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by-products plant is unacceptable. In the course of considering privatization, we have mentioned repeatedly if the abattoirs are to be privatized, the by-product plant will be moved elsewhere. However, under the current circumstances, since there is still a long way to go for privatization, we should deal with the problems at the same time. The by-product plant inside the Kennedy Town Abattoir should be moved at once or closed completely for operation. As the by-product plant is not financially viable to the operation of the Kennedy Town Abattoir and is run in deficit, we must actively examine this particular problem to improve the environment of the residents and to reduce our expenditure.
The third point I want to mention is that over the years, the Urban Council has built quite a lot of parks and sitting-out areas and recreational facilities. Many of these recreational facilities are large and generally welcomed by the public. Since these facilities have been used for many years and because of the old designs many of them need revamping. New play equipments should be added in order to attract better usages and to make them up-to-date. In the coming year, in addition to building new and better parks and recreational facilities we should also take a fresh look at the various old facilities or the less modern facilities in the parks and ensure that these are refurbished and modernized so that more residents would make use of the park facilities and that it would become more popular.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would like to mention one point which has been raised by many Councillors before is the restructuring of the Urban Council. I must clearly express my view that I strongly oppose the Government's intention of doing away with the Urban Councillors' ex-officio seats in the District Board. If this step must be taken by Government, I think we should again argue and fight the case with the Government. If Government were to make the decision unilaterally, at least the elected member ex-officio seats in the District Board should be retained.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—
New Mission of The Urban Council in the field of Culture
Cultural and economic developments are two main pillars of a society's civilization. Economic development enriches man's material life, promotes the prosperity and advancement of a society; cultural construction nourishes our spiritual life while reflecting the collective sentiment of a society. Balanced development of the two is most important to the material and spiritual enjoyment of the society as a whole.
Hong Kong experienced vigorous post-war economic development. Now, it has already developed into a center of industry, commerce, finance and tourism in Asia. During all these years, there has been a constant rise in the standard of material life of our citizens, accompanied, naturally, by a corresponding
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anticipated increase in cultural activities from society. All these years, Hong Kong has hurried its pace in cultural construction. Construction work of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Phase II, which is situated in Tsim Sha Tsui and provides facilities like a Concert Hall, a Grand Theatre, a Studio and an Arts Library has been stepped up. Maintenance work will also be conducted within a short time to improve the City Hall. In organizing cultural activities, the Urban Council is also working towards the goals of diversification and high quality. Despite all these, cultural construction in Hong Kong is still behind the pace of our economic development. The utilization of resources, the fostering of performing and visual art groups, the training of talents, the building up of audience and the formulation of a long term policy in culture are all inadequate to reflect the cultural look which Hong Kong is assumed to possess as a cosmopolitan city. The building up of culture is a tough, progressive and long term task. I am going to talk about the role the Urban Council can play in this respect as well as the issues which demand immediate attention.
The Urban Council's Role in building up Culture
As one of the main institutions of cultural construction in Hong Kong, the Urban Council is having great commitments towards culture. If we evaluate the merits and demerits of the Urban Council in cultural contribution in performing our relevant duties as stated in Section 25 of the Urban Council Ordinance, i.e., in respects of the provision and management of cultural venues and facilities and the promotion, sponsorship and planning of cultural activities, it is obvious that the work done by the Council is worth the appreciation of you all as well as every citizen. It is because the cultural venues and facilities provided by the Council today have reached international standard in both quantity and quality. The City Hall established by the Urban Council 25 years ago still stands as the hub of cultural life in Hong Kong. 'A celebration of Hong Kong Artists' has been held just now to mark the Silver Jubilee of the City Hall. All the work, from creation to actual performance were done by excellent local artists--a confirmation of the City Hall's consistent goal of fostering local art.
As to the provision of cultural activities, the Urban Council organizes highly diversified programmes through its three professional performing companies, i.e. Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Dance Company and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Joint efforts have also been made with other bodies like Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, City Contemporary Dance Company, Hong Kong Arts Festival Society Ltd. and Hong Kong Fringe Club. Local and overseas artists are invited to attend the Festival of Asian Arts, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and other important art events held on frequent or annual basis for the purpose of exchange of ideas. The Urban Council's contribution in planning and promoting these activities cannot be denied.
Tasks to be urgently completed by the Council in respect of Cultural Construction Despite so much we have done as mentioned above, we still have to continue to
Page 148 of 185
Page 148 of 185
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by-products plant is unacceptable. In the course of considering privatization, we have mentioned repeatedly if the abattoirs are to be privatized, the by-product plant will be moved elsewhere. However, under the current circumstances, since there is still a long way to go for privatization, we should deal with the problems at the same time. The by-product plant inside the Kennedy Town Abattoir should be moved at once or closed completely for operation. As the by-product plant is not financially viable to the operation of the Kennedy Town Abattoir and is run in deficit, we must actively examine this particular problem to improve the environment of the residents and to reduce our expenditure.
The third point I want to mention is that over the years, the Urban Council has built quite a lot of parks and sitting-out areas and recreational facilities. Many of these recreational facilities are large and generally welcomed by the public. Since these facilities have been used for many years and because of the old designs many of them need revamping. New play equipments should be added in order to attract better usages and to make them up-to-date. In the coming year, in addition to building new and better parks and recreational facilities we should also take a fresh look at the various old facilities or the less modern facilities in the parks and ensure that these are refurbished and modernized so that more residents would make use of the park facilities and that it would become more popular.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would like to mention one point which has been raised by many Councillors before is the restructuring of the Urban Council. I must clearly express my view that I strongly oppose the Government's intention of doing away with the Urban Councillors' ex-officio seats in the District Board. If this step must be taken by Government, I think we should again argue and fight the case with the Government. If Government were to make the decision unilaterally, at least the elected member ex-officio seats in the District Board should be retained.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—
New Mission of The Urban Council in the field of Culture
Cultural and economic developments are two main pillars of a society's civilization. Economic development enriches man's material life, promotes the prosperity and advancement of a society; cultural construction nourishes our spiritual life while reflecting the collective sentiment of a society. Balanced development of the two is most important to the material and spiritual enjoyment of the society as a whole.
Hong Kong experienced vigorous post-war economic development. Now, it has already developed into a center of industry, commerce, finance and tourism in Asia. During all these years, there has been a constant rise in the standard of material life of our citizens, accompanied, naturally, by a corresponding
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 148 of 185
287
anticipated increase in cultural activities from society. All these years, Hong Kong has hurried its pace in cultural construction. Construction work of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Phase II, which is situated in Tsim Sha Tsui and provides facilities like a Concert Hall, a Grand Theatre, a Studio and an Arts Library has been stepped up. Maintenance work will also be conducted within a short time to improve the City Hall. In organizing cultural activities, the Urban Council is also working towards the goals of diversification and high quality. Despite all these, cultural construction in Hong Kong is still behind the pace of our economic development. The utilization of resources, the fostering of performing and visual art groups, the training of talents, the building up of audience and the formulation of a long term policy in culture are all inadequate to reflect the cultural look which Hong Kong is assumed to possess as a cosmopolitan city. The building up of culture is a tough, progressive and long term task. I am going to talk about the role the Urban Council can play in this respect as well as the issues which demand immediate attention.
The Urban Council's Role in building up Culture
As one of the main institutions of cultural construction in Hong Kong, the Urban Council is having great commitments towards culture. If we evaluate the merits and demerits of the Urban Council in cultural contribution in performing our relevant duties as stated in Section 25 of the Urban Council Ordinance, i.e., in respects of the provision and management of cultural venues and facilities and the promotion, sponsorship and planning of cultural activities, it is obvious that the work done by the Council is worth the appreciation of you all as well as every citizen. It is because the cultural venues and facilities provided by the Council today have reached international standard in both quantity and quality. The City Hall established by the Urban Council 25 years ago still stands as the hub of cultural life in Hong Kong. 'A celebration of Hong Kong Artists' has been held just now to mark the Silver Jubilee of the City Hall. All the work, from creation to actual performance were done by excellent local artists--a confirmation of the City Hall's consistent goal of fostering local art.
As to the provision of cultural activities, the Urban Council organizes highly diversified programmes through its three professional performing companies, i.e. Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Dance Company and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Joint efforts have also been made with other bodies like Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, City Contemporary Dance Company, Hong Kong Arts Festival Society Ltd. and Hong Kong Fringe Club. Local and overseas artists are invited to attend the Festival of Asian Arts, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and other important art events held on frequent or annual basis for the purpose of exchange of ideas. The Urban Council's contribution in planning and promoting these activities cannot be denied.
Tasks to be urgently completed by the Council in respect of Cultural Construction Despite so much we have done as mentioned above, we still have to continue to
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