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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Ms. GRACE AU YUK-HAR (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the original motion proposes to examine the relationship between the Council's functions in providing major cultural and sport facilities and activities on the one hand and the development of local tourism on the other. Subsequently we received Mr. Pao Ping-wing's amended motion. The Democratic Party considers that in terms of spirit and feasibility, both motions deserve our consideration and support.
Having read through the texts of the motions, I discover that the emphasis is on the functional aspect. They suggest that the Provisional Urban Council should make some efforts, such as helping out with the promotion of local tourism, thereby bringing benefit to the economy of Hong Kong and at the same time increasing the usage rate of the Council's facilities. I think such a direction is worth consideration. I also consider that if the Provisional Urban Council has the ability and the resources to enable the tourist industry and the departments concerned to promote the economy of Hong Kong and to increase the usage rate of the Council's facilities, this should be done. However, as Mr. PAO has specifically pointed out, the Council must clearly define its objectives and position. Our foremost task is to serve the public and as such, our consideration in respect of cultural, sport and entertainment programmes should be based primarily on the needs and preferences of the public.
If every move of ours was targeted at attracting overseas visitors, the themes of the activities held by us would fail to be comprehensive and be tourist-led, making it impossible for us to fulfil the obligations we should fulfil in holding activities and using the venues.
Mr. Chairman, in the past year, a Five-year Plan was drawn up by the Provisional Urban Council for cultural and recreational services, which should have fully taken into account the points concerned. As for the relationship with the development of tourism, a detailed study might be required as it might have been overlooked in the Five-year Plan. Anyway, as I have pointed out, if the Council has the resources to contribute to the development of tourism, it could certainly be made one of its objectives, but since our Five-year Plan has already clearly defined the Council's position in the future development of cultural and sport activities, we certainly hope that we will get this part of the work satisfactorily done first.
The motion also recommends that detailed information on facilities, exhibitions, programmes and activities be provided to the departments concerned well in advance. The Democratic Party considers this to be feasible because although some of the activities might not be targeted at attracting overseas visitors, they might achieve this effect indirectly, so that visitors in transit or having a brief stay in Hong Kong may have the chance to enjoy our activities or programmes. If the Council could make early arrangements to enable the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) to carry out publicity, it
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