1989 — Page 128

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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):—The Debate on the Statement of Aims for 1990-91 which was adjourned from Tuesday will now resume.

MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Entertainment Select Committee, I wish to talk about the work of the Entertainment Select Committee.

### Stadia

Spectacular shows at the Hong Kong Coliseum and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium—the management of which is guided by the Entertainment Select Committee—are attended by mass audiences. During the year 1989, some 400 presentations were held at the two venues drawing a total attendance of 1,800,000.

To promote usage, hirers are always encouraged to organize new events. For example, during the coming Lunar New Year holidays, there will be a 16-day Snow Carnival. The Moscow State Circus is also coming to town in April/May to perform at the Coliseum.

The usage rate next year is estimated to maintain the same level as last year—i.e., 70% for Hong Kong Coliseum and 55% for Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Financially, the two stadia taken together have an overall surplus, thus attaining successfully their Statement of Aims to be self-balanced.

### Entertainment Programmes

During the year, the Council's Entertainment Office organized 360 entertainment programmes of different types throughout the urban areas in parks, playgrounds, community halls, commercial plazas, and civic centres. Most of the programmes were free and were attended by more than 128,000 people. These include a balanced mix of traditional, cultural, modern, popular, and children's programmes. New events such as Hi-Fi concerts and laser disc spectaculars have been added to the variety.

To encourage district participation, programmes are often organized through the Culture and Entertainment Managers on a joint presentation basis at the community art centres and other district venues. A closer link has thus been fostered between the district organizations and the Council working towards a common goal of upgrading the quality of the programmes.

There are also plans to maintain and promote selected Chinese art forms. The highlights in 1989 included the District Cantonese Opera Parade, 1989, which was a continuation of the 1988 inaugural event, and the Restoration and Conservation of Cantonese Opera project 'Joint Investiture of a Prime Minister by the Six War Lords' (*) jointly organized with the Chinese University of Hong Kong with the participation of a large segment of the Hong Kong Cantonese Opera community. Both projects made a great impact on the Cantonese Opera scene.

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### Seasonal and Territory-wide Carnivals

Each year, the Council organizes through the Entertainment Office four major seasonal festivals/carnivals: the Spring Lantern Festival, Summer Fun Festival, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals, and the Christmas Carnival, which are all welcomed by the public. The Council therefore endeavours to organize these projects on an even bigger scale.

The Council also takes an active part in encouraging the districts to organize supporting carnivals for the Spring Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals. In 1988, the Council agreed to increase the subsidy from $7,000 to $10,000 per district for the Spring Lantern Festival, and the Entertainment Select Committee has also agreed at this month's meeting to revise the subsidy from $20,000 to $30,000 per district for the supporting carnivals of Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals, both on a dollar-to-dollar basis.

Other territory-wide projects to which the Council contributes annually include the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival International Races and Lunar New Year Fireworks Display, both of which have become the focal point of public interest during the festive seasons and provided joy and happiness to Hong Kong residents.

On behalf of the Urban Council, I wish to thank the Department for its work during the year.

Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.

(Mr. Ambrose W. S. CHEUNG arrived at 2:34 p.m.)

MRS. ELEANOR LING CHING-MAN (in English):—

### The Urban Council and its Image

Mr. Chairman, in recent months, I have become increasingly concerned about the image of the Urban Council. That is how the Council as a body, and how the organization and services we provide, are known about and are perceived by those for whom, and on behalf of whom, we provide them.

Being relatively green myself, perhaps my own perceptions are not too far removed from the man-in-the-street. Yet, having been a councillor for almost 3 years, I may have the benefit of seeing it from both sides.

Several decisions taken in recent years by the Government have, unfortunately, been perceived to be an erosion of the Council's powers. Let me give some examples.

Whilst the abolition of the Municipal Services Branch finally dispels the misleading impression that the Council's policies emanate from that Secretariat Branch, the setting up of the Sports Development Board is being seen, from the outside at least, as being an attempt to undermine the Council's autonomy.

Likewise, the latest action of Government to place, under the control of the Director of Health, various public health matters, which are funded by this Council.

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