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



Saturday, February 7, 1998



CONTENTS
========
1. Resumption of import of chickens from Mainland
2. New import control system for live chickens
3. Update on avian flu
4. Challenges relating to the Basic Law are healthy
5. Government and CLP signs demand side management agreement
6. TV programmes to promote IT in education
7. Endangered species control to be extended
8. Inmates to benefit from HKJC Charities Trust
9. Flushing water cut on Hong Kong Island



1. Resumption of import of chickens from Mainland
   **********************************************

     Hong Kong resumes importation of live chickens from
the Mainland today (Saturday) with a new control system to
safeguard public health and to prevent people getting
influenza A H5N1 through contact with infected poultry.

     The export of live poultry from the Mainland had been
suspended voluntarily by the Mainland authorities from
December 24 last year to enable both the Mainland and the
Hong Kong authorities to put in place a stringent control
system which ensures that live poultry imported into Hong
Kong are free from H5 infection.

     The new system implemented as of today included
measures taken at both sides of the border.

     In the Mainland, only chickens from farms licensed
and monitored by the Mainland animal and plant quarantine
services are allowed for export to Hong Kong.  Staff of HK
Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) will visit
these farms from time to time to monitor their hygiene
standards.

     Chickens for export to Hong Kong will be segregated
from other birds in the farm five days prior to export and
tested negative for H5 virus.  Export chickens will
required health certificates signed by a competent
veterinary authority.

     At the Man Kam To Animal Inspection Station, AFD
officers will check and retain the health certificates
which contains the identity of the farms and stating the
number of birds and the number of cages in the
consignment.

     Thirteen samples will be taken from each truck load
for blood testing, results of which will be available in a
few hours.  The sealed truck will be directed to the
Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market to await
results of the blood test.

     At the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry
Market, the consignment will be withheld from sale until
test results at Man Kam To entry point indicate that the
consignment is free from H5 virus.  The cages will be
labelled there to enable the tracing of poultry if
problems are detected.

     The whole consignment of chickens will be seized and
destroyed by AFD if the consignment is found to be
infected with H5 virus.

     A government spokesman said the Hong Kong Government
had taken a number of pro-active measures to control the
avian flu since the detection of the world's first human
case in the territory last year.  Surveillance conducted
by the Department of Health in conjunction with the
Hospital Authority and private practitioners had been
greatly increased.

     A decision was made to slaughter all chickens at
farms and poultry at markets at the end of last year when
chickens were found to be infected with the H5 virus.

     He noted that since this exercise, no new cases of
avian flu had been reported.

     At the market levels, great efforts had been made by
the AFD, the Municipal Councils and Housing Authority to
improve significantly the hygiene standards of local
markets.  At least two rounds of thorough cleansing and
disinfection work had been carried out at these markets.

     All those poultry market stalls that had been
cleaned up to the satisfaction of the Administration were
allowed to resume business from today.

     The spokesman said that maintaining a good hygiene
standard at the wholesale and retail markets would be a
long term commitment of the Hong Kong Government.

     Licensing requirement and conditions for fresh
provision shops and market stalls were being reviewed and
revised to tighten up control.  Vigorous enforcement
would also be taken.  This would be supported by a public
education campaign to enhance awareness on the importance
of cleanliness and personal hygiene, he added.

     The new import control system on live poultry
implemented as from today is another major step taken by
the Hong Kong Government to protect public health.  It
will provide an effective mean to verify the health
status of all chickens imported into Hong Kong.

     At the initial stage of the resumption of import of
live chickens from the Mainland, the supply of live
chickens is expected to be around 35,000 heads per day,
depending on market demands.

     The spokesman stressed that Hong Kong would work
closely with the Mainland authorities to monitor the
situation.

     "The Hong Kong Government Task Force on H5N1 will
also ensure the implementation of all interim and long-
term measures of the comprehensive action plan drawn up to
combat the avian flu," he added.

End


2. New import control system for live chickens
   *******************************************

     Safeguarding the health of its citizens is a long
term commitment of the Administration and the very strict
control system on the import of chickens into Hong Kong
introduced today (Saturday) will continue.

     This was said by the Director of Agriculture and
Fisheries, Mrs Lessie Wei, after seeing the smooth
implementation of the various steps of the new control
system today.

     She said: "The system was devised to ensure that
chickens in Hong Kong are healthy.

     "This system involves regulations and monitoring of
farms; testing and certification of the health of
chickens; and verification on the side of the Agriculture
and Fisheries Department (AFD).

     "This is the result of the very close co-operation
with the Mainland authorities.

     "This very strict control, as it were, will continue.
We have no intention to relapse the arrangement."

     Mrs Wei also visited the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary
Wholesale Poultry Market this afternoon and saw the market
in operation.  She noted that the condition of the market
had improved very substantially.

     "We will also endeavour to maintain the market
conditions to ensure that it will be as clean as today,"
Mrs Wei said.

     On the reason for taking 13 samples from each
truckload of chickens, Mrs Wei explained that H5N1 is a
highly contagious disease, international established
standard accepted that taking 13 samples per 10,000
chickens will be of very high safety margin.

     In order to implement this new import arrangement and
improve the market conditions and management, Mrs Wei said
AFD would need some extra 40 people involving annual
recurrent cost of $11 million.

     In addition, the Department had spent $3-4 million
buying plastic cages for lending to the traders for use.

     On a report that cages used at the wholesale market
were dirty, Mrs Wei said that they would be cleaned up
before re-use.

     She also appealed for the co-operation of the traders
in maintaining a good hygiene standard at the wholesale
markets.

End


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

     The Department of Health (DH) announced today
(Saturday) that there were no new cases 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
February 3.

End


4. Challenges relating to the Basic Law are healthy
   ************************************************

     Challenges relating to the Basic Law are inevitable
and do not mean it has problems, but are a healthy sign of
a society established under the rule of law, the Secretary
for Justice, Ms Elsie Leung, said in a "Letter to Hong
Kong" broadcast on Radio Television Hong Kong this morning
(Saturday).

     They demonstrate the independence of the Judiciary
and the secure place it has within our legal system, she
said.

     She pointed out that for local laws to be aligned
with the Basic Law - formulated under a different legal
jurisdiction - we will need to go through an initial
exploratory phase, before the system fully matures.

     The Basic Law contains fundamental provisions.
"There is no sense in giving the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region legislative power, if we could only
duplicate these provisions," she said.

     "We may eventually need the courts to determine the
circumstances under which we could supplement the Basic
Law provisions without contravening the mini-constitution.

     "The Basic Law cannot lay down all the fine details.
In enacting local laws, we must therefore open up areas,
but at the same time do so with extreme caution, so that
the rights of the community and our citizens would not be
jeopardised," she added.

     With accumulation of precedents and wider public
understanding of the Basic Law, Hong Kong will be able to
develop an authoritative set of jurisprudence and thereby
enable the Special Administrative Region Government to
move forward, she said.

     Ms Leung noted that the Basic Law contains some very
important principles, one of which is Article 63, which
states "The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecution,
free from any interference."

     In general, she explained, before prosecution
decisions are taken, consideration is given to whether
there is sufficient evidence to achieve a reasonable
prospect of securing a conviction.  The decisions also
depend on a broad view of the interests of the public.

     Since July 1 last year, the department has continued
to uphold this principle and to discharge its duties with
fairness, she said.

     The Basic Law also firmly establishes the status of
Chinese language usage in the HKSAR.  A committee with
wide terms of reference will soon be set up under her
chairmanship to promote the bilingual legal system.

     The committee will advise the Government on a clear
policy and the long-term goal, and on resource
requirements, co-ordination of efforts, and the best means
to serve the interests of legal services users.

     In the coming year, members of the Department of
Justice will look for and implement improvements in their
work and obtain the necessary training for their tasks.
These improvements include:

     *  more mutual legal assistance with the Mainland,

     *  increased mutual understanding of the two legal
systems within the People's Republic of China,

     *  increased understanding in other countries of the
SAR's legal system,

     *  increased capacity to conduct litigation and
prosecutions in the Chinese language,

     *  expedited completion of the textual adaptation of
all Ordinances to make them consistent with the Basic Law,
and

     *  conclusion of further bilateral and multi-lateral
international agreements.

     On the recent adverse events that have besetted Hong
Kong, Ms Leung said members of her department are much
concerned.  Apart from conducting reviews and providing
close co-operation with other departments, it is most
important for the department to be steadfast in its
defence of the rule of law.  This will provide a stable
environment for the community to recover and a level
playing field for overseas investors to compete in, she
said.

     "Our system of rule of law allows for the
accommodation of divergent opinions and standpoints.  It
has enabled Hong Kong to continue to develop and prosper.
We should treasure and protect this system," she said.

     "The whole world has its gaze on Hong Kong.  We must
ensure that 'One country, two systems' succeeds in the
HKSAR, as this sets an example for the return of Macau and
the reunification of the country.  Many have contributed
to this process in the last decade or so, and we must not
allow these efforts to be squandered.

     "We should fully avail ourselves of our resources,
and the support and trust that the country has given us,
to overcome difficulties and make a good job of
establishing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,"
she said.

End


5. Government and CLP signs demand side management agreement
   *********************************************************

     The Government and China Light & Power Company
Limited (CLP) today (Saturday) signed an agreement on the
implementation of demand side management (DSM) programmes.

     A spokesman for the Economic Services Bureau said
that DSM involved taking measures to influence the level
and timing of demand for electricity so as to optimise use
of supply facilities.

     He said that the objective was to reduce peak demand
and longer term growth in demand so as to postpone and
possibly avoid the construction of additional power
generation plant.

     "CLP's DSM programmes will focus on rebate programmes
for the purchase of high efficiency lighting, air-
conditioners and refrigerators and other proactive
measures to promote DSM.

     "Some targeted informational programmes will also be
implemented to suit special needs in the commercial and
manufacturing sector.

     "CLP will also design some educational programmes to
increase public awareness of the importance and benefits
of DSM," he said.

     He said CLP would submit their detailed programme
proposals to the Government for approval by May 6, 1998.
Only programmes that were cost-effective would be
implemented.

     "As DSM saves electricity, it is necessary that CLP
should have an incentive to do DSM which leaves the
company no worse off than it would have been had it
invested in new plant to meet the demand saved.

     "The agreement provides for such an incentive, but
also requires the company to meet a minimum performance
threshold before programme costs can be fully recovered
and incentives earned," he said.

     The DSM agreement signed today will last until August
31, 2001.  It can be renewed by mutual agreement.  It is
separate from the scheme of control agreement with CLP.

     The Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip,
said that he was pleased that an amicable agreement had
been reached with CLP to implement DSM.

     He said: "The Government wishes to promote energy
efficiency and conservation in the community.  Effective
DSM programmes are central to that objective.

     "There are benefits all round: consumers can get high
efficiency appliances at reduced cost and save
electricity; CLP's business does not suffer; and
environmental impact is reduced."

     Mr Ip hoped that the public would respond positively
to the DSM programmes that CLP would be introducing them
later this year.

     A high level of public participation would ensure
their successful implementation and, in time, reduce the
need for new plant, he said.

End


6. TV programmes to promote IT in education
   ****************************************

     A series of three-minute TV programmes will be
broadcast from tomorrow (Sunday) to promote the use of
information technology (IT) in education.

     The series of three episodes, which interviewed
Education Department officers, school principals,
teachers, parents and students, will stress the importance
and popularity of IT in daily living and explain the
Government's IT policy in education.

     It will be screened at 7.30 pm on TVB-Jade on three
consecutive Sundays, February 8, 15 and 22.

     The series is part of the $1 million "Classrooms of
the 21st Century Scheme" jointly organised by the
Education Department, the Lions Club of Metropolitan Hong
Kong and Lions Club of Castle Peak and launched on
November 21, 1997 to encourage and assist teachers in
using IT as a tool to further improve the quality of
education in the classroom. Activities extend over a
period of six months.

     A more elaborate TV programme on IT in education will
be broadcast on February 27 (Friday) in TVB-Jade's "Enjoy
Yourself Tonight" which will also feature plays and games.

     A total of 405 nominations were received from schools
to participate in the "Workshop on Classrooms of the 21st
Century Scheme" which is being conducted from January 5 to
March 20 in six classes.  It is hoped that the workshops
will help teachers to equip themselves with the necessary
IT skills to design creative teaching materials.

     Meanwhile, invitation is extended to schools to
participate in the Multimedia Educational Materials Design
Competition which is also part of the "Classrooms of the
21st Century Scheme".  The competition aims at encouraging
teachers to apply IT to develop educational software.  The
closing date for the competition is February 27 and the
result of the competition will be announced by the end of
March 1998.  The first two prize winners will be sponsored
and arranged by the Lions Clubs to visit Australia or USA
to acquire experience on the use and promotion of IT in
teaching and learning.

     An exhibition on IT in education will be conducted on
April 25 and 26 (Saturday and Sunday) from 9 am to 5 pm at
Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre, 72 Tat Chee
Avenue, Kowloon Tong.  The IT projects from the prize
winners of the Multimedia Educational Materials Design
Competition, schools and educational institutes will be
displayed.

End


7. Endangered species control to be extended
   *****************************************

     The Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered
Species) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules) Notice 1998,
gazetted yesterday (February 6), will bring under
licensing control certain other species which have been
identified by individual parties to the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) as requiring protection from over-
exploitation through international trade.

     A spokesman for the Economic Services Bureau today
(Saturday) said that these species included certain
species of squirrels, deer, ducks, doves and turtles.

     "The CITES requires that the import and export of the
species listed in its appendices be subject to control.
The Convention applies to Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region through the ratification of the People's Republic
of China.

     "The Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered
Species) Ordinance regulates the trade of highly
endangered species and other species identified by parties
to CITIES as requiring trade control," he said.

     The Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered
Species) (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 1998 was also
published in the Gazette yesterday.

     The spokesman said the Order would exempt certain
items such as possessing or control of crocodile meat
other than for commercial purposes from licensing control
and amend/withdraw some existing exemptions.

     The Notice and Order will come into operation on a
day to be appointed by the Secretary for Economic Services
by notice in the Gazette.

End


8. Inmates to benefit from HKJC Charities Trust
   ********************************************

     More inmates will benefit from a generous donation of
$1.16 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities
Trust to support the scouts and guides training in
Training Centres of the Correctional Services Department
(CSD).

     The donation is for the purchase of lion and dragon
dance equipment for Lai King Training Centre, jazz band
and marching band equipment for Cape Collinson
Correctional Institution and brass band equipment for Tai
Tam Gap Correctional Institution.

     A project completion ceremony was held today
(Saturday) during the spring gathering of the 221st Hong
Kong Scout Group at which Mr Hui Chun-keung, a Steward of
The Hong Kong Jockey Club officiated.

     The 221st Hong Kong Scout Group was established in
1986 as part of the character development programme for
inmates of Cape Collinson Correctional Institution and Lai
King Training Centre.  The 141st Island Ranger Guide
Service Unit was set up in 1987 for inmates of Tai Tam Gap
Correctional Institution.

     "Through scouts and guides activities in physical,
mental and spiritual development, inmates learn self-
reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence and a sense of
responsibility which help them make a constructive place
in society," said a CSD spokesman.

     "In addition, these activities enable inmates to
develop a natural, supportive and understanding attitude
towards CSD staff acting as their scout leaders.  Inmates
who are scout members also present less behavioural and
emotional problems", he added.

     In the past year, the scouts and guides provided 106
service sessions to the public, including community
services to charity organisations, performances for
ceremonial and charitable functions, and performances for
general community organisations.  Musical Rally for the
Community, a grand musical event held in October last
year, was one such performance session.  Proceeds of the
event totalling $103,260 have since been donated to
charity.

End


9. Flushing water cut on Hong Kong Island
   **************************************

     Flushing water supply to some premises in Central,
Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun will be suspended between
10 am and 2 pm on Tuesday (February 10) for carrying out
repair work on a pumping station.

     The suspension will affect all premises in the area
bounded by Caine Road, Bonham Road, Hill Road, Ice House
Street, Connaught Road Central and Connaught Road West
including those along Queen's Road Central, Queen's Road
West, Des Voeux Road Central and Des Voeux Road West.

End




Government Home Page News Update