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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
519
Ms. Ada Wong Ying-kay (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, here comes the Annual Debate again to endorse the Statement of Aims. As I pointed out in the Debates of the past two years, these Statement of Aims are too vague and general without specific targets and priorities, thus making it impossible for us to steer the courses and monitor the implementation effectively. Since the formulation of such statements is meaningless, I will abstain from voting on the motion as in the past.
In my speech at the last Annual Debate, Mr. Chairman, I stressed that I was deeply concerned about the value of existence of the Urban Council itself. I pointed out that no one could guarantee the continued existence of the Council after 1997 nor could it be ensured that its terms of reference, jurisdiction and functions would remain unchanged. I therefore proposed to discuss the role of the Council. Today, I would still like to touch on this issue. How can we justify the continued existence of the Council? This is a question that cannot be evaded since the SAR Government has already started a review on the structures of district organisations. The Council is primarily involved in three areas of services, namely culture, recreation and sports, and public health. However, the Council is not the only service provider in any of these areas. In respect of culture and recreation and sports, other Government departments as well as statutory bodies including the Regional Council, Hong Kong Arts Development Council and Hong Kong Sports Development Board are providing similar services. With regard to public health services, we have to work in harmony and co-operation with other Government departments such as the Department of Health, Environmental Protection Department and Housing Department. Have we done an adequate job in these areas? We are in possession of huge resources and extensive powers to plan, construct and manage a large number of facilities. We are also required to monitor the operation of a 16 000-strong Government department. However, I do not think we have done an adequate job in these areas.
In the construction and planning of facilities, we do not have an overall strategy and a macroscopic perspective. Our performance is poor in respect of both hardware and software. Being a city baptized by both the Chinese and Western cultures and endowed with geographic advantages, Hong Kong has very good conditions to become the cultural and sports exchange centre of Asia as well as a more attractive tourist resort. The planning of major cultural facilities is vital to all cities. Sites are being reserved in the town development plans of various cities for the construction of these facilities. For example, Singapore has a new cultural centre along its river bank, Shanghai has ten major cultural developments and London has a plan to redevelop the south bank cultural centre alongside the River Thames. These facilities not only enhance the cities' temperament and their function as entertainment and leisure centres, but also help to boost their international images. However, the
Page 524 of 654
Page 524 of 654