XN000022-1997-04-17 — Page 11

Mainland-HK Engineering/Construction Standards Seminar '97

The two-day seminar on Engineering and Construction Standards held in Beijing this week co-organised by China and Hong Kong has provided an excellent forum for people occupying prominent positions in the related trades and professions to meet and exchange ideas, the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang said today (Thursday).

The seminar has enabled both sides to establish and strengthen contacts and provided a foundation for further and more specific exchange in future, said Mr Kwong who had led the Hong Kong party of 73 delegates to Beijing on Monday and Tuesday.

Various counterparts from both sides develop a better understanding of the different practices and standards that exist, acknowledging the different background, particularly in the light of the policy of "one country, two systems" to which they pay regard.

"Many Hong Kong professionals have been anxious about the future direction of standardisation in the Mainland."

"From the seminar and the various occasions on which the issue was discussed, it has been made clear that control and standardisation would be strengthened in order to improve quality of works," he said.

"The building development will be among one of their first areas where more comprehensive standards and specifications will be drawn up under policies being formulated."

Mr Kwong said that during a visit to the Ministry of Construction which co- organised the Seminar, the Vice Minister of Construction, Mr Tan Qinglian told the Hong Kong delegates that control would be strengthened on developers and enterprises in order to improve quality; and to bring about advancement in respect of standards, quantity surveying, marketing and site control.

Mr Tan also expressed an interest in further co-operation, and to find out more about Hong Kong's practices in the areas of construction safety, management and quality control during the visit attended also by representatives from the Hong Kong organisers including the Hong Kong Construction Association, Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.