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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Indeed, there should be no constraints on the fair and objective expression of opinion on matters of public consequence so long as such an exercise is meant genuinely to enhance the well-being of the people and is pursued with integrity to advance the cause of the territory. For, whether speaking about the Council's many-sided activities or raising a matter outside its jurisdiction, it is surely the common good that must always be everyone's concern.

Demonstrably, the Council is an effective action group for community betterment, first and last. It has a hard-earned reputation for getting things done without fuss. Indeed, by common consent among the fair-minded, it has done well for Hong Kong in its short existence in the present form. Moreover, it holds out the sure promise of much more good to come if all that is now actively planned in a businesslike manner comes true in due time. When the dust settles on this debate, which is not intended incidentally for the yearly diversion of the gallery, but to communicate with the people seriously, the Council must strive even harder to be a practical and powerful factor in the service of common humanity in this ambitious society. For it must keep faith with the mass of the people here in a tangible way. In other words, it should get down to the business of doing good for the com munity in a down-to-earth fashion, come what may. Indeed, this is essentially what pragmatic Hong Kong rightly expects of the Council. Can anyone deny

it with reason?

I so move.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Mr Chairman, the Urban Council fulfils a vital role in the life of the community by keeping the streets clean and ensuring that food offered for sale in markets or restaurants are hygienic. It also attends to the mundane but important tasks of eliminating rats, mosquitoes and other types of health hazards.

It has been said by some tourists that lacking a sense of nationalism, Hong Kong people work hard to make money for security, enjoyment and social status. Perhaps there is some truth in this.

In recent years, Government has introduced many programmes to raise living standards and the quality of life for the middle and lower-income groups. Hong Kong is on the threshold where hunger has abated and people have more time for the nobler pursuits that are supplied by good culture.

This is the field where the Urban Council has been expanding its efforts to make Hong Kong known not only as a global city of industry, tourism and finance, but of culture and the finer things of life as well.

One important responsibility of the Council is the provision of recreation and sports facilities for the 3 million people living in the urban districts.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The Council has about 900 acres of games fields, athletic tracks, play- grounds, and indoor games halls under its control.

Additional facilities will be available when the two large indoor stadia, the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on the Island and the Hung Hom Indoor Stadium in Kowloon, will be completed by Government and handed over to the Urban Council. The Council cooperates with the Government Recreation and Sport Service to promote a wide range of sports in the urban areas. in particular, the Council supports and encourages sports for special groups, such as the physically handicapped.

Cultural Services

Until the completion of the Cultural Complex in Tsim Sha Tsui in the next 3-4 years, the City Hall will continue to be the cultural centre of Hong Kong. The Space Museum in the Cultural Complex is due to be opened some time in the first half of 1980. It will be the most modern and sophisticated in Asia. It will offer much fun and learning to the young and old alike. Besides the provision of facilities for the arts, the Council actively promotes and encourages culture, both in Chinese, Western and Asian art forms. Particular attention is paid to sponsoring and aiding local artists to develop their talents.

Every year, the Urban Council museums service renders a substantial contribution to the presentations of the Hong Kong Arts Festival held in February and the Festival of Asian Arts, usually held at the end of the

year.

Museums of Art and History

The Council's Museum of Art on the upper floors of the City Hall High Block is committed to the concept of extending the cultural horizons of the community.

It has collections of local and contemporary art, and Chinese art and antiquities, intended to reflect the cultural background of the local people and the influences of the South China and South-east Asian regions.

The Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui is devoted to local history and archaeology, and preservation of traditional life-styles of our rapidly changing environment.

The Council is also promoting further cultural exchanges and exhibitions with Museums in Macau and other cities in Asia.

The Lei Cheng Uk Museum has been described as a 'time tunnel', because it brings the viewer back to the Han Dynasty 2,000 years ago. For the sum of 10 Hong Kong cents the visitor sees a genuine Han Tomb and relics from the Tomb. It is a visual reminder of China's ancient history and culture.