HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
China, Taiwan or even Singapore present no problem for us. Furthermore, the Chinese Orchestra has also assumed the role of educator in the community by promoting Chinese music in schools and other places. For many years, it has also acted as a good-will ambassador by accompanying central government officials on good-will visits around the world.
The third performing company is the Hong Kong Dance Company. But I regret to say that the seating rate of this performing company has been far from satisfactory in recent years. However, with the concerted effort of all Council Members, we commissioned a new director this year and hope to see some improvement in the situation. During the past year, a number of Members raised their opinions on reforming the performing companies. The question of corporatisation that was raised in 1988 and 1989 was also brought up time and again. But I feel that corporatisation is not our objective; it is only one of the many ways of reform. There are many methods through which we can achieve our objective. First of all, the performing companies must first understand why we need reforms. What objectives do we want to achieve? Does the Government or Urban Council have to continue financing a mainstream drama group with public money? How should the performing companies be managed after the reforms? Should we just provide the money and leave them to operate independently? Or do we want them to function in a transparent environment with good sales and high seating rate? That is why before we carry out any reform, we must first have a clear picture of what these performing companies should be like in future and what our long-term objectives are. Only then can we decide on the method of reform. We should not make changes just because we want to change the present situation. If we do, what good will it do to the vitality and business environment of the performing companies? If we fail to give the matter careful consideration before taking action, the result may be detrimental to the Council. I hope that in future you will come up with more ideas. For example, what should be our future direction in the area of art and literature? Please give us suggestions for a better way.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. SZETO WAH (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the Chief Executive the Honourable TUNG Chee-hwa mentioned in the Policy Address that 'We should take a fresh look at the district organisations, the Municipal Councils and the District Boards, so as to decide for ourselves whether the present structure of local representative government will continue to ensure the efficient and responsive delivery of services to our evolving community. I have asked the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs to consider how to take forward public consultation on this issue.' However, Mr. TUNG has not explained what actually this fresh look is. Neither has he explained what sort of evolution did he imply when he mentioned our 'evolving community'? Didn't somebody talk glibly that there hadn't any change after the handover? As for '... to ensure the
Page 485 of 654
Page 485 of 654
Page 485 of 654
480
Page 485
Page 486