HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. FUNG has also represented the Council on the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, the Council for the Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Arts Centre. To all these organizations, he has contributed a lot of his time and effort in the interest of Hong Kong's development.
On behalf not only of the Council but also the people of Hong Kong, may I sincerely thank both Kim CHAM and Lawrence FUNG for the contribution they have both made to the community as a whole, and wish both all the best for the future.
Meanwhile may I welcome into the Council our two newcomers, Mrs. Eleanor LING and Mr. Paul YOUNG, who are with us today in open meeting for the first time and whose initial appointments will run until 31 March 1990.
I am confident that both Eleanor and Paul, with their extensive experience in their own business fields plus the wide-ranging community services they have already involved themselves in, will be able to offer us valuable professional advice as well as many constructive ideas.
This is the Council's first public meeting since its recent major reshuffle when the Chairmanship of five of the 13 Select Committees and the Vice-Chairmanship of 11 of these Select Committees changed hands.
This extensive reshuffle can only be for the good of the Council and its work, and I look forward to yet another year of exciting progress as we as a Council strive to maintain Hong Kong's place as one of the region's most dynamic and progressive cities.
I understand that the Chairman of the Finance Committee will be reporting a modest surplus which means in effect that we can with confidence embark on another year of progress in developing our capital and other projects.
I would like to take this opportunity of welcoming H. E. Sir David WILSON as our new Governor and pledge him Council's support in his difficult and challenging task.
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 March 1987.
QUESTIONS
1. THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in Cantonese):—Although the Urban Council has played a leading role in supporting and promoting Cantonese opera, will it be possible to review what more can be done to give greater support to well-deserving Cantonese opera groups by way of larger performance fees, etc. so that the standards and quality of performance can be further enhanced, bearing in mind that Cantonese opera is quite unique to Hong Kong at the present time?
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MR. LO KING-MAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question concerns the Council's support for Cantonese Opera.
The Council has always attached great importance to promoting Cantonese Opera and does so within its overall objective of providing a balanced cultural presentation programme. The Council's main avenues of support are to promote the appreciation of this art form by presentations of good artistic standards and to provide performance opportunities to Cantonese Opera groups in their pursuit of higher artistic standards.
In offering fees to performing groups, one relevant factor is the standard of the group in question. However in any negotiation on fees, the Council, through its executive the Urban Services Department, is anxious to ensure that public funds are judiciously used. The aim is, therefore, to achieve responsible and reasonable deals which maximize the Council's spending on culture and entertainment.
In 1986/87, the Council spent $1.5 million on presenting a total of 118 Cantonese Opera performances indoors and out, for a total audience of about 115,830. This compares with $1.39 million for 1985/86 for 116 performances and 89,393 audience.
I would like to add that at the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee meeting held this morning, it was agreed that in Autumn there will be a festival organized with the focal point being the local artists. The Cantonese Opera Troupe will be one of the highest subsidized and very richly organized item of the Festival.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary question. In the year 1987/88, how much money will be spent for Cantonese opera and how many performances will be organized indoors and out?
MR. LO KING-MAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as cultural activities are handled by the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee and the Entertainment Select Committee, they are reviewed every month and every year. It is difficult to tell you now how much resources will be spent on Cantonese opera and how many performances will be organized in the coming year. Based on the past figures, I am sure that in the 1987/88, there will be no less than $1.5 million spent towards Cantonese opera and there will be probably much more than that. As regards the number of performances, I do not have the figure. After all, we are aiming at supporting the highest artistic standards. In addition to the more active opera
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. FUNG has also represented the Council on the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, the Council for the Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Arts Centre. To all these organizations, he has contributed a lot of his time and effort in the interest of Hong Kong's development.
On behalf not only of the Council but also the people of Hong Kong, may I sincerely thank both Kim CHAM and Lawrence FUNG for the contribution they have both made to the community as a whole, and wish both all the best for the future.
Meanwhile may I welcome into the Council our two newcomers, Mrs. Eleanor LING and Mr. Paul YoUNG, who are with us today in open meeting for the first time and whose initial appointments will run until 31 March 1990.
I am confident that both Eleanor and Paul, with their extensive experience in their own business fields plus the wide-ranging community services they have already involved themselves in, will be able to offer us valuable professional advice as well as many constructive ideas.
This is the Council's first public meeting since its recent major reshuffle when the Chairmanship of five of the 13 Select Committees and the Vice- Chairmanship of 11 of these Select Committees changed hands.
This extensive reshuffle can only be for the good of the Council and its work, and I look forward to yet another year of exciting progress as we as a Council strive to maintain Hong Kong's place as one of the region's most dynamic and progressive cities.
I understand that the Chairman of the Finance Committee will be reporting a modest surplus which means in effect that we can with confidence embark on another year of progress in developing our capital and other projects.
I would like to take this opportunity of welcoming H. E. Sir David WILSON as our new Governor and pledge him Council's support in his difficult and challenging task.
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 March 1987.
QUESTIONS
1. THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in Cantonese):—Although the Urban Council has played a leading role in supporting and promoting Cantonese opera, will it be possible to review what more can be
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 6 of 185
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done to give greater support to well-deserving Cantonese opera groups by way of larger performance fees, etc. so that the standards and quality of performance can be further enhanced, bearing in mind that Cantonese opera is quite unique to Hong Kong at the present time?
MR. LO KING-MAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question concerns the Council's support for Cantonese Opera.
The Council has always attached great importance to promoting Cantonese Opera and does so within its overall objective of providing a balanced cultural presentation programme. The Council's main avenues of support are to promote the appreciation of this art form by presentations of good artistic standards and to provide performance opportunities to Cantonese Opera groups in their pursuit of higher artistic standards.
In offering fees to performing groups, one relevant factor is the standard of the group in question. However in any negotiation on fees, the Council, through its executive the Urban Services Department, is anxious to ensure that public funds are judiciously used. The aim is, therefore, to achieve responsible and reasonable deals which maximize the Council's spending on culture and entertainment.
In 1986/87, the Council spent $1.5 million on presenting a total of 118 Cantonese Opera performances indoors and out, for a total audience of about 115 830. This compares with $1.39 million for 1985/86 for 116 performances and 89 393 audience.
I would like to add that at the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee meeting held this morning, it was agreed that in Autumn there will be a festival organized with the focal point being the local artists. The Cantonese Opera Troupe will be one of the highest subsidized and very richly organized item of the Festival.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary question. In the year 1987/88, how much money will be spent for Cantonese opera and how many performances will be organized indoors and out?
MR. LO KING-MAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as cultural activities are handled by the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee and the Entertainment Select Committee, they are reviewed every month and every year. It is difficult to tell you now how much resources will be spent on Cantonese opera and how many performances will be organized in the coming year. Based on the past figures, I am sure that in the 1987/88, there will be no less than $1.5 million spent towards Cantonese opera and there will be probably much more than that. As regards the number of performances, I do not have the figure. After all, we are aiming at supporting the highest artistic standards. In addition to the more active opera
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