1989 — Page 141

268

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

more, similar numbers and examples in other districts may be quoted. These

issues are:-

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Secondly, the Governor, in his address at the opening of the 1989-90 session of the Legislative Council on 11 October 1989, announced, among many other things, the ambitious programme of infra-structure works to give Hong Kong a new modern airport and a large port plus all the necessary transport links and supporting industrial and commercial facilities at an estimated cost of $127 billion. This is the largest project ever undertaken in Hong Kong. Whilst, it is believed that careful considerations have been given by the Government on the extent of the commitment and affordability, I should express my concern that construction of this magnitude could easily cause harmful inflation and over stretching of manpower and that bearing in mind the uncertainties and the unstable environment at present, it remains unknown whether the private sector will be willing to take up a considerable portion of the investment. We must be very realistic and make sure that the commitments should be carefully phased and monitored so that it does not place too great a strain on our economy.

Firstly, the long awaited but controversial closure of the Lai Chi Kok Incinerator later this year has finally received Council's support in light of satisfactory contingency plans arrangement being available to cope with any possible breakdown of the Kowloon Bay Transfer Station.

Secondly, the building of the 'Lai Wan Market' or more well known as the 'Mei Foo Market' has been endorsed by the Council.

Thirdly, a more practical and viable alternative has been devised to tackle the redevelopment of the Sham Shui Po Market.

This satisfactory outcome, I would say, is partly attributable to the more direct communication and better understanding between the Council, the Department and the District Board made possible by the present system. But, in my view, more importantly, it is also because these problems have met with more understanding and sympathetic considerations from my fellow Council colleagues and the Department. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CUC and the VCUC for the strong and inspiring leadership that they have given us all along, and also to thank fellow Council colleagues for their patience and unfailing support. Last but not the least, credits should also go to the Department under the leadership of DUS. Without their thoughtful advice, flexible and compromising approach, the resolving of these problems would simply not have been possible.

With these comments, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.

MR. ALBERT POON SHUN-KWOK (in English):—Mr. Chairman, first of all, I would like to express my views on the Future Political System of Hong Kong.

As we all know, the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir David WILSON, has left for Beijing with a view to persuading China to back plans to speed up the democratic timetable for Hong Kong on the basis of the OMELCO Consensus. Since it would virtually be the last chance for the Governor to meet with the Beijing officials before the Basic Law Drafting Committee Political Sub-group finalizes Hong Kong's post-1997 political structure, I would like to take this opportunity to re-iterate my support on the OMELCO Consensus which calls for one third of the legislature to be directly elected by 1991, and no less than 50% by 1995. There are clear indications that the OMELCO Consensus has received strong support by members of the public, and no doubt it is the Hong Kong people's wishes for Beijing to liberalize the political model in the present draft of the basic law so that the OMELCO Consensus can be implemented without creating a direct conflict with the Basic Law on the question of convergence.

I sincerely hope the visit by the Governor can restore mutual trust between Hong Kong and Beijing officials and re-establish the confidence of the Hong Kong People, as most of them will still have to stay in Hong Kong after 1997.

Thirdly, the addition of 10 members from the Urban District Boards to the Council has broadened the Council's representation and started to build up a good relationship between the Council and the Urban District Boards, and I think it is now time for the Council to look into its present policies with a view to further strengthening such district relations. Mr. Chairman, I believe you would agree with me that the District Board representatives, during the past 9 months, have been able to integrate into the Council gradually and smoothly.

I am impressed by the harmonious working relations between the Council and the Department which under the leadership of the Director of Urban Services has been able to discharge virtually all duties under the instructions of the Council.

On 20 November 1989, the Department submitted a paper to the Administration Select Committee on the Proposed Public Relations Strategy for Urban Council/Urban Services Department, which I endorsed fully.

I have also given my support to the proposed strategy that appropriate approaches should be made to our targets such as the 'grassroots', the 'opinion-leaders', the mass media and the overseas countries. In particular, I further endorsed that action plan should be drawn up and that emphasis should be given to building the Council's corporate image which at present is apparently lacking.

I am very pleased to know that the Department will within the next few months formulate a comprehensive action plan on the subject which upon implementation, I am sure, will enhance the Council's image to the public.

I strongly believe that we should dress ourselves up and market ourselves with smiling faces, before we could get through to the general public that the Urban Council's role is to upgrade the quality of life of urban dwellers towards building a cleaner, greener and better Hong Kong.

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

Tage