XN000022-1996-11-26 — Page 7

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"Over the last ten years, Hong Kong's population has risen from 5.5 million to 6.2 million people. This growth has included many people, currently some 55,000 a year, who come from China and they need help to integrate into Hong Kong society."

He emphasized that it was one of the Hong Kong Government's key objectives to help all households gain access to adequate and affordable housing.

"Our extensive public housing programmes have helped to reduce the number of inadequately housed families by 25 per cent over the last five years and we will continue to make every effort to address this problem and to give full effect to the Covenant in Hong Kong," he added.

Mr Fung also told the Committee that the Hong Kong economy continued to prosper and that Hong Kong was the eighth largest trading economy and the fifth largest banking centre in the world.

During the last decade, the average GDP growth rate was 6.5 per cent, and in 1995, per capita GDP reached US$23,300 and is expected to rise to US$25,100 this

year.

"The Hong Kong Government's approach to the economy is one of minimum executive interference and maximum support.

"Our main role is to provide the necessary infrastructure and a sound, impartial, legal and administrative framework conducive to economic growth and prosperity.

"Most importantly, we make use of the wealth generated to meet the rising standards of public service that the people of Hong Kong expect and require in areas. such as housing, health-care, welfare, education and cultural life," he stressed.

Mr Fung is leading an eight-member Hong Kong team, comprising officers from Housing, Education and Manpower, Health and Welfare, Security, and Home Affairs Branches, at the hearing of the UNCESCR, for the examination of the Third Periodic Report in respect of Hong Kong under Articles 2 to 16 of the ICESCR.

The report, submitted by the British Government on behalf of Hong Kong, covers developments in Hong Kong on a wide range of social issues, including housing, social welfare, education, health and employment.

The Hong Kong team assists the British delegation in answering questions arising from the report by the members of the UNCESCR. The hearing continues tomorrow (Wednesday, Geneva time).

End