Page 162 of 233
284
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman (in Cantonese):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 1984 were confirmed.
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of December 1984.
MOTION
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:---
"THAT this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1985.
He said (in English):-I rise to move the motion standing in my name at this Annual Conventional Debate.
Within a few weeks, we will begin a new Lunar Year the Year of the Ox. The Coming of the Ox in the Lunar New Year calendar symbolizes the coming of Spring, when Nature begins a fresh start to everything.
The symbolic meaning of this oncoming New Year could not be more apt, because in many ways 1985 will be a time of making a fresh start on several fronts in Hong Kong, the most important of which will be a Hong Kong revitalized by the signing of the Joint Declaration in Beijing last month.
We now have a Hong Kong that has a clearer perception where its future lies and that is the future of China with its pragmatic leadership and its one billion people and from a once unclear future we can now face a future of optimism and challenge, of progress and prosperity.
With the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, we have now entered into the 12-year transition period when enlightened British colonialism will have to be progressively replaced by a well-balanced and sturdily structured system of 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong' in keeping with Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity. Hong Kong people will have to be united, and with the support of both the British and Chinese Governments,
Page 163 is not present, continuing with original text
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
285
work hard to ensure that the proper implementation of the terms of the Joint Agreement will continue well into the 21st century.
Running in tandem with the Joint Declaration is the process of democratization of Government upon which the administrative ground-work is already well underway following the publication of the White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government. This process starts this year with the election on March 7th of 237 District Board Councillors to 19 District Boards, and 24 Legislative Councillors in coming September from the Urban Council, Regional Council and District Boards, and the 9 Functional Constituencies. So while political change will move steadily ahead, we must all work closely and patiently together to make sure Hong Kong's economy keeps on expanding and living standards improve for all.
It is furthermore the wish of the people of Hong Kong that there should be optimum consultation on the drafting of the future SAR Basic Law. The drafting process is expected to be completed by the Chinese Government by 1990. I also look forward to the Joint Liaison Group making a positive contribution towards maintaining confidence, prosperity and stability between now and the year 2000.
Within the Council, we will be absorbing the Government's Recreation and Sports activities at the district level, which logically will fit under the umbrella of our long-established Cultural Services Department. This reorganization will be for the betterment not only of overall recreation and sports activities, but for simpler and smoother running of these important fields of activity.
We welcome our new colleagues from the former Recreation and Culture Department and look forward to working with them in a spirit of goodwill and commitment in fulfilling our statutory responsibilities. In the coming year therefore the Council will seek to provide together with the District Boards an even wider range of gainful activities in culture, recreation and sports.
As a result of the Council's fiscal austerity and the Department's persistent efforts to streamline working procedures and improve the cost-effectiveness of its services, a notable change in the establishment of the Department for 1984-85 will be a reduction of 42 posts. The departmental management staff are to be congratulated for their efforts to keep a tight rein on the size of the establishment in spite of increased commitments of the Urban Council by way of various new services/facilities and continuous improved quality of service to the public.
During the year we will be going into a more active phase on the planning of two major projects which will vastly change the cultural dimensions of Hong Kong. I refer to the Cultural Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui and the museum complex at Tsim Sha Tsui East, the realization of both of which in the next few years is now finally assured. These facilities are extremely important to Hong Kong, but at the same time their operating expenses will be considerable. So as not to increase the ratepayers' burden in these and other services, it is essential that
Page 162 of 233
(no more text, page information at the end is not available)
285
Page 162 of 233
284
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman (in Cantonese):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to
order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 1984 were confirmed.
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and
Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of December 1984.
MOTION
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following
motion:---
"THAT this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1985.
He said (in English):-I rise to move the motion standing in my name at this Annual Conventional Debate.
Within a few weeks, we will begin a new Lunar Year the Year of the Ox. The Coming of the Ox in the Lunar New Year calendar symbolizes the coming of Spring, when Nature begins a fresh start to everything.
The symbolic meaning of this oncoming New Year could not be more apt. because in many ways 1985 will be a time of making a fresh start on several fronts in Hong Kong, the most important of which will be a Hong Kong revitalized by the signing of the Joint Declaration in Beijing last month.
We now have a Hong Kong that has a clearer perception where its future lies and that is the future of China with its pragmatic leadership and its one billion people and from a once unclear future we can now face a future of optimism and challenge, of progress and prosperity.
With the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, we have now entered into the 12-year transition period when enlightened British colonialism will have to be progressively replaced by a well-balanced and sturdily structured system of 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong' in keeping with Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity. Hong Kong people will have to be united, and with the support of both the British and Chinese Governments,
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 162 of 233
285
work hard to ensure that the proper implementation of the terms of the Joint Agreement will continue well into the 21st century.
Running in tandem with the Joint Declaration is the process of democrati- zation of Government upon which the administrative ground-work is already well underway following the publication of the White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government. This process starts this year with the election on March 7th of 237 District Board Councillors to 19 District Boards, and 24 Legislative Councillors in coming September from the Urban Council, Regional Council and District Boards, and the 9 Functional Constituencies. So while political change will move steadily ahead, we must all work closely and patiently together to make sure Hong Kong's economy keeps on expanding and living standards improve for all.
It is furthermore the wish of the people of Hong Kong that there should be optimum consultation on the drafting of the future SAR Basic Law. The drafting process is expected to be completed by the Chinese Government by 1990. I also look forward to the Joint Liaison Group making a positive contribution towards maintaining confidence, prosperity and stability between now and the year 2000.
Within the Council, we will be absorbing the Government's Recreation and Sports activities at the district level, which logically will fit under the umbrella of our long-established Cultural Services Department. This reorganization will be for the betterment not only of overall recreation and sports activities, but for simpler and smoother running of these important fields of activity.
We welcome our new colleagues from the former Recreation and Culture Department and look forward to working with them in a spirit of goodwill and commitment in fulfilling our statutory responsibilities. In the coming year therefore the Council will seek to provide together with the District Boards an even wider range of gainful activities in culture, recreation and sports.
As a result of the Council's fiscal austerity and the Department's persistent efforts to streamline working procedures and improve the cost-effectiveness of its services, a noteable change in the establishment of the Department for 1984-85 will be a reduction of 42 posts. The departmental management staff are to be congratulated for their efforts to keep a tight rein on the size of the establishment in spite of increased commitments of the Urban Council by way of various new services/facilities and continuous improved quality of service to the public.
During the year we will be going into a more active phase on the planning of two major projects which will vastly change the cultural dimensions of Hong Kong. I refer to the Cultural Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui and the museum complex at Tsim Sha Tsui East, the realization of both of which in the next few years is now finally assured. These facilities are extremely important to Hong Kong, but at the same time their operating expenses will be considerable. So as not to increase the ratepayers' burden in these and other services, it is essential that
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