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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Wednesday) delivered his 1999 Policy Address. The main points are as follows:

Review

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* 'One country, two systems' concept successfully implemented. Basic freedoms and way of life maintained.

* Financial reforms have consolidated Hong Kong's position as a leading international financial centre.

* Innovation and technology established as an important economic driver.

Positioning

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* Develop Hong Kong as a world-class city (the New York and London of Asia).

* Strengthen collaboration and communication with the Mainland in the development of export-oriented industries.

* International centre for cultural exchanges.

Environment

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* Reducing respirable particulates from the present vehicle fleet by 60 per cent by 2003 and 80 per cent by 2005.

* Introducing comprehensive measures for diesel vehicles, such as replacing diesel taxis and minibuses with LPG vehicles and installing particulate traps or catalytic converters for other diesel vehicles.

* Providing $1.4 billion in grants to diesel vehicle owners to encourage the changes needed. And taking stronger action against smoky vehicles.

* Expanding pedestrian zones and encouraging the use of less polluting modes of transport.

* Actively co-operating with the Guangdong authorities on formulating long-term preventive measures on air pollution, and to improve the quality of water from Dongjiang.

* Spending $9 billion in the next five years on other sewerage works, in addition to the expenditure on the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme.

Education

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* Advancing by two years (to September 2002) the requirement that all new kindergarten principals complete the Certificate of Kindergarten Education course. By 2004 all pre-service training programmes for primary and secondary school teachers will be upgraded to degree level.

* The percentage of primary students enjoying whole-day schooling will almost double from today's 32 per cent to 60 per cent by 2002.

* From 2000, there will be an objective mechanism to ensure that language teachers attain the benchmarks to teach in the relevant languages.

* A five-year $120 million-programme by the University Grants Committee to develop areas of excellence in information technology, biotechnology and economics and business strategy.

* A soon-to-be-announced scheme to admit talented Mainlanders to help broaden Hong Kong's economic base.

Urban Renewal

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* Establish an Urban Renewal Authority to speed up the redevelopment of priority projects.

* Make land available along the waterfront for open plazas, landscaped areas, promenades and walkways.

* Better protection for historic buildings and archaeological sites.

* Comprehensive conservation policy and enlarged country parks for Lantau Island.

* Open competition to help create a new look for the harbour in the new millennium.

End/Wednesday, October 6, 1999

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