Page 74 of 132
150
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In line with the Computerization Project, a reader re-registration exercise will be conducted to issue to readers new library cards with a unique bar-code number to replace the ones currently in use. The exercise will initially be implemented in 9 libraries from January to June 1994, to be followed by the others later. Urban Councillors will be invited to register as library readers and to receive the new library cards in order to set a good example to the community.
Training courses covering cataloguing, Chinese input method, reader registration, computer operation and general management have been organized for library staff to facilitate the provision of a more efficient computerised library service to the public. If everything goes well, all Urban Council libraries will be computerised in May 1995.
Mr. Chairman, another thing worth mentioning is the marked enhancement of public library service. According to the findings of the Second Benchmark Survey on Public perception of the Council's work and image, conducted by SRH in July 1992 as commissioned by the Council, public awareness and usage of library service increased from 78% and 36% in 1990 to 91% and 41% in 1992 respectively while the satisfaction rating rose from 77% to 84%. Such remarkable ratings are, certainly, the result of strenuous efforts by our library staff in improving and enhancing library services. I, therefore, as Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of them.
Mr. Chairman, 1994 is the United Nations International Year of the Family. For thousands of years, traditional Chinese ethics puts special emphasis on the relationship between managing a family and ruling a country. A good family, a healthy society and a strong country are interrelated, and he who spares no effort in serving the community and his fatherland must invariably come from a good family. Should the Hong Kong Government really care for its people and is concerned for their livelihood, it should respond positively to the International Year of the Family by working more for the welfare of its people, refraining from being obstinate and uncompromising over the issue of political system and putting a stop to irrational actions in complete disregard for the well-being of all Hong Kong families. With the social changes in recent years and the forthcoming transfer of sovereignty, local families have to encounter many unprecedented problems such as 'astronaut families', China 'off-shore workshops' (to take advantage of business trips to China to have secret residence with one's mistress), separation and divorce, single-parent families, juvenile delinquency, student suicides and deserted elderly, etc.. It is hoped that the Hong Kong Government will 'drop the butcher's knife' (relinguish vice) immediately, stop the controversy over the political system and strive to do more good for its people in this International Year of the Family. In the meantime, the Urban Council should also support the International Year of the Family by formulating new policies and designing new activities in relation to environmental protection and cleanliness, classified disposal of refuse, market
Page 74 of 132
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
going, restaurant hygiene, culture, entertainment and recreation as well as libraries and museums in the hope of fostering a healthy and happy family life.
Mr. Chairman, I was a member of the Urban Council Delegation that visited Beijing from 13 to 17 October 1993 when we met Mr. QIAN Qichen, Vice Premier of the Chinese State Council and Chinese Foreign Minister; Mr. Lu Ping, the Director of the Chinese State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Mr. WANG Han-bin, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and Mr. CHEN Xitong, the Party Secretary of Beijing Municipality. The message I got was that:
(1) China had no fear for opposition and suppression from Britain and the United States; it would proceed with its open door and reform policy to promote economy so that China would become prosperous and strong; (2) Since 1989, Britain had been taking an uncooperative attitude, marring its relationship with China; yet China could and would maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong after the territory was reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997;
(3)
(4) The service provided to the Hong Kong people by the Urban Council was commendable;
China disapproved of the abolition of appointed seats on the municipal councils and district boards all at one go. A gradual approach should be adopted;
(5) In the absence of an agreement, if the British Hong Kong Government unilaterally proceeded with its political reform package which deviated from the three accords, the three-tier political structure would be disbanded in 1997;
(6) If Mr. PATTEN stuck to his colours and acted wilfully, the Hong Kong Government would become not only a lame duck but also a legless duck, which in turn would hinder the progress of major projects straddling 1997 such as the construction of the new airport, and hamper Britain's economic interests in China and Hong Kong.
As a matter of fact, the composition of the first to fourth legislative councils of the future Special Administrative Region has been stipulated in the Basic Law, which prescribes that the term of office of the first legislative council shall be two years. The original intention is for those sitting on the legislative council in 1995 to serve beyond 1997. The political reform package now put forward by the British simply does not dovetail the proposal laid down in the Basic Law and will render serving Legco members unable to ride the through train and is therefore contravening the Basic Law. It was the British side who came up with the political reform proposals without consulting China in the first instance. Therefore, to table the proposals before the Legco for enactment in the absence of any Sino-British agreement and without the blessing of China is a violation of the Joint Declaration. If the political row results in aggravating Sino-British relationship, impairing Hong Kong's economy, harming Hong Kong people's interests and depriving the territory of a smooth transition, Britain is to blame.
Page 74 of 132
151
'Page 74 of 132
150
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In line with the Computerization Project, a reader re-registration exercise will be conducted to issue to readers new library cards with a unique bar-code number to replace the ones currently in use. The exercise will initially be implemented in 9 libraries from January to June 1994, to be followed by the others later. Urban Councillors will be invited to register as library readers and to receive the new library cards in order to set a good example to the community.
Training courses covering cataloguing, Chinese input method, reader registration, computer operation and general management have been organized for library staff to facilitate the provision of a more efficient computerised library service to the public. If everything goes well, all Urban Council libraries will be computerised in May 1995.
Mr. Chairman, another thing worth mentioning is the marked enhancement of public library service. According to the findings of the Second Benchmark Survey on Public perception of the Council's work and image, conducted by SRH in July 1992 as commissioned by the Council, public awareness and usage of library service increased from 78% and 36% in 1990 to 91% and 41% in 1992 respectively while the satisfaction rating rose from 77% to 84%. Such remarkable ratings are, certainly, the result of strenuous efforts by our library staff in improving and enhancing library services. I, therefore, as Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of them.
Mr. Chairman, 1994 is the United Nations International Year of the Family. For thousands of years, traditional Chinese ethics puts special emphasis on the relationship between managing a family and ruling a country. A good family, a healthy society and a strong country are interrelated, and he who spares no effort in serving the community and his fatherland must invariably come from a good family. Should the Hong Kong Government really care for its people and is concerned for their livelihood, it should respond positively to the International Year of the Family by working more for the welfare of its people, refraining from being obstinate and uncompromising over the issue of political system and putting a stop to irrational actions in complete disregard for the well-being of all Hong Kong families. With the social changes in recent years and the forthcoming transfer of sovereignty, local families have to encounter many unprecedented problems such as 'astronaut families', China 'off-shore workshops' (to take advantage of business trips to China to have secret residence with one's mistress), separation and divorce, single-parent families, juvenile delinquency, student suicides and deserted elderly, etc.. It is hoped that the Hong Kong Government will 'drop the butcher's knife' (relinguish vice) immediately, stop the controversy over the political system and strive to do more good for its people in this International Year of the Family. In the meantime, the Urban Council should also support the International Year of the Family by formulating new policies and designing new activities in relation to environmental protection and cleanliness, classified disposal of refuse, market
Page 74 of 132
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 74 of 132
151
going, restaurant hygiene, culture, entertainment and recreation as well as libraries and museums in the hope of fostering a healthy and happy family life.
Mr. Chairman, I was a member of the Urban Council Delegation that visited Beijing from 13 to 17 October 1993 when we met Mr. QIAN Qichen, Vice Premier of the Chinese State Council and Chinese Foreign Minister; Mr. Lu Ping, the Director of the Chinese State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Mr. WANG Han-bin, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and Mr. CHEN Xitong, the Party Secretary of Beijing Municipality. The message I got was that:
(1) China had no fear for opposition and suppression from Britain and the United States; it would proceed with its open door and reform policy to promote economy so that China would become prosperous and strong; (2) Since 1989, Britain had been taking an uncooperative attitude, marring its relationship with China; yet China could and would maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong after the territory was reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997;
(3)
(4)
The service provided to the Hong Kong people by the Urban Council was commendable;
China disapproved of the abolition of appointed seats on the municipal councils and district boards all at one go. A gradual approach should be adopted;
(5) In the absence of an agreement, if the British Hong Kong Government unilaterally proceeded with its political reform package which deviated from the three accords, the three-tier political structure would be disbanded in 1997;
(6) If Mr. PATTEN stuck to his colours and acted wilfully, the Hong Kong Government would become not only a lame duck but also a legless duck, which in turn would hinder the progress of major projects. straddling 1997 such as the construction of the new airport, and hamper Britain's economic interests in China and Hong Kong.
As a matter of fact, the composition of the first to fourth legislative councils of the future Special Administrative Region has been stipulated in the Basic Law, which prescribes that the term of office of the first legislative council shall be two years. The original intention is for those sitting on the legislative council in 1995 to serve beyond 1997. The political reform package now put forward by the British simply does not dovetail the proposal laid down in the Basic Law and will render serving Legco members unable to ride the through train and is therefore contravening the Basic Law. It was the British side who came up with the political reform proposals without consulting China in the first instance. Therefore, to table the proposals before the Legco for enactment in the absence of any Sino-British agreement and without the blessing of China is a violation of the Joint Declaration. If the political row results in aggravating Sino-British relationship, impairing Hong Kong's economy, harming Hong Kong people's interests and depriving the territory of a smooth transition, Britain is to blame.
Page 74 of 132
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.