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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting this Wednesday (December 18) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on the Report of the Delegation of the Panel on Environmental Affairs on its duty visit to the Republic of Korea to study its experience on waste management.
The motion, to be moved by Ms Cyd Ho, states: "That this Council notes the Report of the Delegation of the Panel on Environmental Affairs on its duty visit to the Republic of Korea to study its experience on waste management from April 1 to 5, 2013."
Mrs Regina Ip will move another motion on boosting and reviving the academic standard and atmosphere of Hong Kong's mathematics and the sciences, and fully supporting the hosting of international mathematics competitions. The motion states: "That Hong Kong has been awarded the right to host the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 2016, and IMO as one of the international competitions of the highest standard in the mathematics community not only helps to upgrade Hong Kong's international reputation and status, but can also revive Hong Kong students' mathematics standard in which they have all along taken pride, and stimulate students' innovative ideas and desire for knowledge, thus promoting the development of new technology-intensive industries in Hong Kong; in 1994, Governor Chris Patten himself acted as the patron and fully supported Hong Kong's hosting of the 35th IMO, and since the Hong Kong IMO Team's first participation in the competition in 1988, its results have all along ranked among the top positions; as such, this Council urges the Government to fully support the IMO Hong Kong Committee in organising the 57th IMO; specific measures should include:
(1) since the opening and closing ceremonies of previous IMO competitions were all presided over by the heads of state, important royal family members or heads of government of the host countries or cities in the capacity as patrons, Hong Kong should also follow this tradition with the Chief Executive acting as the patron of the 57th IMO, so as to show its hospitality as the host;
(2) to provide necessary assistance to contestants from various countries and their accompanying staff in respect of entry visas;
(3) following the practice of previous IMOs, to assign relevant government officials and nominees of the IMO Hong Kong Committee as observers of the 55th IMO in 2014 and the 56th IMO in 2015, so that they can offer advice and support to Hong Kong regarding the hosting of the 57th IMO;
(4) to conduct publicity and encourage the various sectors of the society to participate in this great event enthusiastically, so as to enhance the society's interest in learning mathematics, strengthen students' grasp of mathematics, and nurture and retain talents for the development of new technology-intensive industries in Hong Kong;
(5) while the Education Bureau has agreed to support the hosting of this great event in principle and sponsor the costs of the opening and closing ceremonies and medal production, the Government should also assist the IMO Hong Kong Committee in applying for funding from the Mega Events Fund, the Quality Education Fund and other financial assistance etc., so as to obtain sufficient resources for discharging the host's obligations of providing team leaders, contestants and accompanying staff from various countries with meals, accommodation, in-town transport, souvenirs and other necessities;
(6) to assist the IMO Hong Kong Committee in obtaining tourism resources for providing cultural activities to participating teams and accompanying staff from various participating countries, with a view to promoting Hong Kong's culture and enhancing Hong Kong's international image; and
(7) to continue to support the Hong Kong IMO Team in participating in various mathematics competitions held in the Mainland, so as to promote cultural and academic exchanges between both places."
Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Mr Cheung Kwok-che, Mr Leung Yiu-chung, Mr Kenneth Leung, Mr Tony Tse and Mr Charles Mok will move separate amendments to Mrs Regina Ip's motion.
Meanwhile, Mr Chan Kam-lam will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period of amending the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Amendment of Schedule 16) Order 2013 and the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations (Amendment of Schedule) Order 2013, laid on the table of the LegCo on November 20, 2013, to the meeting of January 8, 2014.
Ms Chan Yuen-han will also move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period of amending the Antiquities and Monuments (Declaration of Historical Buildings) Notice 2013, laid on the table of the LegCo on November 27, 2013 to the meeting of January 15, 2014.
In addition, the Secretary for the Environment will move a proposed resolution under section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance in relation to the Air Pollution Control (Air Pollutant Emission) (Controlled Vehicles) Regulation.
On Bills, Members will resume Second Reading debates on the Toys and Children's Products Safety (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill 2013. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the Third times.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found in the LegCo website.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public can also watch or listen the meeting via the web broadcast system on the LegCo website.
Ends/Monday, December 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:26
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