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Following is a question by the Hon Mr Andrew Cheng and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, (in the absence of the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology), in the Legislative Council today (November 23):
Question:
It is learnt that since February last year, Internet surfers in the Mainland have been unable to access the website of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). Hong Kong residents in the Mainland are therefore denied access to the information on the website. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it knows the reasons for Internet surfers in the Mainland being unable to access RTHK's website;
(b) whether RTHK, the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau and the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing have reflected the problem to the relevant Mainland authorities; if so, which of the above has/have done so, and of the Mainland authorities to which the problem has been reflected, the views conveyed and the responses received; and
(c) whether it will discuss with the relevant Mainland authorities ways to resolve the problem; if so, when the problem is expected to be resolved; if not, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
We understand that Internet surfers in the Mainland are unable to access the website of RTHK. RTHK and the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing have approached the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Information Office of the State Council for information about the situation. We are awaiting the authorities' reply. We will continue to reflect the problem to them and seek information about the situation.
Ends/Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:26
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