Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Tuesday, March 17, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. Update on cholera
2. Import control on bivalve seafood explained
3. CE meets National Democratic Institute delegation
4. Govt approves new franchise for Star Ferry
5. Greater support for teaching English in Chinese schools
6. 376 nominations received for subsector elections
7. Executive Council approves bus fare increase
8. Applications for Services Support Fund invited
9. Enhanced co-operation with mainland Customs essential
10. MPF subsidiary legislation to go to PLC on April 1
11. Study on planning for cultural facilities
12. 118 convicted pollution cases in February
13. Free publication to promote Charter for Youth
14. Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
15. Flushing water cut on Tsing Yi
1. Update on cholera
*****************
The Department of Health announced today (Tuesday)
that a new local case was confirmed today.
The new confirmed case involves the 63-year-old male
who was reported on March 15 as a suspected local case.
The onset of his illness was on February 25.
The eight suspected imported cases reported yesterday
were confirmed negative. As no new suspected case is
received today, the total number of suspected cases is
left to one only.
As of today, the total number of confirmed cholera
cases so far this year is 44, including 30 imported cases
and 14 local cases. The total number of suspected cases
is one which is a local case.
End
2. Import control on bivalve seafood explained
*******************************************
As an integral part of the enhanced measures to
contain the spread of cholera, the Department of Health is
tightening the control of bivalve seafood imported into
Hong Kong, particularly from sources where bivalve imports
were previously found to be associated with cholera.
The bivalve seafood, such as cockles, clams, oysters
and mussels, from these sources would be held and tested
for Vibrio Cholerae before releasing for sale.
The Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan, today
(Tuesday) explained this strengthened measure when she
briefed the media on the current cholera situation in Hong
Kong.
Dr Chan said this measure was important to safeguard
public health and accepted that it might cause some
inconvenience to the trade. The testing does not cover
other kinds of seafood such as fish, prawns, crabs and
lobsters.
"However, this measure will be reviewed after the
first round of testing of bivalve seafood," she added.
Commenting on the source of the imported cases,
Dr Chan said all of the 28 confirmed imported cases to
date involved members of three tour groups returning from
Thailand.
"These patients presented with symptoms of vomiting
and diarrhoea and testing of stool samples showed V.
cholerae 01 El Tor Ogawa. It is not the classical type of
cholera," she said.
The Director of Health stressed that despite the
current spate of cholera cases, Hong Kong subscribes to
the recommendation of the World Health Organisation that
institution of travel restrictions is not an effective way
to prevent the spread of cholera.
"The best way to fight the disease is to observe good
personal, food and environmental hygiene, drink clean and
boiled water and eat properly cooked food," Dr Chan added.
End
3. CE meets National Democratic Institute delegation
*************************************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today
(Tuesday) met with a delegation of the National Democratic
Institute of International Affairs led by Mr Dick
Thornburgh.
At the meeting, the Chief Executive briefed the
delegation on the smooth implementation of the "one
country, two systems" principle.
"Under this principle Hong Kong maintains its own
political, economic and social systems. Our legal and
judicial systems are independent from those in the
Mainland of China. Hong Kong people enjoy civil rights
and liberties that are allowed by our own laws," Mr Tung
said.
"Our democratic evolution is defined in the Basic
Law. It governs both the election of the Chief Executive
and the legislature for the HKSAR.," Mr Tung told the
delegation.
He pointed out to the delegation that election of the
Chief Executive was novel in Hong Kong's electoral
history.
"In the development towards universal suffrage, we
must ensure that our election systems are heading towards
the right direction.
"We are committed to do what is in the best long term
interest of Hong Kong. We believe that the democratic
evolution timetable enshrined in the Basic Law is about
right for Hong Kong and we are determined to press ahead
with the implementation as scheduled," he said.
"Apart from electoral arrangements, the essence of a
successful democracy should also encompass freedom of
speech, rights of political parties and the rule of law,"
Mr Tung said. "We are very conscious of the need to
preserve all these in our democratic evolution."
"Each country is in a different developmental stage
and we must do what is right in the democratic process,
taking into account the special circumstances around us,"
he said.
The Chief Executive told the delegation that the
HKSAR Government was all prepared for the coming
Legislative Council election in May.
"We attach great importance to the coming election,
the first after the establishment of the HKSAR," he said.
"We are fully committed to ensure that the electoral
arrangements are open and fair," he said. "The entire
electoral process will be supervised by the independent
Electoral Affairs Commission."
"We welcome people from across the political spectrum
to participate in the election, both as a candidate and as
a voter," he said.
On completion of the recent voter registration
campaign, there are now 2.8 million registered voters on
the General Electoral Roll. This represents a
registration rate of over 70 per cent, the highest in Hong
Kong's electoral history.
"We have a proven record of open and fair elections.
Hong Kong voters understand their rights and obligations.
We have every confidence that the coming election will be
conducted smoothly and professionally," he said. "We do
not see the need for any overseas authorities to supervise
or monitor the electoral process."
Mr Tung thanked the delegation for their concern for
Hong Kong and was delighted to have an opportunity to
explain to them the current situation in Hong Kong.
End
4. Govt approves new franchise for Star Ferry
******************************************
The Chief Executive in Council today (Tuesday)
approved the grant of a new franchise to "Star" Ferry
Company, Limited (Star Ferry) conferring upon the Company
the right to operate the Central - Tsim Sha Tsui route and
the Wan Chai - Tsim Sha Tsui route for ten years, and the
Central - Hung Hom route for one year.
"The decision is made having regard to the ferry
policy and Star Ferry's performance," the Government
spokesman said.
Ferries provide an essential link to the outlying
islands where land transport alternatives are not
available. They also provide a useful alternative in
relieving pressure on the road system between Central and
the new towns. In the inner harbour, ferries play a
supplementary role.
Ferry services in Hong Kong are mainly provided by
two franchisees - Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company
Limited (HYF) and Star Ferry. Recreational services,
special services such as vehicular services for dangerous
goods vehicles, and other non-essential services are
provided by licensed operators, whose licences are granted
by the Commissioner for Transport.
"As regards Star Ferry's services, the two Tsim Sha
Tsui routes carry a substantial number of passengers and
are widely perceived by both tourists and the local
community as part of Hong Kong's heritage. The Council
considered that the two routes should be preserved and
approved the grant of a ten-year franchise," the
Government spokesman said.
"As for the Central - Hung Hom route, it mainly
provides a supplementary service as alternative land
transport is available. In order to allow the Government
more time to review this route together with the other
Hung Hom ferry services being operated by HYF, whose
franchise will expire on March 31, 1999, we have decided
to let Star Ferry continue to operate the Central - Hung
Hom route for another year to tie in with the expiry of
the franchise of the HYF Hung Hom routes."
"We have an open mind as to the future mode of
operation of the Hung Hom routes and will review these
services later this year. In reviewing the operation of
these services, we will of course take into account the
travelling needs of local residents, the commercial
viability of these routes and the need to improve the
operating efficiency of these services," he continued.
End
5. Greater support for teaching English in Chinese schools
*******************************************************
The Standing Committee on Language Education and
Research (SCOLAR) welcomes the Government's decision to
strengthen support measures for English language teaching
and learning in Chinese-medium (CMI) schools under the
recently announced medium of instruction (MOI) policy.
The Chairman of SCOLAR, Dr C W Tse said after a
meeting today (Tuesday) that members were glad to note
that the Government had adopted their recommendations to
give additional resources to CMI schools to enhance
English language teaching, in order that the standard of
English language teaching would not suffer as a result of
the change in MOI.
To encourage CMI schools to submit proposals to
improve their students' English, Dr Tse said such projects
would receive priority in SCOLAR's assessment of
applications to the Language Fund.
"We have invited academics to submit research
proposals on the impact of MOI on students' language
proficiency in the sixth call for applications. Findings
of these projects will enable SCOLAR to advise the
Government on the implementation of the MOI policy in one
year's time," Dr Tse noted.
At today's meeting, members of SCOLAR also discussed
the final report on the Review of the Workload of Language
Teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools in Hong Kong.
Further discussion may take place before final
recommendations are made.
Members also agreed that the operation of the
Language Fund should align with that of the Quality
Education Fund (QEF) to ensure consistency in assessment
of applications. Moderation meetings will be held between
members of the two bodies to strengthen communication on
the principle and procedures of processing applications.
Starting from the sixth call for applications, SCOLAR
will:
* adopt a similar set of assessment criteria as the QEF;
* consider school-based language enhancement projects;
* issue two calls for applications each year,
tentatively in March and September, to tie in with the
school calendar; and
* provide feedback to applicants on reasons for
which funding is not recommended.
To familiarise teachers with the application
procedures of the Language Fund, two briefing sessions
will be held on March 21 and 28 (both Saturday). The QEF
Secretariat will also brief teachers on the details of the
QEF at the same seminars.
Details for the sixth call for applications is
obtainable from the SCOLAR Support Unit and the web site,
http://www.info.gov.hk/emb/. The deadline for
applications is April 30, 1998.
End
6. 376 nominations received for subsector elections
************************************************
A total of 158 nominations for the Election Committee
subsector elections have been received today (Tuesday).
This brings to 376 the total number of nominations
received since the eight-day nomination period started on
Friday (March 13).
The breakdown of nominations by subsector is:
Subsector Number of nominations Cumulated total
--------- received today ---------------
---------------------
Catering 10
Commercial(second) 5 9
Financial services 1 1
Hong Kong Chinese 7 10
Enterprises Association
Import and export 3 7
Industrial (first) 1
Industrial (second) 3
Insurance 2 4
Real estate and 1 2
construction
Tourism 1 1
Transport 1 10
Wholesale and retail 1
Accountancy 8 15
Chinese medicine 2 8
Education 13 24
Engineering 9 35
Higher education 4 15
Information technology 22 39
Legal 5 6
Medical 15 26
Agriculture and fisheries 13 34
Labour 11 32
Religious 13 20
Social welfare 4 4
Sports 10
Culture 1 10
Publication 1
Chinese People's Political 10 23
Consultative Conference
Provisional District 3 9
Boards for the Districts
in the Urban Council Area
("Hong Kong and Kowloon
Provisional District Boards")
Provisional District 4 6
Boards for the Districts
in the Regional Council Area
("New Territories Provisional
District Boards")
End
7. Executive Council approves bus fare increase
********************************************
The Executive Council today approved a 9% fare
increase for New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited (NLB).
The new fares will take effect on April 1, 1998.
NLB last increased its fares in February 1996. The
forecast inflation between the last increase and the date
of this increase in April 1998 is 12.5%.
"The fare increase should be acceptable to the
public, bearing in mind that NLB's fares have not been
adjusted for 26 months and that the majority of NLB's
passengers are holiday makers. In approving the fare
increase, Members were acutely aware of the possible
impact on inflation and public acceptability. After the
fare increase, about 70% of the weekday passengers will
pay an additional fare of no more than 80 cents per trip,"
a government spokesman said.
The approved fare increase rate is 3.5% below the
forecast accumulated inflation between February 1996 and
April 1998. The fare rise would only have a negligible
effect on Consumer Price Index (A).
NLB provides a good bus service to meet the needs of
local residents in south Lantau as well as the seasonal
recreational demand. NLB is committed to further service
improvements, including the acquisition of new buses and
development of a new depot.
Without a fare increase, NLB would suffer a loss in
1998/99. The approved weighted average fare increase of
9% would enable NLB to recover operating costs and provide
NLB with an incentive for further investment and service
improvements.
End
8. Applications for Services Support Fund invited
**********************************************
The Industry Department is now inviting another new
round of applications for funding support under the
Services Support Fund(SSF). The deadline for applications
is May 11, 1998.
The Fund, administered by the Industry Department, is
set up to provide financial support for projects which can
contribute to the overall development of Hong Kong as a
service centre and the competitiveness of Hong Kong's
service industries. Since the establishment of the Fund
in July 1996, the Government has allocated a total of $100
million for the Fund. By January 1998, the Fund has
provided financial support for 27 projects totalling $49.5
million.
Service-support bodies, trade and industry
associations, higher education institutions, professional
bodies and research institutes are eligible to apply for
the SSF. Priority will be given to projects with private
sector participation or sponsorship. Locally incorporated
companies are also eligible on the condition that project
deliverables will not be the exclusive property of the
companies concerned. In relation to the objective of the
SSF, such deliverables will have to be made publicly
available.
Projects to be funded should target at business
sectors. Recipient organisations will be required to
disseminate the project results to the relevant service
sectors.
Funding support is normally given as a grant. In
special cases, it may also take the form of an interest-
free or interest-bearing loan.
The Director-General of Industry will approve
projects on the recommendations of the SSF Vetting
Committee, the advisory body set up to advise on the
administration of the Fund.
Interested organisations are urged to send in
applications to the Industry Department as soon as
possible. Application forms and information leaflets
introducing the SSF can be obtained from the Services
Support Fund Secretariat, Room 1424, 14th Floor, Ocean
Centre, 5 Canton Road, Kowloon. No application fees will
be charged.
Enquiries can be made by telephoning 2736 0055/
2737 2278 or by fax at 2317 4852.
End
9. Enhanced co-operation with mainland Customs essential
*****************************************************
Although Hong Kong Customs officers have spared no
efforts in the fight against piracy, an enhanced co-
operation with their counterparts in the Mainland is
essential to the protection of intellectual property
rights (IPR).
Equally important is the participation in this arena
by relevant IPR organisations.
The remarks were made today (Tuesday) by Mr Johnny
Chow Wing-keung, Superintendent of the Customs
Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau (IPIB), when
attending a Chinese Customs Control and Enforcement (IPR)
Training Seminar organised by the Customs General
Administration of the People's Republic of China in
Shenzhen.
Attending the three-day seminar are Customs officers
from major ports in China, experts from Motion Picture
Association and International Federation of the
Phonographic Industry as well as representatives from the
Optical Disc Manufacturing Industry.
"Through regular contacts and exchange of
intelligence with our counterparts in the Mainland, we
could augur well in combating piracy activities on both
sides of the border.
"The seminar being held here today is an example of
our regular contact through which we could exchange views
on issues of mutual interests," Mr Chow noted.
Apart from maintaining close ties with the Mainland,
he said that it was equally important that IPR owners
would pledge full support to combat piracy activities.
"With their support to appoint competent examiners
and provide evidences for legal proceedings, we are
confident of bringing offenders into justice," he added.
On HK Customs efforts against piracy, Mr Chow told
his counterparts that the department would continue
vigorous enforcement actions against intellectual property
rights infringements at all levels.
"We have introduced an anti-piracy reward scheme
early this year to appeal for more public information on
piracy activities," he said.
Speaking on other initiatives, he added that
legislative amendments would be considered to further
deter copyright piracy.
"These include the Import and Export Licensing Scheme
for Optical Disc Mastering and Replication Equipment,
which came into operation last December, and the
Prevention of Copyright Piracy Bill, expected to come into
force later this year," Mr Chow said.
At the seminar, he also outlined the organisation and
functions of the IPIB of Hong Kong Customs.
End
10. MPF subsidiary legislation to go to PLC on April 1
**************************************************
The Secretary for Financial Services, Mr Rafael Hui,
today (Tuesday) gave a notice to the Provisional
Legislative Council (PLC) Secretariat that he would move a
motion at its meeting on April 1 to pass the legislation
of the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System.
The three pieces of legislation include MPF Schemes
(General) Regulation, MPF Schemes (Exemption) Regulation
and MPF Schemes (Amendment of Schedule of 6) 1998.
The Chief Executive in Council has earlier on enacted
the legislation, but in accordance with the requirements
stipulated in the MPF Schemes Ordinance, all the MPF-
related rules and regulations have to be endorsed by the
PLC before they come into effect.
The Secretary for Financial Services explained that
the PLC had passed Provident Fund Schemes (Amendment) Bill
1997 on February 25, providing a basis for the
implementation of the MPF System.
"For the purposes of implementing the MPF System,
however, the Ordinance has to be supplemented by detailed
regulations and rules through the enactment of subsidiary
legislation.
"The regulations will spell out detailed arrangements
for the operation of MPF schemes, approval of MPF
trustees, investment of MPF assets as well as the
interface of the MPF system with the existing occupational
retirement schemes," said Mr Hui.
He pointed out that the subsidiary legislation was
the result of extensive consultation with trade unions,
employer groups, the retirement schemes industry and
professional bodies since 1995. The two sets of draft
regulations had also been thoroughly discussed and
scrutinised by the PLC Bills Committee. The Bills
Committee had also twice received deputations from the
concerned bodies.
Addressing concerns about the security of the MPF
System, Mr Hui said: "While the recent financial market
turmoil has raised concerns about the security of the MPF
System, there will be adequate measures in the system to
monitor the scheme operation and investment. I hope that
the PLC will endorse the legislation to enable the early
implementation of the MPF System."
End
11. Study on planning for cultural facilities
*****************************************
The Planning Department has commissioned a
consultancy study to assess the community's requirements
for cultural facilities.
The study will examine the cultural habits and
aspirations of all parties concerned, including members of
the public, audience, performing groups and event
organisers.
It will also assess the types of cultural facilities
the community requires and how best they should be
provided.
The findings will help formulate new planning
standards and guidelines to replace the existing ones
which were prepared in the early 70's.
In addition, they will help produce a Cultural
Facilities Plan indicating the broad locations of various
types of non-standard cultural facilities to be provided.
Relevant committees and organisations, including the
Provisional Urban Council and the Provisional Regional
Council, will be consulted before new planning standards
and guidelines are finalised for implementation.
The study will be conducted through telephone
surveys, site visits and interviews. It is due for
completion early next year at a cost of about $1.4
million.
End
12. 118 convicted pollution cases in February
*****************************************
A total of 118 convictions were recorded in courts in
February for breaching anti-pollution legislation enforced
by the Environmental Protection Department.
Of these cases, 25 were convictions made under the
Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO), 39 under the
Noise Control Ordinance (NCO), 19 under the Air Pollution
Control Ordinance (APCO), 15 under the Waste Disposal
Ordinance (WDO), and 20 under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance
(DASO).
The heaviest fine in February was $80,000.
Wong Hon-mo was fined for $80,000 last month for
breaching the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
End
13. Free publication to promote Charter for Youth
*********************************************
More copies of a richly-illustrated magazine-style
publication produced by the Commission on Youth to promote
the Charter for Youth will be available free of charge at
all District Offices from tomorrow (Wednesday).
A spokesman for the Commission said: "In view of the
encouraging response to the publication produced last
summer, the Commission decided to print more copies for
public distribution."
Similar in style and format to most contemporary
youth magazines, it contains interviews, articles, stories
as well as photographs of famous young artistes -
Mr Daniel Chan, and Miss Gigi Leung - with a bearing on
the goal and principles of the Charter for Youth.
It also reported on the wide range of facilities and
services provided at the Commission's Youth Resource
Centre and carried letters to the editor, a psychological
test on self-evaluation and crossword puzzles.
The Charter for Youth was first promulgated in 1993
and operates on a system of subscription with
organisations and individuals interested in promoting the
development of youth.
End
14. Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
*******************************************
Tender date : 17 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q173
Issue date : 18 March 1998
Maturity date : 15 April 1998
Amount applied : HK$17,340 MN
Amount allotted : HK$5,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.94 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 5.05 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 57 PCT
Average tender yield : 5.20 PCT
- - - - -
Tender date : 17 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q811
Issue date : 18 March 1998
Maturity date : 17 June 1998
Amount applied : HK$9,560 MN
Amount allotted : HK$2,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 5.83 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 5.90 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 36 PCT
Average tender yield : 6.06 PCT
- - - - -
Tender date : 17 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Y887
Issue date : 18 March 1998
Maturity date : 17 March 1999
Amount applied : HK$3,860 MN
Amount allotted : HK$500 MN
Average yield accepted : 7.50 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 7.55 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 36 PCT
Average tender yield : 7.66 PCT
- - - - -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the
week beginning - 23 Mar 98:-
Tender date : 24 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q174
Issue date : 25 March 1998
Maturity date : 22 April 1998
Tenor : 28 Days
Amount on offer : HK$5,000 MN
- - - - -
Tender date : 24 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q812
Issue date : 25 March 1998
Maturity date : 24 June 1998
Tenor : 91 Days
Amount on offer : HK$2,000 + 500 MN
- - - - -
Tender date : 24 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H860
Issue date : 25 March 1998
Maturity date : 23 September 1998
Tenor : 182 Days
Amount on offer : HK$1,000 + 300 MN
End
15. Flushing water cut on Tsing Yi
******************************
Flushing water supply to all premises on Tsing Yi
Island will be suspended from 8 pm on March 20 (Friday) to
8 am the following day for maintenance work on watermains
to be carried out.
End
