Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Thursday, September 11, 1997 CONTENTS ======== 1. Washington visit 'very useful, friendly and candid': CE 2. Transcript of CE's press conference 3. VMs and VIIs depart on Orderly Repatriation flight 4. Monitors' report submitted to CS 5. Some 280 Government forms available through Internet 6. Historic moments captured in pictures and print 7. Classic lamps beautify the Pearl of Orient 8. Contract for managing on-street parking meters awarded 9. Upgrading of Sha Tin traffic surveillance 10. Results of registration exams for pharmacists announced 11. Rescue exercise at airport to test efficiency 12. Trading firm fined for malpractice 1. Washington visit 'very useful, friendly and candid': CE ******************************************************* The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today (September 10, US time) he has held 'very meaningful and engaging' discussions on Hong Kong's future democratic evolution and economic development with key political and business leaders in the US capital. Mr Tung said the exchanges of views over the past two- and-a-half days had been candid, friendly and had 'helped deepen the understanding on both sides'. "I thought they were very, very useful," he said. "I was also very pleased that most of the friends, most of the people I met in Washington, appreciate and understand how well the transition has gone. "I also went on to explain how confident we are about our future. We discussed, obviously, our election next year." The Chief Executive said he was very glad he had made the trip and believed 'we have achieved most of the objectives we had set out to do'. He said he was looking forward to his scheduled meeting with US President Bill Clinton in Washington on Friday (September 12, US time). In another full day of meetings, the Chief Executive started his day with a breakfast hosted by the Heritage Foundation, a US think-tank which has consistently rated Hong Kong as the world's freest economy. Mr Tung then followed this with a series of meetings and discussions with key US political leaders including the Assistant Senate Majority leader Don Nickles, the House leadership hosted by Chris Cox, Senator Jesse Helms and Senators Connie Mack and Joe Lieberman. He also held an hour-long meeting with the House International Relations Committee and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. Mr Tung had lunch with members of another influential think-tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and tonight appeared on the influential national news and current affairs programme 'The News Hour with Jim Lehrer'. During the programme, he explained on national television Hong Kong's confidence about the future, the arrangements for next year's elections and the development of Hong Kong's political systems over the next 10 years. The final engagement of his Washington trip was a 45- minute press conference with international, US and Hong Kong media. In his talks with political and business leaders, Mr Tung said he had emphasized the very important relationship that Hong Kong has with the United States. He said he had taken the opportunity to explain Hong Kong's return had been very smooth, that people in Hong Kong were very proud about the reunification with China and that 'we are very confident about the future'. "We also went on to talk about issues that we are very concerned about, issues such as law enforcement, enforcement against intellectual property rights and money laundering," said Mr Tung. "Issues that generally relate to law enforcement were also discussed because these are issues where we in Hong Kong feel very deeply, and they are very important in the United States also." In regards to elections, Mr Tung explained that the Basic Law mapped out the political evolution of Hong Kong over the next 10 years. "There is a Basic Law which defines very clearly how do we move forward, and we will do it in accordance with the Basic Law, and from my point of view, this is a good way to do it," he said. "It is a gradual, step-by-step approach and I think it suits Hong Kong very well. "Discussion centres around next year's election here (in the US) but what I'm trying to tell everybody is, hey, you have to look way beyond next year and see what's going to happen 10 years from now, 20 years from now, because we have to look far in the development of our political institutions." End 2. Transcript of CE's press conference *********************************** Following is the transcript of the press conference by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, held in Washington, USA, on September 10 (US time): Presenter: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the press conference of Mr C H Tung, the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. He is accompanied by the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Ms Denise Yue, and Hong Kong's Commissioner here in the United States, Mr Kenneth Pang. Before starting, let me just set out a few ground rules. The Chief Executive will begin by giving a few opening remarks and will take questions in English for about 15 minutes. Thereafter he will take questions in Chinese for the many journalists who have come so far from Hong Kong and been so patient in covering this important visit. When questions are being asked, I'll be grateful if the questioner could identify himself or herself and the organisation he or she represents. Mr C H Tung, the Chief Executive. Mr Tung: Thank you very much, Chris. I arrived in Washington on Monday afternoon. I've had a very busy two- and-a-half days where I've had the opportunity to meet members of the Administration, most of the leadership in both the Senate and the House, and the business community, as well as a number of the think tanks who are active in Washington. We had very useful and engaging discussions. I think these discussions were very helpful. They were candid, straightforward, friendly, and it helped to deepen the understanding of both sides and I thought they were very, very useful. I was particularly pleased that most of our friends, most of the people I met in Washington, they appreciate and understand how well the transition has gone and I also went on to explain how confident we are of our future. We discussed, obviously, also, about the elections next year. I also emphasised the very important relationship that Hong Kong has with the United States - that over 40,000 Americans actually live and work in Hong Kong; many, many American firms use Hong Kong as their base for operations in Asia and into China - and this relationship is very important to us. I also took the opportunity to explain that Hong Kong's return has been very smooth, that in Hong Kong we are very proud that we are now part of China, and that we are very confident of our future. We also went on to talk about issues that we are very concerned about. Issues such as law enforcement, enforcement against intellectual property violation, money- laundering. Issues that generally relate to law enforcement were also discussed because these are issues where we in Hong Kong feel very deeply and they are very important here in the United States also. So, on the whole we had a very useful two-and-a-half days and I am very glad that I did make the trip, although it was a long trip and it is a very tough schedule, but I think we've achieved most of the objectives we set out to do. I will be back here in Washington on Friday to visit the White House before I return to Hong Kong in the evening. So, I will be very happy to answer any questions you might have. Question (SCMP): Mr Tung, are you disappointed that members of the Senate and of the Congress, and the media, seem to be unconvinced by your explanation on electoral arrangements? Do you think your purpose in this regard has failed? Mr Tung: Chris, we had long, candid discussions on the elections for next year. I thought those discussions were very useful because they helped, for my side, to explain to my friends in America what we are doing in Hong Kong about these elections. And the ability to engage each other in these discussions is very important. It has been very, very helpful. But as I explained, at the end of the day, I, myself, and the SAR Government, must do what is in the long term interests of Hong Kong, and it is up to we in Hong Kong to decide what is important and what is necessary. Because at the end of the day, we are the ones who have to live with the consequences of our own decisions. And I am very confident we are going about it the right way. And it was a very good opportunity for me to explain to many of our friends who are in Washington. Some understand what we are doing, others do not quite agree, but that is what it is all about, the ability to communicate, to understand each other as we move forward. Question: Mr Tung, what was the reasoning why you told them that Hong Kong people are not ready for democratic elections? Mr Tung: I don't know where you heard this from. Let me tell you what I said. I said that the Basic Law has mapped out the political evolution for Hong Kong over the next 10 years and that there will be an election next year for the first Legislature, there will be an election in the year 2000 for a second Legislature, there will be an election for a third Legislature in the year 2004. And then the Basic Law further goes on to say that beyond that time, depending on the view of the Hong Kong people, the approval of the CE and two-thirds of the Legislature's approval, we can decide how we want to go ahead beyond that period, beyond 2008, and universal suffrage is our ultimate objective. And I tried to explain to our friends in America. It is not a question just about next year's election, it is about the fact that we have a Basic Law which defines the evolution of our political process very, very clearly. And I have also explained how I was elected by a committee of 400; how in 2002 there will be another election for the next Chief Executive and what will happen in 2007, and the Basic Law is also very clear on that. So my point is that there is the Basic Law which defines very clearly how do we move forward, and we will do it in accordance with the Basic Law. And from my point of view, this is a good way to do it. It is a gradual step by step approach and I think it suits Hong Kong very well. And I think we'll move forward in the right way and that is the way we are going to go forward. And that the discussion is centred around next year's election, here, but what I am trying to tell everybody is: Hey, you have to look way beyond next year and see what is going to happen 10 years from now, 20 years from now, because we have to look far in the development of our political institutions. Question: How does it suit Hong Kong very well to disenfranchise a number of voters for the next election? Mr Tung: Let me try to explain the whole picture. There are about 2.5 million registered voters in Hong Kong and come next year they will all have the right to vote. I hope they will all vote. But they certainly have the right to vote, all approximately 2.5 million voters, so they are not being deprived. The issue is really about the fact that out of the 60 seats of the Legislature, according to our Basic Law 20 of them are directly elected through universal suffrage type of elections, 30 are through functional constituencies and so therefore are indirectly elected, and 10 through election committee and therefore indirectly elected. That is for next year. And what happened, the debate is really, for nine out of those 30 functional constituencies, in 1995 the franchise was very rapidly expanded; it defeated the whole reason why there were functional constituencies in the first place because it was never intended as a universal suffrage type of election. So all I have done is to move it back to what it was intended for in the first place. But let me try to tell you this. What we do in Hong Kong is very important to us in Hong Kong, and what we do in Hong Kong will have the support of the people. And that is how we are moving forward. Question (RTHK): Mr Tung, the basic problem seems to be a credibility problem - not with you or with the Hong Kong Government but between United States officials and China. Based on what you have heard here and what people have said to you, during the upcoming visit of President Jiang Zemin, what do you think he could say or do that would give confidence to Sino-US relations, and in turn to the future of Hong Kong? Mr Tung: Francis, the matters such as elections and so on and so forth, we are moving forward. As you know, the bill is now before the Legislature. It is totally a Hong Kong issue today. Obviously, as a citizen of Hong Kong and therefore of China, I see the US-Sino relationship as something very, very important to Hong Kong, so I very much hope that the President will have a good visit here when he comes. And I believe he will have a good visit and that a good and constructive relationship will really help Hong Kong a lot as we move forward into the twenty-first century. Question (RTHK): Mr Tung, of course it would. But the question is, what can he say or do? Question: I am just wondering what is your reaction to the bill which is being put before the Senate by Mr Jesse Helms? Mr Tung: You know there are all sorts of bills in the pipeline; some have already been passed. I think I understand America's concern about Hong Kong, and Americans have huge economic interests and trading interests there. But the best way for America to help Hong Kong is really to improve America's relationship with China and a good Sino-US relationship is very, very critical to Hong Kong. And I think it is also important to recognise that Hong Kong does have a separate custom territory and there are law enforcement issues such as drug-trafficking and so on and so forth on which the US actually works together with Hong Kong well, and these are the things which we would be concerned about. The best way for America to really help Hong Kong is to continue to recognise the independent custom territory which the United States obviously does. And the other is, really, to get on with China in a very constructive way, which I hope America is now beginning to do. Question (follow up): But that doesn't mention ... about democracy. Isn't it really an embarrassment that this is tabled now when you are here? Mr Tung: You know, it is not embarrassing at all, and the reason why is this: we in Hong Kong care very much about democracy. Democracy is not the monopoly of the United States of America or any western nation. We in Hong Kong, in Asia, care very much about democracy also. But we will go forward in our way, what is right for Hong Kong. Question: Mr Tung, how much authority do you have to make your own decisions without direction from Beijing? Mr Tung: On all matters that are associated with defence and foreign policy it is a matter where I and my colleagues in the Government have no authority. On issues that deal with Hong Kong, internal issues about Hong Kong and some issues in foreign trade and so on, we make all the decisions in Hong Kong. And this is what 'one country, two systems' is all about, and this is what we are doing. Question (HK Standard & Sing Tao Yat Pao): After your meeting with Senators Mack and Lieberman - we saw Senator Lieberman in the hall and he said he thought that this disagreement over the election law would present a bump in the road towards the summit between Presidents Jiang and Clinton. What is your reaction to this and do you think this basic disagreement over the election law will in fact affect that summit and US-China relations? Mr Tung: I certainly would hope not. But what is important for us all to remember is that I am responsible for the well-being of Hong Kong, I am looking after the long term interests of the people of Hong Kong. And we do that properly: we listen very carefully to the views of Hong Kong people and we take us forward on that basis. And this is very important. Obviously, we hope very much that the Sino- US relationship will continue to improve. Presenter: As the keeper of Mr Tung's very busy schedule, I had better warned that we are about to change channels, so if you would like to put one more in English. Question: What is your relationship with Li Ka-shing, the Hong Kong businessman, and what do you intend to do about Hong Kong companies acting in concert with Li Ka-shing selling unregistered securities on the US market, the US ...? Mr Tung: I am not quite sure what your second question is. Obviously, you don't live in Hong Kong, so I will try to answer the first question. Mr Li is a good friend of mine. He is a good friend of mine. I have lived in Hong Kong for many, many years. I arrived in Hong Kong when I was 10 years old, I went overseas when I was 17, I returned to Hong Kong in 1969, so I have many friends in Hong Kong, in addition to Mr Li, many, many good friends in Hong Kong and they are part of Hong Kong's very important community, making a huge contribution to the success of Hong Kong. Insofar as your second question is concerned, I am not quite sure what it is, so I am sorry I can't answer you. Question (ATV): Mr Tung, it has been said that your reputation here is that of being Beijing's man. How successful do you think you were in dispelling that reputation? Mr Tung: Well, I have said to all my friends here in Washington that I have lived in America for nine-and-a-half years, I understand the United States of America very well. I have many good friends here. I think this is a great country. But I also told all my friends here in Washington that I am Chinese. I am very proud that I am Chinese. I am patriotic. I want China to succeed. I want China to become a great nation again and I have every confidence that China will become a great nation in the twenty-first century. And I have also said that I, myself - we in Hong Kong - to the extent that we can be a bridge, we will want to be the bridge. But I also emphasised my responsibility is to the well-being of Hong Kong and to make Hong Kong very, very successful as we go forward. Thank you. End 3. VMs and VIIs depart on Orderly Repatriation flight ************************************************** A group of 135 Vietnamese (including 131 illegal immigrants and four migrants) returned by air to Hanoi, Vietnam today (Thursday) on the 111th flight under the Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP). The returnees comprised 121 men, 10 women, three boys and one girl. The majority of them are from North Vietnam, with only five from Central and South Vietnam. Most of them arrived in Hong Kong this year. Some came last year and in 1989. The group brought to 11, 160 the total number repatriated on ORP flights since November 1991. End 4. Monitors' report submitted to CS ******************************** The monitors appointed to observe the Orderly Repatriation Programme operation this (Thursday) morning have submitted their report to the Chief Secretary for Administration. The two monitors comprised a non-official Justice of the Peace, Mr Stephen Lau Man-lung, and representative from a non-government organisation, Ms Choi Yuk-yuk from Oxfam (Hong Kong). End 5. Some 280 Government forms available through Internet **************************************************** Getting a Government form no longer requires you to get half-day's off and travel to and from Government offices as about 280 most commonly used Government forms can now be obtained through the Internet. This new service was first launched in April this year as one the many projects under the Helping Business Programme. A Government spokesman said today (Thursday) that the aim of the service was to provide the community with a better and more efficient means of getting public forms, and to help Government departments provide a more user-friendly interface with customers. Up to present, the service covers forms of 33 departments. The more common ones include application forms for different types of driving licences, an extension of stay and amendment of registered particulars of Hong Kong Identity Card and forms relating to textiles licensing. A Form Detail Sheet is attached to each Government form providing information such as the nature of the form, enquiry telephone number and submission details. The Government forms can be accessible on the Internet via the Hong Kong SAR Government Homepage or directly through the web site address of the Forms Homepage http://www.info.gov.hk/forms The search can be made with the form number, form title, the name of the department or key word(s). Working instructions are available through the searching process. The spokesman added that the Business and Services Promotion Unit and the Management Services Agency were now working on the second phase of the project by uploading another 220 Government forms of seven departments including Intellectual Property Department and Labour Department. "We expect a total of 500 Government forms will be available on the Internet by November this year," the spokesman said. End 6. Historic moments captured in pictures and print *********************************************** A book which captures the most momentous moment in Hong Kong's history is now available to the public. The official Souvenir Book of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China has gone on sale at the Government Publications Centre at the Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, and at major bookshops at $68 a copy. Entitled "Entering a New Era", the 117 page book contains more than 200 photographs of history in the making as Hong Kong returned to China. Taken by Information Services Department (ISD) photographers, the collection of photographs provides a unique view of those never-to-be-forgotten events centred around midnight on June 30, 1997. The book covers the Handover Ceremony, the Inauguration Ceremony of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the fireworks and laser display and a host of other festivities and events held on and after July 1 to celebrate the establishment of the HKSAR. The bilingual text includes the speeches and comments by the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr Jiang Zemin, and the HKSAR's Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa. Mr Tung is taking copies with him on his overseas visits as gifts to the world leaders he meets. End 7. Classic lamps beautify the Pearl of Orient ****************************************** The glamorous Pearl of Orient will glow brighter from tonight (Thursday) with the addition of classic street lamps in selected tourist spots throughout Hong Kong. Speaking at a switch-on ceremony in Tsim Sha Tsui for the first phase of an extensive Street Lights Aesthetic Scheme, the Assistant Director (Headquarters) of the Highways Department, Mr Andrew Chee, said these decorative lamps would lighten up Hong Kong's popular scenic spots. The scheme, which costs $3.5 million funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, will involve the replacement of traditional street lights by 420 sets of new modern or antique style decorative lamps at major tourist spots in the territory to provide an unique style and matching environment. A modern-style lamp has one decorative kit while an antique-style has three. Both lamps will be equipped with high pressure sodium tubular bulbs of 70 watts, 150 watts or 250 watts for installation on lighting columns to beautify the environment. The 25 spots selected are on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Lantau Island, Ping Chau, Cheung Chau and Lamma Island. Of them, Star Ferry Concourse Bus Terminus, Salisbury Road and Nathan Road section between Austin Road and Salisbury Road in Kowloon were selected as the first phase of the scheme for the installation of 85 lamps. Installation commenced in end-July in phases for completion in October next year. Joining Mr Chee at the ceremony were the Director of Charities and Corporate Secretariat of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr David Yau; acting Deputy Director of Home Affairs Department, Mr Victor Ng; District Officer/Yau Tsim Mong, Ms Rebecca Pun; Chairman of the Yau Tsim Mong Provisional District Board, Mr Chow Chun-fai and District Commander of Police/Yau Tsim District, Mr C D Prowse. In support of the Street Lights Aesthetic Scheme, Mr Yau said: "These classic lamps will not only beautify streets and roads but also add colour to these scenic spots, thus attract more tourists." Popular tourist spots in other major cities such as London, Tokyo and Singapore, have similar aesthetic street lamps to attract tourists. End 8. Contract for managing on-street parking meters awarded ****************************************************** The Transport Department today (Thursday) commissioned Hong Kong Parking Limited, a joint venture between Wilson Parking (Holdings) Limited and Serco Guardian (F.M.) Limited, to manage, operate and maintain all local on-street parking meters and the associated traffic aids. The contract, commencing on September 20, will be for four years with a provision for extension of up to six months by the Government. Speaking on the contract, a spokesman for the department said: "The terms and conditions of the new contract are basically the same as those of the existing one. "The contractor will be responsible for collecting revenue from the parking meters, maintaining and repairing all equipment related to the system as well as operating a telephone complaints unit, dealing with complaints on defective meters." The telephone hotline 2318 0616 for reporting defective meters will continue to be used. The spokesman said: "Under the new contract, the company commissioned is required to monitor the replacement of existing mechanical meters with electronic parking meters operated by smart-card." Installation of these devices will be phased beginning next year. "The electronic parking meters will be managed and operated by the contractor, including the collection and documentation of related operational statistics and the marketing, sale, storage and after-sale services of smart- card," the spokesman added. However, the level of parking fees, the types of parking meters to be installed, the specifications of the types of smart-card accepted and approval to the designation, cancellation and suspension of parking meters will be determined by the Government. End 9. Upgrading of Sha Tin traffic surveillance ***************************************** The Transport Department today (Thursday) signed a $2.7 million contract with K.H. Foundations Limited for upgrading the traffic surveillance system in Sha Tin. Speaking on the project, a spokesman for the department said, "The contract requires the company to construct a total of 11 foundations for the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) System in Sha Tin New Town. "Construction work will start next week for completion in three months." The CCTV system will include the installation of 11 roadside cameras and 8 rooftop cameras at a total of 19 strategic locations in Sha Tin, Tai Wai and Ma On Shan. Tender for supplying and fixing of these cameras will be invited early next year. "The system will assist in monitoring the daily traffic conditions, identifying immediately and more easily traffic problems which need timely response," the spokesman added. End 10. Results of registration exams for pharmacists announced ******************************************************* The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong announced today (Thursday) results of the registration examinations for pharmacists held in June 1997. A total of 64, 57 and 74 candidates sat for the examinations in "Pharmacy Legislation in Hong Kong", "Pharmacy Practice" and "Pharmacology" respectively with corresponding passing rates of 56.3 per cents, 40.4 per cent and 35.1 per cent. Apart from meeting other conditions prescribed by the Board, a pharmacy graduate who returns from overseas and intends to be registered as a pharmacist in Hong Kong is required to pass the above three subjects. The Board conducts its registration examinations twice a year, normally in June and December. End 11. Rescue exercise at airport to test efficiency ********************************************* An aircraft crash and rescue exercise will be held at the Hong Kong International Airport during the early hours on Saturday (September 13) to provide continuation training and familiarisation in rescue techniques for all parties which will be involved in such operations. The exercise will be organized by the Civil Aviation Department and will be participated by the Fire Services Department, Hong Kong Police Force, Department of Health, Auxiliary Medical Services, Civil Aid Services, Hospital Authority, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Department, Information Services Department and Airline. A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department said there will be deployment of emergency vehicles to and from the airport, but inconvenience to the public will be kept to a minimum during the exercise. End 12. Trading firm fined for malpractice ********************************** A trading firm was fined $798,000 at Tsuen Wan Magistracy today (Thursday) for importing strategic commodities - 27 PCVD video controllers and 1,490 Pentinum microprocessors - from the United States and Malaysia and exporting the 27 PCVD video controllers to South Korea without valid licences. The strategic commodities in question are worth more than $4 million. The court heard that an investigation by officers of the Customs and Excise Department had revealed that between June 95 and January 96, Segyung Hong Kong Limited purchased the goods from United States and Malaysia suppliers for the purpose of sales to local consumers and overseas buyers. The accused company arranged the goods to be imported into Hong Kong by eight occasions and subsequently re- exported the 27 PCVD video controllers to South Korea in August 95. The imports and the export were not covered by valid licences. The investigation also found that the company had falsely declared the dates of the importation of the goods in seven import licence applications, in order to conceal the unlicensed importation. "The offence is serious," said a spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department. The spokesman stressed that officers of the department would step up enforcement actions track down such malpractice in an attempt to ensure Hong Kong's continued access to high-tech goods and up-to-date technology and preventing Hong Kong from being used as a conduit for the proliferation of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and other strategically-sensitive goods. The maximum penalty on summary conviction for importing or exporting strategic commodities without a licence or furnishing false information in licence application is a fine of $500,000 and two years imprisonment. End
