERS AND STAFF OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ON DUTY WILL BE INTERVIEWED.
PERSONS INVOLVED IN OR CONCERNED WITH THE INCIDENT WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE INVESTIGATORS. THE REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED BEFORE A REPORT IS FINALISED.
COMPLETION OF THE FINAL REPORT IS LIKELY TO TAKE SOME TIME, DEPENDING ON THE TIME IT WOULD TAKE THE PARTIES INVOLVED TO RESPOND TO THE DRAFT REPORT, HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AFTER 1997 UNDER REVIEW *******
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS STILL REVIEWING HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"WE INTEND TO COMPLETE OUR INITIAL REVIEW IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, MR LAM SAID THAT UNDER THE REVIEW, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FIRST CONSIDER WHICH OF THE EXISTING HOLIDAYS SHOULD BE RETAINED AFTER 1997.
THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT HOLIDAYS AFTER 1997 WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED.
------0-------
TUEN MUN FLOODING NOT CAUSED BY PUBLIC WORKS * * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PART OF TUEN MUN BECAUSE OF FLOODING OF THE FU TEI FRESH WATER AN EXCEPTIONALLY SEVERE RAINSTORM ON NOVEMBER
THIS WAS EXPLAINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NEW TOWN WAS SUSPENDED PUMPING STATION DURING
5.
WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE,
/REPLYING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 12 -
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALFRED TSO, MR BLAKE SAID THE FINDINGS, WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE PUBLIC, WERE THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT WORKS IN PROGRESS ON ROAD D9 CAUSED THE FLOODI MG.
"THE FINDINGS TO DATE ARE THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT NOR IS THERE EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS IN PROGRESS.
"IF THE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION Dll) ARISE, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE FACTS AND OF THE APPLICABLE LAW,” HF SAI).
------0--------
NO EXEMPTION FOR GOVT DISCHARGES IN WATER CONTROL ZONES
*****
DISCHARGES FROM GOVERNMENT PREMISES IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID THE ORDINANCE HAD NOT PROVIDED EXEMPTIONS FOR ANY DISCHARGES SINCE ITS AMENDMENT IN 1990.
TO DATE, 228 OR 60 PER CENT OF THE ABOUT 380 GOVERNMENT FACILITIES IN WATER CONTROL ZONES HAVE BEEN LICENSED.
’’AS A RESULT, OVER 97 PER CENT OF THE WASTEWATER COMING FROM THESE ESTABLISHMENTS IS UNDER CONTROL,” HE SAID.
LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR ALMOST ALL THE REMAINING DISCHARGES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE LICENCES SHOULD BE ISSUED IN 1994.
MR EASON SAID ROUTINE MONITORING OF THE WATER CONTROL IN TOLO HARBOUR DID NOT INDICATE ANY PARTICULAR PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE SHUEN WAN LANDFILL.
NOTING THAT ONE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WAS LEACHATE PRODUCED BY RAINWATER FILTERING THROUGH THE WASTE IN THE LANDFILL, HE SAID THE LEACHATE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DILUTED ON ITS WAY THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND WATER SYSTEM BEFORE DISPERSING IN THE HARBOUR.
- - 0 - -
/13 .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
-• 13 \
POLICY TOWARDS VM CENTRE VISITORS EXPLAINED *****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PERMIT AD HOC VISITORS TO VISIT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS DETENTION CENTRES PROM TIME TO TIME, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE VISITORS INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS, JOURNALISTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION WORKERS, HE EXPLAINED.
MR ASPREY IS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
HE SAID EACH APPLICATION WAS CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT AND THE GOOD ORDER AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DETENTION CENTRES.
HE SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF VISITORS TO DETENTION CENTRES.
THEY INCLUDED VISITING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE; LEGAL ADVISERS; visitors providing long-term welfare services, and relatives and FRIENDS OF DETAINEES, HE ADDED.
------o-------
PROVISION OF SUBTITLES ON TV PROGRAMMES FOR HEARING IMPAIRED *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SETTING UP A WORKING GROUP TO CONSIDER HOW BEST TO FURTHER EXTEND THE SERVICE OF PROVIDING SUBTITLES AND SIGN LANGUAGE ONTO THE NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES ON TELEVISION FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED.
MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WILL BE DRAWN FROM INTERESTED WELFARE ORGANISATIONS, TELEVISION STATIONS, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK) AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID THE GOVERNMENT FAVOURED A VOLUNTARY APPROACH IN EXTENDING SUCH A SERVICE BECAUSE THERE WERE REAL PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN MAKING IT MANDATORY.
’’OTHER THAN COSTS, WHICH CAN BE QUITE SUBSTANTIAL, ONE OF THE MAIN DIFFICULTIES IS THAT NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES ARE OFTEN BROADCAST LIVE,” MR SO SAID.
’’THIS MAKES IT TECHNICALLY VERY DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE SUBTITLING,” HE ADDED.
/AT PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 14 -
AT PRESENT THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS HAVE RESPONDED WELL ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS IN PROVIDING SUBTITLING TO MANY OF THEIR NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES.
RTHK IS CURRENTLY PROVIDING A HALF-HOUR ’’NEWS REVIEW” PROGRAMME EVERY SUNDAY BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 9 AM WITH FULL SUBTITLING AND SIGN LANGUAGE.
THE STATION’S OTHER PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES ALSO CARRY SUBTITLING WHEN INTERVIEWS WITH NON-CANTONESE SPEAKERS ARE SHOWN.
FURTHERMORE, STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO PROVIDE MORE CAPTIONING ON ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST THAT RELATE TO GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
AS FOR THE OTHER TWO COMMERCIAL TELEVISION STATIONS, SOME 10 PER CENT OF THEIR NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES, WHICH AVERAGE ABOUT 10 HOURS A WEEK, CARRY SUBTITLING.
WHARF CABLE’S NEW CHANNEL ALSO PROVIDES SUBTITLING TO OVER NINE PER CENT OF ITS PROGRAMMES, WHICH AVERAGE ABOUT 15 HOURS A WEEK.
---------0-----------
RECRUITMENT OF OVERSEAS POLICE INSPECTORS TO BE PHASED OUT
* * * * *
THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS POLICE INSPECTOR RECRUITS IS EXPECTED TO GRADUALLY DECLINE, IN PARTICULAR DUE TO THE IMPROVED SITUATION WITH RESPECT TO LOCAL RECRUITMENT.
AS SUCH, OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT SHOULD BE PHASED OUT COMPLETELY IN TWO TO THREE YEARS’ TIME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HARBINSON SAID AT PRESENT, OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT WAS CONTINUING AT A MODEST LEVEL TO SUPPLEMENT LOCAL RECRUITMENT AND BECAUSE THIS IS TRADITIONAL.
’’THERE ARE ALSO SOME BENEFITS DERIVING FROM A CROSS-CULTURAL APPROACH IN TERMS OF THE TERRITORY’S COSMOPOLITAN IMAGE," HE SAID.
MR HARBINSON ALSO RELEASED THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS POLICE INSPECTORS RECRUITED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. •
STATISTICS SHOW THAT 116 LOCAL AND 34 OVERSEAS POLICE INSPECTORS WERE RECRUITED IN 1990/91.
THE NUMBER OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS POLICE INSPECTORS RECRUITED IN 1991/92 WERE 75 AND 15, AND THAT FOR 1992/93 WERE 71 AND 20 RESPECTIVELY.
/UP TO ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 15 -
UP TO NOVEMBER 27 THIS YEAR, THE INTAKE OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INSPECTORS WAS 71 AND 16 RESPECTIVELY.
MR HARBINSON ADDED THAT LOCAL OFFICERS COMPRISED 78 PER CENT OF ALL STAFF IN THE INSPECTORATE.
------0--------
CONCERTED EFFORTS TO CURB ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF MEAT
» ♦ » » »
A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 8,000 KILOGRAMS OF PORK WERE SEIZED AT SHA TAU KOK BETWEEN AUGUST LAST YEAR AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, 11,000 KILOGRAMS WERE SEIZED.
SIGNIFICANT SEIZURES HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE AT MAN KAM TO AND LOK MA CHAU CONTROL POINTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR LEE SAID FOLLOWING AN INCREASE IN ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF MEAT AT SHA TAU KOK IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION HAD BEEN IMPROVED AND ENFORCEMENT ACTION STEPPED UP, BOTH AT THE BORDER AS WELL AS AT RETAIL LEVEL.
AN ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS POST HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP AT SHEK CHUNG AU TO CHECK VEHICLES COMING FROM SHA TAU KOK.
"ALL DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED ARE CO-OPERATING TO CONTROL THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF PIGS AND PORK AND CONCERTED EFFORTS OF ALL ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WILL BE MAINTAINED," HE STATED.
DR LEE EXPLAINED THAT THE FRONT-LINE CONTROL ON ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF MEAT AND LIVESTOCK RESTED WITH THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
THE TWO DEPARTMENTS HAVE CHECKPOINTS ALONG THE BORDER AND SEA PATROLS WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.
CASES MAY ALSO BE REFERRED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION.
FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER REGULATION 4 OF THE IMPORTED GAME, MEAT AND POULTRY REGULATIONS, ALL IMPORTED MEAT MUST BE COVERED BY AN OFFICIAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A COMPETENT AUTHORITY RECOGNISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
WHERE IMPORTED PORK SEIZED AT THE BORDER IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY SUCH CERTIFICATES (OR SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY FAKE CERTIFICATES), THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH WILL TAKE NECESSARY ACTION UNDER THE REGULATION 4 AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
/THE TWO ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 16 -
THE TWO MUNICIPAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PREVENTING SMUGGLED PORK FROM BEING PUT ON SALE IN RETAIL MARKETS.
THEY WOULD CONDUCT SURPRISE CHECKS ON MEAT SHOPS AND MARKET MEAT STALLS TO SEE IF MEAT FROM ILLEGAL SOURCES WAS DELIVERED TO THEM.
PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS PAID TO CHECK WHETHER THE PIG CARCASES BEAR STAMPS INDICATING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SLAUGHTERED IN A GOVERNMENT OR LICENSED SLAUGHTERHOUSE.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIVESTOCK DISEASE CONTROL, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IS AUTHORISED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) REGULATIONS TO DIRECT IMPORTED LIVE PIGS TO ABATTOIRS FOR IMMEDIATE SLAUGHTERING.
AS SUCH, THE LEGISLATION IS NOT DESIGNED TO REGULATE THE IMPORTATION OF LIVE PIGS FROM CHINA.
AS REGARDS PENALTIES, DR LEE NOTED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF MEAT UNDER REGULATION 7 OF THE IMPORTED GAME, MEAT AND POULTRY ORDINANCE WAS A FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
’’HOWEVER, ONCE THE MEAT HAS PASSED THROUGH FRONT-LINE DETECTION AND HAS REACHED THE MARKET PLACE, THE OFFENDER CAN ONLY BE CHARGED WITH SALE OF UNSTAMPED MEAT UNDER THE FOOD BUSINESS BY-LAWS, FOR WHICH THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $5,000 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
”TO RECTIFY THIS DISCREPANCY, BOTH MUNICIPAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS ARE PREPARING TO REVISE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY UNDER THE BYLAWS TO BRING IT INTO LINE WITH THAT IN THE REGULATIONS,*’ DR LEE SAID.
------0--------
MAN-MADE SLOPES UNDER ONGOING INSPECTION
*****
THREE KINDS OF INSPECTIONS FOR MAN-MADE SLOPES ARE BEING CARRIED OUT ON LANTAU ISLAND AND ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG AS AN ONGOING EXERCISE.
THESE INCLUDE REGULAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT EITHER BY PRIVATE OWNERS OF THE LAND OR BY THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OF LAND UNDER THEIR CARE.
THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE (GEO) ALSO CARRIED OUT EMERGENCY INSPECTIONS IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AND LANDSLIPS REPORTED.
ALSO, UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME (LPMP), GEO INVESTIGATES EXISTING SLOPES THAT POSE A POTENTIAL RISK TO LIFE, EXECUTES UPGRADING WORKS ON GOVERNMENT LAND AND INITIATES NECESSARY ACTIONS FOR PRIVATE LAND UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
/THE EXERCISE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 17 -
THE EXERCISE WAS OUTLINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE SELECTION OF GOVERNMENT SLOPES FOR INCLUSION INTO THE LPMP WAS ONGOING AND SLOPES ON LANTAU, INCLUDING THOSE THAT FAILED DURING THE NOVEMBER 5 RAINSTORM, WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER SLOPES IN THE TERRITORY.
"AS A RESULT OF THE PRELIMINARY GEOTECHNICAL STUDIES UNDERTAKEN ON LANTAU ISLAND, 22 SLOPES THAT OVERLOOK BUILDINGS AND POSE A DIRECT RISK TO LIFE ARE BEING UPGRADED UNDER THE LPMP.
"WORKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON 14 SLOPES AND WORKS ON THE REMAINING EIGHT WILL BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 1994,” MR BLAKE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ARRANGE FOR SUITABLE REPAIRS AND STABILISING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR OTHER SLOPES FAILED DURING THE RAINSTORM BUT WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE LPMP.
IT WOULD ISSUE INTERNAL TECHNICAL CIRCULARS TO ENSURE THAT PROPER MAINTENANCE WOULD ALWAYS BE CARRIED OUT TO MINIMISE THE CHANCE OF FAILURE.
- _ _ _ o - - - -
TUITION FEES
FOR PART-TIME TERTIARY COURSES
TUITION FEES CHARGED FOR PART-TIME COURSES FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) WHOLLY OR PARTLY ARE DETERMINED BY THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS.
THE FORMULAE THEY USE ARE BASED ON THE RECOMMENDED FEE LEVELS FOR FULL-TIME DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE COURSES APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS ADOPT DIFFERENT FORMULAE.
THIS . WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ACTUAL AVERAGE COST RECOVERY RATES REPRESENTED BY TUITION FEES FOR ALL UPGC-FUNDED COURSES, BOTH FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME, FOR 1990/91 AND 1991/92 WERE 8.6 PER CENT AND 9.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, MR LAM SAID.
THE ESTIMATED COST RECOVERY RATE FOR 1992/93 WAS 8.9 PER CENT.
MR LAM ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WERE TWO TYPES OF PART-TIME COURSES NOT FUNDED BY THE UPGC.
/THESE INCLUDE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
18
THESE INCLUDE THOSE OPERATED BY THE EXTRAMURAL STUDIES OR CONTINUING EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS OF THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS SOLELY; AND THOSE OPERATED BY THE INSTITUTIONS IN COLLABORATION WITH OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS.
"THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING THE TUITION FEES FOR THESE TWO TYPES OF COURSES ARE DIFFERENT, AND THEY ALSO DIFFER BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS.
"IN GENERAL, HOWEVER, THEY ARE OPERATED ON A FULL-COST RECOVERY BASIS," MR LAM SAID.
------0 _ _ _ _
IMPROVED SERVICES FOR PATIENTS WITH CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
« » * » *
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, SAID PLANS WERE IN HAND TO AUGMENT EXISTING SERVICES FOR PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES.
THESE INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF DESIGNATED REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR STROKE PATIENTS, COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAMMES FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS SUFFERING A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL PROVISION OF CONVALESCENT BEDS AND GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL PLACES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DR LEE SAID 16,124 PATIENTS WERE TREATED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS FOR CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES LAST YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL BEDS AVAILABLE TO SERVE PATIENTS REQUIRING CONVALESCENT CARE AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR WAS 3,575.
------0-------
ADEQUATE PROVISIONS FOR SCAFFOLDING SAFETY
*****
THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THE LAW TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SCAFFOLDING AND TO MINIMISE NUISANCE CAUSED TO THE NEARBY RESIDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID THE ERECTION OF SCAFFOLDING WAS SUBJECT TO REGULATION UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE ENFORCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, ALL SCAFFOLDING SHOULD BE MADE OF STRONG AND SOUND MATERIALS, FREE FROM DEFECTS AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
/THE REGULATIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
19
THE REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE THE SCAFFOLDING TO BE FIXED, SECURED AND REGULARLY INSPECTED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
MR EASON SAID IN ADDITION TO REGULAR INSPECTIONS, A SPECIAL INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN ON SCAFFOLDING WAS CONDUCTED FROM APRIL TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
A SIMILAR OPERATION WILL BE MOUNTED LATER THIS MONTH AND THOSE WHO BREACH THE LAW WILL BE PROSECUTED, HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID SCAFFOLDING ERECTED IN CONNECTION WITH STRUCTURAL OR DRAINAGE REPAIR WORKS AND NEW BUILDING WORKS WAS CONTROLLED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL REPAIR WORKS AND NEW BUILDING WORKS ARE CARRIED OUT TO SAFETY STANDARDS LAID DOWN IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
HE SAID STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE WORKS REGULARLY.
"AS A STANDARD PROCEDURE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT SCAFFOLDING IS SAFE AND REMOVED FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE WORKS FOR WHICH PLANS HAVE BEEN APPROVED OR FOR WHICH ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
"THESE PROVISIONS ARE GENERALLY ADEQUATE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SCAFFOLDING AND, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, RESIDENTS OF BUILDINGS WHERE SCAFFOLDING IS PUT UP ARE NOT SUBJECTED TO UNDUE NUISANCE.
"COMPLAINTS ABOUT SCAFFOLDING SHOULD BE MADE TO BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT, OR, IN EMERGENCIES, THE POLICE."
HE SAID THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO REVIEW THE LEGISLATION FOR THE TIME BEING.
---------0-----------
CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT OF ADJUDICATORS EXPLAINED
» » t » »
NO ARTICLES WERE CLASSIFIED BY THREE OR MORE ADJUDICATORS OF THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID.
THE PRESIDING MAGISTRATE SAT ON THE TRIBUNAL WITH TWO ADJUDICATORS AS A RULE, HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR SO SAID DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, EACH ADJUDICATOR ATTENDED EIGHT HEARINGS PER YEAR ON AVERAGE.
THERE IS NO PRE-DETERMINED CRITERIA FOR ASSIGNING WORK TO INDIVIDUAL ADJUDICATORS AS THEY ARE SELECTED BY ROTATION.
/"HOWEVER EVERY .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 20 -
"HOWEVER EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE MEMBERS SELECTED REPRESENT DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"A RECORD IS KEPT OF ATTENDANCE MAINLY TO ENSURE THAT THE LOAD IS SPREAD EVENLY AMONG THE ADJUDICATORS AS FAR AS PRACTICAL AND NO ONE IS OVERBURDENED."
IN APPOINTING ADJUDICATORS, MR SO NOTED THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE WOULD ENSURE A FAIR REPRESENTATION OF THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF AGE, SOCIAL BACKGROUND, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND THE SEXES.
APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE FROM NOMINATIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES AND DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES.
UNDER THE OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE, A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE TO BE APPOINTED TO THE PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS IF HE IS AN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, HAS RESIDED FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS, AND IS PROFICIENT IN WRITTEN ENGLISH AND WRITTEN CHINESE.
HIS APPOINTMENT MAY NOT EXCEED THREE YEARS BUT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT.
AN ADJUDICATOR MAY BE DISMISSED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE IF HE CEASES TO BE AN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, CONVICTED OF ANY OFFENCE, DECLARED BANKRUPT, OR NEGLECTS OR IS UNABLE TO PERFORM HIS DUTY.
------0-------
96 PASS TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT EXAM
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID OF THE 96 CANDIDATES WHO HAD SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE NON-GRADUATE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION THIS YEAR, 23 PASSED ALL THREE PARTS OF THE ASSESSMENT.
THEY WILL BECOME FULLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS AFTER COMPLETING A SUPERVISED TEACHING PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL.
THE REMAINING 73 WHO PASSED ONLY PARTS I AND II OF THE EXAMINATION MAY BECOME FULLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AFTER COMPLETING A TWO-YEAR, PART-TIME, IN-SERVICE COURSE, HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR LAM SAID 57 OF THE 96 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES HAD ACQUIRED THEIR POST-SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS IN CHINA.
AND AS AT NOVEMBER 25 THIS YEAR, 59 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WERE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
--------0------------
/21........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1,
1993
- 21 -
WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ELDERLY SERVICES
* * » » »
THE WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY IS TASKED TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AN AGING POPULATION ON THE COMMUNITY.
IT ALSO AIMS TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE POLICY ON CARE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, TO ADVISE ON NEW AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAYS OF MEETING THE DEMAND FOR ELDERLY SERVICES, AND TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO CO-ORDINATE SERVICES.
HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT BEEN TASKED TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR LEE NOTED THAT THE WORKING GROUP WAS NOT A STANDING COMMITTEE AND HAD TO REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT BY AUGUST 1994.
ON THE REPORT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 1988, DR LEE SAID IT CONTAINED MORE THAN 40 GENERAL AS WELL AS SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.
NEARLY ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
”IN VIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 1988, THE REMAINING RECOMMENDATIONS MAY HAVE TO BE REVIEWED,” HE SAID.
--------0-----------
PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATED TO MEET TENANTS’ EXPECTATION
» * * » *
THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL OBJECTIVE IN ALLOCATING PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS IS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH PROCESS IN MEETING TENANTS’ EXPECTATION AS FAR AS RESOURCES PERMIT, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS MIGHT APPLY FOR TRANSFER ON SOCIAL AND MEDICAL GROUNDS OR ON ACCOUNT OF OVERCROWDING.
WHETHER A TENANT IS RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS NOT A KEY CONSIDERATION IN PROCESSING SUCH APPLICATIONS, HE SAID.
MR EASON NOTED THAT DURING REDEVELOPMENT, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT MIGHT OFFER SMALLER OR OLDER FLATS TO FAMILIES WHO PREFERRED TO HAVE FLATS IN THE SAME DISTRICT WHERE THE RENTS WERE LOWER THAN THOSE IN THE NEW RECEPTION ESTATES.
/22........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 22 -
CONTRACTORS MUST ENSURE WORK SITE SAFETY
» * « » » t »
CONTRACTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL ON-SITE FACILITIES AND ENGINEERING WORKS ARE SAFE BEFORE RESUMPTION OF WORK AFTER A TYPHOON OR RAINSTORM, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR LAM SAID UNDER THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, EVERY CONTRACTOR HAD THE DUTY TO PROVIDE A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK FOR HIS EMPLOYEES.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNDERTAKES REGULAR INSPECTION OF CONSTRUCTION SITES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY STANDARDS," HE SAID.
"PROSECUTIONS ARE TAKEN OUT WHEN A BREACH AGAINST ANY PROVISION IN THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAW IS DISCOVERED," HE ADDED.
MR LAM TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT FOLLOWING THE LATEST REVIEW OF THE ADEQUACY OF MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFETY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, A NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE COUNCIL NEXT YEAR.
THESE INCLUDE:
» INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SAFETY OFFICERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES;
» PROHIBITING THE EMPLOYMENT OF UNTRAINED YOUNG WORKERS BELOW THE AGE OF 18;
* TIGHTENING THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF BUILDER’S LIFTS; AND
♦ LAYING DOWN A SET OF REGULATIONS TO CONTROL THE OPERATION OF WORKING PLATFORMS.
- - 0----------
JOB TRAINING FOR DISABLED SCHOOL LEAVERS
« » * t »
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REAFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
HE SAID THE NECESSARY FUNDS HAD BEEN SOUGHT TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 3,760 PLACES IN DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE BY 1996/97.
/IN A .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 23 -
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR LEE SAID MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SCHOOL LEAVERS ASSESSED AS HAVING THE ABILITY TO WORK IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT WERE PROVIDED WITH VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION IN SIX SKILLS CENTRES FOR THE DISABLED RUN BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS.
"THESE CENTRES NORMALLY ARRANGE JOB PLACEMENTS OR JOB PLACEMENT REFERRALS FOR THEIR TRAINEES PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF THEIR TRAINING," HE SAID.
"THIS HELPS TO MINIMISE TRAINEES’ WAITING TIME FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT."
OF THE 83 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SCHOOL LEAVERS WHO COMPLETED VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES FROM JANUARY TO AUGUST LAST YEAR, 66 , OR 80 PER CENT, HAD SECURED OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
AS FOR THOSE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SCHOOL LEAVERS WHO CANNOT BENEFIT FROM VOCATIONAL TRAINING, SOME ARE PROVIDED WITH SUPPORTED OR SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT IN THE 1991/92 SCHOOL YEAR, THERE WERE 93 REFERRALS FOR SUPPORTED OR SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT, OF WHOM 43 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SCHOOL LEAVERS, OR 45 PER CENT, SECURED SUCH EMPLOYMENT.
DR LEE NOTED THAT APART FROM THE SKILL CENTRES, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION ALSO PROVIDED FREE PLACEMENT SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS WISHING TO SEEK JOBS IN THE OPEN MARKET.
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■ : ■ ■ ■ ■ <■
MORE TIMELY TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR ROAD USERS
« » » » t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO START UP A NEW DEDICATED RADIO BROADCAST CHANNEL FOR ROAD USERS SINCE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK) ALREADY OPERATES A DEDICATED TRAFFIC CHANNEL, RADIO 7.
HOWEVER, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO IMPROVING FURTHER LIAISON BETWEEN RTHK AND THE POLICE AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT MORE TIMELY TRAFFIC UPDATES FROM ALL PARTS OF THE TERRITORY ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SO POINTED OUT THAT TRAFFIC REPORTS WERE BROADCAST IN CANTONESE ON RADIO 7 THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT HALF-HOURLY INTERVALS, WITH THE FREQUENCY INCREASING TO EVERY 15 MINUTES BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9 AM AND FROM 5.30 PM TO 6.30 PM.
/THERE IS .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
- 24 -
THERE IS ALSO FLEXIBILITY IN THE PROGRAMMING OF RADIO 7 TO ALLOW FOR SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS TO BE BROADCAST AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY WHEN NECESSARY.
THE OTHER RTHK RADIO CHANNELS ALSO BROADCAST REGULAR TRAFFIC REPORTS, THOUGH NOT AS FREQUENTLY AS RADIO 7.
MR SO ADDED THAT THE COST OF OPERATING RADIO 7 IN 1993/94 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $6.7 MILLION.
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GNP STUDY TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR *****
A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE COMPILATION OF GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT STATISTICS IN HONG KONG WILL BE COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE STUDY IS DESIGNED TO ASCERTAIN APPROPRIATE METHODS OF COLLECTING DATA, THE COSTS AND REPORTING BURDEN ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE STUDY HAS REACHED AN ADVANCED STAGE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TAM SAID RESULTS OBTAINED SO FAR INDICATED THAT, GRANTING ADEQUATE LEGAL BACKING AND SUPPORT FROM DATA SUPPLIERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IT SHOULD BE TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE TO COMPILE SUCH STATISTICS.
"RESULTS WILL BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
"SUBJECT TO DECISION ON THE WAY FORWARD AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION, NECESSARY WORK CAN START THEREAFTER," HE SAID.
ALLOWING TIME FOR DRAFTING AND ENACTMENT OF A SURVEY ORDER, COLLECTION OF DATA IN RESPECT OF 1993 WILL START IN OCTOBER NEXT YEAR AND THE FIRST SET OF SUCH STATISTICS FOR 1993 WILL BE RELEASED BY THE END OF 1995, MR TAM SAID.
/25........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
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LEGCO TO CONDUCT HEARINGS ON ALEX TSUI’S TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) ORDINANCE TO CONDUCT HEARINGS ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF MR ALEX TSUI BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
SIXTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW, FOR ONE-AND-HALF HOURS. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SPOKE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THE LEGCO ALSO PASSED A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON PETER WONG ON SEWAGE CHARGING POLICY.
NINETEEN MEMBERS DEBATED FOR TWO-AND-A-HALF HOURS. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON FRED LI ON SINGLE PARENT FAMILY WAS ALSO PASSED.
A TOTAL OF 13 COUNCILLORS SPOKE FOR ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS IN THE DEBATE. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TWO OTHER MOTIONS - ONE MOVED BY THE HON JAMES TO UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE - WERE ALSO PASSED.
THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WAS ALSO PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR AT LEGCO ............................................... j
ANNUAL HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES ADJUSTMENT ..................... 14
NORTH LANTAU WATERWORKS CONTRACT AWARDED ....................... 15
RETAIL SALES PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER ................. 16
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTRE OPENS ............................ 19
HK TO JOIN REGIONAL EFFORT TO FIGHT AGAINST SUB-STANDARD SHIPS ........................................................ 20
CROWN RENTS DUE ON CHRISTMAS ................................... 21
SOCIAL WELFARE STAFF AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL ............ 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
23
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
1
GOVERNOR AT LEGCO
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON:
MR PRESIDENT, I SHOULD LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994 AND 1995.
FOR THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS, NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN CONTINUING BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN 1994 AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND LEGCO ELECTIONS IN 1995. AFTER 17 ROUNDS, IT HAS STILL NOT PROVED POSSIBLE TO REACH AGREEMENT, EVEN ON THE MOST URGENT AND UNCONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.
THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT ABOUT THE PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION IN HONG KONG, THOUGH SOME OF YOU THINK THEY SHOULD BE. THERE IS NO ARGUMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA OVER THE PRINCIPLE THAT HONG KONG’S DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP. THAT IS SPELT OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, WHICH PROVIDES THAT FROM 1 JULY 1997 THE LEGCO OF THE SAR "SHALL BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS". CHINA’S OWN BASIC LAW FOR THE HONG KONG SAR SETS OUT THAT PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT IN GREATER DETAIL.
WHAT IS AT ISSUE IS HOW TO TURN THIS PRINCIPLE INTO PRACTICE. IN OCTOBER 1992 I SET OUT A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THAT. THOSE PROPOSALS, PUT FORWARD WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND AFTER CONSULTATIONS IN HONG KONG, WERE CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO BE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE RELEVANT AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, AN OBJECTIVE WHICH - AS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE RECENT EVIDENCE OF INDEPENDENT LAWYERS TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS - WAS WHOLLY ACHIEVED. BUT WE ALWAYS MADE CLEAR THAT THEY WERE PROPOSALS, WHICH WE WISHED TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. OUR CLEAR PREFERENCE IS TO PROCEED BY AGREEMENT WITH CHINA, WHEREVER WE CAN, IN THE INTERESTS OF CONTINUITY. THAT IS WHY WE PRESSED HARD FOR TALKS ON THESE MATTERS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, AND WERE PLEASED WHEN THEY EVENTUALLY BEGAN IN THE SPRING.
WHAT IS OUR AIM IN THESE TALKS? IT IS VERY SIMPLY THIS: ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE WANT ELECTIONS THAT OFFER PEOPLE A GENUINE CHOICE, NOT ELECTIONS VULNERABLE TO MANIPULATION AND CORRUPTION.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER? IT MATTERS FOR THIS REASON: IF THERE IS NO LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR THE ELECTIONS TO LEGCO, WHAT HOPE IS THERE OF PRESERVING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ELSEWHERE - IN THE COURTS, IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN? IF YOU COMPROMISE THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE WHOSE JOB IT IS TO MAKE LAWS, THEN YOU ERODE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG. THAT IS SURELY NOT WHAT THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAD IN MIND WHEN THEY AGREED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION THAT THE SAR LEGCO SHOULD "BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS".
WE ARE APPROACHING THESE NEGOTIATIONS IN GOOD FAITH. AS I TOLD THIS COUNCIL IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE OFFERED MAJOR MOVES TO TRY TO MEET CHINESE CONCERNS, CONDITIONAL ON OUR REACHING AN ACCEPTABLE OVERALL AGREEMENT, AND WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON OUR PRINCIPLES.
/BUT WE .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
I
2
BUT WE HAVE MADE CLEAR FROM THE OUTSET THAT THE TALKS CANNOT GO ON INDEFINITELY. ONE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION IS TO ENSURE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS ARE PUT IN PLACE ON TIME.
BECAUSE THE NEGOTIATIONS STARTED LATER THAN WE WOULD HAVE LIKED, AND ARE TAKING AS LONG AS THEY ARE, THE PRESSURES OF THE LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE NOW BEAR DOWN UPON US. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE CONCENTRATED IN RECENT ROUNDS ON EXPLORING FULLY THE PROSPECTS FOR AN INTERIM AGREEMENT. WE HAD HOPED IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH THE LESS CONTENTIOUS ISSUES THAT WAY.
DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS, THAT HAS NOT PROVED POSSIBLE. THE THREE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND LARGELY UNCONTENTIOUS ISSUES ON WHICH WE WANTED EARLY AGREEMENT WERE: THE VOTING AGE FOR DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND LEGCO ELECTIONS, THE VOTING METHOD FOR DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND LEGCO ELECTIONS, AND THE ABOLITION OF APPOINTED MEMBERSHIP IN DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. ALL THREE ARE MATTERS ON WHICH THE VIEWS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR. UNFORTUNATELY THE ONLY ONE OF THESE ISSUES WHICH THE CHINESE SIDE WERE PREPARED TO AGREE IN ITS ENTIRETY, AS PART OF A PACKAGE AGREEMENT, WAS THAT THE VOTING AGE SHOULD BE REDUCED TO 18 FOR LEGCO, DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS. THE VOTING AGE IN CHINA IS, OF COURSE, 18.
CLEARLY THE CHINESE SIDE HAD NO OBJECTION IN PRINCIPLE TO AN INTERIM AGREEMENT ENCOMPASSING LEGCO ISSUES. INDEED THEY PROPOSED ONE IN WHICH THE NEW VOTING AGE WOULD APPLY TO LEGCO ELECTIONS. THEY THEMSELVES PROPOSED THAT WE SHOULD RECOMMEND TO THIS COUNCIL CHANGING THE LAW TO PERMIT HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF CHINESE PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES TO SERVE IN LEGCO AND IN DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS. WE WERE PREPARED TO AGREE TO THAT SUGGESTION.
SO IT IS PARTICULARLY HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE CHINESE SIDE REFUSED TO AGREE TO USE THE "SINGLE-SEAT, SINGLE-VOTE" VOTING SYSTEM FOR ALL THREE SETS OF ELECTIONS, KNOWING AS THEY DO THE TIME PRESSURES WE FACE. THIS VOTING SYSTEM IS ALREADY IN USE IN ALL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND TWO-THIRDS OF DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, AND THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAD NO OBJECTION TO EXTENDING IT TO THE REMAINING ONE-THIRD OF DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS. INSTEAD, THEY ARGUED THAT THE ISSUE OF THE LEGCO VOTING SYSTEM SHOULD BE LEFT ASIDE FOR DISCUSSION WITH OTHER ’LEGCO’ ISSUES - EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE OF THE LEGCO VOTING SYSTEM HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED AT SOME LENGTH IN THE TALKS, AND FROM QUITE AND EARLY STAGE.
TO BE OF PRACTICAL VALUE, AN INTERIM AGREEMENT WOULD NEED TO COVER BOTH THE VOTING AGE AND VOTING METHOD FOR ALL THREE TIERS OF ELECTION.
THERE ARE STRONG PRACTICAL AND POLITICAL REASONS FOR THIS. THE VALUE OF AN INTERIM AGREEMENT WOULD BE THAT IT WOULD BUY US A LITTLE MORE LEGISLATIVE TIME TO NEGOTIATE ON THE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES. WHY DOES THE LEGISLATION ON THE LEGCO VOTING METHOD NEED TO BE PASSED AT AN EARLY DATE? OF COURSE, THE LEGCO VOTING METHOD DETERMINES THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES WHICH WILL NEED TO BE DRAWN UP. AND IF WE HAD TO LEGISLATE TWICE ON VOTING SYSTEMS THAT WOULD TAKE MORE TIME, NOT LESS, AT A TIME WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR WILL ALREADY BE UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE DEALING WITH THE OTHER ELECTORAL ISSUES.
/THERE ARE .......
3
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
THERE ARE COMPELLING POLITICAL REASONS TOO. THE SINGLE-SEAT, SINGLE-VOTE VOTING SYSTEM FOR LEGCO ENJOYS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT IN THIS COUNCIL. BOTH MAJOR PARTIES HAVE SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT ITS INTRODUCTION. IF WE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION ON THE VOTING METHOD WHICH FAILED TO INCLUDE THE SINGLE-SEAT SINGLE-VOTE SYSTEM FOR LEGCO, WE WOULD BE FLYING IN THE FACE OF WHAT WE KNOW TO BE THIS COUNCIL’S WISHES.
IF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WERE PREPARED - THOUGH WE HAVE NO CONFIRMATION OF THIS - TO AGREE TO THE SINGLE-SEAT SINGLE-VOTE SYSTEM FOR LEGCO AT SOME FUTURE DATE, WHY COULD THEY NOT AGREE TO IT NOW, GIVEN THE VERY REAL TIME CONSTRAINTS WE ARE FACING? IF THE CHINESE SIDE WERE NOT PREPARED TO AGREE TO IT NOW, WHAT ASSURANCE IS THERE THAT THEY WOULD AGREE TO IT IN THE FUTURE?
LET ME MAKE ONE OTHER OBVIOUS POINT. IF YOU WERE NOT TO HAVE THIS VOTING METHOD FOR LEGCO, ANY OTHER - FOR EXAMPLE, A PROPORTIONAL SYSTEM - WOULD BE MORE COMPLICATED AND WOULD TAKE MORE TIME TO BRING INTO LAW, EVEN SUPPOSING THAT LEGCO MEMBERS COULD BE PERSUADED TO ACCEPT AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM, WHICH SEEMS UNLIKELY GIVEN THE CLEAR VIEWS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED ON THE MATTER.
BUT THAT IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE, I REGRET TO SAY, WHICH PREVENTED US FROM REACHING A FIRST-STAGE AGREEMENT. WE ALSO DISCUSSED MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES. THE CHINESE SIDE WERE UNABLE TO AGREE THAT APPOINTED MEMBERSHIP OF THESE BODIES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED. EARLIER INDICATIONS THAT THEY WERE PREPARED TO REACH AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO DO THIS, WHILE PRESERVING THE RIGHT OF THE FUTURE SAR TO DECIDE ON ITS OWN UNDER ARTICLE 98 OF THE BASIC LAW WHETHER TO REINSTATE APPOINTED MEMBERSHIP, ALAS PROVED ILLUSORY.
IT IS A PITY THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO CONCLUDE AN INTERIM AGREEMENT EVEN ON ISSUES WHICH ARE NOT VERY COMPLEX, NOR CONTROVERSIAL IN THIS COUNCIL, NOR - I SUSPECT - MATTERS OF GREAT PRINCIPLE TO THE CHINESE SIDE.
I HAVE CONSIDERED THE POSITION CAREFULLY WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN RECENT DAYS, AND WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY. WE HAVE ALL -THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND I - RELUCTANTLY CONCLUDED THAT WE NOW HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF LEGISLATING ON THE SIMPLER ISSUES, NOT LEAST IF WE ARE TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME TO TALK WITH CHINA ABOUT THE MORE DIFFICULT ONES.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HAS THEREFORE INFORMED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT DRAFT LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL COVERING THE MOST IMMEDIATE ISSUES. THIS DRAFT LEGISLATION WILL COVER:
- VOTING METHOD AND VOTING AGE FOR DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL;
THE ABOLITION OF APPOINTED SEATS IN DISTRICT BOARDS AND
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS (AND A CONSEQUENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS IN MUNICIPAL COUNCILS).
AS AN INDICATION OF OUR WISH TO CONTINUE CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, THE DRAFT LEGISLATION WILL ALSO INCLUDE PROVISIONS TO PERMIT HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF CHINESE PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES TO SERVE IN DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND IN THIS COUNCIL.
/WE WILL ......
4
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
WE WILL FOLLOW THE NORMAL PROCEDURE, GAZETTE THE BILL ON 10 DECEMBER, AND INTRODUCE THIS DRAFT LEGISLATION ON 15 DECEMBER. THIS WILL GIVE THE COUNCIL THE CHANCE TO SET UP A COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE BILL BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS RECESS; TO WAIT LONGER WOULD DELAY EVERYTHING UNTIL MID-JANUARY.
DESPITE THE LIMITED PROGRESS MADE SO FAR, IT IS OUR STRONG HOPE THAT THE TALKS WILL CONTINUE SO THAT THE TWO SIDES CAN RESOLVE THE OUTSTANDING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US ON THE MAJOR ISSUES. BEGINNING THE LEGISLATION ON THE SIMPLE ISSUES GIVES US A LITTLE MORE TIME TO DO THAT. THE PRIME MINISTER HAS PROPOSED AN INTENSIVE EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE REMAINING ISSUES AND I HOPE THE CHINESE SIDE WILL JOIN US IN THAT. WE ARE SEEKING TO PROCEED IN A MEASURED AND ORDERLY WAY, AND WE REMAIN KEEN TO CONTINUE TALKING WITH THE CHINESE SIDE IN A CONSTRUCTIVE AND WORKMANLIKE SPIRIT. AT THE END OF THE LAST ROUND, THE BRITISH NEGOTIATOR PROPOSED AN 18TH ROUND OF TALKS TO TAKE PLACE THIS MONTH. WE HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY PROPOSED DATES AND AWAIT A CHINESE REPLY TO THIS PROPOSAL.
NO ONE SERIOUSLY DOUBTS THAT WE ARE WORKING AGAINST THE CLOCK. THESE ARE VERY COMPLICATED ELECTIONS. IT IS AN OPEN SECRET THAT WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE LEGISLATED LAST SUMMER. WE HAVE DELIBERATELY REFRAINED FROM ANNOUNCING DEADLINES. BUT EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE CHINESE SIDE, KNOWS THAT THERE ARE REAL TIME CONSTRAINTS AND WE MADE CLEAR TO THEM THAT WE HAD TO START THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THIS DECEMBER.
THE PRESSURE OF TIME IS ON LEGISLATING BOTH FOR THE LEGCO AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT ORGANISATION ELECTIONS. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY EXPLAINED TO THE CHINESE SIDE THAT IT WOULD NOT HELP US TO SEPARATE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS ELECTIONS FROM THOSE FOR LEGCO. THE FOREIGN SECRETARY EXPLAINED THAT IN TERMS TO VICE PREMIER QIAN ON 1ST OCTOBER. WE HAVE ACCEPTED, NOT WITHOUT RESERVATIONS AND NOT WITHOUT CRITICISM, THE CASE FOR SEPARATE BILLS ON SIMPLE AND ON MORE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES PRECISELY IN ORDER TO TRY TO BUY A LITTLE MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE LATTER.
I WANT TO EMPHASISE THAT ON ALL MATTERS CONCERNING HONG KONG’S TRANSITION, WE WOULD NATURALLY PREFER TO BE ABLE TO PROCEED ON THE BASIS OF AGREEMENT WITH CHINA. THAT WOULD BE IN ALL OUR BEST INTERESTS - CHINA’S, BRITAIN’S AND HONG KONG’S.
IN CERTAIN CASES IT MAY SIMPLY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO DO SO, WHEN DIFFERENCES REMAIN BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. WE THEN HAVE A CLEAR DUTY TO FULFIL OUR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND TO PROCEED IN THE WAY THAT WE BELIEVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE, RIGHT AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT ENTERPRISE. THERE WERE BOUND TO BE DISAGREEMENTS ALONG THE WAY. BUT THAT IS ALL THE MORE REASON WHY BRITAIN AND CHINA SHOULD DO ALL THEY CAN TO MAINTAIN THEIR GOODWILL AND CO-OPERATION, EVEN WHERE DIFFERENCES REMAIN ON INDIVIDUAL, ALBEIT IMPORTANT ISSUES. IF WE DISAGREE ON SOME THINGS, THAT IS NO REASON TO DISAGREE ON EVERYTHING.
THE NEXT 3-1/2 YEARS WILL CONTINUE TO REQUIRE A GOOD DEAL OF VISION AND GOOD SENSE FROM BOTH SIDES IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THIS ENTERPRISE. THOSE ARE QUALITIES WHICH I HOPE ALL PARTIES WILL DISPLAY IN THE COMING MONTHS AS BOTH BRITAIN AND - I AM SURE - CHINA SEEK TO TURN INTO REALITY COMMITMENTS MADE IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, COMMITMENTS MADE SOLEMNLY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
/THE PRESIDENT .......
5
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
THE PRESIDENT ! THE GOVERNOR WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS ARISING FROM HIS ADDRESS. MEMBER WHO HAS ASKED A QUESTION MAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELUCIDATION ONLY ASK A SHORT FOLLOW UP QUESTION. MR MOSES CHENG.
MR MOSES CHENG: THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT, SIR, WE ALL KNOW THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT. WHY ARE YOU GAZETTING THE BILL AT THIS TIME THEREBY RUNNING THE RISK OF TALKS BREAKING DOWN?
GOVERNOR: I’VE SOUGHT TO EXPLAIN THAT THE BEST WAY OF SALVAGING THE PROSPECT OF AN AGREEMENT IN THE TALKS IS TO GIVE US MORE TIME AND THAT THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET MORE TIME IS BY TAKING SOME DECISIONS IN THIS COUNCIL ON THE LESS CONTENTIOUS ISSUES. I REALISE THAT SOME PEOPLE WILL BE SCEPTICAL ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS. WE HAVE HAD SEVENTEEN ROUNDS OF TALKS AND ALAS WE HAVE ONLY SO FAR MANAGED TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE VOTING AGE. I DON’T THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD CRITICISE US FOR MAKING TOO RAPID PROGRESS BUT WE STILL THINK WE SHOULD TRY AND TRY AS HARD AS WE POSSIBLY CAN TO REACH AN AGREEMENT. I HOPE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WON’T FORGET THIS. IT WAS THE BRITISH AND HONG SIDES WHO PROPOSED TALKS AND IT IS, I BELIEVE, THE BRITISH TEAM WHICH HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS DURING THESE TALKS IN ORDER TO TRY TO BRING THEM TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION. ITS THE BRITISH SIDE WHICH IS ATTEMPTING IN THE WAY I DESCRIBED THIS AFTERNOON TO FIND MORE TIME TO ALLOW THESE TALKS ON THE MORE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES TO ARRIVE AT A CONCLUSION. IT IS DIFFICULT, BUT WE ARE PREPARED TO TRY AS HARD AS WE CAN.
MR ALFRED TSO (THROUGH INTERPRETATION): WELL IF THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION IS SEPARATING ALL THESE BILLS AND INTRODUCE THE BILLS TO THE LEGCO FOR VOTING AND THE OUTCOME OF THIS IS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE TALKS, THEN WHAT GOOD MEASURES WOULD THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR AIRPORT PROJECT AND ALL CONTRACTS STRADDLING 97 AND ALL THE DEVELOPMENT INVOLVING BOTH SIDES WILL MOVE SMOOTHLY?
GOVERNOR: WELL I WANT TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THAT SO FAR AS THE BRITISH SIDE IS CONCERNED WE WISH THE TALKS TO CONTINUE. WE HAVE PROPOSED DATES FOR THE EIGHTEENTH ROUND OF TALKS RECOGNISING THAT ON THE THROUGH TRAIN, ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, ON THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES THERE ARE VERY CONSIDERABLE PROBLEMS STILL TO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE. SO WE HAVE PROPOSED THAT THE TALKS SHOULD CONTINUE AND I HOPE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WILL CONTINUE THE TALKS AND WON’T WALK AWAY FROM THE TABLE. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER THEN REFERS TO OTHER ISSUES, LIVELIHOOD ISSUES, ECONOMIC ISSUES, AND SAYS HOW WILL THESE BE AFFECTED IF THE TALKS ON POLITICAL ISSUES BREAK DOWN. I’VE GOT A GREAT LIST HERE OF QUOTATIONS FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS SAYING THAT THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLITICAL ISSUES AND ECONOMIC AND LIVELIHOOD ISSUES. AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY HAVE GIVEN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT ASSURANCE. I SEE SOME MIRTH BEING DISPLAYED AROUND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I CAN’T IMAGINE WHY ANYBODY SHOULD REGARD IT AS A MATTER TO LAUGH AT THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY THEY DON’T WANT TO HURT PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO TRY TO SECURE A POLITICAL POINT. SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN TAKE THOSE ARGUMENTS, TAKE THOSE STATEMENTS, TAKE THOSE QUOTATIONS AT THEIR FACE VALUE. HONOURABLE MEMBERS MAY THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME EVIDENCE FROM TIME TO TIME OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS OR LONGER THAT PERHAPS POINTS IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. BUT SPEAKING FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN REASONABLY TO SAFEGUARD THE LIVELIHOOD AND THE STABILITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, BUT THAT CANNOT POSSIBLY OBLIGE US NOT TO STAND UP FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THAT CANNOT POSSIBLE OBLIGE US TO ERODE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS FREE AND OPEN COMMUNITY.
/MR JAMES .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
6
MR JAMES TIEN: GOVERNOR, THE UNITED DEMOCRATS HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WILL AMEND THE BILL YOU PROPOSE TO TABLE IN THIS COUNCIL BY INCREASING DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS FROM 18 TO 30, THUS ELIMINATING THE ELECTION COMMITTEE ALTOGETHER, AS WELL AS YOUR ORIGINAL PROPOSAL ON THE NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS INVOLVING 2.7 MILLION PEOPLE. GOVERNOR, WILL YOU PLEASE TELL US HOW YOU WILL INSTRUCT THE GOVERNMENT MEMBERS TO VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT?
GOVERNOR: I’M SLIGHTLY RELUCTANT TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS OR EVEN AMENDMENTS BEFORE THEY ARRIVE, BUT SPEAKING ON THE ISSUE OF AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, WHILE I RECOGNISE THAT THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT FOR IT IN THE COUNCIL AND I SUSPECT CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT FOR IT OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL, I VERY MUCH DOUBT WHETHER THE DISTINGUISHED NEW CHIEF SECRETARY AND OUR ATTORNEY AND OUR FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD FIND THEMSELVES, ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE, IN THE SAME LOBBY AS MR MARTIN LEE AND HIS COLLEAGUES. I RECOGNISE THAT THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF PRESSURE IN THIS COUNCIL FOR THAT PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG, BUT IT IS NOT THE POSITION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND IT IS NOT THE POSITION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. I THINK THAT THIS STEP WE ARE PROPOSING, A SMALL STEP BUT A NECESSARY STEP, SHOULD BE QUITE SUFFICIENT AND I HOPE IT ISN’T REQUIRED TO BEAR TOO MUCH ELSE.
AS FOR FUTURE LEGISLATION, ON THE MORE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WHEN WE INTRODUCE THAT WE’RE ABLE TO DO SO ON THE BASIS OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT LEGISLATION ON THE MORE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES IS ACCEPTABLE TO THIS COUNCIL.
MR ALLEN LEE: GOVERNOR, IF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO FURTHER TALKS BEFORE DECEMBER 10TH, WHICH YOU MENTIONED AS THE DATE OF GAZETTING, WILL YOU POSTPONE THE GAZETTING TO GIVE FURTHER TALKS A CHANCE?
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH DOUBT WHETHER THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD MAKE TALKS BEFORE 10TH DECEMBER, CONDITIONAL ON WHAT HAPPENED ON 10TH DECEMBER. ANY PROPOSALS THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE WE’D HAVE TO CONSIDER VERY CAREFULLY. WE’VE ACTUALLY PROPOSED THE 17TH AND 18TH DECEMBER, FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS, NEXT WEEK THE JLG IS MEETING IN LONDON WHICH MIGHT CONSTRAIN CHINESE ENTHUSIASM FOR ANOTHER SET OF TALKS BEFORE 10TH DECEMBER, BUT IF THEY WANTED TO TALK BEFORE 10TH DECEMBER, OR AFTER 10TH DECEMBER, OR EVER, THEY’D FIND US AT THE TABLE.
MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG (THROUGH INTERPRETATION): MR GOVERNOR, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LIVE UP TO ITS WORD, IT SHOULD NOT BREACH ITS FAITH TO THE PEOPLE. IN THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, YOU AND THE OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE STRESSED TIME AND AGAIN THAT THE PROPOSALS IN YOUR PACKAGE, LIKE ELECTED DB MEMBERS ACROSS THE BOARD AND THE TEN MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE ARE INSEPARABLE FROM THE PACKAGE. SO YOU HAVE SAID THAT BUT NOW YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING AND YOU ACTUALLY HAVE OVERTURNED WHAT YOU HAVE SAID, SO YOU HAVE SPLIT YOUR OWN PACKAGE. SO, HOW CAN YOU ASK THE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WON’T BACKTRACK AGAIN? HOW CAN YOU ASK THE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WHICH YOU LEAD IS A GOVERNMENT WITH CREDIBILITY? IF A GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE CREDIBILITY, HOW CAN IT LEAD HONG KONG UP TO 1997? MR GOVERNOR, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE A MODEL ANSWER FOR THIS BUT HOPE THAT YOU CAN STATE IT PUBLICLY AND GIVE EXPLANATIONS.
/GOVERNOR .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
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GOVERNOR: I’M NOT SURE WHETHER THE ANSWER I HAVE IS A MODEL ANSWER, BUT I’LL TRY TO MAKE IT SUCH AND PERHAPS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL ALLOW ME TO SET OUT THE POSITION IN SOME DETAIL, BECAUSE IT’S BECOME A MATTER OF CONTROVERSY I NOTICE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. I WON’T GO INTO ALL THE DETAIL OF THE NEGOTIATIONS BECAUSE WE STILL HOPE THAT THE TALKS WILL CONTINUE BUT I WILL TELL THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WHAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECORD AT THIS STAGE.
AT A FAIRLY EARLY STAGE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS THE CHINESE SIDE SUGGESTED TO US, AS I RECALL IT WAS IN MAY, THAT WE SHOULD SPLIT THE LEGISLATION FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS FROM THE LEGISLATION FOR LEGCO ITSELF. WE MADE CLEAR FROM, AS I RECALL, THE 28TH MAY, THAT THAT WAS NOT AN OPTION WHICH WE FAVOURED. NOT AN OPTION WHICH WE FAVOURED BECAUSE WE POINTED OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN, WHICH THE COUNCIL WILL KNOW AND WILL CERTAINLY KNOW BY NEXT JULY, THE REAL PRESSURES ON US, THE BIGGEST PRESSURES ARE ON THE LEGISLATION ON THE LEGCO ELECTIONS. THAT’S WHAT’S GOING TO TAKE MOST OF THE TIME AND THAT IS WHAT I SUSPECT IS GOING TO GIVE US MOST OF THE DIFFICULTY. BUT WE DID SAY THAT WE WERE PREPARED TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHAT WE THOUGHT SHOULD BE THE STRAIGHTFORWARD ISSUES INVOLVING LEGCO AS WELL AS DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND THE LESS STRAIGHTFORWARD ONES. I SAID THAT IN PUBLIC A NUMBER OF TIMES, I RECALL THAT I SAID IT FOR EXAMPLE IN STATEMENTS ON 13TH, 14TH AND I THINK 15TH OF OCTOBER. ON ONE OCCASION SHORTLY AFTER I’D MET THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WHO ASKED A QUESTION A MOMENT OR TWO AGO. IT WAS ALSO A POSITION THAT WAS MADE ABSOLUTELY PLAIN BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, DOUGLAS HURD, TO QIAN QICHEN WHEN HE MET HIM ON 1ST OCTOBER. DOUGLAS HURD SAID ON THAT OCCASION THAT WE WEREN’T ATTRACTED BY THE IDEA OF SEPARATING THE DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS FROM LEGCO, BECAUSE, I REPEAT AGAIN, THAT DIDN’T GIVE US EXTRA TIME. SO THROUGHOUT WE’VE MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN, ON THE ONE HAND TRYING TO SEPARATE THE DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS FROM LEGCO, AND ON THE OTHER, TRYING TO SEPARATE THE MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD ISSUES FROM THE MORE COMPLICATED ONES. WE DO THINK THAT THE BEST WAY OF BUYING MORE TIME FOR THE MORE CONTROVERS IAI, ISSUES IS TO GET AS MANY OF THE STRAIGHTFORWARD ONES INTO EARLY LEGISLATION AND THE MORE ONE CAN GET INTO EARLY LEGISLATION, THE LONGER YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. SO THAT’S THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT AND IT’S A POSITION WHICH IS I THINK WHOLLY REASONABLE AND IS INTENDED TO GIVE US THE TIME, HOWEVER SCEPTICAL THE COMMUNITY MAY BE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES, IT’S INTENDED TO GIVE US THE TIME TO TRY FOR COMMON AGREEMENT ON THOSE VERY DIFFICULT ISSUES WHICH LIE AT THE HEART OF THE ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995. I THINK THAT IS A CREDIBLE POSTURE FOR US TO HAVE TAKEN AND I THINK IT’S PARTICULARLY CREDIBLE IF WE WANT TO GIVE THE TALKS THE CHANCE OF SUCCESS.
IF I CAN JUST ADD ONE POINT TO THAT ANSWER, WHETHER MODEL OR NOT. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MATTER OF CONCERN TO ALL OF US, PARTICULARLY I THINK A MATTER OF CONCERN TO THOSE WHO’VE BEEN AT THE TABLE FOR ROUND AFTER ROUND AFTER ROUND, THAT WE HAVEN’T MANAGED TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS. I DON’T THINK, HAND ON HEART, I DON’T THINK THAT ANYBODY COULD BLAME THAT ON OUR SIDE.
MR PETER WONG: MR GOVERNOR, APART FROM PROPOSING A DATE, WHAT ADDITIONAL EFFORTS WILL BE MADE BY THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE FURTHER TALKS ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, THE NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE THROUGH TRAIN?
/OOVERNOP
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
8
GOVERNOR: THE SECRETARY OF STATE, DOUGLAS HURD, HAS WRITTEN IN THOSE TERMS TO HIS OPPOSITE NUMBER. AND AFTER THE CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING THAT TOOK PLACE SHORTLY AFTER THE FIFTEENTH ROUND, THE PRIME MINISTER, JOHN MAJOR, MADE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE COULD PERHAPS INTENSIFY THE PACE OF DISCUSSIONS AND TACKLE THE OUTSTANDING CONTENTIOUS ISSUES. WE HAVE PRESSED FOR THAT. I SHOULD ADD ONE POINT; WE WERE QUITE OPTIMISTIC AFTER THE FIFTEENTH ROUND, JUST BEFORE THE CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING, THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO REACH AN INTERIM AGREEMENT. I HAVE TO SAY THAT IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH ROUNDS, THAT OPTIMISM ALAS DRAINED AWAY AND IT WASN’T BECAUSE OF ANYTHING THAT WE DID.
REV FUNG C W (THROUGH INTERPRETATION): MR PRESIDENT, ON THE 6 TH OCTOBER THE GOVERNOR MADE HIS POLICY ADDRESS. HE SAID THAT ONLY WEEKS WERE LEFT. AT THAT TIME HE MIGHT THINK OF THE WHOLE PACKAGE. NOW EIGHT WEEKS HAVE PASSED AND YOU ONLY HAVE A PARTIAL BILL, AND FOR THE OTHER OUTSTANDING ISSUES THE BIGGER ISSUES HOW MANY MORE WEEKS WILL BE NEEDED? JUST NOW THE GOVERNOR GAVE A REPLY AND IT SEEMS THERE IS STILL A LONG TIME TO GO. WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN DAYS IN THE WEEK SO ABOUT THE WEEKS WHICH YOU MENTIONED THEY ARE ESPECIALLY LONG, JUST LIKE THE ANCIENT CHINESE SAYING GOES, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS ON THE MOUNTAIN, BUT IN THE WORLD IT IS A THOUSAND YEARS ALREADY.
GOVERNOR: WE HAVE QUITE GOT A THOUSAND YEARS THOUGH I THINK SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE TALKS MAY THINK THAT A THOUSAND YEARS WOULD SEE US HOME. LET ME BE SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT ARE VERY SERIOUS ISSUES. I SAID, LET ME BE A LITTLE MORE HONEST, I THINK THAT THIS COUNCIL, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, AND IF I MAY SAY SO PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAVE TO COVER OUR ENDEAVOURS FOR THE MEDIA BOTH IN HONG KONG AND INTERNATIONALLY HAVE GOT HEARTILY FED UP WITH THE CIRCUMLOCUTIONS THAT I’VE BEEN OBLIGED TO USE FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS IN ORDER TO AVOID EITHER MENTIONING DEADLINES OR MENTIONING OTHER DATES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME GIVING AS CLEAR AN IMPRESSION AS I COULD THAT WE COULDN’T HANG ABOUT FOREVER. I DON’T INTEND EVER AGAIN SAYING TICK TOCK GOES THE CLOCK, BUT IT HAS TICK TOCKED AND TIME HAS MOVED ON.
I THINK THAT I MAY BE JUST INSIDE MONTHS, AND THEREFORE STILL ABLE TO CLAIM THAT WEEKS WAS ACCURATE WHEN I SAID WHAT I DID ON THE 6TH OCTOBER, BUT I DON ’T THINK THAT ANYBODY IN THIS COUNCIL HONESTLY HAS ANY DOUBT THAT WE DO HAVE TO GET A MOVE ON AND WE'VE THOUGHT THAT THE BEST WAY OF STARTING THE PROCESS WITHOUT SCUPPERING THE PROSPECT FOR FURTHER TALKS ON THE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES IS BY SEPARATING OUT THE ISSUES IN THE WAY THAT I HAVE SUGGESTED. I WISH THAT WE COULD LEGISLATE AT THIS TIME ON EVERYTHING ON THE BASIS OF AGREEMENT. WE HOPE THAT WE CAN HAVE AN EIGHTEENTH ROUND AND CONCEIVABLY SOME MORE ROUNDS AFTERWARDS AND WE HOPE THAT EVEN THOSE SEVENTEEN ROUNDS HAVEN’T BROUGHT US TO THE PROMISED LAND THAT DURING SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS OF TALKS WHICH I REPEAT WE HOPE WILL TAKE PLACE, WE CAN ACTUALLY BRIDGE THE SUBSTANTIAL GAPS THAT EXIST ON ISSUES LIKE THE THROUGH TRAIN, THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THOSE TALKS CAN TAKE PLACE FOR A BIT LONGER. THEY CAN TAKE PLACE FOR A BIT LONGER BECAUSE WE HAVE DECIDED TO LEGISLATE IN THE WAY WE HAVE. BUT WITHOUT I REPEAT SAYING TICK TOCK GOES THE CLOCK, TIME WILL PASS IN 1994 JUST AS IT HAS IN 1993 AND WE CAN’T PUT THAT OFF FOREVER.
/LET ME .......
9
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
LET ME JUST GIVE THE COUNCIL TWO VERY SIMPLE EXAMPLES. THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION BILL WE THOUGHT IN THE ADMINISTRATION WAS TREMENDOUSLY UNCONTROVERSIAL IF YOU CAN BE TREMENDOUSLY UNCONTROVERSIAL, PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD ADMINISTRATIVE BILL THAT TOOK, I THINK I AM RIGHT IN SAYING, FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS TO CLEAR THE COUNCIL. I AM NOT CRITICISING THE COUNCIL. I AM JUST SAYING THAT LEGISLATION IS A LENGTHY BUSINESS. WE KNOW THAT SOME BILLS, THERE IS ONE WHICH IS DEALING WITH THE TRIADS WHICH THE COUNCIL IS WORKING ON VERY HARD BUT HAS TAKEN A LOT LONGER THAN THAT. SO I DON’T THINK IF I WAS TO COME TO THE COUNCIL IN LATE JULY AND SAY YOU HAVE GOT TO CLEAR THIS BY THE END OF THE MONTH, THE COUNCIL WOULD THANK ME FOR IT. IF THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO GIVE ME THAT SORT OF GUARANTEE THAT IT CAN PASS ANY POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT BILL IN A MATTER OF HOURS OR WEEKS, THEN I’D LIKE IT IN WRITING, IN DUPLICATE. BUT I DON’T THINK THAT IS EITHER LIKELY OR IF I MAY SAY SO DESIRABLE, BECAUSE I THINK THIS COUNCIL REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY WILL WANT TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSALS FOR THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG WITH GREAT SERIOUSNESS AND IN A VERY VERY CONSTRUCTIVE WAY. SO TIME WILL PASS NEXT YEAR AS THIS AND WE WILL ALL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THAT, BUT AT LEAST WITH THESE PROPOSALS I THINK WE HAVE GOT A LITTLE MORE TIME THAN WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN THE CASE.
MR HOWARD YOUNG: GOVERNOR, OF THE ISSUES YOU MENTIONED WHICH YOU INTEND TO GAZETTE NEXT WEEK, THERE IS THE VOTING METHOD, ABOLITION OF APPOINTED SEATS, AND THE NATIONAL PEOPLES’ CONGRESS, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT SOME OF THESE ARE ISSUES WHERE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE AN AGREEMENT BUT WITHOUT SIGNING ONE, OR AT LEAST THERE IS NO DISAGREEMENT THAT IS THE NPC, ABOLITION OF APPOINTED SEATS, AND ALSO THE VOTING AGE AND ALSO THE VOTING METHOD FOR THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BOARDS. NOW ON THE VOTING METHOD FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT APPEARS TO ME TO BE AN ISSUE WHERE THERE IS NEITHER AGREEMENT NOR DISAGREEMENT, NOR VIOLENTLY OBJECTING POSITIONS, NOW WHAT COMPELLING REASON WAS THERE FOR YOU NOT TO SIGN AN INTERIM AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE WITHOUT PREJUDICE THAT COVERED ONLY THE DISTRICT BOARDS, AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, TO LEAD THE WAY FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION WITHOUT PREJUDICE. YOU DID MENTION JUST NOW THAT THE VOTING METHOD WOULD MEAN LEGISLATING TWICE, THAT WAS THE ONLY REASON YOU GAVE, BUT I THINK LEGISLATING TWICE, IF LEGISLATORS DON’T MIND WORKING DOUBLY HARD, THAT IS NOT A COMPELLING REASON NOT TO DO SO.
GOVERNOR: CAN I JUST MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER, AS I SAID IN MY STATEMENT IT IS NOT TRUE TO SAY THAT ON ALL THESE INTERIM ISSUES WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT ON EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE VOTING METHOD FOR LEGCO. WE HAVEN’T EITHER REACHED AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT ON THE QUESTION OF APPOINTED MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, SO IT WOULD BE TRUER TO SAY THAT THE ONLY ISSUE ON WHICH WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT, THE ONLY ISSUE IN ITS ENTIRETY ON WHICH WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT, IS THE VOTING AGE. IT’S TRUE THAT THE CHINESE HAVEN’T RAISED OBJECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS USING SINGLE SEATS SINGLE VOTE FOR THEIR VOTING, BUT SINCE VIRTUALLY ALL OF THEM ACTUALLY USE THAT AT THE MOMENT, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS, AND TWO THIRDS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, I DON’T THINK THAT ANYONE WOULD RATE THAT AS A SUBSTANTIAL BREAKTHROUGH OR A SUBSTANTIAL CONCESSION. BUT THERE ARE TWO ISSUES, TWO MAIN AREAS ALAS, WHERE WE HAVEN’T YET REACHED A MEETING OF MINDS, THOUGH I HAVE SOME DIFFICULTY IN BELIEVING THAT THEY ARE MATTERS OF GREAT PRINCIPLE TO THE CHINESE SIDE. IT CERTAINLY CAN'T BE A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE TO THE CHINESE SIDE THAT WE’RE DEALING WITH DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ISSUES AS WELL AS LEGCO ISSUES,BECAUSE THEY ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AN ARRANGEMENT WHICH WAS GOING TO COVER BOTH LEGCO AND DB AND MC ISSUES, SO THERE CAN’T BE A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE THERE.
/I THINK .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
10
I THINK IT IS A BETTER QUESTION TO ASK OF THE CHINESE SIDE WHY THEY ARE STICKING OUT AGAINST THE VOTING METHOD BEING AGREED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE VOTING AGE. LET ME MAKE ANOTHER PRETTY OBVIOUS POINT. A BILL IN WHICH WE LEGISLATED FOR THE VOTING METHOD FOR DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND THE VOTING AGE FOR EVERYTHING WOULD CERTAINLY LEND ITSELF TO THE SORT OF AMENDMENTS WE WERE DISCUSSING EARLIER. INDEED I HAVE ALREADY HEARD MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL SAY THAT IF WE DON’T PUT DOWN THE VOTING METHOD IN THE BILL THEY WILL AMEND IT, AND I HAVE HEARD MEMBERS SAY THAT WOULD PRODUCE MAJORITY SUPPORT IN THIS COUNCIL, BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF BOTH THE TWO LARGEST PARTIES SAYING THAT THEY WOULD SUPPORT SINGLE SEAT, SINGLE VOTE. SO IF, WHICH WAS I THINK WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US, WE REACHED AGREEMENT ON A PARTIAL BILL WHICH ONLY DEALT WITH THE VOTING METHOD FOR DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND SHUT OUT LEGCO, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN INVITING CONSIDERABLE REBUKE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EXTENDED THAT AGREEMENT, AND WE HAD TO GO BACK TO THE TABLE AND EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD GONE FURTHER THAN WE HAD AGREED IN NEGOTIATIONS. ITS ONE OF THE THINGS WHICH IS I THINK CENTRAL TO THE WHOLE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. WE CAN’T IN TRUTH AND HONOUR AGREE TO THINGS AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WHICH WE DON’T THINK ARE GOING TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THIS COUNCIL, OTHERWISE WE ARE BEHAVING QUITE SIMPLY DISHONOURABLY. BUT I REPEAT ALAS, IT WASN’T THE CASE FOR IT WAS ONLY THE VOTING METHOD THAT STOOD BETWEEN US AND AN AGREEMENT. I SHOULD JUST ADD THAT THE NPC POINT AS A GESTURE OF GOOD FAITH WE WERE PREPARED TO ACCEPT, ITS ANOTHER CONCESSION THAT WE’VE MADE IN THESE TALKS AND ONE WHICH I AM PREPARED TO STAND BY.
MR ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN (THROUGH INTERPRETATION): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, ON ONE HAND YOU HAVE DECIDED TO INTRODUCE THE BILL ON MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD ISSUES AND IT WILL BE INTRODUCED ON 15TH DECEMBER, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND YOU SAID THAT YOU HOPED VERY MUCH THAT ON MORE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES, CONCERNING THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS, YOU WILL HAVE MORE TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. WELL NOW EVEN ALL THESE VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD MATTERS WHICH DO NOT CONCERN PRINCIPLES, THE CHINESE SIDE DID NOT ACCEPT EVERYTHING. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT THE CHINESE SIDE TO AGREE ON THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, WILL THIS BE YOUR WISHFUL THINKING? WELL MR GOVERNOR, MY QUESTION IS THIS: IF THE CHINESE SIDE REFUSES TO HOLD ANY TALKS WITH YOU ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS THEN WILL YOU INTRODUCE ANOTHER BILL ON THE REMAINING PARTS, INCLUDING THE PARTS ON ELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES? WILL YOU CONSIDER INTRODUCING THE WHOLE PACKAGE TO THE LEGCO? ARE YOU WAITING FOR A MIRACLE TO HAPPEN?
GOVERNOR: WELL, AS I HAVE TO SAY THAT AS A PRACTISING CHRISTIAN I DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES THOUGH THEY ARE NOT VOUCHSAFED AS OFTEN AS ONE WOULD LIKE IN THE POLITICAL ARENA EXCEPT OCCASIONAL ELECTION RESULTS IN WHICH I’VE PLAYED A PART. THAT’S THE END OF MY MEMOIRS.
/TWO QUESTIONS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
11
TWO QUESTIONS. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER EXPRESSED IN HIS FIRST QUESTION SOME OF THE SCEPTICISM WHICH IS UNDOUBTEDLY GOING TO BE REFLECTED MORE WIDELY IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR AN OVERALL SETTLEMENT OF ISSUES LIKE THE THROUGH TRAIN, IF WE CAN’T EVEN REACH AN AGREEMENT ON APPOINTED MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, ON THE VOTING METHOD FOR LEGCO, ON WHICH THE CHINESE SIDE MUST KNOW THIS COUNCIL’S VIEWS AND THE COMMUNITY’S VIEWS AS WELL AS I DO. I THINK DESPITE THAT SCEPTICISM IT’S INCUMBENT UPON YOUR GOVERNMENT AND THOSE WHO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO TRY VERY HARD, WHATEVER THE DIFFICULTIES, TO GET AN AGREEMENT. IF WE COULD GET AN AGREEMENT IT WOULD BE A GREAT PRIZE. A CHINESE OFFICIAL SAID NOT VERY LONG AGO, I THINK UNWISELY AND PERHAPS TO BE FAIR TO HIM INADVERTENTLY, THAT IT WOULD BE NO BIG DEAL IF WE DIDN’T GET AN AGREEMENT. WELL I THINK IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL IF WE COULD GET AN AGREEMENT THAT WAS ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR CHINA, GOOD FOR HONG KONG, GOOD IN A WAY FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UK’S RELATIONS WITH CHINA. SO WE’LL GO ON TRYING AND WE’RE PREPARED TO GO ON TALKING AND OUR TEAM WILL NEVER BE THE TEAM THAT WALKS AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, NEVER. WE PROPOSED THE NEGOTIATIONS; WE’VE GONE AT TEN DAY OR FORTNIGHTLY INTERVALS UP TO PEKING TO TAKE PART IN THE NEGOTIATIONS; WE’VE GONE ON PUTTING SINCERITY INTO THESE NEGOTIATIONS; WE’VE PROPOSED A FORMULA FOR KEEPING THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING AND WE’LL TRY UNTIL WHAT I HOPE ISN’T THE BITTER BUT THE SWEET END. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SAYS, "WELL WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T GET AN AGREEMENT?" I’M ALWAYS RELUCTANT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHICH ARE HYPOTHETICAL BUT HIS IS, WHILE HYPOTHETICAL, A PERFECTLY REASONABLE QUESTION. IF WE DON’T REACH AN AGREEMENT THEN BECAUSE OF OUR SOVEREIGN RESPONSIBILITIES TO CONDUCT ELECTIONS IN 1994 AND ’95, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, WE WILL HAVE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OURSELVES AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL THEN HAVE TO DETERMINE WHAT IT BELIEVES TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG..
AND I JUST WANT TO ADD ONE POINT BECAUSE, IT IS, IF I MAY SAY SO, PERHAPS A FEATURE, AN INEVITABLE FEATURE OF HONG KONG’S LIFE,'THAT IN DISCUSSING POLITICAL ISSUES, CONSPIRACY THEORIES VERY OFTEN ABOUND. THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM ABOUT AND I WANT TO NAIL ONE STRAIGHTAWAY. IF THE GOVERNMENT PUTS FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH IN OUR ESTIMATION AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S ESTIMATION REPRESENT THE BEST WAY OF SECURING FAIR AND OPEN ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG, WHICH ARE MOST LIKELY TO COMMAND THE BROADEST MEASURE OF SUPPORT IN HONG KONG, HAVING PUT THOSE PROPOSALS FORWARD THE ADMINISTRATION ISN’T GOING TO DASH BACK UP THE ROAD TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. THE GOVERNOR ISN’T GOING TO PUT PROPOSALS IN FRONT OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHETHER THEY’RE AFTER AGREEMENT OR NOT, AND THEN DASH BACK TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE LEAVING IT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO COME TO WHATEVER VIEW IT WANTS. ANY PROPOSALS THAT WE PUT FORWARD WE WILL WANT TO ARGUE FOR. WE WON’T, I HOPE, BEHAVE IN WAYS WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD FIND UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY TRY TO DEPLOY ALL THE RHETORICAL TALENTS AT OUR COMMAND TO GET INTO PLACE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WE BELIEVE ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT POINT BECAUSE IT’S SOMETIMES SUGGESTED THAT WE WOULD PUT ARRANGEMENTS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THEN RUN FOR THE BUNKER. THAT IS NOT OUR INTENTION. WE WILL GO ON CONSISTENTLY ARGUING FOR, DEBATING FOR, WORKING FOR WHAT WE THINK IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
MR ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN:
MR PRESIDENT, CAN I FOLLOW UP?
THE PRESIDENT: NO PLEASE WE’RE SHORT OF TIME.
/MISS ANNA .......
12
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
MISS ANNA WU: THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. GOVERNOR, ON THOSE MATTERS TO BE PUT TO LEGCO ON 15TH DECEMBER, ’93 OF COURSE, WILL TALKS CONTINUE BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS ON THE SAME ISSUES AND CAN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION ADOPT THE POSITION DIFFERENT FROM THE PROPOSALS MADE TO LEGCO AT THESE TALKS? SHOULD THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, IN THE CASE OF A DIFFERENCE, BE MAKING THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO LEGCO ON THESE ISSUES THEREAFTER, IF AT ALL?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK AT THE MOMENT THAT WE HAVE VERY MUCH ROOM FOR FURTHER TALKING ABOUT THESE MATTERS. THEY ARE ISSUES WHICH, AS I’VE SAID CONSISTENTLY, WE NEED TO GET ON WITH. WE’VE EXPLAINED THAT VERY CAREFULLY TO THE CHINESE SIDE; WE’VE SET OUT OUR POSITION. WE’VE SET OUT OUR POSITION A GREAT DEAL ON THESE MATTERS AND I DON’T THINK THE CHINESE SIDE ARE UNAWARE OF WHAT WE THINK IS NECESSARY.
I CAN JUST ADD ONE OTHER POINT. ONE OF THE ISSUES, ONLY ONE, ON WHICH WE HAVEN’T RESOLVED MATTERS, AS I’VE SAID ONCE OR TWICE TODAY, IS THE VOTING METHOD. WHY CAN’T THE CHINESE SIDE AGREE TO *TT? AS I SAID IT CAN’T BE A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE. IT CAN’T BE BECAUSE OF A ROOTED BELIEF THAT SOMEHOW HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTION MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH DISTRICT ORGANISATION AND LEGCO ISSUES. THIS COUNCIL IN 1990 PASSED LEGISLATION FOR THE 1991 AND OTHER DISTRICT ORGANISATION ELECTIONS WHICH ENCOMPASSED BOTH LEGCO AND DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS. IT’S A COMMONPLACE OF THE WAY WE’VE DONE BUSINESS. SO I THINK THERE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS THERE FOR THE CHINESE SIDE. IF IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF FORM, HOW CAN A MATTER OF FORM BE SO IMPORTANT? I REPEAT THAT I THINK THAT ON THESE ISSUES, UNLESS THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE SOMETHING NEW TO SAY WHICH WE HAVEN’T HEARD YET, I THINK THAT ON THESE ISSUES, WE HAVE TO GET ON WITH THE JOB OF LEGISLATING.
MRS PEGGY LAM (THROUGH INTERPRETATION): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, JUST NOW YOU SAID THAT REACHING AN AGREEMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HOPE THAT THERE IS AN AGREEMENT. BUT RECENTLY I HAVE GONE TO BEIJING, I HAVE MET THE HONG KONG MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OFFICIALS, THEY SAY THAT IF YOU PUT THE BILL TO LEGCO, THEN IT WILL CREATE HINDRANCE TO THE TALKS. IT MAY LEAD TO THE BREAKDOWN OF THE TALKS. SO WE DON’T WANT TO SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF THE TALKS. NOW YOU PUT THE BILL TO LEGCO, IT MAY CREATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A BREAKDOWN. HOW DO YOU RESOLVE THIS CONTRADICTION OR CONFLICT? SECONDLY, IF THERE IS A BREAKDOWN, THEN WE WON’T HAVE FURTHER TALKS. THEN WOULD THAT AFFECT THE SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: WELL, FIRST OF ALL IF I MAY SAY SO, I WELCOME THE HONOURABLE LADY BACK FROM HER ADVENTURES IN PEKING, RECOGNISING THAT PERHAPS ONE SHOULDN’T ALWAYS BELIEVE WHAT ONE READS IN THE NEWSPAPERS OR, NOR YET SEES ON THE TELEVISION.
I HOPE THAT WE CAN AVOID TALK OF BREAKDOWN AND THREATS. I DON’T THINK THAT ANY MEMBER OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COULD FIND ANY EXAMPLES OF MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION OR THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT MAKING THREATS OVER THE LAST YEAR. THREATS HAVEN’T COME FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. AND I THINK IN THE MODERN WORLD, I THINK IT’S INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO DEAL WITH THESE MATTERS RATIONALLY AND SOBERLY. I THINK THAT’S WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXPECT AND I THINK THAT’S WHAT THE WHOLE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY EXPECTS WHEN THEY LOOK AT OUR EFFORTS, THE EFFORTS OF THE SOVEREIGN POWERS, BRITAIN AND CHINA, TO REACH AN ACCOMMODATION IN THE INTERESTS OF THIS COMMUNITY. SO, WE WON’T BREAK OFF THE TALKS. WE WANT THE TALKS TO GO ON. BUT WE ALSO HAVE DISTINCT RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE SOVEREIGN POWER UNTIL 1997 AND WE’RE GOING TO DISCHARGE THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
13
DR YEUNG SUM (THROUGH INTERPRETATION): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, NOW IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO, ONE PARTY CANNOT TAKE A TANGO. NOW YOU SPLIT THE ORIGINAL PACKAGE TO SHOW YOUR SINCERITY TO THE CHINESE FOR CONTINUED TALKS BUT IN THIS WAY IF THE OTHER SIDE DO NOT APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE A SPLIT BILL, THEY WON’T TALK WITH YOU, WHY NOT TAKE THE WHOLE PACKAGE HERE?
GOVERNOR: IT DOES INDEED TAKE TWO TO TANGO, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SAYS, THOUGH I SHOULD PERHAPS AVOID SAYING THAT MYSELF IN CASE IT BRINGS DOWN ON MY HEAD FURTHER DANCING EPITHETS.
WE’VE RECOGNISED WHEN CONTEMPLATING THIS COURSE OF ACTION THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING MANY WHO ARE MEMBERS OF OR WHO SUPPORT THE HONOURABLE MEMBERS PARTY, WHICH RECEIVED AS WE KNOW SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT IN THE LAST LEGCO ELECTIONS, MANY PEOPLE WHO WILL THINK IT WRONG OF US TO SPLIT THE LEGISLATION INTO TWO PARTS. I THINK THAT IT IS RIGHT TO RUN THE RISK OF THAT CRITICISM IN ORDER TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH A BROADER GOAL, ALBEIT ONE WHICH IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH. IF THE CHINESE SIDE WALK AWAY FROM THE TABLE THEN WE’LL BE OBLIGED TO LOOK AT THE OTHER PARTS OF THE LEGISLATION AND TO DECIDE, AS I WAS SAYING EARLIER, WHAT TO BRING FORWARD WHICH WILL BE BOTH OPEN AND FAIR, TO USE THOSE ADJECTIVES, AND WILL COMMAND THE BROADEST BASE OF SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY AND I DON’T HAVE TO HIDE FROM THIS COUNCIL THE FACT THAT THAT WILL BE A DIFFICULT AND DEMANDING JUDGEMENT AND WE’LL HAVE TO TALK TO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL A GOOD DEAL ABOUT THE '92 PROPOSALS, ABOUT THE CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS THAT WE’VE MADE IN THE TALKS OR ABOUT ANY OTHER PROPOSALS WHICH MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE. WE’VE GOT TO TRY TO FIND THE BROADEST GROUND ON WHICH TO PITCH OUR TENTS AND WE’LL BE LOOKING TO CO-OPERATION FROM THE COUNCIL IN DOING THAT, NOT I REPEAT SIMPLY TOSSING IDEAS AT THE COUNCIL AND THEN DASHING OFF INTO THE DISTANCE, BUT TRYING TO WORK OUT WITH THIS COUNCIL WHAT’S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, WHAT’S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THAT PRINCIPLE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE RUNNING HONG KONG, WHAT’S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF SAFEGUARDING ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS.
MR CHIM PUI-CHUNG (THROUGH INTERPRETATION): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, ABOUT YOUR ANSWERS, WELL IT SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE THE ELOQUENCE OF A POLITICIAN. NOW ABOUT THE TALKS, I UNDERSTAND THAT MAYBE THERE IS NO RESULT BUT IT INVOLVES DIPLOMATIC CONFIDENTIALITY. SO FOR THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE JUST SAID, WILL THAT BREACH DIPLOMATIC CODES OF CONDUCT? MEANWHILE, ALSO THE COUNCIL, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOUBTS FOR THE 94/95 ELECTIONS. THE PACKAGE IS PROPOSED BY YOU, SO YOU HAVE A DIRECT INTEREST IN IT. YOU ARE AFRAID THAT IF THERE IS AN AGREEMENT THEN YOUR PACKAGE WILL DIS INTERGRATE, SO YOU DON’T AGREE THAT THEY SHOULD REACH AN AGREEMENT. YOU HAVE TO SHOW THAT YOU DON’T HAVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST SO FOR ANY NEGOTIATIONS YOU SHOULD DETACH YOURSELF FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS SO THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS CAN BE CONDUCTED IN A BETTER WAY. DO YOU THINK IT’S CORRECT?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE MORE THAN MILDLY SURPRISED IF THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TOOK NO INTEREST IN THE NEGOTIATIONS OVER POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY. I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE SURPRISED, I GUESS THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WOULD BE SURPRISED AND MY SUSPICION IS THAT DIRECTOR LU PING WOULD ALSO BE SURPRISED IF I WAS TO CLAIM THAT FROM NOW ON I WAS GOING TO GIVE UP ANY INTEREST IN SAFEGUARDING HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND IMPROVE MY BACKHAND. I DON’T THINK THAT WOULD BE WIDELY WELCOME.
/LET ME .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
14
LET ME JUST TOUCH ON TWO POINTS THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MADE AND I KNOW WHAT A CONCERN FOR A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME TO THESE TALKS HE HAS SHOWN AND WHAT A INTEREST IN THE TALKS HE HAS SHOWN. FIRST, I HAVE ATTEMPTED TODAY TO AVOID BREACHES OF CONFIDENTIALITY ABOUT THE TALKS AND I GUESS THERE’S BEEN A LOT MORE CONFIDENTIALITY BREACHED IN THE COLUMNS OF ONE OR TWO NEWSPAPERS WHICH ARE QUITE CLOSE TO PEKING IN HONG KONG THAN I’VE MANAGED TODAY. I THINK THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MORE BREACHES OF CONFIDENTIALITY IN THE WORDS OF ONE OR TWO OFFICIALS ON THE CHINESE SIDE THAN I HAVE SHOWN TODAY. I COULD HAVE MADE RATHER MORE POWERFUL ARGUMENTS ON ONE OR TWO ISSUES IF I HAD BROKEN CONFIDENTIALITY. SO LONG AS THE TALKS ARE CONTINUING AND SO LONG AS THERE IS HOPE FOR THE TALKS, THEN WE MUST ABIDE BY AS MUCH CONFIDENTIALITY AS POSSIBLE. IF THE TALKS WERE TO BREAK DOWN THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO SET OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN AS HONEST A WAY AS POSSIBLE, BUT I THINK THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS WHY WE CAN’T DO THAT WHILE THE TALKS ARE STILL CONTINUING.
THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I WAS AFRAID OF AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE IT MIGHT INVOLVE CHANGING SOME OF MY ’92 PROPOSALS. WELL WE’VE ACTUALLY SUGGESTED AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, WITH CRITICISM FROM A NUMBER OF HONOURABLE MEMBERS HERE, CONDITIONAL CHANGES IN THOSE '92 PROPOSALS. I’M NOT AFRAID OF AN AGREEMENT, I WOULD LIKE AN AGREEMENT. I WOULD LIKE AN AGREEMENT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. WE HAVE MADE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT. IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT, I DO NOT THINK THAT HISTORY WILL RECKON THAT FAILURE TO AGREE IS BECAUSE OF LACK OF SINCERITY ON THE SIDE OF HONG KONG OR ON THE SIDE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE PRESIDENT: IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDERS I NOW ADJOURN THE SITTING UNTIL WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER, 1993.
------0--------
ANNUAL HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES ADJUSTMENT
» » * * *
THE FEES AND CHARGES AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS MANAGED BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND GOVERNMENT CLINICS MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE ADJUSTED WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THIS WAS A ROUTINE EXERCISE TO REFLECT RISING COSTS.
THE FEES FOR GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND FORMER GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS WERE LAST REVISED ON APRIL 1, 1992 AND THOSE FOR FORMER SUBVERTED HOSPITALS ON JUNE 1, 1992.
"THE SAME LEVEL OF HEAVY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY IS MAINTAINED, AND FEE REMISSION OR WAIVER IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE PATIENTS WHO ARE IN GENUINE HARDSHIP AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW CHARGE FOR ATTENDANCE AT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM $21 TO $29; THAT AT SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT CLINICS FROM $33 TO $36; AND THAT FOR A BED IN A PUBLIC WARD FROM $43 TO $54.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE NEW FEES AND CHARGES ARE:
/PERCENTAGE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
15
PERCENTAGE
OF GOVERNMENT
PRESENT FEE ($) NEW FEE ($) SUBSIDY (%)
IN-PATIENT (PER BED DAY)
- PUBLIC WARD 43 54 97
- PRIVATE WARD
1ST CLASS 2,055 2,590 NA
2ND CLASS 1,370 1,730 NA
- PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC WARD
1ST CLASS 465 620 NA
2ND CLASS 310 415 NA
OUT-PATIENT (PER ATTENDANCE)
- GENERAL OUT-PATIENT 21 29 81
- SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT 33 36 89
- DRESSING AND INJECTION 9 12 76
- GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL 34 44 96
- PSYCHIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL 34 44 91
COMMUNITY NURSING (PER VISIT)
- GENERAL 34 44 87
- PSYCHIATRIC 34 44 96
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE EXERCISE WAS NOT CONNECTED WITH OPTIONS FOR REFORM CONTAINED IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ’’TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH’’.
’’THE NEW RATES WILL APPLY ONLY TO ENTITLED PERSONS - THOSE WHO HOLD A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD OR A BRITISH PASSPORT.
’’PATIENTS NOT HOLDING A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD OR A BRITISH PASSPORT WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE FULL COST OF THE MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN ADJUSTED,’’ HE ADDED.
------0-------
NORTH LANTAU WATERWORKS CONTRACT AWARDED
*****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF A FURTHER WATERWORKS CONTRACT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
THE CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIX KILOMETRES OF LAND AND SUBMARINE WATERMAINS RUNNING FROM TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES TO TA PANG PO IN NORTH LANTAU HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE LEIGHTON-LAMA JOINT VENTURE AT A PRICE OF $338 MILLION.
THE WORKS ARE PART OF THE NORTH LANTAU WATER SUPPLY PROJECT TO PROVIDE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ON NORTH LANTAU AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START LATER THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER 1995.
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM SIX PREQUALIFTED TENDERERS AND LEIGHTON-LAMA JOINT VENTURE SUBMITTED THE LOWEST TENDER OF $338 MILLION.
/THE AWARD .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
16
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 32, WITH A TOTAL VALUE ABOUT $30.6 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS VALUED AT $9.7 BILLION AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR THE ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS ABOUT $46 BILLION.
------0-------
RETAIL SALES PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER * * * * *
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $15.3 BILLION, INCREASED 10% OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 4% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A STRONG GROWTH IN SPENDING ON CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, AND ON CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES.
SPENDNG ON FUELS AND OTHER FOODSTUFFS ALSO RECORDED MODERATE INCREASES. BUT THESE LATTER INCREASES WERE OFFSET BY THE DECLINE IN SPENDING ON MOTOR VEHICLES, JEWELLERY AND WATCHES.
SALES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR REGISTERED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN SEPTEMBER 1993 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, 28% IN VALUE AND 19% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES WENT UP CONSIDERABLY BY 16% IN VALUE AND 14% IN VOLUME.
INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED FOR SALES IN SUPERMARKETS, 11% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME; SALES OF FUELS, 10% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME; AND SALES OF OTHER FOODSTUFFS, 7% IN VALUE AND 4% IN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES DROPPED BY 5% IN VOLUME, DESPITE A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1% IN VALUE.
SALES OF JEWELLERY AND WATCHES AND SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES DECREASED BY 6% AND 8% IN VOLUME RESPECTIVELY, BOTH WITH VIRTUALLY NO GROWTH IN VALUE.
COMPARING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 13% IN VALUE AND 7% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN SEPTEMBER 1993 DECREASED BY 5% BOTH IN VALUE AND IN VOLUME.
/THE VOLUME ......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
17
THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES IS DERIVED FROM THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER ADJUSTING FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS DEFLATORS.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE SEPTEMBER 1993 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL: 802 1258).
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR AUGUST 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR SEPTEMBER 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1993 FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS AND BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF THE SEPTEMBER 1993 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR AUGUST 1993 AND WITH THOSE FOR SEPTEMBER 1992, AS WELL AS COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
18
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for September 1993 (Provisional Figure) = HKS15.259.7 million
for August 1993 (Revised Figure) = HK$16,073.4 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR AUGUST 1993 AND SEPTEMBER 1993
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 - 100)
Item Index of Retail Sales August 1993 September 1993 September 1993 September 1993 compared with September 1992 Jan-Sep. 1993 compared with Jan-Sep. 1992
comparer August wi th 1993
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS Value (Revised figures) 171.2 (Provisional figures) 162.5 Points -8.7 X •5.1 Points ♦ 14.2 X ♦9.6 Points ♦ 17.3 X ♦ 12.5
Volume 141.3 134.0 -7.3 -5.2 ♦4.5 ♦3.5 +8.7 ♦7.1
(B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 134.5 131.5 -3.1 •2.3 ♦8.1 ♦6.6 ♦7.5 ♦6.4
drinks and tobacco Volume 108.1 103.4 -4.7 -4.4 ♦4.0 ♦4.0 ♦1.9 ♦2.0
(other than supermarkets) Supermarkets 0 Value 144.4 151.1 ♦6.7 ♦4.7 ♦ 14.3 ♦10.5 +12.0 ♦9.4
Volume 109.2 113.7 ♦4.5 ♦4.1 ♦3.2 ♦2.9 ♦2.3 ♦2.2
Fuels Value 166.7 165.0 -1.7 -1.0 ♦ 14.6 ♦9.7 ♦12.7 ♦9.5
Volume 121.9 120.6 -1.2 -1.0 ♦5.5 ♦4.7 ♦4.4 ♦4.3
Clothing, footwear and Value 239.1 191.3 -47.7 -20.0 ♦41.7 ♦27.9 ♦47.5 ♦32.0
allied products Volume 185.5 147.3 -38.2 -20.6 ♦23.4 ♦ 18.9 ♦27.6 ♦21.9
Consumer durable goods * Value 177.4 196.1 ♦18.7 ♦10.5 ♦13.3 ♦7.3 +12.7 ♦7.8
Volume 154.0 166.8 ♦12.8 ♦8.3 ♦3.9 ♦2.4 ♦6.1 ♦4.2
- Motor vehicles Value 180.5 234.0 ♦53.5 ♦29.7 -0.2 -0.1 -3.4 -1.8
and parts Vo lune 139.1 179.6 ♦40.4 +29.1 -16.6 -8.4 -14.6 -8.9
- Consumer durable Value 175.2 168.7 -6.6 -3.7 ♦23.0 ♦ 15.8 ♦24.4 ♦17.3
goods other than Volume 164.7 157.5 -7.2 -4.4 ♦ 18.8 ♦ 13.5 ♦21.1 ♦15.8
motor vehicles and parts Department stores Value 158.4 126.8 -31.6 -19.9 ♦1.8 ♦1.4 ♦12.8 ♦10.0
Volume 127.0 100.0 -26.9 -21.2 -5.0 -4.7 ♦3.1 ♦2.8
Jewellery, watches Value 147.2 146.8 -0.4 -0.3 ♦0.1 ♦0.1 ♦ 13.5 ♦9.9
and clocks, and Volume 138.8 145.2 ♦6.3 ♦4.5 -8.7 •5.7 + 11.3 +8.1
valuable gifts Other consumer goods Value 204.5 186.3 -18.2 -8.9 ♦27.7 ♦17.5 +23.4 ♦ 16.4
not elsewhere Volume 169.0 152.0 -17.1 -10.1 ♦ 16.3 ♦ 12.0 ♦ 12.9 ♦10.4
classified
NOTES : 0 Not including supermarkets operating in department stores.
* This covers both "Motor vehicles and parts” and "Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts”.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
- 19 -
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTRE OPENS
*****
THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT HINGES ON THE SUPPORT OF AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-INFORMED AND RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY WHICH IS PREPARED TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO PROTECT AND CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT, MRS PATTEN SAID.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTRE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, SHE SAID THE RESOURCE CENTRE, WITH VARIOUS FACILITIES AND DISPLAYS, WOULD SHOW THE COMMUNITY WHAT WAS ACTUALLY BEING DONE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PLAY THEIR PART.
SHE SAID IGNORANCE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT WAS SOMETHING THAT A VIBRANT, SUCCESSFUL CITY SUCH AS HONG KONG SHOULD NOT ACCEPT.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE, A WIDER SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY THAN EVER BEFORE WOULD HAVE READY ACCESS TO VITAL INFORMATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
"IT WILL BRING SUCH INFORMATION OUT FROM THE REMOTE RECESSES AND CORNERS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AT STREET LEVEL," MRS PATTEN SAID.
THE PLAN FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTRE WAS FIRST MENTIONED IN THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WITH THE PURPOSE TO ENHANCE AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH EDUCATION AND THE PROVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.
THERE ARE PLANS FOR SETTING UP MORE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY FOR SPREADING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXCHANGING IDEAS TO SOLVE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS IN EACH AREA.
MRS PATTEN SAID SHE WOULD BE PLEASED TO SEE GREEN GROUPS PARTICIPATING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE CENTRES.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT, GREEN GROUPS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES SHOULD JOIN TOGETHER TO MAKE HONG KONG AND THE WORLD A CLEANER AND BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
SITUATED AT THE OLD WAN CHAI POST OFFICE, THE RESOURCE CENTRE WILL SERVE COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION.
THERE WILL BE A REFERENCE LIBRARY, A DISPLAY AREA, AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES CORNER, A READING ROOM WITH AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT AND A TOUCH-SCREEN INFORMATION SYSTEM.
THE CENTRE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS EXCEPT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS. GUIDED VISITS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGH APPOINTMENTS ON TEL 893 2856.
--------0 - -
/20 .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
20
HK TO JOIN REGIONAL EFFORT TO FIGHT AGAINST SUB-STANDARD SHIPS
* ♦ » » ♦
4 HONG KONG IS TO JOIN HANDS WITH OTHER MARITIME AUTHORITIES IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION TO FIGHT AGAINST SUB-STANDARD SHIPPING, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, SAID IN TOKYO THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
<•. • • • " ■
L MR PYRKE AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (SHIPPING), MR JOHN CHI-YAN TSE, ARE CURRENTLY IN TOKYO TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE FINAL PREPARATORY MEETING ON ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL CO-OPERATION ON PORT STATE CONTROL.
"PARTICIPANTS AT THE MEETING HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) TO IMPROVE MARITIME SAFETY, TO PROTECT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF* SEAFARERS," MR PYRKE SAID AT THE END OF THE FOUR-DAY MEETING WHICH BEGAN ON MONDAY.
"AS A MAJOR MARITIME AND SHIPPING CENTRE WITH ITS OWN SHIPPING REGISTER, HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL CO-OPERATION ON PORT STATE CONTROL DEMONSTRATES ITS DETERMINATION AS A RESPONSIBLE MARITIME AUTHORITY AND THE OPERATOR OF A REPUTABLE REGISTER OF SHIPS," MR PYRKE SAID.
a • •' ,<.......... i\..
"IT ALSO SHOWS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMMUNITY THAT HONG KONG IS ENDEAVOURED TO IMPROVE MARITIME SAFETY AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT," HE ADDED.
-■ SEVENTEEN MARITIME AUTHORITIES IN THE PACIFIC BASIN ATTENDED THE MEETING WHICH WAS CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE SHIP SAFETY DIRECTORATE OF THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD, MR MICHAEL HUBBARD.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION, INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION AND THE PARIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WERE ALSO PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
FOLLOWING A SERIES OF PREPARATORY MEETINGS OVER THE PAST THREE DAYS, THE PARTICIPANTS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED ON THE SETTING UP OF THE TOKYO MOU.
"THE MOU WILL BE SERVED BY A SECRETARIAT LOCATED IN TOKYO. THE SECRETARIAT WILL OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY FROM PARTICIPATING MARITIME AUTHORITIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS, BUT IT WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED AS A GOVERNING BODY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE MOU," MR PYRKE SAID. <
, . • ’ • 'V :■ A
"THE TOKYO MOU WILL TAKE EFFECT ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 1994 FOR EACH PARTICIPATING MARITIME AUTHORITY ON THE DATE THAT ITS ACCEPTANCE IS NOTIFIED TO THE SECRETARIAT," MR PYRKE SAID.
J '1’?’ ■'
"A SHIP INSPECTION DATA BASE THAT CAN BE ACCESSED AND UP-DATED BY PARTICIPATING MARITIME AUTHORITIES TO TARGET SUB-STANDARD SHIPPING WILL BE OPERATED BY THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD," HE SAID.
MR PYRKE SHARED MR HUBBARD’S REMARKS ON THE MEETING.
/MR HUBBARD .......
21
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
MR HUBBARD SAID: "THE SIGNING OF THE TOKYO MOU IS POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE INITIATIVE TO HAVE OCCURRED IN RECENT TIMES TO COMBAT UNSAFE SHIPPING. IT SHOULD SEND A STRONG SIGNAL TO UNSCRUPULOUS OWNERS AND CHARTERERS THAT THIS STANDARD OF SHIPPING WILL NO LONGER BE TOLERATED IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION".
MARITIME AUTHORITIES PARTICIPATING CAME FROM AUSTRAILA, CANADA, CHINA, FIJI, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, SINGAPORE, SOLOMON ISLANDS, THAILAND AND VIETNAM.
THE PARTICIPATING MARITIME AUTHORITIES WILL HOLD THE NEXT MEETING IN BEIJING BETWEEN APRIL 11 AND 13, NEXT YEAR TO EXPLORE FURTHER MEANS TO EXTEND THE FIGHT AGAINST POORLY MAINTAINED AND OPERATED SHIP TRADING IN THE REGION.
------0-------
CROWN RENTS DUE ON CHRISTMAS
*****
CROWN RENT PAYERS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 25 THIS YEAR IN RESPECT OF CROWN RENTS EXCEEDING $100 A YEAR.
PAYMENT MAY BE MADE BY POST TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, PO BOX 8000, GPO, HONG KONG, OR, IN PERSON, AT:
* THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, IMMIGRATION TOWER, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
» THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, MAX SHARE CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, 373 KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG;
* THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG;
* THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON; AND
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN OR KWAI TSING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID THOSE WHO HAD NOT RECEIVED THE DEMAND NOTE SHOULD BRING ALONG A PREVIOUS ONE TO ANY OF THE TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES.
DUPLICATE DEMAND NOTES WILL BE ISSUED TO THEM, HE ADDED.
IF THEY CANNOT PRODUCE DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS PERIOD, THEY SHOULD INQUIRE AT THE CROWN RENT UNIT OF THE TREASURY AT IMMIGRATION TOWER, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
/"THE CROWN ......
22 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
' "’THE CROWN RENTS MUST BE PAID BY DECEMBER 25 EVEN THOUGH THE PAYER MAY NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE NOTE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THOSE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT IF THE WORDING "PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" IS SHOWN ON THE DEMAND NOTES, PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON DECEMBER 25.
THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE, HE SAID.
IF THE WORDING IS NOT SHOWN, THEY SHOULD PAY ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS SET OUT IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
TO SAVE TIME OF QUEUING, THE SPOKESMAN URGED PAYERS TO PAY BY CHEQUES OR CASHIER ORDERS SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE COLLECTION OFFICES.
"HOWEVER, THE MOST CONVENIENT METHOD FOR PAYMENT IS AUTOPAY," HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR AUTOPAY ARE AVAILABLE FROM TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND ALL MAJOR BANKS IN HONG KONG OR BY CALLING 829 4999.
THE SPOKESMAN TOLD PAYERS TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
» TO AVOID LEGAL ACTION FOR RE-ENTRY OF A PROPERTY THE CURRENT OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY IS OBLIGED TO PAY CROWN RENT INCLUDING ANY ARREARS AS DEMANDED.
» THE CROWN RENT PAYABLE UNDER A LEASE OF A PROPERTY WHICH HAS BEEN RENEWED UNDER THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE AND REDEVELOPED, WILL BE THREE PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THAT PROPERTY AS ASSESSED FOLLOWING THE REDEVELOPMENT.
PENDING COMPLETION OF THE ASSESSMENT AND OTHER RELATED PROCEDURES, CROWN RENT DEMANDS WILL BE BASED UPON THE PREREDEVELOPMENT RATEABLE VALUE.
IN DUE COURSE, CROWN RENT FOR THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RENT BASED UPON PRE- AND POST-REDEVELOPMENT RATEABLE VALUES WILL BE DEMANDED AND THE CURRENT OWNER IS OBLIGED TO PAY THE RENT AS DEMANDED. IF HE DOES NOT, LEGAL ACTION FOR RE-ENTRY m OF THE PROPERTY MAY BE INSTITUTED.
HE ADVISED PROPERTY BUYERS TO INSTRUCT THEIR SOLICITORS TO ENSURE THAT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE CROWN RENT HAD BEEN PAID.
IF A PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE AND HAS BEEN REDEVELOPED BUT THE RENTAL PAID UP TO THE DATE OF THE PURCHASE IS NOT BASED UPON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY SINCE ITS REDEVELOPMENT, THE PURCHASER OR HIS SOLICITORS SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO PROTECT THE BUYER, HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS MAY BE ADDRESSED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES. THE FEE IS $50 FOR EACH ENQUIRY PER PROPERTY.
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/23 .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1993
23
SOCIAL WELFARE STAFF AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, TODAY (THURSDAY) PRESENTED AN IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL TO MR CHUNG PING-FAI IN RECOGNITION OF HIS HARD WORK AND LONG SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
MR CHUNG, AGED 62, HAD SERVED IN THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR 32 YEARS. HE WAS A MESSENGER IN 1961 AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO BE AN OFFICE ASSISTANT IN 1976.
OVER THE YEARS, HE HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRE WHICH BECAME A FOCAL POINT FOR COMMUNITY AND WELFARE ACTIVITIES IN TSUEN WAN.
MR STRACHAN COMMENDED HIM FOR HIS DEDICATION AND FAITHFULNESS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,480
REVERSAL OF LAF +520
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,635
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,365
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 »-0.1* 2.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.61 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.31 3.66
1 MONTH 2.80 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.81 3.92
3 MONTHS 3.02 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.90 4.11
6 MONTHS 3.17 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.87 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.55 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.72 4.73
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12,323 MN
CLOSED 2 DECEMBER 1993
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ECONOMIC ISSUES AND POLITICS SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE: GOVERNOR ...................................................... 1
GOVERNOR TO CHAIR MEETING WITH DISABLED ......................... 2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS .................................... 2
HK AND CHICAGO: GATEWAYS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES .............. 4
DENIS CHANG APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE 5
TRANSFER APPLICATION TO LOCAL TERMS CAREFULLY VETTED ............ 5
SEXUAL EQUALITY SURVEY NEXT WEEK ................................ 6
AMENDMENTS TO STRATEGIC COMMODITIES CONTROL LIST GAZETTED ... 7
EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 GAZETTED ................ 8
COMPUTER SYSTEM TO MONITOR PUBLIC WORKS ......................... 9
TENDERS INVITED FOR ROUTE 3 - COUNTRY PARK SECTION .............. 9
WALLED CITY PARK TO BE BUILT IN APRIL .......................... 10
HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR VESSELS PASSING UNDER BRIDGES .......... 11
CHARTER AIMS AT YOUTH’S NEEDS AND RIGHTS: SHA .................. 12
ELECTRICAL CONTRACT FOR CHINA WATER AWARDED .................... 12
MORE RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR ELDERLY NEEDED .................. 13
SUBVENTION FOR PARENTS/RELATIVES RESOURCE CENTRES NEXT YEAR . 14
AMBULANCE SERVICE TO GO PARAMEDIC .............................. 14
WONG UK ELECTORS GO TO THE POLLS ............................... 15
EXCO MEMBERS UPDATED ON AIRPORT PROJECTS ....................... 17
/TAC MEMBERS .......
17
TAC MEMBERS BRIEFED ON ATC SYSTEM ARTIFICAL REEF PLANTED IN PAK SHA O ............................ 18
PAI TAU ROAD WORKS APPROVED .................................... 19
LOGO DESIGN CONTEST TO BOOST HERITAGE PRESERVATION ............. 19
TWO YUEN LONG AREAS TO GET TREATED WATER SUPPLY................. 20
S5 STUDENT AND STUDENT-TEACHERS RECEIVE AWARDS ................. 20
GOVT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER ................................... 21
SITTING-OUT AREA PLANNED FOR MA ON SHAN ........................ 21
268 VMS RETURN HOME ............................................ 22
MINIBUS SERVICES EXTEND TO TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH .................. 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
23
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
- 1 -ECONOMIC ISSUES AND POLITICS SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT IT WAS OBVIOUSLY SENSIBLE NOT TO ALLOW DISAGREEMENTS OVER POLITICAL MATTERS FROM TIME TO TIME TO AFFECT LIVELIHOOD ISSUES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE, MR PATTEN SAID HE AGREED WITH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO KEEP TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES AND POLITICS SEPARATE.
’’THAT’S WHAT I REMEMBER HE WAS SAYING THE OTHER DAY TO PRESIDENT CLINTON, AND IT’S ACTUALLY WHAT I SAID TO PRESIDENT CLINTON WHEN I SAW HIM IN MAY,” HE SAID.
’’AND IT’S, OF COURSE, WHAT A NUMBER OF SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID IN SPECIFIC RELATIONSHIP TO HONG KONG."
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE IN ANYONE’S INTEREST IN CHINA TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.
"WE’LL GO ON WORKING FOR THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG, BOTH IN ECONOMIC TERMS AND IN TERMS OF SAFEGUARDING OUR VALUES," HE ADDED.
"THE TWO, IN OUR JUDGMENT, ARE CLOSELY RELATED."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON REMARKS BY DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE CHINESE STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING, MR PATTEN SAID:
"OUR OBJECTIVE AS YOU KNOW, OVER THESE YEARS, IS TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SAFEGUARD THE JOINT DECLARATION, WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM PROSPERITY AND STABILITY."
HE SAID HONG KONG WANTED TO ENSURE THAT IT COULD MAKE A REALITY OF CONCEPTS LIKE "HONG KONG PEOPLE RUNNING HONG KONG", OF CONCEPTS LIKE "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS".
"THAT INVOLVES US IN STANDING FIRM FOR THE RULE OF LAW. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN DO SO IN THE MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS TO LEGCO, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN BRING THE BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH THE MAXIMUM SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY AND I VERY MUCH HOPE WITH THE MAXIMUM UNDERSTANDING BY OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES."
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/2 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
2 -
GOVERNOR TO CHAIR MEETING WITH DISABLED
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL CHAIR A SUMMIT MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF DISABLED GROUPS AND EMPLOYERS EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE MEETING WILL LOOK FOR WAYS TO PROMOTE OPEN EMPLOYMENT FOR THE DISABLED. ,
MR PATTEN MADE KNOWN THE PLAN WHEN HE ATTENDED THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE INTEREST THAT HAD BEEN SHOWN ALREADY BY SOME EMPLOYERS IN PROVIDING JOBS TO THE DISABLED.
AND HE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN ALL EMPLOYERS IN HONG KONG WOULD REMEMBER THE ABILITY OF THE DISABLED TO HELP THEM IN THEIR BUSINESS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE STRENGTHENING ITS PUBLIC EDUCATION TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS OF MISCONCEPTION TOWARDS THE DISABLED AND WILL SPEND OVER $30 MILLION WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS ON THE WORK.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT FULLY SUPPORTED THE THE UNITED NATIONS’ PROCLAMATION ON FULL PARTICIPATION AND EQUALITY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
"WE ARE ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP OUR REHABILITATION SERVICES IN THE COMING 10 YEARS," HE SAID.
"I DO VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THIS FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG WILL SIGNAL THE START OF MORE CARING ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE DISABLED AND OF A WARMER WELCOME FOR THEM INTO THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY," MR PATTEN ADDED.
--------------0-------- GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS *****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE TODAY (FRIDAY):
GOVERNOR: I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THIS LAUNCH FOR THE DISABLED WHICH I HOPE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING OUR SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED AND FOR CHANGING COMMUNITY ATTITUDE TO THE DISABLED. AS I ANNOUNCED IN MY SPEECH, I’LL BE HOLDING A FOLLOW-UP SUMMIT ON THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED. WE HELD A SUCCESSFUL ONE LAST DECEMBER AT WHICH THERE WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF DISABLED GROUPS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND THAT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. WE’LL ALSO BE HOLDING ANOTHER ONE IN FEBRUARY ON THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED THAT WORK SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO DEVELOP EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE THOSE WITH DISABILITIES EVERY OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORKING LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
3
QUESTION: REGARDING ... BY MR LU PING ... OF THE CHINESE SIDE, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
GOVERNOR: OUR OBJECTIVE AS YOU KNOW, OVER THESE YEARS, IS TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SAFEGUARD THE JOINT DECLARATION, WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM PROSPERITY AND STABILITY. WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN MAKE A REALITY OF CONCEPTS LIKE "HONG KONG PEOPLE RUNNING HONG KONG", OF CONCEPTS LIKE "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS", AND THAT INVOLVES US IN STANDING FIRM FOR THE RULE OF LAW. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN DO SO IN THE MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS. I THINK IT TAKES, OF COURSE, TWO SIDES TO CO-OPERATE AND TWO SIDES TO SHOW SINCERITY.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, AS HONG KONG ... ECONOMIC, DO YOU THINK ...
GOVERNOR: WELL, I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN THAT IT’S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO KEEP TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES AND POLITICS SEPARATE AND THAT’S WHAT I REMEMBER HE WAS SAYING THE OTHER DAY TO PRESIDENT CLINTON, AND IT’S ACTUALLY WHAT I SAID TO PRESIDENT CLINTON WHEN I SAW HIM IN MAY. AND IT’S, OF COURSE, WHAT A NUMBER OF SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID IN SPECIFIC RELATIONSHIP TO HONG KONG. IT’S OBVIOUSLY A SENSIBLE WAY TO BEHAVE, NOT TO ALLOW DISAGREEMENTS OVER POLITICAL MATTERS FROM TIME TO TIME TO AFFECT LIVELIHOOD ISSUES. IT CAN’T POSSIBLY BE IN ANYONE’S INTEREST IN CHINA TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. WE’LL GO ON WORKING FOR THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG, BOTH IN ECONOMIC TERMS AND IN TERMS OF SAFEGUARDING OUR VALUES. THE TWO, IN OUR JUDGEMENT, ARE CLOSELY RELATED.
QUESTION: (ON PRESS REPORTS ABOUT CHINESE OFFICIALS’ REMARKS ON HOME RETURN PERMITS.)
GOVERNOR: I READ REPORTS OF THOSE REMARKS ON WHICH THERE IS AN EDITORIAL IN ONE OF OUR MOST DISTINGUISHED NEWSPAPERS THIS MORNING. I AM BOUND TO SAY THAT I WAS SOMEWHAT CONCERNED AND I’VE ASKED TO SEE A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF WHAT WAS SAID BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED VERY CONSIDERABLE CONCERN IN HONG KONG, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS SAID SPECIFICALLY ABOUT PERMIT, BUT FOR SOME OF THE WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE REMARK AS WELL. BUT BEFORE COMMENTING IN DETAIL, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT WAS SAID BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.
QUESTION: IS THAT ANYTHING THAT COULD KEEP YOU FROM DECIDING AND BRINGING THE BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ?
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN BRING THE BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH THE MAXIMUM SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY AND I VERY MUCH HOPE WITH THE MAXIMUM UNDERSTANDING BY OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES.
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
4
HK AND CHICAGO: GATEWAYS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES *****
HONG KONG COMMISSIONER TO THE UNITED STATES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, CONFIRMED ON THURSDAY (CHICAGO TIME) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG PROVIDES A STABLE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR HONG KONG-BASED U.S. COMPANIES AT THE SAME TIME AS IT PROCEEDS WITH POLITICAL REFORM.
HIS REMARKS IN A SPEECH TO THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS FOLLOWED THE ANNOUNCEMENT EARLIER IN HONG KONG BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THAT HE WILL INTRODUCE THE FIRST STAGE OF AN ELECTORAL REFORM PACKAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 15 INVOLVING THE MORE STRAIGHT-FORWARD AND IMMEDIATE ISSUES REGARDING THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.
THESE INCLUDE: LOWERING THE VOTING AGE TO 18, ABOLITION OF APPOINTED SEATS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF SINGLE-SEAT, SINGLE-VOTE CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE LOCAL BODIES AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG AND CHICAGO HAD MUCH IN COMMON AS THEY BOTH SERVED AS THE CROSSROADS OF THEIR VITALLY IMPORTANT ECONOMIC REGIONS.
’’CHICAGO HAS LONG BEEN THE GATEWAY TO AMERICA’S HEARTLAND,’’ MR WIGGHAM SAID DURING HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHICAGO, THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE BUSINESS CENTRE OF AMERICA’S VAST MID-WESTERN REGION.
’’THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR NATION’S FRONTIERS DEPENDED , ON CHICAGO’S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK, ON CHICAGO’S INDUSTRIES, AND ON CHICAGO’S FINANCIAL CENTRES AND STOCK EXCHANGES,” HE SAID.
"IN MUCH THE SAME WAY HONG KONG HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PACIFIC FRONTIERS," MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
"HONG KONG IS THE BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT IN THE WORLD. IT IS HOME TO MORE FOREIGN BANKS THAN ANY OTHER ASIAN CITY EXCEPT TOKYO. IT IS ASIA’S MOST IMPORTANT CENTRE FOR LOAN SYNDICATION, TRADE AND PROJECT FINANCING, AND VENTURE CAPITAL.
"AND AS A RESULT OVER 200 U.S. FIRMS HAVE ESTABLISHED THEJR ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM SAID IN ADDITION TO SHARED VALUES, THERE ARE OTHER, MORE PRACTICAL, REASONS FOR A STRONG RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHICAGO AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
"WE DO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FREE TRADE OF OUR OWN BETWEEN OUR TWO REGIONS,” HE SAID.
LAST YEAR $292 MILLION OF ILLINOIS EXPORTS WERE PURCHASED IN HONG KONG.
ANOTHER $218 MILLION OF THEIR PRODUCTS WERE EXPORTED TO MAINLAND CHINA, MUCH OF IT PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG.
/AS A ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
5
AS A RESULT, THE CHINA TRADE PROVIDES OVER 12,000 JOBS IN ILLINOIS, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"IT ALSO EXPOSES YOUR BUSINESSES TO RELATIONSHIPS AND INVESTMENTS IN A MARKET THAT IS GROWING FASTER THAN ANY IN THE WORLD. BECAUSE OUR TWO CITIES SHARE SO MUCH IN COMMON, I BELIEVE THAT THIS REGION WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT GREATLY FROM HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY,” HE SAID.
OF THE MORE THAN 1,000 U.S. COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG AND MAINLAND CHINA, MANY ARE FROM ILLINOIS.
------0--------
DENIS CHANG APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR DENIS CHANG, QC, CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE SUCCEEDING MS ROSANNA WONG.
MR CHANG IS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. HE HAS BEEN RENDERING EXTENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE SINCE 1983. AT PRESENT, MR CHANG IS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW (INLAND REVENUE).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO MEET MR CHANG IN HIS NEW CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE SECRETARIAT OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE IN ROOM 1608, MELBOURNE PLAZA, 33 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
------0-------
TRANSFER APPLICATION TO LOCAL TERMS CAREFULLY VETTED ♦ * * * *
IN ANSWER TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES REGARDING APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER FROM OVERSEAS TO LOCAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TONIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALL ALONG BEEN MAINTAINING DIALOGUE WITH THE RELEVANT STAFF ASSOCIATIONS ON tHE SUBJECT OF LOCALISATION AND WAS ALWAYS READY TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS WITH THEM THE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INSTITUTED IN THE LONGER TERM.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: "IN THE MEANTIME, APPLICATIONS FROM OVERSEAS OFFICERS FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXAMINED VERY CAREFULLY AGAINST LAID DOWN GUIDELINES AND CONDITIONS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROCESSED IN THE NORMAL WAY."
<
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/6.........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
- 6
SEXUAL EQUALITY SURVEY NEXT WEEK
* * * * *
A SURVEY ON THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN IN HONG KONG WILL BE CONDUCTED NEXT WEEK.
THE POLL WILL COVER THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND EQUALITY, WHAT CONSTITUTES EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY, AND MEANS TO PROMOTE AND IMPROVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND EQUALITY.
OTHER AREAS WILL INCLUDE EXPERIENCE OF GENDER INEQUALITY ;IN EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND OTHER SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES AS WELL AS THE BENCHMARK ON DEVELOPMENTAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS THAT MAY LEAD TO INEQUALITY.
THE GENDER RESEARCH PROGRAMME OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ASIA-PACIFIC STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL UNDERTAKE THE SURVEY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) A RESEARCH TEAM COMPRISING EXPERTS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN SET UP UNDER THE GENDER RESEARCH PROGRAMME.
IT HAS DESIGNED THE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE SURVEY AND THE NEXT STEP IS TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND ANALYSE THE DATA COLLECTED, ■ HE ADDED.
"THE SURVEY, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL PROVIDE FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF EQUALITY BETWEEN THE SEXES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DATA COLLECTED WILL PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ON THE CHANGING STATUS OF WOMEN IN HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE SURVEY WOULD COVER A RANDOM SAMPLE OF NOT LESS THAN 2,000 MALE AND FEMALE RESPONDENTS AGED 15 AND ABOVE. FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEWS WOULD BE CONDUCTED.
"THE HOUSEHOLDS RANDOMLY SELECTED FOR OPINIONS HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE EXERCISE AND IT IS HOPED THAT THEY WILL GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE PRELIMINARY REPORT WITH FINDINGS ON THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND POSSIBLE MEASURES TO FOSTER EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN THE SEXES IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE BY MARCH, FOLLOWED BY A FINAL REPORT WITH DETAILED ANALYSIS BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
LIVELY DISCUSSIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN IN LATE AUGUST THIS YEAR.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE SO FAR MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF WOMEN’S GROUPS, EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS AND PRESENTED THE GREEN PAPER TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
HE SAID: "WE HAVE NOTED A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE ISSUES AND NUMEROUS SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
/MEMBERS OF .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
7
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO COME FORWARD TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER BEFORE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD EXPIRES AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
"THEIR VIEWS WILL BE REFLECTED FULLY TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR ADVICE ON THE WAY FORWARD," HE SAID.
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AMENDMENTS TO STRATEGIC COMMODITIES CONTROL LIST GAZETTED
*****
LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO REFLECT UPDATED CONTROLS BY THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR MULTILATERAL EXPORT CONTROLS (COCOM) AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL EXPORT CONTROL REGIMES ON STRATEGIC COMMODITIES WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AMENDMENTS WERE CONTAINED IN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (STRATEGIC COMMODITIES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) (NO. 2) ORDER 1993.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE AMENDMENTS TO SCHEDULE 1 OF THE REGULATIONS REFLECTED UPDATED COCOM CONTROLS ON THE MUNITIONS LIST AND ATOMIC ENERGY LIST, AND CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT RELAXATION OF CONTROLS ON DUAL-USE GOODS SUCH AS COMPUTERS, SIGNAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT, DISK DRIVES AND MODEMS ON THE INDUSTRIAL LIST.
BESIDES, ALL THE ITEMS IN THE EXISTING MISCELLANEOUS LIST WILL BE MOVED AND NEW ITEMS ADDED TO THE INDUSTRIAL LIST TO REFLECT CONTROLS ON GOODS OF NON-PROLIFERATION CONCERNS, WHILE THE MISCELLANEOUS LIST WILL BE REPEALED.
CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES TO SCHEDULE 2 WHICH COVERS ARTICLES IN TRANSIT HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE.
NO CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE TO SCHEDULES 3 AND 4 WHICH COVER END-USE CONTROL AND SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO ARTICLES SPECIFIED IN SCHEDULE 3 RESPECTIVELY, HE ADDED.
THE AMENDMENT ORDER SHALL BE TABLED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 8 AND BECOME EFFECTIVE AFTER 28 DAYS, IF THE COUNCIL RAISES NO OBJECTION TO THE ORDER DURING THE PERIOD.
THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF STRATEGIC COMMODITIES ARE SUBJECT TO LICENSING CONTROL BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE.
"THE PURPOSE OF LICENSING IS TO MONITOR AND CONTROL THE FLOW !•' STRATEGIC COMMODITIES TO PREVENT HONG KONG FROM BEING USED AS A NDUIT FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID ANY PERSON WHO IMPORTS OR EXPORTS AN ARTICLE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULES WITHOUT A LICENCE IS LIABLE TO AN UNLIMITED FINE AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SEVEN YEARS IF CONVICTED.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT ORDER ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CENTRAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
/ENQUIRIES CAN .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
8
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE STRATEGIC COMMODITIES SECTION, TRADE DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK, KOWLOON OR ON TEL 398 5580 OR 398 5572.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO INFORM TRADERS OF DETAILS OF THE AMENDED SCHEDULES BY CIRCULAR.
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EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 GAZETTED *****
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993, WHICH SET OUT PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE AN EMPLOYEE’S ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
NOTING THAT THE AMENDMENT BILL HAS RECENTLY BEEN ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, SAID ONE OF THE PROPOSALS WAS TO REMOVE THE CEILING OF 12 MONTHS’ WAGES IN THE CALCULATION OF THESE TWO TYPES OF PAYMENT.
AT PRESENT, AN EMPLOYEE’S ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IS CALCULATED AT THE RATE OF TWO-THIRDS OF A MONTH’S WAGES FOR EACH YEAR OF HIS SERVICE.
THE MAXIMUM CEILING OF HIS ENTITLEMENT IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WAGES HE EARNED DURING THE PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF DISMISSAL, OR THE SUM OF $180,000, WHICHEVER IS THE LESS.
’’THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS THE EFFECT OF LIMITING THE RECKONABLE SERVICE OF AN EMPLOYEE TO 18 YEARS,” MR CHAN SAID.
AS A MOVE TO ADDRESS THE GRIEVANCES OF LONG SERVING EMPLOYEES FOR BEING UNABLE TO EARN SUCH PAYMENTS BEYOND 18 YEARS OF SERVICE, MR CHAN SAID THE CEILING OF 12 MONTHS’ WAGES SHOULD BE REMOVED, BUT THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT OF $180,000 BE RETAINED.
HE ADDED THAT THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT WOULD BE REVIEWED PERIODICALLY.
IN ORDER TO CUSHION FINANCIAL IMPACTS ON EMPLOYERS, IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT ONE-HALF OF AN EMPLOYEE’S SERVICE OVER AND ABOVE 18 YEARS ACCRUED BEFORE THE AMENDMENT COMES INTO OPERATION WILL BE RECOGNISED IN CALCULATING THE PAYMENTS.
IN ANOTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE (EO), MR CHAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROPOSED THAT LATE PAYMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE PAY SHOULD BE AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 UPON CONVICTION.
MR CHAN SAID SECTION 12(1) OF EO PROVIDED THAT A FEMALE EMPLOYEE WHO HAD BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE SAME EMPLOYER UNDER A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 26 WEEKS SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO MATERNITY LEAVE.
’’HOWEVER, THE LAW IS SILENT ON HOW TO COUNT THE 26 WEEKS ALTHOUGH IT IS ONLY LOGICAL THAT IT SHOULD BE COUNTED BACKWARDS FROM THE EXPECTED DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE.
/THEREFORE, WE .......
Q
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
’’THEREFORE, WE PROPOSE TO AMEND THIS SECTION OF LAW SO AS TO REMOVE THE AMBIGUITY,” MR CHAN ADDED.
ON THE PROVISION OF SICKNESS ALLOWANCE, THE AMENDMENT BILL ALSO CONTAINED A PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A REGISTERED DENTIST AS A VALID DOCUMENT FOR CLAIMING SICKNESS ALLOWANCE BY EMPLOYEES.
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COMPUTER SYSTEM TO MONITOR PUBLIC WORKS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SETTING UP A COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING OF PROGRESS OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
AN AGREEMENT FOR THE SUPPLY OF SOFTWARE FOR THE SYSTEM WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BETWEEN THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF A UK SOFTWARE SUPPLIER, PANORAMA SOFTWARE, MR ROBERT WEBSTER.
SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR BLAKE SAID: "THE SYSTEM WILL ENABLE US TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS MORE EFFECTIVELY BY PROVIDING UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON A COMMON DATABASE TO MAJOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
"BY MONITORING PROJECTS THROUGH THIS SYSTEM, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DETECT ANY DEVIATION EITHER IN PROGRAMME SCHEDULE OR BUDGET AND TO TAKE EARLY CORRECTIVE ACTION AS AND WHEN NECESSARY," HE SAID.
THE PROTOTYPE SYSTEM WILL LINK UP ABOUT 50 MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE WORKS BRANCH, FINANCE BRANCH, THE WORKS DEPARTMENTS, LANDS DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROTOTYPE OF THE SYSTEM WILL BE UP AND RUNNING BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH AND THE FULL SYSTEM WILL BE INTRODUCED PROGRESSIVELY NEXT YEAR.
THE SOFTWARE SUPPLIER WAS SELECTED AFTER AN EXTENSIVE EVALUATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUIREMENTS AND A STUDY OF SIMILAR SYSTEMS ADOPTED BY OVERSEAS ORGANISATIONS.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR ROUTE 3 r COUNTRY PARK SECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 3 - COUNTRY PARK SECTION (TAT LAM TUNNEL AND YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD) UNDER A BOT (BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER) FRANCHISE ARRANGEMENT.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY LATE L998, AND WILL PROVIDE A NORTH-SOUTH DUAL THREE-LANE EXPRESSWAY CONNECTING TING KAU AND AU TAU AS THE FINAL SECTION OF ROUTE 3 WHICH WILL EXTEND FROM HONG KONG ISLAND TO YUEN LONG.
THE NEW ROAD WILL RELIEVE CONGESTION ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD AND IMPROVE ROAD LINKS BETWEEN THE BORDER AND THE CONTAINER PORT.
/UNDFP the .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
10
UNDER THE BOT ARRANGEMENT, THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE AWARDED A FRANCHISE TO FINANCE, DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, COMMISSION, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE THE TAI LAM TUNNEL AND YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD WITH THE RIGHT TO COLLECT TOLLS OVER THE PROPOSED 30-YEAR FRANCHISE PERIOD.
TENDERS WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 8 NEXT YEAR. THIS IS TO GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR TENDERERS TO PREPARE THEIR SUBMISSIONS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROJECT BRIEF.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONDUCT A DETAILED EVALUATION OF ALL BONA FIDE TENDERS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "IT IS EXPECTED THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH TENDERERS WILL COMMENCE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF L994 AND A DECISION ON THE TENDER AWARD WILL BE MADE IN LATE L994."
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3.8-KILOMETRE TUNNEL UNDER THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK FROM TING KAU IN THE SOUTH TO HO PUI IN THE NORTH AND AN AT-GRADE ROAD OF ABOUT 6.3 KILOMETRES LINKING THE NORTHERN PORTAL OF TAI LAM TUNNEL AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AT AN INTERCHANGE AT AU TAU.
A BOOKLET CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT, TENDERING REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDANCE FOR COLLECTION OF THE PROJECT BRIEF IS OBTAINABLE FROM TRANSPORT BRANCH FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
------0-------
WALLED CITY PARK TO BE BUILT IN APRIL
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING CONTRACTORS TO INDICATE WHETHER THEY ARE INTERESTED IN TENDERING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK AND ITS ASSOCIATED WORKS.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A QING DYNASTY STYLE GARDEN, RESTORATION OF ANTIQUITY BUILDINGS, RECONSTRUCTION OF SPORTING GROUND AND PAVING IN A 31,000-SQUARE-METRE SITE.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, CONSTRUCTION AND PROVISION OF HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING ITEMS, BUILDING CONSERVATION WORKS AND BUILDING SERVICES INSTALLATIONS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY APPROVED SUB-CONTRACTORS.
CONTRACTORS WHO WISH TO BID FOR THE WORKS SHOULD SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS BY REGISTERED POST TO THE CHIEF ARCHITECT/2, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 38TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, BEFORE NOON ON DECEMBER 17.
TENDERS WILL BE INVITED FROM THE APPLICANTS NEXT MONTH SO THAT WORKS CAN START AROUND APRIL FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1995.
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/Il ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
- 11 -
HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR VESSELS PASSING UNDER BRIDGES *****
NO VESSELS HAVING A MAST, SUPERSTRUCTURE OR CARGO HEIGHT EXCEEDING 17 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ARE ALLOWED TO PASS UNDER THE TSING YI (SOUTH) AND TSING TSUEN (NORTH) BRIDGES, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (PLANNING AND LOCAL SERVICES), MR S Y TSUI SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD ON NOVEMBER 24 ENDORSED SUCH RESTRICTION UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993.
THE REGULATION DESIGNATES A RESTRICTED AREA IN RAMBLER CHANNEL SO THAT, EXCEPT WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, NO VESSEL HAVING A MAST OR SUPERSTRUCTURE HEIGHT EXCEEDING 17 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL IS ALLOWED:
* IN THE CASE OF A VESSEL BEING TOWED, TO ENTER, BERTH OR UNBERTH WITHIN THE AREA UNLESS IT IS BEING TOWED BY SUCH NUMBER OF TUGS OR OTHER VESSELS AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE VESSEL HAVING REGARD TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING THERETO; OR
* TO APPROACH A BRIDGE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PREJUDICE THE SAFETY OF THE BRIDGE.
’’THE REGULATION ALSO APPLIES TO VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE RESTRICTED AREAS NEAR THE AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE WHERE THE HEIGHT RESTRICTION IS 14 METRES ABOVE THE SEA LEVEL,” SAID MR TSUI.
IF WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE THIS REGULATION IS CONTRAVENED, THE MASTER OF THE VESSEL AND THE MASTERS OF THE TUGS OR OTHER VESSELS TOWING THE VESSEL COMMIT AN OFFENCE, AND ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS.
’’ALSO, IF A VESSEL IS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH ANY BRIDGE WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS, THOSE CONCERNED ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS.”
MR TSUI ADDED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE, VESSELS WITH PROVEN RECORDS OF REGULAR USE IN THE RECENT PAST OF THE RAMBLER CHANNEL PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA (PCWA) HAVING A MAST OR SUPERSTRUCTURE HEIGHT EXCEEDING 17 METRES BUT BELOW 20 METRES MAY APPLY FOR PERMISSION TO NAVIGATE UNDER THE TSING TSUEN (NORTH) BRIDGE FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING ACCESS TO THAT PCWA. SUCH PERMISSION WILL BE GRANTED WITH STRICT CONDITIONS AND WILL INITIALLY BE VALID FOR SIX MONTHS.
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/12........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
- 12 -
CHARTER AIMS AT YOUTH’S NEEDS AND RIGHTS: SHA
THE RECENTLY PROMULGATED CHARTER FOR YOUTH AIMS TO FOCUS PEOPLE’S ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AS INDIVIDUALS AND MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT CHEUNG CHUK SHAN COLLEGE’S ANNUAL SPEECH DAY, HE SAID THE CHARTER WAS ALSO INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THOSE NEEDS AND RIGHTS COULD BE RESPECTED AND REINFORCED.
ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID IT WAS A MULTI-FACETED SUBJECT WHICH WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANY PARTIES INCLUDING THE SCHOOLS, THE FAMILIES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES.
HE CALLED ON ALL CONCERNED TO CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE A GOAL THAT WOULD ENABLE THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO ATTAIN A FULL LIFE AND TO REAFFIRM THEIR DIGNITY THROUGH INDEPENDENCE OF THOUGHT AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT.
HE SAID: "A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT MUST BE PROVIDED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORM SATISFACTORILY AS STUDENTS, SIBLINGS, SONS/DAUGHTERS, CITIZENS; AND TO INCREASE THEIR AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS."
HE ALSO HOPES THAT THEY CAN FOSTER POSITIVE SOCIAL VALUES AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
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ELECTRICAL CONTRACT FOR CHINA WATER AWARDED * * » » *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED 'A $15 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR SAI 0 PUMPING STATION AND THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT SHATIN TREATMENT WORKS.
THE PUMPING STATION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR INSTALLATIONS TO BE BUILT TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED WATER FROM CHINA BEYOND 1994 PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE AGREEMENT MADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IN DECEMBER 1989.
UPON COMPLETION, IT WILL SERVE TWO PURPOSES.
* IT ALLOWS TRANSFER OF WATER FROM PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR TO HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AT AN INCREASED RATE SO AS TO MAXIMISE THE CAPACITY OF PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR FOR STORAGE OF WATER FROM RAINFALL.
* IT HELPS TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT FROM PLOVER COVER RESERVOIR TO SHATIN TREATMENT WORKS DURING THE ANNUAL CHINA WATER SHUT DOWN PERIOD.
THE NEW PUMPING STATION WILL CONTAIN EIGHT PUMPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 1,500 MILLION LITRES A DAY.
/THE ELECTRICAL .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
13
THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACT INCLUDES THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF POWER SUPPLY SWITCHHOARDS, CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION EQUIPMENT, BUILDING SERVICES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT SHATIN TREATMENT WORKS WILL UPRATE THE DRAW-OFF CAPACITY FROM HIGH ISLAND TUNNEL TO THE TREATMENT WORKS TO ABOUT 1,200 MILLION LITRES A DAY.
THE CONTRACT AWARDED TODAY IS THE LAST IN A SERIES AWARDED UNDER A $2.1 BILLION PROJECT TO EXPAND THE FACILITIES FOR TRANSFERRING CHINA WATER.
THE ASSISTANT D1RECTOR/CH1 NA WATER, MR KO CHAN-GOCK, SIGNED THE CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ANALOGUE TECHNICAL AGENCIES LIMITED.
BINNIE CONSULTANTS LIMITED ARE THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS.
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7
MORE RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR ELDERLY NEEDED
*****
HONG KONG LACKS RECREATIONAL SERVICES TO SUIT THE SPECIAL HOLIDAY NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HELPING HAND HOLIDAY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, MRS PATTEN SAID THE DEMAND FOR THE NEW RECREATIONAL SERVICE WOULD BE ENORMOUS.
"MANY ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE CONFINED THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR TO RESIDENTIAL HOMES, NEED CONSTANT CARE AT HOME BY THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, OR JUST HAVE DULL AND LONELY LIVES ON THEIR OWN."
SHE SAID THE OPENING OF THE HOLIDAY CENTRE COULD FILL THE GAP.
THE CENTRE ENABLES THE AGED TO TAKE SHORT HOLIDAYS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, AWAY FROM THEIR DAILY ROUTINE AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT; AND ALSO AS A RESULT, ALLOW THEIR CARERS TO BE RELIEVED AND REFRESHED.
"I AM SURE THAT IT WILL PROVIDE LOTS OF FUN, HAPPINESS AND GOOD MEMORIES FOR OUR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND THEIR COMPANIONS WHO COME HERE FOR A HOLIDAY," SHE SAID.
THE IDEA FOR THIS HOLIDAY CENTRE WAS FIRST CONCEIVED IN 1988 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A HOLIDAY CENTRE WAS TO BE BUILT TO CATER FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
A GRANT OF $80 MILLION FROM THE SPECIAL COIN SUSPENSE ACCOUNT WAS APPROVED TO COVER THE CAPITAL COSTS OF THE CENTRE. OPERATING COSTS WILL BE SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
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/14........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
14
SUBVENTION FOR PARENTS/RELATIVES RESOURCE CENTRES NEXT YEAR *****
FOR THE FIRST TIME, SUBVENTION WOULD BE PROVIDED TO PARENTS/RELATIVES RESOURCE CENTRES IN 1994/95, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHENG KUNG HUI DIOCESAN WELFARE COUNCIL, MR STRACHAN HOPES THAT THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL BACKUP WOULD ENABLE THE CENTRES TO EXTEND SUPPORT SERVICES TO A WIDER NETWORK OF USERS.
THE CENTRES WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT DISABILITIES AND MENTAL ILLNESS FOR PARENTS’ REFERENCE. THEY WILL ALSO ORGANISE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE, AND CARRY OUT PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
SPEAKING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG, MR STRACHAN SAID SUPPORT SERVICES WERE OFFERED TO THE NEEDY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
"WE PROVIDE INTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL INPUT IN PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE SIX."
AFTER DISABLED CHILDREN HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SPECIAL EDUCATION, THE MORE INDEPENDENT ONES CAN MOVE ON TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
OTHERS WILL MOVE ON TO REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES OF A WELFARE AND CARING NATURE.
MR STRACHAN SAID DISABLED ADULTS WERE PLACED IN DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR TRAINING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ULTIMATE AIM WAS TO MOVE THEM INTO MAINSTREAM EMPLOYMENT.
"HOWEVER, WHEN DISABLED PERSONS BECOME TOO WEAK OR FEEBLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES OR WHEN THEY ARE IN THEIR OLD AGE, LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE WILL BE PROVIDED," HE ADDED.
AFTER THE GOVERNOR PLEDGED SUFFICIENT FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO MEET ALL KEY TARGETS IN THE REHABILITATION FIELD BY 1997, MANY NEW PROJECTS WERE COMING ON STREAM, HE SAID.
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AMBULANCE SERVICE TO GO PARAMEDIC
*****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO PROVIDE A HIGH STANDARD OF PRE-HOSPITAL CARE FOR CASUALTIES, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, SAID.
THE SERVICE HELPS TO BETTER SUSTAIN THEIR LIVES BEFORE MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TO HELP THEM RECOVER QUICKLY, HE ADDED.
/SPEAKING AT .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
15
SPEAKCNG AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 24 EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AT THE AMBULANCE TRAINING SCHOOL TODAY (FRIDAY), MR LAM SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD MADE BIDS IN THE 1994/95 BUDGET FOR THT FORMAL INTRODUCTION OF PARAMEDIC SERVICES NEXT YEAR.
"OUR PLAN IS TO OPERATE 15 PARAMEDIC AMBULANCES NEXT YEAR WHICH WILL BE STATIONED AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"IF OUR PLANS PROCEED SMOOTHLY, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR FLEET OF PARAMEDIC AMBULANCES TO 33 BY 1996," HE SAID.
THE GRADUATES COMPRISED TWO AMBULANCE OFFICERS AND 22 AMBULANCEMEN. THEY HAD COMPLETED A SIX-WEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANT LEVEL II COURSE.
MR LAM TOLD THEM THAT WHAT THEY HAD LEARNT WOULD EQUIP THEM TO TAKE ON EQUALLY REWARDING BUT CERTAINLY A MUCH MORE CHALLENGING ROLE IN THEIR PROFESSION.
THEY WILL BE ATTACHED TO HOSPITALS FOR A SHORT PERIOD BEFORE BEING DEPLOYED TO MAN THE AMBULANCES.
THE COURSE WAS RUN BY A TEAM OF CANADIAN INSTRUCTORS FROM THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PARAMEDIC ACADEMY WITH HELP FROM DOCTORS OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
- - 0 - -
WONG UK ELECTORS GO TO THE POLLS * » « * »
VOTERS IN WONG UK WILL GO TO THE POLLS ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 5) TO ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD.
A REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED THE 6,015 ELECTORS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT BY CASTING VOTES AT THE CHI HONG PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION AT 1 YUEN CHEONG LANE.
ELECTORS WILL HAVE A CHOICE OF THREE CANDIDATES FOR A SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCY. THE CANDIDATES ARE MR LEUNG CHI-WAI, MR VINCENT WONG KENG-CHUEN AND MR WONG YIU-SANG.
THE POLLING STATION WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 10.30 PM.
"VOTERS MUST PRODUCE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS TO ESTABLISH THEIR IDENTITY.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A MUST FOR THEM TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS, IT WILL SAVE TIME AND AVOID UNNECESSARY DELAY IF THEY DO SO," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
VOTING IS BY SECRET BALLOT. ELECTORS MAY VOTE FOR ONLY ONE CANDIDATE BY MARKING AN "X" AGAINST THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE ON THE BALLOT PAPER.
IF ELECTORS HAVE ANY PROBLEM, THE PRESIDING OFFICER AT THE POLLING STATION WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
VOTERS MAY MAKE ENQUIRIES BY TELEPHONE ON 827 1122.
/ATTENTION NEWS ...
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
16
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDIA MEMBERS TO COVER THE BY-ELECTION:
A PRESS CENTRE WILL BE SET UP TO FACILITATE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA. THE HOURLY VOTING RATES AND THE ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE ISSUED TO THE NEWS MEDIA THROUGH THE GIS FACSIMILE NETWORK.
PRESS CENTRE
THE PRESS CENTRE LOCATED AT THE GROUND-FLOOR LOBBY OF CHI HONG PRIMARY SCHOOL, 1 YUEN CHEONG LANE, WONG UK, SHA TIN, WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 5).
THERE WILL BE TWO TELEPHONE LINES AND A FACSIMILE MACHINE FOR USE BY REPORTERS. A HOTLINE (648 6808) FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES WILL ALSO BE SET UP DURING THE BY-ELECTION.
VISITS TO POLLING STATION
THERE WILL BE THREE VISITS ON THE ELECTION DAY. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
♦ VISIT BY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, WILL VISIT THE POLLING STATION AT 10.30 AM. SHE IS EXPECTED TO MEET THE MEDIA AROUND 10.50 AM.
* VISIT BY SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN
THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOI KAN-PUI, WILL VISIT THE STATION AT NOON.
* VISIT BY CHAIRMAN AND A* MEMBER OF BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOUNDARY ELECTION COMMISSION, MR JUSTICE WOO KWOK-HING, AND A MEMBER, PROFESSOR LEUNG
CHI-KEUNG, WILL ARRIVE AT THE STATION AROUND 10.30 PM.
OPENING OF BALLOT BOXES
ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE BALLOT BOXES AT THE COUNTING STATION AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CHI HONG PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 10.30 PM AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ELECTION RESULTS.
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/17........
17
EXCO MEMBERS UPDATED ON AIRPORT PROJECTS
♦ t t t ♦ t t
A GROUP OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS IODA1 (FRIDAY) VISITED THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO) AND SITES OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS.
THE VISIT WAS THE LATEST IN A SERIES ORGANISED TO SHOW PROMINENT GROUPS THE PROGRESS OF WORK ON THESE PROJECTS.
PREVIOUS GROUPS HAVE INCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE PARTY, COMPRISING MS ROSANNA WONG, PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH-MAK AND MR ANDREW LI, WERE FIRST BRIEFED ON THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACP BY THE DIRECTOR OF NAPCO, MR BILLY LAM.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACP WAS MOVING AHEAD ON A STEP-BY-STEP BASIS AND WAS ACHIEVING GOOD PROGRESS.
CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY TOTALLED ABOUT $46 BILLION AND HAD ALL BEEN AWARDED WITHIN BUDGET.
BY APRIL NEXT YEAR, ABOUT 90 PER CENT BY VALUE OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS WOULD HAVE BEEN AWARDED.
MEMBERS THEN FLEW BY HELICOPTER TO MA WAN TO LOOK AT THE CONSTRUCTION WORK OF THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND ROUTE 3.
THEY THEN WENT BY BOAT TO TSING YI AND WERE BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR H S KWONG, ON THE PROGRESS OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WHICH COMPRISES THE TSING MA BRIDGE, THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE AND THE MA WAN VIADUCT.
THEY WERE ALSO TAKEN BY HELICOPTER TO CHEK LAP KOK, VIEWING THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY AND THE TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENT EN ROUTE.
FOLLOWING A TOUR OF THE AIRPORT SITE, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE SITE FORMATION WORK BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND SITE STAFF.
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TAC MEMBERS BRIEFED ON ATC SYSTEM *****
MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) SAW FOR THEMSELVES HOW AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SYSTEM HELPED REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND SAVE JOURNEY TIMES.
DURING A VISIT TO THE HONG KONG AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL (HKATC) CENTRE, MEMBERS WERE SHOWN THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ATC TECHNOLOGY AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
INTRODUCING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SYSTEMS TO THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR LEE SHU-CHEE, SAID ATC OFFERS THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:
/IT REDUCES
FRIDAY, DECEMPER 1993
18
* IT REDUCES JOURNEY TIMES, VEHICLE DELAYS AND THE NUMBER OF STOPS AS TRAFFIC SIGNALS;
* SPECIAL SIGNAL TIME PLANS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO CATER FOR PARTICULAR EVENTS SUCH AS ACCIDENTS OR ROADWORKS;
♦ ’’GREEN WAVE” SIGNAL TIME PLANS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO FIRE ENGINES; AND
» SIGNAL EQUIPMENT OPERATION CAN BE CLOSELY MONITORED SO THAT FAULTS ARE IDENTIFIED AND PROMPTLY RECTIFIED.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE FIRST ATC SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED IN WEST KOWLOON IN 1977. IT PROVED EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING CONGESTION AND ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN JOURNEY TIME OF ABOUT 30 PER CENT.
SINCE THEN, THE KOWLOON ATC SYSTEM HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND RENEWAL OF THE SYSTEM IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1996.
THE HONG KONG ATC SYSTEM WAS COMPLETED IN 1989. IT INCORPORATES AN ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC RESPONSIVE CONTROL PACKAGE WHICH WILL ENABLE THE SYSTEM TO RESPOND INSTANTANEOUSLY TO CHANGES IN PREVAILING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
THE SYSTEM FOR TSUEN WAN IS NOW BEING INSTALLED AND IS PROGRAMMED FOR COMPLETION IN 1995. THE SYSTEM FOR SHA TIN IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMMISSIONED BY 1997.
MEMBERS WERE GIVEN A DEMONSTRATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM AND THEN TAKEN ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE CENTRE INCLUDING THE COMPUTER ROOM.
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ARTIFICIAL REEF PLANTED IN PAK SHA O *****
AN ARTIFICIAL REEF WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) PLANTED AT PAK SHA O IN SAI KUNG UNDER AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S SWIRE MARINE LABORATORY.
THE REEF, BUILT WITH 1,000 COAL ASH CEMENT BLOCKS, OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 100 SQUARE METRES AND IS TWO METRES HIGH.
IT IS PLACED AT A SITE WITH A DEPTH OF SEVEN METRES OF WATER AT HIGH TIDE AT PAK SHA O, WHERE ONE OF ITS BAYS -- HOI HA WAN — HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR HONG KONG’S FIRST MARINE PARK.
AFD’S SENIOR CAPTURE FISHERIES OFFICER, DR PAUL MAK, SAID THE PROJECT AIMED TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ARTIFICIAL REEF AS A FISHERIES RESOURCES ENHANCEMENT AND CONSERVATION DEVICE, AS WELL AS THE FEASIBILITY OF UTILISING FUEL ASH UNDERWATER IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY MANNER.
DR MAK POINTED OUT THAT ARTIFICIAL HABITAT TECHNOLOGY HAD BEEN APPLIED IN MANY COUNTRIES WITH CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS. AFD THEREFORE DECIDED TO TEST ITS EFFECT IN LOCAL WATERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SWIRE MARINE LABORATORY.
/THE STUDIES
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
19
THE STUDIES AND INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT WILL COST $3 MILLION AND IS SUPPORTED AND FUNDED EQUALLY BY THE TERRITORY’S TWO POWER COMPANIES, HONG KONG ELECTRIC CO LTD AND CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO LTD.
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PAI TAU ROAD WORKS APPROVED *****
ROAD WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN PAI TAU', SHA TIN, TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FOR THE PROPOSED VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION SCHEME IN THE AREA.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO UNDERTAKE THE WORKS.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF A PARKING AREA, AN EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS ROAD FROM THE PARKING AREA TO THE PAI TAU VILLAGE EXTENSION AREA, AND FOOTPATHS, CARRIAGEWAY, STAIRS AND AMENITY AREAS.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ACCESS WHICH MAY BE CLOSED IF NECESSARY.
DURING CONSTRUCTION, NECESSARY ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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LOGO DESIGN CONTEST TO BOOST HERITAGE PRESERVATION
*****
THE COUNCIL OF THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 6) TO ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS OF THE LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION ’’HERITAGE IN GRAPHICS”.
THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST WAS SET UP UNDER THE LAW IN LATE 1992 WITH AIMS TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE HONG KONG’S HERITAGE.
TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS NEW BODY FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION, A TERRITORY-WIDE LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION HAD BEEN ORGANISED TO SELECT A LOGO FOR THE TRUST.
A TOTAL OF 217 ENTRIES HAD BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE COMPETITION WHICH WERE JUDGED IN TWO STAGES.
WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
IN ADDITION, OPENING OF THE PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL ALSO BE ANNOUNCED.
/THE TRAIL ......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993 20
THE TRAIL LINKS UP A NUMBER OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE STRUCTURES WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE, ENABLING THE PUBLIC TO RECAPTURE THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CONVENIENTLY.
PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST, MR EDWARD HO, AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, MR ANGUS MIU.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE WHICH STARTS AT 3 PM TN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
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TWO YUEN LONG AREAS TO GET TREATED WATER SUPPLY ♦ * * « ♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 10 KILOMETRES OF WATER MAINS ALONG DEEP BAY ROAD, NIM WAN ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO FUNG KONG TSUEN, YUEN LONG, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HEADER TANK WITH A CAPACITY OF 500 CUBIC METRES.
THE WORKS FORM A MAJOR PART OF A PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ENTITLED ’’WATER SUPPLY TO SHEUNG PAK NAI AND HA PAK NAI, YUEN LONG” AND PART OF THE RURAL PLANNING IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY PROGRAMME.
THE TWO AREAS WILL GET TREATED WATER SUPPLY WHEN THE WORKS FINISH BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 44TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
TENDERS OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON DECEMBER 24.
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S5 STUDENT AND STUDENT-TEACHERS RECEIVE AWARDS * ♦ * ♦ *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED THE CHARLES AND ELIZABETH FRANKLAND MOORE AWARDS TO A SECONDARY 5 STUDENT AND TWO STUDENT-TEACHERS FOR OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.
THEY WERE MR LAM HEI-LING FROM QUEEN’S COLLEGE WHO OBTAINED 10AS AND RANKED FIRST IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION THIS YEAR AND MR DANIEL LEE KIN-YING AND MS LAM PO-YING WHO RECEIVED SPECIAL EDUCATION TRAINING AT THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SINO-BRITISH FELLOWSHIP TRUST.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR WONG SAID THE TWO STUDENT-TEACHERS’ FUTURE CONTRIBUTION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE LIFE MUCH HAPPIER FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
- 21 -
GOVT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN TAI TAM, IT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LAND IS LOCATED IN RED HILL ROAD, TAI TAM, HONG KONG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,080 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL, OFFICE AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL) USE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 14 NEXT YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER PLAN IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN THESE OFFICES.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
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SITTING-OUT AREA PLANNED FOR MA ON SHAN
*****
A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE WILL BE BUILT IN CENTRAL MA ON SHAN AS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
WORK ON THE TWO-HECTARE OPEN SPACE NEAR YIU ON ESTATE IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MARCH NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 12 MONTHS.
THE PROJECT EMBODIES CHILDREN PLAY AREAS, PUBLIC LAVATORIES, TAI CHI PRACTISING AREA, FITNESS TRAILS, SITTING-OUT AREAS AND LANDSCAPED AREAS.
TENDERS FOR THE WORKS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM SHANKLAND COX LIMITED, SUITE 1708, HARCOURT HOUSE, 39 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON DECEMBER 24.
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/22 .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
- 22 -
268 VMS RETURN HOME
* * * * *
A GROUP OF 268 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 95 MEN, 75 WOMEN, 50 BOYS AND 48 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 183RD BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 10,570 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 36,882 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
,-----0--------
MINIBUS SERVICES EXTEND TO TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCES THAT THE TWO GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 20 AND 37M WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH AREA IN THE FORMS OF SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTES ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 5) .
FARES ARE $2.5 FOR ROUTE 20 FROM SAN PO KONG TO TSZ WAN SHAN NORTH, AND FOR THE NEW SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTE TO TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH.
BOTH ROUTES WILL INTRODUCE SECTION FARES OF $2.
THE FARES ARE $1.5 FOR ROUTE 37M FROM WONG TAI SIN MTR STATION TO TSZ WAN SHAN NORTH, AND FOR THE NEW SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTE TO TSZ MAN ESTATE.
ROUTES 20 AND 37M ALSO RUN SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTES FROM WONG TAI SIN MTR STATION TO SAN PO KONG AND TO TSZ LOK ESTATE AT FARES OF $2 AND $1.5 RESPECTIVELY. THESE ROUTES WILL SHORTEN THE TRAVELLING TIME.
MORE BUSES WILL BE PUT INTO SERVICE TO RUN THE SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTES.
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/23........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1993
23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,365
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,635
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +965
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,965
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.9 *+0.1* 3.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.42 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.30 3.67
1 MONTH 2.86 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.82 3.92
3 MONTHS 3.02 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.92 4.10
6 MONTHS 3.19 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.85 4.27
12 MONTHS 3.55 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.74 4.72 AND BONDS - 16,346 MN
CLOSED 3 DECEMBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR HOPES FOR SINCERITY ON BOTH SIDES .............. 1
GOVT COMMENTS ON STATEMENT BY HK & MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE . 2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL ...................................... 3
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: GOVERNOR ................................................. 4
PRIVATELY-FUNDED CONTINUING EDUCATION DEVELOPING IN HK .. 4
CONTRACT AWARD OF TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM ... 5
SIX MORE TREE WALKS OPEN ................................ 6
PEOPLE ASKED TO VOTE AT BY-ELECTION ..................... 7
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ............ 8
CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IN NORTH DISTRICT AND TAI PO ........ 9
TAI PO TO LAUNCH KEEP HK CLEAN CAMPAIGN ................. 10
FRESH WATER CUT IN TSEUNG KWAN O ........................ 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
11
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
GOVERNOR HOPES FOR SINCERITY ON BOTH SIDES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, EXPRESSED HIS HOPE THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE WARS OF WORDS BUT A SINCERE EFFORT ON BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES TO REACH AGREEMENT IF THAT WAS POSSIBLE.
ASKED BY THE MEDIA AFTER THE OPENING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL TO COMMENT ON THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE YESTERDAY, MR PATTEN SAID: "I DON’T THINK THAT IT IS VERY HELPFUL IF WE GET INTO A WAR OF WORDS.
"1 DON'T HONESTLY THINK THAT’S WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT. WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO IS TO DISCUSS MATTERS COOLLY AND CALMLY AND TRY WHERE POSSIBLE TO REACH AGREEMENT AND WHERE WE CAN’T REACH AGREEMENT, CARRY ON IN A CIVILISED WAY AS WE CAN MANAGE."
STRESSING THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO GET DEEPLY INVOLVED IN DETAILS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE SO FAR, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "HOWEVER, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF POINTS THAT I THINK I SHOULD MAKE ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE PUT OUT."
HE SAID THE FIRST WAS A VERY PARTIAL ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
"IT IS PERFECTLY TRUK THAT WE LOOKED AS THOUGH WE WERE MAKING PROCESS IN THE 15TH ROUND AND THAT IS WHAT I WAS ABLE TO REPORT TO THE CABINET COMMITTEE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"UNFORTUNATELY, THINGS WENT BACKWARD AFTER THAT AND THE CHINESE SIDE MOVED AWAY FROM THE POSITION THAT THEY’D TAKEN IN THE 15TH ROUND.
"IT’S SAD BUT OUR OPTIMISM DRAINED AWAY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ASKED THEMSELVES THE QUESTION WHY THINGS WERE SAID IN THE 15TH ROUND WHICH WERE THEN TAKEN AWAY IN THE 16TH AND 17TH ROUNDS OR CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY."
ON THE SECOND POINT ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ROLE, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE ALL KNOW THAT WITH BRITISH SOVEREIGN NOW, CHINA SOVEREIGN IN THE FUTURE, IT’S STILL THE CASE THAT WE HAVE UNDER OUR PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS A LEGISLATURE TO WHICH THE EXECUTIVE IS RESPONSIBLE AND A LEGISLATURE WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENACTING BILLS, FOR ENACTING LEGISLATION NOT LEAST OUR ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.
"SO, THE SIMPLE MESSAGE IS THIS THAT NEITHER BEFORE 1997 NOR AFTER 1997 CAN THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE EXPECT TO HAVE A RUBBER STAMP LEGISLATURE.
"I DON’T THINK THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT AND I DON’T THINK THAT IS WHAT ANYONE SHOULD WANT."
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Z2 ........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
- 2 -
GOVT COMMENTS ON STATEMENT BY HK & MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE * « » * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) MADE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ON THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE YESTERDAY. THE SPOKESMAN SAID:
"OUR OBJECTIVE IN STARTING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS ON THE SIMPLE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS IS TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES CONCERNING THESE ELECTIONS. WE HAVE MADE CLEAR FROM THE OUTSET OF THE TALKS THAT SEPARATING THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS FROM THOSE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD NOT BUY US MORE TIME. THE GOVERNOR SET OUT CLEARLY THE REASONS FOR THIS IN HIS STATEMENT TO LEGCO ON THURSDAY.
WE HAVE MADE VERY CLEAR THAT WE WISH THE TALKS TO CONTINUE ON THE REMAINING ISSUES. SO WE DO NOT WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE DETAIL OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT WOULD IMPERIL THAT PROSPECT.
HOWEVER - WHILE RESERVING OUR POSITION TO SAY MORE AT A FUTURE DATE IF NECESSARY - WE WANT TO MAKE TWO POINTS AT THIS STAGE.
FIRST, THE CHINESE ACCOUNT IN THE HKMAO STATEMENT OF THE LAST STAGE OF THE TALKS IS FAR FROM BEING A FULL AND FRANK ACCOUNT. IT IS TRUE THAT AFTER ROUND 15 THE BRITISH SIDE THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO REACH AN INTERIM AGREEMENT. TO GAIN ANY TIME FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES SUCH AN AGREEMENT WOULD HAVE HAD TO INCLUDE THE VOTING AGE AND VOTING METHOD FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS. BUT IN ANY CASE THAT OPTIMISM WAS DESTROYED IN THE 16TH AND 17TH ROUNDS WHEN THE CHINESE SIDE MADE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN THEIR POSITION. THOSE CHANGES WOULD HAVE HAD THE EFFECT - HAD WE AGREED TO THEM - OF ERODING THE AUTONOMY OF THE SAR, AS SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW. WE COULD NOT HAVE AGREED TO THIS.
SECOND, MUCH OF THE CHINESE STATEMENT DERIDES THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG. THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ON THIS SCORE. BRITAIN IS THE SOVEREIGN POWER BEFORE JULY 1, 1997; CHINA IS THE SOVEREIGN THEREAFTER. BUT BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997 THE EXECUTIVE IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENACTING ELECTORAL LEGISLATION AND OTHER LEGISLATION. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT IS FAR FROM HELPFUL - AND IT IS INACCURATE - TO PORTRAY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS A MERE RUBBER STAMP."
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
3
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ♦ * t » t
AFTER OPENING FESTIVAL
GOVERNOR: IT IS AN IMPORTANT FESTIVAL AND AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND I HOPE THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IN HONG KONG WILL LISTEN TO WHAT’S BEING SAID AND SUNG THIS MORNING AND REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL OF US MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT.
QUESTION : HOW DO YOU SUPPOSE THE HONG KONG AND MACAU OFFICE’S THREATS WILL AFFECT HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT IT IS VERY HELPFUL IF WE GET INTO A WAR OF WORDS. I DON’T HONESTLY THINK THAT’S WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT. WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO IS TO DISCUSS MATTERS COOLLY AND CALMLY AND TRY WHERE POSSIBLE TO REACH AGREEMENT AND WHERE WE CAN’T REACH
AGREEMENT, CARRY ON IN A CIVILISED WAY AS WE CAN MANAGE. OBVIOUSLY, SINCE OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO CONTINUE THE TALKS AND TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN THE TALKS, I DON’T WANT TO GET DEEPLY INVOLVED IN DETAILS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SO FAR. THERE MAY COME A TIME FOR THAT BUT IT IS NOT NOW. HOWEVER, THERE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS THAT 1 THINK I SHOULD MAKE ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE PUT
OUT. THE FIRST IS THIS. THAT IT IS, TO PUT IN MILDLY, A VERY PARTIAL
ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED. IT IS PERFECTLY TRUE THAT WE LOOKED AS THOUGH WE WERE MAKING PROGRESS IN THE 15TH ROUND AND THAT IS WHAT I
WAS ABLE TO REPORT TO THE CABINET COMMITTEE. UNFORTUNATELY, THINGS
WENT BACKWARD AFTER THAT AND THE CHINESE SIDE MOVED AWAY FROM THE POSITION THAT THEY’D TAKEN LN THE I5TH ROUND. IT’S SAD BUT OUR OPTIMISM DRAINED AWAY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ASKED THEMSELVES THE
QUESTION WHY THINGS WERE SAID IN THE 15TH ROUND WHICH WERE THEN TAKEN AWAY IN THE 16TH AND 17TH ROUNDS OR CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY. THE SECOND THING WHICH I’D LIKE TO SAY IS THAT 1 DO FIND IT VERY SURPRISING TO SEE WHAT’S SAIL) ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ROLE IN THAT STATEMENT BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT WITH BRITISH SOVEREIGN NOW, CHINA SOVEREIGN IN THE FUTURE, IT’S STILL THE CASE THAT WE HAVE UNDER OUR PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS A LEGISLATURE TO WHICH THE EXECUTIVE IS RESPONSIBLE AND A LEGISLATURE WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENACTING BILLS, FOR ENACTING LEGISLATION NOT LEAST OUR ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. SO, THE SIMPLE MESSAGE IS THIS THAT NEITHER BEFORE 1997 NOR AFTER 1997 CAN THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE EXPECT TO HAVE A RUBBER STAMP LEGISLATURE, J DON’T THINK THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT AND I DON’T THINK THAT IS WHAT ANYONE SHOULD WANT. BUT I REPEAT, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE WON’T HAVE WARS OF WORDS THAT WE WON’T HAVE ABUSE THAT WE’LL HAVE SIMPLE EFFORT AND A SINCERE EFFORT
ON BOTH SIDES TO REACH AGREEMENT IF THAT IS POSSIBLE.
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/4 ........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE POSITIVE RESPONSE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL 1993, MR PATTEN SAID DEMANDS THAT EVERY HONG KONG PEOPLE MADE EACH DAY ALL CAUSED POLLUTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.
THESE DEMANDS INCLUDE LIGHT AND POWER, PACKAGING AND PLASTIC BAGS, TRANSPORT AND TAP WATER.
MR PATTEN WAS GLAD TO SEE MANY NEW INITIATIVES TO TURN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS INTO ACTION.
EVENTS LIKE THIS YEAR'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL HELP TO FOCUS THE MINDS OF THE COMMUNITY ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF MISUSING THE ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID.
MR PATTEN APPEALED TO THE COMMUNITY TO OBSERVE THE CONCEPTS OF "REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE AND RESPOND".
---------0-----------
PRIVATELY-FUNDED CONTINUING EDUCATION DEVELOPING IN HK
*****
A PRIVATELY-FUNDED FURTHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IS DEVELOPING IN HONG KONG, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 19TH GRADUATION CEREMONY OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE, MR LAM SAID RECENTLY THERE HAD BEEN A GROWTH IN SELF-FINANCED HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO WERE PREPARED TO PAY FOR THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION AT SUB-DEGREE AND DEGREE LEVELS.
EXPLAINING THE SYSTEM, MR LAM SAID HUNDREDS OF ADULTS EACH YEAR PURSUED COURSES IN HONG KONG LEADING TO THE AWARD OF OVERSEAS DEGREES.
"MANY OF THESE COURSES UPGRADE QUALIFICATIONS AT THE POSTGRADUATE LEVEL," HE SAID.
"SUCH COURSES ARE MAINLY OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH EXTRA-MURAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND THE SHUE YAN COLLEGE."
SINCE 1979, SHUE YAN’S COLLABORATION WITH OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAS DEVELOPED RAPIDLY AND PROVIDED GREATER DIVERSITY AND CHOICE IN HONG KONG’S HIGHER EDUCATION.
/THESE OVERSEAS .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
- 5 -
THESE OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS COME FROM WIDELY 1FFERENT EDUCATION SYSTEMS AND SOCIETIES, RANGING FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA AND ('HINA. IN SUBJECTS SUCH AS SOCIAL WORK, HISTORY, ECONOMICS, COMMERCE AND LAW.
MR LAM ALSO NOTED THAT PRIVATE TERTIARY EDUCATION WAS BEING DEVELOPED THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM IN HONG KONG’S HIGHER EDUCATION.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE ENABLES PEOPLE AT LOWER LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT TO JOIN LINKED PROGRAMMES OF COURSES LEADING FROM SUB-DEGREE TO POSTGRADUATE LEVELS.
"THIS HAS BEEN APPLIED TO 20 DIFFERENT DEGREE COURSES IN A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS," HE SAID.
"CURRENTLY, THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE ALSO HAS CREDIT TRANSFER AGREEMENTS WITH THE OPEN UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE AGENCY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
"I HOPE THAT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FULLY FLEDGED SYSTEM OF CREDIT ACCUMULATION AND TRANSFER BETWEEN HONG KONG’S INSTITUTIONS AND ELSEWHERE, ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR STUDENTS TO MOVE FROM ONE INSTITUTION TO ANOTHER."
------0--------
CONTRACT AWARD OF TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A CONTRACT WORTH $305.9 MILLION FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM ON THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND PART OF ROUTE 3 TO GEC (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP), COMPRISES A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A HIGHWAY, BRIDGES AND A TUNNEL, TOTALLING 16.7 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH, ON THE ROUTE TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
IT ALSO INCLUDES ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE TING KAU BRIDGE, AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 SPANNING THE RAMBLER CHANNEL BETWEEN NORTHWEST TSING YI ISLAND AND TING KAU OF TSUEN WAN.
FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE CLOSE CIRCUIT TELEVISION SURVEILLANCE FOR TRAFFIC MONITORING AND INCIDENT DETECTION, RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, TRAFFIC SIGNS AND LANE SIGNALS COVERING THE FULL EXTENT OF THE CONTROL AREA INCLUDING THE LOWER DECK OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, COMPUTERISED CONTROL AND MONITORING OF SIGNS AND SIGNALS, AN AUTOMATIC INCIDENT DETECTION SYSTEM, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES, PUBLIC ADDRESS FACILITIES, AND ALL EQUIPMENT, COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND DISPLAYS AT THE CONTROL CENTRE AND LOCAL CONTROL ROOMS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE ABOVE FACILITIES.
/TENDERS WERE .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
6
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM FIVE PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS AND GEC (HONG KONG) LIMITED SUBMITTED THE LOWEST TENDER OF $305.9 MILLION.
WORK WILL START THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN MID 1997.
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, COMPRISING THE TSING MA BRIDGE, THE KAP SHUT MUN BRIDGE AND MA WAN VIADUCT, WILL FORM PART OF AN EXTENSIVE TRANSPORT NETWORK LINKING TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK TO THE URBAN AREAS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG.
ROUTE 3 IS PLANNED AS A MAJOR NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY LINKING THE BORDER AND NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WITH WEST KOWLOON VIA TSING YI. THE FIRST PART OF ROUTE 3 TO BE CONSTRUCTED FALLS WITHIN THE ACP AND CONNECTS THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WITH THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
THE AWARD OF THIS TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 33, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF NEARLY $31 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS VALUED AT $9.7 BILLION AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED RY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR THE ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS OVER $46 BILLION.
-----0-----
SIX MORE TREE WALKS OPEN
*****
SIX MORE TREE WALKS IN COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, BRINGING TO 14 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH WALKS IN THE TERRITORY.
THE SIX TREE WALKS ARE SITUATED RESPECTIVELY IN POK FU LAM, CLEAR WATER BAY, NAI CHUNG, KAM SHAN, WONG SHEK AND MA ON SHAN.
AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S (AFD) ACTING SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, DR YEUNG KA-MING SAID THESE WALKS WOULD PROVIDE MORE AVENUES FOR VISITORS TO STUDY AND UNDERSTAND TREES WHILE APPRECIATING THE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.
DR YEUNG SAID: "THESE TREE WALKS ARE OF VARYING LENGTH, COUNTRY PARK VISITORS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN PREFERENCE ACCORDING TO THFIR INTEREST, ACCESSIBILITY AND PHYSICAL STRENGTH.”
HE ADDED THAT THESE WALKS EMBRACE AN INTERESTING MIXTURE OF EXOTIC AND INDIGENOUS TREE SPECIES, OFFERING TO VISITORS AN IDEAL AREA TO APPRECIATE THE GRACE OF THEIR DIVERSE FORMS AND SHAPES.
HE SAID VISITORS COULD OBTAIN USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT INTERESTING TREE SPECIES FROM ON-SITE INTERPRETATIVE STEEL PLATES PUT UP ALONG THE WALKS.
/TO MARK .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
7
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THESE TREE WALKS, DR YEUNG NO'll D THAT AFD HAD COMPILED A HANDY TREE WALK HANDBOOK. ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, DISTRICT 3450, HONG KONG AND MACAU HAD SPONSORED IN THE PUBLICATION OF THE BOOK.
THE BI-LINGUAL HANDBOOK WILL GIVE BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS ON 100 TREE SPECIES, WITH HIGHLIGHTS ON FEATURES FOR IDENTIFICATION. IT IS ALSO THE FIRST ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK ON TREES IN HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE.
DR YEUNG EXPECTS THE HANDBOOK WILL BECOME A USEFUL REFERENCE FOR COUNTRYSIDE LOVERS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TAKING FIELD TRIPS IN COUNTRY PARKS.
IT IS ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY AS IT HAS BEEN PRINTED WITH RECYCLED PAPER, HE ADDED.
COPIES OF THIS HANDBOOK WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
FREE COPIES WOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO LEADERS OF ORGANISED GROUPS TAKING PART IN COUNTRY PARKS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB COUNTRY PARKS ADOPTION SCHEME, CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME, COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME, AND FORESTRY WORK CAMPS AND SO ON.
COUNTRY PARK VISITORS WITH SPECIAL INTEREST IN TREES MAY ALSO OBTAIN FREE ('OPIES BY POST FROM AFD BY WRITING TO ITS TRAINING AND EDUCATION SECTION, CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS BRANCH, 14TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE OTHER EIGHT COUNTRY PARK TREE WALKS, WHICH HAVE PROVED VERY POPULAR AMONG VISITORS SINCE THEIR OPENING LATE LAST YEAR, ARE SITUATED AT ABERDEEN, QUARRY BAY, TAI TAM, TAI TAN, KEI LING HA, TAI TONG, PAK TAM CHUNG AND NAM SHAN RESPECTIVELY.
--------0-----------
PEOPLE ASKED TO VOTE AT BY-ELECTION * t * ♦ »
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID BROWNING, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN TOMORROW’S DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION FOR THE WONG UK CONSTITUENCY.
MR BROWNING STRESSED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD WAS AN IMPORTANT CONSULTATIVE BODY ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND HAD MADE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN SHA TIN OVER THE YEARS.
"THE DISTRICT BOARD IS THE AVENUE THROUGH WHICH YOUR VALUABLE VIEWS ON LOCAL MATTERS ARE COLLECTED AND DISCUSSED," HE SAID.
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE DISTRICT BOARD ADVISES ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN AND NEW FACILITIES, HOUSING, HEALTH, EDUCATION, WELFARE, TRAFFIC, TRANSPORT, CULTURE AND SPORTS AND RECREATION.
/THE BY-ELECTION .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
- 8 -
THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
A POLLING STATION WILL BE SET UP AT THE CHI HONG PRIMARY SCHOOL, 1 YUEN CHEONG LANE.
THREE CANDIDATES ARE VI ING FOR THE VACATED SEAT. THEY ARE MR LEUNG CHI-WAI, MR VINCENT WONG KENG-CHUEN AND MR WONG YIU-SANG.
THE 6,015-VOTER CONSTITUENCY COVERS SHA TIN WAI, BELAIR GARDENS, SHA TIN PARK, RIVERA GARDEN, SPRINGFAIR GARDEN, CHUEN FAI CENTRE, GREEN LEAVES GARDEN, GREENFIELD COURT, LAI SHING GARDEN, GREENWOOD GARDEN, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, FUI YIU HA, WONG UK AND TSE UK.
VOTERS ARE REMINDED TO BRING THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND THEIR POLL CARDS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON TEL 827 1122.
------0-------
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION *****
FIFTY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF 52,149,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW TH) REGISTRATION MARK 1988 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF 5320,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK 3933 WAS SOLI) AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $260,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR FL7380, FM1203, FN735I, FL3566, FL4510 & FM5154.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FM6628 14,000 FM 822 36,000 FM1203 1,000 FM 803 10,000
FL 118 60,000 FL 380 48,000 AB 332 60,000 AL1289 22,000
*AE 92 50,000 *FS 2 200,000 ♦ FK 19 80,000 *1988 320,000
FM 348 24,000 HK28O8 38,000 FM 449 5,000 FM 370 6,000
AA 31 1 120,000 FM1668 52,000 FL 988 35,000 FN7351 1,000
FM 932 6,000 FL7380 1,000 CC 216 24,000 BB3353 10,000
FL4888 8,000 FM 296 6,000 FM 388 80,000 FM1357 5,000
*3933 260,000 *DK 11 100,000 ♦FL3333 120,000 ♦ AB 16 120,000
Fl. 806 15,000 FMI662 5,000 CD 105 6,000 FM9332 4,000
FM2229 6,000 FK9288 11,000 FM 2 16 11,000 EV6983 5,000
AC 12 7 42,000 FL3566 1,000 ♦ FT 1 1 1 55,000 CE2922 15,000
FL4510 1 ,000 AY6146 5,000 FM8184 3,000 ♦CW 400 40,000
FM5096 WITHDRAW FM5154 1 ,000
♦SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
9
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE CAR REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO CARS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 207TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $225,643,905.
THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR FM5096. THIS REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT.
---------0-----------
CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IN NORTH DISTRICT AND TAI PO ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
RESIDENTS OF NORTH DISTRICT AND TAI PO ARE INVITED TO JOIN IN A SERIES OF CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THERE WILL BE GAME STALLS, QUIZ AND SINGING PERFORMANCE.
THE PROGRAMME IN NORTH DISTRICT WILL BEGIN AT 10.30 AM AT THE DISTRICT’S COMMUNITY CENTRE ON LUNG SUM AVENUE, FANLING. THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 7.30 PM AT THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL, NEXT TO THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TIMOTHY TONG, AND THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
IN TAI PO, THE ACTIVITIES WILL START AT 2 PM IN TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE, TAI YUEN ESTATE, TAI PO.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE, MR YAU CHUNG-WAN; THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG, AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG.
THE ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE RESPECTIVELY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER BOTH EVENTS.
THE NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY WILL OPEN AT 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AT LUNG SUM AVENUE, FANLING.
THE TAI PO PROGRAMME WILL OPEN AT 2 PM IN TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE, TAI YUEN ESTATE, TAI PO.
------0--------
/io......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
- 10 -
TAI PO TO LAUNCH KEEP HK CLEAN CAMPAIGN
*****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED AT YUEN SHIN PARK TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE 1993/94 TAI PO DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP AND SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
IT WILL SPREAD THE MESSAGE THAT HONG KONG IS A CLEAN PLACE TO LIVE IN.
TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG; TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG; TAI PO DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, MR K C KWOK; CHAIRMAN OF TPDB’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG HOK-MING AND WORKING GROUP’S CONVENOR, MR HO TAI-WAI, WILL KICK OFF THE CAMPAIGN.
TO MARK THE CAMPAIGN, A TOTAL OF 40 SAMPANS AND 10 BICYCLES WILL PARADE ALONG LAM TSUEN RIVER.
PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED ON TWO SUNDAYS - ON DECEMBER 12 AND 19. THESE INCLUDE A BUS PARADE IN KWONG FUK ESTATE, FU SHIN ESTATE AND FU HANG ESTATE ON DECEMBER 12; AND IN TAI WO ESTATE, WAN TAU TONG ESTATE AND TAI YUEN ESTATE ON DECEMBER 19.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE TAI PO DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WJLL BE LAUNCHED AT 11 AM AT YUEN SHIN PARK, AT THE JUNCTION OF YUEN SHIN ROAD AND TAI WO ROAD IN TAI PO.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
------0-------
FRESH WATER CUT IN TSEUNG KWAN 0
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 6) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES LOCATED BETWEEN WAN PO ROAD AND THE JUNCTION OF PO LAM ROAD NORTH AND YAU YUE WAN VILLAGE ROAD, INCLUDING KING LAM ESTATE, ON NING GARDEN, FU NING GARDEN, HANG HAU VILLAGE AND BOON KIN VILLAGE.
-----0-------
/Il ....
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1993
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 *-0.1*
MILLION
3,965
-1,045
2,920
NIL
270
3,190
4.12.93
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW PHONE-IN SERVICE TO SETTLE BILLS .......................... 1
RESULT OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION FOR WONG UK CONSTITUENCY ................................................. 2
CSW MARKET - FIRST BUILDING COMPLETED UNDER ACP ................ 2
STAMP BOOKLETS TO SELL AT CONVENIENCE STORE .................... 3
CAS CADETS UPHOLD SPIRIT TO SERVE .............................. 4
CLOSING DATE FOR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS CONTEST DRAWS NEAR ......................................................... 4
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1993
1 -
NEW PHONE-IN SERVICE TO SETTLE BILLS *****
STARTING FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 9), THE PUBLIC MAY SETTLE RATES, WATER AND TAX BILLS BY TELEPHONE UNDER A NEW COLLECTION SERVICE INTRODUCED BY THE TREASURY AND INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW PAYMENT-BY-PHONE SERVICE IS A 24-HOUR SERVICE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL PRE-REGISTERED USERS WHO CAN USE THEIR TONE PHONES TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS DIRECTLY TO SETTLE THEIR BILLS.
ONCE REGISTERED, CALLERS CAN PAY THEIR BILLS BY DIALLING SPECIAL TELEPHONE NUMBER, FOLLOWING VOICE PROMPTS TO KEY IN AN ACCESS CODE, ACCOUNT NUMBER AND THE AMOUNT OF THE BILL.
AT THE END OF EACH TRANSACTION, A REFERENCE NUMBER WILL BE GIVEN FOR CUSTOMERS REFERENCE AND ENQUIRIES.
MOST ATM CARDHOLDERS CAN REGISTER TO BECOME A USER OF THE NEW SERVICE.
THE FIRST REGISTRATION SHOULD BE PERFORMED AT THE REGISTRATION TERMINALS TO BE INSTALLED AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES OF THE TREASURY, INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, CSL SHOPS AND HK TELECOM SERVICE CENTRES.
SUBSEQUENT REGISTRATION FOR ADDITION OR DELETION OF ACCOUNTS CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE TELEPHONE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW SERVICE SHOULD BE POPULAR BECAUSE IT WAS A CONVENIENT WAY TO SETTLE BILLS.
"USERS CAN JUST CALL IN TO MAKE PAYMENT AND THE WHOLE PROCESS WILL ONLY TAKE ONE TO THREE MINUTES TO COMPLETE; HENCE OBVIATING THE NEED TO QUEUE UP IN THE COLLECTION OFFICES OR TO SEND PAYMENT BY POST," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FURTHERMORE, PAYMENT THROUGH TELEPHONE FOR RATES AND WATER BILLS BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON THE PAYMENT DUE DATE WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED ON THE SAME DAY. SURCHARGES ON LATE PAYMENT CAN BE AVOIDED.
FOR ENQUIRIES OF THE NEW SERVICE, THE PUBLIC CAN CALL THE TREASURY ON TEL 829 5184 OR INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 877 9111.
A GENERAL ENQUIRY HOTLINE OF THE SERVICE - 170 222 329 (ENGLISH) OR 170 222 328 (CHINESE) IS ALSO AVAILABLE.
LEAFLETS ABOUT THE NEW SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES OF TREASURY AND INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
- - 0-------
/2 ........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1993
- 2 -
RESULT OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION FOR WONG UK CONSTITUENCY *****
MR WONG YIU-SANG WAS TODAY ELECTED TO FILL THE VACANT DISTRICT BOARD SEAT IN WONG UK CONSTITUENCY AFTER DEFEATING TWO OTHER CANDIDATES.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE VOTES THE CANDIDATES GOT IN THE ELECTION:
CANDIDATE NO. OF VOTES
- /■ WONG YIU-SANG , 1,014
LEUNG CHI-WAI 750
WONG KENG-CHUEN, VINCENT 100
-------0-------
CSW MARKET - FIRST BUILDING COMPLETED UNDER ACP *****
ONE OF THE "BRIGHTEST" SIGNS OF PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) IS THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET, THE FIRST BUILDING TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED UNDER THE ACP.
AS WORK ON THE VARIOUS SITES OF THE ACP PROJECTS GOES ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, THE MARKET ALREADY OPERATES ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
HOWEVER, COMPARED TO THE LIGHTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND THE DREDGERS IN THE HARBOUR, THE MARKET IS A SEA OF ILLUMINATION AND ACTIVITY.
THE MARKET WAS BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN ONLY 30 MONTHS, FROM INITIAL DESIGN TO COMPLETION. THIS PROBABLY MADE IT THE FASTEST BUILDING OF ITS SIZE AND COMPLEXITY TO HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN HONG KONG.
THE MARKET WAS BUILT ON LAND RECLAIMED AS PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING, WORK IS NOW PROGRESSING ON THE REST OF THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE RECLAMATION TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER PROJECTS UNDER THE ACP.
THESE INCLUDE THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
- - 0 - -
/3
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1993
3
STAMP BOOKLETS TO SELL AT CONVENIENCE STORE *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT STAMP BOOKLETS WOULD SOON BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT DESIGNATED 7-ELEVEN CONVENIENCE STORES.
THE SELLING OF THESE STAMP BOOKLETS AT THE 24-HOUR CONVENIENCE STORES IS PART OF THE SERVICE IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES BY THE POST OFFICE.
IT WILL GREATLY INCREASE THE CONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS EASING CONGESTION AT POST OFFICE COUNTERS.
THREE TYPES OF STAMP BOOKLETS, EACH CONTAINING 10 PIECES OF $1, $1.9 AND $2.4 DEFINITIVE STAMPS, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $10, $19 AND $24 RESPECTIVELY.
THE STAMPS ARE OF THE MOST WIDELY USED DENOMINATIONS AND ARE USED FOR THE POSTING OF LOCAL LETTERS AND AIRMAIL LETTERS TO ZONE 1 AND ZONE 2 COUNTRIES AT THE INITIAL WEIGHT STEP OF 10 GRAMMES.
THE $10 STAMP BOOKLETS WILL BE PUT ON SALE FROM NOON ON DECEMBER 10, AND THE $19 AND $24 STAMP BOOKLETS ON DECEMBER 28. A POSTER WILL BE DISPLAYED AT 7-ELEVEN STORES WHERE THESE STAMP BOOKLETS ARE AVAILABLE.
LOCAL PHILATELISTS WILL WISH TO NOTE THAT A SPECIAL HAND BACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE ON DECEMBER 10 AND DECEMBER 28.
UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PREPAID ’’FIRST DAY COVERS” PREPARED PRIVATELY AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS, WILL BE DATE-STAMPED AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A CONTRACT-SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE FRONTAGE OF THE 7-ELEVEN SHOP AT 54, HING FAT STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY AT 11.30 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 10). YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1993
4
CAS CADETS UPHOLD SPIRIT TO SERVE *****
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVING THE PUBLIC AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES (CAS), MR NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
ADDRESSING THE CAS CADET CORPS 25TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE, HE SAID HE WAS GLAD TO NOTE THAT MANY CADETS CONTINUED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY JOINING THE DISCIPLINARY FORCES OR OTHER AUXILIARY UNITS.
"THEIR INITIATIVE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC INDEED DESERVES OUR HIGH RESPECT," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE CADETS ARE SERVING IN MULTIFARIOUS PUBLIC EVENTS SUCH AS CROWD MANAGEMENT, LIFE-SAVING AT BEACHES, COUNTRYSIDE PATROLLING AND FLAG-SELLING.
"THROUGH GROUP ACTIVITIES AND DISCIPLINARY TRAINING, CADETS CAN FOSTER THEIR PUBLIC SPIRIT OF SERVING OTHERS, THEIR SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, AND THEIR TALENTS IN LEADERSHIP," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG HOPED THE CORPS WOULD NURTURE A GROUP OF AND RESPONSIBLE YOUNGSTERS TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO THE SERVING THE PUBLIC.
DURING THE PAST 25 YEARS, MORE THAN 21,500 YOUTHS THE CORPS.
SELF-RELIANT
MISSION OF
HAVE JOINED
---------0-----------
CLOSING DATE FOR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS CONTEST DRAWS NEAR
*****
ENTRIES FOR AWARDS FOR THE OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS 1993 ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) WILL CLOSE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
LAUNCHED IN 1990, THE SCHEME AIMS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT YOUNG AND UP-AND-COMING PLAYWRIGHTS.
IT ALSO ENCOURAGES WRITERS TO TAKE PART IN COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY VARIOUS BODIES TO PROMOTE ORIGINAL DRAMA SCRIPT WRITING.
THE AWARD SCHEME IS DIVIDED INTO SECONDARY SCHOOL AND OPEN SECTIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR CFPA SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT ELIGIBLE ENTRIES WERE NOT RESTRICTED TO ORIGINAL SCRIPTS IN CHINESE WHICH HAD ONLY WON PRIZES IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR.
"ORIGINAL SCRIPTS WHICH ARE PERFORMED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1993 WILL ALSO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARDS," HE SAID.
/ALL ENTRIES .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1993
- 5 -
ALL ENTRIES HAVE TO BE NOMINATED BY EITHER THE ORGANISER OF THE DRAMA COMPETITION CONCERNED, OR A MEMBER OF THE DRAMA COMMITTEE OF CFPA OR AN ASSESSOR OF THE COUNCIL’S REPORT WRITING SCHEME.
THERE WILL BE SIX PRIZES IN THE OPEN SECTION AND THREE IN THE SECONDRY SCHOOL SECTION.
CASH PRIZES OF $15,000, $10,000 AND $7,000 WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF FULL-LENGTH PLAYS WHILE PRIZES OF $10,000, $7,000 AND
$5,000 WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF ONE-ACT PLAYS/SHORTER WORKS IN THE OPEN SECTION.
CASH PRIZES OF $7,000, $5,000 AND $2,000 WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS DECEMBER 31. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BEFORE MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
NOMINATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CFPA SECRETARIAT ON 40TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 594 5624.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SETS DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE BILL ............... 1
TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY GOVERNOR TO MEDIA AFTER PRESENTATION OF HIS AWARDS FOR INDUSTRY .................................. 1
HK CAN BE MERCHANT BANK TO CHINA: GOVERNOR ................... 3
DON’T MISS HUGE OPPORTUNITIES HERE: GOVERNOR ................. 3
CENTRAL MONEYMARKETS UNIT SERVICE LAUNCHED TODAY ............. 5
MORE HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN URGED ......................... 6
2ND REVIEW ON ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER OUT TOMORROW ........... 7
HK’S CONTAINER THROUGHPUT INCREASES SUSTAINED ................ 8
LBAC DISCUSSES LAND TITLES BILL .............................. 10
LATEST DRUG FIGURES RELEASED ................................. 10
GOVERNOR VISITS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ....................... 11
PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL TO OPEN SOON ........................ 12
BETTER FIRE AND EMERGENCY COVERAGE FOR WEST TUEN MUN ......... 13
SLOTS ALLOCATED TO ROAD TEST REPEATERS BY BALLOT ............. 13
SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. IX ON SOCIAL STATISTICS PUBLISHED . 14
CARE IN PREPARING HOTPOTS .................................... 14
TWO MOTION DEBATES ON LEGCO AGENDA ........................... 15
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
17
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 1 -
GOVERNOR SETS DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE BILL
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (MONDAY) EVENING SAID THE BILL ON THE VOTING METHODS AND VOTING AGE HAD TO BE COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY 23 IN ORDER TO HAVE THE TIME TO PUT IN PLACE THE VOTERS’ REGISTER IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE GOVERNOR’S AWARDS FOR INDUSTRY, MR PATTEN SAID: "I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT WE OUGHT TO GET THESE MEASURES ONTO THE STATUTE BOOK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
’’YOU CAN’T GO ON PUTTING OFF THINGS FOREVER.
’’WE DON’T WANT TO PUSH THINGS FASTER OR FURTHER THAN WE NEED TO BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THERE COMES A POINT WHEN WE’VE JUST GOT TO MOVE ON. AND THAT IS THE CASE THIS WEEK AS WAS LAST WEEK.”
DEFENDING THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE RIGHT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER THE PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT WAS ABSOLUTE CLEAR.
’’IT’S THERE TO PERFORM THE ROLE OF ADVISING AND GIVING CONSENT BUT NOT JUST ADVISING, GIVING CONSENT AS WELL,” MR PATTEN SAID.
’’AND, ONE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND SEES ABSOLUTELY CLEARLY THAT UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, UNDER, FOR EXAMPLE, ARTICLE 55 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, UNDER ARTICLE 73 OF THE BASIC LAW, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS THE JOB OF AMENDING OR REPEALING OUR LAWS, OF WRITING OUR LAWS.
”IT’S THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO WHICH WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE. SO THOSE WHO PRETEND THAT LEGCO DOESN’T HAVE A ROLE, THOSE WHO PRETEND THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD JUST BE THERE FOR PROVIDING THE SORT OF OFFICIAL CHOP ON DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE, HAVEN’T READ OR UNDERSTOOD THE JOINT DECLARATION TO WHICH BOTH BRITAIN AND CHINA PUT THEIR NAMES, HAVEN’T UNDERSTOOD THE BASIC LAW WHICH ARE OUR FUTURE CONSTITUTION.”
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TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY GOVERNOR TO MEDIA AFTER PRESENTATION OF HIS AWARDS FOR INDUSTRY *****
GOVERNOR: YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKING AROUND THOSE PRODUCTS. THEY ARE TERRIFIC EXAMPLES OF THE RANGE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN. ANYBODY WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER HONG KONG CAN STAY SUCCESSFUL, THEY SHOULD LOOK AT AN EXHIBITION LIKE THAT. ANY QUESTION? THERE AREN’T ANY?
QUESTION: SOME LEGISLATORS SAID THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DELAY THE BILL.....?
/GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
2
GOVERNOR: LEGISLATORS SAY QUITE A LOT OF THINGS. SOME LEGISLATORS WERE SAYING LAST WEEK THAT SINCE THE BILL WASN’T CONTROVERSIAL, THEY SHOULD GET TO MOVE ON WITH IT. AND I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT WE OUGHT TO GET THESE MEASURES ONTO THE STATUTE BOOK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE’VE GOT TO COMPLETE THIS BILL BY THE END OF FEBRUARY, BY THE 23RD OF FEBRUARY, IN ORDER TO HAVE THE TIME TO PUT IN PLACE OR START PUTTING IN PLACE THE VOTERS’ REGISTER IN APRIL. YOU CAN’T GO ON PUTTING OFF THINGS FOREVER. THE MOST UNCONTROVERSIAL OF ALL THE PROPOSALS THAT WE'VE PUT FORWARD WAS THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION BILL AND PEOPLE SAY THAT WON’T TAKE MUCH TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT ACTUALLY TOOK FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS FOR US TO GET THAT THROUGH. THIS PARTICULAR BILL, WHILST IT DEALS WITH STRAIGHT-FORWARD ISSUES, HAS ALREADY DRAWN QUITE A LOT OF COMMENTS FROM LEGISLATORS. AT LEAST TWO GROUPS OF LEGISLATORS HAVE TALKED ABOUT AMENDING IT. ONE GROUP OF LEGISLATORS HAVE SAID THEY ARE NOT VERY KEEN AT THE MOMENT ON THE PROPOSAL WE’VE PUT FORWARD AS A GESTURE OF GOODWILL, TO MAKE MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES ELIGIBLE OF STANDING FOR DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND FOR LEGCO. SO, ALL THOSE MATTERS ARE GOING TO BE DEBATED, ARE GOING TO BE CONSIDERED. AND I THINK PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT IT COULD ALL BE DONE IN 48 HOURS, IT COULD BE DONE OVER A CUP OF TEA, ARE FRANKLY A LITTLE FAR FROM REALITY. WE DON’T WANT TO PUSH THINGS FASTER OR FURTHER THAN WE NEED TO BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THERE COMES A POINT WHEN WE’VE JUST GOT TO MOVE ON. AND THAT IS THE CASE THIS WEEK AS WAS LAST WEEK. JUST ONE OTHER POINT THAT I’D PUT BECAUSE I NOTICE IT’S BEEN DISCUSSED A BIT IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN QUESTIONING THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. FOR THE RIGHT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER THE PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT IS ABSOLUTE CLEAR. IT’S THERE TO PERFORM THE ROLE OF ADVISING AND GIVING CONSENT, BUT NOT JUST ADVISING, GIVING CONSENT AS WELL. SO THAT FOR EXAMPLE, IT GIVES CONSENT TO LEGISLATION. SO FOR EXAMPLE, IT GIVES CONSENT TO THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR. THEORETICALLY, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COULD VOTE DOWN THE BUDGET. AND THEN, ONE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND SEES ABSOLUTELY CLEARLY THAT UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, UNDER, FOR EXAMPLE, ARTICLE 55 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, UNDER ARTICLE 73 OF THE BASIC LAW, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS THE JOB OF AMENDING OR REPEALING OUR LAWS, OF WRITING OUR LAWS. IT’S THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO WHICH WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE. SO THOSE WHO PRETEND THAT LEGCO DOESN’T HAVE A ROLE, THOSE WHO PRETEND THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD JUST BE THERE FOR PROVIDING THE SORT OF OFFICIAL CHOP ON DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE HAVEN’T READ OR UNDERSTOOD THE JOINT DECLARATION TO WHICH BOTH BRITAIN AND CHINA PUT THEIR NAMES, HAVEN’T UNDERSTOOD THE BASIC LAW WHICH ARE OUR FUTURE CONSTITUTION.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, IF YOU ARE WILLING TO WAIT AFTER THESE NEGOTIATIONS AND IF LEGCO ISN’T GOING TO GIVE IT A SHOT, WHY DON’T YOU JUST CALL IT AN END TO A WHOLE DAY AND BRING THE WHOLE BILL FORWARD?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I SET OUT AT SOME LENGTH LAST WEEK WHY WE THOUGHT IT WAS SENSIBLE TO PUT FORWARD, FIRST OF ALL, THE RELATIVELY UNCONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. WE’VE DONE THAT IN GOOD FAITH IN ORDER TO TRY TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME FOR DEALING WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL ONES AND I HOPE THAT RATHER THAN HEARING INACCURATE ACCOUNTS OF WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HAVE SEEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THEY HAVE BEEN, OR RATHER THAN LISTENING TO RATHER ABUSIVE REMARKS MADE ABOUT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG. I HOPE RATHER THAN THAT, WE’LL HEAR SOME CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN MAKE WHAT REMAINS OF THE TALKS THE SUCCESS THAT WE ALL LIKE TO SEE. THANKS VERY MUCH.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 3 -
HK CAN BE MERCHANT BANK TO CHINA: GOVERNOR
*****
HONG KONG HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PLAY THE SAME PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA’S ECONOMY AS NEW YORK PLAYED IN THE GROWTH OF THE UNITED STATES’ ECONOMY A CENTURY AGO, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE MERCHANT BANK TO CHINA IF YOU LIKE," MR PATTEN SAID, AT THE OPENING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ISSUERS AND INVESTORS FORUM.
FOR THAT HOPE TO BE REALISED, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE FORMULA THAT MADE HONG KONG WORK WAS MAINTAINED: FREE MARKET CAPITALISM WITHIN A RULE OF LAW THAT RESPECTED INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS AND ENFORCED CONTRACTS.
BUILT ON A FIRM FOUNDATION INHERITED FROM LONG INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXPERIENCE, HONG KONG OFFERS AN IDEAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG’S TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS WERE MADE WITH THE HELP OF THE STRONG GROWTH OF ECONOMIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
HE SAID: "NOTABLY, OUR TRADE WITH OTHER ASIAN ECONOMIES GREW BY 24 PER CENT IN THE PAST YEAR, EVIDENCE OF THE GROWING INTERCHANGE BETWEEN ECONOMIES INSIDE THE REGION."
HONG KONG NOW HAS A WORLD-CLASS EQUITY MARKET WHICH IS WELL-REGULATED, AND WORTH THE RESPECT AND ATTENTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY.
MR PATTEN SAID: "THE FUNDAMENTAL SOUNDNESS OF THE MARKET HAS BEEN SHOWN BY THE FACT THAT, DESPITE THE OCCASIONAL AND FAIRLY REGULAR SQUALLS IN THE POLITICAL FRONT, OURS HAS BEEN POSSIBLY THE BEST PERFORMING STOCK MARKET IN THE WORLD THIS YEAR."
HE ADDED THAT THIS REFLECTED THE CONFIDENCE OF BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ISSUERS AND INVESTORS IN THE MARKET, UNDERPINNED NOT ONLY BY STRONG ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS, BUT ALSO AS A RESULT OF A MUCH IMPROVED REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
--------0 -
DON’T MISS HUGE OPPORTUNITIES HERE: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THERE WERE HUGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG.
"AND I AM CONFIDENT YOU WILL SEIZE THEM," MR PATTEN TOLD HIS AUDIENCE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1993 GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY.
/HE SAID........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HELPED THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR MOVE BEYOND COMPETENT MANUFACTURING OF OTHER PEOPLE’S INVENTIONS BY GIVING A MAJOR BOOST TO APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
THAT IS, THE PROCESS BY WHICH NEW AND BETTER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CAN BE DEVISED.
LAST YEAR, THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WAS ESTABLISHED TO NURTURE HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES DEVELOPING NEW AND IMPROVED PRODUCTS.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL FUND TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
AND NEXT YEAR, IT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE FUNDING TO THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, TO ENABLE IT TO SUPPORT PROJECTS TO ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
"TO CAPITALISE ON THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOINT RESEARCH WITH SCIENTISTS IN CHINA, WE ARE SEEKING TO ESTABLISH AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE WHICH WILL SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND CHINA," MR PATTEN ADDED.
MR PATTEN LATER PRESENTED THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY TO FIVE COMPANIES IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE.
THEY ARE THE NUTS TECHNOLOGIES LTD FOR THE CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN CATEGORY; R & S MACHINERY EQUIPMENT LTD FOR THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN CATEGORY; MAXTOR (HONG KONG) LTD FOR THE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY CATEGORIES; MOTOROLA SEMICONDUCTORS HONG KONG LTD FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE CATEGORY; AND TEAM CONCEPTS ELECTRONICS LTD FOR THE EXPORT MARKETING CATEGORY.
WINNERS OF THE AWARD ARE ENTITLED TO DISPLAY AN OFFICIAL LOGO ON THE COMPANY LETTERHEADS, ENVELOPES, COMPLIMENTARY SLIPS, PRESS ADVERTISING AND OTHER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
THEY ALSO RECEIVE THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD TROPHY, A HANDSOME AND INDIVIDUALLY-CRAFTED SCULPTURE, AS A PERMANENT MEMENTO OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENT.
INTRODUCED IN 1989, THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY IS A MAJOR AWARD SCHEME TO RECOGNISE AND ENCOURAGE EXCELLENCE IN DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE.
COMPETITIONS ARE HELD ANNUALLY IN EACH OF THE SIX AWARD CATEGORIES ORGANISED BY DIFFERENT LEADING ORGANISERS.
/THE FEDERATION .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
5 -
THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN CATEGORY; THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG FOR THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN CATEGORY; THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL FOR THE PRODUCTIVITY CATEGORY; THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE QUALITY CATEGORY; THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE CATEGORY AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR THE EXPORT MARKETING CATEGORY.
APART FROM THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY, WHICH IS AWARDED TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING ENTRY IN EACH AWARD CATEGORY, EACH ORGANISER ALSO PRESENTS THE LEADING ORGANISER’S AWARD(S) AND CERTIFICATE(S) OF MERIT IN THE CATEGORY FOR WHICH IT IS RESPONSIBLE.
--------0
CENTRAL MONEYMARKETS UNIT SERVICE LAUNCHED TODAY
*****
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA), MR JOSEPH YAM, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THE LAUNCHING OF THE CENTRAL MONEYMARKETS UNIT (CMU) SERVICE.
MR YAM SAID THE CMU SERVICE PERFORMED THE ROLE OF A CENTRAL CUSTODIAN AND CLEARING AGENT FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY PRIVATE SECTOR ISSUERS.
"IT HANDLES DEBT INSTRUMENTS WHICH ARE EITHER IMMOBILISED OR DEMATERIALISED, AND TRANSFER OF TITLE IS EFFECTED BY COMPUTER BOOK ENTRY," MR YAM EXPLAINED.
"THE SERVICE OFFERS AN EFFICIENT, SAFE AND CONVENIENT CLEARING SYSTEM WHICH WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS REDUCING TRANSACTION COSTS AND SETTLEMENT RISK," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WELCOMED THE SETTING UP ON THIS CMU WHICH WAS MENTIONED IN HIS LAST BUDGET SPEECH ON MARCH 3.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE CMU SERVICE WAS PART OF THE CONTINUING EFFORTS TO DEVELOP HONG KONG’S DEBT MARKET, THROUGH WHICH THE COMPETITIVE EDGE OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE WOULD BE FURTHER ENHANCED.
IN DEVELOPING THE CMU SERVICE, THE HKMA HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE HONG KONG CAPITAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION TO ENSURE THAT THE SERVICE MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE MARKET.
ELEVEN COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP AS MEMBERS OF THE CMU SERVICE. THE NAMES OF THESE 11 FOUNDING MEMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
BANK OF CHINA, HONG KONG BRANCH
JARDINE FLEMING BANK LIMITED
/LTCP ASIA .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 6
LTCB ASIA LIMITED
OAKREED FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
SANWA INTERNATIONAL FINANCE LIMITED
SCHRODERS ASIA LIMITED
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
STANDARD CHARTERED ASIA LIMITED
THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
WARDLEY LIMITED
THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED WILL BE ENGAGED BY THE HKMA TO PROVIDE SAFE-KEEPING AND SUB-CUSTODIAN FUNCTION FOR THE CMU SERVICE.
AFTER THE FORMAL LAUNCHING OF THE CMU SERVICE, TRADING OPERATIONS WILL START SEVERAL WEEKS LATER ON JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR. THE CMU MEMBERS WILL MAKE USE OF THIS INTERIM PERIOD TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR TRADING OPERATIONS.
------0-------
MORE HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN URGED * * * * «
BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO ENSURE A PROPER EMPHASIS ON THE CONDITIONS AND DISEASES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO WOMEN OF ALL AGE GROUPS, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SUCH WORK WOULD HELP TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE STATUS OF WOMEN'S HEALTH IN HONG KONG, SHE ADDED.
AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, MRS PATTEN SAID WOMEN IN THE TERRITORY GENERALLY ENJOYED GOOD HEALTH.
THE HIGH LEVELS OF EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND STANDARD OF LIVING AID THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG ALL EXERT AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH, SHE SAID.
"BUT WE MUST NOT BECOME COMPLACENT. WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE OUR SERVICES.
NEEDS AND DEMANDS CHANGE. AND, IN ADDITION, WE MUST KEEP AN EYE ON CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND ANTICIPATE FUTURE TRENDS."
/SHE FELT........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
7
SHE EELT THAT FUTURE STUDIES SHOULD ALSO FOCUS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE USE OF SERVICES AND THE ACTUAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS, HOW TO DELIVER EFFICI ENT"AND EFFECTIVE CARE AND HEALTH EDUCATION.
"THE FAMILY IS THE NUCLEUS OF SOCIETY. AND THE WOMAN TRADITIONALLY IS AT THE HEART OF THE FAMILY.
"BUT WOMEN’S HEALTH HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN GIVEN THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES," SHE SAID.
MRS PATTEN SAID THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN IMPROVING SUCH A SITUATION.
"THERE NOW EXISTS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR, A COMPLEMENTARY AND COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE."
"HOWEVER, IN THE PREVENTIVE MEDICINE FIELD, OTHER CATEGORIES OF WOMEN ARE TOO OFTEN NOT BEING CATERED FOR," SHE SAID.
I •
IN THE LIGHT OF THIS, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SET UP THREE WELLWOMAN CLINICS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO PROVIDE HEALTH PROMOTION AND SCREENING SERVICES TO WOMEN TN THE PERI AND POST-MENOPAUSAL AGE GROUPS.
THE FIRST WELL-WOMAN CLINIC WILL OPEN EARLY NEXT YEAR AT THE LAM TIN POLYCLINIC.
------0--------
2ND REVIEW ON ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER OUT TOMORROW
*****
THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT WHICH CHARTS OUT THE FUTURE ACTION PLANS TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
ENTITLED "A GREEN CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNITY", THE REVIEW ALSO SEEKS TO EXAMINE THE PROGRESS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME AND TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF NEW INITIATIVES TO STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WORK.
COPIES OF THE REVIEW AND A PAMPHLET HIGHLIGHTING MAIN POINTS OF THE REVIEW WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM DISTRICT OFFICES I ROM WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 8).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO LAUNCH THE REVIEW AT THE G1S PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AT 3.30 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
------0--------
/8......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 8 -
UK’S CONTAINER THROUGHPUT INCREASES SUSTAINED * * » * *
HONG KONG’S AVERAGE OVERALL CONTAINER THROUGHPUT FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, HAS INCREASED BY 16.2 PER CENT, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN DALE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ANNOUNCING THE LATEST CONSOLIDATED THROUGHPUT FIGURES, MR DALE SAID:
"HONG KONG HANDLED 6,746,471 TEU’S (TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS) IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR COMPARED TO 5,808,065 OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
"THESE FIGURES WILL KEEP HONG KONG AT THE HEAD OF THE WORLD CONTAINER HANDLING LEAGUE TABLE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY INDICATED SUSTAINED GROWTH IN DEMAND AND THE PORT’S ABILITY TO SERVICE THAT DEMAND."
CURRENT INCREASES IN THROUGHPUT ARE GENERALLY IN LINE WITH FORECASTS, WHICH FURTHER UNDERLINES THE NEED FOR PORT FACILITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO STAY ON SCHEDULE, HE ADDED.
THE COMPARATIVE CONTAINER STATISTICS IN TEU’S ARE:
FIRST NINE MONTHS OF ’92 FIRST NINE MONTHS OF ’93 PERCENTAGES INCREASE
KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINALS 3,714,958 4,222,751 + 13.7%
STREAM AND ELSEWHERE 1,808,829 2,096,699 + 15.9%
RIVER TRADE 298,724 435,740 + 45.9%
TOTAL 5,808,065 6,746,471 + 16.2%
NOTE: TO AVOID DOUBLE COUNTING, FIGURES ARE ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS BY 14,446 IN 1992 AND 8,719 IN 1993 BEING TEU’S HANDLED BY TERMINAL VESSELS CONTRACTED TO WORK IN THE STREAM.
HONG KONG IS THE BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT IN THE WORLD, HANDLING X RECORD OF 7.97 MILLION TEU’S LAST YEAR AND FORECAST TO HANDLE WELL IN EXCESS OF NINE MILLION TEU’S THIS YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION ON TEL 852 4423 AND 852 4425 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR 9493 8262 OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS.
/9 ........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
9
Comparative Container Statistics for January - September 1993
KWAI CHUNG TERMINALS First 9-month 1992 • First 9-monti 1993 Change Percent
Loaded Full (T.E.U.) 1 868 725 2112 608 13.1%
Discharged Full (T.E.U.) 1 274 597 1 440 045 13.0%
Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) 86 438 126 235 46.0%
Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) 485 098 543 863 12.1%
Throughput
a) T.E.U. 3 714 958 4 222 751 13.7%
b) Actual 2 371 500 2 670 797 12.6%
c) Ratio 1.57 1.58
% of T.E.U. throughput being empty 15.38% 15.87%
% of T.E.U. throughput being transhipment 17.10% 14.53%
Container Tonnage (Tonnes)
a) Loaded 12 281 386 13 1 35 224 7.0%
b) Discharged 12 351 531 13 214 634 7.0%
c) Total 24 632 917 26 349 858 7.0%
Average Weight per full T.E.U. (Tonnes)
a) T.E.U. Loaded 6.57 6.22
b) T.E.U. Discharged 9.69 9.18
c) T.E.U. Total 7.84 7.42
* STREAM AND ELSEWHERE
Loaded Full (T.E.U.) 726 325 834 245 14.9%
Discharged Full (T.E.U.) 647 446 1 012 295 19.5%
Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) 137 679 128 806 —6.4%
Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) 97 379 121 353 24.6%
Throughput (T.E.U.) 1 808 829 2 096 699 - 15.9%
RIVER TRADE (Other than those handled at Kwai Chung Terminals )
Loaded Full (T.E.U.) 107 866 152 409 41.3%
Discharged Full (T.E.U.) 88 600 133 754 51.0%
Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) 37 446 64 926 73.4%
Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) 64 312 84 651 30.6%
Throughput (T.E.U.) 298 724 435 740 45.9%
# THROUGHPUT (Kwai Chung Terminals 4- Stream & Elsewhere .+ River Trade)
Loaded Full (T.E.U.) Discharged Full (T.E.U.) Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) Discharged Empty (T.E.U.) Throughput (T.E.U.)
2 691 209 3 097 941 15.1%
2 208 400 2 582 343 16.9%
261 391 319 830 22.4%
647 065 746 357 15.3%
5 806 065 6 746 471 16.2%
* Figures include a total of 14 446 T.E.U. In 1992 and 8 719 T.E.U. in 1993 respectively handled by terminal vessels contracted to work in the stream.
# To avoid double counting figures are adjusted downwards by 14 446T.E.U. In 1992 and 8 719T.E.U. in 1993 respectively handled by terminal vessels contacted to work In the stream
Statistics Section. Planning Branch (File Ref.: HQ/PS 135/3/1 (1993) ] c:\ts\comp\teu-93
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/10........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
LBAC DISCUSSES LAND TITLES BILL * * * * *
THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LBAC') DISCUSSED AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) THE MAIN PROPOSALS IN THE LAND TITLES BILL.
THE BILL SEEKS TO CONVERT THE EXISTING LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO A TITLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
UNDER THE PROPOSED TITLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM, THE LAND REGISTERS KEPT AND MAINTAINED IN THE LANI) REGISTRY WILL BE THE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP.
THE COMMITTEE, ('HAIRED BY MR CHENG HON-KWAN, NOTED THAT THE LAW SOCIETY AND OTHER INTERESTED BODIES WERE BEING CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSALS BEFORE A SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ABOUT THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S AGREEMENT THAT ’’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA” (CDA) ZONING ON STATUTORY PLANS SHOULD NOT BE DEZONED AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT A PROPER REVIEW AND THAT EACH EXISTING "CDA” SHOULD BE REVIEWED REGULARLY.
LBAC ALSO ENDORSED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR AUTHORISED PERSONS, REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND REGISTERED CONTRACTORS.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AIMED TO STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURES IN THE EXISTING REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL TO OPERATE.
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LATEST DRUG FIGURES RELEASED
*****
THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OF ALL AGES REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE (CRDA) IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WAS 6,651, REPRESENTING A 17.2 PER CENT INCREASE WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) WERE UPDATED AT THEIR MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) ON THE LATEST DRUG SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
ACCORDING TO THE QUARTERLY DRUG SITUATION REPORT ISSUED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED PERSONS OF ALL AGES REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY IN THIS QUARTER INCREASED BY 25.7 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, TO STAND AT 982.
AMONG THE NEWLY REPORTED, 497 OF THEM WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 21, UP BY 24.6 PER CENT AS AGAINST THE SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR.
/THIS IS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 11 -
THIS IS THE SMALLEST QUARTERLY INCREASE THIS YEAR. THE INCREASES IN NEWLY REPORTED PERSONS UNDER 21 FOR THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS OF 1993 WERE 73.2 PER CENT, 62.3 PER CENT AND 24.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTERS IN 1992.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES REPORTED TO THE CRDA OVER THE NINE MONTHS FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1993 WAS 14,228, COMPARED WITH 12,446 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1992, A RISE OF 14.3 PER CENT.
THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED PERSONS OF ALL AGES ROSE FROM 2,109 IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1992 TO 2,922 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1993, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 38.5 PER CENT.
FOR PERSONS AGED UNDER 21 NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CRDA DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS, IT REGISTERED AN INCREASE FROM 983 IN 1992 TO 1,529 THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING A 55.5 PER CENT RISE.
MEANWHILE, ACAN MEMBERS AT THE MEETING ENDORSED A PILOT SCHEME TO PROVIDE A NEW TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR YOUNG MALE DRUG ADDICTS.
WHILE STILL SEEKING FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT, ACAN MEMBERS HOPE THAT AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT MODALITY WILL HELP MALE OPIATE ABUSERS UNDER THE AGE OF 25 TO KICK THEIR HABIT.
AS PROPOSED BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS (SARDA), THE NEW CENTRE WILL BE LOCATED IN SUBURBAN AREA WHERE HELP SEEKERS WILL UNDERGO AN IN-PATIENT PROGRAMME OF NOT LESS THAN EIGHT WEEKS FOR DETOXIFICATION AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL REHABILITATION.
TO BE STAFFED BY SARDA’S HONG KONG SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE AT SOUTHORN CENTRE IN WAN CHAI, AN OUT-PATIENT COUNSELLING PROGRAMME OF A MAXIMUM OF 18 MONTHS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE IN-PATIENT PROGRAMME.
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GOVERNOR VISITS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES t t t * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL VISIT TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN EAST KOWLOON TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO SEE FOR HIMSELF PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THERE.
HE WILL FIRST VISIT THE LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE, WHERE HE WILL RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MARK IV-V ESTATES, VISIT A FAMILY AND A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE (MAC) OFFICE.
HE WILL THEN GO TO SEE A NEWLY BUILT ESTATE IN DIAMOND HILL, FUNG TAK ESTATE, WHERE HE WILL VISIT SOME SHELTERED HOUSING UNITS FOR THE ELDERLY AND TOUR A COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
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/12........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 12 -
PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL TO OPEN SOON *****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE LORI) WILSON HERITAGE TRUST, MR EDWARD HO, TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL BE OPEN VERY SOON.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF THE LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE TRUST AND ITS OTHER WORK SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, MR HO SAID THE OPENING OF THE TRAIL WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION IN HONG KONG.
MR HO SAID THE TRAIL LINKED UP A NUMBER OF TYPICAL TRADITIONAL CHINESE STRUCTURES WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE, THUS PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECAPTURE THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE PAST CENTURIES IN A CONVENIENT HALF-DAY EXCURSION.
HE SAID THE PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH A SUM OF $1 MILLION DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND PROVISION OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNS, INFORMATION BOARDS AND EXPLANATORY PLAQUES ALONG THE TRAIL.
THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST HAD ALSO ALLOCATED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $642,000 TO PUBLISH AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET INTRODUCING THE FEATURES ALONG THE TRAIL, SET UP MINI DISPLAYS AT MAJOR POINTS OF INTEREST AND ORGANISE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO VISIT THE TRAIL, MR HO SAID A DRAWING COMPETITION AND A PHOTO ALBUM GAME WOULD BE ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
MR HO SAID TO PROJECT THE IMAGE OF THE TRUST, A LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION HAD BEEN ORGANISED.
THE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION WAS MR YIP PO-HO1, AND THE OTHER FINALISTS WERE MR LEUNG CHIU, MR LOK CHUN-WA, MR CHIU CHI-ON AND MR YICK TAI-WA. MR YIP AND THE OTHERS WERE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES AT THE CONFERENCE BY MR HO.
IN ADDITION, IN ORDER TO AROUSE YOUTH AWARENESS OF HERITAGE PRESERVATION, AND TO SYSTEMATICALLY PASS ON HERITAGE INFORMATION TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION, THE TRUST HAD RECENTLY COMMISSIONED THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO COMPILE A LEARNING PACKAGE ON LOCAL HISTORY, WITH EMPHASIS ON HERITAGE PRESERVATION, FOR USE AS REFERENCE MATERIALS BY JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, MR HO SAID.
THE LEARNING PACKAGE WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-1994.
MR HO NOTED THE COUNCIL HAD SO FAR APPROVED SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT, WITH A TOTAL AMOUNT OF OVER $0.5 MILLION APPROVED FOR HERITAGE RELATED PROJECTS.
THE TRUST WELCOMED APPLICATIONS FROM BONA FIDE ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG FOR FUNDING SUPPORT TO ORGANISE HERITAGE-RELATED ACTIVITIES, SUBJECT TO FUND AVAILABILITY AND THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECTS ARE FOUND ACCEPTABLE TO THE COUNCIL OF THE TRUST, HE ADDED.
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/13........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 13 -
BETTER FIRE AND EMERGENCY COVERAGE FOR WEST TUEN MUN
*****
ADEQUATE AND NECESSARY FIRE COVERAGE WILL BE PROVIDED TO TUEN MUN, CASTLE PEAK BAY AND TAP SHEK KOK AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOLLOWING THE COMMISSIONING OF THE PILLAR POINT FIRE STATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW FIRE STATION TODAY (MONDAY), THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS), MR HENRY TANG SIU, SAID ITS OPERATION WOULD ENABLE THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO FULFIL THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE OF ACHIEVING THE TARGET RESPONSE TIME.
NOTING THAT THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD BECOME MORE AND MORE DEVELOPED IN THE PAST DECADE AND THE POPULATION IN TUEN MUN HAD GROWN UP TO OVER 403,000, MR TANG SAID THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE FIRE AND EMERGENCY COVER WAS CRUCIAL TO THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND INDUSTRIES.
THE PILLAR POINT FIRE STATION SERVES AN AREA OF ABOUT 24 SQUARE KILOMETRES IN THE WESTERN PART OF TUEN MUN WITH INDUSTRIES SUCH AS TAP SHEK KOK POWER STATION, CHINA CEMENT COMPANY AND THE BLACK POINT POWER STATION WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
"THERE ARE ALSO SOME POTENTIAL FIRE RISKS WITHIN THE REGION, SUCH AS THE BBC RELAY STATION AND PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE,” HE ADDED.
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SLOTS ALLOCATED TO ROAD TEST REPEATERS BY BALLOT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES TODAY (MONDAY) THAT EMPTY SLOTS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO ROAD TEST REPEATERS BY BALLOTING FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SLOTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF POSTPONEMENT OF TESTS BY APPLICANTS.
THE SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 1 ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID BECAUSE THE DEMAND HAD BEEN GREATER THAN THE SUPPLY, CROWD CONTROL PROBLEM AROSE.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, ROAD TEST REPEATERS CAN SEND IN THEIR INITIAL APPLICATIONS IN PERSON IN THE MORNING UP TO 11 AM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS.
AT 2.30 PM RESULTS OF BALLOTING WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE LICENSING OFFICES.
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED AN APPOINTMENT ARE REQUIRED TO BRING ALONG THEIR DOCUMENTS AND COMPLETE THE APPLICATION BEFORE CLOSE OF OFFICE AT 4 PM EACH DAY.
/14 ........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 14 -
SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. IX ON SOCIAL STATISTICS PUBLISHED *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A REPORT- "SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. IX” CONTAINING THE FINDINGS OF FIVE SPECIAL TOPICS ENQUIRIES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT FROM OCTOBER 1991 TO MARCH 1992 VIA THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY.
THE FIVE TOPICS COVERED IN THE REPORT ARE:
- DOMESTIC HELPERS;
- HIGHER EDUCATION ATTAINED OUTSIDE HONG KONG;
- TAXI WAITING TIME;
- OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY;
- USE OF TELEVISION SETS AND VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $42 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
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CARE IN PREPARING HOTPOTS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD ADOPT PROPER FOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES WHEN PREPARING HOTPOTS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF 'HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR MAHOMMED ALI, SAID.
MAKING THE APPEAL, DR ALI ALERTED RESIDENTS OF THE POSSIBLE FOOD-BORNE DISEASES SUCH AS FOOD POISONING AND HEPATITIS A.
"RESTAURANT STAFF SHOULD ALWAYS OBSERVE HYGIENE PRACTICES IN PREPARING FOOD FOR HOTPOTS," HE SAID.
"CUSTOMERS, ON THE OTHER HAND, SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE FOOD IS ADEQUATELY COOKED BEFORE CONSUMPTION."
RESIDENTS SHOULD ALSO TAKE EXTRA CARE WHILE PREPARING HOTPOTS AT HOME.
DR ALI REMINDED RESIDENTS TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
FOR SHELLFISH
* USE ONLY WHOLESOME AND PREFERABLY LIVE ONES;
/* REMOVE THE .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 15 -
* REMOVE THE DIRT WITH A BRUSH AND RINSE SHELLFISH THOROUGHLY IN CLEAN WATER;
» DISCARD THE INTESTINES AND OTHER DUBIOUS OR INEDIBLE PARTS SUCH AS SHELLS;
* COOK THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION; AND
* KEEP UNDER REFRIGERATION IF NOT FOR IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION.
FOR VEGETABLES
♦ DO NOT PATRONISE ILLEGAL HAWKERS;
* DO NOT BUY THOSE WITH A STRANGE SMELL;
♦ REMOVE THE OUTER LEAVES;
* WASH WELL AND DIP IN CLEAN WATER FOR ONE HOUR;
♦ BLANCH WITH BOILING WATER; AND
* COOK THOROUGHLY.
FOR MEAT
________
♦ ALWAYS BUY FROM LICENSED FRESH PROVISIONS SHOPS AND MARKET STALLS;
* DO NOT BUY WITH EXCEPTIONALLY LOW PRICE; AND
* ALWAYS CLEAN, WASH AND COOK THOROUGHLY, ESPECIALLY FOR PORK.
DR ALI ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT AT ONCE IN CASE OF DISCOMFORT AFTER TUCKING INTO HOTPOTS.
’’WHOLESOME RAW MATERIALS, PROPER WASHING AND HANDLING, AND THOROUGH COOKING ARE THE BEST MEASURES AGAINST GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES. THESE HYGIENE PRACTICES SHOULD BE ADOPTED AT ALL TIMES," DR ALI SAID.
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TWO MOTION DEBATES ON LEGCO AGENDA *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HOLD TWO MEMBERS’ MOTION DEBATES ON THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN, AND CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES THIS WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 8).
THE FIRST MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM. THE OTHER WILL BE PROPOSED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SEVEN BILLS.
/OF THE ........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 16 -
OF THE SEVEN BILLS, THREE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER FOUR BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: BILLS OF LADING AND ANALOGOUS SHIPPING DOCUMENTS BILL, QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, CENSUS AND STATISTICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND A PRIVATE BILL BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI ON BISHOP OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HONG KONG INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS UNDER, RESPECTIVELY, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 76.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 448.348 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 377.306 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 64.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/17........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET * * * OPERATIONS * * $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,190
REVERSAL OF LAF -190
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY + 240
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,240
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4. 00 OFFER TWI 113.7 * -0.1* 6.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG ' GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.61 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.33 3.63
1 MONTH 2.91 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.86 3.89
3 MONTHS 2.97 PCT 21 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.97 4.07
6 MONTHS 3.16 PCT 24 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.98 4.20
12 MONTHS 3.49 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.92 4.65
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 9,729 MN
CLOSED 6 DECEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RULE OF LAW A FOUNDATION OF HONG KONG LIFE: GOVERNOR ........ 1
BRITISH FULLY COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TALKS: CS ............. 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING FUNG TAK ESTATE . 2
GOVERNOR SEES ESTATE LIFE ................................... 4
INJECTION OF ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY INTO BANKING SYSTEM ....... 5
INTERBANK LIQUIDITY TIGHT IN LAST FEW DAYS .................. 5
A GREEN CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNITY ......................... 6
BOOKLET ON PROSECUTION POLICY PUBLISHED ..................... 9
FOOD SURVEILLANCE FIGURES FOR THIRD QUARTER RELEASED ........ 10
CHINA, HK AND MACAU REVIEW DRUG ABUSE MATTERS ............... 11
REPORT ON ELDERLY SERVICES READY NEXT AUGUST ................ 11
FIRST ECOTOXICOLOGY WORKSHOP HELD IN HK ..................... 12
GOVT TO SURVEY TIU KENG LENG COTTAGE AREA ................... 13
AIR MAIL TO INDIA SUSPENDED ................................. 14
318 VMS RETURN .............................................. 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ........... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
15
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
RULE OF LAW A FOUNDATION OF HONG KONG LIFE *****
MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT THE LIFE WHICH THEY’VE CREATED FOR THEMSELVES TO CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE AND THEY KNOW THAT ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THAT SOCIETY IS THE RULE OF LAW, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN KOWLOON, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "THEY WANT OUR FREE AND OPEN AND PROSPEROUS AND STABLE SOCIETY TO CONTINUE.
"THAT’S WHY WE’VE BEEN HAVING QUITE A LONG DISCUSSION WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES ABOUT HOW TO SAFEGUARD THE RULE OF LAW BY ENSURING THAT WE HAVE HERE IN HONG KONG ELECTIONS WHICH ARE FAIR AND ELECTIONS WHICH GIVE PEOPLE A GENUINE CHOICE, ELECTIONS WHICH AS THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID YESTERDAY, CAN’T BE MANIPULATED.
"THAT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT AFTER THE FOREIGN SECRETARY STATED IN THE HOUSE OF THE COMMONS, ALL THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO SPOKE FROM EVERY POLITICAL PARTY RIGHT ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM OF WESTMINSTER SUPPORTED THE APPROACH THAT WE’VE BEEN TAKING, NOT FOR A GREAT DASH FORWARD FOR MORE DEMOCRACY, THOUGH SOME PEOPLE THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT, BUT TO SECURE FAIR ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR ELECTIONS HERE IN HONG KONG.”
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WANTED TO GIVE TALKS LONGER CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING AND THE BRITISH TEAM WOULD NEVER BE IN A POSITION OF WALKING AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.
ON THE QUESTION OF CREDIBILITY OF THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER 1997, MR PATTEN SAID:"I’M SURE THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT EMERGED FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH IS FIRMLY ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS A CREDIBLE INSTITUTION, WILL ENJOY THE SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"AND I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IF THOSE PROPOSALS EMERGED WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA, I DON’T BELIEVE THAT WILL MEAN THAT THEY WOULD NECESSARILY BE OVERTURNED IN 1997, BECAUSE I’M SURE THAT WE’LL PRODUCE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS VERY BROADLY BALANCED."
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BRITISH FULLY COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TALKS *****
THE BRITISH TEAM IS SINCERE AND REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THE DIALOGUE WITH THE CHINESE IN AN EFFORT TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER THE 1993 CIVIL SERVICE WALK FOR CHARITY AWARDS PRESENTATION, MRS (’HAN SAID : "INDEED, WE HAVE PROPOSED AN 18TH ROUND AND WE AWAIT A RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE."
ON THE PROPOSALS WHICH WILL BE GAZETTED THIS WEEK, MRS CHAN SAID THEY HAD BEEN FORMULATED TN HONG KONG AND HAD RECEIVED WARM SUPPORT AT ALL LEVELS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY.
/"THEY HAVE .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
2
’’THEY HAVE BEEN DEBATED TWICE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND, AS YOU KNOW, ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THEY RECEIVED MAJORITY SUPPORT FROM LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS,” SHE SAID.
’’THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF HAS MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT HE WILL GO NO FURTHER BUT NO LESS FAR THAN WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WISH HIM TO. ’’
MRS CHAN ALSO SAID SHE VERY MUCH WELCOMED DIRECTOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY HONG KONG BRANCH MR ZHOU NAN’S POSITIVE ASSURANCE ABOUT A SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR HONG KONG AND MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
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GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING FUNG TAK ESTATE
*****
GOVERNOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. I’VE VERY MUCH ENJOYED ANOTHER AFTERNOON LOOKING AT OUR HOUSING IN HONG KONG. I DON’T THINK ANYBODY’S GOT ANY DOUBT AT ALL THAT HOUSING IS PROBABLY THE SOCIAL ISSUE THAT MOST CONCERNS PEOPLE AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE’S HOUSING. BUT THERE IS, OF COURSE, STILL SOME WAY TO GO. THE FIRST ESTATE I SAW THIS AFTERNOON WILL IN DUE COURSE BE REDEVELOPED. THE ESTATE WE’VE BEEN IN IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, ROSANNA AND HER PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES ARE ABLE TO DO. I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED, AS YOU KNOW, ABOUT HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY AND I WAS THEREFORE PLEASED TO SEE SOME OF THE PROVISION THAT IS BEING MADE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE ON THIS ESTATE, PARTICULARLY THE SHELTERED SCHEME THAT WE’VE SEEN AND I KNOW THAT ROSANNA AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE CONCERNED TO PROVIDE A LOT MORE HOUSING FOR OLD PEOPLE. TWO THINGS ALWAYS STRIKE ME WHEN I COME ON THESE VISITS TO HOUSING ESTATES. THE FIRST IS THE TERRIFI ('ALLY WARM WELCOME THAT I GET AND I THINK THAT IS TYPICAL OF HONG KONG WHICH IS A VERY WARM-HEARTED COMMUNITY. SECOND, I THINK IT’S PRETTY (’LEAR THAT WHAT MOST PEOPLE, MOST FAMILIES WANT IS VERY SIMPLE. THEY WANT THE LIFE WHICH THEY’VE CREATED FOR THEMSELVES IN HONG KONG TO CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE. THEY WANT OUR FREE AND OPEN AND PROSPEROUS AND STABLE SOCIETY TO CONTINUE AND 1 THINK THEY KNOW THAT ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THAT SOCIETY IS THE RULE OF LAW. THAT’S WHY WE’VE BEEN HAVING QUITE A LONG DISCUSSION WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES ABOUT HOW TO SAFEGUARD THE RULE OF LAW BY ENSURING THAT WE HAVE HERE IN HONG KONG ELECTIONS WHICH ARE FAIR AND ELECTIONS WHICH GIVE PEOPLE A GENUINE CHOICE, ELECTIONS WHICH AS THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID YESTERDAY, CAN’T BE MANIPULATED. THAT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT AFTER THE FOREIGN SECRETARY STATED IN THE HOUSE OF THE COMMONS, ALL THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO SPOKE FROM EVERY POLITICAL PARTY RIGHT ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM OF WESTMINSTER SUPPORTED THE APPROACH THAT WE’VE BEEN TAKING, NOT FOR A GREAT DASH FORWARD FOR MORE DEMOCRACY, THOUGH SOME PEOPLE THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT, BUT TO SECURE FAIR ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR ELECTIONS HERE IN HONG KONG. SO, IT’S ONCE AGAIN BEEN VERY USEFUL FOR ME TO BE OUT LOOKING AT OUR HOUSING PROBLEMS AND I’LL BE DOING THIS WITH CONTINUING REGULARITY OVER THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS.
QUESTION: HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE.....THE 18TH ROUND OF THE TALKS?
/GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
3
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE WILL HAVE AN 18TH ROUND OF THE TALKS. AS WE’VE SAID AGAIN AND AGAIN, THE MAIN REASON FOR THE DECISION THAT WE TOOK TO INTRODUCE A BILL DEALING WITH WHAT I THINK ARE GENERALLY RECOGNISED AS THE SIMPLE AND STRAIGHT-FORWARD ISSUES WAS SO THAT WE HAVE MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE THROUGH-TRAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, AFTER 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS, WE HAVEN’T EVEN REACHED AGREEMENT ON VERY MUCH AT ALL, ALMOST WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE VOTING AGE. BUT, NEVERTHELESS, WE WANT TO GIVE TALKS LONGER CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING AND WE WILL NEVER BE IN A POSITION OF WALKING AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. IT WAS OUR IDEA THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TALKS. WE PRESSED FOR TALKS FROM OCTOBER 1992 AND I STILL LIKE TO SEE TALKS LEAD TO AN AGREEMENT BUT NOT, AS I’VE SAID BEFORE, AT ANY PRICE.
QUESTION: BUT DO YOU ADMIT THAT THE LONG PERIOD OF SILENCE FROM CHINA IS A BAD SIGN FOR HOPES OF ROUND 18?
GOVERNOR: THERE IS AN EXPRESSION WHILE THERE’S LIFE THERE’S HOPE, AND I’LL GO ON HOPING. BUT YOU HAVE TO BE REALISTIC AS WELL, WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO ARRANGE THE ELECTIONS. I DON’T THINK ANYBODY’S UNDER ANY ILLUSIONS THAT THE TIME PRESSURES ON US ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE INTENSE. WE DON’T MAKE IT UP. YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL KNOWS IT’S TRUE. SO WE HAVE TO CARRY ON WITH OUR RESPONSIBILITIES BUT WE’RE ALWAYS THERE, ALWAYS PREPARED TO TALK, ALWAYS PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE. DURING THE TALKS AND NEGOTIATIONS, WE OFFERED A NUMBER OF CONCESSIONS CONDITIONALLY. UNFORTUNATELY, 1 DON’T THINK ANYBODY FEELS THAT WAS RECIPROCATED WHOLE-HEARTEDLY.
QUESTION: THE PWC IS GOING TO FIND ITS OWN WAY IN FORMING THE FIRST LEGCO AFTER 1997. HOW CAN PEOPLE HERE BE ASSURED OF THE CREDITABILITY OF THEIR LEGCO IF THE CHANCES ARE IT WON’T LAST BEYOND THE CHINESE TAKEOVER?
GOVERNOR: I’M SURE THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT EMERGED FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH IS FIRMLY ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS A CREDIBLE INSTITUTION, WILL ENJOY THE SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IF THOSE PROPOSALS EMERGED WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA, I DON’T BELIEVE THAT WILL MEAN THAT THEY WOULD NECESSARILY BE OVERTURNED IN 1997, BECAUSE I’M SURE THAT WE’LL PRODUCE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS VERY BROADLY BALANCED. I THINK THAT IT IS VERY ODD FOR SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS TO SAY WE SHOULD DISMISS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HERE, THAT WE SHOULDN’T TAKE ANY NOTICE OF IT EVEN THOUGH IT IS A CREDIBLE INSTITUTION WHICH HAS BEEN VOTED FOR BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND YET ON THE OTHER SIDE, THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF THE PWC WHICH I DON’T THINK ANYBODY BELIEVES HAS THE SAME CREDIBILITY AS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BUT I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WF, WILL BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THESE THINGS AMICABLY. AND THAT IS, I THINK, WHAT EVERYBODY HERE WANTS TO SEE AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
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/4 ........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
4
GOVERNOR SEES ESTATE LIFE »»»»»»
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAW FOR HIMSELF THE DAILY LIFE OF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS DURING A VISIT TO LOWER NGAU TAU KOK AND FUNG TAK ESTATES TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY CHAIRMAN OF HOUSING AUTHORITY, MS ROSANNA WONG, AND DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG.
MR PATTEN WAS INFORMED THAT LIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE 28,000 PERSONS LIVING IN THE MARK IV AND V BLOCKS OF LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE HAD BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED AFTER COMPLETION OF A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THE MAJOR WORKS WERE REDECORATION OF THE BLOCKS AND CONVERSION OF THREE CLEARED HAWKER SITES INTO REST GARDENS, PLAYGROUNDS AND PARKING SPACES.
MR PATTEN FIRST VISITED A FAMILY OF SIX LIVING IN A 24-SQUARE-METRE FLAT AT BLOCK 8. HE BROUGHT ALONG A TEDDY BEAR FOR THEM.
HE WAS SERVED WITH A CUP OF CHIU CHOW TEA IN TRADITIONAL STYLE AND SHARED A FEW WORDS WITH THE FAMILY DURING TEA TIME.
HE WENT ON TO MEET THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OF BLOCK 8 AND LEARNED THAT THEY WERE ACTIVE IN ORGANISING AND PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS CHARITY GALAS AND FESTIVE EVENTS.
DURING THE TOUR ROUND THE ESTATE, MR PATTEN SAW ELDERLY PEOPLE RELAX AT A REST GARDEN AND HOUSEWIVES BUY FOOD AND DAILY NECESSITIES FROM SOME OF THE 500 GRADED SHOPS.
MR PATTEN THEN DEPARTED FOR A RELATIVELY NEW ESTATE IN WONG TAI SIN - FUNG TAK ESTATE - COMPLETED TWO YEARS AGO.
ON ARRIVAL, HE VISITED 130 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN SHELTERED HOUSING AT TOI FUNG HOUSE AND WAS SHOWN AROUND THE COMMON ROOM WHERE THEY WERE WATCHING TELEVISION.
HE WAS THEN BRIEFED ON THE DESIGN OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE BUILT IN URBAN AREA IN RESPONSE TO HIS RECENT POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE ALSO SAW THE PARTITIONED FLATS, EACH COMPRISING A LIVING ROOM, A KITCHEN, A BATHROOM AND TWO OR THREE BEDROOMS.
HE NOTED THAT THE ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE BEING LOOKED AFTER BY AN ESTATE LIAISON OFFICER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND EACH FLAT WAS INSTALLED WITH AN EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM TO ENABLE THEM TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.
ON HIS WAY TO THE COMMERCIAL AREA, MR PATTEN PASSED THROUGH A COVERED PLA1 AREA WHERE CHILDREN WERE PLAYING BADMINTON.
/HE LEARNED .......
5
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
HE LEARNED THAT THE ESTATE ALSO PROVIDED RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES SUCH AS COURTS FOR PLAYING SQUASH, TABLE-TENNIS,
BASKETBALL, MINI-SOCCER AND VOLLEY BALL, A SKATING RINK AND FOUR CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND.
TOURING THE MODERNISED AND SELF-CONTAINED FUNG TAK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, MR PATTEN NOTED THE CONVENIENT SHOPPING FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE 21,000 RESIDENTS OF THE ESTATE AND A NEARBY HOME OWNERSHIP COURT.
------0-------
INJECTION OF ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY INTO BANKING SYSTEM * * * * *
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) HAS INJECTED ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY INTO THE BANKING SYSTEM.
THE BALANCE OF HONGKONGBANK’S ACCOUNT MAINTAINED WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND WAS INCREASED FROM $3 BILLION TO $4 BILLION THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR HKMA SAID THE ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY WAS INJECTED IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE TIGHTNESS OF THE INTERBANK MARKET.
- ■---0-------
INTERBANK LIQUIDITY TIGHT IN LAST FEW DAYS
*****
INTERBANK LIQUIDITY IN THE LAST FEW DAYS HAS BEEN TIGHT, MAINLY BECAUSE OF HEAVY INVESTOR INTEREST IN NEW SHARE ISSUES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID THE TIGHTNESS WAS DUE PARTLY TO THE PROCESS OF RECYCLING OF FUNDS TIED UP.
TO RELIEVE THE TIGHTNESS IN THE INTERBANK LIQUIDITY, THE HKMA INJECTED $1 BILLION INTO THE MARKET EARLY TODAY.
THE HEAVY SUBSCRIPTION TODAY RESULTED TN THE HKMA ALSO LENDING OVER $14 BILLION THROUGH THE LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY (LAF) TO BANKS SHORT OF MONEY AND TAKING $18 BILLION FROM BANKS FINDING THEMSELVES WITH SURPLUS FUNDS LATE IN THE DAY.
’’THE LAF OPERATED BY THE HKMA ONCE AGAIN PERFORMED EXACTLY AS DESIGNED TO ASSIST BANKS TO MAKE LATE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR LIQUIDITY POSITIONS, AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE MONEY MARKET,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE INTERBANK MARKET WAS TIGHT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, OVERNIGHT HONG KONG INTERBANK OFFER RATE CLOSED AT 3.5 PER CENT TO 4 PER CENT, WHICH IS BELOW THE OFFER RATE OF LAF.
THESE OPERATIONS ENABLED THE EXCHANGE RATE TO REMAIN STABLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ’’THE BANKS OBVIOUSLY HAD DIFFICULTY TODAY IN POSITIONING THEIR LIQUIDITY IN FUNDING THE NEW SHARE ISSUE.
"THE HKMA WILL BE REVIEWING THE MATTER WITH THE BANKS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
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/6.........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
6
A GREEN CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNITY * * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS THROWING OUT A CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ACCEPT A SHARE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPROVING HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
LAUNCHING THE GOVERNMENT’S NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWf*), CALLED "A GREEN CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNITY", MR EASON SAID:
"WE IN GOVERNMENT HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN PROGRESS AND EVEN MORE ARE PLANNED. THEY ARE SET OUT IN THE REVIEW, WHICH IS PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME TN A CLEAR AND COLOURFUL WAY, WITH COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT."
BUT GOVERNMENT ACTION IS NOT ENOUGH, HE SAID, PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PUBLIC ACTION ARE ALSO NEEDED.
"WE HOPE THIS REVIEW WILL STIMULATE INTEREST, SPARK DEBATE, AND GENERATE POSITIVE ACTION BY INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE, BY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, AND BY BUSINESS, WORKING WITH US IN GOVERNMENT."
IN A PREFACE TO THE REVIEW, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAYS:
"ONE THEME RUNS THROUGH ALL THE REVIEW’S PAGES: THE THEME OF RESPONSIBILITY.
"WE ARE ALL - GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS -RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. OUR ACTIONS AND CHOICES HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES. WE HAVE TO LEARN, ALL OF US, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN ALL WE DO. THAT APPLIES AS MUCH TO THE INDIVIDUAL SUPERMARKET SHOPPER AS TO THE MIGHTIEST BUSINESS." -
MR PATTEN’S MESSAGE IS THAT WHILE A START HAS BEEN MADE, MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE:
"WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN HONG KONG. UNLIKE ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, HERE WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN ECONOMY WHICH IS GENERATING THE RESOURCES WE NEED TO FUND SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION."
MR EASON SAID THE REVIEW: EXAMINED PROGRESS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME; SET DOWN THE BASIS FOR FUTURE ACTION; EXPLAINED NEW INITIATIVES FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING A LEAD BY INTRODUCING LEGISLATIVE MEASURES, BY PROVIDING INCREASED FUNDS, AND BY SETTING AN EXAMPLE IN ITS OWN OPERATIONS.
"BUT THIS WILL BE OF LITTLE BENEFIT ON ITS OWN. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS URGENTLY NEEDED. PEOPLE MUST CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND BE PREPARED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT," HE SAID.
THE REVIEW THEREFORE SETS DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME 10 FOUNDATION STONES TO GUIDE COMMUNITY ACTION.
/THESE INCLUDE .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
7
THESE INCLUDE: ACCEPTING STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENS; SUSTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS; APPLYING THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE; AND WIDENING DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES IN RECENT YEARS SO THAT IT HAD RISEN TO 2.8% OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH 0.8% IN 1988/89.
IT WAS ALSO PROPOSING EIGHT SETS OF REGULATIONS IN 1994 TO: BAN OPEN BURNING; CONTROL CONSTRUCTION DUST; CONTROL PERCUSSIVE PILING AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION NOISE; CONTROL THE MANAGEMENT OF ASBESTOS; CONTROL VEHICLE EMISSIONS; INTRODUCE SEWAGE CHARGES; INTRODUCE CHARGES FOR SOME CATEGORIES OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSALS AT LANDFILLS; AND INTRODUCE CHARGES FOR DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE.
MR EASON LISTED EIGHT KEY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT:
* CURBING NOISE ON CONSTRUCTION SITES BY INTRODUCING CONTROLS NEXT YEAR ON THE USE OF DIESEL HAMMERS, PERCUSSIVE CONCRETE CRUSHERS, AND POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT;
* REDUCING THE IMPACT OF AIRCRAFT NOISE FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT BY PHASING OUT "NOISY” AIRCRAFT (DESIGNATED INTERNATIONALLY AS "CHAPTER TWO AIRCRAFT");
* ON THE ROADS, CURBING AIR POLLUTION FROM DIESEL ENGINES AND CONTROLLING MOTOR VEHICLE NOISE;
* IMPLEMENTING PLANS FOR 1,000 HECTARES OF GREEN AND LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACES TO BE DEVELOPED IN MAIN URBAN AREAS, AND EXTENDING THE COUNTRY PARKS;
* PREPARING A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO CONTROL TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANTS FOLLOWING A CONSULTANCY STUDY NOW IN PROGRESS;
* CLEANING UP THE HARBOUR BY IMPLEMENTING THE SEWAGE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME AND BY PROGRESSIVELY DECLARING THE HARBOUR AS A WATER CONTROL ZONE BETWEEN 1994 AND 1997;
* ESTABLISHING A MARINE PARKS AUTHORITY IN 1994 TO DESIGNATE, MANAGE, AND DEVELOP MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES;
* EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TO INCLUDE CONSERVATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND RENAMING IT THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE REVIEW ALSO CONTAINED DETAILS OF FOUR INNOVATIONS OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 6:
* ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION FUND TO HELP PAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES RANGING FROM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION TO GREEN GROUP ACTIVITIES. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO RESEARCH PROPOSALS WHICH STRENGTHEN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF POLLUTANTS, AND TO OTHER PROPOSALS WHICH STIMULATE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THIS FUND WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH A CAPITAL INJECTION OF AT LEAST $50 MILLION.
/★APPOINTMENT OF .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
8
♦ APPOINTMENT OF ’’GREEN MANAGERS” IN ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS PART OF A SERIES OF MEASURES ON ’’GREEN HOUSEKEEPING”. THEY WILL ENSURE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS CONDUCTED IN THE DEPARTMENTS ARE PROPERLY INTRODUCED AND CONDUCTED.
* ENCOURAGEMENT OF BUSINESSES TO APPOINT ’’GREEN MANAGERS” AND TO CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDITS.
♦ CREATION OF A TASK FORCE FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO CLEAN UP THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
MR EASON SAID: ’’THESE MEASURES NEED TO BE BACKED UP BY PUBLIC ACTIVITY. THERE ARE VARIOUS WAYS THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN HELP, AND THESE ARE SET OUT IN THE REVIEW. FOR EXAMPLE:
* HOUSEHOLDERS CAN REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN A NUMBER OF WAYS SUCH AS USING ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, SETTING TEMPERATURE CONTROLS AT ECONOMICAL LEVELS, AND USING FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS AND DRIVING TECHNIQUES.
♦ SHOPPERS CAN INFLUENCE RETAILERS AND MANUFACTURERS BY REFUSING TO BUY ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING PRODUCTS, BY BUYING RECYCLED PRODUCTS WHERE AVAILABLE, AND BY NOT PURCHASING GOODS MADE OF SCARCE MATERIALS SUCH AS HARDWOOD.
* CONSUMERS CAN REDUCE THE NEED FOR LANDFILLS BY REDUCING WASTE THROUGH USING RECYCLING FACILITIES.
* AS GOOD NEIGHBOURS, KEEP NOISE LEVELS DOWN, PUT LITTER IN BINS OR TAKE IT HOME, AND PREVENT AIR-CONDITIONERS FROM DRIPPING.
HE SAID THE REVIEW SHOWED HOW THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO CONTINUE TO PLAY A PRO-ACTIVE ROLE IN PROTECTING AND SUSTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT.
”WE NOW HOPE THAT THE REVIEW WILL SPARK PUBLIC DEBATE AND INVOLVEMENT, SO THAT WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE.
”1 APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC TO GIVE US THEIR VIEWS AND TO BECOME INVOLVED, AND I ALSO APPEAL TO BUSINESSMEN TO TAKE A LEAD AND SET AN EXAMPLE,” HE ADDED. (*)
(*) THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT: A GREEN CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNITY. SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER: POLLUTION IN HONG KONG - A TIME TO ACT.
- - 0 - -
/9.........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
9
BOOKLET ON PROSECUTION POLICY PUBLISHED
*****
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) MAKES PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME THE GUIDANCE GIVEN TO CROWN COUNSEL ON THE POLICY AND THE CRITERIA FOR MAKING PROSECUTION DECISIONS.
THE MOVE IS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND BETTER THIS IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE RULE OF LAW.
LAUNCHING THE FIRST BOOKLET ON PROSECUTION POLICY GUIDANCE FOR CROWN COUNSEL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, EXPLAINED THAT AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE RULE OF LAW WAS THE ASSURANCE THAT DECISIONS TO PROSECUTE WERE MADE ON OBJECTIVE CRITERIA, IMPARTIALLY AND FREE FROM POLITICAL INTERFERENCE.
HE ALSO SAID IT WAS NOT THE DUTY OF A PROSECUTOR TO OBTAIN A CONVICTION AT ALL COSTS BUT TO PRESENT THE CASE IN A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL MANNER.
"TO PROSECUTE ANYBODY WITH THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF HIS OR HER LIBERTY IS AN IMPORTANT HUMAN DECISION WHICH MAY HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.
"IT IS, THEREFORE, RIGHT THAT THE GREATEST CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH DECISIONS TO PROSECUTE AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY DECISIONS TO PROSECUTE CASES IN THE HIGH COURT AND DISTRICT COURT HAVE TO BE CONFIRMED BY DIRECTORATE OFFICERS," MR MATHEWS SAID.
MR MATHEWS LISTED TWO IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN A DECISION WAS BEING MADE ON WHETHER TO PROSECUTE.
THEY WERE WHETHER EVIDENCE WAS SUFFICIENT TO JUSTIFY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND, IF SO, WHETHER SUCH PROCEEDINGS WERE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
"THE SECOND PRINCIPLE DOES NOT COME INTO OPERATION UNTIL THE FIRST IS ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
"THE PUBLIC INTEREST DOES NOT COME INTO IT UNLESS WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO ENSURE A REASONABLE PROSPECT OF CONVICTION," HE SAID.
APART FROM SETTING OUT THE FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DECIDING ON THE EVIDENCE AND THE MERITS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL POINTED OUT THAT THE GUIDE ALSO LISTED THE FACTORS THAT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND THE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS PROSECUTORS HAD TO KEEP IN MIND IN DEALING WITH THE ELDERLY, THOSE UNDER MENTAL DISABILITY AND CHILDREN.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT WHERE THERE WAS EVIDENCE TO PROVE AN OFFENCE IT DID NOT MEAN THAT CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS MUST NECESSARILY FOLLOW.
"WE MUST ALWAYS CONSIDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF BOTH THE OFFENCE AND THE OFFENDER AND, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO CHILDREN, WHERE THERE ARE OTHER MEANS OF DEALING WITH THE CASE," HE SAID.
/’’DECISION-MAKING........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
10
’’DECISION-MAKING IS DIFFICULT; IT IS FAR FROM SCIENCE BUT IT IS A DUTY WE PERFORM DAY AFTER DAY. IMPORTANT DUTY BECAUSE WE ARE AWARE THAT BY DECIDING MAY BE PUTTING THE LIBERTY OF THE OFFENDER AT RISK.
BEING AN EXACT IT IS A HIGHLY TO PROSECUTE WE
”IT IS A DUTY WE PERFORM VERY AND INTEGRITY,” MR MATHEWS ADDED.
SERIOUSLY AND
WITH GREAT CARE
PUBLIC
OFFICERS
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC OFFICERS WORKING ON PROSECUTION INCLUDING POLICE, INDEPENDENT C°^ISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS, JUDGES, THE LEGAL PROFESSION, tEGJs^T^E SnCILLORS, FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, DISTRICT OFFICES
LEGISLATIVE
AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
------0------------
FOOD SURVEILLANCE FIGURES FOR THIRD QUARTER RELEASED * * * * *
THE HYGIENE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS TAKEN 6,542 FOOD SAMPLES FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THIS IS PART OF ITS REGULAR FOOD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD SUPPLIED TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHOLESOME, UNCONTAMINATED, PROPERLY LABELLED AND OF NUTRITIOUS
QUALITY.
EXAMINATION REPORTS REVEALED THAT 6,506 SAMPLES WERE
SATISFACTORY WHILE 36 OR 0.55 PER CENT WERE UNSATISFACTORY.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION ALSO SHOWS THAT OUT OF THE 2,810
SAMPLES TAKEN, 2,636 WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 174 OR 6.2 PER CENT
WERE UNSATISFACTORY.
MOST OF THE UNSATISFACTORY CASES INCLUDED HIGH BACTERIAL COUNT IN SHELLFISH, FISH FOR EATEN RAW AND MEAT PRODUCTS.
OTHERS WERE MAINLY SEAFOOD CONTAINING HIGHER LEVEL OF HEAVY METAL AND FOOD CONTAINING NON-PERMITTED OR EXCESSIVE FOOD ADDITIVES.
THE UNSATISFACTORY CASES FOR MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS WERE MAINLY DUE TO IMPROPER HANDLING AND STORAGE OF THESE FOODS IN RETAIL OUTLETS.
THE DIVISION CARRIED OUT 61 PROSECUTIONS AND ISSUED 89 WARNING LETTERS.
THE DIVISION ALSO CHECKED 3,815 LABELS FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD, ISSUED 47 WARNING LETTERS AND EXECUTED 14 PROSECUTIONS.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE DIVISION INSPECTED 2,026,062 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED MEAT AND 3,420,203 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED POULTRY IN 645 INSPECTIONS.
A TOTAL OF 227,714 KILOGRAMS OF FOOD WERE FOUND UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND WERE DESTROYED.
/THIRTY-FOUR........
11
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
TH I RTY-FOL’R I NC I DENTS OK FOOD P()l SON I NG I NVOIA 1 NG 1 90 PERSONS WERE REPORTED. INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT EIGHT WERE DOMESTIC OUTBREAKS AND 26 WERE FOOD-PREM I S FS OUTBREAKS.
THE REASON FOR \N INCREASED XIMBIR OF I 0(4) POISONING OUTBREAK OCCURRED IN FOOD PREMISE’S W \S DIE To IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OF \ PARTICI I AR RESTAURANT IN WAN CHAI.
THAT INI 1DENT INVOLVED 116 PERSONS RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF WORK OF A I’OOD WORKER AND PROSECUTION OF THE RESTAURANT OWNER. G
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CHINA, HK AND MACA( REVIEW DRUG ABUSE MATTERS
♦ ♦ I * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR ALASDAIR SINCLAIR, TODAY (TUESDAY) DEPARTED FOR MACAU TO ATTEND A MEETING ON DRUG ABUSE HELD AMONG ('HINA, HONG KONG AND MACAU.
THE FOUR-DAY MEETING WILL REVIEW THE DRUG ABUSE SITUATION IN THE THREE JURISDICTTONS AND THEIR PROGRAMMES FOR REDUCING THE DEMAND FOR ILLICIT DRUGS.
NAMED ’’DEMAND REDUCTION PROGRAMMES FOR DRUG XBUSE IN (HINA, HONG KONG AND MACAU" , IT WIL! ALSO EXPLORE PHI? PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION.
"THIS IS \N \NXUAL EVENT SPONSORED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION. II’ PROVIDES' A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE EXPERIENCE ON THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DRUG ABUSE, MR SINCLAIR SAID.
LAST YEAR, A SIMILAR MEETING WAS HELD IN BEIJING AND THERE WAS ONE IN HONG KONG THE YEAR BEFORE.
"DRUG ABUSE AFFECTS L’S ALL. BY LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER WE CAN HOPE TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
CHINESE OFFICIALS TAKING PART THIS YEAR COME FROM BEIJING, GUANGDONG, GUANGXI, GUIZHOU, YUNNAN AND GANSU.
. . i •' : i
OTHER PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE REPRESENT XTIVFS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGAN I SAT ION.
------0--------
REPORT ON ELDERLY SERVICES READY NEXT AUGUST » * * ♦ ♦
THE WORKING GROUP ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL CONCLUDE ITS DELIBERATIONS AND WILL REPORT TO THE .GOVERNOR BY \UGl ST' NEXT YE£R, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WEI.FAR!, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THF OPENING CEREMONY’ OF TUNG WAll GROUP OF HOSPITALS Y C LIANG MEMORIAL HOME FOR THF ELDERLY, MEN LONG, MR STRACHAN SAID THIS WORKING GROUP HAD ALREADY STARTED ITS WORK.
/THE GROUP .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
12
THE GROUP WILL REVIEW EXISTING POLICIES ON HOUSING, SOCIAL SECURITY, WELFARE SERVICES, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL CARE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
IT WILL ALSO IDENTIFY THE DEMAND FOR AND THE WAYS TO CO-ORDINATE THESE SERVICES.
ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE HOME, MR STRACHAN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF RESIDENTIAL CARE.
"THEY REQUIRE SOME FORM OF CARE BECAUSE THEIR HEALTH HAS DETERIORATED AND BECAUSE THEY EITHER DO NOT HAVE A FAMILY OR THEIR FAMILIES ARE, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, NOT ABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEM," HE ADDED.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS TO PROVIDE 5,800 ADDITIONAL SUBVENTED PLACES IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND IN HOMES FOR AGED WITHIN THESE FOUR FINANCIAL YEARS.
BY 1997, THERE WILL BE NEARLY 20,000 SUCH SUBVENTED PLACES.
BY THAT TIME, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A NETWORK OF SEVEN NURSING HOMES WITH 1,400 PLACES.
------0-------
FIRST ECOTOXICOLOGY WORKSHOP HELD IN HK
*****
A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP ON ECOTOXICOLOGY ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS LAUNCHED TODAY (TUESDAY).
ECOTOXICOLOGY IS THE STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES ON LIVING ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE WORKSHOP, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL EXAMINE HOW DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAVE APPROACHED THIS PROBLEM SO AS TO HELP DEVELOP NEW STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG.
THESE TOXICS, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF WHICH IS COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES, MAY PERSIST IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR MANY YEARS DISRUPTING ECOSYSTEM AND AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF HUMAN BEINGS EITHER DIRECTLY OR AS A RESULT OF ENTERING THE HUMAN FOOD CHAIN, FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH CONTAMINATION OF SEAFOOD.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN EXPERTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND THE NETHERLANDS, TOGETHER WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL TAKE PART IN THE WORKSHOP, WHICH WILL INCLUDE VISITS, PRESENTATIONS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AS WELL AS A FIELD EXCURSION AND TECHNICAL SESSION.
THROUGH THIS WORKSHOP, IT IS HOPED THAT ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND EMISSION STANDARDS, THAT TRULY REFLECT THE DEGREE OF RISK THAT POLLUTANTS POSE TO THE COMPONENTS OF THE ECOSYSTEM, COULD EVENTUALLY BE SET.
/SPEAKING AT .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
13
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING ADDRESS OF THE WORKSHOP, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS COMMITTED TO USING THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION AND TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE AS WELL AS ADOPTING A PRUDENT APPROACH THAT GAVE THE BENEFIT OF ANY DOUBT TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HE STRESSED: "WE HAVE A DUTY TO SEARCH VIGOROUSLY FOR NEW INFORMATION AND NEW TECHNIQUES TO PROVIDE A MORE SOUND SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE ASSESSMENTS WE ARE OBLIGED TO MAKE AND THE ADVICE WE ARE OBLIGED TO GIVE.
"IN THE SAME VEIN, WE MUST PROMPT AND SUPPORT, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK THAT IS AIMED AT PROVIDING BETTER ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES."
HE HOPES THAT ALL OF THESE THINGS, IN SOME MEASURE, COULD BE ACHIEVED DURING THE WORKSHOP.
HE SAID HE LOOKED FORWARD TO LEARNING HOW THE TECHNIQUES OF ECOTOXICOLOGY WERE APPLIED ELSEWHERE, AND HOPED THAT THE WORKSHOP WOULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED FOCUS ON ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN HONG KONG’S TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
--------------------0-------- GOVT TO SURVEY TIU KENG LENG COTTAGE AREA * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SURVEY THE ACTUAL FLOOR AREA OF ALL STRUCTURES IN THE COTTAGE AREA OF TIU KENG LENG DUE TO BE CLEARED FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING A SITE FOR 12,000 PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE SURVEY WOULD FORM PART OF THE EXERCISE CURRENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE (EGA) RATES FOR THE CLEAREES.
"THE DOOR-TO-DOOR SURVEY ALSO PROVIDES UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FOR CALCULATING THE EGA RATES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT OVER TWO TO THREE MONTHS, HE ADDED.
THE SURVEY IS EXPECTED TO START LATER THIS MONTH.
IN ADDITION TO THE EX-GRATIA PAYMENT, ELIGIBLE CLEAREES WILL BE OFFERED ALTERNATE ACCOMMODATION IN THE NEWLY COMPLETED HAU TAK ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O, EARMARKED FOR RESIDENTS OF THE TIU KENG LENG COTTAGE AREA.
"THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS ALSO PREPARED TO CONSIDER OTHER MEANS TO ASSIST THE CLEAREES TO FIND ALTERNATE ACCOMMODATION.
"THESE WILL INCLUDE REHOUSING IN OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IF THEY SO WISH AND OPTIONS TO BUY THEIR OWN FLATS UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS WOULD ENSURE THAT ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT FACILITIES IN THE AREA WILL BE MAINTAINED BEFORE THE CLEARANCE, NOW TARGETTED TO TAKE PLACE IN EARLY 1995.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
- 14
AIR MAIL TO INDIA SUSPENDED ♦ * * * *
ALL AIR MAIL SERVICES TO INDIA HAVE NOW BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF A STRIKE BY POSTAL EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTRY, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE AFFECTED SERVICES COVER AIR LETTERS, AIR PARCELS AND SPEEDPOST ITEMS.
MR PAGLIARI SAID: ”A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE WHEN THE SERVICES RESUME.”
--------0-----------
318 VMS RETURN
***** .
TWO GROUPS OF 318 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
•COMPRISING 141 MEN, 74 WOMEN, 44 BOYS AND 59 GIRLS, THEN WERE THE 185TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 10,888 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 37,200 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
-----0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER RESULTS
*****
TENDER DATE 7 DEC 93 7 DEC 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q349 Q379
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD3.080 MN HKD1,82O MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKDI,000 MN HKD400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.97 PCT 3.14 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.99 PCT 3.15 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 10 PCT ABOUT 62 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.02 PCT 3.18 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1993
15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 13 DEC 1993 -
TENDER DATE
PAPER ON OFFER
ISSUE NUMBER
ISSUE DATE
MATURITY DATE
TENOR
AMOUNT ON OFFER
HONG KONG
14 DEC 93
EF BILLS
Q350
15 DFC 93
16 MAR 94
91 DAYS
HKD 1,000 + 200 MN
------0--------
GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,240
REVERSAL OF LAF -240
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY +1,000
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -3,996
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.5 *-0.2» 7.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
BF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.72 PCT 15 MONTHS 2502 4 . 75 101.38 3.59
1 MONTH 3.01 PCT 18 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.93 3.84
3 MONTHS 2.99 PCT 21 MONTH*- 2508 4.625 101.07 4.00
;> MONTHS 3 . 1 5 PCT 21 MONTHS 25 1 1 4.15 100.06 4.16
12 MONTHS 3.45 PCT 35 MONTHS 36 1 0 4.20 99.07 4. GO
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS XND BONDS - 26.033 .MN
CLOSED 7 DECEMBER 1993 -----------------------------------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BRITISH TEAM WILL NEVER WALK AWAY FROM NEGOTIATION .......... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING ISLANDS DISTRICT 2
GOVERNOR VISITS ISLANDS DISTRICT ............................ 4
SPEL ATTENDS ENVIRONMENT TALKS IN GUANGZHOU ................. 5
ICAC'S CASE EXPLAINED ....................................... 5
BILL TO BOOST SECURITY SERVICE STANDARDS EXPLAINED .......... 6
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER .............................. 6
POSTAL SOUVENIR COVER SALE BENEFITS CHARITY ................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
8
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
1
BRITISH TEAM WILL NEVER WALK AWAY FROM NEGOTIATION
» » » » « »
THE BRITISH SIDE WITH ITS HONG KONG MEMBERS WILL NEVER WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "WE’RE ALWAYS PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE AND I HOPE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE AS WELL BECAUSE WE NEED TO CO-OPERATE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"WE NEED TO CO-OPERATE IN A WAY WHICH GUARANTEES THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS, BY UNDERPINNING THE RULE OF LAW RATHER THAN ERODING IT."
ASKED IF THE BRITISH SIDE WOULD BE PREPARED TO REVEAL THE CONTENTS OF THE TALKS IN VIEW OF COMMENTS FROM THE CHINESE SIDE, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "OF COURSE, IF THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD LIKE US TO REVEAL WHAT’S HAPPENED IN 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS, WE’LL BE DELIGHTED TO OBLIGE.
"THE REASON WHY WE DON’T, WHY WE’VE KEPT THINGS CONFIDENTIAL IS THE CHINESE SIDE ARE ALWAYS SAYING THAT IS HOW THEY LIKE US TO CONDUCT THE DISCUSSIONS.
"IF ANYONE’S TALKING ABOUT HONESTY AND TRUTH, I WOULD BE VERY VERY HAPPY, IN DUE COURSE, TO SET OUT EXACTLY WHAT’S HAPPENED DURING THESE DISCUSSIONS, NOT JUST IN THE 15TH, 16TH AND 17TH ROUNDS BUT IN THE PREVIOUS 14 ROUNDS AS WELL."
HE ADDED THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE LOOKING TO CHINESE OFFICIALS WHO WERE MEETING IN PEKING TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WERE PREPARED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN "STRENGTHENING OUR ECONOMY AND IN IMPROVING OUR LIVELIHOOD".
"I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD WELCOME SOME CONCRETE ASSURANCES OF THAT," HE SAID.
"SECONDLY, WHAT I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE LOOKING TO SEE, LOOKING TO HEAR, IS SOME PROPOSALS, SOME IDEAS FROM THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES WHICH ARE STILL OUTSTANDING IN THESE TALKS ABOUT THE THROUGH TRAIN, ABOUT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND ABOUT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES."
------0-------
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 2 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING ISLANDS DISTRICT
*****
GOVERNOR: THIS IS THE SECOND VISIT THAT I’VE PAID TO THE ISLANDS DISTRICT. I’VE ENJOYED THIS ONE AS MUCH AS I ENJOYED THE LAST. I THINK COMING TO THIS PART OF HONG KONG ONE’S REMINDED OF TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL IS THE EXTRAORDINARY VARIETY AND BEAUTY OF OUR ENVIRONMENT HERE IN HONG KONG. SECONDLY, I THINK ONE IS INEVITABLY REMINDED OF ONE OF THE BIG DIFFICULTIES AND CHALLENGES THAT WE’RE ALL GOING TO FACE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THAT IS HOW WE CAN RECONCILE THE NEEDS OF OUR ECONOMY AND THE NEED TO GO ON DEVELOPING OUR ECONOMY WITH PEOPLE’S VERY STRONG FEELING THAT WE SHOULD PRESERVE AS MUCH OF THIS BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. I THINK THAT IS BROUGHT HOME IN VERY SHARP BELIEF HERE IN DISCOVERY BAY WHICH IS A WONDERFUL NEW COMMUNITY FULL OF YOUNG FAMILIES ENJOYING THIS SPECTACULAR ENVIRONMENT OF LANTAO BUT OBVIOUSLY WORRY ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THEM OF FUTURE PORT DEVELOPMENT. THESE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WHICH A SOPHISTICATED GROWING COMMUNITY AND ECONOMY HAVE TO FACE AND WILL HAVE TO FACE THEM IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS BY ENSURING A PROPER DIALOGUE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT SORT OF PLACE WE WANT TO BE. SO, I’VE BEEN PLEASED TO BE HERE AGAIN AND I KNOW THAT NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION YOU WANT TO ASK. SO .....
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, IN RECENT DAYS, THE CHINESE SIDE HAS REPEATEDLY ACCUSED YOU OF BEING VERY DISHONEST AND WHAT THEY SAY IS LAUGHABLE AND ZHANG JUNSHENG SAID THAT IF THE CONTENTS OF THE 17TH ROUND OF TALKS WERE REVEALED, IT WOULD SHOW YOU AS A VERY DISHONEST MAN. IS THE BRITISH SIDE PREPARED TO REVEAL THE CONTENTS OF THE PAST 17 ROUNDS AND SECONDLY, GIVEN THAT NOTHING WILL COME OUT OF THE JLG AND WITH RELATIONSHIP AS IT IS NOW, CAN SINO-BRITISH TRUST AND CO-OPERATION REALLY BE SALVAGED?
/OF COURSE ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
3
GOVERNOR: OF COURSE, IF THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD LIKE US TO REVEAL WHAT’S HAPPENED IN 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS, WE’LL BE DELIGHTED TO OBLIGE. THE REASON WHY WE DON’T , WHY WE’VE KEPT THINGS CONFIDENTIAL IS THE CHINESE SIDE ARE ALWAYS SAYING THAT IS HOW THEY LIKE US TO CONDUCT THE DISCUSSIONS. I VERY MUCH HOPE THE DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE. THAT IS OUR OBJECTIVE, AS YOU KNOW, IN TABLING A PARTIAL BILL DEALING WITH WHAT SHOULD BE THE NON-CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AND I THINK IT IS MORE SENSIBLE TO GET ON WITH THOSE TALKS RATHER THAN TO INDULGE IN ABUSE. WE NEVER ABUSE PEOPLE BUT IF ANYONE’S TALKING ABOUT HONESTY AND TRUTH, I WOULD BE VERY VERY HAPPY, IN DUE COURSE, TO SET OUT EXACTLY WHAT’S HAPPENED DURING THESE DISCUSSIONS, NOT JUST IN THE 15TH, 16TH AND 17TH ROUNDS BUT IN THE PREVIOUS 14 ROUNDS AS WELL. IF THE CHINESE SIDE THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HONG KONG AND HELPFUL TO OUR RELATIONSHIP, THEN I AM SURE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND WE IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD BE VERY VERY HAPPY TO OBLIGE WITH THAT AND SET OUT AN HONEST ACCOUNT OF WHAT’S HAPPENED. IF I CAN JUST ADD TO THAT WHILE UNDERLINING THE FACT THAT WE WANT TALKS NOT AN ABUSIVE EXCHANGE, I THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE LOOKING TO CHINESE OFFICIALS THIS WEEK WHO ARE MEETING IN PEKING, ARE LOOKING TO THEM TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN STRENGTHENING OUR ECONOMY AND IN IMPROVING OUR LIVELIHOOD. I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD WELCOME SOME CONCRETE ASSURANCES OF THAT. SECONDLY, WHAT I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE LOOKING TO SEE, LOOKING TO HEAR, IS SOME PROPOSALS, SOME IDEAS FROM THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES WHICH ARE STILL OUTSTANDING IN THESE TALKS ABOUT THE THROUGH TRAIN, ABOUT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND ABOUT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THOSE ARE THE REALLY DIFFICULT ISSUES. THOSE ARE ISSUES ON WHICH THE BRITISH/HONG KONG SIDE HAVE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS. SO, I STILL VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE WILL HEAR PROPOSALS FROM THE CHINESE SIDE AS WELL WHICH THE COMMUNITY CAN CONSIDER AND WHICH THE COMMUNITY CAN JUDGE. SO, NO ABUSE FROM US BUT A QUIET DETERMINATION TO GO ON TALKING AND GO ON WORKING IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION : GOVERNOR, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO QUESTION THE CREDIBILITY OF THE PWC WHILE YOU YOURSELF ARE NOT HERE AS A RESULT OF FAIR ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I’VE SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS IS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CLEARLY HAS CONSIDERABLE AUTHORITY AND CREDIBILITY, THAT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE OVERWHELMINGLY ELECTED, AND I THINK IT’S VERY STRANGE FOR ONE OR TWO CHINESE OFFICIALS TO ABUSE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY NOTICE OF THEM DESPITE THE CLEAR CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AS WELL AS IN THE PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG. I THINK IT’S ODD TO SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY NOTICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS LARGELY ELECTED BUT ARE GOING TO TAKE NOTICE OF THE VIEWS OF ONE OR TWO PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN THEMSELVES, PRESUMABLY CHOSEN BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY AGREED WITH THEM. ONE MORE.
/QUESTION .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
4
QUESTION: THE CHINESE OFFICIAL OF THE XINHUA SAID, .... THAT THEY HAVE NO MORE INTEREST ON BRITISH SIDE AND THEY WILL NOT HOLD, LIKELY TO HOLD, ANY MORE TALKS WITH BRITAIN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONSIDER TO TABLE THE REST OF THE PROPOSALS TO LEGCO IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
GOVERNOR: WE’VE TABLED, OR WE’VE PROPOSED GAZETTING AND INTRODUCING A PARTIAL BILL IN ORDER TO GIVE US MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE OTHER ISSUES. I THINK IT’LL BE INTERESTING IF CHINESE OFFICIALS SAID WHAT THEIR OBJECTION IS TO OUR PROPOSALS ON SINGLE SEAT SINGLE VOTE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SINCE 17 ROUNDS, THEY HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO AGREE TO THAT, PERHAPS THEY CAN SAY WHY, WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT? EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG PRETTY WELL SUPPORTS IT. SO WHY DON’T CHINESE OFFICIALS SUPPORT IT. BUT I WANT TO REPEAT THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WITH ITS HONG KONG MEMBERS WILL NEVER WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE’RE ALWAYS PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE AND I HOPE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE AS WELL BECAUSE WE NEED TO COOPERATE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE NEED TO COOPERATE IN A WAY WHICH GUARANTEES THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS, BY UNDERPINNING THE RULE OF LAW RATHER THAN ERODING IT.
---------0------------
GOVERNOR VISITS ISLANDS DISTRICT * * » » *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED CHEUNG CHAU AND DISCOVERY BAY FOR AN UPDATE ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
ON CHEUNG CHAU, HE SAW SOME RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND LOCAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS, PAVED FOOTPATHS SITTING-OUT AREAS AND REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS.
IN THE TWO YEARS FROM 1991, $20.1 MILLION WAS SPENT ON LOCAL PROJECTS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT. AN ESTIMATED $18.6 MILLION HAS ALSO BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.
MR PATTEN ALSO VISITED A HOLIDAY FLAT IN PAK SHE AND VIEWED THE TYPHOON SHELTER AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS ALONG THE PROMENADE OF THE ISLAND BEFORE LEAVING FOR DISCOVERY BAY.
DURING THIS JOURNEY, HE MET A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS AND DISCUSSED LOCAL ISSUES WITH THEM.
AT DISCOVERY BAY, MR PATTEN WAS BRIEFED ON THE LANTAU PORT AND HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BULK OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE PORT FACILITIES BE LOCATED AT NORTHEAST LANTAU.
THE PROPOSED LANTAU PORT, WHICH WILL PROVIDE 17 CONTAINER BERTHS WITH A RESERVE CAPACITY FOR SEVEN MORE, IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEED FOR PORT FACILITIES UP TO THE YEAR 2011 AND BEYOND. IT IS PLANNED THAT THE FIRST BERTH WOULD BE OPERATIONAL IN MID-1997.
/MR PATTEN .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
5
MR PATTEN CONCLUDED HIS VISIT WITH A WALKABOUT AT THE DISCOVERY BAY PLAZA.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS TOUR BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW KWAN-TAI, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG KWOK-BUN AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG. id
------0-------
SPEL ATTENDS ENVIRONMENT TALKS IN GUANGZHOU
» * * » *
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY r EASON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) LED A 13-MEMBER DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP MEETING IN GUANGZHOU.
DURING THE THREE-DAY MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE LIAISON GROUP WILL CONSIDER THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNICAL REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF DEEP BAY AND ITS CATCHMENTS, THE ;
HONG KONG TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW AND THE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL STRATEGY FOR THE PEARL RIVER DELTA.
THE LIAISON GROUP WILL ALSO DISCUSS ITS WORK PLAN FOR 1994.
MEMBERS FROM BOTH SIDES WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON OTHER PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 10).
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED; THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN; THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR PETER PUN, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
ICAC’S CASE EXPLAINED
*****
REFERRING TO A REMARK MADE BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING CONCERNING AN ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE IN THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID BY WAY OF CLARIFICATION THAT THE ICAC REFERRED THE CASE TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AFTER THEY HAD CONCLUDED THEIR INVESTIGATION IN MAY THIS YEAR.
THE EVIDENCE WAS THEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY A SENIOR DIRECTORATE OFFICER OF THE ATTONEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO CASE TO PROSECUTE.
j ------0-------
/6.......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
6
BILL TO BOOST SECURITY SERVICE STANDARDS EXPLAINED
♦ * * * »
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECURITY BRANCH TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO PROMOTE HIGHER STANDARDS OF SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES.
UNDER THE BILL, COMPANIES PROVIDING SECURITY SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE AND INDIVIDUAL SECURITY PERSONNEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE APPLICATION AND RENEWAL OF LICENCES FOR SECURITY COMPANIES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES INDUSTRY AUTHORITY, WHICH IS TO BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE BILL.
THE AUTHORITY, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED, WILL ALSO SPECIFY THE CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS FOR ISSUING PERMITS TO SECURITY PERSONNEL.
IT WILL COMPRISE A CHAIRMAN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY AND THREE OTHER PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
CURRENTLY, THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE REQUIRES SECURITY COMPANIES TO OBTAIN WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE BEFORE THEY CAN OPERATE.
THE BILL PROPOSES THAT A 12-MONTH GRACE PERIOD BE GIVEN TO EXISTING SECURITY COMPANIES TO APPLY FOR LICENCE UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE EXISTING WATCHMEN’S PERMITS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE SHOULD INITIALLY BE REGARDED AS VALID PERMITS FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES INDUSTRY AUTHORITY WILL THEN INFORM THE PERMIT HOLDERS TO APPLY FOR A NEW PERMIT.
------0--------
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER
* « ♦ » «
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED IN SURVEY DISTRICT NO.3, TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,900 SQUARE METRES FOR OPEN STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS OR CONTAINERS UNLOADED FROM SHIPS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
THE SECOND LOT AT THE JUNCTION OF CHIU SHUN ROAD AND WAN PO ROAD, TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG, HAVING AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,000 SQUARE METRES, IS EARMARKED FOR FILM SHOOTING OR PLANT NURSERY OR OPEN STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS {EXCLUDING CONTAINERS).
/IT CARRIES .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
7
IT CARRIES A TENANCY OF THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 24.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAI KUNG; THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER PLANS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICES.
------0--------
POSTAL SOUVENIR COVER SALE BENEFITS CHARITY
*****
TWO CHARITY GROUPS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RECEIVED DONATIONS OF A SUM OF $200,000 EACH, THANKS TO A ISSUE OF TWO SPECIAL POSTAL SOUVENIR COVERS.
THE LUI KEUNG AQUARIUM SOUVENIR COVERS, ISSUED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE "HONG KONG GOLD FISH" SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS, HAD BEEN SOLD OUT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 11 AND 17.
THE COVERS COMPRISE 3,388 GOLD-BLOCKED AND 30,000 ORDINARY SOUVENIR COVERS.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, MR DAVID LUI OF LUI KEUNG AQUARIUM PRESENTED THE CHEQUES TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, DESCRIBED THE POST OFFICE’S SUPPORT FOR THE ISSUE AS VERY SUCCESSFUL.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE CHAIRMAN OF LUI KEUNG AQUARIUM, MR CHARLES LUI CHI-KEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR WONG SEE-SUM; AND CHAIRMAN OF CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG, MRS DELIA PEI.
/8.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8,
1993
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4
REVERSAL OF LAF +3,996
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -20
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,980
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.5 »+0.0* 8.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.73 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.37 3.59
1 MONTH 2.97 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.89 3.86
3 MONTHS 2.98 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.01 4.04
6 MONTHS 3.16 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.97 4.21
12 MONTHS 3.47 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.94 4.65
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,808 MN
CLOSED 8 DECEMBER 1993
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
WELL-BEING OF WOMEN A MATTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERN: SHA ......... 1
SPEECH BY ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE DR S H LEE
IN MOTION DEBATE ON CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ........................................... 3
PUBLIC TO ENJOY MORE PROTECTION FROM UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS .. 6
EARLY RETURN OF RECOVERED BOATS BEING ARRANGED .................. 7
BILL SEEKS TO PREVENT DOUBLE PAYMENTS IN INSOLVENCY CASES ... 8
BILL TO CONSOLIDATE CONTROL ON MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL ............... 8
HIGHER COMPENSATION FOR INJURED WORKERS ......................... 9
MFA AGREEMENT POSSIBLE BEFORE EXPIRY DATE ...................... 10
WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION DUE NEXT YEAR .................... 11
SECURITY CHECKS POLICY EXPLAINED ............................... 11
ICAC CONDUCTS CHECKS ON CIVIL SERVANTS’ INTEGRITY .............. 12
NO DECISION YET ON PA ADVISER’S CONTRACT ....................... 12
SHA EXPLAINS ADVISORY BOARD SYSTEM ............................. 13
1995-98 TRIENNIUM, A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION ................... 14
SUBVENTED AGENCIES URGED TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT ................ 15
/EXCO’S ADVICE .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
EXCO'S ADVICE ON SAHR TO BE SOUGHT ............................. 16
JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS UNDER REGULAR REVIEWS ...................................................... I7
ADEQUATE FITTINGS PROVIDE IN HOS FLATS ......................... 18
CHAIRS AND DESKS IN SCHOOLS SUITABLY DESIGNED .................. 19
CAUSES OF KWUN TONG TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS EXPLAINED ................ 20
14 STRUCTURES CLOSED/VACATED FOLLOWING HEAVY RAIN .............. 20
TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS .......... 21
OVERSEAS STUDENTS MAY APPLY FOR ENTRY VISAS .................... 22
AIRPORT TAXI SERVICES IMPROVED ................................. 22
TICKET VENDING MACHINES CAN ACCEPT NEW COINS ................... 23
31 VENUES AVAILABLE FOR PLAYING GATEBALL ....................... 23
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES ................ 24
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 1 -WELL-BEING OF WOMEN A MATTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERN: SHA
THE WELL-BEING OF WOMEN IN HONG KONG IS NOW A MATTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERN AND THE FOCUS OF PUBLIC ATTENTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT DURING A MOTION DEBATE ON SEXUAL EQUALITY, MR SUEN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO PUT IN PLACE MEASURES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS A SOUND TRACK RECORD TO GIVE A GOOD ACCOUNT OF ITS WORK, HE ADDED.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN THE LEAD TO INTRODUCE EQUAL PAY AND EQUAL TREATMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"WE HAVE INSTITUTED SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN AND MEN.
"WE HAVE BEEN REVIEWING LEGISLATION TO REMOVE IMPROPER DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENTS BETWEEN THE SEXES AND INDEED WORK IS NOW PROCEEDING ON A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES.
"THESE INCLUDE THE AFFILIATION PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE, THE SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE ORDERS ORDINANCE AND OTHER MARRIAGE-RELATED ORDINANCES."
NEVERTHELESS, MR SUEN SAID HE ENTIRELY ACCEPTED MEMBERS’ CONTENTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING MORE.
"IN A WAY, THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS OF PUBLISHING THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN THIS AUGUST," HE SAID.
ANOTHER REASON FOR CHOOSING TO DO IT THIS WAY, MR SUEN SAID, WAS TO USE IT AS AN EDUCATION TOOL TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND GENERATES DISCUSSIONS ON THE SUBJECT.
NOTING THAT THE GREEN PAPER EXERCISE HAD ACHIEVED THIS IMPORTANT GOAL OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE WERE NOW MUCH MORE AWARE OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED AND HAD BECOME MORE ARTICULATE ON THIS SUBJECT.
SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER, MR SUEN SAID, MANY LIVELY DEBATES HAD TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THE COUNCIL, AT DISTRICT BOARDS AND GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AMONG VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WOMEN GROUPS, EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS AMONG INDIVIDUALS.
THE EXTENSION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) TO HONG KONG AND THE SETTING UP OF A WOMEN’S COMMISSION ARE CLEARLY THE TWO MOST MENTIONED TOPICS WHILE THE WELL-BEING OF WOMEN IS ANOTHER ONE WHICH HAS COME UP DURING THE CONSULTATION PROCESS.
/AS TO ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
2 -
AS TO VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE SERVICES PRESENTLY PROVIDED FOR WOMEN, MR SUEN SAID HE HAD HEARD MANY AND THESE INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED CHILD-CARE FACILITIES AND MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE EMPLOYEE RETRAINING PROGRAMME.
AND HE HAD ALREADY TAKEN THESE MATTERS UP WITH HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE RELEVANT POLICY BRANCHES FOR THEM TO CONSIDER WHAT TIMELY ACTION THAT WAS REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN AS APPROPRIATE.
ON THE EXTENSION OF CEDAW TO HONG KONG, MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION IMPOSED WIDE-RANGING OBLIGATIONS UPON STATES PARTIES TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND THAT THESE OBLIGATIONS FELL UPON BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC.
"AS EVIDENCED BY THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER STATES PARTIES TO CEDAW, WE WILL NEED TO INSTITUTE MEASURES WHICH MAY BE LEGISLATIVE OR NON-LEGISLATIVE IN NATURE IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION.”
ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO, MR SUEN EXPLAINED THAT LEGISLATIVE MEASURES WOULD SET OUT IN SOME DETAIL ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR WHILE NON-LEGISLATIVE MEASURES WOULD SEEK TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE’S ATTITUDES AND NORMS.
RECOGNISING MEMBERS’ STANCE ON THIS IMPORTANT MATTER, MR SUEN EMPHASISED THAT THEIR PRESENTATION WOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON HIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE WAY FORWARD.
TURNING TO THE WOMEN’S COMMISSION, MR SUEN SAID HE WAS NOT SURPRISED TO FIND THAT BOTH WITHIN THE COUNCIL AND ELSEWHERE, VIEWS ON THIS WERE NOW MORE DIVERSE AS THERE WERE MORE OPTIONS TO CONSIDER.
"THESE COVER THE FULL RANGE OF OPTIONS FORESHADOWED IN THE GREEN PAPER, NAMELY AN ADVISORY BODY, A RESEARCH ORIENTED ORGANISATION, A COMPLAINTS RECEIVING AGENCY AND A CEDAW-LINKED COMMISSION," MR SUEN SAID.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT ALL THE SUGGESTIONS THAT HAD BEEN PUT FORWARD WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
IN CONCLUSION, MR SUEN ONCE AGAIN CALLED ON THE PUBLIC AT LARGE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE IMPORTANT EQUALITY ISSUE BEFORE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
--------0-----------
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
3
SPEECH BY ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE DR S H LEE IN MOTION DEBATE ON CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ★ ★ ★ ★
MR PRESIDENT,
PRESENT POLICY
OUR POLICY ON ELDERLY SERVICES IS TO ENCOURAGE THE CARE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE BY FAMILY MEMBERS WITHIN A FAMILY CONTEXT AND TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS. THE BROAD AIM IS TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY PEOPLE THROUGH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY AND BY THE COMMUNITY. TO THIS END, A RANGE OF SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ENABLE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO REMAIN AT HOME FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO CAREGIVERS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, HOME HELP SERVICE, SOCIAL CENTRES, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES, DAY CARE CENTRES AND FACILITIES, COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE AND COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSING SERVICE.
IT IS, HOWEVER, RECOGNISED THAT THE NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE VARY AND THAT RESIDENTIAL CARE MAY BE REQUIRED FOR SOME ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT BE TAKEN CARE OF AT HOME. OUR APPROACH TO LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IS THAT IT SHOULD ONLY BE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO HAVE A GENUINE NEED FOR SUCH CARE. ELDERLY PERSONS LIVING IN INSTITUTIONS OFTEN FEEL ABANDONED BY THEIR FAMILIES AND ISOLATED FROM SOCIETY. ELDERLY PEOPLE SHOULD BE ENABLED TO LEAD AN INDEPENDENT AND DIGNIFIED LIFE AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND NOT IN ISOLATION IN AN INSTITUTION.
RESIDENTIAL CARE
FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BE CARED FOR AT HOME, A RANGE OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED INCLUDING, SELF-CARE HOSTELS, HOMES FOR THE AGED, CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND INFIRMARIES.
WITH THE GROWTH OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN HONG KONG IN RECENT DECADES, THE DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IS INCREASING. AS A RESULT, THE CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES IN RECENT YEARS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO MEET DEMAND. THE SOLUTION IN THE LONG RUN IS TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF INTEGRATED CARE BASED PRIMARILY IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENABLE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES. AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, MORE RESIDENTIAL CARE PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED AND NEW INITIATIVES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
/NEW INITIATIVES .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
4
NEW INITIATIVES
AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL ON 6 OCTOBER 1993, AN ADDITIONAL 800 CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN ADDITION TO THE 5,000 CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOME AND HOME FOR THE AGED PLACES PLEDGED IN HIS 1992 ANNUAL ADDRESS. THE TARGET SET IN THE 1991 WHITE PAPER "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND" WILL BE FULLY MET BY 1997.
FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO NEED RESIDENTIAL MEDICAL AND NURSING CARE, BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN A HOSPITAL, INFIRMARY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED. A TOTAL OF 1,400 INFIRMARY PLACES ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY. OUR PRESENT PLANS ARE TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 1,200 PLACES BY 1997. WE HAVE, HOWEVER, 5,400 PEOPLE ALREADY ON THE WAITING LIST. TO BETTER MEET DEMAND, THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A NETWORK OF ELDERLY NURSING HOMES WITH MEDICAL AND NURSING FACILITIES WILL BE DEVELOPED. THESE NURSING HOMES WILL CARE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO REMAIN IN HOSPITAL OR IN AN INFIRMARY. WE ARE PLANNING FOR AN INITIAL SEVEN NURSING HOMES TO PROVIDE 1,400 PLACES FOR SUCH ELDERLY CLIENTS. THE HOMES ARE PLANNED TO BE IN OPERATION BY 1997. THE NEW NURSING HOMES ARE INTENDED TO BRIDGE A GAP BETWEEN INFIRMARIES AND CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES. AS THE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR REGISTERING AND SUPERVISING NURSING HOMES UNDER THE LAW, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS BEST PLACED TO OVERSEE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE HOMES. WITH REFERENCE TO DR LEONG’S COMMENT ON HEALTH CARE, HEALTH CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, I WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ACTIVELY WORKING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SERVICE, AND THE FIRST HEALTH CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE OPENED IN 1994.
OUTREACH COMMUNITY SERVICES
IN LINE WITH OUR EFFORTS TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE PLANS TO SET UP INITIALLY FOUR COMMUNITY GERIATRIC TEAMS IN 1994 TO PROVIDE OUTREACH MEDICAL SERVICES TO ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING MEDICAL, NURSING AND SPECIALIST SUPPORT. THESE TEAMS WILL PROVIDE PRE-ADMISSION ASSESSMENT FOR PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LISTS FOR CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND INFIRMARIES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF CARE. MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO PREVENT DETERIORATION IN THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS AND TO REDUCE THEIR NEED FOR HOSPITALISATION.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION
WITH INCREASING DEMAND, THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION IN RECENT YEARS IN THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE. WHILE PRIVATE HOMES ALSO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO CARING FOR THE ELDERLY, THEIR QUALITY OF SERVICE IS NOT ALWAYS SATISFACTORY. THERE IS A NEED TO CONTROL THE STANDARDS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES IN HONG KONG.
/TO PROVIDE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
TO PROVIDE A UNIFORM REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ON THESE HOMES, THE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL ON 3 NOVEMBER 1993. THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION PROVIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF HOMES THROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM. A SET OF MINIMUM STANDARDS IN RESPECT OF LOCATION AND DESIGN, STAFFING AND SPACE, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS WILL BE APPLIED TO ALL RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE. THE LEGISLATION WILL PROHIBIT NEW HOMES WHICH CANNOT MEET THE LICENSING STANDARDS FROM ENTERING THE MARKET. AS REGARDS THE EXISTING HOMES, WE EXPECT THAT MOST OF THEM WOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE LICENSING CONDITIONS OR TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES ACCORDING TO THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED UNDER THEIR CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION. WE WILL ARRANGE ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY CLOSURE OF SUBSTANDARD HOMES. THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
WORKING GROUP
IN ORDER TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, A WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO CONDUCT A GENERAL REVIEW OF SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND TO ADVISE ON THE FORMULATION OF A STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE POLICIES AND SERVICES. THE WORKING GROUP IS RESPONSIBLE DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR AND WILL REPORT BY AUGUST 1994. THE WORKING GROUP WILL EVALUATE THE DEMAND FOR AND THE SUPPLY OF EACH SERVICE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, INCLUDING CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND INFIRMARIES. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES, NURSING HOMES AND INFIRMARIES WILL BE LOOKED AT. IT WILL ALSO EXAMINE NEW AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR THESE SERVICES. THAT MEANS OF IMPROVING CO-ORDINATION OF SERVICES BETWEEN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES, NURSING HOMES AND INFIRMARIES. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS TO THE WORKING GROUP BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
COMMITMENT
IN CONCLUDING, I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR ELDERLY PEOPLE. THE APPOINTMENT OF THE WORKING GROUP IS PROOF OF THIS COMMITMENT. THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND ABOUT $6 BILLION ON SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE THIS YEAR. A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON A DISTRICT BASIS. OUR ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BE ASSISTED TO LEAD A FULFILLING AND DIGNIFIED LIFE AND TO REMAIN ACTIVE AND INDEPENDENT FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. OUR AIM IS "TO ADD YEARS TO LIFE AND LIFE TO YEARS" .
THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 6
PUBLIC TO ENJOY MORE PROTECTION FROM UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO STRENGTHEN ITS LEGAL MUSCLE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC SAFETY CONTROL SCHEMES SPECIALLY TAILORED FOR INDIVIDUAL CLASSES OF CONSUMER GOODS SUCH AS FOOD STUFF, GAS APPLIANCES AND PHARMACEUTICALS.
HOWEVER, THE SUPPLY OF MOST CONSUMER GOODS IN HONG KONG IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY STATUTORY SAFETY CONTROL.
UNDER CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A STATUTORY DUTY WILL BE IMPOSED ON MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS THEY SUPPLY FOR CONSUMPTION IN HONG KONG ARE REASONABLY SAFE.
THE BILL WILL BE ENFORCED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, WHO WILL ACT ON COMPLAINTS AND CONDUCT SPOT CHECKS.
IT IS BASED LARGELY ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A WORKING GROUP ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFETY, WHICH COMPRISED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AS WELL AS RELEVANT TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS.
UNDER THE BILL, CLAUSE 4 PROVIDES GUIDELINES TO THE COURT AND THE SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS FOR ASSESSING COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT.
IN ADDITION TO GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT, CLAUSE 30 OF THE BILL WILL EMPOWER THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO PRESCRIBE STATUTORY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC CONSUMER GOODS ’ AND, IN EXTREME CASES, TO PROHIBIT THE SUPPLY OF CERTAIN CONSUMER GOODS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TO FACILITATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT OR ANY PRESCRIBED SAFETY STANDARDS, SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS MAY, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, HAVE THEIR PRODUCTS TESTED BY A LABORATORY APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR A SAFETY CONTROL NOTICE SYSTEM. THIS WILL SERVE AS A REMEDIAL MEASURE TO COVER THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE DISCOVERY OF UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS AND ANY SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION IN COURT.
AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST ANY ABUSE OF ENFORCEMENT POWERS, THE BILL ESTABLISHES AN APPEAL BOARD PANEL TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST NOTICES ISSUED OR CERTAIN DECISIONS MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE.
AN APPEAL BOARD WILL BE CHAIRED BY A LEGAL PRACTITIONER AND WILL COMPRISE, AS MEMBERS, A GENERAL CONSUMER, A SCIENTIST WITH RELEVANT EXPERTISE IN CONSUMER GOODS TESTING AND A PERSON FROM THE CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY.
/THE BILL .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 7
THE BILL PROVIDES EXEMPTION FOR GOODS UNDER TRANSHIPMENT OR IN TRANSIT THROUGH HONG KONG AND GOODS MANUFACTURED FOR EXPORT.
THOSE GOODS APPEARING IN THE SCHEDULE WILL ALSO BE EXEMPTED EITHER BECAUSE THEY ARE GOVERNED BY SPECIFIC STATUTORY CONTROL SCHEMES OR BECAUSE SPECIFIC LEGISLATION GOVERNING THEIR SAFETY IS BEING PREPARED.
UPON ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, A GRACE PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WILL BE ALLOWED FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS BEFORE THE LEGISLATION COMES INTO OPERATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0------------
EARLY RETURN OF RECOVERED BOATS BEING ARRANGED
*****
THE POLICE ARE SEEKING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EARLY RETURN TO HONG KONG OF FIVE STOLEN PLEASURE BOATS WHICH HAVE BEEN RECOVERED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SIMON IP SIK-ON, MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE HAD RECEIVED NINE REPORTS OF PLEASURE BOATS, WITH A TOTAL ESTIMATED VALUE OF $24.7 MILLION, BEING STOLEN IN HONG KONG SO FAR THIS YEAR.
SIX BOATS, RESEMBLING THE STOLEN BOATS, WERE REPORTEDLY SEEN IN CHINESE WATERS.
MR ASPREY SAID THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE THEFT AND THE REPORTED SIGHTINGS. THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE SIGHTINGS AND TO HELP LOCATE THE STOLEN BOATS.
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAD CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAD RECOVERED FIVE BOATS.
HE SAID THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU HAD GIVEN ADVICE TO BOAT OWNERS, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES, ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE SECURITY OF LUXURY BOATS, SUCH AS THE USE OF IMMOBILISATION DEVICES AND LOCKS AND ALARMS WHEN THE BOATS WERE NOT IN USE.
0 - -
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
8 -
BILL SEEKS TO PREVENT DOUBLE PAYMENTS IN INSOLVENCY CASES *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO EMPOWER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND BOARD TO RECOVER FROM A RETIREMENT SCHEME ANY EX-GRATIA PAYMENT IN RESPECT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT MADE TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED DOUBLE PAYMENTS IN THE INSOLVENCY PROCESS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID AT PRESENT PART VA OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT COULD BE SET OFF AGAINST EACH OTHER.
"WHEN AN EMPLOYER BECOMES INSOLVENT, HIS EMPLOYEE WOULD NORMALLY APPLY TO THE FUND FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT IF HE HAS NOT YET RECEIVED HIS RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT," SAID MR LAM.
"HE MAY BE GRANTED EX-GRATIA PAYMENT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT IF HE HAS SATISFIED THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE FUND.
"BECAUSE OF THE TIME LAPSE, THE EMPLOYEE MAY STILL RECEIVE HIS RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT BY VIRTUE OF HIS EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH THE INSOLVENT EMPLOYER AFTERWARDS."
CONSEQUENTLY, MR LAM POINTED OUT, THE EMPLOYEE MIGHT RECEIVE DOUBLE BENEFITS FROM BOTH THE FUND AND THE RETIREMENT SCHEME TO WHICH HE WAS A MEMBER.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
BILL TO CONSOLIDATE CONTROL ON MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL ♦ * » » ♦
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO CONSOLIDATE CONTROL ON MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR LEO KWAN, SAID POLLUTION FROM DIESEL VEHICLE EMISSIONS WAS CAUSING SERIOUS AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
"APPROXIMATELY 75 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL URBAN RESPIRABLE PARTICULATES AND NITROGEN OXIDES, AND 40 PER CENT OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO EMISSIONS FROM DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES.
"BETTER CONTROLS ON SUCH EMISSIONS ARE THEREFORE NEEDED AND ONE OF THE WAYS TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM DIESEL VEHICLES IS TO INTRODUCE BETTER QUALITY DIESEL FUEL," MR KWAN SAID.
/THE BILL .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
9 -
THE BILL WOULD ENABLE THE ADOPTION IN HONG KONG OF THE EUROPEAN STANDARD OF NO MORE THAN 0.2 PER CENT OF SULPHUR CONTENT FOR DIESEL FUEL.
’’THIS WILL CLEAR THE WAY FOR A REQUIREMENT, IN APRIL 1995, THAT ALL NEW DIESEL ENGINES CONFORM TO HIGHER EMISSION STANDARDS," MR KWAN SAID.
HE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF HIGHER QUALITY DIESEL WOULD REDUCE THE SULPHUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM DIESEL VEHICLES BY UP TO 40 PER CENT AND THE ADOPTION OF THE EUROPEAN STANDARD WOULD CUT OTHER POLLUTANTS SUCH AS PARTICULATES AND NITROGEN DIOXIDE.
"THIS MEASURE, TOGETHER WITH OTHER CONTROL MEASURES IN THE PIPELINE, SUCH AS HIGHER PENALTIES FOR SMOKY VEHICLES AND A MORE STRINGENT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME, SHOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN AIR QUALITY IN THE URBAN AREAS," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
HIGHER COMPENSATION FOR INJURED WORKERS
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, MOVED TWO MOTIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO REVISE THE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY.
MR LAM SAID THESE LEVELS WERE REVISED EVERY TWO YEARS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF WAGE MOVEMENTS, INFLATION AND OTHER CHANGES.
"THE REVISED RATES WILL BE EFFECTIVE AS FROM JANUARY 1, 1994," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF COMPENSATION FOR DEATH WILL BE INCREASED FROM $183,000 TO $219,000, AND FOR PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY FROM $207,000 TO $248,000.
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR CARE AND ATTENTION WILL BE REVISED FROM $248,000 TO $297,000, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH THE INCREASE IN NOMINAL WAGES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE CEILING OF TWO OTHER ITEMS OF COMPENSATION WILL ALSO BE RAISED.
THESE INCLUDE INCREASING THE COMPENSATION FOR BURIAL EXPENSES FROM $10,000 TO $12,000; AND INCREASING THE PAYMENTS BY AN EMPLOYER TOWARDS THE COSTS OF SUPPLYING AND FITTING A PROSTHESIS OR A SURGICAL APPLIANCE FROM $20,000 TO $24,000, AND FOR ITS REPAIR AND RENEWAL FROM $62,000 TO $74,000 RESPECTIVELY.
THE MAXIMUM DAILY REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES WILL BE RAISED FROM $90 TO $120.
/FOR CALCULATING .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
10
FOR CALCULATING COMPENSATION, MR LAM SAID THE LEVEL OF THE DEEMED MINIMUM EARNINGS A MONTH WOULD BE RAISED FROM $1,450 TO $2,250.
SIMILAR REVISION WILL BE MADE TO THE RATES OF FUNERAL AND MEDICAL EXPENSES PAYABLE UNDER THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
THE NEW RATES HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
- - 0 - -
MFA AGREEMENT POSSIBLE BEFORE EXPIRY DATE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT AN AGREEMENT TO RENEW OR EXTEND THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) WOULD BE REACHED BEFORE IT EXPIRED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD EXTEND BEYOND THAT DATE, HONG KONG’S POSITION WILL BE PROTECTED BY THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENTS COVERING ITS MAIN MARKETS, ALL OF WHICH ARE VALID UNTIL AT LEAST THE END OF NEXT YEAR, HE SAID.
UNDER THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AGREEMENT BEING NEGOTIATED IN THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE TALKS, RESTRICTIONS MAINTAINED UNDER THE MFA WILL BE PHASED OUT DURING A PROPOSED 10-YEAR TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.
MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT DELAYS IN COMPLETING THE URUGUAY ROUND MEANT THAT, EVEN IF THE ROUND WAS COMPLETED BY THE DEADLINE OF DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR, IT WOULD NOT BF. POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT THE RESULTS UNTIL JANUARY 1, 1995 AT THE EARLIEST.
"IT IS, THEREFORE, NECESSARY TO EXTEND THE MFA, IF ONLY TO BRIDGE THE ONE-YEAR GAP BETWEEN THE EXPIRY OF THE MFA AND THE START OF THE PROPOSED PHASE-OUT PERIOD UNDER A POSSIBLE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT," MR CHAU SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON DAVID K P LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD FORESEEN THIS SITUATION FOR SOME TIME.
AND IT CONSULTED THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD IN MAY THIS YEAR ON NEGOTIATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE MFA.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE THEN WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER TEXTILES EXPORTING ECONOMIES IN GENEVA TO COORDINATE A COMMON POSITION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENTERING INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES ON THE EXTENSION.
"UNFORTUNATELY, DESPITE THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY HONG KONG, MANY OF THE OTHER PARTIES CONCERNED HAD BEEN RELUCTANT TO ENTER INTO SUCH NEGOTIATIONS BEFORE THEY HAD A CLEARER IDEA OF THE PROSPECTS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND BY THE DEADLINE OF DECEMBER 15."
"SUCH NEGOTIATIONS HAVE RECENTLY BEGUN IN EARNEST AT LAST," HE
SAID.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 11 -
WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION DUE NEXT YEAR *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PUBLISH A WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION NEXT YEAR, THE ACTING SECRETARY EOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DR LEE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSULTED THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (RDCC) ON WHICH AREAS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION SHOULD BE ACCORDED PRIORITY.
"HAVING REGARD TO PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER, THE RDCC DREW UP A SET OF CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING THE RELATIVE PRIORITY OF MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE DOCUMENT," HE SAID.
THESE CRITERIA INCLUDE THE EXTENT OF SHORTFALL IN SERVICE PROVISION AND THE DEGREE OF HARDSHIP IT HAS CAUSED TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IN THE LIGHT OF RDCC’S ADVICE ON PRIORITISATION, DR LEE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROCEEDED WITH THE WORK ON THE IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN FINALISED.
IT COVERS SOCIAL REHABILITATION, MEDICAL REHABILITATION, SPECIAL EDUCATION, TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.
FUNDS FOR THE VARIOUS ITEMS IN THE SCHEDULE HAVE BEEN SECURED THROUGH LAST YEAR’S CAPITAL INJECTION OF $2.3 HILI ION INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE ANNUAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE.
------0-------
SECURITY CHECKS POLICY EXPLAINED
*****
THE TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE SPECIAL BRANCH TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION FOR SECURITY CHECKS AND REPORTS ON SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS IS IN NO WAY CONNECTED WITH THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
IT NEITHER DENOTES ANY CONCERN WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE EFFICIENCY AND MORAL INTEGRITY OF THE SPECIAL BRANCH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TRANSFER WAS TO REALLOCATE AN ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTION WHICH THE SPECIAL BRANCH WOULD FIND INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO PERFORM WITH A REDUCED NUMBER OF STAFF, MR ASPREY SAID.
IT ALSO REFLECTS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE CHECKS, THAT IS, IN VERIFYING THE INTEGRITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN POSTS REQUIRING A HIGH DEGREE OF TRUST, HE ADDED.
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/12........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
12 -
ICAC CONDUCTS CHECKS ON CIVIL SERVANTS’ INTEGRITY
* » « » »
FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT POSTS REQUIRING A HIGH DEGREE OF TRUST, THE CO-ORDINATION OF THE RECORD CHECKS AND INTERVIEWS WILL IN FUTURE BE CONDUCTED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TANG YING-YEN, MR ASPREY SAID THE NATURE OF THE CHECKS WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VETTING CONDUCTED BY THE ICAC AND THAT CURRENTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE SPECIAL BRANCH WAS ADMINISTRATIVE IN NATURE.
HE SAID: "THERE WILL, AS BEFORE, BE CHECKS FOR INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME, CORRUPTION, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES WHICH MIGHT CAST DOUBT UPON A CIVIL SERVANT’S INTEGRITY."
THE PROCESS WILL CONTINUE TO REQUIRE THE VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CIVIL SERVANT BY MEANS OF INTERVIEWS WITH HIMSELF AND WITH REFEREES, MR ASPREY ADDED.
ON THE POSTS THAT WILL BE SUBJECT TO VETTING, THE SECRETARY SAID: "SUCH CHECKS WILL BE REQUIRED OF THOSE OCCUPYING A LIMITED NUMBER OF POSTS OF PARTICULAR SENSITIVITY OR TRUST, AT DEPUTY SECRETARY/DEPUTY DIRECTOR LEVEL AND ABOVE."
--------0----------
NO DECISION YET ON PA ADVISER’S CONTRACT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT YET IN A POSITION TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER THE CONTRACT OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ADVISER SHOULD BE RENEWED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU, MR SUEN ADDED THAT IF THE CONTRACT WAS TO BE RENEWED, ANY CHARGE TO PUBLIC FUNDS WOULD BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ESTABLISHED AUTHORITIES AND LIMITS FOR THE INCURRENCE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE SERVICE OF THE ADVISER WILL EXPIRE ON AUGUST 31 NEXT YEAR.
/13 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 13
SHA EXPLAINS ADVISORY BOARD SYSTEM
*****
THE SYSTEM OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES IN ITS CURRENT FORM ENABLES THE ADMINISTRATION TO OBTAIN CANDID ADVICE FROM A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANNA WU HUNG-YUK, MR SUEN SAID THESE BODIES COMPRISED PEOPLE WITH A VAST RESERVOIR OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE WHO GAVE FREELY OF THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AWAY FROM THE LIMELIGHT.
THERE ARE, HE SAID, AROUND 350 FULL GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES THAT ARE EITHER WHOLLY OR PARTLY ADVISORY IN NATURE.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES, THEY RENDER ADVICE AND ACT AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION AT THE INITIAL STAGES IN THE PROCESS OF DECISION-TAKING.
SEVERAL FURTHER STAGES ARE NORMALLY GONE THROUGH AFTER CONSIDERATION BY THE RELEVANT ADVISORY BOARD OR COMMITTEE AND BEFORE FINAL DECISIONS ARE TAKEN ON THE MATTER CONCERNED.
"IT IS GENERALLY DURING THESE FURTHER STAGES THAT MORE OPEN DISCUSSION TAKES PLACE.
"ULTIMATELY, ANY MATTER THAT REQUIRES THE SANCTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROCEDURES OF THE COUNCIL, WHICH ARE TOTALLY OPEN," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR SUEN NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES REGULARLY CONSIDER CONFIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
ON THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THESE BODIES, MR SUEN SAID MEETINGS AND PAPERS OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, FOR EXAMPLES, ARE ALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WHILE MEETINGS OF AREA COMMITTEES ARE OFTEN OPEN AND THEIR PAPERS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON REQUEST.
FURTHERMORE, CHAIRMEN OF A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES GIVE PRESS BRIEFINGS EITHER ON A REGULAR OR OCCASIONAL BASIS ON THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE CONCERNED.
FOR INSTANCE, THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHOSE CHAIRMAN ROUTINELY BRIEFS THE PRESS ON THE COMMITTEE’S DISCUSSIONS.
THE CURRENT SYSTEM SERVES HONG KONG VERY WELL AND THE GOVERNMENT SEES NO REASON TO CHANGE THE STATUS QUO, MR SUEN AFFIRMED.
/14........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 14
1995-98 TRIENNIUM, A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION
*****
THE INTAKE OF FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE PLACES IN THE 1995-98 TRIENNIUM IS LIKELY TO REMAIN STABLE, WHILE MARGINAL INCREASES MAY BE MADE TO THE NUMBER OF POSTGRADUATES.
THIS IS BECAUSE FOLLOWING THE MASSIVE EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION BETWEEN 1991 AND 1995, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) ENVISAGES THAT THE 1995-98 TRIENNIUM SHOULD BE A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID IN RECOMMENDING THE OVERALL INDICATIVE STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS, THE UPGC HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
* THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TARGET OF PROVIDING FIRST-YEAR FIRST-DEGREE PLACES FOR AT LEAST 18 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP;
* NATURAL GROWTH IN STUDENT NUMBERS AS A RESULT OF THE EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 1992-95 TRIENNIUM;
* THE PROJECTED MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS FOR HONG KONG IN THE NEXT DECADE;
* THE NEED TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF MANPOWER IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS; AND
* FACTORS AFFECTING INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THEIR ROLES AND MISSIONS, ACADEMIC PROFILES, AND THE STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTIONS.
THE UPGC’S RECOMMENDED INDICATIVE STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS FOR THE TRIENNIUM HAVE SINCE BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR BROAD PLANNING PURPOSES.
"THEY HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS TO ENABLE THEM TO FORMULATE ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995-98 TRIENNIUM," SAID MR LAM.
"THE UPGC IS CURRENTLY IN DISCUSSION WITH THE INSTITUTIONS ABOUT THEIR ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS."
AS REGARDS THE CORRESPONDING MEASURES ADOPTED IN RESPECT OF BASIC AND SIXTH FORM EDUCATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY ACHIEVED THE POLICY TARGET OF PROVIDING SIXTH FORM PLACES FOR ONE-THIRD OF THE SECONDARY 4 COHORT.
"WE HAVE ALSO MADE SURE THAT THESE PLACES ARE FILLED IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER," MR LAM ADDED.
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/ 15.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
15
SUBVENTED AGENCIES URGED TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT * » * * »
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO REQUIRE SUBVENTED AGENCIES TO MEET PART OF THEIR EXPENDITURE FROM FEES.
HOWEVER, THE ABILITY TO REQUIRE OR ENCOURAGE THEM TO GENERATE MORE INCOME FROM THIS SOURCE DEPENDS ON THE NATURE OF THE SERVICE INVOLVED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROGER LUK KOON-HOO, MR TSANG SAID THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGENCIES TO RAISE MORE REVENUE THEMSELVES AND TO REDUCE THEIR DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION.
"THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES EXIST IN AREAS WHERE AGENCIES ARE PROVIDING SERVICES OF A QUASI-COMMERCIAL NATURE," MR TSANG SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL RECEIVES ABOUT HALF OF ITS INCOME FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION, HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED AGENCIES IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES FIELD TO RAISE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF INCOME FROM FEES, WITH GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION MEETING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FEE INCOME AND THE RECOGNISED COST OF THE SERVICE.
"IF AN AGENCY MANAGES TO RAISE MORE THAN THE ASSUMED LEVEL OF INCOME, IT CAN KEEP THE EXCESS WITHOUT SUFFERING ANY REDUCTION IN ITS SUBVENTION," HE SAID.
WHEN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS ESTABLISHED, THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES IT TO MAXIMISE ITS OWN INCOME.
WHILST THE INCOME FROM FEES PAYABLE BEFORE THE SETTING-UP OF THE AUTHORITY WAS DEDUCTED FROM ITS ANNUAL GRANT, MR TSANG NOTED THAT REVENUE FROM NEW FEES OR OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME WOULD NOT BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY.
THE SECRETARY TOLD THE LEGISLATORS THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO URGED THE AGENCIES TO RAISE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY SO FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR WHICH AGENCIES ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION," MR TSANG SAID.
------0-------
/16........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
16 -
EXCO’S ADVICE ON SAHR TO BE SOUGHT » * * » »
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY SUBMIT A SUMMARY OF THE VIEWS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION (SAHR) CONSULTATION PAPER TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE ON POLICY PROPOSALS.
IF THE PROPOSALS WERE ACCEPTED, A START COULD BE MADE TO INTRODUCE THEM IN 1994/95, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AND THE PASSAGE OF ANY NECESSARY LEGISLATION.
UNTIL THEN, SAHR REMAINS A MEDICAL PROCEDURE AND MAY ONLY BE PROVIDED BY A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE NOTED THAT A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WAS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE AND MUST OPERATE WITHIN THE PROFESSIONAL ETHICAL GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.
"IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH DOCTOR TO EXPLAIN TO THE PATIENT IN HIS CARE ABOUT THE TREATMENT PROPOSED, ITS COST, EFFICACY AND POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. IT IS THEN FOR THE PATIENT TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE WHETHER OR NOT TO PROCEED.
"SHOULD ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER FOR THE SAHR TREATMENT RECEIVED, HE OR SHE HAS RECOURSE TO COMPLAIN TO THE MEDICAL COUNCIL," DR LEE SAID.
ON THE CONSULTATION PAPER ON SAHR PUBLISHED IN MARCH THIS YEAR, DR LEE SAID 30 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED, MAINLY FROM MEDICAL, SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS AND ACADEMIC ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. THERE WAS LITTLE INDICATION OF INTEREST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WHILE A FEW RESPONDENTS FAVOURED TOTAL PROHIBITION OF SAHR, THE GENERAL TENOR OF RESPONSES WAS THAT SAHR SHOULD BE ALLOWED BUT BE SUBJECT TO REGULATION.
"THE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT SAHR IS A SUBJECT WITH SERIOUS SOCIAL, ETHICAL, MORAL AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS, WHERE DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT MUST FULLY REFLECT AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY OPINION," DR LEE SAID.
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/17.......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 17 -
JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS UNDER REGULAR REVIEWS *****
THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH UNDERTAKES REGULAR REVIEWS OF JOB-RELATED AND SERVICE-WIDE ALLOWANCES TO CONFIRM THAT THEY ARE STILL JUSTIFIED.
WHERE THERE ARE CHANGES IN OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH RENDER THE ORIGINAL JUSTIFICATIONS INVALID, THE ALLOWANCE WILL CEASE TO BE PAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, EXTRANEOUS DUTY ALLOWANCE (SUPPLEMENTARY DUTIES) FOR TYPISTS OPERATING WORD PROCESSORS WAS WITHDRAWN LAST YEAR.
"THIS WAS BECAUSE, OVER THE YEARS, WORK PROCESSORS HAD BECOME STANDARD OFFICE EQUIPMENT FACILITATING TYPING DUTIES RATHER THAN REQUIRING SPECIAL SKILLS TO OPERATE," THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HARBINSON EXPLAINED THAT JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES WERE USED TO COMPENSATE STAFF FOR ASPECTS OF WORK NOT NORMALLY EXPECTED OF THEIR RANK AND NOT REFLECTED IN THEIR PAY SCALE.
THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ELIGIBILITY FOR JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES WERE ENDORSED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, HE ADDED.
THE NATURE OF JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES AND THEIR EXISTING RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NATURE
RATES
* EXTRANEOUS DUTIES ALLOWANCE (EDA)
- EDA (SUPPLEMENTARY DUTIES)
- EDA (RESPONSIBILITY)
$369 (LEVEL 1) PER MONTH $492 (LEVEL 2) PER MONTH
FROM $33 PER SHIFT TO THREE INCREMENTS ABOVE THE SUBSTANTIVE SALARY
* HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE (HA)
OBNOXIOUS DUTIES ALLOWANCE DANGEROUS DUTIES ALLOWANCE HA (MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS)
$445 PER MONTH
$544 PER MONTH
$6.5 PER DAY TO $544 PER MONTH
/* SHIFT DUTY ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
18 -
* SHIFT DUTY ALLOWANCE (SDA)
- FOR A MINIMUM OF 25 IRREGULAR HOURS WORKED PER MONTH
- FOR 50 OR MORE IRREGULAR HOURS WORKED PER MONTH
* SPECIAL ALLOWANCE
$298 PER MONTH
$591 PER MONTH
FROM $59 PER DAY TO TWO INCREMENTS ABOVE THE SUBSTANTIVE SALARY
HOME-TO-OFFICE MILEAGE ALLOWANCE IS ALSO PAYABLE TO OFFICERS WHO ARE AUTHORISED TO USE THEIR OWN CARS FOR REGULAR OFFICIAL DUTIES OUTSIDE THEIR OFFICE AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE PROVISION OBVIATES THE NEED TO USE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT FOR SUCH JOURNEYS.
MR HARBINSON NOTED THAT JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES WERE ADMINISTERED BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENT AND, WITHIN THE EXISTING PAYMENT CRITERIA, THEY COULD APPROVE NEW CASES OF EDA (SUPPLEMENTARY DUTIES), HA (DANGEROUS DUTIES), HA (OBNOXIOUS DUTIES) AND SDA.
"THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL, UPON ADVICE FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION, WHERE APPROPRIATE, AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCE BRANCH, APPROVE NEW CASES OF HA (MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS), EDA (RESPONSIBILITY) AND ANY OTHER SPECIAL ALLOWANCES," HE SAID, ADDING THAT STAFF WERE USUALLY CONSULTED ON ANY CHANGES TO EXISTING ALLOWANCES WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTED THEM.
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ADEQUATE FITTINGS PROVIDE IN HOS FLATS « » » « »
IT IS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S POLICY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FITTINGS WHICH ARE OF A STANDARD THAT WILL RENDER A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLAT IMMEDIATELY HABITABLE UPON OCCUPATION, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR LEO KWAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR KWAN SAID THE STANDARD OF FITTINGS OF THESE FLATS WERE ALSO UPDATED AND REVISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHANGING NEEDS AND PREFERENCES AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
IN JULY 1993, THE AUTHORITY APPROVED CHANGES TO STANDARD FITTINGS FOR KITCHENS, BATHROOMS AND THE COMMON AREAS OF HARMONY BLOCKS.
MR KWAN NOTED THAT RESULT OF A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ON ITS TENANTS AND HOS FLAT OWNERS SHOWED THAT BETWEEN 20 TO 50 PER CENT OF HOS FLAT OWNERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE VARYING DEGREES OF ALTERNATIONS TO THE STANDARD FITTINGS IN KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS.
/THE MAIN .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
19 -
THE MAIN REASONS GIVEN WERE A DESIRE TO PERSONALISE THE DECORATION OF ONE’S OWN FLAT, TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF THE FITTINGS AND FIXTURES, AND TO FIX OUT A FLAT MORE ATTUNED TO THE NEEDS OF ONE’S FAMILY.
"ON THE BASIS OF SUCH FEEDBACK, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE FEASIBILITY OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FITTING-OUT STANDARDS OF BATHROOMS, KITCHENS AND THE COMMON AREA OF - BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS PLANNED TO CONDUCT A FULL-SCALE SURVEY ON INTERNAL FITTINGS FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS IN EARLY 1994 TO OBTAIN A MORE ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF HOS FLAT OWNERS’ PREFERENCES BEFORE PUTTING FURTHER IMPROVEMENT MEASURES TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR CONSIDERATION, MR KWAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE SURVEY RESULTS AND ANY IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC.
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CHAIRS AND DESKS IN SCHOOLS SUITABLY DESIGNED
* * » » »
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE NEED TO HAVE SUITABLY DESIGNED CHAIRS AND DESKS FOR USE BY SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA WING-HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR LAM NOTED THAT CHAIRS AND DESKS USED IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS FOLLOWED A STANDARD DESIGN FOR FOUR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.
IT IS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A MULTI-DISCIPLINE WORKING GROUP MADE UP OF UNIVERSITY LECTURERS, INCLUDING A SPECIALIST IN ERGONOMICS; SCHOOL HEADS; AND STAFF OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ALSO CONSULTED ON THBIR RECOMMENDATIONS.
MR LAM ALSO TOLD MEMBERS THAT CHAIRS AND DESKS USED IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS WERE BOUGHT THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
AIDED SCHOOLS BUY THEIR OWN FURNITURE THROUGH THEIR OWN TENDERING PROCEDURE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO VETTING BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE EXPENSES INCURRED ARE THEN REIMBURSED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MR LAM ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8,
1993
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CAUSES OF KWUN TONG TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS EXPLAINED
***** • ■ • ■> U ■>
INVESTIGATIONS INDICATE THAT THE MAIN CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENTS ON THE KWUN TONG BYPASS WERE EXCESSIVE SPEED, DRIVERS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND CARELESS LANE CHANGING.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FRED LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ROAD WAS A FACTOR, MR BARMA SAID, ADDING THAT THE ACCIDENT RATE ON THIS ROAD WAS LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR OTHER EXPRESSWAYS.
BETWEEN JUNE 1991 AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR, 211 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON THE EXPRESSWAY, RESULTING IN 389 CASUALTIES WHICH INCLUDED THREE FATALITIES.
THERE WAS NO PARTICULAR BLACKSPOT AS THE MAJORITY OF ACCIDENTS DID NOT OCCUR AT OR NEAR THE SAME LOCATIONS BUT TOOK PLACE ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE ROAD.
"TO HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS, THE POLICE HAVE MOUNTED REGULAR PATROLS AND THESE HAVE RESULTED IN THE DETECTION OF 2,300 OFFENCES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1992.
"IN ADDITION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING THE ERECTION OF MORE WARNING SIGNS TO GIVE ADVANCE NOTICE OF BENDS IN THE ROAD AND LOCATIONS WHERE TRAFFIC MERGES," MR BARMA SAID, t
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14 STRUCTURES CLOSED/VACATED FOLLOWING HEAVY RAIN *****
FORTY STRUCTURES REPORTED TO BE IN DANGER AFTER THE HEAVY RAIN LAST MONTH WERE INSPECTED BY THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT AND 14 OF THEM WERE SUBSEQUENTLY CLOSED OR VACATED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR LEO KWAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR KWAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS TAKING FOLLOW-UP ACTION TO ENSURE THAT STRUCTURES ON PRIVATE LAND WERE SAFE WHILE THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WOULD ARRANGE EVACUATION AND DEMOLITION AS REQUIRED FOR STRUCTURES ON GOVERNMENT LAND.
TEMPORARY SHELTER WAS ARRANGED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WHEN STRUCTURES WERE CLOSED.
/"OWNERS WHO .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
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’’OWNERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR BUILDINGS AFTER FLOODING OR HEAVY RAIN SHOULD NORMALLY SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
’’WHERE THERE IS MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERN, A REPORT SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT," MR KWAN SAID.
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. - > <• • •' : v ....
TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS
*****
ALL PATIENTS, INCLUDING PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS, ATTENDING THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS ARE TREATED BY MEDICAL STAFF TRAINED TO HANDLE A FULL RANGE OF EMERGENCIES.
SUBJECT TO TRIAGE, URGENT CASES WILL RECEIVE IMMEDIATE TREATMENT WHILE THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR OTHER CASES IS LESS THAN 30 MINUTES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID PATIENTS WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR ADMISSION TO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS FROM ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS DID NOT HAVE TO WAIT.
FOR THOSE ADMITTED UNDER THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE, THE ACTUAL WAITING TIME WOULD VARY BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO COMPLY WITH RELEVANT PROVISIONS FOR AUTHORISATION BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR AND A JUDGE.
PATIENTS IN GENERAL HOSPITALS WHO SUFFER SEVERE SYMPTOMS ARE REFERRED UNDER THE ORDINANCE FOR TREATMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTIONS.
DR LEE ADDED THAT WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NETWORKING, ADVICE AND CONSULTATION SERVICES ON PSYCHIATRIC CASES WERE SHARED BETWEEN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME OF CONSULTATIONS FOR NON-URGENT CASES WAS WITHIN THREE DAYS.
/22 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
- 22.
OVERSEAS STUDENTS MAY APPLY FOR ENTRY VISAS ***** <■:!
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ARE PERMITTED TO ENROL NON-LOCAL STUDENTS AT SUB-DEGREE, FIRST DEGREE AND TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE LEVELS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF TWO PER CENT OVER AND ABOVE THE APPROVED STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS. 0
THE POLICY WAS EXPLAINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
'-.'Xs ’
MR ASPREY SAID STUDENTS FROM TAIWAN AND ELSEWHERE ADMITTED BY THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE POLICY MAY APPLY FOR VISAS TO STUDY IN HONG KONG.
A NUMBER HAVE BEEN ADMITTED IN THE PAST, HE ADDED.
■» ;!?,4 - ft jTm.
AIRPORT TAXI SERVICES IMPROVED
*****
AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN TAXI SERVICES AT THE AIRPORT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED FOLLOWING THE RELOCATION OF THE AIRPORT BUS TERMINUS AND EXTENSION OF THE AREA FOR THE TWO AIRPORT TAXI STANDS IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
'■ 3 '■ ’
RESULTS OF THE LATEST SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THE AVERAGE HOURLY TAXI THROUGHPUT DURING PEAK PERIODS HAD INCREASED FROM 410 TO 450, REPRESENTING A 10 PER CENT IMPROVEMENT.
THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR A TAXI HAD REDUCED BY 22 PER CENT, FROM 6.7 MINUTES BEFORE THE EXTENSION WAS PUT IN PLACE TO 5.2 MINUTES NOW, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
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TICKET VENDING MACHINES CAN ACCEPT NEW COINS *****
AMONG THE 361 TICKET VENDING MACHINES ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM, 215 WERE MODIFIED BY MARCH THIS YEAR TO ACCEPT NEW COINS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOR THE REMAINING 146 MACHINES, MR BARMA SAID THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) HAD NOW MANAGED TO DEVELOP A MODIFIED MECHANISM TO ACCEPT NEW COINS.
THIS WAS BEING FIELD-TESTED AND SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY RESULTS, ALL THE MACHINES WOULD BE ADJUSTED BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
"MEANWHILE, TO MINIMISE THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO PASSENGERS, THE CORPORATION HAS HAD SOME SUCCESS IN PERSUADING MORE COMMUTERS TO TRAVEL ON MULTI-RIDE PASSES.
"ACCORDING TO KCRC, THE NUMBER OF LRT PASSENGERS USING MULTIRIDE PASSES HAS INCREASED FROM 49 PER CENT IN APRIL 1993 TO 57 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER 1993," MR BARMA SAID.
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31 VENUES AVAILABLE FOR PLAYING GATEBALL
*****
THERE ARE 31 VENUES AVAILABLE FOR PLAYING GATEBALL IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE INCLUDE ONE DESIGNATED GATEBALL COURT EACH IN SHA TIN, YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN; AND 15 GRASS PITCHES WITHIN SPORTS GROUNDS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 13 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR SO POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER 19 PURPOSE-BUILT GATEBALL COURTS WERE EITHER UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR PLANNING BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS ALSO CONSIDERING CONVERTING A SITE IN THE KWONG FUK ESTATE IN TAI PO INTO ITS FIRST GATEBALL COURT.
MORE GATEBALL COURTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS IF OTHER SUITABLE SITES CAN BE IDENTIFIED WITHIN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, MR SO ADDED.
/24.......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1993
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LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES *****
THE LEGISLATIVE BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT
COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION MOVED ON CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES.
ELEVEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE THAT LASTED ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR LEE SHIU-HUNG, SPOKE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
COUNCILLORS ALSO PASSED A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM ON THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN.
A TOTAL OF 21 MEMBERS DEBATED THE MOTION WITH THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, REPLYING TO THE POINTS RAISED.
TWO OTHER MOTIONS PROPOSED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR LAM WOON-KWONG, UNDER EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE WERE ALSO PASSED.
IN ADDITION, BILLS OF LADING AND ANALOGOUS SHIPPING DOCUMENTS BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENT. QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND CENSUS AND STATISTICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WERE PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS.
ALSO PASSED WAS A PRIVATE BILL - BISHOP OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HONG KONG INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 - WHICH WAS MOVED BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
GOVERNOR TO APPEAR BEFORE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ............. 1
HK COMMUNITY CAPABLE TO MAKE SOUND JUDGMENT: CS ................. 2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND ................................. 3
FS SPEAKS ON AIRPORT PROGRESS ................................... 5
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE HELPS BOOST HEALTH CARE: GOVERNOR ........... 6
ORDINANCE TO COVER VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS OF FILMS ......... 6
JOINT LIAISON GROUP 28TH MEETING: JOINT COMMUNIQUE .............. 8
SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND BENEFITS ALL ........................... 8
MEASURES TO HELP MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN COURT ................. 10
PEOPLE SATISFIED WITH PRESENT SITUATION: POLL .................. 11
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN SEPTEMBER ... 12
NEW EDITION OF THE ’NAMES OF BUILDINGS' BOOK.................... 17
NEW MINIBUS SERVES WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS ...................... 17
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ............................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
18
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
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GOVERNOR TO APPEAR BEFORE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE » * » » *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE IN LATE JANUARY TO GIVE EVIDENCE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE GOVERNOR TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN HE SPOKE TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND.
"I AM GOING TO EXERCISE MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH TO GO ON SPEAKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON SIR PERCY CRADOCK’S REMARK, MR PATTEN SAID SIR PERCY WAS EXERCISING HIS FREEDOM OF SPEECH SAYING THINGS WHICH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG KNEW HE HAD BEEN SAYING FOR MANY YEARS.
HE NOTED THAT WHEN THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, MADE HIS STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, EVERY SINGLE ELECTED MEMBER WHO SPOKE FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, NOT RETIRED OFFICIAL, SUPPORTED THE APPROACH THAT THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAD BEEN TAKING.
ASKED ABOUT THE REMARK MADE BY CHINESE VICE PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, MR QIAN QICHEN, ON THE QUESTION-OF SINCERITY, MR PATTEN REITERATED THAT THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS WERE TOTALLY SINCERE IN ATTEMPTING TO WORK FOR THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, TO PRESERVE THE VALUES, THE FREEDOMS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE SINCERE IN THOSE OBJECTIVES. THAT’S WHY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE PROPOSED TALKS ON POLITICAL ISSUES TO THE CHINESE, THAT’S WHY WE HAVE GONE THROUGH 17 ROUNDS OF THOSE TALKS WITHOUT ALAS VERY MUCH TO SHOW FOR IT.
"THAT’S WHY WE WERE PREPARED TO OFFER CONDITIONALLY CONSIDERABLE CONCESSIONS DURING THOSE TALKS.
"BUT OUR SINCERITY IS ABOVE ALL THE SINCERITY OF WANTING TO WORK IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, SINCERELY WANTING TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"AND THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE PRINCIPLES AND WE HAVE A BOTTOM LINE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO NOTED THAT BOTH THE CHINESE AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS WERE WORKING ON THE SAME OBJECTIVES FOR HONG KONG — A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THOSE WERE THINGS ON WHICH HE HOPED BOTH SIDES COULD AGREE AND ON WHICH BOTH SIDES COULD CO-OPERATE.
/"IT WOULD.......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
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"IT WOULD BE VERY SURPRISING IF WE ARE ABLE TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING DURING THIS UNIQUELY DIFFICULT PERIOD. BUT I HOPE THAT, EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING, THAT WON’T MEAN THAT WE DISAGREE ON EVERYTHING.
"THERE’S PLENTY ON WHICH WE CAN AGREE, PLENTY ON WHICH WE MUST CO-OPERATE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE LIVELIHOOD AND THE STABILITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"IT’S OUR INTENTION TO GO ON WORKING IN THAT CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT," HE SAID.
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HK COMMUNITY CAPABLE TO MAKE SOUND JUDGMENT *****
THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG IS PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF MAKING SOUND JUDGMENT ON WHAT IS IN ITS BEST INTERESTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE LEAVING THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR A PUBLIC FUNCTION, MRS CHAN SAID SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE CONCERN OF THOSE GIVING EVIDENCE AT THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN LONDON AND OF SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO DO WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS BEST FOR HONG KONG.
"OF COURSE WE IN HONG KONG ALSO HAVE A VIEW ON WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
"YOU ALL KNOW THAT HONG KONG IS A MATURE, STABLE AND EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY.
"THE DAYS OF BACK-DOOR DEALS OVER THE HEADS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE OVER. HONG KONG PEOPLE SIMPLY WILL NOT TOLERATE."
SHE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG STILL WANTED A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT BUT NOT AT ANY PRICE.
"FOR THE AGREEMENT TO BE ACCEPTABLE AND CREDIBLE HERE IN HONG KONG, IT MUST ENABLE FAIR, OPEN ELECTIONS THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"NOW YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE’VE GONE THROUGH 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS. WE WISH TO SEE THESE TALKS CONTINUE TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.
"WE’VE SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN 18TH ROUND AND WE’RE AWAITING A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE."
SHE REITERATED THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS WERE FORMULATED IN HONG KONG AND WERE WIDELY ACCEPTED BY ALL LEVELS OF THE COMMUNITY AND A MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/3 ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
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GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND *****
GOVERNOR: GOOD MORNING. I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT I’VE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND THE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AND THIS CENTRE FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT ONLY SUFFERING FROM SIGHT DISABILITY BUT ALSO ARE HANDICAPPED IN OTHER WAYS. I’VE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED BY WHAT I’VE SEEN THIS MORNING AS IMPRESSED AS THE FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER, ALASTAIR GOODLAD, WAS WHEN HE CAME HERE RECENTLY. WE ARE, AS YOU KNOW, EXTREMELY KEEN TO DEVELOP IN HONG KONG THE FACILITIES, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DISABILITY AND WE DO THAT FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS. FIRST OF ALL, OF COURSE, BECAUSE IT’S ONLY FAIR TO DO ALL WE CAN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DISABILITY, AND SECONDLY, WE DO IT IN A BROADER COMMUNITY INTEREST. HONG KONG IS A SMALL COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF ALL THE TALENTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND THOSE, AS I’VE SEEN THIS MORNING, WHO SUFFER FROM DISABILITY ARE INVARIABLY EXTREMELY TALENTED IN OTHER WAYS. WE’VE GOT TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THAT POTENTIAL. IT’S GREATLY IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST THEREFORE THAT WE CONTINUE TO BUILD UP THE SERVICES, THE REHABILITATION SERVICES, THE CARING SERVICES, THE TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A HANDICAP OR DIABILITY. WE INTEND TO GO ON PUTTING MORE RESOURCES INTO THOSE SERVICES AS A GOVERNMENT. I JUST ADD THAT, AS EVER, I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE COMMITMENT AND THE DEDICATION OF THOSE WHO ARE TEACHING AND RUNNING THESE FACILITIES BUT I AM ALSO EXTREMELY IMPRESSED BY THE DEDICATION OF THE PUPILS AND THE ELDERLY RESIDENTS. I MET, AT THE BEGINNING OF MY VISIT, FIVE ELDERLY RESIDENTS WHO’VE BEEN HERE SINCE, I THINK, BEFORE THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND DEDICATED THEIR LIVES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO TRANSLATING THE BIBLE INTO BRAILLE. THAT’S A GREAT SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY AND TO OTHER COMMUNITIES AND I WAS DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WORK OF FIVE VERY OLD LADIES WHO’VE DONE MARVELLOUS SERVICE TO THE WHOLE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY SOLID PLAN TO IMPROVE THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE?
GOVERNOR: YES, WE DO. WE SET OUT OUR TARGETS FOR PROVIDING GREATER SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1992 WHEN WE ANNOUNCED THAT WE WOULD BE IMPLEMENTING ALL THE PROPOSALS OF THE GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT THAT HAD BEEN BROUGHT OUT ON REHABILITATION FOR THE DISABLED. I ANNOUNCED IN MY RECENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH A RANGE OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY, NOT LEAST IN THE HOUSING FIELD AND IN THE HEALTH FIELD. WE ALSO ANNOUNCED WE WERE SETTING UP A TASK FORCE, A WORKING GROUP TO TRY TO BRING TOGETHER ALL OUR POLICIES ON THE ELDERLY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEMS OF AGING BECAUSE THIS COMMUNITY IS GOING TO FIND THAT IT HAS MANY MORE ELDERLY RESIDENTS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO SIR PERCY’S COMMENTS YESTERDAY? DO YOU WORRY THAT THE BRITISH SUPPORT FOR YOUR PROPOSALS WILL FADE OUT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
4
GOVERNOR: WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HONG KONG AND WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. AND SIR PERCY IS EXERCISING HIS FREEDOM OF SPEECH SAYING THINGS WHICH, I THINK, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG KNOW HE’S BEEN SAYING FOR MANY MANY YEARS. AT THE SAME TIME, WHAT ARE OTHER PEOPLE SAYING. WELL, WE KNOW THE VOICE OF HONG KONG AND WE KNOW THE VOICE OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT. WHEN THE FOREIGN SECRETARY MADE THE STATEMENT AT THE OTHER DAY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, EVERY SINGLE MEMBER WHO SPOKE FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, EVERY SINGLE ELECTED MEMBER, NOT RETIRED OFFICIAL, WHO SPOKE FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, SUPPORTED THE APPROACH THAT WE’VE BEEN TAKING. AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. BUT AS FAR AS MY SPEECHES ARE CONCERNED, I AM GOING TO EXERCISE MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH TO GO ON SPEAKING UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND I’LL BE GIVING EVIDENCE. WE AGREED THIS WHEN THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE VISITED HONG KONG A FEW WEEKS AGO. I’LL BE GIVING EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE AND SO WILL THE FOREIGN SECRETARY IN LATE JANUARY.
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK HIS COMMENT IS JUSTISFIED?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK I WANT TO SAY ANYTHING MORE.
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK SECRET DIPLOMACY IS STILL ACCEPTABLE NOWADAYS?
GOVERNOR: I THINK PEOPLE KNOW MY APPROACH TO SECRET DEALS. I DON’T THINK THAT YOU CAN TREAT A COMMUNITY LIKE HONG KONG IN A WHOLE IN A CORNER WAY. I THINK YOU HAVE TO TRUST PEOPLE. I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED, ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD. YOU CAN’T TREAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS THOUGH THEY WERE IRRESPONSIBLE CHILDREN. THEY ARE VERY RESPONSIBLE. THEY ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL. WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT IS TO BE TRUSTED AND THAT’S WHAT I INTEND TO DO. THERE IS PERHAPS ONE THING THAT I CAN ADD. THERE’VE BEEN REPORTS THIS MORNING OF SOME REMARKS THAT THE CHINESE VICE PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, THE VERY DISTINGUISHED MR QIAN QICHEN, MADE THIS MORNING. I HAVE ONLY INCOMPLETE REPORTS AND THERE MAY BE SOMETHINGS THAT HE SAID WHICH I WANT TO COMMENT ON LATER ON IN THE WEEK. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT MR QIAN QICHEN SAID THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PRC WERE FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY. AND I WANT TO SAY IF THOSE’RE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CHINESE SIDE, THEY ARE ENTIRELY SO SHARED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AND THEY ARE ENTIRELY SHARED BY THE BRITISH SIDE AS WELL. WE WANT TO HAVE AS SMOOTHEST AS POSSIBLE TRANSITION, WE WANT TO HAVE AS SMOOTHEST AS POSSIBLE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY, ABOUT WHICH THERE IS NO ARGUMENT WHATSOEVER IN 1997. WE ALSO WANT TO HAVE THE SMOOTHEST POSSIBLE WAY OF ENSURING THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION, THAT REMARKABLE TREATY BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, IS IMPLEMENTED TO THE LETTER AND IN THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT WAS WRITTEN. SO THOSE ARE THINGS ON WHICH I HOPE WE CAN AGREE AND ON WHICH WE CAN COOPERATE. MAY I JUST ADD THIS, IT WOULD BE VEY SURPRISING IF WE ARE ABLE TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING DURING THIS UNIQUELY DIFFICULT PERIOD. BUT I HOPE THAT, EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING, THAT WON’T MEAN THAT WE DISAGREE ON EVERYTHING. THERE’S PLENTY ON WHICH WE CAN AGREE, PLENTY ON WHICH WE MUST COOPERATE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE LIVELIHOOD AND THE STABILITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT’S OUR INTENTION TO GO ON WORKING IN THAT COOPERATIVE SPIRIT. ONE MORE QUESTION.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 5 -
QUESTION: YOU KNOW, AGAIN MR QIAN HAS SAID THAT, TALKING ABOUT THE SINCERITY AND HE SAID THIS MORNING THAT THE BRITISH SIDE IS LACK OF SINCERITY, WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IT IS SOMETIMES THE CASE THAT WORDS MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO CHINESE OFFICIALS. I THINK WHAT THE WORD ’’SINCERITY” MEANS TO SOME CHINESE OFFICALS IS -- EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD MUST AGREE WITH US, OTHERWISE THEY ARE NOT BEING SINCERE. NOW THAT’S PRETTY UNIQUE WAY OF DEFINING THE WORD ’’SINCERITY”. IT’S WHAT I THINK MIGHT BE CALLED UNILATERAL INTERPRETATION. WE ARE TOTALLY SINCERE IN ATTEMPTING TO WORK FOR THE FULL IMPLENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. WE ARE WHOLELY SINCERE IN WANTING TO PRESERVE THE VALUES AND THE FREEDOMS, AND THE RULE OF LAW HERE IN HONG KONG. WE ARE SINCERE IN THOSE OBJECTIVES. THAT’S WHY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE PROPOSED TALKS ON POLITICAL ISSUES TO THE CHINESE, THAT’S WHY WE HAVE GONE THROUGH 17 ROUNDS OF THOSE TALKS WITHOUT ALAS VERY MUCH TO SHOW FOR IT. THAT’S WHY WE WERE PREPARED TO OFFER CONDITIONALLY CONSIDERABLE CONCESSIONS DURING THOSE TALKS. THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A VERY GOOD WAY OF DEMONSTRATING SINCERITY. BUT OUR SINCERITY IS ABOVE ALL THE SINCERITY OF WANTING TO WORK IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, SINCERELY WANTING TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE PRINCIPLES AND WE HAVE A BOTTOM LINE, AND WE DON’T TRANSLATE SINCERITY AS MEANING "DO WHATEVER CHINESE OFFICIALS TELL YOU TO DO”. I DON’T THINK THAT IS A VERY SENSIBLE WAY OF INTERPRETING THE WORD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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FS SPEAKS ON AIRPORT PROGRESS * * * » »
THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING CONSIDERATION TO DECISIONS ON SOME KEY CONTRACTS AND FRANCHISES THAT ARE NEEDED ON THE AIRPORT IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID.
"WE SHALL CERTAINLY HAVE TO DISCUSS THE WHOLE ISSUE WITH LEGCO, I GUESS, SOMETIME EARLY NEXT YEAR," HE SAID AFTER ATTENDING AN AMCHAM LUNCH TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE NOTED THAT PROGRESS ON GOVERNMENT PROJECTS WAS GOING WELL, WITHIN BUDGET AND AT THE SPEED IT WANTED.
ON THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY, HE SAID: "WE WILL NEED TO HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH LEGCO IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO.”
MEANWHILE THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITY WOULD REMAIN A DIALOGUE WITH CHINA ON THE FINANCING AND RELATED LAND ISSUES.
"WE INTEND TO CARRY ON WITH THAT SORT OF DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE, WHILE ALSO CONSULTING LEGCO," HE SAID.
/6.........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
6
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE HELPS BOOST HEALTH CARE: GOVERNOR
*****
THE SETTING UP OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT IMPROVE HEALTH CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TONIGHT (THURSDAY).
"OUR AIM IS TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT, IN ITS RANGE AND QUALITY OF THE SERVICE, CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY," MR PATTEN SAID.
HE SAID THE SYSTEM MUST ALSO BE FLEXIBLE AND RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING NEEDS AND TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL IN DEVELOPING SUCH A SYSTEM THAT THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ITSELF SHOULD HAVE THE MEANS WHEREBY MEMBERS CAN ADD TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, AND CAN LEARN NEW TECHNIQUES AND NEW APPROACHES TO HEALTH CARE AT ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS."
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE ACADEMY.
HE SAID IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE ACADEMY WOULD SERVE TO STRENGTHEN THE PROFESSION OF MEDICINE BY PROMOTING CO-OPERATION AMONG MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND BY SAFEGUARDING THE INTEGRITY AND ETHICS OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
MR PATTEN SAID THE WORK OF THE ACADEMY WOULD ENSURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUED TO BE SERVED BY A FREE STANDING, FORWARD LOOKING MEDICAL PROFESSION.
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ORDINANCE TO COVER VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS OF FILMS ♦ * * * ♦
THE SCHEME OF CONTROL UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER THE VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS OF A FILM FROM NEXT MONTH, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MRS RITA LAU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MRS LAU TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF HONG KONG THAT A LOOPHOLE EXISTED IN THE LAW.
"MANY VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS ON THE MARKET ARE MADE FROM FILMS APPROVED UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE FOR SHOWING TO THE PUBLIC.
"THESE TAPES AND DISCS ARE, THEREFORE, EXEMPTED FROM THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE," MRS LAU SAID.
AN ANOMALOUS SITUATION AROSE WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINAL FILM MIGHT BE APPROVED FOR SHOWING TO ONLY PERSONS AGED 18 OR ABOVE IN CINEMAS, THERE WAS NOTHING IN LAW TO PREVENT THE SUBSEQUENT VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS FROM BEING SOLD, HIRED, GIVEN OR LENT TO A PERSON BELOW THE AGE OF 18, SHE ADDED.
/THE LEGISLATIVE .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS SOUGHT TO RECTIFY AND PLUG THIS LOOPHOLE.
UNDER THESE AMENDMENTS, WHICH BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 14 NEXT YEAR, IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO SELL, HIRE, LEND, GIVE OR EVEN SHOW A CATEGORY III TAPE OR DISC TO A PERSON BELOW THE AGE OF 18 AND CONTRAVENTIONS WILL ATTRACT A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.
OTHER VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS THAT ARE NOT MADE FROM A FILM ARE NOT AFFECTED AND WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) FOR PREVIEW.
ALSO, APPROPRIATE CLASSIFICATION SYMBOLS AND WARNING NOTICES ARE REQUIRED TO BE DISPLAYED ON THE VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS AS WELL AS ON RELATED MATERIALS.
THE PACKAGING OF A CATEGORY III TAPE OR DISC IS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED FOR SCRUTINY BY TELA WHICH WOULD REQUIRE IT TO BE WRAPPED UP WITH OPAQUE PAPER IF IT CONTAINED EXPLICIT SEXUAL AND OFFENSIVE MATERIALS SO THAT THE OFFENSIVE WORDS OR PICTURE WOULD NOT BE VISIBLE.
MRS LAU ALSO TOLD THE MEETING THAT AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FIRM COMMISSIONED BY TELA WOULD COMPLETE A FILM STANDARD SURVEY AROUND JANUARY.
SHE SAID THE SURVEY, UNDER WAY SINCE NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, WAS A BIENNIAL EXERCISE AIMED AT "FINDING OUT WHETHER THE STANDARDS WE USE IN CLASSIFYING FILMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE USED, CONSCIOUSLY OR SUBCONSCIOUSLY, BY GENERAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC."
"THE RESULT OF THE SURVEY WILL PROVIDE US WITH AN OBJECTIVE BASIS TO CONSIDER WHAT, IF ANY, CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE TO OUR FILM CENSORSHIP GUIDELINES AND ALSO OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM," SHE ADDED.
AN ASPECT BEING LOOKED INTO IN THE SURVEY IS FILM POSTERS.
MRS LAU SAID: "I AM AWARE OF THE VIEWS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SOME FILM POSTERS FAR EXCEED THE LIMIT OF DECENCY.
"INDEED, WE HAVE TAKEN OUT PROSECUTIONS OVER SOME OF THESE.
"THE SURVEY, I HOPE, WILL GIVE US A CLEAR INDICATION ON WHETHER THERE IS GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE SUGGESTION, WHICH HAS BEEN PUT TO ME ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THAT ADVERTISING MATERIALS FOR FILMS, OR AT LEAST POSTERS, FOR CATEGORY III FILMS, SHOULD BE SUBJECT ALSO TO PRECENSORSHIP."
MRS LAU SAID CENSORSHIP WAS AN "EMOTIVE AND IRKSOME WORD".
"BUT, FEW IN OUR SOCIETY WOULD DOUBT THE NEED FOR A SYSTEM TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN FROM BEING EXPOSED TO FILMS THAT PORTRAY EXCESS SEX OR VIOLENCE," SHE SAID.
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/8.........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
8
JOINT LIAISON GROUP 28TH MEETING: JOINT COMMUNIQUE * * ♦ * ♦
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS TWENTY EIGHTH MEETING IN LONDON FROM DECEMBER 7 TO 9, 1993.
THE GROUP HAD A FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LANDS WHICH ARE NOW IN USE FOR DEFENCE PURPOSES IN HONG KONG; MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS; HONG KONG’S AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS; FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS EXTENDING BEYOND 1997 AND RELATED MATTERS; INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES; SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES; MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CERTAIN COUNTRIES; LOCALISATION OF LAWS; ADAPTATION OF LAWS; THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997; VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS; THE RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES; AND CIVIL SERVICE MATTERS. . . ■ •
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE TIME AND PLACE TO BE AGREED BY THE TWO SIDES.
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SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND BENEFITS ALL ♦ * * * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (THURSDAY) EMPHASISED THAT THE BENEFICIAL LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF A SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND WERE UNDENIABLE AND SUBSTANTIAL.
’ 0 •. < A • r‘.
AT THE MOST GENERAL LEVEL, HE SAID, A SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND WOULD PROVIDE VALUABLE DIRECTION AND COMMITMENT TO THE WORLD’S TRADING COMMUNITY.
' • "
"IT WOULD MEAN THAT WORLD LEADERS COMMIT THEMSELVES TO AN AGREEMENT TO OPEN MARKETS, LOWER TRADE BARRIERS AND RESIST THE CLAMOUR OF SPECIAL DOMESTIC INTERESTS,” HE SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE THE POTENTIAL FINANCIAL BENEFITS WERE DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY, A RECENT OECD STUDY SUGGESTED THAT THE ANNUAL BENEFITS MIGHT REACH US$270 BILLION BY 2002 IF THE ROUND SUCCEEDED.
THE RESEARCHERS HAD ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE AND THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO FACTOR IN THE EFFECT ON TRADE IN SERVICES.
"SO HOPEFULLY THE BENEFITS WILL PROVE A GOOD DEAL HIGHER THAN THIS ALREADY ENCOURAGING ESTIMATE," MR MACLEOD SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 9 -
HE ADDED THAT TARIFF REDUCTIONS WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THIS INCREASE IN WORLD WELFARE.
’’THE SUCCESSIVE LOWERING OF TARIFF LEVELS IN SEVEN ROUNDS OF GATT TALKS SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1948 HAS PROBABLY BEEN THE GREATEST SINGLE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE DRAMATIC RISE IN WORLD TRADE OVER THOSE YEARS.
”A SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND WOULD ADD ITS WEIGHT TO THAT PROCESS, SPURRING AN EXTRA US$745 BILLION A YEAR IN WORLD TRADE BY 2005, ACCORDING TO GATT ECONOMISTS,” HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE ONLY SIX DAYS LEFT TO THE DEADLINE ON DECEMBER 15 AND THE PRESSURE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WAS GREATER THAN IT HAD EVER BEEN.
"ONE OF OUR GREATEST CONCERNS, AS THE ROUND REACHES ITS FINALE, IS THAT IN THE LAST MINUTE DEAL-CUTTING PRINCIPALLY BETWEEN THE ’MAJORS’, KEY GATT PRINCIPLES WILL BE COMPROMISED OR SACRIFICED,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD HIGHLIGHTED FOUR ISSUES IN WHICH HONG KONG HAD A SPECIAL INTEREST, NAMELY ANTI-DUMPING, MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, GATS (GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES) AND TARIFF REDUCTIONS.
ON ANTI-DUMPING, HE SAID HE WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT HONG KONG WOULD MISS A VITAL OPPORTUNITY TO RESTRICT ANTI-DUMPING TO ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AS A TRADE POLICY INSTRUMENT OF LAST RESORT, TO BE USED ONLY WHERE GENUINE DUMPING WAS TAKING PLACE AND NOT AS A WEAPON TO HARRASS NORMAL TRADE.
AS FOR THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, HE SAID HONG KONG WAS PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE OF A SUBSTANTIAL RESTRUCTURING OF ITS TEXTILES AND GARMENT INDUSTRY BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE PHASING OUT OF THE MFA.
ON GATS, HE BELIEVED THAT THE BENEFITS WOULD BE GRADUAL BUT THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD PROVIDE GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND A MEANS TO BRING PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENTS TO LOWER BARRIERS TO SERVICE TRADE.
OF MORE IMMEDIATE BENEFIT WOULD BE THE TARIFF REDUCTIONS, HE SAID, ALTHOUGH IT LOOKED UNLIKELY THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD ACHIEVE THE TARGET GATT MEMBERS SET FOR THEMSELVES AT THE START, WHICH WAS A ONE-THIRD REDUCTION IN TARIFFS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS PARTICULARLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RELUCTANCE AMONG SOME DEVELOPED ECONOMIES TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING TARIFFS WHICH WERE LIKLEY TO REMAIN MUCH HIGHER THAN AVERAGE TARIFF LEVELS.
’’NEVERTHELESS, WE MAY SEE HONG KONG-MADE PRODUCTS ATTRACTING OVER US$400 MILLION LESS IN TARIFFS NEXT YEAR.
"OUR COMPETITORS WILL GAIN SIMILARLY, BUT LOWER TARIFFS SHOULD MEAN LOWER RETAIL COSTS AND HIGHER CONSUMPTION OVERALL," HE SAID.
WHAT IF THE URUGUAY ROUND FAILED? HE SAID THAT TRADE WOULD CONTINUE AND, IN THIS REGION AT LEAST, SHOULD CONTINUE TO GROW.
/HOWEVER, HE ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
10
HOWEVER, HE WARNED: ’’BUT LIKE COMPOUND INTEREST ON A LARGE DEBT, THE COST OF FAILURE WILL ACCUMULATE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THROUGH FAILURE TO RESIST DOMESTIC POLITICAL PRESSURE FOR SPECIAL PROTECTION, FRUSTRATED TRADE, AND UNRESOLVED TRADE DISPUTES WITH ALL THE TRADE RETALIATION AND COUNTER RETALIATION WHICH THAT CAN INVOLVE."
HE APPEALED TO THE WORLD’S LEADERS TO MAKE THE URUGUAY ROUND A SUCCESS AS THE BEST CHANCE THE WORLD HAD FOR ACHIEVING A STRONG INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY RESTED IN A STRONG MULTILATERAL SYSTEM AND A COMMITMENT TO FREE TRADE PRINCIPLES.
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MEASURES TO HELP MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN COURT * * * * * * *
SIMPLE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AIMED AT HELPING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT ARE EXPECTED TO BE PUT IN PLACE FAIRLY SOON.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY MR JUSTICE MICHAEL WONG KIN-CHOW, A HIGH COURT JUDGE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP TASKED TO EXAMINE WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT MAY BE ASSISTED IN ORDER TO MINIMISE ANY TRAUMA THEY MAY SUFFER.
THE WORKING GROUP WAS APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR. IT HAS MET TWICE SINCE.
"I AM RATHER ENCOURAGED THAT THERE IS A BROAD CONSENSUS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE SORT OF PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT MEASURES THAT SHOULD, AND COULD, BE INTRODUCED WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE COURT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,” MR JUSTICE WONG SAID.
“THESE MEASURES DO NOT INVOLVE ANY LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS OR ENTAIL SUBSTANTIAL EXPENDITURE. THEY SHOULD THEREFORE BE EASIER AND QUICKER TO IMPLEMENT.
"THE WORKING GROUP WILL CONSIDER THESE PROPOSALS FURTHER AT ITS NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 21. AN INTERIM REPORT WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE," HE ADDED.
MR JUSTICE WONG NOTED THAT FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE INTERIM REPORT, THE WORKING GROUP WOULD FOCUS ON MORE COMPLEX AND LONG-TERM MEASURES.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A MEETING THIS MORNING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF SEVEN CONCERNED BODIES, MAINLY PARENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS, TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS ON HOW THE INTERESTS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE COULD BEST BE PROTECTED WHEN GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
MR JUSTICE WONG DESCRIBED THE SESSION AS A "MOST USEFUL EXERCISE WHICH PROVIDES A VALUABLE INPUT TO THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP".
/THE SEVEN .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 11 -
THE SEVEN BODIES ARE THE HONG KONG JOINT COUNCIL OF PARENTS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED; THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION OF PRE-SCHOOL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN; THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED; THE ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS OF SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED; THE INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY LEAGUE; THE HONG KONG DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION AND THE SOCIETY FOR WELFARE OF THE AUTISTIC PERSONS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING WERE MR T C FOO, A SOLICITOR RECOMMENDED TO SIT ON THE WORKING GROUP BY THE LAW SOCIETY AND MRS MARIAN CHEUNG, A SOCIAL WORKER AND A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF THE GROUP.
THE WORKING GROUP CONSISTS OF SEVEN PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERTS.
THEY ARE MR JOHN WOOD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION; MR ALLAN CHOW, COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION; MR ANTHONY CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION); MR MICHAEL LUNN, A BARRISTER RECOMMENDED BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION; MR T C FOO, A SOLICITOR RECOMMENDED BY THE LAW SOCIETY; DR SYLVIA CHEN, A PSYCHIATRIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE; AND MR FRED LI WAH-MING, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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PEOPLE SATISFIED WITH PRESENT SITUATION: POLL
» » ♦ » ♦
A BI-MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH REVEALED THAT 76 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE SATISFIED WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
THIS REPRESENTED A THREE PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE FIGURE RECORDED IN THE SEPTEMBER POLL, A HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
RELEASING THE FINDINGS OF THE NOVEMBER TELEPHONE OPINION SURVEY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID PEOPLE’S EXPECTATION OF THE FUTURE WAS ALSO UP BY THREE PER CENT.
SIXTY-SEVEN PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS EXPECTED THE SITUATION TO EITHER IMPROVE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS OR STAY ABOUT THE SAME, COMPARED WITH 64 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER.
AND RESPONDENTS WHO HAD CONFIDENCE THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE REMAINED MORE OR LESS THE SAME AT 60 PER CENT.
ON THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A SLIGHT INCREASE OF TWO PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN THE NOVEMBER SURVEY WITH 52 PER CENT EXPRESSING SATISFACTION.
FIFTY-EIGHT PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS CONSIDERED THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON ITS POLICIES AND ACTIONS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BE SATISFACTORY, COMPARED WITH 54 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER.
/"RESPONDENTS WHO .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 12 -
"RESPONDENTS WHO FELT THAT CIVIL SERVANTS’ WORKING ATTITUDE WAS GOOD REMAINED THE SAME, AT 52 PER CENT," HE ADDED.
AS TO THE THREE MOST-TALKED-ABOUT PROBLEMS FACING THE TERRITORY, "HONG KONG FUTURE" CONTINUED TO TOP THE LIST, AT 47 PER CENT, FOLLOWED BY "HOUSING", AT 31 PER CENT, AND "SOCIAL WELFARE", AT 19 PER CENT.
ON THE "HONG KONG FUTURE" ISSUE, 22 PER CENT SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD HANDLED IT WELL WITH 78 PER CENT BELIEVING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD EXERTED EFFORT IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM.
THE TWO RATINGS ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS THAT IN THE LAST SURVEY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE POLL, WHICH INVOLVED TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH 1,458 PEOPLE DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 15 AND 19, WAS THE 49TH IN THE SERIES OF REGULAR POLLS CONDUCTED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH.
THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WERE BASED ON A RANDOM SAMPLE OF RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS CONTAINED IN THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES.
WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD OF A SELECTED TELEPHONE NUMBER, A RESPONDENT AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 64 WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN FOR INTERVIEW.
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VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN SEPTEMBER *****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR DECREASED BY 4.2% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 22%.
THESE ARE THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15%. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 15% IN VOLUME.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES WITH THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES BEING DISCOUNTED.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.4% WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS DECREASED BY 0.4%. IMPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 0.7%.
PRICE CHANGES ARE REFLECTED BY CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE INDICES, WHICH ARE COMPILED BASED ON AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OR, FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, BASED ON SPECIFIC PRICE DATA.
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX, DEFINED AS THE RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX, INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.4% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
/TAKING SEPTEMBER .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 13 -
TAKING SEPTEMBER 1993 ALONE AND COMPARING WITH SEPTEMBER 1992, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 8.2% WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS INCREASED BY 18%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 11%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC. EXPORTS INCREASED BY 0.5% WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS DECREASED BY 0.9%. IMPORT PRICES REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH SEPTEMBER 1992, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR ALL COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED, PARTICULARLY RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-68%); AND FOOTWEAR (-56%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE PRICES OF FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 7.2%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-9.1%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND., RELATED ARTICLES (-6.2%); AND TEXTILE FABRICS (-4.4%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2. *■ ■■ t / • .
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 6.8% IN SEPTEMBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1992.
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD; MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS; AND FRUIT. ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED. IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; AND WHEAT AND FLOUR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 12%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; FOOTWEAR; AND CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. HOWEVER, ; CONSIDERABLE DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS NOTED FOR TOBACCOJ
MANUFACTURES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 8.9% IN SEPTEMBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1992.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS; AND YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES.
HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF BASE METALS (OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL); INEDIBLE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; AND RAW COTTON.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 44% IN VOLUME IN SEPTEMBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1992.
/AS REGARDS .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 14 -
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 11%. NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY DECLINED.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH SEPTEMBER 1992, THE IMPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS AND CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 3.1% AND 0.8% RESPECTIVELY.
THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES; AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 9.0%, 2.0% AND 1.5% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH SEPTEMBER 1992, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF FUELS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 99%.
THAT OF CAPITAL GOODS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND CONSUMER GOODS ALL REGISTERED INCREASES OF 18%. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 5.7%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE RE-EXPORT PRICE OF FOODSTUFFS; AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 1.9% AND 0.9% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 16% AND 3.4% RESPECTIVELY. THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CONSUMER GOODS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
DETAILS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE SEPTEMBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE ’’HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS”.
THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SALE AROUND MID-DECEMBER AT $8.5 A COPY AT EITHER THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4918).
/Table 1 : .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
15
Table 1 : Changes in domestic exports by principal commodity group
Comparing SEP 1993 with SEP 1992 Comparing with JAN-SEP 1993 JAN-SEP 1992
Commodity group Value % Unit Value % Volume % Value % Unit Value % Volume %
Clothing -12.4 -0.4 -12.1 -7.2 1.9 -8.9
Textile fabrics -4.9 -4.4 -0.6 -2.8 -4.0 1.3
Textile yarn and thread -21.1 -9.1 -13.2 -13.2 -5.9 -7.8
Textile made-ups and related articles -27.2 -6.2 -22.4 -28.1 -0.5 -27.7
Radios of all kinds -69.0 -3.2 -67.9 -41.8 -7.5 -37.1
Electronic components -7.1 -0.1 -7.0 6.6 -0.9 7.6
Footwear -52.8 7.2 -56.0 -45.8 6.4 -49.1
Metal manufactures -1.9 -1.6 -0.3 -0.2 -2.3 2.1
Metal ores and scrap -24.9 * -24.9 -1.6 -2.0 0.4
Watches and clocks -14.7 0.7 -15.3 -14.2 0.6 -14.7
Travel goods, handbags and similar articles -26.0 -1.7 -24.6 -22.7 -2.4 -20.7
Domestic electrical appliances -13.6 * -13.6 -21.6 -2.7 -19.3
ALL COMMODITIES -7.9 0.5 -8.2 -3.9 0.4 -4.2
* less than 0.05%
/Table 2 : .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 16 -
Table 2 : Changes in imports by end-use category
End-use category Comparing SEP 1993 with SEP 1992 Comparing JAN-SEP 1993 with JAN-SEP 1992
Value % Unit Value Volume Value % Unit Value Volume
% % % %
Foodstuffs 5.2 -1.5 6.8 -0.3 -0.8 0.3
Consumer goods 12.9 0.8 12.0 18.5 -0.4 18.9
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 6.6 -2.0 8.9 8.0 -2.9 11.2
Fuels 30.9 -9.0 43.9 10.3 -0.3 10.5
Capital goods 13.9 3.1 10.6 23.1 3.3 19.1
ALL COMMODITIES 11.0 * 11.1 14.5 -0.7 15.3
* less than 0.05%
Table 3 : Changes in re-exports by end-use category
End-use category Comparing SEP 1993 with SEP 1992 Comparing JAN-SEP 1993 with JAN-SEP 1992
Value % Unit Value Volume Value % Unit Value Volume
% % % %
Foodstuffs -3.8 1.9 -5.7 -1.9 -0.8 -1.2
Consumer goods 17.7 -0.2 17.8 20.2 0.4 19.8
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 14.1 -3.4 17.9 15.4 -3.2 19.3
Fuels 68.0 -15.7 99.3 68.2 -5.2 77.4
Capital goods 18.9 0.9 17.9 36.6 2.3 33.5
ALL COMMODITIES 16.8 -0.9 17.9 21.3 -0.4 21.7
------o------------
/17........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 17 -
NEW EDITION OF THE 'NAMES OF BUILDINGS’ BOOK
*****
A NEW EDITION OF THE 'NAMES OF BUILDINGS’ BOOK REPLACING THE ONE PUBLISHED IN 1990 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.
THE BOOK, AT $75 A COPY, CONTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BUILDING NAMES WITH ADDRESSES BOTH IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
FOR EASY REFERENCE, THE BOOK IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS.
PART ONE COMPRISES BUILDING NAMES IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON; PART TWO GIVES BUILDING NAMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING THE OUTLYING ISLANDS. AN INDEX OF CHINESE NAMES PRECEDES EACH PART.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW EDITION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID:
"ABOUT 15,000 BUILDING NAMES HAVE NOW BEEN RECORDED AND THE BOOK SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR NOT ONLY WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS BUT ALSO WITH PRIVATE SECTOR BUSINESSES."
HE ADDED THAT WHILE THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION CONTROLLING THE USE OF BUILDING NAMES, THE BOOK WOULD HELP OWNERS AND DEVELOPERS TO AVOID DUPLICATION WHEN NAMING THEIR BUILDINGS.
--------0-----------
NEW MINIBUS SERVES WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS *****
A NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 55 PLYING BETWEEN SAN PO KONG AND TIN MA COURT WILL COME INTO SERVICE THIS SATURDAY (DECEMBER 11), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE CIRCULAR ROUTE WILL RUN FROM HONG KEUNG STREET, SAN PO KONG VIA WONG TAI SIN LOWER ESTATE, TIN MA COURT, WANG TAU HOM ESTATE AND BACK TO HONG KEUNG STREET.
IT WILL SERVE COMMUTERS FROM 6.30 AM TO 10.30 PM DAILY AT FREQUENCIES OF SEVEN TO EIGHT MINUTES.
THE FARE FROM SAN PO KONG TO TIN MA COURT WILL BE $3.30. A SECTION FARE OF $2.50 WILL BE CHARGED FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELLING FROM TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD TO TIN MA COURT OR SAN PO KONG.
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/18 .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 18 -
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
♦ » ♦ * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE PAPERS FOR THE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER 2.30 PM TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,980
REVERSAL OF LAF + 20
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -920
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,080
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.6 »+0.1» 9.12.93
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1993
- 19 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.97 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.34 3.62
1 MONTH 3.01 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.83 3.91
3 MONTHS 2.99 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.95 4.08
6 MONTHS 3.19 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.87 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.49 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT 35 OF BILLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 14 4.20 ,640 MN 98.79 4.71
CLOSED 9 DECEMBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 ....................................................... 1
HK PEOPLE WILL BE IN THE KNOW: GOVERNOR ................... 2
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR’S MEDIA SESSION .................... 3
FS COMMENTS ON MOODY’S ANNOUNCEMENT ....................... 6
MOODY’S ANNOUNCEMENT DISAPPOINTING AND SURPRISING ......... 7
STI WELCOMES RENEWAL OF MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT ........... 8
CHARGES FOR WASTE DISPOSAL AT LANDFILLS ................... 9
ENVIRONMENTAL CO-OPERATION WITH GUANGDONG TO CONTINUE ..... 10
TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION RULES ........................ 10
HIGHER COMPENSATION RATES FOR INJURED WORKERS GAZETTED .... 11
NEW FEES FOR FILM CENSORSHIP .............................. 12
JUDICIARY UPHOLDS BEST TRADITIONS: CHIEF JUSTICE .......... 13
GOVERNOR VISITS WELFARE INSTITUTIONS ...................... 14
NT SITES OFFERED FOR SALE TO LETTERS A/B HOLDERS .......... 15
X’MAS DEADLINE REMINDED ................................... 16
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT SHA TIN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ........... 16
SUPPORT URGED FOR PARENTS OF HANDICAPPED .................. 18
LAYING OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE AND PIPEWORKS APPROVED ....... 18
COVERS FOR SUBWAYS ACROSS NATHAN ROAD ..................... 19
RESUME LAND FOR PUMPING STATION ........................... 20
TENDERS INVITED FOR POLYCLINIC AND RADAR STATION .......... 20
MONG KOK LIT UP WITH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ..................... 21
TENDERS FOR CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT WORKS INVITED ......... 21
FIGHT-CRIME VARIETY SHOW IN NORTH DISTRICT ................ 22
314 VMS RETURN HOME ....................................... 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 23
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
1
ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 ******
THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL DEALS WITH THE MORE IMMEDIATE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS THAT REQUIRE EARLY LEGISLATION.
THE BILL’S MAIN PROVISIONS ARE:
* A "SINGLE SEAT, SINGLE VOTE" SYSTEM OF VOTING FOR THE THREE TIERS OF GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS;
* LOWERING OF THE MINIMUM VOTING AGE FROM 21 TO 18 YEARS;
» ABOLITION OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERSHIP IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS (MC’S) AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS (DB’S);
* INCREASING THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS IN THE MC’S; AND
* TO RELAX THE EXISTING RESTRICTION ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES FROM RUNNING ELECTIONS AND HOLDING OFFICE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MC’S AND DB’S.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE "SINGLE SEAT, SINGLE VOTE" SYSTEM OF VOTING IS USED IN ALL MC AND TWO-THIRDS OF THE DB CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS.
"THERE IS WIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THIS VOTING METHOD TO BE USED IN ALL THREE TIERS OF ELECTIONS," HE SAID.
THE LOWERING OF THE VOTING AGE FROM 21 TO 18 YEARS IS IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICE IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES.
LOWERING OF THE VOTING AGE WILL BROADEN THE POTENTIAL ELECTORATE FROM 3.7 MILLION TO 3.9 MILLION.
THE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS WILL BE INCREASED FROM 15 TO 32 FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL (UC) AND FROM 12 TO 27 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (RC) .
AS A RESULT, IN 1995 THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP FOR UC WILL BE 41 AND 39 FOR THE RC.
THIS ENSURES THE MC’S WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A VIABLE SIZE AFTER THE ABOLITION OF APPOINTED SEATS.
/THE LIFTING .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
2
THE LIFTING OF THE EXISTING RESTRICTION ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS WILL MEAN THAT THESE PERSONS CAN, IF THEY WANT TO, STAND FOR ELECTIONS TO THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT STARTING FROM THE 1994 DB ELECTIONS PROVIDED THEY MEET ALL OTHER QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATURE AND ARE NOT DISQUALIFIED IN ANY OTHER WAY.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15) FOR FIRST READING, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
--------0-----------
HK PEOPLE WILL BE IN THE KNOW: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE ENTITLED TO HAVE A FULL REPORT ON WHAT HAD HAPPENED DURING THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE 1994/95 ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS.
"BUT OUR FIRST OBJECTIVE IS TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THE TALKS CONTINUE WHILE WE PUT IN PLACE THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE NECESSARY IN OUR PARTIAL LEGISLATION.
"SO OUR POSITION IS THAT WHEN THE TALKS ARE BROUGHT TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION, OR WHEN THEY ARE NOT, WE BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE A FULL REPORT ON EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED," MR PATTEN SAID.
HE WAS RESPONDING TO A PRESS QUESTION ABOUT THE CHALLENGE BY THE DIRECTOR OF CHINA’S HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, MR LU PING, OF RELEASING DETAILS OF THE TALKS, AFTER VISITING WING LUNG BANK GOLDEN JUBILEE SHELTERED WORKSHOP.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE IN THE FULL PICTURE, WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT.
"AND WE DO SO HONESTLY, WE DO SO WITHOUT PARTIAL LEAKING OF BITS OF THE DISCUSSIONS, WE SET OUT THE WHOLE RECORD," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN ALSO SAID HE WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED ON THE OUTCOME OF THE CURRENT ROUND OF TALKS OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"THERE HAVE BEEN 28 SERIES OF JLG MEETINGS SO FAR, AND WE IN HONG KONG ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NOT MORE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE."
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/3 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10,
- 3 -
1993
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR’S MEDIA SESSION
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING WING LUNG BANK GOLDEN JUBILEE SHELTERED WORKSHOP TODAY (FRIDAY):
GOVERNOR: I’VE ENJOYED THIS MORNING VISITING A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AND THIS SHELTERED WORKSHOP. AS YOU WILL DOUBTLESSLY RECALL IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I SAID THAT WE NEED TO DEVELOP A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND COHERENCE STRATEGY FOR HELPING THE ELDERLY.
WE HAVE SET UP A WORKING PARTY TO PULL ALL THE THREADS OF POLICY TOGETHER, PROVISION OF ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE AND PROVISION OF PROPER WELFARE FACILITIES, PROVISION OF PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND INFIRMARIES AND SO ON. THAT WORKING PARTY HAD ITS FIRST MEETING IN NOVEMBER AND IT WILL BE REPORTING TO ME BY NEXT AUGUST.
SECONDLY, I MADE IT CLEAR ONCE AGAIN, IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH, THAT PROVISION OF SERVICES, OF ADEQUATE SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED IS ANOTHER OF OUR PRIORITIES. WE WANT IN HONG KONG TO GIVE THOSE WITH DISABILITIES EVERY CHANCE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY BENEFIT FROM THAT, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM THAT. IT’S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO GIVE THOSE WHO CAN MANAGE IT, WHO ARE DISABLED, THE CHANCE OF OPEN EMPLOYMENT. SHELTERED WORKSHOPS LIKE THIS, EXCELLENT ONE, ARE A GOOD STEP ON THE ROAD TO OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
I’LL BE CHAIRING A SUMMIT OF GROUPS REPRESENTING THE DISABLED AND GROUPS REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS IN FEBRUARY TO CONSIDER WHAT MORE WE CAN DO TO MAKE FURTHER PLACES AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET PLACE FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITY. I THINK IT’S AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AREA FOR US TO DEVELOP OUR POLICIES AND OUR APPROACH, AND I HOPE WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT AREA AS WE WERE WHEN WE HAD THE SUMMIT A FEW MONTHS AGO ON THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, ARE YOU GOING TO FACE LU PING’S CHALLENGE BY RELEASING DETAILS OF THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ?
GOVERNOR: I WAS INTERESTED IN WHAT THE DISTINGUISHED DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE HAD TO SAY. AND PERHAPS I CAN PUT IT IN CONTEXT.
HERE IN HONG KONG WE HAVE AN OPEN SOCIETY AND WE HAVE A FREE PRESS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T SEEK TO LEAN ON. IT’S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, I’M TOLD ELSEWHERE. SO WE’RE USED TO AN OPEN DIALOGUE ABOUT ISSUES LIKE THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THAT’S THE CHIEF SECRETARY ANSON ('HAN SAID THE OTHER DAY. WE DON’T BELIEVE THAT WE CAN MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE OVER THE HEADS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE THINK THEY SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN JUDGMENTS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.
/THE SECOND .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
THE SECOND PIECE OF BACKGROUND WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER IS THAT BEFORE THESE TALKS GOT GOING, THE CHINESE INITIALLY INSISTED ON TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, UNDERSTANDABLY, THAT THE DISCUSSIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN CONFIDENCE. SECOND, WHICH WE WEREN’T PREPARED TO ACCEPT AND IT WAS SOMETHING WHICH THE CHINESE EVENTUALLY DROPPED, THEY WANTED, IF YOU RECALLED, THE FACT OF THE TALKS TO BE SECRET, NOT JUST WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE TALKS. WE SAID THAT WE COULDN’T ACCEPT THAT PROPOSAL, WE COULDN’T CONCEAL FROM THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT TALKS WERE TAKING PLACE. AND EVENTUALLY I’M PLEASED TO SAY THAT CHINESE DROPPED THAT INSISTENCE.
NOW WE’RE AT A SITUATION IN WHICH WE ON OUR SIDE ARE PRESSING FOR MORE TALKS AND THE CHINESE ARE, PERHAPS, BEING A LITTLE AMBIVALENT ABOUT THAT AT THE MOMENT. WE WANT MORE TALKS BECAUSE WE WANT AN AGREEMENT. AND IF WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, WE’LL EXPLAIN THAT AGREEMENT AND WHAT IS LED UP TO IT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND WE DON’T GET AN AGREEMENT ALAS, AND WE WANT AN AGREEMENT, OR IF ALAS, THE CHINESE WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, THEN AGAIN WE WOULD HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXACTLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IF WE DO SO HONESTLY, WE DO SO WITHOUT PARTIAL LEAKING OF BITS OF THE DISCUSSIONS, WE SET OUT THE WHOLE RECORD. BUT OUR FIRST OBJECTIVE IS TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THE TALKS CONTINUE WHILE WE PUT IN PLACE THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE NECESSARY IN OUR PARTIAL LEGISLATION. SO OUR POSITION IS THAT WHEN THE TALKS ARE BROUGHT TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION, OR WHEN THEY ARE NOT, WE BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE A FULL REPORT ON EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
QUESTION: CHINA’S SPOKESMAN WU JIANMIN SAID THAT THE TALKS COULDN’T GO ON IF YOU PREFER TO TABLING YOUR PARTIAL BILL. HOW DEFINITE ARE YOU THAT YOU WILL TABLE THE BILL ON WEDNESDAY?
GOVERNOR: I’VE MADE THE POSITION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HAS MADE THE POSITION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR. THE CHINESE SIDE KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT THERE ARE SOME ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WE NEED TO GET IN PLACE AT AN EARLY STAGE, AND WE NEED THAT IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME FOR DISCUSSING THE OTHER MATTERS. FOR OUR PART, WE WILL ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO TALK. WE SUGGESTED THESE TALKS IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT WAS OUR PROPOSAL, OUR INITIATIVE. WE’VE BEEN SENDING OUR OFFICIALS WEEK AFTER WEEK UP TO PEKING TO TAKE PART IN THE TALKS. WE MADE CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS IN THE TALKS AS AN ACT OF GOOD FAITH, TO TRY TO KEEP THE TALKS GOING AND TO TRY TO BRING THEM TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION. SO AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED, WE WANT THE TALKS TO GO ON AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THAT WILL BE THE POSITION OF THE CHINESE SIDE, AND THEY WON’T SIMPLY WALK AWAY FROM THE TABLE.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, RITA FAN HAS URGED LEGISLATORS TO AMEND ALL PARTS OF THE PARTIAL BILL THAT CHINA HASN’T AGREED TO. DO YOU THINK THIS IS ....... MEDDLING AHEAD OF 1997 BY THE PWC AND ALSO IF LEGISLATORS SHOULD AMEND THE PARTIAL BILL IN THAT FASHION, WILL THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 5 -
GOVERNOR: EVERYBODY HAS A RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ABOUT WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD DO. I’M DELIGHTED THAT HERE IS A MEMBER OF THE PWC WHO RECOGNISES, UNLIKE SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS, THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS A CRUCIAL CENTRAL ROLE IN DEALING WITH LEGISLATION ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS BECAUSE SOMETIMES AS YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT APPEARED TO BE THE POSITION OF THE CHINESE SIDE. BUT IF THIS IS CONFIRMATION OF THE CENTRAL ROLE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND I’M DELIGHTED. WE WILL PRESS FOR ARRANGEMENTS, AS THE EXECUTIVE FOR 1994/1995, WHICH ARE FAIR, WHICH GIVE US CLEAN AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS AND WHICH PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ACCEPT.
QUESTION: THE JLG MEETING IN LONDON HASN’T ACHIEVED ANYTHING. SO OBVIOUSLY, THE ECONOMIC ISSUES ARE LINKED WITH POLITICAL ISSUES, SO WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT MOVE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ?
GOVERNOR: IT’S NOT FAIR TO SAY THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP ACHIEVED NOTHING, BUT IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THE OUTCOME OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THOSE ARE WORDS WHICH HAVE BEEN USED ABOUT RATHER A LOT OF JLG MEETINGS. THERE HAVE BEEN 28 SERIES OF JLG MEETINGS SO FAR, AND WE IN HONG KONG ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NOT MORE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE. JUST AS WE’RE DISAPPOINTED THAT AFTER 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, THE ONLY THING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO AGREE ON WAS THE VOTING AGE IN HONG KONG.
THE JLG HASN’T MADE AS MUCH PROGRESS AS WE WOULD LIKE. I THINK THAT SOONER OR LATER, AND I HOPE IT’S SOONER, THAT CHINESE SIDE WOULD RECOGNISE THAT WE’VE GOT TO GET IT MOVE ON AND GET SOME PROGRESS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WELL-BEING AND LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE HONG KONG SIDE IS VERY KEEN TO SUPPORT EVERY INITIATIVE TAKEN BY THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR WHO LEADS THE TALKS TO INTENSIFY THEIR PACE AND TO MAKE AS MUCH PROGRESS AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THEY DON’T THINK THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN POLITICAL ISSUES AND LIVELIHOOD OR ECONOMIC ISSUES. WELL, IT’S NOT JUST ENOUGH TO SAY THOSE THING; ONE HAS TO DEMONSTRATE THEM AS WELL. AND I’M SURE THAT’S WHAT THEY WILL BE WANTING TO DO OVER THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS.
I’VE SAID SEVERAL TIMES THAT DURING THE PERIOD OF TRANSITION IF THERE ARE ONE OR TWO THINGS THAT WE CAN’T AGREE ABOUT, THAT SHOULDN’T STOP US COOPERATING ABOUT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THINGS. AND IT’S PARTICULARLY THE CASE, I THINK, WITH JLG ISSUES BECAUSE THE JLG IS LARGELY DEALING WITH TECHNICAL MATTERS; NOT ENTIRELY, BUT ISSUES LIKE THE LOCALISATION OF LAWS ON WHICH, FRANKLY, THERE SHOULDN’T BE AN ARGUMENT; THERE SHOULDN’T BE A DISPUTE. IF YOU HAVE ARGUMENTS ABOUT THINGS WHICH AREN’T CONTROVERSIAL, IT MAKES IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO DEAL SENSIBLY IN AN ADULT FASHION WITH ISSUES WHICH ARE GENUINELY CONTROVERSIAL. LAST QUESTION.
QUESTIONS: YOU HAVEN’T ANSWER MY ANSWER.
GOVERNOR: I DO.
/QUESTION: .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
6
QUESTION: YOU SAID YOU DIDN’T WANT .... HOW DEFINITE ARE YOU THAT YOU TABLE THE TALKS, ARE YOU WAITING PERHAPS FOR CHINA TO AGREE .......?
GOVERNOR: I SAID THAT I HAD MADE THE POSITION ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AS FAR AS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED. AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HAD MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AS FAR AS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED. WE NEED THAT LEGISLATION BY THE END OF FEBRUARY. AND ONE REASON WHY WE’VE BROUGHT FORWARD THE PARTIAL LEGISLATION IS IN ORDER TO GIVE US MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH CLEARER I CAN MAKE IT. THE BILL IS BEING GAZETTED TODAY AND THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED ON WEDNESDAY.
QUESTION: YOU ARE ACCUSED BY GUO FENGMIN THAT YOU’VE DESTROYED THE CO-OPERATION BASIS UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION. WHAT’S YOUR REACTION TO IT ?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT ANY FAIR-MINDED PERSON WOULD BELIEVE THAT FOR ONE MOMENT. YOU RECALL THAT RECENTLY A GROUP OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL EXPERTS GAVE EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE AND SAID THAT WHAT WE HAD DONE HAD BEEN ENTIRELY IN ACCORD WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AND RELEVANT UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA THOUGH THERE WERE ONE OR TWO DOUBTS IN THE LEGAL EXPERTS’ MINDS ABOUT WHETHER THE SAME COULD BE SAID OF WHAT CHINA HAD DONE. I JUST ADD THIS, THAT WE DON’T WANT TO PLAY POLITICS WITH THESE ISSUES. AND I SOMETIMES THINK THAT WHEN PEOPLE ABUSE OTHERS ALL IT MEANS IS THEY HAVEN’T GOT ANY BETTER ARGUMENTS TO PUT FORWARD. WE ARE GOING TO GO ON BEING CONSTRUCTIVE AND WORKING FOR SATISFACTORY OUTCOME TO THESE VERY DIFFICULT ISSUES. THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED.
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FS COMMENTS ON MOODY’S ANNOUNCEMENT
* * * * *
IN REPLY TO PRESS QUESTIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED AND SURPRISED BY MOODY’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO DOWNGRADE THE LONG-TERM LOCAL CURRENCY RATING OF DEBTS ISSUED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC).
HE SAID IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS MATTER IN TERMS OF PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS BECAUSE MTRC WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO BORROW PERFECTLY SUCCESSFULLY.
HE FOUND THE ANNOUNCEMENT SURPRISING BECAUSE MOODY’S ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE FUNDAMENTALS FOR HONG KONG WERE VERY GOOD, THE ECONOMY WAS GOOD AND THE FINANCIAL SITUATION WAS WELL-RUN.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE STOCK MARKET NOW WAS A SIGN OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG WOULD CARRY ON THE DIALOGUE WITH MOODY’S TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE STRENGTHS OF HONG KONG AND OF CHINA.
/OTHER CORPORATIONS.........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
OTHER CORPORATIONS, SUCH AS THE MTRC, AS WELL AS THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, ALSO HAD FREQUENT MEETINGS WITH THE TWO CREDIT RATING AGENCIES, HE SAID.
"I AM NOT UNHOPEFUL THAT IN DUE COURSE WE CAN GET THE RATING BACK TO A BETTER LEVEL. IT’S NOT BAD BUT IT COULD BE BETTER," HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT MOODY’S ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD HAVE NO BIG IMPACT ON OVERSEAS’ VIEW OF HONG KONG.
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MOODY’S ANNOUNCEMENT DISAPPOINTING AND SURPRISING
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE WAS DISAPPOINTED AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE TO DOWNGRADE THE LONG-TERM LOCAL CURRENCY RATING OF DEBTS ISSUED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) WHICH WOULD AT THE SAME TIME APPLY TO THE IMPLIED SOVEREIGN RATING ON LONG-TERM LOCAL CURRENCY DEBTS OF HONG KONG.
"WE FIND IT SURPRISING THAT WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE LONGER-TERM ECONOMIC PROSPECTS OF HONG KONG, MOODY’S HAD CONSIDERED IT APPROPRIATE TO DOWNGRADE THE LOCAL CURRENCY RATINGS OF HONG KONG AND MTRC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS NO REASON TO CONSIDER THAT THE CREDIT RISK ATTACHED TO THE MTRC LOCAL CURRENCY DEBT ISSUES SHOULD INCREASE GIVEN THE STRENGTH OF THE CORPORATION, AND THE DECISION WOULD NOT HAVE ANY IMMEDIATE OR SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON MTRC.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS LITTLE GROUND TO SUGGEST THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE TO POLITICAL UNCERTAINTIES BOTH IN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
HONG KONG HAS SINCE 1983 ADOPTED A LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM UNDER WHICH THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IS FULLY BACKED BY THE U.S. DOLLAR.
"THE LINK TO THE U.S. DOLLAR HAS ENSURED STABILITY OF THE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN CLEARLY DEFINED AS THE OBJECTIVE OF OUR MONETARY POLICY.
"WE HAVE ALSO EXTREMELY STRONG BACKING FOR THE HONG KONG CURRENCY, INCLUDING THE EXCHANGE FUND WHICH STOOD AT HK$287 BILLION AT THE END OF 1992, AMONG THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE LINK HAS REMAINED REMARKABLY STABLE SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN OCTOBER 1983, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT HAS PROVED TO BE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING MAJOR EXTERNAL SHOCKS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE 1987 GLOBAL STOCK MARKET CRISIS, THE JUNE 1989 EVENT IN CHINA AND THE 1991 GULF WAR, HE SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 8 -
HE ADDED THAT STATEMENTS BY CHINESE OFFICIALS ON MAINTAINING THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG DESPITE RECENT CONTROVERSIES ON THE POLITICAL FRONT WERE REASSURING.
"WE CONSIDER THAT THE INCREASED LINKS BETWEEN THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG AND CHINA SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A POSITIVE FACTOR TO HONG KONG.
"IN ANY EVENT, MOODY’S WILL CONTINUOUSLY REVIEW THEIR RATINGS ON HONG KONG AND ISSUERS HERE. WE HOPE THAT THROUGH CONTINUOUS DIALOGUE WITH THEM, THEY COULD COME TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION HERE," HE SAID.
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STI WELCOMES RENEWAL OF MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT
» * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR CHAU TAK-HAY, WELCOMED THE NEWS TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) HAD AGREED A RENEWAL OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) BY ONE YEAR TO DECEMBER 31 NEXT YEAR.
"THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR OUR TEXTILES AND GARMENT TRADE. HONG KONG'S BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENTS WITH OUR MAIN MARKETS ARE COVERED BY THE MFA. ITS EXTENSION GIVES ADDED CERTAINTY TO THE TRADE," HE SAID.
THE MFA IS A MULTILATERAL INSTRUMENT GOVERNING TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AMONG SOME 44 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES.
IT FIRST ENTERED INTO EFFECT IN 1974 AND HAS BEEN RENEWED SEVERAL TIMES, MOST RECENTLY UPON ITS EXPIRY ON DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR.
UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE TALKS NOW UNDER WAY, THERE IS A DRAFT PROVISION TO RETURN TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING TO GATT RULES AND DISCIPLINES OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD, DURING WHICH PERIOD QUOTAS WOULD BE GRADUALLY PHASED OUT.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND RESULTS IS, HOWEVER, NOT EXPECTED TO BEGIN BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1995.
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/9 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
9
CHARGES FOR WASTE DISPOSAL AT LANDFILLS
*******
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO LEVY CHARGES ON PRIVATE WASTE COLLECTORS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF WASTE AT LANDFILLS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSAL IS IN LINE WITH THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE. IT AIMS TO DISCOURAGE INDISCRIMINATE USE OF LIMITED LANDFILL RESOURCES AND TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE FOR WASTE MINIMISATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE DAILY 20,000 TONNES OF WASTE DISPOSED OF AT LANDFILLS PER DAY LAST YEAR WAS CONSTRUCTION WASTE WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN USED AS FILL MATERIAL FOR LAND RECLAMATION AT PUBLIC DUMPS HAD UNSUITABLE MATERIAL SUCH AS WOOD AND PLASTICS BEEN SORTED OUT.
"THE PROPOSED CHARGING SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE FOR CONTRACTORS TO DISPOSE OF WASTE AT PUBLIC DUMPS RATHER THAN LANDFILLS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CHARGING LEVEL HAS BEEN WORKED OUT ON THE BASIS TO RECOVER THE LANDFILL DISPOSAL COST FOR PRIVATELY-COLLECTED WASTE.
TO ENSURE THAT THE CHARGES ARE AFFORDABLE TO INDUSTRY AND TO ENABLE THE COST TO BE PASSED ONTO WASTE PRODUCERS GRADUALLY, THE INITIAL CHARGES WILL BE SET AT 50 PER CENT OF THE FULL RECOVERY COST, THAT IS AT $175 FOR SMALL VEHICLES WITH WASTE PAYLOAD OF FIVE TONNES OR LESS AND AT $350 FOR LARGE VEHICLES WITH WASTE PAYLOAD OF MORE THAN FIVE TONNES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CHARGES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN MID-1994 UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE NECESSARY REGULATIONS UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO OPERATE THE SCHEME.
IN PARALLEL WITH THE CHARGING SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE THE RECYCLING OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
THESE INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WASTE SORTING SITE AT A LANDFILL FOR CONTRACTORS WHO HAVE INSUFFICIENT SPACE ON SITE TO SORT WASTE; OPENING MORE PUBLIC DUMPS AND RELAXING THE CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTING WASTE AT PUBLIC DUMPS WHILE CONTRACTS ARE BEING DRAWN UP REQUIRING SORTING FROM FIRMS EMPLOYED ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO AMEND LEGISLATION TO INTRODUCE STIFFER PENALTY FOR ILLEGAL DISPOSAL OF WASTE AS A FURTHER MEASURE TO DISCOURAGE ILLEGAL DUMPING KNOWN AS FLY-TIPPING.
IN DRAWING UP THIS PACKAGE OF MEASURES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSULTED INTERESTED PARTIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORT INDUSTRIES. GENERALLY, THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO APPLY THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE.
/10........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
ENVIRONMENTAL CO-OPERATION WITH GUANGDONG TO CONTINUE
♦ * » ♦ *
THE JOINT HONG KONG - GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP, AT ITS FOURTH MEETING IN GUANGZHOU ON DECEMBER 8, 1993, HAS AGREED TO CONTINUE THEIR CO-OPERATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF COMMON INTEREST.
THE LIAISON GROUP DISCUSSED AND ENDORSED THE PROGRESS REPORT BY ITS TECHNICAL SUB-GROUP (TSG) ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF DEEP BAY AND ITS CATCHMENTS.
THE TSG WILL CONTINUE TO EXCHANGE MONITORING DATA AND EXPERIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND WILL PROCEED WITH THE JOINT MONITORING PROGRAMME IN DEEP BAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
THE MEETING ALSO DISCUSSED THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW AND THE PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA.
THE LIAISON GROUP AGREED THAT BOTH SIDES SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THROUGH THE ESTABLISHED AND OTHER INFORMAL LIAISON CHANNELS.
THE MEETING IN GUANGZHOU WAS FOLLOWED BY A TWO-DAY VISIT IN SHENZHEN TO SEE THE ACTUAL MONITORING WORK IN THE AREA AND TO SEE HOW POLLUTION CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES ARE PUT IN PLACE IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THE LIAISON GROUP WAS LED ON THE HONG KONG SIDE BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON AND ON THE GUANGDONG SIDE BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE, MR QIANG BINGHUAN.
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, MR K S PUN AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION RULES
♦ * * » *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND MANAGEMENT BOARD, DR JAMES KUNG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE MANAGEMENT BOARD, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO HOLD, MANAGE AND APPLY THE FUND, HAD MADE RULES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 32G OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE.
THE RULES ARE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND (PROCEDURE FOR EX GRATIA PAYMENTS) RULES AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND (AMOUNT OF EX GRATIA PAYMENTS AND FINANCIAL PENALTY) RULES.
/THE PURPOSES
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 11 -
THE PURPOSES ARE TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS AND THE PROCEDURES AND FORMALITIES FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR EX GRATIA PAYMENT UPON DEFAULT OF TRAVEL AGENTS; TO SPECIFY THE RATE OF EX GRATIA PAYMENT TO OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR IMPOSITION OF PENALTY ON LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS FOR FAILURE TO MAKE DUE PAYMENTS OF LEVIES.
UNDER THE RULES, IF ANY TRAVEL AGENT SHOULD DEFAULT, OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS MAY APPLY FOR AN EX GRATIA PAYMENT PROVIDED THEIR TOUR RECEIPTS DULY SHOW PAYMENT OF A FUND LEVY ON THE BASIS OF OUTBOUND PACKAGE FARES.
THE FUND LEVY IS TO BE PAID BY LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS AND WILL GO TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND.
IN ORDER TO GRANT EARLY RELIEF TO APPLICANTS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT WHERE THE MANAGEMENT BOARD DECIDES TO MAKE AN EX GRATIA PAYMENT, IT SHALL, SO FAR AS IT IS PRACTICABLE, MAKE THE PAYMENT WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE RELEVANT APPLICATION BEING MADE, DR KUNG SAID.
IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE EX GRATIA PAYMENT, APPLICANTS WILL FIRST BE PAID COMPENSATION FROM THE FUND AND THEN TO BE ALLOWED TO EXECUTE AN INDEMNITY IN FAVOUR OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD, TO COVER THE SCENARIO THAT THEIR PROOF OF DEBT IS REJECTED OR ONLY PARTIALLY ADMITTED.
"IN SO DOING, EX GRATIA PAYMENT CAN PROCEED BEFORE ANY DIVIDEND IS DECLARED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, WHICH MAY TAKE MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS TO COMPLETE.
"IF THERE IS ANY EXCESS OF DIVIDEND OVER EX GRATIA PAYMENTS, THE DIFFERENCE WILL BE PAID TO THE APPLICANTS BY THE MANAGEMENT BOARD," HE SAID.
"HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, CONSUMER COUNCIL, ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS, AND HAVING CONSULTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE MANAGEMENT BOARD PROPOSES THAT THE RATE OF EX GRATIA PAYMENTS BE SPECIFIED AS 80 PER CENT OF THE OUTBOUND FARE PAID," HE ADDED.
THE FUND HAS ACCUMULATED $138 MILLION ASSETS AS AT DECEMBER 1.
THE RULES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
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HIGHER COMPENSATION RATES it*
FOR INJURED WORKERS GAZETTED
* * « *
THE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION AND A NUMBER OF COMPENSATION-RELATED ITEMS UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE (ECO) AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE (PCO) HAVE BEEN REVISED EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE NEW RATES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 12 -
LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR OFFICER (COMPENSATION), MRS MARY CHENG, SAID UNDER THE ECO, THE MINIMUM COMPENSATION FOR DEATH WOULD BE $219,000, AND FOR PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY $248,000.
FOR EMPLOYEES REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENTION, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION WILL BE INCREASED TO $297,000.
AS REGARDS THE ALLOWANCES TO HELP VICTIMS OF WORK ACCIDENTS TO ACQUIRE PROSTHESES OR SURGICAL APPLIANCES, MRS CHENG SAID THE MAXIMUM COSTS OF SUPPLYING AND FITTING SUCH ITEMS WILL BE RAISED TO $24,000, AND THOSE OF REPAIR AND RENEWAL TO $74,000.
SHE NOTED THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING COMPENSATION, THE LEVEL OF THE DEEMED MINIMUM EARNINGS PER MONTH WILL BE RAISED TO $2,250.
"IN RESPECT OF LATE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION ASSESSED OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE MINIMUM SURCHARGE WILL BE INCREASED TO $350 UPON EXPIRY OF THE PAYMENT PERIOD, AND TO $700 WHERE COMPENSATION REMAINS UNPAID THREE MONTHS AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE PAYMENT PERIOD," MRS CHENG SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE BURIAL EXPENSES FOR EMPLOYEES DIED AT WORK AND THE MAXIMUM DAILY REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES UNDER THE ECO WILL BE ADJUSTED TO $12,000 AND $120 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE SAME RATES WILL ALSO APPLY TO FUNERAL EXPENSES AND MEDICAL EXPENSES PAYABLE UNDER THE PCO," SHE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION CAN BE MADE ON TEL 733 2338.
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NEW FEES FOR FILM CENSORSHIP
*****
A NUMBER OF NEW FEES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 14 TO IMPLEMENT VARIOUS PROPOSALS UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE ENACTED IN JULY THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE ORDINANCE AIMED TO REGULATE THE PUBLICATION, IN THE FORM OF VIDEO TAPES OR LASER DISCS, OF FILMS EXAMINED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"UNDER THE ORDINANCE, A FEE IS PAYABLE FOR THE EXAMINATION OF FILMS EXEMPTED FROM CLASSIFICATION BY THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE FULL COSTS ARE RECOVERED FOR THE EXAMINATION OF EXEMPTED FILMS IF THEY ARE SHOWN FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES," HE EXPLAINED.
/UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATION 1993 GAZETTED TODAY, THE AUTHORITY MAY CHARGE $25 FOR A STILL FILM EXEMPTED FROM CLASSIFICATION AND $20 PER MINUTE OF RUNNING TIME FOR OTHER FILMS EXEMPTED FROM CLASSIFICATION.
A FEE OF $335 IS SET FOR THE EXAMINATION OF PACKAGING OF VIDEO TAPES AND LASER DISCS CONTAINING AN APPROVED CATEGORY III FILM.
IN ADDITION, A FEE OF $510 WILL BE CHARGED FOR VIEWING ANY VIDEO TAPE OR LASER DISC KEPT BY THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY IN A REPOSITORY TO BE SET UP.
"ALL THESE FEES ARE SET ON A COST-RECOVERY BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
HE ADDED THAT FEES PAYABLE MAY BE REMITTED IN PART OR IN FULL IF AN EXEMPTED FILM IS SHOWN FOR EITHER NON-PROFIT-MAKING, CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL OR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES, OR WHEN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME FILM IS RE-SUBMITTED FOR CLASSIFICATION.
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JUDICIARY UPHOLDS BEST TRADITIONS: CHIEF JUSTICE
*****
HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN ITS LEGAL SYSTEM SO THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY WHICH HAVE BECOME A VERY SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE TERRITORY, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TONIGHT (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY SPEECH DAY OF YING WA COLLEGE, SIR TI LIANG SAID THE LEGAL SYSTEM "ENJOYS A SUPREMACY AND DIGNITY WHICH HAVE BEEN JEALOUSLY GUARDED FOR A VERY LONG TIME BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG".
"THE TASK OF THE JUDICIARY IS TO ENSURE THAT WE PRESERVE THE BEST TRADITIONS WE HAVE INHERITED FROM THE PAST BY SAFEGUARDING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY FROM INTERFERENCE, BY MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF JUDGES, AND BY THE JUDGES FAITHFULLY DISCHARGING THEIR DUTIES STRICTLY ACCORDING TO LAW," HE STRESSED.
"IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE PERCEIVE CLEARLY THE DIRECTION IN WHICH OUR LEGAL SYSTEM IS HEADING OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DECADES. FOR IT IS THE VERY FOUNDATION UPON WHICH OUR SOCIETY RESTS.
"IF THAT FOUNDATION WEAKENS, THE FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY WEAKENS; IF THAT FOUNDATION COLLAPSES, OUR SOCIETY CRUMBLES WITH IT,” HE ADDED.
SIR TI LIANG SAID PEOPLE SPOKE OF 1997 AS IF IT WAS A WALL, OVER WHICH THEY MUST CLIMB, FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER.
"WE SPEAK OF THAT YEAR AS IF IT MARKS A CLEAN BREAK IN OUR HISTORY, AS IF THE CONTINUITY HITHERTO WILL SOMEHOW BE DISCONTINUED.
/"WE CONCENTRATE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 14 -
"WE CONCENTRATE ON THAT WHICH HAS TO CHANGE, AND OVERLOOK THAT WHICH WILL REMAIN,
"BUT IS IT NOT ENSHRINED IN THE BASIC LAW THAT MANY ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE WILL GO ON?” HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID EXCEPT FOR THREE MAJOR DIFFERENCES, THE BASIC LAW PROMISED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN THE 50 YEARS FROM 1997 TO 2047.
FIRSTLY, BY ARTICLE 90, THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL AND THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT SHALL BE CHINESE CITIZENS, WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG WITH NO RIGHT OF ABODE IN ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY.
SECONDLY, UNDER ARTICLE 82, HONG KONG’S FINAL APPEALS WILL NO LONGER GO TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL IN LONDON. HONG KONG WILL HAVE ITS OWN COURT OF FINAL APPEAL WITH ITS OWN JUDGES IN HONG KONG.
"THE MAIN PROCEDURE WHICH APPLIES TO APPEALS TO LONDON WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO BE FOLLOWED," SIR TI LIANG SAID.
THIRDLY, BY ARTICLE 158, THE POWER OF INTERPRETATION OF THE BASIC LAW SHALL BE VESTED IN THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS.
"THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL DEPARTURE FROM THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM. UNDER OUR PRESENT LAW, THE FINAL OR MOST AUTHORITATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (AS THE BASIC LAW SHALL BE FOR HONG KONG FROM 1997) RESTS WITH THE COURTS.
"TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CONCERN THIS PROVISION MAY CAUSE HERE IN HONG KONG, THE BASIC LAW ADOPTS A PRAGMATIC APPROACH AND PROVIDED THAT THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS SHALL AUTHORISE THE COURTS OF HONG KONG TO INTERPRET ON THEIR OWN, IN JUDGING CASES, THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH DEAL WITH HONG KONG’S OWN LOCAL AFFAIRS.
"PUTTING THE PROBLEM SIMPLY, THE BULK OF THOSE ARTICLES IN THE BASIC LAW THAT MOST CONCERN OUR DAILY LIVES ARE INTERPRETED BY OUR OWN COURTS, PRESIDED OVER BY OUR OWN JUDGES," SIR TI LIANG SAID.
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GOVERNOR VISITS WELFARE INSTITUTIONS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN KOWLOON CITY AND A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHELTERED WORKSHOP IN SAI KUNG.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MISS J A WILLIS, THE GOVERNOR FIRST CALLED ON THE ASIA WOMEN’S LEAGUE LTD CHAN KWUN TUNG CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AT KOWLOON TONG.
/THE LEAGUE'S........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 15 -
THE LEAGUE’S COMMISSIONER, MS LIN HON-YING, SHOWED MR PATTEN A MODEL ON AN EXTENSION OF THE HOME WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO HOUSE 170 OLD PEOPLE BY 1995.
THE GOVERNOR THEN TOURED THE HOME’S DORMITORIES, PHYSIOTHERAPY AND FUNCTION ROOMS WHERE HE CHATTED TO SOME ELDERLY RESIDENTS.
BEFORE HE LEFT, MR PATTEN WAS PRESENTED WITH A PILLOW CASE SEWN BY THE RESIDENTS.
THE GOVERNOR THEN PROCEEDED TO THE WING LUNG BANK GOLDEN JUBILEE SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL IN SAI KUNG RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
WITH 140 SHELTERED WORKSHOP PLACES AND 100 HOSTEL PLACES FOR DISABLED ADULTS, THE INSTITUTION HELPS THEM DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITIES IN ORDER TO INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
MR PATTEN SAW SOME MODERATE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED RESIDENTS AT WORK IN THE WORKSHOP.
HE WAS INTERESTED IN SEEING THE RESIDENTS BEING TRAINED IN LOCOMOTIVE SKILLS.
MR STRACHAN BRIEFED THE GOVERNOR ON THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING 5,000 CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES AND 2,360 PLACES IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS BY 1997.
--------0-----------
NT SITES OFFERED FOR SALE TO LETTERS A/B HOLDERS *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING REGISTERED OWNERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTER A/B) TO TENDER FOR TWO SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITES ARE LOCATED IN AREA 19A AND AREA 37B IN TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG.
THE FIRST SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 12,620 SQUARE METRES, IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) USE.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDINGS CONVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 64,135 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
THE SECOND SITE, WHICH HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 14,600 SQUARE METRES, IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) USE.
THE BUILDING CONVENANT PROVIDES THAT A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 74,200 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
/THE CLOSING ......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON JANUARY 7, NEXT
YEAR
FURTHER DETAILS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM:
* THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN
ROAD;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK
BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF ISLANDS, SAI KUNG, SHA TIN,
TAI PO, NORTH, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN AND YUEN
LONG.
- - 0 - -
X’MAS DEADLINE REMINDED *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE LATEST DATE FOR POSTING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR LOCAL DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS DECEMBER 19.
HE ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO POST AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID A LAST-MINUTE RUSH.
- - 0 - -
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT SHA TIN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SHA TIN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
SOME AREAS IN KAK TIN VILLAGE, SHA TIN WAI VILLAGE, LEI UK VILLAGE, SHA TIN TAU VILLAGE, TSING TAI UK VILLAGE AND WONG NAI TAU VILLAGE ARE FOUND SUITABLE FOR VILLAGE EXTENSION.
TOGEHTER WITH SOME EXISTING VILLAGES, THESE AREAS HAVE BEEN ZONED "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT".
IN ADDITION, A RESITE AREA AT SHA TIN ROAD HAS BEEN REZONED FROM "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" TO "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT", A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GARDEN, THE FORMER WONG UK VILLAGE IN YUEN CHAU KOK HAS BEEN REZONED FROM "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT" TO "OPEN SPACE".
/APART FROM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 17 -
APART FROM IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDING LOCAL PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL PASSIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE GARDEN WILL ALSO PROTECT THE WONG UK OLD HOUSE.
"OPPORTUNITIES HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO REZONE AN AREA TO THE SOUTH OF TAI SHEK KWU FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)’ FOR A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME OR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME DEVELOPMENT AND TO REZONE AN AREA TO THE EAST OF TAI LAM LIU FROM ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)’ TO ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL USE,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE:
* THE REZONING OF AN AREA TO THE NORTHEAST OF KWONG YUEN ESTATE FROM "UNDETERMINED" TO "GREEN BELT" TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL HILLSLOPES;
» THE REZONING OF TWO AREAS TO THE WEST OF TAI PO ROAD WITHIN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FROM "GREEN BELT" TO "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY”;
» THE REZONING OF AN AREA TO THE EAST OF THE KCR UNIVERSITY STATION FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "ROAD" TO REFLECT THE EXISTING BUS TERMINUS USE; AND
* THE REZONING OF SHA TIN WATER TREATMENT WORKS FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "OTHER SPECIFIED USES (WATER TREATMENT WORKS)" TO REFLECT THE EXISTING USE.
IN ADDITION, SHA TIN HEIGHTS AT TAI PO ROAD AND A SITE NEAR THE KCR UNIVERSITY STATION HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR PETROL FILLING STATION USE.
SEVERAL EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS WHICH HAD OBTAINED TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S PLANNING APPROVALS HAVE ALSO BEEN REZONED TO REFLECT THEIR EXISTING USES.
THESE INCLUDE REGAL RIVERSIDE HOTEL, SHA TIN GALLERIA IN FO TAN, A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN WO LIU HANG, MAN LAI COURT IN TAI WAI AND TWO SCHOOLS AT SUI WO ROAD.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN NO. S/ST/6 IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL DECEMBER 31 AT:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* SHA TIN & NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN; AND
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE,
6TH FLOOR, KCRC HOUSE,
SHA TIN STATION,
SHA TIN.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 18 -
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE DECEMBER 31.
COPIES OF THE PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
SUPPORT URGED FOR PARENTS OF HANDICAPPED
* * * » »
MRS PATTEN TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO THOSE PARENTS WITH A HANDICAPPED CHILD.
"BEING THE PARENT OF A HANDICAPPED CHILD IS A DIFFICULT TASK. IT CALLS FOR VERY SPECIAL UNDERSTANDING, CARE AND PATIENCE," SHE SAID, WHEN OPENING THE TUEN MUN YUK CHI RESOURCE CENTRE.
MRS PATTEN SAID PARENTS RESOURCE CENTRES PROVIDED A PLEASANT, FRIENDLY PLACE TO WHICH PARENTS COULD TURN FROM THE START WHEN THEY FIRST LEARNT OF THEIR CHILDREN’S HANDICAP AND THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AS THEY BROUGHT UP THEIR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
THESE CENTRES NOT ONLY PROVIDE SOCIAL, EDUCATION AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES, BUT ALSO PROMOTE A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL HELP AND SUPPORT.
YUK CHI RESOURCE CENTRE SERVES ABOUT 400 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
---------0-----------
LAYING OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE AND PIPEWORKS APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PERMITTED BULOKLE LIMITED TO USE ABOUT 1,670 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TSING LUNG TAU, TSUEN WAN AS WORKS AREA FOR LAYING EFFLUENT DISCHARGE AND SEA WATER INTAKE PIPEWORKS.
DREDGING WORK AND LAYING OF THE PIPES WILL START THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN EIGHT MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION WITHIN ONE YEAR.
/HE SHOULD .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 19 -
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT PARTICULARS TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, WHERE COPIES OF THE PLAN ARE ALSO ON SALE, AND AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
------------------0-------- COVERS FOR SUBWAYS ACROSS NATHAN ROAD * t * t *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT COVERS AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE TWO EXISTING SUBWAYS ACROSS NATHAN ROAD AT SOY STREET AND BUTE STREET IN MONG KOK, WITH A VIEW TO UPGRADING EXISTING PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES.
THE CONSTRUCTION WORK IS PROGRAMMED TO START IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS AND SCHEME CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, KOWLOON.
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, NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 8, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
---------0-----------
/20 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 20 -
RESUME LAND FOR PUMPING STATION *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND ON LANTAU ISLAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL RAW WATER PUMPING STATION IN PUI 0.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN THE MIDDLE OF 1996.
THE RESUMPTION WILL INVOLVE 10 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 1,760.4 SQUARE METRES.
THE LAND WILL BE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THE LOTS.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
-----------------------0-------- TENDERS INVITED FOR POLYCLINIC AND RADAR STATION * * * » »
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A POLYCLINIC IN HA KWAI CHUNG AND A RADAR STATION ON KAU YI CHAU.
LOCATED AT LAI CHO ROAD, THE SIX-STOREY POLYCLINIC WILL INCLUDE A STANDARD URBAN CLINIC, A CIVIL SERVANTS’ DENTAL CLINIC, A SCHOOL CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC, A CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE, A SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE, A RENAL DIALYSIS CENTRE AND A COMMUNITY NURSING CENTRE WITH A TRAINING UNIT.
THE SECOND PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STEEL TOWER AND A SINGLE-STOREY BUILDING WITH PERMANENT AND EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY FACILITIES, FIRE-FIGHTING INSTALLATIONS AND AN EQUIPMENT ROOM.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE EXTERNAL LANDSCAPING WORKS INCLUDING THE BUILDING OF A HELIPAD.
WORKS FOR BOTH PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN MARCH NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT TWO YEARS AND A YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFER FOR THE FIRST PROJECT WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 7 NEXT YEAR WHILE THAT FOR THE SECOND ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
------0-----------
/21 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
21
MONG KOK LIT UP WITH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS *****
MONG KOK DISTRICT GETS INTO THE FESTIVE SPIRIT TONIGHT (FRIDAY) WITH THE TURNING ON OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR LIGHTS.
SPEAKING AT THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, SAID SUCH ACTIVITY NOT ONLY ENHANCED THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE JOYFUL SEASON, BUT PROMOTED LOCAL ORGANISATIONS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT.
SHE SAID THE PROJECT HAD BEEN AN ANNUAL ACTIVITY ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1987.
NOTING THAT THE DISTRICT HAD WON CREATIVITY AWARDS IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR LIGHTS COMPETITIONS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, SHE HOPED IT WOULD DO THE SAME THIS YEAR.
THE MAJOR ILLUMINATIONS ARE PUT UP AT A SECTION OF ARYGLE STREET BETWEEN YIM PO FONG STREET AND NATHAN ROAD, A SECTION OF NATHAN ROAD BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND DUNDAS STREET AND A SECTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
THE COST OF ABOUT $1 MILLION IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS.
------0--------
TENDERS FOR CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT WORKS INVITED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT WORKS.
THE WORKS INVOLVE SITE FORMATION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADS AND DRAINS IN SAI WAN.
THESE INCLUDE RECLAMATION ALONG THE SOUTH-WESTERN COASTLINE OF CHEUNG CHAU FROM SAI WAN TO ROUND TABLE FIRST VILLAGE, CONSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS AND SEASIDE PROMENADE, WIDENING EXISTING ROADS IN SAI WAN, BUILDING OF ASSOCIATED FOUL AND STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, AND LANDSCAPE WORKS.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 24 MONTHS.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES AT SUITE 803, TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE, WEST WING, 66 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 14.
---------0-----------
/22 .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
FIGHT-CRIME VARIETY SHOW IN NORTH DISTRICT
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL ORGANISE A VARIETY SHOW TO DISSEMINATE FIGHT-CRIME AND ANTI-DRUGS MESSAGE IN THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.
THE VARIETY SHOW, SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, WILL BE HELD AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND.
ADMISSION IS FREE. LOCAL RESIDENTS CAN OBTAIN TICKETS FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND COMMUNITY CENTRES.
PERFORMANCE WILL BE PRESENTED BY PROMINENT ARTISTES INCLUDING JACKIE CHAN, LEON LAI AND GRASSHOPPER.
THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK’S RADIO 1 FROM 8 PM TO
10 PM.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TIMOTHY TONG; THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE; THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR PANG HANG-YIN AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT-CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW AT 7 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND ADJACENT TO FANLING KCR STATION.
- - 0 - -
314 VMS RETURN HOME *****
A GROUP OF .314 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 129 MEN, 79 WOMEN, 55 BOYS AND 51 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 186TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 11,202 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 37,514 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
/23
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1993
- 23 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * ♦ ♦ * *
$ MILLION »
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,080
REVERSAL OF LAF +920
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,700
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,300
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.7 t+0.1* 10.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.44 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.35 3.60
1 MONTH 3.11 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.87 3.88
3 MONTHS 3.00 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.95 4.07
6 MONTHS 3.19 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.87 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.49 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.73 4.73
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 20,721 MN
CLOSED 10 DECEMBER 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET OPENS ................. 1
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY CONSIDERS SUBSCRIPTION TV REPORT ........ 2
BUSINESS URGED TO TAKE UP GREEN CHALLENGE ..................... 3
NEW ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES ON BUSES ............................... 4
ORGAN DONATION - A GIFT OF LIFE ................................ 5
PUBLIC CONCERN ON ADOPTIVE CHILDREN GROWING .................... 5
MARRIAGE REGISTRY CLOSES FOR RENOVATION ........................ 6
WONG TAI SIN TO HOLD FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ...................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
8
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET OPENS *****
PHASE I OF THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET - ONE OF THE MOST MODERN MARKETS OF ITS KIND IN THE REGION, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
BUILT AT A COST OF $504 MILLION, PHASE I OF THIS MARKET UNDER THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OCCUPIES AN AREA OF MORE THAN 10 HECTARES ON THE WESTERN KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
THE MARKET IS THE FIRST BUILDING COMPLETED BY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
SPEAKING AT THE MARKET’S OPENING CEREMONY, MR WONG SAID THE COMMUNITY WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN EFFICIENT AND ORDERLY WHOLESALING WITHIN THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THAT WOULD HELP CUT FOOD COSTS.
HE SAID: "THE CONSUMPTION OF FRESH FOODSTUFFS SUCH AS VEGETABLES, FRESH FRUIT, LIVE POULTRY, MARINE FISH, FRESHWATER FISH AND EGGS REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE DIET OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE AND COMPRISES A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE DAILY FAMILY BUDGET ON FOOD."
THE OPENING OF THE MARKET WOULD NOT ONLY DO GOOD TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, IT WOULD ALSO HELP THE GOVERNMENT RESOLVE SHAM SHUI PC’S ENVIRONMENTAL, TRAFFIC AND OTHER PROBLEMS LONG ASSOCIATED WITH THE OLD MARKETS THERE, HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, LARGE AREAS OF VALUABLE LAND CAN BE RELEASED FOR OTHER PLANNED COMMUNITY USES FOLLOWING THE RELOCATION OF THE OLD MARKETS, HE ADDED.
MR WONG ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO BE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE MARKET’S PHASE II PROGRAMME, SO THAT AN EARLY REPROVISIONING OF THE WHOLESALE FRUIT MARKET IN YAU MA TEI AND THE TEMPORARY WHOLESALE POULTRY MARKET IN CHEUNG SHA WAN, WHICH HAD BEEN CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS TO NEARBY RESIDENTS, COULD BE REALISED.
PHASE I OF THE MARKET WAS BUILT TO PROVIDE MARKETING FACILITIES FOR VEGETABLES, FRESHWATER FISH, MARINE FISH AND EGGS.
APART FROM THE AUCTION HALL ATTACHED TO THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION MARKET, IT COMPRISES 320 MARKET STALLS WITH MORE THAN 1,000 LORRY AND CONTAINER VEHICLE PARKING SPACES.
IT IS DESIGNED TO HANDLE OVER 370,000 TONNES OF FRESH FOODSTUFFS A YEAR, ENOUGH TO MEET THE NEEDS WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
OPERATING ROUND-THE-CLOCK, THE MARKET IS ALSO PROVIDED WITH ITS OWN DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND WASTE TREATMENT PLANT TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF HYGIENE AND FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS.
/IN ADDITION .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
- 2 -
IN ADDITION TO HAVING FIVE PURPOSE-BUILT PIERS, THE MARKET ALSO HAS SUCH ANCILLARY FACILITIES AS BANKS, A RESTAURANT, A KIOSK, TRADE OFFICES AND WORKSHOPS.
MODERN EQUIPMENT SUCH AS A CLOSE-CIRCUIT TELEVISION SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND A COMPUTERISED PARKING SYSTEM HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO ENHANCE MARKET SECURITY AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THIS WELL-DESIGNED AND STRATEGICALLY LOCATED MARKET WAS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF PERMANENT WHOLESALE MARKETS FOR FRESH FOODSTUFFS TO BE BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT.
DR LEE SAID: "IT REPRESENTS THE CULMINATION OF MANY YEARS OF PLANNING AND WORK TO GROUP TOGETHER THE DIFFERENT WHOLESALE MARKETING TRADES UNDER ONE ROOF TO FORM THE FIRST PART OF A WHOLESALE MARKET COMPLEX IN KOWLOON."
PHASE I OF THE TERRITORY’S FIRST PERMANENT WHOLESALE MARKET FOR FRESH FOODSTUFFS - THE WESTERN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET ON HONG KONG ISLAND - WAS COMPLETED AND OPEN FOR USE EARLY LAST YEAR.
. , t j • ; ' .*
CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THE SECOND PHASE, DR LEE STRESSED, IS NEARING COMPLETION AND EXPECTED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
IT IS TO REPROVISION THE WESTERN TEMPORARY WHOLESALE POULTRY MARKET AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET IN KENNEDY TOWN.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDED LEGCO MEMBER, MR LAU WAH-SUM (WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE FISH MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD), DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES MR K Y S CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOY WAI-SHEK AND CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON FIVE-GUILDS UNION, MR IP YEUK-LAM.
------0-------------
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY CONSIDERS SUBSCRIPTION TV REPORT
*****
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AT ITS MEETING CONSIDERED A REPORT ON THE FIRST MONTH OF WHARF CABLE’S SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION BROADCASTS. - i
THE AUTHORITY NOTED THAT WHARF CABLE WAS PROVIDING A WIDE CHOICE WITH A GOOD MIX OF INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING PROGRAMMES, AND INTRODUCING SOME INNOVATION IN TERMS OF SCHEDULING, STYLE AND PRESENTATION.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
3
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY SAID IT WAS MONITORING THE NEW LICENSEE TO SATISFY ITSELF THAT THE LICENSEE WAS MAKING THE BEST USE OF ITS EXCLUSIVE LICENCE AND SERVING THE VIEWING PUBLIC.
THE AUTHORITY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NEW SERVICE AS IT DEVELOPS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT ALSO CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTS.
ATV WAS ADVISED TO OBSERVE MORE CLOSELY THE TELEVISION CODES OF PRACTICE ON FAMILY VIEWING HOURS, FOLLOWING A COMPLAINT ABOUT SCENES IN THE ATV HOME PROGRAMME "REINCARNATED II" WHICH CONTAINED SHOTS OF BEHEADING AND OTHER VIOLENT ACTS BROADCAST BETWEEN 7.30 PM AND 8.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY FELT THAT SUCH SCENES WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR BROADCAST DURING FAMILY VIEWING HOURS.
THE AUTHORITY ALSO SERIOUSLY WARNED COMMERCIAL RADIO FOR THE USE OF A GENUINE TRIAD EXPRESSION IN THE PROGRAMME "WONG HEI".
-----0------
BUSINESS URGED TO TAKE UP GREEN CHALLENGE
*****
THE BUSINESS SECTOR WAS TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED TO TAKE UP THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE BY DEVISING WAYS TO MAKE THE SOCIETY USE ENERGY MORE EFFICIENTLY.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY COOPER, WHEN HE OPENED AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY PETROL STATION AT MA ON SHAN.
HE SAID: "ENERGY, OF WHATEVER SORT, IS THE LIFE-BLOOD OF MODERN SOCIETIES AND RELIABLE SUPPLIES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE CONTINUED WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY."
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE WAY ENERGY IS USED IN MODERN SOCIETY PROBABLY CAUSED MORE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE THAN ANYTHING THE COMMUNITY DID.
THEREFORE, THE BUSINESS HAS A PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE UP THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE AND SET GOOD, GREEN EXAMPLES BY LOOKING AT THEIR PROCESS TO SEE HOW THEY CAN BE IMPROVED TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT.
MR COOPER WAS ENCOURAGED TO SEE THAT A PART OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY WAS SEEKING TO GREEN THE PATH FROM RAW PRODUCT TO END USERS.
HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE A NEW GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PETROL SERVICE STATIONS THAT HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO MITIGATE AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
/HOWEVER, MR ........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
4
HOWEVER, MR COOPER SAID, MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.
’’TAKING UP THIS CHALLENGE WILL INVOLVE FORMING PARTNERSHIPS -- THE GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, THE COMMUNITY AT THE KEY COMPONENTS OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP.”
COMMUNITY
LARGE ARE
--------0-----------
NEW ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES ON BUSES
» * » * *
NEW MESSAGES WARNING THE COMMUNITY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE ARE NOW CARRIED ON THREE PUBLIC BUSES AS PART OF THE ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE 1993/94 ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WOULD CONTINUE TO CALL ON THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE TO REINFORCE THEIR COMBINED EFFORTS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON YOUNGSTERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21.
’’PUBLICITY WILL ALSO FOCUS ON PARENTS TO REMIND THEM OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE THEMES OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN, PUBLICITY SLOGANS ’’CARE FOR YOUR FUTURE, SAY NO TO DRUGS” AND ’’PARENTS OWE IT TO THEIR CHILDREN TO READ THE PARENT’S GUIDE” HAVE BEEN PAINTED ON TWO KOWLOON MOTOR BUS CO BUSES AND ONE CHINA MOTOR BUS CO BUS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST HAVE ALSO BEEN PRODUCED TO FURTHER AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF GRAVE CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE.
THE FILMS ARE BEING SHOWN ON LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS AND AT THE YAUMATEI FERRY PIER.
INFORMATION LEAFLETS FOR PARENTS ON HOW TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN AWAY FROM DRUGS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND OFFICES OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES MANAGED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
IN ORDER TO REACH A BROADER AUDIENCE AND TO SUSTAIN PUBLICITY, LARGE POSTERS WILL BE PUT UP AT ALL MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
---------0-----------
/5........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
- 5 -
ORGAN DONATION - A GIFT OF LIFE *****
THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY BODIES MUST JOIN HANDS IN PROVIDING A CONTINUING AND VIGOROUS PROGRAMME OF PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ENCOURAGE LIVER DONATIONS, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"WE MUST PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIVER DISEASE AND THE NEED FOR TRANSPLANTS,” SHE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE LIVER FOUNDATION, MRS PATTEN NOTED THAT LIVER DISEASE WAS A MAJOR KILLER IN HONG KONG.
ONE IN 10 OF THE POPULATION IS A CARRIER OF HEPATITIS-B AND SOME OF THESE CARRIERS WILL GO ON TO DEVELOP LIVER CANCER.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF THIS ILLNESS AND SUFFERING COULD BE AVOIDED BY PRACTISING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS, WHILE MANY OF THOSE WHO CONTRACTED LIVER DISEASE COULD BE CURED BY TRANSPLANT.
"WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH DONORS," SHE SAID.
SHE FELT THAT ORGAN DONATION WAS THE MOST SELFLESS WAY IN WHICH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN DEMONSTRATE THEIR CONCERN AND PUBLIC SPIRIT.
"ORGAN DONATION IS A GIFT THAT COSTS THE DONOR NOTHING. BUT TO THE RECIPIENT, IT IS THE GIFT OF LIFE," SHE SAID.
ALTHOUGH TRADITIONAL CULTURAL ATTITUDES AND RESISTANCE WERE GRADUALLY BEING OVERCOME, MRS PATTEN SAID: "THIS IS A SLOW PROCESS AND REQUIRES A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT. THERE IS STILL A LOT TO BE DONE."
SHE HOPED THE FUTURE WOULD SEE MORE PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE LEAD THAT HONG KONG'S YOUNGER GENERATION HAS TAKEN AND OPT TO BE DONORS.
FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO RESPECT THEIR WISHES. BUT IN TURN, OF THOSE WHO WANT TO DONATE AND NOT
BE DONORS, SHE SAID: "WE MUST WE ASK THEM TO RESPECT THE WISHES TO RAISE OBJECTIONS."
--------0
PUBLIC CONCERN ON ADOPTIVE CHILDREN GROWING
*****
VOLUNTEERS HAVE SHOWN GROWING CONCERN AND SUPPORT FOR ADOPTIVE SERVICE OVER THE YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN AWARDS-PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR VOLUNTEERS IN ADOPTION SERVICE AT WAN CHAI, MR STRACHAN EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AWAITING ADOPTION.
/IN 1991..........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
- 6 -
IN 1991, 32 NOMINATED VOLUNTEERS RECEIVED THE AWARDS. THIS
YEAR 68 WERE AWARDED.
"THE PROPER CARE OF THESE CHILDREN IS NOT JUST THE CONCERN OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"IT SHOULD ALSO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMUNITY TOO," HE ADDED.
POINTING OUT THAT 1994 IS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY, HE SAID: "THE INVOLVEMENT OF A CARING COMMUNITY WILL BE NECESSARY TO HELP THE HOMELESS CHILDREN GET THEIR FAMILIES.
"A CARING COMMUNITY WILL PROVIDE A MOST VALUABLE SAFETY NET FOR THOSE IN NEED."
IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, CHILDREN ARE BEING PLACED RELATIVELY QUICKLY; MOST OF THEM ARE PLACED WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.
CHILDREN WHO WOULD NEED TO WAIT LONGER FOR A SUITABLE HOME ARE THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SUCH AS THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE SICK AND THE DISABLED.
"SPECIAL EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO LOCATE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES FOR THEM.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE ONGOING EFFORTS TO ARRANGE CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES TO VISIT AND PLAY WITH THESE CHILDREN, OR TO PROVIDE THEM WITH PRE-ADOPTION FOSTER CARE.
"SUCH EFFORTS WILL HELP THEM INTEGRATE INTO THEIR FUTURE NEW FAMILIES MORE EASILY," MR STRACHAN SAID.
MARRIAGE REGISTRY CLOSES FOR
RENOVATION
* * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY WOULD BE CLOSED FROM MARCH 28 TO JULY 31 NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE WAS DUE TO RENOVATION WORK. IT WILL BE RE-OPENED ON AUGUST 1.
FROM DECEMBER 28 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION AND RECORDS OFFICE AT THE GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE IN QUEENSWAY WILL NOT ACCEPT NOTICES OF MARRIAGE CEREMONIES TO TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY BETWEEN MARCH 28 AND JULY 31 NEXT YEAR.
NOTICES OF MARRIAGE CEREMONIES TO TAKE PLACE AT THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
/DURING THE .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY, THE TSIM SHA TSUI AND THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES WILL EXTEND THEIR SERVICE TO SATURDAY AFTERNOONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TWO REGISTRIES WILL ALSO MAINTAIN FULL-DAY MARRIAGE CEREMONY SERVICE ON SUNDAYS.
APART FROM THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY, RESIDENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND MAY CHOOSE TO USE THE EASTERN MARRIAGE REGISTRY ON 11TH FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 824 6111.
--------0------------
WONG TAI SIN TO HOLD FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL
♦ ♦ » * ♦
CRIME PREVENTION IS THE THEME OF A CARNIVAL SCHEDULED FOR 2 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MORSE PARK.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING CRIMES AND CO-OPERATION WITH THE POLICE WILL ALSO BE HIGHLIGHTED.
RESIDENTS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE EVENT WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION, STALL GAMES AND PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING CARTOON FIGURES IMITATING POLICE PATROL.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR JUSTEIN WONG; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALDAN KWOK; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER. MR MICHAEL DOWIE AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KAM-MAN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AT THE MORSE PARK HARD SURFACE SOCCER PITCH TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
/8 ........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1993
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,300
REVERSAL OF LAF +9,200
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 10,500
NET INJECTION/WTTHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -9,039
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,461
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TW1 113.6 »-0.1» 11.12.93
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
BRITISH TEAM WANTS TO GO ON NEGOTIATING ....................... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS ................................... 2
PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL OPENS ........................ 3
ANGEL FROM THE SKY ............................................. 4
TOWN PLANNING BOARD PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT .................... 6
GREEN GROUP THANKED FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS ................... 6
WORKS SUPERVISORS AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL ............... 7
FRESH WATER CUTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY & SAI KUNG..................... 8
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
- 1 -
BRITISH TEAM WANTS TO GO ON NEGOTIATING
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, REITERATED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE INTRODUCING THE PARTIAL BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN ORDER TO GIVE THE BRITISH TEAM MORE TIME AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES OF ELECTION COMMITTEE, FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE THROUGH-TRAIN.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL IN YUEN LONG, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE’VE MADE IT ABSOLUTELY PLAIN THAT WE NEED THIS PARTIAL LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME FOR THOSE OTHER MATTERS.
"WE WANT TO GO ON NEGOTIATING AT THE TABLE. WE ARE NOT GOING TO LEAVE THE TABLE.
"TALKING IS BETTER THAN WALKING."
RESPONDING THE REMARKS BY CHINESE OFFICIALS YESTERDAY ABOUT TURMOIL AND CHAOS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS NOT TURMOIL AND CHAOS IN HONG KONG.
"WE HAVE HERE IN HONG KONG A STABLE, PROSPEROUS, INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY, RECOGNISED AS SUCH BY THE WHOLE OF THE WORLD, RECOGNISED AS SUCH, I THINK, BY OUR NEIGHBOURS IN CHINA AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE STABLE AND AS STABLE AND PROSPEROUS, FLOURISHING UNDER THE RULE OF LAW."
MR PATTEN SAID IN THE LAST YEAR, HONG KONG HAD A GOOD DEBATE ABOUT ITS POLITICAL FUTURE.
"IT’S BEEN CONDUCTED IN A WAY WHICH IS CALM AND SENSIBLE AND MATURE, JUST THE SORT OF WAY THAT YOU EXPECT THESE MATTERS TO BE HANDLED IN HONG KONG. AND WHILE THAT DEBATE’S BEEN TAKING PLACE, HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAS GROWN BY ABOUT 5.5 THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"WE’VE CUT TAXES. WE’VE INCREASED PROVISIONS FOR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES AND WE’VE SEEN GROWING INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR ECONOMY. THAT’S HOW IT HAS BEEN AND THAT’S HOW IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE."
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE BRITISH ECONOMIC TIE WITH CHINA, MR PATTEN SAID: "I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN WHO SAID TO PRESIDENT CLINTON WHEN HE SAW HIM RECENTLY THAT NOBODY SHOULD MIX UP POLITICS WITH ECONOMICS.
"IT’S TRUE THAT BRITISH AND CHINA HAVE AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP. IT’S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH UNDER THE LAST FIGURES, CHINESE EXPORTS TO BRITAIN WERE TWICE AS LARGE AS BRITISH EXPORTS TO CHINA.
"THERE IS A LARGE CHINESE SURPLUS WITH BRITISH IN TRADE AND I AM SURE THAT THAT’S RECOGNISED BY CHINESE OFFICIALS AS IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC OPENING.
"EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR WAS ENCOURAGING BRITISH FIRMS TO INVEST IN CHINA AND I AM SURE THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO DO THAT."
------0--------
/2 .....
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
- 2 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL ON DECEMBER 12, 1993:
GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED THAT YOU’VE BEEN ABLE TO SPEND YOUR SUNDAY MORNING SEEING THE OPENING OF THIS HERITAGE TRAIL. IT’S IMPORTANT THAT ALL OF US IN THE COMMUNITY ARE REMINDED OF HONG KONG’S PAST AS WELL AS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE AND I HOPE MANY PEOPLE IN FUTURE WILL COME AND SEE SOME OF OUR HERITAGE THEMSELVES.
QUESTION : MR GOVERNOR, MR LI PENG YESTERDAY SAID THAT THE BRITISH ECONOMIC TIE WITH CHINA MAY BE AFFECTED BECAUSE OF YOUR UNILATERAL ACTION. SO WILL YOU MAKE ANY FURTHER CONCESSION OR SELL HONG KONG PEOPLE’S INTERESTS BECAUSE OF THIS REMARK?
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN WHO SAID TO PRESIDENT CLINTON WHEN HE SAW HIM RECENTLY THAT NOBODY SHOULD MIX UP POLITICS WITH ECONOMICS. I THINK THAT’S EXTREMELY SENSIBLE ADVICE AND IT’S CERTAINLY ADVICE WHICH I WILL ALWAYS WANT TO FOLLOW. I AM SURE THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PUT ALL ITS PRIORITY ON THE WELL-BEING AND INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT’S TRUE THAT BRITISH AND CHINA HAVE AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP. IT’S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH UNDER THE LAST FIGURES, CHINESE EXPORTS TO BRITAIN WERE TWICE AS LARGE AS BRITISH EXPORTS TO CHINA. THERE IS A LARGE CHINESE SURPLUS WITH BRITISH IN TRADE AND I AM SURE THAT THAT’S RECOGNISED BY CHINESE OFFICIALS AS IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC OPENING. EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR WAS ENCOURAGING BRITISH FIRMS TO INVEST IN CHINA AND I AM SURE THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO DO THAT. JUST ONE OR TWO OTHER THINGS WHICH I’D LIKE TO SAY. I NOTED WHAT CHINESE OFFICIALS SAID YESTERDAY ABOUT TURMOIL AND CHAOS AND I WANT TO MAKE AN OBVIOUS POINT. THERE IS NO TURMOIL OR CHAOS IN HONG KONG, WHOEVER ELSE THERE MAY BE THE THREAT FOR THE PROSPECT OF TURMOIL OR CHAOS. SO, I THINK THAT CHINESE LEADERS AND CHINESE OFFICIALS COULD PUT THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS AT REST ON THAT PARTICULAR QUESTION. WE HAVE HERE IN HONG KONG A STABLE, PROSPEROUS, INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY, RECOGNISED AS SUCH BY THE WHOLE OF THE WORLD, RECOGNISED AS SUCH, I THINK, BY OUR NEIGHBOURS IN CHINA AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE STABLE AND AS STABLE AND PROSPEROUS, FLOURISHING UNDER THE RULE OF LAW. IN THE LAST YEAR, WE HAD A GOOD DEBATE ABOUT OUR POLITICAL FUTURE. IT’S BEEN CONDUCTED IN A WAY WHICH IS CALM AND SENSIBLE AND MATURE, JUST THE SORT OF WAY THAT YOU EXPECT THESE MATTERS TO BE HANDLED IN HONG KONG. AND WHILE THAT DEBATE’S BEEN TAKING PLACE, HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAS GROWN BY ABOUT 5.5 %. WE’VE CUT TAXES. WE’VE INCREASED PROVISIONS FOR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES AND WE’VE SEEN GROWING INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR ECONOMY. THAT’S HOW IT HAS BEEN AND THAT’S HOW IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE. ONE MORE
QUESTION: THE PWC WILL DISCUSS THE FORMATION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER 1997, DO YOU THINK IT WILL AFFECT THE INTENTION OF THE CANDIDATES WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS?
/GOVERNOR: .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
- 3 -
GOVERNOR: NOT REMOTELY. THE BODY WHICH, OF COURSE, IS ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY HERE IN HONG KONG, VOTED FOR BY THE COMMUNITY HERE IN HONG KONG IS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THAT IS WHERE OUR LAWS ARE MADE. THAT IS WHERE OUR LAWS ARE REPEALED. THAT’S WHERE THE DECISIONS ARE TAKEN ABOUT OUR BUDGET AND OUR TAX SYSTEM. THAT’S HOW IT IS. THAT’S HOW IT’S GUARANTEED TO BE UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THAT’S WHAT THE BASIC LAW SAYS IT SHOULD BE. SO, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REMAINS THE HEART OF OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. ONE MORE.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WOULD YOU MIND JUST COMMENTING ON WEDNESDAY, ARE YOU DETERMINED NOW TO PRESS AHEAD DESPITE THE THREAT IN CHINA WITH YOUR OWN, TABLING YOUR OWN LEGISLATION?
GOVERNOR: WE’VE SAID VERY CALMLY WHAT OUR POSITION IS. WE PUBLISHED OUR BILL ON FRIDAY. WE’LL BE INTRODUCING IT INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY. WE ARE DOING THAT IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, BY THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE THROUGH TRAIN. WE’VE MADE IT ABSOLUTELY PLAIN THAT WE NEED THIS PARTIAL LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME FOR THOSE OTHER MATTERS. WE WANT TO GO ON NEGOTIATING AT THE TABLE. WE ARE NOT GOING TO LEAVE THE TABLE. TALKING, AS YOU’D EXCUSE THE PHRASE, IS BETTER THAN WALKING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
--------0-----------
PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL OPENS
*****
VISITORS TO THE PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL IN YUEN LONG CAN SEE AND UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MONUMENTS OF HONG KONG’S PAST.
THE TRAIL WAS OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE ANCESTRAL HALLS, STUDY ROOMS AND TEMPLES OF THE TANG CLANS, THAT THIS TRAIL LINKS TOGETHER, PROVIDE A GOOD DEAL OF
INSIGHT INTO THE CULTURE AND LIFE OF THE CHINESE VILLAGE
COMMUNITIES," HE SAID.
HE THANKED THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST, THE ANTIQUITIES
ADVISORY BOARD AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR CONTRIBUTING TO
THE PROJECT.
"GIVEN LORD WILSON’S GREAT PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE HISTORY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES, THIS PROJECT IS A MOST FITTING ONE TO MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST," HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A BOLD STEP IN THE 1970’S TO ENACT THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE AND TO SET UP THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE.
/"I AM ........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
4
"I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT MUCH HAS BEEN DONE IN THE LAST 17 YEARS BY THE GOVERNMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MANY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG TO PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE," MR SO SAID.
HE NOTED THAT OF THE HUGE VOLUME OF RELICS UNEARTHED DURING THESE YEARS, MANY DATED AS FAR BACK AS 6,000 YEARS AGO.
"A GREAT DEAL TOO HAS ALSO BEEN DONE IN THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS WHICH MANAGE TO WITHSTAND THE TEST OF TIME AND ESCAPE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BULLDOZER," MR SO SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO THE COMMUNITY TO SHOW CONCERN AND SUPPORT FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND TO "APPRECIATE, ENJOY AND LEARN FROM THE RELICS OF OUR PAST."
"THIS IS THE PRIME PURPOSE IN ESTABLISHING THE PING SHAN HERITAGE TRAIL," MR SO SAID.
------0-------
ANGEL FROM THE SKY
* * * * »
AIR CREWMAN ELTON TANG DOES NOT PROMISE HIS PASSENGERS TOPNOTCH IN-FLIGHT SERVICE. NO SAVOURY CUISINE AND FINE WINES ARE SERVED. NEITHER ARE MUSIC AND FILM ENTERTAINMENT OFFERED.
YET HE ALWAYS EARNS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE TRAVELLED WITH HIM.
THE REASON IS SIMPLE - ELTON HAS SNATCHED THEM FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH.
AS ONE OF THE 25 AIR CREWMEN OF THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE, HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED NUMEROUS LIFE-SAVING MISSIONS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
HE HAS FLOWN TO THE MOST REMOTE AND RUGGED TERRAIN IN THE TERRITORY TO AIRLIFT CASUALTIES. HE HAS ALSO PLUCKED SHIPWRECK VICTIMS FROM ROARING SEAS.
ONE OF HIS MOST BREATHTAKING FLIGHTS TOOK PLACE IN SUMMER LAST YEAR. A GROUP OF HIKERS WERE TRAPPED IN THE HILLS BETWEEN TUNG CHUNG AND SHA LO WAN ON LANTAU AT DUSK.
"WE HAD SPENT QUITE SOME TIME SCOURING THROUGH THE AREA. WHEN WE FINALLY LOCATED THE GROUP, FUEL WAS RUNNING LOW AND NIGHT WAS FALLING," THE 32-YEAR-OLD CREWMAN RECALLED.
THERE WERE ONLY FIVE MORE MINUTES TO GO BEFORE THE HELICOPTER HAD TO DEPART THE AREA BECAUSE OF LOW FUEL. ELTON WAS WINCHED DOWN INTO THE BUSH, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT ONE OF THE HIKERS WAS PARALYSED, PROBABLY HAVING SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO HIS SPINE.
/AND NO .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
5
AND NO ONE COULD GUARANTEE WHETHER THEY WOULD BE FOUND AGAIN IN THE DARK WHEN THE HELICOPTER RETURNED.
"USUALLY IT TAKES ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES TO PULL OUT A STRETCHER, STRAP AN INJURED PERSON ON IT AND WINCH HIM BACK ONTO A HELICOPTER.
"I COULD NOT AFFORD ANY DELAY. WITH ALL MY STRENGTH I MANAGED TO STRAP THE SURVIVOR ONTO THE STRETCHER IN A FRACTION OF THE TIME IT USUALLY TAKES. THE PATIENT RECOVERED SOON AFTER RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT IN HOSPITAL," THE ELATED CREWMAN SAID.
HOWEVER, HE QUICKLY PUT THE SUCCESS DOWN TO TEAM WORK. "IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN CLOSE AND CO-OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE PILOT AND THE CREWMAN."
"THE PILOT IS IN COMMAND OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE CREWMAN IS HIS RIGHT-HAND MAN," HE EXPLAINED. "WE WORK HAND IN HAND."
DURING EVERY FLIGHT, CLOSE AND ESSENTIAL CREW CO-OPERATION IS MANDATORY AND EVIDENT.
FOR MOST OF THE TIME CREWMEN WORK IN PAIRS. ONE MAY GO DOWN ON THE "WIRE" AND THE OTHER STAYS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT TO CONTROL THE OPERATION OF THE WINCH AND TO LOOK FOR THE LANDING SITE AND GIVE DIRECTIONS TO BOTH HIS PARTNER AND THE PILOT.
ANOTHER QUALITY THAT MAKES A GOOD CREWMAN IS HIS THOROUGH GRASP OF GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES, NAVIGATION TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS THE FUNCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT.
DESCRIBING HIS JOB AS GRATIFYING BUT HARD WORK, HE SAID: "IT IS GREAT THAT I CAN DO SOMETHING SPECIAL AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY."
"AND WHAT IS MORE, I CAN OFTEN TAKE A BIRD’S-EYE V-IEW OF BEAUTIFUL HONG KONG."
BUT ELTON ADMITTED THAT THE PHYSICAL EFFORTS THE JOB REQUIRED AND THE POSSIBLE DANGER DID WEAR HIM OUT AT TIMES.
"THE DANGER IS VERY REAL," HE SAID.
"I ONCE TOOK PART IN A SHIPWRECK RESCUE UNDER A NO. 8 TYPHOON SIGNAL. WHEN I WAS WINCHED DOWN, THE CHINESE FISHING VESSEL WAS PITCHING AND ROLLING IN THE HUGH SEAS. I CRASHED INTO THE VESSEL BUT LUCKILY I ONLY SUFFERED SEVERE BRUISING."
RESCUE FLIGHTS ASIDE, ELTON AND HIS TEAM ALSO HELP IN FIGHTING BUSH FIRES DURING THE DRY SEASON AND TRANSPORTING GOVERNMENT STAFF FOR VARIOUS DUTIES.
HE INVITED YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT JOINING THE TEAM.
"IT’S AN EXCITING AND VARIED CAREER AND A CHANCE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
THE BASIC ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS OF AIR CREWMEN ARE FIVE PASSES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION. HAVING A FIRST-AID CERTIFICATE WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE BUT NOT ESSENTIAL AS TRAINING COURSES WILL BE OFFERED.
------0-------
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
6
TOWN PLANNING BOARD PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF ITS WORK LAST YEAR.
THE REPORT ALSO INFORMS THE PUBLIC, PLANNERS AND PLANNING-RELATED PROFESSIONALS OF THE PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT IN STATUTORY PLANNING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
AND IT PROMOTES PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE STATUTORY PLANNING PRACTICE IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
THE ANNUAL REPORT COMPRISES FOUR MAIN PARTS: ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD; PREPARATION OF DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS; THE BOARD’S WORK IN 1992; AND SELECTED CASE REPORTS ON EIGHT PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND FOUR OBJECTIONS TO STATUTORY PLANS.
"THE REPORT ALSO OUTLINES THE EXISTING STATUTORY PLAN-MAKING PROCESS, PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND THE PLANNING PERMISSION SYSTEM. IT PROVIDES A VALUABLE REFERENCE TO THE STATUTORY PLANNING SYSTEM IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BOARD IS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY ESTABLISHED UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, CONVENIENCE AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH SYSTEMATIC PREPARATION OF OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS.
THE BOARD ALSO CONSIDERS APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING PERMISSION AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLANS PREPARED BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THE REPORT IS ON SALE AT $38 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
- - 0-----------
GREEN GROUP THANKED FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS
* ♦ * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (SUNDAY) THANKED THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION FOR ITS UNFAILING SUPPORT OVER THE PAST YEARS TO THE DEPARTMENT’S NATURE CONSERVATION WORK.
DR LEE DELIVERED HIS VOTE OF THANKS TO THE ASSOCIATION WHEN ADDRESSING THE EMBANKMENT CEREMONY OF THE ’’WALK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 1993” AT THE HUNG MUI KUK NATURE TRAIL, TO MARK THE ASSOCIATION’S SILVER JUBILEE.
/HE NOTED .......
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
- 7 -
HE NOTED THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD MADE TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE TERRITORY’S NATURE CONSERVATION BY CONDUCTING RELATED SURVEYS, SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS, TALKS AND COMPETITIONS.
THESE ACTIVITIES HAD CERTAINLY ENHANCED THE AWARENESS AND CONCERN AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
ON HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS, DR LEE SAID ABOUT 10 MILLION PEOPLE VISITED THESE PARKS LAST YEAR AND PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES LIKE LEISURE WALKING, HIKING, BARBECUING, FAMILY PICNICS AND CAMPING.
HE STRESSED THAT APART FROM PROVIDING OUTDOOR RECREATION, COUNTRY PARKS ALSO OFFERED OPPORTUNITY FOR NATURE CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE.
TURNING TO NATURE TRAILS, THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THEY HAD BECOME EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS TO HELP VISITORS UNDERSTAND THE FLORA, FAUNA AND RURAL HERITAGE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
THEY ALSO HELPED TO ENHANCE THE ENJOYMENT OF VISITORS AND DEVELOP THEIR APPRECIATION OF NATURE AND ITS CONSERVATION.
DR LEE ALSO SUPPORTED THE SELECTION OF THE HUNG MUI KUK NATURE TRAIL TO START THIS YEAR’S ’’WALK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT” AND DESCRIBED IT AS TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT HAD RECENTLY BEEN OPEN FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT AND APPRECIATION.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S EMBANKMENT CEREMONY WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION, MR FUNG SHIU-WING.
--------0-----------
WORKS SUPERVISORS AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL * * * * *
TWO WORKS SUPERVISORS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL BY THE QUEEN IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EXEMPLARY SERVICE.
MR WAN TAI-HOI AND MR KEUNG MAN, BOTH AGED 59, JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN 1966. THEY ARE DUE TO RETIRE EARLY NEXT YEAR AFTER SERVING A TOTAL OF 56 YEARS WITH EMSD.
MR WAN WORKS IN THE ELECTRICAL, AIR-CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON WORKSHOP SUB-DIVISION, WHILE MR KEUNG SERVES THE AIRPORT SERVICES SUB-DIVISION.
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR HUGH PHILLIPSON, COMMENDED MR WAN AND MR KEUNG FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND LOYALTY TO THE DEPARTMENT.
/HE NOTED........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1993
HE NOTED THAT BOTH OF THEM WERE HARD-WORKING AND HAD A KEEN SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
’’WITH EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN THEIR WORK, THEY ARE ALWAYS READY TO HELP AND GIVE SUITABLE GUIDANCE TO THEIR SUBORDINATES AND HAVE GAINED GREAT SUPPORT FROM OTHER COLLEAGUES.
’’THEY HAVE SET VERY GOOD EXAMPLES FOR FELLOW COLLEAGUES AND THEIR SERVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED BY THEIR SENIOR OFFICERS,” MR PHILLIPSON SAID.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY & SAI KUNG *****
FRESH AND FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 14) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT 1 AND 2 SPORTS ROAD, CANAL ROAD EAST, EVEN NUMBERS OF 432-472 HENNESSY ROAD, ODD NUMBERS OF 53-99 PERCIVAL STREET, 9-77 LEIGHTON ROAD, 6 LEIGHTON LANE, TANG LUNG STREET, EVEN NUMBERS OF 2-58 RUSSELL STREET, SHARP STREET EAST, YIU WA STREET AND MATHESON STREET.
OWING TO CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO TAI LAM WU, NGAU LIU, NGAU PUI WO, MAN WO, KAU TSIN UK, KAI HAM, TIN LIU, CHUK YUEN AND WONG KENG TEI IN SAI KUNG WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 10 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK'S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER RELEASED ............ 1
EDUCATION COMMISSION WORKING GROUPS OFF TO A GOOD START ....... 10
WORKERS SHOULD TAKE SAFETY MEASURES ........................... 11
THREE SITES FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ................................ 12
AIR-MAIL SERVICES TO INDIA RESUME ............................. 12
MORE ECVII'S TO RETURN HOME ................................... 13
INT'L CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE AND LEARNING OPENS ON WEDNESDAY 13
GOVT BACKS QUALITY EDUCATION .................................. 14
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER ............................... 14
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY .................................... 15
FESTIVE PROGRAMME FOR SHA TIN RESIDENTS ....................... 16
DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR SHAM SHUI PO ............................ 17
BAND MUSIC HERALDS CHRISTMAS .................................. 18
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO ............................... 18
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .......................................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
19
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
1
HK’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER RELEASED *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED DETAILED STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE WITH BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY AND COMMODITY FOR OCTOBER 1993.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN OCTOBER 1993, AT $76,697 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 13% OVER OCTOBER 1992, WHEREAS THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT $19,665 MILLION DECREASED BY 10%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS: SINGAPORE (+24%), GERMANY (+22%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+21%), CHINA (+19%), JAPAN (+16%), THE UNITED STATES (+15%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+9.6%), FRANCE (+9.3%) AND CANADA (+2.8%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 17%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE' 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN TN TABLE 1.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $677,099 MILLION, BEING 20% HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS : CHINA (+33%), SINGAPORE (+26%), GERMANY (+23%), THE UNITED STATES (+21%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+19%), FRANCE (+18%), JAPAN (+17%), CANADA (+14%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+12%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 16%.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $14,854 MILLION OR 117%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $13,868 MILLION OR 31%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $12,488 MILLION OR 29%); FOOTWEAR (BY $10,322 MILLION OR 36%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $10,149 MILLION OR 12%); CLOTHING (BY $9,733 MILLION OR 15%); AND TEXTILES (BY $2,242 MILLION OR 4.0%).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN OCTOBER 1993, AT $19,665 MILLION, FELL BY 10% OVER OCTOBER 1992.
/DECREASES WERE .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
2
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY (-20%), JAPAN (-16%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-16%), FRANCE (-14%), THE NETHERLANDS (-11%), THE UNITED STATES (-11%) AND CHINA (-11%). BUT INCREASES OF 5.5%, 3.3% AND 2.4% IN VALUE WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE TO TAIWAN, CANADA AND SINGAPORE RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM (-14%), FRANCE (-13%), JAPAN (-13%), GERMANY (-9.6%), THE UNITED STATES (-8.7%), THE NETHERLANDS (-6.9%), CANADA (-5.8%) AND TAIWAN (-3.7%).
HOWEVER, INCREASES OF 10% AND 3.7% IN VALUE WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE TO SINGAPORE AND CHINA RESPECTIVELY.
TAKING ALL DESTINATIONS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993, AT $183,300 MILLION, DECREASED BY 4.6% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,014 MILLION OR 12%); MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $434 MILLION OR 17%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $422 MILLION OR 3.9%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING (BY $4,708 MILLION OR 7.5%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $2,328 MILLION OR 14%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,295 MILLION OR 15%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $1,655 MILLION OR 8.9%); AND TEXTILES (BY $700 MILLION OR 4.9%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS TN OCTOBER 1993 WAS $93,566 MILLION, INCREASING BY 3.9% OVER THAT IN OCTOBER 1992.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING OCTOBER 1993 WITH OCTOBER 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ITALY (+28%), MALAYSIA (+16%), SINGAPORE (+14%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+9.7%), CHINA (+9.2%) AND TAIWAN (+2.7%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM GERMANY (-14%), THE UNITED STATES (-6.6%), JAPAN (-4.7%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (-3.6%).
/COMPARING THE ......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
3
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED: MALAYSIA (+24%), SINGAPORE (+23%), ITALY (+21%), THE UNITED STATES (+16%), GERMANY (+15%), CHINA (+13%), JAPAN(+11%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+10%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+9.8%) AND TAIWAN (+9.0%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $884,078 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 13% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF MOST MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $20,234 MILLION OR 81%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $17,314 MILLION OR 22%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $13,862 MILLION OR 23%); FOOTWEAR (BY $8,787 MILLION OR 34%); CLOTHING (BY $8,621 MILLION OR 13%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $7,254 MILLION OR 12%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR TEXTILES (BY $2,224 MILLION OR 2.6%).
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR OCTOBER 1993 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY JANUARY 1994 .
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY/ TERRITORY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE OCTOBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $68.50 A COPY AROUND DECEMBER 17.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 582 4915).
/TABLE 1........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
4
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) OCT 93 OVER OCT 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-OCT 93 OVER JAN-OCT 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 23,632 + 18.7 224,427 + 32.8
UNITED STATES 18,263 + 14.9 150,389 + 21.3
JAPAN 4,805 + 16.0 35,982 + 16.5
GERMANY 3,746 + 22.5 32,742 + 23.0
UNITED KINGDOM 2,475 + 9.6 20,028 + 19.3
TAIWAN 1,841 - 16.9 18,171 - 16.0
SINGAPORE 1,545 + 24.4 14,045 + 26.1
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,444 + 21.5 12,692 + 12.2
CANADA 1, 141 + 2.8 10,703 + 14.2
FRANCE 1,014 + 9.3 10,630 + 17.6
/TABLE 2
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
5
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) OCT 9 3 OVER OCT 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-OCT 93 OVER JAN-OCT 92 (% CHANGE)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 11,145 + GO cn 91,475 + 12.5
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,761 + 13.1 74,439 + 15.0
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 7,893 + 26.4 58,781 + 30.9
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,457 + 4.6 57,805 + 4.0
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 6,382 + 20.3 55,746 + 28.9
FOOTWEAR 4,020 + 16.6 39,346 + 35.6
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,583 + 32.7 29,896 + 24.5
ROAD VEHICLES 2,233 + 16.5 27,518 +117.3
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,736 + 40.3 22,791 + 32.6
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,390 + 8.8 22,321 + 12.1
/TABLE 3.......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
6
TABLE 3 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) OCT 93 OVER OCT 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-OCT 93 OVER JAN-OCT 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 5,091 - 10.7 52,416 + 3.7
UNITED STATES 6,378 - 10.8 48,922 - 8.7
GERMANY 986 - 19.9 11,387 - 9.6
SINGAPORE 926 + 2.4 9,258 + 10.5
UNITED KINGDOM 861 - 15.5 8,788 - 14.1
JAPAN 814 - 16.2 8,116 - 12.7
TAIWAN 628 + 5.5 5,075 - 3.7
CANADA 410 + 3.3 3,958 - 5.8
NETHERLANDS 284 - 10.9 3,671 - 6.9
FRANCE 209 - 13.8 2,232 - 13.1
/TABLE 4 .....
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
7
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) OCT 93 OVER OCT 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-OCT 93 OVER JAN-OCT 92 (% CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,945 - 9.4 58,183 - 7.5
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,837 - 1.4 18,442 + 12.3
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,940 - 11.5 16,958 - 8.9
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,416 - 14.7 14,094 - 14.2
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,375 - 9.7 13,506 - 4.9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,415 - 22.6 13,274 - 14.7
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,007 - 18.2 11,176 + 3.9
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 407 - 2.4 3,845 - 4.5
MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 300 + 27.7 3,000 + 16.9
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 284 + 16.6 2,887 + 1.7
/TABLE 5 .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
8
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
SUPPLIER OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) OCT 93 OVER OCT 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-OCT 93 OVER JAN-OCT 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 37,552 + 9.2 330,041 + 13.2
JAPAN 14,968 - 4.7 149,471 + 11.3
TAIWAN 8,038 + 2.7 77,409 + 9.0
UNITED STATES 6,490 - 6.6 65,472 + 15.5
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,759 - 3.6 40,130 + 9.8
SINGAPORE 4,261 + 13.9 38,807 + 22.5
GERMANY 1,915 - 13.8 20,578 + 14.9
UNITED KINGDOM 1,802 + 9.7 17,243 + 10.0
ITALY 1,620 + 27.9 14,542 + 21.5
MALAYSIA 1,340 + 15.8 12,969 + 24.0
/TABLE 6 .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
9
TABLE 6 : IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) OCT 93 OVER OCT 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-OCT 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-OCT 93 OVER JAN-OCT 92
(% CHANGE)
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 10,780 + 22.6 94,583 + 22.4
TEXTILE ^ARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 8,558 - 5.5 82,005 - 2.6
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 8,987 + 18.9 74,906 + . • 22.7
ARTICLES OE APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,935 + 10.1 74,700 + 13.0
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 7,277 + 1.3 66,723 + 12.2
ROAD VEHICLES 3,018 - 14.3 45,077 + 81.5
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4,483 + 9.7 39,867 6.3
FOOTWEAR 3,535 + 12.6 34,586 + 34.1
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 3,207 + 16.6 29,408 + 7.6
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES 2,872 + 3.8 27,359 + 12.4
---------0-----------
/10........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
10
EDUCATION COMMISSION WORKING GROUPS OFF TO A GOOD START
*****
THE THREE WORKING GROUPS SET UP BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION TO STUDY IMPORTANT QUALITY-RELATED POLICY AREAS - EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, AND SCHOOL RESOURCING - HAVE ALL GOT OFF TO A GOOD START, AND ARE TACKLING THEIR SUBJECTS WITH ENTHUSIASM.
THIS WAS THE MESSAGE WHICH THE THREE WORKING GROUP CHAIRMEN GAVE TO THE FULL COMMISSION AT ITS REGULAR MEETING TODAY (MONDAY).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON EDUCATIONAL STARDARDS, MR ANDREW SO, TOLD THE COMMISSION THAT HIS GROUP HAD RECEIVED USEFUL POSITION PAPERS FROM THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, AND HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION, AS WELL AS FROM THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE "TOWARDS A BETTER SCHOOL" MOVEMENT.
THESE PAPERS SET OUT HOW THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF EDUCATION APPROACH THE QUESTION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE, MR SO SAID.
"AT OUR LAST MEETING ON DECEMBER 10, WE STUDIED TWO SUBSTANTIAL PAPERS ON QUALITY ASSURANCE AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL."
ONE PAPER DESCRIBES HOW SOME EDUCATION SYSTEMS ELSEWHERE HAVE INTRODUCED NEW MEASURES FOR ASSURING QUALITY.
THE OTHER IS A REVIEW OF QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES NOW USED IN HONG KONG.
"BOTH HAVE RAISED MANY INTERESTING QUESTIONS FOR US TO FOLLOW UP IN OUR FUTURE MEETINGS," MR SO ADDED.
THE WORKING GROUP ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY HAS INVITED LOCAL ACADEMIC EXPERTS ON LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION TO HELP IN THE STUDY.
"SEVERAL EXPERTS HAVE OFFERED TO CONDUCT A CRITICAL REVIEW FOCUSING ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WHILE A FIRM PROPOSAL FOR A SIMILAR REVIEW IN THE AREA OF CHINESE LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION IS STILL AWAITED," SAID MRS ANGELA CHEUNG, THE WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN.
"IN THE MEANTIME, MY WORKING GROUP HELD A LIVELY DISCUSSION WITH FOUR INVITED EXPERTS ON DECEMBER 9."
AT THEIR NEXT MEETING ON DECEMBER 14, THE GROUP INTEND TO FIRM UP IDEAS ON A LARGE-SCALE SURVEY OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND OTHERS ABOUT WHAT HELPS, AND WHAT HINDERS, THE ACQUISITION OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, SHE ADDED.
THE WORKING GROUP ON SCHOOL RESOURCING HAS ALSO INVITED LOCAL ACADEMIC EXPERTS TO PROVIDE A CRITICAL REVIEW OF RELEVANT ISSUES LOCALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD, AND EXPERTS TO SELECT A CONSULTANT SHORTLY TO DO THIS REVIEW.
"WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAIN THEMES OF OUR STUDY, AND ALL AGREE THAT THE ISSUES ARE BY NO MEANS MERELY TECHNICAL, BUT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE QUESTION OF QUALITY IN SCHOOL EDUCATION," SAID PROFESSOR ROSIE YOUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, WHO ALSO CHAIRS THIS WORKING GROUP.
/"ALREADY IT .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
11
"ALREADY IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT ISSUES SUCH AS THE FAIRNESS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM, AND THE WAY IN WHICH RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED TO THE CENTRE AND TO SCHOOLS, NEED TO BE LOOKED AT CRITICALLY," PROFESSOR YOUNG SAID.
THE COMMISSION AGREED ONLY IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR TO SET UP THE THREE WORKING GROUPS, AND IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS THE GROUPS WERE SET UP AND HELD A TOTAL OF 10 MEETINGS.
TEN NON-COMMISSION MEMBERS, ALL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS IN SCHOOLS AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, HAVE BEEN CO-OPTED TO PROVIDE A WIDER INPUT TO THE STUDIES.
"ALL THREE STUDY AREAS ARE COMPLEX, AND IT WILL NEED TIME TO DEVELOP PRACTICABLE PROPOSALS."
PROFESSOR YOUNG HOPES THAT ALL THREE GROUPS WOULD BE ABLE TO REPORT BACK TO THE COMMISSION BY THE END OF NEXT MAY, AS PLANNED, WITH CLEAR ANALYSES OF THE PRESENT SITUATION, AND CLEAR PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE COMMISSION ALSO STUDIED PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORTS 1 TO 5 AS WELL AS SITUATION REPORTS ON SCHOOLS MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE, TARGET-ORIENTED CURRICULUM, MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION GROUPING AND SIXTH FORM EDUCATION.
THE COMMISSION ALSO DISCUSSED THE PRESENT POSITION OF PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION, AND PROPOSALS MADE BY MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG AND DR ALEXANDER FUNG ON THE WORK AND OPERATION OF THE COMMISSION.
------0-------
WORKERS SHOULD TAKE SAFETY MEASURES
********
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, REITERATED THIS (MONDAY) EVENING THAT WORKERS SHOULD TAKE SAFETY MEASURES WHILE WORKING AT HEIGHT.
"TAKING A SIMPLE MEASURE, SUCH AS WEARING A SUITABLE SAFETY BELT WITH THE LANYARD HOOKED TO AN INDEPENDENT LIFE-LINE, WORKERS CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM RECEIVING SERIOUS OR EVEN FATAL INJURIES CAUSED BY FALLING FROM HEIGHT," MR CHAN SAID.
HE MADE THE APPEAL FOLLOWING TWO FATAL ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR EARLIER TODAY.
THREE MEN DIED IN THESE ACCIDENTS AFTER FALLING FROM THE UPPER FLOORS OF TWO BUILDINGS.
"OUR INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT NONE OF THE VICTIMS HAD WORN A SAFETY BELT ALTHOUGH THEY WORKED AT HEIGHT," MR CHAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE PROVISIONS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE (SAFETY) REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PROTECTION FOR WORKERS WHILE WORKING AT HEIGHT, SUCH AS THE USE OF SAFETY BELT OR SAFETY NET.
/MR CHAN .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
12
MR CHAN URGED ALL WORKERS TO SERIOUSLY OBSERVE SAFETY MEASURES PROVIDED FOR THEM BY THEIR EMPLOYERS WHEN THEY NEED TO WORK AT HEIGHT AND CONTRACTORS TO EXERCISE PROPER SUPERVISION WHEN THE JOB IS IN PROGRESS.
”A SIMPLE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE WILL HELP A WORKER SAVE HIS OWN LIFE,” THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR SAID.
HE, HOWEVER, REGRETTED THAT SOMETIMES EVEN SIMPLE PRECAUTION LIKE THE USE OF SAFETY BELT WAS NOT OBSERVED BY WORKERS.
------0-------
THREE SITES FOR PUBLIC AUCTION *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL PUT UP THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15).
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL OF HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED OFF LUNG PING ROAD, KOWLOON.
COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 43,520 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE SECOND LOT, AT THE JUNCTION OF LO PENG STREET AND PO PENG STREET, PENG CHAU, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,945 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS PLANNED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWNS, HOTELS AND OFFICES) USE.
THE THIRD LOT, IN TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,681 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN USE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
A PRESS AREA WILL BE DESIGNATED. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
------0-------
AIR-MAIL SERVICES TO INDIA RESUME
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIART, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ALL AIR-MAIL SERVICES TO INDIA, WHICH HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED SINCE DECEMBER 7 OWING TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN INDIA, HAVE NOW RESUMED.
- - 0----------
/13 .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
13
MORE ECVII’S TO RETURN HOME *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT ANOTHER GROUP OF SOME 460 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVII’S) WILL BE RETURNED TO NANNING, GUANGXI BY AIR ON FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS STARTING FROM TOMORROW.
SINCE AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINESE OFFICIALS IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 167 ECVII’S HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO CHINA BY LAND AND 876 BY AIR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID DISCUSSIONS WERE CONTINUING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE REPATRIATION OF THE REMAINING 1,000 ECVII’S IN HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
INT’L CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE AND LEARNING OPENS ON WEDNESDAY *****
FIFTY-FIVE INTERNATIONAL AND 146 LOCAL LANGUAGE EDUCATIONISTS WILL PRESENT PAPERS AT THE THREE-DAY INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION CONFERENCE 1993 (ILEC 93) TO BE HELD FROM DECEMBER 15 TO 17 IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE CONFERENCE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR APPLIED LINGUISTICS.
THERE WILL BE INTERNATIONAL PAPER PRESENTERS FROM AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE UNITED KINDGOM, SPAIN, BULGARIA, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CHINA, JAPAN, INDIA, THAILAND, MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN AND MACAU.
PLENARY SPEAKERS COMPRISE PROF MICHAEL A K HALLIDAY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY; PROF CHEN JIANMIN OF THE INSTITUTE OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, CHINA; DR GEOFF BRINDLEY OF THE SCHOOL OF ENGLISH AND LINGUISTICS, MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA; PROF OVID TZENG OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE, NATIONAL CHUNG-CHENG UNIVERSITY; PROF GORDON WELLS OF THE ONTARIO INSTITUTE FOR STUDIES IN EDUCATION, CANADA; AND DR CHEN HSUAN-CHIH, SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE IS LANGUAGE AND LEARNING.
THE FIRST PLENARY LECTURE WILL BE GIVEN BY PROF HALLIDAY, ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING EDUCATIONAL APPLIED LINGUISTS, WHO WILL SPEAK ON LANGUAGE LEARNING AND LEARNING IN GENERAL.
THE WELCOME ADDRESS TO THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN BY PROF WANG GUNG-WU, VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
/THE DIRECTOR .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
14
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE CONFERENCE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ILEC 93 WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8.45 AM ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15) AT THE RAYSON HUANG THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, POKFULAM ROAD.
------0-------
GOVT BACKS QUALITY EDUCATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLAYED ITS PART IN DEVELOPING HIGH-LEVEL EDUCATION FOR ALL, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE CAMPUS OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE IN HO MAN TIN, MR TSANG SAID THE GOVERNMENT KNEW JUST HOW IMPORTANT THE AVAILABILITY OF A GOOD, QUALITY EDUCATION WAS, NOT ONLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, BUT ALSO FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, IN THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVE EDGE.
"OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE HELPED TO MEET THE INSTITUTE’S SETTINGUP COSTS, AND PROVIDED ONE-OFF GRANTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COURSES AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT CAMPUS.
"WE ARE PROUD OF OUR ASSOCIATION AND CO-OPERATION WITH THE INSTITUTE, AND WISH YOU WELL AS YOU MOVE INTO AN ERA OF FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY," HE SAID.
MR TSANG PRAISED THE INSTITUTE AND ITS DEDICATED STAFF FOR THE GREAT STRIDES THEY MADE IN PROVIDING HIGH-LEVEL EDUCATION FOR ALL.
STUDENT INTAKE HAS INCREASED THREEFOLD TO SOME 15,000 THIS YEAR. STAFF MEMBERS HAVE RISEN FROM 120 IN 1989 TO THE PRESENT LEVEL OF 252.
---------------0------- AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR NOVEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF THE AIR QUALITY LEVELS IN THE TERRITORY AND TO EXPLAIN THE MEASUREMENTS.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT NORMALLY CONTAINS MONITORING RESULTS OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
THESE LOCATIONS ARE TYPICAL OF THREE OF THE IMPORTANT LAND USE TYPES FOUND IN THE TERRITORY, NAMELY:
/* LOCATIONS CLOSE .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
15
* LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICTS,
* COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, AND
* DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2), RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP).
THE GASEOUS POLLUTANTS ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY WHILST PARTICLE SAMPLES ARE COLLECTED FOR 24 HOURS, ONCE EVERY SIX DAYS.
IN TERMS OF AIR POLLUTION, NOVEMBER WAS A QUIET MONTH.
THERE WERE NO EXCEEDANCES OF THE 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND ALL THREE MONITORING STATIONS FOLLOWED SIMILAR TRENDS.
AS USUAL, CONCENTRATIONS WERE HIGHEST AT THE STREET-LEVEL SITE OF MONG KOK, WHERE NO2 AND PARTICULATES LEVELS WERE A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE RESPECTIVE 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES.
THE FOUR POLLUTANTS DISCUSSED HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS. SO2 MOSTLY ORIGINATES FROM THE COMBUSTION OF SULPHUR CONTAINING FOSSIL FUELS. NO2 IS FORMED EITHER DIRECTLY DURING COMBUSTION OR, BY THE ATMOSPHERIC OXIDATION OF NITRIC OXIDE (NO) WHICH IS ALSO PRODUCED DURING COMBUSTION.
VEHICLE EXHAUST IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF NO AND NO2.
VEHICLE EXHAUST IS ALSO A MAJOR SOURCE OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES; OTHER SOURCES INCLUDE INDUSTRY, FURNACES AND BOILERS, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, THE SEA AND SOIL DUST.
THE EPD CURRENTLY MONITORS AIR QUALITY CONTINUOUSLY AT EIGHT STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE. SHORT-TERM MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGNS ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN AS AND WHERE THE NEED ARISES.
------0-------
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL DEBATE THREE SEPARATE MOTIONS ON AIRCRAFT NOISE, TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15).
THE FIRST MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON JAMES TO. THE OTHER TWO WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON EDWARD HO AND THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL ASK 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 11 BILLS.
OF THE 11 BILLS, FOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) (NO. 2) BILL 1993; EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993; SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
16
DEBATES ON SEVEN OTHERS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992; ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992; ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO RESUME DEBATE ON A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILLPUBLIC OFFICERS (VARIATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS UNDER THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE AND THE CORONERS ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AND THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
------0--------
FESTIVE PROGRAMME FOR SHA TIN RESIDENTS * * * * *
THE FESTIVE LIGHTING DISPLAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE SWITCHED ON ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17) EVENING, TO KICK OFF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE ADVENT OF CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR.
A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 6.30 PM ON THAT DAY AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW.
THE LIGHTING WILL BE ARRAYED ALONG SHING MUN RIVER, IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TWO HOTELS THERE. IT WILL BE TURNED ON AT 7 PM.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE ON SHA TIN FESTIVE LIGHTING, MR LAU KONG-WAH, SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY) ONE OUTSTANDING FEATURE OF THE LIGHTING WAS THAT MORE THAN 60,000 SPECIALLY DECORATED LIGHT BULBS WOULD BE ON DISPLAY, THE LARGEST NUMBER OF LIGHT BULBS USED SINCE 1983.
LIGHTING WILL BE LINED UP TO TAI WAI ALONG CHE KUNG MIU ROAD FROM THE TRADITIONAL SPOTS OF LEK YUEN BRIDGE, SAND MARTIN BRIDGE, TSUI YUNG BRIDGE, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND BOTH SIDES OF SHING MUN RIVER.
THE DISPLAY WILL BE TURNED ON DAILY FROM 6.30 PM TO MIDNIGHT BETWEEN FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17) AND JANUARY 9, AND BETWEEN FEBRUARY 3 AND 24. IT WILL BE SWITCHED ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT FROM CHRISTMAS EVE TO DECEMBER 26, FROM NEW YEAR EVE TO NEW YEAR DAY, AND FROM FEBRUARY 9 TO 12.
LARGE GRAPHIC DECORATIONS CONVEYING GREETING MESSAGES IN COLOURFUL BULBS WILL ALSO BE PUT UP.
/HIGHLIGHTS OF .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
17
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMMES INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW PRODUCED BY TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD AT 10.15 PM ON THE NEW YEAR EVE AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK. THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE.
APART FROM PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR ARTISTES AND SINGERS, FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND SPECIAL LASER-BEAM EFFECT WILL BE SHOWN.
ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE NEW YEAR EVE SHOW ARE AVAILABLE FREE TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO NOON AND 2 PM TO 4 PM ON NEXT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22 AND 23, ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVE BASIS.
MORE, A DANCING PARTY WILL BE HELD AT THE PODIUM OF THE SHA TIN CITY HALL AT 9 PM ON THE NEW YEAR EVE.
ENTRIES ARE INVITED TO A PHOTOGRAPH CONTEST ON SHA TIN LIGHTING DISPLAY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN. THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES WILL BE FEBRUARY 28.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES. ENQUIRIES ON THE CONTEST CAN BE MADE ON TEL 604 8078 EXT 33.
THIS YEAR’S FESTIVE PROGRAMME, COSTS ABOUT $2.8 MILLION, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, CABLE TV, KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION. TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD, AND HENDERSON LAND DEVELOPMENT LTD.
------0--------
DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR SHAM SHUI PO
» » » « »
SHAM SHUI PO WILL LAUNCH A 38-DAY DISTRICT FESTIVAL TIjIS FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17) TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN TUNG, SAID THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR WAS "SHAM SHUI PO IS OUR HOME”.
HE SAID MORE THAN 50 ACTIVITIES WOULD BE HELD DURING THE PERIOD WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL JANUARY 23 NEXT YEAR.
ALSO AIMED AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG THE RESIDENTS, THE FESTIVAL WILL INCLUDE VARIETY SHOWS, CONCERTS, SPORTS COMPETITIONS, CHINESE OPERA SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS, PHOTO CONTEST, A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND A CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL.
ADMISSION IS FREE FOR MOST OF THE ACTIVITIES.
THE FESTIVAL’S HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A GRAND OPENING FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM THIS FRIDAY.
IT WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND A CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
/PAMPHLETS ON .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
18
PAMPHLETS ON DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 720 4251.
COSTING MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION, THE FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED THE BY SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
------0--------
BAND MUSIC HERALDS CHRISTMAS *****
LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MUSICIANS WILL PRESENT CONCERTS FOR BAND MUSIC LOVERS DURING THE 1993 HONG KONG YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM DECEMBER 23 TO 28.
THE SIX-DAY FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
SYMPHONIC BANDS FROM A NUMBER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN THE SYMPHONIC BAND CONTEST TO BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL AT 2 PM ON DECEMBER 23.
FROM DECEMBER 24 TO 27, CONCERTS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE’S SYMPHONIC BANDS AND ALEXANDRA HILLS STATE HIGH SCHOOL WIND ORCHESTRA OF AUSTRALIA AT HENG ON SHOPPING CENTRE, METRO PLAZA AT KWAI FONG, LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE PHASE II AND THE LANDMARK IN CENTRAL.
THE MARCHING BAND CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AT 3 PM ON DECEMBER 27.
FREE ADMISSION COUPONS FOR THE SYMPHONIC BAND CONTEST AND THE MARCHING BAND CONTEST ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 399 2196 OR 796 7537.
------0--------
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO * * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 15) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD, PRATAS STREET, FUK WING STREET, TONKIN STREET, UN CHAU STREET AND HING WAH STREET.
------0--------
/19.......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1993
19
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 73.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 432.339 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 359.435 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 61.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,461
REVERSAL OF LAF +2,539
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +1,480
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 5,480
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.6 *+0.0* 13.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.00 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.30 3.64
1 MONTH 3.01 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.81 3.92
3 MONTHS 3.00 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.90 4. 10
6 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.81 4.30
12 ! MONTHS 3.50 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.63 4.77
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12,989 MN
CLOSED 13 DECEMBER 1993 ----------------------------------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PARTIAL BILL WILL GO TO LEGCO TOMORROW ......................... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS ................................... 2
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME ENTERS FINAL PHASE .................. 4
GOVERNOR MEETS RESIDENTS IN NEW TOWN ........................... 5
WORKERS ADVISED TO MIND OVERHEAD CABLES ........................ 6
HK HAS FINE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM ..................... 7
ILLEGAL WORKS IN SHAU KEI WAN TO BE REMOVED .................... 8
NEW POST OFFICE SERVES MA ON SHAN .............................. 8
50 CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION .................................... 9
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER ..................................... 9
CARNIVAL TO BEEF UP HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION .................. 10
COMPANIES PROSECUTED FOR POLLUTING ENVIRONMENT ................ 11
WEATHER SUMMARY FOR NOVEMBER .................................. 17
228 VIETNAMESE LEAVE HK ....................................... 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............. 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 23
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
1
PARTIAL BILL WILL GO TO LEGCO TOMORROW
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INTRODUCE THE BILL ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW AND THE BRITISH SIDE WOULD GO ON ASKING FOR AN 18TH ROUND OF TALKS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE TIN YIU AND TIN SHUI ESTATES, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE HAVE ASKED ONCE AGAIN TODAY FOR CONFIRMATION FROM THE CHINESE SIDE OF AGREEMENT ON THE DATES FOR THE 18TH ROUND OF TALKS.
"WE ARE IN THE POSITION IN WHICH WE WANT THE TALKS TO CONTINUE."
RESPONDING TO A QUESTION ABOUT CIVIL SERVANTS JOINING THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE (PWC), THE GOVERNOR SAID: ”WE HAVE EXISTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, ABOVE ALL THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP BUT ALSO THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
"WE WANT TO SEE THOSE MECHANISMS WORKING SUCCESSFULLY."
NOTING THAT THE PWC ARE A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PEKING, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I VERY MUCH HOPE THEY WILL TELL PEKING WHAT LIFE IS REALLY LIKE IN HONG KONG; HOW SUCCESSFUL AND PROSPEROUS AND STABLE WE ARE IN HONG KONG.
"IF THEY WANT INFORMATION, LIKE ANY OTHER GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY, I AM SURE THE GOVERNMENT, SINCE IT BELIEVES IN INFORMED PUBLIC DEBATE, WILL LET THEM HAVE THE INFORMATION. BUT WE DO THAT WITH OTHER GROUPS AND WE TREAT THE PWC EXACTLY THE SAME."
ASKED IF THERE WOULD BE ANY TRANSITIONAL PROBLEM WITH DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS MEMBERS, MR PATTEN SAID: "I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT IF ONE IS KEEN ON A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND THE LONG-TERM PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG THAT ONE SHOULD MAKE SURPRISING THREATS TO MEMBERS OF DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS.
"AFTER ALL AS SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE POINTED OUT, NOT LEAST THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, TO TAKE THE MEASURES WHICH APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BY SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE NO BASIS IN THE BASIC LAW.
"SO I THINK RATHER THAN MAKE THOSE SORTS OF REMARKS WE SHOULD ALL WORK SUCCESSFULLY FOR A PEACEFUL TRANSITION."
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/2 ........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS
* * * t t
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING TIN YIU AND TIN SHUI ESTATES TODAY (TUESDAY):
GOVERNOR : THIS IS ONE OF OUR NEWEST TOWNS AND ONE OF OUR NEWEST COMMUNITIES AND I AM PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME BACK AND VISIT IT. THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A TRAIN, BUT I HAVEN’T MANAGED TO DO THAT TODAY. I WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEE THE NEW HARMONY BLOCKS WHICH I THINK ARE ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S PROGRAMME. THEY ARE PARTICULARLY GOOD FLATS AND I WAS PLEASED TO SEE HOW MUCH PLEASURE THE FAMILIES WHO’VE MOVED INTO THESE FLATS ARE GETTING FROM THEIR NEW HOMES.
JUST ONE THING WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ON A RATHER MORE SOMBER NOTE. WE KNOW HOW MUCH NEW CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IS TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG TO BUILD HOMES AND COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS ONE. I SUPPOSE IT’S INEVITABLE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD WANT TO FINISH THE JOB AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. BUT THAT’S NO ARGUMENT, NO EXCUSE FOR TAKING RISKS, FOR CUTTING CORNERS, FOR PUTTING SAFETY AT PERIL. YESTERDAY WE HAD ANOTHER FOUR FATAL ACCIDENTS IN DEVELOPMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. IN THREE CASES, NO SAFETY HARNESS WAS WORN, NO LIFE LINE ATTACHED. WHAT THOSE FIGURES WHICH ARE SO TRAGIC FOR THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF THOSE CONCERNED MEAN, AND I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO THOSE FAMILIES, WHAT THOSE FIGURES MEAN IS THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR NOW HAD 90 DEATHS THROUGH INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, AND 74 OF THOSE DEATHS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. THOSE ARE ABSOLUTELY APPALLING FIGURES. THEY' ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN THE FIGURES FOR 1992. THEY ARE NOT FIGURES WHICH WE SHOULD TOLERATE IN A CIVILISED COMMUNITY, A SUCCESSFUL, DEVELOPED COMMUNITY LIKE HONG KONG. SO I WANT TO SAY ONCE AGAIN THAT WE WILL TAKE STERN ACTION WHEREVER WE SEE THE LAW ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY BEING BROKEN. WE ARE TOUGHENING UP THAT LAW AS WELL. BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE AN APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS AND TO EMPLOYEES, NOT LEAST ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILIES OF THE MEN WHO WORK IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, I WANT TO MAKE AN APPEAL TO THEM TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION, TO BE SENSIBLE, NOT TO FORGET ABOUT SAFETY BECAUSE THE CONSEQUENCES OF FORGETTING ABOUT SAFETY ARE THE SORT OF ACCIDENTS THAT TRAGICALLY WE SAW AGAIN YESTERDAY.
QUESTION : AS MR LU PING HAS SAID THAT THERE IS NO PROSPECT OF THE 18TH ROUND OF TALK BECAUSE BRITAIN HAS PRONOUNCED THE .... SO CAN YOU CONFIRM IF BRITAIN HAS DONE THAT ... AND THE MESSAGE TO CHINA TO MAKE THEM THINK THAT THE 17TH ROUND IS THE END OF THE TALKS IN ANY SENSE AND SECOND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS BRITAIN WILL RECONSIDER DELAYING THE TABLING OF THE BILL OF REFORM ?
/GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1^, 1993
3
GOVERNOR : FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE ASKED ONCE AGAIN TODAY FOR CONFIRMATION FROM THE CHINESE SIDE OF AGREEMENT ON THE DATES FOR THE 18TH ROUND OF TALKS. WE ARE IN THE POSITION IN WHICH WE WANT THE TALKS TO CONTINUE. AS I’VE SAID BEFORE, THE REASON WHY WE HAVE GAZETTED THE PARTIAL LEGISLATION ON NON-CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AND THE REASON WHY WE WILL BE INTRODUCING IT INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW IS PRECISELY IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME TO DISCUSS MATTERS LIKE THE THROUGH TRAIN, LIKE THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND LIKE THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THE CHINESE SIDE KNOW THAT PERFECTLY WELL. THEY KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT WE HAD TO START LEGISLATING ON THE MORE STRAIGHT FORWARD ISSUES AT THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER. THEY KNOW WHAT THE TIMING IS. THEY KNOW THAT WE WANT TO GO ON TALKING. WE’RE GOING PATIENTLY TO GO ON ASKING FOR AN 18TH ROUND OF TALKS. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO YOU SEE TODAY ARE HAPPILY PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS, NO SIGNS OF TURMOIL IN HONG KONG, LOTS OF SIGNS OF PEOPLE SHOPPING HAPPILY FOR A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS.
QUESTION : IS THERE ANY TRANSITIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS ?
GOVERNOR : I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT IF ONE IS KEEN ON A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND THE LONG TERM PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG THAT ONE SHOULD MAKE SURPRISING THREATS TO MEMBERS OF DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS. AFTER ALL AS SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE POINTED OUT, NOT LEAST THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, TO TAKE THE MEASURES WHICH APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BY SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE NO BASIS IN THE BASIC LAW. SO I THINK RATHER THAN MAKE THOSE SORTS OF REMARKS WE SHOULD ALL WORK SUCCESSFULLY FOR A PEACEFUL TRANSITION. IF THERE ARE SOMETHINGS ABOUT WHICH WE CAN’T AGREE, THAT MEANS THAT WE SHOULD COOPERATE EVEN MORE ENTHUSIASTICALLY ON THE MAJORITY OF THINGS ON WHICH WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO AGREE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION: WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CIVIL SERVANTS JOINING THE PWC?
GOVERNOR: I THINK AS A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS HAVE POINTED OUT THIS MORNING, WE HAVE EXISTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, ABOVE ALL THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP BUT ALSO THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. WE WANT TO SEE THOSE MECHANISMS WORKING SUCCESSFULLY. THE PWC ARE A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PEKING, I THINK HAND-CHOSEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PEKING. I VERY MUCH HOPE THEY WILL TELL PEKING WHAT LIFE IS REALLY LIKE IN HONG KONG; HOW SUCCESSFUL AND PROSPEROUS AND STABLE WE ARE IN HONG KONG. IF THEY WANT INFORMATION, LIKE ANY OTHER GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY, I AM SURE THE GOVERNMENT, SINCE IT BELIEVES IN INFORMED PUBLIC DEBATE, WILL LET THEM HAVE THE INFORMATION. BUT WE DO THAT WITH OTHER GROUPS AND WE TREAT THE PWC EXACTLY THE SAME. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PWC WILL, AS I SAY, GIVE THE TRUTH TO PEKING ABOUT WHAT LIFE IS LIKE IN HONG KONG. I HOPE THEY’LL POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HONG KONG, THAT WE HAVE A GOOD VIGOROUS DEBATE, THINGS WHICH ARE GUARANTEED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, A DOCUMENT WHICH I COMMEND TO THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY.
QUESTION: SHOULD CHINA AGREE ON ANOTHER ROUND OF TALK, SHOULD WE CONCEIVABLY CHANGE TOMORROW’S LEGISLATION AGENDA?
/GOVERNOR .......
4
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
GOVERNOR: NO, WE’VE MADE CLEAR WHY WE HAVE TO START LEGISLATING. I DON’T THINK THE COMMUNITY IS IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE REASONS EOR THAT AND I DON’T THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY ARE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT OUR SINCERITY. QUESTIONS ABOUT SINCERITY ARE 1 THINK ASKED OF OTHERS. BUT WE’LL BE INTRODUCING THE LEGISLATION TOMORROW. AND I VERY MUCH HOPE WE’LL BE HAVING THE 18TH ROUND OF TALKS AT THE END OF THE WEEK. ONE MORE.
QUESTION: WITH THE PRESENT POLITICAL ROW, ARE YOU STILL CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL FLY OUT OF HONG KONG FROM CHEK LAP KOK IN 1997? DO YOU THINK THAT THE AIRPORT PROJECT WILL BE DELAYED ?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER I WILL FLY HOME. IT’S SOMETIMES BEEN SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE THROUGH TRAIN AND GO HOME ON THE RAILWAY LINES. BUT WHEREVER 1 DEPART FROM ON THE 30TH OF JUNE, 1997, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT I’LL BE ABLE TO SAY HAND ON HEART THAT I’VE DONE MY BEST TO SEE THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND I AM SURE THAT I’LL LEAVE A COMMUNITY WHICH WILL BE EVEN MORE PROSPEROUS THAN IT IS TODAY, ENJOYING ALL THE FREEDOMS WHICH HAVE HELPED TO MAKE HONG KONG SUCH AN OUTSTANDING PLACE FOR ALL THESE FAMILIES TO LIVE IN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
------0--------
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME ENTERS FINAL PHASE
*****
THE FINAL PHASE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME WILL BE OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS FROM JANUARY 3 TO MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
COPIES OF A GENERAL GUIDE WHICH EXPLAINS THE SELECTION CRITERIA AND THE PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES AND POST OFFICES.
APPLICATION FORMS, TOGETHER WITH A SET OF GUIDANCE NOTES TO HELP APPLICANTS COMPLETE THE FORMS, WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THESE OFFICES FROM JANUARY 3.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE TWO-PHASE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME WOULD ENABLE UP TO 50,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS IN HONG KONG TO BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS.
THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 1990 AND WILL END ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
ABOUT 37,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY THE END OF THE YEAR, LEAVING ABOUT 13,000 PLACES TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN THE FINAL PHASE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE QUOTA AVAILABLE FOR EACH OCCUPATIONAL GROUP AND APPROVED OCCUPATION WILL BE SET OUT IN A TABLE ENCLOSED WITH THE GUIDANCE NOTES.
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/5........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
- 5 -
GOVERNOR MEETS RESIDENTS IN NEW TOWN * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (TUESDAY) MET PEOPLE OF THE TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN DURING A VISIT TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S TIN YIU AND TIN SHUI ESTATES.
A HOUSING SPOKESMAN SAID HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MS ROSANNA WONG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG.
HIS FIRST STOP WAS AT TIN YIU ESTATE - THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN TIN SHUI WAI - THE LAST PHASE OF WHICH WAS COMPLETED EARLY THIS YEAR.
MR PATTEN LEARNED THAT THERE WERE CURRENTLY 37,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN A TOTAL OF 15 TRIDENT AND HARMONY BLOCKS IN THE ESTATE AND A NEARBY HOME OWNERSHIP COURT, TIN YAU COURT.
HE TOURED THE ESTATE’S SHOPPING CENTRE WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE WIDE VARIETY OF FACILITIES AVAILABLE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESTATE.
ON HIS WAY, HE CALLED ON A DAY NURSERY RUN BY THE CHINESE RHENISH CHURCH HONG KONG SYNOD IN THE SHOPPING CENTRE TO SEE CARE AND ATTENTION BEING GIVEN TO CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX. HE .WAS GREETED BY A CLASS WITH CHRISTMAS SONGS.
HE ALSO STOPPED AT THE POK 01 HOSPITAL AFTER-SCHOOL CARE SERVICES CENTRE, LOCATED AT THE ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, WHERE CHILDREN WERE DOING HOMEWORK AND STUDYING.
MR PATTEN THEN TOOK A FIVE-MINUTE DRIVE TO TIN SHUI -ESTATE, THE AUTHORITY’S SECOND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN THE AREA. HE WAS BRIEFED ON DESIGNS OF HARMONY BLOCKS, THE LATEST IN THE SERIES OF PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS.
TO GET AN INSIGHT INTO THE LIVING CONDITIONS, HE CALLED ON A FAMILY OF SIX WHO FORMERLY LIVED IN SHAU KEI WAN AND HAD MOVED INTO A 52-SQUARF.-METRE FLAT IN SHUT CHOI HOUSE LAST MONTH THROUGH THE WAITING LIST.
MR PATTEN SAW THEIR PLEASANT LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE THREE-BEDROOM FLAT FOR WHICH THE FAMILY PAID A MONTHLY RENT OF ABOUT $1,000.
HE LEARNED THAT FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE FINAL PHASE LAST MONTH, THE ESTATE AND THE NEARBY TIN 01 COURT WOULD ACCOMMODATE 23,000 PEOPLE IN 12 RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP BLOCKS OF HARMONY DESIGN.
MR PATTEN ALSO MET SOME OF THE TENANTS WHO WERE VOLUNTARILY SERVING AS ESCORT TEAM MEMBERS AT A COMMAND POST IN THE TIN SHUI SHOPPING CENTRE.
THE ESCORT TEAM WAS PART OF A COMMUNITY AWARENESS SCHEME JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR CRIME PREVENTION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
/HE ALSO .......
6
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
HE ALSO VISITED THE SINGLE-OPERATOR MARKET WHERE HE CHATTED TO VARIOUS STALL HOLDERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MARKET WAS LET TO A SINGLE OPERATOR TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR’S EXPERTISE AND FLEXIBILITY IN MANAGEMENT. ALL TYPES OF DAILY NECESSITIES WERE AVAILABLE FROM THE 63 STALLS IN THE MARKET.
BOTH TIN YIU AND TIN SHUT ESTATES ARE WELL-PLANNED AND SELF-CONTAINED, WITH EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, MEDICAL AND SHOPPING FACILITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN THE AREA.
------0--------
WORKERS ADVISED TO MIND OVERHEAD CABLES
* * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION AGAINST RISKS CARRIED BY HIGH-VOLTAGE OVERHEAD ELECTRIC CABLES.
DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, MADE THE APPEAL IN THE WAKE OF A FATAL ACCIDENT IN FAN KAM ROAD, YUEN LONG, YESTERDAY.
A WORKER WAS ELECTROCUTED WHEN THE JIB OF A MOBILE CRANE WAS UNLOADING .A METAL LAMP POST UNDERNEATH AN 11-KILOVOLT OVERHEAD ELECTRIC CABLE.
"CONSTRUCTION SITE MANAGEMENT OR CONTRACTOR HAS A DUTY TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE WORKERS OPERATING NEAR THESE CABLES," MR KAN SAID.
"A SAFE CLEARANCE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE LIVE CABLE AND THE MOBILE CRANE.
"IN ADDITION, A SIGNALLER SHOULD BE EMPLOYED TO OBSERVE THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CRANE AND ITS JIB," HE SAID.
UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, WHERE THERE IS ANY ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED OVERHEAD CABLE OR APPARATUS, THE CONTRACTOR MUST TAKE PRECAUTIONS SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE AND SUITABLY PLACED BARRIERS OR OTHER MEANS.
THE PURPOSE IS TO PREVENT THE CABLE OR APPARATUS FROM BEING A SOURCE OF DANGER TO THE WORKERS.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATION WOULD RENDER THE CONTRACTOR LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000," HE SAID.
A LEAFLET HIGHLIGHTING PRECAUTIONS NECESSARY ON WORK DONE NEAR HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD CABLES IS AVAILABLE AT THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION.
THE LEAFLET IS JOINTLY PREPARED BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 815 0678.
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/7........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
UK HAS FINE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM
*****
HONG KONG HAS BEEN PRAISED BY ITS MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS FOR HAVING ONE OF THE BEST TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL AND CERTIFICATION OF ORIGIN SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF PO LEUNG KUK, MR CHAU SAID THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE RIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT MEASURES TAKEN BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
"THE CUSTOMS RIGOROUSLY ENFORCE THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL AND CERTIFICATION OF ORIGIN SYSTEMS BY MEANS OF REGULAR FACTORY INSPECTIONS AND CONSIGNMENT CHECKS TO ENSURE THAT GOODS DECLARED TO BE OF HONG KONG ORIGIN ARE REALLY MANUFACTURED HERE.
"THEY ALSO CARRY OUT BORDER INSPECTIONS ON IMPORTS TO ENSURE ACCURATE ORIGIN LABELLING AND PROPER DISPOSAL.
"STEPPED-UP MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF A REWARD SCHEME AND THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE.
"1 HAVE NO DOUBT THAT STRONG CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT PROTECTS LEGITIMATE TRADE AND HELPS OUR NEGOTIATORS IN BILATERAL TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE CUSTOMS WORK WAS THE ENFORCEMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION.
THIS YEAR THE CUSTOMS ALSO ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCING THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE WHICH REGULATES THE SAFETY OF TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS BY STIPULATING THE SAFETY STANDARDS THAT HAVE TO BE MET BEFORE THEY CAN BE PUT ON THE MARKET.
"THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL, WHICH IS NOW BEING FINALISED, SEEKS TO ACHIEVE A SIMILAR OBJECTIVE, BUT WITH A MUCH WIDER SCOPE THAN THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE.
"WHEN IT IS ENACTED, IT WILL BRING ALMOST ALL CONSUMER GOODS WITHIN STATUTORY CONTROL. THIS LEGISLATION WILL ALSO BE ENFORCED BY THE CUSTOMS.
"IT IS BELIEVED THAT RIGOROUS CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OF THESE SAFETY LAWS CAN ONLY BENEFIT HONG KONG TRADE BY ENHANCING OUR IMAGE AS A RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURER AND CONSUMER," HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/R ........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
8
ILLEGAL WORKS IN SHAU KEI WAN TO BE REMOVED * * * » »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT TO REMOVE UNAUTHORISED ALTERATION AND ADDITION TO A STAIRCASE AND INDIVIDUAL FLATS FROM THE FIRST TO 10TH FLOORS OF A BUILDING AT 329-331 SHAUKE1WAN ROAD AND 1-3 NAM ON LANE.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS POSTED AT THE BUILDING TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE UNAUTHORISED WORKS WOULD JEOPARDISE THE SAFETY OF RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDING IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR EMERGENCIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SAID.
"THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER ON JANUARY 14 BECAUSE THE OWNERS CONCERNED HAVE NOT COMPLIED WITH AN ORDER REQUIRING THEM TO REMOVE THE UNAUTHORISED WORKS AND TO REINSTATE THE MEANS OF ESCAPE," HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER CLOSURE ORDER WILL BE APPLIED ON JANUARY 19 IN ORDER TO REMOVE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE ON THE EXTERNAL WALL ADJACENT TO THE 1OTH FLOOR OF A BUILDING AT 329 SHAUKEIWAN ROAD.
------0-------
NEW POST OFFICE SERVES MA ON SHAN
******
MA ON SHAN RESIDENTS ARE NOW SERVED BY A NEW BRANCH POST OFFICE LOCATED NEXT TO THEIR HOMES.
THE LEE ON POST OFFICE, OPENED AT NOON TODAY (TUESDAY), PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES.
IT IS LOCATED AT SHOP LG202, LEVEL 2, LOWER GROUND FLOOR, COMMERCIAL CENTRE, LEE ON ESTATE, MA ON SHAN.
THE BUSINESS HOURS ARE:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY : 9.30 AM TO I PM 2 PM TO 5 PM
SATURDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 631 4041.
OFFICIATING AT THE OFFICE’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARIj THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOY KAN-PUI; AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID BROWNING.
THIS BRINGS TO 123 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BRANCH POST OFFICES IN THE TERRITORY.
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/9.........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
9
50 CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL PUT UP 50 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS FOR BIDDING ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 18).
THEY ARE:
FL6888 FM168 FM3188 FM6368 FM81 5
FM968 FL388 AP105 EA921 AT129
♦ FK23 *FS3 ♦ 3393 ♦FT888 ♦ CC95
AA2808 FM1633 FM112 FM1392 FM2628
FM3336 AA336 BM399 AA3353 AP6318
BB166 FM1618 FM2228 FM806 FM1680
FM162 FM332 FM628 FM8616 CY4606
*1990 ♦ DK28 ♦DL333 ♦ AD39 »FT24
FM238 FM320 FM839 FM1891 FM435
FM3133 FM908 FM3363 FM317 FM8358
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 208TH ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
------0 ------
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER
*****
THE
LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS DESIGNATE EITHER THE WINTER SOLSTICE (DECEMBER 22) OR CHRISTMAS (DECEMBER 25) AS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR EMPLOYEES.
TO
DAY
OF
BE SAME
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE± ALL EMPLOYEES^^IRRESPECTIVE
VIN 17£.IX X 11JO »J. .. .wv . .. .. -
WAGE LEVELS, ARE ENTITLED TO STATUTORY HOLIDAYS. THEY FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE
THEIR PAID
THE
STATUTORY
HOLIDAY.
/HOLIDAY PAY .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
10
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 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 LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE ON 717 1771.
- C------
CARNIVAL TO BEEF UP HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION * * * * *
A CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION TO PROMOTE ITS WORK WILL BE HELD AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19).
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION, MR TIK CHI-YUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
PROGRAMMES INCLUDE A DRAWING COMPETITION, STALL GAMES AND A VARIETY SHOW PRESENTED BY TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS.
THERE WILL BE DRAGON DANCE, CHINESE ORCHESTRA, CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND DANCES PERFORMED BY KINDERGARTEN PUPILS. THE SHOW WILL START AT 2 PM.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS ARE ARTS FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION CHAIRLADY, MS MARIAN FANG; HONG KONG NEW GENERATION CULTURAL ASSOCIATION GENERAL SECRETARY, MR CHAN TAK-MING; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG; AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR TSUI SEE-MING.
WINNING PROJECTS OF THE LOGO DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS AND THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
PRIZES OF LOGO DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS WILL BE PRESENTED AT 1 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION CARNIVAL OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19) IN SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
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/Il .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
11
COMPANIES PROSECUTED FOR * t * *
POLLUTING ENVIRONMENT *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN DURING NOVEMBER OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLAIION ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
(TUESDAY) THE COURTS CURRENTLY
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE MONTHLY.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE TIME CONSUMING, THERE A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND DATE.
BECAUSE
WAS SOMETIMES THE CONVICTION
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED
FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING NOVEMBER THIS YEAR:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
1.GOSON ENTERPRISES LTD HANKOW RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 18.12.92- 28.01.93 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 4,000 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
2.CITICALL LTD FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK 7.1.93 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1,500 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
3.WONG MENG-WAH JORDAN RD, YAU MA TEI 7.1.93 NCO : 50,000 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
4.SHUN FAI CONSTRUCTION CO LTD ROBINSON RD, MID-LEVELS 10.1.93 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN 5,000 1ST WESTERN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT
R. LEUNG YIU- TIN HAU 16.3.93 WPCO : 10,000 1ST TUEN lit T kl
NAM AS RD, DISCHARGED MUN
NAM HOI RESTAURANT TUEN MUN POLLUTING MATTER IN NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE
/LAU CHAK .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
12
6.LAU CHAK-MAN, NORMAN CASTLE PEAK RD, TSUEN WAN 24.3.93 NCO : USE PRODUCTS did NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF SECTION 17(1) 6,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
7.LEUNG SAI-MAN CASTLE PEAK RD, TSUEN WAN 24.3.93 NCO : CAUSE TO BE USED PRODUCTS DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF SECTION 17(1) 6,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
8.SHUM KUI-ON SAI LAU KOK RD, TSUEN WAN 24.3.93 NCO : 10,000 1ST if
9.LAI YIU-KEUNG CONNAUGHT 16.4.93 RD WEST, SAI YING PUN NCO : 5,000 1ST WESTERN %
10.WONG MUN HING • t 16.4.93 NCO : 5,000 1ST ••
11.PENTA- CANTON RD OCEAN TSIM SHA CONSTRUCTION TSUI CO LTD , 18.4.93 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT 40,000 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
12.FAR EAST WAGNER CONSTRUCTION LTD SEYMOUR RD & CASTLE STEPS, MID-LEVELS 18.4.93 NCO : ” 5,000 3RD EASTERN
13.SUN PEI 18.4.93 NCO : *’ 2,000 1ST ii
14.KWAN TANG CONSTRUCTION LTD TO KWA WAN RD & SAN MA TAU STREET, TO KWA WAN 5.5.93 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT 6,500 1ST SAN PO KONG
/15.CHEUNG .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
13
15.CHEUNG TO KWA WAN 5.5.93
CHUM-WAH RD & SAN
MA TAU ST,
TO KWA WAN
NCO : ” 2,000 1ST
16.KWAN TANG TO KWA WAN 5.5.93
CONSTRUCTION RD & SAN
LTD MA TAU ST,
TO KWA WAN
NCO :
CAUSE TO BE USED PRODUCTS DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF SECTION 17(1)
3,000
1ST
SAN PO KONG
17.CHEUNG CHUM-WAH
5.5.93
NCO: USE PRODUCTS DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF SECTION 17(1) 3,000 1ST
18.EVER- TEXACO RD, 20.5.93
DEVELOP TSUEN WAN
COMPANY LTD-
LICENSEE
19.A-1 WONG CHUK 20.5.93
BAKERY CO. YEUNG ST,
(HK) LTD FO TAN
DASO : 3,000 3RD
DUMPING CONTAMINATED MARINE MUD AT SEA OF THE RAMBLER CHANNEL NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS
EASTERN
WPCO : 25,000 1ST
DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE
SHATIN
20.CHAN CHUNG-CHAK AS KOON CHUN HING KEF AU TAU, YUEN LONG 3.6.93
21.TAK SHUN KWAI TING 9.6.93
KNITTING FTY RD,
LTD KWAI CHUNG
WPCO : 7,500 1ST
DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE
FANLING
NCO : 30,000 1ST
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE
TSUEN WAN
/22.WINSON
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
14
22.WINSON KNITTING FTY CO LTD it 9.6.93 NCO : " 30,000 1ST it
23.SHA TIN HSIN KUANG RESTAURANT LTD SHA TIN CENTRE ST, SHA TIN 10.6.93 WPCO : 40, DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE 000 1ST SHATIN
24.CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY -LICENSEE KING’S RD, 11.6,93 NORTH POINT DASO : 4, PERMIT DUMPING ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 000 3RD EASTERN
25.FUTURE’S SAFE COMPANY LTD YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, YUEN LONG 22.6.93 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 3RD FANLING
26.WINCO PAPER PRODUCTS COMPANY LTD PING CHE, FANLING 22.6.93 WPCO : " 5,000 2ND it
27.DELON CO LTD NORTH TSING YI 23.6.93 NCO : 5,500 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST TSUEN WAN
28.KUI LEE KWU TUNG, SAUCE & SHEUNG SHUT PRESERVED FRUIT FTY LTD 25.6.93 WPCO : 7,500 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
/29.KWOK YUN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, iyyj
15
29.KWOK YUN- SAN TIN, FAT AS YUEN LONG SHUN HING BEAN CURD FTY 2.7. 93 WPCO : ” 30,000 1ST
30.TOP STRONG DEVELOPMENT LTD SHAN KING ESTATE, TUEN MUN 6.7. 93 NCO : 10,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST TUEN MUN
31.LI YUN-TUNG ERIC, AS YUEN YUEN DAIRY FARM PING CHE, FANLING 14.7 .93 WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 2ND FANLING
32.YIU CHUN- KWU TUNG, FAT, AS FAT SHEUNG SHUI KEE BEAN CURD FTY 15.7 .93 WPCO : ” 40,000 3RD it
33.FANTA (CFC) CONSTRUCTION CO LTD -LICENSEE HOI BUN RD, KWUN TONG 15.7 .93 DASO : 4,000 DUMPING ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF CONTAMINATED MARINE MUD AT SEA EAST OF SHA CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 6TH EASTERN
34.TSE SUM- KIN WONG LAI AS ST, LEADER TUEN MUN ELECTROPLATING FTY 20.7 .93 WPCO : 20,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST TUEN MUN
35.K100 PAU CHUNG 4.8.93
TOURIST ST,
CATERRING TO KWA WAN
EXPERT
APCO : 4,000 1ST SAN PO
EXCESSIVE DARK KONG
SMOKE EMISSION
/36.AUSTRIA .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
16
36.AUSTRIA TAK MAN 5.8.93 NCO : 6,500 1ST
PROPERTY ST, FAILURE TO
MANAGEMENT HUNG HOM COMPLY WITH
LTD THE REQUIREMENT
IN A NOISE
ABATEMENT NOTICE
37.FANTA (CFC) CONSTRUCTION CO LTD BELCHER BAY, SHEK TONG TSUI 13.8.93 < • NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT 5,000 1ST WESTERN
38.YU PUI-CHI •t 13.8.93 NCO : CAUSE TO BE CARRIED OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT 5,000 1ST ft
39.K100 TOURIST CATERRING EXPERT PAU CHUNG ST, TO KWA WAN 16.8.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,000 2ND SAN PO KONG i. •
40.TRANSWORLD BLEACHING & DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 25.8.93 APCO : 5,000 2ND KWUN TONG
41.SILVER LUCKY LTD BONHAM STRAND WEST SHEUNG WAN 13.9.93 > NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 15,000 2ND WESTERN
42.TWICE STRONG WASHING & DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 16.9.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,500 2ND KWUN TONG
/NOTE .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
17
NOTE :
APCO : AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
WPCO : WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO : DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
NOTE TO EDITORS :
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL 594 6200
NCO MR STEVEN HO TEL 594 6500
DASO MR PAUL HOLMES TEL 755 3553
WPCO CASES 19,23,26,28,31 AND 32 MR PATRICK LEI TEL 685 1133
CASES 5,20,25,29 AND 34 MR MURRAY LUO TEL 415 9211
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA RELATIONS
GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD UNIT.
BE DIRECTED TO
THE
------0--------
WEATHER SUMMARY FOR NOVEMBER * * * * »
STORMY WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH TYPHOON IRA ON NOVEMBER 4 AND 5 AND A COLD SNAP BROUGHT BY AN INTENSE SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ON NOVEMBER 21 AND 22 WERE THE TWO MAIN WEATHER EVENTS IN THE MONTH.
THE MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY WAS PUBLISHED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (TUESDAY).
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN RAISED IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER SINCE 1974, WERE HOISTED FOR THE LATE-SEASON PASSAGE OF IRA.
RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE TYPHOON WAS ALSO EXCEPTIONAL AS INTENSE CONVECTION EMBEDDED WITHIN ONE OF ITS TRAILING RAINBANDS BROUGHT CONCENTRATED HEAVY RAIN TO THE WESTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY EARLY ON NOVEMBER 5.
OVERALL, THE MONTH WAS CLOUDIER AND MORE HUMID THAN NORMAL.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL OF 144.6 MILLIMETRES AND THE 131.2 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE IN THE MONTH WERE RESPECTIVELY THE FIFTH HIGHEST AND SIXTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR NOVEMBER.
WITH THE MONTHLY RAINFALL MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THE NOVEMBER NORMAL OF 35.1 MILLIMETRES, THE RAINFALL TOTAL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 2,328.2 MILLIMETRES, SIX PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 2,187.0 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
/RFT .ATTVFT .V COOT .
18
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
RELATIVELY COOL WEATHER BROUGHT BY A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON TOWARDS THE END OF OCTOBER CONTINUED INTO NOVEMBER.
THE WEATHER WAS BRILLIANTLY FINE TO START WITH BUT TURNED CLOUDIER OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
AS TYPHOON IRA MOVED INTO THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, NORTHERLY WINDS FRESHENED ON THE NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 2 AND BECAME STRONG OFFSHORE LATE IN THE EVENING ON NOVEMBER 3.
WITH IRA MOVING TOWARDS THE COAST OF WESTERN GUANGDONG, WINDS TURNED EASTERLY ON NOVEMBER 4 AND REACHED GALE FORCE STRENGTH OFFSHORE AND ON HIGH GROUND.
LANDING IN WINDY AND RAINY CONDITIONS, A BOEING-747 AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE HARBOUR AROUND NOON TIME.
RAIN WAS PERSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON NOVEMBER 4 AND TURNED HEAVY DURING THE NIGHT. FROM MIDNIGHT TO DAYBREAK, A NORTH-SOUTH ORIENTATED RAINBAND REMAINED ALMOST STATIONARY OVER THE WESTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY.
ALONG THIS CORRIDOR OF ACTIVE CONVECTION, INTENSE RAIN CELLS DEVELOPED EXPLOSIVELY OVER THE COASTAL WATERS AND MOVED NORTHWARDS, HITTING LANTAU ISLAND AND THE TUEN MUN AREA REPEATEDLY.
ALTOGETHER, MORE THAN 700 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN WERE RECORDED NEAR CHEK LAP KOK DURING THE PASSAGE OF IRA ON NOVEMBER 4 AND 5.
ABOUT 80 CASES OF FLOODING AND 15 CASES OF LANDSLIDES WERE REPORTED ON LANTAU AND IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
AN INUNDATED WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN TUEN MUN AND A BURST OF WATER MAINS ON CHEUNG CHAU RESULTED IN THESE AREAS HAVING NO FRESH WATER SUPPLY FOR FOUR DAYS.
EXTENSIVE LANDSLIDES MADE THE MAJOR ROADS ON LANTAU ISLAND VIRTUALLY IMPASSABLE.
WINDS AND RAIN EASED OFF DURING THE DAY ON NOVEMBER 5. FOLLOWING SOME LIGHT RAIN THAT NIGHT AND EARLY NEXT DAY, THE WEATHER TURNED BRIGHTER ON NOVEMBER 7 AS TEMPERATURES CLIMBED TO THE MONTH’S HIGHEST OF 27.8 DEGREES.
FOR THE NEXT 11 DAYS, THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY FINE APART FROM OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN IN THE EARLY HOURS.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE WINTER MONSOON REMAINED RATHER INACTIVE. A WEAK NORTHERLY AIRSTREAM ON NOVEMBER 12 BROUGHT ONLY LIGHT RAIN, MIST, HAZE AND A SLIGHT DROP IN TEMPERATURES.
FROM NOVEMBER 18 ONWARDS, THERE WERE MORE FREQUENT OUTBREAKS OF THE WINTER MONSOON. A STRONG EASTERLY AIRSTREAM CAUSED THE WEATHER TO TURN CLOUDY WITH MORNING RAIN ON NOVEMBER 19.
HOWEVER, FINE WEATHER SOON RETURNED THE NEXT DAY. IT WAS ONLY WHEN NORTHERLY WINDS STRENGTHENED EARLY ON NOVEMBER 21 THAT TEMPERATURES STARTED TO FALL SIGNIFICANTLY.
/BY THE .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
19
BY THE EARLY MORNING ON NOVEMBER 22, TEMPERATURES HAD PLUNGED
TO THE MONTH’S LOWEST OF 11.9 DEGREES AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. IT WAS GENERALLY BELOW 10 DEGREES OVER THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE WEATHER STAYED FINE AND SUNNY UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF A REPLENISHMENT OF THE WINTER MONSOON FROM THE NORTH ON NOVEMBER 24. THE MONSOON WAS COUPLED WITH THE ADVECTION OF MOIST AIR FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND LIGHT RAIN BECAME MORE FREQUENT, PARTICULARLY ON NOVEMBER 25.
APART FROM SOME SUNNY PERIODS ON NOVEMBER 27 AND 29, THE WEATHER TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH REMAINED GENERALLY CLOUDY WITH DRIZZLE AT NIGHT.
AS THE WINTER MONSOON WEAKENED, TEMPERATURES GRADUALLY ROSE AND CONDITIONS TURNED MORE HUMID WITH MORNING COASTAL MIST ON NOVEMBER 30.
THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES AFFECTED THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN THE MONTH.
DURING NOVEMBER, 15 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED BECAUSE OF ADVERSE WEATHER. DETAILS OF THE ISSUANCE/HOISTING AND CANCELLATION/LOWERING OF VARIOUS WARNINGS/SIGNALS IN THE MONTH ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.1. MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL FOR NOVEMBER ARE TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
/TABLE 1.1 .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
20
TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN NOVEMBER 1993
WARNINGS / SIGNALS
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS
NAME OF T.C. SIGNAL NO.
IRA 1 NOV 2 1550 — NOV 4 0410
3 NOV 4 0410 — NOV 5 0035
STRONG MONSOON SIGNALS NOV 18 114 5 _. NOV 20 0920
NOV 20 2300 — NOV 22 0900
NOV 23 2045 — NOV 24 0755
LANDSLIP WARNINGS NOV 5 0550 - NOV 5 1405
FLOOD WARNINGS NOV 5 0450 - NOV 5 1415
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS NOV 5 0000 - NOV 5 1100
FIRE DANGER WARNINGS
YELLOW NOV 13 0630 — NOV 15 0000
NOV 21 0600 — NOV 22 0640
NOV 28 0600 - NOV 28 1835
RED OCT 30 0000 — NOV 3 0350
NOV 22 0640 - NOV 22 1630
NOV 23 0915 — NOV 24 0500
GAS HEATER ALERTS NOV 21 1630 NOV 22 1630
NOV 23 1630 - NOV 24 1630
/TABLE 1.2 .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
21
NOVEMBER 1993
TABLE 1.2 FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 131.2 HOURS ; 50. 3 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 10.34 MJ/SQM ; NORMAL 3.05 MJ/SQM BELOW
TOTAL RAINFALL 144.6 MM ; 109.5 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT 66 % ; 13 % ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 76 % ; 7 % ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 23.7 DEGREES; 0.5 DEGREE BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 21.7 DEGREES; 0.3 DEGREE ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 19.9 DEGREES; 0.7 DEGREE ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 16.9 DEGREES;1.7 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 80.6 MM ; 48.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
NOTE: ALL MEASUREMENTS WERE MADE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY EXCEPT SUNSHINE, SOLAR RADIATION AND EVAPORATION WHICH WERE RECORDED AT KING’S PARK.
------0-------
228 VIETNAMESE LEAVE HK *****
A GROUP OF 228 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 85 MEN, 63 WOMEN, 46 BOYS AND 34 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 187TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 11,430 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 37,742 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
---------0-----------
/22 .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 14 DEC 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q350
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD2,620 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKDl,000 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.99 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.01 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 50 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.02 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 20 DEC 1993 -
TENDER DATE 21 DEC 93 21 DEC 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q351 H380
ISSUE DATE 22 DEC 93 22 DEC 93
MATURITY DATE 23 MAR 94 22 JUN 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKDl,000 + 200 MN HKD400 + 80 MN
---------0-----------
/23........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1993
23
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
5,480
-1,480
4,000
NIL
+ 880
4,880
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.7 *+0.1» 14.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.85 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.30 3.64
1 MONTH 2.97 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.85 3.90
3 MONTHS 2.99 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.89 4. 11
6 MONTHS 3. 18 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.77 4.32
12 MONTHS 3.49 PCT 35 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.61 4.78
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,203 MN
CLOSED 14 DECEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR MEETS MEDIA ............................................ 1
GOVT’S RETIREMENT PROTECTION APPROACH THE BEST WAY FORWARD: GOVERNOR ...................................................... 4
THREE SITES SOLD ................................................ 5
i PROPERTY DEALS FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER ............................ 6
GOVERNOR SEES SHOW USD UPGRADES CIVIC SERVICES .................. 7
CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE MEETS ............................ 8
LANGUAGE GROUPING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS .......................... 8
NEW LICENCE FEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TAKE EFFECT ........... 10
BETTER SERVICE AT TAI PO JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC .................... 10
SHAM SHUI PO ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE REMOVED ................... 10
11 BRAVE CITIZENS AWARDED FOR SAVING LIVES ..................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
11
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
1
GOVERNOR MEETS MEDIA * * t * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE VISUAL ARTS CENTRE IN HONG KONG PARK TODAY:
GOVERNOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE SEEN THIS AFTERNOON SOME OF THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL WHICH PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG. IT’S BEEN A GREAT PLEASURE TO SEE BOTH THE RECREATION AND CULTURAL FACILITIES AND TO SEE SOME OF THE HARD WORK THAT THE COUNCIL DOES IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE. IN MY LEGCO SPEECH A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I PROMISED THE COMMUNITY THAT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WOULD SET OUT WHAT WE BELIEVED TO BE THE RIGHT WAY AHEAD FOR HELPING THOSE WHO’RE RETIRED. WE SAID WE WOULD PUT FORWARD OUR VIEWS ABOUT RETIREMENT PROTECTION. WE’VE KEPT OUR WORDS THIS AFTERNOON AND SET OUT OUR VIEWS IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I THINK THE APPROACH WHICH WE HAVE PUT FORWARD IS THE BEST WAY OF PROVIDING BETTER FINANCIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, BOTH TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE IN A WAY WHICH IS COST-EFFECTIVE. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MY VIEW IS THAT WE SHOULD DEPEND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ON THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF PRIVATE SCHEMES. I THINK THAT IS THE HONG KONG TRADITION AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT. BUT IF THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO TAKE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO THE ISSUE, IF IT WANTS A MORE INTERVENTIONIST APPROACH, THEN I THINK THE WAY WE HAVE SUGGESTED THIS AFTERNOON IS THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD. I THINK THAT WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF A PERIOD OF PRETTY VIGOROUS DEBATE IN THE COMMUNITY ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. WE’VE MADE CLEAR WHAT WE THINK SHOULD HAPPEN. IT’S AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT BOTH BECAUSE OF THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY TODAY AND BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE NUMBER OF THE ELDERLY IS INCREASING AND THE NUMBER OF THE VERY ELDERLY IS INCREASING AS WELL. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SOCIAL CHALLENGES THAT HONG KONG HAS TO FACE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND I THINK WE’VE RISEN TO THAT CHALLENGE IN AN INTELLIGENT AND SENSIBLE WAY THIS AFTERNOON AND I HOPE THAT THAT WILL BE RECOGNISED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND BY THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GAZETTE THE SECOND PART OF YOUR REFORM BILL AS CHINA HAS SAID REPEATEDLY THAT THE TALKS NOW ARE LITERALLY DEAD?
/GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, laaj
2
GOVERNOR: WE HAVEN’T KILLED THE TALKS. THE REASON FOR TABLING AND INTRODUCING THE PARTIAL BILL, THE INTERIM BILL IS IN ORDER TO TRY TO KEEP THE TALKS ALIVE. THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND, I BELIEVE, CHINESE OFFICIALS KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT WE HAVE TO MOVE IN ORDER NOT TO MISS OUR LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEADLINES. EVERYONE KNEW THAT EVEN WAITING UNTIL EARLY DECEMBER WAS CUTTING THINGS VERY FINE. WE WANT TO GO ON TALKING TO CHINESE OFFICIALS ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES WHICH ARE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES LIKE THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE THROUGH TRAIN. WE ARE NOT GOING TO WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AND I HOPE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE AREN’T GOING TO WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE EITHER. I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE A HELP IF INSTEAD OF USING RATHER SURPRISING LANGUAGE ABOUT WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING IN HONG KONG, CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE TO TELL US WHETHER OR NOT THEY THINK OUR PROPOSALS ON THE VOTING METHOD FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE REASONABLE. AND IF THEY DON’T THINK THE "SINGLE-SEAT, SINGLE VOTE" METHOD IS REASONABLE, THEN THEY SHOULD SAY WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO. I THINK THEY SHOULD SAY WHERE THEY THINK WE COULD FIND EXTRA TIME IN ORDER TO PUT IN PLACE THE PROPOSALS WHICH ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO HAVE DECENT ELECTIONS HERE IN HONG KONG. THEY MUST RECOGNISE THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN DEBATING THESE THINGS. AFTER ALL, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO, I THINK, USUALLY SUPPORTS PEKING, IS HIMSELF PUSHING A PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL THIS AFTERNOON AND SEEKING IN DOING THAT TO AFFECT THE WAY THE EXECUTIVE BEHAVES. SO WHEN IT SUITS THEM, SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS AND SOME ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE APPEAR TO RECOGNISE THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I WISH THEY WOULD RECOGNISE ALL THE TIME THE ROLE WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS TODAY UNDER OUR EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND THE ROLE IT’LL HAVE TOMORROW UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
QUESTION: SIR, WHAT IS THE CHINESE RESPONSE TO YOUR DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS....... BEFORE YESTERDAY?
GOVERNOR: WE CONTACTED CHINESE OFFICIALS AGAIN YESTERDAY AND ASKED THEM WITH OUR USUAL POLITENESS WHEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE US AN ANSWER ABOUT OUR PROPOSAL THAT THE 18TH ROUND OF TALKS SHOULD TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 17TH AND 18TH. AFTER ALL, IF THOSE TALKS ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE THEN OR EVEN NEXT WEEK, WE WILL HAVE TO LET OUR OFFICIALS KNOW SO THAT THEY CAN START PACKING. WE WANT TO HAVE AN ANSWER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR REQUEST WAS BEING CONSIDERED-' AND I HOPE WE WILL GET A REPLY VERY SOON. BUT WE’LL GO ON ASKING FOR TALKS JUST AS WE ASKED FOR TALKS IN THE FIRST PLACE. YOU REMEMBER THAT THE IDEA OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS CAME FROM US.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YOU’LL FACE THE PROSPECT TO FIND THE GOVERNMENT OF
HONG KONG WITHOUT ANY CO-OPERATION FROM CHINA, THAT THEY WILL IGNORE EVERYTHING YOU SAY AND DO, HOW DO YOU NOW RECONCILE IT?
/GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
3
GOVERNOR: WELL, IF I LOOK BACK NOT JUST ON THE LAST 18 MONTHS BUT ON A RATHER LONGER PERIOD, I AM NOT OVERWHELMED BY A FEELING THAT WE’VE BEEN WORKING IN A VERY CO-OPERATIVE ATMOSPHERE, UNFORTUNATELY. I STILL FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT IT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER IF WE COULD CO-OPERATE OVER THAT VAST RANGE OF ISSUES ON WHICH THERE SHOULD BE NO CONTROVERSY WHATSOEVER. IT’S CERTAINLY TRUE, FOR EXAMPLE, OF THE GREAT MAJORITY OF JOINT LIAISON GROUP ISSUES, MATTERS WHICH ARE ONCE OF TECHNICAL DETAILS, MATTERS WHICH ARE ADMINISTRATIVE RATHER THAN POLITICAL. ALL MATTERS WHICH ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD AGREE TO WORK ON TOGETHER. I REPEAT WHAT I’VE SAID BEFORE, THAT IF WE DISAGREE ON ONE OR TWO THINGS ALTHOUGH THEY ARE IMPORTANT, IT SHOULDN’T MEAN WE DISAGREE ON EVERYTHING. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CO-OPERATE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THAT’S WHAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THAT’S WHAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO DO. OVER THE LAST YEAR WHEN SOMETIMES THE NUMBER OF ADJECTIVES PER HOUR HAS BEEN PRETTY HIGH, WE’VE NEVERTHELESS MANAGED TO SECURE CONTINUING GROWTH AND PROGRESS IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY. IT REMAINS ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD. WE’VE SEEN INCREASE IN INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN OUR FUTURE AND I AM SURE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE AND ORDINARY FAMILIES IN HONG KONG WILL PREPARE, AS I AM SURE YOU ARE, FOR A HAPPY CHRISTMAS, UNTROUBLED BY TURMOIL, CHAOS OR ANY OF THE OTHER SLIGHTLY STRANGE DESCRIPTIONS OF LIFE IN HONG KONG WHICH WE HEAR FROM TIME TO TIME.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN......ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THINGS ......................... PWC . TO ORGANISE ITS OWN ELECTIONS WHICH WILL BE HELD THE INSTANT YOU LEAVE HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: NO, I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE VERY BAD FOR THE CREDIBILITY OR AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IF WE APPEAR TO PUT IN PLACE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE NOT FAIR AND WOULD NOT GUARANTEE TO GIVE US A CREDIBLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR CREDIBLE DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS IN THE YEARS AHEAD. THAT WOULD UNDERMINE OUR CREDIBILITY OR AUTHORITY. I DON’T BELIEVE FOR ONE MOMENT THAT CHINA WOULD WANT AS A FIRST ACT OF SOVERIGHTY AFTER 1ST JULY 1997 TO TURF OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WHO’VE BEEN ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. I WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT THAT WAS A VERY SENSIBLE WAY TO TRY TO WIN HEARTS AND MINDS.
QUESTION: SIR, BUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE HAD MADE CREDIBILITY AND HONORARY RETREAT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU CAN’T GUARANTEE THROUGH TRAIN FOR THE THREE TIERS ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN BY THE THREE TIERS OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. I AM NOT QUITE SURE WHERE A THROUGH TRAIN FOR DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS FITS IN RELATION TO THE BASIC LAW. I THINK THE ANSWER IS NOWHERE BUT WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO SEE A THROUGH TRAIN. WE WON’T DO ANYTHING WHICH TEARS UP THE RAILWAY LINES AND I HOPE THE CHINESE SIDE WON’T TEAR UP THE RAILWAY LINES EITHER. I HAVE TO SAY THAT DURING 17TH ROUND OF TALKS, WE WERE, ALAS, AWARE OF QUITE A GAP BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES ON THE THROUGH TRAIN AND THAT WASN’T BECAUSE WE WERE SUGGESTING THINGS THAT WERE UNREASONABLE BUT I THINK THERE ARE QUESTIONS TO ASK THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO ABOUT THE THROUGH TRAIN, AT WHICH MOMENT, AFTER THE LAST QUESTION.
QUESTION : GOVERNOR PATTEN, DO YOU HAVE A TOUGH JOB ....... TRYING TO GET YOUR PROPOSALS THROUGH LEGCO?
/GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
4
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT GOVERNING HONG KONG HAS EVER BEEN A PUSHOVER AND I DON’T THINK IT’S GOING TO BE FOR THE NEXT THREE AND A HALF YEARS. IT IS AN IMPORTANT JOB AND ALL IMPORTANT JOBS ARE NOT WITHOUT THEIR DIFFICULTIES. BUT WE’LL BE STARTING OUR DIALOGUE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AS FROM THIS AFTERNOON AND I AM SURE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL WANT TO DO WHAT IT BELIEVES TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS REMARKABLE COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: ABOUT THE RETIREMENT SCHEME. WILL YOU CONSIDER THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE SOME CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RETIREMENT SCHEME THAT IT PROPOSED, NOT ONLY THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IS A QUESTION WHICH YOU WILL FIND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER COVERED IN HIS STATEMENT THIS AFTERNOON. WHAT I DON’T THINK ANYBODY WOULD WANT IS FOR US IN HONG KONG TO FETCH UP FACING THE SAME SORT OF FINANCING PROBLEMS WITH WELFARE PROVISION WHICH HAS CREATED SOME MANY DIFFICULTIES IN SOME EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES AND IN NORTH AMERICA AS WELL. ANY CONTRIBUTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT, FROM THE TAXPAYER, THAT IS FROM YOU, WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THAT BUT THAT IS THE SORT OF ISSUE WHICH IS BEING DISCUSSED THIS AFTERNOON IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WE KNOW VERY WELL AT THE MOMENT THE GOVERNMENT MAKES CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PROVISION FOR THE ELDERLY AND I AM SURE THAT WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN ACCOUNT OF IN THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WE EVENTUALLY PUT IN PLACE BUT WE NEED TO DISCUSS THOSE ARRANGEMENTS, THOSE PROPOSALS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WE NEED TO DISCUSS THOSE PROPOSALS WIDELY IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE I AM SURE THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE OPINIONS AND, OF COURSE, AND I WANT TO UNDERLINE THIS, WE WILL NEED TO DISCUSS THOSE PROPOSALS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS AS WELL BECAUSE THE SCHEME IS PRIMARILY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 1997. THEY ARE NOT SOLELY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 1997 AND IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THAT DISCUSSION AND I HOPE THEY WILL CONTRIBUTE IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH IS VERY VERY HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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GOVT’S RETIREMENT PROTECTION APPROACH THE BEST WAY FORWARD: GOVERNOR *****
THE APPROACH THE GOVERNMENT PUTS FORWARD ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION IS THE BEST WAY OF PROVIDING BETTER FINANCIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, BOTH TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE, IN A WAY WHICH IS COST-EFFECTIVE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN , SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING URBAN COUNCIL FACILITIES, HE SAID: "I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MY VIEW IS THAT WE SHOULD DEPEND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ON THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF PRIVATE SCHEMES."
"I THINK THAT IS THE HONG KONG TRADITION AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT."
ASKED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE SCHEME, HE SAID: "WE KNOW VERY WELL AT THE MOMENT THE GOVERNMENT MAKES CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PROVISION FOR THE ELDERLY AND I AM SURE THAT WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN ACCOUNT OF IN THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WE EVENTUALLY PUT IN PLACE.
/"BUT WE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
5
"BUT WE NEED TO DISCUSS THOSE ARRANGEMENTS, THOSE PROPOSALS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WE NEED TO DISCUSS THOSE PROPOSALS WIDELY IN THE COMMUNITY."
ON WHEN THE SECOND PART OF THE ELECTION REFORM BILL WOULD BE GAZETTED, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE REASON FOR TABLING AND INTRODUCING THE PARTIAL BILL, THE INTERIM BILL, IS IN ORDER TO TRY TO KEEP THE TALKS ALIVE.
"THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND, I BELIEVE, CHINESE OFFICIALS KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT WE HAVE TO MOVE IN ORDER NOT TO MISS OUR LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEADLINES.”
HE REITERATED THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WOULD NOT WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. HE HOPES THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD ALSO NOT WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.
ASKED IF THE CHINESE SIDE HAD RESPONDED TO THE DIPLOMATIC CONTACT, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE CONTACTED CHINESE OFFICIALS AGAIN YESTERDAY AND ASKED THEM WITH OUR USUAL POLITENESS WHEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE US AN ANSWER ABOUT OUR PROPOSAL THAT THE 18TH ROUND OF TALKS SHOULD TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 17TH AND 18TH.
"WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR REQUEST WAS BEING CONSIDERED AND I HOPE WE WILL GET A REPLY VERY SOON. BUT WE’LL GO ON ASKING FOR TALKS JUST AS WE ASKED FOR TALKS IN THE FIRST PLACE."
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THREE SITES SOLD * * * * *
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR $4,054 MILLION AT THE PUBLIC LAND AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED OFF LUNG PING ROAD, KOWLOON WAS BOUGHT BY VICTORY WORLD LTD AT $3,940 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $1,800 MILLION.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 43,520 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS
THAN 49,140 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1997.
THE SECOND LOT AT THE JUNCTION OF LO PENG STREET AND PO PENG
STREET, PENG CHAU, NEW TERRITORIES, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,945 SQUARE METRES WAS SOLD TO ACTIVE BENEFIT LTD AT $82 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $68 MILLION.
IT IS DESIGNATED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWNS, HOTELS AND OFFICES) USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 4,900 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
/THE REMAINING ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
6
THE REMAINING LOT, LOCATED IN TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,681 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO HUNG KING DEVELOPMENT LTD AT $32 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $10 MILLION.
IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 3,026 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CONCERT HALL OF HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, AND CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR NG HANG-KWONG.
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PROPERTY DEALS FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER *****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS, MAINLY FLATS, RECEIVED BY THE LAND REGISTRY LAST MONTH INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AND BY 34.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE AGREEMENTS LODGED FOR REGISTRATION IN RESPECT OF A LARGE DEVELOPMENT IN TUEN MUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ALL, 9,629 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WERE RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED WAS $23.2 BILLION.
THE FIGURES ARE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE LAND REGISTRAR ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES.
A TABLE SHOWING THE RELEVANT STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND FOR NOVEMBER LAST YEAR WAS ALSO RELEASED.
THERE WERE 10 BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 11,711 OTHER MORTGAGES RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH, COMPARED WITH FIVE AND 9,797 RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH WAS $0.33 BILLION COMPARED WITH $0.8 BILLION IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES ROSE BY 24.9 PER CENT, FROM $5.15 BILLION IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR TO $6.43 BILLION IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE'S RECEIPTS, DECREASED BY 23 PER CENT, FROM $3 BILLION IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR TO $2.3) BILLION IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
GOVERNOR SEES HOW USD UPGRADES CIVIC SERVICES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON SAW FOR HIMSELF ASPECTS OF HOW THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONTINUALLY UPGRADES MUNICIPAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN THREE MILLION URBAN DWELLERS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR ALBERT LAM CHI-CHIU, THE GOVERNOR VISITED THE URBAN COUNCIL JAVA ROAD COMPLEX IN NORTH POINT, WHERE HE WAS GREETED BY URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG AND OTHER COUNCILLORS.
THE PARTY THEN INSPECTED THE MAIN FACILITIES OF THE COMPLEX, INCLUDING THE COOKED FOOD CENTRE, THE MARKET AND THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
MR LAM POINTED OUT TO THE GOVERNOR HOW THE OPENING OF THE COMPLEX LAST YEAR, AND THE NEARBY ELECTRIC ROAD MARKET, HAD ENABLED THE DEPARTMENT 'I'O CARRY OUT A LARGE HAWKER RE-SITING EXERCISE THAT HAD GREATLY LESSENED THE ONCE NOTORIOUS CONGESTION IN NEARBY CHUN YEUNG STREET AND MARBLE ROAD.
THE GOVERNOR WAS INTERESTED TO FIND THAT OPERATORS OF THE x 15 STALLS IN THE COOKED FOOD CENTRE PAID AN AVERAGE MONTHLY RENT OF ABOUT $7,000 AND HAD A DAILY TURNOVER RANGING BETWEEN $10,000 AND $20,000.
AT THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, MR PATTEN ALSO OBSERVED HOW HITECH INSTALLATIONS SUCH AS A CARBON-FILTRAT1ON SYSTEM AND AIR CURTAINS ARE USED TO ELIMINATE OFFENSIVE SMELLS.
HE TOOK KEEN INTEREST IN THE LATEST MODEL REFUSE-COLLECTION VEHICLE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY ON TEST WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
FROM NORTH POINT, THE PARTY TRAVELLED TO IIONG KONG PARK, WHERE THE GOVERNOR WAS SHOWN HOW THE HISTORIC BARRACKS AREA HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A SUPERBLY LANDSCAPED AREA COMBINING RECREATIONAL, LEISURE AND EDUCATION FACILITIES.
AT THE CONSERVATORY, HE TOOK GREAT INTEREST AND LATER, IN THE WALK THROUGH AVIARY, WAS PLEASED BIRDS FROM THE MALES IAN FOREST HAVE TAKEN SO SIMULATED TROPICAL RAIN FOREST ENVIRONMENT.
SUBSEQUENTLY, AT THE VISUAL ARTS CENTRE, ARTISTS AND SAW HOW THE URBAN COUNCIL IS HELPING CREATIVE TALENTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY
IN THE MANY PLANTS, TO SEE HOW THE 600 READILY TO THEIR
THE GOVERNOR MET TO STIMULATE THE THE YOUNG.
THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT BEGAN WITH AN IN-DEPTH BRIEFING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS BY MR LAM AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS, MESSRS RANDOLPH O’ HARA (CULTURE), MARTIN WHITE (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE), PETER NG KWOK-TAI (LEISURE SERVICES) AND H T LUI (ADMINISTRATION), AND AN INSPECTION OF THE PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT, HEADED BY CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, MR THOMAS HAHN.
/8.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE MEETS
*****
THE CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE - ONE OF THE THREE COURT USERS COMMITTEES RECENTLY LAUNCHED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, TO PROMOTE JUDICIAL EFFICENCY BY REACTING PROMPTLY TO SUGGESTIONS FROM THOSE WHO USE THE COURTS - HELD ITS FIRST MEETING EARLY THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AFTER THE MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR JUSTICE POWER, WHO IS A VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL, SAID
MEMBERS HAD A USEFUL PRELIM OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMITTEE.
"OUR TASK IS TO IDENTIFY BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT, BETTER
"THE TWO ISSUES TO WHICH DELAY BEFORE HEARING AND MORE E
NARY DISCUSSION ON THE LONG-TERM
ISSUES IN WHICH THE JUDICIARY CAN, BY SERVE THE PUBLIC.
WE WILL GIVE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION ARE FICIENT USE OF JUDGES’ TIME," HE SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE COMPRISE JUDGE LONGLEY OF THE
DISTRICT COURT; MISS BETTY KWAN KA-CHING, A PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE; MR GRENVILLE CROSS, QC, DEPUTY CROWN PROSECUTOR; MRS DOROTHY PRITCHARD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID; MR CHING Y WONG, A BARRISTER RECOMMENDED BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION; MR LOUIS FUNG, A SOLICITOR RECOMMENDED B\ THE LAW SOCIETY; MISS GRACE WONG, ADMINISTRATOR OF
THE DUTY LAWYER SERVICE; AND MR CHAU CHAM-SON, A LAY MEMBER.
THE OTHER TWO COURT USERS COMMITTEES ARE THE CIVIL COURT USERS COMMITTEE AND TRIBUNAL USERS COMMITTEE.
BOTH HAVE HAD THEIR FIRST MEETING RECENTLY.
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LANGUAGE GROUPING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
*****
LANGUAGE GROUPING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO LEARN THROUGH A LANGUAGE IN WHICH THEY CAN LEARN TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC' S W WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT CHINESE WOULD BF, AN EFFECTIVE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, MR WONG SAID, ADDING THAT SUBSIDIARY MEASURES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF ENGLISH IN THESE SCHOOLS.
HE SAID THIS AT THE OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE TN EDUCATION CONFERENCE 1993 (ILEC 93) ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCAT ION, THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES OI UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR APPLIED LINGUISTICS.
HE ALSO SAID BECAUSE OF CHANGING PATTERNS OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICE INDUSTRIES, THE DEMAND FOR EMPLOYEES WITH GOOD ENGLISH SKILLS NOW FAR EXCEEDED THE SUPPLY FROM SCHOOLS.
/"SIMILARLY, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
9
’’SIMILARLY, THE DEMAND FROM OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR A GREATER NUMBER OF SCHOOL LEAVERS ABLE TO LEARN EFFECTIVELY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ENGLISH IS NOT BEING ADEQUATELY MET," HE SAID.
BUT, MR WONG ADDED, MANY PEOPLE ALSO FELT THAT LEARNING AND WRITING SKILLS IN CHINESE WERE NOT AS GOOD AS THEY SHOULD BE.
"WE NEED THEREFORE TO DO MORE IN SCHOOLS, IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND IN THE WORK PLACE," HE SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION POLICE WAS CLEAR AND THAT IT COMPRISED FOUR MAJOR PARTS, THE FIRST BEING LANGUAGE GROUPING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
HONG KONG WAS DEVELOPING A TARGET-ORIENTED CURRICULUM BASED ON TASK-CENTRED LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT AND EMBRACING CHINESE AND ENGLISH AS MEDIUMS OF INSTRUCTION AND AS CORE SUBJECTS, MR WONG SAID.
"THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE USE OF LANGUAGE FOR CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE, FOR LOGICAL THINKING, FOR EXPRESSING THOUGHT AND FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT NOT ONLY WOULD THE TEACHING AND LEARNING EMPHASISE THE USE OF LANGUAGE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM, BUT SCHOOL ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATIONS WOULD REQUIRE THIS TOO.
ALSO DEVELOPED WAS A VOCATIONAL ENGLISH PROGRAMME AT SEVERAL LEVELS FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE WORK PLACE, CERTIFICATED BY THE LONDON CHAMBER OF' COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
"WE HOPE TO DEVELOP A PARALLEL PROGRAMME TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR GOOD WRITTEN CHINESE SKILLS AMONG EMPLOYEES IN THE WORK PLACE," HE ADDED.
MR WONG SAID HONG KONG WAS ALSO DETERMINED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND OF TEACHING TN SCHOOLS.
APART FROM ENSURING TEACHERS COULD MAKE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH THEY TAUGHT, "WE HAVE ANNOUNCED THE INTENTION TO MOVE GRADUALLY TOWARDS AN ALL-GRADUATE TEACHING PROFESSION," HE SAID.
THERE WAS ALREADY A POLICY FOR 70 PER CENT GRADUATE TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"THUS OUR INITIAL TARGET IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IS TO HAVE 35 PER CENT GRADUATE TEACHERS BY THE YEAR 2007," HE SAID.
MR WONG ADDED: "IN THIS RESPECT, THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION TO BE ESTABLISHED NEXT YEAR, WILL BE CRUCIAL IN PROVIDING IN-SERVICE PART-TIME BACHELOR OF EDUCATION PROGRAMMES."
"YOU WILL THEREFORE SEE THAT A SERIES OF MEASURES ARE IN PLACE TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN HONG KONG. THE RESULTS TAKE TIME TO EMERGE."
MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A $300 MILLION LANGUAGE FUND TO LAUNCH NEW INITIATIVES.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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NEW LICENCE FEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TAKE EFFECT
* » » » *
THE REVISED FEES FOR THE ISSUE OR RENEWAL OF LICENCE FOR AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATION WILL TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
"THE NEW LICENCE FEE FOR AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AND THE FEE FOR THE DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH OF THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ARE 51,000 AND $200 RESPECTIVELY," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WISHING TO OPERATE AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MUST APPLY TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR FOR A LICENCE.
AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY THAT OPERATES AT MORE THAN ONE LOCATION IS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH BRANCH LOCATION.
THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ADMINISTRATION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 852 3511 OR 852 3535.
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BETTER SERVICE AT TAT PO JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC * * * * *
THE X-RAY UNIT IN TA I PO JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC WILL START OPERATION THIS FRIDAY (DECEMBER 17) TO SUPPORT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE AND GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE UNIT WOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED THERE.
THE X-RAY SERVICE FOR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CASES WILL BE IN OPERATION BETWEEN 9 AM TO 5 PM DAILY.
THE SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO 24 HOURS DAILY FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
------0-------
SHAM SHUI PO ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE REMOVED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TAKING ACTION TO STOP CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OF AT 184 YU CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO.
IMMEDIATELY
A BUILDING
THE AUTHORITY WILL APPLY FOR A PRIORITY DEMOLITION ORDER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 23 IN RESPECT OF THE STRUCTURE ON SUSPICION THAT IT WOULD BE SOLD OR LET UPON COMPLETION.
DEMOLITION WORKS WILL BEGIN ONCE THE ORDER IS GRANTED AND WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 40 DAYS.
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/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 11 -
11 BRAVE CITIZENS AWARDED FOR SAVING LIVES *******
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRESENTED HIS COMMENDATIONS TO 11 PERSONS FOR THEIR BRAVERY IN SAVING PEOPLE FROM THE SEA.
THE RECIPIENTS ARE FIVE SAILORS, ONE ASSISTANT COXSWAIN AND FIVE POLICEMEN.
SPEAKING AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR PYRKE SAID IT WAS SOMETIMES SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS A CITY OF SELFISH PEOPLE, ONLY INTERESTED IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES.
"THE PRESENCE OF THESE BRAVE PEOPLE HERE TODAY IS A HEARTENING REMINDER THAT THIS IS UNTRUE. EACH ONE HAS RISKED HIS OWN LIFE TO SAVE A COMPLETE STRANGER FROM THE SEA," HE SAID.
FIVE OF THE RECIPIENTS ARE STAFF MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG FERRY (HOLDINGS) COMPANY LIMITED. THEY ARE MR HO CHU, MR MAK KAM-HAI, MR CHENG CHE-SHING, MR LEUNG KWONG AND MR CHOW YAU-HAI. ANOTHER SAILOR, MR LAW CHI-FAI, IS FROM THE STAR FERRY COMPANY LIMITED.
THE FIVE POLICE OFFICERS ARE SENIOR CONSTABLE LOK WAI-MING, CONSTABLES TONG YEUK-DING, AU YEUNG WAI-KUEN, KWAN YUNG AND YUNG 'WAI-MING.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,880
REVERSAL OF LAF -880
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +15
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,015
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 *+0.1* 15.12.93
/HONG KONG ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.94 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.29 3.64
1 MONTH 3.04 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.81 3.92
3 MONTHS 3.03 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.85 4.13
6 MONTHS 3.19 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.74 4.34
12 MONTHS 3.49 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.58 4.79
TOTAL TURNOVER OF : BILLS AND BONDS - 7,208 MN
CLOSED 15 DECEMBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: GOVT OPTS FOR COMPULSORY OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME ................. 1
ELECTION BILL INTRODUCED ........................................ 3
GOVT DISAPPOINTED AT PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL ...................... 4
TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO MEET CHALLENGES OF NEXT CENTURY ....................................................... 6
STI ON CONSUMER PROTECTION ...................................... 7
SES ON AIRCRAFT NOISE .......................................... 13
TWO BILLS TO BEAT DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING ........................ 16
IMPROVEMENTS TO SEVERANCE, LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS PROPOSED ... 16
THREE MORE AGENCIES GRANTED EXEMPTION .......................... 17
INCREASE IN FIXED PENALTY APPROVED ............................. 18
WITNESSES' ALLOWANCES RAISED ................................... 18
MOTION TO EXTEND STAMP DUTY REQUIREMENT TO CURB SPECULATION PASSED ....................................................... 19
INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 .... 20
GOVT STILL WAITING FOR RESPONSE FOR NEXT ROUND OF TALKS ........ 21
ANXIETIES OVER CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY NOTED ..................... 22
MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFETY IN NEW YEAR EVENTS ................... 22
/FULL-COST APPROACH .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
FULL-COST APPROACH IN CALCULATING MEDICAL COSTS ................ 24
PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ........... 25
UPDATED TRIAD REPORT IN PROCESS ................................ 26
MAJORITY OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS TO BE REDEEMED .......... 26
GOVT TAKES FRESH LOOK AT SEAT BELT LAW ......................... 27
NO INTERFERENCE IN PRIVATE LAND MATTERS ........................ 28
LEGAL CONTROL OF UNSAFE CONDOMS ................................ 29
DRUG TRAFFICKING IN VIET DETENTION CENTRES MINIMAL ............. 29
JUDICIARY TO COMPUTERISE CASE RECORD SYSTEM: SHA ............... 30
LATE BNO APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED ....................... 31
GROWTH IN USE OF AUTO-TOLL ..................................... 31
BANKNOTES ISSUE FULLY BACKED BY EXCHANGE FUND .................. 32
NEW MRF FORMAT FOR UPCOMING BUDGET ............................. 32
RETIREMENT SCHEMES FIGURES ..................................... 33
ICAC TO FORM NEW UNIT ON CIVIL SERVICE RECORDS ................. 34
NEW SURVEY OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES LAUNCHED ...................... 35
MOTION TO BOOST CONSUMER PROTECTION PASSED ..................... 35
V
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
GOVT OPTS FOR COMPULSORY OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HAVING ANALYSED THE FULL RANGE OF OPTIONS ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION, IT HAS COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE PRESENT APPROACH OF ENCOURAGING VOLUNTARY SCHEMES SHOULD BE MAINTAINED.
AT THE SAME TIME, TO PROVIDE FOR THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’S ELDERLY, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PURSUE THE OPTION OF A COMPULSORY CONTRIBUTORY OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME (OPS).
IN A STATEMENT DELIVERED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCLUSION WAS BASED ON GOOD GROUNDS.
"WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE FIRMLY THAT NO ONE, CERTAINLY NOT THE GOVERNMENT, CAN BE A BETTER JUDGE THAN INDIVIDUALS ON THE MOST APPROPRIATE FORM OF SAVINGS COMPATIBLE WITH THEIR OWN CAREER PLANS AND RETIREMENT NEEDS," HE SAID.
"ADVOCATES OF COMPULSORY SAVINGS OFTEN IGNORE ONE IMPORTANT FACT: IT IS NOT THE WAY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO BE DIRECTED ON HOW, WHEN, WHERE OR HOW MUCH TO SAVE AND INVEST.
"THE FREEDOM TO MANAGE ONE’S OWN FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS IS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE. WE MUST NOT VIOLATE THIS KEY PRINCIPLE," HE STATED.
ON THE PROPOSED COMPULSORY CONTRIBUTORY OPS, MR LAM SAID IT WAS THE ONLY OPTION THAT COULD TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR OLD AGE WITHIN A REASONABLY SHORT TIME.
"BUT WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT," HE SAID. "WE HAVE TO PROCEED WITH GREAT CARE AND SATISFY OURSELVES ON SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES."
THESE INCLUDE:
* FIRST, SUCH A SCHEME WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL BENEFITS FINANCED FULLY BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS. TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION, THE GOVERNMENT SHALL EMPLOY EXPERT CONSULTANTS TO ADVISE ON FINANCING AND ADMINISTRATION.
* SECOND, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE GENERAL PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE FOR A COMPULSORY OPS. THE GOVERNMENT SHALL RELY HEAVILY ON THE ADVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THIS REGARD, AS WELL AS THAT OF THE WIDER COMMUNITY.
* THIRD, AS THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH GOES WELL BEYOND 1997, THE GOVERNMENT SHALL HAVE TO CONSULT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT BEFORE REACHING A DECISION.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS CONVINCED, AFTER EXTENSIVE STUDY, THAT CONTINUATION WITH OUR VOLUNTARY APPROACH TO RETIREMENT PROTECTION, TOGETHER WITH THE AFFIRMATION THAT WE INTEND TO PURSUE THE OPTION OF A CONTRIBUTORY OPS, SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE ISSUES BEING SATISFIED, IS THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD,” SAID MR LAM.
/"WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 2 -
"WE HAVE REACHED THIS CONCLUSION ONLY AFTER PROLONGED DELIBERATION. THE DECISIONS THAT WE TAKE ON THIS ISSUE WILL AFFECT THE WELL-BEING NOT ONLY OF TODAY’S WORKFORCE BUT THAT OF EMPLOYEES WELL INTO NEXT CENTURY.
"TO ENSURE THAT WE PUT IN PLACE THE SYSTEM WHICH TRULY MEETS THE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO KEEP BOTH THIS COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PROPOSALS," HE ADDED.
MR LAM ALSO EXPLAINED TO COUNCIL MEMBERS WHY THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT FAVOUR THE TWO OTHER COMPULSORY SAVINGS PLANS, I.E. A DECENTRALISED, EMPLOYMENT-RELATED MANDATORY RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM (RPS) AND A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (CPF).
HE NOTED THAT BASED ON INTERNAL REVIEW, TOGETHER WITH THE TECHNICAL ADVICE FROM EXPERT CONSULTANTS, THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONVINCED THAT AN RPS HAD INDEED MORE SEVERE PROBLEMS THAN WAS ORIGINALLY BELIEVED.
FOR EXAMPLE, GIVEN THE FORESEEABLE MARKET CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG, AN RPS WOULD HAVE TO BE INVESTED IN STOCKS AND SHARES TO YIELD MEANINGFUL RETURNS.
HOWEVER, SUCH INVESTMENTS INVOLVE THE RISK OF LOSSES, FOR WHICH THERE IS NO VIABLE INSURANCE COVER OTHER THAN A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE. BUT IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO ASK TAXPAYERS TO UNDERWRITE SUCH LOSSES.
AN RPS WOULD IMPOSE A HEAVY ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, WITHOUT THE GUARANTEE OF COMMENSURATE BENEFITS.
FURTHERMORE, IT WOULD REQUIRE HUGE BUREAUCRACIES TO AUTHORISE, VET, REGULATE, AND TO SETTLE DISPUTES ARISING FROM THE LARGE NUMBER OF PRIVATE SCHEMES.
A CPF IS ALSO NOT THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD FOR HONG KONG. IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT MEET THE COMMUNITY’S REQUIREMENT BECAUSE:
* INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE TYPICALLY FAR FROM SATISFACTORY DUE TO THE FACTS THAT CENTRAL FUND MANAGERS INEVITABLY CHOOSE TO PLAY SAFE AND LOW RETURNS TEND TO PUSH UP CONTRIBUTION RATES ELSEWHERE;
* A CPF NEEDS DECADES TO MATURE AND ITS FINAL YIELD IS HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO EVEN VERY MINOR VARIATIONS IN AVERAGE RETURNS;
* IF A CPF LOSES MONEY, TAXPAYERS WOULD BE EXPOSED TO DIRECT PRESSURE TO MAKE UP THE LOSSES;
* AS WITH AN RPS, A CPF IMPOSES DAUNTING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS ON THE COMMUNITY BUT DOFS NOT OFFER A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR OLD AGE;
AND
t WORST OF ALL, CONTRIBUTORS WOULD NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RETIREMENT PROTECTION FOR AT LEAST 30 TO 40 YEARS.
/COMPARED WITH .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 3 -
COMPARED WITH AN RPS AND A CPF, MR LAM SAID AN OPS OFFERED A BETTER WAY FORWARD BECAUSE:
♦ IT WOULD PROTECT THE BULK OF THE POPULATION INCLUDING LOW-INCOME EARNERS, RETIREES, HOUSEWIVES, AND THOSE OUTSIDE THE WORKFORCE;
* PROVIDE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS ONCE IT IS IMPLEMENTED, WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT 30 TO 40 YEARS;
♦ GUARANTEE A MINIMUM FINANCIAL PROVISION WHICH COULD BE PEGGED TO INFLATION OR TO THE AVERAGE WAGE; AND
* THE RATES OF CONTRIBUTION FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE LIKELY TO BE LOWER THAN THE CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED FOR A RPS OR CPF.
’’DESPITE THE OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES OF AN OPS, THERE ARE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, AND WE MUST LEARN FROM EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS,” MR LAM CAUTIONED.
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ELECTION BILL INTRODUCED * * * * *
A BILL TO INITIATE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS TO PUT IN PLACE THE MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND URGENT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE BODIES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) (NO.2) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL WERE PART OF THE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH AN OPEN AND FAIR ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH WAS ACCEPTABLE TO THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
MR SZE URGED LEGCO MEMBERS TO GIVE THEIR EARLY SUPPORT TO THE BILL SO THAT THESE URGENT ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS MIGHT BE PUT IN PLACE ON TIME FOR THE 1994 ELECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS, AND THE 1995 ELECTIONS TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE LEGCO.
THE BILL PROVIDES:
* FOR THE USE OF THE ’’SINGLE SEAT, SINGLE VOTE” METHOD OF VOTING FOR ALL THREE TIERS OF GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS;
* FOR THE LOWERING OF THE VOTING AGE FOR ALL ELECTIONS FROM 21 TO 18 YEARS STARTING FROM THE 1994 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS;
* FOR THE ABOLITION OF APPOINTED SEATS IN BOTH THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AS FROM THE NEXT ROUND OF ELECTIONS;
* FOR THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO BE INCREASED FROM 1995, CONSEQUENTIAL TO THE ABOLITION OF THE APPOINTED SEATS AND TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THESE BODIES; AND
/* THAT HONG.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 4 -
t THAT HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF CHINA’S PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES AT VARIOUS LEVELS, PROVIDED THAT THEY MEET ALL OTHER QUALIFICATIONS, MAY BE ELECTED TO AND SERVE ON THE LEGCO, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
MR SZE SAID EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL VOTERS TO REGISTER THEMSELVES ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THE CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE 1995 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS SHOULD BE DRAWN ON A RATIO OF 100,000 PEOPLE PER SEAT. HENCE, THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD HAVE 32 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS WHILE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD HAVE 27.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
GOVT DISAPPOINTED AT PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL
THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY), DESPITE ALL THE COGENT ARGUMENTS TO THE CONTRARY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN LATE JULY THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A TWO-STAGE APPROACH TO REVIEWING ITS APPOINTMENTS POLICY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FOR THE LONG TERM, IT PROPOSED BRINGING IN STANDARDISED CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AND DEFINING FOR THE FIRST TIME WHO SHOULD BE REGARDED AS 'LOCAL’ AND THESE MATTERS ARE THE SUBJECT OF AN ONGOING AND WIDE-RANGING CONSULTATION EXERCISE," HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, AS AN INTERIM ARRANGEMENT, CIVIL SERVANTS ON OVERSEAS CONDITIONS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS AS DEFINED UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE COULD APPLY FOR ONE CONTRACT ONLY ON LOCAL CONDITIONS, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ANYONE TRANSFERRING TO LOCAL CONDITIONS UNDER THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENT WAS NOT NECESSARILY "LOCAL".
"THERE IS NO DEFINITION OF THE TERM 'LOCAL' AT PRESENT AND WHETHER SUCH PEOPLE WOULD BE REGARDED AS 'LOCAL' IN FUTURE WOULD DEPEND ENTIRELY ON THE OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL NOW PROHIBITS ANY TRANSFER BY PERMANENT RESIDENTS FROM OVERSEAS TO LOCAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE UNTIL APRIL 20, NEXT YEAR.
AS A RESULT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS LITTLE OPTION BUT TO EXTEND THE CONTRACTS OF THOSE OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVANTS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OR WHO HAVE A REASONABLE CLAIM TO PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS, AND WHO ARE LIKELY TO MEET THE OTHER CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER, ON OVERSEAS CONDITIONS UNTIL THE BILL LAPSES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 5 -
"THIS IS A VERY UNDESIRABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS AS IT CREATES A POLICY VACUUM FOR THE DURATION OF THE BILLS," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"IT ALSO CREATES UNCERTAINTY FOR BOTH DEPARTMENTS AND THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS CONCERNED AS, NOT KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN BEYOND APRIL 20, 1994, NEITHER OF THEM WILL BE ABLE TO PLAN THEIR ACTIVITIES PROPERLY," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THIS CLIMATE OF UNCERTAINTY IS ALSO UNSATISFACTORY FOR LOCAL STAFF.
THE BILL ALSO SETS AN UNDESIRABLE PRECEDENT BY LEGISLATING ON CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS POLICY, WHICH SHOULD PROPERLY BE LEFT TO THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS POLICY WAS A PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE AREA.
"THERE IS A DANGER THAT THE MANAGEMENT’S FLEXIBILITY WILL BE ERODED AND THAT IN THE LONG RUN CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS WILL BECOME POLITICISED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EMPHASISED THAT THE BILL WAS UNNECESSARY.
"WE ARE ALREADY CONSULTING WIDELY ON THE LONG-TERM ARRANGEMENTS," HE SAID.
THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS DO NOT COMMIT ANYONE FOR THE LONG TERM BUT SIMPLY ALLOW A REALISTIC TIMEFRAME FOR THE LONG-TERM ARRANGEMENTS TO BE DISCUSSED AND AGREED, HE SAID.
THE BILL ON THE OTHER HAND COMPLETELY DUCKS THE LONG-TERM ISSUES AND SIMPLY TRIES TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE REAL PROBLEM AT ALL, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, FOLLOWING ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS FROM PERMANENT RESIDENTS FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL CONDITIONS.
BUT INSTEAD OF OFFERING A CONTRACT ON LOCAL CONDITIONS TO POTENTIALLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS, EXTENSIONS ON OVERSEAS CONDITIONS WOULD BE GRANTED INSTEAD, UNTIL THE BILL LAPSES.
SHOULD THE PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF THE BILL BE EXTENDED, THESE OVERSEAS CONTRACTS WOULD ALSO BE CORRESPONDINGLY EXTENDED.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO GIVE REASONABLE NOTICE TO THOSE WHOSE APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER FAILED, SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE SOME TIME TO ADAPT TO THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE OFFERED FURTHER EMPLOYMENT.
THIS COULD ALSO INVOLVE SHORT EXTENSIONS OF CURRENT CONTRACTS.
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/6.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 6 -
TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO MEET CHALLENGES OF NEXT CENTURY * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOGNISES THE NEED TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG AND IMPROVE THE LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF THE COMMUNITY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATION COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT IN A MOTION DEBATE ON TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (TDS) REVIEW, MR EASON SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE BASIC PRINCIPLES HAD ALL ALONG BEEN FULLY RECOGNISED AND EMBODIED IN THE CURRENT TDS REVIEW.
"IT IS OUR INTENTION TO FORMULATE A TDS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE NEXT CENTURY,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE KEY ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE TDS WERE WIDE-RANGING.
"OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH A BROAD, LONG-TERM PLANNING FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE NECESSARY LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE PROVIDED, HAVING REGARD TO RESOURCE AVAILABILITY, TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO GROW AS A REGIONAL AND AN INTERNATIONAL CITY AND BECOME A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
THE TWO KEY ISSUES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECTS OF THIS MOTION DEBATE, NAMELY, HOW TO PROMOTE THE LONG-TERM PROSPERITY AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, ARE CERTAINLY IMPORTANT AND FUNDAMENTAL AIMS OF THE CURRENT TDS REVIEW.
MR EASON SAID THE TDS HAD IDENTIFIED SEVERAL POTENTIAL NEW GROWTH AREAS, INCLUDING TSEUNG KWAN O, KOWLOON BAY, TIN SHUI WAI, KAM TIN AND TUNG CHUNG.
"IT WILL EVALUATE THESE AREAS TO ESTABLISH WHICH ARE THE MOST SUITABLE TO DEVELOP FROM BROAD LAND USE, TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL POINTS OF VIEW, TAKING ACCOUNT OF FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER RELATED FACTORS."
ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE, MR EASON SAID, THE TDS UPON COMPLETION WILL MAKE BROAD PROPOSALS WHICH DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
TO ENSURE A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT, NEW TOWN STANDARDS WILL APPLY WHEREVER PRACTICAL IN THE PLANNING OF NEW URBAN AREAS AND MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES.
MR EASON SAID CONSERVATION WAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT QUALITATIVE ELEMENT OF THE STRATEGY AND AREAS OF HIGH LANDSCAPE VALUE AND ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS WOULD BE CONSERVED.
FOR EXAMPLE, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 7,000 HECTARES OF LAND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS POSSIBLE COUNTRY PARK EXTENSION AREAS.
/MR EASON .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
MR EASON SAID THE TDS CONSULTATION DIGEST HAD BEEN PASSED TO THE CHINESE SIDE FOR REFERENCE AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WAS PLANNING TO VISIT AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THE PLANNING AUTHORITIES IN GUANGZHOU, SHENZHEN AND ZHUHAI DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.
HE SAID SINCE THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER, ABOUT 12,000 COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION DIGEST HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC AND SOME 70 MAIN BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN CONSULTED.
THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE WILL END ON DECEMBER 31 AND THE TDS REVIEW IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
--------0-----------
STI ON CONSUMER PROTECTION
» * » * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
I AM GRATEFUL TO MR MAN SAI CHEONG FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO RE-AFFIRM THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO CONSUMER PROTECTION. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK OTHER MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN IN THIS DEBATE TO SUPPORT THE FURTHER ENHANCEMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION.
PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A KEY CONSIDERATION IN THE FORMULATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES GOVERNING THE SUPPLY OF GOODS AND SERVICES IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS. WE FULLY RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR PROPER SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE OF CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER WHOSE BARGAINING POWER IS CONSIDERABLY WEAKER THAN THAT OF BUSINESS CORPORATIONS.
NEW LEGISLATION
MR MAN AND SOME OTHER MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED TO THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE COMPOSITE LEGISLATION ON CONSUMER PROTECTION. I WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO THE PROTECTION OF THE CONSUMER BY WAY OF LEGISLATION. A GOOD EXAMPLE IS THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL WHICH I INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY. UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, THERE WILL BE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY, CATCH-ALL LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE SUPPLY OF CONSUMER GOODS WHICH ARE REASONABLY SAFE, AND INTRODUCING CRIMINAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE SUPPLY OF UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS. THIS MEANS THAT MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS WILL NEED TO TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE SAFETY OF THEIR GOODS BEFORE THEY ARE BROUGHT ON TO THE MARKET.
/THIS GENERAL ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 8 -
THIS GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT WILL NEED TO BE SUPPLEMENTED, IN SOME CASES, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE PRODUCT, BY SPECIFIC SCHEMES OF SAFETY CONTROL. WE ALREADY HAVE LEGISLATION GOVERNING SPECIFIC TYPES OF CONSUMER GOODS SUCH AS FOOD, WATER, PHARMACEUTICALS, GAS APPLIANCES AS WELL AS TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO INTRODUCE SPECIFIC LEGISLATION SETTING OUT THE DETAILED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR A SPECIFIC TYPE OF CONSUMER GOODS AS AND WHEN AND IF THE NEED ARISES. FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC CONCERN REGARDING THE LACK OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS. I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING HARD ON THE REQUIRED LEGISLATION, AND MY COLLEAGUE THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES WILL BE INTRODUCING REGULATIONS UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE TO CONTROL THE SAFETY OF PLUGS AND ADAPTORS IN 1994 AND OF DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS IN GENERAL IN 1995.
APART FROM INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF CONSUMER GOODS, WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF GOODS AND SERVICES SUPPLIED. THE LEGISLATION IN QUESTION IS THE PACKAGE OF THREE BILLS ON THE SALE OF GOODS, SUPPLY OF SERVICES AND UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS, ON WHICH WE ARE NOW CONSULTING INTERESTED BODIES PRIOR TO THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO THIS COUNCIL. THIS REPRESENTS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN OUR EFFORTS TO ASSIST CONSUMERS TO SEEK CIVIL REMEDIES AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS TRADING PRACTICES NOT JUST IN RESPECT OF THE SALE OF GOODS BUT ALSO IN RESPECT OF THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES, AN AREA WHICH I NOTE IS OF CONSIDERABLE CONCERN TO MEMBERS AND TO THE COMMUNITY.
AS REGARDS THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE CHANNELS FOR CONSUMERS TO SEEK COMPENSATION, I AM HAPPY TO INFORM MEMBERS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL INVITE THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE EXISTING LAW GOVERNING COMPENSATION FOR INJURY AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE OR UNSAFE GOODS AND TO RECOMMEND SUCH CHANGES IN THE LAW AS MAY BE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE.
AS OUR SOCIETY BECOMES INCREASINGLY AFFLUENT AND SOPHISTICATED, THERE IS A GROWING NEED TO ADDRESS THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS AND ASPIRATIONS OF CONSUMERS IN A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS WHICH GO BEYOND THE REALM OF BASIC SAFETY AND QUALITY. THIS RANGES FROM THE PROTECTION OF THE PRIVACY OF THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF CONSUMERS TO THE RIGHTS OF THE SMALL INVESTORS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS. AS EXAMPLES I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION LEGISLATION IN THE PIPELINE TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION; AMENDING LEGISLATION TO INCREASE THE TRANSPARENCY OF PRICE INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF MOTOR CARS; AND LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS OF OVERSEAS TERTIARY EDUCATION SERVICES.
I AM SURE THAT THE NEED TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER IN OTHER SITUATIONS WILL ARISE AS NEW GOODS AND SERVICES ARE INTRODUCED AND NEW MARKET PRACTICES EMERGE. HOWEVER, IN CASE THERE IS CONCERN THAT THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT END UP OVER-LEGISLATING AND OVER-REGULATING THE MARKETS, I WISH TO RE-ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL ONLY INTERVENE WHERE THE EVIDENCE AVAILABLE INDICATES THAT CONSUMERS ARE NOT ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, AND THAT THE PREVALENCE OF MALPRACTICES AND COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS IS SUCH THAT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY.
/NON-STATUTORY MEASURES .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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NON-STATUTORY MEASURES
APART FROM INTRODUCING LEGISLATION WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO RELIES ON A RANGE OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN CONSUMER PROTECTION. WE HAVE JUST HEARD MR DICK CHI-YUEN THE IMPORTANCE HE ATTACHES TO THE PROMOTION OF COMPETITION AS A MEANS OF ENHANCING CONSUMER WELFARE. PROMOTION OF COMPETITION HAS, OF COURSE, ALWAYS BEEN A MAJOR OBJECTIVE IN THE FORMULATION OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICIES. RECOGNISING THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION, WE WILL SHORTLY ISSUE A DIRECTIVE TO REQUIRE ALL BRANCH SECRETARIES TO ASSESS THE IMPACT ON COMPETITION AT AN EARLY STAGE OF POLICY FORMULATION, AND TO INCLUDE SUCH AN ASSESSMENT IN THEIR SUBMISSIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED TO THE PRESENT STATE OF COMPETITION IN CERTAIN BUSINESS SECTORS SUCH AS SUPERMARKETS AND BANKING. AS MEMBERS ARE AWARE, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS CONDUCTING STUDIES INTO THE STATE OF COMPETITION IN FIVE MAJOR BUSINESS SECTORS WHICH AFFECT THE DAILY LIFE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WE HAVE EARMARKED AN ADDITIONAL $3.5 MILLION FOR THE COUNCIL TO COMPLETE THESE STUDIES. ON THE BASIS OF THE FINDINGS OF THESE STUDIES, WE WILL, WHERE APPROPRIATE, REVISE OUR POLICIES AND FORMULATE NEW ONES IN ORDER TO PROMOTE COMPETITION. WE SHALL PUBLISH A DETAILED RESPONSE TO EACH STUDY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF ITS RELEASE. THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AIMS TO COMPLETE THE STUDIES BY SEPTEMBER 1994.
SEPARATELY, WE RECOGNISE THAT THE GOVERNMENT, AS THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, HAS A SPECIAL OBLIGATION TO HAVE REGARD TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF ITS CLIENTS. FOR THIS REASON, THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR INTRODUCED A PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC; AND TO DEVELOP A CLIENT-BASED CULTURE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE AND WE WILL KEEP UNDER REVIEW OUR PROGRAMMES TO ENHANCE THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
OTHER NOTABLE INITIATIVES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR INCLUDE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S IMPLEMENTATION OF A PATIENTS’ CHARTER.
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE BIG BUSINESSES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO INTRODUCE MEASURES TO PROTECT CONSUMER INTERESTS THROUGH INCORPORATING APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS TO THIS EFFECT IN THE RELEVANT REGULATORY REGIME. FOR INSTANCE, TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTING LICENSEES ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROL AND MONITORING BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY. THE AUTHORITY HAS ADOPTED THE PRACTICE WHEREBY PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE HELD BEFORE BROADCASTING LICENCES ARE RENEWED. AS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS, WE HAVE ALSO INCORPORATED A NEW CONDITION IN SOME FRANCHISES REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PASSENGER LIAISON GROUPS TO PROVIDE A CHANNEL FOR PASSENGERS TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS AND MAKE COMPLAINTS. THIS REQUIREMENT WILL BE INCLUDED IN OTHER FRANCHISES WHEN THEY ARE NEXT RENEWED.
/WE BELIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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WE BELIEVE FULLER DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL DATA BY PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES WILL ASSIST THE PUBLIC IN JUDGING WHETHER THE REGULATORS ARE PROPERLY PROTECTING THE CONSUMER’S INTERESTS, AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. MY COLLEAGUE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, HAS RECENTLY BRIEFED THE ECONOMIC SERVICES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES PANEL OF THIS COUNCIL ON THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE RELEVANT COMPANIES HAVE BEGUN AND WE ARE HOPEFUL OF THEIR EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF THE NEW STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC.
CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION FUND
MR MAN AND SOME MEMBERS HAVE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION FUND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HELP CONSUMERS TO BRING ACTION AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS SUPPLIERS OF GOODS OR SERVICES. AS THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARMARKED $10 MILLION FOR THE PROPOSED CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION FUND WHICH IS INTENDED TO ENABLE THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO ASSIST GROUPS OF CONSUMERS TO INITIATE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A COMMON DEFENDANT. ANOTHER SUM OF $1 MILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONDUCT LEGAL CONSULTANCIES ON THIS PROJECT. THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS SET UP A WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE HON ANNA WU, TO DRAW UP PROPOSALS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FUND.
MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED MIXED VIEWS ON THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP THIS FUND. SOME HAVE ASKED FOR ITS EARLY ESTABLISHMENT WHILE OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ABOUT ITS POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE WITH THE EFFICIENT AND LEGITIMATE OPERATIONS OF OUR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. IN VIEW OF MEMBERS’ COMMENTS, WE WILL CONSULT THIS COUNCIL AS WELL AS OTHER INTERESTED BODIES ON THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S PROPOSALS AS SOON AS THEY ARE READY. I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO COMMENT AND OFFER ADVICE BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS ARE FINALISED.
CONSUMER EDUCATION
TURNING TO CONSUMER EDUCATION, WE SHARE MEMBERS’ VIEW THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CONSUMERS ARE ARMED WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON THE BASIS OF WHICH THEY CAN MAKE SENSIBLE DECISIONS. CONSUMER EDUCATION IS MORE EFFECTIVE AS A PREVENTIVE TOOL THAN MOST LEGISLATIVE MEASURES WHICH TEND TO BE REMEDIAL IN NATURE.
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS BEEN PLAYING A LEADING ROLE IN ORGANIZING CONSUMER EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS. IN ADDITION TO THE RECURRENT SUBVENTION TO THE COUNCIL FOR ITS REGULAR ON-GOING PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, WE INTEND TO MAKE A FURTHER $1.5 MILLION CAPITAL GRANT TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF ORGANISING SPECIAL CONSUMER EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS ON FAIR TRADING AND OTHER CONSUMER-RELATED MATTERS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
/THE INFORMATION .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO ENHANCE CONSUMER AWARENESS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION WHICH AFFECT CONSUMERS’ INTERESTS. SUCH PROGRAMMES ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF ENCOURAGING COMPLIANCE WITH NEW CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION SUCH AS THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE AND THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, AND COMPLAINTS AGAINST BREACHES OF SUCH LEGISLATION. WE PLAN TO CONTINUE THE EFFORT NEXT YEAR BY ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS SPECIFIC PURPOSE.
TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL
WE ARE IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ON THE NEED TO EXPAND ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE. WE ARE AT PRESENT ACTIVELY REVIEWING THE JUSTIFICATION FOR RETAINING THE SCHEDULE TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE. THIS SCHEDULE SETS OUT A LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS WHICH ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE PURVIEW OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL. THE EXEMPTED BODIES OF THIS SCHEDULE INCLUDES VIRTUALLY ALL THE PUBLIC UTILITY AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES, TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTERS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THAT SCHEDULE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1977 WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS FIRST ENACTED. THE JUSTIFICATION THEN WAS THAT AS THESE BODIES WERE ALREADY SUBJECT TO SOME SPECIAL SCHEME OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL OR PUBLIC MONITORING, THEY SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PURVIEW OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY DUPLICATION OF WORK.
OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED REQUESTS FROM CONSUMER CONSCIOUS GROUPS, INCLUDING THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ITSELF, FOR THE DELETION OF THIS SCHEDULE. THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FEELS INCREASINGLY INHIBITED FROM HANDLING CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND CONDUCTING RESEARCH PROJECTS INVOLVING SOME OF THESE BODIES WHICH ARE OF GENERAL PUBLIC CONCERN.
AFTER CONSULTATION WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT, WE CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A NEED TO REVIEW THE ORIGINAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE SCHEDULE WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING CONSUMER PROTECTION. IN CONDUCTING THIS REVIEW, WE WILL OF COURSE BE MINDFUL OF THE NEED TO MINIMIZE ANY DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS BETWEEN THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE RELEVANT REGULATORS. WE SHALL SHORTLY SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE BODIES LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE AND OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES.
AS TO THE QUESTION OF "NON PRODUCT-RELATED SERVICES INDUSTRIES" REFERRED TO IN MR MAN’S MOTION, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE ALREADY ENABLES THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS OF SERVICES. IN PARTICULAR, THE ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED IN EARLY 1992 TO EMPOWER THE COUNCIL TO DEAL WITH CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RELATING TO IMMOVABLE PROPERTY. THE COUNCIL IS REPRESENTED ON THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS WHICH WAS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED TO STUDY THE OPERATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK. THE GROUP AIMS TO PRODUCE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SUMMER OF 1994.
/IN RELATION .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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IN RELATION TO SO-CALLED "SHRUNKEN” PROPERTY, THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON DESCRIPTION OF FLATS ON SALE WILL ISSUE A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT IN EARLY 1994 AND THEN SUBMIT A FINAL REPORT TO THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER THE WAY FORWARD IN THE LIGHT OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS. IN RESPONSE TO THE HON FUNG CHIWOOD’S POINTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT THAT THERE ARE JOINT EFFORTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND CONSUMER CONSCIOUS GROUPS IN PROMOTING CONSUMER RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AS THE TWO SUBJECTS ARE BECOMING INCREASING RELATED. FOR INSTANCE, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE RETAIL SECTOR ON WAYS TO REDCE THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS. ON MR MICHAEL HO’S POINT ON THE DISCLOSURE OF MORE INFORMATION TO PATIENTS BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, I NOTE THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS WORKING WITH THE MEDICAL COUNCIL ON THE INTRODUCTION OF MEASURES IN THIS REGARD. MR FUNG KIN-KEE HAS POINTED OUT A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF ROLES BETWEEN MY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND MY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION. LET ME ASSURE MR FUNG AND THIS COUNCIL THAT I HAVE HAD NO DIFFICULTIES AT ALL IN RECONCILING THE APPARENT CONFLICT BETWEEN MY TWO ROLES AND THAT I PERFORM BOTH WITH EQUAL ZEAL AND PASSION.
CONCLUSION
MR PRESIDENT, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IS SUCH THAT WE SHOULD INITIATE LEGISLATIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT CONSUMERS ONLY WHERE THEY ARB NOT ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. THE DOCTRINE OF CAVEAT EMPTOR, I.E. LET THE BUYER BEWARE, SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE, ALTHOUGH OF COURSE IT SHOULD NOT ALWAYS BE RELIED ON ENTIRELY, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHEN CONSUMERISM IS EVER RISING AND SO IS THE UNFAIR EXPLOITATION OF CONSUMERISM. WE SHALL KEEP UNDER REVIEW OUR CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE LATEST MARKET ENVIRONMENT AND TRADE PRACTICES. WE SHALL KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON WHAT ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OR LEGISLATIVE MEASURES MAY NEED TO BE INTRODUCED. BEFORE NEW MEASURES OR CONTROLS ARE INTRODUCED, WE SHALL MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE CONSULTATION WITH CONCERNED PARTIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, SO THAT WE MAY STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN, ON THE ONE, AFFORDING REASONABLE PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, ALLOWING HONG KONG'S TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE TO FLOURISH. ABOVE ALL, WE WILL ALWAYS BEAR IN MIND THE IMPORTANCE OF AVOIDING THE UNJUSTIFIABLE CREATION OF REGULATORY BUREAUCRACY AND OF AVOIDING EXCESSIVE OR UNNECESSARY INTERFERENCE WITH MARKET FORCES. THANK YOU.
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/13........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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SES ON AIRCRAFT NOISE * * * * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU AT THE DEBATE ON THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) (AMENDMENT) NOTICE 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
MAY I START BY SAYING THE ADMINISTRATION SHARES FULLY MR TO’S CONCERN THAT DISTURBANCE TO RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND ARISING FROM THE MOVEMENT OF AIRCRAFT AFTER 9 PM SHOULD BE REDUCED TO THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.
WHAT WE CANNOT SUPPORT IS THE PROPOSAL TO PLACE IN THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) (AMENDMENT) NOTICE 1993 A SPECIFIC LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF LANDINGS WHICH MAY TAKE PLACE OVER KOWLOON AFTER 9 PM.
ON 26 NOVEMBER I WROTE TO MR TO IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE WHICH STUDIED THE NOTICE. IN THAT LETTER I LISTED THE REASONS FOR OUR OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL TO PUT A LIMIT ON LANDINGS. AS SOME MEMBERS PRESENT TODAY MAY NOT BE MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE, I SHALL EXPLAIN WHY THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF MR TO’S AMENDMENT. FIRST, AS MEMBERS WILL APPRECIATE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT, ON ANY PARTICULAR EVENING, THE NUMBER OF FLIGHTS SCHEDULED FOR ARRIVAL WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD AND THE NUMBER OF FLIGHTS WHICH ACTUALLY TOUCH DOWN AT KAI TAK DURING THAT PERIOD ARE ONE AND THE SAME. THE TIME OF ARRIVAL OF AN INCOMING AIRCRAFT IS AFFECTED BY A WIDE RANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES -EG, DELAY OF THE AIRCRAFT LEAVING THE PORT OF DEPARTURE, BAD WEATHER EN ROUTE, CONGESTION IN THE AIR OR ON THE GROUND AT KAI TAK, AND SO ON. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MR TO’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT PROVIDES THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION WITH DISCRETIONARY POWERS TO DEAL WITH SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE MR TO HAS GIVEN SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION TO THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF MAKING IT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT CERTAIN CONDITIONS BE SATISFIED BEFORE THE SPECIFIED LIMIT OF 22 FLIGHTS DURING A 3-HOUR PERIOD MAY BE EXCEEDED.
/LET US .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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LET US ASSUME THAT MR TO’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS PASSED INTO LAW TODAY THEN I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE MEMBERS NOW TO THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AT KAI TAK AND LET US ALSO IMAGINE, IF YOU WILL, A SITUATION IN WHICH AN AIRCRAFT WHICH IS NOT PROGRAMMED TO LAND AFTER 9 PM SEEKS, FOR VALID REASONS, PERMISSION TO LAND BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT. THE FIRST TASK FACED BY THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER AT KAI TAK HANDLING THAT FLIGHT WOULD BE TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER PERMISSION GIVEN WOULD LEAD TO THE LEGAL LIMIT OF 22 BEING EXCEEDED. IF THE LIMIT WILL BE EXCEEDED THE CONTROLLER WILL BE OBLIGED TO GO TO HIS SUPERVISOR AND GIVE THE REASONS WHY THE UNPROGRAMMED LANDING WOULD FALL INTO ONE OR ANOTHER OF THE CATEGORIES WHERE DISCRETION MAY BE EXERCISED. NOT DIFFICULT, SOME MAY SAY. WELL, THAT DEPENDS. FIRST, THE SITUATION MAY NOT BE CLEAR CUT. EVEN IF IT IS, THE PROCESS OF ASCERTAINING THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FROM THE PILOT AND SEEKING PERMISSION FROM THE SUPERVISOR WILL TAKE TIME. IT WILL ALSO ADD TO THE WORKLOAD ON THE CONTROLLER AND THE SUPERVISOR. MORE IMPORTANTLY IT WILL DIVERT THE CONTROLLER’S ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE MORE IMPORTANT TASKS OF DIRECTING THAT AIRCRAFT AS WELL AS OTHER AIRCRAFT WITHIN HIS AREA OF CONTROL. IT IS THIS SORT OF ADDITIONAL PRESSURE AND WORKLOAD WHICH WE DO NOT WANT TO BRING ON THE ALREADY HARD-PRESSED STAFF FOR WHOM THE MAINTENANCE OF CONCENTRATION IS VITAL. SOME MEMBERS MAY SAY THAT AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER HAS TO EXERCISE DISCRETION TO ALLOW THE OCCASIONAL AIRCRAFT TO LAND AFTER MIDNIGHT AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE LAW. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SCHEDULED FLIGHTS AFTER MIDNIGHT, THE CONTROLLER WOULD NOT BE UNDER THE SAME CONDITION OF WORK PRESSURE AS HE WOULD BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT. AND IT IS THIS PRESSURE ON THE STAFF THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT, FOR PRESSURE MAY AFFECT PERFORMANCE AND JUDGEMENT.
SECONDLY THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED THAT THE PROPOSAL TO SPECIFY A MAXIMUM LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF LANDINGS OVER KOWLOON SETS AN UNFORTUNATE PRECEDENT FOR INTERVENTION TO AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS AT KAI TAK. THIS POINT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO BY MS LOH JUST NOW. IT IS NOT ONLY THE RESIDENTS OF SHAM SHUI PO WHO ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, IN TERMS OF NOISE NUISANCE. RESIDENTS OF WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON .CITY, KWUN TONG AND HONG KONG ISLAND EAST ARE ALSO AFFECTED BY EVENING AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS. WHEN AN AIRCRAFT TAKES OFF TOWARDS LEI YUE MUN, THE RESIDENTS OF KWUN TONG AND HONG KONG ISLAND EAST ARE EXPOSED TO SERIOUS NOISE DISTURBANCE. ANY MOVE ON BEHALF OF, SAY, HONG KONG ISLAND EAST’S RESIDENTS TO PLACE ANOTHER STATUTORY LIMIT ON TAKE-OFFS WOULD HAVE AT LEAST THE SAME DEGREE OF LOGIC AS THAT OF MR TO’S. IF THE ADMINISTRATION AGREES TODAY TO MR TO’S AMENDMENT, ON WHAT GROUND CAN IT REFUSE AN AMENDMENT PROPOSED IN THE INTEREST OF ANOTHER DISTRICT?
FOR THESE REASONS, MR PRESIDENT, THE ADMINISTRATION CANNOT SUPPORT MR TO’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT. I KNOW THAT MR TO HAS. ATTEMPTED TO AMEND HIS MOTION TO TRY AND GIVE THE DIRECTOR AS MUCH DISCRETION AS POSSIBLE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AMENDED VERSION STILL FALLS SHORT ON BOTH LOGIC AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS, AND I CANNOT RECOMMEND TO MEMBERS THAT THE AMENDED MOTION BE PASSED.
/NEVERTHELESS, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 15 -
NEVERTHELESS, THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISES THE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO REDUCE TO THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM THE ADDITIONAL DISTURBANCE WHICH MAY BE CAUSED AS A RESULT OF CANCELLATION OF THE "OPPOSITE RUNWAY” MODE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ENERGETICALLY TO THAT END. AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE HAS BEEN SET UP TO CONSIDER AND IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF NOISE TO THOSE LIVING UNDER OR ADJACENT TO THE FLIGHT-PATH. A NUMBER OF MITIGATING MEASURES ARE BEING EXPLORED AND CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE. WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, AS A RESULT OF EFFORTS BETWEEN THE TASK FORCE AND AIRLINES, SECURED ARRANGEMENTS TO BRING FORWARD THE LANDING TIMES FOR 42 LATE EVENING FLIGHTS PER WEEK. OF THESE, THE SCHEDULES FOR 32 FLIGHTS HAVE ALREADY OR WILL SOON BE ADJUSTED SO AS TO ARRIVE BEFORE RATHER THAN AFTER 10.30 PM.
WORK WILL CONTINUE TO TRY AND BRING FORWARD LANDINGS STILL FURTHER FOR THE 1994 SUMMER OPERATING SEASON. I HAVE TO ADVISE MEMBERS, HOWEVER, THAT I DO NOT ENVISAGE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO RE-INSTATE THE "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, CERTAINLY NOT UNTIL WE CAN BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THIS MODE WILL POSE NO RISK WHATSOEVER TO AIRCRAFT SAFETY.
ON THE ISSUE OF REDUCING THE NOISE LEVEL FROM AIRCRAFT, IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S INTENTION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THIS SESSION WHICH WILL PROGRESSIVELY TIGHTEN CONTROLS ON THE EMISSION OF NOISE BY REQUIRING AIRCRAFT USING KAI TAK TO COMPLY WITH MORE STRINGENT STANDARDS.
MR PRESIDENT, BOTH THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION AND I HAVE GIVEN TWO PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS. FIRST, THE CANCELLATION OF THE "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE OF OPERATION WILL NOT BE A MEANS OF INCREASING, SURREPTITIOUSLY, THE NUMBER OF LANDINGS AND TAKE-OFFS AT KAI TAK BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT. SECONDLY, BEFORE ANY CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SCHEDULED FLIGHTS AFTER 9 PM THERE WILL BE FULL PUBLIC CONSULTATION INCLUDING CONSULTATION WITH MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL. WE STAND BY BOTH UNDERTAKINGS.
TODAY, I DO HAVE A SIMPLE REQUEST TO PUT TO MEMBERS. IN THE FEW REMAINING YEARS WHEN OUR AIRPORT WILL STILL BE AT KAI TAK, DO NOT PLEASE PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION AND HIS TEAM OF HARD-WORKING AND CONSCIENTIOUS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS. RATHER, LET US WORK TOGETHER CONSTRUCTIVELY TO KEEP TO THE MINIMUM THE DISTURBANCE TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHICH SADLY WILL REMAIN A FACT OF LIFE UNTIL THE OPENING OF OUR NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT.
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/16........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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TWO BILLS TO BEAT DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING *****
RULES TO COMBAT DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING WILL BE EFFECTIVELY ENFORCED UNDER TWO BILLS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WERE MOVED FOR SECOND READING BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG.
THE BILLS SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION CAN TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST A PERSON REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE OR THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE WHO HAD BREACHED RULES MADE BY THE COMMISSION.
MR TAM SAID THE COMMISSION WOULD PROMULGATE RULES REGARDING THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY INTERMEDIARIES IN THE SECURITIES MARKET IN COUNTERING AND REPORTING SUSPECTED MONEY LAUNDERING TRANSACTIONS.
UNDER THE EXISTING FRAMEWORK, IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER A BREACH OF SUCH RULES CONSTITUTES "MISCONDUCT" FOR WHICH ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN.
"IT IS NECESSARY TO REMOVE ANY POTENTIAL AMBIGUITIES IN THIS REGARD IF WE ARE TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE THOSE RULES TO BE MADE," HE SAID.
THE AMENDMENT EXPRESSLY STIPULATES THAT "MISCONDUCT" INCLUDES ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH RULES MADE BY THE COMMISSION.
THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 ALSO RECTIFIES A DISPARITY BETWEEN THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE.
WHILE THE FORMER CONTAINS AN EXPLICIT PROVISION FOR THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO PROMULGATE RULES IN RESPECT OF THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF INTERMEDIARIES, THIS IS ABSENT IN THE LATTER.
DEBATES ON THE TWO BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
------0--------
IMPROVEMENTS TO SEVERANCE, LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS PROPOSED
*****
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT FOR LONG-SERVING WORKERS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1993, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID AN EMPLOYEES’ ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT WAS CALCULATED AT THE RATE OF TWO-THIRDS OF A MONTH’S WAGES FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE, BUT SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM LIMIT OF 12 MONTHS’ WAGES OR $180,000, WHICHEVER WAS THE LESS.
/THIS ARRANGEMENT ......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS THE EFFECT OF LIMITING THE RECKONABLE SERVICE OF AN EMPLOYEE TO 18 YEARS.
"TO ALLEVIATE THE GRIEVANCES OF LONG-SERVING WORKERS, WE PROPOSE TO REMOVE THE CEILING OF 12 MONTHS’ AGGREGATE WAGES, BUT THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT OF $180,000 WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED," SAID MR LAM.
THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT OF $180,000 WOULD BE REVIEWED PERIODICALLY,
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION AND GENERAL WAGE MOVEMENT.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO SPECIFY THAT THE 26-WEEK EMPLOYMENT PERIOD RELATING TO THE ENTITLEMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE SHOULD BE COUNTED BACKWARD FROM THE EXPECTED DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE.
TO IMPROVE PROTECTION TO PREGNANT EMPLOYEES, IT IS PROPOSED TO MAKE LATE PAYMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE PAY AS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
UNDER THE BILL, THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A REGISTERED DENTIST WOULD BE REGARDED AS A VALID DOCUMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CLAIMING SICKNESS ALLOWANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
THREE MORE AGENCIES GRANTED EXEMPTION *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXEMPTED HONG KONG DOLLAR DENOMINATED DEBT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY THREE MORE MULTILATERAL AGENCIES FROM PROFITS TAX AND STAMP DUTY.
THE AGENCIES ARE THE EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, THE 1NTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND THE NORDIC INVESTMENT HANK.
LIKE THE FOUR INSTITUTIONS ALREADY EXEMPTED, THE THREE AGENCIES ARE MULTILATERAL BODIES WITH TOP CREDIT RATINGS.
MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE (CAP.112) TO EFFECT THE EXEMPTION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG SAID THESE AGENCIES HAD INDICATED INTEREST IN ISSUING HONG KONG DOLLAR-DENOMINATED DEBT INSTRUMENTS IN LOCAL MARKET.
"THIS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE EXPANSION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND CAPITAL MARKETS AND FURTHER PROMOTE HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE," MR TSANG SAID.
THE FOUR WHICH HAD ALREADY GIVEN EXEMPTION IN APRIL LAST YEAR WERE THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, THE INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
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INCREASE IN FIXED PENALTY APPROVED
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE TO RAISE THE FIXED PENALTY FOR DRIVING OK USING AN OVERLOADED GOODS VEHICLE FROM $450 TO $1,000.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID OVERLOADED GOODS VEHICLES POSED A REAL ROAD SAFETY HAZARD AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ROAD SURFACES.
HE SAID THE EXISTING FIXED PENALTY, WHICH WAS SET IN JULY 1989, NO LONGER HAD A DETERRENT EFFECT SINCE IT WAS MUCH CHEAPER TO PAY THE FINE THAN TO MEET THE EXTRA COST ARISING FROM ADDITIONAL TRIPS AND FREIGHT CHARGES THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BECOME NECESSARY.
’’INDEED, SOME DRIVERS AND HAULAGE OPERATORS NOW REGARD THE FIXED PENALTY AS X MERE AND MINOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSE," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE AMENDED PENALTY WAS PART OF A TWO-PRONGED APPROACH IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. I) BILL 1992 INCLUDED A PROVISION TO MAKE OWNERS OF GOODS VEHICLES STRICTLY LIABLE FOR THE OVERLOADING OF THEIR VEHICLES, HF ADDED.
THIS WAS ALSO TO BE CONSIDERED BY MEMBERS AT TODAY’S SITTING.
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WITNESSES’ ALLOWANCES RA ISED *****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, MOVED TWO RESOLUTIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO BRING INTO EFFECT NEW RATES OF WITNESSES’ ALLOWANCES IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND CORONERS’ COURTS.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION ON THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (WITNESSES’ ALLOWANCES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1993, MR JEREMY SAID THE EXISTING RATES, WHICH WERE $90 AND $200 FOR EACH DAY AND $15 AND $100 FOR PART OF A DAY FOR AN ORDINARY WITNESS AND A PROFESSIONAL OR AN EXPERT WITNESS RESPECTIVELY, WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1983 \ND WERE NOW OUTDATED.
DURING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON OCTOBER 15 THIS YEAR, MEMBERS APPROVED THE PROPOSAL THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO AN ORDINARY WITNESS BE INCREASED TO $210 FOK EACH DAV, OR $120 FOR PART OF A DAY, AND THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO A PROFESSIONAL OR TO AN EXPERT WITNESS BI INCREASED TO $1,400 FOR EACH DAY, OR $700 FOR PART OF A DAY.
/"THE INCREASES .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 19 -
"THE INCREASES ARE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT PAYMENTS ARE MADE AT A REALISTIC LEVEL," HE SAID.
IN A SEPARATE RESOLUTION, MR MATHEWS ALSO MOVED THE CORONERS (WITNESSES’ ALLOWANCES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1993 TO BRING SIMILAR INCREASES TO THE ALLOWANCES PAYABLE TO ORDINARY, PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERT WITNESSES ATTENDING A CORONER’S INQUIRY.
BOTH RESOLUTIONS WERE PASSED.
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MOTION TO EXTEND STAMP DUTY REQUIREMENT TO CURB SPECULATION PASSED *****
THE EXTENT OF SPECULATION ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY HAD TO A CERTAIN EXTENT BEEN CONTAINED LAST YEAR, WHILE THE PROPERTY MARKET HAD REMAINED BUOYANT.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THIS WAS THE COMBINED RESULT OF THE TIGHTER MORTGAGE LENDING POLICY OF THE BANKS AS WELL AS THE INCREASED COST OF SPECULATION AS A RESULT OF THE STAMP DUTY PROVISIONS.
IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, THE LEGCO APPROVED AMENDMENTS TO THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, STAMP DUTY TO BE PAID ON ALL AGREEMENTS FOR SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
THE SECRETARY SAID THESE AMENDMENTS HAD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COST OF SPECULATION ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THROUGH THE USE OF LONG CHAINS OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS BEFORE ACTUAL ASSIGNMENT.
THIS IS A DISINCENTIVE TO THOSE WHO SPECULATE ON PROPERTY IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE CONCLUSION OF A SALE AGREEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT, THUS PUSHING UP PRICES FOR GENUINE HOME-BUYERS.
MR TSANG SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO ASCERTAIN WITH PRECISION WHAT THE EXACT CONTRIBUTION OF THE STAMP DUTY REQUIREMENT HAD BEEN TOWARDS CONTAINING PROPERTY SPECULATION.
BUT A DECISION NOT TO EXTEND SUCH REQUIREMENT WOULD SEND COMPLETELY THE WRONG SIGNAL TO THE MARKET, HE ADDED.
"THERE WOULD BE A CONSIDERABLE RISK THAT SPECULATION WOULD BECOME RIFE AGAIN TO THE DETRIMENT OF GENUINE HOME-BUYERS."
THEREFORE, A MOTION THAT SOUGHT THE EXTENSION OF THIS MEASURE, WHICH THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS WELCOMED, BY A FURTHER PERIOD OF TWO YEARS BEYOND DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR WAS PASSED IN THE LEGCO TODAY.
"THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS CONCERN ABOUT GENUINE HOME-BUYERS NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THE RISING COSTS OF PROPERTY.
/"THIS MOTION .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
"THIS MOTION WILL REAFFIRM THIS COUNCIL’S RESOLVE IN ADOPTING THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO REDUCE SPECULATION IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY," HE SAID.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED UNDER STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE I CHAPTER 117) WITH AMENDMENT MADE TO ITS SECTION 291(1).
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INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992
*******
COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS TO RESOLVE POTENTIAL PROCEDURAL PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT DEPRIVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HAVING ADEQUATE TIME TO SCRUTINISE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, EXPLAINED THAT THE EXISTING ORDINANCE GAVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 28 DAYS TO AMEND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION LAID ON THE TABLE.
WHERE A SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ENDS BEFORE THAT 28-DAY PERIOD, THE PERIOD IS EXTENDED SO THAT IT EXPIRES ON THE DAY AFTER THE SECOND SITTING OF THE FOLLOWING SESSION.
HE SAID: "IT IS POSSIBLE, HOWEVER, THAT THE FORMAL END OF A SESSION WILL OCCUR MORE THAN 28 DAYS AFTER THE FINAL SITTING.
"IN THAT CASE, THE SPECIAL PROVISION FOR EXTENDING THE TIME LIMIT WOULD NOT COME INTO EFFECT AND THIS COUNCIL WOULD BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY OF AMENDING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TABLED DURING THE LAST SITTING."
POINTING OUT ANOTHER PROBLEM, MR MATHEWS SAID WHILE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS PERMITTED TO EXTEND THE NORMAL PERIOD OF 28 DAYS FOR THE SCRUTINY OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION BY UP TO 21 DAYS, SUCH EXTENSION, HOWEVER, MIGHT NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THE NEXT SITTING TO BE REACHED WHERE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHRISTMAS RECESS INTERVENED.
THE THIRD PROBLEM, MR MATHEWS SAID, AROUSE IN THE MEANING OF "SITTING" AS THERE WERE SPECIAL SITTINGS IN THE COUNCIL WHERE ORDINARY BUSINESS WAS NOT DISCUSSED AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION COULD NOT BE RAISED.
PROPOSING A NEW CLAUSE TO THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID: "FIRSTLY, THERE WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF THE 28-DAY PERIOD WHENEVER SUCH TIME LIMIT WOULD EXPIRE AFTER THE LAST SITTING OF A SESSION.
"THE DATE OF THE FORMAL END OF THE SESSION WILL NO LONGER BE MATERIAL.
/"SECONDLY, THE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
21
"SECONDLY, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE PERMITTED TO EXTEND THE 28-DAY PERIOD TO THE NEXT SITTING, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHEN THAT SITTING TAKES PLACE.
"FINALLY, THE WORD ’SITTING’ IS DEFINED TO MEAN THOSE OCCASIONS WHERE THE DISCUSSION OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION IS ON THE ORDER PAPER.”
AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL ALSO INCLUDE A CLAUSE THAT CONCERN CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND CLARIFIES AN APPARENT INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN A SECTION OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE AND ARTICLE 12 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTION 92, WHERE A CRIMINAL PENALTY IS VARIED BETWEEN THE TIME OF COMMISSION OF AN OFFENCE AND THE TIME OF CONVICTION, THE OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO THE PENALTY PREVAILING AT THE TIME OF COMMISSION.
"THE SECTION, HOWEVER, MUST BE READ SUBJECT TO ARTICLE 12 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE. THIS STATES THAT WHERE A PENALTY IS VARIED BETWEEN THE TIME OF COMMISSION AND CONVICTION, THE OFFENDER IS ONLY LIABLE TO THE LESSER PENALTY.
"ALTHOUGH THE LEGAL POSITION IS CLEAR, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE OPPORTUNITY BE TAKEN TO REMOVE THIS APPARENT INCONSISTENCY."
------0-------
GOVT STILL WAITING FOR RESPONSE FOR NEXT ROUND OF TALKS * * * * *
IN ORDER TO GIVE THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS TALKS THE MAXIMUM CHANCE TO SUCCEED, IT IS AGREED THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN CONFIDENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SZE SAID IT WAS STILL THEIR POSITION.
"IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCES IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT TO GIVE A PUBLIC ACCOUNT AT THIS STAGE OF ALL THE DISCUSSIONS," MR SZE SAID.
WHEN THE TALKS STARTED IN APRIL, THE GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED IN PUBLIC THE BASIS FOR THE TALKS, MR SZE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT REMAIN READY TO CONTINUE WITH THE TALKS ON THE AGREED BASIS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEEK AGREEMENT ON THE REMAINING, MORE COMPLEX ISSUES NOT COVERED IN THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) (NO. 2) BILL 1993.
”WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE CHINESE SIDE’S RESPONSE TO OUR PROPOSAL FOR DATES FOR THE NEXT ROUND," THE SECRETARY SAID.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
ANXIETIES OVER CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY NOTED * * * * *
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE ANXIETIES OF THE COMMUNITY IN THESE LAST FEW YEARS BEFORE THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SZE SAID THEY BELIEVED STRONGLY THAT THE BEST MEANS OF ENSURING THAT HONG KONG COULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ITS FUTURE WAS TO ENSURE THAT THERE REMAIN IN PLACE AFTER 1997 THE INSTITUTIONS THAT WERE NECESSARY TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE.
THEY ARE:
* A VIGOROUS AND ACCOUNTABLE EXECUTIVE;
♦ A CREDIBLE AND BROADLY-BASED LEGISLATURE; AND
* AN INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL JUDICIARY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) (NO.2) BILL 1993 WAS THE FIRST PART OF THEIR PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME AIMED AT ACHIEVING REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS WHICH WERE CREDIBLE AND BROADLY-BASED.
"THE COMMUNITY SHOULD WORK TO BUILD THEIR FUTURE UNDER THE HISTORIC PRINCIPLE OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’, RATHER THAN SHY AWAY FROM IT," HE SAID.
NOTING THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY WAS ALWAYS TO BE A DIFFICULT ENTERPRISE, HE SAID:
"WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WITH GOODWILL AND CO-OPERATION FROM BOTH SIDES EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENCES, AND OF COURSE WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, WE CAN TOGETHER OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES."
- - 0 - -
MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFETY IN NEW YEAR EVENTS
*****
ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE NO OVERCROWDING AND TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY DURING NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION AT VICTORIA PARK.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN.
THERE WILL BE 50,000 TICKETS ON SALE FOR THE EVENT.
/MR WOODHOUSE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 23 -
MR WOODHOUSE SAID HOARDINGS WOULD BE SET OF THE CROWD.
UP TO CONTROL THE SIZE
SUFFICIENT ENTRANCE AND EXIT POINTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO ENSURE THAT THE CROWD ENTERS AND DISPERSES ORDERLY AND GRADUALLY, HE ADDED.
A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:
» THE POLICE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERALL SAFETY AND CROWD CONTROL. POLICE TACTICAL UNITS, UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS, TRAFFIC POLICE AND CID OFFICERS WILL BE MOBILISED AND STATIONED AT THE PARK FOR CROWD CONTROL, DIRECTING TRAFFIC AND FOR DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES;
» THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CO-ORDINATE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS REGARDING THE OVERALL TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS;
I
* THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WILL PROVIDE FIRST-AID SERVICES AND ITS HEADQUARTERS IN HO MAN TIN WILL HAVE AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TASK FORCE, WITH TWO AMBULANCES AND A TEAM OF DOCTORS AND NURSES ON STANDBY;
* THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAS A CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND ADEQUATE MEDICAL STAFF CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE ONCE THE CONTINGENCY PLAN IS ACTIVATED;
* THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL DEPLOY 140 MEMBERS AT THE PARK AND WILL LIAISE CLOSELY WITH THE POLICE TO ENSURE CROWD SAFETY, AND
* THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY MAY DESIGNATE SPECIAL ENTRANCES AND EXITS AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY AND TIN HAU STATIONS.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE ACTIVITIES AT VICTORIA PARK WERE EXPECTED TO DIVERT PEOPLE FROM LAN KWAI FONG.
’’THERE WILL ALSO BE A COUNTDOWN VARIETY SHOW THAT EVENING IN SHATIN CENTRAL PARK, WHICH WILL ALSO DIVERT PEOPLE FROM LAN KWAI FONG," HE SAID.
AS FOR LAN KWAI FONG, HE SAID THE POLICE WOULD ALSO DEPLOY ADEQUATE STAFF TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY, ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY ORGANISED EVENTS THERE.
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/24........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
24
FULL-COST APPROACH IN CALCULATING MEDICAL COSTS
*****
IN CALCULATING MEDICAL COSTS OF PROVIDING HOSPITAL AND CLINIC SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ADOPT THE STANDARD GOVERNMENT PRACTICE OF THE FULL-COST APPROACH.
THIS COMPRISES STAFF COSTS, DRUGS, CONSUMMABLES, OVERHEAD AND DEPRECIATION ON EQUIPMENT AND BUILDINGS.
THE UNIT COSTS FOR INDIVIDUAL SERVICE TYPES ARE THEN DERIVED BY DIVIDING THE TOTAL SERVICE COST WITH THE ACTIVITY LEVEL SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF BED DAYS, THE NUMBER OF ATTENDANCES AND THE NUMBER OF VISITS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S H LEE, IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS TO ENSURE COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN DELIVERING MEDICAL SERVICES, THAT IS, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE WITHIN AVAILABLE RESOURCES," DR LEE SAID.
"TO THIS END, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OPTIMISES THE USE OF RESOURCES THROUGH REGULAR REVIEW OF THE MODE OF SERVICE DELIVERY AND STREAMLINING PROCEDURES."
COST CONTAINMENT IS ENHANCED THROUGH REGULAR MONITORING OF EXPENDITURE PATTERNS, DRUG MANAGEMENT AND DRUG MONITORING COMMITTEES.
FURTHERMORE, CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES ARE ORGANISED TO PROVIDE THE RESPONSIBLE STAFF WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL, HE SAID.
"AS REGARDS THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, IT HAS IN PLACE A RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK."
AS PART OF ITS BUSINESS PLANNING PROCESS, RESOURCE INPUTS ARE LINKED WITH SERVICE OUTPUTS, TARGETS AND QUALITY STANDARD.
THE USE OF RESOURCES AT HOSPITAL LEVEL IS THEN MONITORED AND EVALUATED BY THE HEAD OFFICE THROUGH A FINANCIAL AND PERFORMANCE REPORTING SYSTEM.
CLUSTERING OF HOSPITALS AND NETWORKING OF SERVICES HAVE ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED TO RATIONALISE THE DISTRIBUTION OF SERVICES, IMPROVE PATIENT ACCESS AND AVOID UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION OF RESOURCES, HE ADDED.
ON THE AVERAGE RATES OF INCREASE OF MEDICAL COSTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS OF VARIOUS FACILITIES, IT IS 16 PER CENT PER YEAR FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL BEDS AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL BEDS, 17 PER CENT PER YEAR FOR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND 15 PER CENT PER YEAR FOR SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT CLINICS.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 25 -
PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO REPORT ANY ALLEGED VIOLATION OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE (COIAO) EITHER TO THE POLICE OR TO THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) THROUGH ITS HOTLINE, 594 5836.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PUBLICISE THIS NUMBER ON TELEVISION AND RADIO.
THE MOVE IS PART OF ITS PUBLICITY EFFORTS TO REMIND THE TRADE TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE AS WELL AS TO APPEAL TO TEACHERS AND PARENTS TO GUIDE AND EDUCATE YOUNG PERSONS TO STAY AWAY FROM INDECENT COMIC BOOKS AND MAGAZINES.
OTHER MEASURES TAKEN INCLUDE THE ISSUE OF TWO CIRCULAR LETTERS TO ALL NEWSPAPER STALLS REMINDING THEM OF THE LAW AND PROVIDING THEM WITH A LIST OF COMIC BOOKS AND MAGAZINES WHICH HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS INDECENT OR OBSCENE, PRODUCTION OF A TELEVISION PROGRAMME AND TV/RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST, PRESS CONFERENCES AFTER MAJOR POLICE OPERATIONS AND PRESS INTERVIEWS FOR THE MEDIA.
IN ADDITION, A LEAFLET IS BEING PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS.
MR SO ALSO INFORMED THE COUNCIL THAT IN VIEW OF THE PUBLIC CONCERN, THE POLICE AND TELA HAD CONDUCTED 17 JOINT OPERATIONS ON SUSPECTED OBSCENE ARTICLES BETWEEN OCTOBER 1 AND DECEMBER 8 THIS YEAR.
THESE HAD RESULTED IN 15,000 VIDEO TAPES, 100 LASER DISCS AND 300 COPIES OF PRINTED MATTERS BEING SEIZED AND 10 PERSONS. BEING PROSECUTED FOR PUBLISHING INDECENT ARTICLES TO UNDERAGE PERSONS.
DURING THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1991 TO OCTOBER 1993, THE POLICE, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND TELA HAD TAKEN OUT 988 PROSECUTIONS ON CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE COIAO.
A TOTAL OF 806 CONVICTIONS HAD BEEN OBTAINED AND THE PENALTIES IMPOSED RANGED FROM $500 TO $60,000 AND PRISON SENTENCES OF ONE TO 18 MONTHS.
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/26........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
26 -
UPDATED TRIAD REPORT IN PROCESS *****
THE POLICE IS PREPARING AN UPDATED REPORT ON THE TRIAD SITUATION IN HONG KONG FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AT ITS NEXT MEETING IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR WOODHOUSE SAID A COPY OF THE REPORT WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL.
’’THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAS ADVISED THAT, WHILE THE TRIAD SITUATION IS CONTAINED, THE LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION OF SOME TRIAD ACTIVITIES IS INCREASING, AS IS THE SCALE OF SOME OPERATIONS,” HE SAID.
THE POLICE HAVE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL TEAM TO INVESTIGATE A SERIES OF INCIDENTS OF MURDER, SERIOUS ASSAULT, INTIMIDATION AND CRIMINAL DAMAGE INVOLVING SUSPECTED TRIAD ELEMENTS.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE POLICE HAD A DEDICATED CRIME AND TRIAD GROUP TO CO-ORDINATE THE STRATEGY, ANALYSE INTELLIGENCE AND CONDUCT OPERATIONS AGAINST TRIADS AND ORGANISED CRIME GROUPS.
’’THE POLICE HAVE ALSO DEPLOYED CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES AT REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS TO FIGHT TRIADS,” HE SAID.
THESE INCLUDE THE INTELLIGENCE AND ANTI-TRIAD UNITS WHICH GATHER EVIDENCE AND MOUNT OPERATION; THE UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS ON THE BEAT TO AUGMENT SUCH OPERATIONS; THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BUREAU TO REINFORCE PUBLICITY; AND THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES TO REPORT TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
------0--------
MAJORITY OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS TO BE REDEEMED
*****
OUTSTANDING LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE REDEEMED THROUGH THE LANDS SALES PROGRAMME AND THE GREAT MAJORITY KNOWN TO BE IN THE HANDS OF DEVELOPERS SHOULD BE REDEEMED BY 1997.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR EASON SAID THE AMOUNT OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS YET TO BE REDEEMED ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR WAS 181,552 SQ FT OF BUILDING LAND AND 4,866,739 SQ FT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.
HE SAID 2.3 MILLION SQ FT OF THIS AMOUNT WERE COMMITTED TO BE REDEEMED IN THE COURSE OF THE 1992/93 LAND SALES PROGRAMME BUT HAD YET TO BE FORMALLY SURRENDERED.
/•'THIS IS .........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
’’THIS IS A CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION FROM THE TOTAL OF 37 MILLION
SQ FT WHICH WERE OUTSTANDING IN 1984,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID IT WAS LIKELY THAT AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS WOULD NOT BE OFFERED FOR REDEMPTION BECAUSE THE OWNERS HAVE DIED OR EMIGRATED OR SIMPLY DO NOT REALISE THEIR VALUE.
’’THEREFORE IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE TOTAL REDEMPTION,” HE SAID.
THE POLICY ON LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS WAS LAST REVIEWED IN 1991 AND A FURTHER REVIEW IS NOW UNDERWAY.
- - 0 - -
GOVT TAKES FRESH LOOK AT SEAT BELT LAW *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A FRESH LOOK AT WHETHER PASSENGER SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED FOR MIDDLE FRONT SEATS IN VEHICLES.
BOTH SAFETY AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SIMON TP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARM/X SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO SEEKING TO RAISE BY MID-1994 THE FIXED PENALTY FOR DRIVING WITHOUT WEARING A SEAT BELT FROM $200 TO $320 AND THAT FOR A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT FROM $140 TO $230.
HE SAID THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE PHASED FOR PRACTICAL REASONS GIVEN THE LEAD TIME REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION AND TO ALLOW MOTORISTS AND PASSENGERS TO ADJUST TO SUCH REQUIREMENTS.
’’THE NEXT STEP IS TO REQUIRE THE FITTING AND WEARING OF REAR SEAT BELTS.
”TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE PLAN TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
/28
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 28 -
NO INTERFERENCE IN PRIVATE LAND MATTERS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT NORMALLY INTERVENE IN PRIVATE MATTERS BETWEEN LANDOWNERS AND OCCUPIERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CASES MAY EVENTUALLY GO BEFORE THE COURTS.
HOWEVER, THE LOCAL DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES WILL ASSIST IN CLARIFYING THE STATUS OF LANDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE THAT THE OCCUPIERS OF SOME LANDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD RECEIVED NOTICES FROM THOSE CLAIMING TO BE THE OWNERS, SEEKING TO RECOVER POSSESSION OF THE LAND.
HE SAID IT APPEARED THAT THESE NOTICES WERE SENT BECAUSE OF A COURT CASE IN LATE LAST YEAR WHICH DREW THE OWNERS’ ATTENTION TO THEIR LEGAL POSITION.
UNDER THE LIMITATION ORDINANCE, A PERSON WHO OCCUPIES LAND WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE OWNER FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS MAY HAVE A CLAIM OF "ADVERSE POSSESSION" AGAINST THE OWNER.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE OWNER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECOVER POSSESSION OF HIS LAND.
"THESE CASES MAY HAVE ARISEN NOW BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF NEW TERRITORIES LEASES, ORIGINALLY GRANTED FOR A STANDARD TERM OF 75 YEARS FROM 1898 WITH A RIGHT OF RENEWAL FOR 24 YEARS UP TO 1997, WERE RENEWED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES (RENEWABLE CROWN LEASES) ORDINANCE IN 1969 WITH EFFECT FROM 1973.
"THE PERIOD OF 20 YEARS FROM THE RENEWAL DATE IS NOW RUNNING OUT AND A COURT CASE IN LATE 1992 HAD DRAWN THE ATTENTION TO THE POSITION," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THESE ARE ESSENTIALLY PRIVATE MATTERS BETWEEN THE LAND OWNERS AND THE OCCUPIERS, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT KNOW THERE WERE HOW MANY SUCH CASES, OR DETAILS OF THE SPECIFIC PIECES OF LAND, EXCEPT WHEN THE PEOPLE AFFECTED HAD SOUGHT ASSISTANCE.
IN A FEW CASES, THE OCCUPIERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN ISSUED CROWN LAND LICENCES WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT OCCUPYING PRIVATE LAND, MR EASON SAID.
"THIS HAS ARISEN LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE INACCURACY OF THE ORIGINAL LAND SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN THE EARLY 1900’S.
"WHENEVER SUCH CASES COME TO LIGHT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CANCEL THE LICENCES AND REFUND ALL FEES PAID IN RESPECT OF THEM."
MR EASON SAID THE LOCAL DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES WOULD ASSIST OCCUPIERS OR OWNERS IN CLARIFYING THE STATUS OF LAND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
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/29.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 29 -
LEGAL CONTROL OF UNSAFE CONDOMS
*****
LEGISLATIVE POWER COULD BE INVOKED TO PREVENT THE SALE OF UNSAFE CONDOMS WHICH POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, SAID UNDER THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGCO ON DECEMBER 8, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE REGULATIONS TO PROHIBIT THE SUPPLY, MANUFACTURE IN HONG KONG, OR IMPORTATION INTO HONG KONG, OF SPECIFIED CONSUMER GOODS OR A CLASS OF CONSUMER GOODS.
CONDOMS FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "CONSUMER GOODS" UNDER THE BILL.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TO ISSUE SAFETY CONTROL NOTICES TO SUPPLIERS TO PROHIBIT THEM FROM SUPPLYING UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS AND TO REQUIRE IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE MARKET OF UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY.
MR CHAU SAID THERE WERE NO EXISTING LAWS WHICH EMPOWERED THE GOVERNMENT TO ASK THE SUPPLIERS CONCERNED TO RECALL FROM THE MARKET ANY CONDOM FALLING BELOW INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS, OR PROHIBIT THE IMPORT AND SALE OF SUCH PRODUCTS.
"THE QUALITY, LABELLING AND SALE OF CONDOMS, EITHER IMPORTED OR LOCALLY MADE, ARE NOT GOVERNED BY EXISTING LAWS," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
DRUG TRAFFICKING IN VIET DETENTION CENTRES MINIMAL
*****
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AT THE NEW HORIZONS DEPARTURE CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR WOODHOUSE SAID DRUG TRAFFICKING IN DETENTION CENTRES WAS ALSO MINIMAL.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE ONLY FOUR CASES OF DRUG SEIZURE, RESULTING IN FOUR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS BEING CHARGED AND CONVICTED OF SIMPLE POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS.
THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN NO SEIZURES AND NO VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS CHARGED WITH DRUG-RELATED OFFENCES.
/IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE DETENTION CENTRE RULES TO INTRODUCE, SUPPLY OR POSSESS UNAUTHORISED ARTICLES, WHICH INCLUDE DRUGS.
ACCESS TO DETENTION CENTRES IS RESTRICTED AND VISITS TO CAMPS ARE CLOSELY MONITORED; ALL INCOMING ARTICLES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE SUBJECT TO CHECKING.
IN ADDITION, DORMITORY SEARCHES ARE CARRIED OUT FROM TIME TO TIME TO ENSURE THAT NO UNAUTHORISED ARTICLES ARE KEPT IN THE CAMPS.
’’VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SUSPECTED TO BE INVOLVED IN DRUG ABUSE OR TRAFFICKING WILL BE INVESTIGATED AND REFERRED TO THE POLICE IF THERE IS SUBSTANTIATED EVIDENCE.”
’’SUSPECTS MAY ALSO BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER CAMPS FOR MANAGEMENT OBSERVATION,” HE SAID.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF VIETNAMESE IN HONG KONG ARE IN DETENTION CENTRES AWAITING STATUS DETERMINATION OR REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM.
- - 0 - -
JUDICIARY TO COMPUTERISE CASE RECORD SYSTEM: SHA
*******
THE JUDICIARY IS PLANNING TO INSTALL A COMPUTERISED CASE RECORD SYSTEM TO FACILITATE THE COMPILATION OF MORE DETAILED STATISTICS IN FUTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG ON THE NUMBER OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT LITIGATION CASES, IN WHICH CHAIRPERSONS OF THE OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS WERE INVOLVED AS PLAINTIFFS OR DEFENDANTS.
AT PRESENT THE JUDICIARY DOES NOT KEEP STATISTICS DOWN TO THIS DETAILED LEVEL.
MR SUEN SAID THE MAJORITY OF SUCH CASES PROBABLY FELL WITHIN THE ’’CIVIL JURISDICTION” CATEGORY OF THE DISTRICT COURTS STATISTICS AND THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL STATISTICS.
A TOTAL OF 34,927 ACTIONS AND 38,930 CASES WERE INSTITUTED RESPECTIVELY LAST YEAR, HE ADDED.
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/31
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 31 -
LATE BNO APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED * * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION WILL CONSIDER SYMPATHETICALLY AND WITH FLEXIBILITY ALL LATE APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORTS (BN(O)).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG YING-YEN, MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE NUMBER OF LATE APPLICATIONS WAS LIKELY TO BE VERY SMALL.
”WE DO NOT THINK THAT THE NUMBER OF APPEALS WILL BE TOO LARGE FOR THE BN(O) LATE REGISTRATION APPEALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO HANDLE,” HE SAID.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC TARGET FOR THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS AS IT WAS NOT COMPULSORY FOR BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS TO APPLY FOR BN(O) PASSPORTS.
HOWEVER, TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO WISH TO APPLY WILL DO IT IN TIME, HE SAID THE PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME WAS PUBLICISED IN VARIOUS WAYS LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
”WE WILL CONTINUE THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMME AND MONITOR ITS EFFECTIVENESS CLOSELY, ENHANCING ITS INTENSITY IF NECESSARY,” HE SAID.
------0--------
GROWTH IN USE OF AUTO-TOLL
*****
A TOTAL OF 22,090 AUTOPASSES HAVE SO FAR BEEN ISSUED BY THE AUTOPASS COMPANY LTD FOR USE AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG, MR BARMA SAID THE AUTO-TOLL SYSTEM WAS A PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVE.
”IT IS FOR THE COMPANIES THEMSELVES TO DECIDE WHETHER TO INTRODUCE AUTO-TOLL SYSTEMS FOR THEIR TUNNELS.
"THEY THEN NEED TO SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
"THE VEHICLES SO EQUIPPED CAN USE THE AUTO-TOLL LANES AT BOTH THE CROSS HARBOUR AND ABERDEEN TUNNELS.”
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/32........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 32 -
BANKNOTES ISSUE FULLY BACKED BY EXCHANGE FUND
*****
THE CIRCULATION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR BANKNOTES OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY DOES NOT POSE A PROBLEM TO ITS MONETARY SYSTEM, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON DAVID K P LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR TAM SAID THE ISSUE OF BANKNOTES WAS FULLY BACKED BY U.S. DOLLARS PLACED WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND.
HE SAID EVEN IN THE HIGHLY UNLIKELY EVENT THAT A LARGE AMOUNT OF BANKNOTES WAS RETURNED TO HONG KONG, THE EXCHANGE FUND WOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM IN COMING UP WITH THE U.S. DOLLARS FOR REDEEMING THE BANKNOTES.
THERE IS ALSO A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF OFFSHORE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, MAINLY HELD BY MAINLAND ENTERPRISES OR INDIVIDUALS AND PLACED WITH BANKS IN CHINA.
AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE BANKING SECTOR’S GROSS HONG KONG DOLLAR LIABILITIES TO BANKS IN CHINA AMOUNTED TO $81 BILLION, BEING 60 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR LIABILITIES TO BANKS ABROAD.
THE NET AMOUNT OF HONG KONG DOLLAR LIABILITIES TO BANKS IN CHINA AMOUNTED TO $44 BILLION AT THE END OF THE SAME MONTH.
MR TAM SAID A SUDDEN AND SUBSTANTIAL MOVEMENT OF THESE HONG KONG DOLLAR HOLDINGS COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AND THE LIQUIDITY POSITION OF INDIVIDUAL BANKS IN HONG KONG.
BUT THIS WAS UNLIKELY TO BE SIGNIFICANT, HE ADDED.
"THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY KEEPS A CLOSE WATCH ON THE CHANGE IN THESE OFFSHORE DEPOSITS, INCLUDING LIAISING WITH THE PEOPLE’S BANK OF CHINA AND CONDUCTING SURVEYS FOR THIS PURPOSE," HE SAID.
------0------------
NEW MRF FORMAT FOR UPCOMING BUDGET
*****
EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE BASIS ON WHICH THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST (MRF) IS MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE FORECAST OF BOTH REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE IS AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR TSANG .......
WEDNESDAY , DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 33 -
MR TSANG SAID THE MRF WOULD BE PRESENTED IN A NEW FORMAT IN THE UPCOMING FORECAST, TO GIVE A CLEARER AND MORE INFORMATIVE PICTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES.
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW FINALISING THE NEW FORMAT, AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ADVICE OF LEGCO MEMBERS ON HOW BEST THE MRF FORMAT CAN BE REVISED.
THE MRF IS A FORECAST OF THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE COVERING A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS: THE CURRENT YEAR, THE FORTHCOMING ESTIMATES YEAR AND A FURTHER THREE YEARS.
MR TSANG SAID: "LIKE MOST FORECASTS, IT IS BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS YEARS, CURRENT AND UP-TO-DATE DATA OF THE PRESENT POSITION AND A NUMBER OF KEY ASSUMPTIONS AS TO FUTURE EVENTS, SUCH AS ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INFLATION TRENDS."
"IN COMPILING THE MRF FOR THE UPCOMING BUDGET, THEREFORE, WE SHALL PAY FULL ATTENTION TO THE TRENDS OF KEY INDICATORS TO-DATE, THE LATEST REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE POSITION AND THE REALISM OF THE ASSUMPTIONS ON WHICH THE PROJECTIONS ARE BASED HAVING REGARD TO CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED CIRCUMSTANCES."
DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, THE FINAL OUT-TURN MIGHT STILL BE DIFFERENT FROM THE FORECAST BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN THE UNDERLYING FACTORS.
FOR EXAMPLE, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROPERTY AND STOCK MARKET ACTIVITIES MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN EXPECTED AND AFFECT THE REVENUE OUT-TURN TO A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE, HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
RETIREMENT SCHEMES FIGURES
*****
ABOUT 22,000 BUSINESSES WERE PROVIDING RETIREMENT PROTECTION, EITHER A PROVIDENT FUND OR PENSION FUND, TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN 1991.
THE "WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS" SECTOR HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES OF 10,343.
THE SECTOR ALSO HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES COVERED BY RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
THE "FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES" SECTOR HAS THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF ESTABLISHMENTS PROVIDING SOME FORM OF RETIREMENT SCHEME TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THE FIGURES WERE REPORTED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CH1-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/ABOUT 30 .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 34 -
ABOUT 30 PER CENT OR 850,000 MEMBERS OF THE WORKING POPULATION, EXCLUDING THE CIVIL SERVICE, IS COVERED BY SOME FORM OF RETIREMENT SCHEME.
AS THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE WHICH REGULATES ALL SCHEMES IN HONG KONG STARTED ONLY IN OCTOBER, A FULL RECORD OF SCHEMES IS NOT YET AVAILABLE.
"MORE INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES IS EXPECTED IN 1995, ON EXPIRY OF THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD, FOR REGISTRATION OF EXISTING SCHEMES," MR TAM SAID.
ACCORDING TO PRIVATE SECTOR RESEARCH, ESTIMATED RETIREMENT FUNDS IN THE MARKET ARE BETWEEN HK$80 BILLION AND $100 BILLION, PROJECTED TO INCREASE AT A RATE OF ABOUT HK$20 BILLION A YEAR.
- - 0 - -
ICAC TO FORM NEW UNIT ON CIVIL SERVICE RECORDS
*****
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) WILL SET UP A NEW UNIT TO HANDLE RECORD CHECKS AND INTERVIEWS TO VERIFY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CIVIL SERVANTS BEING CHECKED.
THE PLAN WAS OUTLINED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE NEW UNIT WOULD HAVE THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE EXISTING SPECIAL BRANCH UNIT.
NEITHER HAVE INVESTIGATIVE NOR ENFORCEMENT POWERS AND IT WILL NOT CARRY OUT POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS, HE ADDED.
THE NEW UNIT IS EXPECTED TO HAVE 10 STAFF, INCLUDING CLERICAL SUPPORT, SAME AS THE EXISTING SPECIAL BRANCH UNIT.
HE SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF ICAC WOULD ENSURE PROPER FUNDING BE SOUGHT FOR THE UNIT THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF ANNUAL GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES .
"HE WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT NORMAL BUDGETARY CONTROLS ON EXPENDITURE DO NOT ALLOW FUNDS ALLOCATED TO OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION TO BE USED FOR THE NEW UNIT," MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
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/35........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 35 -
NEW SURVEY OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES LAUNCHED ♦ * * * * ; . ' * “ > •/ • • i • :
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED A NEW QUARTERLY' SURVEY OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES IN MAY THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE PROMPT INDICATORS OF THE CURRENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIOUS SERVICE SECTORS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY' FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY}.
MR TAM SAID RESULTS OF THE SURAEY WOULD BE PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS STARTING FROM MID-1994, WHEN THE SERIES OF THE STATISTICS WAS SUFFICIENTLY’ LONG TO ALLOW INTER-PERIOD COMPARISONS AND THE COMPUTATION OF GROWTH RATES.
HE SAID THE RESPONSE RATE AND QUALITY OF THE DATA COLLECTED SO FAR HAD BEEN SATISFACTORY.
--------0-----------
MOTION TO BOOST CONSUMER PROTECTION PASSED ♦ » » ♦ »
A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPEDITE THE ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF CONSUMER RIGHTS WAS PASSED AFTER A TWO-HOUR DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
A TOTAL OF 15 MEMBERS SPOKE. THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE HON EDWARD HO URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT A STRATEGY THAT WOULD PROMOTE THE TERRITORY’S PROSPERITY AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ITS PEOPLE UP TO AND BEYOND 1997 WAS ALSO PASSED.
SEVENTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE TWO-HOUR DEBATE AND THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
A MOTION ON CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) (LIMITATION ON LANDING OR TAKING OFF OF AIRCRAFT) (AMENDMENT) NOTICE 1993 WAS DEFEATED AFTER AN HOUR’S DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THE TWO MOTIONS MOVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, UNDER THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE AND THE CORONERS ORDINANCE, WERE PASSED.
/TWO OTHER .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
- 36 -
TWO OTHER MOTIONS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AND THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE; AND A MOTION ON FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, WERE ALSO PASSED.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN BILLS WERE PASSED, FOUR WITH AMENDMENTS.
THE FOUR BILLS WITH AMENDMENTS WERE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992; ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1992; ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
THE OTHER BILLS WERE: FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, AND A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL - THE PUBLIC OFFICERS (VARIATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) -MOVED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
------0-----------
.4
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
, CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STI WELCOMES SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND ........................ 1
URUGUAY ROUND OF GATT NEGOTIATIONS ........................... 1
REDUCED AIR POLLUTION IMPROVES HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN .... 3
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 4
EIA CONTRACT FOR SHENZHEN RIVER AWARDED ...................... 5
BOOK OF THE DECADES .......................................... 6
REMOVAL OF CENTRE POINT DEATHS REGISTRY ...................... 7
CHARTER FOR YOUTH FORUM ...................................... 8
HEADQUARTERS OF HEALTH DEPT ON MOVE .......................... 8
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE SOUGHT ..................... 9
MEDICAL BOARDS AND COUNCILS ON MOVE .......................... 9
STREET SLEEPERS GIVEN BLANKETS ............................... 10
EC CHAIRMAN & BOE MEMBERS VISjT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL ......... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 11
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
1
STI WELCOMES SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR CHAU TAK-HAY, WELCOMED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE NEWS THAT A FINAL AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED IN THE URUGUAY ROUND (UR) OF MULTILATERAL TRADE TALKS.
’’THE AGREEMENT REPRESENTS A VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE,” SAID MR CHAU.
’’THE AGREEMENT IS, ON THE WHOLE, BENEFICIAL TO HONG KONG,’’ HE ADDED.
THE UR WAS LAUNCHED IN 1986 FOLLOWING A MINISTERIAL MEETING OF CONTRACTING PARTIES OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AT PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY. IT HAS TAKEN MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS FOR THE ROUND TO COME TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
"ONE OF THE MAIN BENEFITS OF THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE UR FOR HONG KONG IS THAT IT AVERTS THE DAMAGING NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT A COLLAPSE OF THE ROUND WOULD HAVE HAD ON WORLD TRADE AND ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMY."
"OUR PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE AGREEMENT IS THAT THE OVERALL PACKAGE IS ACCEPTABLE TO HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH AN EVALUATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL ASPECTS OF THE PACKAGE WILL HAVE TO AWAIT A DETAILED ANALYSIS."
"OUR NEGOTIATORS ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR HAVING DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB IN SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDING HONG KONG’S INTERESTS," MR CHAU SAID.
------0-------
URUGUAY ROUND OF GATT NEGOTIATIONS * * * * *
THE INTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS HELD UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND OF GLOBAL TRADE TALKS IN GENEVA ENDED YESTERDAY (DECEMBER 15 GENEVA TIME) WHEN THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE, ATTENDED BY CHIEF NEGOTIATORS FROM ALMOST ALL OF THE 116 PARTICIPATING ECONOMIES, FORMALLY ENDORSED A FINAL AGREEMENT.
SPEAKING IN GENEVA, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, WELCOMED THE OUTCOME.
"INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS THE WINNER TODAY,” HE SAID. "DIFFICULT POLITICAL DECISIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY MANY COUNTRIES TO MAKE THIS AGREEMENT POSSIBLE. IT SHOWS A CLEAR AND ENCOURAGING COMMITMENT TO OPEN TRADE AND MULTILATERAL DISCIPLINES.”
MR MILLER SAID SMALLER PLAYERS IN THE GAME OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE LIKE HONG KONG NEEDED THE PROTECTION OF CLEAR RULES AND EFFECTIVE ARBITRATION IN CASES OF DISPUTE.
/"THE PACKAGE ...
2
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
"THE PACKAGE PROVIDES FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION," HE SAID. "IT WILL HAVE A FIRMER LEGAL BASIS THAN THE GATT EVER HAD, AND AN ENHANCED STATUS, PUTTING IT ON A PAR WITH THE IMF AND WORLD BANK."
A KEY OBJECTIVE OF HONG KONG, AND A KEY ELEMENT OF THE AGREED PACKAGE, IS A STRONGER DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM.
i . •' ’ I F-
"TOO MANY DISPUTE PANEL DECISIONS HAVE BEEN IGNORED IN THE PAST," SAID MR MILLER. "THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEABLE PANEL DECISIONS. THIS SHOULD HELP POLICE THE MULTILATERAL TRADE REGIME."
THE PACKAGE WOULD EXTEND MULTILATERAL TRADE RULES TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND TRADE IN SERVICES FOR THE FIRST TIME.
"THESE WERE ALSO KEY OBJECTIVES FOR HONG KONG. ACHIEVING THEM MEANT BREAKING NEW GROUND IN COMPLEX AREAS. REACHING AN AGREEMENT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT," MR MILLER SAID.
"THAT WE MANAGED TO DO SO IS REMARKABLE. THAT WE REACHED AGREEMENT ON SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICE SECTORS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, FINANCIAL SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, MARITIME AND AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT.
"ONE AREA REMAINS OUTSTANDING, BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS. THERE IS, HOWEVER, CLEAR AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE WORK ON THIS SEPARATELY, OUTSIDE THE URUGUAY ROUND PACKAGE."
REACHING AN AGREEMENT ON FINANCIAL SERVICES WAS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT. IT WAS MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY THE U.S.’ PROPOSAL FOR TWO-TIER MFN.
HOWEVER, THE UNITED STATES ULTIMATELY WITHDREW THIS UNPOPULAR PROPOSAL AND AGREEMENT WAS FORGED INSTEAD ON ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HOLD ANY MFN EXEMPTIONS IN SUSPENSE PENDING A REVIEW.
AT THE END OF A TRIAL PERIOD, CONCESSIONS COULD BE WITHDRAWN, MODIFIED OR IMPROVED AFTER A TRIAL PERIOD BUT RIGHTS ACQUIRED IN THE INTERIM WOULD BE GUARANTEED.
"THIS 'SUCK IT AND SEE' SOLUTION ENSURED THAT WE GOT THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES OFF THE GROUND ON A FIRM MFN BASIS. WHILE NOT IDEAL, IT AVOIDS THE TWO-TIER APPROACH WHICH WOULD HAVE BREACHED THE EQUAL-TREATMENT-FOR-ALL THAT IS SO FUNDAMENTAL TO THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM."
MR MILLER SAID THE ANTI-DUMPING TEXT REPRESENTED A COMPROMISE.
"WE MANAGED TO MEET U.S. CONCERNS WHILE REASONABLY PROTECTING HONG KONG'S INTERESTS." SAID MR MILLER. "THE PACKAGE PROVIDES FOR TIGHTER RULES AND PROCEDURES WHICH IS GOOD, AND, MOST IMPORTANT IT CLARIFIES THE ROLE OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PANELS.
"IT MAY MAKE IT EASIER FOR AN INDUSTRY TO INITIATE A CASE, BUT NOTHING IS GOING TO STOP UNCOMPETITIVE INDUSTRIES FROM TRYING TO GET PROTECTION IN THIS WAY, AND IT INCLUDES A "SUNSET' PROVISION WHICH MEANS A CASE MUST LAPSE AFTER FIVE YEARS UNLESS CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET."
/ONE OF .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
3
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS FOR HONG KONG IN THE PACKAGE IS THE PHASING-OUT OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING QUOTAS OVER 10 YEARS.
"THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THE TEXTILES TRADE WITH A REASONABLE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS OR SO," SAID MR MILLER. "QUOTA GROWTH RATES WILL INCREASE SLIGHTLY, AND THE PHASE-OUT OF RESTRAINTS WILL BE GRADUAL. GIVEN THE ADAPTABILITY OF OUR INDUSTRY I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THEY WILL MAKE THIS AN OPPORTUNITY AND NOT A THREAT."
THE MOST EASILY QUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN MARKET ACCESS TALKS ON TARIFF REDUCTIONS AND REMOVAL OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS.
MR MILLER SAID HONG KONG HAD AGREED TO BIND AT ZERO TARIFF A WIDE RANGE OF ITEMS COVERING ABOUT 29 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S IMPORTS.
IN RETURN, CONCESSIONS WERE MADE BY HONG KONG'S PRINCIPAL TRADING PARTNERS EQUIVALENT TO TARIFF SAVINGS OF OVER US$420 MILLION A YEAR ON IMPORTS OF HONG KONG-MADE PRODUCTS.
"GIVEN THE SIZE OF OUR RE-EXPORT TRADE, THE ACTUAL BENEFITS ACCRUING TO HONG KONG BUSINESS WILL IN FACT BE MUCH MORE THAN THAT," MR MILLER ADDED.
HE CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT HE WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE OVERALL PACKAGE. "OF COURSE THERE ARE AREAS I AM NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH, BUT ON THE WHOLE THIS IS A GOOD AGREEMENT REACHED IN THE FACE OF OBSTACLES THAT AT TIMES LOOKED INSUPERABLE," HE SAID.
"PERSONALLY, I AM DELIGHTED AND I BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG WILL BE MUCH BETTER OFF ONCE WE GET THIS AGREEMENT FIRMLY IN PLACE."
TRADE MINISTERS OF THE 116 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE URUGUAY ROUND HAVE AGREED TO MEET IN MARRAKECH, MOROCCO IN APRIL 1994 TO SIGN FORMALLY THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND TO AGREE IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS.
THE DATE ON WHICH THE AGREEMENT IS TO COME INTO FORCE HAS YET TO BE DECIDED. JANUARY 1, 1995 OR JULY 1, 1995 ARE LIKELY DATES.
------0--------
REDUCED AIR POLLUTION IMPROVES HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN »»«»»»
RESULTS OF A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) ON THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY).
CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE STUDY WAS CARRIED OUT BETWEEN 1989 AND 1992 IN KWAI TSING AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS WHICH HAVE DIFFERING AIR QUALITY.
/SCHOOL CHILDREN .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
4
SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PRIMARY 3 TO 6 CLASSES ATTENDING 15 SCHOOLS IN THE TWO DISTRICTS WERE SELECTED FOR THE STUDY, WHICH USED METHODS OF QUESTIONNAIRES, LUNG FUNCTION TESTS, HISTAMINE TESTS AND APPROPRIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSES.
APART FROM IDENTIFYING THE RISK FACTORS FOR RESPIRATORY HEALTH PROBLEMS, THE STUDY ALSO AIMED AT ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH.
MAJOR FINDINGS SHOWED THAT EXPOSURES TO THE HAZARDS OF ADVERSE AIR QUALITY WERE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE PRESENCE OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN.
ALSO, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATION IN 1990 HAD BROUGHT ABOUT A DECLINE IN THE RISK OF RESPIRATORY SICKNESS AND BRONCHIAL REACTIVITY.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT WHEN THE STUDY RESULTS ARE PROJECTED TO THE ENTIRE HONG KONG CHILDREN POPULATION, ABOUT 20,000 CLINIC CONSULTATIONS ON RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS WILL BE AVOIDED.
THE STUDY ALSO SHOWED THAT FOR CHILDREN WHO WERE EXPOSED TO TOBACCO SMOKE BECAUSE OF FAMILY MEMBERS, THERE WOULD BE ADDITIONAL HEALTH GAINS IF PARENTS AND OTHER ADULT MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY DID NOT SMOKE IN THE HOUSE.
IT ALSO CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS SCOPE FOR FURTHER REDUCTION IN THE RISKS TO HEALTH IF THE EMISSIONS OF PARTICULATE AND NITROGEN OXIDES WERE BETTER CONTROLLED.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF THE STUDY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR FRED TROMP, SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PLANS IN HAND TO CONTROL PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS PARTICULATE AND NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSIONS FROM DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES.
NOTING THAT THERE WERE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HEALTH OF THE SCHOOL CHILDREN, HE SAID FIRM AND COMMITTED ACTIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT FRONT COULD PRODUCE REAL BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
"WE HOPE THIS MESSAGE WILL BE REMEMBERED AS WE NOW FOCUS ON THE NEED TO TACKLE AGGRESSIVELY THE PRESENT HEALTH PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS," HE SAID.
------0-------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER *****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER THIS YEAR WAS 2.0%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1993 WAS 2.1%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%.
THE LATEST FIGURES SUGGEST THAT THE LABOUR MARKET HAS REMAINED TIGHT IN RECENT MONTHS.
/DURING THE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
5
DURING THE PERIOD AUGUST - OCTOBER 1993, THE NUMBER OF
UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRSTTIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 56,900, WHILE THE NUMBER OF
UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 42,500.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 1993 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,800 HOUSEHOLDS OR 40,700 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WAS OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH AT $23.50 A COPY.
------------------0------- EIA CONTRACT FOR SHENZHEN RIVER AWARDED *****
THE JOINT WORKING GROUP ON SHENZHEN RIVER REGULATION MET IN SHENZHEN TODAY (THURSDAY) AND AGREED TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) STUDY ON STAGES I AND II OF THE SHENZHEN RIVER REGULATION PROJECT.
THE EIA STUDY WILL COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY AND A PRELIMINARY REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF STAGE I OF THE PROJECT. THE FULL EIA STUDY WILL TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE WORKING GROUP ALSO REVIEWED THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT AND NOTED THAT PREPARATORY WORK, INCLUDING A LAND SURVEY, SITE INVESTIGATIONS, AND HYDRAULIC MODEL TESTS, WAS NOW UNDER WAY.
THE MEETING ALSO DISCUSSED THE REMAINING TECHNICAL ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED. THESE INCLUDED FINALISATION OF DESIGN AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, AND LAND RESUMPTION REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT.
BOTH HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN REAFFIRMED THEIR INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHICH WOULD MITIGATE THE RISKS OF FLOODING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SHENZHEN RIVER.
/THE TWO .......
6
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED TO WORK CLOSELY TO RESOLVE THE REMAINING TECHNICAL ISSUES THROUGH THE WORKING GROUP AND ITS SUBGROUPS, THE WORK OF WHICH WOULD BE INTENSIFIED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO THE WORKING GROUP WAS LED BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK. MEMBERS INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN; AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR RAYMOND CHAN; AND A FINANCE BRANCH REPRESENTATIVE.
------0--------
BOOK OF THE DECADES
* * * * »
HONG KONG GENERATES SOME OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST-CHANGING AND MOST INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURE - AND THE PACE IS SO FAST IT IS SOMETIMES HARD TO REMEMBER THE WAY IT WAS JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.
THIS VARIETY IS RECORDED IN A 160-PAGE, LARGE FORMAT GLOSSY BOOK ENTITLED "HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE - AESTHETICS OF DENSITY” WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE TERRITORY FROM TOMORROW AT $320 FOR THE SOFT-COVER EDITION.
THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED TO ACCOMPANY AN EXHIBITION OF HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE UNDER THE SAME TITLE AT THE DEUTSCHES ARCHITEKTUR-MUSEUM IN FRANKFURT WHICH OPENED ON NOVEMBER 14 AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FEBRUARY 27.
MODELS, DESIGNS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF NOTABLE HONG KONG BUILDINGS FOR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE FILL THE BOOK, TOGETHER WITH COMMENTARIES BY THE TERRITORY’S PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, DR TED PRYOR, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR PAU SHIU-HUNG, AND THE DEUTSCHES ARCHITEKTUR-MUSEUM DIRECTOR, PROFESSOR VITTORIO MAGNAGNO LAMPUGNANI.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER PATRICK ZACHMANN AND AN ESSAY BY GERMAN SINOLOGIST DR TILMAN SPENGLER OFFER TWO PERSONALISED VIEWS OF HONG KONG.
THE BOOK, LIKE THE EXHIBITION, LOOKS AT HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT FROM 1841 TO THE EMERGENCE OF THE STRIKING NEW CITY IT HAS BECOME.
AS WELL AS A FASCINATING COLLECTION OF HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS, THE BOOK CONTAINS PICTURES, DRAWINGS AND MODELS OF EXISTING STRUCTURES SUCH AS THE HONGKONGBANK HEADQUARTERS BUILDING; PACIFIC PLACE; HONG KONG PARK; CENTRAL PLAZA; THE SHUN TAK CENTRE; THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE BANK OF CHINA BUILDING.
PROJECTS THAT LIE AHEAD INCLUDE HONG KONG’S NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND A MASSIVE REDEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON WHERE IT IS PLANNED TO HOUSE 280,000 PEOPLE ON THE SITE NOW OCCUPIED BY KAI TAK AIRPORT.
DR PRYOR, WHO DIRECTED A STUDY TO PRODUCE AN OUTLINE PLAN FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF KAI TAK, SAID THE BOOK ALLOWED PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE THE RATE AND SCOPE OF CHANGE IN HONG KONG.
"THE HISTORICAL COMPONENT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE," HE SAID. "AND HONG KONG’S DESIGNERS ARE PRODUCING QUITE EXCITING INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS - SOME OF THEM ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND BUILDING TECHNIQUES.
/"EACH OF .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
7
"EACH OF THE EXAMPLES CHOSEN HAS INDIVIDUAL MERITS AND CHARACTER - AND THE PEOPLE I BUMPED INTO AT THE FRANKFURT EXHIBITION WERE VERY COMPLIMENTARY."
DR PRYOR ADDED THAT THE BOOK REFLECTED HONG KONG’S WILLINGNESS TO TRY NEW STYLES.
"FOR US, THE WORST THING IS NOT MAKE A DECISION," DR PRYOR SAID. "WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BOLD IN OUR APPROACH."
THAT BOLDNESS IS AMPLY REPRESENTED IN "AESTHETICS" - WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS BUYING AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND LEADING BOOK STORES.
---------0------------
REMOVAL OF CENTRE POINT DEATHS REGISTRY *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE CENTRE POINT DEATHS REGISTRY OF THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SITUATED AT 181 GLOUCESTER ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, CENTRE POINT, WAN CHAI WILL BE MOVED TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 20):
18TH FLOOR, WU CHUNG HOUSE
213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST
WAN CHAI, HONG KONG
THE NEW DEATHS REGISTRY, RENAMED AS THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE (REGISTRATION OF DEATHS), QUEEN’S ROAD EAST OFFICE, WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES ON THE SAME DAY ON DEATH REGISTRATION, SEARCH OF DEATH RECORDS AND APPLICATION FOR DEATH CERTIFICATES. ITS OFFICE HOURS ARE:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 AM TO 12.30 PM
2 PM TO 4.30 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 12.30 PM
SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CLOSED
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THIS WAS A JOINT OFFICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH OFFERED SERVICES ON ISSUE OF CREMATION PERMITS AND BOOKING OF CREMATION APPOINTMENTS.
FOR ENQUIRY, THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111.
--------0-----------
/8.........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
8
CHARTER FOR YOUTH FORUM
* * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WELCOME TO JOIN A CHARTER FOR YOUTH FORUM THIS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19) TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE IMPORTANT DOCUMENT WHICH SETS OUT THE PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
THE FORUM, ORGANISED BY THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, AIMS TO ENHANCE YOUNG PEOPLE’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHARTER FOR YOUTH AND TO ENCOURAGE MORE TO BECOME SUBSCRIBERS.
YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN THE ONE-HOUR EVENT WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE CHARTER AS WELL AS OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO YOUTH.
PARTICIPANTS WHO SIGN UP AS SUBSCRIBERS AT THE FORUM WILL EACH RECEIVE A COPY OF THE CHARTER IN THE FORM OF A CERTIFICATE.
OTHER PROGRAMMES INCLUDE A QUIZ ON THE CHARTER AND PERFORMANCES BY ARTISTES LEE KWOK-CHEUNG, KONG HEI-MAN, WONG HING-PING AND CHENG KA-WING AS WELL AS THE MUSIC OFFICE BRASS ENSEMBLE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO MAKE HIS DEBUT IN JOINING LEE KWOK-CHEUNG IN A DUO.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. THE FORUM WILL START AT 11 AM AT THE PIAZZA OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHARTER FOR YOUTH FORUM ORGANISED BY THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 19) AT 11 AM AT THE PIAZZA OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
------0-------
HEADQUARTERS OF HEALTH DEPT ON MOVE
*****
THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL OPERATE FROM THEIR NEW OFFICES ON THE 21ST FLOOR OF WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN'S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI FROM NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 20).
A NUMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SERVICE UNITS WILL ALSO OPERATE FROM THEIR NEW OFFICES ON THE 17TH AND 18TH FLOORS OF THE BUILDING ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
* PORT HEALTH OFFICE
DECEMBER 20 (TEL: 961 8852)
* PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES DECEMBER 22 (TEL: 961 8754)
/* FAMILY HEALTH ......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
9 -
* FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES DECEMBER 23 (TEL: 961 8855)
* HONG KONG REGIONAL OFFICE JANUARY 10 (TEL: 961 8710)
» HYGIENE DIVISION JANUARY 17 (TEL: 961 8812)
THE DEPARTMENT’S PATIENT RELATIONS UNIT CAN BE REACHED ON TEL 836 0077.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES WILL BE 961 8911.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, TO BE ON THE 21ST FLOOR OF WU CHUNG HOUSE, CAN BE CONTACTED ON THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONDAY:
» PIO MS WINNIE WONG 961 8539
* SIO PETER HUNG 961 8540
» IO MS IRIS TANG 961 8541
-----0-------
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN YUEN LONG SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE, LOCATED ON A BUILDING IN SAN TIN HOUSE, FAN TIN TSUEN, YUEN LONG, IS USED FOR DWELLING.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 14 NEXT YEAR WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION OF THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
-----u-------
MEDICAL BOARDS AND COUNCILS ON MOVE
*****
THE BOARDS AND COUNCILS OF THE MEDICAL SERVICES WILL OPERATE IN NEW PREMISES ON THE 17TH FLOOR OF WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI FROM NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 20).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CONTACT THE SECRETARIATS OF VARIOUS BOARDS AND COUNCILS ON THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
/NAME .....
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
10
NAME TELEPHONE
CHIROPRACTORS COUNCIL 961 8656
DENTAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG 961 8649
LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG 961 8653
MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG 961 8647
MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD 961 8655
MIDWIVES BOARD 961 8650
NURSING BOARD 961 8650
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD 961 8655
OPTOMETRISTS BOARD 961 8655
PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD 961 8652
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS BOARD 961 8655
RADIATION BOARD 961 8640
RADIOGRAPHERS BOARD 961 8655
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL 961 8654 r
THE FAX NUMBER OF THE BOARDS AND COUNCILS SECTION IS 891 7946.
------0--------
STREET SLEEPERS GIVEN BLANKETS * * * * *
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT DISTRIBUTED 516 BLANKETS TO 459 STREET SLEEPERS ALL OVER THE TERRITORY LAST (WEDNESDAY) NIGHT.
OF THEM, 159 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 15 IN EAST KOWLOON, 251 IN WEST KOWLOON, 25 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND NINE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXERCISE WAS THE SECOND MOUNTED THIS WINTER TO HELP THE NEEDY.
---------0-----------
/Il........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
EC CHAIRMAN & BOE MEMBERS VISIT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL *****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, PROF ROSIE YOUNG, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (THURSDAY) TOURED THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CHAI WAN.
THE BOE GROUP COMPRISED ITS CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW SO, AND MEMBERS MRS MINNIE LAI WEI KIT-LIN AND MR MICHAEL HONG MAN-HOI.
THE PARTY WAS WELCOME ON ARRIVAL BY THE SUPERVISOR OF THE SCHOOL, MR MICHAEL YEUNG MING-CHEUNG AND ITS PRINCIPAL, MR WONG PO-LAM.
THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CHAI WAN, ESTABLISHED IN 1979, OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF SECONDARY EDUCATION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY THROUGH A CURRICULUM WHICH PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A FIRM FOUNDATION IN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TOGETHER WITH THEORY AND SKILL IN PRACTICAL SUBJECTS.
THE GROUP TOURED THE CLASSROOMS, SCIENCE LABORATORIES, THE SECTIONS ON MUSIC, TYPING, FASHION AND CLOTHING WORKSHOP, AND MECHANICAL WORKSHOP.
THEY ALSO MET AND TALKED TO TEACHING STAFF AND
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
STUDENTS.
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.9 »+0.1* 16.12
$ MILLION
4,015
-15
4,000
NIL
-90
3,910
.93
/HONG KONG........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1993
12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.08 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.33 3.61
1 MONTH 3.11 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.90 3.86
3 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.98 4.05
6 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.87 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.48 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.76 4.72
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,917 MN
CLOSED 16 DECEMBER 1993
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT MEETS NEW PUBLIC HOUSING CHALLENGES VIGOROUSLY: GOVERNOR 1
BRITAIN READY TO TALK ANY TIME: GOVERNOR ................. 3
PENSION SCHEME SHOULD DO THING THE HK WAY: GOVERNOR ...... 3
FS CLARIFIES MISGIVINGS ABOUT PENSION PROPOSAL ........... 4
BACK THE HANDICAPPED: GOVERNOR URGES ..................... 6
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER OFFICIATING 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME .................... 7
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER OPENING KWAI SHING SCHOOL OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG ...................... 9
GOVT SPARES NO EFFORT IN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT: RS ........ 11
PUBLIC URGED TO GIVE VIEWS ON ELDERLY CARE ............... 12
WATERWORKS CONTRACT AWARDED UNDER ACP .................... 12
FESTIVE LIGHTS BRIGHTEN UP SHA TIN ....................... 13
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN OCTOBER ............... 14
DRUG ABUSERS ADVISED AGAINST TETANUS ..................... 15
RE-INTEGRATION SCHEME FOR EX-PRISONERS ................... 16
OPERATION TO STAMP OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ................ 17
DRAINAGE WORKS FOR KOWLOON AND NT ........................ 18
RESTORATION OF URBAN LANDFILLS ........................... 19
POST OFFICE TO ISSUE SIX STAMP SETS NEXT YEAR ............ 19
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO WORKS PROJECTS ................... 20
GOVT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER ............................. 21
/INDOOR SHOOTING ......
INDOOR SHOOTING RANGES FOR POLICE .............................. 22
DRAFT WONG NAI CHUNG ZONING PLAN APPROVED ...................... 22
WATER WORKS FOR SHA TIN ........................................ 23
318 RETURN TO VIETNAM .......................................... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
24
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
1
GOVT MEETS NEW PUBLIC HOUSING CHALLENGES VIGOROUSLY: GOVERNOR
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THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO FURTHER DEVELOP ITS PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES AHEAD, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"ITS CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT WILL HELP TO ENSURE THE CONTINUING SUCCESS AND STABILITY OF THIS GREAT HOME, HONG KONG", MR PATTEN SAID.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, MR PATTEN SAID NEW CHALLENGES CAME FROM RISING EXPECTATIONS AS THE COMMUNITY PROSPERED.
HE SAID PEOPLE WANTED HIGHER STANDARDS OF ACCOMMODATION, BETTER SECURITY AS WELL AS MORE FACILITIES.
"CHALLENGES COME FROM MAINTAINING AND RENOVATING AN EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF ESTATES AND BUILDINGS.
"THEN THERE IS THE PROBLEM OF PEOPLE BEING CAUGHT IN THE TRAP OF DEPENDENCY ON PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING AND UNABLE TO ACHIEVE OWNERSHIP, FOR WHICH SOLUTIONS ARE NEEDED."
THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT MET THESE NEW CHALLENGES VIGOROUSLY, IT MUST NOT FORGET THAT THERE REMAINED MANY PEOPLE STILL IN NEED OF DECENT HOUSING.
COMMENDING THE PROGRAMME AS "A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT" AND "THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME" AROUND THE WORLD, MR PATTEN SAID IT STRENGTHENED AND STABILISED THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
THE HOUSING PROGRAMME IS NOT A CONSEQUENCE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS, IT IS ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THAT SUCCESS, HE ADDED.
EARLIER IN THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MS ROSANNA WONG, PLEDGED THAT THE AUTHORITY WOULD PUSH FORWARD WITH ITS VISION OF PROVIDING HOMES FOR ALL WHO NEEDED THEM.
SHE SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME WENT HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND WAS CENTRAL TO THE LIFE AND WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE.
"DECENT HOMES ARE A VITAL PART OF STABLE FAMILY LIFE. SECURE, WELL-MAINTAINED HOMES ENABLE PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR BEST FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG."
MS WONG SAID OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST BLOCKS WERE BUILT IN RESPONSE TO A CRISIS, THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES HAD IMPROVED BEYOND RECOGNITION.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT FROM THE HUMBLE BEGINNING IN 1953 WHEN A FEW TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FIRE VICTIMS WERE HOUSED IN A HURRY, THE AUTHORITY NOW HAD 650,000 FLATS IN 1,200 BLOCKS.
"NOT ONLY HAS THE QUANTITY GROWN DRAMATICALLY, BUT THE QUALITY OF HOUSING UNITS AND THE ESTATES, THE CONCEPT AND DESIGN, ALL GET BETTER AND BETTER.
/"MOREOVER, UNDER ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
2
"MOREOVER, UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME, OLD BUILDINGS ARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO MODERN ESTATES COMPLETE WITH ALL THE FACILITIES THEIR INHABITANTS NEED," SHE SAID.
MS WONG SAID OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE SPENDING MORE THAN $11 BILLION IN MAINTAINING AND UPGRADING ITS HOUSING STOCK.
ON THE AUTHORITY’S HOMES-FOR-SALE SCHEME, SHE SAID IT WAS GOING WELL AND NEARLY 200,000 FLATS HAD BEEN SOLD TO HOUSE WELL OVER HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.
NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE TREMENDOUS DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN TURNING THE VISION INTO REALITY, SHE SAID.
"PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY; STAFF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT UNDER MR FUNG TUNG’S EXPERT DIRECTION; ALL THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES HAVE MADE THEIR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. THESE ALL DESERVE OUR SINCEREST THANKS," SHE SAID.
EQUALLY, SHE SAID, THANKS WERE ALSO DUE TO CONSUMERS OF PUBLIC HOUSING, THE AUTHORITY’S TENANTS AND FLAT OWNERS, FOR THEIR FEEDBACK WHICH HELPED THE AUTHORITY AWARE OF WHAT WAS WANTED AND NEEDED, AND FOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION OVER THE YEARS.
TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF A SERIES OF EVENTS ORGANISED TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
SOME EVENTS HAD ALREADY TAKEN PLACE.
AMONG THESE WERE A SLOGAN COMPETITION AMONG HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF IN JUNE, AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION DEPICTING LIFE IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, WHICH WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND SPONSORED BY JUSCO STORES IN SEPTEMBER.
THE WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MORE THAN 1,200 ENTRIES HAVE BEEN REPRODUCED IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S CALENDAR FOR 1994 AND WERE USED IN A ROVING EXHIBITION AT VARIOUS PRIVATE COMMERCIAL MALLS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE SHOPPING CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE EXHIBITION WOULD DEPICT PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, RANGING FROM THE EARLIEST ESTATES BUILT SOON AFTER THE FIRE TO THEIR GROWTH INTO THE MODERN SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITIES THAT ARE BEING BUILT TODAY.
A KARAOKE COMPETITION IS ALSO UNDERWAY. IT IS SPONSORED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND LASTS FROM MID-SEPTEMBER UNTIL DECEMBER 19.
A SERIES OF 13 HALF-HOUR TV DRAMAS PRODUCED BY RTHK FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE BEING SHOWN ON TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD ON SUNDAY EVENINGS FROM DECEMBER 5 TO FEBRUARY 1994.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENTS WILL BE A LIVE TELEVISION SPECIAL TO BE PRODUCED IN CONJUNCTION WITH TVB ON DECEMBER 26.
/FROM JANUARY .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
3
FROM JANUARY TO MARCH, A COOKING COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH ASIA TELEVISION LTD WILL BE HELD FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS.
THIS COMPETITION WILL BE THE CLOSING EVENT OF THE WHOLE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF LARGE-SCALE PUBLIC HOUSING, AFTER THE SHEK KIP MEI SQUATTER AREA FIRE ON DECEMBER 25, 1953.
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BRITAIN READY TO TALK ANY TIME
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UNTIL- THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO BRING FORWARD THE REST OF THE PROPOSALS ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENT, THE BRITISH SIDE IS PREPARED TO TALK WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AT ANY TIME, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE KWAI SHING SCHOOL OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MR PATTEN SAID: "OUR POSITION NOW IS THAT WE’VE INTRODUCED OUR PARTIAL LEGISLATION BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE TIMETABLE MADE THAT ESSENTIAL.
"WE’VE GOT A BIT OF TIME AND UNTIL WE HAVE TO BRING FORWARD THE REST OF THE PROPOSALS, WE ARE PREPARED TO TALK WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AT ANY TIME. THAT REMAINS OUR POSITION.
"WE ARE NOT GOING TO WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE OUR PAPERS ON THE TABLE AND WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WON’T CLOSE THE DOOR. "
ASKED TO RESPOND TO REMARKS BY A CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ON ENDING THE TALKS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I THINK THAT IF THAT’S THE CHINESE POSITION, THEY WOULD WANT TO DRAW OUR ATTENTION TO IT FORMALLY. BUT I HOPE THAT IS NOT THE CONSIDERED CHINESE POSITION."
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IN AN OPINION POLL THIS MORNING, OVER 60 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO WERE QUESTIONED DID NOT BELIEVE THAT TABLING THE PARTIAL LEGISLATION SHOULD BE TAKEN AS A REASON FOR BREAKING OFF THE TALKS.
"AS THE CHINESE SIDE KNOW PERFECTLY WELL, WE TABLED THE PARTIAL LEGISLATION WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED IN THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES SOME MORE TIME FOR THE TALKS. THAT REMAINS OUR POSITION," HE ADDED.
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PENSION SCHEME
SHOULD DO THING THE HK WAY
* » * » »
IF HONG KONG WANTS TO AVOID THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED ELSEWHERE, WE NEED TO HAVE A SENSIBLE OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME WHICH DOES THINGS THE HONG KONG WAY - ONLY GETTING OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO PAY IN.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF HOUSING PROGRAMME AT LI CHENG UK ESTATE.
PATTEN PUBLIC
/IN REPLY .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
4
IN REPLY TO PRESS QUESTIONS ON THE ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "WE’VE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTING THE TAX-PAYERS WILL NEED TO CONTRIBUTE FOR EXAMPLE THE SAME AMOUNT THAT IT PUTS INTO OLD AGE ALLOWANCES, AT THE MOMENT OVER $3 BILLION,”
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GREAT DISADVANTAGE OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST, DID NOTHING TO TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’S ELDERLY.
"YOU’VE GOT TO WAIT 20 OR 30 OR 40 YEARS. AND THEN FOR MUCH LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS, YOU GET A LOWER RETURN," HE ADDED.
EXPANDING ON THE QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "PEOPLE CAN’T SAY THE GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE WITHOUT RECOGNISING THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOING MORE MEANS THAT TAX-PAYERS DOING MORE.
"THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T HAVE ANY MONEY OF ITS OWN. IT’S ONLY GOT YOUR MONEY, THE HARD EARNED MONEY THAT YOU’VE MADE.
"SO I THINK IF FROM NOW ON, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT TAX-PAYERS’ RATHER THAN GOVERNMENT’S, THEY’LL BE A BIT CLOSER TO THE MARK."
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FS CLARIFIES MISGIVINGS ABOUT PENSION PROPOSAL
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THE TIME HAS COME FOR HONG KONG TO FACE SQUARELY ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A DIGNIFIED OLD AGE FOR ITS RESIDENTS, WITH ADEQUATE INCOME FOR LIFE’S NECESSITIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON WEDNESDAY OF THE WAY AHEAD ON PROVIDENT FUNDS AND PENSIONS MARKED A DECISIVE MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN SOCIAL SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION, HE SOUGHT TO ALLAY SOME INITIAL MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME (OPS).
HE REFUTED THE ARGUMENT THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS SIMPLY A NEW TAX TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT REVENUE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE REVENUE FROM CONTRIBUTIONS WOULD BE USED ONLY FOR THE OPS AND NONE OF IT WOULD GO INTO GENERAL REVENUE AND THAT ANY SURPLUS WOULD STAY IN THE POOL OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUND PENSION PAYMENTS IN FUTURE.
ON THE CONTENTION THAT THE MIDDLE-CLASS WOULD BE HARDEST HIT, HE SAID THE OPS FUNCTIONED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF COLLECTIVE SUPPORT FOR OLD PEOPLE.
"IF THE COMMUNITY WISHES TO HAVE A REAL SAFETY NET FOR OUR OLD PEOPLE, WE WILL HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO PLAY OUR PART IN MAKING IT WORK, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHICH INCOME BRACKET WE COME FROM," HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE DETAILS OF THE CONTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS WOULD NEED TO BE WORKED OUT.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
5
HE SAID IT WAS TRUE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD THAT IF THERE WERE CONTRIBUTIONS, BE THEY TAXES OR LEVIES, THEN OF COURSE THOSE WHO WERE BETTER OFF WOULD TEND TO HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE MORE.
"THIS IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT FOR HONG KONG. THAT IS PRECISELY THE CONCEPT WHICH UNDERLIES OUR PRESENT TAXATION SYSTEM," HE SAID.
HE WARNED THAT TO HAVE A NON-CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME, ASSUMING A QUALIFYING AGE OF 65, WOULD MEAN A BURDEN OF $13 BILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR ON TAXPAYERS.
HE ALSO CATEGORICALLY DENIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS EMPLOYING DELAYING TACTICS.
"WE HAVE DECIDED THAT THE WAY FORWARD ON PROVIDENT FUNDS IS NOT COMPULSION BUT VOLUNTARISM. WE HAVE FURTHER DECIDED TO PURSUE A COMPULSORY AND CONTRIBUTORY OPS, SUBJECT TO BEING SATISFIED ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR ISSUES.
"IT IS A FACT THAT WE NEED TIME TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF THE SCHEME, AND TO HAVE AN INFORMED DIALOGUE BOTH WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS TOO BIG AN ISSUE TO STAMPEDE AHEAD ON; WE MUST BE SURE OF OUR GROUND," HE SAID.
HE ALSO ANSWERED WITH AN UNAMBIGUOUS "NO" TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE.
%
HE SAID THE SAVING FROM REPLACING THE EXISTING LOWER OLD AGE ALLOWANCES AND STANDARD RATE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS TO THE ELDERLY WITH OPS WOULD BE PLOUGHED BACK INTO FINANCING THE OPS.
"THERE WILL BE NEW EXPENDITURE TO BE MET FOR RUNNING AND REGULATING THE SCHEME, AND THE BALANCE OF SAVINGS LEFT AFTER THIS WOULD BE USED TO REDUCE CONTRIBUTIONS BY EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
"THERE WILL BE FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GOVERNMENT AS AN EMPLOYER. AND THERE WILL BE REDUCED PROFITS TAX REVENUE BECAUSE EMPLOYERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS WILL COUNT AS EXPENDITURE," HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON THE SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TRYING TO REDISTRIBUTE INCOME AND THAT HONG KONG WAS IN DANGER OF BECOMING A WELFARE STATE, MR MACLEOD SAID THESE IMPRECISE AND RATHER EMOTIVE LABELS WERE NOT HELPFUL TO THE DEBATE.
"THE FACT IS THAT ALL TAX SYSTEMS BENEFIT SOME MORE THAN OTHERS. HONG KONG IS NO EXCEPTION," HE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED HEAVILY HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND HOUSING AND IT ALSO PROVIDED A NON-CONTRIBUTORY SAFETY NET THROUGH THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN VERY CAREFUL AND WOULD GO ON BEING VERY CAREFUL TO ENSURE THAT IT DID NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IT COULD AFFORD.
"MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR NEW PROPOSAL IS BASED ON CAREFULLY BALANCING THE TOTAL BENEFITS WITH THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS; IT WILL BE A SELF-CONTAINED SET OF TRANSACTIONS IN A SEPARATE FUND, SEPARATE FROM NORMAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE," HE SAID.
/HE FURTHER .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
- 6 -
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT IT COULD NOT HAVE OPTED TO PROCEED WITH COMPULSORY PROVIDENT FUNDS FIRST AND THEN TO INTRODUCE A CONTRIBUTORY OPS LATER.
"I DON’T THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REALISTIC TO REQUIRE ALL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO CONTRIBUTE FIVE PER CENT EACH, FOR A PROVIDENT FUND - AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT TO CONTRIBUTE A FURTHER IF LESSER SUM FOR A PENSION. WE HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN ONE AND THE OTHER," HE SAID.
HE SAID TO HAVE CHOSEN COMPULSORY PROVIDENT FUNDS RATHER THAN A PENSION WOULD HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE.
MANY PEOPLE HAD POINTED OUT IN RESPONDING TO THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE THAT PROVIDENT FUNDS HAD THEIR ROLE BUT THEY DID NOT ADDRESS THE NEED OF THOSE WHO WERE NOT EMPLOYED TO HAVE AN INCOME IN OLD AGE, HE SAID.
"EVEN FOR THE EMPLOYED, THE PROVIDENT FUND BENEFIT IS LOW UNLESS CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE OVER A LONG PERIOD, AT A REASONABLY HIGH RATE," HE ADDED.
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BACK THE HANDICAPPED: GOVERNOR URGES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE INVESTING HEAVILY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO OVERCOME THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING IN THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS THE HANDICAPPED.
"SADLY, THERE ARE SOME IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO, THROUGH PREJUDICE OR IGNORANCE, HAVE OBJECTED TO EFFORTS TO HELP THE HANDICAPPED AND TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE LIFE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY," MR PATTEN SAID.
HE SAID OVERCOMING THIS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING WAS A PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG KWAI SHING SCHOOL, MR PATTEN HIGHLY PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS WORK IN PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE MULTIPLY HANDICAPPED.
THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION HAS, SINCE 1964, BEEN WORKING TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF DISABLED PEOPLE, PROVIDE SCHOOL EDUCATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS HOME THERAPY SERVICES AND WHEELCHAIR REPAIR SERVICES.
THE ASSOCIATION HAD TAKEN THE LEAD IN PIONEERING NEW REHABILITATION WORK SUCH AS THE INTRODUCTION OF CONDUCTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES TO HELP MOTOR DISORDERED CHILDREN, MR PATTEN SAID.
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/7........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
7 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER OFFICIATING 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME *****
GOVERNOR: PUBLIC HOUSING IS, AS I WAS SAYING IN MY REMARKS EARLIER, ONE OF OUR GREATEST SUCCESS STORIES IN HONG KONG BUT THERE IS STILL MORE FOR ALL OF US TO DO DESPITE THE GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS. WE’VE STILL GOT PROBLEMS TO TACKLE. PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL SQUATTING, PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING AND HAVE BEEN LIVING FOR TOO LONG IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, PEOPLE VERY OFTEN THE ELDERLY WHO ARE AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT AND SOME CLEARANCE AND, OF COURSE, THE ASPIRATION WHICH MANY HAVE TO BECOME HOME OWNERS. ALL THOSE ARE PROBLEMS THAT WE’VE STILL GOT TO DEAL WITH. WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO SO. WE ARE BUILDING OVER 40 000 FLATS A YEAR THROUGH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE ARE DETERMINED, AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR, TO ACHIEVE EVEN BETTER TARGETS IN COPING WITH CLEARANCE AND IN COPING WITH REHOUSING THOSE WHO ARE IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS. SO, A LOT OF WORK TO DO BUT A VERY SOLID FOUNDATION LAID.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WHEN YOU SAID THIS MORNING THAT BRITISH SUPPORTED CHINA IN GETTING GATT MEMBERSHIP AND SO THAT NOW CHINA SHOULD ADOPT A MORE CALM AND SENSIBLE WAY IN HANDLING THE SINO-BRITISH TRADE RELATION, ARE YOU PROPOSING A COUNTER THREAT TO WHAT ......?
GOVERNOR: NO, I HAVE BEEN GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG FOR 18 MONTHS. I HAVE NEVER THREATENED ANYONE NOR DO I INTEND TO DO SO. I POINTED OUT THIS MORNING THAT BRITAIN’S ONLY INTEREST WAS TO DO WHAT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG AND SECONDLY, I POINTED OUT THAT WE ALL VERY STRONGLY AGREED WITH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN AND HIS VIEW THAT ONE SHOULD KEEP POLITICS AND ECONOMICS AND TRADE SEPARATE. I THINK THAT’S VERY WISE AND SAGE ADVICE BY THE DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENT.
QUESTION: WILL THEN THE BRITISH POSITION BE CHANGED AFTER WU JIANMIN SAID THAT ... THE RELATIONSHIP....?
GOVERNOR: I HAVE SAID WHAT OUR POSITION IS. I GAVE SIMILAR ANSWERS WHEN SIMILAR THINGS WERE SAID LAST YEAR. I DO TRY TO SAY ALWAYS WHAT I MEAN.
QUESTION: ARE YOU TRANSPLANTING THE WELFARE-STATE CONCEPT OR THE SOCIAL SECURITY FROM OVERSEAS TO HONG KONG, THAT IS.... THE ONLY CONTRIBUTION FROM THE WORKING POPULATION OR THE WHOLE HONG KONG POPULATION?
/GOVERNOR ......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
8
GOVERNOR : LET’S BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR WHAT DISCUSSION IS ABOUT. THE COMMUNITY WANTS, I BELIEVE TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE THEIR LIVES IN EVEN GREATER DIGNITY AND EVEN GREATER COMFORT. THEY DESERVE IT. THEY HAVE BUILT HONG KONG WITH THEIR OWN SWEAT AND THEIR OWN DETERMINATION AND THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE. SO HONG KONG WANTS TO RESPOND TO THAT AS ANY CIVILISED PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY SHOULD. WE’VE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR DOING THAT WHICH, IN OUR VIEW, MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE AND HELP TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM NOT JUST IN 30 OR 40 YEARS, BUT HERE IN NOW. IF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT TO HELP THE ELDERLY, THEN THIS IS, IN OUR JUDGMENT, THE BEST WAY OF DOING IT. YOU CAN’T DO IT FOR NOTHING. THERE AREN’T MONEY BEARING TREES IN HONG KONG. WE CAN’T DIG MONEY OUT OF THE GROUND. MONEY HAS TO COME FROM OUR OWN EFFORTS AND OUR OWN WORK. WE’VE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTING THE TAX-PAYERS WILL NEED TO CONTRIBUTE FOR EXAMPLE THE SAME AMOUNT THAT IT PUTS INTO OLD AGE ALLOWANCES, AT THE MOMENT OVER $3 BILLION. BUT WE’VE SAID THAT IF WE WANT TO AVOID THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED IN EUROPE AND IN NORTH AMERICA, THEN WE NEED TO HAVE A SENSIBLE SCHEME WHICH DOES THINGS THE HONG KONG WAY, ONLY GETTING OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO PAY IN. THE GREAT DISADVANTAGE OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST, BUT FIRST OF ALL, IT DOES NOTHING TO TODAY’S ELDERLY, DOESN’T DO ANYTHING FOR TOMORROW’S ELDERLY. YOU’VE GOT TO WAIT 20 OR 30 OR 40 YEARS. AND THEN FOR MUCH LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS, YOU GET A LOWER RETURN. I RECOGNISE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY. AND I DON’T REGRET OR RESENT THE AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION THAT IS GOING TO BE. IT’S JUST ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT DOMESTIC ISSUE THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ITS MIND UP ABOUT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS OR MONTHS. I ALSO RECOGNISED THAT WE MUST DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH CHINA AS THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN. BUT THERE AREN’T ANY RASY ANSWERS. THERE AREN’T ANY WAYS OF CROPPING OUT OF THE ISSUE. IF WE WANT TO HELP, THEN, WE'VE GOT TO RECOGNISE SOME OF THE HARD CHOICES THAT NEED TO BE MADE. AND I BELIEVE THIS COMMUNITY CAN MAKE THEM WITHOUT RUNNING INTO THE SAME DIFFICULTIES AND PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECTED OTHER SOCIETIES, WHICH HAVEN’T BEEN AS SENSIBLE AS WE ARE PROPOSING TO BE. ONE LAST THOUGHT, PEOPLE CAN’T SAY THE GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE WITHOUT RECOGNISING THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOING MORE MEANS THAT TAX-PAYERS DOING MORE. THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T HAVE ANY MONEY OF ITS OWN. IT’S ONLY GOT YOUR MONEY, THE HARD EARNED MONEY THAT YOU’VE MADE. SO I THINK IF FROM NOW ON, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT TAX-PAYERS’ RATHER THAN GOVERNMENT’S, THEY’LL BE A BIT CLOSER TO THE MARK. ON MORE QUESTION.
QUESTION : DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE A BURDEN FOR OUR FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT AS OUR GENERATION GROWS OLDER BECAUSE OUR GENERATION IS A LARGE PART OF THE POPULATION?
/GOVERNOR.......
9
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
GOVERNOR : AS THE YEARS PASS, WE’RE GOING TO FIND IN HONG KONG THAT A LARGER PROPORTION OF OUR POPULATION IS RETIRED AND THE LARGER PROPORTION OF THAT RETIRED POPULATION IS VERY ELDERLY. THAT IS ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUCCESS. IT IS ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPROVEMENTS IN MEDICAL CARE, ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPROVEMENTS IN HOUSING. IF WE’RE TO LOOK AFTER THOSE ELDERLY, WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE PROVISION OF PENSIONS BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT WE NEED TO GO FURTHER AND THAT DOES INVOLVE COSTS AND YOU CAN’T SIMPLY WHISH THEM AWAY BY SAYING THAT SOMEBODY ELSE APART FROM ALL OF US AS INDIVIDUALS HAS GOT TO MEET THE COSTS OF THAT. WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND THIS IS THE INTENTION OF OUR PROPOSALS IS TO LIMIT THOSE COSTS TO WHAT IS AFFORDABLE. AND WE DON’T WANT TO RUN THE RISK WHICH IS PRESENT IN A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OF HAVING LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS BY INDIVIDUALS AND EMPLOYERS FOR SMALLER BENEFITS AND GAINS. I REPEAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT I THINK IS A VERY IMPORTANT ARGUMENT AND ONE THAT GOES RIGHT TO THE HEART OF WHAT SORT OF SOCIETY WE WANT TO BE IN HONG KONG. BUT I THINK AT THE END OF DAY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO RECKON THAT THEY WANT A SOCIETY WHICH LOOKS AFTER ITS ELDERLY CITIZENS DECENTLY SO THAT THEY HAVE A PROPER REWARD FOR THE LIVES THEY’VE CONTRIBUTED TO THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY. I AM SURE THAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME AND I VERY MUCH BELIEVE THAT THE APPROACH THAT WE’VE SUGGESTED IS THE BEST ONE. THANK YOU.
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GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER OPENING KWAI SHING SCHOOL OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG *****
GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT THIS EXCELLENT NEW SCHOOL. 1 THINK IT’S PROVIDING AN OUTSTANDING SERVICE FOR SOME OF THE DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND WE’VE, OBVIOUSLY, GOT TO GO ON DEVELOPING OUR SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY OF DEVELOPING THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULL WHICH NOT ONLY HELPS THEM BUT HELPS THE WHOLE OF THE COMMUNITY. SO I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE SEEN THIS SCHOOL THIS MORNING.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, WE KNOW THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND BRITAIN AS WELL ARE WAITING FOR A FORMAL REPLY FROM CHINA BUT THEN ISN’T THAT A PASSIVE WAY OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE CHINA MAY NOT GIVE YOU ANY FORMAL REPLY AND WHEN WILL YOU TABLE THE REST OF YOUR BILL THEN?
GOVERNOR: IN THE 17TH ROUND OF TALKS, WE PROPOSED DATES FOR THE 18TH ROUND OF TALKS AND THEN, WE CONTACTED THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN PEKING ON TWO FURTHER OCCASIONS ON DECEMBER 2ND AND 14TH. I THINK AFTER THE MOST RECENT CONTACT, OUR ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY. I WANT TO MAKE THIS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR. LAST YEAR, IT WAS US WHO ASKED FOR TALKS AND PRESSED FOR TALKS, SOME OF YOU WERE VERY PATIENT, IT TOOK MUCH TOO LONG TO GET TALKS GOING BUT EVENTUALLY TALKS DID GET GOING IN THE SPRING. OUR POSITION NOW, AS YOU KNOW, IS THAT WE’VE INTRODUCED OUR PARTIAL LEGISLATION BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE TIME TABLE MADE THAT ESSENTIAL. WE’VE GOT A BIT OF TIME AND UNTIL WE HAVE TO BRING FORWARD THE REST OF THE PROPOSALS, WE ARE PREPARED TO TALK WITH THE CHINESE SIDE AT ANY TIME. THAT REMAINS OUR POSITION. WE’VE BOUGHT OURSELVES SOME TIME FOR MORE TALKING. WE ARE NOT GOING TO WALK AWAY FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE OUR PAPERS ON THE TABLE AND WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WON’T CLOSE THE DOOR. I REPEAT THAT UNTIL IT IS NECESSARY TO BRING FORWARD THE REST OF THE LEGISLATION, WE ARE PREPARED TO TALK.
/QUESTION .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
10
QUESTION: WHEN WILL THAT BE.... FOR THE REST OF THE PROPOSALS?
GOVERNOR: YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT FOR WEEKS IF NOT MONTHS, I HAVE DECLINED TO TALK IN TERMS OF DEADLINES WHILE KNOWING THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND DIFFICULTIES WE HAD ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE. WE ARE GOING TO PROCEED WITH THE PRESENT BILL THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IN DUE COURSE, WE’LL HAVE TO COME FORWARD WITH THE REST OF THE MEASURES BUT UNTIL THEN, WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO TALK TO THE CHINESE SIDE. INDEED, WE WILL GO ON PRESSING FOR TALKS.
QUESTION : HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE CHINESE SPOKESMAN WHO SAID THAT IT IS THE END OF THE TALKS TO THE MEDIA YESTERDAY?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IF THAT’S THE CHINESE POSITION, THEY WOULD WANT TO DRAW OUR ATTENTION TO IT FORMALLY. BUT I HOPE THAT IS NOT THE CONSIDERED CHINESE POSITION. YOU WILL NOTICE THIS MORNING THAT IN AN OPINION POLL, OVER 60 PERCENT OF THOSE WHO WERE QUESTIONED DID NOT BELIEVE THAT TABLING THIS PARTIAL LEGISLATION SHOULD BE TAKEN AS A REASON FOR BREAKING OFF THE TALKS NOR DO I. AS THE CHINESE SIDE KNOW PERFECTLY WELL, WE TABLED THE PARTIAL LEGISLATION WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED IN THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES MORE TIME FOR THE TALKS. THAT REMAINS OUR POSITION.
QUESTION: DO YOU FEEL BEING THREATENED WHILE THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR WU JIANMIN, SAID THAT NOW THAT THE SINO-BRITISH TRADE RELATION IS INEVITABLY BEING ............. THAT IS, YOU’VE TABLED THE PARTIAL BILL?
GOVERNOR: OUR CONCERN AND THE CONCERN OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY ARE CONCERN HERE IN HONG KONG IS TO DO WHAT’S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN THE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG, TO ENSURE THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED. THAT’S WHAT WE ARE DOING AND I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH WHAT PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN SAID WHAT HE MET PRESIDENT CLINTON AND SAID THAT NOBODY SHOULD CONFUSE POLITICS AND TRADE; PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP POLITICS AND ECONOMICS SEPARATED. I THINK THAT WAS VERY WISE ADVICE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PRC AND I AM SURE IT’S ADVICE WHICH ALL HIS COLLEAGUES WILL WANT TO TAKE. IT’S ALSO WORTH NOTING, OF COURSE, THAT AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE IS A CHINESE TRADE SURPLUS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM OF TWO TO ONE AND I DON’T IMAGINE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD WANT TO DAMAGE THAT RELATIONSHIP. THEY’RE APPLYING FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE GATT WHICH IS, OF COURSE, VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE. THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS TOTALLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY SUPPORTED THEIR APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF GATT. THAT ISN’T THE POSITION OF ALL THE OTHER MEMBERS OF GATT BUT IS CERTAINLY THE UNITED KINGDOM’S POSITION. SO I THINK WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE CALM AND SENSIBLE AND 1 THINK WE NEED TO RECOGNISE AS I’VE SAID EARLIER THAT IT IS OUR CONCERN TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR HONG KONG AND I HOPE THAT IS THE CHINESE SIDE’S CONCERN AS WELL. THEY CAN BEST SHOW THAT BY FULLY CO-OPERATING ON ALL THE MEASURES THAT ARE OUTSTANDING IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND SO ON AND THEY CAN BEST DO THAT AS WELL BY COMING TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AND TRYING TO DEAL WITH MATTERS LIKE THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE THROUGH TRAIN ON WHICH THERE IS, ALAS, STILL QUITE A WIDE GAP. ONE MORE.
/QUESTION .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
11
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YOU ALWAYS SAY THAT THE BRITISH SIDE IS GOING ON TO PRESS FOR TALKS, BUT THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE ALREADY STATED CLEARLY THEIR POSITION, SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? ARE YOU WAITING FOR THE CHINESE SIDE OFFICIALLY REFUSING TO GO ON FOR TALKS?
GOVERNOR: I’VE ANSWERED THAT QUESTION A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I DON’T THINK I CAN ADD ANYTHING TO WHAT I’VE SAID ALREADY. WE ARE PREPARED TO GO ON TALKING UNTIL WE HAVE TO INTRODUCE THE REST OF THE LEGISLATION. THE COMMUNITY KNOWS THAT WE’VE BEEN PREPARED TO CUT THINGS PRETTY FINE IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES A BIT MORE TIME TO TALK. ONE MORE, AS I ’VE ANSWERED THAT.
QUESTION: CHINA IS BLAMING YOU FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF NEGOTIATIONS.DO YOU CARE WHAT THE CHINESE SAYS AT THIS STAGE?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHO WAS ASKING FOR TALKS IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHO VERY PATIENTLY SAT THERE FOR 17 ROUNDS WHILE, ALAS, NOT VERY MUCH PROGRESS WAS MADE DESPITE OUR CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS. I THINK THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHO’S NOW SAYING THAT WE LIKE TO GO ON TALKING, PERFECTLY PREPARED TO GO ON TALKING. THE COMMUNITY IS, AS I NOTED EARLIER, IN AN OPINION POLL, 60 PERCENT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT TABLING THE PARTIAL BILL SHOULDN’T MEAN THAT THE TALKS ARE CALLED OFF. THAT’S MY VIEW. WE TABLED THE BILL IN ORDER TO GIVE OURSELVES A BIT MORE TIME FOR TALKS. SO, I AM NOT GOING TO ENGAGE TODAY ANY MORE THAN I HAD IN THE PAST IN RHETORIC. WE ARE GOING ABOUT OUR BUSINESS -VERY CALMLY. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL START TO CONSIDER THE BILL NOW AND AS FOR OTHER THINGS, WE SEE THIS MORNING AND HONG KONG PEOPLE PREPARING CHEERFULLY FOR A HAPPY, STABLE, TURMOIL-FREE CHRISTMAS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
- - 0 - -
GOVT SPARES NO EFFORT IN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT: RS * t * * t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPARED NO EEFORT IN PLANNING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL, MISS CHOW NOTED THAT A SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF THE RESIDENTS.
NOTING THAT SHAM SHUI PO IS AN OLD URBAN AREA, MISS CHOW SAID RESIDENTS MIGHT FACE A NUMBER OF COMPLEX PROBLEMS IN THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
SHE SAID SHAM SHUI PO HAD HOWEVER A FACELIFT AFTER MANY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT. THE GOVERNMENT HAS BUILT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME BLOCKS, REDEVELOPED PRIVATE BUILDINGS, IMPROVED SEWERAGE SYSTEM, AND LAUNCHED THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW BY POPULAR SINGERS.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL LAST FOR 38 DAYS UNTIL JANUARY 23 NEXT YEAR.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VARIETY SHOWS, CONCERTS, SPORTS COMPETITIONS, CANTONESE OPERA SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS, PHOTO CONTEST, A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND A CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL.
/PAMPHLETS ON
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
12
PAMPHLETS ON DETAILS OP THE FESTIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 720 4251.
COSTING MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION, THE FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
------0-------
PUBLIC URGED TO GIVE VIEWS ON ELDERLY CARE
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY TO THE WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH.
THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST MONTH TO REVIEW WHAT MORE COULD AND SHOULD BE DONE TO PROVIDE THE SORT OF INTEGRATED CARE FOR THE ELDERLY THAT THEY NEED AND WHICH HONG KONG CAN AFFORD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE WORKING GROUP HAD DECIDED ON A PROGRAMME OF WORK AT ITS FIRST MEETING LAST MONTH.
"IT WILL ALSO CONDUCT A GENERAL REVIEW OF SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND ADVISE ON THE FORMULATION OF A STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE POLICIES AND SERVICES."
THE WORKING GROUP WILL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
VIEWS ARE WELCOME AND SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
WATERWORKS CONTRACT AWARDED UNDER ACP
*****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF A $519.59 MILLION WATERWORKS CONTRACT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) TO AOKI CORPORATION - PWT (HK) LIMITED JOINT VENTURE.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE NORTH LANTAU WATER SUPPLY PROJECT TO PROVIDE A FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ON NORTH LANTAU AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
IT COVERS ALL THE CIVIL AND BUILDING WORKS FOR THE SIU HO WAN WATER TREATMENT WORKS AS WELL AS TREATED AND RAW WATER PUMPING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF WATER TREATMENT PROCESS EQUIPMENT, CONTROL EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING SERVICES.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START LATER THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN MARCH 1996.
/THE AWARD .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
13
THE AWARD OF THIS WATERWORKS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 34, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT $31.3 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS VALUED AT $9.7 BILLION AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR THE ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS ABOUT $46.7 BILLION.
----------------0------- FESTIVE LIGHTS BRIGHTEN UP SHA TIN *****
SHA TIN DISTRICT HAS BEEN BRIGHTENED UP BY MORE THAN 60,000 LIGHT BULBS TONIGHT (FRIDAY), USHERING IN THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SEASON.
THE NUMBER OF LIGHT BULBS USED THIS YEAR IS THE LARGEST SINCE 1983, DOUBLING THE NUMBER IN THE YEAR BEFORE. JUMBO GRAPHIC DECORATIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN PUT UP.
THE LIGHTS ARE LINED UP ALONG SHING MUN RIVER, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TWO HOTELS. LIT-UP AREAS COVER CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, FROM THE TRADITIONAL SPOTS OF LEK YUEN BRIDGE, SAN MARTIN BRIDGE, TSUI YUNG BRIDGE AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, ALL THE WAY TO TAI WAI.
A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY WAS HELD AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK, FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW.
THE DISPLAY WILL BE TURNED ON DAILY FROM 6.30 PM TO MIDNIGHT UNTIL JANUARY 9, AND THEN FROM FEBRUARY 3 TO 24.
FROM CHRISTMAS EVE TO DECEMBER 26, NEW YEAR’S EVE TO NEW YEAR’S DAY, AND FROM FEBRUARY 9 TO 12, THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
THE LIGHTING IS A PRELUDE TO A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ON OFFER FOR RESIDENTS. A TWO-HOUR COUNTDOWN VARIETY SHOW, PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE BY TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD, WILL BE HELD AT 10.15 PM ON NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
IN ADDITION TO POP SONGS, A FIREWORK DISPLAY AND LASER EFFECTS WILL BE SHOWN.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE ON FESTIVE LIGHTING (PCOFL) IN SHA TIN, MR LAU KONG-WAH, SAID THE SHOW WAS EXPECTED TO BEEF UP THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE AND TO ATTRACT CROWDS AWAY FROM LAN KWAI FONG.
MR LAU SAID SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE ENFORCED THAT DAY. MOTORISTS AND RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THE POLICE’S DIRECTIONS.
TICKETS TO THE SHOW ARE AVAILABLE FREE FROM 10 AM TO NOON AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM ON DECEMBER 22 AND 23, ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
/ALSO ON .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
14
ALSO ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, A DANCING PARTY, SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, WILL BE HELD AT 9 PM ON THE PODIUM OF THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
RESIDENTS MAY ALSO JOIN A PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST TO CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF THE SHA TIN LIGHTS. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, KCR HOUSE. DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS FEBRUARY 28.
ENQUIRIES ON THE CONTEST CAN BE MADE ON TEL 604 8078 EXT 33.
THE FESTIVE PROGRAMME, COSTING ABOUT $2.8 MILLION, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT IS ORGANISED BY PCOFL AND CO-ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. Il IS ALSO SPONSORED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, CABLE TV, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, TVB AND HENDERSON LAND DEVELOPMENT LTD.
------0--------
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN OCTOBER
» * * » «
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 2% IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR OVER A YEAR EARLIER, ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS THAT MANUFACTURERS WILL REQUIRE TO COMPLETE THE ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ORDERS POSITION IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES DECREASED MODERATELY BY 5% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY. A SLIGHT DECREASE OF 2% WAS ALSO RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS POSITION INCREASED MODERATELY BY 8% IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. AN INCREASE OF 1% WAS ALSO RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1%.
ORDERS POSITION DECREASED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (5%), THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (4%) AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (3%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE. A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 2% WAS RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF ORDERS-ON-HAND COVERS A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
15
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID BECAUSE THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERED ONLY LARGE COMPANIES, THE RESULTS MIGHT NOT BE FULLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT Of SHORT-TERM DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS SECTOR," HE SAID.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 1993, AT $5.50 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE RESULTS MAY BE MADE OF THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 805 6441.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES
IN ORDERS-ON-
HAND:
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF OCTOBER 1993 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
SEPTEMBER 1993 OCTOBER 1992
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS
SURVEYED 4.34 -1 -2
WEARING APPAREL 4.56 + 2 -2
TEXTILES 1.95 ♦ -4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.65 -4 + 8
FABRICATED METAL 4.33 -5 -5
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.79 -3 + 1
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 3.82 + 1 -3
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5%
---------0-----------
DRUG ABUSERS ADVISED AGAINST TETANUS *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON DRUG ABUSERS TO QUIT INJECTING DRUGS AND OPT FOR METHADONE TREATMENT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE THREAT OF TETANUS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE FOLLOWING THE DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATION WHICH REVEALED AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TETANUS CASES AMONG DRUG ABUSERS.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS, ACTIVE CASE FINDING BY THE DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT ALL OF THE 24 CASES OF TETANUS ADMITTED BETWEEN NOVEMBER I TO DECEMBER 15 HAD A PAST HISTORY OF ABUSING DRUG THROUGH INJECTION.
/THE CAUSE .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
16
THE CAUSE IS BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF HEROIN WITH THE BACTERIA.
FIVE PATIENTS HAVE DIED AND THE OTHERS ARE STILL IN HOSPITAL.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (SPECIAL HEALTH SERVICES), DR P Y LAM, URGED DRUG ABUSERS TO QUIT THE INJECTION OF DRUGS.
DR LAM SAID: "THEY SHOULD SEEK TREATMENT AT METHADONE CLINICS AS THIS IS A READILY ACCESSIBLE, MEDICALLY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE.
"THE PATIENTS ATTENDING OUR METHADONE CLINICS ARE ALWAYS ADVISED TO ADOPT A NORMAL AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE STYLE AND STOP INJECTING DRUG."
DR LAM STRESSED: "HEALTH COUNSELLING ON DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH INTRAVENOUS DRUG USE SUCH AS AIDS, HEPATITIS B AND TETANUS ARE GIVEN TO EVERY DRUG ABUSER ATTENDING THE METHADONE CLINICS.
"TETANUS VACCINE IS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO THE PATIENTS VISITING METHADONE CLINICS," DR LAM SAID.
IN VIEW OF THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TETANUS CASES, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENCOURAGE OTHER DRUG ABUSERS 'TO RECEIVE TETANUS VACCINE AT THREE DESIGNATED INJECTION CENTRES DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THEY MAY GO TO THE VIOLET PEEL METHADONE CLINIC IN WAN CHAI, THE ROBERT BLACK METHADONE CLINIC IN SAN PO KONG AND THE LADY TRENCH METHADONE CLINIC IN TSUEN WAN TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE OR CONSULT THEIR OWN DOCTORS.
DR LAM EMPHASISED THAT THIS MESSAGE WAS INTENDED FOR DRUG ABUSERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY ALARMED.
------0--------
RE-INTEGRATION SCHEME FOR EX-PRISONERS
* t * ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE A SUPERVISION SCHEME TO HELP CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PRISONERS RE-INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY AFTER THEIR RELEASE.
UNDER THE POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION OF PRISONERS BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION BOARD, CHAIRED BY A HIGH COURT JUDGE, WILL BE SET UP TO ADMINISTER THE SCHEME.
THE BOARD WILL EXAMINE THE CASE OF EACH PRISONER AND DECIDE WHETHER SUPERVISION ORDERS SHOULD BE MADE AND WILL MONITOR THE SCHEME.
SUPERVISION ORDERS IMPOSED WILL NOT BE LONGER THAN THE REMITTED PART OF THE PRISONER’S SENTENCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE AIM OF THE SCHEME WAS TO HELP EX-PRISONERS REHABILITATE AND RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY AS LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.
/"EX-PRISONERS .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
17
"EX-PRISONERS FALLING UNDER THE SCHEME WILL BE SUPERVISED BY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND POLICE OFFICERS, WHO WILL VISIT THE RELEASED PRISONERS REGULARLY TO PROVIDE CARE AND GUIDANCE TO THEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT THE INITIAL STAGE, ONLY THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF PRISONERS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD FOR POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION:
* PRISONERS SERVING SENTENCES OF SIX YEARS OR MORE;
* PRISONERS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS OR MORE FOR SPECIFIC TYPES OF OFFENCE, FOR EXAMPLE, TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES, SEXUAL OFFENCES AND CRIMES OF VIOLENCE.
THESE PRISONERS ARE INCLUDED BECAUSE, GIVEN THE NATURE OF THEIR OFFENCES AND THE LENGTH OF THEIR IMPRISONMENT, THEY MIGHT NEED MORE ATTENTION AND ADVICE TO HELP THEM RE-ADJUST IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SCHEME WOULD NOT ALTER THE LENGTH OF SENTENCE A PRISONER SHOULD SERVE, BUT WOULD ONLY IMPOSE A PERIOD OF AFTER-CARE SUPERVISION.
"WITH THE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE GIVEN BY THE SUPERVISING OFFICERS, IT IS HOPED THAT THE SCHEME WILL HELP DISCOURAGE EX-PRISONERS FROM COMMITTING OFFENCE AGAIN," HE ADDED.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 19.
------0-------
OPERATION TO STAMP OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
*****
A 24-HOUR OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 145 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE 141 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED BY THE POLICE HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
THE OTHER FOUR PERSONS WERE ARRESTED BY IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
/A HIGH .......
18
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
"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 3 PM ON DECEMBER 15 (WEDNESDAY) AND ENDED AT 3 PM YESTERDAY, THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS.
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 19,929 PERSONS, 2,427 VEHICLES AND 337 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 2,356 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 9,129 EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR PROOF OF IDENTITY CHECKED DURING THE OPERATION.
NINETEEN ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A RECORD OF EMPLOYEES FOR INSPECTION.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $250,000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO THREE YEARS IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
------0-------
DRAINAGE WORKS FOR KOWLOON AND NT « » » « »
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN KOWLOON, SHA TIN, SAI KUNG, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING AREAS.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF ALL EXISTING PUBLIC SEWERS, STORMWATER DRAINS, PUMPING STATIONS, FLOOD STORAGE PONDS AND SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
MINOR SEWERS, DRAINS AND DRAINAGE STRUCTURES AND PLANTS WILL BE BUILT.
THE CONTRACT WILL RUN FROM MARCH NEXT YEAR TO NOVEMBER 1996.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 7.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, MAINLAND SOUTH DIVISION, DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 15TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR PILING WORKS FOR SEDIMENTATION TANKS OF A PROPOSED PRIMARY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN APRIL NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 13 MONTHS.
/TENDER FORMS .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
19
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS OF THE PROJECT, MONTGOMERY WATSON HONG KONG LIMITED, ROOM 1911, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 21.
------0--------
RESTORATION OF URBAN LANDFILLS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A CONTRACT TO UNDERTAKE RESTORATION WORKS AT THE CLOSED URBAN LANDFILLS AT GIN DRINKERS BAY, JORDAN VALLEY, MA YAU TONG CENTRAL AND NGAU CHI WAN.
THE CONTRACT WILL BE THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF CONTRACTS TO BE INVITED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REMOVE THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS, CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION EMANATING FROM THE LANDFILLS, AND RENDER THE SITES SAFE FOR FUTURE USE.
THE WORKS INVOLVE EXCAVATION OF TRENCHES TO ALLOW THE VENTILATION OF GAS PRODUCED IN THE LANDFILLS, INSTALLATION OF PIPES TO COLLECT LEACHATE, AND REINSTATEMENT OF EXISTING DRAINS AND ACCESS ROADS AT THE LANDFILLS.
IT ALSO INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF A NUMBER OF x GAS MONITORING WELLS TO ENSURE THAT GAS DOES NOT DISPERSE FROM THE LANDFILL SITES.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS OF THE CONTRACT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SOLID WASTE DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIRST FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
------0------
POST OFFICE TO ISSUE SIX STAMP SETS NEXT YEAR
*****
SIX SETS OF SPECIAL STAMPS WILL BE ISSUED NEXT YEAR, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
DETAILS OF THE STAMP ISSUE ARE:
JANUARY 27 - YEAR OF THE DOG
THIS SET OF STAMPS WILL COMPRISE FOUR DENOMINATIONS. A SOUVENIR SHEET AND A STAMP BOOKLET WILL ALSO BE RELEASED.
THE YEAR OF THE DOG ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABELS (FRAMA LABELS) WILL BE ISSUED ON MARCH 1.
/MAY 4 .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
20
MAY 4 - 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
THERE WILL BE SIX STAMPS FEATURING POLICE OFFICERS IN PAST AND PRESENT UNIFORMS. THEY ARE SEPARATELY SHOWN AGAINST BACKGROUNDS OF THE POLICE BUILDINGS OF VARIOUS PERIODS AND ARCHITECTURAL STYLES.
JUNE 8 - TRADITIONAL CHINESE FESTIVALS
THE SET IS MADE UP OF FOUR DENOMINATIONS FEATURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, SEVEN SISTERS FESTIVAL AND MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL.
AUGUST 25 - 1994 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
THERE WILL BE FOUR DENOMINATIONS. THE STAMPS WILL SHOW STYLISED ILLUSTRATIONS OF FOUR MAJOR CATEGORIES OF EVENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES.
OCTOBER 5 - DR JAMES LEGGE THE SCHOLAR
ONE STAMP IN THE FORM OF A MINIATURE SHEET, WILL BE ISSUED, FEATURING DR JAMES LEGGE, WHO MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE WESTERN WORLD IN RECENT HISTORY.
NOVEMBER 17 - HONG KONG CORALS
THERE WILL BE FOUR STAMPS DESIGNED IN THE SE-TENANT FORMAT. EACH STAMP WILL ILLUSTRATE A VARIETY OF CORALS COMMON IN HONG KONG WATERS.
MR PAGLIARI SAID FURTHER DETAILS OF EACH STAMP ISSUE WOULD BE ANNOUNCED CLOSER TO THE DATE OF ISSUE.
- - 0 - -
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO WORKS PROJECTS * * * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR TWO PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE FIRST ONE INVOLVES THE REPROVISIONING OF KOWLOON BAY CARGO WORKING AREA PHASE II AT A 25,000-SQUARE METRE SITE IN CHA KWO LING, KOWLOON.
A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, A KIOSK AND BOUNDARY WALLS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED THERE.
/THE WORKS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
21
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY AND TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE SECOND PROJECT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL IN AREA 4, SAI KUNG.
IT WILL INCLUDE A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK OF 30 CLASSROOMS WITH STAFF ROOMS AND SPECIAL ROOMS ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MARCH NEXT YEAR AND FOR COMPLETION BY JULY 1995.
TENDERS FOR THE ABOVE TWO PROJECTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE JANUARY 7 AND 14.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
------0-------
GOVT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER ♦ » » ♦ »
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITE IS IN AREA 33, SHA TIN. WITH AN AREA OF 920.1 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR PETROL FILLING STATION, EXCLUDING ANY LUBRICATING OR SERVICING FACILITIES.
THE STATION SHOULD BE COMPLETED FOR OPERATION WITHIN 24 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION OF THE LOT.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS NOON ON JANUARY 14, NEXT YEAR.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; 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, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
------0--------
/22........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
22
INDOOR SHOOTING RANGES FOR POLICE * * ♦ ♦ *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR TWO CONTRACTS TO BUILD A FOUR-STOREY SHOOTING RANGE AND ITS INTERNAL INSTALLATIONS.
ONE CONTRACT COVERS A FOUR-STOREY STRUCTURE AT NGAU TAU KOK POLICE STATION TO HOUSE EIGHT MINI SHOOTING RANGES AND A 25-METRE INDOOR CONVENTIONAL SHOOTING RANGE, AND CAR PARKING AREAS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE OTHER CONTRACT CALLS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF TARGET MECHANISM, COMPLETE WITH ALL ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS FOR ALL THE SHOOTING RANGES, SEWAGE PUMPING SYSTEM AND A MONORAIL ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED HOIST.
THE TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOX ON 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON JANUARY 14 NEXT YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE SAME LOCATION.
------0--------
DRAFT WONG NAI CHUNG ZONING PLAN APPROVED
* ♦ * » »
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE AMENDED DRAFT WONG NAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN NO. S/H7/4 AND HAS REFERRED THE DRAFT QUARRY BAY OUTLINE ZONING PLAN NO. S/H21/7 TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER AMENDMENTS.
THE DRAFT WONG NAI CHUNG PLAN WAS LAST APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN 1973.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND CHANGES IN LAND USE PROPOSALS, INCLUDING THE RACE COURSE EXTENSION.
"THE APPROVED PLAN WILL SERVE AS A BASIS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN WONG NAI CHUNG," HE SAID.
THE DRAFT QUARRY BAY PLAN, FIRST PUBLISHED BY THE BOARD IN 1976, HAS BEEN AMENDED TO INCORPORATE NEW LAND USE PROPOSALS SINCE THEN.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN ANTICIPATION OF FURTHER CHANGES IN LAND USE IN THE AREA, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD REFERRED THE PLAN TO THE BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENTS.
THE AMENDED PLAN WOULD BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN DUE COURSE, HE SAID.
---------0-----------
/23........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
- 23 -
WATER WORKS FOR SHA TIN * * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR LAYING WATER MAINS IN SHA TIN.
ABOUT 1.5 KILOMETRES OF FRESH AND SALT WATER MAINS RANGING FROM 200 TO 400 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER ARE PLANNED TO BE LAID FROM LOWER SHING MUN ROAD TO HEUNG FAN LIU STREET TO CONNECT WITH THE EXISTING MAINS.
AFTER THE WORKS ARE COMPLETED, WATER SUPPLY TO THE NEW TOWN WILL BE EXPANDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT NINE MONTHS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 44TH FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 7 NEXT YEAR.
------0--------
318 RETURN TO VIETNAM * * * * *
A GROUP OF 318 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 121 MEN, 91 WOMEN, 61 BOYS AND 45 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 188TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 11,748 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 38,060 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
--------0-----------
/24 .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993
24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,910
REVERSAL OF LAF +90
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,506
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,494
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 *-0.1* 17.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS s
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.09 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.34 3.59
1 MONTH 3.11 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.90 3.86
3 MONTHS 3.04 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.96 4.06
6 MONTHS 3.19 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.89 4.25
12 MONTHS 3.49 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.76 4.72
TOTAL TURNOVER OF 1 BILLS AND BONDS - 2,289 MN
CLOSED 17 DECEMBER 1993
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL BEGINS TODAY ............................. 1
MONG KOK TO LAUNCH DISTRICT FESTIVAL .......................... 3
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION.................... 3
PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL'S FIRST OPEN FORUM WITH COLLEGE STAFF ........................................................ 4
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS .................... 6
NO EVENING CLINIC SERVICE ON WINTER SOLSTICE ................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 7
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE PLEDGE ....................................................... 8
15 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE RETURN TO YUNNAN ........................ 8
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT ......................................... 9
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAN PO KONG ................................. 9
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL BEGINS TODAY
*****
LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOREIGN VISITORS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO GET A FEEL OF THE FARMING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AT THE "1993 AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL" WHICH OPENS TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE CARNIVAL, WITH A PRICE TAG OF ABOUT $7 MILLION, IS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND BEING ORGANISED IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS. IT WILL LAST UNTIL JANUARY 2.
THE LAST AGRICULTURAL SHOW WAS HELD AT SHEK KONG IN 1972.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), REGIONAL COUNCIL (RC), VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION AND THE JOINT FEDERATION OF HONG KONG AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SOCIETIES (JFHKAFPMS).
THE CARNIVAL WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING BY A PARTY OF OFFICIATING GUESTS LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; AND RC’S CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, DR LEE SAID THE CARNIVAL 'WAS VERY MEANINGFUL TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND THE FARMING COMMUNITY.
HE HOPES THAT THROUGH VARIOUS TECHNICAL DISPLAYS, THE PUBLIC COULD KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE, ITS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE SOCIETY AND ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
DR LEE SAID THE DEMAND ON LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE SUCH AS FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE PIGS AND POULTRY, IN THE POPULATION WAS VERY HIGH.
THESE PRODUCE HELPS TO REGULATE AND STABILISE THE SUPPLY AND PRICES OF THE FRESH FOODSTUFFS REQUIRED LOCALLY.
HOWEVER, DR LEE ADDED, THE TERRITORY’S AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT WAS FACING KEEN COMPETITION FROM IMPORTED PRODUCE AND RISING PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT PROTECTION OF RURAL ENVIRONMENT.
HE SAID THE LIMITATION OF LAND SUPPLY ALSO RESTRICTED GROWTH.
TO HELP THE INDUSTRY MEET THESE CHALLENGES, AFD HAD TN RECENT YEARS INTRODUCED VARIOUS OVERSEAS HIGH-QUALITY BREEDS AND VARIETIES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE. THESE INCLUDE SUPERIOR BREEDING PIGS AND CHICKENS, SUPERSWEET CORN AND BUTTER LETTUCE AND SO ON.
ON THE PROMOTION OF NEW AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, DR LEE SAID: "AFD HAD EXPLORED AND DEVELOPED MANY HIGHLY EFFICIENT, ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY AND INTENSIVE FARMING TECHNIQUES SUCH AS THE PIG-ON-LITTER PIG-RAISING METHOD, SOILLESS CULTURE AND ORGANIC FARMING METHOD FOR PROMOTION TO THE INDUSTRY."
/IT WAS .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
- 2 -
IT WAS HOPED THAT LOCAL FARMERS COULD MAKE FULL USE OF ALL THESE NEW CONCEPTS AND TECHNOLOGIES TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE INDUSTRY TO COINCIDE WITH THE VERY SPIRIT OF THE CARNIVAL, THAT IS, PROMOTION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE AND RURAL ENVIRONMENT.
TURNING TO THE CARNIVAL, THE DIRECTOR NOTED THAT ITS DISPLAY ITEMS WERE VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SAID RC HAD ALSO PLAYED A PART IN PRESERVING AND PROMOTING THE TRADITIONAL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR CHEUNG SAID: "WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF LOCAL, CHINESE AND OVERSEAS AGRICULTURAL BODIES, WE HAVE A GREAT VARIETY OF ITEMS ON DISPLAY IN THIS CARNIVAL AND EACH OF THEM HAS ITS OWN CHARACTERISTICS. THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE ESTABLISHED OBJECTIVE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF SERVING THE PUBLIC."
A MAJOR ATTRACTION OF THE CARNIVAL IS THE "INTEGRATED FARMING VILLAGE" WHERE A WIDE SPECTRUM OF TECHNICAL DISPLAYS AND DEMONSTRATIONS SUCH AS PIG-ON-LITTER PIG-RAISING METHOD, CHICKEN HATCHING, HYDROPONICS, VARIETIES OF FRESH MUSHROOMS, A CORN FIELD AND A PLANT NURSERY, AND SO ON, ARE STAGED BY AFD.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE GIANT TOMATO ARCHWAYS, HUGE HEXAGON ASSORTED VEGETABLE AND FLOWER ARRANGEMENT, A MINI BEE REARING FARM AND A FLOWER BAZAAR.
THERE ARE ALSO MORE THAN 70 COMMERCIAL STALLS SELLING AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS FROM HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS COUNTRIES SUCH AS AUSTRALIA AND THE NETHERLANDS.
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE CARNIVAL, THERE ARE ALSO STAGE PERFORMANCES AND GAMES SUCH AS NINTENDO STREET FIGHTER TV GAMES, PHOTO CORNER AND MILK POWDER MACHINERY MODEL DISPLAY.
ON SELECTED DAYS, THERE WILL BE DOG SHOWS, HORSE RIDING, PIG RACING AND OTHER INTERESTING ACTIVITIES.
THE CARNIVAL OPENS DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM AND TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ADMISSION TO THE CARNIVAL IS $10 A PERSON.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CARNIVAL AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND NEXT TO THE KWAI FONG MTR STATION.
THE VENUE IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ITS PROMOTER, TREASURE MARK DEVELOPMENT LTD ON TEL 367 5778.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF JFHKAFPMS, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI; AND DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR ADOLF HSU.
--------0-----------
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
- 3 -
MONG KOK TO LAUNCH DISTRICT FESTIVAL
******
MONG KOK DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL BE LAUNCHED AT CHRISTMAS TO BRING FESTIVE JOY TO THE RESIDENTS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN WHO IS ALSO THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, SAID THE AIMS OF THE FESTIVAL WERE TO ENHANCE THE IMAGE OF DISTRICT BOARD AND TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
MORE THAN 20 ACTIVITIES WOULD BE HELD UNTIL FEBRUARY 20.
THESE INCLUDE CHRISTMAS EVE BALL AND NEW YEAR BALL, FESTIVE LIGHTINGS, CONCERTS, VISITS, A PHOTO CONTEST, A FIGHT CRIME DAY AND A CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE A GRAND OPENING, FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND, SAI YEE STREET ON THE CHRISTMAS DAY.
IT WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS.
PAMPHLETS ON DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 787 0775.
THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
---------0----------
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION
*****
FIFTY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $2,090,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK DL333 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $220,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK FS38, FT888 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $210,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $2,000 EACH FOR CY4606 AND FW8358.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
4
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FL6888 40,000 FM168 150,000 FM3188 8,000 FM6368 4,000
FM968 30,000 FL388 58,000 AP105 12,000 EA921 4,000
♦ FK23 26,000 FS3 210,000 ♦ 3393 205,000 FT888 210,000
AA2808 17,000 FM1633 10,000 FM112 24,000 FM1392 4,000
FM3336 10,000 AA336 56,000 BM399 57,000 AA3353 12,000
BB166 21,000 FM1618 21,000 FM2228 27,000 FM806 9,000
FM162 12,000 FM332 15,000 FM628 32,000 FM8616 4,000
♦ 1990 90,000 ♦ DK28 150,000 ♦DL333 220,000 AD39 80,000
FM238 32,000 FM320 22,000 FM839 8,000 FM1891 10,000
FM3133 6,000 FM908 8,000 FM3363 18,000 FM317 5,000
FM815 4,000 AT129 20,000 #CC95 52,000 FM2628 22,000
AP6318 10,000 FM1680 20,000 CY4606 2,000 ♦ FT24 20,000
FM8358 2,000 FM435 WITHDRAWN
♦SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE CAR REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO CARS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITH x 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 208TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $227,733,905.
THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR FM435. THIS CAR REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT.
------0-------
PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL’S FIRST OPEN FORUM WITH COLLEGE STAFF ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL (PGC) OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HKIED), MR SIMON IP, AND THE INSTITUTE’S DIRECTOR-DESIGNATE, PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG, MET STAFF OF THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION AT AN OPEN FORUM THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
THE FIRST-EVER-HELD FORUM WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING COUNCIL MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION WITH COLLEGE STAFF AS WELL AS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THEM ON PLANS FOR THE HKIED.
THE EVENT, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE ANNEXE OF SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN SHA TIN, WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY CHAIRMEN OF THE COUNCIL’S VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
/THEY INCLUDED .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
- 5 -
THEY INCLUDED CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION, ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUPS, PROFESSOR LEE NGOK; CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE WORKING GROUP, MR PETER LEE; CHAIRMAN OF THE STAFF MATTERS WORKING GROUP, DR THOMAS LEUNG; AND SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LUCAS CHAN.
DURING THE HOUR-LONG FORUM, STAFF OF THE COLLEGES EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING IN THE COLLEGES AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE NEW INSTITUTION.
IN RESPONSE, MR IP SAID PGC WAS COMMITTED TO UPGRADING TEACHER EDUCATION WITH THE MINIMUM DISRUPTION TO EXISITING ACTIVITIES.
"PGC WELCOMES ALL SERVING COLLEGE STAFF TO APPLY FOR POSITIONS IN THE HKIED," HE SAID.
"TO FACILITATE THE INTEGRATION OF EXISTING STAFF INTO HKIED, PGC WILL BE LAUNCHING STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES TO ASSIST THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BE SUITABLE IN ALL RESPECTS EXCEPT FOR THE NECESSARY ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS TO ACQUIRE THESE QUALIFICATIONS," HE ADDED.
ON PERSONNEL ISSUES, MR IP SAID THE FIRST BATCH OF KEY ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC POSTS OF HKIED WAS ADVERTISED EARLY THIS MONTH.
"SELECTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
MR IP ALSO ANNOUNCED THE COUNCIL’S PLAN TO DEVELOP A NEW CAMPUS FOR HKIED IN TAI PO.
A 12.5-HECTARE SITE AT TAI PO AREA 34 (TING KOK ROAD) HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR THE PURPOSE AND THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1998.
ON THE ACADEMIC SIDE, PROFESSOR LEUNG TOLD THE GATHERING THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CURRICULUM WAS BEING CONDUCTED SO THAT HKIED CURRICULUM COULD BE DESIGNED TO MEET THE PRESENT-DAY NEEDS OF SCHOOLS AS FULLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE.
HE SAID PGC HAD COMMISSIONED THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION TO CONDUCT A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE EXISTING COLLEGES.
HKIED WILL BE AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION TO BE FORMED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR BY MERGING EXISTING COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
THE OVERALL MISSION OF HKIED IS TO BECOME THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN TEACHER EDUCATION AND IN CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS IN HONG KONG.
THE INSTITUTE WILL INITIALLY FOCUS ON THE UPGRADING OF COURSES AT THE PRE-DEGREE LEVEL WHILE PREPARING TO OFFER DEGREE COURSES IN SOME AREAS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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/6........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
6 -
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS *****
LOCAL MUSICIANS ARE NOW OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH AS PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS OR PIANO ACCOMPANISTS.
APPLICANTS FOR THE POSTS OF PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS (FOR AURAL, THEORY AND CHORAL) AND PIANO ACCOMPANISTS SHOULD EITHER BE HOLDERS OF A DIPLOMA IN MUSIC FROM THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS OR HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE; OR POSSESS LRSM, LRAM, ARCM, LGSM, LTCL, FTCL, DRSAM, PPRNCM OR EQUIVALENT; OR HAVE A DEGREE IN MUSIC FROM A RECOGNISED UNIVERSITY, OR A DIPLOMA OF GRADUATE STATUS, LIKE GRSM, GRNCM, GTCL, GGSM OR EQUIVALENT.
APPLICATION FORMS (G.F. 340) ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND DIPLOMAS SHOULD REACH THE MUSIC OFFICE, RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, 25TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 14.
CANDIDATES WHO ARE NOT INVITED FOR AUD ITION/INTRRVIRW WITHIN FOUR WEEKS FROM THE CLOSING DATE MAY ASSUME THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE UNSUCCESSFUL.
INTERESTED PERSONS MAY CALL THE MUSIC OFFICE ON TEL 582 5340 FOR DETAILS ON DUTIES AND REMUNERATION OF THE POSTS.
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NO EVENING CLINIC SERVICE ON WINTER SOLSTICE *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO EVENING GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 22), WHICH IS THE WINTER SOLSTICE.
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/7........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1993
7 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * ★ ★ *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,494
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,170
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,664
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,095
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,569
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 *+0.0» 18.12.93
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/8
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1993
8
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE PLEDGE
*****
THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGE, SETTING OUT THE TARGET TURNROUND TIME FOR APPLICATIONS UNDER VARIOUS SCHEMES.
THE SCHEMES ARE:
* LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME
* UK/HK GOVERNMENTS JOINT FUNDING SCHEME
* STUDENT FINANCE ASSISTANCE SCHEME
* STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME
* SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL FEE REMISSION SCHEME
* SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS ASSISTANCE SCHEME
* KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGENCY SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A FAIR, EFFICIENT AND HELPFUL SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
"THE CONTROLLER OF THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE TARGETS AND PUBLISH THE RESULTS EVERY YEAR.
"A CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP WILL SOON BE FORMED TO OBTAIN FEEDBACK ON THE OPERATION OF THE LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME," HE SAID.
A LEAFLET ABOUT THE PLEDGE WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION DISTRICT OFFICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO GIVE ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE SERVICES EITHER ON TEL 802 1694 OR IN WRITING TO THE AGENCY ON NINTH FLOOR, NATIONAL MUTUAL CENTRE, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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15 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE RETURN TO YUNNAN *****
FIFTEEN EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RETURNED TO KUNMING, YUNNAN ON A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THERE WERE SIX MEN, SIX WOMEN, TWO BOYS AND ONE GIRL IN THE GROUP WHO WERE ACCOMPANIED ON BOARD BY FIVE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.
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/9........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1993
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT * * * * ♦
RECIPIENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE WHO HOLD CASH ORDER COUPONS WILL BE PAID EARLIER IF THEIR PAYDAY FALLS ON THE COMING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID PAYMENTS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 25, 26 AND 27 WOULD BE ADVANCED TO DECEMBER 22, 23 AND 24 RESPECTIVELY.
ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE FOR RECIPIENTS TO COLLECT THEIR PAYMENTS AT DESIGNATED POST OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAN PO KONG ♦ * * ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 21) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT 690-714 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST, 2-48 SHUNG LING STREET, 2-24 YAN 01 STREET, 1-64 YIN HING STREET, 8-114 CHOI HUNG ROAD, 2-27 FOO YUEN STREET, 1-33 KAM WING STREET AND 6-120 TSEUK LUK STREET.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD BE APPOINTED ON MERIT: GOVERNOR ........ 1
GOVERNOR PRAISES POSTAL SERVICES ............................. 2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING POST OFFICE ...... 3
PLANNING DEPARTMENT PLEDGES EFFICIENT AND COURTEOUS SERVICES 7
WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION RAPIDLY TAKES SHAPE ................. 8
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR PENG CHAU ......................... 10
FLAG DAYS IN 1994 ............................................ 10
NEW MINIBUS SERVES SHA TIN RESIDENTS ......................... 13
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
13
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 1 -
CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD BE APPOINTED ON MERIT *******
THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SEE CIVIL SERVANTS CONTINUE TO BE APPOINTED ON MERIT AND DOES NOT WANT TO SEE THE POLITICISATION OF ONE OF THE BEST CIVIL SERVICES IN THE WORLD, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE POST OFFICE, MR PATTEN SAID HE HAD RAISED THE MATTER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE, MR LU PING, ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WHEN HE MET HIM LAST AUTUMN.
"I’VE MENTIONED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES SUBSEQUENTLY IN CORRESPONDENCE. I THINK IT WOULD HELP THE SMOOTH TRANSITION OF HONG KONG,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
’’ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO SMOOTH THAT PROCESS, WE’LL BE ONLY TOO KEEN TO DO WHICH IS WHY I’VE MADE THOSE POINTS TO DIRECTOR LU PING. BUT I AM SURE THAT WELL IN ADVANCE OF 1997, WE’LL BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.”
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS, MR PATTEN SAID: "I’VE SAID BEFORE AND I REPEAT THAT IF THE TALKS WERE ENDED AND WE WERE MOVING AHEAD WITH OTHER LEGISLATION WE HAVE TO MAKE CLEAR TO THE COMMUNITY THE BACKGROUND TO THAT DECISION AND THE BACKGROUND TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED."
"WE ARE IN NO DIFFICULTY, IF AT A CERTAIN POINT IT IS DECIDED ON BOTH SIDES THAT IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE TO TALK ABOUT THE WAY THAT THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE SHAPED UP, I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD RECOGNISE THAT WE’VE BEEN FLEXIBLE AND SENSIBLE WITHOUT ABANDONING THE PRINCIPLES WHICH PEOPLE IN HONG KONG RIGHTLY FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT."
CLARIFYING CERTAIN POINTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED OLD AGE RETIREMENT SCHEME, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "FOR MANY OF US, THE PREFERRED OPTION MIGHT HAVE BEEN TO CONTINUE THE VOLUNTARY APPROACH WITH PEOPLE MAKING PROVISION FOR THEMSELVES.
"THAT’S WHAT 850, 000 PEOPLE ALREADY DO BUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLITICAL LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PRESS US FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.
"IF, WHEN IT’S LOOKED AT THAT THE COMMUNITY ISN’T INTERESTED AND WANTS TO GO BACK TO A VOLUNTARY APPROACH, THEN SO BE IT.
"BUT IF THE COMMUNITY WANTS MORE COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HELPING THE RETIRED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, THE APPROACH THAT WE’VE SUGGESTED IS THE BEST ONE AND IS MISLEADING TO SUGGEST THAT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND IS THE BETTER WAY FORWARD."
MR PATTEN SAID A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WOULD NOT DEAL WITH PROBLEMS TODAY WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH BY INCREASES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
/"A CENTRAL ......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 2 -
"A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WOULD MEAN PEOPLE MAKING LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS, BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS, THAN WOULD BE THE CASE UNDER THE SORT OF PENSION PLAN THAT WE’VE PROPOSED," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THEY’LL BE MAKING LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR LOWER RETURNS AND THEY WOULDN’T ACTUALLY BE GETTING A PENSION FOR 20, 30, 40 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
"SO, A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WOULD REPRESENT A ROTTEN BARGAIN FOR HONG KONG."
IF HONG KONG WAS GOING TO HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO RETIREMENT PROTECTION, THEN THE SORT OF PENSION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD SUGGESTED WAS THE RIGHT ONE, MR PATTEN REITERATED.
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GOVERNOR PRAISES POSTAL SERVICES
******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE POST OFFICE AND THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE IN HUNG HOM.
IT WAS HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE POST OFFICE SINCE HE ASSUMED THE GOVERNORSHIP 17 MONTHS AGO.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIARI, THE GOVERNOR WAS TAKEN ON A FAMILIARISATION TOUR OF THE DELIVERY AND SORTING SECTIONS OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CENTRAL.
AT THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE IN HUNG HOM, HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF OTHER MAJOR POSTAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING SORTING, DATE STAMPING AND SPEEDPOST SERVICES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE VISIT, MR PATTEN PRAISED THE POST OFFICE FOR DOING A SUPERB JOB FOR BOTH THE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMMUNITIES.
DESCRIBING IT AS ONE OF THE LEADING POST OFFICES IN THE WORLD, HE SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THE IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPEEDPOST AND THE WAY THE POST OFFICE WAS SETTING ABOUT IMPLEMENTING ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGE.
"ONE CAN TAKE FOR GRANTED THOSE WHO DO A REALLY EXCELLENT JOB, BUT I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR TO REMEMBER WHAT OUTSTANDING WORK THE POST OFFICE DOES, WHAT MARVELLOUS WORK OUR POSTMEN AND POSTWOMEN ARE DOING TO DEAL WITH ALL THE EXTRA LOAD OF WORK THAT THEY HAVE AT CHRISTMAS, THE NEW YEAR AND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR," HE ADDED.
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/3........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 3 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING POST OFFICE
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE POST OFFICE ON DECEMBER 20, 1993:-
GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT THE POST OFFICE THIS MORNING WHICH DOES SUCH A SUPERB JOB FOR THE COMMUNITY HERE IN HONG KONG AND TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIONS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD. SOMETIMES, ONE CAN TAKE FOR GRANTED THOSE WHO DO A REALLY EXCELLENT JOB BUT I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR TO REMEMBER WHAT OUTSTANDING WORK THE POST OFFICE DOES, WHAT MARVELLOUS WORK OUR POSTMEN AND NOW POSTWOMEN ARE DOING TO DEAL WITH ALL THE EXTRA LOAD OF WORK THAT THEY HAVE AT CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR AND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR. I’VE BEEN INTERESTED TO SEE HOW MECHANISED THE OPERATION IS, HOW MUCH TECHNOLOGY IS BEING USED. I GUESS WE ARE ONE OF THE LEADING POST OFFICES IN THE WORLD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY. I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THE IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPEEDPOST WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR OUR BUSINESS AND COMMERCE AND THE WAY THE POST OFFICE IS SETTING ABOUT IMPLEMENTING ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGES. SO I’D LIKE TO EXPRESS, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, MY GRATITUDE TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE WORKING IN THE POST OFFICE WHO, AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AND OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR, MAKE LIFE MORE AGREEABLE FOR US BY KEEPING US IN TOUCH WITH BUSINESS PARTNERS, RELATIONS AND FRIENDS.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, THE PROPOSED DATES FOR THE 18TH ROUND OF TALKS HAVE ALREADY PASSED, NOW WILL THE BRITISH SIDE BE PROPOSING NEW DATES FOR THE 18TH ROUND?
GOVERNOR: WE’VE HAD A MESSAGE FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTRY IN PEKING REFERRING US TO WHAT THE SPOKESMAN OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID THE OTHER DAY. BUT I THINK WE WANT A FORMAL RESPONSE TO OUR PROPOSAL FOR TALKS. I SAID LAST WEEK AND I MEAN IT THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO TALK UNTIL THAT MOMENT WHEN WE’RE OBLIGED TO INTRODUCE THE SECOND STAGE OF OUR LEGISLATION OR, I SUPPOSE LITERALLY, YOU COULD CALL IT THE THIRD STAGE BECAUSE THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION BILL WAS IN SOME CASES THE FIRST STAGE. WE THUS HAVE THE SECOND STAGE OF PARTIAL LEGISLATION. WE ARE KEEN TO TALK. IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE COULD TALK RATHER THAN JUST LISTEN TO CRITICISM FROM THE OTHER SIDE. I AM SURE THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO DO AND I THINK THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING VIEW ON THE PART OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THAT PARTIAL LEGISLATION SHOULDN’T STOP TALKS BUT SHOULD ENABLE TALKS TO GO ON.
QUESTION: SO YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WON’T PROPOSE A NEW DATE FOR THE 18TH ROUND UNTIL THE ..........?
GOVERNOR: NO. I WAS SAYING THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR TALKS AND I AM SURE THAT AT ANY STAGE WHEN THE CHINESE FELT IT'S CONVENIENT, WE’LL BE HAPPY TO PUT PEOPLE ON PLANES TO PEKING. THAT WAS WHAT WE’D DONE FOR 17 ROUNDS AND I AM SURE WE’LL DO IT FOR A FEW ROUNDS MORE. BUT I DON’T THINK ANYBODY THINKS THAT WE CAN MANAGE THE TIME FOR ANOTHER 17 ROUNDS.
/QUESTION: .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
4
QUESTION: WHEN WAS THE MESSAGE COME TO YOU, WHEN?
GOVERNOR: THE END OF LAST WEEK IN A TELEPHONE CALL.
QUESTION: WHY DO YOU ..........TO SECURE SENIOR OFFICIALS TO CONTINUE SERVING THE SAR GOVERNMENT AND THAT IS WHY YOU SEND A LETTER TO LU PING EARLIER AND HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING BACK?
GOVERNOR: I’VE RAISED IT WITH MR LU PING ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. I RAISED IT FIRST OF ALL ORALLY WITH DIRECTOR LU PING WHEN I MET HIM IN PEKING LAST AUTUMN. I’VE MENTIONED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES SUBSEQUENTLY IN CORRESPONDENCE. I THINK IT WOULD HELP THE SMOOTH TRANSITION OF HONG KONG. WE WANT TO SEE CIVIL SERVANTS CONTINUE TO BE APPOINTED ON MERIT. WE DON’T WANT TO SEE THE POLITICISATION OF ONE OF THE BEST CIVIL SERVICES IN THE WORLD AND ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO SMOOTH THAT PROCESS, WE’LL BE ONLY TOO KEEN TO DO WHICH IS WHY I’VE MADE THOSE POINTS TO DIRECTOR LU PING. BUT I AM SURE THAT WELL IN ADVANCE OF 1997, WE’LL BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED THE RETIREMENT SCHEME, GOVERNMENT DID NOT SET OUT ABOUT THE DATE TO BE CARRIED OUT. SO, DO YOU THINK OR DO YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THE PLAN IN A RUSH AND DO YOU WANT TO DELAY IT UNTIL 1997?
GOVERNOR: NO, I DON’T WANT TO DELAY IT. I PROMISED IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH IN OCTOBER THAT WE WOULD BE SETTING OUT OUR VIEWS ON THE WAY FORWARD AND BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR AND THAT’S WHAT WE’VE DONE. BUT, IN DOING THAT WE’VE MADE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE WORK, A LOT MORE STUDY WHICH NEEDS TO BE DONE. WE WILL BE COMPLETING THAT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN SO THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN MAKE ITS MIND UP. I WANT TO MAKE TWO OR THREE POINTS ABSOLUTELY PLAIN. FOR MANY OF US, THE PREFERRED OPTION MIGHT HAVE BEEN TO CONTINUE THE VOLUNTARY APPROACH WITH PEOPLE MAKING PROVISION FOR THEMSELVES. THAT’S WHAT 850 000 PEOPLE ALREADY DO BUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLITICAL LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PRESS US FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH. IF, WHEN IT’S LOOKED AT THAT THE COMMUNITY ISN’T INTERESTED AND WANTS TO GO BACK TO A VOLUNTARY APPROACH, THEN SO BE IT. BUT IF THE COMMUNITY WANTS MORE COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HELPING THE RETIRED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, THE APPROACH THAT WE’VE SUGGESTED IS THE BEST ONE AND IS MISLEADING TO SUGGEST THAT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND IS THE BETTER WAY FORWARD. A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WOULD NOT DEAL WITH PROBLEMS TODAY. PROBLEMS TODAY WOULD HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH BY INCREASES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WHICH IS WHAT SOME ADVOCATES OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SAY THEY DON’T WANT TO SEE. A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WOULD MEAN PEOPLE MAKING LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS, BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS, THAN WOULD BE THE CASE UNDER THE SORT OF PENSION PLAN THAT WE’VE PROPOSED. THEY’LL BE MAKING LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR LOWER RETURNS AND THEY WOULDN’T ACTUALLY BE GETTING A PENSION FOR 20, 30, 40 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. SO, A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WOULD REPRESENT A ROTTEN BARGAIN FOR HONG KONG. IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, THEN THE SORT OF PENSION THAT WE’VE SUGGESTED IS THE RIGHT ONE. BUT IF THE COMMUNITY DOESN’T WANT THAT THEN, WE WILL HAVE TO STICK WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTARY ARRANGEMENTS WHICH PHILOSOPHICALLY, MANY PEOPLE WOULD PREFER.
/QUESTION: .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
5
QUESTION: GOVERNOR YOU GAVE A PRETTY GOOD RUN TO THE FINANCIAL TIME ON THE 17 ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATIONS ........... THAT’S PROBABLY THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNTS SO FAR. DON’T YOU THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT TO RECEIVE A FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNTING OF THOSE 17 ROUNDS AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT I SAID ANYTHING IN THAT INTERVIEW WHICH I HADN’T SAID ON A NUMBER OF OTHER OCCASIONS. THERE WERE SEVERAL CHINESE OFFICIALS, I THINK INCLUDING DIRECTOR LU PING AND MINISTER JIANG ENZHU, WHO COMMENTED AT SOME LENGTH AS WELL AND THERE WERE OBVIOUSLY A NUMBER OF OTHER SOURCES WHICH THE JOURNALISTS DIDN’T QUESTION HAD USED. I’VE SAID BEFORE AND I REPEAT THAT IF THE TALKS WERE ENDED AND WE WERE MOVING AHEAD WITH OTHER LEGISLATION WE HAVE TO MAKE CLEAR TO THE COMMUNITY THE BACKGROUND TO THAT DECISION AND THE BACKGROUND TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WE ARE IN NO DIFFICULTY, IF AT A CERTAIN POINT IT IS DECIDED ON BOTH SIDES THAT IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE TO TALK ABOUT THE WAY THAT THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE SHAPED UP, I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD RECOGNISE THAT WE’VE BEEN FLEXIBLE AND SENSIBLE WITHOUT ABANDONING THE PRINCIPLES WHICH PEOPLE IN HONG KONG I THINK RIGHTLY FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT. SO WE DON’T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS SINCE WE ARE USED TO LIVING IN AN OPEN SOCIETY WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU ASKING US QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFICULTY IN BEING AS OPEN AS NECESSARY ABOUT THE 17 ROUNDS OF DISCUSSIONS.
QUESTION: WHEN WILL SIR ROBIN MCLAREN RETURN TO BEIJING ?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T KNOW. HE’S BEEN RECEIVING TREATMENT. AS YOU KNOW HE HAD AN OPERATION ON HIS BACK. HE WAS IN VERY CONSIDERABLE PAIN DURING CERTAINLY THE LAST FEW ROUNDS OF TALKS AND SITTING ALL DAY IN A HARD BACK CHAIR IN A NEGOTIATING ROOM WASN’T, I THINK, PARTICULARLY GOOD FOR HIS BACK. SO HE WAS IN VERY CONSIDERABLE PAIN. I THINK SOME OF YOU WHO WERE UP IN PEKING COULD PROBABLY DETECT THAT FROM THE WAY HE WALKED AND SOME OF THE OTHER DIFFICULTIES, AS I SEE YOU NODDING. SO THE SOONER SIR ROBIN CAN RETURN TO HIS JOB, I AM SURE THE BETTER. THAT’S WHAT HE WOULD WANT TO DO. HE’S AN EXTREMELY HARDWORKING PUBLIC SERVANT AND I AM SURE HE'LL WANT TO BE BACK IN HARNESS WITH LADY MCLAREN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LAST QUESTION.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, DO YOU THINK HE WILL SEEK AN EARLY RETIREMENT, IS HE GOING TO RETIRE NEXT YEAR?
GOVERNOR: NO, 1 DON’T. I THINK THAT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE A RETURN TO FULL HEALTH. HE HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. HE’S A GREAT FRIEND OF HONG KONG. HE’S WORKED IN HONG KONG AND MUCH OF HIS PUBLIC CAREER HAS BEEN DEVOTED TO HONG KONG AS WELL AS TO BRITAIN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. AND THE SOONER HE CAN GET BACK INTO HARNESS THE BETTER. HE’S AN EXCELLENT AMBASSADOR, A GREAT EXPERT ON THE BRITISH-CHINA RELATIONSHIP, AND AS I'VE SAID, A SERVANT OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION: HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT NEARLY ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES ARE SAYING THAT UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND AS WELL AS THE NEW SCHEME, OR ELSE THEY MAY NOT ACCEPT ONLY THE LATTER ONE?
/GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
6 -
GOVERNOR: WELL, I’VE ANSWERED THE QUESTION ON THAT AND I’VE POINTED OUT THAT THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WOULD BE A ROTTEN BARGAIN FOR PEOPLE IN HONG KONG FOR THE REASONS THAT I MENTIONED IN MY EARLIER ANSWER.
QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO NCNA COVERAGE... TO COMMENT THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WANTS TO BUILD THEIR OWN GROUP OF PEOPLE ?
GOVERNOR: I THINK LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO RESPOND TO EVERY PIECE OF
PROPAGANDA FROM THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY. THERE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO IN LIFE WITHOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN THAT. ALL I WOULD SAY IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT PEOPLE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OR PEOPLE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT GOING BEYOND 1997 BUT PEOPLE ELECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG GOING BEYOND 1997. THAT’S NOT EXTENDING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S INFLUENCE, IT’S EXTENDING THE INFLUENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND I CAN’T THINK WHY ANYBODY SHOULD BE AGAINST THAT. ANYBODY WHO BELIEVES IN "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS"; ANYBODY WHO BELIEVES IN "HONG KONG PEOPLE RUNNING HONG KONG"; ANYBODY WHO BELIEVES IN THE CONCEPT OF GIVING HONG KONG AS MUCH AUTONOMY AS POSSIBLE WITHIN CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY SHOULD FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ARGUE AGAINST THE CONCEPT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CHOOSING THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
QUESTION: ANY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR US, GOVERNOR?
QUESTION: AND HOW ABOUT TAXING IT IS TO SEND 6,000 CHRISTMAS CARDS?
GOVERNOR: A CHRISTMAS WISH LIST - I TAKE IT YOU DON’T MEAN WHICH BOOKS AND CDS I WANT. I’VE ALREADY GIVEN A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE LIST OF THOSE TO MY WIFE AND FAMILY AND I HOPE THAT THEY’LL TAKE THE VERY BROAD HINT THAT I’VE DROP IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. I HOPE THAT IN THE NEW YEAR, WE SEE AN END TO SOME OF THE POLITICAL ARGUMENTS WHICH I THINK THE COMMUNITY HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPATIENT WITH OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS. I HOPE THAT WE SEE PEOPLE, OFFICIALS IN PEKING, LEARNING TO TRUST HONG KONG, AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. HONG KONG HAS A HUGE AMOUNT TO CONTRIBUTE TO CHINA AS WELL AS MUCH TO GAIN FROM CHINA’S SUCCESS. HONG KONG IS 97% CHINESE AND IT’S NOT SURPRISING THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE ORDINARY WORKERS OF HONG KONG SHOULD WANT TO MAKE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF A PEACEFUL TRANSITION AND TO THE SUCCESS OF CHINA AFTER THAT. AND I THINK IT WOULD BE TOP
OF MY WISH LIST AND TOP OF EVERYBODY’S WISH LIST IN HONG KONG THAT
PEOPLE IN CHINA SHOULD RECOGNISE THAT, SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE REASONS FOR OUR SUCCESS IN HONG KONG AND SHOULD TRUST US A BIT MORE THAN THEY
DO. I THINK IF THAT HAPPEN WE’LL SEE AN END TO ALL THESE POLITICAL
ARGRUMENTS AND WE COULD JUST GET ON WITH CONTINUING TO BUILD ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING ECONOMIES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD.
QUESTION: I WAS TOLD THAT YOU’VE SENT OUT 6,000 CHRISTMAS CARDS,
DON’T YOU THINK THIS IS ENVIRONMENTALLY INCORRECT?
GOVERNOR: IT DEPENDS A LITTLE BIT WHETHER PEOPLE RECYCLE THE
ENVELOPS.
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
PLANNING DEPARTMENT PLEDGES
*
EFFICIENT AND COURTEOUS SERVICES * * * *
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT, COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR PETER K S PUN, WHEN ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF HIS DEPARTMENT’S PERFORMANCE PLEDGES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES COVER FOUR MAIN SERVICES - GENERAL INFORMATION ON PLANNING MATTERS, INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT, PROCESSING OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS AND SERVICES RELATED TO THE WORK OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON PLANNING MATTERS, TARGETS ARE SET TO ANSWER STRAIGHTFORWARD ENQUIRIES IMMEDIATELY ON THE SPOT OR ON THE PHONE, WHILE MORE COMPLICATED VERBAL ENQUIRIES WILL BE ANSWERED WITHIN THREE WORKING DAYS.
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCES WILL BE ANSWERED AT LEAST WITH AN INTERIM REPLY WITHIN 10 DAYS, AND FOR COMPLICATED CASES, WITHIN THREE WEEKS.
FOR PUBLIC REPORTS ON ALLEGED UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT, SITE INSPECTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE A REPORT IS RECEIVED AND A REPLY WILL BE GIVEN WITHIN FOUR WEEKS.
DR PUN STRESSED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD STRIVE TO PROMPTLY PROCESS DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FROM DEVELOPERS.
UPON RECEIVING A PROPOSAL, A WRITTEN REPLY WILL BE GIVEN WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
HOWEVER, A LONGER RESPONSE TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE PROPOSAL HAD SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON PLANNING, TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENT OR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, HE NOTED.
"WE WILL FOLLOW THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE IN PREPARING STATUTORY PLANS AND PROCESSING PLANNING APPLICATIONS."
TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SERVICES, APPLICANTS OR OBJECTORS WILL BE INFORMED IN WRITING OF THE BOARD’S DECISIONS WITHIN SEVEN WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF RELEVANT BOARD MEETINGS.
FOR STRAIGHTFORWARD CASES, VERBAL REPLIES CAN BE GIVEN AFTER THE BOARD MEETINGS UPON REQUEST, HE ADDED.
ON APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENTS TO A STATUTORY PLAN, DR PUN SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD SUBMIT A CASE TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
/IN THE ........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 8 -
IN THE CASE OF MINOR AMENDMENTS TO SCHEMES ALREADY APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND IF SUCH AMENDMENTS COULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING UNDER AUTHORITY DELEGATED BY THE BOARD, THE APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHIN ONE MONTH UPON RECEIPT, AND A WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF THE DECISION WILL BE GIVEN WITHIN SEVEN WORKING DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF DECISION.
DR PUN SAID THE TARGET WAS TO ACHIEVE THESE STANDARDS IN 85 PER CENT OF CASES, AND THAT HE WOULD MONITOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND PUBLISH THE RESULTS ANNUALLY.
”WE WELCOME THE PUBLIC TO GIVE COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ON THE WAY IN WHICH OUR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED,” HE NOTED.
BILINGUAL LEAFLETS SETTING OUT THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND ITS DISTRICT OFFICES.
---------0-----------
WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION RAPIDLY TAKES SHAPE ♦ * * * *
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT IS RAPIDLY TAKING SHAPE.
ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE LAND HAVE SO FAR BEEN FORMED.
TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 19 CONTRACTS REQUIRED FOR THE WORKS HAVE BEEN LET WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT $7.5 BILLION.
SIX OF THEM HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND 13 ARE UNDERWAY. TWO MORE CONTRACTS ARE DUE TO BE AWARDED NEXT YEAR.
’’ALL THE WORKS ARE ON TIME AND PROGRESSING WELL," SAID THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR KEITH AUSTIN, TODAY (MONDAY) DURING A MEDIA VISIT TO THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION (SOUTHERN) WORK SITE.
MR AUSTIN TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, ONE OF THE 10 PROJECTS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, WOULD CREATE ABOUT 340 HECTARES OF LAND ALONG THE WEST KOWLOON WATERFRONT FROM YAU MA TEI TO LAI CHI KOK.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT IS DIVIDED
INTO NORTHERN AND
SOUTHERN PORTIONS, USING CHERRY STREET AS THE WATERSHED.
TO THE SOUTH OF CHERRY STREET, WORKS ARE SPLIT INTO FIVE MAIN CONTRACTS AND ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF WORKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
TO THE NORTH OF CHERRY STREET, ABOUT 55 PER CENT OF THE WORKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
/THE NEW .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 9 -
THE NEW YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER BECAME OPERATIONAL IN EARLY OCTOBER LAST YEAR. THE REPROVISIONED YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA STARTED OPERATIONS INSIDE THE NEW SHELTER ALONG WITH LAND ACCESS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
SUFFICIENT RECLAMATION WAS COMPLETED TO ALLOW THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY CONTRACTS TO START IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, BOTH IN THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH.
WORK IS NOW UNDERWAY ON SITE OFFICES, TEMPORARY ACCESS ROADS, PREPARATION OF THE CASTING YARD FOR THE NORTH SECTION OF THE EXPRESSWAY, EARTHWORK, GROUND IMPROVEMENT WORKS AND FOUNDATIONS.
LAND FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING LANDFALL WAS ALSO HANDED OVER IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR TO THE CONTRACTOR, WHO HAS CONSTRUCTED ITS SITE OFFICES AND MOBILISED CONSTRUCTION FORCES AFTER THE COMPLETION OF SITE CLEARANCE.
THE FIRST LAND FOR THE CAUSEWAY TO THE NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET APPEARED ABOVE SEA LEVEL IN DECEMBER 1991.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE MARKET STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND WAS COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, JUST 30 MONTHS FROM ITS INITIAL DESIGN.
’’THIS PROBABLY MADE IT THE FASTEST BUILDING OF ITS SIZE 'AND COMPLEXITY TO HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN HONG KONG," ADDED MR AUSTIN.
ALSO IN SEPTEMBER, THE CHEUNG SHA WAN SHIPYARDS WERE MOVED TO THEIR NEW SITES AFTER 12 MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION.
JUST A MONTH LATER, THE CHINA RESOURCES COMPANY PIER AND TRANSIT SHED WERE ALSO RELOCATED AND STARTED BUSINESS AT THE NEW SITE NEAR THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET COMPLEX.
MR AUSTIN POINTED OUT THAT THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT ALSO INCLUDED DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE WORKS, WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODING IN THE WEST KOWLOON HINTERLAND AND IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY IN THE AREA.
THREE OUT OF FOUR DRAINAGE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED SO FAR, TOGETHER WITH THE FIRST SEWERAGE NETWORK PACKAGE WHICH HAS JUST STARTED IN NOVEMBER 1993, HE SAID.
EVERY EFFORT HAS ALSO BEEN MADE TO MINIMISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE RECLAMATION WORKS, SAID MR AUSTIN.
THESE INCLUDE THE USE OF QUIET PLANT AND NOISE BARRIERS, THE CONTROL OVER DUST IMPACT BY WATERING EXPOSED SITE AREAS, INCLUDING COVERING WITH BITUMEN SPRAY IN CRITICAL PLACES, AND THE USE OF WHEEL AND VEHICLE WASHING.
"WITH STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF CURRENT LEGISLATION AND CLOSE SITE SUPERVISION, SUCH MITIGATION MEASURES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE NOISE AND DUST PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK," HE SAID.
/FURTHERMORE, AN .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 10 -
FURTHERMORE, AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OFFICE WAS SET UP IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE MONITORING AND AUDIT PROGRAMMES FOR ALL PROJECTS IN THE WEST KOWLOON PROJECT AREA.
"WITH THIS NEW OFFICE, ANY UNFORESEEN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS CAN BE EXAMINED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL IN A SYSTEMATIC MANNER, AND ATTENDED TO PROMPTLY."
THE OFFICE ALSO RESPONDS AND INVESTIGATES PUBLIC COMPLAINTS, AND ENSURES THROUGH THE PROJECT OFFICES THAT ANY REQUIRED REMEDIAL ACTION IS TAKEN, SAID MR AUSTIN.
--------0-----------
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR PENG CHAU *****
BUILDING WORKS FOR A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ON TAI LEI ISLAND NEAR PENG CHAU WILL BEGIN NEXT TUESDAY (DECEMBER 28).
THE WORKS WILL TAKE 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WILL SERVE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S PENG CHAU RURAL HOUSING ESTATE WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN JUNE 1995.
THE $20.6 MILLION WORKS CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT), MR TSE HON-SUM, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, EXCEL ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED.
THE PROJECT, FORMING PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PENG CHAU, ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWAGE PUMPING STATION NEAR PENG CHAU FERRY PIER, ASSOCIATED TWIN-RISING MAINS AND ANCILLARY WORKS.
------0------------
FLAG DAYS IN 1994 ♦ ♦ » » *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) HAS PERMITTED A TOTAL OF 47 ORGANISATIONS TO HOLD FUND-RAISING FLAG DAYS NEXT YEAR.
THE FLAG DAYS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAYS, STARTING FROM JANUARY 8.
A SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD CALL THE DEPARTMENT ON A HOTLINE - 343 2255 OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ON TEL 866 8123 IN CASE OF DOUBTS.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO ORGANISERS TO ADOPT MEASURES AGAINST FRAUD.
/"SELLERS SHOULD .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 11 -
"SELLERS SHOULD DISPLAY THE PERMIT OR CARRY COPIES OF THE PERMIT FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST IF THEY CHOOSE TO MOVE AROUND TO RAISE FUND," HE ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ADVISED THEM TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, SETTING OUT THE PLACES AND THE TIME FOR SELLING, AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR FUND-COLLECTION BAGS.
ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND SEEK THEIR HELP WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND, HE SAID.
"THE LAST FLAG DAY THIS YEAR WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 22)," HE ADDED.
THE FLAG DAYS FOR NEXT YEAR ARE AS FOLLOW:
DATE
JANUARY 8
15
22
29
FEBRUARY 5
19
26
MARCH 5
12
19
26
APRIL 9
16
23
30
MAY 7
14
21
28
JUNE 4
25
ORGANISATION
HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION
THE MARYKNOLL MEDICAL & WELFARE
ASSOCIATION (OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL)
UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL (UNITED CHRISTIAN MEDICAL SERVICE)
POK 01 HOSPITAL
THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY KOWLOON
FRIENDS OF THE EARTH (CHARITY) LTD
MONG KOK KAI FONG ASSOCIATION LTD
HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND
YAN 01 TONG LTD
YAN CHAI HOSPITAL
HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION
BREAKTHROUGH LTD
NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE-ACTION COUNCIL STEWARD’S CO, (HK) LTD
HONG KONG KIDNEY FOUNDATION LTD
SUEN MEI SPEECH & HEARING CENTRE
FOR THE DEAF
CHAI WAN BAPTIST CHURCH
SHENG KUNG HUI LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE
HONG KONG PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION HONG KONG CHILD HEALTH FOUNDATION
/JULY .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 12 -
JULY 2 9 16 23 30 HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION LTD METHODIST CHURCH HONG KONG (MEDTHODIST EPWORTH VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE) HONG KONG RED CROSS THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION LTD HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
AUGUST 6 CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE
13 LUTHERAN CHURCH - HONG KONG SYNOD LTD
20 ARTS WITH THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION HONG KONG
SEPTEMBER 3 HONG KONG COUNCIL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & SERVICES LTD
10 HONG KONG MARROW MATCH FOUNDATION LTD
17 THE SALVATION ARMY
24 THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED
OCTOBER 1 TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS
8 PO LEUNG KUK
15 COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG
22 BOYS’ & GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG
29 THE CHESHIRE HOME HONG KONG
NOVEMBER 5 THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST & HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION
12 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
19 HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
26 THE OUTWARD BOUND TRUST OF HONG KONG LTD (HONG KONG OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL)
DECEMBER 3 HONG KONG FEDERATION OF HANDICAPPED YOUTH
10 SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CHILDREN (DUCHESS OF KENT HOSPITAL)
17 HAVEN OF HOPE HOSPITAL
24 OXFAM HONG KONG LTD
31 CHINESE RHENISH CHURCH - HONG KONG SYNOD
---------0-----------
/13........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 13 -
NEW MINIBUS SERVES SHA TIN RESIDENTS * * * * *
A NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 803 WILL COME INTO SERVICE FOR SHA TIN RESIDENTS FROM 7 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE ROUTE, TRAVELLING BETWEEN LEE ON AND HIN KENG VIA TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, WILL BE OPERATIONAL BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY AT 18-MINUTE FREQUENCIES.
THE FARE IS $5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
---------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 70.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 415.693 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 341.97.5 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 58.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE REVERSAL OF LAF ACCOUNT 1,569 +2,431
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL + 110
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 ACCOUNT OFFER TWI 113.8 *+0.0* 20.I2.93 4,110
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1993
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.99 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.39 3.54
1 MONTH 3.06 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.7 5 100.01 3.78
3 MONTHS 3.04 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.08 3.98
6 MONTHS 3. 15 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.00 4.19
12 MONTHS 3.44 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT OF 34 BI LLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 7,365 4.20 MN 98.95 4.65
CLOSED 20 DECEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BEST DEAL FOR ELDERLY ASSURED: GOVERNOR ........................ 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS ................................... 2
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR NOVEMBER ............................ 3
SAFETY FIRST, REVELLERS TOLD ................................... 9
BOOKLET EXPLAINS CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR DAYA BAY ................ 10
GREATEST ASSET IN SOCIETY IS PEOPLE: THE GOVERNOR ............. 11
CYC TREAT FOR STAMP COLLECTORS ................................ 11
HONG KONG AND NORWAY SIGN TEXTILES AGREEMENT .................. 12
MANUFACTURER FINED FOR ILLEGAL CANDLE TRANSHIPMENT ............ 13
COURT OF APPEAL JUDGE APPOINTED ............................... 13
YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW MEMBERS .......................... 14
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE .............................. 14
328 VMS RETURN TODAY .......................................... 15
SALT WATER CUT ON TSING YI .................................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............. 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 16
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
- 1 -
BEST DEAL FOR ELDERLY ASSURED: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID WHAT HE WANTED TO SEE WAS THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL FOR THE ELDERLY OF HONG KONG AT THE MOST REASONABLE PRICE AND THAT WAS WHAT EVERYBODY WANT TO SEE.
RESPONDING TO PRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSED RETIREMENT SCHEME AFTER LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE LINGNAN COLLEGE’S NEW CAMPUS IN TUEN MUN, MR PATTEN SAID:
’’THE DECISIONS WE ARE TAKING ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ONES FOR THE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF DISCUSSION.”
ASKED ABOUT THE COUNTER PROPOSAL FOR THE RETIREMENT SCHEME BY THE THREE POLITICAL PARTIES, THE GOVERNOR SAID EVERY PROPOSAL FOR HELPING THE RETIRED WOULD NEED VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
”1 THINK THAT THOSE WHO PUT THE PROPOSAL FORWARD WILL WANT TO DISCUSS IT WITH THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND IN DUE COURSE WITH THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"IT SEEMS TO ME A LITTLE CURIOUS TO CRITICISE THE PROPOSAL WE PUT FORWARD AS REPRESENTING AN EXAMPLE OF THE WORST SORT OF WELFARE STATISM AND THEN TO PROPOSE ONESELF ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL INVOLVE A HUGE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE TAXPAYERS WITHOUT ANY CAP ON IT.”
THE GOVERNOR REITERATED THAT THE MAIN ARGUMENTS WHICH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY HAD BETTER RECOGNISED AGAINST A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WERE THAT THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE WOULD BE HIGHER AND THE BENEFITS LOWER, NOT A VERY GOOD BARGAIN FOR THE COMMUNITY.
"THIS IS WHY I SUSPECT THAT WHEN THE COMMUNITY HAS A GOOD LOOK AT THE FIGURES, IT WILL REJECT IT,” HE ADDED.
ELABORATING ON THE MEASURES TO HELP THE RETIRED COVERING HOUSING, HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES, MR PATTEN SAID A WORKING PARTY HAD BEEN SET UP TO TRY TO POOL TOGETHER ALL THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF POLICY ON THE ELDERLY.
"BUT WE NEED A MORE COMPREHENSIVE SET OF ARRANGEMENTS AND THAT’S WHAT WE ARE NOW DISCUSSING.
"WE HAVE STARTED ON THE BUSINESS OF GIVING THE ELDERLY OF HONG KONG THE SERVICES WHICH THEY NEED, MORE SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION, BETTER HEALTH CARE PARTICULARLY AS PEOPLE LIVE FOR LONGER, BETTER WELFARE FACILITIES.
"ALL THOSE THINGS MATTER. ALL OF THEM ARE COSTLY BUT ALL OF THEM ARE DESERVED BY THE OLD PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/2........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY FOR THE LINGNAN COLLEGE NEW CAMPUS IN TUEN MUN TODAY (TUESDAY):
GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND THE LAYING OF THIS FOUNDATION STONE. LINGNAN COLLEGE IS ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. IT PROVIDES A MARVELLOUS EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AND, I AM SURE, WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO ON THIS MAGNIFICENT NEW SITE AND THE SUN IS ALWAYS GOING TO SHINE HERE.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WHAT IS YOUR FEEDBACK TO THE COUNTER PROPOSAL FOR THE RETIREMENT SCHEME BY THE THREE POLITICAL PARTIES? DO YOU THINK THE PROPOSAL IS CLEAR AND SENSIBLE TO THE SOCIETY?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THOSE WHO PUT THE PROPOSAL FORWARD WILL WANT TO DISCUSS IT WITH THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND IN DUE COURSE WITH THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. EVERY PROPOSAL FOR HELPING THE RETIRED WILL NEED VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BUT I’D JUST LIKE TO MAKE TWO POINTS. IT SEEMS TO ME A LITTLE CURIOUS TO CRITICISE THE PROPOSAL WE PUT FORWARD AS REPRESENTING AN EXAMPLE OF THE WORST SORT OF WELFARE STATISM AND THEN TO PROPOSE ONESELF ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL INVOLVE A HUGE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE TAXPAYERS WITHOUT ANY CAP ON IT. SECONDLY, I REPEAT WHAT I’VE SAID BEFORE, THE MAIN ARGUMENTS WHICH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY HAD BETTER RECOGNISED AGAINST A CPF ARE THAT THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE WOULD BE HIGHER AND THE BENEFITS LOWER, NOT A VERY GOOD BARGAIN FOR THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS WHY I SUSPECT THAT WHEN THE COMMUNITY HAS A GOOD LOOK AT THE FIGURES, IT WILL REJECT IT. THERE WAS AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE ON THE SUBJECT IN MING PAO YESTERDAY WHICH, I THINK, DREW ATTENTION TO SOME OF THESE ARGUMENTS. BUT I REPEAT WHAT WE’VE STARTED IS AN IMPORTANT DEBATE. PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS AN OPEN AND SHUT ISSUE, I THINK, NOW LEARNING THAT IT’S NOT. IT DEMANDS A GOOD DEAL OF DISCUSSION AND A GOOD DEAL OF DISCUSSION, I HOPE, WITHOUT SOME OF THE MISLEADING THINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN SAID IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. THE FIRST STEP SHOULD BE FOR THOSE WHO PUT FORWARD OTHER PROPOSALS TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND LET’S SEE HOW THE FIGURES ACTUALLY STAND UP WHEN THEY ARE EXAMINED IN DETAIL. ANYTHING ELSE.
QUESTION: YOU SAID THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS QUITE CREDIBLE AND REPRESENTS PEOPLE’S IDEA, SO DO YOU MEAN THAT NOW THEIR PROPOSAL IS CONTRADICTORY TO THE PEOPLE’S DESIRE?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I BELIEVE IN IS AN EXECUTIVE WHICH IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE. THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO PROCEED BY GIVING A LEAD AND THEN GETTING INVOLVED IN DIALOGUE. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU DO THINGS WHICH YOU BELIEVE ARE WRONG. BUT, THE DECISIONS WE ARE TAKING ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ONES FOR THE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF DISCUSSION. EVERYBODY KNOWS THEY ARE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF DISCUSSION. WHAT I WANT TO SEE IS THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL FOR THE ELDERLY OF HONG KONG AT THE MOST REASONABLE PRICE AND THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY MUST WANT TO SEE. ONE MORE.
/QUESTION .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
3
QUESTION: BUT IF THERE IS A STANDSTILL THAT THE LEGISLATORS DON’T PASS THE BILL PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WILL YOU BACK TO THE, I MEAN, THE VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT SCHEME NOW?
GOVERNOR: WE ARE A LONG WAY FROM TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION. THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION TO DO. THERE IS A LOT OF STUDY OF THE FIGURES TO DO. AND I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNISES THAT WE ALSO NEED TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS. THERE IS ONE OTHER POINT THAT I WOULD ADD. WE SET OUT IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER A SERIES, A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF MEASURES TO HELP THE RETIRED, COVERING HOUSING, COVERING HEALTH, COVERING WELFARE SERVICES. WE ALSO SET UP A WORKING PARTY TO TRY TO POOL TOGETHER ALL THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF POLICY ON THE ELDERLY. NOW, ONE OF THOSE POLICIES IS THE WHOLE QUESTION OF THE INCOME WHICH THE ELDERLY RECEIVE WHEN THEY ARE IN RETIREMENT, THE INCREASE THE AMOUNT THAT THEY RECEIVE, THE ALLOWANCES THAT THEY RECEIVE THIS YEAR. BUT WE NEED A MORE COMPREHENSIVE SET OF ARRANGEMENTS AND THAT’S WHAT WE ARE NOW DISCUSSING. WE HAVE STARTED ON THE BUSINESS OF GIVING THE ELDERLY OF HONG KONG THE SERVICES WHICH THEY NEED, MORE SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION, BETTER HEALTH CARE PARTICULARLY AS PEOPLE LIVE FOR LONGER, BETTER WELFARE FACILITIES. ALL THOSE THINGS MATTER. ALL OF THEM ARE COSTLY BUT ALL OF THEM ARE DESERVED BY THE OLD PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WILL YOU HAVE MEETING WITH DOUGLAS HURD AND JOHN MAJOR WHEN YOU GO TO LONDON TO ATTEND THE HEARING?
GOVERNOR: I ALWAYS HAVE MEETINGS WITH DOUGLAS HURD AND JOHN MAJOR. I WILL HAVE MEETINGS WITH THEM, FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE OF MY RESPONSIBILITY IN HONG KONG AND SECONDLY, BECAUSE THEY ARE TWO OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS. THANKS VERY MUCH.
------0--------
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR NOVEMBER
*****
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN NOVEMBER WAS 8.4% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS APPRECIABLY LOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 9% IN OCTOBER.
THE SLOWER INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) IN NOVEMBER WAS MAINLY DUE TO A MODERATION IN THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FOLLOWING THE EARLIER SURGE DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT TAKING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS TOGETHER, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AVERAGED AT 8.5%.
THIS WAS THE SAME AS THE RECENTLY REVISED FORECAST INFLATION RATE FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE, AND WAS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THE AVERAGES OF 12% RECORDED IN 1991 AND 9.4% IN 1992.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 8.4% AND 9.5% RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN OCTOBER WERE 8.7% AND 9.4%.
/THE CONPOSITE........
4
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH IS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8.7% IN NOVEMBER OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THIS WAS LOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 9% IN OCTOBER.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1993 WITH NOVEMBER 1992, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FUEL AND LIGHT (3.2% IN THE CPI(A) AND 3.4% IN THE CPI(B)); DURABLE GOODS (3.9% AND 3.8%); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.4% AND 5.9%); FOOD EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (6.9% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (7.7% IN THE CPI(A) AND 7.9% IN THE CP1(B)).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR HOUSING ( 10.9% IN THE CPI(A) AND 10.7% IN THE CPI(B)); MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES (9.9% AND 9.5%); AND TRANSPORT (9.7% AND 9%).
AS FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO, THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 8.3% AND 8.7% IN THE CPI(A) AND 8.3% AND 8.1% IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1993 WITH OCTOBER 1993, THE CPI(A) DECREASED BY 0.5% WHILE THE ('PI(B) INCREASED BY 0.2%. HOWEVER, THIS COMPARISON COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.5% AND 8.4% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1992.
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.5% AND 8.7% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1992.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.6% AND 8.8% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE CPIS. THE DESEASONALISED CPU A) AND CP1(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.8% PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1993.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR NOVEMBER 1993, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $12 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICAT1ONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS, CONTACT SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THF HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/TABLE 1 ......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
5
Table 1 Component Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for November 1993
CPT(A) (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100) Composi te CPI
CPT (R) Hang Senq CPT
Index for Nov 93 % change over Nov 92 Index for Nov 93 % change over Nov 92 Index for Nov 93 % change over Nov 92 Index for Nov 93 % change over Nov 92
Food 134.1 +7.6 136.0 +7.7 136.2 +7.7 135.2 +7.7
Meals bought away frcm home 143.6 +8.3 143.6 +8.3 141.5 +8.3 143.1 +8.3
Food, excluding meals bought away frcm heme 124.6 +6.9 125.5 +6.9 127.1 +6.7 125.4 +6.9
Housing 154.3 +10.9 154.8 +10.7 156.7 +13.2 155.3 +11.5
Fuel and light 120.4 +3.2 119.7 +3.4 119.3 +3.6 119.9 +3.3
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 181.2 +8.7 170.7 +8.1 166.2 +8.0 175.4 ' +8.4
Clothing and footwear 133.4 +7.7 134.9 +7.9 152.8 +10.2 140.6 +8.7
Durable goods 111.6 +3.9 m.3 +3.8 117.1 +4.3 113.1 +4.0
Miscellaneous goods 127.8 46.4 124.9 +5.9 123.6 +5.6 125.6 +6.0
Transport 139.1 +9.7 138.3 +9.0 137.7 +7.6 138.4 +8.9
Miscellaneous services 149.6 +9.9 145.2 +9.5 138.0 +8.7 144.4 +9.4
All items 139.4 -8.4 139.9 +8.4 142.2 +9.5 140.3 +8.7
The 1989/90-based consumer price indices are based on the expenditure patterns derived frcm 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 82,500-89,999 in 1989/90. The CPI (B) is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 30% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-817,499 in the same period. The Hang Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of 817,500-837,499 in 1989/90.
’Xhereas the CPI(A), CPT(R) and Hana Senq CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Composite CPI is caviled based on the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Thus, while the CPT(A), CPT (R) and Hang Seng CPT show the impact of consider price changes on different groups of households, the Composite CPI shows the impact of consumer price changes on the household sector generally.
/TABLE 2 ......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
6
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices for January 1991 - November 1993 (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPT(A) CPT (B) Hang Seng CPI Composite CPI
1993 January 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 13 3.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
Mav 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
Julv 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
3992 Januarv 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
Februarv .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
Mav 124.0 123.3 124.2 124.0
June 125.3 125.1 125.2 125.2
Julv 125.5 125.4 125.4 125.4
August 125.6 125.9 125.8 125.8
September 128.3 127.9 127.5 128.0
October 128.4 128.4 128.6 128.5
November 128.5 129.0 129.9 129.0
December 129.3 129.8 130.0 129.7
1993 Januarv 131 .3 131 .6 131 .5 131.7
February 132.4 132.2 132.0 132.2
March 132.0 132.2 133.1 132.4
April 133.5 133.9 134.5 133.9
Mav 134.5 134.8 136.3 135.1
June 136.0 135.9 137.1 136.3
Jul v 135.8 136.1 136.9 136.2
August 136.3 136.6 137.4 136.7
September 138.4 138.3 139.2 138.6
October 140.0 139.6 140.7 140.0
November 139.4 139.9 142.? 3 40.3
/CHART 1 .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
7
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/CHART 3 .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
8
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
/9.........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
- 9 -
SAFETY FIRST, REVELLERS TOLD
*****
POLICE TODAY (TUESDAY) APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE COURTEOUS, PATIENT AND TO EXERCISE RESTRIANT WHILE VISITING LAN KWAI FONG DURING THE FORTHCOMING CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR’S EVE.
CENTRAL DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR CHEUNG CHI-SHUM, SAID IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WOULD BE EXPECTED TO VISIT LAN KWAI FONG AND ITS VICINITY ON BOTH THE NIGHTS OF DECEMBER 24 (FRIDAY) AND DECEMBER 31 (FRIDAY).
BASED ON THE SUCCESSFUL CROWD CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS IN LAN KWAI FONG IN THE RECENT HALLOWEEN, ABOUT 235 POLICE OFFICERS WOULD BE DEPLOYED TO MAINTAIN CROWD CONTROL IN THE COMING FESTIVE PERIODS.
?•' J-
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE OFFICERS WOULD ALSO BE ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO THE REAL SITUATION ON CHRISTMAS DAY, BOXING DAY AND NEW YEAR.
MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT POLICE WOULD TAKE ACTION TO RESTRICT THE INFLOW OF THE PEOPLE INTO LAN KWAI FONG WHENEVER THE NUMBER OF VISITORS WITHIN THE AREA REACHED UP TO 5,000.
’’PEOPLE WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE AREA THROUGH THE LOWER ENTRANCE AT THE JUNCTION OF D'AGUILAR STREET AND WELLINGTON STREET,’’ HE ADDED.
•K
SIMULTANEOUSLY, PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE VIA THE EXIT POINTS AT THE JUNCTION OF WAI TAK LANE AND WELLINGTON STREET, AND AT THE JUNCTION OF D’AGUILAR STREET AND WYNDHAM STREET.
MR CHEUNG STRESSED THAT PUBLIC SAFETY WAS THE MAIN CONCERN OF POLICE. THEREFORE, POLICE WOULD RESTRICT PEOPLE FROM ENTERING LAN KWAI FONG IF THE AREA WAS CONSIDERED TO BE OVERCROWDED.
HE ALSO REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT PARKING FACILITIES AT 10 STREETS WITHIN THE AREA WOULD BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED STARTING FROM 6 PM ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR’S EVE.
THESE INCLUDED: ARBUTHNOT ROAD, WYNDHAM STREET, GLENEALY, D’AGUILAR STREET, WELLINGTON STREET, LOWER ALBERT STREET, ICE HOUSE STREET, STANLEY STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
HE SAID DISTRICT ENFORCEMENT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, INCLUDING TOWING OF VEHICLES WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
MEDICAL TEAMS AND AMBULANCES WILL BE LN ATTENDANCE, PROVIDED BY THE ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE AND THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE.
"WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME SO POLICE WILL ADOPT A FLEXIBLE ATTITUDE TOWARDS MAINTAINING ORDER BUT WE WILL TAKE FIRM ACTION AGAINST TROUBLE-MAKERS,” MR CHEUNG ADDED.
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/10........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
- 10 -
BOOKLET EXPLAINS CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR DAYA BAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED A BOOKLET TO FURTHER EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC THE VARIOUS COUNTER-MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AT THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER STATION (GNPS).
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DRAWN UP A COMPREHENSIVE CONTINGENCY PLAN TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE A QUICK AND TIMELY RESPONSE TO MINIMISE ANY POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS TO THE HONG KONG PUBLIC IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AT THE GNPS WHICH MAY LEAD TO A RADIOACTIVE RELEASE AFFECTING HONG KONG.
IN NOVEMBER 1990, AND AGAIN IN MAY THIS YEAR, THE PLAN UNDERWENT COMPREHENSIVE TESTING UNDER THE OBSERVATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA).
’’THESE EXERCISES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE PLAN IS SOUND AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES INVOLVED ARE FULLY PREPARED TO RESPOND IF THERE IS A RELEASE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL FROM THE GNPS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BOOKLET OUTLINES THE PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN, WHICH COVER:
(A) EARLY NOTIFICATION TO HONG KONG BY THE CHINESE EMERGENCY AUTHORITIES OF ACCIDENTS AT THE GNPS WHICH MAY GIVE RISE TO AN OFF-SITE RADIOLOGICAL RELEASE;
(B) CONTINUOUS TERRITORY-WIDE RADIATION MONITORING;
(C) RAPID ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED THROUGH (A), (B) OR OTHER MEANS, AND CONSIDERATION OF NECESSARY COUNTER-MEASURES;
(D) RAPID ALERT OF ALL DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE
ACTIVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN;
(E) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COUNTER-MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE
EFFECTS OF ANY RADIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE; AND
(F) THE PROVISION OF ACCURATE AND TIMELY INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE DEVELOPING SITUATION, AND OF ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO.
THE PUBLICATION IS IN ADDITION TO A LEAFLET PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, COPIES OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGH ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES AND SCHOOLS.
/Il .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
11
GREATEST ASSET IN SOCIETY IS PEOPLE: THE GOVERNOR * * * * »
THE GREATEST ASSET A SOCIETY CAN HAVE IS PEOPLE INSPIRED WITH LIVELY HABITS OF LEARNING AND THINKING, WITH WELL-DEVELOPED PERSONALITIES AND WITH COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY FOR LINGNAN COLLEGE’S NEW CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT IN TURN MUN, THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS BELIEF HAS BEEN PUT INTO PRACTICE THROUGH THE DETERMINATION OF LINGNAN’S TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMES OF STUDIES OF HIGH STANDARD.
MR PATTEN SAID THE NEW TUEN MUN CAMPUS FOR LINGNAN COLLEGE MARKED THE START OF AN ASSOCIATION THAT WOULD WORK TO THE ADVANTAGE BOTH OF LINGNAN COLLEGE AND OF THIS TREMENDOUS NEW TOWN.
THE GOVERNOR SAID: "BOTH THIS NEW TOWN AND THIS NEW CAMPUS ARE BEING BUILT TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT GIVES OPPORTUNITY AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO PEOPLE TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES."
------0-------
CYC TREAT FOR STAMP COLLECTORS *****
STAMP COLLECTORS WILL HAVE A NEW COLLECTION - THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB’S SOUVENIR COVER - FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 23) TO COMMEMORATE THE CLUB’S CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY.
ON SALE WILL BE THREE SOUVENIR COVERS - ORDINARY BLANK WITHOUT THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY CHEST STAMPS ($5); ORDINARY BLANK WITH THE SPECIAL STAMP ($20); AND GOLD-BLOCKED WITH THE STAMP ($100).
"PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE COVERS WILL BE DONATED TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SPECIAL COVER DEPICTS THE CLUB’S WORLD RECORD-BREAKING GIANT POSTER ASSEMBLED BY ITS MEMBERS ON OCTOBER 26, AN EVENT OFFICIALLY RECORDED BY THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS.
’’THE EVENT WAS PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG; THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GREENING FOR THE CHEST ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MRS LOUISE MOK, AND CLUB MEMBERS WILL SELL THE SOUVENIR COVERS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT A SPECIAL BOOTH AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE FROM 9.35 AM ON DECEMBER 30 (THURSDAY).
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE WITH THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO PROVIDE HAND-BACKED SERVICE FOR THE STAMPING OF A SPECIAL POSTMARK ON THE SOUVENIR COVERS ON DECEMBER 30 AT:
/BEACONSFIELD HOUSE .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
12
- BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE, CENTRAL DISTRICT;
- GENERAL POST OFFICE, CENTRAL DISTRICT;
- GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI;
- PEAK ROAD POST OFFICE, THE PEAK;
- SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE; AND
- TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE.
---------0------------
HONG KONG AND NORWAY SIGN TEXTILES AGREEMENT
*****
REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG AND THE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENTS TODAY (TUESDAY) SIGNED A NEW AGREEMENT THAT WILL GIVE CERTAIN HONG KONG TEXTILE AND CLOTHING PRODUCTS BETTER ACCESS TO THE NORWEGIAN MARKET.
THE NEW AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR ON EXPIRY OF THE CURRENT AGREEMENT, WAS SIGNED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU AND THE ACTING NORWEGIAN CONSUL-GENERAL, MR LARS I ALMKLOV.
IT EXTENDS THE CURRENT AGREEMENT FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO YEARS UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THREE CATEGORIES AS AT PRESENT, NAMELY WOVEN JACKETS (CATEGORY 1), WOVEN TROUSERS (CATEGORY 2) AND BED LINEN (CATEGORY 7), REMAIN UNDER QUOTA RESTRAINT.
HONG KONG WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE NORWAY WITH QUARTERLY EXPORT LICENSING STATISTICS ON THE EXPORTS OF FISHING NETS (CATEGORY 70) .
’’THE NEW AGREEMENT IS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE EXISTING ONE BECAUSE IT PROVIDES FOR HIGHER GROWTH RATES AND IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY,” MR CHAU SAID.
CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NORWAY ON THE NEW AGREEMENT WERE HELD IN OSLO FROM OCTOBER 13 TO 15.
DETAILS OF THE NEW HONG KONG/NORWAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT AND THE RELATED QUOTA ALLOCATION AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED IN TRADE DEPARTMENT’S NOTICE TO EXPORTERS SERIES 3 NO. 109/93 OF DECEMBER 8.
/13........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
- 13 -
MANUFACTURER FINED FOR ILLEGAL CANDLE TRANSHIPMENT *****
A CANDLE MANUFACTURER WAS FINED $270,000 AT TUEN MUN MAGISTRACY YESTERDAY (MONDAY) FOR ILLEGALLY TRANSHIPPING $980,000 WORTH OF CANDLES.
THE DEFENDANT, TSOI WAN-WAH, OWNER OF NO. 1 CHEMICAL (CANDLE) MANUFACTORY, PLEADED GUILTY TO THREE SUMMONSES OF GIVING FALSE INFORMATION IN APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF HONG KONG ORIGIN AND TWO SUMMONSES OF EXPORTING GOODS BEARING A FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTION.
THE GOODS INVOLVED WERE 942,000 PIECES OF CANDLES FOR EXPORT TO THE USA.
THE COURT HEARD THAT ACTING ON INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE U.S. CUSTOMS, HONG KONG CUSTOMS OFFICERS CONDUCTED THE INVESTIGATION AND REVEALED THAT BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE DEFENDANT’S COMPANY HAS EXPORTED TO THE USA TWO SHIPMENTS OF CHINA-ORIGIN CANDLES BEARING A FALSE ’’MADE IN HONG KONG” LABEL UNDER THREE CERTIFICATES OF HONG KONG ORIGIN.
THE SHIPMENTS WERE SEIZED BY THE U.S. CUSTOMS UPON ARRIVAL.
A CUSTOMS SPOKESMAN SAID THE OFFENCES WERE SERIOUS.
’’THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WOULD STEP UP THEIR ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TO CRACK DOWN ILLEGAL TRANSHIPMENTS SO THAT THE CONFIDENCE OF ITS TRADING PARTNERS IN HONG KONG’S CERTIFICATION CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE UNDERMINED BY SOME DISHONEST BUSINESSMEN,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR ILLEGAL TRANSHIPMENT IS A FINE OF $500,000 AND TWO YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT ON EACH COUNT "OF THE CERTIFICATION OFFENCE.
------0-------
COURT OF APPEAL JUDGE APPOINTED
*****
THE HON MR JUSTICE GODFREY HAS BEEN APPOINTED A JUSTICE OF APPEAL WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR JUSTICE GODFREY WAS BORN IN ENGLAND ON JULY 30, 1933. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR BY THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF LINCOLN’S INN IN 1954 AND IN 1978 WAS ELECTED A BENCHER OF THE INN. IN 1971, HE WAS APPOINTED QUEEN COUNSEL.
FROM 1956 TO 1986, MR JUSTICE GODFREY WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AT THE CHANCERY BAR. HE WAS APPOINTED A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT IN 1986.
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/14 .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
14 YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW MEMBERS * * * *
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH IS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 1993/94.
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 PERFORMANCES OVERSEAS, INCLUDING AUSTRALIA, CYPRUS, FRANCE, ISRAEL, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, USA 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 JANUARY 7, NEXT YEAR. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ON JANUARY 23.
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 TEL 802 0657.
------0--------
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE
*****
EIGHT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM ON DECEMBER 27, WHICH IS THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THEY ARE: THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; THE KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, 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.
THERE WILL BE NO HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE ON THE CHRISTMAS DAY.
---------0-----------
/15........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
- 15 -
328 VMS RETURN TODAY * * * * *
TWO GROUPS OF 328 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 117 MEN, 89 WOMEN, 58 BOYS AND 64 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 190TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 12,076 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 38,388 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0--------
SALT WATER CUT ON TSING YI
* * * t *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES ON TSING YI ISLAND WILL GO OFF FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 23) TO 10 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
*****
TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER AMOUNT APPLIED 21 DEC 93 EF BILLS Q351 HKD2,440 MN 21 DEC 93 ’ EF BILLS H380 HKD1,170 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD1,000 MN HKD400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.07 PCT 3.19 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.08 PCT 3.21 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 58 PCT ABOUT 70 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.09 PCT 3.23 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
16
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 27 DEC 1993 -
TENDER DATE 28 DEC 93 28 DEC 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q352 Y397
ISSUE DATE 29 DEC 93 29 DEC 93
MATURITY DATE 30 MAR 94 28 DEC 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKDl,000 + 200 MN HKD300 + 90 MN
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,110
REVERSAL OF LAF -110
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +206
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,206
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.9 *+0.1* 21.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.18 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.36 3.57
1 MONTH 3.11 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.96 3.81
3 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.04 4.01
6 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.97 4.21
12 MONTHS 3.46 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.91 4.66
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,155 MN
CLOSED 21 DECEMBER 1993 ---------------------------------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING SHEK LEI CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL ............................................. 1
12 NEW MEMBERS JOIN AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ............ 2
NEW REGISTRAR TO REGULATE OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN HK ........................................................... 4
THREE NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO EDUCATION COMMISSION ............ 5
HK ISSUES FIRST-EVER TWO-GOLD ALLOY COIN ....................... 6
TWO GOVERNMENT SITES TO LET .................................... 7
CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY ............... 8
SHA TIN DISTRICT BIRTHS REGISTRY 014 MOVE ...................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
9
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
- 1 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING SHEK LEI CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
*****
GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TO THIS EXCELLENT SCHOOL AGAIN TO TAKE PART IN THEIR CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS. I FIRST VISITED THE SCHOOL BY ACCIDENT. WHEN I WAS WAITING FOR MY HELICOPTER, I POPPED INTO THE SCHOOL AND WAS INVITED IN AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY EVERYTHING I SAW. I CAME BACK HERE TO A RELIGIOUS SERVICE LAST CHRISTMAS WITH MY SISTER AND FAMILY AND I AM VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE ONCE MORE TODAY. I’D JUST LIKE TO WISH EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR FULL, I HOPE, OF CONFIDENCE AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. EVERYBODY, I KNOW, WILL WANT TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE WITH THEIR FAMILY, WITH THEIR DEAR ONES AT CHRISTMAS AND AT THE CHINESE NEW YEAR AND I HOPE THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE GET A CHANCE OF DOING THAT.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, HAS THE BRITISH SIDE APPROACHED THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY FOR THE TALKS SINCE LAST WEEK?
GOVERNOR: OUR LAST APPROACH WAS LAST WEEK BUT ALL THAT HAPPENED ON THAT OCCASION, AS I SAID YESTERDAY AND THE DAY BEFORE AND AT THE END OF LAST WEEK, ALL THAT HAPPENED ON THOSE OCCASIONS WAS THAT ON THAT OCCASION, WE WERE REFERRED TO THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESMAN.
QUESTION: SIR, ARE YOU GOING BACK TO LONDON IN MID-JANUARY TO DISCUSS WITH MR HURD WHICH BILL, ORIGINAL BILL OR THE AMENDMENT BILL YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF THE LEGISLATION?
GOVERNOR: I AM GOING BACK TOWARDS THE END OF JANUARY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF GIVING EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE. THEY’VE TAKEN EVIDENCE FROM MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING LEGAL ADVISERS AND THEY ARE TAKING EVIDENCE FROM ME AND FROM THE FOREIGN SECRETARY IN JANUARY. I AM GOING BACK FOR THAT MEETING AND I AM SURE THAT I’LL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY WHILE I’M THERE, OF MEETING PRIME MINISTER AND SENIOR MINISTERS AND I AM SURE THEY WILL WANT TO DISCUSS HONG KONG AND RELATED ISSUES.
QUESTION: I KNOW THAT YOU ARE MAKING THE POLICY FOR THE MFN NEXT YEAR BY YOURSELF, SO WHAT NEW STRATEGY ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE TO LOBBY THE UNITED STATES?
GOVERNOR: NO, WE HAVEN’T DECIDED HOW WE CAN MOST EFFECTIVELY LOBBY ON MFN NEXT YEAR. BUT YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND, I HOPE, MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL BE LOBBYING ENERGETICALLY FOR UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF MFN. I THINK IT’S GENERALLY RECOGNISED THAT THE TRIP THAT I MADE TO WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS A HELP IN GETTING OUR ARGUMENTS ACROSS AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE THAT TRADE AND POLITICS SHOULDN’T BE MIXED UP, A POINT WHICH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN WAS PUTTING TO PRESIDENT CLINTON HIMSELF. BUT WE HAVEN’T YET DECIDED HOW MOST EFFECTIVELY TO LOBBY THIS YEAR IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE OBVIOUSLY SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE DECISION TAKEN BY THE PRESIDENT EARLIER THIS YEAR.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
QUESTION: YOU WILL NOT GO THERE?
GOVERNOR: WE HAVEN’T DECIDED. I’LL CERTAINLY, I HOPE, BE VISITING UNITED STATES NEXT YEAR.
QUESTION: GIVEN THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AT THE MOMENT IS PRETTY BAD, WILL THAT AFFECT HONG KONG’S POSITION IN REGARD TO MFN TO CHINA?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT PEOPLE TAKE ACCOUNT OF OUR ARGUMENTS AND BECAUSE OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF OUR POSITION IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRADING PARTNERS OF BOTH CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES. I THINK THAT WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF CREDIBILITY WHEN WE PUT THE ARGUMENTS FOR UNCONDITIONAL MFN RENEWAL PARTLY BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS STOOD UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, THE BBC FILMING THE MAO DOCUMENTARY, DO YOU THINK IT WELL WORSEN THE SINO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP AND IS IT SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TALKS?
GOVERNOR: THE UNITED KINGDOM, LIKE HONG KONG, BELIEVES IN FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THAT APPLIES TO EVERYONE INCLUDING BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS AS DISTINGUISHED AS THE BBC.
QUESTION: HAS MR LU PING RESPONDED TO YOUR LETTER CONCERNING THE TRANSITION OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS?
GOVERNOR: I HAD A REPLY FROM DIRECTOR LU PING TO THE LAST LETTER THAT I SENT ME. AS I’VE SAID IN THE PAST, IT WAS A COURTEOUS BUT FORMAL REPLY. ANY MORE. HAPPY CHRISTMAS. THANK YOU.
- - 0 - -
12 NEW MEMBERS JOIN AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE * * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR OF 12 NEW MEMBERS TO THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS.
THE APPOINTMENTS BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS TO 60, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN AND THE OTHER 47 SERVING MEMBERS WHOSE RE-APPOINTMENT FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS TOOK EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE 12 NEW MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY WITH THEIR TERMS OF OFFICE TO EXPIRE ON OCTOBER 31, 1995, THE SAME DATE AS THE OTHER REAPPOINTED SERVING MEMBERS.
ANNOUNCING THE NEW APPOINTMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE 12 NEW MEMBERS WERE ALL PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS FIELDS RELEVANT TO THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP), INCLUDING ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, TOWN PLANNING, BANKING, ACCOUNTANCY, TOURISM, THE LEGAL SECTOR AND ECONOMIC STUDIES.
/"THE NEW
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
- 3 -
’’THE NEW MEMBERS WILL FURTHER BRO,WEN THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMITTEE OVER THE COMING TWO YEARS AS DESIGN AND WORKS ON THE ACP PROGRESS FURTHER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONTRIBUTION, FROM BOTH EXISTING AND NEW MEMBERS, IN THE COMMITTEE’S DELIBERATIONS IN TAKING THE ACP FORWARD," HE ADDED.
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP ON NOVEMBER 1, 1991 IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.
ITS PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A FORUM WITHIN WHICH COMMUNITY VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS CAN BE DISCUSSED AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IN LINE WITH THE MOU, THE NEW MEMBERS WERE CHOSEN AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE CHINESE SIDE.
THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN, MR WONG PO-YAN, WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE 12 NEW MEMBERS:
* MR FRANCIS CHEUNG KING-FUNG
♦ MR FAN SAI-YEE
t MR SIMON HAU SUK-KEI
♦ MR DENNIS LAU WING-KWONG
♦ MRS ANGELINA LEE PUI-LING
* MR PUN KWOK-WA
* MR SHIU SIN-POR
* DR TSANG SHU-KI
* DR PETER WONG KING-KEUNG
* MR HAROLD WU, JP
* DR PHILIP WU PO-H1M
* DR GEOFFREY YEH MEOU-TSEN, MBE, JP
---------0-----------
/4.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
- 4 -
NEW REGISTRAR TO REGULATE OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN HK *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED IN PRINCIPLE TO DRAW UP NEW LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE OPERATIONS OF OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS (OTIS) IN HONG KONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE OBJECTIVE WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARDS OF THE COURSES OFFERED BY THESE INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG WERE RECOGNISED BY THE OTIS THEMSELVES AS WELL AS BY THE ACCREDITING AUTHORITIES IN THEIR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN.
"THE LEGISLATION WILL ALSO AIM TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARDS OF COURSES DELIVERED IN HONG KONG WOULD BE MAINTAINED AT LEVELS COMPARABLE TO THOSE ACHIEVED ON-CAMPUS LN THE INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
PENDING THE ENACTMENT OF THE PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION, EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE WILL -BE GIVEN TO OTIS COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES TO DELIVER OVERSEAS COURSES IN HONG KONG UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
THESE CONDITIONS ARE THAT THE LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OR APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES MUST CERTIFY THE FOLLOWING:
* THE OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR COURSES ARE RECOGNISED ACADEMICALLY AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, PROFESSIONALLY BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE THE OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ARE SITUATED;
* THE STANDARDS OF THE COURSES OFFERED IN HONG KONG ARE MAINTAINED AT LEVELS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OFFERED IN THE OTIS’ HOME COUNTRIES AND ARE RECOGNISED AS SUCH BY THE OTIS AND THE ACCREDITING AUTHORITIES OR ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES IN THOSE COUNTRIES; AND
* NO PUBLIC FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OR APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES ARE USED FOR THE COLLABORATIVE VENTURES.
IN ADDITION, ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE COLLABORATIVE COURSES MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON REQUEST.
"BEFORE THE NEW LEGISLATION IS ENACTED, ALL OTHER OTIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE, WHICH REQUIRES ANY OPERATIONS PROVIDING EDUCATION IN HONG KONG TO 20 OR MORE PERSONS DURING ANY ONE DAY, OR EIGHT OR MORE PERSONS AT ANY TIME, TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AS SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
/5.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
5
THREE NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO EDUCATION COMMISSION
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THE FOLLOWING THREE NEW MEMBERS TO THE EDUCATION COMMISSION:
- DR CHENG KAI-MING, DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG;
- MR PETER LEE TING-CHANG, DIRECTOR OF LEE HYSAN ESTATES CO LTD; AND
- MS SANSAN CHING TEH-CHI, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES.
THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR TO THE END OF THE COMMISSION’S CURRENT TERM OF OFFICE ON DECEMBER 31 NEXT YEAR.
DR CHENG AND MS CHING ARE WELL-KNOWN IN THE EDUCATION FIELD. AMONG THEIR OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS, DR CHENG IS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TEACHER EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS, AND MS CHING^ A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
MR LEE IS A BUSINESSMAN WITH A LEGAL AND ENGINEERING BACKGROUND. AS A MEMBER OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, HE IS ALREADY CONTRIBUTING TO IMPROVEMENTS IN ONE IMPORTANT AREA OF EDUCATION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE APPOINTMENTS FOLLOWED THE SUDDEN RESIGNATION LAST MONTH OF TWO MEMBERS, DR PAUL MORRIS AND PROFESSOR ARTHUR LI.
"THE THREE NEW APPOINTMENTS BRING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION TO 16," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THERE IS NO FIXED NUMBER OF SEATS ON THE COMMISSION. SINCE IT WAS SET UP, ITS MEMBERSHIP HAS FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 12 AND 15," HE ADDED.
THE COMMISSION IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN A DEMANDING SCHEDULE OF WORK, WITH THREE STUDIES OF MAJOR QUALITY-RELATED ISSUES - EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND SCHOOL RESOURCING - NOW IN PROGRESS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT YEAR WILL BE PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION; MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EXISTING POLICIES; AND ANY OTHER ISSUES THAT MEMBERS AGREE NEED PRIORITY ATTENTION.
THE COMMISSION HAS ALSO AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO HOLD A SERIES OF EDUCATION FORUMS.
- - 0-----------
/6........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
6
HK ISSUES FIRST-EVER TWO-GOLD ALLOY COIN
*****
THE FIRST-EVER TWO-GOLD ALLOY COIN IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S COINAGE WILL BE ON SALE IN THE TERRITORY EARLY NEXT MONTH.
IT IS THE HONG KONG COMMEMORATIVE $10 GOLD COIN. ONLY 20,000 PIECES WILL BE SOLD WORLDWIDE, OF WHICH 18,000 ARE ALLOCATED FOR HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOLD COIN WAS TO COMMEMORATE THE INTRODUCTION OF HONG KONG’S NEW DESIGN COINAGE BEARING THE BAUHINIA FLOWER. BEFORE 1997.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE ROYAL MINT TO STRIKE A LIMITED EDITION OF THE PROOF GOLD COIN.
"OF THE SAME SIZE AND DESIGN AS THE NEW HK$10 COIN WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED INTO GENERAL CIRCULATION NEXT YEAR, IT IS HONG KONG’S FIRST-EVER TWO-GOLD ALLOY COIN,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OUTER RING OF THIS ISSUE IS CAST IN A BLEND OF HIGH-QUALITY GOLD AND SILVER, WHILE THE CENTRE SECTION CONSISTS OF 22-CARAT GOLD.
"THE $10 GOLD COIN, DATED 1994, IS PRICED AT $2,888," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE HIGHLY-PRIZED PROOF COINS HAVE BEEN METICULOUSLY PRODUCED AND ARE BOTH A COLLECTOR’S ITEM AND A PERFECT LUNAR NEW YEAR GIFT FOR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
EACH COIN IS PROTECTED W]TH IN \ PLASTK CAPSULE AND SUPPLIED WITH AN ATTRACTIVE, RED PRESENTATION CASE, AND COMES WITH A NUMBERED CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOLD COIN WAS ALSO LEGAL TENDER IN HONG KONG.
"AS DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO BE HIGH, AN APPLICANT CAN ONLY BUY ONE COIN. IN THE EVENT OF OVER-SUBSCRIPTION, A BALLOT WILL BE HELD," HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED, BETWEEN JANUARY 3 AND 8 ONLY, FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE 10 DESIGNATED HONGKONGBANK BRANCHES AT HONG KONG MAIN OFFICE, CHINA BUILDING, WAYFOONG HOUSE, DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, PATERSON STREET, KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, NORTH POINT, TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO ONE OF THESE HONGKONGBANK BRANCHES BEFORE 12.30 PM ON JANUARY 8 (SATURDAY).
THE COINS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FROM JANUARY 31 (MONDAY) ONWARDS AND MUST RE COLLECTED IN PERSON. THE APPLICANTS MUST PRODUCE THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD.
/COPIES OF .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
7
COPIES OF A LEAFLET ON THE GOLD COIN WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE 10 DESIGNATED HONGKONGBANK BRANCHES STARTING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
ALL NET PROCEEDS FROM THE SALES WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, SELECTED PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HONG KONG COINS, A LIMITED QUANTITY OF THE 1988 AND 1993 BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED COIN COLLECTIONS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT TWO OVERSEAS TRUST BANK BRANCHES AT 160 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG AND 524 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
---------0-----------
TWO GOVERNMENT SITES TO LET *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN TUEN MUN AND YAM O.
THE 6.91-HECTARE LOT IN AREA 16, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, IS INTENDED FOR HANDLING AND STORAGE OF CONTAINERS, INCLUDING STUFFING AND DESTUFFING OF CONTAINERS BUT EXCLUDING ANY REPAIRING OR OVERHAULING ACTIVITIES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
THE LOT AT YAM O, NORTHEAST LANTAU, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 10,900 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR THE STOARGE OF LOGS ONLY.
IT CARRIES A TENANCY OF ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 7 NEXT YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN.
TENDER PLANS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICES.
--------0-----------
/8........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
- 8 -
CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY * * * * *
THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM MARCH 28 TO JULY 31 NEXT YEAR FOR RENOVATION WORK.
IT WILL BE RE-OPENED ON AUGUST 1, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
FROM DECEMBER 28 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION AND RECORDS OFFICE AT THE GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE IN QUEENSWAY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT NOTICES OF MARRIAGE CEREMONIES TO TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY IN THE PERIOD.
HOWEVER, NOTICES OF MARRIAGE CEREMONIES AT THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY, THE TSIM SHA TSUI AND THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES WILL EXTEND THEIR SERVICES TO SATURDAY AFTERNOONS.
THE TWO REGISTRIES WILL ALSO MAINTAIN FULL-DAY SERVICES ON SUNDAYS.
APART FROM THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY, RESIDENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND MAY CHOOSE TO USE THE EASTERN MARRIAGE REGISTRY ON THE 11TH FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET.
FOR ENQUIRIES, THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111.
------0--------
SHA TIN DISTRICT BIRTHS REGISTRY ON MOVE *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SHA TIN DISTRICT BIRTHS REGISTRY ON THE GROUND FLOOR, SHA TIN TOWN HALL, 1 YUEN WO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED IN THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 31 AND WILL MOVE TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
SECOND FLOOR, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN
THE NEW REGISTRY WILL START SERVICE ON JANUARY 3 AND THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.45 AM TO 12.45 PM
2 PM TO 4.45 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 11.30 AM
SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CLOSED
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111.
---------0-----------
/9.........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1993
- 9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF 4,206 -206
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -440
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,560
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4 .00 OFFER TWI 114.0 *+0.1» 22. 12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.44 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.36 3.56
1 MONTH 3.24 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.95 3.82
3 MONTHS 3.13 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.05 4.00
6 MONTHS 3.22 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.97 4.21
12 MONTHS 3.48 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.92 4.66
TOTAL TURNOVER OF B ILLS AND BONDS - 6,262 MN
CLOSED 22 DECEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ADDITIONAL PLOT RATIO CONTROLS TO BE INCORPORATED IN OZPS ... 1
STATEMENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE INCREASES ............... 4
SOCIAL SECURITY FOR CHILDREN ............................... 5
APPOINTMENTS TO CONSUMER COUNCIL ........................... 6
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR NOVEMBER ........... 7
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE ........................................ 12
WHITE AIRPORT BILL TO BE PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 3 ........... 12
FIVE MORE HIV INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED .................... 13
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR BUDDHA INAUGURAL CEREMONY ...... 13
NEW POST OFFICE FOR TAI KOO SHING ......................... 14
NEW YEAR’S DAY A STATUTORY HOLIDAY ........................ 15
ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR GOES ON SALE ................... 16
MARCHING BAND CONTEST AT QE STADIUM ....................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 17
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
1
ADDITIONAL PLOT RATIO CONTROLS TO BE INCORPORATED IN OZPS *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS AMENDED 16 OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZPS) IN KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL PLOT RATIOS TO REGULATE DEVELOPMENTS.
BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A TWO-YEAR CONSULTANCY STUDY, ADDITIONAL PLOT RATIO CONTROLS HAVE NOW BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE 16 STATUTORY OZPS TO INDICATE THE DEVELOPMENT INTENSITIES OF MAJOR LAND USES PERMISSIBLE IN KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON.
OTHER ZONING AMENDMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN INCORPORATED TO REFLECT THE LATEST PLANNING INTENTION FOR THE AREAS COVERED BY THE OZPS.
THESE 16 OZPS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY FORWARD THEIR VIEWS TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, WHICH WILL PROCESS THE VIEWS ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURES LAID DOWN IN THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR PETER PUN, EXPLAINED THAT THE RECOMMENDED PLOT RATIO CONTROLS REPLACE THE STOP-GAP MEASURES PROVIDED UNDER THE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF DENSITY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON) ORDINANCE (TCO), WHICH WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
DR PUN ALSO GAVE A BRIEF RECOUNT OF THE BACKGROUND LEADING TO THE PREPARATION OF THE TWO-YEAR KOWLOON DENSITY STUDY (KDS).
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW NAVIGATIONAL AIDS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT, AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS (AHRS) WERE GENERALLY RELAXED IN 1989, PERMITTING HIGHER DEVELOPMENT INTENSITIES FOR SOME SITES UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, THERE WERE CONCERNS THAT EXCESSIVE ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS COULD OVERLOAD THE ALREADY CONGESTED TRANSPORT AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS IN KOWLOON.
THE TCO WAS THEREFORE ENACTED IN JULY 1989 TO KEEP DEVELOPMENT INTENSITIES TO THE LEVELS PERMITTED BEFORE FURTHER RELAXATION OF THE AHRS.
"THE KDS HAS CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE OF CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS ON BOTH THE STRATEGIC AND LOCAL ROAD NETWORKS, SOME RESTRICTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT INTENSITIES IN KOWLOON SHOULD CONTINUE AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE TCO, DR PUN SAID.
IT HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT A UNIFORM DENSITY CONTROL BE APPLIED FOR EACH PARTICULAR CATEGORY OF LAND USES, WITH PERMISSIBLE PLOT RATIOS SET AT LEVELS COMPATIBLE WITH THE CAPACITY OF THE STRATEGIC ROAD NETWORK, AND THAT THE RECOMMENDED PLOT RATIOS BE INCORPORATED INTO STATUTORY OZPS, DR PUN NOTED.
/DR PUN .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 2 -
DR PUN ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE INTRODUCTION OF A TWO-TIER PLOT RATIO SYSTEM FOR ’’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)” SITES, MOST OF WHICH ARE SUFFERING FROM TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY ON-STREET LOADING OR UNLOADING ACTIVITIES AND ILLEGAL PARKING.
MANY OF THESE SITES ARE TOO SMALL TO ACCOMMODATE OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING/UNLOADING SPACES.
A TWO-TIER PLOT RATIO SYSTEM IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO PROVIDE INCENTIVE TO DEVELOPERS TO AMALGAMATE SITES TO ACCOMMODATE PARKING AND LOADING/UNLOADING SPACES.
’’SUCH SYSTEM HELPS IMPROVE LOCAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS BY INTERNALISING PARKING AND LOADING/UNLOADING ACTIVITIES AND ENCOURAGES SITE AMALGAMATION FOR BETTER AND MORE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND REDEVELOPMENT IN URBAN KOWLOON,’’ HE SAID.
FOR SITES SMALLER THAN 400 SQUARE METRES OR SITES WITHOUT ADEQUATE PARKING AND LOADING AND UNLOADING SPACES, DR PUN CONTINUED, THE DOMESTIC PLOT RATIO IS RESTRICTED TO SIX.
FOR SITES OF 400 SQUARE METRES OR MORE AND WHERE ADEQUATE PARKING AND LOADING/UNLOADING FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED, THE DOMESTIC PLOT RATIO IS INCREASED TO 7.5.
THE TOTAL PLOT RATIO, INCLUDING NON-DOMESTIC ELEMENTS SUCH AS RETAIL USES, WOULD BE 7.5 IN THE FORMER CASE AND NINE IN THE LATTER.
DR PUN FURTHER EXPLAINED THE CONTROLS FOR OTHER LAND USES.
IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED THAT BOTH ’COMMERCIAL’ AND ’INDUSTRIAL’ ZONES BE RESTRICTED TO A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 12, WHILE ’’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) AND (GROUP C)” ZONES TO A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 5 AND 3 RESPECTIVELY.
’’SOME LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN CENTRAL KOWLOON AND KOWLOON TONG ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO SPECIAL CONTROLS UNDER THE NON-STATUTORY PLANS.”
DUE TO CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS ON THE NORTH TO SOUTH AND BAST TO WEST STRATEGIC ROAD LINKS, AND THE STATION CAPACITIES OF KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AT KOWLOON TONG, THERE IS NO SCOPE FOR RELAXING THE DENSITY RESTRICTIONS FOR THESE SITES.
THESE INCLUDE KOWLOON TONG, YAU YAT TSUBN AND HO MAN TIN, WHICH WILL ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE OZPS, HE ADDED.
COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL SITES WILL BE RE-ZONED FOR EITHER COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL USES TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY IN THE PREDICTION OF INFRASTRUCTURAL AND TRANSPORT DEMAND.
UNDER THE RECOMMENDED CONTROL, DR PUN EXPLAINED, TO AVOID PLANNING BLIGHT, DEVELOPERS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO REPLACE EXISTING BUILDINGS WITH BUILDINGS OF THE SAME PLOT RATIOS EVEN IF THESE PLOT RATIOS EXCEED THE PROPOSED NEW PLOT RATIOS FOR VARIOUS LAND USES.
/COMPARED TO .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 3 -
COMPARED TO THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED PLOT RATIO IN THE BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS, THE RECOMMENDED PLOT RATIOS SEEM TO HAVE INDUCED A TIGHTER CONTROL.
"HOWEVER, IN ACTUAL FACT, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. MANY SITES IN KOWLOON ACTUALLY CANNOT ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE PLOT RATIO IN THE REGULATIONS DUE TO THE AHRS, THE LEASE CONDITIONS OR THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE EXISTING OZPS,” HE NOTED.
THE RECOMMENDED PLOT RATIOS ARE INTENDED TO RELEASE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL COMPARED WITH THE RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE TCO, CREATING SOME INCENTIVES FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND ALLOWING A MODERATE LEVEL OF REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITHOUT LEADING TO A MATERIAL DETERIORATION IN THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT.
DR PUN POINTED OUT THAT SOME 79 PER CENT OF RESIDENTIAL SITES, 89 PER CENT OF INDUSTRIAL SITES AND 31 PER CENT OF OFFICE SITES WOULD HAVE A HIGHER OR EQUIVALENT PERMISSIBLE PLOT RATIO COMPARED WITH WHAT IS PERMITTED UNDER THE TCO.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN PARTS OF MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO, HUNG HOM, MA TAU KOK AND KOWLOON CITY WOULD GAIN IN PERMISSIBLE PLOT RATIO, THOUGH THE GAIN MAY NOT BE FULLY REALISED UNTIL THE AHRS ARE LIFTED UPON THE RELOCATION OF THE AIRPORT.
INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN KWUN TONG, KOWLOON BAY AND CHEUNG SHA WAN, WHICH ARE IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT, WOULD BE THE MAIN ’’GAINERS”.
ALTHOUGH 69 PER CENT OF OFFICE SITES WOULD HAVE LOWER PERMISSIBLE PLOT RATIOS, THE DIFFERENCE WOULD BE LESS THAN ONE IN PLOT RATIO FOR THE MAJORITY.
THE OFFICE SITES SUBJECT TO LOWERED PLOT RATIOS ARE MAINLY LOCATED IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
THE RESTRICTION ON COMMERCIAL PLOT RATIO IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE OPERATION OF THE MTR WOULD BE WITHIN ITS CAPACITY LIMITS.
ACCORDING TO DR PUN, THE STRATEGIC TRANSPORT NETWORK IN MOST PARTS OF KOWLOON IS ANTICIPATED TO FUNCTION REASONABLY WELL UNDER THE RECOMMENDED PLOT RATIO CONTROLS.
ALL DEVELOPMENTS IN KOWLOON COVERED BY THE 16 AMENDMENT OZPS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROPOSED PLOT RATIO STIPULATED ON THE PLANS, THE CURRENT AHRS AS WELL AS CONTROLS UNDER OTHER PREVAILING LEGISLATION, INCLUDING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
"THE MORE STRINGENT OF THESE CONTROLS WILL APPLY," HE SAID.
THE 16 OZPS HAVE ALSO INCORPORATED OTHER AMENDMENTS TO REFLECT THE LATEST PLANNING INTENTIONS IN THE KOWLOON AREA.
DETAILS OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS ARE DISPLAYED IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS. RELEVANT OZPS ARE ALSO DISPLAYED AT RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES IN KOWLOON.
--------0------------
/4.........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 4 -
STATEMENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE INCREASES » t * t *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) CONFIRMED THAT THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS CO (KMB) HAS SUBMITTED A FARE INCREASE APPLICATION FOR NEXT YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE APPLICATION IS BEING CONSIDERED CAREFULLY WITH DUE REGARD TO THE INCREASES IN OPERATING EXPENSES, SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS, INFLATION RATE, AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY.
"AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WE ARE VERIFYING AND CLARIFYING INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY KMB IN SUPPORT OF ITS APPLICATION.
"WE WILL ALSO BE BRIEFING THE LEGCO TRANSPORT PANEL ON THE APPLICATION."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WHOLE PROCESS WAS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER.
PUBLIC OPINION WILL BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, HE ADDED.
PROPOSALS WILL THEN BE PUT TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR ADVICE AND THEREAFTER FOLLOWED BY A SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
WITH REGARD TO PRESS REPORTS ABOUT THE TWO RAIL CORPORATIONS’ FARE INCREASES NEXT YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID:
"OUR RECORDS SHOW THAT IN THE PAST 13 YEARS, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S FARES HAVE ONLY INCREASED BY AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF -7.6 PER CENT AS AGAINST AN AVERAGE 8.6 PER CENT RISE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A)."
KCR COMMUTER FARE ADJUSTMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN KEPT BELOW INFLATION IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, THE TWO CORPORATIONS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE CURRENT FARE POLICY WILL BE ADHERED TO IN FORMULATING THEIR FARE INCREASE PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR DESPITE THEIR SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES, THE COSTS OF WHICH HAVE BEEN WELL BUILT INTO THEIR FINANCIAL STRATEGY WITHOUT CAUSING UNUSUAL INCREASES IN THE ANNUAL FARE ADJUSTMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 5 -
SOCIAL SECURITY EOR CHILDREN
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO DIRECT LINKAGE BETWEEN THEFT AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN AND INADEQUACY OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENT.
SOME SOCIAL WORKERS HAD BEEN REPORTED AS SAYING THAT CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS FOUR WERE INVOLVED IN STEALING, OR WERE THREATENING TO STEAL SWEETS AND TOYS BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY THEM, AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE CHILD ALLOWANCE.
MR STRACHAN SAID IT WAS OFTEN THE LACK OF PARENTAL CARE AND PROPER FAMILY EDUCATION THAT INDUCED YOUNGSTERS TO STEAL OR COMMIT CRIMES AS A MEANS TO ATTRACT THEIR PARENTS’ ATTENTION AND LOVE. SUCH BEHAVIOUR HAD NO BEARING ON FAMILY INCOME.
HE ADDED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD ALL ALONG ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
"THESE HAVE BENEFITED MANY FAMILIES BY HELPING THEM GET PARENTING SKILLS, CHILD DISCIPLINARY METHODS AND MOST OF ALL, BECOME RESPONSIBLE PARENTS," HE SAID.
FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ALSO PROVIDE COUNSELLING SERVICES TO HELP FAMILIES.
"WE ALSO WANT THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO ADOPT POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS LIFE. THEY SHOULD NOT USE UNLAWFUL MEANS TO SATISFY THEIR MATERIALISTIC ASPIRATIONS WHEN THEIR PARENTS FAIL TO MEET ALL THEIR DESIRES. THIS APPLIES WHETHER THE FAMILY IS RICH OR POOR," MR STRACHAN SAID.
BOTH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ORGANISE FREE OR LOW-FEE PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES DURING FESTIVE AND SUMMER SEASONS.
FORTHCOMING PROGRAMMES ARRANGED FOR SUCH FAMILIES AND THE PUBLIC ARE DISTRICT-BASED AND INCLUDE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PICNICS, DAY CAMPS, COACH TOURS, PARTIES AND OUTINGS TO COUNTRY PARKS AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, KARAOKE COMPETITION, BUFFETS AND BARBECUES.
"SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE NOT RESTRICTED TO SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES OR FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AS WE PROMOTE INTEGRATION RATHER THAN SINGLING THEM OUT," HE SAID.
ON CRITICISM ABOUT THE INADEQUACY OF SOCIAL SECURITY, MR STRACHAN SAID WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE (CSSA) SCHEME ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THE BASIC NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME GROUP FAMILIES WERE MET.
"SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS HAVE HAD A REAL BOOST IN PAYMENTS RANGING FROM FOUR PER CENT TO 37 PER CENT UNDER THE NEW SCHEME," HE SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 6 -
HE ADDED THAT TAKING ALL THREE COMPONENTS INTO ACCOUNT, THE AVERAGE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT TO A FAMILY OF FOUR NOW REACHED ABOUT $5,800 A MONTH.
"THIS EQUALS TO 92 PER CENT OF AN AVERAGE MANUFACTURING WORKER’S WAGE," HE SAID.
THE AVERAGE MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR A SINGLE PERSON IS $2,000.
THE THREE SIMPLE COMPONENTS UNDER THE CSSA SCHEME ARE: A RANGE OF STANDARD RATES FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF CUSTOMERS, RENT AND PROVISION FOR SPECIAL GRANTS TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
THE STANDARD RATE, BEFORE PROVIDING ANY SPECIAL GRANTS, FOR A CHILD IN A FAMILY IS $995 A MONTH. THE RATE WILL BE FURTHER INCREASED BY $100 A MONTH WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS IN OCTOBER.
"THIS REPRESENTS A REAL INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN THE STANDARD RATE FOR AN ABLE-BODIED CHILD,” HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR STRACHAN STRESSED THAT UNDER THE CSSA SCHEME, ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED SO THAT CHILDREN ON THE SCHEME COULD ENJOY SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, JUST LIKE OTHER CHILDREN.
"WE ARE SATISFIED THAT WE ARE MEETING NOT ONLY THE BASIC NEEDS OF CHILDREN ON CSSA, BUT THE SCHEME, ASSISTED BY TRUST FUNDS, PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY TO HELP THEM PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMMES SUCH AS AFTERSCHOOL CARE AND TUITION CLASSES. SO THEY CAN ENJOY THE ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES OF CHILDHOOD." HE CONCLUDED.
------0----------
APPOINTMENTS TO CONSUMER COUNCIL
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS APPOINTED 18 MEMBERS TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR A PERIOD OF ONE TO TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
SIX OF THE EXISTING MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
THEY ARE MISS AUDREY EU YUET-MEE, DR JOHN HO DIT-SANG, MISS SARA HO SUK-CHING, DR SARAH LIAO SAU-TUNG, DR ANTHONY NG SUNG-MAN AND MR CLEMENT TAO KWOK-LAU.
EIGHT OF THE EXISTING MEMBERS - PROFESSOR PETER W CHEUNG, MR LEE KAM-HUNG, MR MAN MO-LEUNG, MR JOHNNY MOK SHIU-LUEN, MR NG TAT-LUN, MRS SO CHEUNG YEE-HING, MR ANTHONY YUEN TAK-TIM AND MRS YUEN CHAN PO-HING HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR.
FOUR NEW MEMBERS - MR THOMAS KWOK WAI-YAN, DR LO CHI-KIN, DR ALBERT LEUNG WING-NANG AND DR MICHAEL TSUI FUK-SUN HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR.
/MR KWOK .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
7
MR KWOK IS AN ARCHITECT AND CHAIRS THE ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BOARD.
DR LO IS A PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONSULTANT AND SERVES ALSO ON THE YOUTH COMMISSION AND THE COUNCIL OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG.
DR LEUNG IS A SENIOR LECTURER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE.
DR TSUI IS AN ORTHODONTIST.
------0--------
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR NOVEMBER * * t » *
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDING ROSE IN NOVEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA).
THE LATEST FIGURES SHOW THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING LENDING BY THE 28 INSTITUTIONS IN THE SURVEY ROSE BY 0.8 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, COMPARED WITH A FALL OF 0.01 PER CENT IN OCTOBER.
AVERAGE LENDING OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS HAS FALLEN SHARPLY TO 6.8 PER CENT (ANNUALISED) FROM 13.8 PER CENT IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD TO OCTOBER.
’’THIS IS THE LOWEST GROWTH RATE SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, THE RISE IN NOVEMBER MAY INDICATE THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE CURRENT LENDING CYCLE MAY NOW HAVE BEEN REACHED.
’’THERE REMAINS THE POSSIBILITY THAT LENDING WILL ACCELERATE AGAIN IN THE COMING MONTHS,” THE DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING) OF HKMA, MR DAVID CARSE, NOTED.
NEW LOANS APPROVED BUT NOT YET DRAWN ROSE SLIGHTLY BOTH IN NUMBERS (TO 2,319 FROM 2,105) AND IN VALUE (TO $2.9 BILLION FROM $2.6 BILLION).
"JUDGING FROM THESE FIGURES, I EXPECT THAT OUTSTANDING LENDING WILL RISE IN DECEMBER AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE AS IN NOVEMBER," MR CARSE SAID.
THE LATEST FIGURES ALSO SHOW THAT LENDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES IN CHINA ROSE BY 5.3 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, FROM $3.2 BILLION TO $3.4 BILLION. A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE INCREASE WAS ACCOUNTED FOR BY LOANS FOR THE PURCHASE OF NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
THE AMOUNT OF NEW LOAN APPROVALS ROSE SLIGHTLY IN NOVEMBER, FROM $176 MILLION TO $184 MILLION.
/8........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 8 -
Residential Mortgage Loans in Hong Kong
Results of Survey for November 1993 November October 1993 1993
(Amount in HK$ mn)
A. Sample of 28 authorised institutions
1. Outstanding lending
a. Amount 201,747 200,062
b. Monthly growth 0.84% -0.01%
c. Twelve-month change 14.7% 14.4%
d. Average change (annualized)
Latest three months 6.8% 13.8%
Latest twelve months 14.8% 14.6%
2. Gross loans made during month %
a. Amount 4,902 3,630
b. Number 3610 3006
3. New loans approved during month
drawn and undrawn
a. Amount 4,852 3,920
b. Number 3772 3152
4. New loans approved during month
but not yet drawn
a. Amount 2,945 2,564
b. Number 2319 2105
/9 ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
9
Billion
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN HONG KONG (28 institutions)
3-iPonth and 12-n>ootb moving <rvjcragc growth r^te on annualised basis
/10........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 10 -
Chart B
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN HONG KONG (28 institutions)
GROSS LOANS MADE DURING THE MONTH
Thousand Billion
Amount
Bl
Number of accounts
B2
/11 .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
11
Chart y
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN HONG KONG (28 institutions)
NEW LOANS APPRO_VEP_BWr_NOT_YET DRAWN
Thousand BiBion
Amount
Cl
Number of accounts
C2
- - 0 - -
/12
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
12 FIRE SAFETY ADVICE * * * * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED MANAGEMENTS OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT PLACES, RESTAURANTS AND DEPARTMENT STORES TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO REDUCE FIRE RISKS DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A LETTER HAD BEEN SENT TO MANAGEMENTS OF CINEMAS, THEATRES, RESTAURANTS, NIGHT CLUBS, DISCOTHEQUES, DEPARTMENT STORES AND PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY.
THE LETTER ADVISES THEM ON A FEW SIMPLE BASIC RULES TO PROTECT THEIR PREMISES AGAINST FIRE:
* ENSURE THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS ARE NOT OVERLOADED SO AS TO REDUCE THE SOURCE OF IGNITION;
* CLEAR THE RUBBISH FREQUENTLY IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE QUANTITY OF COMBUSTIBLES IN THE PREMISES;
* AVOID OVERCROWDING;
* ENSURE THE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS IN THE BUILDING ARE IN EFFICIENT WORKING ORDER, AND THAT STAFF KNOW HOW TO USE THEM, AND
%
♦ DO NOT OBSTRUCT PASSAGE OR LOCK ANY DOORS AND EXITS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU OFFICERS WOULD VISIT THESE PREMISES TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MEANS OF ESCAPE WERE NOT BLOCKED.
---------0-----------
WHITE AIRPORT BILL TO BE PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 3 » * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS (ACC) ON THE AIRPORT BILL ON JANUARY 3.
THIS WILL COINCIDE WITH PUBLICATION OF THE BILL, IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL, IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A BOOKLET CONTAINING A CONSULTATION PAPER, A SUMMARY OF THE BILL, AND THE WHITE BILL ITSELF WILL BE PUBLISHED AT THE SAME TIME TO FACILITATE PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE SOUGHT OVER THE TWO-MONTH PERIOD UP TO AND INCLUDING FEBRUARY 28 NEXT YEAR.
THE MEETING OF THE ACC WILL BE THE FIRST SINCE THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBERSHIP WAS RECONSTITUTED, WITH THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN AND 47 SERVING MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 1, AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) OF 12 NEW MEMBERS.
------0--------
/13........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 13 -
FIVE MORE HIV INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED *****
FOUR MEN AND A WOMAN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (NOVEMBER), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 413.
ONE NEW AIDS CASE WAS REPORTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES IS 92 WITH 63 DEATHS. THE 29 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 413 HIV INFECTED, 302 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, NINE WERE INJECTING DRUG USERS, AND 65 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH CONTAMINATED BLOOD OR BLOOD PRODUCTS BEFORE 1985 WHEN HIV ANTIBODY TEST AND SAFE HEAT TREATED CLOTTING CONCENTRATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
FOR THE REMAINING 37, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 305,779 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE 'HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,338,032 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 29 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
---------0-----------
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR BUDDHA INAUGURAL CEREMONY
*****
SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE LAID ON FOR THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE TIAN TAN BUDDHA STATUE AT PO LIN MONASTERY, NGONG PING, NEXT WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 29).
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE SERVICES TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID SPECIAL OVERNIGHT FERRY SERVICES WOULD BE OPERATED FROM CENTRAL TO MUI WO FROM 1 AM UNTIL 6 AM ON THE DAY AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF ONE HOUR.
ADDITIONAL FERRY SERVICES FROM MUI WO TO CENTRAL WILL BE STRENGTHENED FROM 2 PM UNTIL 6 PM ON THE SAME DAY FOR RETURNING PASSENGERS.
ON BUS SERVICE, ROUTE NO. 2 BETWEEN MUI WO AND NGONG PING OPERATED BY THE NEW LANTAU BUS COMPANY WILL BE STRENGTHENED.
/IN ADDITION, .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
14
IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL NON-FRANCHISED TOUR BUS SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED FROM 11 PM ON DECEMBER 28 TILL THE NEXT DAY BETWEEN MUI WO AND NGONG PING. SPECIAL RETURN TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT $40 ON BOARD HONG KONG YAUMATI FERRY TO MUI WO.
DEPENDING ON THE DENSITY OF THE CROWD, NGONG PING ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN PHASES STARTING FROM 10 PM ON DECEMBER 28 UNTIL 8 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THIS SAME PERIOD, THE BUS TERMINUS, CAR PARKING SPACES AND TAXI STAND AT NGONG PING WILL ALL BE SUSPENDED.
THE SECTION OF PIER ROAD OUTSIDE THE OUTLYING DISTRICTS SERVICES PIER IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 8 PM ON DECEMBER 28 TO 8 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE VEHICULAR FERRY WAITING AREA AT MUI WO WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, EXCEPT PO LIN MONASTERY CHARTERED BUSES, DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, AND HAVE PATIENCE IN WAITING AND CATCHING BUSES AND FERRIES IN VIEW OF THE EXPECTED HIGH PASSENGER DEMAND.
HE STRESSED THAT THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND 'THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS HAD DONE THEIR UTMOST IN PROVIDING THE HIGHEST CAPACITY POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER, AS CAPACITIES CANNOT BE UNLIMITED, HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THE OVERNIGHT FERRY SERVICES ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE EARLY HOURS TO AVOID OVER-SUBSCRIPTION OF THE LATER SAILINGS AND LONG QUEUING TIME AT THE FERRY PIER.
THEY ARE ALSO ADVISED TO BUY ADVANCE TICKETS FROM THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY OUTLETS. OTHERWISE THEY MAY FACE THE RISK OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BOARD THE FERRY IN GOOD TIME FOR CAPACITY REASON.
---------0-----------
NEW POST OFFICE FOR TAI KOO SHING *****
TAI KOO SHING RESIDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO BETTER SERVICE WHEN A NEW POST OFFICE OPENS ON JANUARY 3.
IT IS LOCATED AT SHOP G1020-1022, GROUND FLOOR, KAM SING MANSION, 1-3 TAI FUNG AVENUE, TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIARI, SAID THE NEW OFFICE WAS MORE SPACIOUS AND EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STAMP VENDING MACHINE.
/IT WILL .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- 15 -
IT WILL REPLACE THE NEARBY SAI WAN HO POST OFFICE AT CITY PLAZA, PHASE 1, TAI KOO SHING WHICH WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT 5 PM AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THE HOURS OF BUSINESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE SAI WAN HO POST OFFICE.
MR PAGLIARI ADVISED LOCAL PHILATELISTS THAT SPECIAL HANDBACK SERVICE WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 31) AT THE SAI WAN HO POST OFFICE FOR UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PREPAID "LAST DAY COVER”; AND ON JANUARY 3 AT THE NEW TAI KOO SHING POST OFFICE FOR UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PREPAID "FIRST DAY COVER".
THE PRIVATELY PREPARED COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACKED TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
------0-------
NEW YEAR’S DAY A STATUTORY HOLIDAY * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR (SATURDAY) IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR EMPLOYEES.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL EMPLOYEES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS, ARE ENTITLED TO STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER 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 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 LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE ON 717 1771.
/16........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
16
ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR GOES ON SALE
* * * * *
OBSERVING WEATHER AND CLIMATE IS THE THEME OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR 1994 NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS.
"WITH WEATHER PLAYING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART IN OUR DAILY LIFE, IT IS NATURAL FOR MANY TO BE KEEN OBSERVERS OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID.
THE CALENDAR NOT ONLY PRESENTS MANY INTERESTING WEATHER PHENOMENA OBSERVED IN HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE, BUT ALSO DESCRIBES CLIMATOLOGICAL ISSUES CURRENTLY ENCOUNTERED BY MANKIND.
TO NATURE LOVERS, IT CONTAINS USEFUL GEOPHYSICAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING RISING AND SETTING TIMES OF THE SUN AND THE MOON, TIDE AND MONTHLY CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMS AND EXTREMES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED CALENDAR WAS AN ATTRACTIVE GIFT FOR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES DURING CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR.
AT $56 EACH, THE CALENDAR CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AS WELL AS FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS, 134A NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0-------
MARCHING BAND CONTEST AT QE STADIUM
*****
MORE THAN 500 LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL TAKE PART IN A MARCHING BAND CONTEST TO BE HELD AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 27).
THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE THE EPILOGUE OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
THE CONTEST WILL START AT 3 PM. MORE THAN 10 MARCHING BANDS WILL PRESENT A NUMBER OF CLASSICAL AND POPULAR PIECES.
THE ALEXANDRA HILLS STATE HIGH SCHOOL WIND ORCHESTRA FROM AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN INVITED AS THE GUEST PERFORMER.
THE FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY TOM LEE MUSIC CO LTD.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MARCHING BAND CONTEST AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 27). MUSIC OFFICE STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
------0------------
/17........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1993
- H7 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,560
REVERSAL OF LAF +440
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -170
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,830
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 *-0.2» 23.12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.11 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.40 3.52
1 MONTH 3.18 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.07 3.73
3 MONTHS 3.11 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.15 3.94
6 MONTHS 3.21 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.14 4.11
12 MONTHS 3.44 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.13 4.58 AND BONDS - 12,024 MN
CLOSED 23 DECEMBER 1993
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 ......................................................... 1
LAYING OF SUBMARINE POWER CABLES AUTHORISED ................... 2
TWO FOREIGN BANKS GRANTED LICENCES ............................ 2
TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN .......................... 3
PROPOSED ROADWORKS IN SHA TIN .................................. 4
AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL DRAWS CROWDS ............................. 5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
6
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
- 1 -
HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993
* » * * *
A BILL THAT PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RESTRICTION TO AND, WHERE NECESSARY, THE REDUCTION OF THE HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT USING HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KAI TAK) ARE PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHTING, THE ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIDS TO AIR NAVIGATION AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
FOLLOWING THE DECISION TO BUILD THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK (CLK), A NEW SET OF BUILDING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS WILL NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AND ENFORCED TO SAFEGUARD ITS FUTURE OPERATIONS.
THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE HAS THEREFORE TO BE EXTENDED TO COVER CLK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID SINCE THE POWERS UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ARE MAINLY TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL IN NATURE AND IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE WORKLOAD OF THE COUNCIL, IT IS PROPOSED TO TRANSFER THESE POWERS TO THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (SPED .
THE SPEL, ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WILL BE EMPOWERED TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS FROM AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS (AHRS) AND MAY AUTHORISE THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS TO PROVIDE OR ERECT, AND THEREAFTER TO MAINTAIN ANY MARKS, GUIDING LIGHTS AND AIRCRAFT BEACONS FOR AVIATION SAFETY PURPOSES.
WHERE THE SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT SO REQUIRIES, THE SPEL MAY ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, PRESCRIBE AREAS WITHIN WHICH NO BUILDINGS SHALL EXCEED THE HEIGHT SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO REVISE THE LEVEL OF PENALTIES FROM A FINE OF $2,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS TO A FINE OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS TO MAINTAIN THE DETERRENT EFFECT AGAINST BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
A PROVISION IMPOSING A DAILY DEFAULT FINE OF $5,000 PER DAY FOR SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES FOR CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE HAS BEEN ADDED.
THE ABOVE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 12 FOR ITS FIRST READING.
--------0-----------
/2 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
- 2 -
LAYING OF SUBMARINE POWER CABLES AUTHORISED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AUTHORISED THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED TO LAY SUBMARINE CABLES AT ABERDEEN HARBOUR TO MEET THE NEED FOR INCREASED CAPACITY FOR ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE CABLES WILL RUN FC?R ABOUT 270 METRES AND BE BURIED UNDERNEATH THE SEABED OF THE HARBOUR WITHIN A TRENCH OF 21 METRES WIDE BY 1.7 METRES DEEP.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND AFFECT ABOUT 5,670 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
ANY PERSON WHOSE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE AREA WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE UNDERTAKING MAY SEND A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, SECOND FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 24 NEXT YEAR.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY THAT HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT PARTICULARS TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
A COPY OF THE PLAN RELATING TO THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING AND A COPY OF THIS GAZETTE NOTICE CAN BE SEEN AT:
« THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, CENTRAL;
♦ WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
» DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KOt’G; AND
» THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG.
------0-------
TWO FOREIGN BANKS GRANTED LICENCES
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT BERLINER HANDELS-UND FRANKFURTER BANK (BHF) AND THE CHUGOKU BANK, LTD (CHUGOKU) HAD BEEN GRANTED BANKING LICENCES TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
BHF IS ONE OF THE 10 LARGEST PRIVATE COMMERCIAL BANKS IN GERMANY. IT HAS BEEN OPERATING A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE SINCE 1975.
CHUGOKU IS THE 33RD LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN AND RANKS 147TH IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL.
/THE BANK .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
- 3 -
THE BANK HAS BEEN MAINTAINING A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG SINCE 1989.
THE NEW BRANCHES WILL ENABLE THE TWO BANKS TO OFFER A WIDER RANGE OF BANKING SERVICES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS TN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S CONTINUED IMPORTANCE AND ATTRACTIVENESS AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"IN TOTAL, NINE NEW BANKING LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
"THE TWO NEW LICENCES INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG TO 172, OF WHICH 140 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
-----0------
TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN
*****
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THOSE PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY WERE ABUSED BY THEIR SPOUSE COULD APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS FOR HELP.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE TWO SHELTERS, SWD’S WAI ON HOME FOR WOMEN AND HARMONY HOUSE, WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 80 PLACES, PROVIDING TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN.
BOTH SHELTERS ACCEPT SELF-APPLICATIONS AND REFERRALS FROM THE POLICE, HOSPITAL STAFF AND SOCIAL WORKERS.
NEEDY PEOPLE COULD ALSO CALL THE TWO HOMES DIRECT (SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HOTLINE: 343 2255; HARMONY HOUSE HOTLINE: 522 0434).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CASES KNOWN TO ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE HOSPITALS, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PATIENTS CONCERNED, WILL BE REFERRED TO THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER FOR COUNSELLING AND OTHER APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE.
THE NUMBER OF BATTERED WOMEN ADMITTED TO THE TWO SHELTERS IN 1992/93 IS 264 WHICH REPRESENTS ONLY A SLIGHT INCREASE OF FOUR PER CENT, FROM 253 CASES, OVER THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR 1991/92.
FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BATTERED WOMEN ADMITTED IS 164 WHICH IS A I 1 PER CENT DROP FROM 184 CASES IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1992/93.
THE TWO SHELTERS WERE NOT FULLY OCCUPIED AT ALL TIME IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
/FOR THE .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, THE AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE OF WAI ON HOME FOR WOMEN IS 31 WHILE THAT FOR HARMONY HOUSE IS 35.
’’THE STATISTICS INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM OF BATTERED SPOUSE IS UNDER CONTROL AND THE TWO SHELTERS STILL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SERVE MORE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APART FROM ARRANGING TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR NEEDY CASES (INCLUDING BATTERED MEN), THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES ALSOoo^2Ym2p COUNSELLING, REFERRAL FOR CHILD CARE SERVICE, FINANCIAL ASStT^A^^ AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION FOR CONDITIONAL TENANCY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE UNDER COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING CATEGORY TO APPROPRIATE CASES.
THE SWD WOULD NORMALLY TAKE THREE TO SIX WEEKS TO PROCESS THE APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL TENANCY DEPENDING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.
-----0------
PROPOSED ROADWORKS IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO CONSTRUCT ROADWORKS TN SHA TIN TAU, SHA TIN, TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS FORM PART OF A VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION SCHEME IN THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE WORKS INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PARKING AREA, FOOTPATHS, CARRIAGEWAY, STAIRS AND ANCILLARY WORKS.
SOME EXISTING FOOTPATHS MAY HAVE TO BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE THE WORKS. HOWEVER, PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WOULD BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR ROADS THAT HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
"DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, NECESSARY ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED SO THAT ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE MINIMISED," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
A NOTICE FOR THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT:
» THE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
♦ SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
/* SHA TIN ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
5 -
♦ SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, RAILWAY STATION, NEW TERRITORIES.
KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN
ANY PERSON
WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSALS SHOULD
WRITE TO EAST WING,
iviv TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE UN-
THE SECRETARY FOR
HE
WILL
22, BE
AFFECTED.
---------0-----------
AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL DRAWS CROWDS
*****
THE COLOURFUL "1993 AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL" NOW UNDER WAY AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND HAS ATTRACTED LARGE CROWDS IN THE FIRST WEEK OF ITS OPENING.
AND MORE PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TURN UP IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS MORE ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR CHRISTMAS.
AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MISS VERA SO, WHOSE DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE ORGANISERS, SAID MORE THAN 120,000 PEOPLE VISITED THE CARNIVAL SINCE ITS OFFICIAL OPENING LAST SATURDAY.
"IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR CITY PEOPLE TO BRING ALONG THEIR FAMILIES TO THE CARNIVAL TO GET TO KNOW MORK ABOUT THE TERRITORY’S FARMING INDUSTRY, IN ADDITION TO SHARING THE FESTIVE FUN," MISS SO SAID.
FEEDBACKS FROM VISITORS REVEALED THAT THEIR CHILDREN WERE FASCINATED ABOUT THE VISIT, SHOWING SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE VARIETY OF LIVE FARM ANIMALS AND POULTRY, AS WELL AS THE EXHIBITS AND DEMONSTRATIONS THERE.
SHE SAID DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS, A SERIES OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF VISITORS.
APART FROM THE LARGE-SCALE DOG SHOW STAGED BY THE HONG KONG KENNEL CLUB ON DECEMBER 25 AND 26, TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS OF HORSE RIDING WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB ON DECEMBER 29 AND 30.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO ADDITIONAL FIXTURES FOR THE POPULAR PIG RACES, MAKING A TOTAL OF FOUR RACES A DAY, ON DECEMBER 25, 26 AND 27.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE THE "INTEGRATED FARMING VILLAGE’’ WITH A WIDE SPECTRUM OF TECHNICAL DISPLAYS AND FARMING DEMONSTRATIONS, GIANT TOMATO ARCHWAYS, A MINI BEE REARING FARM, A GIANT PUMPKIN, A FLOWER BAZAAR AS WELL AS MORE THAN 70 STALLS SELLING OVERSEAS AND LOCAL FARM PRODUCE AND FOOD.
/THE MAJOR .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
6 -
THE MAJOR ATTRACTION IS THE FULLY AUTOMATED CHICKEN HOUSE IN ’’INTEGRATED FARMING VILLAGE" WHICH HAD BEEN NAMED BY MEDIA MEMBERS AS THE BEST TURN-OUT AND MANAGED BOOTH TN THE CARNIVAL. IT WAS DESIGNED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST RUNNER-UP OF THE BEST EXHIBIT COMPETITION IS THE PIG HOUSE, ANOTHER WORK BY THE DEPARTMENT, WHICH PROVIDES DEMONSTRATION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY PIG-ON-LITTER METHOD OF PIG RAISING.
THE ORGANISERS THANKED THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FOR THEIR FAIR ADJUDICATION AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY LAST SATURDAY.
THE AGRICULTURAL CARNIVAL IS OPEN DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM AND IS EXTENDED TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ADMISSION IS $10 PER PERSON. TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE VENUE NEAR THE KWAI FONG MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION. THE VENUE IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY MANY MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE EVENT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ITS PROMOTER, TREASURE MARK DEVELOPMENT LTD ON 367 5778.
OTHER ORGANISERS INCLUDE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION AND THE JOINT FEDERATION OF HONG KONG AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SOCIETIES.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,830
REVERSAL OF LAF +170
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET TNJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,317
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,683
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.8 »+0.0» 24.12.93
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.05 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.39 3.53
1 MONTH 3.19 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.05 3.75
3 MONTHS 3.12 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.16 3.93
6 MONTHS 3.21 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.12 4.12
12 MONTHS 3.46 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.12 4.58
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 2,747 MN
CLOSED 24 DECEMBER 1993
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POLICE COMMISSIONER’S HOLIDAY GREETINGS ....................... 1
70 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED ................................ 1
MONG KOK LAUNCHES DISTRICT FESTIVAL ............................ 2
NEW CLINIC IN TUEN MUN ......................................... 3
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT GIVES WARMTH TO STREET SLEEPERS ... 3
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES ............. 4
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS HOTLINE MORE READILY AVAILABLE ............ 5
3,900 STUDENTS JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL ............................ 6
WATER CUTS ..................................................... 6
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1993
- 1 -
POLICE COMMISSIONER’S HOLIDAY GREETINGS
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, SAID IN HIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE HAD BEEN A MARKED DECLINE IN ARMED ROBBERIES AND CAR THEFT IN THE TERRITORY IN THE PAST YEAR.
"IT IS MY DETERMINATION THAT RESOLUTE POLICE ACTION IN COMBATTING CRIME WILL CONTINUE," HE SAID.
MR LI SAID AS A RESULT OF IMPROVEMENT IN RECRUITMENT, THE POLICE WERE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE EXPANDING POPULATION AND THE EVER INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES IN POLICING THE TERRITORY.
HE STRESSED THAT THE STRONG DETERRENT PRESENCE OF POLICE OFFICERS ON STREETS WOULD BE MAINTAINED AS IT WAS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE POLICE ROLE IN HONG KONG.
ON THE SINO-HONG KONG CO-OPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, MR LI SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY DIFFERENCES IN OTHER AREAS AS BOTH SIDES MAINTAINED REGULAR CONTACTS IN A BID TO UPHOLD THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO THANKED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT TO THE FORCE, ADDING THAT THE POLICE WERE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES TO THEM IN A CARING AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
--------0-----------
70 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED *****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 70 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR. OF THEM, 18 ARE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 13 FOR KOWLOON AND 39 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDE 28 FOR APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 11 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND 18 FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
IN THE MONTH. CONSENTS WERE GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 43 PROJECTS, WHICH INVOLVE 163,352 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 169,314 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
MEANWHILE, THE DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN THE MONTH TOTALLED ABOUT $2,704 MILLION.
OF THE BUILDINGS CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION IN THE MONTH, USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USE ARE 95,312 SQUARE METRES AND 124,005 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
/IN OCTOBER, .......
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1993
- 2 -
IN OCTOBER, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 41 OCCUPATION PERMITS - 13
FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 11 FOR KOWLOON AND 17 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 29 DEMOLITION CONSENTS INVOLVING 62 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 768 COMPLAINTS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,894 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 1,303 REMOVAL ORDERS IN RESPECT OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED 894 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED FIVE EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
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MONG KOK LAUNCHES DISTRICT FESTIVAL
* » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FESTIVAL WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (SATURDAY), AMID THE FESTIVE JOY OF CHRISTMAS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, PRAISED THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD FOR PLAYING A LEADING ROLE IN ORGANISING THE EVENT.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, THE FESTIVAL AIMED TO ENHANCE THE IMAGE OF THE BOARD AND TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
THE FESTIVAL WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 20. MORE THAN 20 ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD.
THESE INCLUDE A NEW YEAR BALL, FESTIVE LIGHTINGS, CONCERTS, VISITS, A PHOTO CONTEST, A FIGHT CRIME DAY AND A CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR.
PAMPHLETS SHOWING THE DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 787 0775.
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/3........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1993
3
NEW CLINIC IN TUEN MUN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A NEW CLINIC WILL BE OPENED TO SERVE TUEN MUN RESIDENTS NEXT WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 29).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE NEW TUEN MUN WU HONG CLINIC, AT 2 WU HONG STREET, WILL PROVIDE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE.
THE OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM DURING WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC IS 458 3788. THAT FOR THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE IS 458 1694.
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SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT GIVES WARMTH TO STREET SLEEPERS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS DISHED OUT 967 BLANKETS TO STREET SLEEPERS ALL OVER THE TERRITORY IN TWO EXERCISES THIS WINTER.
THE BLANKETS WERE GIVEN TO 95 STREET SLEEPERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 11 IN EAST KOWLOON, 270 IN WEST KOWLOON, 21 TN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND 12 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST ON NOVEMBER 21.
ON DECEMBER 15, THE EXERCISE BENEFITED 159 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 15 IN EAST KOWLOON, 251 IN WEST KOWLOON, 25 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND NINE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST.
THE EXERCISES, WHICH ARE AIMED TO HELP THE NEEDY IN THE STREET, WILL BE MOUNTED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS FORECAST TO FALL BELOW 10 DEGREES CELSIUS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
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/4........
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1993
- 4 -
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
* * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING CHINA AND OVERSEAS COUNTRIES DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ARE REMINDED NOT TO BRING BACK ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THEIR RETURN TO HONG KONG.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR CHAN JEE-KEUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY):
"BOTH THE CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT HAVE STEPPED UP CONTROL AT ALL ENTRY POINTS TO CHECK ON TRAVELLERS AND GOODS VEHICLES DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.
"ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ILLEGALLY BRING IN ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS PARTS AND DERIVATIVES, WILL BE PROSECUTED."
MR CHAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN 377 SEIZURES IN CONNECTION WITH ILLEGAL IMPORT AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THE SEIZURES INVOLVED WERE MAINLY MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS, RHINO HORN AND HIDE, IVORY, TIGER PARTS, CROCODILE MEAT, PANGOLIN SCALE, STUFFED SEA TURTLE, SLOW LORIS, FUR SKINS, SNAKE SKINS AND WILD ORCHIDS AND SO ON.
IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE LEGAL RQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE, MR CHAN SAID.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1993
- 5 -
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS HOTLINE MORE READILY AVAILABLE * t * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS TO MAKE THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU} MORE READILY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY PUTTING UP SIGNBOARDS CONTAINING THE HOTLINE NUMBER AT MAJOR TRANSPORT TERMINI THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE METAL SIGNBOARD WITH GREEN LETTERING AGAINST A WHITE BACKGROUND IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH READS: "FOR COMPLAINTS AGAINST PUBLIC TRANSPORT, PLEASE PHONE 577 6866 (24 HOURS) — TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT, TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE."
IT HAS BEEN PUT UP AT 14 LOCATIONS, NAMELY PUBLIC TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES AT THE NORTH POINT FERRY PIER. ADMIRALTY, EDINBURGH PLACE, MACAU FERRY TERMINAL, THE PEAK, THE EXCHANGE SQUARE, TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE. SHATIN CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS, MUI WO BUS TERMINUS, MTR STATIONS IN CHAI WAN, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI FONG, AND KCR STATIONS IN SHEUNG SHUT AND TAI PO MARKET.
WORK IS IN HAND TO ERECT THE SIGNBOARD AT SIX MORE LOCATIONS, NAMELY PUBLIC TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES AT THE STAR FERRY PIER (KOWLOON), KOWLOON AND MONGKOK STATIONS OF THE KCR, KOWLOON TONG KCR/MTR INTERCHANGE, CHINA FERRY TERMINAL AND THE AIRPORT.
THE TCU CHAIRMAN, MR K Y LEUNG, SAID THE EXERCISE AIMED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE THAT THE TCU WAS A FORUM TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL TO PEOPLE WHO WISH TO MAKE AN INSTANT COMPLAINT WHILE THEIR MEMORY IS STILL FRESH ABOUT THE TRANSPORT SERVICE THEY HAVE JUST USED VIA THEIR PERSONAL MOBILE PHONE OR A PUBLIC TELEPHONE AT A TRANSPORT TERMINAL."
THE HOTLINE IS MANNED DURING OFFICE HOURS AND CONTINUES TO RECEIVE CALLS OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS VIA A RECORDER ANSWERING SERVICE.
MR LEUNG SAID: "APART FROM DEALING WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS, TCU ALSO HANDLES COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS ROAD MAINTENANCE."
"ALL COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED ON THE HOTLINE WILL BE CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED AND WHERE NECESSARY, WILL BE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES FOR ACTION," HE SAID.
THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO LODGE A TRANSPORT COMPLAINT BY WRITING TO THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE UNIT ON THE 22ND FLOOR, EAST EXCHANGE TOWER, 38 LEIGHTON ROAD. CAUSEWAY BAY.
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/6........
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1993
3,900 STUDENTS JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL *****
A TOTAL OF 3.921 STUDENTS FROM 228 SCHOOLS HAVE ENTERED THIS YEAR’S 30TH SCHOOL DANCE FESTIVAL.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL. IT WILL BE HELD AT WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE AT NAM CHEONG STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, FROM JANUARY 20 TO 31 .
OF THE 368 TEAMS, 180 ARE FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS, 170 FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 18 FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES — WESTERN FOLK, CHINESE, ORIENTAL AND MODERN DANCES.
PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN TO THREE SECONDARY AND THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE OBTAINED THE HIGHEST TOTAL SCORES IN THEIR BEST FOUR DANCES.
THE MOST PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO ONE SECONDARY AND ONE PRIMARY SCHOOL BASED ON THEIR PAST ANT) CURRENT PARTICIPATION AND RESULTS.
THE WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES AND PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AND HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN APRIL.
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WATER CUTS * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN LAM TIN WILL GO OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 28) TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WTLL AFFECT LAM TIN PARK AND ALL THE PREMISES TN HONG WAH COURT, HING TIN ESTATE, TAK TIN ESTATE, HONG YING COURT, KWONG TIN ESTATE, HONG NGA COURT AND HONG PAK COURT.
ALSO, OWING TO MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATER MAINS, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES TN KWAI CHUNG WILL STOP FROM 8 AM ON TUESDAY TO 8 AM ON THURSDAY.
THE CUT WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT LAI KING HILL ROAD, LAI CHI LING ROAD AND WAH KING HILL ROAD, INCLUDING MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, KAU WA KENG, LAI WAN GARDEN, LAI KING ESTATE, CHO YIU CHUEN, LAI YIU ESTATE, WAH YUEN CHUEN AND WONDERLAND VILLAS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OPENING OF CHOI HA ROAD NORTHERN EXTENSION ..................... 1
SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL BEGINS ............. 1
AMENDED IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST BE EFFECTIVE NEXT MONTH ................................................... 2
BUDDING FLIERS IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES ........................ 3
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1993
OPENING OE CHOI HA ROAD NORTHERN EXTENSION ♦ * * * *
TRAFFIC FLOW IN NGAU TAU KOK WILL BE GREATLY IMPROVED WHEN THE NEW CHOI HA ROAD NORTHERN EXTENSION OPENS TO TRAFFIC AT 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 29).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THIS $18-MILLION PROJECT EXTENDED THE NORTHERN END OF CHOI HA ROAD TO LINK UP CHOI WAN ROAD WITH JORDAN VALLEY NORTH ROAD.
THE ROAD EXTENSION IS A 270-METRE LONG TWO-WAY CARRIAGEWAY FORMED ON A SLOPE. WORK ON THIS PROJECT STARTED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
TO REDUCE NOISE GENERATED BY TRAFFIC, LOW NOISE OPEN-TEXTURED ROAD SURFACING MATERIAL TN LINE WITH FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT DESIGN IS USED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
“THE ROAD EXTENSION WILL PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PARALLEL ROUTE TO THE HEAVILY CONGESTED NGAU TAU KOK ROAD HENCE IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE LOCAL AREAS OF AMOY GARDENS AND CHOI HA ESTATE,” HE ADDED.
THIS ROAD EXTENSION WILL BE DESIGNATED A CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY TO RESTRICT LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW.
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SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT. VACANCIES AND PAYROLL BEGINS
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED THE DECEMBER 1993 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN THE MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN RESPECT OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORTTERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET.
THIS ROUND COVERS ABOUT 40,000 ESTABLISHMENTS DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING:
♦ THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURI NG; ELECTRICITY AND GAS).
* THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS). AND
♦ THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT. STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING. INSURANCE. REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
/INFORMATION ON
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1993
2 -
INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SELECTED ESTABLISHMENT.
A RANDOM SUB-SAMPLE OF ABOUT 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IS SELECTED FROM THE MAIN SAMPLE TO COLLECT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1993.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982, ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP ON TEL 582 5076.
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AMENDED IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST BE EFFECTIVE NEXT MONTH ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE NEWLY AMENDED HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (HARMONISED SYSTEM) 1992 EDITION GAZETTED ON DECEMBER 24 WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1.
IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ARE REMINDED TO COMPLETE IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS FOR SHIPMENTS THEREAFTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMENDED CLASSIFICATION.
AMENDMENTS MADE ON COUNTRY CLASSIFICATION MAINLY INCLUDE REPUBLICS OF EASTON 1A, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, CZECH AND SLORAK.
THOSE MADE ON COMMODITIES CLASSIFICATION ARE MAINLY LEFT-HAND DRIVE AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE VEHICLES, CORMS AND ARTICLES CONTAINING WHITE-, BLUE-, AND BROWN ASBESTOS.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE AMENDMENTS HAD BROUGHT THE CLASSIFICATION UP-TO-DATE.
FREE COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT LIST ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT BOTH CENTRAL AND TSTM SHA TSUI CUSTOMS COLLECT TON OFFICES, GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CENTRAL AND CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT I7TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER.
/3.........
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1993
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BUDDING FLIERS IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES t * * * t
FOUR ASPTRI NG YOUNG LOCALS WHO WANT TO FLY MODERN AIRCRAFT HAVE ENTERED THE PORTALS OF HISTORY IN THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE (GFS).
THEY ARE THE FIRST FOUR LOCALLY TRAINED PILOTS QUALIFIED TO FLY ON SIKORSKY S76 HELICOPTER FOR THE SERVICE.
GETTING OFF TO A FLYING START ARE CAPT WEST WH WU (28), CAPT KARL K T CHAN (28), CAPT MICHAEL C P CHAN (31) AND CAPT LAWRENCE C P WONG (27).
FOR THOSE YOUNGSTERS WHO LOOK UP TO THESE BUDDING FLIERS AS TOUGH GUYS IN SUN GLASSES AND BLACK LEATHER JACKETS, THEY WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.
THEY ARE PROFESSIONAL AVIATORS, ALBEIT YOUNG MEN WHO MAY BE YOUR NEIGHBOURS.
THE GFS IS LOOKING FOR INTELLIGENT, MOTIVATED AND DEDICATED YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE EXCELLENT HEALTH, TOP-NOTCH COORDINATION, SOUND CHARACTER AND OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.
"BEING A CAPTAIN IN THE GFS IS NOT MERELY OPERATING AN AIRCRAFT HE MUST BE A SYSTEMS MANAGER AS WELL AS A MANAGER OF THE CREW," CAPTAIN WEST WU, A FORMER AIRCREWMAN WITH THE SERVICE, SAID.
THE GFS WAS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED IN APRIL THIS YEAR TO SUCCEED THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
TO MEET THE EXPANSION-OF THE SERVICE AND TO TAKE OVER THE DUTIES OF THE BRITISH GARRISON AIRCRAFT WHICH ARE DUE TO LEAVE BEFORE 1997, A PILOT LOCALISATION SCHEME IS VIGOROUSLY UNDERWAY TO TRAIN OVER 20 LOCAL PILOTS FROM AN AB-INITIO TO FULL OPERATIONAL STANDARD.
IT IS PLANNED THAT THESE YOUNG MEN WOULD TAKE OVER IN STAGES FROM THE CURRENT TEAM OF OVER 20 EXPATRIATE PILOTS.
LIKE ITS PREDECESSOR, GFS UPHOLDS THE MOTTO, "SEMPER PARATUS" -ALWAYS READY, IMPLYING A READINESS TO ADAPT TO HONG KONG’S EVER CHANGING AND EXPANDING NEEDS.
WHAT IS THE MASCULINE MYSTIQUE OF FLYING? THE FOUR CAPTAINS SAY IT IS THE MAGNETIC ATTRACTION OF THE SKY.
"YOU SIMPLY CANNOT DESCRIBE THE KIND OF SATISFACTION, THE KIND OF ACHIEVEMENT YOU HAVE WHEN YOU’VE GOT A CHANCE TO FLY IN THE SKY. THE .JOB ITSELF IS IRRESISTIBLE," CAPTA I N MICHAEL CHAN, A FORMER AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, SAID.
HIS VIEW WAS SHARED BY CAPTAIN LAWRENCE WONG, WHOSE INTEREST IN FLYING WAS BUILT UP WHILE WORKING AS A MAINTENANCE OFFICER IN THE SERVICE.
THE SERVICE OFFERS MORE TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE: THE MULTIPLE DUTIES OF AN AIRCRAFT COMMANDER.
/THE TOUGH ......
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1993
4
THE TOUGH TRAINING AND AIR EXPERIENCE HAI) PREPARED THEM TO CONDUCT AIR PATROL, SEARCH AND RESCUE, AERIAL SURVEILLANCE, HELP IN FIGHTING HILL FIRES, CHAUFFEURING VIPS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND DURING NATURAL DISASTERS, TO AIR-LIFT SUPPLIES AND CASUALTIES TO HOSPITALS.
BUT THE HAND-PICKED GUYS HAD UNDERGONE ALL THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A FLYING TRAINING COURSE. THEY HAVE TO EXCEL IN COUNTLESS ROUNDS OF TRAININGS BEFORE THEY FINALLY SUCCEEDED.
FIRSTLY, AIRSICKNESS.
CAPTAIN KARL CHAN IS CANDID. HE SAID HE FELT AIRSICK ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF HIS FLYING TRAINING.
’’[’D ALWAYS FEEL DIZZY AFTER EACH AEROBATH EXERCISE,” THE CITY POLYTECHNIC GRADUATE IN BUSINESS AND MARKETING SAID. THIS, HE TOOK SOME TIME TO OVERCOME.
THEN COMES THE LANGUAGE TEST.
’’PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH IS A MUST FOR IT IS THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE FOR AVIATION INDUSTRY. BESIDES, NEARLY ALL OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE EXPATRIATES,” CAPTAIN WU SAID.
AFTERALL, BAD LANGUAGE COMMAND COULD STRAITJACKET THEIR PERFORMANCE.
WHAT FOLLOWED WERE ENDLESS EXAMINATIONS.
AFTER PASSING AN APTITUDE TEST AND A SEARCHING AND FULL BOARD INTERVIEW, THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES HAD TO ATTEND A SEARCHING AND 42-WEEK TRAINING COURSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO OBTAIN A PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE.
WHEN THEY RETURNED TO HONG KONG, THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH A FLYING TEST DESIGNED BY GFS ON BEHALF OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY CAN HAVE THEIR LICENCE CONVERTED TO THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL PILOT’S LICENCE.
TO FULFIL THE SPECIAL DUTIES OF GFS, THEY HAVE TO ATTEND A SIX-LEVEL CONVERSION TRAINING PROGRAMME TO LEARN THE SPECIAL TECHNIQUES REQUIRED OF THEIR JOB, FROM LEARNING TO FLY LOCALLY TO OBTAINING THE SKILLS TO CONDUCT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS AND FINALLY TO FLYING WITH NIGHT VISION GOGGLES.
BUT THEIR EFFORTS HAVE BORNE FRlITS.
’’THEY ARE ALL GOOD PILOTS, THEY HAVE DISPLAYED THEIR STRONG MOTIVATION AND TALENT DURING THEIR TRAINING. THE ENTIRE UNIT INCLUDING I ARE PROUD OF THEM FOR BEING ABLE TO PASS THE FIRST STAGE OF TRAINING IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME,” THE GFS CONTROLLER MR BRIAN CLUER SAID.
BUT AFTER THEY CLIMBED ONE HILL YET ANOTHER HAS A WAY OF COMING INTO VIEW. THERE ARE YET GREATER CHALLENGES LYI NG AHEAD.
MR CLUER IS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD PASS ALL SIX LEVELS OF TRAININGS AND TAKE OVER THE WORK OF THE EXPATRIATE OFFICERS IN THE SERVICE BY 1997.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS . 1
NEW YEAR CROWD CONTROL PLAN IN PLACE ........................... 2
STATEMENT ON CT9 ............................................... 3
NEW COMAC APPOINTED ............................................ 4
EXCHANGE FUND BILL CEILINGS RAISED ............................. 4
RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THIRD QUARTER ............ 5
FINE FOR IGNORING DEMOLITION ORDER ............................. 8
NEW POST OFFICE IN TO KWA WAN .................................. 8
EDUCATION CHIEF COMMENTS ON NEW CAC APPOINTMENT ................ 9
WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER ENTERS GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS ......... 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ..............*........................... 10
JOBS REPORT ON SALE ........................................... 10
FIRING PRACTICE IN JANUARY .................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............. 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
12
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
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SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY.
ALL NIGHT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE (FRIDAY) BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (MTR).
AT THE SAME TIME, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SERVICES BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE EXTENDED. THE LAST DEPARTURE FROM KOWLOON WILL BE AT 3 AM AND FROM SHEUNG SHUI AT 2.30 AM IN THE FOLLOWING MORNING; WHILE THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO MEET THE DEMAND.
THE TRAMWAYS SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO 2 AM.
THE PEAK TRAM SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1.30 AM AND THE STAR FERRY SERVICE ON THE KOWLOON POINT TO EDINBURGH PLACE ROUTE WILL BE EXTENDED TO 3 AM IN THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED BETWEEN CENTRAL AND DISCOVERY BAY FROM 1 AM TO 4.20 AM.
ALL SERVICES OF THE HONGKONG FERRY WILL REMAIN NORMAL.
ON CHINA MOTOR BUS (CMB) SERVICES, ROUTE NOS. 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 23, 38, 38A, 73, 95, 590, 592 AND 595 WILL EXTEND THEIR LAST DEPARTURE TIME, UP TO 12.30 AM OR 2.55 AM; SPECIAL SERVICE ROUTE NO. 308 WILL OPERATE BETWEEN SIU SAI WAN AND CAUSEWAY BAY FROM 8 PM TO 2.45 AM.
CMB ROUTES 10, 20, 21 AND 81M WILL BE DIVERTED FROM 7 PM ON DECEMBER 31 TO 6 AM ON JANUARY 3 NEXT YEAR; WHILE ROUTES 10A, 22, 781, 23A, 26, 40M, 43, 25 AND 592 WILL BE DIVERTED FROM 6 PM ON DECEMBER 31.
THE CITYBUS SPECIAL BUS ROUTE NOS. 6S, 72S, 92S AND 96S WILL OPERATE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM; WHILE ROUTE NOS. 6A, 70, 75, 90, 97 AND 98 WILL EXTEND THEIR SERVICES UP TO 11.40 PM OR 1.30 AM.
CITYBUS ROUTE NOS. 5, 5A AND 12A WILL BE DIVERTED FROM 7 PM ON DECEMBER 31.
KOWLOON MOTOR BUS (KMB) ROUTE NOS. 1, 1A, 2, 6, 6A, 9, 7, 26,
2C, 5, 5C, 8, 98D, IK, Al, 8A, 28, 81C, 87D, 241S, 281S, 69X, 234X,
208 AND 271 WILL BE DIVERTED FROM 8.15 PM TO 2 AM.
KMB ROUTE NOS. 58X, 59M, 80M, 82M, 1A, 6, 5C, 67X, 5 AND 81K
WILL BE EXTENDED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES AFTER
ITS SCHEDULED OPERATING PERIOD.
ADDITIONAL AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE-DECKERS WILL BE DEPLOYED TO ROUTE NO. 28IS.
CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTE NOS. A2, 103, A3, A5, 102, 106
AND 170 WILL BE REROUTED FROM 6.30 PM.
/ADDITIONAL SERVICES .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
2
ADDITIONAL SERVICES ON ALL NIGHT SERVICE ROUTE NOS. 121 AND 122 WILL BE OPERATED ON JANUARY 1 BETWEEN 12.45 AM AND 1.25 AM; WHILE THE FREE INTERCHANGE BETWEEN THESE ROUTES WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ON JANUARY 1 AND 2.
SPECIAL SERVICE ROUTE NO. 112S WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN PRINCE EDWARD MTR STATION TO CAUSEWAY BAY (VICTORIA PARK) FROM 12.15 AM TO 1.05 AM.
SUPPLEMENTARY TRIPS ON ALL CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES MAY BE OPERATED TO MEET PASSENGER DEMAND.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, GREEN MINIBUS (GMB) ROUTE NO. 28 WILL BE DIVERTED BETWEEN 7 PM ON DECEMBER 31 AND 6 AM ON JANUARY 3; WHILE ROUTE NOS. 39M AND 49M WILL BE DIVERTED FROM 8 PM ON THE SAME DAY.
GMB ROUTE NOS. 43M AND 47M WILL EXTEND SERVICES UP TO 3 AM.
IN KOWLOON, GMB ROUTE NO. 1 WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8.15 PM ON DECEMBER 31 WHEN ROUTES NOS. 3, 6, 7 AND 8 WILL BE DIVERTED.
GMB ROUTE NOS. 6, 18 AND 59 WILL EXTEND SERVICES UP TO BETWEEN 1 AM AND 3 AM.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, GMB ROUTE NO. 606S WILL BE DIVERTED; WHILE ROUTE NOS. 17, 20K, 81M, 82, 65K, 66K AND 68K WILL EXTEND SERVICES UP TO BETWEEN 12.01 AM AND 3 AM.
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NEW YEAR CROWD CONTROL PLAN IN PLACE ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
POLICE TODAY (TUESDAY) APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO BE COURTEOUS AND PATIENT AND TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT WHILE ATTENDING VARIOUS COUNTDOWN ACTIVITIES IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND WAN CHAI ON NEW YEAR’S EVE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE CO-OPERATIVE AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY POLICE OFFICfeRS ON THE GROUND TO HELP THEM.
NORTH POINT DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR YAN FOOK-MOU, SAID IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE COUNTDOWN ’94 IN VICTORIA PARK WHICH WOULD START AT 8 PM.
HE SAID POLICE WOULD DEPLOY SUFFICIENT MANPOWER TO MAINTAIN CROWD CONTROL IN THE VICINITY OF THE VENUE.
’’FROM 7 PM TO MIDNIGHT, ALL GATES TO VICTORIA PARK WILL BE DESIGNATED ‘ENTRY ONLY’ EXCEPT THE GATE OPPOSITE SUGAR STREET ON GLOUCESTER ROAD AND THE CAUSEWAY ROAD GATE NEAR THE STATUE WHICH WILL BE DESIGNATED ‘EXIT ONLY’,” MR YAN SAID.
"DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED AND ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST, PARTICULARLY AT PLACES OF CONGESTION SUCH AS ROAD CROSSING POINTS AND MTR ENTRANCES," HE ADDED.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
3
ALSO SPEAKING IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE, STAFF OFFICER OF TRAFFIC HONG KONG ISLAND (ENFORCEMENT AND CONTROL), MR FONG KAI-CHEONG, SAID DEPENDING ON THE CROWD SITUATION, ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS MIGHT BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO DIFFERENT PHASES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT.
WAN CHAI DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL O’CALLAGHAN, SAID AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT LARGE CROWDS WERE EXPECTED TO GATHER IN THE RUSSELL STREET AREA AT MIDNIGHT TO ATTEND THE NEW YEAR’S EVE COUNTDOWN AT TIMES SQUARE.
“DEPENDING ON THE DENSITY OF THE CROWD, POLICE MAY NEED TO CLOSE RUSSELL STREET WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY," HE SAID.
MR O’CALLAGHAN STRESSED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD MAKE FULL USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN ORDER TO AVOID TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
MEANWHILE, LARGE CROWDS OF SPECTATORS ARE EXPECTED TO ASSEMBLE ON THE FOOTPATH ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF VICTORIA PARK ROAD WHERE THE FIRING OF THE MIDNIGHT GUN PARTY WILL BE HELD.
MR O’CALLAGHAN SAID AS THE SPACE FOR SPECTATORS WAS VERY LIMITED, POLICE MIGHT NEED TO CLOSE THE PEDESTRIAN APPROACHES WHEN THE AREA HAD REACHED THE MAXIMUM SAFE CAPACITY FOR PEOPLE TO ASSEMBLE.
"ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS WILL ALSO BE DEPLOYED TO THE BAR AND NIGHTCLUB AREAS IN WAN CHAI TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER," HE SAID.
“FIRM ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO PREVENT ANY DRUNKEN BEHAVIOUR IN PUBLIC PLACES WHICH MAY LEAD TO A BREACH OF THE PEACE,” HE ADDED.
------0--------
STATEMENT ON CT9 * * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THERE WERE NO PLANS TO RELOCATE THE EXISTING TEMPORARY CONTAINER VEHICLE PARKING AREA ADJACENT TO THE NORTH TSING YI BRIDGE TO THE SITE OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 9.
THIS WOULD REMAIN AT ITS PRESENT LOCATION FOR THE TIME BEING.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO PROCEED, AS PLANNED, WITH CONTAINER TERMINAL FACILITIES AT TSING YI.
HE NOTED THAT THE NEED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH CT9 AT TSING YI WAS FIRMLY SUPPORTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS MONTH, ADDING THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS WERE CONTINUING.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE HOPED THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WOULD SOON BE ABLE TO GIVE THE DEVELOPERS THE ASSURANCES THEY REQUIRED SO THAT THE WORK COULD BE STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
--------0----------
/4........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
4
NEW COMAC APPOINTED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF MR ANDREW SO AS THE NEW COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (COMAC).
MR SO WILL TAKE UP HIS OFFICE AS COMAC FROM FEBRUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, UPON THE DEPARTURE OF THE INCUMBENT, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, ON JANUARY 31.
THE APPOINTMENT IS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMAC ORDINANCE.
MR SO, AGED 54, IS A QUALIFIED TEACHER AND IN THE PAST 30 YEARS HAS BEEN DEVOTING HIMSELF TO THE PROMOTION OF THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT.
HE HAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE.
HE WAS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM SEPTEMBER 1978 TO OCTOBER 1985.
HIS OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE PAST INCLUDES CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
------0-------
EXCHANGE FUND BILL CEILINGS RAISED
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD, ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE, RAISED THE CEILINGS FOR THE ISSUE OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS AS FOLLOWS:
REVISED
EXISTING CEILINGS REVISED CEILINGS RESERVE AMOUNT
91-DAY BILLS $1,000 MN $1,500 MN $300 MN
182-DAY BILLS $400 MN $800 MN $160 MN
364-DAY BILLS $300 MN $500 MN $150 MN
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILLS HELD IN RESERVE BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE USED FOR SUPPLY TO MARKET MAKERS THROUGH SECONDARY MARKET TRADING.
THE ACTUAL TENDER AMOUNT OF BILLS WOULD HOWEVER BE INCREASED GRADUALLY IN THE LIGHT OF MARKET CONDITIONS AND DEMAND.
ON JANUARY 4 NEXT YEAR, THE TENDER AMOUNT FOR 91-DAY BILLS WOULD BE $1,200 MILLION AND 182-DAY BILLS WOULD BE $500 MILLION.
/•'THE ISSUE...........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
5
"THE ISSUE SIZE OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS IS RAISED IN ORDER TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND FOR SUCH PAPER BY BANKS IN HONG KONG TO FACILITATE THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT.
"THE HIGH DEMAND FOR EXCHANGE FUND BELLS IS EVIDENCED BY THE OVER SUBSCRI PTION RATIO IN PREVIOUS TENDERS AND A VERY HIGH TURNOVER IN THE SECONDARY MARKET.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE INCREASE IN THE SUPPLY OF HIGHLY MARKETABLE INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS EXCHANGE FUND BILLS WILL ENHANCE THE LIQUIDITY OF THE BANKING SYSTEM AS A WHOLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THIRD QUARTER *****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $12.7 BILLION, INCREASED BY 6% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 2% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES OF RESTAURANTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $4.6 BILLION, WAS 7% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS REGISTERED THE LARGEST INCREASE OF 20% IN VALUE AND 11% TN VOLUME; THOSE OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 15% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.
MEANWHILE, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS RECORDED A 11% INCREASE IN VALUE BUT A 7% DECREASE TN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 8% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1992, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS ROSE BY 4% IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 5% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 14% IN VALUE AND 12% IN VOLUME.
RESTAURANT RECEIPTS IN VOLUME TERMS ARE DERIVED FROM RECEIPTS IN VALUE TERMS AFTER ADJUSTING FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS DEFLATORS.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER, WAN CHAI.
/ENQUIRIES ABOUT
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
6
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1258.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 AND THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE RESULTS OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 WITH THOSE OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 AND THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992; COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/7........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
7
TABLE 1: TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
2nd qtr. 1993 (Revised figures)
3rd qtr. 1993 (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HKS million) 11 183.5
Total purchases by restaurants (in HKS million) 4 118.5
12 718.6
4 595.2
TABLE 2: VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 2nd QUARTER 1993 AND 3rd QUARTER 1993
(Quarterly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Type of restaurant Index of total restaurant receipts 2nd quarter 1993 3rd quarter 1993 3rd qtr. 1993 compared with 2nd qtr. 1993 3rd qtr. 1993 compared with 1st-3rd qtr. 1993 compared with 1st-3rd qtr. 1992
3rd qtr. 1992
(Revised (Provisional Points % Points % Points %
figures) figures)
Chinese restaurants Value 116.4 130.2 ♦13.8 ♦ 11.8 ♦0.5 ♦0.4 -1.7 •1.3
Volume 82.8 90.8 ♦8.0 ♦9.7 7.7 7.8 -9.6 9.9
Non Chinese restaurants Value 137.6 161.2 ♦23.6 ♦ 17.1 ♦21.0 ♦ 14.9 ♦ 14.8 ♦ 11.6
1 Volume 98.4 114.3 ♦ 15.8 ♦ 16.1 ♦6.3 ♦5.8 ♦2.2 ♦2.1
| Fast food shops Value 197.5 229.5 ♦31.9 ♦ 16.2 ♦38.2 ♦20.0 ♦25.0 ♦ 14.2
1 1 Volume 149.2 170.9 +21.7 *14.6 ♦ 17.2 ♦ 11.2 ♦8.7 ♦6.1
1 Bars Value 190.5 224.6 ♦34.2 ♦17.9 ♦21.3 ♦ 10.5 ♦27.0 + 15.4
Volume 127.7 143.8 ♦ 16.1 ♦ 12.6 -10.1 -6.6 ♦2.1 ♦1.5
Other eating and Value 190.1 209.2 ♦ 19.1 + 10.1 ♦60.2 ♦40.4 ♦34.4 ♦22.6
drinking places Volume 137.7 150.6 +12.9 +9.4 ♦30.6 ♦25.5 ♦11.3 ♦9.1
AU restaurant types Value 130.1 148.0 ♦ 17.9 ♦13.7 ♦8.9 ♦6.4 ♦4.9 ♦3.7
Volune 93.4 104.5 ♦ 11.1 ♦11.9 -2.3 -2.2 -5.2 •5.0
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/8........
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
- 8 -
FINE FOR IGNORING DEMOLITION ORDER *****
FLAT OWNERS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH DEMOLITION ORDERS ON UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES MAY FACE HEAVY FINES.
THE REMINDER CAME FROM THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT AFTER A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A DEVELOPMENT COMPANY WAS FINED $151,200 FOR IGNORING SEVEN DEMOLITION ORDERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO REMOVE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT WHEN BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT STAFF, ACTING ON A COMPLAINT, INSPECTED THE FIRST FLOOR TO THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF 166 YEE KUK STREET, SHAM SHUT PO AND FOUND THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS
SEVEN DEMOLITION ORDERS WERE ISSUED BY THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT ON MAY 8, LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE OWNER, A DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, TO REMOVE THE UNAUTHORISED WORKS AND REINSTATE THE AFFECTED PARTS OF THE BUILDING WITHIN 60 DAYS.
THE DEFENDANT WAS TAKEN TO COURT AFTER SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS REVEALED THAT THE STATUTORY ORDERS HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.
HE WAS CONVICTED AND FINED $21,600 AT NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY ON DECEMBER 1, FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH EACH REMOVAL ORDER.
THE PENALTY INCLUDED A DAILY FINE OF $200 FOR 58 DAYS FROM THE EXPIRY DATE OF THE DEMOLITION ORDER TO THE DATE OF LAST INSPECTION BY STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT.
THE TOTAL FINE FOR THE SEVEN CHARGES WAS $151,200.
------0-------
NEW POST OFFICE IN TO KWA WAN *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLTARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A NEW TO KWA WAN POST OFFICE LOCATED AT ARCADE SHOP I), GROUND FLOOR, HANG CHIEN COURT, WYLER GARDEN, 108 MEI KING STREET, KOWLOON WILL BE OPENED AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 3).
THIS OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING MA TAU WAI POST OFFICE AT 11 FARM ROAD, WHICH WILL BE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS AT 5 PM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 31).
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW TO KWA WAN OFFICE IS 303 1568
AND THE HOURS OF BUSINESS WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE MA TAU WAI POST OFFICE.
LIKE THE EXISTING MA TAU WAI POST OFFICE, THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH 500 P O BOXES.
MAIL ITEMS ADDRESSED TO OLD P O BOXES AT MA TAU WAI POST OFFICE WILL BE CIRCULATED TO THE TO KWA WAN POST OFFICE.
THE NEW OFFICE IS FITTED OUT TO THE LATEST STANDARDS AND IS
MORE SPACIOUS TO PROVIDE A BETTER QUALITY OF SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS.
/LOCAL PHILATELISTS .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
9
LOCAL PHILATELISTS WILL WISH TO NOTE THAT SPECIAL HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 31) AT THE MA TAU WAI POST OFFICE FOR UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PREPAID ’’LAST DAY COVER”; AND ON MONDAY (JANUARY 3) AT THE NEW TO KWA WAN POST OFFICE FOR UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PREPAID ’’FIRST DAY COVER”.
THESE PRIVATELY PREPARED COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
- - 0 - -
EDUCATION CHIEF COMMENTS ON NEW CAC APPOINTMENT
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE APPOINTMENT OF MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING AS THE NEW COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY):
"MR SO IS EMINENTLY SUITABLE TO BE THE NEW COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS. HE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF SERVICE ON GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, AND HAS WON GREAT RESPECT FOR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"HE HAS ESTABLISHED CLOSE CONTACTS WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND IS EXTREMELY FAMILIAR WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS. I WISH HIM LUCK AND SUCCESS IN HIS NEW APPOINTMENT.
"UNFORTUNATELY, MR SO’S APPOINTMENT WILL MEAN GREAT LOSS FOR THE EDUCATION SECTOR,” SAID MR WONG.
"WE NEED TO START SEARCHING FOR SUITABLE PERSONS TO REPLACE HIM AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL."
- - 0 - -
WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER ENTERS GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
*****
THE CREATION BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER ON OCTOBER 26 HAS BREN OFFICIALLY ENTERED IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS.
A CERTIFICATE, IN RECOGNITION OF THE 2 I,936-SQUARE-METRE POSTER DEPICTING THE "IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY” AND HERALDING THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY, HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE LONDON HEADQUARTERS OF THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS.
ABOUT 1,500 CYC MEMBERS GATHERED AT THE VICTORIA PARK, IN WINDY AND GLOOMY WEATHER, TO ASSEMBLE THE POSTER WHICH COVERED SIX FOOTBALL PITCHES.
THEY WERE JOINED BY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES AND GUESTS.
/"A GREAT
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
10
”A GREAT DEAL OF PLANNING, CO-OPERATION AND HARD WORK HAS GONE INTO THIS EXERCISE. IT IS A MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT FOR HONG KONG, AND FOR OUR STUDENTS,” THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID.
HE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THE HELP PROVIDED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG FLYING SERVICE, AND THE GENEROUS DONATION BY THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, TO REALISE THIS WORLD-RECORD EVENT.
------0-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE t * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 67.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 395.899 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 323.864 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 55.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-------
JOBS REPORT ON SALE ♦ * * * *
A REPORT CONTAINING STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
THESE ARE THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS ANALYSES OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, SUCH AS THEIR AGE AND SEX, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CENTRAL, AT $23.5 EACH.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS A SAMPLE SURVEY CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS SINCE AUGUST 1981.
------0-------
FIRING PRACTICE IN JANUARY
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 22 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
11
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THE FIRING PRACTICE:
DATE TIME
JANUARY 3 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 4 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM y
JANUARY 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 6 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 7 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 10 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 11 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 12 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 13 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 14 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 17 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 18 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 20 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 21 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .59 PM
JANUARY 22 (SATURDAY) 0.01 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 24 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 25 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 27 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JANUARY 28 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JANUARY 31 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
- - 0---------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS » * * ♦ »
TENDER DATE 28 DEC 93 28 DEC 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q352 Y397
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$2,900 MN HK$1,070 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$1,000 MN HKS300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.11 PCT 3.49 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.12 PCT 3.50 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 83 PCT ABOUT 95 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.13 PCT 3.52 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1993
12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 3 JANUARY 1994 - TENDER DATE 4 JAN 94 4 JAN 94 PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q401 H455 ISSUE DATE 5 JAN 94 5 JAN 94 MATURITY DATE 6 MAR 94 6 JUL 94 TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$l,200 + 240 MN HK$500 + 100 MN 0 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * » * * * $ MILLION OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,683 REVERSAL OF LAF +2,317 BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000 NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,180 CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,820
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4 .00 OFFER TWI 113. 9 *+0 .1* 28. 12.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.26 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.38 3.53
1 MONTH 3.12 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.05 3.75
3 MONTHS 3.13 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.14 3.94
6 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.12 4.12
12 MONTHS 3.48 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.13 4.58
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,630 MN
CLOSED 28 DECEMBER 1993
---------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
LEGCO TO ENSURE BEST ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS: GOVERNOR .......... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO MEDIA ....................................... 2
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE ......................... 3
BIG BUDDHA ADDS MORE TO LIFE ................................... 7
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR NOVEMBER ............. 8
CUT IN AD VALOREM CHARGES FOR NON-FOOD IMPORTS ................ 11
POSTAL REMITTANCE SERVICE STOPS .............,................ 11
TRANSPORT GUIDE FOR DISABLED .................................. 12
COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE CLOSED FOR RENOVATION ............. 12
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR JANUARY ........................... 13
NEW OFFICE FOR SHA TIN BIRTHS REGISTRY ........................ 14
FRESH WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN ................................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
15
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
LEGCO TO ENSURE BEST ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD ENSURE THAT HONG KONG HAD FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.
’’AND I DON’T BELIEVE THAT SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE OVERTURNED,” HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE TIAN TAN BUDDHA ON LANTAU, THE GOVERNOR SAID: ”1 THINK WHAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT IS A GUARANTEE THAT THEIR WAY OF LIFE WILL CONTINUE BEYOND 1997.
"LOOK AT THE EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY OF THIS COMMUNITY, LOOK AT THE CIVILISED VALUE AND STANDARD WHICH THIS COMMUNITY ENJOYS. WE WANT IN HONG KONG THOSE THINGS TO CONTINUE."
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS DETERMINED THAT THESE THINGS WOULD CONTINUE AND ONE OF THE IMPORTANT GUARANTEES OF THEIR CONTINUING WAS THE RULE OF LAW.
"THE RULE OF LAW REQUIRES US TO HAVE IN PLACE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE FAIR, WHICH GUARANTEE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. NOBODY DISPUTES THOSE PROPOSITIONS. SO WE ARE GOING TO GO ON WORKING FOR THOSE THINGS.
"I AM SURE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS STARTING TO CONSIDER OUR NON-CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSALS TODAY, WILL DO A JOB WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE ARRANGEMENTS HERE IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE FAIR AND OPEN, WHICH ARE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE STATEMENT BY THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "IT’S A SURPRISING STATEMENT IN VERY MANY WAYS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A REFLECTION NOT OF THE RULE OF LAW BUT OF THE RULE OF MAN.
"IT APPEARS THAT THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE HAS THE POWER OF CLAIRVOYANCE BECAUSE EVEN BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS CONSIDER OR PASS LEGISLATION ON THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS, THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE SAY THAT THEY WON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. "
HE NOTED THAT IT WAS NOT A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE TO DECIDE WHAT WAS OR WAS NOT IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW. IT IS A MATTER FOR THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF CHINA’S NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS.
"I DON’T THINK THAT ANY OF US REALLY BELIEVE THAT STAMPING ONE’S FOOT IS AN ADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE FOR A POLICY FOR THE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
- - 0-----------
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993 - 2 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO MEDIA * * * * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE TIAN TAN BUDDHA ON LANTAU ISLAND TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
GOVERNOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM VERY HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO TAKE PART IN THE OPENING OF THIS GREAT BUDDHA TODAY. I AM SURE THAT IT WILL PROVIDE A VISION AND GREAT INSPIRATION TO HONG KONG AND TO CHINA AND THE WORLD. IT’S A MARVELLOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT BY THE BUDDHIST COMMUNITY AND I CONGRATULATE THEM VERY WARMLY ON IT.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, DO YOU THINK THE HKMAO STATEMENT IS REASONABLE? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT TODAY WHEN WE WERE CELEBRATING A RELIGIOUS OCCASION IS THE TIME FOR GREAT POLITICAL ARGUMENTS. THERE WILL BE MANY CHANCES OVER THE NEXT THREE AND HALF YEARS OF HAVING EXCHANGES ABOUT THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG. BUT I MUST SAY THAT AS A NUMBER OF HONG KONG LEGISLATORS POINTED OUT YESTERDAY, THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE STATEMENT ISN’T A VERY ATTRACTIVE CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT’S A SURPRISING STATEMENT IN VERY MANY WAYS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A REFLECTION NOT OF THE RULE OF LAW BUT OF THE RULE OF MAN. IT APPEARS THAT THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE HAVE THE POWER OF CLAIRVOYANCE BECAUSE EVEN BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS CONSIDER OR PASS LEGISLATION ON THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS, THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE SAY THAT THEY WON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. EVEN IF THAT WAS REASONABLE, IT’S CLEAN AGAINST THE BASIC LAW ITSELF, ARTICLE 160 FOR EXAMPLE. IT’S NOT A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE TO DECIDE WHAT IS OR IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW. IT’S A MATTER FOR THE NPC STANDING COMMITTEE. SO I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE THINK THEY ARE DOING. THEIR POSITION APPEARS TO BE THAT WHATEVER HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT, WHATEVER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DISCUSSES, WHATEVER WE PROPOSE IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE AND SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL THROW IT OUT, WON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. BUT, WHERE ARE OUR PROPOSALS ON ’’SINGLE SEAT, SINGLE VOTE” AGAINST THE BASIC LAW? WHERE ARE OUR PROPOSALS FOR HAVING THE VOTING AGE AT 18, WHERE IS THAT AGAINST THE BASIC LAW? WHERE ARE OUR PROPOSALS ON MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AGAINST THE BASIC LAW? THE TRUTH IS THAT, I AM AFRAID, THEY APPEAR TO BE MAKING UP THE LAW AS THEY GO ALONG. I DON’T THINK THAT ANY OF US REALLY BELIEVE THAT STAMPING ONE’S FOOT IS AN ADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE FOR A POLICY FOR THE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. SO I HOPE THAT OVER THE NEXT THREE AND HALF YEARS, RATHER WISER COUNSEL WILL PREVAIL. I AM SURE THAT IF PEOPLE ARE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, THAT WILL BE WHAT HAPPENS, THAT WILL BE THE SITUATION AND IT WILL BE IN ALL OUR INTERESTS WHEN THAT HAPPENS.
QUESTION : MR PATTEN, WHAT YOU MEANT IS THAT THE STATEMENT IS AGAINST THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION?
GOVERNOR: I MEAN EXACTLY WHAT I’VE SAID AND I’VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR IN MY REMARKS. I COULDN’T HAVE MADE IT ANY CLEARER.
QUESTION: WILL YOU CLARIFY THIS POINT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE?
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
3
GOVERNOR: I’VE MADE IT CLEAR TODAY. HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MADE IT CLEAR YESTERDAY AND THE DAY BEFORE AND, OF COURSE, THERE IS NO ANSWER EXCEPT ANOTHER FOOT-STAMPING.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, DO YOU THINK BY DELIVERING THE STATEMENT JUST NOW, AND YOU THINK ....... A VERY ATTRACTIVE CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO THE HONG KONG PEOPLE?
GOVERNOR: I THINK WHAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT IS A GUARANTEE THAT THEIR WAY OF LIFE WILL CONTINUE BEYOND 1997. LOOK AT THE EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY OF THIS COMMUNITY, LOOK AT THE CIVILISED VALUE AND STANDARD WHICH THIS COMMUNITY ENJOYS. WE WANT IN HONG KONG THOSE THINGS TO CONTINUE. WE ARE DETERMINED THAT THEY SHALL CONTINUE AND ONE OF THE IMPORTANT GUARANTEES OF THEIR CONTINUING IS THE RULE OF LAW AND THE RULE OF LAW REQUIRES US TO HAVE IN PLACE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE FAIR, WHICH GUARANTEE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. NOBODY DISPUTES THOSE PROPOSITIONS. SO WE ARE GOING TO GO ON WORKING FOR THOSE THINGS. I DON’T THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE CHINA OR SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY THAT AFTER 1997 THEY MAY DO THINGS WHICH WOULD BE AGAINST HONG KONG’S INTEREST, THAT’S A VERY PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT FOR US TODAY DOING THINGS WHICH WOULD BE AGAINST HONG KONG’S INTEREST. SO WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE LONG TERM INTEREST OF HONG KONG. I AM SURE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS STARTING TO CONSIDER OUR NONCONTROVERSIAL PROPOSALS TODAY, WILL DO A JOB WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT AT THE END OF DAY, WE HAVE ARRANGEMENTS HERE IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE FAIR AND OPEN, WHICH ARE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND I DON’T BELIEVE THAT SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE OVERTURNED.
QUESTION: HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU’RE REJECTED TO THE HANDSHAKE BY MR ZHOU NAN JUST NOW?
GOVERNOR: I DIDN’T REJECT ANY HANDSHAKE WITH MR ZHOU NAN. MR ZHOU NAN MADE A BUDDHIST SIGN TO ME AND I MADE A BUDDHIST SIGN BACK. I IMAGINE MR ZHOU NAN IS A BUDDHIST, I DON’T KNOW. BUT I SHAKE HANDS WITH EVERYONE EVERYWHERE. IF OTHERS DON’T DO SO, THAT’S SOMETHING FOR THEM TO EXPLAIN BUT NOT FOR ME TO EXPLAIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
------0--------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE ft ft ft ft ft
POLICE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO BE COURTEOUS AND PATIENT, TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND BE CONSIDERATE TO CHILDREN AND ELDERLY WHILE ENJOYING VARIOUS COUNTDOWN ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
AS LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED IN TSIM SHA TSUI, CAUSEWAY BAY AND CENTRAL, EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE DEPLOYED FOR CROWD MANAGEMENT AND TRAFFIC DUTIES.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID POLICE WOULD TAKE ACTION TO DIRECT THE PUBLIC WHENEVER AND WHEREVER THEIR SAFETY REQUIRED IT ON THE DAY.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO BE CO-OPERATIVE AND LISTEN TO THE ADVICE GIVEN BY POLICE OFFICERS ON THE GROUND.
POLICE WILL ALSO TAKE FIRM ACTION AGAINST ANY TROUBLE MAKERS FOR THE SAKE OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
/TO ENABLE .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
4
TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY THE FESTIVAL, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TSIM SHA TSUI, CAUSEWAY BAY AND CENTRAL ON NEW YEAR’S EVE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A NUMBER OF ROADS WOULD BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AT CERTAIN HOURS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF PEDESTRIANS AND ALSO CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO MAKE FULL USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
’’WHEN MEETING PEOPLE, THE PUBLIC ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO USE MTR STATIONS BECAUSE THE MOVE WOULD DISRUPT SMOOTH PASSENGER FLOW THROUGH THE STATIONS,” HE ADDED.
MOTORISTS SHOULD DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE AND NOT DRIVE AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL. THEY ARE ADVISED TO PAY HEED TO TRAFFIC SIGNS AND GUIDANCE BY TRAFFIC POLICE.
ILLEGAL PARKING OR WAITING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. TOWING ACTION WILL BE TAKEN WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE SHOULD VEHICLES CAUSE OBSTRUCTION.
’’THE BEST WAY IS TO LEAVE THE CARS AT HOME,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE ARE:
TSIM SHA TSUI
LARGE CROWDS ARE EXPECTED TO GATHER IN THE DISTRICT IN THE EVENING OF DECEMBER 31, PARTICULARLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE STAR FERRY CLOCK TOWER. THE AREA, INCLUDING PARTS OF CANTON ROAD, SALISBURY ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK DRIVE, IS EXPECTED TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES FROM 8 PM UNTIL IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE TO REOPEN THE ROADS.
ONCE THE AREA IS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, ENTRY TO AND EXIT FROM ALL CAR PARKS IN THE AFFECTED AREA WILL BE STOPPED. MOTORISTS WHO LEAVE THEIR VEHICLES IN SUCH CAR PARKS BEFORE 8 PM WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DEPART UNTIL THE ROADS ARE REOPENED. THEY ARE REMINDED THAT THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LAWFUL PARKING OF THEIR VEHICLES EVEN THEY LEAVE THEM WITH CAR JOCKEYS.
DEPENDING ON THE DENSITY OF THE CROWD, THE FOLLOWING ROADS MAY ALSO BE CLOSED AT ANY TIME TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIANISATION:
(1) PEKING ROAD BETWEEN CANTON ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK DRIVE;
(2) ASHLEY ROAD BETWEEN PEKING ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD;
(3) MIDDLE ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND SALISBURY ROAD; ।
(4) HANKOW ROAD BETWEEN PEKING ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD;
(5) SALISBURY ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH (BOTH DIRECTIONS);
(6) SALISBURY ROAD BETWEEN CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH AND HONG CHONG ROAD (WESTBOUND);
(7) NATHAN ROAD .......
5
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
(7) NATHAN ROAD BETWEEN SALISBURY ROAD AND MODY ROAD (BOTH DIRECTIONS)
(8) NATHAN ROAD BETWEEN MODY ROAD AND GRANVILLE ROAD (NORTHBOUND);
(9) CHATHAM ROAD BETWEEN SALISBURY ROAD AND MODY ROAD;
(10) MODY ROAD BETWEEN CHATHAM ROAD AND SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD (BOTH BOUNDS);
(11) MODY LANE; AND
(12) MODY SQUARE.
CAUSEWAY BAY
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 8 PM ON DECEMBER 31 UNTIL 3 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IN THE VICINITY OF VICTORIA PARK TO FACILITATE THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATING IN THE "COUNTDOWN ’94".
DEPENDING ON THE CROWD SITUATION, ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO DIFFERENT PHASES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DUTY POLICE OFFICERS.
PHASE I
(A) SUGAR STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC;
(B) KAI CHIU ROAD BETWEEN YUN PING ROAD AND JARDINE'S CRESCENT WILL BE CLOSED;
(C) CANNON STREET BETWEEN GLOUCESTER SERVICE ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE MADE ONE WAY NORTHBOUND;
(D) THE SECTION OF LOCKHART ROAD EAST OF CANNON STREET WILL BE CLOSED;
(E) EAST POINT ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC;
(F) THE SECTION OF GREAT GEORGE STREET BETWEEN EAST POINT ROAD AND PATERSON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC;
(G) THE SECTION OF HING FAT STREET SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN GORDON ROAD AND TSING FUNG STREET WILL BE CLOSED. ALL SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG HING FAT STREET WILL BE DIVERTED INTO GORDON ROAD; AND
(H) THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT FROM WESTBOUND KING'S ROAD/CAUSEWAY ROAD INTO HING FAT STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED.
PHASE II
IN ADDITION TO THE CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS MENTIONED IN PHASE I. THE FOLLOWING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
(A) THE SECTION OF PATERSON STREET BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND YEE WOO STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC;
(B) THE SECTION OF GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN GLOUCESTER SERVICE ROAD AND CAUSEWAY ROAD EXCEPT FOR ACCESS FOR NORTHBOUND VEHICLES FROM THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER HEADING FOR GLOUCESTER ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC;
(C) THE SECTION .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
6
(C) THE SECTION OF KINGSTON STREET BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND
CLEVELAND STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC;
(D) THE SECTION OF GREAT GEORGE STREET BETWEEN PATERSON STREET AND
GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. ACCESS TO
AND FROM PUBLIC CARPARKS IN THIS AREA WILL BE SUSPENDED
SIMULTANEOUSLY.
CENTRAL
DEPENDING ON THE DENSITY OF THE CROWD, TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO DIFFERENT PHASES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE POLICE.
THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 7 PM ON DECEMBER 31 UNTIL 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, DURING WHICH THE NORMAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT COMMENCES.
PHASE I
THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT CLOSURES AND DIVERSIONS WILL APPLY.
(A) CHATER ROAD BETWEEN PEDDER STREET AND JACKSON ROAD AS WELL AS ICE HOUSE STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT RC)AD CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC;
(B) EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL (EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES) WILL BE DIVERTED NORTH INTO PEDDER STREET;
(C) NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON ICE HOUSE STREET WILL BE DIVERTED WEST INTO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL;
(D) NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON PEDDER STREET WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER CHATER ROAD.
PHASE II
IN ADDITION TO ROAD CLOSURES AND DIVERSIONS AS PER PHASE I, CHATER ROAD BETWEEN JACKSON ROAD AND MURRAY ROAD, JACKSON ROAD BETWEEN CHATER ROAD AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, CLUB STREET, MURRAY ROAD AND LAMBETH WALK BETWEEN THE EXIT TO THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND MURRAY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC.
PERMITTED VEHICLES TO THE AREA OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO ENTER AND LEAVE THE AREA THROUGH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
LAMBETH WALK WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND BETWEEN THE EXIT OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND THE COTTON TREE DRIVE SLIP ROAD.
/LAN KWAI .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
7
LAN KWAI FONG
ILLEGAL PARKING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT 10 STREETS IN THE AREA STARTING FROM 6 PM ON DECEMBER 31, NAMELY ARBUTHNOT ROAD, WYNDHAM STREET, GLENEALY, D'AGUILAR STREET, WELLINGTON STREET, STANLEY STREET, WO ON LANE, ON LAN STREET, ICE HOUSE STREET AND LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
POLICE WILL TAKE ACTION TO RESTRICT THE INFLOW OF PEOPLE INTO LAN KWAI FONG WHENEVER THE NUMBER OF THE VISITORS WITHIN THE AREA REACHES 5,000.
* PEOPLE WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE AREA THROUGH THE LOWER ENTRANCE AT THE JUNCTION OF D'AGUILAR STREET WITH WELLINGTON STREET.
* PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE VIA THE EXIT POINTS AT THE JUNCTIONS OF WELLINGTON STREET WITH WAI TAK LANE, WELLINGTON STREET WITH WO ON LANE, AND D'AGUILAR STREET WITH WYNDHAM STREET.
------0-------
BIG BUDDHA ADDS MORE TO LIFE *****
THE CALM, REFLECTIVE STATUE OF BUDDHA ON LANTAU IS A VISIBLE SYMBOL THAT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO THE LIFE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID.
HE WAS JOINING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE BIG BUDDHA STATUE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR PATTEN SAID IT WAS A SIGN THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT A CITY IN WHICH ONLY PROFITS WERE HELD IN HONOUR.
"A SENSE OF SPIRITUALITY - OF MEANING BEYOND OUR DAILY LIVES -GIVES LIFE ITSELF HOPE AND PURPOSE.
"IT ENSURES THAT FOR MANY MILLIONS LIFE IS MORE THAN A ROCKY, UPHILL ROAD," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WAS ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF CIVILISED SOCIETY.
EQUALLY, A CIVILISED COMMUNITY LIKE HONG KONG RECOGNISED THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING WHATEVER THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS OR THEIR INFIRMITIES REFLECTS THE MAJESTY OF THE INFINITE AND THE WONDER OF THE UNKNOWN, HE SAID.
TODAY’S EVENT IS THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF WORK BY THE MONKS, NUNS AND BUDDHIST COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG, WITH THE SUPPORT OF MANY OTHER BUDDHISTS IN CHINA AND FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
THE IDEA WAS FIRST PROPOSED IN 1974 AND WAS REALISED WITH THE HELP OF SCULPTORS, CRAFTSMEN, ARCHITECTS AND CHINA’S EXCELLENT BRONZE CASTERS.
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
8
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR NOVEMBER * * * * *
RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO SHOW A NOTABLE INCREASE IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED SLUGGISH, WHILE IMPORTS ROSE MODERATELY.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS, AT $72,351 MILLION IN NOVEMBER 1993, WAS $9,045 MILLION OR 14% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
AFFECTED PARTLY BY THE CONTINUED STRUCTURAL SHIFT TO RE-EXPORTS AND PARTLY BY THE WEAKER DEMAND IN THE OVERSEAS MARKETS, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED FURTHER, BY $1,182 MILLION OR 5.8% TO $19,145 MILLION IN NOVEMBER.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER GREW BY $7,863 MILLION OR 9.4% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $91,495 MILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $7,362 MILLION OR 8.7% TO $92,469 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $974 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.1% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN NOVEMBER 1993.
THIS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $1,476 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.7% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN NOVEMBER 1992.
IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $749,450 MILLION, WHICH WAS $122,904 MILLION OR 20% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $202,444 MILLION, WAS $10,020 MILLION OR 4.7% LOWER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993, AT $951,894 MILLION, WAS $112,884 MILLION OR 14% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $111,484 MILLION OR 13% TO $976,548 MILLION.
A TRADE DEFICIT OF $24,654 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993.
THIS COMPARED WITH A TRADE DEFICIT OF $26,053 MILLION,
EQUIVALENT TO 3.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED A YEAR EARLIER.
THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE TO
79% IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993, FROM 75% IN THE SAME PERIOD IN
1992.
/COMMENTING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
9
COMMENTING ON THE LATEST TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GROWTH IN EXPORTS MODERATED IN RECENT MONTHS.
THIS WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE WEAKER DEMAND IN THE OVERSEAS MARKETS, AS WELL AS THE SLOW-DOWN IN EXPORT GROWTH TO THE CHINA MARKET.
NEVERTHELESS, LATELY THERE WERE SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT IN EXPORT PERFORMANCE TO A FEW MAJOR MARKETS - JAPAN, GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES.
THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS SLOWED DOWN FURTHER, FROM 16% IN 1992 TO ONLY 3.9% IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THIS REFLECTED A CONTINUOUS CONSOLIDATION AFTER THE LARGE INCREASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTERS.
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1993, BY COMMODITY AND COUNTRY, WILL BE RELEASED IN MIDJANUARY.
/PROVISIONAL FIGURES .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
10
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL
MERCHANDISE: Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
TRADE FOR NOVEMBER 1993
$19,145 $72,351 $91,495 $92,469
-$974
million million mill ion mill ion million
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Sep 93 to Sep 92 to Change
Latest 3 months Nov 93 Nov 92
HKS Mn HKS Mn HKS Mn X
Domestic Exports 58,266 63,310 -5,044 -8.0
(X of Total Exports) (20.6%) (24.5%)
Re-exports 224,255 195,589 *28,666 414.7
Total Exports 282,521 258,899 *23,622 49.1
Imports 278,097 258,080 *20,017 47.8
Trade balance 4,421 819 43,605
November November Change
Same month last year 1993 1992
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 19,145 20,327 -1,182 -5.8
(X of Total Exports) (20.9%) (24.3%)
Re-exports 72,351 63,305 49,045 414.3
Total Exports 91,495 83,632 47,863 49.4
Imports 92,469 85,107 47,362 48.7
Trade balance -974 -1,476 4501
November October Change
Last month 1993 1993
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 19,145 19,665 -520 -2.6
(X of Total Exports) (20.9%) (20.4%)
Re-exports 72,351 76,697 -4,347 -5.7
Total Exports 91 ,495 96,362 -4,867 -5.1
Imports 92,469 93,566 -1,096 -1.2
Trade balance -974 2,797 -3,771
Jan-Nov Jan-Nov Change
Calendar year to-date 1993 1992
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 202,444 212,465 -10,020 -4.7
(X of Total Exports) (21.3X) (25.3%)
Re-exports 749,450 626,546 4122,904 419.6
Total Exports 951,894 839,011 4112,884 413.5
Imports 976,548 865,063 4111,484 412.9
Trade balance -24,654 -26,053 41,399
Dec 92 to Dec 91 to Change
Last 12 months Nov 93 Nov 92
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 224,103 234,764 -10,661 -4.5
(X of Total Exports) (21.6%) (25.7%)
Re-exports 813,733 679,032 4134,701 419.8
Total Exports 1,037,836 913,797 4124,040 413.6
Imports 1,066,779 942,037 4124,743 413.2
Trade balance -28,943 -28,240 -703
---------0 - -
/Il........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
11
CUT IN AD VALOREM CHARGES FOR NON-FOOD IMPORTS *****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED THOSE MAKING TRADE DECLARATIONS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE CHANGES OF AD VALOREM CHARGES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT ONLY THE AD VALOREM CHARGES ON NON-FOOD IMPORTS HAD BEEN REDUCED SINCE OCTOBER 1.
HE SAID MANY TRADERS HAD MISTAKEN THAT THE REDUCTION APPLIED TO ALL ITEMS OF GOODS, IMPORTS AND EVEN DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS.
"THIS CONFUSION HAS OVERBURDENED OUR COLLECTION OFFICES, PARTICULARLY THE POSTAL REMITTANCE UNIT WHICH IS EXPERIENCING FIVE TO SIX TIMES THE NORMAL VOLUME OF UNACCEPTABLE TRADE DECLARATIONS BECAUSE OF MISCALCULATIONS OF DECLARATION CHARGES," HE SAID.
"THE REJECTED TRADE DECLARATIONS, WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE RESUBMITTED AND REPROCESSED, HAVE WASTED MUCH OF THE RESOURCES OF BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND TRADERS,” HE ADDED.
THE REDUCED CHARGES PAYABLE FOR NON-FOOD IMPORTS ARE CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS: $5 IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST $14,000 OF THE VALUE, OR -THE AGGREGATE VALUE, OF THE GOODS OR PART THEREOF AND 35 CENTS IN RESPECT OF EACH ADDITIONAL $1,000 VALUE OR PART THEREOF AND ROUNDED UP TO THE NEAREST 10 CENTS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CHARGES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG COLLECTION OFFICE ON TEL 852 3048, OR KOWLOON COLLECTION OFFICE ON TEL 311 3053.
------0-------
POSTAL REMITTANCE SERVICE STOPS
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIARI, REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OF THE CESSATION OF THE POSTAL REMITTANCE SERVICE IN HONG KONG FROM NEXT YEAR.
FROM JANUARY 1, THE POST OFFICE WILL NOT ISSUE INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS, POSTAL ORDERS OR LOCAL MONEY ORDERS.
CASH-ON-DELIVERY PARCELS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND POSTCHEQUES ISSUED BY FOREIGN POST OFFICES WILL NOT BE ENCASHED.
HOWEVER, LOCAL MONEY ORDERS, AND POSTAL AND MONEY ORDERS ISSUED OVERSEAS ON OR BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH FOR PAYMENT IN HONG KONG WILL STILL BE ENCASHED PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE PRESENTED AT POST OFFICES BEFORE THEIR VALIDITY HAS EXPIRED.
CUSTOMERS WISHING TO REMIT MONEY LOCALLY OR TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES AFTER THE CESSATION OF THE POSTAL REMITTANCE SERVICE ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE BANKING FACILITIES COMMONLY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG. ----------------------------------0--------
/12........
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
- 12 -
TRANSPORT GUIDE FOR DISABLED
*****
DISABLED PERSONS CAN NOW BETTER PLAN THEIR JOURNEYS WITH THE HELP OF A BOOKLET PUBLISHED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
ENTITLED "A GUIDE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN HONG KONG FOR DISABLED PERSONS", IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.
IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE AND IN BRAILLE, THE GUIDE CONTAINS INFORMATION ON FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR DISABLED PERSONS ON VARIOUS PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES SUCH AS TRAINS, BUSES AND FERRIES.
IT DESCRIBES THE TRIAL SCHEME ON THE CERTIFICATE FOR THE PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN OF DISABLED TAXI PASSENGERS IN RESTRICTED ZONES.
THE GUIDE ALSO LISTS THE REHABUS SERVICES AND THEIR APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
IN ADDITION, IT SETS OUT TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS WHERE DISABLED PASSENGERS MAY SEEK HELP OR OBTAIN INFORMATION ON SERVICES.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND INTERESTED PARTIES CAN COLLECT THE BOOKLET FROM THE REHABILITATION ORGANISATIONS, THE DISTRICT OFFICES, LICENSING OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES OF MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS.
PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT CAN CONTACT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND ON 778 8332 EXT 325 FOR BRAILLE COPIES.
------0--------
COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE CLOSED FOR RENOVATION
* t * » *
THE SAI KUNG WEST COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE IN PAK TAM CHUNG HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR RENOVATION UNTIL JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID: "IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS NOW SINCE THE OPENING OF THE SAI KUNG VISITOR CENTRE FOR PUBLIC USE. IT IS POPULAR AMONG COUNTRY PARK VISITORS."
"TO MAINTAIN ITS LONG-STANDING OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING GOOD SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE DEPARTMENT HAS FOUND IT NECESSARY TO RENOVATE THE CENTRE AND IMPROVE THE FACILITIES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC NOT TO ARRANGE VISITS TO THE CENTRE UNTIL NEXT FEBRUARY WHEN RENOVATION WORK WAS DUE TO COMPLETE.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE COUNTRY PARK WHERE VISITORS CAN APPRECIATE NATURE AND ENGAGE IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, HE SAID.
/FROM NOW .......
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
13
FROM NOW UNTIL EARLY FEBRUARY, VISITORS COULD ALSO USE THE OTHER SIX VISITOR CENTRES IN VARIOUS COUNTRY PARKS.
THE SIX CENTRES ARE IN ABERDEEN, SHING MUN, TAI MEI TUK, CLEAR WATER BAY, TAI MO SHAN AND AT LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE, TSIU HANG.
THEY ARE OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT TUESDAYS.
THE CENTRES ARE ESTABLISHED WITH THE MAIN AIM OF HELPING VISITORS ENJOY AND UNDERSTAND THE COUNTRYSIDE THROUGH STATIC DISPLAYS AND VISUAL AIDS.
DURING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 633,000 VISITORS TO THE CENTRES WERE RECORDED.
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON COUNTRY PARK VISITORS TO HELP PREVENT COUNTRYSIDE FIRES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FIRE DANGER WARNING IS RED OR YELLOW.
- - 0 - -
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR JANUARY *****
A TOTAL OF EIGHT ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS NEXT MONTH, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WILL EITHER SELL FLAGS, TOKENS OR SIMILAR ITEMS, OR PLACE DONATION BOXES IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC AREAS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT ON ITS HOTLINE - 343 2255 OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE’S 866 8123 IN CASE OF DOUBTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO ORGANISERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST
FRAUD.
’’SELLERS SHOULD DISPLAY THE PERMIT OR CARRY COPIES OF THE PERMIT FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST IF THE FUND-RAISING IS MOBILE,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED THEM TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, SETTING OUT THE PLACES AND THE TIME FOR SELLING AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND SEEK THEIR ASSISTANCE WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND.
PERMITS ALLOCATED FOR SELLING FLAGS AND FOR SUBSCRIBING IN PUBLIC ARE:
/(A) FOR FLAGS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
14
(A) FOR FLAGS
EVENT DATE ORGANISATION
JAN 8 HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION
JAN 15 THE MARYKNOLL MEDICAL & WELFARE
ASSOCIATION (OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL
HOSPITAL)
JAN 22 UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL (UNITED
CHRISTIAN MEDICAL SERVICE)
JAN 29 POK 01 HOSPITAL
(B) FOR PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
EVENT DATE ORGANISATION
JAN 2 JAN 16 SOWERS ACTION %
JAN 16 THE EXECUTIVE PASTOR OF JESUS CHRIST,
JAN 30 THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME, ADMINISTRATOR, INC.
JAN 22 JAN 23 RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL HK COMMITTEE
JAN 1 JAN 2 BUDDHIST WISDOM SERVICE CENTRE LTD 0
NEW OFFICE FOR SHA TIN BIRTHS REGISTRY » * * * *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BIRTHS REGISTRY WILL OPERATE FROM ITS NEW PREMISES ON THE SECOND FLOOR, KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, ON JANUARY 3.
ITS PRESENT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL, 1 YUEN WO ROAD, WILL BE CLOSED IN THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 31.
THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.45 AM 2 PM TO TO 12.45 PM 4.45 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 11.30 AM
SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CLOSED
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111.
- - 0 - -
/15
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1993
- 15 -
FRESH WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL GO OFF FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 31) TO NOON THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN TAI LAM CHUNG AND TSING BIK STREET, ALL HOUSING ESTATES LOCATED BETWEEN TSING LUN ROAD AND WU CHUI ROAD AS WELL AS THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN TUEN MUN.
o 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 2,828 + 1 , 180 4,000 NIL -30 3,970
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4. HONG 00 OFFER TWI 114.0 *+0.1* 29.12.93 KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/ HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.41 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.34 3.56
1 MONTH 3.18 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.05 3.75
3 MONTHS 3.14 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.15 3.93
6 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.12 4.12
12 MONTHS 3.53 PCT 34 MONTHS TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS 3610 4.20 99.13 4.58 - 5,297MN
CLOSED 29 DECEMBER 1993
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REPORT ON DB CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES SUBMITTED TO GOVERNOR .. 1
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION’S REPORT TO BE STUDIED .... 1
PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CEDAW OVERWHELMING: SHA ................. 2
HK - AN ATTRACTIVE MANUFACTURING BASE ...................... 5
MORE OVERSEAS FIRMS SET UP REGIONAL OPERATIONS IN HK ....... 6
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES REMAIN HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE .......... 7
REMARKS BY FS ON AWARD ..................................... 8
TETANUS VACCINATION PROGRAMME SET UP FOR DRUG ABUSERS ...... 9
REVISION OF PARKING FEES .................................. 10
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS NEXT MONDAY .......... 10
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE COUNTDOWN SHOW ..... 11
WATCHDOG FOR SERVICE DELIVERY ............................. 11
APPOINTMENTS TO METRICATION COMMITTEE ..................... 12
NEW GREEN MINIBUS SERVES HONG KONG ISLAND ................. 13
LIAISON GROUP TO COMBAT ILLEGAL ENDANGERED SPECIES TRADE .... 13
POINT SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS ....... 14
PUBLIC ASKED TO JOIN CLEAN AND GREEN ACTIVITIES ........... 15
225 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME ................................ 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
16
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
1
REPORT ON DB CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES SUBMITTED TO GOVERNOR » t * » *
THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION TODAY (THURSDAY) SUBMITTED
TO THE GOVERNOR ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DELINEATION OF CONSTITUENCIES AND THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMISSION SAID THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE CONTAINED IN A THREE-VOLUME REPORT.
VOLUME I IS THE REPORT PROPER WITH REASONS AND EXPLANATIONS AS TO HOW THE COMMISSION CARRIED OUT ITS DEMARCATION WORK AND HOW IT ARRIVED AT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
VOLUME II CONTAINS THE MAPS SHOWING THE RECOMMENDED DELINEATION OF CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES AND A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BOUNDARIES.
VOLUME III COMPILES THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THE COMMISSION’S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMISSION HAD RECEIVED ALTOGETHER 187 WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS AND A NUMBER OF ORAL REPRESENTATIONS MADE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS.
”IN MAKING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, THE COMMISSION HAS FULLY CONSIDERED THESE REPRESENTATIONS AND HAS, WHEREVER PRACTICABLE AND REASONABLE, RESPONDED TO THEM IN A POSITIVE MANNER,” HE SAID.
UNDER THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ORDINANCE, THE REPORT SHOULD BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITHIN 30 DAYS OF SUBMISSION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMISSION'S REPORT WOULD BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION AFTER IT HAD BEEN TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
BEFORE THEN, THE COMMISSION DID NOT CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO RELEASE INFORMATION ON THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT.
------0-------
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION’S REPORT TO BE STUDIED t * * » *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) CONFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD RECEIVED A REPORT BY THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) ON RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO THE CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1994 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE BEC ORDINANCE, THE REPORT SHOULD BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITHIN 30 DAYS OF SUBMISSION.
’’THE REPORT, IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM, WILL BE TABLED ON JANUARY 12 WHICH IS THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AFTER THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS,” HE SAID.
/"THE GOVERNOR .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
2
’’THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WILL STUDY THE BEC’S RECOMMENDATIONS. A DECISION RELATING TO THE 1994 DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES WILL BE MADE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADMINISTRATION’S COMMENTS.
’’THE DECISION WILL THEN BE GAZETTED IN THE FORM OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALL THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE PROCESS RELATING TO THE DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE LATTER PART OF MARCH NEXT YEAR.
------0-------
PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CEDAW OVERWHELMING: SHA
*****
COMMENTS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN RECEIVED SO FAR INDICATE AN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) TO HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AS THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE DRAWS '1'0 A CLOSE TOMORROW, MR SUEN SAID JUDGING FROM THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO THE GREEN PAPER, THE DOCUMENT HAS FULFILLED ITS PRIMARY FUNCTION AS AN IMPORTANT EDUCATION TOOL, FOCUSING ATTENTION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN HONG KONG.
”1 HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE ARE GOOD ARGUMENTS FOR THE EXTENSION OF CEDAW TO HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
HE SAID AFTER ANALYSING ALL THE SUBMISSIONS (489 RECEIVED TO DATE), HE WOULD CONSULT OTHER POLICY SECRETARIES TO WORK OUT FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR. ALL THE SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED WILL ALSO BE REFLECTED FULLY TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
REVIEWING THE WORK OF THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH (HAB) AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION, MR SUEN SAID ANOTHER PRIORITY AREA OF THE BRANCH DURING 1994 WOULD BE THE CO-ORDINATION OF PROVISION OF SUITABLE FACILITIES FOR OVERSEAS DOMESTIC HELPERS.
’’THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT THE CONGREGATION OF OVERSEAS DOMESTIC HELPERS IN CENTRAL AND OTHER DISTRICTS HAS BEEN A MATTER OF CONSIDERABLE CONCERN TO MANY PEOPLE.
’’THESE WORKERS PROVIDE A VALUABLE SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEY DO REQUIRE ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR RELATIVES BACK HOME, REMITTANCE SERVICES AND OTHER FORMS OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES,” MR SUEN SAID.
THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH HAS TAKEN THE LEAD TO IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE VENUES TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF DOMESTIC HELPERS SO AS TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE MORE POPULAR SPOTS, LIKE STATUE SQUARE.
/MR SUEN .......
3
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT OPTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION AT PRESENT INCLUDED THE CONVERSION OF A VACANT PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING INTO A CENTRE FOR OVERSEAS DOMESTIC HELPERS PROVIDING A RANGE OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
MOVING ON TO OTHER PRIORITY AREAS, HE SAID SINCE THE FORMATION OF THE HAB ON OCTOBER 15, THE RELATED FIELDS OF THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRESS FREEDOM HAD, FOR THE FIRST TIME, COME UNDER A SINGLE POLICY SECRETARY.
"DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN MEETING VARIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS, LEGAL ACADEMICS AND INTEREST GROUPS TO BUILD UP CONTACT WITH THEM AND TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS.
"WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO PUT VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION INTO PERSPECTIVE, STUDYING THEIR INTER-RELATIONSHIP WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO ARRIVE AT THE MOST DESIRABLE APPROACH TO ENHANCE HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IN HONG KONG," MR SUEN SAID.
THE HAB HAS ALSO ASSUMED THE TASK OF PREPARING REPORTS UNDER THE VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIES THAT APPLY TO HONG KONG.
"WE HAVE RECENTLY SUBMITTED A DRAFT INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM," MR SUEN SAID.
"WE WILL BE SUBMITTING REPORTS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1994. THESE REPORTS WILL BE MADE PUBLIC AFTER SUBMISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS," HE SAID.
DESCRIBING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WORK PROGRAMME, MR SUEN SAID STRONG SUPPORT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS IN THE PAST YEAR LAUNCHED A WIDE RANGE OF SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECTS, "INFOLINE" MESSAGES, RADIO PROGRAMMES, TOPICAL DISCUSSION SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION, AND A LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
"MORE PROJECTS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR THE COMING YEAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE APPRECIATION TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND ITS WORKING GROUPS FOR THEIR HARD WORK," HE SAID.
TURNING TO OTHER POLICY INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN IN THE PAST YEAR, MR SUEN SAID THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JUNE 1993.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A STATUTORY LICENSING SCHEME TO REGULATE THE FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS. UPON FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LICENSING SCHEME, THE LODGERS WILL LIVE IN LESS CROWDED PREMISES WHICH WILL MEET THE STATUTORY FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY STANDARDS.
/"AFTER THE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
4
’’AFTER THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LICENSING SCHEME, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT NOT MORE THAN 2,000 OF THE ORIGINAL 4,000 OR SO LODGERS LIVING IN THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS WHICH HAVE COME TO OUR NOTICE WILL REMAIN ON THESE PREMISES.
’’THE DISPLACED LODGERS WILL BE ASSISTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN REHOUSING AND I HAVE GIVEN MY REASSURANCE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT NO ONE WILL BE RENDERED HOMELESS IN THIS PROCESS,” MR SUEN STRESSED.
ON THE WORK OF THE CNTA, HE SAID THE DISTRICT-BASED WORKS TEAMS CONTINUED TO MAKE A VERY POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN BOTH THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREAS.
’’IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT OVER 1,000 PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR AT A COST OF SOME $75 MILLION,” HE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN THE LESS DEVELOPED AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THEY INCLUDE FOOTPATHS, VAN TRACKS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, WALKING TRAILS, TREE-PLANTING AND IMPROVEMENTS TO DRAINAGE SYSTEMS.
’’WHILE OUR EFFORTS IN 1993 HAVE INVOLVED A 27 PER CENT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE OVER THAT OF 1992, I ANTICIPATE THAT NEXT YEAR WILL SEE FURTHER SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR ONGOING RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. %
"THE IMPORTANT ROLE WHICH DISTRICT BOARDS PLAY IN IMPROVING THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH MINOR WORKS PROJECTS WILL CONTINUE," HE SAID.
MR SUEN WENT ON TO HIGHLIGHT ANOTHER ASPECT OF CNTA WORK THE CO-ORDINATION OF RELIEF OPERATIONS DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
HE SAID IN 1993, THE CNTA EMERGENCY CO-ORDINATION MACHINERY HAD PROVED ITS WORTH ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, CITING AS EXAMPLES THE FLOODING IN THE NORTH DISTRICT IN SEPTEMBER AND THE DISRUPTION OF WATER SUPPLY TO THE TUEN MUN AND ISLANDS DISTRICTS IN EARLY NOVEMBER.
MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT THE CNTA TEAMS, LED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICERS ON THE GROUND. HAD WORKED ROUND THE (’LOCK DURING THOSE TRYING TIMES AND THEY WERE HELPED IN NO SMALL WAY BY THE PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE WATER SUSPENSION CRISIS.
MEANWHILE, STAFF AT THE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES ALSO EXPERIENCED A HECTIC TIME IN 1993.
IN THE 11 MONTHS UP TO NOVEMBER, ALMOST THREE MILLION ENQUIRIES WERE HANDLED BY STAFF AT THE 20 CENTRES WITH CLOSE TO SEVEN MILLION FORMS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS DISTRIBUTED. IN ADDITION, A CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE HANDLED MORE THAN 150,000 ENQUIRIES DURING THE PERIOD.
MR SUEN NOTED THAT STAFF FULFILLED THEIR PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROMULGATED ON APRIL 1, 1993 AND THE FIRST PRESENTATION UNDER AN ANNUAL ’’BEST PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE AWARD” COMPETITION WOULD BE MADE IN MAY 1994.
---------0---------
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
- 5 -
HK - AN ATTRACTIVE MANUFACTURING BASE ******
THE CONTINUOUS GROWTH OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES DEMONSTRATES THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING BASE, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID.
MISS YUE WAS COMMENTING ON THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY).
SHE SAID THE TOTAL VALUE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT AT THE END OF 1992 WAS $37.3 BILLION, EIGHT PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE AMOUNT IDENTIFIED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IT WAS MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE FIGURE OF $11.4 BILLION IN 1984 WHEN THE FIRST SUCH SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED.
"THE INCREASE WAS LARGELY ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE RISE IN STOCK OF FIXED ASSETS WHICH, VALUED AT $24.2 BILLION, WAS 15 PER CENT MORE THAN IN 1991," MISS YUE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT JAPAN CONTINUED TO BE THE LEADING SOURCE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, ACCOUNTING FOR 33 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, WITH $12.4 BILLION.
THE UNITED STATES CAME SECOND, WITH INVESTMENT TOTALLING $10.1 BILLION, 27 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, FOLLOWED BY CHINA, ACCOUNTING FOR $4.1 BILLION (11 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL).
ALL THREE COUNTRIES HAD INCREASED THEIR INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG, WITH JAPAN GROWING BY 13 PER CENT, THE UNITED STATES FIVE PER CENT AND CHINA 10 PER CENT.
THE ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, AND FOOD AND BEVERAGES INDUSTRIES ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT LAST YEAR.
"AS THE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, WE ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN THE QUALITY OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT," MISS YUE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS MUST UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
"AND A MAJOR AIM OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION PROGRAMME IS TO ENCOURAGE OVERSEAS INVESTORS TO INTRODUCE TO HONG KONG, THROUGH THEIR INVESTMENTS, NEW OR IMPROVED PRODUCTS, TECHNOLOGIES, DESIGNS AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES," SHE ADDED.
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT 186 OF THE 472 FACTORIES (39 PER CENT) WITH AN OVERSEAS INTEREST WERF JOINT VENTURFS WITH LOCAL PARTNERS, A FORM OF CO-OPERATION WHICH PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
/IN 178 ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER jO, 1993
6
IN 178 FACTORIES (38 PER CENT), STAFF HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED FROM THE OVERSEAS PARENT COMPANIES TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE OR ASSISTANCE IN AREAS SUCH AS COMPANY MANAGEMENT, OPERATION, AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-TWO FACTORIES (59 PER CENT) REPORTED THAT THEY EITHER HAD LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE OVERSEAS PARENT COMPANY, OR HAD RECEIVED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN ACQUIRING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FROM THEM.
ON THE OVERALL MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG, MISS YUE SAID 54 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDING FACTORIES CONSIDERED IT TO BE FAVOURABLE.
FACTORS THAT MOST FACTORIES COMMENTED FAVOURABLY INCLUDED HONG KONG’S BANKING AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, THE AVAILABILITY OF MANAGERIAL SKILL, REGIONAL LOCATION, GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICY AND THE AVAILABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SKILL.
MISS YUE SAID OVER 50 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN HONG KONG IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS ALSO HAD PLANS TO EXPAND THEIR PRODUCTION IN ONE OR MORE ASPECTS.
------0-------
MORE OVERSEAS FIRMS SET UP REGIONAL OPERATIONS IN HK
*****
OVERSEAS COMPANIES HAVE SET UP 1,468 REGIONAL OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR, AN INCREASE OF NINE PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, A RECENT SURVEY BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT REVEALS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID THIS WAS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF SURVEYS BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO STUDY REGIONAL REPRESENTATION BY OVERSEAS COMPANIES IN THE TERRITORY.
THE 1993 SURVEY OF REGIONAL REPRESENTATION BY OVERSEAS COMPANIES IN HONG KONG IDENTIFIED 624 REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND 844 REGIONAL OFFICES AS AT JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.
IN THE LAST SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, 588 REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND 757 REGIONAL OFFICES OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES WERE IDENTIFIED IN HONG KONG.
MISS YUE SAID HONG KONG HAD LONG BEEN AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL
CENTRE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
"ITS CENTRAL LOCATION AND EXCELLENT EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION LINKS HAVE MADE HONG KONG ATTRACTIVE TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES NOT ONLY FOR BUSINESS, BUT ALSO AS A CONVENIENT BASE FROM WHICH TO SUPERVISE OTHER OFFICES IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
"THIS ROLE HAS ASSUMED INCREASING IMPORTANCE WITH RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION IN RECENT YEARS," SHE SAID.
/THE UNITED .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
7
THE UNITED STATES HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER OF REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG, WITH 182 COMPANIES, FOLLOWED BY JAPAN (88 COMPANIES) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (81 COMPANIES).
THE MAJOR BUSINESSES OF THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS INCLUDED WHOLESALE, RETAIL, AND IMPORT ANT EXPORT ACTIVITIES, FOLLOWED BY TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES, MANUFACTURING AND FINANCE AND BANKING.
AS REGARDS REGIONAL OFFICES, THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT JAPAN HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER, WITH A TOTAL OF 185. THE UNITED STATES (183 COMPANIES) WAS NEXT, FOLLOWED BY THF UNITED KINGDOM (102 COMPANIES), CHINA (42 COMPANIES) AND SWITZERLAND (38 COMPANIES).
TRADING WAS THE MOST COMMON ECONOMIC ACTIVITY PURSUED BY REGIONAL OFFICES IN HONG KONG, FOLLOWED BY FINANCE AND BANKING, AND MANUFACTURING.
WHEN ASKED TO GIVE VIEWS ON HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OR REGIONAL OFFICE, 94 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS CONSIDERED HONG KONG’S BANKING AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES AS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND THE MOST FAVOURABLE FACTOR.
HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE WAS CONSIDERED FAVOURABLE BY 91 PER CENT OF THE COMPANIES. OTHER FACTORS WITH A HIGH FAVOURABLE RATING INCLUDED HONG KONG’S REGIONAL LOCATION (83 PER CENT) AND GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC POLICY (82 PER CENT).
ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS CONSIDERED THAT, COMPARED WITH THE YEAR BEFORE, THE OVERALL FAVOURABILTTY OF HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OR REGIONAL OFFICE HAD IMPROVED OR HAD REMAINED SATISFACTORY.
--------0-----------
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES REMAIN HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE
HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN A CONSISTENTLY HIGH LEVEL OF PRODUCTIVITY, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE FINDINGS OF THE "HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1993" REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
MISS YUE SAID THE VALUE OF GROSS OUTPUT OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF NINE PER CENT, FROM $136.6 BILLION IN 1981 TO $324.2 BILLION IN 1991.
"VALUE ADDED ROSE DURING THE SAME PERIOD AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT. THE VALUE ADDED PER CAPITA IN 1991 WAS NEARLY FOUR TIMES THAT IN 1981," SHE SAID.
REGARDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE VALUE IN 1992, AT $234 BILLION, WAS MORE THAN TRIPLE THE VALUE OF $68 BILLION IN 1980.
/SHE SAID .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
8
SHE SAID THESE ACHIEVEMENTS WERE ENCOURAGING, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR HAD DROPPED FROM SOME 892,000 IN 1980 TO ABOUT 571,000 IN 1992, AND THE NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS DECREASED FROM SOME 45,400 IN 1980 TO 41,900 IN 1992.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS WERE CONSTANTLY MOVING UP-MARKET IN RESPONSE TO MARKET DEMANDS, EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL COMPETITION AND ADVANCES IN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY.
’’OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS SHIFT FROM THE RELATIVELY LABOUR-INTENSIVE AND SIMPLE PRODUCTS TO THE MORE TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE AND SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS WITH A HIGHER VALUE-ADDED CONTENT,” SHE SAID.
MISS YUE SAID THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINED THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT CONDUCTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER 1993.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO 2,600 SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS IN 14 SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. A TOTAL OF 1,195 VALID RETURNS WERE RECEIVED.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE FAVOURABILITY OF 12 GIVEN INVESTMENT FACTORS, MORE THAN HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS CONSIDERED SEVEN OF THESE FACTORS TO BE FAVOURABLE.
THEY WERE HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE (75 PER CENT), BANKING AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES (72.8 PER CENT), REGIONAL LOCATION (58.1 PER CENT), AVAILABILITY OF MANAGERIAL SKILLS (57.6 PER CENT), AVAILABILITY OF PROFESS IONAL/TECIINICAL SKILLS (56.7 PER CENT), GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICY (54 PER CENT) AND LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY (50.3 PER CENT).
------0-------
REMARKS BY FS ON AWARD *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS REQUESTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, MADE THE FOLLOWING REMARKS ON HIS- BEING AWARDED THE KBE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE REMARKS, LIKE THE AWARD OF THE KBE ITSELF, ARE EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST UNTIL 6 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) HONG KONG TIME:
”1 AM NATURALLY DELIGHTED AT THIS HONOUR, AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELP I’VE HAD OVER THE YEARS FROM FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. THIS WILL GIVE ADDED ZEST TO MY WORK IN THE CHALLENGING PERIOD WHICH LIES AHEAD.”
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/9 ........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
- 9
TETANUS VACCINATION PROGRAMME SET UP FOR DRUG ABUSERS
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED ALL DRUG ABUSERS TO COME FORWARD AND RECEIVE TETANUS VACCINE FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION.
THE CALL WAS MADE FOLLOWING THE SETTING UP OF A TETANUS VACCINATION PROGRAMME FOR DRUG ABUSERS IN VIEW OF THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TETANUS CASES AMONG THEM.
A TOTAL OF 25 PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM TETANUS WERE ADMITTED INTO HOSPITALS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1 AND DECEMBER 22, ALL WITH A HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE BY INJECTION.
TEN PATIENTS HAVE DIED, 14 OTHERS ARE STILL HOSPITALISED AND ONLY ONE HAS BEEN DISCHARGED.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (SPECIAL HEALTH SERVICES), DR P Y LAM, SAID: ’’VACCINATION IS AN EFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURE AGAINST THE RISK OF TETANUS FOR DRUG ABUSERS WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE DISEASE.”
THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, HAS WORKED OUT A PROGRAMME ON THE PREVENTION OF TETANUS AMONG DRUG ABUSERS.
THE PROGRAMME COVERS EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, IMMUNISATION AND DISEASE SURVEILLANCE.
’’EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AMONG DRUG ABUSERS OF THE RISK OF TETANUS INFECTION AND THE NEED TO RECEIVE VACCINATION.”
’’STARTING FROM JANUARY 1, VACCINATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT ALL METHADONE CLINICS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS,” DR LAM SAID.
DRUG ABUSERS JOINING THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME OF OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CAN ALSO OBTAIN VACCINATION AT THE METHADONE CLINICS.
DR LAM POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL TO AMEND THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE ORDINANCE EARLIER THIS MONTH, TETANUS WOULD SOON BECOME A NOTIFIABLE DISEASE.
THIS WOULD STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING REPORTING SYSTEM AND ENABLE EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF DISEASE CONTROL MEASURES, HE SAID.
A HOTLINE ON TETANUS IMMUNISATION SERVICE - 835 1831 OR 835 1834 - WILL BE IN OPERATION DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM JANUARY 3.
- - 0----------
/10........
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
- 10 -
REVISION OF PARKING FEES * * * * *
PARKING FEES FOR GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS ARE TO BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY I NEXT YEAR.
ANNOUNCING THE REVISED FEES TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW FEES VARIED ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT CAR PARKS.
THESE RANGED FROM $5 TO $13 PER HOUR BETWEEN 11 PM AND 7 AM AND FROM $8 TO $17 PER HOUR BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 PM. MONTHLY CHARGES RANGED FROM $900 TO $4,400.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REVISION REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 11.5 PER CENT SINCE THE LAST INCREASE IN AUGUST 1992.
AFFECTED BY THE FEE REVISIONS ARE THE 14 GOVERNMENT MULTISTOREY CAR PARKS.
THEY ARE: MURRAY ROAD CAR PARK, CITY HALL CAR PARK, STAR FERRY CAR PARK, ABERDEEN CAR PARK, MIDDLE ROAD CAR PARK, KWAI FONG CAR PARK, TSUEN WAN TRANSPORT COMPLEX CAR PARK, GARDEN ROAD CAR PARK, RUMSEY STREET CAR PARK, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK, SHEUNG FUNG STREET CAR PARK, SHAU KEI WAN CAR PARK, TIN HAU CAR PARK AND TSUEN WAN STATION CAR PARK.
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AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS NEXT MONDAY
*****
THE NINTH PLENARY MEETING OF THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS (ACC) WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 3).
THE MEETING WILL BE THE FIRST SINCE THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBERSHIP WAS RECONSTITUTED, WITH THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN AND 47 SERVING MEMBERS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF 12 NEW MEMBERS.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY RELEVANT OFFICIALS ON THE AIRPORT WHITE BILL. THIS BRIEFING COINCIDES WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE BILL IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON THE SAME DAY FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE MEETING ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MR CHAN HO-KEUNG ON TEL 829 6745 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
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/Il.......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE COUNTDOWN SHOW *****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTEND THE NEW YEAR’S EVE COUNTDOWN SHOW IN SHA TIN.
LEK YUEN BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO PEDESTRIANS FROM 8 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO 1 AM ON NEW YEAR DAY (SATURDAY). MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTENDING THE COUNTDOWN SHOW AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK ARE ADVISED TO USE SAN MARTIN BRIDGE OR ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.
TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED AND THE LAST TRAIN WILL DEPART FROM HUNG HOM AT 3 AM, AND FROM SHEUNG SHU] AT 2.30 AM ON NEW YEAR DAY RESPECTIVELY.
LAST BUS SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED, SOME BY 30 MINUTES AND OTHERS BY 90 MINUTES.
THESE INCLUDE 80M (FROM SUI WO COURT TO KOWLOON TONG MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION), 82M (FROM KWONG YUEN ESTATE TO
KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION), 86K (FROM SHA TIN KOWLOON-CANTON
RAILWAY STATION TO KAM YING COURT), 88M (FROM HIN KENG ESTATE TO KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION), AND 81K (FROM SUN TIN WAI ESTATE TOD SUI WO COURT).
THESE BUS ROUTES WILL GO THROUGH TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD OR THE TOWN CENTRE TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC POLICE AND ROAD SIGNS PUT UP NEARBY.
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WATCHDOG FOR SERVICE DELIVERY * * * * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL SET UP A GROUP NEXT APRIL TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN IMPROVING ITS EMERGENCY SERVICE DELIVERY.
PUBLIC LIAISON
MONITORING AND
I I ALSO SERVES AS A FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE DEPARTMENT.
MEMBERS OF I HE PUBLIC AGED 18 AND ABOVE ARE INVITFD TO APP1Y FOR MEMBERSHIP.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION SHEETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL FIRE STATIONS, AMBULANCE DEPOTS AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FROM JANUARY 3.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 28.
THIRTY MEMBERS, COMPRISING 10 RESIDENTS FROM EACH OF THE TERRITORY’S THREE REGIONS - HONG KONG ISLAND (INCLUDING OUTLYING ISLANDS), KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SELECTED.
/"IF THE .......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
12
”IF THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR EACH REGION EXCEEDS 10, A RANDOM DRAW WILL BE HELD,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE SELECTION RESULTS BEFORE THE END OF MARCH, HE ADDED.
SELECTED MEMBERS WILL SERVE FOR ONE YEAR AND THAT THE GROUP WILL HOLD AT LEAST TWO MEETINGS ANNUALLY.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE TELEPHONE 733 7772.
- - 0 - -
APPOINTMENTS TO METRICATION COMMITTEE * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ANNOUNCE IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) APPOINTMENTS TO THE METRICATION COMMITTEE.
MR K Y TONGSON HAS BEEN REAPPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
FOUR OF THE EXISTING NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE ALSO BEEN REAPPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DAY.
THEY ARE MR CHAN WING-KAI, MR MAN HON-KEE, MF? JOSEPH YAP AND MR SAMSON TAM.
FOUR NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SAME PERIOD AS THE OTHER MEMBERS.
THEY ARE MR KWAN KON-WAH, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LINK DYEING WORKS LTD; MR WAN HING-YUEN, ANTHONY, PRINCIPAL OF THE COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL; MR CHEUNG YIU-TAK, PETER, APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT BOARD (KWAI TSING) AND MR LI YING-SANG, TOMMY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PAK SHING TONG GINSENG CO LTD.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
”AS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ITS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AT THE RETAIL SECTOR IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND FROM SCHOOLS,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/13
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
NEW GREEN MINIBUS SERVES HONG KONG ISLAND *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 52 PLYING BETWEEN ABERDEEN (SHEK PAI WAN) AND MA HANG WILL COME INTO SERVICE ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 1).
ITS HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE FROM 5.30 AM TO MIDNIGHT. THE FARE WILL BE $6.50 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
- - 0 - -
LIAISON GROUP TO COMBAT ILLEGAL ENDANGERED SPECIES TRADE
*****
AN ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT OF CONTROLS ON TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE MOVE WAS IN RESPONSE TO RECENT CONCERNS THAT MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO ENFORCE THESE CONTROLS.
THE NEW LIAISON GROUP WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
» GATHERING INFORMATION ON ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES INVOLVING HONG KONG;
♦ PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATING ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES; AND
♦ CO-ORDINATING LIAISON WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES INCLUDING NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE GROUP IS CONVENED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES MATTERS IN HONG KONG, AND INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN ADDITION TO CO-ORDINATING ONGOING ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, THE GROUP WAS CURRENTLY REVIEWING PENALTIES FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES OFFENCES AND PREPARING A MAJOR PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THESE MATTERS WOULD BE MADE IN DUE
COURSE.
’’THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS FAMILIAR WITH LEGISLATION CONTROLLING TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THAT IT IS RIGOROUSLY ENFORCED. SUCH ENFORCEMENT IS AN INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION FOR HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION OF ALLOWING HONG KONG TO BECOME A CENTRE FOR ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES," HE ADDED.
/THE SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
14
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EXPRESSED THE GOVERNMENT’S THANKS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY AND THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE HONG KONG FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO HIGHLIGHT AREAS WHERE GREATER ENFORCEMENT EFFORT WAS NEEDED.
THE NEW LIAISON GROUP WILL ALSO PROMOTE CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED.
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POINT SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS *****
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INTRODUCING A POINT SYSTEM TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS.
THE PERFORMANCE MONITORING POINT SYSTEM WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 1).
IT IS AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE ELECTRICAL WORKS UNDERTAKEN BY ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE, IN PARTICULAR THE ELECTRICITY (WIRING) REGULATIONS.
"IT PROVIDES A MEANS FOR THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES (DEMS) TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE SYSTEM, IF A REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKER OR CONTRACTOR WAS FOUND TO BE NEGLIGENT IN HIS WORK OR HAD FAILED TO PERFORM HIS STATUTORY DUTIES SATISFACTORILY, DEMERIT POINTS WOULD BE ACCORDED TO HIM.
THE NUMBER OF DEMERIT POINTS ACCORDED DEPENDS ON THE SEVERITY OF THE CASE.
"BASED ON THE MONITORING RESULTS, DEMS WILL EITHER ISSUE A WARNING NOTICE TO THE CONCERNED REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR OR WORKER, OR ARRANGE A SITE INSPECTION WITH HIM.
"DEMS WILL ONLY TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST NEGLIGENT WORKERS OR CONTRACTORS, BASED ON THE EVIDENCE COLLECTED DURING THE ONSITE INSPECTION," HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A LEAFLET OUTLINING THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM.
COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, GROUND FLOOR, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE POINT SYSTEM CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 895 5644.
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/15.......
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
15
PUBLIC ASKED TO JOIN CLEAN AND GREEN ACTIVITIES
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ”1993/94 CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME” ORGANISED IN COUNTRY PARKS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED GUIDED WALKS AT COUNTRY PARKS, COUNTRYSIDE QUIZ, AND POSTER AND OUTING PROGRAMME DESIGN COMPETITIONS.
ONLY GROUPS WOULD BE ENTERTAINED ON GUIDED WALKS AT COUNTRY PARKS. A TOTAL OF 10 GUIDED WALKS IN COUNTRY PARKS WOULD BE ORGANISED. A QUIZ WILL BE CONDUCTED DURING THE WALK.
PARTICIPANTS WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO DO SIMPLE CONSERVATION WORK SUCH AS COLLECTING LITTER AND TENDING TREE, TO KEEP THE COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND GREEN.
THESE WALKS WILL BE HELD IN THE AFTERNOONS OF SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM NOW TO THE END OF FEBRUARY.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID A NUMBER OF COUNTRYSIDE QUIZZES WOULD BE HELD FOR GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS AT SELECTED COUNTRY PARK RECREATION SITES DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
THIS ACTIVITY, CALLED ’’PICK AND DIG”, AIMS TO COMBINE COMMUNITY SERVICES IN COUNTRY PARKS WITH A QUIZ ON THE PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURE.
THE 200 PARTICIPANTS WHO SCORE THE HIGHEST MARK IN THE QUIZ DURING THE WALK AND THE "PICK AND DIG" WOULD BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A "FUN DAY GALA" TO BE HELD AT A COUNTRY PARK LATER NEXT YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT DETAILS OF THE POSTER AND OUTING PROGRAMME DESIGN COMPETITIONS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED NEXT MONTH.
HE ALSO SAID THE "CLEAN AND dfcEEN SCHEME", NOW IN ITS 11TH YEAR, WAS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND GREEN.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ”1993/94 CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME", WHICH WAS LAUNCHED RECENTLY, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION SECTION OF AFD'S COUNTRY PARKS AND CONSERVATION BRANCH ON TEL 733 2121.
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/16
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
- 16 -
225 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME
* * * * ♦
A GROUP OF 225 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 75 MEN, 56 WOMEN, 46 BOYS AND 48 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 191ST BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 12,301 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 38,613 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,970
REVERSAL OF LAF +30
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +705
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,705
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 114.2 *+0.2* 30 .12.93
EF TERMS '' ‘ ~ • ’ ■ * >* »■ HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.72 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.27 3.62
1 MONTH 3.28 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.99 3.79
3 MONTH 3.15 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.07 3.98
6 MONTHS 3.23 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.07 4.15
12 MONTHS 3.55 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.07 4.60
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,715 MN
CLOSED 30 DECEMBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
EMBARGOED NEWS ITEMS:
ATTENTION EDITORS OF
NEWSPAPERS, NEWS AGENCIES AND BROADCASTING
STATIONS:
THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE QUEEN'S NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST WILL BE MADE IN LONDON AT 0001 HOUR GMT ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31.
PUBLICATION IS PERMITTED IN HONG KONG NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW (FRIDAY, DECEMBER
31), BUT NO NEWS AGENCY OR OVERSEAS RADIO TRANSMISSION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT MAY CARRY THE INFORMATION WITHOUT THE
■ h': : ' - ' 7. ; :
EMBARGO QUALIFICATION.
THE NEWS MAY BE BROADCAST FROM 6 AM ONWARDS TOMORROW (FRIDAY. DECEMBER 31) OVER THE LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION
STATIONS
1
KBE
(KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF TH^ BRITISH EMPIRE) (1)
THE HONOURABLE NATHANIEL WILLIAM HAMISH MACLEOD, CBE, JP
CBE
(COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
(3)
MR ALISTAIR PETER ASPREY, OBE, AE, JP
DR GEORGE CHOA WING-SIEN, OBE, JP
MR SIMON MURRAY
OBE
(OFFICER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE) (9)
MR FRANCIS WILLIAM BLACKWELL
MR CHAN WING-KEE
THE HONOURABLE VINCENT CHENG HOI-CHUEN, JP
THE HONOURABLE MARVIN CHEUNG KIN-TUNG, JP
MR FUNG TUNG, JP
MR JERRY LAM CHEK-YUEN, QFSM, CPM, JP
MRS ALICE LAM LEE KIU-YUE, JP
MR NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG, MBE, JP
MR PHILIP WONG KIN-HANG, MBE, JP
/2 ........
MBE
(MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE) (26) (CIVIL DIVISION)
MR CHAN CHAK-CHOW MR LUCAS WALTER CHAN KWOK-HEI MS VERONICA CHAN YIU-KAM MR CHOI HON-MING MR CHOW KWEN-LIM, JP MR ALBERT HO CHUN-KEUNG MR HO YUNG-SANG, JP MR PETER ERIC JOHNSON, JP MR FRANCIS STEWART KAVANAGH, CPM, JP MR LAM YAU-SUM MR LAU HO-TO DR LAW YIN-HANG MS LEUNG WAI-TUNG, JP DR ALBERT LI SZE-BAY, JP MR LOO KWONG-YUN MR PETER FRANK MOSS MR NG JIM-HONG MR THOMAS HENRY NORCROSS DR PANG HAU-CHUNG, JP MR MICHAEL SHUM SHIU-WAI MRS SYLVIA VIOLET SONTAG DR JEFFREY TSANG YICK-SANG MR PHILIP JAMES WEAVER MRS WINIFRED LILIAN WHEELER MR BASIL WONG CHI-WING MR SAN YEUNG KIN-HUEN
(HONORARY)
(4)
MR CHAN YEUNG-KWONG
MR LAU CHIN-TONG
MR MOK YUE-TONG
MR YUEN KING-TONG
(MILITARY DIVISION)
(4)
SERGEANT CHAN KWOK-CHUNG
CORPORAL CHUNG MAN-HUNG
CAPTAIN LEUNG CHUN-CHUNG
FLIGHT SERGEANT WONG KIN-HUNG
3
QPM
(QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE)
(4)
MR JAMES SOUTER MAIN, CPM
MR ANTHONY JOSEPH MULLINS, CPM
MR PETER GRAHAM OAKEY, CPM
MR TSANG YAM-PUI, CPM
CPM
(COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE) (ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE)
(20)
MR PAUL ANDREW BARKLEY MR HAROLD MURDOCH BLUD MR PETER CHARLES BURBIDGE-KING MR CHAN KWAN-SUEN MRS ANNIE DEPTFORD CHU YING-NEE MR MICHAEL PETER DUNN MR JAMES ARTHUR ELMS MR BRIAN FRANCIS MR GLYN EDWARD JONES MR PATRICK LAI PAK-HAY MR LAU KAI-MO MR LAU KIN-SHING MR LO CHU-HUNG MR ALEXANDER LO WAH-CHUN MR LO WING-HING MR LOK TAK-CHI MR PETER NG CHUN-PONG MR NG MAN-KIM MR ALBERT POON CHO-KEE MR WONG CHAU-HO
(FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT)
(5)
MR CHAN KUI-LUEN MR KWOK HON-CHUNG MR MAK KWAI-PUI MR SUNG SAU-MAN MR PETER WONG KAI-CHI
BADGE OF HONOUR:
(18)
MR CHAN KWOK-LEUNG
MR DOMINIC CHAN WING-KAM
MR JIMSON CHAN WING-TAI
MR CHANG BUTE
MR WILLIAM CHAU CHUN-WING
MR CHENG SHU-MING
MR WILSON CHEUNG CHUN-BONG
MS CHEUNG YEE-HING
MADAM HO WAN-WAH
MR KO CHUN-WA
MR BILLY LAM CHEK-YAU
MR LEE CHEUK-FAN
MR LEUNG WO-PING
MR ALFRED NG HUNG
MR TAI HAY-LAP
MR TING YIN-WAH
MR TONY WAN TUNG-LAM
MR WONG KWONG-CHI
5
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON RECIPIENTS * * * * *
KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
(KBE)
THE HONOURABLE NATHANIEL WILLIAM HAMISH MACLEOD, CBE, JP
MR HAMISH MACLEOD JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN 1966. HE HAS HELD A NUMBER OF SENIOR APPOINTMENTS IN GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. HE WAS APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY IN 1989 AND BECAME FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN AUGUST 1991.
HE WILL BE ADDRESSED AS SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, KBE.
COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
(CBE)
MR ALISTAIR PETER ASPREY, OBE, AE, JP
MR ASPREY HAS BEEN SECRETARY FOR SECURITY SINCE 1990. HIS PREVIOUS SENIOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE APPOINTMENTS INCLUDE PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR, SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS AND DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. HE JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1965.
DR GEORGE CHOA WING-SIEN, OBE, JP
DR CHOA HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE ST JOHN COUNCIL FOR HONG KONG SINCE 1988. OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AND BRIGADE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE TEACHING OF CARDIO PULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) AND FUND-RAISING FOR THE ASSOCIATION'S NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
MR SIMON MURRAY
MR MURRAY WAS UNTIL RECENTLY THE GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HUTCHISON WHAMPOA LTD. HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CHAIRMAN OF "HONOUR HONG KONG", A GROUP OF LOCAL PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS FORMED TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY.
•• * ; . J’
/6 ........
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OFFICER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
(OBE)
MR FRANCIS WILLIAM BLACKWELL
MR BLACKWELL WAS APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD IN 1989. HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING UP THE PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING APPEALS BY VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS AGAINST DECISIONS ON THEIR REFUGEE STATUS.
MR CHAN WING-KEE
MR CHAN IS A GARMENT MANUFACTURER AND HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD SINCE 1988. HE HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN OTHER AREAS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND IS A MEMBER OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT AND TRADE COMMITTEES AND BODIES.
THE HONOURABLE VINCENT CHENG HOI-CHUEN, JP
MR CHENG IS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE OF THE HONGKONG BANK AND HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE 1991. HE HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL, PARTICULARLY IN THE ECONOMIC FIELD AND IN REHABILITATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE HONOURABLE MARVIN CHEUNG KIN-TUNG, JP
MR CHEUNG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE 1991 AND HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN OTHER PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. HE IS A MEMBER OF A NUMBER OF COMMITTEES AND IS THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY. HE IS A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT BY PROFESSION.
MR FUNG TUNG, JP
MR FUNG JOINED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN 1960 AND WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF HOUSING IN 1990. FOR THE PREVIOUS EIGHT YEARS HE WAS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTATE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS, A PERIOD DURING WHICH THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK MORE THAN DOUBLED.
MR JERRY LAM CHEK-YUEN, OFSM, CPM, JP
MR LAM WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES IN 1992 AND HAS SERVED IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 35 YEARS. HE HAS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF FIRE FIGHTING AND PREVENTION AND HAS ATTENDED MANY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES.
7
MRS ALICE LAM LEE KIU-YUE, JP
MRS LAM IS THE GENERAL MANAGER AND A DIRECTOR OF THE HANG SENG BANK LTD. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE INCLUDING TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG KIDNEY FOUNDATION.
MR NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG , MBE, JP
MR LEUNG IS A SOLICITOR AND COMPANY DIRECTOR AND HAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. HE IS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND, AMONG MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES, HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TENANCY APPEALS COMMITTEE AND COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE.
MR PHILIP WONG KIN-HANG, MBE, JP
MR WONG IS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN WELFARE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. A SOLICITOR, HE IS A MEMBER AND FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, AND A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS. HE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN EDUCATION AND THE ARTS.
MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
(MBE)
MR CHAN CHAK-CHOW
MR CHAN ENTERED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1960 AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN 1964, WHERE HE HAS WORKED SINCE. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF CLERICAL OFFICER I IN 1973.
MR LUCAS WALTER CHAN KWOK-HEI
MR CHAN JOINED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN 1960 AND IS NOW AN ACTING SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. FOR OVER 20 YEARS HE SPECIALISED IN PIONEERING WORK IN THE PROVISION OF EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.
MS VERONICA CHAN YIU-KAM
MS CHAN IS THE PRESIDENT AND A FOUNDER MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG LADIES FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. SHE HAS BEEN CONNECTED WITH THE SPORT FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND SERVES ON NINE OUT OF THE 12 HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION SUB-COMMITTEES.
/8 ...........
8
MR CHOI HON-MING
MR CHOI JOINED THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1962 AND SERVED IN A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS BEFORE TAKING UP THE POST OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN THE THEN KOWLOON POLICE REGION IN 1985. HE WAS CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES IN THE REGION IN 1991.
MR CHOW KWEN-LIM, JP
MR CHOW HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1982. HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT COMMUNITY CHEST ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND IS INVOLVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER COMMUNITY AND WELFARE ACTIVITIES.
MR ALBERT HO CHUN-KEUNG
MR HO JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1959 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER - THE TOP RANK IN HIS GRADE - IN 1990. MR HO BECAME DEPARTMENTAL SECRETARY OF THE THEN MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN 1984 AND PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRESENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
MR HO YUNG-SANG, JP
MR HO HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1988. HE HAS A LONG RECORD OF COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE DISTRICT. HAVING BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK SINCE 1979 AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE FROM 1985 TO 1991.
MR PETER ERIC JOHNSON, JP
MR JOHNSON HAS BEEN DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR NEARLY SIX YEARS. PREVIOUSLY HE SERVED IN TRANSPORT BRANCH, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MR FRANCIS STEWART KAVANAGH, CPM, JP
MR KAVANAGH JOINED THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1960. HE LEFT THE FORCE IN 1989 WITH THE RANK OF CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT AND TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF STAFF OFFICER TO THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.
MR LAM YAU-SUM
MR LAM JOINED THE POLICE FORCE IN 1963, AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN 1965. HE WAS APPOINTED TO HIS PRESENT POST OF TRAINING OFFICER IN 1977 WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SETTING UP THE SCHOOL TO TRAIN CREWS TO MAN THE GOVERNMENT FLEET.
9
MR LAU HO-TO
MR LAU IS EMPLOYED IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AS A LIAISON ASSISTANT IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT. HE HAS HELPED FOR OVER 17 YEARS WITH THE ORGANISATION OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND THE RESOLUTION OF DISTRICT PROBLEMS.
DR LAW YIN-HANG
DR LAW WAS A GOVERNMENT DENTAL OFFICER FOR NEARLY 35 YEARS AND PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DENTAL SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY AND IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL. HE RETIRED IN OCTOBER 1993 AND NOW LIVES IN CANADA.
MS LEUNG WAI-TUNG, JP
MS LEUNG IS A LECTURER IN GEOGRAPHY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. SHE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SINCE 1985 AND WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CLEARANCE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
DR ALBERT LI SZE-BAY. JP
DR LI IS A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND BELONGS TO A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEES AND SIMILAR BODIES. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND TAKES PART IN A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
MR LOO KWONG-YUN
MR LOO IS A BLIND PERSON AND HAS WORKED IN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AS A TELEPHONE OPERATOR FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS. HE IS SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED AT DEALING WITH TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
MR PETER FRANK MOSS
MR MOSS JOINED THE GOVERNMENT'S INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1965 AND SPENT MOST OF HIS CAREER DEALING WITH PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION WORK. HE RETIRED FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN MAY 1993 AND NOW WORKS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR NG JIM-HONG
MR NG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS SERVICE SINCE 1958 AND MOST OF HIS CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT ON CUSTOMS CONTROL DUTIES AT CHECK POINTS. HE WILL RETIRE FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN JANUARY 1994.
/10 ...........
10
MR THOMAS HENRY NORCROSS
MR NORCROSS CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1979 TO TAKE UP THE POST OF HEAD FENCING COACH AT THE THEN JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE. IN 1988 HE SWITCHED TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE IN SPORT. HOWEVER HE CONTINUES TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN COACHING ATHLETES, AND PARTICULARLY THE DISABLED (HE IS A DOUBLE AMPUTEE).
DR PANG HAU-CHUNG, JP
DR PANG JOINED THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1962 AND WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IN 1989. HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR TRANSPORT EMERGENCIES.
MR MICHAEL SHUM SHIU-WAI
THE CHIEF AUDITOR OF A MAJOR BANK, MR SHUM HAS ALSO BEEN ' A VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES FOR OVER 37 YEARS. AN EXPERIENCED OFFICER WITH SEVERAL CIVIL DEFENCE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, HE IS NOW THE KOWLOON REGIONAL COMMANDER.
MRS SYLVIA VIOLET SONTAG
MRS SONTAG HAS BEEN THE SENIOR PERSONAL SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSIONER AT THE HONG KONG LONDON OFFICE FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS. DURING THIS PERIOD SHE HAS WORKED FOR SEVEN COMMISSIONERS.
DR JEFFREY TSANG YICK-SANG
DR TSANG IS A PRIVATE DENTAL PRACTITIONER SPECIALISING IN ORTHODONTICS. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE DENTAL COUNCIL SINCE 1981 AND ITS CHAIRMAN SINCE 1987, AND HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ACTIVITIES.
MR PHILIP JAMES WEAVER
MR WEAVER JOINED THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN 1974. HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED PRINCIPALLY ON SEARCH AND RESCUE DUTIES, HE IS NOW AN ACKNOWLEDGED EXPERT IN THIS FIELD AND HE HAS PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN MANY OPERATIONS.
MRS WINIFRED LILIAN WHEELER
MRS WHEELER JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1960 AND THEN THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN 1974. SHE WAS PERSONAL SECRETARY TO THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FROM 1976 TO 1985, WHEN SHE WAS APPOINTED TO AN INVESTIGATION POST. SHE RETIRED IN APRIL 1993.
/Il ........
11
MR BASIL WONG CHI-WING
MR WONG HAS COMPLETED 27 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE TREASURY. A PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSON HIMSELF, HE HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY WORKER ON BEHALF OF THE DISABLED. HE IS NOW ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE AND LIVING IN CANADA.
MR SAN YEUNG KIN-HUEN
MR YEUNG JOINED THE DISPENSER GRADE OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1963. HE WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF DISPENSER IN 1987 AND HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR PIONEERING WORK ON THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE DISPENSING SERVICE.
MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
MBE(HONORARY)
MR CHAN YEUNG-KWONG
MR CHAN HAS BEEN A VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES FOR OVER 37 YEARS. HE HAS BEEN PRINCIPALLY CONNECTED WITH DESPATCH SERVICES, MOTORCYCLING DUTIES (HE HELPED TRAIN, AND WAS FOR MANY YEARS A MEMBER OF THE CAS MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY TEAM), TRAINING AND THE MANAGEMENT OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
MR LAU CHIN-TONG
MR LAU HAS OVER 35 YEARS’ SERVICE AS A VOLUNTEER WITH THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES. HE HAS LED SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORMATIONS OF THE SERVICE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IS CURRENTLY A DISTRICT COMMANDER.
MR MOK YUE-TONG
MR MOK HAS BEEN A BUTCHER WITH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SINCE 1969. HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF MASTER BUTCHER - THE HIGHEST IN THE GRADE - IN 1988 AND IS IN CHARGE OF THE CATTLE SECTION OF THE CHEUNG SHA WAN ABATTOIR.
MR YUEN KING-TONG
MR YUEN RETIRED FROM THE CUSTOMS SERVICE IN JULY 1993 AFTER 35 YEARS. HE CONTRIBUTED TO A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF NARCOTICS SEIZURES AND FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS HE WORKED AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL.
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12
MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MILITARY DIVISION)
(MBE)
(FORMER) SERGEANT CHAN KWOK-CHUNG, ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE
SERGEANT CHAN JOINED THE FORMER ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AS A FLIGHT MECHANIC IN 1970 AND WAS PROMOTED SERGEANT IN 1980. HE PLAYED A CENTRAL PART IN THE EXPANSION OF THE FORCE WHICH RESULTED IN A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN AIRCRAFT SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE.
CORPORAL CHUNG MAN-HUNG, ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS)
CORPORAL CHUNG HAS SERVED WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT SINCE 1973 AND BECAME A MEMBER OF THE PERMANENT STAFF IN 1978. HE WAS APPOINTED THE COMMANDING OFFICER’S DRIVER IN THE SAME YEAR AND HAS NOW BEEN THE PERSONAL DRIVER FOR SEVEN COMMANDING OFFICERS.
CAPTAIN LEUNG CHUN-CHUNG, ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS)
CAPTAIN LEUNG JOINED THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT IN 1962 AS A VOLUNTEER AND IN 1987 HE WAS APPOINTED SENIOR WARRANT OFFICER, THE HIGHEST POSITION A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER CAN HOLD IN THE REGIMENT. HE WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1993 AND HAS SINCE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS.
(FORMER) FLIGHT SERGEANT WONG KIN-HUNG, ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE
FLIGHT SERGEANT WONG JOINED THE FORMER ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF) IN 1971 AND WAS PROMOTED FLIGHT SERGEANT IN 1989. FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS OF THE RHKAAF’S EXISTENCE HE WAS THE SENIOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN CHARGE OF CONTROLLING AND MONITORING THE TECHNICAL RECORDS FOR ALL AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT.
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QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
(QPM)
MR JAMES SOUTER MAIN, CPM
MR MAIN JOINED THE FORCE IN 1965 AND WAS PROMOTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN 1992. HE HAS SERVED IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH, CRIME INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT AND SPECIAL BRANCH. RECENT POSTINGS HAVE INCLUDED CRIME WING HEADQUARTERS AND COMMAND OF THE POLICE STUDY TEAM ON THE MANNING AND COMMAND STRUCTURE OF THE FORCE.
MR ANTHONY JOSEPH MULLINS, CPM
MR MULLINS HAS BEEN IN THE FORCE SINCE 1965 AND HE WAS PROMOTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN 1991. HE HAS HELD A VARIETY OF POSTS, INCLUDING COMMANDANT OF THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, COMMANDER WAN CHAI DISTRICT AND DEPUTY REGIONAL COMMANDER KOWLOON.
MR PETER GRAHAM OAKEY, CPM
MR OAKEY HAS BEEN IN THE FORCE SINCE 1961 AND WAS PROMOTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN 1992. HIS FIRST THREE YEARS WERE IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND IN 1965 HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO SPECIAL BRANCH WHERE HE HAS REMAINED. HE HAS PLAYED RUGBY AND SQUASH FOR THE FORCE.
MR TSANG YAM-PUI, CPM
MR TSANG JOINED THE FORCE IN 1966 AND WAS PROMOTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN 1992. HE HAS SERVED IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH, THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, ON TRAINING DUTIES AND AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CRIME.
/14 .........
14
COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE
(CPM)
(ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE)
MR PAUL ANDREW BARKLEY
MR BARKLEY JOINED THE FORCE IN 1968 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1986. HIS ENTIRE CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND HIS POSTINGS HAVE INCLUDED ADC TO THE GOVERNOR, DEPUTY COMMANDANT OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT AND DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER YUEN LONG. A KEEN SPORTSMAN, HE HAS REPRESENTED THE FORCE AT RUGBY, TENNIS, CRICKET AND SQUASH.
MR HAROLD MURDOCH BLUD
MR BLUD JOINED THE FORCE IN 1967 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1987. MOST OF HIS CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND POSTINGS HAVE INCLUDED COMMAND OF YUEN LONG DIVISION, DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER YAU TSIM AND SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, SUPPORT BUREAU.
MR PETER CHARLES BURBIDGE-KING
MR BURBIDGE-KING JOINED THE FORCE IN 1974 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1988. HIS SERVICE HAS BEEN IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT AND HIS APPOINTMENTS HAVE INCLUDED THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BRANCH AND DEPUTY COMMANDANT OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT. HE IS A FORMER FORCE RUGBY PLAYER AND NOW COACHES THE GAME.
MR CHAN KWAN-SUEN
MR CHAN JOINED THE FORCE IN 1959 AND WAS PROMOTED STATION SERGEANT IN 1978. HIS ENTIRE CAREER HAS BEEN IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND HE HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT TEAM SINCE 1979. HE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN DISTRICT WELFARE ACTIVITIES.
MRS ANNIE DEPTFORD CHU YING-NEE
MRS DEPTFORD JOINED THE FORCE IN 1960 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1982. SHE HAS SERVED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH, INCLUDING SPECIALISED FORMATIONS SUCH AS MARINE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL AND THE STAFF RELATIONS UNIT. SHE IS A FORMER FORCE SWIMMING CHAMPION.
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MR MICHAEL PETER DUNN
MR DUNN JOINED THE FORCE IN 1968 AND WAS PROMOTED SUPERINTENDENT IN 1982. HE HAS SERVED PRINCIPALLY IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING STAFF TOURS IN THE PERSONNEL BRANCH AND THE OPERATIONS WING, POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
MR JAMES ARTHUR ELMS
MR ELMS JOINED THE FORCE IN 1964 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1987. HE HAS SPENT VIRTUALLY ALL HIS SERVICE IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH, PRINCIPALLY IN DIVISION STATIONS AND TRAFFIC, AND MORE RECENTLY AS SENIOR STAFF OFFICER OPERATIONS KOWLOON EAST, AUXILIARY POLICE. HE IS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE FORCE’S CHOIR AND A MEMBER OF THE KIDNEY ACTION GROUP.
MR BRIAN FRANCIS
MR FRANCIS HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE FORCE SINCE 1968 AND WAS PROMOTED SUPERINTENDENT IN 1983. HE SERVED IN THE KOWLOON CITY DIVISION, TRAFFIC DIVISION AND THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO SPECIAL BRANCH IN 1972. HE HAS BEEN IN SPECIAL BRANCH EVER SINCE.
MR GLYN EDWARD JONES
MR JONES ENTERED THE FORCE IN 1963 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1983. HE SERVED IN A NUMBER OF POSTS IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH; HE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE DIVISION CO-ORDINATING THE NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS PROJECT AND SUBSEQUENTLY HE WAS MADE THE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING ALL NEW POLICE BUILDINGS.
MR PATRICK LAI PAK-HAY
MR LAI HAS BEEN IN THE FORCE SINCE 1966 AND WAS PROMOTED SUPERINTENDENT IN 1982. HE HAS COMPLETED TOURS IN UNIFORM BRANCH AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE MONG KOK DISTRICT, TRAFFIC, AND COMMANDER OF THE WESTERN AND WAN CHAI DIVISIONS. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN FORCE WELFARE AND IN THE SPORT OF BASKETBALL.
MR LAU KAI-MO
MR LAU JOINED THE FORCE IN 1961 AND WAS PROMOTED STATION SERGEANT IN 1972. HE HAS SERVED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH, AND SINCE 1982 HE HAS BEEN WITH THE TRAFFIC TEAM AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN DISTRICT WELFARE ACTIVITIES AND IN THE FORCE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY CLUB.
/16 ..........
16
MR LAU KIN-SHING
MR LAU JOINED THE FORCE IN 1963 AND WAS PROMOTED STATION SERGEANT IN 1983. HE HAS HELD A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT POSTS IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT IN MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICTS. HE IS A FORMER FORCE SOCCER PLAYER AND NOW COACHES.
MR LO CHU-HUNG
MR LO HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE FORCE SINCE 1962 AND WAS PROMOTED SUPERINTENDENT IN 1982. HE SERVED IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH UNTIL 1971, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT FROM 1971 TO 1988 AND SUBSEQUENTLY IN THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION UNIT, NEW TERRITORIES.
MR ALEXANDER LO WAH-CHUN
MR LO JOINED THE FORCE IN 1963 AND WAS PROMOTED SUPERINTENDENT (FORCE TRAINING OFFICER) IN 1988. HE HAS WORKED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT BRANCHES, AND AS AN INSTRUCTOR BEFORE JOINING THE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL. OFF DUTY, HE IS ACTIVE IN THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE.
MR LO WING-HING
MR LO ENTERED THE FORCE IN 1959 AND WAS PROMOTED INSPECTOR IN 1980. RECENT DUTIES HAVE BEEN COMMAND OF THE RENNIE’S MILL SUBDIVISION, INSTRUCTING AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, PERSONNEL BRANCH AND THE KOWLOON WEST EMERGENCY UNIT. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE LOCAL INSPECTORS* ASSOCIATION.
MR LOK TAK-CHI
MR LOK JOINED THE FORCE IN 1962 AND WAS PROMOTED STATION SERGEANT IN 1980. HE HAS SERVED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE MARINE POLICE AND SINCE 1972 HE HAS INSTRUCTED AT THE MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, SPECIALISING IN VISUAL AIDS. HE HAS ALSO BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED WITH THE JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION.
MR PETER NG CHUN-PONG
MR NG ENTERED THE FORCE IN 1962 AND WAS PROMOTED SUPERINTENDENT IN 1988. HE HAS SERVED IN THE UNIFORM, TRAFFIC AND CRIME BRANCHES, INCLUDING THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SECTION, NEW TERRITORIES, CRIME INVESTIGATION UNITS IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT FOR KOWLOON AND THE STAFF RELATIONS BRANCH.
/17 ...........
17
MR NG MAN-KIM
MR NG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE FORCE SINCE 1968 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1987. HE HAS HELD A NUMBER OF POSTS IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND THE CRIME STREAM INCLUDING A SECONDMENT TO INTERPOL IN PARIS, DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER SHAM SHUI PO AND COMMANDANT OF THE DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOL.
MR ALBERT POON CHO-KEE
MR POON IS A COMPANY DIRECTOR. HE JOINED THE FORCE AS AN AUXILIARY IN 1972 AND WAS PROMOTED CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT (AUXILIARY) IN 1987. HE HAS HELD A NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL AND STAFF POSTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND KOWLOON, INCLUDING CHIEF STAFF OFFICER KOWLOON WEST (AUXILIARY).
MR WONG CHAU-HO
MR WONG JOINED THE FORCE IN 1962 AND WAS PROMOTED STATION SERGEANT IN 1979. HE HAS SERVED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND HIS POSTINGS HAVE INCLUDED COMMAND OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT TRAFFIC TEAM. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT WELFARE COMMITTEE.
(FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT)
MR CHAN KUI-LUEN
MR CHAN JOINED THE FIRE SERVICE IN 1962 AND WAS PROMOTED PRINCIPAL FIREMAN IN 1978. HE HAS SERVED IN THE KOWLOON OPERATIONAL COMMAND AND AS AN ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL.
MR KWOK HON-CHUNG
MR KWOK ENTERED THE FIRE SERVICE IN 1962 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER IN 1989. HE HAS COMPLETED TOURS OF DUTY IN THE OPERATIONAL, HEADQUARTERS AND FIRE PROTECTION COMMANDS AND HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF MANY HAZARDOUS INCIDENTS.
MR MAK KWAI-PUI
MR MAK JOINED THE FIRE SERVICE AS AN AMBULANCE OFFICER IN 1975 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR ASSISTANT CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER IN 1991. HE HAS WORKED IN A VARIETY OF UNITS, INCLUDING THE AMBULANCE TRAINING SCHOOL. HE WAS THE ORIGINATOR OF THE AMBULANCE AID MOTORCYCLE SCHEME.
/18 .........
18
MR SUNG SAU-MAN
MR SUNG ENTERED THE FIRE SERVICE IN 1963 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER IN 1992. HE IS A SPECIALIST IN MARINE OPERATIONS AND ALMOST HIS ENTIRE CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE MARINE DIVISION WHERE HE HAS ATTENDED MANY MAJOR INCIDENTS.
MR PETER WONG KAI-CHI
MR WONG ENTERED THE FIRE SERVICE IN 1966 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR STATION OFFICER IN 1980. HE HAS SERVED IN THE FIRE SERVICES WORKSHOP AND THE FIRE PROTECTION COMMAND, SPECIALISING IN THE INSTALLATION AND DESIGN OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS. HE WILL RETIRE IN FEBRUARY 1994.
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN KWOK-LEUNG
MR CHAN HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY WORK IN TSUEN WAN. HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN YOUTH AFFAIRS, SPORT, THE ARTS AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
MR DOMINIC CHAN WING-KAM
MR CHAN HAS WORKED IN MANY COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT : HE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ARTS, SPORTS, YOUTH WORK, CARE OF THE ELDERLY AND IS A MEMBER OF SEVERAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
MR JIMSON CHAN WING-TAI
MR CHAN IS THE CONVENOR OF THE RESOURCE CENTRE SUB-COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE ICAC’S CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY RELATIONS.
MR CHANG BUTE
FOR 30 YEARS MR CHANG HAS PROVIDED A VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE RETIRED IRON MINE WORKERS LIVING IN MA ON SHAN VILLAGE. THIS SERVICE HAS INCLUDED ESTABLISHING A RECREATION CLUB AND A HOME FOR THE AGED.
MR WILLIAM CHAU CHUN-WING
MR CHAU HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS. HE HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMITTEE SINCE 1991 AND HAS TAKEN A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES.
/19 ...........
19
MR CHENG SHU-MING
MR CHENG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1991 AND A MEMBER SINCE 1987 OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, OF WHICH HE IS NOW CHAIRMAN. HE IS ALSO INVOLVED IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
MR WILSON CHEUNG CHUN-BONG
MR CHEUNG IS GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES, HAVING JOINED THE SOCIETY IN 1963. HE IS ALSO INVOLVED IN MANY OTHER TERRITORY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
MS CHEUNG YEE-HING
MS CHEUNG IS THE HEADMISTRESS OF THE CHO YIU CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN EDUCATION AFFAIRS FOR 30 YEARS. SHE IS ALSO ACTIVE IN A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL WORK.
MADAM HO WAN-WAH
MADAM HO WORKED AS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AND HEADMISTRESS FROM 1961 TO 1977 AND SINCE THEN AS THE SUPERVISOR OF A NURSERY. SHE KAS DEVOTED HER ENTIRE WORKING LIFE TO PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE.
MR KO CHUN-WA
MR KO IS A PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER WHO HAS SHOWN PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE. HE HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT, WHERE HIS WORK CENTRE IS LOCATED.
MR BILLY LAM CHEK-YAU
MR LAM HAS A LONG RECORD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS. HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SPORT, THE ARTS AND THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
MR LEE CHEUK-FAN
MR LEE IS A PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADMASTER. HE HAS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE WORK OF VOLUNTARY AND KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS IN THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, SHAM SHUI PO AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICTS.
MR LEUNG WO-PING
A MEMBER OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1985, MR LEUNG HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY ACTIVE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. HE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER COMMUNITY WORK.
/20 ..........
20
MR ALFRED NG HUNG
MR NG HAS A LONG RECORD OF CHARITY WORK AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. HE HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL AT ORGANISING FUND-RAISING EVENTS AND IN SPONSORING DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.
MR TAI HAY-LAP
MR TAI IS A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN TUEN MUN AND AN ENTHUSIASTIC EDUCATIONALIST. HE HAS ALSO BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN CIVIC EDUCATION AND EARLIER IN 1993 HE WAS APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE TERRITORY WIDE COMMITTEE ON CIVIC EDUCATION.
MR TING YIN-WAH
MR TING IS DISTRICT BOARD. BOARD COMMITTEES 1993-94 TERM.
A MEMBER OF BOTH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND KWAI TSING
HE HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OR A MEMBER OF MANY DISTRICT AND IS CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI TSING COMMITTEE FOR THE
MR TONY WAN TUNG-LAM
MR WAN HAS BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN PROMOTING SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT. HE HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY ACTIVE IN THE FIELDS OF SPORTS PROMOTION, FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGNS, CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES.
MR WONG KWONG-CHI
MR WONG IS A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND A SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER. HE HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE DISTRICT PUBLIC EDUCATION TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH.
/21 ............
21
SERVICE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30. 1993
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE FOLLOWING IS ISSUED BY JOINT SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS
STAFF:
PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST BEFORE 6 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31).
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON TO RECEIVE NEW YEAR HONOURS
* * * * *
MBE
MAJOR PETER LUXTON OF 2ND KING EDWARD VIITS OWN GURKHA RIFLES (THE SIRMOOR RIFLES)
MAJOR HARIBAHADUR GURUNG OF 2ND KING EDWARD VII’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES (THE SIRMOOR RIFLES)
WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 1 JOHN O’LEARY, FORMERLY WORKING IN BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL HONG KONG
WARRANT OFFICER ALEXANDER MORAN OF HMS TAMAR, ROYAL NAVY
WARRANT OFFICER PETER WHITBOURN OF ROYAL AIR FORCE SEK KONG
FLIGHT SERGEANT HEROLD WHITTLE OF 28 (AC) SQUADRON, RAF SEK KONG
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MULTIPLE HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS ........................ 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER ........................... 2
PUBLIC WATERFRONT GAZETTED ................................. 5
OWNERS' CORPORATION REGISTRATION FEES TO BE REVISED ........ 5
CONTROL OF OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES TIGHTENED ............ 6
MORE COMPENSATION FOR WORK INJURIES ........................ 7
CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES SIGNED ............ 9
APPOINTMENTS TO SALARIES COMMISSION ........................ 9
FLYOVER PROPOSED .......................................... 10
WATER MAINS PROJECT FOR MA ON SHAN ........................ 11
HOUSEHOLDS ASKED TO HELP IN SURVEY ........................ 11
EIGHT CLINICS REMAIN OPEN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY ............... 12
NEW YEAR PARADE IN KWAI TSING ............................. 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
13
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 1 -
MULTIPLE HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS *****
AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 3, 1994 AND UP TO JUNE 30, 1997, MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS (REPS) FOR TRAVEL TO AND RETURN FROM CHINA AND MACAU WILL BE ISSUED WITH A VALIDITY OF FIVE YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE TO THE FOLLOWING PERSONS:
* PERSONS WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF CHINESE RACE WHO HAVE EITHER ACQUIRED RIGHT OF ABODE OR BEEN GRANTED UNCONDITIONAL STAY IN HONG KONG; AND
* PERSONS NOT OF CHINESE RACE WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED UNCONDITIONAL STAY IN HONG KONG BUT CANNOT OBTAIN NATIONAL PASSPORTS AND DO NOT HOLD TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF ANY COUNTRIES OR OTHER REGIONS.
EFFECTIVE FROM THE SAME DATE (JANUARY 3, 1994), THE VALIDITY OF THOSE MULTIPLE REPS ISSUED SINCE JULY 1, 1992 WITH RESTRICTED VALIDITY UP TO JUNE 30, 1997 (I.E. THOSE ISSUED BETWEEN JULY 1, 1992 AND DECEMBER 31, 1993) WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE FULL VALIDITY OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE WITHOUT CHARGE.
IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR HOLDERS OF SUCH DOCUMENTS TO APPROACH PURPOSELY AN IMMIGRATION OFFICE FOR SUCH RENEWAL ENDORSEMENT.
THIS ENDORSEMENT WILL BE MADE AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY WHEN THESE PERMIT HOLDERS ARE ENCOUNTERED UPON ARRIVAL AT CONTROL POINTS OR IN PUBLIC-ORIENTED OFFICES/REGISTRIES/SECTIONS.
THE CONTROL POINT ARRANGEMENT MAY, HOWEVER, BE SUSPENDED DURING CERTAIN VERY BUSY PERIODS.
THE REPS ISSUED OR ENDORSED WITH EXTENDED VALIDITY AS FROM JANUARY 3, 1994 CAN CONTINUE TO BE USED ON AND AFTER JULY 1, 1997 UNTIL THEIR EXPIRY.
THE VALIDITY OF SINGLE REP REMAINS UNCHANGED, THAT IS SIX MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE.
AS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE PERSONS IN PARAGRAPH 1 ARE HOLDING *** OR * HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS OR IDENTITY CARDS WHICH ENABLE THEM TO TRAVEL TO AND RETURN FROM CHINA AND MACAU, THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL ONLY AFFECT MINORS UNDER 11 YEARS OF AGE, AND THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR IDENTITY CARDS BUT NEED TO TRAVEL TO CHINA AND MACAU BEFORE A REPLACEMENT CARD CAN BE ISSUED.
UNDER THE NEW ISSUING CRITERIA IN PARAGRAPH 1 ABOVE, REP FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF CHINESE RACE WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG OR WHO HAS BEEN GRANTED UNCONDITIONAL STAY IN HONG KONG, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER HE IS HOLDING A BDTC, BN(O) OR A FOREIGN PASSPORT.
/UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
2
nwnRR THF OLD CRITERIA, A PERSON WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF CHINESE RACE WHO Sas I foreiSS passport and who has the right of abode in HONG KONG OR WHO HAS BEEN GRANTED UNCONDITIONAL STAY IN HONG KONG IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A REP UNLESS HE IS A HKBDTC OR BN(O).
ANY PERSON ELIGIBLE FOR REP FACILITIES IS ALSO ELIGIBLE TO HAVE A *** OR » SYMBOL ENDORSED ON HIS IDENTITY CARD.
--------0-----------
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER
» » * * »
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE DURING NOVEMBER, MAINLY OWING TO THREE FLOTATION EXERCISES INVOLVING TOTAL APPLICATION MONIES OF $181.9 BILLION.
THIS IS SHOWN IN STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, THE BROADEST HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M3, ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE MONTH. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED.
DEPOSITS
AFFECTED BY SHARE SUBSCRIPTION MONIES, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS (ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS) ROSE STRONGLY BY 15.0% IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.9% AND 11.7% IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS FELL BY 29.8% DURING THE MONTH, ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REFUNDING OF APPLICATION MONIES OF A NEW SHARE ISSUE LAUNCHED IN LATE OCTOBER.
SAVING DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.3% WHILE TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 38.0%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 48.8%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECLINED BY 0.2% IN NOVEMBER, AFTER A DECREASE OF 2.1% IN SEPTEMBER AND AN INCREASE OF 1.6% IN OCTOBER.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.3% AND 0.1% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 5.9%.
DURING NOVEMBER, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY 7.6% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 0.5%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 27.0% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 22.3% AND 8.9% RESPECTIVELY.
/MQNEY-SUEELY .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 3 -
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 DECREASED BY 21.1% WHILE HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 14.2% AND 14.0% RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER.
THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN OCTOBER WERE 31.4%, 10.9% AND 10.7% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, HK$M1, HKSM2 AND HKIM3 INCREASED BY 19.3%, 48.8% AND 46.5% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml DECREASED BY 19.3% WHILE BOTH TOTAL M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 7.3% IN NOVEMBER. IN OCTOBER, THEY ROSE BY 27.1%, 6.2% AND 6.2% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 17.6%, 26.9% AND 25.7% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 3.6% IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.01% AND 0.6% IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE LOANS, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS ROSE STRONGLY BY 10.0%, LARGELY OWING TO LOANS TO FINANCE THE SUBSCRIPTION OF NEW SHARES.
FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS INCREASED BY 0.2%. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 35.1% AND 14.3% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG FELL BY 0.1% IN NOVEMBER, AFTER DECREASES OF 0.8% AND 0.1% IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 17.0%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 8.6% IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.2% AND 5.2% IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 32.1%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 0.3% IN NOVEMBER, AFTER DECREASES OF 0.6% AND 2.1% IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 14.5%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.7% DURING NOVEMBER, AFTER DECREASES OF 3.4% AND 2.0% IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 1.5%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY ONE EACH TO 168 AND 58 RESPECTIVELY WHILE THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 142.
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
4 -
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - NOV 1993
4 r Money Supply Nov 1993 Oct 1993 Earlier months (% change to Nov 1993) Aug 1993 (HKSmn) Nov 1992
Ml - HKS 160,842 203378 ( -21.1 ) 159,075 ( 1.1) 134347 ( 19.3 )
Foreign currency 18,776 18,746 ( 0.2 ) 19,935 ( -5.8) 17366 ( 5.1)
Total' 179,618 222,624 ( -19.3 ) 179,010 ( 0.3) 152,713 ( 17.6 )
M2 - HKS* 1,062351 930,390 ( 14.2 ) 831382 ( 27.8 ) 714,330 ( 48.8 )
Foreign currency* 838,561 840,923 ( -0.3) 844359 ( -0.7 ) 783,957 ( 7.0 )
Total 1,901,411 1,771312 ( 7.3 ) 1,676,441 ( 13.4 ) 1,498386 ( 26.9 )
M3 - HKS* 1,079356 946,987 ( 14.0 ) 847,733 ( 27.3 ) 736337 ( 46.5 )
Foreign currency* 876,695 876,183 ( 0.1) 877384 ( -0.1) 819,174 ( 7.0)
Tota^ 1356,051 1323,169 ( 7.3) 1,725,617 ( 13.4) 1355311 ( 25.7)
Notes and coins in circulation 67,958 68,752 ( -1.2) 68,336 ( -0.6 ) 57,051 ( 19.1 )
of which held by public Total Deposits 60307 60,462 ( -0.4) 59,993 ( 0.4 ) 49,467 ( 21.7 )
Total Demand deposits 119,411 162,161 ( -26.4 ) 119,017 ( 0.3) 103346 ( 15.7)
Total Savings deposits 410323 410,358 ( 0.1) 391,347 ( 5.0) 351347 ( 16.9 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 1,288,551 1,117326 ( 15.3) 1,085,717 ( 18.7 ) 977371 ( 31.8 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 28399 28,043 ( 1.3) 28,019 ( 1.4) 36356 ( -22.3 )
Total Time deposits with deposit -taking companies 17,334 17,417 ( -0.5 ) 17319 ( -2.7 ) 19,031 ( -8.9 )
HKS deposits* 1,001,685 871,171 ( 15.0) 772,974 ( 29.6 ) 673395 ( 48.8 )
USS deposits* 411,644 412,990 ( -0.3) 417,214 ( -1.3) 378,418 ( 8.8 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 451,190 451,644 ( -0.1) 451,732 ( -0.1) 436338 ( 3.4)
All deposits 1,864318 1.735305 ( 7;4) 1,641,920 ( 13.6 ) 1,487,952 ( 25.3)
Foreign currency swap deposits Total Loans and advances 68,608 68374 ( 0.5) 64,062 ( 7.1) 54,650 ( 253 )
To finance H.K?s visible trade 102,975 103,056 ( -0.1) 103,901 ( -0.9 ) 87,976 ( 17.0)
To finance merchandising trade not touching ILK. 11,997 12379 ( -0.7 ) 12,761 ( -6.0 ) 11323 ( 1.5)
Other loans for use in U.K. 1302,391 1,107,082 ( 8.6 ) 1,040,149 ( 15.6 ) 910369 ( 32.1 )
Other loans for use outside ILK. 1,621,291 1,616,305 ( 0.3 ) 1,662,054 ( -2.5 ) 1,415374 ( 14.5 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 45,005 41378 ( 8.2 ) 42,639 ( 53) 37,498 ( 20.0 )
Loans in HKS 1,089373 990,694 ( 10.0 ) 924,290 ( 17.9 ) 806,376 ( 35.1 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1394.087 1389,406 ( 0.2 ) 1.937313 ( -2.2 ) 1356,765 ( 14.3)
Total loans and advances 2.983,660 2380.100 ( 3.6) 2361303 ( 4.3) 2.463,141 ( 21.1 )
Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note: 'Restricted licence banks’ and ’deposit-taking companies’ were known as licensed deposit-taking companies’and ’registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
---------o----------
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 5 -
PUBLIC WATERFRONT GAZETTED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT OBJECTIONS TO THE USE OF THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT (NORTH), A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY):
"TAI LAM KOK PUBLIC WATERFRONT WAS DECLARED NOT TO BE A PUBLIC WATERFRONT IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, MAKING WAY FOR ITS USE AS AN AIRPORT CORE PROJECT WORKS SITE."
"IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT FOR THE WATERFRONT LOST AT TAI LAM KOK, THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT (NORTH) WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY GAZETTED. THE CHANGE AFFECTS FOUR BARGE OPERATORS OPERATING AT TAI LAM KOK WATERFRONT y/HO HAD ORIGINALLY MOVED FROM AREA 44 IN TUEN MUN TYPHOON SHELTER," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MOVE BACK TO TUEN MUN TYPHOON SHELTER WAS TO A SPECIALLY DESIGNED CARGO HANDLING WATERFRONT. THIS SHOULD FACILITATE CARGO WORKING WHILE LIMITING MARINE TRAFFIC IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER TO ITS ORIGINAL, PERFECTLY SAFE LEVELS.
HE ADDED THAT EVEN WITH THE ADDITIONAL SEABORNE TRAFFIC WHICH WOULD BE GENERATED ONCE THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY FOR MID-STREAM OPERATIONS IN AREA 16 BEGAN OPERATING IN THE NEAR FUTURE, NOT MORE THAN 10 BARGE MOVEMENTS PER DAY WOULD BE GENERATED.
IN MARINE TRAFFIC TERMS THIS ADDITIONAL VOLUME IS QUITE ACCEPTABLE AND MANAGEABLE.
- - 0---------
OWNERS’ CORPORATION REGISTRATION FEES TO BE REVISED
*******
THE FEES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATION UNDER THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE WILL BE REVISED FROM MARCH 1 NEXT YEAR TO COVER THE INCREASE IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
THE NEW RATES ARE SET OUT IN THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT (FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1978.
HE SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT FEES WOULD IN GENERAL BE SET AT LEVELS SUFFICIENT TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE. <
/"THE CURRENT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 6 -
"THE CURRENT FEES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATION CAN ONLY COVER SEVEN PER CENT OF THE COSTS AND IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO ADJUST THE RATES," HE ADDED.
THE REVISED FEES ARE:
I-"' •• •'
FEES AMOUNT ($)
-■ y ... >f- .....
ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE 200
ISSUE OF A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE 20
ISSUE OF AN AMENDED CERTIFICATE 50
ON CHANGE OF NAME
ISSUE OF A DUPLICATE AMENDED CERTIFICATE 20
ON CHANGE OF NAME >.
REGISTRATION OR FILING OF DOCUMENT 20
INSPECTION OF THE REGISTER OF 4
CORPORATIONS
SUPPLYING EACH COPY OR EXTRACT OF 4
THE REGISTER OF CORPORATIONS
CERTIFICATION BY THE LAND REGISTRAR 20
ON EACH COPY OR EXTRACT OF THE REGISTER OF CORPORATIONS
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE LAND REGISTRY ON TELEPHONE 867 4342.
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CONTROL OF OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES TIGHTENED
*****
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION (CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS) REGULATION, WHICH IS PART OF A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES TO PROTECT THE OZONE LAYER AND TO PHASE OUT THE USE OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS), WILL TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THIS WAS CONTAINED IN NOTICES GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE NOTICES WAS A LIST OF CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS, NAMELY CFC-11, CFC-12 AND CFC-115, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGULATION AS WELL AS A LIST OF APPROVED REFRIGERANT RECOVERY/RECYCLING EQUIPMENT.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
7
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SAID: "THE PURPOSE OF THE REGULATION IS TO ASSIST WORLDWIDE EFFORTS AIMED AT PROTECTING THE OZONE LAYER AS WELL AS TO CONSERVE HONG KONG’S STOCK OF CFCS FOR USE IN EXISTING AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT.
"THE REGULATION PROHIBITS ANY INTENTIONAL VENTING OF CFC-BASED REFRIGERANTS FROM AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION PLANTS CONTAINING OVER 50 KILOGRAMS OF CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS AND IN ALL MOTOR VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONERS.
"IT ALSO REQUIRES OWNERS OF REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT OR PERSONS CARRYING OUT SERVICING, REPAIRING OR DECOMMISSIONING OF MOTOR VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONERS TO KEEP RECORDS OF THE AMOUNTS OF REFRIGERANTS REMOVED OR ADDED," HE SAID.
ANY RECOVERY, RECYCLING OR RECLAIMING OF A CONTROLLED REFRIGERANT MUST BE DONE ONLY WITH EQUIPMENT SPECIFICALLY APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE EQUIPMENT. V
"ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $100,000," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE PHASING OUT OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES AND THE REGULATION CAN BE MADE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S AIR MANAGEMENT GROUP ON TELEPHONE 594 6242 AND 594 6243 OR BY POST TO 33RD FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO HAVE APPROVAL GIVEN FOR RECOVERY/RECYCLING EQUIPMENT MAY APPLY IN WRITING, GIVING DETAIL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE EQUIPMENT, TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS.
0---------
MORE COMPENSATION FOR WORK INJURIES *****
THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES IN ACCIDENTS AT WORK WILL BE REVISED TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY OR DEATH VARIED WITH THE AGE AND THE MONTHLY EARNINGS OF THE EMPLOYEES CONCERNED.
FOLLOWING A RECENT AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE, A RATE OF MONTHLY EARNINGS, SET AT A CEILING OF $15,000, WILL BE USED TO CALCULATE THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF COMPENSATION.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE FOR PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY AND DEATH WOULD BE $1.44 MILLION AND $1.26 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
/HE POINTED .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 8 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE REVISION HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WAGE MOVEMENTS, INFLATION AND OTHER CHANGES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE CEILING OF $15,000 WAS IN LINE WITH THAT USED FOR CALCULATING SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
HE NOTED THAT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ASSESSMENT OF PERMANENT INCAPACITY WOULD ALSO TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW.
THESE INCLUDE ADJUSTING THE PERCENTAGE OF LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY SPECIFIED FOR SOME INJURIES AND EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO COVER MORE INJURIES.
IN ADDITION, A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY IS PROVIDED FOR INJURY TO THE PREFERRED HAND AND THE LOSS OF TWO OR MORE FINGERS, HE ADDED. .
OTHER REVISED LEVELS OF COMPENSATION AND COMPENSATION-RELATED ITEMS UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE THAT WOULD TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW INCLUDE:
* THE MINIMUM COMPENSATION FOR DEATH AND FOR PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY;
» THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYEES REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENTION;
» THE MAXIMUM COSTS OF SUPPLYING AND FITTING; AND
» REPAIR AND RENEWAL OF PROSTHESES OR SURGICAL APPLIANCES.
IN ADDITION, THE LEVEL OF THE DEEMED MINIMUM EARNINGS PER MONTH FOR CALCULATING COMPENSATION, THE MINIMUM SURCHARGE FOR LATE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION ASSESSED OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE BURIAL EXPENSES FOR EMPLOYEES DIED AT WORK, AND THE MAXIMUM DAILY REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES WILL ALSO BECOME EFFECTIVE TOMORROW.
THE SAME EFFECTIVE DATE WILL APPLY TO THE NEW RATES OF FUNERAL EXPENSES AND MEDICAL EXPENSES PAYABLE UNDER THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
ENQUIRIES ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION CAN BE MADE ON TEL 733 2338 AND ON PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION ON TEL 852 4822.
- - 0----------
/9 ........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 9 -
CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES SIGNED *****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A $52.8 MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTING SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES IN SHEK O.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT), MR TSE HON-SUM, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, AOKI CORPORATION.
IT INCLUDES RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A SEAWALL, A SCREENING PLANT AND ACCESS ROAD AT ROCKY BAY, AN UNDERGROUND SEWAGE PUMPING STATION WITH A STORM TANK ON SHEK O BEACH, AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED SEWERS AND PUMPING MAINS.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK FOR COMPLETION IN 30 MONTHS.
MR TSE NOTED THAT THE CONTRACT FORMED PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE SEWERAGE FACILITIES OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND SOUTH AREAS WITH A VIEW TO PROTECTING AND IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES.
THE NEW SEWERS WILL COLLECT SEWAGE AND INTERCEPT POLLUTED WATER FROM DEVELOPMENT IN SHEK O, INCLUDING SHEK O VILLAGE.
THE COLLECTED SEWAGE WILL BE TREATED AT THE SCREENING PLANT BEFORE BEING PUMPED TO THE SUBMERGED OUTFALLS AT THE EASTERN END OF TAI TAU CHAU FOR DISPOSAL.
--------0-----------
APPOINTMENTS TO SALARIES COMMISSION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD REAPPOINTED MR TANG KWAI-NANG, DR WILFRED CHAN AND PROFESSOR ROBERT TRICKER MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1994.
IN ADDITION, MR LO KING-MAN AND MR ALEXANDER AU HAVE BEEN APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION, ALSO FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1994.
THE GOVERNMENT FURTHER ANNOUNCED THAT MR ANDREW SO AND MR STANLEY ELLIOTT WOULD RETIRE AS MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON EXPIRY OF THEIR CURRENT APPOINTMENTS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1994 RESPECTIVELY.
/MR SO .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
MR SO WILL HAVE SERVED ON THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR 13 YEARS, AND MR ELLIOTT FOR 10 YEARS.
THE STANDING COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE, OTHER THAN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
- - 0 - -
FLYOVER PROPOSED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A FLYOVER AT SHA TSUI ROAD WITH AN INTEGRAL FOOTBRIDGE SPANNING ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC THERE. %
THE EXISTING JUNCTION OF SHA TSUI ROAD WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL THEN BE CLOSED TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOWS ALONG THIS SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO AND FROM TUEN MUN ROAD.
THE NEW FLYOVER WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO THE AREA NORTHWEST OF TSUEN WAN.
AT PRESENT, THE ONLY ACCESS TO THIS AREA IS VIA TSUEN KING CIRCUIT FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 30 MONTHS.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT:
» THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, FIRST AND 10TH FLOORS RESPECTIVELY, TSUEN WAN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174 - 208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NO LATER THAN MARCH 1 NEXT YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
- - 0 - -
/Il
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 11 -
WATER MAINS PROJECT FOR MA ON SHAN
******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT OF SUPPLYING AND INSTALLING WATER MAINS FROM THE PROPOSED MA ON SHAN TREATMENT WORKS TO SHA TIN.
THE CONTRACT IS ONE OF THE TWO TO BE AWARDED UNDER THE PROJECT OF MA ON SHAN TREATMENT WORKS AND WATER TRANSFER FACILITIES.
WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF MORE THAN $1.1 BILLION, THE MA ON SHAN TREATMENT WORKS PROJECT WILL SUPPLY POTABLE WATER TO MA ON SHAN AS WELL AS THE EASTERN AND THE WESTERN AREAS OF SHA TIN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION.
THE PRESENT CONTRACT INCLUDES THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF 1,300 METRES OF RAW WATER MAINS AND 8,300 METRES OF FRESH WATER MAINS.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER 1996.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM CAMP DRESSER AND MCKEE INTERNATIONAL INC, 43RD FLOOR, METROPLAZA TOWER ONE, 223 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI FONG, NEW TERRITORIES, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 28, 1994.
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HOUSEHOLDS ASKED TO HELP IN SURVEY
*****
ABOUT 11,800 HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ASKED TO HELP THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FROM JANUARY TO MARCH.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD, RIGHT OF RESIDENCE ABROAD, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS SENT A LETTER, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, TO THE HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION.
CENSUS OFFICERS WILL CONTACT THEM TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. THEY WILL CARRY GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS AND CERTIFICATES DURING THE VISIT.
/TO CONFIRM .......
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 12 -
TO CONFIRM THEIR IDENTITIES, THEY WILL MAKE SUCH DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY HOUSEHOLDS.
EACH QUARTER, THE HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY FROM ALL DISTRICTS.
TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES IN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION, THE SURVEY ADOPTS AN OVERLAPPING SAMPLE DESIGN SUCH THAT ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS ENUMERATED IN A GIVEN QUARTER ARE THE SAME AS THOSE ENUMERATED IN THE QUARTER BEFORE.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER PART IHA OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AS NOTIFIED IN THE GENERAL NOTICE NO. 212 IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 19, 1990.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ASSURED THE HOUSEHOLDS THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE, DATA ON INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS COLLECTED WOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
"SUCH INFORMATION WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, ANY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS," HE SAID.
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EIGHT CLINICS REMAIN OPEN ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT EIGHT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WOULD STAY OPEN TOMORROW (JANUARY 1).
THE EIGHT CLINICS 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.
THEY WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM. ALL OTHER GENERAL OUTPATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
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/13........
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31,
1993
- 13 -
NEW YEAR PARADE IN KWAI TSING
* ♦ * » » *
A GRAND PROCESSION FEATURING 18 DECORATED VEHICLES AND PERFORMANCES OF VARIOUS KINDS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE MONTH-LONG KWAI TSING CARNIVAL.
INVOLVING 1,000 PEOPLE FROM 30 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES, THE ONE-HOUR SPECTACULAR WILL START AT 3 PM AT TSING LUK STREET.
THE PARADE WILL MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH TSING YI ROAD, TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE, KWAI TSING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND HING FONG ROAD. THE FINAL STOP IS AT HING NING ROAD.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE PARADE AT TSING LUK STREET.
WITH THE AIM TO ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE CARNIVAL WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, WITH PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT FROM LOCAL GROUPS AS WELL AS INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NEW YEAR PROCESSION AT 3 PM TOMORROW AT TSING LUK STREET, TSING YI. THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE PARADE.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * » t
$ 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 4,705 -705 4,000 NIL -2,615 1,385 TWI 114.3 *+0.1» 31.12.93 /HONG KONG
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1993
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/ HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.76 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.20 3.68
1 MONTH 3.20 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.87 3.88
3 MONTHS 3.17 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.92 4.07
6 MONTHS 3.24 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.88 4.26
12 MONTHS 3.56 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.83 4.70
TOTAL TURNOVER < OF BILLS ! AND BONDS - 5,055MN
CLOSED 31 DECEMBER 1993
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