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"It is the combination of strong economic growth, high rewards and low taxation taken together with the stability provided by a healthy, well-educated and contented workforce which creates the magnet that Hong Kong represents for businessmen the world over," she said.
"I believe that it is our job to provide good government, a sound legal system, comprehensive physical and social infrastructure, and a business friendly environment.
"As Hong Kong becomes more affluent, it is only natural that our people should ask for more to be spent to improve the quality of life here.
"And it is only right that the Government should respond by putting more money into health, welfare and education," she said.
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The investment in social structure serves to demonstrate that Hong Kong is a caring community, she added.
On investment on the health side, Mrs Chan said funding for health in 1994/95 had increased by about seven per cent to $17 billion over the year before; land had been given for a Hong Kong-Canadian joint venture to build a hospital; four more new public hospitals would be built in the New Territories at $4.8 billion which would provide an extra 2,700 beds by 1999 and a new Student Health Service at $18 million would be introduced by the end of this year.
On velfare services, to quote some examples, the Government will put in $37 million in 1995/96 rising to $108 million in 1999-2000 on providing care for the elderly, an additional $190 million in 1995/96, on top of the $909 million this year, will be spent on strengthening support for families; and $100 million extra in 1995/96 will be put in to improve the social security safety net for those who cannot look after themselves.
As for education, a total of $14.7 billion is being spent in 1994/95 to improve the quality of education.
The Chief Secretary added that a working group to look into the direction of international schools would provide more information when it completed its work by the end of May.
End/Friday, January 20, 1995