Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Saturday, March 21, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. Wang Bingzhang refused entry
2. 'Letter from Hong Kong' by Secretary for Housing
3. Distinguished scientist joins commission
4. Update on cholera
5. Employment of children is an offence
6. New Child Abuse Publicity Campaign launched
7. Blanket distribution for street sleepers
8. Water cut in Yuen Long
1. Wang Bingzhang refused entry
****************************
In response to media enquiries, a Security Bureau
spokesman today (Saturday) said that Mr Wang Bingzhang is
currently not under custody in Hong Kong.
The spokesman confirmed that Mr Wang had been
temporarily detained for inquiries upon arrival from Macau
yesterday (Friday) evening and was refused entry for
holding a suspected forged travel document.
Under the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), the
Director of Immigration has the power to refuse entry of
any person other than a person with a right of abode or
right to land in Hong Kong.
"The decision to refuse entry was taken by the
Immigration Department having regard to the fact that
Mr Wang arrived with a suspected forged travel document,"
the spokesman said.
"Under Article 154 of the Basic Law, the HKSAR
Government may apply immigration controls on entry into,
stay in and departure from Hong Kong by persons from
foreign states and regions.
"The Central People's Government has not been
consulted," he stressed.
End
2. 'Letter from Hong Kong' by Secretary for Housing
************************************************
Following is an English translation of the "Letter
from Hong Kong" delivered by the Secretary for Housing,
Mr Dominic Wong, on Radio Television Hong Kong this
(Saturday) morning:
My child,
My vocal cord operation has been successful, and I am
confident that I will fully recover. The support of
friends and colleagues has given me great comfort
recently. I am not worried at all: after all, there are
ups and downs in life.
Since I assumed the responsibility for formulating
housing policy and overseeing housing development three
years ago, I have been under no illusions about the
complexity of the job. I have faced numerous challenges
as housing is everyone's concern. On the one hand, the
Government has to strike the right balance between the
interests of various sections of the community. On the
other, our priority is to look after those who are most in
need. This is no easy task. We are the subject of
different kinds of criticism at different times.
I have never been disheartened, however. As an old
saying goes, "Keep one's composure whether the situation
is good or bad." We should not mind our own gains or
losses. What is more important is having peace of mind
and being unashamed of one's actions. Over the years, I
have adhered to the belief that a responsible government
should insist on doing what is right and refrain from
doing what is wrong. If we cast aside our principles
easily in the face of pressure or unreasonable demands,
how can we uphold social justice? How can we work for the
overall and long-term interests of the community?
One of my main wishes has materialised recently. The
White Paper on Long Term Housing Strategy in Hong Kong has
been published. Our goal is to build "Homes for Hong Kong
People into the 21st Century". In the White Paper, we
have set out the future direction and strategy, as
follows:
(a) We will establish a fairer and more equitable
system for allocating scarce public housing resources. In
order to be able to offer public rental housing to
families in genuine need as quickly as possible, we will
increase the supply of public housing flats and encourage
existing public rental households with the necessary
financial ability to buy their own homes. As a number of
families still live in over-crowded or poor accommodation,
the Government is determined to improve the quality of
their accommodation. Our target is to reduce gradually
the average waiting time for public rental housing to
three years.
(b) We will help more families, including the
sandwich class, to fulfil their aspirations to home
ownership. The Government is offering the public more
opportunities and choices, such as the newly introduced
Tenants Purchase Scheme and the Home Starter Loan Scheme.
People can take their own "calculated decision".
Naturally, families intending to buy flats will think
carefully before doing so, taking into consideration their
own needs and financial situation. What the Government
does is to offer a helping hand so that people can fulfil
their aspirations to home ownership earlier.
(c) We encourage stability in the property market.
As it is linked to many other businesses, the property
market is a pillar of Hong Kong's economy. Many people
invest life-long savings in their flats. Sharp
fluctuations in prices are therefore not desirable. We
will monitor the market closely.
(d) We intend to achieve our long-term housing
production target. As the population keeps increasing and
the community's aspirations to better accommodation are
rising, there is a growing demand for housing. In
projecting housing demand, we have already taken into
account all relevant circumstances. However, we will
still review housing demand regularly, provide a
sufficient supply of land together with supporting
infrastructure, and fully utilise the capacity of the
private sector in helping us to achieve the housing
production target. Despite the inherent difficulties,
such as shortage of land, we have a comprehensive plan to
overcome the problems.
As you know, Hong Kong is my home. Like many people,
I have deep feelings for it. Since July 1, 1997, we are
the masters of this home. The White Paper on Long Term
Housing Strategy is one of the most important policy
documents of the Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region. The White Paper demonstrates our
ability and confidence to solve the housing problem in
Hong Kong. I am very glad to have accomplished this
important task at this historic time. Henceforth, all
families, whether they are in the lower income group or
the middle income group, will share the fruits of their
hard work. We will build on and develop the foundation we
have laid into the 21st Century. Our determination to
accelerate housing production and to improve the living
conditions of the community is clear and firm.
My child, you must continue to study hard. Read more
and think deeply. Zeng Guo-fan once encouraged his son
in a letter: "It is not my wish that you will one day
become a prominent official. I just want you to study
hard, and become a man of integrity who is diligent and
frugal, who exercises self-discipline, who works hard and
who can adapt to times of poverty and prosperity." You
must grow up to be a man of integrity. This is what I
expect of you.
Father
21st March 1998
End
3. Distinguished scientist joins commission
****************************************
The Government announced today (Saturday) the
appointment of Professor Lu Yong-xiang to the Chief
Executive's Commission on Innovation and Technology.
Professor Lu is the President of the Chinese Academy
of Sciences and a distinguished scientist. He is well
connected with Hong Kong, being a member of the University
Grants Committee since 1996.
"We are very pleased that Professor Lu has accepted
the Chief Executive's invitation to serve on the
Commission. The Commission will benefit from Professor
Lu's advice particularly on research and development and
technological collaboration between Hong Kong and the
mainland," a government spokesman said.
The spokesman said that Professor Lu's acceptance of
his appointment was confirmed shortly after the Government
announced the appointment of the Chairman and 12 other
members of the commission yesterday (Friday).
The commission is a high-level group of academics and
businessmen appointed by the Chief Executive to advise on
the measures necessary to make Hong Kong an innovation
centre for the region, so as to add value to Hong Kong's
industrial and commercial activities and to its economic
hinterland.
End
4. Update on cholera
*****************
The Department of Health today (Saturday) announced
that one new imported cholera case was confirmed.
The new confirmed imported case involves the 27-year-
old female who was reported as a suspected imported case
on March 19. She developed symptoms of diarrhoea on March
17 after returning from Thailand. She did not take part
in any tour group.
There is no new suspected case today.
As of today, the total number of confirmed cholera
cases so far this year is 48, including 32 imported cases
and 16 local cases.
End
5. Employment of children is an offence
************************************
The Labour Department warned employers not to employ
children, or they will be liable to prosecution.
Senior Labour Officer (Prosecutions), Mrs Tonia
Leung, gave this warning today (Saturday) following a
recent court case in which Fortune Realty Company Limited
was fined $6,500 in Tsuen Wan Magistracy for employing a
child aged 12 to hand out leaflets of property materials.
"Under the Employment of Children Regulations,
employment of children under 15 years of age is strictly
prohibited in industrial undertakings. In non-industrial
establishments, employment of children who have attained
the age of 13 is allowed only if certain conditions are
fulfilled," Mrs Leung said.
She explained that before the commencement of
employment, the prospective employer has to obtain a valid
school attendance certificate in respect of the child, or
any proof of education if the child has completed
Secondary 3 education, and a written parental consent to
the employment.
"The Labour Department takes a serious view on
compliance with the provision and our labour inspectors
conduct frequent inspections to detect illegal child
employment," Mrs Leung added.
The maximum penalty for committing the offence is a
fine of $50,000.
End
6. New Child Abuse Publicity Campaign launched
*******************************************
Members of the public are encouraged to participate
in the prevention of child abuse by responding actively if
they witness a child abuse case or suspect the occurrence
of such a case in their neighbourhood.
The message is conveyed in a series of new publicity
materials including posters, booklets, message pads as
well as MTR and magazine advertisements which have been
launched recently.
These materials are the latest publicity efforts co-
ordinated by the Public Education Sub-committee on Child
Abuse.
The sub-committee, established under the auspices of
the Working Group on Child Abuse, comprises
representatives from the Social Welfare Department,
Education Department, Information Services Department,
Hong Kong Council of Social Services and non-governmental
organisations.
Existing TV and radio announcements in the public
interest (APIs) against child abuse will continue to be
broadcast by all local TV and radio stations.
The focus of the publicity materials is a
comprehensive educational booklet written by a clinical
psychologist, Ms Eugenie Leung.
The booklet features a number of different scenarios
in cartoons illustrating various types of child abuses
including physical, psychological and sexual abuses and
child negligence.
It outlines advice and suggestions to the public on
the ways of handling and responding to such cases.
The public are also provided with the hotlines of the
Social Welfare Department (2343 2255) and Against Child
Abuse (2755 1122) should they need advice and assistance.
The publicity materials are available from the Social
Welfare Department's service units and the Information
Services Department's Marketing Office, 17th floor, Siu On
Centre, Lockhart Road, Wan Chai.
End
7. Blanket distribution for street sleepers
****************************************
In view of the cold weather, the Social Welfare
Department will mobilise staff to distribute blankets to
street sleepers throughout the territory this (Saturday)
evening.
Elderly people are also advised to take great care
during the cold spell.
The departmental hotline 2343 2255 will be manned by
social workers over the night to help those in need.
End
8. Water cut in Yuen Long
**********************
Fresh and flushing water supply to some premises in
Yuen Long will be suspended from 11 pm on March 24
(Tuesday) to 6 am the following day for waste detection
work on watermains.
The suspension will affect all premises in the area
bounded by Castle Peak Road, Kuk Ting Street, Sai Tai
Street, Yuen Long On Ning Road and Tung Lok Street.
End
