CONFIDENTIAL
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PLA Conscription Exercise
16.
Traveller said the PLA conscription exercise has begun on Hainan Island. Graduates of senior middle schools are being widely encouraged to enlist in the Army. The concept of 'enlisting in the army is glorious' is deep
rooted in most of the Hainan islanders and as a result many young people arc keen to enlist.
Housing Problems
17.
A staff member of the Housing Management Bureau (sic) in Guangzhou Municipality said housing has been a ser- ious problem for some time. In recent years the Municipal Government has implemented a number of residential projects
but progress has been slow because of the shortage of materi-
als and state funds. Consequently, private estate owners
have been encouraged to renovate existing structures.
18.
Traveller said the Guangzhou City Planning Bureau has devised a development plan which is expected to solve the housing problem within the next ten years. The plan is to build extra storeys on top of existing structures which are in reasonable condition. The Housing Management Bureau will refer dangerous structures to the City Planning Bureau for redevelopment.
19.
Traveller added that housing units for newly-ved couples are limited in supply. Priority is usually given to couples who marry later in life and this has set a precedent amongst the local people.
Shortage of Power
20.
A technician employed by the Huangpu Power Station said that under China's current open policy, a range of industrial enterprises with foreign investments have been established in the Province. The power stations have been unable to keep pace with the rapid development of industry and the electricity supply is insufficient. The Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Electric Power has assigned an electri- city consumption quota to each factory regardless of whether it is state-owned or privately-owned. In areas where the
/electricity
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