XN000022-1996-03-06 — Page 75

- 61 -

"We would be able:

to help the elderly live active and full lives enjoying the dignity and respect that they deserve by, for example, providing more home help services, social centres, residential care and financial assistance;

to improve our health care facilities still further and promote an environment in which each member of the community has better control over his or her own health; and

to promote an integrated education system which enables students at all ages to develop their capabilities to the full and qualify at internationally recognised academic, professional and vocational standards to meet the changing needs of our economy.'

"This is what real growth really means. The actual effect of improving the lives of people: their health, their living conditions, their education, their careers," Mr Tsang said.

"This real growth has been and will remain our most important objective. And the continual improvement in our standard of living and the constant upgrading of our public services will be funded from within Government's share of the additional wealth created. We will not increase that share and compete with the private sector for resources because, as Hong Kong continues with its success story, we will not need to. It is as simple as that."

Mr Tsang said Hong Kong people had much to do to build their prosperous future, and added: "Fortunately, we know what to do, and we know how to do it."

End