History 447
railway networks are being expanded, and a new international airport has been in operation at Chek Lap Kok since 1998.
Accommodating about 47 per cent of Hong Kong's population, the new towns in the New Territories have eased the pressure on developable land in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island. Current and planned projects continue to spur the economy, creating job opportunities and enhancing the environment for the community.
The development of Hong Kong's economic base has enabled the public sector to increase spending on housing, education, social welfare and health over the years
from $91.1 billion in 1995-96 to an estimated $144.8 billion in 2005-06.
Hong Kong's public housing programme started with an emergency measure to rehouse some 53 000 people made homeless overnight in a squatter fire on Christmas Day 1953. It has developed into a comprehensive programme that encompasses a wide range of rental and home ownership scheme flats with self- contained facilities.
The key objective of the Government's subsidised housing policy is to provide assistance to low-income families who cannot afford private rental accommodation. The Hong Kong Housing Authority's primary responsibility is to build public rental flats to help families in need gain access to adequate and affordable housing and to assist the Government in maintaining the average waiting time for such flats to around three years.
The Government has been investing heavily in education to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in a knowledge-based and globalised economy. Free and compulsory primary and junior secondary education is provided to every student up to the age of 15 years. Senior secondary and tertiary education is also heavily subsidised. It is the Government's policy that no student is deprived of education for lack of financial means.
At present, all Secondary 3 students from public sector schools who are able and willing to continue with their studies may receive subsidised Secondary 4 education or vocational training.
The Government and non-governmental organisations have made major social welfare advances in the past decade, with expenditure increasing from $13.196 billion in 1995-96 to an estimated $34.318 billion in 2005-06. At the same time, social services have developed from providing emergency relief into today's diversified and comprehensive network.
Hong Kong's public and private health care service providers together provide comprehensive health care of a high standard to the community. This is demonstrated by Hong Kong's major health indicators such as life expectancy at birth and infant mortality rate, which are now among the best in the world. Other important factors have been improvements in socio-economic conditions, education, housing, sanitation and nutrition and the introduction of a comprehensive childhood immunisation programme by the Government. With a high polio immunisation rate, coupled with a high level of vigilance, Hong Kong was certified polio-free in 2000.