Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Thursday, March 26, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. Territorial Development Strategy Review final recommendations
2. Non-official mainland residents entry arrangements announced
3. Site for film studio in Tseung Kwan O out for tender
4. Tender for 2nd issue of Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation notes
5. DPP to lead legal study visit to the mainland
6. CS takes salute at CSD's passing-out parade
7. Hong Kong's latest foreign currency assets figures released
8. Contract for maintenance of high-speed roads signed
9. Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases
10. Statistics on ocean vessels and seaborne cargo
11. Results of Proficiency Test in Medical English of Licensing Examination
1. Territorial Development Strategy Review final recommendations
**************************************************************
The Chief Executive in Council has endorsed the final
recommendations of the Territorial Development Strategy
Review (TDSR) as the strategic framework to guide the
future development of Hong Kong with respect to land use,
transport and environmental protection and the publication
of the Final Executive Report for public information.
Speaking at a press conference today (Thursday), the
Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen
Leung, said that the main aim of the TDSR, which was
launched in 1990, is to provide an integrated land-use-
transport-environment planning framework to enable Hong
Kong to continue to grow as a regional and international
"City of Vision".
Mr Leung said that it had taken the Government over
seven years of work, including two rounds of public
consultation to produce the Final Executive Report.
He said that the need to constantly revise and fine
tune our planning assumptions and scenarios, to a certain
extent, reflect the rapid pace of development and changes
Hong Kong has undergone in the interim.
"A lot of these changes are social, like the growth
in our population and the rapidly rising expectation of
better living conditions and environment, as well as
economic, e.g. the migration of manufacturing sector to
Guangdong and the changing mode of business towards a more
integrated mode of manufacturing and business sectors.
"Our objective is to design a planning framework that
is realistic and could meet as far as possible all these
development needs.
"In planning for Hong Kong, we can no longer make
plans in isolation. We have to take into account the
developments north of the boundary. In the TDSR, we have
adopted a planning scenario that takes fully into account
the social and economic interaction between Hong Kong and
the entire Pearl River Delta."
Mr Leung said that the Government was also proceeding
with Crosslinks Further Study on the feasibility of
opening new cross-boundary links, namely the Lingdingyang
Bridge and Shenzhen Western Corridor.
"Back home, one of our top policy objectives is to
fulfil our commitment to maintain a steady housing supply.
The natural population growth, coupled with the needs of
the inadequately housed as well as those generated from
development clearances and redevelopment, translate into a
demand for roughly about 350,000 flats between 2006 and
2011."
He noted that in order to meet this demand, the TDSR
has identified a number of strategic growth areas such as
Tseung Kwan O, North Lantau, South East Kowloon, Au
Tau/Kam Tim and Fanling North. Longer term opportunities
are being explored in the integrated planning and
development studies for North-west NT, North-east NT and
Hong Kong Island South and Lamma Island.
These studies will also identify new growth areas to
serve as our land bank to meet long-term needs.
On the other hand, a broad office land development
strategy has been proposed to encourage the growth of new
employment nodes around major rail-based transport
interchanges, including West Kowloon Reclamation and South
East Kowloon so as to help achieve a better balance in the
distribution of population and employment in the
territory.
"In recognition of the gradual migration of our
manufacturing sector to the mainland, we will advocate the
development of new multi-purpose industrial/business
estates at North Lantau and science parks at Pak Shek Kok
to facilitate the gradual transition into a new mode of
business that befits our special circumstances.
"Our objective is to transcend beyond existing
planning concepts, which have served Hong Kong well in the
past, to help Hong Kong develop into a new production and
business place for higher technology and higher-value-
added products.
"General industrial land that is in surplus, such as
Sha Tin, northern part of West Kowloon Reclamation and Yau
Tong area, will be rezoned for other employment generating
uses as well as for housing," Mr Leung added.
The Secretary noted that one of our biggest
challenges in planning Hong Kong was the need to design
and construct, within our geographical constraints, a
highly efficient and environmentally friendly transport
infrastructure to move people and goods around.
To this end, the TDSR has proposed a number of north-
south and east-west high capacity expressways and rail
lines throughout the territory such as the Green Island
Link to Lantau and western New Territories (Route 10),
trunk road linking eastern and western New Territories,
Tai Wai to Diamond Hill rail link and the fourth harbour
rail crossing.
When materialised, this new transport network would
unleash the enormous development potential of a lot of
land in the New Territories that have yet to be developed
and would also change significantly our mind set about the
geographical orientation of many places in the New
Territories.
He said that contrary to common belief, development
and environment protection need not necessarily be
mutually exclusive notions. The TDSR has given due
emphasis on new initiatives to improve our environment.
Mr Leung cited for example the urgent need to
complete the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme, the
construction of waste-to-energy plant and the
encouragement of the use of more environmentally friendly
form of transport.
"Development very often brings along environmental
problems but 'well-planned' development could avoid, or
'plan-out', potential environmental problems."
"The TDSR rightly highlights the importance of the
notion of sustainability. We have accordingly launched a
study entitled Sustainable Development for the 21st
Century (SUSDEV 21) in September 1997 and we look forward
to its recommendations on an institutional framework that
would help us plan and make policy decisions that would
not deprive our future generations the resources and
ability to meet their own needs," he said.
Other than the principal infrastructure works to
bring our medium-term strategy to fruition, one of the
major conclusions of the TDSR is that we must look and
plan ahead towards a horizon well beyond 2011.
The TDSR has come up with a few distant vision
concepts for further consideration in subsequent reviews
of TDS, e.g. possible port-related uses in Tuen Mun West
and north-south technology corridor along the eastern rail
axis.
On Hong Kong's longer term development framework, the
Government has established the Commission on Strategic
Development which is tasked to conduct reviews and studies
on our long term development needs and goals.
"The TDSR presented today will guide us on the first
few steps and the subsequent TDSRs would hopefully move us
progressively towards and beyond the 21st century," said
Mr Leung.
End
2. Non-official mainland residents entry arrangements announced
************************************************************
The Immigration Department announced today the
arrangements for the entry of non-official mainland
residents for business visit and training.
"With effect from March 30, Mainland residents who
wish to make business trips to Hong Kong in their private
capacity are required to obtain an Exit-entry Permit for
Travelling to Hong Kong and Macao and a business visit
endorsement valid for single, double or multiple-journey
from the relevant Public Security Bureau Office. These
business visitors may visit Hong Kong for 7 days or 14
days on each landing, subject to normal immigration
requirements being met. The Immigration Department will
cease to accept entry permit applications for business
visit from Chinese ordinary passport holders with effect
from March 30. Applications received before this date
will continue to be dealt with according to the
transitional procedures established since the
reunification. There is no relaxation of the existing
immigration control. Visitors are not allowed to take up
employment and must leave Hong Kong at the end of their
permitted stay," a spokesman of the Immigration Department
said.
"Non-official Mainland residents coming for training
should obtain an entry permit from the Immigration
Department as at present, but should change to travel on
Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to Hong Kong and Macao.
Mainland residents who have obtained their Chinese
ordinary passports before March 30 may continue to travel
between the Mainland and Hong Kong within the validity of
the training entry permit and use the passports to return
to the Mainland upon completion of their training in Hong
Kong," the spokesman added.
"These arrangements are made in response to the
change in documentation for Mainland residents to use the
Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to Hong Kong and Macao
after the reunification (transitees are however allowed to
continue to use their Chinese Ordinary passports).
Persons who wish to have more information about the new
arrangements should obtain the information leaflet ID 894A
titled "Arrangements for Entry to Hong Kong from Mainland
China" from the Immigration Department," the spokesman
said.
End
3. Site for film studio in Tseung Kwan O out for tender
****************************************************
An invitation for tender to develop a site at Tseung
Kwan O Area 106 for film studio and related facilities
will be published in the Government gazette tomorrow
(Friday).
"This is to implement the Chief Executive's policy
initiative announced in his 1997 Policy Address to promote
the long term development of the Hong Kong film industry
and encourage infrastructural investment in film
production," said Mrs Rita Lau, Deputy Secretary for
Broadcasting, Culture and Sport.
"This is the first time in the history of Hong Kong
that land is being made available for film production
purposes.
"We hope to attract investors with plans to build a
state-of-the-art film studio and post-production
facilities in Hong Kong. This will strengthen local film
production capabilities and make Hong Kong a post-
production service centre in Asia," she added.
The site, of about 29,800 square metres, is
designated for the pre-production, shooting and post-
production of motion pictures or films for theatrical
release.
The tender documentation will be available for
collection at the Lands Department, District Lands
Offices/Kowloon and District Lands Office/Sai Kung from
March 27, 1998. The tender will close at noon June 19,
1998. Tenderers are required to submit a proposed
business plan.
Tenders will be assessed on a number of factors
including the premium offered, the business plan as well
as the likely contributions the development can bring to
the film industry. The tender will be awarded no later
than August 28, 1998.
Enquiries relating to this tender should be addressed
to the District Lands Officer, Sai Kung.
End
4. Tender for 2nd issue of Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation notes
************************************************************
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced
today the tender for the second issue of The Hong Kong
Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) Notes to be held on
April 1 (Wednesday).
An amount of HK$500 million in HKMC Notes will be
offered for settlement on Thursday, April 2, 1998. The
three-year notes, which mature on March 12, 2001, will
carry interest at the fixed rate of 8% per annum payable
semi-annually in arrears. Terms and conditions of the
issue are described fully in the Information Memorandum.
The HK$500 million HKMC Notes issue is the second
tranche of the HK$20 billion HKMC Note Issuance Programme
in which the HKMA acts as the arranger, custodian, agent
and operator. The HKMC Notes, which are denominated in
HK$50,000, will be cleared through the Central
Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) and will qualify as eligible
securities for repo under Liquidity Adjustment Facility
operated by the HKMA.
The HKMC will use the proceeds to support its
mortgage purchase programme.
Members of the public who wish to tender for the
Notes may do so through any of the Market Makers or
Recognised Dealers on the published list which can be
obtained from the HKMA at 30th floor, 3 Garden Road, Hong
Kong (or telephone 2878 8150). Each tender must be for an
amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
THE HONG KONG MORTGAGE CORPORATION LIMITED
NOTE ISSUANCE PROGRAMME TENDER INFORMATION
Tender information for the second issue of The Hong Kong
Mortgage Corporation Ltd Issuance Programme:
Issue Number : S302
Tender Date and Time: Wednesday, 1 April 1998
9.30 am to 10.30 am
Issue and Settlement Date: Thursday, 2 April 1998
Amount on Offer: HK$500 million
Maturity: Three years
Maturity Date: 12 March 2001
Interest Rate: 8 per cent per annum
Interest Payment Dates: 14 September 1998
12 March 1999
13 September 1999
13 March 2000
12 September 2000
12 March 2001
Tender Amount: Each tender must be for an amount of
HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
Members of the public who wish to tender
for the Notes may approach Market Makers
or Recognised Dealers on the published
list
Other details: Please see Information Memorandum
published or approach Market Makers or
Recognised Dealers
End
5. DPP to lead legal study visit to the mainland
*********************************************
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Grenville
Cross, SC will lead a delegation from the Department of
Justice to visit Beijing, Harbin and Dalian between March
28 and April 5. The delegation of 10 will primarily
consist of prosecutors, and will include Deputy Solicitor
General Stephen Wong Kai-yi, and Deputy Director of Public
Prosecutions Arthur Luk Yee-shun.
This visit is part of a continuing reciprocal Legal
Study Visit Programme between the Department of Justice
and the Ministry of Justice of the Mainland to promote and
strengthen contacts between officials in the Department of
Justice and their counterparts in the mainland.
In addition to meeting senior officials of the
Ministry of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions
looks forward to discussing issues of mutual interest with
the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Supreme People's
Court, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Hong Kong
and Macao Affairs Office. It is hoped that a visit to the
Central Committee Party School can also be incorporated
into the schedule of the delegation.
Mr Cross said: "Visits of this type are of immense
value. We will benefit enormously from the opportunity to
learn of recent trends in the mainland, particularly in
the area of criminal law where there have been significant
development of late. I also look forward to explaining
how Hong Kong has developed since the handover, and to
providing a greater insight into the workings of our legal
system."
End
6. CS takes salute at CSD's passing-out parade
*******************************************
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson
Chan, will take the salute at the passing-out parade of
the Correctional Services Department (CSD) tomorrow
(Friday) at the CSD Staff Training Institute.
Graduating are 33 Officers and 121 Assistant Officers
II who have just completed a 26-week and a 23-week basic
training courses respectively.
The parade will feature the Marching Band of the Cape
Collinson Correctional Institution and the Pipers and
Marching Team of the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution.
End
7. Hong Kong's latest foreign currency assets figures released
***********************************************************
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced
that the official foreign currency assets of Hong Kong
were US$96.7 billion at the end of February 1998 (end-
January: US$98.1 billion). In terms of foreign currency
reserves ranking, Hong Kong remains the third largest in
the world, after Japan and Mainland China. (Table 1)
The foreign currency assets are held in the Exchange
Fund and the Land Fund. As at the end of February, the
foreign currency assets held in the Exchange Fund were
US$78.6 billion (end-January: US$80.3 billion) and the
Land Fund were US$18.1 billion (end-January: US$17.8
billion). The total foreign currency assets of US$96.7
billion represent about seven times the currency in
circulation or about 45% of Hong Kong dollar M3, one of
the highest ratios in the world.
The fall in foreign currency assets held in the
Exchange Fund can be attributed to the reversal in the
note issuing activities in February after the end of the
Chinese New Year holiday which fell in late January this
year. The demand for and hence the issue of new banknotes
reached its peak usually during the Chinese New Year. The
issuance of new notes must be backed by US dollars which
are deposited by the note issuing banks with the Exchange
Fund.
"Monthly figures of the foreign currency assets are
likely to show short-term variations due to seasonal
factors," said an HKMA spokesman.
Including outstanding forward transactions, the
foreign currency assets held in the Exchange Fund and the
Land Fund were also US$78.6 billion (end-January: US$80.3
billion) and US$18.1 billion (end-January: US$17.8
billion) respectively (Table 2 and 3).
Table 1
Foreign Currency Reserves Ranking
US$ billion As at end of
(1) Japan 223.1 February 1998
(2) China 140.3 February 1998
(3) Hong Kong 96.7* February 1998
(4) Taiwan 84.0 January 1998
(5) Germany 81.3 January 1998
(6) US 71.3 January 1998
(7) Spain 68.6 January 1998
(8) Singapore 68.3 January 1998
(9) Italy 55.3 January 1998
(10) Brazil 51.0 December 1997
Source: HKMA, IMF, Reuters
* detailed breakdown at Table 2 and 3
Table 2
Exchange Fund
Foreign Currency Assets
(US$ billion)
Excluding Net Including
forward forward forward
transactions transactions transactions
End-January 1997 65.9 5.2 71.1
End-February 1997 63.8 4.3 68.1
End-March 1997 63.4 4.3 67.7
End-April 1997 63.6 4.0 67.6
End-May 1997 66.6 1.8 68.4
End-June 1997 67.6 2.1 69.7
End-July 1997 66.1 2.5 68.6
End-August 1997 69.5 0.1 69.6
End-September 1997 71.4 0.3 71.7
End-October 1997 74.0 0.4 74.4
End-November 1997 79.1 0.4 79.5
End-December 1997 75.3 0.3 75.6
End-January 1998 80.3 - 80.3
End-February 1998 78.6 - 78.6
Table 3
Land Fund
Foreign Currency Assets
(US$ billion)
Excluding Net Including
forward forward forward
transactions transactions transactions
End-July 1997 15.6 0.1 15.7
End-August 1997 15.8 0.1 15.9
End-September 1997 16.7 0.4 17.1
End-October 1997 17.4 (0.1) 17.3
End-November 1997 17.4 0 17.4
End-December 1997 17.5 0.1 17.6
End-January 1998 17.8 - 17.8
End-February 1998 18.1 - 18.1
Note: The Land Fund was established on July 1, 1997.
Figures prior to that date are therefore not available.
End
8. Contract for maintenance of high-speed roads signed
***************************************************
The Highways Department today (Thursday) awarded a
maintenance contract worth $210 million to the Chiu Hing
Construction and Transportation Co Ltd for the maintenance
of high-speed roads in the New Territories West and
Kowloon.
The three-year contract, signed between the Regional
Highway Engineer (New Territories) of the department,
Mr Chan Wai-cheung, and a representative from the
contractor, covers routine maintenance for the
carriageways, road drainage, road-side slopes, road
sweeping and cleansing works.
The contractor is also responsible for undertaking
emergency works during adverse weather and extraordinary
conditions.
Speaking after the contract signing ceremony, Mr Chan
said that one of the major tasks of the department is to
provide road network maintenance.
"Our vision is to develop and upkeep the road network
to world class standards.
"Various maintenance activities will help ensure the
safety and serviceability of the network," he added.
The high-speed road network in the New Territories
West includes the Kwai Chung Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Tuen
Mun Road, Yuen Long Highway, San Tin Highway and North
Lantau Highway.
Kwun Tong Bypass and West Kowloon Highway in Kowloon
are also covered in the contract.
End
9. Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases
***********************************************************
The value of total receipts for the restaurants
sector in the year of 1997, estimated at $58.9 billion,
increased by 6% when compared with 1996. The value of
total purchases of restaurants, estimated at $20.9
billion, also increased, by 5%.
These are the provisional figures on restaurant
receipts and purchases released today (Thursday) by the
Census and Statistics Department.
After discounting the effect of price changes over
the period, total restaurant receipts increased by 2% in
volume. This was made up of a 6% year-on-year increase in
the first half of 1997, and a 1% year-on-year decrease in
the second half.
The largest growth in total receipts in 1997 was
recorded for fast food shops, by 11% in value and 6% in
volume.
Concurrently, the total receipts of bars and
miscellaneous eating and drinking places recorded the same
increase of 11% in value and the same increase of 4% in
volume. The total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants
also increased, by 8% in value and 3% in volume.
Meanwhile, the total receipts of Chinese restaurants
increased by 4% in value and 1% in volume.
For the fourth quarter of 1997, total receipts for
the restaurants sector, estimated at $14.7 billion,
recorded a marginal increase of only 0.4% when compared
with the same quarter in 1996. This represented a slight
decrease of 4% in volume. On the other hand, the value of
total purchases of restaurants decreased by 1% to $5.3
billion.
Compared with a year ago, total receipts of some
types of restaurants registered increases in both value
and volume in the fourth quarter of 1997. Among them,
miscellaneous eating and drinking places had the highest
growth, at 14% in value. In volume terms, the total
receipts rose by 8%. Likewise, the total receipts of fast
food shops and non-Chinese restaurants increased by 11%
and 10% respectively in value and both by 6% in volume.
The total receipts of bars increased by 8% in value.
This, however, represented a slight decrease of 1% in
volume. The total receipts of Chinese restaurants
recorded a decrease of 7% in value and 10% in volume.
Compared with the preceding quarter, and bearing in
mind that such comparison is affected by seasonal factors,
total receipts for the restaurants sector in the fourth
quarter of 1997 decreased by 1% in value and 2% in volume.
A Government Secretariat spokesman noted that the
decline in the volume of total restaurant receipts in the
fourth quarter of 1997 was mainly attributable to the
slackening in receipts of Chinese restaurants in face of a
more cautious consumer sentiment in late 1997.
Nevertheless, receipts of non-Chinese restaurants, of fast
food shops and of miscellaneous eating and drinking places
still registered solid growth over the same period. For
1997 as a whole, the volume of total restaurant receipts
increased moderately, bolstered by the buoyant performance
earlier in the year.
Restaurant receipts in volume terms are derived from
receipts in value terms after adjusting for price changes.
The relevant components of the Consumer Price Index are
used for this deflating purpose.
The Report on the Quarterly Survey of Restaurant
Receipts and Purchases for the fourth quarter of 1997 is
now on sale at $3 per copy at the Government Publications
Centre, Ground Floor, Low Block, Queensway Government
Offices, 66 Queensway; and the Publications Unit of the
Census and Statistics Department, 19th Floor, Wanchai
Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.
Enquiries about the survey results may be directed to
the Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics Section of the
Census and Statistics Department (Tel. No.: 2802 1257).
End
10. Statistics on ocean vessels and seaborne cargo
**********************************************
In the fourth quarter of 1997, 11,182 ocean vessels
with a total capacity of 51.1 million net registered tons
entered Hong Kong. Over the same period, there were
11,177 outgoing ocean vessels with a total capacity of
51.0 million net registered tons.
Compared with the fourth quarter of 1996, the number
and capacity of incoming vessels increased by 4% and 8%
respectively, while those of outgoing vessels increased by
3% and 8% respectively.
The above are part of the statistics released today
(Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
Net registered ton (NRT) is a unit measure in volume
terms of the space of a vessel available for carrying
passengers or goods. One NRT is equivalent to 100 cubic
feet.
For the whole year of 1997, the number and capacity
of incoming ocean vessels were 43,294 and 199.0 million
NRT, increased by 5% and 9% respectively over those in
1996. Meanwhile, the number and capacity of outgoing
ocean vessels also increased by 5% and 9% respectively to
43,297 and 198.3 million NRT.
In the fourth quarter of 1997, the total tonnage of
seaborne inward cargo, comprising seaborne imports and
seaborne inward transhipment, was estimated to be 24.2
million tonnes, representing an increase of 4% over the
same quarter in 1996. The respective increases in the
total tonnage of seaborne imports and seaborne inward
transhipment were 5% and 2%.
During the same period, the total tonnage of seaborne
outward cargo, comprising seaborne exports (domestic
exports and re-exports) and seaborne outward transhipment,
was estimated to be 10.6 million tonnes, representing an
increase of 1% over the same quarter in 1996. Within this
total, there was an increase of 3% in the tonnage of
seaborne exports but a decrease of 1% in that of seaborne
outward transhipment.
For the whole year of 1997, the total tonnage of
seaborne imports was 75.8 million tonnes, seaborne inward
transhipment 16.1 million tonnes, seaborne exports 23.8
million tonnes, and seaborne outward transhipment 17.6
million tonnes.
Comparing 1997 with 1996, increases were recorded in
all these four types of shipment: seaborne imports, +6%;
seaborne inward transhipment, +7%; seaborne exports, +5%;
and seaborne outward transhipment, +6%.
For the whole year of 1997, 82% of seaborne inward
cargo tonnage were seaborne imports and 18% seaborne
inward transhipment. 56% of these cargoes were
containerized. For seaborne outward cargo, 57% were
seaborne exports and 43% seaborne outward transhipment.
86% of them were containerized cargo.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 1997 with the fourth
quarter of 1996, increases were recorded in the total
tonnage of seaborne inward cargo loaded in South Korea
(+63%), Malaysia (+39%), Australia (+28%), Thailand
(+20%), Indonesia (+19%), Japan (+13%) and the United
States (+9%).
However, decreases were recorded in the total tonnage
of seaborne inward cargo loaded in Singapore (-15%), the
mainland of China (-9%) and Taiwan (-4%).
Over the same period, increases were recorded in the
total tonnage of seaborne outward cargo for discharge in
Germany (+13%), the United Kingdom (+12%), the Netherlands
(+6%), Australia (+5%), the United States (+4%) and Taiwan
(+2%).
However, decreases were recorded in the total tonnage
of seaborne outward cargo for discharge in Japan (-14%),
Singapore (-10%), the Philippines (-6%) and the mainland
of China (-4%).
Comparing 1997 with 1996, increases were recorded in
the total tonnage of seaborne inward cargo loaded in South
Korea (+56%), Thailand (+24%), Malaysia (+15%), Taiwan
(+12%), Japan (+7%), the United States (+5%) and Australia
(+5%).
However, decreases were recorded in the total tonnage
of seaborne inward cargo loaded in Singapore (-13%), the
mainland of China (-4%) and Indonesia (-3%).
Over the same period, increases were recorded in the
total tonnage of seaborne outward cargo for discharge in
the Philippines (+16%), Australia (+13%), Taiwan (+12%),
the mainland of China (+7%), the United States (+6%) and
the United Kingdom (+1%).
However, decreases were recorded in the total tonnage
of seaborne outward cargo for discharge in Singapore
(-5%), Germany (-4%), Japan (-2%) and the Netherlands
(-1%).
Comparing 1997 with 1996, the tonnage of seaborne
inward cargo of most principal commodities increased.
More notable increases were recorded for paper and paper
products (+22%), other manufactured goods classified
chiefly by material (+20%), iron and steel (+18%), live
animals chiefly for food and edible animal products (+16%)
and artificial resins and plastic materials (+10%).
Over the same period, more notable decreases were
recorded for cement and cement clinker (-20%) and coal,
coke and briquettes (-18%).
Over the same period, the tonnage of seaborne outward
cargo of most principal commodities increased. More
notable increases were recorded for other manufactured
articles (+31%), footwear (+10%) and other chemicals and
related products (+10%).
Ocean vessel statistics are compiled primarily from
general declarations submitted to the Marine Department by
ship masters or authorised shipping agents and cover all
ocean vessels entering and leaving Hong Kong, excluding
yachts and pleasure craft.
Seaborne cargo statistics are compiled from a sample
of consignments listed in the ocean cargo manifests
supplied by shipping companies or agents to the Census and
Statistics Department.
More details of ocean vessel and seaborne cargo
statistics are contained in the bilingual report "Hong
Kong Shipping Statistics".
October-December 1997 issue of the report will be on
sale at $57 a copy around April 27 at the Government
Publications Centre, Ground Floor, Low Block, Queensway
Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; and the
Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department,
19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.
Enquiries on seaborne cargo and ocean vessel
statistics may be directed to the Shipping and Cargo
Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department
on telephone 2582 4887.
End
11. Results of Proficiency Test in Medical Eng of Licensing Exam
************************************************************
The Licentiate Committee of the Medical Council of
Hong Kong announced today (Thursday) that seven candidates
have passed the Proficiency Test in Medical English of the
Licensing Examination.
The Proficiency Test in Medical English, held on
March 4, 1998, aimed at testing candidates' use of medical
English in the professional context. A total of seven
candidates applied to sit the test and all turned up.
Candidates who are successful in this part and also
in the part of Examination in Professional Knowledge of
the Licensing Examination are eligible to sit the Clinical
Examination to be held in late November/early December
1998.
End
