XN000022-1982-07-06 — Page 3

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TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1982

FERTILITY RATE IN HONG KONG DECLINED SHARPLY

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RESULTS OF A STUDY OF THE PAST AND FUTURE TRENDS OF FERTILITY IN HONG KONG WERE RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) IN A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE CONTAINED IN THE APRIL 1982 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS. THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS THE TREND OF FERTILITY FROM 1971 TO THE PRESENT TIME AND PROJECTS IT OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

FERTILITY IN HONG KONG STARTED TO DECLINE AROUND 1963. THE DECLINE BECAME MORE SIGNIFICANT IN THE 1970'S. OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS FERTILITY RATES HAVE DECLINED SHARPLY AT EVERY AGE, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR AGES 35 AND OVER.

SUCH CONTINUED AND SUSTAINED DECLINE IN FERTILITY WAS CLEARLY A RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGES THAT HONG KONG HAD UNDERGONE DURING THE PAST TWO DECADES. THESE CHANGES HELPED TO DEVELOP THE GROWTH OF INDIVIDUAL ASPIRATIONS AND TO CREATE NEW PRESSURES ON REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR. COUPLES GENERALLY TOOK A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIMITING FAMILY SIZE.

WITH PROSPECTS OF A BETTER ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL SITUATION IN HONG KONG, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FERTILITY DECLINE WILL CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE, OVER THE NEXT TWO DECADES IT IS PREDICTED THAT THE FERTILITY RATE WILL DECREASE FURTHER AT EVERY AGE BUT THAT THE RATE OF DECREASE WILL BECOME SLOWER.

THE APRIL 1982 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE HONG KONG PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE.

EXTENSION OF SHUEN WAN CONTROLLED TIP

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THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 32 HECTARES OF SEABED IN ORDER TO EXTEND THE EXISTING SHUEN WAN CONTROLLED TIP IN TAI PO.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN LAST WEEK'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

A NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.

THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA INVOLVED MAY BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING 5/F., GARDEN ROAD OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES OR THE LANDS OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON,

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