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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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By so doing, we can show public housing estate residents that the Urban Council has the responsibility, determination and ability to improve the environment of housing estates jointly with the housing authority and the residents themselves.
Mr. Chairman, these are my remarks.
MR. WEN CHOY-BON (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as the year 1995 ended, there were recently numerous literati's articles in newspapers that looked back on Hong Kong's major cultural events of last year and looked into the year ahead. It was suggested in some of these articles that last year's significant cultural events included the 'Nude Man Poster', the 'New Man Incident' and the 'Penis Exhibition'. I think this is unheard of and ludicrous. How can they be counted as major cultural events? I just don't understand. I hope those 'avant-garde artists' can take into consideration the feeling of the Chinese community of Hong Kong which is largely characterized by Chinese culture and tradition. I was elected to the Urban Council in April last year and became a member of both the Culture Select Committee and the Entertainment Select Committee. During this period, I witnessed the enthusiasm all elected members have for culture. Nearly all of them joined the Culture Select Committee. What a grand event! I guess we are all aware of the importance of culture and art, which are not only for one's enjoyment and the refining of temperament, but can also affect one's ideology. Art and literature are indeed weapons. As one of our colleagues pointed out earlier, MAO Zedong once said that art and literature had a class character. He also had an explanation for this. I think his point is still valid. Art and literature really have class characters. It is very clear which kind of art and literature represents which class of people. Those who disagree with this point are simply blind to the fact.
With the establishment of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council in 1995, a 5-year Strategic Plan was formulated. The Urban Council is set to follow suit and will draw up its own 5-year plan later this year. In this connection, I would like to offer my humble opinion. I have been told by some senior colleagues that in the past, the Council provided entertainment for the general public in the form of street performances. Such performances were well-received. Now we have the modern and magnificent Cultural Centre as well as various district-based civic centres which enable us to enjoy shows in a more comfortable environment. The Urban Council is charged with specific functions such as management of show venues, and the professional performing companies as well as the formulation of long-term policies relating to production and presentation. In addition to keeping up our efforts in management of venues and performing companies in order to provide a better cultural life for the public, we should also support quality local groups by giving them more chances for performance. As far as allocation of resources is concerned, we should strike a balance between avant-garde art and traditional art. Assistance should be given to both, especially in the provision of venues to tide them over the lean years.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
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