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120
The question was put.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The motion was carried unanimously.
(2) THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-
"That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1993/94."
He said (in English): This is the most important debate by the Council every year when we review our work in the previous year and consider our way forward for the forthcoming new year.
CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE
1992 will no doubt go down in the history of Hong Kong as a momentous, difficult and perhaps perplexing year on the political front. The controversy arising from Governor Patten's constitutional package, and the lack of consensus between the British and the Chinese Governments, have made Hong Kong people feel uneasy, unsettled and perhaps a little anxious. Insofar as the Council is concerned, we have not let such feelings affect or influence our work. It is at a time like this that the public will probably look even more to our many entertainment, cultural and recreational activities for peace of mind and leisure.
The part in Governor Patten's proposals which causes a great deal of concern to the Council is the abolition of the appointed membership. We have discussed the matter at great length on several occasions, each time the message came out, loud and clear, that the majority view is against the total abolition of all appointed membership.
The Council is a second-tier government structure but we do not act as a politicized body. Our aim is to enrich the quality of life of the Hong Kong community and not to quarrel over political issues. Our work is concerned mainly with people's livelihood. For such matters like public hygiene, recreation and culture, there is no political boundary, affiliation nor goals. In the course of our work, we do require professional input and judgement by our Councillors. As an appointed member myself, it is encouraging to see that whilst we, as appointed members, and being an interested party, have to stay calm and quiet on the proposal, it is mainly our elected colleagues, who have worked closely with us over the years, and who speak strongly and firmly in favour of retaining the appointed seats, at least for the time being. I sincerely hope that Government will give serious consideration to the Council's views on the matter.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
So much on the constitutional side, I shall leave it to the respective Select Committee Chairmen to report on the work concerning their committees. There are, however, a few important developments which I like to highlight and which I cannot let pass without mentioning.
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T
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(A) REDEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG STADIUM
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121
I made mention of the redevelopment of the Hong Kong Stadium in my speech last year. At that time, it was not yet certain whether the management authority of the new stadium would be given back to the Council. I am glad to confirm that the Council will remain the management authority. We shall have a brand new stadium, designed up to international standards in terms of seating capacity, facilities and layout. I can assure you that it will be managed to the highest standard, as a commercial entity, and it will become a centre of attraction for major sporting, cultural and entertainment events. Rugby and soccer fans alike will be able to enjoy, and have some appreciation of the improvements made when the Stadium is partially and temporarily open in March and April this year.
(B) THEME PARK AND LEISURE POOL COMPLEXES
We have always approached the needs of the community for better recreation facilities with concern and innovation. There are plenty of parks and swimming pools in Hong Kong, the conventional design may not live up to the expectation of everyone among our citizens. Some alternative choices with imagination and character which provide a variety of fun are clearly wanted.
For the more adventurous children, I am glad to say that we are building a theme park at Fung Tak Road in Wong Tai Sin. The theme represents selected episodes from the well-known Chinese fable, 'The Adventures of Monkey King' which is known probably to every Chinese. Many of us might have fantasies about the fairyland when we are young. We shall be able to make our dreams come true when visiting it.
For the not so athletic swimmers, particularly children who enjoy playing in water rather than strenuous swimming all the time, their needs have not been neglected. We shall be building two leisure pool complexes, at Jordan Valley and Hammer Hill Road respectively. We do not have a similar complex of this nature in the urban area yet. They should prove to be popular. It is worth mentioning that the total cost of $206 million for the construction of these two complexes was originally thought to be sufficient for constructing one complex only. Through the relentless efforts on the part of our Councillors dedicated to the subject, particularly the Chairman of the Working Group, Mr. Paul YOUNG, and the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, Mr. Ronnie WONG, we have been able to keep down the costs and identify savings enough for building two leisure pool complexes out of the expenses for only one.
(C) LIBRARY AUTOMATION
Development of the mind is as important as development of the body. Those who visit our libraries will find that our manual system is quite out-of-date for a metropolitan city like ours. I am glad to say that they shall soon see improvements. We shall soon embark on a computerized programme for our library services. Services in the future will be quicker and more efficient. There will be no need to carry a number of bulky tickets for borrowing books. People
Page 72 of 126
Page 72 of 126
120
The question was put.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The motion was carried unanimously.
(2) THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-
"That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1993/94.'
He said (in English): This is the most important debate by the Council every year when we review our work in the previous year and consider our way forward for the forthcoming new year.
CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE
1992 will no doubt go down the history of Hong Kong as a momentous, difficult and perhaps perplexing year on the political front. The controversy arising from Governor Patten's constitutional package, and the lack of consensus between the British and the Chinese Governments, have made Hong Kong people felt uneasy, unsettled and perhaps a little anxious. Insofar as the Council is concerned, we have not let such feelings to affect or influence our work. It is at a time like this that the public will probably look even more for our many entertainment, cultural and recreational activities for peace of mind and leisure.
The part in Governor Patten's proposals which causes a great deal of concern to the Council is the abolition of the appointed membership. We have discussed the matter at great length on several occasions, each time the message came out, loud and clear, that the majority view is against the total abolition of all appointed membership.
The Council is a second tier government structure but we do not act as a politicized body. Our aim is to enrich the quality of life of the Hong Kong community and not to quarrel over political issues. Our work is concerned mainly with people's livelihood. For such matters like public hygiene, recreation and culture, there is no political boundary, affiliation nor goals. In the course of our work, we do require professional input and judgement by our Councillors. As an appointed member myself, it is encouraging to see that whilst we, as appointed members, and being an interest party, have to stay calm and quiet to the proposal, it is mainly our elected colleagues, who have worked closely with us over the years, and who speak strongly and firmly in favour aof retaining the appointed seats, at least for the time being. I sincerely hope that Government will give serious consideration to the Council's views on the matter.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
So much on the constitutional side, I shall leave it to the respective Select Committee Chairmen to report on the work concerning their committees. There are, however, a few important developments which I like to highlight and which I cannot let pass without mentioning.
Page 72 of 126
T
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(A) REDEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG STADIUM
Page 72 of 126
121
I made mention of the redevelopment of the Hong Kong Stadium in my speech last year. At that time, it was not yet certain whether management authority of the new stadium would be given back to the Council. I am glad to confirm that the Council will remain the management authority. We shall have a brand new stadium, designed up to international standards in terms of seating capacity, facilities and layout. I can assure you that it will be managed to the highest standard, as a commercial entity, and it will become a centre of attraction for major sporting, cultural and entertainment events. Rugby and soccer fans alike will be able to enjoy, and have some appreciation of the improvements made when the Stadium is partially and temporarily open in March and April this year.
(B) THEME PARK AND LEISURE POOL COMPLEXES
We have always approached the needs of the community for better recreation facilities with concern and innovation. There are plenty of parks and swimming pools in Hong Kong, the conventional design may not live up to the expectation of everyone of our citizens. Some alternative choices with imagination and character which provide a variety of fun are clearly wanted.
For the more adventurous children, I am glad to say that we are building a theme park at Fung Tak Road in Wong Tai Sin. The theme represents selected episodes from the well-known Chinese fable, 'The Adventures of Monkey King' which is known probably to every Chinese. Many of us might have fantasy about the fairyland when we are young. We shall be able to make our dreams come true when visiting it.
For the not so athletic swimmers, particularly children who enjoy playing in water rather than strenuous swimming all the time, their needs have not been neglected. We shall be building two leisure pool complexes, at Jordan Valley and Hammer Hill Road respectively. We do not have similar complex of this nature in the urban area yet. They should prove to be popular. It is worth mentioning that the total cost of $206 million for the construction of these two complexes was originally thought to be sufficient for constructing one complex only. Through the relentless efforts on the part of our Councillors dedicated to the subject, particularly the Chairman of the Working Group, Mr. Paul YOUNG, and the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, Mr. Ronnie WONG, We have been able to keep down the costs and identify savings enough for building two leisure pool complexes out of the expenses for only one.
(C) LIBRARY AUTOMATION
Development of the mind is as important as development of the body. Those who visit our libraries will find that our manual system is quite out-of-date for a metropolitan city like ours. I am glad to say that they shall soon see improvements. We shall soon embark on a computerised programme for our library services. Services in the future will be quicker and more efficient. There will be no need to carry a number of bulky tickets for borrowing books. People
Page 72 of 126
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