DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ACCESS ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG OPEN TO TRAFFIC ....................... 1
FRESH WATER CUT ON TSING YI ISLAND .............................. 1
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GROWTH RATE IN YOUTH DRUG ABUSE SLOWING ......................... 2
$10 GOLD COIN ON SALE THIS WEEK ................................. 3
NEW EX-GRATIA SCHEME HELPS DECEASED WORKERS' DEPENDENTS ......... 4
PREGNANT WORKERS PROTECTED BY LAW ............................... 4
REPORT CHILD ABUSE, PAMPHLET SAYS ............................... 6
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1994
- 1
ACCESS ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG OPEN TO TRAFFIC * » * ♦ ♦
THE NEW ACCESS ROAD LINKING THE WESTBOUND SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM CHING CHEUNG ROAD WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL INTERCHANGE (NEAR CONTAINER TERMINAL 4) WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 3), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
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FRESH WATER CUT ON TSING YI ISLAND » * » » »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES ON TSING YI ISLAND WILL GO OFF FROM 8 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 3) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT GREENFIELD GARDEN AND ALL THE PREMISES AT TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, CHEUNG WAN STREET, CHEUNG HO STREET, CHEUNG LUNG STREET, CHEUNG FAI ROAD, CHEUNG TAT ROAD AND CHEUNG FAT ROAD.
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/2 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1994
- 2 -
GROWTH RATE IN YOUTH DRUG ABUSE SLOWING
*****
THE GROWTH RATE IN DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS SEEMS TO BE SLOWING, DESPITE A DROP IN RETAIL PRICE OF HEROIN.
"YET WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GROW COMPLACENT, WE MUST STRIVE CONSTANTLY FOR NEW AND MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS OF PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF ILLICIT DRUGS WHICH ARE A TERRIBLE MENACE TO OUR SOCIETY,” THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR ALASDAIR SINCLAIR, SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANTI-DRUG CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL FIGURES, THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED YOUNG ABUSERS WAS UP BY 55 PER CENT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF LAST YEAR COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
MR SINCLAIR ATTRIBUTED THIS ALARMING PERCENTAGE INCREASE AT LEAST IN PART TO A 17 PER CENT DROP IN THE RETAIL PRICE OF HEROIN.
"FALLING PRICES ALWAYS STIMULATE DEMAND,” HE SAID. %
"BUT WE CAN TAKE SOME COMFORT FROM THE FACTS THAT THE GROWTH RATE IN YOUNG DRUG ABUSE WAS ONLY 24 PER CENT IN THE THREE MONTHS FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER.”
AND THAT MORE THAN 99.7 PER CENT OF THE AGE GROUP BETWEEN 11 AND 20 HAS NO KNOWN INVOLVEMENT WITH DRUGS.
"OUR PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES CAN CLAIM PART OF THE CREDIT FOR THE LOW PREVALENCE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG,” HE REMARKED.
"WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THIS WORK.
"IT IS SO MUCH BETTER TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BEING CAUGHT UP IN THE MISERY OF DRUG ADDICTION, WHICH IS SO DIFFICULT TO END,” MR SINCLAIR ADDED.
LOOKING BACK OVER 1993, ON TOP OF ANTI-DRUG DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS AND ACTIVITIES, THE NARCOTICS DIVISION HAD MADE HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL VISITS, ORGANISED DRUG EDUCATION SEMINARS FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS AT THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
THE AUTOMATED DRUG ABUSE TELEPHONE HOTLINE HAD ALSO RECEIVED NEARLY 370,000 ENQUIRIES ON HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE, AS WELL AS GUIDANCE ON TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
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/3........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1994
- 3 -
$10 GOLD COIN ON SALE THIS WEEK *****
PROSPECTIVE BUYERS OF A STRICTLY LIMITED EDITION OF THE HONG KONG COMMEMORATIVE $10 GOLD COIN, WHICH IS OF GREAT INTRINSIC VALUE AND HISTORICAL INTEREST, ARE REMINDED TO APPLY FOR A SINGLE PURCHASE WITHIN THIS WEEK.
"SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE BRITISH ROYAL MINT HAS STRUCK A LIMITED EDITION OF JUST 20,000 OF THESE COINS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY SAID.
"THEY ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE IN SMALL QUANTITIES TO COLLECTORS AROUND THE WORLD, WITH A MAJORITY OF 18,000 RESERVED FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS. NO FURTHER SUCH COINS WILL BE STRUCK," HE ADDED.
AS DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO BE J1IGH, EVERY APPLICANT MAY GET ONLY ONE COIN. A BALLOT WILL BE HELD IF THE COINS ARE OVER-SUBSCRIBED.
"IT IS THE FIRST-EVER TWO-GOLD ALLOY COIN IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S COINAGE, AND COMMEMORATES THE INTRODUCTION OF HONG KONG’S NEW COIN DESIGNS PRIOR TO 1997," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT FEATURES THE BLOOM OF ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTAL TREES, THE BAUHINIA BLAKEANA, WHICH WAS SELECTED AS HONG KONG’S OFFICIAL EMBLEM IN 1965.
"THIS COIN IS OF THE SAME SIZE AND DESIGN AS THE NEW HK$10 COIN WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED INTO GENERAL CIRCULATION LATER THIS YEAR.
"BUT THERE THE SIMILARITY ENDS, BECAUSE THE OUTER RING OF THIS RARE ISSUE IS CAST IN A BLEND OF NINE-CARAT GOLD WITH THE BALANCE IN SILVER, WHILST THE CENTRE SECTION CONSISTS OF 22-CARAT GOLD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOLD COIN WAS ALSO LEGAL TENDER IN HONG KONG.
THE $10 GOLD COIN, DATED 1994, IS PRICED AT $2,888. CONTAINED IN AN ATTRACTIVE RED PRESENTATION CASE WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY, IT IS BOTH A GOLDEN ASSET FOR THE FUTURE AND A GIFT TO TREASURE.
THOSE INTERESTED IN THE GOLD COIN SHOULD COLLECT THE APPLICATION FORMS BETWEEN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND SATURDAY (JANUARY 8) FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE 10 HONGKONGBANK BRANCHES IN THE HONG KONG MAIN OFFICE, CHINA BUILDING, WAYFOONG HOUSE, AT DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, PATERSON STREET, AND IN KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, NORTH POINT, TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG.
COMPLETED FORMS TOGETHER WITH A BANKER’S CASHIER ORDER OR A CROSSED CHEQUE MUST BE RETURNED TO ONE OF THESE DESIGNATED HONGKONGBANK BRANCHES BEFORE 12.30 PM ON SATURDAY. THE COINS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FROM JANUARY 31 (MONDAY) ONWARDS.
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.
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/4........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1994
4
NEW EX-GRATIA SCHEME HELPS DECEASED WORKERS’ DEPENDENTS *****
A NEW EX-GRATIA SCHEME HAS BEEN SET UP TO PROVIDE QUICK RELIEF FOR DEPENDENTS OF VICTIMS OF FATAL WORK ACCIDENTS, A HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE SCHEME, IMPLEMENTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, IS FINANCED BY THE BREWIN TRUST FUND.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRUST FUND, WHICH IS CHARITABLE IN NATURE AND MANAGED BY THE BRANCH, HAD PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED INTEREST-FREE LOANS FOR THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF EMPLOYEES WHO DIED IN WORK-RELATED ACCIDENTS.
BUT WITH THE RECENT INTRODUCTION OF A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FUND PROVIDING SIMILAR RELIEF, THE BREWIfi TRUST FUND COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED TO INTRODUCE THE EX-GRATIA PAYMENT SCHEME TO REPLACE THE LOAN SCHEME.
UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, EACH ELIGIBLE APPLICANT WILL BE OFFERED AN EX-GRATIA CASH GRANT OF $5,000.
THE APPLICANTS SHOULD BE THE SURVIVING WIVES AND CHILDREN OF EMPLOYEES WHO DIE ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR AS A RESULT OF THE WORK-RELATED ACCIDENTS.
MOREOVER, THEY SHOULD BE WHOLLY OR PARTLY DEPENDENT UPON THE EARNINGS OF THE DECEASED AT THE TIME OF HIS OR HER DEATH.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF THE DEATH OF THE EMPLOYEES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE FATAL CASES OFFICE, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1522, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE OFFICE IN PERSON OR BY CALLING 852 4030.
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PREGNANT WORKERS PROTECTED BY LAW *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO FIRE A WOMAN WORKER AFTER SHE HAD GIVEN TO THE MANAGEMENT A NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE.
THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, MR JAMES YEUNG, GAVE THE ADVICE TODAY (SUNDAY) AFTER A COMPANY - THE NEIL PRYDE LIMITED - WAS CONVICTED AND FINED $5,000 BY A TUEN MUN MAGISTRATE FOR SACKING A PREGNANT WORKER.
/THE CASE .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1994
- 5
THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT AFTER A COMPLAINT WAS LODGED TO THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE (LRS) IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION BY LRS OFFICERS, A SUMMONS WAS LAID AGAINST THE COMPANY FOR VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO MATERNITY PROTECTION OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE LAW PROVIDES THAT A WOMAN WORKER IS PROTECTED FROM TERMINATION OF HER EMPLOYMENT DURING THE PERIOD FROM THE DATE ON WHICH SHE GIVES NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE UNTIL THE DATE ON WHICH SHE IS DUE TO RETURN TO WORK, IF SHE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED FOR NOT LESS THAN 12 WEEKS.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT A WOMAN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS WORKED FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER UNDER A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 26 WEEKS IS ENTITLED TO MATERNITY LEAVE.
"IF A FEMALE WORKER HAS WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE EMPLOYER FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 40 WEEKS BEFORE THE EXPECTED DATE OF HER COMMENCEMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE AND SHE HAS NO MORE THAN TWO SURVIVING CHILDREN, SHE IS ALSO ENTITLED TO MATERNITY LEAVE PAY," HE SAID.
THE MATERNITY LEAVE PAY IS CALCULATED AT THE RATE OF TWO-THIRDS OF HER MONTHLY SALARY.
"IF A FEMALE WORKER IS EMPLOYED ON PIECE RATE OR WHERE HER DAILY WAGES VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, THE RATE IS TWO-THIRDS OF HER DAILY AVERAGE WAGE DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, COMPRISING NOT LESS THAN 28 DAYS AND NOT MORE THAN 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE LEAVE.
IN ADDITION, EMPLOYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY WAGES IN LIEU OF MATERNITY LEAVE, HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID EMPLOYERS BREACHING THE PROVISIONS WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
"THE EMPLOYER WILL ALSO HAVE TO PAY THE SUM WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN PAYABLE IF THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN TERMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS TERMS, THE MATERNITY LEAVE PAY FOR 10 WEEKS AND A FURTHER SUM EQUIVALENT TO SEVEN DAYS’ WAGES."
TO HELP WORKERS UNDERSTAND THE MATERNITY PROTECTION PROVISIONS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED COPIES OF A LEAFLET FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION AT THE LRS OFFICES.
INCLUDED IN THE LEAFLET IS A STANDARD FORM OF NOTICE, SPECIFYING THE EXPECTED DATE OF CONFINEMENT AND THE DATE ON WHICH THE MATERNITY LEAVE IS TO START, TO HELP EMPLOYEES COMPLY WITH THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
THERE IS ALSO A DECLARATION FORM TO HELP WOMAN WORKERS MAKE STATUTORY DECLARATION TO VERIFY THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN THEY HAVE IN ORDER TO CLAIM MATERNITY LEAVE PAY.
TO AVOID UNNECESSARY MISUNDERSTANDING AND DISPUTES, EMPLOYEES INTENDING TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE SHOULD CONSIDER USING THE STANDARD FORM OF NOTICE AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, HE ADDED.
/MR YEUNG .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1994
MR YEUNG ALSO URGED PREGNANT WORKERS TO MAKE DECLARATION, USING THE ATTACHED FORM IN THE LEAFLET, AT THE 11 LRS OFFICES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THIS IS BECAUSE THEY MUST PRODUCE TO THEIR EMPLOYERS A STATUTORY DECLARATION VERIFYING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AT THE TIME WHEN THE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO TAKE LEAVE IS SERVED.
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REPORT CHILD ABUSE, PAMPHLET SAYS ******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CHILD ABUSES THAT COME TO LIGHT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID PAMPHLETS HAD BEEN REPRINTED TO HELP PUBLICISE EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES.
NAMED "REPORT CHILD ABUSE", THE PAMPHLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COLLECTION AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES.
COPIES ARE ALSO DISTRIBUTED THROUGH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
REPORTS ON CHILD ABUSE CAN BE MADE ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HOTLINE - 343 2255 AND THE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE -755 1122.
"ACTION MAY NOT ONLY SAVE A CHILD BUT ALSO HELP THE FAMILY BY BRINGING THEIR DIFFICULTIES TO THE ATTENTION OF AUTHORITIES WHO MAY BE IN A POSITION TO HELP THEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT REPORTING SUCH CASES WAS NOT MEDDLING IN THE AFFAIRS OF A FAMILY.
"WHEN IT IS FELT THAT THE DISCIPLINE IMPOSED ON A CHILD IS EXCESSIVE, GOOD INTENTIONS NOTWITHSTANDING, ONE SHOULD ACT WITHOUT HESITATION," HE ADDED.
TO HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND GENUINE CHILD ABUSE CASES BETTER, THE PAMPHLET GIVES A DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE AND DESCRIBES SIGNS TO HELP DETECT SUCH CASES.
IN ADDITION TO THE HOTLINE NUMBERS, THE PAMPHLET ALSO LISTS OUT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SERVICE UNITS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WHERE ONE MAY SEEK HELP.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME OPEN FOR APPLICATION ................ 1
GGVT PUBLISHES AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL FOR CONSULTATION .... 3
OVERVIEW OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS 1982 - 1992 ............. 5
CASH AID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM'S FAMILY ................... 6
REMARKS ON ARTS GRANT REJECTED ................................. 7
WATE.R STORAGE FIGURE .......................................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
8
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
1
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME OPEN FOR APPLICATION
*****
APPLICATION FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE FINAL PHASE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME IS OPEN TODAY (MONDAY) UNTIL MARCH 31.
OUTLINING THE PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING AND SELECTION CRITERIA AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEITH KWOK, SAID THE SELECTION MECHANISM FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY IN THE FINAL PHASE WITH MINOR MODIFICATIONS.
THE SCHEME WOULD ENABLE UP TO 50,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS IN HONG KONG TO BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS, MR KWOK SAID.
ALTOGETHER 36,840 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS HAD BEEN REGISTERED BY THE END OF THE FIRST PHASE ON JANUARY 1, LEAVING 13,160 PLACES TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN THE FINAL PHASE, HE ADDED.
THE SCHEME COMPRISES FOUR CLASSES. THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOR THE TWO PHASES IS: PLACES TOTAL
FIRST PHASE FINAL PHASE
GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS (GOC) 28,092 8,108 36,200
DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS (DSC) 6,028 972 7,000
SENSITIVE SERVICE CLASS (SSC) 2,450 3,850 6,300
ENTREPRENEURS CLASS (EC) 270 230 500
TOTAL 36,840 13,160 50,000
MR KWOK EXPECTED THAT MOST APPLICATIONS WOULD BE MADE UNDER THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS.
MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES SHOULD APPLY UNDER THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS. APPLICATIONS UNDER THE SENSITIVE SERVICE CLASS AND THE ENTREPRENEURS CLASS ARE NORMALLY SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR’S INVITATION.
"IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS, THE ALLOCATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN REVISED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT EACH GROUP’S ESTIMATED SHARE OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EMIGRANTS AS WELL AS APPLICANTS."
THOSE OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS THAT SHOWED A HIGH LEVEL OF EMIGRATION OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS AND A STRONG DEMAND FOR PLACES IN THE FIRST PHASE WILL HAVE CORRESPONDINGLY LARGER SHARES OF THE QUOTA FOR THE FINAL PHASE, HE SAID.
"IN THE OCCUPATIONAL GROUP FOR MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, THE SUB-QUOTA FOR CIVIL SERVANTS HAS BEEN DISPENSED WITH, SO THAT APPLICANTS IN BOTH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR WILL COMB UNDER THE SAME QUOTA.”
/IN THE ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
2
IN THE OCCUPATIONAL GROUP FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS, LIBRARIANS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS STATISTICS HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY HAVE EMIGRATED AT A HIGH RATE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
AS FOR THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS, MR KWOK SAID THE OLD SYSTEM OF ALLOCATING THE QUOTA BASED ON STRENGTH ALONE HAD ALSO BEEN MODIFIED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LEVEL OF APPLICATION IN THE FIRST PHASE.
THE QUOTA FOR THE DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS UNDER THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS IS ENCLOSED WITH THE GUIDANCE NOTES TO BE DISTRIBUTED WITH THE APPLICATION FORMS.
THOSE WHO WISH TO APPLY SHOULD EITHER BE A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BDTC), OR A BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) (BNO), OR THOSE WHO ARE NOT A BRITISH NATIONAL BUT HAVE APPLIED FOR NATURALISATION OR REGISTRATION AS A BDTC IN HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 13, 1993.
TO HELP APPLICANTS COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM, MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT NINE NEW REFERENCE MANUALS HAD BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE MANUALS EXPLAIN THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND RULES FOR AWARDING POINTS FOR EACH OF THE POINT-SCORING ATTRIBUTES AND GIVE THE COMPUTER CODES FOR OCCUPATIONS, QUALIFICATIONS, VOLUNTARY OR COMMUNITY SERVICE, ORGANISATIONS AND AWARDS WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM.
THE MANUALS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE AT ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, POST OFFICES AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $24 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN WAN CHAI, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES, SELECTED POST OFFICES AND CENTREPOINT MTNISTORES.
MR KWOK ADVISED THAT THE REFERENCE MANUALS FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME SHOULD NOT BE USED AS THE INFORMATION IN THESE MANUALS WAS OUTDATED.
APPLICATION FORMS TOGETHER WITH THE GUIDANCE NOTES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES AND POST OFFICES.
MR KWOK SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORMS THOROUGHLY AND ACCURATELY. APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE APPLICATION FORM.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY PERSONAL DELIVERY OR REGISTERED MAIL TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY DIVISION OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AT IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
AN APPLICATION FEE OF $300 IN CHEQUE OR CASHIER’S ORDER SHOULD BE ENCLOSED. THE FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE WHETHER AN APPLICATION SUCCEEDS OR NOT.
/LATE APPLICATIONS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
3
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. REGISTRATION FEE FOR EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT IS $2,700.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE AT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 802 9900.
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GOVT PUBLISHES AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL FOR CONSULTATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TODAY (MONDAY) GAZETTED THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO RECONSTITUTE THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AS A PERMANENT GOVERNMENT-OWNED ORGANISATION CALLED THE AIRPORT CORPORATION, WHICH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND OPERATING HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE BILL SETS OUT THE POWERS OF THE CORPORATION, AND THE CONTROLS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL EXERCISE OVER IT.
"PUBLICATION OF THIS WHITE BILL IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK," SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID TODAY.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD HAD TWO PRIMARY AND COMPLEMENTARY AIMS IN DRAFTING THE BILL.
"WE NEED TO CREATE A CORPORATION WHICH HAS THE FLEXIBILITY TO ACT COMMERCIALLY AND TO DEVELOP THE AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK IN A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY WITHIN A TIGHT TIME-FRAME.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT MUST RETAIN CONTROLS NEEDED TO: PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST BECAUSE OF THE AIRPORT’S STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE; ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS; AND ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT, AS THE SOLE SHAREHOLDER, RECEIVES A REASONABLE RETURN ON ITS INVESTMENT.
"THIS IS A DELICATE BALANCE TO STRIKE BETWEEN COMMERCIAL FREEDOM AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOVERNMENT.
"WE OBVIOUSLY CANNOT CREATE A GOVERNMENT-OWNED CORPORATION WITHOUT CONTROLS, BUT NEITHER CAN WE FETTER THE CORPORATION TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT IS UNABLE TO RAISE FUNDS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, ATTRACT INVESTORS IN AIRPORT FACILITIES, AND OPERATE COMMERCIALLY AND FLEXIBLY," MR SIU SAID.
THE BILL FOLLOWED THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING’S (MOU) REQUIREMENT THAT IT SHOULD BE MODELLED ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) ORDINANCE.
SOME MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN NECESSITATED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RUNNING AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND A DOMESTIC RAILWAY.
/"OUR PLAN .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
4
"OUR PLAN TO CALL THE NEW BODY THE AIRPORT CORPORATION IS A CHANGE FROM THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY TITLE CONTAINED IN THE MOU, BUT WE BELIEVE THIS TITLE CONVEYS THE ROLE OF THE CORPORATION MORE ACCURATELY.
"IT IS ALSO IN LINE WITH THE NAME OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, AS WELL AS THAT OF THE MTRC WHICH WAS ALSO ORIGINALLY CALLED AN AUTHORITY - THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY.
"IN HONG KONG, THE TITLE ’AUTHORITY’ IS ASSOCIATED WITH ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOSPITAL AUTHORUTY, WHICH ALSO HAVE SOME CONTROLLING OR REGULATORY FUNCTIONS. BUT ON THE AIRPORT, THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF WILL HAVE THE REGULATORY FUNCTION, WHILE THE CORPORATION WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TASKS OF DEVELOPING AND MANAGING THE AIRPORT," MR SIU SAID.
THE CONSULTATION PAPER SAYS THAT CREATING A CORPORATION IS IN LINE WITH A GENERAL WORLDWIDE TREND OF OPTIMISING THE COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN AIRPORTS.
THE COMMERCIAL APPROACH WHICH A CORPORATION CAN TAKE ENHANCES REVENUES WHICH HELPS TO REDUCE COSTS TO THE TAXPAYER AS THE AIRPORT OWNER AND INCREASES RETURNS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S INVESTMENT.
THE PAPER ALSO SETS OUT THE WIDE RANGE OF GOVERNMEMT AND OTHER CONTROLS WHICH LIMIT THE WAY IN WHICH THE CORPORATION MAY ACT. THESE CONTROLS ARE SET OUT IN THE BILL ITSELF, AS WELL AS IN A SERIES OF OTHER LAWS, AGREEMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS SUCH AS THE AIRPORT LAND GRANT AND AERODROME LICENCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONSULTATION PERIOD WOULD LAST FROM JANUARY 3 TO FEBRUARY 28. THE WHITE BILL HAD BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF A BOOKLET, WHICH ALSO CONTAINED A CONSULTATION PAPER AND A SUMMARY OF THE BILL IN LAYMAN’S TERMS.
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET CAN BE COLLECTED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, NEW AIRPORT DIVISION, SECOND FLOOR, MAIN WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
ALL COMMENTS WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BEFORE DECISIONS WERE TAKEN ON ANY REVISIONS TO THE BILL.
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/5........
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
- 5 -
OVERVIEW OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS 1982 - 1992
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A PUBLICATION GIVING AN OVERVIEW OF HONG KONG'S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE.
THE TOPICS INCLUDE:
* POPULATION GROWTH AND CHANGES IN DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE
« DEVELOPMENTS IN HOUSING, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE
t ECONOMIC GROWTH AS REFLECTED BY GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
» DEVELOPMENTS IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
» INFLATION AS REFLECTED BY CONSUMER PRICE INDICES
» EXTERNAL TRADE
» LABOUR MARKET
WITH 76 TABLES AND 38 CHARTS, PLUS CONCISE DESCRIPTIONS, THE "HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS 1982 - 1992" PROVIDES DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, AND EXPLANATIONS OF KEY CONCEPTS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION.
SOME FACTS PRESENTED IN THE BOOK ARE:
* THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION WAS AROUND 2 PER CENT IN THE EARLY 1980’S, AND AROUND 1 PER CENT IN THE MID-1980’S. THE RATE WAS VERY LOW IN 1990 <0.3 PER CENT)
BUT SHOWED SOME UPWARD TREND AFTERWARDS.
* THE PROPORTION OF HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN HOUSING AUTHORITY HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATES INCREASED FROM 1 PER CENT IN 1982 TO 8 PER CENT IN 1992.
» A GREATER PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION HAD ATTAINED SECONDARY EDUCATION OR ABOVE (61 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION AGED 15 AND OVER IN 1992, COMPARED WITH ONLY 51 PER CENT IN 1982). PERSONS WHO HAD EDUCATION IN DEGREE COURSE ACCOUNTED FOR 6 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION IN 1992, AS AGAINST 3 PER CENT IN 1982.
* BACK IN 1982, THERE WAS ONLY ONE DOCTOR FOR EVERY 1,286 PERSONS IN THE POPULATION. BY 1992, THE RATIO OF POPULATION TO ONE DOCTOR IMPROVED TO 866.
* GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AT CONSTANT MARKET PRICES (AFTER ELIMINATING THE EFFECT OF PRICE INCREASES) IN 1992 NEARLY DOUBLED THAT IN 1982.
/*IN THE ........
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MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
♦ IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE HIGHEST YEAR-ON-YEAR PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WAS RECORDED IN 1991 (12 PER CENT), WHEREAS THE LOWEST WAS RECORDED IN 1986 (3 PER CENT).
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS IN ADDITION TO THOSE GIVEN ABOVE AND INFORMATION ON OTHER ASPECTS OF HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENTS, SUCH AS EXTERNAL TRADE, FINANCE AND SOCIAL WELFARE, CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN THE PUBLICATION.
AT $46 A COPY, PURCHASES CAN BE MADE AT:
* THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL
* THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BULK PURCHASE FROM SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS.
ENQUIRIES ON THE PUBLICATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GENERAL STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 582 4734.
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CASH AID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM’S FAMILY » * * * » *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT APPROVED $52,590 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO THE DEPENDANTS OF A WORKMAN WHO DIED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD LAST MONTH.
THE VICTIM, AGED 23, WAS SURVIVED BY HIS FATHER, AN ELDER BROTHER AND AN ELDER SISTER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDED QUICK FINANCIAL HELP TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS, REGARDLESS OF THE MEANS OF A FAMILY OR THE FAULT ELEMENT IN THE ACCIDENT.
BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES IN THE USUAL WAY.
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO RECEIVE OTHER DAMAGES OF COMPENSATION RELATING TO THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME.
’’BUT IN ANY CASE, THE AMOUNT REPAID WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION IN ROOM 942, NINTH FLOOR, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI OR ON TEL 892 5526.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
REMARKS ON ARTS GRANT REJECTED
*****
THE CHAIRMAN OF A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE RELEVANT COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP, SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG, TODAY (MONDAY) REJECTED CRITICISMS MADE BY AN ARTS GROUP AFTER ITS APPLICATION FOR A PROJECT GRANT TO PERFORM AT AN ARTS FESTIVAL IN BRUSSELS IN MAY WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE MEETING.
THE ARTS GROUP, ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON, HAS CLAIMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS "TRYING TO CENSOR THE PROGRAMME".
"THE SPECIAL MEETING COMPRISED MEMBERS OF THE MUSIC AND DANCE COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) AND THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE VISUAL AND LITERARY ARTS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ADC)," SIR JOSEPH SAID.
"THESE MEMEBRS COULD BE SAID TO REPRESENT A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE VARIOUS ART DISCIPLINES.
"THE DECISION ON THE ZUNI APPLICATION WAS BASED ON SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING THE ARTISTIC MERITS OF THE PROJECT, THE ORGANISATIONAL ABILITY OF THE APPLICANT FOR STAGING THE PROPOSED PROGRAMME, THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS REQUESTED AND THE LACK OF INFORMATION REGARDING INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES LIKE FEES AND SPONSORSHIPS WHICH WERE TO BE PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
"THE DECISION OF THE JOINT MEETING WAS UNANIMOUS," HE SAID.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE SAID THE PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE NEW ADC ARE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLE AND ENCOURAGE THE FREEDOM OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.
SIR JOSEPH ADDED THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF ZUNI WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY AND DID FULLY ARGUE THEIR CASE AT THE MEETING.
THE ADC WORKING GROUP AND THE CFPA ARE ADVISERS TO THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR ARTS DEVELOPMENT.
"IN GIVING ADVICE, MEMBERS HAVE TO THOROUGHLY ASSESS THE MERITS OF THE CASE ALONG THE GUIDELINES MENTIONED ABOVE. MEMBERS HAVE ALSO TO BE FAIR TO OTHER APPLICANTS. AFTER ALL FUNDS ARE NOT UNLIMITED," HE SAID.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 66 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 387.078 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 315.438 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 53.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
/8 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1994
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,385
REVERSAL OF LAF +2,615
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -100
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,900
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.5 *+13.2* 3.1.94
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 4.75 101.30 3.58
1 MONTH 3.08 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.99 3.79
3 MONTHS 3.09 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.06 3.98
6 MONTHS 3.18 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.03 4.17
12 : MONTHS 3.50 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.01 4.63
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,494 MN
CLOSED 3 JANUARY 1994
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ROLE AND OBLIGATIONS OF ESTATE AGENTS DISCUSSED ................ 1
PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE ELECTRICAL PRODUCT SAFETY ................. 2
HK CELEBRATES INT ’ L YEAR OF THE FAMILY ....................... 3
TRAM AND LANTAU TAXI FARE RISES APPROVED ....................... 4
CHANGES TO STRATEGIC COMMODITIES CONTROL LIST TAKE EFFECT ... 6
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR OCTOBER RELEASED .......... 6
BARGE OPERATORS URGED TO USE TUEN MUN WATERFRONT ............... 9
1994 MUSIC OFFICE ANNUAL GALA .................................. 9
60 RETURN TO VIETNAM .......................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
1
ROLE AND OBLIGATIONS OF ESTATE AGENTS DISCUSSED *******
THE WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS TODAY (TUESDAY) EXAMINED THE ROLE AND OBLIGATIONS OF ESTATE AGENTS IN HONG KONG AND ENDORSED SOME SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS TO EXISTING MALPRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN THE TRADE.
IN THE SECOND MEETING, THE GROUP AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT MOST ESTATE AGENTS’ PRIMARY ROLE IS TO ACT AS MIDDLEMEN BETWEEN VENDORS AND PROSPECTIVE BUYERS IN PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.
IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY AMBIGUITY ABOUT AND ABUSE OF AN ESTATE AGENT’S ROLE AS A MIDDLEMAN, THE GROUP PROPOSED THAT LEGISLATION SHOULD PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO PLAYS SUCH A ROLE SHOULD IN FUTURE BE CONSIDERED AS AN AGENT FOR BOTH THE VENDOR AND PURCHASER.
THE GROUP ALSO DISCUSSED THE DUTIES OF AN ESTATE AGENT AND AGREED THAT THE FOLLOWING OBLIGATIONS FOR PRACTISING ESTATE AGENTS SHOULD BE LAID DOWN FOR FUTURE DISCUSSIONS ON A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK:
* TO BE A FIT AND PROPER PERSON, WITH NO CRIMINAL RECORD FOR FRAUDULENT OR DISHONEST OFFENCE;
* TO REPORT AND PRESENT TO THE PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER TO THE BEST OF HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPERTY TRANSACTION; AND
* TO DISCLOSE FULLY HIS OR HER INTEREST INCLUDING COMMISSIONS AND PROFITS IN THE TRANSACTION.
THE WORKING GROUP NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE PRESENT INTERMEDIARY SYSTEM IN PROPERTY TRANSACTION HAS A NUMBER OF ADVANTAGES, SUCH AS SPEEDING UP THE TRANSACTION IN A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY, IT ALSO GIVES RISE TO THE FOLLOWING MALPRACTICES BY UNSCRUPULOUS ESTATE AGENTS:
* ENGAGING CONFIRMORS TO POCKET THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OFFERING PRICE AND THE ASKING PRICE;
* TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR DOUBLE AGENCY ROLE BY OFFERING A FLAT TO A BUYER AT A PRICE HIGHER THAN WHAT A SELLER HAS ASKED FOR;
* ACCEPTING COMMISSION ILLEGALLY BY REFERRING HIS CLIENTS TO A SOLICITOR, A BANK OR AN INSURER;
* MAKING MISREPRESENTATION TO INDUCE A PROSPECTIVE BUYER TO MAKE A WRONG DECISION ON THE TRANSACTION;
* EXPLOITING THE PRESENT SITUATION OF UNCLEAR OBLIGATION THAT LEADS TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT POOR QUALITY OF SERVICE AND IRRESPONSIBLE ACTS.
AS A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION, THE WORKING GROUP ENDORSED THAT THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL SHOULD STEP UP PUBLICITY TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THESE MALPRACTICES WITH ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID THESE PITFALLS.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
2
THE GROUP ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE TWO TRADE ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD WORK OUT JOINTLY A STANDARDISED PROVISIONAL SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT (PSPA) WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A CLAUSE TO REQUIRE ESTATE AGENTS TO DISCLOSE FULLY THEIR INTEREST IN THE TRANSACTION.
IT IS ALSO AGREED THAT THE TWO ESTATE AGENTS TRADE ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR MEMBERS AND DRAW UP A CODE OF ETHICS AND A PRACTISING GUIDELINE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ICAC AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO IMPROVE PRACTISING STANDARD.
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PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE ELECTRICAL * * * * *
PRODUCT SAFETY
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) HAS DRAWN UP A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AGAINST SUBSTANDARD HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS IN USE IN HONG KONG.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS ARE SPELT OUT IN A CONSULTATION PAPER ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) TO OVER 40 INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS, INVITING THEIR COMMENTS ON STATUTORY CONTROL OVER THE SAFETY OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.
"THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSALS IS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY BY PRESCRIBING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS DESTINED FOR USE IN HONG KONG," AN EMSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE PROPOSALS, SUPPLIERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PRODUCTS COMPLY WITH THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH CERTIFICATES OF SAFETY COMPLIANCE. <
"HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS NOT MEETING THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM BEING SUPPLIED OR USED IN THE TERRITORY," HE SAID. *
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS SCHEDULED TO BE ENACTED IN 1995 AND BROUGHT INTO EFFECT 12 MONTHS LATER, ALLOWING A 12-MONTH GRACE PERIOD FOR MANUFACTURERS, ' IMPORTERS, SUPPLIERS AND CONSUMERS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.
)
"IT WILL ENTAIL AMENDMENTS TO THE:ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OTHER BODIES WISHING TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER MAY WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES (ATTENTION MR T II TAI), 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
REQUESTS CAN ALSO BE MADE ON TEL 895 8803 OR BY FAX 895 4929.
THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE WILL END ON FEBRUARY 28. BEFORE THEN, INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSALS TO THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES.
/MEANWHILE, THE ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
3
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT SINCE MANY PLUGS AND ADAPTORS ON SALE LOCALLY WERE BELOW STANDARD, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO INTENDED TO INTRODUCE STATUTORY CONTROL OVER THE SAFETY OF THESE ITEMS BEFORE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION COMING INTO EFFECT,
"THIS WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF ANOTHER CONSULTATION PAPER TO BE ISSUED LATER THIS MONTH, " HE ADDED.
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HK CELEBRATES INT’L YEAR OF THE FAMILY *****
A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY (IYF).
MESSAGES TO PROMOTE IYF WILL ALSO BE PUBLICISED.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID IN A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT AND THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO’S) REPRESENTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE (HKCSS) WILL FULLY SUPPORT THE LAUNCHING OF THE YEAR AND ITS OBJECTIVES.
THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS PROCLAIMED 1994 AS |YF.
MR STRACHAN APPEALED TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION.
"THE MAIN THEME OF THE YEAR IS TO STRENGTHEN THE ROLES OF THE FAMILY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY AT LARGE," HE ADDED.
A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE BY SWD AND HKCSS HAS BEEN SET UP AND HAS CHOSEN "FAMILY AND COMMUNITY: UNITY, HARMONY, DEVELOPMENT" AS THE MAIN THEME. THE SLOGAN IS "LOVE: FAMILY AND ME".
THE COMMITTEE HAS WRITTEN TO 500 ORGANISATIONS IN JULY LAST YEAR ANNOUNCING THE ADVENT OF IYF.
THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (CHARITIES) TRUST HAS DONATED $3.3 MILLION TO ENABLE THE COMMITTEE TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES.
ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED INCLUDE:
* PUBLICITY
PROMOTION OF THE THEME SONG; DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO THE PUBLIC; PRESSING OF SPECIAL POSTAL CHOP WITH SLOGANS; BUS ADVERTISEMENTS; TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES ON THE CHINESE CHANNELS OF BOTH TV STATIONS FROM MAY; A NEW TV API PLUS EXISTING API’S ON FAMILY EDUCATION; AND SOUVENIR BROCHURE;
* FAMILY GAMES DESIGN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE INTERACTION AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS; AND 300,000 "SWEET HOME" CARDS TO IMPROVE FAMILY TIES;
/♦A KICK-OFF .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
4
* A KICK-OFF EVENT TO BE HELD IN KOWLOON PARK ON JANUARY 8. MRS PATTEN WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUEST; AND
» WINNING PROJECTS OF THE YOUTH SCHEME 1993 PROGRAMME TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE KICK-OFF EVENT.
OTHER MAJOR EVENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER IN THE YEAR.
IN ADDITION TO ORGANISING PROGRAMMES JOINTLY WITH THE HKCSS, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO ORGANISE PROGRAMMES AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO ORGANISE A PROGRAMME - THE COMPETITION AND OPEN DAY OF FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES UNIT - TO MARK THE YEAR.
"AS INITIATIVES TO COMMEMORATE IYF, THE DEPARTMENT WILL DIRECT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO IMPROVE BOTH THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
.THESE INCLUDE:
* ADDITIONAL FAMILY CASEWORKERS AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS TO PROVIDE MORE INTENSIVE CASEWORK AND COUNSELLING;
* MORE HOME HELP TEAMS AND FAMILY AIDES, MORE FOSTER CARE PLACES, SMALL GROUP HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE STAFF TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN; AND
♦ EXPANDING CHILD CARE CENTRE FACILITIES AND IMPROVING THE SALARY SCALE OF THE CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS.
IN NGO SECTOR, MANY OF THEM HAVE STARTED TO PLAN FOR ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE THE YEAR.
AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, WITH THE THEME OF "FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CARE”, IS BEING ORGANISED AND A TERRITORY-WIDE RESEARCH HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT ON THE ROLE OF FAMILY IN COMMUNITY CARE, HE ADDED.
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TRAM AND LANTAU TAXI FARE RISES APPROVED
******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FARE INCREASES FOR THE HONGKONG TRAMWAYS AND LANTAU TAXIS MAINLY TO MEET INCREASED OPERATING COSTS.
TRAM FARES WILL GO UP BY 20 CENTS TO $1.2 FOR ADULTS AND BY 10 CENTS TO $0.6 FOR CHILDREN WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 6.
A HALF-FARE CONCESSION FOR PASSENGERS AGED 65 OR ABOVE WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED.
UNDER THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE, THE PRICE OF A MONTHLY TICKET WILL GO UP FROM $80 TO $100. THE PRICE OF A TOURIST TICKET FOR FOUR DAYS OF UNLIMITED RIDE WILL REMAIN AT $20.
/THE LANTAU .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
5
THE LANTAU TAXIS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A 12.5 PER CENT FARE INCREASE EFFECTIVE FROM FEBRUARY 16. THE FLAGFALL CHARGE WILL GO UP FROM $8 TO $9 FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES. THE SUBSEQUENT INCREMENTAL CHARGE WILL INCREASE FROM 80 CENTS TO 90 CENTS FOR EVERY 0.2 KILOMETRE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRAM FARE INCREASE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE ESTIMATED 40 PER CENT RISE IN INFLATION RATE SINCE THE LAST FARE REVISION IN AUGUST 1990.
"THE LOW RATE OF INCREASE HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE COMPANY’S SUCCESS IN INTRODUCING A NUMBER OF COST-SAVING MEASURES TO KEEP THE RISE IN OPERATING COSTS DOWN TO 15 PER CENT DURING THIS PERIOD,” HE SAID.
THE HONGKONG TRAMWAYS HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME UNDER WHICH ALL TRAMS HAVE BEEN REBODIED AND WOODEN SEATS ON THE UPPER-DECK WERE REPLACED BY MORE COMFORTABLE MOULDED PLASTIC ONES.
THE COMPANY HAS ALSO COMMENCED A PROGRAMME TO REDECORATE TRAM SHELTERS, ALL OF WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED WITH SHIELDS AGAINST BAD WEATHER.
FOR LANTAU TAXIS, THE APPROVED RATE OF INCREASE IS IN LINE WITH THE RISE IN INFLATION RATE SINCE THE LAST FARE REVISION IN NOVEMBER 1992.
IN DETERMINING THE RATE OF INCREASE, CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE TRADE, THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE, FARE DIFFERENTIAL WITH OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY.
THE PRESENT AND NEW FARE SCALES FOR LANTAU TAXIS ARE:
EXISTING FARES NEW FARES
$ $
FLAGFALL FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES 8.00 9.00
FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.2 KILOMETRE 0.80 0.90
WAITING TIME CHARGE FOR EVERY ONE MINUTE 0.80 0.90
ADDITIONAL FARE FOR EACH ARTICLE OF BAGGAGE, ANIMAL OR BIRD 3.00 4.00
ADDITIONAL FARE FOR EVERY HIRING ARRANGED THROUGH TELEPHONE BOOKING 3.00 5.00
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
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CHANGES TO STRATEGIC COMMODITIES CONTROL LIST TAKE EFFECT
*****
NEW REGULATIONS TO CONTROL MOVEMENT OF STRATEGIC COMMODITIES WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (STRATEGIC COMMODITIES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) (NO. 2) ORDER 1993 WAS GAZETTED ON DECEMBER 3, 1993 AND TABLED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 8, 1993.
IT BRINGS REGULATIONS OF HONG KONG IN LINE WITH UPDATED CONTROLS BY THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR MULTILATERAL EXPORT CONTROLS (COCOM) AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL EXPORT CONTROL REGIMES ON STRATEGIC COMMODITIES.
THE AMENDMENTS TO SCHEDULE 1 OF THE REGULATIONS REFLECT UPDATED COCOM CONTROLS ON THE MUNITIONS LIST AND ATOMIC ENERGY LIST, AND CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT RELAXATION OF CONTROLS ON DUAL-USE GOODS INCLUDING COMPUTERS, SIGNAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT, DISK DRIVES AND MODEMS ON THE INDUSTRIAL LIST, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID.
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, HE ADDED.
CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES TO SCHEDULE 2 WHICH COVER ARTICLES IN TRANSIT HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE.
NO CHANGE, HOWEVER, 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.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF STRATEGIC COMMODITIES WERE SUBJECT TO LICENSING CONTROL BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE.
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, HE ADDED.
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PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR OCTOBER RELEASED ♦ ♦ « ♦ ♦
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $15.3 BILLION, INCREASED BY 14% OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1992, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 7% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A STRONG GROWTH IN SPENDING ON CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, AND ON JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND VALUABLE GIFTS.
/SALES OF .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
7
SALES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR REGISTERED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN OCTOBER 1993 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, 26% IN VALUE AND 18% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND VALUABLE GIFTS WENT UP CONSIDERABLY BY 18% IN VALUE AND 14% IN VOLUME.
INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED FOR SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES, 13% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME; AND SALES IN SUPERMARKETS, 12% IN VALUE AND 4% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES INCREASED BY 3% IN VALUE BUT WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED IN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES OF OTHER FOODSTUFFS AND FUELS DROPPED BY 1% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME. IN VALUE TERMS, THE RESPECTIVE INCREASES WERE 9% AND 4%. SIMILARLY, SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES DECREASED BY 5% IN VOLUME, DESPITE A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1% IN VALUE.
COMPARING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 13% IN VALUE AND 7% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER 1993 REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED BOTH IN VALUE AND IN VOLUME.
THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES IS DERIVED FROM THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER ADJUSTING FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS DEFLATORS.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE OCTOBER 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 ON TEL 802 1258.
/TABLE 1 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
8
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for October 1993 (Provisional Figure) «= HK$15,322.7 million for September 1993 (Revised Figure) = HK$15,265.9 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE ANO VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 AND OCTQjiER 1993 (Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 « 100)
Item Index of Retail Sales September 1993 October 1993 October comparet Septemb 1993 d wi th ar 1993 October 1993 compared with October 1992 Jan-Oct. 1993 compared with Jan-Oct. 1992
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS (Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points X Points X Points X
Value 162.6 163.2 ♦0.6 ♦0.4 ♦19.5 +13.6 +17.6 +12.6
(B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET Volume 134.0 133.9 -0.2 -0.1 ♦9.0 ♦7.2 ♦8.7 ♦7.1
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 131.5 132.1 ♦0.6 ♦0.5 ♦10.8 ♦8.9 +7.8 ♦6.7
drinks and tobacco (other than supermarkets) Volume 103.4 100.5 -2.9 -2.8 -1.0 -1.0 +1.6 ♦1.7
Supermarkets 0 Value 151.1 139.4 -11.7 -7.8 ♦14.9 +12.0 +12.3 +9.6
Volume 113.7 104.3 -9.4 -8.3 ♦4.2 ♦4.2 ♦2.5 ♦2.4
Fuels Value 165.0 168.0 ♦3.0 ♦1.8 ♦5.6 +3.5 +12.0 ♦8.8
Volume 120.6 122.8 ♦2.2 ♦1.8 -1.9 -1.5 +3.8 +3.6
Clothing, footwear and Value 192.0 201.9 ♦9.9 ♦5.2 ♦42.0 +26.2 ♦47.0 ♦31.5
allied products Volume 147.8 153.4 ♦5.6 ♦3.8 ♦22.9 +17.5 ♦27.2 ♦21.5
Consumer durable goods * Value 196.1 175.2 -20.9 -10.7 ♦ 12.8 ♦7.9 ♦12.7 ♦7.8
Volume 166.8 147.8 -19.0 -11.4 ♦2.2 ♦1.5 ♦5.7 ♦3.9
- Motor vehicles Value 234.0 206.9 -27.1 -11.6 ♦24.0 ♦13.2 -0.7 -0.4
and parts Volume 179.6 157.6 -22.0 -12.3 ♦4.7 ♦3.1 -12.7 -7.8
- Consumer durable Value 168.7 152.3 -16.4 -9.7 ♦4.6 ♦3.1 ♦22.4 ♦15.9
goods other than motor vehicles and parts Vo I cine 157.5 140.7 -16.8 -10.6 ♦0.4 ♦0.3 +19.1 +14.2
Department stores Value 126.8 131.2 ♦4.3 ♦3.4 ♦1.2 ♦0.9 ♦11.6 ♦9.1
Volume 100.0 102.0 ♦2.0 ♦2.0 -5.5 -5.1 ♦2.2 ♦2.0
Jewellery, watches Value 146.8 159.7 ♦12.9 ♦8.8 ♦23.9 ♦17.6 ♦14.5 ♦10.7
and clocks, and valuable gifts Volume 145.2 160.3 ♦15.1 ♦10.4 ♦19.8 ♦14.1 ♦12.2 ♦8.7
Other consumer goods Value 186.3 200.2 ♦13.9 ♦7.4 ♦42.5 ♦26.9 ♦25.3 ♦17.5
not elsewhere classified Volume 151.9 162.6 ♦10.7 ♦7.0 ♦28.4 +21.2 +14.5 ♦ 11.5
NOTES : $ Not including supermarkets operating in department stores.
* This covers both "Motor vehicles and parts" and "Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts".
0----------
/9........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
- 9 -
BARGE OPERATORS URGED TO USE TUEN MUN WATERFRONT * * * » »
BARGE OPERATORS AT TAI LAM KOK ARE ASSURED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SPECIALLY DESIGNED CARGO HANDLING WATERFRONT IN TUEN MUN IS AVAILABLE FOR THEIR USE.
FISHERMEN ARE ALSO ASSURED THAT THE TAI LAM KOK BARGE OPERATORS WHO HAVE ORIGINALLY MOVED FROM AREA 44 IN TUEN MUN TYPHOON SHELTER WOULD NOT CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASED TRAFFIC LEVELS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER, A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ASSURANCES WERE GIVEN AT A MEETING BETWEEN MARINE OFFICIALS, BARGE OPERATORS AND FISHERMEN REPRESENTATIVES TO DISCUSS THE MOVE OF FOUR BARGE OPERATORS FROM TAI LAM KOK TO TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT (NORTH) IN TUEN MUN.
TAI LAM KOK WATERFRONT WAS DECLARED NOT TO BE A PUBLIC WATERFRONT IN THE GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY (DECEMBER 31), MAKING WAY FOR ITS USE AS AN AIRPORT CORE PROJECT WORKS SITE.
TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT (NORTH) WAS GAZETTED AT THE SAME TIME TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT FOR THE WATERFRONT LOST AT TAI LAM KOK.
CONTINUED PRESENCE OF THE BARGES AT TAI LAM KOK WOULD DELAY PRESSING CIVIL WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS GENERATED FROM THE BARGE OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN MINIMISED TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS BY LOCATING THE BARGES TO THE FAR WESTERN SECTION OF THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT (NORTH)," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE LAND TRANSPORT IMPLICATIONS OF THE FOUR OPERATORS OPERATING AT TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT (NORTH) WOULD BE MINIMAL, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0-------
1994 MUSIC OFFICE ANNUAL GALA
*****
MORE THAN 500 YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL PERFORM AT THE MUSIC OFFICE'S ANNUAL GALA TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE CONCERT HALL ON JANUARY 29 AT 3 PM.
THE ANNUAL GALA IS THE FIRST MUSIC ACTIVITY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH THIS YEAR.
IT WILL BE A REVIEW OF ALL THE TRAINEES’ ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR UNDER THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME RUN BY THE MUSIC OFFICE.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE THE TRAINEES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM BEFORE THEIR PARENTS, FRIENDS AND THE PUBLIC.
PERFORMING IN THE CONCERT WILL BE THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA; HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE PLUCKED STRING ORCHESTRA; HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND; HONG KONG YOUTH STRINGS; MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
/PIECES SUCH .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
10
PIECES SUCH AS "WINTER HUNTING”, "SOMEWHERE OUT THERE" AND "FANTASIA ON GREENSLEEVES" WILL BE PERFORMED.
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, WILL OFFICIATE AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY DURING WHICH OUTSTANDING TRAINEES, ORCHESTRAL, CHOIR AND BAND MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT OR AWARDS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
TICKETS FOR THE ANNUAL GALA, AT $30 AND $50 EACH, ARE NOW ON SALE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
< ' HALF-PRICE TICKETS WOULD ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 60 OR ABOVE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 802 0657.
< ■ ! ■> ------0--------
; *'
60 RETURN TQ VIETNAM
♦ » t * *
•H'A” 4-* 7.
A TOTAL OF 60 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURNED TO VIETNAM TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE 15TH FLIGHT UNDER THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
THE RETURNEES, COMPRISING 26 MEN, 13 WOMEN, 11 BOYS AND 10 GIRLS, ARE FROM THE HIGH ISLAND, NEI KWU CHAU, CHI MA WAN (UPPER) AND WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRES.
THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES ON THESE FLIGHTS TO 795.
THE 60 RETURNEES ARRIVED IN HONG KONG MOSTLY IN 1988 AND 1989, AND WERE ALL SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
-------------------0------- HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 4 JAN 94 4 JAN 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q401 H455
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$5,390 MN HK$2,060 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$1,200 MN HKS500 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.07 PCT 3.22 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.08 PCT 3.23 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 66 PCT ABOUT 50 PCT
l!‘ < AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.12 PCT 3.25 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1994
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 10 JANUARY 1994
TENDER DATE 11 JAN 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q402
ISSUE DATE 12 JAN 94
MATURITY DATE 13 APR 94
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$l,200 + 240 MN u
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,900
REVERSAL OF LAF +100
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -700
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,300
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.8 »+0.3* 4.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ’ !
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.98 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.23 3.65
1 MONTH 2.99 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.88 3.88
3 MONTHS 3.11 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.91 4.08
6 MONTHS 3.21 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.87 4.27
12 MONTHS 3.55 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT 34 OF BILLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 30 4.20 ,963 MN 98.75 4.73
CLOSED 4 JANUARY 1994
-------- 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSULTATION UNDERWAY FOR AIRPORT CORPORATION ................... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER VISITING TV CITY ................. 2
INDUSTRY CHANGING TO HK’S ADVANTAGES: STI ....................... 6
STUDY ON LANDFILL RESTORATION CONTRACTS ......................... 7
CALENDAR CARDS PROMOTE CHILD CARE ............................... 8
BOOKLET ON HISTORY OF HK DEFINITIVE STAMPS ...................... 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
CONSULTATION UNDERWAY FOR AIRPORT CORPORATION
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON SAID HONG KONG WAS ENGAGING IN A GENUINE CONSULTATION ABOUT THE BEST WAYS OF ORGANISING THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY OR CORPORATION IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED, THE GOVERNOR SAID:"I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNISES THAT WE’VE GOT TO STRIKE A BALANCE.
"ON THE ONE HAND, WE WANT TO HAVE AS AFFECTIVE A COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION AS POSSIBLE, MEETING CUSTOMERS’ DEMANDS IN A COMPETITIVE AND FLEXIBLE WAY.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE ORGANISATION THAT WE SET UP WHERE IT SPENDS PUBLIC MONEY IS PROPERLY ACCOUNTABLE."
ASKED ABOUT LOCALISATION OF THE PROPOSED ORGANISATION, MR PATTEN SAID: "I AM SURE THAT IN ESTABLISHING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CORPORATION OR AUTHORITY, THE DIRECTION OF THE CORPORATION OR AUTHORITY WILL WANT TO AND HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE TALENTS AVAILABLE AND WILL WANT TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE INJECTION OF LOCAL TALENT.
"BUT I DON’T THINK THAT IN ANY OF OUR PUBLIC CORPORATIONS OR AUTHORITIES, ANYBODY WANTS TO TOTALLY EXCLUDE EXPATRIATE EXPERTISE."
ASKED TO RESPOND TO A STATEMENT BY THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY ISSUED THIS AFTERNOON, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVEN’T YET AGREED ON, LET ALONE STARTED TO CONSIDER ALL THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995, FOR INSTANCE, HOW THEREFORE CAN THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE SAY THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE AGAINST THE BASIC LAW.
"SECONDLY, THE POSITION AS FAR AS DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IS PERFECTLY CLEAR.
"NOTHING THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IS AGAINST THE BASIC LAW."
--------0-----------
/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
- 2 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER VISITING TV CITY *****
GOVERNOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT TVB TODAY FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. FIRST OF ALL, HONG KONG HAS TURNED ITSELF INTO THE MEDIA CAPITAL OF THE REGION. A NUMBER OF COMPANIES INCLUDING TVB HAVE SET THE PACE AND BLASE THE TRAIL AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT IN THE YEARS AHEAD, WE CAN BUILD ON THAT FOUNDATION. IT’S IMPORTANT TO OUR POSITION IN THE REGION. IT’S IMPORTANT TO OUR DEVELOPMENT AS A REGIONAL CENTRE. IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US COMMERCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY AS WELL. SECONDLY, I’M DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT ONE OF OUR LEADING MEDIA ORGANISATIONS. AS YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF OUR OPEN AND PLURAL SOCIETY IS A FREE PRESS AND PRESS MEDIA. I THINK IN AN OPEN SOCIETY WHERE YOU HAVE A FREE MARKET AND PRODUCTS, YOU INEVITABLY HAVE A FREE MARKET IN IDEAS AS WELL AND I THINK FREE PRESS, FREE MEDIA ARE AS IMPORTANT TO OUR WAY OF LIFE IN MANY WAYS AS A FAIRLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY. THEY ALL CONNECT AND ALL MAKE UP PART OF THE FIBRIC OF OUR WAY OF LIFE. THEY ALL HELP TO SUSTAIN THE RULE OF LAW. JOURNALISTS ASKING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS OF GOVERNMENTS HELP TO MAKE SURE fllAT GOVERNMENTS STAY CLEAN AND STAY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF A COMMUNITY. AS YOU KNOW, WE’VE BEEN PRESSED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE WON’T ABUSE ANY OF THE EXISTING LAWS ON THE STATUTE BOOK TO TRY TO UNDERMINE THE FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA. 1 MAKE THAT PLEDGE AGAIN BUT I ALSO REMIND YOU THAT ENCOURAGED BY PEOPLE LIKE THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, WE ARE REVIEWING AND AMENDING MUCH OF OUR LEGISLATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ORDINANCES ON TELECOMMUNICATION, BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, TELEVISION AND SO ON, TO ENSURE THAT THEY DON’T, IN ANY WAY, INFRINGE ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WHICH I THINK THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION WOULD LIKE US TO LOOK AT AND WE’RE GOING TO LOOK AT THEM AND, 1 HOPE, HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION ABOUT THEM. THERE’VE ALSO BEEN FROM TIME TO TIME, AS YOU KNOW, CRITICISMS OF ATTEMPT TO EXERT BACKDOOR PRESSURE ON THE PRESS AND THE MEDIA. THERE’VE BEEN SUGGESTIONS OF SELF-CENSORSHIP. WHEN THE NEWSPAPER SOCIETY GAVE EVIDENCE TO THE RELEVANT LEGCO PANEL IN SEPTEMBER, THAT WAS A POINT WHICH WORRIED THEM. I THINK THAT’S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO BE FEARLESS ABOUT AND KEEP OUR EYES OPEN TO PREVENT HONG KONG AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION HAS SAID, IS ONE OF THE OASES OF PRESS FREEDOM IN THIS REGION AND WE WANT TO KEEP THINGS THAT WAY AND THE BEST WAY OF PREVENTING THAT BEING ERODED, THE BEST WAY OF PREVENTING SELF-CENSORSHIP CREEPING IN IS BY PUBLICISING IT WHENEVER IT HAPPENS AS WAS DONE IN THE CASE OF THE EVIDENCE TO THE LEGCO PANEL IN SEPTEMBER. SO, AGAIN, I REPEAT, I’M DELIGHTED TO VISIT ANOTHER OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT MEDIA ORGANISATIONS, ONE WHICH IS DOING A GREAT DEAL FOR OUR ECONOMY AND A GREAT DEAL FOR OUR WAY OF LIFE. AND I’VE BEEN DELIGHTED TO SEE SO MUCH GOING ON TODAY AND PARTICULARLY DELIGHTED NOT TO TAKE PART, NOT TO BE ASKED TO TAKE PART IN A MARTIAL ART DEMONSTRATION OR A VIDEO FOR A POP SONG. BUT IT WAS ALL VERY INTERESTING.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE THE COMMENT THAT MAKING THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BECOME AN AIRPORT CORPORATION IS TOO COMMERCIALISED, HOW DO YOU THINK THAT AND HAVE YOU MADE ANY DECISION ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP BOARD OF THE . ..?
/GOVERNOR: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
3
GOVERNOR: WHAT WE’RE DOING, AS YOU KNOW, IS ENGAGING IN A GENUINE CONSULTATION ABOUT THE BEST WAYS OF ORGANISING THE AUTHORITY OR CORPORATION IN THE YEARS AHEAD. I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNISES THAT WE’VE GOT TO STRIKE A BALANCE. ON THE ONE HAND, WE WANT TO HAVE AS AFFECTIVE A COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION AS POSSIBLE, MEETING CUSTOMERS’ DEMANDS IN A COMPETITIVE AND FLEXIBLE WAY. ON THE OTHER HAND, WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE ORGANISATION THAT WE SET UP WHERE IT SPENDS PUBLIC MONEY IS PROPERLY ACCOUNTABLE. NOW WITH THE MTRC, WE’VE CALLED IT A "C" , A CORPORATION RATHER THAN AUTHORITY AND IN SOME EXTENT IN HONG KONG, WE USE THE WORD ’’AUTHORITY’' WHEN WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT REGULATORY BODIES AND ’’CORPORATION” WHEN WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A HANDS-ON ORGANISATION WHICH IS ACTUALLY AS IT WERE DRIVING A FUNCTION. I DON’T FEEL AT THE MOMENT, AT THIS STAGE OF THE DEBATE, ANY PARTICULAR PASSION ABOUT ONE WORD OR THE OTHER. BUT I DO HOPE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE CAN FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO FUNCTIONS, BETWEEN ON THE ONE HAND, HAVING A GOOD, EFFECTIVE COMMERCIAL OPERATION AND ONE THE OTHER HAND, HAVING ONE WHICH IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PUBLIC FUND THAT IT USES.
QUESTION: TVB HAS CONFIRMED THAT IT HAS THE BBC DOCUMENTARY ON MAO ZEDONG, DID YOU ASK THEM WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO SHOW IT? ISN’T THIS THE KIND OF FILM WE LIKE TO SEE SHOWN HERE?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT’S, WITH RESPECT, THAT IS A QUESTION FOR TVB WHICH I AM SURE THEY WILL ANSWER AFTERWARDS. BECAUSE THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST IN IT, I’VE ASKED ABOUT IT. I HAVEN’T SEEN THE PROGRAMME. I THINK THAT IT’S BEEN A SUBJECT OF SOME CONTROVERSY. IN MY EXPERIENCE, IT IS PART OF THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING A TELEVISION COMPANY TO FIND YOURSELF DRAWN INTO CONTROVERSIES. POLITICIANS ON THE WHOLE AND POLITICAL LEADERS APPEAR MORE ON TELEVISION THAN WATCH IT BUT THEY HAVE PARTICULAR SENSITIVITIES ABOUT WHAT GOES ON TELEVISION AND I HAVE TO SAY, HAND ON HEART, THAT THEY ARE NOT ON THE WHOLE SHARED BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. I THINK IN POLITICS AND IN GOVERNMENT, YOU HAVE TO TAKE AS IT WERE THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH BUT I THINK THAT IT’S REALLY A QUESTION FOR TVB OR THE BBC WHO MADE THE PROGRAMME IN THE FIRST PLACE.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WILL YOU GUARANTEE THAT ... ?
GOVERNOR: I’M AFRAID TO SAY, APART FROM OF COURSE THE OCCASIONAL TVB PROGRAMME I HAVEN’T MANAGED TO WATCH VERY MUCH TELEVISION EVEN OVER CHRISTMAS.
QUESTION: WILL YOU GUARANTEE THAT MEMBERS OF THE AC BOARD SHOULD BE MORE LOCALISED, THAT’S WHAT THE CHINESE SIDE IS WORRIED ABOUT?
GOVERNOR: I AM SURE THAT IN ESTABLISHING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CORPORATION OR AUTHORITY, THE DIRECTION OF THE CORPORATION OR AUTHORITY WILL WANT TO AND HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE TALENTS AVAILABLE AND WILL WANT TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE INJECTION OF LOCAL TALENT. BUT I DON’T THINK THAT IN ANY OF OUR PUBLIC CORPORATIONS OR AUTHORITIES, ANYBODY WANTS TO TOTALLY EXCLUDE EXPATRIATE EXPERTISE. PART OF HONG KONG’S ATTRACTION AS A COMMUNITY AND PART OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS THAT WE BRING IN EXPATRIATES FROM TIME TO TIME TO DO PARTICULAR JOBS AND I THINK THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A GOOD MIX OF ALL SORTS OF TALENT.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
4
QUESTION: THE SAR PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE IS INTENSIFYING ITS ROLE IN TRANSITIONAL MATTERS AND IT HAS OPENED ITS TALKS IN BEIJING TODAY, HOW IS THIS GOING TO AFFECT YOUR PREPARATIONS PERHAPS FOR YOUR TRIP TO LONDON THIS MONTH?
GOVERNOR: NOT AT ALL.
QUESTION: ARE YOU AFRAID THAT THE OUTCOME, I MEAN THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO AFFECT PERHAPS YOUR STRATEGY, AND SPEAKING WITH MR MAJOR SHOULD IT COME UP WITH OTHER PLANS FOR THE ELECTIONS, IF ANY AT ALL?
GOVERNOR: NO, NO. I THINK THAT THE IMPORTANT THING FOR THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IS TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT IN THE LONG-TERM INTEREST OF HONG KONG AND TO ABIDE BY THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE CAUSE OF THE PRESENT ARGUMENT WHICH I THINK IS UNFORTUNATE IS THAT WE WANT TO PUT IN PLACE FAIR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTIONS AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE DON’T.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WHAT’S YOUR REACTION TO THE NEW NCNA STATEMENT ISSUED THIS AFTERNOON, SAYING THAT THE ACCUSATIONS YOU MADE LAST WEEK AGAINST THE STATEMENT FROM THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE ARE TOTALLY UNFOUNDED?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I THINK THAT LIFE IS TOO PRECIOUS AND TOO SHORT TO SPEND EVERY HOUR AND EVERY DAY RESPONDING TO EVERY NCNA STATEMENT. BUT THERE IS AN EXPRESSION IN ENGLISH LITERATURE: ME THINKS THEY DO PROTEST TOO MUCH. I THINK THAT THE POSITION IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AND I REPEAT IT. WE HAVEN’T, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVEN’T YET AGREED ON, LET ALONE STARTED TO CONSIDER ALL THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995, FOR INSTANCE, HOW THEREFORE CAN THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE SAY THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE AGAINST THE BASIC LAW. SECONDLY, THE POSITION AS FAR AS DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IS PER-FECTLY CLEAR. NOTHING THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IS AGAINST THE BASIC LAW. SO I REALLY DO THINK THAT OTHERS SHOULD READ THE BASIC LAW AS CAREFULLY AS THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS DONE.
QUESTION: LU PING SAYS THAT YOU ARE NOT CO-OPERATIVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT LET THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO HAVE CONTACTS WITH PWC MEMBERS, SO DO YOU HAVE ANY RESPONSE?
GOVERNOR: YES I DO. THE BEST WAY OF ENSURING THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG, THE BEST WAY OF ENSURING THAT WE CO-OPERATE, THE BEST WAY OF SECURING OUR PROSPERITY IS TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT RATHER MORE IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE EXISTING CHANNELS FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. I’D LIKE TO SEE MORE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, SO WOULD THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG. I’D LIKE TO SEE US MAKE MORE PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT, SO WOULD EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG. THOSE ARE THE CHANNELS THAT WE’VE GOT TO MAKE WORK AND I HOPE THAT DIRECTOR LU PING’S STATEMENT MEANS THAT HE IS REALLY NOW COMMITTED TO GETTING IN TOUCH WITH AMBASSADOR GUO TO ENSURE THAT WE GET TO MOVE ON IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. AS FOR THE PARTICULAR POINT ABOUT THE PWC, I AM AFRAID THE CHARGE IS MIS-DIRECTED BECAUSE WE’VE SAID THAT WE ARE CONTENTED FOR GOVERNMENT TO INFORM THE PWC ABOUT MATTERS THAT INTEREST THEM JUST AS WE INFORM OTHER OUTSIDE GROUPS. WE ARE A VERY OPEN GOVERNMENT AND WE BELIEVE IN KEEPING PEOPLE INFORMED ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON. IF MEMBERS OF THE PWC HAVE QUESTIONS WHICH THEY WANT US TO ANSWER FOR THEM WE’LL BE DELIGHTED TO DO IT.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
- 5 -
QUESTION: WHAT’S YOUR OBJECTIVE FOR THE TRIP TO LONDON?
GOVERNOR: WELL, ONE OBJECTIVE, THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE IS TO MEET AND GIVE EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WHICH IS TAKING EVIDENCE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA AND HONG KONG. IT’S DOING A REPORT. AS YOU KNOW, MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE WERE HERE NOT VERY LONG AGO AND THEY’VE GOT TWO MORE WITNESSES, I THINK, TO HEAR FROM. ONE IS THE 28TH GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND THE OTHER IS THE, WHATEVER IT IS, FOREIGN SECRETARY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHO IS GIVING EVIDENCE THE WEEK AFTER I AM. BUT WHILE I’M IN LONDON I WILL BE TALKING TO THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND OTHER MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, TALKING TO THEM BOTH BECAUSE THEY TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HONG KONG PARTICULARLY AT THIS JUNCTURE IN OUR AFFAIRS, AND TALKING TO THEM AS WELL AS THEIR PERSONAL FRIENDS.
QUESTION: IS THIS TRIP .... THE FEARS OF LOSING PUBLIC SUPPORT NOW,
OR HONG KONG SUPPORT OR ALSO LOSING PARTY SUPPORT IN LONDON?
GOVERNOR: NO.
QUESTION: IN THE TRIP IN LONDON, WILL YOU DECIDE WHEN WILL YOU PUT THE REST PART OF THE REFORM BILL TO LEGCO?
GOVERNOR: WE ARE OBVIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE TIMETABLE. OUR POSITION IS THAT WE PUBLISHED THIS PARTIAL LEGISLATION, INTRODUCED IT INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN ORDER TO TRY TO GIVE US MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. THE BILL IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY LEGCO IN THE SORT OF RATIONAL AND SENSIBLE WAY THAT YOU EXPECT. I AM SURE THAT WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE FINISHED CONSIDERING THIS BILL, WHICH IS THE SECOND OF THE BILL WE BROUGHT FORWARD, THE FIRST WAS THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION BILL, I AM SURE THAT AFTER THIS THEY’LL WANT TO GET ON TO THE FINAL BILL. I STILL HOPE THAT THAT CAN BE ON THE BASIS OF AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA. WE WANT TO GO ON TALKING AND I AM SORRY THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS APPEAR TO HAVE RULED THAT OUT. BUT I THINK IT’S A QUESTION OF, AS WE HAVE DONE ALREADY, PROCEEDING IN AN ORDERLY WAY, ONE STEP AT A TIME AND WE ARE TAKING THE SECOND STEP, THE THIRD STEP WILL COME A BIT LATER. EACH OF THE STEPS WE’VE TAKEN, IF I MAY SAY SO, HAS ENJOYED AN ASTONISHING LEVEL OF SUPPORT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AS WELL AS SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT IN HONG KONG. I CAN’T THINK OF A PERIOD IN THE LAST 10 OR 15 YEARS, PERHAPS EVEN LONGER, WHEN THERE HAS BEEN A BROADER BASIS OF SUPPORT IN BRITAIN FOR WHAT’S BEING DONE. IT DOESN’T MEAN THERE AREN’T SOME WHO ARE CRITICAL, IT DOESN’T MEAN THERE AREN’T SOME WHO THINK THAT THINGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE DIFFERENTLY. UNITED KINGDOM IS AN OPEN SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG AND YOU WOULD EXPECT THAT. BUT I CAN’T THINK OF ANOTHER ISSUE AT THE MOMENT WHICH HAS, BROADLY SPEAKING, THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR PARTY, AND THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS WELL AS THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. ONE LAST QUESTION.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
6
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, LAST WEEK SECRETARY SO SAID THAT HE COULD NOT THINK OF A SINGLE EXAMPLE IN WHICH CHINA HAD ACTUALLY INTIMIDATED THE PRESS HERE IN HONG KONG. ALL OF US HERE OBVIOUSLY CAN THINK OF QUITE A NUMBER OF EXAMPLES, PARTICULARY SOME JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN HELD IN JAIL IN CHINA WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY GOOD INTIMIDATION TACTIC. IS THAT YOUR FEELING AS WELL, SIR?
GOVERNOR: BOW TO THE EXPERTS, YOU’RE THE EXPERTS. IF THERE ARE EXAMPLES I HOPE THAT JOURNALISTS WHO ARE AS COMMITTED AS I AM TO A FREE PRESS WILL MAKE CLEAR WHAT THOSE EXAMPLES ARE. WHAT I RECALL AS I SAID EARLIER IS THE EVIDENCE GIVEN BY THE NEWSPAPER SOCIETY TO THE LEGCO PANEL. I’VE READ INTERESTING SPEECHES AND ARTICLES BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION. I’VE HEARD GOSSIP ON THE GRAPEVINE AS YOU’VE DONE. 1 THINK THAT WE WANT TO PREVENT OUR FREE PRESS BEING ERODED BY OUTSIDE INFLUENCE OR OUTSIDE PRESSURES. I THINK THAT’S SOMETHING WHICH ALL OF US SHOULD TAKE AS A COMMON CAUSE. HONG KONG IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE AND A FREE PRESS IS PART OF OUR UNIQUENESS AND OUR ATTRACT TON. RTHK, A SHORT WHILE AGO, DID WITH SOME OF OUR TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS A POLL ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPRESSED ANXIETY ABOUT FREEDOM OF THE PRESS DECLINING IN THE FUTURE. WE ONLY STOP THAT HAPPENING IF WE ARE ALL ABSOLUTELY ON OUR GUARD TO PREVENT IT HAPPENING AND THAT'S WHAT I HOPE YOU IN PARTICULAR WILL BE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED. I AM SORRY THIS HAS GONE ON SO LONG AND HAS KEPT YOU FROM YOUR TEA. I AM PARTICULARLY GRATEFUL ONCE AGAIN TO TVB FOR GIVING ME SUCH AN ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE AFTERNOON AND FOR INTRODUCING ME ONCE AGAIN TO THE WONDERS OF THE INFORMATION REVOLUTION.
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INDUSTRY CHANGING TO HK’S ADVANTAGES: STI * * * * *
THE CLOSE ECONOMIC INTER-DEPENDENCE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAS ENABLED HONG KONG TO BECOME THE NERVE CENTRE FOR MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN SOUTHERN CHINA, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HE SAID SINCE THE OPENING OF CHINA IN 1979, HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIALISTS HAD MADE CONSIDERABLE USE OF THE LOWER LABOUR AND LAND COSTS IN SOUTHERN CHINA FOR LOW COST, HIGH VOLUME AND LABOUR INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES AND FOR THE OUTWARD PROCESSING OF GOODS.
NOTING THAT THE MOVEMENT OF INDUSTRIES TO SOUTHERN CHINA HAD SOMETIMES BEEN VIEWED IN NEGATIVE TERMS, HE SAID THIS MISCONCEPTION COULD NOT BE MORE WRONG.
’’MANUFACTURING IS IMPORTANT AND IS GOING STRONG. IT IS THE PRODUCTION IN OUR FACTORIES HERE IN HONG KONG AND IN SOUTH CHINA THAT KEEPS OUR TRADERS SO BUSY, OUR PORT SO FULL AND OUR SERVICES SECTOR SO BUOYANT,” HE SAID.
/MR CHAU ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE DECLINE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF MANUFACTURING TO THE GDP, THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS TODAY PRODUCING, IN REAL TERMS, 80 PER CENT MORE THAN IT DID 10 YEARS AGO.
"INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG ARE MOVING UP-MARKET THROUGH IMPROVEMENT IN LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, AUTOMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MORE CAPITAL INTENSIVE, HIGHER TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER VALUE ADDED MANUFACTURING," HE SAID.
THE RESTRUCTURING OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE HAD UNLEASHED VALUABLE LAND AND MANPOWER RESOURCES IN HONG KONG FOR INDUSTRIES THAT REMAINED IN THE TERRITORY TO CONCENTRATE ON MORE INNOVATIVE, HIGHER VALUE ADDED, BETTER QUALITY AND MORE PROFITABLE PRODUCTS, HE ADDED.
"WE HAVE LOST LABOUR INTENSIVE, LOW VALUE ADDED PROCESSES, BUT HAVE GAINED SOPHISTICATED BUSINESSES THAT CAN COMPETE WITH THE WORLD ON THE BASIS OF QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE NEED TO SUPPORT THE MUCH ENLARGED PRODUCTION BASE IN SOUTHERN CHINA HAD RESULTED IN RAPID ADVANCES IN OTHER SECTORS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, SUCH AS TRADING, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING AND EVEN TOURISM.
HE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THESE STRUCTURAL CHANGES HAD DONE ANYTHING TO DIMINISH HONG KONG’S PRICE COMPETITIVENESS IN THE WORLD MARKET.
"OVERALL, OUR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CHANGING TO OUR ADVANTAGES," MR CHAU SAID.
------0-------
STUDY ON LANDFILL RESTORATION CONTRACTS
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANT TO LOOK INTO ISSUES COMMON TO ALL LANDFILLS IN HONG KONG AND TO PRODUCE A DESIGN, BUILD AND OPERATE (DBO) CONTRACT DOCUMENT FOR THEIR RESTORATION.
THE DOCUMENT WILL BE USED AS THE BASIS OF INDIVIDUAL LANDFILL RESTORATION CONTRACTS FOR THE VARIOUS SITES.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BETWEEN EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR MIKE STOKOE, AND A DIRECTOR OF SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK, MR SIMON DAVIES.
THE DBO CONTRACTS, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO LAST FOR 10 TO 15 YEARS, WILL REQUIRE THE CONTRACTORS TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT THE RESTORATION WORKS AND, FOLLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, THE CONTRACTORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE WORKS BEFORE EVENTUALLY RETURNING THE SITES TO THE GOVERNMENT ONCE THE REQUIRED STANDARDS HAVE BEEN ATTAINED.
/AN EPD ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
- 8 -
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID: "THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT EACH SITE WILL HAVE ONLY ONE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESTORATION AND THUS MAKE CERTAIN THE WORKS ARE CARRIED OUT IN A SAFE AND EFFICIENT MANNER."
A SIMILAR APPROACH WAS SUCCESSFULLY USED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGIC LANDFILLS.
THE CONTRACTORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO MAKE USE OF THE SITES FOR SPECIFIED CATEGORIES OF RECREATIONAL LAND USES DURING THE CONTRACT PERIOD.
THIS STUDY IS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME TO RESTORE LANDFILLS TO A SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE CONDITION SO THAT THE LAND CAN BE RETURNED TO BENEFICIAL USE.
THERE ARE 13 EXISTING LANDFILL SITES IN HONG KONG OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 300 HECTARES.
NINE OF THE LANDFILLS HAVE CEASED OPERATION AND THE REMAINING FOUR WILL BE CLOSED IN PHASES WHEN THE THREE NEW STRATEGIC LANDFILLS ARE COMMISSIONED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: "MOST OF THESE LANDFILLS HAVE BEEN LEFT AS DERELICT SITES SINCE THEY WERE CLOSED BUT LANDFILL GAS AND LEACHATE, THE PRODUCTS OF WASTE BIODEGRADATION, ARE CONTINUOUSLY RELEASED AND CAUSE CONSIDERABLE IMPACT TO THE ENVIRONMENT."
NOTING THAT THESE SITES, ORIGINALLY SITED IN REMOTE AREAS, ARE NOW MUCH CLOSER TO DEVELOPED URBAN AREAS, HE SAID THE RESTORATION OF LANDFILLS WAS NECESSARY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REASONS.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY COMMISSIONED A SERIES OF STUDIES TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEMS GENERATED FROM THE LANDFILLS, RECOMMEND MITIGATION MEASURES AND IDENTIFY POSSIBLE FUTURE LAND USE OPTIONS FOR THE SITES.
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CALENDAR CARDS PROMOTE CHILD CARE t * * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED 150,000 COPIES OF CALENDAR CARDS IN AN EFFORT TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF HOME SAFETY.
THE CARDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICES OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
FAI CHUNS OF FIVE DIFFERENT DESIGNS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT APPEALED TO PARENTS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE.
/"FOR THEIR .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
9
"FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S SAFETY, THEY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT ALONE AT HOME, EVEN FOR A SHORT WHILE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE IN 75 CHILD CARE CENTRES ACROSS THE TERRITORY WITH A VIEW TO ELIMINATING THE RISK OF HAVING YOUNG CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME.
THE NURSERIES OFFER TEMPORARY CARE AT TWO-HOUR OR QUARTER-DAY’ BASIS, CHARGING FEES FROM $10 TO $15 PER ADMISSION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SERVICE MAY CALL THE HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ON 836 3114.
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BOOKLET ON HISTORY OF HK DEFINITIVE STAMPS t « f t *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT TO COMMEMORATE THE HONG KONG ’94 STAMP EXHIBITION, A PRESTIGE STAMP BOOKLET "A HISTORY OF HONG KONG DEFINITIVE STAMPS, 1862-1992" WILL BE ISSUED ON JANUARY 12.
IT WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE. THE SELLING PRICE IS HK$38 A COPY.
A RESTRICTION OF FIVE BOOKLETS PER CUSTOMER WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
THIS PRESTIGE STAMP BOOKLET, WHICH IS PRINTED IN FULL COLOUR BY LEIGH-MARDON PTY LTD OF AUSTRALIA, CONTAINS THREE DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLETS, NUMBERED A HONG KONG CLASSICS SERIES NO. 3, 4 AND 5.
THE SHEETLETS ARE PRINTED ON CROWN AGENTS WATERMARKED PAPER.
THE SERIES NO. 3 SHEETLET CONTAINS FIVE $2 STAMPS AND ONE 10-CENT STAMP. THE SERIES NO. 4 SHEETLET CONTAINS FIVE $1.80 STAMPS AND ONE $1.70 STAMP. THE SERIES NO. 5 SHEETLET CONTAINS FIVE $1 STAMPS AND ONE $5 STAMP.
MR PAGLIARI SAID THIS BOOKLET GAVE FOOD VALUE FOR MONEY.
APART FROM GIVING A BRIEF HISTORY OF HONG KONG DEFINITIVE STAMPS ISSUED SINCE 1862, IT ALSO CONTAINS MORE THAN 30 ILLUSTRATIONS OF HISTORICAL PAINTINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, OLD COINS AND BANK NOTES.
FURTHERMORE, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE DEFINITIVE STAMPS ISSUED SINCE 1862 AND THE VARIOUS CROWN AGENTS WATERMARKS USED IN THESE ISSUES ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
NO OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OR SOUVENIR COVERS WILL BE ISSUED. NO ADVANCE ORDER SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED.
HOWEVER, HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE FOR PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING THE "FIRST DAY" INDICATION AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
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/10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1994
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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 127.7 »-0.1* $ MILLION 3,300 + 700 4,000 NIL -1,907 2,093 5.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.86 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.25 3.62
1 MONTH 2.93 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.93 3.84
3 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.97 4.04
6 MONTHS 3.19 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.90 4.25
12 MONTHS 3.50 PCT 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.82 4.71
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 17,007 MN CLOSED 5 JANUARY 1994 / , M : - - - - 0 - •I Ji ’ O /Ad " < 9 /. • . * •j'A ,.v *4 .
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NEEDS SENSIBLE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: GOVERNOR ........................................ 1
STEADY ECONOMIC GROWTH EXPECTED FOR 1994: FS .................... 2
GOVT WOULD RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ON AIRPORT BILL : CS ............ 5
CS SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING SCHOOLS ................... 6
CS VISITS TWO SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION DEPT ........................ 7
LAW REFORM COMMISSION PUBLISHES REPORT ON COPYRIGHT ............. 8
GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW MEMBER TO BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION .................................................... 9
NOISE-REDUCING WORKS ON ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR ................ 10
PARKING METERS MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AWARDED ..................... 11
PENALTY PROVISIONS FOR BUS SERVICE DEFICIENCIES STRENGTHENED 11
STAMPS TO MARK YEAR OF THE DOG ................................. 12
ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING AWARD OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS ........... 13
ROVING EXHIBITION ON AIDS ...................................... 14
WIND INSTRUMENT TRAINING FOR STUDENTS .......................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
15
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NEEDS SENSIBLE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
* * * * *
THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE COSTS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE AND THE NEED FOR SENSIBLE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS IF THE HEALTH OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF IS TO REMAIN GOOD, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION, MR PATTEN SAID SOME PEOPLE STILL FELT UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN THE LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS AND MARKETS WAS APPLIED TO HEALTH CARE.
"THERE IS A TENDENCY HERE, AS ELSEWHERE, TO SEE HEALTH CARE AS TOO FUNDAMENTAL AN ISSUE TO APPLY NORMAL BUSINESS PRACTICES," HE SAID.
THE OBJECTIVE FOR THE CORPORATE PLAN OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS TO ACHIEVE QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE HOSPITAL SERVICES, SAID MR PATTEN.
"I BELIEVE MOST STRONGLY THAT MARKET MECHANISMS ARE AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN ACHIEVING THAT OBJECTIVE," HE SAID.
THERE ARE TWO REASONS.
"FIRST, THE KEY POINT OF MARKET MECHANISMS IS NOT THE QUESTION OF PRICE, BUT THE INDICATION THAT THEY GIVE AS TO THE STATE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED THAT A FREELY OPERATING MARKET WAS THE MOST EFFICIENT MECHANISM THEY KNEW FOR IDENTIFYING WHERE NEEDS WERE AND DIRECTING RESOURCES TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.
HE SAID: "A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT IS TRULY PUTTING THE PATIENT FIRST NEEDS TO HAVE THE MECHANISMS TO IDENTIFY THE DEMANDS OF ITS PATIENTS AND RESPOND TO THEM QUICKLY.
"SECOND, INEFFICIENCIES ARE A GREAT ENEMY OF QUALITY.
"THEY TEND TO DISCOURAGE INITIATIVE AND IMPROVEMENT." t
BY PROMOTING THE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES - ENCOURAGING QUALITY MANAGEMENT - THE MARKET MECHANISMS HELP TO PROMOTE THE QUALITY OF FRONT LINE CARE TO THE PATIENT, HE NOTED.
"WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE PRUDENT AND SECURE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FINE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN BUILT UP CAN BE MAINTAINED AND DEVELOPED TO MEET HON^G KONG’S CHANGING NEEDS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO COMMENDED THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY FOR SHOWING THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ITS OWN IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS, SUCH THAT THE HONG KONG HOSPITAL SYSTEM COULD OFFER INSPIRATION TO OTHER TERRITORIES IN HOW TO MANAGE AND IMPROVE THEIR OWN SYSTEMS.
/2........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
- 2 -
STEADY ECONOMIC GROWTH EXPECTED FOR 1994 *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, EXPECTED HONG KONG’S ECONOMY TO MAINTAIN STEADY GROWTH IN 1994.
SPEAKING AT A MEDIA SESSION TO REVIEW 1993 AND TO LOOK AHEAD TO THE NEW YEAR, HE SAID ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 1994 WAS LIKELY TO BE AROUND FIVE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. >•
ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT, DEMAND WOULD BE UNDERPINNED BY SUSTAINED FULL EMPLOYMENT AND STEADY INCREASE IN INCOMES AND THE PROGRESSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, HE SAID.
ON EXTERNAL TRADE, HE BELIEVED THERE WOULD BE CONTINUED ROBUST GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS AND IN TRADE IN SERVICES DUE TO IMPROVED ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS.
THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND SHOULD ALSO BOOST SENTIMENTS, HENCE RAISING EXPECTATIONS FOR A FASTER GROWTH IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE, HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG COULD EXPECT TO BENEFIT FROM THE RECENT UNIFICATION OF THE RENMINBI EXCHANGE RATE.
THIS WAS A MAJOR STEP TOWARDS FULL CONVERTIBILITY OF THE RENMINBI AND WOULD FACILITATE CHINA’S EFFORTS TO RE-ENTER GATT AND WOULD ALSO HELP TO ATTRACT MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT INTO CHINA, HE SAID.
ON INFLATION, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PRELIMINARY VIEW WAS THAT IN 1994 INFLATION WAS LIKELY TO STAY AT MORE OR LESS THE SAME LEVEL AS IN 1993.
i it?
ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN 1993, HE NOTED THAT THE FORECAST GDP GROWTH RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT FOR THE YEAR WAS LIKELY TO BE LARGELY ACHIEVABLE.
r~‘ ')/• >’ ‘ I •. ■ ;•
THE FORECAST CONSUMER PRICfc INFLATION RATE FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, AT AN AVERAGE OF 8.5 PER CENT, WAS ALSO LIKELY TO BE ON TARGET GIVEN THE ACTUAL OUTTURN SO FAR, Hfe SAID.
ON THE MEDIUM-TERM OUTLOOK FOR 1994-97, SIR HAMISH SAID THE DYNAMIC ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, COUPLED WITH GRADUAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN EUROPE, POINTED TO GOOD BUSINESS PROSPECTS AHEAD.
HE ADDED THAT THE LONGER TERM PROSPECTS FOR CHINA’S ECONOMY SHOULD BE BRIGHT.
HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THE CONTINUATION OF CHINA’S ECONOMY AND CURRENCY REFORMS WHICH WOULD BE OF BENEFIT TO HONG KONG ON SEVERAL COUNTS.
HE SAID THESE REFORMS WOULD MAKE CHINA’S ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS MORE MARKET-DRIVEN AND THIS SHOULD BE WELCOMED BY FOREIGN INVESTORS AND HELP ACHIEVE LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.
/THE REFORMS, .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
- 3 -
THE REFORMS, HE ADDED, SHOUtb HELP PROMOTE THE GATT-CONSISTENCY OF CHINA’S ECONOMIC REGIME AND FACILITATE HER APPLICATION FOR RESUMPTION OF GATT MEMBERSHIP.
HE SAID CHINA’S GATT MEMBERSHIP SHOULD REDUCE THE RISK OF ARBITRARY AND DISCRIMINATORY TRADE ACTIONS AGAINST CHINA WHICH WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG BEARING IN MIND THAT RE-EXPORTS TOOK UP TWO-THIRDS OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS AND THAT 80 PER CENT OF ITS RE-EXPORT TRADE WAS CHINA-RELATED.
THE REFORMS ALSO PROMOTED TRANSPARENCY AND TRADE CERTAINTY IN CHINA AND SHOULD BE WELCOME NEWS TO HONG KONG, GIVEN THE FACT THAT HONG KONG WAS CHINA’S LARGEST INVESTOR AND SECOND LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. 'W'
IN THE LIGHT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, HE EXPECTED THE MEDIUM TERM TREND GDP GROWTH RATE TO MAINTAIN AT FIVE PER CENT PER ANNUM AND THE CORRESPONDING TREND INFLATION RATE IN TERMS OF THE GDP DEFLATOR AT,8.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
ON THE NEW AIRPORT, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT TOOK AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD WITH THE PUBLICATION IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL, THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL, ON JANUARY 3 FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
COMMENTING ON WHETHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WOULD BE GOING TO BEIJING AT THE INVITATION OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE FOR THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO BRIEF THEM ON THE BILL, HE SAID: "DURING THIS CONSULTATION EXERCISE WE WILL BE RESPONDING IN HONG KONG TO QUESTIONS PUT TO US BY HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"WE WOULD RESPOND TO MEMBERS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE IN THE SAME WAY WE WOULD RESPOND TO OTHER GROUPS IN HONG KONG. THERE IS THEREFORE NO QUESTION OF US SENDING OFFICIALS TO APPEAR IN FRONT OF THE COMMITTEE IN PEKING OR ANYWHERE ELSE."
HE SAID THERE WERE WELL-ESTABLISHED CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION ON TRADITIONAL ISSUES.
ON AIRPORT SUBJECTS, THERfc ARE FORMAL CHANNELS INCLUDING THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, HE SAID.
THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION HAVE BEEN SET UP UNDER FORMAL INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED BETWEEN PRESENT AND FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWERS.
"IT WOULD BE CONFUSING FOR THE PUBLIC, AND COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE TO THE TRANSITION, TO BLUR THESE ARRANGEMENTS WITH GROUPS WHICH DO NOT HAVE SUCH A FORMAL BASIS," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, WE DO OF COURSE HAVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH FOR AIRPORT ISSUES HAS ITS OWN SPECIALIST SUB-COMMITTEE."
HE ADDED THE GOVERNMENT HAD THIS WEEK STARTED DISCUSSING THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL WITH THESE GROUPS, AND MORE MEETINGS WOULD BE TAKING PLACE DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.
/ON HONG .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
4
ON HONG KONG’S PROPERTY MARKET IN 1993, HE NOTED THAT MORTGAGE LENDING BY THE BANKS SHOWED A RENEWED UPSURGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, ACCOMPANIED BY A FURTHER RISE IN PRICES.
CONDITIONS WERE NOW MORE STABLE ALTHOUGH THE LATENT DEMAND WAS STILL THERE, HE ADDED.
OVER THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, THE BANKS! MORTGAGE LENDING GREW BY ABOUT 15 PER CENT WHILE PROPERTY PRICES ROSE BY 20 PER CENT.
HE BELIEVED THAT WITHOUT THE 70 PER CENT MORTGAGE CEILING, AND EVEN TIGHTER LENDING POLICIES BY SOME BANKS, THE GROWTH IN LENDING AND CONSEQUENT OVERHEATING OF THE PROPERTY MARKET WOULD HAVE BEEN „ MUCH GREATER.
THIS SHOWED THE VALUE OF THE 70 PER CENT CEILING IN HELPING TO RESTRAIN EXCESSIVE LENDING AND IN PROVIDING BANKS WITH A CUSHION AGAINST ANY DOWNTURN IN THE MARKET, HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE. DID NOT SEE ANY CASE FOR THE CEILING TO BE LIFTED AT PRESENT.
ON THE MONETARY AND BANKING SECTOR, SIR HAMISH NOTED THAT THE BANKING SECTOR ENJOYED ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL AND PROFITABLE YEAR IN 1993, . HELPED BY THE GOOD PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY.
A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY: AUTHORITY (HKMA) ON APRIL 1, ,1 &93.
DURING THE YEAR, THE HKMA HAD INTRODUCED THE CENTRAL MONEY MARKETS UNIT WHICH WOULD FACILITATE SCRIPLESS TRADING OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENTS AND HAD ALSO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED THE THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTE WHICH HAD HELPED TO DEEPEN THE GROWING HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENT MARKET.
HE SAID THAT 1994 WOULD SEE THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF HONG KONG AS AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
TURNING TO THE STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS, SIR HAMISH DESCRIBED 1993 AS "A SUCCESSFUL AND RECORD-BREAKING YEAR".
Jii 1
THE STOCK MARKET SAW TREMENDOUS PROGRESS, IN PARTICULAR IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WITH THE RANG SENG INDEX HAVING MORE THAN DOUBLED.
MARKET CAPITALISATION ALSO GREW SUBSTANTIALLY AND TRACING VOLUME HAD REMAINED AT ROBUST LEVEL, HE ADDED.
AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT WAS THE LISTING OF CHINESE STATE ENTERPRISES IN HONG KONG. THE SIX LISTINGS SO FAR HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED AND THREE MORE LISTINGS HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1994.
/5 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
GOVT WOULD RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ON AIRPORT BILL : CS *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD RESPOND TO MEMBERS OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE FOR THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (PWC) IN THE SAME WAY AS IT RESPONDED TO ANY OTHER GROUP IF THEY WISHED TO POSE QUESTIONS ON THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING TWO SCHOOLS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, MRS CHAN SAID: "IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY QUESTION OF US SENDING OFFICIALS TO BEIJING TO EXPLAIN TO THE PWC ABOUT THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL."
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THERE WAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION TO DEAL WITH TRANSITIONAL MATTERS UNDER THE JLG.
"IN THE CASE OF THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE SET UP UNDER THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WE ALSO HAVE THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ALSO HAS ITS OWN SPECIALIST SUB-COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH ALL AIRPORT MATTERS,” MRS CHAN SAID.
"THESE ARE FORMAL CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WHICH BOTH SOVEREIGN POWERS HAVE AGREED SHOULD BE SET UP TO DEAL WITH AIRPORT MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT.
"I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY NEED TO ESTABLISH YET ANOTHER CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION. INDEED, TO DO SO WOULD I THINK BE, FIRST OF ALL, VERY CONFUSING TO HONG KONG PEOPLE AND WILL BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE IN SO FAR AS ACHIEVING A SMOOTH TRANSITION IS CONCERNED."
ASKED TO RESPOND TO REMARKS BY THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE UNDER CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING ON THE STATUS OF HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT, MRS CHAN SAID: "THE QUESTION OF WHO IS A PERMANENT HONG KONG RESIDENT AND WHO HAS A RESIDENT STATUS IS A MATTER THAT WE HAVE RAISED WITH THE CHINESE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"WE’VE HAD A SERIES OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS. THESE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN VERY USEFUL AND ARE CONTINUING AND WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE VERY SOON."
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/6 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
- 6 -
CHIEF SECRETARY SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING SCHOOLS *****
CHIEF SECRETARY: FIRST OF ALL, GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE, AS YOU KNOW I’VE JUST VISITED THE ST. JOSEPH SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE PRIMARY SCHOOL HERE. THIS IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF VISITS I’M HOPING TO PAY TO VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SEE FOR MYSELF HOW SERVICES ARE DELIVERED AND TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF COMMON INTERESTS WITH THE STAFF WHO ARE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE SERVICE, AND I AM VERY GLAD TO BE ABLE TO VISIT BOTH THESE SCHOOLS THIS AFTERNOON. I’D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PWC. AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE A WELL ESTABLISHED CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION TO DEAL WITH TRANSITIONAL MATTERS UNDER THE JLG. IN THE CASE OF THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE SET UP UNDER THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WE ALSO HAVE THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ALSO HAS ITS OWN SPECIALIST SUBCOMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH ALL AIRPORT MATTERS. AS WE SUGGESTED TO THE CHINESE LAST SUMMER, WE HAVE NOW PUBLISHED A WHITE BILL ON THE AIRPORT CORPORATION AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CONSULTING THE HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THIS BILL. THIS WEEK WE HAVE STARTED A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEE AND IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL BE HOLDING FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. IN THIS PROCESS OF CONSULTATION WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WE WILL, OF COURSE, BE VERY HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS PUT TO US BY THE HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND SO IF MEMBERS OF THE PWC WISH TO POSE QUESTIONS ON THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL, WE WOULD RESPOND TO THESE MEMBERS OF THE PWC IN THE SAME WAY AS WE
RESPOND TO ANY OTHER GROUP. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I DON’T THINK THERE
IS ANY QUESTION OF US SENDING OFFICIALS TO BEIJING TO EXPLAIN TO THE
PWC ABOUT THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL. FINALLY, I HAVE REFERRED TO
THE ESTABLISHED CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION. THESE ARE FORMAL CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WHICH BOTH SOVEREIGN POWERS HAVE AGREED SHOULD BE SET UP TO DEAL WITH AIRPORT MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT. I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY NEED TO ESTABLISH YET ANOTHER CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION. INDEED, TO DO SO WOULD I THINK BE, FIRST OF ALL, VERY CONFUSING TO HONG KONG PEOPLE AND WILL BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE IN SO FAR AS ACHIEVING A SMOOTH TRANSITION IS CONCERNED.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, ARE YOU AFRAID THAT GOVERNMENT............. PWC BY
ALLOWING GOVERNMENT SERVANTS ...?
CHIEF SECRETARY: I THINK I HAVE ALREADY SAID WE HAVE WELL ESTABLISHED CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION. WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THESE CHANNELS ARE ADEQUATE AND I AM SURE THAT THE CHINESE, LIKE THE BRITISH AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS, WOULD WISH TO COMPLY WITH THE UNDERTAKINGS UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE MOU ON THE AIRPORT.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
QUESTION: WOULD YOU COMMENT ON MR LU PING’S REMARKS ON THE STATUS OF HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT? (TRANSLATION)
CHIEF SECRETARY: THE QUESTION OF WHO IS A PERMANENT HONG KONG RESIDENT AND WHO HAS A RESIDENT STATUS IS A MATTER THAT WE HAVE RAISED WITH THE CHINESE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WE HAD A SERIES OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS. THESE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN VERY USEFUL AND ARE CONTINUING AND WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE VERY SOON. I KNOW THAT MR LU PING HAS A VERY CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCERN OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND HE REALISES THAT THIS IS A MATTER OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO HONG KONG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO MIGHT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED AND I AM SURE THAT LIKE US, MR LU PING WILL BE VERY ANXIOUS TO REACH AN EARLY AGREEMENT WITH US ON THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
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CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS TWO SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION DEPT *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (THURSDAY) HAD A CLOSE LOOK AT LIFE IN A GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AND AN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL.
HER VISIT TO ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE AT KENNEDY ROAD, THE HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN WAN CHAI IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION TOURS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND FACILITIES SINCE SHE TOOK UP OFFICE AS CHIEF SECRETARY LAST NOVEMBER.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, MRS CHAN WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, WHICH HAS A HISTORY OF MORE THAN 120 YEARS, BY ITS PRINCIPAL, THE REV BRO THOMAS FAVIER.
DURING THE TOUR, SHE OBSERVED A WIDE VARIETY OF CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A SECONDARY TWO MUSIC LESSON AND SECONDARY SIX COMPUTER STUDIES, FOLLOWED BY A GENERAL DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, STAFF AND THE STUDENTS’ UNION.
ON THE VISIT TO THE CO-EDUCATIONAL HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, MRS CHAN WAS TOLD THAT THE BI-SESSTONAL SCHOOL PLACED MUCH EMPHASIS ON MORAL AND CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS DRAMA, MUSIC AND ART COMPETITIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTORATE WELCOMED MRS CHAN WHEN SHE ENDED THE DAY’S TOUR AT ITS HEADQUARTERS IN WU CHUNG HOUSE, WAN ('HAI. MR WONG BRIEFED HER ON THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION ON MAJOR ISSUES.
- - 0------------
/8........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
8
LAW REFORM COMMISSION PUBLISHES REPORT ON COPYRIGHT *****
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION TODAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED ITS REPORT ON COPYRIGHT WHICH COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATING TO BROADCASTING, LITERARY WORKS, VIDEOTAPES AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS.
THE REPORT IS THE RESULT OF SIX YEARS OF HARD WORK BY THE COMMISSION AND ONE OF ITS SUB-COMMITTEES.
IT WAS STATED IN THE REPORT THAT HONG KONG’S PRESENT LAW IS BASED ON THE UNITED KINGDOM COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1956, WHICH IS NOW INADEQUATE TO COPE WITH RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, SUCH AS THE INTRODUCTION OF CABLE TELEVISION.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT STANDARDS HAVE EVOLVED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW CONCEPTS SUCH AS "MORAL RIGHTS" (THE RIGHT BE IDENTIFIED AS AUTHOR OR A WORK AND TO OBJECT TO ITS DEROGATORY TREATMENT).
IN THE REPORT, THE COMMISSION ARGUES THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO ALIGN ITSELF WITH INTERNATIONAL NORMS AND HAS THEREFORE IN MANY AREAS CHOSEN TO FOLLOW THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM COPYRIGHT, DESIGNS AND PATENTS ACT 1988, WHICH REPRESENTS. A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF COPYRIGHT LAW TN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THERE IS, THE COMMISSION POINTS OUT, MUCH TO BE SAID FOR FOLLOWING ENGLISH LAW IN ORDER TO BENEFIT FROM CASE LAW DEVELOPMENT THERE.
AMONG CHANGES PROPOSED IS THE IMPOSITION OF LIABILITY NOT ONLY ON THE OCCUPIER OF PREMISES WHERE AN INFRINGING PERFORMANCE HAD TAKEN PLACE, BUT ALSO ON THE SUPPLIER OF APPARATUS OR THE COPY OF THE FILM OR SOUND RECORDING.
WHILE MUCH OF THE COMMISSION’S REPORT IS HIGHLY TECHNICAL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE LIKELY TO AFFECT THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET:
» THE COMMISSION REJECTS THE IDEA OF A BLANK TAPE LEVY, A PROPOSAL FAVOURED BY COPYRIGHT OWNERS WHICH WOULD HAVE IMPOSED A LEVY ON BLANK TAPES IN RETURN FOR WHICH PURCHASERS WOULD HAVE BEEN FREE TO TAPE COPYRIGHT MATERIAL.
THE COMMISSION, HOWEVER, PROPOSES THAT VIDEOTAPING OF A BROADCAST SOLELY TO ENABLE IT TO BE VIEWED AT A MORE CONVENIENT TIME SHOULD BE PERMITTED.
* THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT THE LAW SHOULD ALLOW COPYING OF A REASONABLE PROPORTION OF A PRINTED WORK.
AT PRESENT, THE PHOTOCOPYING OF EVEN A LIMITED EXTRACT FROM A PUBLISHED WORK BREACHES THE PUBLISHER’S COPYRIGHT.
/* COPYING OR .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
- 9
♦ COPYING OR ADAPTATION OF A COMPUTER PROGRAMME AS AN
ESSENTIAL STEP IN THE UTILISATION OE THE COMPUTER PROGRAMME SHOULD BE PERMITTED. THE EXISTING LAW SUGGESTS THE
COPYRIGHT OWNER’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED.
* THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS A SCHEME OF STATUTORY CONTROL FOR COLLECTING SOCIETIES, THE BODIES WHICH COLLECT AND
DISTRIBUTE ROYALTIES ON BEHALF OF COPYRIGHT OWNERS. AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO SUCH CONTROL.
* THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS (BUT WITH SOME RESERVATIONS) THE CONTINUATION OF THE EXISTING RIGHT OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER TO RESTRICT PARALLEL IMPORTS. (THESE ARE NOT ’’PIRATE COPIES”, BUT COPIES LAWFULLY MANUFACTURED ELSEWHERE AND IMPORTED TO HONG KONG IN BREACH OF AN EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION LICENCE).
» THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THE CREATION OF A NEW COPYRIGHT TRIBUNAL, BASED ON THE EXISTING PERFORMING RIGHT TRIBUNAL BUT WITH EXTENDED JURISDICTION.
THE NEW TRIBUNAL WOULD HAVE POWERS TO ADJUDICATE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A LICENSING SCHEME WAS REASONABLE.
IT WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO SETTLE DISPUTES OVER DESIGN RIGHT. THE NEW TRIBUNAL WOULD BE CHAIRED BY A LEGALLY QUALIFIED PERSON, ASSISTED BY A NUMBER OF LAY ASSESSORS FROM THE COPYRIGHT FIELD.
RELEASING DETAILS OF THE COMMISSION’S REPORT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE NAZARETH.
’’THIS IS A COMPLEX AREA OF THE LAW AND THE REFLECTS THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF HARD WORK PUT INTO MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE,” HE SAID
THE REPORT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE TRADE FOR CONSIDERATION AND NECESSARY FOLLOW-UP ACTION.
COMMISSION’S REPORT
THIS SUBJECT BY THE
AND INDUSTRY BRANCH
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GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW MEMBER TO BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG A MEMBER OF THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) TO REPLACE MR ROBERT GEORGE KOTEWALL, QC, WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1.
THE APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE ON THE NOMINATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE THREE-MEMBER BEC ORIGINALLY COMPRISED MR JUSTICE WOO KWOK-HING AS CHAIRMAN AND PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG, AND MR KOTEWALL AS MEMBERS.
/OWING TO .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
OWING TO HIS HEAVY WORK COMMITMENTS, MR KOTEWALL HAS TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE COMMISSION WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR.
MR NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG, AGED 53, HAS BEEN APPOINTED A BEC MEMBER FOR THREE YEARS FROM JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996.
A SOLICITOR IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, MR LEUNG IS MARRIED WITH FOUR CHILDREN. HE WAS MADE JUSTICE OF PEACE IN 1983, MBE IN 1986, AND AWARDED CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDAL IN 1992, AND RECENTLY MADE AN OBE IN THE NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST.
MR LEUNG HAS A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
HE SERVED THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME FROM 1972 TO 1978, THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD FROM 1983 TO 1987. LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM 1990 TO 1992, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE PANEL FROM 1985 TO 1993 AND HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY FROM 1985 TO 1993.
AT PRESENT MR LEUNG IS COMMISSIONER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WHICH HE HAS JOINED SINCE 1977.
HE ALSO SITS ON THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY POLYTECHNICv OF HONG KONG AND HAS BEEN ITS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN SINCE 1992.
MR LEUNG IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW (FILM CENSORSHIP).
THE APPOINTMENT OF MR LEUNG WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
- - 0 - -
NOISE-REDUCING WORKS ON ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR » * * * »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL RELAY NOISE-REDUCING SURFACING MATERIAL ON A 300-METRE-LONG SECTION OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR FRONTING CITY GARDEN, NORTH POINT FROM THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 8).
THE PROJECT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN SIX STAGES ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS ONLY. AT EACH STAGE, TWO OF THE FOUR LANES ON THE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE CLOSED.
THE WORKS ON EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL START AT 8.30 PM ON SATURDAYS AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAYS FROM JANUARY 8 TO 30 AND FROM FEBRUARY 19 TO MARCH 13 RESPECTIVELY.
THE WORKS ARE NECESSARY BECAUSE THE EXISTING SURFACE IS DETERIORATING.
- - 0
/Il
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
PARKING METERS MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AWARDED * * ♦ ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED THE CONTRACT FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL PARKING METERS IN HONG KONG TO SERCO GUARDIAN (FM) LIMITED.
THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WILL START FROM MARCH 20 THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR WILL TAKE OVER THE COLLECTION, COUNTING AND BANKING OF METER REVENUE.
IT WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH PUBLIC TELEPHONE REPORTS ABOUT DEFECTIVE METERS, MAINTAIN AND CLEANSE ALL PARKING METERS, AND MAINTAIN METER POSTS, PARKING SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS ASSOCIATED WITH METERED PARKING SPACES.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL HOWEVER RETAIN CONTROL OVER THE LEVEL OF PARKING CHARGES, TYPES OF METERS TO BE USED, AND DESIGNATION AND SUSPENSION OF METERED PARKING SPACES.
THE POLICE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PARKING OFFENCES.
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE MONITORED BY A SPECIAL TEAM IN THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN HELPING THE STAFF AFFECTED BY THE CONTRACTING OUT EXERCISE TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT. OUT OF THE 118 STAFF INVOLVED, 38 HAVE OPTED TO RETIRE. SEVENTY HAVE SO FAR BEEN OFFERED OTHER JOBS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
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PENALTY PROVISIONS FOR BUS SERVICE DEFICIENCIES STRENGTHENED *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL PENALTY PROVISIONS IN THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICE ORDINANCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WERE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING EXERCISE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES.
THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 26.
THE BILL WILL ENABLE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO IMPOSE FINANCIAL PENALTIES ON A FRANCHISED BUS OPERATOR BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ROUTES WHERE SERVICE DEFICIENCIES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
/THIS CONTRASTS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
12
THIS CONTRASTS WITH THE EXISTING PROVISIONS WHERE A PENALTY CAN BE IMPOSED (UP TO $10,000 FOR THE FIRST OCCASION, $20,000 ON THE SECOND OCCASION AND $50,000 ON THE THIRD AND ANY SUBSEQUENT OCCASIONS) FOR SERVICE DEFICIENCIES FOUND ON THE FRANCHISE AS A WHOLE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF ROUTES INVOLVED.
THE BILL WILL ALSO PLACE IT BEYOND DOUBT THAT SUCH PENALTIES CANNOT BE PASSED ON TO BUS PASSENGERS BY EXCLUDING SUCH FINES FROM OPERATING EXPENSES IN THE CONSIDERATION OF FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO TRANSFER TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT EXCO’S POWER TO MAKE BUS REGULATIONS COVERING MATTERS SUCH AS PROVISION OF DESTINATION INDICATORS, CONDUCT OF BUS DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AND SO ON.
THIS DELEGATION OF POWER WILL RELIEVE THE EXCO FROM HAVING TO DEAL WITH SUCH ROUTINE MATTERS.
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STAMPS TO MARK YEAR OF THE DOG ♦ * * * *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS WOULD BE ISSUED ON JANUARY 27 ON THE THEME OF ’’YEAR OF THE DOG.”
THIS IS THE EIGHTH IN THE CURRENT SERIES OF LUNAR NEW YEAR SPECIAL STAMP ISSUES RELEASED BY THE POST OFFICE STARTING WITH THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT IN 1987. THERE WILL BE FOUR DENOMINATIONS: $1, $1.90, $2.40 AND $5.
A SOUVENIR SHEET INCORPORATING THE FOUR STAMPS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED. A STAMP BOOKLET CONTAINING SIX EACH OF THE $1 AND $2.40 STAMPS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $20.40 EACH.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR KAN TAI-KEUNG AND PRINTED BY LEIGH-MARDON OF AUSTRALIA.
THE STAMPS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE AS FROM JANUARY 13.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES, EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, AS FROM JANUARY 13 AT $ 1 EACH.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS AND SOUVENIR SHEET COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM JANUARY 13 TO 19.
THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS PER ORDER IS FIVE.
A RESTRICTION OF TWO STAMP BOOKLETS, 10 SOUVENIR SHEETS AND FIVE SHEETS OF STAMPS OF EACH DENOMINATION (VIZ, 250 SETS OF STAMPS) PER CUSTOMER QUEUING WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
/FIRST DAY .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
13
FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARK AT $13.30 EACH WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES:
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
CUSTOMERS INTERESTED IN OBTAINING THESE SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS ARE ADVISED TO DO SO THROUGH PLACING ADVANCE ORDERS.
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING THE ’’FIRST DAY” INDICATION ON JANUARY 27 AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
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ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING AWARD OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS
******
THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING AN AWARD SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE THE DESIGN OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING SERVICES SYSTEMS.
NOMINATIONS ARE INVITED BETWEEN NOW AND FEBRUARY 28 FOR ALL BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTIONS WHICH WILL LAST MORE THAN ONE YEAR, TO COMPETE FOR THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING AWARD 1994.
THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE, MISS MARY CHOW, SAID THE AWARD SCHEME AIMED TO FOSTER PUBLIC APPRECIATION FOR BUILDINGS THAT HAD ACHIEVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL EXCELLENCE.
”WE HOPE THE SCHEME WILL ALSO INCREASE THE AWARENESS AMONG PROFESSIONALS OF THE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDING DESIGNS,” SHE SAID.
THE ENTRIES WILL BE ASSESSED ACCORDING TO THE OVERALL MERIT OF THE BUILDINGS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THEIR ENERGY-EFFICIENCY FEATURES AND THEIR DESIGN INNOVATION.
THE ASSESSMENT PANEL WILL COMPRISE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MISS CHRISTINE LOH, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR ROCCO YIM FROM THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, MR JAMES KWAN FROM THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MR DANIEL LAM FROM THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
/THE WINNERS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
- 14
THE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN APRIL.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, 20TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL. ENQUIRIES MAY ALSO BE DIRECTED TO THE BRANCH ON TEL 848 2980.
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ROVING EXHIBITION ON AIDS
*****
A FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION WILL OPEN THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 8) AT 1 PM AT WO CHE ESTATE COMMERCIAL CENTRE TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF AIDS.
THE ROVING EXHIBITION WILL LATER MOVE TO THE FOLLOWING FIVE COMMERCIAL CENTRES IN DIFFERENT HOUSING ESTATES UNTIL EARLY MARCH:
01 MAN ESTATE, HO MAN TIN BUTTERFLY ESTATE, TUEN MUN SIU SAI WAN ESTATE, CHAI WAN CHEUNG FAT ESTATE, TSING YI LOK WAH ESTATE, KWUN TONG
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, OFFICIATE AT ITS OPENING CEREMONY.
JANUARY 14 - 20
JANUARY 21 - 27
FEBRUARY 18-24
FEBRUARY 25 - MARCH 3
MARCH 4-10
DR CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, WILL
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (SPECIAL HEALTH SERVICE), DR P Y LAM; URBAN COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS, MISS CARLYE TSUI; THE CONVENOR OF THE PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP ON AIDS, MISS ANN LAM, AND A DISC JOCKEY, MISS SHIRLEY HUI.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT WO CHE ESTATE COMMERCIAL CENTRE BEFORE 12.45 PM ON SATURDAY.
NO PARKING SPACE WILL BE PROVIDED.
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/15........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
- 15 -
WIND INSTRUMENT TRAINING FOR STUDENTS *****
STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY FOUR TO FORM ONE WHO WISH TO LEARN TO PLAY WIND INSTRUMENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN A TRAINING SCHEME RUN BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
WEEKLY ONE-HOUR TRAINING SESSIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT VARIOUS MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
BECAUSE PLAYING IN ORCHESTRAS OR BANDS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF INSTRUMENT TRAINING, TRAINEES WHO ATTAINED A GOOD MUSICAL STANDARD ARE EXPECTED TO JOIN AT LEAST ONE MUSIC OFFICE ORCHESTRA OR BAND, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID.
THE MUSIC OFFICE ALSO ORGANISES A SERIES OF MUSICAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING A MUSIC CAMP, A BAND FESTIVAL, AND AN ANNUAL GALA EVERY YEAR TO BROADEN TRAINEES’ EXPERIENCE.
MONTHLY TRAINING FEE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL IS $100.
APPLICANTS WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN INSPECTION OF THEIR HANDS AND MOUTH AS WELL AS A SIMPLE VOICE TEST AT THE MUSIC CENTRES IN MARCH. THE FIRST TRAINING SESSION WILL START IN APRIL.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 2.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 582 5314.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,093
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,907
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -525
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,475
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.6 »-0.1» 6.1.94
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994
- 16 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.64 PCT 14 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.27 3.60
1 MONTH 2.89 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.93 3.84
3 MONTHS 3.03 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.98 4.03
6 MONTHS 3.18 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.94 4.23
12 MONTHS 3.50 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT OF ! 34 BILLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 12, 4.20 179 MN 98.86 4.69
CLOSED 6 JANUARY 1994
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR EARLY RESOLUTION OF RIGHT OF ABODE ........... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS .................................... 2
TRAINING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS DISCUSSED ................... 4
BILL TO LOCALISE CIVIL AVIATION LEGISLATION ..................... 4
NEW CENTRE HELPS INDUSTRIES FACE COMPETITION .................... 5
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER 1993 6
NEW AUTHORISATION AND ANNUAL FEES FOR INSURERS ................. 11
HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENT FULL STEAM AHEAD: GOVERNOR ................ 11
TWO GOVT LOTS FOR AUCTION ...................................... 12
BOILERS CERTIFICATE FEES REVISED ............................... 13
FARMLAND RESUMED FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ..................... 13
GARMENT TRADERS FINED $1.5M FOR ORIGIN FRAUD ................... 14
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPERATING TUEN MUN LANDFILL ................ 14
NEW ACCESS ROAD IN TAI PO PROPOSED ............................. 15
FIRST GROUP RETURNS TO VIETNAM THIS YEAR ....................... 15
TENDERS INVITED FOR SERVICE RESERVOIR .......................... 16
CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL CARNIVAL .................................. 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 17
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR EARLY RESOLUTION OF RIGHT OF ABODE ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦ \
THE RIGHT OF ABODE INVOLVES COMPLICATED ISSUES ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF CITIZENSHIP BUT AN EARLY RESOLUTION CAN PUT AT REST THE ANXIETY OF SOME OF THE 400,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE SUCH A BIG CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL’S NEW CLINICAL BLOCK, MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO DO AS MUCH THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THERE WERE SCORES OF ISSUES THAT HAD TO BE DEALT WITH AND THE RIGHT OF ABODE WAS ONE OF THEM.
"IT’S AN IMPORTANT ONE AND THE SOONER WE CAN PUT IT TO REST THE BETTER AND IP DIRECTOR LU PING’S REMARKS YESTERDAY SUGGEST THAT THE CHINESE SIDE ARE READY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, THEN WE’LL BE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
”IT WILL BE, I THINK, A TRIBUTE TO CHINESE OFFICIALS AS WELL AS TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IF WE (AN GET IT RESOLVED.”
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE RECENT REQUEST BY THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE FOR THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (PWCI, MR PATTEN REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT POSITION REMAINED AS IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN.
"WE PROVIDE INFORMATION TO GROUPS AND THE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY WANT THAT INFORMATION AND WE WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION IF MEMBERS OF THE PWC WANT TO BE INFORMED ABOUT ElTHER THE AIRPORT CORPORATION WHITE BILL OR THE FUNDING OF THE AIRPORT,” HE SAID.
'THE CHIEF SECRETARY GAVE A VERY FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE ANSWER ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY WHICH 1 WHOLLY SUPPORT.
"WE ARE AN OPEN GOVERNMENT. WE ARE A GOVERNMENT WHICH WANTS TO COMMUNICATE AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE.
"I AM SIRE THAT THE SENSIBLE THING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EXISTING (HANNELS OF COMMUNI ('AT ION THAT WE HAVE WORK AS SUCCESSFULLY AS POSS IBLE.”
------0------------
/2 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 2 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL NEW CLINICAL BLOCK THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON:
GOVERNOR: I'M DELIGHTED TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF OPENING A NEW HEALTH FACILITY HERE, A NEW DEVELOPMENT OF THIS HOSPITAL. YESTERDAY, I ATTENDED, AS YOU KNOW, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S SECOND CONVENTION AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANT WORK WHICH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ARE .h)ING. TODAY, WE’VE SEEN ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN IMPROVED HEALTH CARE FOR HONG KONG. SO I’M PLEASED YOU’RE ALL ABLE TO COME HERE AND SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, ABOUT 300 000 PEOPLE MAY LOSE THEIR RIGHT OF ABODE AFTER 1997. SO, HOW WOULD YOU ......BY THIS POINT? IS THAT TRUE?
GOVERNOR: THE QUESTION OF RIGHT OF ABODE IS ONE, AS YOU KNOW, WHICH WE’VE BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP FOR SOME TIME. I THINK THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL BE A LITTLE PUZZLED BY THE VARIOUS MESSAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN COMING OUT OF PEKING. THERE WERE, I THINK, TWO RATHER DIFFERENT IMPRESSIONS GIVEN YESTERDAY ABOUT FUTURE CHINESE INTENTION ON RIGHT OF ABODE. AND EARLIER, WE HAD ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PWC SAYING SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT AGAIN. SO, THERE IS A DEGREE OF CONFUSION BUT IT UNDERLINES 'THE IMPORTANCE OF US RESOLVING THIS MATTER FOR I THINK ABOUT 100 000 PEOPLE THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO DO THAT. IT DOES INVOLVE, TO BE FAIR, QUI'I’E COMPLICATED ISSUES ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF CITIZENSHIP BUT NEVERTHELESS, THE SOONER WE CAN RESOLVE IT THE SOONER WE CAN PUT AT REST THE ANXIETY OF SOME OF THE 400 000 PEOPLE YOU’VE REFERRED TO, WHO’VE MADE SUCH A BIG CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN HONG KONG.
QUESTION: LU PING YESTERDAY SAID THAT (’HINA WAS PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE WHOLE ISSUE IN A FLEXIBLE MANNER. DOES THAT ENCOURAGE YOU?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAU’ FLEXIBILITY IS ALWAYS AN ENCOURAGING QUALITY. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH IT THROUGH THE JLG. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE VERY ANXIOUS TO DO AS MUCH THROUGH THE JLG AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THERE ARE SCORES OF ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND 'I’ll IS IS ONE OF THEM. IT’S AN IMPORTANT ONE AND THE SOONER WE CAN PUT IT TO RES'I THE BETTER AND IF DIRECTOR LU PING’S REMARKS YESTERDAY, THOUGH THEY SEEMED TO BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT IN THE AFTERNOON TO WHAT THEY’VE BEEN IN THE MORNING BUT IF LU PING’S REMARKS YESTERDAY SUGGEST THAT THE CHINESE SIDE ARE READY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, THEN WE’LL BE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED. IT WILL BE, I THINK, A TRIBUTE TO CHINESE OFFICIALS AS WELL AS TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IF WE CAN GET IT RESOLVED.
QUESTION: WHY DID Till-. GOVERNMENT REFUSE HIE INVITATION OF PWC TO SEND OFFICIALS TO PEKING TO EXPLAIN THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL? WILL THE GOVERNMENT RECONSIDER THIS MATTER?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
3 -
GOVERNOR: THE CHIEF SECRETARY GAVE A VERY FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE ANSWER ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY WHICH I WHOLLY SUPPORT. THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT WE ALREADY HAVE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. WE HAVE THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. WE HAVE THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.. WE HAVE, OF COURSE, THE LEGCO PANEL WHICH DEALS WITH FUNDING OF THE AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS. ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS, OF COURSE, IS THAT A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PWC ARE MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO PANEL, ARE MEMBERS OF THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY. SEVERAL OF THEM ARE IN THAT CATEGORY. SO, I THINK ONE HAS TO TAKE THIS PARTICULAR REQUEST WITH A PINCH OF SALT AND I THINK ONE HAS TO BE, PERHAPS, TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MOTIVE FOR THIS PARTICULAR REQUEST. BUT OUR POSITION REMAINS AS IT’S ALWAYS BEEN. WE PROVIDE INFORMATION TO GROUPS AND THE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY WANT THAT INFORMATION AND WE WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION IF MEMBERS OF THE PWC WANT TO BE INFORMED ABOUT EITHER THE AIRPORT CORPORATION WHITE BILL OR THE FUNDING OF THE AIRPORT. BUT THE CHIEF SECRETARY MADE OUR POSITION ON THE OVERALL ISSUE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR YESTERDAY. WE ARE AN OPEN GOVERNMENT. WE ARE A GOVERNMENT WHICH WANTS TO COMMUNICATE AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE. I AM SURE THAT THE SENSIBLE THING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EXISTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION THAT WE HAVE WORK AS SUCCESSFULLY AS POSSIBLE AND I HOPE ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE PWC, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARF MEMBERS OF THOSE EXISTING ORGANS, WILL ARGUE THAT CASE ELOQUENTLY AND VIGOROUSLY IN PEKING AND IN HONG KONG.
QUESTION: DO YOU FIND IRONIC THAT LU PING SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE UNCO-OPERATIVE OVER THE ISSUE0
GOVERNOR: 1 THINK THAT ALL SORTS OF THING HAVE BEEN SAID IN PEKING OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHICH, PERHAPS, CAN BE EXPLAINED BEST BY POLITICAL ANALYSTS RATHER THAN THOSE WHO PRIMARILY HAVE THE 'CONCERN AND WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG AT HEART BUT I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS STAGE OF ADJECTIVES AND WORDS BEING THROWN AT US AND GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF CO-OPERATI ON. WE WANT TO CO-OPERATE IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. WE WANT TO CO-OPERATE IN THE JLG. WE WANT TO HAVE MORE TALKS ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. WE WANT TO CO-OPERATE AND I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE OTHERS CO-OPERATING AS WELL. I AM A TENNIS PLAYER AND I KNOW VERY WELL THAT IT’S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PLAY TENNIS ON YOUR OWN. SO THE SOONER WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO KNOCKS THE BALL BACK OVER THE NET TO US THE BETTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
--------0-----------
/4 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
4 TRAINING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS DISCUSSED ♦ * * ♦ ♦
TN REPLY TO PRESS QUESTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN DISCUSS INC WITH THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF CHINA THE POSSIBILITY OF SIGNING AN \GREEMENT ON EXCHANGE AND TRAINING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS.
"LAST MONTH THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION SENT HIS COUNTERPART A LETTER IN WHICH HE MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AGREEMENT BEING SIGNED SOMETIME THIS MONTH, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT, DATES AND WHO WOULD SIGN HAVE NOT BEEN MENTIONED SPECIFICALLY IN THE LETTER," HE SAID.
MR SIU SAID NORMALLY THESE TECHNICAL AGREEMENTS WERE SIGNED BETWEEN OFFICERS OF THE TWO CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATIONS AND HE EXPECTED THE AGREEMENT ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS’ TRAINING WOULD BE SIGNED EITHER BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION OR HIS TEAM MEMBERS.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF CANCELLING ANY PLANNED TRIP TO SIGN THF AGREEMENT.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER HE HAD GONE BACK ON A PROMISE TO GO TO BEIJING ON JANUARY 26 TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT, HE SAID: "I HAVE NOT GIVEN ANY INDICATION ON WHEN I WOULD GO TO CHINA AND CERTAINLY' AS FAR AS THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT IS CONCERNED, IT WILL PROBABLY BE BY THE DIRECTOR AND HIS TEAM."
HE ADDED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN DECIDED WHETHER HE WOULD GO. AND WITNESS THE SIGNING.
MR SIU NOTED THAT ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WAS \ERY IMPORTANT AND HONG KONG ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THIS KIND OF CO-OPERATION AND HOPED THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE.
------0-------
BILL TO LOCALISE (’I VIL AVIATION LEGISLATION
******
THE CIVIL AVIATION BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
CIVIL AVIATION IN HONG KONG IS, FOR THE MOST PART, REGULATED BY UK LEGISLATION WHICH HAS BEEN APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
"THE BILL IS THE FIRST STEP IN ENACTING A COMPREHENSIVE BODY OF LOCAL CIVIL AVIATION LAW, WHICH IS CRUCIAL TO ENSURING THAT HONG KONG MAINTAINS ITS STATUS AS A CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL AVIATION AFTER 1997," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAJI).
/IT PROVIDES .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 5 -
IT PROVIDES FOR THE REGULATION OF CERTAIN TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF CIVIL AVIATION MANAGEMENT BY CONTINUING IN FORCE UNDER THIS BILL THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE UK CIVIL AVIATION ACT 1949 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1969.
THE BILL WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT THE HONG KONG CIVIL AVIATION (INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS) REGULATIONS AND THE AIR TRANSPORT (LICENSING OF AIR SERVICES) REGULATIONS REMAIN IN FORCE AFTER JUNE 30, 1997 .
THE CHINESE SIDE CONFIRMED THEIR ACCEPTANCE TO THE ENACTMENT OF THESE PROVISIONS AT THE 28TH JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING LAST DECEMBER.
"CONSULTATIONS ON OTHER CIVIL AVIATION ENACTMENTS ARE CONTINUING WITH A VIEW TO THE 1NTRODUCTI ON OF LOCAL LEGISLATION TO REENACT OTHER UK AVIATION LAWS APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG.
"THE INTENTION IS TO REPLACE ENACTMENTS ON A PROGRESSIVE BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
---------0-----------
NEW CENTRE HELPS INDUSTRIES FACE COMPETITION
*****
THE CHALLENGE HONG KONG INDUSTRIES FACE IS THE NEED TO ENHANCE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS IN THE HIGHER VALUE-ADDED LINKS OF THE MANUFACTURING CHAIN, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SIR HAMISH WAS OFFICIATING VI' THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE, HE SAID, HONG KONG INDUSTRIES HAD TO EMPLOY NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND TO HARNESS THE OUTCOME OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
HE SAID BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS HAD DONE MUCH TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE MORE RESEARCH IN HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY THE FUNDING FOR RESEARCH IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, HE SAID.
"THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND COMPANY LTD ALSO USES PUBLIC FUNDS TO SUPPORT COMPANIES UNDERTAKING RESEARCH PROJECTS."
THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE IN HONG KONG, DRAWING ON SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE AVAILABLE HERE AND IN CHINA, HE ADDED.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
6
HOWEVER, THE T/XSK OF HARNESSING NEW TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRED SPECIAL SKILLS AND ALSO INSIGHT INTO MARKET NEEDS, HE SAID.
THE MISSION OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, HE SAID, WAS TO FACILITATE AND PROMOTE TECHNOLOGIES BY HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
PROMISING TECHNOLOGY-BASED COMPANIES ARE NURTURED IN PURPOSE-DESIGNED ACCOMMODATION AND PROVIDED WITH PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
THE CENTRE ALSO HELPS THESE COMPANIES IDENTIFY NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS THROUGH EXTENSIVE NETWORKING WITH RESEARCHERS IN HONG KONG, CHINA AND ELSEWHERE.
------0-------
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER 1993
*****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF LAST YEAR, DECREASED BY 4.8% OVER THE SAME PERIOD THE YEAR BEFORE, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 21%.
THIS IS SHOWN IN STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11%. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 14% 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 IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH DECREASED BY 0.6%. DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.3%.
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 0.3% IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1993 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
TAKING OCTOBER 1993 ALONE AND COMPARING WITH OCTOBER 1992, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED IO 10% WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 14%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 8.3%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 1.5%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS DECREASED IH 0.6% AND 1.1% RESPECTIVELY. DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
/COMPARING OCTOBER .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
COMPARING OCTOBER 1993 WITH OCTOBER 1992, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF METAL MANUFACTURES WHICH RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 8.3%, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR OTHER COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED, PARTICULARLY RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-77%); FOOTWEAR (-55%); AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-42%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE PRICES OF FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 8.6%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-9.8%); TEXTILE FABRICS (-6.6%); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-4.6%).
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 2.9% IN OCTOBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1992.
CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD; AND TEA AND COFFEE. ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS; AND VEGETABLES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 5.5%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY; WATCHES; AND CLOTHING.
HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; XND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 7% IN OCTOBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1992.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR IRON AND STEEL; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; AND BASE METALS (OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL).
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 16% IN VOLUME IN OCTOBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1992.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 1.7%. NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND OFFICE MACHINERY. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY DECLINED.
COMPARING OCTOBER 1993 WITH OCTOBER 1992, THE IMPORT PRICES OF
CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 2.8%. THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; FOODSTUFFS; AND CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY 10%, 1.8%, 1.2% AND 0.5% RESPECTIVELY.
/COMPARING OCTOBER .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 8 -
COMPARING OCTOBER 1993 WITH OCTOBER 1992, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF FUELS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 10%. THAT OF CAPITAL GOODS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND CONSUMER GOODS REGISTERED INCREASES OF 19%, 18% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 10%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 1%. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY 15%, 3% AND 0.8% RESPECTIVELY. THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
DETAILS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE OCTOBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AROUND JANUARY 10 AT $8.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL' 582 4918) .
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
TABLE 1 : CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING OCT 1993 COMPARING JAN-OCT 1993
WITH OCT 1992 WITH JAN-OCT 1992
COMMODITY GROUP
UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING
-1.3
-7.4
-9.3
-8.3
1.5
TEXTILE FABRICS
-7.9 -6.6 -1.4 -3.4 -4.3 0.9
/TEXTILE YARN .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 9 -
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -23.0 -9.8 -14.8 -14.2 -6.3 -8.5
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -27.2 -4.6 -23.6 -27.9 -1.0 -27.1
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -76.9 -1.3 -76.6 -46.2 -6.8 -42.5
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS -1.4 2.5 -3.8 5.7 -0.6 6.3
FOOTWEAR -51.2 8.6 -55.2 -46.2 6.5 -49.6
METAL MANUFACTURES 7.6 -0.8 8.3 0.6 -2.2 2.8
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -17.3 0. I -17.4 -3.1 -1.7 -1.4
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -21.6 0.2 -21 .7 -15.1 0.5 -15.6
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -14.9 -3.0 -12.3 -21 .9 -2.5 -19.9
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -43.2 -2.2 -41.9 -23.9 -2.5 -21.9
ALL COMMODITIES -10.0 ♦ -10.0 -4.6 0.3 -4.8
* LESS THAN 0.05%
TABLE 2 : CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING OCT WITH OCT 1993 1992 COMPARING JAN-OCT WITH JAN-OCT 1993 1992
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS
CONSUMER GOODS
-4.0 -I.2
5.1 -0.5
-2.9 -0.8 -0.8 ♦
5.5 16.9 -0.4 17.3
/RAW MATERIALS ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 10 -
RAW MATERIALS
AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 5. 1 -1 .8 7.0 7.7 -2.7 10.7
FUELS -25.1 -10.5 -16.4 5.7 -1.4 7.3
CAPITAL GOODS 4.5 2.8 1.7 20.9 3.2 17.2
ALL COMMODITIES 3.9 -0.6 4.5 13.3 -0.6 14.1
* LESS THAN 0.05%
TABLE 3 : CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING OCT 1993 COMPARING JAN-OCT 1993
END-USE CATEGORY WITH OCT 1992 UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME WITH JAN-OCT 1992 UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS -9.7 0.3 -10.0 -2.9 -0.7 -2.3
CONSUMER GOODS 11.5 -0.8 12.2 19.1 0.2 18.9
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 14.0 -3.0 17.5 15.2 -3.2 19.1
FUELS 19.1 -14.9 40.1 61.4 -6.3 72.4
CAPITAL GOODS 19.6 1.0 18.6 34.7 2.1 31.8
ALL COMMODITIES 12.9 -1 . 1 14.2 20.2 -0.6 20.8
/Il .......
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 11 -
NEW AUTHORISATION AND ANNUAL FEES FOR INSURERS * * * ♦ *
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AUTHORISATION AND ANNUAL FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON FEBRUARY 14.
IT PRESCRIBES THE AMOUNT OF FEES PAYABLE BY AUTHORISED INSURERS UPON AUTHORISATION AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER.
ON COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGULATION, THE AUTHORISATION OR ANNUAL FEE PAYABLE BY AN INSURER CARRYING ON EITHER LONG-TERM INSURANCE BUSINESS OR GENERAL INSURANCE BUSINESS IS $80,000.
THE AUTHORISATION OR ANNUAL FEE PAYABLE BY AN INSURER CARRYING ON BOTH LONG-TERM INSURANCE BUSINESS AND GENERAL INSURANCE BUSINESS IS $160,000.
THE LAST FEE REVISION WAS MADE IN NOVEMBER 1992.
"IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT POLICY, IT IS NECESSARY TO REVISE THE LEVEL OF FEES TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF SUPERVISION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ADJUSTMENT IN FEES REFLECTS ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION AND THE RISING COSTS OF SUPERVISION TO COPE WITH INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF THE INSURANCE MARKET, HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENT FULL STEAM AHEAD: GOVERNOR ♦ » ♦ * *
HONG KONG’S HOSPITAL SYSTEM IS MOVING FULL STEAM AHEAD TO IMPROVE THE FACILITIES AND THE ORGANISATION FOR PROVIDING HEALTH CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL PHASE IV EXTENSION IN TSUEN WAN , MR PATTEN SAID THE EXTENSION OF THE HOSPITAL WOULD ALLOW IT TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A GENERAL ACUTE INSTITUTION, WlTH A 24-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE.
THE HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR COMMENDED THE HOSPITAL FOR OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF CARE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE IN NEED, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING EXTRA BEDS AND ACCIDENTS SERVICES.
/THE SERVICES .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
THE SERVICES INCLUDE EXTENDED DAY NURSERY SERVICES, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, REHABILITATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
’’THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS LIKE YAN CHAI IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SYSTEM,” MR PATTEN SAID.
- - 0 - -
TWO GOVT LOTS FOR AUCTION * * * * *
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 31 (MONDAY).
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE LOT IN AP LEI CHAU WEST COVERS AN AREA OF 5,756 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN USE, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 32,809 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1998.
THE OTHER LOT TN AREA 16, TUEN MUN HAS AN AREA OF 3,804 SQUARE METRES. IT CAN BE USED AS GODOWNS, EXCLUDING STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 12,000 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1997.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE 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.
SALE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN THE OFFICES.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
- - 0 - -
/13
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 13 -
BOILERS CERTIFICATE FEES REVISED * * * * *
THE FEES RELATING TO THE ISSUE OR ENDORSEMENT OF A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN REVISED.
THE NEW FEES, WHICH WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON FEBRUARY 14, WERE MADE UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THE FEE FOR CARRYING OUT THE EXAMINATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE ISSUE OR ENDORSEMENT OF A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY TO A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE WOULD BE RAISED FROM $450 TO $500.
THE FEE FOR THE ISSUE OF THE CERTIFICATE WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM $210 TO $245, HE ADDED.
THE CERTIFICATES WERE ISSUED UNDER SECTION 6 OF THE ORDINANCE TO CERTIFY THAT THE HOLDERS ARE COMPETENT TO OPERATE SPECIFIED TYPES OF BOILERS AND STEAM RECEIVERS OR TO ENDORSE THAT THE HOLDER IS COMPETENT TO OPERATE ONE OR MORE TYPES OF BOILERS AND STEAM RECEIVERS IN ADDITION TO THE TYPE SPECIFIED IN THE CERTIFICATE.
"A PERSON MAY BE EXAMINED BY THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS AUTHORITY FOR THE ISSUE OR ENDORSEMENT OF CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY," HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE EXAMINATION FEES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL 852 4183.
-----0------
FARMLAND RESUMED FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN FOUR AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PROVIDE LAND FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
IN YUEN LONG AND TAI PO, A TOTAL OF 52,177 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE RESUMED.
THE LAND IN YUEN LONG IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLOODWAY AND A CONCRETE NULLAH FOR THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THE LOTS IN TAI PO ARE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MA ON SHAN TREATMENT WORKS TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MA ON SHAN NEW TOWN AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
/MEANWHILE, 3,332 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 14 -
MEANWHILE, 3,332 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN NORTH DISTRICT AND PU1 O ON LANTAU WILL BE RESUMED.
THE LAND IS TO BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAINAGE CHANNEL TO ALLEVIATE FLOODING RISK IN MUK WU, TA KWU LING, THE NEW TERRITORIES AND AN AQUEDUCT CONNECTING THE SIU HO WAN TREATMENT WORKS WITH THE EXISTING SHEK PIK/SILVERMINE BAY AQUEDUCT.
THE FOUR PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO START SOON.
THE LAND WILL BE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THE LOTS.
RESUMPTION DETAILS WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
------o--------
GARMENT TRADERS FINED $1.5M FOR ORIGIN FRAUD
» * ♦ ♦ *
A MANUFACTURER, AN EXPORTER AND AN AGENT OF GARMENTS PROSECUTED BY THE CUSTOMS FOR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION IN APPLYING CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $1,479,000 YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) AT SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY.
ALL THE DEFENDANTS, EAGLE WILL LTD, PRETTY BASE LTD AND ITS DIRECTOR CHEUNG KIN WAI, ARTKEY HARBOUR LTD AND ITS DIRECTOR LAM MAN FAI, PLEADED GUILTY TO 26 COUNTS OF THE OFFENCE.
THE COURT HEARD THAT THE DEFENDANTS HAD APPLIED FOR CERTIFICATE OF HONG KONG ORIGIN FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT FROM DECEMBER 27, 1991 TO JANUARY 6, 1992 TO EXPORT $1.5 MILLION WORTH OF LADIES GARMENTS TO FRANCE.
THE GOODS WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE ALL THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESS DONE IN HONG KONG.
INVESTIGATION BY CUSTOMS REVEALED THAT THE GARMENTS WERE ENTIRELY MANUFACTURED IN CHINA.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPERATING TUEN MUN LANDFILL ♦ * ♦ * »
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR OPERATING THE PILLAR POINT VALLEY LANDFILL IN TUEN MUN FOR 20 MONTHS STARTING FROM MARCH.
WORKS INCLUDE THE LANDFILLING OF ABOUT 1.6 MILLION TONNES OF REFUSE, EXCAVATION OF SOME 0.5 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF EARTH FROM AN ADJOINING BORROW AREA, PROGRESSIVE COVERING OF PART OF THE LANDFILL SITE, ASSOCIATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS, LANDSCAPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING.
/LANDFILLING CONSISTS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
15
LANDFILLING CONSISTS OF SPREADING AND COMPACTING REFUSE IN LAYERS AND COVERING EACH LAYER WITH EARTH. THE TOP LAYER CAN ELIMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCES AND FIRE HAZARDS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, SOLID WASTE DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, FIRST FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 28.
---------0-----------
NEW ACCESS ROAD IN TAI PO PROPOSED
*****
AN ESTATE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IS PLANNING TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESS ROAD FROM TAI PO ROAD TO ITS PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN TAI PO TOWN, AND TO IMPROVE A SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR TAI PO KAU AND A SECTION OF TAI PO COUNTRY TRAIL.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION, NECESSARY ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED EXCEPT FOR THE SECTION OF TAI PO COUNTRY TRAIL CONCERNED, SO AS TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL AND AT DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TAI PO AND TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 8, THIS YEAR.
---------0 - - - -
FIRST GROUP RETURNS TO VIETNAM THIS YEAR
*****
A GROUP OF 341 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 116 MEN, 99 WOMEN, 62 BOYS AND 64 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 192ND BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS WAS THE FIRST GROUP OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, MAKING A TOTAL OF 38,954 SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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/16........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
- 16 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR SERVICE RESERVOIR
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTING A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AT WEST POINT OF THE MIDLEVELS. t
THE CONTRACT WORKS, WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL, INCLUDE SITE FORMATION, CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AND THE ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY WORKS.
SUPPLY, STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF WATER TO THE WESTERN AREA OF THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE IMPROVED WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED IN LATE 1995.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 44TH FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONP.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 28.
!
------o------- . 1 ■
CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL CARNIVAL
*****
A CARNIVAL FEATURING A MIX BAG OF WESTERN AND ORIENTAL CULTURAL PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 9) AT PATERSON STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL CARNIVAL WILL LAST FROM 12.30 PM TO 5.30 PM. IT IS ORGANISED BY THE AREA COMMITTEE WITH THE HELP OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.
FRINGE CLUB ARTISTS AND LOCAL POP SINGERS ARE INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE SECTION OF PATERSON STREET BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND GREAT GEORGE STREET.
TWENTY-THREE ROADSIDE STALLS ON PALM-READING, CARICATURES, CALLIGRAPHY AND THE MAKING OF TISSUE FLOWERS AND HANDMADE BADGES AND OTHERS WILL BE PUT UP FOR FUN-SEEKERS.
f : . 4. •
ADMISSION IS FREE AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 2003.
THE CARNIVAL IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE HANG LUNG (REAL ESTATES AGENCIES) LTD, LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG (PACIFIC) AND TIMES SQUARE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CARNIVAL AT PATERSON STREET (BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND GREAT GEORGE STREET), CAUSEWAY BAY.
- - 0 - -
/17........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1994
17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,475
REVERSAL OF LAF +525
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,349
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,651
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.6 *+0.0* 7.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS 1 WEEK YIELD 2.38 PCT TERM 14 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.84 PCT 17 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.03 PCT 20 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 23 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 3.53 PCT 34 MONTHS
EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2502 4.75 101.26 3.61
2505 3.75 99.93 3.84
2508 4.625 100.98 4.03
2511 4.15 99.95 4.22
3610 4.20 98.89 4.68
- 18,882 MN
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 7 JANUARY 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TELA ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ............................. 1
HK BEGINS CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY YEAR ............. 2
CALL FOR LOVE, CARE AND CONCERN ................................ 3
FRESH WATER CUT IN CENTRAL ..................................... 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 4
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGE DECK BEGINS ................................. 5
EMSD MAKES PERFORMANCE PLEDGE .................................. 6
INVESTIGATION INTO DOG INCIDENT UNDER WAY ...................... 7
TWO NEW MEMBERS JOIN DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD COUNCIL ......... 7
POSSESSING ENDANGERED ANIMAL PARTS ILLEGAL ..................... 8
YOUTH URGED TO TAKE ON VOLUNTARY WORK .......................... 9
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1994
- 1 -TELA ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES * » t t »
THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED PERFORMANCE PLEDGES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY ITS LICENSING SECTION AND NEWSPAPER REGISTRATION SECTION.
THE LICENSING SECTION ISSUES LICENCES FOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES, MAHJONG/TIN KAU PREMISES, PUBLIC DANCE HALLS, LOTTERIES, AMUSEMENT WITH PRIZES, TOMBOLA GAMES AND TRADE PROMOTION COMPETITIONS.
THE NEWSPAPER REGISTRATION SECTION ISSUES NEWSPAPERS DISTRIBUTOR LICENCES AND HANDLES REGISTRATIONS OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS AGENCIES.
THE PERFORMANCE TARGETS FOR THE DIFFERENT SERVICES ARE SET OUT IN DETAIL IN TWO LEAFLETS.
THE LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECEPTION COUNTERS OF THE LICENSING SECTION AND THE NEWSPAPER REGISTRATION SECTION ON THE 40TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES.
ON THE TIME IT TAKES TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR TELA SAID: "IT DEPENDS ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE APPLICATION AND WHETHER THE APPLICANT SUPPLIES ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION PROMPTLY.
"FOR EXAMPLE, A PERSON WHO APPLIES FOR A NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTOR’S LICENCE CAN EXPECT TO HAVE THE LICENCE APPROVED WITHIN HALF AN HOUR.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, AN APPLICATION FOR AN AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRE LICENCE MAY TAKE 24 WEEKS BEFORE IT CAN BE APPROVED," HE SAID.
IT MAY TAKE THREE TO 12 WEEKS TO ISSUE A PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT, DEPENDING ON WHETHER IT IS A TEMPORARY OR ANNUAL PERMIT.
"PERIODIC REVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED WITHIN TELA TO ASSESS HOW WELL PERFORMANCE TARGETS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED AND TO EXAMINE WAYS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
"WE WELCOME COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PUBLISHERS OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, LICENSEES AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS CONCERNED ON HOW THE SERVICES COULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ON THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND MATTERS CONCERNING NEWSPAPER REGISTRATION CAN BE MADE ON TFL 594 5832 WHILE THOSE ON LICENSING MATTERS CAN BE MADE ON TEL 594 5809.
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/2.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1994
- 2
HK BEGINS CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY YEAR » » * » «
HONG KONG BEGINS ITS CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY TODAY (SATURDAY) IN RESPONSE TO A CALL OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
AT AN OPENING CEREMONY AT KOWLOON PARK, MRS PATTEN CALLED FOR SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WHICH WERE THE BEDROCK OF SOCIETY.
SHE SAID FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP CARING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER AND THE NEEDS THAT CANNOT BE MET FROM WITHIN THE FAMILY SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR.
"THIS IS, I’M HAPPY TO SAY, THE POLICY OF GOVERNMENT," SHE SAID.
TO IMPLEMENT THESE POLICY OBJECTIVES, THERE IS ALREADY A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF WELFARE SERVICES TO PROVIDE PREVENTIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND REMEDIAL SERVICES FOR FAMILIES.
MRS PATTEN SAID THIS YEAR THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LAUNCH SOME NEW INITIATIVES, SUCH AS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRES AND PARENT RESOURCE CENTRES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY YEAR.
"IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO GET ACROSS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THE MESSAGES AND THEMES OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY," SHE SAID.
HONG KONG HAS CHOSEN "FAMILY AND COMMUNITY: UNITY, HARMONY, DEVELOPMENT" AS THE MAIN THEME, AND "LOVE: FAMILY AND ME" AS THE SLOGAN.
"WITH A GENEROUS DONATION OF $3.3 MILLION FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CHARITIES TRUST, THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, WILL BE ABLE TO PUBLICISE THESE MESSAGES MORE EFFECTIVELY," SHE SAID.
THERE WILL BE POSTERS, BUS ADVERTISEMENTS, A TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES, TELEVISION PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, AS WELL AS TERRI TORY-WIDE PROGRAMMES SUCH AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME, COMPETITIONS, AND A COLLECTION OF SWEET HOME CARDS.
"IT IS THROUGH RECIPROCAL LOVE AND CONCERN, RESPECT, TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY THAT WE LEARN TO LIVE IN HARMONY TO OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT,” MRS PATTEN SAID.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1994
3 -
CALL FOR LOVE, CARE AND CONCERN
*****
SELFISHNESS MUST BE CAST ASIDE, AND THE SPIRIT OF LOVE, CARE AND CONCERN MUST ALWAYS BE THE IMPORTANT GUIDING PRINCIPLE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION,. MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY OF THE ST FRANCIS’ CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, MR WONG SAID IF THE PRINCIPLE COULD NOT BE FOLLOWED, WHATEVER LEVEL OF EDUCATION, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND ECONOMIC SUCCESS WOULD BE MEANINGLESS AND A COMPLETE FAILURE.
HE PRAISED THE SCHOOL FOR CHOOSING THE THEME "THE WORLD NEEDS OUR CARE" FOR ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN DAY AND EXHIBITION.
"EXHIBITS ON SUCH TOPICS AS ADVANCES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS, FOOD AND HEALTH, AND EUROPE - WARS AND POLITICAL UNREST - ARE MEANINGFUL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE EXHIBITS WERE A REMINDER THAT THERE WERE MANY UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD, SUFFERING FROM HANDICAPS OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER, SICKNESS, STARVATION, SOCIAL DISCORD, POLITICAL UNREST OR CIVIL WAR.
"THEY POINT TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WE MUST ALL BE CARING INDIVIDUALS, AND SHOW CHARITY TO THE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF t OUR COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG AND TO OTHERS ELSEWHERE, BY RESPONDING POSITIVELY AND APPROPRIATELY TO THEIR CALL FOR HELP,” HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID IN ALL THESE YEARS, THE CANOSSIAN SISTERS AND TEACHERS HAD BEEN INCULCATING LOVE, CARE AND CONCERN AMONG STUDENTS.
"THIS NOBLE SPIRIT IS MANIFESTED ESPECIALLY THROUGH CHARITY WORK AND COMMUNITY SERVICES," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN CENTRAL
*****
OWING TO WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 10) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND ALL THE PREMISES AT PIER ROAD, MAN YEE LANE, ODD NUMBERS OF 67-85 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, 19-181 AND 54-78 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, 13-90 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, 3 DOUGLAS SREET, 2A-4 AND 11-31A POTTINGER STREET; 2-16 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, 17-19 JUBILEE STREET AND 48-52 GILMAN STREET.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1994
- 4 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONIJY MARKET OPERATIONS
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
* ★ ★ ★
$ MILLION
1,651
+1,700
3,351
NIL
-325
3,026
TWI 127.4 *-0.2* 8.1.94
---------0-----------
/5.........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1994
5
ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGE DECK BEGINS * » » t »
WORK ON ASSEMBLING THE HUGE DECK UNITS OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE HAS BEGUN IN CHINA.
IT IS TAKING PLACE AT AN ASSEMBLY YARD COVERING AN AREA OF 400,000 SQUARE METRES IN SHATIAN, DONGGUAN WHICH HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CONTRACT.
THE BRIDGE WILL BE MADE UP OF 125 UNITS FORMING A SUSPENDED DECK WHICH WILL WEIGH 50,000 TONNES, MAKING IT THE WORLD’S HEAVIEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
IT WILL CARRY SIX LANES OF TRAFFIC ON THE UPPER DECK AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY IN THE LOWER ENCLOSED SECTION.
THE ENCLOSED SECTION WILL ALSO HAVE TWO TRAFFIC LANES WHICH WILL BE USED FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WHEN STRONG WINDS OCCUR.
THE DECK UNITS ARE BEING ASSEMBLED FROM PRE-FABRICATED SECTIONS, UP TO 18 METRES BY FOUR METRES IN SIZE AND 20 TONNES IN WEIGHT.
THEY ARE BEING MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN BY THE CONTRACTOR OF THE BRIDGE, THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION JOINT VENTURE.
THE FIRST CONSIGNMENTS FOR THE 95 UNITS FORMING THE SUSPENDED SPANS OF THE BRIDGE ARE NOW BEING ASSEMBLED IN CHINA. THE REMAINING UNITS WILL BE ASSEMBLED ON SITE IN HONG KONG.
EACH UNIT CONSISTS OF SOME 250 TO 400 COMPONENTS AND FOUR ASSEMBLY LINES HAVE BEEN SET UP IN SHATIAN TO PUT THEM TOGETHER. MORE THAN 1,000 WORKERS IN CHINA ARE INVOLVED IN THIS WORK.
IN ADDITION TO ASSEMBLY, THE WORK IN CHINA INVOLVES THE APPLICATION OF THE PROTECTIVE TREATMENT TO THE STEEL SECTIONS. EACH UNIT WILL BE CLOSELY INSPECTED AND TESTED USING ULTRASONIC AND X-RAY EXAMINATION AND WELDING TEST EQUIPMENT.
THE FIRST OF THE DECK UNITS WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO HONG KONG , IN 1995 WHEN THEY WILL BE HOISTED INTO PLACE FROM BARGES FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUSPENSION CABLES OF THE BRIDGE.
WHEN COMPLETED IN 1997, THE TSING MA BRIDGE WILL BE THE LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN THE WORLD CARRYING BOTH RAIL AND ROAD TRAFFIC.
IT WILL FORM PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING - ONE OF THE 10 PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME - AND IS BEING BUILT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1994
- 6 -
EMSD MAKES PERFORMANCE PLEDGE »»«*»»
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGE ON 15 TYPES OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
THEY INCLUDE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GAS INSTALLERS AND CONTRACTORS; HANDLING OF REPORTS OF ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT OR INSTALLATIONS; PROVIDING ADVICE ON SAFETY MATTERS AND ATTENDING TO GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON GAS, ELECTRICITY, LIFTS AND ESCALATORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS WERE EXPRESSED AS RESPONSE TIMES.
"THESE ARE THE NUMBERS OF WORKING DAYS WE WILL NORMALLY NEED TO PROCESS AN APPLICATION AND INFORM THE APPLICANT OF THE RESULT.
"FOR REPORTS OF ILLEGAL INSTALLATIONS OR DEFECTS, IT IS THE TIME WE WILL NEED TO CARRY OUT AN INSPECTION AND TAKE ACTION ON .THE REPORT,” HE EXPLAINED.
CITING PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR ENDORSEMENT OF TEST CERTIFICATE FOR LIFT AND ESCALATOR INSTALLATIONS AS AN EXAMPLE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD TAKE 14 DAYS.
FOR REPORTS OF ILLEGAL INSTALLATIONS, THE RESPONSE TIME IS 14 DAYS. IT TAKES ONE DAY TO HANDLE REPORTS OF MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS, AND FOOTBRIDGE AND SUBWAY LIGHTING.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES WOULD MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND THE RESULT WOULD BE PUBLISHED EVERY YEAR.
THE DEPARTMENT WELCOMES COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE WAY THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE ANY VIEWS OR WHO ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF SERVICES CAN WRITE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS INSTALLED AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING A MORE EFFICIENT TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. •
UNDER AN INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM WHICH STARTED OPERATING TODAY, THE PUBLIC MAY PHONE IN TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.
CALLS ARE RECEIVED THROUGH THE HOTLINE 882 8011 AND A DIGITISED HUMAN VOICE ADVISES THE CALLERS TO CHOOSE FROM A SELECTION OF PRERECORDED MESSAGES BY PRESSING DIGITS ON A TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE.
THE MESSAGES COVER MAINLY ELECTRICITY AND GAS-RELATED MATTERS IN AREAS OF REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION.
/CALLERS CAN .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1994
CALLERS CAN ALSO SWITCH TO THE TELEPHONE OPERATORS FOR MORE COMPLICATED MATTERS IF ANSWERS ARE NOT AVAJLABLE IN THE PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES.
THE 24-HOUR SYSTEM CAN ENTERTAIN UP TO EIGHT CALLERS AT THE SAME TIME.
A RECORDING FACILITY IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR CALLERS TO LEAVE A MESSAGE OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS TO ENABLE FOLLOW-UP ACTION TO BE TAKEN THE NEXT WORKING DAY.
THE CALLERS CAN ALSO ORDER. PAMPHLETS AND VARIOUS APPLICATION FORMS BY FAX.
A BILINGUAL LEAFLET LISTING THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE IS AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
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INVESTIGATION INTO DOG INCIDENT UNDER WAY
* * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE TREATMENT OF THE DOGS SUSPECTED TO HAVE LED TO A FATAL INCIDENT IN SHEUNG SHUI YESTERDAY (SATURDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT INVESTIGATION WAS CONTINUING.
’’THE DOGS CONCERNED WILL BE DETAINED FOR OBSERVATION UNTIL IS SATISFIED WITH THEIR HEALTH AND DISEASE CONDITIONS,” HE SAID.
AFD
"THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL CONSIDER APPLYING FOR A COURT ORDER TO CONFISCATE OR PUT DOWN THE DOGS IF HE BELIEVES THE DOGS ARE A RISK TO PUBLIC SAFETY."
- - 0----------
TWO NEW MEMBERS JOIN DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD COUNCIL *****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED TWO NEW MEMBERS TO THE AWARD COUNCIL OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM FROM FEBRUARY 1.
THEY ARE DR ALBERT LI SZE-BAY AND MISS FRANCINE KWONG WING-TING.
/THE CHAIRMAN, .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1994
THE CHAIRMAN, MR RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI, AND MEMBERS MISS ADA WONG YING-KAY AND MR PAUL FAN CHOR-HO HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED TO SERVE FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS FROM JANUARY 1.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU CHAM-SON, AND MEMBER DR LINDA KOO HAVE ALSO BEEN REAPPOINTED. MR CHAU WILL SERVE FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS WHILE DR KOO FOR ANOTHER YEAR, BOTH WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1.
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED TO HONG KONG IN 1961, WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME THROUGH VARIOUS ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES.
- - 0 - -
POSSESSING ENDANGERED ANIMAL PARTS ILLEGAL
*******
POSSESSING OR TRADING OF ENDANGERED ANIMAL PARTS OR CLAIMED ANIMAL PARTS IS AGAINST THE LAW. OFFENDERS COULD FACE HEAVY PENALTY UPON CONVICTION.
THE REMINDER WAS ISSUED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR CHAN JEE-KEUNG, AFTER A 37-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS FINED $4,000 BY A NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE LATE LAST MONTH FOR ILLEGALLY POSSESSING SEVEN CLAIMED TIGER PENISES.
UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
MR CHAN SAID THE CONTROL ALSO COVERED ITEMS CLAIMED TO BE ENDANGERED SPECIES.
’’FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX-MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE,” HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 8,000 SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS, WHETHER ALIVE, DEAD, STUFFED SPECIMEN, PARTS OR DERIVATIVES SUCH AS SKINS, MEAT, SCALE, IVORY AND HORN, ARE LISTED IN THE ORDINANCE.
THE CASE WAS UNCOVERED ON SEPTEMBER 9 LAST YEAR WHEN AN OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED A GINSENG SHOP IN MONG KOK. SEVEN PIECES OF CLAIMED TIGER PENIS WERE SEIZED FROM THE SHOP.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 1994
- 9
YOUTHS URGED TO TAKE ON VOLUNTARY WORK » * » * »
CHAIRMAN OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION, MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTARY WORK TO SHOW THEIR CARE AND CONCERN FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT THE 1993 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME SCHOLARSHIPS PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR LI SAID THROUGH TAKING PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, VOLUNTEERS WOULD ENRICH THEIR EXPERIENCE WHICH WOULD HELP THEM ESTABLISH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE.
"YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ALSO ENHANCE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIETY THROUGH PARTICIPATION," MR LI ADDED.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OUTSTANDING YOUTH VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF THE 1993 PROGRAMME. LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 14,000 ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED, ATTRACTING MORE THAN 1.36 MILLION PARTICIPANTS.
AT THE CEREMONY, 24 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WERE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING COURSES RUN BY THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL.
FOUR OF THEM WILL ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL COURSE IN MALAYSIA, EIGHT YOUTHS WILL GO ON AN 18-DAY SEA AND LAND TRAINING COURSE AND THE OTHERS A 10-DAY SELF-DEVELOPMENT COURSE.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FUNDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND MANAGED BY THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID SOME 57 NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM MEMBER ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMME.
"IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS, WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS FROM 22 LAST YEAR TO 24 THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
VOLUNTEERS NOMINATED WERE INVITED TO ATTEND A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE AT HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE, SHA TIN TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE. A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION WAS ISSUED TO EACH OF THEM AT THE CEREMONY.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WERE AN OUTSTANDING YOUTH VOLUNTEER MR CHAN SHUN-CHI; CHAIRMAN OF THE 1993 SYP COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION BOARD, MR KWOK KA-MING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROGRESS REVIEW .................. 1
JUDICIARY POISED FOR A QUIET MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION ...... 3
EXTRA 30 PLACES FOR ONE-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS .............. 5
STATEMENT ON BUS FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS ............. 6
BILL TO SET UP HK INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION ................ 7
AFTER-CARE SERVICES PLANNED FOR ADULT PRISONERS ......... 8
SWAC CONSIDERS OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME OPTIONS ........... 8
SWAC SUPPORTS CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE REPORT .......... 10
VESSELS MUST OBSERVE IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE RULES ........ 11
LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS REMINDED TO GUARD REPUTATION OF QUALITY . 11
SERVICES TO PROTECT CHILDREN ............................ 13
LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY ................................ 15
WELFARE STAFF ATTEND CUSTOMERS SERVICE SEMINAR .......... 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................... 16
FRESH WATER CUT IN MONG KOK ............................. 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
17
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
1
AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROGRESS REVIEW *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REDUCED THE TOTAL MONEY OF THE DAY (MOD) ESTIMATE FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) BY $5.5 BILLION, FROM $163.7 BILLION TO $158.2 BILLION. »
THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS ON THE SEVEN GOVERNMENT ACP PROJECTS, WHICH HAVE ENABLED THE $60.1 BILLION MONEY OF THE DAY ESTIMATES FOR THE SEVEN PROJECTS TO BE REDUCED BY $7.6 BILLION TO $52.5 BILLION.
SLIGHT INCREASES IN THE MOD ESTIMATES FOR THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN CALCULATING THE NEW OVERALL ACP ESTIMATE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS INFORMATION HAD BEEN PASSED TODAY (MONDAY) TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE IN AN INFORMATION PAPER COVERING UPDATED COST ESTIMATES FOR THE ACP.
"THE $7.6 BILLION REDUCTION IN MONEY OF THE DAY ON THE SEVEN GOVERNMENT PROJECTS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE MAINLY BY SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS STEMMING FROM HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TENDERING ON A VERY COST-EFFECTIVE PROGRAMME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MANY OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED BELOW BUDGET. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN REDUCTIONS IN THE LEVELS OF CONTINGENCES AND REVISIONS IN OUR CONSTRUCTION INFLATION FORECASTS."
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED 34 CONTRACTS WORTH A TOTAL OF ABOUT $31.4 BILLION, REPRESENTING 78 PER CENT BY VALUE OF THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT ACP CONTRACTS. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN LET BELOW BUDGET AND ARE PROGRESSING WELL.
TOGETHER WITH CONTRACTS LET BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, THE TOTAL VALUE OF ACP CONTRACTS LET SO FAR IS ABOUT $46.8 BILLION.
"THIS PROGRESS IS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT ON WHAT IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMES," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE PAPER SAYS THAT THE REAL COST ESTIMATES (EXPRESSED IN MARCH 1991 PRICES) FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY ARE UNCHANGED.
SLIGHT INCREASES HAVE HOWEVER BEEN NECESSARY IN THE MOD ESTIMATES. THERE IS A 3.5 PER CENT INCREASE OF $1.6 BILLION IN THE $48.2 BILLION ESTIMATED COSTS OF THE AIRPORT TO BE BORNE BY THE PAA, AND AN INCREASE OF 1.5 PER CENT ($0.5 BILLION) IN THE $33.5 BILLION ESTIMATE FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
THE $5.5 BILLION REDUCTION IN THE NEW ACP OVERALL MOD ESTIMATE TAKES THESE INCREASES INTO ACCOUNT.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
* • • - 2 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAJD: "THE INCREASED ESTIMATES ARE MAINLY CAUSED BY SLIPPAGES WITHIN THE PROGRAMME. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE THE PAA’S SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT WAS LET WITHIN BUDGET ESTIMATES (AND IS ON SCHEDULE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT), IT WAS LET SEVEN MONTHS LATE.
"COUPLED WITH THE CONTINUING DELAY IN REACHING AGREEMENT ON FINANCING ISSUES WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, THIS HAS INEVITABLY DELAYED THE START OF OTHER CONTRACTS TO BE LET IN THE FUTURE.
"CONSEQUENTLY, THE ESTIMATED EFFECTS OF INFLATION HAVE LED TO HIGHER COST ESTIMATES IN MOD TERMS. THESE ESTIMATES ARE BASED, FOR CALCULATION PURPOSES, ON FUNDING BEING AGREED IN FULL FOR BOTH PROJECTS THIS MONTH.
"FURTHER DELAYS IN REACHING AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL LEAD TO THE RISK OF FURTHER INCREASES IN COSTS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THESE COST INCREASES COULD AMOUNT TO AT LEAST $2 BILLION FOR EVERY SIX MONTHS OF DELAY ON THE AIRPORT, PLUS A SIMILAR AMOUNT ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"THESE INCREASED COST BURDENS ARE IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS TO HONG KONG OF DELAYS IN OPENING THE AIRPORT. THE DISBENEFITS HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST $3 BILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR ALONE THAT KAI TAK REMAINS OPEN FROM 1997.
"AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DECIDE WHETHER, AND TO WHAT EXTENT, ADDITIONAL FUNDS SHOULD BE COMMITTED ON THE AIRPORT. A TOTAL OF $14.59 BILLION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SO FAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE DISCUSSED IN A SECOND PAPER CIRCULATED TODAY TO LEGCO AND AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THE PAPER REAFFIRMS THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRST PRIORITY OF REACHING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE FINANCING ISSUES AND EXAMINES TWO OPTIONS, IN THE ABSENCE OF AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "ONE OPTION WOULD BE TO SEEK FUNDING FOR $377 MILLION, WHICH IS THE MINIMUM AMOUNT NEEDED TO EXTEND THE PAA’S HEAD OFFICE FUNDING INTO 1994/95i THIS WOULD MAINTAIN THE PAA AND ENABLE IT TO CONTINUE TO SUPERVISE DESIGN AND SITE PREPARATION WORK, SO THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK COULD PROCEED AT FULL SPEED ONCE AGREEMENT IS REACHED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE.
"THE OTHER OPTION IS TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP AND SEEK FUNDING NOT JUST FOR THE PAA’S HEAD OFFICE COSTS, BUT ALSO FOR SOME IMPORTANT WORKS ITEMS. THESE ITEMS, ESTIMATED TO COST $1.29 BILLION, COMPRISE THE DESIGN PHASE OF BAGGAGE HANDLING AND AUTOMATED PEOPLE-MOVER SYSTEMS, FOUNDATION WORKS FOR THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING, AND VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT FACILITIES.
"THE SECOND OPTION WOULD MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM TOWARDS COMPLETING THE PROJECT TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE BY JUNE 1997."
THESE PAPERS WILL BE DISCUSSED BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SUB-COMMITTEE ON FINANCING OF THE ACP, AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 13.
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/3........
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 3 -
JUDICIARY POISED FOR «
A QUIET MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION
* * » « »
THE JUDICIARY IS POISED FOR A QUIET MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION, AND AS PART OF THE PROCESS, WILL STRENGTHEN ITS LINKS WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1994 LEGAL YEAR, SIR TI LIANG SAID: "WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS RESPONSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE, WHERE CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT. WE WILL FOSTER THE TRIPARTITE CO-OPERATION AMONGST THE JUDICIARY, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE ADMINISTRATION."
HE STRESSED THAT IN THE COURSE OF PURSUING THESE GOALS AND ACHIEVING A GREATER OPENNESS, THE JUDICIARY WILL PRESERVE THE ALL-IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE EXPLAINED WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO PAVE THE WAY FOR BRINGING INTO THE JUDICIARY A MODERN MANAGEMENT CULTURE AND TO PROMOTE JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY.
"FIRST, THE WORKING PARTY ON JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION, WHICH I LAUNCHED LAST OCTOBER AND WHICH I PERSONALLY CHAIR, IS MAPPING OUT A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR STREAMLINING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY. IT IS LAYING THE GROUND FOR REFORMS.
"SECONDLY, THE THREE COURT USERS’ COMMITTEES FOR CIVIL CASES, CRIMINAL CASES, AND CASES BEFORE THE TRIBUNALS RESPECTIVELY HAVE GOT OFF TO A PROMISING START AND ARE GENERATING A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTIVE AND HELPFUL IDEAS.
"THIRDLY, THE EXERCISE TO RECRUIT A HIGH-RANKING JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR HAS PROCEEDED SMOOTHLY. WE HAVE REASON TO HOPE FOR AN EARLY APPOINTMENT.
"FINALLY, AS PART OF THE DRIVE TO PROMOTE AN AWARENESS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE JUDICIARY, PERSONAL COMPUTERS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO INTERESTED JUDICIAL OFFICERS FOR USE IN THEIR CHAMBERS, ALONG WITH BASIC COMPUTER TRAINING. THIS REPRESENTS THE CURTAIN-RAISER FOR THE WIDER APPLICATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO THE WORK OF THE JUDICIARY IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
SIR TI LIANG POINTED OUT THAT THE JUDICIARY’S EFFORTS TO KEEP DOWN WAITING TIMES IN COURT REQUIRED THE TRIPARTITE CO-OPERATION OF THE JUDICIARY, ALL THE LAWYERS, BE THEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE OR IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
"WITHIN THE JUDICIARY, THE LISTING SYSTEM MUST BE ONE THAT IS FLEXIBLE AND MAKES MAXIMUM USE OF JUDGES’ TIME. AMONGST THE BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, THERE MUST BE THE SAME SENSITIVITY THAT COURT TIME IS PRECIOUS. LASTLY, THE ADMINISTRATION MUST PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES WE REQUIRE," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE STATED THAT TWO REMEDIAL METHODS WERE CURRENTLY BEING USED FOR THE HIGH COURT TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE COURT’S TIME: PRE-TRIAL REVIEWS AND RUNNING LIST.
/PRE-TRIAL REVIEWS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
PRE-TRIAL REVIEWS IS DONE FOR ALL CRIMINAL TRIALS IN THE HIGH COURT, WITH THE AIM OF DEALING WITH ALL MATTERS WHICH MAY BE DEALT WITH BEFORE, RATHER THAN DURING TRIAL.
"IT DOES NOT SAVE A LOT OF COURT TIME IN SHORT CASES, BUT MAY SAVE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME IN A LONG TRIAL. WHETHER IT DOES SO OR NOT, OR THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT DOES, DEPENDS ON HOW FIRMLY THE JUDGE CONTROLS THE PRE-TRIAL REVIEW, WITHOUT STIFLING OR INHIBITING THE PARTIES, AND HOW WELL PREPARED THE LAWYERS ARE WHO HAVE THE CONDUCT OF THE CASE,” HE NOTED.
ON RUNNING LIST, SIR TI LIANG SAID BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED FOR TRIAL MAY COLLAPSE ON THE FIRST DAY. IN A CIVIL CASE THE PARTIES MAY SETTLE, AND IN A CRIMINAL CASE THE ACCUSED MAY PLEAD GUILTY.
HE ELABORATED: "THE DIFFICULTY FOR THE COURT IS THEN TO GET ANOTHER CASE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
"IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS THAT THERE IS A CASE FROM THE FIXTURE LIST AVAILABLE FOR THAT DAY, WHERE THE JUDGE DUE TO TAKE THAT FIXTURE HAS A CASE THAT HAS LASTED LONGER THAN EXPECTED. THAT, HOWEVER, IS RARE.
"WE, THEREFORE, INTRODUCED INTO HONG KONG SOME YEARS AGO WHAT IS CALLED A RUNNING LIST."
THIS IS A LIST WHERE THE HEARING IS ESTIMATED TO TAKE NOT MORE THAN FIVE DAYS, AND NEITHER THE PARTIES NOR WITNESSES HAVE TO BE BROUGHT FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THESE CASES ARE CALLED ON AT VERY SHORT NOTICE WHEN A GAP APPEARS, AS A RESULT OF A FIXTURE CASE COLLAPSING.
"THIS SYSTEM ENABLES SUCH SHORT CASES, ON THE WHOLE, TO BE DEALT WITH VERY MUCH SOONER THAN THEY WOULD IF THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR A FIXED DATE TO BE AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE EMPHASISED THAT THE SUCCESS OF THAT LIST DID DEPEND ON A HIGH LEVEL OF PREPARATION BY THE LAWYERS CONCERNED, PARTICULARLY THE SOLICITORS, AS THEY MIGHT HAVE TO FIND AVAILABLE COUNSEL AT SHORT NOTICE.
EARLIER, SIR TI LIANG ACKNOWLEDGED IN HIS SPEECH THE RETIREMENT OF A NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED JUDGES "WHOSE DEPARTURE IS A LOSS TO THE BENCH AND TO THE COMMUNITY".
THEY INCLUDED MR JUSTICE CONS, MR JUSTICE FUAD AND MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL, MR JUSTICE HOOPER FROM THE HIGH COURT, AND JUDGES RATTIGAN AND SHARWOOD FROM THE DISTRICT COURT.
THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR ORGANISED BY THE JUDICIARY BEGAN WITH A CHURCH SERVICE AT THE ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL, GARDEN ROAD, AT 4.15 PM. IT WAS FOLLOWED BY AN ADDRESS BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AT SUPREME COURT.
1 *: J I ’ -
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/5 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 5 -
EXTRA 30 PLACES FOR ONE-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS
*****
THE DAILY QUOTA FOR ONE-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS TO COME TO HONG KONG FROM CHINA IS BEING INCREASED FROM 75 TO 105, FOLLOWING AN AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE QUOTA HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1982.
THE EXTRA 30 PLACES WILL BE ALLOCATED TO TWO CATEGORIES OF CHINESE RESIDENTS:
* 15 FOR WIVES AND HUSBANDS WHO HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR
SPOUSES FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS AND
« 15 FOR HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS’ OFFSPRINGS WHO WILL
HAVE AUTOMATIC RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AFTER JULY 1, 1997 UNDER THE BASIC LAW ARTICLE 24(2) (3).
"A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF THESE OFFSPRINGS OVER THE BORDER IS AT LEAST 75,000," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS PRUDENT TO BEGIN BRINGING IN THEM NOW. HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL FACILITIES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH AN INCREASE OF THAT SCALE ALL AT ONCE IN 1997.
"MOREOVER, IT WILL BE BETTER FOR THEM TO BE INTEGRATED INTO HONG KONG EARLIER."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE CONSIDERABLE NUMBERS OF SPLIT FAMILIES ACROSS THE BORDER.
"WAITING TIMES ARE STILL VERY LONG FOR SOME PEOPLE. THIS HAS PARTLY CONTRIBUTED TO ATTEMPTS AT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION."
THE EXTRA QUOTA WILL HELP ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM BY SPEEDING UP FAMILY REUNION FOR SOME PEOPLE, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE INCREASED QUOTA WOULD GENERATE EXTRA EXPENSES FOR THE GOVERNMENT, MAINLY ON THE EDUCATION SIDE.
"ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR PROVIDING SCHOOLING TO THE CHILDREN COMING UNDER THE EXTRA QUOTA WILL BE IN THE RANGE OF $400 MILLION FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS, PLUS A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF MORE THAN $100 MILLION."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY PLANNED AND MADE PROVISIONS FOR THIS LEVEL OF INCREASE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT NOT ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ OFFSPRINGS LIVING IN CHINA WOULD HAVE AUTOMATIC RIGHT OF ABODE AFTER 1997.
/"THE JOINT .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 6 -
’’THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS AGREED THAT THOSE ELIGIBLE UNDER BASIC LAW ARTICLE 24(2)(3) ARE ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE EITHER A FATHER OR A MOTHER BEING PERMANENT RESIDENT OF HONG KONG AT THE TIME OF THEIR BIRTH,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO RELAXATION IN HONG KONG’S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION POLICY.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF THEIR CONNECTIONS WITH
ARE AND WILL STILL BE REPATRIATED REGARDLESS HONG KONG.
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STATEMENT ON BUS FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS ♦ ♦ * » ♦
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN
CONFIRMED THAT CHINA MOTOR BUS (CMB) SUBMITTED ON JANUARY 4 AN APPLICATION FOR FARE INCREASE BY A WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF 19.1 PER CEWT.
HE EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT BOTH KOWLOON MOTOR BUS AND CMB HAD APPLIED FOR A FARE INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THE PROJECTED INFLATION RATE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS WITH ANY FARE INCREASE APPLICATION, THE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE PROPOSED RATES OF INCREASE BEING SOUGHT BY THE TWO COMPANIES WAS WELL UNDERSTOOD.
HE EMPHASISED THAT INCREASES HAD TO BE FULLY JUSTIFIED AND WOULD ONLY BE APPROVED IF THE EVENTUAL LEVEL OF INCREASE WOULD BE LIMITED TO COVER UNAVOIDABLE EXPENSES AND ESSENTIAL SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL EXAMINE THE APPLICATIONS CAREFULLY IN THE LIGHT OF RISE TN THE TWO COMPANIES’ OPERATING EXPENSES, SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS, INFLATION RATE AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY.
"WE WILL ALSO BRIEF THE TRANSPORT PANEL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BEFORE A RECOMMENDATION IS MADE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/7.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
7
BILL TO SET UP HK INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION ♦ ♦ » » »
A BILL SEEKING TO SET UP THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HKIED) AS AN AUTONOMOUS BODY WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE NEW UNITARY INSTITUTE WILL SUBSUME THE EXISTING COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE), WHICH ARE CURRENTLY MANAGED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE HKIED BILL STIPULATES THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE INSTITUTE, PROVIDES FOR A COUNCIL AS ITS GOVERNING BODY AND THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ACADEMIC BOARD TO PLAN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES AND TO REGULATE ADMISSIONS AND EXAMINATIONS.
THE BILL FURTHER PROPOSES THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE THE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE, WHO WOULD APPOINT THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS OF THE HKIED, PUBLIC OFFICERS, NOMINEES FROM THE ACADEMIC BOARD, STAFF REPRESENTATIVES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY OR THE PROFESSIONS AND THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION EITHER IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKIED FOLLOWED RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5.
"THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS," HE EXPLAINED, STRESSING THAT BETTER TRAINED AND QUALIFIED TEACHERS WERE ESSENTIAL FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
THE HKIED WILL INITIALLY FOCUS ON THE UPGRADING OF EXISTING COURSES WHILE PREPARING TO OFFER DEGREE COURSES IN SOME AREAS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE CURRENT PLAN IS FOR THE INSTITUTE TO TAKE OVER THE EXISTING COLLEGES AND THE ILE AND OFFER ITS OWN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES IN SEPTEMBER 1994.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKIED WILL BE AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST JANUARY, HAD BEEN MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN SETTING UP THE INSTITUTE. IT HAS APPOINTED THE FIRST DIRECTOR AND IS RECRUITING OTHER KEY ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC STAFF.
"IT HAS GOT TO THE STAGE WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO INCORPORATE THE NEW INSTITUTION AS A STATUTORY BODY NOW," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/8........
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
AFTER-CARE SERVICES PLANNED FOR ADULT PRISONERS * t » ♦ »
THE ENABLING LEGISLATION FOR EXTENDING AFTER-CARE SERVICES TO ADULT PRISONERS UNDER A POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK.
THIS WAS MADE KNOWN BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN TODAY (MONDAY) AS HE INSPECTED THE ANNUAL PARADE OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MR PATTEN SAID A COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF A MODERN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE, IN ADDITION TO A SOUND PENAL SYSTEM.
WHAT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS HOW OFFENDERS ARE PREPARED FOR AND HELPED IN THEIR REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY UPON RELEASE, HE SAID.
TO EASE PRISON OVERCROWDING, THE GOVERNOR SAID PROVISIONAL FUNDING HAD BEEN EARMARKED FOR A PLAN TO REDEVELOP STANLEY PRISON AND EXPAND FACILITIES WITHIN THE AREA.
THE PLAN, WHEN COMPLETED, WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION AND WILL MODERNISE THIS BIGGEST MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN THE TERRITORY.
MR PATTEN PRAISED THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FOR THEIR ABILITY TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES WITH WILLINGNESS AND DETERMINATION.
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SWAC CONSIDERS OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME OPTIONS * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) WERE TODAY (MONDAY) BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME (OPS).
A CONTRIBUTORY OPS FUNCTIONS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF COLLECTIVE SOCIAL INSURANCE, THAT IS, COLLECTIVE SUPPORT FOR THE AGED IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS A SYSTEM WHICH IS PRACTISED IN MANY COUNTRIES.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD EMPLOY AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SUMMER AND THE PUBLIC WOULD BE ASKED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON ITS FINDINGS.
/SWAC CHAIRMAN,
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 9 -
SWAC CHAIRMAN, MR ERIC LI, SAID MEMBERS FULLY SUPPORTED THE PRINCIPLE AND SPIRIT OF OPS. HOWEVER, THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS OVER ITS PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS.
MR LI SAID THE PRINCIPLE OF COLLECTIVE SOCIAL INSURANCE WHICH REQUIRED THE MORE AFFLUENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOULDER GREATER FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE NEEDY WAS LAUDABLE.
BUT SOME MEMBERS FELT THAT IT WAS CLEARLY FOREIGN TO THE TRADITIONAL VALUES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHERE THE CONCEPT OF SAVING AND LOOKING AFTER THE FAMILY WAS PERVASIVE.
HE SAID MEMBERS WOULD EXPECT INITIAL RESISTANCE TO THIS LESS TRADITIONAL CONCEPT, ADDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE GREATER EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.
"IT WOULD ALSO HELP IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD PROVIDE MORE SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE TO PICK WHICH IS THE BEST OF THE PROPOSED FOUR OPTIONS," MR LI SAID.
THE FOUR OPTIONS ARE:
* MAINTAIN THE PRESENT VOLUNTARY APPROACH;
* AMEND THE PROPOSED SYSTEM LISTED IN THE CONSULTATION PAPER BY INCORPORATING SOME FORM OF GUARANTEE AGAINST LOSSES;
» INTRODUCE A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (CPF); AND
* INTRODUCE AN OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME.
SOME MEMBERS POINTED OUT THAT WITHOUT CLEARLY DEFINING BENEFITS ELDERLY PEOPLE MIGHT STILL WISH TO MAINTAIN THEIR CHOICE, MR LI SAID.
ON THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE SCHEME, MR LI SAID SOME MEMBERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE POLITICAL RISK AND THE FUTURE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE GOVERNMENT, THE BUSINESS SECTOR AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
"SOME MEMBERS WERE CONCERNED THAT AS THE ELDERLY POPULATION GROWS ITS POLITICAL INFLUENCE WILL ALSO INCREASE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RESIST ANY SUGGESTIONS OF IMPROVEMENT MADE TO THE SCHEME," HE ADDED.
THE COMMITTEE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS IN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND IN PARTICULAR. TO DRAW LESSONS FROM OVERSEAS EXPERIENCES.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO AGREED TO SWAC’S REQUEST FOR A FURTHER BRIEFING ON THE FEASIBILITY REPORT UPON ITS RELEASE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE SETTING UP OF A WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH HAD HELD ITS FIRST MEETING ON NOVEMBER 29 LAST YEAR.
/THE WORKING .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 10 -
THE WORKING GROUP WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO CONDUCT A GENERAL REVIEW OF SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND TO ADVISE ON THE FORMATION OF A STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE POLICIES AND SERVICES.
IT WILL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY AUGUST THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS ALSO WELCOMED THE SETTING UP OF THIS LONG-AWAITED WORKING GROUP AND ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT CONSULTING SWAC ON ANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THIS GROUP WHICH WOULD INVOLVE MAJOR POLICY CHANGES IN SOCIAL WELFARE.
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SWAC SUPPORTS CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE REPORT
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) TODAY (MONDAY) SUPPORTED ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REVIEW OF >THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES REPORT.
SWAC CHAIRMAN, MR ERIC LI, SAID THE HOLISTIC APPROACH IN DELIVERING SERVICES WOULD BETTER SUI! THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AS CUSTOMERS.
"WE ALSO WELCOME THE ADMINISTRATION TO CLARIFY THAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES EARMARKED FOR IMPROVEMENT ON CORE PROGRAMMES AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL BE PROVIDED," HE SAID.
MR LI NOTED THAT MEMBERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN PROMOTING THE INTEGRATED APPROACH.
"THEY HAVE URGED FOR GREATER CAUTION AND FLEXIBILITY ON THE PART OF THE THE ADMINISTRATION AND HOPED THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED WITH THE GREATEST POSSIBLE VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION OF THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID MEMBERS CONSIDERED THE CURRENT CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WERE PROVIDING VALUABLE SERVICES.
HOWEVER, THEY RECOGNISED THE REPORT HAD SHOWN MANY WAYS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT.
"WITHOUT HAVING CONVINCING RESULTS FROM REGULAR INDEPTH REVIEWS MEMBERS WOULD RATHER SEE SLOWER PROGRESS THAN TO FORCE THROUGH PLANNED CHANGES BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS," HE CONCLUDED.
0
/Il
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 11 -
VESSELS MUST OBSERVE IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE RULES
*****
CAPTAINS OF VESSELS ARE REMINDED TO COMPLY WITH IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE PROCEDURES SET OUT IN THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THE CAPTAIN OR OWNER OF A SHIP IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR CREW MEMBERS AND PASSENGERS EXAMINED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE SHIP DEPARTS FROM OR ARRIVES AT HONG KONG AT A SPECIFIED ANCHORAGE OR PLACE.
HE HAS TO FURNISH RETURNS CONTAINING THE PRESCRIBED PARTICULARS OF HIS CREW AND PASSENGERS WHO ARE DEPARTING OR ARRIVING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE LAW ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION MAY GRANT EXEMPTION TO ANY OR ALL OF THESE IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE PROCEDURES.
"WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAPTAIN OF A LOCALLY REGISTERED SHIP HAD RUN A NUMBER OF PLEASURE TRIPS TO AN ISLAND WITHIN THE CHINESE TERRITORY WITHOUT UNDERGOING SUCH IMMIGRATION FORMALITIES AS STIPULATED UNDER THE LAW.
"OUR OFFICERS HAVE ADVISED THE CAPTAIN AND THE AGENT OF THE CRAFT OF THE PROPER PROCEDURES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE APPEALED TO CAPTAINS OF VESSELS TO OBSERVE THESE LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS.
OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND UPON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000.
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LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS REMINDED TO GUARD REPUTATION OF QUALITY « ♦ * * *
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS WHO EXTENDED THEIR BASE OF OPERATION OFF-SHORE TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PRESERVE HONG KONG’S REPUTATION FOR QUALITY.
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG TOYS COUNCIL ANNUAL DINNER, MR MILLER SAID OFF-SHORE INVESTMENT COULD BE PORTRAYED POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY DEPENDING ON HOW IT WAS DONE.
ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE, HE SAID THE OFF-SHORE INVESTMENT MIGHT BE DEPICTED BY SOME AS SIMPLY TURNING UNDER-DEVELOPED ECONOMIES INTO AN INDUSTRIAL BACKYARD, AS EXPORTING POLLUTION AND AS EXPLOITING CHEAP, UNTRAINED LABOUR.
HOWEVER, RAPID INDUSTRIALISATION BRINGS ITS OWN PROBLEMS, WITH OR WITHOUT FOREIGN INVESTMENT, HE OBSERVED.
/THE CAUSES .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
12
THE CAUSES RANGE FROM A LACK OF PROPER SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT, POOR BUILDING DESIGN, WORSE MANAGEMENT AND A POOR UNDERSTANDING BY WORKERS OF THE NEED FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, MR MILLER SAID THE OUTSIDE INVESTOR COULD, AND SHOULD IN HIS OWN SELF INTEREST, SET A GOOD EXAMPLE.
INDUSTRIALISTS FROM HONG KONG CARRY WITH THEIR INVESTMENT, NOT ONLY CAPITAL AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, BUT ALSO MODERN BUSINESS AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, CONCEPTS OF INNOVATION AND DESIGN, PRODUCTION PLANNING, PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT, STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, IDEAS OF PACKAGING, MARKETING AND PROMOTION.
"WE HAVE LEARNED FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION," HE SAID.
"THE DECLINE IN ACCIDENT STATISTICS DEMONSTRATES THAT OUR INDUSTRIALISTS ARE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TO INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONSHIP AND BUSINESS SUCCESS."
"BEING MORE EXPERIENCED THEY CAN AND SHOULD TAKE WITH THEM THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN AND SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT. AND IT IS IN ALL OF OUR SELF-INTEREST TO EXPORT THIS EXPERIENCE WHEN INVESTING ABROAD," HE SAID.
FIRSTLY, THE COMMERCIAL REALITY IS THAT THE SPEED AT WHICH TECHNOLOGY CAN BE ACQUIRED, MANUFACTURING PROCESSES ADAPTED AND MANAGERIAL PRACTICES ABSORBED HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY TELESCOPED.
THE MANUFACTURER WHO GOES OFF-SHORE AND THINKS THAT CHEAP LAND AND CHEAP LABOUR WILL KEEP HIM AHEAD WILL QUICKLY BE OUT PERFORMED BY THOSE WHO, FROM THE START, INVEST IN NEW TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY PROCESSES AND MANAGEMENT AND WORKER TRAINING.
SECONDLY, IF HONG KONG INVESTORS LEAD THE WAY IN THIS MANNER, THEY WILL HELP PRESERVE HONG KONG’S HARD WON REPUTATION.
IN SO DOING HE WILL HELP PREVENT ALLEGATIONS OF UNFAIR COMPETITION AND DISCOURAGE THE USE OF PROTECTIONIST TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HE HAS CHOSEN TO INVEST.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR MILLER SAID THE RATIO OF RE-EXPORTS TO DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAD RISEN RAPIDLY TO ABOUT FOUR TO ONE.
THIS LEADS TO TWO IMPLICATIONS WHICH CAN BE PROBLEMATIC FOR BOTH GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS.
"AS THE PROPORTION OF RE-EXPORTS IN OUR TOTAL EXPORTS GROWS, SO THE PROPORTION FOR WHICH WE CAN CLAIM A DIRECT INTEREST IN A DISPUTE SHRINKS," HE SAID. ’WE THEREFORE BECOME MORE VULNERABLE TO DISPUTES BETWEEN COUNTRIES WHOSE RE-EXPORTS WE HANDLE."
MEXICO’S ANTI-DUMPING ACTION AGAINST CHINA’S PRODUCTS IN THE MIDDLE OF 1993, AND RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS CAN ILLUSTRATE THE POINT.
/THE SECOND .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
THE SECOND RELATES TO REPUTATION, AND HERE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS PRIMARILY WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
BUYERS AND COMPETITORS TEND TO REGARD GOODS SOURCED THROUGH HONG KONG AS BEING THE WORK OF HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS.
ANYTHING THAT UNDERMINES THE REPUTATION OF LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS WILL BE SEIZED ON BY PROTECTIONISTS TO CONVINCE GOVERNMENTS THAT THERE IS UNFAIR COMPETITION FROM WHICH THEY DESERVE SOME FORM OF PROTECTION.
IT IS THEREFORE ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG’S ENTREPRENEURS WHO EXTEND THEIR BASE OF OPERATION OFF-SHORE DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PRESERVE THE REPUTATION FOR QUALITY SO PAINFULLY BUILT UP FOR HONG KONG, MR MILLER SAID.
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SERVICES TO PROTECT CHILDREN * * * * *
SEEKING PROPER HELP TO MAINTAIN A SECURE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE OF RESPONSIBLE PARENTS, CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE), MRS KATHERINE SHIN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF VICTORIA, MRS SHIN SAID THE WORKING GROUP ON CHILD ABUSE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) AND OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES WERE WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN.
MRS SHIN STRESSED THAT THE PUBLIC WERE ENCOURAGED TO - REPORT CHILD ABUSE NOT FOR PUNISHING THOSE ABUSERS BUT TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO WERE IN NEED OF HELP.
"WHILE OFFERING PROTECTION TO CHILDREN, WE ALSO HELP THEIR PARENTS OVERCOME THEIR PROBLEMS AND STRENGTHEN THEIR FAMILY.
"WITH THE SUPPORT OFFERED, WE BELIEVE THAT EVEN THE MOST TROUBLED FAMILIES CAN IMPROVE.
HOWEVER, MRS SHIN WAS QUICK TO ADD THAT THEIR SERVICE AIMED TO SUPPLEMENT BUT NOT TO SUBSTITUTE FAMILY FUNCTIONING.
THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY WORKING GROUP ON CHILD ABUSE WAS SET UP IN 1983 AND RECONVENED IN 1984, 1985, 1988 AND 1993 TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MEASURES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE.
MRS SHIN SAID THIS WORKING GROUP WAS AN ADVISORY BODY WITH THE CONCERNED PROFESSIONALS HELP IN CARRYING OUT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED MULTI-DISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION, PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING CHILD ABUSE, THE STATISTICS AND THE CHILD PROTECTION REGISTRY, LEGAL PROVISIONS, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, AND SO ON.
/UNDER THE
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
14
UNDER THE WORKING GROUP IS A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY FORUM IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AMONG PROFESSIONALS AND THE COMMUNITY.
THIS DISTRICT FORUM IS SET UP ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS. SUCH FORUM WILL BE REPLICATED IN OTHER DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO THE EVALUATION OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS.
THERE IS ALSO A CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP TO CO-ORDINATE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO AROUSE PUBLIC CONCERN ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
VARIOUS MEANS WERE USED TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE. THESE INCLUDED POSTERS, LEAFLET/PAMPHLETS, ANNOUNCEMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST ON TELEVISION, RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SO ON.
SHE SAID THEY WERE PREPARING A PAMPHLET ON SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR DISTRIBUTION SOON.
THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES (FSC) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO’S) PROVIDED SERVICES IN RELATION TO CHILD ABUSE CASES.
A SWD’S SPECIALISED UNIT, THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT (CPSU), WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1983 TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS.
THE UNIT WORKS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AS WELL AS PROVIDES REMEDIAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1993, THERE WERE 456 ACTIVE CHILD' ABUSE CASES. OF WHICH, 75.2 PER CENT (THAT IS 343 CASES) WERE HANDLED BY CPSU. 11.8 PER CENT (THAT IS 54 CASES) WERE CLASSIFIED AS SEXUAL ABUSE AND 42 OF THEM WERE HANDLED BY CPSU.
THERE IS MARKED INCREASE OF 6.8 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF SEXUAL ABUSE CASES AS COMPARED TO THE 32 CASES AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1992.
PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM AND READINESS TO REPORT SUCH CASES MIGHT BE A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TO SUCH AN INCREASE, SHE EXPLAINED.
LEGAL PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSE IS LAID DOWN IN THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE CHAPTER 213 (PCJO), AN' AMENDMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE CHAPTER 213, WHICH HAS BEEN PUT INTO EFFECT IN NOVEMBER 1993.
THE PCJO WIDENS THE PROTECTION NET FOR CHILDREN AND JUVENILES.
THE INCLUSION OF CHILD ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE ENABLES A CHILD TO BE ASSESSED WITHOUT BEING ABRUPTLY REMOVED FROM HOME AND BE SEPARATED FROM HIS FAMILY.
/WITH THE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 15 -
WITH THE INSERTION OF THE 48-HOUR CONDITION AND THE FLEXIBILITY IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF PLACE OF DETENTION, THE CHILDREN AND JUVENILES’ RIGHT AND INTEREST WOULD BE BETTER SERVED WITH THE AMENDED LEGISLATION.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND REMEDIAL SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID THEY ALSO RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT TO FAMILIES SO AS TO PREVENT FAMILY VIOLENCE AND TO RELIEVE STRESSES IN FAMILIES WHICH MAY RESULT IN CHILD ABUSE.
THE DAY NURSERY, DAY CRECHE AND OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE OFFER CHILD CARE SUPPORT TO THOSE FAMILIES IN NEED.
THE HOME HELP SERVICE AND FAMILY AIDE SERVICE ALSO OFFER SUPPORT TO THOSE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS WHO NEED SPECIFIC HELP AT HOME.
TARGETS FOR EXPANDING THESE SERVICES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND IN THE COMING FEW YEARS, MRS SHIN SAID.
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LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY
*****
THE ISSUES OF RAILWAY FARE INCREASES AND SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY TO RESOLVE WAGE CLAIMS OF CIVIL SERVANTS WILL BE DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY.
THE RAILWAY MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK. THE OTHER ONE WILL BE PROPOSED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL MOVE 23 MOTIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER THREE BILLS AT THE MEETING.
THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON IT IS DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATES ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 AND NOISE CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 889 9492.
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/16........
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 16 -
WELFARE STAFF ATTEND CUSTOMERS SERVICE SEMINAR
*****
SENIOR STAFF OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ATTENDED THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS ON CUSTOMERS SERVICE TO LEARN HOW TO SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS BETTER.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID THE DEPARTMENT HOPED TO EQUIP ITS STAFF MEMBERS WITH MORE SKILLS BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ARE LAUNCHED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE FOCUS OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO ENCOURAGE STAFF TO PUT THE CUSTOMERS INTEREST FIRST AND TO LEARN FROM THE SUCCESS STORIES OF ORGANISATIONS THAT HAD EXCELLED IN THIS AREA.
"OUR AIM IS TO PUT THE CUSTOMERS FIRST AND WE SHALL START WITH A CARING IMAGE," HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN SAID HE HOPED THAT THE DEPARTMENT, WITH ITS SYMPATHETIC APPROACH, WOULD STRIVE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED MOST.
THERE WERE ALREADY TRAINING FOR STAFF ON CUSTOMERS RELATIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE.
BUT HE SAID THE STAFF SHOULD NOT BE COMPLACENT AND SHOULD LOOK FOR EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS AS WELL AS QUALITY WHEN SERVING THEIR CUSTOMERS.
"I NEED TO MOTIVATE AND ENCOURAGE YOU AS SENIOR MANAGERS TO PUT QUALITY IN DELIVERY OF SERVICE AT THE VERY TOP OF YOUR AGENDA AND TO EMPOWER YOU TO FIND YOUR OWN SOLUTIONS," HE TOLD THE STAFF IN ATTENDANCE.
MR STRACHAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT’S CUSTOMERS COUNTERS AND WAITING AREAS WOULD BE IMPROVED FOR THE COMFORT OF THOSE WHO CAME FORWARD TO SEEK HELP.
"FUNDING WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS WANT," HE SAID.
THE KEY SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR WERE MR JOHN SEALE, GENERAL MANAGER, AIRLINE SERVICES AND MISS HELEN LOK, MANAGER, MARKETING RESEARCH OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LTD WHO GAVE ADVICE ON HOW TO CUT DOWN QUEUING TIME AS WELL AS BETTER CUSTOMERS SERVICE.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 66.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 388.187 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 314.409 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 53.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1994
- 17 -
FRESH WATER CUT IN MONG KOK
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 12) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY SOY STREET, SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET SOUTH, DUNDAS STREET AND KWONG WA STREET.
-----0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,026
REVERSAL OF LAF +974
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,785
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,215
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.4 »+0.0» 10.1.94
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 4.75 101.34 3.53
1 MONTH 2.82 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.09 3.71
3 MONTHS 2.99 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.18 3.89
6 MONTHS 3.15 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.21 4.07
12 MONTHS 3.47 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT 34 OF BILLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 14 4.20 ,399 MN 99.27 4.53
CLOSED 10 JANUARY 1994
------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK ADOPTS NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERING PLAN IN 1995 .......... 1
WORK ON SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE PROGRESSING WELL ...... 2
DOGS TO BE PUT DOWN ..................................... 4
TSUEN WAN - FIRST NEW TOWN WITH ATC SYSTEM .............. 4
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ................. 5
EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER ..................... 6
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS ON THURSDAY ........ 14
EFFORTS MADE TO PROMOTE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ............................................ 14
CONSUMERS URGED TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST PROTECTIONISM ..... 16
KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK DESIGN EXHIBITION LAUNCHED ..... 18
331 VMS RETURN TODAY .................................... 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ..... 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 21
TUESDAY. JANUARY 11, 1994
HK ADOPTS NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERING PLAN IN 1995 *****
AN EIGHT-DIG " NUMBERING PLAN WILL BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG EROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR (1995).
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MR ALEX ARENA, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
"THE NEW EIGHT-DIGIT NUMBERING PLAN WILL INCREASE AVAILABLE NUMBERS 10-FOLD AND PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE DEMAND UP TO 2010 AT LEAST," MR ARENA SAID.
"HONG KONG IS RUNNING OUT OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS. THE PRESENT SEVEN-DIGIT NUMBERING PLAN HAS REACHED ITS LIMIT, AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR BOTH FIXED AND MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FROM 1995," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, WE HAVE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE LICENSING OF THREE NEW LOCAL FIXED NETWORKS IN ADDITION To THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD. A FAIR AND EQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF NUMBERS AMONG THE VARIOUS COMPETING NETWORK PROVIDERS IS NECESSARY."
IN 1992, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A DETAILED STUDY ON HONG KONG’S NUMBERING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMING YEARS AND BEYOND, AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE NUMBERING PLAN.
MR ARENA SAID AFTER CONSULTING THE PUBLIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATORS, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY DECIDED TO ADOPT A NEW NUMBERING PLAN WHICH WOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING MAIN FEATURES:
* A UNIFIED EIGHT-DIGIT NUMBERING PLAN WOULD BE ADOPTED FOR TELEPHONE AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES,
* THE DIGIT '2' WOULD BE ADDED IN FRONT OF EXISTING RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS NUMBERS,
* ALL FIXE!) NETWORKS WOULD USE THE PREFIX DIGIT OVERFLOWING TO DIGIT '3’ AS AND WHEN NECESSARY,
* ALL RADIO PAGING NUMBERS WOULD ADOPT A PREFIX DIGIT '7',
* THE PREFIX DIGIT ’8’ WOULD BE RESERVED EXCLUSIVELY FOR A PERSONAL NUMBERING SERVICE, AND
* THE PREFIX DIGIT '9’ WOULD BE USED EXCLUSIVE!,! BY MOBILE SERVICES.
/THE SUMMARY .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 2 -
THE SUMMARY OUTLINE OF THE NEW NUMBERING PLAN IS:
FIRST DIGIT OF THE NUMBERING PLAN
SERVICES TO BE SUPPORTED
INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ACCESS
1
SPECIAL CODES
(E.G. 1081 AND 1083 FOR DIRECTORY
SERVICES, 109 FOR FAULT REPORTING)
2
FIXED SERVICES
3
4 )
)
5 )
)
6 )
RESERVED FOR EXPANSION OF FIXED
SERVICES
RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
*7
PAGING SERVICES
RESERVED FOR PERSONAL NUMBERING SERVICE
MOBILE SERVICES
» THE NUMBERING CHANGE FOR RADIO PAGING WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM MID-1995.
-----0------
WORK ON SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE PROGRESSING WELL
*****
THE SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO TRAFFIC A FEW MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
BE OPENED TO
THE
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TODAY (TUESDAY) TO MARK OF THE MAIN BRIDGE, THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/HONG KONG, WAH-LUN, SAID CONSTRUCTION HAD PROGRESSED VERY SATISFACTORILY.
CONNECTION
MR WONG
9
/"IT IS .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 3 -
"IT IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC BY AUTUMN, EARLIER THAN THE OPENING DATE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED BY END OF THIS YEAR,” MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID WITH THE HOUSING AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS ON AP LEI CHAU, A SECOND BRIDGE LINKING AP LEI CHAU AND ABERDEEN WAS REQUIRED.
THE SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING BRIDGE AND IS OF SIMILAR PROFILE.
THE MAIN BRIDGE IS OF THREE SPAN BALANCED CANTILEVER CAST IN SITU CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION WITH A CENTRE SPAN OF 115 METRES ACROSS ABERDEEN HARBOUR.
THIS METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION IS CHOSEN FOR MAINTAINING THE NAVIGATION CHANNEL UNDER THE BRIDGE AT ALL TIMES.
PIERS WERE FIRST CONSTRUCTED NEAR THE BANKS OF THE ABERDEEN HARBOUR.
FIFTY-SIX SUCCESSIVE CANTILEVER SEGMENTS OF BRIDGE DECK ABOUT 3.5-METRE LONG EACH WERE CAST ON THE SIDES OF THE PIERS IN A BALANCED MANNER.
EVENTUALLY, THE CANTILEVER SPANS WERE CONNECTED BY THE LAST SEGMENT CAST ABOVE THE MIDDLE OF THE ABERDEEN HARBOUR.
THE NORTH APPROACH TO THE MAIN BRIDGE IS VIA A 150-METRE LONG FIVE SPAN CONTINUOUS BRIDGE DECK. THE SOUTH APPROACH IS VIA A 60-METRE LONG TWO SPAN CONTINUOUS BRIDGE DECK, AND A 150-METRE LONG WIDENED ROAD SUPPORTED BY CAISSON RETAINING WALL.
AT THE CEREMONY, MR WONG, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER GUESTS OF HONOUR SHOVELLED THE LAST POUR OF CONCRETE TO TOP OUT THE CONNECTION OF THE MAIN BRIDGE.
THE GUESTS INCLUDED THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSPORT & TRAFFIC COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR MAN HON-MING; THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE; AND THE DEPUTY MANAGER OF THE CHINA ROAD AND BRIDGE CORPORATION, MR GAO BO-PING.
THE PROJECT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG REGION OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT. THE WORKS ARE DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD AND CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERTAKEN BY THE CHINA ROAD AND BRIDGE CORPORATION.
THE PROJECT ESTIMATE IS ABOUT $120 MILLION AT CURRENT PRICE LEVEL. THE WORKS STARTED IN MID LAST YEAR AND THE BRIDGE IS ANTICIPATED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC BY AUTUMN THIS YEAR.
--------0 - -
/4.........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
4 DOGS TO BE PUT DOWN *****
THE TWO DOGS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN A FATAL INCIDENT IN SHEUNG SHUI LAST SATURDAY (JANUARY 8) WILL BE PUT DOWN.
THE OWNER HAS AGREED TODAY (TUESDAY) TO SURRENDER THE DOGS TO AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) FOR DESTRUCTION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR AFD SAID: ’’THE DOGS, NOW KEPT IN SHEK WU HUI GOVERNMENT KENNELS, WILL CONTINUE TO BE DETAINED BY AFD FOR FURTHER OBSERVATION OF RABIES. THIS NORMALLY TAKES SEVEN FULL DAYS FROM THE DAY OF THE BITING INCIDENT.”
"THEY WILL THEN BE HUMANELY PUT DOWN.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT BASED ON OBSERVATIONS, THE DOGS HAD SO FAR SHOWN NO SIGNS OF RABIES.
------0--------
TSUEN WAN - FIRST NEW TOWN WITH ATC SYSTEM ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
TSUEN WAN HAS BECOME THE FIRST NEW TOWN WITH AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SYSTEM, AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS COMMISSIONED EARLIER THIS MONTH.
TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SYSTEM, A GROUP OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VISITED THE TSUEN WAN ATC CENTRE TODAY (TUESDAY) TO SEE HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR LEE SHU CHEE, TOLD MEMBERS THAT THE SYSTEM INSTALLED WAS AN INTERIM SYSTEM PROVIDING BASIC ATC FACILITIES COVERING 85 SIGNALISED JUNCTIONS IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI.
THE SYSTEM, DESIGNED WITH THE LATEST COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL TECHNIQUES, IS CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING A MAXIMUM OF 190 SIGNAL JUNCTIONS.
IT CAN ACTIVATE DIFFERENT SIGNAL PLANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A TIMETABLE STORED IN THE COMPUTER, SO AS TO ADJUST TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMINGS TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, MR LEE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT LATER THIS YEAR, THE CURRENT INTERIM SYSTEM WOULD BE ENHANCED TO THE BASIC SYSTEM WITH ADDITIONAL FACILITIES.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CONTROL CENTRE AND INSTALLATION OF COMPUTER SYSTEM IN TSUEN WAN WAS COMPLETED IN MID-1993.
/THE CENTRE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
5
THE CENTRE WILL ALSO BE USED TO CONTROL ATC SYSTEMS IN OTHER NEW TOWNS WHEN THEY ARE INSTALLED IN FUTURE.
SINCE THE TSUEN WAN ATC SYSTEM USES THE SERVICES OF HONG KONG TELECOM LTD FOR DATA TRANSMISSION BETWEEN THE CONTROL CENTRE AND THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLERS, ROAD OPENINGS FOR CABLE LAYING AND MAINTENANCE OF ATC DATA COMMUNICATION NETWORK CAN BE ELIMINATED.
IN 1995, THE TSUEN WAN ATC SYSTEM WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A TRAFFIC MONITORING CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM WITH MORE THAN 20 ROADSIDE CAMERAS, MR LEE ADDED.
---------0-----------
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ♦ * * * *
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 13) ON THE SALE OF A COMMERCIAL SITE IN GARDEN ROAD AND THE PROVIDENT FUND AND SUPERANNUATION SCHEMES OPERATED BY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
THE ISSUES WERE COVERED TN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT NO. 21 TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 17 LAST YEAR.
THE HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, 8 JACKSON ROAD, STARTING AT 9 AM.
APPEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS ON THE SALE OF THE SITE WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR BOB POPE; DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR KWONG KI-CHI; FORMER DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR CHAU CHAM-SON; AND GENERAL MANAGER OF HUTCHISON ESTATE AGENTS, MR PETER TO.
SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, MR NIGEL FRENCH, AND MR KWONG WILL RESPOND TO POINTS ON THE PROVIDENT FUND AND SUPERANNUATION SCHEMES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ADVISED TO BRING WITH THEM A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT. THE PROGRAMME FOR THE HEARING WILL BE FAXED.
------0----------
/6........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
6 EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER ***»»»
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED DETAILED STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE WITH BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY AND COMMODITY FOR LAST NOVEMBER.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1993, AT $72,351 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 14% OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1992, WHEREAS THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $19,145 MILLION, DECREASED BY 5.8%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS: GERMANY (+29%), JAPAN (+27%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+22%), THE UNITED STATES (+21%), SINGAPORE (+21%), CANADA (+20%), CHINA (+15%), FRANCE (+11%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+10%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 19%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $749,450 MILLION, BEING 20% HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
COMPARING THE FIRST 11 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 (+31%), SINGAPORE (+26%), GERMANY (+24%), THE UNITED STATES (+21%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+18%), JAPAN (+18%), FRANCE (+17%), CANADA (+15%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+13%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 1-6%.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST 11 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 TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $15,732 MILLION OR 31%); ROAD VEHICLES (BY $14,847 MILLION OR 101%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $13,654 MILLION OR 28%); FOOTWEAR (RY $11,204 MILLION OR 35%); CLOTHING (BY $10,829 MILLION OR 15%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $10,749 MILLION OR 12%); AND TEXTILES (BY $2,636 MILLION OR 4.3%).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1993, AT $19,145 MILLION, FELL BY 5.8% OVER NOVEMBER 1992.
/DECREASES WERE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 7 -
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY (-16%), THE NETHERLANDS (-15%), FRANCE (-15%), CANADA (-14%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-9.5%), THE UNITED STATES (-5.8%), JAPAN (-5.0%), TAIWAN (-2.0%) AND CHINA (-0.4%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE INCREASED BY 5.9%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM (-14%), FRANCE (-13%), JAPAN (-12%), GERMANY (-10%), THE UNITED STATES (-8.4%), THE NETHERLANDS (-7.7%), CANADA (-6.6%) AND TAIWAN (-3.5%).
HOWEVER, INCREASES OF 10% AND 3.3% IN VALUE WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE TO SINGAPORE AND CHINA RESPECTIVELY.
TAKING ALL DESTINATIONS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993, AT $202,444 MILLION, DECREASED BY 4.7% OVER THE SAME PERIOD TN 1992.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES TN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES TN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,060MTLLION OR 11%); MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $374 MILLION OR 13%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $355 MILLION OR 3.0%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING (BY $5,099 MILLION OR 7.4%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $2,946 MILLION OR 16%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,426MILLION OR 14%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $1,570 MILLION OR 7.7%); AND TEXTILES (BY $829 MILLION OR 5.3%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1993 WAS $92,469 MILLION, INCREASING BY 8.7% OVER THAT TN NOVEMBER 1992.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1993 WITH NOVEMBER 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ITALY (+26%), SINGAPORE (+24%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+21%), CHINA (+16%), GERMANY (+15%), MALAYSIA (+7.0%), TAIWAN (+6.8%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+1.0%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN (-11%) AND THE UNITED STATES (-2.4%).
/COMPARING THE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 8 -
COMPARING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED: SINGAPORE (+23%), MALAYSIA (+22%), ITALY (+22%), GERMANY (+15%), THE UNITED STATES (+14%), CHINA (+13%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+11%), JAPAN (+9.1%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+9.0%) AND TAIWAN (+8.8%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $976,548 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 11 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 $18,764 MILLION OR 65%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $18,473 MILLION OR 21%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $15,501 MILLION OR 23%); CLOTHING (BY $9,803 MILLION OR 13%); FOOTWEAR (BY $9,489 MILLION OR 33%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $7,478 MILLION OR 11%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR TEXTILES (BY $2,207 MILLION OR 2.4%).
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 NOVEMBER 1993 WILL BE RELEASED EARLY NEXT MONTH.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY/ TERRITORY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES OF THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1993 WILL BE ON SALE AT $68.50 A COPY AROUND JANUARY 18.
THE REPORT CAN BE BOUGHT EITHER AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 : .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 9 -
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) NOV 93 OVER NOV 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) JAN-NOV 93 OVER JAN-NOV 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 23,818 + 15.4 248,245 + 30.9
UNITED STATES 15,448 + 21.2 165,836 + 21.3
JAPAN 4,393 + 26.6 40,375 + 17.6
GERMANY 3,901 + 28.5 36,643 + 23.5
UNITED KINGDOM 2,142 + 10.3 22,170 + 18.4
TAIWAN 1,903 - 19.2 20,074 - 16.3
SINGAPORE 1,530 + 20.7 15,575 + 25.5
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,376 + 22.3 14,068 + 13.2
CANADA 989 + 19.6 11,692 + 14.6
FRANCE 1,048 + 10.5 11,678 + 17.0
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) NOV 93 OVER NOV 9 2 (% CHANGE) JAN-NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) JAN-NOV 93 OVER JAN-NOV 92 (% CHANGE)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 8,819 + 7.3 100,293 + 12.0
ARTICLES OF APPAREL 7,782 + 16.4 82,221 + 15.2
AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES
/I cl.ECOMMUNICATTONS AND........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
10
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 7,653 + 32.2 66,434 + 31.0
TEXTILE YARN, 6,451 + 6.5 64,256 + 4.3
FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, 6,633 + 21.3 62,379 + 28.0
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF FOOTWEAR 3,861 + 29.6 43,207 + 35.0
PHOTOGRAPHIC 3,476 + 26.0 33,372 + 24.6
APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS ROAD VEHICLES 2,061 - 0.4 29,579 % +100.8
OFFICE MACHINES AND 2,757 + 11.7 25,548 + 29.9
AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES TRAVEL GOODS, 2,098 + 17.6 24,420 + 12.6
HANDBAGS AND
SIMILAR CONTAINERS
TABLE 3 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) NOV 93 OVER NOV 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) JAN-NOV 93 OVER JAN-NOV 92 CHANGE)
CHINA 5,500 - 0.4 57,917 + 3.3
UNITED STATES 5,347 - 5.8 54,269 - 8.4
GERMANY 1,161 - 16.1 12,548 - 10.2
SINGAPORE 1 ,039 + 5.9 10,297 + 10.0
UNITED KINGDOM 885 - 9.5 9,673 - 13.7
/JAPAN .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 11 -
JAPAN 810 - 5.0 8,926 - 12.0
TAIWAN 615 - 2.0 5,690 - 3.5
CANADA 323 - 14.5 4,281 - 6.6
NETHERLANDS 326 - 15.5 3,997 - 7.7
FRANCE 220 - 14.9 2,452 - 13.2
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) NOV 93 OVER NOV 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) JAN-NOV 93 OVER JAN-NOV 92 (% CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,034 - 6.1 64,217 - 7.4
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,940 + 2.4 20,382 + 11.2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,896 + 4.7 18,854 - 7.7
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,540 - 28.6 15,634 - 15.9
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, 1,386 MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS - 8.5 14,892 - 5.3
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,528 - 7.9 14,802 - 14.1
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 12 -
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1,039 AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 6.1 12,214 + 3.0
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 391 + 7.3 4,237 - 3.5
MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 292 - 17.2 3,291 + 12.8
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 276 + 9.2 3,163 + 2.3
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
NOV NOV 93 JAN-NOV JAN -NOV 93
SUPPLIER 1993 OVER 1993 OVER
NOV 92 JAN -NOV 92
(HK$ MN) (% CHANGE) (HK$ MN) (% CHANGE)
CHINA 36,018 + 16.0 366,060 + 13.5
JAPAN 13,535 - 10.5 163,005 + 9.1
TAIWAN 8,446 + 6.8 85,854 + 8.8
UNITED STATES 6,174 - 2.4 71,646 + 13.7
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,791 + 1.0 43,921 + 9.0
SINGAPORE 4,378 + 24.4 43,185 + 22.7
GERMANY 2,199 ♦ 14.9 22,778 + 14.9
UNITED KINGDOM 2,096 + 20.7 19,339 + 11.0
ITALY 1,693 + 26.4 16,235 + 22.0
MALAYSIA 1 ,257 + 7.0 14,226 4- 22.3
/TABLE 6 : .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 13 -
TABLE 6 : IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION (1 NOV 1993 HK$ MN) NOV 93 OVER NOV 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-NOV 1993 (HK$ MN) JAN-NOV 93 OVER JAN-NOV 92 (% CHANGE)
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 10,394 + 12.5 104,977 + 21.4
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 9 8,571 + 0.2 90,576 - 2.4
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 9,038 + 22.2 83,945 + 22.6
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,207 + 16.8 82,907 + 13.4
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 6,639 + 3.5 73,362 + 11.4
ROAD VEHICLES 2,587 - 36.2 47,664 + 64.9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4,330 + 13.3 44,197 + 7.0
FOOTWEAR 3,466 + 25.4 38,052 + 33.2
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 3,530 + 4.7 32,938 + 7.3
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES 3,197 + 27.5 30,556 + 13.8
--------0 - -
/14 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
14 AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS ON THURSDAY » » » * *
THE 10TH PLENARY MEETING OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE HELD AT 11.30 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 13).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE UPDATED POSITION OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER, THIRD FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3 EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE MEETING ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MR CHAN HO-KEUNG ON 829 6745 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
---------0-----------
EFFORTS MADE TO PROMOTE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ♦ ♦ * ♦ »
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) HAS BEEN WORKING HARD AND WILL CONTINUE TO HELP THE LOCAL PRIMARY INDUSTRIES MEET WITH CHALLENGES IN HONG KONG’S RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SOCIETY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE DEPARTMENT WILL SPARE NO EFFORTS IN THE PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.
THESE WERE STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WHEN HE REVIEWED THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
DR LEE SAID THE LOCAL PRIMARY INDUSTRIES HAD, IN RECENT YEARS, TO FACE A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES INCLUDING LAND AND RESOURCES CONSTRAINTS, KEEN COMPETITION FROM IMPORTED PRIMARY PRODUCE AND INCREASING PUBLIC CONCERN OVER RURAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.
DESPITE ALL THESE, DR LEE STRESSED, AFD HAD BEEN MAKING STEADY PROGRESS IN EXPLORING AND PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE FARMING AND FISHING TECHNIQUES AND IN HELPING SUCH INDUSTRIES IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY.
/HE SAID: ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
15
HE SAID: "IT IS OUR HOPE THAT BY INTRODUCING NEW, PRACTICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY METHODS OF FARMING AND FISH CULTURE, FARMERS AND FISHERMEN WOULD FIND IT EASIER TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY AND TO CONTINUE TO SUPPLY FRESH FOODSTUFFS.
THIS WOULD HELP STABILISE THE SUPPLY AND PRICES OF FRESH FOODSTUFFS, HE SAID.
ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WORK ON AGRICULTURE, DR LEE NOTED THAT SPECIAL EFFORTS WOULD BE DEVOTED TO PROMOTE AN "ACCREDITED FARM SCHEME" THIS YEAR FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH VEGETABLE FARMERS AND CONSUMERS.
HE SAID THE AIM OF THE SCHEME WAS TO ENDORSE VEGETABLE FARMS ADOPTING AN APPROVED STANDARD OF PRODUCTION.
PARTICIPATING FARMS’ PRACTICE OF USING PESTICIDES WOULD BE MONITORED AND THAT PESTICIDE RESIDUE ON THEIR PRODUCE BE FURTHER SPOT-CHECKED BEFORE MARKETING.
ALSO, PRODUCE ORIGINATING FROM THESE ACCREDITED FARMS WOULD BE SUITABLY LABELLED FOR MARKETING AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION’S ACCREDITED RETAIL OUTLETS.
AS RESPONSE TO THE SCHEME BY LOCAL VEGETABLE GROWERS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE WAS ENCOURAGING, IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT THE PROBLEM OF POSSIBLE CONTAMINATED VEGETABLE SUPPLIES TO HONG KONG WOULD BE FURTHER REDUCED AND THE INTERESTS OF BOTH PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS PROTECTED.
LATER THIS YEAR, A LIVESTOCK KEEPING LICENSING SYSTEM UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, WITH THE AIM OF ENSURING THE LOCAL TRADE’S FURTHER DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT POLLUTING THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT.
TURNING TO THE FISHERIES SIDE, THE DEPARTMENT IS EXPECTED TO ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE AFD-DEVELOPED "PELLET FEED FORMULA" TO LOCAL MARICULTURISTS THIS YEAR AS THEY WOULD HELP REDUCE WATER POLLUTION, DR LEE SAID.
FOLLOWING LAST YEAR’S SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, OF AN EXPERIMENTAL ARTIFICIAL REEF AT HOI HA WAN, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF LARGER-SCALE DEPLOYMENT OF THE REEF TECHNOLOGY IN OTHER LOCAL TERRITORIAL WATERS THIS YEAR.
THIS NEW MEASURE WAS EXPECTED TO ACCELERATE THE REHABILITATION OF THE DAMAGED MARINE ENVIRONMENT, IMPROVE FISHERIES RESOURCES AND ACT AS A CONSERVATION DEVICE.
ALSO ON MARINE CONSERVATION, DR LEE SAID AFD WAS ACTIVELY PREPARING NEW LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE DESIGNATION, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR.
/IN ITS .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 16 -
IN ITS FIRST PHASE, HOI HA WAN AND YAN CHAU TONG WOULD BE DESIGNATED AS MARINE PARKS AND CAPE D’AGUILAR AS A MARINE RESERVE, WHICH WOULD HELP BRING LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
THE YEAR 1993 ALSO SAW A NUMBER OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS AND STUDIES BEING LAUNCHED OR COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT, TASKED WITH PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING MITIGATION MEASURES IN RELATION TO THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PROJECTS.
APART FROM THE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMMES OF RELOCATING THE ROMER'S TREE FROGS FROM CHEK LAP KOK AND THE SEAGRASS TRANSPLANTATION FROM TUNG CHUNG, THE DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED A SERIES OF STUDIES ON SEAGRASS COMMUNITIES, FRESHWATER WETLAND HABITATS, CHINESE WHITE DOLPHINS AND MANGROVES.
ON PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, THE NEWLY FORMED AND AFD-CONVENED LIAISON GROUP, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, WILL WORK CLOSELY THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT WORK ON COMBATING THE ILLICIT TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THIS FOLLOWED THE DEPARTMENT'S SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS ON SHOPS SELLING RHINO PRODUCTS OR MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS LATE LAST YEAR.
ON OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY AFD, DR LEE SAID ITS ENGINEERING DIVISION HAD BEEN DEMOLISHING OBSOLETE AGRICULTURAL WEIRS, REALIGNING THOSE IN ACTIVE USE ON BEAS RIVER, SHING MUN RIVER, HO CHUNG RIVER AND SO ON TO IMPROVE RIVER FLOWS AND REMOVE HEAVILY POLLUTED POOLS.
THESE PROJECTS HAD IMPROVED THE ENVIRONMENT AND MET THE NEEDS OF FARMERS RELYING ON THE WATER SUPPLY FOR IRRIGATION, DR LEE ADDED.
------0-------
CONSUMERS URGED TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST PROTECTIONISM
* * * ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED FOR GREATER CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST PROTECTIONISM.
MR MILLER SAID THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED URUGUAY ROUND HAD HELPED TURN THE TIDE, BUT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE.
’’GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE WORLD WOULD BE HELPED IN THIS TASK IF THEY WERE OBLIGED TO QUANTIFY THE COST OF PROTECTION IN TERMS WHICH THE AVERAGE VOTER CAN UNDERSTAND - ADDITIONAL DOLLARS PER MEMBER OF FAMILY ON THE GROCERY AND CLOTHING BILL WOULD BE A START - TO QUANTIFY AND TO ADVERTISE, POSSIBLY VIA CONSUMER ORGANISATIONS.”
HE SAID IN THIS WAY THESE HIDDEN TAXES ON HARD EARNED INDIVIDUAL INCOME WOULD BE EXPOSED AND SUBJECT TO VOTER SCRUTINY.
/SPEAKING TO .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 17 -
SPEAKING TO THE FINNISH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE FINNISH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME,
KATE 1994, MR MILLER WARNED OF THE DANGERS OF MAKING
INTERNATIONAL TRADE MEASURES MORE COMPLEX. ’’ATTEMPTING TO FACTOR SUCH THINGS AS THE COST OF SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMMES INTO CALCULATIONS OF ‘FAIR PRICE’ WILL INHIBIT TRADE THROUGH SHEER COMPLEXITY AND THE ONLY JOBS SUCH A MOVE IS LIKELY TO PROTECT OR INCREASE ARE THOSE OF TRADE LAWYERS AND BUREAUCRATS.” ANTI-DUMPING PRACTICE HAS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED THIS POINT ALL TOO CLEARLY, HE ADDED. MR MILLER SAID FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, A NUMBER OF ISSUES WOULD BE ON THE GATT AGENDA, INCLUDING COMPETITION POLICY. HE NOTED THAT THIS TERM MEANT DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND LISTED THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES: » SUBSIDIES, SAFEGUARDS AND ANTI-DUMPING, THAT IS THE TRADITIONAL GATT RULES AIMED AT PREVENTING UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES; » DOMESTIC POLICIES AIMED AT IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF EXPORTERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES; » MONOPOLIES AND FRANCHISES AND DOMESTIC ANTI-TRUST LEGISLATION; » INTERNATIONAL CARTELS, INCLUDING BOTH THOSE WHICH INVOLVE SOME MEASURE OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AND THOSE ESTABLISHED ENTIRELY BY PRIVATE SECTOR AGREEMENT; » CONSUMER PROTECTION, INCLUDING PROVIDING CONSUMERS A COUNTERVAILING VOICE IN THE WAY TAX REVENUES ARE USED AND TRADE POLICIES APPLIED IN SUPPORT OF BOTH STATE-OWNED AND PURELY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE; ♦ INCLUSION OF THE ’’REAL COSTS" OF PRODUCTION IN ASSESSING "FAIR" PRICES INTERNATIONALLY, FOR EXAMPLE, BY FACTORING IN SUCH THINGS AS THE ADEQUACY OF SOCIAL SECURITY, LABOUR AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION. MR MILLER SUMMARISED FOUR PRINCIPLES THAT HE SAID WOULD GUIDE HONG KONG’S APPROACH TO FUTURE DISCUSSION OF COMPETITION POLICY IN THE GATT AND ELSEWHERE. "THEY ARE OPENNESS, RELEVANCE TO THE GLOBALISED ECONOMY, SIMPLICITY AND FAIRNESS TO THE COMMON MAN."
EXPANDING ON THESE THEMES, MR MILLER MADE A NUMBER OF POINTS.
"THE FIRST POINT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT WE SHOULD BEWARE OF USING TRADE SANCTIONS TO ACHIEVE NON-TRADE ENDS, JUST AS WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL THAT NON-TRADE MEASURES DO NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ON TRADE."
/•'MY SECOND.......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 18 -
"MY SECOND POINT IS THAT WB SHOULD SATISFY OURSELVES, AND I EMBRACE HERE BOTH BUREAUCRATS AND BUSINESSMEN, THAT THE RULES WE AMEND OR DEVISE AFRESH ARE RELEVANT IN A GLOBALISED ECONOMY."
"MY THIRD POINT FOLLOWS FROM THE SECOND AND IS A PLEA FOR SIMPLICITY IN TRADE REGULATION AND AGAINST THE TENDENCY TOWARDS TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY. FOR TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY IS LITTLE MORE THAN MANAGED TRADE IN DISGUISE."
MR MILLER MENTIONED ANTI-DUMPING AS A TRADE INSTRUMENT WHICH HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AND DECREASINGLY RELEVANT IN A WORLD IN WHICH MANUFACTURERS SOURCED, PRODUCED AND SOLD ON A GLOBAL BASIS.
' ;< • IJ J J ' . •
"WHEN WE COME TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES ON THE COMPETITION POLICY AGENDA IN THE GATT, OR LATER THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION, OR APEC OR OTHER FORA, WE MUST BE SURE THAT THIS IS A FRESH LOOK AND NOT ONE BLINKERED BY OLD WAYS OF THINKING OR THE VESTED INTEREST OF EITHER TRADE BUREAUCRACIES OR SACRED INDUSTRIAL COWS."
MR MILLER CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT, IN HONG KONG'S VIEW, THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE REGIME UNDER THE GATT HAD SUCCEEDED BRILLIANTLY BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN LARGELY TRUE TO ITS MOST FAVOURED NATION NONDISCRIMINATION PRINCIPLE.
REFERRING TO A FINNISH DESIGNER RENOWNED FOR CLEAN FUNCTIONAL LINES, HE SAID:
"THERE IS A SIMPLICITY AND ELEGANCE ABOUT THAT PRINCIPLE WHICH ALVAR AALTO WOULD APPRECIATE. THERE IS A FUSSINESS ABOUT MUCH SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT AT EMBELLISHMENT WHICH HE WOULD FIND REPUGNANT."
--------0 - -
KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK DESIGN EXHIBITION LAUNCHED ♦ * » * * • | A
A MINI CHINESE GARDEN WAS PUT UP AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE TODAY (TUESDAY) TO DISPLAY THE DESIGN OF HONG KONG’S FIRST AUTHENTIC CHINESE GARDEN TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE SITE OF THE FORMER KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
A MOBILE EXHIBITION ON THE DESIGN OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, WAS UNVEILED AT THE CENTRE THIS MORNING.
DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE THEME PARK WILL CAPTURE THE ESSENCE AND STYLE OF THE PRIVATE GARDENS COMMONLY FOUND IN SOUTHERN CHINA IN THE EARLY CHING DYNASTY.
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD PARTICIPANTS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE EXHIBITION THAT THE DESIGN CONCEPT COVERED NOT ONLY FUNCTIONAL AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS BUT ALSO CONVEYED AN EDUCATIONAL VALUE ON THE PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF A CHINESE GARDEN.
/THE DESIGN .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
19 -
THE DESIGN OF THE PARK IS THE RESULT OF MUCH RESEARCH EFFORT ON CHINESE GARDENS. IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, A TEAM OF ARCHITECTS FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT VISITED CHINA TO STUDY CHINESE GARDENS.
THIS PROJECT ALSO INVOLVES THE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE FROM CHINESE COUNTERPARTS. THEIR SPECIALISM ON CHINESE GARDEN IS BLENDED INTO THE WORK.
HE SAID THE BUILDING MATERIALS WOULD BE IMPORTED FROM CHINA AND CONSTRUCTION OF PAVILIONS AND ROCKERIES WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY CHINESE SPECIALIST-CONTRACTORS.
MR BLAKE ALSO ANNOUNCED AT THE CEREMONY THAT THE DESIGN OF THE PARK HAD BEEN AWARDED A DIPLOMA OF THE CENTRAL SOCIETY OF HORTICULTURE OF GERMANY AT THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION STUTTGART EXPO 93.
’’SINCE THIS EVENT IS HELD ONLY ONCE A DECADE, AND THIS OCCASION WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATION FROM 23 NATIONS COVERING THREE CONTINENTS, OBVIOUSLY THE STANDARD OF EXHIBITS WAS OF A VERY HIGH ORDER INDEED, ATTAINING INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION,’’ HE NOTED.
MR BLAKE SAID ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION WAS BEING CARRIED OUT AT THE MOMENT, ADDING THAT THE FOOTING OF THE ORIGINAL WALL TOGETHER WITH SOME GRANITE PATH AND RELICS HAD BEEN FOUND SO FAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE WALL WOULD BE DEMARCATED IN THE FUTURE PARK AND PART OF THE ORIGINAL WALL WOULD BE EXPOSED AS EXHIBIT TO THE PUBLIC.
’’YAMEN”, THE OLD ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE IN THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, WOULD BE RESTORED TO FORM THE FOCUS OF THE PARK. THE SOUTH AND NORTH ENTRANCE GATES WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE SITE MORE EXPLICIT.
THE PARK WILL ALSO BE COMPLETE WITH PLANTS AND CLASSICAL CHINESE SCULPTURES AS WELL AS A KID KINGDOM.
THREE OLD WELLS WILL BE RESERVED AS A SPECIAL FEATURE AND BE USED TO PROVIDE WATER FOR GARDENING. OTHER RELICS, SUCH AS STONE TABLETS AND COLUMN BASES, WILL BE PLACED AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS TO ENHANCE VISITORS’ INTEREST IN THE HISTORY OF THE SITE.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR RONNIE WONG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR ALBERT LAM.
AFTER THE EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG CULTURE CENTRE CLOSES ON JANUARY 17, IT WILL BE HELD AT THE CONSERVATORY OF THE HONG KONG PARK BETWEEN JANUARY 18 TO 31; THE LOBBY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S INDOOR GAMES HALL AT JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1 TO 7; THE ARCADE IN KOWLOON PARK BETWEEN FEBRUARY 8 AND 20; AND PHASE ONE OF THE LOK FU MARBLE BLACK MALL BETWEEN FEBRUARY 21 TO 28.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE PARK WILL START IN MAY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
---------0-----------
/20........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11,
1994
- 20 -
331 VMS RETURN TODAY ft ft ft ft ft
TWO GROUPS OF 331 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME. ♦
COMPRISING 111 MEN, 93 WOMEN, 65 BOYS AND 62 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 193RD AND 194TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE TWO GROUPS BROUGHT TO 672 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 39,285 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
ft ft ft ft ft
TENDER DATE 11 JAN 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q402
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 4,740 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 1,200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.03 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.04 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 22 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.06 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 17 JAN 1994 -
TENDER DATE 18 JAN 94 18 JAN 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q403 H456
ISSUE DATE 19 JAN 94 19 JAN 94
MATURITY DATE 20 APR 94 20 JUL 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 1,200 + 240 MN HKD 500 + 100 MN
0 4 ■.
/2I
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1994
- 21 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,215
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,785
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,934
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,066
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.5 *+0.1* 11.1.94
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 4.75 101.31 3.55
1 MONTH 3.00 PCT 17 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.03 3.76
3 MONTHS 3.03 PCT 20 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.14 3.92
6 MONTHS 3.16 PCT 23 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.13 4.12
12 MONTHS 3.47 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 34 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.14 4.58 AND BONDS - 25,036 MN
CLOSED 11 JANUARY 1994
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VISIT PROPOSALS STILL ON THE TABLE: GOVERNOR ................. 1
GOVERNOR AND SHADOW FOREIGN SECRETARY MEET MEDIA ............. 2
PASSPORT AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL
ADMINISTRATIVE REGION ...................................... 6
346 CONSTITUENCIES PROPOSED FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS .... 7
SPECIAL TEAM TO LOOK INTO FIRE INCIDENT ...................... 8
NUMBER OF INSOLVENCY CASES STABLE LAST YEAR .................. 9
SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 ........... 10
OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME LEAFLET NOW AVAILABLE ................. 11
GOVERNOR SEES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL KOWLOON ......... 12
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HEARING POSTPONED .................. 13
NEW UNIVERSITY BUILDING TO STIMULATE ENGINEERS ............... 14
FAMILY CARE AND DEMONSTRATION CENTRE SET UP .................. 14
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY ............................ 15
RATES FOR FIRST QUARTER DUE ON JANUARY 31 .................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
17
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
VISIT PROPOSALS STILL ON THE TABLE: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON SAID THE BRITISH SIDE HAD SUGGESTED TO THE CHINESE SIDE VISITS BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO PEKING TO DISCUSS MATTERS CONCERNING THE PASSPORT ISSUE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THREE HOUSING ESTATES IN KOWLOON, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "LAST JULY, WE PUT PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN HELP ON THIS ISSUE, COVERING QUESTIONS LIKE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, VALIDATING PASSPORTS AND SO ON.
"WE REITERATED THOSE PROPOSALS IN SEPTEMBER AND WE FURTHER SUGGESTED IN SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER VISITS BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO PEKING AT ANY TIME THAT WAS CONVENIENT TO CHINESE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS.
"WE’VE STILL LEFT THAT AS A PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION SHOULD GO TO PEKING TO ASSIST CHINESE OFFICIALS.
"IN VIEW OF WHAT’S BEING SAID ABOUT PEOPLE GOING TO PEKING, I’D JUST LIKE TO MAKE THAT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AND SAY THAT WE HAVEN’T HAD A POSITIVE RESPONSE YET."
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ABOUT AIRPORT TALKS, THE GOVERNOR OUTLINED THE CONTACTS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES IN THE PAST MONTHS DURING WHICH THE CHINESE SIDE HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH OPTIONS FOR FUNDING AS WELL AS THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL.
"SO THERE’VE BEEN MANY MONTHS DURING WHICH CHINESE OFFICIALS HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY OF CONSIDERING THAT BILL AND ASKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT IT," MR PATTEN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE LAST MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE UNFORTUNATELY THREW UP CHINESE PROBLEMS OVER LAND AND THE BRITISH SIDE HAD SUGGESTED EXPERT TALKS TO RESOLVE THESE MATTERS BUT NO POSITIVE RESPONSE HAD YET BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE CHINESE SIDE.
"IN ORDER TO GET THESE PROBLEMS SORTED OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL, THE CHINESE SIDE SHOULD COME TO AN AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WITH THEIR SPECIFIC REQUESTS ON THE AIRPORT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THEY SHOULD SAY PRECISELY WHAT THEY WANT, WHAT THEY WANT IN TERMS OF FUNDING, WHAT THEY WANT IN TERMS OF EQUITY INJECTION, WHAT THEY WANT IN TERMS OF LAND.
"WE CAN THEN TELL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHAT THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WANT AND WHAT EXACTLY IT IS THAT TO PROPOSE AND THEN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN DECIDE WHO IS BEING REASONABLE AND WHO IS NOT."
EXACTLY IT IS WE ARE PREPARED FOR THEMSELVES
/2 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
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GOVERNOR AND SHADOW FOREIGN SECRETARY MEET MEDIA
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND THE SHADOW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, DR JACK CUNNINGHAM, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE CHUK YUEN NORTH ESTATE THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON:
GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED THAT ON THIS HOUSING VISIT, I’VE BEEN ACCOMPANIED NOT ONLY BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, ROSANNA WONG BUT ALSO, OF COURSE, BY DR JACK CUNNINGHAM, ONE OF THE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR PARTY, A VERY SENIOR PARLIAMENTARIAN AND THE LABOUR PARTY’S LEADING SPOKESMAN ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS. AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT HE IS ABLE TO SEE SOME OF THE PROGRESS WE’VE BEEN MAKING IN HONG KONG. HE FIRST CAME TO HONG KONG WHEN OUR HOUSING PROBLEMS WERE A GREAT DEAL MORE SEVERE THAN THEY ARE TODAY AND I THINK HE’S BEEN INTERESTED IN THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE BEEN MAKING IN HOUSING OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES. YOU’LL KNOW THAT WE ARE COMMITTED IN PARTICULAR TO REHOUSING EVERYONE WHO’S SQUATTING ON GOVERNMENT LAND BY MARCH 1996 AND WE’RE ALSO COMMITTED, AS YOU KNOW, TO GETTING RID OF THE OLDER TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS BY 1997 AND TO PROVIDE NEW HOMES FOR THREE-QUARTERS OF THOSE WHO ARE AT PRESENT IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS. I’VE BEEN PARTICULARLY PLEASED, ONCE AGAIN, TO SEE THE PROGRESS WE’RE MAKING IN REDEVELOPING SOME OF OUR OLDER PROPERTY AND PROVIDING NEW PEOPLE, LIKE THE FAMILY WE VISITED HERE, WITH ATTRACTIVE NEW FLATS. WE’VE STILL GOT A LOT TO DO BUT I THINK WE’VE MADE VERY CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT DR CUNNINGHAM WAS ABLE TO SEE SOME OF THAT PROGRESS FOR HIMSELF TODAY.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, MR LU PING SAID THAT SO FAR AS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WON’T SEND MR GORDON SIU TO CHINA TO EXPLAIN BEFORE THE PWC, THERE WON’T BE ANY AIRPORT TALK.
/GOVERNOR: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 3 -
GOVERNOR: LET ME RESPOND IN THE SAME SORT OF WAY THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, I THINK, HAS EARLIER IN THE DAY. I AM SURPRISED BY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT’S SAID IN PEKING, EXTREMELY SURPRISED PARTICULARLY SINCE, I AM SURE, PEKING OFFICIALS WANT AS WE DO TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THIS TREMENDOUS COMMUNITY. WHAT DIRECTOR LU PING KNOWS IS THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST MONTH, ON DECEMBER 15, WE TOLD THE CHINESE SIDE DURING THE JLG MEETING THAT WE WOULD NEED TO COME TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH PROPOSALS, WITH OPTIONS FOR FUNDING IN ORDER TO KEEP DOWN COSTS, REDUCE COSTS IF POSSIBLE AND KEEP THE MOMENTUM OF THE PROJECT GOING. HE ALSO, I AM SURE, KNOWS THAT EARLIER THIS MONTH BEFORE WE PASSED THE DOCUMENTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WE PASSED THE DOCUMENTS TO THE CHINESE SIDE, TO CHINESE OFFICIALS SO THEY WERE WELL INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. EQUALLY, IF ONE LOOKS AT THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL, WE GAVE A DRAFT OF THAT BILL TO THE CHINESE SIDE WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES IN JULY AND IN JULY, WE SAID THAT WE’D LIKE TO PUBLISH IT AS A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION IN HONG KONG. IN NOVEMBER, SOME MONTHS AFTER JULY, CHINESE OFFICIALS SAID O.K. GO AHEAD TO CONSULTATION WHICH IS WHAT WE’VE NOW DONE. SO THERE’VE BEEN MANY MONTHS DURING WHICH CHINESE OFFICIALS HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY OF CONSIDERING THAT BILL AND ASKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT IT. BUT, IF WE ARE ALL COMMITTED AS WE SHOULD BE TO GETTING ON WITH THE AIRPORT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND I’VE DESCRIBED, IT’S FAR BETTER FOR US TO DO SO IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE THAN BY EXCHANGING OBSERVATIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER AT THOUSANDS OF MILES’ DISTANCE THROUGH TELEVISION CAMERAS. AND A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE HAD OUR LAST MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. THAT UNFORTUNATELY THREW UP CHINESE PROBLEMS OVER LAND. SO WE SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE EXPERT TALKS ON LAND TO RESOLVE THOSE MATTERS. WE’VE STILL, ALAS, NOT RECEIVED A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE. AGAIN, THERE IS A LAND COMMISSION WHERE WE CAN RESOLVE THOSE MATTERS JUST AS THERE IS AN AIRPORT COMMITTEE. SO, WHAT I SUGGEST IS THIS. IN ORDER TO GET THESE PROBLEMS SORTED OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL, THE CHINESE SIDE SHOULD COME TO AN AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WITH THEIR SPECIFIC REQUESTS ON THE AIRPORT. THEY SHOULD SAY PRECISELY WHAT THEY WANT, WHAT THEY WANT IN TERMS OF FUNDING, WHAT THEY WANT IN TERMS OF EQUITY INJECTION, WHAT THEY WANT IN TERMS OF LAND. WE CAN THEN TELL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHAT EXACTLY IT IS THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WANT AND WHAT EXACTLY IT IS THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO PROPOSE AND THEN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHO IS BEING REASONABLE AND WHO IS NOT. YOU ALL KNOW EVERYONE IN HONG KONG, EXCEPT CONCEIVABLY THE DIRECTOR OF THE NCNA, KNOWS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE AIRPORT LIKE THAT, IF THERE WAS THE WILL. I HOPE THAT WILL CAN BE CREATED IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS BECAUSE IF IT IS NOT, IT WILL BE THE SAR GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN CHINA WHO WILL SUFFER MOST. SO, LET’S GET BACK TO THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. LET’S TALK IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE AND LET’S STOP MAKING POLITICAL POINTS. WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. I HOPE NO CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL.
QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE ARTICLE WHICH APPEARED IN THE AUSTRALIAN BY MALCOLM FRAZER WHICH ACTUALLY IS QUITE NASTY......?
GOVERNOR: I RESPONDED IN A LETTER WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE AUSTRALIAN, I THINK, EITHER YESTERDAY OR TODAY. IT’S AN EXTREMELY GOOD LETTER AND I AM SURE MR FRAZER WOULD HAVE FOUND IT PROFOUNDLY CONVINCING. I AM DELIGHTED THAT THE UNDERSTANDING SHOWN BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FOR OUR POSITION AND I AM PARTICULARLY DELIGHTED BY THE REMARKS THAT’VE BEEN MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
QUESTION: MR LU PING HAS ALSO SAID THAT IT IS BETTER TO PUT MORE RESERVE FUND INJECTING INTO THE AIRPORT PROJECT, SO GOES IN LINE WITH THE MOU TO MAKE THE DEBT DOWN TO $5 BILLION, DO* YOU THINK IT IS POSSIBLE AND DO YOU THINK IT HELPS TO KEEP THE WORK GOING?
GOVERNOR: I AM A BIT CONFUSED AND I DON’T WANT TO BE CRITICAL BECAUSE AS I’VE SAID, WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES ROUND THE TABLE IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE RATHER THAN AT SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES' DISTANCE THROUGH THE TELEVISION CAMERAS BUT I DID FIND WHAT DIRECTOR LU PING WAS SAYING YESTERDAY SLIGHTLY PUZZLING. ON THE ONE HAND, HE WAS SAYING "DON’T YOU PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THE AIRPORT TO KEEP THE PROJECT GOING". ON THE OTHER HAND, HE WAS SAYING " THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD PUT MORE TAXPAYERS' MONEY INTO THE PROJECT" SO IT’S A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING. AND, PERHAPS, IT IS ANOTHER REASON WHY WE NEED A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE SO THAT WE CAN RESOLVE THOSE MATTERS.
QUESTION : MR PATTEN, MR CUNNINGHAM WILL GO TO BEIJING TO SEE MR LU PING LATER THIS WEEK. SO, WILL YOU ASK HIM TO PASS ANY MESSAGE FOR YOU TO THE CHINESE SIDE TO EASE THE RELATIONSHIP AT THIS MOMENT ?
GOVERNOR : DR CUNNINGHAM IS WELL BRIEFED AND KNOWS THE SITUATIOxN VERY WELL FOR HIMSELF. I’LL LET HIM ANSWER. BUT ALL THAT I WOULD HOPE THAT HE WOULD SAY TO DIRECTOR LU PING IS THAT WE REMAIN POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TALKS ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER MATTERS AT ANY TIME WHICH IS CONVENIENT FOR THE CHINESE SIDE. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN PROCEED ON THE BASIS OF AGREEMENT. IF WE CAN’T PROCEED ON THE BASIS OF AGREEMENT, THEN WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHICH WE INTEND TO DISCHARGE.
DR CUNNINGHAM : I AM NOT GOING, IN ANY SENSE, AS AN ......... FOR THE GOVERNOR OR FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. I AM GOING AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, THE LABOUR PARTY’S PRINCIPAL SPOKESMAN ON FOREIGN POLICY. I SHALL BE LISTENING VERY CAREFULLY TO WHAT MR LU PING AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE TO SAY AND REITERATING UNEQUIVOCALLY OUR SUPPORT FOR EXTENDING THE FRANCHISE IN HONG KONG AND FOR THE GOVERNOR’S MODEST PROPOSAL FOR A DEMOCRATIC REFORM. IF, IN SOME WAYS, AS A RESULT OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND I CAN BE HELPFUL IN PERSUADING MR LU PING THAT TALKS SHOULD BE RESUMED, OF COURSE, THAT WOULD BE A GREAT BONUS. I DON’T REALLY ANTICIPATE THAT OUTCOME BUT LET’S WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AT THE TALKS.
QUESTION : YOU AND THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEW POINTS ON POLITICS. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO GET FROM THE MEETING... ?
DR CUNNINGHAM : WELL I DON'T KNOW. I’M GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT DIRECTOR LU PING AND HIS COLLEAGUES, THE VICE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND ONE QF THE STATE LEADERS WHO I HOPE TO MEET. I DON’T KNOW WHO WOULD BE YET/ I AM GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. WE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM THROUGH THEIR AMBASSADOR IN LONDON AND WITH MR ZHU RONGJI WHEN HE WAS IN LONDON. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN EXPLICIT IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH ME ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THEIR OBJECTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS ARE AND WHAT THEIR PROBLEMS ARE. MAYBE WHEN I’M IN BEIJING, I’LL GET A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT EXACTLY THE CHINESE POSITION IS AND WHY THEY-HAVE TAKEN THAT POSITION.
/QUESTION: .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
5
QUESTION : MR CUNNINGHAM, MR LU PING STRESSED THAT IF CHINA WILL ... BACKDOWN IN ITS DISPUTE. WILL YOUR PARTY RECONSIDER ITS POSITION ?
DR CUNNINGHAM : NO, OUR POSITION IS QUITE CLEAR. I’VE HAD THAT PROPOSALS PUT TO ME IN LONDON SOME TIME AGO THAT WE SHOULD WITHDRAW OUR SUPPORT FOR THE POSITION TAKEN UP BY THE GOVERNOR AND BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. WE REMAIN COMMITTED AS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST PARTY TO PEOPLE’S DEMORATIC AND HUMAN RIGHTS. ALTHOUGH, OF COURSE, WE WANT AS ANYONE SENSIBLY WOULD TO HAVE GOOD AND FRIENDLY RELATION WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE WOULD AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THEY SAY AND IT DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN’T HAVE SENIBLE RELATION WITH THEM JUST BECAUSE WE DISAGREE WITH THEM ON THIS PARTICULAR POINT.
QUESTION : DO YOU THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS BREAK DOWN, SINO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN WORSENED BY THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT AND THE LABOUR PARTY IS GOING TO IMPROVE ...?
DR CUNNINGHAM : NO GOVERNMENT WANTS TO HAVE A FAILURE IN ANY TALKS AS HAVING WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. THAT VIEW WOULD BE COMMON, I WOULD PRESUME, TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES AND ALL GOVERNMENTS IN ALL COUNTRIES. BUT THESE THINGS DO HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME AS WE KNOW. I HAVE DISPUTES WITH MY SOCIALIST COLLEAGUES IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY FROM TIME TO TIME. BUT WE DON’T STOP TALKING TO THEM. WE GO ON TALKING AND NEGOTIATING ABOUT MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. I THINK IT’S IN EVERYONE’S INTEREST, IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC, IN THE INTEREST OF THE MEMBERS OF LEGCO AND OF COURSE THE GOVERNOR, AND MOST OF ALL, IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THERE IS A SENSIBLE OUTCOME TO THESE PROPOSALS.
GOVERNOR : CAN I JUST ADD ONE OTHER POINT ON ANOTHER SUBJECT BECAUSE IT’S WORTH CLARIFYING AS WELL. DIRECTOR LU PING MADE SOME REMARKS YESTERDAY ABOUT PASSPORTS AND THE ISSUE OF PASSPORTS BY THE SAR GOVERNMENT. 1 JUST WANT FOR THE RECORD TO MAKE THIS CLEAR. LAST JULY, WE PUT PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN HELP ON THIS ISSUE, COVERING QUESTIONS LIKE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, VALIDATING PASSPORTS AND SO ON. WE REITERATED THOSE PROPOSALS IN SEPTEMBER AND WE FURTHER SUGGESTED IN SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER VISITS BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO PEKING AT ANY TIME THAT WAS CONVENIENT TO CHINESE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS. WE’VE STILL LEFT THAT AS A PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION SHOULD GO TO PEKING TO ASSIST CHINESE OFFICIALS. IN VIEW OF WHAT’S BEING SAID ABOUT PEOPLE GOING TO PEKING, I’D JUST LIKE TO MAKE THAT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AND SAY THAT ALAS, WE HAVEN’T HAD A POSITIVE RESPONSE YET. BUT I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT DIRECTOR LU PING’S REMARKS YESTERDAY COMING AS THEY DO AFTER WHAT WE’VE BEEN SAYING FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS REPRESENT A CHINESE RESPONSE WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW UP BECAUSE IT IS THE SORT OF AREA WHERE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO COOPERATE IN THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON AN ISSUE ABOUT WHICH EVERYBODY FEELS VERY STRONGLY. THANI. YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
- - 0---------
/6........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
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PASSPORT AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION *****
THE FOLLOWING IS ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP:
WE HAVE NOTED WITH INTEREST THE REPORTED COMMENTS OF DIRECTOR LU PING IN PEKING ON 11 JANUARY ON THE SUBJECT OF SAR PASSPORTS. THIS IS A MATTER WHICH THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JLG TOOK THE INITIATIVE IN RAISING WITH THE CHINESE SIDE IN JULY 1993. WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE THIS CONFIRMATION THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE AND URGENCY OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN COOPERATING WITH THE BRITISH SIDE TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
FOLLOWING AGREEMENT ON TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTINUED VALIDITY AFTER 1 JULY 1997 OF EXISTING TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE HKG, THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JLG PUT DETAILED AND COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE ON 15 JULY 1993, AND HANDED THEM A CONSULTATION PAPER, COVERING THE HONG KONG SAR PASSPORT AND OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF THE SAR. OUR PROPOSALS DEALT WITH SUCH ISSUES AS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, TYPES OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND PERIOD OF VALIDITY. WE URGED THE CHINESE SIDE TO ENTER INTO DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WITH US ON THESE AND OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS AT EXPERT LEVEL IN THE JLG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WITH THE AIM OF ENSURING THAT PROPER ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE AGREED AND IN PLACE FOR ISSUING THE DOCUMENTS IMMEDIATELY FROM 1 JULY 1997. WE STRESSED THAT TIMELY RESOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM WOULD AVOID DISRUPTION AND INCONVENIENCE TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND CONTRIBUTE TO A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
WE HAVE PRESSED THE CHINESE SIDE FOR A RESPONSE THROUGH THE JLG ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, INCLUDING AT JLG XXVII IN PEKING IN SEPTEMBER AND AT JLG XXVIII IN LONDON IN DECEMBER. AT THE LATTER MEETING WE PROPOSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, SHOULD HOLD TALKS WITH CHINESE EXPERTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE MADE IT (LEAR THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO TRAVEL TO PEKING FOR SUCH A MEETING F THAT WOULD BE MORE CONVENIENT TO THE CHINESE SIDE. WE HAVE MOST RECENTLY SUGGESTED, THROUGH JLG CHANNELS, SPECIFIC DATES FOR SUCH A VISIT. THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE JLG HAVE NOT YET GIVEN US A REPLY. HOWEVER, WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY DIRECTOR LU PING’S LATEST REMARKS, AND VERY MUCH HOPE THAT AN EXPERT MEETING ON THIS SUBJECT CAN BE ARRANGED IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
------0-----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
346 CONSTITUENCIES PROPOSED FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS *****
THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) HAS PROPOSED A TOTAL OF 346 CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
A REPORT CONTAINING THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS AND THE CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE ELECTIONS WAS SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR LAST MONTH AND TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE THREE-VOLUME REPORT WAS COMPILED FOLLOWING A MONTH-LONG CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE COMMISSION'S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS RELEASED LAST OCTOBER.
OUTLINING THE COMMISSION’S LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE COMMISSION’S CHAIRMAN, MR JUSTICE WOO KWOK-HING, SAID THE COMMISSION HAD CONSIDERED CAREFULLY ALL THE REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED AND HAD, WHEREVER PRACTICAL AND REASONABLE, RESPONDED TO THEM IN A POSITIVE MANNER.
AS A RESULT, EIGHT ADDITIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAVE BEEN PROPOSED TO MEET THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN SIX DISTRICTS.
"THREE ARE FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND ONE EACH FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT, WONG TAI SIN, YUEN LONG, TAI PO AND SAI KUNG.
"THE BOUNDARIES OF QUITE A NUMBER OF THE PROVISIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAVE BEEN REVISED TO SOME EXTENT," HE SAID.
THE NAMES OF OVER 50 PROVISIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAVE ALSO BEEN CHANGED IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC VIEWS.
IN DRAWING UP ITS PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS, THE BEC APPLIED A POPULATION QUOTA OF 17,464 FOR EACH CONSTITUENCY ALLOWING A DEVIATION OF NOT MORE THAN 25 PER CENT ABOVE OR BELOW THE QUOTA.
"WHILE THE POPULATION FACTOR IS THE PRIMARY CRITERION, THE COMMISSION HAS ALSO TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION COMMUNITY IDENTITIES, PRESERVATION OF LOCAL TIES, THE PHYSICAL FEATURES, ACCESSIBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELEVANT AREAS,” MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
IN ITS REVISED RECOMMENDATIONS, THE POPULATION QUOTA FOR EACH CONSTITUENCY HAS BEEN ADJUSTED TO 17,061 AND THE POPULATION OF 26 PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES WERE ALLOWED TO FALL OUTSIDE THE 25 PER CENT RANGE OF THE POPULATION QUOTA.
"THE COMMISSION IS CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE JUSTIFIED FOR THE REASONS OF PRESERVING COMMUNITY IDENTITIES AND LOCAL TIES, AND ALLEVIATING THE DIFFICULTIES AND INCONVENIENCE ASSOCIATED WITH LARGE GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD OR SCATTERED COMMUNITIES,” MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
THE TIN PING CONSTITUENCY IN THE NORTH DISTRICT HAS THE HIGHEST POPULATION OF 23,890, WHICH IS 40 PER CENT ABOVE THE POPULATION QUOTA.
/THE SAI .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
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THE SAI KUNG NORTH CONSTITUENCY IN TAI PO DISTRICT HAS THE LOWEST POPULATION OF 2,329 OR 86.35 PER CENT BELOW THE POPULATION QUOTA.
IT HAS BEEN DELINEATED AS A SEPARATE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY ON ACCOUNT OF ITS WIDE GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD AND INACCESSIBILITY.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE BEC MEMBERS, PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG AND NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG, WHO HAS REPLACED THE FORMER MEMBER, MR ROBERT KOTEWALL, QC, WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1.
MR JUSTICE WOO SAID THE COMMISSION WAS GRATEFUL TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS WHO HAD TENDERED THEIR VIEWS TO FACILITATE THE COMMISSION’S DELIBERATIONS.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FORMER MEMBER, MR KOTEWALL, WHO HAD RESIGNED FROM HIS APPOINTMENT DUE TO HIS OTHER HEAVY COMMITMENTS, FOR HIS INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMISSION’S WORK.
COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, DISTRICT OFFICES AND THEIR SUB-OFFICES AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES.
-------------------0-------- SPECIAL TEAM TO LOOK INTO FIRE INCIDENT *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WILL SET UP A SPECIAL INTER-DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATION TEAM TO LOOK INTO THE TRAGIC INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT THE SHEK KIP MEI BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG BANK ON JANUARY 10.
THE TEAM WILL LOOK INTO THE CAUSE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE, AND CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND TO THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY WHETHER ANY IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO BE MADE TO FIRE PROTECTION MEASURES AND MEANS OF ESCAPE PROVIDED IN COMMERCIAL PREMISES OF SIMILAR LAY-OUT.
THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL TEAM WILL COMPRISE MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL START WORK IMMEDIATELY AND HOPES TO COMPLETE ITS WORK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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/9........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
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NUMBER OF INSOLVENCY CASES STABLE LAST YEAR » « * * *
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW COURT INSOLVENCIES AGAINST THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR REMAINED STABLE AT 0.18 PER CENT, REPRESENTING NO CHANGE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
REVIEWING THE WORK OF HIS DEPARTMENT IN 1993, THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, MR ROBIN HEARDER, SAID THERE WERE 408 NEW COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 329 NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 342 AND 295 IN 1992, AN INCREASE OF 15.7 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, THE INCREASE HAD BEEN OFFSET BY THE CONCURRENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES SETTING UP IN HONG KONG, MR HEARDER SAID.
THE BUSINESSES MAINLY AFFECTED BY COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND BANKRUPTCIES INCLUDED KNITTING AND GARMENT MANUFACTURING, RESTAURANTS AND CANTEENS, CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC MANUFACTURING, IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS, AND COMPANY DIRECTORS GIVING PERSONAL GUARANTEES.
PETITIONS WERE FILED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID (40 PER CENT), TRADE CREDITORS (37 PER CENT), BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (16 PER CENT) AND OTHERS (SEVEN PER CENT).
MORE COMPLICATED OR SIGNIFICANT INSOLVENCIES DURING THE YEAR WERE LAM WO ENTERPRISES LIMITED, ENIM OIL COMPANY LIMITED, META-GROW LIMITED, CONSO ELECTRONICS (FAR EAST) LIMITED, WATSON TRADING COMPANY LIMITED, HEROFORM INDUSTRIES LIMITED, PAN PACIFIC SECURITIES MANAGEMENT LIMITED, CHAN NIM CHI AND BRUNO GALARDI ESTE.
ONE HUNDRED SUMMONSES AS AGAINST 55 IN 1992 WERE ISSUED AGAINST BANKRUPTS AND DIRECTORS OF COMPULSORILY WOUND-UP COMPANIES FOR FAILURE TO SUBMIT STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, FAILURE TO KEEP PROPER BOOKS AND RECORDS AND MISCONDUCT.
SIXTY-SIX BANKRUPTS OR DIRECTORS AS AGAINST 45 IN 1992 WERE CONVICTED AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURT WAS $326,458 AS AGAINST $298,390 IN 1992.
A BANKRUPT HANG HANSON WHO WAS CONVICTED OF OBTAINING CREDIT WITHOUT DISCLOSING HIS BANKRUPTCY STATUS WAS SENTENCED TO TWO MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT SUSPENDED FOR 18 MONTHS.
TOTAL DIVIDENDS DECLARED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER DURING 1993 AMOUNTED TO $179.38 MILLION IN 251 INSOLVENCIES, AS AGAINST $221.36 MILLION IN 207 INSOLVENCIES IN 1992.
IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF INSOLVENCIES WITH DIVIDENDS DECLARED, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 21.27 PER CENT.
ONE HUNDRED PER CENT PREFERENTIAL OR ORDINARY DIVIDEND WAS DECLARED IN 89 INSOLVENCIES, INCLUDING FIRST BANGKOK CITY FINANCE LIMITED ($21.8 MILLION) AND THAI MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE LIMITED ($10.8 MILLION).
/SUBSTANTIAL DIVIDENDS .......
WENDESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
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SUBSTANTIAL DIVIDENDS WERE ALSO DECLARED TO THE CREDITORS OF CHINA UNDERWRITERS LIFE AND GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED ($67.6 MILLION) AND MOSBERT ACCEPTANCE LIMITED ($12.5 MILLION).
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF 1993 TOTALLED $4,115 MILLION COMPARED WITH $4,973 MILLION AT THE END OF 1992, REPRESENTING A REDUCTION OF $858 MILLION.
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, TOGETHER WITH A JOINT LIQUIDATOR, ALSO ADMINISTERED SUMS OF U.S.$2 MILLION (U.S.$12.2 MILLION AT THE END OF 1992) AND JAPANESE YEN 272 MILLION (JAPANESE YEN 27.5 MILLION AT THE END OF 1992).
THE REDUCTION IN FUNDS WAS ESSENTIALLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, PARTICULARLY THE PAYMENTS MADE TO THE DEPOSITORS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE INSOLVENCY CASES BEING HANDLED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR WAS 2,062, REPRESENTING 1,259 COMPULSORY LIQUIDATIONS AND 803 PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES, AS AGAINST A TOTAL OF 1,903 AT THE END OF 1992.
_ '-----0 - -
SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 * * » * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A BILL TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE TO THIRD PARTY ISSUED DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 26.
"INSIDER DEALING AS DEFINED IN THE ORDINANCE NOW APPLIES ONLY TO LISTED SECURITIES OR SOME LISTED DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS ISSUED BY COMPANIES IN RESPECT OF THEIR OWN LISTED SECURITIES.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT COVER TRADING OF DERIVATIVES ISSUED BY AN UNRELATED THIRD PARTY OR WHERE SUCH INSTRUMENTS ARE NOT LISTED IN HONG KONG.
"THIS IS AN ANOMALY IN THE ORDINANCE WHICH SHOULD BE RECTIFIED SINCE THE FLEDGLING DERIVATIVE MARKET MAY PROVIDE A MEANS TO GET AROUND WITH THE INSIDER DEALING LEGISLATION," MR TAM SAID.
ILLICIT PROFITS CAN BE GAINED FROM DEALING IN DERIVATIVES. FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDER INFORMATION ABOUT A LISTED COMPANY "X" CAN DEAl, TN WARRANTS ON THE SHARES OF "X" WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT BY THE INSIDER DEALING LEGISLATION AS LONG AS THE WARRANTS ARE ISSUED BY A COMPANY "Y" WHICH IS UNRELATED TO "X".
/SINCE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 11 -
SINCE THE PRICE OF WARRANTS AND SHARES IN QUESTION TENDS TO MOVE IN PARALLEL, THE INSIDER CAN OBTAIN PROFIT FROM THE TRADING OF THE WARRANTS JUST AS HE CAN BY DEALING IN THE UNDERLYING SHARES.
ONE EXAMPLE OF DERIVATIVES FALLING INTO THE ABOVE CATEGORY IS THIRD PARTY ISSUED WARRANTS.
THE NUMBER OF THESE WARRANTS TRADED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE HAS BEEN ON THE INCREASE SINCE THE LISTING OF THE FIRST SUCH PRODUCT IN DECEMBER 1989.
BY NOVEMBER 1993, THERE WERE 54 SUCH INSTRUMENTS TRADED ON THE EXCHANGE. STOCK OPTIONS INTENDED TO BE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD ARE ANOTHER EXAMPLE.
"SIMILAR PROBLEMS ARISE WHEN A DERIVATIVE IS NOT LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD. AGAIN, SUCH PRODUCTS FALL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE," MR TAM SAID.
EXAMPLES OF THESE INCLUDE THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS WHICH ARE NOT LISTED IN HONG KONG WHILE THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES MAY BE LOCAL STOCKS.
THE BILL SEEKS TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE TO COVER THIRD PARTY ISSUED DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS IN RESPECT OF LISTED SECURITIES IN HONG KONG WHETHER OR NOT THESE PRODUCTS ARE TRADED ON THE LOCAL STOCK EXCHANGE.
"THE BILL IS INTENDED TO PLUG AN EXISTING LOOPHOLE IN THE LEGISLATION. IT DOES NOT COVER SUGGESTIONS SUCH AS WHETHER THE SCOPE OF INSIDER INFORMATION SHOULD BE EXTENDED OR SHOULD INSIDER DEALING BE MADE A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
"THESE ARE COMPLICATED MATTERS WHICH NEED TO BE REVIEWED SEPARATELY," MR TAM SAID.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 14).
------0-------
OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME LEAFLET NOW AVAILABLE * » » * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED A LEAFLET TO HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND BETTER THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME.
PRINTED IN FULL COLOUR AND TN ROTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, THE LEAFLET EXPLAINS IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SCHEME, ITS ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY, THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY INTENTION AND COMMITMENT AS WELL AS THE NEXT STEPS IT WILL TAKE.
THE LEAFLET ALSO CONTAINS A SIMPLE COMPARISON BETWEEN CONTRIBUTIONS AND PAYOUTS UNDER THE PROPOSED SCHEME AND A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 12 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE PROPOSED SCHEME HAD ATTRACTED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF COMMENTS FROM ALL QUARTERS SINCE ITS ANNOUNCEMENT LAST MONTH.
"WE APPRECIATE THE KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE ISSUE OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR THE AGED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE LEAFLET IS AIMED AT PROVIDING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THE NECESSARY INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED SCHEME IN THE HOPE THAT DISCUSSION ON THE ISSUE WILL BE CONSTRUCTIVE," HE STRESSED.
ALTOGETHER, 200,000 CHINESE AND 100,000 ENGLISH COPIES OF THE LEAFLET HAVE BEEN PRINTED.
THESE COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT ALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION, COPIES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS IN CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, KWUN TONG, WONG TAI SIN, MONG KOK AND TSUEN WAN BETWEEN 4.30 PM AND 7 PM TOMORROW.
COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED SCHEME ARE MOST WELCOME AND SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, 38TH FLOOR, EXCHANGE SQUARE II, 8 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
------0------------
GOVERNOR SEES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL KOWLOON
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAW PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL KOWLOON DURING HIS VISIT TO UPPER WONG TAJ SIN, CHUK YUEN SOUTH AND NORTH ESTATES.
ACCOMPANYING HIM ON THE VISIT WERE THE VISITING SHADOW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, DR JACK CUNNINGHAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MS ROSANNA WONG, AND DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG.
THE PARTY FIRST TOURED THE RELATIVELY OLD UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE TO SEE THE MARK 1 AND FORMER GOVERNMENT LOW COST HOUSING BLOCKS BUILT BETWEEN 1958 AND 1965.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT ALL THE 20 BLOCKS CONTAINING 6,325 FLATS HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN TWO PHASES, THE FIRST PHASE OF WHICH INVOLVING 13 BLOCKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN 1994/95.
A HOUSING SPOKESMAN SAID THE AFFECTED 3,200 FAMILIES WOULD BE REHOUSED TO NEW FLATS ACROSS THE ROAD IN LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.
/THE PARTY .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 13 -
THE PARTY THEN DEPARTED FOR CHUK YUEN SOUTH ESTATE AND TOURED THE SHOPPING CENTRE WHICH SERVED 13,400 FAMILIES OF BOTH THE CHUK YUEN SOUTH AND NORTH ESTATES.
AT THE FIVE-STOREYED SHOPPING CENTRE, THEY SAW DIFFERENT KINDS OF GOODS AVAILABLE FROM THE 45 SHOPS AND 180 MARKET STALLS, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS, SUPERMARKETS AND COOKED FOOD STALLS.
THE GROUP THEN DROPPED INTO THE CHUK YUEN INDOOR GAMES HALL, ONE OF THE SOCIAL FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR TENANTS. A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY, WELFARE AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WERE ALSO PROVIDED IN THE ESTATES.
THEY THEN CAME TO A CHINESE-STYLE CARP GARDEN WHICH PROVIDED A PLEASANT RESTING AREA FOR THE ESTATE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS A MAJOR VISITING SPOT FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS VISITORS SINCE ITS OPENING IN EARLY 1991.
THE PARTY THEN WENT TO THE ROOF TOP OF A BLOCK FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
THEY WERE BRIEFED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE ONLY 13,700 PEOPLE LIVING IN THE DIAMOND HILL SQUATTER AREAS, WHICH HAD FOR MANY YEARS BEEN THE SITE OF ONE OF THE TERRITORY’S LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS.
THIS WAS ACHIEVED AFTER THREE MAJOR CLEARANCE OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN 1987 AND 1992 TO MAKE WAY FOR THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, THE FUNG TAK ROAD EXTENSION AND A PUBLIC TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REHOUSING PLANS FOR THE REMAINING SQUATTER POPULATION WERE IN PROGRESS, HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN AND THE PARTY THEN VISITED A FAMILY OF FOUR LIVING IN A 36.5-SQUARE-METRE FLAT IN WAI YUEN HOUSE, CHUK YUEN NORTH ESTATE.
THEY LEARNED THAT THE COUPLE AND THEIR SON AND DAUGHTER HAD MOVED INTO THE FLAT FOUR YEARS AGO THROUGH AN EXTERNAL TRANSFER FROM KAI YIP ESTATE IN NGAU CHI WAN.
-----0-------
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HEARING POSTPONED
*****
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE’S PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 9 AM WILL BE POSTPONED AS FORMER DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR CHAU CHAM-SON, AN IMPORTANT WITNESS IN THE SALE OF A COMMERCIAL SITE IN GARDEN ROAD, WILL BE UNABLE TO TURN UP AT THE MEETING.
- - 0---------
/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
14
NEW UNIVERSITY BUILDING TO STIMULATE ENGINEERS
*****
THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG NOW HAS SOME WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH LABORATORIES IN WHICH TO CHALLENGE AND STIMULATE NEW GENERATIONS OF ENGINEERS WITH THE OPENING OF THE HO SIN-HANG ENGINEERING BUILDING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE BUILDING, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID: "THE CHALLENGES, THE OPPORTUNITIES FACING ENGINEERS TODAY ARE PROBABLY GREATER THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN."
THE CHALLENGES AHEAD WERE TO DEVELOP PROCESSES THAT MADE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY AND OTHER RESOURCES, THAT PREVENT WASTE AND POLLUTION AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE THE MEANS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS ALREADY CREATED.
MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG, CHINA AND COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WOULD LOOK TO ENGINEERS TO DEVISE SOLUTIONS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE UNIVERSITY’S GRADUATES WOULD HELP TO SUSTAIN AND TO NOURISH HONG KONG AS IT RESPONDED TO THE DEMANDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE COMING CENTURY.
------0--------
FAMILY CARE AND DEMONSTRATION CENTRE SET UP ********
THE IDEA OF PRESERVING FAMILY SHOULD BE PROMOTED, ESPECIALLY NOWADAYS WHEN PEOPLE THINK TOO MUCH OF THE PURSUIT OF INDIVIDUAL GOALS, RIGHTS AND BENEFITS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR STRACHAN SAID THE FAMILY CARE AND DEMONSTRATION CENTRE WAS PART OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.
THE SETTING UP OF THE CENTRE IS ONE OF THE INITIATIVES TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY THIS YEAR.
A SURVEY AMONG CASEWORKERS OF SERVICE UNITS IN THE DEPARTMENT HAS IDENTIFIED A NEED TO DEVELOP A FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAMME.
THE CENTRE IS AN INNOVATIVE ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO CASEWORKERS AND TO ORGANISE PROGRAMMES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED OF HELP FOR REBUILDING, READJUSTMENT AND STRENGTHENING FAMILY LIFE.
OFFERING A COMFORTABLE AND STIMULATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, THE CENTRE IS DESIGNED IN A HOME-LIKE SETTING TO GIVE A SENSE OF WARMTH AND SECURITY. FAMILIES CAN LEARN THROUGH SHARING AND SUPPORT AMONG THEMSELVES.
/PEOPLE WHO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 15 -
PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE CENTRE WILL BE INSPIRED TO IMPROVE THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT. THEY WILL BE GIVEN GUIDANCE TOO. (• ♦
SOME ROOMS IN THE CENTRE SUCH AS THE SPECIAL CARE ROOM, COOKING AND WORK ROOM, ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TRAINING ON BABY CARE, CARING FOR THE ELDERLY OR SICK MEMBERS IN FAMILIES.
SOCIAL WORKERS INCLUDING CASEWORKERS AND PARA-PROFESSIONALS, LIKE FAMILY AIDES AND HOME HELPERS, WILL ORGANISE SPECIALLY DESIGNED PROGRAMMES FOR THEIR CLIENTS.
EXAMPLES ARE FAMILY SESSIONS TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SPOUSES, AND BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN; TRAINING IN COOKING AND PRACTICAL HOUSEHOLD ARRANGEMENTS.
THE STAFF OF THE CENTRE WILL ALSO RUN REGULAR TRAINING PROGRAMMES ON TOPICS OF COMMON INTEREST FOR CLIENTS.
"ALL OUR PROGRAMMES ARE AIMED TO HELP THE PARTICIPANTS TO BE MORE COMPETENT IN SHOWING THEIR CARE AND CONCERN TO THEIR FAMILIES IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
"THE IDEAS ACQUIRED AND THE SKILLS THEY LEARN CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE ENHANCEMENT OF FAMILY LIFE," MR STRACHAN SAID.
--------0-----------
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY » » t » »
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM THIS FRIDAY (JANUARY 14) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE PAPERS FOR THE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
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716 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 16 -
RATES FOR FIRST QUARTER DUE ON JANUARY 31
* * * * »
RATES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR ARE DUE FOR PAYMENT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
PAYMENT MAY BE MADE BY TELEPHONE, OR BY POST ADDRESSED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, P 0 BOX 8000, G P O, HONG KONG, OR IN PERSON AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES: |
* THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, IMMIGRATION TOWER, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; '
» THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, MAX SHARE CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, 373 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
» THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG;
* THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON;
» 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 DEMAND NOTES HAD BEEN ISSUED.
’’RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEM SHOULD BRING ALONG DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER TO ANY OF THE TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES.
’’DUPLICATE DEMAND NOTES WILL THEN BE ISSUED TO THEM,’’ HE SAID.
IF THE RATEPAYERS CANNOT PRODUCE DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER, THEY SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID NON-RECETPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DID NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 1994.
UNLESS SO PAID, RATEPAYERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF 5 PER CENT UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE LEVIED ON THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT, INCLUDING THE 5 PER CENT SURCHARGE, THAT REMAINS UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE, HE ADDED.
/RATEPAYERS WHO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 17 -
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD STILL BE MADE BY OTHER MEANS AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING 'PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY’ IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE, PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JANUARY 31. RATE PAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTIONS 3O(1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TO SAVE QUEUEING TIME, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO SETTLE PAYMENT BY TELEPHONE, OR BY POST USING CHEQUES OR CASHIER ORDERS, OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE COLLECTION OFFICES.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MOST CONVENIENT PAYMENT METHOD WAS AUTOPAY UNDER WHICH RATEPAYERS’ BANK ACCOUNTS WOULD ONLY BE DEBITED ON RATES DUE DATES.
APPLICATIONS FOR AUTOPAY ARE OBTAINABLE FROM TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND ALL MAJOR BANKS IN HONG KONG OR BY TELEPHONING 829 5019.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PAYMENT BY TELEPHONE SERVICE, PLEASE CALL 170 222 329.
---------;0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,066
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,934
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,175
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,825
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.5 *+0.0» 12.1.94
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 18 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.98 PCT 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.31 3.55
1 MONTH 2.97 PCT 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.05 3.74
3 MONTHS 3.02 PCT 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.14 3.92
6 MONTHS 3.16 PCT 22 MONTHS 2511 4 .15 100.15 4.10
12 MONTHS 3.45 PCT 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.15 4.58
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,611 MN
CLOSED 12 JANUARY 1994
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: MORE PUBLIC INPUT INTO FARE DETERMINATION ....................... 1
STATEMENT ON COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY MOTION ........................ 3
MOTION DEBATE ON CIVIL SERVICE INQUIRY .......................... 4
ADMINISTRATION WITHHOLDS NO INFORMATION WHEN SEEKING FUND ... 7
BILL ON AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ............................. 8
EDUCATION IS BETTER SAFEGUARD FOR CONSUMER INTEREST ............. 9
MEASURES TAKEN TO EASE CONGESTION AT IMMIGRATION POINTS ......... 9
AGREEMENTS CONSISTENT WITH NON-INTERFERING POLICY .............. 10
MEASURES TO SOLVE CONGESTION IN ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR ........ 11
57 TRIAD SOCIETIES ACTIVE IN HK ................................ 12
CONSULTATION PAPER ON OPS BY SUMMER ............................ 12
CHANNELS FOR TRANSITIONAL MATTERS WELL-ESTABLISHED ............. 13
GOVT CONTINUES TO EMPLOY THE DISABLED .......................... 14
MEASURES TO DEAL WITH SHARES OVER-SUBSCRIPTION IMPACT .......... 15
REVIEW OF LDC'S ROLE LARGELY COMPLETED ......................... 15
OMBUDSMAN APPOINTMENT EXPLAINED ................................ 16
/RAIDS ON .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
RAIDS ON PIRATED COMPACT DISCS ACHIEVE GOOD RESULTS ............ 16
ONLY THREE CONFIRMED LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE CASES IN HK ......... 17
MULTIPLE VISIT PERMIT SCHEME WELL-RECEIVED BY TAIWANESE ........ 18
SERVICES FOR AUTISTIC PERSONS REPORT COMPLETED ................. 19
MEASURES IN HAND TO ELIMINATE UNAUTHORISED SEWERAGE CONNECTIONS .................................................. 19
NEW SPORTS GROUND FOR SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETS .................... 20
NURSING HOMES FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS ............................. 21
VETTING FOR CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS ......................... 21
LEGCO URGES FOR INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY OVER CIVIL SERVANTS’ WAGE CLAIMS ........................................ 22
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
1
MORE PUBLIC INPUT INTO FARE DETERMINATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ASK THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) TO PUT THEIR FARE INCREASE PROPOSALS TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR EXAMINATION AND ADVICE.
THIS IS ONE ADDITIONAL MEASURE TO ENHANCE THE TWO CORPORATIONS’ ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS OF FARE DETERMINATION.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN THE MOTION DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON FARE INCREASES OF THE TWO RAILWAY CORPORATIONS, SAID OTHER MEASURES INCLUDED CONSULTING MORE WIDELY AND EXPLAIN MORE FULLY THE REASONS BEHIND THEIR PROPOSED FARE REVISIONS AND COMPLYING WITH THE GOVERNOR’S REQUEST FOR FULLER DISCLOSURE ON FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION.
BOTH CORPORATIONS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO EXAMINE WAYS OF PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THIS RESPECT.
THE TWO CORPORATIONS HAVE CONSCIENTIOUSLY MAINTAINED FARES AT AFFORDABLE LEVELS WITH ANNUAL INCREASES BELOW INFLATION, AND HAVE SHOWN WILLINGNESS TO CONSULT AND OBTAIN FEEDBACK.
"THE ADMINISTRATION THEREFORE SEES NO NEED WHATSOEVER TO AMEND EXISTING LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE APPROVAL FOR FARE ADJUSTMENTS FROM THE EXCO (EXECUTIVE COUNCIL) AND LEGCO."
MR BARMA SAID SINCE ITS COMMISSIONING IN 1980, MTR FARES HAD INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 7.6 PER CENT PER ANNUM AGAINST THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF 8.6 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
SIMILARLY, OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS, THE KCR FARES HAD INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 7.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM OR 2.4 PER CENT POINTS BELOW INFLATION.
EVEN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT FARES, WITH AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 9.4 PER CENT PER ANNUM, HAD BEEN HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW INFLATION SINCE IT BEGAN RUNNING IN 1988, HE SAID.
MR BARMA POINTED OUT THAT BOTH MTRC AND KCRC WERE ESTABLISHED TO OPERATE ON PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES BASED ON THE FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES SHOULD BE RUN WITHOUT ANY SUBSIDY FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR THE TAXPAYER.
MR BARMA SAID THE RAILWAY SYSTEMS HAD BEEN RATED AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF SAFETY AND VALUE FOR MONEY.
"THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES WORLDWIDE OF RAILWAY SYSTEMS THAT HAVE DETERIORATED DUE TO POLITICAL CONSTRAINTS ON FARES BECAUSE THOSE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED DO NOT HAVE FARE AUTONOMY."
/FOR EXAMPLE........
2
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
FOR EXAMPLE, THE LONDON UNDERGROUND SYSTEM HAS SUFFERED FROM THIS SYNDROME AND HAS NOW JUST SET ITSELF THE GOAL OF BECOMING FINANCIALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT AND UPGRADING ITS SERVICES TO THOSE OF A 'DECENTLY MODERN METRO’; A GOAL THE LOCAL TWO RAILWAY CORPORATIONS HAD ACHIEVED FOR SOME TIME, HE SAID.
IN DETERMINING FARE, BOTH CORPORATIONS UNDERTOOK EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND MARKET RESEARCH TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PROPOSED FARES WOULD NOT ONLY REMAIN COMPETITIVE VIS-A-VIS OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES BUT WERE ALSO AFFORDABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PUBLIC, MR BARMA SAID.
THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE STARTS WITH REGULAR MEETINGS WITH PASSENGER LIAISON GROUPS WHERE SOUNDINGS ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF PROPOSED FARE INCREASES ARE TAKEN.
THESE SOUNDINGS TOGETHER WITH RESULTS FROM INDEPENDENT PASSENGER SURVEYS ON POSSIBLE FARE REVISION LEVELS UNDERTAKEN BY THE CORPORATIONS PROVIDE THE BASIS UPON WHICH BROAD PARAMETERS OF THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASES ARE FORMULATED.
BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION, AN INFORMATION PAPER, WITH FULL DETAILS, IS PUT TO THE EXCO IN WHICH, VIEWS OF LEGCO, AND OTHER PARTIES ARE FULLY REFLECTED, HE SAID.
’’THE REFERRAL TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS NOT JUST A MERE FORMALITY. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DOES SCRUTINISE FARE APPLICATIONS AND COMMENTS ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE CORPORATIONS."
THIS PROCESS OF CONSULTATION HAS BEEN FINE-TUNED OVER THE YEARS TO ENSURE THAT THE RIGHT BALANCE IS MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC ON THE ONE HAND AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TWO CORPORATIONS TO OPERATE ON PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES ON THE OTHER.
"IT HAS WORKED WELL," MR BARMA SAID.
HE SAID A FAILURE TO PROVIDE FARE AUTONOMY WOULD HAVE A SERIOUS AND DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON FUTURE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT.
THE RESULT WOULD LIKELY BE A DOWNGRADING OF THE CREDIT RATINGS OF THE CORPORATIONS CONCERNED, A SMALLER NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS WILLING TO LEND AND HIGHER BORROWING COSTS.
TAKE THE MTRC FOR EXAMPLE, A ONE PER CENT INCREASE IN BORROWING COSTS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PASSENGERS, OR THE TAXPAYERS WOULD NEED TO PAY SOME $3 BILLION MORE OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD," MR BARMA SAID.
ON A SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WAIVE THE DIVIDEND PAYMENTS FROM THE CORPORATIONS AS A MEASURE TO REDUCE THE FARE INCREASE REQUIRED, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN RECEIVING DIVIDENDS FROM THE KCRC ONLY SINCE 1990/91, AND HAD NOT YET ASKED FOR ANY DIVIDEND PAYMENT FROM MTRC.
BESIDES, IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO FOREGO DIVIDEND REVENUE WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE TO FUND USEFUL PUBLIC SERVICES SUCH AS EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE, OR TO SUBSIDISE RAIL PASSENGERS WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY.
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/3.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
3
STATEMENT ON COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY MOTION ♦ * * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE MOTION ON THE SETTING UP OF A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY TO RESOLVE THE CIVIL SERVICE PAY DISPUTE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID:
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN ESTABLISHED POLICY FOR CIVIL SERVICE PAY AND THIS POLICY HAS BEEN APPLIED CONSISTENTLY ALL THROUGH THE YEARS.
’’EACH YEAR’S PAY ADJUSTMENT IS AN INDEPENDENT AND SELF-CONTAINED EXERCISE.
’’PLUSES OR MINUSES ARISING FROM PREVIOUS EXERCISES ARE NOT CARRIED FORWARD TO THE NEXT. WE THEREFORE SEE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR INDEPENDENT ARBITRATION ON THE PAY DISPUTE.
’’THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD AT THE MOTION DEBATE HAVE BEEN MADE TO US BEFORE AND ALL OF THEM HAD BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.
”NO NEW ARGUMENTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD TODAY WHICH POINT TO A NEED TO REVIEW THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION.
’’THE POINT IS THAT, UNDER THE 1968 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL, A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY SHOULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED TO CONSIDER MATTERS OF SETTLED PUBLIC POLICY.
’’THE METHOD OF ADJUSTING PAY IS SETTLED PUBLIC POLICY.
’’MOREOVER, EVEN IF A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY WERE ESTABLISHED, IT IS WISHFUL THINKING ON THE PART OF CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS TO THINK THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE COULD BE CONFINED TO CONSIDERING THE QUESTION OF THE ALLEGED SHORTFALL.
’’THERE WOULD CERTAINLY BE GREAT PRESSURE FROM OTHER QUARTERS TO REVIEW OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PAY ADJUSTMENT METHODOLOGY.
’’THE RESULT WOULD BE TO OPEN UP ALL SORT OF CONTROVERSIES AND TO CREATE TREMENDOUS UNCERTAINTY ALL ROUND. THIS WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.”
- - 0---------
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
4
MOTION DEBATE ON CIVIL SERVICE INQUIRY
*****
THE SECRETARY
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE TT?r,Tot THE CIVIL SERVANT DISPUTES OVER WAGE CLAIMS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT:
DEBATE
RESOLVE
ON
BY IN OF
THE THE
INQUIRY IN
ACTING MOTION
TO THE
MADAM DEPUTY,
ON
SUPPORT APPARENT
THE FACE THIS MOTION?
COMPROMISE.
DEADLOCK,
OF IT, WHAT COULD BE MORE REASONABLE WHERE TWO PARTIES TO A DISPUTE HAVE
THAN
TO
REACHED
SURELY THE OBVIOUS WAY FORWARD IS MEDIATION AND
A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE SPOKEN IN THIS VEIN.
WHY THEN DOES THE GOVERNMENT NOT SIMPLY YIELD TO THE PRESSURE9 AFTER ALL, A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY WOULD GET THE GOVERNMENT OFF THE HOOK AS WELL.
IN DEALING WITH THESE POINTS, I HOPE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS CLEAR CUT AS IT SEEMS AT FIRST SIGHT. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT MOTIVATED, AS SOME HAVE PORTRAYED, BY SHEER PARSIMONY OR BLOODY-MINDEDNESS. WE ARE NOT BENT ON CONFRONTATION OR PERPETUATING A DISPUTE. WE ARE NOT CONSPIRING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SUPPRESS WAGES.
ON THE CONTRARY, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING A VERY GOOD EMPLOYER, A FACT WHICH IS RECOGNISED BY THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS. WE ARE GUIDED BY A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, TO BOTH OUR EMPLOYEES AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. WE WANT TO PRESERVE A SYSTEM FOR DEALING WITH CIVIL SERVICE PAY WHICH, THOUGH NO DOUBT NOT PERFECT, HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME AND GIVEN US REAL STABILITY. LET ME, FOR A START, REFRESH MEMBERS' MEMORIES AS TO WHAT THIS SYSTEM IS.
EXISTING POLICY
EXISTING POLICY ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY PROVIDES THAT :
(A) FIRST, THERE SHOULD BE BROAD COMPARABILITY WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR;
(B) SECONDLY, IN DETERMINING EACH YEAR'S PAY ADJUSTMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR PAY TREND INDICATORS SHOULD BE USED AS A REFERENCE POINT. BUT OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS, SUCH AS THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG, ANY BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS, THE STAFF SIDE'S PAY CLAIMS AND PUBLIC REACTIONS, MUST ALSO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT;
(C) THIRDLY, EACH PAY ADJUSTMENT IS AN INDEPENDENT EXERCISE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF THE PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE TIME, WITH NO PLUSES OR MINUSES BEING CARRIED FORWARD FROM ONE YEAR TO ANOTHER.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONSISTENTLY AND FULLY COMPLIED WITH ESTABLISHED POLICY ON ALL THESE COUNTS.
/IT IS .......
5
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
IT IS OF COURSE TRUE THAT THE 1968 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE THREE MAIN STAFF ASSOCIATIONS OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY, TO DETERMINE MATTERS ON WHICH AGREEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED AFTER FULL AND PROPER DISCUSSION. .
THE PROVISION, HOWEVER, SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, MATTERS OF SETTLED PUBLIC POLICY. SINCE THE ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENTS HAVE BEEN DETERMINED ENTIRELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ESTABLISHED AND SETTLED POLICY, IT FOLLOWS THAT THEY CANNOT BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY UNDER THE TERMS OF THE 1968 AGREEMENT. TO IGNORE THIS LOGIC WOULD BE WRONG IN PRINCIPLE AND SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR THE FUTURE.
THE "SHORTFALL"
LET ME NOW TURN TO THE QUESTION OF THE ALLEGED "SHORTFALL". A NUMBER OF MEMBERS SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE UP SUCH "SHORTFALLS" IN THE PAST. THIS, I MUST SAY, IS A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION.
AS I HAVE SAID, THE BASIC PREMISE IS THAT EACH PAY ADJUSTMENT IS INDEPENDENT. ANY DEVIATION FROM THE PAY TREND INDICATORS IN ANY ONE YEAR IS JUSTIFIED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE TIME. THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS, IN MAKING THEIR PAY CLAIMS, MIGHT HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT SO-CALLED "SHORTFALLS" IN PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO MEET THEIR REQUESTS WAS A DECISION BASED ON THE PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE TIME.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN BOTH 1992 AND 1993, SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE MORE JUNIOR STAFF EXCEEDED THE CORRESPONDING PAY TREND INDICATORS. THIS DECISION REFLECTED OUR CONCERN FOR THE IMPACT OF INFLATION ON THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS AND ILLUSTRATES MY EARLIER POINT ABOUT USING THE PAY TREND INDICATORS AS A POINT OF REFERENCE ONLY.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALISE THAT EXISTING POLICY PROVIDES FOR THE FLEXIBILITY TO DEVIATE FROM THE PAY TREND INDICATORS, WHERE APPROPRIATE. AS A PRUDENT GUARDIAN OF THE PUBLIC PURSE, THE GOVERNMENT MUST MAINTAIN THIS FLEXIBILITY. I DO NOT THINK THERE CAN BE A GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD WHICH WOULD ALLOW ITSELF TO BE COMPLETELY DICTATED TO IN AN ENTIRELY MECHANICAL WAY BY TRENDS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN DETERMINING THE PAY FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, THE KEY QUESTION IS WHETHER CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE BEEN TREATED FAIRLY. LET ME POINT OUT THAT OVER THE PAST DECADE, CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES HAVE INCREASED, ON AVERAGE, ABOUT 180%, OR 30% IN REAL TERMS. THIS COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH OVERALL WAGE MOVEMENTS FOR WORKERS IN HONG KONG AND GIVES THE LIE TO THE SUGGESTION THAT CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE NOT BENEFITED ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY FROM OUR OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF STAFF HAVE ALSO BEEN SATISFACTORY. THE OVERALL VACANCY POSITION HAS REMAINED STABLE AT ABOUT 3% SINCE 1991. THIS IS INDICATIVE OF THE COMPETITIVENESS OF EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES. OUR WASTAGE RATES ARE ALSO THE ENVY OF MANY PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS, INDICATING THAT CIVIL SERVANTS DO NOT FEEL DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR LOT.
/PAY ADJUSTMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
6
PAY ADJUSTMENT METHODOLOGY
ON THE QUESTION OF METHODOLOGY, AS MR LAU WAH-SUM AND MR MCGREGOR HAVE POINTED OUT THERE HAS BEEN CRITICISM THAT THE EXISTING MECHANISM FOR PAY ADJUSTMENT, PARTICULARLY THE INCREMENT DEDUCTION FORMULA USED IN CALCULATING THE PAY TREND INDICATORS, IS UNDULY FAVOURABLE TO CIVIL SERVANTS AND IS INFLATIONARY.
WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, THE FORMULA WAS RECOMMENDED BY AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY AND ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS COUNCIL, IN 1988. THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT THE VALUE OF INCREMENTS COULD NOT BE EQUATED EXACTLY WITH MERIT PAY BECAUSE THE TWO THINGS SERVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES.
FROM A PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW, A DEGREE OF DISCOUNTING OF THE VALUE OF INCREMENTS WAS ALSO CONSIDERED NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS, CURRENTLY JUST OVER 50%, WHO HAD REACHED THE MAXIMUM POINT OF THEIR PAY SCALES. SINCE THESE STAFF ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANNUAL INCREMENTS, THEY WOULD ARGUE THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY INCREMENT DEDUCTION AT ALL. SO THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO SIDES TO THE METHODOLOGY QUESTION.
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY
AGAINST THE BACKGROUND WHICH I HAVE OUTLINED - THE EXISTING POLICY, THE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE SO-CALLED SHORTFALL AND THE DISPUTES OVER METHODOLOGY - THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT AGREE THAT A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO REVIEW THE STAFF SIDE’S PAY CLAIMS. IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, OR EVEN IN THE STAFF’S INTEREST, TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD. I CITE FIVE REASONS.
ONE, AS ALREADY EXPLAINED THE EXISTING TERMS OF THE 1968 AGREEMENT SPECIFICALLY PRECLUDE MATTERS OF SETTLED PUBLIC POLICY FROM CONSIDERATION BY A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. IT IS NOT IN DISPUTE THAT IT IS SETTLED PUBLIC POLICY THAT EACH PAY ADJUSTMENT IS AN INDEPENDENT EXERCISE. THERE IS THEREFORE NO QUESTION OF ANY SO-CALLED "SHORTFALL" IN PREVIOUS YEARS BEING MADE UP IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS.
TWO, EXISTING POLICY ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY AIMS FOR BROAD COMPARABILITY WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND, I BELIEVE, WE HAVE ACHIEVED THAT OBJECTIVE. THE MAJORITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS ARE CONTENT WITH THE PAY ADJUSTMENTS IN RECENT YEARS AND STATISTICS SHOW THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE PEOPLE WE WANT. NEITHER IS THERE ANY COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE VIEW THAT CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY REMUNERATED OR UNFAIRLY TREATED.
THREE, THERE IS ALREADY AN ELABORATE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE ANNUAL CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT, INVOLVING THE STANDING COMMISSION, THE CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THERE ARE ADEQUATE CHANNELS FOR REPRESENTATION OF VIEWS TO ENABLE A BALANCED DECISION TO BE TAKEN, WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE INTERESTS OF BOTH CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. ONCE A DECISION IS MADE, AFTER A LONG AND PAINSTAKING PROCESS, WE MUST STAND BY IT.
/FOUR, A ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
7
FOUR, A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY IS JUSTIFIED ONLY IF THERE ARE MAJOR POLICY ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED. THE LAST COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY WAS TASKED TO REVIEW THE FINDINGS OF THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY, THE FIRST EVER SUCH STUDY, AND THE METHODOLOGY FOR THE ANNUAL CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT. THE PRESENT DISPUTE BEARS NO COMPARISON, IN TERMS OF SUBSTANCE AND SCALE, TO THE PROBLEMS LEADING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY IN 1988.
FINALLY, IT IS WISHFUL THINKING TO BELIEVE THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF ANY COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY COULD BE CONFINED TO THE NARROW WORDING OF THIS MOTION. IF A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY WERE EVER TO BE APPOINTED, IT COULD HARDLY AVOID REVIEWING THE EXISTING METHODOLOGY FOR THE ANNUAL CIVIL PAY ADJUSTMENT WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONSTANT CRITICISM BY EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TO WHICH A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED. AS A STARTING POINT, THE COMMITTEE WOULD HAVE TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THE ALLEGED ’’SHORTFALLS” IN THE 1996 AND 1991 PAY ADJUSTMENTS HAD RESULTED IN CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES LAGGING BEHIND THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE SAID THIS EVENING THAT IN THEIR VIEW THAT CIVIL SERVICE PACKAGE IS ALREADY VERY ATTRACTIVE. I LEAVE IT TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS TO DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS BUT WOULD SUBMIT THAT AT THE LEAST ANY SUCH REVIEW WOULD CREATE CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. CLEARLY, THIS WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
CONCLUSION
IN CONCLUSION THEN, THIS SEEMINGLY RATHER INNOCUOUS MOTION WOULD, IF PUT INTO PRACTICE, OPEN A VERITABLE PANDORA’S BOX. WE ALREADY HAVE WHAT IS BASICALLY A SOUND SYSTEM FOR DEALING WITH THE COMPLEX AND SENSITIVE SUBJECT OF CIVIL SERVICE PAY. WE MUST NOT FOOL OURSELVES INTO THINKING THAT WE CAN TINKER WITH ONE SMALL PART OF THAT SYSTEM IN ISOLATION. TO DO SO RUNS THE RISK OF REOPENING MANY* VERY COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, IN THE PROCESS THREATENING THE STABILITY WHICH WE CURRENTLY ENJOY. IN OTHER WORDS , TO QUOTE A WELL WORN BUT ACCURATE APHORISM - "IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT".
IN ANY CASE THERE IS SIMPLY NO JUSTIFICATION UNDER THE 1968 AGREEMENT TO HOLD A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.
FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS, MADAM DEPUTY, THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS WILL OPPOSE THIS MOTION.
------0-------
ADMINISTRATION WITHHOLDS NO INFORMATION WHEN SEEKING FUND *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IT WAS THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY TO PUT FORWARD ALL RELEVANT FACTS WHEN SEEKING FUNDING FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
INTRODUCING THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC) DATED OCTOBER 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID:
’’THERE IS NO INTENTION WHATSOVER TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION DELIBERATELY."
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
8
SHE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NOTED THE PAC’S CONCERN AND HAD DRAWN IT TO THE ATTENTION OF HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
THE PAC CHAIRMAN HAD IN OCTOBER SUGGESTED THAT IN SEEKING FUNDING APPROVAL, THE ADMINISTRATION TENDED TO FAIL TO PROVIDE ALL THE NECESSARY DETAILS FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MAKE ITS DECISION.
------0--------
BILL ON AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
* * * * *
A BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE PROVISIONS OF THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) ORDINANCE TO COVER BOTH THE PROPOSED AIRPORT AS WELL AS THE EXISTING ONE.
HE SAID THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FOR THE RESTRICTION AND, WHERE NECESSARY, THE REDUCTION OF THE HEIGHTS OF BUILDINGS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT.
IT ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHTING, PROVISION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIDS TO AIR NAVIGATION AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
THE BILL WAS AN ENABLING MEASURE TO ALLOW NEW AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN RELATION TO THE NEW AIRPORT TO BE PRESCRIBED BY ORDERS MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE IN DUE COURSE.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO RELIEVE THE WORKLOAD OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN RELATION TO TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS BY TRANSFERRING CERTAIN POWERS TO THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS.
THESE POWERS INCLUDE THE POWERS TO SPECIFY AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS, TO AUTHORISE THE PROVISION OR ERECTION ON BUILDING OF ANY MARKS, LIGHTS AND BEACONS FOR AVIATION SAFETY PURPOSES AND TO EXTEND THE PERIOD FOR MAKING COMPENSATION CLAIMS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE BILL ALSO EXPRESSLY EMPOWERED THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS FROM AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENTS.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE PENALTY LEVEL AND TO ADD A PROVISION IMPOSING A DAILY DEFAULT FINE FOR SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES INVOLVING CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE DETERRENT EFFECT AGAINST BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/9 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
9
EDUCATION IS BETTER SAFEGUARD FOR CONSUMER INTEREST *****
THERE IS NO SPECIFIC LEGISLATION OR MEASURE TARGETTED AT MONITORING ADVERTISEMENTS ON TAX LOANS.
AND CONSUMERS MUST SAFEGUARD THEIR OWN INTEREST BY EXERCISING GOOD CARE BEFORE TAKING A DECISION TO PROCURE THE GOODS OR SERVICE ON OFFER AND NOT RELYING SOLELY ON THE WORDINGS OR DESCRIPTIONS IN THE ADVERTISEMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WAH-SUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TAM SAID ADVERTISEMENT WAS USED BY ADVERTISERS TO DRAW PUBIC ATTENTION TO THE FAVOURABLE ASPECTS OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES RENDERED TO PROMOTE SALE.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE, THEREFORE, TO EXPECT COMPLETE AND COMPLETELY PRECISE OR OBJECTIVE INFORMATION IN AN ADVERTISEMENT."
HE SAID CONSUMER EDUCATION WAS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT TO HELP SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS, ADDING THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS BEEN DOING A VERY USEFUL JOB HERE.
ON THE QUESTION OF TAX LOANS, FOR INSTANCE, THE COUNCIL HAS IN JANUARY 1989 AND IN FEBRUARY 1991 PUBLISHED ARTICLES IN ITS PUBLICATION "CHOICE" ANALYSING THE MATTER TO THE PUBLIC.
HE SAID A FURTHER ARTICLE ON THE SUBJECT WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF "CHOICE".
--------0-----------
MEASURES TAKEN TO EASE CONGESTION AT IMMIGRATION POINTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL INCREASE THE MANPOWER AND INSTALL NEW FACILITIES AT BOTH LO WU BORDER AND KAI TAK AIRPORT TO EASE PASSENGER CONGESTION LATER THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A REPLY TO THE HON MOSES CHENG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUCH MEASURES INCLUDE:
* TO ADD 70 IMMIGRATION POSTS AT LO WU LATER THIS YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL COUNTER STAFF TO MORE THAN 300;
* TO ADD A MAJOR EXTENSION TO THE EXISTING TERMINAL AT LO WU, WHICH IS DUE TO COME INTO OPERATION NEXT YEAR, AND WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF' COUNTERS B1! 72 TO A TOTAL OF 160, WITH AN EXTRA 70 POSTS;
* TO SET UP AN IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE, WITH 46 STAFF, TO DEAL WITH SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND TO REINFORCE LO WU AND KAI TAK DURING BUSY PERIODS; AND
/*TO INSTALL
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
10
* TO INSTALL OPTICAL READERS IN SEPTEMBER TO SPEED UP CLEARANCE OF HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD HOLDERS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEVICE TO VISITORS HOLDING MACHINE-READABLE PASSPORTS NEXT YEAR.
MR ASPREY SAID THE EXISTING MANNING SCALES WERE BASED ON THE SAME OVERALL TARGET THAT 92 PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE CLEARING IMMIGRATION SHOULD NORMALLY QUEUE FOR NO LONGER THAN HALF AN HOUR.
THE NUMBER OF COUNTERS AT KAI TAK IS 166 AND THAT AT LO WU IS 88. KAI TAK HAS ALMOST TWICE AS MANY IN NUMBER.
THE WAITING HALLS AT KAI TAK ARE ALSO SLIGHTLY BIGGER THAN THOSE AT LO WU, WITH 4,600 AND 4,400 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THERE ARE TWICE AS MANY TRAVELLERS GOING THROUGH LO WU EVERY DAY AS THROUGH KAI TAK.
MR ASPREY SAID THE REASON FOR THIS WAS THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE TRAVELLERS PASSING THROUGH 1,0 WU WERE HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND NEEDED MUCH LESS TIME FOR CLEARANCE THAN OVERSEAS VISITORS WHO WERE THE MAJORITY OF PASSENGERS AT KAT TAK.
"THEREFORE, LESS SPACE AND FEWER FACILITIES ARE REQUIRED AT LO WU," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
AGREEMENTS CONSISTENT WITH NON-INTERFERING POLICY * t t * «
THE CURRENT SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS WITH PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL POLICY OF NOT INTERFERING IN THE WAY IN WHICH THESE COMPANIES RUN THEIR BUSINESSES.
THEREFORE, THE AGREEMENTS, WHICH ENTERED INTO FORCE ON OCTOBER 1 LAST YEAR AND JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR RESPECTIVELY, CONTAIN NO CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE 1981 LICENCE FOR CABLE AND WIRELESS (HONG KONG) LTD.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) .
THE 1981 CONDITION PROVIDES THAT "WHEN FILLING ANY GRADE WITHIN ITS ESTABLISHMENT THE LICENSEE WILL GIVE PREFERENCE TO THE RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF LOCALLY ENGAGED STAFF PROVIDED THAT SUCH STAFF ARE CONSIDERED SUITABLE AND HAVE THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS AND IN PARTICULAR THE LICENSEE WILL EMPLOY AN EXPATRIATE OFFICER ONLY IF NO SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATE IS AVAILABLE OR IS LIKELY TO BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE REASONABLY NEAR FUTURE’.
MR SIU SAID THE ORIGINAL AIM OF THE LICENCE CONDITION WAS TO REDUCE CABLE AND WIRELESS’S DEPENDENCE ON OVERSEAS SECONDERS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED.
SINCE 1982, THE NUMBER OF EXPATRIATE STAFF EMPLOYED BY THE COMPANY HAS DECLINED FROM 40 PER CENT OF MANAGERIAL LEVEL STAFF TO UNDER 10 PER CENT.
/WITH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
11
WITH THE COMPANY’S CHANGE IN STATUS IN 1987 TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG TELECOM GROUP IT HAS ACQUIRED A MORE LOCAL CHARACTER, MR SIU SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY AND THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY DID NOT OPERATE UNDER ANY LICENCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY HAVE VOLUNTARILY ENTERED INTO SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
IN COMMON WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE UTILITIES HERE, THE TWO COMPANIES ARE LOCALLY BASED AND ARE LOCALLY OWNED AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR A PROVISION SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE 1981 LICENCE DOES NOT ARISE, THE SECRETARY SAID.
------0--------
MEASURES TO SOLVE CONGESTION IN ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR *****
EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TRAFFIC HAS INCREASED AT A VERY RAPID RATE, WITH THE DAILY AVERAGE NUMBER OF CARS USING THIS TUNNEL RISING FROM 38,000 FOUR YEARS AGO TO 87,000 TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS MIRIAM LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BARMA SAID THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC CAUSED CONGESTION ALONG THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR DURING BOTH THE MORNING RUSH AND THE EVENING PEAK.
MR BARMA SAID A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY TRYING TO SEGREGATE TRAFFIC QUEUING FOR THE TUNNEL FROM THROUGH TRAFFIC.
HE SAID THE ROAD MARKINGS ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR EASTBOUND WERE MODIFIED LAST JUNE TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL LANE FOR TRAFFIC ENTERING THE TUNNEL.
GANTRY SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS WERE FURTHER MODIFIED LAST WEEK TO REDUCE THE OBSTRUCTION TO EASTBOUND TRAFFIC CAUSED BY CARS QUEUING TO ENTER THE TUNNEL, HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID A TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENT HAD ALSO BEEN TRIED OUT IN THE TUNNEL BY PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL LANE FOR KOWLOON BOUND TRAFFIC DURING THE EVENING RUSH.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE THIS EASED PRESSURE ON THE IEC, THE EXPERIMENT HAD NOT PROVED TOO SUCCESSFUL SINCE IT RESULTED IN LONG QUEUES IN KWUN TONG FOR HONG KONG-BOUND TRAFFIC.
’’THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE TRAFFIC SITUATION ALONG THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR CLOSELY, AND WILL IN COORDINATION WITH THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY AND THE POLICE, TAKE WHATEVER ADDITIONAL MEASURES ARE PRACTICAL TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND ALONG THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR," MR BARMA SAID.
/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
12
57 TRIAD SOCIETIES ACTIVE IN HK *****
THERE WERE CURRENTLY 57 ACTIVE TRIAD SOCIETIES IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, MR ASPREY SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO ESTIMATE ACCURATELY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRIAD MEMBERS.
"THE NATURE OF TRIAD SOCIETIES IS SECRETIVE AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP VARIES FROM TIME TO TIME," HE SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM.
THE NUMBER OF PERSONS CHARGED WITH OFFENCES UNDER TRIAD-RELATED LEGISLATION WAS 201 IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF LAST YEAR, 430 TN 1992 AND 328 IN 1991 .
THE PROPORTION OF CONVICTIONS WAS 50% LAST YEAR, 39% IN 1992 AND 42% IN 1991.
FOR THOSE GIVEN CUSTODIAL SENTENCES, THE AVERAGE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT WAS NINE MONTHS LAST YEAR, FIVE MONTHS IN 1992 AND SIX MONTHS IN 1991.
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CONSULTATION PAPER ON OPS BY SUMMER
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PUBLISH A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME BY THE SUMMER, 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 ERIC LI, MR LAM ALSO SAID ON THE BASIS OF PUBLIC VIEWS AND THE OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION WITH CHINA THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE SCHEME BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"SHOULD A DECISION BE MADE TO PROCEED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME, THEN DRAFTING OF THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION SHOULD COMMENCE SOON AFTERWARDS," MR LAM SAID.
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS TOO EARLY TO SAY WITH CERTAINTY HOW LONG SUCH LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING WOULD TAKE OR WHEN THE RESULTANT LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ON THE QUESTION OF FUNDING, MR LAM SAID SHOULD THE SCHEME BE ENDORSED, AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO MAKE AVAILABLE FUNDS AS SOON AS THE SCHEME WAS IMPLEMENTED.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHEME SUBJECT TO:
/* THE OUTCOME .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
13
* THE OUTCOME OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY ADVISING ON THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF SUCH A SCHEME;
* ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMUNITY OF PROPOSALS RESULTING FROM THE FEASIBILITY STUDY; AND
» CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
ON CONSULTATION WITH CHINA, MR LAM SAID THE PROPOSED SCHEME WAS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
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CHANNELS FOR TRANSITIONAL MATTERS WELL-ESTABLISHED
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL DEAL WITH THE REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION PREPARATORY COMMITTEE (PWC) IN THE SAME WAY AS IT RESPONDS TO SIMILAR REQUESTS FROM ANY OTHER GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON PHILIP WONG THAT GUIDANCE TO THIS EFFECT HAD BEEN GIVEN TO ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE POLICE.
MR ASPREY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD WELL-ESTABLISHED OFFICIAL CHANNELS TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE TRANSITIONAL ISSUES.
"AND WE WANT TO SEE THESE MECHANISMS WORKING EFFECTIVELY,” HE SAID.
THESE CHANNELS HAVE BEEN SET UP UNDER FORMAL INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED BETWEEN PRESENT AND FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWERS.
"PWC ARE A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
"IF THEY WANT INFORMATION, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL DEAL WITH THEIR REQUESTS IN THE SAME WAY AS WE RESPOND TO SIMILAR REQUESTS FROM ANY OTHER GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY."
HE SAID THE POLICE WOULD TREAT PWC MEMBERS LIKE ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, SHOULD THEY SEEK ASSISTANCE.
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/14..........
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- 14 -
GOVT CONTINUES TO EMPLOY THE DISABLED
*****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PLACE DISABLED PERSONS, INCLUDING THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, IN APPROPRIATE JOBS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL POLICY TO INTEGRATE DISABLED PERSONS INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EVENTUAL GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC SECTORS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HARBINSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EMPLOYING 3,778 DISABLED PERSONS, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 2.07 PER CENT OF THE ENTIRE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE MAJOR DEPARTMENTS EMPLOYING THEM ARE URBAN SERVICES, REGIONAL SERVICES, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, HOSPITAL SERVICES, HOUSING, THE POLICE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, WATER SUPPLIES, SOCIAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION.
OVER ONE-THIRD OF DISABLED OFFICERS ARE ON MODEL SCALE 1 PAY SCALE, WITH MONTHLY SALARY RANGING FROM $6,635 TO $7,620.
ANOTHER 9.2 PER CENT ARE IN MORE SENIOR POSITIONS DRAWING A MAXIMUM SALARY AT MASTER PAY SCALE POINT 26 OR ABOVE OR EQUIVALENT, WITH MONTHLY SALARY OF $22,890 OR ABOVE.
MR HARBINSON RECALLED THAT 1,432 DISABLED PERSONS WERE EMPLOYED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1983.
"THE EXISTING POLICY THEREFORE SEEMS GENERALLY APPROPRIATE."
"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE."
THE ACTING SECRETARY NOTED THAT DISABLED PERSONS APPLYING FOR JOBS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE HAD TO MEET THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL OTHER APPLICANTS.
HOWEVER, IF THEY ARE FOUND SUITABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT, THEY ARE GIVEN AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF PREFERENCE.
IN ADDITION, A DISABLED PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO CARRY OUT ONLY CERTAIN DUTIES OF A PARTICULAR RANK MAY BE RECOMMENDED FOR EMPLOYMENT EVEN THOUGH HE MAY NOT, ON ACCOUNT OF HIS DISABILITY, BE ABLE TO PERFORM ALL THE DUTIES OF THAT RANK.
IN SOME RECRUITMENT EXERCISES, ADDITIONAL CRITERIA MAY BE IMPOSED TO SHORTLIST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR SELECTION INTERVIEWS.
THESE CRITERIA WOULD NOT APPLY TO DISABLED CANDIDATES SO THAT ALL DISABLED CANDIDATES WHO POSSESS THE BASIC ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSTS ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO ATTEND THE INTERVIEWS.
/15........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
- 15 -
MEASURES TO DEAL WITH SHARES OVER-SUBSCRIPTION IMPACT *****
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ASKED THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO EXAMINE POSSIBLE WAYS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE MASSIVE OVER-SUBSCRIPTION OF NEW SHARE ISSUES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROGER LUK KOON-HOO.
ON DECEMBER 7 LAST YEAR THE TIGHTNESS OF THE INTERBANK MARKET WAS CAUSED BY A MAJOR INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING WHICH WAS CLOSED FOR SUBSCRIPTION ON THAT DAY.
MR TAM SAID RECYCLING OF THE $100 BILLION APPLICATION MONIES DID NOT GO WELL AND CAUSED A RISE IN THE OVERNIGHT HONG KONG INTERBANK OFFER RATE.
IN THE END, SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS HAD TO BE CHANNELLED THROUGH THE LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
MR TAM SAID THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG HAD IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS IMPLEMENTED A NUMBER OF MEASURES AIMED PRIMARILY AT ENABLING INVESTORS TO MORE ACCURATELY ASSESS THE PRICING OF AND DEMAND FOR AN ISSUE AT THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING STAGE.
IN ADDITION, LISTING RULE CHANGES REQUIRING THE ISSUER TO REJECT ANY APPLICATION FOR MORE THAN 100 PER CENT OF THE SECURITIES ON OFFER AND TO REJECT MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS \RE UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION VERY SOON.
"THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ARE CONTINUING TO EXAMINE WAYS OF IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PROCESS.
"IN THE MEANTIME, THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE OPERATION OF THE MONEY MARKET AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION WHENEVER NECESSARY," MR TAM SAID.
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY HAS WRITTEN TO THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS LAST DECEMBER TO SUGGEST SEVERAL MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE RECYCLING PROCESS.
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REVIEW OF LDC’S ROLE LARGELY COMPLETED ♦ » * ♦ ♦
THE REVIEW OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION’S (LDC) ROLE IN THE URBAN RENEWAL PROCESS HAS BEEN LARGELY COMPLETED, 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 JAMES TO KUN-SUN, MR EASON SAID THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REVIEW WERE BEING RE-EXAMINED IN THE CONTEXT OF A WIDER OVERALL REVIEW OF URBAN RENEWAL AND REDEVELOPMENT ISSUES CONNECTED WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METROPLAN.
/MR EASON .......
16
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
MR EASON SAID: "RESULTS OF THE LDC REVIEW WILL THEREFORE BE PRESENTED WITH THOSE OF THE WIDER REVIEW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."
NOTING THAT THE OVERALL REVIEW COVERED THE ROLE OF ALL THE VARIOUS IMPLEMENTATION AGENTS INVOLVED, INCLUDING PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, HE SAID IT WAS A HIGHLY COMPLEX SUBJECT WITH MAJOR IMPLICATIONS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT, LAND, PLANNING AND HOUSING POLICIES AND RESOURCES.
"IT IS DIFFICULT TO SET A FIRM DATE FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE REVIEW AT THIS STAGE THEREFORE; BUT IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER SIX MONTHS AT LEAST."
------0-------
OMBUDSMAN APPOINTMENT EXPLAINED * t * * »
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS CAN ONLY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE APPROVAL BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THIS PROVISION WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMISSIONER WAS NOT REMOVED DURING HIS CONTRACT WITHOUT A GOOD CAUSE.
"SUCH CONSIDERATION OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT APPLY IN REGARD TO APPOINTMENT TO THE POST," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE SAID IN CONSIDERING THE CANDIDATE FOR THE POST, THE GOVERNMENT TOOK ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL FACTORS.
THE PERSON MUST BE OF HIGH PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND WELL-RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITY; HE SHOULD KNOW THE OPERATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT WELL AND YET BE DETACHED FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.
HE SHOULD PREFERABLY BE BILINGUAL, AND SHOULD BE AGED UNDER 65 AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT AS EACH TERM OF APPOINTMENT IS FOR FIVE YEARS.
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RAIDS ON PIRATED COMPACT DISCS ACHIEVE GOOD RESULTS *****
RAIDS CONDUCTED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TO COMBAT THE SMUGGLING OF PIRATED COMPACT DISCS INTO HONG KONG HAVE ACHIEVED GOOD RESULTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID.
LAST YEAR, 315 RAIDS WERE MADE, INCLUDING FIVE MAJOR TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATIONS TO ATTACK THE HAWKING OF PIRATED COMPACT DISCS.
ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE PHONOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY, THE SALE OF LEGITIMATE COMPACT DISCS REBOUNDED BY 90 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF LAST YEAR COMPARED TO A 40 PER CENT DROP IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
/IN A.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
17
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALLEN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR CHAU SAID PROSECUTION ACTIONS IN 60 OF THESE CASES HAD BEEN CONCLUDED AND THE REMAINING CASES WERE PENDING INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION.
HE SAID SUCH SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES HAD INTENSIFIED SINCE EARLY 1993.
BECAUSE THE SOURCES OF SUPPLY ARE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THE CUSTOMS’ EFFORTS HAVE FOCUSED ON INTERCEPTION AT THE BORDER AND DETECTION OF STORAGE AND SALES OUTLETS WITHIN THE TERRITORY.
’’THESE TASKS HAVE PROVED DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE LARGE VOLUME OF CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC AND THE HIGH MOBILITY OF HAWKERS,” MR CHAU SAID.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PIRATED COMPACT DISCS SEIZED AND PERSONS ARRESTED BY CUSTOMS LAST YEAR WERE 93,927 AND 350 RESPECTIVELY, AS COMPARED WITH 10,117 AND 32 IN 1992.
ABOUT PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS ON THE OFFENDERS, MR^CHAU SAID LAST YEAR THE AVERAGE FINE ON EACH COPY OF PIRATED COMPACT tflSC WAS $65.72.
IN ONE CASE THAT INVOLVED 468 DISCS, THE PENALTY WAS 56 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. IN ANOTHER CASE INVOLVING 112 DISCS, THE CONVICTED PERSON WAS PUT ON PROBATION FOR 12 MONTHS. NO CUSTODIAL SENTENCE HAS BEEN IMPOSED.
MR CHAU SAID THE PENALTIES WERE LOW WHEN COMPARED WITH THE STATUTORY MAXIMA OF $1,000 PER PIRATED COPY AND ONE-YEAR IMPRISONMENT SET OUT IN THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES STIPULATED IN THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FORTHCOMING COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF COPYRIGHT LAW ARISING FROM THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS.
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ONLY THREE CONFIRMED LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE CASES IN HK ******
THREE CASES OF LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED UP TO DATE AND ALL HAVE RECOVERED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLYTO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WOULD BE ABLE TO MONITOR BETTER THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS DISEASE IN HONG KONG WHEN THE J^NDMEN TO THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE ORDINANCE REW*R?;RG DISEASE TO BECOME STATUTORY NOTIFIABLE WAS ENACTED LATER THIS MONTH
THE
OR
EARLY NEXT.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE LEGIONELLA BACTERIA ARE NOT PRESENT DEMOLITION OR CONSTRUCTION SITES IN LARGE NUMBERS AND THESE SITES NOT POSE THE HAZARD OF LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE TO WORKERS WORKING IN RESIDENTS DWELLING NEAR THEM.
ON DO OR
/"IN FACT........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
18
"IN FACT, NONE OF THE THREE CASES REPORTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WERE KNOWN TO HAVE CONTRACTED THE INFECTION FROM DEMOLITION OR CONSTRUCTION SITES," MR BLAKE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID DESIGN PRECAUTIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO ELIMINATE POSSIBLE SOURCES OF THIS DISEASE FOR ALL AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SINCE JANUARY 1990.
FRESH WATER, WHICH IS MORE PRONE TO THE RISK OF LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE THAN SALT WATER, IS NOT USED IN NEW AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IN GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION ISSUED A LEAFLET ENTITLED "UNDERSTANDING LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE AND ITS PREVENTION" TO THE PUBLIC IN LATE LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS ALSO SENT BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS TO ITS MEMBERS, AMONG WHOM WERE THOSE IN BUILDING SERVICE RELATED DISCIPLINES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR-CONDITIONING OF LOCAL BUILDINGS.
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MULTIPLE VISIT PERMIT SCHEME WELL-RECEIVED BY TAIWANESE * ♦ * t ♦
TAIWANESE VISITORS HAVE WELL-RECEIVED A SCHEME THAT ALLOWS THEM TO ENTER HONG KONG ON MULTIPLE VISIT PERMITS VALID FOR TWO YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE SCHEME WAS MORE LIBERAL THAN THAT OFFERED TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS BY THE TAIWAN AUTHORITIES.
THE PROCESSING TIME FOR FIRST APPLICANTS NORMALLY TAKES NO MORE THAN SEVEN WORKING DAYS, WHILE APPLICATIONS FOR RENEWAL CAN BE COMPLETED NORMALLY WITHIN TWO WORKING DAYS.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO KEEP THESE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES UNDER REVIEW," HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG.
SINCE SEPARATE IMMIGRATION FIGURES ON TAIWANESE PUBLIC SERVANTS WERE MAINTAINED IN JULY 1990, SEVEN APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY INTO HONG KONG HAVE BEEN REFUSED, ALL IN 1990; THERE WERE NONE IN 1991, 1992 NOR 1993.
MR ASPREY SAID SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING VISA APPLICATIONS WERE:
* WHETHER THE APPLICANT IS A BONA FIDE VISITOR;
* WHETHER THERE IS AN ADVERSE RECORD AGAINST THE APPLICANT;
* WHETHER THERE IS DOUBT ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE DOCUMENTS PRODUCED; AND
t WHETHER THE APPLICANT HAS FAILED TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
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19
SERVICES FOR AUTISTIC PERSONS REPORT COMPLETED ♦ *«»»*
THE WORKING GROUP ON SERVICES FOR AUTISTIC PERSONS HAS COMPLETED ITS DELIBERATIONS AND SUBMITTED A REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT LAST MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (RDCC) WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE REPORT, SHE SAID.
’’SUBJECT TO RDCC ’ S ADVICE, COPIES OF WHICH MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE, ON REQUEST, TO CONCERNED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, PARENTS AND REHABILITATION PERSONNEL.
’’APPROPRIATE PRIORITIES WILL BE GIVEN TO FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED THEREIN,” MRS WONG ADDED.
SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WORKING GROUP, IT MET ON 10 OCCASIONS BETWEEN JANUARY 1992 AND LAST SEPTEMBER.
IT WAS ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED THAT THE GROUP WOULD ONLY NEED TO CONVENE FOUR MEETINGS TO FINISH DELIBERATIONS AND TO COME UP WITH A REPORT IN MID-1992.
"THE MAIN DIFFICULTY WAS TO IDENTIFY ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION AND WORK OUT A REALISTIC TIMEFRAME AT THE OUTSET,” MRS WONG SAID.
SHE WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
------o - - - -- '...........• - - - -
MEASURES IN HAND TO ELIMINATE UNAUTHORISED SEWERAGE CONNECTIONS
*****
VARIOUS MEASURES ARE IN HAND TO ELIMINATE UNAUTHORISED SEWERAGE CONNECTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP, MR EASON SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 8,000 UNAUTHORISED CONNECTIONS TO THE STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND THE FOCUS OF THE MEASURES WAS THE TERRITORY-WIDE PROGRAMME OF THE SEWERAGE MASTERPLAN.
HE SAID PRIORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN IN THE SEWERAGE MASTERPLAN PROGRAMME TO THOSE AREAS WHERE INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES TO THE STORMWATER DRAINS LEAD DIRECTLY INTO THE HARBOUR.
"WHILE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE AT PRESENT TO RECTIFY ALL UNAUTHORISED CONNECTIONS IMMEDIATELY, RECONNECTIONS ARE MADE WHERE PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE,” HE SAID.
DETAILED DESIGN OR PHYSICAL WORK ON SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENTS HAS ALSO STARTED IN EAST KOWLOON, HONG KONG ISLAND SOUTH, NORTH WEST KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, CHAI WAN, SHAU KEI WAN, YUEN LONG, KAM TIN, TOLO HARBOUR, PORT SHELTER AND TUEN MUN.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
20
WORK IN THE REMAINING AREAS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES ACCORDING TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SEWERAGE MASTERPLAN, HE SAID.
APART FROM ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, SOME DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE SET UP INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES (IBMCCS) WHICH IDENTIFY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS CAUSING SEVERE POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION.
"AS FAR AS UNAUTHORISED CONNECTIONS ARE CONCERNED, THE IBMCCS ADVISE FACTORY OWNERS ON THE EXTENT OF THE POLLUTION CAUSED BY THEIR DISCHARGES AND HOW THESE MAY BE CORRECTED.
"THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT CARRIES OUT RECONNECTION WORK AND RECOVERS THE COSTS FROM THE FACTORY OWNERS IF NECESSARY. SOME 700 CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH IN THIS WAY SINCE 1986," HE SAID.
- - 0 -
NEW SPORTS GROUND FOR SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETS
******
A NEW SPORTS GROUND FOR SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETS IS BEING PLANNED AT SIU SAI WAN, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA WING-HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR SO SAID THE NEW VENUE WOULD INCLUDE A 400-METRE EIGHT-LANE ALL-WEATHER SYNTHETIC TRACK, A FULLY COVERED SPECTATOR STAND OF 12,000 SEATS AS WELL AS PARKING SPACES FOR BOTH COACHES AND PUBLIC USE.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN JULY 1996, MR SO SAID.
MEANWHILE, TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED USAGE OF THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND, A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS WERE CARRIED OUT IN OCTOBER 1992. THESE INCLUDED:
♦ INCREASE THE SEATING CAPACITY FROM 800 TO 9,300 WITH THE ERECTION OF TWO ADDITIONAL SPECTATOR STANDS; AND
* PROVIDE MORE TOILET AND CHANGING FACILITIES UNDERNEATH THE NEW SPECTATOR STANDS.
MR SO SAID FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS WOULD ALSO BE MADE TO THE SPORTS GROUND DURING THE MAINTENANCE CLOSURE PERIOD FROM MARCH TO AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE PROJECTS INCLUDE A PERMANENT COVER FOR THE SPECTATOR STAND ON THE WESTERN SIDE FOR ABOUT 4,700 SEATS AS WELL AS RE-SURFACING THE RUNNING TRACK AND RE-ADJUSTING THE LEVEL OF THE GRASS IN-FIELD.
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- 21 -
NURSING HOMES FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS ♦ ♦»«*♦
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH WILL LIAISE CLOSELY WITH OPERATORS OF NURSING HOMES FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS TO CO-ORDINATE THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND TO FACILITATE EFFECTIVE CO-OPERATION AND INTERFACE WITH OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE MAJORITY OF NURSING HOMES WOULD BE RUN BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS WHILE THE RECURRENT OPERATING COSTS WOULD BE FUNDED BY GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
’’SUBJECT TO FINE-TUNING, THE ANNUAL RECURRENT COST FOR SUPPORTING A RESIDENT IN THE NURSING HOMES IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE ORDER OF $107,000 PER ANNUM,” SHE SAID.
’’THIS COMPARES WITH $62,086 AT A CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOME AND $246,760 AT AN INFIRMARY.”
NURSING HOMES ARE NON-HOSPITAL-BASED RESIDENTIAL NURSING CARE FACILITIES WHICH ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO CATER FOR ELDERLY PERSONS WHO, BECAUSE OF THEIR HEALTH CONDITION, CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY CARED FOR AT CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES BUT WHO, ON THE OTHER HAND, DO NOT REQUIRE THE INTENSIVE MEDICAL AND NURSING CARE PROVIDED AT INFIRMARIES.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT EACH NURSING HOME WOULD BE STAFFED BY A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM COMPRISING DOCTORS, NURSES, SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, PERSONAL CARE WORKERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER ANCILLARY STAFF.
ACTUAL PROVISION AND STAFF COMPLEMENT WILL BE DETERMINED IN THE LIGHT OF THE FUNCTIONAL NEEDS AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL HOME, SHE SAID.
------0-------
VETTING FOR CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPLAINED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE VETTING PROCEDURES FOR APPOINTMENTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND MEMBERS OF STATUTORY BODIES.
FOR CIVIL SERVANTS ON FIRST APPOINTMENT, CHECKS ARE MADE AGAINST RECORDS OF POLICE AND INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC), HE SAID.
ADDITIONAL POLICE RECORD CHECKS ARE CARRIED OUT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WHO REQUIRE REGULAR ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, AND FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CERTAIN STATUTORY BODIES.
/FOR CIVIL .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1994
22
FOR CIVIL SERVANTS APPOINTED OR PROMOTED INTO A LIMITED NUMBER OF SENIOR POSTS REQUIRING A HIGH DEGREE OF TRUST, THE OFFICERS CONCERNED, THEIR REFEREES AND SUPERVISING OFFICERS HAVE TO BE INTERVIEWED IN ADDITION TO THE RECORD CHECKS.
MR ASPREY SAID MOST CHECKS WERE COMPLETED IN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS.
"WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT CHECKS ARE PROPERLY AND ACCURATELY CARRIED OUT," HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, SOME 20,000 CHECKS WERE CARRIED OUT.
THERE ARE 10 STAFF IN THE POLICE AND SIX IN ICAC EMPLOYED FULLTIME IN THE CHECKING. BUT OTHER STAFF IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS CARRY OUT SOME OF THIS WORK AS PART OF THEIR NORMAL DUTIES.
THE PROCEDURES WERE SPELT OUT IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
------0 - - - -
LEGCO URGES FOR INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY OVER CIVIL SERVANTS’ WAGE CLAIMS *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) DEFEATED A MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK WHICH SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENTS TO RELEVANT LEGISLATION TO MORE EFFECTIVELY MONITOR THE FARE INCREASES OF THE THREE RAILWAYS.
THE DEBATE LASTED TWO-AND-A-HALF HOURS. TWENTY-TWO MEMBERS SPOKE. THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG ON THE SETTING UP
OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY TO RESOLVE WAGE CLAIMS OF
CIVIL SERVANTS WAS PASSED AFTER ONE HOUR OF DEBATE.
ELEVEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR
THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE
GOVERNMENT.
THE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS 23 MOTIONS MOVED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR LAM WOON-KWONG, UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
AN AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MRS MIRIAM LAU, UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE, WAS PASSED.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
TWO BILLS, IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 AND NOISE CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WERE ALSO PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS
THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WAS INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777 THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR IN LEGCO ............................................... 1
LEGCO AND ACC BRIEFED ON AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME ................ 15
WORK ON HARBOUR SEWERAGE PROJECTS SOON BEGIN ................... 17
AN HONOURABLE SOLUTION FOR ETHNIC MINORITIES URGED ............. 18
TIGHTER CONTROL OF CATEGORY III VIDEOTAPES AND LASERDISCS ... 19
WHOLE-DAY AUCTION OF CAR MARKS ................................. 21
EPCOM RENAMED ACE TO REFLECT WIDER RESPONSIBILITIES ............ 22
THREE MORE HIV-INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED ........................ 23
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS ........................... 24
$10 GOLD COIN OVER-SUBSCRIBED .................................. 25
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR DECEMBER ................................ 25
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS ......................... 27
COOL AND CLOUDY IN DECEMBER .................................... 28
MORE THAN 1,100 YEARS DEDICATED TO EDUCATION ................... 31
SCHOOL QUIZ AND TELEMATCH CONTEST ON AIDS ...................... 31
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
32
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
GOVERNOR IN LEGCO * * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
IN MY POLICY ADDRESS, I SAID THAT ONE OF OUR MAIN PRIORITIES MUST BE TO KEEP HONG KONG’S TRAFFIC MOVING. THIS IS, OF COURSE, VITAL TO OUR ECONOMY AND TO PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD. PARADOXICALLY, IT IS ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INCREASING PERSONAL WEALTH THAT ARE PLACING OUR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER SO MUCH PRESSURE. WE ARE THE VICTIMS OF OUR OWN SUCCESS.
WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THAT 90% OF THE TEN MILLION PASSENGER TRIPS MADE IN THE TERRITORY EACH DAY ARE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT. LEVELS OF PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP ARE LOW COMPARED WITH OTHER PLACES. WE ARE ALSO FORTUNATE THAT, TAKEN OVERALL, OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM FUNCTIONS EFFICIENTLY, OFFERS A WIDE CHOICE TO TRAVELLERS AT REASONABLE FARES, AND REQUIRES NO DIRECT PUBLIC SUBSIDY. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT WE CAN AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT. BUT WE CAN JUSTIFIABLY BE PROUD OF TRANSPORT FACILITIES WHICH ARE THE ENVY OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN ASIA AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF INCREASING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, WE WILL BE KEEPING THE TRAFFIC MOVING IN THREE WAYS:
(A) FIRST, WE WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE -$9 BILLION IS TO BE SPENT NEXT YEAR COMPARED WITH $7 BILLION THIS YEAR AND $4 BILLION LAST;
(B) SECOND, WE WILL PROMOTE THE EXPANSION AND UPGRADING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO MEET RISING PUBLIC
ASPIRATIONS - AND HERE I HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THE FUTURE EXTENSION OF THE RAIL SYSTEM WHICH HAS SUCH OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES IN HONG KONG’S CROWDED ENVIRONMENT AS AN EFFICIENT, NON-POLLUTING MOVER OF PEOPLE; AND
(C) THIRD, WE WILL IMPROVE ROAD MANAGEMENT SO AS TO DERIVE THE MAXIMUM RETURN FROM OUR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PROGRAMME - FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH CONTINUING TO IMPLEMENT AND UPGRADE COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS. THESE HAVE IMPROVED THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN SOME AREAS BY UP TO 30%.
/IN HONG .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 2 -
IN HONG KONG, AS IN THE PAST, WE MUST FACE UP TO OUR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND FIND SOLUTIONS. WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN ON THE DUAL THREE LANE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WHICH WILL BRING LASTING BENEFITS TO CROSS HARBOUR TRAVELLERS. WE HAVE RECENTLY COMMITTED OURSELVES TO BUILDING THE $3 BILLION TING KAU BRIDGE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN SO AS TO EASE TRAVEL BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREA. AND WE HAVE INVITED BIDS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUILD THE REMAINDER OF THE ROUTE THREE COUNTRY PARK SECTION UNDER A FRANCHISE ARRANGEMENT. THIS WILL RELIEVE THE TUEN MUN ROAD AND GREATLY IMPROVE TRANSPORT LINKS BETWEEN THE BORDER AND THE CONTAINER PORT.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS NOT UNIQUE TO HONG KONG. IT IS A DISEASE THAT PLAGUES MOST MAJOR CITIES. SO FAR WE HAVE COPED BETTER THAN MOST. BUT KEEPING HONG KONG TRAFFIC MOVING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY WILL BE A MAJOR CHALLENGE. IT MUST BE ADDRESSED BOLDLY AND IMAGINATIVELY IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND OUR EASE OF MOVEMENT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST SUBSTANTIALLY IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE WHILE RECOGNISING THAT THERE ARE NATURAL LIMITS ON WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED, PARTICULARLY IN THE OLDER URBAN AREAS. WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE FLEET IS NOT ALLOWED TO GROW AT SUCH A PACE THAT IT LEADS TO AN UNACCEPTABLE DETERIORATION IN AIR QUALITY. IN PARTICULAR, THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS, WHILE STARTING FROM A RELATIVELY LOW BASE, HAS INCREASED VERY SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS. GROWTH OF THIS MAGNITUDE CANNOT BE SUSTAINED INDEFINITELY.
IN DEALING WITH THESE AND OTHER TRANSPORT PROBLEMS WE WILL BE FACED WITH DIFFICULT CHOICES, BALANCING THE INTERESTS OF VEHICLE OWNERS AND THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. IN THE PERIOD AHEAD, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE LOOKING TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING IN REACHING DECISIONS WHICH WILL BEST SERVE THE FUTURE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF HONG KONG.
THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT.
MR VINCENT CHENG: THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. GOVERNOR, I HAVE A QUESTION WHICH YOU HAVE NOT COVERED. IT’S ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR THE UNDER PRIVILEGED, I MEAN THE SEVERELY DISABLED AND THE SEVERELY MENTALLY RETARDED. I’M NOT SURE WHETHER I WILL BE RULED OUT OF ORDER BUT I’D BETTER MAKE SOME QUESTION ON THAT. AT THE MOMENT WE ADOPT A WEALTHY APPROACH, WHICH IS TO HAVE A VOLUNTARY AGENCY RUNNING A REHAB BUS AND THE REHAB BUSES ARE REALLY DONATED BY CORPORATIONS. THIS SORT OF, IF I MAY CALL IT, BACK AND BOW APPROACH HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES WE NEED AND WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY TURN AWAY REQUESTS. I AM JUST WONDERING WHETHER THE GOVERNOR WOULD RECONSIDER THIS APPROACH TO THOSE WHO CANNOT GET ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES TO THIS TYPE OF PEOPLE? THANK YOU.
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
3
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN WILL KNOW THAT THIS IS A SUBJECT IN WHICH I’VE TAKEN A CLOSE PERSONAL INTEREST, NOT LEAST BECAUSE IT’S BEEN RAISED WITH ME AT PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT I’VE HELD BOTH IN 1992 AND IN 1993, FOLLOWING MY POLICY ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL. AFTER THE EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN AT MEETINGS IN 1992, I HELD A MEETING IN DECEMBER 1992, WITH BOTH REPRESENTATIVES OF DISABLED GROUPS AND WITH THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND WITH OTHERS WHO ARE CONCERNED IN THIS AREA. I THINK IT WAS GENERALLY REGARDED AS BEING A HELPFUL MEETING ON BOTH SIDES. I THOUGHT THE INTELLIGENCE AND MODERATION OF THE REQUESTS MADE BY THOSE REPRESENTING THE DISABLED WERE VERY IMPRESSIVE. I ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS THEMSELVES WERE OBVIOUSLY KEEN TO RESPOND AS CONSTRUCTIVELY AS POSSIBLE.
WE’RE HAVING A FURTHER MEETING IN, I THINK IT’S FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, CERTAINLY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, AT WHICH WE’RE GOING TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS MADE SINCE THE LAST MEETING IN DECEMBER. AND THERE IS SOME PROGRESS TO REPORT. PROGRESS IN THE COMMITMENTS MADE BY THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY COMPANY, PROGRESS IN THE COMMITMENTS MADE BY THE MTRC, NOT LEAST IN LOOKING AT THE DESIGN FOR THE NEW AIRPORT RAILWAY, PROGRESS IN THE EFFORTS MADE BY SOME OF OUR BUS COMPANIES TO PROVIDE BETTER FOR THE DISABLED, THOUGH WE KNOW THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS WHICH BUS COMPANIES HAVE IN THIS RESPECT.
AS FOR REHAB BUS SERVICES, TWO TYPES OF SERVICES SCHEDULE AND ’DIAL A RIDE', ARE NOW AVAILABLE. I’M TOLD THAT THE SCHEDULE SERVICE WILL BE EXPANDED WITH THE ADDITION OF FOUR ROUTES A YEAR BETWEEN 1993/94 AND 1997/98 AND THE 'DIAL A RIDE’ SERVICE WILL ALSO BE IMPROVED WITH THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL VEHICLES. I CAN ASSURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER THAT THIS IS A SUBJECT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE FURTHER PROGRESS AFTER THE NEXT MEETING BETWEEN THE GROUPS THAT I MENTIONED. ONE VERY POSITIVE, PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT THAT’S BEEN MADE IS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE THE PUBLICATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS’ GUIDE TO HELP THE DISABLED PLAN THEIR TRIPS AND THAT CAME OUT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, ON 30 DECEMBER. I THINK COPIES HAVE SINCE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL DISABLED GROUPS AND I THINK THEY FOUND THEM VERY HELPFUL.
MR DAVID LI: SIR, WILL YOU PLEASE ADVISE THIS COUNCIL HOW THE RECENT INCREASE IN TAXI RATE CAN BE JUSTIFIED WHEN NO MEASURES APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN WHICH ENSURE BETTER QUALITY OF SERVICE FOR TAXI USERS?
GOVERNOR: AS I’M SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW, THE QUESTION OF TAXI FARES WAS REFERRED TO THE TAC, TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL AND IT WAS ONLY AFTER THEIR ADVICE HAD BEEN TAKEN THAT THE INCREASE IN FARES WAS AGREED. BUT WHILE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT TAXI FARES WAS TAKING PLACE I THINK EVERYBODY WAS AWARE OF INCREASED CONCERN BEING EXPRESSED, BOTH ABOUT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AND ABOUT THE WAY THAT PROVISION IS CURRENTLY ORGANISED, THE WAY THAT TAXIS ARE LICENCED. NOW THIS COUNCIL HAS BEGUN TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE WITH ITS AGREEMENT TO REGULATIONS WHICH ENSURE THAT FROM NOW ON, OR FROM A MONTH OR SO’S TIME, TAXIS WILL CARRY A PLATE AND A LICENCE WHICH WILL ENABLE UNSATISFIED CUSTOMERS TO IDENTIFY MORE CLEARLY WHO'S BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR A BAD SERVICE. WE’VE ALSO SEEN INCREASED ACTIVITY BY THE POLICE IN ENFORCING EXISTING REGULATIONS AND I HOPE THAT THAT TOO WILL IMPROVE LEVELS OF SERVICE. BUT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THE PUBLIC WILL LOOK TO IMPROVED SERVICES AS THE PRINCIPAL JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY FUTURE INCREASE IN FARES, PARTICULARLY WHEN SO MANY OF OUR CITIZENS DEPEND ON TAXIS, NOT JUST FOR AN OCCASIONAL RETURN HOME BUT FOR A REGULAR MOVEMENT AROUND THE TERRITORY.
/MR LAU .....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
4 - v ,•
MR LAU WONG-FAT (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PRESIDENT, IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE MORE AND MORE FREIGHT MOVEMENT ACROSS THE BORDER. NOW, WE HAVE LAND TRANSPORT LINKS BUT WE KNOW THAT OUR CROSS-BORDER CONTROL POINTS ARE VERY BUSY. I WONDER WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONSIDERED HAVING A MEETING WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES TO SEE WHETHER THE FOURTH LINK, OR FOURTH CONTROL POINT, CAN BE OPENED TO COPE WITH FUTURE DEMAND IN THIS REGARD?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THERE ARE TWO ISSUES THAT ARISE FROM THAT QUESTION. THE FIRST IS THE HOURS AT WHICH EXISTING CROSSING POINTS ARE OPEN AND THE SECOND IS WHETHER WE SHOULD IMPROVE LINKS - AND TRANSPORT LINKS -BETWEEN THE MAINLAND AND HONG KONG, AND PERHAPS I CAN DEAL WITH THOSE IN THAT ORDER.
FIRST OF ALL, AS I AM SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW, WE HAVE PROPOSED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES A TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR OPENING AT ONE OF THE CROSSINGS, A TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR OPENING WITH AT LEAST A COUPLE OF KIOSKS OPEN RIGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT. WE THINK THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND WOULD HELP TO SMOOTH OUT SOME OF THE PEAKS IN DEMAND AT THE MOMENT AND DEAL WITH SOME OF THE REAL TRANSPORT BLOCKAGES THAT EXIST. THE CHINESE HAVE NOT ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL FOR TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR OPENING AT LOK MA CHAU. THEY HAVE SAID THAT THERE ARE RESOURCE PROBLEMS ON THEIR SIDE BUT THEY HAVE OFFERED TO RECONSIDER THE ISSUE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. I THINK THE COUNCIL SHOULD RECOGNISE THAT THE RESOURCE PROBLEMS ARE MORE CONSIDERABLE FOR THEM BECAUSE OF THE PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE OF SHENZHEN AND BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMS POINTS THEY HAVE AROUND THEIR BORDER. BUT I DO HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS ON THAT ISSUE, AN ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN RAISED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITH THE PRC AUTHORITIES BY GROUPS REPRESENTING HONG KONG BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, LIKE, I THINK, THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIES. SO, FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE PREPARED AND WISH TO SEE LONGER OPENING HOURS AT OUR BORDER-CROSSINGS AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS ON THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
SECONDLY, PERHAPS I CAN DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF ADDITIONAL ROUTES, NORTH-SOUTH, ACROSS THE BORDER. IT. SEEMS TO ME THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE BOTH FOR OUR OWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FORi THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA, TO SECURE BETTER RAIL LINKS, NORTHSOUTH, BETWEEN HONG KONG, BETWEEN OUR CONTAINER PORT AND BETWEEN THE PRC. I THINK THAT THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD IN THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, ON WHICH AT PRESENT WE ARE OF COURSE CONSULTING, ARE PARTICULARLY PERSUASIVE IN THIS REGARD. I THINK IN PARTICULAR, THAT TO SEE MORE FREIGHT TRAVELLING NORTH-SOUTH ON RAILWAYS RATHER THAN ON BUSY ROADS IS VERY IMPORTANT. WE KNOW THAT THE PRC THEMSELVES HAVE MADE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE RAIL SYSTEM ON THE MAINLAND AND I HOPE VERY MUCH THEREFORE THAT THEY WILL WELCOME OUR ATTEMPTS TO DO THE SAME IN HONG KONG.
ONCE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY HAS BEEN COMPLETED, WE WILL WANT TO COME TO THIS COUNCIL AND TO GO TO OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES, WITH THOUGHTS ON THE WAY FORWARD, AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN GET A MOVE ON WITH THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO OUR ECONOMIC CONVERGENCY WITH CHINA BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES WHO HAVE VERY STRONG VIEWS ABOUT THE PROVISION OF BETTER RAILWAY FACILITIES IN THAT PART OF THE TERRITORY.
/MR MARVIN . .....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 5 -
MR MARVIN CHEUNG: SIR, IN THE LIGHT OF THE SEVERE CONGESTION IN THE EXISTING MTR SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD SECTION, WHEN, IN THE OPINION OF THE GOVERNMENT, IS THE FINAL DATE BEYOND WHICH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MTR ROUTE ALONG THE WESTERN SECTION OF KOWLOON PENINSULAR CANNOT BE DEFERRED WITHOUT JEOPARDISING THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS USING THE NATHAN ROAD SECTION OF THE MTR LINE?
GOVERNOR: I WANT TO SEE US ABLE TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THE RAILWAY SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUILDING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS QUITE RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILWAY WILL NOT ONLY SECURE THE SORT OF ACCESS WHICH ANY MODERN CITY SHOULD WANT TO A NEW AIRPORT, BUT WILL ALSO RELIEVE CONGESTION AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE. AND I THINK THAT THE IMPACT ON THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR OF THE LOOSELY DESCRIBED 'AIRPORT RAILWAY’ IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT SIDE EFFECTS, BENEFICIAL SIDE EFFECTS, OF THAT INVESTMENT.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE LOOKED, AS AN ADMINISTRATION, AT WHETHER THERE IS A CASE FOR HAVING A NUMBER OF BITES AT THE RAILWAY AND FOR INVESTING IN SMALLER PARTS OF THE OVERALL SCHEME BECAUSE OF THEIR LOCAL BENEFICIAL EFFECTS RATHER THAN WAITING UNTIL WE CAN GET ON WITH THE WHOLE SCHEME. I HAVE TO SAY' THAT I THINK OUR JUDGMENT IS THAT TO TAKE ONE PART OF THE SCHEME AT A TIME WOULD NOT MAKE VERY' GOOD SENSE. I DON’T THINK, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WE COULD JUSTIFY NATHAN ROAD RELIEF IN ECONOMIC OR IN OTHER TERMS AND USE THAT AS A REASON FOR JUST GOING AHEAD WITH THAT PART OF THE RAILWAY REGARDLESS OF OUR ABILITY TO LINK UP WITH THE AIRPORT, BUT WE WILL OBVIOUSLY KEEP THIS UNDER REVIEW.
I JUST REPEAT WHAT I SAID AT THE OUTSET. THE SOONER WE CAN HAVE AN OVERALL AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, AS ON THE AIRPORT ITSELF, THE BETTER. THE BETTER FOR HONG KONG TODAY AND THE BETTER FOR HONG KONG TOMORROW. THE BETTER, IF I MAY SAY SO WITHOUT BEING GUILTY OF LAIZE MAJESTE, THE BETTER FOR THE SAR GOVERNMENT IN DUE COURSE.
MR MOSES CHENG (THROUGH INTERPRETER): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. RECENTLY THE NUMBER OF CARS IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN SOARING AND IN THE PAST THE GOVERNMENT ADOPTED FISCAL MEASURES TO SUPPRESS THE GROWTH OF VEHICLES BUT IT SHOWED THAT ONLY SHORT-TERM EFFECTS WERE ACHIEVED. NOW THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO CONSIDER FISCAL MEASURES AGAIN, LIKE TAXATION IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CARS. MR GOVERNOR, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS IS ONLY A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION. WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT STILL CONSIDER THIS KIND OF FISCAL MEASURES?
GOVERNOR: THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS RAISED A QUESTION WHICH I GUESS WILL PROVOKE INCREASINGLY LIVELY, I WOULD USE THE ADJECTIVE ACRIMONIOUS DID I NOT HAVE AS MUCH RESPECT AS I DO FOR MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, INCREASINGLY LIVELY DEBATE IN THE YEARS AHEAD BECAUSE HONG KONG FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS IS GOING TO FACE BIGGER AND BIGGER PROBLEMS IN RELATION TO CAR OWNERSHIP.
/THE LAST........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
6
THE LAST MAJOR STUDY WE DID WHICH SHOWED SOME OF THE HAZARDS INVOLVED IN PREDICTING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN HONG KONG, THE LAST MAJOR STUDY WE DID SUGGESTED THAT CAR OWNERSHIP WOULD BE GROWING IiN THE TERRITORY BY ABOUT 5% A YEAR. WELL, THE TRUTH IS THAT IT'S BEEN GROWING AT ABOUT 10% A YEAR. THE LAST FIGURES WE HAD SUGGESTED GROWTH OF NEARLY 12% IN 1992. WE’VE ALREADY EXCEEDED THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE VEHICLES THAT WE’D ORIGINALLY FORECAST FOR 1996 AND WE’VE EXCEEDED THEM BY A MARGIN OF OVER 40,000. WE PASSED THAT FIGURE IN NOVEMBER, 1993. ALL THOSE FACTS ARE A CONSEQUENCE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, THE SAME ECONOMIC GROWTH WHICH IS MAKING US CHANGE OUR TELEPHONE NUMBERING ONCE AGAIN, ONLY A FEW YEARS AFTER CHANGING IT FOR THE LAST TIME.
HONG KONG NEVERTHELESS STILL HAS LOW CAR OWNERSHIP IN RELATION TO THE SIZE OF OUR POPULATION BUT THE FIGURES ARE PRETTY DEVASTATING IN RELATION TO THE NUMBER OF ROADS WE HAVE. PER KILOMETRE OF ROADS, THE NUMBER OF CARS AND OF ALL VEHICLES RANKS AMONGST THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD. 160 FOR CARS, 270 PER KILOMETRE FOR ALL VEHICLES. THOSE ARE VERY LARGE FIGURES AND FIGURES WHICH ARE GROWING EXPONENTIALLY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES. WE CAN’T SHRUG OFF THAT PROBLEM AND I DON’T THINK THERE’S ANYBODY WHO SERIOUSLY THINKS THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS IT SIMPLY BY BUILDING MORE ROADS. IF ONE TURNS THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG INTO A ROUNDABOUT I SUPPOSE THAT ONE MIGHT BE ABLE TO REDUCE THE FIGURES IN A ACCEPTABLE WAY BUT I DON’T THINK HONG KONG WOULD IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES BE AN ACCEPTABLE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE IN. SO, WHAT DO WE DO IF WE WANT TO DEAL WITH’ THE PROBLEM? THOSE WHO HAVE CARS ARE ALWAYS OF COURSE PRETTY VIGOROUS IN THEIR BELIEF IN THE USE OF ECONOMIC OR OTHER MECHANISMS TO DETER OTHER PEOPLE FROM GETTING CARS AS WELL, BUT WE DO HAVE TO FACE UP TO THE ISSUE.
THE OPTIONS ARE CLEAR, WE CAN INTRODUCE PRICING MECHANISMS WHICH WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO PURCHASE CARS OR MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO USE THEM WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT. SO WE CAN INTRODUCE HIGHER TAXES ON CAR OWNERSHIP OR, DARE I MENTION THE WORDS IN THIS CHAMBER, WE CAN GO BACK TO THE QUESTION OF ROAD PRICING WHICH I KNOW CAUSED SO MUCH INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT A FEW YEARS AGO. THERE’S AT LEAST ONE RETIRED SENIOR OFFICIAL OF THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION WHO I THINK WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE US VERY CRISP ADVICE ON THAT ISSUE. IF WE DON’T USE THE PRICE MECHANISM WHICH WOULD BE HONG KONG’S CUSTOMARY WAY OF TACKLING THESE PROBLEMS, WHAT ELSE IS AVAILABLE? WELL, WE COULD INTRODUCE THE SORT OF PHYSICAL CONTROLS THAT EXIST IN OTHER PLACES. WE COULD BAN CARS FROM PARTS OF OUR URBAN AREA, OR WE COULD INTRODUCE A DIFFERENT SORT OF CONTROL SYSTEM, SUCH AS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FLIRTED WITH, AND BAN CERTAIN SORTS OF VEHICLE FROM PARTS OF OUR URBAN AREA AT GIVEN TIMES. THAT’S PRETTY WELL THE RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES SHORT OF DISINVENTING THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WHICH ISN’T ACTUALLY AN AVAILABLE OPTION. UNLESS WE FACE UP TO ONE OF THOSE OPTIONS WE REALLY WILL FIND THAT HONG KONG MOVES, PERHAPS MOVES IS THE WRONG WORD, BUT HONG KONG GOES INEVITABLY TOWARDS COMPLETE GRIDLOCK IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
THERE’S ASCERTAIN AMOUNT MORE WE CAN DO TO BUILD NEW ROADS AND TUNNELS. WE’RE COMMITTED TO BUILDING GETTING ON FOR 100 KILOMETRES MORE ROAD BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 BUT THERE COMES A POINT WHERE EVEN THE MOST ACTIVE AND IMAGINATIVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, WHERE EVEN BUILDING MORE ROADS, WHERE EVEN BUILDING MORE INFRASTRUCTURE IN GENERAL WON’T DEAL WITH A SERIOUS SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM AND AT THAT POINT POLITICIANS WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE THE SORT OF LEADERSHIP WHICH I’M AFRAID DOESN’T ALWAYS GUARANTEE POPULARITY.
/MR STEVEN .......
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MR STEVEN POON (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS ALWAYS HAVE FARE INCREASES. PUBLIC OPERATIONS LIKE THE RAILWAY CORPORATIONS CITE INFLATION AS THE REASON FOR FARE INCREASE, THEN PRIVATE COMPANIES SAY THAT THEIR PROFITS HAVE NOT REACHED A SATISFACTORY LEVEL, SO THEY HAVE INCREASES. SO THE CONSEQUENCE IS THIS, OUR TRAVELLING EXPENSES ARE RISING, SO THERE IS INFLATION PUSHED UP AS WELL. MR GOVERNOR, HAS THE GOVERNMENT REVIEWED THE PRESENT SYSTEM, CONSIDERING A NEW METHOD TO MONITOR THESE TRANSPORT OPERATORS, TO MONITOR THEIR FARE INCREASES TO SEE IF THEY ARE REASONABLE AND THEN TO JUDGE WHETHER THE CITIZENS CAN SHOULDER THESE INCREASES EVERY YEAR? THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: WE ARE AWARE, NOT LEAST BECAUSE OF YESTERDAY’S DEBATE, BUT AS A RESULT OF OTHER DEBATES AS WELL, WE ARE AWARE OF THE INTEREST OF THIS COUNCIL AND OF THE INTEREST OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN THE QUESTION OF THE FARES CHARGED BY THE MTRC AND THE KCRC, OF COURSE WE’RE AWARE OF THAT BUT WE’RE ALSO AWARE OF THE PHILOSOPHY ON WHICH OUR RAILWAY COMPANIES WERE ESTABLISHED. A PHILOSOPHY WHICH HAS ENABLED THEM, I THINK IT’S GENERALLY RECOGNISED TO BE A FACT, TO OPERATE JUST ABOUT THE BEST PUBLIC RAILWAY SYSTEM ANYWHERE IN THE REGION AND ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM PRIVATE TRANSPORT OPERATORS, THEY’RE NOT UNDER PRESSURE TO MAXIMISE PROFITS, THEY ARE UNDER PRESSURE TO GIVE A QUALITY SERVICE AND TO INVEST HEAVILY IN ITS IMPROVEMENT AND THE ABILITY TO SET FARES WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO ENABLE THEM TO BORROW MONEY, TO INVEST IN THE SERVICE, THEIR ABILITY TO SET FARES WITHOUT THE SORT OF POLITICAL CONTROLS THAT YOU MENTION IS I THINK AT THE HEART OF THEIR OPERATING STRATEGY.
WE COULD EASILY POLITICISE THE BUSINESS OF FARE SETTING AND THEN WE COULD HAVE A RAILWAY SYSTEM AS GOOD OR AS BAD AS SOME OF THOSE THAT EXIST IN WESTERN EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA. I DON’T THINK THAT IS A DIRECTION IN WHICH THIS COUNCIL WOULD WANT US TO GO. WHAT’S INTERESTING IS TO LOOK AT HOW ’’INFLATIONARY” THE FARE INCREASES CHARGED BY THE KCRC AND THE MTRC HAVE BEEN OVER THE YEARS. THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY HAS FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS ASKED FOR FARE INCREASES WHICH WERE LOWER THAN THE INCREASE IN THE OVERALL LEVEL OF INFLATION. THEY’VE DONE THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE MTRC HAS AN EVEN LONGER RECORD OF DOING THAT, FOR THIRTEEN YEARS THEY’VE ASKED FOR FARE INCREASES WHICH WERE LOWER THAN THE INCREASE IN THE OVERALL RATE OF INFLATION. I’M BOUND TO SAY THAT IF EVERY PROVIDER OF SERVICES IN HONG KONG, IF EVERY PRODUCER OF GOODS IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN ABLE TO OFFER THAT, WE’D HAVE A MUCH BETTER INFLATION RECORD AND WOULD BE EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. NONE OF THAT MEANS THAT THE RAILWAY CORPORATIONS SHOULDN’T BE IN A POSITION IN WHICH THEY HAVE TO JUSTIFY TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND TO THIS COUNCIL WHAT THEY’RE DOING. WE’RE ENCOURAGING THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR LIAISON WITH THEIR PASSENGERS, WE’RE ENCOURAGING THEM TO BE MORE OPEN ABOUT THEIR FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW ABOUT THE OBLIGATION THAT WE’RE PLACING ON THEM IN THAT REGARD. WE’RE, AS YOU KNOW, WE’VE DECIDED THAT THE OMBUDSMAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THEIR SERVICES AS WELL AS THOSE PROVIDED ELSEWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND I.’.M PREPARED TO GO FURTHER THAN THAT, FOR EXAMPLE IT’S BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE A LOOK AT OUR RAILWAY CORPORATIONS AS WELL. I’M PREPARED TO LOOK AT THAT SORT OF PROPOSAL BUT I DON’T THINK I WOULD BE DOING, I DON’T THINK THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE DOING THE COMMUNITY A SERVICE IF WE WERE TO AGREE TO ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WOULD TURN THE DECISION ON FARE INCREASES EVERY YEAR INTO A POLITICAL FOOTBALL. I DON’T THINK THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE, I THINK IT WOULD THREATEN A SERVICE WHICH, WHILE NOT PERFECT, WHO IS PERFECT?, WHILE NOT PERFECT IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE BEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD.
/MR W S .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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MR W S LAU (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, AT PRESENT THERE IS A GREAT SHORTAGE OF PARKING SPACES AND THIS IS NOT IN PROPORTION TO THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS THAT WE HAVE, EITHER IN PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES OR IN PRIVATE CAR PARKS. WE SEE A BIG JUMP IN THE PARKING FEES THEY ARE CHARGING AND THIS HAS BECOME A BIG FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR OUR PRIVATE CAR OWNERS. I WONDER WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE SQUARELY AND WHAT MEASURES WILL BE ADOPTED TO SUPPRESS THESE CHARGES INCREASING?
GOVERNOR: OUR EXISTING PLANNING GUIDELINES, LIKE THOSE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, DO OF COURSE TAKE ACCOUNT OF PARKING DEMAND WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT APPROVAL FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS, WHETHER COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS OR HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, PERHAPS TO GIVE THOSE GUIDELINES MORE SENSIBLE AND UP TO DATE PARAMETERS WITHIN WHICH TO OPERATE, WE ARE UNDERTAKING A REVIEW OF PARKING DEMAND AND AS SOON AS THAT IS AVAILABLE, THOUGH I THINK IT WILL BE ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT IS, WE WILL SHARE THE RESULTS OF THAT SURVEY ON PARKING DEMAND WITH THIS COUNCIL, WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT THAT SURVEY OF PARKING DEMAND MAY WELL AFFECT OUR VIEW ON PARKING GUIDELINES AND AFFECT OUR VIEW ON THE REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER FOR CAR OWNERSHIP, THOUGH I THINK THAT IF PEOPLE HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN USING UP OUR SCARCE LAND FOR CAR-PARKING SPACES OR FOR PROVIDING MORE FLATS FOR THOSE WITHOUT THEM, THEY MAY WELL COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE LATTER IS THE PRIORITY.
I WOULD BE VERY RELUCTANT TO GO. FURTHER THAN THAT, AND VERY RELUCTANT TO INTERVENE IN MARKET OPERATIONS. I DON’T THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE ITSELF THE JOB OF SETTING OR DETERMINING THE PRICES FOR CAR-PARKING SPACES THAT ARE PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I THINK AS SLIPPERY-SLOPES GO, THAT ONE IS QUITE SLIPPERY AND PRETTY STEEP. BUT NEVERTHELESS, I KNOW, NOT LEAST FROM LETTERS PRESENTED TO ME AS I ENTERED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE AMOUNT OF CONCERN THERE IS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON A NUMBER OF ESTATES AND I AM SURE THAT WHERE THERE IS CONCERN THAT MARKET FORCES ARE BEING STRETCHED BEYOND NORMAL BOUNDS OF ELASTICITY, HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL MAKE IT CLEAR TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS THAT THAT IS THE VIEW OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
MR ROGER LUK (THROUGH INTERPRETER): GOVERNOR, AT THE EARLIER MOMENTS WHEN WE DEVELOPED THE NEW TOWNS THERE WERE VERY FEW OUTSIDE TRANSPORT LINKS FOR THE RESIDENTS. WHAT MEASURES WILL THE ADMINISTRATION ADOPT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN FUTURE WHEN WE HAVE NEW TOWNS BUILT ON LANTAU THERE WILL NOT BE THE SAME PROBLEM REPEATED?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM ON LANTAU SHOULD BE LESS THAN THAT WHICH IS FACED BY THOSE LIVING IN NEW TOWNS, IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES IN PARTICULAR, BECAUSE THE RAILWAY WHICH SERVES THE NEW AIRPORT WILL BE GOING IN AT THE SAME TIME OR EVEN BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW LIVING ACCOMMODATION AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THAT WOULD - WITH ASSOCIATED BUS FEEDER SERVICES - I WOULD HOPE THAT THAT WOULD DEAL WITH THE MAJOR TRANSPORT PROBLEMS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
/BUT THE .......
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BUT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS HAS, TO A DEGREE, GONE AHEAD OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO MAKE THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NEW TOWNS AS EASY AS IT SHOULD BE. I THINK THERE ARE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS FACED BY THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES BUT WORK IN KOWLOON OR ON THIS ISLAND AND HAVE DIFFICULT JOURNEYS TO WORK EVERYDAY. IT IS CERTAINLY A POINT WHICH IS EXPRESSED TO ME FAIRLY REGULARLY BY THOSE WHO REPRESENT THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES AND IT IS A POINT THAT IS MADE TO ME WHEN I VISIT THE NEW TERRITORIES AS WELL.
THERE ARE - AND IT MAY BE, I GUESS, THE SUBJECT OF A LATER QUESTION - THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IN ORDER TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROUTE THREE - OF THE COUNTRY PARKS SECTION OF ROUTE THREE - IS IMPORTANT. THE DEVELOPMENT OR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY IS RELEVANT. THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR RAILWAY SYSTEM, NOT LEAST, AS ADVOCATED BY MANY, WITH LINKS ROUND TO TUEN MUN, THAT IS IMPORTANT AS WELL. THE DEVELOPMENT OF FASTER DIRECT FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TUEN MUN IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR. AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUS SERVICES AND THOSE FERRY SERVICES TOO, HAS TO BE TAKEN ACCOUNT OF. SO THOSE ARE ALL PRACTICAL THINGS WE CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE A PROBLEM IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES WHICH 1 KNOW HAS BOTH SOCIAL EFFECTS AND, I WOULD JUDGE, ECONOMIC EFFECTS AS WELL.
MR HENRY TANG: GOVERNOR, MY QUESTION CONCERNS CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS. SINCE THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IN 1989, WE ARE AT OR NEAR ITS CAPACITY TODAY, FOUR YEARS LATER. YESTERDAY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IN ANSWERING ONE OF THE QUESTIONS SAID THAT LONG TERM TRAFFIC, CROSS HARBOUR TRAFFIC SOLUTION LIES TN THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING DUE TO OPEN IN 1997. NOW, IF WE DEVELOP ECONOMICALLY LIKE THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT STUDY THAT’S BEEN COMING OUT, I ENVISAGE THAT WE PROBABLY MIGHT REACH ITS CAPACITY BY THE YEAR, LET’S SAY 2002, WHICH IS FIVE YEARS AFTER ITS SCHEDULED OPENING. NOW IN ORDER NOT TO BECOME ANOTHER TIME A VICTIM OF OUR OWN SUCCESS, AND TO KEEP OUR TRAFFIC MOVING LIKE YOU SAID STR, IS THERE A FOURTH HARBOUR CROSSING TN YOUR VISION AND IF NOT, WHY NOT? AND NOW THAT I’VE ASKED YOU ABOUT IT, WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT IT?
GOVERNOR: AFTER OUR EXPERIENCE OF LEGISLATING FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING I’M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO THINK ABOUT IT BUT I HOPE I DON’T HAVE TO LEGISLATE FOR IT.
/THE HONOURABLE .......
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THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS QUITE RIGHT, THOUGH I THINK HE PERHAPS RAISES INADVERTENTLY THE PROBLEMS SOMETIMES ASSOCIATED WITH LINEAR PROJECTION, OR WITH ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT EXPONENTIAL GROWTH. BUT HE’S RIGHT FIRST OF ALL IN POINTING OUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH OUR EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR LINKS ARE INADEQUATE. THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IS USED BY ABOUT 180,000 VEHICLES EACH DAY. IT’S OPERATING, I THINK I’M RIGHT IN SAYING, ABOUT 20% BEYOND ITS CAPACITY. THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS ALSO BEING EXTENSIVELY USED. IT’S USED BY ABOUT 87,000 VEHICLES A DAY AND THOSE FIGURES WILL INCREASE SLIGHTLY, THOUGH ANY INCREASE WHEN YOU’RE ALREADY CONGESTED IS SIGNIFICANT. THOSE FIGURES WILL INCREASE SLIGHTLY BECAUSE OF THE NECESSARY PHASING OUT (I MUST LEARN HOW TO PUT THIS IN MY EAR) THE NECESSARY PHASING OUT OF THE CENTRAL-JORDAN VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE. THE IMMEDIATE ANSWER IS TO COMPLETE THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND I’M SURE THAT THAT WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL EFFECT ON THE PRESSURE ON THE OTHER TWO CROSSINGS, THE OTHER TWO TUNNELS. IF I MAY JUST SAY IN PARENTHESIS, I RECALL THAT THERE WERE THOSE WHO VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, ONE OR TWO OF THEM ARE STILL AMONG THE RANKS OF THOSE WHO CRITICISE THE BUILDING OF THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WHICH PERHAPS PUTS THEIR CRITICISM IN CURRENT CONTEXT. WE’VE ALSO TN ADDITION TO COMPLETING THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, GOT AS WE ARE, GOT TO TAKE, AS WE’RE DOING, GOT TO TAKE MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN RELATION TO BOTH THE EXISTING TUNNELS. WE’VE TAKEN A NUMBER OF MEASURES SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF MORE LIGHTS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHICH HAVE MADE A BIT OF AN IMPACT THOUGH THERE’S A LIMIT TO WHAT ONE CAN DO. WE’VE, I THINK, ON THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, NOW IN THE EVENINGS GOT THREE FILES OF TRAFFIC MOVING FROM THE ISLAND BACK TO KOWLOON WHICH MEANS THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MOVE MORE RAPIDLY IN THAT DIRECTION. THOSE ARE ALL LIMITED MEASURES THAT ONE CAN MAKE THOUGH THEY’RE USEFUL.
WHETHER, WHEN WE’VE GOT A THIRD CROSSING, WE’LL REQUIRE A FOURTH, I THINK IS DIFFICULT AT THIS MOMENT TO PREDICT, THOUGH PERHAPS IT’S NOT TOO SOON TO TRY TO CONSIDER FUTURE TRAFFIC DEMAND ACROSS THE HARBOUR. I HAVE AN INSTINCT MYSELF THAT THERE DOES COME A POINT WHERE YOU DON’T NEED TO GO ON EASING THE SHOE, THAT THERE DOES COME A POINT WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE SATISFIED DEMAND. IF WE NEED A FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH CROSS HARBOUR CROSSING, THEN I SUGGEST THAT WE’LL HAVE FAILED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION WHICH I RAISED EARLIER ABOUT CAR OWNERSHIP AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR OVERALL ENVIRONMENT. I DON’T THINK, EVEN HONG KONG, I DON’T THINK CAN GO ON WITH MORE AND MORE TRAFFIC RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT PEOPLE ASKING SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER HONG KONG WAS MEANT FOR PEOPLE OR FOR CARS.
MR ALFRED TSO (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, NOW WHEN A PASSENGER GOES FROM TSUEN WAN TO THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY TO THE YUEN LONG CIRCULAR ROAD TO THE NORTH AND TO THE BORDER, IT TAKES HIM 50 MINUTES. IF ROUTE THREE IS COMMISSIONED IT WILL ONLY TAKE 15 MINUTES, SO WE CAN SEE THAT ROUTE THREE IS VERY COST-EFFECTIVE. BUT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM THE PLANNING STAGE UP TO THE TENDERING STAGE, TEN YEARS HAVE BEEN SPENT AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS IN RECENT YEARS TN WESTERN NT THERE HAVE BEEN TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS AND THE OFFICIALS STILL TAKE THINGS EASY AND DO NOT TAKE THINGS SERIOUSLY. SO, THERE ARE DELAYS IN THE WHOLE PROCESS. MR GOVERNOR, JUST NOW YOU MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF ROUTE THREE BUT HOW ABOUT WRONG DECISION MAKING, ABOUT POOR PERFORMANCE BY OFFICIALS'’ WILL YOU PUNISH THEM TO ENSURE THAT NT RAIL SYSTEM AND ROUTE THREE CAN GO ON AS SCHEDULED? IN THIS WAY THE CITIZENS THERE WILL NOT SUFFER FROM CONGESTION AND THE WIDER PUBLIC WILL ALSO BE CONVINCED.
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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GOVERNOR: IT WAS THE HABIT OF TUDOR MONARCHS TO PUNISH OFFICIALS IN THE WAY THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS SUGGESTING. BUT I THINK GIVEN THE REMARKABLE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG OVER THE YEARS THAT OUR CIVIL SERVANTS AND OFFICIALS DESERVE PRAISE RATHER THAN DECAPITATION. I THINK THAT WE’VE NOT GOT A SENSIBLE STRATEGY FOR ROUTE THREE AND FOR THE PRINCIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WHICH REMAIN UNCOMPLETED AND WE’RE GRATEFUL TO THIS COUNCIL FOR HAVING VOTED FUNDS FOR THE TING KAU BRIDGE WHICH IS PERHAPS, WELL WHICH IS ONE OF THE INTEGRAL PARTS OF THAT DEVELOPMENT. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AS THE COUNCIL WILL RECALL, HAS VOTED $3.3 BILLION FOR THE BRIDGE AND WE HOPE TO HAVE COMPLETED IT BY MID-1997.
THE COUNCIL WILL KNOW THAT WE’RE HOPING TO DEVELOP THE OTHER PROJECTS, THE TUNNEL AND THE YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD ON THE BASIS OF A BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER AGREEMENT WITH PRIVATE FRANCHISEES. THE COST OF THAT PART OF THE PROJECT IS, I THINK, ABOUT $6.4 BILLION. I THINK IT’S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF AN AREA WHERE WE CAN USE PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT FOR A PUBLIC GAIN. IT WILL TAKE SLIGHTLY LONGER TO COMPLETE THE TUNNEL AND THE APPROACH ROAD. OUR BEST ESTIMATE AT THE MOMENT IS THAT WE’LL TAKE UNTIL 1998, THOUGH MAYBE AS WITH OTHER PROJECTS IN HONG KONG, WE’LL BE ABLE TO FINISH IT AHEAD OF TIME. I THINK THAT THAT PROJECT IS, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, A KEY TO BETTER TRANSPORT IN THF NEW TERRITORIES AND I’M SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL BE WATCHING US CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET ON WITH IT AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE. I’M SURE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO CONSIDERING MATTERS LIKE THE TERMS OF THE FRANCHISE, HE WILL BE ONE OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBERS WHO WILL BE URGING HIS COLLEAGUES TO GET ON WITH THINGS AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE RATHER THAN TO HOLD THINGS UP UNNECESSARILY FOR PERHAPS LOCAL POLITICAL REASONS. SO, I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET ON WITH THAT PROJECT WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND OTHER HONOURABLE MEMBERS, AND WITH THE PUNISHMENT OR DECAPITATION OF NO OFFICIALS.
MR TAM YIU CHUNG (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, YOU MENTION TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE NO FRESH IDEAS PROPOSED BUT I, MYSELF, DO HAVE A NEW SUGGESTION. I WONDER IF MR GOVERNOR CAN CONSIDER THIS. NOW, CHINA-HONG KONG TRANSPORT IS DEVELOPING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED AND THEREFORE DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS OF CHINA AND HONG KONG THEY DON’T HAVE A STANDING OR REGULAR CHANNEL FOR DISCUSSION, FOR CO-ORDINATION. IN EARLY DECEMBER I WAS IN BEIJING; I RAISED THIS ISSUE. THAT IS, SETTING UP A MECHANISM SO THAT THE OFFICIALS IN CHINA AND HONG KONG CAN HAVE MORE CHANCE TO COMMUNICATE. DO YOU THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR THIS? DO YOU SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL? WOULD YOU SAY THAT THERE WILL BE DIFFICULTY IF YOU TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO RAISE IT?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IT IS AN EXTREMELY INTERESTING IDEA. WE HAVE TAKEN A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE BETTER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WHICH HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED UP SUCCESSFULLY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE INITIATIVE WHICH I PROPOSED TO DIRECTOR LU PENG IN OCTOBER 1992 TO* START TRAINING COURSES FOR SOME OF OUR SENIOR OFFICIALS IN PEKING, THAT HAS BEEN FOLLOWED UP. WE HAVE HAD TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL COURSES AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT ALL OUR SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS WILL HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF ATTENDING OR SEEING THOSE COURSES BEFORE 1997.
/THIS PARTICULAR .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL, I THINK IS AN EXTREMELY SENSIBLE ONE. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT ECONOMIC CONVERGENCE REQUIRES US TO LOOK MUCH MORE CREATIVELY AT INFRASTRUCTURE CONVERGENCE AS WELL. I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA OF THE RAILWAY NETWORK AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE THAT OUR RAILWAY SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS IMPROVED AND LINKS UP WITH THE NORTH-SOUTH RAILWAY ROUTES IN CHINA, SO I HOPE THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S BABY CAN BE BROUGHT TO GLORIOUS ADULTHOOD AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE. AND IF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS ANY PARTICULAR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE COULD CARRY THAT IDEA FORWARD, I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR FROM HIM ABOUT IT.
MR EDWARD HO: GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE MENTIONED QUITE A NUMBER OF HUGE ROADWORKS PROJECTS AND I THINK WE WELCOME THEM - LIKE ROUTE THREE -BUT THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES IS IN THE BUILT-UP AREAS, FOR INSTANCE IN KOWLOON. AS YOU KNOW, THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS JUST ISSUED 16 OZPS FOR KOWLOON, WHICH LIMITS DEVELOPMENT TO THE POTENTIAL PERMITTED BY THE BUILDING PLANNING REGULATIONS AND THE WHOLE CONSTRAINT HAS BEEN ON THE TRANSPORT NETWORK. I THINK WHAT’S HAPPENED IS THAT TOWN PLANNING AND BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ARE CONSTRAINED BY GOVERNMENT’S WILLINGNESS TO IMPROVE ROAD NETWORKS WITHIN THE BUILT-UP AREAS AND CONSEQUENTLY OUR PEOPLE HAVE TO MOVE AWAY TO NEW TOWNS AND THEN WE HAVE TO CATCH UP WITH BUILDING ROADS, LINKING THEM WITH THE WORKPLACE AND SO FORTH. SO MY QUESTION IS: IS THERE ANY PLAN FOR GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO IMPROVE, SAY, ROADWORKS WITHIN THE BUILT-UP AREAS, ESPECIALLY IN KOWLOON?
GOVERNOR: YES. WE ARE SPENDING A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY ON IMPROVED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, COMPUTERISED SCHEMES WHICH INCREASE TRAFFIC FLOW WITHOUT THE PROVISION OF NEW ROADS BUT THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY LIMITS TO THE IMPACT THAT YOU CAN MAKE THROUGH TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ON THE PROBLEM OF TRANSPORTATION.
THERE IS ONE ISSUE WHICH IS RELEVANT TO THIS WHICH I THINK CAUSES CONSIDERABLE CONCERN TO MANY ORDINARY RESIDENTS AS WELL AS TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, AND THAT IS THE IMPACT ON AN ALREADY DIFFICULT TRANSPORT SCENE OF ENDLESS ROAD OPENINGS BY PUBLIC UTILITIES. IT IS AN ISSUE WHICH IS RAISED FAIRLY REGULARLY IN THE NEWSPAPERS BY ONE OR TWO CORRESPONDENTS, IN RELATION NOT ONLY TO KOWLOON BUT FOR THE SOUTH OF THIS ISLAND AS WELL. I KNOW THERE IS ONE CORRESPONDENT WHO WRITES REGULARLY ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN DEEP WATER BAY AND THE ROADS IN THAT AREA. I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE QUESTION OF ROAD OPENINGS, EXCAVATIONS THAT IS, MORE IMAGINATIVELY. WE ARE ASKING THE SECRETARY FOR WORK.S TO DO THAT AT THE MOMENT. WE HAVE GOT TO TALK TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY BEHAVE A BIT MORE SENSIBLY AND I AM NOT AGAINST LOOKING AT ISSUES LIKE THE USE OF CHARGING, IN ORDER TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT ROAD EXCAVATIONS, ROAD OPENINGS, ARE AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE AND DEALT WITH AS SENSIBLY AS POSSIBLE BY, FOR EXAMPLE, COVERING CUTS IN THE ROAD. THAT IS THE SORT OF SIMPLE ISSUE WHICH CAN MAKE AN IMPACT ON TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MOVEMENT WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE.
BUT OVERALL, I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS RAISED A MATTER WHICH GOES BACK TO THE EARLY QUESTION OF THE EXTENT OF CAR OWNERSHIP IN A SMALL COMMUNITY LIKE THIS. OUR CITIES WEREN’T BUILT FOR THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, THEY WERE BUILT FOR HUMAN BEINGS.
/MRS MIRIAM .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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MRS MIRIAM LAU (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEM IN HONG KONG, WELL WE REALLY NEED TO DEVELOP A MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR EXAMPLE RAIL SYSTEM AND THAT POINT WAS ALSO MENTIONED BY YOU IN YOUR OPENING STATEMENT. WE HAVE THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ISSUED LAST YEAR AND MANY OPTIONS WERE MENTIONED BUT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE WILL BE 2001 BEFORE WE CAN SEE THE FIRST LINK IS IMPLEMENTED. WILL THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDER ADVANCING THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE AND IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE THESE PROJECTS, WILL THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDER PRIVATE PARTICIPATION?
GOVERNOR: THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD LIKE LITTLE MORE THAN TO BE ABLE TO ADVANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND I THINK IT WOULD BE NATURAL FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO USE PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT TO SECURE SOME OF THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES IN THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. I THINK THE HONOURABLE LADY WILL KNOW THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS WHICH MUST KNOW TAKE PLACE. WE’VE VIRTUALLY COMPLETED CONSULTATIONS ON THE STRATEGY, WE MUST THEN CONSIDER THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE VIEWS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED VERY VIGOROUSLY. WE MUST THEN PRESENT OUR ASSESSMENT TO THIS COUNCIL AND TO THE COMMUNITY AND BEGIN A DIALOGUE WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES, SINCE MOST OF THESE MATTERS WILL INVOLVE IMPLEMENTATION AFTER 1997, AND IT WOULD BE CRAZY TO TRY TO IMPLEMENT A RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR HONG KONG IN ANY EVENT WITHOUT TAKING ACCOUNT OF WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER. IF WE CAN MAKE RAPID PROGRESS IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS, CONCEIVABLY A LITTLE MORE RAPID PROGRESS THAN WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IN, FOR EXAMPLE THE CASE OF THE AIRPORT, THEN I WOULD WELCOME IT. THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD WELCOME IT AND WE COULD GET ON AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SORT OF RAILWAY SYSTEM WHICH THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG NEEDS, NOT LEAST THE INHABITANTS OF THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES, TSEUNG KWAN O AND OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
MR LEE WING-TAT (THROUGH INTERPRETER): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, I DON’T KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE TRIED THIS, THAT IS GET ON A BUS IN THE MORNING AND THEN TAKE THE MTR. PERHAPS YOU DON’T NEED THIS AND SO YOU ARE VERY RELAXED WHEN YOU ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS, BUT PLEASE DON’T FORGET OVER ONE MILLION PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE BUSES AND THEN TRANSFER TO THE MTR EVERY DAY.
I’M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRPORT RAILWAY. AT PRESENT THERE IS NO FINANCING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. TWO DAYS AGO THE MTRC MANAGING DIRECTOR SAID THAT IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS WILLING TO INJECT SOME MORE MONEY INTO THE MTRC, THE MTRC WILL HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD ONE SECTION OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, THAT IS TSING YI TO CENTRAL, ACCORDING TO MY OWN PROJECTION. THAT WAS ALSO MENTIONED IN CTS2 IN 1989, BUT WE USED A DIFFERENT NAME THEN. UNFORTUNATELY WE CHANGED THE NAME TO AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES DON’T LIKE THIS NAME. SO MR GOVERNOR, CAN YOU TELL US WHETHER YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS SUGGESTION FROM THE MTRC SO THAT OUR CITIZENS WON’T HAVE TO SUFFER SO MUCH EVERY MORNING? THANK YOU.
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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GOVERNOR: ON THE FIRST POINT THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MENTIONED, IT IS TRUE THAT THOSE OF US, INCLUDING CONCEIVABLY SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL EVERY DAY IN THE SAME WAY AS MOST OF THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG. I’M PERHAPS GUILTIER THAN MOST SINCE I WALK DOWNSTAIRS IN THE MORNING, RATHER THAN CATCH A BUS. I’M ALSO IN A SITUATION IN WHICH WHEN I DO CATCH A BUS OR CATCH A TRAM OR CATCH A TRAIN, I’M DOING SO IN THE COMPANY OF ABOUT 18 TELEVISION CAMERAS AND LARGE NUMBERS OF JOURNALISTS WHICH KEEPS ME COMPANY BUT ISN’T ENTIRELY THE SAME CRUSH THAT MOST OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO ENDURE EVERY DAY. BUT IF IT’S ANY COMFORT TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER, I USED TO COMMUTE REGULARLY TO THE OFFICE ON THE TRAIN AND IT WAS A LOT LESS GOOD A SERVICE THAN PEOPLE HAVE IN HONG KONG. BUT PRECISELY BECAUSE MANY OF US DON’T HAVE TO FACE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ORDINARY PEOPLE HAVE TO FACE, OTHER ORDINARY PEOPLE LET ME SAY, EVERY DAY IN GETTING TO WORK, WE SHOULD BE EVEN MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING GOOD PUBLIC SERVICES AT A REASONABLE COST. YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN A HOUSING AUTHORITY FLAT TO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING GOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY FLATS FOR AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE A BUS OR A TRAIN EVERY DAY TO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY OF PROVIDING GOOD BUS AND TRAIN SERVICES FOR EVERYONE FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR AND NOT JUST OCCASIONALLY OFF PEAK. SO I JUST PUT THAT POINT STRAIGHTAWAY BECAUSE I REALISE THAT NOT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY HAS A FLAG ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR.
THE HONOURABLE MEMBER RAISED, IN THE SHADOW OF THAT ADMONITION OF THAT SERMON, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER RAISED A QUESTION ABOUT PART OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, AND IT’S A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION WHICH I THINK WAS RAISED EARLIER AS WELL AND I TRIED TO RESPOND TO EARLIER, WHETHER WE CAN DEAL WITH WHAT IS PERHAPS WRONGLY CALLED THE AIRPORT RAILWAY IN DIFFERENT BITES. EVEN IF WE CAN’T JUSTIFY THE WHOLE SYSTEM UNTIL THERE IS AN OVERALL AGREEMENT, DOING PARTS OF THE SYSTEM IN ORDER TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN PARTICULAR AREAS AND I SAID IN REPLY TO THE QUESTION EARLIER, WHICH I SAY AGAIN TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER, THAT WE DON’T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A TRANSPORT JUSTIFICATION FOR DOING SMALL BITS OF THE RAILWAY. AND WE DON’T BELIEVE THAT WE COULD JUSTIFY JUST INVESTING IN THE TSING YI CENTRAL PART OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY ON THE GROUNDS THAT THAT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR. I DON’T THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS CONVEYED ENTIRELY ACCURATELY THE POSITION OF THE MTRC, THOUGH I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY HE’S PERHAPS ADDED A BIT OF BOUNCE TO THEIR STEP ON THIS ISSUE. BUT I’M PREPARED TO LOOK AT ANY EVIDENCE THAT HE HAS, OR ANY NEW EVIDENCE THE MTRC HAVE AND IF THERE IS AN ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION FOR GOING AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT THEN WE’D HAVE TO LOOK AT IT MORE SERIOUSLY. BUT AT PRESENT I MUST SAY THAT HASN’T BEEN OUR CALCULATION.
/WHAT WE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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WHAT WE SHOULD ALL TRY TO DO, OF COURSE, IS GET AHEAD WITH THE WHOLE PROJECT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE’RE IN THIS POSITION AND HAVE BEEN IN THIS POSITION FOR SO LONG, SINCE BEFORE I BECAME GOVERNOR. THE SOONER WE CAN RESOLVE THESE MATTERS THE BETTER. AS I SAID YESTERDAY, WHAT WOULD HELP US A GREAT DEAL WOULD BE TO BE IN A SITUATION IN WHICH WE DIDN’T FEEL AS THOUGH WE WERE PLAYING DARTS BLINDFOLD IN THE DARK, CASTING DARTS IN THE DIRECTION OF WHERE WE THINK THE BOARD MAY BE, HOPING THAT WE HIT THE BULL’S EYE. WHAT WOULD BE A HELP WOULD BE IF THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD SAY, FOR THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY, PRECISELY WHAT THEY WANT, PRECISELY WHAT FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS THEY WOULD REGARD AS ACCEPTABLE TO THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT AND TO THE COMMUNITY HERE IN HONG KONG FOR THE RAILWAY AND FOR THE AIRPORT ITSELF. WE THEN CONCEIVABLY HAVE A RATHER BETTER IDEA OF THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT WE’VE BEEN PROPOSING WITH THREE DIFFERENT SETS OF PROPOSALS SO FAR AND WHAT THE CHINESE SIDE PRESUMABLY WANT. WE COULD RESOLVE ALL THAT I WOULD HAVE HOPED IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE VERY RAPIDLY IF THE WILL WAS THERE. PEOPLE TALK ABOUT CONSULTATION, WE’VE MADE AN AWFUL LOT OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE, BUT IF NOTHING COMES BACK THEN CONSULTATION IS A RATHER DIFFICULT PROCESS. SO, I HOPE THAT CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIONS CAN FOLLOW SOME OF THE WORDS THAT WE’VE HEARD RECENTLY AND THAT INSTEAD OF OFFERING ONE ANOTHER ADVICE ACROSS THE ’AIRWAVES’ AS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH, WE’LL ACTUALLY DO WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD LIKE US TO DO, WHICH IS TO RESOLVE THESE QUESTIONS AROUND THE TABLE WITH THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AND HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A REGIONAL TRANSPORT HUB AT HEART RATHER THAN SOME PERHAPS MORE OBSCURE POLITICAL REASON DICTATING THE PACE OF EVENTS.
THE PRESIDENT: IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDERS I NOW ADJOURN THE SITTING UNTIL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO AND ACC BRIEFED ON AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) BRIEFED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ABOUT PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) AND ABOUT OPTIONS FOR FURTHER FUNDING OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA).
OFFICIALS EXPLAINED THAT THE MONEY OF THE DAY (MOD) ESTIMATE FOR THE ENTIRE ACP HAS BEEN REDUCED BY $5.5 BILLION, FROM $163.7 BILLION TO $158.2 BILLION.
THEY BRIEFED THE MEMBERS ON ESTIMATES OF FUTURE COST INCREASES, IN THE ABSENCE OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON FINANCING FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY.
THE OFFICIALS ALSO EXPLAINED THE TWO OPTIONS THAT THEY HAVE PUT FORWARD FOR THE NEXT STEP ON THE AIRPORT.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID: "WE HAVE MADE EXCELLENT PROGRESS WITH OUR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND WORK IS WELL ADVANCED ON MANY OF THE PROJECTS.
/"WE HAVE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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"WE HAVE HAD HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TENDERING, WHICH HAS ENABLED MANY OF THE GOVERNMENT ACP CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED BELOW BUDGET. THIS HAS HELPED CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A $7.6 BILLION REDUCTION, FROM $60.1 BILLION TO $52.5 BILLION, IN THE ESTIMATES FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S SEVEN ACP PROJECTS.
’’THE $7.6 BILLION REDUCTION ALSO STEMS FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF LOWER LEVELS OF CONTINGENCIES AND REVISIONS IN OUR CONSTRUCTION INFLATION FORECASTS."
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID AFTER THE BRIEFINGS: "IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL PROGRESS, SITE FORMATION WORK ON THE AIRPORT PLATFORM IS MORE THAN 36 PER CENT COMPLETE, WHILE WORK ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION IS MORE THAN 65 PER CENT COMPLETE.
"THE CONTRACT FOR BUILDING THE TSING MA SUSPENSION BRIDGE IS 37 PER CENT COMPLETE. GOOD PROGRESS IS ALSO BEING MADE ON OTHER PROJECTS SUCH AS THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, AND THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE."
MR TSANG EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOW NECESSARY TO DECIDE HOW TO PROCEED ON FURTHER PAA FUNDING, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR IMPORTANT AIRPORT CONTRACTS.
"AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE OVERALL FINANCING FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY REMAINS OUR PRIMARY AIM. IT WOULD ENABLE US TO PROCEED IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY WITH THESE LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS. REGRETTABLY, IT HAS NOT YET BEEN POSSIBLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE," MR TSANG SAID.
"IN THAT SITUATION, WE HAVE PUT TWO OPTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THESE OPTIONS ARE ENTIRELY IN LINE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE THEY SEEK TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM ON THE AIRPORT SO THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE CAN BE COMPLETED BY MID-1997.
"THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT AN AIRPORT WILL BE BUILT AT CHEK LAP KOK. THE OPTIONS WE HAVE PUT FORWARD THEREFORE CONSTITUTE A SOUND INVESTMENT BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE WASTED."
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ONE OPTION WOULD BE TO SEEK FUNDING FOR $377 MILLION, WHICH WAS THE MINIMUM AMOUNT NEEDED TO EXTEND THE PAA’S HEAD OFFICE FUNDING INTO 1994/95. THIS WOULD ENABLE THE PAA TO CONTINUE TO SUPERVISE DESIGN AND SITE PREPARATION WORK.
THE OTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP AND SEEK A FURTHER $1.29 BILLION FUNDING TO ENABLE THE PAA TO PROCEED WITH THE DESIGN PHASE OF BAGGAGE HANDLING AND AUTOMATED PEOPLE-MOVER SYSTEMS, FOUNDATION WORKS FOR THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING, AND VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT FACILITIES.
REAL COST ESTIMATES (EXPRESSED IN MARCH 1991 PRICES) FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED. SLIGHT INCREASES HAD HOWEVER BEEN NECESSARY IN THE MOD ESTIMATES: $1.6 BILLION IN THE $48.2 BILLION ESTIMATED COSTS OF THE AIRPORT TO BE BORNE BY PAA; AND $0.5 BILLION IN THE $33.5 BILLION ESTIMATE FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
/THESE INCREASED .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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THESE INCREASED ESTIMATES HAD BEEN MAINLY CAUSED BY DELAYS TO THE START OF CONTRACTS TO BE LET IN THE FUTURE WHEN INFLATION WOULD LEAD TO HIGHER COST ESTIMATES IN MOD TERMS.
’’FURTHER DELAYS IN REACHING AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL LEAD TO FURTHER INCREASES IN COSTS AMOUNTING, IT IS ESTIMATED, TO AT LEAST $2 BILLION FOR A SIX-MONTH DELAY ON THE AIRPORT, PLUS A SIMILAR AMOUNT ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY,” SAID MR TSANG.
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WORK ON HARBOUR SEWERAGE PROJECTS SOON BEGIN
*****
WORK ON SEWERAGE PROJECTS OF THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME TO CLEAN UP THE HARBOUR WILL BEGIN TN MARCH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THESE PROJECTS WILL BE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN FULL AND WE WILL BE SEEKING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ADVICE ON A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A TRADING FUND IN THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.”
THE FUND IS TO HOLD AND MANAGE THE GOVERNMENT INJECTION FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND WHICH WILL FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTS IN THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME.
WHEN SEWAGE CHARGES ARE INTRODUCED, THE TRADING FUND WILL ALSO COLLECT CHARGES PAYABLE BY USERS IN ORDER TO FUND THE COST OF OPERATING SEWAGE SERVICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID LEGISLATION ENABLING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEWAGE CHARGING SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SUBJECT TO LEGCO'S APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATION, THE PRESENT PLAN IS TO INTRODUCE THE CHARGES IN AUGUST.
THIS FOLLOWS \ TWO-AND-A-HALF MONTH CONSULTATION DI RING WHICH A WIDE RANGE OF REPRESENTATIVE GROUPS WERE BRIEFED. A LARGE BODY OF OPINION WAS EXPRESSED IN THE MEDIA AND 80 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED.
MOST OF THE GROUPS SUPPORTED THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE SEWAGE (’BARGING SCHEME.
THESE GROUPS INCLUDED HIE EN\ I EOLMEN'l AL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MAJOR INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE ORGANISATIONS AND THE GREEN GROUPS.
THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE WAS ALSO SUPPORTED BY MAJOR POLITICAL GROUPS ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS FROM SOME QUARTERS THAT HOUSEHOLDS SHOULD BE GIVEN FURTHER OR TOTAL EXEMPTION FROM THE CHARGING SCHEME.
/OF THE........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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OF THE 80 SUBMISSIONS, 57 WERE FROM ORGANISATIONS AND 23 FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE SUBMISSIONS WHICH EXPRESSED A VIEW ON THE CHARGING PROPOSAL WERE IN SUPPORT OF THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE. A FEW EVEN ARGUED AGAINST ALLOWING ANY EXEMPTION FOR HOUSEHOLDS AS PROPOSED IN THE SCHEME.
THE CONSULTATION CONCLUDED WITH A MOTION DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 1 DURING WHICH A MOTION IN SUPPORT OF THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE WAS CARRIED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
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AN HONOURABLE SOLUTION FOR ETHNIC MINORITIES URGED » » * ' * *
THE INFLUENTIAL LONDON NEWSPAPER, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, YESTERDAY TOOK UP THE CASE OF HONG KONG’S NON-ETHNIC CHINESE MINORITIES BY PUBLISHING AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN WHO URGED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE AN HONOURABLE AND JUST SOLUTION TO THE NON-CHINESE ETHNIC MINORITIES IN HONG KONG WHO WILL BE RENDERED STATELESS IN 1997 WHEN SOVEREIGNTY CHANGES.
WRITING IN THE DAILY TELEGRAPH IN LONDON, BARONESS DUNN SAID BRITAIN HAS A MORAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS GROUP OF 5,000 TO 7,000 PEOPLE.
"BY GRANTING FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP TO THIS SMALL GROUP OF BRITISH NATIONALS, THERE CAN BE NO CLEARER SIGNAL TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT BRITAIN UNDERSTANDS THE UNIQUE COMPLEXITIES OF HONG KONG’S SITUATION. THERE CAN BE NO BETTER EXAMPLE THAT BRITAIN TAKES THE MORAL STANCE NOT ONLY ON LARGE MATTERS, BUI' ON SMALL ONES TOO.
"THERE CAN BE NO FIRMER COMMITMENT THAT BRITAIN HAS THE WILL AND THE DETERMINATION TO DO RIGHT BY ITS SUBJECTS IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
BARONESS DUNN SAID UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AFTER 1997, THIS GROUP OF ETHNIC MINORITIES MAY HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE TN THE CHINESE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONG KONG BUT HAS NO RIGHT TO CHINESE NATIONALITY.
THE ISSUE WAS DEBATED IN BOTH THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS FOLLOWING A CAMPAIGN LED BY BARONESS DUNN TO SEEK FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR THIS GROUP IN 1986 AS WELL AS LOBBYING EFFORTS BY A GROUP OF HONG KONG LEGISLATORS.
THE HOUSE OF LORDS, RY A MAJORITY OF 60 TO '18 TN JULY LAST YEAR, HAD CALLED UPON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT To GIVE THIS GROUP FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP.
"BUT NONE OF THIS HAS MOVED THE HOME SECRETARY," SHE SAID.
/BARONESS DUNN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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BARONESS DUNN SAID IMPROVISED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ETHNIC MINORITIES AFTER 1997 WERE NOT AN HONOURABLE SOLUTION.
’’THE CASE OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IS NOT ONLY SPECIAL BUT ALSO UNIQUE. NO OTHER CITIZENS OF BRITAIN FACE STATELESSNESS.”
ON THE HOME SECRETARY’S ARGUMENT THAT GIVING FULL CITIZENSHIP TO THIS GROUP WILL REQUIRE DIFFICULT PRIMARY LEGISLATION, BARONESS DUNN SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS HAD TO PLACE THEIR TRUST IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
"THEIR FATE ON SO MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS HAS BEEN DECIDED WITHOUT THEIR SAY."
COMMENTING ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S STATEMENT LAST JULY THAT SHOULD THIS GROUP EVER CAME UNDER PRESSURE TO LEAVE HONG KONG AND HAD NOWHERE ELSE TO GO, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY "WOULD BE EXPECTED TO CONSIDER SYMPATHETICALLY THEIR CASE FOR ADMISSION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM”, BARONESS DUNN SAID THIS WAS SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO DISCHARGE THE CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS.
"I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT AND THE BRITISH PEOPLE, RENOWNED FOR THEIR HUMANITY AND DECENCY, WOULD CONSIDER THIS FAIR TREATMENT FOR THEIR NATIONALS," SHE SAID.
BARONESS DUNN WILL FLY TO LONDON TO ATTEND THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF LORD BONHAM-CARTER’S PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL, HONG KONG NATIONALITY BILL, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR DEBATE ON JANUARY 27.
"MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN PURSUING THIS MATTER FOR A VERY LONG TIME WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. WE ARI COMMITTED TO FINDING A JUST SOLUTION FOR THESE PEOPLE,” SHE SAID.
TIGHTER CONTROL OF CATEGORY III VIDEOTAPES AND LASERDISCS
*****
THERE WILL BE TIGHTER CONTROI 01- THE SALE OR HIRE OF CATEGORY III VIDEOTAPES AND LASERDISC'S TO YOUNGSTERS WHEN THE FILM CENSORSHIP (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 TAKES EFFEC'I FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) SAID TODAY.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THE ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID:
"THERE WAS A LOOPHOLE IN THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN OFFENCE TO SHOW A CATEGORY ITT FILM TO A PERSON BELOW THE AGF OF 18 IN A CINEMA, YET WHEN THE FILM WAS TURNED INTO A VIDEOTAPE OR LASERDISC, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE LAW TO PREVENT THE TAPE OR DISC FROM BEING SOLD OR HIRED TO AN UNDERAGED PERSON.
"THE NEW ORDINANCE PLUGS THIS LOOPHOLE. FROM JANUARY 14 ONWARDS, IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE To SELL OR HIRE, A CATEGORY III VIDEOTAPE OR LASERDISC To ANY PERSON BELOW THE AGE OF 18."
/THE MAXIMUM .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THIS OFFENCE IS A FINE OF $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.
THE OTHER MAIN FEATURES OF THE ORDINANCE INCLUDED: ALL ADVERTISING MATERIALS FOR A VIDEOTAPE AND LASERDISC MUST STATE CLEARLY THE CLASSIFICATION GIVEN BY TELA, I.E. CAT. I, II AND III.
ALSO, THE PACKAGING OF A CAT. Ill TAPE OR DISC MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TELA.
"IF THE PACKAGING CONTAINS ANY INDECENT MATTERS, TELA WILL REQUIRE IT TO BE ENCLOSED IN AN OPAGUE WRAPPER."
TELA HAD ISSUED GUIDELINES IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO HELP VIDEO SHOPS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LAW.
THESE GUIDELINES INCLUDE THE ADVICE THAT WHEN THE SHOP STAFF SUSPECT THAT A PERSON BUYING OR RENTING A CAT. Ill VIDEOTAPE OR LASERDISC IS BELOW THE AGE OF 18, THEY WOULD ASK THE PERSON TO PRODUCE PROOF OF HIS OR HER AGE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE NEW LAW WAS ENACTED SIX MONTHS AGO AND THE ADMINISTRATION DEFERRED IMPLEMENTING IT UNTIL NOW IN ORDER TO GIVE THE TRADE SUFFICIENT TIME TO MAKE PREPARATION.
"OUR INSPECTORS WILL MAKE REGULAR VISITS,. TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW LAW IS COMPLIED WITH," HE SAID.
CONCURRENT WITH THE NEW ORDINANCE CERTAIN NEW FEES APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND GAZETTED WILL BE INTRODUCED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 14.
FEES WILL BE PAYABLE WHEN THE FILM IS DEALT WITH BY TELA WITH A VIEW TO GRANTING W EXEMPTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FEES WERE CHARGED ONLY' WHEN A FILM WAS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL.
"HOWEVER, THE TIME AND EFFORT REQUIRED IN EXAMINING A FILM IS THE SAME WHETHER OR NOT IT RESULTS TN A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION OR CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL.
"IT IS RIGHT, THEREFORE, THAT FEES SHOULD BE CHARGED IN BOTH CASES," HF SAID.
HOWEVER, THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY WILL REMIT THE FEES IF SHF IS SATISFIED THAT THE FILM WILL BF EXHIBITED BA A FILM CLUB OR SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS WHICH ARE NON-PROFIT-MAKING OR THAT THE FILM WILL BF EXHIBITED FOR CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL OR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES ONLY, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/21 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
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WHOLE-DAY AUCTION OF CAR MARKS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT NOW HOLDS TWO WHOLE-DAY AUCTIONS OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS EVERY MONTH INSTEAD OF TWO HALF-DAY AUCTIONS TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR FAVOURITE VEHICLE MARKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO SHORTEN THE WAITING TIME FOR A MARK REQUESTED TO BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION.
"IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT BY THIS AUGUST, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THEIR REQUESTED MARKS PUT UP FOR AUCTION IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF APPLICATION," HE ADDED.
THE FIRST WHOLE-DAY AUCTION WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, HONG KONG. THE MORNING SESSION WILL START AT 9.30 AM AND THE AFTERNOON SESSION AT 2.30 PM.
"IN THE AUCTION THIS SATURDAY, ABOUT 50 VEHICLE MARKS WITH THE DIGIT ’8’ WILL BE ON OFFER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE 50 MARKS AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING Al 9.30 AM ARE:
FN1268 FN882 EN318 FM329 FM578
FM72R EM1938 FM903 FN8293 FN8958
♦ F(’4 ♦FT333 ♦ 576 ♦ DL3 ♦ CK95
AL2808 AK86 I 3 FM633 FM809 FN4809
FM889 FM3383 AU417 CF6811 AX6521
FN877 FN902 FM6882 FM9008 FN5331
CA283 RM3999 DD34OR FN9336 FM32OR
♦ 8 1 16 t FT I 1 ♦ FK20 ♦ DK 1 2 ♦ FT 3 1
FN81 11 FF638 FN3381 FM4898 FN8295
FM330 FM8300 FMRI 4 FM852 FM2627
IN THE AFTERNOON SESSION, ANOTHER FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE: 50 MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE
FN1668 EC128 FM328 FN9189 FM9331
FM7388 FN 1483 EN233 FM9005 FN3915
♦ 1964 ♦ 591 ♦ 1965 ♦ FU2 ♦ 4750
FN561? FN2336 AM 230 FM6900 FN7307
HK1O42 HK1096 FM92 1 FN1963 AW8613
» FR36R FN3280 FN93 1 1 D\21 r. FM8155
FM8819 BT382 EN3338 FN122 FN7455
♦ DK23 ♦ XX95 ♦ FK22 ♦FT202 ♦ FT400.0
FN1 18 FM8038 HK491 FN663 I FN5996
FN639 FN1230 FM4899 FM9890 FN8275
♦ SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 22 -
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTIONS WILL BE THE 209TH AND 210TH ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
---------0------------
EPCOM RENAMED ACE TO REFLECT WIDER RESPONSIBILITIES *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) HAS BEEN RENAMED THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT (ACE) WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR TO REFLECT ITS WIDER RESPONSIBILITIES ARISING FROM A REVISION OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE.
THE CHANGES, WHICH ARE RECOMMENDED IN THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT, REFLECT THE GROWING COMMITMENT AND THE SIGNIFICANCE THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT UNDER THE NEW TERMS OF REFERENCE, ACE IS TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING UNDER REVIEW THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG.
IT WILL ALSO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, ON APPROPRIATE MEASURES WHICH MIGHT BE TAKEN TO COMBAT POLLUTION OF ALL KINDS, AND TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE SCOPE OF ACE IS SIGNIFICANTLY WIDER THAN EPCOM WHOSE PRINCIPAL ROLES WERE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON POLLUTION CONTROL MATTERS IN THE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT.
AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE, THE PRESENT RESTRICTION ON DELIBERATION OF MATTERS CONCERNING INDOOR AIR POLLUTION HAS BEEN REMOVED.
REPRESENTATION OF GREEN GROUPS ON THE COUNCIL IS FORMALISED TO INCLUDE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH, CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION, GREEN POWER AND THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE.
/TRADE AND .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 23 -
TRADE AND INDUSTRY REPRESENTATION IS ALSO EXTENDED TO FOUR GROUPS: THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY AND THE MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION.
THE CHAIRMAN OF EPCOM, PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU, WILL CONTINUE HIS CHAIRMANSHIP ON THE RECONSTITUTED COUNCIL.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ARE:
MR GUY CLAYTON DR A R JACK MR JOSEPH LAU MAN-WAI MR M J D RUSHWORTH MS LIZA HOPKINSON DR NG CHO-NAM MR DAVID MELVILLE DR HO KIN-CHUNG MRS PEGGY LAM PEI YU-DJA DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI MR ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP MS CHRISTINE LOH KUNG-WAI MR HENRY S S CHIU MR CHAN KWOK-WAI DR LAM KIN-CHE MR CLINT MARSHALL MR PAUL C H FAN
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE IN PERMANENT ATTENDANCE.
THE MEMBERSHIP LIST TOGETHER WITH THE NEW COUNCIL’S NAME WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
THE AOE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING ON JANUARY 31.
-----0------
THREE MORE HIV-INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED
*****
THREE MEN WERF FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (DECEMBER), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF HIV-INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 416.
NO NEW AIDS CASES WERE 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 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
OF THE 416 HIV-INFECTED, 304 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 38, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 309,868 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, 1,350,233 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 29 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
- - 0 - -
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT MRS HELEN YU LAI CHING-PING WILL BE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS POST WAS CREATED ON AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR UPON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT.
MR TONY EASON HAS BEEN UNDERTAKING THE DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR IN ADDITION TO HIS OWN DUTIES AS SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS WHILE THE PROCESS OF SELECTING THE NEW DIRECTOR HAS BEEN GOING ON.
MRS YU, AGED 52, FIRST JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1965 AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN AUGUST 1968.
SHE WAS PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN JANUARY 1992.
BEFORE BEING APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS, SHE WAS SECRETARY GENERAL, OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BEFORE THAT, SHE HAS HAD WIDE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
- - 0 - -
/25
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 25 -
$10 GOLI) COIN OVER-SUBSCRIBED *****
A TOTAL OF 40,089 APPLICATIONS FOR THE LIMITED EDITION HONG KONG COMMEMORATIVE $10 GOLD COIN WERE RECEIVED WHEN THE APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED LAST SATURDAY (JANUARY 8) AFTERNOON.
"AS EXPECTED, DEMAND FOR THE GOLD COIN WAS HIGH. IN VIEW OF OVER-SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE 18,000 PIECES BEING RESERVED FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS, A BALLOT WILL BE HELD," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"A PRODUCTION LIMIT OF 20,000 HAS BEEN SET ON THE COIN, WHICH IS THE FIRST-EVER, TWO-GOLD ALLOY COIN IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S COINAGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT ALSO COMMEMORATES THE INTRODUCTION OF HONG KONG’S NEW COIN DESIGNS BEARING THE BAUH1NIA FLOWER.
ALL SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY REGISTERED MAIL BY THE HONGKONGBANK AROUND JANUARY 26 (WEDNESDAY), WHILE UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WITH SUPPORTING CHEQUES WILL BE RETURNED BY ORDINARY MAIL TWO DAYS EARLIER.
"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-----------
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR DECEMBER *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR LAST DECEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PURPOSE 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:
♦ LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICTS,
* COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, AND
* DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
/THE REPORTED .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
26
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2), RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP).
THE GASEOUS POLLUTANTS ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY WHILE PARTICLE SAMPLES ARE COLLECTED EOR 24 HOURS, ONCE EVERY SIX DAYS.
AIR POLLUTION LEVELS REMAINED RELATIVELY CONSTANT THROUGHOUT THE MONTH AS A RESULT OF LITTLE CHANGE IN WEATHER CONDITIONS.
HOWEVER, THERE WERE SOME MINOR VARIATIONS IN AIR QUALITY OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. ON BOXING DAY, ELEVATED GASEOUS POLLUTANT LEVELS WERE RECORDED.
AS THE DISPERSION OF AIR POLLUTANTS WAS INHIBITED UNDER A LOW LEVEL INVERSION AND LIGHT WIND SITUATION, AND NO2 LEVELS AT MONG KOK INCREASED SUFFICIENTLY TO BREACH THE 150 UG/CUBIC METER 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE.
AGAIN THIS MONTH, LEVELS OF POLLUTANTS WERE GENERALLY HIGHER AT THE STREET-LEVEL SITE OF MONG KOK THAN AT THE OTHER TWO SITES WHICH ARE LOCATED ON ROOF TOPS.
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 \ND NO2. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR SOURCE OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES; OTHER SOURCES INCLUDE INDUSTRY, FURNACES AND BOILERS, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, THE SEA AND SOIL DUST.
THE' EPI) 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.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND LEUNG ON TELEPHONE 594 6401.
- - 0 - -
/27
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 27 -
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS
*******
LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS CAN NOW APPLY FOR OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE YEAR 1994/95.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS HELP TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE RECEIVE MUSIC OR DANCE TRAINING IN POST-DIPLOMA STUDIES AT OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THE AWARDS SHOULD RETURN TO HONG KONG AND MAKE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE SCOPE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS IS NOT CONFINED TO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC STUDIES OR BALLET.
RELATED STUDIES IN MUSIC OR DANCE, PRACTICAL OR ACADEMIC SUCH AS COMPOSITION, MUSICOLOGY, CHOREOGRAPHY AND DANCE NOTATION, ARE ALSO COVERED.
SELECTION OF SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE MADE THROUGH AUDITIONS OR INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD IN MARCH OR APRIL.
ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE AUDITION IN PERSON.
THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL COVER TUITION FEE, A TECHNICAL ALLOWANCE, A SUBSISTANCE ALLOWANCE AND A RETURN PASSAGE TO THE INTENDED COUNTRY OF STUDY.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP FOR TWO SUCCESSIVE YEARS UNLESS UNDER VERY EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
APPLICANTS PLANNING TO PURSUE A COURSE LONGER THAN ONE YEAR SHOULD BE PREPARED TO LOOK FOR OTHER SOURCES OF FINANCE AFTER THE FIRST YEAR.
CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR MUSIC, MUSIC-RELATED, DANCE OR DANCE-RELATED STUDIES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE UNDER THE AGE OF 23 ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE IN THE CASES OF SINGERS, COMPOSERS OR CHOREOGRAPHERS WISHING TO ENTER ADVANCED COURSES.
THE APPLICANTS SHOULD NORMALLY BE GRADUATES OF A RECOGNISED HONG KONG TERTIARY INSTITUTION AND SHOULD BE AT A PERFORMANCE STANDARD EQUIVALENT TO THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA GRANTED BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
COMPOSERS, MUSICOLOGISTS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOULD BE AT A COMPARABLE ADVANCED STANDARD.
HOWEVER, EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE IN THE CASE OF PRACTISING ARTISTS WITH PROVEN ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE.
/IN ADDITION, .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
IN ADDITION, ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS’ RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT, CULTURE DIVISION, RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, 40TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT BY FEBRUARY 15.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED ON TEL 594 5620 OR 594 5628.
- - 0 - -
COOL AND CLOUDY IN DECEMBER *****
LAST DECEMBER WAS SLIGHTLY COOLER AND CLOUDIER THAN NORMAL, A MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT OF THE ROYAI. OBSERVATORY SAYS.
APART FROM A HUMID SPELL EARLY IN THE MONTH, IT WAS RATHER DRY. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 15.7 MILLIMETRES WAS 42 PER CENT BELOW THE DECEMBER NORMAL OF 27.3 MILLIMETRES.
THE WINTER MONSOON WAS GENERALLY ACTIVE BUT BECAME MORE SUBDUED TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH. COLD MORNINGS AND DAYS OF LOW HUMIDITY BEFORE CHRISTMAS WERE FOLLOWED BY NOTICEABLY' MILDER WEATHER DURING THE WEEK LEADING UP TO THE NEW YEAR.
THE MONTH BEGAN WITH RELATIVELY MILD AND UNSEASONABLY HUMID CONDITIONS. THE WEATHER WAS MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN ON DECEMBER 1 AND 2. MIST PATCHES WERE REPORTED OFFSHORE IN THE MORNINGS AND EVENINGS.
AS THE CLOUDS AND MIST CLEARED ON DECEMBER 3, TEMPERATURES -LIMBED To THE MONTH’S MAXIMUM OF 25.3 DEGREES DURING THE DAY BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON TOWARDS MIDNIGHT.
AS NORTHERLY WINDS FRESHENED AND PERSISTED, TEMPERATURES DROPPED PROGRESSIVELY FROM DECEMBER 3 TO 7, A FALL OF MORE THAN 11 DEGREES IN FIVE DAYS.
THE WEATHER REMAINED FINE AND SUNNY AS DRIER CONTINENTAL AIR PREVAILED. WINDS TURNED EASTERLY ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 7 AND BECAME OCCASIONALLY STRONG OFFSHORE.
AS A REPLENISHMENT OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED EARLY ON DECEMBER 10, WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY THAT DAY BEFORE REVERTING BACK TO EASTERLY AGAIN THE FOLLOWING MORNING. DESPITE THE CLOUDIER WEATHER, THERE WERE STILL SUNNY PERIODS DURING THE DAY ON DECEMBER 10 AND 11.
/A SPELL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 29 -
A SPELL OF CLOUDY AND RAINY WEATHER PERSISTED FROM DECEMBER 12 TO 15. DURING THIS TIME, A TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMED MANNY WAS TRAVERSING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND MOISTURE ADVECTION TOWARDS THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS WAS ENHANCED.
MEANWHILE, NORTHERLY WINDS FRESHENED OVERNIGHT ON DECEMBER 13, CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT TEMPERATURE FALL OF ABOUT SEVEN DEGREES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
THOUGH THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON DECEMBER 16, ANOTHER REPLENISHMENT OF THE WINTER MONSOON AND A STRENGTHENING OF NORTHERLY WINDS THAT NIGHT RESULTED IN A FURTHER DROP IN TEMPERATURES THE NEXT DAY.
AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE MONTH’S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 9.2 DEGREES WAS RECORDED ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 17. AT TAI MO SHAN, TEMPERATURES WERE NEAR FREEZING.
AFTER A CLOUDY AND RAINY DAY ON DECEMBER 18, FINE WEATHER RETURNED ON DECEMBER 19 AND TEMPERATURES ROSE AGAIN.
CONDITIONS ONCE AGAIN BECAME COLD AS A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON REACHED HONG KONG ON THE EVENING OF DECEMBER 21. THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF A SPELL OF SUSTAINED NORTHERLY WINDS WHICH LASTED TILL DECEMBER 27.
NORTHERLY WINDS WERE STRONG AND GUSTY DURING THE ONSET STAGE AND SOME SCAFFOLDINGS COLLAPSED IN YAU MA TEI ON DECEMBER 21.
WITH CLEAR SKIES, NIGHTTIME COOLING WAS ENHANCED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE TEMPERATURES WERE GENERALLY BELOW 10 DEGREES ON THE MORNINGS OF DECEMBER 22 AND 23.
THE PREVAILING CONTINENTAL AIR MASS LED TO INCREASINGLY DRY CONDITIONS AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY WAS AS LOW AS 22 PER CENT ON DECEMBER 24. HILL FIRES WERE REPORTED IN TAI PO KAU AND TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK.
AFTER WINDS TURNED EASTERLY DURING THE DAY ON DECEMBER 27, SURGES OF COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH BECAME LESS FREQUENT. FINE WEATHER PERSISTED AND CONDITIONS BECAME MILDER TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH.
NORTHERLY WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH A WEAK REPLENISHMENT OF THE WINTER MONSOON ON DECEMBER 31 WERE RATHER SHORT-LIVED. THE ONLY EFFECT WAS A SLIGHT DROP IN TEMPERATURE ON NEW YEAR’S EVE.
THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES AFFECTED THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN DECEMBER.
DURING THE MONTH, NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED BECAUSE OF ADVERSE WEATHER.
DETAILS OF THE 1SSUANCE/HOISTI NG AND CANCELLATION/LOWERING OF VARIOUS WARNTNGS/STGNALS TN THE MONTH ARE SUMMARISED TN TABLE 1.1.
MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL FOR DECEMBER ARE TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
/TABLE 1.1 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 30 -
TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN DECEMBER 1993
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
WARNINGS / SIGNALS
STRONG MONSOON SIGNALS DEC 3 2300 DEC 4 0900
DEC 8 0435 — DEC 8 0730
DEC 9 0130 — DEC 9 0645
DEC 16 1815 — DEC 17 1510
DEC 21 0630 — DEC 21 0930
DEC 21 1930 — DEC 22 0730
FIRE DANGER WARNINGS
YELLOW DEC 4 0630 — DEC 5 0725
DEC 11 0620 — DEC 12 0600
DEC 19 0615 — DEC 20 0600
DEC 26 0610 - DEC 28 0600
RED DEC 5 0725 — DEC 6 0615
DEC 7 0645 — DEC 7 2300
DEC 18 0000 — DEC 18 1800
DEC 21 0700 — DEC 26 0610
DEC 31 0620 - JAN 1 0615
GAS HEATER ALERTS DEC 14 1630 DEC 19 1630
DEC 21 1630 — DEC 24 1600
TABLE 1.2 FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL - DECEMBER 1993
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
165.8 HOURS; 15.7 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
11.01 MJ/SQM; 1.02 MJ/SQM
BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL
MFAN CLOUD AMOUNT
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
15.7 MM; 11.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
53 % ; 4 % ABOVE NORMAL
67 % ; 1 % BELOW NORMAL
19.4 DEGREES;1.1 DEGREES BELOW
NORMAL
17.1 DEGREES; 0.5 DEGREE BELOW NORMAL
15.0 DEGREES; 0.4 DEGREE BELOW NORMAL
/MEAN DEW .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
31
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
10.5 DEGREES; 0.7 DEGREE BELOW NORMAL
70.7 MM; 40.8 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-----------
MORE THAN 1,100 YEARS ♦ *
DEDICATED TO EDUCATION ♦ * *
FORTY-FIVE MEMBERS OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, CONTRIBUTING A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 1,100 YEARS OF SERVICE AND RANGING IN RANK FROM WORKMAN II TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TODAY (THURSDAY) RECEIVED RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICE.
OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THOSE RECEIVING LONG SERVICE AWARDS, ONE HAD BEEN IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE FOR 40 YEARS, EIGHT FOR 30 YEARS AND 36 FOR 20 YEARS.
AMONG THE RECIPIENTS WERE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR HORACE R KNIGHT AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR LEUNG KAM-FONG OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
PRESENTING THE AWARDS WAS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG.
"THIS YEAR, 12 OF OUR COLLEAGUES WFRE AWARDED 20 YEARS’ MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICATES AND 33 THE RETIREMENT SOUVENIRS. THEIR CONTRIBUTION HAS BEEN ADMIRABLE AND THEIR SERVICE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
SCHOOL QUIZ AND TELEMATCH CONTEST ON AIDS
* » * t *
SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO ENTER AN INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ AND TEI.EMATCH COMPETITION ON AIDS.
THE COMPETITION AIMS AT ENHANCING STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC FACTS ABOUT AIDS AS WELL AS FOSTERING CONCERN FOR HIV-INFECTED PEOPLE.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRY IS THE END OF THIS MONTH. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, ON TEL R92 6546.
------0-----------
/32 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1994
- 32 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,825
REVERSAL OF LAF +2,175
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,133
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,867
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.5 *+0.0» 13.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.81 PCT 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.36 3.50
1 MONTH 2.86 PCT 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.12 3.69
3 MONTHS 2.98 PCT 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.22 3.86
6 MONTHS 3.12 PCT 22 MONTHS 2511 4. 15 100.25 4.05
12 MONTHS 3.4 2 PCT 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.30 4.52
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 20,977 MN
CLOSED 13 JANUARY 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION APPOINTMENTS ................ 1
MORE STRINGENT CONTROL ON BUILDER'S LIFT BEING CONSIDERED ... 1
DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TUNG CHUNG GAZETTED ............ 2
TV STATIONS ADVISED TO OBSERVE CODE OF PRACTICE .............. 3
MORE FUNDS TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIES ............................. 4
TEACHERS AT THE HEART OF EDUCATION SYSTEM .................... 5
GOVT TO DRAW UP MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY LIST .................. 7
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER ...... 7
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THIRD QUARTER 1993 ........ 11
KWUN TONG DISTRICT FESTIVAL .................................. 13
SHA TIN INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL FESTIVAL ..................... 14
EXHIBITION ON TEACHER EDUCATION .............................. 15
WORKS FOR PUMPING STATIONS PROPOSED .......................... 15
179 CAUGHT IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .......... 16
APPLICATION FOR PROJECT GRANT REJECTED .................. 17
WATER CUTS IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING ...................... 17
FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD NEAR PIK UK .......... 18
326 VIETNAMESE SENT BACK ..................................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
19
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
1
NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION APPOINTMENTS ♦ ♦ » » *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR ANDREW LI KWOK-NANG CHAIRMAN OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) FOR TWO YEARS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR LI, THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, IS A BARRISTER AND AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER.
WITH AN EXCELLENT RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE, HE IS SEEN AS AN IDEAL CANDIDATE TO LEAD THE LDC.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, HAS WRITTEN TO THE OUTGOING CHAIRMAN, MR STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM, EXPRESSING THE GOVERNMENT’S GRATITUDE FOR HIS ENERGETIC AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE LDC OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS REAPPOINTED MR SIMON KWAN SIN-MING, MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN, MR LAU WAH-SUM, MR LEUNG CHUN-YING, MR PAO PING-WING, MR DAVID WONG SHOU-YEH AND MR J C SHAW TO THE BOARD FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS IN A MOVE SEEN AS PROVIDING CONTINUITY IN THE BOARD.
THE DIRECTORS OF PLANNING AND LANDS AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, ARE ALSO REAPPOINTED.
TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. THEY ARE THE DIRECTOR OF THE SAINT JAMES’ SETTLEMENT, MR MICHAEL LAI KAM-CHEUNG, AND A BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR DAVID LEE TSUNG-HEI.
MR LAI’S APPOINTMENT WILL BRING TO THE LDC VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN CONSIDERING THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF ITS WORK.
HE HAS ALREADY WORKED WITH THE LDC IN SETTING UP CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN TWO LDC PROJECTS AND IS THUS FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE CORPORATION.
MR LEE, A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING SOCIETY, IS A SURVEYOR WITH CONSIDERABLE PROJECT EXPERIENCE. HIS EXPERIENCE WILL ALSO BE OF VALUE TO THE LDC IN ITS DELIBERATIONS ON PROJECTS.
- - 0 - -
MORE STRINGENT CONTROL ON BUILDER’S LIFT BEING CONSIDERED *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY CONSIDERING THE NEED TO CONTROL BUILDER’S LIFTS IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER LIFTS IN DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, SINCE BOTH OF THEM CARRY PASSENGERS.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A SEMINAR ON PLANT AND EQUIPMENT SAFETY THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
HE SAID THE MATTER WAS BEING CONSIDERED BY AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP CHAIRED BY HIM.
/FOR CRANES
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
2
FOR CRANES AND OTHER HEAVY PLANT, MR BLAKE SAID, STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS, SUCH AS REQUIRING THESE HEAVY EQUIPMENT TO BE EXAMINED BY REGISTERED ENGINEERS AND OPERATED BY QUALIFIED OPERATORS, ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED FOR IMPROVING SITE SAFETY.
CODES OF PRACTICE FOR SAFE OPERATION AND CARE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT ARE ALSO BEING PREPARED, HE SAID
THE WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP IN JUNE LAST YEAR TO CONSIDER HOW REGULATIONS AND CONTROL OF CONSTRUCTION SITE HEAVY MACHINERY COULD BE TIGHTENED.
IT CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WORKS BRANCH, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE GROUP HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY BOARD WHICH REFLECTS THE VIEWS OF THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION.
------0-------
DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TUNG CHUNG GAZETTED * * * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE GAZETTING OF THE DRAFT TUNG CHUNG TOWN CENTRE AREA OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
THE DRAFT PLAN ILLUSTRATES THE BROAD PLANNING PRINCIPLES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE RECLAMATION AREA AROUND TUNG CHUNG BAY ON NORTH LANTAU.
THE PLANNING SCHEME AREA EXTENDS FROM KEI TAU TOK ON NORTH LANTAU ISLAND AT THE EAST TO LAU FAU SHA AT THE WEST. IT IS BOUNDED BY THE FUTURE RECLAMATION LIMIT ON THE NORTH AND MOUNTAIN SLOPES ON THE SOUTH.
THE AREA IS SEPARATED FROM THE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT ISLAND BY A 200-METRE WIDE SEA CHANNEL. THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WILL PASS THROUGH THE SEA CHANNEL TO LINK UP THE AREA WITH THE NEW AIRPORT BY BRIDGES.
THE AREA COVERS A TOTAL LAND AREA OF ABOUT 194 HECTARES, 120 HECTARES OF WHICH ARE RECLAIMED LAND. UPON COMPLETION, THE AREA WILL HOUSE ABOUT 55,000 PEOPLE.
IN THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN, ABOUT 50 HECTARES HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA USES; ABOUT 16 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY USE; ABOUT 68 HECTARES FOR OPEN SPACE AND GREEN BELT USES; 58 HECTARES FOR ROADS AND TWO HECTARES FOR OTHER SPECIFIED USES.
THE DRAFT PLAN NO. S/I-TCTC/1 IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES UNTIL MARCH 14:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; HONG KONG;
/* LANTAU AND .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
3
* LANTAU AND ISLANDS DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE DRAFT PLAN MAY SEND HIS WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BdARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE MARCH 14.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE ON SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING; AND KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
TV STATIONS ADVISED TO OBSERVE CODE OF PRACTICE *****
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) HAS FOUND THAT TVB BREACHED THE TELEVISION CODE OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS IN BROADCASTING SEVERAL SCENES OF ANIMALS FIGHTING IN THE PROGRAMME "THE SEX OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM", BROADCAST ON TVB PEARL ON NOVEMBER 13 LAST YEAR.
AT A MEETING HELD YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) TO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TELEVISION BROADCASTS, BA MEMBERS FELT THAT THE SCENES UNDER COMPLAINT WERE CONTRIVED, STAGE MANAGED AND INHUMANE.
"CONSIDERING HOWEVER THAT THE BROADCAST WAS MADE WELL OUTSIDE FAMILY VIEWING HOURS, THE AUTHORITY DECIDED TO ADVISE TVB TO OBSERVE THE CODE OF PRACTICE MORE CAREFULLY IN THE FUTURE," A SPOKESMAN FOR BA SAID.
THE AUTHORITY STRONGLY ADVISED ATV TO OBSERVE THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE BROADCAST OF NON-ENGLISH MATERIAL ON ATV WORLD, AFTER IT FOUND THAT ATV HAD ON ONE OCCASION EXCEEDED THE 20 PER CENT DAILY LIMIT FOR NON-DES1GNATED LANGUAGES SET BY BA IN RESPECT OF THE ENGLISH TELEVISION SERVICES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE AUTHORITY ALSO STRONGLY ADVISED BOTH ATV AND TVB TO OBSERVE MORE CAREFULLY THE PROVISIONS IN THE TELEVISION CODE OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS RELATING TO THE CORRECTION OF FACTUAL ERRORS."
"MEMBERS FOUND THAT BOTH STATIONS HAD GIVEN OUT INCORRECT INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OF SOME SHARES DURING THE BROADCAST OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS IN THE MORNING NEWS PROGRAMMES ON OCTOBER 22, 1993."
"MEMBERS FELT THAT, ALTHOUGH MOST SERIOUS INVESTORS WOULD NOT RELY SOLELY ON TELEVISION FINANCIAL REPORTS, THE TELEVISION STATIONS SHOULD PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/4 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
4
MORE FUNDS TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIES » » » * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS ON A YEARLY BASIS FOR FINANCING INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROJECTS FROM APRIL THIS YEAR, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HOPED THAT THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING WOULD HELP STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THUS ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
SHE SAID THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO BE PROVIDED EACH YEAR WOULD BE DECIDED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL ESTMATES.
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1994/95, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES FOR THAT YEAR, A PROVISION OF HK$180 MILLION WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, SHE ADDED.
MISS YUE POINTED OUT THAT FOUR MAIN TYPES OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING SUPPORT, NAMELY, INDUSTRYSUPPORT BODIES, TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS, HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
ON THE NATURE OF THE PROJECTS, MISS YUE SAID NO PRIORITIES WOULD BE GIVEN FOR ANY PARTICULAR SECTOR OF INDUSTRY OR ANY SPECIFIC AREA OF TECHNOLOGY.
HOWEVER, SHE NOTED THAT PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING SUPPORT SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL INDUSTRIAL OR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND TO THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
EXAMPLES ARE THOSE THAT AIM TO PROVIDE A COMMUNAL INDUSTRYSUPPORT SERVICE, INTRODUCE NEW TECHNIQUES OF MANUFACTURING, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY OR ENHANCE THE INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY.
ANOTHER CRITERION IS THAT PROJECTS SHOULD BE NON-PROFIT-MAKING IN NATURE, EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN THE LONG TERM.
MISS YUE SAID THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT UPON THE ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (1TDC).
’’ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE ITDC, WHICH WILL BE ASSISTED BY A PROJECTS VETTING COMMITTEE COMPRISING THE CHAIRMEN OF ITDC’S COMMITTEES AND OTHER ITDC MEMBERS.
’’THE ITDC WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY ON WHETHER AN APPLICATION SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AND, IF SO, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF FUNDING SUPPORT,” SHE SAID.
FUNDING SUPPORT WILL IN MOST CASES TAKE THE FORM OF GRANTS, THOUGH IT MAY ALSO RE IN THE FORM OF INTEREST-FREE OR INTEREST-BEARING LOANS.
MISS YUE URGED INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS TO SEND IN APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING SUPPORT TO THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE MARCH 3.
/APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
5
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER THE DEADLINE MIGHT ONLY BE CONSIDERED SHOULD THERE.STILL BE FUNDS AVAILABLE, SHE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS INTRODUCING THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING CAN BE OBTAINED FORM THE ITDC SECRETARIAT IN ROOM 1445, 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, 5 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON. NO APPLICATION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 737 2206 OR BY FAX AT
730 4633.
------0-------
TEACHERS AT THE HEART OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
*****
TEACHERS ARE AT THE HEART OF EDUCATION SYSTEM, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THEIR KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING, TEACHING SKILLS, ATTITUDE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ALL HAVE DIRECT INFLUENCES ON STUDENTS," MR WONG POINTED OUT.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF ST PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, HE EXPLAINED THAT TEACHERS WERE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR TN DETERMINING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION GENERALLY AND WITHIN EACH SCHOOL.
THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THIS AND EXPLAINED THAT VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT MEASURES HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, MR WONG STRESSED.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW TAKING FURTHER ACTION TO RAISE TEACHING STANDARDS.
"A NEW HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION IS BEING PLANNED TO COMMENCE OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, CONSTITUTED BY THE MERGER OF THE EXISTING FIVE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND WITH THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE WORKLOAD OF TEACHERS AND THE NEED FOR THEM TO DEVOTE GREATER ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS.. IMPROVEMENT MEASURES TAKEN INCLUDE:
CLASS SIZE
SINCE LAST SEPTEMBER THE CLASS SIZE IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS WAS REDUCED FROM 40 TO 35 PUPILS, STARTING WITH PRIMARY 1 AND EXTENDING TO HIGHER LEVELS A YEAR AT A TIME.
TEACHERS
PRIMARY SCHOOLS WERE GIVEN MORE TEACHERS AT THE RATE OF ONE MORE EACH YEAR UP TO A MAXIMUM INCREASE OF THREE.
/FROM THE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
6
FROM THE COMING SEPTEMBER, GRADUATE TEACHER POSTS WILL START TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE FIRST TIME SO THAT EVENTUALLY THE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING FORCE WILL COMPRISE 35 PER CENT GRADUATE TEACHERS.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL ALSO BENEFIT - EACH SCHOOL WILL HAVE UP TO TWO MORE NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS; UP TO FOUR NON-GRADUATE POSTS MAY BE REPLACED BY GRADUATE TEACHERS; AND ONE MORE POST WILL BE UPGRADED TO SENIOR GRADUATE RANK.
THERE WILL, THEREFORE, NOT ONLY BE MORE TEACHERS BUT ALSO GREATER PROSPECTS FOR PROMOTION.
IN ADDITION, THE STAFFING RATIO FOR SPLIT CLASSES FOR THE SIXTH FORM WIL), BE IMPROVED FROM 1.6 TEACHERS PER CLASS TO TWO TEACHERS PER CLASS.
FOR SCHOOLS WITH A HIGH PROPORTION OF STUDENTS WITH ACADEMICALLY VERY LOW STANDARDS, THEY WILL BE GIVEN EVEN MORE TEACHERS.
"YOU MAY WONDER WHY I HAVE SPOKEN AT LENGTH ABOUT THESE BORING
STATISTICS. NO, NOT BORING AT ALL,” MR WONG SAID.
THESE, HE POINTED OUT, WERE GOOD NEWS FOR SCHOOLS AND
UNDERLINED THE SERIOUS DETERMINATION AND EFFORTS OF THE
GOVERNMENT TN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN ALL
SCHOOLS.
"BUT BY THE END OF THE DAY, THIS LARGE INCREASE IN TEACHERS,
BETTER QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND SENIOR POSTS WILL HAVE THF DESIRED EFFECTS ONLY IF TEACHERS THEMSELVES PROPERLY PLAY THE ROLE EXPECTED OF THEM. THIS, I BELIEVE, WILL BE FORTHCOMING FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSION," HE SAID.
BUT THE EFFECTS OF ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE NULLIFIED IF THE SPIRIT AND ATMOSPHERE IN SCHOOLS WERE NOT MODERNISED, HE WARNED.
NR WONG SAID HE HAD BEEN ADVOCATING A CHANGE IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD AVOID GIVING EXCESSIVE PRESSURES, TESTS AND HOMEWORK TO STUDENTS.
STUDENTS’ WORKLOAD SHOULD BE CAREFULLY PLANNED AND MONITORED. SO THAT MENTAL PRESSURES COULD BE REDUCED, AND STUDENTS COULD HAVE TIME FOR RECREATION AND TIME TO SPEND HAPPILY WITH THEIR PARENTS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS - A HAPPY CHILDHOOD SHOULD NOT COMPRISE STUDIES ALONE.
"TEACHERS MUST DO AS MUCH AS THEY CAN TO MAKE STUDENTS FEEL THAT LEARNING IS A RELAXING, PLEASURABLE AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE," HE EMPHASISED.
/TN CONCLUSION .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
7
IN CONCLUSION, HE APPEALED TO ALL SCHOOL HEADS, SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS FOR THEIR COOPERATION TO DO WHATEVER THEY COULD TO REFORM THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN THEIR SCHOOLS.
"I BELIEVE THAT, WITH THE BEST WILL, UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATIVE EFFORTS, WE ‘EDUCATORS CAN MAKE SCHOOL LIFE A VERY PLEASURABLE AND MEMORABLE STAGE IN LIFE FOR EVERY ONE OF OUR YOUNGER GENERATION," HE ADDED.
------0-------
GOVT TO DRAW UP MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY LIST »»»«»»
THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGENCY IS INVITING REGISTERED COMPANIES PROVIDING MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES IN HONG KONG TO APPLY FOR INCLUSION IN AN ORDINARY LIST.
COMPANIES ON THE LIST MAY SUBMIT EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR FUTURE SPECIFIC CONSULTANCY PROJECTS AS AND WHEN THEY ARISE IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THEY MUST EITHER BE REGISTERED COMPANIES IN HONG KONG OR POSSESS A VALID HONG KONG BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.
IN THEIR APPLICATIONS, THEY SHOULD FURNISH SUPPORTING INFORMATION SUCH AS THEIR SIZE, SPECIALISATION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF CONSULTANCY PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE INVITATION HAS BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
COMPANIES WISHING TO BE INCLUDED MAY APPLY BEFORE FEBRUARY 18 TO THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGENCY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PI,EASE CALL TEL 810 2221.
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EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER
*******
LAST SEPTEMBER SAW CONTINUED GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND 1MPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AS COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER.
BUT EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES DECLINED FURTHER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THIS MAINLY REFLECTED THE CONTINUED ORIENTATION OF THE ECONOMY TOWARDS SERVICES, ALONG WITH THE PROGRESSIVE RELOCATION OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES TO CHINA.
/VANANCIES IN .......
8
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
VACANCIES IN SOME MAJOR SERVICES SECTORS RECORDED INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES IN SEPTEMBER 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER. ON THE OTHER HAND, VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL FURTHER.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1992, THE AVERAGE EARNINGS OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS CONTINUED TO SHOW FURTHER INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS IN SEPTEMBER,1993. AFTER ADJUSTING FOR INFLATION, THERE WAS STILL AN INCREASE IN REAL TERMS IN THE AVERAGE EARNINGS OF PERSONS ENGAGED FOR MOST SECTORS. ■» *
ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DEPARTMENT, THERE WERE 508,100 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER 1993, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 11.0% FROM SEPTEMBER 1992.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 958,000 IN SEPTEMBER 1993, WAS 5.6% HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 336,000, WAS UP BY 9.3% OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES (MANUAL WORKERS ONLY), AT 52,200, WAS 17.7% LOWER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 IN SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1992 AND JUNE 1993, ARE:
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 92 JUN 93 SEPT 93 SEPT 93 OVER SEPT 92 SEPT 93 OVER JUN 93
MANUFACTURING 571 200 522 000 508 100 -11.0 -2.7
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 63 400 56 900 52 200 -17.7 -8.2
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 906 900 932 700 958 000 + 5.6 + 2.7
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 307 500 327 200 336 000 + 9.3 + 2.7
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
9
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN SEPTEMBER 1993 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
IN THE FORMER SURVEY, EMPLOYMENT IN THE RETAIL TRADE EXCLUDED HAWKERS AND PERSONS WORKING AT RETAIL PITCHES BUT INCLUDED THOSE WORKING IN MARKET STALLS, HE SAID.
* ’
THE TWO SURVEYS ALSO PROVIDE THE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS. THE VACANCY FIGURES TOGETHER WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1992 AND JUNE 1993 ARE:
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY SEPT ’ 92 JUN 1 93 SEPT 93 SEPT 93 OVER SEPT 92 SEPT 93 OVER JUN 93
MANUFACTURING 19 150 14 760 14 130 -26.2 - 4.2
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 550 490 550 + 0.4 + 11.2
WHOLESALE,RETAIL 32 AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 130 27 240 31 370 - 2.4 + 15.1
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 9 060 10 540 11 210 + 23.7 + 6.4
VACANCIES IN SOME MAJOR SERVICES SECTORS CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SEPTEMBER 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER. IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES INCREASED BY 23.7%.
HOWEVER, VACANCIES IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL BY 2.4% AND 26.2% RESPECTIVELY.
VACANCIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES RECORDED A MARGINAL INCREASE OF 0.4% IN SEPTEMBER 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE SEPTEMBER 1993 NOMINAL INDICES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING REAL INDICES (AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES) ARE:
/NOMINAL INDEX .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
10
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYPOLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (MARCH 1991 = 100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY • SEPT 92 SEPT 93 ■* * SEPT 93 OVER SEPT 92
MANUFACTURING 121.0 133.7 + 10.5
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 117.8 134.3 + 14.0
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 108.8 123.4 + 13.4
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (MARCH 1991 = 100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SEPT 93
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 92 SEPT 93 OVER SEPT 92
MANUFACTURING 105.6 108.1 + 2.4
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 102.8 108.6 + 5.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 94.9 99.8 + 5.2
BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1992 AND LAST SEPTEMBER, AVERAGE EARNINGS TN ALL MAJOR SECTORS, AS MEASURED BY PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED, RECORDED FURTHER SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS.
AN INCREASE OF 10.5% WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 14.0%. FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 13.4%.
/AFTER DISCOUNTING .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
11
AFTER DISCOUNTING FOR THE INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1992 AND THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN SEPTEMBER 1993, AS COMPARED WITH THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1992, INCREASED BY 2.4% FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 5.6% FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 5.2% FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.,
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, SEPTEMBER 1993 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, SEPTEMBER 1993.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT $17 A COPY AND $10.5 A COPY RESPECTIVELY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
------0-------
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THIRD QUARTER 1993 ♦ »♦***
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF LAST YEAR RECORDED VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1992, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING INDUSTRY GROUP CONTINUED TO REGISTER A MARKED INCREASE IN PRODUCTION, BY 18.7%.
THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS REGISTERED A MODERATE INCREASE OF 4.5% IN PRODUCTION.
WITHIN THIS GROUP, THE PRODUCTION OF MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS INCREASED NOTABLY BY 10.7%, WHEREAS THE PRODUCTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS FELL MARGINALLY BY 1.6%.
THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY ALSO SHOWED A MILD INCREASE OF 3.3% IN PRODUCTION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE OF 12.6% IN PRODUCTION. WITHIN THIS GROUP, THE PRODUCTION OF PLASTICS PRODUCTS FELL EVEN MORE MARKEDLY BY 17.8%.
THE TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) INDUSTRY RECORDED A NOTABLE DECREASE OF 10.1%. THE PRODUCTION OF BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS ALSO DROPPED BY 6.4%.
THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO RECORDED A MILD DECREASE OF 3.1%.
COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION POSTED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 12.4%. THIS INCREASE WAS, HOWEVER, LARGELY SEASONAL AS MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES USUALLY ENTER INTO PEAK SEASON IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
/THE INDEX ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
12
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION REFLECTS CHANGES OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 3RD QUARTER 1993”, WHICH IS ON SALE AT $4 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 839 3238.
FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDICES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN GREATER DETAIL:
INDICES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP AND SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP
(1986 = 100)
INDEX % CHANGE OVER
FOR
BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP / SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP 3RD QTR 1993 3RD QTR 1992 2ND QTR 1993
1 . FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 156 -3.1 + 4.0
2. WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 124 + 3.3 +21.6 .
3. TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 133 -10.1 + 18.8
4 . PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING 317 + 18.7 + 19.6
5. CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-MFTALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 76 -12.6 + 1.3
--PLASTIC PRODUCTS (60) (-17.8) (+7.1)
6. BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 103 -6.4 + 12.0
--FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (101 ) (-5.6) (+11.0)
7 . ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC 164 + 4.5 + 3.1
PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS
- /--CONSUMER ELECTRICAL ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
13
—CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND (122)
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS '
--MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, (237)
APPARATUS, PARTS
AND COMPONENTS
8. MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING 95
INDUSTRIES
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 136
(-1.6) (-3.9)
(+10.7) (+8.2)
-5.0 +13.1
* +12.4
NOTES : 1. FOUR SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS, WHICH CARRY RELATIVELY
LARGE WEIGHTS AND ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE RESPECTIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE TABLE. FOR EASY READING, THE FIGURES OF THESE SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS.
2. AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC) IS USED TO FORM THE INDUSTRY GROUPS AND BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS PRESENTED IN THE TABLE. FOR THE EXACT COVERAGE OF THE GROUPS IN TERMS OF HSIC CODES, PLEASE REFER TO THE ’REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 3RD QUARTER 1993 ’ .
* CHANGE WITHIN +/-0.05X.
------0--------
KWUN TONG DISTRICT FESTIVAL
*****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FESTIVAL ’94 WILL BE LAUNCHED ON JANUARY 23 TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING THERE TO JOIN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL TODAY (FRIDAY), THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, WONG HON-HO, HOPES THAT PEOPLE WOULD CONTRIBUTE THEIR TALENTS AND KILLS TO BUILD FOR A BFTTFR KWUN TONG.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT HE KOWLOON BAY SPORTS GROUND ON JANUARY 23.
TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, THE DISTRICT’S 15 AREA COMMITTEES WILL JOIN A GRAND PARADE. LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL PARTICIPATE IN TELEMATCH GAMES.
A TALENT SHOW WILL BE HELD AT NGAU CHI WAN CIVIC CENTRE ON JANUARY 27.
MORE, THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS ORGANISED AN ELECTION OF OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS, A CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN COMPETITION AND AN ESSAY COMPETITION ON THE THEME OF "IF I WERE A KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER".
/THE FESTIVAL .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
14
THE FESTIVAL WILL END WITH A GRAND CARNIVAL AT HONG NING RECREATION GROUND ON JANUARY 30 WITH PERFORMANCES BY POP SINGERS, TALENT SHOW BY THE ABLED AND THE DISABLED, CHINESE MUSIC, KARAOKE COMPETITION AS WELL AS GAMES STALLS FOR CHILDREN.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FESTIVAL ’94 IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
- - 0 - -
SHA TIN INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL FESTIVAL * * ♦ « »
SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S 1993/94 INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES FESTIVAL WILL START TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO FOSTER INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SIX-DAY FESTIVAL, WHICH INCLUDES EXHIBITIONS AND SALES OF LOCAL PRODUCTS, WILL BE HELD AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM FROM TOMORROW UNTIL JANUARY 19, AND FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM ON JANUARY 20.
MORE THAN 50 BOOTHS FROM PRIVATE ENTERPRISES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE SET UP AT THE VENUE. APART FROM LOCAL PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY, SALES COUNTERS WILL BE SET UP.
ADMISSION TO THE EXHIBITION AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK IS FREE.
THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY SHA TIN DB’S PREPARATORY COMMITTEE ON 1993/94 INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE FESTIVAL.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE BOARD AND CO-ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF SHA TIN-.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE CHUNG-YEE; THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER; THE ACTING SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR HOWARD CHAN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOY KAN-PUI WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK, SHA TIN TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
15
EXHIBITION ON TEACHER EDUCATION * * * * *
AN EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WILL BE LAUNCHED ON MONDAY (JANUARY 17) AT THE LANDMARK SQUARE.
THE COLLEGES COMPRISE THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE SET UP AT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA AND TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA.
LAUNCHING THE EXHIBITION ON MONDAY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, MR SIMON IP; THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE, PROF LEUNG CHI-KEUNG; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER EDUCATION), MR KWAN TING-FAI .
ON DISPLAY ARE PANELS DEPICTING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD BY THE FOUNTAIN OF THE LANDMARK SQUARE AT 10 AM ON MONDAY.
- - 0 - -
WORKS FOR PUMPING STATIONS PROPOSED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED PERMITTING THE DREDGING OF ABOUT 1,770 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE LAYING OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE AND SEAWATER INTAKE PIPEWORKS AND SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR TWO PUMPING STATIONS.
THE WORKS WILL START IN MARCH AND TAKE EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ANY PERSON WHO FEELS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE AREA INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY, WHEN A GAZETTE NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED.
THE OBJECTOR TO THE WORKS SHOULD DESCRIBE HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT AND THE MANNER HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE GAZETTE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH PROPOSED WORKS PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE AS WELL AS AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
- - 0 - -
/16
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
16
179 CAUGHT IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS *****
A 24-HOUR OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE TERRITORY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 179 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE 179 PERSONS ARRESTED BY THE POLICE HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
"A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 AM ON JANUARY 12 (WEDNESDAY) AND ENDED AT 5 AM 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 17,385 PERSONS, 2,459 VEHICLES AND 432 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 2,403 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 8,649 EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR PROOF OF IDENTITY CHECKED DURING THE OPERATION.
TWENTY-FIVE 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.
i M •
r I
------o--------
/17........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
17
APPLICATION FOR PROJECT GRANT REJECTED ♦ » * * *
A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING HAS UPHELD ITS DECISION NOT TO SUPPORT AN APPLICATION FOR A PROJECT GRANT BY AN ARTS GROUP TO PERFORM IN AN ARTS FESTIVAL IN BRUSSELS IN MAY.
THE SPECIAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 12) COMPRISED MEMBERS OF BOTH THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) AND THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ADC) WORKING GROUPS TO RECONSIDER THE APPLICATION FROM THE ARTS GROUP, ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON.
ZUNI WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO JUSTIFY ITS APPLICATION AT THE MEETING.
CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING, SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG, EXPLAINED THAT THE ZUNI REPRESENTATIVES HAD PROVIDED LITTLE MATERIAL AND TANGIBLE FRESH EVIDENCE TO PERSUADE MEMBERS TO REVERSE THE ORIGINAL DECISION.
THE DECISION REACHED BY MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE MEETING WAS UNANIMOUS, SIR JOSEPH SAID.
THE CFPA AND THE ADC WORKING GROUPS ARE ADVISERS TO THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR ARTS DEVELOPMENT.
THE MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE MEETING REPRESENTED A WIDE CROSSSECTION OF THE VARIOUS ART DISCIPLINES.
---------0-----------
WATER CUTS IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING
* ♦ t » *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES ON TSING YI ISLAND WILL GO OFF FROM 8 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 16) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE WATER CUT WILL AFFECT GREENFIELD GARDEN AND ALL THE PREMISES AT TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, CHEUNG WAN STREET, CHEUNG HO STREET, CHEUNG LUNG STREET, CHEUNG FAI ROAD, CHEUNG TAT ROAD AND CHEUNG FAT ROAD.
MEANWHILE, OWING TO MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATER MAINS, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 17).
---------0-----------
/IB........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
- 18 -
FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD NEAR PIK UK * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTING A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD NEAR THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, SAI KUNG.
THE FOOTBRIDGE IS ABOUT 27-METRE LONG BY THREE-METRE WIDE AND SPANS ACROSS CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD. IT IS A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE CONSISTING OF STRUCTURAL STEEL TRUSSES AND REINFORCED CONCRETE RAMPS, BOTH COVERED WITH CORRUGATED SHEET STEEL ROOF.
UPON COMPLETION, THE NEW FOOTBRIDGE WILL SERVE AS A SAFE GRADE SEPARATED CROSSING MAINLY FOR THE STAFF AND VISITORS OF THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MAY THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY MAY NEXT YEAR.
A NOTICE ON TENDER INVITATION IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS FEBRUARY 4.
THE FOOTBRIDGE HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE STRUCTURES DIVISION AND THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION OF HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
--------0-----------
326 VIETNAMESE SENT BACK
*****
A GROUP OF 326 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 113 MEN, 97 WOMEN, 67 BOYS AND 49 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 195TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 998 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 39,611 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
---------0-----------
/19........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1994
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,867
REVERSAL OF LAF +2,133
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,770
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,230
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.5 *+0.0» 14.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.56 PCT 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.38 3.48
1 MONTH 2.70 PCT 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.14 3.67
3 MONTHS 2.89 PCT 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.22 3.86
6 MONTHS 3.04 PCT 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.24 4.05
12 MONTHS 3.34 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.26 4.53 AND BONDS - 36,014 MN
CLOSED 14 JANUARY 1994
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LAND REGISTRY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER AND THE YEAR 1993 ...... 1
MAXIMUM SUPPORT TO BUSINESS PLEDGED .......................... 6
WEATHER OF 1993 .............................................. 7
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ................. 10
YOUNG MUSICIAN INVITED TO ATTEND MUSIC CAMP .................. 11
WATER CUTS IN HK WEST & KOWLOON EAST ......................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
13
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
LAND REGISTRY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER AND THE YEAR 1993 *****
THE LAND REGISTRY ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS, MAINLY FLATS, RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST YEAR WAS 133,060, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 1.63 PER CENT AND OF 24.70 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1992 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED IN THESE AGREEMENTS WAS $348.95 BILLION, WHICH WAS UP BY 8.20 PER CENT AND 22.34 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1992 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE LAST YEAR, 151,501 ASSIGNMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS, THE MAJORITY BEING RESIDENTIAL, WERE SUBMITTED FOR REGISTRATION.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 157,920 AND 182,997 RECORDED DURING 1992 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY, THE FIGURE SHOWED A DECREASE OF 4.06 PER CENT AND OF 17.21 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED, TOTALLING $326.70 BILLION, INDICATES INCREASES WHEN COMPARED WITH THE TWO PRECEDING YEARS.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES (OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES) WAS $104.03 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 17.49 PER CENT AND OF 12.94 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1992 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
SEARCHES OF LAND RECORDS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING LAST YEAR TOTALLED 3,328,390, UP BY 3.78 PER CENT AND 5.03 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1992 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT FROM 1,447,391 IN DECEMBER 1991 TO 1,505,003 IN DECEMBER 1992 AND AGAIN BY 5.04 PER CENT TO 1,580,877 IN DECEMBER 1993.
MEANWHILE, THE LAND REGISTRY ALSO RELEASED THE STATISTICS ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES LAST MONTH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS, MAINLY FLATS, RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION DURING THE MONTH INCREASED BY 13.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AND BY 36.9 PER CENT COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1992.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE AGREEMENTS LODGED FOR REGISTRATION IN RESPECT OF SEVERAL LARGE DEVELOPMENTS IN TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN TN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ALL, 10,911 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS WERE RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED WAS $31.97 BILLION.
/THERE WERE .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
2 -
THERE WERE 11 BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 9,031 OTHER MORTGAGES RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH, COMPARED WITH NINE AND 11,503 RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER 1992.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH WAS $0.67 BILLION COMPARED WITH $0.13 BILLION IN DECEMBER 1992.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DECREASED BY 21.9 PER CENT, FROM $7.36 BILLION IN DECEMBER 1992 TO $5.75 BILLION IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, DECREASED BY 1.1 PER CENT, FROM $2.99 BILLION IN DECEMBER 1992 TO $2.95 BILLION IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
•i.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
THE LAND REGISTRY
Consolidated Monthly Statistics in respect of deeds icceived for registration in the Urban and New Territories District Land Registries
Month : Decmber 1993
_Jtem_ Natiue of Deeds Ninber of Deeds received for registration Consideration ($)
Urban New Territories Total Urban New Territories Total
1. Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Building Units 5,743 ( 6,002 ) 5,168 ( 5,264 ) 10,911 ( 11,266 ) 23,202,641,331.70 8,762,432,103.52 31,965,073,435.22
2. Agreements for Sale and Purchase of land 40 313 353 6,593,984,771.56 978,105,587.80 7,572,090,359.36
Sub-total (1) + (2) 5,783 5,481 11,264 29,796,626,103.26 9,740,537,691.32 39,537,163,794.58
3. Assignments of Building Units 5,739 ( 5,871 ) 3,232 ( 3,285 ) 8,971 ( 9,156 ) 18,409,083,674.19 4,809,157,601.12 23,218,241,275.31
4. Assignments of Land 36 688 724 3,239,002,254.56 1,050,914,231.40 4,289,916,485.96
Sub-total (3) + (4) 5,775 3,920 9,695 21,648,085,928.75 5,860,071,832.52 27,508,157,761.2*/
5. Building Mortgages/Building legal Charges 5 6 n 660,650,000.00 4,754,960.00 665,404,960.00
b. Other Mortgages/Legal Charges 5,186 3,845 9,031 3,749,322,832.36 2,000,685,106.05 5,750,007,938.41
Sub-total (5) ♦ (6) 5,191 3,851 9,042 4,409,972,832.36 2,005,440,066.05 6,415,4)2,898.41
7. Receipts/Disdiarges/Releases 4,116 2,653 ‘ 6,769 2,228,456,751.60 724,326,577.45 2,952,783,329.05
8. Leases/Tenancy Agreements 467 218 685
9/ Exclusion Orders 0 6 6
10. Others 2,972 2,327 5,299
Total 24,304 18,456 42,760 58,083,141,615.97 18,330,376,167.34 76,413,517,783.31
Note : Figures in brackets denote nunber of units involved
SATURDAY, JANAURY IS, 1994
THE LAND REGISTRY CompariwaQf MffQthlY SUMics
Month : December 1993
Item 1993 December 1993 November 1992 December December 1993 Increase (+) or Decrease (-) as compared with
November 1993 December 1992
No. or Consideration Percentage No. or Consideration Percentage
1. Agreements for Sales and Purchase of Building Units (a) No. 10,911 9,629 7.970 + 1,282 ♦ 13.3 +• 2,941 + 36.9
(b) Consideration $31,965,073,435.22 $23,197,505,316.78 $20,359,253,785.70 ♦ $8,767,568,118.44 ♦ 37.8 $11,605,819,649.52 + 57.0
2. Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Land (a) No. 353 284 398 ♦ 69 ♦ 24.3 — 45 — 11.3
(b) Consideration $7,572,090,359.36 $2,972,602,872.20 $4,902,880,568.20 ♦ $4,599,487,487.16 + 154.7 + $2,669,209,791.16 + 54.4
Sub-total of(l)*(2) (a) No. 11,264 9,913 8,368 ♦ 1,351 13.6 + 2.896 ♦ 34.6
(b) Consideration $39,537,163,794.58 $26,170,108,188.98 $25,262,134,353.90 ♦ $13,367,055,605.60 ♦ 51.1 ♦ $14,275,029,440.68 ♦ 56.5
3. Assignments of Building Units (a) No. 8,971 11,984 10,350 - 3.013 25.1 1,379 • a' 13.3
(b) Consideration $23,218,241,275.31 $22,712,844,987.58 $19,590,437,032.30 ♦ $505,396,287.73 + 2.2 ♦ $3,627,804,243.01 ♦ 18.5
4. Assignments of I and (a) No. 724 749 872 — 25 3.3 - 148 — 17.0
(b) Consideration $4,289,916,485.96 $5,580,848,908.50 $4,913,744,670.08 - $1,290,932,422.54 - 23.1 - $623,828,184.12 - 12.7
Sub-total of (3) ♦ (4) (a) No. 9,695 12,733 11,222 - 3,038 - 23.9 - 1,527 - 13.6
(b) Consideration $27,508,157,761.27 $28,293,693,896.08 $24,504,181,702.38 - $785,536,134.81 - 2.8 ♦ $3,003,976,058.89 ♦ 12.3
“?7 Building Mortgages/Building Legal Charges (a) No. 11 ;10 9 + 1 + 10.0 ♦ 2 ♦ 22.2
(b) Consideration $665,404,960.00 $325,899,900.4)0 • $132,885,000.00 + $339,505,060.00 * 104.2 $532,519,960.00 + 400.7
6. Other Mortgages/Legal Charges (a) No. 9,031 11.711 11,503 2.680 — 22.9 - 2,472 - 21.5
(b) Consideration $5,750,007,938.41 $6,430,063,424.93 $7,359,133,695.89 - $680,055,486.52 - 10.6 $1,609,125,757.48 - 21.9
Subtotal of($)*(6) (a) No. 9,042 11,721 11,512 — 2,679 — 22.9 - 2,470 21.5
(b) Consideration $6,415,412,898.41 $6,755,963,324.93 $7,492,018,695.89 - $340,550,426.52 - 5.0 - $1,076,605,797.48 - 14.4
7. Receipts/ Di sc ha rges/Releases (a) No. 6,769 7.661 7,232 - 892 - 11.6 - 463 - 6.4
(b) Consideration $2,952,783,329.05 $2,306,106,240.52 $2,985,039,660.63 + $646,677,088.53 ♦ 28.0 - $32,256,331.58 - 1.1
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
THE LAND REGISTRY
I
m
I
Summary of Statistics for 1993 & Comparison with 1992 and J 991
Item 1993 1.1.93 - 31.12.93 1992 1.1.92-31.12.92 1991 1.1.91 -31.12.91 1993 Increase (*) or Decrease (••) as compared with
1992 1991
No. or Consideration Percentage No. or Consideration Percentage
1. Agreements for S/P of Building Units (a) No. 133.060 135.261 176.701 2.201 — 1.63 — 43.641 24.70
(b) Consideration ($ billion) 348.95 322.50 285.24 4 26.45 + 8.20 ♦ 63.71 4 22.34
2. Assignments of Building Units (a) No. 151,501 157.920 182,997 — 6.419 — 4.06 - 31,496 - 17.21
(b) Consideration ($ billion) 326.70 296.06 227.01 + 30.04 4 10.35 4 99.69 4 43.91
3. Assignments of Land (a) No. 8.017 10,249 6,704 - 2,232 21.78 + 1,313 4 19.59
(b) Consideration ($ billion) 81.79 58.23 41.07 +• 23.56 4 40.46 ♦ 40.72 4 99.15
4. Building Mortgages / Building Ixgul Charges (a) No. 100 117 156 — 17 14.53 — 56 - 35.90
(b) Consideration (S billion) 10.51 5.79 8.96 + 4.72 ♦ 81.52 4 1.55 4 17.30
5. Other Mortgages/Legal Charges (a) No. 155.652 ,i 168.478 213.081 — 12.826 - 7.61 - 57.429 - 26.95
(b) Consideration ($ billion) 104.03 88.54 92.11 + 15.49 4 17.49 + 11.92 4 12.94
b. Public Search (Nos.) 3.328,390 3,207,280 3.168.942 4 121,110 4 3.78 4 159.448 • 5.03
7. Property Owners (al the end of the period) 1,580,877 1,505.003 1,447.391 + 75,874 4 5.04 4 1 133,486 • 9.22
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
- 6 -
MAXIMUM SUPPORT TO BUSINESS PLEDGED *****
THE GOVERNMENT■IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND UPKEEPING AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS MOST CONDUCIVE TO MANUFACTURING UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF MINIMUM INTERVENTION WITH NORMAL MARKET FUNCTIONING, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1993/94 SHA TIN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES FESTIVAL, MISS YUE SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND OTHER PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS HAD IN RECENT YEARS PROVIDED VARIOUS SERVICES TO MANUFACTURERS TO HELP THEM IMPROVE QUALITY, UPGRADE PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVE DESIGN.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO HELPED MANUFACTURERS TO IDENTIFY SOURCE AND APPLY NEW PRODUCTION AND PROCESS TECHNIQUES, SHE ADDED.
SHE NOTED THAT ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
BUILT AT A COST OF $250 MILLION, THE CENTRE WILL PROVIDE INCUBATOR’S SERVICE FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED BUSINESSES, PROMOTE THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT.
"TO ENABLE LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO DEVELOP IN THE DIRECTION OF HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A $200 MILLION APPLIED RiD FUND EARLY LAST YEAR TO' ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EQUITY PARTICIPATION OR LOAN PROVISION.
"MOREOVER, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SUM OF $180 MILLION IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1994/95 TO SUBSIDISE PROJECTS WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG," MISS YUE SAID.
ON MANPOWER TRAINING, MISS YUE SAID APART FROM EXPANDING TERTIARY EDUCATION PLACES TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND MANAGEMENT TALENTS, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROVIDED TECHNICAL TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE -MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES THROUGH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND OTHER INDUSTRY SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS.
"IN 1992 AND 1993, THE GOVERNMENT GRANTED A TOTAL OF $405 MILLION FOR IMPLEMENTING THE EMPLOYEES RE-TRAINING SCHEME AND THE NEW TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SCHEME.
/"THESE TWO .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
7
"THESE TWO SCHEMES ARE AIMED RESPECTIVELY AT HELPING WORKERS IN CHANGING THEIR JOBS AND SUBSIDISING MANUFACTURERS TO SEND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND COURSES ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN HONG KONG OR OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL TO THEIR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT," SHE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE SERIES OF MEASURES, HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND ENGAGE IN INNOVATIVE DESIGN, EFFICIENT AND HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTION AND MOVE INTO HIGH VALUE-ADDED MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, SHE ADDED.
---------0-----------
WEATHER OF 1993 » * * « »
1993 WAS AN EVENTFUL YEAR IN TERMS OF WEATHER.
EXTREMES IN SEASONAL TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS WERE MARKED BY A PROLONGED COLD SPELL IN JANUARY AND AN UNUSUALLY HOT AND DRY SUMMER IN JULY AND AUGUST.
IN A YEAR OF FREQUENT TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY, THE NO.8 GALE OR STORM SIGNALS WERE HOISTED FOUR TIMES, JUST ONE SHORT OF THE RECORD SET IN 1964.
THE RATHER LONG TYPHOON SEASON SPANNED FROM LATE JUNE TO EARLY NOVEMBER.
APART FROM SEASONAL MONSOON RAIN IN JUNE, THERE WERE ALSO SEVERE RAINSTORMS OCCURRING WITH THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL CYCLONES, MOST NOTABLY DURING DOT IN SEPTEMBER AND IRA IN NOVEMBER.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL IN 1993 AMOUNTED TO 2,343.9 MILLIMETRES, SIX PER CENT ABOVE THE ANNUAL MEAN OF 2,214.3 MILLIMETRES.
ONE OF THE MOST PERSISTENT COLD SPELLS IN HONG KONG OCCURRED IN JANUARY.
DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WERE BELOW 12 DEGREES FOR 16 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM JANUARY 15 TO 30 AND DAILY MEAN TEMPERATURES WERE BELOW 12 DEGREES FOR 11 CONSECUTIVE DAYS, THE LONGEST DURATION SINCE 1887.
FREEZING CONDITIONS WERE EXPERIENCED ON HIGH GROUND ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 16 AND TEMPERATURES AT TAI MO SHAN WENT DOWN TO -2.0 DEGREES. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 33.5 MILLIMETRES WAS 43 PER CENT ABOVE THE JANUARY NORMAL OF 23.4 MILLIMETRES.
WITH NO SIGNIFICANT SURGES OF COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH, FEBRUARY WAS UNSEASONABLY MILD. THE MONTHLY MEAN TEMPERATURES OF 18 DEGREES AND THE MONTHLY MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 16.3 DEGREES WERE BOTH THE FOURTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR FEBRUARY.
/THE MONTHLY .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
- 8
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 1 MILLIMETRE WAS ONLY ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF THE FEBRUARY NORMAL OF 48 MILLIMETRES, MAKING IT THE SEVENTH DRIEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD.
MARCH WAS WARMER,, CLOUDIER AND MORE HUMID THAN NORMAL. THE FIRST THUNDERSTORM OF THE YEAR OCCURRED ON MARCH 16.
HOWEVER, THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 49 MILLIMETRES FELL SHORT OF THE MARCH NORMAL OF 66.9 MILLIMETRES BY 27 PER CENT.
APRIL WAS RELATIVELY COOL AND CLOUDY WITH ACTIVE LATE-SEASON SURGES OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON.
ALTHOUGH RAIN WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FOR 23 DAYS IN THE MONTH, THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 136.3 MILLIMETRES WAS STILL 16 PER CENT BELOW THE APRIL NORMAL OF 161.5 MILLIMETRES.
THE WEATHER IN MAY WAS TYPICAL OF THE SEASON IN BOTH TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION.
MOST OF THE RAIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH MONSOON TROUGHS WHICH AFFECTED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL WAS 338.4 MILLIMETRES, SEVEN PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 316.7 MILLIMETRES FOR MAY.
WITH MOIST SOUTHWEST MONSOON AND THE PRESENCE OF ACTIVE TROUGHS NEAR THE SOUTH CHINA COAST, JUNE WAS CLOUDIER THAN NORMAL AND UNUSUALLY HUMID.
THE MEAN DEW POINT OF 25.2 DEGREES WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST RECORDED IN JUNE. TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS ON JUNE 11 AND 16 CAUSED WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN THE URBAN AREAS, NECESSITATING THE ISSUANCE OF RED RAINSTORM WARNINGS ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND ALSO THE BLACK RAINSTORM WARNING IN THE LATTER CASE.
THE FIRST TROPICAL CYCLONE IN THE YEAR TO AFFECT HONG KONG WAS TYPHOON KORYN WHICH NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE NO.8 GALE OR STORM SIGNAL ON JUNE 27.
WITH ONLY ONE RAIN-FREE DAY IN THE MONTH, THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 485.2 MILLIMETRES WAS 29 PER CENT ABOVE THE JUNE NORMAL OF 376 MILLIMETRES.
JULY WAS UNUSUALLY HOT.
THE MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 27.6 DEGREES AND THE MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 29.4 DEGREES RANKED RESPECTIVELY THE HIGHEST AND SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JULY.
OVERALL IT WAS A RELATIVELY DRY MONTH DESPITE MORE THAN 100 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN DURING THE PASSAGE OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM LEWIS. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 213.7 MILLIMETRES WAS 34 PER CENT BELOW THE JULY NORMAL OF 323.5 MILLIMETRES.
THE VERY HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS CONTINUED INTO AUGUST.
/THE MONTHLY .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
9
THE MONTHLY MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 26.8 DEGREES WAS THE FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR AUGUST.
THE MONTHLY' RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO 182.8 MILLIMETRES ONLY, LESS THAN HALF OF THE AUGUST NORMAL OF 391.4 MILLIMETRES. THIS WAS DESPITE THE STORMY WEATHER BROUGHT BY' TYPHOON TASHA ON AUGUST 20 WHEN THE NO.8 GALE OR STORM SIGNAL WAS HOISTED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE YEAR.
THEN CAME THREE TYPHOONS IN QUICK SUCCESSION WITHIN A FORTNIGHT IN SEPTEMBER.
BECKY AND DOT NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE NO.8 GALE OR STORM SIGNALS ON SEPTEMBER 17 AND 26 RESPECTIVELY.
THE 223.9 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN BROUGHT BY DOT ON SEPTEMBER 26 WAS THE THIRD HIGHEST DAILY' AMOUNT ON RECORD FOR SEPTEMBER.
BY EARLY NEXT MORNING, THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS INUNDATED WITH FLOOD WATER AS DEEP AS SEVEN METRES IN SOME AREAS.
WITH A MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 655.9 MILLIMETRES, MORE THAN TWICE THE SEPTEMBER NORMAL OF 299.7 MILLIMETRES, SEPTEMBER 1993 BECAME THE FIFTH WETTEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD.
OCTOBER WAS MUCH DRIER AND SLIGHTLY COOLER THAN NORMAL.
THIS WAS DUE TO THE DOMINANCE OF CONTINENTAL ANTICYCLONES WHICH LED TO THE THIRD-HIGHEST OCTOBER MONTHLY MEAN PRESSURE OF 1,016.2 HECTOPASCALS. THE MONTHLY' RAINFALL OF 87.8 MILLIMETRES WAS 39 PER CENT BELOW THE OCTOBER NORMAL OF 144.8 MILLIMETRES.
NOVEMBER WAS UNUSUALLY CLOUDY AND HUMID.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 144.6 MILLIMETRES, MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THE NOVEMBER NORMAL OF 35.1 MILLIMETRES, AND THE 131.2 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE IN THE MONTH WERE RESPECTIVELY THE FIFTH HIGHEST AND SIXTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR NOVEMBER.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENT WAS THE LATE-SEASON PASSAGE OF TYPHOON IRA EARLY IN THE MONTH.
RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH IRA WAS QUITE EXCEPTIONAL AS INTENSE CONVECTION EMBEDDED WITHIN ONE OF ITS TRAILING RAINBANDS BROUGHT CONCENTRATED HEAVY' RAIN OF MORE THAN 700 MILLIMETRES TO THE WESTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY ON NOVEMBER 4 AND 5.
THERE WERE EXTENSIVE LANDSLIDES IN LANTAU AND WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
AN INUNDATED WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN TUEN MUN AND A BURST OF WATER MAINS IN CHEUNG CHAU RESULTED IN THESE AREAS HAVING NO FRESH WATER SUPPLY FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR DAYS.
DECEMBER WAS SLIGHTLY COOLER AND CLOUDIER THAN NORMAL.
/APART FROM .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
- 10 -
APART FROM A HUMID SPELL EARLY IN THE MONTH, IT WAS RATHER DRY. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF. 15.7 MILLIMETRES WAS 42 PER CENT BELOW THE DECEMBER NORMAL OF 27.3 MILLIMETRES.
THE WINTER MONSOON WAS ACTIVE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, GIVING RISE TO SOME COLD MORNINGS AND DAYS OF LOW HUMIDITY.
WITH THE
TURNED NOTICEABLY
WINTER MONSOON BECOMING MORE SUBDUED, THE WEATHER
MILDER DURING THE PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE NEW YEAR.
--------0-----------
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION
*****
ONE HUNDRED CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF 85,606,000.00 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK FU2 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $1,100,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK 1964 AND DL3 WERE SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $320,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR FN8958, FN5331, FN8295, FN3915, FN73O7, FN7455, FN5996.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S MORNING SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $ •
FN1268 8,000 FN882 30,000 EN318 35,000 FM329 45,000
FM728 20,000 FM1938 8,000 FM903 40,000 FN8293 8,000
FC4 105,000 ♦FT333 80,000 *576 210,000 ♦ DL3 320,000
AL2808 15,000 AK8613 12,000 FM633 22,000 FM809 10,000
FM889 40,000 FM3383 21,000 AU417 14,000 CF6811 9,000
FN87 7 10,000 FN902 7,000 FM6882 9,000 FM9008 12,000
CA283 100,000 BM3999 45,000 DD3408 7,000 FN9336 8,000
8146 50,000 »FT11 115,000 ♦ FK20 105,000 ♦ OKI 2 200,000
FN8111 13,000 FF638 30,000 FN3381 5,000 FM4898 8,000
FM330 30,000 FM8300 9,000 FM814 8,000 FM852 3,000
FM578 2,000 FN8958 1,000 ♦ CK95 90,000 FN4809 4,000
AX6521 5,000 FN5331 1,000 FM3208 9,000 *FT34 35,000
FN8295 1,000 FM2627 3,000
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
SATURDAY, JANAURY 15, 1994
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AFTERNOON SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FN1668 55,000 EC128 170,000 FM328 100,000 FN9189 7,000
FM7388 14,000 FN4483 • 11,000 EM233 45,000 FM9005 5,000
♦ 1964 320,000 *591 165,000 ♦ 1965 260,000 ♦ FU2 1,100,000
FN562 5,000 FN3336 12,000 AA1230 60,000 FM6900 5,000
HK1042 38,000 HK1096 52,000 FM921 5,000 FN1963 16,000
FF8368 10,000 FN3280 16,000 FN9311 5,000 DA216 21,000
FM8819 9,000 BT382 34,000 EN3338 50,000 FN122 23,000
♦ DK23 85,000 *£X95 250,000 ♦ FK22 250,000 ♦FT202 35,000
FN118 70,000 FM8038 13,000 HK491 55,000 FN6631 3,000
FN639 19,000 FN1230 9,000 FM4899 3,000 FM9890 4,000
FM9331 2,000 FN3915 1,000 ♦ 4750 113,000 AW8613 16,000
FM8155 WITHDRAWN FN7455 1,000 ♦FT4000 83,000 FN5996 1,000
FN5996 1,000 FN8275 WITHDRAWN
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
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 NAMF OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 209TH AND 210TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $233,339,905.
THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR FM8155 AND FN8275. THESE CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WLLL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANTS.
--------0------------
YOUNG MUSICIAN INVITED TO ATTEND MUSIC CAMP * » « * *
A TALENTED YOUNG STRING PLAYER FROM HONG KONG WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN SYMPHONIC MUSIC PERFORMANCE BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE WORLD YOUNG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN THE 1994 INTERLOCHEN ARTS CAMP AT INTERLOCHEN IN MICHIGAN, THE UNITED STATES.
RECOGNISED AS A PREMIER FINE ARTS CAMP IN THE WORLD, THE ANNUAL MUSIC CAMP WILL BE HELD FROM JUNE 26 TO AUGUST 22 THIS YEAR.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN MASTER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND ENJOY PERFORMANCES BY SOME OF THE MOST RENOWNED ARTISTS IN THE WORLD.
INTERESTED MUSICIANS AGED BETWEEN 14 TO 18 BY JUNE 26 THIS YEAR AND WHO HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS, AND ATTAINED GRADE VIII (PRACTICAL) IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE CAMP.
/PREFERENCE WILL .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
- 12 -
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE AND A REASONABLE COMMAND OF ENGLISH.
APPLICANTS WILL HAVE TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE IN MID-MARCH.’
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE PROVIDED' WITH RETURN AIR PASSAGE DONATED BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED AND A LOCAL ORGANISATION.
THE FEES FOR THE CAMP WILL BE MET BY THE CAMP ORGANISER.
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS/HER PERSONAL INSURANCE ABROAD, AND TO PLACE A SUM OF U.S.$300 IN HIS PERSONAL ACCOUNT WITH THE INTERLOCHEN ARTS CAMP TO MEET MINOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.
THE FINAL DECISION REGARDING THE SELECTION OF PARTICIPANT RESTS WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE KWUN TONG MUSIC CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 21 ON WAH STREET, NGAU TAU KOK BY FEBRUARY 14.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 796 2891.
--------0-----------
WATER CUTS IN HK WEST & KOWLOON EAST
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 17) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE WATER CUT WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT 158A-188 CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, 200, 426, 428 AND ODD NUMBERS OF 271-375 DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, ODD NUMBERS OF 443-453 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, EVEN NUMBERS OF 4-16 HILL ROAD, 8 AND 8A WHITTY STREET, KA ON STREET, 6-7 CHIU KWONG STREET, FUNG MAT ROAD AND THE WESTERN POLICE STATION.
MEANWHILE, OWING TO CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 18) TO 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 20).
THE AFFECTED AREAS INCLUDE SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON BAY, CHOI HUNG, PING SHEK, CHOI WAN, SHUN LEE, SHUN ON, SHUN TIN, SAU MAU PING, LAM TIN, NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG, CHA KWO LING AND DIAMOND HILL.
--------0-----------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1994
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * * $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,230
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,770
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 127.4 »-0.1* 15.1.94
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RULE OF LAW TO CONTINUE AFTER 1997 ............................. 1
ORO ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES .............................. 2
PROPER LOADING OF CONTAINER VEHICLES URGED ..................... 3
FURTHER PROMOTION OF ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ................... 4
19 CONSENTS GIVEN TO PRE-SALE OF UNCOMPLETED FLATS ............. 5
METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME BENEFITS EVERYONE ................ 5
SUNDAY, JANAURY 16, 1994
RULE OF LAW TO CONTINUE AFTER 1997 *****
THE LEGAL SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE FORCE TO THE RULE OF LAW AFTER 1997, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JAYCEES INAUGURAL BALL TONIGHT, MR MATHEWS SAID THE RULE OF LAW LIED AT THE HEART OF HONG KONG’S LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE CONTINUATION OF THAT SYSTEM WAS GUARANTEED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
HE ALSO TOLD MEMBERS OF JAYCEES THAT THE LEGAL SYSTEM WAS BASED ON THE RULE OF LAW OPERATED BY AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND INDEPENDENT LAWYERS WITH PROSECUTION DECISIONS MADE FREE FROM POLITICAL PRESSURE.
HE SAID: "IT IS OUR JUDGES AND MAGISTRACIES WHO DISPENSE JUSTICE IN HONG KONG IN A FAIR AND EVEN-HANDED WAY, FREE FROM POLITICAL PRESSURE OR INTERFERENCE.
"ALTHOUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT, IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF OUR SYSTEM THAT WHEN DECISIONS TO PROSECUTE OR NOT TO PROSECUTE ARE MADE THEY ARE MADE QUITE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND EQUALLY FREE FROM POLITICAL PRESSURE OR INTERFERENCE."
AS FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, HE SAID: "BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS IN HONG KONG ARE MEMBERS OF INDEPENDENT AND SELF-REGULATING BODIES THAT LAY DOWN FOR THEMSELVES RULES TO REGULATE THE HIGH STANDARD AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY THAT THE COMMUNITY RIGHTLY EXPECTS OF THEM."
NOTING THAT THERE WOULD BE CHANGES IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM AFTER 1997 TO REFLECT THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY AND TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO ASSURED HIS AUDIENCE THAT THE CHANGES WOULD NOT ALTER IN ANY FUNDAMENTAL WAY THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM.
HE SAID EXPECTED CHANGES INCLUDED MORE USE OF CHINESE IN COURTS, TRANSLATION OF ALL ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS INTO CHINESE, LOCALISATION OF LAWS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF ARRANGEMENTS TO REGULATE LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINSTRATION REGION AND THE REST OF CHINA.
MR MATHEWS SAID: "SOME CHINESE IS ALREADY USED IN SOME OF OUR MAGISTRATE COURTS BUT WE MUST WORK TOWARDS A SITUATION WHERE THOSE APPEAR BEFORE THE COURTS CAN HAVE THEIR CASES HEARD IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE VAST BULK OF THE POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
AS FOR THE TRANSLATION OF ORDINANCES AND REGULATION INTO CHINESE AND LOCALISATION OF LAWS, HE NOTED THAT THE TASKS WERE WELL UNDERWAY AND THE TARGET WAS TO HAVE THEM COMPLETED BEFORE 1997.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1994
- 2
ORO ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ♦ « » « ♦
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE (ORO) TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGE ON SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
AN ORO SPOKESMAN SAID THE OFFICE WOULD MONITOR PERFORMANCES AGAINST STANDARD RESPONSE TIMES.
’’THE DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT, COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC IN A PLEASANT AND BUSINESS-LIKE ENVIRONMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ORO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ORDERLY ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSOLVENT ESTATES OF:
* COMPANIES ORDERED TO BE WOUND UP BY THE COURT UNDER THE WINDING-UP PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE; AND
♦ INDIVIDUALS OR PARTNERS ADJUDICATED BANKRUPT BY THE COURT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.
THE SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE ENQUIRY SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS FOR SEARCHES; LODGING PROOFS OF DEBT IN PERSON; REQUEST FOR COPIES OF STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS; AND COLLECTION OF DIVIDENDS IN APPROPRIATE CASES.
THE NEW ORO’S PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND TARGETS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* GENERAL ENQUIRIES
IN PERSON AT PUBLIC RECEPTION COUNTER 10 MINUTES
BY MAIL
WITHIN 10 DAYS OR AN INTERIM REPLY WILL BE GIVEN ON TECHNICAL MATTERS
* APPLICATIONS FOR BANKRUPTCY SEARCHES AND WINDING-UP SEARCHES
IN PERSON
BY MAIL
9
* APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF NONBANKRUPTCY
* PROOFS OF DEBT
WHERE LODGED IN PERSON
OBTAINING ASSISTANCE OF OFFICERS TO COMPLETE A PROOF OF DEBT
ONE WORKING DAY
THREE WORKING DAYS FROM RECEIPT
THREE WORKING DAYS FROM RECEIPT
FIVE TO 10 MINUTES
15 TO 30 MINUTES
/★ REQUEST FOR ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1994
- 3 -
* REQUEST FOR COPIES OF STATEMENT OF THREE WORKING DAYS
AFFAIRS, IF THEY HAVE BEEN PRESENTED, SUBJECT TO PAYMENT OF PHOTOCOPYING FEES
t COLLECTION OF DIVIDENDS IN APPROPRIATE CASES
IN PERSON
NORMAL - CHECK ID AND DIVIDEND 20 MINUTES
SCHEDULE
LATE PAYMENT AFTER SIX MONTHS r- 35 MINUTES
COMPLICATED (MANUAL CHEQUE)
CHANGE NAME OF PAYEE ON CHEQUE 40 MINUTES
BY MAIL FIVE WORKING DAYS
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OFFICE WOULD ALSO FORM A LIAISON GROUP THAT COMPRISED MAJOR CLIENTS TO HELP IN MONITORING THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES AND TO ENSURE CUSTOMER INPUT INTO THE SERVICES.
HE SAID THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WOULD PUBLISH PERFORMANCE RESULTS AGAINST STANDARD RESPONSE TIMES EVERY YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO COMMENT AND SUGGEST ON THE WAY TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SERVICES. THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENTAL SECRETARY, OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, OR ON TEL 867 2651 OR BY FAX 869 0423.
COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET LISTING OUT THE OFFICE’S PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND TARGETS ARE AVAILABLE FREE AT THE OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
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PROPER LOADING OF CONTAINER VEHICLES URGED ♦ * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RAFAEL HUI, URGED CONTAINER TRACTOR OPERATORS TO LOAD CONTAINERS PROPERLY TO ENSURE SAFETY ON ROADS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’ARTICULATED VEHICLE SAFETY CAMPAIGN CARNIVAL’’ TODAY (SUNDAY), MR HUI POINTED OUT THAT AN OVERLOADED GOODS VEHICLE, OR A GOODS VEHICLE WITH GOODS NOT PROPERLY AND EVENLY POSITIONED, COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT EASILY WHEN RUNNING ON THE ROADS.
MR HUI SAID PROPER LOADING WAS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO CONTAINER VEHICLES.
/"BEFORE STARTING .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1994
4
"BEFORE STARTING HIS JOURNEY, THE DRIVER SHOULD KNOW THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE CONSIGNMENT AND THE WEIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF GOODS, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WHEN PART OF THE GOODS ARE UNLOADED ON THE WAY, THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE CHANGE OF AXLE LOADING," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT GOODS INSIDE THE CONTAINER SHOULD BE POSITIONED AND SECURED PROPERLY, SO AS TO AVOID THEM SHIFTING ABOUT INSIDE THE CONTAINER THUS JEOPARDISING THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.
MR HUI SAID DRIVERS SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE MORE THAN 70 PRIVATE WEIGH STATIONS TO FIND OUT THE LOADING WEIGHT OF EACH AXLE, IN ORDER TO AVOID AXLE OVERLOADING WHICH WOULD IN TURN AFFECT THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL OPEN A NEW WEIGH STATION IN TAI LAM CHUNG BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR TO SERVE THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
ON TRAINING OF CONTAINER VEHICLE DRIVERS, MR HUI SAID IN ORDER TO MONITOR MORE SYSTEMATICALLY THE TRAINING AND EXAMINATION OF THESE DRIVERS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY SITE IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 NEW TOWN FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE FIRST ARTICULATED VEHICLE DRIVING SCHOOL.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL SET UP A DRIVER TESTING CENTRE INSIDE THE SCHOOL, SPECIFICALLY FOR TESTING OF ARTICULATED VEHICLE DRIVERS.
THE SCHOOL IS EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT ALL GOODS VEHICLES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED THROUGH THE GOODS VEHICLE ANNUAL INSPECTION SCHEME TO ENHANCE SAFETY.
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FURTHER PROMOTION OF ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY * * * * *
TO PROMOTE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AT AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) SITES, POSTERS HAVE BEEN PUT UP AT THE TSUEN WAN AND SAM TSENG PUBLIC PIERS WHERE HUNDREDS OF WORKERS TAKE THEIR FERRIES TO THE SITES EVERYDAY.
THE POSTERS, SHOWING THE MASCOT OF THE ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD SCHEME - MR ACP SAFETY FIRST - IS TO REMIND CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS INVOLVED IN ACP PROJECTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AND ITS MANAGEMENT ON SITE.
THE POSTERS TOGETHER WITH OTHER PRINT MATERIAL PROMOTING THE AWARD SCHEME HAVE BEEN WIDELY DISTRIBUTED TO ALL THE ACP PROJECT SITES.
/A RADIO .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1994
- 5 -
A RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST HAS ALSO BEEN PRODUCED AND BROADCAST ON ALL THE LOCAL CHINESE CHANNELS.
LAUNCHED LAST YEAR, THE AWARD SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT CO-ORDINATION OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT XND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
AN AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE 1993 AWARD SCHEME WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH.
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19 CONSENTS GIVEN TO PRE-SALE OF UNCOMPLETED FLATS
*****
THE LEGAL ADVISORY AND CONVEYANCING OFFICE OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) RELEASED DETAILS OF CONSENTS GIVEN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993 TO THE FORWARD SALE OF UNITS IN UNCOMPLETED DEVELOPMENTS.
A TOTAL OF 19 CONSENTS WERE GRANTED, INVOLVING 1,260 UNITS ON THE HONG KONG ISLAND AND 1,7.37 UNITS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE CONSENTS WERE GIVEN IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS MADE UNDER THE LAND AUTHORITY’S CONSENT SCHEME CONTAINED IN LEASE CONDITIONS.
THE SCHEME ALLOWS DEVELOPERS TO SELL FLATS BEFORE BUILDING WORKS ARE COMPLETED.
METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME BENEFITS EVERYONE
* * * * ♦
THE METHADONE PROGRAMME BENEFITS EVERYONE. NOT JUST DRUG ABUSERS, BUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS HEALTHIER AND SAFER AS A RESULT.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR ALASDAIR SINCLAIR, WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-DRUG CARNIVAL HELD AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
’’THE BENEFIT OF THIS TREATMENT IS THAT LIVES ARE STABILISED. THE CRAVING FOR HEROIN IS SUBDUED. QUICK CASH CRIME IS REDUCED,’’ MR SINCLAIR REMARKED.
’’THERE IS LESS DRUG DEALING AND LESS DRUG-TAKING, FEWER DISCARDED SYRINGES AND LESS NUISANCE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
"THERE IS .......
SUNDAY, JANAURY 16, 1994
- 6 -
"THERE IS ALSO LESS DISEASE," HE NOTED.
THE COMMISSIONER STRESSED THE RECENT SELF-INJECTION OF CONTAMINATED PRODUCTS WHICH HAD LED TO AN OUTBREAK OF TETANUS AMONG DRUG ABUSERS AND MANY UNNECESSARY DEATHS.
"BY CONTRAST, METHADONE IS TAKEN ORALLY IN PROPERLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS.
"IT PROVIDES A READILY ACCESSIBLE, LAWFUL AND MEDICALLY SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO THE ILLICIT SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF HEROIN," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
"IT ALSO HELPS METHADONE PATIENTS TO EARN THEIR LIVING AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY," HE ADDED.
CURRENTLY, SOME 9,000 HERION ADDICTS WERE REGISTERED AT 23 METHADONE CLINICS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WHICH THEY ATTENDED DAILY AS OUT-PATIENTS.
TO FIGHT AGAINST THE LONG-STANDING DRUG PROBLEM IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT STRATEGY WAS TO TARGET BOTH SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
VIGOROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF ILLICIT DRUGS BEFORE THEY REACHED CUSTOMERS AND HELPED TO STOP PRICES OF DRUGS FROM DROPPING TOO LOW, SAID THE COMMISSIONER.
"BUT SUCH ACTION DOES NOT AND CANNOT CUT OFF THE SUPPLY COMPLETELY.
"IT NEEDS TO BE BALANCED BY STRENUOUS EFFORTS ON THE DEMAND SIDE," HE REMARKED.
a ;
"WE ARE WORKING HARD, THROUGH EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, TO PREVENT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BEING CAUGHT UP IN THE DEGRADATION AND DANGER OF DRUG ABUSE," MR SINCLAIR PLEDGED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UPHOLD PRESS FREEDOM, GOVERNOR URGES ............................ 1
GOVERNOR TALKS TO PRESS AFTER OPENING FREEDOM FORUM CONFERENCE .......................,............................ 2
FURTHER FUNDING PROPOSED FOR PAA ................................ 4
MORE COMPANIES REGISTERED LAST YEAR ............................. 5
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER -NOVEMBER ...................................................... 6
TENDER FOR SECOND ISSUE OF 3-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES ........... 7
HKIED SET TO UPGRADE TEACHER EDUCATION ......................... 8
CONFERENCE ON CURRICULUM FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING ................. 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 10
WATER CUTS IN SHAM SHUI PO AND SAI KUNG ........................ 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
10
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
UPHOLD PRESS FREEDOM, GOVERNOR URGES
*****
IF HONG KONG IS TO REAP THE SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS GENERATED THROUGH THE INFORMATION REVOLUTION, ITS GOVERNMENT, ITS PRESS AND ITS PEOPLE MUST STAND UP FOR PRESS FREEDOM HERE, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
"WE MUST ALL WORK TO KEEP IT THAT WAY," THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE AUDIENCE AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE FREEDOM FORUM ASIAN CENTRE THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
MR PATTEN SAID THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS OF ATTEMPTS TO EXERT BACKDOOR PRESSURE ON THE PRESS AND THE MEDIA HERE. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF REPORTS OF SELF-CENSORSHIP.
PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE PRESS HERE MAY BE LESS FREE AFTER 1997, HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND HE HIMSELF WOULD DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM UP HILL AND DOWN DALE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS REVIEWING AND AMENDING MUCH OF ITS LEGISLATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ORDINANCES ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, TELEVISION AND SO ON, TO ENSURE THAT THEY DID NOT, IN ANY WAY, INFRINGE ON THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
"BUT WE RELY ON THE PRESS TO DO THEIRS AS WELL," HE SAID.
ULTIMATELY, THE DAY-TO-DAY GUARDIANS OF PRESS FREEDOM ARE THE PRACTITIONERS THEMSELVES - THE REPORTERS, THE NEWS EDITORS, THE PROPRIETORS WHO WORK FOR AND OWN THE HONG KONG PRESS, HE SAID.
"THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DEPEND ON YOU TO GET THEM THE NEWS, TO TELL THEM IT STRAIGHT, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR.
"THEY RELY ON YOU TO STAND UP FOR HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE BY STANDING UP FOR YOUR RIGHT TO DO YOUR JOB EFFECTIVELY," MR PATTEN SAID.
HE SAID IF. THE HONG KONG CLOCK WAS TO CARRY ON TICKING AS SMOOTHLY AND ACCURATELY AS IT DID TODAY, THEN HONG KONG PEOPLE NEEDED TO STAND UP FOR PRESS FREEDOM NOT JUST AFTER 1997, BUT BEFORE IT AS WELL.
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/2 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
- 2 -
GOVERNOR TALKS TO PRESS AFTER OPENING FREEDOM FORUM CONFERENCE
*****
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, IS IT TRUE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WAS THE LAST ONE TO GIVE A PROPOSAL ON THE AIRPORT ISSUE BUT THE BRITISH SIDE HAVEN’T RESPONDED TO IT YET?
GOVERNOR: NO, I DON’T BELIEVE THAT’S FAIR AT ALL. THERE ARE PARTICULARLY QUESTIONS INVOLVING THE USE OF LAND AND THE LAND PREMIA WHICH NEED TO BE TACKLED. WE’VE SUGGESTED DOING SO IN THE LAND COMMISSION. WE’VE SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE TALKS BETWEEN EXPERTS IN ORDER TO TRY TO RESOLVE THESE MATTERS BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE TALKS HAVEN’T MATERIALISED. BUT, IF I CAN SAY SOMETHING MORE GENERALLY ABOUT ALL THESE MATTERS, THE SIMPLEST THING IS TO HAVE A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. AS I SAID LAST WEEK, INSTEAD OF EXCHANGING VIEWS AT SEVERAL THOUSANDS OR HUNDREDS OF MILES’ DISTANCE OVER THE SILVER SCREEN THROUGH THE TELEVISION, WE SHOULD ACTUALLY GET DOWN TO IT AND HAVE A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE PRETTY PUZZLED AND THAT ISN’T HOW WE ARE TRYING TO RESOLVE THINGS.
QUESTION: ARE YOU IN PRINCIPLE AGAINST MR LU PING’S SUGGESTION THAT SOME OF HONG KONG RESERVE WHICH COULD BE IN EXCESS OF $100 BILLION COULD BE INJECTED INTO THE AIRPORT PROJECT?
GOVERNOR: WE’VE BEEN PROPOSING DOING THAT, AS YOU KNOW. BUT I AM A LITTLE PUZZLED BY THE REMARKS MADE BY HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OFFICIALS FROM TIME TO TIME. SOMETIMES, THEY SAY WE SHOULDN’T PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THE AIRPORT. SOMETIMES, THEY SAY WE SHOULD. SOMETIMES, THEY SAY BOTH THOSE THINGS WITHIN THE SAME PARAGRAPH. SO, IT’S A HIT CONFUSING. BUT, I AM VERY HAPPY TO TRY TO RESOLVE THESE MATTERS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO DO AND I AM SURE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE DELIGHTED BY THE HEALTHY STATE OF OUR RESERVE AND OUR SURPLUS AND I AM SURE THEY ARE DELIGHTED BY THE CONFIRMATION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE THAT HE BELIEVES THAT WHEN WE LEAVE HERE AND BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY GOES IN 1997, WE’LL LEAVING BEHIND A VERY HEALTHY, STRONG ECONOMY AND HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION. I’D LIKE TO CONFIRM THAT WILL INDEED BE THE POSITION.
QUESTION: REGARDING THE QUESTION OF ANOTHER ROUND OF TALKS TO DISCUSS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, IT SEEMS TO BE AGAIN ANOTHER PING-PONG BALL, YOU SAY YOU PROPOSED A DATE, THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING TO TALK, WHAT IS THE ACTUAL STATUS REGARDING THAT, ANY POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE TALKS?
GOVERNOR: THE ACTUAL POSITION IS THAT WE’VE SAID THAT WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE FURTHER TALKS. WE WANT FURTHER TALKS. WE WANT AN 18TH ROUND BUT THAT FOR REASONS WHICH CHINESE OFFICIALS PERFECTLY WELL UNDERSTAND, WE’VE HAD TO GO AHEAD WITH FIRST STAGE LEGISLATION. THEY KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THE PRESSURE ON US, BOTH ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE. THEY’RE SAYING " WE’LL ONLY TALK AGAIN IF YOU SCRAP THE BILL". THE BILL TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS PROCEEDING IN A SENSIBLE WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT WITHOUT WRECKING THE TIME TABLE UP TO THE ELECTIONS, WE CAN’T DO THAT. WE'LL GO ON VERY PATIENTLY AS WE DID BEFORE TALKS STARTED, ASKING FOR THESE MATTERS TO BE RESOLVED ROUND THE TABLE AND I HOPE THEY WILL BE.
/QUESTION: .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
3
QUESTION: WITH REGARD TO PRESS FREEDOM, HOW CAN YOU GIVE ANY GUARANTEE ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN AFTER 1997?
GOVERNOR: ALL I CAN POINT TO IS WHAT’S BEEN AGREED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH INCLUDES FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND PRESS FREEDOM. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE SINCERE WHEN THEY SAY THAT THEY WANT PRESS FREEDOM TOO.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, WILL THE CABINET MAKE ANY DECISION ON WHEN THE REST OF THE BILL (BE TABLED IN LEGCO)?
GOVERNOR: I AM SURE THAT MINISTERS WILL WANT TO HAVE MY VIEWS ON THAT MATTER. BUT THE MAIN CONSIDERATION IS TO PROCEED IN A SENSIBLE STEP-BY-STEP WAY AND THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO IS TO GET THE PRESENT BILL SATISFACTORILY ONTO THE STATUTE BOOK.
QUESTION: I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO SAY THAT THE NEGOTIATORS MUST HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE WORST CASE SCENARIO OVER HONG KONG’S POLITICAL FUTURE WHICH IS THE SCRAPPING OF ALL THESE REFORMS IN 1997. MANY PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHETHER YOU CONSIDER THE WORST CASE SCENARIO AND WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO HONG KONG IF THESE REFORMS HAVE BEEN SCRAPPED AND WE’LL HAVE A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF REFORM?
GOVERNOR: IT ISN’T A VERY PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT TO SAY THAT IF CHINA CHOOSES TO OR SAYS IT WILL BREAK ALL WINDOWS AFTER 1997 THAT WE SHOULD BREAK THEM IN 1994 AND 1995. IT’S NOT VERY SENSIBLE TO SUGGEST THAT BECAUSE CHINA THREATENS TO DO THINGS WHICH WILL BE DIRECTLY CONTRARY TO HONG KONG’S INTEREST AFTER 1997, WE SHOULD AGREE TO THINGS WHICH SHOULD BE CONTRARY TO HONG KONG’S INTEREST THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR. WE HAVE TO PUT IN PLACE WHAT WE THINK IS A FAIR AND REASONABLE SET OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTING THE DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THAT’S DISCHARGING OUR SOVEREIGNTY IN A WAY WHICH IS REASONABLE AND IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THAT WE INTEND TO DO AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL DO WHAT’S IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG AFTER 1997.
QUESTION: .....ARE YOU STILL CONFIDENT THAT THE BILL HAS THE MAJORITY TO GET THE BILL THROUGH......?
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH HOPE SO. BUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS THE BODY WHICH HAS TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISIONS. I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNISES THAT. THE COMMUNITY RECOGNISES THAT AND I ASSUME CHINESE OFFICIALS, DESPITE WHAT THEY SAY, RECOGNISE THAT AS WELL. BUT WE , OBVIOUSLY, PUT THE PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BELIEVING THAT THEY WERE THE BEST ONES FOR HONG KONG AND I’D LIKE TO SEE THOSE EMERGED. THANKS VERY MUCH.
/4 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
FURTHER FUNDING PROPOSED FOR PAA « » * » *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO ASK THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO APPROVE FURTHER FUNDS TOTALLING $1.67 BILLION FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA).
THESE FUNDS COVER THE PAA’S HEADQUARTERS COSTS UNTIL MARCH 1995, AND ENABLE IT TO PROCEED WITH CONTRACTS FOR THREE URGENT WORKS ITEMS.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY MR DONALD TSANG, SAID:
"WE HAVE DECIDED TO ASK FOR THIS FUNDING AFTER CAREFULLY CONSIDERING VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE TWO OPTIONS WHICH WE PUT FORWARD LAST WEEK."
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WERE CONSULTED ON JANUARY 13, AND THERE HAS BEEN A GENERAL PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON THE ISSUES INVOLVED, HE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A CLEAR VIEW IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SHOULD PRESS AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT PROJECT AS SPEEDILY AND EFFICIENTLY AS WE CAN, WHILE CONTINUING TO SEEK AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON OVERALL FINANCING FOR THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"THIS INDICATES THAT WE SHOULD TAKE UP OPTION ’B’ IN THE DISCUSSION PAPER WHICH WE PUBLISHED LAST WEEK.
"IT ENABLES THE PAA TO MOVE AHEAD ON THREE URGENT WORKS ITEMS, IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING ITS HEAD OFFICE OPERATIONS.
"THE OTHER OPTION - OPTION 'A’ WOULD NOT ENABLE US TO PROCEED SO SPEEDILY BECAUSE IT WOULD ONLY PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE PAA’S HEADQUARTERS.
"IF, AS WE HOPE, FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES THIS FUNDING AT ITS MEETING ON JANUARY 21, WE WILL HAVE TAKEN ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM ON THE AIRPORT ITSELF.
"WHAT WE NOW NEED IS AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON OVERALL FINANCING FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY SO THAT WE CAN COMPLETE THESE PROJECTS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE BY JUNE 1997."
A SPOKESMAN SAID THE $1.67 BILLION FUNDING WOULD BRING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT EQUITY ADVANCES APPROVED FOR THE PAA TO $16.26 BILLION. THE FUNDING APPLICATION COMPRISED:
* $377 MILLION FOR THE PAA’S HEAD OFFICE EXPENSES FOR ONE YEAR
FROM MARCH 31, 1994 TO ENABLE THE PAA TO CONTINUE ITS HEAD OFFICE MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT, THE PASSENGER TERMINAL DESIGN, AND OTHER DESIGN CONSULTANCIES, AND MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIAL, OPERATIONAL AND OTHER MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS.
/* $1,294 MILLION ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
- 5 -
♦ $1,294 MILLION TO COVER THREE URGENT WORKS ITEMS: THE $120
MILLION DESIGN PHASE OF THE BAGGAGE HANDLING AND AUTOMATED PEOPLE MOVER SYSTEMS’. $719 MILLION WORKS CONTRACTS FOR PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING FOUNDATIONS; AND $455 MILLION WORKS FOR CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT FACILITIES SUCH AS TEMPORARY ROADS, FERRY PIERS AND UTILITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PAA WAS FINALISING TENDERING AND CONTRACT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE THREE URGENT CONTRACTS SO THAT THE CONTRACTS COULD GO AHEAD WITHOUT DELAY ONCE THE FUNDS WERE APPROVED.
THE FUNDING PROPOSAL IS CONTAINED IN A PAPER ISSUED TODAY (MONDAY) TO MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING ON JANUARY 21.
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MORE COMPANIES REGISTERED LAST YEAR t t * * t t
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAD INCREASED BY 16% FROM 358,129 TO 415,911 WHILE THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED IN 1993 HAD INCREASED BY 6% FROM 58,110 TO 61,831.
THESE ARE THE FIGURES RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES, MR GORDON W E JONES, TODAY (MONDAY).
THE COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES HAD INDICATED INCREASES OF ACTIVITY IN MOST AREAS FOR 1993 BY COMPARISON WITH 1992.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEA COMPANIES WHICH HAD AN ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS TN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF THE YEAR INCREASED BY 11% FROM 3,193 TO 3,544.
THE NUMBER OF NEW OVERSEA COMPANIES ESTABLISHING A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI DURING 1993 WAS 498, A DECREASE OF 9% OVER THE NUMBER OF SUCH COMPANIES IN 1992.
EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $57,005 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 25% OVER THE INCREASE OF $45,574 MILLION IN 1992, WHILE THE NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DURING THE YEAR INCREASED BY 46% FROM $5,208 MILLION TO $7,622 MILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES DECREASED BY 19% FROM $83,940 MILLION TO $67,673 MILLION WHILE THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, INCREASED BY 124% FROM $9,621 MILLION TO $21,515 MILLION.
DURING THE YEAR A TOTAL OF 168 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 52 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED COMPARED WITH 192 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 66 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
/THE TOTAL ......
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
- 6 -
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE YEAR INCREASED BY 5% FROM 1,229,185 TO 1,294,918 AND THE NUMBER OF SEARCHES MADE BY THE PUBLIC DURING 1993 AS COMPARED WITH THAT IN 1992 INCREASED BY 11.2% FROM 1,657,1^64 TO 1,842,566.
<4
THE FIGURES FOR 1993 INDICATED THAT IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1993, 28,354 COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED COMPARED WITH 33,477 IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. 1
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS TAKEN BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR BREACHES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, IN 1993 WAS 248.
ANOTHER 13 SUMMONSES WERE OUTSTANDING FROM 1992.
OF THIS TOTAL OF 261 SUMMONSES, 192 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS (COMPARED WITH 107 IN 1992) AND 42 REMAINED TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR CONVICTIONS IN 1993 WAS $1,580,525 COMPARED WITH $543,130 IN 1992.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES MR JONES SAID THEY REFLECTED INCREASED COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY LOCALLY AND INTEREST IN HONG KONG BY OVERSEA INVESTORS.
------0-----------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER *****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER -NOVEMBER 1993 WAS 2%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.4%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1993 WAS 2%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%.
THE LATEST FIGURES SUGGEST THAT THE LABOUR MARKET HAS REMAINED TIGHT IN RECENT MONTHS. • 1
DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER 1993, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 59,200, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 41,800.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
/THE SURVEY .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
THE SURVEY FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 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 WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE 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 DECEMBER 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL BY THE END OF MARCH, AT $23.50 A COPY.
--------0-----------
TENDER FOR SECOND ISSUE OF 3-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES » » * * t
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE TENDER FOR THE SECOND ISSUE OF THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 24 (MONDAY) FOR SETTLEMENT ON JANUARY 25 (TUESDAY).
SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ISSUE, AN AMOUNT OF $500 MILLION THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WILL BE ON OFFER.
ANOTHER $100 MILLION FOR EACH ISSUE WILL BE HELD AS RESERVE BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY FOR SUPPLY TO MARKET MAKERS IN THE SECONDARY MARKET.
THE NOTES WILL MATURE ON JANUARY 27, 1997 AND WILL CARRY INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 4.60 PER CENT PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE NOTES MAY DO SO THROUGH ANY OF THE MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY AT 30TH FLOOR, 3 GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (OR TELEPHONE 878 8150).
EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF $50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES THEREOF.
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/8 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
8
HKIED SET TO UPGRADE TEACHER EDUCATION
*****
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HKIED) IS COMMITTED TO UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE INSTITUTE, MR SIMON IP, SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ON TOWARDS A NEW ERA IN TEACHER EDUCATION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION TODAY (MONDAY), MR IP POINTED OUT THAT ONE FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE UPGRADING PROCESS WAS A SOUND ACADEMIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
HE SAID: ’’THE INSTITUTE WILL INITIALLY CONCENTRATE ON UPGRADING COURSES AT THE PRE-DEGREE LEVEL WHILE PREPARING TO OFFER SOME DEGREE PROGRAMMES AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.
"THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES TO BE OFFERED IN THE FIRST ACADEMIC YEAR (1994/95) WILL EMBRACE ALL COURSES BEING OFFERED BY THE EXISTING COLLEGES.
"MEANWHILE, A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE EXISTING CURRICULUM IS BEING CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THAT THE CURRICULUM WILL BE DESIGNED TO MEET THE PRESENT-DAY NEEDS OF SCHOOLS AS FULLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. ’’
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR IP CONTINUED, A SPECIAL TASK GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP TO PREPARE FOR THE SEPARATION OF THE TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE COURSE INTO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STREAMS.
THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL IS ALSO WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE BAPTIST-HKU (SPACE) CONSORTIUM AND THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTECITY POLYTECHNIC CONSORTIUM TO DEVELOP TWO IN-SERVICE BACHELOR OF EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
MR IP APPEALED TO THOSE WHO ASPIRED TO BECOME TEACHERS AND CONTRIBUTE TO UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG TO ENROL IN THE INSTITUTE’S PRE-SERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
HE FURTHER CALLED ON SERVING TEACHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE AT THE INSTITUTE TO ENHANCE THEIR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE SO AS TO MEET NEW INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES.
MR IP ALSO TOLD THE GATHERING THAT A 12.5-HECTARE SITE IN TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, HAD BEEN DESIGNATED FOR DEVELOPING THE NEW HKIED CAMPUS.
ALL ESSENTIAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC BLOCKS, STAFF AND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION, MAJOR SPORTS AND OTHER FACILITIES, WILL BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE CAMPUS.
"THE CURRENT PLAN IS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT IN 1998," SAID MR IP.
/BEFORE THE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
9
BEFORE THE CAMPUS IS COMPLETED, THE INSTITUTE WILL OPERATE IN THE EXISTING COLLEGE PREMISES AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES.
THE HK1ED, TO BE OPENED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, WILL BE AN AUTONOMOUS TERTIARY INSTITUTION FORMED BY MERGING THE FOUR EXISTING COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY MANAGED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BILL WHICH ESTABLISHES THE INSTITUTE AS A STATUTORY BODY, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
THE BILL, WHEN ENACTED, WILL PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNING COUNCIL AS THE SUPREME GOVERNING BODY OF THE INSTITUTE AND THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ACADEMIC BOARD TO PLAN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES.
-----------------------0------- CONFERENCE ON CURRICULUM FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING * * * * *
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TEACHERS WILL MEET AT A CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND DEVELOP IDEAS ON ADAPTING THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM TO SUIT THE ABILITIES, NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF STUDENTS.
ABOUT 300 PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL GET TOGETHER.
THE ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON "TAILORING THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING" WILL BE HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, STARTING AT 9.30 AM.
THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO GROUPS FOR DISCUSSIONS ON THE THEMES - STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES; METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING; USE AND MISUSE OF RESOURCE MATERIALS; CURRICULUM; AND PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CURRICULUM CONTINUITY.
THE CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (CDI) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CDI), DR PANG KING-CHEE AND HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR PETER FALVEY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER. THE CONFERENCE WILL START AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE LOKE YEW HALL, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, POK FU LAM ROAD.
------0--------
/10......
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
• >- 10
• r ■' < • WATER STORAGE FIGURE t * » *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 66.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 388.786 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 312.569 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 53.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
WATER CUTS IN SHAM SHUI PO AND SAI KUNG * ♦ » t *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO AND SAI KUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 19) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE WATER CUT WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KIU KIANG STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, PEI HO STREET, FUK WING STREET, FUK WA STREET, YEN CHOW STREET AND KWEILIN STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO.
IN SAI KUNG, THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE LOCATED AT THE SECTION OF SAI SHA ROAD BETWEEN WONG CHUK WAN AND CHEUNG MUK TAU, INCLUDING LONG KENG, O TAU, YUNG SHUE O, KEI LING HA LO WAI, KEI LING HA SAN WAI, SAI KENG, NGA YIU TAU, TAI TUNG, TAI TUNG WO LIU, TSENG TAU, MA KWU LAM, CHE HA, KWUN HANG, NAI CHUNG AND SAI O.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » * ♦ *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.4 *+0.0» 2,820 +1,180 4,000 NIL -2,340 1,660 17.1.94 /HONG KONG
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994
11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.52 PCT 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.34 3.50
1 MONTH 2.69 PCT 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.07 3.73
3 MONTHS 2.91 PCT 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.14 3.91
6 MONTHS 3.07 PCT 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.18 4.09
12 MONTHS 3.37 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT 33 OF BILLS MONTHS 3610 AND BONDS - 22 4.20 ,209 MN 99.15 4.58
CLOSED 17 JANUARY 1994
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR LONDON ............................... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER EXCO MEETING .............. 2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS AT LAUNCHING RECEPTION OF EASTERN EXPRESS ... 8
BAKERY PRODUCTS SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION ..................... 9
EXCO ACCEPTS TWO HEALTH CARE REFORM OPTIONS .............. 9
URUGUAY PACKAGE WOULD ADAPT WELL LOCALLY ................. 11
URUGUAY ROUND STRENGTHENS MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM .... 12
INTERIM REPORT ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT .................................................... 14
CHLORINE STORAGE MADE SAFER .............................. 16
FIGURES ON FATAL CASES AT WORK RELEASED .................. 18
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN NOVEMBER .............. 19
PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE IS BETTER THAN CURE ............ 20
POLLUTION CASES RELEASED ................................. 21
NO DYNAMITE OR POISON FISHING ALLOWED .................... 22
TWO GROUPS RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................. 22
BUS FARE INCREASES ON LEGCO AGENDA ....................... 23
WATER CUTS IN TAI PO ..................................... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ........ 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
24
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 1 -GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR LONDON * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WOULD BE ATTENDING A MEETING IN LONDON WITH OTHER MINISTERS TO CONSIDER THE PROGRESS OF THE LEGISLATION ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE NEXT STEPS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED BY ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO TAKE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THIS MORNING’S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT TO LONDON TONIGHT WAS TO GIVE EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE, WHICH HAD TAKEN EVIDENCE FROM A NUMBER OF OTHERS AS PART OF THEIR ENQUIRY.
"I’LL OF COURSE BE HAVING ONE OR TWO OTHER MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS, WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, THE HOME SECRETARY AND OTHERS," MR PATTEN SAID.
"I’LL ALSO BE SEEING ONCE AGAIN SIR DAVID FORD, OUR COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, AND SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, WHO, I’M DELIGHTED, HAS RECOVERED FROM THE OPERATION WHICH HE HAD LAST NOVEMBER."
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INTRODUCE THE SECOND PART OF THE POLITICAL REFORM BILL IN PARALLEL OR IN A STEP-BY-STEP WAY, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I THINK IT’S UNLIKELY THAT WE WOULD WANT TO GO AHEAD WITH THE LAST STAGE OF LEGISLATION WHILE THE PRESENT BILL IS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"I THINK IDEALLY WE’D WANT TO SEE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEAL WITH THAT BILL FIRST AND THEN MOVE ON TO NEXT ONE BUT WE NEED THIS BILL IN ORDER TO GET ON WITH DRAWING UP THE REGISTER OF VOTERS IN THE SPRING, IN APRIL.
"BUT I WANT TO PROCEED IN A SENSIBLE WAY, TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME. I THINK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL APPRECIATE THAT AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL UNDERSTAND THAT."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE INCREASE IN CORRUPTION CASES, MR PATTEN SAID: "CORRUPTION IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND JUST AS MANY OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT IT IS A THREAT TO CHINA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY, SO IT’S A THREAT TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY AND WE HAVE A JOINT INTEREST WITH CHINA IN STAMPING IT OUT AND DEALING WITH IT RIGOROUSLY AND RUTHLESSLY.
"I DON’T THINK THAT YOU CAN EVER TOLERATE A LITTLE BIT OF CORRUPTION. I THINK THAT IF YOU ALLOW CORRUPTION TO COME SEEPING IN UNDER THE DOOR, IT VERY SOON STARTS TO DESTROY THE FOUNDATIONS OF A COMMUNITY OR A SOCIETY.
/"WE'RE PROPOSING .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
2
"WE’RE PROPOSING TO TAKE A SUBSTANTIAL INITIATIVE WHICH I ANNOUNCED IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ON TRYING TO COMBAT CORRUPTION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IN BUSINESS.
"WE’VE GOT A CONFERENCE IN THE EARLY SPRING ON THAT ISSUE WHICH I’LL BE ADDRESSING, SETTING OUT SOME OF MY VIEWS AND THOUGHTS ON THAT. BUT IT IS AN AREA WHERE THE ICAC WANTS TO MAKE A BIGGER INITIATIVE AND WANTS TO SEE ITSELF WORKING MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVELY WITH TRADE ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL FIRMS, NOT LEAST THROUGH THEM ADAPTING CODES OF PRACTICE."
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GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER EXCO MEETING *****
GOOD MORNING. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MORE CONVENIENT FOR YOU IF WE HELD MY PRE-DEPARTURE PRESS EVENT HERE AND NOW RATHER THAN DRAGGING YOU OUT TO THE AIRPORT THIS EVENING OR DRAGGING YOU UP TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE LATER THIS AFTERNOON. SO, WHILE OBVIOUSLY THERE MAY BE SOMETHING FOR SNAPPERS TO DO THIS EVENING, THERE WON’T BE ANYTHING TO REPORT, AT LEAST NOTHING THAT I SAY.
WE’VE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION AT EXCO ABOUT ONE ISSUE WHICH I’D LIKE TO TOUCH ON BEFORE COMING TO MY VISIT TO LONDON. WE HAD A REPORT FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE ABOUT THE CRIME FIGURES FOR 1993. WHILE ANY CRIME FIGURES ARE IN A SENSE UNACCEPTABLE, WE CAN TAKE SOME PLEASURE IN THE FACT THAT HERE IN HONG KONG, UNLIKE MOST OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, OUR CRIME FIGURES ARE GETTING BETTER. THE 1993 CRIME FIGURES WERE THE BEST THAT WE’VE HAD FOR TEN YEARS. WE HAD A FALL IN ALL CRIME OF ABOUT 1.8% 1993 OVER 1992, WE HAD A FALL IN VIOLENT CRIME OF ABOUT 6% IN 1993 OVER 1992. THOSE FIGURES DO REPRESENT, I THINK, A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT BY OUR POLICE AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CONGRATULATED THEM ON THE WORK THAT THEY’VE BEEN DOING. NOT SURPRISING THAT THEIR RECRUITMENT FIGURES REMAIN AS GOOD AS THEY ARE BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS TO JOIN A WINNING TEAM, BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE’S NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY, WE MUST SEE IF THIS YEAR’S FIGURES CAN BE MADE EVEN BETTER THAN LAST YEAR'S. I REPEAT THAT THERE ARE VERY FEW, IF ANY, COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD WHICH COULD POINT TO A TREND LIKE THIS AND OF COURSE, IT’S IN A WAY A REFLECTION OF OUR SOCIAL STABILITY AS A COMMUNITY.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF MY VISIT TO LONDON TONIGHT IS TO GIVE EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS TAKEN EVIDENCE FROM A NUMBER OF OTHERS. THEY STILL HAVE TO TAKE EVIDENCE FROM ME AND FROM THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, WHICH I THINK THEY’RE DOING IN EARLY FEBRUARY. THEY VISITED HONG KONG AS PART OF THEIR ENQUIRY, THEY ALSO VISITED PEKING AS PART OF THEIR ENQUIRY AND I’M SURE THEIR REPORT WILL BE AS USEFUL AS THE LAST ONE WHICH THEY PRODUCED.
/I'LL ALSO.........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
I’LL ALSO, WHILE I’M IN LONDON, BE ATTENDING A MEETING WITH OTHER MINISTERS TO CONSIDER THE PROGRESS OF OUR LEGISLATION ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE NEXT STEPS WHICH, IN DUE COURSE, WE WILL BE REQUIRED BY OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO TAKE. I DON’T THINK THAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT ANY DRAMATIC ANNOUNCEMENTS IN LONDON. THE POSITION IS ONE WHICH I THINK THE COMMUNITY WELL UNDERSTANDS. WE WANT TO GO ON TALKING WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS ABOUT THE THREE OUTSTANDING CONTENTIOUS ISSUES. WE’RE HAPPY TO GO ON TALKING UNTIL THAT MOMENT WHEN WE HAVE TO BEGIN LEGISLATING ON THE REMAINING MATTERS WHICH HAVE TO BE RESOLVED FOR THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. WE HOPE, I REPEAT, THAT TALKS CAN BE RESUMED. IF THAT’S NOT THE CASE THEN WE WILL HAVE TO TRY WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO PUT IN PLACE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE ACCEPTABLE HERE IN HONG KONG, I HOPE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
I’LL OF COURSE BE HAVING ONE OR TWO OTHER MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS, WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, THE HOME SECRETARY AND OTHERS. I’LL ALSO BE SEEING ONCE AGAIN SIR DAVID FORD, OUR COMMISSIONER IN LONDON AND SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, WHO I’M DELIGHTED HAS RECOVERED FROM THE OPERATION WHICH HE HAD, YOU WILL RECALL, LAST NOVEMBER; AND IT WILL BE VERY GOOD TO BE ABLE TO TOUCH BASE AGAIN WITH ROBIN AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH HIM ABOUT HOW WE CAN BEST WORK IN HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN THE NEXT THREE AND A HALF YEARS.
QUESTION: DESPITE CHINESE REPEATED CLAIMS THAT IT SEPARATES POLITICES FROM ECONOMICS, THE CHINA DAILY RECENTLY QUOTED A SENIOR OFFICIAL AS SAYING THAT ECONOMIC SANCTION WILL BE IMPOSED ON BRITAIN BECAUSE OF THIS POITCAL ROW. HAVE YOU HEARD ANY SIGN OF THIS AND WHAT COUNTER MEASURES YOU WILL TAKE ?
GOVERNOR: NO, I NOTE THAT PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN AND OTHER SENIOR LEADERS HAVE MADE IT ABUNDANTLY PLAIN THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT TRADE AND POLITICS SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE. THEY’VE MADE THAT FOR EXAMPLE VERY CLEAR IN THE CONTEXT OF MFN. IT WAS A POINT THAT PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN PUT WITH GREAT ELOQUENCE AND CLARITY TO PRESIDENT CLINTON WHEN THEY HAD THEIR IMPORTANT MEETING. I’M SURE I DON’T NEED TO LECTURE CHINESE OFFICIALS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING NOTE OF WHAT PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN SAYS. I’M SURE THAT THEY WOULD DO THAT NATURALLY AND I NOTICE THAT DIRECTOR LU PING MADE EXACTLY THE SAME POINT AS PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN HIMSELF YESTERDAY. I REPEAT WHAT I’VE SAID BEFORE, THAT THESE ARE SLIGHTLY SURPRISING REMARKS WHEN ONE SEES THEM, BECAUSE, AS I THINK IS WELL KNOWN, CHINA HAS PRETTY WELL A 2:1 TRADE SURPLUS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM. CHINA IS ATTEMPTING TO JOIN GATT, AN APPLICATION WHICH HAS THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OF COURSE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT AND COUNTRIES WHICH JOIN GATT, COUNTRIES WHICH ARE MEMBERS OF GATT, DON’T BEHAVE IN THE SORT OF WAY WHICH HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY ONE OR TWO OFFICIALS. BUT I REPEAT THAT AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED THE WORD OF PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN STANDS.
/QUESTION: .......
4
1 UCjOVM X
unnunAi
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, WE NEED SOME INFORMATION BY . . . USED ON A FREE PRESS. YOU SAID YESTERDAY THAT A FREE PRESS IS STRONGEST, WELL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A FREE PRESS BE ABLE TO CRITICISE GOVERNMENT. WE CAN NEITHER PRAISE OR CRITICISE YOUR GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW THE DETAILS OF EVEN THE LARGE THINGS THAT GO ON BETWEEN YOU AND CHINA. NOW QUITE APART FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS, WOULDN’T IT BE A GOOD THING TO TAKE HONG KONG INTO YOUR CONFIDENCE ABOUT MANY OF THE BLOCKAGES THAT EXIST IN LEGCO AND OTHER PLACES, ALL THESE HUNDREDS OF ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED, AND IF THE CHINESE THINK THAT THAT WILL BE GREAT .. A CONFIDENCE, ISN’T THAT LIKE THEY’RE BREAKING WINDOWS AND YOU SHOULD GO AHEAD AND HAVE A SEAT BY THEM ANYWAY? ISN’T THAT THE WAY OF FREE PRESS IN FACT SHOULD BE USED? ... IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION ?
GOVERNOR: I DIDN’T GET THE IMPRESSION FROM READING YOUR DISTINGUISHED COMMENTARIES ON HONG KONG OR READING THE MEDIA AS A WHOLE, I HOPE THAT PRAISE WASN’T TOO LETHAL, I DIDN’T GET THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF INFORMATION OR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE NATURE OF OUR AGENDA OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. I DIDN’T HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT HONG KONG WAS DENIED INFORMATION ABOUT ALAS THE MANY PROBLEMS THAT WE’RE TRYING TO RESOLVE WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS BUT WE’RE IN A POSITION IN WHICH, WHETHER YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC ISSUES OR POLITICAL, WE’RE HAPPY TO DISCLOSE MORE IF THE CHINESE SIDE THEMSELVES THINK THAT WOULD BE MORE HELPFUL AS WELL.
QUESTION: WHY WAIT FOR THEIR APPROVAL?
GOVERNOR: HOLD ON A MINUTE. BECAUSE WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS IS FOR US TO FIND SOLUTIONS IF POSSIBLE AND SOLUTIONS, IF YOU CAN MANAGE IT, ARE BEST ACHIEVED IF THE CLIMATE IS REASONABLY CORDIAL. IT ISN’T ALAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE.
I SET OUT IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE JLG FOR EXAMPLE, SOME OF THE ISSUES WHICH REMAIN TO BE ALAS RESOLVED. WE’VE SET OUT IN THE PAST IN SOME DETAIL FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ISSUES IN THE JLG WHICH STILL HAVE TO BE RESOLVED AND I HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION ON THOSE SORT OF MATTERS. THEYVRE PRETTY CLEAR NOW, ADAPTATION OF LAWS, LOCALISATION OF LAWS, AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS, A GOOD DEAL OF MULTI-LATERAL BUSINESS, BUSINESS CONDUCTED WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES, WHETHER INVESTMENT PROTECTION OR VISA REGIMES. THOSE ARE ALL MATTERS THAT WE’VE GOT TO RESOLVE BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 AND I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, WE’LL HAVE CHINESE OFFICIALS PRESSING FOR MUCH MORE RAPID PROGRESS BECAUSE THEY’LL RECOGNISE THAT THAT IS IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST AND WHATEVER OUR OTHER ARGUMENTS MAY BE, I HAVE NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT DIRECTOR LU PING FOR INSTANCE, WANTS TO DO A GOOD JOB FOR HONG KONG.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, DO YOU THINK THAT, ALTHOUGH YOU STATED THAT YOU WANTED THE TALK TO RESUME, DO YOU THINK THAT IT’S REASONABLE TO TABLE THE SECOND STAGE OF YOUR POLITICAL REFORM BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE FIRST STATE?
GOVERNOR: WELL, IF WE’RE NOT ABLE TO RESUME DISCUSSIONS AS WE WOULD LIKE THEN WE WILL HAVE TO DISCHARGE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WITHOUT THERE HAVING BEEN AN AGREEMENT. I DON’T THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL BE SURPRISED BY THAT. WE’VE PROCEEDED IN AN ORDERLY AND SENSIBLE WAY IN THE PAST AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
5
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, CAN YOU FURTHER ELABORATE THE TIME CONSTRAINT ON THE SECOND PART OF LEGISLATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE JUST SAID THAT TILL THE MOMENT THAT YOU HAVE TO DISCHARGE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TABLING THE BILL, IS IT THAT YOU HAVE TO DO THAT IN PARALLEL OR STEP-BY-STEP?
GOVERNOR: I THINK IT’S UNLIKELY THAT WE WOULD WANT TO GO AHEAD WITH THE LAST STAGE OF LEGISLATION WHILE THE PRESENT BILL IS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I THINK IDEALLY WE’D WANT TO SEE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEAL WITH THAT BILL FIRST AND THEN MOVE ON TO NEXT ONE BUT, AS YOU KNOW, WE NEED THIS BILL IN ORDER TO GET ON WITH DRAWING UP THE REGISTER OF VOTERS IN THE SPRING, IN APRIL. BUT I WANT TO PROCEED IN A SENSIBLE WAY, TAKING ONE STEP AT A TIME. I THINK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL APPRECIATE THAT AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL UNDERSTAND THAT.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, THAT MEANS THAT IS THERE ANY DEADLOCK IN THE FIRST PART OF THE LEGISLATION, THERE WON’T COME THE SECOND PART TO BE TABLED TO LEGCO?
GOVERNOR: NO I DIDN’T SAY THAT. I SAID IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT WE WOULD PROCEED WITH THE LAST STAGE OF THE LEGISLATION BEFORE WE COMPLETED THIS STAGE OF THE LEGISLATION. THAT’S ON THE ASSUMPTION OF COURSE THAT WE MAKE THE SORT OF PROGRESS WITH THIS STAGE OF THE LEGISLATION WHICH I THINK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ITSELF EXPECTS.
QUESTION: IN TERMS OF CRIME, YESTERDAY THE HEAD OF ICAC SAID THAT AFTER 1993 CORRUPTION HAD INCREASED BY 44% ......
GOVERNOR: I THINK HE SAID REPORTED CASES OF CORRUPTION.
QUESTION: REPORTED CASES OF CORRUPTION HAD INCREASED BY 44%, WHICH OBVIOUSLY SHOWED, AND HE ALSO SAID THAT IT HAD A LARGE PART TO DO WITH BUSINESS THAT WAS COMING OVER IN CHINA AND INTO HONG KONG. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO TRY TO CURB THAT ? I UNDERSTAND THAT VIOLENT CRIME IS DOWN BUT CORRUPTION IS THE MAJOR FEAR THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN THE RUNUP TO 1997.
GOVERNOR: CORRUPTION IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND JUST AS MANY CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT IT IS A THREAT TO CHINA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY, SO IT’S A THREAT TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY AND WE HAVE A JOINT INTEREST WITH CHINA IN STAMPING IT OUT AND DEALING WITH IT RIGOROUSLY AND RUTHLESSLY. I DON’T THINK THAT YOU CAN EVER TOLERATE A LITTLE BIT OF CORRUPTION. I THINK THAT IF YOU ALLOW CORRUPTION TO COME SEEPING IN UNDER THE DOOR, IT VERY SOON STARTS TO DESTROY THE FOUNDATIONS OF A COMMUNITY OR A SOCIETY. WE’RE PROPOSING TO TAKE A SUBSTANTIAL INITIATIVE, AS YOU KNOW, WHICH I ANNOUNCED IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ON TRYING TO COMBAT CORRUPTION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IN BUSINESS. WE’VE GOT A' CONFERENCE IN THE EARLY SPRING ON THAT ISSUE WHICH I’LL BE ADDRESSING, SETTING OUT SOME OF MY VIEWS AND THOUGHTS ON THAT. BUT IT IS AN AREA WHERE THE ICAC WANTS TO TAKE A BIGGER INITIATIVE AND WANTS TO SEE ITSELF WORKING MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVELY WITH TRADE ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL FIRMS, NOT LEAST THROUGH THEM ADAPTING CODES OF PRACTICE.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
6 -
QUESTION: IS THE LATEST NUMBER SAID BY ICAC ALARMING?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE LATEST NUMBERS WHICH I REPEAT WERE FOR REPORTS OF CORRUPTION, NOT ONLY ALARMED THE ICAC, BUT ALARMED THE COMMUNITY AND I SHARE THE COMMUNITY’S WORRY.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, WHEN YOU FIRST CAME TO HONG KONG AND ON MANY OCCASIONS YOU MADE THE POINT THAT IT’S BETTER TO SOLVE PROBLEMS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER TO GIVE MORE TIME, MORE FLEXIBILITY, YET A NUMBER OF THINGS STILL TO BE HAPPENING LATER RATHER THAN SOONER, THE BILL IN LEGCO BEING ONE OF THEM. ARE YOU BEING FORCED BY CHINESE OR BY CIRCUMSTANCES TO ABANDON YOUR EARLIER APPROACH?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE THE ARGUMENTS ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT TO HAVE BEEN BEHIND US BY NOW. I WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE LIKED THAT TO HAVE HAPPENED. MAYBE IF WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO START DISCUSSIONS WHEN I SUGGESTED THEM IN THE AUTUMN OF 1992, IT WOULD HAVE HELPED US TO RESOLVE THESE MATTERS MORE RAPIDLY. I THINK WE’VE LEANT OVER BACKWARDS TO BORROW A PHRASE, TO SHOW HOW REASONABLE WE ARE TO TRY TO SECURE PROGRESS THROUGH AGREEMENT. THAT’S INEVITABLY TAKEN TIME BUT IT CAN’T TAKE INFINITY, WHICH IS WHY IN A MEASURED AND ORDERLY WAY WE’VE TAKEN THESE LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AND WHY WE’LL HAVE TO TAKE OTHERS IN DUE COURSE. BUT, I THINK THAT EVERYBODY RECOGNISES THAT WE’VE GOT TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED DURING THE COURSE OF THE SPRING AND SUMMER.
QUESTION: ..... YOU HAVEN’T EXACTLY ANSWER THE QUESTION. HAVE YOU HAD TO MODIFY YOUR ORIGINAL APPROACH, YOUR DESIRE TO GET THINGS DONE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. AND POINT TWO, RELATING TO JONATHAN’S POINT THAT WE DON’T GET INFORMATION WE CAN’T FIND OUT WHEN THE DEADLINE IS FOR THE MINI-BILL, FOR THE WHOLE BILL, FOR ANYTHING WHICH JUST KEEP COMING UP AND WE’LL NEVER GET INFORMATION.
GOVERNOR: BUT YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT WHILE IT’S EXTREMELY CONVENIENT FOR YOU TO HAVE A DATE SO THAT YOU CAN PAINT CHINESE OFFICIALS OR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INTO A CORNER, IT’S NOT REMOTELY IN OUR INTEREST TO LET YOU DO SO. I MEAN, I ADMIRE YOUR JOURNALISTIC SPECULATION BUT THERE’S NO REASON AT ALL WHY I SHOULD MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR RESOLVING THESE MATTERS AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO GIVE YOU A HEADLINE WHICH WOULDN’T FRANKLY LAST VERY LONG BUT WE GIVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS WE CAN, GIVEN THAT OUR OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS, IF POSSIBLE, TO REACH AGREEMENT, NOT ONLY ON POLITICAL MATTERS BUT ON OTHER MATTERS AS WELL. AND I REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER TO JONATHAN, I HAVEN’T NOTICED THAT THIS WAS AN INFORMATION STARVED COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: WHEN YOU CONSIDERED TO PUT THE REST OF THE PROPOSAL TO THE LEGCO ARE BASED ON WHAT CRITERIA YOU WILL PUT THE ORIGINAL ONE OR THE AMENDED ONE?
/GOVERNOR: .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
GOVERNOR: WELL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF JUDGEMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER WHICH OF THE PROPOSALS MAKE THE MOST SENSE IN TERMS OF DELIVERING ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE FAIR AND OPEN, WE HAVE TO SEE WHICH,(HOLD ON, CAN YOU), BUT JUST BECAUSE BOTH ARE FAIR, IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU MIGHT THINK THAT ONE IS MORE FAIR OR EVEN MORE OPEN. SECONDLY, WE’LL HAVE TO REACH A DECISION ON WHICH SET OF PROPOSALS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND MORE LIKELY TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTORS THAT WE’LL HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. WE’LL ALSO, OF COURSE, HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY HAVE SAID IN THE PAST. AND WHAT’S INTERESTING IS THE SUPPORT WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL GAVE TO THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS THAT WE SET OUT AND THE SUPPORT WHICH WE’VE HAD IN THE COMMUNITY, ACCORDING TO MOST OPINION POLLS, FOR OUR PLANS PRETTY WELL CONSISTENTLY OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS. BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTORS WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AND I CAN ASSURE YOU WE WILL MAKE A SENSIBLE JUDGEMENT AND ONE WHICH I’M SURE THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO ENDORSE IN DUE COURSE.
ONE MORE, THERE ARE SO MANY WHO HASN’T ASKED ONE. IT’S ONLY FAIR.
QUESTION: WILL THE BRITISH SIDE SUGGEST ANOTHER DATE TO RESUME THE TALKS?
GOVERNOR: WELL, WE’VE SUGGESTED THAT THE TALKS SHOULD BE RESUMED. SINCE OUR PROPOSAL FOR TALKS ON 17 AND 18 DECEMBER WAS TURNED DOWN, WE HAVEN’T SUGGESTED OTHER DATES. BUT WE REMAIN READY TO DROP EVERYTHING AND TRAVEL TO PEKING AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE, WHENEVER IT’S CONVENIENT TO THE CHINESE SIDE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THESE AND OTHER MATTERS CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH DISCUSSION. I’M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS RESOLVED THROUGH DISCUSSION, USING THE USUAL CHANNELS, THE CHANNELS THAT ARE ESTABLISHED BOTH UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, FOR EXAMPLE THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
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/8 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 8 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS AT LAUNCHING RECEPTION OF EASTERN EXPRESS
DR MA, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
CAN I SAY HOW DELIGHTED I AM TO BE HERE AT THE LAUNCH OF THIS NEW NEWSPAPER AND I’D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU, DR MA AND STEVE AND EVERYONE WHO’S BEEN INVOLVED IN PRODUCING A NEWSPAPER FROM THE DRAWING BOARD TO FIRST DUMMY IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. AS PREGNANCIES GO, THIS ONE HAS BEEN EXCEEDINGLY SHORT. IT’S, OF COURSE I KNOW, BEEN VERY EXCITING PREGNANCY, NOT LEAST FOR VIRTUALLY EVERY OTHER EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR IN HONG KONG. THERE WAS, I THINK, A SHORT PERIOD WHEN I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN HONG KONG WHO WASN’T JOINING THE EASTERN EXPRESS. BUT I STILL HAVE HOPES.
WE ALL KNOW THAT HONG KONG IS A COMMUNITY WITH, PERHAPS, MORE NEWSPAPERS PER HEAD THAN ANYONE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. I READ THAT IN THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SO IT MUST BE TRUE. NEWSPAPERS, A FREE PRESS ARE, OF COURSE, ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF A FREE SOCIETY, ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF AN OPEN SOCIETY, ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF A SOCIETY AS SOPHISTICATED AND SUCCESSFUL AS HONG KONG. A FREE PRESS IS ALSO ONE OF THE GUARDIANS OF THE VALUES OF A FREE SOCIETY. SO, ALL OF US SHOULD WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW NEWSPAPER TO JOIN THE SPECTACULAR RANGE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS HERE IN HONG KONG AND THE OTHER TWO ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS AS WELL. I BELIEVE IN COMPETITION AND I AM SURE THAT NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS AND EDITORS DO AS WELL.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THE EASTERN EXPRESS AS OTHER NEWSPAPERS FROM FEBRUARY 1. I AM SURE THAT THE EASTERN EXPRESS WHICH WAS BORN IN HONG KONG WILL NOT ONLY BE READ IN HONG KONG BUT WILL BE COMMITTED TO HONG KONG AND WILL SPEAK UP FOR HONG KONG EVEN SHOULD THAT MEAN, FROM TIME TO TIME, HEAVEN FORBID, SAYING SOMETHING CRITICAL ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT. JUDGING BY THE DUMMY, YOU ARE GETTING INTO YOUR STRIKE ALREADY ON THAT PARTICULAR FRONT.
BUT I AM VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE. I DO THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT OCCASION FOR THE MEDIA HERE IN HONG KONG WHERE I HOPE WE CAN BE FAIR TO BE NOT JUST THE BUSINESS CENTRE OF THE REGION BUT THE MEDIA CAPITAL OF THE REGION AS WELL. I MUSTN’T COME BETWEEN YOU AND TWO PRESIDENTS BUT I AM DELIGHTED TO BE SPEAKING AS IT WERE, IN THEIR COMPANY. AND I KNOW THAT THEIR ENDORSEMENT FOR A FREE PRESS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME THIS EVENING. I DO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU AND WISH YOU WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
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/9 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
BAKERY PRODUCTS SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ASSURES THE PUBLIC THAT BAKERY PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT THE MARKET ARE SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECENT INTERNATIONAL TREND OF PHASING OUT THE USE OF POTASSIUM BROMATE AS A FLOUR ADDITIVE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS OBTAINED THE CO-OPERATION OF THE LOCAL FLOUR INDUSTRY THAT THEY WOULD TAKE ACTION TO REPLACE, BY FEBRUARY 1, 1994, THE USE OF POTASSIUM BROMATE IN FLOUR AT A MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID BOTH SIDES SHARED THE VIEW THAT THEY SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE LOCAL FLOUR INDUSTRY WAS A RESPONSIBLE ONE AND HAD ALL ALONG FOLLOWED THE STATE OF THE ART PRACTICE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS.
- - 0 - -
EXCO ACCEPTS TWO HEALTH CARE REFORM OPTIONS ******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE INTRODUCTION OF SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND A COORDINATED VOLUNTARY INSURANCE SCHEME SO AS TO OFFER MORE CONSUMER CHOICE IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THESE TWO OPTIONS IN THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT "TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH", PUBLISHED LAST YEAR, HAVE RECEIVED CLEAR COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
AS AN IMMEDIATE STEP TO GO AHEAD WITH THE TWO APPROVED OPTIONS, AN IN-HOUSE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE SET UP SHORTLY.
"THE COMMITTEE, TO BE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WILL COMPRISE THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY," THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SHE SAID ITS TASK WOULD BE TO REFINE AND FORMULATE DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND A CO-ORDINATED VOLUNTARY INSURANCE SCHEME, INCLUDING PROPOSALS FROM THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY THE FEE STRUCTURE FOR GENERAL WARDS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, HAVING REGARD TO PUBLIC MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE PERCENTAGE SUBSIDY APPROACH, AND HAVING REGARD TO THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE PRINCIPLE OF COST AWARENESS AND THE CONCEPT OF PRICE MECHANISM IN THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.
/"AS REGARDS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 10 -
”AS REGARDS THE PERCENTAGE SUBSIDY APPROACH, WE NOTE PUBLIC VIEW. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PUBLIC VIEW WAS FOUNDED ON THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE PERCENTAGE SUBSIDY APPROACH, PROBABLY DUE TO INADEQUATE DRAFTING.
”1 WOULD LIKE HERE TO REAFFIRM THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDY APPROACH WHICH IS SIMPLE TO ADMINISTER AND FAIR TO CONSUMERS; IF ACCOMPANIED BY THE TARGET WAIVER SYSTEM, IT WOULD ENABLE THOSE WHO ARE LESS WELL OFF TO OBTAIN EXEMPTION IN AN OPEN AND FAIR MANNER. WE NEED TO UPHOLD THIS PRINCIPLE.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE SHOULD ALSO BE REVIEWING AGAIN THE APPROPRIATE EXTENT OF SUBSIDY AND HOW BEST TO TARGET THOSE MOST IN NEED," MRS WONG STATED.
THE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE SHOULD BEGIN ITS WORK DURING THE SPRING OF 1994.
FOLLOWING THIS, AN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY COMMITTEE, INCLUDING EXPERTS FROM NON-GOVERNMENT SECTOR, WILL BE APPOINTED TO ADVISE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS DEVELOPED BY THE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE AND TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE PROGRESS.
MRS WONG REITERATED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TWO OPTIONS WOULD NOT RESULT IN ANY ONE BEING DEPRIVED OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES BECAUSE OF LACK OF MEANS.
THE EXISTING WAIVER SYSTEM WILL BE RETAINED, SHE ADDED.
TURNING TO SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS, MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THEY CONSTITUTED A STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION BETWEEN UNSUBSIDISED PRIVATE WARDS AND HEAVILY-SUBSIDISED GENERAL WARDS.
THEY AIM TO COMBINE GREATER PRIVACY, CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT WITH AFFORDABILITY.
IT IS INTENDED TO INTRODUCE SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS ON A PILOT SCHEME BASIS IN SOME PUBLIC HOSPITALS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
"I WISH TO ASSURE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY WILL NOT REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EXISTING GENERAL WARD BEDS, OR DRAW AWAY RESOURCES FROM THEM," SHE SAID.
SHE ALSO SAID THE CO-ORDINATED VOLUNTARY INSURANCE APPROACH INVOLVED RELATIVELY LITTLE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION.
IT CONSISTS OF A FRAMEWORK WHEREBY PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES COULD COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER IN GREATER OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY TO USERS.
"HOWEVER, THE SCHEME WILL REQUIRE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DESIGNATED BODY TO APPROVE MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITALS SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THEY PROVIDE ADEQUATE COVERAGE AND ARE TRANSPARENT TO THE PURCHASER REGARDING WHAT IS COVERED AND PROVIDED," MRS WONG ADDED.
/THE CONSULTATION .......
TUESDAY, JANAURY 18, 1994
- 11 -
THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH WAS PUBLISHED IN JULY LAST YEAR FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
IT WAS WIDELY DISCUSSED BY ALL THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS AND AT OVER 100 MEETINGS BETWEEN THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY GROUPS.
WHEN COLLECTION OF FEEDBACK WAS COMPLETED AT THE END OF OCTOBER LAST YEAR, 494 SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED.
OF THESE, 294 WERE FROM INDIVIDUALS, 45 FROM HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND 83 FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS.
THE BRANCH ALSO RECEIVED THE RESULTS OF 33 SIGNATURE CAMPAIGNS, 13 SURVEYS AND SEVEN STATEMENTS FROM POLITICAL PARTIES.
IN ADDITION, THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WAS EVALUATED BY AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION WHO COMMENTED FAVOURABLY ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PREFERRED COMBINATION OF APPROACHES.
THE CONSULTANT ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROCESS OF REFORM "IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION" AND THAT "HONG KONG OFFERS LESSONS FOR POLICY-MAKERS WHO ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE IN OTHER COUNTRIES".
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URUGUAY PACKAGE WOULD ADAPT WELL LOCALLY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE LOCAL TEXTILES SECTOR WOULD ADAPT WELL TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND PACKAGE.
SPEAKING AT THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING, MR CHAU SAID THE URUGUAY ROUND OFFERED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO END THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) AND BRING TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING GRADUALLY BACK TO THE MUCH MORE LIBERAL GATT RULES.
"THE URUGUAY ROUND TEXTILES AND CLOTHING TEXT PROVIDES FOR A GRADUAL 10-YEAR PHASE-OUT OF THE QUOTAS IN BILATERAL AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED UNDER THE MFA," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THERE WERE TWO ELEMENTS TO THE PHASE-OUT - THE GRADUAL REMOVAL OF QUOTA RESTRICTIONS AND PROGRESSIVELY HIGHER GROWTH RATES.
THE 10-YEAR PHASE-OUT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE STAGES FOR THREE, FOUR AND THREE YEARS RESPECTIVELY.
"AT THE START OF EACH STAGE EACH IMPORTING COUNTRY IS REQUIRED TO RETURN TO GATT RULES A RANGE OF PRODUCTS REPRESENTING A SPECIFIED PROPORTION OF ITS IMPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING," HE SAID.
/MR CHAU .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 12 -
MR CHAU ADDED THAT SINCE IMPLEMENTATION WOULD NOT BEGIN UNTIL 1995 AT THE EARLIEST, TEXTILES QUOTA WOULD REMAIN A FACT OF LIFE IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 11 YEARS.
AS FOR THE IMPACT OF HIGHER GROWTH RATES, MR CHAU NOTED THAT IN PRACTICE, THAT WOULD MEAN HONG KONG’S AVERAGE QUOTA GROWTH RATE FOR THE U.S. MARKET WOULD INCREASE FROM ABOUT 1.8 PER CENT TODAY, TO TWO PER CENT THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE TRANSITION.
THE RATE WOULD BE 2.6 PER CENT FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, AND 3.3 PER CENT FOR THE FINAL THREE.
MR CHAU PREDICTED THAT KEY ELEMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY WOULD PROBABLY REMAIN IN HONG KONG, BUT LOW-SKILLED JOBS WOULD TEND TO MOVE TO LOWER-WAGE ECONOMIES AS A RESULT OF THE GATT PACKAGE.
HE ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PLAY ITS PART IN EASING THE PROCESS THROUGH SUCH INITIATIVES AS THE EMPLOYEES’ RETRAINING SCHEME.
’’THE TRANSITION AHEAD WILL BE GRADUAL," MR CHAU SAID.
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URUGUAY ROUND STRENGTHENS MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM *****
THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND IS A CLEAR SETBACK FOR PROTECTIONISM, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HE SAID THE URUGUAY ROUND PROVIDED FOR A STRENGTHENED MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM WHICH WOULD FACILITATE FURTHER LIBERALISATION AND EXPANSION OF WORLD TRADE, GIVING A MUCH-NEEDED BOOST TO THE SLUGGISH WORLD ECONOMY.
A MAJOR STEP IN STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL TRADE SYSTEM IS THE CREATION OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION (WTO).
THE WTO WILL HAVE A STATUS AND A PERMANENT CHARACTER COMPARABLE TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE WORLD BANK, HE SAID.
IT PROVIDES CLEARER RULES AND DISCIPLINES AND ENVISAGES A STRENGTHENED COMMON INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ENCOMPASSING THE GATT AND ALL THE AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND.
"THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION WILL BE GOOD FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, LIKE THE GATT BUT BIGGER AND BETTER AND MORE LIKELY TO PROMOTE TRADE AND PREVENT DISPUTES."
"WE HAVE WORKED HARD FOR THE CREATION OF THIS NEW AND STRONGER INSTITUTION," SAID MR MILLER. "AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING AN ACTIVE PART IN IT.”
/MEMBER GOVERNMENTS ......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 13 -
MEMBER GOVERNMENTS NEED TO SEEK NECESSARY RATIFICATION AFTER ' THE MARRAKESH MINISTERIAL TO BE HELD IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND THE EARLIEST START DATE FOR WTO WILL BE JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM.
THE SYSTEM DEALS WITH TRADE DISPUTES AMONG WTO MEMBERS AND PRESCRIBES STRINGENT PROCEDURES AND TIME LIMITS COVERING ALL STAGES OF THE PROCESS.
"UNDER THIS SYSTEM, A MEMBER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FRUSTRATE THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCESS BY BLOCKING A DECISION, AS CAN HAPPEN AT PRESENT," HE SAID.
ON TRADE LIBERALISATION, THE PACKAGE PROVIDES FOR TARIFF CONCESSIONS AND THE PHASING OUT OF QUOTA RESTRICTIONS ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING PRODUCTS OVER 10 YEARS.
"TARIFF CONCESSIONS AGREED WILL APPLY TO ALL ON MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) BASIS. FOR TRADERS, IT WILL MEAN TARIFF SAVINGS AND BETTER ACCESS TO WORLD MARKETS.
"THE MINIMUM SAVING TO HONG KONG IS ESTIMATED AT US$420 MILLION A YEAR," MR MILLER SAID.
DURING THE 10-YEAR PHASING OUT OF TEXTILES QUOTA, SOME 51 PER CENT OF PRODUCTS WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY LIBERALISED.
IN ADDITION, GROWTH RATES OF QUOTA LIMITS ON PRODUCTS REMAINING UNDER RESTRAINT WILL BE GRADUALLY INCREASED.
THE PACKAGE WOULD ALSO EXTEND THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME TO TRADE IN SERVICES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
"AGREEMENT ON SERVICES IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT WHICH BUILDS ON BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE GATT - MFN, NATIONAL TREATMENT, TRANSPARENCY AND STRONG DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM.
"IT WILL OPEN UP POTENTIAL MARKETS FOR SERVICES EXPORTS AND PROVIDE GREATER DEGREE OF CERTAINTY FOR SERVICES EXPORTERS."
HONG KONG IS NOT A MAJOR EXPORTER OF SERVICES AT PRESENT BUT IS RAPIDLY EVOLVING FROM LIGHT MANUFACTURING CENTRE TO A FINANCIAL/TELECOMMUNICATION/TRANSPORT HUB PROVIDING SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO THE REGION.
SEVENTY PER CENT OF GDP NOW COMES FROM SERVICES AND THE PERCENTAGE IS INCREASING.
"WE SHALL CERTAINLY LOOK FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND MARKETS OPENED UP BY THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES," HE SAID.
IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, THE AGREEMENT FOCUSES ON TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHT, PATENT AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
/IT PROVIDES .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
14 -
IT PROVIDES FOR HIGHER STANDARDS OF PROTECTION AND COMMITMENT TO ENFORCEMENT, HE SAID.
FROM A MACRO ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW, MR MILLER SAID THE PACKAGE ALSO BROUGHT UNQUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS - EASING OF BILATERAL TRADE TENSIONS AND ASSOCIATED POLITICAL BENEFITS; EXTENDING GATT RULES TO NEW AREAS THEREBY MAKING COMPETITION FAIRER AND MORE TRANSPARENT.
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST OECD STUDY ASSESSING THE BENEFITS OF THE ROUND BY 2002, NET WORLD WELFARE COULD BE US$270 BILLION HIGHER, AT CURRENT PRICES, AND EXCLUDING GAINS FROM SERVICES.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS WORK TO BE DONE IN HONG KONG TO IMPLEMENT THE PACKAGE.
NEGOTIATIONS SUCH AS THOSE ON SERVICES ARE CONTINUING, AND NEW ISSUES ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT, COMPETITION POLICY ARE BEING IDENTIFIED, HE SAID.
------0------------
INTERIM REPORT ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT
*****
SPECIAL PROCEDURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO ASSIST MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY MR JUSTICE MICHAEL WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT, AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION HELD AT THE SUPREME COURT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
RELEASING THE FINDINGS OF THE INTERIM REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY, MR JUSTICE WONG SAID: "AN ADULT PERSON OF NORMAL INTELLIGENCE, WHO HAS NEVER APPEARED IN COURT PROCEEDINGS BEFORE, MAY FIND GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT A STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE. FOR A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON, THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE EVEN MORE STRESSFUL AND PUZZLING.”
"IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT IT BE EXPLAINED TO THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS (IN LANGUAGE APPROPRIATE TO HIM OR HER) THE COURT PROCEDURE BY A PERSON IN WHOM THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON CAN HAVE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE."
"THE COURT ATMOSPHERE AND SETTING SHOULD BE INFORMAL AND RELAXING TO MAKE THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS FEEL MORE AT EASE AND COMFORTABLE. IT IS FOR THESE REASONS WE CONSIDER SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS NOT ONLY NECESSARY BUT IMPERATIVE,” HE EXPLAINED.
/THE 13 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 15 -
THE 13 RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY ARE:
* AFTER A CHARGE INVOLVING A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON EITHER AS THE DEFENDANT OR A WITNESS IS BEFORE THE COURT, THE PROSECUTION OR THE DEFENCE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WILL SUBMIT TO THE COURT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT IDENTIFYING THAT THE DEFENDANT OR THE WITNESS IS A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON;
* THE COURT WILL FIX AN EARLY DATE FOR THE TRIAL OF THE CASE;
» AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, A CANTONESE-SPEAKING JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO TRY THE CASE;
* THE PART OF THE CASE INVOLVING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS GIVING EVIDENCE BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE IF THE PARTIES REQUEST AND THE COURT IS SATISFIED THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE SO WARRANT;
» THE COURT WILL HEAR THE EVIDENCE OF A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON IN A ROOM SIMILAR TO A JUVENILE COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTROOM IN WHICH THE COURT SITS;
* ALL PERSONS OTHER THAN THOSE PERMITTED TO BE PRESENT BY THE COURT WILL BE EXCLUDED;
» THE JUDGE AND COUNSEL WILL REMOVE THEIR WIGS AND GOWNS AND WEAR ORDINARY ATTIRE;
* A SOCIAL WORKER, OR A SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS OR ANY SUITABLE PERSON APPROVED BY THE COURT MAY ACCOMPANY THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS AND SIT NEAR HIM OR HER WHILE THE WITNESS GIVES EVIDENCE PROVIDED THAT THE COURT AND COUNSEL WILL ENDEAVOUR TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO PROMPTING OR COACHING OF EVIDENCE;
» THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS WILL BE ALLOWED COUNSELLING BY A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST OR A PSYCHIATRIST BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE EVIDENCE OF THE WITNESS;
» THE COURT WILL CONSIDER SYMPATHETICALLY APPLICATIONS OR ON ITS OWN MOTION GRANT ADJOURNMENTS TO ALLOW A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS TIME TO REST AND TO COMPOSE HIMSELF OR HERSELF BEFORE CONTINUING TO GIVE EVIDENCE WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCE SO WARRANTS;
» THE COURT AND COUNSEL OR SOLICITOR WILL ENDEAVOUR TO ENSURE THAT SIMPLE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED IN CROSS-EXAMINATION AND LONG AND COMPLICATED QUESTIONS OR QUESTIONS WHICH TEND TO CONFUSE, EMBARRASS OR MISLEAD THE WITNESS MUST BE AVOIDED;
* A ROOM EACH IN THE SUPREME COURT AND THE DISTRICT COURT EQUIPPED AND MODIFIED WITH SETTING AND LAYOUT SIMILAR TO A JUVENILE COURT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR USE WHENEVER NECESSARY; AND
/* THE JUDICIAL .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 16 -
* THE JUDICIAL STUDIES BOARD SHOULD FROM TIME TO TIME ORGANISE LECTURES AND SEMINARS FOR JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES ON MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.
MR JUSTICE WONG STRESSED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRED THE CLOSEST CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
"THE WORKING PARTY WILL CONTINUE TO EXAMINE OTHER AND MORE COMPLICATED PROPOSALS SUCH AS GIVING EVIDENCE BY A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON BY MEANS OF TELEVISION LINK, VIDEOTAPED RECORDINGS, DEPOSITIONS AND OTHER MEANS. WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE OUR DELIBERATIONS AND HAVE OUR FINAL REPORT READY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
THE WORKING PARTY WAS APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
IT COMPRISED SEVEN MEMBERS: MR JOHN WOOD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS; 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 CHAN, A PSYCHIATRIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE; AND MR FRED LI WAH-MING, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE WORKING PARTY IS TASKED TO EXAMINE WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE TN COURT MAY BE HELPED IN ORDER TO MINIMISE ANY TRAUMA THEY MAY SUFFER THEREBY.
THE INTERIM REPORT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHO HAS ACCEPTED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS. TN THE MEANTIME, THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS SEEKING THE VIEWS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SEE HOW BEST THE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE PAID TRIBUTE TO MR JUSTICE WONG AND MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY FOR THEIR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS IN DRAWING UP THE INTERIM REPORT ON AN ISSUE WHICH IS OF CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC CONCERN.
--------0-----------
CHLORINE STORAGE MADE SAFER
*****
THE CHLORINATION HOUSE IN TSUEN WAN WATER TREATMENT WORKS HAS BEEN MODIFIED WITH MODERN DESIGN TO ENHANCE SAFETY OF CHLORINE STORAGE.
THIS WAS INDICATED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES (SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTION), MR WATT CHT-NGONG, DURING A PRESS VISIT TO THE INSTALLATION.
/"THE $11 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
17 -
"THE $11 MILLION INSTALLATION IS AIMED AT MINIMISING THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE STORAGE AND HANDLING OF CHLORINE IN THE TREATMENT WORKS.
"WATER DISINFECTION BY CHLORINE IS THE MAIN METHOD OF CONTROLLING PATHOGENIC BACTERIAL AND VIRAL AGENTS.
"IN VIEW OF THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH STORAGE AND HANDLING OF CHLORINE, VERY STRINGENT MEASURES AGAINST POSSIBLE LEAKAGE ARB REQUIRED TO ENSURE OPERATIONAL SAFETY," HE SAID.
THE MODIFIED CHLORINATION HOUSE HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF A HAZARD ASSESSMENT STUDY ON TREATMENT WORKS COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE MAIN FEATURES INCLUDE A CHLORINE SCRUBBING SYSTEM FOR REDUCING THE RISK OF LEAKAGE TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL BY UTILISING SODIUM HYDROXIDE AS NEUTRALISING AGENT TO REMOVE ANY LEAKED CHLORINE INSIDE THE HOUSE.
THE TSUEN WAN TREATMENT WORKS HAS A TREATMENT CAPACITY OF 318,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY AND SUPPLIES POTABLE WATER TO PART OF TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI AREAS.
IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD WATER QUALITY, SUFFICIENT STOCK OF CHLORINE HAS TO BE MAINTAINED FOR WATER TREATMENT. IT IS STORED IN LIQUID FORM UNDER PRESSURE IN 50-KILOGRAM STEEL CYLINDERS SECURELY PLACED INSIDE STEEL CAGES.
MR WATT SAID TRAINING COURSES ON PLANT OPERATIONS AND DRILLS WERE REGULARLY HELD TO REFRESH OPERATORS’ ABILITY AND THEIR READINESS IN DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES.
"A VERY STRINGENT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CHLORINE SYSTEM IS ALSO FOLLOWED TO ENSURE RELIABLE OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT.
"FURTHERMORE, A DIRECT ALARM LINK HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CONTROL CENTRE FOR THEIR PROMPT ACTION," HE ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WERE BRIEFED ON THE MODIFIED INSTALLATION EARLIER TODAY, AND TAKEN ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE OPERATION OF THE CONTROL ROOM AND GAS SCRUBBER ROOM IN THE CHLORINATION HOUSE.
0---------
/18 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 18 -
FIGURES ON FATAL CASES AT WORK RELEASED * * * * »
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED FIGURES ON REPORTED FATAL CASES LAST YEAR CLASSIFIED UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO REPORT THE INJURY TO OR DEATH OF AN EMPLOYEE FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT AND, WHICH IS DEEMED TO HAVE ARISEN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED.
"IN 1993, EMPLOYERS REPORTED A TOTAL OF 304 CASES UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
AN ANALYSIS REVEALS THAT:
* 92 CASES RESULTED FROM INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG;
* 34 CASES RESULTED FROM ACCIDENTS AT SEA WHICH OCCURRED
OUTSIDE HONG KONG;
* 36 CASES OCCURRED WHILE EMPLOYEES WERE ON DUTY OUTSIDE HONG
KONG;
* 37 CASES RESULTED FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG; AND
* 17 CASES IN WHICH EMPLOYEES DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES.
"THE NUMBER OF CASES RELATING TO DEATH BY NATURAL CAUSES MAY GO UP AS EXPERIENCE SHOWS SOME 20 PER CENT OF REPORTED FATAL CASES UNDER THE ORDINANCE BELONG TO THIS CATEGORY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"OF THE REMAINING 88 FATAL CASES, THE MAJORITY INVOLVED SERVICE WORKERS SUCH AS STEVEDORES, DELIVERY HANDS, SECURITY GUARDS AND CLEANSING WORKERS, AND FEWER THAN 10 EMPLOYEES WERE INVOLVED IN CLERICAL JOBS," HE ADDED.
EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE LAW TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH OF AN EMPLOYEE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM (FORM 2) WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
IN RESPECT OF INJURY TO AN EMPLOYEE, THE REPORT SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 14 DAYS.
ENQUIRIES ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 733 2337.
- - 0 - -
/19 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 19 -
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN NOVEMBER *****
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 2% IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR OVER A YEAR EARLIER, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A MONTHLY SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VOLUME 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 IN 1992, ORDERS POSITION IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY DECREASED BY 10%. SLIGHT DECREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES, BY 3% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1%.
ORDERS POSITION INCREASED BY 8% IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY. AN INCREASE OF 2% WAS ALSO RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE. SLIGHT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, BY 3% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
THE MONTHLY SURVEY COVERS A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERED ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT BE FULLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF SHORT-TERM DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS SECTOR, HE SAID.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1993, AT $5.50 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS, PLEASE CALL THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6441.
/THE FOLLOWING........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 20 -
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND:
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
AS AT THE END OF CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY NOVEMBER 1993 OCTOBER 1993 NOVEMBER 1992
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 4.38 +1 -2
— — — — — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.65 + 2 -1
TEXTILES 2.11 + 8 -3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.63 -1 ♦
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.21 -3 -10
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC 5.79 ♦
PRODUCTS
OTHERS 3.82 * -3
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5% -----------------------------------0--------
PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE IS BETTER THAN CURE t t t * »
PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE FORM OF SUPPORT SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ARE ESSENTIAL, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE," SHE SAID, WHEN OPENING THE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE (ACA) CHUK YUEN CENTRE.
SHE SAID THERE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A CLOSE LINKAGE BETWEEN CHILD ABUSE AND PARENTS’ FAILURE TO COPE WITH THE STRESS OF LIFE.
"HONG KONG IS KNOWN TO BE A VERY HECTIC CITY AND PEOPLE ARE SUBJECT TO ALL KINDS OF PRESSURES ARISING FROM MODERN URBAN LIVING," MRS PATTEN SAID.
SHE SAID THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD SHOULD ALWAYS BE THE PARAMOUNT CONCERN OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS INVESTIGATING CASES AND DECIDING ON THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
"IT IS VITAL THAT A CHILD’S SAFETY AND WELFARE SHOULD BE PUT FIRST," SHE ADDED.
THIS COULD BE ENSURED BY APPOINTING OFFICIAL SOLICITOR IN APPROPRIATE CASES OF CARE AND PROTECTION TO REPRESENT THE CHILD.
/AN INCREASE .......
TUESDAY, JANAURY 18, 1994
- 21 -
AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FOSTER PARENTS AVAILABLE WOULD ALSO GIVE SOCIAL WORKERS MORE FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE IN DEALING WITH CASES OF ABUSE.
MRS PATTEN PRAISED THE ACA FOR ITS STRONG COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CHILD ABUSE SINCE IT HAD FIRST STARTED IN 1979.
-----0--------
POLLUTION CASES RELEASED
*****
A TOTAL OF 56 CONVICTIONS WERE MADE IN THE COURTS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR FOR BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION ENFORCED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
AMONG THEM, 25 WERE CONVICTIONS MADE UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE (APCO), 22 UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE (NCO), SEVEN UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE (WPCO) AND TWO UNDER THE DUMPING AT SEA ACT (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES ORDER) (DASO), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE FINES IMPOSED RANGED FROM $1,000 TO $100,000. THE PENTA-OCEAN CONSTRUCTION CO LTD WAS FINED $100,000 UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK IN BREACH OF THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT.
AMONG REPEATED OFFENDERS, THE FANTA (CFC) CONSTRUCTION CO LTD WAS PROSECUTED FOR THE EIGHTH TIME UNDER THE DUMPING AT SEA ACT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE LIST OF CONVICTED CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS IN DECEMBER WILL BE FAXED.
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING
PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL: 594 6200
NCO MS MABEL MAK TEL: 594 6500
DASO MR PAUL HOLMES TEL: 755 3553
WPCO MR MURRAY LUO TEL: 415 9211
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE
DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA RELATIONS UNIT.
/22 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 22 -
NO DYNAMITE OR POISON FISHING ALLOWED *****
THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN FISHING IS AGAINST THE LAW AND COULD MAKE OFFENDERS LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S (AFD) SENIOR CAPTURE FISHERIES OFFICER, MR JOSEPH SHAM, ISSUED THIS REMINDER TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER TWO FISHERMEN WERE EACH FINED $4,000 BY A FANLING MAGISTRATE LATE LAST MONTH FOR SIMILAR OFFENCES.
UNDER THE FISHERIES PROTECTION ORDINANCE, THE USE OF DYNAMITES OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES INCLUDING CYANIDE IN FISHING IN HONG KONG WATERS IS PROHIBITED.
IT CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $10,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT UPON CONVICTION.
"APART FROM BREAKING THE LAW, SUCH ACT IS DETRIMENTAL TO FISHERMEN’S LONG-TERM INTEREST BECAUSE OF ITS ADVERSE EFFECT ON FISHERIES RESOURCES AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT," MR SHAM SAID.
MR SHAM THEREFORE URGED LOCAL FISHERMEN NOT TO ADOPT THIS FISHING METHOD BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OTHER TERRITORIAL WATERS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AFD AND THE MARINE POLICE WOULD CONTINUE TO STEP UP ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS AGAINST SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN LOCAL WATERS.
THE CASE WAS UNCOVERED ON NOVEMBER 21 LAST YEAR. ACTING ON INFORMATION, MARINE POLICE ARRESTED TWO FISHERMEN SUSPECTED OF USING EXPLOSIVES TO CATCH FISH OFF PAK SHA TAU TSUI, TOLO CHANNEL.
MR SHAM ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT FISHING OR OTHER ACTIVITIES USING EXPLOSIVES OR POISONS IN HONG KONG WATERS TO AFD OR THE MARINE POLICE SO THAT APPROPRIATE ACTIONS COULD BE TAKEN.
- - 0-----------
TWO GROUPS RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
TWO GROUPS OF 313 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 111 MEN, 92 WOMEN, 57 BOYS AND 53 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 196TH AND 197TH BATCHES TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE TWO GROUPS BROUGHT TO 1,311 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 39,924 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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/23 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
23
BUS FARE INCREASES ON LEGCO AGENDA * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL DEBATE A MOTION ON FARE INCREASES OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AT ITS WEEKLY MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT.
THREE SEPARATE AMENDMENTS TO THE MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG AND THE HON MRS MIRIAM LAU.
THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO DEBATE ANOTHER MOTION ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION SCHEME MOVED BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI.
MEMBERS WILL RAISE 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS.
THREE OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THE BILLS ARE POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION OF PRISONERS BILL, CIVIL AVIATION BILL AND A PRIVATE BILL - HONG KONG CHRISTIAN COUNCIL INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THE BILLS WILL ALSO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993, FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY WILL PRESENT THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 LAST YEAR.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL PRESENT THE SECOND PERIODIC REPORT ON HONG KONG REGARDING ARTICLES 10-15 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUTS IN TAI PO *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES TN TAI PO WILL GO OFF ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 20) AND FRIDAY BECAUSE OF WATER WORKS.
ALL THE PREMISES AT TING KOK ROAD, INCLUDING YUE KOK, KAU SHI WAI, LAU HANG, FUNG YUEN, TIN SAM, FUNG YUEN LO TSUEN AND THE GOVERNMENT QUARTERS IN HA HANG, WILL HAVE NO SUPPLY FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THOSE LOCATED ALONG THE SECTION OF LAM KAM ROAD FROM ITS ROUNDABOUT TO NG TUNG CHAI; THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD FROM WAI TAU TSUEN TO HO KA YUEN; AND THE SECTION OF TOLO HIGHWAY FROM HONG LOK YUEN TO KAU LUNG HANG, WILL HAVE NO SUPPLY FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 24 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
* * ♦ » ♦
TENDER DATE 18 JAN 94 18 JAN 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q403 H456
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$5,580 MN HK$3,11O MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$l,200 MN HKS5OO MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.92 PCT 3.08 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.93 PCT 3.08 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 39 PCT ABOUT 34 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.96 PCT 3.10 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 24 JANUARY 1994 -
TENDER DATE 24 JANUARY 94 25 JANUARY 94 25 JANUARY 94
PAPER ON OFFER EE NOTES EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER 3701 Q404 Y485
ISSUE DATE 25 JANUARY 94 26 JANUARY 94 26 JANUARY 94
MATURITY DATE 27 JANUARY 97 27 APRIL 94 25 JANUARY 95
TENOR 3 YEARS 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$500 + 100 MN HK$l,200 + 240MN HK$400 + 120MN
COUPON 4.6 PCT
- - 0 - -
/25 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1994
- 25 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* *
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
* * *
$ MILLION
1,660
+2,340
4,000
NIL
-1,955
2,045
TWI 127.3 *-0.1* 18.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.44 PCT 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.40 3.44
1 MONTH 2.59 PCT 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.15 3.66
3 MONTHS 2.90 PCT 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.22 3.86
6 MONTHS 3.07 PCT 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.25 4.05
12 MONTHS 3.37 PCT 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.22 4.55
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 15,041 MN
CLOSED 18 JANUARY 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATEMENT ON ICAC INQUIRIES ............................. 1
ICAC’S CASE COMPLETED ................................... 1
STATEMENT BY DEPUTY TO GOVERNOR ON MICHAEL GALE’S DEATH . 2
BARONESS DUNN'S STATEMENT ON MICHAEL GALE'S DEATH ....... 2
HONG KONG FASHION READY TO FACE NEW CHALLENGE ........... 3
SWD TO LAUNCH PROGRAMMES TO RE-AFFIRM FAMILY'S ROLE ..... 3
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VISIT CARITAS LOK YI SCHOOL ...... 5
15 CAUGHT FOR BREAKING IMMIGRATION LAW .................. 5
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY .................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
7
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
1
STATEMENT ON 1CAC INQUIRIES
* » » * *
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN:
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OF THE RESULT OF POLICE INQUIRIES INTO ALLEGATIONS MADE BY MR ALEX TSUI AGAINST STAFF OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC).
I AM COMPLETELY SATISFIED THAT A DETAILED AND PROPER INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT. THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN FULLY AND INDEPENDENTLY CONSIDERED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS.
PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE ICAC AND ITS SENIOR OFFICERS IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE AND I TRUST THAT THIS INVESTIGATION HAS NOW CLEARED THE AIR OVER A MATTER WHICH I KNOW HAS BEEN OF PUBLIC CONCERN.
THE IMPORTANT THING NOW IS TO GIVE OUR FULL SUPPORT TO THE ICAC IN ITS BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION. IT HAS MY WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT AND THAT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND, I AM SURE, OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
------0--------
ICAC’S CASE COMPLETED *****
WITH REFERENCE TO MR ALEX TSUI’S ALLEGATION OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE AGAINST OFFICERS IN THE ICAC, AND THE RELATED ALLEGATIONS OF INDECENT ASSAULT AGAINST AN ICAC OFFICER, POLICE ENQUIRIES HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED AT A VERY SENIOR LEVEL, AND A DETAILED INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN MADE.
REPORTS ON THE INVESTIGATION HAVE BEEN FORWARDED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS WHERE THEY WERE CONSIDERED PERSONALLY BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS WHO HAVE ADVISED THAT NO PROSECUTION BE BROUGHT.
/?- .............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 2 -
STATEMENT BY DEPUTY TO GOVERNOR ON MICHAEL GALE’S DEATH
*****
STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, ON THE DEATH OF MR MICHAEL GALE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HONGKONG TELECOM.
"I WAS SHOCKED AND SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE SUDDEN DEATH OF MICHAEL GALE. AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HONGKONG TELECOM, MR GALE WAS ONE OF OUR MOST DYNAMIC AND RESPECTED BUSINESSMEN.
IN HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE CABLE AND WIRELESS GROUP, HE CONTRIBUTED ENORMOUSLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY. AS SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, I HAD CLOSE DEALINGS WITH MR GALE. TOGETHER WE TACKLED MANY DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX ISSUES BUT THEY WERE MADE EASIER BY HIS VISION AND UNBOUNDED ENTHUSIASM FOR THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AND THE REGION.
MR GALE HAD GREAT FAITH IN HONG KONG AND ITS FUTURE, AND WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, AND IN PROMOTING HONG KONG INTERNATIONALLY. WE SHALL MISS HIS ENERGY AND COMMITMENT.
ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS WIFE, JESSAMINE AND TO HIS CHILDREN MARK AND JANETTE. I HOPE THEY WILL DERIVE SOME COMFORT FROM THE FACT THAT SO MANY SHARE THEIR GRIEF."
------0----------
BARONESS DUNN’S STATEMENT ON MICHAEL GALE’S DEATH
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, ON HEARING THE DEATH OF MR MICHAEL GALE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATION:
”1 AM DEEPLY SADDENED BY NEWS OF MICHAEL GALE’S UNTIMELY DEATH. MR GALE HAS HAD A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN HONG KONG CONTRIBUTING TO A PERIOD OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS. I SEND MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCE TO HIS FAMILY AND TO THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATION GROUP. HONG KONG TELECOM HAS LOST A CAPABLE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND HONG KONG HAS LOST A STAUNCH SUPPORTER. WE SHALL ALL MISS HIM.”
/3.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 3 -
HONG KONG FASHION READY TO FACE NEW CHALLENGE » » « * »
THE CREATIVITY OF LOCAL FASHION DESIGNERS AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS OF THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD WELL PREPARE HONG KONG TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF AN EVER MORE COMPETITIVE, QUOTA-FREE ENVIRONMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
THE REMARK WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN SHE OPENED THE 24TH HONG KONG FASHION WEEK ORGANISED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE SAID HONG KONG HAD ESTABLISHED AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION AS A PRODUCER OF FASHION GARMENTS OF HIGH QUALITY.
IT IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST CLOTHING EXPORTERS. COMBINED WITH RE-EXPORTS, HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS OF CLOTHING RANK FIRST IN THE WORLD.
MRS CHAN SAID TO BEAT THE QUOTAS ON THE VOLUME OF TEXTILE AND CLOTHING EXPORTS, HONG KONG HAD DIVERSIFIED INTO HIGHER VALUE-ADDED FASHION ITEMS.
AND TO BEAT EVER-RISING LAND AND LABOUR PRICES, IT HAS DIVERSIFIED THE PRODUCTION BASES AND SET UP MANUFACTURING FACILITIES THE WORLD OVER, SHE ADDED.
"SOME OF OUR MANUFACTURERS HAVE CREATED THEIR OWN DESIGNER LABEL CLOTHING WHICH HAVE BECOME HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL IN MAJOR MARKETS SUCH AS THE U.S. AND CHINA.
"THEIR RESOURCEFULNESS, INGENUITY, SENSITIVITY TO CHANGING FASHION TRENDS, COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND THE ABILITY TO RESPOND QUICKLY HAVE POSITIONED THEM WELL FOR THE MARKETS OF THE FUTURE," MRS CHAN SAID.
--------0-----------
SWD TO LAUNCH PROGRAMMES TO RE-AFFIRM FAMILY’S ROLE ♦ * * ♦ »
THE DIRECTOR OE SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES WERE BEING LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS FAMILY TIES TO MARK THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY (IYF).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON GOLDEN MILE, MR STRACHAN SAID HONG KONG WOULD CELEBRATE IYF TO RE-AFFIRM THE FAMILY’S ROLE AS THE FOUNDATION FOR A STABLE SOCIETY.
/THE MAIN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
4
THE MAIN THEME ON IYF FOR HONG KONG "FAMILY AND COMMUNITY: UNITY, HARMONY, DEVELOPMENT" CLEARLY REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY AND SOCIETY, HE SAID.
TO STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY FOR A MORE COHESIVE SOCIETY, THE IYF CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SUGGESTED TO AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY IN RELATION TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HARMONIOUS MARRIAGES, RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR THE CARERS IN THE FAMILY.
MR STRACHAN SAID HONG KONG ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE FAMILY AND RESPONDED QUICKLY AND POSITIVELY TO THE CALL OF THE UNITED NATIONS TO CELEBRATE IYF.
THE SLOGAN FOR IYF IS "LOVE: FAMILY AND ME".
HE SAID A VARIETY OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS INCLUDING POSTERS, BUS ADVERTISEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST ON TELEVISION, POSTAL SLOGAN ON LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAIL, A TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WOULD BE USED.
"A THEME SONG WILL BE USED FOR PUBLICITY IN TELEVISION AND RADIO AS WELL AS IN IYF PROGRAMMES," HE ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES HAD STARTED A RESEARCH ON "ROLE OF FAMILY IN COMMUNITY CARE" TO EXAMINE HOW THE FAMILY CARRIED OUT ITS CARING FUNCTION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS VULNERABLE MEMBERS.
MR STRACHAN SAID MORE THAN 500 PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO SPREAD THE MESSAGES OF IYF.
THESE INCLUDED FAMILY PICNICS, BARBECUES, OUTINGS, KARAOKE CONTESTS, ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION, COOKING CONTEST, TALKS AND SEMINARS.
MORE, A FAMILY CARE DEMONSTRATION AND RESOURCE CENTRE, 19 FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCE CENTRES AND SIX PARENT RESOURCE CENTRES WOULD BE OPEN LATER THIS YEAR.
MR STRACHAN STRESSED THAT WITH THESE NEW CENTRES TO FILL THE SERVICE GAP, A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF PREVENTIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND REMEDIAL SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WOULD BE IN PLACE TO CATER FOR THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF FAMILIES IN HONG KONG.
"TO RE-AFFIRM GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TOWARDS THE FAMILY, I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO IMPROVE BOTH THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN."
THESE INCLUDE THE IMPROVEMENT OF CASELOAD IN FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES, EXPANSION IN THE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICE AS WELL AS HOME HELP TEAMS AND FAMILY AIDE WORKERS.
/5.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 5 -
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VISIT CARITAS LOK YI SCHOOL
* * » » »
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MET STAFF AND STUDENTS OF A SPECIAL SCHOOL IN THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
HEADING THE PARTY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR AMBROSE LAU; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, MRS PEGGY LAM.
OTHER MEMBERS WERE MR HUNG WING-TAT (CENTRAL AND WESTERN); MR TENG CHONG-TAI (WAN CHAI); MR KO TAM-KAN, MS MAR YUET-HAR AND MS YEUNG CHUI-CHUN (SOUTHERN).
THEY TOURED THE CARITAS LOK YI SCHOOL IN LEI KING WAN, SAI WAN HO, WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG, AND THE PRINCIPAL, MRS SZE WONG SHUI-HAR.
THE PURPOSE-BUILT SCHOOL FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN STARTED OPERATION LAST YEAR. THERE ARE 24 BOARDERS AT THE SCHOOL.
THE BOARD MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT STUDENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO LEARN ABOUT AND INTEGRATE WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THERE IS ALSO A PARENTS’ RESOURCE GROUP TO ENHANCE MUTUAL SUPPORT AND TO SHARE EXPERIENCE AMONG PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SPECIALISTS.
------0--------
15 CAUGHT FOR BREAKING IMMIGRATION LAW
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ARRESTED NINE TWO-WAY PERMIT VISITORS AND SIX IMPORTED WORKERS FROM CHINA FOR SUSPECTED BREACHES OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE ON LAMMA TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ACTING ON INFORMATION, IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS CONDUCTED IDENTITY CHECKS ON ABOUT 200 PEOPLE.
THE ARRESTED MEN, AGED BETWEEN 25 AND 40, WERE FOUND WORKING AS CASUAL WORKERS ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
THEY ADMITTED TO HAVE WORKED THERE FOR A PERIOD RANGING FROM A FEW DAYS TO THREE WEEKS WITH DAILY WAGES OF $400.
A HONG KONG RESIDENT WHO IS THE SUB-CONTRACTOR OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE IS ASSISTING WITH THE INVESTIGATION.
"YESTERDAY WE HAD CONDUCTED ANOTHER SERIES OF OPERATIONS. SIX TWO-WAY PERMIT VISITORS, FOUR PAKISTANIS AND ONE BANGLADESHI WERE ARRESTED FOR SUSPECTED BREACHES OF CONDITION OF STAY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
/"AN ILLEGAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
"AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FROM CHINA WAS ALSO ARRESTED. HE WAS FOUND USING A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD RELATING TO ANOTHER PERSON.
"SEVEN SUSPECTED AIDERS AND ABETTORS INCLUDING THREE EMPLOYERS ARE HELPING IN THE INVESTIGATION," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID VISITORS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE UP ANY EMPLOYMENT, WHETHER PAID OR UNPAID, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
THOSE WHO BREACH THEIR CONDITIONS OF STAY ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND UPON CONVICTION TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
PEOPLE WHO AID AND ABET OTHERS TO COMMIT THESE OFFENCES ARE ALSO LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND PENALTY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 21) 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 COMMITTEE’S PAPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE MEDIA FROM 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE PRESS ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF THE PAPERS WILL BE EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,045
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,955
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,235
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,765
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.1 *-0.2» 19.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.28 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.38 3.46
1 MONTH 2.54 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.18 3.64
3 MONTHS 2.87 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.26 3.83
6 MONTHS 3.04 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.30 4.02
12 MONTHS 3.36 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.32 4.51
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 25,260 MN
CLOSED 19 JANUARY 1994
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
GOVT PLEDGES SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO OPS ............ 1
A DUAL AIM IN DETERMINING BUS FARE INCREASES .................... 3
DIFFERENT RACES LIVE IN HARMONY IN HK............................ 4
EXCHANGES OF VIEW ON DRAFT BASIC LAW CONFIDENTIAL ............... 5
USE OF MOVEMENT INFORMATION RESTRICTED .......................... 6
OWNERS REQUIRED TO CONTROL THEIR DOGS IN PUBLIC ................. 6
NO SERIOUS DISAGREEMENT OVER CASES BETWEEN COMAC AND DEPTS .. 7
NO PLAN TO CONTROL PRIVATE CAR PARK CHARGES ..................... 8
HEAVIER PENALTIES AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICES WILL BE CONSIDERED .................................................... 9
ROUTE 3 (CPS) PROJECT TARGETED FOR COMPLETION IN 1998 .......... 10
MINIMUM PENALTY FOR MANSLAUGHTER OFFENCE INAPPROPRIATE ......... 11
NO PLAN TO EXPAND LABOUR IMPORT SCHEME ......................... 12
DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES NORMALLY FOLLOW DISTRICT BOARD’S ADVICE ............................................... 12
5 CASES OF UNLAWFUL SALES/LETTING OF HOS AND PSPS FLATS DETECTED ..................................................... 13
MTRC CHAIRMAN CUM MANAGING DIRECTOR IS IN ORDER ................ 14
/MEANS OF .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
MEANS OF CURBING DRUNKEN DRIVING ............................... 15
AUTOTOLL SYSTEM AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL EFFECTIVE .............. 15
MEASURES TO PREVENT FLOODING IN TUEN MUN ....................... 16
NO VIEWS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES ..................... 17
PROPOSALS ON NURSING PROVISION IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS .............. 17
PLAN TO REMOVE SCHOOL FEE GAZETTAL REQUIREMENT ................. 18
RELOCATION OF KWUN TONG GOVT OFFICES AND CLINIC ................ 18
BILL TO EFFECT LOCALISATION OF CIVIL AVIATION LAW .............. 20
HELP PROPOSED FOR RELEASED ADULT PRISONERS ..................... 20
REPORT ON HK UNDER INTERNATIONAL COVENANT TABLED IN LEGCO ... 21
MOTION ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION PASSED ......................... 22
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
GOVT PLEDGES SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO OPS * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKES TO PLOUGH BACK ALL POSSIBLE SAVINGS ON OLD AGE ALLOWANCES AND BASIC SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS FOR THE ELDERLY, AMOUNTING TO BETWEEN $3 AND $4 BILLION IN 1993/94, INTO THE OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME (OPS).
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT AS AN EMPLOYER WILL CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST $700 MILLION FOR EVERY PER CENT OF CONTRIBUTION.
”IF WE ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAX FOREGONE IF EMPLOYERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TO BE MADE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE, AS IS THE CASE UNDER VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT SCHEMES, IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY PLEDGED TO TAKE ON A SUBSTANTIAL SHARE OF THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT SHOULD THE SCHEME BE IMPLEMENTED," SAID MR W K LAM, ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER.
MR LAM WAS REPLYING TO REMARKS MADE BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS DURING A MOTION DEBATE ON OPS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE EMPHASISED THAT ANY CALL FOR FURTHER GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION MUST BE ASSESSED IN THE CONTEXT OF WHAT OUGHT TO BE THE FAIR SHARE OF THE BURDEN AMONG TAXPAYERS, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
"WE HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO LET TAXPAYERS SHOULDER A DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE SHARE OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AS THE MORE THE SCHEME RELIES ON CONTRIBUTION FROM TAX REVENUE, THE HIGHER THE RISK OF WEAKENING THE IRON LINK THAT WE SEEK TO ESTABLISH BETWEEN PENSION PAYOUTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS," HE ADDED.
ON THE PROPOSED OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME, MR LAM REVEALED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE APPOINTING CONSULTANTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO ADVISE ON THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS WHICH WERE OF KEY CONCERN TO THE PUBLIC:
♦ HOW THE OPS COULD BE ESTABLISHED IN PRACTICE;
* THE CONTRIBUTION LEVELS UNDER DIFFERENT SCENARIOS;
♦ HOW CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE WORKING POPULATION, IN PARTICULAR THE SELF-EMPLOYED AND THOSE CURRENTLY OUTSIDE THE TAX NET;
♦ WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE A MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM SALARY LEVEL FOR CONTRIBUTION PURPOSES; AND
♦ HOW OPS FUNDS SHOULD BE MANAGED IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER POSSIBLE.
OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE OPS HAVE ALSO BEEN RAISED.
/THESE INCLUDE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 2 -
THESE INCLUDE WHETHER THE SCHEME SHOULD COVER IMPORTED WORKERS AND FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS; WHETHER PENSION BENEFITS CAN BE PAID TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO EMIGRATE; WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE PERSONS WHO DIE BEFORE RECEIVING THEIR PENSION; WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE AN INCOME DECLARATION OR A MEANS TEST FOR ELIGIBILITY TO BENEFITS UNDER THE SCHEME, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF NONCONTRIBUTORS; AND WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE A MINIMUM RESIDENCE PERIOD BEFORE AN ELDERLY PERSON BECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE OPS.
MR LAM ASSURED MEMBERS THAT ALL THESE ISSUES WOULD BE COVERED IN GOVERNMENT’S DELIBERATIONS.
’’VIEWS EXPRESSED IN RESPECT OF FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE OPS WILL BE CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY AND THOSE THAT RECEIVE BROAD PUBLIC ENDORSEMENT WILL BE ADOPTED WHERE PRACTICABLE AND AFFORDABLE,” HE STATED.
ON THE TIME TABLE OF THE CONSULTANCY STUDY, MR LAM SAID THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO COMPLETE THE STUDY AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.
"WE SHALL PUBLISH A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT TO SEEK FURTHER PUBLIC VIEWS, HOPEFULLY BY THE SUMMER.
"WE SHALL THEN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC VIEWS, INCLUDING THE OUTCOME OF OUR CONSULTATION WITH CHINA, AND MAKE THE DECISION ON WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH THE SCHEME BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
TURNING TO CALLS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MANDATORY EMPLOYMENT-RELATED SAVING SCHEMES, MR LAM REITERATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE ELDERLY WITH ADEQUATE RETIREMENT PROTECTION NOW OR IN THE FUTURE; NOR WOULD THEY COVER OR PROVIDE MEANINGFUL BENEFITS TO THE BULK OF THE POPULATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A PRIVATELY-RUN MANDATORY SAVING SCHEME WOULD BE VERY COMPLEX TO OPERATE AND IMPOSE A SUBSTANTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT THE GUARANTEE OF COMMENSURATE BENEFITS.
A CENTRALLY-RUN SAVING SCHEME, OR A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, WOULD BE EVEN MORE INEFFECTIVE GIVEN THE FACT THAT THEY TYPICALLY YIELD LOWER-THAN-AVERAGE RETURNS.
"GIVEN THESE CONSIDERATIONS, IT IS CLEAR THAT NEITHER OF THE TWO MANDATORY SAVING SCHEMES WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR OLD AGE," MR LAM SAID.
---------0-----------
/3........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 3 -
A DUAL AIM IN DETERMINING BUS FARE INCREASES *****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE A DUAL AIM OF ENSURING THAT BUS SERVICES MEET PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR EFFICIENT AND ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF SERVICES WITH REASONABLE FARE ON ONE HAND AND ON THE OTHER HAND ENSURING THAT FARE LEVELS ARE PITCHED AT A LEVEL THAT GIVES THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS A REASONABLE RETURN IF IT WERE TO PIN DOWN FARE INCREASES TO INFLATION LEVELS.
SPEAKING AT A MOTION DEBATE ON FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS FROM KMB AND CMB, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID, IT WOULD BE FOOLHARDY TO ADHERE TO SUCH A SACROSANCT DOCTRINE BECAUSE THIS MAY BE A VERY TEMPTING SHORT-TERM PALLIATIVE BUT, IN THE LONG RUN, COULD SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE PROVISION OF BUS SERVICES.
MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED MRS MIRIAM LAU'S AMENDED MOTION WHICH RECOGNISED THE DILEMMA, BUT WOULD CONTINUE TO VET APPLICATIONS FOR FARE INCREASES METICULOUSLY.
HE SAID THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN CONSIDERING AND PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR FARE INCREASES:
(A) THE INCREASE IN OPERATING COSTS SINCE THE LAST FARE ADJUSTMENT;
(B) EFFORTS MADE TO REDUCE COSTS AND INCREASE REVENUE E.G. ECONOMY MEASURES AND EFFORTS TO INCREASE NON-FAREBOX REVENUE SUCH AS ADVERTISING;
(C) THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED HAVING REGARD TO PASSENGER DEMAND AND FEEDBACK;
(D) FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME;
(E) FORECAST OF FUTURE COSTS, REVENUE AND RETURN;
(F) PUBLIC AFFORDABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY INCLUDING IMPACT ON LIVELIHOOD; AND
(G) ELDERLY CONCESSIONARY FARES.
"IN ADDITION INFLATION IS A KEY ELEMENT THAT IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING," HE ADDED.
MR BARMA SAID: "BUS OPERATIONS ARE LABOUR INTENSIVE AND LABOUR COSTS ALONE CONSTITUTE ABOUT 60% OF THE OPERATING EXPENSES.
"SALARIES HAVE RISEN HIGHER THAN INFLATION. OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX HAS INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE 9.7% PER ANNUM COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE OF 7.6% IN CONSUMER PRICE INDEX."
/MAINTENANCE IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
MAINTENANCE IS THE OTHER MAJOR AND EXPENSIVE EXPENDITURE ITEM AND A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE MAINTENANCE COSTS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE NEED FOR BUSES TO UNDERGO RIGOROUS INSPECTION AND OVERHAULING, HE SAID.
THEN, THERE IS THE QUESTION OF SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO THE OPENING OF THE NEW TOWNS AND NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE URBAN AREAS, AND IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY DEMAND FOR QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS, HE SAID.
’’THESE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THE PUBLIC WANT AND EXPECT HAVE TO BE FUNDED AND PAID FOR AND THUS CONTRIBUTE SOME WAY TOWARDS THE JUSTIFICATION FOR HIGHER FARES. INFLATION ALONE DOES NOT COVER SUCH EXPENDITURE,” MR BARMA SAID.
’’THE COST OF ELDERLY CONCESSIONARY FARES IS, LIKEWISE, NOT COVERED BY THE GENERAL LEVEL OF INFLATION,’’ HE SAID.
ON THE RECENT PROFIT OF SOME $1.7 BILLION ACCRUING TO KMB ’ S SHAREHOLDERS THROUGH THE SALE OF TWO BUS DEPOTS, MR BARMA SAID: ’’THE SITES IN QUESTION WERE OBTAINED BY KMB AT FULL MARKET VALUE. IT WAS PAID FOR BY THEIR SHAREHOLDERS.
"THESE TWO SITES WERE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR BUS OPERATIONS AND, HENCE, PERMISSION WAS GIVEN FOR THEIR DISPOSAL."
ON THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE INCREASES ON LIVELIHOOD, MR BARMA SAID OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE INCREASES ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
MR BARMA ALSO POINTED OUT THAT KMB HAS A SCHEME OF CONTROL THAT IS LEGALLY BINDING ON BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMPANY.
HOWEVER, THERE IS NO OBLIGATION ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PART TO AGREE TO PITCH BUS FARES AT A LEVEL WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE COMPANY TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM RETURN OF 16%.
HE ALSO SAID A REVIEW OF THE SCHEME WILL BE UNDERTAKEN.
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DIFFERENT RACES LIVE IN HARMONY IN HK
*****
HONG KONG CAN PRIDE ITSELF AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES AND CULTURES LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SUEN SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN THE TERRITORY.
/IN A........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 5 -
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, ALL PERSONS WERE EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW AND WERE ENTITLED WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION TO THE EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW.
IN VIEW OF THIS, MR SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT FOUND IT UNNECESSARY TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO GOVERN THIS ASPECT OF INTER-CITIZEN RELATIONSHIPS, WHETHER IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS OR ELSEWHERE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AWARE OF ISOLATED INCIDENTS INVOLVING DISCRIMINATION.
BUT THESE INCIDENTS, HE SAID, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN RESOLVED RAPIDLY AMONG THE PRIVATE PARTIES CONCERNED PROBABLY DUE TO THE STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE VIEW THAT RACIAL DISCRIMINATION HAD NO PLACE IN AN OPEN, PROGRESSIVE AND DYNAMIC SOCIETY SUCH AS HONG KONG.
ON RACIAL EQUALITY' EDUCATION, MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CULTIVATE A SPIRIT OF APPRECIATION FOR RACIAL DIVERSITY THROUGH SUSTAINED HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION.
’’THIS IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN SCHOOLS BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE WITH PARTICULAR VIGOUR BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE HAD RECENTLY PUBLISHED A TEACHING KIT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND ONE OF ITS CENTRAL MESSAGE WAS THE CONCEPT OF EQUALITY AND THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION.
EARLIER, MR SUEN ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT FULLY SUBSCRIBED TO THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY BETWEEN PERSONS OF DIFFERENT RACE, COLOUR, SEX, LANGUAGE, RELIGION, POLITICAL OR OTHER OPINION, NATIONAL OR SOCIAL ORIGIN, PROPERTY, BIRTH OR OTHER STATUS.
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EXCHANGES OF VIEW ON DRAFT BASIC LAW CONFIDENTIAL ♦ » » » »
THE SINO-BRITISH EXCHANGES OF VIEW ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WERE CONFIDENTIAL AND IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO DISCLOSE THE CONTENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR PETER LAI, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH.
MR LAI SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WERE CONVEYED TO THE CHINESE SIDE THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS.
"AS THESE EXCHANGES WERE CONFIDENTIAL, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO DISCLOSE THE CONTENTS,” HE SAID.
/6.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 6 -
USE OF MOVEMENT INFORMATION RESTRICTED
*****
THE USE OF MOVEMENT INFORMATION OF A PERSON IS RESTRICTED TO IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE PURPOSES AND THE PREPARATION OF STATISTICAL RECORDS.
THIS INFORMATION INCLUDES THE IDENTITY CARD NUMBER, THE NATIONALITY OF THE PERSON CONCERNED, THE DATE AND TIME OF IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE, THE CONTROL POINT, THE PERSON’S DESTINATION AND THE CARRIER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WILL BE RELEASED TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ONLY IN CONNECTION WITH CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.
THE FORMER CASE IS GUIDED BY THE DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1988, AND THE LATTER ONE IS MADE IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH CONSULATES OR THROUGH INTERPOL.
HE SAID THERE WERE STRINGENT MEASURES TO GUARD AGAINST UNAUTHORISED ACCESS, ALTERATION, OR DISCLOSURE OF INDIVIDUALS’ MOVEMENT INFORMATION.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED:
* LIMITING ACCESS TO COMPUTER DATA THROUGH THE USE OF APPLICATION CODES AND USER PASSWORDS;
» LOGGING COMPUTER TRANSACTIONS FOR MONITORING AND AUDIT PURPOSES;
* ADOPTING PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE DATA PROTECTION; AND
* INSTALLING PHYSICAL SECURITY SAFEGUARDS AT COMPUTER SITES AND TERMINAL AREAS.
OWNERS REQUIRED TO CONTROL THEIR DOGS IN PUBLIC
*****
OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTROL THEIR DOGS PROPERLY IN PUBLIC AREAS UNDER THE DOGS AND CATS REGULATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION CONCERNING COUNTRY PARKS BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MR EASON SAID COUNTRY PARK TRAILS WERE REGULARLY PATROLLED BY PARK WARDENS AND ONE OF THEIR DUTIES WAS TO ADVISE NEARBY VILLAGE RESIDENTS TO KEEP THEIR DOGS UNDER CONTROL.
/"DOG CATCHING ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
7
"DOG CATCHING TEAMS ARE DEPLOYED TO CATCH STRAY DOGS FOUND IN COUNTRY PARKS," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE ENTRY OF VEHICLES TO COUNTRY PARKS, MR EASON SAID, THIS IS SUBJECT TO CONTROL UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS REGULATIONS. ;
"PERMISSION IS NORMALLY GIVEN TO THE RESIDENTS OF AN AREA AND THEIR VISITORS, AND TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS ON DUTY."
OTHERWISE, HE SAID, RESTRICTIONS TO KEEP VEHICLES IN COUNTRY PARKS TO THE MINIMUM ARE APPLIED ON WEEKDAYS AS WELL AS SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
FOR EXAMPLE, A DAILY QUOTA OF ONLY 30 COACHES IS ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARKS THROUGH THE PAK TAM CHUNG BARRIER FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
MR EASON ADDED THAT THE SIGNPOSTS, TRAIL SURFACES AND OTHER FEATURES IN COUNTRY PARKS WERE ALSO REGULARLY CHECKED AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
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NO SERIOUS DISAGREEMENT OVER CASES BETWEEN COMAC AND DEPTS *****
THERE HAS BEEN NO SERIOUS DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (COMAC) AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON THE FORMER’S JURISDICTION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS CHAN SAID THERE WERE NO SEPARATE RECORD OF COMPLAINTS THAT WERE CONSIDERED BY ,JHE COMMISSIONER TO BE WITHIN HIS JURISDICTION TO INVESTIGATE 6UT WERE CONSIDERED OTHERWISE BY THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS UNDER COMPLAINT.
HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMAC OFFICE, THE NUMBER SHOULD BE VERY SMALL, SHE SAID.
"IN THOSE FEW CASES, THE DIFFERENCES OF VIEWS WERE USUALLY RESOLVED THROUGH FURTHER DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE COMAC OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND BY THE PROVISION OF MORE INFORMATION ON THE CASES," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
MRS CHAN ALSO SAID SO FAR, NO COMPLAINT HAD NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED DUE TO THE LACK OF PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN THE COMAC OFFICE.
/"TO ENSURE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
8
"TO ENSURE THAT ALL COMPLAINTS ARE HANDLED PROFESSIONALLY, ALL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ARE SCRUTINISED PERSONALLY BY THE COMMISSIONER AS TO WHETHER THEY FALL WITHIN HIS JURISDICTION UNDER THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS ORDINANCE, AND SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE UNDERTAKEN BY A TEAM OF FULL-TIME INVESTIGATORS SECONDED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.”
THEY ARE ALL EXPERIENCED CIVIL SERVANTS WHO ARE CONVERSANT WITH THE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY ARE WELL-QUALIFIED TO HELP COMAC’S WORK GIVEN THE REMIT OF COMAC, THAT IS, THE INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED MALADMINISTRATION, SHE SAID.
THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS BUT NOT INVESTIGATED BY THE COMAC BECAUSE THEY RELATED TO CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS BEFORE A COURT OF LAW ARE: 11 IN 1990/91, TWO IN 1991/92, FIVE IN 1992/93 AND SIX IN 1993/94 (UP TO JANUARY 8 THIS YEAR).
THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS BUT NOT INVESTIGATED BY THE COMAC FOR REASONS OTHER THAN THOSE RELATED TO CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ARE: 40 IN 1990/91, 36 IN 1991/92, 65 IN 1992/93 AND 48 IN 1993/94 (UP TO JANUARY 8 THIS YEAR).
NO PLAN TO CONTROL PRIVATE CAR PARK CHARGES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO CONTROL PARKING CHARGES IN PRIVATE CAR PARKS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THESE MUST BE DETERMINED BY MARKET FORCES," MR CHAU SAID, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WITH ADDITIONAL POWERS TO INVESTIGATE AND STUDY COMPLAINTS OVER CAR PARK RENT INCREASES.
"THE COUNCIL HAS, AS THE RESULT OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS, CONDUCTED STUDIES ON THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCIAL CAR PARKS IN THE PAST AND HAS NOT FOUND THAT IT NEEDS ADDITIONAL POWERS TO PERFORM THESE TASKS SATISFACTORILY," MR CHAU SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE COUNCIL HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT A STUDY OVER THE RECENT COMPLAINTS ON CAR PARK RENT INCREASES IN SOME PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL ESTATES.
THE LEVEL OF PROVISION FOR PARKING SPACES IN PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS IS STIPULATED IN THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.
/THESE PLANNING .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 9 -
THESE PLANNING STANDARDS ARE BEING REVIEWED AS PART OF A PARKING DEMAND STUDY RECENTLY COMMISSIONED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
MR CHAU SAID THE REVIEW OF THE PLANNING STANDARD WOULD HELP TO ENSURE THAT CONSUMERS’ INTERESTS WERE SAFEGUARDED THROUGH THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE PARKING FACILITIES.
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HEAVIER PENALTIES AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICES WILL BE CONSIDERED *****
SUGGESTION TO IMPOSE HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR REFUSING HIRE AND CHARGING EXCESSIVE FARES BY UNSCRUPULOUS TAXI DRIVERS WILL CERTAINLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO CONSIDERING THE FEASIBILITY OF MAKING THESE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE BY FIXED PENALTY TICKETS.
THE POLICE HAI) STEPPED UP ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICES, HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 132 LARGE-SCALE OPERATIONS WERE MOUNTED IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, RESULTING IN AN AVERAGE OF 255 PROSECUTIONS PER MONTH.
THIS COMPARES WITH AN AVERAGE OF 12 OPERATIONS AND 52 PROSECUTIONS PER MONTH IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF LAST YEAR.
THE COURTS DID TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS, MR BARMA SAID, ADDING THAT THREE TAXI DRIVERS HAD HAD THEIR TAXI LICENCES SUSPENDED.
"THIS INTENSIFIED ENFORCEMENT ACTION HAS RESULTED IN A FALL IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXIS FROM A PEAK OF 299 IN JULY 1993 TO 203 IN DECEMBER 1993," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID TI1F TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT MONITORED THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES THROUGH REGULAR SURVEYS OF PASSENGER WAITING TIMES AND TIMES BETWEEN EMPTY TAXIS AT POPULAR LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS THROUGH COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI SERVICES RECEIVED BY THEMSELVES, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT AND THE POLICE.
REGULAR MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TAXI OPERATORS AND THE DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO HELD TO DISCUSS TAXI SERVICES AND POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES, HE SAID.
TAXI SERVICES \RE REGULATED BY LAW, COVERING THE STANDARD AND QUALITY OF THE VEHICLES, THE ACCURACY OF THE TAXI METRES, THE STANDARD OF DRIVING AND THE CONDUCT OF THE DRIVERS.
/MR BARMA .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 10 -
MR BARMA SAID THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS FINALISING ITS REVIEW ON TAXI POLICY, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES AND IT SHOULD COMPLETE ITS DELIBERATIONS BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
"A GUIDE TO TAXI SERVICE", WHICH CONTAINS INFORMATION ON HOW TO HIRE TAXIS AND WHERE TO MAKE COMPLAINTS, WAS PUBLISHED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AS AN INFORMATION BOOKLET.
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO REVISE THE BOOKLET THIS YEAR AND UPDATE THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR TAXI DRIVERS, MR BARMA SAID, ADDING THAT A SUGGESTION TO PROVIDE SUCH A CODE TO BE POSTED INSIDE TAXI COMPARTMENTS WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE EXERCISE.
MR BARMA NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF TAXI ASSOCIATIONS HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO ORGANISE TRAINING COURSES FOR POTENTIAL AND NEW TAXI DRIVERS BUT THESE ONLY COVERED DRIVERS’ MANNER AND NOT PRACTICAL ENGLISH.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HELPS IN THE ORGANISATION OF THESE TRAINING COURSE AND THE SUGGESTION TO INCLUDE SOME ENGLISH IN THESE COURSES WILL CERTAINLY RE FOLLOWED UP, HE SAID.
ROUTE 3 (CPS) PROJECT TARGETED FOR COMPLETION IN 1998
*****
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE TAI LAM TUNNEL AND YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD OF THE ROUTE 3 (COUNTRY PARK SECTION) PROJECT IS TARGETED TO START IN EARLY 1995, FOR COMPLETION IN LATE 1998.
HOWEVER, THE EXACT STARTING DATE WILL DEPEND ON THE PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH TENDERERS, CONSULTATION, LAND RESUMPTION, AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE ENABLING LEGISLATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI.
MR BARMA EXPLAINED THAT THE TIMING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE TAI LAM TUNNEL AND YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD WOULD DEPEND NOT ONLY ON THE PROGRESS WITH LAND RESUMPTION, BUT ALSO ON A NUMBER OF OTHER EQUALLY IMPORTANT STEPS WHICH HAD TO BE TAKEN BEFORE A . FRANCHISE COULD BE AWARDED.
AFTER THE CLOSE OF TENDERS ON APRIL 8 THIS YEAR, MR BARMA SAID, THE BIDS WILL NEED TO BE CAREFULLY EVALUATED. AFTER THAT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TENDERERS.
"IN PARALLEL, WE SHALL WORK ON THE DRAFT LEGISLATION FOR THE AWARD OF THE FRANCHISE WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING AN ENABLING BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THIS OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER AND ENACTMENT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.”
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
11
NOTING THAT ALL THE STEPS WERE COMPLICATED AND COULD TAKE UP TO NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE ACCORDING TO THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING EXERCISE, MR BARMA SAID THE PROGRAMME WAS ALREADY TIGHT AND THE SCOPE OF COMPRESSION WAS VERY LIMITED.
"IN ADDITION, SINCE THE FRANCHISE FOR THE NEW ROAD WILL SPAN 1997, IT WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY TO CONSULT THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP," HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS LAND RESUMPTION, MR BARMA SAID THE CURRENT LAND RESUMPTION PROGRAMME ALLOWED FOR THE HANDOVER OF THE SITE FOR THE PROJECT IN PHASES, SO THAT LAND WOULD BE: MADE AVAILABLE TO TIE IN WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME.
HANDOVER OF THE FIRST SITE IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FRANCHISED PERIOD, WHICH WILL ENABLE WORK TO BEGIN AS SOON AS THE FRANCHISE IS AWARDED.
"PRELIMINARY WORK, FOR EXAMPLE, IDENTIFYING LAND THAT HAS TO BE RESUMED, HAS ALREADY COMMENCED AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE LAND RESUMPTION TIMETABLE IS REALISTIC," HE SAID.
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MINIMUM PENALTY FOR MANSLAUGHTER OFFENCE INAPPROPRIATE * * t t t
IT WOULD BE CONTRARY TO LEGAL POLICY FOR THE LAW TO ATTEMPT TO LAY DOWN A MINIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE OF MANSLAUGHTER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR MATHEWS TOLD LEGISLATORS THAT THE OFFENCE OF MANSLAUGHTER COVERED KILLINGS IN A WIDE VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MADE THE OFFENCE LESS BLAMEWORTHY THAN MURDER.
"IT INCLUDES A KILLING THAT IS PROVOKED, A KILLING BY A PERSON SUFFERING FROM AN ABNORMALITY OF MIND, AND A KILLING WHERE THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO KILL OR DO GRIEVOUS HARM BUT WHERE THE DEFENDANT ACTED RECKLESSLY.
"THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IN ALL CASES IS LIFE IMPRISONMENT," HE SAID.
NONETHELESS, MR MATHEWS STRESSED THAT A MINIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE WOULD INEVITABLY CREATE UNFAIRNESS BECAUSE A JUDGE, WHEN SENTENCING, SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE WHAT SENTENCE WITHIN THE STATUTORY MAXIMUM WAS JUST AND APPROPRIATE HAVING REGARD TO ALL THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
HE SAID: "SOME CASES OF MANSLAUGHTER DO NOT INVOLVE SERIOUS MISCONDUCT, FOR EXAMPLE WHERE THE DEFENDANT MERELY PUNCHED ANOTHER, BUT THE VICTIM FELL, STRUCK HIS HEAD, AND DIED AS A RESULT.
/"IN SUCH .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
12
"IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, IF THE DEFENDANT IS OF GOOD CHARACTER A FAIRLY LIGHT SENTENCE IS APPROPRIATE."
IN ADDITION, IN CASES WHERE THE DEFENDANT IS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS A HOSPITAL ORDER, NOT A PRISON SENTENCE, IS APPROPRIATE.
"OTHER CASES MAY BE VERY SERIOUS. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE FACTS AND ONE SHOULD NOT FETTER THE DISCRETION OF THE SENTENCING JUDGE," MR MATHEWS ADDED.
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NO PLAN TO EXPAND LABOUR IMPORT SCHEME
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN AT PRESENT TO FURTHER EXPAND THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN, MR LAM SAID IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE SCHEME SHOULD BE EXPANDED, THE GOVERNMENT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
"UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS JUST ONE OF THEM," HE SAID.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME IS TO HELP RELIEVE BOTTLENECKS IN THE EMPLOYMENT MARKET DUE TO LABOUR SHORTAGE AT THE TECHNICIAN, CRAFTSMAN, SUPERVISOR AND EXPERIENCED OPERATIVE LEVELS SO THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH IS NOT IMPEDED," MR LAM ADDED.
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DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES NORMALLY FOLLOW DISTRICT BOARDS’ ADVICE *****
AS DISTRICT BOARDS (DBS) ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO ADVISE ON THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THEIR ADVICE IS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES (DMCS) PROVIDED IT DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENT POLICIES OR PRACTICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DBS AND DMCS.
/MR SUEN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
MR SUEN SAID DBS WERE SET UP UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARDS ORDINANCE TO ADVISE THE ADMINISTRATION ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELLBEING OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICTS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DMCS WERE ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENABLE REPRESENTATIVES OF DEPARTMENTS WORKING IN THE DISTRICT TO DISCUSS HOW BEST TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICTS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
IN PRACTICE, HE SAID, DEPARTMENTS WORKING IN THE DISTRICTS MAKE FULL USE OF THE DMCS AS FORUMS FOR DISCUSSING AND RESOLVING DISTRICT PROBLEMS.
"THEY CO-ORDINATE DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS AND SERVICES IN THE DISTRICTS AND RESPOND POSITIVELY TO DISTRICT NEEDS.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, DMCS DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A CLOSE, CORDIAL AND EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DBS," HE SAID.
BUT WHERE THE ADVICE OF A DB IS AT VARIANCE WITH EXISTING POLICIES OR PRACTICES, MR SUEN SAID THE RELEVANT POLICY BRANCH OR DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ASKED TO CAREFULLY EXAMINE THE MERITS OF THIS ADVICE TO SEE IF EXISTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES COULD BE REFINED, REVISED, OR APPLIED FLEXIBLY TO ACCOMMODATE IT.
"IF IT IS DECIDED NOT TO ACCEPT THE ADVICE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, A FULL EXPLANATION OF THE REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ADVICE WOULD BE GIVEN TO IT," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, DMCS ARE CHAIRED BY DISTRICT OFFICERS WHILE DB CHAIRMEN ARE INVITED TO ATTEND DMC MEETINGS AS OBSERVERS.
- - 0 - -
5 CASES OF UNLAWFUL SALES/LETTING OF HOS AND PSPS FLATS DETECTED *****
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS TO DATE REFERRED FIVE CASES OF UNLAWFUL LETTING OR SALES OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS) UN ITS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR PROSECUTION.
THE OFFENDERS IN THREE CASES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED AND LEGAL ACTION IS IN PROGRESS ON THE OTHER TWO CASES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE SALE OF HOS AND PSPS FLATS WAS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE HOUSING ORDINANCE.
/THE SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
14
THE SCHEDULE STATES THAT A PURCHASER SHALL NOT ALIENATE, CONVEY, PURPORT TO ALIENATE OR CONVEY OR PART WITH POSSESSION OF HIS FLAT UNLESS A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS HAS ELAPSED FROM THE DATE OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND HE HAS PAID TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY A PREMIUM.
IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE UNDER THE HOUSING ORDINANCE FOR A HOS OR PSPS FLAT OWNER TO BREACH THESE RESTRICTIONS AND THIS CAN LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND MAXIMUM IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.
MR EASON SAID HOS AND PSPS OWNERS WERE REGULARLY REMINDED OF THESE RESTRICTIONS BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT THROUGH NOTICES IN ESTATE MANAGEMENT OFFICES, ESTATE NEWSLETTERS, AND REGULAR MEETINGS BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS.
THOUGH UNLAWFUL LETTING OR SALES WERE NOT EASY TO DETECT, MR EASON SAID THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND REVIEW THE SITUATION AND INITIATE APPROPRIATE ACTION WHERE IRREGULARITIES WERE DETECTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ANY UNLAWFUL SALE OR LETTING OF HOS OR PSPS FLATS WAS VOID.
PURCHASERS AND TENANTS WHO SUFFER LOSS AS A RESULT OF THE UNLAWFUL SALES OR LETTING OF THESE FLATS MAY SUE THE VENDOR OR LANDLORD AND ANY ESTATE AGENT OR SOLICITOR INVOLVED FOR DAMAGES THROUGH CIVIL PROCEEDINGS.
------0------------
MTRC CHAIRMAN CUM MANAGING DIRECTOR IS IN ORDER *****
THE ARRANGEMENT OF APPOINTING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AS ALSO THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CORPORATION IS IN ORDER LEGALLY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM, MR BARMA SAID SECTION 4 OF THE MTRC ORDINANCE DID PROVIDE FOR THE CORPORATION TO HAVE BOTH A CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, WHICH WERE CURRENTLY HELD BY MR HAMISH MATHERS.
’’THIS IS QUITE IN ORDER AND LEGAL ADVICE WAS OBTAINED BEFORE THIS ARRANGEMENT WAS INTRODUCED IN NOVEMBER 1986.”
MR BARMA SAID IN EARLIER YEARS OF THE CORPORATION, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CO-ORDINATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.
FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE SYSTEM IN 1986 AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH REQUIREMENT TO OPERATE THE CORPORATION BUSINESS ON PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES, THE CHAIRMAN WAS ALSO APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR.
THIS ARRANGEMENT REMAINS IN PLACE TODAY.
/15........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 15 -
MEANS OF CURBING DRUNKEN DRIVING *****
THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL BY MEANS OF POLICE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, DRIVER EDUCATION, PUBLICITY, AND, IN FUTURE, THROUGH ENHANCED LEGISLATIVE PROVISION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROGER LUK KOON-HO, MR BARMA SAID THERE WERE 38 PROSECUTIONS FOR THE OFFENCE OF DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE OF DRINK OR DRUGS LAST YEAR.
IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION SINCE EXISTING LEGISLATION ON THE SUBJECT IS INADEQUATE, HE SAID.
"PRESENT LEGISLATION DOES NOT SET LIMITS FOR ALCOHOL CONCENTRATIONS IN BREATH, BLOOD OR URINE BEYOND WHICH DRIVERS WILL BE PROSECUTED, NOR DOES IT REQUIRE DRIVERS TO BE SUBJECTED TO TESTS TO ESTABLISH SUCH ALCOHOL LEVELS.
"PROPOSALS FOR AMENDING THE LEGISLATION SO AS TO REMEDY THESE DEFICIENCIES ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS) AND INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OUTSIDE BODIES CONCERNED WITH ROAD SAFETY."
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, PUBLICITY ON TELEVISION TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL ARE BROADCAST REGULARLY, PARTICULARLY BEFORE MAJOR FESTIVALS.
"OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO TAKEN AT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS TO HIGHLIGHT THE DANGERS OF DRUNKEN DRIVING.”
MR BARMA ADDED THAT THE SUBJECT HAD ALSO BEEN GIVEN COVERAGE IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF "ROAD SAFETY QUARTERLY" PRODUCED BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
------0-------
AUTOTOLL SYSTEM AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL EFFECTIVE
*****
THE AUTOTOLL SYSTEM AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HAS SO FAR PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE AND VARIOUS STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE TUNNEL COMPANY TO PROMOTE THE USE OF IT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MIRIAM LAU, MR BARMA SAID THE NUMBER OF AUTOTOLL SYSTEM USERS AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HAD INCREASED FROM ABOUT 10,000 LAST AUGUST TO ABOUT 24,000 BY THE END OF LAST YEAR.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 16 -
HE SAID OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM WAS MONITORED BY BOTH THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, AND A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE.
THESE INCLUDED MORE FREQUENT BROADCASTING IN THE TUNNEL OF MESSAGES TO ADVISE MOTORISTS OF THE LOCATION OF AUTOTOLL LANES AND THE STATIONING OF MORE TUNNEL STAFF TO DIRECT THE TRAFFIC.
THE TRAFFIC FLOW AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IS LIMITED BY THE TUNNEL’S CAPACITY, WHICH IS ABOUT 3,200 VEHICLES PER HOUR IN EACH DIRECTION, HE SAID.
"AUTOTOLL CANNOT IN ITSELF REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION SINCE THE TUNNEL IS OPERATING BEYOND ITS CAPACITY DURING PEAK HOURS AND THE APPROACH ROADS AND EXIT POINTS ARE ALSO CONSTRAINING FACTORS.
BUT USERS OF THE SYSTEM DO ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF A QUICKER PASSAGE THROUGH THE TOLL BOOTHS AND THEREFORE SAVE A LITTLE TIME, HE ADDED.
THE AUTOTOLL SYSTEM IS PROVIDED BY THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY WHICH HAS TAKEN STEPS TO PROMOTE IT, PARTICULARLY BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM LAST AUGUST.
PUBLICITY MEASURES INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND BROCHURES, AS WELL AS RADIO AND NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING.
--------0-----------
MEASURES TO PREVENT FLOODING IN TUEN MUN
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE CHANNELS ON THE SLOPES TO THE EAST OF ALPINE GARDEN IN TUEN MUN BEFORE THE ONSET OF THE NEXT WET SEASON TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF THE SERIOUS FLOODING WHICH OCCURRED THERE ON NOVEMBER 5 LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE NOTED THAT THE INVESTIGATION SO FAR BY THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAD SHOWN THAT THE INCIDENT WAS IN PART RELATED TO THE OVERFLOWING OF THE TAI LAM CHUNG CATCHWATER DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL.
HE SAID FIELD OBSERVATIONS SUGGESTED THAT SOME OF THE DRAINAGE CHANNELS IN THE AREA COULD NOT COPE WITH THE WATER FLOW BECAUSE THEY WERE BLOCKED IN PLACES, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF SQUATTER ACTIVITIES ON THE SLOPE.
PARTIAL BLOCKAGE OF THE CHANNELS AND A CATCHPIT RESULTED IN THE OVERFLOW OF WATER, EROSION OF THE CUT SLOPES AND FLOODING IN ALPINE GARDEN.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 17 -
HE SAID ERODED PARTS OF THE SLOPES WOULD BE REINSTATED AND THE CHANNELS CONCERNED WOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED TO IMPROVE THEIR DRAINAGE CAPACITY.
THE DRAINAGE CHANNELS WILL ALSO BE KEPT IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION BY REGULAR MAINTENANCE, HE SAID.
HE SAID ALONG WITH THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FLOODING INCIDENT, THE CUT SLOPES BEHIND ALPINE GARDEN HAD BEEN FULLY INSPECTED AND THE DESIGNS REVIEWED.
"IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED THAT THESE SLOPES MEET THE CURRENT STANDARDS OF STABILITY AND SAFETY, AND THEY POSE NO DANGER TO LIFE EVEN DURING EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY RAINFALL," MR BLAKE SAID.
AN INTERIM REPORT, WHICH DOCUMENTED THE FACTUAL INFORMATION COLLECTED IN THE FIRST STAGE OF THE INVESTIGATION, WAS PREPARED IN EARLY DECEMBER 1993, MR BLAKE SAID, ADDING THAT A FINAL REPORT, WHICH PRESENTED THE FULL FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION, WAS NEARING COMPLETION.
------0--------
NO VIEWS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
* » « « «
SINCE THE GAZETTAL OF GUIDELINES PURSUANT TO A SECTION OF THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE IN JULY LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED NO VIEWS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE GUIDELINES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, MR SUEN ALSO SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO APPLICATION FROM ANY BUILDING MANAGER FOR EXCLUSION FROM TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT BY OWNER’S CORPORATIONS.
_ _ 0---------
PROPOSALS ON NURSING PROVISION IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS
*****
A REVIEW BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG SPECIAL SCHOOLS COUNCIL HAS PROPOSED MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF NURSING STAFF IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH, MRS WONG SAID THE PROPOSALS WERE BASED ON THE SIZE OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED WHEN JUSTIFIED.
/SHE EXPLAINED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE POLICY OF PROVIDING ONE NURSE FOR EACH SPECIAL SCHOOL WAS TO RECOGNISE THE NEED TO PROVIDE NURSING CARE FOR THESE CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY TO HANDLE EMERGENCY CASES.
CONSIDERING THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE SICK OR HAVE COMPLEX OR ACUTE HEALTH PROBLEMS WILL BE UNDER THE CARE OF A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER INSTEAD OF ATTENDING SCHOOL, MRS WONG SAID THE PROVISION OF ONE NURSE FOR EACH SPECIAL SCHOOL WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR RENDERING NURSING CARE AND DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES.
- - 0 - -
PLAN TO REMOVE SCHOOL FEE GAZETTAL REQUIREMENT » * » * »
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL SEEK TO AMEND THE EDUCATION REGULATIONS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOLS TO GAZETTE INCLUSIVE FEES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA WING-HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAM SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE REQUIREMENT WAS TO INFORM STUDENTS AND PARENTS OF THE AMOUNT OF TUITION FEE AND "TONG FAI" AND TO SERVE AS EVIDENCE OF PUBLIC NOTIFICATION.
A RECENT REVIEW BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE FEES CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO SCHOOLS UNDER REGULATION 67 ALREADY SERVE AS EVIDENCE OF NOTIFICATION.
"STUDENTS AND PARENTS CAN ENQUIRE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ABOUT SCHOOL FEES INSTEAD OF LOOKING UP GAZETTE NOTICES," MR LAM SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL THEREFORE SEEK TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT TO GAZETTE INCLUSIVE FEES.
0 - -
RELOCATION OF KWUN TONG GOVT OFFICES AND CLINIC
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT RELOCATION OF THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY SAID THERE WERE THREE OPTIONS IN CONSIDERING THE FUTURE OF THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC WHICH INCLUDES A HEALTH CENTRE AND A METHADONE CLINIC.
/THESE OPTIONS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
19
THESE OPTIONS ARE:
t TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO;
* TO INCORPORATE THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND CLINIC IN A NEW GOVERNMENT OR JOINT VENTURE DEVELOPMENT AT FUK TONG ROAD; AND
» TO MAKE OTHER APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TEMPORARY AND
PERMANENT RELOCATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND CLINIC.
MR TSANG SAID THE FIRST OPTION WOULD DENY A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO UPGRADE FACILITIES AT THE CLINIC, TO MEET IDENTIFIED SPACE SHORTFALLS IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN THE EXISTING BUILDING, AND TO PROVIDE A MODERN PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINAL AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS.
THE SECOND OPTION WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME EFFECT, HE SAID.
"THE LIMITED REQUIREMENT FOR ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE AT FUK TONG ROAD DOES NOT JUSTIFY A SELF-CONTAINED COMPOSITE GOVERNMENT BUILDING DEVELOPED THERE TO THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE SITE."
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE ALTERNATIVE OF JOINT VENTURE HAD BEEN CONSIDERED.
"HOWEVER, THE INCLUSION OF GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, AND IN PARTICULAR THE NEED TO PLACE THE HEALTH CENTRE ON THE MORE VALUABLE, LOWER FLOORS OF THE BUILDING, WOULD MAKE A JOINT VENTURE COMMERCIALLY UNATTRACTIVE."
HE SAID THE POSSIBILITY OF INCLUDING BOTH THE FUK TONG ROAD AND TUNG YAN STREET SITES IN A JOINT-VENTURE HAD ALSO BEEN EXPLORED.
BUT THE REQUIREMENT TO COMPLETE THE FUK TONG ROAD DEVELOPMENT FIRST, BEFORE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE TUNG YAN STREET SITE COULD PHYSICALLY START, WOULD MAKE SUCH A PROJECT QUITE UNATTRACTIVE TO A PRIVATE DEVELOPER BECAUSE OF THE LONG DELAY - AT LEAST THREE YEARS -IN THE POSSESSION OF THE TUNG YAN STREET SITE, HE ADDED.
MR TSANG SAID: "FOR THESE REASONS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PURSUED THE THIRD OPTION."
FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, AND MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT NOW INTENDS:
» TO HOUSE THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN NEARBY ACCOMMODATION. HOWEVER, KEY GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, SUCH AS THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, WILL BE REPROVISIONED IN DUE COURSE TO THE TUNG YAN STREET REDEVELOPMENT;
♦ TO REPROVISION AND UPGRADE THE HEALTH CENTRE AT FUK TONG ROAD; AND
* TO REPROVISION THE METHADONE CLINIC TO A CAR PARK SITE AT THE REAR OF THE EAST KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING. ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO SHELTER THE CLINIC FROM RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
------0--------
/20.......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1.9, 1994
20
BILL TO EFFECT LOCALISATION OF CIVIL AVIATION LAW
*****
A BILL THAT MARKS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS OF LOCALISATION OF CIVIL AVIATION LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TO DATE, THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATION OF CIVIL AVIATION IN HONG KONG HAS, FOR THE MOST PART, BEEN GOVERNED BY UK ENACTMENTS APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
AS UK ENACTMENTS CANNOT REMAIN IN FORCE AFTER JUNE 30, 1997, THEY MUST BE REPLACED BY A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF CIVIL AVIATION LAWS ENACTED IN HONG KONG.
"THE ENACTMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE BODY OF LOCAL CIVIL AVIATION LEGISLATION IS CRUCIAL TO ENSURING THAT HONG KONG MAINTAINS ITS STATUS AS A CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL AVIATION.
"THE PROPOSED BILL IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THAT OBJECTIVE," THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CIVIL AVIATION BILL IN LEGCO.
MR SIU SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO REPLACE, THROUGH THE ENACTMENT OF LOCAL LEGISLATION, A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS COVERING CIVIL AVIATION MANAGEMENT AND AIR TRANSPORT REGULATIONS WHICH WERE CURRENTLY APPLIED TO HONG KONG BY THE UK CIVIL AVIATION ACT 1949 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1969.
HE SAID THE BILL REPLACED A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL PROVISIONS IN THE UK ORDER RELATING TO THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF CIVIL AVIATION MANAGEMENT.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE UK LAW HAVE BEEN MADE WHERE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO SUIT HONG KONG’S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0--------
HELP PROPOSED FOR RELEASED ADULT PRISONERS *****
DISCHARGED ADULT PRISONERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY AS LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS UNDER A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL PROPOSES TO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT, STATUTORY POSTRELEASE SUPERVISION BOARD, CHAIRED BY A JUDGE, OR A FORMER JUDGE, OF THE HIGH COURT OR DISTRICT COURT, TO ADMINISTER THE SCHEME.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION OF PRISONERS BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE BOARD WOULD EXAMINE THE CASE OF EACH PRISONER FALLING UNDER THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEME.
/IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 21 -
IT WILL DECIDE WHETHER A SUPERVISION ORDER SHOULD BE MADE AND, IF SO, THE APPROPRIATE LENGTH AND CONDITIONS OF SUPERVISION.
MR ASPREY SAID AT THE INITIAL STAGE THE BOARD WOULD CONSIDER PRISONERS SERVING SENTENCES OF SIX YEARS OR MORE AND THOSE PRISONERS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS OR MORE FOR SPECIFIC TYPES OF OFFENCES, SUCH AS TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES, SEXUAL OFFENCES AND VIOLENT CRIMES.
"CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO AMENDING OR EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEME AT A LATER STAGE IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE," HE SAID.
' CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL VISIT THE RELEASED PRISONERS PLACED UNDER SUPERVISION REGULARLY IN THEIR HOMES OR WORKPLACES TO PROVIDE CARE AND GUIDANCE TO THEM.
MR ASPREY ENVISAGED THAT THE SUPERVISION PERIOD RECOMMENDED WOULD NORMALLY BE BETWEEN ONE AND TWO YEARS.
"IN ANY EVENT, THE SUPERVISION PERIOD CANNOT BE LONGER THAN THE REMITTED PART OF A PRISONER’S SENTENCE.
"THE SCHEME WILL NOT, THEREFORE, ALTER THE LENGTH OF A PRISONER’S SENTENCE," MR ASPREY SAID.
AT PRESENT THERE IS A STATUTORY SUPERVISION SCHEME FOR DISCHARGED YOUNG OFFENDERS, WHICH HAS BEEN WORKING SUCCESSFULLY SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1980.
MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF THE YOUNG OFFENDERS PLACED UNDER SUPERVISION HAVE NOT COMMITTED AN OFFENCE AGAIN AFTER THEIR RELEASE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
REPORT ON HK UNDER INTERNATIONAL COVENANT TABLED IN LEGCO tit**
THE SECOND PERIODIC REPORT ON HONG KONG REGARDING ARTICLES 10-15 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT COVERS THE MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED IN HONG KONG TO GIVE EFFECT TO ARTICLES 10-15 OF THE CONVENTION.
THESE ARTICLES RECOGNISE THAT THE WIDEST POSSIBLE PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE ACCORDED TO THE FAMILY, MOTHERS, CHILDREN AND YOUNGER PERSONS; THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING, TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE STANDARD OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, TO AN EDUCATION, AND TO TAKE PART IN CULTURAL LIFE.
THE REPORT IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG WAS PREPARED IN EARLY 1992, AND WAS SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON SEPTEMBER 28, LAST YEAR.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1994
- 22 -
"IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL RIGHTS WILL CONSIDER THE REPORT IN SPOKESMAN SAID.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ON HONG KONG, WHICH AND ENGLISH, HAVE BEEN PLACED AT ALL PUBLIC INFORMATION.
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND 1994”, A GOVERNMENT
IS IN BOTH CHINESE LIBRARIES FOR PUBLIC
COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT THE 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
MARKETING OFFICE OF THE FRENCH MISSION BUILDING,
---------0-----------
MOTION ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION PASSED
*****
A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION SCHEME WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
TWENTY-TWO MEMBERS SPOKE FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS IN THE DEBATE AND THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, REPLIED TO THE POINTS RAISED.
AN AMENDMENT MOVED BY THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA TO A MOTION ON FARE INCREASES OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WAS PASSED. THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS PROPOSED BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT.
A TOTAL OF 21 COUNCILLORS SPOKE FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS IN THE DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
TWO BILLS - FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 AND PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 - WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
ANOTHER BILL, FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WAS PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
THREE OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THE BILLS ARE POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION OF PRISONERS BILL, CIVIL AVIATION BILL AND A PRIVATE BILL - HONG KONG CHRISTIAN COUNCIL INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR MRS ANSON CHAN SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER HER VISIT TO TRANSPORT LICENSING OFFICE ........................ 1
CONCERTED EFFORT TO KEEP HONG KONG MOVING .................... 2
PROCEDURES FOR PROMOTION FOLLOWED ............................ 3
CONTRACT AWARD FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL - TUNNEL SERVICES .... 4
TESTING OF NEW X-RAY MACHINE AT BORDER ....................... 5
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 3RD QUARTER OF 1993 ....... 5
TOWN PLANNING BOARD TO REVIEW OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ............ 7
TSUEN WAN - FIRST NEW TOWN WITH ATC SYSTEM ................... 8
CHANGE OF FRAMA LABEL DESIGN ................................. 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
10
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR MRS ANSON CHAN SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER HER VISIT TO TRANSPORT LICENSING OFFICE *****
MRS CHAN: GOOD AFTERNOON. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I’VE JUST BEEN VISITING THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND SEEING FOR MYSELF SOME ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK. THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEEN EXPLAINING TO ME HOW THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COPE WITH THE STEADY INCREASE IN VEHICLE NUMBERS AND YET STILL THROUGH IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY, MAKING USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND STREAMLINING THEIR PROCEDURES, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY MOVE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ON OUR STREETS EVERYDAY. I THINK THE CREDIT GOES TO THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF. I AM ALSO VERY PLEASED TO KNOW THAT AND I HAVE COMMENDED THE STAFF FOR THEIR EAGERNESS AND THEIR READINESS TO IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE AND THEIR SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE WAITING TIME FOR APPLICATION FOR LICENCES. AND I’M SURE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT AREAS TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICES. I AM ALSO VERY GLAD TO KNOW THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS ESTABLISHED CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP. THIS WILL ALSO OF COURSE DO A GREAT DEAL TO ENABLE STAFF OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TO SEE IN WHAT AREAS THEY CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE SERVICES. RIGHT, QUESTIONS?
REPORTER: DO YOUR SHARE THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED BY THE GOVERNOR THE OTHER DAY ABOUT SELF-CENSORSHIP IN THE MEDIA?
MRS CHAN: WELL, I WAS JUST SAYING THAT SELF-CENSORSHIP IS OF COURSE A RISK THAT IS ALWAYS THERE. THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION GUARANTEES PRESS FREEDOM AFTER 1997 AND I’M SURE THAT THIS IS AN AREA THAT THE MEDIA THEMSELVES WILL BE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT AND WILL BE PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO BOTH NOW AND AFTER 1997.
REPORTER: WE ARE GETTING MFN NOW, VIRTUALLY WE ALL OF HK’S TOP TRADE OFFICIALS ARE NOW IN HK, WILL YOU BE MEETING WITH THEM TO DISCUSS TRADE ISSUES, SPECIFICALLY MFN AND MAKING DECISIONS ON WHETHER THE GOVERNOR WOULD OR WOULD NOT GO TO WASHINGTON?
MRS CHAN: I HAVE INDEED ALREADY MET THE HEADS OF OVERSEAS OFFICES, NOT ONLY TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION OF MFN AND OTHER TRADE ISSUES BUT ALSO TO DISCUSS A WHOLE RANGE OF OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN TO OUR OVERSEAS ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES. THE MFN ISSUE, YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT IS OBVIOUSLY OF GREAT CONCERN TO US BECAUSE THERE IS AN IMPACT ON HONG KONG TRADE AND THEREFORE ON OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY SAID THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING WHAT LOBBYING EFFORTS WE SHOULD BE LAUNCHING THIS YEAR. WE HOPE VERY SHORTLY TO ARRIVE AT A POSITION AS TO THE STRATEGY IN TERMS OF LOBBYING FOR EXTENSION OF MFN FOR CHINA.
REPORTER: WOULD YOU PERSONALLY ADVOCATE THAT HE GOES TO WASHINGTON?
MRS CHAN: I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS CONSIDERING, HAVING GONE LAST YEAR, WHETHER HE SHOULD GO AGAIN THIS YEAR AND IF HE DOESN’T GO, WHO SHOULD GO, IF ANYBODY.
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/2.........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
- 2 -
CONCERTED EFFORT TO KEEP HONG KONG MOVING * * * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAW THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT WORK WHEN SHE VISITED THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
MRS CHAN WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT THE IMMIGRATION TOWER BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RAFAEL HUI, AND OTHER DIRECTORATE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
SHE WAS TOLD THAT HONG KONG’S SUCCESS HAD LED TO INCREASED CAR OWNERSHIP AND USE, AND ALSO INCREASED FREIGHT TRAFFIC AND GOODS VEHICLE FLEET BOTH LOCALLY AND ACROSS THE BORDER.
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND, A NUMBER OF MAJOR TRANSPORT NETWORKS HAD BEEN COMPLETED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
HOWEVER, THE SUSTAINED STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CAR OWNERSHIP LEVEL DURING THE SAME PERIOD HAD RESULTED IN CONGESTIONS AT SOME MAJOR CORRIDORS.
THERE ARE PLANS TO EXPAND THE RAIL AND ROAD SYSTEMS UP TO THE YEAR 2001.
BUT THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY HAD SHOWN THAT DESPITE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROPOSED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, THE ROADS WILL STILL BE CONGESTED.
A TRANSPORT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC DEMANDS MUST BE DAMPENED AND THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT MUST BE ENCOURAGED.
MEMBERS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC PREFER DIRECT AND CONVENIENT SERVICE, A CHOICE OF MODE AND WELCOME COMPETITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ROUTE RATIONALISATION AND TRUNK-FEEDER SYSTEMS ARE THEREFORE REQUIRED. HOWEVER, CARE MUST BE TAKEN IN INTRODUCING COMPETITION AS UNHEALTHY COMPETITION AFFECTS FINANCIAL VIABILITY, HE ADDED.
MRS CHAN WAS TOLD THAT BUSES WERE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MODE WHICH CARRIED OVER 34 PER CENT, OR ROUGHLY THREE MILLION, PASSENGER TRIPS A DAY.
ON THE TAXI SERVICE, MRS CHAN WAS TOLD THAT IMPROVEMENT MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN RECENT YEARS TO TACKLE MALPRACTICES.
IN LATE 1991, THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW THE TAXI POLICY, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE QUALITY OF SERVICE, FARES AND THE LICENSING SYSTEM. IT WILL PUT FORWARD ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT LATER.
MAINTAINING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES DURING TRANSPORT EMERGENCIES IS A GREAT CHALLENGE TO TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
MRS CHAN WAS TOLD THAT TRANSPORT EMERGENCIES AROSE MAINLY DUE TO DISRUPTION TO TRANSPORT SERVICES OR CLOSURE OF ROADS DUE TO VARIOUS INCIDENTS.
/WHEN THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
- 3 -
WHEN THE SITUATION WARRANTS, THE EMERGENCY TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATION CENTRE WILL BE ACTIVATED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN OR TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY RELIEF SERVICES TO THE TRAVELLLING PUBLIC.
ON ROAD SAFETY, THE PILOT SCHEME ON RED LIGHT CAMERA HAS PROVED VERY EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING RED LIGHT JUMPING AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
THE SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED TO COVER MORE ROAD JUNCTIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR. LEGISLATION REGARDING DRINK DRIVING WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED.
ON THE DEPARTMENT’S PERFORMANCE PLEDGE SCHEME, MRS CHAN WAS TOLD THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS OPERATING WELL WITHIN THE PLEDGED TIMES FOR LICENSING SERVICES AND CUSTOMERS WERE GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE LICENSING OFFICES.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO TAKES HEED OF SUGGESTIONS MADE AT THE CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP MEETINGS AND HAS REVIEWED AND REVISED MORE THAN 110 APPLICATION FORMS TO MAKE THEM MORE USER-FRIENDLY.
SECURITY GUARDS WERE EMPLOYED IN THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE TO DETER TOUTING ACTIVITIES IN THE WAITING HALL.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR HUI, MRS CHAN ALSO VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE AND THE HONG KONG AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE.
------0-------
PROCEDURES FOR PROMOTION FOLLOWED ♦ * ♦ ♦ »
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) STRESSED THAT NORMAL PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA HAD BEEN FOLLOWED LEADING UP TO THE POSTING OF MRS HELEN YU AS DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
HE SAID THE PROCEDURES AND GENERAL CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION WERE LAID DOWN IN THE CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS AND MUST BE FOLLOWED.
"IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT SO-CALLED POLITICAL FACTORS SUCH AS PRESSURE FROM STAFF ASSOCIATIONS CANNOT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FURTHERMORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IS ESTABLISHED AS AN INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG TO PREVENT THAT SORT OF THING HAPPENING.
"IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT WAS DECIDED AFTER CAREFUL DELIBERATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROMOTION CRITERIA, THAT THERE WAS NO ONE FULLY SUITABLE AT THIS STAGE TO BE APPOINTED SUBSTANTIVELY AS DIRECTOR.
/•'THEREFORE, FOLLOWING...........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
- 4 -
"THEREFORE, FOLLOWING PRECEDENTS TN PREVIOUS CASES WE DECIDED TO POST IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE TIME-BEING.
"THE SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BOWED TO POLITICAL PRESSURE IN DOING SO IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE.
"SEEN IN THIS CONTEXT, MRS YU’S APPOINTMENT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THIS DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
CONTRACT AWARD FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL - TUNNEL SERVICES
*****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS TODAY (THURSDAY) ACCEPTED A $122 MILLION TENDER SUBMITTED BY GEC (HONG KONG) LTD FOR THE PROVISION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TUNNEL SERVICES FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL ON THE TSING Y1 ISLAND SECTION OF ROUTE 3.
THIS CONTRACT IS A MAJOR ELEMENT IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME’S HIGHWAYS NETWORK LINKING THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN TO KOWLOON AND CENTRAL 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 AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND CONNECTS THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WITH THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
THE CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL ON TSING Y) ISLAND FORMS PART OF THIS SECTION.
THE WORKS TO BI EXECUTED UNDER THIS CONTRACT INCLUDE THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FACILITIES:
* POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
* TUNNEL LIGHTING SYSTEM
* FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM
* BUILDING SERVICES
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM FOUR I’RI.Ql AL I !■'I ED TENDERERS AND GEC (HONG KONG) LTD SUBMITTED THE LOWEST BID. THE WORKS WILL START BY THE END OF THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION BY JANUARY 1997.
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 35, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $31.4 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH I’HE 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 MORE THAN $46.8 BILLION.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
5
TESTING OF NEW X-RAY MACHINE AT BORDER
*****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A NEW TYPE OF X-RAY MACHINE TO SCAN THE CONTENTS OF CONTAINERS AND LORRIES AT CONTROL POINTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE NEW X-RAY MACHINE DEVELOPED BY AN OVERSEAS SUPPLIER HAD BEEN DELIVERED TO HONG KONG, FOR IN-DEPTH EVALUATION OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPACT ON THE TRAFFIC FLOW OF CROSS-BORDER VEHICLES.
"THE EVALUATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON MONDAY I JANUARY 24) A NUMBER OF DRIVERS OF THE NORMAL TRAFFIC MAY BE DIRECTED TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES THROUGH AN INSPECTION LANE AT LOK MA CHAU CONTROL POINT, WHERE TWO BRICK WALLS HAVE BEEN ERECTED, TO ASSESS THE ACTUAL IMPACT OF THE INSPECTION PROCEDURES ON THE TRAFFIC FLOWS.
"DURING THE THREE-DAY SURVEY, THE X-RAY EQUIPMENT WILL NOT BE SET UP AT THE TEST SITE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRANSPORT SURVEY, THE PROTOTYPE X-RAY EQUIPMENT WILL THEN BE SET UP FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF TESTS UNDER A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT BY SPECIALISTS TO IDENTIFY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WHETHER IT IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH OF THE PERSONNEL WORKING NEAR THE SYSTEM.
"IN THE SUBSEQUENT EVALUATION TESTS, DRIVERS OF THE NORMAL TRAFFIC WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE PART," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 3RD QUARTER OF 1993 ******
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, AMOUNTED TO $19.2 BILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993, WHICH WAS 13.2% HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE. QUARTERLY' SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STAT I ST ICS DEPARTMENT.
THE INCREASE WAS LARGELY' DUE TO MORE ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AS WELL AS A SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF OFF SITE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE THIRD QUARTER INCREASED BY 5.9%.
/THE GROSS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
- 6 -
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT PRIVATE SECTOR SITES TOTALLED $7.2 BILLION, BEING 8.7% LOWER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 BUT 3.9% HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT PUBLIC SECTOR SITES WAS $6.4 BILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 49.0% AND 5.6% OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
THE INCREASES WERE MAINLY DUE TO A FURTHER PICK-UP OF ACTIVITIES IN A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION SITES WAS $3.9 BILLION, WHICH WAS 14.1% AND 16.7% HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
THIS INCLUDED MINOR NEW CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND RENOVATION WORKS AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION SITES, COMPRISING MAINLY ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FITTING WORK, TOTALLED $1.7 BILLION, REPRESENTING 25.1% HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 BUT 5.7% LOWER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993.
ANALYSED BY END-USE, RESIDENTIAL. BUILDING PROJECTS (INCLUDING COMBINED RESIDENTIAL / NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) CONTINUED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE GREATEST PORTION OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES. THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED IN THESE PROJECTS WAS $4.7 BILLION, WHICH DROPPED BY 8.3% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.5% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993.
TRANSPORT PROJECTS CONTINUED TO FORM THE SECOND LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION-SITE WORK. THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED FOR SUCH PROJECTS WAS $3.6 BILLION.
THIS WAS 128.6% AND 4.6% HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY. THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECTS CONSTITUTED THE THIRD LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION-SITE WORK.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED FOR SUCH PROJECTS TOTALLED $1.7 BILLION, WHICH WAS 5.3% HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992 BUT 1.8% LOWER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT AT THE SAME TIME.
/THE GROSS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING BOTH GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, COVERS ONLY THOSE PROJECTS IN WHICH THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT TAKES THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, BUT NOT PROJECTS IN WHICH IT TAKES ONLY THE ROLE OF A SUB-CONTRACTOR.
HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS’ CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT ARE GIVEN IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 3RD QUARTER 1993".
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, WANCHAI TOWER, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3265.
- - 0 - -
TOWN PLANNING BOARD TO REVIEW OUTLINE ZONING PLAN *****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS REFERRED THE DRAFT TSUEN WAN WEST OUTLINE ZONING PLAN TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE ANTICIPATED CHANGES IN LAND USE PROPOSALS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE PLAN WAS LAST EXHIBITED BY THE BOARD IN 1989 AND HAD BEEN SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THE BOARD WILL REVISE THE PLANS, WHICH, AFTER INCORPORATING THE LATEST AMENDMENTS, WILL BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN DUE COURSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
- 8 -
TSUEN WAN - FIRST NEW TOWN WITH ATC SYSTEM
* » * t ♦
AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SYSTEM HELPS REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, SAVE JOURNEY TIME AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC SITUATION, MEMBERS OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WERE TOLD TODAY (THURSDAY).
DURING A VISIT TO THE TSUEN WAN AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE, MEMBERS WERE SHOWN THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN ATC TECHNOLOGY AS APPLIED IN HONG KONG.
TSUEN WAN HAS BECOME THE FIRST NEW TOWN WITH AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SYSTEM, AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS COMMISSIONED EARLIER THIS MONTH.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR LEE SHU-CHEE, TOLD MEMBERS THAT THE SYSTEM INSTALLED WAS AN INTERIM SYSTEM PROVIDING BASIC ATC FACILITIES COVERING 85 SIGNALISED JUNCTIONS IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI.
IT WILL BE ENHANCED TO THE BASIC SYSTEM WITH ADDITIONAL .FACILITIES LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SYSTEM, DESIGNED WITH THE LATEST COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL TECHNIQUES, IS CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING A MAXIMUM OF 190 SIGNAL JUNCTIONS.
IT CAN ACTIVATE DIFFERENT SIGNAL PLANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A TIMETABLE STORED IN THE COMPUTER, SO AS TO ADJUST TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMINGS TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, MR LEE SAID.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CONTROL CENTRE AND INSTALLATION OF COMPUTER SYSTEM IN TSUEN WAN WAS COMPLETED IN MID-1993.
THE CENTRE WILL ALSO BE USED TO CONTROL ATC SYSTEMS IN OTHER NEW TOWNS WHEN THEY ARE INSTALLED IN FUTURE.
THE TSUEN WAN ATC SYSTEM USES THE SERVICES OF HONG KONG TELECOM LTD FOR DATA TRANSMISSION BETWEEN THE CONTROL CENTRE AND THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLERS, THUS ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR ROAD OPENINGS FOR CABLE LAYING AND MAINTENANCE OF ATC DATA COMMUNICATION NETWORK.
"IN 1995, THE TSUEN WAN ATC SYSTEM WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A TRAFFIC MONITORING CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM WITH MORE THAN 20 ROADSIDE CAMERAS," MR LEE ADDED.
AFTER THE VISIT, MR CHAN SIU-MAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, WAS SATISFIED WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S IMPROVEMENT WORK' TO SOLVE THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT BY MAKING USE OF ADVANCED FACILITIES.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE OPERATION OF TftlS CONTROL CENTRE WOULD BE HELPFUL IN AMELIORATING THE BUSY TRAFFIC AROUND THE CONTAINER TERMINALS AND THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS, PARTICULARLY TO MAKE NECESSARY ADVANCED ARRANGEMENTS TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
/HE POINTED ... ....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
- 9 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT KWAI TSING DISTRICT LIED AT THE PIVOT OF THE TRAFFIC NETWORK OF TUEN MUN AND SOUTH NEW TERRITORIES, AND THE CONTROL CENTRE COULD CERTAINLY PLAY A KEY ROLE.
HE HOPES THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT COULD INSTALL CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISIONS, AS WELL AS OTHER FACILITIES, IN THE DISTRICT TO FURTHER ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC PROBLEM THERE.
- - - - 0----------
CHANGE OF FRAMA LABEL DESIGN * * * * *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE LABEL PAPER AND MACHINE DIE PLATE IMPRESSION OF THE ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL (FRAMA LABEL) VENDING MACHINE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WILL BE CHANGED FROM THE COCK DESIGN TO THE DOG DESIGN ON MARCH 1.
NO OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CHANGE.
HOWEVER, FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, AN ADVANCE ORDER SERVICE FOR PRE-PACKAGED SETS OF FRAMA LABELS BEARING MACHINE CODES ’01’ AND ’02’ WILL BE AVAILABLE AS FOLLOWS:
* FROM 10 CENTS TO $2.30;
* FROM $2.40 TO $5; AND
* THE MOST COMMON POSTAGE RATES OF 10 CENTS, $1, $1.20, $1.90, $2, $2.40 AND $5.
ADVANCE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT ANY POST OFFICE (EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE) FROM JANUARY 25 TO FEBRUARY 2.
CUSTOMERS MAY COLLECT THE LABELS ON MARCH 1 FROM THE POST OFFICE WHERE THEY PLACED THEIR ORDER.
A LIMITED QUANTITY OF PRE-PACKAGED FRAMA LABELS, BEARING THE MOST COMMON POSTAGE (10 CENTS, $1, $1.20, $1.90, $2, $2.40 AND $5),
WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON MARCH 1 AT THE FOLLOWING SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES:
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL POST OFFICES (EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE) ON THAT DAY FOR PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING THE ’’FIRST DAY” INDICATION.
------O-------- /10......................................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994
Sr
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,765
REVERSAL OF LAF +2,235
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,00Q
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
’ • ’; ■' r
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,760
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,240
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.4 *+0.3* 20.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.34 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.39 3.45
1 MONTH 2.60 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.15 3.66
3 MONTHS 2.89 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.23 3.85
6 MONTHS 3.06 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.26 4.04
12 MONTHS 3.37 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.24 4.54
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS CLOSED 20 JANUARY 1994 AND BONDS - 19,637 MN .• T-... .-t: r • ► » • 7 . t • i V
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FURTHER FUNDING FOR PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY APPROVED .. 1
FC’S DECISION ON AIRPORT FUNDING WELCOMED .................... 3
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR DECEMBER .......................... 3
RECOMMENDATIONS ON WITNESS PROTECTION TO BE IMPLEMENTED ...... 9
BANK NOTE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN LICENSED BANKS ................ 10
GOVT PROPOSES TO SET UP SEWAGE SERVICE TRADING FUND .......... 11
LEGAL AMENDMENTS TO EFFECT CONTINUED CEMETERY MANAGEMENT .... 12
EXPATRIATE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION URGED TO STAY COOL ........... 13
BILL TO BETTER REGULATE COMPANIES IN THE PIPELINE ............ 14
AUSTRALIA POST ISSUES LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMPS .................. 15
REVISION TO COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDING GUIDELINES ANNOUNCED .................................................... 16
FEES FOR DANGEROUS GOODS SERVICES REVISED ................... 17
IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR LUNG CHEUNG AND CHING CHEUNG ROADS .... 18
COMPANY GETS FUND FOR RESEARCH ............................... 19
REVISION OF FEES ............................................. 20
DREDGING WORKS OFF TAI TAM BAY ............................... 20
WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP MEETS ....... 21
/ADULT EDUCATION ......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
ADULT EDUCATION COURSE FEES REVISED ............................ 22
AIRMAIL SERVICES TO AFGHANISTAN SUSPENDED ...................... 22
FOOTBRIDGES FOR YUEN LONG AND SHEUNG SHUI PROPOSED ............. 22
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE ON MOVE .............................. 24
EXTENSION OF KAU SAI PIER PROPOSED ............................. 24
POSSESSING ENDANGERED PLANTS DEFIES LAW ........................ 25
LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING IN SHA TIN ............................. 25
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SITE OFFICES ............... 26
CLOSURE OF SHAM SHUI PO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES . ,.................. 27
BLANKETS TO STREET-SLEEPERS .......................f............ 27
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ,. 28
*
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
1
FURTHER FUNDING FOR PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY APPROVED *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING WELCOMED THE STRONG SUPPORT SHOWN BY MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT WHEN, BY 38 VOTES TO TWO, THEY APPROVED $1.7 BILLION OF FURTHER FUNDING FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA).
DURING THE MEETING, IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, SIR HAMISH SAID:
’’BACK IN MARCH AND APRIL 1992, WE PUT FORWARD PLANS FOR EQUITY IN THE TWO CORPORATIONS. WE PROPOSED $20.3 BILLION INITIAL EQUITY AND UP TO $21 BILLION OF CALLABLE EQUITY TO MEET ANY DOWNSIDE RISKS THAT MIGHT COME UP.
’’UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE UNABLE TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT ON THAT BASIS. THERE THEN FOLLOWED, IN SEPTEMBER 1992, A WELL-PUBLICISED SUGGESTION BY A CHINESE OFFICIAL THAT WE SHOULD USE THE PREMIUM REVENUE FROM THE AIRPORT RAILWAY LAND GRANTS TO FUND THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.
’’BUILDING ON THAT IDEA, WE FORMULATED A SECOND FINANCIAL PROPOSAL THAT MAINTAINED THE $20.3 BILLION PAID-UP EQUITY IN OUR FIRST PROPOSAL, BUT DROPPED THE CALLABLE EQUITY ELEMENT.
”WE PROPOSED THAT ALL OF THE REVENUE FROM THE AIRPORT RAILWAY LAND GRANTS - SOME $40 BILLION TO BE RECEIVED BETWEEN 1992 AND THE COMPLETION OF THE RAILWAY - SHOULD ALSO BE PUT IN ADDITION AS EQUITY INTO THE TWO CORPORATIONS. IN OTHER WORDS, THAT WOULD HAVE INVOLVED BOTH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHARE AND THE LAND FUND’S SHARE OF THE PREMIA IN EQUAL SHARES - THAT IS $20 BILLION FROM EACH.
”OUR AGREEMENT TO PUT IN OUR SHARE OF THE LAND REVENUE WAS ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR NORMAL LAND SALES REVENUE OVER THE PERIOD WAS NOT TO BE REDUCED BY CUTTING THE ANNUAL LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMMES AGREED EACH YEAR IN THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION. SO, THIS AMOUNTED TO $20.3 BILLION FROM OUR RESERVES, AND ABOUT $40 BILLION FROM ADDITIONAL RAILWAY LAND REVENUE.
’’UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PROPOSAL WAS NOT ABLE TO SECURE US AN AGREEMENT, EITHER. THERE WAS A RELUCTANCE TO SEE THE LAND FUND SHARE OF THE LAND PREMIA USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
’’MOVING TO THE MOST RECENT PROPOSAL, IN THE SUMMER OF LAST YEAR, WE DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO MAKE A FURTHER EFFORT TO BREAK THE LOG-JAM IN OUR DISCUSSIONS.
”AT THE END OF JUNE WE TOLD THE CHINESE SIDE THAT WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO INJECT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHARE OF LAND PREMIUM REVENUE FROM THE RAILWAY LAND INTO THE TWO CORPORATIONS, NAMELY ABOUT $20 BILLION. THAT WAS SUBJECT TO THE CHINESE SIDE CONFIRMING OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR FORECAST LAND SALES REVENUE WOULD NOT BE REDUCED BY A SIMILAR AMOUNT BECAUSE OF HAVING FUTURE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMMES LIMITED BY THE LAND COMMISSION. WE OFFERED A FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT FROM OUR RESERVES TO SUPPLEMENT THE $20.3 BILLION EQUITY WE HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.
/’’DURING THE ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
2
"DURING THE MANY MONTHS THAT HAVE ELAPSED SINCE OUR LAST PROPOSAL AT THE END OF JUNE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE HELD INFORMAL EXPERTLEVEL DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, AND AN AIRPORT COMMITTEE IN AUGUST. HOWEVER, A FULL AGREEMENT STILL ELUDES US. IT HAS NOT PROVED POSSIBLE IN RECENT MONTHS TO HOLD FORMAL TALKS ON THE LAND ASPECTS.
"IN ORDER TO TAKE STOCK OF THE SITUATION, AND TO SEE WHAT FURTHER PROGRESS COULD BE MADE, WE FORMALLY ASKED THE CHINESE SIDE ON MONDAY TO AGREE TO ANOTHER FULL MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.”
IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO PUT UP A FURTHER $5 BILLION, SIR HAMISH ALSO SAID: "SINCE YOU ASK THAT QUESTION, I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT WAS S5 BILLION FROM THE RESERVES, SO THAT IS $20.3 BILLION PLUS $5 BILLION FROM THE RESERVES AND THEN THE $20 BILLION FROM OUR SHARE OF THE LAND PREMIUM OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY. THAT’S OUR LATEST PROPOSAL."
ASKED ABOUT SUGGESTIONS BY THE CHINESE SIDE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BREACHED THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU), SIR HAMISH SAID: "WE HAVE OPERATED CONSISTENTLY WITHIN THE MOU. THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS WE HAVE MADE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE MOU. OUR REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO DISCUSS ISSUES WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE MOU, AND SO ARE OUR CONTINUING EFFORTS TO COMPLETE AS MUCH OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AS POSSIBLE BY MID-1997."
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "TO SUMMARISE WHAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TODAY, THE FINANCING PROPOSALS MADE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSIST OF:
♦ THE GOVERNMENT’S ORIGINAL FINANCING PLAN, IN EARLY 1992, INVOLVED THE INJECTION OF $3.7 BILLION (MONEY OF THE DAY) PAID-UP EQUITY INTO THE MTRC AND $16.6 BILLION INTO THE PAA - MAKING A TOTAL OF $20.3 BILLION - PLUS A TOTAL OF $21 BILLION CALLABLE EQUITY.
* IN SEPTEMBER 1992, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESPONDED TO AN IDEA FROM THE CHINESE SIDE AND PROPOSED THAT ALL THE $40 BILLION OF LAND PREMIA TO BE PAID BY THE MTRC BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE RAILWAY SHOULD BE USED AS ADDITIONAL PAID-UP EQUITY IN THE TWO CORPORATIONS.
* THAT WOULD INVOLVE USING BOTH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S AND THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT (SARG) LAND FUND’S SHARES OF THE PREMIA IN EQUAL $20 BILLION SHARES - ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE LAND INVOLVED WOULD BE ADDITIONAL TO HONG KONG’S NORMAL LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME. THE TOTAL PAID-UP EQUITY IN THE TWO CORPORATIONS WOULD THEN BE $60.3 BILLION. THE PREVIOUS $21 BILLION CALLABLE EQUITY PROPOSALS WERE CANCELLED.
* LAST SUMMER THE GOVERNMENT OFFERED TO PUT IN ITS $20 BILLION SHARE OF THE LAND SALE PREMIA, WITHOUT THE SARG LAND FUND’S $20 BILLION SHARE BEING USED. THAT REMAINED CONDITIONAL ON THIS BEING ADDITIONAL TO HONG KONG’S NORMAL LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME. IT ALSO OFFERED A FURTHER $5 BILLION, BRINGING THE TOTAL PAID-UP EQUITY IN THE TWO CORPORATIONS TO $45.3 BILLION.
------0-------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1904
FC’S DECISION ON AIRPORT FUNDING WELCOMED *****
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, THIS EVENING SAID SHE WAS VERY PLEASED THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD AGREED AT ITS MEETING TODAY TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE DUTCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEW YEAR’S RECEPTION, MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD VOTED FOR THE FUNDING IN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY SO AS TO ENABLE THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE WORKS OF THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
ASKED WHETHER THE NEW FUNDING WOULD MAKE FUTURE AIRPORT TALKS MORE DIFFICULT, MRS CHAN SAID THE BRITISH SIDE HAD ALL ALONG HOPED TO CONTINUE TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT THROUGH THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
"WE HAVE RECENTLY PROPOSED TO THE CHINESE SIDE THAT THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE SHOULD MEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE HOPE THAT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE, BOTH SIDES CAN SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS IN WHAT WAY AN AGREEMENT ON THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE REACHED,
"UNTIL AN AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED, THE BRITISH SIDE WILL ACT FULLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, THAT IS TO COMPLETE THE NEW AIRPORT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BEFORE 1997," SHE SAID.
J.-----o--------
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR DECEMBER
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR WAS 8.6% HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1992, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 8.4% IN NOVEMBER 1993.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE HIGHER RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) IN DECEMBER WAS MAINLY DUE TO FASTER INCREASES IN FOOD PRICES, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF SALT-WATER FISH AND FRESH FRUIT.
PRICES OF MANY OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS HOUSING AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, SHOWED A SLOWER INCREASE IN DECEMBER THAN IN NOVEMBER WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1992.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT, FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AVERAGED AT 8.5%, SAME AS THE NOVEMBER UPDATED FORECAST.
THIS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE AVERAGES OF 12.0% RECORDED IN 1991 AND 9.4% IN 1992.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 8.5% AND 10.2% RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER 1993 THAN IN DECEMBER 1992. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN NOVEMBER 1993 WERE 8.4% AND 9.5%.
/THE COMPOSITE.......
4
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH IS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 9% IN DECEMBER 1993 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1992.
THIS WAS ALSO HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 8.7% IN NOVEMBER 1993.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1993 WITH DECEMBER 1992, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FUEL AND LIGHT (2.8% IN THE CPI(A) AND 2.9% IN THE CPI(B)); DURABLE GOODS (3.4% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (6.5% IN THE CPI(A) AND 6.7% IN THE CPI(B)); AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.8% AND 6.1%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR TRANSPORT (10.6% IN THE CPI(A) AND 10.1% IN THE CPI(B)); HOUSING (9.9% AND 10.4%); MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES (9.7% AND 9.1%); AND FOOD EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (9.1% AND 8.7%).
AS FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO, THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 8.2% AND 8.9% IN THE CPI(A) AND 8.2% AND 8.3% IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING DECEMBER 1993 WITH NOVEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED BY 0.7%. HOWEVER, THIS COMPARISON COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.7% AND 8.6% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1992.
FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.5% AND 8.7% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN 1992.
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE CPIS. THE DESEASONALISED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.8% PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1993.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR DECEMBER 1993, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $12 A COPY FROM:
» THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR
* THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI 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 THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/Table 1 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
5
Table 1 Cannonent Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for December 1993
CPT(A) (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 CPT (B) = 100) Hang Senq CPT Composite CPT
Index for Dec 93 % change over Dpc 92 Index for Dec 93 % change over Dec 92 Index for Dec 93 % change over Dec 92 Index for Dec 93 % change over Dec 92
Food 135.7 +8.6 137.3 +8.4 138.9 +9.7 136.9 +8.7
Meals bought away' f ran heme 144.0 +8.2 144.0 +8.2 144.6 +10.5 144.1 +8.7
Food, excluding meals bought away from hare 127.4 +9.1 128.1 +8.7 129.2 +8.0 128.0 +8.8
Housing 155.3 +9.9 156.5 +10.4 159.3 +13.4 157.0 +11.2
Fuel and light 121.4 +2.8 120.7 +2.9 120.8 +3.1 121.0 +2.9
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 181.5 +8.9 170.8 +8.3 166.2 +8.2 175.6 +8.6
Clothing and footwear 133.3 +6.5 134.7 +6.7 147.1 +12.7 138.6 +8.7
Durable goods 111.4 +3.4 111.1 +3.4 116.9 +3.8 112.9 +3.6
Miscellaneous goods 128.1 +6.8 125.1 +6.1 123.5 +5.8 125.8 +6.3
Transport. 140.4 +10.6 139.8 +10.1 139.2 +8.4 139.9 +9.8
Miscellanea is services 149.8 +9.7 145.4 +9.1 138.1 +8.2 144.6 +9.0
All items 140.4 +8.6 140.9 +8.5 143.3 +10.2 141.3 +9.0
The 1989/90-based consuner price indices are based cm the expenditure patterns derived (ran the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPT(A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of $2,500-89,999 in 1989/90. The CPT(B) is based on the expenditure pattern of the next. 30%. of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-317,499 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 317,500-337,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPT(A), CPT(B) and Hang Seng CPT are based cm the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure. the Ccnrosite CPT is canpiled based on the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Thus, while the CPT(A), CPT(B) and Hang Seng CPT show the inrvjot of rmsuner price changes on different groups of households. the Composite CPT shows the impact of consuner price changes on the household sector generally.
/Table 2 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
6
Table ?.
Consumer Price Indices for January 1991 - December 1993
(Ort. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPT(A) CPT(B) Hang Seng CPT Composite CPI
1991 January 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
May 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
% June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
July 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
August 116.0 115.3 114.6 • 115.4
September 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
October 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
November 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
December '118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 January 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
February 121.8 121.2 121.0 121.4
March 122.5 121.9 121.8 122.1
April 124.0 123.4 122.9 123.5
May 124.0 123.8 124.2 124.0
June 125.3 125.1 125.2 125.2
July 125.5 125.4 125.4 125.4
August 125.6 125.9 125.8 125.8
September 128.3 127.9 127.5 128.0
October 128.4 128.4 128.6 128.5
November 128.5 129.0 129.9 129.0
December 129.3 129.8 130.0 129.7
1993 January 131.8 131.6 . 131.5 131.7
February 132.4 132.2 132.0 132.2
March 132.0 132.2 133.1 132.4
April 133.5 133.9 134.5 • 133.9
May 134.5 134.8 136.3 135.1
June 136.0 135.9 137.1 136.3
July 135.8 136.1 136.9 136.2
August 136.3 136.6 137.4 136.7
September 138.4 138.3 139.2 138.6
October 140.0 139.6 140.7 140.0
November 139.4 139.9 142.2 140.3
December 140.4 140.9 143.3 141 .3
/Chart 1 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/Chart 3 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
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.........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 9 -
RECOMMENDATIONS ON WITNESS PROTECTION TO BE IMPLEMENTED * » » t t
THE GOVERNMENT WILL IMPLEMENT A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON WITNESS PROTECTION MADE BY THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO WITNESS PROTECTION AND THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
THE COMMISSION WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN JANUARY LAST YEAR TO EXAMINE EXISTING WITNESS PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS, FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF A MURDER TRIAL IN OCTOBER 1992 BECAUSE A KEY VIETNAMESE PROSECUTION WITNESS DECLINED TO GIVE EVIDENCE.
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE SET UP AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THIS ISSUE IN LATE 1992.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) A CENTRAL WITNESS PROTECTION UNIT WOULD BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS AS PROPOSED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
"IT WOULD NOT BE COST-EFFECTIVE FOR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS, TO SET UP THEIR OWN CENTRAL PROTECTION UNITS AT THE SAME TIME, BECAUSE OF THEIR INFREQUENT NEED FOR WITNESS PROTECTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, WHEN THEY REQUIRE WITNESS PROTECTION, WE RECOMMEND THAT THEY APPROACH THE POLICE FOR ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THAT ANY ARRANGEMENTS THEY ADOPT ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE ADOPTED BY THE POLICE," HE SAID.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT INCLUDE: I
(A) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAMME TO
PROVIDE PROTECTION TO HIGH RISK WITNESSES;
(B) THE PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR EACH WITNESS
PROTECTION PROGRAMME;
(C) THE PROVISION FOR CHANGING THE IDENTITY OF WITNESSES;
(D) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LINKS WITH OTHER AGENCIES OUTSIDE HONG
KONG TO DEAL WITH THE RELOCATION OF WITNESSES OVERSEAS;
(E) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PRACTICAL METHODS TO PROTECT A WITNESS
WHEN GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT;
(F) MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT A WITNESS IS NOT
INTERFERED WITH PRIOR TO GIVING EVIDENCE;
(G) IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING WITNESS ASSURANCE AND ASSISTANCE
ARRANGEMENTS;
(H) THE PROVISION OF OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES INCURRED BY
WITNESSES;
(I) SHORTENING THE TIME BETWEEN PLEA AND EVENTUAL TRIAL FOR NOT
GUILTY PLEAS;
/(J) A REVIEW .........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
10
(J) A REVIEW OF THE STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION FOR WITNESSES IN ALL CRIMINAL COURTS;
(K) THE PROVISION OF SEPARATE ACCOMMODATION FOR WITNESSES IN CUSTODY; AND
(L) LAUNCHING AN . EFFECTIVE PUBLICITY STRATEGY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMME TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAMME AND THE ASSURANCE AND ASSISTANCE ARRANGEMENTS.
RECOMMENDATIONS (F), (G), (K) AND (L) ABOVE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY; OTHERS HAVE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS OR REQUIRE LEGISLATION, AND WILL BE EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO- IMPLEMENTATION AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO SET UP A CENTRALISED WITNESS PROTECTION AUTHORITY WITHIN THE SECURITY BRANCH, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
"THE SECURITY BRANCH CANNOT, AND SHOULD NOT, BE THE OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR WITNESS PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS AS THESE ARE MORE PROPERLY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INVESTIGATING AGENCIES AND THE PROSECUTING AUTHORITY.
"IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE AND TIME-CONSUMING TO ADD YET ANOTHER LAYER ON TOP OF OPERATIONAL WITNESS PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS IN THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
"ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD HAVE TO BE FOUND FOR SETTING UP THE AUTHORITY IN THE SECURITY BRANCH, YET THERE WOULD BE NO CORRESPONDING SAVINGS FROM DEPARTMENTS."
WITNESS PROTECTION MEASURES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTRALIA AND CANADA, REST WITH THE POLICE, HE EXPLAINED.
------0----------
BANK NOTE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN LICENSED BANKS * » * » *
THE THREE NOTE-ISSUING BANKS, THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED, STANDARD CHARTERED BANK AND BANK OF CHINA, TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT:
FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA), ALL BANK NOTE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND WITH OTHER LICENSED BANKS WOULD, WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 24), BE FOR HONG KONG DOLLAR VALUE.
AS FROM THE SAME DATE, THE NOTE-ISSUING BANKS WOULD STOP CHARGING HANDLING FEES FOR THE DEPOSIT OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF BANK NOTES BY CUSTOMERS.
THE THREE NOTE-ISSUING BANKS WILL INFORM THE COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS OF THEIR DECISION TODAY.
/THEY EXPECTED.......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 11 -
THEY EXPECTED THAT OTHER LICENSED BANKS WOULD SIMILARLY STOP CHARGING BANK NOTE HANDLING FEES.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF HKMA, MR JOSEPH YAM, WELCOMED THE DECISION BY THE THREE NOTE-ISSUING BANKS.
"I AM PLEASED THAT THE PROBLEM OF BANK NOTE HANDLING CHARGES HAS BEEN RESOLVED SATISFACTORILY,” HE SAID.
’’THE HKMA HAS STUDIED THE NEW ARRANGEMENT CAREFULLY AND IS SATISFIED THAT IT WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY.
”HONG KONG DOLLAR BANK NOTES WILL•CONTINUE TO BE 100 PER CENT BACKED BY U.S. DOLLARS AT THE FIXED RATE OF 7.80. NOTE-ISSUING BANKS WILL CONTINUE TO PLACE U.S. DOLLARS WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE THE CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS NECESSARY FOR BACKING THE BANK NOTES THAT THEY ISSUE,” HE ADDED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, ALSO WELCOMED THE NOTE-ISSUING BANKS’ DECISION TO INTRODUCE THE NEW ARRANGEMENT AND ABOLISH BANK NOTE HANDLING CHARGES.
"THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR BANK CUSTOMERS. I AM GRATEFUL TO THE THREE BANKS IN QUESTION FOR CO-OPERATING TOGETHER, AND WITH THE MONETARY AUTHORITY, TO PRODUCE THIS POSITIVE RESULT,” SIR HAMISH SAID.
-----0------
GOVT PROPOSES TO SET UP SEWAGE SERVICE TRADING FUND
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO SET UP A SEWAGE SERVICES TRADING FUND IN THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT BY MARCH 1 SO THAT AN EARLY START COULD BE MADE ON THE SEWERAGE PROJECTS OF THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME THAT WILL REDUCE POLLUTION IN THE HARBOUR BY ABOUT 70 PER CENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, WHEN HE BRIEFED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS PANEL AND THE FINANCE, TAXATION AND MONETARY AFFAIRS PANEL AT A MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE TRADING FUND WERE TO HOLD AND MANAGE THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL INJECTION FOR FUNDING THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME DUE FOR COMPLETION BY 1997 AND TO HANDLE BILLING AND COLLECTION OF CHARGES UPON THE INTRODUCTION OF A SEWAGE CHARGING SCHEME.
HE MADE IT CATEGORICALLY CLEAR THAT THE COSTS FOR PROVIDING EXISTING STORMWATER DRAINAGE, FLOOD PREVENTION AND RIVER CONTROL SERVICES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE FUNDED DIRECTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY WOULD BE SEPARATE FROM THE COSTS OF SEWAGE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TRADING FUND.
/MR BLAKE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
12 -
MR BLAKE ALSO SAID A SUBMISSION WOULD BE MADE TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ALLOCATE INITIALLY $6.8 BILLION AS GOVERNMENT CAPITAL INJECTION INTO THE TRADING FUND.
THE GOVERNMENT AIMED* TO START AWARDING CONTRACTS FOR THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME IN MARCH.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL FUND THE Si 2 BILLION CAPITAL PROGRAMME IN FULL, WHICH WILL INCLUDE $8 BILLION FOR THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME AND $4 BILLION FOR OTHER SEWERAGE PROJECTS.
THE TRADING FUND WILL ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER THE TRADING FUNDS ORDINANCE.
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LEGAL AMENDMENTS TO EFFECT CONTINUED CEMETERY MANAGEMENT * * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES LEGAL AMENDMENTS TO ENABLE THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION (CWGC) TO CONTINUE ITS INDEPENDENT OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS CEMETERIES IN HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSAL, CONTAINED IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: “THE CWGC, AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION FOUNDED IN 1917 BY THE ROYAL CHARTER, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CARE OF GRAVES AND MEMORIALS OF THOSE WHO DIED WHILE SERVING IN COMMONWEALTH FORCES IN THE TWO WORLD WARS.”
IT MAINTAINS INDEPENDENTLY IN HONG KONG TWO WAR CEMETERIES -THE SAI WAN WAR CEMETERY AND THE STANLEY MILITARY CEMETERY.
SIMILAR TO ALL OTHER LOCAL CEMETERIES, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, THESE TWO CWGC CEMETERIES ARE REGULATED AND CONTROLLED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IN THIS LEGISLATION, LITTLE DISTINCTION IS MADE BETWEEN THE POWERS OF THE AUTHORITIES IN RESPECT OF PUBLIC CEMETERIES AND THOSE OF THE CWGC IN RESPECT OF THE CWGC CEMETERIES.
"HOWEVER, IN PRACTICE, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY INTERFERENCE WITH THE CWGC’S INDEPENDENT OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE CEMETERIES IN QUESTION."
THEREFORE, IT IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION TO REFLECT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE EXISTING LONG-STANDING PRACTICE OF MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THESE WAR GRAVES, HE ADDED.
THE PROPOSED BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 2.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 13 -
EXPATRIATE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION URGED TO STAY COOL
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED THE ASSOCIATION OF EXPATRIATE CIVIL SERVANTS (AECS) TO PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY AND NOT TO RUSH INTO LEGAL ACTION OVER TRANSFERS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS TO LOCAL CONDITIONS.
"TO DO SO WOULD ONLY RAISE THE TEMPERATURE AND COMPLICATE MATTERS FURTHER," HE SAID. "BUT, IF THEY DO GO AHEAD, WE BELIEVE WE HAVE A DEFENSIBLE POSITION AND WE WILL ACT ACCORDINGLY."
THE SPOKESMAN WAS COMMENTING ON THE ASSOCIATION’S LATEST MOVE IN ITS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT’S LOCALISATION POLICY.
HE SAID THE AECS APPEARED TO BE DRAWING SOME VERY SWEEPING CONCLUSIONS ON THE BASIS OF A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF CASES WHICH HAD BEEN PROCESSED SO FAR.
"WE DO NOT ACCEPT THAT THE CHANGE OF POLICY INTRODUCED LAST JULY IS A ’SHAM’," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE NEW INTERIM POLICY AND SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT IT IS CORRECT.
"JUDGING BY THE REACTIONS IN OTHER QUARTERS, IT IS SELF-EVIDENT THAT LOCAL STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ALSO DO NOT REGARD IT AS A ’SHAM’."
THE SPOKESMAN BELIEVED THERE WAS NOTHING REALLY NEW IN THE AECS’S LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT AND THAT THEY SHOULD WAIT AND SEE HOW THE NEW POLICY DEVELOPED.
THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH ALL ALONG HAS BEEN TO TRY TO BE FAIR AND TO ACT ACCORDING TO THE LAW.
"WE WILL CONTINUE DOWN THIS TRACK. BUT IF THE AECS HAS PARTICULAR PROBLEMS, WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS WITH THEM IN A REASONABLE WAY.
"THIS IS A SENSITIVE AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND ALL SIDES SHOULD EXERCISE RESTRAINT.
"A MORE POSITIVE WAY FORWARD IS FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION FOR BOTH THE SHORT-TERM MEASURE AND ALSO THE LONGER TERM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A COMMON SET OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS STAFF," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
AS AT JANUARY 17, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FROM OVERSEAS OFFICERS FOR EMPLOYMENT ON LOCAL CONDITIONS WAS 108.
OF THESE, FOUR HAVE SO FAR BEEN ACCEPTED, OR IN THE PROCESS OF BEING ACCEPTED; 16 HAVE BEEN REJECTED (INCLUDING THREE ON GROUNDS OF INELIGIBILITY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS); AND TWO HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
14
BILL TO BETTER REGULATE COMPANIES IN THE PIPELINE *****
WORK ON A BILL TO BETTER REGULATE COMPANIES IS NOW PROCEEDING WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING IT FORWARD DURING THE CURRENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
MR CARTLAND WAS ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SECRETARIES AND ADMINISTRATORS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE BILL, WHICH AIMED AT EXTENDING IMMUNITY AGAINST ANY BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY TO AUDITORS OF LISTED AND RELATED COMPANIES WHO REPORTED SUSPECTED FRAUD OR OTHER IRREGULARITIES TO THE APPROPRIATE REGULATOR, WAS MENTIONED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST OCTOBER.
"THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS SIMILAR TO THAT ALREADY IN PLACE IN RESPECT OF AUDITORS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PUSH FOR BETTER CORPORATE DISCIPLINE COULD NOT AND SHOULD NOT STOP AT LISTED COMPANIES.
"I HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT SOME OF THE LESSONS OF SOUND CORPORATE MANAGEMENT APPLICABLE TO LISTED COMPANIES WILL FILTER DOWN THROUGH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT LARGE," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING SERIOUS THOUGHT TO THE SUGGESTION THAT IMMUNITY TO AUDITORS OF LISTED COMPANIES AGAINST POTENTIAL BREACHES OF CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO AUDITORS OF ALL COMPANIES.
ON DIRECTORS’ DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, MR CARTLAND SAID THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED WHOLEHEARTEDLY AN INITIATIVE BY THE LOCAL BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS TO DRAW UP A SET OF GUIDELINES FOR DIRECTORS.
"I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A GENUINE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ON THE PART OF MANY COMPANY DIRECTORS AND A CODE OF CONDUCT CAN OFFER SOME GUIDANCE," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE GOVERNMENT LOOKED FOR SUPPORT OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OF ADMINISTRATION AND ETHICAL PRACTICE WITHIN COMPANIES OF ALL KINDS.
"WE ARE HAPPY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH ORGANISATIONS WILLING TO EMBRACE THIS ROLE AND THEREBY TO HELP HONG KONG RETAIN ITS POSITION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE YEARS AHEAD," HE SAID.
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/15 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
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AUSTRALIA POST ISSUES LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMPS
»»***'•
THE YEAR OF THE DOG MINIATURE SHEET AND FIRST DAY COVER TO BE ISSUED BY AUSTRALIA POST FOR CHRISTMAS ISLAND TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES NEXT FRIDAY (JANUARY 28):
GENERAL POST OFFICE
TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIARI, SAID THE MINIATURE SHEET FEATURED A COLOUR ILLUSTRATION OF A TRADITIONAL LION DANCE AND CONTAINED TWO STAMPS SHOWING DIFFERENT DOGS.
THE FIRST DAY COVER SERVICED WITH A MINIATURE SHEET WILL CARRY AN AUSTRALIAN POSTMARK OF JANUARY 20, 1994, BEING THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE OF THE STAMPS.
"AUSTRALIA POST HAS STATED ITS INTENTION TO ISSUE A FULL CYCLE OF LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMPS COMMENCING WITH THE YEAR OF THE DOG," HE SAID.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND IS LOCATED IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. ABOUT HALF OF ITS POPULATION IS OF CHINESE DESCENT AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IS A MAJOR CELEBRATION ON THE ISLAND.
"ITS ISSUE OF LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMPS NOT ONLY COMPLEMENTS THE POPULAR CHINESE FESTIVAL BUT ALSO ENRICHES THE THEMATIC COLLECTION OF LUNAR NEU YEAR STAMPS,” MR PAGLIARI SAID.
THE MINIATURE SHEET AND SERVICED COVER ARE AVAILABLE AT $5 AND $6 RESPECTIVELY.
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/16........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 16 -
REVISION TO COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDING GUIDELINES ANNOUNCED * * * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) REVISION TO THE GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION FOR COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE (I-O) BUILDING IN "INDUSTRIAL" ZONE.
COMPOSITE 1-0 BUILDINGS ARE DUAL PURPOSE BUILDINGS IN WHICH EVERY UNIT CAN BE USED FLEXIBLY FOR BOTH INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE PURPOSES.
PREVIOUSLY THE TYPE OF OFFICES TO BE ACCOMMODATED IN AN 1-0 BUILDING SHOULD BE ANCILLARY TO THE INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE SAME INDUSTRIAL AREA.
"FROM NOW ON, THE TYPE OF OFFICES ESTABLISHED WITHIN 1-0 BUILDINGS HAVE TO BE ANCILLARY AND DIRECTLY RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS, BUT THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT SUCH INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS HAVE TO BE WITHIN THE SAME INDUSTRIAL AREA," A SPOKESMAN OF THE BOARD SAID.
THE REVISION HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE STRUCTURAL CHANGE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY AND CATERS FOR THE NEED OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
IT IS RECOGNISED THAT INDUSTRIALISTS HAVE BEEN MOVING THEIR PRODUCTION LINES TO CHINA AND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES LEAVING THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, QUALITY CONTROL AND PACKAGING OF THEIR INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG.
BY REVISING THE GUIDELINES, THE BOARD AIMS TO PROVIDE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR THOSE INDUSTRIES WITH SUCH OFFICE FUNCTIONS REMAINING IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THE 1-0 CONCEPT, AN ANCILLARY OFFICE IS A "SATELLITE OFFICE" SUPPORTING AN INDUSTRIAL OPERATION ELSEWHERE.
OFFICES WHICH ARE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS DEFINITION, FOR EXAMPLE, LEGAL FIRMS, TRAVEL AGENTS, PROPERTY AGENTS, ACCOUNTING AND ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ESTABLISH AN OFFICE IN 1-0 BUILDINGS, UNLESS WITH PLANNING PERMISSION.
THE GUIDELINES FOR 1-0 BUILDINGS WERE FIRST PROMULGATED IN EARLY 1990 AND WERE LAST REVISED IN OCTOBER 1993.
COPIES OF THE REVISED GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
/17........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 17 -
FEES FOR DANGEROUS GOODS SERVICES REVISED
♦ * ♦ ♦ »
FEES FOR ' GOVERNMENT SERVICES RELATING TO MINING AND THE MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, CONVEYANCE AND USAGE OF EXPLOSIVES HAVE BEEN REVISED FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FEES ARE SET OUT IN FOUR REGULATIONS - THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994, MINING (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994, MINES (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994, AND DANGEROUS GOODS (GOVERNMENT EXPLOSIVES DEPOTS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, WHICH ENFORCES THE REGULATIONS, SAID THE OLD FEES HAD BEEN REVISED TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THE RISING ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING COSTS IN THE PAST YEARS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FEES CHARGED FOR THE REGULATION OF BLASTING AND EXPLOSIVES WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1990, BUT THE REVISION ONLY TOOK PLACE IN OCTOBER 1992 OWING TO THE MORATORIUM IN 1991.
THE NEW FEES ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE ONLY MINIMAL EFFECT ON THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS THEY FORM ONLY A VERY SMALL PORTION OF TOTAL COST. ITS
THE OLD AND NEW FEES FOR SOME OF THE SERVICES SET OUT IN FOUR REGULATIONS ARF: OLD NEW THE
♦ PERMIT FOR DISCHARGE OF $18,830 $25,025 EXPLOSIVES * DUPLICATE LICENCE $190 $209 ♦ CERTIFICATE OF MINE BLASTING $645 $857 ♦ STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVES PER SI 26.5 $168 50 KILOGRAMS ♦ DELIVERY OF EXPLOSIVES NOT $1,685 $2,240
EXCEEDING 50 KILOGRAMS (INCLUDING REMOVAL PERMIT)
THE DANGEROUS GOODS STANDING COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE CHEMICAL, SHIPPING, PETROLEUM AND GODOWN INDUSTRIES, HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE REVISION.
/I8 ........
” ,u tr -pror r ■
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 18 -
IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR LUNG CHEUNG AND CHING CHEUNG ROADS t * ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE EXISTING LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKS ARE TO IMPROVE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND TO INCREASE THE TRAFFIC CAPACITY ALONG LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD WHICH FORM ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EAST AND WEST LINKS ALONG THE KOWLOON PENINSULAR.
ABOUT FIVE KILOMETRES OF ROAD STRETCHING FROM BUTTERFLY VALLEY IN THE WEST TO LION ROCK TUNNEL IN THE EAST ARE TO BE WIDENED FROM DUAL TWO-LANE TO DUAL THREE-LANE.
FROM TAI PO ROAD INTERCHANGE TO BEACON HEIGHTS, WHERE WIDENING IS NOT ACHIEVED BECAUSE OF SITE CONSTRAINTS, A ONE-KILOMETRE LONG ELEVATED ROAD OFF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD MAINLINE WILL BE BUILT.
THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-1994 AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-1997.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS SHOWING THE ROAD WORK PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KOWLOON WEST AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KOWLOON EAST, BOTH AT YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KWAI TSING, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, 290 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON AND THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
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/19........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 19 -
COMPANY GETS FUND FOR RESEARCH
*****
ANOTHER LOCAL COMPANY HAS BEEN GIVEN FUNDING SUPPORT FOR ITS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R AND D) PROJECT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S APPLIED R AND D SCHEME, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
NOTING THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND CONTRACT SIGNED SINCE THE $200 MILLION SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, MISS YUE SAID GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE SCHEME.
"AT PRESENT TWO MORE PROJECTS WERE IN THE PIPELINE AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CONCLUDE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE APPLICANT COMPANIES SOON," SHE SAID.
UNDER THE SECOND AGREEMENT SIGNED, THE COMPANY WILL RECEIVE A LOAN PAYMENT OF $909,500 AT PRIME INTEREST RATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY AND DEGRADABLE PACKING MATERIAL (CL-P).
IF THE PROJECT COULD BE SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT, THE PRODUCT MIGHT BE A GOOD SUBSTITUTE TO POLYFOAM WHICH WOULD BE BANNED FROM BEING MANUFACTURED, IMPORTED OR USED BY MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND JAPAN BY 1995, MISS YUE NOTED.
SHE SAID THE COMPANY HAD ALSO SOLICITED THE SUPPORT OF THE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HKUST) IN CARRYING OUT PART OF THE RESEARCH WORK.
"A MEMBER OF THE COMPANY’S PROJECT TEAM IN CHINA WILL BE SECONDED TO HONG KONG TO UNDERTAKE RESEARCH JOINTLY WITH THE
RESEARCHERS AT THE HKUST. r
"SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WILL NOT ONLY ENHANCE THE TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITY OF THE COMPANY, BUT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGES BETWEEN HONG KONG’S ACADEMIC INSTITUTION AND CHINA’S RESEARCH EXPERT, AND HENCE FURTHER BOOST THE R AND D CLIMATE IN HONG KONG," MISS YUE SAID.
SHE SAID THAT UP TO NOW, A TOTAL OF 20 APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING SUPPORT HAD BEEN RECEIVED UNDER THE APPLIED R AND D SCHEME, SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH AN AIM TO INCREASE THE APPLIED R AND D ACTIVITY IN HONG KONG.
APART FROM THE FOUR WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED, 10 ARE BEING PROCESSED, FOUR WERE REJECTED, ONE HAD WITHDRAWN AND ONE WERE INELIGIBLE.
MISS YUE SAID INDIVIDUALS OR COMPANIES FROM ALL INDUSTRIAL SECTORS WITH BRIGHT IDEAS FOR APPLIED R AND D SHOULD LOSE NO TIME AND SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SECURE AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF FINANCING FOR THEIR PROJECTS.
IN ASSESSING THE APPLICATIONS, THE PROJECT’S VIABILITY, TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY AND COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL WERE THE MAIN FACTORS OF CONSIDERATION, SHE ADDED.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 20 -
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SCHEME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG APPLIED R AND D FUND COMPANY LIMITED AT ROOM 1445, 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, 5 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED FORMS CAN BE RETURNED BY POST OR BY HAND TO THE COMPANY. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 737 2206.
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REVISION OF FEES
*****
THE FEES CHARGED FOR THE ISSUE OF DUPLICATE BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES AND DUPLICATE BRANCH REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES WILL BE REVISED FROM MARCH 1.
THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994, WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO THE REVISION, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FEE FOR THE ISSUE OF A DUPLICATE BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OR A DUPLICATE BRANCH REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE WAS LAST REVISED IN 1992.
TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE INCREASE IN THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE SINCE THE LAST REVIEW, THE FEE WILL BE REVISED FROM $30 TO $33, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE FEE REVISION WAS A ROUTINE ADJUSTMENT AIMED AT RECOVERING THE INCREASED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED.
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DREDGING WORKS OFF TAI TAM BAY
* * * ♦ 4
DREDGING OF 6.3 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO FORM A CHANNEL FROM THE SHORELINE OF SHEK O QUARRY TO TAI TAM BAY HAS BEEN AUTHORISED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THE CHANNEL WILL PROVIDE A TEMPORARY MOORING' FOR IMMERSED TUBE UNITS TO BE USED IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE NOTICE.........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 21 -
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, HONG KONG.
I
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING MAY SUBMIT HIS CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BY JANUARY 21 NEXT YEAR.
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WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP MEETS *****
THE CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HELD ITS THIRD MEETING THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THE GROUP WAS FORMED IN JULY LAST YEAR TO PROMOTE BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND ITS CUSTOMERS AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORT TO FURTHER IMPROVE ITS SERVICES.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR KO CHAN-GOCK, AND WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THREE ASSISTANT DIRECTORS, THE BUSINESS MANAGER AND OTHER STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES AND TELEPHONE ENQUIRY UNIT AND ON THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE SCHEME LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT A NEW AUTOMATED 24-HOUR TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SYSTEM WOULD SOON BE INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
FOLLOWING THAT, A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS ON THESE TOPICS AND OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT WERE RAISED BY THE MEMBERS FOR DISCUSSION.
THE MEETING WAS FOLLOWED BY A DINNER HOSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
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/22 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
22 -
ADULT EDUCATION COURSE FEES REVISED
*****
TUITION FEES FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSES HAVE BEEN REVISED AND GAZETTED, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
BUT CONTINUING TO BE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE ARE THE SECONDARY 1-3 GOVERNMENT EVENING AND GENERAL BACKGROUND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE REVISION INCLUDES SECONDARY 4-5 GOVERNMENT EVENING COURSES. THE FEES WILL BE REVISED TO $93 A MONTH FOR THE 10-MONTH 1994/95 SCHOOL YEAR.
REVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE FEES FOR THE PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND GCE ’O’ LEVEL ENGLISH COURSES, WHICH WILL RANGE FROM TWO INSTALMENTS OF $410 TO $675 EACH.
FEES FOR HOBBY GROUP SHORT COURSES, WHICH PROVIDE PERSONAL ENJOYMENT BUT LEAD TO NO FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS, HAVE BEEN REVISED TO $470 PER COURSE.
"DESPITE THE REVISION, THE FEES ARE STILL REASONABLE. NO STUDENTS WILL BE PAYING MORE THAN A FAIR SHARE OF THE COST OF PROVIDING THE COURSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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AIRMAIL SERVICES TO AFGHANISTAN SUSPENDED
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIAR], ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT OWING TO THE CLOSURE OF KABUL AIRPORT, AFGHANISTAN, ALL AIRMAIL SERVICES TO AFGHANISTAN, INCLUDING AIR LETTER AND AIR PARCEL, ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AS AND WHEN SERVICES RESUME.
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FOOTBRIDGES FOR YUEN LONG AND SHEUNG SHUI PROPOSED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO CONSTRUCT A GRADE-SEPARATED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM IN YUEN LONG.
THE SYSTEM WOULD FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF YUEN LONG TOWN TO THE YUEN LONG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT INTERCHANGE AND BUS TERMINUS.
/THE WORKS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 23 -
THE WORKS INVOLVE THE BUILDING OF A 270-METRE-LONG, 3.8-METREWIDE FOOTBRIDGE AT THE YUEN LONG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT INTERCHANGE ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD TOGETHER WITH AN ASSOCIATED RAMP AND ASSOCIATED STAIRCASES.
OTHER WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 12-METRE-LONG, 3.6-
METRE-WIDE FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS THE YUEN LONG EASTERN NULLAH; THE MODIFICATION OF AN EXISTING BICYCLE PARKING AREA, A VAN TRACK, CYCLE TRACKS, FOOTPATHS AND VERGES AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED WORKS.
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;
♦ YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NINTH TO 11TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK STREET, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
♦ YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSALS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, NO LATER THAN MARCH 22, THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS GIVEN AUTHORISATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO CONSTRUCT TWO FOOTBRIDGES IN SHEUNG SHUI AREA 7B NEAR SHEK WU HUI AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEUNG SHUI/FANLING NEW TOWN.
ONE OF THE FOOTBRIDGES WILL BE BUILT ACROSS LUNG SUM AVENUE AND ANOTHER ACROSS SAN WAN ROAD.
THE FOOTBRIDGES WOULD IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SHEUNG SHUI STATION, SHEK WU HUI, CHOI YUEN ESTATE AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS WILL BEGIN IN JULY FOR COMPLETION IN 14 MONTHS.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, THE EXISTING VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ALONG LUNG SUM ROAD AND SAN WAN ROAD WILL BE FULLY MAINTAINED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTICES OF THE PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IN YUEN LONG AND SHUENG SHUI/FANLING WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
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24 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 24
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE ON MOVE
LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S’ LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) WAN CHAI OFFICE WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO NEW PREMISES IN HARBOUR BUILDING IN CENTRAL TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE LES WAN CHAI OFFICE SERVES EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS IN CAUSEWAY BAY, WAN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS, AS WELL AS THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING FREE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO JOB-SEEKERS INCLUDING RETRAINEES, AND FREE RECRUITMENT SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS.
EMPLOYERS CAN PLACE THEIR VACANCY ORDERS BY PHONE OR BY FACSIMILE TO THE LES OFFICE WHILE JOB-SEEKERS CAN REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE IN PERSON.
STARTING FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 24), EMPLOYERS WISHING TO PLACE VACANCIES CAN CONTACT THE OFFICE ON TEL 852 4202 OR BY FAX AT 542 4382.
JOB-SEEKERS CAN APPROACH THE NEW OFFICE WHICH IS ON THE FIRST FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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EXTENSION OF KAU SAI PIER PROPOSED ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES EXTENDING THE PIER AT KAU SAI, SAI KUNG, FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
THE WORK WILL AFFECT ABOUT 336 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED. DETAILS WERE GAZETTED TODAY' (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED) AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED MAY’ BE AFFECTED CAN SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF PUBLICATION OF THE GAZETTE NOTICE.
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/25........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 25 -
POSSESSING ENDANGERED PLANTS DEFIES LAW *****
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO POSSESS ENDANGERED PLANTS WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE REMINDER WAS ISSUED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN JEE-KEUNG, AFTER A LARGE QUANTITY OF SUSPECTED WILD ORCHIDS WERE SEIZED FROM A NURSERY IN YUEN LONG EARLY THIS MONTH.
UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS, IMPORT OR EXPORT ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES, WHETHER ANIMALS OR PLANTS, WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
’’FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE," MR CHAN SAID.
THE ORDINANCE GIVES EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION.
AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 8,000 SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS, WHETHER ALIVE, DEAD, STUFFED SPECIMEN, PARTS OR DERIVATIVES, ARE LISTED IN THE ORDINANCE.
THE CASE WAS UNCOVERED ON JANUARY 7. ACTING ON INFORMATION, STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT RAIDED A NURSERY IN YUEN LONG AND SEIZED MORE THAN 6,000 PIECES OF SUSPECTED WILD ORCHIDS IN 74 TRAYS.
THIS IS THE LARGEST SEIZURE EVER MADE IN HONG KONG BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SUSPECTED WILD ORCHIDS, BELIEVED TO HAVE SMUGGLED INTO THE TERRITORY FROM SOUTH-WESTERN CHINA.
- - 0-----------
LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING IN SHA TIN ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
CHINESE NEW YEAR ILLUMINATIONS WILL BE SWITCHED ON IN SHA TIN THIS SUNDAY (JANUARY 23).
THIS YEAR’S FESTIVE LIGHTING, MADE UP OF 60,000 BULBS, WILL BE ON DISPLAY ALONG SAND MARTIN BRIDGE, LEK YUEN BRIDGE, SHING MUN BRIDGE, TSUI YUNG BRIDGE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
THE DISPLAY WILL BE TURNED UP DAILY FROM 6.30 PM TO MIDNIGHT BETWEEN JANUARY 23 AND FEBRUARY 8 AND BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 23. FROM FEBRUARY 9 TO 12 AND ON FEBRUARY 24, IT WILL BE SWITCHED ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
/THE FESTIVE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
- 26 -
THE FESTIVE LIGHTING DECORATION IS ORGANISED BY THE PLANNING COMMITTEE ON FESTIVE LIGHTING IN SHA TIN AND CO-ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES COMPANY.
THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HAS ALSO ORGANISED A PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION TO CAPTURE THE BEST OF THE ILLUMINATIONS.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO STUDENT AND OPEN DIVISIONS, AND EACH PARTICIPANT CAN SUBMIT A MAXIMUM OF TWO PHOTOGRAPHS.
THE ENTRIES SHOULD BE 5R OR 8R COLOUR PHOTOGRAPH.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 604 8078 EXT. 33.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU; THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID BROWNING; THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR BENJAMIN TANG; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOY KAN-PUI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY OF THE CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVE LIGHTING AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
THE CEREMONY INCLUDES DRAGON AND LIONS DANCES AND WILL BEGIN ON SUNDAY AT 5 PM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SITE OFFICES * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CONSTRUCTION, SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME STAGE 1
INVITING TENDERS FOR TEMPORARY SITE OFFICES (SSDS).
THE OF
THE TSING YI, AND TSEUNG
SITE OFFICES WILL BE LOCATED ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND, AND AT KWAN §HUNG’ T° KWA WAN’ KWUN T0NG» SHAU KEI WAN, CHAI WAN
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES THE PROVISION OF OTHER SERVICES THE RESIDENT SITE STAFF SUPERVISING THE SCHEME.
FOR
/THE STAGE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
27
THE STAGE 1 OF THE SSDS IS TO COLLECT AND TREAT SEWAGE FROM KOWLOON BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TSEUNG KWAN O AND FROM THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY IN VICTORIA HARBOUR.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN APRIL AND THE SITE OFFICES WILL BE PROVIDED WITHIN 18 MONTHS.
A NOTICE OF THE TENDER INVITATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MONTGOMERY WATSON HONG KONG LIMITED, 1911 WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE TENDER CLOSING DATE IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 18.
------0-------
CLOSURE OF SHAM SHUI PO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT A BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES, ON THE ROOF AT 34 BOUNDARY STREET, KOWLOON, ARE USED FOR DWELLING.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON APRIL 15 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
------0-----------
BLANKETS TO STREET-SLEEPERS
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT LAST (THURSDAY) NIGHT DISTRIBUTED 505 BLANKETS TO 44B STREET-SLEEPERS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR STREET-SLEEPERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 247 IN WEST KOWLOON, 17 IN EAST KOWLOON, 23 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST AND 27 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST WERE BENEFITTED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD GIVE OUT BLANKETS TO STREET-SLEEPERS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS TO DROP TO BELOW 10 DEGREES CELSIUS.
THE EXERCISE MOUNTED YESTERDAY WAS THE THIRD OF ITS KIND TO HELP THE NEEDY IN THE STREETS THIS WINTER, HE-ADDED.
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/28.........
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1994
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * * $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TW1 127. . .. i.- 2 *-0.2* 1,240 +2,760 4,000 NIL NIL 4,000 21.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICg 1 WEEK 2.01 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.36 I MONTH 2.56 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.15 3 MONTHS 2.90 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.25 6 MONTHS 3.06 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.27 12 MONTHS 3.36 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.29 TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 38,821 MN CLOSED 21 JANUARY 1994 YIELD 3.47 3.66 3.83 4.03 4.52
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FUNDS SOUGHT FOR WORKS ON GOVERNMENT ACP PROJECTS ............ 1
GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO LU PING'S STATEMENT ................... 3
EDUCATION OFFICERS CONDUCT SURPRISE INSPECTION ............... 4
CONTRACTORS URGED TO OBSERVE SAFETY LAWS ..................... 4
OUTREACHING SERVICES FOR ELDERLY LIVING ALONE ................ 5
STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME SETS UP CUSTOMER GROUP ................ 6
FOUR DISTRICTS TO HOLD FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES ................ 7
YOUTH CLUB SOUVENIR COVER SALE HELPS CHARITY ................. 8
PUBLIC FORUMS ON ARTS DEVELOPMENT ............................ 8
EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ........................ 10
WATER CUT IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ............................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
11
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
1
FUNDS SOUGHT FOR WORKS ON GOVERNMENT ACP PROJECTS * * * * «
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SEEK APPROVALS FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE WHICH ARE NEEDED TO ENABLE SOME URGENT GOVERNMENT WORKS ITEMS TO PROCEED ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
THEY INVOLVE CONTRACTS FOR PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FACILITIES AT CHEK LAP KOK, INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES FOR TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN, REMAINING WORKS ON THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, AND ADVANCE WORKS FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE WORKS INVOLVED ARE ALL URGENTLY NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, SO THAT THE PROJECTS CAN BE COMPLETED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE BY MID-1997.
"THE ITEMS DO NOT BREAK ANY NEW GROUND IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS. THEY ARE ALL COVERED BY THE OVERALL ESTIMATE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ACP PROJECTS, WHICH HAS RECENTLY BEEN REDUCED BY S7.6 BILLION TO $52.5 BILLION IN MONEY OF THE DAY.
"THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN ALLOWED FOR IN THE MEDIUM-TERM FORECASTS PUBLISHED IN THE 1993 BUDGET. THEY CAN THEREFORE GO AHEAD ONCE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL HAS BEEN OBTAINED.
"THE APPROVALS WF. WILL BE SEEKING EARL! NEXT MONTH FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE INVOLVE UPGRADING SOME ITEMS TO CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, AND ADJUSTING THE SCOPE OF WORKS FOR SOME OTHER APPROVED ITEMS, SO THAT CONTRACTS CAN BE PLACED IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR SCHEDULED PROGRAMME."
THE FINDS BEING SOUGHT (IN MONEY OF THE DAY) COMPRISE $1.39 BILLION FOR GOVERNMENT FACILITIES AT CHEK LAP KOK, $1.29 BILLION FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, AND $1.87 BILLION FOR TUNG CHUNG PHASE 1.
NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING HAS TO BE SOUGHT FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY ADVANCE WORKS WHICH WILL BE FUNDED INITIALLY AS PART OF FOUR GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS AND LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
AS WITH OTHER ENTRUSTMENT WORKS UNDERTAKEN ON BEHALF OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRCI BY THF GOVERNMENT, THE MTRC WILL REIMBURSE THE GOVERNMENT FULLY WHEN THE AIRPORT RAILWAY IS CONSTRUCTED.
THF $1.39 BILLION FOR THF GOVERNMENT'S OWN FACILITIES AT CHEK LAP KOK WILL COVER PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMPRISING THE AIRPORT’S AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, AND METEOROLOGICAL AND POSTAL MECHANISATION EQUIPMENT, TOGETHER WITH RELATED CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE WISH TO PROCEED WITH THESE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED ITEMS NOW IN LINE WITH OUR INTENTION TO COMPLETE THE AIRPORT TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE BY MID-1997.
/"THE GOVERNMENT ......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 199^
- 2 -
"THE GOVERNMENT FACILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRPORT. WE THEREFORE NEED TO GO AHEAD WITH THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY WILL TAKE AT LEAST THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE."
THE $1.29 BILLION FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WILL COVER THE REMAINING WORKS ON THIS PROJECT. THEY CONSIST OF ESSENTIAL WORKS SUCH AS THE TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS FOR THE LANTAU TOLL PLAZA, AND VARIOUS WORKS CONNECTED WITH THE INTERCHANGE WITH ROUTE 3 ON TSING YI.
THE $1.87 BILLION FOR TUNG CHUNG PHASE 1 IS NEEDED TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO START INVITING TENDERS FOR CONTRACTS COVERING ESSENTIAL ITEMS SUCH AS ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS, WATER-MAIN INSTALLATIONS, SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AND WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES, AND THE FIRE AND POLICE STATIONS.
THE ADVANCE WORKS FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WILL BE CARRIED OUT AS PART OF FIVE GOVERNMENT ACP CONTRACTS ON THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, AND THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION. THEY INCLUDE WORKS SUCH AS RAILWAY FENCING, BRIDGEWORKS, A SUBWAY, AND VENTILATION BUILDING STRUCTURES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THESE WORKS ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE AIRPORT RAILWAY ALIGNMENT. WE HAVE CARRIED OUT SIMILAR ADVANCE WORKS ELSEWHERE ON THE GOVERNMENT’S ACP CONTRACTS, IN PREPARATION FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"IT WILL BE MUCH LESS DISRUPTIVE AND MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO CARRY OUT THESE WORKS NOW AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, RATHER THAN TO CARRY THEM OUT LATER AFTER THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
"THE TOTAL COST INVOLVED IS ESTIMATED TO BE ONLY $145 MILLION, WHICH IS WITHIN THE APPROVED PROJECT ESTIMATES INVOLVED."
DISCUSSION PAPERS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED FUNDING HAVE BEEN ISSUED TODAY TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE FINANCING OF THE ACP.
THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED AT A MEETING OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 25, IN ADVANCE OF A FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING EARLY NEXT MONTH.
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/3.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 199^
- 3 -
GOVERNMENT-RESPONDS TO LU PING’S STATEMENT
» » » « *
RESPONDING TO THE STATEMENT BY MR LU PING, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE CHINESE STATE COUNCIL, A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY):
"WE ARE DISAPPOINTED BY DIRECTOR LU’S STATEMENT. WE REMAIN READY AT ALL TIMES TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE KANT TO BE ABLE IO DISCUSS THE IMPORTANT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES CONCERNING HONG KONG'S FUTURE IN A CALM AND RATIONAL WAY, ON THE BASIS OF THE FACTS. KHAT WE NEED NOW IS A SERIOUS DISCUSSION: THESE ISSUES ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO BE REDUCED TO THE LEVEL OF PERSONALISED RECRIMINATION.
"WE ARI- PROCEEDING STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND, AS FAR AS THE AIRPORT IS CONCERNED, THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU). WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IF WE DISAGREE IN ONE AREA THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD DISAGREE ON EVERYTHING.
"IN PARTICULAR, WE BELIEVE THAT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES SHOULD BE SEPARATED, AS PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN URGED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO DO IN SEATTLE.
"ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG’S ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS, WE CONTINUE TO URGE THE CHINESE SIDE TO RETURN TO 1 HE NEGOTIATING TABLE. ON THE AIRPORT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN EARLY AND POSITIXE RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE TO OUR PROPOSAL FOR A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE, TO TRY TO RESOLVE ONCE AND FOR ALL THE OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL AND RELATED QUESTIONS.
"DIRECTOR LU’S STATEMENT ALSO CONTAINS SOME FACTUAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS. THERE HAS BEEN NO BREACH OF THE MOU. THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS PUT TO THE CHINESE SIDE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE MOU. OUR RFPFATFD ATTEMPTS TO DISCUSS MATTERS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE MOU, AS ARE OUR CONTINUING EFFORTS 10 COMPLETE AS MUCH OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AS POSSIBLE BY 1997. THE MOU IS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE LIMIT OF HKS5 BILLION APPLIES ONLY TO THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN DEBT, NOT TO DEBT RAISED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY. THIS HAS BEEN CLEAR FROM THF START AND IS WELL UNDERSTOOD BY THE CHINESE SIDE. IT IS ALSO UNTRUE THAT WE HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO THE INVITATION FROM THE ECONOMIC SUB-GROUP OF THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE FOR HONG KONG OFFICIALS TO APPEAR BEFORE IT IN PEKING. WE RESPONDED PROMPTLY AND IN CLEAR TERMS.”
- - 0----------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
4
EDUCATION OFFICERS CONDUCT SURPRISE INSPECTION
» » t * *
DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS FROM MONG KOK TODAY (SATURDAY) CONDUCTED A SURPRISE INSPECTION AT AN EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT SUSPECTED OF OFFERING "MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTICS" (MIL) COURSES WITHOUT APPROVAL.
THE INSPECTION WAS MADE FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE HONG KONG COMPUTER LANGUAGES AND COMMERCE COLLEGE (MONG KOK) WAS PUT UNDER OBSERVATION FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS BEFORE OFFICERS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE ENTERED THE DUNDAS STREET PREMISES AT 3.15 PM.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT IS REGISTERED WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS A SCHOOL BUT NO APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN TO RUN THE MIL COURSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A QUANTITY OF DOCUMENTS SUSPECTED TO BE CONNECTED WITH RUNNING THE MIL COURSE AT THE PREMISES WAS SEIZED.
"ADVICE IS BEING SOUGHT FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ON TAKING LEGAL ACTION," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC IN SEEKING FURTHER EDUCATION TO CHECK WHETHER THE SCHOOL AND COURSES HAD BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
------0--------
CONTRACTORS URGED TO OBSERVE SAFETY LAWS
* » * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR CHAN TAT-KING TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARDRAILS TO DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
HE SAID FAILURE OF THE MANAGEMENT TO CARRY OUT A SIMPLE SAFETY PRECAUTION LIKE THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE OF THE WORKER AND MAY INCUR SEVERE PUNISHMENT UNDER EXISTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS.
THE ADVICE WAS GIVEN FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WAS HEAVILY FINED FOR VIOLATING CONSTRUCTION SAFETY LAWS.
ON JULY 8 LAST YEAR, FACTORY INSPECTOR LAM CHI-WING OF THE BUILDING ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH AND TAI PO REGION INSPECTED A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN FANLING. HE FOUND A TWIN LIFT SHAFT OPENINGS ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION HAD NO SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS.
/POLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
- 5 -
FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS RESULTED IN THE PROSECUTION OF MANFIELD BUILDING ' CONTRACTORS LIMITED UNDER SECTION 38P(1) OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS. THE COMPANY WAS FINED THE MAXIMUM OF $50,000 BY THE COURT ON JANUARY 11 THIS YEAR.
THE LAW STATES THAT THE CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR A CONSTRUCTION SITE SHALL ENSURE THAT EVERY OPENING, EDGE OR OTHER DANGEROUS PLACE THROUGH OR FROM WHICH ANY PERSON ON THE SITE IS LIABLE TO FALL A DISTANCE OF MORE THAN TWO METRES IS PROVIDED WITH EITHER SUITABLE STRONG GUARD-RAILS OR COVERINGS SO CONSTRUCTED AS TO PREVENT THE FALL OF PERSONS, MATERIALS AND ARTICLES.
"IN FACT, PUTTING UP GUARD-RAILS TO DANGEROUS OPENINGS IS NO BIG DEAL. IT IS A FAIRLY SIMPLE JOB AND SHOULD BE ACHIEVABLE WITHIN A SHORT TIME IN MOST CASES, BUT IT WILL SERVE TO PREVENT WORKERS FROM FALLING FROM HEIGHT.
"CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS INVOLVING FALLING FROM HEIGHT USUALLY RESULT IN DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES," MR CHAN SAID.
HE URGED THOSE CONTRACTORS WHO HAD NOT BEEN TAKING SUCH A SAFETY MEASURE TO DO IT AS SOON AS THEY CAN.
"OTHERWISE, THEY WILL FACE EVEN HARSHER PUNISHMENT AS THE MAXIMUM FINE UNDER THIS PARTICULAR SECTION OF LAW HAS RECENTLY BEEN APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO GO UP TO $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS,” HE ADDED.
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OUTREACHING SERVICES FOR ELDERLY LIVING ALONE * » » t »
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL WELFARE ORGANISATIONS HAD JOINED HANDS TO REACH OUT TO ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO WERE LIVING ALONE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SHAM SHUI PO OUTREACHING ELDERLY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE - ACTION COUNCIL, MR STRACHAN SAID THE POLICY OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY THROUGH CARE BY THE COMMUNITY.
SOME ELDERLY PEOPLE COULD NOT BENEFIT FROM EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THEM OR THEY WERE TOO FRAIL AND HOME-BOUND TO GO TO THE CENTRE FOR SERVICES, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SERVICE WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
"IN EARLY 1991, THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED TWO WELFARE AGENCIES TO EXPERIMENT OUTREACHING SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY AT RISK, WITH ONE TEAM IN WAN CHAI AND ANOTHER TEAM IN TSUEN WAN.
/"OUR EVALUATION .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 199^
- 6 -
"OUR EVALUATION INDICATES THAT THESE TEAMS HAVE BEEN MOST USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING ELDERLY PERSONS AT RISK, PROVIDING APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE TO THEM, AND BUILDING UP A SUPPORT NETWORK OF COMMUNITY CARE RESOURCES TO THEM.
"THESE TWO OUTREACHING TEAMS NOW RECEIVE SUBVENTIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT SO THAT THE SERVICE CAN BE DELIVERED ON A LONG-TERM BASIS, HE SAID.
EARLIER THIS MORNING, MR STRACHAN PRESENTED AWARDS TO 50 ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS AT A CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE.
HE SAID ELDERLY PEOPLE COULD FORM AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE THEY HAD RICH EXPERIENCE.
MEANWHILE, THE WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD EXAMINE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HOW THE ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS CAN BE EXTENDED, HE ADDED.
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STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME SETS UP CUSTOMER GROUP t * * ♦ *
THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY (SFAA) HAS ESTABLISHED A CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP FOR THE LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME (LSFS).
THE FIRST MEETING CUM INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE GROUP WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (JANUARY 24) AT 6 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF SFAA.
CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY CONTROLLER OF SFAA, THE GROUP CONSISTS OF SIX SFAA STAFF MEMBERS AND 21 STUDENTS RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM AMONG THE APPLICANTS.
STUDENT MEMBERS APPOINTED WILL SERVE FOR ONE YEAR UNTIL JANUARY 1995.
THE GROUP WILL PROVIDE A FORUM FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN APPLICANTS AND THE SFAA ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN RESPECT OF THE LSFS, AND ON SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SUCH SERVICES.
WHILE STUDENT MEMBERS MAY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS AT THE GROUP, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO WELCOME TO GIVE THEIR COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ON THE WAY THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED EITHER THROUGH TELEPHONE 802 1691 OR IN WRITING TO.THE SFAA ON NINTH FLOOR, NATIONAL MUTUAL CENTRE, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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/7........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
- 7 -
FOUR DISTRICTS TO HOLD FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES
* * * * *
PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN FOUR DISTRICTS TO CALL FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
THEY ARE PART OF THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGNS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
IN TUEN MUN, AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO GOOD CITIZENS WHO HAVE HELPED POLICE IN COMBATING CRIME. LEAFLETS WILL BE HANDED OUT TO RESIDENTS.
THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM AT YAN 01 SQUARE, KAI MAN PATH. TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR R J CLIBBORN-DYER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
IN THE AFTERNOON, A CONCERT FEATURING POP SINGERS WILL BE STAGED AT YUEN LONG STADIUM, TAI YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG, STARTING AT 1.15 PM. THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBERT CHAN AND THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PAUL BARKLEY.
AT 2 PM, A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF A FIGHT CRIME SLOGAN AND BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION AND AN INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ WILL BE STAGED AT TSUEN WAN PLAZA, 4-30 TAI PA STREET.
SPRING SCROLLS BEARING FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES WILL BE DISHED OUT TO RESIDENTS.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS CHOW, POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR N A RAE, AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, WILL ATTEND THE CEREMONY.
IN MONG KOK, RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A VARIETY SHOW AT 2.30 PM AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND AT SAI YEE STREET. THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY A PIPE BAND AND POP SINGERS, IN ADDITION TO A CEREMONY TO PRESENT GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BART IRELAND; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TAO KWOK-LAU, AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR NG WAI-KIT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES IN THE FOUR DISTRICTS TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
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/8 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
- 8 -
YOUTH CLUB SOUVENIR COVER SALE HELPS CHARITY * * * * ♦
THE COMMUNITY YOUTH-CLUB OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS RAISED $1.23 MILLION FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST THROUGH THE SALE OF ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY SOUVENIR COVERS.
AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE END OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, PRESENTED THE $1.23 MILLION CHEQUE TO TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MRS LOUIS MOK AND MRS BETTER SUN.
MR WONG WAS ALSO PRESENTED WITH A CHEQUE FOR $94,000 BY MR LAW TING-PONG, REPRESENTING SPONSORSHIP BY LAW’S FOUNDATION TOWARDS PART OF THE CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES.
THE $1.23 MILLION CAME FROM LAST MONTH’S SALE OF THE SOUVENIR COVERS WHICH WAS PART OF THE SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE THE CLUB’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY.
THE COVER DEPICTS THE CLUB’S WORLD-RECORD GIANT POSTER ASSEMBLED BY ITS MEMBERS ON OCTOBER 26 LAST YEAR TO MARK THE ’’INTERNATIONAL FAMILY YEAR", WHICH WAS OFFICIALLY RECOGNISED BY THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS.
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PUBLIC FORUMS ON ARTS DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC FORUMS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP WAS HELD TODAY (SATURDAY) IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE FORUMS SERVE TO EXPLAIN THE PROGRESS BEING MADE BY THE WORKING GROUP SINCE IT WAS APPOINTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR AND TO GATHER OPINIONS FROM BOTH THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE ON HOW THE ARTS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
TODAY’S FORUM AND THE NEXT TWO FORUMS ARE EACH FOCUSED ON A PARTICULAR ART FORM.
THE FORUM TODAY WAS MAINLY AIMED AT GATHERING OPINIONS AND FORWARD-LOOKING IDEAS FROM BOTH THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ARTS.
SUBSEQUENTLY, THE WAY FORWARD FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE LITERARY ARTS AND PERFORMING ARTS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE THIRD AND FOURTH FORUMS.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
9 -
THE FOLLOWING SPEAKERS TODAY GAVE THEIR VIEWS ON VARIOUS TOPICS RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF VISUAL ARTS:
SPEAKER
TOPIC
♦ MR OSCAR HO, REPRESENTING HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP
♦ PROFESSOR WILLIAM TAY, DIVISION OF HUMANITIES, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
♦ DR DAVID CLARK, LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
♦ MS EVFLYNA LIANG, ARTIST
* MR YEUNG WAI-FUNG
PROMOTION OF VISUAL ARTS IN HONG KONG
EXAMPLES OF ARTS COUNCILS IN TAIWAN AND IN THE UNITED STATES
* MR WONG SHUN-KIT, ARTIST
* MR JASON YUEN, URBAN COUNCILLOR
* MR POON CHIN-HUNG, REGIONAL COUNCILLOR
RESEARCH AND THE NURTURING OF PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF ART
ART FOR THE COMMUNITY
ART EDUCATION AT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SUPPORTING THE VISUAL ARTISTS
PROFESSIONALISM OF THE
VISUAL ARTISTS AND LEGISLATION FOR THE VISUAL ENVIRONMENT
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ARTS
THE NEXT THREE FORUMS WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 29 AND FEBRUARY 5 AND 19, ALL BEING SATURDAYS, FROM 9 AM UNTIL NOON IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 3 EDINBURGH PLACE.
THE NEXT TWO WILL COVER THE LITERARY AND PERFORMING ARTS. THE FINAL ONE WILL COVER FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, REPRESENTATION OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY IN THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
/10........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL *****
THE ANNUAL EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCHES NUMBERS 4 TO 6 TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM-2.30 PM TO 5 PM. CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL PRESENT MOTORCYCLE SHOWS. EXHIBITIONS ON THE THEMES OF FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND DRUG ABUSE WILL BE PUT UP.
OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, STALL GAMES AND "PLAYHOUSES" FOR CHILDREN.
THREE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE EASTERN DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR GIBERTO JORGE; ACTING EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MS ANNIE CHOI AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG.
THE ACTIVITY IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S ISLAND EAST REGIONAL OFFICE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCHES NUMBERS 4 TO 6. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUT IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 24) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT HEADLAND ROAD, SOUTH BAY ROAD, BEACH ROAD AND 58, 60, THE EVEN NUMBERS OF 70-84 AND 94-98 AS WELL AS 110 REPULSE BAY ROAD.
/Il
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1994
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * ★ ★ ★ ★
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,000
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET IN.JECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -2,210
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,790
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.4 »+0.2» 22.1.94
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GREEN MANAGERS APPOINTED IN GOVT ................................ 1
CIVIC EDUCATION DAY SPURS CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ................. 2
CTEC RECEIVES OVER 160,000 CALLS IN 1993 ........................ 3
FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVE ..................... 3
KWUN TONG LAUNCHES DISTRICT FESTIVAL ............................ 4
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS .............. 5
SUNDAY, JANUARY’ 23, 199-1
1
GREEN MYNAGERS APPOINTED IN GOVT *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET Up A "GREEN” EXAMPLE BV APPOINTING SENIOR STAFF AS GREEN MANAGERS AT POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS TO IMPLEMENT AND PROMOTE GREEN HOUSEKEEPI NG WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION.
THE GREEN MANAGER SCHEME, ANNOUNCED B\ THE GOVERNOR IN H. I >. POLICY ADDRESS To THE i.EGl SLAT I VI COUNC II LAST OCTOBER AS ONE OF THE NEW INITIATIVES TO CREATE A BETTER AND CLEANER ENVIRONMENT, IS NOW FIRMLY IN PLACE.
THE SECRETARY* FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A LETTER TO THE GREEN MANAGERS, WELCOMED THEIR APPOINTMENT AS PART OF A GOVERNMENT-WIDE EFFORT TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS IN' THE COMMUNITY’ TO FOLLOW.
THE: GREEN MANAGERS WILL BECOME A FOCAL POINT WITHIN AN ORGANISATION TO CO-ORDINATE AND SUSTAIN EFFORTS TO MAKE CIVIL SERVANTS MORE CONSCIOUS OF THF BENEFITS OF WORKING IN A CLEANER AND BETTER ENVIRONMENT.
INITIAL!Y, THE GREEN MANAGERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAMME OF GREEN HOUSEKEEPING WITHIN THEIR BRANCHES OR DEPARTMENTS. THESE INCLUDE WASTE MINIMISATION PRACTICES AS WELL AS ENERGY' AND WATER CONSERVATION.
THEY ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLICISING I’HE COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, FORMULATING ACTION PLANS AND RECORDING ACHIEVEMENTS.
INTERIM GUIDELINES ON HOW TO PERFORM THESE TASKS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ALL GREEN MANAGERS BY THE PEI BRANCH.
THE Gl IDFLINES MIL BE REFINED IN THE LIGHT OF FEEDBACK AND EXPERIENCE FROM 'I HF GREEN MAN GI-RS BEFORE A SUBSTANTIVE VERSION IS PRODUCED LATER.
A PELS SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THF GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THF SCHEME.
"WE WILL MONITOR. IT CLOSELY AND WILL CONVENE A WORKSHOP SHORTLY FOR GREEN MANAGERS TO RAISE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR INITIAL PROBLEM THAT THEY MAY HAVE AT THIS EARLY STAGE,” HE SAID.
IN THE LONGER TERM, A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS POLICY BRANCHES \ND DEPARTMENTS WILL MEET REGULARLY To PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE GREEN MANAGERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES, REVIEW PROGRESS AND IDENTIFY ARE AS FOR. IMPROVEMENT.
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/2.........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1994
2
CIVIC EDUCATION DAY SPURS CITIZEN PARTICIPATION *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 30) AFTERNOON AT PIAZZA AREA ”C", CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
WITH THE THEME ’’CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT”, THE EVENT AIMS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH CITIZENS CAN PARTICIPATE IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT; THE IMPORTANCE OF ELECTIONS, VOTING AND THE MONITORING OF THE PERFORMANCE OF PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATIVES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION (CPCE) SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE TREATED TO A SERIES OF COLOURFUL ACTIVITIES FROM NOON TO 4.30 PM WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS.
TO START WITH, EACH PERSON WILL BE INVITED TO PLACE A STICKER ONTO AN ENLARGED MAP OF HONG KONG MEASURING 2.5 METRES BY FIVE METRES TO SIGNIFY THEIR PARTICIPATION.
THOSE WISHING TO REGISTER AS VOTERS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WISH TO UPDATE THEIR ADDRESSES ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL WILL BE GIVEN EVERY ASSISTANCE AT THE VENUE.
THE MORE ADVENTUROUS CAN TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING THE WAY THROUGH A LARGE MAZE BY ANSWERING A FEW QUESTIONS ON ELECTORAL MATTERS.
ON STAGE, THE FINAL OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER IMITATION CONTEST WILL BE HELD FROM 2.30 PM TO 4 PM. FIVE FINALISTS WILL BE VYING FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AIM OF THE CONTEST WAS TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN GETTING TO KNOW THE LEGISLATORS AND THEIR PLATFORMS.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES WILL INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MR MARTIN LEE AND MR HENRY TANG AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN MR LEUNG KWONG-CHEONG.
THE CONTEST WILL BE PART OF A RADIO PROGRAMME WHICH WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG CHANNEL 1.
THIS WILL BE MINGLED WITH STAGE PERFORMANCES BY POP SINGERS AND OTHER ARTISTES.
TWENTY-TWO DISPLAY BOARDS WITH CARTOONS AND TEXT ON VARIOUS CHANNELS OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND ON THE THREE-TIER COUNCILS WILL BE PUT UP.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, AND THE CPCE CHAIRMAN, DR DANIEL TSE, WILL OFFICIATE A.T THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 1.30 PM.
THEY WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE SIX WINNERS OF A CIVIC EDUCATION SLOGAN COMPETITION HELD LAST MONTH.
/THE SPONSORS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1994 3 -
THE SPONSORS OF THE WHOLE EVENT ARI SHUN HING EDUCATION AND CHARITY FUND LTD AND LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 HONG KONG AND MACAU.
ENQUIRIES <AN BE MADE ON TEL 835 1529.
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CTEC RECEIVES OVER 160,000 CALLS IN 1993 ♦ ♦ t t ♦
THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ELQUIRX < KN TRE (CTECJ OF TH! CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HANDLED A TOTAI OF 160,625 TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES LAST YEAR.
THIS FIGURE REPRESENTS XN INCREASE OF 6.6 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 150,652 (ALLS RECEIVED IN 1992.
X GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THESE ENQUIRIES MAINLY RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, APPLICATION PROCEDURES, STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, GOVERNMENT VACANl IES, THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME AKI THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO MAKE FULL USE OF THIS TELEPHONE ENQl 1 RY SERVICE, HF SAID.
CTEC WAS SET UP IN APRIL 1991 TO BACK UP CHE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRE SERVICE CENTRES IN VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES.
ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES CAN (ALL THE CENTRE’S HOTLINE ON TEL 835 2500.
THE SERVICE OPERATES FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS AN’.
9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS, ETC LIDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
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FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVE ♦ ♦♦it
LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORTS IN MOUNTING CAMPAIGNS HAVE PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE, PARTICULARLY DURING THE DRY SEASONS, IN REMINDING FACTORY OWNERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES OF THE RISK GF FIRE AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS.
DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, MADE THIS REMARK AFTER X TWO-MONTH I I RI AM) ( HEM I CAI SAFETY CAMPAIGN WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AT THE END OF LAST ANAR.
”DI KIN<> I’HF CAMPAIGN, MIK II aAS FIRST CONDUCTED SIX YEARS AGO. I ACTORY INSPECTORS MADE 1,8fN INSPECTIONS TO FACTORIES HOUSED I N POORLA JAN AGED Bl I I DJNGS AND THOSE INVOLVING HIGH FIRE RISK WORK PROCESSES," MR KAN SAID.
ON Till- ENFORCEMENT SIDE, HE SAID X TOTAL OF 451 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED AGAINST PROPRIETORS DI RI NG THE INSPECT1 ANS.
/AMONG THEM .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1994
4
AMONG THEM, 309 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED UNDER THE FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS, 22 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS, FIVE FOR FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN A LEGAL NOTICE, AND ANOTHER 120 FOR CONTRAVENING OTHER SAFETY REGULATIONS.
THERE WERE ALSO SEVEN SUMMONSES AGAINST EMPLOYEES.
AMONG THEM, SIX WERE RELATED TO SMOKING IN PROHIBITED AREAS AND THE OTHER WAS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES REGULATION.
MR KAN STRESSED THAT THE CAMPAIGNS WERE AIMED AT AROUSING PROPRIETORS’ AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES’ AWARENESS OF THE PREVENTION OF FIRE AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS.
’’THE CLOSING OF THE CAMPAIGN, HOWEVER, DOES NOT MEAN THAT PRECAUTIONS MAY BE RELAXED,” HE SAID.
’’FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY ARE BEING LOOKED AFTER IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AT ALL TIMES,” HE ADDED.
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KWUN TONG LAUNCHES DISTRICT FESTIVAL ♦ ♦ * * t
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FESTIVAL 1994 WAS LAUNCHED THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AMID THRILL AND FUN.
TO ILLUSTRATE THE FESTIVAL’S THEME ’’CONTRIBUTE YOUR TALENTS FOR KWUN TONG”, 15 SPECIALLY DECORATED CARTS, DESIGNED BY THE DISTRICT’S AREA COMMITTEES, PARADED ROUND THE KOWLOON BAY SPORTS GROUND TO VIE FOR THE ’’BEST TEAM” AWARDS.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEES AND LOCAL GROUPS ALSO TOOK PART IN A TELEMATCH GAME TO DRIVE HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATION AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO, SAID HE HOPED THE FESTIVAL COULD HELP AROUSE RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN CONTRIBUTING THEIR TALENTS AND SKILLS TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY.
HE URGED LOCAL RESIDENTS TO GIVE MORE SUPPORT TO ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT ' BOARD BECAUSE THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDED LARGELY ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ARE IN THE PIPELINE FOLLOWING TODAY’S OPENING.
THESE INCLUDE A JOINT PERFORMANCE BY LOCAL GROUPS, A CARNIVAL AND PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONIES FOR THE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS ELECTION, A CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN COMPETITION AS - WELL AS AN ESSAY COMPETITION ON "IF I WERE A KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER”.
/T»E FESTIVAL ......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1994
5
THE FESTIVAL WILL END ON JANUARY 30.
LEAFLETS DETAILING THE PROGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
- - 0 - -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS
*****
ABOUT 120 OFFICE-BEARERS OF MORE THAN 30 OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ATTENDED A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE ORGANISER HAS RECEIVED ENCOURAGING RESPONSES FROM THE PUBLIC AND ALL THE PLACES AVAILABLE TO INVITED PARTICIPANTS WERE FILLED.
IT WAS THE LAST ACTIVITY OF THE 93/94 YAU TSIM DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGN.
TWO SEMINARS HAVE ALREADY BEEN HELD SINCE THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN LAST SEPTEMBER. TOPICS INCLUDED OVERLOADING OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS AND WAYS TO CLAIM MANAGEMENT FEES THROUGH THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL.
FUNDED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN WAS HELD ANNUALLY IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESS COMMUNITY ............. 1
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDING RISES IN DECEMBER ............... 3
WAGE INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 .............................. 4
NEW REGIME TO SUPERVISE BANKING LIQUIDITY .................... 8
LAB DISCUSSES RECOMMENDATIONS ON LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM .... 8
SWAC ENDORSES FEE REVISION ................................... 9
LEGCO DEBATES ICAC'S POWERS .................................. 9
COURT REPORTING REPORT READY FOR COLLECTION .................. 10
STUDENTS SHOW THEIR GREEN THUMBS ............................. 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............ 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
12
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESS COMMUNITY * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO FOSTER A CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESS AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY IN ITS EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE CONDITIONS THAT MAKE HONG KONG THE IDEAL PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE, WORK AND INVEST.
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, MADE THE REMARK IN HER SPEECH TO THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TODAY (MONDAY).
SHE SAID IT WAS VITAL FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY THAT BUSINESS REMAINED FREE TO DEFEND ITS OWN COMMERCIAL INTERESTS AND THAT THE COMMUNITY CONTINUED TO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT ITS WIDER CONCERNS WERE RESPECTED.
"FOR THIS REASON, WE MUST PUT IN PLACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994 AND 1995 ELECTIONS WHICH WILL BE FAIR AND OPEN AND, AT THE SAME TIME, ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"IF WE WERE TO ABANDON OUR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE SUCH ARRANGEMENTS, WE WOULD BE RETREATING FROM HONEST ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT, AND THE COSTS WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE."
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY COULD NO LONGER BE CERTAIN OF A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN WHICH POLITICAL PATRONAGE PLAYED NO PART, SHE EXPLAINED.
THE COMMUNITY WOULD NO LONGER BE SURE THAT ITS BEST INTERESTS WERE PARAMOUNT AND THE LEGISLATURE WOULD NO LONGER COMMAND THE PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED TO CHALLENGE THE MISTAKES AND MISDEEDS OF THE ADMINISTRATION, SHE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW REQUIRED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES BE MADE, SHE SAID THE FRAMERS OF THE DOCUMENTS SAW THAT POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS MUST DEVELOP TO MATCH THE ASPIRATIONS OF A MORE SOPHISTICATED, AFFLUENT AND EDUCATED COMMUNITY.
"THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY REGARDS LEGISLATION, REGULATION AND TAXATION AS PART OF THE TOTAL COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
"GOVERNMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE DECISIONS IN THESE AREAS THROUGH PROCESSES WHICH COMMAND RESPECT FOR THEIR INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
"THE POLITICAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE PAST WOULD HAVE LOOKED INCREASINGLY UNSATISFACTORY BY THESE CRITERIA," SHE SAID.
ON THE COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MRS CHAN BELIEVED THE GOVERNMENT HAD A DUTY TO ENCOURAGE SUCH PARTNERSHIP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
"THIS PRINCIPLE IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH HONG KONG WILL NEED IN THE NEXT CENTURY."
/GIVEN HONG .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
2
GIVEN HONG KONG’S UNBROKEN RECORD OF ANNUAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REGULAR BUDGET SURPLUSES, IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO THROW MONEY AT ITS INFRASTRUCTURAL PROBLEMS.
"BUT WE MUST RESIST ANY TEMPTATION TO FOLLOW THIS ROUTE, EVEN WHEN POLITICALLY IT SEEMS THE ATTRACTIVE THING TO DO,” SHE SAID.
FOR THOSE PROJECTS WHICH GENERATE THEIR OWN REVENUES, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO MAKE A VIGOROUS EFFORT TO FIND PARTNERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO LIGHTEN THE DEMANDS ON THE TAXPAYER.
"THE MASSIVE SCALE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WHICH WE WILL UNDERTAKE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPERATIVE TO SEE THAT THEY OFFER THE COMMUNITY THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY,” SHE SAID.
TURNING TO ANOTHER AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO HELP TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS, MRS CHAN SAID IT WOULD HELP THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THROUGH ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION.
ANOTHER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY IS CONCERNED WITH THE RESUMPTION OF CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997.
MRS CHAN REPEATED HER CONVICTION THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION’S PLEDGE OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" WOULD CREATE ENORMOUS NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
"BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THIS CONCEPT CAN AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AFTER 1997.
"I AM DETERMINED DURING MY TERM AS CHIEF SECRETARY TO MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION.”
MRS CHAN SAID THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT ENTERPRISE AND ONE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE WERE SOME DISAGREEMENTS ALONG THE WAY.
THE RECORD OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS SHOWS BOTH SIDES CAN AGREE ON VARIOUS ISSUES DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES. SUCH MUTUAL CO-OPERATION COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES.
"AS CHIEF SECRETARY, I WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO EXPAND THE AREAS OF OUR CO-OPERATION, TO INCREASE CONTACTS AND TO ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING."
MRS CHAN SAID THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN VERY OPEN ABOUT ITS OWN DETERMINATION TO PRESERVE HONG KONG AS A THRIVING CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS.
"WITH THESE FACTORS IN OUR FAVOUR, SURELY, WE CAN TOGETHER FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONSIDERABLE CONFIDENCE," SHE SAID.
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/3.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
3
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDING RISES IN DECEMBER
*****
THE AMOUNT OF RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDING ROSE BY 0.5% IN DECEMBER 1993 (0.8% IN NOVEMBER) FROM $201.7 BILLION TO $202.7 BILLION, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST MONTHLY SURVEY OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA).
THIS IS BELOW THE AVERAGE MONTHLY GROWTH OF 1.2% OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
THE THREE-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE OF OUTSTANDING LENDING HAS FALLEN TO 5.3% (ANNUALISED), COMPARED WITH 6.8% IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD TO NOVEMBER 1993.
THE CURRENT GROWTH RATE IS THUS WELL BELOW THE LONG-TERM TREND AS MEASURED BY THE 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE (14.7% AS AT DECEMBER 1993) .
"THE SURVEY RESULTS SOMEWHAT UNDERSTATE THE CURRENT RATE OF GROWTH. THIS IS BECAUSE: MORTGAGE LENDING BY CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE THE SURVEY GROUP OF 28 INSTITUTIONS HAS BEEN GROWING QUITE RAPIDLY.
"EVEN SO, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE OVERALL GROWTH IN MORTGAGE LENDING REMAINED QUITE MODEST IN DECEMBER, PROBABLY REFLECTING SEASONAL FACTORS AS WELL AS THE BANKS’ GENERALLY TIGHT LENDING POLICIES," THE DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING) OF THE HKMA, MR DAVID CARSE, SAID.
"THE LATEST FIGURES FOR NEW LOANS APPROVED BUT NOT YET DRAWN SUGGEST THAT THE INCREASE IN JANUARY WILL BE IN LINE WITH THE SLOWER GROWTH RATES OF RECENT MONTHS."
"THE ABOVE RESULTS WOULD SUGGEST THAT AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD TIGHTENING OF BANKS’ MORTGAGE LENDING POLICIES IS NOT CALLED FOR AT THIS STAGE.
"NONETHELESS, SOME BANKS’ LENDING IS GROWING AT A FASTER THAN AVERAGE PACE AND THERE CONTINUE TO BE SIGNS OF OVERHEATING IN CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE MARKET, IN PARTICULAR THE MORE EXPENSIVE PROPERTIES WHERE DEMAND IS LESS AFFECTED BY THE BANKS’ CURRENT LENDING CRITERIA," MR CARSE CAUTIONED.
"INDIVIDUAL BANKS SHOULD THEREFORE CONTINUE TO KEEP THEIR LENDING STANCE UNDER CLOSE REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THEIR TOTAL EXPOSURE TO ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY LENDING."
AS REGARDS LENDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES IN CHINA, THE LATEST FIGURES SHOW THAT SUCH LENDING ROSE BY 6.8% IN DECEMBER 1993 TO S3.6 BILLION. ABOUT THREE QUARTERS-OF THE INCREASE WAS ACCOUNTED FOR BY LOANS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
GROSS LOANS MADE IN DECEMBER CONTINUED TO INCREASE BOTH IN NUMBERS (TO 591 FROM 425) AND IN AMOUNT (TO $277 MILLION FROM $204 MILLION); BUT NEW LOANS APPROVED (DRAWN AND UNDRAWN) FELL BOTH IN NUMBERS (TO 34R FROM 408) AND IN VALUE (TO $167 MILLION FROM $184 MILLION).
- - 0----------
/4 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
4
WAGE INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 *****
THE OVERALL NOMINAL.WAGE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR WAS 10.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1992, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING FOR INFLATION, THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 2.4 PER CENT OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH MARCH 1993 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE OVERALL WAGE INDEX SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 4.6 PER CENT IN NOMINAL TERMS.
AFTER DISCOUNTING FOR INFLATION, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A MARGINAL DROP OF 0.3 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
ANALYSED BY INDIVIDUAL ECONOMIC SECTORS, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR BUSINESS SERVICES SHOWED THE FASTEST YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE (12.2%), FOLLOWED BY TRANSPORT SERVICES (10.8%), PERSONAL SERVICES (10.4%), WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (10.3%) AND MANUFACTURING (10.0%).
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON COULD BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE LARGEST HALF-YEARLY INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN TRANSPORT SERVICES (7.0%), FOLLOWED BY PERSONAL SERVICES (5.5%), WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (4.9%), MANUFACTURING (4.6%) AND BUSINESS SERVICES (1.8%).
THE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDICES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1992 TO SEPTEMBER 1993 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1 AND TABLE 2 RESPECTIVELY BELOW.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
THE WAGE INDICES ARE DERIVED FROM THE RESULTS OF THE HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERS BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING EMPLOYEES AT ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDICES AND THE INDICES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN ADDITION TO WAGES WHICH INCLUDE ALL THE REGULAR PAYMENTS, PAYROLL ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NONGUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
/HENCE, STATISTICS ......
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
5
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE ’’REPORT ON HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS VOLUME I, SEPTEMBER 1993”, WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT $16 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
VOLUME II OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN MIDFEBRUARY.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDICES, PLEASE CONTACT THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 4744 OR 582 5595.
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDICES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDICES (SEPTEMBER 1992 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS SEPT 1992 MAR 1993 SEPT 1993 % CHANGE SEPT 1993/ MAR 1993 % CHANGE SEPT 1993/ SEPT 1992
MANUFACTURING 100.0 105.1 110.0 + 4.6 + 10.0
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 100.0 105.1 110.3 + 4.9 + 10.3
TRANSPORT SERVICES 100.0 103.6 110.8 + 7.0 + 10.8
BUSINESS SERVICES 100.0 110.2 112.2 + 1.8 + 12.2
PERSONAL SERVICES 100.0 104.7 110.4 + 5.5 + 10.4
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 100.0 105.6 110.4 + 4.6 + 10.4
/TABLE 2
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
6
TABLE 2: REAL WAGE INDICES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDICES (SEPTEMBER 1992 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS SEPT 1992 MAR 1993 SEPT 1993 % CHANGE SEPT 1993/ MAR 1993 % CHANGE SEPT 1993/ SEPT 1992
MANUFACTURING 100.0 102.1 101.9 -0.2 + 1.9
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 100.0 102.2 102.2 0.0 + 2.2
TRANSPORT SERVICES 100.0 100.6 102.7 + 2.0 + 2.7
BUSINESS SERVICES 100.0 107.1 104.0 -2.9 + 4.0
PERSONAL SERVICES 100.0 101.7 102.3 + 0.6 + 2.3
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 100.0 102.6 102.4 co I O 1 1 1 + 2.4
/TABLE 3 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
7
TABLE 3: NOMINAL WAGE INDICES FOR 'MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR
MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN INDICES (SEPTEMBER 1992 = 100)
SEPT 1993 % CHANGE SEPT 1993/ MAR 1993 % CHANGE SEPT 1993/ SEPT 1992
MANUFACTURING SECTOR SEPT 1992 MAR 1993
GARMENTS 100.0 102.2 107.1 + 4.8 + 7.1
COTTON SPINNING AND WEAVING 100.0 106.3 110.0 + 3.5 + 10.0
COTTON KNITTING AND KNIT OUTERWEAR 100.0 102.7 107.5 + 4.8 + 7.5
BLEACHING AND DYEING 100.0 102.8 103.8 + 1.0 + 3.8
PAPER BOXES 100.0 101.1 105.9 + 4.7 + 5.9
PRINTING 100.0 106.4 110.9 + 4.2 + 10.9
PLASTIC PRODUCTS (EXCLUDING PLASTIC TOYS) 100.0 104.0 113.7 + 9.4 + 13.7
PLASTIC TOYS 100.0 104.0 108.1 + 4.0 + 8.1
METAL PRODUCTS 100.0 106.7 106.6 -0.1 + 6.6
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 100.0 106.8 113.3 + 6.0 + 13.3
ELECTRONICS 100.0 113.5 121.9 + 7.4 + 21.9
PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS 100.0 107.9 108.6 + 0.6 + 8.6
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 100.0 107.3 112.4 + 4.8 + 12.4
JEWELLERY 100.0 107.3 106.7 । tn o i । + 6.7
MANUFACTURING SECTOR 100.0 105.1 110.0 + 4.6 + 10.0
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/8........
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
8
NEW REGIME TO SUPERVISE BANKING LIQUIDITY
*****
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) HAS FINALISED A NEW REGIME FOR THE SUPERVISION OF LIQUIDITY.
A POLICY PAPER SETTING OUT DETAILS OF THE NEW REGIME HAS BEEN ISSUED TO ALL AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
’’THE NEW REGIME HAS BEEN REACHED AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE BANKING INDUSTRY," DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING), MR DAVID CARSE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"IN DEVISING THE NEW SYSTEM, WE HAVE GIVEN DUE REGARD TO THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD BETWEEN LOCAL AND FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS."
UNDER THE NEW REGIME, THE HKMA WILL USE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ASSESS THE ADEQUACY OF LIQUIDITY.
IT WILL HAVE REGARD TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS, INCLUDING LIQUIDITY RATIO, MATURITY MISMATCH PROFILE, ABILITY TO BORROW IN THE INTERBANK MARKET, DIVERSITY AND STABILITY OF DEPOSIT BASE, LOAN TO DEPOSIT RATIO, AND INTRA-GROUP CLAIMS.
MR CARSE SAID THE NEW REGIME AIMED TO ACHIEVE TWO OBJECTIVES.
"FIRST, IT WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT INSTITUTIONS CAN MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS WHEN THEY FALL DUE. SECONDLY, IT WILL PROVIDE GREATER ASSURANCE THAT GENUINE LIQUIDITY WILL BE GENERATED TO PROVIDE A BREATHING SPACE IN CASE OF FUNDING DIFFICULTIES," HE SAID. • • i
THE NEW REGIME WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR. INSTITUTIONS ARE REQUIRED TO FORMULATE THEIR OWN LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND SUBMIT DRAFT POLICIES TO THE HKMA FOR ITS COMMENT BY THE END OF MARCH 1994.
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW REGIME WILL NOT INVOLVE ANY CHANGE IN PRIMARY LEGISLATION, BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO REVISE THE FOURTH SCHEDULE TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE. THE REVISION WILL BE MADE BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE.
------0-------
LAB DISCUSSES RECOMMENDATIONS ON LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM *****
MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) TODAY (MONDAY) DISCUSSED RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE REVIEW OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.
DURING THE MEETING, DIVERSE VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS AIM TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE AND EMPLOYEES’ RIGHTS.
LAB CHAIRMAN AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, TOLD MEMBERS THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD STUDY THE VIEWS THOROUGHLY BEFORE DECIDING ON THE WAY FORWARD.
/MEMBERS ALSO .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
9
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED TWO PROGRESS REPORTS, ONE ON THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR WORKERS SUFFERING FROM OCCUPATIONAL NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS-AND THE OTHER ON LABOUR LEGISLATION COVERING THE PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1992 AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
A PAPER ON THE 81 ST SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE SCHEDULED TO OPEN ON JUNE 7 THIS YEAR IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, WAS CONSIDERED BY THE MEMBERS.
THEY AGREED TO SEND A DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.
--------0-----------
SWAC ENDORSES FEE REVISION * * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) SUPPORTED A FEE REVISION PROPOSAL FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED SERVICES AT A SPECIAL MEETING TODAY (MONDAY).
THE REVISION WAS BASED ON THE INFLATION RATE ADOPTED IN THE ANNUAL REVISION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE (CSSA).
SWAC CHAIRMAN, MR ERIC LI, SAID THIS APPROACH OF REVISION WAS SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND. THE CURRENT FEE LEVELS FOR THE VARIOUS SERVICES WERE CONSIDERED REASONABLE.
MR LI SAID CSSA RECIPIENTS WOULD OBTAIN EXACTLY THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE IN THF1R DISPOSABLE INCOME TO MEET THE FEE REVISION.
"SHOULD THERE BE ANY REAL INCREASE IN THF CSSA STANDARD RATES THE CSSA RECIPIENTS WOULD RECEIVE THF FULL BENEFIT OF THE 'BONUS INCREASE’," HE SAID.
SWAC MEMBERS AGREED THAT THE SAME REVISION METHOD SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER DAY CARE SERVICE AND HOME HELP SERVICE.
THEY ALSO SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO RE-EXAMINE THE PRESENT LEVEL OF SERVICE FEES IN 1996 TO REFLECT THE UPDATED FINDINGS OF THE 1995 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY ON CSSA HOUSEHOLDS.
"IT WOULD THEN BE OPPORTUNE TIME TO REVIEW THE FEE-CHARGING METHOD," HE SAID.
------0-------
LEGCO DEBATES ICAC’S POWERS
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL KILL DEBATE THE POWERS OF INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE LONG-TERM HOUSING STRATEGY AT ITS MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 26).
THE FIRST MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH WITH AMENDMENT BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW.
THE SECOND ONE WILL BE MOVED BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM. THE HON FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE WILL MOVE AN AMENDMENT.
/THE SECRETARY .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
10
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS.
THREE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE: PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BILL.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY WILL ALSO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD BILL, COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY KILL PRESENT THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993/94 PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE: SECTION 8.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS WILL PRESENT THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM FOR ISSUING AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT NOTICES TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION FROM STATIONARY POLLUTING PROCESSES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
------0-------
COURT REPORTING REPORT READY FOR COLLECTION t t » 4 t
A REPORT ON THE "THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL GUIDELINES ON COURT REPORTING" IS READY FOR COLLECTION AT THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCES CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION (CPCE) SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE REPORT CONTAINED THE SPEAKING NOTES OF THREE MEMBERS DELIVERED DURING A SEMINAR HELD BY THE COMMITTEE IN OCTOBER 1992.
THEY WERE MR WALTER CHAN, A SOLICITOR; MR JOHANNES CHAN, SENIOR LAW LECTURER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE RULE OF LAW, MR LUDWIG NG, ALSO A SOLICITOR.
THEY ELABORATED ON TOPICS SUCH AS "CONTEMPT OF COURT"; "DEFAMATION" AND THE PRINCIPLES AND RESTRICTIONS ON COURT REPORTING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SEMINAR WAS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING REPORTERS TO GIVE MORE COVERAGE OF COURT CASES SO AS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC MORE UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND BASIC LEGAL CONCEPTS.
/COPIES OF .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
11
COPIES OF THE REPORT CAN BE COLLECTED FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCES CENTRE ON 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
SOME 2,800 COPIES WILL ALSO BE SENT TO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 1529
- - 0 - -
STUDENTS SHOW THEIR GREEN THUMBS
*****
MORE THAN 250 POTS OF VEGETABLES - INCLUDING CHINESE RADISH, TONG HO, CAULIFLOWER, GARDEN PEAS AND TOMATO - NURTURED BY PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE FOR THREE DAYS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE YOUNG NATURE LOVERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE ANNUAL PRIMARY SCHOOL ’’VEGETABLE GROWING IN POTS” COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. THE COMPETITION IS SPONSORED BY THE CHOI HING LEE SEED CO.
THE ANNUAL COMPETITION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO OBSERVE AND STUDY THE GROWTH OF PLANTS AND AROUSE THEIR CONCERN TOWARDS BEAUTIFYING THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY. THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES), MR C L HO, AND' THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER (HORTICULTURE), MR LAM KWONG-HING, WILL OFFICIATE. THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM AT THE TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD
AT 66.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 388.992 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 311.625 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING.53.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/12
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ♦ » » * »
TENDER DATE 24 JAN 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF NOTES
ISSUE NUMBER 3701
AMOUNT APPLIED HKS4,630 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKS500 MN
AVERAGE PRICE ACCEPTED 100.07
LOWEST PRICE ACCEPTED 100.06
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 30 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER PRICE 100.01
o
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,790
REVERSAL OF LAF +2,210
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -900
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,100
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.5 *+0.1* 24.1.94
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994
13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS TERM EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.41 PCT 13 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.36 3.46
1 MONTH 2.64 PCT 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.15 3.66
3 MONTHS 2.91 PCT 19 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.23 3.84
6 MONTHS 3.08 PCT 22 MONTHS 2511 4 .15 100.25 4.04
12 MONTHS 3.36 PCT 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.25 4.54
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,272 MN
CLOSED 24 JANUARY 1994
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR RETURNS FROM LONDON ................................... 1
STATEMENT ON NEW AIRPORT ....................................... 3
TAC DISCUSSES TAXI REVIEW ...................................... 4
COMMITTEE ON EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS RELEASES REPORT ............................................... 6
14TH ANNUAL BORDER REVIEW TO BE HELD IN HK ..................... 8
WORKING PARTY DISCUSSES FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE ................... 8
MORE THAN 40,000 VMS GO HOME UNDER VRP ......................... 9
COMMISSION SUPPORTS INTEGRATED APPROACH TO YOUTH SERVICES ... 9
AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS ................... 10
CHARITABLE FUND GIVES ELDERLY NEW YEAR JOY .................... 11
HK CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY ....................... 12
ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS ................ 13
WATER CUTS IN TSUEN WAN AND EAST KOWLOON ................... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............. 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
15
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
1
GOVERNOR RETURNS FROM LONDON
* ♦ » t ♦
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON TODAY (TUESDAY):
GOVERNOR : I AM DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN HONG KONG, THOUGH I REALISE IT’S BEEN IN VERY GOOD, VERY CAPABLE HANDS WHILE I’VE BEEN AWAY. I HAD, I THINK, A VERY SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO LONDON. THE MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO GIVE EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE. WE’RE ALL VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR REPORT WHICH WILL FOCUS ON HONG KONG ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. THEIR LAST REPORT THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO WAS VERY HELPFUL AND SUPPORTIVE OF HONG KONG AND I AM SURE THAT THEIR NEXT REPORT WILL BE EQUALLY SO. I THINK THERE’S ONLY ONE OTHER WITNESS WHO HAS YET TO GIVE EVIDENCE TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR HURD AND THEN THEY’LL BE WRITING THEIR REPORT. I ALSO HAD A NUMBER OF VERY USEFUL MEETINGS, THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, THE HOME SECRETARY AND THE MEETING OF THE CABINET COMMITTEE WHICH HAS PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG. WE MET YESTERDAY. WE HAD AN EXTREMELY GOOD MEETING. WE AGREED ON THE WAY FORWARD. ONCE WE’VE GOT THE PRESENT LEGISLATION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AND WHILE WE WOULD STILL LIKE OF COURSE TO SEE CHINA RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, IF THAT DOESN’T PROVE POSSIBLE THEN WE’RE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE WAY AHEAD AND THE SORT OF OPTIONS THAT WE WOULD NEED TO CONSIDER AND THE LEGISLATION THAT WE WANT TO PRESENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AS I SAID IN LONDON YESTERDAY BEFORE WE TAKE THAT FINAL DECISION, I WON’T NEED TO GO BACK TO LONDON BECAUSE WE’RE PRETTY CLEAR OF THE WAY FORWARD. SO HAS THERE ANY QUESTION ?
QUESTION : YOU SAID THAT YOU HOPED THAT CHINA WOULD RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE BUT THE CHINESE HAVE ALREADY SAID THAT UNLESS YOU WITHDRAW THE FIRST PART OF THE PROPOSAL PUTTING FORWARD TO LEGCO, THEY WON’T RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. SO WHAT WILL YOU DO ?
GOVERNOR : THAT’S A QUESTION WHICH I SHOULD THINK I HAVE BEEN ASKED 50 TIMES IF I’VE BEEN ASKED ONCE. SINCE YOU ALL KNOW THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION WHICH HAS BEEN ASKED SO OFTEN, I’LL GIVE IT TO YOU VERY BRIEFLY. THE CHINESE SIDE, LIKE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, KNOW THE DIFFICULTIES THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CALENDAR. THEY KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO PUT IN PLACE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994 AND 95 ELECTIONS. THE FIRST OF THE THREE TIERS OF ELECTIONS IS ONLY NOW SEVEN OR EIGHT MONTHS AWAY. SO WE ARE CUTTING THINGS FINE AS IT IS. WE PUT FORWARD THIS LEGISLATION ON ISSUES WHICH SHOULD BE REGARDED AS NON-CONTROVERSIAL AND I THINK HAVE BEEN REGARDED IN THE PAST AS NON-CONTROVERSIAL IN ORDER TO GIVE US MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. THAT IS OUR POSITION, WAS OUR POSITION, WILL BE OUR POSITION AND IF YOU ASK ME AGAIN SAME QUESTION AS COURTEOUSLY NEXT WEEK AS YOU DID THIS EVENING, YOU’LL GET THE SAME ANSWER.
QUESTION : DO YOU MEAN THAT YOUR STEP BY STEP APPROACH OF TABLING THE BILL IS TRY TO WAITING FOR THE FORMAL DECLARATION OF THE CHINESE SIDE’S REFUSAL TO GO BACK TO THE NEGOTIATION TABLE ?
/GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
2
GOVERNOR : NO. OUR STEP BY STEP APPROACH IS DOING TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, IT IS RECOGNISING THE LEGISLATIVE REALITIES. I DON’T THINK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD WELCOME IT IF WHILE THEY’RE CONSIDERING THIS BILL, WE WOULD BRING FORWARD ANOTHER BILL. SECONDLY, IT’S GIVING THE CHINESE SIDE THE TIME IF THEY WISH TO TAKE IT TO HAVE SECOND OR THIRD THOUGHTS. YOU MAY RECALL THAT FROM OCTOBER 1992 WHEN I FIRST PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT FOR DISCUSSION WITH CHINA, IT HAS BEEN MADE CLEAR AT THAT TIME AND DISCUSSION IN THE COMMUNITY, FROM THEN UNTIL APRIL WE WERE TOLD BY THE CHINESE SIDE THERE COULDN’T BE TALKS UNLESS WE DROPPED THE SO-CALLED PATTEN PROPOSALS. WELL, WE DIDN’T AND THERE WERE TALKS. THERE WERE 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS. ALAS, ALL THE ONLY THING WE AGREED IN 17 ROUNDS WAS THE VOTING AGE.
QUESTION : WHAT OPTION HAVE YOU GOT IN MIND WHEN THERE IS MENTION ABOUT THE OPTIONS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DECIDE ?
GOVERNOR : I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT THE OPTIONS FOR LEGISLATION ARE. FIRST OF ALL, WE CAN LEGISLATE ON LINES OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS THAT WERE PUT FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SECONDLY, WE CAN LEGISLATE ON THE BASIS OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WE OFFERED DURING THE TALKS, THE CONCESSIONS THAT WE MADE CONDITIONAL ON A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON AN AGREEMENT ON THE THROUGH TRAIN. THIRDLY, WE CAN PUT FORWARD SOME PROPOSALS THAT ARE BASED ON THE AMALGAM OF THE TWO. THOSE ARE THE OPTIONS. THEY WERE THE OPTIONS LAST WEEK AND THEY WILL REMAIN THE OPTIONS NEXT WEEK. BUT WE KNOW PRETTY CLEARLY WHICH DIRECTION WE ARE INTENDING TO GO IN.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN. WHEN YOU WERE AWAY FROM HONG KONG, ACTUALLY SOMETHING HAPPENED IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB SHOWED THE MAO’S FILM YESTERDAY BUT THEY GOT PRESSURE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE AND THE HONG KONG OFFICIALS SUCH AS THE ENTERTAINMENT AND LICENSING AUTHORITY. THEY PUT PRESSURE ON THE CLUB TO BAN THE FILM. SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
GOVERNOR: WELL, NOBODY FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS PUT PRESSURE ON ANYBODY TO BAN THE FILM. THE FILM’S ALREADY HAD PUBLIC SHOWINGS. WHERE PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE EXISTING LEGAL CHANNELS, I UNDERSTAND THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED ON THIS PARTICULAR OCCASION. BUT IF THE POINT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO SHOW THE FILM WAS TO INDICATE THAT THAT LAW, LIKE OTHER LAWS ON PRESS FREEDOM NEED TO BE LOOK AT AND REVIEWED TO SEE IF THEY ARE NECESSARY, THEN THEY HAVE MADE THEIR POINT. AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, WE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED ON A NUMBER OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION WHICH NEED TO BE, IN OUR VIEW, CHANGED. AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO DISCUSS WITH THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AND OTHERS INDEED ARE, I THINK, DOING SO. OTHER LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WHICH NEED TO BE MADE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS AS SECURED IN HONG KONG AS IT SHOULD BE AND NEED TO BE. THE FILM TO WHICH YOU REFERRED HAS NOW BEEN SEEN BY QUITE A LOT OF PEOPLE. IT’S BEEN SEEN AMONG OTHERS, BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. AND I’M NOT QUITE SURE AS I THINK MANY OF YOU WILL REACH THAT CONCLUSION. I’M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT ALL THE FUSSES ARE ABOUT.
QUESTION: WHAT REALLY ARE THE CHANCES NOW FOR SMOOTH HANDOVER OF HONG KONG? WE GOT THIS CONTINUAL ROW IF YOU LIKE BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, BOTH SIDE ARE NOT GIVING IN. SURELY, WE ARE DESTINED TO BE PROPPED.
/GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
3 -
GOVERNOR: WELL. WHILE SOME PEOPLE SAY RATHER EMOTIONAL THINGS AND MAKE RATHER RHETORICAL ATTACKS, LIVES IN HONG KONG GOES ON VERY SMOOTHLY. I’VE JUST BEEN LOOKING AGAIN AT THE LEAD TABLES PRODUCED BY THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE WHICH SHOWED THAT HONG KONG BY ANY CRITERIA, WHETHER POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL, NOT NECESSARILY WEATHER, BUT BY MOST OF THE OTHERS, HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE WORLD TO LIVE. REMARKABLE SOCIAL HARMONY, PEOPLE GOING ABOUT THEIR LIVES VERY SUCCESSFULLY, THEY’LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT BOTH BEFORE AND I VERY MUCH HOPE AFTER 1997. AND WE ARE GOING TO GO ON WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS. SO WHEREVER ELSE THERE MAY BE TURBULENCE OR TURMOIL, IF I MAY BE UNGRATICAL, THERE AIN’T NO TURBULENCE OR TURMOIL HERE. ONE MORE QUESTION.
QUESTION: WHY DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL FEBRUARY TO DECIDE WHETHER TO GO TO UNITED STATES TO LOBBY FOR CHINA’S MFN STATUS? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR’S CONDITION THEN? IS IT BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT CHINA ONLY HAS A SLIM CHANCE TO GET THEIR MFN?
GOVERNOR: NO. IT’S BECAUSE WE WANT THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND I WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND OTHERS, WE WANT TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT ONCE THE PRESENT ROUND OF VISITS AND NEGOTIATIONS ARE OVER, WE WANT TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT ABOUT HOW WE CAN BEST AND PUT HONG KONG’S CASE FOR UNCONDITIONAL MFN RENEW. THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT THAT IS OUR OBJECTIVE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN PUTTING THEIR CASE LAST YEAR. WE WANT TO BE EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL IN PUTTING IT THIS YEAR. WE HAVE FORMIDABLE ARGUMENTS AS THE COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD WHICH PROBABLY HAS THE MOST PASSIONATE BELIEF IN FREE TRADE. WE’RE ECONOMIC FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES. WE WANT TO SEE THE BEST POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP, ECONOMICALLY AND IN EVERY OTHER RESPECT BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES. I UNDERLINE THAT WITH ALL THE FORCE THAT MIGHT COMMAND BECAUSE I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GUARANTEES OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY IS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES. BUT IT’S NOT UNREASONABLE TO REVIEW IN GOVERNMENT AND WITH OUR FRIENDS OUTSIDE, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OTHERS, THE BEST WAY IN WHICH WE CAN PUT THE ARGUMENTS FOR HONG KONG. THAT’S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH IN DEED.
------0-------
STATEMENT ON NEW AIRPORT ***** IN ANSWER TO MEDIA QUESTIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE ARE STUDYING THE STATEMENT ISSUED TONIGHT BY THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE. BUT MEANWHILE WE MUST STRESS AGAIN THAT WE HAVE COMPLIED FULLY WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME. THE POSITION IS THAT WE ARE AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE TO OUR FORMAL REQUEST FOR AN EARLY MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE, WHICH WE HOPE WILL RESOLVE OUTSTANDING ISSUES ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY." -----------------------------------0------- /4....................................................................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
4
TAC DISCUSSES TAXI REVIEW * » ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED THE FINAL REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW AND ENDORSED RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT TO DAMPEN SPECULATION ON LICENCE PREMIA AND TO IMPROVE TAXI SERVICE.
TO CURB SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO PRE-SET QUOTA ON THE NUMBER OF TAXI LICENCES TO BE ISSUED.
LICENCES SHOULD BE ISSUED AS AND WHEN NECESSARY, HAVING REGARD TO THE DEMAND FOR TAXI SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE TRADE, AND THE CAPACITY OF THE ROAD SYSTEM.
TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR MANIPULATIVE SPECULATION ON LICENCE PREMIA, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT IN A PUBLIC TENDER EXERCISE, EACH APPLICANT CAN ONLY BID FOR ONE LICENCE AND TRANSFER OF NEW LICENCES IS NOT PERMITTED WITHIN 12 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE.
IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROCEDURE FOR THE TRANSFER OF TAXI LICENCES SHOULD BE FORMALISED BY REQUIRING BOTH THE BUYER AND SELLER TO REGISTER THE TRANSFER IN PERSON.
THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT AIMS TO STAMP OUT THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF MAKING INFORMAL TRANSFERS BEFORE THE FINAL TRANSFER IS REGISTERED.
TAC ALSO SUPPORTED THE WORKING GROUP’S VIEW THAT THE PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A NEW SEVEN-YEAR NON-TRANSFERABLE LICENCE SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT OFFER ANY JOB-SECURITY FOR THE "OWNERDRIVER" SINCE THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE LICENCE WILL BE RENEWED UPON EXPIRY.
MOREOVER, THE UNCERTAINTY OVER RENEWAL PROSPECT AND THE NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE LICENCE WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE APPLICANTS TO SECURE MORTGAGE ARRANGEMENTS.
ON TAXI SERVICE, TAC SHARED THE WORKING GROUP’S CONCERN OVER THE DETERIORATION IN THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AS REFLECTED IN THE GROWING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALPRACTICE.
IT WAS NOTED THAT THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
IN PARALLEL, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR MOST TAXI OFFENCES SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM $5,000 TO AT LEAST $10,000 TO PRODUCE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT EFFECT.
THE MORE WIDESPREAD OFFENCES, SUCH AS REFUSING HIRE AND SOLICITING, SHOULD ALSO BE BROUGHT UNDER THE FIXED PENALTIES SYSTEM.
IN ADDITION, PROCEDURES FOR LODGING COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICES SHOULD BE SIMPLIFIED TO FACILITATE REPORTING, FOR EXAMPLE COMPLAINT FORM SHOULD BE INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO REQUIRING DRIVERS TO ISSUE PRE-PRINTED FARE RECEIPTS TO PASSENGERS ON REQUEST.
/ON TAXI .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
5
ON TAXI FARE, TAC AGREED WITH THE WORKING GROUP THAT THE EXISTING POLICY OF MAINTAINING A FARE DIFFERENTIAL OF FIVE TO SEVEN TIMES BETWEEN URBAN TAXIS AND OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AND THREE TO FIVE TIMES BETWEEN NT TAXIS AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SHOULD CONTINUE.
TAC ALSO ENDORSED THAT TAXI FARES FOR SHORT TRIPS SHOULD BE INCREASED GRADUALLY TO MAINTAIN THE FARE DIFFERENTIAL WITH OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT THE TYPES OF SURCHARGE SHOULD BE KEPT TO MINIMAL.
THE WORKING GROUP FELT THAT MEDICAL TESTS FOR ALL PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS INCLUDING TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE.
BUT THE TIMING OF EXTENDING THE TESTS TO TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM INTRODUCING SUCH TESTS FOR BUS DRIVERS.
IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT A BOOKLET IN THE FORM OF A CODE OF PRACTICE SHOULD BE PRODUCED FOR TAXI DRIVERS AND OPERATORS.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, TAC ALSO CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL TO SET UP CROSS HARBOUR TAXI STANDS.
MEMBERS FELT THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS NOT IN LINE WITH THE PRINCIPLE THAT TAXIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR HIRE TO ANY DESTINATION WITHIN THEIR OPERATING AREA.
MEMBERS FELT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CROSS HARBOUR TAXI STANDS WAS PREMATURE AT THIS STAGE AND DECIDED TO RECONSIDER THE ISSUE IN THE CONTEXT OF A TERRITORY-WIDE TRANSPORT SERVICE TO THE NEW AIRPORT.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO INFORMED AT THE MEETING THAT CITYBUS’ OVERALL PERFORMANCE IS IMPROVING DESPITE SOME TEETHING PROBLEMS IN THE INITIAL TWO MONTHS OF ITS OPERATION.
A SURVEY BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOWED THE BUS TURNOUT RATE HAD IMPROVED FROM 87% IN SEPTEMBER 1993 TO 96% IN DECEMBER 1993, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF LOST SCHEDULED TRIPS DROPPED FROM 22.5% IN SEPTEMBER TO 12% IN DECEMBER.
IT WAS NOTED CMB SERVICE ALSO IMPROVED FOLLOWING THE REDUCTION OF 26 ROUTES. MORE BUSES HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED AND THE PERCENTAGE OF LOST TRIPS HAS BEEN ON THE DECLINE.
- - 0-----------
/6........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
- 6 -
COMMITTEE ON EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS RELEASES REPORT *******
CHILDREN WHO HAVE TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN THE TRIAL OF SOME CASES WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO IN A NON-COURTROOM SETTING IF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING COMMITTEE ARE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE COMMITTEE ON THE EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY CROWN PROSECUTOR OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, MR GRENVILLE CROSS, QC, RELEASED ITS REPORT TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER A FOUR-MONTH STUDY INTO THE MATTER.
THE COMMITTEE MADE A TOTAL OF FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, THE FIRST IS THAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GIVE THEIR EVIDENCE OUTSIDE A COURTROOM THROUGH A LIVE TELEVISION LINK IN CASES INVOLVING SEXUAL ABUSE, PHYSICAL ABUSE AND CRUELTY.
RELEASING THE REPORT TODAY, MR CROSS SAID THE COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT CHILDREN COULD AND DID FEEL INTIMIDATED BY THE ENTIRE COURT EXPERIENCE.
"THIS MAY RESULT IN CHILD WITNESSES BECOMING DISTRESSED, STAYING SILENT, BECOMING CONFUSED, BEING AFRAID TO TELL THE TRUTH, OR EVEN DISTORTING THE TRUTH.
"CHILDREN MAY ALSO FEEL PRESSURISED BY THE FORMAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE COURT INTO COMING UP WITH AN ANSWER BECAUSE THEY FEEL OBLIGED TO SAY SOMETHING, WITHOUT FULLY THINKING THROUGH PRECISELY WHAT IT IS THEY ARE SAYING," THE COMMITTEE STATED IN THE REPORT.
THE REPORT ADDED THAT THERE IS AN UNDOUBTED ELEMENT OF TRAUMA INVOLVED IN A CHILD GIVING EVIDENCE AT COURT, THE PRECISE DEGREE OF WHICH WILL VARY ACCORDING TO THE AGE OF THE CHILD, THE NATURE OF THE OFFENCE, AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CHILD TO THE ACCUSED.
"THE TRAUMA OF THE CHILD CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED IF THE CHILD GIVES ITS EVIDENCE THROUGH THE TELEVISION LINK," THE REPORT NOTED.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE PRIMARY VERSION OF A CHILD'S EVIDENCE COULD BE GIVEN BY MEANS OF A VIDEO RECORDING.
MR CROSS SAID THE COMMITTEE BELIEVED THAT THE ADOPTION OF THIS TECHNIQUE WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE STRESS CAUSED TO CHILD WITNESSES FROM REPEATED QUESTIONING ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.
THE VIDEO RECORDING SHOULD OCCUR IN INFORMAL SURROUNDINGS, AND SHOULD BE CONDUCTED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE REPORT SAID.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT ALL CHILDREN SHOULD GIVE THEIR EVIDENCE UNSWORN AND THE COURTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONVICT ON SUCH EVIDENCE.
THE COMMITTEE FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE UNSWORN EVIDENCE OF A CHILD MAY CORROBORATE THE EVIDENCE (SWORN OR UNSWORN) OF ANY OTHER PERSON.
/IN SO........
7
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
IN SO RECOMMENDING, THE COMMITTEE RECOGNISED THAT COURTS SHOULD STILL RETAIN A GENERAL DISCRETION IN APPROPRIATE CASES TO ISSUE A WARNING OF THE DANGERS OF RELYING SOLELY ON THE EVIDENCE OF A CHILD.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE PRESUMPTION OF A CHILD’S INCOMPETENCE TO TESTIFY SHOULD CEASE, AND CHILDREN SHOULD BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS ADULTS.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT IN RELATION TO OFFENCES OF PHYSICAL ABUSE OR CRUELTY, A ’CHILD’ SHOULD BE DEFINED AS A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 14 YEARS.
IN RELATION TO OFFENCES OF SEXUAL ABUSE, A ’CHILD’ SHOULD BE DEFINED AS A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 17 YEARS.
IN ADDITION TO MR CROSS, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION, LAW SOCIETY, LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMITTEE WAS INITIATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, LAST YEAR AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY, THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN LIGHT OF SOME DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE GIVING OF EVIDENCE BY CHILDREN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN SOME JURISDICTIONS.
IN ENGLAND, THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES INTRODUCED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTS OF 1988 AND 1991 HAVE RESULTED IN THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TELEVISION LINK.
THE SAME ACTS HAVE ALSO RESULTED IN MAJOR CHANGES TO THE EVIDENTIAL STATUS OF CHILDREN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
FURTHERMORE, SOME OR ALL OF THESE CHANGES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN RECENT TIMES IN VARIOUS AUSTRALIAN STATES, CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, NEW ZEALAND, SCOTLAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MR CROSS SAID THE REPORT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO MR MATHEWS, ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION, FOR CONSIDERATION AND FOR SUCH ACTION AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.
MR MATHEWS SAID TODAY HE WELCOMED THE REPORT, AND THAT THE VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED BY THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY.
MR CROSS SAID ONCE THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN COURTS (WHICH PROPOSED THAT CERTAIN AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT BE INSTALLED IN SOME COURTS) WAS IMPLEMENTED LATER THIS YEAR, THE CORE MACHINERY WOULD BE IN PLACE TO ENABLE COURTS TO WATCH THE EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN THROUGH LIVE TELEVISION LINKS.
"SOME ADDITIONAL WIRING ARRANGEMENTS WILL THEN BE REQUIRED TO ENABLE THE CHILD TO GIVE ITS EVIDENCE FROM AN ADJACENT ROOM," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SOME POLICE OFFICERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD REQUIRE SPECIALIST TRAINING IN CHILD INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES, AND FACILITIES WOULD NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE PRE-TRIAL RECORDING OF THE EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN.
/8 --------
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
8
14TH ANNUAL BORDER REVIEW TO BE HELD IN HK
*****
AT THE INVITATION OF THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR R N PEIRCE, A GUANGDONG GOVERNMENT DELEGATION LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, MR CHAO ZHENWEI, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO FRIDAY FOR THE 14TH ANNUAL BORDER REVIEW.
TALKS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW TO REVIEW CROSS-BORDER LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS AND PRACTICAL CO-OPERATION OVER THE PAST YEAR AND DISCUSS WAYS OF STRENGTHENING THESE ARRANGEMENTS AND CO-OPERATION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PHOTO CALL WILL BE ARRANGED FOR THE MEDIA BEFORE THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 28, KENNEDY ROAD BEGINNING AT 9.15 AM.
MEDIA MEMBERS COVERING THE EVENT SHOULD ARRIVE AT 28 KENNEDY ROAD BEFORE 9 AM.
------0-------
WORKING PARTY DISCUSSES FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
*****
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE WORKING PARTY ON FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE, CHAIRED BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA), WAS HELD TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE WORKING PARTY IS MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS (AIS).
"THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT AMONG MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY THAT MORE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE IS DESIRABLE," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY, DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING) OF THE HKMA, MR DAVID CARSE, SAID.
"THE WORKING PARTY WILL CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF MORE DISCLOSURE AND HOW QUICKLY THIS MIGHT TAKE PLACE. IT IS HOPED THAT THE WORKING PARTY CAN PRODUCE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
THE WORKING PARTY’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE:
* TO CONSIDER THE APPROPRIATE EXTENT OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY AIS INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF WHETHER INNER RESERVES OF BANKS SHOULD BE DISCLOSED; AND
* TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBLE TIME FRAME OVER WHICH SUCH
DISCLOSURE MIGHT BE PUT INTO EFFECT.
ITS MEMBERSHIP CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVEN LOCAL BANKS - BANK OF EAST ASIA. DAH SING BANK, DAO HENG BANK, KWONG ON BANK, NANYANG COMMERCIAL RAiii, , SHANGHAI COMMERCIAL BANK, AND WING HANG BANK - AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ASSOCIATION.
------0-------
/9......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
9
MORE THAN 40,000 VMS GO HOME UNDER VRP *****
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN, WELCOMED THE RETURN OF MORE THAN 40,000 VIETNAMESE TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR).
A GROUP OF 329 VIETNAMESE RETURNED TO VIETNAM TODAY (TUESDAY), BRINGING TO 40,254 THE NUMBER WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
"IT IS INDEED ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT THE HIGH RATE OF DEPARTURES ESTABLISHED IN 1992 WAS MAINTAINED IN 1993 WHEN OVER 12,300 VIETNAMESE RETURNED HOME UNDER UNHCR’S PROGRAMME.
"I AM ALSO VERY PLEASED THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CARRY FORWARD THE MOMENTUM OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO THE FIRST MONTH OF THIS YEAR WHEN WE EXPECT TO RETURN ABOUT 2,000 VOLUNTEERS TO VIETNAM, MR BRESNIHAN SAID.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO UNHCR FOR ITS OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IN THE VOLUNTARY REPARTIATION PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG.
"IF THE CURRENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRENDS CONTINUE WE SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO CLOSE ALL CAMPS IN EARLY 1996," MR BRESNIHAN SAID.
------0-------
COMMISSION SUPPORTS INTEGRATED APPROACH TO YOUTH SERVICES *****
THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH SUPPORTS INTEGRATED SERVICES FOR LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS COMMENTING ON RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES.
"AS OUR SOCIETY BECOMES MORE SOPHISTICATED AND THE NEEDS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BECOME MORE DIVERSE, INTEGRATED SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME MATURE, RESPONSIBLE AND CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS."
WHEN THE RECOMMENDATIONS TN THE REPORT ARE FULLY IMPLEMENTED, THEY WILL GO A LONG WAY IN ENHANCING YOUNG PEOPLE’S SKILLS TO FACE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD, MR LI SAID.
DURING DISCUSSIONS AT ITS MEETING LAST WEEK, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ALSO NOTED THAT IN FUTURE, THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THESE CENTRES WILL BE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP IN A HOLISTIC WAY.
"WE FULLY ENDORSE THIS OBJECTIVE WHICH EPITOMISES ONE OF THE SOCIAL GOALS STIPULATED IN THE CHARTER FOR YOUTH: THAT YOUTH SHOULD BE OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO ACHIEVE WHOLESOME AND BALANCED DEVELOPMENT,” MR LI ADDED.
/TO ACHIEVE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
10
TO ACHIEVE THIS AIM, MEMBERS BELIEVED THAT CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SHOULD IN FUTURE BE GIVEN GREATER FLEXIBILITY.
’’THAT IS, PROGRAMMES SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT DISTRICT IN MIND,” MR LI SAID.
MEMBERS ALSO EMPHASISED AT THE MEETING THAT THE CONCEPT OF INTEGRATION SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED FULLY.
TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES, MR LI SAID, SOCIAL WORKERS IN AN INTEGRATED TEAM SHOULD RECEIVE ADEQUATE TRAINING TO ENABLE THEM TO BECOME ALL-ROUNDERS.
MOREOVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAD A POSITIVE ROLE TO PLAY IN FURTHERING THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTHS.
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATION AND THE SHARING OF EXPERIENCE, MEMBERS HAVE PROPOSED THAT THESE INTEGRATED SOCIAL WORK TEAMS STEP UP LIAISON WITH OTHER DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, THROUGH THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE NETWORK.
THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES RECOMMENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SHOULD BE MORE TARGET-RELATED AND SOCIAL WORK-ORIENTED.
MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN DISADVANTAGED CIRCUMSTANCES AND A VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN LOCALITY SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY AN INTEGRATED TEAM.
------0-------
AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION NARKS t ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 29) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 50 LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING AT 9.30 AM. THEY ARE:
FN9888 AT8 12 FN322 FN3 18 FN7441
FN 468 FN831 AY8 19 BM3181 FN9177
tBB95 * 1494 *194 ♦DL2222 4FS77
FN8832 FN7771 FN813 FN863 FN9295
CT3 12 HK2031 CT198 FN8240 DL8689
FN8777 FM9928 FN6228 CE2438 FN7572
CK8662 FN8324 CR1997 FN8760 FN8715
*1957 ♦ AX6 *FK16 . *DK99 *CH282
FN8212 FN8384 FN8892 FN8107 FN855
FN102 FN903 FN901 FN7261 FN7257
/IN THE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
11
IN THE AFTERNOON SESSION WHICH WILL START AT 2. 30 PM, ANOTHER
50 LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY
ARE:
FP6628 FP190 FP318 FP1191 FN5330
FN8878 FN9381 HK5111 AL8689 FN9106
♦ 647 ♦ 583 ♦ FU86 ♦ HK95 ♦ CM50
FP2833 FP223 FP887 FN6378 FP3809
CM3339 AU8268 FN6831 DD6168 FN3720
FP216 FP3368 AA1096 FP7898 AZ8813
FN9223 FN8130 FN3390 XX5707 FN6460
♦ FC17 ♦CL8888 ♦ 147 ♦FU2000 ♦CD9090
CA231 FP1386 BL902 FP1013 FN5044
FP348 FP861 FP47O FN8764 FN5871
* SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE CAR REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A CAR REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE CAR REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED, WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTIONS WILL BE THE 211TH AND 212TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-----0-1-----
CHARITABLE FUND GIVES ELDERLY NEW YEAR JOY
*****
THIRTY-EIGHT RESIDENTS OF HO’S CLANSMAN ASSOCIATION HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY HAD ADVANCE CELEBRATION OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR TODAY (TUESDAY) AT TUNG WAH HOSPITAL.
THEY WERE GIVEN RED PACKETS AND ENJOYED A LUNCH AS WELL AS GAMES AND VARIOUS SHOWS, THANKS TO THE TANG SHIU-KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID THE "LAI SEE" DISTRIBUTION HAD BEEN A BENEVOLENT TRADITION OF THE FUND COMMITTEE TO CONVEY NEW YEAR WISHES AS WELL AS CONCERN FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
ABOUT 4,400 SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND SOME 620 ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BE GIVEN RED PACKETS FROM THE FUND LATER THIS MONTH. ,
/MORE THAN .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
12
MORE THAN $1.16 MILLION HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE PURPOSE, WITH DR HO TIM AND DR STANLEY HO, FOUNDING AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE FUND RESPECTIVELY, JOINTLY DONATED $450,000.
EACH SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY WILL RECEIVE $250 AND THE ELDERLY $100.
THE FUND, ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, ALSO PROVIDES IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL HELP TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO COPE WITH SUDDEN HARDSHIP.
MR STRACHAN SAID THE FUND HAD SPENT ABOUT $2.4 MILLION AND HAD HELPED 1,475 CASES LAST YEAR.
UPON APPLICATION, GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN FOR A CHILD’S EDUCATION, PURCHASE OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, MEETING MEDICAL COSTS OR OTHER NEEDS.
THE FUND ALSO PROVIDES PAYMENTS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ARISING FROM PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY OR CHRONIC ILLNESS. IN PARTICULAR, THE FUND HELPS VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS WITH URGENT NEEDS.
APPLICATIONS FOR HELP FROM THE FUND CAN BE MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KUK OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY WERE DR HO TIM, LADY SHIU-KIN TANG, DR STANLEY HO AND MEMBERS OF THE FUND’S COMMITTEE.
------0-------
HK CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY * ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU J TODAY (TUESDAY) ATTENDED A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TO MARK THE 1994 INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY.
IT HAS BEEN THE SEVENTH YEAR HONG KONG CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY.
HONG KONG BECAME A FULL MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL IN 1987.
THE AIMS OF THE COUNCIL ARE TO HARMONISE CUSTOMS SYSTEMS, TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE CUSTOMS TECHNIQUES AND LEGISLATION AND TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL ENFORCEMENT CO-OPERATION. HONG KONG PLAYS AN ACTIVE PART IN THE COUNCIL’S WORK.
MORE THAN 300 GUESTS ATTENDED THE RECEPTION AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS. THEY INCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CONSULS-GENERAL, FOREIGN OFFICIALS AND TOP EXECUTIVES FROM TRADE AND BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.
/13........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
- 13 -
ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS * * t » ♦ t
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A SPECIAL DOG INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS SO THAT FISHERMEN CAN HAVE THEIR DOGS IMMUNISED AGAINST RABIES.
THE DRIVE, A REGULAR EXERCISE SINCE 1980, IS INTENDED TO HELP FISHERMEN WHO FIND LITTLE TIME TO TAKE THEIR DOGS TO AN INOCULATION CENTRE OR A GOVERNMENT KENNEL FOR INOCULATION.
FROM THURSDAY (JANUARY 27), MOBILE DOG INOCULATION TEAMS WILL GO TO SEVEN FISHING PORTS AND MAKE BOAT-TO-BOAT VISITS BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM DAILY. THE WHOLE OPERATION IS EXPECTED TO LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 4.
THEY WILL VISIT THE FISHING PORTS IN ABERDEEN AND SAI KUNG ON JANUARY 27 AND 28; SHA TAU KOK ON JANUARY 31; SHAU KEI WAN ON JANUARY 31 AND FEBRUARY 1; SAM MUN CHAI ON FEBRUARY 1 AND 2; CHEUNG CHAU ON FEBRUARY 2 AND 3 AS WELL AS CASTLE PEAK BAY ON FEBRUARY 3 AND 4.
THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTING SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR SIMON SAFE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE DRIVE WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE OUTBREAK OF RABIES IN HONG KONG.
"THE TERRITORY REGAINED THE RABIES-FREE AREA STATUS ON JULY 10, 1989 BY HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PREVENTED THE OUTBREAK OF ANY INDIGENOUS RABIES CASE SINCE JULY 10, 1987," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, HE STRESSED THAT RABIES WAS A DEADLY DISEASE TRANSMISSIBLE FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS. DOGS ON FISHING VESSELS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR POSSIBLE CONTACTS WITH OTHER ANIMALS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"IT IS, THEREFORE, IMPORTANT THAT FISHERMEN’S DOGS ARE INOCULATED AGAINST THE DISEASE AT LEAST EVERY THREE YEARS TO KEEP UP THEIR IMMUNITY," DR SAFE ADDED.
HE CALLED ON FISHERMEN WHO OWNED DOGS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SPECIAL INOCULATION SERVICE.
SINCE THE DRIVE WAS LAUNCHED IN 1980, 4,948 DOGS OWNED BY FISHERMEN HAVE BEEN INOCULATED.
UNDER THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE, ALL DOGS OVER FIVE MONTHS OLD ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED AND INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RENDER THE OWNER LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
------0--------
/14........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
14
WATER CUTS IN TSUEN WAN AND EAST KOWLOON
* * i * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 27) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY TAI HO ROAD, SHA TSUI ROAD, CHUNG ON STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
IN EAST KOWLOON, OWING TO CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 28) TO NOON THE NEXT DAY.
THE AFFECTED AREAS INCLUDE SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON BAY, CHOI HUNG,
PING SHEK, CHOI WAN, SHUN LEE, SHUN ON, SHUN TIN, SAU MAU PING, LAM
TIN, NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG, CHA KWO LING AND DIAMOND o HILL.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
♦ ♦ t * *
TENDER DATE 25 JAN 94 25 JAN 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q4O4 Y485
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$3,810 MN HK$1,830 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$1,200 MN HKS400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.93 PCT 3.38 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.95 PCT 3.39 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 12 PCT ABOUT 36 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.95 PCT 3.41 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 31 JANUARY 1994 -
TENDER DATE 1 FEB 94 1 FEB 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q4O5 H457
ISSUE DATE 2 FEB 94 2 FEB 94
MATURITY DATE 4 MAY 94 3 AUG 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$1,200 + 240 MN HK$500 + 100 MN
--------0-----------
/15........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1994
- 15 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
3,100
+ 900
4,000
NIL
-2,209
1,791
TWI 127.3 *-0.2» 25.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.64 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.20 3.62
1 MONTH 2.77 19 MONTHS 2508 4.265 101.26 3.82
3 MONTHS 2.93 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.25 4.04
6 MONTHS 3.07 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.25 4.54
12 MONTHS 3.35 36 MONTHS 3701 4.60 100.06 4.63
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 19,158 MN
CLOSED 25 JANUARY 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATEMENT ON AIRPORT FINANCING .................................. 1
BORDER LIAISON TALKS USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE ...................... 3
LEGCO POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED ............. 3
BCCHK ANNOUNCES FOURTH DIVIDEND TO CREDITORS .................... 4
STI VISITS EUROPE ............................................
VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE WITHDRAWN FROM JORDAN ROAD PIER ......... 6
NEW WAY TO DISCOURAGE YOUTH DRUG ABUSE .......................... 7
EDUCATIONAL AIMS IMPLEMENTATION SUB-COMMITTEE FORMED ............ 7
CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME .......................... 9
BOOKS ON WELFARE FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC ............... 10
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY .............................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
11
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
STATEMENT ON AIRPORT FINANCING
*****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY A HONG
KONG GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN:
"WE REGRET THE ATTITUDE TAKEN BY THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE STATEMENT ISSUED LAST NIGHT BY THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE (HKMAO).
"WE HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE VIEW THAT IT IS MUCH MORE CONSTRUCTIVE TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES IN FORMAL MEETINGS OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE, RATHER THAN THROUGH PRESS STATEMENTS.
"WE HAVE FORMALLY REQUESTED A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES CONCERNING FINANCING FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"WE HAVE INDICATED OUR WILLINGNESS TO SHOW FLEXIBILITY ABOUT. CHINA’S CONCERNS AND ARE NOW AWAITING A REPLY.
"A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE IS URGENTLY NEEDED TO ENABLE US REACH AGREEMENT, SO THAT THESE IMPORTANT PROJECTS CAN PROCEED WITHOUT DELAY.
"THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE HKMAO WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE PROJECTS. MEANWHILE WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM.
"WE HAVE $46 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS UNDER WAY ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, ALL LET WITHIN BUDGET AND PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY.
"WE HAVE BUILT OVER 35% OF THE PLATFORM FOR THE AIRPORT SITE AND ARE PROCEEDING WITH DESIGN AND OTHER WORK. WE HAVE RECLAIMED 220 HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION. WE HAVE STARTED THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, UNDER A FRANCHISE AGREED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, AND WE HAVE COMPLETED 37% OF THE TSING MA SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
"THESE ARE REAL ACHIEVEMENTS. THEY DEMONSTRATE THAT WE HAVE A HIGHLY COST-EFFECTIVE, WELL-MANAGED PROGRAMME. WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE ACHIEVEMENTS GOING.
"ON COSTS, WE HAVE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A $5.5 BILLION REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL $163.7 BILLION ACP ESTIMATE. THIS REDUCTION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY KEEN TENDERING AND RIGOROUS BUDGETARY CONTROL.
"WE HAVE MOVED BEYOND THE STAGE WHERE IT IS RELEVANT TO TALK IN TERMS OF 'REDUCING COSTS’. THE ACHIEVEMENTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
"THE QUESTION OF DEBT HAS BEEN RAISED BY THE HKMAO. LET US BE CLEAR THAT THE MOU IS REFERRING TO BORROWING BY THE GOVERNMENT BEYOND JUNE 1997, WHICH IT SAYS SHOULD NOT EXCEED $5 BILLION.
/"HOWEVER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 2 -
"HOWEVER THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT BORROWING ANYTHING AT ALL. WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH THE CHINESE IS PAA AND MTRC BORROWING IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY, IN LINE WITH NORMAL PROJECT FINANCING FOR SUCH LARGE-SCALE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
"UNDER THE FINANCING PROPOSALS WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OUTLINED TO FINANCE COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 21, THE CORPORATIONS’ DEBT WOULD TOTAL $45 BILLION.
"ON A MATTER OF LAW THE HKMAO SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALL CONTRACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW AIRPORT THAT STRADDLE JUNE 30, 1997 THAT HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE CHINESE SIDE WILL BE INVALID AFTER JULY 1, 1997 .
"IN REPLY TO A SIMILAR STATEMENT MADE BY A HKMAO SPOKESMAN IN NOVEMBER 1992, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE BASIC LAW, CONTRACTS WHICH ARE VALID UNDER HONG KONG’S EXISTING LAWS WILL CONTINUE TO BE VALID AND RECOGNISED AND PROTECTED AFTER 1997 BY THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, PROVIDED THEY DO NOT CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW.
"THAT REMAINS THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION.
"IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM ON THE AIRPORT, WE CONSULTED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON HOW TO PROCEED IN THE ABSENCE OF A FINANCING AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. LEGCO OPTED FOR A CONTINUATION OF THE STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH, VOTING OVERWHELMINGLY BY 38 VOTES TO TWO FOR THE $1.67 BILLION FUNDING.
"THE AIM IS TO KEEP PROGRESS GOING FOR A FURTHER PERIOD SO THAT WE HAVE MORE TIME TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE.
"EVERYONE KNOWS THAT HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT WILL BENEFIT BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA. HONG KONG PEOPLE NATURALLY LOOK TO CHINA TO CO-OPERATE IN ITS CONSTRUCTION AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE REST OF THE ACP.
"WE WELCOME THE REITERATION, IN THE HKMAO STATEMENT, OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND THEIR DESIRE FOR RESUMPTION OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE TALKS.
"THIS WOULD BE VERY MUCH IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THEY WILL RESPOND POSITIVELY AND RAPIDLY TO OUR REQUEST FOR A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
"WE FOR OUR PART ARE READY TO MAKE A RENEWED EFFORT TO WORK FOR AN EARLY AGREEMENT."
------0-----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26,
1994
BORDER LIAISON TALKS USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE
AT THE INVITATION OF THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBERT PEIRCE, A GUANGDONG GOVERNMENT DELEGATION LED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL AND DIRECTOR OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, MR CHAO ZHENWEI, VISITED HONG KONG FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO FRIDAY (JANUARY 28) FOR THE 14TH ANNUAL BORDER REVIEW.
THE BORDER LIAISON SYSTEM PROVIDES FOR EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION AND CONTROL AT THE BORDER.
BOTH SIDES REAFFIRMED THEIR COMMITMENT TO SMOOTH BORDER LIAISON WHICH IS VITAL FOR THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG.
AT TALKS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE TWO SIDES REVIEWED LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS FOR POLICE, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION CO-OPERATION AS WELL AS CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR.
THEY DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF WAYS OF FURTHER STRENGTHENING THESE ARRANGEMENTS. THE TALKS WERE USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED
* » ♦ ♦ »
THE ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TO THE GOVERNOR AND PUBLIC OFFICERS DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ATTEND SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES PROVISIONS SHOULD ALSO COVER PROCEEDINGS OF LEGCO’S PANELS AND SUB-COMMITTEES WHICH HAVE BECOME FORMAL COMMITTEES OF LEGCO THROUGH AN AMENDMENT TO THE STANDING ORDERS IN OCTOBER 1993.
COMMENTING ON THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 TO BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 28), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING ORDINANCE PROVIDED IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES TO LEGCO MEMBERS TO FACILITATE THEM IN CARRYING OUT THEIR PARLIAMENTARY DUTIES.
THESE INCLUDE IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS FOR WORDS SPOKEN BEFORE, OR WRITTEN IN A REPORT TO THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE.
THEY ALSO INCLUDE IMMUNITY FROM ARREST FOR ANY CIVIL DEBT WHILE GOING TO, ATTENDING OR RETURNING FROM A SITTING OF THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE AND FOR ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCE WHILE ATTENDING AT A SITTING OF THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/’’THE GOVERNOR
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
4
"THE GOVERNOR AND BRANCH SECRETARIES DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ATTEND SITTINGS OF LEGCO AND ITS COMMITTEES USED TO ENJOY SUCH IMMUNITIES WHEN THEY WERE LEGCO MEMBERS.
"ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NO LONGER MEMBERS OF LEGCO, THEY STILL NEED TO ATTEND SITTINGS OF LEGCO AND ITS COMMITTEES TO TRANSACT GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.
"IT IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE THAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE DESIGNATED PUBLIC OFFICERS SHOULD BE ACCORDED WITH THE SAME PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES WHEN THEY ATTEND BEFORE A SITTING OF LEGCO OR A COMMITTEE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 2.
------0-----------
BCCHK ANNOUNCES FOURTH DIVIDEND TO CREDITORS *****
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND LIQUIDATOR OF BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED AN INTENTION TO DECLARE A FOURTH INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT TO CREDITORS OF 6 PER CENT OF THEIR ADMITTED CLAIMS.
THE DIVIDEND WILL BE DATED JANUARY 28, 1994 AND THE DESPATCH OF DIVIDEND CHEQUES WILL COMMENCE ON THAT DATE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CHEQUE DESPATCH PROCESS WILL BE COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY 4, 1994.
CREDITORS ARE REQUESTED TO WAIT UNTIL FEBRUARY 15, 1994 BEFORE CONTACTING THE SPECIAL MANAGERS AS NOT ALL CHEQUES DESPATCHED WILL HAVE BEEN RECEIVED UNTIL ABOUT THAT DATE.
THE 6 PER CENT ANNOUNCED TODAY IS THE FOURTH DIVIDEND TO CREDITORS OWED MORE THAN HK$100,000, MAKING THE TOTAL PAYMENT TO SUCH LARGE CREDITORS TO DATE TO 64 PER CENT.
BCCHK HAS DESPATCHED ABOUT HK$4.7 BILLION BY WAY OF DIVIDENDS TO ITS CREDITORS TO DATE. THE LATEST DIVIDEND WILL TAKE TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO ABOUT HKS5.2 BILLION.
AFTER THE PAYMENT OF THE FOURTH DIVIDEND AND THE DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES WHICH INCLUDE LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL FEES, BCCHK IS LEFT WITH CASH IN HAND TOTALLING ABOUT HK$2.7 BILLION.
THIS SUM IS HELD FOR POTENTIAL DIVIDENDS TO KNOWN DEPOSITORS AND TO OTHER CREDITORS AND POTENTIAL CLAIMANTS, PENDING REMAINING TRUST CLAIMS, ADJUDICATION OF PROOFS OF DEBT AND FUTURE EXPENDITURE.
A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF CREDITORS HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED OR BEEN PAID THEIR DIVIDEND ENTITLEMENTS TO DATE AS BCCHK HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT THEM DUE TO INSUFFICIENT OR OUT OF DATE ADDRESS DETAILS.
/UNTIL SUCH .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
UNTIL SUCH TIME AS BCCHK IS CONTACTED BY SUCH CREDITORS, IT IS UNABLE TO PAY THESE CREDITORS THEIR ACCUMULATED DIVIDEND ENTITLEMENTS.
ANY CREDITOR WHO HAS NOT YET RECEIVED THEIR DIVIDEND OR WHO HAS CHANGED ADDRESS AND HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED BCCHK IS ASKED TO NOTIFY BCCHK OF THIS IN WRITING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEIR DIVIDEND ENTITLEMENT CAN BE ASSESSED AND, IF APPROPRIATE, PAID.
THE LIQUIDATOR AND THE SPECIAL MANAGERS ARE CONTINUING TO REALISE SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS FROM BCCHK’S BORROWERS AND ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN NEGOTIATIONS AND LEGAL ACTIONS TO ENHANCE REALISATIONS FROM OTHER BORROWERS.
A SECOND ANNUAL REPORT TO CREDITORS OUTLINING THE CURRENT POSITION OF THE LIQUIDATION AND DETAILS OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS SINCE THE PREVIOUS REPORT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO CREDITORS IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
STI VISITS EUROPE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, WILL LEAVE THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING FOR A VISIT TO EUROPE.
MR CHAU WILL FIRST GO TO DAVOS IN SWITZERLAND WHERE HE WILL LEAD A HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF).
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF WEF, TO BE HELD FROM JANUARY 27 TO FEBRUARY 1, BRINGS TOGETHER SOME OF THE WORLD’S TOP CHIEF EXECUTIVES AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC TRENDS AND ISSUES IN AN INFORMAL SETTING.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL INCLUDE SIR DAVID FORD, HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN LONDON; MR RONALD CARSTAIRS, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DAH SING FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LTD; DR EDGAR CHENG, CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WORLD-WIDE INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD; MR PO CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF DHL INTERNATIONAL LTD; MR MICHAEL CLANCY, CHAIRMAN OF EXXON ENERGY LTD; MR RICHARD LI, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PACIFIC CENTURY GROUP; AND MR ROBERT NG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SINO GROUP.
DURING THE MEETING, MR CHAU TOGETHER WITH OTHER POLITICAL LEADERS WILL MEET INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LEADERS AT A BRAINSTORMING SESSION ON JANUARY 28 FOR A DIRECT CONVERSATION ON THE LATTER’S QUESTIONS, CONCERNS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTION.
MR CHAU WILL ALSO SPEAK AT A LUNCH MEETING-ON JANUARY 29.
ON JANUARY 31, HE WILL TAKE PART IN THE GOVERNORS MEETING FOR TEXTILE TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND FOR THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY.
/MR CHAU........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 6 -
MR CHAU WILL THEN VISIT COPENHAGEN FOR TWO DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 1.
THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO SIGN THE HONG KONG-DENMARK INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENT — THE THIRD OF HONG KONG’S BILATERAL AGREEMENTS IN THE AREA OF INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION.
THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 2.
MR CHAU WILL BE SPEAKING ON "HONG KONG AND THE EAST ASIAN ECONOMIC MIRACLE" DURING A DINNER WITH DENMARK-HONG KONG ASSOCIATION IN THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 1.
THE LAST LEG OF MR CHAU’S TRIP WILL BE BRUSSELS WHERE HE WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW PREMISES OF THE BRUSSELS OFFICE ON FEBRUARY 3.
MR CHAU WILL ALSO BE SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON WITH THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES IN BRUSSELS.
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VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE WITHDRAWN FROM JORDAN ROAD PIER t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR FERRY PIER WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND THE CENTRAL-JORDAN ROAD DOUBLE-DECKED VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICES WILL CEASE OPERATION FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THIS WAS TO FACILITATE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORKS.
HOWEVER, THE VEHICULAR PORTION OF THE CENTRAL-JORDAN ROAD PASSENGER/VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE WILL REMAIN IN OPERATION UNTIL JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND JORDAN ROAD WILL BE RE-PROVIDED BETWEEN NORTH POINT AND KWUN TONG VEHICULAR FERRY PIERS.
THOSE VEHICULAR AND DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICES FROM JORDAN ROAD TO MUI WO AND DISCOVERY BAY WILL THEN BE OPERATED FROM KWUN TONG AND NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIERS.
THE PASSENGER SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND JORDAN ROAD WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE RECLAMATION WORKS.
/7........
WEDNESDAY, JANAURY 26, 1994
- 7 -
NEW WAY TO DISCOURAGE YOUTH DRUG ABUSE * * * * »
PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN CAN NOW LEARN THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE IN A STIMULATING AND INFORMAL ENVIRONMENT WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE LIFE EDUCATION ACTIVITY PROGRAMME AT THE CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN BRAEMAR HILL.
UNDER THE POSITIVE HEALTH-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMME, ELECTRONIC MODULES AND THE BRILLIANT TRANSPARENT ANATOMICAL MANNEQUIN ARE USED TO EDUCATE THE CHILDREN HOW THE HUMAN BODY WORKS, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND HOW IT WILL BE UPSET BY DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
AT A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS PATTEN SAID EDUCATING THE YOUNGER GENERATION AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE WAS AS IMPORTANT AS SUPPRESSING THE SUPPLY OF DRUGS.
"THE CHANCES OF SUCCUMBING TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SMOKING WILL BE MUCH REDUCED IF CHILDREN GROW UP WITH AN AWARENESS OF HOW SUCH SUBSTANCES CAN DAMAGE THEIR BODIES AND RUIN THEIR FUTURES," SHE SAID.
MRS PATTEN WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE PROGRAMME WOULD BE WELL-RECEIVED BY LOCAL SCHOOLS.
IT HAS PROVED POPULAR IN MANY COUNTRIES INCLUDING AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SHE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE PROBLEM AS LATEST FIGURES SHOWED AN ALARMING RISE OF 55 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF TEENAGE DRUG ABUSERS.
"I HOPE THAT WITH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, OUR SIMPLE MESSAGE OF ’CARE FOR YOUR FUTURE, SAY NO TO DRUGS’ WILL BE HEARD AND ACTED UPON EVERYWHERE IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
------0-------
EDUCATIONAL AIMS IMPLEMENTATION SUB-COMMITTEE FORMED * * * * *
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR MICHAEL HONG MAN-HOI AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATIONAL AIMS IMPLEMENTATION SUB-COMMITTEE.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WILL DEVELOP PROCEDURES TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATEMENT OF AIMS OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG AND PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF IT.
ALSO APPOINTED WERE 13 MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE:
BOE
MS SANSAN CHING TEH-CHI AND MRS MINNIE LAI WEI KIT-LIN.
/SCHOOL PRINCIPALS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 8 -
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS t
MR AUYEUNG YING-CHEONG
MR WOO KWOK-YIN
MRS JUDY CHUA TIONG HONG-SIENG
MR CHAN WING-KWONG
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
MRS LUN LAI SIU-KAM
TEACHERS 1 , •.
MS HUI SIU-LING
MISS LAI PUI-MAN
LECTURER
MS SIU LAI-PING (CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG)
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY
MR EDDIE NG
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
MR KWAN SHU-TSUN, PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER AND
MR LAU WAI-KEEN, VICE-PRINCIPAL OF NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
UNDER THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, THE SUB-COMMITTEE WILL:
» PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS FOR MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATEMENT OF AIMS;
♦ ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO OBTAIN FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS AND STUDENTS AND TO ACT ON THEM IN IMPLEMENTING THE STATEMENT OF AIMS;
» IDENTIFY, ON THE BASIS OF EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE AIMS, USEFUL INDICATORS COVERING BOTH ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC ASPECTS OF EDUCATION; AND
* DISSEMINATE GOOD PRACTICES BY SCHOOLS. ■
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW AFTERNOON.
-------------0------------------
.c.
/9........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 9 -
CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME
* ♦ ♦ » ♦
A NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 28) IN PERCIVAL STREET, SHARP STREET EAST, RUSSELL STREET, YIU WAH STREET, CANAL ROAD EAST AND LEIGHTON ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM 10 AM:
* THREE JUNCTIONS: PERCIVAL STREET/RUSSELL STREET/MATHESON STREET; PERCIVAL STREET/FOO MING STREET AND MATHESON STREET/ SHARP STREET EAST, WILL BE PUT UNDER TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL. SIGNALISED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AT THESE JUNCTIONS;
♦ THE EXISTING ON-STREET CAR AND MOTORCYCLE PARKING SPACES IN YIU WAH STREET, SHARP STREET EAST AND MATHESON STREET WILL BE CANCELLED;
* 7 AM - 7 PM "NO STOPPING RESTRICTION" IS GENERALLY DESIGNATED IN ALL THESE STREETS. FREE ZONES AND PEAK HOURS ONLY "NO STOPPING RESTRICTION" WILL BE PROVIDED AT
APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS TO COPE WITH THE LOADING/UNLOADING DEMAND;
» THE SECTION OF MATHESON STREET BETWEEN RUSSELL STREET AND SHARP STREET EAST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND WHILE THE SECTION OF SHARP STREET EAST BETWEEN MATHESON STREET AND CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND;
* TUBULAR RAILINGS WILL BE PROVIDED AT APPROPRIATE SECTIONS OF FOOTPATH IN THESE STREETS TO CHANNELISE PEDESTRAIN MOVEMENTS; AND
* VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES IN LENGTH ARE PROHIBITED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF RUSSELL STREET BETWEEN LEE GARDEN ROAD AND PERCIVAL STREET TO GAIN ACCESS TO PERCIVAL STREET. DRIVERS ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA FOO MING STREET TO PERCIVAL STREET.
THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA AND WILL ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 25 AND 25A ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ADMIRALTY STATION WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHARP STREET EAST, MATHESON STREET, RUSSELL STREET AND CANAL ROAD EAST.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0 - -
/10........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 10 -
BOOKS ON WELFARE FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC
******
A SET OF 19 CHINESE BOOKS ON SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REFERENCE.
COPIES ARE MADE READY AT EACH SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL AND DISTRICT OFFICE AS WELL AS CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE INFORMATION CAN APPROACH ANY OF THESE OFFICES AND ASK TO SEE THE BOOKS THERE," A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SET IS MADE UP OF THREE PARTS: A GLOSSARY ON THE TYPES OF SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES WITH EXPLANATION NOTES ABOUT THE SERVICES PROVIDED; EXISTING WELFARE FACILITIES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS, INCLUDING THE SERVICES SUBVENTED BY SWD AND NON-SUBVENTED SERVICES KNOWN TO SWD; AND FACILITIES PLANNED UP TO AUGUST LAST YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE MOVE TO RELEASE INFORMATION ON ALL SOCIAL SERVICES WAS TO MAKE THE DEPARTMENT MORE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT IN ITS MANAGEMENT PROCESS AND RESPECT RESIDENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW.
HE SAID IT HAD BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO SET UP WELFARE FACILITIES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
"HOWEVER, WE WELCOME VIEWS FROM RESIDENTS ON HOW WE CAN FURTHER IMPROVE SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD," HE ADDED.
_ _ 0 - -
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM THIS FRIDAY (JANUARY 28) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE PAPERS FOR THE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
------0-------
/Il .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,791
REVERSAL OF LAF +2,209
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY ~850
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,150
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.0 »-0.3» 26.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.70 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.15 3.66
1 MONTH 2.80 19 MONTHS 2508 4.265 101.22 3.85
3 MONTHS 2.97 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.20 4.07
6 MONTHS 3.08 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.19 4.57
12 MONTHS 3.43 36 MONTHS 3701 4.60 100.05 4.63
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 30,078 MN
CLOSED 26 JANUARY 1994
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVT TO SET UP COMMITTEE TO REVIEW ICAC'S POWER ............ 1
SENSIBLE BALANCE NEEDED FOR RENTAL HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP ................................................... 1
INDEPENDENT BOARD TO DEAL WITH ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS ...... 3
BILL TO IMPROVE BUS SERVICES INTRODUCED TO LEGCO ........... 3
INSIDER DEALING LAW TO BE IMPROVED ......................... 4
BILL ON HK INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION INTRODUCED ............... 5
BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES AND PENALTIES SET TO INCREASE .. 6
NO PLAN TO ISSUE BANK CHARGE GUIDELINES .................... 6
GOVT HELPS HK RESIDENTS IN DISTRESS OVERSEAS ............... 7
ALL DOGS TO BE IMPLANTED WITH OWNERSHIP DATA................ 7
CODIFICATION OF LAW OF CONTEMPT NOT NECESSARY: AG .......... 8
STRICT CONTROL OVER USE OF MID-STREAM OPERATION ZONE ....... 9
CODES OF CONDUCT AGAINST MALPRACTICES ...................... 10
NO FINANCIAL LINK BETWEEN AIRPORT RAILWAY AND MTR SYSTEM .. 10
/ICAC PROMOTES .......
ICAC PROMOTES BUSINESS ETHICS
11
BORDER LIAISON CHANNELS CAN BE ACTIVATED QUICKLY ............. 12
SHING MUN BUS INTERCHANGE A SUCCESS .......................... 12
MEDICAL INFLATION HIGHER THAN GENERAL INFLATION .............. 13
PLANS TO STEP UP HARBOUR MANAGEMENT .......................... 14
ACCURACY OF TRADE FIGURES ASSURED ............................ 14
PLANS TO REVIEW OPERATION OF SHELTERED WORKSHOPS ............. 15
RIVER TRADE TERMINAL PROJECT IN PROGRESS ..................... 16
INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH MANPOWER ON RISE ......................... 16
IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR QUALITY OF TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES ........ 17
BRITAIN'S SOVEREIGNTY IN HK NOT ENCROACHED ................... 18
EDUCATION ADVISER FOR NURSING BOARD .......................... 18
ALL VIET DETENTION CENTRES TO GO IN 1996 ..................... 18
AMENDED MOTION ON ICAC'S POWERS PASSED
19
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
1
GOVT TO SET UP COMMITTEE TO REVIEW ICAC’S POWER
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO ESTABLISH A REVIEW COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A FULL AND WIDE-RANGING REVIEW OF THE POWERS OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND OF ITS PRESENT SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION AT THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE POWERS OF THE ICAC THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
MRS CHAN SAID THE ICAC COMMISSIONER FULLY SUPPORTED THE SETTING UP OF SUCH A REVIEW COMMITTEE.
"AS THE ICAC ENTERS ITS THIRD DECADE, IT IS TIMELY THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD REVIEW AND REAFFIRM ITS MANDATE.
"I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROCESS WILL STRENGTHEN THE BONDS OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMISSION, AND THUS REINFORCE HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO CARRY ON THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONSIDER IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THE SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE, ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE AND ITS METHOD OF PROCEEDING.
A PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY WILL BE APPOINTED TO CHAIR THE COMMITTEE.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE’S REPORT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC.
------0-------
SENSIBLE BALANCE NEEDED FOR RENTAL HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP
*****
IN REVIEWING HONG KONG’S LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS TO MAINTAIN A SENSIBLE BALANCE BETWEEN ITS EFFORT TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF RENTAL HOUSING AND ITS RESPONSE TO THE DEMAND AND ASPIRATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, DURING A MOTION DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE HOUSING STRATEGY.
HE SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW WAS TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER THE TARGETS OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY COULD BE MET AS PLANNED, OR WHETHER NEW INITIATIVES ARE NEEDED TO ENABLE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ACHIEVE ITS TARGETS.
"IN CONDUCTING THE REVIEW, THE AUTHORITY HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL TO INVITE COMMENTS FROM AS WIDE A RANGE OF SOURCES AS POSSIBLE.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THEREFORE THAT THE AUTHORITY IS EARNEST IN ITS INTENTION TO CANVAS VIEWS WIDELY AND I AM EQUALLY SURE THAT IT WILL TAKE PROPER ACCOUNT OF VIEWS OFFERED.
/PUBLIC DISCUSSION ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
2
PUBLIC DISCUSSION HAS SO FAR FOCUSED ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF LAND, MR EASON ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PRODUCE AND ALLOCATE LAND TO MEET CLEARLY IDENTIFIED ADDITIONAL DEMAND JUST AS IT HAD DONE IN THE PAST.
ANOTHER CONCERN EXPRESSED WAS THE POSSIBILITY THAT PART OF THE AUTHORITY’S COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR OLD PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS WOULD BE RESCHEDULED.
MR EASON SAID: ’’THE POSITION ON THIS IS QUITE CLEAR: THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL PRESS AHEAD WITH ITS FIVE-YEAR REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ALREADY ANNOUNCED WITH ONLY LIMITED ADJUSTMENT.
’’THE PROPOSAL BEING CONSIDERED IS THAT HOUSING BLOCKS PROVIDING SELF-CONTAINED UNITS AND IN SOUND STRUCTURAL CONDITION SHOULD, AFTER REFURBISHMENT, BE RETAINED FOR A FEW MORE YEARS AFTER THE EXISTING TENANTS HAVE BEEN REHOUSED.
"BY PROVIDING EXTRA HOUSING RESOURCES ON A TEMPORARY BASIS, THESE BLOCKS COULD HELP MEET THE DEMAND FOR SMALL URBAN REHOUSING UNITS IN THE SHORT TERM,"
MR EASON SAID THERE WAS A MISCONCEPTION THAT TENANTS AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT WOULD BE "FORCED" TO BUY TYPE-II HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS OR BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST WHEN BEING OFFERED RENTAL REHOUSING.
"THE ACTUAL SITUATION IS THAT SOME TENANTS WHO ARE KEEN TO BUY HOS FLATS ARE UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE THERE IS NO HOS FLATS SUPPLY IN THEIR DISTRICT AT THE TIME THEY ARE RELOCATED.
"THE HOS TYPE-II PROPOSAL IS, THEREFORE, INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL AVENUE FOR THESE AND OTHER FAMILIES.
"FURTHERMORE, EVEN IF THE HOS TYPE-II SCHEME IS IMPLEMENTED, THE AUTHORITY WILL ENSURE THAT THE PRIORITIES FOR THOSE ON THE WAITING LIST ARE NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
ON THE QUESTION OF PUBLIC RENTAL TENANTS OWNING PRIVATE PROPERTY, MR EASON SAID THERE WAS A BODY OF OPINION THAT THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD TO BUY PRIVATE PROPERTY SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO OCCUPY RENTAL FLATS WHILE THERE WERE STILL SO MANY PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD NOT TAKEN A VIEW ON THIS COMPLEX ISSUE, AND WOULD WELCOME MORE PUBLIC OPINION.
ON THE PROBLEM OF UNDER-UTILISATION OF PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS, MR EASON SAID IT WAS A WASTE OF VALUABLE RESOURCES.
IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL NO DOUBT FOLLOW UP, HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS BROACHED IN THE REVIEW REPORT WOULD BE DISCUSSED FURTHER BY THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
PUBLIC VIEWS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE AUTHORITY WILL THEN RE-EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
------0--------
/3........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
3
INDEPENDENT BOARD TO DEAL WITH ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS
*****
AN INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD WILL BE SET UP TO PROVIDE A MORE STRUCTURED AND UNIFORM SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD BILL THAT GIVES TO SUCH EFFECT WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BOARD WILL CONDUCT HEARINGS IN PUBLIC EXCEPT IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE APPELLANT WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO ATTEND AND BE REPRESENTED AT HEARINGS.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THE BOARD WOULD BE REQUIRED TO STATE IN WRITING THE REASONS FOR ITS DECISIONS.
"THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE DETERMINATION OF APPEALS, BUT WILL ALSO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE."
MRS CHAN SAID THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THE BOARD WAS TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS, THEREFORE IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR IT TO RECOMMEND OR AWARD EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS.
HOWEVER, THE BOARD IS GIVEN THE POWER TO REFER MATTERS BACK TO THE RESPONDENT, THAT IS, THE ORIGINAL DECISION-MAKER, FOR CONSIDERATION.
AS THE BOARD IS INTENDED TO BE A GENERAL APPEALS BOARD WITH SIMPLE PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH MATTERS BEFORE IT EXPEDITIOUSLY AND IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER, THEREFORE IT IS NOT NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO PROVIDE A FURTHER RIGHT OF APPEAL.
"THE REMEDY OF JUDICIAL REVIEW SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO CATER FOR ANY ERRORS OF LAW COMMITTED BY THE BOARD," SHE SAID.
------0-------
BILL TO IMPROVE BUS SERVICES INTRODUCED TO LEGCO
*****
A BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE TEETH TO PENALISE BUS COMPANIES FOR NON-PERFORMANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID WHEN ENCOURAGEMENT AND WARNINGS TO BUS COMPANIES FAILED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF BUS SERVICES, THE IMPOSITION OF FINANCIAL PENALTIES BECAME NECESSARY.
MR BARMA SAID THE IMPACT OF THE BILL WOULD BECOME MUCH GREATER AS IT SOUGHT TO CHANGE THE MANNER IN WHICH FINES COULD BE LEVIED.
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
4
UNDER THE BILL, THE EXISTING GRADUATED SCALE OF FINES OF $10,000 FOR DEFICIENCIES ON THE FIRST OCCASION, $20,000 ON THE SECOND AND $50,000 ON THE THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OCCASIONS, WOULD BE RETAINED BUT MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF ROUTES ON WHICH DEFICIENCIES WERE FOUND.
PENALTIES WOULD REMAIN ON RECORD FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF IMPOSITION TO DETERMINE WHAT THE LEVEL OF FINES FOR FUTURE OFFENCES SHOULD BE, HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EXCLUDE FINANCIAL PENALTIES FROM BEING DEEMED PART OF OPERATING EXPENSES OF A BUS OPERATOR.
"THIS IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT THE OPERATOR DOES NOT PASS SUCH PENALTIES ON TO BUS PASSENGERS IN THE FORM OF HIGHER FARES," HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE DELEGATION OF THE POWERS TO MAKE REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO BUS OPERATORS SUCH AS THE DESIGNATION OF BUS STOPS AND THE CONDUCT OF BUS DRIVERS FROM THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
INSIDER DEALING LAW TO BE IMPROVED
♦ t * * *
A BILL PROPOSING TO REMOVE A LOOPHOLE UNDER WHICH INSIDER DEALING CAN BE CONDUCTED THROUGH THE TRADING OF THIRD-PARTY-ISSUED DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE BURGEONING DERIVATIVE MARKETS WERE NOT USED TO CIRCUMVENT THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.
"IT WILL ALSO HELP TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE MARKET FOR STOCK OPTIONS WHICH THE STOCK EXCHANGE INTENDS TO INTRODUCE LATER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
THIS IS BECAUSE INVESTORS WILL KNOW THAT INSIDER DEALING LEGISLATION COMPARABLE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IS IN PLACE, HE EXPLAINED.
MR CARTLAND SAID RECENT YEARS HAD SEEN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS IN RESPECT OF LOCALLY LISTED SECURITIES.
MANY OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE ISSUED BY A PARTY UNRELATED TO THE CORPORATION WHOSE SHARES FORM THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES.
SOME OF THE PRODUCTS ARE NOT LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE IN HONG KONG.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
5
HE SAID BECAUSE THESE INSTRUMENTS WERE ISSUED BY A THIRD PARTY, THEY WERE NOT CLASSIFIED AS THE SECURITIES OF THE RELEVANT LISTED CORPORATION AND THUS THEIR TRADING FELL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF "INSIDER DEALING".
THE SAME APPLIES WHERE THE PRODUCTS ARE NOT LISTED IN THE TERRITORY, HE ADDED,
THE BILL PROVIDES THAT INSIDER DEALING WILL COVER THIRD-PARTY-ISSUED DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS IN RESPECT OF LISTED SECURITIES IN HONG KONG, WHETHER OR NOT THESE PRODUCTS ARE LISTED HERE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED. ---------------------------0--------
BILL ON HK INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION INTRODUCED *****
A BILL SEEKING TO INCORPORATE THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HKIED) AS AN AUTONOMOUS TERTIARY INSTITUTION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BILL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE WAS AIMED TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS IN HONG KONG.
"THE NEW UNITARY INSTITUTE WILL SUBSUME THE EXISTING COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY MANAGED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
UNDER THE BILL, A COUNCIL WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE.
IT WILL COMPRISE THE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS OF THE HKIED, PUBLIC OFFICERS, NOMINEES FROM THE ACADEMIC BOARD, A STAFF REPRESENTATIVE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY OR A PROFESSION IN HONG KONG, AND OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ACADEMIC BOARD TO PLAN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES, REGULATE STUDENT ADMISSION AND CONFER ACADEMIC AWARDS.
MR LAM SAID THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE HKIED HAD BEEN MAKING GOOD PROGRESS SINCE ITS APPOINTMENT IN JANUARY 1993.
THE COUNCIL HAS APPOINTED THE DIRECTOR FOR THE INSTITUTE AND IS RECRUITING OTHER KEY ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC STAFF.
IT IS ALSO PLANNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW CAMPUS IN TAI PO AND IS ENGAGED IN WORKING OUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTEGRATING QUALIFIED SERVING STAFF INTO THE INSTITUTE, MR LAM SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
6
BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES AND PENALTIES SET TO INCREASE *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE VARIOUS FEES AND PENALTIES PAYABLE UNDER THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
THE INCREASE WOULD TAKE EFFECT ON MARCH 1.
ADDITIONAL REVENUE IS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $1 MILLION A YEAR.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, PROPOSED TO REVISE THE REGISTRATION FEE IN RESPECT OF A BRANCH OF BUSINESS FROM $60 TO $66, IN LINE WITH THE INCREASE IN COSTS.
TO PRESERVE THE DETERRENT EFFECT, MR TSANG ALSO RECOMMENDED THE PENALTIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES AND BRANCH REGISTRATION FEES BE INCREASED FROM $150 AND $60 TO $165 TO $66 RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH THE FEES AND PENALTIES WERE LAST REVISED LAST YEAR.
NO PLAN TO ISSUE BANK CHARGE GUIDELINES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN TO ISSUE ANY GUIDELINES WITH REGARD TO BANKS’ CHARGING OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE LEVY OF CHARGES RELATING TO MORTGAGE LOANS WAS A COMMERCIAL MATTER FOR THE BANKS.
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CONSIDER THERE TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MERITS INTERVENTION, HE ADDED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CARTLAND SAID NOT ALL BANKS CHARGED APPLICATION FEES.
"MORTGAGE APPLICANTS THEREFORE DO HAVE A CHOICE IN THE MATTER," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, APPLICATION FEES FOR MORTGAGE LOANS TYPICALLY VARY BETWEEN $1,000 AND $2,500 FOR EACH APPLICATION FROM INDIVIDUALS.
SUCH FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND ARE MAINLY INTENDED TO COVER THE BANKS' HANDLING CHARGES.
"WE DO NOT THINK HOWEVER THAT SUCH CHARGES WOULD BY THEMSELVES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT IN DISCOURAGING PROPERTY SPECULATION," HE SAID.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
1
GOVT HELPS HK RESIDENTS IN DISTRESS OVERSEAS * » » * »
THE GOVERNMENT TAKES SERIOUSLY ALL REPORTS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN DISTRESS OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
"WHERE THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A HONG KONG RESIDENT IS BEING UNLAWFULLY DETAINED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, WE FOLLOW UP WITH THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED," THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED EIGHT APPLICATIONS FROM FAMILIES OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO WERE REPORTEDLY DETAINED AS A RESULT OF COMMERCIAL DISPUTES IN CHINA IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
THESE APPLICATIONS INVOLVED 10 DETAINEES, WHO ARE EITHER HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN OR EMPLOYEES OF HONG KONG COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS RAISED ALL THESE CASES WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES," MR ASPREY SAID.
"WE HAVE MADE REPEATED REQUESTS TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR CLARIFICATION OF THE BASIS ON WHICH THE HONG KONG INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN DETAINED, FOR ASSURANCES THAT THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH CHINESE LAW, AND FOR ACCESS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS’ FAMILIES, LEGAL ADVISERS AND COLLEAGUES."
ALL THESE APPROACHES HAVE BEEN MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF THE FAMILIES, HE ADDED.
TWO OF THE CASES ARE OUTSTANDING, INVOLVING FOUR DETAINEES WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN RELEASED AND RETURNED TO HONG KONG.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD WELL-ESTABLISHED CHANNELS FOR RAISING CASES OF THIS KIND WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
HE SAID: "OUR REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE POLITICAL ADVISER’S OFFICE."
IN SOME CASES, THEY WERE ALSO MADE THROUGH THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE IN LONDON (INCLUDING AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL) AND THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING, HE ADDED.
------0-------
ALL DOGS TO BE IMPLANTED WITH OWNERSHIP DATA » * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE A REQUIREMENT FOR ALL DOGS TO BE IMPLANTED WITH A SMALL MICROCHIP CONTAINING OWNERSHIP DATA LATER THIS YEAR.
"THIS WILL STRENGTHEN CONSIDERABLY THE ABILITY OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE TO IDENTIFY OWNERS WHO ALLOW THEIR DOGS TO STRAY," THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/REPLYING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
8
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG, MR SIU SAID HE BELIEVED THAT EXISTING LEGISLATION SET OUT CLEARLY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DOG OWNERS IN REGARD TO CONTROL OF THEIR ANIMALS IN PUBLIC PLACES.
THE INTRODUCTION OF A REQUIREMENT FOR COMPULSORY USE OF MUZZLES ON ALL DOGS IS NOT WARRANTED, HE SAID.
THE DOGS AND CATS REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT NO DOG MAY BE ALLOWED OUT ON A PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE UNLESS IT IS ON A LEAD OR OTHERWISE UNDER CONTROL.
ANY PERSON BREAKING THIS REQUIREMENT IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
MOREOVER, UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, THERE ARE PENALTIES OF A FINE OF $500 OR IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS FOR ANY PERSON WHO KEEPS A DOG THAT PERSISTENTLY ANNOYS OR MENACES NEIGHBOURS OR PASSERS-BY OR WHO ALLOWS AN UNMUZZLED FEROCIOUS DOG TO GO AT LARGE, OR URGES ANY DOG TO ATTACK OR WORRY ANY PERSON.
------0-------
CODIFICATION OF LAW OF CONTEMPT NOT NECESSARY: AG
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONSIDERED THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S REPORT ON CONTEMPT OF COURT VERY CAREFULLY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN THE LIGHT OF DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED, THE ADMINISTRATION DOUBTS THAT CODIFICATION OF THE LAW OF CONTEMPT IS EITHER NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE.
REPLYING A QUESTION BY THE HON SIMON IP, MR MATHEWS SAID THE ADMINISTRATION, IN REACHING ITS DECISION, HAD NOTED THAT:
» THE COMMON LAW RULES RELATING TO CONTEMPT HAVE CONTINUED TO DEVELOP;
♦ THE LAW OF CONTEMPT HAS BECOME SUBJECT TO ARTICLE 16 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, WHICH PROVIDES FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION; AND
t THE UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDED THE BASIS FOR MANY OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS (THE CONTEMPT OF COURT ACT 1981) HAS CREATED GREATER COMPLEXITY AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE LAW AND HAS NOT BEEN COPIED IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE ADMINISTRATION DOUBTS THAT CODIFICATION OF THE LAW OF CONTEMPT IS EITHER NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE," MR MATHEWS SAID.
/9.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 9 -
STRICT CONTROL OVER USE OF MID-STREAM OPERATION ZONE *****
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL MONITOR AND CONTROL THE USE OF MIDSTREAM OPERATION ZONE IN AREA 16 OF TUEN MUN SO THAT THERE WILL BE AS LITTLE ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS IS POSSIBLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TSO SHIU-WAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SIU SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD RIGOROUSLY ENFORCE THE LEASE CONDITIONS OF THE SITE, IN THE FACE OF LOCAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIALLY ADVERSE IMPLICATIONS OF USING AREA 16.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE SITE WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER CHOICES.
"IF THE ADMINISTRATION COULD FIND OTHER SUITABLE SITES IN THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES, WE WOULD NOT HAVE LOOKED TO TUEN MUN FOR HELP.
"IF WE COULD FIND A BETTER SITE IN TUEN MUN FOR TEMPORARY USE WE WOULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN AREA 16," HE SAID.
THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS THAT THE TEMPORARY USE OF THE SITE WILL GENERATE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC ON ALREADY CONGESTED ROADS, CREATE NOISE IN THE AREA AND ADVERSELY AFFECT SAFETY WITHIN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
MR SIU SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD:
* PROHIBIT DIRECT LAND ACCESS TO AND FROM THE SITE BY VEHICLES. CARGO WILL ONLY BE TRANSPORTED BY SEA, KEEPING ADDITIONAL LOADS OFF THE EXISTING HIGHWAY;
* PROHIBIT WORK AT THE SITE OUTSIDE PRESCRIBED HOURS. THERE WILL BE NO NIGHT-TIME NOISE. PATROLLING WATCHMEN WILL BE DEPLOYED TO MONITOR THIS;
* INSIST THAT THE OPERATOR ADOPTS SPECIFIC NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; AND
* STEP UP MANAGEMENT OF THE WATERS WITHIN THE TYPHOON SHELTER TO DEAL WITH THE SMALL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL MARINE TRAFFIC.
REGARDING MARINE TRAFFIC, MR SIU SAID THEY ENVISAGED THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SITE WOULD GENERATE ABOUT 10 BARGE TRIPS EACH DAY.
"THIS IS WELL WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS."
HE SAID THE BARGES USING THE SITE WOULD BE CONFINED TO THE WESTERN FAIRWAY AND WESTERN ENTRANCE TO THE TYPHOON SHELTER, THUS MINIMISING CONFLICT WITH OTHER VESSELS.
IN ADDITION, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WILL STEP UP TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE TYPHOON SHELTER BY DEMARCATING THE ANCHORAGE AREA TO SEPARATE BARGES AND FISHING VESSELS.
"THIS SHOULD AVOID CONFLICT BOTH DURING NORMAL WEATHER AND DURING TYPHOONS," HE ADDED.
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/10......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
10
CODES OF CONDUCT AGAINST MALPRACTICES
♦ * » » ♦
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE TWO EXCHANGES HAVE SO FAR NOT IDENTIFIED ANY EVIDENCE OF ACTIVITIES INVOLVING MEMBERS INVESTING ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT UPON ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE OF PENDING TRANSACTIONS.
NEITHER HAVE THEY IDENTIFIED MEMBERS INVESTING ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT ON ANY OTHER NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION THE DISCLOSURE OF WHICH WOULD BE EXPECTED TO AFFECT PRICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CARTLAND SAID THERE WERE PROVISIONS IN THE RESPECTIVE CODES OF CONDUCT OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD AND THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LTD STIPULATING AGAINST SUCH ACTIVITIES.
SIMILAR PROVISIONS ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CODES OF CONDUCT FOR REGISTERED PERSONS IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY BEING FINALISED BY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, HE SAID.
THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THE DRAFT CODES WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE EFFECTIVE ON FEBRUARY 1.
THE SECRETARY SAID FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUCH REQUIREMENTS WOULD RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS BY THE MARKET REGULATORS.
------0--------
NO FINANCIAL LINK BETWEEN AIRPORT RAILWAY AND MTR SYSTEM
THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE EXISTING MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (MTR) SYSTEM ARE TWO ENTIRELY SEPARATE PROJECTS AND THERE IS NO REASON TO LINK THE FINANCING OF THESE PROJECTS, SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM, MR BARMA SAID THE TWO PROJECTS DID NOT AFFECT OR PRECLUDE EACH OTHER.
’’THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WOULD BE FINANCED THROUGH INJECTION OF EQUITY BY GOVERNMENT, BORROWING BY THE MTRC AND PROFITS FROM AIRPORT RAILWAY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS.
’’THE EXPENDITURE OF $8 BILLION ON THE MTR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME HAS BEEN FULLY ALLOWED FOR IN THE CORPORATION’S FINANCIAL PLANS."
OF THE $8 BILLION, HE SAID, $6 BILLION CAN BE MET BY DEPRECIATION CHARGES MADE OVER THE YEARS, WHILE THE REMAINING $2 BILLION WILL BE FUNDED BY INTERNAL RESERVES AND BORROWINGS.
THIS WILL NOT AFFECT THE CORPORATION’S ABILITY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, MR BARMA SAID.
/’’IT IS ..........
11
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR MTRC TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE ITS EXISTING
SYSTEM SO THAT PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY A SAFE, FAST, RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT RAILWAY SERVICE.
"EVEN WITH THIS MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, THE CORPORATION EXPECTS THAT ANNUAL FARE ADJUSTMENTS CAN CONTINUE TO BE IN LINE WITH INFLATION,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
ICAC PROMOTES BUSINESS ETHICS * * * * *
A SPECIAL TEAM SET UP BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR TO ESTABLISH TIGHTER LINKS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS MADE INITIAL PROGRESS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG YING-YEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PROGRESS WERE MADE ON SEVERAL FRONTS BY THIS TEAM OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS.
FIRST, WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF SIX MAJOR CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, THE TEAM IS PREPARING A CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS ETHICS THIS MAY. THE CONFERENCE IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.
"IT AIMS TO GENERATE SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS LEADERS AND TO FORMULATE A SET OF GUIDELINES ON CORPORATE CODES OF CONDUCT FOR REFERENCE BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT LARGE,” MRS CHAN SAID.
INVITATIONS WILL BE SENT TO THE HEADS OF MORE THAN 300 ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, LISTED COMPANIES, LARGE PRIVATE COMPANIES, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND THE TRADE DEPARTMENTS OF CONSULATES.
THE SIX CO-ORGANISING CHAMBERS ARE THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HONG KONG CHINESE ENTERPRISES ASSOCIATION AND AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG.
THE TEAM ALSO HELPS LISTED COMPANIES AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS DESIGN INDIVIDUAL CODES OF CONDUCT, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
"THE TEAM AIMS TO HAVE APPROACHED ALL 480 LISTED COMPANIES BY THE END OF THIS YEAR," MRS CHAN SAID.
IT WILL THEN EXTEND ITS SERVICE TO 2,000 LARGE PRIVATE COMPANIES AND ALL TERTIARY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, SHE SAID.
ALSO, ICAC HAD EARLIER THIS MONTH COMPLETED FIELD WORK ON TWO SURVEYS, TARGETED SEPARATELY AT SENIOR BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, TO OBTAIN AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PERCEPTIONS AND VIEWS ON BUSINESS ETHICS IN HONG KONG.
THE FINDINGS, TO BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH, WILL HELP THE SPECIAL TEAM DEVELOP MORE LONG-TERM SERVICES FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, MRS CHAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 12 -
BORDER LIAISON CHANNELS CAN * * * * *
BE ACTIVATED QUICKLY *
THE HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES HAVE ESTABLISHED BORDER LIAISON CHANNELS WHICH CAN BE ACTIVATED VERY QUICKLY TO DEAL WITH INCIDENTS SUCH AS THE ONE THAT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 2 THIS YEAR INVOLVING HONG KONG CONTAINER TRUCK DRIVERS AND CHINESE SOLDIERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN.
MR BARMA SAID SUCH LIAISON CHANNELS HAD ON THAT OCCASION, FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE DRIVERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES AND HAD RESULTED IN THE CANCELLATION OF A PLANNED SLOW-DRIVE PROTEST.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, INVESTIGATION OF THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT IS A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES SINCE IT HAPPENED IN SHENZHEN.
NOTING THAT SMOOTH CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC WAS VITAL TO ECONOMIC WELL-BEING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO LIAISE WITH SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES THROUGH THE BORDER LIAISON MACHINERY TO TRY TO AVOID SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN THE FUTURE.
"IF PROBLEMS DO ARISE ON HONG KONG SIDE THEN, AS IN THE PAST, THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WILL CONFER AND MEDIATE WITH THE FREIGHT INDUSTRY AND DRIVERS’ REPRESENTATIVES WITH A VIEW TO SOLVING SUCH PROBLEMS IN THE QUICKEST AND MOST PRACTICAL MANNER POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
------0-------
SHING MUN BUS INTERCHANGE A SUCCESS
**»«♦»
THE BUS INTERCHANGE AT THE TSUEN WAN END OF THE SHING MUN TUNNELS HAS PROVEN TO BE A SUCCESS.
IT HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY PASSENGERS BECAUSE THEY CAN TRANSFER TO DIFFERENT ROUTES AT A BARGAIN FARE.
IT ALSO BENEFITS THE BUS COMPANY CONCERNED BECAUSE IT FACILITATES THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE TO PASSENGERS THROUGH THE RATIONALISATION OF BUS ROUTES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARMA NOTED THAT THE SUCCESSFUL WORKING OF A BUS INTERCHANGE AT A TUNNEL DEPENDED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
"THESE INCLUDE AN ADEQUATE AREA AT THE TUNNFL ENTRANCE FOR THE PROVISION OF PROPER LAYBYS AND THE NECESSARY WAITING AREAS AND PASSENGER SHELTERS.
/"A SUFFICIENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
13
’’A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF BUS ROUTES WITH DIFFERENT ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS PASSING THROUGH THE TUNNEL WAS NEEDED."
THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY FREE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE INTERCHANGE TO PREVENT "FREE RIDERS", AND THE BUS ROUTES CONCERNED SHOULD BE RUN BY A SINGLE BUS OPERATOR OTHERWISE THERE WOULD BE DIFFICULTIES OVER THE APPORTIONMENT OF FARES.
UNFORTUNATELY, MR BARMA SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE OR PRACTICAL TO PROVIDE BUS INTERCHANGES AT OTHER TUNNEL LOCATIONS BECAUSE THESE BASIC CRITERIA COULD NOT BE MET.
------0--------
MEDICAL INFLATION HIGHER THAN GENERAL INFLATION t t t ♦ *
MEDICAL INFLATION TENDS TO EXCEED GENERAL INFLATION DUE TO ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IN ADDITION, USE OF NEW TREATMENT MODALITIES AND THE NEED TO MEET RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO MEDICAL INFLATION.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID THE FEES AND CHARGES FOR PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICES WERE REVISED ANNUALLY TO REFLECT RISING COSTS.
SHE SAID: "HISTORICALLY, THE DAILY CHARGE FOR HOSPITAL GENERAL WARDS WAS SET AT A LEVEL TO REFLECT THE CATERING COSTS WHILST THE FEES CHARGED BY PUBLIC OUT-PATIENT CLINICS HAD ALWAYS BEEN BASED ON OPERATING COST."
THE FEE REVISION FOR GENERAL CLINICS FROM $21 TO $29 THIS YEAR HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT A PRICE CHANGE OF 11 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND TWO ONE-OFF FACTORS - ADOPTION OF A COMPREHENSIVE NEW COSTING SYSTEM COVERING ALL CLINICS OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE INITIAL REDUCTION IN THROUGHPUT CAUSED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF UNIT MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM IN 15 CLINICS TO ENHANCE PATIENT CARE, SHE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE EFFECT ON INFLATION OF THE PROPOSED FEE REVISION IN 1993/94, IT WAS ESTIMATED BY THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST TO BE A MINIMAL OF 0.0217 PER CENT.
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT FEES CHARGED FOR MEDICAL SERVICES HAD THEIR ORIGINS IN THE POST-WAR YEARS WHEN THEY WERE SET AT NOMINAL LEVELS.
"THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SUBSIDY FOR HOSPITAL BEDS AT 97 PER CENT AND FOR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AT 81 PER CENT ARE THUS A LEGACY OF THE PAST," SHE SAID.
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/14 .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
- 14 -
PLANS TO STEP UP HARBOUR MANAGEMENT
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT CONSTANTLY REVIEWS ITS OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, EQUIPMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT TO ENSURE THAT THEY REMAIN SUFFICIENT AND UP-TO-DATE IN MAINTAINING MAXIMUM SAFETY AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF THE HONG KONG WATERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ORDER TO STEP UP HARBOUR MANAGEMENT, MR SIU SAID THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAD OBTAINED FUNDING TO:
* SET UP A LOCAL MARINE TRAFFIC CONTROL STATION, WITH 26 NEW POSTS, A DEDICATED LAUNCH, RADAR AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, AT MA WAN IN 1995;
* SET UP A RADAR STATION AT KAU YI CHAU TO ENHANCE RADAR SURVEILLANCE OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR AND PROVIDE FULL RADAR COVERAGE OF KWAI CHUNG AND APPROACHES;
* BUY THREE QUICK REACTION PATROL BOATS WHICH WILL COME INTO SERVICE IN MID-1994; AND
* REPLACE FIVE OBSOLETE AND COST-INEFFECTIVE PATROL BOATS BY MID-1996.
MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO CONSIDER PHASING OUT AND REPLACING A FURTHER OF 11 LOCAL PATROL CRAFT; EXTENDING THE PATROL CAPABILITY IN THE PRINCIPAL FAIRWAYS AND ANCHORAGES; AND SETTING UP FURTHER LOCAL TRAFFIC CONTROL STATIONS AT THE NEW PORT DEVELOPMENTS OF CONTAINER TERMINALS NINE AND 10.
THERE WERE 368 MARITIME ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR, 70 PER CENT OF WHICH WERE MINOR IN NATURE WITH NO CASUALTIES.
THESE ACCIDENTS INVOLVED BOATS RANGING FROM LARGE OCEAN-GOING SHIPS TO SMALL MOTOR SAMPANS AND INCLUDED COLLISIONS, GROUNDINGS AND CAPSIZES OF VESSELS.
- 0----------
ACCURACY OF TRADE FIGURES ASSURED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT THE ACCURACY OF TRADE STATISTICS WAS NOT ONLY MAINTAINED BUT ALSO IMPROVED.
THE ASSURANCE WAS GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROGER LUK KOON-HOO.
/HONG KONG'S .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
15
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS ARE COMPILED ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION REPORTED ON IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS WHICH ARE MATCHED AGAINST CARGO MANIFESTS TO ENSURE THE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF GOODS IMPORTED AND EXPORTED.
’’GOODS REPORTED ON MANIFESTS BUT UNDECLARED WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND EVENTUALLY CAPTURED IN THE TRADE STATISTICS SYSTEM,” MR CARTLAND SAID.
’’BECAUSE SMUGGLED GOODS ARE NON-MANIFESTED, THEY DO NOT APPEAR IN THE TRADE STATISTICS AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ESTIMATE ACCURATELY THE VALUE OF GOODS SMUGGLED,” HE SAID.
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PLANS TO REVIEW OPERATION OF SHELTERED WORKSHOPS
» * ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO REVIEW THE CURRENT SHELTERED WORKSHOP SYSTEM IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG, MRS WONG SAID THE REVIEW WOULD ADDRESS ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.
"THE AIM IS TO MAKE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS MORE COMMERCIALLY ORIENTED, TO IMPROVE VOCATIONAL SKILLS OF SHELTERED WORKERS AND TO ENHANCE THEIR OPEN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES,” SHE ADDED.
LAST YEAR, OVER 500 DIFFERENT SOURCES OF JOB ORDERS WERE ACQUIRED BY SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, OF WHICH 95 PER CENT WERE FROM THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS AND THE REST FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
JOB ORDERS WERE OBTAINED EITHER BY WORKSHOP STAFF WHO DIRECTLY APPROACHED POTENTIAL JOB ORDER SUPPLIERS OR THROUGH REFERRAL BY OTHER JOB SUPPLIERS, SHELTER WORKSHOPS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WELFARE AGENCIES.
MAJOR PRODUCTS PLACED BY THESE ORDERS INCLUDED ASSEMBLING LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, TOYS, FAMILY CONSUMABLE AND STATIONERY; PACKAGING EATING UTENSIL SETS FOR FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS AND AIRLINE COMPANIES; TOILETRIES FOR HOTELS; GIFT SETS FOR SUPERMARKETS AND RETAIL SHOPS; PROCESSING MAILING PACKETS; SEWING; PRINTING; AND BOOK-BINDING.
THE MONTHLY INCOME OF WORKERS IN THE GOVERNMENT-RUN AND SUBVENTED SHELTERED WORKSHOPS RANGE FROM $500 TO $1,800, WITH A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF $700 PER PERSON.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
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RIVER TRADE TERMINAL PROJECT IN PROGRESS
THE SUBMISSIONS FOR THE RIVER TRADE TERMINAL AND VARIOUS TECHNICAL ISSUES INVOLVED WERE BEING EVALUATED WITH A VIEW TO DECIDE ON THE TIMING OF THE PROJECT AND THE MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST IN THE PROJECT AND TWO SUBMISSIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE INVITATION.
HE SAID THE RIVER TRADE TERMINAL PROJECT HAD NOT BEEN DEFERRED.
"PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT, IDEALLY, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE RIVER TRADE TERMINAL SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL BY THE LATTER PART OF 1997, IF POSSIBLE."
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LOCAL ROAD NETWORK TO COPE WITH ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC WILL BE REQUIRED.
"THESE INCLUDE THE WIDENING OF LUNG MUN ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BYPASS ALONG THE FOOTHILLS OF CASTLE PEAK," HE SAID.
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INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH MANPOWER ON RISE »»»»»»»
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF TRAINED PERSONNEL WHO WOULD BE QUALIFIED TO UNDERTAKE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MT T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID THIS WAS ONLY ONE OF THE MEANS USED TO FACILITATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK BY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THE NUMBER OF POST-GRADUATES IN SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES FROM LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ROSE FROM 196 IN 1989 TO 395 LAST YEAR, AND IS PROJECTED TO RISE TO 973 IN 1997.
AS FOR THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES, IT HAS INCREASED FROM 2,128 IN 1989 TO 3,087 LAST YEAR, AND IS PROJECTED TO RISE TO 7,465 BY 1997.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
17
IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR QUALITY OF TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) IS DEVISING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR ROAD TUNNELS AND TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES AND HAS ALSO COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO FORMULATE THE DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN SUCH FACILITIES.
THE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FRED LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (EIA) WERE CARRIED OUT ON THE SCENEWAY GARDEN DEVELOPMENT AND THE LAM TIN TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE IN 1988 AT THE PLANNING STAGE.
THE EIA FOR THE SCENEWAY GARDEN DEVELOPMENT CONFIRMED THE NEED FOR A PODIUM DECK STRADDLING LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO PROTECT RESIDENTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT FROM TRAFFIC NOISE AND THIS HAD ACHIEVED THE DESIRED EFFECT.
THE EIA ALSO INDICATED THAT A PROPERLY DESIGNED VENTILATING SYSTEM WOULD BE NEEDED TO MEET AIR QUALITY REQUIREMENTS.
HE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH NOISE LEVELS AT THE INTERCHANGE WERE HIGH, THEY WERE CONSIDERED TOLERABLE AS THEY WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE AT OTHER ROAD-SIDE LOCATIONS NEAR BUSY ROADS.
HOWEVER, THE AIR QUALITY THERE WAS UNACCEPTABLE EVEN THOUGH PASSENGERS WERE EXPOSED TO AIR POLLUTION FOR SHORT PERIODS ONLY MAINLY BECAUSE THE VENTILATION WAS INADEQUATE OR INEFFECTIVE.
MR EASON SAID IN THE SHORT TERM, IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR QUALITY AT THIS AND SIMILAR FACILITIES WOULD BE SOUGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC FACILITIES AND THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PRIVATE FACILITIES THROUGH BETTER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEMS.
"THE EPD IS CONSULTING THOSE CONCERNED ON THE FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING EXHAUST FANS.
’’TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY EMISSIONS, BUS DRIVERS HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED TO TURN OFF THEIR ENGINES WHILE WAITING AT THESE FACILITIES,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID IN THE LONG TERM, THE VENTILATION SYSTEMS, INCLUDING VENTILATING FANS, FRESH AIR IN-TAKES AND EXHAUST AIR DUCTS, MIGHT NEED TO BE UPGRADED TO ACHIEVE ACCEPTABLE AIR QUALITY STANDARDS.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
18
BRITAIN’S SOVEREIGNTY IN HK NOT ENCROACHED
» « » » ♦
THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF AN ENCROACHMENT OF BRITAIN’S SOVEREIGNTY IN HONG KONG REGARDING THE CASE OF HAN DONGFANG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
”WE HAVE ALREADY MADE OUR VIEWS ON THIS EPISODE CLEAR TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES,” MR ASPREY SAID.
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EDUCATION ADVISER FOR NURSING BOARD
*****
THE NURSING BOARD IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING ITS COMPOSITION AND, IF NECESSARY, A NEW EDUCATION ADVISER WILL BE APPOINTED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID SINCE 1982, THE NURSING BOARD HAD NOT REQUESTED THE SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION ADVISER.
’’THE POSITION HAS THEREFORE BEEN LEFT VACANT FOLLOWING THE RETIREMENT OF THE LAST EDUCATION ADVISER IN OCTOBER 1984,” SHE SAID.
THE EDUCATION ADVISER IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE NURSING BOARD.
HIS MAIN ROLE IS TO ADVISE THE BOARD ON EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR NURSES TRAINEES AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES FOR NURSES TRAINING.
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ALL VIET DETENTION CENTRES TO GO IN 1996
*****
IF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS’ PRESENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRENDS ARE MAINTAINED, ALL DETENTION CENTRES WILL BE CLOSED IN EARLY 1996, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE GREAT MAJORITY OF SOME 27,500 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ARE HOUSED IN THREE DETENTION CENTRES.
THOSE FROM THE SOUTH OF VIETNAM ARE IN THE TAI A CHAU AND HIGH ISLAND DETENTION CENTRES, AND THOSE FROM THE NORTH IN WHITEHEAD.
’’DEPENDING ON THE PACE OF REPATRIATION, WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE SOME SECTIONS OF WHITEHEAD, AND ONE OF THE CENTRES FOR THE SOUTHERN VIETNAMESE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR," MR ASPREY SAID.
/"THE TIMING ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994
19
"THE TIMING OF THE CLOSURE OF THE REMAINING CENTRES WILL PROBABLY COINCIDE WITH THE REPATRIATION OF THE LAST REMAINING VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN THE TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID NO ALTERNATIVE USE HAD YET BEEN DECIDED FOR THE DETENTION CENTRES THAT MAY BE CLOSED IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
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AMENDED MOTION ON ICAC’S POWERS PASSED
*****
AN AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW ON THE POWERS OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS PROPOSED BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH.
FOURTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR IN THE DEBATE AND THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SPOKE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
AN AMENDMENT MOVED BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE TO A MOTION ON MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE LONG-TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WAS ALSO PASSED.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, REPLIED TO THE POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS PROPOSED BY DR THE HON CONRAD 7 AM.
A TOTAL OF 19 MEMBERS SPOKE FOR TWO-AND-A-HALF HOURS IN THE DEBATE.
IN ADDITION, A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, UNDER BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
TWO BILLS - COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 - WERE PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
ANOTHER BILL, ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD BILL, WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
THREE OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BILL.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WORKING GROUP FORMED TO EXAMINE CAR GROWTH ..................... 1
HK BENEFITS FROM CHINESE MONETARY REFORMS ...................... 3
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES ................ 4
GREAT GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR FUND MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY ............ 7
HK HOLDS FIRST-EVER REGIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION .................. 7
GOVT HELPS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT ............................. 10
SAI KUNG NEW ROADS OPEN FOR TRAFFIC ........................... 11
LITERARY ARTS BUFFS INVITED TO ATTEND FORUM ................... 12
CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT ............. 13
WATER CUT OFF ON TSING YI TOMORROW ............................ 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
14
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
1
WORKING GROUP FORMED TO EXAMINE CAR GROWTH
* * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID A SMALL WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN FORMED WITHIN THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND DEPARTMENT TO EXAMINE PRACTICAL OPTIONS TO CONTROL TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND TO REDUCE CAR GROWTH.
SPEAKING AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION TODAY (THURSDAY) WHICH WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RAFAEL HUI AND THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR H S KWONG, MR BARMA SAID UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP, THE WORKING GROUP WOULD CONSIDER VARIOUS OPTIONS THAT WOULD KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING AND HOPE TO COME TO SOME PROPOSALS WITHIN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.
HE SAID: "THE MEDIA HAVE BEEN MOST HELPFUL IN GENERATING DISCUSSION ON THE SUBJECT AND WE WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THESE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY READERS AND IN EDITORIALS."
MR BARMA SAID ALTHOUGH STUDIES SHOWED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD MANAGED TO MAINTAIN THE AVERAGE VEHICLE SPEEDS ON THE ROADS, TRAFFIC CONDITION WOULD WORSEN STEADILY IF VEHICLES WERE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO GROW AT THE PRESENT RATE OF CLOSE TO 12 PER CENT ANNUALLY.
"IT IS NOT AN EASY DECISION WHEN YOU COME TO A CHOICE OF HOW TO BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF ROAD USERS AND CAR OWNERS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, A METHOD OF INTRODUCING A QUOTA SYSTEM AND THE IMPLICATIONS HAVE TO BE FULLY STUDIED. SHOULD IT BE BY TENDER OR BALLOT? WOULD THIS RESULT IN A BLACK MARKET? WHAT ABOUT ESSENTIAL USERS?"
PROPOSALS ABOUT THE ISSUE OF WEEKEND LICENCES AND A BAN ON CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF VEHICLES FROM CERTAIN ROADS AT CERTAIN TIME OF THE DAY ARE ALSO OPTIONS. BUT THEY MAY POSE ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS, HE SAID.
"WE NOTICE THAT THE PUBLIC VIEWS ARE DIVIDED ON HOW TO GO ABOUT REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION."
SOME ARE IN FAVOUR OF TAXING THE ROAD USERS MORE WHILE OTHERS SUGGEST TO DOUBLE OR EVEN TRIPLE THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEM BY BUILDING MORE ROADS AND TUNNELS.
"BUT, AS THE GOVERNOR SAID IN HIS LAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THERE IS A LIMIT TO ROAD BUILDING. NO MATTER HOW ACTIVE AND IMAGINATIVE OUR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IS AND HOW AMBITIOUS OUR ROAD BUILDING PROGRAMME IS, THERE COMES A POINT WHEN HARD CHOICES AND UNPOPULAR DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE."
MR BARMA SAID A STEER WOULD BE SOUGHT FROM THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) AND THE VIEWS OF THE LEGCO TRANSPORT PANEL WOULD ALSO BE SOUGHT ONCE THE WORKING GROUP HAS COME UP WITH PROPOSALS.
/MEMBERS OF .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
2
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP INCLUDE THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARIES FOR TRANSPORT. THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FINANCE BRANCH AND THE POLICE WILL BE CO-OPTED WHENEVER NECESSARY.
ON A PROPOSAL TO BUILD A SECTION OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY FIRST TO TSING YI, MR BARMA SAID THIS WAS NOT FINANCIALLY VIABLE BECAUSE THIS PART OF THE LINE WAS MOST COSTLY TO BUILD AND WOULD NOT ATTRACT MANY NEW PASSENGERS.
"OUR POSITION REMAINS TO OBTAIN EARLY AGREEMENT FROM THE CHINESE TO ALLOW THE ENTIRE LINE TO BE BUILT."
TURNING TO THE TAXI POLICY REVIEW, MR BARMA WELCOMED THE TAC’S DECISION TO ENDORSE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF ITS WORKING PARTY THAT HAVE BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY THE TRADE AND THE PUBLIC.
THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WILL MAKE A SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITHIN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS, HE SAID.
ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO BUILDING MORE THAN 90 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND EXPENDITURE ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR WOULD AMOUNT TO $9 BILLION, REPRESENTING A 30 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1993.
HE SAID: "WORK IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY ON THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND OTHER ACP (AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME) - RELATED ROAD PROJECTS. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RECEIVING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TING KAU BRIDGE WHICH WILL BE FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ALSO TENDERS FOR THE ROUTE-3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION WHICH WILL BE BUILT ON A BOT (BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER) MODEL."
OTHER MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS DUE TO START IN THE YEAR WILL INCLUDE THE SMITHFIELD EXTENSION - A FAST ROUTE LINKING POK FU LAM AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT WITH THE NEW WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WIDENING OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD FROM A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY TO THREE LANES IN EACH DIRECTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CLIMBING LANES ON THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.
ON THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY, MR BARMA SAID FOLLOWING THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, TWO ADDITIONAL STUDIES WERE BEING UNDERTAKEN -ONE TO LOOK AT A PROPOSAL TO BUILD AN EXTENSION OF THE WESTERN CORRIDOR TO TUEN MUN AND THE OTHER TO EXAMINE THE RAILWAY NEEDS IN THE EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG.
"RESULTS OF THESE TWO STUDIES WILL HELP US TO PREPARE A DRAFT RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
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3
HK BENEFITS FROM CHINESE MONETARY REFORMS *****
THE MONETARY REFORM MEASURES BEING IMPLEMENTED BY CHINA WILL OVERALL BENEFIT HONG KONG IN THE LONG RUN, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA), MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON "MONETARY DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG” AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE FRENCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, MR YAM NOTED THAT WITH THE HONG KONG ECONOMY BEING INCREASINGLY INTEGRATED WITH THAT OF CHINA, ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY TO A LARGE EXTENT WERE INFLUENCED BY DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA.
"THE MONETARY REFORM MEASURES WILL CONSIDERABLY STRENGTHEN CHINA’S MONETARY SYSTEM AND IN TIME ENABLE INFLATION TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.
"THIS IS A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR THE RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA TO BE SUSTAINED IN THE LONGER TERM.
"THE PATH WILL I THINK BECOME LESS BUMPY. WITH LESS VOLATILITY IN THE ECONOMY OF CHINA THERE WILL BE LESS SHOCKS AND DISRUPTIVE CRISES FOR HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR YAM ADDED THAT WITH THE ROLE NOW HONG KONG WAS PLAYING AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE AT THE DOOR STEPS OF CHINA, A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS CHINA WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY MEAN MORE BUSINESS FOR HONG KONG.
"AS THE BANKS TN CHINA BECOME COMMERCIALISED, THEY WILL ALSO START TO LOOK TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET. NATURALLY THEY WOULD WANT A PRESENCE TN HONG KONG AND MAKE USE OF THE VERY MUCH INTERNATIONALISED FINANCIAL MARKETS OF HONG KONG. SO WOULD BANKS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WANTING TO DO BUSINESS WITH CHINA.
"AND AS THE BANKING SYSTEM IN CHINA OPENS UP, BANKS IN HONG KONG TOO WILL HAVE ATTRACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING THEIR ACTIVITIES INTO CHINA," HE SAID.
MR YAM ADDED THAT HONG KONG CLEARLY HAD A USEFUL ROLE TO PLAY, TRANSFERRING THE SKILLS AND TECHNOLOGY NECESSARY TO ASSIST AND SPEED UP THE REFORM PROCESS.
"THERE IS THEREFORE A NEED FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITIES OF HONG KONG AND CHINA, AND PARTICULARLY BETWEEN THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY AND THE PEOPLE’S BANK OF CHINA, SO THAT BOTH COULD GAIN A BETTER APPRECIATION OF THE INTRICACIES OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO MONETARY SYSTEMS.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CHINA TAKES FULL ACCOUNT OF THE POSSIBLE IMPACT ON, AND THE POTENTIAL OF, HONG KONG IN ITS MONETARY DEVELOPMENT.
"IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THIS DEVELOPMENT, SO THAT WE KNOW HOW TO COPE AND CONTRIBUTE OUR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
4
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES
« » » t »
HONG KONG IS COMMITTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION OF PROTECTING ENDANGERED SPECIES, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR FRANK LAU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN ON THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, MR LAU SAID THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS WERE REGULATED IN HONG KONG IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
THE ORDINANCE GIVES EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY APPROVED THE REPLACEMENT OF SCHEDULES OF THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE UNDER ITS CONTROL A NUMBER OF SPECIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITES REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
THE NEW ADDITIONS INCLUDE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR, CERTAIN SPECIES OF BIRDS, ORNAMENTAL PLANTS AND HARDWOOD TREES.
MR LAU SAID THE DETAILED LIST WOULD BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
"ALSO, IN RESPECT OF TIGER PRODUCTS, WE HAVE DECIDED TO IMPOSE TIGHTER CONTROL. FROM TOMORROW IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE FOR ANYONE TO IMPORT OR EXPORT MEDICINES CONTAINING, OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN, TIGER INGREDIENTS.
"THIS IS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST OF THE CITES SECRETARIAT THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO HALT THE TRADE IN MEDICINES CONTAINING TIGER INGREDIENTS SINCE POPULATIONS OF TIGER ARE AT CRITICALLY LOW LEVEI.S OWING TO POACHING AND SMUGGLING OF TIGER PARTS AND DERIVATIVES FOR THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE MARKET."
TIGER MEDICINE IS THE SECOND TYPE OF MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN INGREDIENTS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES WHICH IS SUBJECT TO CONTROL IN HONG KONG, MR LAU POINTED OUT.
THE ONE ALREADY SUBJECT TO STRINGENT CONTROL IS MEDICINE CONTAINING OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS.
ALSO, UNDER THE REVISED SCHEDULES, ALL SPECIES OF BEAR WILL BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL, THE NEW ADDITION BEING THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR. IT IS ALSO SPECIFIED THAT GALL BLADDER AND BILE OF BEARS WILL BE CONTROLLED.
TO DETER ILLICIT TRADE ON PROHIBITED ENDANGERED SPECIES, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING INCREASING THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR INFRINGING THE ORDINANCE AND PROVIDING IMPRISONMENT PENALTY FOR EVEN THE FIRST OFFENCE.
AT PRESENT, ANY PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF IMPORTING, EXPORTING OR POSSESSING ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $25,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION, AND $50,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
/REVIEWING THE .......
5
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
REVIEWING THE CONTROL OF ENDANGERED SPECIES TRADE IN THE PAST YEAR, MR LAU SAID ENFORCEMENT WORK HAD BEEN STEPPED UP SINCE THE LAST QUARTER OF 1993 FOLLOWING REPORTS OF INCREASING ILLEGAL TRADE IN RHINO PRODUCTS IN THE ASIAN REGION AND DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY.
THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 426 CASES OF SEIZURES OF ENDANGERED SPECIES IN 1993, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 60 PER CENT OVER THE 256 CASES IN 1992.
THE SEIZURES WERE MADE BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AT ENTRY POINTS AND BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL RETAIL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS.
’’THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SEIZURES IS THE RESULT OF A SERIES OF INSPECTION AND SEARCHES CONDUCTED AT CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOPS BELIEVED TO BE SELLING MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS,” MR LAU SAID.
IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS, 1,205 SHOPS WERE INSPECTED AND MORE THAN 2,000 SMALL PACKETS OF MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS, IN ADDITION TO TWO PIECES OF RHINO HORNS AND SOME 6.7 KILOGRAMS OF CLAIMED RHINO HIDES WERE SEIZED FROM 114 SHOPS.
SO FAR, 16 OWNERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED AND MORE PROSECUTIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
IN ONE OF THE CASES, A SHOP OWNER WAS FINED $5,000 FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF THREE SMALL PACKETS OF RHINO MEDICINE AND IN ANOTHER CASE A MAN WAS FINED $4,000 FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF SEVEN CLAIMED TIGER PENISES.
"OUR ENFORCEMENT WORK ALSO COVERED OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES, MR LAU SAID.
OTHER MAJOR ITEMS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES SEIZED LAST YEAR INCLUDED:
LIVE SPECIMEN
SLOW LORIS (17 HEADS)
OWL (EIGHT HEADS)
PARROT (29 HEADS)
LIZARD (11 HEADS)
TORTOISE (65 HEADS)
SNAKE (386 HEADS)
GIANT SALAMANDER (27 HEADS)
ASIATIC BONY TONGUE FISH (252 TAILS)
CORAL (13 PIECES)
GIANT CLAM (10 HEADS)
ORCHID (166 PIECES)
PARTS AND PRODUCT
STUFFED PANGOLIN (SEVEN HEADS) CLAIMED TIGER PARTS
(277 PIECES)
CLAIMED PANGOLIN SCALE
(12.35 KG)
CLAIMED MUSK GRAIN (137.98 GM)
SEAL SKIN (405 PIECES)
OTTER SKIN (688 PIECES)
FOX SKIN (20 PIECES)
LIZARD SKIN (37.8 KG AND
2003 PIECES)
CROCODILE MEAT (1411 KG)
CROCODILE SKIN (359 PIECES)
PYTHON MEAT (1001 KG)
CORAL SKELETON (1512 KG)
GIANT CLAM SHELL (40 PIECES)
/THERE WERE .......
6
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
THERE WERE ALSO IVORY, STUFFED SPECIMENS OF FISHING CAT, LIVE AND STUFFED BEAR, CLAIMED VICUNA CLOTH, STUFFED WOLF, FOX AND ZEBRA SKIN, LIVE AND STUFFED EAGLE, CLAIMED CROCODILE PARTS AND SKIN, AND LIVE PYTHON AND OTHER SNAKES.
AN ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE, HAS BEEN RECENTLY CONVENED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT OF CONTROLS OVER TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THE GROUP HAS MET SEVERAL TIMES TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES INCLUDING NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.
MR LAU SAID IT HAD STRENGTHENED GOVERNMENT’S INTELLIGENCE GATHERING SYSTEM ON ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES AND COORDINATION IN ENFORCEMENT WORK.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OF THE ITEMS SEIZED, SOME WERE FOUND TO BE FAKE.
TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, HE SAID AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME WOULD BE LAUNCHED IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THIS COVERS TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AS WELL AS POSTERS AND LEAFLETS PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO TARGET AT TRADERS OF CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOPS, TOUR GUIDES AND CROSS-BORDER LORRY DRIVERS.
PUBLICITY MATERIALS WILL ALSO BE PUT UP AT THE AIRPORT, ENTRY POINTS AND KCR STATIONS TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE PENALTIES OF NON-COMPLIANCE.
THE PUBLICITY PACKAGE WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A LONG-TERM PROGRAMME AIMED AT EDUCATING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF THE NEED TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES THROUGH SEMINARS, TALKS, AND SLIDE AND VIDEO SHOWS.
TO PROTECT THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES FROM EXTINCTION, MR LAU URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOT TO BUY OR SEL1 ANY OF THESE ILLEGAL PRODUCTS.
MOREOVER, BUFFALO HORN CAN BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR RHINO HORN IN THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE.
IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR EVEN POSSESS ANY OF THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE.
HE CALLED ON ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION ON SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES TO REPORT TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL CONSERVATION SECTION OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ON TEL 733 2282.
------0-------
/7......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
GREAT GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR FUND MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THERE WOULD BE FURTHER IMPETUS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE FUND MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE SUNDAY MORNING POST FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY, HE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEME ORDINANCE LAST YEAR PROVIDED A WELL-REGULATED ENVIRONMENT, GENERATING NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS.
HE SAID THIS GROWTH WOULD BE GOING HAND TN HAND WITH THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION.
SIR HAMISH POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHEME WOULD COMPLEMENT RATHER THAN REPLACE THE VOLUNTARY APPROACH TO RETIREMENT PROTECTION.
’’PERSONAL CHOICE ABOUT SAVINGS IS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE.
’’THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME PROVIDES SOMETHING DIFFERENT - A PENSION AS A RIGHT FOR OUR ELDERLY, SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD AS OUR ECONOMY PROGRESSES,” HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT PRIVATE PENSION FUND SCHEMES WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART FOR THOSE WHO WISHED TO MAKE BETTER PROVISION FOR THEIR RETIREMENT AND THERE WOULD BE IMMENSE BUSINESS POTENTIAL FOR THE FUND MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY.
---------0-----------
HK HOLDS FIRST-EVER REGIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION *****
HONG KONG WILL HOLD ITS FIRST-EVER REGIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION FROM FEBRUARY 18 - 21 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
SOME 140 SALES BOOTHS HAVE BEEN TAKEN UP BY OVERSEAS POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS, AND LOCAL AND OVERSEAS STAMP DEALERS, THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MISS NANCY LAW, SAID.
THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WILL SET UP A SALES COUNTER TO SELL PHILATELIC ITEMS. AS THE COUNTER IS NOT A TEMPORARY POST OFFICE, OTHER SERVICES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.
’’TWO PROMINENT SECURITY PRINTERS, LEIGH-MARDON PTY LTD OF AUSTRALIA AND JOH ENSCHEDE OF THE NETHERLANDS, WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE BY SHOWING PART OF THE STAMP PRINTING PROCESS,” SHE SAID.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF THE CENTRE, 1 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE OPENING HOURS ARE:
/DATE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
8
DATE OPENING HOURS
FEBRUARY 18 FEBRUARY 19 FEBRUARY 20 FEBRUARY 21 NOON - 7 PM 10 AM - 7 PM 10 AM - 7 PM 10 AM - 4 PM
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG ’94 STAMP EXHIBITION, MISS LAW ANNOUNCED THAT A $5 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET - "A STAMP IS BORN" - WOULD BE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 18.
THIS SHEETLET SHOWS THE PROGRESSIVE PRINTING PROCESS OF A $5 DEFINITIVE STAMP TN FOUR DIFFERENT COLOUR INKS - LIGHT GREEN, DARK GREEN, ULTRA-VIOLET FLUORESCENT AND BLACK.
IT IS DESIGNED BY MR ARDE LAM AND PRINTED BY LEIGH-MARDON PTY LTD OF AUSTRALIA.
THE SHEETLET WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES (EXCEPT AIRPORT POST OFFICE) AND AT THE POST OFFICE SALES COUNTERS AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE. ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE, EACH CUSTOMER CAN BUY ONLY 10 SHEETLETS.
OFFICIAL SOUVENIR COVERS COMPLEMENTING THIS SHEETLET WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES (EXCEPT AIRPORT POST OFFICE) AT $1 EACH FROM FEBRUARY 8.
HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING THE ’FIRST DAY’ INDICATION ON FEBRUARY 18 AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE AND AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
MISS LAW SAID FOUR ATTRACTIVE PICTORIAL POSTMARKS WOULD BE INTRODUCED ON DIFFERENT DAYS DURING THE EXHIBITION PERIOD. THEY ARE:
DATE POSTMARK REMARKS
FEBRUARY 18 HONG KONG ’94 DAY AVAILABLE AT HONG KONG ’94 EXHIBITION AND ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT AIRPORT POST OFFICE
FEBRUARY 19 YOUTH DAY ONLY AVAILABLE AT HONG KONG ’94 EXHIBITION
FEBRUARY 20 STAMP COLLECTING DAY ONLY AVAILABLE AT HONG KONG ’94 EXHIBITION
FEBRUARY 21 F.I.A.P. DAY ONLY AVAILABLE AT HONG KONG ’94 EXHIBITION
CUSTOMERS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN THE SPECIAL POSTMARKS FOR FEBRUARY 19, 20 AND 21 MAY PRESENT THEIR COVERS AT THE SPECIAL DATESTAMPING COUNTER AT THE EXHIBITION ON THE RESPECTIVE DAY.
/ALTERNATIVELY, IF .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
9
ALTERNATIVELY, IF CUSTOMERS DO NOT WISH TO PATRONISE THE EXHIBITION EVERY DAY, THEY MAY, ON THEIR FIRST VISIT, POST THEIR COVERS AT THE SPECIAL POSTING BOXES INSIDE THE EXHIBITION VENUE.
THERE WILL BE A SEPARATE POSTING BOX FOR EACH POSTMARK AND THE APPROPRIATE BOX WILL BE CLOSED AT THE END OF THE RESPECTIVE DAY.
A CACHET WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED DURING THE FOUR DAYS FOR GENERAL CANCELLATION PURPOSES.
OTHER SPECIAL PHILATELIC PRODUCTS ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE THE EXHIBITION INCLUDE:
HOLOGRAM POSTCARDS SERIES NO. 1 AND 2
TWO POSTCARDS, INCORPORATING HOLOGRAM IN THE DESIGN, NUMBERED AS HONG KONG POST OFFICE HOLOGRAM POSTCARD SERIES NO. 1 AND 2, WILL BE RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 15. THE PRICE IS $6 FOR THE SET.
THESE POSTCARDS ALSO BEAR A POSTAGE-PAID INSIGNIA ON THE ADDRESS SIDE TO INDICATE THAT LOCAL POSTAGE HAS BEEN PAID. THE POSTAGE-PAID INSIGNIA IS THE HONG KONG '94 LOGO.
THE POSTCARDS WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT AIRPORT POST OFFICE FROM FEBRUARY 15. HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. NO SPECIAL POSTMARK WILL BE INTRODUCED.
MISS LAW SAID FULL DETAILS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED CLOSER TO THE ISSUE DATE.
TWIN PACKS
TWO SPECIALLY DESIGNED TWIN PACKS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED FOR SALE AT THE POST OFFICE SALES COUNTER AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE. THEY ARE:
* 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ACCESSION OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II AND 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II - III IS PACK CONTAINS THE TWO SETS OF STAMPS RELEASED FOR THESE SUBJECTS. THE SELLING PRICE IS $44 PER PACK.
* CHINESE OPERA AND CHINESE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - THIS PACK CONTAINS THE TWO SETS OF STAMPS ISSUED ON THESE SUBJECTS. THE SELLING PRICE IS $33 PER PACK.
/TRIPLE PACK .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
10
TRIPLE PACK
THIS PACK, ALSO ON SALE ONLY AT THE EXHIBITION, CONTAINS ONE EACH OF THE STAMP PRODUCTS RELEASED FOR HONG KONG ’94. THEY INCLUDE:
♦ $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET (NO. 6) ’’VISIT HONG KONG ’94”;
♦ $5 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET (NO. 8) ”A STAMP IS BORN”; AND
♦ HOLOGRAM POSTCARDS SERIES NO. 1 AND 2.
THE SELLING PRICE IS $40 PER PACK.
EXHIBITION PASSPORT
THIS IS A PRODUCT ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG PHILATELIC SOCIETY. IT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ONLY AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE.
------0--------
GOVT HELPS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN HELPING THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO MOVE UP THE TECHNOLOGY AND VALUE-ADDED LADDER, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MISS YUE SAID TN RECENT YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EMBARKED ON A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES.
"ONE SUCH INITIATIVE IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, WHICH IS ALREADY PROVIDING INCUBATION FACILITIES FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED START-UP COMPANIES, AND WHICH WILL MOVE INTO PURPOSE-BUILT PREMISES LATER THIS YEAR.
’’ANOTHER IS THE $200 MILLION APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, ESTABLISHED A YEAR AGO, TO PROVIDE MATCHING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL COMPANIES IN THEIR PURSUIT OF DOWNSTREAM RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT,” SHE SAID.
SO FAR, $15 MILLION HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR FOUR PROJECTS.
MISS YUE SAID A THIRD INITIATIVE WAS, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE PROVISION OF AN ADDITIONAL $180 MILLION IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES.
NOTING THAT THE FUND WOULD BE OPERATED ON AN APPLICATION BASTS, MISS YUE URGED ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS INDUSTRY-SUPPORT BODIES, TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
/ALL SUBMISSIONS .......
11
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
ALL SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AN ADVISORY BODY TO THE GOVERNMENT ON INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT MATTERS, SHE SAID.
TO FACILITATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OPERATES SIX INVESTMENT PROMOTION UNITS IN NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE AND JAPAN WITH A PRIMARY FUNCTION OF ATTRACTING FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, AND HENCE BRINGING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
ANOTHER PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER WAS THE GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, WHICH OFFERED PRACTICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY IN A WIDE RANGE OF TECHNOLOGIES, MISS YUE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE, INDUSTRIES ALSO NEEDED A VERSATILE AND INDUSTRIOUS WORKFORCE, WITH SKILLS THAT COULD MEET THE CHANGING REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
"TOWARDS THIS END, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY THE ALLOCATION FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, MISS YUE SAID THE POTENTIAL FOR LEVERAGING ON THE TECHNOLOGIES AND EXPERTS IN CHINA WAS NEVER MORE OBVIOUS.
"IN THIS REGARD, THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS RECENT POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HAS STATED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION INTENDED TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THE CREATION OF AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE, DRAWING TOGETHER THE EXPERTISE OF OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND OF THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES."
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY WILL SHORTLY BE MEETING WITH HEADS OF THE LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO DISCUSS HOW BEST TO TAKE THIS MATTER FORWARD, SHE SAID.
MISS YUE NOTED THAT ANOTHER OBVIOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS THE HUGE MARKET IN CHINA FOR INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED CONSUMER GOODS.
"IN FACT, SOME HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVOTING MARKETING AND SALES EFFORTS TO THEIR OWN BRAND NAME PRODUCTS IN CHINA," SHE ADDED.
------0-------
SAI KUNG NEW ROADS OPEN FOR TRAFFIC *****
FOUR ROADS IN SAI KUNG CREEK IN SAI KUNG WILL BE OPEN TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AFTER 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES.
THEY ARE ROADS 3A, 3B, 3C AND 3D.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS NEXT TO ROAD 3B AND THE CAR PARK ON ROAD 3C WILL BE DISIGNATED A BAN ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY.
------0--------
/12 ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
12
LITERARY ARTS BUFFS INVITED TO ATTEND FORUM
»»»»»♦
THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP IS INVITING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN LITERARY ARTS TO TAKE PART IN A FORUM THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 29) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THIS IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC FORUMS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP.
THE FORUMS AIM TO OBTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING IDEAS AND NEW INITIATIVES THAT THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SHOULD TAKE IN ORDER TO FURTHER THE DEVELOPMENT OF LITERARY ARTS IN HONG KONG IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE FORUM IS:
9 AM - 11 AM : SPEECH
SPEAKER
♦ PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN HONG KONG
♦ PROMOTION OF HONG KONG LITERATURE
I
» THE NEEDS OF LITERARY ARTISTS
* RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LITERATURE, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
» URBAN COUNCIL AND THE PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN HONG KONG
DR LEUNG PING-KWAN
MR LIU YI-CHANG
MS FLORA WONG
MS LO WAI-LUEN
MR JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT
11 AM - NOON
* REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN HONG KONG j? '• ‘ ’
t PROMOTION OF LITERATURE
IN SCHOOLS
* PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN SCHOOLS
RESPONSES FROM FLOOR
MR TING YIN-WAH
MISS SUSANNA CHEUNG
MRS SIN CHOW DICK-YEE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE THEME OF THIS FORUM.
THE MODERATOR OF THE FORUM IS MR VINCENT CHOW, A MEMBER OF THE WORKING GROUP.
------0--------
/13........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
13
CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT *******
A NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES REVOLVING AROUND THE THEMES OF RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION HAVE BEEN HELD IN 1992/93.
THEY ARE OUTLINED IN AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT DETAILS THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINED THE BACKGROUND TO THE FORMATION OF THE COMMITTEE IN 1986, ITS COMPOSITION, AS WELL AS THE OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT CARRIES SUMMARIES OF DISCUSSIONS FOCUSING ON THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND YOUTHS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION, AND THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR IN HONG KONG IN RELATION TO THE 1991 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DIRECT ELECTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUMMARIES SHOULD PROVIDE TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND WORKERS OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WITH USEFUL REFERENCE MATERIAL.
THOSE INTERESTED CAN OBTAIN COPIES, FREE OF CHARGE, FROM THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE ON THE 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 835 1529.
COPIES WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES, SECONDARY SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUT OFF ON TSING YI TOMORROW *****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES ON TSING YI WILL GO OFF FROM 9 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO 9 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
- - 0 - -
/14
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1994
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » * » »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,150
REVERSAL OF LAF +850
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -51°
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,490
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 127.0 »+0.0* 27.1.94
KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
HONG
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.86 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.18 3.64
1 MONTH 2.88 19 MONTHS 2508 4.265 101.23 3.84
3 MONTHS 2.97 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.23 4.06
6 MONTHS 3.09 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.24 4.55
12 MONTHS 3.42 36 MONTHS 3701 4.60 100.07 4.63
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 9,162 MN
CLOSED 27 JANUARY 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
NEW PROPOSALS FOR NEXT AIRPORT MEETING: GOVERNOR ................ 1
FS COMMENTS ON AIRPORT FINANCING ................................ 2
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING SOUTHERN DISTRICT ...................................................... 4
GOVERNOR TOURS SOUTHERN DISTRICT ................................ 6
COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 ................................ 7
MORE FUNDS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES ................................. 7
PROVISIONAL FIGURES ON EXTERNAL TRADE FOR DECEMBER .............. 8
TRADE DIRECTOR TO ATTEND APEC MEETING IN JAKARTA ............... 10
MORE ENDANGERED SPECIES COME UNDER CONTROL ..................... 11
ESCALATOR SYSTEM ADDS NEW DIMENSION TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ..................................................... 12
CONSTRUCTION OF OUTFALL DIFFUSER PIPELINE PROPOSED ............. 13
TWO LOTS FOR SALE .............................................. 13
TWO WATER PROJECTS FOR NT ...................................... 14
DREDGING WORKS OFF NINEPIN ISLANDS ............................ 14
BUILDING CONTRACT FOR GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AWARDED .............. 15
200TH BATCH OF VMS RETURNS HOME ................................ 16
AIDS TRUST FUND SPONSORS ATTENDANCE AT JAPAN CONFERENCE .... 16
/JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT ....
JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT AT POKFULAM ROAD .......................... 17
IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED FOR PAT HEUNG ACCESS ROAD ................. 17
TENDERS CALLED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL .............. 18
FEES TO BE REVISED UNDER TWO REGULATIONS ....................... 18
JUDICIARY FEES TO GO UP ........................................ 22
NEW KCRC BUS ROUTES ............................................ 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
23
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
- 1 -
NEW PROPOSALS FOR NEXT AIRPORT MEETING: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON SAID THE BRITISH SIDE WANTED A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE AND WOULD BE PUTTING FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS ON AIRPORT FINANCING AT THAT MEETING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR SAID:"WE’VE MADE THREE DIFFERENT SETS OF PROPOSALS ON AIRPORT FINANCING AT VARIOUS TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CHINESE SIDE HAS NEVER FOUND IT POSSIBLE TO RESPOND POSITIVELY.
"SO, WE’VE HAD TO GET ON BUILDING THE AIRPORT OURSELVES WHICH WE’VE BEEN DOING AS RAPIDLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE WITH ABOUT $45 BILLION WORTH OF THE PROJECTS NOW LET AND WITH THE WORK GOING AHEAD AHEAD OF TIME AND WITHIN COST, RATHER LOWER IN COST IN MANY CASES."
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE BRITISH SIDE HAD BEEN CALLING FOR SOME TIME FOR ANOTHER MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
"WE WANT A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE AND AT THAT MEETING, WE WILL BE PUTTING FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS. WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THEM IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"WE WILL PUT FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS AND IT WILL BE THEN VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW POSITIVE CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE ABOUT SAFEGUARDING THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"IT WON’T BE THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION WHICH SUFFERS IF WE DON’T GET THE AIRPORT BUILT AT THE SORT OF TIME WE’D LIKE. I’LL TELL YOU WHO WILL SUFFER. IT WILL BE THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT AND FUTURE HONG KONG TAXPAYERS.
"SO, THE MORE RAPIDLY WE CAN GET ON WITH THESE MATTERS THE BETTER."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE ALLEGED SECRET DEAL ON THE AIRPORT, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT HIS PREDECESSOR, LORD WILSON, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE WHEN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS PUBLISHED HAD SAID EXPLICITLY THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO SECRET DEAL WHATSOEVER.
"THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA IS THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND THAT SAYS WHAT IT SAYS," HE EMPHASISED.
------0------------
/2........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
2
FS COMMENTS ON AIRPORT FINANCING * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY: "WE ARE ASTONISHED BY REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE IT WAS CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD DURING SIR PERCY CRADOCK’S TALKS IN PEKING THAT THE $5 BILLION LIMIT ON HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BORROWINGS APPLIED ALSO TO BORROWINGS BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) AND MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC).
"LET US BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR: THERE WAS NO SECRET UNDERSTANDING ON THE MEANING OF THE $5 BILLION HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BORROWING CLAUSE IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU).
"THE ONLY DEAL THAT WAS MADE WAS THE MOU ITSELF WHICH WAS MADE PUBLIC ON JULY 4, 1991.
"IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT THIS REPORTED SECRET UNDERSTANDING HAS NOT BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE, NEITHER IN PUBLIC NOR IN PRIVATE, DURING THE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS THAT HAVE ELAPSED SINCE THE MOU WAS PUBLISHED.
"THE MOU SAYS THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ’WILL BE FREE TO BORROW AS NECESSARY’, WHILE INFORMING THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OF BORROWINGS UP TO $5 BILLION. IT THEN SAYS THAT *A COMMON VIEW’ WILL HAVE TO BE REACHED TO GO ABOVE THE $5 BILLION.
"BUT THAT CLAUSE ONLY REFERS TO BORROWING BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, NOT BORROWINGS BY THE PAA AND MTRC.
"THOSE WHO ARGUE, AGAINST THE PLAIN MEANING OF THE WORDS, THAT BORROWING BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INCLUDES BORROWING BY THE PAA AND MTRC, CONVENIENTLY OVERLOOK ANOTHER CLAUSE OF THE MOU. THIS REQUIRES CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE BEFORE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ’GUARANTEES AIRPORT RELATED DEBT STRADDLING JUNE 30, 1997’.
"THIS IS THE CLAUSE THAT DEALS WITH NON-GOVERNMENT DEBT, NOT THE CLAUSE ON THE $5 BILLION. I SHOULD ALSO ADD THAT WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO GUARANTEE ANY PAA AND MTRC BORROWINGS BECAUSE THE PROJECTS ARE SO STRONG FINANCIALLY THAT SUCH GUARANTEES ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE NEEDED.
"SO THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT BORROWINGS BY THE PAA AND MTRC ARE OUTSIDE THE $5 BILLION FIGURE. THIS WAS MADE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR BY SENIOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT THE TIME, AND HAS BEEN RESTATED MANY TIMES EVER SINCE.
"THIS COMMON SENSE INTERPRETATION IS ALSO ENTIRELY IN LINE WITH THE WHOLE HISTORY OF THE AIRPORT TALKS AT THE TIME."
SIR HAMISH SAID FROM THE TIME WHEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FIRST ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH THE AIRPORT, IT CITED THE SUCCESSFUL CASE OF THE MTRC AS THE MODEL IT WISHED TO FOLLOW - NOT JUST, AS IS WELL KNOWN, FOR THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL, BUT ALSO FOR FINANCING.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE MTRC HAD PREVIOUSLY ENGAGED IN TWO SORTS OF BORROWING - BORROWING GUARANTEED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AND BORROWING NOT GUARANTEED.
/THE DIFFERENCE ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
3
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO WAS DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH THE CHINESE SIDE IN 1991, AND IT WAS REFLECTED IN POSSIBLE FINANCING SCENARIOS PUT TO THE CHINESE SIDE, SAID SIR HAMISH.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S FORECAST RESERVES AT THAT TIME WERE MUCH LOWER. IT WAS THEREFORE ENVISAGED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ITSELF MIGHT BORROW, IN ADDITION TO BORROWING BY THE PAA AND MTRC, IN ORDER TO KEEP THE RESERVES TOPPED UP IF AT SOME POINT IN TIME EQUITY PAYMENTS REDUCED THEM TOO FAR.
WHEN THE CHINESE SIDE ASKED FOR AN ASSURANCE THAT THE RESERVES WOULD BE NOT LESS THAN $25 BILLION IN 1997, BOTH SIDES REALISED THAT, WITHOUT A LIMIT ON HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BORROWING, THIS WOULD BE MEANINGLESS BECAUSE IT WOULD LEAVE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FREE TO BORROW ENOUGH TO MAKE THE RESERVES UP TO $25 BILLION. HENCE THE $5 BILLION LIMIT WAS INSERTED, WITH HONG KONG’S FULL AGREEMENT.
’’THE $5 BILLION THEREFORE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PAA AND MTRC BORROWINGS,” SAID SIR HAMISH. "IT WAS DESIGNED TO COVER THE RESULT OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BORROWINGS - WHICH ARE NOT NOW NECESSARY.
"ALL THAT SAID, I WOULD EMPHASISE THAT WE ARE SEEKING TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON FINANCING, INCLUDING ALL BORROWING BY THE PAA AND MTRC. AND NOTE THAT, MEANWHILE, NOT A DOLLAR HAS BEEN BORROWED FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECTS.
"BUT LET ME MAKE ANOTHER MORE BASIC POINT - ALL THIS TO-ING AND FRO-ING THROUGH THE MEDIA DOES NOT HELP HONG KONG GET ITS NEW AIRPORT.
"MEANWHILE WE ARE BUILDING THE AIRPORT - AS YOU CAN SEE FRG?< THE MASSIVE EARTHWORKS GOING ON AT CHEK LAP KOK.
"NOW WE NEED A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO SORT OUT OUTSTANDING ISSUES. ’’
"WE HAVE INDICATED THAT WE ARE WILLING TO SHOW FLEXIBILITY ABOUT THE CHINESE SIDE’S CONCERNS - IN OTHER WORDS WE WOULD BE PUTTING UP NEW PROPOSALS."
/4........
4
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING SOUTHERN DISTRICT
*****
GOVERNOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. I’VE ENJOYED THE SECOND OFFICIAL VISIT THAT I’VE PAID TO SOUTHERN DISTRICT. THESE VISITS ARE ENORMOUSLY USEFUL FOR US IN GOVERNMENT TO FIND OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS ON THE GROUND, THE GRASSROOTS. THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I SPENT SOME TIMES WITH FAMILIES WHO ARE LIVING ON BOATS IN ABERDEEN. AS A RESULT OF THAT VISIT, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM TO BE REHOUSED. SIXTY TWO OF THE SIXTY FIVE FAMILIES LIVING ON THOSE BOATS ARE BEING REHOUSED IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR. I WAS INTERESTED TODAY TO SEE THE SQUATTER AREA AND THE EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING MADE TO REHOUSE PEOPLE IN THOSE SQUATTER AREAS. THAT’S OBVIOUSLY A PRIORITY FOR THE DISTRICT. ANOTHER PRIORITY IS DEALING WITH OUR TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PROBLEMS. I THINK THERE ARE TWO PARTICULAR ISSUES WHICH ARE OF CONCERN TO PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT. THE FIRST IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT ROADS IN THE DISTRICT SEEM TO BE BEING DUG UP FOR THIS SORT OF PURPOSE VERY OFTEN BECAUSE OF WORK BY THE PUBLIC UTILITIES. WE ARE LOOKING IN GOVERNMENT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS WHICH ARE RATHER CURIOUSLY CALLED ’’ROAD OPENING” IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE DON’T HAVE AS MANY SELF-INDUCED TRAFFIC JAMS. ANOTHER REASON, OF COURSE, FOR THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT IS THE BUILD-UP OF TRAFFIC AT THE NORTH END OF ABERDEEN TUNNEL BECAUSE OF THE JAM AROUND THE HARBOUR CROSSING. OF COURSE, THAT WILL BE RELIEVED WHEN THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS COMPLETED AND OPENED. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE TRYING TO TAKE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE USE OF LIGHTS TO ALLEVIATE PROBLEMS AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE TUNNEL. I KNOW THAT CAUSES PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAVELLING FROM SOUTHERN DISTRICT INTO CENTRAL EVERYDAY A LOT OF AGGRAVATIONS. SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE RAISED WITH ME TODAY AND I’LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO MY THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH AND SUBSEQUENT VISITS.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO INJECT MORE FUND INTO THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT IN ITS LATEST PROPOSAL, FINANCIAL PROPOSAL, TO THE CHINESE SIDE AND HOW GOOD WILL THAT BE?
GOVERNOR: I AM GLAD THAT YOU’VE STARTED FROM A POSITIVE POINT. WE’VE MADE THREE DIFFERENT SETS OF PROPOSALS ON AIRPORT FINANCING AT VARIOUS TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CHINESE SIDE HAS NEVER FOUND IT POSSIBLE TO RESPOND POSITIVELY. SO, WE’VE HAD TO GET ON BUILDING THE AIRPORT OURSELVES WHICH WE’VE BEEN DOING AS RAPIDLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE WITH ABOUT $45 BILLION WORTH OF THE PROJECTS NOW LET AND WITH THE WORK GOING AHEAD AHEAD OF TIME AND WITHIN COST RATHER LOWER IN COST IN MANY CASES. WE’VE BEEN CALLING FOR SOME TIMES FOR ANOTHER MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. YOU KNOW AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS NO POINT IN POINT-SCORING PARTICULARLY WHEN THE POINTS ARE VERY BAD ONES. WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT ISN’T POINT-SCORING BUT AIRPORT BUILDING WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE UP TO. SO, WE WANT A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE AND AT THAT MEETING, WE WILL BE PUTTING FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS. WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THEM IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK. WE WILL PUT FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS AND IT WILL BE THEN VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW POSITIVE CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE ABOUT SAFEGUARDING THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT WON’T BE THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION WHICH SUFFERS IF WE DON’T GET THE AIRPORT BUILT AT THE SORT OF TIME WE'D LIKE. I’LL TELL YOU WHO WILL SUFFER. IT WILL BE THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT AND FUTURE HONG KONG TAXPAYERS. SO, THE MORE RAPIDLY WE CAN GET ON WITH THESE MATTERS THE BETTER AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE PRETTY FED UP WITH CRITICISMS SHOUTED ACROSS THE TELEVISION WAVES RATHER THAN OFFICIALS DOING WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING WHICH IS SERVING THE PUBLIC.
/QUESTION........
5
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
QUESTION: BUT NOW THE STICKING POINT IS THE AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT EQUITY INJECTION. CHINESE SIDE WANTS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT. SO, WILL YOU CONSIDER THAT?
GOVERNOR: I AM VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU SAY. IF THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE A SPECIFIC HURDLE WHICH THEY WANT THE HONG KONG TAXPAYER AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO CLEAR. LET THEM SAY PRECISELY WHAT IT IS. I DON’T THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG TAKE KINDLY TO THE FACT THAT WE FETCH UP AS 1 SAID BEFORE IN WHAT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF PLAYING DARTS AND DARTS IN THE DARK. WE KEEP ON TRYING TO MEET WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE THE DEMANDS AND THE CRITICISMS OF CHINESE OFFICIALS BUT, ALAS, WE NEVER SEEM TO HIT THE BULL’S EYE. IF THF. CHINESE SIDE WOULD LIKE TO TELL US PRECISELY ON THIS OCCASION WHAT THE BULL’S EYE IS, EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG WILL KNOW. WE WILL KNOW AND WE WILL TRY TO HIT IT AND I HOPE WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE CHINESE OFFICIALS DON’T SAY "OH, TERRIBLY SORRY. IT’S A DIFFERENT BULL’S EYE WE HAVE IN MIND".
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YESTERDAY THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE CHINESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SAID THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS LAGGING BEHIND THE WORLD TREND TO MAKING GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND TO STARTING A GOOD ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP. DO YOU THINK IT’S BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL ROW FOR THE TIME BEING THAT’S CAUSING IT?
GOVERNOR: THE BEST WAY WE CAN HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE OF CHINA TN THE LONG TERM IS BY STANDING UP FOR THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG. I THINK WE WOULD BE CONDEMNED BY GENERATIONS, TO BORROW A PHRASE, IF WE WERE TO UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THE CONCEPT OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEM", WE ARE GOING TO STAND UP FOR THAT. WE ARE GOING TO STAND UP FOR IT UNTIL JUNE 30, 1997 AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE PREPARED TO STAND UP FOR IT AFTERWARDS.
QUESTION: YOU KNOW THAT THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDE SEEM TO HAVE A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION ON THE MOU AGAIN. SO, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IS GONE WRONG BECAUSE THE CHINESE SIDE SAID THAT ABOUT THE $5 BILLION, IT DOESN’T INCLUDE.....°
GOVERNOR : WHAT IS VERY INTERESTING IS THF POINT THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY MADE BY CHINESE OFFICIALS YESTERDAY HASN'T BEEN MADE FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS. AS YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY A HONG KONG CITIZEN CAME OUT AND TOLD THE WORLD THAT THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE CLAIMED THERE HAD BEEN A SECRET DEAL AS WELL AS THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT. I THINK THAT IF THAT IS THE ALLEGATION, CHINESE OFFICIALS SHOULD COME OUT AND SAV IT THEMSELVES. WHEN THEY DO SO, THEY MIGHT RECOLLECT THAT MY PREDECESSOR, LORD WILSON, WHEN THF, MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS PUBLISHED SAID EXPLICITLY FROM THE VERY BEGINNING IN REI'Li, FOR EXAMPLE, IO QUESTIONS OF HIS VERY FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO SECRET DEAL, NO SECRET DEAL WHATSOEVER, NOT A WHOLE SECRET DEAL, NOT HALF A SECRET DEAL, NOT A QUARTER OF A SECRET DEAL, NOT AN EIGHTH OF A SECRET DEAL. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA IS THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND THAT SAYS WHAT IT SAYS. SO, IF CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE ALLEGING TO THE CONTRARY, THEN I THINK THEY HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO. RUT I REPEAT, THE WAY WE WANT TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS IS IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE AND WHY WE WANT TO RESOLVE THEM IS BECAUSE WE, WE IN HONG KONG, WANT TO COMPLETE OUR AIRPORT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN ASKING A QUESTION FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS WHICH GOES LIKE THIS : DO CHINESE OFFICIALS REALLY WANT TO FINISH THE AIRPORT ? ARE CHINESE OFFICIALS TRYING TO USE THE AIRPORT TO ACQUIRE LEVERAGE ON OTHER MATTERS. THAT’S THF QUESTION "HAT CAN EASILY BE SOLVED AND IT CAN BE SOLVED AROUND THE TABLE AT THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE IN THF NEXT FEW DAYS. ONF MORE.
/QUESTION .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
6
QUESTION : WOULD YOU SEEK CLARIFICATION FROM SIR PERCY ?
GOVERNOR : I’M SURE THAT GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE HONG KONG PRESS CORP IS RESOLUTE, ADVENTUROUS AND ENTERPRISING, IT WILL HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN RUNNING SIR PERCY TO EARTH AND ASKING HIM THE QUESTION ITSELF.
QUESTION : HAVE YOU PROPOSED A DATE FOR THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE
MEETING ?
GOVERNOR : AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED, TOMORROW WOULD DO FINE. WHENEVER THE CHINESE OFFICIALS FIND THAT THEY CAN FIND THE TIME IN THEIR BUSY SCHEDULES, TO BORROW A PHRASE, TO COME TO AN AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING, WE’LL BE THERE AND WE’LL BE THERE WITH PROPOSALS WHICH ARE GOOD FOR HONG KONG. THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED.
------0--------
GOVERNOR TOURS SOUTHERN DISTRICT it***
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOURED SOUTHERN DISTRICT TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR PATTEN FIRST VISITED THE HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL TO SEE THE BASIC TRAINING AND VARIOUS COURSES PROVIDED THERE.
HE THEN WENT TO STANLEY CHILDREN CLUB BEFORE VISITING A FAMILY AT THE MA HANG SQUATTER VILLAGE.
THE GOVERNOR THEN TOURED MA HANG ESTATE AND HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE MA HANG VALLEY FROM THE ROOFTOP OF A BLOCK.
PHASE 1 OF THE MA HANG RE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROVIDES REHOUSING FOR ABOUT 3,600 RESIDENTS FROM THE ORIGINAL SQUATTER COMMUNITY IN MA HANG VALLEY.
THE FIRST INTAKE STARTED EARLY JANUARY.
PHASE 2 AND 3 WILL PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR A FURTHER 4,000 PEOPLE.
LATER ON, THE GOVERNOR BROWSED THROUGH SOME SHOPS IN THE FAMOUS TOURIST AREA, THE STANLEY MARKET.
MR PATTEN CONCLUDED HIS VISIT BY ATTENDING A COMMUNITY RECEPTION HOSTED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG, AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE.
- - 0 - -
/7........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
7
COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO PROVIDE COPYRIGHT PROTECTION FOR CABLE TELEVISION WHICH WAS LAUNCHED BY WHARF CABLE LIMITED ON OCTOBER 31, 1993.
THE BILL WILL ALSO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF TELEVISION VIEWERS IN THAT THE EXISTING RIGHTS OF NON-SUBSCRIBERS TO WHARF CABLE’S SERVICE TO RECEIVE BROADCASTS OF TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD, ASIA TELEVISION LTD AND SATELLITE TELEVISION THROUGH COMMUNAL AERIAL BROADCAST DISTRIBUTION OR SATELLITE MASTER ANTENNA TELEVISION SYSTEMS, OR BROADCAST RELAY SERVICES CURRENTLY OPERATED BY REDIFFUSION (HONG KONG) LIMITED ARE PRESERVED.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE BILL WAS WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE LONG-TERM EXERCISE OF COPYRIGHT REFORM IN HONG KONG AND WOULD NOT AFFECT THE FINAL SHAPE OF THE OMNIBUS COPYRIGHT LEGISLATION TO BE PREPARED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
- - - - 0----
MORE FUNDS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TAKES SOCIAL WELFARE VERY SERIOUSLY BY PUTTING MORE FUNDS TO ITS SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION, MR STRACHAN SAID EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE HAD INCREASED BY 77 PER CENT OXER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD SOCIAL SECURITY EXPENDITURE HAD INCREASED BY 75 PER CENT.
"WE HAVE VERY AMBITOUS PLANS FOR FURTHER EXPANSION OF SERVICES.
"THE GOVERNOR HAS PROMISED US A REAL INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT IN EXPENDITURE BETWEEN 1993 AND 1997," HE ADDED.
AT THE AGM, MR STRACHAN ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE OUTSTANDING SOCIAL WORKER AWARD 1993.
"APPRECIATION OF GOOD SERVICE IS ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS TO BOOST MORALE, PROMOTE ENTHUSIASM AND PREVENT BURN-OUT.
"BY OPENLY RECOGNISING THE EFFORTS OF THE WINNERS AND ENUNCIATING THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, THIS AWARD HELPS TO INSPIRE THOSE WHO ARE STILL FEELING THEIR WAY IN THE CAREER."
HE SAID IT ALSO ENHANCED THE IMAGE OF THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION AND PROMOTED UNDERSTANDING ABOUT SOCIAL WORKERS’ ROLE.
------0-------
/8 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
8
PROVISIONAL FIGURES ON EXTERNAL TRADE FOR DECEMBER
*****
RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO SHOW A NOTABLE INCREASE IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1992, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL FIGURES ON EXTERNAL TRADE RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS HOWEVER REMAINED SLUGGISH. IMPORTS ROSE MODERATELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS, AT $73,774 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1993, WAS $9,490 MILLION OR 15% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
AFFECTED PARTLY BY THE CONTINUED STRUCTURAL SHIFT TO RE-EXPORTS AND PARTLY BY THE WEAKER DEMAND IN OVERSEAS MARKETS, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY $1,076 MILLION OR 5.0% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $20,582 MILLION IN DECEMBER.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN DECEMBER GREW BY $8,414 MILLION OR 9.8% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $94,356 MILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $5,826 MILLION OR 6.5% TO $96,058 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $1,702 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1993.
THIS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $4,290 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1992.
FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $823,224 MILLION, WHICH WAS $132,394 MILLION OR 19% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $223,027 MILLION, WAS $11,097 MILLION OR 4.7% LOWER THAN THAT IN 1992.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN 1993, AT $1,046,250 MILLION, WAS $121,298 MILLION OR 13% HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1992.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY SI 17,302 MILLION OR 12% TO $1,072,597 MILLION.
A TRADE DEFICIT OF $26,347 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN 1993. THIS WAS SMALLER THAN A TRADE DEFICIT OF $30,342 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN 1992.
REFLECTING A CONTINUING RAPID CHANGE IN THE COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE TO 79% IN 1993, FROM 75% IN 1992.
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE REEXPORT TRADE, HAVING SHOWN SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN 1991 AND 1992, EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY SLOWER BUT STILL SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN 1993.
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
9
DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED SLUGGISH. THE MORE MODERATE GROWTH IN EXPORTS WAS MAINLY DUE TO WEAKER DEMAND IN THE MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, AS ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THERE WERE SLACK DURING THE YEAR.
THE IMPACT OF CHINA’S RESTRAINT MEASURES WAS ALSO FELT IN THE MORE RECENT MONTHS.
NEVERTHELESS, RE-EXPORTS TO A NUMBER OF THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM UP TO A FASTER GROWTH IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
MAJOR MARKETS SUCH AS SEEMED TO HAVE PICKED
ON THE OTHER HAND, RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN CONTINUED TO FALL. ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THERE WERE SIGNS THAT THE DECLINING TREND IN RESPECT OF THE UNITED STATES MARKET MIGHT HAVE BOTTOMED OUT.
THE GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS DECELERATED SHARPLY FROM 16% IN 1992 TO ONLY 3.1% IN 1993. SOME CONSOLIDATION WAS APPARENT FOLLOWING THE LARGE INCREASE IN THE PRECEDING YEAR.
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1993, BY COMMODITY AND COUNTRY, WILL BE RELEASED IN MlD-FEBRUARY.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THF PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR DECEMBER:
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE $20,582 MILLION $73,774 MILLION $94,356 MILLION $96,058 MILLION -$ 1 , 702 MILLION
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
OCT 93 TO OCT 92 TO CHANGE
LATEST 3 MONTHS DEC 93 DEC 92
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ’ 59,392 63,839 -4,447 -7.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (21.0%) (24.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 222,830 195,512 +27,318 +14.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 282,222 259,351 +22,871 +8.8
IMPORTS 282,092 265,360 +16,732 +6.3
TRADE BALANCE 130 -6,009 +6,139
DECEMBER DECEMBER CHANGE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 199 3 1992
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 20,582 21,658 -1,076 -5.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (21.8%) (25.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 73,771 64,284 +9,190 +14.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 94,356 85,942 +8,414 +9.8
IMPORTS 96,058 90,232 +5,826 +6.5
TRADE BALANCE -1,702 -4,290 +2,588
/LAST MONTH .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
10
LAST MONTH DECEMBER 1993 HK$ MN NOVEMBER 1993 HK$ MN CHANGE
HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 20,582 19,145 +1,437 + 7.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (21.8%) (20.9%)
RE-EXPORTS 73,774 72,351 +1,424 + 2.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 94,356 91,495 +2,861 + 3.1
IMPORTS 96,058 92,469 +3,589 + 3.9
TRADE BALANCE -1,702 -974 -728
JAN 93 TO JAN 92 TO CHANGE
LAST 12 MONTHS DEC 93 DEC 92
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 223,027 234,123 -11,097 -4.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (21.3%) (25.3%)
RE-EXPORTS 823,224 690,829 +132,394 + 19.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 1,046,250 924,953 +121,298 + 13.1
IMPORTS 1,072,597 955,295 +117,302 + 12.3
TRADE BALANCE -26,347 -30,342 +3,995
---------0-----------
TRADE DIRECTOR TO ATTEND APEC MEETING IN JAKARTA
*****
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, WILL LEAD THE HONG KONG DELEGATION IN THE FIRST SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETING (SOM) FOR APEC VI TO BE HELD IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO 4.
THE MEETING WILL BE DISCUSSING A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE RATIONALISATION OF THE WORKING GROUPS AND AD HOC GROUPS UNDER APEC, THE PARTICIPATION OF BUSINESS/PRIVATE SECTOR IN APEC AS WELL AS THE FOLLOW-UP OF THE DECISION OF THE LAST MINISTERIAL MEETING ON THE REPORT OF THE EMINENT PERSONS GROUP.
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEWLY FORMED COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT WILL ALSO BE HELD BEFORE THE SOM.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ARE: MR ANTHONY COOPER, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS; MR DOMINIC LAW, DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY; MR DAVID TONG, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE; MR BRIAN TYLER, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY; MISS CHERRY LING, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY; MR JOHN TSANG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE; MS PATRICIA LUI, TRADE OFFICER; AND MISS JOANIE FOK, ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER.
MEMBERS OF APEC ARE AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, CHINESE TAIPEI, THAILAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
--------0----------
/Il ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
11
MORE ENDANGERED SPECIES COME UNDER CONTROL
*******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY APPROVED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SCHEDULES TO THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO BRING UNDER ITS CONTROL A NUMBER OF SPECIES.
THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
THE NEW ADDITIONS INCLUDE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR, AMERICAN OSTRICH, CERTAIN SPECIES OF HORNBILLS, BAIKAL TEAL, CERTAIN SPECIES OF AIR PLANTS, VENUS FLY-TRAP, BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD, AFRICAN TEAK AND MAHOGANY.
THE LIST IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID: "THE REVISED SCHEDULE HAS ALSO PLACED TIGER PRODUCTS UNDER TIGHTER CONTROL, MAKING IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANYONE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS MEDICINE CONTAINING, OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN, TIGER INGREDIENTS."
"THIS IS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST OF CITES THAT MEASURES BE TAKEN TO HALT THE TRADE IN MEDICINES CONTAINING TIGER INGREDIENTS SINCE TIGER POPULATIONS ARE AT CRITICAL LEVELS OWING TO POACHING AND SMUGGLING OF TIGER PARTS AND DERIVATIVES FOR THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE MARKET."
"BY ADDING AMERICAN BLACK BEAR, ALL SPECIES OF BEAR ARE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL. ALSO, GALL BLADDER, BILE AND BILE POWDER OF BEARS ARE CONTROLLED."
THE NEW SCHEDULES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY). ANYONE POSSESSING THE NEWLY LISTED ITEMS ARE ADVISED TO DISPOSE OF THEM WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS ANY OF THE SCHEDULED ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENTION IS $25,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION, AND $50,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
AT THE SAME TIME, LICENCE FEES HAVE ALSO BEEN REVISED.
THE NEW FEE FOR A LICENCE TO IMPORT LIVE SCHEDULED ANIMALS IS $330, AND FOR OTHER LICENCES ISSUED UNDER THE ORDINANCE IS $110. THE FEE FOR RENEWAL, EXTENSION OR VARIATION OF A LICENCE IS $90.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE NEW AMENDMENTS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CALL THE CONSERVATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 733 2282.
/12 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
12
ESCALATOR SYSTEM ADDS NEW DIMENSION TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES
*****
THE CENTRAL-MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS SYSTEM HAS ADDED A NEW DIMENSION TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, MR BARMA SAID THE COMPLETION OF THIS ESCALATOR SYSTEM PROVIDED THE COMMUNITY WITH A DIRECT AND ATTRACTIVE LINK BETWEEN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN MID-LEVELS.
"THE TECHNOLOGY IS NOT NEW, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ARE EMPLOYING AN ESCALATOR SYSTEM TO CARRY THOUSANDS OF COMMUTERS EACH DAY BETWEEN THEIR HOMES AND THEIR PLACES OF WORK," HE SAID.
"ALREADY THE SYSTEM IS BEING USED BY SOME 20,000 PEOPLE EACH WEEKDAY, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A FREE AND RELIABLE SERVICE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRAVELLING ON THE HEAVILY USED AND CIRCUITOUS ROAD NETWORK,” HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWONG HON-SANG, SAID THE PROVISION OF DIRECT AND ATTRACTIVE PEDESTRIAN LINKS WITH ESCALATORS AND TRAVELATORS BETWEEN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN MID-LEVELS WAS RECOMMENDED IN A TRANSPORT STUDY IN 1984.
CONSULTANT WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1987 TO DEVELOP DESIGN FOR THE SYSTEM NOW KNOWN AS THE CENTRAL-MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS. CONSTRUCTION STARTED IN FEBRUARY 1991 AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 1993 AT A COST OF ABOUT $230 MILLION.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY WERE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS MIRIAM LAU; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR AMBROSE LAU.
THE ESCALATOR SYSTEM EXTENDS FROM THE NEW HANG SENG BANK HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AT DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL UP TO CONDUIT ROAD. IT IS ABOUT 800 METRES LONG AND CLIMBS THROUGH A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 135 METRES. IN TOTAL, THERE ARE 20 ESCALATORS AND THREE TRAVELATORS.
THE PART OF THE SYSTEM FROM DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO HOLLYWOOD ROAD IS ON ELEVATED STRUCTURES. FOOTBRIDGES ARE ALSO PROVIDED AT THE CROSSINGS AT CAINE ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD.
THE PART ALONG SHELLEY STREET IS MAINLY AT GROUND LEVEL. U-SHAPED REINFORCED CONCRETE TROUGHS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED TO HOUSE THE MACHINERY AND MOTORS OF THE ESCALATORS.
APART FROM THE THREE AT-GRADE ROAD CROSSINGS AT STAUNTON STREET, ELGIN STREET AND MOSQUE STREET, THE ROUTE IS COVERED WITH TRANSPARENT POLYCARBONATE ROOFING SO THAT ADEQUATE DAYLIGHTING IS MAINTAINED ALONG THE SYSTEM AND THE NARROW STREETS IT TRAVERSES.
QUALITY FINISHES MATCHING THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT ARE ALSO PROVIDED.
/THE SYSTEM .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
13
THE SYSTEM OPERATES DOWNHILL FROM 6 AM UNTIL 10 AM WHEN IT WILL REVERT DIRECTION AND WILL REMAIN GOING UPHILL UNTIL 10 PM.
COMMUTERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE SAFETY GUIDELINES AND ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE ATTENDANTS PATROLLING THE SYSTEM WHEN USING THE ESCALATORS AND TRAVELATORS.
-----0-------
CONSTRUCTION OF OUTFALL DIFFUSER PIPELINE PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED CONSTRUCTING AN OUTFALL DIFFUSER PIPELINE AT THE WESTERN HARBOUR ANCHORAGE AREA TO CONVEY TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT FOR DISCHARGE OFFSHORE.
THE 1,200-METRE-LONG PIPELINE WILL BE LAID IN AN EXCAVATED TRENCH MEASURING ABOUT 1,300 METRES BY 100 METRES TO A DEPTH OF ABOUT 20 METRES BELOW THE SEA-BED.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN EARLY NEXT YEAR, TAKING 25 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 13.6 HECTARES, IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE, AND THE RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO BELIEVES HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF IANDS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 28, THIS YEAR.
------0-------
TWO LOTS FOR SALE
*****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL AUCTION TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND ON JANUARY 31 (MONDAY).
THE PUBLIC AUCTION WILL BEGIN A'!' 2.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT AP LEI CHAU WEST, HONG KONG. WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,756 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN USE (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES).
THE SECOND LOT, LOCATED IN AREA 16, TUEN MUN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,804 SQUARE METRES FOR GODOWNS (EXCLUDING STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS) USE.
/ATTENTION NEWS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
14
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-------
TWO WATER PROJECTS FOR NT
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR BUILDING A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR IN TAN KWAI TSUEN, YUEN LONG AND THE ASSOCIATED MAIN-LAYING WORKS.
THE CONTRACT COVERS SITE FORMATION, CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR. WITH A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 38,000 CUBIC METRES AND THE ASSOCIATED INLET AND OUTLET MAINS; AND LAYING OF 1.3 KILOMETRES OF DISTRIBUTION MAINS IN SIU HONG COURT AREA, TUEN MUN.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR. UPON COMPLETION AT THE END OF 1996, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE AREA BETWEEN NORTHERN TUEN MUN AND THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN CORRIDOR WILL BE IMPROVED TO COPE WITH THE GROWING DEMAND.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 2.7 KILOMETRES OF WATER MAINS AND 450 METRES OF FOUL DRAIN ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD LN MANG KUNG UK AND HA YEUNG, SAI KUNG.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MAY THIS YEAR. UPON COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER 1995, WATER SUPPLY TO THE SOUTHERN HINTERLAND OF TSEUNG KWAN O WILL BE IMPROVED TO CATER FOR FUTURE DEMANDS.
THE FOUL DRAIN, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL HELP TO COLLECT AND CONVEY SEWAGE FROM TAI 1’0 TSAI AND MANG KUNG UK AREAS TO THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN TSEUNG KWAN O FOR SUBSEQUENT TREATMENT AND ULTIMATE DISPOSAL.
FORMS OF TENDER AND DETAILS OF THE TWO PROJECTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 44TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON FEBRUARY 25.
------0-------
DREDGING WORKS OFF N1NEPIN ISLANDS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE SAND FROM THE SEABED OFF THE NINEPTN GROUP OF ISLANDS TO MEET CONSTRUCTION AND RECLAMATION NEEDS IN THE TERRITORY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL Ml•( ESS ARY MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE WORKS FROM AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED COVERS ABOUT 440 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED SOUTH OF THE NINEPIN GROUP OF ISLANDS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT DREDGING MAY START IN MID-1994 AND BE COMPLETED BY ABOUT MID-1996.
/THE AREA .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
15
THE AREA IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO THINKS HE MAY HAVE AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 28.
THE NOTICE AND THE DREDGING PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAT KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET. SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
------o - - -
BUILDING CONTRACT FOR GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AWARDED *****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF A $201.7 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD ON THE STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED TO HSIN CHONG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED, IS PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) TO RELOCATE THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AT YAU MA TEI TO STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THIS WILL MAKE LAND AVAILABLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAYS PROJECTS ON THE ACP WHICH INCLUDE THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
THE CONTRACT WILL START NEXT MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN APRIL 1995.
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM SIX PREQUALTFIED TENDERERS AND HSIN CHONG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED SUBMITTED THE LOWEST TENDER OF $201.7 MILLION.
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 36, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $31.6 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS VALUED AT $9.7 BILLTON 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 $47 BILLION.
------0-------
/16 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
16
200TH BATCH OF VMS RETURNS HOME
*****
A GROUP OF 322 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 104 MEN, 88 WOMEN, 67 BOYS AND 63 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 200TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 1,963 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAD RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 40,576 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0--------
AIDS TRUST FUND SPONSORS ATTENDANCE AT JAPAN CONFERENCE *****
THE COUNCIL FOR THE AIDS TRUST FUND WILL SPONSOR UP TO FIVE PERSONS TO ATTEND THE 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, LATER THIS YEAR.
THE FIVE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL JOIN A STRONG HONG KONG CONTINGENT TO THE CONFERENCE WHICH WILL RUN FROM AUGUST 7 TO 12.
"WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE CONFERENCE AND WISH TO ENSURE A STRONG AND REPRESENTATIVE HONG KONG PRESENCE", A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
"THE OFFER OF SPONSORSHIP IS IN KEEPING WITH OUR EFFORTS TO INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS."
EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL RECEIVE $20,000, WHICH IS CALCULATED TO COVER THE COST OF THE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE, RETURN ECONOMY AIRFARE TO JAPAN AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATION.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE EXPERIENCE IN RELATED RESEARCH OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS.
THEY WILL BE EXPECTED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION AT THE CONFERENCE IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
♦BASIC SCIENCE;
♦CLINICAL SCIENCE AND CARE;
♦EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION; AND
♦IMPACT, SOCIETAL RESPONSE AND EDUCATION.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, THEY SHOULD APPLY' TO THE COUNCIL WITH AN ABSTRACT OF THEIR PRESENTATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE DEADLINE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
17
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 15.
FURTHER DETAILS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE AIDS TRUST FUND, MR TONY DICKINSON, ON SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG (TEL 810 2341 OR FAX 840 0467).
------0--------
JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT AT POKFULAM ROAD » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR IMPROVING THE JUNCTION AT POKFULAM ROAD AND POKFIELD ROAD AND THE ASSOCIATED ROAD WORKS.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY SYSTEM ACROSS POKFULAM ROAD AND POKFIELD ROAD, LOCAL WIDENING OF POKFIELD ROAD, THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SECTIONS OF POKFULAM ROAD AND POKFIELD ROAD NEAR THE JUNCTION AND THE ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS WERE DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/HONG KONG, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 895 8415.
TENDERS MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED AND ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON FEBRUARY 25. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
------0-------
IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED FOR PAT HEUNG ACCESS ROAD
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO IMPROVE THE VEHICULAR ACCESS TO SHEK WU TONG TSUEN, TIN SUM TSUEN, CHEUNG PO TSUEN, MA ON KONG TSUEN AND HO PUI TSUEN IN PAT HEUNG, YUEN LONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CONDITION OF THE EXISTING VEHICULAR ACCESS FROM KAM SHEUNG ROAD TO THESE AREAS WAS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY.
"IT IS THEREFORE REQUIRED TO IMPROVE THE ROAD BY RE-BUILDING PART OF THE EXISTING TRACK AND BUILDING A NEW CARRIAGEWAY SO AS TO ATTAIN A 3.5-METRE-WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH PASSING BAYS PROVIDED AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
/A 1.6 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
18
”A 1.6-METRE-WIDE FOOTPATH ALONG THE FUTURE CARRIAGEWAY, A VEHICULAR BRIDGE AND CULVERTS CROSSING THE TRIBUTARIES OF KAM TIN RIVER WILL BE BUILT,” HE ADDED.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS AND SCHEME CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT:
♦ THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
» YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG; AND
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK STREET, YUEN LONG.
ANYONE WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSALS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, NO LATER THAN MARCH 29, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
------0--------
TENDERS CALLED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL * ♦ t ♦ t
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN MA ON SHAN.
TO BE BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 6,200 SQUARE METRES IN AREA 100, THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK, COVERED PLAYGROUND, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND STAFF QUARTERS.
THE MAIN TEACHING BLOCK WILL COMPRISE 30 CLASSROOMS WITH STAFF ROOMS AND SPECIAL ROOMS ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
ALSO, THERE WILL RE TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, A CAP PARK AND PLANTING AREAS.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL FOR COMPLETION AFI ER 16 MONTHS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 25.
------0-------
FEES TO BE REVISED UNDER TWO REGULATIONS
«««****
FEES FOR REGISTRATION AS FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH ID THIS YEAR.
ALSO, LICENCE/PERMIT FEES FOR THE MANUFACTURE, STORAGE AND CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN DANGEROUS GOODS WILL BE ADJUSTED ON THE SAME DAY.
/DETAILS OF........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
19
DETAILS OF THE FEE REVISIONS ARE SET OUT IN THE FIRE SERVICE (INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994 AND DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATION 1994 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE FEES HAD BEEN REVISED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASE IN COSTS SINCE THEIR LAST REVIEW IN 1992.
FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS OF THE FEE REVISIONS:
UNDER FIRE SERVICE (INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS) (AMENDMENT)
REGULATION 1994
ITEM EXISTING FEE REVISED FEE
(A) REGISTRATION - CLASS 1, CLASS 2 OR CLASSES 1 AND 2 $1,030 • •w - $1,135
(B) WRITTEN EXAMINATION - CLASS 3 $ 580 $ 640
(C) INTERVIEW - CLASS 3 $ 630 $ 695
(D) WORKSHOP INSPECTION - CLASS 3 $ 520 $ 575
(E) WORKSHOP RE-INSPECTION - CLASS 1, CLASS 2, CLASSES 1 AND 2 OR CLASS 3 $ 520 $ 575
(F) NEW WORKSHOP INSPECTION - CLASS 1, CLASS 2, CLASSES 1 AND 2 OR CLASS 3 $ 520 $ 575
/(G) NEW ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
20
(G) NEW WORKSHOP RE-INSPECTION
- CLASS 1, CLASS 2, CLASSES 1 AND 2 OR CLASS 3 $ 520
(H) CHANGE OF REGISTERED NAME
OR REGISTERED ADDRESS
- CLASS 1, CLASS 2, CLASSES 1 AND 2 OR CLASS 3 $ 260
(I) CHANGE OF QUALIFIED
PERSON
- CLASS 1, CLASS 2 OR CLASSES 1 AND 2 $ 330
$ 575
$ 290
$ 365
UNDER DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) (NO.
2) REGULATION 1994
ITEM
EXISTING REVISED
FEE FEE
(A) LICENCE/PERMIT FOR STORAGE OF EACH STORE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN CATEGORY 5, CLASS 1, 2 OR 3 (SUBSTANCES GIVING OFF INFLAMMABLE VAPOUR) (PER ANNUM) (PER ANNUM)
- IN QUANTITIES NOT EXCEEDING 500 L $ 170 $ 190
- IN QUANTITIES EXCEEDING 500 L BUT NOT EXCEEDING 2,500 L $ 330 $ 365
- IN QUANTITIES EXCEEDING 2,500 L BUT NOT EXCEEDING 5,000 L $ 500 $ 550
- IN QUANTITIES EXCEEDING 5,000 L BUT NOT EXCEEDING 25,000 L $1,650 $1,815
- IN QUANTITIES EXCEEDING 25,000 L $4,950 $5,445
(B) LTCFNCR
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
21
(B) LICENCE/PERMIT FOR STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN CATEGORY 2, OTHER THAN LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (I) FOR EACH STORE (PER ANNUM) . -P (PER ANNUM)
- NOT MORE THAN 10 CYLINDERS $ 300 $ 330
- MORE THAN 10 BUT NOT MORE THAN 50 CYLINDERS $ 600 $ 660
- MORE THAN 50 CYLINDERS $1,500 $1,650
(II) FOR EACH TANK $ 750 $ 825 }
(C) LICENCE/PERMIT FOR STORAGE OF EACH STORE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN CATEGORIES 3-10, OTHER THAN CATEGORY 5, CLASS 1, 2 OR 3 OR CATEGORY 9A (PER ANNUM) (PER ANNUM)
- NOT EXCEEDING 25 KG $ 330 $ 365
- EXCEEDING 25 KG BUT NOT EXCEEDING 100 KG $ 660 730
i t i . ;
- EXCEEDING 100 KG $1,650 $1,815
(D) LICENCE/PERMIT FOR (PER ANNUM (PER ANNUM
MANUFACTURE OF DANGEROUS FOR EACH FOR EACH <
GOODS OF ANY CATEGORY OTHER CATEGORY CATEGORY
THAN CATEGORY 1 OR 9A OF GOODS MANUFACTURED) $ 890 OF GOODS MANUFACTURED) $ 980
(E) LICENCE/PERMIT FOR CONVEYANCE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN (PER ANNUM) (PER ANNUM)
(F) CATEGORY 2 OR 5 DUPLICATE, AMENDMENT OR ENDORSEMENT ON A LICENCE/ $ 600 i i . , $ 160 $ 660 •
PERMIT IN (A)-(E) $ 180
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/22........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
- 22 -
JUDICIARY FEES TO GO UP *****
FEES COLLECTED BY THE JUDICIARY FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES UNDER THE CORONERS ORDINANCE AND THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE WILL BE INCREASED FROM MARCH 1.
’’TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE INCREASE IN COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES SINCE THE LAST REVIEW, THE FEES WILL BE INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FEE REVISION WAS A ROUTINE ADJUSTMENT AIMED AT RECOVERING THE INCREASED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1992.
THE CORONERS (FEES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1994 AND THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (FEES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1994 SPECIFYING THE REVISION WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
---------0-----------
NEW KCRC BUS ROUTES *****
TWO KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION BUS ROUTES - KIX AND K2X - WILL BE INTRODUCED ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY (JANUARY 30 AND 31) RESPECTIVELY TO STRENGTHEN LINKS BETWEEN YUEN LONG/TIN SHUI WAI AND TUEN MUN FERRY PIER.
ROUTE KIX (LONG PING ESTATE - TUEN MUN FERRY PIER) WILL OPERATE FROM 6.30 AM TO 8 PM DAILY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID.
ITS FARE WILL RANGE FROM $3.5 TO $4.5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
ROUTE K2X (TIN SHUI ESTATE - TUEN MUN FERRY PIER) WILL RUN FROM 6.30 AM TO 9 AM AND FROM 5 PM TO 8 PM. THERE IS NO SERVICE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ITS FARE WILL RANGE FROM $2.7 TO $3.5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
TO COPE WITH INCREASED DEMAND, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO LTD WOULD ARRANGE A FERRY FROM TUEN MUN TO CENTRAL AT 7.40 AM FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 31).
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/23 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1994
- 23 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,490
REVERSAL OF LAF +510
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +664
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,664
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER . TWI 126.7 4-0.3* 28.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.77 PCT 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.19 3.63
1 MONTH 3.12 PCT 19 MONTHS 2508 4.265 101.28 3.80
3 MONTHS 3.00 PCT 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.31 4.01
6 MONTHS 3.09 PCT 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.34 4.51
12 MONTHS 3.44 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT 36 OF BILLS MONTHS 3701 AND BONDS - 45 4.60 ,514 MN 100.16 4.59
CLOSED 28 JANUARY 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATEMENT ON XINHUA'S COMMENTS ................................ 1
STATEMENT ON MTR COACH DERAILMENT ............................. 1
EMPLOYER FINED FOR NOT PAYING COMPENSATION ..................... 2
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ............... 3
RS PRAISES KWUN TONG DISTRICT BODIES ........................... 4
FORUMS ON ARTS DEVELOPMENT ..................................... 5
YAUMATI FERRY REDEPLOYED ....................................... 6
FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY .................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
7
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1994
STATEMENT ON XINHUA’S COMMENTS
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA QUESTIONS ABOUT REPORTS OF THE COMMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO XINHUA DEPUTY DIRECTOR ZHANG JUNSHENG TODAY IN PEKING, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
"WE HAVE SUGGESTED USING THE NAME CORPORATION ON THE AIRPORT SOLELY BECAUSE IT IS MORE SUITABLE FOR AN ORGANISATION OPERATING IN THE COMMERCIAL WORLD THAN AUTHORITY WHICH, IN HONG KONG, IS USED FOR REGULATORY BODIES SUCH AS THE MONETARY AUTHORITY. THE NAME HAS NO OTHER SIGNIFICANCE WHATSOEVER, AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FINANCIAL OR OTHER POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANISATION. INDEED, WE HAVE SAID THAT WE MIGHT REVERT TO AUTHORITY AT THE END OF THE CURRENT CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL, IF THAT IS THE CONSENSUS”.
---------0-----------
STATEMENT ON MTR COACH DERAILMENT
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA SAID HE WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DERAILMENT INCIDENT OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY LAST NIGHT BUT GREATLY RELIEVED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED.
MR BARMA SAID HE HAD SPOKEN TO THE MTRC CHAIRMAN SOON AFTER THE INCIDENT AND WAS GLAD THAT THE MTRC HAD SO VERY PROMPTLY DEPLOYED A FULL TEAM TO INVESTIGATE.
THE GOVERNMENT’S CHIEF INSPECTING OFFICER OF RAILWAY ALSO WENT TO THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY TO CARRY OUT A SEPARATE INVESTIGATION.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ESTABLISH THE FULL FACTS AND TAKE ALL PRACTICAL STEPS TO PREVENT SUCH INCIDENTS IN FUTURE.
"I AM EXPECTING THAT BOTH THE MTRC AND OUR CHIEF INSPECTING OFFICER OF RAILWAY TO SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY REPORT TO ME EARLY NEXT WEEK. FINDINGS WILL BE MADE PUBLIC IN DUE COURSE," HE ADDED.
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/2.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1994
- 2
EMPLOYER FINED FOR NOT PAYING COMPENSATION ***»♦*»
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE IF THEY FAILED TO PAY COMPENSATION WITHIN A TIME LIMIT TO EMPLOYEES WHO WERE INJURED AT WORK.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (COMPENSATION), MRS JENNY CHAN, GAVE THE ADVICE AFTER THE WAI LEE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING COMPANY WAS FINED $5,000 BY A EASTERN MAGISTRATE EARLY THIS MONTH.
THE COMPANY FAILED TO PAY COMPENSATION TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO WAS INJURED AT WORK AFTER THE AGREEMENT OF COMPENSATION BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, ' r 'A
UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER SHOULD ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT OF COMPENSATION WITH HIS INJURED EMPLOYEE WHO LOST MORE THAN FIVE PER CENT OF HIS EARNING CAPACITY.
MRS CHAN SAID THE AGREEMENT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR FOR APPROVAL.
ONCE THE AGREEMENT IS APPROVED, THE EMPLOYER SHOULD MAKE FULL PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO THE EMPLOYEE WITHIN 21 DAYS.
- .n ‘ .
FAILURE TO DO SO IS AN OFFENCE THAT CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
IN ADDITION, THE EMPLOYER HAS TO PAY TO HIS INJURED EMPLOYEE A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT OF THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT OF THE COMPENSATION.
A 10 PER CENT SURCHARGE WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT IF THE PAYMENT IS NOT MADE WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
r;
MRS CHAN FURTHER REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF SURCHARGE HAD BEEN ADJUSTED.
”AN EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO PAY THE SURCHARGE WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE IS ALSO LIABLE TO PROSECUTION WITH A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000,” SHE ADDED.
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/3........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1994
- 3 -
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ONE HUNDRED VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION TODAY SATURDAY FOR A TOTAL OF $3,208,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE CONDUCT THEREOF.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK DL2222 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $350,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK DL8888 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $320,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR FN8760, FN7261, FN7441, FN9177, DL8689, FN8715, FP1013, FN5871 AND
FN3720.
FOLLOWING ARE THE i RESULTS OF TODAY'S MORNING SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FN9888 24,000 AT812 31,000 FN322 42,000 FN318 47,000
FN468 8,000 FN831 12,000 AY819 22,000 BM3181 20,000
♦ BB95 65,000 ♦ 1494 60,000 ♦ 194 100,000 ♦DL2222 350,000
FN8832 12,000 FN7771 10,000 FN813 48,000 FN863 12,000
CT312 20,000 HK2031 22,000 CT198 18,000 FN8240 W/C
FN8777 8,000 FM9928 18,000 FN6228 10,000 CE2438 W/C
CK8662 22,000 FN8324 2,000 CR1997 26,000 FN8760 1,000
*1957 160,000 ♦ AX6 130,000 ♦ FK16 55,000 ♦ DK99 155,000
FN8212 6,000 FN8384 7,000 FN8892 4,000 FN8107 W/C
FN102 8,000 FN903 6,000 FN901 6,000 FN7261 1,000
FN7441 1,000 FN9177 1,000 ♦ FS77 55,000 FN9295 W/C
DL8689 1,000 FN7572 W/C FN8715 1,000 ♦CH282 50,000
FN855 8,000 FN7257 W/C
FOLLOWING ARE THE i RESULTS OF TODAY’S AFTERNOON SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FP6628 33,000 FP190 34,000 FP318 54,000 FP1191 3,000
FN8873 12,000 FN9381 4,000 HK5111 50,000 AL8589 20,000
♦ 647 60,000 ♦ 583 60,000 ♦ FU86 50,000 ♦ HK95 200,000
FP2833 7,000 FP223 38,000 FP887 22,000 FN6378 5,000
CM3339 11,000 AU8268 14,000 FN6831 4,000 DD6168 20,000
FP216 11,000 FP3368 16,000 AA1096 19,000 FP7898 6,000
FN9223 3,000 FN8130 2,000 FN3390 4,000 XX5707 24,000
♦ FC17 37,000 ♦CL8888 320,000 ♦ 147 130,000 ♦FU2000 55,000
CA231 25,000 FP1386 15,000 BL902 12,000 FP1013 1,000
FP348 30,000 FP861 15,000 FP4 70 2,000 FN8764 3,000
FN5330 W/C FN9106 W/C ♦ CM50 60,000 FP3809 2,000
FN3720 1,000 AZ8813 18,000 FN6460 W/C ♦CD9090 20,000
FN5044 W/C FN5871 1,000
» SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
♦ * W/C :WITHDRAWN
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1994
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 211TH AND 212TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1978, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT REALISED SO FAR TO $236,547,905.
------0--------
RS PRAISES KWUN TONG DISTRICT BODIES t t t
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MISS CHRISTCNE CHOW, TONIGHT (SUNDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO KWUN TONG’S DISTRICT BODIES FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROMOTING CIVIC AWARENESS AND THE SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY CUM CARNIVAL OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FESTIVAL ’94, MISS CHOW ALSO COMMENDED THE EFFECTIVE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CO-OPERATION AMONG THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL GROUPS.
SHE URGED THE RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT TO DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS THROUGH THESE BODIES SO THAT THE COMMUNITY COULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ITS PEOPLE.
THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS SHARED THE FUN IN TONIGHT’S CARNIVAL WHICH FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY POP SINGERS, TALENT SHOW BY THE ABLED AND THE DISABLED, CANTONESE OPERA, KARAOKE COMPETITION AS WELL AS CHILDREN’S GAMES CORNERS.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FESTIVAL ’94, BEGAN ON JANUARY 23, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
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/5.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1994
- 5 -
FORUMS ON ARTS DEVELOPMENT * » * ♦ »
THE THIRD OF A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC FORUMS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP WAS HELD TODAY (SATURDAY) IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SERIES OF PUBLIC FORUMS ARE TO EXPLAIN THE PROGRESS BEING MADE BY THE WORKING GROUP SINCE IT WAS APPOINTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR AND TO GATHER OPINIONS FROM BOTH THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC ON HOW THE ARTS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
THE FORUM HELD TODAY AND THE NEXT TWO FORUMS ARE EACH FOCUSSED ON A PARTICULAR ART FORM.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FORUM HELD TODAY WAS MAINLY TO GATHER OPINIONS AND FORWARD-LOOKING IDEAS FROM BOTH THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LITERARY ARTS.
AFTER THE MODERATOR OF THE FORUM, MR VINCENT CHOW, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE WORKING GROUP, HAD INTRODUCED THE SPEAKERS, THE FOLLOWING SPEAKERS THEN GAVE THEIR VIEWS ON VARIOUS TOPICS RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF LITERARY ARTS.
NAME OF SPEAKER TOPIC
(A) DR LEUNG PING-KWAN PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN HONG KONG
(B) MR LIU YI-CHANG PROMOTION OF HONG KONG LITERATURE
(C) MS FLORA WONG THE NEEDS OF LITERARY ARTISTS
(D) MS LO WAI-LUEN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH LITERATURE,
(E) MR JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT URBAN COUNCIL AND THE LITERATURE IN HONG KONG PROMOTION OF
(F) MR TING YIN-WAH
REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN HONG KONG
(G) MISS SUSANNA CHEUNG
(H) MRS SIN CHOW DICK-YEE
PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN SCHOOLS
PROMOTION OF LITERATURE IN SCHOOLS
THE MODERATOR OF THE FORUM THEN INVITED QUESTIONS FROM THE
AUDIENCE FOR THE PANEL WHICH INCLUDED ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.
THE NEXT TWO FORUMS WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 5 AND 19, BOTH BEING SATURDAYS, FROM 9 AM UNTIL NOON IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 3 EDINBURGH PLACE.
THE COMING FORUM WILL COVER THE PERFORMING ARTS AND THE FINAL ONE WILL COVER FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, REPRESENTATION OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY ON THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
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/6.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1994
6 YAUMATI FERRY REDEPLOYED * * * * *
THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO WILL CANCEL THE 7.35 AM ORDINARY FERRY SERVICE FROM TUEN MUN TO TSIM SHA TSUI FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 31) BECAUSE OF LOW PASSENGER DEMAND.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE VESSEL RELEASED WOULD BE REDEPLOYED TO SERVE ON THE TSING YI - CENTRAL FERRY ROUTE.
------0-------
FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY *****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 15 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THE FIRING PRACTICE ARE:
DATE TIME
FEBRUARY 1 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 2 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 3 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 4 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 14 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 15 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 16 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 17 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 18 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 19 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 21 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 22 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 23 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 24 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 25 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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/7........
SATURDAY,JANUARY 29, 1994
- 7 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 4,664
REVERSAL OF LAF "31°
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 4,354
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY +2,676
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -275
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 6,755
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 126.9 »+0.2* 29.1.94
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION CRUCIAL TO REPRESENTATIVE GOVT ........... 1
75 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN NOVEMBER ..................... 2
CAMPAIGN TO HELP MINIMISE NOISE HAZARDS ........................ 2
FLAT OWNERS FINED FOR DEFYING DEMOLITION ORDERS ................ 4
1,000 SISTER SCHOOL STUDENTS TOUR NATURE STUDY CENTRE .......... 4
NEW YEAR POSTERS TO SPREAD KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE .................. 5
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY
6
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 1994
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION CRUCIAL TO REPRESENTATIVE GOVT t * » » »
TO REGISTER AS A VOTER AND CAST THE BALLOT IN ELECTIONS ARE TWO WAYS TO SHOW A CITIZEN’S CONCRETE SUPPORT TO REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION (CPCE), MR SUEN SAID IT WAS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT CITIZENS WERE GETTING MORE INTERESTED IN BOTH CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS.
"THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES IN AROUSING CIVIC AWARENESS SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED," HE SAID.
HE WAS ALSO GLAD TO NOTE THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD TAKEN "CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT" AS ITS WORK EMPHASIS FOR THIS YEAR AS WELL AS FOR TODAY’S ACTIVITIES.
STRESSING THAT THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HINGES ON CONTINUOUS PUBLIC SUPPORT, MR SUEN CALLED ON THE COMMITTEE AND ITS DISTRICT COUNTERPARTS TO CO-OPERATE AND WORK TOWARDS THE GOAL OF "HONG KONG PEOPLE RULING HONG KONG".
AT THE OPENING, CPCE CHAIRMAN DR DANIEL TSE ALSO CITED THE FINDINGS OF A VOTING BEHAVIOUR STUDY PUBLISHED LAST YEAR ON THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THE REPORT CONTAINED A SUGGESTION THAT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO DEVELOP THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE OBJECTIVES OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"THIS IS THE PRIMARY AIM BEHIND TODAY'S EVENT," HE SAID.
TO PROMOTE THE THEME OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION, THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO HOLD A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A COMPUTER SOFTWARE DESIGN COMPETITION, AN INTRA-SECONDARY SCHOOL QUIZ AND A CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME THROUGH CABLE TELEVISION.
HE SAID THE ORGANISATION OF THE LARGE-SCALE ANNUAL CIVIC EDUCATION DAY SHOWED THE COMMITTEE’S AIM TO SPREAD SUCH IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
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/2.........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 1994
- 2 -
75 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN NOVEMBER
*****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 75 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
OF THEM, 23 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 23 FOR KOWLOON AND 29 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 31 FOR APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 14 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND 13 FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
IN THE MONTH, CONSENTS WERE GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 48 PROJECTS, WHICH INVOLVE 121,411 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 217,088 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
MEANWHILE, THE DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN THE SAME MONTH TOTALLED ABOUT $1,697 MILLION.
OF THE BUILDINGS CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION IN THE MONTH, USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USE WERE 82,792 SQUARE METRES AND 74,635 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN NOVEMBER, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 31 OCCUPATION PERMITS - 11
FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE FOR KOWLOON AND 11 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 41 DEMOLITION CONSENTS INVOLVING 103 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 650 COMPLAINTS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,669 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 1,026 REMOVAL ORDERS IN RESPECT OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED 883 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED FIVE EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
------0-------
CAMPAIGN TO HELP MINIMISE NOISE HAZARDS
*****
LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL INSPECTION CAMPAIGN AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS HAS PROVEN TO BE USEFUL IN ENHANCING OWNERS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING WORKERS AGAINST SUCH HAZARDS.
DURING THE TWO-MONTH TERR. I TORY-WI DE CAMPAIGN WHICH WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED IN DECEMBER, FACTORY INSPECTORS VISITED 55 RELATIVELY LARGE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS SELECTED FROM THE SEVEN NOISY INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING SHIPBUILDING AND REPAI RI NG, CONSTRUCTION, TEXTILE, CLOCKS AND WATCHES, METAL, WOOD AND PAPER PRODUCTS.
/DEPUTY CHIEF .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 1994
- 3 -
DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY):
"DURING THE INSPECTIONS, OUR FACTORY INSPECTORS NOTICED THAT THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS WERE AWARE OF THE HEARING PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE SHOWN INITIATIVES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYEES LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE NOISY WORKING ENVIRONMENT WERE WILLING TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS BY WEARING EAR PROTECTORS SUPPLIED BY THE EMPLOYER," HE ADDED.
ON THE ENFORCEMENT SIDE, MR, KAN SAID 12 SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST OWNERS WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THEIR STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS.
"AMONG THEM, SIX WERE ON FAILURE TO CONDUCT ASSESSMENTS OF NOISE EXPOSURE, TWO RELATED TO FAILURE TO DEMARCATE EAR PROTECTION ZONES, TWO ON FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTION EQUIPMENT," MR KAN SAID.
"ONE OF THE REMAINING SUMMONSES WAS ON FAILURE TO LABEL THE NOISY MACHINES OR TOOLS TO SPECIFY THE DISTANCE WITHIN WHICH SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTOR MUST BE WORN AND THE OTHER ON FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT EVERY EMPLOYEE WEARS SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTOR."
MR KAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (NOISE AT WORK) REGULATION WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN JULY LAST YEAR, OWNERS OF ALL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO PROTECT WORKERS AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS.
"THESE MEASURES INCLUDE APPOINTING OF COMPETENT PERSONS TO CONDUCT NOISE ASSESSMENTS AND DEMARCATE AREAS AFFECTED BY EXCESSIVE NOISE AS EAR PROTECTION ZONES WITHIN WHICH OWNERS MUST PROVIDE AND EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTORS," HE SAID.
WHERE DEMARCATION IS IMPRACTICABLE, FOR EXAMPLE ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE WHERE NOISY MACHINES ARE BEING MOVED AROUND QUITE FREQUENTLY, THE REGULATION REQUIRES OWNERS TO LABEL THE NOISY MACHINES INDICATING THE DISTANCE WITHIN WHICH EAR PROTECTORS MUST BE WORN.
OWNERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN MACHINES PROPERLY AND IMPLEMENT CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE NOISE LEVEL.
"IN ADDITION, EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS, AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED," MR KAN ADDED.
HE SAID EMPLOYEES MUST, UNDER THE REGULATION, CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS IN USING THE SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTORS PROVIDED TO THEM AND REPORT ANY DEFECTS IN THE MACHINE TO THE OWNER.
"OWNERS WHO CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATION WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 WHILE EMPLOYEES WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF 310,000," HE ADDED.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 1994
4
FLAT OWNERS FINED FOR DEFYING DEMOLITION ORDERS *****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REITERATED THAT FLAT OWNERS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH DEMOLITION ORDERS ON UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES MAY FACE HEAVY FINES.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH TWO FLAT OWNERS WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $86,000 FOR IGNORING THE DEMOLITION ORDERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO REMOVE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN THEIR FLATS IN TSUEN WAN CENTRE, TSUEN WAN.
THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT ON JULY 15, 1992 WHEN STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ACTED ON A COMPLAINT TO INSPECT THE PREMISES. THEY FOUND METAL FRAME STRUCTURES COVERED BY CORRUGATED SHEETS.
DEMOLITION ORDERS WERE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON NOVEMBER 4, 1992 AND MARCH 24, 1993 REQUIRING THE OWNERS TO REMOVE THE UNAUTHORISED WORKS AND TO REINSTATE THE AFFECTED PARTS OF THE BUILDING WITHIN 30 DAYS.
FURTHER WARNING LETTERS WERE ISSUED TO THE OWNERS ON MAY 11 AND AUGUST 9 LAST YEAR SAYING THAT PROSECUTION ACTION WOULD BE INITIATED IF THE ORDERS WERE NOT COMPLIED WITH WITHIN FOUR WEEKS.
THE DEFENDANTS WERE TAKEN TO COURT AFTER SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT STATUTORY ORDERS HAD BEEN IGNORED.
THEY WERE CONVICTED AND FINED $25,500 AND $60,500 RESPECTIVELY ON JANUARY 5 THIS YEAR AT TSUEN WAN MAGISTRATE COURT. THE FINES INCLUDED A DAILY FINE OF $500 FOR 21 DAVS AND 91 DAYS RESPECTIVELY.
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1,000 SISTER SCHOOL STUDENTS TOUR NATURE STUDY CENTRE *****
MORE THAN 1,000 STUDENTS WILL BE MAKING FRIENDS WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE NATURE AT THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE, SAI KUNG, ON FEBRUARY 5.
THE "GETTING TO KNOW YOU" PARTY IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE SISTER SCHOOLS SCHEME.
THE STUDENTS FROM 48 SPECIAL AND 63 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE ABLE TO STUDY LIVING SPECIMENS AND STATIC DISPLAYS IN THE CENTRE. THIS WILL HELP THEM UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE HONG KONG’S WILDLIFE, VEGETATION, NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, IS TO MARK THE START OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SISTFR SCHOOLS SCHEME.
/OFFICIATING WILL .......
t
SUNDAY, JANAURY 30, 1994 5
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, WHO WILL BE PRESENTED WITH A CHEQUE FOR $395,125 FROM THE GOVERNOR OF THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR CHENG WAI-CHUEN, IN SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES.
THE SISTER SCHOOLS SCHEME WAS INITIATED AT THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR THE DISABLED IN 1981 AS A SOCIAL PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN TIES AND INTERACTION BETWEEN STUDENTS OF SPECIAL AND ORDINARY SCHOOLS.
UNDER THE SCHEME, A SPECIAL SCHOOL IS TEAMED UP WITH ONE TO THREE ORDINARY SCHOOLS IN ORGANISING RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS OF THE MATCHED SISTER SCHOOLS ORGANISE ABOUT FIVE ACTIVITIES EVERY YEAR. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE FINANCED BY THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 WHICH HAS DONATED MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS, INCLUDING ABOUT $400,000 IN 1993/94.
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NEW YEAR POSTERS TO SPREAD KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL DISTRIBUTE LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTERS FROM TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 1).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THE POSTER HIGHLIGHTED AUSPICIOUS CHINESE GREETINGS: "BE THE HOUSE FILLED WITH RICHES’”.
PRINTED IN BRIGHT RED COLOUR, THE POSTER INCLUDES VARIOUS TRADITIONAL FESTIVE ITEMS TO WELCOME THE YEAR OF THE DOG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE POSTER ALSO FEATURES THE "FAMILY OF THE DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS" TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE THAT "HONG KONG IS OUR HOME AND DON’T MAKE IT DIRTY."
"THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE POSTERS ALSO COINCIDES WITH OUR ANNUAL YEAR-END CLEAN-UP FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR," HE SAID.
FREE COPIES OF THE POSTER CAN BE COLLECTED FROM DISTRICT OFFICES, OFFICES Ol- THE REGIONAL SERVICES, URBAN SERVICES AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENTS.
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/6........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30,
1994
- 6 -
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY » » t t »
A TOTAL OF SEVEN ORGANISATIONS WERE GRANTED PERMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS IN PUBLIC PLACE NEXT MONTH, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THESE ORGANISATIONS WILL EITHER SELL FLAGS OR TOKENS OR SIMILAR ITEMS, OR PLACE DONATION BOXES IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC AREAS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ON TEL 866 8123 IN CASE OF ANY DOUBTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO APPEALED TO ORGANISERS TO ADOPT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST FRAUD.
"SELLERS SHOULD DISPLAY THE PERMIT OR CARRY COPIES OF THE PERMIT IF THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY MOVES FROM PLACE TO PLACE," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ADVISED ORGANISERS TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, FIX THE PLACES AND THE TIME FOR SELLING AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND SEEK THEIR HELP WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND, HE SAID.
DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
» FOR FLAGS
EVENT DATE PERMITTEE
FEBRUARY 5 THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY KOWLOON
FEBRUARY 19 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH (CHARITY) LTD
FEBRUARY 26 MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION LTD
/* FOR PUBLIC ........
i
SVNDKt, JANUARY 30, 1994
7
* FOR PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
EVENT DATE
PERMITTEE
FEBRUARY 6 THE EXECUTIVE PASTOR OF JESUS
FEBRUARY 13 CHRIST,
THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME,
ADMINISTRATOR, INC.
FEBRUARY 13 SOWERS ACTION
FEBRUARY 26 LAND OF VIRTUE CENTRE LTD
FEBRUARY 5 THE COMMUNITY l CHEST
FEBRUARY 6
FEBRUARY 19
FEBRUARY 20
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY/ JANUARY 31, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONTROL OVER PLUG AND ADAPTOR SAFETY PROPOSED .................. 1
STATEMENT ON ICAC DISMISSAL CASE ............................... 2
A GOOD YEAR FOR PUBLIC WORK .................................... 3
TWO LOTS SOLD FOR $491 MILLION ................................. 4
GONDOLA FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION ............................... 5
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1993 .......................... 6
MANUFACTURERS URGED TO VIE FOR GOVERNOR’S AWARD ............... 11
LEGCO DEBATES COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE ........ 12
RELOCATION OF MALE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC ...................... 13
WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ......................................... 13
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .......................................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
14
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
- 1 -
CONTROL OVER PLUG AND ADAPTOR SAFETY PROPOSED
♦ * * * ♦
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) HAS MADE PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF PLUGS AND ADAPTORS.
DETAILS ARE SET OUT IN A CONSULTATION PAPER ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) TO MORE THAN 50 INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS, INVITING THEIR COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED PLUGS AND ADAPTORS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
EXPLAINING THE PROPOSALS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LEGISLATION ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSALS WAS TO ENSURE THAT PLUGS AND ADAPTORS ON SALE LOCALLY WERE SAFE.
’’MANY PLUGS AND ADAPTORS ON THE LOCAL MARKET HAVE FAILED TO PASS SAFETY TESTS AND IT IS NOW ESSENTIAL THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION,” HE ADDED.
THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS WILL REQUIRE PLUGS AND ADAPTORS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE IN HONG KONG TO COMPLY WITH THE APPLICABLE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN THE RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARDS.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE UP TO AN ADEQUATE SAFETY STANDARD AND OF DIMENSIONS AND CONFIGURATION MATCHING THE SOCKET AND WIRING SYSTEM OF HONG KONG," MR CHAN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE SALE OR HIRE OF THOSE NOT MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. THIS COVERS THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS:
* TWO-PIN PLUGS, EXCEPT THOSE FOR CONNECTION TO SHAVER SUPPLY UNITS;
♦ TWO-PIN ADAPTORS; AND
* MULTI-PURPOSE ADAPTORS WHICH ADAPT SEVERAL SIZES OF TWO-PIN AND THREE-PIN PLUGS SIMULTANEOUSLY TO A SINGLE SOCKET.
UNDER THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS, HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS FOR USE IN HONG KONG AND DESIGNED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SOCKET WILL HAVE TO BE FITTED WITH A PLUG OF CORRECT RATING WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY STANDARDS.
THE SALE OR HIRE OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS NOT MEETING WITH THIS REQUIREMENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
HOWEVER, MR CHAN NOTED THAT AFTER THE REGULATIONS CAME INTO EFFECT, THE USE OF ANY PLUG OR ADAPTOR WHICH DID NOT MEET THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY STANDARDS, AND ANY HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCT WHICH WAS NOT FITTED WITH A PLUG COMPLYING WITH THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY STANDARDS WOULD NOT CONTRAVENE THE REGULATIONS.
"ENFORCEMENT OF A PROVISION AGAINST USE OF SUCH PRODUCTS WOULD BE QUITE IMPRACTICAL CONSIDERING THE LARGE NUMBER CURRENTLY IN USE," HE EXPLAINED.
/MR CHAN ......
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
2
MR CHAN ADDED THAT EMSD WOULD PUBLICISE THE RISKS OF CONTINUING TO USE SUCH PRODUCTS AND ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO REPLACE THEM WITH THOSE MEETING THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
’’HOWEVER, IF THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THAT A CERTAIN PRODUCT POSES UNACCEPTABLE RISKS TO THE USER, THE DIRECTOR MAY ACT TO PROHIBIT ITS USE, SALE OR HIRE UNDER THE RELEVANT SECTION OF THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE,” HE SAID,4
THE PLUGS AND ADAPTORS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED IN MID-1994 AND BROUGHT INTO EFFECT AFTER A SIX-MONTH GRACE PERIOD TO ALLOW TIME FOR IMPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS AND CONSUMERS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMPLYING WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION.
’’THEY WILL BE REPEALED WHEN THE PROPOSED ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OVER THE SAFETY OF ALL HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, COME INTO EFFECT IN 1996,” MR CHAN SAID. t
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES (DEMS) (ATTENTION TO MR T H TAI), 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
REQUESTS CAN ALSO BE MADE ON TEL 895 8803 OR BY FAX 895 4929.
INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO DEMS BY FEBRUARY 28.
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I ; ?*,<• ' ’ ' • > • ’■'
STATEMENT ON ICAC DISMISSAL CASE
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT A DECISION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SECURITY PANEL TO RESUME THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE REASONS FOR THE DISMISSAL OF THE FORMER INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, MR ALEX TSUI, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY):
“AS WE HAVE ALREADY MADE CLEAR THE COMMISSIONER AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL BE VERY WILLING TO ATTEND THE HEARING BUT HE WILL NOT DISCLOSE THE REASONS FOR THE DISMISSAL."
"IT IS TO BE HOPED THAT THE SCOPE OF THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WILL BE KEPT WITHIN PROPER BOUNDS AND THAT THE HEARING WILL NOT PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR MAKING SWEEPING AND UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS.”
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO NOTED THAT THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, ONLY LAST WEEK ANNOUNCED A WIDE-RANGING REVIEW OF THE POWERS OF THE ICAC AND OF ITS PRESENT SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WOULD HAVE FULL ACCESS TO ALL OF THE RELEVANT INFORMATION; AND ITS REPORT WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.
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/3........
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
3
A GOOD YEAR FOR PUBLIC WORK * * * ♦ *
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID 1993 HAD BEEN A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR PUBLIC WORKS WITH PERFORMANCE UPLIFTED, WORKSITE SAFETY IMPROVED AND GREATER EFFICIENCY IN WORKS GROUP.
SPEAKING AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION TODAY (MONDAY), MR BLAKE SAID HE EXPECTED THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WOULD BE VERY CLOSE TO THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
’’THERE WILL BE SOME REAL SAVINGS BECAUSE TENDERING REMAINS VERY COMPETITIVE. BUT, THE PROBLEMS OF UNDERSPENDING IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ARE NOW BEHIND US AFTER WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE NEW PROCEDURES TO UPLIFT THE PERFORMANCE.
’’OVER THE PAST NINE MONTHS, THE WORKS GROUP HAS BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH CONSULTANTS IN DIAGNOSING PROBLEMS AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND WHERE POSSIBLE, ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IMMEDIATELY.
NEW PROCEDURES ADOPTED IN THE YEAR INCLUDE:
♦ PLANNING AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES ARE NOW REQUIRED TO SET DOWN-PROJECT DETAILS AT CATEGORY C;
i ■
* PROJECT ACTION TEAM SET UP TO REVIEW HIGH IMPACT PROJECTS AND LARGE CATEGORY B PROJECTS TO ENSURE WORK ON THESE PROJECTS WILL START ON TIME;
♦ MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ARE LINKED BY A COMPUTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR MORE EFFECTIVE COST CONTROL;
♦ THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRESS COMMITTEE HAS BEEN RESTRUCTURED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE FORUM TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS OF PRIORITIES AND RESOURCES; AND
♦ ENTRUSTING WORK TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES WITH THE GOVERNMENT KEEPING FIRM CONTROL ON THE PROJECTS - THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO ENTRUST THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE EXTENSION OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE TO THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
OxN WORK SITE SAFETY, MR BLAKE SAID: ’’MUCH HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST YEAR TO REPLACE THE CULTURE OF CARELESSNESS WITH THE CULTURE OF SAFETY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
’’THE SAFETY CULTURE WE HAVE DEVELOPED FOR ACP (AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME) PROJECTS IS DIFFUSING TO NON-ACP WORKSITES. WE HAVE PUBLISHED CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY MANUALS AND SET UP A SAFETY MANAGEMENT UNIT TO STEP UP CHECKS AT BOTH ACP AND NON-ACP CONSTRUCTION SITES.
’’THE TEAM WILL BRING TO ME PERSONAL ATTENTION ANY SERIOUS EXCEPTION THEY HAVE FOUND.”
/fOREOVER, THE.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
4
MOREOVER, THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD CLOSELY SCRUTINISES SAFETY ASPECTS WHEN CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AWARD OF TENDERS.
"WE HAVE BEGUN A PILOT SCHEME WHICH ALLOWS CONTRACTORS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT UPON IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC SAFETY MEASURES IDENTIFIED IN A CONTRACT."
THE MOVE IS TO ENSURE THAT CONTRACTORS WOULD NOT REDUCE THEIR SAFETY COMMITMENT IN ORDER TO MAKE THEIR BID MORE COMPETITIVE IN TENDERING.
"I AM ALSO CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL TO SUSPEND CONTRACTORS FROM BIDDING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS IN THE EVENT THEY EXCEED A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS FOR VIOLATION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS.
"1 ALSO PLAN TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION LATER THIS YEAR TO TIGHTEN CONTROLS OVER THE USE OF BUILDER’S LIFTS AND LIFTING PLATFORMS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
"WE WILL ALSO START SPECIAL TRAINING IN MAY FOR STAFF OF WORKS DEPARTMENTS THAT WOULD INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY," MR BLAKE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE OVERALL ACCIDENT RATES FOR ACP AND NON-ACP CONTRACTS CONTINUED TO DROP AND WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
ON EXTENDING COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICE INTO THE WORKS GROUP, MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO SET UP A TRADING FUND IN THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT LATER THIS YEAR THAT WOULD GIVE THE GENERAL MANAGER GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO MANAGE ALL SEWERAGE PROJECTS AND SEWAGE OPERATIONS.
"WE ARE ALSO LOOKING INTO THE OPTIONS OF SETTING UP TRADING FUND IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT,” MR BLAKE SAID.
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TWO LOTS SOLD FOR $491 MILLION * * * * *
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $491 MILLION AT THE PUBLIC LAND AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE LOT AT AP LEI CHAU WEST WAS BOUGHT BY BEST LIAISON LTD AT $415 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $220 MILLION.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,756 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN USE, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 32,809 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1998.
THE OTHER LOT, IN AREA 16, TUEN MUN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,804 SQUARE METRES. IT WAS SOLD TO MARNAV HOLDINGS LTD AT $76 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $38 MILLION.
/IT CAN .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
5
IT CAN BE USED AS GODOWNS, EXCLUDING STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 12,000 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1997.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, AND WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR LEUNG LOK-YIU.
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GONDOLA FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION ♦ * * * ♦
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON THE TRAGIC FIRE IN WHICH TWO WORKERS WERE KILLED WHILE WORKING ON A GONDOLA OUTSIDE A BUILDING IN YUEN LONG LAST SATURDAY, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID A TEAM OF FACTORY INSPECTORS LED BY A DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR WAS STILL INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT.
CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID FACTORY INSPECTORS WOULD LOOK INTO VARIOUS ASPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRAGEDY TO SEE IF ANY OFFENCE UNDER THE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES REGULATION AND THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE (FIUO) HAD BEEN COMMITTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHENEVER INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES WERE USED BY THE PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING, ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN THE REGULATION.
THE DUTIES OF THE PROPRIETOR UNDER THE REGULATION INCLUDE LABELLING OF THE FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES, PROVISION OF PROPER CONTAINERS, PROVISION OF SAFETY INFORMATION, INSTRUCTIONS, TRAINING, PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND ADOPTION OF THE NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS INCLUDING MEASURES AGAINST FIRE OR EXPLOSION IF ANY INFLAMMABLE OR EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCE IS IN USE.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE EMPLOYEES SHOULD CO-OPERATE BY NOT MISUSING OR INTERFERING WITH THE LABF1, FOLLOW THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN, AND OBSII\F THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS INDICATED ON THE LABFL," MR CHAN SAID.
AN EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE LEGAL PROVISIONS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $50,000 WHILE AN EMPLOYEE WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
MR CHAN RE-ITERATED THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE SAFETY WHEN WORKING ON A GONDOLA WITH INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES, ADDING THAT THE QUANTITY SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM APART FROM OBSERVING ALL THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
"THE GENERA! DUTIES PROVISIONS EXPRESS DUTIES OF PROPRIETORS AND PERSONS EMPLOYED IN GENERAL TERM AND SUCH DUTIES ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AND SITUATIONS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISIONS WERE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE PROPRIETORS AND PERSONS EMPLOYED TO TAKE A WIDER VIEW OF THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITH RESPECT TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK.
/PROPRIETORS CONTRAVENING
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
6
PROPRIETORS CONTRAVENING THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS OF THE FIUO WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
A PERSON EMPLOYED AT AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS ALSO COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT THE TRAGEDY ON SATURDAY WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FIRE ARISING FROM UNCONTROLLED AND UNPROTECTED USE OF INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES CARRIED TN A GONDOLA.
"IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MECHANICAL OPERATION OF THE GONDOLA, NOR WAS THERE ANY APPARENT FAULT FOUND IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE GONDOLA," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE STATUTORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES, INCLUDING GONDOLAS.
MR CHAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BRINGING IN A MORE SPECIFIC PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE SAFE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORMS, INCLUDING GONDOLAS.
"THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ARE AIMED AT COVERING ALL ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF SAFETY WHICH, NEEDLESS TO SAY, WILL INCLUDE FIRE SAFETY," HE ADDED.
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1993 ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED NOTABLY DURING DECEMBER 1993, MAINLY DUE TO THE REFUNDING OF SHARE SUBSCRI PTION MONIES, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE HONG KONG MONETARA AUTHORITY.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, THE BROADEST HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M3, DECLINED IN DECEMBER. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO DECREASED DURING THE MONTH.
DEPOSITS
INFLUENCED BY THE HIGH COMPARISON BASE TN NOVEMBER AS A RESULT OF THREE FLOTATION EXERCISES, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS (ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS) FELL BY 14.3% IN DECEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 11.7% AND 15% TN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, TIME DEPOSITS FELL BY 25.4%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DEMAND DEPOSITS \ND SAVING DEPOSITS RECORDED INCREASES OF 4.4% AND 4.5% RESPECTIVELY DURING THE MONTH. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 25.5%.
FORE I GN CURRENCY DEPOS I TS W I TH AUTHOR I SEI) I NST ITUT IONS INCREASED BY 0.2% IN DECEMBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.6% IN OCTOBER AND A DECREASE OF 0.2% TN NOVEMBER.
/OF THESE ......
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
1
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 2.2% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FELL BY 1.6%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 5.5%.
DURING DECEMBER, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 7.9% AND 1.4% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY 3.8%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 15.6% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY’ 14.8% AND 10.5% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 INCREASED BY' 4.7% WHILE HK$M2 AND HK$M3 DECREASED BY 13.2% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER.
THEIR CORRESPONDING RATES OF CHANGE IN NOVEMBER WERE -21.1%, +14.2% AND +14% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, HK$M1, HKSM2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 20.8%, 26.9% AND 25.2% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml INCREASED BY 4.4% WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 DECREASED BY 7.3% AND 6.9% RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER. IN NOVEMBER, THEIR CORRESPONDING RATES ' OF CHANGE WERE -19.3%, +7.3% AND +7.3% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 20.6%, 16% AND 15.6% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOAN'S AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED BY 4.2% IN DECEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.6% AND 3.6% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE LOANS, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS FELL CONSIDERABLY BY 12.1%, MAINLY DUE TO THE REPAYMENT OF LOANS FOR THE SHARE SUBSCRIPTIONS. FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS INCREASED BY 0.3%. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.9% AND 14.6% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 0.3% IN DECEMBER, AFTER A DECREASE OF 0.1% EACH IN BOTH OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 15.7%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG FELL BY 10.6% IN DECEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 5.2% AND 8.6% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 18.2%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 0.3% IN DECEMBER, AFTER A DECREASE OF 2.1% IN OCTOBER AND AN INCREASE OF 0.3% IN NOVEMBER. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 14.5%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 6.5%
DURING DECEMBER, AFTER DECREASES OF 2% AND 0.7% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS DECREASED BY 5.6%.
/QUARTERLY ANALYSIS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
8
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF. LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG (EXCLUDING THOSE FOR TRADE FINANCING) INCREASED BY 2.1%.
OF THESE, LOANS FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING DECREASED BY 0.9%, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 6.9% IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND A DECREASE OF 0.3% IN THE THIRD QUARTER. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 15.7%.
LOANS TO BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SECTOR ROSE BY 5.3% DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 8.3% AND 8.6% DURING THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 27.9%.
LOANS TO WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE DECREASED BY 3.1% DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 6% AND 3.9% DURING THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 12.6%.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (EXCLUDING AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) INCREASED BY 10.6% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 0.5% DURING THE SECOND QUARTER-AND AN INCREASE OF 3.5% DURING THE THIRD QUARTER. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 24.7%.
THE GROWTH OF LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS 'FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) SLOWED DOWN TO 1.4% THIS QUARTER, COMPARED WITH 6% AND 5.9% IN SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 15.1%.
QUARTERLY HONG KONG DOLLAR EXTERNAL CLAIMS
AND LIABILITIES TO BANKS OUTSIDE HONG KONG
AS AT END-DECEMBER, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR EXTERNAL CLAIMS ON AND LIABILITIES TO BANKS OUTSIDE HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO HKS95.9 BILLION AND HK5129.4 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE, HONG KONG DOLLAR EXTERNAL CLAIMS ON AND LIABILITIES TO BANKS IN CHINA AMOUNTED TO HKS37.1 BILLION AND HKS67.1 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THE NET HONG KONG DOLLAR LIABILITIES TO BANKS IN CHINA DECLINED BY 32.1% FROM HKS44.2 BILLION AS AT END-SEPTEMBER TO HKS3O BILLION AS AT END-DECEMBER.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 168. THE NUMBER OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK DECREASED BY ONE TO 57 WHILE THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY TWO TO 140.
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1993 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
/9.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
9
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - DEC 1993
(HK$mn)
Dec 1993 Earlier months (% change to Dec 1993)
Nov 1993 Sep 1993 Dec 1992
Money Supply
Ml - HK$ 168,440 160342 ( 4.7) 155,162 ( 8.6 ) 139,479 ( 20.8 )
Foreign currency 19,168 18,776 ( 2.1) 20,044 ( -4.4) 16,078 ( 19.2 )
Total 187,608 179,618 ( 4.4) 175306 ( 7.1 ) 155357 ( 20.6 )
M2 - HKS* 922,417 1,062 351 ( -13.2 ) 839,114 ( 9.9 ) 726,992 ( 26.9 )
Foreign currency* 839,452 838361 ( 0.1) 829305 ( 1.2) 791.785 ( 6.0)
Total 1,761370 1,901,411 ( -7.3) 1,668,619 ( 5.6) 1318.777 ( 16.0)
M3 - HKS* 939,491 1,079,356 ( -13.0 ) 855,680 ( 9.8 ) 750376 ( 25.2)
Foreign currency* 881,071 876,695 ( 0.5) 861,769 ( 2.2) 823,989 ( 6.9)
Total 1320362 1,956,051 ( -6.9) 1,717,450 ( 6.0 ) 1374365 ( 15.6 )
Notes and coins in circulation 71,874 67,958 ( 5.8) 69.215 ( 3.8) 61,157 ( 17.5)
of which held by public 63,354 60307 ( 5.2) 61.013 ( 3.8) 52,172 ( 21.4)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 124355 119,411 ( 4.1) 114,193 ( 8.8 ) 103,385 ( 20.2)
Total Savings deposits 422382 410.823 ( 2.8) 397,090 ( 6.3) 353378 ( 19.3)
Total Tune deposits with licensed banks 1,129,408 1388351 ( -12.4 ) 1.075380 ( 5.0) 992,126 ( 13.8 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 29,479 28,399 ( 3.8) 26376 ( 12.2) 34,611 ( -14.8 )
Total Time deposits with deposit - taking companies 17,099 17,334 ( -1.4) 17.662 ( -3.2) 19,107 ( -10.5 )
HKS deposits* 858341 1,001,685 ( -14.3) 779,682 ( 10.1 ) 684,055 ( 253 )
USS deposits* 420,508 411,644 ( 2.2) 405,708 ( 3.6) 387,901 ( 8.4)
Other foreign currency deposits* 443,773 451,190 ( -1.6) 445,412 ( -0.4) 431,150 ( 2.9 )
All deposits 1.722322 1364318 ( -7.6) 1,630302 ( 5.6) 1303,107 ( 14.6 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 71300 68,608 ( 4.7) 66,620 ( 7.8) 58,690 ( 22.3)
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K/s visible trade 103344 102,975 ( 0.3) 103,113 ( 0.1 ) 89365 ( 15.7)
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11318 11,997 ( -6.5) 12.324 ( -9.0 ) 11383 ( -5.6)
Other loans for use in H.K. 1.075,184 1302.391 ( -10 6 ) 1.052 391 ( 2.1 ) 909,907 ( 18.2 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,626,415 1,621.291 ( 0.3) 1.651366 ( -1.5) 1,420,648 ( 14.5)
Other loans where the place of use is not known 40,829 45,005 ( -9.3) 42.401 ( -3.7) 37355 ( 7.9)
Loans in HKS 957323 1,089 373 ( -121 ) 930,740 ( 2.9) 812,087 ( 17.9)
Loans in foreign currencies 1,899367 1,894,087 ( 0.3) 1,930,957 ( -1.6) 1,657.471 ( 14.6 )
Total loans and advances 2,856,890 2,983,660 ( -4.2) 2,861.697 ( -0.2 ) 2,469358 ( 15.7)
• Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note: ’Restricted licence banks’and ’deposit-taking companies’ were known as licensed deposit-taking companies’and ’registered deposit-taking companies’respectively before 1 February 1990.
/TABLE 2 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
10
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - DEC 1993
Sectors Dec 1993 Earlier quarters (% change to Dec 1993) 1 Dec 1992 [HKSmn)
Sep 1993 Jun 1993
Manufacturing 73,719 74373 ( -0.9 ) 74.589 ( -1.2 ) 63,731 ( 15.7 )
Transport and transport equipment 62,262 64,067 ( -2.8 ) 62.586 ( -0.5 ) 58,076 ( 7-2 )
Building, construction, property 181,836 172,704 ( 5.3 ) 159.024 ( 14.3 ) 142,185 ( 27.9 )
development and investment
Wholesale and retail trade 99,288 102,445 ( -3.1 ) 98.569 ( 0.7 ) 88,152 ( 12.6 )
Financial concerns * 156,096 141,109 ( 10.6 ) 136.344 ( 14.5 ) 125,191 ( 24.7 )
Individuals:
to purchase flats in the Home 34.740 32,181 ( 8.0 ) 26.357 ( 31.8 ) 21,628 ( 60.6 )
Ownership Scheme and Private Sector Participation Scheme
to purchase other residential property 233305 230,018 ( 1.4 ) 217,112 ( 7.4 ) 202,630 ( • • 15.1 )
other purposes 102,979 100.595 ( 2.4 ) 95376 ( 8.1 ) 88.342 ( 16.6 )
Others 131,059 135.099 ( -3.0 ) 131,091 ( -0.0 ) 119,972 ( 9.2 )
Total 1,075,184 1.052391 ( 2.1 ) 1,000,948 ( 7.4 ) 909,907 ( 18.2 )
• This excludes funds advanced to authorized institutions.
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/Il ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
11
MANUFACTURERS URGED TO VIE FOR GOVERNOR’S AWARD
*****
THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY IS THE HIGHEST RECOGNITION AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRY. WINNING IT THROUGH TOUGH COMPETITION IS A PRESTIGIOUS HONOUR OF LASTING VALUE.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, MADE THIS REMARK TODAY (MONDAY).
"I URGE MANUFACTURERS TO ENTER INTO COMPETITION OF THIS AWARD SCHEME SO THAT THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS CAN BE RECOGNISED," SHE SAID.
ESTABLISHED IN 1989 AND EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS, THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY AIMS AT ENCOURAGING AND RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE IN DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE.
THERE ARE SIX CATEGORIES UNDER THE SCHEME. EACH CATEGORY IS RUN BY A DIFFERENT ORGANISATION.
THE CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN AWARD CATEGORY IS RUN BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES TO RECOGNISE INNOVATIVE DESIGN IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS.
THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN AWARD CATEGORY IS RUN BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG TO RECOGNISE INNOVATIVE DESIGN IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
THE PRODUCTIVITY AWARD CATEGORY IS RUN BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO RFCOGN1SE PRODUCTIVITY ACHIEVEMENTS IN A MANUFACTURING OPERATION.
THE QUALITY AWARD CATEGORY IS RUN BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNISE QUALITY ACHIEVEMENTS IN A MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AWARD CATEGORY IS RUN BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT TO RECOGNISE ATTENTION TO PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN MANUFACTURING.
THE EXPORT MARKETING AWARD CATEGORY IS RUN BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOGNISE ACHIEVEMENTS IN EXPORTS OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS.
ENTRIES ARE INVITED EVERY YEAR AND THE BEST ENTRY IN EACH AWARD CATEGORY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY.
APART FROM THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD, ORGANISERS OF THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES MAY ALSO GIVE THEIR OWN AWARDS IN EACH AWARD CATEGORY OR CONFER CERTIFICATES OF MERIT ON DESERVING ENTRIES.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES THIS YEAR IS MAY 2. THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ON OCTOBER 31.
/AS REGARDS .......
12
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
AS REGARDS THE QUALITY AWARD ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MISS YUE SAID: ’’ALL COMPANIES LOCATED IN HONG KONG AND, IN THE YEAR BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES, MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS WHICH QUALIFY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF HONG KONG ORIGIN ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THE COMPETITION.”
ENTRIES FOR THE QUALITY AWARD WILL BE EVALUATED ON TWO MAIN CRITERIA.
THE FIRST IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH A COMPANY’S QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS APPLIED TO DESIGN, MATERIALS SOURCING, PRODUCTION AND TESTING; AND HOW FAR IT ELIMINATES DELAYS AND REJECTIONS DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND IS THE QUALITY OF THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTS, IN TERMS OF FITNESS FOR PURPOSE, CONSISTENCY OF PERFORMANCE, APPEARANCE, VALUE FOR MONEY AND SAFETY.
ENTRY FORMS AND BROCHURES ON THE QUALITY AWARD ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OR BY TELEPHONING 737 2306.
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LEGCO DEBATES COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE ♦ i * ♦ ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL DEBATE A MOTION ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE THIS WEDNESDAY.
THE MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON WONG WAI-YIN.
DEBATE ON ANOTHER MOTION, TO BE PROPOSED BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG, IS ON THE FREEDOM OF TRAVEL.
IN THE MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL TABLE ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR 1992/93 OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE AND LINGNAN COLLEGE.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL PRESENT URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCILS’ ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1994/95; AND THE REVISED ESTIMATES OF THE TWO COUNCILS FOR 1993/94.
MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS.
THREE OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.’
THE BILLS ARE: LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994.
DEBATES ON HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WILL BE RESUMED AND IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SLATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
/13.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
13
RELOCATION OF MALE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC » ♦ » ♦ »
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE ASHLEY ROAD MALE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC IN TSIM SHA TSUI WOULD BE MOVED INTO YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB POLYCLINIC ON FEBRUARY 8 (TUESDAY).
THE CLINIC, RENAMED AS YAU MA TEI MALE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC, WILL BE LOCATED ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF POLYCLINIC AT 145 BATTERY STREET, KOLWOON.
THE TIME OF REGISTRATION REMAINS UNCHANGED:
MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9 AM TO NOON
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 2 PM TO 4 PM (ADDITIONAL HOURS)
MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY
AND FRIDAY 5 PM TO 6 PM (ADDITIONAL HOURS)
TO FACILITATE THE PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE RELOCATION, THE ASHLEY ROAD MALE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC WILL BE CLOSED ON FEBRUARY 5 (SATURDAY) AND FEBRUARY 7 (MONDAY).
DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE CLINIC, PATIENTS WITH URGENT NEEDS MAY ATTEND THE YUNG FUNG SHEE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, YUNG FUNG SHEE MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTRE, CHA KWO LING ROAD, KWUN TONG.
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WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 2) TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES IN TAI LAM WU, NGAU LIU, NGAU PUI WO, MAN WO, KAU TSIN UK, KAI HAM, TIN LIU, CHUK YUEN AND WONG KENG TEI.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* ♦ » » »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 66.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 389.472 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 313.489 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 53.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/14 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1994
14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * »
$ MILLION .....* ' \ _______________________________________________
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 6,755
REVERSAL OF LAF -79
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 6,676
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY -2,676
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -395
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,605
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 126.8 *-0.1* 31.1.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.84 16 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.18 3.64
1 MONTH 2.86 19 MONTHS 2508 4.265 101.26 3.81
3 MONTHS 2.97 22 MONTHS 2511 4.15 100.30 4.01
6 MONTHS 3.07 33 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.33 4.51
12 : MONTHS 3.40 36 MONTHS 3701 4.60 100.18 4.59
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 33,023 MN
CLOSED 31 JANUARY 1994
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