Daily Information Bulletin
Issued by Government Information Services
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Thursday, July 3, 1997 CONTENTS ======== 1. Government's position on immigration claims 2. Informal liaison with Taiwan 3. FS's vision of Hong Kong's economic future 4. Speech by the Financial Secretary 5. SBCS's speech 6. China gifts to HKSAR go on show 7. Govt welcomes announcement on SAR passport: Mauritius 8. Provisional District Board Chairmen elected 9. Construction output for 1st quarter of 1997 10. Commemorative stamp folder on sale 11. Emergency relief by SWD 12. Work arrangements during rainstorms urged 13. Exhibition on Job Matching Services 14. Provisional DB organises building management course 15. Exhibition of primary school pupils' creative work 16. Sir Edward Youde Memorial fellowships and scholarships 17. Mail services to Sierra Leone suspended 18. Gradings of beach water quality announced 19. Water storage figure 1. Government's position on immigration claims ******************************************* In response to press enquiries on what arrangements will be made for a group of children approaching the Immigration Department to claim Right of Abode (ROA) under Basic Law 24(2)(3), a government spokesman said today (Thursday) that the Immigration Department will process claims regarding immigration status, including eligibility to ROA, in the usual manner. "As it will take some time to verify the claims, we will let the claimants go home on recognisance," the spokesman said. The spokesman stressed that there are no special arrangements or amnesty for illegal immigrants. "All those who cannot establish their legal rights to stay in Hong Kong will be repatriated," he said. End 2. Informal liaison with Taiwan **************************** In response to press enquiries, a spokesman for the Chief Executive's Office said today (Thursday) that Mr Paul Yip has been liaising informally for the past few weeks with Mr Cheng An Kuo, of the Chung Hwa Travel Service, on matters relating to Hong Kong and Taiwan. End 3. FS's vision of Hong Kong's economic future ****************************************** The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, today (Thursday) described his vision of Hong Kong's economic future as "Asia's Manhattan". Speaking at a panel briefing for the media on Hong Kong's service industries, he said: "Taking the Manhattan analogy, I envision a Hong Kong that leads and sets the trend for the region in fashions, design, arts and culture and, perhaps most important of all, new ways of thinking and doing things through taking advantage of the cultural diversity and the quick and free flow of information that we enjoy. "A Hong Kong that focuses on the highest part of the value chain, thereby allowing us to operate on a high but sustainable cost base; a Hong Kong which excels in processing information and adding value through it on the strengths of one of the best telecommunications infrastructures one can find in the world. "A Hong Kong that is superbly effective in integrating and organising buying, selling and production activities spanning vast geographical territories; and a Hong Kong that is strikingly externally oriented, always on the lookout for business opportunities no matter where they are and ready to learn from economies near and far." Elaborating on Hong Kong's service economy, Mr Tsang said underlying it was also the success story of how Hong Kong had outgrown the confines of its physical boundary and developed into a hub that supported, serviced and controlled a huge range of business activities in Asia and beyond. He quoted some key figures as an illustration of the extent of Hong Kong's service orientation. "The service sector accounts for over 83 percent of Gross Domestic Product and over 78 percent of our employment depends on services," Mr Tsang said. "Hong Kong is the 9th largest exporter of services in the world, with its service exports growing at an average annual rate of 16.4 percent in value terms. "Hong Kong is the world's busiest container port; the world's fifth largest centre in external banking transactions and foreign exchange transactions; the world's second in terms of facsimile lines per 100 business lines; and the most popular tourist and visitor destination as well as the second most popular convention venue in Asia." On the question whether the Government has a role to play in this vision, Mr Tsang said the answer was "yes and no". "Yes because the public sector can support and facilitate business in areas that individual entrepreneurs and firms find difficult to contribute to if left alone. These include infrastructure, education and manpower development, fighting corruption, cutting red tape, safeguarding the free flow of information, and upholding the rule of law," he said. "No because in the final analysis business decisions are for businesses to make. They, not the government, stand to profit or perish by those decisions, with the market as the final judge. The further the government stays away from these areas, the better it will be for Hong Kong's economy." The Financial Secretary said Hong Kong's recent economic development was a classic example of this "minimum intervention, maximum support" approach adopted by the Government. "Our increasingly heavy emphasis on higher value-added economic activities, many of which fall within the statistical classification of services, has been purely market-led. What the Government has done has been simply to follow the market and provide the support that the market demands," he said. End 4. Speech by the Financial Secretary ********************************* Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, at a panel briefing at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this afternoon (Thursday): Introduction ------------ Ladies and Gentlemen, May I first, on behalf of the organisers and the other panellists, welcome you to this Briefing. I hope you have enjoyed the last few days, when we saw the birth of the Hong Kong SAR. Today Hong Kong is back to business as usual. Everywhere you go, be it banks, restaurants, photo- processing shops or wherever, you will receive the same, first class service you and the rest of the world have come to expect in this dynamic city. I think this shows how sophisticated our society has become. It shows how effectively and professionally the people of Hong Kong have prepared themselves for the transition. And above all it shows the determination of the people in both the Hong Kong SAR and the Mainland to make the concept of "one country, two systems" work. Nothing can be more convincing on this point than the plain fact that it is business as usual everywhere you look. Hong Kong's Service Economy --------------------------- The Briefing today focuses on Hong Kong's service economy. It signifies the fact that the Hong Kong SAR earns its money by the much more elusive commodity called knowledge, rather than just sweat and labour though of course those two elements are still present. Underlying our service economy is also the success story of how Hong Kong has outgrown the confines of its physical boundary and developed into a hub that supports, services and controls a huge range of business activities in Asia and beyond. A look at some key figures reveals the extent of Hong Kong's service orientation. The service sector now accounts for over 83% of Gross Domestic Product and over 78% of our employment depends on service. Hong Kong is the 9th largest exporter of services in the world, with its service exports growing at an average annual rate of 16.4% in value terms. Hong Kong is the world's busiest container port; the world's fifth largest centre in external banking transactions and foreign exchange transactions; the world's second in terms of facsimile lines per 100 business lines; and the most popular tourist and visitor destination as well as the second most popular convention venue in Asia. The facts are clear. Hong Kong has a powerful and prosperous service economy. Many of its service industries are internationally competitive. Hong Kong is remarkably successful in servicing China, Asia and beyond in many business hub functions such as headquarters, banking and finance, transportation, and telecommunications. Past or present glory does not imply future success. We know our job is to build on the successes of the past to ensure an even better economic future for the Hong Kong SAR. Hong Kong as Asia's Manhattan ----------------------------- What is our vision of Hong Kong's economic future? At the risk of over-simplification, I think that no two words can better describe it than - "Asia's Manhattan". Here I am not just talking about a Hong Kong full of glass-panelled skyscrapers, banks and multi-nationals. Of course we already have many of these and will continue to do so. But we are also talking about other important things. Taking the Manhattan analogy, I envision a Hong Kong that leads and sets the trend for the region in fashions, design, arts and culture and, perhaps most important of all, new ways of thinking and doing things through taking advantage of the cultural diversity and the quick and free flow of information that we enjoy; a Hong Kong that focuses on the highest part of the value chain, thereby allowing us to operate on a high but sustainable cost base; a Hong Kong which excels in processing information and adding value through it on the strengths of one of the best telecommunications infrastructures one can find in the world; a Hong Kong that is superbly effective in integrating and organising buying, selling and production activities spanning vast geographical territories; and a Hong Kong that is strikingly externally oriented, always on the lookout for business opportunities no matter where they are and ready to learn from economies near and far. This is the Hong Kong envision. The Public Sector's Role ------------------------ Does the Government have a role to play in this vision? Yes and no. Yes because the public sector can support and facilitate business in areas that individual entrepreneurs and firms find difficult to contribute to if left alone. These include infrastructure, education and manpower development, fighting corruption, cutting red tape, safeguarding the free flow of information, and upholding the rule of law. No because in the final analysis business decisions are for businesses to make. They, not the government, stand to profit or perish by those decisions, with the market as the final judge. The further the government stays away from these areas, the better it will be for Hong Kong's economy. Hong Kong's recent economic development is a classic example of this "minimum intervention, maximum support" approach adopted by the Government. Our increasingly heavy emphasis on higher value-added economic activities, many of which fall within the statistical classification of services, has been purely market-led. What the Government has done has been simply to follow the market and provide the support that the market demands. The detailed story of what we have done in the past few years in support of our service sector, much of which was kick-started by a Government Task Force which I chaired, is in the Task Force's Final Report available at the reception counter. I do not propose to repeat it here. Some Key Issues --------------- I think I have talked enough about generalities and it is time to invite our guest panellists to speak more specifically on a few key issues. I hope they will give you some idea of how Hong Kong is tackling the challenges posed by a high value-added economy at various levels. A key concern overseas, and to some extent in Hong Kong, is the relationship between services on the one hand and manufacturing on the other and whether an economy is sustainable without a substantial manufacturing sector. The argument often used is that a bank does not provide as many jobs as an assembly line. So getting more banks does not mean an economy can afford to lose its assembly lines. Well, there are not so many assembly lines in Hong Kong these days but unemployment stays low. Dr Victor Fung, Chairman of our Trade Development Council, will share with you his views about the close and often inseparable relationship between Hong Kong's manufacturing and service sectors and how, instead of one weakening the other, both have become much stronger together. Another important area is service productivity. Simply put, this measures how effectively our service industries turn input into output. Hong Kong shares the common concern of many developed economies that service productivity usually grows more slowly than manufacturing productivity. Mr Kenneth Fang, Chairman of our Productivity Council, will share with us the Council's experience in raising service productivity for Hong Kong. Finally, after talking so much on issues affecting the entire spectrum of our service industries, we believe it would be useful to share with you our experience in relation to a particular service industry. We have chosen tourism in this case and Mr Y S Lo, Chairman of our Tourist Association, will speak on that. We also have Mr Brian Stevenson, Chairman of the Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries, to share his thought with us. May I now invite Dr Victor Fung to speak. End 5. SBCS's speech ************* The following is the speech by the Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport, Mr Chau Tak-hay, on the Broadcasting Development of Hong Kong at a press briefing held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (Thursday): Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me start by giving you a brief overview of the broadcasting scene in Hong Kong prefaced with a few words on our policy objectives. Our core objective is simple and straightforward. It is to ensure that the people of Hong Kong have access to a wide variety of broadcasting services through the creation of an environment in which diversity and freedom of expression can thrive. We seek to achieve this goal by expanding the choice and improving the quality of broadcasting, while ensuring that such programmes do not offend public standards of taste and decency. Until 1991, Hong Kong's broadcasting market was simple. We had just two terrestrial television stations, each with two channels, and two radio stations. In the six years since 1991, the number of domestic channels in Hong Kong has grown from four to over 40. Many more satellite channels are receivable in Hong Kong. And the way in which people receive their television programmes has also been changing. TV programmes are now delivered not only by terrestrial broadcasters but also by satellite and cable broadcasters. Before long, television will be coming down the telephone wires, when Hong Kong becomes the first place in the world to have commercial-scale video-on-demand, or VOD, programme services. The changes won't stop there. Next year, we shall undertake a comprehensive review of the television environment to see what further adjustments to the regulatory framework are required to keep Hong Kong at the forefront of broadcasting development. The development of regional broadcasting has also been extraordinary. Since pan-Asian satellite broadcasting began with Hong Kong-based STAR TV just six years ago, many regional broadcasters have taken to the air. In addition to CETV, which broadcasts family programming to Chinese- speaking communities around Asia, several of the world's best known international broadcasters have chosen Hong Kong as their regional base. CNN, NBC, and the TNT/Cartoon Network are a few examples. And a few months ago, MGM Gold moved its regional headquarters to Hong Kong from another place in Asia. Hong Kong is well placed to benefit from the expansion of broadcasting in Asia. To investors looking for a regional base, we offer a formidable combination of advantages. It is not surprising therefore that Hong Kong has become a major broadcasting hub in Asia. But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Hong Kong faces stiff competition from other locations in the region, we shall therefore be reviewing our policies on satellite TV broadcasters over the next few months to see how we can maintain and enhance Hong Kong's position as a regional broadcasting hub. Both this and the 1998 policy review are likely to keep us busy over the next year or so. But even after that, we shall scarcely have time to draw breath before tackling the next task: the introduction of digital broadcasting. While it is likely to be some time before acceptably-priced consumer equipment is available, the technology is already being tested in Europe and North America. In the next few months, we will start to plan the options for digital radio. Thereafter, we shall tackle the introduction of digital television. The Government can play an important facilitating role in these and other broadcasting developments. But if we are to make the most of such developments, we need to place consumers in the driving seat. This means maintaining a simple regulatory framework for broadcasting, which provides a level playing field and ensures that proper standards are met, but avoids unnecessary interference with the freedom of broadcasters to provide the services demanded by consumers. End 6. China gifts to HKSAR go on show ******************************* The 32 gifts to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from the China's Central People's Government, Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities went on show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (Thursday). The exhibition, in Hall 5 of the HKCEC Phase I, is open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm today and tomorrow. Admission to the exhibition is by tickets which are available free of charge at the main entrance to the HKCEC Phase I, which is off Harbour Road. End 7. Govt welcomes announcement on SAR passport: Mauritius ***************************************************** In response to the Mauritian Government's press statement today (Thursday), a Hong Kong Government spokesman welcomes the Mauritian Government's announcement that HKSAR passport holders will be given visa-free access to visit Mauritius. "This treatment reflects a vote of confidence in the SAR passport. "It signifies the strong and welcome commitment of the Mauritian Government to Hong Kong's continued success," he said. The spokesman added that Mauritian nationals are welcome to continue to visit Hong Kong. End 8. Provisional District Board Chairmen elected ******************************************* The Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Islands, Tai Po, Wan Chai and Southern Provisional District Boards have each elected a chairman at their respective meetings today (Thursday). They are Mr Lau Wong-fat of the Tuen Mun Provisional District Board, Mr Choy Kan-pui of the Sha Tin Provisional District Board, Mr Lam Wai-keung of the Islands Provisional District Board, Mr Cheung Hok-ming of the Tai Po Provisional District Board, Mrs Peggy Lam of the Wan Chai Provisional District Board and Ms Mar Yuet-har of the Southern Provisional District Board. End 9. Construction output for 1st quarter of 1997 ******************************************* The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed by main contractors amounted to $31.5 billion in the first quarter of 1997, according to the preliminary results of the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department. This represented an increase of 14.5% over the same quarter last year. Based on the provisional estimate, the gross value of construction work, measured at constant (1990) market prices, performed in the first quarter of 1997 increased by 5.9% over the same quarter last year. The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed at public sector sites amounted to $12.0 billion, representing an increase of 8.3% over the same quarter last year. When measured at constant (1990) market prices, the increase was 1.9%. The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed at private sector sites totalled $11.7 billion, representing an increase of 28% over the same quarter last year. When measured at constant (1990) market prices, it was up by 16%. The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed by contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $7.8 billion, 7.2% higher than in the first quarter of 1996. When measured at constant (1990) market prices, it decreased slightly by 1.3%. Work in this category included minor new construction activities and renovation work at erected buildings and structures; and electrical and mechanical fitting work. Analysed by end-use, residential building projects (including commercial and residential composite buildings) accounted for the greatest portion of the gross value of construction work performed at construction sites. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects was $7.7 billion, representing an increase of 29% over the first quarter of 1996. Transport projects, which covered airport construction projects, represented the second largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects was $6.8 billion, 2.9% higher than in the first quarter of 1996. Commercial building projects constituted the third largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects totalled $3.9 billion, representing a remarkable increase of 54% over the first quarter of 1996. Compared with the fourth quarter of 1996, the gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed by main contractors in the first quarter of 1997 decreased by 2.3%. The gross values of construction work at constant (1990) market prices are derived by deflating the nominal values with appropriate price indices to the price level of 1990. Owing to the widespread sub-contracting practices in the construction industry, a construction establishment can be a main contractor for one contract and a sub-contractor for another contract at the same time. The gross value of construction work performed by main contractors covers only those projects in which the construction establishment takes the role of a main contractor, but not projects in which it takes only the role of a sub-contractor. However, sub- contractors' contribution to projects should have been included in the gross value of construction work performed by main contractors for whom they worked. More detailed statistics on construction output are given in the "Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output, 1st Quarter 1997". The report is now on sale at $14 per copy at the Government Publications Centre, Ground Floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, or at the Census and Statistics Department Publications Unit, 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Regular subscription may also be arranged. Enquiries about the survey may be directed to the Building, Construction and Real Estate Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 6426. End 10. Commemorative stamp folder on sale ********************************** The Postmaster General, Mr Robert Footman, announced today (Thursday) that a commemorative stamp folder issued by the Chinese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications will be on sale on Sunday (July 6) at the following 20 philatelic offices from 8 am to 4 pm: Hong Kong Island ---------------- General Post Office Aberdeen Post Office Harcourt Road Post Office Hennessy Road Post Office Peak Post Office Shau Kei Wan Post Office Kowloon ------- Airport Post Office Cheung Sha Wan Post Office Kowloon Central Post Office Kowloon City Post Office Kwun Tong Post Office Mong Kok Post Office New Territories --------------- Cheung Fat Post Office Hin Keng Post Office Sha Tin Central Post Office Tai Po Post Office Tsuen Wan Post Office Tuen Mun Central Post Office Yuen Long Post Office Outlying Islands ---------------- Cheung Chau Post Office The philatelic offices in Tsim Sha Tsui and Granville Road are excluded from the sales network because most major roads in Tsim Sha Tsui will be closed for parade celebrations on Sunday. The commemorative stamp folder contains a RMB$50 stamp sheetlet with gold foil issued on July 1, 1997 to commemorate Hong Kong's return to China. The selling price of the folder is $190 each. A sales restriction of five folders per customer queuing will be imposed on Sunday. Any unsold stock will continue to be sold at the 20 philatelic offices on subsequent days until stock lasts. End 11. Emergency relief by SWD *********************** The Social Welfare Department has provided relief articles and hot meals to 114 people who were affected by the rainstorm or mudslip throughout the territory. The people, comprising adults and children, come from 30 families. Some of them are taking temporary shelter at Lung Hang Estate Community Centre in Sha Tin, and Shek Lei Estate Community Centre and Princess Alexandra Community Centre in Tsuen Wan. The Regional Social Welfare Officer (New Territories East), Mrs Lily Wong, visited victims at Lung Hang Estate Community Centre this (Thursday) afternoon to offer any necessary assistance. Six victims have so far requested for Comprehensive Social Security Allowance and their applications are being processed. Social workers also escorted an 88-year-old man who was feeling unwell to the Prince of Wales Hospital for medical checkup. End 12. Work arrangements during rainstorms urged ***************************************** The Labour Department today (Thursday) reminded employers and employees to reach an agreement on work arrangements during inclement weather without delay. "Employers are strongly advised to adopt a flexible approach in drawing up work arrangements during inclement weather. Due consideration should be given to employees' safety in workplace as well as their journey to and from work," a spokesman for the department said. An agreement on work arrangements should normally cover rules regarding report of duty, release from work, resumption of work and wages calculation. "The agreement should state clearly the colour code of rainstorm under employees are not required to work and the time of issue of such signals when they are not required to report for duty," the spokesman said. "It should also include instructions regarding the release of employees when the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is in force during working hours. "Employers and employees should also make prior arrangements on conditions under which employees should return to work when rainstorm warnings are lowered during working hours." However, employers are urged to adopt a flexible approach towards resumption of duty as some employees may have difficulties in returning to work. "As rainstorms are natural calamities, due consideration should also be given to employees who are absent from or late for work so that their earnings, including attendance bonus, are not adversely affected," the spokesman added. Employers or employees who require assistance are welcome to approach the nearest Labour Relations Service branch office. End 13. Exhibition on Job Matching Services *********************************** Members of the public are welcomed to visit a two-day exhibition on the Job Matching Services offered by the Labour Department starting from tomorrow (Friday). The exhibition is aimed at promoting the free job matching services of the department to both employers and job-seekers. It will be opened daily from 10 am to 6 pm at Level 3, Crystal Atrium, Metroplaza, Kwai Chung. It will include display panels introducing the job matching services of the Job Matching Programme (JMP) and the Job Matching Centre. Leaflets on these services will be distributed to visitors. On-the-spot registration service will be provided to employers who wish to make use of the free recruitment service offered by the JMP or job seekers wishing to join the JMP. Vacancies registered under the Supplementary Labour Scheme will also be available. Job-seekers who wish to apply for these vacancies can register on the spot. End 14. Provisional DB organises building management course *************************************************** Members of owners' corporations in Sham Shui Po district and other interested people are invited to participate in a private building management certificate course to be held between August 6 and 27. The course is organised by the Sham Shui Po Provisional District Board's Working Group on Private Building Problems with the assistance of the Sham Shui Po Building Management Co-ordination Committee and sponsorship from Sham Shui Po Provisional District Board. It covers topics on the Building Management Ordinance, fire prevention, selection of property management company, lift maintenance and illegal structures. Application forms are now available at the Sham Shui Po District Office at sixth floor, West Coast International Building, 290-296 Un Chau Street. Deadline for applications is July 26. For enquiries, please call 2720 4251 Ext 26. End 15. Exhibition of primary school pupils' creative work ************************************************** An exhibition of primary school pupils' creative work, organised by the Cultural Crafts Section (Art and Craft) of the Education Department's Advisory Inspectorate, is being held at the Cultural Crafts Education Resources Centre, from today (Thursday) until August 2. About 1,000 pieces of artwork from some 80 primary schools are displayed. The artwork, consist of paintings, drawings, prints, designs, sculptures and crafts, are the learning outcome of Art and Craft in Hong Kong primary schools. Members of the public are welcome to the exhibition staged at the Cultural Crafts Education Resources Centre, the fourth and fifth floors, 4 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to noon on Saturdays. Exhibition will be closed on Sundays and public holidays. End 16. Sir Edward Youde Memorial fellowships and scholarships ****************************************************** The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council announced today (Thursday) that its fellowships and scholarships for overseas studies (including the award for disabled students) for the academic year 1998-99 will be open for application from tomorrow (Friday). The fellowships and scholarships are aimed at encouraging the best students to pursue further education in reputable institutions overseas. Successful candidates for the awards are expected to have a strong sense of commitment to Hong Kong and be ready to contribute significantly to the community upon return from their overseas studies. They will be required to work in Hong Kong for at least three years upon graduation. The fellowships are for studies leading to postgraduate degrees either by research or by coursework; the scholarships are for undergraduate studies leading to first degrees. The applicants will be responsible for fulfilling all application procedures and admission requirements of the academic institutions of their choice. The value of fellowship is about $228,000 per year for up to three years for Doctoral degree or two years for Master degree; the value of scholarship is about $210,000 per year for up to three years. Application forms and information notes are available at the following addresses: (a) Student Financial Assistance Agency 9th Floor, National Mutual Centre 151 Gloucester Road Wan Chai Hong Kong (b) Education Department Careers and Guidance Services Section Room 206, Mong Kok Government Offices 30 Luen Wan Street Mong Kok Kowloon For enquiries, please call 2802 1638 or 2802 1639. The closing date for all applications is September 30, 1997. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend the initial interview in Hong Kong to be conducted in January 1998. Suitable applicants will be requested to attend the final interview in Hong Kong in February/March 1998. End 17. Mail services to Sierra Leone suspended *************************************** The Postmaster General, Mr Robert Footman, announced today (Thursday) that because of the present political situation in Sierra Leone, all air and surface mail services to the country, including letters and parcels, are suspended with immediate effect. A further announcement will be made as and when services can be resumed. End 18. Gradings of beach water quality announced ***************************************** The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) released its latest beach water quality monitoring results to inform swimmers and the public about the water quality of the beaches in Hong Kong. Under EPD's monitoring system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the most recent E. coli data collected. Among the 37 beaches, 6 are found to be in "good" condition (Grade 1), 18 "fair" (Grade 2), 9 "poor" (Grade 3) and 4 "very poor" (Grade 4). "Grade 1" beaches include: Cheung Sha Upper Lo So Shing (S) Hung Shing Yeh (S) Hap Mun Bay (S) Tong Fuk Kiu Tsui (S) "Grade 2" beaches include: Big Wave Bay (S) Cheung Sha Lower Chung Hom Kok (S) Discovery Bay * Deep Water Bay (S) Kwun Yam Wan (S) Hairpin (S) Pui O Middle Bay (S) Tung Wan on Cheung Chau (S) Repulse Bay (S) Clear Water Bay 1st Beach (S) South Bay (S) Clear Water Bay 2nd Beach (S) St. Stephen's (S) Trio (S) Turtle Cove (S) Tung Wan on Ma Wan (S) "Grade 3" beaches include: Shek O (S) New Cafeteria (S) Stanley Main (S) Golden Beach (S) Silverstrand (S) Kadoorie (S) Gemini Butterfly (S) Old Cafeteria "Grade 4" beaches include: Silvermine Bay (S) Hoi Mei Wan Casam (S) Lido (S) Note: * Non-gazetted beach (S) Shark prevention net installed The grading of Pui O has been changed from "3" to "2"; Middle Bay and Trio (Hebe Haven) from "1" to "2"; while Shek O, Stanley Main and Silverstrand from "2" to "3". The changes are within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of these beaches. Beaches with Grade 1 to 3 are suitable for swimming. At present, five gazetted beaches, namely Anglers', Approach, Ting Kau, Castle Peak and Rocky Bay, are closed to swimmers based on the beach water quality monitoring data for 1996. The public are advised not to swim at the closed beaches. The grading results are announced biweekly during the bathing season to coincide with the frequency at which beach waters are usually sampled. End 19. Water storage figure ******************** Storage in Hong Kong's reservoirs at 9 am today (Thursday) stood at 93.1 per cent of capacity or 545.800 million cubic metres. This time last year the reservoirs contained 548.042 million cubic metres of water, representing 92.7 per cent of capacity. End



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