Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Friday, March 27, 1998 CONTENTS ======== 1. Transcript of Financial Secretary's media session 2. Financial Secretary speaks on the effect of Asian contagion 3. 84 surplus government quarters on sale 4. Government statement on ATV 5. Hong Kong to host Lions Clubs International Convention 2005 6. Two Senior Counsels appointed 7. Commissioner in US updates Texas businessmen on HK 8. Board established for compensation appeal 9. New regulation to tighten emission standards for diesel vehicles 10. Appointments to the Hong Kong Sports Development Board 11. Alteration of Valuation List and Government Rent Roll 12. Company owner fined $200,000 for involvement of illegal transfer of imported workers 13. Tender for new GMB routes invited 14. Draft Cha Kwo Ling, Yau Tong and Lei Yue Mun OZP amended 15. Draft Pak Shek Kok (East) OZP published 16. Land resumption for new secondary school in Fanling 17. External trade figures for February 1998 18. Registration examinations for pharmacists results announced 19. Water cut in Quarry Bay 1. Transcript of Financial Secretary's media session ************************************************* Following is a transcript of the media session by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, at the Central Government Office this (Friday) afternoon: Reporter: (comment on bank interest rate cut)? Mr Tsang: Well this is entirely a matter for the decision of the Association of Banks. It is of course a welcome move, at least, they have now lowered the interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point. And it could be welcome, indicating they are now more confident about the market situation. They had a rather rough hatch at the end of last year. It seems that they believe that the market is now stabilising and this is welcome. End 2. Financial Secretary speaks on the effect of Asian contagion *********************************************************** The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, said today (Friday) that the effect of the "Asian contagion" on Hong Kong had been painful, but by no means critical, nor chronic. Speaking at the Credit Suisse First Boston "Asian Investment Conference", Mr Tsang stressed that the financial turmoil had given Hong Kong an opportunity to critically assess our "battle conditions". "Yes, GDP growth will slow, but we have a long history of fiscal discipline which means that, despite the downturn, we can still forge ahead with massive spending. "Yes, property prices are down - but prices were too high and are now at a more realistic level. "Yes, tourism is down but that has provided us with the impetus to seek out and develop new markets. "Yes, interest rates are high but we expect them to soften once the turmoil calms down and speculators finally realise they cannot bet against the Hong Kong dollar and win," the Financial Secretary accounted for the effect that the financial turmoil had on Hong Kong. In his address, Mr Tsang gave his first-hand observations of the review of the banking and stock market systems recently conducted by the administration. The review confirmed that Hong Kong's banking system was generally well-regulated and banks well managed. "But we must not be complacent and will need to reinforce our efforts to ensure banks pay special attention to the quality of their assets to limit exposure in those areas affected by interest rate volatility," Mr Tsang said. The Financial Secretary was also satisfied with the regulatory framework of the securities and futures markets. With a view to reducing market volatility as well as providing greater protection to investors and shareholders, Mr Tsang said he was looking at areas such as derivative trading, notably index futures and derivative warrants, as well as borrowing and short- selling stocks. "We are looking at allegations of market manipulation. We are examining how to expand the existing regulatory regime to govern companies dealing with margin financing. "We are also looking at the issue of disclosure and investor education," Mr Tsang supplemented. Mr Tsang emphasised that the review was premised on two very important principles. "First, we must maintain and enhance Hong Kong's role as a major financial centre in the region and internationally. Second, we are determined to defend the linked exchange rate system at the present level of parity," he said. The Financial Secretary was sure that the review report to be unveiled next month would bolster the investing public's confidence in the financial and securities markets. Taking a more marco view of the Asian financial crisis, Mr Tsang observed that while Hong Kong was undeniably part of Asia, its systems were different from those in other countries and these "have protected us from contracting the full-blown financial flu which has swept through the region". "I think, if anything, Hong Kong represents a model of economic management others in Asia are now realising they should try to follow: a free market under the rule of law; a clean government which believes in prudent financial management and in not directing the economy; a well-regulated and well-managed financial sector; a reputation for playing by the rules; openness and accountability," Mr Tsang concluded. End 3. 84 surplus government quarters on sale ************************************** The Government Property Agency (GPA) announced today (Friday) the sale of 84 surplus government quarters by open tender. These include 29 units left over from the previous tender exercise. Of the 84 flats, 67 are located at the following locations: * 46 at 8-10 Caldecott Road; * 8 at Vista Panarama, 15, 17 & 19 Rhondda Road; * 2 at Macdonnell House, 6-8 Macdonnell Road; * 2 at Elm Tree Towers, 8-10 Chun Fai Road, and * 9 at Wilshire Towers, 200 Tin Hau Temple Road. These flats range from 1,843 square feet to 3,096 square feet in size. The basic terms for the sale of these flats will be identical to those in the previous tender exercises. They will go to the highest bidders, subject to reserved prices specified for the individual flats. The sale of these flats will bring the total number of large sized surplus government quarters offered in 1997/98 to 260, as undertaken by the Government. The GPA also disclosed in the same exercise the offer to sell 17 flats at Telford Gardens, 33 Wai Yip Street, on the same basis as the other units. These are smaller flats and they have suffered from occasional blockage of toilets over the past years. The Agency is not prepared to embark on extensive refurbishment to the drainage systems and has made allowance for these defects in the reserved price. Prospective purchasers are invited to inspect these units before submitting their bids. Show flats will be available for viewing from tomorrow (Saturday) while the other flats will be available by appointment. Tenders will close at noon on April 16 (Thursday), 1998. Advertisements on this sale will appear in local newspapers soon. End 4. Government statement on ATV *************************** In the light of the wide media coverage on Asia Television Limited (ATV)'s probable transfer of shareholding in recent days, the Broadcasting, Culture & Sport Bureau issues the following statement today (Friday): (1) Up to date, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has not received any application from ATV. (2) The Government will scrutinize most carefully any applications submitted by a broadcasting licensee and will process any application in full accordance with the provisions of the Television Ordinance, and would strictly adhere to established policies and statutory requirements. (3) Reports about action being taken by Government to amend the Television Ordinance is mistaken, inaccurate and totally without foundation. End 5. Hong Kong to host Lions Clubs International Convention 2005 *********************************************************** The Lions Clubs International (LCI) has selected Hong Kong to host its international convention in 2005 which is expected to attract more than 25,000 delegates from about 185 countries and districts. Both the Government and the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) welcome LCI's decision. The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today (Friday) that the convention would be a city-wide event with the full support of the Government and the entire community. "We shall be proud to be the host of the convention and will work together to make the event an unqualified success," he said. Mr Tung has been very supportive of the bidding. He made an appeal in a video-tape on behalf of Hong Kong as part of the bidding from Hong Kong to the LCI. He also met the representatives of the LCI to lend his support. The Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, said that he was extremely delighted that Hong Kong was selected by LCI as the venue for the convention. "This is a solid vote of confidence to Hong Kong's leading position as an international convention centre." Being also the Chairman of the Hong Kong Bid Advisory Committee of the convention, Mr Ip congratulated all those, and in particular LCI District 303, who had made tremendous efforts in making the bidding a successful one. Mr Ip also commended the HKTA's efforts in bringing large-scale conventions to Hong Kong. "The large number of participants will mean more tourist receipts for Hong Kong. This is a big boost to our tourism development," he said. End 6. Two Senior Counsels appointed ***************************** The Chief Justice, the Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Kwok-nang Li, is pleased to announce today (Friday) the appointment of Mr Alan Kah-kit Leong and Mr David Y Marash as Senior Counsel of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The appointments are made by the Chief Justice under section 31A of the Legal Practice Ordinance. Their appointments will take effect from the date of the Instrument of Appointment which will be executed on the day of the ceremonial proceedings to be held on April 25, 1998 at 9.30 am at the High Court. The biographical notes of the two newly appointed Senior Counsels are as follows: Mr Alan Kah-kit Leong --------------------- Mr Alan Kah-kit Leong, aged 40, was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 1983. His practice is mainly concerned with land law and conveyancing, commercial and business law, contract and personal injuries. Mr Leong currently serves on the Bar Council. He has served the Bar Association's Special Committee on Pupillage and Special Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights. He has also served as the Chairman of the Bar Association's Special Committee on Bilingualism in the Law and the Special Committee on Mandatory Provident Fund. Mr Leong is the Bar's representative on the Chief Justice's Steering Committee on the Use of Chinese in Courts. Mr Daniel Y Marash ------------------ Mr Daniel Y Marash, aged 49, was admitted to practise as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia in 1972 and admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 1990. He worked for the then Attorney General's Chambers between 1975 and 1991 and thereafter engaged in private practice. His practice is mainly in the areas of commercial crime, extradition and insider dealing. End 7. Commissioner in US updates Texas businessmen on HK ************************************************** Hong Kong's political stability, sound economy and dependable currency will continue to provide a measure of certainty in a region now beset by uncertainties, the Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs in USA, Mr Kenneth Pang, told some 100 businessmen in Dallas, Texas, on March 25 (US time). "The Asian financial turmoil is going to take time to work through, but Hong Kong has the resources and determination to ride out the storm. "Hong Kong is not part of the problem, but part of the solution. I have no doubt that Hong Kong will be among the first - if not the first - to rebound," he said. In his keynote speech at a luncheon cum business conference on how to do business in Hong Kong, the Commissioner reassured his audience that Hong Kong would do whatever was necessary to maintain the rock-solid stability of its currency. Mr Pang said the link had provided the basis upon which Hong Kong had come through many international crises and he was confident that Hong Kong had the ability to weather the financial storm. "Our economic and financial fundamentals are strong. We have a sound and well-operated financial monitoring system. We have prudent financial management policies; open and transparent systems; and a clean and efficient administration. "We are free of any foreign debt. We consistently run budget surpluses, not deficits, and have reserves that are sufficient not just to back up our currency seven times over, but allow us to maintain substantial levels of investment in infrastructure, education and other programmes that will strengthen our economy in the years ahead," he said. Noting that the key ingredients of the territory's success story remained firmly rooted in Hong Kong and were guaranteed by the Basic Law, the Commissioner said that it really was "business as usual" after the reunification. "The rule of law continues to prevail and is being upheld; people continues to enjoy the freedoms and rights they enjoyed in the past; there has been no erosion of human rights; public debates remain lively and demonstrations continue to be a natural part of everyday life; the press continues to operate openly and freely; the civil service is the same as it was, and the co- operation with the global and regional partners continues to develop and strengthen." Summing up, Mr Pang said that Hong Kong had made a good start as a Special Administrative Region of China enjoying a high degree of autonomy. "The recent volatility in the financial market has not changed our policy toward maintaining a free, open and transparent economy with sound regulatory controls, underpinned by the rule of law," he stressed. The luncheon was co-hosted by the Hong Kong Association of Northern Texas and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce International Trade Department and the International Small Business Development Centre. The Commissioner was on a three-day visit in Texas where he also called on the Governor, Mr George W Bush, at the State Capital, Austin, and met with some 30 community leaders, entrepreneurs and academics at the University of Texas. He was accompanied by the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Mr Michael Lee. End 8. Board established for compensation appeal ***************************************** The Secretary for Economic Services has appointed an appeal board to handle administrative appeals on compensation arrangements related to the poultry slaughter operation. A government spokesman said that the board, which held its first meeting today (Friday), was set up for all appeals on compensation and financial assistance arrangements from the owners for birds slaughtered, poultry farmers and other directly affected operators in the poultry trade. "Compensation, ex-gratia payments and loans in connection with the slaughter operation are offered on the basis of the eligibility and approval criteria set down by the Finance Committee in January," the spokesman said. "The appeal board, a non-statutory body comprising three members, will consider and give advice to the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries on any appeal against the payment decisions under these approved arrangements." It is chaired by Mr Chan Yiu-chong, a solicitor. The other two members are Mr Kong Tze-wing, an accountant; and Mr Young Tze-kong from the commercial sector. The spokesman noted that the board had discussed the procedures to consider appeal cases at today's meeting. In all cases, loan applicants and aggrieved parties will be interviewed by the board to provide more information. Staff of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department will provide secretarial support to the board. The spokesman pointed out that since mid-January, more than $89 million of compensation and ex-gratia payments had been distributed to verified farmers, wholesalers and retailers. Meanwhile, 211 loan applications have been received, of which 50 applications involving $6.3 million have been granted. He also took the opportunity to remind all farmers, wholesalers and retailers that applications for loans should be handed in not later than April 8 (Wednesday). End 9. New regulation to tighten emission standards for diesel vehicles **************************************************************** The Government today (Friday) gazetted the Commencement Notice for the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) (Amendment) Regulation 1998 which seeks to introduce more stringent emission standards for first registration of diesel private cars and light duty vehicles. A government spokesman said that Schedule 4 of the amendment regulation replaces the current standard on particulate emissions for private diesel cars with that adopted in California, USA. He said that this new standard was so stringent that this amendment would in practice prevent future registration of diesel private cars in Hong Kong. Schedule 5 of the amendment regulation upgrades the current emission standards for diesel vehicles of four tonnes and below, to come in line with the latest European Union emission standards. These new standards will reduce emissions of respirable suspended particulates, and nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from individual diesel vehicles by 55 per cent and 38 per cent respectively. The spokesman said similarly strigent emission standards for diesel vehicles of four tonnes and above had already been applied since April 1, 1997. He added that taxis were excluded from the current exercise in view of the Government's intention to replace the diesel taxi fleet with LPG vehicles as soon as practicable. The new emission standards for private diesel cars will come into effect on April 1,1998 while the new standards for light duty diesel vehicles will be implemented on October 1,1998 in order to allow sufficient lead time for vehicle suppliers to make necessary arrangements. End 10. Appointments to the Hong Kong Sports Development Board ****************************************************** The Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport, Mr Chau Tak-hay, said today (Friday) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr John Hung as Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Development Board for the period April 1, 1998 to March 31, 2000. Current Board Member Mr Billy Kong Churk- hoi is appointed Vice-Chairman for the same period. Also re-appointed as Board members are the following:- Mrs Lai Wei Kit-lin, Minnie Professor Chan Kai-ming Mr Fan Kam-ping Mr Yau Po-wing, David Professor Fu Hoo-kin, Frank Secretary for Home Affairs, with the Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs (Culture and Sport) and the Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs (Recreation and Sport) as his alternates (with effect from the re- structuring of the Broadcasting, Culture and Sport Bureau). In addition, two new members have been appointed to the Board, namely, Mr Wai Kee-shun and Mr Herman Hu Shao- ming. The Chairmen of the Provisional Regional and Urban Councils (or their representatives) will continue to be ex-officio members of the Board. The current Vice-Chairman, Mr Timothy Fok Tsun-ting will continue to sit on the Board in his ex-officio capacity as President of the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong. The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Professor Chan Kai-ming as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Management Committee. The appointment will be for the period April 1, 1998 to March 31, 2000. "In making these appointments to the Hong Kong Sports Development Board, our aim is to maintain a wide cross- section of representation from the sports community while retaining a good measure of business and professional expertise on the Board," Mr Chau said. Mr Chau stressed that the ex-officio members on the Board will continue to act as an essential link between the Board and the organizations which they represent. End 11. Alteration of Valuation List and Government Rent Roll ***************************************************** The Rating and Valuation Department today (Friday) published notices in the Gazette to inform the public of the period for lodging proposal for alteration of the Valuation List and the Government Rent Roll. Members of the public who wish to make a proposal to alter the rateable value of their property from April 1, 1998 may do so within the months of April and May this year. Forms for this purpose (Form R20A) may be obtained from the department on the 23rd Floor, Hennessy Centre, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; as well as the District Offices of the Home Affairs Department. If a property is subject to both rates and government rent based on the same rateable value, a proposal to alter the rateable value should be made under the Rating Ordinance. Any changes to the rateable value as a result of the proposal will apply to both rates and government rent. A spokesman for the department emphasized that proposals should be lodged with the department within the months of April and May. "They cannot be accepted as valid if served before April 1 or after May 31. They can be lodged by post or by hand, but transmission by facsimile machine is not acceptable," the spokesman said. He pointed out that the rates percentage charge for the financial year 1998/99 would be reduced from five per cent to 4.5 per cent and the Rates Relief Scheme would continue to limit rates increases in 1998/99 to 20 per cent of the amount payable in the preceding year. "Notwithstanding the lodging of a proposal, ratepayers and rentpayers must pay rates and government rent by the due date," the spokesman said. "The Department will carefully consider all proposals and notify the proposers of its decisions on the proposals before September 1. Any changes in rates or government rent payable resulting from such decisions will date back to April 1, 1998 and any necessary adjustment to the rates and/or government rent will be made in subsequent demands," he added. For further enquiries, please call the Department on 2805 7666. End 12. Company owner fined $200,000 for involvement of illegal transfer of imported workers ************************************************************************************ The maximum fine sentence was imposed to a company owner who employed four imported workers of another company to work in his engineering company, an Immigration Department spokesperson said today (Friday). The 52-year-old male defendant was convicted of four counts of aiding and abetting of breach of condition of stay. He was sentenced on, each of the four charges, to a fine of $50,000, the maximum fine that a magistrate is empowered to impose in this offence, making a total of $200,000. His six months' jailed sentence was suspended for two years. Investigation revealed that these four male mainlanders first came Hong Kong on August 4, 1996. They were allowed to stay here for six months to work under the Importation of Labour Scheme for the principal contractor of a railway project. The defendant, being a sub- contractor and sole proprietor of an engineering company, transferred the workers to work in his company. "Contract workers are only permitted to work for their specific employers under an approved employment contract. Persons who breach their condition of stay are liable to prosecution and upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for two years. Aider and abettor are also liable to prosecution and received to the same penalty," the spokesperson said. End 13. Tender for new GMB routes invited ********************************* The Transport Department today (Friday) invites applications for the operation of 19 new green minibus (GMB) routes to strengthen services in the territory. Speaking on the tender, a spokesman for the department said: "The new packages include five routes for operating on Hong Kong Island, nine in Kowloon and five in the New Territories." Application must be made on appropriate application form entitled "Application for Passenger Service Licence in Respect of the Packages of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Routes Gazetted in March 1998". The application form can be obtained free of charge on request from the following government offices: * Transport Department Headquarters, 41th floor, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; * Kowloon and New Territories Regional Offices, Transport Department, 7th floor, Mongkok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Kowloon; * Hong Kong Licensing Office, 3rd floor, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong; * Kowloon Licensing Office, 9th floor, Park-in Commercial Centre, 56 Dundas Street, Kowloon; * Kwun Tong Licensing Office, 5th floor, Kowloon East Government Offices, 12 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kowloon; and * Sha Tin Licensing Office, 5th floor, Citylink Plaza, Sha Tin Station, Sha Tin, New Territories. A completed application form must be sealed in a plain white envelope marked with the tender reference. It must be placed in the Transport Department Tender Box situated at 41st floor, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong before noon on April 24, 1998. The spokesman noted that applications by any other means or late submissions will not be considered. "Applications will be processed and new routes are expected to be introduced in seven to eight months' time," the spokesman said. A selection board comprising an unofficial member of the Transport Advisory Committee, officials from the Transport Department and representatives from other government departments including Independent Commission Against Corruption and Transport Bureau will be formed. Successful tenderer will be selected on the basis of the established criteria laid down by the board. These criteria include: * experience of the applicant in transport service; * percentage of the fleet owned by the applicant; * quality of these vehicles including their age, their vehicle examination records, availability of facilities for the disabled and the provision of vehicle replacement plan; * Provision of occupational retirement schemes for drivers; * training programme for drivers; * financial resources of the applicants; and * provision of passenger facilities such as passenger hotline, passenger information and shelter. The spokesman reminded applicants to read carefully the guidance notes provided before completing the application form and to observe the deadline. End 14. Draft Cha Kwo Ling, Yau Tong and Lei Yue Mun OZP amended ******************************************************** The Town Planning Board today (Friday) announced several amendments to the draft Cha Kwo Ling, Yau Tong and Lei Yue Mun Outline Zoning Plan. One of the amendments involves the rezoning of a 0.93 hectare site near the junction of Lei Yue Mun Road and Yau Tong Road from "Open Space" to "Government, Institution or Community" ("GIC") to facilitate the reprovisioning of St. Antonius Primary School. The existing school site, located to the east of Yau Tong Road, is affected by the proposed Mass Transit Railway Yau Tong Station to be constructed as part of the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension project. Meanwhile, three other sites are rezoned from "Open Space" and "Road" to "Government, Institution or Community" to reflect the existing and planned land uses. They are the Lam Tin Ambulance Depot site (about 0.17 hectare) near the junction of Lei Yue Mun Road and Eastern Harbour Crossing Approach Road, a primary school under construction (about 0.61 hectare) to the south of Hong Pak Court at Pik Wan Road, and a proposed primary electricity substation site (about 0.19 hectare) at Cha Kwo Ling Road near Kwun Tong Law Courts. The remaining amendments, involving about 1.45 hectares of land relate to boundary adjustments of some zones to reflect the current road alignments and developments. The amendment plan (No. S/K15/8) is available for public inspection until April 17 during office hours at: * Planning Department, 15th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road; * Kowloon District Planning Office, 14th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road; and * Kwun Tong District Office, ground floor, Kwun Tong District Branch Offices Building, Tung Yan Street. Copies of the plan are available for sale at the Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, 23rd floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, and the Kowloon Map Sale Office, ground floor, 382 Nathan Road. Any person affected by the amendments may submit written statements of objections to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board, c/o Planning Department before April 17, 1998 on the 15th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road. End 15. Draft Pak Shek Kok (East) OZP published *************************************** The Town Planning Board today (Friday) announced the publication of a new draft Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) for Pak Shek Kok (East) area. "The main purpose of the plan is to provide a broad framework of land use and transport for the development of the Pak Shek Kok (East) area as well as to facilitate the development of the Science Park, Phase I, scheduled to come into operation by 2001/02", a spokesman for the board said. The planning scheme area covers a total area of about 67.3 hectares along the waterfront of Tolo Highway. Most of the land in the area is yet to be reclaimed by public filling. A site of about 24 hectares, or 35.7 per cent of the total land area, at the southern part of the area is zoned "Other Specified Uses (Science Park)" for the development of the Science Park and ancillary facilities such as a business centre, conference room and staff quarters. About 12.5 hectares in the middle of the area, or 18.6 per cent of the total area, are zoned "Recreation" for strategic recreational uses, while another 9.8 hectares, or 14.5 per cent, are zoned "Open Space" for both active and passive recreational activities. About 10.1 hectares, or 15 per cent of the area, are zoned "Residential (Group B)" for medium-density housing development. A total of 2.2 hectares, or three per cent, are zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to meet the needs of the local and district population for such facilities. The remaining 8.7 hectares of land, or 13 per cent, are reserved for the development of major roads. The draft plan (No. S/PSK/1) is available for public inspection until May 27 during office hours at: * Planning Department 15th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road; * Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, ground floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 6 Tung Lo Wan Hill Road; * Tai Po District Office, Tai Po Government Offices, Ting Kok Road; and * Sha Tin District Office, 6th floor, City Link Plaza, Sha Tin Station Circuit. Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, 23rd floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road and the Kowloon Map Sale Office, ground floor, 382 Nathan Road, Kowloon. Any person affected by the draft plan may submit written statements of objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board, c/o Planning Department before May 27, 1998 on the 15th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road. End 16. Land resumption for new secondary school in Fanling *************************************************** The Government will resume about 1,881 square metres of land in Fanling for the construction of a secondary school. A spokesman for the Lands Department said today (Friday) the area involved seven agricultural lots in Area 40 near Wah Ming Road opposite Yan Shing Court. He said the new school would increase the number of secondary school places in the North District by about 1,200 when it is completed in late 2000. Adopting the latest design, the school will comprise 30 classrooms, 16 special rooms, a library, an assembly hall and a multi-purpose area. The construction works are scheduled to commence in February next year. End 17. External trade figures for February 1998 **************************************** In February 1998, the value of Hong Kong's imports increased over a year earlier. The value of re-exports was little changed from a year earlier, while that of domestic exports registered a year-on-year decrease. These are some of the external trade figures for February 1998 released today (Friday) by the Census and Statistics Department. The value of total exports (comprising re-exports and domestic exports) in February 1998 decreased by 1.2% over a year earlier to $88 billion. Within this total, the value of re-exports decreased marginally by 0.1% to $76.4 billion, while the value of domestic exports decreased by 8.2% to $11.6 billion. The value of imports increased by 4.4% over a year earlier to $106.8 billion in February 1998. Taking the first two months of 1998 together, the value of total exports dropped by 2.9% over the same period last year. Within this total, the value of re- exports decreased by 1.7%, while the value of domestic exports decreased by 10%. The value of imports registered a decrease of 6%. Over the same period, a visible trade deficit of $17.6 billion, equivalent to 8% of the value of imports, was recorded. This was smaller than the deficit of $25.6 billion, equivalent to 11% of the value of imports, recorded in the first two months of 1997. A Government Secretariat spokesman commented that export performance in the first two months of 1998 was generally moderate. Exports to the mainland of China, the United States and the United Kingdom should have increased further. On the other hand, exports to Japan should have remained sluggish. Exports to the other East Asian economies should have weakened further, affected by the financial turmoil in the region since the latter part of last year. The spokesman also noted that the visible trade deficit narrowed in the first two months of 1998 when compared with the same period last year, as the value of imports showed a larger decline than that of exports. A more detailed analysis of Hong Kong's external trade for February 1998, by commodity and country/territory, will be released in mid-April 1998. End 18. Registration examinations for pharmacists results announced *********************************************************** The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong announced today (Friday) results of the registration examinations for pharmacists held in December 1997. A total of 49, 46 and 57 candidates sat for the examinations in "Pharmacy Legislation in Hong Kong", "Pharmacy Practice" and "Pharmacology" respectively with corresponding passing rates of 53.1 per cent, 39.1 per cent and 50.9 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 19. Water cut in Quarry Bay *********************** Fresh water supply to some premises in Quarry Bay will be suspended from 11 pm on March 30 (Monday) to 6 am the following day for waste detection work on watermains. The suspension will affect the following: * 1063-1065 (odd nos) and 986-1094 (even nos) King's Road; * premises on Mount Parker Road, Yau Man Street, Shipyard Lane, Greig Road, Quarry Bay Street and Greig Crescent. End
