TNAG-0773-FCO40-977-Redevelopment-of-the-former-Kowloon-Canton-Railway-Station-1978 — Page 49

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exhibit 5

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xii)

xiii)

xiv)

Your Petitioners note with great concern that the Chairman of the Urban Council's Select Committee for Development - whose responsibilities include the commission and approval of plans for Cultural Complex and its relation to the surrounding area - is simultan- eously the General Manager of companies owning much of the real estate adjacent to the KCR building and the proposed Cultural Complex.

The KCR building has a place in the hearts of Hong Kong people as a familiar central landmark and historic gateway to China.

The KCR building is one of the few remaining examples of architecture of its style in the South East Asian region. In terms of Hong Kong's short history it is a historic monument.

xv) With improving living standards and increased expectations,

there is a growing appreciation by Hong Kong people of their cultural heritage as a separate entity to that of mainland China or sovereign Britain, a heritage evolved in a melting pot of east and west, and which we accept with pride.

xvi)

The preservation of the KCR building has social and psycological importance in an urban environment of unusually rapid and traumatic change, in that it contributes to a sense of continuity and stability.

xvii) A continued Government intransigence in this issue endorses

the public's deep-seated cynicism about the Government's intentions of heeding public opinion - even on non-political, cultural, and civic matters. A response to public opinion by the Administration on this issue would do much to dispel this cynicism.

xviii) Recent events in Hong Kong e.g. the explosion of unrest in

the rank and file of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, and the uprooting of an important urban rail-link, are only two examples of the increasing isolation of decision-makers from grassroots' feelings and the apparent lack of concern for these feelings in some areas of the decision-making process.

xix) There is an urgent need in Hong Kong for updating of the

legislation covering the town planning process.

20.

Your Petitioners appreciate the psychological reluctance of officials anywhere to reverse decisions to which they have publicly shown themselves firmly committed. Since sensetivity, not stubbornness, in the face of changed circumstances is one hallmark of good Government. Petitioners trust that the pride of Hong Kong's administrators will not be allowed to outweigh the long-term interests of Hong Kong people.

Your

..to be cont'd.....