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elected body, I think the Urban Council owes such plan to the Hong Kong community.
MR. DANIEL WONG KWOK-TUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the political party I represent is in support of the spirit of Miss Wong's motion. However, I hope that the motive behind the motion has nothing to do with the mentality that the UC would like to be the Big Brother in the field of culture and art. In other words, I hope that this is not a step taken hastily in response to the Hong Kong ADC's 5-year plan which will be announced soon. Over the past years, the UC has never given due consideration to draw up policies to promote culture and art. Though the UC has got vast resources in terms of staff, money and supplies, unfortunately, we have done very little in developing culture and art. We do not have much to be proud of. All along, as far as promotion of art and culture is concerned, we consider we have done our job by organising cultural presentations. I think this eagerness for quick success and instant benefit has never been effective in promoting art and culture. I am afraid that the Arts Festival and the Film Festival that we have been putting much emphasis on their presentation format, have only a limited role to play in the overall promotion of culture and art. To promote culture and art effectively, we must devise our own policy without duplicating others'. In other words, we need to coordinate with the Hong Kong ADC. So that we can make full use of our vast resources for the benefit of the entire community. Apart from coordination, I think we should take note of three other aspects in formulating our policy. First, we need to encourage originality in order to develop a unique culture for Hong Kong. To this end, any administrative interference should be avoided as far as possible. Administrative considerations and bureaucracy should never be allowed to interfere with the freedom of creation. Last week, there was a controversy about a poster of a UC presentation ‘Once a princess, always a Princess’. Though there is no detailed report on the issue at the moment, I hope the UC would take note of any administrative interference which may exist. Due consideration should also be given to the handing over of the film list of the Film Festival to the Chinese authority for reference and examination which may in effect call for administrative interference. We should consider whether this practice is to be abandoned. Secondly, in promoting culture and art, we must work from the grassroots and emphasize education. We should not have the mentality of presenting shows since culture concerns the development of ideology. I think we should start at the bottom. The performing companies under our umbrella are engaged in a lot of extension activities. They do go to the community areas and schools but I think they just go there for the purpose of giving performances. I think the Council should take a positive and active approach in promoting culture and art. I just wonder why Members of our performing companies cannot perform together with the interest groups at schools which I think is a way to have fun with the general public.
Thirdly, I would like to touch on the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China in the near future. We have to admit that Hong Kong has a very different
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