XN000022-1985-06-11 — Page 21

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TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1985

+RECENTLY, MR XU MADE THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CAMPAIGN FOR PEOPLE IN MAINLAND CHINA TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HONG KONG AND ITS WAY OF LIFE. THIS IS A VERY CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSAL AND I HOPE THAT THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED WILL IMPLEMENT IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

J

+EQUALLY, HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING FRIENDS AND DOING BUSINESS AS WELL AS PROMOTING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE WITH THE RESIDENTS OF MANY PROVINCES AND CITIES ON MAINLAND CHINA, AND VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE,

+HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE NATURALLY KEEN TO RETAIN THE IR PRESENT LIFESTYLE AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEM, AND OF COURSE TO ADAPT TO CHANGING CONDITIONS ON INTERNATIONAL SCENE. SUCH CHANGES SHOULD BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE SO AS TO IMPROVE AND ENRICH THEIR LIFESTYLE, NOT ONLY MATERIALLY BUT INTELLECTUALLY AND SPIRITUALLY AS WELL.

+AT THE PRESENT TIME, LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD, WE SHOULD DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT CHINA'S MODERNIZATION PROGRAMME AND OPEN DOOR POLICY, IN LINE WITH CHINA'S OWN UNIQUE STYLE OF SOCIALISM, WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY WILL DO MUCH TO RAISE LIVING STANDARDS AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE WHO WILL BE LIVING IN CHINA BY THE END OF CENTURY.+

COUNCIL FULLY CONSULTED ON CULTURAL CENTRE DESIGN

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THE URBAN COUNCIL IS CONSULTED REGULARLY BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT EITHER IN COMMITTEE OR THROUGH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS OF WHICH THE COUNCIL IS THE ULTIMATE USER.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE, MR LAWRENCE FUNG, WHEN REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY MR WALTER SULKE AT THE COUNCIL'S OPEN MEETING TODAY.

MR FUNG TOLD THE MEETING THAT UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLANNING, FINANCING AND CONSTRUCTION OF CIVIC CENTRES, MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES, STADIA, ABATTOIRS CREMATORIA AND CEMETERIES WHICH UPON COMPLETION WILL BE MANAGED AND CONTROLLED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL ON THE OTHER HAND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINANCING OF OTHER PROJECTS LIKE PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.

/BUT WHETHER