Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Friday, October 3, 1997 CONTENTS ======== 1. Urban and Western Sections of West Rail (Phase I) gazetted 2. CE to visit Tokyo, Brussels and London 3. Partnership between Asia and Latin America reaffirmed 4. SHA visits Sha Tin and Sai Kung 5. Bacteria found in ice-cream bar 6. Appointments to the TICF Management Board 7. Licence approved for satellite earth station 8. Hong Kong Medical Council examination results announced 9. Gradings of Beach Water Quality announced 10. List of tariff adjustments of China for public inspection 11. Construction Output for 2nd quarter of 1997 12. Children Dance Troupe Performance '97 13. Applications to five civil service grades close on Oct 9 14. Man-made reefs in marine parks for fisheries study 15. Roads for maintenance of drainage in Yuen Long 16. Flushing water cut in Central, Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun 1. Urban and Western Sections of West Rail (Phase I) gazetted ********************************************************** The Urban and Western Sections of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) West Rail (Phase I) was published in the Gazette today (Friday). An SAR Government spokesman said :"The construction of West Rail Phase I is a top priority project to provide a much-needed passenger link between Northwest New Territories and urban Kowloon. "The project will provide an approximately 30.5 kilometres long electrified double-track railway system. It will run from Yen Chow Street at Kowloon to Tuen Mun in Northwest New Territories via Mei Foo, Tsuen Wan, Kam Tin, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai and will comprise nine passenger stations." The spokesman said: "We have been working at full gear in order to ensure that the West Rail is completed as early as possible so as to provide a long-term solution to the traffic problems in Northwest New Territories." The project programme envisages completion to Yuen Long by the end of 2002 and to Tuen Mun by September 2003. Construction of the project is also expected to start in the latter half of 1998 after the Executive Council has authorised the railway scheme. In order to meet this project programme, the Tai Lam Tunnel Section of Phase I was gazetted on July 25, 1997. The remaining sections, namely the Urban and Western Sections, are now gazetted. According to provisions in the Railways Ordinance, members of the public have the opportunity to raise any objection to the railway scheme of the project within 60 days since its gazettal: i.e. from now until December 2, 1997. Planning of Phase II of West Rail, comprising cross- boundary freight and passenger services, is continuing. End 2. CE to visit Tokyo, Brussels and London ************************************** The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, will visit Tokyo, Brussels and London in the second half of this month to renew ties with Japan, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the European Union and update them on developments in Hong Kong after the handover. He will be in Tokyo from October 15 to 17, return to Hong Kong and then leave for Europe on October 19. He will be in Brussels on October 20 and 21 and in London from October 21 to 23. Mr Tung will return to Hong Kong on October 24. During these visits, Mr Tung will call on political and business leaders, and brief them on the smooth transition in Hong Kong which demonstrates local people's pride to return to China and confidence in "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" under the "one country, two systems" principle. In Tokyo, he will call on ministers, parliamentarians and senior officials of the Japanese Government. Arrangements have been made for him to meet with the Chairman of Keidanren, the Chairman of the Japan Federation of Bankers Association, members of the Japan Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee, as well as senior representatives of the Japanese tourism industry. Mr Tung will deliver a keynote speech at a luncheon jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Japan, the Hong Kong Tourist Association and the Japan Hong Kong Society. In Brussels, Mr Tung will have discussion with the President of the European Commission, Mr Jacques Santer; EC Vice-President Sir Leon Brittan; the Belgian Prime Minister, Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Eric Derycke. In London, a meeting between the Chief Executive and the British Prime Minister is being arranged. Mr Tung will also meet the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, and the President of the Board of Trade and Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mrs Margaret Beckett. The Chief Executive will address the first plenary session of the HK/EU and EU/HK Business Co-operation Committees in Brussels. He will be delivering keynote speeches at Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs) in London and at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Annual Dinner in Brussels and in London. Mr Tung will reassure overseas audiences of Hong Kong's continued role as an active regional and global player in international trade, commerce and finance. He will also welcome international investors to come to Hong Kong to take advantage of the enormous business opportunities here as Hong Kong becomes a part of China. End 3. Partnership between Asia and Latin America reaffirmed ***************************************************** The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Co-operation: The 12th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Co- operation Council (PECC XII) was successfully concluded on October 2 in Santiago, Chile. In its "Santiago Statement", the PECC reaffirms its commitment in further strengthening trans-pacific partnership between Asian and Latin American economies. The three-day PECC XII meeting was the first major PECC meeting attended by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region using the name "Hong Kong, China". To demonstrate Hong Kong's continued support and active participation in the PECC, a strong tripartite delegation to the PECC XII meeting was led by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Co-operation (HKCPEC), Mr William Fung. The "Santiago Statement" said, "It is imperative to maintain the openness and stability of these economies and at the same time promote closer co-operation. "Given its unique tripartite structure comprising representatives of the business sector and the academia, and policy makers, the PECC is well placed to provide inputs to the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) in the latter's pursuit of trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, as well as economic and technical co-operation. "Closer links between these two Asia-Pacific regional fora has been forged, resulting in many joint initiatives or complementary activities." Members of the "Hong Kong, China" delegation participated actively in the meeting. Mr William Fung moderated a Ministerial Panel on "Overview of Latin America", and Professor Ho Lok-sang of Lingnan College and Professor Richard Wong of the University of Hong Kong were speakers at different plenary sessions. The Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Victor Fung; and the Managing Director of Hopewell Holdings Limited, Sir Gordon Wu, were also invited as speakers at two other plenary sessions. A panel session on "Hong Kong: Three Months After Reunification" was specially organised as one of the plenary sessions on the last day of the meeting (October 2). Panellists included Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry and Vice-Chairman of the HKCPEC, Mr Tam Wing Pong; Visiting Professor of Business Administration, University of Hong Kong, Professor Michael J Enright; the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited, Mr Victor Lo; and Chairman of the HKTDC, Dr Victor Fung. In their presentations, the speakers highlighted the smooth transition and it was business as usual in Hong Kong. They also underlined the continued important role of Hong Kong as a regional and international business and financial centre. Hong Kong became a member of the PECC in May 1991. Currently, the PECC has a membership of 22 member committees representing the economies of Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; South Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Peru; the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States; the Pacific Island Nations and Vietnam. End 4. SHA visits Sha Tin and Sai Kung ******************************* The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Lan, today (Friday) visited Sha Tin and Sai Kung to see for himself the latest developments in the districts. Mr Lan first arrived at the rooftop of Kam Shun House in Kam Ying Court, Sha Tin, where he was briefed on the development blueprint of Pak Shek area and the Ma On Shan Rail Project. He then proceeded to the Ma On Shan Sub-office to familiarise himself with its day-to-day operations. Before leaving for Sai Kung, Mr Lan met Sha Tin Provisional District Board members and community leaders at a reception. While meeting with members of the Sai Kung Rural Committee, Mr Lan learned of the metamorphosis of Sai Kung Old Town Centre from an old village into a modern new town. Before concluding his visit, Mr Lan took in a panoramic view of Tseung Kwan O from Hong Sing Garden, Tseung Kwan O. Accompanying him were the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau; Sha Tin District Officer, Ms M L Wong and Sai Kung District Officer, Mr Simon Yau. End 5. Bacteria found in ice-cream bar ******************************* The Department of Health (DH) today (Friday) advised the public not to consume a certain batch of Dreyer's ice cream bar as a kind of bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, was detected in that batch of ice cream bar during the Department's routine food surveillance programme. The batch in question is "Dreyer's" Cookies 'N Cream Ice Cream Bar (88.7 mL) (Batch No. 071835480925) (Expiry date: 30-9-1999) from USA. The bacteria so far have not been found in other Dreyer's items. A spokesman for DH said: "Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can be transmitted through ingestion of raw and contaminated food such as milk, cheese, vegetables and ready-to-eat meat." "It usually will not cause illness in most people. In others, particularly the young, the old and pregnant women, it may present with fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In more severe cases, it can cause infection of the brain and meningitis. The disease can also cause abortions in pregnant women." The spokesman said the bacteria were detected in ice cream bars collected from a supermarket for routine bacteriological examination. The importing agent of the said product had been informed of the result. It had agreed to stop the sale of this batch of ice cream bar immediately and to arrange for the collection of the stock from all stores. Local retailers are also advised to check their stock and withhold the sale of this batch of ice cream bar pending collection by the importing agent. End 6. Appointments to the TICF Management Board ***************************************** The SAR Government announced in today's (Friday) Gazette appointments to the Travel Industry Compensation Fund (TICF) Management Board. Dr James Kung Ziang-mien has been re-appointed as Chairman of the Management Board for a period of two years from October 15, 1997. Six existing non-official Members have been re- appointed for the same period. They are Mrs Pamela Chan, Mr Colin Chau, Mr Frank Chen, Mr Simon Hau Suk-kei, Mr Anthony Hung and Mr Patrick Yeung. Two new members have been appointed, also for the same period. They are Mr Joseph Tung Yao-chung and Mr Steven Lau Hon-keung. "The Chairman and Members of the Management Board, with expertise drawn from the banking, consumer interest, accounting, travelling, legal and insurance fields, will continue to contribute significantly to the management of the Travel Industry Compensation Fund," a Government spokesman said. The Travel Industry Compensation Fund Management Board was established on October 15, 1993 under the Travel Agents Ordinance. Its function is to hold, manage and apply the Fund in accordance with provisions in the Ordinance. End 7. Licence approved for satellite earth station ******************************************** The Executive Council has approved the grant of a licence, under the Telecommunication Ordinance, to APT Satellite Company Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong, for the establishment of a satellite earth station in Hong Kong to control and monitor its new satellite. APT will launch its satellite, APSTAR-IIR, in October 1997. China Great Wall Industry Corporation has been contracted by APT to launch the satellite from Xichang. The new satellite will form part of the company's satellite communication network in the Asia-Pacific region to provide telecommunications and broadcasting transmission services to the region. The licence approved by the Council is to enable the company to establish an earth station at the Tai Po Industrial Estate for the control and monitoring of the satellite. APSTAR-IIR will be the fifth satellite operated by a Hong Kong company after AsiaSat 1 (launched in April 1990), APSTAR-I (launched in July 1994), AsiaSat 2 (launched in November 1995) and APSTAR-IA (launched in July 1996). End 8. Hong Kong Medical Council examination results announced ******************************************************* The following is issued on behalf of the Licentiate Committee of the Medical Council of Hong Kong : The Licentiate Committee of the Medical Council of Hong Kong announced today (Friday) that 13 and 48 candidates have passed the Examination in Professional Knowledge and the Proficiency Test in Medical English of the Licensing Examination respectively. The Examination in Professional Knowledge, held on September 19 and 20, 1997, is a multiple choice question paper aiming at testing candidates' professional knowledge in basic medical sciences, medical ethics/community medicine, medicine, surgery, orthopaedic surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology and paediatrics. Candidates are required to sit on both days to answer two sets of multiple choice question paper comprising 240 multiple choice questions. A total of 193 candidates applied to sit the examination and 178 turned up. The Proficiency Test in Medical English, held on September 16, 1997, aimed at testing candidates' use of medical English in the professional context. A total of 95 candidates applied to sit the test and 90 turned up. Candidates who are successful in these two parts of the Licensing Examination are eligible for sitting the Clinical Examination to be held in late November/early December 1997. End 9. Gradings of Beach Water Quality announced ***************************************** The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Friday) released its latest beach water quality monitoring results to inform swimmers and the public about the water quality of the beaches in Hong Kong. The beach grading results are announced weekly on every Friday during the bathing season to coincide with the weekly frequency of beach monitoring by EPD. Under EPD's monitoring system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the most recent trends in E. coli data collected. Among the 37 beaches, 18 are found to be in "good" condition (Grade 1), 12 "fair" (Grade 2) and seven "poor" (Grade 3). "Grade 1" beaches include: Chung Hom Kok (S) Tong Fuk (S) Hairpin (S) Lo So Shing (S) South Bay (S) Pui O (S) St. Stephen's (S) Tung Wan on Cheung Chau (S) Turtle Cove (S) Clear Water Bay 1st (S) Stanley Main (S) Clear Water Bay 2nd (S) Cheung Sha Upper (S) Hap Mun Bay (S) Hung Shing Yeh (S) Kiu Tsui (S) Kwun Yam Wan (S) Trio (Hebe Haven) (S) "Grade 2" beaches include: Big Wave Bay (S) Discovery Bay* Deep Water Bay (S) Silverstrand (S) Middle Bay (S) Hoi Mei Wan Repulse Bay (S) Tung Wan on Ma Wan (S) Shek O (S) Golden Beach (S) Cheung Sha Lower Butterfly (S) "Grade 3" beaches include: Silvermine Bay (S) Old Cafeteria Casam (S) New Cafeteria (S) Gemini Kadoorie (S) Lido (S) Note: * Non-gazetted beach (S) Shark prevention net installed The grades of St. Stephen's, Stanley Main, Kwun Yam Wan and Clear Water Bay 2nd have changed from "2" to "1"; Hoi Mei Wan and Golden Beach from "3" to "2"; Silvermine Bay from "4" to "3"; Repulse Bay from "1" to "2"; New Cafeteria from "2" to "3". These changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of these beaches. In general, many beaches are likely to be more polluted than the grades suggested during and after periods of heavy rain. Hence, bathers should avoid swimming at beaches, particularly Grade 3 and 4 beaches, for a few days after a storm or heavy rainfall. The public are reminded that Grade 4 beaches are generally considered unsuitable for swimming at any time. At present, five gazetted beaches, namely Anglers', Approach, Ting Kau, Castle Peak and Rocky Bay, are closed to swimmers based on the beach water quality monitoring data for 1996. End 10. List of tariff adjustments of China for public inspection ********************************************************* The Trade Department has issued a Commercial Information Circular informing traders that a consolidated list of the newly-adjusted import and export tariff rates of Mainland China effective from October 1, 1997 is now available for public inspection. The most important adjustment made is the reduction of import tariff rates for 4,874 of the total 6,633 customs commodity headings, the average rate of which have been reduced from 23 per cent to 17 per cent, a reduction of 26 per cent. Traders are welcome to inspect the consolidated list at the Asia (Commercial Relations) Section of the Trade Department on 17th floor, Trade Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon during office hours as follows: Monday to Friday: 8.45 am to 12.30 pm 1.30 pm to 5.15 pm Saturday : 9.00 am to 12 noon End 11. Construction Output for 2nd quarter of 1997 ******************************************* The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed by main contractors amounted to $31.8 billion in the second quarter of 1997, according to the preliminary results of the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output released today (Friday) by the Census and Statistics Department. This represented an increase of 15.4% over the same quarter last year. Based on the provisional estimate, the gross value of construction work, measured at constant (1990) market prices, performed in the second quarter of 1997 increased by 6.2% over the same quarter last year. The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed at private sector sites totalled $13.0 billion, representing a notable increase of 32% over the same quarter last year. When measured at constant (1990) market prices, it was up by 17.8%. The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed at public sector sites amounted to $10.9 billion, representing a slight decrease of 2.3% over the same quarter last year. When measured at constant (1990) market prices, it was down by 8%. The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed by contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $7.9 billion, 21% higher than in the second quarter of 1996. When measured at constant (1990) market prices, it increased by 12.4%. Work in this category included minor new construction activities and renovation work at erected buildings and structures; and electrical and mechanical fitting work. Analysed by end-use, residential building projects (including commercial and residential composite buildings) accounted for the largest portion of the gross value of construction work performed at construction sites. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects was $8.0 billion, representing a notable increase of 27% over the second quarter of 1996. Transport projects, which included the new airport and related infrastructural projects, represented the second largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects was $6.2 billion, 2.8% lower than in the second quarter of 1996. Commercial building projects constituted the third largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects totalled $4.1 billion, representing a remarkable increase of 42% over the second quarter of 1996. Compared with the first quarter of 1997, the gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed by main contractors in the second quarter of 1997 increased by 0.9%. The gross values of construction work at constant (1990) market prices are derived by deflating the nominal values with appropriate price indices to the price level of 1990. Owing to the widespread sub-contracting practices in the construction industry, a construction establishment can be a main contractor for one contract and a sub- contractor for another contract at the same time. The gross value of construction work performed by main contractors covers only those projects in which the construction establishment takes the role of a main contractor, but not projects in which it takes only the role of a sub-contractor. However, sub-contractors' contribution to projects should have been included in the gross value of construction work performed by main contractors for whom they worked. More detailed statistics on construction output are given in the "Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output, 2nd Quarter 1997". The report is now on sale at $14 per copy at the Government Publications Centre, Ground Floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, or at the Census and Statistics Department Publications Unit, 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Regular subscription may also be arranged. Enquiries about the survey results may be directed to the Building, Construction and Real Estate Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department on 2805 6426. End 12. Children Dance Troupe Performance '97 ************************************* The Central and Western District Children Dance Troupe will give two performances of traditional Chinese dance routine over the weekend in their yearly presentation by its students aged from three to 16 years old. The first show will take place from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm tomorrow (Saturday) and the second from 3 pm to 5 pm on Sunday (October 5) at the Theatre of Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 345 Queen's Road Central. Tickets at $30 each are available at the URBTIX counters. The Central and Western District Children Dance Troupe Performance '97 is organised by the Central and Western District Association for Culture and Arts and co- organised by the Central and Western Provisional District Board and Central and Western District Office with a view to promoting traditional oriental children's dance. The event is jointly sponsored by the Provisional Urban Council, Lions Club of Bayview Hong Kong and Association of the Central and Western District. The Central and Western District Children Dance Troupe was established in 1988 as one of the sub-groups of Central and Western District Association for Culture and Arts to teach youngsters traditional Chinese dance. More than 100 of its students have since achieved outstanding results in various dance competitions. Enquiries on its activities can be made by phone at 2852 3485 and 2852 3499. End 13. Applications to five civil service grades close on Oct 9 ******************************************************** Applicants who are interested to join five civil service grades are urged to submit applications before next Thursday (October 9). Late applications will not be accepted. These grades are Administrative Officer, Executive Officer II, Assistant Labour Officer II, Assistant Trade Officer II and Management Services Officer II. Applications are open to permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region who possess the required degree from a university in Hong Kong (or equivalent qualifications) or who are undergraduates taking their final degree examinations in summer 1998. Applicants are reminded to refer to the recruitment advertisement posted on September 20 and 27 for the entry qualification requirements of each grade and the application procedures. Application forms (G.F.606 and G.F.606A) (Rev 9/97) are available at the District Offices of Home Affairs Department, Local Employment Services of Labour Department and Student Affairs Offices of local universities. Applicants applying for more than one grade are required to fill in only one application form. Applicants can also make on-line applications through the Internet at the Civil Service Bureau Homepage (http://www.hku.hk/hkgcsb). Alternatively, they can also download the necessary application forms from the same site. To streamline the examination and to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the utilization of resources, the structure of the Common Recruitment Examination this year will be revised - the examination will be conducted in two parts in two stages. Details of examination arrangements are set out in the application forms. End 14. Man-made reefs in marine parks for fisheries study ************************************************** The Government will deploy artificial reefs in the marine parks at Yan Chau Tong and Hoi Ha Wan in North District and Tai Po respectively to provide a habitat for the enhancement of marine resources. This is the first large-scale deployment of artificial reefs in the territory. The Agricultural and Fisheries Department will closely monitor the colonisation process of the artificial reefs by fish and other marine life. The works will cover an area of 134,464 square metres of foreshore and sea-bed at the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, and 39,375 square metres at the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. To avoid causing disruption to navigation, the reefs will rise from the sea-bed to no more than five metres from the sea surface along shipping routes. Works in both areas will begin in December for completion in mid-1998. End 15. Roads for maintenance of drainage in Yuen Long ********************************************** The Territory Development Department will build roads along a proposed drainage channel in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, to facilitate maintenance works. The road works will be carried out in connection with the proposed drainage improvement project for the Kam Tin River from Shek Wu Tong to the south of Tai Hong Tsuen. It will also include the construction of footpaths, footbridges and vehicular bridges in Kam Tin South to improve the traffic network in the area. During the construction, some existing tracks and bridges will be closed but alternative access will be maintained and temporary diversion provided. The works are due to begin in September 1999 for completion in March 2002. End 16. Flushing water cut in Central, Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun ********************************************************* Flushing water supply to some premises in Central, Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun will be suspended from 10 pm on Monday (October 6) to 6 am the following day for alteration work on watermains. The suspension will affect all premises in the area bounded by Garden Road, Eastern Street, Upper Albert Road, Caine Road, Bonham Road, Queen's Road Central and Queen's Road West. End
