XN000022-1986-02-08 — Page 2

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1986

GOVERNOR'S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE 1986

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AT THE ADVENT OF THIS NEW YEAR WE ARE ABOUT TO LEAVE THE YEAR OF THE OX AND ENTER THE YEAR OF THE TIGER, IT IS NATURAL THAT AT SUCH A TIME WE SHOULD LOOK BACK OVER WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT WE SHALL ENDEAVOUR TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE COMING YEAR.

WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU A YEAR AGO | DESCRIBED THE OX AS A STURDY SYMBOL OF OUR DETERMINATION TO MEET THE CHALLENGES WHICH LAY AHEAD. TODAY WE CAN LOOK BACK WITH SOME SATISFACTION ON WHAT THAT DETERMINATION HAS ENABLED US TO ACCOMPLISH.

I LISTED SOME OF THOSE ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE OPENING OF THE PRESENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY INCLUDED:

* THE OPENING OF THE NEW COUNCIL ITSELF;

THE WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND THE LAND COMMISSIONI

* THE IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND OF THE

QUALITY OF EDUCATION;

* THE RECORD PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING;

*

THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL MEDICAL AND SOCIAL FACILITIES; AND

* THE REMARKABLE GROWTH OF OUR NEW TOWNS AND IN PUBLIC

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS.

AS WE LOOK BACK ON THE PAST YEAR WE SHOULD REFLECT ON THESE ACHIEVEMENTS, AND OR HOW FAR WE HAVE COME, RATHER THAN BE DAUWTED BY WHAT HAS YET TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.

AS WE PROCEED ON OUR JOURNEY INTO 1986 WE SHALL STILL NEED TO DRAW ON THOSE QUALITIES WHICH HAVE BROUGHT US THIS FAR. IT WILL REMAIN THE GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE CONDITIONS IN WHICH OUR ECONOMY CAN PROSPER. BECAUSE A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY LIES AT THE HEART OF HONG KONG'S SUCCESS. WE SHALL SEEK FURTHER PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION. WE SHALL MONITOR CAREFULLY THE WORKING OF OUR SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN READINESS FOR THE REVIEW IN 1987. WE SHALL PRESS ON STEADILY WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. ALL THIS IS PART OF OUR CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND TO SECURE FOR THEM A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE FUTURE.

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