Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Friday, July 25, 1997 CONTENTS ======== 1. CPG's positive statement welcomed 2. Response to comments on consultation exercise 3. HKSAR and UK sign air services agreement 4. Statement by the Chief Executive 5. Statement by the Chief Justice 6. FS discusses four topical Hong Kong economic issues 7. Tender to expand border vehicle holding place invited 8. Sha Tin ATC System in good progress 9. Provisional statistics of retail sales for May 1997 10. Ocean vessel and seaborne cargo statistics 11. Drainage channels to be built to solve flooding 12. New public pier in Po Toi O 13. Tai Lam Tunnel Section of West Rail Phase I gazetted 14. Coloured sign posts for no-stopping zones 15. Two footbridges to be constructed in Siu Sai Wan 16. Joint council of parent teacher associations in Sha Tin 17. Fresh water cut in Western District 1. CPG's positive statement welcomed ********************************* The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, received the Central People's Government (CPG)'s formal authorisation for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to negotiate visa abolition agreements and arrangements with other foreign countries today (Friday). An SAR Government spokesman welcomed the CPG's positive statement about promoting the travel convenience of Hong Kong residents. Holders of the HKSAR passport enjoy visa-free access to 36 countries at present. "We have done a lot to promote the travel convenience of Hong Kong residents. We will continue to approach more countries, especially popular destinations of Hong Kong people, for visa-free access for HKSAR passport holders," the spokesman said. End 2. Response to comments on consultation exercise ********************************************* An SAR Government spokesman today (Friday) commented on recent media reports on the consultation exercise on the delineation of the electorate for the new functional constituencies and the Election Committee for the first SAR Legislative Council election. On suggestions that the consultation period was too short and the scope of consultation too narrow, the spokesman noted that discussion on the arrangements for the first SAR LegCo election had been going on for some time in the community. "Indeed, there have been ample opportunities for the public to air their views," the spokesman said. For example, different individuals and organisations had put forward comments and suggestions to the Preparatory Committee. A two week consultation was also conducted by the Chief Executive (Designate)'s Office in June this year. The spokesman explained that the recent decisions made by the Executive Council on the choice of the new functional constituencies, the concept and criteria for the delineation, and the formation method for the Election Committee were arrived at having full regard to the recommendations of the Preparatory Committee and views previously expressed in the community. "Insofar as the delineation of electorate is concerned, the Government is following the traditional concept and criteria," the spokesman added. "It was in accordance with these concept and criteria, which the public are well familiar with, that the list of proposed electorate for the new functional constituencies and the seven designated groups of the Election Committee was drawn up." The spokesman said that the objective of the consultation exercise was to invite public views on the completeness of the list as set out in the consultation document, having regard to the established concept and criteria for delineation. "We should now focus on the practical question of detailed delineation rather than debating on basic principles which have already been settled," the spokesman remarked. The Government has tried to be as comprehensive as possible in compiling the list, but would welcome views on whether there are deserving cases which have been omitted from the list, and whether any of the organisations included in the list should be left out because they are not representative of the sectors concerned or because they are no longer active. The spokesman urged the public to forward their views to the Constitutional Affairs Bureau by July 31, 1997. "We need to finalise the list quickly as it will form part of the draft electoral legislation which will be introduced into the Provisional Legislative Council in late August," the spokesman noted. In the circumstances, it will not be possible to extend the deadline for the consultation period. "If we receive submissions which are one or two days late, we will try to process them as flexibly as we could, but we must adhere strictly to the target of introducing the electoral legislation once the legislature returns from recess." The spokesman concluded that preparation for the elections must move ahead at full speed since there is less than a year before the election. Primary legislation providing the overall framework of the election will need to be put in place as soon as possible so that other practical arrangements can immediately follow. End 3. HKSAR and UK sign air services agreement **************************************** The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) today (Friday) signed an air services agreement with the Government of the United Kingdom (UK). The Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, signed the agreement on behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government while the British Consul-General in Hong Kong, Mr Francis Cornish, signed on behalf of the UK Government. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Ip said the signing of the Hong Kong SAR/UK Air Services Agreement today had particular significance as the agreement was the first signed by the Hong Kong SAR Government. "In line with the provision of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to negotiate and conclude air services agreements with our aviation partners," he said. According to Article 133 of the Basic Law, under specific authorisations from the Central People's Government, the Hong Kong SAR Government may negotiate and conclude air services agreements for scheduled air services to, from or through Hong Kong, which do not operate to, from or through the mainland of China. Noting that the UK is an important partner of Hong Kong, Mr Ip said the two sides had very close links in aviation, trade, investment and other activities. In 1996, four airlines, namely Cathay Pacific, Air Hong Kong, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, operated over 9,000 flights between the two places, carrying about one million passengers and 86,000 tonnes of cargo. Mr Ip said: "The agreement provides a legal framework for air services between the Hong Kong SAR and the UK. This is in the best interests of our economy and the travelling public." "Looking ahead, we will continue to work towards concluding air services agreements with other partners. And we will make every effort to maintain the status of Hong Kong as a centre of international and regional aviation," he added. The Hong Kong SAR/UK Agreement, which enters into force today, is the twenty-second Air Services Agreement signed by Hong Kong. Hong Kong has signed similar agreements with the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Brunei, France, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Australia, Germany, India, Korea, Singapore, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, USA, Indonesia and the Philippines. End 4. Statement by the Chief Executive ******************************** The following is issued on behalf of the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa today (Friday): "I am very sorry to learn of the death of Mr Justice Jerome Chan. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his wife and family on their bereavement." End 5. Statement by the Chief Justice ****************************** The following is issued on behalf of the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Li today (Friday): "I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mr Justice Jerome Chan in Queen Mary Hospital this morning. The news of his death has been received by all in the Judiciary with great sorrow. The late Mr Justice Chan was in private practice before joining the Judiciary in 1985. He was elevated to the High Court in 1993. He had a distinguished career on the Bench. His judicial work commanded high respect and he made an enormous contribution to the development of the use of Chinese. Further, he made his mark as listing judge in which capacity he introduced significant reforms to listing procedure. Despite his health, his devotion to and enthusiasm for work and his strong will to live were examples to us all. The Judiciary joins with me and my wife in extending our most sincere condolences to his wife and family on their bereavement." A full court will be convened at 9 am on Thursday (July 31) by the Chief Justice to pay tribute to the late Mr Justice Chan. End 6. FS discusses four topical Hong Kong economic issues *************************************************** The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang today (Friday) discussed four topical Hong Kong economic issues at the opening ceremony of the Far Eastern Meeting of Econometric Society Symposium. The four issues were: the choice between manufacturing and services as the anchor for the economy; provision for retirement; trade unionism and collective bargaining; and the regional currency situation. Addressing the concern over the shrinking manufacturing employment, the Financial Secretary noted the argument by some quarters claiming that manufacturing activity was solidly based whereas service activity was fickle. In his opinion, value-added was the ultimate trick. "What in practice is superior is where the activity proves to be the most competitive and bears the highest added value. That is to say whether it provides better profits for our companies and better paid jobs for all our people," he said. "To borrow an analogy from our late patriarch Mr Deng Xiaoping, it does not matter whether it is a white cat or black cat as long as it catches mice. "We should choose an industry, manufacturing or service, which yields the highest growth for our economy and the highest reward for our labour force." Mr Tsang also said Hong Kong people must lift their mental horizon beyond the geographic boundary of the Special Region in developing a longer term economic strategy, and cast their sight on the whole of the nation, embracing particularly neighbouring provinces and regions on the Mainland. "I see Hong Kong in the same role as Frankfurt in Germany, London in the United Kingdom or Manhattan in the USA," he added. Turning to provision for retirement, Mr Tsang said the mandatory provident fund system based on individual contributions, had the benefits of avoiding burdening the future generation. "Kind intentions and political pressures often make bad economics in planning a retirement scheme. We must remember that without the discipline of a linkage to contributions, there would be irresponsible political pressure to increase payout and to trim down contributions," he said. Noting that the Government was now working intensively on the detailed regulations for the systems to be launched within this year, he said a welcome spin- off from the system would be the strong boost to our capital market. "The substantial amount of savings institutionalised by an MPF scheme will create a huge new source of supply of long-term investment funds for our corporate sector to be mobilised through long-term debt instruments," Mr Tsang said. The third issue that Mr Tsang addressed was labour relations. In response to legislation passed by the previous Legislative Council on trade union powers and collective bargaining, Mr Tsang said what worried him was that the long-standing wage setting practice based on market forces might give way to collective wage setting, where the union's bargaining strength was likely to dominate. "As such, compulsory collective bargaining would distort the wage structure in the labour market. It would reduce the flexibility of wage adjustment, particularly during any downswing in an economy cycle," he said. "It would also impair the ability of our economy to adjust to external shocks." Mr Tsang believed that in a vibrant and efficient economy such as Hong Kong, there was simply no justification for a collective bargaining system which could legally force employers into a corner. He emphasised that compulsory collective bargaining did not in any way create jobs. Responding to criticisms that the Government had been undemocratic for suspending the implementation of the relevant legislation, the Financial Secretary stressed that, quite on the contrary, the Government wanted it to be truly democratic. "The problem is that those legislative items have not gone through proper consultation in the established forum of the Labour Advisory Board. The implications of these laws have not been thoroughly deliberated by all parties concerned," Mr Tsang said. "We need more time to consider. Our move is merely designed to restore debate and deliberation to their proper tracks." Mr Tsang fully supported the legitimate functions of trade unions and appreciated the services they rendered to local workers. However, he believed that excessive trade union powers were not conducive to the efficient functional of the economy. "As evidence elsewhere testifies, a high degree of trade union influence is often associated with rather high unemployment, and possibly also slower economic growth," he said. "A World Bank study on a number of economies shows that wage distortions away from the market-clearing level are more prominent where trade unions are active." Furthermore, Mr Tsang said that artificial restrictions on the workings of the market were detrimental to the vitality and competitiveness of the economy. While other advanced economies, including Hong Kong's competitors were consciously seeking to become less rigid, Mr Tsang saw no reason to go against the trend. The last issue which Mr Tsang addressed was exchange rates. Noting the recent upheavals leading to the depreciation of a number of Asian currencies, Mr Tsang said he was confident in the ability of Hong Kong's exchange rate system to withstand shocks and speculative attacks. "We have a robust monetary regime that has time and again stood up well to abrupt developments," he said. "We have ample foreign exchange reserves for maintaining exchange rate stability." Above all, Mr Tsang thought Hong Kong's sound economic fundamentals were the foremost factors buttressing our financial strength. These included decent economic growth, moderate inflation, low employment, flexible labour market and tight discipline in the management of public finances. Mr Tsang said getting the fundamentals right was far more important that devising effective, counteractive measures in times of currency trouble. "It is the key to ensuring lasting financial stability," he concluded. End 7. Tender to expand border vehicle holding place invited ***************************************************** The Highways Department today (Friday) invites tenders for the construction works for the Expansion of Northbound Vehicle Holding Area at Sha Tau Kok Crossing. The area at the north-western of the junction of Sha Ho Road and Sha Tau Kok Road inside the border closed area will be expanded from 50 to 120 goods vehicle holding places. The works also comprise: * re-alignment of an existing village road and footpath, * widening of an approximately 80 metres long section of Sha Ho Road at the exit of the vehicle holding area; and * extension of an existing pedestrian subway across the widened Sha Ho Road. Construction will start in November this year for completion in February 1999. Tender notice was published in the Government Gazette today. Tenders forms are obtainable from the Regional Highway Engineer/New Territories, Highways Department, Room 218, 2/F, Ho Man Tin Government Offices, 88 Chung Hau Street, Kowloon. A tender must be sealed and clearly marked with the tender reference on the envelope and addressed to the Chairman, Public Works Tender Board. It should be placed in the Public Works Tender Box on 34/F Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong before noon on August 22, 1997. Later submissions will not be accepted. The New Territories Region of Highways Department designed the works and will supervise its construction. End 8. Sha Tin ATC System in good progress *********************************** The Transport Department today (Friday) awarded a contract to the Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited for providing private communications circuits for the Sha Tin Area Traffic Control (ATC) System. The $9.3-million contract is for the installation and five-year rental of 81 numbers of private leased circuits. A department spokesman said: "It will put the Sha Tin ATC System a step further to its completion in April 1998. "The System, which includes a central computer, road side controllers and detectors, will put 81 road junctions in Sha Tin under surveillance through leased circuits. "The heavy traffic at these junctions will be smoothly co-ordinated to increase their capacity, reduce journey time and minimise the number of stops by vehicles at traffic signals." In addition, the system will be supplemented by 19 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at strategic locations to monitor traffic situations real time on line so that quick traffic responsive measures could then be implemented. A typical example is the junction at Tai Chung Kiu Road and Siu Lek Yuen Road near City One Sha Tin. "The whole project including the CCTV system, estimated to cost $52 million, is for completion in April 1999," he added. End 9. Provisional statistics of retail sales for May 1997 *************************************************** The value of total retail sales in May 1997, estimated at $19.7 billion, increased by 10% when compared with May 1996. After discounting the effect of price changes over the period, total retail sales increased by 6% in volume. These are provisional figures on retail sales released today (Friday) by the Census and Statistics Department. Compared with a year ago, sales of motor vehicles continued to record a significant increase, by 21% in value and 20% in volume. Sales of jewellery, watches and clocks and valuable gifts also surged, by 17% in value and 18% in volume. Concurrently, sales of other commodities also recorded increases of various magnitudes in both value and volume. These included other consumer durable goods (11% in value and 9% in volume); miscellaneous consumer goods (12% in value and 6% in volume); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (4% in both value and volume) and fuels (9% in value and 3% in volume). Besides, sales in supermarkets and department stores registered increases of 12% and 10% in value respectively. In volume terms, they rose by 3% and 2% respectively. On the other hand, sales of clothing and footwear rose by 5% in value, but declined by 4% in volume. Compared with April 1997 (but bearing in mind that this comparison is affected by seasonal factors), total retail sales in May 1997 increased by 6% in value and 5% in volume. Comparing the period from January to May 1997 with the same period in 1996, total retail sales rose by 8% in value and 3% in volume. The volume of retail sales is derived from the value of retail sales after adjusting for price changes. The relevant components of the Consumer Price Index are used as deflators. Starting from the reference month of January 1997, a new series of value and volume indices reflecting changes in the combined sales of supermarkets and supermarkets operating in department stores was compiled. The new indices were shown in Table 2 as supplementary statistics to provide further reference for certain analytical purposes. The report containing the analysis of the May 1997 results is now on sale at $3 per copy at the Government Publications Centre, G/F., Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway; and the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19/F., 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 1258). End 10. Ocean vessel and seaborne cargo statistics ****************************************** In the first quarter of 1997, 10 404 ocean vessels with a total capacity of 46.8 million net registered tons entered Hong Kong, according to the statistics released today (Friday) by the Census and Statistics Department. Compared with the first quarter of 1996, the number of vessels increased by 5%, and capacity increased by 8%. 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. During the same period, there were 10 411 outgoing ocean vessels with a total capacity of 47.0 million net registered tons. Compared with the first quarter of 1996, the number of vessels increased by 5%, and capacity increased by 8%. In the first quarter of 1997, the total tonnage of seaborne inward cargo, comprising seaborne imports and seaborne inward transhipment, was estimated to be 20.4 million tonnes, representing an increase of 3% over the same quarter in 1996. The respective increases in the total tonnage of seaborne imports and seaborne inward transhipment were 2% and 4%. During the same period, the total tonnage of seaborne outward cargo, comprising seaborne exports (domestic exports plus re-exports) and seaborne outward transhipment, was estimated to be 9.5 million tonnes, representing an increase of 8% over the same quarter in 1996. The respective increases in the total tonnage of seaborne exports and seaborne outward transhipment were 12% and 4%. Of the seaborne inward cargo, 81% in terms of tonnage were seaborne imports and 19% were seaborne inward transhipment. 55% of these cargoes were containerized. Of the seaborne outward cargo, 56% in terms of tonnage were seaborne exports and 44% were seaborne outward transhipment. 84% of them were containerized cargo. The above statistics are summarized in Table 1. In the first quarter of 1997, the top five countries/territories of loading for seaborne inward cargo were Singapore (which accounted for 15% in tonnage terms), Taiwan (12%), Japan (12%), mainland of China (11%) and the U.S.A. (9%). The top five countries/territories of discharge for seaborne outward cargo were mainland of China (28%), the U.S.A. (18%), Taiwan (7%), Japan (6%) and Federal Republic of Germany (4%). The top five principal commodities of seaborne inward cargo in tonnage terms included petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (20%); artificial resins and plastic materials (9%); iron and steel (9%); coal, coke and briquettes (6%) and paper and paper products (6%). The top five principal commodities of seaborne outward cargo in tonnage terms included machinery (12%); other manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (9%); other manufactured articles (9%); petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (8%) and toys (4%). The distribution of the top ten countries/territories of loading and discharge and their changes in the tonnage of seaborne inward and outward cargo between the first quarter of 1997 and the first quarter of 1996 are shown in Table 2 and Table 3. Similar statistics for seaborne inward and outward cargo analysed by the top ten principal commodities are shown in Table 4 and Table 5. Ocean vessel statistics are compiled primarily from general declarations submitted to the Marine Department by ship masters or authorized 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 for the first quarter of 1997 are contained in the report entitled "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics, January - March 1997". This report is in bilingual form. The report is now on sale 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 at $57 a copy. Enquiries on statistics contained in the report may be directed to the Shipping and Cargo Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department on telephone 2582 4887. Table 1: Summary of ocean vessel and seaborne cargo statistics --------------------------------------------------------- % change over 1st quarter 1st quarter 1997 1996 ----------- ------------- Incoming ocean vessel Number 10 404 +5 Capacity (Mn. NRT#) 46.8 +8 Gross weight (Mn. tonnes) Seaborne inward cargo 20.4(55) +3 Seaborne imports 16.6(46) +2 Seaborne inward transhipment 3.8(95) +4 Outgoing ocean vessel Number 10 411 +5 Capacity (Mn. NRT#) 47.0 +8 Gross weight (Mn. tonnes) Seaborne outward cargo 9.5(84) +8 Seaborne exports@ 5.3(74) +12 Seaborne outward transhipme 4.2(98) +4 Notes : (1) # NRT denotes net registered tons. (2) @ Seaborne exports comprises domestic exports plus re-exports. (3) Figures may not add up to the respective totals due to rounding. (4) Figures in brackets denote the extent of containerization in percentage. Table 2: Seaborne inward cargo# by top ten countries/ territories of loading -------------------------------------------------------- % change over Country/territory 1st quarter 1st quarter of loading 1997 % share@ 1996 ---------------- ---------- -------- ------------ ('000 tonnes) Singapore 2 991 15 -20 Taiwan 2 496 12 +26 Japan 2 454 12 -13 Mainland of China 2 209 11 +11 U.S.A. 1 853 9 -1 Republic of Korea 1 661 8 +46 Australia 656 3 -12 Indonesia 643 3 -24 Thailand 481 2 +7 Malaysia 453 2 +22 Notes : (1) # Seaborne inward cargo comprises seaborne imports and seaborne inward transhipment. (2) @ % share in total tonnage of seaborne inward cargo. Table 3: Seaborne outward cargo# by top ten countries/ territories of discharge --------------------------------------------------------- % change over Country/territory 1st quarter 1st quarter of discharge 1997 % share@ 1996 ----------------- ----------- -------- ----------- ('000 tonnes) Mainland of China 2 695 28 +26 U.S.A. 1 674 18 +8 Taiwan 684 7 +20 Japan 539 6 +3 Federal Republic of Germany 367 4 -14 Singapore 331 3 -11 Netherlands 322 3 -12 Philippines 267 3 +19 United Kingdom 232 2 +9 Australia 181 2 +10 Notes : (1) # Seaborne outward cargo comprises seaborne exports (domestic exports plus re-exports) and seaborne outward transhipment. (2) @ % share in total tonnage of seaborne outward cargo. Table 4 : Seaborne inward cargo# by top ten principal commodities --------------------------------------------------------- % change over 1st quarter 1st quarter Commodity group 1997 % share@ 1996 --------------- ----------- -------- ------------ ('000 tonnes) Petroleum, petroleum 4 050 20 -5 products and related materials Artificial resins and 1 836 9 +11 plastic materials Iron and steel 1 802 9 +19 Coal, coke and briquettes 1 273 6 -3 Paper and paper products 1 228 6 +8 Other manufactured goods 1 135 6 +20 classified chiefly by material Machinery 934 5 * Cement and cement clinker 770 4 -22 Textile yarn, fabrics, 670 3 +12 made-up articles and related products Live animals chiefly for 502 2 +44 food and edible animal products Notes : (1) # Seaborne inward cargo comprises seaborne imports and seaborne inward transhipment. (2) @ % share in total tonnage of seaborne inward cargo. (3) * Change of less than 0.5%. Table 5 : Seaborne outward cargo# by top ten principal commodities --------------------------------------------------------- % change over 1st quarter 1st quarter Commodity group 1997 % share@ 1996 --------------- ----------- -------- ----------- ('000 tonnes) Machinery 1 121 12 +5 Other manufactured 839 9 -9 goods classified chiefly by material Other manufactured articles 831 9 +41 Petroleum, petroleum 739 8 +53 products and related materials Toys 420 4 +4 Artificial resins and 417 4 +2 plastic materials Footwear 362 4 +3 Articles of apparel and 322 3 -1 clothing accessories Iron & steel 288 3 +109 Textile yarn, fabrics, 287 3 -8 made-up articles and related products Notes : (1) # Seaborne outward cargo comprises seaborne exports (domestic exports plus re-exports) and seaborne outward transhipment. (2) @ % share in total tonnage of seaborne outward cargo. End 11. Drainage channels to be built to solve flooding *********************************************** The Government will construct drainage channels between Castle Peak Road and the Kam Tin Drainage Channel now under construction near Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, to solve the flooding problem in Ngau Tam Mei area. A spokesman for the Lands Department said today (Friday) that the work would include excavation and reclamation of an area of about 2,870 square metres of foreshore and sea-bed as well as construction of embankments. The work will start in early 1999 and is scheduled to be completed by early 2002. A notice showing the extent of the affected area was published in the Gazette today. Anyone who considers his/her interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved will be affected by the undertaking may send a written claim for compensation to the Director of Lands on or before July 25, 1998. The notice and the plan can be seen at the Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department in Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong, and at the Yuen Long District Office, Yuen Long District Office Building, 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long. End 12. New public pier in Po Toi O *************************** The Government will construct a public pier at Po Toi O in Sai Kung to improve berthing and landing facilities for local villagers and other members of the public. The pier, with an area of 400 square metres, will facilitate the some 400 local villagers and many other members of the public who use fishing boats, kaitos and small motorized sampans for transportation. The project, proposed by the Sai Kung District Office, forms part of the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy programme. The project will begin in early 1998 for completion in July 1999. The works will be carried out within about 1,200 square metres of foreshore and sea-bed near Po Toi O. The extent of the area affected is described in a notice of authorization published in the Gazette today (Friday). Any person who considers that his interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved will be affected by the work may send a written claim for compensation to the Director of Lands before July 25, 1998. The notice, together with a related plan, can be seen at Lands Department's Survey and Mapping Office, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong and at the Sai Kung District Office, 2nd floor, Sai Kung Government Offices Building, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung. End 13. Tai Lam Tunnel Section of West Rail Phase I gazetted **************************************************** The railway scheme for the Tai Lam Tunnel Section of Phase I of West Rail (formerly named Western Corridor Railway) was gazetted today (Friday). A Government spokesman explained that recognizing the urgent need for a rail link between Tuen Mun and urban Kowloon, West Rail would be implemented in two phases. Phase I will provide an approximately 30.5 km long electrified double-track railway system. It will run from Yen Chow Street at West Kowloon to Tuen Mun via Tsuen Wan, Kam Tin, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai providing a domestic passenger service. The project programme envisages completion to Yuen Long by end of 2002 and to Tuen Mun by September 2003. The spokesman said: "We have been working full steam in order to ensure that planning and design work on West Rail is completed as early as possible. "Allowing time for handling objections by members of the public to the proposed alignment and to resolve objections, the railway scheme for the Tai Lam Tunnel Section will need to be gazetted now. "We will be gazetting the other sections of West Rail in stages. The Tai Lam Tunnel Section, which is being gazetted today, is the most critical part in West Rail. Any delay in this Section will cause serious delays to the whole project." The Tai Lam Tunnel Section is approximately 5.7 km long. It will run between the intersection of Hoi On Road at Hoi Hing Road in Tsuen Wan and the southern part of Kam Tin valley. Members of the public will have, until September 23, 1997, an opportunity to raise objection to the Tai Lam Tunnel Section of West Rail. End 14. Coloured sign posts for no-stopping zones ***************************************** The Transport Department will put on trial a colour code system for different no-stopping restricted zones in selected sites in Causeway Bay. Announcing the trial today (Friday), Senior Engineer (Standards Section) of the department's Road Safety and Standards Division, Mr Kwok Wai-kin, said: "The sign posts of the no-stopping zones will be painted with one of the three designated colours, each indicates a restriction period." Sign posts in green represent a 7 am - 10 am/ 4 pm - 7 pm stopping ban. Sign posts in red denote a 7 am to midnight daily no- stopping ban while those painted in yellow indicate a continuous ban from 7 am to 7 pm. There is no change for other restrictions which applied to the time periods other than the above standard ones or only to a specific class of vehicle. The trial scheme is first implemented in the area bounded by Leighton Road, Gloucester Road and Canal Road East in Causeway Bay. At present, no-stopping restricted zones are indicated by the erection of regulatory signs and road markings. The periods during which the stopping bans applied are shown on the supplementary time plates put underneath the "no-stopping" signs. For 24-hour restriction, double yellow lines will be painted along the edge of the carriageways. Other time periods are indicated by a single solid yellow line marked by the kerbside. "The new colour scheme for the sign posts which serves advisory purpose can make different stopping restrictions more comprehensible and more easily identified by motorists," Mr Kwok said. The trial is to assess the effectiveness of coloured sign posts and to test its conspicuity and comprehensibility during night time. A review of the scheme will be carried out in about three months time. End 15. Two footbridges to be constructed in Siu Sai Wan ************************************************ The Highways Department today (Friday) awarded a works contract to The Express Builders Co. Ltd. for the construction of two footbridges in Siu Sai Wan. The $54-million contract includes also associated road, drainage and landscaping works. One of the footbridges will span across Siu Sai Wan Road with connections to existing Fullview Garden and Cheerful Garden. The other one will span across unnamed new Road 22/3 and Road 22/4 with connection provision to the future Public Transport Interchange. The footbridges are constructed to enhance pedestrian safety in Siu Sai Wan by providing grade- separated crossings for pedestrians from vehicular traffic. Works will start soon for completion in January 1999. The works have been designed by Structures Division of Highways Department and construction will be supervised by the Department's Hong Kong Region. End 16. Joint council of parent teacher associations in Sha Tin ******************************************************* Over 100 representatives from parent-teacher associations (PTA) in Sha Tin will attend the inauguration ceremony of the first PTA federation in the district, the Joint Council of PTA of the Shatin District, tomorrow (Saturday). The chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co- operation (HSC), Mr Tik Chi-yuen, and the Assistant Director of Education (Services), Mr Chong Kwok-kit, will attend the ceremony. The formation of the joint council indicates an increased awareness of parental involvement in education and home-school co-operation. It is a regional association formed with the assistance of the HSC, which aims to promote home-school co-operation and help the formation of PTA in schools. End 17. Fresh water cut in Western District *********************************** Fresh water supply to some premises in Western District will be suspended from 11 pm on Monday (July 28) to 6 am the following day for waste detection work on watermains. The suspension will affect premises at: * 129-158A Connaught Road West, * 176-278 (even no) and 155-285 (odd no) Des Voeux Road West, * 239-353 Queen's Road West , * 1A-23 Eastern Street , * 2-40 (even no) and 7-25 (odd no) Centre Street , * 2-22 (even no) Western Street, and * Mui Fong Street, Kwai Heung Street, Sung Hing Lane, Sai Yuen Lane, Ki Ling Lane, Chung Ching Street and Western Park Road. End
