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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I can still remember that when PATTEN sworn in as the governor, I was there attending the ceremony and I witnessed him pledging to boost Sino-British relationship. As such relationship is deteriorating now, it is evident that he, the Governor, has failed to honour his pledge and commitment, has blasphemed and has let Hong Kong people down. In the face of marring Sino-British relationship, both the Chinese and the British side should do something to improve it.
In fact, is Hong Kong really devoid of democracy? The answer is 'No'. Then, will Hong Kong's democratization come to a halt in 1997? No. Is it necessary for the people of Hong Kong to fight for the Britain-granted democracy which has a life span of only two years? No. What Hong Kong people really want is what will benefit the territory in the long run: Realization of the sort of democracy enshrined in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, good public order, prosperity and stability and enhancement of living standard, but definitely not the kind of short-lived democracy that is neither fish nor fowl.
As Mr. PATTEN is reluctant to listen to public opinion reflected by District Boards and the municipal councils, it is hoped that the Legco will critically delve into the pros and cons of the proposed political reforms before passing any judicious judgement in the interests of the Hong Kong people. The Constitutional Development Panel of the Legislative Council should take the initiative to exchange views on political systems with the Preliminary Working Committee's Government and Administration Sub-Group. In the meantime, the Legco should set up a Hong Kong China Relations Panel to serve as a communication channel for Hong Kong and China and to boost the relationship of Hong Kong with China.
Saddened by the political row straining the Sino-British relationship, I wrote this poem:
'When will the Sino-British squabbles end?
How much interest of the Hong Kong people has been infringed upon? Last night the east wind prevailed again in the North Chamber,
It grieves me that the political reform should come at the eleventh hour.'
Mr Chairman, with this remark, I support the motion.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in English): Mr. Chairman, the year 1993 marks the launch of the Green Hong Kong Campaign, which crystallizes and puts to action concerns about the deteriorating environment and 'concretization' of our city, preciously famed as Pearl of the Orient. Twenty-one Councillors have professed their commitment to greening Hong Kong and I must thank them most wholeheartedly for their dynamism in bringing the Campaign to a fabulous start.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
A mixed strategy is adopted. For a quick impact, the Working Group has embarked on an aggressive tree planting programme. Last year, 1,500 street trees and some 20,000 tree seedlings on hillslopes were planted. I am pleased to say that we have not been alone in our venture. Indeed, I would like to thank various Government departments and corporations whose support have fruitfully complemented our efforts. The Highways Beautification Scheme is one of the examples.
A survey of existing street trees and future sites is being conducted by the University of Hong Kong. The findings of this survey will enable us to plan for the future.
This future talk leads us into another important dimension of our greening strategy. Greening is not a one-off exercise, it is a continuous process. Therefore, we have to plant its seedlings far and wide in our community. I am pleased to report that in this respect, we are in smooth water and have been able to muster the community's support in virtually all of our promotional events such as nursery visits, mini-flower shows etc.
Having made a flying start in 1993, I am confident that the Green Hong Kong Campaign will continue into 1994 with equal enthusiasm. We are identifying sites for planting 1,500 street trees, 20,000 tree seedlings and about a million shrubs. Two large-scale community involvement projects are in the pipeline, led by a Flower Show in the Victoria Park followed by a Horticulture Carnival at Kowloon Park.
Now that the Green Hong Kong Campaign has buttressed in the community, it should reach youngsters who are the future masters of our society. In 1993, 26 schools took part in the Campaign. In 1994, we should be seeking to involve more schools and students.
The community's concern over the loss of trees should also be adequately conveyed to architects and property developers in Hong Kong. They should be encouraged to integrate a greening element into their designs and projects. They can support the Green Hong Kong Campaign by not felling the trees within their development sites or by actively planting more trees to enrich the landscapes of their developments.
I would like to turn to the subject of pollution in general, and in particular water pollution. I am very pleased to see that Government has recently published its Second Review of the White Paper on Pollution in Hong Kong titled 'A Green Challenge for the Community'. In this publication reference has been made to the important role of this Council has taken on Greening Hong Kong. As we all know water is a resource essential to all life forms and what concerns us most is the pollution in marine waters including bathing beaches and contaminated water in rivers and streams. The sewage master plan was dismissed on several occasions and what has caught the public's attention is the apparently high price to pay for the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme. Even though we might do our part in greening Hong Kong, I think that the Strategic
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153
152
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I can still remember that when PATTEN Sworn in as the governor, I was there attending the ceremony and I witnessed him pledging to boost Sino-British relationship. As such relationship is deteriorating now, it is evident that he, the Governor, has failed to honour his pledge and commitment, has blasphemed and has let Hong Kong people down. In the face of marring Sino-British relationship, both the Chinese and the British side should do something to improve it.
In fact, is Hong Kong really devoid of democracy? The answer is 'No'. Then, will Hong Kong's democratization come to a halt in 1997? No. Is it necessary for the people of Hong Kong to fight for the Britain-granted democracy which has a life span of only two years? No. What Hong Kong people really want is what will benefit the territory in the long run: Realization of the sort of democracy enshrined in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, good public order, prosperity and stability and enhancement of living standard, but definitely not the kind of short-lived democracy that is neither fish nor fowl.
As Mr. PATTEN is reluctant to listen to public opinion reflected by District Boards and the municipal councils, it is hoped that the Legco will critically delve into the pros and cons of the proposed political reforms before passing any judicious judgement in the interests of the Hong Kong people. The Constitutional Development Panel of the Legislative Council should take the initiative to exchange views on political systems with the Preliminary Working Committee's Government and Administration Sub-Group. In the meantime, the Legco should set up a Hong Kong China Relations Panel to serve as a communication channel for Hong Kong and China and to boost the relationship of Hong Kong with China.
Saddened by the political row straining the Sino-British relationship, I wrote this poem:
'When will the Sino-British squabbles end?
How much interest of the Hong Kong people has been infringed upon? Last night the east wind prevailed again in the North Chamber,
It grieves me that the political reform should come at the eleventh hour.'
Mr Chairman, with this remark, I support the motion.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the year 1993 marks the launch of the Green Hong Kong Campaign, which crystallizes and puts to action concerns about the deteriorating environment and 'concretization' of our city, preciously famed as Pearl of the Orient. Twenty-one Councillors have professed their commitment to greening Hong Kong and I must thank them most wholeheartedly for their dynamism in bringing the Campaign to a fabulous start.
Page 75 of 132
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
A mixed strategy is adopted. For a quick impact, the Working Group has embarked on an aggressive tree planting programme. Last year, 1 500 street trees and some 20 000 tree seedlings on hillslopes were planted. I am pleased to say that we have not been alone in our venture. Indeed, I would like to thank various Government departments and corporations whose support have fruitfully complemented our efforts. The Highways Beautification Scheme is one of the examples.
A survey of existing street trees and future sites is being conducted by the University of Hong Kong. The findings of this survey will enable us to plan for the future.
This future talk leads us into another important dimension of our greening strategy. Greening is not a one-off exercise, it is a continuous process. Therefore, we have to plant its seedlings far and wide in our community. I am pleased to report that in this respect, we are in smooth water and have been able to muster the community's support in virtually all of our promotional events such as nursery visits, mini-flower shows etc.
Having made a flying start in 1993, I am confident that the Green Hong Kong Campaign will continue into 1994 with equal enthusiasm. We are identifying sites for planting 1 500 street trees, 20 000 tree seedlings and about a million shrubs. Two large-scale community involvement projects are in the pipeline, led by a Flower Show in the Victoria Park followed by a Horticulture Carnival at Kowloon Park.
Now that the Green Hong Kong Campaign has buttressed in the community, it should reach youngsters who are the future masters of our society. In 1993, 26 schools took part in the Campaign. In 1994, we should be seeking to involve more schools and students.
The community's concern over the loss of trees should also be adequately conveyed to architects and property developers in Hong Kong. They should be encouraged to integrate a greening element into their designs and projects. They can support the Green Hong Kong Campaign by not felling the trees within their development sites or by actively planting more trees to enrich the landscapes of their developments.
I would like to turn to the subject of pollution in general, and in particular water pollution. I am very pleased to see that Government has recently published its Second Review of the White Paper on Pollution in Hong Kong titled 'A Green Challenge for the Community'. In this publication reference has been made to the important role of this Council has taken on Greening Hong Kong. As we all know water is a resource essential to all life forms and what concerns us most is the pollution in marine waters including bathing beaches and contaminated water in rivers and streams. The sewage master plan was dismissed on several occasions and what has caught the public's attention is the apparently high price to pay for the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme. Even though we might do our part in greening Hong Kong, I think that the Strategic
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