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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
As for the exhibition on national treasures mentioned by Ms. Ada WONG just now, as far as I know, although the HKTA was not informed of this well in advance, the Department did try its best in tendering an early notice. The HKTA on its part did two things. Firstly, it had some admission tickets printed (with our prior approval) for distribution to visitors to attract them. It also prepared some leaflets in Japanese for distribution to Japanese visitors.
As for venue booking, as far as I know, the Urban Services Department has accepted in advance the HKTA's application for a venue for the annual conference of the International Lions Clubs in 2005.
In a number of the areas mentioned by Ms. Ada WONG, contacts have been maintained by the Council with the above organizations. I need to point out here that while it is our duty to assist these organizations in doing their work, we must not forget that this is not our primary duty. The primary duty of the Council is to provide municipal services to the people of Hong Kong and improve their quality of living. I am not saying that it is not our duty to assist these organizations or the SAR Government in holding activities, but we need to know that the primary responsibility does not rest with us.
There are some points in Ms. Ada Wong's original motion which are quite misleading, particularly the sentence of 'actively liaise with and assist the Government and the HKTA... to help develop the local tourist industry...' As one reads on, one might be misled that such is the Council's primary duty. This would bring about difficulties and give the Council an unnecessary burden, turning its complementary role into a leading one.
Mr. Chairman, the second reason for amending Ms. Ada Wong's motion is that I consider the Council's present role in assisting these organizations should be a complementary one.
Precisely because of its importance, the development of local tourism should primarily be the duty of the SAR Government rather than that of the Council, whose major concern is to complement. As far as I know, the SAR Government set up an inter-departmental working group at the end of last year, on which the Urban Services Department too is represented. Its duty is to examine the various kinds of work, including the way in which the Council may complement the Government on the promotion of tourism with its services. This is exactly what the Council should do. Our job is not to plan on our own but to complement actively.
There is another point I wish to make. As the original motion is not clearly worded, if it was carried, it would be unfair to Ms. Ada WONG. The original motion only mentions the HKTA, whereas as I pointed out just now, if we were to contribute to the development of the territory in the overall terms or be responsible for it, our target should not be limited to the HKTA. I have therefore incorporated in my amended motion that complementary support should also be given to the SAR Government and organizations such as the
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