XN000022-1982-10-06 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1982

1

GOVT REMAINS COMMITTED TO HONG KONG'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

*****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TODAY MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY AND FIRM INTENTION IS TO CONTINUE TO INVEST VIGOROUSLY IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE.

AND NO-ONE SHOULD DOUBT THAT, HE SAID IN WINDING UP HIS ANNUAL REVIEW AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.

SIR EDWARD SAID HE DID NOT INTEND TO SPECULATE ON THE CAUSES OF THE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND STOCK MARKETS IN RECENT DAYS.

+ THE CAUSATIVE FACTORS AT WORK, BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC, ARE MANY AND COMPLEX.

+BUT WE HAVE A RESILIENT ECONOMY WHICH ADJUSTS EFFICIENTLY, SOUND GOVERNMENT AND A GROWTH RATE WHICH IS STILL POSITIVE, HE SAID.

THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT OUR POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES REMAIN IMAGINATIVE, AMBITIOUS AND FORWARD LOOKING, AND CITED A RANGE OF AREAS OF CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT.

*

NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING ESTATES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

* THE AGED AND THE DISADVANTAGED WILL BE CARED FOR

WITH A GROWING SENSE OF COMPASSION.

MODERN HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WILL SERVE THE NEED OF THE SICK.

* OUR EXPANDING EDUCATION SYSTEM AT ALL LEVELS WILL EDUCATE MORE OF OUR YOUTH IN THE SKILLS OF THE MODERN WORLD.

* OUR DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT NETWORKS

AND FACILITIES WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.

* MAJOR PUBLIC WORKS WILL IMPROVE AND ENLARGE THE

INFRASTRUCTURE OF THIS TERRITORY.

+ IN PURSUING THESE POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES, AND IN SETTING OUR PRIORITIES, WE SHALL BE PRUDENT IN OUR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR WE MUST NOT LIVE BEYOND OUR MEANS, HE SAID,

/2