Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Saturday, February 21, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. FS's transcript
2. Report of dead chickens
3. Hong Kong's catchwaters are safe
4. SJ acts independently in deciding whether to prosecute
5. Delinking US-HK$ peg will damage regional economy
6. CE meets Sir Leon Brittan
7. Registered contractor fined for unsafe work
8. Fresh water cut in Ngau Tau Kok
1. FS's transcript
***************
Following is the transcript of a media session by the
Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, after attending a
radio programme at the Metro Broadcast this (Saturday)
morning:
Reporter: ... property prices drifting up as a result of
the mortgage interest concession. Are you concerned about
this?
Mr Tsang: I don't think property prices will drift upwards
as a direct consequence of the mortgage interest rate
concession, because the two things don't correlate.
Whoever so stupid enough to jack up the prices on the
pretext of the mortgage interest rate, I think they will
suffer in the end of the day because there will be no
buyers. Well, thank you very much.
End
2. Report of dead chickens
***********************
In response to press enquiries on the report of dead
chickens found in Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale
Poultry Market last night, an Agriculture and Fisheries
Department spokesman today (Saturday) stressed that the
incident was not related to influenza A H5N1.
The spokesman said: "A report was received last
evening that there were some dead chickens found in Cheung
Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry market.
"An AFD veterinary officer proceeded to the market to
investigate the case immediately and found some 300 dead
chickens in a truck. Subsequent test results confirmed
that the death was not caused by influenza A H5N1."
The spokesman noted that as the cages were put near
the top of the truck, it was suspected that the chickens
might die of heat stress. Further investigation is
continuing.
He added that AFD had reflected the case to the
mainland authorities and advised them to take extra
precaution in loading and positioning of chicken cages.
AFD will continue to monitor the situation.
End
3. Hong Kong's catchwaters are safe
********************************
Hong Kong's 120 kilometres of catchwaters are safe as
regular inspections and maintenance are carried out, a
spokesman for the Water Supplies Department said today
(Saturday).
Responding to an article in a Chinese newspaper which
claimed that residents living below catchwaters were at
risk, the spokesman said, "there is no question of
structural damage, serious cracking or displacements about
these catchwaters."
"As part of our ongoing preventive measures for
catchwater safety, we will start a $24 million consultancy
study in March on the catchwaters on Hong Kong Island,
Lantau Island and Tai Lam Chung.
"The study, expected to be completed in March 1999,
aims to identify cost-effective ways in raising the safety
standard of catchwaters to that of the present day," he
said.
"Studies on other catchwaters in Hong Kong have been
completed and improvement works are being carried out," he
added.
End
4. SJ acts independently in deciding whether to prosecute
******************************************************
The decision whether or not to prosecute any person
is the responsibility of the Secretary for Justice alone;
and, in making that decision, the Secretary for Justice
would act independently, and in no way subject to
political, or other pressure, the Director of Public
Prosecutions, Mr Grenville Cross, said today (Saturday) at
a conference in Macau.
The two-day conference, organised by the Public
Ministry of Macau, is attended by representatives from the
Justice Department, the judiciary and the legal profession
in Macau, from Portugal and the Mainland. Other speakers
at the conference include procurators of the Supreme
People's Procuratorate of the PRC, the Chairman of the
Portugal's Law Society and law professors of the
University of Macau.
Speaking on the role of the prosecuting authority in
the legal system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region on the second day of the conference, Mr Cross
stressed that Article 63 of the Basic Law states
unequivocally that the Department of Justice of the HKSAR
shall control criminal prosecutions, free from
interference.
He said the Secretary for Justice is the senior law
officer of the HKSAR and it falls upon her shoulders to
develop and to control the administration of the criminal
law in the public interest generally and in the interests
of public justice.
"In deciding whether or not to authorise a
prosecution, the Secretary for Justice acquaints herself
with all the relevant facts, including for instance the
effect which the prosecution, successful or unsuccessful
as the case may be, would have been upon the public morale
and order, and with any other considerations affecting
public policy," Mr Cross said.
"The Secretary retains a discretion whether or not to
prosecute. There are two stages to the decision to
prosecute. The first stage involves a consideration of
the sufficiency of evidence. The second stage involves a
consideration of whether a prosecution is in the public
interest," he added.
Turning to the role of prosecutors, Mr Cross said in
deciding whether there should be a trial of an accused and
in the prosecution of any such accused, high standards are
required of prosecutors.
"The prosecutor must be fair, independent and
objective. He must not allow his decisions to be
influenced by his own personal views. He must also not be
affected by improper or undue pressure from any source.
"If there is a trial, his function is not to secure a
conviction at all costs. It is to ensure a fair
presentation of the prosecution case, and a fair trial of
the accused. The prosecutor ought to see his role as akin
to that of a minister of justice, and his aim must be to
secure a just outcome of the proceedings," he said.
"He must keep a balanced judgment at all times. The
rule of law requires no less of him. The end never
justifies the means. The rules must never be bent. The
standards of the criminal justice system must never be
compromised.
"At the trial the prosecutor must remember that he is
a minister of justice. He must present his case in a
manner which is balanced and even-handed," he said.
The prosecutor also plays an important role at the
sentencing stage of the trial. He should also assists the
court to have access to all available and relevant matters
which may affect sentence and protects the court from any
errors which may have to be remedied on appeal or review,
he added.
Mr Cross concluded that the Basic Law recognises the
rights of an accused to a fair trial, to trial without
undue delay, and to be presumed innocent, emphasises the
continuity of the legal traditions by which the HKSAR sets
such store.
End
5. Delinking US-HK$ peg will damage regional economy
*************************************************
The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade
Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(SAR) Government, Toronto, Mr Donald Tong, said today
(February 20, Toronto time) that any fundamental change in
policy on the Hong Kong-US dollar linked exchange rate
will cause grave uncertainty and undermine investment
sentiments and confidence.
Speaking at a business seminar in Edmonton, the
capital of Alberta province, Mr Tong said this view was
shared by the business and financial communities in Hong
Kong.
The seminar, organised by the Hong Kong Canada
Business Association, Edmonton Section, was attended by
businessmen, bankers and government officials.
Mr Tong told the audience that the 14-year link had
weathered many financial crisis in past. It has become a
symbol of economic stability and confidence in Hong Kong
as a major international and financial centre.
"Delinking will damage Hong Kong, and cause further
damage to the regional economy," he said.
"The peg has been the key factor in the stability of
the Hong Kong dollar since 1983, and coupled with our
greatly improved market regulation and supervision, it has
enabled us to become one of the world's leading financial
centres."
"The financial services sector has increased its
contribution to our GDP by over 500 per cent in the last
decade and we are now the world's fourth largest banking
centre and the sixth largest securities centre."
Mr Tong admitted that the unwavering stance taken to
protect the peg had brought about short term problems,
such as increases in interest rates, but with a solid
economic foundation, a huge fiscal reserve and a sound
financial and monitoring system, Hong Kong is confident
that it will be among the first -- if not the first -- to
rebound.
On concerns that China could be forced to devalue the
Renminbi (RMB) in order to stay competitive, the Director
gave several reasons why Hong Kong thought this unlikely.
- The Chinese leadership has recently categorically
stated that the RMB will not be devalued.
- China's strong external payments position makes it
impractical for the RMB to depreciate.
- Given China's huge visible trade surplus, a move
to depreciate would intensify trade friction between China
and its major trading partners.
- Depreciation of the currency will increase the
cost of imports for its domestic production and
consumption and thereby affect its debt repayments.
He said: "Perhaps more importantly, the RMB's
instability could make foreign investors more reluctant to
invest in China, due to a perceived increase in exchange
risk. Furthermore, as the devaluation would depress the
asset value of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), this
would jeopardize the enterprise reform measures, one of
which includes inducing foreign investors to acquire
equity stakes in the SOEs."
During his address, Mr Tong also gave a wide-ranging
account on Hong Kong's present and future developments.
These include:
- the opening of world's latest state-of-the-art
airport at Chek Lap Kok on July 6;
- further expansion of the container port, already
the world's busiest;
- major expansion programmes for the underground
railway and conventional rail system;
- upgrading the teaching of English in schools with
plans to recruit 700 additional native speaking English
teachers from overseas;
- the first SAR elections to the Legislative Council
will be held on May 24; and
- Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the
world with the 1997 crime figures being the lowest in two
decades.
"But we are not complacent. We will continue to
forge ahead and build the necessary physical
infrastructure such as highways and reclamations to
provide more and better housing to meet the future needs.
"Capital expenditure on these infrastructural
projects over the next five years will amount to nearly
C$43 billion.
"These will certainly create jobs and excellent
opportunities for both Hong Kong and overseas business
people to participate," he said.
In conclusion, Mr Tong encouraged the audience
interested in doing business in Hong Kong to take full
advantage of these opportunities.
End
6. CE meets Sir Leon Brittan
*************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, met the
visiting Vice-President of the European Commission, Sir
Leon Brittan, today (Saturday).
"I am pleased to have an opportunity to brief Sir
Leon on the latest developments in Hong Kong since we last
met in Brussels last October," the Chief Executive said.
"We have also exchanged views on the impact of the
Asian financial turmoil on Hong Kong and the region, as
well as on the need for adequate banking supervision and
information disclosure on international financial
activities," Mr Tung said.
"Hong Kong has a robust exchange rate regime, sound
financial systems and a well-supervised banking sector
capable of weathering external shocks," he said.
"We possess strong economic fundamentals, with a high
saving rate, large fiscal surplus, substantial foreign
exchange reserves and a remarkable productivity capacity.
These positive attributes enable our markets to make
prompt and effective adjustments," he added.
"We are undergoing a period of asset price
adjustments in the wake of the extensive currency
alignment in East Asia. This will help uphold our
competitiveness in the world market," Mr Tung said.
Mr Tung told Sir Leon that Hong Kong's economic
outlook remained bright. This was underpinned in
particular by sustained economic growth and further reform
and opening up in the Mainland of China.
Sir Leon briefed the Chief Executive on latest
dialogues between China and the European Union. In
response, Mr Tung said that he hoped the China-European
Union relation would continue to be on the march.
Mr Tung also told Sir Leon that the 1998/99 Budget
announced last Wednesday aimed to retain international
confidence in Hong Kong and uphold fiscal prudence.
Mr Tung said that "The Budget provided for
substantial infrastructural developments which would
enhance our long term competitiveness. These developments
would also give rise to a lot of business opportunities to
overseas investors."
The European Union is Hong Kong's largest investor
and third largest trading partner.
Mr Tung thanked Sir Leon for his support in travel
convenience matters for Hong Kong travellers, and looked
forward to his continued support in presenting Hong Kong's
case to member states of the European Union.
End
7. Registered contractor fined for unsafe work
*******************************************
A registered contractor has been fined $5,000 and
ordered to pay the full cost of inquiry amounting to
$130,000 by the Registered Contractor's Disciplinary Board
for causing injuries and damage to property while carrying
out demolition works in two incidents.
The board also ordered that the contractor, William
Construction Company, be removed from the Contractors'
Register for three months from December 29 last year.
The board heard that on July 1, 1993, the company was
carrying out demolition works at 45-47 Wai Ching Street in
Kowloon when part of the building collapsed, causing
injuries to two people and damaging the adjoining
building.
The board ruled that the work was carried out in
total disregard to public safety and without the least
respect for law. The company had also ignored the method
statement accepted by the Building Authority.
In another incident on September 10, 1994, the
company was carrying out demolition works at 92-96 Thomson
Road in Wan Chai when a metal canopy collapsed from the
building under demolition, threatening the safety of
pedestrians and passing vehicles.
The board found that the contractor had failed to
erect catch platforms along the external wall of the
building as a precautionary measure and had overloaded the
hoarding of the building with debris.
The company was convicted in the South Kowloon
Magistracy and the Eastern Magistracy on June 30, 1994 and
November 8, 1995 respectively for offenses relating to
these two incidents and fined a total of $115,000.
The Assistant Director of Buildings (Legal &
Management), Mr Cheung Hau-wai, said the department always
took a serious view of demolition and other building works
carried out in a dangerous manner.
He urged contractors to adopt adequate precautionary
and protective measures on their sites to ensure the
safety of workers, adjacent properties and members of the
public.
In a move to improve site safety, the Buildings
Department has implemented with effect from December 22
last year the requirement of the Supervision Plan System
to ensure better site safety management of demolition
works.
End
8. Fresh water cut in Ngau Tau Kok
*******************************
Fresh water supply to some premises in Ngau Tau Kok
will be suspended from 11 pm on Tuesday (February 24) to
6 am the following day for leakage detection work on
watermains.
The suspension will affect all premises in the area
bounded by Kwun Tong Road, Elegance Road, Ngau Tau Kok
Road and Sheung Yee Road.
End
