Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Tuesday, March 24, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. High-level meeting in Guangzhou
2. UIH v Wharf: Litigation in the US
3. TAC expresses concern over road safety
4. Policing Hong Kong remains unchanged after Handover
5. Two lots sold for $1,210 million at land auction
6. Draft Project Agreement on MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension
7. WTO rules need to be updated to meet changing needs
8. Changes to bankruptcy law effective on April 1
9. Quarterly survey of employment and vacancies
10. Fire Services concludes first development course
11. Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
1. High-level meeting in Guangzhou
*******************************
The Chief Executive put forward in his 1997 Policy
Address the idea of establishing a high level liaison
avenue comprising the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR), the Guangdong Provincial Government and
the relevant central authorities. The first meeting in
connection with it will take place in Guangzhou on March
30, 1998.
The HKSAR delegation for the first meeting will be
led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson
Chan. The Guangdong delegation will be led by the Vice-
Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Qishan.
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa; the Governor
of Guangdong Province, Mr Lu Rui-hua; and the Director of
Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,
Mr Liao Hui, will kick off the meeting.
End
2. UIH v Wharf: Litigation in the US
*********************************
In response to press enquiries concerning the
litigation between UIH and Wharf in the US, a government
spokesman said today (Tuesday) that the Government's
decision not to submit an amicus brief in this litigation
has been reached on consideration of whether the case will
give rise to any systemic implications for Hong Kong.
This is in line with the Government's position in
considering similar requests for Government intervention
in commercial litigation under private law. The
Government has considered the relevant issues and has no
reason to believe that the case offends Hong Kong's
constitutional system or notions of substantial justice
and would be likely to have a significant and adverse
effect on Hong Kong's trade with the overseas jurisdiction
concerned or on Hong Kong's financial system. No evidence
has been produced to show that the US Courts have
discriminated against Hong Kong or Hong Kong incorporated
companies in this case. There are no other
considerations.
End
3. TAC expresses concern over road safety
**************************************
The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) today
(Tuesday) expressed concern over drivers' inadequate
safety awareness after considering a report from the
Government analysing the trends and causes of road traffic
accidents in the past four years.
The Committee noted that there was a slight downward
trend in the number of accidents and casualties. The
total number of road traffic accidents dropped from 15,440
in 1994 to 14,776 in 1997. The total number of casualties
also dropped from 20,749 in 1994 to 19,793 in 1997. Over
this period, the accident rate per 1,000 population and
the casualty rate per 1,000 licensed vehicles both showed
a decrease of 11 per cent.
The most common type of accident was vehicle to
vehicle collision. Of the total number of casualties, 36
per cent were drivers, 36 per cent were passengers and 28
per cent were pedestrians. Over 50 per cent of the people
killed in traffic accidents were pedestrian. Young
children and the elderly were particularly vulnerable.
For accidents caused by drivers, driving too close to
vehicles in front, loss of control of vehicles, negligent
turning, careless lane changing and driving too fast were
the five most common causes.
Speaking after the TAC meeting, the Chairman Dr Cheng
Hon-kwan said: "Members expressed general concern that in
view of the recent spate of serious traffic accidents,
more should be done to improve road safety."
The Administration undertook to carry out a review on
measures to deal with road safety. The findings would be
reported back to the TAC in due course.
The meeting also considered two proposals from
Transport Department to improve traffic management.
"Members expressed strong support to the Government's
commitment and initiatives to apply advanced computer and
telecommunication technology to manage Hong Kong's
strategic road network," said Dr Cheng.
Members were briefed on the need to set up a modern
transport information system in Hong Kong to provide
reliable and comprehensive transport information to
commuters. This will help them make an intelligent choice
on modes of transport and routes to take so as to achieve
a more efficient use of road space, better traffic flow,
greater safety and improved accessibility.
With such a transport information system, a number of
new services, such as car navigation systems and
integrated public transport enquiry systems, could be
introduced.
The TAC endorsed the Department's proposals to
commission a study to consider the feasibility of applying
advanced information technology to develop such a system
in Hong Kong.
The TAC also discussed how intelligent transport
systems could be used to enhance strategic road network
control and management. Members noted that in Hong Kong,
provision of traffic control and surveillance facilities
was so far limited to tunnels and the Tsing Ma Control
Area. There was scope for Hong Kong to consider how
advanced technological systems used in other developing
countries might be applied to Hong Kong.
The TAC supported a Transport Department's proposal
to conduct a consultancy study on the application of
Intelligent Transport Systems to manage Hong Kong's
Strategic Road Network. This will enhance traffic flow
and Government's efficiency in responding to accidents.
"With the continuous expansion of the strategic road
network in Hong Kong, it is important that the study
should be conducted as soon as possible to ensure that
opportunities are not lost in installing intelligent
transport systems in conjunction with the planning and
implementation of major road infrastructure projects,"
said Dr Cheng.
End
4. Policing Hong Kong remains unchanged after Handover
***************************************************
The Hong Kong Police Force's approach to policing
Hong Kong since the Handover remains unchanged and that
actual changes to the Force have been minimal and mainly
cosmetic, the Director of Operations, Police, Mr Ng Ching-
kwok, said.
Speaking at a luncheon of the Rotary Club of
Peninsula today (Tuesday), Mr Ng said most important was
the Force's undiminished commitment to maintaining Hong
Kong as one of the safest, most stable societies in the
world, not just in the short term but into the 21 Century.
He noted that the two main questions which had
continued to be raised about the policing of Hong Kong
since the Handover were whether public demonstrations and
freedom of speech had been curbed and what changes to the
Force had taken place.
Mr Ng pointed out that the Police gave an undertaking
last year that the way in which Hong Kong was policed
would not change on its return to the People's Republic of
China.
"I believe that it is fair to say that we have not
been proven wrong, and that we continue to enforce the law
in exactly the same way as before: fairly, impartially and
professionally.
"Indeed, if anything, there has been an increase in
the total number of public meetings and processions since
the Handover," he said.
Of the 1,118 public meetings and processions held in
1997, 522 were held in the first six months and 596 in the
remaining months. So far this year, there have already
been 1,008 public meetings and processions.
Mr Ng noted that the Force had not objected to any
public meetings or processions since the Handover.
"The only major change has been to the venue for
demonstrations which now seem to focus more around the
Chief Executive's Office in Central than previously when
the Xinhua News Agency in Wanchai was the centre of
attention."
He stressed that the Police fully respected the
rights of people to express themselves publicly and went
out of their way to ensure that they did this in a safe,
lawful way. Nevertheless, he noted that the Police must
also be mindful of the rights and needs of the rest of our
society.
Since the Handover, apart from some very superficial
and cosmetic changes to the Force badge and a few other
items of uniforms, there had been minimum disruption to
Police work and no changes to the professional way in
which all members of the Force were sworn to carry out
their duties.
"The Commissioner of Police has remained responsible
to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong and is not subordinate
to the Public Security Ministry in Beijing," he said,
adding that the Force rank and organisational structure
had remained unchanged.
The Force retains the sole responsibility for
internal security, law and order, and the policing of Hong
Kong waters as well as the boundary with China, which
remains in place, he said.
"We continue to enforce the existing laws of Hong
Kong and continues to place those arrested for criminal
acts before the courts of Hong Kong for trial under those
laws.
"The Force continues to be a part of Interpol, the
International Police Organisation. We now are known as
Hong Kong (China).
"Both Chinese and English continue to be used with
Putonghua proficiency expanding all the time."
He said while new members of the Force continued to
be recruited only from among the permanent residents of
Hong Kong, promotion and advancement continued to be based
upon ability and performance.
"Overseas training has continued with officers
attending training courses in the United States, the
United Kingdom, Canada and Mainland China.
"Our strict code of conduct and discipline remains
unchanged."
Mr Ng noted that the overall crime rate for 1997
followed the downward trend of the past few years and
reached its lowest level in 24 years. In comparison with
1996, the overall number of crimes recorded dropped by 15
per cent and, for the fourth consecutive year, there was a
marked decrease in burglaries and robberies, down by 17
per cent and 24 per cent respectively.
"Even more pleasing is the 61 per cent drop in the
number of bank, watch and gold shop robberies. Added to
this, our detection rate of 51.4 per cent compares
favourably with other densely populated cities world-
wide," he added.
End
5. Two lots sold for $1,210 million at land auction
************************************************
Two government lots were sold for a total of $1,210
million at a public auction held by the Lands Department
this (Tuesday) afternoon.
The first one, Rural Building Lot No. 1145, is a
13,328-square-metre site in Mount Austin Road, the Peak.
It was bought by Jadespring Limited for $920 million. The
opening bid was $680 million.
The developer has to complete a gross floor area of
not less than 6,800 square metres on or before March 31,
2003.
The lot is designated for private residential
purposes, excluding service apartments.
The second lot, with an area of 6,796 square metres,
is Yuen Long Town Lot No. 451 at Town Park Road South and
Ma Tin Road, Yuen Long. It was sold to Limbo Enterprises
Limited for $290 million, with bidding opened at $180
million.
The developer has to complete a gross floor area of
not less than 12,232 square metres on or before March 31,
2001. The lot is intended for private residential
purposes, excluding service apartments.
The auction was conducted by Assistant Director of
Lands(Estate Management), Mr George Chung, in the Concert
Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.
End
6. Draft Project Agreement on MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension
******************************************************
The Executive Council endorsed today (Tuesday) a
draft Project Agreement to be executed between the
Government and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC)
on the Tseung Kwan O Extension (TKE).
The draft Project Agreement sets out how the TKE
project will be undertaken, and the respective obligations
of the Government and the MTRC in terms of the financing,
design, construction and operation of the TKE.
The TKE is one of the three priority railways
recommended in the Railway Development Strategy. It has a
route length of approximately 12.5 kilometres, and
comprises five stations, namely Yau Tong, Tiu Keng Leng,
Tseung Kwan O, Hang Hau and Po Lam. A depot will be
located in Tseung Kwan O Area 86.
Announcing this today, a government spokesman said
that while the draft Project Agreement would only be
executed after the Executive Council has given
authorisation to the TKE railway scheme in accordance with
the provisions of the Railways Ordinance, reaching a
consensus on the major terms and conditions in the
agreement at an early date would facilitate MTRC to make
necessary planning and arrangements prior to the
construction of the project.
The latest estimate on the project cost is $30.5
billion in Money of Day prices. The original proposal to
locate the depot in Yau Tong is no longer pursued due to
anticipated land resumption difficulties. The depot will
be located in Tseung Kwan O Area 86 instead.
The Executive Council has given approval in principle
to grant to MTRC property development rights at the
stations at Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O Town Centre, Hang
Hau, and in Area 86.
"MTRC requires additional revenue from the property
development to improve the commercial viability of the
project. MTRC's participation in these property
development will also help ensure the timely delivery of
the housing units, and better integration and interface
with the railway stations," the spokesman pointed out.
MTRC is required under the terms of the Project
Agreement to design and complete the TKE in order to bring
the railway into operation by 2002.
End
7. WTO rules need to be updated to meet changing needs
***************************************************
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules need to be
updated from time to time to meet the changing needs of
the modern business world, acting Director-General of
Trade, Miss Yvonne Choi, said today (Tuesday).
Addressing the Opening Ceremony of the Regional
Seminar on the WTO and the Multilateral Trading System for
Asian Developing Economies being held in Hong Kong,
Miss Choi said: "The WTO rules do not, and should not,
remain static. It should consider the impact brought
about by increasing globlisation and technological
advancement, e.g. electronic commerce, on its current
rules and disciplines."
On-going discussions are being held in the WTO on
emerging issues such as trade and competition, trade and
investment and transparency in government procurement.
"The WTO is a forum for negotiation and progressive
liberalisation of trade within a rule-based system.
"Indeed, this open, rule-based multilateral trading
system under the WTO is the cornerstone of Hong Kong,
China's trade policy," Miss Choi said.
The following are main features of the WTO:
* The system of WTO rules provides a framework of
disciplines for international trade and enables producers
and service suppliers to conduct their businesses in a
stable and predictable trading environment;
* The fundamental principle of Most-Favoured-Nation
(MFN) treatment ensures that economies, irrespective of
their sizes, enjoy the same rights and fulfil the same
obligations; and
* The dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO, to
which all WTO Members have equal access, provides a fair
and impartial means of settling disputes among WTO Members
and thus eliminating the need for unilateral, retaliatory
actions.
"These features of the WTO have helped maintain a
level-playing field in the world market for, in
particular, the small and medium sized economies which are
short of political bargaining power in the international
arena," Miss Choi said.
"Given the importance of the multilateral trading
system, it is essential that officials of WTO Members and
economies applying for accession have a good grasp of the
basic WTO principles and disciplines.
"I am sure the Seminar would help deepen
participants' understanding of the WTO rules, and provide
you all with a good opportunity to exchange views with the
WTO experts," Miss Choi said.
The four-day Seminar is organised by the WTO
Secretariat with the assistance of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region and sponsored by the Government of
Japan. Representatives from 24 economies participate in
the Seminar.
End
8. Changes to bankruptcy law effective on April 1
**********************************************
The Official Receiver's Office (ORO) today (Tuesday)
reminded insolvency practitioners and members of the
public that pursuant to a Gazette notice on February 13,
1998, the Bankruptcy (Amendment) Ordinance 1996, the
Bankruptcy (Amendment) Rules 1998 and subsidiary
legislation will come into operation on April 1, 1998.
The changes effected by the amendment Ordinance and
amendment Rules are:
* removal of the concept of "acts of bankruptcy"
enabling a creditor to commence a petition for bankruptcy
and its replacement with a principle of a statutory demand
for payment in specified circumstances followed by a
failure to make such payment;
* the removal of the two-stage process in court of a
receiving order followed by an adjudication of bankruptcy
and replacement with a single bankruptcy order made by the
court;
* the replacement of "compositions" or "schemes of
arrangement" with a new "voluntary arrangement" approved
by the creditors in order to avoid bankruptcy proceedings;
* implementing a new form of "automatic discharge"
from bankruptcy after a specified number of years along
with provision for an "early discharge";
* providing for additional property and income to
become part of the bankruptcy's estate;
* providing powers for the trustee of the bankrupt's
estate to challenge schemes designed to confer a benefit
on some person or persons at the expense of the bankrupt's
creditors;
* the revision of and incorporation of the rules
relating to the meetings of creditors; and
* miscellaneous measures to improve flexibility and
efficiency in the administration of a bankrupt's estate.
Explaining the transitional provisions under Section
99 of the Bankruptcy (Amendment) Ordinance 1996, a
spokesman for the ORO said that where a petition for
bankruptcy has been presented or receiving order or
adjudication of bankruptcy has been made under the
principal Ordinance before the amendment provisions came
into operation, the principal Ordinance would continue to
be applied to such proceedings except for the new form of
"automatic discharge" from bankruptcy.
"Under the Bankruptcy (Amendment) Ordinance 1996, any
first time bankrupt whose adjudication order was made
three-and-a-half years before the date of its coming into
operation, and any multi-time bankrupt whose adjudication
order was made four-and-a-half years before will be deemed
to be discharged over a period of 12 months from April 1
this year, unless an objection has been filed in court by
the trustee or a creditor before the end of the 12-month
period, that is April 1, 1999.
"Bankrupts whose adjudication orders were made after
September 1994 will qualify for automatic discharge,
subject to any valid objections, four years after their
first bankruptcy and for other cases, after five years,"
the spokesman said.
He added that the ORO has arranged an orderly
programme for automatic discharge for long-time bankrupts
which would be done by advertising periodical notices to
creditors in one local Chinese and one local English
newspaper over the next 12 months.
There are estimated to be 2,300 bankruptcy cases over
eight years old, and about 1,045 bankruptcy cases between
three-and-a-half and eight years old which will qualify
for automatic discharge.
Further information of the new bankruptcy provisions
and the individual voluntary arrangements can be obtained
from the ORO home page on the Internet
(http://www.info.gov.hk/oro).
End
9. Quarterly survey of employment and vacancies
********************************************
The Census and Statistics Department has just started
another round of the quarterly survey of employment and
vacancies to collect data on employment and vacancies in
major sectors of the economy in respect of March 1998.
This survey is conducted quarterly and the survey results
are useful in serving as short-term economic indicators
and providing information on the latest changes in the
labour market.
This round of the survey covers about 59,000
establishments which are drawn from various sectors
including the industrial sector (mining and quarrying;
manufacturing; electricity and gas), the distributive
trades sector (wholesale, retail and import/export trades,
restaurants and hotels) and the services sector
(transport, storage and communications; financing,
insurance, real estate and business services; community,
social and personal services). Information on number of
persons engaged and vacancies as at March 31, 1998 will be
sought from each selected establishment.
Questionnaires are being mailed to selected
establishments. In accordance with the Census and
Statistics Ordinance, these establishments are required to
complete and return the questionnaires to the Census and
Statistics Department within the specified period. If
individual establishments have difficulties in completing
the questionnaires, they may contact the department for
assistance at 2582 5076.
End
10. Fire Services concludes first development course
************************************************
The Fire Services Department has concluded its first
Departmental Development Programme to enhance its senior
officers' management of crises and human resources.
The Director of Fire Services, Mr Peter Cheung, today
(Tuesday) presented certificates to five officers from the
first programme which only concluded last week.
The programme was designed for Senior Divisional
Officers, Senior Assistant Chief Ambulance Officers,
Divisional Officers and Assistant Chief Ambulance Officers
of the Fire and Ambulance commands.
It was aimed at enhancing the participants'
professional expertise and capability in commanding
operational incidents; broadening their knowledge in
different key functional areas; developing their
diagnostic skills in managing tasks and resources;
promoting their skills in communicating with the public,
including the media; and expanding their perspective and
vision to prepare for taking over greater responsibilities
in future career development.
A spokesman for the department said the programme was
modular-based and conducted through a series of input
lectures, interactive discussion workshops and self-
learning packages.
The modules centred on operational incident
management, overview on management, financial management,
district management and community relationship as well as
meet-the-media session.
Participants undertook the programme on a part-time
basis so as to avoid interruption to their normal duties.
The spokesman said the success of the first programme
had prompted the department to consider launching more
such programmes in the future to benefit more officers.
The first programme, begun in mid-January, consisted
of 19 half-day sessions.
End
11. Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
*******************************************
Tender date : 24 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q174
Issue date : 25 March 1998
Maturity date : 22 April 1998
Amount applied : HK$12,510 MN
Amount allotted : HK$5,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 4.95 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 5.03 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 34 PCT
Average tender yield : 5.12 PCT
- - - - -
Tender date : 24 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q812
Issue date : 25 March 1998
Maturity date : 24 June 1998
Amount applied : HK$8,070 MN
Amount allotted : HK$2,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 5.79 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 5.83 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 56 PCT
Average tender yield : 5.89 PCT
- - - - -
Tender date : 24 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H860
Issue date : 25 March 1998
Maturity date : 23 September 1998
Amount applied : HK$5,810 MN
Amount allotted : HK$1,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 6.50 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 6.55 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 73 PCT
Average tender yield : 6.65 PCT
- - - - -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
****************************
Tender to be held in the week beginning - 30 Mar 98:-
Tender date : 31 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q175
Issue date : 1 April 1998
Maturity date : 29 April 1998
Tenor : 28 Days
Amount on offer : HK$5,000 MN
- - - - -
Tender date : 31 March 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q813
Issue date : 1 April 1998
Maturity date : 2 July 1998
Tenor : 92 Days
Amount on offer : HK$2,000 + 500 MN
End
