Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
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Thursday, March 12, 1998 CONTENTS ======== 1. CE's press conference in Paris 2. Incident of additive in cough medicine investigated 3. CE keen to cement stronger ties with France 4. Fast track trip to Lyon impresses CE 5. 683 Election Committee members to be elected in April 6. Freedom of speech and civil liberties prevail in HK 7. Busy programme for EPD in 1998 8. Career package for new arrivals 9. Prohibited activities in marine parks may face punishment 10. Three pre-sale consents issued in February 11. BA accepts Codes of Practice Committee's suggestions 1. CE's press conference in Paris ****************************** Following is the transcript of a press conference by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Crillon Hotel, Paris, yesterday (Wednesday, HK time). Mr Tung: My colleagues and I arrived in Paris this morning for the first official visit and we were very warmly received by the President of the Senate, by Prime Minister Jospin and I also gave a lunch time talk at the gathering organised by the TDC and Employers' Association to a group of about 400 businessmen, industrialists. It's a good beginning, we have had some very useful discussions. I took the opportunity of my visit to particularly emphasise the importance of the Hong Kong-French relationship, how this relationship, with the return of Hong Kong, should be further advanced. France is our 10th largest trading partner. The economies in Asia are presently having some difficulties but I have no doubts that they will recover. China is moving ahead very well economically. A lot of opportunities will still be there in Asia and I hope French business people will continue to seize on this opportunity and certainly use Hong Kong as a base for their activities in Asia. With the Prime Minister we also discussed the Asian currency turmoil, its impact on Hong Kong, the likely impact on the rest of the world. I also had the opportunity to discuss with him the issue of France granting Hong Kong SAR Passport a visa- free arrangement and we agreed the two of us should sit down together, seriously looking into the technical aspects as to how we take this forward. It's the first day, it's a busy first day but I'm glad it's a very fruitful first day. Thank you very much. Reporter (French Radio): Question in French on the International Federation of Human Rights and limits to freedoms in Hong Kong, freedom of association and whether there should be concern for the future. Mr Tung: Thank you very much for this question. Let me first say this, that human rights are not the monopoly of the Western countries. We all care very much about human rights. Secondly, I think I can proudly say the human rights record in Hong Kong rivals anywhere else in the world, anywhere else in the world, and I would welcome whoever they may be to come to Hong Kong, talk to us, look at the realities of the situation. There might be misunderstanding here and there but I look forward to welcoming anybody who would like to come and talks to us. Reporter (Reuters): Mr Tung, in the speech you gave this afternoon you mentioned the currency crisis. And you very briefly mentioned Indonesia. Two questions about Indonesia - do you think that Indonesia's problems could cause another wave of currency instability in Asia and secondly you also spoke very highly of the currency board system you have in Hong Kong. Would you suggest that for Indonesia? Mr Tung: Thank you very much. In Hong Kong we are of course concerned about further deterioration in Indonesia. The fact is that Hong Kong's trade and investment relationship with Indonesia are really not that significant. But nevertheless any instability around the region will tend to cause ripple effect and that effect may come through to Hong Kong also. But I might like to add the issue of Indonesia needs to be resolved by the international community because if it is not it's not just a question of Hong Kong. I think the ripple effects will be felt all around the world. With regards to your second question, we are very proud of our currency board arrangement. It's been operating successfully for 14 years. Not that we are particularly clever, it's just that we have learnt from the mistakes of the past and the currency board has been operating very well. The fundamentals of a currency board must be supported by strong fiscal discipline, good banking supervision and a whole lot of other financial management infrastructure. So I would not recommend it on anybody unless they are really ready for it. Reporter (Reuters): Does that mean that Indonesia is not ready for it? Mr Tung: Well I think these are some of the things we need to look into but certainly you have to really be ready for it to make it successful. Reporter (Cliff Bale, RTHK): I would like to ask you first of all on the visa-free what exactly you have agreed with French officials, how you envisage this will be taken forward. Secondly on the subversion laws can I ask you, do you envisage coming forward with draft legislation before your policy speech or afterwards. Mr Tung: I think with regards to the visa-free arrangements, as I said earlier on, that we are hoping that the technical groups of the two governments will get together to review how to proceed. When we are ready to make a more detailed statement on it we will certainly do so, but not today I'm sorry. With regards to your second question, as you know that according got the Basic Law we need to enact laws according to Basic Law Article Law 23, we need to enact laws on national security issues and we would do so after consultation at a time when the first legislature is going ahead already. And at this moment we have absolutely no fixed idea as to when the precise timetable would be, it's not an issue that we have been looking at at the moment. Reporter (Cliff Bale, RTHK): Could you say whether it's likely or unlikely before or after your Policy Address. Mr Tung: Unfortunately I can not because it's not a subject I have given any thought to at all. Reporter (Angela Li, SCMP): Do you think Executive Council member Henry Tang has breached the principles of confidentiality and collective responsibility when he revealed to the press yesterday that the Executive Council has approved the renewal of the Star Ferry franchise? And do you think such principles still survive in the Executive Council? Mr Tung: It is a very specific question to which I have no details of, so I can't respond to you specifically. But I would say this, that confidentiality and the collective responsibility is still very much part of the Executive Councillors' responsibility and duty and that should be so. As to whether he said it, it would depend on what he said, whether he said it before or after the government made an announcement, so without knowing the details I can't answer you, I'm sorry. Reporter (French reporter): Question in French on Indonesia. Mr Tung: I think the way forward in Indonesia is to support the IMF effort. At the same time, for the international financial institutions, also to give the necessary support so the restructure can ultimately be successful. It is important for both to go together. Thank you. Reporter (French reporter): Question in French on the elections in May, the climate in Hong Kong and if there have been any changes since the previous elections. Mr Tung: Judging by the noises in the community, the noises by the political parties and independent candidates who are preparing to participate in the election it's going to be a very active campaign. I'm quite sure the election will be fair and open to all the participants. One of the major differences in so far as the election itself is concerned is that in the directly-elected seats the contest is going to be based on proportional representation, rather than first past the post methodology. And there's also some adjustment in the functional constituency. But let me tell you this, there are about 2.9 million people who have already registered to vote and this is the largest we have had on record. We are all working very hard to make sure the election is successful. Thank you very much. End 2. Incident of additive in cough medicine investigated *************************************************** The Department of Health is investigating into an incident involving additive of an excessive amount in a cough medicine dispensed at the Central Kowloon General Out-patient Clinic and is recalling patients who have been issued with the cough medicine. A department spokesman said today (Thursday): "The incident was discovered on March 9 when staff of the Central Kowloon General Out-patient Clinic found two bottles of 500 ml and one 1itre cough medicine to contain a visible amount of additive at the bottom of the bottles. "Upon investigation, it was found that the incident had occurred because the concentrated form of the additive was used instead of the diluted form during pre-packing of the cough medicine. The additive was added as preservative for the cough medicine for longer-term use. "The involved batches were pre-packed on February 21, March 3 and March 7. A total of 36 bottles of involved batches had been dispensed to patients." The spokesman said the amount of additive would vary from bottle to bottle as the additive was not very soluble in water. The excessive amount would sink to the bottom of the bottle and be clearly visible. He pointed out that as the amount of cough medicine in these bottles was meant for use over weeks, it was unlikely that the patients would have taken the additive collected at the bottom of the bottles. "Unless taken by itself and in entirety, the additive in these bottles is unlikely to lead to adverse effects," the spokesman said. "The amount of additive so added to the large bottles is still within safety limit and if patients followed the instruction to shake the bottle immediately before use, the medicine would not give rise to any health risk." At present, the 36 patients who had been dispensed with these medicines are being recalled to exchange the bottles and receive counselling by doctors. As at this morning, 18 patients had returned the medicine. Ten of them had not taken the medicine. Only five patients who had taken the medicine reported some transient symptoms after taking it, but it was probably unrelated as the medicine returned appeared normal. Two bottles contained the additive at the bottom of the bottle. One of them had not been taken and the patient who took the other did not have symptom. The spokesman emphasised that bottles of other smaller sizes were not affected as it was not necessary to put the additive in such bottles. He assured the public that this was an isolated incident only occurring in the Central Kowloon General Out-patient Clinic. "Remedial measures have been taken to rectify the situation. "For the anxiety and inconvenience caused to the patients concerned, the Department wishes to extend its most sincere apology," the spokesman added. End 3. CE keen to cement stronger ties with France ******************************************* French business and political leaders have been told by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, that Hong Kong is still the best place in Asia for business. In a full day of meetings, which included talks with French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, and Senate President, Mr Rene Monory, the Chief Executive said there were still tremendous opportunities in Asia, despite the current financial turmoil in the region. And in a keynote address to more than 400 business and finance market leaders, Mr Tung called for more French investment in Hong Kong and China. "The depth of economic opportunities for France and indeed the rest of the world in the coming decades in Asia in general, and China in particular, is staggering," he told guests at the lunch organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the French Employers' Association. "And where can French business capitalise on such opportunities? What do you expect me to say but where else but Hong Kong, the natural gateway to China and the Asia Pacific Region." Early today (HK time), Mr Tung was guest of honour at a dinner hosted by French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Mr Jacques Dondoux. During the dinner, Mr Dondoux praised Hong Kong authorities for maintaining the Hong Kong's currency link to the US Dollar. Mr Dondoux said the link had allowed Hong Kong to 'resist the jolts provoked by a difficult regional context'. Mr Tung said the key focus of his visit to France - and Germany earlier this week - was to convince European business and political leaders that Hong Kong was alive and kicking and forging ahead with impressive investments in infrastructure, housing and education. Another important issue was to convince the two countries to grant visa-free access to HKSAR Passport holders. After his meeting with Mr Jospin, the Chief Executive said it was agreed that officials from France and Hong Kong 'should sit down together, and seriously look into the technical aspects as to how to take this forward'. "The Prime Minister suggested it would be useful to organise a technical team from France to visit Hong Kong to assess the situation in close co-operation with the Hong Kong Government and we welcome this suggestion," said Mr Tung. Major topics discussed with Mr Jospin, Mr Monory and Mr Dondoux were the latest economic developments in Hong Kong and the region, Hong Kong's currency board system and linked exchange rate, the introduction of the single European currency the Euro and the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' concept. Mr Tung said he appreciated the warm and hospitable welcome he had received in Paris and was impressed by the tremendous interest French friends had in Hong Kong and China. Mr Tung later today meets with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry before boarding a high-speed train for Lyon, where he is guest of honour of the Mayor of Lyon, Mr Raymond Barre. Early tomorrow (HK time) he will attend a dinner hosted by the French Banks' Association, where he will meet the country's leading bankers. End 4. Fast track trip to Lyon impresses CE ************************************ As verdant countryside whizzed by at 270 kmh, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, has taken a first-hand look at some of the French railway technology being used on Hong Kong's new Airport Express. Mr Tung, guest of honour with the French National Railroads (SNCF), said he was impressed with the TGV (very fast train) services zooming to all corners of France every day. The Chief Executive boarded the TGV today (Thursday) for the 415-kilometre trip from Paris to France's second city Lyon, where he was the guest of the Mayor of Lyon and former French Prime Minister, Mr Raymond Barre. During the two-hour trip, the Chief Executive also took a front-row view of the action during a guided tour of the high-tech control room with SNCF Asian Manager for International Development, Mr Francois Bressy. The TGV in France are jointly developed and built by SNCF, CS Transport Signaling and GEC Alsthom, which is involved in building the new Airport Railway. SNCF was involved in the signaling systems for Guangzhou-Shenzhen railway, as well as the Beijing- Shanghai railway. During a briefing on the TGV services, Mr Tung was told how state-of-the art signaling systems ensured safety during such high-speed services. The costs of developing a TGV service, on-board facilities, technology and the environmental impact of the lines was also discussed. The TGV has carried more than 300 million passengers in complete safety since commercial services began in 1981, said an SNCF spokesman. The TGV can run at speeds of up to 320 kmh on commercial services. In May 1990, a TGVA set a world speed record of 515.3 kmh for rail transport. "It's really something, and very interesting to learn all about it," Mr Tung said of the train. Later today Mr Tung will take a look at another high- tech French train service - the fully automated Lyon Metro. Before he left Paris, Mr Tung had breakfast with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the meeting Mr Tung briefed chamber members of Hong Kong's economic development over the next decade and opportunities in Hong Kong and China for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Chamber members were interested to hear Mr Tung's thoughts on how smaller French businesses could compete with multi-nationals to gain a foothold in the massive Chinese market. "Hong Kong is optimally placed to help French SMEs develop business opportunities in China," Mr Tung said. "There are many companies in Hong Kong with which French companies can form strategic alliances and partnerships. We have the know-how needed to help them. "We also have a network of 11 Trade Development Council offices throughout the mainland, who are also well placed to help anyone seeking partnerships for projects in China. "There will be enormous opportunities for such tripartite relationships as China presses ahead with its reforms of state-owned enterprises." Mr Tung told chamber members that Hong Kong was always trying to create an attractive environment for investors. He said that during the meeting, chamber members had also expressed confidence in the future of Hong Kong. End 5. 683 Election Committee members to be elected in April ***************************************************** A total of 683 members of the Election Committee will be returned from 35 subsectors and the subsector elections will be held on April 2. These members, together with the ex-officio members and the Religious subsector, which will nominate its representatives, will form a 800-strong Election Committee. The Election Committee will elect 10 Legislative Councillors on May 24. The number of members to be returned for each of the 35 subsectors will be announced in the gazette tomorrow (Friday). Following is a list of the subsectors and their respective number of Election Committee members to be returned: Catering 11 Employers' Federation of Hong Kong 11 Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association 11 Hotel 11 Commercial(first) 12 Commercial(second) 12 Finance 12 Financial services 12 Import and export 12 Industrial(first) 12 Industrial(second) 12 Insurance 12 Real estate and construction 12 Textiles and garment 12 Tourism 12 Transport 12 Wholesale and retail 12 Accountancy 20 Architectural, surveying and planning 20 Chinese medicine 20 Education 20 Engineering 20 Health services 20 Higher education 20 Information technology 20 Legal 20 Medical 20 Heung Yee Kuk 21 Provisional District Boards for the 21 Districts in the Urban Council Area ("Hong Kong and Kowloon Provisional District Boards") Provisional District Boards for the 21 Districts in the Regional Council Area ("New Territories Provisional District Boards") Agriculture and fisheries 40 Labour 40 Social Welfare 40 Chinese People's Political 60 Consultative Conference Sports, performing arts, culture 40 and publication For the Sports, performing arts, culture and publication subsector, 10 members of the Election Committee will be returned for each of its four sub- subsectors. The nomination period for the subsector elections will start tomorrow (Friday) and last up to March 20. Nomination forms must be handed in to the relevant Returning Officer in person during office hours of the nomination period. The forms can be obtained from the Returning Officer of the respective subsector; District Offices; the Registration and Electoral Office on the 10th floor of Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, and the website (http://www.info.gov.hk). End 6. Freedom of speech and civil liberties prevail in HK *************************************************** The Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, Mr Donald Tong, today (Wednesday, Toronto time) said that civil liberties in Hong Kong, including freedom of speech, assembly and the press continue to flourish without any restriction. Speaking to students of journalism at the Carlton University in Ottawa, Mr Tong said these liberties are enshrined in the Basic Law. He pointed out that criticism of the Hong Kong SAR Government by the media and public demonstrations in the streets still take place daily, like before July 1997. "What is encouraging is that China, although not a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, has agreed to forward Hong Kong's reports on the implementation of these two covenants to the United Nations in August 1998," Mr Tong said. "This is a clear gesture by China to prove to the international community that the freedoms and rights of Hong Kong people will be protected. "Also, a recent report by the US House Task Force on Hong Kong Transition concluded that the press and media continue to be open, free and full of criticism and analysis of both the Hong Kong and Beijing governments, and that journalists continue to cover the news much as they did before July 1, and have no hesitancy in voicing views not welcome by Beijing. "In a six-monthly report to the UK Parliament in January 1998, the UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook also admitted that developments in Hong Kong have been encouraging and that the people of Hong Kong retain a free and dynamic press. "Another proof of Hong Kong's way of life has been preserved comes from a US State Department Report on Human Rights in Hong Kong issued at the end of January 1998, which also reaffirmed that there has been no substantial change in Hong Kong since the transition." During his discussion with the students, some of whom are post-graduates and working journalists, Mr Tong stressed that Hong Kong continues to manage its own affairs, including complete financial autonomy, independence of its monetary system and maintenance of direct links with international community on matters concerning trade and bilateral issues. As an example, the Director pointed out that the Hong Kong administration - without any interference or advice from China - fought off speculations on the Hong Kong dollar which is firmly linked to the US dollar under the currency board system. He reiterated that Hong Kong will not abandon the HK- US dollar link because it will cause grave uncertainty, undermine investment sentiments and confidence, damage Hong Kong and cause further regional turmoil. Hong Kong has a huge reserve of US$98.1 billion - the third largest in the world and no foreign debt. And Hong Kong is fully capable of maintaining the link. "The linked exchange rate 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," he added. Mr Tong said despite uncertainties in Southeast Asia, the 1998/99 Budget released recently by Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, revealed that there was still a 5.2 per cent real growth last year while inflation stood at 5.8 per cent during the same period. Unemployment was about 2.5 per cent. Despite the financial turmoil, Hong Kong expects a real growth of 3.5 per cent and a reduced inflation rate of five per cent this year. To sharpen our competitive edge and to bring relief to Hong Kong citizens who are affected by the upheavals, the budget proposed tax concessions (e.g. reduction of corporate profits tax to 16 per cent) and a series of measures such as continuing to invest in housing, education and infrastructural development. "With the economic growth in the Mainland of China expected at eight per cent this year, and the ongoing economic reform, Hong Kong which serves as a gateway to doing business with or in China will certainly stand to benefit. This will in turn help us ride out the storm much quicker than our neighbours," he said. End 7. Busy programme for EPD in 1998 ****************************** The Government will be carrying out a large number of programmes this year to tackle Hong Kong's outstanding environmental problems, Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Rob Law, said today (Thursday). Speaking at the annual press briefing of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Mr Law said 1997 was another busy year for the department with significant success, but there was a lot that needed to be done. To tackle our air pollution problem, Mr Law said the Government would shortly be reviewing the pilot scheme to introduce liquefied petroleum gas fuelled taxis into Hong Kong in the hope of being able to replace the existing diesel fuelled taxis which cause much of our air pollution problems. "We will also be introducing a new roadside air pollution index and improving on the information we currently provide on our ambient air pollution index," he said. On waste reduction, Mr Law said the Government hoped to publish the final Waste Reduction Plan around the middle of the year, which is aimed at achieving significant reduction in the amount of waste needed to be disposed of at our landfills. "One of the most important elements of the plan will be to introduce large, waste-to-energy incinerator into Hong Kong. We hope to complete our detailed study on this by the end of the new financial year," he said. In addition, he said, the EPD would also be working in other key areas, such as the phasing out of noisy percussive piling hammers in built-up areas, making proposals for retrofitting existing roads with noise abatement measures, and the implementation of the new Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance. On enforcement actions, EPD received nearly 14,000 complaints last year from the public about environmental problems and staff in our six local control offices carried out about 70,000 inspections, Mr Law said. "We had nearly 1,200 successful prosecutions, about 20 per cent over that of last year, and a 12 per cent increase overall in the level of fines, with a total of about $21 million in fines being imposed. Although the level of fines handed down by the courts were often disappointing, Mr Law said it was encouraging that the level of fines seemed to be going up. The maximum fine recorded in the year was $180,000 for an offence under the Noise Control Ordinance. "We also encountered the first instances of prison sentence being handed down for two cases under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance," he said. End 8. Career package for new arrivals ******************************* To promote the understanding of the work culture in Hong Kong to the new arrivals from the mainland, the Careers Advisory Service of the Labour Department has tailor-made a Career Package in a bid to equip them for employment and prepare them for the world of work. Sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the package comprises five videos and a booklet for counselor's reference. The five videos, which are produced under the assistance of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), are presented in the form of drama to explore the difficulties encountered by the new arrivals in job-search, problems at work as well as the process which they have gone through in adjusting to the new environment. Three of the videos, namely, "Youth from the South", "Revelation from the Quail" and "Ah Yin", are included in a TV series "Employment Special" produced by RTHK. These videos focus on the problems encountered by new arrivals upon arrival in Hong Kong, such as language barrier, cultural discrepancy, problems in accreditation of qualification, difficulties in job-search, etc. The other two videos, "Job Search and Interview Techniques" and "Here are the Helping Hands", are to introduce the work culture in Hong Kong, techniques in choosing and searching jobs; the employment services provided by the Labour Department to the new arrivals and hopefully foster the correct attitude at work for them. The Career Package will be distributed to organisations providing employment services to the new arrivals soon. Members of the public can have access to these information in the two Careers Information Centres and the Employment and Guidance Centre for New Arrivals. The addresses of these centres are: * Careers Information Centres Hong Kong Office, 16th, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2835 2044 Kowloon Office, second floor, Mong Kok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok. Tel: 2399 2241 * Employment and Guidance Centre for New Arrivals, 12th floor, Marina House, 68 Hing Man Street, Shau Kei Wan. Tel: 2114 6868 For enquiries on the Career Package, please contact Miss Lorrain Lo on 2852 3518. End 9. Prohibited activities in marine parks may face punishment ********************************************************* Members of the public are reminded that conducting prohibited activities in marine parks could be prosecuted and punished by court. The message was issued by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) today (Thursday) after a man was fined $3,000 for trawling in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park in October last year. This is the first ever successful prosecution since the enactment of the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation in July 1996. An AFD spokesman pointed out that the Regulation was enacted under the Marine Parks Ordinance to prohibit certain activities, such as trawling, spearfishing, fishing with poison, dynamite or electric charges in marine parks and marine reserves, in order to protect the marine environment. "Under the regulation, no one shall hunt, remove any animal or plant or carry out water-skiing or fish without authorisation in these areas," he said. He noted that activities which might cause damage to any shoreline and operating power-drive vessels exceeding 10 knots were also banned. "Any person found contravening the Regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and one year's imprisonment," he added. Turning to the recent court case, the spokesman said that AFD Marine Park wardens found a shrimp trawler fishing off Ngan Chau at Hoi Ha Wan last October. The vessel was then intercepted with three kilograms of fishery produce seized. The case was heard in Kwun Tong Magistracy this Tuesday (March 10) where the defendant pleaded guilty and convicted. Enquiries on prohibited activities in marine parks and marine reserves can be directed to the Country and Marine Parks Authority on 2733 2454. End 10. Three pre-sale consents issued in February ****************************************** The Lands Department issued three pre-sale consents for residential and commercial flats in uncompleted developments last month (February). Among the consents, two were for the pre-sale of 1,387 residential units in Ma On Shan and Tuen Mun. They are expected to be completed between April and May in 1999. The remaining one involved 652 car parking spaces in Mong Kok. They are due for completion in April this year. At the end of February, 22 applications for pre-sale consents involving 21,390 residential units, and 10 applications for commercial developments were pending approval. The commercial developments will provide at least 308 commercial units, five kindergartens, shops, restaurants and a hotel. The completion date for these residential and commercial developments is March 2000 at the latest. Besides, two applications for consents to assign 3,384 residential units in Tsuen Wan and Tin Shui Wai were being processed. Members of the public can dial the hotline 2147 5475 to obtain details of these applications. End 11. BA accepts Codes of Practice Committee's suggestions **************************************************** At its meeting on March 12, 1998, the Broadcasting Authority (BA) accepted the recommendations of its Codes of Practice Committee and approved the introduction of new sets of Satellite Television Codes of Practice on Programme and Advertising Standards. The purpose of the new Codes is to reflect the policy decision to bring the licensing regime for satellite broadcasting more in line with current market and technological developments, and to make the operating environment more conducive for satellite broadcasting companies to set up businesses in Hong Kong. Under the new policy, a distinction would be drawn in terms of content monitoring between satellite television services primarily targeting Hong Kong and those which are not. For the latter, the regulation of programme content would be in the context of regional broadcasts. The existing codes of practice for satellite television would be simplified and satellite broadcasts not primarily targeting Hong Kong will be required to comply with the laws and standards of its recipient countries. The BA also endorsed the recommendations of its Complaints Committee relating to three television programmes, four advertisements on television and one radio programme. TVB received a strong advice for the use of some undesirable expressions in the drama serial "A Recipe For the Heart" broadcast in November and December 1997. These expressions were not plot essential and would have a bad influence on youths, and should not be used in a drama broadcast within the family viewing hours. TVB was also given a serious warning for the excessive and gratuitous use of undesirable expressions in the drama serial "A Measure of Love" broadcast in January 1998. BA was concerned about the increasing trend of the employment of undesirable expressions in television programmes. While the use of the undesirable expressions is not prohibited, their use should be justifiable in context, and employed in moderation. ATV received a strong advice for the programme "El Hazard, The Magnificent World" broadcast on 29.12.1997 - 8.1.1998. The programme contained material unsuitable for children and was correctly labelled as "PG" (Parental Guidance Recommended). However, it was unacceptable for broadcast in the morning slots during the Christmas and New Year holidays when a large number of children were expected to be watching television at home. ATV received another strong advice for broadcasting an advertisement for a Chinese wine during the break of a Japanese animation feature. The BA considered that the animation feature was designed for and directed to children and young persons. Advertisements for alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be screened in proximity to such programmes. ATV and TVB both received an advice in respect of an advertisement for a mobile phone which comprised entirely of close-ups on a woman's breasts. The BA considered that the prolonged close-ups on the sexual characteristic of a woman was exploitative, offensive to the average viewer and denigrating to the female gender. ATV and Wharf Cable were given a strong advice for not exercising reasonable diligence to ensure the truthfulness of the claims contained in the advertisement for a mobile phone. The advertisement failed to disclose special conditions attached to a promotional sale of the product. Commercial Radio was given a strong advice for including advertising material for a department store in its programme "Blowing in the Wind at Seibu" broadcast on November 22, 1997. The BA decided to take no further action on the advertisement for a mobile phone broadcast on both ATV and TVB. The depiction of farting in the advertisement was not considered to be of bad taste and was acceptable to the average viewer at the broadcast hours under concern. End
