Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Friday, February 27, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. No decision on issue of new ID cards yet
2. Caution against marketing of MPF schemes
3. CE meets visiting religious leaders
4. SHA meets US religious delegation
5. LegCo election guidelines published
6. Appointment of High Court Judges
7. New district committees to promote fire safety
8. Provision of quality welfare services pledged
9. Appointments to the Public Service Commission
10. HK joined force with Singapore in the fight against drugs
11. Hong Kong to ride out the economic storm
12. Hong Kong SAR -- An Asian city with a difference
13. Sale of 157 surplus government quarters
14. New fare for Lantau taxis comes into effect next Monday
15. MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension (Phase II) gazetted
16. External trade figures for January 1998 released
17. Village sewerage for Sha Chau Lei Tsuen
18. Amendments to two approved OZPs for areas in Southern District
19. Draft Fanling/Sheung Shui OZP amended
20. Stringent penalty for illegal parking on private roads
21. Review underway on HK's AIDS situation and programme
22. Guide to conveyance of corrosive & poisonous substances issued
23. PD moves to new offices in North Point
24. Education Department recruits evening part-time lecturers
25. Forty-eight government apprentices graduated
1. No decision on issue of new ID cards yet
****************************************
In response to media enquiries about possible new
identity cards for Hong Kong people, a government
spokesman said today (Friday) that the idea was still in
an embryonic stage and no decision has been taken yet.
It was reported in some papers that the Government
was planning for the issue of new identity cards for all
Hong Kong residents.
"Before any decision could be taken, extensive study
would have to be undertaken and resource implications
assessed," the spokesman said. "None has taken place
yet."
"It would take quite some time before any decision
can be made," the spokesman added.
End
2. Caution against marketing of MPF schemes
****************************************
In response to recent media reports that some
companies were marketing MPF schemes approved by the
Government, the Director of the Mandatory Provident Fund
(MPF) Office, Mrs Pamela Tan, today (Friday) made the
following remarks:
"It will take some time before the MPF System can be
fully implemented. The Provident Fund Schemes Legislation
(Amendment) Bill has just been passed by the Provisional
Legislative Council on February 25. The related
subsidiary legislation for regulating the operating of the
MPF System will be submitted to the Provisional
Legislative Council for endorsement in April.
"Upon the completion of the necessary legislative
process, the Government will set up the MPF Authority.
Thereafter, service providers will be invited to apply for
trustee approval and MPF Scheme product approval. In
other words, at this stage, it is not possible for the
existence of any Government approved MPF schemes.
"Companies who claim that their MPF schemes have
already been approved by the Government or that their
products will meet the requirements stipulated under the
Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance are obviously
misleading. The public should be very cautious when being
approached by people selling provident fund products which
claimed to be approved by the Government.
"Before the implementation of the MPF system, the
Government will give advance notification on the actual
implementation dates, and allow ample time for employers
and employees to make the necessary preparation. During
that period, the Government will launch major publicity
and education campaigns to enable the employers and the
employees to have a clear understanding of their rights,
obligations and roles."
End
3. CE meets visiting religious leaders
***********************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Friday)
met with three American religious leaders who were on a
stopover in Hong Kong following a visit to China.
They are Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Dr Don Argue, and
Archbishop Theodore McCarrick.
During the meeting, Mr Tung briefed the visitors on
the smooth implementation of the "one country, two
systems" principle.
"Hong Kong's religious policy had remained the same
as before the reunification," Mr Tung said.
"Religious freedom is one of the fundamental rights
enshrined in the Basic Law. People in Hong Kong have
continued to enjoy religious freedom," he said.
"Our community accepts and respects diversity in
religious beliefs. The Government will continue to accord
a high status to religious groups and organisations,"
Mr Tung said.
"We must be sensitive to the historical and cultural
background of different communities and respect their
beliefs and values," he added.
End
4. SHA meets US religious delegation
*********************************
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Lan, today
(Friday) met with a delegation of United States religious
leaders comprising Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Archbishop
Theodore McCarrick and Rev. Don Argue.
"The people of Hong Kong continue to enjoy religious
freedom, a long established tradition in Hong Kong and one
of their fundamental rights guaranteed in Article 32 of
the Basic Law of the Special Administrative Region,"
Mr Lan told the eight-member delegation during a brief
discussion.
He also assured them that the freedom of expression
and assembly, as enshrined in the Basic Law, remained a
vital part of Hong Kong's way of life.
The delegation leaders were pleased to note that
religious groups, whether local or international, are free
to preach here and they have played a significant role in
the provision of education and a wide range of welfare
services for the Hong Kong community.
End
5. LegCo election guidelines published
***********************************
A set of all-embracing guidelines covering various
aspects of the electoral law and matters of concern to
electors and candidates for this year's Legislative
Council elections will be issued tomorrow (Saturday).
Details of how the elections will be conducted, rules
on electioneering activities and various avenues for
lodging complaints are spelt out.
The revised guidelines were drawn up by the Electoral
Affairs Commission (EAC) following a public consultation
exercise last December and the vetting of the EAC
(Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation by
the Provisional Legislative Council.
A total of 23 written representations were received
and a public forum was held to listen to public views.
"All public views considered reasonable and
practicable have been adopted," the Chairman of the
Commission, Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, said at a press
conference.
"One major modification to the proposed guidelines
published last year concerns combined polling
arrangements.
"All electors, except the 800 Election Committee
members, may cast their votes at a polling station near
their homes on May 24.
"All electors, including the 800 Election Committee
members, and authorised representatives of bodies, will
have to attend only one polling station to cast their
votes, no matter whether they are entitled to one, two or
three votes," he explained.
There will be about 500 polling stations located all
over the territory. Four of these will be designated for
Election Committee members.
"A new measure will be introduced to safeguard the
secrecy of voting," Mr Justice Woo said.
An envelope will be given to electors to conceal
their choice of candidates on ballot papers where the
number of such ballot papers to be issued at a particular
polling station is so few that the electors would be
easily identifiable and their votes exposed.
These ballot papers will be taken out from the
envelopes only after envelopes from two or more polling
stations have been mixed together during the counting of
votes.
In the Election Committee subsector elections on
April 2, there will be four polling stations for the seven
subsectors that do not have a corresponding functional
constituency.
For each of the remaining 28 subsectors where
elections will be held, one or more polling stations
located at places convenient to voters will be designated.
Again, voters may enjoy the convenience of the combined
polling arrangements whereby they will have to attend only
one polling station to cast their votes as electors and as
authorised representatives.
Other major features of the guidelines are:
* Nomination of candidates
The nomination period for the subsector elections
will run from March 13 to 20. For the Legislative Council
general election, nomination will last from April 9 to 24.
Four Nominations Advisory Committees have been
appointed by the EAC to give advice to prospective
candidates and Returning Officers on eligibility for
candidature.
A candidate, and in the case of a geographical
constituency list, one of the candidates on the list,
should submit his nomination paper in person to the
relevant Returning Officer.
* Election advertisements
The Returning Officer of a constituency will allocate
public spots to the candidates for displaying election
advertisements with their mutual consent or by the drawing
of lots after nomination closes.
No display of election advertisements will be allowed
on any designated spots before the allocation.
Candidates are required to obtain written
authorisation before putting up election advertisements.
A copy of the authorisation and two samples or photographs
of the publicity materials must be deposited with the
Returning Officer for public inspection.
All election advertisements must be marked with
serial numbers except a single sheet of paper not larger
than A4 size bearing printing details, materials sent
through the free postage service or by electronic means,
and balloons.
With the impending nomination for the subsector
elections, Mr Justice Woo urged political parties and
individuals to remove all billboards in public places by
March 7.
"After that date, any unauthorised advertisements
will be promptly removed by relevant authorities, who may
recover the cost of removal from the person concerned. If
the removed materials are election advertisements, the
cost of removal will be counted as election expenses," he
said.
The person responsible may be prosecuted and if
convicted may be liable to a fine of up to $5,000 and,
where the offence is continuing, to an additional daily
penalty of $150 for each day that the offence has
continued.
* No canvassing zone
A "no canvassing zone" will be designated outside
each polling station to ensure the free and safe passage
for electors. A "no staying zone" will be designated
immediately outside the entrance to a polling station to
avoid obstruction of entry.
* Complaints procedure
Various avenues are available to lodge election-
related complaints such as the Police, the Independent
Commission Against Corruption, the Returning Officer of
the relevant constituency, the Registration and Electoral
Office and the EAC's Complaints Committee.
The Complaints Committee is made up of the three EAC
members and a District Court Judge. The Registration and
Electoral Office's complaint hotline 2827 2373 will come
into service from March 13.
Mr Justice Woo appealed to owners and tenants of
private premises, the media and schools to give fair and
equal treatment to candidates in their electioneering.
"It is important that every one has fair access to
the views of all candidates and that every candidate has a
fair opportunity to express his views," he explained.
"The Commission may issue public censures in
appropriate cases of non-compliance with the guidelines,"
he cautioned.
Mr Justice Woo called on owners' corporations to
inform District Officers as soon as possible of their
decisions on access to their buildings by candidates for
electioneering.
If no notification is made after the nomination
period, District Officers may assume that there is no
objection to such access.
The guidelines will be available from tomorrow at the
Registration and Electoral Office and all District
Offices. Internet users may read the document on the home
page of the Electoral Affairs Commission
(http://www.info.gov.hk/eac).
End
6. Appointment of High Court Judges
********************************
The Judiciary announced today (Friday) the
appointment of His Honour Judge Michael John Hartmann and
Mr Azizul Rahman Suffiad as Judges of the Court of First
Instance of the High Court.
It also announced the appointment of Mr Louis Tong Po-
sun as Chief Magistrate.
All appointments will take effect on March 2, 1998.
The Chief Justice, the Hon Mr Justice Andrew Li,
welcomes these appointments. "The appointees are all
outstanding judges and judicial officers who bring a
wealth of experience to the Judiciary.
"These appointments provide a substantial boost to
the Judiciary in continuing to uphold the rule of law and
to ensure the fair and efficient administration of
justice," he said.
The biographical notes of the newly-appointed Judges
and the Chief Magistrate are as follows:
His Honour Judge Michael John Hartmann
--------------------------------------
Judge Hartmann was born in India in 1944 and received
his legal education in London. He was admitted as
Attorney, Notary Public and Conveyancer in Zimbabwe in
1971. He joined the Hong Kong Legal Department as Crown
Counsel in 1983, Senior Crown Counsel in 1984, and Deputy
Principal Crown Counsel in 1989. He joined the Hong Kong
Judiciary in 1991 as a District Judge, and was appointed
as a Deputy High Court Judge on a number of occasions
between August 1996 and June 1997. He was appointed as a
Deputy Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High
Court in July 1997. Judge Hartmann is married with a
daughter and a son.
Mr Azizul Rahman Suffiad
------------------------
Mr Suffiad was born in Hong Kong in 1949. He studied
law at the University of Hong Kong and was called to the
Hong Kong Bar in 1975. He has been in private practice
since 1975. He has been sitting as a Deputy Judge of the
Court of First Instance of the High Court since August
1997. Mr Suffiad is married with a daughter.
Mr Louis Tong Po-sun
--------------------
Mr Tong was born in 1955 in Hong Kong and received
education in Hong Kong and Canada. He was called to the
Hong Kong Bar in 1985. He had been in private practice
since 1985 and served as Temporary Magistrate on various
occasions between 1990 and 1991. He joined the Hong Kong
Judiciary as Magistrate in June 1991 and was appointed
Principal Magistrate in January 1997. Mr Tong is single.
End
7. New district committees to promote fire safety
**********************************************
The public and the Government have formed a new
partnership to ensure fire safety, the Director of Home
Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, said at the inaugural meetings
of the first three District Fire Safety Committees (DFSCs)
in Yau Tsim Mong, Eastern and Tsuen Wan Districts today
(Friday).
Attending all the three separate meetings held either
in the morning or the afternoon, Mrs Lau said: "The Yau
Tsim Mong, Eastern and Tsuen Wan DFSCs, which are set up
today, and the other DFSCs to be set up in each of the
other 15 districts in due course, will do much to enhance
community involvement and promote public awareness of fire
safety and related building safety.
"We feel that public education is an effective and
acceptable approach to heighten people's awareness of fire
hazards and impress upon them the importance of proper
building management, with special regard to fire safety
provisions.
"By nature of their composition, the DFSCs will play
an effective part in helping to disseminate the message of
fire safety and encouraging greater public involvement in
upgrading general fire safety standards in their immediate
environment.
"As many DFSC members are themselves community
leaders, it should now be easier to seek the cooperation
of building management bodies such as Owners' Corporations
(OCs) and Mutual Aid Committees (MACs) to implement the
necessary fire prevention measures and heighten residents'
awareness of fire and building safety, including
organising fire drills," Mrs Lau said.
She said that each of the DFSCs would be chaired by
their respective District Officer, adding that its
membership comprised local leaders known for their
interest and commitment to fire and building safety and
official representatives from the relevant Government
departments.
"We are, indeed, fortunate to be able to get
representation from a cross section of the community,
including company directors, accountants and property
managers from the commercial sector, educationists,
lawyers, social workers, industrialists, bankers,
engineers and members of Area Committees, OCs, MACs and
various community service groups.
"The Government departments involved are the Home
Affairs Department, the Fire Services Department, the
Buildings Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the
Education Department, either the Urban Services Department
or the Regional Services Department, the Lands Department,
the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, and the
Labour Department," Mrs Lau said.
The DFSCs would come under the overall coordination
of the Central Steering Committee on Fire Safety (CSCFS),
which will be established next month to promote fire
safety through the Building Management Co-ordinating
Committees (BMCCs) and the DFSCs.
There are at present nine BMCCs tasked with
identifying private buildings with serious building
management problems. They work through Building
Management Co-ordination Teams (BMCTs), their executive
arm, with relevant Government departments and owners of
these target buildings to improve building management. As
of end of last year, there were 1,152 target buildings.
BMCCs will soon be expanded to include all 18 districts
and four further BMCTs will be set up in April to assist
the BMCCs on their work.
Mrs Lau also disclosed that the first Building
Management Resource Centre (BMRCs) will be set up in April
this year.
"This will provide a wide range of services,
including free preliminary professional advice from
lawyers, accountants, surveyors and property management
companies to owners and office bearers of OCs. Relevant
Government departments, including the Fire Services
Department, will join in the work of the BMRC," Mrs Lau
said.
"Another new tool to be introduced by the Home
Affairs Department will be the setting up of two Special
Liaison Teams to assist the work of OCs in Hong Kong and
Kowloon.
"Meanwhile, we are still considering the mandatory
formation of management bodies and the appointment of a
Fire Safety Officer for all buildings," Mrs Lau added.
The Deputy Director of Home Affairs, Mr Lui Hau-tuen,
attended the Yau Tsim Mong and the Eastern DFSCs meetings
while another Deputy Director of Home Affairs,
Mr Augustine Cheng, attended the DFSC meeting in Tsuen
Wan.
End
8. Provision of quality welfare services pledged
*********************************************
The Government remains committed to securing
sufficient resources to implement various policy
objectives in the development of social welfare services.
The Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine
Fok, said this today (Friday) after meeting
representatives from the Hong Kong Council of Social
Services, the Hong Kong Social Workers' Association, and
the Hong Kong Social Workers' General Union.
The meeting has discussed issues relating to the
development of social welfare services including the
proposed Social Welfare Services Development Fund.
"This was a very useful meeting and helped contribute
to a better understanding by both sides of the future
development of this important sector," Mrs Fok said.
"The Government is grateful for the valuable
suggestions and views expressed by the representatives, as
to how the provision of welfare services can be further
improved.
"However, given the continuously healthy growth in
welfare spending over the past decade, we see difficulty
in establishing a special Fund which would circumvent the
Government's well-established procedures to allocate new
resources," she added.
Mrs Fok noted that social welfare expenditure had
continued to take up a substantial and ever increasing
portion of total public expenditure - from six per cent in
1992/93 to nine per cent in 1998/99.
This year, the Government will spend some $20.6
billion, in terms of recurrent funding, on welfare
services, and next year, this figure is estimated to rise
to $24.9 billion. The growth of over 13 per cent is very
significant by any standards.
Mrs Fok further pointed out that excluding payments
for social security, subvention on direct services had
experienced continuous and significant real growth: rising
from $1.8 billion in 1992/93 to $5.3 billion in 1998/99.
"We remain committed to securing sufficient resources
to implement our various policy objectives," she stressed.
The Secretary also took the opportunity to thank the
Council and the welfare agencies for their tireless
efforts in serving the needy and the most vulnerable in
the community and looked forward to working with them to
explore more innovative ways of providing the best
possible services to the public.
End
9. Appointments to the Public Service Commission
*********************************************
The Government announced today (Friday) the re-
appointment of Mr D G Jeaffreson and Dr Thomas Leung Kwok-
fai and the appointment of Mr Vincent Chow Wing-shing and
Mr Frank Pong Fai as members of the Public Service
Commission.
The re-appointment of Mr Jeaffreson and the
appointment of Mr Chow and Mr Pong took effect on February
1, 1998. The re-appointment of Dr Leung will take effect
on May 1, 1998.
Mr Jeaffreson retired from the Independent Commission
Against Corruption as Commissioner on December 1, 1991.
He has extensive experience in the civil service, having
served for thirty years in a number of senior positions in
the Government. He is now the Deputy Chairman of Big
Island Asia Ltd. He has been a member of the Public
Service Commission since 1992.
Dr Leung is the Chairman of Vision in Business
Consulting Ltd. He is the Deputy Chairman of the Council
of the Hong Kong Institute of Education and a member of
the Council of the Hong Kong Baptist University. He has
been a member of the Public Service Commission since 1994.
Mr Chow is the Group General Manager of Chow Sang
Sang Holdings Ltd. He has been Chairman of the Hong Kong
Arts Development Council since 1996. He is a member of
the Council of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
and the Statistics Advisory Board. He is also an
adjudicator of the Obscene Articles Tribunal.
Mr Pong is the Executive Director of Shiu Wing Steel
Ltd. He is a member of the Board of the Kowloon-Canton
Railway Corporation, the Hospital Authority Board, the
Council of the Lingnan College and the Hong Kong Sports
Development Board.
There are a total of nine members (including the
Chairman) on the Public Service Commission. Mr Haider
Barma is Chairman of the Commission. In addition to the
members mentioned above, the other members are Mr P J
Thompson, Mr Christopher Cheng Wai-chee, Mrs Ng Yeoh Saw-
kheng and Ms Bebe Chu Pui-ying.
End
10. HK joined force with Singapore in the fight against drugs
*********************************************************
The SAR Government and the Republic of Singapore have
further strengthened liaison and co-operation for the
common objective of combating drug abuse and trafficking.
The Singapore Government has appointed Hong Kong's
Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Clarie Lo, to the
Singapore National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA)
which plays a similar role as the Action Committee Against
Narcotics (ACAN) in Hong Kong. Mrs Lo's appointment to
the NCADA is for the current two-year term until the end
of 1998.
The NCADA was formed in 1995 to advise the Singapore
Government on the policies and measures to curb drug
abuse, and to mobilise and sustain public support for the
programmes undertaken by government departments and
voluntary organisations.
Both governments have been co-operating closely on
anti-drugs matters. The co-operation was further
strengthened last year with both governments agreeing to
make cross-appointments of senior officials to ACAN and
NCADA. In this regard, the Deputy Director of Singapore's
Central Narcotics Bureau, Mr Tan Seck Kang, was appointed
a member of ACAN in August 1997.
Mrs Lo will be leaving for Singapore today (Friday)
to attend NCADA's regular meeting tomorrow. Meetings of
NCADA are normally held on a monthly basis.
"I am very pleased to accept the invitation to be a
member of the Singapore National Council Against Drug
Abuse. Such exchange of experience and views will
certainly bring further benefits to Hong Kong in our
efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking," Mrs Lo
said.
End
11. Hong Kong to ride out the economic storm
****************************************
The new Budget of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) is designed to use Hong
Kong's strengths to help ride out the present storms, and
to use Hong Kong's flexibility to renew its strengths,
said the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade
Office in Singapore, Mr Thomas Tso.
Mr Tso was addressing a dinner reception yesterday
(Thursday) for the Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association which
was attended by Thai government officials and businessmen
in Bangkok.
Outlining the key features of the first Budget of the
HKSAR, Mr Tso said a wide-ranging package of tax
concessions were introduced to substantially reduce the
tax burden on individuals and businesses and to provide
stronger incentives for investments aiming at improving
competitiveness and the future development of the economy.
These include increases in Salaries Tax allowances,
improvements to the marginal tax structure and reduction
of the standard rate of corporate Profits Tax from 16.5
per cent to 16 per cent.
To boost the tourism industry, the rate of Hotel
Accommodation Tax will be lowered from 5 per cent to 3 per
cent and the Air Passenger Departure Tax will be halved
from HK$100 to HK$50 when the new Hong Kong International
Airport opens in July.
"The proposals of tax measures are designed with Hong
Kong's long term competitiveness in mind," Mr Tso said.
"They will help reinforce our position as a haven of low
taxes."
On the expenditure side, funds have been provided for
improvement in services and investment in the
infrastructure in such areas as education, housing, social
welfare and transportation as announced by the Chief
Executive of the HKSAR in his Policy Address last October.
Mr Tso said with the implementation of the new Budget
proposals, Hong Kong would be given greater strength and
flexibility to maintain its competitive edge. At the same
time, strong reserves would still be built up to guard
against the threat of any further problems in the regional
economy.
Mr Tso pointed out that the Budget was formulated in
accordance with the established prudent fiscal principles
which were consistent with the provisions of the Basic
Law.
"We have adhered to the principal budgetary guideline
that the growth in government expenditure over time,
should not exceed the overall growth of the economy."
Noting that the 1998/99 Budget will see a surplus of
HK$10.7 billion, Mr Tso said strong fiscal reserves were
necessary for Hong Kong. He stressed that the strong
reserves were important to give assurance of Hong Kong's
commitment to currency stability.
He affirmed that the Government was committed to
maintaining the currency board system and the linked
exchange rate at the existing level of parity. Any change
in the Hong Kong-US dollar linked exchange rate would
cause grave uncertainty and undermine investment
sentiments in the territory, Mr Tso added.
Referring to the recent financial turmoil in Asia,
Mr Tso said Hong Kong had stood up well and it would be
among the first to emerge from the crisis.
Mr Tso reviewed the latest developments in Hong Kong
since the Handover eight months ago. He said that the
transition had been smooth and that Hong Kong had been
"business as usual".
The mini-constitution of the HKSAR, the Basic Law,
guarantees that the capitalist system and way of life in
Hong Kong will remain unchanged for 50 years and that Hong
Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy in managing its own
economic policies and finances.
"The Mainland of China has kept its word and has left
Hong Kong to manage its own affairs under the principle of
"one country, two systems", he said.
End
12. Hong Kong SAR -- An Asian city with a difference
************************************************
Despite the recent financial and economic crises
which swept many Southeast Asian economies, Hong Kong's
position as the key international financial, trading and
business centre in the region has been strengthened, the
Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government,
Mr Donald Tong, said today (Thursday, February 26, 1998,
Canada time)
Speaking at a luncheon organised by the Mount Royal
College in Calgary, a major Canadian City in Alberta
Province, Mr Tong said Hong Kong's political stability,
sound economy and dependable and freely convertible
currency have provided a measure of certainty in a region
beset by uncertainties.
Those attending the luncheon included government
officials, business and community leaders and academics.
"Hong Kong's unique position is bolstered by the fact
that we have the mainland of China as our economic
hinterland -- an economy which grew by around nine per
cent in real terms in 1997 and with little spillover
effect from the regional crises, China's economy is
expected to grow by about eight per cent per annum up to
the year 2000," Mr Tong said.
He gave an assurance that the SAR, which has been
administering its own affairs since the return of
sovereignty to China last July, will continue to improve
on its premier position as the gateway to China.
"We have absolute confidence in managing our future
under the 'One Country, Two Systems' concept", he said,
noting also that recently the US Heritage Foundation has
named Hong Kong as the freest economy for the fourth
consecutive year.
Turning to recent speculation on US-HK dollar linked
exchange rate, Mr Tong told the audience that the 14-year
link had weathered many financial crises in the past. It
has become a symbol of economic stability and confidence
in Hong Kong as a major intentional 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.
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.
Mr Tong dismissed speculations that the Renminbi will
be devalued because, he added, it is not in China's
economic interest to do so.
During his address, Mr Tong also gave a wide-ranging
account on Hong Kong's present and future developments,
including:
* 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.
In conclusion, Mr Tong said capital expenditure on
infrastructural projects over the next five years will
amount to nearly C$43 billion, and encouraged those
interested in doing business in Hong Kong to take
advantage of opportunities.
End
3. Sale of 157 surplus government quarters
***************************************
The Government is to sell 157 surplus government
quarters to end users.
Announcing details of the sale today (Friday), the
Government Property Administrator, Mr Albert Lai, said the
offer included 120 flats in Baguio Villa.
"As two previous attempts to market these flats had
not met with a good response, there would be a change in
the method of disposal," Mr Lai explained.
"Instead of an open tender exercise, the Government
Property Agency (GPA) would offer to sell these flats at
pre-determined prices to the public on a first-come, first
served basis."
The prices for the 2,330-square foot flats in Baguio
Villa range from $8 million to $11,600,000 (that is $3,400
to $4,900 per square foot), depending on floor level.
The show flats will be available for viewing from
tomorrow (Saturday) to March 29. The GPA will accept
offers from 10 am on March 10 until March 31.
The remaining 37 flats are at Unicorn Gardens,
Shouson Hill Road East; Wilshire Towers, Tin Hau Temple
Road; Macdonnell House, Macdonnell Road and 8-10 Caldecott
Road. These flats range from 1,714 to 3,096 square feet
in size and will be offered for sale through open
tendering, subject to reserved prices, as in the past.
These flats will be available for viewing from
tomorrow and tendering will close at noon on March 10.
Advertisements on these sales will appear in local
newspapers soon.
Mr Lai also said that the GPA would offer another 55
flats for sale within the current financial year, bringing
the total of surplus government quarters offered for sale
as individual units to 277.
End
14. New fare for Lantau taxis comes into effect next Monday
*******************************************************
The Transport Department today (Friday)reminds
passengers that fares for Lantau taxis will go up by 9.1
per cent next Monday (March 2).
The fare for the flagfall for the first two
kilometres will be $12, an increase by $1 from $11.
For every subsequent 0.2 km, the fare will be
increased from $1.1 to $1.2.
The waiting time charge for every one minute will go
up by 10 cents to $1.2.
The surcharges for every hiring arranged through
telephone booking as well as for each baggage, animal or
bird carried will remain at $5.
The department also reminds taxi owners that taxi
fare table showing the new fare scale should be displayed
inside a taxi starting from that day.
End
15. MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension (Phase II) gazetted
***********************************************
The railway scheme and plans for Phase II of the Mass
Transit Railway Tseung Kwan O Extension (TKE) was gazetted
under the Railways Ordinance today (Friday).
A government spokesman explained that the proposed
Phase II works would provide a three kilometres
electrified railway spur line running from Tseung Kwan O
Station through Pak Shing Kok to a depot and a station in
Tseung Kwan O Area 86.
"The extension of the TKE to Tseung Kwan O south will
better serve the transport needs of the public, and
facilitate the further development of the Tseung Kwan O
new town," he said.
The Tseung Kwan O Extension is one of the three
priority railways recommended in the Railway Development
Strategy. It will provide a 12.5 kilometres electrified
railway system comprising five stations, namely Yau Tong,
Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Hang Hau and Po Lam. Phase
I of the railway was gazetted under the Railways Ordinance
on September 26, 1997.
"Subject to the authorisation of the railway scheme
by the Executive Council in accordance with the Railways
Ordinance, we anticipate that the proposed railway works
will start in late 1998 for completion in 2002," he said.
The station at Area 86 included in the Phase II
gazette will be completed slightly later to tie in with
the timing of population in-take in Tseung Kwan O south.
Members of the public will have, until April 28,
1998, an opportunity to raise objections to the Tseung
Kwan O Extension (Phase II) in accordance with the
provisions of the Railways Ordinance.
End
16. External trade figures for January 1998 released
************************************************
In January 1998, the values of Hong Kong's re-
exports, domestic exports and imports all showed some
decreases on a year-on-year basis.
These are shown in the external trade figures for
January 1998 released today (Friday) by the Census and
Statistics Department.
The value of total exports (comprising re-exports and
domestic exports) in January 1998 decreased by 4.1% over a
year earlier to $114.4 billion. Within this total, the
value of re-exports decreased by 2.9% to $99.1 billion,
while the value of domestic exports decreased by 11% to
$15.3 billion.
The value of imports decreased by 14% over a year
earlier to $113.2 billion in January 1998.
A visible trade surplus of $1.2 billion, equivalent
to 1.1% of the value of imports, was recorded for January
1998, in contrast to the deficit of $12.4 billion,
equivalent to 9.4% of the value of imports, recorded in
January 1997.
A government secretariat spokesman pointed out that
the trade figures usually displayed greater volatility in
the first two months of the year. The year-on-year
declines in the value of both exports and imports in
January 1998 were likely to have been caused by the
different timing of the Lunar New Year Holidays in 1997
and 1998. Thus it should be more meaningful to make
comparisons based on figures for January and February 1998
combined, when the latter figures become available towards
the end of next month.
A more detailed analysis of Hong Kong's external
trade for January 1998, by commodity and
country/territory, will be released in mid-March 1998.
End
17. Village sewerage for Sha Chau Lei Tsuen
***************************************
The Environmental Protection Department published in
the government gazette today (Friday) a plan to build a
village sewerage system at Sha Chau Lei Tsuen in Yuen
Long.
The new sewerage system will effectively reduce
pollutants currently discharged to nearby watercourses,
and bring improvements to the environmental conditions of
the area, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection
Department said.
The works, which will be carried out by the Drainage
Services Department, are scheduled to start in June 1999
for completion two years later.
Details of the plan, in both English and Chinese,
have been posted on the notice boards for public
inspection near the site of the proposed sewerage works.
Copies of the plan and the scheme showing the works
area and the proposed sewerage works are available for
inspection at the following locations:
(i) The Central and Western District Office's Public
Enquiry Services Centre, Ground Floor, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong;
(ii) The Yuen Long District Lands Office, Yuen Long
Government Offices, Ninth Floor, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen
Long, New Territories;
(iii) The Yuen Long District Office, Yuen Long District
Offices Building, 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New
Territories;
(iv) Environmental Protection Department Headquarters,
28th Floor, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai,
Hong Kong;
(v) Local Control Office (Territory West) of
Environmental Protection Department, Seventh Floor,
Chinachem Tsuen Wan Plaza, 455-457 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen
Wan, New Territories;
(vi) Yuen Long New Territories Land Registry, Yuen Long
Government Offices, Seventh Floor, Tai Kiu Market, 2 Kiu
Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories; and
(vii) Land Registry, 19th Floor, Queensway Government
Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.
Any person who wishes to object to the above proposal
is required to send his objection in writing to the
Director of Environmental Protection on or before April
28, 1998.
End
18. Amendments to two approved OZPs for areas in Southern District
**************************************************************
The Town Planning Board today (Friday) announced
several amendments to two approved outline zoning plans
(OZPs) for areas in the Southern District of Hong Kong.
The two plans are the approved Aberdeen and Ap Lei
Chau OZP and the approved Shouson Hill and Repulse Bay
OZP.
As for the first plan, the amendments involve the
rezoning of a site of about 0.7 hectare to the south of
Welfare Road from "Open Space" to "Residential (Group A)"
to facilitate development of Sandwich Class Housing.
Another site of about two hectares at Nam Fung Road
has been rezoned from "Green Belt" ("GB") to "Site of
Special Scientific Interest" ("SSSI") to protect the rare
tree species and valuable woodland.
In addition, an amendment has been made to the
Remarks of the "Industrial" zone to allow the Town
Planning Board to consider upon application under section
16 of the Town Planning Ordinance granting planning
permission for the development of flats and hotels on land
designated for "Industrial (Group 1)" use.
Meanwhile, amendments to the second plan involve the
rezoning of a site of about 6.3 hectares to the north of
Nam Fung Road from "GB" to "SSSI" to facilitate the
protection of the rare tree species and valuable woodland.
As a result, amendments are made to the Note of the
Plan of the two OZPs to incorporate the "SSSI" zone.
The two draft plans, No. S/H15/9 and No. S/H17/4
respectively, are now available for public inspection
during office hours until April 27, 1998 at:
* Planning Department, 16th floor, Murray Building,
Garden Road, Central (from February 27 to February 28,
1998);
* Planning Department, 15th floor, North Point
Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, (from
March 1 to April 27, 1998); and
* Southern District Office, Shop 25, ground and
second floor, Mei Fung Court, Aberdeen Centre, Aberdeen.
Copies of the draft plans are available for sale at
the Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, 14th
floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, from
February 27 to March 19, 1998; and at its new office on
the 23rd floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java
Road, North Point, from March 24, 1998 onwards. The plans
are also available from February 27, 1998 at the Kowloon
Map Sales Office, ground floor, 382 Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Any person affected by the amendments may submit
written objections before April 27, 1998 to the Secretary
f the Town Planning Board, c/o Planning Department, 13th
floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, from
February 27 to February 28, 1998; or at its new office on
the 15th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java
Road, North Point, from March 1 onwards.
End
19. Draft Fanling/Sheung Shui OZP amended
*************************************
The Town Planning Board today (Friday) announced
several amendments to the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui
Outline Zoning Plan.
The amendments involve the rezoning of two sites
covering a total area of about 10.95 hectares and bounded
by Pak Wo Road and Po Kin Road in Planning Area 36, Sheung
Shui, from "Government, Institution or Community" ("GIC")
to "Residential (Group A)". This will facilitate
development for public rental housing estates, Home
Ownership Scheme estates and Sandwich Class Housing.
Meanwhile, two sites of about 4.9 hectares in
Planning Area 35, Sheung Shui, are rezoned from "Green
Belt" to "Village Type Development" to meet the demand for
small houses in Tsung Pak Long Village.
As a result, amendments have been made to the Notes
of the Plan. "Residential Institution" ("RI") use has been
transferred from Column 1 to Column 2 of the user schedule
for the "GIC" zone to maintain planning control on "RI"
use in the zone.
In addition, a "Remark" is added to the Notes of the
"Village Type Development" zone to impose height
restriction on specific uses in order to retain the
village character.
The amended plan (No. S/FSS/7) is available for
public inspection until March 20, 1998 during office hours
at:
* Planning Department,
16th floor, Murray Building,
Garden Road,
Central;
(from February 27 to February 28, 1998);
* Planning Department,
15th floor, North Point Government Offices,
333 Java Road,
North Point,
(from March 1, 1998 onwards);
* Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office,
ground floor, Sha Tin Government Offices,
6 Tung Lo Wan Hill Road,
Sha Tin; and
* North District Office,
3rd floor, North District Government Offices,
3 Pik Fung Road,
Fanling.
Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at
the Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, 14th
floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, from
February 27 to March 19, 1998; and at its new office on
the 23rd floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java
Road, North Point, from March 24, 1998 onwards. The plans
are also available from February 27, 1998 at the Kowloon
Map Sales Office, ground floor, 382 Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Any person affected by the amendments may submit
written objections to the Secretary of the Town Planning
Board, c/o Planning Department, 13th floor, Murray
Building, Garden Road, Central, from February 27 to
February 28, 1998; or at its new office on the 15th floor,
North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North
Point, from March 1 to March 20, 1998.
End
20. Stringent penalty for illegal parking on private roads
******************************************************
The charges imposing on vehicle owners for illegal
parking on private roads will be revised from this Sunday
(March 1) onwards.
The existing charges for impounding, removal and
storage of unauthorised parked vehicles on private roads
are $140, $200 and $50 respectively. Revised fees will be
amounted to $320, $350 and $320.
Details of the adjustment are contained in the Road
Traffic (Parking on Private Roads) Regulation.
Speaking on the new charges today (Friday), a
spokesman for the Transport Department said: "Private road
owners may impound, remove and detain vehicles parked
illegally outside approved parking spaces within their
areas.
"Charges will be imposed on these vehicles.
"An increase in the charges is to allow the
management of private roads to recover the cost incurred
for relative enforcement action.
"It also helps discourage illegal parking which is
serious in quite a number of private housing development."
The Hong Kong Association of Property Management
Companies has been informed of the revised fees.
The spokesman reminded all private road owners that
they should display details of the revised fees at
prominent places for public information and compliance.
End
21. Review underway on HK's AIDS situation and programme
****************************************************
The Advisory Council on AIDS is conducting a review
to examine the HIV/AIDS situation in Hong Kong and the
programme of work carried out by Government, community and
non-government organisations on its prevention, care and
control.
Announcing this today (Friday), a Council spokesman
said the objectives of the review were to assess AIDS
prevention, care and control activities provided in the
past and map out plans for future improvements.
"The review is composed of two parts: an internal
assessment conducted by the Council Secretariat, and an
evaluation by some overseas consultants," the spokesman
said.
The Council is inviting comments and suggestions from
members of the public and organisations in writing to
assist the Council Secretariat in its assessment.
"Public views may touch on anything dealing with AIDS
in Hong Kong, or more specifically under one of the six
areas: situation and surveillance; HIV prevention and
health promotion; HIV care; policy; programme structure;
and financial assessment," the spokesman added.
Written comments should reach the Secretariat of the
Advisory Council on AIDS on or before March 31, either by
post to first floor, Wang Tau Hom Jockey Club Clinic, 200
Junction Road East, Kowloon, by fax No. 2337 0897, or by
e-mail aids@health.gcn.gov.hk
The Advisory Council on AIDS is a Government-
appointed body set up in 1990 to advise on the AIDS policy
in Hong Kong.
End
22. Guide to conveyance of corrosive & poisonous substances issued
**************************************************************
The Fire Services Department has published a Code of
Practice on the interim measures for conveyance of
corrosive and poisonous substances by vehicles.
A spokesman for the department today (Friday) said
the purpose of issuing the Code was to advise the parties
engaged in the transport of corrosive and poisonous
substances (Categories 3 and 4 dangerous goods
respectively), including the consignors, drivers, vehicle
owners and attendants, on the interim measures for safe
transport of these substances before the completion of a
comprehensive study on the transport of dangerous goods.
The Code, comprising four sections, lists out the
advisory safety guidelines in connection with the
vehicle's conditions, method of storage, responsibilities
of consignor, vehicle driver, attendant and owner.
It also stipulates the emergency procedures for the
parties concerned in the event of an accident.
Twenty-five thousand copies of the Code in Chinese
and English have been published. They will be distributed
to various drivers associations and transport unions.
The Department will also organise a seminar early
next month to brief various concerned parties.
The Code is available at the Fire Protection Command
Headquarters in the Fire Services Headquarters Building,
Tsim Sha Tsui East; and the respective regional offices on
Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories.
Enquiries about the Code can be made at 2733 7605.
End
23. PD moves to new offices in North Point
**************************************
The Planning Department's Headquarters will operate
from the new premises on the 14th to 18th floors and the
24th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road,
North Point from tomorrow (Saturday).
A number of the Department's offices will also
operate from the new premises at the same time. They
include the Territorial and Sub-regional Planning Branch,
Hong Kong and Kowloon District Planning Offices, Metro
Group Section, Urban Renewal Division and the Town
Planning Board Secretariat.
Owing to the removal, planning enquiry services will
be suspended until March 3 (Tuesday), when they will
resume at the enquiry counter of the Planning Information
and Technical Administration Unit on the 17th floor of the
new office.
The new public enquiry telephone number is 2231 5000,
while the fax number (2877 0389) and e-mail address
(orta@pland.gcn.gov.hk) will remain unchanged.
Enquiries on matters relating to the Town Planning
Board can be made on telephone number 2231 4809 or fax
numbers 28770245 and 2522 8426.
The Planning Department is responsible for
formulating, monitoring and reviewing urban and rural
planning policies and associated programmes for the
physical development of Hong Kong.
Apart from serving the Town Planning Board, the
Department also deals with all types of planning at the
territorial, sub-regional and district levels.
End
24. Education Department recruits evening part-time lecturers
*********************************************************
Teachers are invited to apply for posts of part-time
lecturers in the evening courses at primary to senior
secondary levels in the 1998/99 school year.
These courses include English course, the government
evening secondary school course and the adult education
course (general background).
Applicants should be qualified teachers with a
genuine interest in teaching adults.
Remuneration for part-time lecturers in 1997/98
school year are: $420 per hour for GCE 'O' Level or
Secondary 6 level subjects; $350 per hour for senior
secondary level subjects; $280 per hour for junior
secondary level subjects and $255 per hour for primary
level subjects.
Application forms are obtainable by post with a self-
addressed envelope or in person from the Adult Education
Unit of the Education Department at 11th floor, Wu Chung
House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai.
Completed application forms should reach the Adult
Education Unit on or before March 20.
If applicants are not invited for interview by April
24, they should assume that their applications have been
unsuccessful.
Enquiries can be directed to 2892 6669 during office
hours.
End
25. Forty-eight government apprentices graduated
********************************************
The Government's injection of more than $200 billion
in major infrastructure projects in the coming years will
raise job opportunities for well-trained electrical and
engineering craftsmen, the Director of Water Supplies,
Mr Hu Man-shiu said today (Friday).
Speaking at the Government Apprentices Graduation
Ceremony, Mr Hu said the construction, operation and
subsequent maintenance of these projects would mean lots
of opportunities for these craftsmen.
Forty-eight craft apprentices who have completed a
four-year training course organised by the Electrical and
Mechanical Services Department were presented certificates
and trophies at the ceremony.
Two outstanding graduates, Mr Yip Wai-lun and Mr Chan
Kwok-leung, received the "Laishley Cup" and the "Howes
Plaque" respectively, from the Director of Water Supplies,
Mr Hu Man-shiu, in recognition of their meritorious work
during the training.
The Government Apprentice Training Scheme was
introduced in 1969 to provide trained craftsmen and
technicians for both the Government and the community.
More than 2,300 craftsman have graduated so far and
another 277 apprentices are being trained now.
The scheme is sponsored jointly by the Water Supplies
Department and the Fire Services Department.
End
