Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777

Wednesday, January 28, 1998



CONTENTS
========
1. CE sends Lunar New Year greetings
2. CS's speech gist at parade
3. Update on avian flu



1. CE sends Lunar New Year greetings
   *********************************

     The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and Mrs Tung,
celebrate Lunar New Year's Day today (Wednesday) with two
families living in Heng On Estate, Ma On Shan and some 400
elderly people in Tai Po.

     Mr and Mrs Tung first visited the families of Mr Chan
and Mr Lam in Heng On Estate and had a nice chat with
them.

     Both the Chan and the Lam family comprise four
members -- a couple and their daughters.  They have been
living in their present premises for more than 10 years
and have indicated an interest in buying the units under
the Tenants Purchase Scheme.  Mr Tung noted that the
Scheme helped maximise opportunities for families to buy
their own homes in the public sector.

     The Chief Executive and Mrs Tung then proceeded to
the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Pao Siu Loong and Wu York
Yu Care and Attention Homes in Tai Po.  They called on
some elderly in their dormitories and the common rooms and
chatted with a gathering of more than 100 elderly people
in a hall.

     They also distributed fruits to the elderly as a
token to wish them health and happiness in the Year of the
Tiger.

     In his Lunar New Year message, Mr Tung highlighted
the Government's commitment to take care of the senior
citizens.

     "The Government must ensure that the elderly, the
poor and the underprivileged are well cared for and are
provided with a sense of security," he said.

     In relation to this, the Government is pressing ahead
with the introduction of the Senior Citizen Residence
Scheme to provide housing for elderly people in the middle
income group. Implementation of the pilot housing scheme
is at hand and targetted for completion by 2001.

     "Caring for the elderly is also the responsibility of
every family.  Young people should treat the elderly with
love and care so that they would have a sense of belonging
and a feeling of health and worthiness," Mr Tung said.

End


2. CS's speech gist at parade
   **************************

     Following is the gist of the speech by the Chief
Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, at the
Chinese New Year parade and Fiesta opening on Wednesday
(January 28) afternoon:

     The Chief Secretary for Administration says she is
delighted to have this opportunity to wish you all a very
happy and prosperous Chinese New Year.

     Lunar New Year is a festival that is enjoyed by every
one.  She realises that the mood and sentiment of the
community have been affected by the change in economic
conditions.  The SAR Government fully understands the
feelings of the people of Hong Kong and will take
pragmatic measures to lead Hong Kong forward.  The
Financial Secretary will address the concerns expressed in
his forthcoming Budget on February 18.

     As for long-term development, the SAR Government has
put in substantial investments in infrastructure in order
to boost the competitiveness of Hong Kong.

     The Government will also work closely with the Hong
Kong Tourist Association.  In addition to the recently
announced HK$100 million International Events Fund,
various measures will be taken with the tourist industry
to stimulate the growth of tourism.

     The Chief Secretary concludes by saying that there
are many qualities that we have in Hong Kong which are
much admired by our friends overseas.  Hong Kong had faced
many challenges in the past and each time we overcame
these challenges and emerged stronger and more resilient.
Our economic fundamentals remain very strong.  The Chief
Secretary is confident that with the concerted efforts of
the Government and the community, Hong Kong will continue
to prosper in the years ahead.  She wishes all a very,
very happy year of the Tiger.

End


3. Update on avian flu
   *******************

     The Department of Health (DH) announced today
(Wednesday) that there was no new case of influenza A
(H5N1) today.

     The total number of cases stands at 18 confirmed
cases.

     The conditions of these cases remain the same as of
January 16.

End

---