DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Tuesday, August 1,1995
Contents Page No,
Top officials investments available for public inspection................ 1
61 nominations received for LegCo elections.............................. 2
Final Register of Electors published .................................... 2
Minimum employees' compensation insurance required....................... 4
Director of Fire Services retires........................................ 6
Measures to prevent sale of illegal rooftop structures................... 6
Job Matching extends to all employment offices........................... 7
Employers should observe existing law on retirement scheme............... 8
NAPCO brings ACP message to Seattle..................................... 10
Secondary five students invited to English programme................. 11
Land Registry announces enhanced Performance Pledges.................... 13
Energy statistics annual report on sale................................. 14
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results............................. 15
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations.................... 16
1
Top officials investments available for public inspection ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Investments declared by the 20 top officials will be available for public inspection from today (Tuesday).
Under the revised Rules on Investments and Declaration of Investments by Civil Servants promulgated in March this year, civil servants appointed to posts with access to market sensitive information are required to declare their private investments in Hong Kong annually.
In addition, the 20 top officials namely, the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary, Attorney General, Branch Secretaries, Commissioner of Police and Commissioner, and Independent Commission Against Corruption, have to register every year with the government their financial interests in Hong Kong. This register will be made available for public inspection.
The interests they have to declare are:
(a) land and property including the family home;
(b) proprietorships, partnerships or directorships of companies; and
(c) shareholdings of one per cent or more in any listed public or private company.
A government spokesman explained that the purpose of making the declarations of the 20 top officials available for public inspection is to further enhance the concept of public accountability.
Members of the public may call the Civil Service Branch on 2810 2748 to make an appointment to inspect the records during office hours. Inspection is free but copies will be charged at the Government rate. Note to Editors:
A summary of the declarations of interests by the 20 top officials will be faxed.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
2
61 nominations received for LegCo elections * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A total of 61 nominations were received today (Tuesday), the first day of nomination of candidates for the Legislative Council elections. The breakdown of nominations by constituency is as follows:
Geographical Constituency: 31
New Functional Constituency: 13
Old Functional Constituency: 15
Election Committee Constituency: 2 ■ St-
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Final Register of Electors published ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 1995 Final Registers of Electors (FRs), in respect of the geographical constituencies (GCs), functional constituencies (FCs), and election committee constituency, (ECC) are published today.
■ ■ ■■ ■ J.,,;
Following the publication of the 1995 Provisional Registers of Electors (PRs) on June 21, public inspection was made available from June 21 to July 5 for electors to raise objections or claims to the Revising Officer. A total of 184 notices of objections and 69 claims were received and considered by the Revising Officer. All objections and 65 claims were allowed. Four claims were dismissed.
Electors might also report changes of their particulars to the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) before July 5 for inclusion in the FRs. 9,000 reports for changes of particulars were received before the deadline. A total of 254,000 electors were also reallocated to 86 replaced or added polling stations for the September Legislative Council Elections. These are reported in the FRs.
3
Clerical and computer data input errors in the PRs were also corrected. As a result, about 7,000 entries have been re-instated and included in the FR for GC and 14,000 entries in the FR for FC.
The total GC electorate is now 2.57 million, as compared with 2.45 million in 1994.
For the nine new FCs, more than 1.06 million working persons are registered, some 43 per cent of the potential electorate.
For the old FCs, there are more electors in each of the 10 old FCs representing the professional sectors and the total electorate is up by 14 per cent from 63,000 to 72,141.
There are also 22 per cent more electors in the 10 old FCs where individual electors have replaced corporate electors, the total reads 10,211, as compared with 8,325 in 1994.
283 electors are registered in the ECC which is constituted by district board members.
Electors whose names appear on the 1995 FRs will be eligible to vote at the forthcoming Legislative Council Elections to be held on September 17.
The FRs are available for public inspection during office hours on any working day at the following offices:
* Registration and Electoral (Full set available) Office Harbour Centre, 10th floor, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
* District Offices (The parts on the GC Register relevant to the district)
* Registration and Electoral Office (The parts on the nine new FCs) (Registration Section), 10th floor, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road.
Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
* Central and Western District Office
4
* Yau Tsim Mong District Office
* Kwun Tong District Office (The parts on the old FCs)
* Sha Tin District Office
* Tsuen Wan District Office
For enquiries, please call 2891 1001.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Minimum employees’ compensation insurance required *****
Employers are required to purchase a minimum amount of compensation insurance for their employees instead of the unlimited insurance cover previously required.
The Employees’ Compensation (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 1995, which comes into effect today, specifies the minimum amount of insurance cover for different employment situations to be purchased by employers under and independently of the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
"The minimum amount of insurance cover is $100 million per event in the case of an employer employing not more than 200 employees, and $200 million per event if the number of employees exceeds 200," Acting Senior Labour Officer (Compensation), Mrs Mary Cheng, said.
Under the Amendment Ordinance, a principal contractor in the construction industry may take out a blanket insurance policy for not less than $200 million per event in respect of his own liabilities and those of his sub-contractors.
A group of companies may also take out a blanket insurance policy for at least $200 million per event to cover the liabilities of the holding company as well as those of its subsidiary companies.
5
Under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, it is an offence for an employer to fail to obtain the minimum insurance cover for his liabilities at law.
On summary conviction, he may be required to pay a fine of $25,000 and be imprisoned for one year. It is therefore in a company or a contractor's own interest to secure sufficient insurance cover in order to comply with the law and for their own protection.
Mrs Cheng said that if a principal contractor had taken out a blanket insurance policy covering his liabilities and those of his sub-contractors, he and his subcontractors would be regarded as having complied with the compulsory insurance requirements of the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
"Similarly, if a group of companies have taken out a blanket insurance policy covering their liabilities to their employees, all ‘those in the group insured shall be regarded as having complied with such requirements," she explained.
"Should an employee's claim exceed the insurance cover, he should receive the outstanding balance from his employer as the employer is primarily responsible for the payment of compensation," Mrs Cheng added.
The Amendment Ordinance therefore further provides that where a blanket insurance policy has been taken out by a group of companies and where the amount of insurance cover has been exhausted, the subsidiary company concerned shall be liable for any outstanding claim in respect of any injury to an employee.
"If the employee is unable to recover payment of compensation from the subsidiary company concerned, the holding company insured under the same insurance policy shall be liable to pay the amount to the employee," Mrs Cheng added.
Enquiries on the Amendment Ordinance can be made to the Labour Department hotline 2717 1771.
End/Tuesday, August 1. 1995
6
Director of Fire Services retires *****
The Government announced today (Tuesday) that Mr Lam Chek-yuen, Director of Fire Services, will retire on October 1. Mr Lam will be succeeded by Mr Peter Cheung, the current Deputy Director of Fire Services.
The following are brief biographical notes on Mr Lam and Mr Cheung:
Mr Lam Chek-yuen
Mr Lam joined the civil service in 1956 as a sub-officer in the Fire Services Department in 1958. He was promoted to Deputy Director of Fire Services in 1987 and to Director of Fire Services in 1992. On his retirement at the age of 57, Mr Lam will have completed 39 years of service with the Hong Kong Government.
Mr Peter Cheung
Aged 52, Mr Cheung joined the civil service as an Assistant Station Officer in 1962. He was promoted to Chief Fire Officer in 1989 and to Deputy Director of Fire Services in 1992. Mr Cheung has acted as Director of Fire Services on a number of occasions.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Measures to prevent sale of illegal rooftop structures
*****
The Buildings Department has taken a number of measures to prevent the sale of illegal rooftop structures.
This was disclosed by the Assistant Director of Buildings. Mr Cheng Wei-dart, when responding to press enquiries today (Tuesday).
7
"There has been close liaison between the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Buildings Department regarding illegal rooftop structures. At the request of the department, the Law Society has issued circulars to advise its members to be particularly careful in dealing with space and unauthorised structures on rooftops," Mr Cheng said.
"The Buildings Department has been advising the public against buying illegal rooftop structures. We also issue warning when we find anyone erecting these structures, not just through complaints but also our own discovery in the course of our inspections," he added.
Mr Cheng explained that property title might be rendered defective by the existence of illegal rooftop structures, pointing out that there had been a court ruling to that effect.
"Therefore, those who sell or buy illegal rooftop structures do so at their own risk," he cautioned, pointing out that the Buildings Department had adopted a more rigorous policy of prosecution and demolition of new and dangerous rooftop structures.
Meanwhile, a Housing Branch spokesman revealed that a bill which sought to regulate the operation of estate agents by establishing an Estate Agents Authority would be introduced into the Legislative Council later in the year.
Among other things, the Authority will require estate agents to furnish true and accurate information about the property handled by them, including a statement by the owner of the property as to whether the property has any unauthorised alteration works and whether the property is subject to any current orders or plans to carry out repairs.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Job Matching extends to all employment offices *****
Job-seekers wishing to join the Labour Department's Job Matching Programme (JMP) can visit any of the nine Local Employment Service (LES) branch offices from today (Tuesday).
The programme, launched in April in five LES offices to help unemployed persons aged 30 or above to find jobs, is extended to all LES offices today instead of late September as scheduled. The Commissioner for Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, said he was glad the JMP could be extended to all LES offices ahead of schedule.
8
"The success of the programme has prompted the Government to extend the programme as early as practicable," he said.
For the first four months of operation, 1,377 job-seekers had registered under the programme and 429 were placed in jobs.
"More than 30 per cent of the registrants found jobs. If those who declined employment offers were taken into consideration, the success rate of job placement would be more than 40 per cent," Mr Ip said. Most successful job-seekers are now working as clerks, office assistants, cleaners and labourers, earning between $4,000 and $13,000 per month.
Mr Ip reiterated that JMP registrants were offered active placement service.
The Placement Officer will conduct an in-depth interview with the registrant to assess his aptitude and capability, briefed him fully on the job market situation and advised on vacancies that suit him.
He will then be referred to selection interviews with employers. If the registrant needs further training to enhance his employment prospect, the officer will recommend him to a retraining course organised by the Employees Retraining Board. Upon completion of retraining, active placement assistance will be given to him.
Mr Ip urged job-seekers aged 30 or above to register with the JMP without delay.
For enquiries on the programme, please call 2591 1316.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Employers should observed existing law on retirement scheme ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Office of the Registrar of Occupational Retirement Schemes today (Tuesday) advised Hong Kong employers that they should strictly observe the existing requirements under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO).
Although the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (MPFO) was passed by the Legislative Council, details of its requirements and commencement date have yet to be finalised. However, employers operating occupational retirement schemes must register their existing schemes with the Registrar, as required by law, before October 15.
9
Registrar of Occupational Retirement Schemes, Mrs Pamela Tan, said: "Although the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council, the commencement date of the new ordinance has not been fixed, and further requirements under the rules and regulations have not been finalised yet.
"The Government is now proceeding to establish the rules and regulations for implementation under the new Ordinance. Additionally, rules and regulations will be introduced to facilitate the interface between the new ordinance on the existing retirement schemes while keeping the impact on the latter to the minimum."
She advised employers operating occupational retirement schemes not to delay their registration.
"It is of immediate concern for employers to strictly observe the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance and submit their applications for scheme registration before the deadline on October 15, 1995.
"Employers who fail to register before the deadline and continue to operate unregistered retirement schemes may be prosecuted and face penalty of up to $500,000 fine and additional daily fine of up to $10,000 and two years imprisonment," said Mrs Tan.
The application procedure was not complicated, the Registrar stress, urging those employers who have not yet submitted their registration applications to act now, and to co-ordinate with their scheme administrators in the preparation of the required application documents. The Office will not be extending the deadline.
ORSO has come into operation since October 15, 1993. The purpose of the ordinance is to set up a registration system to ensure that all private occupational retirement schemes arc properly regulated and that retirement benefits will be paid to scheme members when they fall due.
It stipulates major safeguards to enhance the protection of schemes members' interest, including the separation of scheme assets from employer's assets, adequate funding of the schemes by employers, regular independent audits and actuarial reviews, disclosure of information to scheme members, independent trusteeship and restrictions on certain investments of scheme assets.
10
The Office so far received more than 7,600 registration applications covering more than 400,000 employees.
For further details, please call the Occupational Retirement Schemes Hotline 2867 4642 or Charles Lankerster or Grace Sek of Shandwick Hong Kong Limited on 2845 1008.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
NAPCO brings ACP message to Seattle *****
Great progress is being made on the construction of the Airport Core Programme in Hong Kong, the Director of the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, Mr Billy Lam, said in Seattle, USA, yesterday (Monday).
Mr Lam is on a three-day visit to Seattle to attend the Pacific Rim TransTech Conference and to deliver a keynote speech on the Airport Core Programme at the opening session.
"We are making excellent progress on the construction of the new airport and the other nine associated infrastructural projects,” he told the audience of about 1,000 transport experts from the United States and other countries. This was a remarkable achievement given that the ACP is one of the world's largest infrastructure programmes.
"The recent agreement with the Chinese Government on the financial support agreements for the airport and the airport railway will give the programme further impetus," he added.
Upon completion, the infrastructure provided by the 10 projects will strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international business, financial and aviation centre and the gateway to China.
"The ACP is a major investment which will support Hong Kong's economic growth well beyond 1997 and into the 21st century," Mr Lam said.
11
He said there has been active international participation in the ACP with about 77 per cent, by value, of the contracts going to overseas firms.
"We operate a fair and open tender system with a level playing field for all contractors, and contracts are awarded strictly on the basis of value for money," he added.
Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on Thursday (August 3).
End/Tuesday, August, 1, 1995
Secondary five students invited to English programme *****
Secondary five students who have taken half of the subjects in the 1995 Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) in Chinese are reminded to apply in time for the Pre-S6 course of the Intensive English Programme (IEP) due to start later this month.
The Pre-S6 course is the first stage of the IEP. It is a two-week whole-day course conducted by the British Council on behalf of the Education Department from August 21 to 31. A spokesman for the Education Department said the course was designed to help students achieve the English standard required to enter local tertiary institutions.
To be eligible for the Pre-S6 course, students must:
* have been admitted to secondary six grades in the 1995-96 school year;
* have satisfied the requirements for sitting the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination in 1997; and
Q »•
* have taken in at least 50 per cent of the subjects in the HKCEE in Chinese in 1995 apart from Chinese Language, Chinese Literature, Chinese History, English Language, English Literature, Buddhist Studies, Shorthand and Typewriting.
12
The spokesman stressed that failure to enrol in the Pre-S6 course would result in being not eligible for the Post-S6 (second stage) and Post-S7 (third stage) courses of the IEP to be held in the summers of 1996 and 1997 respectively.
Application forms are available in schools where students have been admitted to secondary six. Private candidates may obtain forms in all District Education Offices.
Applicants getting secondary 6 places from August 8 to 11 under the secondary 6 admission procedure must return the completed application forms to the Education Department through school principals on or before August 11.
However, applicants getting secondary six places through central allocation as well as those in non-bought place private schools, may return the application forms to the Schools Division of the Education Department at 14th floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, through the principals of their secondary six schools on or before August 18.
Applicants taking the 1995 HKCEE as private candidates are required to complete separate application forms and forward it to the Education Department through principals offering them secondary six places, with a copy of HKCEE admission slip and a copy of the HKCEE result notice.
There is a quota for the number of students admitted to the course. If the number exceeds, a selection process will be conducted.
The list of successful applicants will be posted at the following three places at 11 am on August 19 (Saturday):
* Lui Kee Educational Sendees Centre, 269 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai;
* British Council Head Office, 255 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai;
* Education Department Kowloon Sub-Office, 405 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei.
Enquiries may be directed to the Education Research Section, Education Department at 2892 6608 or 2892 6616.
End/Tuesday, August I, 1995
13
Land Registry announces enhanced Performance Pledges ♦ ♦ * * *
The Land Registry announced today (Tuesday) the results of its second year’s performance against service targets and new Performance Pledges for the current year.
The Land Registrar, Mr Kenneth Pang Tsan-wing said that the Registry has done well in meeting the second year’s Performance Pledges based on customer expectations, both in terms of delivery time and quality of service.
’’For the two major services, registration of land documents and search of land registers, our actual performance was 95.6 per cent and 100 per cent meeting targets respectively.”
As an on-going commitment to improving services, the Land Registry has set higher performance standards for this year. For example, the service time for registration of land documents has been shortened from 22 to 20 working days and that for search of land registers from 30 to 25 minutes.
"To ensure that our performance is effectively monitored and our services meeting customer needs, we have regular meetings with three customers liaison groups, they have provided very useful feedback and constructive suggestions,” Mr Pang added.
”We also have a dedicated Customer Service Manager and a periodic newsletter, the 'Land Registry News’, to update our clients on the Registry’s current activities and new services,” Mr Pang said.
The announcement of the Registry’s enhanced Performance Pledges for 1995 coincides with the Second Anniversary of the Land Registry Trading Fund which started operation on August 1, 1993.
At the second anniversary reception, Mr Pang said: "the Land Registry has successfully achieved its performance targets and financial objectives for the second year. It has also made significant progress in delivering new and improved services through the implementation of various development projects."
Two major development projects, namely the computerisation of the New Territories land registers and the on-line land search direct access services, are proceeding well.
14
The first phase of computerising the town lot land registers in the New Territories, which began in May 1994, will be completed this month. In fact, computer-assisted land registration and search services in respect of the computerised town lot land registers in a number of NT Land Registries are available since February this year.
As regards the Direct Access Services (DAS) which enables customers to make on-line land search of the urban land registers through computer terminals at their own offices, over 270 subscribers are enjoying this fast and convenient service since its introduction in September last year. The DAS facility has been progressively extended to the computerised land registers in the New Territories since March this year.
The Registry's new Performance Pledges are set out in a pamphlet published today. Another information pamphlet on 'How to conduct searches of land records' has also been produced. Copies of these pamphlets are available to the public at any of the Land Registry Offices and district offices of the Home Affairs Department.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Energy statistics annual report on sale * ♦ * * ♦
The Census and Statistics Department has published the Hong Kong Energy Statistics Annual Report 1994, which describes the situation of energy supply and demand in Hong Kong.
The report contains comprehensive statistical information relating to different forms of energy, including oil products, coal products, electricity and gas.
It also includes an overall energy balance which summarises the sources and uses of different forms of energy, and depicts their relationships in the energy transformation processes.
Regarding various oil products, statistics on list prices, storage capacity, tank stock, imports, re-exports, retained imports, average unit values of imports, and quantity of sales by type of user are presented in the report. Figures on imports, reexports, retained imports and average unit values of imports of selected coal products are given.
15
For electricity and gas, the report shows figures on tariff charges, generating capacity, production and consumption by type of user.
Annual figures for the years 1984 to 1994 are provided with respect to most of these statistics. In addition, quarterly figures for 1993 and 1994 are presented for selected items.
The report is already on sale at $25 per copy. Purchase of this report can be made at the Government Publication Centre, ground floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. It is also available at the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Enquiries about the energy statistics published in the report can be made to the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2839 3246.
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results * * * ♦ ♦
Tender date 1 Aug 1995 1 Aug 1995
Paper on offer EF bills EF bills
Issue number Q531 H570
Amount applied HK$8,630 MN HK$5,838 MN
.'.t Amount allotted HK$ 1,500 MN HKS800 MN
Average yield accepted 5.45 PCT 5.53 PCT
Highest yield accepted 5.45 PCT 5.54 PCT
Pro rata ratio About 56 PCT About 82 PCT
Average tender yield 5.46 PCT 5.56 PCT
16
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Tenders to be held in the week beginning 7 Aug, 1995
Tender date 8 Aug 1995 8 Aug 1995
Paper on offer EF bills EF bills
Issue number Q532 Y592
Issue date 9 Aug 1995 9 Aug 1995
Maturity date 8 Nov 1995 7 Aug 1996
Tenor 91 days 364 days
Amount on offer HK$ 1,500+300 MN HKS500+150MN
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
Time Cumulative change
$ million (hours) (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 2,164 0930 +142
Closing balance in the account 2,097 1000 +140
Change attributable to: 1100 +143
Money market activity +143 1200 +143
LAF today -210 1500 +143
1600 +143
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 119.0 *+0.0* 1.8.95
17
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.31 2 years 2705 6.40 100.70 6.06
1 month 5.36 3 years 3807 6.16 99.33 6.51
3 months 5.46 5 years 5006 6.60 98.17 7.17
6 months 5.55 5 years M501 7.90 101.60 7.63
12 months 5.65
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $11,234 million
Closed August 1, 1995
End/Tuesday, August 1, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Wednesday, August 2,1995
Contents Page No,
Five more nominations of LegCo candidates.............................. 1
Victoria Harbour water control zone declaration........................ 2
Four lots to let....................................................... 3
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations................... 4
1
Five more nominations of LegCo candidates *****
Five nominations of candidates were received today (Wednesday) for the Legislative Council Elections in September.
They were Mr Martin Lee for Hong Kong Island East Constituency, Mr Lee Kai-ming for Labour Constituency, Mr Tsang Kin-shing for Primary Production, Power and Construction Constituency, Mr Ng Ching-man for Textiles and Garments Constituency and Mr Wong Sing-chi for New Territories North constituency. Details are as follows:
Name Sex Age Occupation Telephone Inc/Pol*
Mr Martin Lee M 57 Barrister (QC) 25290864 (day) 25234223 (night) LegCo(E)#/ Democratic Party
Mr Lee Kai-ming M 58 Clerk 27767232 (day) 27508049 (night) Nil
Mr Tsang Kin-shing M f. 39 Construction 28890020 (day) 1118171 A/C 2068 (night) DB(E)#/ Democratic Party - “I’’ i 'V ;
Mr Ng Ching-man M 47 Managing Director 27719108 (day) 131639938 (night) DB
Mr Wong Sing-chi M 37 Social Worker 26704545 (day) 27115569 (night) RC/ Democratic Party
2 -
* District Board/Council membership or Political Affiliation # E - Elected Member
So far, a total of 66 nominations were received since the two-week nomination period started yesterday. Nomination will end on August 14.
The personal particulars of Mr Chan Yim-kwong for the Financing, Insurance,
• A/ •_ A 1 • -
Age: 50
Occupation: General Agent (Insurance Broking)
Tel: . 2377 3188 (Day)
2890 4387 (Night)
Political affiliation: Liberal Party
End/Wednesday, August 2, 1995
Victoria Harbour water control zone declaration
*****
Phase two of the Victoria Harbour water control zone (WCZ), which covers Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and a small part of Shatin, will be declared on September I .
>•'.-’tri r?
All discharges from industrial, commercial, institutional and construction activities in the zone must obtain licence from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and will be required to meet the standards and requirements laid down in the licence issued under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
Acting Assistant Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Patrick Lei said: "For a discharge in existence on or before September 1, a licence application must be submitted to EPD by April 1, 1996. For any new discharge to commence after September 1, a licence should be obtained before the discharge commences."
• ’■ II tr. ■/' <•..
"Discharges are encouraged to make early licence applications and initiate improvement actions so that they will have sufficient time to provide for or improve treatment of their discharges to meet the required standards."
3
Any person who discharges waste water into the water control zone without valid licence or fails to comply with the discharge standards and requirements of the licence will commit an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 for the first offence and $400,000 for any subsequent offence. Offenders may be liable to six month imprisonment.
In addition, if the offence is a continuing offence, a fine of $10,000 for each day may be imposed.
To help people concerned understand the requirements of the water pollution control legislation, EPD will send them advisory, letters and information booklets. Dischargers are also invited to attend a seminar organised by the Department on October 6.
For enquiries on the seminar, licensing and control matters, please contact the EPD's Local Control Offices at 2402 5200 (for Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong and Kowloon City area) and at 2707 7534 (for Wong Tai Sin & Shatin area).
End/Wednesday, August 2, 1995
Four lots to let *****
The Lands Department invites tenders for the short-term tenancies of four pieces of government land.
Three lots are to be used as charged public carparks, while the fourth one for storage of containers.
The first lot, located at the junction of Kai Cheung Road and Wang Kwong Road, Kowloon Bay, has an area of 6,250 square metres. The tenancy is for two years, renewable quarterly.
With an area of 877 square metres, the second lot is located at Java Road, North Point.
The tenancy is also for two years, renewable quarterly.
- 4 -
Covering an area of 1.05 hectares, the third lot is in Area 6, Tai Po.
The tenancy is for 18 months, renewable quarterly.
The fourth lot is located at Tai Lam Chung, Tuen Mun, having an area of 9,700 square metres.
The tenancy is for one year, renewable quarterly.
Closing date for submission of tenders are noon on August 18.
Tender forms, tender notices and conditions may be obtained from the District Lands Office, Kowloon East, 10th floor, Yau Ma Tei Car Park Building, 250 Shanghai Street, Kowloon; the District Lands Office/Hong Kong East, 19th floor, Southom Centre, 130 Hennessy Road; the District Lands Offices, Tai Po and Tuen Mun; and the Lands Department, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road.
Tender plans can also be inspected at the offices.
End/Wednesday, August 2, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million
Cumulative
Time change
(hours) (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 2,097 0930 +206
Closing balance in the account 1,774 1000 +206
Change attributable to : 1100 +176
Money market activity +177 1200 +177
LAF today -500 1500 +177
1600 +177
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 119.4 *+0.4* 2.8.95
- 5 -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.31 2 years 2705 6.40 100.74 6.04
1 month 5.36 3 years 3807 6.16 99.40 6.49
3 months 5.44 5 years 5006 6.60 98.20 7.16
6 months 5.55 5 years M501 7.90 101.54 7.65
12 months 5.65
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $14,528 million
Closed August 2, 1995
End/Wednesday, August 2, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 2842 8777
Thursday, August 3,1995
Contents PageJVtL
Tender of Tamar Basin announced.................................... 1
Response to enquiry on tribunal appeals judgement.................. 1
Fund granted for disaster relief in China.......................... 2
Eight more nominations of LegCo candidates......................... 3
Revised Route 3 scheme approved.................................... 6
Results of student finance scheme announced........................ 6
Education chief calls on schools to admit kids from China.......... 1
21 -Gun Salute to mark Queen Mother's birthday..................... 9
Grading of beach water quality..................................... 9
Fresh water cuts in Quarry Bay and Fanling......................... 13
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations............... 14
1
Tender of Tamar Basin announced ♦ * * * *
The Lands Department announced today (Thursday) that it had awarded the tender of the site in Tamar basin (I.L. No. 8822) to Goldon Investment Limited which is a subsidiary of Citic Pacific Ltd.
The premium tendered is $3,351 billion which equates to an overall accommodation value of $64,195 per square meter.
H
The Director of Lands, Mr Bob Pope, said that he was very pleased with the result. He confirmed that eight tenders were received and added that this showed there was a great deal of interest in the site.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
Response to enquiry on tribunal appeals judgement ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
In response to press enquires arising from a judgement delivered by Mr Justice Findlay on the three appeals against the decisions of the Obscene Articles Tribunal on Tuesday (August 1), a spokesman of the Judiciary said a decision on whether to appeal was yet to be made.
"In an individual case, the criticism of a lower court’s decision by a higher court is not unknown within.the Judiciary," added the spokesman.
The Obscene Articles Tribunal is set up under the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance. The major duties of the Tribunal include the determination of public standards, both social and moral, and classifications in accordance with this ordinance.
"The Tribunal understands its roles and functions. Members of the Tribunal are responsible members of the community. They perform a very difficult and demanding task with great sensitivity and dedication," said the spokesman.
"The operation of the Tribunal are kept under constant review," the spokesman added.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
2
Fund granted for disaster relief in China *****
The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee today (Thursday) approved four grants totalling $15 million from the Disaster Relief Fund for flood and earthquake victims in China.
A Government spokesman said the grants were made in response to four applications , one each from the Hong Kong Red Cross and World Vision Hong Kong and two from Oxfam Hong Kong. These include:
For flood victims in China:
Oxfam Hong Kong $2.5 million
Hong Kong Red Cross $6 million
World Vision Hong Kong $5 million
For earthquake victims in Yunnan:
Oxfam Hong Kong $ 1.5 million
The widespread flooding in China has affected 10 provinces along the Yangtze River and more than 100 million people in the region, while the earthquake in Yunnan has affected 340 000 people.
The spokesman said, "the Committee is satisfied that the applications are in line with the guidelines for grants from the Fund. And the relief organisations which received the grants are required to submit to the Hong Kong Government an evaluation report and an audited account on the use of the money.
"The Committee is also concerned that these recent disasters have not attracted much public attention in Hong Kong, and appeals to the public to give a helping hand."
A total of $32 million has been granted since the setting up of the Disaster Relief Fund in December 1993. As the main source of the Fund comes from public donations and appropriations from the General Reserve, the spokesman called on members of the public to make donations to the Fund.
3
The Advisory Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary. Other members include Ms Rosanna Wong, Dr Raymond Ch'ien, Mrs Elsie Tu, Mr Hui Yin-fat, the Secretary for Health and Welfare and the Secretary for the Treasury.
Enquires can be made to the Secretary to the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, Room 553, Central Government Offices, East Wing, or at 2810 3503.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995 fl j•;
Eight more nominations of LegCo candidates *****
Eight nominations of candidates were received today (Thursday) for the Legislative Council Elections in September.
They were Mr Wong Siu-yee for Kowloon South Geographical Constituency (GC); Wong Wang-fat, Andrew, for New Territories South-east GC; Mr Chan Wai-yip, Albert, for New Territories Central GC; Mr Chan Wan-sang for New Territories West GC; Mr Ho Chung-tai for the Engineering Functional Constituency (FC); Mr Law Chi-kwong for the Social Welfare FC; Mr Kwan Lim-ho for Import and Export FC; and Mr Leong Che-hung, Edward, for the Medical FC. Details are as follows:
Mr Wong Siu-yee
Sex: M
Age: 42
Occupation: Full time board member
Telephone: (Day) 2333 2080
(Night) 2711 6409
Inc/Pol*: DB/Liberal Democratic Federation
Mr Wong Wang-fat, Andrew
Sex: M
Age: 51
Occupation: Lecturer
Telephone: (Day) 2699 7699
(Night) 2602 6732
Inc/Pol: Nil
Mr Chan Wan-sang
Sex: M
Age: 45
Occupation: Full time DB member
Telephone: (Day) 2450 3636
(Night) 2458 5174
Inc/Pol: DB/Independent
Chan Wai-Yip, Albert
Sex: M
Age: 40
Occupation: Self-employed
Telephone: (Day) 2411 3107 2416 2382
(Night) 1128632 A/C 9002
Inc/Pol: DB/Democratic Party
Mr Ho Chung-tai
Sex: M
Age: 56
Occupation: Engineer
Telephone: (Day) 2570 1566
(Night) 132382313
Inc/Pol: Nil
5
Mr Law Chi-kwong
Sex: M
Age: 41
Occupation: University Lecturer
Telephone: (Day) 2859 2080
(Night) 2548 3858
Inc/Pol: Democratic Party
Mr Kwan Lim-ho
Sex: M
Age: 48
Occupation: Trade Manager
Telephone: (Day) 2845 7910
(Night) 2536 4693
Inc/Pol: Nil
Mr Leong Che-hung, Edward
Sex: M
Age: 56
Occupation: Medical Doctor
Telephone: (Day) 2524 9596
(Night) 2524 9596
Inc/Pol: Nil
* Inc - Incumbent District Board/Council member
Pol - Political Affiliation
That brings the total number of nominations to 74 as at the close of nomination today.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
6
Revised Route 3 scheme approved ♦ ♦ * * *
The Governor-in-Council has approved that Phase II of the Route 3 Country Park Section should be constructed according to a revised scheme.
A Government spokesman today (Thursday) said: ’’The revision seeks to modify the original proposal gazetted in October last year by shifting the road alignments and replacing some sections of elevated roads by carriageways at grade, at the Au Tau Interchange."
"The modifications also include reprovisioning of access roads with footpaths at the Au Tau Interchange and amendments to the boundary of the works area," he said.
Construction works for Phase II of the Route 3 Country Park Section are scheduled to commence on site starting from December.
The Route 3 Country Park Section will provide a fast link between Ting Kau and Yuen Long. Upon completion of the project in late 1998, it will relieve congestion at Tuen Mun Road and improve road links between the border and the container port. Plans showing the modified works are available for public inspection at the Public Enquiry Service Centre of the Central and Western District Office, Yuen Long District Lands Office and Yuen Long District Office.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
Results of student finance scheme announced ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Student Financial Assistance Agency (SFAA) has informed some 9500 students the results of their applications for grants and loans for the academic year 1995/96.
A spokesman said another 2500 applicants would be informed of the results within the next two weeks.
7
SFAA has received applications from more than 21400 students for financial assistance under the Local Student Finance Scheme (LSFS) in the next academic year.
"The processing of the remaining 9400 odd applications, including a significant number of late submissions, was being held up pending the provision of additional information from the applicants," the spokesman said.
Students should submit the necessary information as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Full-time students of 11 post secondary institutions who need financial assistance are entitled to apply under the LSFS. The scheme is set to ensure no eligible student would be denied the opportunity to pursue further education due to lack of means.
The scheme covers the seven tertiary institutions funded by the University Grants Committee, namely the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Lingnan College, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and the University of Hong Kong.
The other four institutions being covered arc the I long Kong Technical College (Chai Wan), the Hong Kong Technical College (Tsing Yi), the Prince Philip Dental Hospital and the Hong Kong Institute of Education.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
Education chief calls on schools to admit kids from China *****
The Director of Education, Mr W K Lam, today (Thursday) appealed to heads of schools to give favourable consideration to applications for school places by schoolage immigrant children from China when school places are available.
Mr Lam said: "These children arc eligible for entry to public sector schools and like their local counterparts are entitled to receive education. They should not be refused from admission solely on grounds of over-age and inadequate academic standard."
8
"As provided under the Codes of Aid. the Director of Education may direct an aided school to admit to that school as a pupil a child who is referred by him to fill an available vacant place where necessary."
As a result of the increase in the daily quota for immigrants from China, a number of school-age children will be entering Hong Kong's education system each year. An administration circular calling on school heads to offer places and assistance to these children was issued this week.
Mr Lam reminded heads of schools to make use of the existing support services, such as school guidance and counselling services and remedial teaching to help immigrant pupils overcome learning difficulties and adjustment problems.
"As parents' co-operation and support are important, school heads are also encouraged to keep close contact with parents and inform them of what the schools are doing or trying to do for their children," he said.
The Services Division of the Education Department is available to provide resource classes, peripatetic teaching service, resource teaching centres and adjustment programmes to help those immigrant pupils who experience more serious learning difficulties and require intensive remedial services to help them cope with the curriculum.
Other existing support or assessment services provided by the Services Division will render assistance to those immigrant children with learning or behavioural difficulties and those with hearing, visual or speech problems.
The Education Department also runs an induction programme for new immigrant children from China through voluntary organisations to help those children who arrive at Hong Kong for less than six months adapt to the local social and school environment.
Mr Lam requested heads of schools to bring the attention of these pupils to such service and encourage them to make use of the service as far as possible.
Parents or guardians of immigrant children from China may approach district education offices of the Education Department for help. District education officers will continue to offer placement assistance to them and refer eligible children to schools for admission in accordance with the procedural guidelines.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
4
- 9 -
21-Gun Salute to mark Queen Mother's birthday * * *» * *
The Royal Navy will mark the official birthday of Her Majesty The Queen Mother tomorrow (Friday) with a 21-Gun Salute, fired from HMS Plover, at precisely 12 noon, as she sails through Hong Kong Harbour.
Since HMS Tamar moved from Prince of Wales Barracks to Stonecutters Island in 1993 salutes have been fired from a site on the south shore of that island. However, the site was unsatisfactory because it was invisible to the public and it has since been enveloped by preparatory work for the new naval base for the PLA Navy.
•
New saluting cannon have therefore been brought out from the UK so that salutes can be fired from a sea-going warship in the full view of much of the city.
You are invited to send representatives to photograph the event which will be visible from the waterfront at Queen's Pier, Central.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
Grading of beach water quality *****
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) announced the latest gradings of Hong Kong's beaches, based on the bacteriological water quality.
The purpose of the grading system is to inform swimmers and the general public about the state of bacteriological pollution at various beaches.
The grading will be announced biweekly during the bathing season to coincide with the frequency at which beach waters arc usually sampled.
The grading is based on the most recent data obtained by EPD in its routine monitoring programme.
10
«
It gives an estimate on the risk of contracting some minor skin or gastrointestinal illnesses resulted from swimming at a beach with some degree of pollution. The estimate is based on a large scale epidemiological study carried out in Hong Kong in the past bathing seasons.
The grading of some beaches fluctuates during the summer. In most cases, this represents a natural fluctuation in the bacteriological quality of bathing waters as rain and tides bring more or less pollution to the beaches.
Beaches with highly developed hinterlands arc likely to be more polluted than the grades suggested during and after heavy rain.
Principal Environmental Protection Officer, Dr Daniel Lau said: "Bathers should avoid swimming at such beaches for two to three days after a storm, or even longer if the weather remains overcast, shorter if there is strong sunshine”. However, the biweekly grades give a general picture of the most recent water quality at bathing beaches at the time of reporting and form the best available forecast for the immediate future.
The system for grading beach water quality is as follows:
Grade "1” indicates that the water quality is good. The E coli count is no more than 24 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected risk of minor illness to swimmers is undetectable.
Grade ”2” indicates that the water quality is fair. The E coli count is no more than 180 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is no more than 10 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
Grade ”3" indicates that the water quality is poor. The E coli count is no more than 610 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is no more than 15 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
Grade "4" indicates that the water quality is very poor. The E coli count is more than 610 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is more than 15 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
The decision whether or not to close a beach to swimmers is based on a judgement of what degree of pollution is acceptable.
11
Normally, the closure of a beach would only be considered by the Urban or Regional Council if a grade "4" occurred repeatedly, so that the average health risk over the bathing season exceeded 15 cases per 1,000 swimmers.
At present four gazetted beaches, namely Anglers', Castle Peak, Old Cafeteria, and Rocky Bay, are closed to swimmers. The decision to close the beaches has been made by the Regional and Urban Councils on the basis of beach water quality monitoring data for 1994. The public are advised not to swim at these beaches. They are identified by an "X" in the following list.
The grades of the bacteriological water quality of various beaches in Hong Kong today are listed below :
Beach Hong Kong South Previous Grading (as at 20.7.95) Present Grading (as at 3.8.95)
Big Wave Bay 2 3
Chung Hom Kok 1 2
Deep Water Bay 2 3
Hairpin 1 2
Middle Bay 2 2
Repulse Bay 1 2
Shek 0 2 2
South Bay 1 1
St. Stephen's 1 2
Turtle Cove 2 2
Stanley Main 2 2
Rocky Bay X X
To Tei Wan* 1 2
Tuen Mun District
Golden Beach 2 3
Old Cafeteria X X
New Cafeteria 3 4
Castle Peak X X
Kadoorie 3 4
Butterfly 3 3
12
Sai Kung District
Campers 1 1
Clear Water Bay 1st Beach 2 2
Clear Water Bay 2nd Beach 2 2
Hap Mun Bay 1 1
Kiu Tsui 1 1
Pak Sha Chau 1 1
Silverstrand 3 3
Trio (Hebe Haven) 1 1
Previous Present
Beach Grading Grading
(as at 20.7.95) (as at 3.8.95)
Islands District
Cheung Sha Upper 1
Cheung Sha Lower 3
Discovery Bay* 2
Hung Shing Yeh 1
Kwun Yam Wan 2
Tong Fuk 1
Lo So Shing 1
PuiO 2
Silvermine Bay 4
Tung Wan, Cheung Chau 2
TungO* 2
1
3 2
1
2
1 1
2
4 2
2
Tsuen Wan District
Anglers' Approach Casam Gemini Hoi Mei Wan Lido Ting Kau Tung Wan, Ma Wan
X
4
4
3
3
4
4
2
X
4
4
3
4
4
4
3
13
Note : "X" The beach has been closed for swimming purposes.
* Ungazetted beaches.
The following beaches have changed grading on this occasion:
Chung Hom Kok, Hairpin, Repulse Bay, St. Stephen's and To Tei Wan from "1" to "2"; Big Wave Bay, Deep Water Bay, Golden Beach and Tung Wan of Ma Wan From "2" to "3"; New Cafeteria, Kadoorie and Hoi Mei Wan from "3" to "4".
The changes are within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of these beaches. The general deterioration of beach water quality is probably due to the recent heavy rainfall which would have caused the pollutants in the beach hinterland to be flushed into the sea water.
For further enquiries, please contact Dr Daniel Lau on 2755-2230 or 2755 1667.
End/Thursday, August 3, 1995
Fresh water cuts in Quarry Bay and Fanling
*****
Fresh water supply to some premises in Quarry Bay and Fanling will be temporarily suspended from 11 pm on Monday (August 7) to 6 am the following day to facilitate water mains leakage detection.
The suspension will affect all the premises at 865-939 King's Road in Quarry Bay, as well as Pik Fung Road, Jockey Club Road, Ling Shan Tsuen and Fan Gardens Camp in Fanling.
End/Thursday, August 3. 1995
14
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change ($million)
Opening balance in the account 1,774 0930 +531
Closing balance in the account 1,861 1000 +524
Change attributable to : 1100 +524
Money market activity +572 1200 +572
LAF today -485 1500 +572
1600 +572
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 119.6 *+0.2* 3.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.32 2 years 2705 6.40 100.77 6.02
1 month 5.36 3 years 3807 6.16 99.54 6.43
3 months 5.44 5 years 5006 6.60 98.44 7.10
6 months 12 months 5.53 5.62 5 years M501 . 7.90 101.90 7.56
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $9,678 million
Closed August 3, 1995
End/Thursday, August 3. 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Friday, August 4,1995
Contents Page No.
Study of NT military sites for residential development................... 1
Big demand for land projected............................................ 1
Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance gazetted...................... 3
Seven more nominations of LegCo candidates............................... 3
Construction of drainage channel in Yuen Long............................ 6
New pumping station for Sai Wan.......................................... 7
Laying of a submarine cable.............................................. 7
New public piers for Sai Kung............................................ 8
Two lots of land up for auction.......................................... 9
Opening hours of advice centre for S5 leavers extended.................. 10
Whiz kids to represent HK at Maths Olympiad............................. 11
Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund for overseas studies..................... 12
Shark warning flags still up............................................ 13
Heavy penalties for trading in tiger/rhino medicines.................... 13
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations.................... 14
1
Study of NT military sites for residential development ♦ * * * ♦
The Director of Planning, Dr Peter Pun, has recently signed a consultancy agreement with Urbis Travers Morgan Limited to commission the firm to undertake a study of military sites in the New Territories for residential development.
"The purpose of the study is to ensure that redevelopment of ex-military sites is compatible with the environment and will not overtax the infrastructure at both local and regional levels," a spokesman for the Department said today (Friday).
"The study will examine the flat production capacity of five selected military sites in the New Territories and, if required, recommend the provision of new infrastructure to support the proposed development.
"It will also assess the development potential and impact of the proposed redevelopment of these sites; make recommendations on actions required to address the potentially adverse impacts; advise on the need to modify the planning parameters to optimise development; and prepare layouts and planning brief for each of these sites."
The five selected military sites are located in the rural areas of Tuen Mun and Fanling/Sheung Shui districts. They are Dills Comer Camp, Burma Lines, Perowtie Barracks and Gordon Hard, Pearl Island Married Quarters and Beas Stables Married Quarters.
The study is anticipated to be completed by early 1996.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
Big demand for land projected ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Continuing population growth, expansion of key economic activities and new port activities are expected to create an overall demand for the provision of between about 900 and 1,500 hectares of land over the next 15 years.
This was stated by the Principal Government Town Planner of the Planning Department, Dr E G Pryor, in his address to a luncheon meeting of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce today (Friday). In his talk, he gave a wide ranging, illustrated account of the factors that generate demands for urban growth in the territory.
2
To meet the projected demand, Dr Pryor said the Planning Department, in association with other departments and also from studies by specialist consultants, had over the past five years assessed the potential suitability of land for various kinds of development throughout the territory.
< <<
"This work forms part of the Review of the Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) which is now in its final stages of completion.
"The general conclusion is that there should be sufficient land resources in the territory to meet forecast long-term needs but that both land-based sites and harbour reclamations will be required, with each area fulfilling a particular role," he said.
Dr Pryor, in responding to points of concern recently raised by various bodies over harbour reclamations, defended the Government's proposals on the basis that such proposals were the outcome of a very careful and comprehensive series of studies, involving a series of extensive public consultation programmes.
"The planning of such projects at all levels of planning has taken account of such matters as impacts on tidal flows, water quality, urban design, transport needs and land use objectives. Harbour reclamations have a key role to play both as part of the Airport Core Projects (ACP) - such as the West Kowloon Reclamation - and for the restructuring of congested parts of the Metro Area," he said.
Dr Pryor, however, equally accepted that further development in suitable parts of the New Territories can be expected. He pointed out that over the past 20 years, substantial resources had been deployed to develop the new towns and infrastructure in the New Territories with the consequence that the balance of population had shifted ■ . ,, i
substantially.
In 1986, about 78 per cent of the population lived in the Metro Area with the balance of 22 per cent in the New Territories. By this year, the relative proportions were 69 per cent and 31 per cent respectively. By 2011, the balance could be about 56 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.
"It is clear that the TDS does not concentrate Hong Kong's future growth in the Metro Area and that the New Territories is getting its fair share of development," Dr Pryor concluded.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
3
Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance gazetted ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The ordinance which provides for the establishment of non-govemment mandatory provident fond schemes was gazetted today (Friday).
A government spokesman reiterated that the MPF Schemes Ordinance was only enabling legislation outlining the main features of the MPF system and that it would not be brought into operation until the subsidiary rules and regulations were in place.
"It is Government’s plan to bring together the relevant subsidiary legislation in about two years' time," he said, adding that the MPF Schemes Ordinance has yet to be brought into effect.
Meanwhile, the spokesman stated that voluntarily established occupational retirement schemes will continue to be regulated under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO). He reminded employers operating occupational retirement schemes to apply to the Registrar for registration or exemption of their schemes before October 15, 1995.
Under the MPF Schemes Ordinance, members of registered ORSO schemes, whether defined benefit or defined contribution schemes, would be exempt if they satisfied requirements specified in the regulations to be made under the Ordinance.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
Seven more nominations of LegCo candidates *****
Seven nominations of candidates for the Legislative Council Elections in September were received today (Friday).
They were Mrs Chow Liang Shuk-yee, Selina, for the Wholesale and Retail functional constituency; Mr Tang Ying-yen, Henry, for the Import and Export functional constituency; Mrs Lau Kin-yee, Miriam, for the Transport and Communication functional constituency; Mr Chan Ming-yiu for the Manufacturing functional constituency; Mr Ting Yin-wah for the New Territories South-west; and Mr Tse Wing-ling, John, and Mr Cheung Bing-leung for the Election Committee constituency.
- 4 -
Their personal particulars are as follows
Mrs Chow Liang Shuk-yee. Selina
Sex: F
Age: 50
Occupation: politician
Telephone: (Day) 2537 2415 (Night) 2526 3838
Inc/Pol*: Liberal Party
Mr Tang Ying-yem Henry
Sex: M
Age: 43
Occupation: managing director
Telephone: (Day) 2317 2333
(Night) 2336 1233
Inc/Pol: Appointed LegCo Member 1991-95/Liberal Party
Mrs Lau Kin-yee, Miriam
Sex: F
Age: 48
Occupation: solicitor and notary public
Telephone: (Day) 2394 4233
(Night) 2805 2260
Inc/Pol: Liberal Party
Mr Chan Ming-yiu
Sex: M
Age: 45
Occupation: executive officer
Telephone: (Day) 2370 7822
(Night) 9092 6700
Inc/Pol: Nil
5
Mr Ting Yin-wah
Sex: M
Age: 41
Occupation: full-time council member
Telephone: (Day) 2433 8144 (Night) 112238931
Inc/Pol: Kwai Tsing DB/Regional Council member Association for Democracy and People’s Livelihood
Mr Tse Wing-ling. John
Sex: M
Age: 40
Occupation: senior lecturer
Telephone: (Day) 2788 8969 (Night) 27129712
Inc/Pol: Wan Chai DB member/Democratic Party
Mr Cheung Bing-leung
Sex: M
Age: 42
Occupation: head of department, City University of Hong Kong
Telephone: (Day) 2788 8759
(Night) 2788 3204
Inc/Pol: Democratic Party
♦Inc - incumbent District Board/Council member
Pol - political affiliation
That brings the total number of nominations to 81 as at the close of nomination today.
6
The personal particulars of Mr Chan Wai-yip, Albert, for the New Territories Central, who was registered yesterday, are as follows:
Sex: M
Age: 40
Occupation: LegCo Member
Telephone: (Day) 2411 3107
2416 2382 (Night) 1128632-9002
Inc/Pol.:
Tsuen Wan DB member/Democratic Party
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
Construction of drainage channel in Yuen Long ♦ * * ♦ ♦
The Government will construct a concrete drainage channel in Yuen Long to alleviate the flooding problems in Kam Tin area.
The works will be carried out within an area of 0.47 hectares of foreshore and sea-bed at the upstream of Kam Tin River, beginning in early 1996 for completion by about mid-1998.
The extent of the area affected is notified in the Government Gazette today (Friday).
The notice and its related plan can be seen at the Lands Department's Survey and Mapping Office, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road; and the Yuen Long District Office, ground floor, Yuen Long District Branch Offices Building, 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long.
The plan can also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office.
Any person who considers that his interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved will be affected by the works may send a written claim of compensation to the Director of Lands on or before August 4, 1996.
He should state the sum of money which he is willing to accept in full and final settlement of his claim and should submit particulars to substantiate his claim.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
7
New pumping station for Sai Wan *****
The Water Supplies Department invites tenders for the construction of a new pumping station and the laying of about 530 metres of ductile iron fresh water mains with a diameter of 300 millimetres in Sai Wan.
On completion of the works, the pumping station will provide fresh water supply from Pak Kong Water Treatment Works to the Shek O area. This will replace the existing source of supply from the Sai Wan Treatment Works, due to be closed down after some 40 years of service.
Works are expected to start in October for completion in about 16 months.
Tender forms and further particulars can be obtained from the Water Supplies Department, Immigration Tower, 44th floor, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Tender offers will close at noon on August 25.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
Laying of a submarine cable
*****
The Government has given authorisation for China Light and Power Limited to install a submarine cable for providing permanent electricity supply to a Civil Aviation Department radar station at Siu Mo To Island.
The works will be carried out in two phases, commencing in November for completion by the end of January next year. Phase I will be conventional dredging at both sides of the landing points while Phase II will be laying of the submarine cable from Sham Shui Kok to Siu Mo To Island within an area of 26.80 hectares of foreshore and sea-bed.
The extent of the area affected is notified in the Government Gazette today (Friday).
8
The notice and its related plan can be seen at the Lands Department's Survey and Mapping Office, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road; the Tuen Mun District Office, second floor, Tuen Mun Government Offices, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun; and at the Tsuen Wan District Office, first floor, Tsuen Wan Station Multistorey Carpark Building, 174-208 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan.
The plan can also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office.
Any person who considers that his interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved will be affected by the works may send to the Director of Lands a written claim of compensation on or before August 4, 1996.
He should state the sum of money which he is willing to accept in full and final settlement of his claim and should submit particulars to substantiate his claim.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
New public piers for Sai Kung *****
The Government will construct two new public piers at Tung Lung Chau and Tai Tau Chau in Sai Kung to provide better berthing and landing facilities to the islands.
Both projects are proposed by Sai Kung District Office and form part of the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy (RPIS) programme.
The works will be carried out within 5,005 square metres of foreshore and seabed near Nam Tong Village on Tung Lung Chau and 3,185 square metres of foreshore and sea-bed at Leung Shuen Wan Hoi on Tai Tau Chau.
The works will begin in mid 1996 for completion in about two years.
The extent of the areas affected are notified in the Government Gazette today (Friday).
The notices and its related plans can be seen at the Lands Department’s Survey and Mapping Office, 14th floor. Murray Building, Garden Road; and the Sai Kung District Office, ground floor, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung.
The plans can also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office.
9
Any person who considers that his interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved will be affected may send to the Director of Lands a written claim of compensation on or before August 4, 1996.
He should state the sum of money which he is willing to accept in full and final settlement of his claim and should submit particulars to substantiate his claim.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
Two lots of land up for auction *****
Two lots of Government land in the New Territories will be offered for sale at a public auction on August 31 (Thursday), it was notified in the Gazette today (Friday). The auction will start at 2.30 pm in the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.
The first lot, located in Area 37, Tai Po, has an area of 15,300 square metres for residential use.
The developer has to complete a gross floor area of not less than 7,344 square metres on or before September 30, 1999.
The second lot, located in Shing Yiu Street, Kwai Chung, has an area of 6,525 square metres for industrial or godown use.
The developer has to complete a gross floor area of not less than 29,360 square metres on or before September 30, 1998.
Full particulars and conditions of sale can be obtained from the Lands Department, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road; and the Kowloon District Lands Offices, Yau Ma Tei Car Park Building, 10th floor, 250 Shanghai Street, Kowloon.
Conditions of sale will also be available at the District Lands Offices of Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan, Sai Kung, Kwai Tsing, Tai Po, North and Islands.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
10
Opening hours of advice centre for S5 leavers extended
*****
The Education Department’s Careers Education Centre will extend its office hours to assist Secondary 5 students seeking advice and information about studies and careers from next Tuesday (August 8) when the results of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination are released.
The Centre - at Room 206, Mong Kok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok - will be opened without lunch break from 8.45 am to 5.30 pm from August 8 to 11.
An Education Department spokesman said: "In expectation of an increase number of students will visit the centre during these four days, officers at the centre are available to answer enquiries.
"An education counsellor will be present to provide assistance to students with emotional problems from the afternoon of August 8 to August 11.
"Students can also talk with the education counsellor or educational psychologist on 2712 7958 and 2714 7852," the spokesman said.
At the centre, students can get access to materials on opportunities for further studies and training, and information on various professions.
The centre will resume its normal office hours on August 14 from 8.45 am to 12.45 pm and 2.15 to 4.45 pm from Mondays to Fridays, and 9.15 am to 11.45 am on Saturdays.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
11
Whiz kids to represent HK at Maths Olympiad * । * t
Eleven gifted school children will represent Hong Kong at the third National Primary Mathematical Olympiad which will take place in Huizhou, Guangdong, between August 8 and 10.
They were selected from some 140 primary school pupils who have undergone a rigorous selection and training programme organised by the Gifted Education Council and Po Leung Kuk.
They will also visit Tokyo on August 27 to compete with other teams from Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea at the Asian Mathematical Olympiad.
Additionally, Po Leung Kuk will send an eight-member team of students from its primary schools to take part in the same contest in China.
The local Primary Mathematical Olympiad is one of the items of the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions under the auspices of the Home Affairs Department.
This would be the first time ever that a team representing the territory is sent overseas by the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions. Their trip would be funded by the Epson Foundation, Bank of China, Education Department and Sing Tao Limited.
To mark the occasion, a ceremony was held today (Friday) at which the Hong Kong flag was presented to the Chairmen of Po Leung Kuk and the Gifted Education Council - joint organisers of the local Olympiad as well as the preparation programme for the gifted children.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
12
Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund for overseas studies *****
At the sending-off party for the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Overseas Fellows and Scholars 1995-96 held at the China Club today (Friday), the Chairman of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council, Mr Ronald Arculli, bid farewell to an outstanding group of Hong Kong students selected for the award, congratulated them and wished them the very best in the future.
The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (SEYMF) was established in April 1987 with public donation to commemorate the late Hong Kong Governor, Sir Edward Youde. The purpose of the Fund is to provide for and encourage the education or learning of or research by the people of Hong Kong.
Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships and Scholarships for Overseas Studies is one of the six major existing award schemes instituted and administered by the SEYMF Council. The scheme aims at encouraging the achievement of scholastic excellence by Hong Kong students in overseas studies leading to a postgraduate degree or undergraduate studies leading to a first degree. For 1995-96, thirteen awards including one to a disabled student arc offered for overseas postgraduate and undergraduate studies.
During the period 1988-89 to 1994-95, a total of 32 fellowships and 38 scholarships including one to a disabled student have been granted. Many of the fellows and scholars who have studied overseas have now returned to contribute towards the betterment of Hong Kong.
Mr Arculli also extended his warm welcome to the past fellows and scholars who attended the party and wished the Sir Edward Youde Scholars Association every success in achieving its objectives of fostering solidarity, scholarship and social awareness among its members.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
13
Shark warning flags still up *****
Shark warning flags are still being hoisted at eight Sai Kung gazetted beaches.
This serves to remind the public to remain vigilant and to stay away from these beaches and also waters in the area for the time being, a spokesman for the Recreation and Culture Branch said today (Friday).
Members of the public, in particular students now on holiday, wishing to take a dip in the sea, or engage in water activities, should do so only at other gazetted beaches or in waters outside Sai Kung. They can also make use of the 27 swimming complexes under the two municipal councils.
"We will keep the public posted of the latest developments but it is most important for them to co-operate with the Government by paying full attention to our advice," he said.
Shark warning flags have been hoisted at the Campers, Clear Water Bay First, Clear Water Bay Second, Hap Mun Bay, Kiu Tsui, Pak Sha Chau, Silverstrand and Trio beaches since June 2.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
Heavy penalties for trading in tiger/rhino medicines
*****
People in possession of medicines containing or claiming to contain tiger or rhino ingredients for trading purpose could face heavy fines or even jail terms upon conviction.
The reminder came from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department's (AFD) Senior Conservation Officer, Mr Chan Jce-keung, after a shop and a man were fined $40,000 and $20,000 respectively for selling medicines claiming to contain tiger and rhino ingredients in two separate cases recently.
Mr Chan said a single fine of $40,000 was the highest handed down by a magistrate under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance since its maximum penalties were increased to $5 million plus two years' imprisonment in January this year.
14
"We hope that the higher fines imposed recently by magistrates on people trading or possessing in endangered species, whether alive, in specimen or medicine form, could serve a deterrent effect," he said.
Mr Chan took the opportunity to call on members of the public to refrain from buying medicines containing or claiming to contain tiger or rhino ingredients as it would encourage traders taking in more such endangered species goods. He also urged the public to report illegal trade or possession of endangered species to AFD by calling 2733 2144.
On the two cases, he said AFD field officers had conducted searches on two separate shops in Tsuen Wan and Aberdeen respectively in January following tip-off and subsequent investigations.
Two bottles of medicines claiming to contain tiger bone and rhino horn were seized from the Tsuen Wan shop, while three bottles of claimed tiger medicines had been taken away from the Aberdeen premises.
Summonses were later served on the operators of the shops.
The Tsuen Wan shop was fined $40,000 by the Tsuen Wan Magistracy on July 19.
In the second case, the 39-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $20,000 by the Western Magistracy on August 1.
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,861 0930 +488
Closing balance in the account 2,301 1000 +484
Change attributable to : 1100 +484
Money market activity +475 1200 +475
LAF today -35 1500 +475
1600 +475
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 119.6 *+0.0* 4.8.95
15
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.26 2 years 2705 6.40 100.71 6.06
1 month 5.36 3 years 3807 6.16 99.30 6.52
3 months 5.44 5 years 5006 6.60 98.05 7.20
6 months 12 months 5.54 5.63 5 years M501 7.90 101.51 7.66
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $11,961 million
Closed August 4, 1995 .
End/Friday, August 4, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Saturday, August 5,1995
Contents Page No,
Labour problem tops opinion poll...................................... 1
Training courses for health workers...............................
Outstanding Disabled Employees Award invites nominations.......... 3
Donation to give visitor centre in park a facelift................ 4
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations.............. 5
Sunday, August 6, 1995
Contents Page.No.
Public housing estates outside Building Department's ambit........ 6
34 dangerous hillsides notices issued in six months............... 7
Secondary 6 admission begins on Tuesday........................... 8
Young electors urged to cast clean votes.......................... 10
New video programme to beat drugs................................. 11
Application for scholarship invited............................... 12
Water cuts in Yau Ma Tei, Sham Shui Po and Mong Kok............... 13
1
Labour problem tops opinion poll *****
Labour-related problems have replaced housing matters as the top concern according to the latest public opinion poll conducted by the Home Affairs Branch.
Releasing the findings of a bimonthly survey on perceived problems conducted between July 10 and 14, a spokesman for the Branch said 45 per cent of the respondents referred to labour problems, up from 34 per cent in the May poll. Among these respondents, 76 per cent were worried about unemployment while the corresponding figure in the last survey was 51 per cent.
The percentage of respondents who were concerned about the importation of labour, meanwhile, dropped from 55 per cent to 39 per cent.
When asked about the Government's handling of the labour issue, 46 per cent considered the Administration had exerted efforts in solving the problem, up slightly from 44 per cent.
Housing-related problems, which came second in the list stood at 32 per cent, down from 37 per cent.
The third was transport-related problems, with 31 per cent of respondents mentioning it, up from 25 per cent.
However, the number of respondents who expressed confidence in the continued prosperity and stability of the territory remained unchanged at 55 per cent.
The survey was the 59th in the series to gauge the trend of public opinion on perceived problems in Hong Kong and the community's views of the general situation.
Through a random sampling of residential telephone numbers, 1,513 persons aged between 15 and 64, were interviewed.
End/Saturday, August 5, 1995
2
2-4 . ■
. * C .’= • f ‘"‘•i • ‘
Training courses for health workers ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Social Welfare Department, in conjunction with four professional health care training institutes, is organising a series of training courses to meet the demand for health care staff in residential care homes for the elderly.
The training courses are organised with a view to improving the quality of service of personnel in residential homes for the elderly, a spokesman for the department said today (Saturday).
The four institutes are the College of Nursing, Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Red Cross, the Hong Kong St John Ambulance Association and the Management Society for Healthcare Professionals. The first course will commence on September 26. "Under the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Regulation, all health workers are required, among other things, to complete training approved by the Director of Social Welfare before being qualified for registration.
"The content of the course includes basic skills in rendering health care to the elderly, with emphasis on the psychological and physical changes of the elderly,” the spokesman said.
Hong Kong residents who have completed Form 3 or equivalent and are competent to complete the training course can apply. Priority will be given to those who have two or more years of working experience in services for the elderly. Copies of invitation have already been sent to elderly home operators, inviting them to recommend suitable candidates for the course.
Individuals who are interested to take up a job in elderly homes may also forward their applications to the Licensing Office of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly at Room 2354, 23rd floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. ,-po
For enquiries, please call the licensing office on 2961 7221. The closing date is August 12 (Saturday).
End/Saturday, August 5, 1995
3
Outstanding Disabled Employees Award invites nominations
*****
The Labour Department invites employers to nominate disabled employees for the Outstanding Disabled Employees Award (ODEA) 1995.
"The ODEA aims at giving formal recognition and appreciation to disabled employees with outstanding achievements," Senior Labour Officer (Selective Placement), Mrs Jennie Chor, said.
"We hope that through this meaningful annual event, more employers can recognise the working abilities of the disabled and provide them with more employment opportunities."
"On the other hand, we also hope that it can provide an incentive for disabled employees to further improve their performance at work," she added.
The criteria for selection will include their overall performance, efforts and achievements in overcoming difficulties, diligence, devotion and accomplishment in employment.
They are also required to attend an interview by a panel of judges.
"Winners will each be awarded a souvenir plaque and their nominators will also receive a souvenir," Mrs Chor said.
Both the winners and their nominators will be invited to attend a prize presentation ceremony later this year.
Deadline for nominations will be August 20. Interested parties can contact Miss Yung of the Publicity and Promotion Unit on 2852 4803 for nominations.
End/Saturday, August 5, 1995
4
Donation to give visitor centre in park a facelift *****
A $1 million donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust will soon be used to sponsor a project aimed at giving a facelift to the popular Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Centre.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Department's (AFD) acting Assistant Director (Conservation and Country Parks), Mr Wong Fook-yee, said the department was extremely grateful to the Charities Trust for the grant, adding that country park visitors would stand to benefit.
Mr Wong said the donation would be used to upgrade facilities and exhibits in the centre with a view to giving it new impetus and innovative themes.
I
"The existing displays at the centre, which were installed 10 years ago and have since not been replaced, are now showing signs of deterioration. Some of the information in the displays is out-dated and needs updating," he said. The Trust's generous donation could not have come at a time more appropriate than this, he added.
He said the Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Centre was one of the more popular centres in Hong Kong with more than 200,000 visitors recorded last year.
Apart from this one, there are six other visitor centres in the territory. They are located in country parks in Aberdeen, Tai Mo Shan, Clear Water Bay, Shing Mun and Plover Cove as well as in the Lions Nature Education Centre in Tsiu Hang, Sai Kung.
Country park visitor centres are open to the public daily except Tuesdays, between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm.
No advance booking is required for visiting these centres. But organised groups which need information for planning visits to these centres can contact AFD's Conservation Education Unit on 2733 2121.
End/Saturday, August 5, 1995
5
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations *****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change ($ million)
Opening balance in the account 2,301 09:30 NIL
Closing balance in the account 1,541 10:00 NIL
Change attributable to: 11:00 NIL
Money market activity NIL 11:30 NIL
LAF today -760 15:00
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 119.7 *+0.1* 5.8.95
End/Saturday, August 5, 1995
6
Public housing estates outside Building Department’s ambit *****
It would not be appropriate for the Buildings Department to include public housing estates in its quality audit because buildings under the management of the Housing Authority are exempt from the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance.
The Housing Ordinance empowers the Housing Authority to manage and construct public housing estates.
This was stated by a spokesman of the Buildings Department this (Sunday) morning in response to a petition by a residents concern group from the Valley Road Estate to the Director of Buildings, Mrs Helen Yu, calling on her to include public housing blocks in the department's inspection programme.
The spokesman, however, said Mrs Yu did appreciate the group's concern, and had referred its views to the Director of Housing for her attention.
On the matter of standards of building inspections by building professionals, the spokesman said the method and criteria for structural assessment of danger would be similar, whether carried out by the staff of the Housing Department or the Buildings Department.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Housing Department pointed out that part of the Valley Road Estate had already been included in the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme, and re-iterated that the Housing Authority would implement a special programme to provide better maintenance and repairs service for all the older estates included in the redevelopment programme.
Under the special repair programme, the Housing Department would undertake comprehensive inspection of flat conditions instead of relying on tenants' complaints and reports. The assessment result would be frequently reviewed to ensure that remedial action could be taken immediately if building safety suddenly deteriorated, the spokesman added.
End/Sunday, August 6, 1995
7
34 dangerous hillsides notices issued in six months *****
A total of 34 dangerous hillsides notices had been served by the Buildings Department to owners of private slopes during the first six months of this year compared with 31 for last year, the department's Assistant Director. Mr Mike Green, said today (Sunday).
He said the notices were issued under the Buildings Ordinance on the advice of the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering Department to safeguard the public and bring private slopes and retaining walls up to the required safety standard.
"These notices require the owners to appoint an authorised professional to investigate the stability of the slopes in question, to design and supervise the necessary landslip preventive works, to monitor stability until completion of the remedial works and to give warning of impending danger if necessary," he said.
Last year. 12 notices were complied with by owners, and a further six notices were complied with in the first six months of this year although not all of them were issued during these periods. In addition, last year the government contractors had carried out remedial works in the owners' default respect of five notices issued.
Mr Green said an owner who failed to comply with the dangerous hillsides notice would be liable to prosecution and, on conviction, to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.
"He is also liable to a further fine of $5,000 per day for the period during which the failure to comply with the notice continued," he added.
Mr Green stressed that even after a notice had been complied with, continuing vigilance by the owners was necessary to ensure the slope remained safe.
"Every slope and retaining wall must be regularly inspected and any maintenance works must be undertaken timely by the owners," he said.
He also urged owners to ensure all drains, surface water channels on slopes and weepholes in retaining walls are kept clear and free of debris.
"All buried services including underground drains and water supplying pipes should also be examined for signs of leakage or water flow." he added.
End/Sunday, August 6. 1995
8
Secondary 6 admission begins on Tuesday *****
The Education Department this year has streamlined secondary 6 admission procedures and stepped up the publicity in helping Secondary 5 students apply for about 23,500 S6 places when the results of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) are released on Tuesday (August 8).
To lessen students' anxiety and avoid schools from violating the rules,‘the five-stage admission procedures have been shortened from 11 to nine working days.
In order to give wider publicity and to make it more convenient to students, the department will provide the media with a floppy diskette containing a list of schools with vacancies at Stage II (August 9) and Stage IV (August 11). Some newspapers have indicated that they will publish the lists on these two days.
The list with S6 vacancies in Stage II and Stage IV will also be displayed at all District Education Offices throughout the territory as in previous years.
A spokesman for the Education Department said: "From August 8 to August 18, a central hotline manned by education officers and educational psychologists will be set up for students seeking advice and clarification about the admission procedures. "Educational psychologists are on hand to receive calls from anxious students."
The central hotline numbers are 2782 7511, 2782 7625 and 2782 7639-40. They will be operating from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and 9 am to noon on Saturday.
The five-stage admission procedures are as follows:
* Stage I, August 8: students with 14 points or more (best six subjects in one sitting) can apply to own or linked school before 3.30 pm and successful candidates should register with the schools on the same day.
♦ Stage II, August 9: students including evening schools and private candidates who have obtained 14 points or more but cannot secure a place can apply to other schools and successful candidates should register with the schools on the same day.
* Stage III, August 10: students satisfying minimum A-level entry requirements (six subjects in grade E or above or five subjects on no less than eight points in one sitting) can apply to own or linked schools. Successful candidates should register with the schools on the same day.
9
* Stage IV, August 11: students with minimum A-level requirements can apply other schools. Successful candidates should register with the schools on the same day.
* Stage V:
1) August 14: current year HK.CEE participants with minimum A-level entry requirements may apply for central allocation.
2) August 18: results of central allocation will be displayed at specified centres and successful candidates should register with the schools on the same day.
If students meeting the minimum A-level requirements are still unable to secure an S6 place after the completion of Stage V, they may be able to get one at the beginning of the new school year because some successful students may decide not to take up their places.
A list of these vacancies will be displayed and updated weekly at all District Education Offices up to the end of September. Applications should be made to these schools direct but admission will be entirely at the discretion of the school authorities.
The spokesman said a summary table together with the admission procedures leaflet containing addresses and telephones of 19 District Education Offices had been distributed to students in March this year.
He said additional copies of the leaflet and summary table were available at the District Education Offices.
Students can also obtain information on the procedures by using the department’s 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service 2891 0088.
End/Sunday, August 6, 1995
10
Young electors urged to cast clean votes *****
The Chairman of the Boundary and Election Commission (BEC), Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, today (Sunday) reminded young electors not to accept any advantage from candidates and their supporters as an inducement to vote for them in the Legislative Council elections.
"You must not accept such advantage," Mr Justice Woo said.
Speaking at the opening of Youth Zone - Election Carnival organised by the Sha Tin District Electoral Education Committee, Mr Justice Woo said advantages could be in the form of money, presents or meals, warning young electors about possible undue influences.
"While school supervisors, principals or teachers are free to support any candidate they prefer, they must not exert undue influence on students or staff. "The same applies to candidates who are themselves school supervisors, principals or teachers," he said.
He pointed out that bribery, treating, and undue influence were serious offences under the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Ordinance.
The Chairman stressed that the BEC’s task was to ensure that elections were conducted fairly, openly and honestly.
"This cannot succeed without public support." he said, encouraging youngsters to report any breaches of the election laws and guidelines to the BEC’s Complaints Committee, the Police or the ICAC. Mr Justice Woo also reminded young electors to exercise their civic rights by voting in the coming elections.
"By casting your vote, you will have a say in how the government is run," he said.
More than 100,000 people aged under 21 have registered as electors since the voting age was lowered to 18 last year, which represents a registration rate of over 65 per cent.
End/Sunday, August 6, 1995
11
New video programme to beat drugs 4 0**
A new video programme targeted at parents on the handling of drug problems among their children is being produced as one of the latest efforts of the Government's Beat Drugs Campaign.
The video is produced by the Task Group on Production of Video Programme on Parental Support in Handling Drug Problems under the Working Group on Services for Youth at Risk.
The Convenor of the task group, Miss Johanna Tsao, said today (Sunday) the production of the video was aimed at promoting parental understanding on drug misuse and early detection on signs of drug abuse. A sum of $0.48 million has been allocated from the Lotteries Fund to finance the production of the video in both Chinese and English versions.
"Parents can do a great deal to prevent young people from abusing drugs as well as helping their children to quit drugs by showing their concern and support.
"We hope the new video will increase parents' awareness of drug abuse among youngsters and strengthen their ability to help in case their children get involved in drug taking," Miss Tsao said.
The content of the new video illustrates how the parents of three teenagers become aware of their children’s involvement in drug abuse and how they assist them to rehabilitate. The stories are based on real cases.
Miss Tsao said the production of the video formed part of the Government's strategy to combat the growing drug problem among young people. There were 3,512 such cases reported in 1994, representing an increase of 37.9 per cent over 2,547 in 1993. Filming for the new video has been completed and post-filming production is in full swing.
Upon completion, copies of the video will be distributed to primary and secondary schools, agencies handling drug rehabilitation programmes, welfare agencies rendering services to youth and government departments concerned later this year.
12
"It is hoped that these outlets can drive home the anti-drug message to parents as well as young people.
"Parents who suspect their children have got involved in any kind of drug abuse should seek professional advice from social workers or contact the Social Welfare Department's hotline on telephone 2343 2255," she added.
End/Sunday, August 6, 1995
Application for scholarship invited ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Children of farming and fishing families in need of financial assistance to complete their secondary education are reminded to apply early for the Agricultural Products and Marine Fish Scholarship Funds.
A spokesman for the Agriculture and Fisheries Department said applications for the scholarships and grants will close on August 16.
Application forms are obtainable from the department’s headquarters on the 12th floor of Canton Road Government Offices, 393 Canton Road, Kowloon, and from various district agricultural and fisheries liaison offices. Applicants must be students in forms 4 to 7 and the awards can be tenable at any secondary school in Hong Kong.
Scholarships may be awarded to students who have achieved a standard of academic excellence, the spokesman said.
•<
’’Students may also apply for grants to cover tuition fees and purchase of books. Such submissions will be considered on a financial need basis,” he added.
Enquiries about application procedures may be directed to the Secretary of the Agricultural Products and Marine Fish Scholarship Funds Advisory Committee on 2733 2244.
End/Sunday, August 6, 1995
13
Water cuts in Yau Ma Tei, Sham Shui Po and Mong Kok ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
Fresh water supply to some premises in Yau Ma Tei will be temporarily suspended from 11 pm on Wednesday (August 9) to 6 am the following day to facilitate water mains leakage detection.
The suspension will affect all the premises bounded by Kansu Street. Ferry Street, Jordan Road and Canton Road.
Meanwhile, flushing water supply to all premises in Sham Shui Po and Mong Kok will also be temporarily cut off from 9 am on Thursday (August 10) to 7 pm the next day to allow for water mains connection.
End/Sunday, August 6, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Tuesday, August 8,1995
Contents Page No,
10,575 S6 places still available for S5 leavers........................... 1
69,171 students allocated S4 and post-S3 craft course places.............. 2
Bridge span provides first link to Chek Lap Kok........................... 4
Volume and price movements of external trade in May....................... 5
Illegal structures found again in Tsuen Wan........................... 11
Inoculation of dogs against rabies a must............................. 11
Exhibition on drainage services starts on Thursday....................... 12
22 more nominations of LegCo candidates.................................. 14
Inmates attain good results in HKCEE..................................... 21
Prepare vegetables with care............................................. 22
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results.............................. 23
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations..................... 24
1
10,575 S6 places still available for S5 leavers
*****
Stage I of the Secondary 6 Admission Procedure, which ended at 3.30 pm today (Tuesday), has resulted in 12,916 Secondary 5 leavers being successfully acquiring S6 places.
A total of 23,491 S6 places are available in the 1995-96 school year for students to apply.
A spokesman for the Education Department said there would still be 10,575 S6 places available for Stage II which would begin tomorrow (Wednesday).
The spokesman said on Day 2, a list of schools with vacancies would be displayed at all district education offices from 9 am tomorrow. Meanwhile, students may obtain the list in some newspapers which has indicated to publish the list on the same day.
He reminded students with 14 points or more wishing to apply for S6 places in one or more of these schools could do so from 9 am to 1 pm on Wednesday (August 9). Successful candidates should register with the school tomorrow.
The spokesman said prevocational students who satisfied minimum A-level entry requirements could apply to own or other prevocational schools.
He said on Day 2, evening school students and private candidates with 14 points or more could apply to PLK Vicwood K T Chong Sixth Form College or any other school. Successful candidates should register with the schools on the same day.
Meanwhile, the department's central hotline, 2782 7511, 2782 7625 and 2782 7639-40 and the 19 district education offices has handled 481 enquiries respectively on the admission procedures today.
The central hotline will continue to operate from 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and 9 am to noon on Saturday until August 18.
The department's Careers Education Centre has received 251 visitors and handled 201 telephone enquiries on matters related to the release of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination results up to 5.30 pm today.
The department has received six complaints of which four were sustained. The complaints has been dealt with and appropriate action has been taken.
2
Meanwhile, the department’s Psychological Services Section (2712 7958 and 2714 7852) manned by education counsellors or educational psychologists have received 41 calls from students and parents. They reported to have no emotional problems.
The centre at Room 206 of the Mong Kok Government Offices at 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, provides students with materials on opportunities for further studies and training and information on various professions.
Students are reminded that the centre will extend its opening hours without a break from 8.45 am to 5.30 pm until Friday (August 11).
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
69,171 students allocated S4 and post-S3 craft course places *****
A total of 69,171 or 89.05 per cent of secondary three students have been allocated subsidised secondary four and post-secondary three craft course places this year under the Junior Secondary Assessment System (JSEAS).
A spokesman for the Education Department said today (Tuesday) that 78,370 students had taken part in this year's JSEA.
"Apart from 696 students who have opted out during the year, 64,256 students have been allocated subsidised secondary four places, including 56,232 who have been promoted in their own schools.
"In addition, 4,915 students have been allocated full-time post-secondary three craft course places," he said.
He also advised students to return to their original schools to check the allocation results tomorrow (Wednesday).
Students who have been allocated to other schools or technical institutes or industry training centres will each be given a registration form which must be submitted to the designated school for registration on Thursday (August 10).
For registration, students should bring with them:
3
♦ the registration form;
♦ their Hong Kong Identity Cards;
♦ two recent passport-size photographs; and
♦ enough money to cover one month’s school fee which may be required
by the school.
Students failing to register on Thursday would be deemed to have given up the subsidised school place, the spokesman said.
Students who have not been allocated subsidised school places will each be provided with information sheets on the post-secondary three craft courses and alternative opportunities open to them.
The spokesman added that application for admission to secondary four of the government evening secondary schools will start from Tuesday to Friday (August 8-11).
He said applicants should call in person at the Adult Education Section of the Education Department at Room 1106 of Wu Chung House at 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai (Tel 2892 6669) and they should bring with them their student's particulars slip issued by the Education Records and Junior Secondary Education Assessment Section and a photocopy of the slip which will be kept by the Section.
"Students seeking information on adult education courses should contact the Adult Education Section directly," the spokesman said.
He added that all enquiries on the allocation results should be referred to the Education Records and Junior Secondary Education Assessment Section on 2891 9099.
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
4
Bridge span provides first link to Chek Lap Kok *****
The first physical link between the new airport island at Chek Lap Kok and Lantau has been completed.
This structure is a 320-metre-long road bridge crossing the sea channel between Chek Lap Kok and newly reclaimed land at Tung Chung, north Lantau. When all supporting works have been completed, the bridge will provide an access to Chek Lap Kok.
The bridge is one of three being built across the channel as part of the contract for construction of the Tung Chung section of the North Lantau Expressway (NLE), one of the 10 major projects in the Airport Core Programme.
When the project is completed, two of the bridges will carry a dual three-lane expressway and the third will carry the Airport Railway.
"This significant milestone has been achieved on schedule less than a year after the construction of the bridges began, due to the use of the incremental launching method," said the Chief Engineer of the NLE project, Highways Department, Mr Albert Cheng.
Mr Cheng said the concrete segments of the bridges were precast on site on the Tung Chung side of the channel. With the aid of sliding bearings, hydraulic jacks and a steel launching nose, the segments are slid out progressively across the channel.
This method has reduced construction time, and also enabled the bridge deck to be erected without building temporary supports in the channel. Disruption to marine traffic, including small boat services to Tung Chung village, is therefore minimised.
The Tung Chung section of the 12.5 kilometre North Lantau Expressway is being built by the China State-Leighton-Hochtief Joint Venture under a $969 million contract awarded by the Highways Department in September 1993. The contract is scheduled to be completed in September next year.
"Works on the entire expressway are now over 75 per cent complete," said Mr Cheng.
The other parts of the expressway are the Yam O and Tai Ho sections, which are being constructed under separate contracts.
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
5
Volume and price movements of external trade in May
*****
In the first five months of 1995, the volume of re-exports increased by 18% over the same period last year, while the volume of domestic exports increased by 7.8%, according to the statistics released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
Taking re-exports and domestic exports together, the volume of total exports increased by 16%. Meanwhile, imports increased by 19% 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 reexports and domestic exports increased by 3.6% and 2.4% respectively. Import prices increased by 5.9%.
Price changes are reflected by changes in unit value indices, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, based on specific price data.
The terms of trade index, defined as the ratio of total export price index to import price index, decreased by 2.4% in the first five months of 1995 over the same period last year.
Comparing May 1995 with May 1994, the volume of re-exports increased by 23%, while that of domestic exports increased by 9.3%. Taken together, the volume of total exports increased by 20%. Meanwhile, the volume of imports grew by 19%.
Over the same period of comparison, the prices of re-exports and domestic exports increased by 4.2% and 3.4% respectively. Import prices increased by 6.7%.
The changes in the value, unit value and volume of re-exports by end-use category are shown in fable 1.
Comparing May 1995 with May 1994. the volume of re-exports of most of the end-use categories recorded increases of various magnitudes: capital goods (+36%), raw materials and semi-manufactures (+27%), consumer goods (+16%), and foodstuffs (+14%).
On the other hand, the volume of re-exports of fuels decreased by 3.5%.
6
Over the same period of comparison, increases in the prices of re-exports were noted of most of the end-use categories: raw materials and semi-manufactures (+11%), fuels (+3.6%), foodstuffs (+2.2%), and consumer goods (+2.2%).
On the other hand, the re-export price of capital goods decreased marginally, by 0.4%.
The changes in the value, unit value and volume of domestic exports by principal commodity group are shown in Table 2.
Comparing May 1995 with May 1994, commodity groups which recorded increases in volume of domestic exports included radios of all kinds (+113%); and metal ores and scrap (+79%).
On the other hand, the volume of domestic exports of footwear and travel goods, handbags and similar articles decreased by 55% and 14% respectively.
Commodity groups which recorded increases in domestic export prices included textile made-ups and related articles (+17%); and metal ores and scrap (+8.0%).
On the other hand, the domestic export price of travel goods, handbags and similar articles decreased by 2.3%.
The changes in the value, unit value and volume of imports by end-use category are shown in Table 3.
The import volume of foodstuffs increased by 13% in May 1995 compared with May 1994.
Significant increases in the import volume were noted of sugar; cereal and cereal preparations (other than rice, wheat and flour). However, decreases in the import volume were noted of rice: and animals of the bovine species, live.
Over the same period of comparison, the import volume of consumer goods increased by 13%.
Significant increases in import volume were recorded in cameras, flashlight apparatus and supplies for photography; and miscellaneous made-up articles of textile materials. However, decreases in the import volume were noted of alcoholic beverages; and passenger motor cars.
7
The import volume of raw materials and semi-manufactures increased by 26% in May 1995 compared with May 1994.
Significant increases in import volume were noted of base metal other than iron and steel; and chemical elements and compounds. However, the import volume of silk fabrics; and raw cotton declined.
v..
Imports of fuels decreased by 39% in volume in May 1995 compared with May 1994.
As regards capital goods, the import volume increased by 32% in May 1995 over May 1994.
Notable increases were recorded in the import volume of office machines; and scientific, medical, optical, measuring, and controlling instruments and apparatus. The import volume of textile machinery however declined.
Comparing May 1995 with May 1994, the import prices of all end-use categories increased : raw materials and semi-manufactures (+10%), capital goods (+5.9%), consumer goods (+4.5%), fuels (+4.3%), and foodstuffs (+3.8%).
Details of the above statistics are published in the May 1995 issue of the "Hong Kong Trade Index Numbers".
The report will be available on sale around August 10 at HK$14 per copy at either (i) the Government Publications Centre on the ground floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway; or (ii) the Publications Section of the Census and Statistics Department on the 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.
Enquiries regarding regular subscription to this report may be directed to the Publications (Sales) Office of the Information Services Department at 28th floor, Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Tel 2598 8194), and enquiries on trade indices to the Census and Statistics Department (Tel 2582 4918).
8
Table 1 : Changes in re-exports by end-use category
Comparing MAY 1995 with MAY 1994 Comparing JAN-MAY 1995 with JAN-MAY 1994 % changes
End-use category % changes
Value Unit Value Volume • Value Unit Value Volume
Foodstuffs 13.8 2.2 13.9 24.6 2.6 23.6
Consumer goods 19.1 2.2 16.0 11.5 2.0 9.8
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 40.0 10.8 26.7 33.8 8.8 22.7
Fuels 2.9 3.6 -3.5 20.1 5.2 15.7
Capital goods 31.4 -0.4 36.0 28.7 * 31.9
ALL COMMODITIES 27.3 4.2 22.6 21.1 3.6 17.7
less than 0.05%
9
Table 2 : Changes In domestic exports by principal commodity group
Comparing MAY 1995 with MAY 1994
% changes
Unit
Commodity group Value Value Volume
Comparing JAN-MAY 1995 with JAN-MAY 1994
% changes
Unit
Value Value Volume
Clothing 7.9 2.6 5.8 9.0 1.7 7.4
Textile fabrics -2.5 5.1 -7.4 -3.2 4.9 -7.9
Textile yarn and thread -5.1 1.2 -7.3 -0.4 1.8 -3.0
Textile made-ups and related articles 35.7 16.6 17.4 20.9 14.4 5.6
Radios of all kinds 117.9 1.7 113.3 -12.8 0.2 -4.7
Electronic components 24.2 5.0 20.1 30.1 4.3 27.3
Footwear -49.7 6.9 -55.1 -52.2 4.0 -54.8 • \
Metal manufactures 34.2 2.9 30.7 7.6 2.3 6.4
Metal ores and scrap 86.9 8.0 78.9 40.9 6.8 30.1
Watches and clocks 15.6 1.5 11.3 14.7 2.6 10.5
Travel goods, handbags and similar articles -17.7 -2.3 -13.6 -4.5 -3.9 0.7
Domestic electrical appliances -12.2 0.3 -11.8 -13.3 1.0 -13.8
ALL COMMODITIES 13.1 3.4 9.3 10.7 2.4 7.8
10
Table 3 : Changes Ln imports by end-use category
Comparing MAY 1995 Comparing JAN-MAY 1995 with MAY 1994 with JAN-MAY 1994
% changes % changes
End-use category Value Unit Value Volume Value Unit Value Volume
Foodstuffs 17.5 3.8 13.2 21.5 4.7 16.2
Consumer goods 18.2 4.5 13.5 15.0 4.3 11.0
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 38.5 10.1 25.7 33.3 8.9 22.0
Fuels • -32.7 4.3 - -39.2 21.6 0.8 18.6
Capital goods 38.0 5.9 32.4 38.4 4.5 33.2
ALL COMMODITIES 27.9 6.7 19.5 26.0 5.9 19.2
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
11
Illegal structures found again in Tsuen Wan
*****
New structures have been found again on the rooftops of Tak Yan House and Cheuk Ming House in Tsuen Wan - two cooling towers on Tak Yan House and two structures on Cheuk Ming House.
In response to media enquiries, Assistant Director of Buildings, Mr Cheng Wei-dart. refuted allegations that the department had ignored reports on the cooling towers at Tak Yan House.
"We have in fact been undertaking background work. We are checking the ownership of the stairhood, where the cooling towers have been erected. We keep close liaison with the District Office. We are also seeking legal advice. A lot of work is in progress." he said.
Mr Cheng referred to Cheuk Ming House and said: "The Department had received a report on two structures on the roof of Cheuk Ming House. These have been confirmed to be new illegal building works, which form a priority for action. We are therefore taking enforcement action, including possible prosecution against those responsible."
"There is absolutely no question of the Building Authority turning a blind eye to illegal building works." Mr Cheng emphasised.
End/Tuesday, August 8. 1995
Inoculation of dogs against rabies a must *****
Members of the public must take their dogs, over five months old, for inoculation against rabies and licensed with the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD).
The remark was made by AFD's Senior Veterinary Officer, Dr Liu Kwei-kin, following recent reports of rabies outbreaks in neighbouring areas.
Dr Liu said under the Rabies Ordinance, people keeping dogs not inoculated against rabies and licensed, could be charged a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction.
12
He reminded members of the public that any case of person being bitten by a dog or cat (or other animals) should be reported immediately to the nearest police station, and the animal taken to a government kennel for observation. The victim must then be sent to the nearest accident and emergency department of a public hospital for immediate treatment.
Dr Liu stressed that rabies was a viral disease affecting the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including man and dogs.
"The rabies virus, which is present in the saliva of infected animals, can be transmitted to other animals or human beings by one bite or by contamination of a scratch or wound by infected saliva. Dogs are one of the principal vectors of rabies.
"Rabies is a fatal disease. Once symptoms develop in man or animals, there is no known cure."
He also took the opportunity to remind members of the public not to handle any dogs of dubious origin and to report suspicious cases to the department for follow-up investigations.
End/Thursday, August 8. 1995
Exhibition on drainage services starts on Thursday *****
A roving exhibition on the work and services of the Drainage. Services Department (DSD) will be held at the Ocean Terminal Main Concourse on Thursday and Friday (August 10 and 11).
The exhibition, organised by DSD, will continue at other popular shopping arcades during the next two months.
Carrying the theme of serving the community, the exhibition will introduce the work of the various branches of DSD and the services provided by the department for the public, by means of photographs, charts, diagrams, models and a video wall of 16 television sets.
Sewage treatment projects, such as the Stage I of the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme, Sewerage Master Plan and the Sewage Charging Scheme will be featured at the exhibition.
13
In addition, flood control projects undertaken by the department in the New Territories, including the Shenzhen River Regulation Project, as well as the Land Drainage Ordinance will also be illustrated.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to learn sewage collection and the operation of a typical sewage screening plant. They will also have a chance of winning souvenirs by taking part at a game stall at the venue. The exhibition will be open from 11 am to 7 pm on Thursday and from 10 am to 7 pm the next day.
It will also be mounted at the following dates and venues:
Venue
Shun Tak Shopping Mall
Tuen Mun Town Plaza
New Town Plaza
Cityplaza
Dragon Centre
Metroplaza
Telford Gardens
Date
August 12 and 13
August 19 and 20
September 9 and 10
September 16 and 17
September 23 and 24
September 30 and October 1
October 5 and 6
Attention News Editors:
The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ng Yee-yum; the Deputy Director, Mr Tse Hon-sum; and the department's Business Manager, Mr Peter Winder, will open the Drainage Services Department Roving Exhibition at Ocean Terminal Main Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui at 11 am on Thursday (August 10).
You are invited to send representatives to cover the opening ceremony.
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
14
22 more nominations of LegCo candidates *****
Twenty-two nominations of candidates for the Legislative Council Elections in September were received today (Tuesday).
Fifteen were submitted for the functional constituency elections, three for geographical constituency elections; and four for the Election Committee constituency elections.
Personal particulars of the candidates are as follows:
Functional Constituency elections:
Primary Production, Power and Construction
Mr Poon To-chucn
Sex: M
Age: 60
Occupation: union worker
Telephone: (Day) 2388 6887
(Night) 2641 0350
Inc/Pol*: Nil/Dcmocratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
Mr Tong Yat-chu
Sex: M
Age: 50
Occupation: professional engineer
Telephone: (Day) 9490 2221
(Night) 9490 2221
Inc/Pol:
Nil/Independent
15
Textiles and Garments
Mr Chan Kwok-kciing
Sex: M
Age: 49
Occupation: principal lecturer, Clothing Industry Training Authority
Telephone: (Day) 138883973
(Night) 138883973
Inc/Pol: Nil
Mr Chen Mine-kit
Sex: M
Age: 35
Occupation: production manager
Telephone: (Day) 2556 2292
(Night) 2631 9334
Inc/Pol: Nil/Liberal Democratic Federation of Hong Kong Limited
Manufacturing
Mr Leung Eikwah
Sex: M
* Age: 43
Occupation: Vice-chairman of Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions
Telephone: (Day) 2768 7777
(Night) 2654 6317
Inc/Pol:
Nil
16
Wholesale and Retail
Mr Wong Kwok-hing
Sex: M
Age: 46
Occupation: management, labour and community services
Telephone: (Day) 2568 8423, 1168222 call 1276
(Night) 2560 4245
Inc/Pol: Eastern DB member, Urban Council member Democratic Alliance for
the Betterment of Hong Kong
Hotels and Catering
Mr Chan Wing-dian
Sex: M
Age: 60
Occupation: Chairman, Eating Establishment Employees General Union
Telephone: (Day) 2394 8261-2
(Night) 2421 1814
Inc/Pol: Nil/Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
Transport and Communication
Mr Cheuk Siu-yee
Sex: M
Age: 48
Occupation: taxi driver
Telephone: (Day) 2782 6630
(Night) 2656 7744
Inc/Pol:
Nil/Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions
- 17
Mr Cheng Kaidning
Sex: M
Age: 43
Occupation: supplies supervisor
Telephone: (Day) 1193 62012
(Night) 1193 62012
Inc/Pol: Nil/independent
Community, Social and Personal Services
Mr Kan Ping-chee, Brian
Sex: M
Age: 57
Occupation: horse trainer
Telephone: (Day) 2604 6048 (Night) 9492 0022
Inc/Pol: District Board. Regional Council/Nil
Labour
Mr Luk Woon-cheung, John
Sex: M
Age: 60
Occupation: retired civil servant
Telephone: (Day) 9072 4061 (Night) 2635 3103
Inc/Pol:
Nil
18
Mr Lee Kwok-keung
Sex: M
Age: 39
Occupation: trade union secretary
Telephone: (Day) 2384 5150
(Night) 2753 9855
Inc/Pol: Nil
Financing, Insurance, Real Estate and Business Services
Mr Ng Kam Chun, Stephen
Sex: M
Age: 43
Occupation: director, real estate firm
Telephone: (Day) 2575 1751
(Night) 2576 7679
Inc/Pol: Wan Chai DB member/Libcral Democratic Federation of Hong Kong
Limited
Mr Chan Yuk-cheung
Sex: M
Age: 44
Occupation: public relations consultant
Telephone: (Day) 2528 3171
(Night) 2601 5628
Inc/Pol:
Nil/Independent
19
Urban Council
Mr Mok Ying-fan
Sex: M
Age: 44
Occupation: Chinese herbalist
Telephone: (Day) 2352 4168 and 2352 4179
(Night) 2716 2497
Inc/Pol: Wong Tai Sin DB and UC-elected Hong Kong Association for
Democracy and People’s Livelihood
Geographical Constituency elections:
New Territories South-east
Mr Ko Ping-chung, Harold
Sex: M
Age: 39
Occupation: securities regulator
Telephone: (Day) 2648 3525
(Night) 2648 3525
Inc/Pol: Nil
Kowloon South-west
Ms Chung Yee-fong. Helen
Sex: F
Age: 45
Occupation: lawyer
Telephone: (Day) 2546 9922
(Night) 9091 1941
Inc/Pol:
Nil/independent
20
New Territories West
Mr Yim Tin-sang
Sex: M
Age: 42
Occupation: full-time Regional Councillor
Telephone: (Day) 2459 6108
(Night) 2457 2289
Inc/Pol: Regional Council membcr/l long Kong Association for Democracy and
People's Livelihood
Election Committee constituency elections:
Mr Fung Kwong-chung
Sex: M
Age: 58 Occupation: primary school headmaster
Telephone: (Day) 2382 3474, 9432 2755 (Night) 2788 1035,9432 2755
Inc/Pol: Wong Tai Sin DB mcmbcr-electcd/Nil
Mr Choy Kan-pui
Sex: M
Age: 66
Occupation: merchant
Telephone: (Day) 2691 5961
(Night) 2691 5961
Inc/Pol:
DB member-elected
21
Mr Chan Sing-kong, Haul
Sex: M
Age: 48
Occupation: social work administrator
Telephone: (Day) 2711 9131
(Night) 9482 1126
Inc/Pol: DB-elected
Mr Law Cheung-kwok
Sex: M
Age: 45
Occupation: economic and financial research
Telephone: (Day) 2820 6323
(Night) 1190 98678
Inc/Pol: DB-elected/Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's
Livelihood
♦Inc - incumbent District Board/Council member
Pol - political affiliation
That brings the total number of nominations to 110 as at the close of nomination today.
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
Inmates attain good results in HKCEE *****
Inmates from seven correctional institutions have obtained fairly good results in this year's Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE).
A total of 58 inmates, aged between 16 and 47, have taken a total of 170 papers in 17 subjects with a pass rate of 68.82 per cent.
22
Three distinctions, 27 credits and 87 passes were obtained. They performed best in Principles of Accounts and did well in Mathematics.
The majority of inmates who sat for this year's HKCEE were form Pik Uk Correctional Institution, the rest were from Lai King Training Centre, Cape Collision Correctional Institution, Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, Stanley Prison, Shek Pik Prison and Tung Tau Correctional Institution. , , .
A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said: "It is the department's policy to encourage and to assist inmates to sit for the HKCEE and other public examinations.
"Since 1985. some 288 inmates have been arranged to sit for HKCEE and the ... pass rate is always encouraging although it varies each year. However, the number of inmates who sat for this year's HKCEE is the highest as compared with previous years."
‘ “ * " ' • ••••.■' : • ,• . _ ‘ ' •«.
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
Prepare vegetables with care *****
Members of the public arc today (Tuesday) urged to take special precaution when preparing vegetable dishes. •
The appeal was made by the Assistant Director of Health, Dr Leung Pak-yin, following the past few weeks of heavy rainfall. * ' «
Dr Leung said past experience had indicated that the likelihood of leafy vegetables with excessive pesticides being imported into Hong Kong would increase following periods of inclement weather.
He said the Department of Health has stepped up checking and sampling at Man Kam To and retail outlets.
To reduce food poisoning by pesticide contaminated vegetables, members of the public are advised to take the following precautionary measures:
♦ do not patronise unlicensed hawkers;
♦ do not buy vegetables with an obvious strange smell;
23
♦ wash well before cooking;
* dip vegetables into clean water for one hour to allow pesticide to leach out;
* blanch in boiling water and pour away the water used for blanching as it may contain dissolved pesticides; and
♦ cook thoroughly before consumption.
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results *****
Tender date 8 Aug 1995 8 Aug 1995
Paper on offer EF bills EF bills
Issue number Q532 Y592
Amount applied HK$6,990 MN HK$5,020 MN
Amount allotted HK$ 1,500 MN HK$500 MN
Average yield accepted 5.41 PCT 5.58 PCT
Highest yield accepted 5.42 PCT 5.58 PCT
Pro rata ratio About 29 PCT About 100 PCT
Average tender yield 5.43 PCT 5.61 PCT
24
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Tenders to be held in the week beginninj 2 14 Aug, 1995
Tender date 14 Aug 1995 15 Aug 1995 15 Aug 1995
Paper on offer EF notes EF bills EF bills
Issue number 2708 Q533 H571
Issue date 15 Aug 1995 16 Aug 1995 16 Aug 1995
Maturity date 15 Aug 1997 15 Nov 1995 14 Feb 1996
Tenor 2 years 91 days 182 days
Amount on offer HKS500+100 MN HKS 1,500+300 MN HKS800+160MN
Coupon 6.06 PCT
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hQ.urs) Cumulative change ($million)
Opening balance in the account 1,288 0930 +1,015
Closing balance in the account 1,474 1000 + 1,015
Change attributable to: 1100 + 1,010
Money market activity + 1.011 1200 +1,011
LAF today -825 1500 +1,011
1600 + 1,011
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TW1 120.0 *+0.2* 8.8.95
25
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF noles
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 1 month 3 months 6 months 5.29 • 5.34 5.43 5.51 2 years 3 years 5 years 5 years 2705 3807 5006 M501 6.40 6.16 6.60 7.90 100.94 99.59 98.38 101.87 5.91 6.41 7.12 7.56
12 months 5.59
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $8,303 million
Closed August 8, 1995
End/Tuesday, August 8, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 2842 8777
Wednesday, August 9,1995
Contents Page No,
Transcript of FS's media session........................................ 1
Total assets of the Exchange Fund stood at HK$450 billion............... 4
Confidence in continuing economic growth well based: FS................. 6
Survey on students taking up summer jobs................................ 7
Public invited to briefing on obscene article law....................... 8
New airport control tower simulator contract awarded.................... 9
6,568 S6 places still available for S5 leavers.......................... 9
Government evening schools offer S6 places............................. 10
Six more nominations of LegCo candidates............................ 11
Talk on China's folk architecture...................................... 14
Kennedy Town lot to let................................................ 14
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations................... 15
1
Transcript of FS's media session *****
Following is a transcript of the media session given by the Financial Secretary, Sir Hamish Macleod, after his luncheon address to the Federation of Hong Kong Industries today (Wednesday):
FS: I have just been delivering a speech which, in essence, is trying to point out that you should not get too alarmed at current economic figures. There are some which are not as good as they were. Obviously, unemployment is one. Inflation is not coming down as fast as we would like either. But the fundamentals: the GDP growth is looking good; the figure out for the first-quarter, 5.9% real increase, is very good; the trade figures are much better than we had expected, our domestic exports in particular. That feeds through into the service sector. So one must not get carried away with the flatter retail sales and assume that economic growth is somehow dramatically declining. It isn't. And that is not only my view, as has been published in the media recently, it is still the view, the broad view, of most of the bank economists and others who publish forecasts. The forecasts are still clustering around five to six per cent GDP growth this year, and also saying that economic growth of that order will continue into next year. So basically, we are still in quite a good position.
And just to focus on unemployment for a moment. Obscured behind the figures, is one rather good figure, and that is that the number employed has been going up much faster recently than in the last few years. I think the figure for the most recent three months was up 3.6 per cent. So we have a peculiar situation where employment is actually going up faster than in the past but the number who are ready to work has been going up even faster than that. And basically, as far as economic growth is concerned, that larger number working is good news and is reasonable grounds for confidence. So that was my main message, to summarise it.
Question: The gap between the poor and the rich is getting wider and wider and wider - as all of the newspapers carried the survey results today. What can be done with a view to trying to decrease that gap?
2
FS: Well, the newspapers may be faster than we are but we would rather like to read the report and study it before we make any sort of considered view. But I would take up one point and that is the famous, or infamous, Gini coefficient which has come up in LegCo over the last few years, and every time it has come up we have pointed out that it is a fairly misleading measure. It is the one which is mainly quoted to show that the ratio is changing adversely for the poorer. It ignores indirect, non-dollar benefits. I take, for example, subsidised housing. It ignores taxation. So, in looking at the relative well-being of the rich and the poor, it seems a rather strange measure if you ignore subsidised housing and salaries tax, just to take two examples. So it is pretty crude, it is pretty narrow. But I would like to read that report and see exactly what it says and what it is based on. 1 am not at all against research which takes a serious look at how well we are doing in relation, particularly, to dealing with the poorer members of Hong Kong's community. That is a worthwhile aim. Let's just see whether the headlines are actually justified.
Question: If the study shows that it is true that the poor are getting poorer, what can the government do to narrow that gap?
FS: It doesn't, of course, say that and no one must ever summarise it in that way. People are getting better off. The argument is whether the richer ones are getting better off faster than the poorer ones. But no one is saying that the poorer ones are getting worse off. At least I don't think they are. I would be very surprised if they were. If they are. then they are basing it on something funny like the Gini coefficient.
Question: You said earlier that the banking system was the cornerstone of Hong Kong's economy. Earlier today ... a report that said that they think that the banking industry is poised for a downturn and the worst time ... increased competition. And they believe that there is a possibility of speculation on the territory's currency. I know you have already dispelled that rumour. I don't know, this is one in a series of reports that have .a negative outlook to the banks here.
FS: Well, I think you have to distinguish a bit. There is quite a lot of theorising over whether bank profits are going to be a bit slimmer. And that is, again, perfectly legitimate. Maybe they are going to be a bit slimmer. But that certainly does not mean that the banking sector is not healthy. We have very good banking supervision. We have a very good system under the Monetary Authority and I am still very' happy that what I have said is still true, that a healthy banking system is a cornerstone of our economy. And we have got one. I am very happy to say.
Question: Well, it's just that they said again that the peg is vulnerable to speculation. I mean speculation is different to ... the peg. Do you think that it is vulnerable to speculation?
3
FS: No. I have to say no in that sort of way because, of course, no currency is immune to speculation but certainly there is no reason for Hong Kong to be a target. And I have just been explaining, inside there, why. All the factors which people normally look at, whether you choose the way the economy is run, the size of the reserves, the efficiency of the Government, the amount of debt, you know any of the normal measures, we are very strong. We have the seventh largest foreign currency reserves and so on and so forth. So if people are willing to be speculators, if they are looking for a nice, ripe, weak target, then there are many dotted around the world, but we are not one of them.
Question: What is the attitude of the Government on the mortgage policy, because some people are urging the Government...
FS: I noticed that there is a suggestion that we should review it - the 70% rule -although we have not actually received that suggestion yet, and when we do of course we will look at it. But basically, that was a rule adopted by the banks -1 must say, we were quite happy about it - for banking prudential reasons, not for any other reasons. I am not aware that things have changed significantly to justify a change. Certainly at the moment I am quite relaxed about the present rule.
Question: Is it true that the Government is trying to ... on the labour importation scheme ... that unemployment...?
FS: I saw the report. It is entirely wrong. We have not decided anything, that is the truth of the matter. We have said that we are reviewing that scheme against the background of the unemployment figures. 1 think we said that we would probably reach a conclusion in a month or two's time. But I can assure you, we have not yet reached a conclusion, because I was at a meeting on it yesterday.
Question: Sir Hamish, can you just explain why there has been this substantial increase in the surplus, 19%, I mean the figure that you have just given to us? Why?
FS: Yes. The surplus that is now being talked about is not the budget surplus, of course, it is the exchange fund, our surplus of assets over liabilities, and it is for the six months, the first half of this year. The fact is it has been quite good for investors. Bear in mind we are not in equities, we tend to be in bonds in the US. They are mainly in the US. to give a short answer. To give a longer and probably better answer, Joseph Yam is giving a press conference later today. Thank you very much.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
4
Total assets of the Exchange Fund stood at HK$450 billion
*****
The Financial Secretary announced today (Wednesday) that total assets of the Exchange Fund stood at HKS450 billion at the end of June this year, up over 10% from the end of December last year.
Sir Hamish Macleod said according to the unaudited figures, Hong Kong’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to US$53.6 billion at the end of June, compared to US$49.3 billion at the end of last year. Hong Kong currently ranks seventh in the world in overall foreign exchange reserves and second in reserves per capita.
Today’s announcement marks the first time data on the Fund have been available on a six-monthly basis.
In a speech to the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Sir Hamish said he decided on publishing the results of the Exchange Fund every six months "to partly show Government’s continued commitment to greater openness and transparency, and partly to provide you and others in the commercial and financial world with more evidence of the considerable strength of Hong Kong’s external position."
The accumulated earnings of the Fund grew to HK$153 billion, up HK$24.2 billion or nearly 19% from the end of 1994, a result that compares favourably with returns generated elsewhere in the fund management industry.
"I think you will agree with me that these are first rate results indeed," said Sir Hamish.
The good results were attributed largely to improved investment climate in the last six months, which the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) took full advantage of.
"The good performance was due to the fact that our major investments were in the US markets, and that market was the best performer amongst other international bond markets except Japan," said Chief Executive of HKMA. Mr Joseph Yam.
End/Wednesday. August 9, 1995
Exchange Fund Balance Sheet as at
30 JUN, 1995 (Unaudited) 31 DEC, 1994 (Audited, as published in the 1994 annual report) 30 JUN, 1994 (Unaudited)
ASSETS HK$ mn ’ HK$ mn HK$ mn
Foreign Currency Assets 418,334 384,359 367,543
Hong Kong Dollar Assets 31,454 24,126 20,782
449,788 408,485 388,325
LIABILITIES
Certificates of Indebtedness 74,630 74,301 69,571
Fiscal Reserves Account 143,908 131,240 131,171
Coins in Circulation 3,332 3,372 2,573
Exchange Fund Bills and Notes 50,840 46,140 39,221
Balance of Banking System 2,247 2,208 2,858
Other Liabilities 22,056 22,614 18,819
297,013 279,875 264,213 .. 1 t- , M., ■ P* : 5'
ACCUMULATED SURPLUS 152,775 128,610 124,112
6
Confidence in continuing economic growth well based: FS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Financial Secretary, Sir Hamish Macleod, today (Wednesday) assured industrialists that the Government's confidence in good economic growth continuing was well based.
Speaking at a lunch meeting of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Sir Hamish said: "It is worth remembering that there has not been a single year in the past 30 when real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has dropped in Hong Kong; by comparison, there have been six such years in both the UK and the US."
"We have a truly remarkable record, and we have good reasons to expect it to continue," he added.
On the economic performance, Sir Hamish said against some less good statistics, the apparently overlooked fact was the robust GDP growth and much better than expected trade figures.
"An encouraging 5.9 per cent real growth in GDP was recorded for the first quarter of 1995, compared to the same period in 1994.
"Domestic exports, in particular, have recorded significant growth, up about seven per cent in real terms in the first half of 1995. With total exports up 15 per cent," he said.
Sir Hamish said this was a pretty dramatic improvement over the 1994 figures of domestic exports down two per cent and total exports up 10 per cent. And of course there would be a spin-off from these good trade figures into trade related services.
On the linked exchange rate system, Sir Hamish stressed once again that the system would stay.
"The fact is it has been a great success, and its continuation is unambiguously supported by China," he said.
Sir Hamish said recent developments in relation to issues under discussion with China were also encouraging.
These included the resolution of the financing of the airport and airport railway, the agreement on the Court of Final Appeal, the practical discussions in the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee and the visit of the Chief Secretary to Beijing.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
- 7 -
Survey on students taking up summer jobs
*****
Students were not particularly keen to look for summer jobs and of those who did find employment, their main motive was monetary reward, according to a survey commissioned by the Home Affairs Branch (HAB) and conducted by the Census and Statistics Department.
The survey, involving a sample of 2,192 full-time students aged between 15 and 22, was carried out in November last year to March this year with reference to the situation in the summer of 1994.
Its findings were discussed at a recent meeting of the Commission on Youth.
The survey revealed that among the respondents, only 12.1 per cent had looked for summer jobs. On motivation for seeking summer jobs, 73.6 per cent gave financial reward while only 16.2 per cent cited acquiring work experience.
An HAB spokesman said today (Wednesday): "This reflects the attitude of our young people. Although most respondents cited earning money as the reason for taking up summer jobs, members of the Commission felt that one should not be unduly alarmed.
"In this connection, the study on the Moral Values of Youth being conducted by the Commission on Youth may help to shed light on young people's attitude towards material rewards."
Noting that almost 90 per cent of full-time students aged from 15 to 22, estimated to be 321,900, did not look for any summer work, the spokesman added: "This group of young people should be encouraged to make the most of their holidays and to engage in worthwhile pursuits.
"It is therefore timely to remind schools, voluntary agencies and other youth organisations that they have an important role to play in organising summer activities for young people and to encourage them to take up voluntary work."
The survey also found that nearly half (45.2 per cent) of the students who found summer jobs worked in the wholesale, retail, import/export trades, restaurant and hotel businesses.
To protect the students, the Commission recommended that the Labour Department should step up the enforcement of the labour ordinances and strengthen inspection in the coming summer holidays to prevent illegal employment of underage students and to ensure that the working environment meets the statutory safety standards.
- 8 -
As to the fact that many summer job seekers would hide their student identity, it suggested that the importance of honesty should be conveyed to students.
In this connection, the Commission also called on employers to provide more summer job opportunities for students.
Moreover, it would be good to them if there were more jobs involving community services, the Commission suggested.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
Public invited to briefing on obscene article law ♦ * * * *
Members of the public, especially those from the publication trade, wishing to have more information about the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles (Amendment) Ordinance 1995, are welcome to attend a briefing to be held on Friday (August 11). Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) officers will be present to introduce the ordinance with emphasis on those provisions which are relevant to the publication industry.
"We hope this can help members of the trade make necessary arrangements to meet the requirements of the ordinance which will be enacted in early October this year," a spokesman for TELA said today (Wednesday).
The briefing will begin at 2.30 pm at the 35 mm Theatre of TELA on the 39th floor. Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
As the venue has limited space, those wishing to come are requested to make reservation before noon on Friday on 2594 5835.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
9
New airport control tower simulator contract awarded
*****
The Secretary for the Treasury, on the advice of the Central Tender Board, has approved the award of an Airport Core Programme (ACP) contract for the supply and installation of a control tower simulator for the new airport at Chek Lap Kok. The contract, valued at $21.7 million, has been awarded by the Civil Aviation Department to Unisys China/Hong Kong Limited.
The company will be responsible for the supply and installation of the control tower simulator which will be used for aerodrome control training of air traffic controllers.
Work will start later this month for completion in November next year.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
6.568 S6 places still available for S5 leavers
* * * * *
Stage II of the Secondary 6 Admission Procedure ended at 4.30 pm today (Wednesday), and Stage III will begin tomorrow.
There are still 6,568 S6 places available for S5 students to apply tomorrow in Stage III.
A spokesman for the Education Department said a total of 4,037 students scoring 14 points or more were successful in acquiring S6 places today.
In Stage III, day school students with results satisfying the minimum entry requirements may apply to their own or linked school if there are still vacancies before 3.30 pm tomorrow. Successful candidates should register with the schools on the same day.
Private candidates and evening school students with results meeting the minimum A-level entry requirements may apply to PLK Vicwood KT Chong Sixth Form College if there are still vacancies. Prevocational school students and past students, however, should not apply at this stage, the spokesman said.
10
The Education Department's central hotline 2782 7511, 2782 7625 and 2782 7639-40 and the 19 district education offices have handled 674 enquiries on the admission procedures today.
The central hotline will continue to operate from 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and 9 am to noon on Saturday until August 18.
The department's Careers Education Centre has received 485 visitors and handled 348 telephone enquiries on matters related to the S6 admission procedures until 5.30 pm today.
The department has received two more complaints today. They were found to be not substantiated after investigation by the department.
Meanwhile, the department's Psychological Services Section (tel: 2712 7958 and 2714 7852) manned by education counsellors or educational psychologists have received 71 calls from students and parents. Four of them needed counselling.
The centre at Room 206 of the Mong Kok Government Offices at 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, provides students with materials on opportunities for further studies and training and information on various professions.
Students are reminded that the centre will extend its opening hours without a break from 8.45 am to 5.30 pm until Friday (August 11).
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
Government evening schools offer S6 places
*****
Secondary 5 school leavers wishing to pursue post-secondary education are invited to apply for admission to Secondary 6 classes in government evening secondary schools in the 1995-96 school year.
A spokesman for the Education Department said: "The newly introduced S6 course will last for three years and only arts classes will be offered at the present stage."
11
Applicants should have attained a grade E or above in six subjects, or a grade E or above in five subjects on no less than eight points, in one sitting of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE). The S6 course fee for the 1995-96 school year will be $1,290.
A total of four classes, one at each centre with different combinations of arts subjects, will be offered at the following centres:
, - . . • . . <
• • ■ •• \ ♦
* Ho Tung Technical School for Girls Centre, One, Ka Ning Path, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
* Queen Elizabeth School Centre, 152 Sai Yee Street, Kowloon
* Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School Centre, 70 Hoi Pa Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
♦ Sha Tin Government Secondary School Centre, 11 Man Lai Road, Sha Tin, New Territories
Application forms will be distributed at the Adult Education Section of the Education Department, Wu Chung House, 11th floor, Room 1106, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, tomorrow (Thursday) and on August 11 (Friday).
Completed application forms should be returned to the respective centres between 6.45 pm and 8.45 pm on August 11.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
Six more nominations of LegCo candidates *****
Six candidates submitted their nomination papers for the Legislative Council Elections in September today (Wednesday).
They were Mr Lau Chin-shek of Kowloon South Geographical Constituency (GC); Mr Wong Kwok-tung of the Kowloon South-west GC; Mr Lam Kwok-hung, Guy, of the Hong Kong Island West GC; Mr Li Hon-shing, Michael, of Hotels and Catering Functional Constituency (FC); Mr Lau Wong-fat of the Rural FC and Mr Lau Hon-chuen of Election Committee Constituency.
12
Personal particulars of the candidates are as follows:
Mr Lau Chin-shek
Sex: M
Age: 50
Occupation: Community Worker
Telephone: (Day) 2739 0836
(Night) 96901771
Inc/Pol*: Democratic Party; HK Confederation of Trade Unions; HK Christian
Industrial Committee
Mr Wong Kwok-tung
Sex: M
Age: 46
Occupation: Solicitor
Telephone: (Day) 2523 6934
(Night) 94856877
Inc/Pol: Urban Council (Elected)
Mr Lam Kwok-hung, Guy
Sex: M
Age: 41
Occupation: Lawyer
Telephone: (Day) 2522 6294
(Night) 117743202
Inc/Pol:
Hong Kong Alliance of Chinese and Expatriates
13
Mr Li Hoikshing, Michael
Sex: M
Age: 45
Occupation: Executive Director, the Federation of HK Hotel Owners Ltd.
Telephone: (Day) 2369 1887
(Night) 2717 8969
Inc/Pol:
Mr Lau Wong-fat
Sex: M
Age: 58
Occupation: Merchant
Telephone: (Day) 2457 2822
(Night) 2457 4388
Inc/Pol: District Board (Ex-officio): Regional Council (Ex-officio)
Mr Lau Hon-chuen
Sex: M
Age: 48
Occupation: Solicitor
Telephone: (Day) 2526 2316
Inc/Pol: HK Progressive Alliance
* Inc - Incumbent District Board/Council member
Pol - Political Affiliation
That brings the total number of nominations to 116 as at the close of nomination today.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
14
Talk on China's folk architecture
*****
Members of the public are invited to a talk on Chinese traditional buildings to be given by an leading overseas academic on Friday (August 11).
Professor Ronald Knapp, the Chairman of the Department of Geography of the State University of New York, will talk on China's folk architecture.
This is to complement the opening of the "Living Building" exhibition jointly presented by the Antiquities and Monuments Office and the Department of Architecture of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The talk, to be conducted in English, will be held from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm at the exhibition gallery of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, 136. Nathan Road, Kowloon.
For enquiries please call 2721 2326.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
Kennedy Town lot to let *****
The Lands Department is inviting tenders for the short-term tenancy of a piece of Government land at Sai Ning Street. Kennedy Town. The 1,030-square-metre lot is to be used as a fee-paying public car park for the parking of goods vehicles only.
The tenancy is for six months, renewable quarterly.
Closing date for submission of tender is at noon on August 25.
Tender form, tender notice and conditions may be obtained from the District Lands Office, Hong Kong West. 19th floor. Southom Centre. 130 Hennessy Road; the Lands Department, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road; and the Kowloon District Lands Offices. 10th floor, Yau Ma Tei Car Park Building, 250 Shanghai Street, Kowloon.
Tender plan can also be inspected at the offices.
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
15
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,474 0930 +826
Closing balance in the account Change attributable to : 1,703 1000 1100 +826 +826
Money market activity +829 1200 +829
LAF today -600 1500 +829
1600 +829
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 120.0 *+0.0* 9.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.34 2 years 2705 6.40 100.90 5.94
1 month 5.38 3 years 3807 6.16 99.51 6.44
3 months 5.44 5 years 5006 6.60 98.29 7.14
6 months 12 months 5.52 5.63 5 years M501 7.90 101.69 7.61
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $17,031 million
Closed August 9, 1995
End/Wednesday, August 9, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Thursday, August 10,1995
Contents EagfiJVh
Transcript of the acting Governor's media session.......................... 1
Minister to visit Far East................................................. 2
Transfer of VMs from Whitehead Detention Centre completed.......... 2
Director of Buildings reviews air-coolers case............................. 3
Tsing Ma Bridge project on target.......................................... 4
Transfer of VMs from Whitehead to Victoria Prison.......................... 6
"Labour Day" for acting Governor........................................... 6
Exhibition on drainage services opens today................................ 8
Seven more nominations of LegCo candidates................................ 10
4,105 S6 places available after stage III................................. 12
Talk on China's folk architecture......................................... 14
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations...................... 15
- 1 -
Transcript of the acting Governor’s media session • * ♦ * * ♦
The following is a transcript of the acting Governor, Mrs Anson Chan's media session after visiting the Labour Department today (Thursday):
Acting Governor: This afternoon I have an opportunity to see various services that the Labour Department provide, in particular, to see the services that were getting to employers and employees in terms of enabling employers to find workers for vacancies and to enable employees to find work that suit their particular skills and aptitude. As you know, our approach is three-pronged. First of all we hope to step up enforcement action against abusers of the labour importation scheme and illegal employment of illegal workers. Secondly, we are stepping up job-matching because there is a particular problem in terms of job-mismatch, since April this year, we have established a job matching service and I am very glad to note that since the service was established, 2,000 workers have registered. The success rate in terms of placement, including those who have been offered jobs but have declined jobs, are about 44 per cent. So, it's a very encouraging start and we obviously hope to continue to make good progress on this front. At the same time we are also stepping up re-training of workers so that we put displaced workers or those who are currently out of jobs, equip them with new skills so that they can find jobs more easily.
Question: With all these measures being carried out, do you expect the unemployment rate can be reduced in the near future?
Acting Governor: We certainly hope that these efforts will produce some results. I know and I understand that there is a general concern about the increase in the unemployment rate. But as the Financial Secretary pointed out yesterday, I think we need to view this in perspective. There is no doubt that there is an increase in the unemployment rate. But at the same time there is also an increase in job vacancies, we have currently some 60,000 job vacancies. The Labour Department and other Government departments and branches will do their utmost to help workers find work. But also to help employers find suitable workers.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
J
- 2 -
Minister to visit Far East *****
The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hanley, is to visit several countries within his area of responsibility from August 30 to September 18.
The purpose of the trip is primarily familiarisation, though the Minister will also attend the South Pacific post-Forum Dialogue in Papua New Guinea.
Mr Hanley’s itinerary is as follows: the Republic of Korea (August 30 -September 1), Hong Kong (September 2-6), Singapore (September 6-9), Australia (September 10-15) and Papua New Guinea (September 15-18). Final programme details remain to be confirmed.
• ' 1 • •:
The Minister's visit to Hong Kong is to familiarise himself with the territory and its people. He will see as much of Hong Kong as he can and meet a broad range of officials, community leaders and business representatives.
- i
He will have meetings with the Governor and will also see representatives of the Executive Council.
Attention News Editors:
Mr Hanley will arrive in Hong Kong from Seoul at 8.30 pm on September 1 on flight CX441. The press are invited to be present.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
Transfer of VMs from Whitehead Detention Centre completed *****
The operation by Correctional Services Department (CSD) officers to remove the 25 remaining VMs was completed smoothly at 1.25 pm this (Thursday) afternoon.
- 3 -
The officers moved into the Voluntary Repatriation Centre at 11.50 am when the VMs refused to present themselves for transfer to Victoria Prison after repeated counselling.
Some of the VMs climbed onto rooftops and lamp posts but they came down by themselves after persuasion. No force was used and the police were only on stand-by during the operation.
Seven CSD officers, including a temporary Vietnamese interpreter, and one VM, had sustained minor injuries during the course of the operation when the VM on board a vehicle leaving for Victoria Prison suddenly turned violent and started rushing towards the rear exit of the vehicle.
The acting Refugee Co-ordinator, Mr Gordon Leung, said the group of 82 VMs involved in today’s transfer exercise had withdrawn from the UNHCR's Voluntary Repatriation Programme and had refused to re-join the Programme.
"The Government remains determined as ever to resolve the VM problem as soon as possible," he stressed.
"The future of the VMs is in Vietnam," he added.
Today's operation was monitored by representatives of non-govemment organisations and non-official Justices of the Peace.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
Director of Buildings reviews air-coolers case ♦ * * * *
The Director of Buildings, Mrs Helen Yu, said today (Thursday) that she had been examining the case of the two air-coolers erected on the roof of Tak Yan House in Tsuen Wan and was seeking further information to consider what action would be appropriate.
- 4 -
In response to a petition by the Old District Rooftop Residents' Concern Group, she said: "Where there is a case and we are ready, we will take action. The illegal structures re-erected on Cheuk Ming House in the same area are a case in point.
"We do not need petitions to prompt us into action. However, we do welcome reports from the public. They are a good source of information to help stop new illegal structures.
"As regards the air-coolers on the roof of Tak Yan House, when all necessary information is available, I will be able to decide what to do and I will tell all concerned."
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
Tsing Ma Bridge project on target
*****
Construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge is on target for completion by May 1997 with the erection of the steel units for the main span now underway.
The bridge is a key part of the Airport Core Programme transport network that will serve the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
"This represents the start of a major new phase in the construction of the bridge," Project Director of the Lantau Fixed Crossing Project Management Office of the Highways Department, Mr K C Yeung, said today (Thursday).
The first two 500-tonne deck units arc now in position in the centre of the main span of the bridge. Joined together as one section, they were lifted into position yesterday evening and the final connection to the suspender ropes was completed this morning.
Hydraulic jacks mounted on a gantry lifted the units from a specially built barge and the units were then connected to suspender ropes hanging from the main suspension cables.
- 5 -
"In the coming months, the bridge's main span will be constructed section by section, some 62 metres above the Ma Wan Channel," said Mr Yeung.
Erection will continue from the middle of the bridge towards the two support towers, using four gantries, and the exercise is expected to take about six months to complete.
Each unit will weigh up to 500 tonnes, equivalent to the weight of 20 double-decker buses. Most of the units will be lifted in pairs.
When the job is completed, the structural steel in the deck of the 2.2-kilometre long bridge will weigh about 50,000 tonnes.
Mr Yeung said during the lifting operation, part of the Ma Wan Channel would have to be closed for on average two days each week.
"The Highways Department is liaising closely with the contractor, the Marine Department and the Marine Police to minimise the effect on marine traffic," he said.
Commencement of deck erection is another milestone in the construction of the bridge linking Tsing Yi and Ma Wan Islands. It follows the completion of the two 206-metre high concrete towers in 1993 and the completion of the suspension cables earlier this year.
1!
The Tsing Ma Bridge, the major bridge in the Lantau Fixed Crossing and one of the 10 projects in the Airport Core Programme, will carry-six lanes of traffic on its upper deck and two railway tracks, and two road lanes for emergency use. on its sheltered lower deck. It will be the longest suspension bridge in the world carrying both roads and a railway.
The bridge is being built by the Anglo Japanese Construction Joint Venture under a $7.2 billion construction contract awarded by the Highways Department in May 1992.
Work is also progressing well on the other bridge in the Lantau Fixed Crossing, the cable-stayed Kap Shui Mun Bridge, which, together with the Ma Wan Viaduct, will connect Ma Wan and Lantau Islands.
- 6 -
Construction of the main span of the Kap Shui Mun Bridge began in May this year and nine deck sections have been erected so far.
’’Overall, 67 per cent of the work for the Lantau Fixed Crossing has been completed and the Crossing is on target for completion in mid-1997,” added Mr Yeung.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
Transfer of VMs from Whitehead to Victoria Prison
*****
A government spokesman announced that an exercise to transfer about 80 Vietnamese migrants (VMs) from the Whitehead Voluntary Repatriation Centre to Victoria Prison would take place today (Thursday).
This batch of VMs had earlier applied to join UNHCR’s Voluntary Repatriation Programme but have subsequently withdrawn from the programme. They were urged to re-join the programme last month but refused to do so.
’’Now that they refuse to go back to Vietnam under the Voluntary Repatriation Programme and since they have all been cleared for return under the Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP), they will be transferred to Victoria Prison pending their repatriation under ORP on August 15,” the spokesman said.
The transfer will, as before, be observed by independent monitors.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
’’Labour Day” for acting Governor *****
The acting Governor, Mrs Anson Chan, today (Thursday) visited the Labour Department Headquarters and its Local Employment Service (LES) Office in Wan Chai.
- 7 -
She was briefed on the work of the department by the Commissioner for Labour, Mr Stephen Ip; Deputy Commissioner, Mr Yiu Yan-nang; and Assistant Commissioners, Mrs Angela Ho, Mr Mak Sai-yiu, Mr James Yeung and Mr William Siu.
During her tour to the Labour Inspection Division, Mrs Chan was told that the division’s main responsibility was to inspect workplaces to ensure that regulations on hours of work as well as legislative provisions on terms and conditions of employment of local and imported workers were complied with.
She listened to pre-recorded information on labour legislation provided by the General Enquiry Telephone Service which handled some 1.5 million enquiries a year. The enquiry service recently introduced Putonghua as a new language option in addition to Cantonese and English.
Mrs Chan also called on the Factory Inspectorate Division’s (FID) Industrial Safety Training Centre where safety equipment and other exhibits on industrial safety were on display. She then visited some classrooms where training courses on safety legislation and safety talks were held from time to time.
Apart from providing training and advice to industry, Mrs Chan was informed of the measures taken by FID to promote the health and safety of workers at work. It played an important role in inspecting industrial workplaces and advising the management of establishments on the means to provide a safer and healthier working environment.
At the Selective Placement Division (SPD), Mrs Chan saw disabled persons undergo vocational assessment by means of a modem computerised assessment system and other conventional equipment.
She learned that the division’s Promotion and Publicity Unit organised regular promotional activities to enhance public understanding of the disabled and increase their employment opportunities.
These activities include exhibitions, seminars, presentation ceremonies to commend outstanding employers and disabled employees, targeted campaigns to canvass vacancies as well as television and radio programmes.
- 8 -
As regards the Employment Services Division, Mrs Chan was told that the division's nine LES Offices were offering two modes of placement service for jobseekers.
Most job-seekers would use the self-help service where they pick their own choice of jobs from the vacancies available and LES staff would refer them to job interviews.
Unemployed persons aged 30 or above can join the Job Matching Programme which provides a personal service of in-depth interview, vocational counselling and job matching.
Since the programme was introduced in April, a total of 1,942 job-seekers had registered under the programme and 678 were placed in jobs. If the 175 job seekers who declined job offers were taken into account, the success rate of placement was about 44 per cent.
Mrs Chan was told that a Central Promotion Office on Employment was formed to focus promotional efforts on enhancing employment services for the disadvantaged groups including the unemployed and the disabled.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
Exhibition on drainage services opens today
*****
A roving exhibition on the work and services of the Drainage Services Department (DSD) begins today (Thursday) at the Ocean Terminal Main Concourse.
Organised by the DSD, the exhibition will continue at the Ocean Terminal tomorrow before moving to other popular shopping arcades during the next two months.
- 9 -
Carrying the theme "Serving the Community", the exhibition introduces the work of the various branches of DSD and the services provided by the department for the public, by mean of photographs, charts, diagrams, models and a video wall of 16 television sets.
Sewage treatment projects, such as Stage I of the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme, Sewerage Master Plan and the Sewage Charging Scheme are on display.
Also featuring at the exhibition are the flood control projects undertaken by the department in the New Territories, including the Shenzhen River Regulation project, as well as the Land Drainage Ordinance.
Visitors to the exhibition were able to get a better idea of sewage collection and the operation of a typical sewage screening plant. They also participated at a game stall at the venue, with some winning souvenirs.
The exhibition will continue from 10 am to 7 pm tomorrow before carrying on at Shun Tak Shopping Mall in Sheung Wan on Saturday and Sunday (August 12 and 13).
It will also be mounted at the following dates and venues:
Venue
Date
Tuen Mun Town Plaza August 19 and 20
New Town Plaza September 9 and 10
Cityplaza September 16 and 17
Dragon Centre September 23 and 24
Metroplaza September 30 and October 1
Telford Gardens October 5 and 6
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
10 -
Seven more nominations of LegCo candidates ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
Seven nominations of candidates for the Legislative Council Elections in September were received today (Thursday).
They were Mr Fan Kwok-wah for the Community, Social and Personal Services Functional Constituency; Mr Yap Alfred Donald for the Legal Functional Constituency; Mr Chu Yu-lin and Mr Yum Sin-ling for the Election Committee Constituency; Mr Law Yuk-kai for the New territories North East Constituency; Ms Wong Yin-ping for the Kowloon West Constituency and Mr Sit Ho-yin, Kingsley, for the Kowloon South West Constituency.
Their personal particulars are as follows:
Mr Fan Kwok-wah
Sex: M
Age: 34
Occupation: former civil servant
Telephone: (Day) 2636 7621
(Night) 2344 5676
Inc/Pol*: Nil
Mr Yap Alfred Donald
Sex: M
Age: 56
Occupation: solicitor
Telephone: (Day) 2523 5022
(Night) 2836 3001
Inc/Pol: Nil
- 11 -
Mr Chu Yu-lin
Sex: M
Age: 51
Occupation: executive director
Telephone: (Day) 2850 6565
(Night) 2812 0871
Inc/Pol: Nil/Liberal Democratic Federation of Hong Kong
Mr Yum Sin-ling
Sex: M
Age: 46
Occupation: consulting engineer
Telephone: (Day) 2797 9833
(Night) 1122580431/2337 8673
Inc/Pol.: District Board member (elected)/123 Democratic Alliance
Mr Law Yuk-kai
Sex: M
Age: 37
Occupation: project researcher (legal)
Telephone: (Day) 119298964/2691 4093
(Night) 119298964
Inc/Pol: Nil/United Ants
Ms Wong Yin-ping
Sex: F
Age: 33
Occupation: executive staff
Telephone: (Day) 2387 0444
(Night) 2387 0444
Inc/Pol: Nil/independent
- 12 -
Mr Sit Ho-yin. Kingsley
Sex: M
Age: 46
Occupation: surveyor
Telephone: (Day) 2523 2117
(Night) 1128052(1359)
Inc/Pol: Nil/independent
*Inc - incumbent District Board/Council member
Pol - political affiliation
That brings the total number of nominations to 123 as at the close of nomination today.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
4,105 S6 places available after stage III
*****
Stage III of the Secondary 6 Admission Procedure ended at 3.30 pm today (Thursday) with 4,105 S6 places left over for students meeting the minimum A-level entry requirements to apply tomorrow in Stage IV.
A spokesman for the Education Department said at the end of stage III, a total of 19,416 S6 places have been filled including 2,463 places filled today by students satisfying the minimum A-level requirements.
A total of 23,521 S6 places are available in the 1995-96 school year for students to apply.
The spokesman reminded students wishing to secure an S6 place in the forthcoming school year that a list of schools with vacancies will be displayed at all district education offices throughout the territory from 9 am tomorrow when Stage IV begins.
- 13 -
Meanwhile, students may also obtain the list in some newspapers which will publish the list tomorrow.
Students satisfying the minimum entry requirements, including those prevocational schools, evening schools and private candidates, may apply to one or more of these schools before 1 pm tomorrow.
Schools may offer admission to students instantly and/or display a full list of successful applicants of this stage at 2.30 pm tomorrow. Successful candidates should register with the schools before 4.30 pm on the same day. The department has received one substantiated complaint today.
So far the department has received a total of nine complaints of which five were substantiated. These cases have been settled after investigations by the department.
Meanwhile, the Education Department’s central hotline 2782 7511, 2782 7625 and 2782 7639-40 and the 19 district education offices have handled 636 enquiries on the admission procedures today.
The hotline will continue to operate from 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and from 9 am to noon on Saturday until August 18.
The department’s Careers Education Centre has received 403 visitors and handled 275 telephone enquiries on matters related to the S6 admission procedures, further studies, locally or overseas, and careers by the time it closed at 5.30 pm today.
This brings to 1,139 the total number of people visited and 824 callers telephoned the centre since August 8.
The department’s Psychological Services Section (tel 2712 7958 and 2714 7852) manned by education counsellors or educational psychologists have today received 79 calls from students and parents. Six of them needed counselling. This brings to 191 the total number of calls made to the section since August 8.
- 14 -
The Careers Education Centre at Room 206 of the Mong Kok Government Offices at 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, provides students with materials on opportunities for further studies, training and information on various professions.
• ... . •• ’ : •* • ’ • • y 1
The centre will extend its opening hours without a break from 8.45 am to 5.30 pm tomorrow.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
Talk on China's folk architecture ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Members of the public are invited to a talk on Chinese traditional buildings to be given by an leading overseas academic tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.
Professor Ronald Knapp, the Chairman of the Department of Geography of the State University of New York, will talk on China’s folk architecture.
This is to complement the opening of the "Living Building" exhibition jointly presented by the Antiquities and Monuments Office and the Department of Architecture of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The talk, to be conducted in English, will be held from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm at the exhibition gallery of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, 136, Nathan Road, Kowloon.
For enquiries please call 2721 2326.
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
- 15 -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
♦ * ♦ * *
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,703 0930 +596
Closing balance in the account 1,172 1000 +596
Change attributable to : 1100 +589
Money market activity +104 1200 +589
LAF today -635 1500 +389
1600 +104
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 120.1 *+0.1 * 10.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.35 2 years 2705 6.40 100.84 5.97
1 month 5.38 3 years 3807 6.16 99.41 6.48
3 months 5.44 5 years 5006 6.60 98.00 7.22
6 months 12 months 5.54 5.65 5 years M501 7.90 101.40 7.68
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $13,493 million
End/Thursday, August 10, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Friday, August 11,1995
Contents Page No,
Traffic management scheme along Island Eastern Corridor........... 1
Steps taken to ensure an open Government.......................... 3
Civic Education Exhibition........................................ 4
External trade statistics by country and commodity for June....... 5
Monitors' Report submitted to CS............................... 15
Land to be resumed for public housing development................ 15
Tenders invited for out-patient clinic building.................. 16
Tenders invited for Diamond Hill development works............... 16
Tenders invited for footbridge extension......................... 17
Tenders invited for slope upgrading works...................... 18
Three more nominations of LegCo candidates....................... 19
235 S6 places left for central allocation........................ 20
Revised fee for crown rent enquiry............................... 22
Board re-named to show additional responsibilities............... 23
Air Quality Report for July...................................... 24
Shark warnings remain in force................................... 26
Water cut in the Peak area....................................... 27
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations............. 27
1
Traffic management scheme along Island Eastern Corridor *****
A traffic management scheme will be implemented along the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) to relieve the traffic congestion over the section of the IEC eastbound between Man Hong Street and the interchange with the Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC). The scheme will be implemented with effect from 10 am on August 20 (Sunday).
A spokesman for the Transport Department said today (Friday) that the scheme would involve:
* An all day ban on traffic, except franchised buses, from Man Hong Street from entering EHC direct via the eastbound approach;
* Signalisation of two junctions in Lei King Wan to improve traffic circulation and provide controlled pedestrian crossing facilities in anticipation of diverted tunnel traffic from Man Hong Street;
♦ Introduction of a 120-metre long bus lane in the IEC at the interchange with EHC to maintain existing direct franchised bus routes from Man Hong Street to EHC; and >
♦ Modifications to gantry signs in the IEC to improve information to motorists for lane selection so as to achieve more efficient utilization of lanes.
”As a result, the tunnel-bound traffic from Man Hong Street slip road will be guided to route via the eastbound IEC, the Sai Wan Ho/Lei King Wan area and the westbound IEC in order to reach the westbound approach to the EHC to Kowloon East. This will improve the traffic flow along eastbound IEC,” he said.
At present, traffic congestion was observed during evening peak hours at the eastbound approach to the EHC. The congestion problem is mainly due to the capacity of the EHC being reached during peak hours.
When this happens, traffic queues inevitably build up from the tunnel portal and extend onto the carriageway of the IEC. Traffic from Man Hong Street slip road would have to wait on the IEC for merging into the tunnel-bound traffic queue, thus creating blockage to the eastbound through traffic along the IEC.
2
' “ • 1c ,,-r •
The spokesman said the traffic management scheme aimed at eliminating the merging conflict by prohibiting all vehicles, except franchised buses, from Man Hong Street slip road to merge into the middle lane to head for the EHC.
"Motorists from Man Hong Street slip road will be guided to access the EHC from the westbound approach. A pilot test for the proposed scheme was conducted between December 12 and 15 last year. The results showed significant increase in traffic flows as well as reduction of traffic queue length and journey time,” he said.
' ” ‘,S ’l- .- ....
He pointed out in particular that adequate directional signs indicating ’’Kowloon East" would be displayed on the existing overhead gantry signs along the eastbound IEC and erected in the Sai Wan Ho/Lei King Wan area to guide the tunnelbound traffic from Man Hong Street slip road.
Advance warning sign indicating "Bus Lane Ahead" and symbolic bus lane signs would be displayed at prominent locations to alert motorists and facilitate bus operation. ' < .
Highways Department will paint the road markings associated with the scheme at night on August 18 and 19 when temporary lane closure on the IEC will be required. Adequate temporary traffic diversion signs will be provided to guide motorists.
At 10 am on August 20, traffic police will standby at the affected section of the IEC and associated road junctions. They will assist in directing traffic when necessary. The New Hong Kong Tunnel Company will also help regulating traffic from both the eastbound and westbound approaches if necessary.
The spokesman appealed to motorists to drive with caution particularly along the affected section of eastbound IEC and to strictly follow the directions as indicated by the traffic signs and road markings.
"If road marking cannot be completed by August 20 due to inclement weather, implementation of the traffic management scheme will be deferred to the subsequent Sunday," he said.
■ ’ • ‘ f ! f»Z'‘
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
3
Steps taken to ensure an open Government ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
Significant strides had been taken over the past year to make the Government more open and accountable, the acting Governor, Mrs Anson Chan, said today (Friday). Speaking at the Textile Council luncheon, Mrs Chan also stressed that much has been achieved in strengthening the protection on basic human freedom.
It should be recognised that what the Government had done not only in legislating against discrimination but also in promoting the values of equality, she said. She said the Administration had been charged with "dragging its feet" in some areas when in fact substantial progress had been made.
These included review of the laws that might impact on press freedom or freedom of expression and to improve the transparency of the Government.
"In all cases, our aim has been to provide for a proper balance between public order and safety and the individual's right to freedom of assembly and speech," she said.
"The moves that we have made ensure that our legal powers are fully consistent with the Bills of Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong."
The enactment of the Sex Discrimination and Disability Discrimination ordinances during the last legislative session was something of which Hong Kong could justifiably be proud of, said Mrs Chan. The acting Governor noted that within the space of a year, a practical and effective Code on Access to information held by the Government had been developed.
"So, this is a working and effective administrative access system that is enhancing the transparency of the Government," she said.
To conclude, Mrs Chan said: ”1 believe that over the past year, we have made significant strides in making the Government more open and more accountable and in protecting the basic human freedoms which we all treasure.
"These freedoms coupled with our rule of law, now bolstered by enactment of the Court of Final Appeal Ordinance, and an open economy are what makes Hong Kong such an attractive place in which to live and work."
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
4
' • • • ’{ » ■ M n:..; .. • •
Civic Education Exhibition *****
Do you want to get yourself acquainted with the rights and protections enshrined in the newly passed Sex Discrimination Ordinance and Disability Discrimination Ordinance, but in an innovative and entertaining way? Then, you should not miss the chance of visiting the "Civic Education Exhibition 1995” which will begin tomorrow (Saturday) in the main concourse of the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. > <
•' • /‘.i
Organised by the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, the exhibition aims to promote its work theme of this year: "Equal Opportunities and Elimination of Discrimination".
Exhibits depicting the major principles of the two new anti-discrimination laws will be on display in the 285-square-metre venue.
Those eager to face a challenge on their understanding of the legislation can pit their talents against two electronic quiz games.
What’s more? An eye-catching four-metre long mechanical set-up, in which some movable cartoon figures will spell out the basic rights of children, will be featured in the venue.
Videos on world children by the Hong Kong Committee for United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will also be screened to let visitors know more about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was extended to Hong Kong in October last year.
Another interesting demonstration will focus on the Basic Law to familiarise the public with their rights and obligations under the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.
< . /i Hi,-. »?f. : f. J:. - . ?
Other highlights are the winning entries of the Cartoon/Illustration Competition on Equal Opportunities and Elimination of Discrimination, and the top three Outstanding Civic Education Projects for 1994-95.
5
The exhibition will last until Monday (August 14) before moving to other venues including the Lok Fu Shopping Centre in Wong Tai Sin, the Metroplaza in Kwai Chung and the New Town Plaza in Sha Tin in the next few months. Admission is free and exquisite gifts will be available for distribution.
Attention News Editors:
The Director of Home Affairs, Mr Joseph W P Wong, and Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, Mr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, will officiate at the opening and prize-presentation ceremony of the Civic Education Exhibition 1995 tomorrow.
Your representatives are invited to cover the event which will begin at 2 pm at the main concourse of the Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
External trade statistics by country and commodity for June *****
The Census and Statistics Department today (Friday) released detailed statistics on external trade with breakdown by country/territory and commodity for June 1995.
The value of re-exports continued to increase notably, by 17% over a year earlier to $93.9 billion in June 1995.
Comparing June 1995 with June 1994, the value of re-exports to all of the main destinations showed increases of various magnitudes: Singapore (+37%), Netherlands (+34%), Taiwan (+29%), Japan (+25%), France (+23%), China (+18%), the United Kingdom (+14%), Germany (+11%), the United States (+9.6%) and South Korea (+4.0%).
Changes in the value of Hong Kong's re-exports to 10 main destinations are shown in Table 1.
The value of re-exports in the first half of 1995 was $515.2 billion, 20% higher than that in the same period in 1994.
6
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, the value of reexports to all main destinations showed increases of various magnitudes: Singapore (434%), Japan (+28%), Taiwan (+25%), France (+25%), the Netherlands (+23%), China (+22%), the United States (+16%), South Korea (+13%), the United Kingdom (+11%) and Germany (+6.9%).
Table 2 shows changes in the value of re-exports of ten principal commodity divisions.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, increases of various magnitudes were recorded in the value of re-exports of most principal commodity divisions. More notable increases were registered for electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $15.8 billion or 43%); telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (by $11.4 billion or 27%); office machines and automatic data processing machines (by $10.2 billion or 63%); miscellaneous manufactured articles consisting mainly of baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods (by $9.6 billion or 19%); textiles (by $8.3 billion or 22%); and photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks (by $4.6 billion or 25%).
Over the same period, re-exports of clothing fell by $1.1 billion, representing a small decrease of 2.6% over a year earlier.
The value of domestic exports in June 1995, at $20.6 billion, increased by 4.5% over a year earlier.
Comparing June 1995 with June 1994, increases were recorded in the value of domestic exports to Taiwan (+49%), the Philippines (+27%), Canada (+15%), Japan (+8.3%), the United Kingdom (+6.6%), the Netherlands (+6.6%) and China (+2.9%). However, the value of domestic exports to Singapore, the United States and Germany decreased by 6.1%, 1.3% and 1.3% respectively.
Changes in the value of domestic exports to ten main destinations are shown in Table 3.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, the value of domestic exports to most main destinations showed increases of various magnitudes: Taiwan (+30%), Japan (+24%), the Philippines (+16%), the Netherlands (+13%), Canada (+11%), China (+7.6%), Singapore (+6.4%), the United Kingdom (+5.8%) and the United States (+5.6%).
7
However, the value of domestic exports to Germany decreased marginally, by 0.7%.
Taking all destinations together, the value of domestic exports in the first half of 1995, at $108.1 billion, increased markedly, by 9.4% over the same period in 1994.
Table 4 shows changes in the value *of domestic exports of ten principal commodity divisions.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, increases in the value of domestic exports were registered for electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $2.8 billion or 24%); clothing (by $2.2 billion or 7.7%); office machines and automatic data processing machines (by $1.5 billion or 19%); photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks (by $884 million or 12%); and plastics in primary forms (by $459 million or 25%).
Over the same period, decreases in the value of domestic exports were recorded for telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (by $511 million or 9.1%); and textiles (by $117 million or 1.6%).
The value of imports continued to increase substantially, by 16% over a year earlier to $128.9 billion in June 1995.
Changes in the value of imports from ten main suppliers are shown in Table 5.
Comparing June 1995 with June 1994. the value of imports from all main suppliers showed increases of various magnitudes : France (+74%), Malaysia (+42%), South Korea (+30%). the United Kingdom (+30%), Germany (+19%), Taiwan (+17%), China (+15%). Japan (+12%). Singapore (+9.4%) and the United States (+1.5%).
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, the value of imports from all main suppliers showed increases of various magnitudes: France (+83%), Malaysia (+43%), South Korea (+34%), Singapore (+33%), the United States (+30%), Taiwan (+25%), Germany (+23%), the United Kingdom (+22%), Japan (+20%) and China (+19%).
The value of imports in the first half of 1995, at $711.4 billion, increased markedly, by 24% over the same period in 1994.
8
Table 6 shows changes in the value of imports of ten principal commodity divisions.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, increases were recorded in the value of imports of all principal commodity divisions. More notable increases were registered for electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $24.2 billion or 39%); telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus sfnd equipment (by $13.5 billion or 25%); office machines and automatic data processing machines (by $10.5 billion or 51%); textiles (by $10.1 billion or 17%); miscellaneous manufactured articles consisting mainly of baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods (by $7.5 billion or 19%); photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks (by $5.3 billion or 21%); and general industrial machinery and equipment, and machine parts (by $3.8 billion or 19%).
I
All the trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison.
A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external trade for June 1995 will be released in early September 1995.
Detailed trade statistics analysed by commodity and by cpuntry/territory are published in trade statistics reports.
The June 1995 issue of the "Hong Kong External Trade" with detailed analyses on the performance of Hong Kong's external trade in June 1995 will be available for sale at $122 per copy around August 22.
The report can be purchased at either (i) the Government Publications Centre, ground floor. Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, or (ii) the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower. 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Enquiries regarding regular subscription to this report may be directed to the Publications (Sales) Office, 28th Floor, Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Tel 2598 8194, and enquiries on trade statistics to the Census and Statistics Department on 2582 4915.
9
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO TEN MAIN DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JUN 95 OVER JUN 94 (% CHANGE) JAN-JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 95 OVER JAN-JUN 94 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 33/067 + 17.7 184,527 + 22.0
UNITED STATES 20/505 ♦ 9.6 104,799 + 16.3
JAPAN 4/388 + 24.7 29,918 + 28.1
GERMANY 3/838 + 11.0 20,697 + 6.9
UNITED KINGDOM 2/673 + 14.2 13,627 + 11.4
TAIWAN 2,444 + 29.4 13,384 + 24.9
SINGAPORE 2,222 + 37.0 12,058 + 34.0
SOUTH KOREA 1,554 + 4.0 9,287 + 13.3
fRANCE 1,387 + 22.5 7,880 + 24.7
NETHERLANDS 1,403 + 34.2 7,726 + 23.0
10
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF TEN PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JUN 95 OVER JUN 94 (% CHANGE) JAN-JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 95 OVER JAN-JUN 94 (% CHANGE)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 11,673 + 10.9 59,433 + 19.3
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 9,315 + 13.1 54,263 + 26.5
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 9,624 + 43.0 52,175 + 43.5
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 8,448 + 11.0 45,550 + 21.7
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 7,254 - 5.5 39,710 - 2.6
FOOTWEAR 5,476 + 12.8 29,027 + 13.8
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA
PROCESSING MACHINES 4,559 + 56.0 26,380 + 63.4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT A,VD SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4,040 + 15.1 23,180 + 24.8
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR
CONTAINERS 3,171 + 12.6 17,020 + 17.7
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND
EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS 2,553 + 17.6 15,030 + 16.8
TABLE '3 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TEN MAIN DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JUN 95 OVER JUN 94 (% CHANGE) JAN-JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 95 OVER JAN-JUN 94 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 5,700 * 2.9 30,660 + 7.6
UNITED STATES 5,383 - 1.3 26,741 + 5.6
SINGAPORE 1,044 “ 6.1 6,124 * 6.4
JAPAN 903 * 8.3 5,341 «■ 24.3
GERMANY 1,239 - 1.3 5,578 - 0.7
UNITED KINGDOM 1,013 * 6.6 4,750 + 5.8
TAIWAN 659 * 49.3 3,615 * 29.9
NETHERLANDS 511 + 6.6 2,383 + 13.1
CANADA 432 + 14.9 1,993 - 10.8
PHILIPPINES 238 + 26.5 1,523 + 15.5
12
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEN PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JUN JUN 95 JAN-JUN JAN-JUN 95
COMMODITY DIVISION 1995 OVER 1995 OVER
(HKD Mn.) JUN 94 (% CHANGE) (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 94 (% CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,946 * 3.6 31,264 ♦ 7.7
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,757 + 25.2 14,429 + 24.1
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS' AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,755 * 6.3 • 9,463 + 4.2
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,458 - 0.3 9,373 * 19.0
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, '«ATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,316 - 6.4 8,048 + 12.3
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,310 + 2.3 7,055 - 1.6
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 870 - 19.3 5,110 - 9.1
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 434 + 11.7 2,293 + 5.0
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 364 + 4.7 2,275 + 25.3
PAPER, PAPERBOARD, AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD 264 + 3.2 1,422 + 9.6
13
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM TEN MAIN SUPPLIERS
SUPPLIER JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JUN 95 OVER JUN 94 (% CHANGE) JAN-JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 95 OVER JAN-JUN 94 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 46,430 u * 14.9 249,204 + 19.4
JAPAN 19,676 ♦ 12.0 109,582 * 20.5
TAIWAN 10,859 + 16.6 62,489 + 25.1
UNITED STATES 9,689 * 1.5 54,395 + 29.7
SINGAPORE 6,487 ♦ 9.4 37,245 + 32.6
i-.. -
SOUTH KOREA 6,755 + 30.2 37,231 + 33.6
GERMANY 2,798 + 18.6 • 16,053 + 23.0
UNITED KINGDOM 2,721 + 29.5 14,106 + 21.9
FRANCE 2,195 +. 73.9 14,094 + 82.8
MALAYSIA 2,408 + 41.8 13,522 + 42.9
14
TABLE 6 : IMPORTS OF TEN PRINCIPAL COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JUN 95 OVER JUN 94 (% CHANGE) JAN-JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 95 OVER JAN-JUN 94 (% CHANGE)
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 16,146 + 37.5 85,770 * 39.2
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 12,257 + 12.2 67,882 <• 17.5
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 11,768 17.6 67,075 * 25.2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 8,680 + 8.6 46,099 * 19.4
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,177 + 0.4 43,400 + 2.9
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 5,837 + 45.4 31,333 + 50.6
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 5,338 5.7 30,586 ♦ 21.0
FOOTWEAR 4,512 + 6.0 25,567 + 13.2
ROAD VEHICLES 3,792 - 17.6 23,792 ♦ 1.0
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS 3,879 * 5.4 23,117 + 19.5
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
15
Monitors’ Report submitted to CS ♦ * * * *
The monitors appointed to observe yesterday’s transfer of 82 Vietnamese migrants (VMs) selected for the Orderly Repatriation Programme from Whitehead Detention Centre to Victoria Prison have submitted their report to the Chief Secretary today (Friday).
The four monitors comprised two non-official Justices of the Peace, Mr Christopher Cheng Wai-chee and .Mr Edmond Lau Ting-chung; and representatives from two non-govemment organisations - Miss Marie Vander Elst from Medecins Sans Frontieres and Rev John A Aldis from Christian Action.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
Land to be resumed for public housing development
*****
The Government will resume 67 private lots with a total area of 49,183 square metres in Area 52, Tuen Mun, for the provision of land for a public housing development project.
Site formation, road works and drainage works are scheduled to commence in early 1996. On completion of the site formation works, about seven hectares of land will be available for developing a public housing estate with 5,900 rental and Home Ownership Scheme flats.
Details of resumption were notified in the Gazette today (Friday).
The land will be reverted to the Government three months from the date of the Gazette Notice.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
16
Tenders invited for out-patient clinic building
*****
The Architectural Services Department is inviting tenders for the construction of a new specialist out-patient clinic building at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin.
The main works is the construction of a six-storey building with a gross floor area of 8,400 square metres. Facilities to be constructed include consultation rooms, minor operating theatres for various specialist out-patient clinics and car parks.
It is expected that works will start in November for completion in June 1997.
Tender forms and further particulars can be obtained from the Architectural Services Department. 34th floor, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway.
Tender offers will close at noon on September 8.
End/Friday, August 11,1995
Tenders invited for Diamond Hill development works
*****
The Civil Engineering Department is inviting tenders for the Phase I engineering works at Diamond Hill Development.
The works comprise the formation of 3.2 hectares of site at Diamond Hill, upgrading of the drainage system of the adjacent former quarry site to permanent standard, and the construction of 280 metres of retaining walls and 3,300 metres of surface channels.
Extensive survey will be carried out under this contract to locate the asbestos containing materials in the abandoned squatters and specialists will be employed to clear and dispose of the materials in an environmentally acceptable manner. The project is expected to commence in October and will take 18 months to complete.
17
On completion, the works will provide a 2.4 hectares site for a public housing project, a 0.6 hectares site for a skills opportunity school and a 0.2 hectares site for a fresh water pumping station.
The works have been designed and the construction will be supervised by the Development and Airport Division of the Civil Engineering Office, Civil Engineering Department.
Tender forms and further particulars can be obtained from the Chief Engineer, Development and Airport Division, Civil Engineering Office, second floor, Civil Engineering Building, 101 Princess Margaret Road, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon.
Tender offer will close at noon on September 1.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
Tenders invited for footbridge extension
*****
The Territory Development Department's New Territories North Development Office is inviting tenders to extend the existing Long Ping footbridge as part of the programme for the development of Yuen Long.
The work comprises the construction of a 325-metre footbridge extension with a cover, ramps and staircases across On Ning Road and Castle Peak Road. The extension will connect with an existing walkway within Yuen Long Plaza.
Works are expected to start in October for completion in about 20 months.
A notice inviting tenders was published in the Gazette today (Friday).
Tender forms and further particulars may be obtained from the office of Binnie Consultants Limited, 11th floor, New Town Centre. Pak Hok Ting Street, Sha Tin.
The closing date for submission of tenders is noon on September 1.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
18
Tenders invited for slope upgrading works *****
The Civil Engineering Department is inviting tenders for upgrading 32 slopes and retaining walls throughout the territory under its accelerated Landslip Preventive Measures (LPG) Programme.
The Chief Geotechnical Engineer of the department’s Geotechnical Engineering Office, Mr Allan Watkins, pointed out that the contracts for the upgrading works was the first one to be offered under the accelerated LPM Programme. He recalled the announcement by the Secretary for Works earlier this year that the Government's programme to upgrade government-owned man-made slopes listed in the 1977 Slope Catalogue would be completed by the year 2000 at a cost of some $1.3 billion.
Mr Watkins said four contracts of a similar scale would be let this year and that at least four contracts per year were expected to be let over the five year duration of the programme.
"Studies on private slopes and retaining walls have also been accelerated considerably and that over 200 slopes will be studied in the year 95-96.
"A statutory notice will be served by the Buildings Department requiring owners to carry out upgrading works if the studies reveal a slope or a retaining wall is not up to the required standards," he said.
The contract works are expected to be completed in 27 months.
Tender forms and further particulars can be obtained from the Chief Geotechnical Engineer/Works, Geotechnical Engineering Office, tenth floor, Civil Engineering Building, 101 Princess Margaret Road, Kowloon.
Tender offer will close at noon on September 1.
End/Friday. August 11, 1995
19
Three more nominations of LegCo candidates *****
Three candidates submitted their nomination papers for the Legislative Council Elections in September today (Friday).
They were Mr Kwok Yuen-hon for the Community, Social and Personal Services Functional Constituency (FC); Mr Ngan Kam-chuen for the Regional Council FC and Mr Li Wai-ip, for the Legal FC.
Personal particulars of the candidates are as follows:
Mr Kwok Yuen-hon
Sex: M
Age: 54
Occupation: company manager
Telephone: (Day) 2367 9766 (Night) 2741 7395
Inc/Pol*: Nil
Mr Ngan Kam-chuen
Sex: M
Age: 47
Occupation: senior bank manager
Telephone: (Day) 2474 9982
(Night) 2479 2643
Inc/Pol: Regional Council member(elected); Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong
20
Mr Li Wai-ip
Sex: M
Age: 38
Occupation: solicitor
Telephone: (Day) 2525 9718 (Night) 2819 1739
Inc/Pol: Nil
♦ Inc - Incumbent District Board/Council member
Pol - Political Affiliation
That brings the total number of nominations to 126 as at the close of nomination today. ।
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
235 S6 places left for central allocation *****
A total of 235 secondary 6 places arc still available for central allocation when Stage V of the S6 admission procedure begins on Monday (August 14).
The vacancies comprise 91 in the arts, 22 in the science and 15 in the commercial streams using English as medium of instruction; 29 in the arts and six in the science streams using Chinese as medium of instruction; 65 in engineering and seven in commercial streams in prevocational schools.
A spokesman for the Education Department said central allocation in Stage V would begin at 9 am on Monday for current year Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) students with minimum A-level entry requirements to apply for.
f*
Eligible students who still have not obtained an S6 place may apply for central allocation at one of the following centres before 3.30 pm on Monday:
21
Hong Kong Island:
Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Technical School Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai
Kowloon Region:
Homantin Government Secondary School
8 Perth Street, Ho Man Tin
Kowloon Technical School
332 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po
New Territories:
Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School
70 Hoi Pa Street, Tsuen Wan
Sha Tin Government Secondary School
11-17 Man Lai Road, Sha Tin
At the time of application, students will be provided with a list of schools with vacancies and they should indicate their choices, the spokesman said.
He said priority would be based solely on their HKCEE results.
The spokesman said the results would be displayed at 9 am on Friday (August 18) at the same centre where students applied for central allocation. Successful candidates should take their allocation slips to their chosen school for registration before 3.30 pm on the same day.
Meanwhile, the department receive three more complaints about schools not following the admission procedure today.
This brings to 12 the total number of complaints of which eight were substantiated since August 8. The cases have been settled after investigations by the department. < *
22
Up to 5.30 pm today, the department's central hotline (2782 7511, 2782 7625 and 2782 7639-40) and the district education offices have handled 627 enquiries on the admission procedures today. This brings to 2,421 the total number of enquiries made at the hotline and district education offices.
At the same time, the Careers Education Centre of the Education Department received 303 visitors and 229 telephone enquiries on matters related to the S6 admission procedures, further studies, locally and overseas, and careers by the time it closed at 5.30 pm today.
This brings to 1,442 the total number of people visited and 1,053 callers telephoned the centre since August 8.
The department's Psychological Services Section (Tel 2712 7958 and 2714 7852) manned by education counsellors or educational psychologists have today received 60 calls from students and parents, four needed counselling. This brings to 251 the total number of calls made to the section since the release of the HKCEE results on August 8.
The Careers Education Centre, at Room 206 of Mong Kok Government Offices at 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, provides students with materials on opportunities for further studies, training and information on various profession.
The centre will resume its normal office hours on Monday from 8.45 am to 12.45 pm and 2.15 pm to 4.45 pm from Mondays to Fridays, and 9.15 am to 11.45 am on Saturdays.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
Revised fee for crown rent enquiry * * * * *
The Director of Accounting Services announced today (Friday) that the fee for enquiry of a crown rent account maintained by the Treasury will be revised from $55 to $60 with effect from August 14. The increase is to recover the costs incurred in providing such services.
End/Friday, August 11,1995
23
Board re-named to show additional responsibilities *****
The Country Parks Board has now been re-named the Country and Marine Parks Board (CMPB) to reflect its additional responsibilities following the enactment of the Marine Parks Ordinance earlier this year.
At a CMPB meeting yesterday (Thursday), members endorsed the addition of a new committee and the re-organisation of its two former committees subsequent to the inclusion of marine parks and marine reserves into its responsibility areas. The proposal that a new Marine Parks Committee be established under CMPB was agreed. The committee will deal with matters relating to the planning and management of marine parks and marine reserves.
Members also supported the setting up of the Country Parks Committee to replace the Planning and Management Committee under the former Country Parks Board.
The changes have also brought about the amendments to the terms of reference of the existing Public Relations Committee to include publicity for marine parks and marine reserves.
At yesterday’s meeting, members were also briefed on the progress on the study of potential country parks and special areas, which was being carried out in phases.
They noted that in the absence of additional resources, only areas with low or no resources implications were being considered at this stage.
The potential site at Tai Tong has been designated as part of the Tai Lam country park in April this year. With the inclusion of the woodland near Ma On Kong, a net gain of 40 hectares of land to the country park is resulted.
The studies on country park extension at Wan Tsai Peninsula in Sai Kung have been completed and the draft country park map was endorsed by the former Country Parks Board. This country park extension will be gazetted for consultation soon. The study on the country park extension at Lung Fu Shan on Hong Kong Island is at an advanced stage. Subject to the availability of resources, the process to designate it as a country park will begin.
24
Other potential sites to be studied for country park extensions include: North Lantau, South Lamma, Pat Sin Leng, Lam Tsuen, Tai Mo Shan, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Ma Shi Chau, Tung Lung Chau, Po Toi and Robin’s Nest.
At the meeting, members also supported the draft maps and explanatory statements in connection with the proposals to designate Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong, Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau as marine parks as well as Cape D'Aguilar as marine reserve.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
Air Quality Report for July *****
The Environmental Protection Department today (Friday) released air quality information for July.
The purpose of the announcement is to keep the public informed of the air quality levels in the territory and to explain the measurements.
The announcement contains monitoring results from Mong Kok, Central/Western and Kwai Chung, which represent three important land use types in the territory.:
♦ locations close to road traffic in built-up urban areas,
* combined commercial and residential districts, and
* districts close to industrial areas.
The reported air pollutants include sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), total suspended particulates (TSP) which comprise all sizes of dust particles, and the respirable fraction of the dust (RSP). All these pollutants can affect respiratory health in sufficient concentration.
In July, there was no exceedances of the 24-hour Air Quality Objective values of the reported pollutants at any of the three sties.
25
Mong Kok reported the highest NO2 and dust concentrations, which is to be expected from that street level site. RSP levels were about 50% of the total dust burden at all stations.
The most noteworthy event in the month was the effect that Severe Tropical Storm ’Gary' produced on Hong Kong’s air quality when its centre was 300 to 600 km away from the territory.
The warm air rising up the centre of the storm, cooled, and descended around it. Air below that was trapped and emissions into that lower air could not disperse vertically. For this reason, NO2 and RSP levels peaked in the afternoons at all three sites. At Mong Kok, NO2 levels reached 60% of the 1-hour AQO.
The gases and particles described originated from various sources. SO2 is mostly produced when fuels that contain sulphur are burned. NO2 is formed during combustion by the combination of nitrogen and oxygen, and by the atmospheric oxidation of nitric oxide (NO), also a product of combustion.
Vehicle exhaust is an important source of NO and NO2 in terms of impact on local air quality. It is also a major source of airborne particulate matter, especially the smaller respirable particles.
Diesel-engined vehicles such as taxis, public light buses, passenger coaches, franchised buses and light and heavy goods vehicles are the greatest contributor of particulate matter. Other sources include industry, furnaces and boilers, construction activities, the sea and the soil.
It is worth noting that while the weather and climate always affect the concentrations of pollutants in the air, the only sure way of reducing the levels is to reduce emissions from the man-made sources.
Attention News Editors:
For further information on this air quality report, please contact Mr S W Pang on 2594 6413.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
26
Shark warnings remain in force *****
Shark warning flags will continue to be hoisted at eight gazetted beaches in Sai Kung. , t
The public should stay away from these beaches as well as waters in the area while shark warning flags are in force, a spokesman for the Recreation and Culture Branch said today (Friday). ’’This decision to remain alert follows the sighting of a shark south of Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung on July 30,” he said.
”A large number of eagle rays, a species regularly taken as prey by large sharks, have also been spotted."
Members of the public are advised to make use of the 27 swimming complexes under the management of the two municipal councils as far as possible.
If they wish to take a dip in the sea, or engage in water activities, they should do so only at other gazetted beaches or in waters outside Sai Kung.
"However, there is always a potential risk of shark attack if they swim in the sea," the spokesman warned.
"They should therefore remain vigilant and follow the advice of life-guards and policemen on duty. Due caution and personal responsibility for safety must be exercised."
The Government Flying Service will continue to survey the Sai Kung waters during the weekend to monitor the situation.
The eight gazetted beaches where shark warning flags have been hoisted are Campers, Clear Water Bay First, Clear Water Bay Second, Hap Mun Bay, Kiu Tsui, Pak Sha Chau, Silverstrand and Trio.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
27
Water cut in the Peak area
*****
Fresh and flushing water supply to some premises in the Peak area will be temporarily suspended from 11 pm on Monday (August 14) to 6 am the following day to facilitate water mains leakage detection.
The affected areas will include Watford Road, Mansfield Road, Guildford Road, Coombe Road, Middle Gap Road, Mount Cameron Road, Rosmead Road, 22, 26, 30, 34-40, 44-46, 50, 21, 27-29 and 33-35 Magazine Gap Road, 1-3 and 2 Barker Road as well as 25, 26, 40-42 and 52-56 Peak Road.
End/Friday, August 11, 1995 •: .
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
Time Cumulative change
$ million (hours) (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,172 0930 +374
Closing balance in the account 1,675 1000 +374
Change attributable to : 1100 +324
Money market activity +323 1200 +323
LAF today +180 1500 +323
1600 +323
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 120.6 *+0.5* 11.8.95
28
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.71 2 years 2705 6.40 100.71 6.05
1 month 5.68 3 years 3807 6.16 99.22 6.56
3 months 5.65 5 years 5006 6.60 97.74 7.29
6 months 12 months 5.70 5.74 5 years M501 7.90 101.21 7.73
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $37,132 million
Closed August 11, 1995
End/Friday, August 11, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Saturday, August 12,1995
Contents Page No,
Typhoon Roundup 5..................................................... 1
Welfare recipients urged to watch for tricksters...................... 2
Weather of July....................................................... 3
Sunday, August 13,1995
Contents Page No.
New District Officer for Kwun Tong........................................ 8
Exhibition to promote employment for the disabled......................... 8
52 new building plans approved in May..................................... 9
Water cuts in Mong Kok, Fo Tan and Ma On Shan............................ 10
1
Typhoon Roundup 5 *****
Land transport services are returning to normal following the passage of Tropical Storm Helen.
*' ' • . IK ■
The No 8 storm signal was lowered at 2.15 pm this (Saturday) afternoon, but the bus companies had started to resume services from 11 am, starting with feeder services to MTR and KCR stations.
The MTR and KCR are running normally. Most bus routes, including cross . harbour tunnel buses, have been or are being brought back into service. The LRT is running at 10 minute intervals. Peak tram services have also been resumed.
Ferry services to Discovery Bay will resume at 3.30 pm and the Star Ferry will resume limited services at 4.30 pm.
A total of 59 people are taking refuge at 46 shelters set up by the Home Affairs Department. The Social Welfare Department has so far distributed 28 hot meals and relief articles.
The flood and landslip warnings were issued earlier today.
Up to 3 pm today, ten cases of flooding were reported and there were also 12 cases of dangerous signboards and scaffoldings.
There was a minor landslip at Tai Hang Road, and 66 cases of fallen trees were reported.
Since the hoisting of the No 8 signal, 20 men and 10 women sustained minor injuries. Sixteen of them have been treated and discharged from hospitals, while eight others were admitted in satisfactory condition and one in fair condition.
At Kai Tak Airport, four incoming flights were diverted, 28 delayed and 12 cancelled.
For departing flights, 31 were delayed and 11 cancelled.
End/Saturday, August 12, 1995
2
Welfare recipients urged to watch for tricksters ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (Saturday) urged recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) to watch out for tricksters.
A spokesman for the department said no money would be demanded from SWD staff in order to process applications for CSSA.
The spokesman said: "It had been found that elderly recipients receiving assistance payments from the department could easily fall prey to impostors claiming to be officers of the department or volunteers. It had been reported that unruly elements usually gained access into the flats of the elderly and robbed them of their money. . ,
"We urge CSSA recipients, elderly people in particular, to be on guard and be wary of tricksters. They should check the departmental identity cards of visitors who claimed to be SWD staff."
He reiterated that the services for processing CSSA applications were entirely free of charge and any demand for money from people claiming to be SWD staff should be brought to the attention of the nearest social security field unit or the Police for follow-up investigations.
Posters advising welfare recipients beware of tricksters have been posted up at the department’s social security field units to arouse public awareness.
"Members of the public can call the nearest social security field unit or the SWD hotline 2343 2255 when in doubt," the spokesman said.
End/Saturday, August 12, 1995 r
• lb?
i.f
< 7
3
Weather of July
*****
July was very wet with above average monthly rainfall registered for the first time this year. The total rainfall in the month, 668.7 millimetres, was more than twice the average, making it the seventh wettest July since records began in 1884. The accumulated rainfall in the first seven months of this year rose to 1,096.3 millimetres, but was still some 17 per cent below the normal for the same period.
Unsettled conditions associated with low pressure troughs and active southwest monsoon characterised the weather on most days of the month. There were seven days with rainfall of over 50 millimetres. The tropical cyclone warning signal was hoisted for the first time this year with the approach of Severe Tropical Storm Gary.
The first day of the month was mainly fine apart from some brief showers. With the active southwest monsoon setting in, the weather turned showery with heavy thunderstorms prevalent during the next couple of days. Twenty-two reports of flooding were received on July 3. A landslide destroyed two houses in Tsuen Wan and rendered 22 people homeless. Under the influence of a trough of low pressure over Guangdong, more rain fell on the following two days.
A ridge of high pressure extended westwards from the Pacific to the south China coast and dominated the local weather from July 6 to 8. There were lengthy periods of sunshine amidst isolated showers. As the ridge retreated on July 9, showers became frequent.
In the next couple of days, it was generally fine and hot. An unstable maritime airstream brought widespread rain and thunderstorms to the coastal areas of Guangdong on July 12. Locally, heavy showers in the early morning were followed by torrential rain in the evening and more than 150 millimetres of rain fell in Sha Tin and Tai Po that day. During the deluge, a man working on a barge at Tuen Mun fell into the sea and was reported missing.
Torrential rain and thunderstorms continued to affect Hong Kong until July 15. There were a total of 16 landslips and 75 floodings reported. Four persons were injured in Sha Tin and Tai Po and 17 others had to be evacuated from their huts in Tsing Yi. Temperatures fell to the month's minimum of 23.5 degrees during a heavy downpour on the afternoon of July 15.
4
There were still some isolated thundery showers the next day after several days of continuous heavy rain. A flash flood at the Tai Shing Stream swept a group of hikers into the Shing Mun Reservoir. Three men and a woman died in the incident.
As a ridge of high pressure became established over south China, local weather turned fine and hot from July 17 to 23. The month's highest temperature of 33.4 degrees was reached on a sunny afternoon on July 22.
Showery weather returned two days later. With a trough of low pressure over the coast of Guangdong, disturbed weather and once again thunderstorms affected the territory for three more days.
Tropical Depression Gary developed over the Philippines and moved into the South China Sea on July 28. Weather in Hong Kong was fine but hazy as Gary intensified and approached the south China coast. Gary made landfall near Shantou on July 31 and its associated rainbands brought more than 20 millimetres of rainfall to the urban areas.
There were two tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in the month of July. Details of the issuance/hoisting and cancellation/lowering of various wamings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of July are tabulated in Table 1.2.
5
Z, , ■ z-1 ;
Table 1.1 Warnings and signals in July 1995
Warnings /Signals Effective date and time
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal
NameofT.C. Signal No
Gary 1 28 Jul 1545 - 31 Jul 1430
Landslip Warning • f 13 Jul 1055 - 15 Jul 2100
Flood Warnings 3 Jul 1110- 3 Jul 1545
4 Jul 1645- 4 Jul 1800 5 Jul 0045 - 5 Jul 0305 9 Jul 0640- 9 Jul 0800 12 Jul 0615- 12 Jul 0725
12 Jul 1945 - 12 Jul 2315 13 Jul 1000- 13 Jul 1500 14 Jul 0730- 14 Jul 1605 15 Jul 0755 - 15 Jul 1515 25 Jul 1640-25 Jul 1800 27 Jul 0845 -27 Jul 1110
Thunderstorm Warnings 1 Jul 0545 - 1 Jul 0645 1 Jul 2345 - 2 Jul 0545 2 Jul 1345 - 2 Jul 1545 2 Jul 2330 - 3 Jul 0630 3 Jul 1100- 3 Jul 1500
3 Jul 1905 - 3 Jul 2105
3 Jul 2300 - 4 Jul 0600
• • I. 4 Jul 0740 - 4 Jul 0940
, • ■’i’. i ; 4 Jul 1210- 4 Jul 1800
। •? !.■ .. .A •' • 4 Jul 2300 - 5 Jul 0800
6 Jul 0320 - 6 Jul 0520
7 Jul 0905 - 7 Jul 1105
9 Jul 0615- 9 Jul 0815
9 Jul 1500- 9 Jul 1800
• ■ . 1 12 Jul 0500- 12 Jul 0800 12 Jul 1145- 12 Jul 1345 12 Jul 1715-12 Jul 1915 12 Jul 1935 - 13 Jul 1500
6
14 Jul 0645- 14 Jul 1145
15 Jul 0705 - 15 Jul 1600
15 Jul 1955 - 16 Jul 0700
16 Jul 1505 - 16 Jul 1705
24 Jul 1115-24 Jul 1315
25 Jul 0425 - 25 Jul 0625
25 Jul 1610-25 Jul 1910
25 Jul 2015 -26 Jul 0600
26 Jul 1415 -26 Jul 1800
26 Jul 2140-27 Jul 1130
27 Jul 1245 -27 Jul 1445
30 Jul 1755 - 30 Jul 1955
31 Jul 1210-31 Jul 1510
31 Jul 1615-31 Jul 1815
31 Jul 2300- 1 Aug 0800
Table 1.2 Figures and Departures from Normal - July 1995
Total Bright Sunshine
Mean Daily Global Solar Radiation
Total Rainfall
179.0 hours; 52.1 hours below normal
15.26 MJ/SQM; 3.89 MJ/SQM
below normal
668.7 mm; 345.2 mm
above normal
Mean Cloud Amount
Mean Relative Humidity
Mean Daily Maximum
Temperature
Mean Air Temperature
72%; 7% above normal
84%; 4% above normal
30.6 Degree Celsius; 0.9 Degree Celsius below normal
28.0 Degree Celsius; 0.8 Degree Celsius below normal
Mean Daily Minimum Temperature
26.0 Degree Celsius; 0.6 Degree Celsius below normal
Mean Dew Point 25.0 Degree Celsius; 0.1 Degree Celsius above normal
Total Evaporation 114.1 mm; 57.5 mm below normal t . • • f »
Remarks: All measurements were made at the Royal Observatory except sunshine, solar radiation and evaporation which were recorded at King's Park.
End/Saturday, August 12, 1995
8
New District Officer for Kwun Tong *****
Mr Tsang Hing-kay will assume duty as the new Kwun Tong District Officer tomorrow (Monday) to replace Mr Wong Hon-ho.
Mr Tsang, aged 35, joined the Government as Administrative Officer in 1981 and was promoted to Senior Administrative Officer in April 1989.
He has served in the Industry Department, the former City and New Territories Administration and was the Assistant Director (Privatisation) of the Urban Services Department for more than three years. Mr Tsang’s last posting was Music Administrator of the Music Office, Recreation and Culture Branch.
End/Sunday, August 13, 1995
Exhibition to promote employment for the disabled
******
The Labour Department’s Selective Placement Division (SPD) will hold a three-day exhibition from Friday (August 18) in Sha Tin to enhance public understanding of the working abilities of the disabled.
"The exhibition is part of the department’s continuous efforts to promote employment opportunities for the disabled and dispel public misconceptions about them,” Senior Labour Officer (Selective Placement), Mrs Jennie Chor, said today (Sunday). There will be video shows and exhibits introducing the work of the disabled and the free placement and recruitment services offered by the SPD.
Experienced officers will be manning an enquiry counter and distributing pamphlets on the work of the SPD.
’’Employers who wish to recruit disabled workers can give details of their vacancies to our staff on the spot. Disabled job-seekers can also register at the counter and interviews will be arranged later,” Mrs Chor said.
A quiz game with souvenirs will be held during the exhibition to enhance public understanding of the disabled.
9
A similar exhibition held last month in Tsim Sha Tsui had attracted over 9,500 visitors and about 1,000 of them had taken part in the quiz.
’’More than 30 per cent of the participants could not get all the answers correct. This showed that some people still have misunderstandings about the working abilities of the disabled,” Mrs Chor said.
"We hope that through our promotional efforts, prejudice against the disabled can be dispelled," she added.
The exhibition, to be held at the Atrium Gallery, Phase Three, New Town Plaza, Sha Tin, will be open between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm from August 18 to 20.
■ •' •• •• . ■.// . I,
Mrs Chor also said the annual "Outstanding Disabled Employees Award" was inviting nominations until August 20.
Interested parties can contact Miss Yung of the Publicity and Promotion Unit of SPD on 2852 4803 for nominations.
End/Sunday, August 13, 1995
52 new building plans approved in May * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A total of 52 new building plans had been approved by the Buildings Department in May.
Of the plans, 19 were for Hong Kong Island, 21 for Kowloon and 12 for the New Territories.
*4 * 1 • / F. .
The approved plans included 16 for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, 14 for commercial development and nine for factory and industrial developments.
In the same month, consents were given for work to start on 37 building projects, which involved 49,563.6 square metres of usable domestic floor area and 147,129.4 square metres of usable non-domestic floor area. The department had also issued 29 Occupation Permits - nine for Hong Kong Island, eight for Kowloon and 12 for the New Territories.
10
Among the buildings certified for occupation in the month, usable floor areas for domestic and non-domestic uses were 146,392.9 square metres and 107,623.2 square metres respectively.
The declared cost of new buildings completed in the month totalled about 2,801 million.
In the same month, 13 demolition consents involving 27 buildings were issued.
The Buildings Department's Control and Enforcement Division had received 1,055 complaints of unauthorised building works, and had issued 284 removal orders on unauthorised works.
End/Sunday, August 13, 1995
Water cuts in Mong Kok, Fo Tan and Ma On Shan *****
Fresh water supply to some premises in Mong Kok will be temporarily suspended from 11 pm on Wednesday (August 16) to 6 am the following day to facilitate water mains leakage detection.
The suspension will affect all the premises at Kadoorie Avenue and Braga Circuit.
Meanwhile, flushing water supply to some premises in Fo Tan and Ma On Shan will also be cut off from 8 am on Wednesday (August 16) to 8 am the next day and from 6 pm on Wednesday (August 16) to 6 pm the next day respectively to allow for conversion of the existing supply of fresh water to salt water for flushing.
In Fo Tan, the affected areas will include Fo Tan Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCRC) Station, KCRC Workshop, Au Pui Wan Street, Wo Heung Street, Wo Shing Street, Wo Shui Street, Wo Liu Hang Road, Min Fong Street, Shek Lau Tung Street, Tsung Tau Ha Road, Kwei Tei Street, Tat Yip Lane, Fo Tan Road, Fo Tan Village, Cheung Lek Mei Street, Shan Mei Street, Ho Lek Pui Street, Sui Fung Lane, Sui Wo Road, Ngau Wu Tok Street, Wong Chuk Yeung Street, Yuen Kong Au Street, Man Hang Street, Sui Wo Court, Sha Tin 33 and Scenery Garden.
11
The affected areas in Ma On Shan will include Chevalier Garden, Yiu On Estate, Hing On Temporary Housing Area, Kam Hay Court, Fok On Garden, Sunshine City, Fu Fai Garden, Bayshore Towers, Ma On Shan Centre, Villa Athena, Saddle Ridge Garden, Kam Lung Court, Lee On Estate as well as all the premises at On Shan Lane and Ma On Shan Road.
End/Sunday, August 13, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Monday, August 14,1995
Contents Page No,
Transcript of Acting Governor speaking to the press........................ 1
138 nominations received for LegCo elections............................... 2
Business prospects for the second half of 1995 ............................ 3
Update on landslips at Chai Wan and Aberdeen............................... 4
Hong Kong to open offices in Singapore and Australia....................... 6
Site safety urged after inclement weather.................................. 7
2,699 apply for S6 places in central allocation............................ 8
School heads urged to observe guidelines on LegCo election................. 9
Buildings Department seeks to close illegal structure................. 11
Mail delivery affected by inclement weather........................... 11
Kindergartens remain closed tomorrow...................................... 12
US champion will compete in HK Dragon Boat Race........................... 12
Water storage figure................................................•„ 14
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results............................... 14
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations...................... 15
1
Transcript of Acting Governor speaking to the press *****
The following is a transcript by the Acting Governor, Mrs Anson Chan, speaking to the media at CGO lobby today (Monday):
Mrs Chan: First of all, ... to the families of the young boy who died in Chai Wan and also to the relatives of those people who are still missing in the Shum Wan incident. As you know, both the Secretary for Security and Secretary for Works and other senior officials were at the scene of the tragedy as soon as possible to make sure that emergency work, particularly work in helping to find the missing persons continued without any delay. I had a meeting myself this morning with all responsible policy secretaries, just to review the situation, clearly in the light of the continuing rains and to ensure that co-ordination is carried out at the highest level. I am satisfied that we are doing everything that we possibly can. But there will obviously be an impact on traffic particularly and I hope that employers can perhaps help out by letting their staff go early today in batches so as to ease the traffic on roads, particularly as it has been necessary to close quite a few of the roads on Hong Kong Island. We will obviously be looking at these closed roads and to carry out the necessary remedial work so that we can open these roads as soon as possible. But it will clearly take a few days.
Q: A review has recently been finished on slopes. Do you think further work needs to be done?
Mrs Chan: It’s a continuing effort. But I think you'll see that despite the fact that we have had such very very heavy rains over a very concentrated period, by and large, I am glad to know that the number of landslides have not in fact been as many as might have happened before we took remedial action to stabilise quite a lot of our slopes. I clearly hope that we will not see any further serious landslips in the next few days. But it depends very much on the weather conditions.
Q: So a couple of fatalities in heavy rain is acceptable ...
Mrs Chan: No, it’s not acceptable. I think every life lost is not acceptable but I am saying that the government is doing everything we possibly can to avoid such landslides. If an unfortunate landslip does occur, then we must make sure that we are on the spot quickly, and helping the evacuation work. We’re also doing what we can to ensure that the roads can be re-opened to traffic as soon as possible.
Q: Is there any word of what might have caused the landslips apart from the rain?
2
Mrs Chan: I think the fact that we had over 500 mm of rain over two days, particularly hard hit on Hong Kong Island, that in itself will tend to cause landslides.
Q: So there is no geological faults in the Aberdeen incident?
Mrs Chan: I have not been told that there are any, but clearly the Secretary for Works with his colleagues are looking very closely at the situation. You can be assured that if there needs to be further remedial works done, then we will carry these out without delay.
Q: Will there be a public inquiry?
Mrs Chan: I don't think at the moment there is any need for a general public inquiry but clearly we will be enquiring into the very bad landslip at Nam Long Shan Road.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
138 nominations received for LegCo elections ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
/. . '-I.'.
A total of 138 nominations were received for the Legislative Council elections in September at the close of the two-week nomination period today (Monday).
Fifty were submitted for the geographical constituency elections, 70 for the functional constituency elections and 18 for the Election Committee constituency elections.
Of them, 123 are from male candidates and 15 from female candidates.
Nine constituencies are uncontested. They are Commercial (First), Commercial (Second), Industrial (First), Industrial (Second), Finance, Real Estate and Construction, Architectural, Surveying and Planning, Urban Council and Rural functional constituencies.
Twelve nominations were received on the last day of nomination today.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
3
Business prospects for the second half of 1995 *****
Manufacturers generally expect a mild increase in volume of orders in the second half of 1995 over the same period in 1994, according to the results of a recent Half-yearly Business Prospects Survey released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
For individual manufacturing industries, manufacturers in the electronic and electrical products and electrical machinery industries expect a considerable increase in volume of orders, while manufacturers in the printing industry expect a moderate increase.
On the other hand, manufacturers in the wearing apparel industry and the fabricated metal products industry anticipate a fairly stable volume of orders while those in the textiles industry foresee a mild decrease.
In general, manufacturers expect capacity utilisation to remain stable in the second half of 1995 compared with the first half. Profit margins, however, are foreseen to be lower in the second half of 1995 compared with the same period a year ago.
Exporters expect a moderate increase in both the values of domestic exports and re-exports in the second half of 1995 compared with the same period last year. Bankers generally hold slightly more optimistic views, with the expectation that total exports will improve fairly considerably in the second half of 1995.
Looking ahead, construction firms generally expect a moderate increase in the volume of construction output in the second half of 1995 compared with the same period in 1994.
The Half-yearly Business Prospects Survey is held on a half-yearly basis, covering about 300 firms from major manufacturing industries, the import/export trades, the banking industry and the construction sector. It collects views of firms on the short-term prospects of the various major business sectors covered and aims at providing a quick reference, with a minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term future economic performance of Hong Kong.
A spokesman of the department pointed out that in a survey of this nature, the results should be interpreted with caution as it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents' perception of the future accords with the underlying trends.
4
The survey results are published in greater detail in the "Report on Half-yearly Business Prospects Survey, July 1995". The report is now on sale at $12 a copy at the Government Publications Sales Centre, Low Block, ground floor, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, or at the Census and Statistics Department Publications Unit, 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Regular subscription may also be arranged.
Enquiries about the survey results may be made to the General Economic Surveys Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 6642.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
Update on landslips at Chai Wan and Aberdeen
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ।
Fire Services Department staff, assisted by geotechnical engineers from the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO), are continuing with the rescue and clearance operations at the two landslip sites at Chai Wan and Aberdeen.
Photographic records, ground survey and aerial photography of the sites for the technical investigation of the failure incidents are being arranged by GEO with the assistance from other government departments. GEO is also appealing to eyewitnesses of either incident to assist in its investigation, and to report to the GEO on 2762 5354.
The Fei Tsui Road landslip occurred in a registered rock cut slope. Preliminary inspection suggests that the failure was controlled by joints within the weathered rock in the cut slope. About 1,000 cubic metres of volcanic rock and soil fell onto a strip of vacant land at the slope toe, and moved across Fei Tsui Road before coming to rest against the Baptist Church building.
Above the failure, the comer wall of a service reservoir has been partly exposed. The Water Supplies Department has stopped pumping water into the reservoir. The Church building is closed but has been checked and found structurally sound.
At the Aberdeen incident, over 5,000 cubic metres of saturated, fine grained soil flowed down to the seashore at Po Chong Wan from an area of hillside about 50m wide by 150m long between Nam Long Shan Road and Shum Wan Road.
5
The failed area includes a small registered cut slope at the base of the hillside. The debris was very mobile, flowing across a flat area of shipyard buildings at the seaward side of Shum Wan Road and into the sea.
A 30-metre section of Nam Long Shan Road collapsed at the head of the failure. A broken storm water pipe exposed on the south side of this slip scar has been diverted but runoff water from the broken road is still pouring into the scar during heavy rain, making conditions for rescue operations very difficult. At least two vehicles were swept downslope in the debris. A lorry and a taxi remain perched at the crest of the landslip scar.
At the base of the slope, Shum Wan Road remains blocked. A safe area on either side of the debris was fenced off. About 50 people were then evacuated from other shipyard buildings adjacent to the debris. Removal of the landslip debris has been interrupted by further heavy rain.
By 1.30 pm today (Monday), 75 landslip incidents have been reported to the Geotechnical Engineering Office. Of these 49 have affected roads, 11 occurred behind buildings, and seven affected squatters.
Among them, 52 occurred on Hong Kong Island, 12 in Kowloon, nine in the New Territories and two on outlying islands (Cheung Chau and Lamma).
Up to 1 pm today, about 350mm of rainfall have been recorded at the Royal Observatory since 8 am last Friday (August 11). Maximum cumulative rainfall for the same period has exceeded 500mm in Central and Eastern Hong Kong Island, Eastern Kowloon, and the Central and Eastern New Territories. Heavy rain exceeding 100mm occurred over some areas of the northern and eastern New Territories since early this morning.
Since the GEO emergency control centre was first activiated at 10.30 pm last Friday, it has mobilised 11 emergency teams to respond to incident reported, and more than 80 professional staff have been involved.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
6
Hong Kong to open offices in Singapore and Australia ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
Hong Kong is set to strengthen her economic and trade links in the Asia Pacific region when two new Hong Kong Economic and Trade offices (HKETOs) are opened in Singapore and Australia in the next couple of months.
The HKETO in Singapore will be headed by Mr Thomas Tso Man-tai who is scheduled to assume duties on August 18 while the office in Australia, which will be located in Sydney, will be headed by Mr Philip Chok Kin-fun who is due to take up his position on October 1.
Mr Tso joined the Administrative Service in 1975 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B last year. He currently holds the post of Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service.
In the early years of his career, Mr Chok served in the Executive Officer and Trade Officer Grades and was transferred to the Administrative Service as Administrative Officer Staff Grade C in 1983. He was appointed to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in 1993 and is now serving as the Deputy Director of Home Affairs.
The opening of the HKETOs in Singapore and Australia will bring Hong Kong's overseas offices to a total of ten. The eight existing HKETOs are located respectively in Washington, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, London, Brussels, Tokyo and Geneva.
The main functions of the new HKETOs are to strengthen Hong Kong's trade and economic links with Singapore and with Australia; to promote and safeguard Hong Kong's trade, economic and related interests in those two countries; and to promote Hong Kong as a business and financial hub in the Asia Pacific region.
In making the announcement today, the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mr Chau Tak-hay, said with the development of closer economic and trade links between Hong Kong and other economies in the Asia Pacific region, and with Hong Kong's increasingly active participation in regional economic co-opcration forums, there was a need to establish more HKETOs in the region.
"The Asia Pacific region includes some of the world's most dynamic and fastest growing economies. Our trade with the region now accounts for some 80 per cent of our total trade," he said.
7
In 1994, Singapore was Hong Kong's fifth largest trading partner and the seventh largest external investor in Hong Kong's manufacturing industries. In addition, the Secretariats of both APEC (the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) and PECC (the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council), of both of which Hong Kong is a member, are located in Singapore.
Mr Chau said the new HKETO in Singapore would serve to reinforce the close trade and economic ties between Hong Kong and Singapore. At the same time, it would act as a direct point of contact between Hong Kong and the APEC and PECC Secretariats located there.
Australia was Hong Kong's 13th largest trading partner last year and a notable investor in the territory's manufacturing sector.
"Hong Kong's manufacturing industries stand to benefit from technological exchange with Australia in fields such as information technology, biotechnology, food processing and environmental technology.
"Given the importance of Australia as a source of inward investment for our manufacturing sector, there are significant benefits to be gained by improving our inward industrial investment promotion efforts in Australia through the establishment of a HKETO in Sydney, which is Australia’s largest city and leading business centre," Mr Chau said.
"A HKETO in Australia will help to strengthen the already significant trade and economic relationship between Hong Kong and Australia," Mr Chau added.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
Site safety urged after inclement weather *****
The Labour Department today (Monday) urged contractors and construction site management staff to take all necessary safety measures to ensure that work sites were safe before allowing workers to resume work.
"Following the inclement weather which persisted in the past few days, it would be of paramount importance to check site conditions thoroughly and carry out any necessary repairs or rectifications to render the site safe before resuming normal operation," acting Chief Factory Inspector, Mr Mak Hung-kae, said.
8
Common hazards found on sites after inclement weather include:
(a) flooding in excavations or caissons;
(b) damaged bamboo scaffolds or damaged working platforms on these scaffolds;
(c) caving in of the sides of excavations and damage to the shoring;
(d) loosened anchorage of lifting appliances;
(e) leakage of electric current from electrical installations; and
(f) missing safety fencing.
Mr Mak said the general duties provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance required employers to provide a safe plant and a safe system of work for employees.
Meanwhile, employees are also urged to co-operate with employers by using safety equipment provided by them.
’’Factory Inspectors will monitor the situation to ensure that hazardous situations on sites are duly rectified before workers resume work,” Mr Mak said.
Contractors who have any safety problems are requested to contact the Factory Inspectorate Division on 2815 0678.
End/Monday, August 14. 1995
2,699 apply for S6 places in central allocation *****
A total of 2,699 students have today (Monday) applied for central allocation of the remaining 235 secondary 6 places in the S6 admission procedures.
A spokesman for the Education Department reminded applicants to return on Friday (August 18) to the same centre where they applied for central allocation to see if they have been allocated with a place. Application results will be displayed at the specified centre at 9 am on Friday. Successful candidates should take their allocation slips to their chosen schools for registration before 3.30 pm on the same day. The spokesman reiterated that a place was allocated on the basis of the applicants’ Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) results under central allocation in stage V.
9
He said if students were still unable to secure a place after the completion of stage V, they might be able to get one at the beginning of the new school year in September because some successful students may decide not to take up their places by that time.
A list of schools with S6 vacancies will be displayed and updated weekly at all district education offices throughout September.
Students should apply to these schools direct but admission will be at the schools' discretion.
The department has received a complaint today about schools not following the admission procedure.
।
Up to 5.30 pm today, the department's central hotline and district education offices have handled 251 enquiries on matters related to the S6 admission procedures. This brings to 2,672 the total number of enquiries made at the hotline and the district education offices.
At the same time, the Careers Education Centre of the Education Department received 173 visitors and 126 telephone enquiries on matters related to the S6 admission procedures, further studies, locally and overseas, and careers by the time it closed at 5.30 pm today.
This brings to 1,615 the total number of people visited and 1,179 callers telephoned the centre since August 8 when the results of HKCEE were released.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
School heads urged to obverse guidelines on LegCo election *****
School heads are reminded to observe the guidelines on the participation of school pupils in election activities for individual candidates in the Legislative Council election to be held on September 17.
An Education Department spokesman said today (Monday): "In no circumstances should primary or pre-primary pupils be asked to take part in election activities on behalf of individual candidates.
10
"For secondary schools, supervisors and principals are advised to consider carefully the appropriateness of such involvement of their pupils before giving consent.
"They are also advised that prior approval of the school's management committee should be obtained. In cases where approval is given to participation by pupils in such activities, school heads and teachers will be expected to observe the following guidelines:
* participation by secondary students in election activities on behalf of an individual candidate must be entirely voluntary;
* for students below the age of 18, the written consent of parents or guardians must be obtained beforehand;
* there should be no disruption of the pupils' education, and in no circumstances should normal lessons be interrupted to enable pupils to take part in such activities; and
* in no circumstances should pupils be asked to take part in activities in areas where they may be subject to various elements of danger, including that arising from traffic.
"The above points were highlighted in a school circular issued recently.
"Although pupils should be given every encouragement to take an interest in community affairs and current issues and to form their own opinions on such issues, the Education Department has reservations as to the desirability of pupils of a school being collectively and directly involved in election activities on behalf of any individual candidates, whether or not the candidate is connected with the school as a manager, as a head, or as a teacher.
"These reservations reflect the basic concern that the education of pupils should not be subject to interference or interruption and that pupils' welfare should be safeguarded," the spokesman concluded.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
11
Buildings Department seeks to close illegal structure
*****
The Buildings Department is seeking to close an illegal rooftop structure at 79 Chuen Lung Street in Tsuen Wan for demolition without endangering the occupiers and the public.
A notice was posted at the structure today (Monday) informing the occupiers that the Buildings Department would apply for a closure in respect of the structure from the court on December 13.
Acting Chief Building Surveyor, Mr Jeffrey Dobbing, said that the planned closure was part of an exercise to enforce an order issued under the Buildings Ordinance requiring removal of the illegal structure. Demolition of the structure wotlld commence once the closure order was granted, but Mr Dobbing stressed that no one would be rendered homeless in line with the government's policy.
He advised the occupiers to approach the Buildings Department if they require assistance in rehousing, adding that the department would put them in touch with the Housing Department for screening and assessment of their eligibility for rehousing.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
Mail delivery affected by inclement weather *****
The Post Office today (Monday) announces that due to heavy rainfall and landslides in some areas, mail delivery services to some addresses has been affected and there may be delays.
Members of the public in these areas who wish to obtain further information about their mail are advised to call the Post Office on the following telephone numbers:
Areas Enquiry Tel No
Shum Wan Island Road Repulse Bay Road
2921 2303
(Miss Chu)
12
Stanley
Tai Tam Road
Red Hill Peninsula
Mount Kellett
Razar Hills Road
Pak Shek Terrace
Tai Chung Hau
Wo Mei Mok Tze Che
Tsank Chuk Wan, Wong Keng Tei
Sai Keng, Yung Shu O and
Kei Ling Ha Lo Wai of Sai Sha Road
2886 6582 (Miss Ng)
2921 2301
(Mr Yan)
2417 6464 (Mr Chan)
End/Monday, August 14. 1995
Kindergartens remain closed tomorrow *****
The Education Department today (Monday) announced that due to uncertain weather and that road and traffic conditions are not expected to return to normal completely, all kindergartens will remain closed tomorrow (Tuesday).
End/Monday. August 14. 1995
US champion will compete in HK Dragon Boat Race *****
The Philadelphia US Dragon Boat Club team will be flown to Hong Kong to compete in the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival International Races scheduled for June next year after winning the US national championship race of the Fifth Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival held in New York yesterday (Sunday).
The team, which was awarded the HongkongBank Cup following their victory, also won the New York race in 1994 and subsequently placed seventh in the International Races in Hong Kong this year.
13
A total of eight teams from the New York City competitions held last week competed against dragon boat teams which won races carried out this summer in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Washington, DC, Hampton, VA, and Glen Cove, LI.
The New York City teams that competed today were: Dah Chong Hong, Chase Manhattan Bank, Metro-Asian Event, the Titans, Wall Street Lions Club, and three all-star teams comprised crew members from Deloitte & Touche and the Big Apple, the YMCA and Shanghai Commercial Bank, and AT&T and Wall Street Lions B-team.
The Fifth Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and the Hong Kong Association of New York. The HongkongBank Division of Marine Midland Bank serves as the Festival patron.
"I am delighted that the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival has become so well-established here in New York, and in other cities in the United States,” said Hong Kong Commissioner, USA, Mr Barrie Wiggham, at the closing ceremony of the Festival.
"I hope through these cultural and sporting activities we can foster closer business, cultural and social ties between our communities."
"The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival has now become firmly established in New York’s summer calendar of exciting events," said the Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Mr David Tsui.
"What began in 1991 as a race involving only 10 teams taking part has grown tremendously into a major sporting event involving about 50 teams and approximately 1,000 athletes competing in New York.
"We are proud to be able to bring this major sporting and cultural event to New York. Moreover, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, Inc, is also very instrumental in organising dragon boat races in other cities including Boston, Atlanta, and Glen Cove on Long Island."
He pointed out that teams are fielded by many Fortune 500 companies as well as other leading New York organisations such as the YMCA and the New York City Fire Department.
In addition to Hongkong Bank, corporate sponsors include such major firms as American Express TRS Co, AT&T, The Chase Manhattan Bank, NA, Citibank, NA, Coopers & Lybrand, LLP, Deloitte and Touche, LLP, Marine Midland Bank, and Yau Choy Lin.
14
Additional sponsors include Anheuser-Busch Companies, IPI/InterPacific Tours, NYNEX and The Peninsula New York.
Apart from the dragon boat races, the Festival was a colourful and exciting event featuring a Hong Kong village celebrating arts and crafts from Hong Kong and China, electrifying martial arts demonstrations, dance performances, and traditional Chinese food.
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
-n Water storage figure
Storage in Hong Kong's reservoirs at 9 am today (Monday) stood at 91.9 per, cent of capacity or 538.741 million cubic metres.
This time last year the reservoirs contained 547.090 million cubic metres of water, representing 93.3 per cent of capacity. m .
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
* ♦ * ♦ ♦
Tender date 14 Aug 1995 , j •«■
Paper on offer EF notes -
Issue number 2708 • - ». .J 3
Amount applied HK$ 1,860 MN ■* • • • . ✓ • * • . •
• J » • • •
Amount allotted HKS500 MN • • i. j c.u
Average price (yield) accepted 99.90(6.21 PCT) • • *■» .
?. ■ • * • * Sr*
Lowest price (yield) accepted 99.87 (6.22 PCT) • ' . i
Pro rata ratio About 42 PCT
Average tender price (yield) 99.84 (6.24 PCT) ■ • z--’P
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
15
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,675 0930 -167
Closing balance in the account 1,470 1000 -167
Change attributable to : 1100 -175
Money market activity -175 1200 -175
LAF today -30 1500 -175
1600 -175
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 120.8 *+0.2* 14.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.62 2 years 2705 6.40 100.62 6.11
1 month 5.63 3 years 3807 6.16 98.93 6.67
3 months 5.65 5 years 5006 6.60 97.30 7.40
6 months 12 months 5.70 5.79 5 years M501 7.90 100.83 7.83
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $19,242 million
Closed August 14, 1995
End/Monday, August 14, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Tuesday, August 15,1995
Contents
Full investigation on landslips underway.................................... 1
LegCo candidates briefed on electoral regulations........................... 2
Orderly repatriation of 85 VMs.............................................. 3
Monitors’ report submitted to CS............................................ 4
Container growth underlines need for new facilities......................... 4
No question of VRs becoming permanent HK residents.......................... 5
8,862 agreements lodged with Land Registry in July.......................... 6
2,704 apply for S6 places in central allocation............................. 6
Relief provided to landslip victims......................................... 7
Buildings temporarily closed due to landslips............................... 8
48 pollution cases convicted in July........................................ 9
Path to Tung Lung rock carving closed for repair............................ 9
Oral health teaching kit design competition launched....................... 10
Queen’s Pier temporarily close for parade............................... 11
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results............................. 11
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations....................... 12
1
Full investigation on landslips underway *****
The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering Department is sending out questionnaires and appealing to individuals who have witnessed the landslips at Chai Wan and Aberdeen to come forward to assist in their investigations.
They are requested to contact the GEO on 2762 5354.
Meanwhile, clearance operations are continuing at the two landslip sites.
A footpath along Fei Tsui Road has been cleared but the road remains closed. The Hong Kong Baptist Church has been closed because of debris resting against the church building and concern over possible further slope movements.
Aerial photographs of the site have been taken and detailed ground survey of the failed slope and surroundings has started. A team of four geotechnical engineers and two technical officers are investigating the failure.
The GEO investigation team will be gathering all relevant background technical information from existing photographic and documentary sources next week. The team has also started a detailed ground investigation, involving geological mapping, assessment of groundwater conditions, sampling and testing of soil and rock materials. The investigation will take several months to complete and a preliminary report on the findings will be issued in about two weeks.
In response to news of the discovery of two bodies from the landslip debris at Aberdeen, the acting Head of the GEO, Mr John Massey, said that he was grieved to learn of further loss of life and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and friends. He pledged that the GEO would continue to make every effort to assist with the clearance operations.
Mr Massey said that a full investigation of the circumstances leading to the tragedy had started and undertook to identify the cause of the failure.
At the base of the failed slope in Aberdeen, clearance operations have been made easier since heavy rain stopped yesterday, but Shum Wan Road remains blocked. A large volume of debris is still resting against the displaced shipyards.
An investigation team of six geotechnical engineers and two technical staff has been set up. Land surveyors have been making accurate plans of the site, and additional aerial photography will be undertaken to assist the survey work.
2
Geological mapping has started in the exposed area near the head of the landslip and will be extended as more of the hillside is cleared of slipped debris. This will be followed by collection of soil and rock samples for testing.
Meanwhile, a total of 123 landslip incidents have been reported to the GEO since last Friday night. Of these, 73 have affected roads, 21 occurred behind buildings and ten affected squatters.
77 of the incidents occurred on Hong Kong Island, 19 in Kowloon, 20 in the New Territories and seven on outlying islands (Lantau, Cheung Chau and Lamma Island).
Between August 11 and midnight last night, about 400mm of rainfall have been recorded at the Royal Observatory. During the same period between 400 and 500mm fell over most of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the central and eastern New Territories. More than 650mm have been recorded in parts of Hong Kong Island. The rain eased overnight and less than 10mm have been recorded since then over most of the territory.
Since the GEO Emergency Control Centre was first activated at 10.30 pm on August 11, the GEO has mobilized 14 emergency teams to respond to incident reports. More than 100 professional staff have been involved. Some who were first involved at the weekend are now carrying out a second round of emergency duties.
The centre will stay open at least until tomorrow morning.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
LegCo candidates briefed on electoral regulations *****
The Boundary and Election Commission this (Tuesday) afternoon held a briefing session for candidates of the September Legislative Council elections, to help them understand better the relevant electoral regulations.
More than 130 candidates and agents had attended the two-and-a-half hour session held in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
3
BEC chairman, Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, told the floor that he hoped the forthcoming elections would be held in an open, fair and honest manner.
Apart from Mr Justice Woo, representatives from the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Legal Department and the Post Office also answered election-related questions raised by candidates and their agents.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
Orderly repatriation of 85 VMs *****
A group of 85 Vietnamese migrants (VMs) returned to Vietnam today (Tuesday) on the 24th flight under the Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP).
The returnees, comprising of 31 men, 22 women, 17 boys and 15 girls, were mainly from Whitehead Departure Centre. The oldest is 62 years old and the youngest 18 months.
Most of them arrived in Hong Kong in 1988 and 1989. with one in 1990 and another one in 1995.
The group brought to 1,456 the total number repatriated on ORP flights since November 1991.
The returnees were transported to the airport early this morning for predeparture security checks before boarding the flight for Hanoi. 12 returnees were assisted in boarding the aircraft.
The Acting Refugee Co-ordinator, Mr Gordon Leung, stressed that the Government was determined to repatriate all screened-out VMs to Vietnam.
"There is no future for them in Hong Kong and the best option for them is to volunteer to go back to Vietnam," he said.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
4
Monitors’ report submitted to CS * * * * *
The monitors appointed to observe the Orderly Repatriation Programme operation this morning (Tuesday) have submitted their report to the Chief Secretary.
A Government spokesman said the monitors were a Justice of the Peace, Mr Eddie Lee Chung-keung, and Miss Marie Vander Elst from Medecins Sans Frontieres
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
Container growth underlines need for new facilities ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
Latest official throughput figures underline the growing need for additional container terminal facilities in Hong Kong.
Statistics for the first four months of the year show that the port is maintaining its high throughput growth rate with the biggest increase occurring in river trade.
Issued by the Marine Department, the figures show that up to the end of April, Hong Kong has handled 3.7 million twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs). This was a 16.5 per cent increase over the same period last year.
The eight terminals at the Kwai Chung Container Port handled 2.45 million TEUs, a rise of 17.5 per cent over the first four months of last year. There was a smaller increase in the number of containers handled mid-stream. The total rose 9.5 per cent to 913,000 TEUs’.
By far the biggest increase was in river trade, up 28.5 per cent to total 338,000
TEUs.
The Secretary of the Port Development Board. Mr Tony Clark, said the figures confirmed the Board’s projections for the introduction of new facilities.
He said: ’’The first berth of Container Terminal Nine should ideally be ready by September 1996, but, because of delays in starting construction, that is not possible.
’’That makes it all the more imperative to bring the terminals on Lantau Island into operation as soon as possible. It is planned that the first berth of these terminals should come on stream by mid-1998.”
5
"The big rise in river trade also underlines the need for a dedicated River Trade Terminal (RTT). We hope to dispose of the rights to build and operate our first RTT towards the end of this year. It will be built near Tuen Mun and the first berth should come into operation in 1998.
’’With more than one and a quarter million TEUs likely to be handled by river vessels this year, it is obvious that shippers are looking increasingly at the Pearl River as a natural highway to Hong Kong’s port,” he added.
Mr Clark said: "The figures for the first four months of this year are impressive and show that there is no sign of a slowdown in our throughput growth. However, our planning is carried out not on just one year's figures but on long-term trends.
"Last year we had a 20 per cent growth and since 1984 our throughput has grown by an average of 18 per cent a year.
"If we are to handle such increases we must have new container terminal facilities as soon as possible, or there will be negative effects on the economy."
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
No question of VRs becoming permanent HK residents *****
In response to press enquiries about reports which said UNHCR is urging the Hong Kong Government to consider accepting 1.700 Vietnamese refugees stranded in Hong Kong, a government spokesman today (Tuesday) said the following: "The Hong Kong Government has not received any request from the UNHCR to consider accepting 1,700 Vietnamese refugees stranded in Hong Kong.
"There is no question of the Vietnamese refugees becoming permanent Hong Kong residents.
"The UNHCR and the international community have the responsibility to identify and implement durable solutions for the Vietnamese refugees still remaining in Hong Kong."
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
6
8,862 agreements lodged with Land Registry in July
*****
A total of 8,862 sale and purchase agreements for building units, which include both residential and non-residential properties, were lodged with the Land Registry last month.
The figure represents an increase of 14.5 per cent from that of June this year, and an 27.9 per cent increase compared with July last year.
The total consideration of these agreements is $21.18 billion, down 1.1 per cent and 15 per cent as compared with the amounts for June 1995 and July 1994 respectively.
The figures are contained in the monthly statistics released today (Tuesday) by the Land Registry on deeds relating to property transactions received for registration in the Urban and New Territories Land Registries last month.
Relevant statistics for June 1995 and July 1994 were provided for comparison.
Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months and the year-on-year rate of change were also released.
The statistics generally relate to land transactions executed up to four weeks prior to their submission for registration, as there is usually a time lag between the execution of deeds and their lodgement for registration.
End/Tuesday. August 15, 1995
2,704 apply for S6 places in central allocation
*****
The Education Department has received a total of 2,704 S5 students applied for central allocation of the remaining 235 S6 places in the S6 admission procedures.
They included five students who could produce today (Tuesday) the original copy of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) Results Notice or relevant documents in supporting their applications.
A spokesman for the Education Department reminded applicants to return on Friday (August 18) to the same centre where they applied for central allocation to see if they have been allocated with a place.
7
Application results will be displayed at the specified centre at 9 am on Friday. Successful candidates should take their allocation slips to their chosen schools for registration before 3.30 pm on the same day.
The spokesman reiterated that a place was allocated on the basis of the applicants' HK.CEE results under the central allocation.
End/Tuesday, August 15. 1995
Relief provided to landslip victims *****
The Southern and Eastern district offices are actively assisting victims of the two major landslides at Aberdeen and Chai Wan, a spokesman for the Home Affairs Department spokesman said today (Tuesday).
I
"They are also busy at co-ordinating the work of concerned departments to bring the affected disaster areas back to normal," the spokesman added.
Earlier, a cash relief of $5,000 was given by Eastern District Office to the family of the boy who was killed in the landslide which occured last Saturday at Fei Tsui Road, Chai Wan. The cash assistance was made available from the General Chinese Charities Fund.
The acting Eastern District Officer, Miss Shirley Yuen, said her staff had contacted the bereaved family following the tragedy.
"We have referred their case to the Social Welfare Department which has agreed to pay them $9,000 for the funeral service. We have also assured them that they can approach us any time if they require further assistance," Miss Yuen said.
As regard the Chai Wan Baptist Church which has been badly damaged by the landslip, arrangements have been made for temporary reprovision of premises to enable the Church to run its nursery and kindergarten in a vacated kindergarten in Siu Sai Wan Estate.
In addition, the Church is also given two rooms in Hing Wah Community Hall to continue its after-school care service for primary pupils.
8
Referring to the recovery this morning of two bodies identified to be that of the missing couple in Shum Wan, Aberdeen, the spokesman said staff of Southern District Office and the Social Welfare Department would approach the family or friends of the deceased to see what kind of assistance they needed.
The Southern District Office had provided temporary shelter at the Tang Shiu Kin Primary School in Wong Chuk Hang to four male workers of a shipyard and a timber factory in Shum Wan which were demolished by the landslip.
Three of them have moved to a transit centre in Tuen Mun run by the Housing Department today.
"An immediate cash relief of $1,000 was also given to each of them by the Southern District Office, also from the General Chinese Charities Fund," the spokesman said.
The Home Affairs Department has opened 51 temporary shelters and provided temporary refuge to 238 people since typhoon signal No 8 was hoisted on Friday.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
Buildings temporarily closed due to landslips *****
A number of buildings which have been affected by landslips had been temporarily closed by the Building Authority under closure orders.
Chaiwan Baptist Church at Fei Tsui Road has been closed from this (Tuesday) morning. Low-rise buildings at 73, 87 and 89 Repulse Bay Road; House Nos 1, 2 and 12 at 46 Island Road; Unit Nos 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B at 18 Shouson Hill Road and Island Gardens at Chai Wan Road were closed this (Tuesday) afternoon.
The nurses quarters at Nam Long Hospital in Wong Chuk Hang will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
A spokesman for the Buildings Department said that the premises would be reopened once the threat of danger to the buildings was removed.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
9
48 pollution cases convicted in July * * * * *
A total of 48 convictions were made in the courts last month for breaching antipollution legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.
Among them, 16 were convictions made under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO), 13 under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO), 11 under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO), five under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO), and three under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (OLPO).
The fines ranged from $2,000 to $80,000. Mingai Dyeing and Printing Factory Limited was fined $80,000 for discharging polluting matter in North Western Water Control Zone.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
Path to Tung Lung rock carving closed for repair
* * * * *
The path leading to the historic rock carving on Tung Lung Island has collapsed following the recent rainstorm.
A spokesman for the Antiquities and Monuments Office called on members of the public not to plan any outings to the area until the path had been repaired.
Located on the northern coast of the island, the carving depicts the image of a dragon and consists of complicated and tortuous lines which can be seen at a distance.
It is the largest of the eight ancient rock carvings declared as monuments in Hong Kong.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
10
Oral health teaching kit design competition launched *****
Pre-school educators and those interested in the promotion of oral health are invited to participate in a teaching kit for pre-school children design competition for the promotion of oral health.
The competition, organised by the Oral Health Education Unit (OHEU) of the Department of Health in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute of Education, is open to both pre-school educators and the public.
A spokesman for the department said the OHEU would hold a briefing session on August 19 (Saturday) to provide support to the participants. Enquiries could be made on tel 2711 0742.
He said the competition was organised to encourage more public participation in oral health education for pre-school children.
The winning entries will be displayed at a prize presentation ceremony to be held on November 11, the spokesman added.
Application forms and information booklets are available from district offices and the OHEU on the fourth floor of Argyle Street Jockey Club School Dental Clinic at 147J, Argyle Street, Kowloon.
The spokesman said the competition was sponsored by Oral B Laboratories and eight winners would receive a souvenir and a cash coupon worth $1,000 to $7,000.
Entries with the completed forms should be sent to the OHEU on or before October 14, 1995.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
11
Queen’s Pier temporarily close for parade *****
The landing steps at Queen’s Pier in Central will be closed to marine traffic between 10.30 am and 11.30 am next Tuesday (August 22) when the Fleet Veterans’ Parade for the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong will take place in Edinburgh Place.
No vessels will be allowed to berth at any of the landing steps of the Queen's Pier during the temporary closure.
Owners and operators of small craft are advised to use alternative landing facilities during the closure. Public landing steps are available along the waterfront at Sheung Wan and Wan Chai. Across the harbour, there are other public landing steps at the Kowloon Public Pier and along the Tsim Sha Tsui east promenade.
The memorial event will have a two-minute silence from 11 am. The beginning and ending of the period of silence will be marked by firing of gun from Royal Navy patrol craft. Owners and operators of small craft are advised to avoid unnecessary sounding of whistle during the period of silence.
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results *****
Tender date 15 Aug 1995 15 Aug 1995
Paper on offer EF bills EF bills
Issue number Q533 H571
Amount applied HK$6,870 MN HK$4,820 MN
Amount allotted HK$ 1,500 MN HK$800 MN
Average yield accepted 5.61 PCT 5.67 PCT
Highest yield accepted 5.61 PCT 5.67 PCT
Pro rata ratio About 43 PCT About 43 PCT
Average tender yield 5.64 PCT 5.70 PCT
12
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Tenders to be held in the week beginning 21 Aug, 1995
Tender date 22 Aug 1995
Paper on offer EF bills
Issue number Q534
Issue date 23 Aug 1995
Maturity date 22 Nov 1995
Tenor 91 days
Amount on offer HK$ 1,500+300 MN
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations *****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,470 0930 +47
Closing balance in the account 1,476 1000 +47
Change attributable to : 1100 +66
Money market activity +66 1200 +66
LAF today -60 1500 +66
1600 +66
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 121.0 *+0.2* 15.8.95
13
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.62 2 years 2708 6.06 99.84 6.24
1 month 5.63 3 years 3807 6.16 98.91 6.68
3 months 5.65 5 years 5006 6.60 97.29 7.40
6 months 12 months 5.70 5.79 5 years M501 7.90 100.80 7.84
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $9,165 million
Closed August 15. 1995
End/Tuesday, August 15, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Wednesday, August 16,1995
Transcript of FS’s media session........................................... 1
Financial Secretary visits HKCEC extension site............................ 3
New Director for Home Affairs Department................................... 4
Update on landslip investigations.......................................... 5
Shark warning flags to be lowered.......................................... 7
Urban renewal consultation paper discussed................................. 8
Approval granted for selling flags........................................ 10
Staff reports in Chinese encouraged for better assessment................. 10
Interruption of salt water supply to Chai Wan............................. 11
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations................... 11
1
Transcript of FS’s media session ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Following is the transcript of a media session given by the Financial Secretary, Sir Hamish Macleod, after unveiling the model of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Extension today (Wednesday):
Good Morning. It gives me a very good feeling to see the progress being made on the extension. You can see here on the site how huge it is going to be. But I must congratulate the architect; he has managed, although it is a huge building, to make it also attractive. So I do honestly believe it is going to be a tourist attraction just like the Sydney Opera House. It is really an impressive building. The capacity, as I said, is more than double the existing building, so it is an enormous step forward in our place in the convention centre and exhibition centre world.
Question and Answer Session: ■
Question: Sir Hamish, could you comment on recent statements coming out from Hang Seng Bank which is one of the territory's two largest banks, that they may raise the cost of loans and some of their services if deregulation of interest rates on time deposits should proceed at full speed. Do you see this as a threat to the government's proposal -- or rather Hong Kong Consumer Council's proposal?
FS: No, I mean I don't see it as a threat. We do, of course, consult the banks before we make a decision on the next step on deregulation. We haven't made that decision - we have not made that decision yet - and we will be discussing it with the banks. Of course we will be discussing it not in public, so we will get their views anyway; we will get the views of the other banks, and we will take those very seriously because we are not in the business of making the environment too difficult for banks. On the other hand, we are trying to balance the interests of the consumer. So I guess we will have a decision probably some time in September but we have not made up our minds yet.
Question: Seems the US market has gone down, remained stable for quite a long time, the bankers in Beijing are saying that it might be a good time to increase the mortgage by five per cent, so will the Government review the (inaudible)?
FS: We will certainly keep it under review, we are not saying that it will never change. But what we are saying at the moment is, we are not yet convinced there is a case for changing it. We very much welcome the fact that property prices - a bit of the heat has gone out of property prices, particularly domestic. I think, if you remember back last year, there was a lot of pressure for that to happen. It should, I hope, over the coming months begin to feed into the inflation figures; it should begin to have a somewhat helpful impact on inflation figures, so that will be helpful. But at the moment, I am quite content with the way things are in relation to property prices and in relation to mortgages.
2
Question: (on the Oxfam Report)
FS: I haven’t read it yet. I am waiting for the Policy Branch to give me, not just the report but their own analysis of it, and when that is available I will read it with interest. But I think some of the remarks made by various commentators which grossly underestimate the amount of money that we give to people on CSSA for example, are not helpful to a rational debate. But certainly, we will be giving a more considered view on the Oxfam Report when we have had time to read it properly.
Question: Is it true that the Government is now consulting the Chinese side on (inaudible)?
FS: On the?
Question: On the interest rates.
Question: The IRR, the Interest Rate Rules.
FS: No, I don’t think that is a topic at the moment. As I’ve said, we haven’t, ourselves, even come to a provisional view yet, so it is quite early days yet.
Question: But will the Government consider the opinions of the Chinese side?
FS: I expect we will. I expect we will. I haven't given that part of it great thought because, as I say, we haven’t, ourselves, yet really had the meetings even to form a provisional view.
Question: Will the Government delay or even postpone the deregulation of the interest rates because of the strong opposition?
FS: Well, all options are open. I genuinely mean it, we haven't made our minds up. We could simply postpone any further changes or we could go ahead with some changes but short of the full Consumer Council recommendations. That is all open at the moment for discussion and the Monetary Authority in particular will be looking at the arguments and then discussing them with me or my successor, depending on the timing.
Question: So there is a possibility it might be postponed?
FS: (To the next questioner) Sorry, yes you.
3
Question: Sir Hamish, on the question of the economy, are you worried that the unemployment rate will go up again?
FS: I have the advantage of knowing what the figure is going to be tomorrow. But to take your question more seriously and looking over the coming months, it is actually very difficult to forecast what is going to happen on the figures. The underlying fact is, as I have said recently in a speech, the underlying fact is that the economy is growing very well, and even the employed labour force is growing very well. So we seem to have a temporary -1 think temporary - bulge in the number of people looking for work, and of course it's been accentuated by the slow down in retail sales and therefore retail employment - and restaurants, restaurant employment. But it is actually very difficult to forecast what will happen over the coming months. The figure tomorrow, will be released tomorrow. Thank you very much.
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
Financial Secretary visits HKCEC extension site *****
The Financial Secretary, Sir Hamish Macleod, today (Wednesday) visited the construction site of the extension to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai to see for the progress of the project.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, Sir Hamish was briefed by Territory Development Department officials on the site formation work for the project.
After a tour of the site, he proceeded to the 11th floor podium of the HKCEC to have an overhead view of the construction work. To mark his visit, he unveiled a model of the extension for permanent display at the HKCEC.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Sir Hamish said conventions and exhibitions held in Hong Kong had been hugely successful and had become an entire industry bringing great direct and indirect economic benefits to Hong Kong.
He said as the existing centre, with only about 20,000 square metres of convention and exhibition space, was approaching its maximum capacity, Hong Kong needed additional facilities to maintain its leading position as a convention and exhibition centre.
4
"We expect that the additional quantifiable economic benefits to be worth about $9-10 billion a year when the extension is in full operation." he said.
Sir Hamish learnt that the extension, together with its supporting infrastructure, would be built on an island of about 6.5 hectares, formed on the harbour-side of the HKCEC.
The extension will include three new exhibition halls with a total usable floor area of 29,000 square metres together with a second convention hall as well as meeting rooms and support facilities.
It will offer a world-class facility of its kind and will become a landmark overlooking the Victoria Harbour.
It will be connected to the existing centre by an atrium link which could also be used for exhibition purposes.
The project is expected to be completed by mid-1997.
End/Wednesday. August 16. 1995
New Director for Home Affairs Department * * * * *
Mrs Shelley Lau Lee Lai-kuen will succeed Mr Joseph Wong Wing-ping as the Director of Home Affairs tomorrow (Thursday).
Mrs Lau. aged 46. joined the Civil Service in 1971 and was appointed to the Administrative Service in 1972.
She rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade Bl in 1995.
She has served in a number of branches and departments, including the Home Affairs Department, the former UMELCO, Government House, the former New Territories Administration, the Finance Branch and the Civil Service Branch.
She attended an overseas training programme in Harvard University from 1984 to 1985 and became the Deputy Secretary-General of the former OMELCO from 1986 to 1989.
5
She was also the Commissioner for Recreation and Culture from 1989 to 1991 and Secretary-General of the former OMELCO from 1991 to 1993.
Her last posting was Deputy Secretary for Health and Welfare.
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
Update on landslip investigations *****
The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) has made some progress in its investigations of the two landslips at Chai Wan and Wong Chuk Hang.
The preliminary results of the search of background information show that the failure in Fei Tsui Road at Chai Wan occurred in a cut slope formed in weathered volcanic rock and soil on government land between 1975 and 1978. The origirtal dimensions of the slope were about 25 metres high, 180 metres long, inclined at an angle of about 65 degree. There is a strip of vacant flat land about 10 metres wide between the toe of the slope and Fei Tsui Road.
The slope was first inspected by government consultant in August 1977 and registered as number 11SE-D/C42. Due to the presence of squatter huts above the slope crest, the consequence of failure was initially assessed as high. Therefore the slope received a high priority for a preliminary GEO stability study (also known as Stage 1 Study).
The study was carried out in September 1979. The results showed that a mechanism for failure could exist but the possibility of failure actually occurring was small. The consequence of failure was not considered high as it was judged that any failure debris would be contained within the flat grassed area at the slope toe and traffic on Fei Tsui Road would not be affected. A failure sufficiently large to affect the squatters above the slope crest was considered very unlikely.
The squatters were removed between 1989 and 1990.
The Baptist Church building was constructed between 1986 and 1987 at a distance of 25 metres from the toe of the slope on the other side of Fei Tsui Road.
Two minor failures occurred on the slope in 1987 and 1993, both being small rock slides with approximate volumes between 40 and 70 cubic metres. In both cases the failure debris came to rest in the flat grassed area between the slope toe and Fei Tsui Road. These two rock slides confirmed the existence of failure mechanisms and also the judgement that the debris would not affect the road.
6
Following the 1987 incident, the flat area at the slope toe was fenced off. Since then GEO has advised the Lands Department not to allocate the land for any use involving occupied structures, and to advise other potential users to take into account the previous instability of the slope when considering the suitability of the site for other purposes.
The failure on August 13 affected an area of the slope about 50 metres long and 30 metres high. The initial estimate of the volume is more than 5,000 cubic metres.
The detailed investigation now underway will explore all relevant information in order to obtain a full understanding of the causes of the failure. A specific objective of the investigation will be to examine why the volume of the landslip was much larger than foreseen and why the debris travelled as far as it did.
As regards the failure in Wong Chuk Hang, GEO said the hillside between Nam Long Shan Road and Shum Wan Road was modified by three types of man-made activity prior to the failure on August 13.
Near the crest of the landslip scar some cutting and filling of the original natural ground occurred during the construction of Nam Long Shan Road before 1945. A retaining wall on the outside edge of Nam Long Shan Road was removed by the landslip.
At the base of the hillside a small cut slope in weathered volcanic rock and soil was formed as part of the reclamation project for Po Chong Wan in 1978. It was registered as number I5NW-B/C77 in August 1984.
The slope was 84 metres long, with a maximum height of 10 metres, inclined at about 50 degree. As a roadside slope, it was classified as having a low to moderate consequence of failure. A short section of the southern part of the cut slope was not covered by debris from the recent failure. Most of the cut slope is now covered by the landslip debris. It is not yet known whether the cut slope had moved as part of the failure or stayed intact under the debris.
The failure on August 13 affected a large area of hillside. The width of the landslip scar varies from 65 metres to 90 metres and the height is about 70 metres. The current estimate of the volume is more than 20,000 cubic metres.
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
7
Shark warning flags to be lowered *****
The shark warning flags hoisted at eight Regional Council beaches in Sai Kung will be lowered tomorrow (Thursday).
The flags have been hoisted at these beaches for over 10 weeks since June 2. The beaches are Clear Water Bay First and Second, Campers, Hap Mun Bay, Kiu Tsui, Pak Sha Chau, Silverstrand and Trio.
A spokesman for the Recreation and Culture Branch said today (Wednesday) the decision to lower the flag was made in view that there had been no report of shark sighting for over two weeks. The last sighting was reported on July 30 at about 1.5 km off High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung.
I
However, precautionary measures would continue to be taken at Sai Kung beaches after the lowering of the flags since the fact that there had been no sightings did not necessarily mean there were no sharks in Hong Kong waters, he said.
"Apart from surveillance by the Government Flying Service, there will be close surveillance of the beach waters and monitoring of any sightings elsewhere.
"If members of the public want to swim at Sai Kung beaches, they are advised to go to Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Silverstrand where shark prevention nets have been installed.
"Although the installation of the shark nets is still a pilot scheme the results of which have to be evaluated and. of course, no such protection measure can be considered 100 per cent effective, nonetheless preliminary indications are that the nets do provide a barrier or obstacle to sharks," he added.
The spokesman strongly urged swimmers to heed any on- the-spot warning by lifeguards at the beaches. They are also advised to heed the following general advice:
* do not swim at dawn, at dusk or at night
♦ swim only at gazetted beaches
* do not swim alone
* do not swim if they arc bleeding or have any open wounds
8
* leave the water if fish start to behave erratically or start to congregate in unusually large numbers
* leave the water as quickly and as calmly as possible if a large fish is sighted in the area
* if swimming on netted beaches, keep at least 20 metres from the inside edge of the nets
A total of seven swimming pools managed by the Regional Council will continue to open earlier at 6.30 am for the convenience of the public. They include the Sai Kung Public Swimming Pool, Tsuen King Circuit Wu Chung Public Swimming Pool, Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Swimming Pool, Hin Tin Public Swimming Pool in Sha Tin, Kwai Shing Swimming Pool, North Kwai Chung Jockey Club Public Swimming Pool, and Tai Po Public Swimming Pool.
Meanwhile, the daily operating hours of all 13 Urban Council swimming pool complexes have been extended by one hour from 6.30 am to 9.30 pm, to encourage greater use of the facilities there.
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
Urban renewal consultation paper discussed *****
The Land and Building Advisory Committee (LABC) today (Wednesday) discussed the consultation paper on urban renewal.
Chaired by Mr Cheng Hon Kwan, the committee was briefed on the package of proposals on urban renewal, which included:
(a) enhancing the role of the Land Development Corporation to help taking forward private projects with significant planning gain;
(b) granting more sites at concessionary premium to the Hong Kong Housing Society;
(c) linking redevelopment site which was not viable on its own with another site which was viable so that urban renewal schemes could benefit from cross-subsidy and;
9
(d) improving ex-gratia allowances and loans for business to be relocated.
The acting Secretary and Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Canice Mak, said: ’’the proposals are designed to be as fair as possible and to balance the interests of the community as a whole with those people directly affected by urban renewal projects.”
Members were of the view that rehousing in the process of urban renewal was one of the important issues to be dealt with.
At today’s meeting the ad hoc working group of the committee to study the Building (Amendment) Bill reported that both the Government and respective professional bodies shared a common concern for building construction and demolition site safety, they agreed that new legislation, administrative guidelines and codes of practice were needed to further strengthen safety control of building works. ’
The committee would continue to discuss the respective duty of supervision of concerned professionals, the setting out of a supervision plan and the proposed system under which contractors would be registered as persons.
The committee was also briefed on the assessment of future land supply in the territories in 1994-95 to 2003-04. It was estimated that the supply of land with a higher degree of certainty will amount to a total of 5,071 hectares by 2003-04. In addition, there were about 443 hectares of land, which at present were low on priority in their production, can be produce faster if their development priority was upgraded.
As to the assessment of land requirements and land supply in 1994-95 to 2003-04, members noted that there was a projected surplus of 12.5 hectares of land for offices and 99.3 hectares of surplus of industrial land by 2006-07. The assessment of residential demand would be prepared separately in due course.
The committee was also informed that a study on the comprehensive assessment of redevelopment potential in the metro-areas of Hong Kong Island. Kowloon, New Kowloon and Tsuen Wan-Kwai Tsing was being carried out and expected to be completed next year.
End/Wednesday, 16 August 1995
10
Approval granted for selling flags *****
Approval has been granted to the Hong Kong Childhealth Foundation for selling flags in public places on Saturday (August 19), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department said today (Wednesday).
The flag day, originally scheduled for last Saturday (August 12), was cancelled due to the hoisting of the No 8 typhoon signal on that day.
"Members of the public who have enquiries about the flag day may telephone 2892 5315 or call the department's hotline 2343 2255," the spokesman said.
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
Staff reports in Chinese encouraged for better assessment ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
The Civil Service Branch announced today (Wednesday) that, as part of the Government’s policy to promote wider use of Chinese in the day-to-day management of the civil service, staff reports of more junior ranks can now be written in either Chinese or English.
The acting Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr F A Ramjahn said: "We have written to departments telling them that appraisal reports can be written in Chinese at junior levels."
"Some supervising officers at these levels find writing meaningful assessments in English rather difficult. 1 his new approach should help improve performance appraisal and staff management."
In the past, all reports were supposed to be written in English unless a department could establish that the competency of the staff to complete reports in English was doubtful. This would no longer be necessary under the revised policy.
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
11
Interruption of salt water supply to Chai Wan *****
Consequent to the landslide at Fei Tsui Road, Chai Wan in the morning of August 13, a 24-inch diameter water pipe connecting the Chai Wan Salt Water Service Reservoir was damaged resulting in a complete interruption of salt water supply to the whole area of Chai Wan, Siu Sai Wan and Heng Fa Chuen.
A spokesman of the Water Supplies Department said today (Wednesday) with confirmation on the safety of using half of the service reservoir, the department had commenced temporary arrangement with a view to resuming salt water supply as early as possible.
He expected that a longer period of interruption was inevitable but upon the completion of the works being carried out, salt water supply to the general areas in Chai Wan would resume by the morning of Saturday (August 19).
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,476 0930 -149
Closing balance in the account 1,394 1000 -159
Change attributable to : 1100 -159
Money market activity -162 1200 -162
LAF today +80 1500 -162
1600 -162
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 122.1 *+1.1* 16.8.95
- 12 -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
. ! L. -• - • ' ■ •
Terms Yield Term Issue • ■ • 1 4 Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.86 2 years 2708 6.06 99.69 6.32
1 month 5.79 3 years 3807 6.16 98.75 6.74
3 months 5.79 5 years 5006 6.60 97.19 7.43
6 months 5.82 5 years M501 7.90 100.65 7.88
12 months 5.89
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $24,634 million
Closed August 16, 1995
End/Wednesday, August 16, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Thursday, August 17,1995
Contents Page No.
CS refutes special privileges in flat purchase............................ 1
Unemployment and underemployment statistics of April to June......... 1
Proactive approach adopted to help the unemployed......................... 2
Domestic export statistics................................................ 4
Events for public on anniversary of Liberation of HK...................... 7
Second year of Use Less Plastic Bags Campaign............................. 8
Release of S6 central allocation results.................................. 9
Grading of beach water quality........................................... 10
Hotline for information on first-aid..................................... 14
Sham Shui Po Family Services Centre changes address...................... 14
600 students for English-speaking camp................................... 15
Post offices close on Liberation Day holidays........................ 15
Fresh water cuts in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po............................ 16
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations..................... 16
* - 1 -
CS refutes special privileges in flat purchase *****
The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, stressed today (Thursday) that she had obtained no special privileges in the purchase of a flat at Villa Monte Rosa.
Mrs Chan refuted suggestions that she had abused her position to obtain a 100 per cent mortgage and set up a company with the intention to avoid tax.
"My husband and I bought the property at a fair market price of $7.8 million in mid-1993. We secured a $7.8 million loan for the purchase from Hang Seng Bank Limited by offering as security this property and another property which we owned. The total valuation of these two properties according to the Bank was $14.6 million. There is no question of the Bank granting a 100 per cent mortgage to me based on the value of the flat at Villa Monte Rosa alone," she said.
"The property was originally owned by a limited company and the previous owner was only willing to sell it on the condition that we bought the company. After seeking professional advice, we accepted this condition," she further explained.
Mrs Chan stressed that she and her husband have at all times acted in accordance with the law. They have met and will continue to meet all their taxation obligations.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
Unemployment and underemployment statistics of April to June *****
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period April - June 1995 was 3.1%, and the underemployment rate was 2.1%, according to the latest labour force statistics released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
The provisional seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period May -July 1995 was 3.2%, while the provisional underemployment rate was 2.3%.
Commenting on the latest figures, a government spokesman said the increased unemployment was mostly from the retail, restaurant, hotel and transport sectors. In the construction sector, there was a decrease in the unemployment rate but an increase in the underemployment rate.
a - 2 -
The spokesman pointed out that the easing of the labour market in recent months should be seen against a distinctly faster increase in overall labour supply, by 4.1% in the second quarter of 1995 over a year earlier. The corresponding growth in total employment was relatively slower than this, hence giving a higher unemployment rate. But the increase in total employment, at 2.7% in the second quarter over a year earlier, was still notable and signified that there was quite clearly an on-going demand for labour within the local economy.
.• -
During the period April - June 1995, the number of unemployed persons was estimated at 90,600. Of this, 6,500 were first-time job-seekers. The number of underemployed persons was estimated at 65,200.
i. • • • »■
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey conducted by the Census and Statistics Department. The survey for April - June 1995 covered a quarterly sample of some 12,700 households or 43,600 persons, selected scientifically to represent the land-based civilian non-institutional population in Hong Kong. Relevant data were obtained from the survey by interviewing each individual member aged 15 or over in the households sampled. In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organisation.
Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the report on the General Household Survey which is published four times a year. The next report covering the quarter ending June 1995 will be available at the Government Publications Centre by the end of September at $32 a copy.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
Proactive approach adopted to help the unemployed ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Government is monitoring the employment situation in Hong Kong closely and will continue to adopt a proactive approach to help the unemployed to find jobs.
This was said today (Thursday) by the Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Leo Kwan, when he gave an update on the work being carried out by the Government to tackle the issue.
3
Mr Kwan noted that mismatch between job vacancies and unemployed workers continued to exist.
However, he said: "Active steps are being taken to enhance retraining and job placement."
Since the launching of the Job Matching Programme in April, some 2,000 job seekers have registered with the Programme which offers personal service of in-depth interview, vocational counselling and job matching.
"The programme has successfully placed 693 registrants into employment. Together with 197 registrants who have declined job offers, they represent a success rate of 45 per cent," said Mr Kwan.
Mr Kwan pointed out that a wide range of promotional programmes, including recruitment seminars and briefings for employers' bodies and trade unions, had been and would be conducted to make the Job Matching Scheme better known and used.
.15
The Labour Department has set up a special task force to offer outreaching placement service to workers affected by major retrenchment, he added..
At the same time, the Employees Retraining Board has taken measures to further enhance the placement rate of its graduates which include tailor-made retraining courses and extended on-the-job training schemes.
Mr Kwan said besides strengthening the employment services and retraining schemes, efforts were made to clamp down on illegal employment.
Between January and July, the Immigration Department had carried out a total of 1,076 raids, and 2,620 illegal workers and 580 employers were prosecuted. On conviction, the sentence will carry a criminal record.
Mr Kwan also pointed out that the review on the Importation of Labour General Scheme was going on and would be completed in October.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
4
Domestic export statistics ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
In the second quarter of 1995, the four major industries of textiles; machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components; wearing apparel; and consumer electrical and electronic products together accounted for 68% of Hong Kong's total domestic exports of manufactured goods, according to statistics released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
In the second quarter of 1995, domestic exports of machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components increased significantly, by 21% over a year earlier to $10.0 billion. Those of wearing apparel and textiles increased by 5% and 3% to $9.8 billion and $11.3 billion respectively. On the other hand, domestic exports of consumer electrical and electronic products decreased by 7% to 7.6 billion.
As for other industries, significant absolute increases in the value of domestic exports were also recorded for basic metals and fabricated metal products (+$294 million or +13%); chemicals and chemical products (+$263 million or +13%); paper and paper products (+$244 million or +13%); professional and optical equipment (+$237 million or +6%). For the industry of transport equipment and that of products of petroleum and coal, although the changes in absolute value were not as large, marked percentage increases of 410% and 82% were recorded respectively.
On the other hand, more notable absolute decreases in the value of domestic exports were recorded for non-metallic mineral products (-$50 million or -28%); and footwear industry (-$22 million or -51%).
The above statistics of domestic exports classified by industrial origin are derived by re-grouping the merchandise export items originally grouped under the external trade classification system according to the industries in which these merchandise items are normally produced. Transactions in gold and specie are excluded.
The industrial classification used is the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC). The HSIC is to be distinguished from the United Nations Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) used in the regular trade statistics reports. In comparison, the HSIC is more related to production processes whereas the SITC is more geared to end uses of products.
5
Caution should be taken when referring to these domestic export statistics classified by industrial origin. There may be several intermediate processing stages in the production of certain merchandise export items. In compiling the above statistics, the total value of such an item has however been wholly related to the industry in which the item is finally produced. The above domestic export statistics of a particular industry may include products which are secondary products by establishments of other industries.
Further details of merchandise domestic export statistics classified by industrial origin may be found in the attached table which is obtainable from the General Economic Surveys Section of the Census and Statistics Department (Tel 2805 6642). A table showing more detailed breakdowns of similar statistics for major manufacturing industries is also included in the report "Hong Kong External Trade, June 1995”.
6
Domestic exports of manufactured goods classified by industrial origin for the second quarter of 1995
(Value in HK$ Million)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic exports
1995 2nd qtr. 1994 2nd qtr. Value change % change
Food 686.4 613.7 +72.8 +11.9
Beverages 205.2 164.9 +40.3 +24.4
Tobacco manufactures 587.8 598.1 -10.4 -1.7
Textiles (including knitting) 11,305.1 10,933.1 +372.0 +3.4
Wearing apparel, except footwear 9,750.0 9,279.4 +470.6 +5.1
Leather and leather products, except footwear and wearing apparel 424.8 366.9 +57.8 + 15.8
Footwear, except rubber, plastic and wooden footwear 21.8 44.2 -22.4 -50.8
Wood and cork products, furniture and fixtures 89.4 85.7 +3.7 +4.3
Paper and paper products, printing and publishing 2,157.5 1,914.1 +243.5 +12.7
Chemicals and chemical products 2,232.4 1,969.5 +262.9 +13.3
Products of petroleum and coal 6.6 3.6 +3.0 +81.8
Rubber products 22.3 27.2 -4.9 -18.1
Plastic products 1,281.9 1,255.4 +26.5 +2.1
Non-metallic mineral products, except products of petroleum and coal 128.3 178.3 -49.9 -28.0
Basic metals and fabricated metal products 2,606.0 2,312.3 +293.8 +12.7
Machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components 9,974.9 8,254.7 +1,720.2 +20.8
Consumer electrical and electronic products 7,577.9 8,144.2 -566.3 -7.0
Transport equipment 23.6 4.6 +19.0 +410.1
Professional and optical equipment 4,068.1 3,831.6 +236.5 +6.2
Other manufacturing industries 3,413.9 3,517.4 -103.5 -2.9
Total 56,563.8 53,499.0 +3,064.9 +5.7
Notes: 1. Individual entries of a column may not add up exactly to the corresponding total due to rounding. All percentage changes are calculated from unrounded figures.
2. The statistics presented in the above table are derived by re-grouping the merchandise export items (except gold and specie) under the external trade classification system according to the industries in which these items are normally produced. As from 1992, the Standard International Trade Classification Revision 3 (SITC R3) has been adopted in place of the Revision 2 (SITC R2) for the classification of trade statistics. The above statistics may not be strictly comparable with those published for earlier years due to the change in trade classification.
General Economic Surveys Section, Census & Statistics Department, Hong Kong.
Tel.: 2805 6642
August 1995
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
7
Events for public on anniversary of Liberation of HK ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
The following list of events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong are opened to the general public:
August 22.-10,15 am
Fleet Veterans’ Parade
City Hall, Edinburgh Place
August 27 - 6,30 pm
Service of Thanksgiving
St John’s Cathedral, Central
August 28-10,15 am
Liberation Parade
Cenotaph, Central
August 29_-3 JO.pm
Service of Remembrance
Stanley Cemetery
August 31 ■ 10 am
Service of Remembrance
Sai Wan Cemetery, Chai Wan
September 1 - 10.50 am
Service of Remembrance
Sham Shui Po Prisoner of War Memorial
September 2 - 3.30 pm
Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) March Past at Convention Centre, Wan Chai
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
8
Second year of Use Less Plastic Bags Campaign
*****
The year-long Use Less Plastic Bags Campaign has attained a satisfactory result with majority of the participating retail outlets achieving a noticeable level of reduction in their use of plastic bags during 1994-95.
To commend the participants for their outstanding achievements in reducing plastic bag consumption and to launch the second year campaign, a prize-presentation cum launching ceremony will be held on Saturday (August 19) at the Dragon Centre.
Four awards will be presented to the participants at the ceremony, i.e. the ‘best reduction’ award, the ’distinctive retail outlet’ award, the ’action plan' award as well as the ’best reduction idea’ award.
To launch the second year campaign, publicity tapes featuring local celebrities’ appeal to use fewer plastic bags will be produced for broadcast in the participating retail outlets.
A double decker bus carrying a catchy campaign slogan will also be used to attract more attention on the roads.
Attending the ceremony will be the acting Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Rob Law; the Vice-Chairman of Retail Management Association, Mr Philip Ma; and the Chief Executive of Consumer Council, Mrs Pamela Chan.
Attention News Editors:
You are invited to cover the prize-presentation cum launching ceremony of the Use Less Plastic Bags Campaign 95-96 which will be held at 12.30 pm on Saturday (August 19) on Level One of Dragon Centre, 37K Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
9
Release of S6 central allocation results *****
Current school year Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) students who applied for S6 central allocation are reminded to check their application results at the five registration centres tomorrow (Friday).
The results will be displayed from 9 am tomorrow at the same centre where students have applied for central allocation.
A total of 2,704 S5 students with minimum S6 entry requirements have applied for the 237 places left over under the central allocation after the first four stages in the S6 admission procedure.
The spokesman said successful candidates should take their allocation slips to their chosen schools for registration before 3.30 pm tomorrow.
He reiterated that a place was allocated on the basis of the applicants’ HKCEE results, choice of school, match of streams and subjects, and requirements set by the schools.
The spokesman said if students were still unable to secure a place after the completion of Stage V, they might be able to get one at the beginning of the new school year in September because some successful students might decide not to take up their places by that time.
A list of schools with S6 places will be displayed and updated weekly at all district education offices throughout September.
Students should apply to these schools directly but will be admitted at the schools’ discretion.
Attention News Editors:
Principal Education Officer, Mr Ng Kwok-chuen, will brief the media on the results of the S6 central allocation tomorrow (Friday).
Media representatives covering the briefing are requested to assemble at 3 pm tomorrow at the Information and Public Relations Section of Education Department, Room 1645 Wu Chung House, Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
10
Grading of beach water quality
*****
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) announced the latest gradings of Hong Kong's beaches, based on the bacteriological water quality.
The purpose of the grading system is to inform swimmers and the general public about the state of bacteriological pollution at various beaches.
The grading will be announced biweekly during the bathing season to coincide with the frequency at which beach waters are usually sampled.
The grading is based on the most recent data obtained by EPD in its routine monitoring programme.
It gives an estimate on the risk of contracting some minor skin or gastrointestinal illnesses resulted from swimming at a beach with some degree of pollution.
The estimate is based on a large scale epidemiological study carried out in Hong Kong in the past bathing seasons.
The grading of some beaches fluctuates during the summer. In most cases, this represents a natural fluctuation in the bacteriological quality of bathing waters as rain and tides bring more or less pollution to the beaches.
Beaches with highly developed hinterlands are likely to be more polluted than the grades suggested during and after heavy rain.
Principal Environmental Protection Officer, Dr Daniel Lau, said: "Bathers should avoid swimming at such beaches for two to three days after a storm, or even longer if the weather remains overcast, shorter if there is strong sunshine."
However, the biweekly grades give a general picture of the most recent water quality at bathing beaches at the time of reporting and form the best available forecast for the immediate future
The system for grading beach water quality is as follows:
Grade "1" indicates that the water quality is good. The E coli count is no more than 24 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected risk of minor illness to swimmers is undetectable.
11
Grade "2” indicates that the water quality is fair. The E coli count is no more than 180 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is no more than 10 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
Grade ”3” indicates that the water quality is poor. The E coli count is no more than 610 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is no more than 15 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
Grade "4” indicates that the water quality is very poor. The E coli count is more than 610 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is more than 15 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
The decision whether or not to close a beach to swimmers is based on a judgement of what degree of pollution is acceptable.
Normally, the closure of a beach would only be considered by the Urban or Regional Council if a grade "4" occurred repeatedly, so that the average health risk over the bathing season exceeded 15 cases per 1,000 swimmers.
At present four gazetted beaches, namely Anglers’, Castle Peak, Old Cafeteria, and Rocky Bay, are closed to swimmers. The decision to close the beaches has been made by the Regional and Urban Councils on the basis of beach water quality monitoring data for 1994. The public are advised not to swim at these beaches. They are identified by an "X” in the following list.
The grades of the bacteriological water quality of various beaches in Hong Kong today are listed below :
Beach Previous Grading (as at 3.8.95) Present Grading (as at 17.8.95)
Hong Kong South
Big Wave Bay 3 3
Chung Hom Kok 2 2
Deep Water Bay 3 3
Hairpin 2 3
Middle Bay 2 3
Repulse Bay 2 2
ShekO 2 3
South Bay 1 2
St Stephen's 2 2
Turtle Cove 2 3
Stanley Main 2 3
Rocky Bay X X
To Tei Wan* 2 2
12
Tuen Mun District
Golden Beach Old Cafeteria New Cafeteria
Castle Peak Kadoorie Butterfly
3
X
4
X
4
3
3 X
4 X
4
3
Sai Kung Districi
Campers 1
Clear Water Bay 1st Beach 2
Clear Water Bay 2nd Beach 2
Hap Mun Bay 1
Kiu Tsui 1
Pak Sha Chau 1
Silverstrand 3
Trio (Hebe Haven) 1
Islands District
Cheung Sha Upper 1
Cheung Sha Lower 3
Discovery Bay* 2
Hung Shing Yeh 1
Kwun Yam Wan 2
Tong Fuk 1
Lo So Shing 1
PuiO 2
Silvermine Bay 4
Tung Wan, Cheung Chau 2
Tung O* 2
1
3
2 1
1
1
3
1
1 4
2 2
2 2
2 3
4 1
2
13
Tsuen Wan District
Anglers' X X
Approach 4 4
Casam 4 4
Gemini 3 4
Hoi Mei Wan 4 3
Lido 4 4
Ting Kau 4 4
Tung Wan, Ma Wan 3 3
Note: "X" The beach has been closed for swimming purposes.
* Ungazetted beaches.
The following beaches have changed grading on this occasion:
Tung Wan of Cheung Chau from "2" to "1"; Hoi Mei Wan from "4" to "3"; South Bay, Hung Shing Yeh, Tong Fuk and Lo So Shing from "1" to "2"; Hairpin, Middle Bay, Shek O, Turtle Cove, Stanley Main, Clear Water Bay 1st Beach and Pui O from "2" to "3"; Cheung Sha Lower and Gemini from "3" to "4".
The changes are within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of these beaches. The general deterioration of beach water quality is probably due to the recent heavy rainfall which would have caused the pollutants in the beach hinterland to be flushed into the sea water.
Attention News Editors:
For further enquiries, please contact Dr Daniel Lau on 2755 2230 or 2755 1667.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
14
Hotline for information on first-aid *****
Starting from August 19, the Auxiliary Medical Services (AMS) will introduce a new service to celebrate its 45th anniversary. It will operate a 24-hour enquiry hotline to reinforce its pledge to ’’serve the community with humanitarian commitment."
The hotline - 2762 2033 - enables members of the public to obtain by phone the basic information about AMS including services provided, enrolment procedure, training and welfare.
More importantly, the service also provides the public with information about first-aid treatment for accident and emergency such as in cases of trauma and bleeding, asphyxia, unconsciousness, fracture, burns, scalds, head injuries, poisoning, shock and foreign bodies entering the human body.
Members of the public can choose to listen to the information in recorded verbal messages on the hotline or obtain the written information through a fax machine.
The enquiry hotline represents a major step taken by the AMS in serving the community as it provides a convenient channel for the public to learn about basic first aid and be prepared for times of emergency.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
Sham Shui Po Family Services Centre changes address
*****
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (Thursday) announces that the Sham Shui Po Family Services Centre (FSC) will move to a new office as from Saturday (August 19).
The new office is located on the sixth floor of Sui Sing Building. 202-204 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po.
Members of the public who have family-related problems may contact the Sham Shui Po FSC on telephone 2728 4228 or call the SWD’s hotline 2343 2255, a spokesman for the Department said.
End/Thursday. August 17. 1995
15
600 students for English-speaking camp * * * * *
Six hundred Secondary One students will have undergone a five-day English immersion experience at the Chinese University of Hong Kong when the English-speaking Summer Camps close tomorrow (Friday).
The camps are the first of a three-year language fund project to improve English proficiency among local students.
They are jointly organised by the English Section of the Education Department's Advisory Inspectorate and the Department of English of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The Camps provide a relaxed atmosphere for students to communicate with each other and organise activities, including mini-drama and country-park visits, in English.
The organisers are hoping to run a similar camp next year.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
Post offices close on Liberation Day holidays *****
The Postmaster General, Mr Mike Pagliari, announced today (Thursday) that all post offices will be closed during the forthcoming Liberation Day holidays from August 26 to 28.
A special mail delivery will be provided on August 26, but no delivery will be made on August 27 and 28.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
16
Fresh water cuts in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po * * ♦ ♦ ♦
Fresh water supply to some premises in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po will be temporarily suspended from 9 pm on Sunday (August 20) to 9 am the following day to facilitate water mains connection.
The suspension will affect the area bounded by Cherry Street, Argyle Street, Nathan Road, Boundary Street, Lai Chi Kok Road, Tonkin Street and the seafront.
Meanwhile, fresh water supply to the area bounded by Tonkin Street, Lai Chi Kok Road, Boundary Street, Mong Kok Station of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, Cornwall Street, Nam Cheong Street, Lung Cheung Road, Ching Cheung Road, Lai Wan Road and the seafront will be weakened.
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
S million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,394 0930 -78
Closing balance in the account 1,216 1000 -178
Change attributable to : 1100 -181
Money market activity -178 1200 -178
LAF today nil 1500 -178
1600 -178
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 122.1 *+0.0* 17.8.95
17
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.78 2 years 2708 6.06 99.83 6.25
1 month 5.76 3 years 3807 6.16 98.95 6.66
3 months 5.76 5 years 5006 6.60 97.47 7.36
6 months 12 months 5.79 5.87 5 years M501 7.90 100.98 7.79
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $16,147 million
Closed August 17, 1995
End/Thursday, August 17, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Friday, August 18,1995
Contents Page No,
HK delegation to visit China.............................................. 1
CSD’s Annual Review published............................................. 1
Statistics on trade involving outward processing in China................. 2
Joint operation to flush out illegal immigrants........................... 6
Roadworks for access to new airport depot proposed........................ 7
New public pier for Sha Kiu............................................... 8
Tenders invited for port development project.......................... 9
Tenders invited for dualling works on Sha Tau Kok Road................... 10
Tender for Kwun Tong pedestrian subway invited........................... 10
Cycle track for Tuen Mun................................................. 11
Tenders invited for two construction projects............................ 12
Sewage services exhibition moves to Tuen Mun............................. 13
Salt water supply to Chai Wan area resumes............................... 14
Fresh water cut in North Point........................................... 14
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations..................... 15
1
HK. delegation to visit China
*****
The Secretary for Financial Services (Designate), Mr Rafael Hui, will be visiting Beijing and Qingdao from August 21 to 28, a government spokesman announced today (Friday).
He will be accompanied by six other Hong Kong government officials.
This is one in a series of China visits started in 1988 for the purpose of general familiarisation.
The last similar visit, which took place in May this year, was led by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
CSD's Annual Review published
*****
Correctional Services Department (CSD) has now published its 1994 Annual Review.
It contains a comprehensive description on the department's different penal programmes aim at the rehabilitation of offenders. These programmes seek to instil a sense of personal responsibility and self-respect in the offenders, so as to help them reintegrate into society as law abiding citizens successfully.
The Review also carries full-colour pictures and statistics of the work undertaken by the department last year.
In the foreword of the Review, the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Raymond Lai Ming-kee, said 1994 was a taxing and challenging year for the department.
He said the penal population continued to rise with an average occupancy rate of 119 per cent, noting that it was due to the problem of the imprisonment of illegal immigrants and those in breach of immigration regulations.
"Another trend that has been particularly worrying is that of female offenders, so much so that we had to open a new Correctional Institution for them in the former Chi Ma Wan Detention Centre (Upper Camp)," Mr Lai said.
2
The successful conversion of Chi Ma Wan Detention Centre (Upper Camp) into a medium security prison for female adult prisoners and Nei Kwu Chau Detention Centre into an annex for young drug addicts, have provided the department with some temporary relief to the overcrowding problem during 1994.
"The department will continue to look for ways to ease the current chronic overcrowding situation," he added.
The Review comprises seven chapters covering CSD's different job aspects and also gives an account of its work in 1994.
The Annual Review, while not for sale, is available for reference at public libraries.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
Statistics on trade involving outward processing in China ♦ * * * ♦
In the first quarter of 1995, 49% of Hong Kong’s total exports to China were for outward processing; the figure was 68% for domestic exports, and 45% for re-exports. On the other hand, 76% of Hong Kong's imports from China were related to outward processing, according to statistics released today (Friday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
Over the same period, 83% of Hong Kong’s re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China were produced through outward processing in China.
The corresponding proportions in the first quarter of 1994 were 43% for total exports to China, 69% for domestic exports to China, 39% for re-exports to China, 78% for imports from China and 80% for re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China.
To provide a better understanding of the nature and importance of outward processing in China initiated by Hong Kong firms, the Census and Statistics Department has been conducting a sample survey as from the third quarter of 1988 to distinguish Hong Kong’s exports to China into those which are for outward processing and those which are not.
3
The scope of the survey has been extended as from the first quarter of 1989 to segregate Hong Kong's imports from China into those which are related to outward processing and those which are not. Starting from the first quarter of 1991, the scope of the survey has further been extended to cover Hong Kong's re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China.
The results for the first quarter of 1995 are now available.
In value terms, $47,294 million of Hong Kong's total exports to China in the first quarter of 1995 were for outward processing, representing an increase of 35% over the first quarter of 1994. The value of domestic exports to China for outward processing increased by 10% to $9,045 million while the value of re-exports to China for outward processing grew by 43% to $38,249 million.
Over the same period of comparison, the value of imports from China related to outward processing increased by 21% to $87,734 million. On the other hand, $105,507 million of Hong Kong's re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China were produced through outward processing in China, representing an increase of 27%.
For the purpose of the survey, exports (domestic exports and re-exports) to China for outward processing refer to the exportation of raw materials or semimanufactures from or through Hong Kong to China for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
Imports from China related to outward processing refer to the importation of processed goods from China of which all or part of their raw materials or semimanufactures have been under contractual arrangement exported from or through Hong Kong to China for processing.
Re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China produced through outward processing in China refer to those re-exports of which all or part of their raw materials or semi-manufactures have been exported from or through Hong Kong to China for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
In interpreting the statistics, it should be noted that the value and proportion of imports from China and re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China involving outward processing in China refer to those of the entire goods instead of just the value added contributed by outward processing in China.
4
A sample of trade declarations in respect of Hong Kong's trade with China (domestic exports and re-exports to China, and imports from China) as well as Hong Kong's re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China is selected for enumeration to obtain the required information from the establishments concerned.
A spokesman for the Census and Statistics Department explained that under the internationally accepted system of recording trade flows, all movements of goods (except transhipments and goods-in-transit) across the border, whether for outward processing or not, are recorded as external trade. Thus the movements of goods associated with outward processing are correctly included in the regular trade statistics.
The findings of the survey, however, facilitate a more informed analysis of the nature of Hong Kong-China trade. In this respect, the survey results are a useful supplement to the regular trade statistics.
The above survey results will be included in the June 1995 issue of the "Hong Kong External Trade". This report will be on sale by the end of August at the Government Publications Sales Centre, Queensway Government Offices, Low Block, ground floor, 66 Queensway, and at the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai at $122 a copy.
Enquiries on the survey results may be directed to the Trade Surveys and Research Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2582 5037.
5
ESTIMATED VALUE AND PROPORTION OF TRADE INVOLVING OUTWARD
PROCESSING IN CHINA, .l$.T__QUART_ER_of_ 1995__________________________________
1st qtr. . 1995 (HKD Mn.) Percentage change over 1st qtr. 1994 (%)
Total trade value * :
Total exports to China 97,454 +20.2
Domestic exports to China 13,245 +10.8
Re-exports to China 84,209 +21.8
Imports from China 114,755 +23.6
Re-exports of China origin 126,432 +22.0
to all countries other than China
Estimated value involving outward processing in China :
Total exports to China 47,294 +34.9
Domestic exports to China 9,045 + 9.5
’ Re-exports to China 38,249 +42.7
Imports from China 87,734 +21.5
Re-exports of China origin 105,507 +27.4
to all countries other than China
Estimated proportion involving outward processing in China :
Total* exports to China Domestic exports to China Re-exports to China
Imports from China
Re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China
1st 1st
qtr. qtr.
1995 199.4
(%) (%)
48.5 43.2
68.3 69.1
45.4 38.8
76.5 77.8
83.4 79.9
* The value excludes commodities and transactions not classified according to kind.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
6
Joint operation to flush out illegal immigrants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A territory-wide operation against illegal immigration jointly mounted by the Police, Immigration Department and Labour Department has resulted in the arrests of 142 people.
The operation is part of the Government's continuous effort to flush out illegal immigrants.
The 96 people arrested by the Police have been referred to the Immigration Department and 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 oneself," he said.
The spokesman stressed that apart from continuous checks throughout the territory, there was no let-up in anti-illegal immigration efforts at the border.
"A high state of vigilance will continue to be maintained by the Police and the security forces both at the land and sea borders," he said.
During the joint operation, which began at 5 am yesterday (Thursday) and ended at 5 am today (Friday), the Police stepped up their identification spot checks in public places and carried out checks at suspicious locations throughout the territory.
As a result, a total of 20,822 persons, 1,852 vehicles and 544 vessels were stopped for identification checks.
During the operation, Immigration investigators visited 22 residential addresses and business establishments and arrested 46 suspected immigration offenders. Twelve local employers were invited to assist investigation.
Among the 46 arrestees, 35 were Two-way Permit holders, three were illegal immigrants, six were foreign domestic helpers, and the remaining two were imported workers from China.
All the Two-way Permit holders, imported workers and foreign domestic workers were arrested at their places of work. They were suspected to have taken up illegal or unapproved employment.
7
On the labour front, inspectors of the Labour Department visited 1,585 establishments to weed out any illegal immigrants who may be working there and to check that employers fulfil their legal obligation of keeping proper records of their employees.
A total of 4,365 employees had their proof of identity checked.
Fifteen 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.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
Roadworks for access to new airport depot proposed *****
The Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) plans to implement roadworks on North Lantau to provide access to the proposed MTRC Airport Railway Depot at Siu Ho Wan.
The roadworks are an interim arrangement prior to construction of the Tai Ho Wan interchange in the long term. The works are expected to commence in late October for completion in mid 1997.
The extent of the works is notified in the Gazette today (Friday).
The plan and scheme of the works may be seen by members of the public at the following locations:
* Central and Western District Office,
Public Enquiry Service Centre, ground floor, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road,
Central;
8
* District Lands Office/Islands, and District Office/Islands 19th and 20th floor, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central;
♦ District Office/Islands, Mui Wo Sub-office, ground floor, Mui Wo Government Offices, 2 Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island.
Any person who wishes to object to the above proposed roadworks may 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 October 17.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
New public pier for Sha Kiu
*****
The Government will construct a new public pier at Sha Kiu in Sai Kung following the demolition of an existing jetty in order to provide better berthing and landing facilities to the island.
The project has been proposed by Sai Kung District Office and forms part of the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy (RPIS) programme.
The work will be carried out within 2,240 square metres of foreshore and seabed in Leung Shuen Wan Hoi at Sha Kiu, beginning in mid-1996 for completion in about two years.
The extent of the area affected is notified in the Government Gazette today (Friday).
The notice and its related plan can be seen at the Lands Department’s Survey and Mapping Office, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road; and the Sai Kung District Office, ground floor, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung.
9
The plan can also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office.
Any person who considers his interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved will be affected may send a written claim of compensation to the Director of Lands on or before August 18, 1996.
He should state the sum of money which he is willing to accept in full and final settlement of his claim and should submit particulars to substantiate his claim.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
Tenders invited for port development project *****
The Civil Engineering Department is inviting tenders from prequalified tenderers for the construction of seawalls and reclamation under stage one of a port development project in area 137 of Tseung Kwan O.
Works comprise mainly the construction of 3,500 metres of seawalls and associated drainage outfalls, and the use of public dumping materials to reclaim about 57 hectares of land.
On completion, the project will provide land for the development of deep waterfront industry and the supporting port facilities in area 137 of Tseung Kwan O.
Construction is expected to commence in December for completion in about 27 months.
The works have been designed and construction will be supervised by the Development and Airport Division, Civil Engineering Office, Civil Engineering Department.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
10
Tenders invited for dualling works on Sha Tau Kok Road *****
The Highways Department is inviting tenders for the dualling of Sha Tau Kok Road from Lung Yeuk Tau to Ping Che Road.
The works include widening and re-construction of the about 2.6 km section of Sha Tau Kok Road from Lung Yeuk Tau to Ping Che Road junction from single two-lane to dual two-lane flexible carriageway with a roundabout each at Ma Liu Shui San Tsuen and Lau Shui Heung.
The project also includes construction of a footbridge near Ma Liu Shui San Tsuen; installation of noise barriers; associated drainage, street lighting, landscaping and watermain diversion; retaining walls and slope works, and other ancillary works.
It is expected that works will commence in November and take 30 months to complete.
Forms of tender and further particulars may be obtained from Chief Engineer/Major Works (New Territories), Highways Department, third floor, room 314, Ho Man Tin Government Offices, 88 Chung Hau Street, Kowloon. The contact telephone number is 2762 3594.
Tenders must be addressed to the chairman, Central Tender Board, and placed in the Government Secretariat tender box situated in the lift lobby on the lower ground floor of the Central Government Offices (East Wing), Lower Albert Road (at its junction with Garden Road), Hong Kong, before noon on Friday, September 8, 1995.
Late tenders will not be accepted.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
JG
Tender for Kwun Tong pedestrian subway invited
*****
The Highways Department is inviting tender for the construction of a pedestrian subway across Kwun Tong Road near Ting Fu Street.
The works include the construction of a pedestrian subway across Kwun Tong Road with covered ramps and stairs at both ends; reprovisioning of facilities in the adjacent Kwun Tong Road sitting out area and the adjacent carpark; and associated landscaping, road and drainage works.
11
The works are expected to commence in November for completion in about 20 months.
A notice on the tender invitation has been gazetted today (Friday).
Tender forms and particulars may be obtained from the Regional Highway Engineer/Kowloon, Highways Department. 13th floor. Room 1321, Nan Fung Commercial Centre, 19 Lam Lok Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon. The contact telephone number is 2707 7439.
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 (at its junction with Garden Road). Hong Kong, before noon on September 8 (Friday).
Late tenders will not be accepted.
Kowloon Region of Highways Department, which is responsible for the design of works, will supervise the construction.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
Cycle track for Tuen Mun *****
The Territory Development Department's New Territories West Development Office will construct a cycle track and a pedcstrian/cycle bridge in Tuen Mun in November.
As part of the continuing development programme for the Tuen Mun New Town, the four-metre-wide, 2,500-mctre-long cycle track will run along the western river bank of the Tuen Mun Nullah between Siu Hong Court and Pui To Road, while the six-metre-wide pedestrian/cycle bridge will be built across Pui to Road.
When completed after 18 months, the project will form a part of the Tuen Mun Cycle Track System and will improve the environment of the western side of the Tuen Mun Nullah.
A notice of tender invitation for construction of the cycle track and the pedestrian/cyclc bridge was gazetted today (Friday).
12
Tender forms and further particulars may be obtained from the office of the Consulting Engineers, Messrs Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick (Hong Kong) Limited, 38th floor, Metroplaza, Tower 1, 223 Hing Fong Road.’Kwai Fong, New Territories.
The tender closing date is noon on September 8.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
Tenders invited for two construction projects *****
The Architectural Services Department is inviting tenders for the construction of a district open space with a total site area of 41,300 square metres in Tseung Kwan O.
The open space will have a handball court/seven-a-side soccer pitch, a volleyball cum basketball court, a gatcball court, a roller skating rink, a children’s play area, a jogging trail with fitness stations, sitting-out and landscaped areas, a look-out tower as well as service and toilet buildings.
Meanwhile, tenders are also being called for the construction of a single-storey market and cooked food centre with a gross floor area of 3,062 square metres in Sha Tau Kok.
The two projects are expected to start in November for completion in a year.
Tender forms and further particulars can be obtained from the Architectural Services Department, 34th floor, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway.
Tender offers will close at noon on September 8.
' 0* •
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
13
Sewage services exhibition moves to Tuen Mun * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Drainage Services Department’s (DSD) roving exhibition on sewage services which had attracted large crowds at Ocean Terminal and Shun Tak Shopping Mall last week, will continue at Tucn Mun Town Plaza tomorrow (Saturday) and on Sunday.
Carrying the theme ’’Serving the Community”, the exhibition introduces the work of the various branches of DSD and the services provided by the department for the public, by mean of photographs, charts, diagrams, models and a video wall of 16 television sets.
Sewage treatment projects, such as Stage I of the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme, Sewerage Master Plan and the sewage charging scheme, will be on display.
Flood control projects undertaken by the department in the New Territories, including the Shenzhen River Regulation project, as well as the Land Drainage Ordinance, will also be featured at the exhibition.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to get a better idea of sewage collection and the operation of a typical sewage screening plant. They will also have a chance to win souvenirs by taking part in a stall game at the exhibition.
The exhibition will be opened to the public from 10 am to 7 pm. It will also be mounted at the following dates and venues:
Date
New Town Plaza Cityplaza Dragon Centre Metroplaza , Telford Gardens
September 9 and 10
September 16 and 17
September 23 and 24
September 30 and October 1
October 5 and 6
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
14
Salt water supply to Chai Wan area resumes *****
The Water Supplies Department announced today (Friday) that salt water supply to most of Chai Wan, Heng Fa Chuen and Siu Sai Wan has resumed following completion of repair work to a damaged salt-water main.
The interruption of the salt water supply to the area occurred since Sunday (August 13) due to the failure of the supply system caused by the landslide at Fei Tsui Road near the Chai Wan salt water service reservoir.
A spokesman for the Water Supplies Department pointed out that despite the general resumption of salt water supply to these places, three public housing estates, Hing Wah Estate, Fung Wah Estate and King Tsui Court would not be able to receive salt water until a new water main was laid in Fei Tsui Road to by-pass the landslip area.
The Water Supplies Department has, however, given permission to the Housing Department to use drinking water for flushing purposes temporarily. This needs some temporary works to be done and is being arranged by the Housing Department.
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
Fresh water cut in North Point *****
Fresh water supply to some premises in North Point will be temporarily suspended from 11 pm on Monday (August 21) to 6 am the following day to facilitate water mains leakage detection.
The affected areas include 163-333 King's Road, 226-308 Electric Road, 1-19A and 4-24 Java Road, 2-52 Wharf Road, Hei Wo Street, 7-9 Boat Street, Fuk Yuen Street, Power Street, Tin Chong Street. Yuet Yuen Street and 1-39A North Point Road.
End/Friday, August 18. 1995
15
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
Sjnillkm Time (hours) Cumulative change ^million)
Opening balance in the account 1,216 0930 -8
Closing balance in the account 1,192 1000 -8
Change attributable to : 1100 -8
Money market activity -8 1200 -8
LAF today -16 1500 -8
1600 -8
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 122.2 *+0.1* 18.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.73 2 years 2708 6.06 99.67 6.34
1 month 5.78 3 years 3807 6.16 98.74 6.75
3 months 5.80 5 years 5006 6.60 97.24 7.42
6 months 5.83 5 years M501 7.90 100.76 7.85
12 months 5.95
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $14,786 million
Closed August 18, 1995
End/Friday, August 18, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Saturday, August 19,1995
Contents Page No,
Re-settlement for Lei Yue Mun landslips victims............................ 1
Use Less Plastics Bags Campaign a success.................................. 2
HK. veterans commemorate VJ Day in London.................................. 3
Financial assistance for child care........................................ 4
Contractors must observe safety regulations................................ 5
Anti-rabies inoculation drive in fishing ports............................. 5
Two closure orders lifted.................................................. 7
Closure of Ma Tau Wai Registration of Persons Office....................... 7
Logo scheme for tourist guesthouses to be introduced....................... 8
Advanced computer system for registration of persons....................... 8
Firing practice scheduled on four days in September........................ 9
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations......................
10
1
Re-settlement for Lei Yue Mun landslips victims
*****
The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO), in conjunction with the Housing Department, has identified about 30 structures in the Lei Yue Mun Squatter Area as at immediate risk following an inspection of the reported landslips in the area.
Families living in these structures had moved out voluntarily and had been offering alternative accommodation by the Housing Department.
The situation is being closely monitored by the department and GEO.
A government spokesman said: "Families living in other structures in the Lei Yue Mun Squatter Area are not in immediate danger, but the potential risk may increase if heavy rain continue. They have been advised to move out temporarily in case of heavy rain."
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Department has opened temporary shelters for those who need them in Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin.
The department has also set up an inter-departmental co-ordination centre at the Kwun Tong District Office which is headed by the Deputy Director of Home Affairs, Miss Sandra Lee, to further assist affected residents. The Social Welfare Department will also be offering assistance to those taking shelters in these centres.
The Housing Department has opened a special centre at Hoi Ban School within the squatter area to facilitate registration and its staff have been visiting individual families with a view to expediting the process of registering for alternative accommodation.
The department has also set up an emergency hotline - 2761 5511 - to answer enquiries and to arrange transportation for affected families to temporary shelters.
Priority assistance will be given to the elderly and the disabled.
For general information on the latest developments, members of the public and media could contact the Kwun Tong District Office on 2341 6315 or 2342 3460.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
2
Use Less Plastic Bags Campaign a success *****
The "Use Less Plastic Bags Campaign" has attained a successful result a year after it was launched as about one third of the participating companies have achieved the target reduction of 10 per cent in their use of plastic bags during 1994-95.
Among these companies, two had scored the highest cutback rate of at least 30 per cent while most of the retailers took part in the drive had achieved a noticeable level of reduction in plastic bag consumption.
Jointly organised by the Environmental Protection Department, the Retail Management Association and the Consumer Council, the campaign demonstrated the collaborative effort of the retail industry, consumers and the Government in tackling the plastic bag problem.
It also showed it was a practical idea to get the plastic bag 'producer' to take up the responsibility to provide solutions for environmental problems and set a good example for other industries to follow.
The Use Less Plastic Bags Campaign Committee will carry the momentum of the drive into the second year by encouraging the participants to initiate their own ideas for cutting and controlling the use of plastic bags and to provide education for their staff.
The committee is hoping to achieve another 10 per cent reduction in plastic bag consumption in 1995-96.
Regular forums will be organised to disseminate creative and practical reduction ideas for the participating company's consideration in applying them to their own programmes.
A total of $114,000 has been granted from the Environment and Conservation Fund/Woo Wheelock Green Fund for the production of publicity tapes for broadcasting at some 800 major retail outlets throughout the territory to remind shoppers the need to protect the environment.
More than 20 versions of the tapes featuring such celebrities as top singers Andy Lau and Aaron Kwok will be produced for broadcast in the year to come in supermarkets, convenience and department stores.
A double decker bus carrying a catchy campaign slogan will run daily between Tin Shui Estate in the New Territories and the KCR Terminal Station in Kowloon to attract more public attention on the issue.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
3
I IK veterans commemorate VJ Day in London *****
Watched by Her Majesty the Queen, the Hong Kong delegation to the VJ Day Commemorations took part in a parade of veterans and serving military personnel in London today (Saturday).
The parade was held to mark the 50th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War.
Soldiers from Britain, the Dependent Territories, Commonwealth countries and countries whose forces fought for Britain marched past a dais where the Queen took the salute before they proceeded down the Mall watched by large crowds. On either side of the dais in VIP stands were High Commissioners and Chiefs of Defence Staff in full Ceremonial Day uniforms.
I
The Hong Kong Commissioner, Sir David Ford, who represented the territory as Chief of Defence Staff equivalent said: "This parade and other events organised to mark VJ day is of special significance to people all over the world, including those in Hong Kong who suffered and survived the occupation.
"It is appropriate that the Hong Kong contingent, including four veterans, should participate in these events in recognition of their service for the defence of Hong Kong and in memory of those who fought and died for Hong Kong." Earlier, the Hong Kong delegation along with other participants attended an open air service in Buckingham Palace.
This evening, the VIPs, the veterans, and the serving military contingent and their guests will view displays, flypasts and fireworks from various vantage points on the River Thames.
Tomorrow (Sunday), the veterans and Chiefs of Defence Staff will attend a lunch-time reception and a Beating Retreat Ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in London.
Earlier in the week, the Hong Kong Commissioner had hosted a reception to welcome the 1 O-strong Hong Kong delegation to London comprised the veterans Mr Arthur Gomes, Mr Lau Yam-choi, Mr Jack Edwards and Mr Raymond Mok Wah-chan; and serving military personnel Major Chu Cho-ming, WO1 (RSM) Yuen Chi-leung, Cpl Lee Chun-mou. Lt Ho Lai-san, Sgt Suen Wu-tiu and L Cpl Lee Poon-hoo.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
4
Financial assistance for child care * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Members of the public whose children arc enrolled in child care centres, including day creches and day nurseries, are invited to apply for financial assistance from the Social Welfare Department (SWD).
A department spokesman said today (Saturday) a child aged below six years at a child care centre will be qualified for fee assistance.
"Parents or guardians who wish to apply must demonstrate that they cannot afford the full cost of the fees charged.
"They must also prove that they are unable to provide adequate care for their children at home during the day, for reasons such as both parents have to work for a living, single-parent family or family with an aged or disabled member who needs special care," he said.
The spokesman explained that the amount of assistance payable is calculated with regard to the family's net income which is the difference between the family’s total income and the recognised rent.
"The maximum amount of assistance payable will be based on the fees charged in aided child care centres. For 1994 -95, the general maximum fee assistance level is set at $3,180 per month for day creches and $1,680 per month for day nurseries.
"Applications for the fee assistance scheme may be made throughout the year, but preferably be lodged three months before the date of the child's admission to a child care centre," the spokesman said.
However,. staff from SWD's social security field units will, from June to August, go to the child care centres to help needy parents process applications in batches.
To further publicise the scheme, the SWD has recently updated a leaflet entitled "Fee Assistance Scheme for Child Care Centres".
Copies of the leaflet can be obtained at child care centres, social security field units and district offices throughout the territory.
Interested persons who have enquiries about the fee assistance scheme can approach their respective social security field units or contact the Child Care Centre Advisory Inspectorate on 2836 3114.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
5
Contractors must observe safety regulations
*****
The Labour Department today (Sunday) warned contractors not to make light of safety precautions on construction sites.
"Failure to take necessary precautions may cause an industrial accident resulting in injuries or even fatalities," a spokesman for the department said.
Tai Hing (Engineers & Builders) Limited in Mong Kok was recently fined $80,000 at Western Magistracy for failing to take necessary precautions on a site resulting in the death of a worker. The fine was the highest ever imposed on a single conviction since the maximum fine for such offence was raised to $200,000.
The fatal accident happened in July last year in a construction site at Queen’s Road Central, where a 20-storey building was being demolished.
The deceased was in the lift shaft on the ground floor unfastening a bundle of metal bars when a falling object knocked off his safety helmet and struck him on the head.
Investigation showed that the contractor had not taken necessary precautions to prevent the deceased working there from being struck by falling materials or objects.
The spokesman said failure to take precautions on construction sites to protect the safety of workers was an offence under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations and the offender would be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 on conviction.
End/Saturday, August 19. 1995
Anti-rabies inoculation drive in fishing ports
*****
The Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) will launch a half-yearly dog inoculation drive in fishing ports over the next ten days for fishermen to have their dogs immunised against rabies.
Starting from Monday (August 21), AFD’s mobile dog inoculation teams will go to the territory’s fishing ports one by one and make boat-to-boat visits between 10 am and 4 pm daily. The inoculation programme is as follow:
6
Port
Date
Sha Tau Kok Sam Mun Chai Aberdeen Sai Kung Castle Peak Bay Shau Kei Wan Cheung Chau
21.8.95
22.8.95 -23.8.95
22.8.95 - 23.8.95
22.8.95 - 23.8.95
24.8.95 -25.8.95
24.8.95 - 25.8.95
29.8.95 - 30.8.95
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.
The department's Senior Veterinary Officer, Dr Liu Kwei-kin said that the drive was part of Government's continuing efforts to prevent the outbreak of rabies in Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong 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," Dr Liu said.
Nevertheless, he stressed that rabies was a deadly disease transmissible from animals to human. Dogs on fishing vessels arc particularly vulnerable because of their possible contacts with other animals outside I long Kong.
"It is therefore important that fishermen's dogs are inoculated against rabies especially when there are reports of recent rabies outbreaks in neighbouring areas," he added.
Under the Rabies Ordinance, all dogs over five month old are required to be licensed and inoculated against rabies. Failure to do so will render the owner liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.
End/Saturday, August 19. 1995
7
Two closure orders lifted *****
The Buildings Department has lifted two closure orders in respect of the buildings affected by recent landslips.
Lifted are the orders in respect of the upper floors of the Chai Wan Baptist Church and the three houses at 46 Island Road.
The ground and first floors of the church, however, remain closed for the time being.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
Closure of Ma Tau Wai Registration of Persons Office
*****
For better utilisation of resources, the Immigration Department today (Saturday) announced that the Registration of Persons Ma Tau Wai Office will be closed from August 29. After the closure, its existing workload will be redistributed as follows:
(a) New entrants from China
Registration of Hong Kong Identity Cards for new entrants from China holding One Way Permits will be dealt with at the Registration of Persons, Kowloon Office, Empire Centre, second floor, 68 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East.
(b) Resident. One Way Permit holders
Resident One Way Permit holders who require subsequent registration services (e.g. replacements due to loss, damage or change of residential status etc.) may approach any of the Registration of Persons Offices.
"To avoid queuing for an appointment tag, applicants are encouraged to make use of the Automated Telephone Appointment Booking System operating 24 hours. The telephone number is 2598 0888," the spokesman said.
For enquiry, members of the public may telephone 2824 6111 or use faxline 2877 7711.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
8
Logo scheme for tourist guesthouses to be introduced
*****
The Home Affairs Department will introduce a logo scheme for all licensed tourist guesthouses from September 1, a spokesman for the department said today (Saturday).
The spokesman said the scheme was aimed at enabling tourists to identify bona fide tourist guesthouses which arc licensed by the department's Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA).
The logo will be issued free of charge to operators of licensed tourist guesthouses when they collect their licences.
"Tourists will be able to tell from the logo whether the guesthouse in which they plan to stay has complied with the necessary building and fire safety requirements," said the spokesman.
He added that the logo was not transferable and must be surrendered on cancellation of the licence.
At present, there are a total of 373 licensed tourist guesthouses throughout the territory.
Under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, anyone who operates a guesthouse without a licence is liable to a fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
Advanced computer system for registration of persons
*****
The Immigration Department today (Saturday) announced the implementation of a more advanced computer system on August 29 to replace the existing Identity Card Information System. It is another new computer application to come on stream under the department's Information Systems Strategy.
"The format of Hong Kong identity cards will remain as at present under the new computer system. However, the manually prepared form issued to acknowledge an application for Hong Kong identity card will be replaced by a new style document. "This new document will be computer-printed bearing the holder's photograph and data," a spokesman for the Immigration Department said.
9
"The new document will also contain the digitised facsimile of the holder’s photograph to facilitate the establishment of the holder's identity and to prevent unlawful alteration.
"The new acknowledgement forms will be issued from August 29, 1995. The old style acknowledgement forms will continue to be acceptable as proof of identity within their validity," the spokesman added.
For enquiry, members of the public may telephone 2824 6111 or use faxline 2877 7711.
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
Firing practice scheduled on four days in September
*****
Firing practice will take place at the Ha Tsucn/Castle Peak Range on four days next month.
The public is advised not to enter the area when red Hags are hoisted.
Following are the dates and times for the firing practice:
Date Time
September 11 (Monday) September 14 (Thursday) September 18 (Monday) September 21 (Thursday) 8.30 am to 5 pm 8.30 am to 5 pm 8.30 am to 5 pm 8.30 am to 5 pm
End/Saturday, August 19, 1995
10
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million fimc (hours] Cumulative change ($ million)
Opening balance in the account 1,192 09:30 -15
Closing balance in the account 1,327 10:00 -15
Change attributable to: 11:00 -15
Money market activity -15 11:30 -15
LAF today + 150 15:00
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 122.1 *-0.1* 19.8.95
End/Saturday, August 19,1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Sunday, August 20,1995
Contents Eage No,
Delegation for textiles consultations with the US......................... 1
Owners reminded to heed electrical regulations............................ 3
Fleet Veterans' Parade................................................
New social hygiene clinic in Chai Wan.................................
Reservoir fishing season to begin next month.............................. 6
37 New building plans approved in June.................................... 7
Floating holiday reminder................................................. 8
Fresh water cuts in Sham Shui Po and Sai Kung............................. 8
Delegation for textiles consultations with the US *****
A Trade Department delegation, led by Assistant Director-General of Trade, Mr Stanley Ying, left today (Sunday) for consultations with the United States to be held on August 22 and 23 in Washington DC.
The consultations will cover three main issues:
* Firstly, the two sides will continue discussions on the US unilateral action to impose import control on Hong Kong’s textiles and clothing products.
* Secondly, the two sides will try to reach agreement on a set of arrangements necessary to the administration of US quantitative restraints on textiles and' clothing imports from Hong Kong, for notification to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) under the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC).
* Thirdly, Hong Kong will continue to demand the US to withdraw its call on Hong Kong’s Category 440 imports (woven wool shirts and blouses).
"A first round of consultations with the US was held in June when we asked the US to revoke its decision to place Hong Kong's textiles and clothing products under import control, or at least suspend implementation until a mutually satisfactory solution is reached," said Mr Ying prior to departure.
"We are still awaiting a formal response," he added.
It has been the established practice for the past three decades that Hong Kong’s textiles and clothing exports to the US are subject to export control by Hong Kong, as opposed to import control by the US.
One main difference between the two approaches is that under export control, Hong Kong’s export data is used for quota control and accounting purposes; whereas under import control US uses its import data.
Mr Ying said: "Implementation of import control could have adverse implications for the trade. The drastic change in itself could bring uncertainty and disruption.
2
"Another problem is that unilateral import control would mean another set of data, in addition to that maintained by Hong Kong. There could be discrepancies in data, and confusion and uncertainty to the trade.
"Our export control system is well established and widely accepted by traders and all of our major trading partners. It is our right to expect the continuation of the system," he said.
"We will therefore reiterate our position that the US unilateral move is unjustified, and will continue to endeavour to protect our rights and ensure that our trade will not be unduly disrupted.
"We will also try to reach agreement with the US on a set of administrative arrangements for the implementation of Article 2 of the ATC. When agreed, the set of administrative arrangements will be notified to the WTO Textiles Monitoring Body in Geneva."
Under the ATC, Members have to agree bilaterally on a set of administrative arrangements they deem necessary for the implementation of provisions on quantitative restrictions in Article 2 of the ATC. Such arrangements reached by Members have to be notified to the Textiles Monitoring Body established under the ATC.
Mr Ying said: "Our position on US call on our Category 440 is simple. We think the call is unjustifiable both in principle because it contravenes the relevant provisions in the ACT, and in practice because the facts show that our very limited imports cannot have caused any damage to the US industry."
"We will therefore repeat our demand for the call to be revoked," he added.
In 1994. Hong Kong’s Category 440 exports to the US was 5,046 dozens or 2.3 per cent of the total US market.
End/Sunday, August 20, 1995
- 3 -
Owners reminded to heed electrical regulations *****
A spokesman for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (Sunday) reminded owners of high voltage fixed electrical installation to have their installation inspected, tested and certified at least once every 12 months. He also urged the owners to submit a Periodic Test Certificate to EMSD for endorsement within two weeks after the date of the certification for their installation.
’’Owners who fail to do so may be prosecuted and arc liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 for each offence,” the spokesman said.
The warning follows 15 successful prosecutions between June and August for violation of the Electricity Ordinance.
The offences included violation of regulation 20(1 )(c) and 20(5) of the Electricity (Wiring) Regulation under the Electricity Ordinance.
All the defendants had pleaded guilty and the fines imposed on them by the courts ranged from $1,000 to $4,000.
Regulation 20(1 )(c) of the Electricity (Wiring) Regulation specifies that an owner of a fixed electrical installation with a high voltage should have the installation inspected, tested and certified at least once every 12 months.
A Periodic Test Certificate, known as Form WR2 as specified by EMSD, should also be prepared to certify the periodic test.
According to Regulation 20(5), the owner should send the certificate to the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services for endorsement within two weeks after the date of certification.
Meanwhile, the spokesman reiterated that under the Electricity Ordinance, only registered electrical contractors and electrical workers are allowed to undertake electrical work.
He stressed that unregistered contractors or workers undertaking electrical work are liable to prosecution.
’’Four contractors who have not registered with EMSD were prosecuted in June and July for undertaking seven electrical jobs.
4
’’All the defendants pleaded guilty and were fined $2,000 to $15,000,” the spokesman said.
The offence committed by the unregistered contractors carries a maximum fine of $50,000 on first conviction, and $100,000 on a subsequent conviction for the same offence, in addition to imprisonment for six months.
End/Sunday, August 20. 1995
Fleet Veterans’ Parade ♦ * * * ♦
Over 100 Royal Navy veterans, many of whom served in Admiral Harcourt’s Task Force which effected the re-establishment of British Sovereignty in Hong Kong on August 30, 1945. are back in the Territory to take part in the Fleet Veterans’ Parade, at Edinburgh Place, Central, on Tuesday (August 22).
The parade is the first event of the 12-day commemorative programme to mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong and honours the veterans of the British Pacific and East Indies Fleets, some of whom saw service with Admiral Harcourt in his flagship, the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable.
Attending the parade will be the acting Governor. Mrs Anson Chan, who will take the salute, and the Senior Naval officer I long Kong. Captain Peter Melson.
Men from HMS Tamar, who will form a 24-man guard and colour escort, will parade alongside two 18-man unarmed platoons provided by personnel from HM Ships Peacock, Plover and Starling, the three ships of the Hong Kong Squadron. Also in attendance will be the British Army’s Queen’s Division Minden Band, who have flown out from their UK base at Colchester, to take part in the commemorations.
HMS Plover, moored in Victoria Harbour, will fire two salutes, one to mark the beginning and one to mark the end of the two minutes silence after which a service of remembrance will be conducted by the Senior Chaplain to the Missions to Seamen in Hong Kong, Peter Ellis.
5
After the parade a short wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph followed by a reception at City Hall for the Fleet Veterans, hosted by Mrs Anson Chan.
Attention News Editors:
Media representatives covering this event should report to the press registration area at the Main Entrance of the Prince of Wales Barracks, Central, by 9.30 am where members of JSPRS will be on hand to register all members of the press and issue passes to them.
All press members should ensure they are in possession of a pass otherwise their entrance to the parade area will be denied.
End/Sunday, August 20, 1995
New social hygiene clinic in Chai Wan *****
The Department of Health announced today (Sunday) that the new Chai Wan Social Hygiene Clinic would begin to operate on August 25 (Friday).
A spokesman for the department said the new clinic would provide services to dermatology patients and those seeking treatment on sexually transmitted diseases.
He said: ’’The clinic is located on the LG 5, Polyclinic, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, at No 3 Lok Man Street, Chai Wan. The registration hours of clinic are from 9 am to 12 noon between Monday and Saturday and from 2 pm to 4 pm between Monday and Friday.
”On the other hand, three part-time dermatology clinics, namely Shaukiwan Dermatology Clinic, Anne Black Dermatology Clinic and Tang Chi Ngong Dermatology Clinic, will be reprovisioned to the Chai Wan Social Hygiene Clinic on August 28, September 4 and September 18 respectively." he said.
He added that dermatology patients seeking follow-up consultations could book an appointment through the central booking hotline on 2517 1015 or 2517 1042.
End/Sunday, August 20, 1995
6
Reservoir fishing season to begin next month * * * ♦ ♦
Anglers wishing to indulge their hobby in local reservoirs during the coming fishing season may apply for a licence from the Water Supplies Department, starting tomorrow (Monday), before the next season begins on September 1.
Those who wish to apply can call at the customer enquiry centre on the first floor of Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai.
Applications can also be made at the ground floor office of the department's mainland depot at the junction of Sai Yee Street and Argyle Street in Mong Kok, customer enquiry centres on the second floor of Ngau Tau Kok Government Offices at 21, On Wah Street, and on the ground floor of Perfect Mount Gardens in Po Man Street, Shau Kei Wan.
Applicants will be required to produce their identity cards and pay a licence fee of $22. A licence would normally be issued immediately upon submission of the application.
Applications can also be made by post to the department's headquarters at Immigration Tower, giving the applicant's name, address, photocopy of his identity card, together with a crossed cheque for $22 payable to the "Hong Kong Government". A licence will then be sent to the applicant by ordinary mail. A licence will not be issued to people under the age of 13.
Anglers have to observe certain rules while fishing in reservoirs. They should not use a net or tools other than rod and line.
Explosives and toxic substances are prohibited. The use of a boat, dinghy or raft is also banned.
End/Sunday, August 20. 1995
- 7 -
37 New building plans approved in June
*****
The Buildings Department had approved a total of 37 building plans in June -18 for Hong Kong Island, 11 for Kowloon and eight for the New Territories.
The approved plans include 10 for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, 11 for commercial development and four for factory and industrial developments.
In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 36 building projects, involving 28,029.4 square metres of usable domestic floor area and 117,440.1 square metres of usable non-domestic floor area. The department had also issued 28 Occupation Permits in June - nine for I long Kong Island, nine for Kowloon and 10 for the New Territories.
Of the buildings certified for occupation in the month, usuable floor areas for domestic and non-domcstic uses are 24,550.2 square metres and 104,014.4 square metres respectively.
The declared cost of new buildings completed in the month amounting to about $1,368 million.
In addition, 15 demolition consents involving 35 buildings were issued.
The Buildings Department's Control and Enforcement Division had received 757 complaints of unauthorised building works, and issued 125 removal orders on unauthorised works.
End/Sunday, August 20, 1995
8
Floating holiday reminder
*****
The Labour Department today (Sunday) reminds employers that the second floating holiday of this year falls on August 28, the last Monday of the month.
Under the Employment Ordinance, all employees shall be granted their second floating holiday on this date if the employer has not fixed a date for that holiday or if the employee has not requested it to be added to his paid annual leave. In addition, an employee is entitled to be paid for that holiday if he has worked for his employer continuously for three months preceding the holiday.
Holiday pay should be equivalent to an employee's earnings on a full working day and should include basic wages as well as allowances that can be expressed in money terms such as meals and cost of living allowances.
Where the earnings vary from day to day, holiday pay should be the average daily earnings during every complete wage period, which could be between 28 and 31 days, preceding the holiday.
If an employee is required to work on a statutory holiday, he must be given an alternative day off within 60 days before or a Iler that day.
Enquiries about statutory holidays may be made at the Labour Department's General Enquiry Telephone Service on 2717 1771.
End/Sunday, August 20, 1995
Fresh water cuts in Sham Shui Po and Sai Kung *****
Fresh water supply to some premises in Sham Shui Po and Sai Kung will be temporarily suspended from 11 pm on Wednesday (August 23) and Thursday (August 24) respectively to 6 am the following day to facilitate water mains leakage detection.
The suspension will affect all the premises at Cheung Sha Wan Road, Camp Street, Fuk Wing Street, Pratas Street. Po On Road. Shun Ning Road and Kiu Kiang Street.
9
In Sai Kung, the affected areas will include all the premises at Hiram's Highway between Luk Mei Tsuen and Kau Sai San Tsuen, including Pak Wai, Sam Fai Tin and Pak Sha Wan.
End/Sunday, August 20, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Monday, August 21,1995
Contents Page
Inter-departmental group reviews LYM landslips situation............... 1
Chief Secretary to visit China and USA................................. 2
Consumer Price Indices for July 1995 .................................. 4
Value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand in June 1995 .............. 11
Numbering change for paging services.................................. 13
No clinic service on Saturday......................................... 14
Fresh water cut in Tuen Mun........................................... I4
Water storage figure.................................................. I4
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
15
1
Inter-departmental group reviews LYM landslips situation
*****
An inter-departmental group headed by the Deputy Director of Home Affairs, Ms Sandra Lee, met today (Monday) to review the situation at Lei Yue Mun Squatter Area where landslips following the passage of Severe Tropical Storm Helen have caused concern about the safety of residents living there.
Ms Lee stressed that on advice of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO), there was no need at this stage to evict compulsorily residents from their structures. She pointed out that families from about 30 structures which were in immediate danger had already moved out voluntarily.
However, for safety reasons, residents in the area where their structures are assessed to be vulnerable to landslips by the GEO are strongly advised to leave their huts temporarily in times of heavy rain and to take up rehousing offer made by the Housing Department.
"Although we very much like them to take up the offer for safety reasons, the final decision still rests with the residents so long as their structures are not in immediate risk," said Ms Lee.
As the slopes behind the Lei Yue Mun Squatter Area are high and almost vertical, GEO is of the opinion that it is impossible to carry out any landslip preventive work without first removing a large number of structures below.
Moreover, the scale of the work is so large that it would be neither practical nor meaningful for the Government to consider reconstructing these structures upon completion of the remedial work.
Meanwhile, 270 families had already registered with the Housing Department. Registration is continuing on site and rehousing eligibility criteria will be fully assessed with a view to making offers to those residents who wish to move out. Priority in rehousing will be given to the disabled and the elderly.
End/Monday, August 21, 1995
2
Chief Secretary to visit China and USA *****
The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, will be making two overseas visits in her private capacity in the next few weeks.
At the invitation of the Office of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Anhui Province, Mrs Chan will make a private visit to Hefei in Anhui between August 25 and 27 to attend the premiere of the television series "Fang Zhen-wu".
General Fang was the grandfather of Mrs Chan. The TV series was produced by the Anhui Television to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the victory of China over Japan's invasion during World War II. General Fang was a war hero and the invitation was extended to Mrs Chan and her family in recognition of the contribution made by her grandfather during the war.
While in Anhui, Mrs Chan and her family will also visit on the Fang Zhen-wu Technical School.
On September 5, the Chief Secretary will depart Hong Kong for Massachusetts, USA, to receive an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters awarded to her by the Tufts University in recognition of her distinguished public service career and the important role she plays in the smooth transition of Hong Kong from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
The degree presentation ceremony will be held on September 7 at Tufts University's Medford campus.
Following the ceremony, Mrs Chan will deliver a lecture on "Hong Kong: A Historic Challenge" and meet with students of the University and faculty members as well as leaders of the Boston community. A similar ceremony will be held in Hong Kong on September 22.
On both occasions, Mrs Chan will be travelling in her private capacity and be accompanied by members of her family.
Note to Editors:
Tufts University's press release on the award is attached.
3
The following is a press release to be issued by Tufts University later today (Monday) announcing the award of the honorary doctorate to Mrs Anson Chan:
Tufts to Honour Hong Kong's First Chinese, First Woman Chief Secretary with Honorary Degree
Medford, Mass - When she became the Chief Secretary, the second in command of Hong Kong's government, Mrs Anson Chan broke a 150-year old tradition where all previous incumbents had been British. She also plays a key role in securing for Hong Kong a smooth and successful transition from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
To recognise Mrs Chan's public service career of many distinctive firsts - first woman director of a government department, first female head of a policy branch and first Chinese and first woman Chief Secretary, the Tufts University is awarding her an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters on September 7 (Thursday) at 3.30 pm in Ballou Hall on Tufts' campus. Mrs Chan will deliver a lecture at 4.30 pm in Cabot Auditorium.
Tufts will repeat the honorary degree award ceremony in Hong Kong on September 22.
"We chose to honour Mrs Chan not only for her distinguished achievements and the unique role she plays in the history of Hong Kong during the transition, but also for her dedication to the public service, a value we promote as an integral part of Tufts education," Tufts President John DiBiaggio said.
"1 chose the civil service as a life-long career because I enjoy the challenges and believe in what I am doing," Mrs Chan once said.
"I derive a good deal of satisfaction from participating in decision making which have long term implications for the Hong Kong community."
"It is particularly exciting to be part of an administration that is preparing for a historic transition whilst at the same time coping with to the demands of an increasingly open and affluent community," she added.
Mrs Chan joined the Hong Kong Government in 1962. She has held many important positions in the Administration dealing with finance, economic services, commerce and industry and social services.
4
In 1987, she became the Secretary for Economic Services, a Cabinet level post which gave her responsibility for overseeing the development of Hong Kong’s physical infrastructure, including ambitious port and airport facilities, the liberalisation of Hong Kong's telecommunications market, tourism and energy.
She was appointed Chief Secretary in November 1993. She advises the Governor on matters of policy, deputises him during his absence and heads the 190,000-member civil service.
Apart from excelling in her career, Mrs Chan had also contributed significantly towards achieving equality in pay and conditions of service for female civil servants in the 1970s.
End/Monday, August 21,1995
Consumer Price Indices for July 1995 *****
The year-on-year rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (A) moderated further to 8.5% in July 1995 from 9.6% in April, 9.1% in May and 8.9% in June. This is shown in the latest Consumer Price Indices released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
The rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (B) also moderated to 9.2% in July 1995 from 9.6% in June. On the other hand, due to the effect of a different weighting pattern from the other two indices, the rate of increase in the Hang Seng CPI, at 10.1% in July, was faster than the corresponding increase of 9.7% in June.
The Composite CPI, which is compiled based on the combined expenditure pattern of all households, showed a slightly slower year-on-year increase of 9.2% in July, against 9.4% in June.
Commenting on the CPI figures, a government spokesman pointed out that consumer price inflation in terms of the CPI(A) has been on a moderating trend for three consecutive months. The continued moderation in July was mainly due to slower increases in the prices of food, including vegetables, fresh fruit, salt-water fish and meals bought away from home, as well as the prices of clothing, durable goods, transport and various consumer services.
5
Comparing July 1995 with July 1994, relatively faster price increases than the overall average were recorded for housing (12.8% in the CPI(A), 14.2% in the CP1(B) and 13.6% in the Composite CPI); miscellaneous services (11.3%, 10.8% and 10.5%); clothing and footwear (8.8%, 9.2% and 11.4%); and miscellaneous goods (8.7%, 7.5% and 7.9%).
On the other hand, relatively slower price increases than the overall average were recorded for durable goods (3.9% in both the CPI(A) and CPI(B) and 4.0% in the Composite CPI); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (4.7%, 5.3% and 5.1%); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (6.8%, 6.3% and 6.6%); meals bought away from home (7.0%, 6.9% and 7.1%); transport (7.2%, 7.5% and 7.2%); and fuel and light (8.2%, 8.5% and 8.1%).
Comparing July 1995 with June 1995, both the CPI(A) and CPI(B) increased by 0.3%. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 0.2%.
Taking the first seven months together, the increases in the CPI(A) and CPI(B) averaged at 9.2% and 9.8% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.6%.
For the three months ended July 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 8.8% and 9.4% respectively over a year earlier. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.3%.
For the 12 months ended July 1995, the CPI(A) and CPI(B) were, on average, higher by 9.0% and 9.6% respectively than in the preceding 12-month period. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 9.5%.
Seasonally adjusted series are also available for the CPIs. The deseasonalised CPI(A) and CPI(B) both increased at an average rate of 0.5% per month during the three months ended July 1995. The corresponding increase for the Composite CPI was 0.6%.
Further details are shown in Tables 1-2 and Charts 1-4.
More details are given in the ’’Consumer Price Index Report” for July 1995, which is available at $23 per copy from the Government Publications Centre, Queensway Government Offices, Low Block, ground floor. 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; or from the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
6
For local and overseas mailings, contact should be made with the Information Services Department, 28th floor, Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
For enquiries about the indices, please call the Consumer Price Index Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 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.
7
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for July 1995
Caipcnent (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 ■ 100) Owoeite CPI
CPI (A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI
Index for Jul 95 % change over Jul 94 Index for Jul 95 . % change over Jul 94 Index for Jul 95 % change over Jul 94 Index for Jul 95 % change over Jul 94
Food 151.7 *6.0 153.4 +6.3 155.6 +7.1 153.1 +6.3
Meals bought away from heme 163.1 +7.0 162.5 +6.9 163.2 +7.7 162.9 +7.1
Food, excluding meals bought away from heme 140.3 +4.7 140.9 +5.3 142.6 +5.8 140.9 +5.1
Housing 185.7 +12.8 190.5 +14.2 197.2 +13.6 191.1 +13.6
Fuel and light 134.6 +8.2 134.2 +8.5 132.8 +7.0 134.1 +8.1
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 199.2 +6.8 188.5 +6.3 183.8 +6.3 193.3 +6.6
Clothing and footwear 149.2 +8.8 152.0 +9.2 166.4 +15.8 156.2 +11.4
Durable goods 117.1 +3.9 116.4 +3.9 121.9 +4.1 118.3 +4.0
Miscellaneous goods 141.8 +8.7 137.3 +7.5 135.2 +7.4 138.4 +7.9
Transport 160.2 +7.2 159.3 +7.5 157.2 +6.8 159.0 +7.2
Miscellaneous services 174.0 +11.3 168.1 +10.8 155.8 +9.0 166.2 +10.5
All items 159.8 +8.5 161.5 +9.2 165.7 +10.1 161.9 +9.2
Monthly consumer price indices are ccnpiled on the basis of (a) expenditure patterns of relevant households and (b) prices collected currently in the month. Ihe expenditure patterns underlying the 1989/90-based consumer price indices are based on those patterns derived f ran the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI (A) is based on the expenditure pattern of abcut 50% of households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of $2,500-$9,999 in 1989/90(broadly equivalent to $3,900-$16,000 at 1995 prices). The CPI(B) is based cn the expenditure pattern of the next 30% of households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-817,499 in 1989/90(broadly equivalent to $16,000-328,500 at 1995 prices). The Hang Seng CPI is based cn the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of households, which bad an average monthly expenditure of $17,500-$37,499 in 1989/90(broadly equivalent to $28,500-$61,000 at 1995 prices).
Whereas the CPI (A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Carposite CPI is ccnpiled based cn the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Thus, while the CPI (A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI show the inpact of consumer price changes cn different groups of households, the Carposite CPI shows the inpact of consumer price changes on the household sector generally.
8
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices for July 1992 - July 1995
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPI(A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI Conposite CPI
1992 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
1994 January 140.0 140.7 143.4 141.1
February 142.7 142.9 144.9 143.3
March 142.5 143.0 145.3 143.4
April 143.8 144.8 147.9 145.2
May 145.0 146.1 150.0 146.7
June 146.2 146.9 151.0 147.7
July 147.3 147.9 150.5 148.3
August 149.6 149.6 151.7 150.1
September 150.3 150.8 153.4 151.3
October 151.1 152.2 155.3 152.6
November 151.4 153.1 157.3 153.5
December 153.0 154.3 158.1 154.8
1995 January 154.1 155.3 158.2 155.6
February 155.4 156.6 159.0 156.7
March 156.1 157.4 159.7 157.5
April 157.6 159.2 162.3 159.4
May . 158.1 159.9 164.2 160.4
June 159.2 161.1 165.6 161.6
July 159.8 161.5 165.7 161.9
9
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
10
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
End/Monday, Auqust 21, 1995
11
Value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand in June 1995 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand for local production in June 1995 increased by 8% over a year earlier, according to the provisional results of a monthly survey released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
Comparing June 1995 with June 1994, significant increases in the value of outstanding orders were recorded in the electronic products industry (+22%), the electrical products industry (+22%) and the printing & publishing industry (+18%). A moderate increase in the value of orders was also recorded in the wearing apparel industry (+4%).
On the other hand, a significant decrease in the value of orders was registered in the fabricated metal products industry (-19%). Decreases in the value of orders were also recorded in the plastic products industry (-13%) and the textiles industry (-7%).
Compared with May 1995, and bearing in mind that this comparison may be affected by seasonal factors, the value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand in June 1995 decreased by 3%.
The Monthly Survey of Orders-on-hand covers a sample of some 300 manufacturing firms engaging 50 or more workers.
Manufacturers’ orders-on-hand refer to orders and parts of orders received earlier by manufacturers for local production which remain unfilled as at the end of the reference month. Orders received by traders not engaged in production are included if such orders are further placed to manufacturers for production locally. However, orders placed to manufacturing firms for production in China and other places outside Hong Kong are not included in this series of orders-on-hand statistics.
A spokesman of the department pointed out that caution should be exercised in interpreting the manufacturers' orders-on-hand figures in a single month. Instead, the trend movement of the series as displayed over a wider span of time points should be looked at.
The survey report for June 1995, at $6 a copy, is now available for sale at the Government Publications Centre, Quecnsway Government Offices, Low Block, ground floor, Queensway, and at the Census and Statistics Department Publications Unit, 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.
12
Enquiries about the survey results may be made to the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 6441.
The following table shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the value of orders-on-hand in different manufacturing industries.
Percentage changes in the value of orders-on-hand in
May 1995 over May 1994 (Revised) June 1995 over June 1994 (Provisional)
All industries covered in the survey +7 +8
* Wearing apparel +2 +4
* Textiles -12 -7
* Electronic products +28 +22
* Electrical products + 17 +22
* Fabricated metal products -14 -19
* Plastic products -20 -13
* Printing and publishing + 13 + 18
End/Monday, August 21, 1995
13
Numbering change for paging services ♦ * * * *
A spokesman for the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (Monday) reminded the public that from October 1 all paging numbers in Hong Kong would be changed from the existing 7-digit and 9-digit numbers to the new uniform 8-digit with a prefix '7*.
"If you are using 7-digit operator-assisted paging service number, simply insert a prefix digit '7' in front of the existing number. If you are using 9-digit automatic or secretarial paging service number, replace the first two digits ’ll’ or T3' by the digit ’7’.
"For a few exceptional cases, you will also need to change the third and/or the fourth digits of your existing number. Your paging service operator will inform you of the detailed numbering change in the near future," said the spokesman.
"From October 1, 1995, to November 30, 1995, there will be two months of ’dual access' period allowing calls to be put through if the old numbers are still dialled. From December 1, 1995, to January 31, 1996, callers who dial the old numbers within these two months will receive a recorded announcement advising them to use the new numbers.
"However, users should accustom themselves quickly to using the 8-digit numbers because the 'dual access' and recorded announcement period will end on January 31, 1996."
Any enquiries on the paging numbering change can be directed to OFTA on 2961 6650 or OFTA's Bulletin Board Service on 2834 0119 as well as to the customer service and enquiry hotlines of the relevant paging operators.
End/Monday, August 21, 1995
14
No clinic service on Saturday ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Department of Health today (Monday) announced that there would be no holiday out-patient clinic service on August 26 (Saturday), which is a public holiday.
However, eight general out-patient holiday clinics will be open from 9 am to 1 pm on August 27 (Sunday) and August 28 (Monday).
They are the Violet Peel Health Centre and Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Clinic on Hong Kong Island; the Kwun Tong Jockey Club Health Centre, Robert Black Health Centre and Yaumatei Jockey Club Clinic in Kowloon; and the Lady Trench Polyclinic, Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club Clinic and Yuen Long Jockey Club Health Centre in the New Territories.
All other general out-patient and evening clinics will be closed during the three days of holiday.
End/Monday, August 21, 1995
Fresh water cut in Tuen Mun
*****
Fresh water supply to the water selling kiosk near Wu Chui Road in Tuen Mun will be temporarily suspended from 9 am to 5 pm tomorrow (Tuesday) to facilitate water mains connection.
End/Monday, August 21, 1995
Water storage figure *****
•.... , »
Storage in Hong Kong's reservoirs at 9 am today (Monday) stood at 92.7 per cent of capacity or 543.467 million cubic metres.
This time last year the reservoirs contained 559.027 million cubic metres of water, representing 95.4 per cent of capacity.
End/Monday, August 21, 1995
15
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,327 0930 -113
Closing balance in the account 1,078 1000 -113
Change attributable to : 1100 -124
Money market activity -124 1200 -124
LAF today -125 1500 -124
1600 -124
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 121.9 *-0.2* 21.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.75 2 years 2708 6.06 99.73 6.34
1 month 5.76 3 years 3807 6.16 98.85 6.70
3 months 5.78 5 years 5006 6.60 97.43 7.37
6 months 12 months 5.82 5.93 5 years M501 7.90 100.79 7.84
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $8,472 million
Closed August 21, 1995
End/Monday, August 21, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Tuesday, August 22,1995
Contents Page Nth
More CCTV cameras to enhance traffic surveillance.......................... 1
Good momentum on Airport Core Programme.................................... 2
Analysis of Hong Kong's re-export trade statistics....................
Parents support Target Oriented Curriculum............................
Contractors to be tried for unauthorised piling works...................... 8
Considerate Contractors Site Award....................................
Long Service Insignia awarded to immigration officers..................... 10
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results........................... 11
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations...................... 12
1
More CCTV cameras to enhance traffic surveillance * * * * *
The Transport Department today (Tuesday) awarded a $48-million contract to beef up the Kowloon Area Traffic control closed-circuited television (CCTV) system to improve traffic management.
The contract is for civil, electrical and mechanical works of the enhanced system. It forms a part of the department’s programme to further improve on traffic surveillance in Kowloon.
The project calls for the installation of 40 new cameras at various strategic locations in Kowloon and the replacement of the existing 26 cameras to assist in the monitoring of traffic conditions.
Existing monitoring equipment at Transport Department's Kowloon Area Traffic Control Centre in Yau Ma Tei and at the Police's Kowloon Regional Command and Control Centre in Kowloon City will also be renewed.
The contract was signed by the Assistant Commissioner for Transport (Technical Services and Planning), Mr Lee Shu-chee, and a representative of the contractor, Philips Hong Kong Ltd.
A spokesman for the Transport Department said: "With these facilities, our staff and the Police will be able to centrally monitor the traffic conditions, adjust traffic signal timings and respond quickly to traffic incidents to minimise traffic congestion."
The existing cameras and monitoring equipment had been used for 13 years since they were installed.
Works under this contract will start this month for completion in early 1997.
End/Tuesday, August 22. 1995
2
Good momentum on Airport Core Programme
*****
Good momentum is being maintained on the Airport Core Programme (ACP) with the seven government projects well on target for completion by mid-1997, the Director of the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, Mr Billy Lam, said today (Tuesday).
Speaking at a lunch meeting of the Friends of Hong Kong Association. Mr Lam also said work at the new airport site and on the airport railway was making very good progress towards the target of having both operational in 1998.
"Hong Kong can look forward to having a world-class international airport, with speedy and efficient road and rail links," said Mr Lam.
He said the number of major contracts awarded under the ACP had now reached a total of 147, valued at $90 billion.
Stringent monitoring of both the progress and the cost of the ACP would ensure the programme was completed within the total cost estimate of $158.2 billion.
Mr Lam assured his audience that the Government was paying careful attention to labour and environmental matters related to the ACP.
While foreign labour had to be imported for work on the projects, contractors must demonstrate that they had made a genuine effort to recruit local workers before approval for importing workers could be given.
"A number of measures have been put in place by the Government to ensure local workers have priority in getting work in the ACP projects." he said.
Mr Lam also said the Government took various measures to promote a safety culture among contractors and workers engaged on the ACP.
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
3
Analysis of Hong Kong's re-export trade statistics *****
Re-exports accounted for 83% of the value of total exports and 39% of the total value of external trade of Hong Kong in the first half of 1995. In the same period of 1994, the corresponding shares were 81% and 39% respectively.
These figures, affirming the growing importance of re-export trade, are among the detailed re-export statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department today (Tuesday).
China remained the largest partner for Hong Kong's re-export trade. Of the total $515.2 billion of re-exports going through Hong Kong in the first half of 1995, 88% or $454.4 billion involved China in either direction.
As a source, re-exports originating in China accounted for 56% of Hong Kong's re-export value in the first half of 1995. As a destination, China's share was 36%.
It is noted that much of the re-export trade involving China is related to outward processing, as raw materials and semi-manufactured goods are exported to China for processing, with the final products subsequently returned to Hong Kong, and re-exported to the major overseas markets.
Other main origins of Hong Kong's re-exports in the first half of 1995 included Japan (accounting for 12%), Taiwan (8.0%), the United States (5.1%) and South Korea (3.5%).
The main destinations in the first half of 1995, besides China, included the United States (accounting for 20%), Japan (5.8%), Germany (4.0%) and the United Kingdom (2.6%).
Table 1 shows the changes in the value of re-exports from the ten main origins in the first half of 1995 compared with the same period in 1994.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, increases of various magnitudes were recorded in the value of re-exports from most main origins: Malaysia (+65%), Italy (+43%), Singapore (+42%), South Korea (+39%), the United States (+26%), Taiwan (+21%), China (+20%), Japan (+9.4%) and the United Kingdom (+7.0%). However, a decrease of 14% was recorded in the value of reexports from Germany.
4
Of the value of re-exports originating in China in the first half of 1995, 34% went to the United States, 8.6% to Japan and 6.8% to Germany.
For goods of Japan origin, 72% of the value of re-exports through Hong Kong in the first half of 1995 went to China, 4.7% to the United States and 3.6% to South Korea. For re-exports originating in Taiwan, an overwhelming proportion (93% of the value in the first half of 1995) went to China.
As regards re-exports originating in the United States, 69% of the value in the first half of 1995 were shipped to China, 4.0% to Taiwan and 3.1% to South Korea.
Table 2 shows the changes in the value of re-exports to the ten main destinations.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, increases of various magnitudes were recorded in the value of re-exports to all main destinations: Singapore (+34%), Japan (+28%), Taiwan (+25%), France (+25%), the Netherlands (+23%). China (+22%), the United States (+16%), South Korea (+13%), the United Kingdom (+11%) and Germany (+6.9%).
•
Analysed by commodity, significant increases in the value of re-exports to China were recorded for textiles (by 6.8 billion or 27%); plastics in primary forms (by $5.6 billion or 63%); and electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by 4.1 billion or 38%).
However, decreases in the value of re-exports to China were recorded for road vehicles (by $9.3 billion or 66%); and machinery specialised for particular industries (by $643 million or 10%).
As regards re-exports to the United States, significant increases in value were recorded for miscellaneous manufactured articles consisting mainly of baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods (by $3.7 billion or 18%); electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $2.5 billion or 36%); and office machines and automatic data processing machines (by $ 1.7 billion or 42%).
However, decreases in the value of re-exports to the United States were recorded for clothing (by $171 million or 1.6%); and chemical materials and products (by $76 million or 27%).
♦
Detailed statistics of Hong Kong's re-export trade are published in the June 1995 issue of the "Hong Kong External Trade" report which will be on sale at $122 per copy around August 22.
5
The report can be purchased at cither (i) the Government Publications Sales Centre on the ground floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; or (ii) the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department on the 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.
Enquiries regarding subscription to this report may be directed to the Publications (Sales) Office, 28th Floor, Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Tel 2598 8194) and enquiries on trade statistics to the Census and Statistics Department (Tel 2582 4915).
6
TABLE 1 RE-EXPORTS FROM THE TEN MAIN ORIGINS
ORIGIN JAN-JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 1994 (HKD Mn.) YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
(HKD Mn.) (% CHANGE)
CHINA 286,902 238,602 + 48,299 + 20.2
JAPAN 63,803 58,302 + 5,501 + 9.4
TAIWAN 40,930 33,883 + 7,047 + 20.8
UNITED STATES 26,155 20,684 + 5,472 + 26.5
SOUTH KOREA 17,953 12,920 + 5,034 + 39.0
SINGAPORE 10,101 7,124 + 2,977 + 41.8
GERMANY 6,891 8,009 - 1,118 - 14.0
MALAYSIA 6,486 3,925 + 2,561 + 65.3
ITALY 4,997 3,492 + 1,505 + 43.1
UNITED KINGDOM 4,933 4,610 + 322 + 7.0
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAIN DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION JAN-JUN 1995 (HKD Mn.) JAN-JUN 1994 (HKD Mn.) YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
(HKD Mn.) (% CHANGE)
CHINA 184,527 151,283 + 33,244 + 22.0
UNITED STATES 104,799 90,104 + 14,695 + 16.3
JAPAN 29,918 23,363 + 6,555 + 28.1
GERMANY 20,697 19,366 + 1,331 + 6.9
UNITED KINGDOM 13,627 12,229 + 1,398 + 11.4
TAIWAN 13,384 10,712 + 2,672 + 24.9
SINGAPORE 12,058 8,999 + 3,058 + 34.0
SOUTH KOREA 9,287 8,194 + 1,094 + 13.3
FRANCE 7,880 6,322 + 1,559 + 24.7
NETHERLANDS 7,726 6,280 + 1,446 + 23.0
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
7
Parents support Target Oriented Curriculum *****
There is a lot of support from parents for the introduction of the Target Oriented Curriculum (TOC) in Hong Kong as indicated in a recent survey, a spokesman for the Education Department said today (Tuesday).
He said: "In the recent survey among parents, some 80 per cent of the respondents agreed that TOC should be implemented and indicated that they would send their children to primary one (Pl) at schools practising TOC in the 1996-7 school year.
”In real number, this represents 5,270 children, in contrast to 4,807 found in the last survey on 1995 Primary One admission. Another 18 per cent have a neutral stand."
The respondents were parents of Lower kindergarten pupils or the four-to-five-age group and who had attended briefing sessions on TOC in the last two months. Their children will enter Primary One in September next year.
The overwhelming support from parents of prospective Pl pupils was gauged through the TOC briefing sessions which were conducted by 142 kindergartens and child care centres at the request of the Education Department.
The spokesman added that as a number of other kindergartens and child care centres had already informed the department that they planned to hold similar briefing sessions early next month, it was believed that demand for Pl places at TOC schools in September 1996 would further increase.
The survey conducted at the end of the TOC Co-operative Scheme in 1994-95 also provided very encouraging data as at the end of the TOC Try-out Scheme in 1993-94. Over 95 per cent of the participating schools said pupils' motivation in learning had improved and were more responsive and active when participating in learning activities.
Furthermore, there was greater co-operation among teachers and their professionalism had been enhanced.
8
"The positive effects of TOC on both teaching and learning have thus been verified by practising schools over two consecutive years, after implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Implementation of TOC," the spokesman said.
"The positive effects have also been verified by actual observations during school visits. This shows that TOC could be carried out successfully if the principal and the staff of a school have the will," he added.
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
Contractors to be tried for unauthorised piling works
***** I
The Buildings Department is to prosecute the contractors and building professionals of a construction project at 127-133 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong, for carrying out works in contravention of the Buildings Ordinance.
They are alleged to have undertaken piling works without the approval and consent of the Building Authority.
The department’s Assistant Director (Legal and Management), Mr Cheng Wei-dart, said it was of general concern that all involved in building works should comply with this legal requirement which aimed at protecting public safety.
The hearing is scheduled for September 15 at the Western Magistracy. The defendants are the authorised person. Mr Bernard Hui Man-bock: the registered structural engineer. Mr Peter Brotherton; the resident engineer. Mr David Oliver Bell; the project manager, Mr Siu Kai-chiu; and Franki Contractors Ltd.
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
9
Considerate Contractors Site Award *****
The Government has launched a scheme to encourage public work contractors to work responsibly and to improve their construction environment.
Awards will be presented to contractors who have a considerate attitude towards the public and neighbours by providing a safe and healthy environment on site and the adjoining area.
The pilot phase of the scheme has started in April and awards are expected to be presented in September.
Placards are placed outside 28 constructions sites throughout the territory to indicate that the contractors are participating in the scheme.
Telephone hotlines are shown on the placards for the public to enquire about the scheme and to lodge complaints.
Participants are judged on whether the sites are safe, under good management and are being considerate to neighbours and passers-by.
Attention News Editors:
The Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, tomorrow (Wednesday) will unveil a placard to launch the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme at a construction site of the West Kowloon Corridor Yau Ma Tei Section Phase II.
You are invited to the cover the event at 10 am tomorrow at the site at the junction of Ferry Street and Waterloo Road. Signs showing the way to the site will be put up along Waterloo Road and Ferry Street, Yau Ma Tei, and a map showing the location of the site will be boxed.
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
10
Long Service Insignia awarded to immigration officers *****
A total of 57 members of the Immigration Service were awarded the long service insignia. To mark the occasion, a presentation ceremony was held today (Tuesday) at the Immigration Headquarters officiated by the acting Director of Immigration, Mr Christopher Lee Ka-keung.
Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Lam Tung-kan, and five others were awarded the second clasps to their medals for their 30 years of dedicated service.
First clasps, signifying 25 years of service, were presented to Principal Immigration Officer, Mr Wong Tat-po, and 23 others.
Another 27 officers, including one Chief Immigration Officer, six Senior Immigration Officers, 13 Immigration Officers, two Assistant Immigration Officers, four Chief Immigration Assistants and one Senior Immigration Assistant, had received the Hong Kong Disciplined Services Medals.
At the presentation ceremony, Mr Lee said the award of the Hong Kong Disciplined Services Medal was to honour those who had rendered long and meritorious service as members of the Immigration Service in Hong Kong. He also congratulated all recipients and thanked them for their many years of loyalty and dedication to the Immigration Service.
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
- 11 -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results *****
Tender date 22 AUG 95
Paper on offer EF bills
Issue number Q534
Amount applied HK$4,820 MN t
Amount allotted HKS1.500MN
Average yield accepted 5.76 PCT
Highest yield accepted 5.76 PCT
Pro rata ratio About 58 PCT
Average tender yield 5.77 PCT Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Tenders to be held in the week beginning 29 AUG, 1995 'f
Tender date 29 AUG 95 29 AUG 95
Paper on offer EF bills EF bills
Issue number Q535 H572
Issue date 30 AUG 95 30 AUG 95
Maturity date 29 NOV 95 28 FEB 96
Tenor 91 days 182 days
Amount on offer HK$ 1,500+300 MN HKS800+160MN
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
- 12 -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations *****
? ■y., • { < 1 $ million Time (hours) Cumulative change ($million)
Opening balance in the account 1,078 0930 +128 1
Closing balance in the account 851 1000 +128
Change attributable to : 1100 +130
Money market activity +118 1200 +130
LAF today -345 1500 +130
1600 +118
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 121.9 *+0.0* 22.8.95
. '■ ,!.k
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes , («.
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.74 2 years 2708 6.06 99.80 6.26
1 month 5.76 3 years 3807 6.16 98.99 6.65
3 months 5.77 5 years 5006 6.60 97.71 7.30
6 months 5.82 5 years M501 7.90 100.99 l 779
12 months 5.90
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $7,482 million
•rm
Closed August 22, 1995
End/Tuesday, August 22, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Wednesday, August 23,1995
Contents Page No,
Monitoring of power companies’ performance.............................. 1
Food surveillance results for the 2nd quarter........................... 2
Residential Mortgage Survey results for July............................ 3
Wessex helicopters lead fly-past rehearsal.............................. 9
Speedpost to British Colombia may be delayed............................ 9
Exhibition on Target Oriented Curriculum............................... 10
HK students to compete in Olympiad Mathematics Contest.............. 11
Welfare payment arrangements for public holidays....................... 12
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations................... 12
1
Monitoring of power companies’ performance *****
In response to press enquiries on a complaint made by Miss Christine Loh to the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints (COMAC) today (Wednesday), a spokesman for the Economic Services Branch (ESB) explained that the branch is responsible for policies on electricity supply and the monitoring of the performance of the power companies in accordance with the Scheme of Control Agreements between the Government and the companies.
’’The Secretary' for Economic Services is of the view that the Schemes of Control have been properly administered and welcomes any investigation by COMAC if considered necessary by the Commissioner,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman noted that Miss Loh's complaint was principally concerned with government policies rather than any specific administrative actions taken by ESb. He said ESB would consider the detailed points on policies made by Miss Loh and would respond to them fully in due course.
"The basic principles behind the government policies in implementing the Schemes of Control are to ensure that a continuous and reliable supply of electricity is available to support the rapidly increasing economic and social development of Hong Kong and that the services are supplied efficiently and at reasonable prices,” added the spokesman.
"Power companies must plan ahead to meet future demands as it takes a long time (typically about seven years) to plan and build a power plant.
"We agree that there is a need to increase efficiency in power generation and use but we must also ensure that other important factors such as sufficient capacity to meet future demand and high reliability in power supply are taken into account in determining our energy supply policies.
"ESB is also pursuing ways of improving efficiency in power generation and use, including the undertaking of pilot energy saving projects by the power companies,” the spokesman said.
2
With regard to investments made by power companies, the spokesman explained that all major projects proposed by the power companies are scrutinised by ESB. with the support of various government departments and specialist consultants, to ensure that any new power plant proposed is necessary and justifiable taking into account financial, efficiency, environmental and other considerations.
"The Schemes of Control have served consumers well. We have few brownouts and electricity charges are among the lowest in the south east Asia region. As a matter of fact, electricity charges in Hong Kong have been kept well below inflation in the past 10 years. This amounts to a total reduction of charges in real terms of over 40% since 1985." remarked the spokesman.
End/Wednesday, August 23, 1995
I
Food surveillance results for the 2nd quarter *****
The Department of Health today (Wednesday) announced the results of its regular food surveillance programme for the second quarter of 1995.
A total of 9,103 samples were collected for chemical, bacteriological and radioactivity tests during the period.
The programme is conducted by the department's Hygiene Division to monitor that food supplied to the community is wholesome, unadulterated and properly labelled.
Of the 6,050 samples for chemical analyses, 5,998 were satisfactory while 52 tests (0.9%) yielded unsatisfactory results.
The unsatisfactory cases were mainly due to food containing non-permitted or excessive food additives like preservatives and colouring matters. About one-third of the cases involved vegetable samples with prohibited pesticides.
As for the 2,824 samples for bacteriological examinations. 157 samples (5.6%) gave unsatisfactory results.
The unsatisfactory samples were mainly frozen confections, shellfish and fish. Of the unsatisfactory frozen confection samples, the majority was soft ice-cream giving excessive bacterial/coliform count.
3
To follow up, advisory letters have been sent to the licensee/nominated managers of frozen confection factories reminding them of the proper hygiene to be observed when preparing soft ice-cream.
All the 229 samples for radioactive examination were found to be within acceptable level.
During the same period, the department had received 51 reports of food poisoning cases. While the number of cases had decreased from 65 during the corresponding period last year, the number of people affected had increased from 261 to 446, mainly due to two outbreaks affecting 207 persons.
Investigations showed that 23 cases happened in domestic setting while 25 cases took place in food premises. The remaining 3 cases were from other sources.
More than half of the food poisoning cases were due to bacterial contamination. The public are reminded to observe strict personal and environmental hygiene when preparing foods, particularly in the summer months.
The number of food poisoning cases due to pesticide contaminated vegetables had decreased from 15 in the second quarter last year to four this year.
End/Wednesday, August 23, 1995
Residential Mortgage Survey results for July *****
The growth of residential mortgage loans for the purchase of properties in Hong Kong further slowed in July, according to the results of the latest monthly survey conducted by the Hong Kong Monetary' Authority (HKMA).
The latest figures show that the total amount of outstanding mortgage lending by the 33 institutions in the survey grew by 1.1% in July (1.6% in June) to $258.4 billion. This is slightly higher than the monthly average of 1% over the last 12 months.
The annualised rate of growth in lending over the last three months decreased to 22.6%, compared with 28.6% in the three-month period to June. The 12-month average of outstanding loans showed an annualised growth rate of 12.2%, compared with 11.5% in June.
4
"The easing of the growth rate in July reflects the more subdued state of the property market and is in line with our expectations," said the Deputy Chief Executive (Banking) of HK.MA, Mr David Carse.
The amount of new loans approved but not yet drawn increased slightly by $0.02 billion (0.4%) to $5.3 billion in July.
"This suggests that residential mortgage loans will continue to grow at a moderate rate in August." said Mr Carse.
Lending for the purchase of properties in China increased by 1.7% to $4.92 billion in July. Gross loans made in July increased both in number (to 175 from 109) and in amount (to $153 million from $68 million). New loans approved in July also rose both in number (to 270 from 204) and in amount (to $229 million from $144 million).
5
Residential Mortgage Loans in Hong Kong Results of Survey for July 1995
33 authorised institutions Jul 1995 HK$ Mn Jun 1995 HK$ Mn
1. Outstanding lending
a. Amount b. Monthly change c. Twelve-month change d. Average change (annualized) Latest three months Latest twelve months 2. Gross loans made during month a. Amount b. Number 3. New loans approved during month a. Amount b. Number 4. New loans approved during month but not yet drawn a. Amount b. Number 258,439 255,627 1.1% 1.6% ** 12.0% 11.3% ** 22.6% 28.6% ** 12.2% 11.5% ** 7,602 8,787 5953 6237 7,798 7,766 5997 5756 5,301 5,280 3916 4010
Note : ** Adjusted for the effect of sale and purchase of residential mortgage loans by some institutions amounting to a net HK$0.2 billion.
6
Billion
Chart A
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN HONG KONG (33 institutions)
Outstanding balance at end of month
270;--------------------------------------------:
260
250-
2401-
230-i
220-
210-
200 r I
i90r
180l-^—।—T—.—T— ------------------------.—•-----
Dec 921 Jun 1 Dec 1 Jun ! Dec Juri
Mar 93 Sep Mar 94 Sep Mar 95 Jul
Remarks The significant fall of outstanding balance in December 1994 was due to the effect of reclassification, securitization and sale of loans by some institutions.
Monthly growth rate
A2
3—month and 12 —month moving average growth rate on annualised basis
o 3-month + 12-monlh
A3
7
Chart B
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS IN HONG KONG (33 institutions)
GROSS LOANS MADE DURING THE MONTH
Thousand Billion
Amount
B1
Number of accounts
B2
8
Chart C
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS iN HONG KONG (33 institutions)
NEW LOANS APPROVED BUT NOT YET DRAWN
Thousand Billion
Amount
C1
Number of accounts
C2
End/Wednesday, August 23, 1995
9
Wessex helicopters lead fly-past rehearsal *****
Three Wessex helicopters from No 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, Royal Air Force Sek Kong, will lead Government Flying Service aircraft through Victoria Harbour tomorrow (Thursday) on a rehearsal of the fly-past which will take place during the Liberation Parade next Monday (August 28).
The aircraft, which includes one S-70A Blackhawk helicopter, two S-76 helicopters and one T67M Slingsby fixed-wing aircraft, arc due to pass through the harbour from west to east between 10.30 am and 11 am and will be flying at a height of 500 feet.
Attention News Editors:
The fly-past will be visible from both sides of the harbour and will take place between 10.30 am and 11 am.
You should note that during the Liberation Parade next Monday, the fly-past over Victoria Harbour will not be visible from the press positions at the Cenotaph. Tomorrow's rehearsal may. therefore, provide a good opportunity for photographers and television crews to film the aircraft prior to the main event.
End/Wednesday. August 23. 1995
Speedpost to British Colombia may be delayed
* * * * *
The Postmaster General, Mr Mike Pagliari, today (Wednesday) announced that due to the work stoppage by employees of Purolator Courier Ltd, Speedpost items addressed to the province of British Colombia in Canada may be subject to delay.
A further announcement will be made as and when the service returns to normal.
End/Wednesday, August 23, 1995
10
Exhibition on Target Oriented Curriculum *****
The Education Department has arranged an exhibition of teaching resources and learning materials on Target Oriented Curriculum (TOC) for primary school teachers who are practising, or switching to, the new curriculum.
On display will be teaching resources from the TOC Co-operative scheme as well as TOC learning materials. The exhibition will be staged at 19 Hok Yuen Street, Hung Hom, from August 25 to September 2.
An Education Department spokesman encouraged school heads and teachers, particularly those who have not tried out TOC in their schools and have not had a chance to look at TOC learning materials produced by publishers, to visit the exhibition.
Meanwhile, the spokesman asked supervisors of primary schools to notify the department on or before September 4 whether they intend to implement TOC at primary one in their schools in the 1996-97 school year, or whether they have any problems which require the department’s assistance.
He stressed that the returns were necessary for the department to prepare a list for the parents to inform them which schools would adopt TOC in the 1996-97 school year. The list must be available when application forms for discretionary places in the 1996 Primary One Admission exercise are issued from September 11.
The spokesman pointed out: "TOC is a significant curriculum reform. Its framework covers learning targets, contents, strategies and assessment. Its positive effect in motivating students towards better response and participation in classroom and promoting co-operation among teachers have been demonstrated in voluntary tryout scheme over the past two consecutive years.
"It is our belief that the earlier pupils are exposed to TOC. the sooner they can benefit from the learning experience.
"TOC will be practised at all primary levels in the subjects of Chinese. English and Mathematics by September 2000 and, as a necessary part of the reform, the system of allocation of secondary school places will be TOC-based when the majority of pupils learning through TOC reach the end of their primary education in 2001.
"We trust that school supervisors and heads will make their decision on the basis of the greatest benefits of their pupils." he said.
11
"As early as March 1995. parents of prospective Primary One pupils asked for the TOC school lists so that they could choose IOC practising schools for their children.
"In a recent survey among parents of prospective Primary One pupils for 1996 admission, some 80 per cent of them indicated that they would send their children to primary one at schools practising TOC in the 1996-97 school year." the spokesman added.
End/Wednesday, August 23, 1995
I IK students to compete in Olympiad Mathematics Contest *****
Five primary school students will represent I long Kong in the International Primary School Mathematics Olympiad 1995 Asia Contest to be held in Tokyo between August 25 and 29.
The five mathematics geniuses are Choi Kwan-ho. I ang Kwan-hang, Chan Yee-shun. Chan chi-hin and Liu Wai-wai.
At a flag presentation ceremony at the Education Department Headquarters, the Assistant Director of Education (Curriculum Development Institute). Dr Leung Yat-ming, wished the I long Kong delegation success in the contest.
The acting Chairman of Po Leung Kuk which sponsored the participation. Mr J P Lee, hoped the event would strengthen academic exchanges among participating countries and help develop the mathematics potential of Hong Kong students.
The Hong Kong delegation was selected from 1.000 applicants from Hong Kong schools. They will compete with their counterparts from Japan. China. Taiwan and South Korea.
End/Wednesday. August 23. 1995
12
Welfare payment arrangements for public holidays * * * ♦ ♦
Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance under the bank payment system may receive their payments on Friday (August 25) if their pay-days fall on the coming public holidays (August 26 to 28).
A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department said today (Wednesday) that special payment arrangements would also be made for recipients of Social Security Allowance whose pay-days fell on August 26 to 28.
Those who have bank accounts in Hong Kong Bank or Hang Seng Bank will receive their payments on Friday (August 25) whereas those with accounts in other banks will receive their payments next Tuesday (August 29).
In case of doubt, recipients are advised to contact their respective social security field units.
End/ Wednesday. August 23. 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations *****
-$ million Time (hours.) Cumulative change (Smillion.)
Opening balance in the account 851 0930 +355
Closing balance in the account 1197 1000 +349
Change attributable to : 1100 +349
Money market activity +351 1200 +351
LAF today -5 1500 +351
1600 +351
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 122.0 *+0.1* 23.8.95
13
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.73 2 years 2708 6.06 99.73 6.30
1 month 5.76 3 years 3807 6.16 98.82 6.72
3 months 5.77 5 years 5006 6.60 97.49 7.35
6 months 5.83 5 years M501 7.90 100.70 7.87
12 months 5.91
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $19,702 million
Closed August 23, 1995
End/Wednesday, August 23, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Thursday, August 24,1995
Contents Page No.
Stoppage of work on Tuen Mun Road............................................ 1
Appointments of senior government officials.................................. 1
More signatories join Community Charter on AIDS.............................. 2
Navy warship to visit HK for liberation ceremonies........................... 3
HK's external trade statistics by mode of transport.......................... 5
Provisional statistics of retail sales for June.......................... 15
New airport police and fire stations contract awarded....................... 18
More drug education training for teachers................................ 18
Special stamp to mark World Stamp Exhibition................................ 19
Public reminded not to import endangered species............................ 19
Tung Lung rock carving inaccessible......................................... 20
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations........................ 21
Stoppage of work on Tuen Mun Road
*****
The Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, said today (Thursday) that there will be a continued stoppage of work above those sections of the Tuen Mun Road with slope characteristics similar to last Friday’s incident until adequate measures to his satisfaction have been taken to contain the risks to road users.
Mr Blake regretted today’s delay caused by the closure of the Kowloon-bound carriageway of the Tuen Mun Road. But, he said this was necessary to contain the possible risk of rock fall following a routine inspection by Highways and Geotechnical engineers of the area above the road.
He said the contractor under the close monitoring of government engineers were carrying out the precautionary work as expeditiously as possible and hoped that the carriageway could reopen to traffic later tonight once the risk had been contained.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
Appointments of senior government officials ♦ * * ♦ ♦
In response to press enquiries, the Government today (Thursday) confirmed the following appointments at deputy secretary and deputy director levels of the Administration in September and October 1995.
Mr Patrick Lau, currently Counsellor at Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, will take over from Mr Thomas Tso as Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service in early September.
Mr Francis Ho, currently Director of General Grades, will take over from Mrs Regina Ip as Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry at about the same time.
Mr Leo Kwan, currently Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, will take over from Mrs Elizabeth Bosher as Deputy Secretary for Economic Services, also in early September.
Mrs Bosher is about to assume the post of Director of Administration in Provisional Airport Authority. The post was vacated by Mrs Doris Ho in July.
2
Mrs Rita Lau, currently Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA), will take over from Mr Fred l ing as Deputy Secretary for Recreation and Culture in early October.
Mrs Lau will be succeeded in TELA by Mr Peter Cheung, who was Deputy Representative in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva until recently.
Mr Ting will take over as Deputy Director of Regional Services (Operations) from Mr Benjamin Tang, who will take up the second deputy secretary post in Recreation and Culture Branch later in the year.
End/Thursday, August 24. 1995
More signatories join Community Charter on AIDS *****
Another 25 companies and organisations has joined the Hong Kong Community Charter on AIDS as new signatories today (Thursday), bringing the total number of signatories to 32 since the charter scheme was first launched last December.
rhe new signatories include the Urban Council, the Regional Council, the Hong Kong Medical Association, the Legislative Council Secretariat, the Consumer Council, the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Telecommunications Limited, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Government was one of the seven founders of the scheme, which was jointly organised by the Department of Health and the Lions Club International, District 303 -- Hong Kong and Macau.
Speaking at the charter signing ceremony, the Assistant Director of Health, Dr Chan Wai-man said: "Any organisations and corporations in the territory could have employees infected by the AIDS virus as it is estimated that there are about 3,000 HIV carriers here or one per thousand in the local workforce.
’’Only when we come up with a policy now can we effectively minimise the negative impact the disease might bring," she said.
3
Dr Chan pointed out that the annual medical cost of an AIDS patient could run to $100,000, and by the year 2000 the total medical cost for AIDS patients would surge to $85 million per year.
Besides medical cost, other economic losses derived from patients’ sick leaves, brain drain and subsequent training of replacement staff would be immeasurable, she added.
"The best solution is for the management to tackle the threat of AIDS rationally by promoting education on the prevention of AIDS in the workplace to increase employees' awareness of and knowledge on the disease," she said.
Dr Chan said it was encouraging that the signatories of the charter scheme had increased steadily.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the charter scheme organising committee. Mr Paul Siu, called on employers to adopt a caring and non-discriminatory policy towards HIV infected staff, to support them and let them continue to contribute to the community.
Noting that AIDS could be prevented, Mr Siu said employers should also motivate employees to actively take precaution against contracting the AIDS virus.
The main objectives of the charter scheme are to enhance AIDS awareness and to encourage adoption of non-discriminatory policy in the workplace.
Any companies or organisation interested in the charter scheme are welcome to make enquire on 2780 8622.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
Navy warship to visit HK for liberation ceremonies *****
For the first time in three years, a major warship of the Royal Navy is to visit Hong Kong. The Trafalgar Class fleet submarine HMS Trenchant will berth in Hong Kong tomorrow (Friday), specifically to participate in the ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong.
She has been ordered to Hong Kong by the Navy's Fleet Headquarters in the United Kingdom to commemorate the Royal Navy task force which, under Rear Admiral Cecil Harcourt, liberated Hong Kong and re-established British sovereignty on August 30, 1945.
4
As a fleet submarine, UMS Trenchant is one of the Navy's modern-day capital ships and is therefore particularly suitable to represent Admiral Harcourt's fleet of aircraft carriers, battleships and cruisers.
Admiral Harcourt was Hong Kong's first post-war Governor, remaining in the post until Sir Mark Young, who had been captured by the Japanese at the fall of Hong Kong in 1941, was well enough to return in Spring 1946.
HMS Trenchant is half-way through a seven-month deployment from the United Kingdom to the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. She is accompanied by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary support vessel Diligence.
fhe Royal Navy's ceremonial guard at the Liberation Parade, to be held at the Cenotaph on Monday (August 28), will be exclusively drawn from HMS Trenchant's 125-man ship's company. The salute will be taken by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten.
HMS Trenchant entered service in 1989 as the fifth in the seven-ship Trafalgar Class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines. She is the first submarine in the Royal Navy to be fitted with Spearfish, a new generation of high-speed anti-submarine gas turbine-powered conventional torpedoes. She can also carry a number of other conventional torpedo-type weapon systems. HMS Trenchant is not equipped with nuclear weapons.
RFA Diligence is a veteran of both the Falklands Conflict in 1982 and the Gulf War in 1991. A 10,765-tonne forward repair ship, she spends much of her time supporting British warships patrolling in Falkland Islands waters, from where she has been detached to provide back-up services for HMS Trenchant during her current deployment.
HMS Trenchant will berth alongside RFA Diligence in the Outer Harbour. The two ships will sail on Wednesday (August 30).
5
Attention News Editor:
Media representatives are invited to observe HMS Trenchant's entry into harbour and securing alongside RFA Diligence. Members of the press should arrive at the Main Gate, Prince of Wales Barracks, Edinburgh Place, Central, no later than 7.30 am on Friday where they will be transported to the Outer Harbour by Royal Navy vessel.
This facility is expected to provide good photographic opportunities.
Members of the press may expect to be back in Central before 10 am.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
UK's external trade statistics by mode of transport *****
The value of Hong Kong's external trade by ocean accounted for 49% of Hong Kong's external trade in the first half of 1995, according to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department today (Thursday).
Another 25% was transported by land and yet another 20% by air. The remaining 5.4% included shipment by river, postal parcels, and accompanied goods of passengers travelling on various means of transport.
Shipment by ocean amounted to $659.2 billion in the first half of 1995, with an increase of 19% over that in the same period in 1994. Hong Kong's external trade by land went up by 17% to $338 billion while that by air also went up by 32% to $266 billion in the first half of 1995.
Table 1 shows changes in value of Hong Kong's external trade analysed by mode of transport in the first half of 1995 compared with the same period in 1994.
The United States remained the largest destination for Hong Kong's total exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) by ocean, accounting for a share of 32% in value terms in the first half of 1995. The value of total exports by ocean to the United States went up by 15% in the first half of 1995.
6
The value of total exports by ocean to Japan increased by 25% in the first half of 1995 over the same period in 1994. Increases were also recorded in seaborne total exports to the other main destinations: China (+13%) and the United Kingdom (+8.4%).
Japan was the largest supplier of Hong Kong's imports by ocean, accounting for a share of 24% in value in the first half of 1995. The value of imports by ocean from Japan went up by 15% in the first half of 1995 over the same period in 1994. Increases were also recorded in seaborne imports from the United States (+36%), South Korea (+33%), China (+27%) and Taiwan (+21%).
Table 2 shows changes in value of external trade by ocean with main trading partners in the first half of 1995 compared with the same period in 1994.
In the first half of 1995, the value of total exports by air to the United States accounted for 26% of the value of Hong Kong's total exports by air and increased by 12% over the same period in 1994.
The value of total exports by air to Taiwan and Japan increased by 37% and 33% respectively in the first half of 1995 over the same period in 1994. Increases were also recorded in airborne total exports to the other main destinations: Singapore (+27%) and Germany (+11%).
Airborne imports from all main suppliers increased considerably in the first half of 1995. The percentage increases in value in the first half of 1995 over the same period in 1994 were: France (+155%), Singapore (+60%), Taiwan (+50%), Japan (+38%) and the United States (+22%).
Tabic 3 shows changes in value of external trade by air with main trading partners in the first half of 1995 compared with the same period in 1994.
More detailed figures on changes in value of external trade by ocean between the first half of 1995 and the same period in 1994 analysed by principal commodity division are shown in Table 4.
Significant increases were recorded in value of re-exports by ocean for telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (by $8.6 billion or 29%); miscellaneous manufactured articles consisting mainly of baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods (by $8.2 billion or 19%); and electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $5.2 billion or 36%).
7
Large increases were also recorded in value of imports by ocean for plastics in primary forms (by $9.3 billion or 76%); and textiles (by $7.1 billion or 18%).
However, a decrease was recorded in the value of domestic exports by ocean for textiles (by $96 million or 2.5%).
Changes in value of external trade by air between the first half of 1995 and the same period in 1994 analysed by principal commodity division are shown in Table 5.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, significant increases were recorded in the value of imports by air for electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $15.1 billion or 45%); telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (by $5.8 billion or 64%); and office machines and automatic data processing machines (by $4.5 billion or 47%).
As regards exports by air, increases were recorded for re-exports of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $7.5 billion or 58%); office machines and automatic data processing machines (by $5 billion or 96%); photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks (by $2.1 billion or 25%); and for domestic exports of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $2.3 billion or 30%).
However, a decrease was recorded in value of re-exports by air for clothing (by $615 million or 6.7%).
Changes in value of external trade by land between the first half of 1995 and the same period in 1994 analysed by principal commodity division are shown in Table 6.
Comparing the first half of 1995 with the same period in 1994, significant increases were recorded in value of imports by land for miscellaneous manufactured articles consisting mainly of baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods (by $4.6 billion or 19%); footwear (by $2.9 billion or 16%); and telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment (by $2.6 billion or 13%).
As regards exports by land, increases were recorded for re-exports of textiles (by $6.1 billion or 26%); plastics in primary forms (by $3.8 billion or 50%); and electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof (by $2.4 billion or 35%); and for domestic exports of clothing (by $684 million or 39%).
8
Detailed statistics of 1 long Kong's external trade analysed by mode of transport are published in the June 1995 issue of the "Hong Kong External Trade" report which is now available for sale at $122 per copy.
The report can be purchased at either (i) the Government Publications Sales Centre on the ground floor. Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway. Hong Kong, or (ii) the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department on the 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road. Wan Chai.
Enquiries regarding regular subscription to this report may be directed to the Publications (Sales) Office of the Information Services Department at 28th Floor. Siu On Centre. 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. Hong Kong. Tel 2598 8194; and enquiries on trade statistics to the Census and Statistics Department. I'el 2582 4915.
9
TABLE 1 : EXTERNAL TRADE BY MODE OF TRANSPORT
MODE OF TRANSPORT/ TYPE OF TRADE
JAN-JUN 1995
HKD Mn.
JAN-JUN 1994
HKD Mn.
YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
HKD Mn. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TOTAL BY OCEAN 43,745 281,157 324,902 334,263 659,165 40,599 242,537 283,136 270,451 553,588 + + + + 3,146 38,619 41,765 63,812 105,577 + + + + 4- 7.7 15.9 14.8 23.6 19.1
AIR
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 34,855 30,575 + 4,281 4- 14.0
RE-EXPORTS 75,723 57,162 + 18,561 + 32.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 110,578 87,737 4- 22,841 + 26.0
IMPORTS 155,448 114,124 + 41,323 4- 36.2
TOTAL BY AIR 266,026 201,861 + 64,164 4- 31.8
LAND
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 25,496 24,417 4 1,079 4- 4.4
RE-EXPORTS 114,898 97,763 + 17,135 4- 17.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 140,394 122,180 4- 18,214 + 14.9
IMPORTS 197,590 167,709 + 29,881 4- 17.8
TOTAL BY LAND 337,984 289,889 + 48,095 4- 16.6
OTHERS
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 3,976 3,152 + 824 4- 26.1
RE-EXPORTS 43,375 30,823 + 12,552 + 40.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 47,351 33,975 + 13,376 + 39.4
IMPORTS 24,056 20,578 + 3,478 4- 16.9
TOTAL BY OTHERS ALL MODES OF TRANSPORT 71,407 54,553 • + 16,854 4- 30.9
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 108,072 98,743 + 9,329 4- 9.4
RE-EXPORTS 515,152 428,285 + 86,867 4 20.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 623,224 527,028 4- 96,196 4- 18.3
IMPORTS 711,356 572,863 + 138,493 4- 24.2
TOTAL TRADE 1,334,581 1,099,891 + 234,689 4- 21.3
10
TABLE 2 : EXTERNAL TRADE BY OCEAN BY MAIN TRADING PARTNER
MAIN TRADING PARTNER
JAN-JUN 1995 HKD Mn.
JAN-JUN 1994 HKD Mn.
YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
HKD Mn. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (DESTINATION)
UNITED STATES 15,858 14,556 + 1,302 + 8.9
GERMANY 3,472 3,650 — 179 — 4.9
UNITED KINGDOM 3,135 3,162 — 27 — 0.9
JAPAN 2,449 1,803 1 * 646 + 35.8
CHINA 2,026 1,660 + 366 + 22.1
ALL COUNTRIES 43,745 40,599 + 3,146 4- 7.7
RE-EXPORTS (DESTINATION)
UNITED STATES 87,408 75,606 + 11,801 + 15.6
CHINA 27,787 24,747 + 3,040 + 12.3
JAPAN 20,368 16,477 + 3,891 4- 23.6
GERMANY 16,752 15,853 + 899 + 5.7
UNITED KINGDOM 11,355 10,204 + 1,150 + 11.3
ALL COUNTRIES 281,157 242,537 4- 38,619 + 15.9
TOTAL EXPORTS (DESTINATION)
UNITED STATES 103,266 90,162 + 13,103 4- 14.5
CHINA 29,813 26,407 + 3,406 4- 12.9
JAPAN 22,817 18,280 4- 4,537 4- 24.8
GERMANY 20,224 19,504 + 720 4- 3.7
UNITED KINGDOM 14,489 13,366 4- 1,123 4- 8.4
ALL COUNTRIES 324,902 283,136 + 41,765 4 14.8
IMPORTS (SUPPLIER)
JAPAN ’ 79,799 69,270 + 10,529 4- 15.2
TAIWAN 51,418 42,566 + 8,852 4- 20.8
SOUTH KOREA 31,001 23,334 + 7,667 4- 32.9
UNITED STATES 29,942 21,954 + 7,988 4- 36.4
CHINA 24,841 19,606 + 5,235 4- 26.7
ALL COUNTRIES 334,263 270,451 + 63,812 4- 23.6
TABLE 3 : EXTERNAL TRADE BY AIR BY MAIN TRADING PARTNER
Il
MAIN TRADING PARTNER JAN-JUN JAN-JUN YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
1995 1994
HKD Mn. HKD Mn. HKD Mn. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (DESTINATION)
UNITED STATES 10,872 10,766 + 107 4- 1.0
SINGAPORE 4,707 4,384 + 323 + 7.4
JAPAN 3,368 2,871 Z + 497 + 17.3
GERMANY 2,097 1,959 + 138 4- 7.1
TAIWAN 2,012 1,418 + 593 + 41.8
ALL COUNTRIES 34,855 30,575 + 4,281 4- 14.0
RE-EXPORTS
(DESTINATION) •
UNITED STATES 17,353 14,478 + 2,876 4- 19.9
JAPAN 9,486 6,814 + 2,672 4- 39.2
TAIWAN ‘ 6,623 4,903 4- 1,719 4- 35.1
SOUTH KOREA 5,286 3,875 + 1,411 4- 36.4
SINGAPORE 4,660 2,989 + 1,671 + 55.9
ALL COUNTRIES 75,723 57,162 + 18,561 4- 32.5
TOTAL EXPORTS
(DESTINATION)
UNITED STATES 28,226 25,243 + 2,982 4- 11.8
JAPAN 12,854 9,685 + 3,169 4- 32.7
SINGAPORE 9,367 7,373 + 1,994 4- 27.0
TAIWAN 8,635 6,322 4- 2,313 4 36.6
GERMANY 6,027 5,452 + 575 4- 10.5
ALL COUNTRIES 110,578 87,737 + 22,841 4- 26.0
IMPORTS
(SUPPLIER)
JAPAN 29,684 21,516 4- 8,168 4- 38.0
UNITED STATES 24,392 19,927 4- 4,465 4- 22.4
SINGAPORE 14,659 9,189 4- 5,470 4- 59.5
TAIWAN 11,040 7,368 4- 3,672 4- 49.8
FRANCE 9,655 3,785 + 5,870 4- 155.1
ALL COUNTRIES 155,448 114,124 + 41,323 4- 36.2
12
TABLE 4 : EXTERNAL TRADE BY OCEAN BY MAIN COMMODITY DIVISION
MAIN COMMODITY DIVISION JAN-JUN 1995 HKD Mn. JAN-JUN 1994 HKD Mn. YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
HKD Mn. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 21,400 20,135 + 1,265 + 6.3
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PRINTED MATTER) 3,804 3,697 + 107 4- 2.9
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,697 3,79/ - 96 — 2.5
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,525 1,785 + 740 4- 41.5
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,817 • 1,714 + 103 4- .6.0
RE-EXPORTS
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ART’ LES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 51,529 • 43,343 4- 8,185 4- 18.9
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 38,716 30,069 + 8,647 4- 28.8
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 30,217 30,615 - 398 — 1.3
FOOTWEAR 27,491 24,315 + 3,176 4- 13.1
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 19,810 14,620 + 5,191 4- 35.5
IMPORTS
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 46,202 39,120 + 7,082 4- 18.1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 28,541 23,786 + 4,755 4- 20.0
ROAD VEHICLES 21,680 21,059 + 622 4- 3.0
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 21,365 12,109 + 9,256 4- 76.4
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 20,703 16,189 + 4,515 4- 27.9
13
TABLE 5 : EXTERNAL TRADE BY AIR BY MAIN COMMODITY DIVISION
MAIN COMMODITY DIVISION JAN-JUN 1995 HKD Mn. JAN-JUN 1994 HKD Mn. YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
HKD Mn. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 9,984 7,673 2,311 4- 30.1
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,392 7,094 4- 298 4- 4.2
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 5,517 5,110 ♦ 407 4- 8.0
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 5,198 4,646 + 552 4- 11.9
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS' WARES) 3,313 3,000 + 314 4- 10.5
RE-EXPORTS
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 20,449 12,965 4- 7,484 + 57.7
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 10,276 8,212 + 2,064 4- 25.1
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 10,259 5,227 + 5,032 + 96.3
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,588 9,203 - 615 - 6.7
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 5,791 3,918 + 1,873 4- 47.8
IMPORTS
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 48,893 33,798 4- 15,096 4- 44.7
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES 15,212 12,990 4- 2,223 4- 17.1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 14,936 9,107 + 5,829 4- 64.0
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 14,246 11,674 4- 2,573 4- 22.0
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 13,972 9,487 + 4,485 4- 47.3
14
TABLE 6 : EXTERNAL TRADE BY LAND BY MAIN COMMODITY DIVISION
MAIN COMMODITY DIVISION JAN-JUN 1995 HKD Mn. JAN-JUN 1994 HKD Mn. YEAR-ON-YEAR CHANGE
HKD Mn. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,443 3,907 «- 464 - 11.9
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,829 2,822 + 8 + 0.3
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,431 1,747 + 684 39.1
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,406 2,078 + 328 4* 15.8
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,087 2,119 - 32 - 1.5
RE-EXPORTS
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 29,365 23,225 + 6,140 + 26.4
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 11,408 7,606 + 3,802 ♦ 50.0
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 9,130 6,781 + 2,350 + 34.7
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 7,043 6,642 + 401 + 6.0
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 4,618 3,318 + 1,300 + 39.2
IMPORTS
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 33,540 32,414 + 1,126 + 3.5
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 28,112 23,555 + 4,557 + 19.3
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 22,901 20,269 + 2,631 + 13.0
FOOTWEAR 20,867 17,956 + 2,911 ♦ 16.2
EXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 15,879 13,715 + 2,164 + 15.8
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
15
Provisional statistics of retail sales for June
*****
According to the provisional figures released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department, the value of total retail sales in June 1995, estimated at $16.5 billion, increased by 4% when compared with June 1994. After discounting the effect of price changes over the period, total retail sales dropped by 2% in volume.
The slight decline in volume of total retail sales in June 1995 was mainly attributable to a significant drop in sales of motor vehicles, which fell by 34% in value and by 40% in volume. Sales of other consumer durable goods also went down by 6% in value and 10% in volume.
Sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco and sales in department stores increased by 5% and 3% respectively in value, but decreased by 1% and 6% respectively in volume.
Nevertheless, there were increases in sales of other commodities, including miscellaneous consumer goods (15% in value, 10% in volume); clothing and footwear (15% in value, 4% in volume); fuels (11% in value, 5% in volume); and jewellery, watches and clocks and valuable gifts (4% in value, 2% in volume). Concurrently, sales in supermarkets rose by 12% in value and 4% in volume.
Compared with May 1995, total retail sales in June 1995 decreased by 3% in both value and volume. It should be borne in mind that this comparison may be affected by seasonal factors.
Comparing the period from January to June 1995 with the same period in 1994, total retail sales rose by 6% in value, but dropped by 1% 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.
Table 1 presents the revised total retail sales figure for May 1995 and the provisional figure for June 1995.
Table 2 shows the value and volume indices of retail sales in May and June 1995 for all retail outlets and by type of retail outlet, with average retail sales from October 1989 to September 1990 taken as 100. Comparisons of the June 1995 results with those for May 1995 and those for June 1994, as well as comparisons of retail sales in the period from January to June 1995 with the same period in 1994 are also given.
16
The report containing the analysis of the June 1995 results is now on sale at $4 per copy at the Government Publications Centre, Queensway Government Offices, ground floor, Low Block, 66 Queensway; and the Publications Unit 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 2802 1258.
17
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
TABLE 1 ; TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for June 1995 (Provisional Figure) ■ HKS16,539.4 million
for May 1995 (Revised Figure) 3 HK$17,042.3 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AMP VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR MAY 1995 AND JUNE 1995 (Monthly average of Oct 89 - Sept 90 « 100)
Type of Outlet Type of index Index Number June 1995 compared with May 1995 June 1995 compared with June 1994 Jan - Jun 1995 compared with Jan - Jun 1994
May 1995 (Revised figures) June 1995 (Provisional figures)
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLET? (B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET? Value Volune Value Volune Value Volume Value Volume Value Volune Value Volume Value Volune Value Volune Value Volune Value Volune Value Volume (Points) 181.5 133.9 142.3 104.7 161.0 107.4 169.7 111.0 303.4 189.5 154.3 124.7 118.0 78.6 180.6 158.1 154.6 102.7 174.3 161.0 213.7 161.5 (Points) 176.1 129.6 134.4 97.2 176.4 116.6 183.6 120.1 262.8 163.4 149.1 119.9 118.9 79.0 171.0 149.6 142.4 93.9 170.6 157.8 222.3 167.7 (Points) (%) -5.4 -3.0 -4.3 -3.2 -7.9 -5.6 -7.J -7.1 ♦15.3 +9.5 ♦9.1 ♦S.S ♦13.9 +8.2 ♦9.1 ♦a.2 -40.7 -13.4 -26.1 -13.8 -5.2 -3.4 -4.8 -3.8 ♦0.9 *0.7 ♦0.4 ♦O.S -9.6 -5.3 -8.6 -5.4 -12.2 -7.9 -8.9 -8.6 -3.8 -2.2 -3.2 -2.0 ♦8.7 +4.1 ♦6.2 *3.8 (Points) (%) ♦6.7 +3.9 -3.1 -2.3 ♦6.1 +4.7 •1.3 -1.3 ♦18.3 +11.6 ♦4.6 +4.1 ♦18.6 +11.3 ♦5.8 ♦S.O ♦34.1 +14.9 ♦5.8 +3.7 -32.0 -17.7 -31.7 -20.9 -61.3 -34.0 -53.0 -40.1 -10.8 -5.9 -16.3 -9.8 ♦ 3.9 +2.8 -5.5 -5.6 ♦ 6.3 +3.8 ♦ 2.4 +1.5 ♦28.6 +14.8 ♦15.0 +9.8 (Points) (%) ♦9.5 +5.5 -1.3 -0.9 t ♦7.0 +5.4 -2.3 -2.2 ♦9.6 +6.2 -1.7 -1.6 ♦13.4 +9.6 ♦1.2 +1.2 ♦32.2 +13.4 ♦3.8 +2.1 -17.2 -9.4 -20.7 -13.4 -38.6 -21.2 -38.9 -28.8 -1.6 -0.9 -7.6 -4.5 ♦7.0 +4.6 -4.7 -4.1 ♦11.3 +6.5 ♦8.3 +5.0 ♦29.4 +16.0 ♦15.2 +10.3
Food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (other than supermarkets) Supermarkets 0 Fuels Clothing, footwear and allied products Consumer durable goods - Motor vehicles and parts - Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts Department stores Jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts Other consuner goods not elsewhere classified
NOTE : 0 Not including supermarkets operating in department stores. The underlined figures were rounded up to 5.
End/Itiursday, August 24, 1995
18
New airport police and fire stations contract awarded
*****
The Secretary for the Treasury, on the advice of the Central Tender Board, has approved the award of an Airport Core Programme (ACP) contract for the construction of police and fire stations at the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
The contract, valued at $335 million, will be awarded to Dickson Construction Limited of Hong Kong by the Architectural Services Department.
Work will start in early October for completion in mid-1997.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
More drug education training for teachers
*****
The Education Department is organising four more "Life Skills" drug education training courses for secondary school teachers in the next four months following good response to the course conducted in April and June.
The course, comprising lectures, discussions and workshops conducted over four half-days, is aimed at strengthening drug education in secondary schools. Circulars have been issued and nominations are being invited from school principals.
A department spokesman said: "It has been shown that effective drug education must do more than just providing information. Emphasis should be given to developing pupils' life skills to enable them to cope with their problems and to resist the pressure on them to use drugs.
"The course will help teachers familiarise themselves with life skills training through experience learning and to strengthen their confidence in using a diversity of teaching methods and available resources.
"The course is activity oriented. It will encourage teachers to involve actively in supporting the healthy development and success of young people, examine attitudes towards drugs and look at the role of teachers/schools in promoting life skills training in schools."
19
Training will be taken place at the Hong Kong Teachers' Centre, 4 Pak Fuk Road, North Point. Each course will accommodate 50 teachers.
The Education Department has already conducted four drug education courses for teachers of primary and secondary schools this year.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
Special stamp to mark World Stamp Exhibition
*****
The Postmaster General, Mr Mike Pagliari, today (Thursday) announced that to commemorate Hong Kong Post Office's participation in the Singapore World Stamp Exhibition 1995 (Singapore '95), a $10 definitive stamp sheetlet will be issued on September 1.
The sheetlet is designed by Mr Colin Tillyer and printed by Joh Enschede Security Printing of the Netherlands.
Souvenir covers at $1 each will be on sale at all post offices as from August 25. There is no advance order service.
A hand-back service will be provided at all post offices on September 1 to official and privately-made covers bearing an indication of the event. A special postmark and a cachet will be introduced for the event. A sales restriction of 20 sheetlets per customer queuing will be imposed on that day.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
Public reminded not to import endangered species
*****
Members of the public are reminded not to bring back items of endangered species on their return from visits to other countries during the forthcoming long weekend.
The appeal was made today (Thursday) by a conservation officer of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD), Dr So Ping-man, prior to the start of an extended weekend.
20
Dr So pointed out that some of the returning travellers were at times found by Customs and Excise officers at control points to have brought in endangered species.
Latest statistics indicate there are cases where visitors returning to Hong Kong have brought in with their luggage stuffed specimen of sea turtles and crocodiles, mounted butterflies, coral skeletons and controlled medicines, he said.
Dr So reiterated that any person importing, exporting or possessing any endangered species, including their parts and derivatives, without a licence issued by AFD, would have contravened the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance.
Under the ordinance, any person found guilty of importing a highly endangered species item without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and one year's imprisonment. If the import is for a commercial purpose, the maximum penalties could be a $5 million fine plus two years in jail.
Highly endangered species include rhinos, tiger, most species of bear, all sea turtles and medicines containing or claiming to contain rhino or tiger ingredients.
Dr So said magistrates had recently imposed heavier fines on people contravening the ordinance. In the latest case which was concluded on Tuesday (August 22), a shop operator was fined $60,000 after being found guilty at the Fanling Magistracy for possessing pangolin scale, musk and controlled medicine for sale.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
Tung Lung rock carving inaccessible ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
The path leading to the historic rock carving on Tung Lung Island has collapsed following the recent rainstorm.
A spokesman for the Antiquities and Monuments Office today (Thursday) called on members of the public not to plan any outings to the area for the time being, especially during the long weekend, until the path was repaired.
Located on the northern coast of the island, the carving depicts the image of a dragon and consists of complicated and tortuous lines which can be seen at a distance.
21
It is the largest of the eight ancient rock carvings declared as monuments in Hong Kong.
Tung Lung Island can be reached by a privately-owned ferry which runs between Sai Wan Ho and the island on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
Time Cumulative change
$ million (hours) ($million)
Opening balance in the account 1197 0930 +2
Closing balance in the account 1176 1000 +2
Change attributable to : 1100 +5
Money market activity +4 1200 +5
LAF today -25 1500 +5
1600 +4
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 121.9 *-0.1* 24.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.85 2 years 2708 6.06 99.65 6.35
1 month 5.84 3 years 3807 6.16 98.78 6.73
3 months 5.82 5 years 5006 6.60 97.48 7.36
6 months 5.86 5 years M501 7.90 100.80 7.84
12 months 5.96
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $12,478 million
Closed August 24, 1995
End/Thursday, August 24, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Tuesday, August 29,1995
Contents Page No,
Textiles bilateral consultations with the US.................................. 1
External trade figures for July............................................... 3
Restaurant owners told to remove air-coolers.................................. 5
Governor and veterans at Stonecutters' beat retreat........................... 5
Children should never be left unattended...................................... 6
Water storage figure.......................................................... 7
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results................................... 8
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations.......................... 9
1
Textiles bilateral consultations with the US *****
A Trade Department delegation, led by Assistant Director-General of Trade, Mr Stanley Ying, has returned from consultations with the United States held in Washington DC last week.
•
Mr Ying said today (Tuesday) the consultations covered three main issues: firstly, the US unilateral action to impose import control on Hong Kong’s textiles and clothing products; secondly, arrangements necessary for the administration of US quantitative restraints on textiles and clothing imports from Hong Kong, for notification to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) under the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC): and thirdly, the US call on Hong Kong's Category 440 imports (woven wool shirts and blouses).
He said: "On import control the US formally declined our earlier requests for the US to either revoke its decision to place Hong Kong's textiles and clothing products under import control, or at least suspend implementation until a mutually satisfactory solution is reached. We on our part reiterated our principled objections to the unilateral move, and that we would consider our way forward in accordance with our rights.
"The US agreed, however, to discuss interim arrangements with a view to minimising disruption to trade while the two sides continue to try to seek a solution. Both sides tabled their proposals for such arrangements, and there were business-like discussions on the proposals. It was agreed that the two sides will resume the discussion as soon as possible."
On whether trade had been affected by the absence of an agreement so far, Mr Ying said: "One useful result from the talks is that we managed to obtain some US data on Hong Kong imports so far this year. According to those data, so far the highest utilisation is about 82 per cent, which means that we are still some way from the possibility of an embargo."
It has been the established practice lor the past three decades that Hong Kong's textiles and clothing exports to the US are subject to export control by Hong Kong, as opposed to import control by the US. One main difference between the two approaches is that under export control, Hong Kong's export data is used for quota control and accounting purposes; whereas under import control US uses its import data.
2
Mr Ying said there were also useful discussions on administrative arrangements for the implementation of Article 2 of the ATC.
"The two sides reached agreement on further areas of administrative arrangements for notification to the TMB. The US needs further consideration on a couple of points raised by us, and the two sides agreed to return to those points later," ■ he said.
Under the ATC, he said. Members had to agree bilaterally on a set of administrative arrangements they deemed necessary for the implementation of provisions on quantitative restrictions in Article 2 of the ATC. Such arrangements reached by Members have to be notified to the Textiles Monitoring Body established under the ATC, he added.
Mr Ying said: "On US call on our Category 440, the US provided further information in attempting to justify the call. We pointed out that the new information does not change our view that the call is unjustifiable both in principle, because it contravenes the relevant provisions in the ATC, and in practice because the facts show that our very limited imports cannot have caused any damage to the US industry.
"We therefore repeated our demand for the call to be revoked. The US said they would revert to us. We hope that they will withdraw the call. Otherwise, the matter will be reviewed by TMB meeting now scheduled for early September."
In 1994, Hong Kong's Category 440 exports to the US was 5,046 dozens or 2.3 per cent of the total US market.
End/Tucsday. August 29, 1995
3
External trade figures for July ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Both re-exports and imports continued to show substantial growth in July 1995. Domestic exports also registered a notable increase. These are shown in the external trade figures for July released today (Tuesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
The value of total exports (comprising re-exports and domestic exports) increased by $17.8 billion or 17% over a year earlier to $122.3 billion in July 1995. Within total exports, the value of re-exports, at $100.1 billion in July, was $16.1 billion or 19% higher. The value of domestic exports, at $22.1 billion in July, increased by $1.7 billion or 8.4%. Meanwhile, the value of imports increased by $24.5 billion or 22% to $133.8 billion.
The visible trade deficit continued to narrow for the third consecutive month. In July 1995, the visible trade deficit narrowed further to $11.6 billion, equivalent to 8.6% of the value of imports. This compared with the corresponding figures of $16.8 billion or 13% in May, and of $14.4 billion or 11% in June.
In the first seven months of 1995, the value of total exports grew by 18% over the same period last year. Among this, the value of re-exports rose by 20%, while that of domestic exports increased by 9.3%. The value of imports showed an increase of 24%. Over the same period, a visible trade deficit of $99.7 billion, equivalent to 12% of the value of imports, was recorded. This compared with a deficit of $51.2 billion, equivalent to 7.5% of the value of imports, recorded in the first seven months of 1994.
Commenting on the latest trade figures, a government spokesman said the continued strong growth in both re-exports and domestic exports was encouraging. Meanwhile, retained imports also continued to grow significantly, by 28% in July over a year earlier. This was underpinned mainly by import requirements for manufacturing production and infrastructural construction, as well as for production capacity enhancement. The spokesman added that the narrowing of the visible trade deficit in recent months was also a positive development.
The table annexed presents the external trade figures in July 1995.
A more detailed analysis of Hong Kong’s external trade for July 1995, by commodity and country, will be released in mid-September 1995.
4
MERCHANDISE: Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance : $22,146 Billion : $100,119'million : $122,265 Billion : $133,836 million : -$11,571 million
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
May 95 to May 94 to Change
Latest 3 months Jul 95 Jul 94
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. %
Domestic Exports 62,762 57,823 +4,940 +8.5
(% of Total Exports) (17.8%) (19.4%)
Re-exports 290,651 240,243 +50,408 +21.0
Total Exports 353,413 298,066 +55,347 +18.6
Imports 396,165 324,876 +71,289 +21.9
Trade balance -42,752 -26,810 -15,942 - .. kJ
July July Change
Same month last year 1995 199.4 it.
HKS Mn. . HKS Mn. HKS Mn. %
Domestic Exports 22,146 20,438 +1,708 +8.4
(% of Total Exports) (18.1%) (19.6%)
Re-exports 100,119 84,047 +16,072 +19.1
Total Exports 122,265 104,484 +17,781 +17.0
Imports 133,836 109,329 +24,507 +22.4
'' • Trade balance -11,571 '■> S IP -4,845 -6,726
July June Change
Last month 1995 1995
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. %
Domestic Exports 22,146 20,583 +1,563 +7.6
(% of Total Exports) (18.1%) (18.0%)
Re-exports 100,119 93,913 +6,206 +6.b
Total Exports 122,265 114,496 +7,769 +6.8
Imports 133,836 128,939 +4,897 +3.8
Trade balance -11,571 -14,442 +2,372
Jan-Jul Jan-Jul Change
Calendar year to-date ! 1995 1994
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. %
Domestic Exports 130,218 119,181 +11,037 +9.3
(17.5%) (18.9%)
(% oi Total experts)
Re-exports 615,271 512,321 +102,950 +20.1
Total Exports 745,490 631,502 +113,988 +18.1
Imports 845,183 682,697 +162,486 +23.8
Trade balance -99,693 -51,195 -48,498
Aug 94 to Aug 93 to Change
Last 12 months Jul 95 Jul 94
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. %
Domestic Exports 233,129 217,656 +15,473 +7.1
(% of Total Exports) (18.2%) (19.8%)
Re-exports 1,050,872 883,252 +167,619 +19.0
Total Exports 1,284,001 1,100,909 +183,092 +16.6
Imports . 1,413,195 1,149,877 +263,317 +22.9
Trade balance -129,194 -48,969 -80,225
a firm.c-t- 29 .
1995
9
- 5 -
Restaurant owners told to remove air-coolers *****
The Buildings Department today (Tuesday) asked the owners of a seafood restaurant on the ground floor of Tak Yan House in Tsucn Wan to remove air-conditioning cooling towers on the rooftop of the building.
"We have now completed our examination of the case in the light of further information and legal advice. We have taken the decision that the cooling towers are unauthorised building works and should be removed," the Assistant Director of Buildings, Mr Cheng Wci-dart, said.
"We have asked the restaurant owners to remove the cooling towers. We will monitor the situation and if necessary we will serve a removal order under the Buildings Ordinance."
Responding to enquiries on Cheuk Ming House in the same district, Mr Cheng said: "The owners of the two illegal structures re-erected on the roof of Cheuk Ming House will also be served with removal orders. This will be done shortly. If the orders are ignored, we will consider prosecution."
End/Tuesday, August 29, 1995
Governor and veterans at Stonecutters' beat retreat
*****
Veterans visiting Hong Kong for the liberation commemorations have been invited to take a break from their busy schedule tomorrow (Wednesday) evening and attend a Tattoo and Beating Retreat at Stonecutters Island.
The event, organised by the Hong Kong Military' Service Corps (HKMSC) and the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) (RHKR(V)), will include a motor cycle display by 29 Transport Squadron, the Royal Logistic Corps, and a pageant depicting the history of the Volunteers.
- 6 -
The Minden Band of the Queen's Division will round the evening off by Beating Retreat. The Beating of Retreat is a traditional ceremony associated with recalling people into a defended town or camp at dusk, and with the lowering of the flag at the end of the day.
Guest of Honour is the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, who, along with Commander British Forces, Major General Bryan Dutton, and Honorary Colonel of the RHKR(V), Major General Guy Watkins, will dot the eyes of a lion and dragon to mark the beginning of the Tattoo.
Attention News Editors:
Press representatives covering the Tattoo and Beating Retreat should arrive at the main entrance of HMS Tamar, on Stonecutters Island, by 6.15 pm. (Maxicab No. 87A runs approximately every 10 minutes from Kwai Fong MTR Station to HMS Tamar).
Members of Joint Service Public Relations Staff will be on hand to register media representatives and issue press passes. All media representatives should ensure they are in possession of a press pass otherwise entrance to the arena will be denied.
On completion of the Tattoo and Beating Retreat (approximately 8.30 pm) a coach will take members of the press to Kwai Fong MTR Station.
End/Tuesday, August 29, 1995
Children should never be left unattended ♦ * * * *
The Social Welfare Department today (Tuesday) issued an appeal to parents that children should never be left unattended at home.
-I
7
Members of the public who need to leave their children alone at home for whatever reason at any time of the day are advised to make full use of the occasional child care service, a spokesman for the department said.
"Leaving children unattended at home, even for a short while, may lead to accidents or even tragedies,” the spokesman said.
At present, there are 129 child care centres providing a total of 390 occasional child care places to assist needy parents to look after their children temporarily.
Child care centres offer temporary care for children aged under six on two-hour, half-day (four hours) or whole-day basis. The fee for a two-hour session is $14.
4
To cope with the increasing demand for the service, SWD plans to provide 225 additional occasional child care places in the 1995-96 financial year.
Members of the public who are interested in the service may call SWD’s hotline 2343 2255 or the Child Care Centre Advisory Inspectorate on 2836 3114.
’’Parents having any child care problems can seek help from the 62 family services centres throughout the territory,” the spokesman said.
End/Tuesday, August 29, 1995
Water storage figure ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Storage in Hong Kong’s reservoirs at 9 am today (Tuesday) stood at 93.2 per cent of capacity or 546.206 million cubic metres.
This time last year the reservoirs contained 566.277 million cubic metres of water, representing 96.6 per cent of capacity.
End/Tuesday, August 29, 1995
- 8 -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
*****
Tender date 29 Aug 95 29 Aug 95
Paper on offer EF bills EF bills
Issue number Q535 H572
Amount applied HK$2,920 MN HKS 1,520 MN
Amount allotted HKS 1,500 MN HKS800 MN
Average yield accepted 5.76 PCT 5.79 PCT
Highest yield accepted 5.78 PCT 5.81 PCT
Pro rata ratio About 13 PCT About 52 PCT
Average tender yield 5.78 PCT 5.81 PCT
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Tenders to be held in the week beginning September 4, 1995
Tender date 5 Sep 95 5 Sep 95
Paper on offer EF bills EF bills
Issue number Q536 Y593
Issue date 6 Sep 95 6 Sep 95
Maturity date 6 Dec 95 4 Sept 96
Tenor 91 days 364 days
Amount on offer HKS 1,500+300 MN HKS5OO+15OMN
End/Tuesday, August 29, 1995
9
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations ♦ * * * *
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (Smillion)
Opening balance in the account 1,255 0930 -49
Closing balance in the account 1,333 1000 -49
Change attributable to: 1100 -31
Money market activity -42 1200 -33
LAF today +120 1500 -33
1600 -42
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 122.0 *+0.0* 29.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.70 2 years 2708 6.06 100.04 6.13
1 month 5.76 3 years 3807 6.16 99.39 6.49
3 months 5.77 5 years 5006 6.60 98.54 7.08
6 months 12 months 5.79 5.88 5 years M501 7.90 101.73 7.59
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $16,956 million
Closed August 29, 1995
End/Tuesday, August 29, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Wednesday, August 30,1995
Contents Page No.
Appointments to Curriculum Development Council announced................... 1
General Sir Michael Rose to honour the Volunteers.......................... 2
Additional bus bay at Kowloon tunnel entrance.............................. 3
Revision of fee for obtaining rental information........................... 4
24-hour computer answering service on intellectual property................ 5
Citybus operation under close watch........................................ 5
Two lots of land up for auction............................................ 6
Buildings Department prosecutes demolition contractors..................... 7
August 1995 issue of Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics................ 8
Election forum for Kowloon West Constituency............................... 9
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations...................... 10
1
Appointments to Curriculum Development Council announced
*****
The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Michael Leung, today (Wednesday) announced the appointment of Dr Cheng Hon-kwan as the Chairman of the Curriculum Development Council (CDC).
Four new members have been appointed to the Council. They are Mr Chan Hon-sum, Mr Lee Ming-kwan, Mrs Tsang Chan Yuen-cheung and Ms Yun Fung-king.
In addition, the following serving members have been re-appointed:
Mr Chan Kai-yeen
Mr Choi Chee-cheong
Dr Chuang Siu-leung, Andrew Ms Fung Pik-yee
Mr Lau Man-chung
Mr Lau Yiu-fai, Ronald
Ms Lee Wai-ling
Mr Li Shiu-tsang, MBE, JP
Mrs Ling Lau Yuet-fun, Laura Dr Lo Nai-kwai, Leslie
Dr Pang King-chee
Mr Seid Sun-ng
Mr So Chung-ping, Norman
Mrs Wong Lam Yuen-ching, Eunice
Dr Leung Yat-ming, Assistant Director (Curriculum Development Institute) of the Education Department, serves as the Vice-Chairman in his ex-officio capacity.
All appointments are for a period of two years with effect from September 1.
Mr Leung thanked the out-going Chairman Mr Kenneth Ting Woo-shou, and other members Dr Jack Chan Cham-kit, Mr Au Pak-kuen, Mr Tong Tang Shek-leung and Mr Wu Siu-wai for their contributions to the CDC in the past years.
Following are biographic notes of the new Chairman and the newly appointed members:
Dr Cheng Hon-kwan is the Director of HK Cheng and Partners Ltd Consulting Engineers and Chairman of Kennedy and Donkin International Ltd.
Mr Chan Hon Sum is a teacher of CCC Kwei Wah Shan College;
Mr Lee Ming-kwan is an Associate Professor and Associate Head of Department of Applied Social Studies of Hong Kong Polytechnic University;
2
Mrs Tsang Chan Yuen-cheung is the Chairman of Parents-Teachers Association of St Stephen's Girls' College; and
Ms Yun Fung-king is a teacher of Po Leung Kuk Luk Hing Too Primary School (AM).
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995 ' 1 14
, • r ’ i, . . |
General Sir Michael Rose to honour the Volunteers * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
General Sir Michael Rose, who earned international recognition as the United Nations Commander in Bosnia, is to represent the Army Board and the Chief of the General Staff at the last parades of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (the Volunteers), in recognition of their 141 years of service and as a mark of the high regard in which the Regiment is held within the British Army.
Since his service in Bosnia, General Rose has been promoted and is now the Adjutant General, the second most senior officer in the British Army.
General Rose and the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, will jointly take the salute when, for the last time, the Regiment exercises its right of freedom of entry into the city of Hong Kong by marching through the streets "with colours flying, bayonets fixed, and bands playing".
• • I ■
On Saturday (September 2) afternoon, more than 1,000 members of the Regiment will march in review past the saluting dais outside the Convention Centre in Wan Chai.
General Rose will also visit units of the Garrison during his short four-day visit.
’ • 1 .•
General Rose is probably the best-known serving soldier in the British Army, having served as the United Nations Commander in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1993 to 1994. Earlier in his career he commanded 22 SAS Regiment during the Falklands Conflict in the South Atlantic and during the Iranian Embassy Siege in London.
He took up his post as Adjutant General in July on promotion to General. As such he is responsible for all personnel and training issues within the British Army.
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
3
Additional bus bay at Kowloon tunnel entrance
*****
An additional bus bay at the Kowloon entrance of the Cross Harbour Tunnel will be opened for cross-harbour buses on Sunday (September 3) as part of the measures to improve traffic flow in the tunnel area.
Announcing the new arrangement today (Wednesday), the Chief Traffic Engineer (Kowloon) of the Transport Department, Mr Chan Kwei-sang, said the existing bus bay had been very congested, particularly during the morning peak hours.
At present, tunnel buses had to queue for a long time in order to enter the existing bus bay, thus causing obstruction to other vehicles, Mr Chan said.
He added that bus passengers also had to queue along the staircases all the way up to the footbridges and walkways linking the Kowloon-Canton Railway Kowloon Station during the peak hours.
"The inadequate capacity of the existing bus bay has adversely affected tunnel bus services and their reliability,” Mr Chan said.
In addition, passengers travelling from Kowloon and the New Territories to Hong Kong Island have been enqouraged to use the KCR line and change for tunnel buses at the Kowloon Station to relieve pressure on the Mass Transit Railway Nathan Road Corridor.
Therefore, the capacity of the existing bus bay needed to be expanded to meet this increasing demand.
The additional bus bay with a shelter is located on the island between the existing bus bay and the toll plaza.
The work also includes the construction of a footbridge extension and a staircase from the existing footbridge to connect the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The weighbridge system and the lighting mast in the area have also been relocated.
"As a start, it will be used by bus route nos. 107, 170 and 171 and adequate direction signs will be put up to guide passengers,” Mr Chan said.
4
The additional bus bay will provide more space for passenger boarding and alighting and reduce the dwelling time for tunnel buses.
It has been supported by the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Yau Tsim Mong District Board.
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
Revision of fee for obtaining rental information ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The fee payable by landlords and tenants for obtaining information on market rent from the Rating and Valuation Department will be revised on Friday (September 1).
A Government spokesman said the fee would be revised to $700 from $570 to offset higher operating costs.
The spokesman said the information would only be available to landlords and tenants, or their authorised professional advisers, who had applied to the Lands Tribunal for tenancy renewal under Part IV of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance.
Under these provisions, landlords and tenants of domestic premises may. prior to the expiration of a current tenancy, freely agree on the renewal of the tenancy, he said.
But if the parties involved cannot agree on the rent, they may apply to the Lands Tribunal for a decision.
"The rental data provided by the department can serve as a reference to the landlords and their tenants so that they can negotiate an amicable settlement or can base the rental figures in presenting their cases before the Lands Tribunal,” the spokesman said.
Information of up to six reported comparable rentals for similar accommodation in nearby areas is provided for each application. Application forms are available at the Lands Tribunal and the Rating and Valuation Department.
Completed forms should be sent to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation, 111 Leighton Road, third floor. Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Enquiries can be made to a rent officer of the department on tel 2805 7666 or 2805 7888.
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
5
24-hour computer answering service on intellectual property *****
As from September 1, people who need quick answers to questions about copyright, trademarks and patents will be able to ask a speaking computer in the Intellectual Property Department.
The new system, known as an ’’Interactive Voice Processing System” will operate round-the-clock in Cantonese and English.
Apart from being able to answer frequently-asked technical questions about applying for registration of trademarks or how to protect works through copyright, the new system can also send samples of trademark application forms automatically to callers who have a fax.
"The new system will allow people to get answers to most common questions at any time of day or night. In office hours, it also provides an option to speak to our staff directly for answers about particular cases,” a spokesman for the Intellectual Property Department said.
The new enquiry service has four telephone and two fax lines and can be reached by phone on 2803 5860.
People who can connect to the Internet can read the text of the answers under questions on the World Wide Web at - http://www.houston.com.hk/hkgipd/
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
Citybus operation under close watch *****
The Transport Department is closely monitoring the operation of Citybus, which will start running 14 former China Motor Bus Company’s routes on Friday (September 1), to ensure smooth operation, a spokesman for the department said today (Wednesday).
Of the routes, 12 are on Hong Kong Island and two are cross-harbour services (please see table). CMB will continue to operate these routes until midnight tomorrow (August 31).
- 6 -
The spokesman said: "The role of the Transport Department is to co-ordinate and monitor this operation to ensure that bus services will not be disrupted by the change of operator.
"At the same time, the department will deploy staff to monitor the Citybus operation on Friday to make sure that Citybus is able to provide adequate service for these 14 routes as well as all its other bus services."
Passengers on these routes should look for the Citybus bus stop sign which is yellow instead of the usual blue sign of the China Motor Bus Company.
**************************
New Citybus routes from September 1
Route 7 Shek Pai Wan - Central
11 Jardine's Lookout - Central
37 Chi Fu - Central
40 Wah Fu - Wan Chai Ferry
40M Wah Fu - Wan Chai Ferry
71 Wong Chuk Hang - Central
73 Wah Fu - Stanley Prison
85 Siu Sai Wan - North Point
99 South Horizons - Sai Wan Ho
260 Stanley Prison - Central
511 Jardine's Lookout - Central
592 South Horizons - Causeway Bay
103 Pokfield Road - Chuk Yuen Estate
182 City One Sha Tin - Central
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
Two lots of land up for auction *****
The Lands Department will auction two lots of land in the New Territories tomorrow (Thursday).
The public auction will begin at 2.30 pm in the concert hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.
7
The first lot, located in Area 37, Tai Po, has an area of 15,300 square metres for residential use.
Located in Shing Yiu Street, Kwai Chung, the second lot has an area of 6,525 square metres for industrial or godown use.
Attention News Editors:
Your representatives are invited to cover the auction.
A press area will be designated. Photographers arc advised to bring along telephoto lenses.
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
Buildings Department prosecutes demolition contractors *****
The Buildings Department has prosecuted two demolition contractors for contravention of the Buildings Ordinance.
The contractors arc alleged to have carried out demolition works without the consent of the Building Authority and have failed to take precautionary measures to ensure safety.
"We are concerned about safety. Demolition is a dangerous operation. Demolition contractors must follow safety rules,” a spokesman for the department said.
The two demolition sites involved are located at 7B Bowen Road and 97-103 Queen’s Road Central. The defendants are Tak Soh Engineering Co. Ltd., Willey Construction and Engineering Co. Ltd. and an employee of the latter. Mr Shum Pui-pan.
Hearing of the two cases is scheduled for September 29 in the Western Magistracy.
End/Wednesday. August 30. 1995
- 8 -
August 1995 issue of Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statisties *****
Two feature articles entitled 'Trading Firms with Manufacturing-related Functions" and "Review of Transhipment Business in Hong Kong (1983-1994)" are published in the August 1995 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics.
Driven by China's open economic policies together with low labour and land costs there, local manufacturers have been relocating their manufacturing processes rapidly across the border through sub-contract processing arrangement in China (SPAC).
In some cases, essentially all manufacturing processes in a factory are moved to China and the local firm has shifted its operational status from that of manufacturing to that of trading. Besides, many traditional import/export firms have also become engaged in SPAC to take advantage of cheap, abundant resources in China.
There are views that manufacturing firms and trading firms with manufacturing-related functions should be considered similar for certain analytical purposes. The article "Trading Firms with Manufacturing-related Functions" discusses the above development.
Transhipment activities play a significant role in the port of Hong Kong. In 1994. transhipment cargo accounts for around one-quarter of the total ocean cargo handled by the port of Hong Kong. The article "Review of Transhipment Business in Hong Kong (1983-1994)" looks at the development of the transhipment business during the past decade.
The August 1995 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics is on sale at $50 a copy.
It contains all information about I long Kong's latest situation regarding economic growth, the labour market, inflation and many other social and economic issues that have important impact on business and everyday life.
Purchase of this publication can be made at the Government Publication Centre, ground floor. Low Block, Queensway Government Offices. 66 Queensway. Hong
Kong.
9
The publication is also available for sale at the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Regular subscription can also be arranged with the Publications (Sales) Office of the Information Services Department on tel 2598 8194.
'' ' ' .
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
I '
Election forum for Kowloon West Constituency
*****
Residents are invited to attend a Legislative Council election forum for the Kowloon West geographical constituency organised by the Sham Shui Po District Office tomorrow (Thursday).
The forum will begin at 8 pm at the Lai Kok Community Hall, Lai Kok Estate, Lai Chi Kok.
The forum will enable eligible voters to have a better understanding of the platforms of candidates running in their constituency and will allow candidates to have floor discussions with the public. Mr Fung Kin-kee, Mr Fu Shu-wan and Ms Wong Yin-ping are the candidates for the Kowloon West constituency.
Attention News Editors:
Your representatives are invited to cover the election forum.
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
- 10 -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations
*****
$ million Time (hours) Cumulative change (^million)
Opening balance in the account 1,333 0930 -119
Closing balance in the account 1,095 1000 -119
Change attributable to : 1100 -129
Money market activity -118 1200 -118
LAF today -120 1500 -118
1600 -118
LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 122.3 *+0.3* 30.8.95
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
EF bills EF notes
Terms Yield Term Issue Coupon Price Yield
1 week 5.80 2 years 2708 6.06 99.94 6.18
1 month 5.79 3 years 3807 6.16 99.29 6.53
3 months 5.81 5 years 5006 6.60 98.31 7.14
6 months 12 months 5.83 5.89 5 years M501 7.90 101.46 7.66
Total turnover of EF bills and notes - $17,198 million
Closed August 30, 1995
End/Wednesday, August 30, 1995
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 2842 8777
Thursday, August 31,1995
Contents Page No,
Tuen Mun Highway section closed......................................... 1
Typhoon Kent roundup.................................................... 2
Over 440 applications to become OAT adjudicators received............... 3
Monetary statistics for July 1995 ...................................... 4
Better fire protection for residents.................................... 7
Grading of beach water quality.......................................... 8
1
Tuen Mun Highway section closed *****
A Kowloon-bound section of the Tuen Mun Highway between Tuen Mun town centre and Sham Tseng interchange will remain closed for about two weeks to facilitate slope stabilisation work.
The Transport Department has strongly advised commuters to use public transport.
During this period, Castle Peak Road will be designated a prohibited zone from 6.30 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 7.30 pm daily. It will be open to buses and public light buses but all other vehicles will not be allowed to enter Castle Peak Road from either the Tuen Mun or Tsuen Wan ends during the prohibition period.
Commuters are advised to use strengthened ferry services from Tuen Mun to Central. Special services will run on the Tsuen Wan-Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan-Tsing Yi routes. Meanwhile, the ferry service between Tsuen Wan and Central will be temporarily suspended.
Special buses will be run from Tuen Mun Town Centre and Sheung Shui KCR station (Route 60P) and from Tsuen Wan Ferry to Tsuen Wan MTR station (Route 39S).
Existing KMB routes 276 and 64K will be strengthened. Other routes between Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan/Kwai Tsing,and the MTR, KCR and LRT services, will be enhanced as necessary.
Commuters who have to drive are advised to use the Tolo Highway or Route Twisk via Yuen Long. Serious traffic congestion is expected in the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long areas. Police will give precedence to container vehicles using the Tolo Highway.
At a press conference tonight (Thursday), the Highways Department Assistant Director, Mr Chan Wai-sun, said the closure was necessary so that remedial works could be carried out to stabilise five slopes.
The section between Tai Lam and Sam Shing Hui had been thoroughly inspected by the Highways Department and contractors after a fatal accident on August 18. They posed no immediate danger but might become hazardous to public safety.
4’
- 2 -
With the passage of Typhoon Kent and the accompanying torrential rain, the government had decided to close the road for public safety and carry out permanent remedial works on the slopes, he said.
Assistant Commissioner for Transport Mr Alan Lui said the government would continue to consult the concerned District Boards for improvements to the special traffic arrangements.
End/Thursday, August 31, 1995
Typhoon Kent roundup
*****
The Typhoon Signal Number 8 was lowered at 9 pm (Thursday) and replaced by the Number 3 signal as Typhoon Kent headed into Guangdong Province.
Heavy rain fell in parts of the territory after the Number 8 signal was raised at 1 pm and the Education Department said all schools would remain shut on Friday.
About 6 pm police and the Transport Department announced a Kowloon-bound section of the Tuen Mun Highway between Sham Tseng and Wong Chu Road would be closed.
Most Hong Kong transport operations were disrupted after the Number 8 signal was hoisted, followed by a flood warning at 4.30 pm and a thunderstorm warning at 4.45 pm.
The Civil Aviation Department said 33 flights out of Hong Kong had been delayed and 11 flights cancelled by 6 pm. Four flights into Hong Kong were diverted, 45 were delayed and 11 flights were cancelled.
A boulder weighing about 500 kilograms fell into the yard of a cottage in Fan Wah Street, Cha Kwo Ling, at 2 pm. No injuries were reported.
In other storm damage, flooding was reported in Tsing Ho Square. Tuen Mun; MacDonnell Road, Mid-Levels; Man Kam To. Sheung Shui; Castle Peak Road near Texaco Road and Kam Sheung Road, Yuen Long. A washout was reported on Clear Water Bay Road near Tai Wan Tau.
3
Fallen trees disrupted traffic in Jaffe Road, Chai Wan Road, Eastern Hospital Road and Repulse Bay Road on Hong Kong Island. Other falls were reported in Prince Edward Road, Sha Tin and Tai Po.
The Home Affairs Department has opened 52 temporary shelters and admitted 119 people. The Social Welfare Department had served 139 hot meals by 6 pm.
End/Thursday, August 31, 1995
Over 440 applications to become OAT adjudicators received ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
•
A total of 442 applications to serve as adjudicators of the Obscene Articles Tribunal (OAT) have been received during the one-month open recruitment period which ended on Monday (August 28).
"Of the total, 116 applicants are female (26.2 per cent) and 326 are male (73.8 per cent). They come from a wide cross section of the community - from businessmen, architects, doctors, lawyers, teachers, surveyors, civil servants, social workers, students to housewives and retired persons," a spokesman for the Recreation and Culture Branch said today (Thursday).
An analysis shows that over 75 per cent of the applicants are aged between 20 and 40. About 55 per cent of the applicants have attained university level education, 40 per cent are secondary school graduates and 1.6 per cent have completed primary school education.
Applications received through the open recruitment exercise will be considered together with nominations made by the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Education Department, the Urban Services Department and the Regional Services Department.
"We will make nominations to the Chief Justice in due course. Besides fulfilling the basic legal requirements, we will ensure that the final nominations represent an even balance in terms of gender, age, profession, and education," the spokesman added.
The purpose of the open recruitment exercise was to enlarge the panel of adjudicators to increase its representativeness and to increase the number of female adjudicators to achieve a better sex balance.
4
A larger panel will also enable the OAT to better discharge its duties under the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance, which was amended in July to require that at least four (instead of two) adjudicators should sit at the full hearings to review interim classifications and at sittings to re-considcr classifications made more than three years ago.
Under the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance, the basic criteria for appointment as OAT adjudicators are seven years of residence in Hong Kong and proficiency in written English or written Chinese. The power to appoint adjudicators is vested in the Chief Justice.
End/Thursday, August 31, 1995
Monetary statistics for July 1995 * * * * ♦
Total deposits experienced modest growth in July 1995 while total loans and advances fell slightly, according to statistics published today (Thursday) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Deposits
The growth of total deposits was 0.4% in July, lower than the 1.4% rise recorded in June. The slow down was due to a 0.9% fall in foreign currency deposits, and a reduction of HK dollar deposit growth from 2.5% in June to 1.6% in July. Among the foreign currency deposits, US dollar deposits fell by 0.8% and non-US dollar deposits fell by 1.0%.
The rise in HK dollar deposits was mainly supported by the growth in savings deposits, which rose 2.6%. Growth rates for demand deposits and time deposits (adjusted to include foreign currency swap deposits) were 0.4% and 1.4% respectively. Continuing its downward trend, swap deposits fell by another 3.8% in July leading to a cumulative drop of 41.7% from the peak in November 1994.
Loans and Advances
Total outstanding loans and advances fell slightly by 0.1% in July, compared with the growth of 2.2% in May and 2.0% in June. The fall is attributable to a 0.8% decline in foreign currency loans, while the growth of HK dollar loans rose slightly to 1.2%. As HK dollar deposits rose faster than HK dollar loans, the loan-to-deposit ratio fell to 107.0% in July from 107.4% in June.
Loans for domestic use increased by 1.7% in July, up from 0.4% in June, while loans for trade financing rose by 1.1% in July, moderating from 3.0% in June.
Money Supply.
In line with the sluggish retail market, HKSM1 rose only slightly by 0.3% in July, while HKSM2 and HKSM3 (adjusted to include foreign currency swap deposits) both grew at around 1.7%.
Attention News Editors:
For further enquiries, please contact the Press and Publications Section, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, on tel 2878 8261.
6
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - JULY 1995
Money Supply Jul 1995 Earlier months change to Jul 1995) (HKSmm
Jun 1995 G J
Apr 1995 A •(Ji,* Jul 1994
Ml - HKS 169,186 168,763 ( 0.3 ) 165.071 ( ) 162.423 ( 42) -14.0 ) 2.2 ) 18.8 ) 14.0 ) 16.6 ) 18.6 ).
Foreign currency 16,923 17264 (, -2.0 ) 16325 ( 2.4 ) 19.669 (
Total 186,109 186.027 ( 0.0 ) 181396 ( 23 ) 182,092 (
M2- HKS@ 1210,400 1.190,182 ( 1.7) 1.156.111 ( 4.7 ) 1,018388 ( 852,048 (
Foreign currency* 971.651 980,498 ( -0.9 ) 965,723 ( 0.6 )
Total 2,182.051 2,170.679 ( 03 ) 2,121333 ( 2.8 ) 1.870,636 ( 1.035302 (
M3 - HKS@ 1228,039 1207.471 ( 1.7 ) 1,173.899 ( 4.6 )
Foreign currency* 1.035327 1.044.103 ( -0.8 ) 1.028.043 ( 0.8 ) 904237 ( 14.6 ) 16.7)
Total 2.263.866 2251374 ( 03) 2201.942 ( 2.8 ) 1.939.739 (
Notes and coins in circulation 78,298 78.432 ( -0.2 ) 78.915 ( -0.8 ) 73.468 ( 6.6 ) 63 )
of which held by public 69.145 69,095 ( 0-1 ) 69.914 ( -1.1 ) 64.932 (
Total Deposits
Tout Demand deposits 116,963 116,932 ( 0.0 ) 111.682 ( 4.7) 117.161 ( -02 ) -0.7) 242 ) 15.6 ) 16.7 ) 19.2 ) 2.6 ) 1.3) 31.0 ) 6.3) 23.3 ) 16.8 )
Total Savings deposits 408.331 405.645 ( 0.7 ) 393322 ( 3.8 ) 411.259 (
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 1341.603 1335.630 ( 0.4 ) 1303.965 ( 23 ) 1241,460 (
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 38.627 37,938 ( 1.8) 37.428 ( 32 ) 33,407 (
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 19,128 19,610 ( -2.5) 20223 ( -5.4 ) 16391 (
HKS deposits© 1,126.130 1,108,159 ( 1.6) 1,074.449 ( 4.8 ) 944.749 (
Demand deposits 100,041 99,668 ( 0.4 ) 95,157 ( 5.1 ) 97.492 (
Saving deposits 286,052 278.915 ( 2.6 ) 268,129 ( 6.7) 282.389 (
Time deposits© 740.037 729376 ( 1.4) 711.163 ( 4.1 ) 564.868 (
USS deposits* 500,655 504.671 ( -0.8 ) 508.305 ( -1.5 ) 471.038 (
Other foreign currency deposits* 497,867 502.925 ( -1.0) 484.066 ( 19 ) 403,891 ( 1319,678 (
All deposits 2,124,652 2,115,755 ( 0.4) 2,066320 ( 2-8)
Foreign currency swap deposits 60396 62.989 ( -3.8 ) 67.075 ( -9.7 ) 95.992 ( -36.9 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 156,044 154314 ( 0.8 ) 144.076 ( 83 ) 121313 ( 28.1 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 16,492 15,776 ( 43 ) 13.773 ( 19.7 ) 12.089 ( 36.4 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 1353,627 1330.388 ( 1.7) 1.312305 ( 3.1 ) 1,199.062 ( 12.9 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. ‘ 2283305 2313.669 ( -1-3 ) 2.183.366 ( 4.6 ) 1.806.809 ( 26.4 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 40357 41201 ( -1.6 ) 42.698 ( -5.0 ) 45.720 ( -11.3 )
Loans in HKS 1205,359 1,190.490 ( 12 ) 1.161.967 ( 3.7 ) 1,067.694 ( 12.9 )
Loans in foreign currencies 2.644,867 2.665358 ( -0.8 ) 2334250 ( 4.4 ) 2,117.800 ( 24.9 )
Total loans and advances 3.850 226 3355.848 ( -0.1 ) 3,696217 ( 4.2 ) 3,185,494 ( 20.9 )
• Adjusted to exclude foreign currency swap deposits. @ Adjusted to include foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : Data may not add up to total due to rounding.
End/Thursday, August 31, 1995
7
Better fire protection for residents *****
The Tsing Yi South Fire Station is responsible for protecting the special risks posed by the potentially hazardous industries (PHIs) on Tsing Yi Island.
Speaking at the official opening of the fire station today (Thursday), the Chief Ambulance Officer, Mr Mak Kwai-pui, said that to address residents’ concerns on PHIs on the island, the Government had conducted risk assessment studies and undertaken a series of improvement programmes.
"The building of this fire station was one of the positive steps that the Government has taken to improve safety," he said.
"The fire station is also provided with 28,500 litres of foam concentrate which is an effective medium for extinguishing oil fire."
Mr Mak added that the location of the fire station was selected after giving due consideration to the special risks on the island that had to be protected.
At present, the prominent industrial undertakings on the island include a power station, two major shipyards, three chemical installations and five major oil terminals.
"These numbers will be greatly increased by mid 1996 when all major industrial risks and PHIs on the island will have been relocated to the west and southwestern side," he said.
As a result of such relocation, all the residential developments on the eastern side would be separated from the PHIs on the island by a natural barrier of mountain ridge, he noted. The Tsing Yi South Fire Station covers an area of six square kilometres where most of the buildings arc for industrial use.
It also serves a population of 20,000 living in one housing estate, one temporary housing area and one village.
The fire station has answered 147 emergency calls since its commissioning on January 24, 1994.
On ambulance services, Mr Mak said that the Tsing Yi Ambulance Depot at Ha Ko Tan Street had been giving prompt and efficient ambulance services to residents on the island.
End/Thursday, August 31,1995
Grading of beach water quality *****
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) announced the latest gradings of Hong Kong's beaches, based on the bacteriological water quality.
The purpose of the grading system is to inform swimmers and the general public about the state of bacteriological pollution at various beaches.
Senior Environmental Protection Officer, Dr T Y Tam, said the grading will be announced biweekly during the bathing season to coincide with the frequency at which beach waters are usually sampled.
The grading is based on the most recent data obtained by EPD in its routine monitoring programme.
As with last year, the grading also includes an estimate of the risk of suffering some minor skin or gastrointestinal complaints as a result of swimming at a beach which has some degree of pollution.
The estimate is based on a large scale epidemiological study carried out in Hong Kong in the past bathing seasons.
The grading of some beaches fluctuates during the summer. In most cases, this represents a natural fluctuation in the bacteriological quality of bathing waters as rain and tides bring more or less pollution to the beaches.
However, the grades gives a good general picture of the water quality at bathing beaches at the time of reporting and form the best available forecast for the immediate future.
Beaches with highly developed hinterlands are likely to be more polluted than the grades suggested during and after heavy rain.
"Bathers should avoid such beaches for two or three days after a storm, longer if the weather remains overcast or less if there is strong sunshine", Dr Tam said.
The system for grading beach water quality is as follows:
Grade "1" indicates that the water quality is good. The E coli count is no more than 24 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected risk of minor illness to swimmers is undetectable.
9
Grade "2" indicates that the water quality is fair. The E coli count is no more than 180 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is no more than 10 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
Grade "3" indicates that the water quality is poor. The E coli count is no more than 610 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is no more than 15 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
Grade "4" indicates that the water quality is very poor. The E coli count is more than 610 per 100 millilitres at each beach so graded, and the expected health risk is more than 15 cases of minor illness per 1,000 swimmers.
The decision whether or not to close a beach to swimmers is based on a judgement of what degree of pollution is acceptable.
Normally, the closure of a beach would only be considered by the Urban or Regional Council if a grade "4" occurred repeatedly, so that the average health risk over the bathing season exceeded 15 cases per 1,000 swimmers.
At present four gazetted beaches, namely Anglers', Castle Peak, Old Cafeteria, and Rocky Bay, are closed to swimmers. The decision to close the beaches has been made by the Regional and Urban Councils on the basis of beach water quality monitoring data for 1994. The public are advised not to swim at these beaches. They are identified by an "X" in the following list.
The grades of the bacteriological water quality of various beaches in Hong
Kong today are listed below:
Beach Previous Grading (as at 17.8.95) Present Grading (as at 31.8.95)
Hong Kong South
Big Wave Bay 3 3
Chung Hom Kok 2 3
Deep Water Bay 3 3
Hairpin 3 4
Middle Bay 3 3
Repulse Bay 2 2
ShekO 3 3
South Bay 2 2
St. Stephen’s 2 2
Turtle Cove 3 2
Stanley Main 3 3
Rocky Bay X X
To Tei Wan* 2 3
Tuen Mun District
Golden Beach Old Cafeteria New Cafeteria Castle Peak Kadoorie Butterfly
Sai Kung District
Campers
Clear Water Bay 1st Beach
Clear Water Bay 2nd Beach
Hap Mun Bay
Kiu Tsui
Pak Sha Chau
Silverstrand
Trio (Hebe Haven)
Islands District
Cheung Sha Upper Cheung Sha Lower Discovery Bay* Hung Shing Yeh Kwun Yam Wan Tong Fuk Lo So Shing Pui O
Silvermine Bay
Tung Wan, Cheung Chau Tung O*
1
4
2
2 2
2
2 3
4
1
2
1
3
2
2
2
2
1
2
4
1
2
11
Tsuen Wan District
Anglers'
Approach
Casam
Gemini
Hoi Mei Wan
Lido
Ting Kau
Tung Wan, Ma Wan
X
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
X
4 4
4 3
4 4
3
Note: "X" The beach has been closed for swimming purposes.
* Ungazetted beaches.
The following beaches have changed grading on this occasion:
Lo Song Shing from "2" to "1"; Turtle Cove and Pui O from "3" to "2"; Cheung Sha Lower from "4" to "3"; Trio (Hebe Haven) from "1" to "2"; Chung Hom Kok and To Tei Wan from "2" to ”3"; Hairpin, Golden Beach and Butterfly from "3" to "4".
The changes are within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of these beaches. The general deterioration of beach water quality is probably due to the recent heavy rainfall which would have caused the pollutants in the beach hinterland to be flushed into the sea water.
Attention News Editors:
For further enquiries, please contact Dr Tam on 2594 6161.
End/Thursday, August 31, 1995