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Following is the speech given by the Acting Postmaster General, Mr Allan Chiang, at the "150 Years of Water Supply in Hong Kong" Special Stamps Issuing Ceremony today (March 18):

Good afternoon Mr. Phillipson, distinguished guests and friends from the media.

It is an honour for me to join you at the 150 Years of Hong Kong Water Supply Carnival held by the Water Supplies Department. And thank you for coming today to the issuing ceremony of the "150 Years of Hong Kong Water Supply" Special Stamps.

There are lots of similarities between Water Supplies Department (WSD) and Hongkong Post (HKP). We both are dedicated to providing superior customer service. While WSD aspires "to excel in satisfying customers' needs for the provision of quality water services", HKP pledges to provide professional and caring services which are on time, reliable, convenient and outstanding value for money. Whilst WSD proudly tells the public that they now provide nearly everybody - 99.9% of the population - with piped potable water, HKP has also achieved a new record of success rate as high as 99% in next day delivery of local mail.

Water supply and provision of postal service both have a history of over one and a half century, intimately linked with people's livelihood and the economic development of Hong Kong. I believe in the years to come, both WSD and HKP will strive for excellence to meet the changing needs of the public, and will continue to spare no efforts in contributing to the prosperity of Hong Kong.

HKP is therefore very pleased to be able to issue a set of special stamps today to commemorate 150 years of water supply. This is the first set of embossed stamps issued in Hong Kong. Four major waterworks and facilities are depicted, namely Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir built on land ($1.3); Plover Cove Reservoir, the world's first massive reservoir carved out of the sea ($2.5); large diameter water pipelines for transferring water received from Guangdong ($3.1) and application of modern technology to the controlling and monitoring of water quality ($5.0). I believe by viewing this set of stamps, you will definitely know more about the development of water supply in Hong Kong, and share with me the same respect felt for the staff of WSD for their untiring efforts over the years.

In order to keep pace with the growing need for water supply, Hong Kong is renowned for its novel methods of water storage and securing new water sources. For our stamps issued today, we have also adopted innovative designs and printing methods. To echo with the water droplet motif, embossing and spot varnishing methods are applied to reflect the translucent and flowing quality of water. This novel design not only highlights the theme on water, but also enhances the interest for collection. I hope you would like the new issue released today. Thank you.

End/Sunday, March 18, 2001

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