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Following is a question by Dr Hon Kenneth Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (November 13):
Question:
Earlier on, some members of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council have proposed to reduce the number of days in a week for which the Mong Kok Pedestrian Precinct was implemented. In this regard, the Yau Tsim Mong District Office has commissioned a university to conduct a questionnaire survey to collect the views of the users. Street performers active in the district have relayed to me that implementing the aforesaid recommendation will smother the street performance culture in Hong Kong, and also aggravate the conflicts and confrontation among users of the pedestrian precinct. Regarding the policy on the promotion and management of street performance activities, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the authorities have formulated any policy or measure at present regarding the promotion of street performance activities; if they have, of the details; if not, whether the authorities will consider formulating such a policy; if they will, of the details of such work; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) given that some street performers have relayed to me that their performance venues are mainly at the pedestrian precincts in various districts, but most of the space thereof is often occupied for business promotional activities, whether the authorities have proactively liaised and coordinated with various users of the pedestrian precincts to ensure that various activities in the pedestrian precincts are carried out in a planned and orderly manner, thereby minimizing the impact of such activities on the residents of the districts concerned; if they have, of the details of the coordination work; if not, whether the authorities will carry out such coordination work; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) given that some of the street performers have suggested that the authorities consider introducing a licensing mechanism for the reasonable planning and management of street performance activities and the demarcation of areas dedicated for street performances, whether the authorities will study the feasibility of the suggestion and comprehensively consult the street performers and the public; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Our reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:
(a) and (c) The Government has all along been committed to promoting the arts and culture to the public and encouraging public participation in order to integrate the arts into the community. We welcome street arts performances, those of a certain standard can provide more opportunities for the public to have access to the arts and enrich the cultural atmosphere of the community.
Currently, there are no laws in Hong Kong that prohibit street arts performances, but all the activities that take place in public space, including performance activities, must not pose any risk to public safety or cause nuisances or obstruction to the public.
To enable more members of the public to enjoy street arts performances, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has implemented the "Open Stage" at the plaza of the Sha Tin Town Hall (STTH), a performance area has been identified for free performances by individuals or groups. Similar to the arrangement of some overseas cultural facilities, performers are required to pass a simple audition so as to ensure their performances are of a suitable artistic standard and comply with the safety and noise control requirements. Performers/groups follow a first-come-first-served registration basis, which enables articulation and distribution of performance space and sessions of different participating performers. Not only that the performers need not pay for the rental, they may also collect donations within the performance area. Apart from the "Open Stage", LCSD regularly organises a broad range of cultural activities such as concerts, Cantonese opera, dance performances, etc. at the outdoor areas of the four performing venues (i.e. the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, STTH, Tsuen Wan Town Hall and Kwai Tsing Theatre) to bring arts to the community. Apart from the "Open Stage", a total of 145 cultural activities will be organised by LCSD and other bodies at the outdoor areas of these four performing arts venues in 2013.
While the proposal for a licensing system to regulate street performance can certainly ensure the standard of the performances, it will nevertheless impose constraints on street performances and prohibit those persons who have not obtained a licence from conducting street performances. A general consensus has yet to be reached by the community on this arrangement, whether it should be introduced should be subject to further study.
(b) The objectives of assigning pedestrian precincts are to improve pedestrian flow and safety. Taking the pedestrian precinct at Sai Yeung Choi Street South in Mong Kok for example, the Transport Department proposed to the Yau Tsim Mong District Council (YTMDC) in 2000 the implementation of a pilot pedestrian scheme at the said area in order to improve the environment and safety for pedestrians. Although the implementation of the scheme has effectively limited vehicular traffic in the area, it has also brought about various street management problems, including illegal hawking, road occupation by on-street pitches for commercial promotion and easy-mount frames, and noise nuisance created by different types of street performances. Concerned government departments (including Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Police, etc.) have all along strived to minimise the impact of the above-mentioned problems on nearby residents through enforcement actions. Government departments would also take joint enforcement actions when necessary, and organise educational and promotional campaigns with YTMDC and Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO) to encourage self-awareness and law-abidingness among road users.
Nevertheless, in the light of the deteriorating street management problems in the Mong Kok Pedestrian Precinct, YTMDO conducted a local consultation, upon request by YTMDC, on a proposal to shorten the number of days in a week for which the pedestrian scheme is implemented. The result of the local consultation will be reported to the Traffic and Transport Committee of YTMDC in late November this year.
Ends/Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:30
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