1997 — Page 497

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 497 of 654

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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

determined through legislation, and reviews should be conducted in the light of actual requirements. Of course, their expenditure could also be partly covered by various charges and rents, etc. Within the limit of useable funds, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self-determination so that they could implement their plans according to the priorities concerned. The Central Government could certainly monitor the use of funds through annual financial reports and the Audit Department. Nevertheless, we have more faith in the public's discernment. The performance in financial management of the City Council members could be assessed and monitored by voting. In other words, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self-determination. It is only when they possess such powers that they would be in a position to exercise their functions and serve the public in a better and more effective way.

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

MR. LAM MAN-FAI (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, Hong Kong has entered a new era since its reunification with China on 1 July 1997. In his first policy address after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive, Mr. TUNG Chee-hwa, also mentioned that there should be a gradual process of getting to know Chinese culture. As quoted from the original text of the policy address, there is a commitment to provide resources and ... promote educational, recreational and cultural exchange programmes to involve the community fully in this process."

As a matter of fact, the Urban Council has an unshirkable responsibility in working to this end. At the special meeting of the Museums Select Committee held this morning, there was also a debate on whether modern history should be added as a theme of the new Hong Kong Museum of History. This reflects exactly the new demands of the public towards the new historical era after the reunification. Due to historical reasons, it was impossible for Britain to attach importance to the culture and education of the Chinese during its reign of colonial rule. According to a social survey on youth's knowledge of Chinese history and culture conducted in recent years, the scores of the youths in Hong Kong are the lowest as compared to those of Mainland China and Taiwan. However, the people of Hong Kong are not indifferent to Chinese culture and history. In the recent exhibition on 'National Treasures-Gems of China's Cultural Relics' organized jointly by the Council and the State Bureau of Cultural Relics of China, over 41,000 visitors (in terms of man-time) have been attracted during a short period of less than a month, breaking the attendance record of the Museum of Art over all these years. It proves that the people of Hong Kong do care for and want to know more about Chinese history and culture.

What can the Urban Council do to make contribution in this regard? I have a specific suggestion in mind. I would like to ask the Council to set up a 'Chinese cultural education, exhibition and resource centre' and its scale must

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Page 497 of 654 497 of 654 492 # HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL determined through legislation, and reviews should be conducted in the light of actual requirements. Of course, their expenditure could also be partly covered by various charges and rents, etc. Within the limit of useable funds, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self-determination so that they could implement their plans according to the priorities concerned. The Central Government could certainly monitor the use of funds through annual financial reports and the Audit Department. Nevertheless, we have more faith in the public's discernment. The performance in financial management of the City Council members could be assessed and monitored by voting. In other words, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self-determination. It is only when they possess such powers that they would be in a position to exercise their functions and serve the public in a better and more effective way. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion. MR. LAM MAN-FAI (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, Hong Kong has entered a new era since its reunification with China on 1 July 1997. In his first policy address after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive, Mr. TUNG Chee-hwa, also mentioned that there should be a gradual process of getting to know Chinese culture. As quoted from the original text of the policy address, there is a commitment to provide resources and ... promote educational, recreational and cultural exchange programmes to involve the community fully in this process." As a matter of fact, the Urban Council has an unshirkable responsibility in working to this end. At the special meeting of the Museums Select Committee held this morning, there was also a debate on whether modern history should be added as a theme of the new Hong Kong Museum of History. This reflects exactly the new demands of the public towards the new historical era after the reunification. Due to historical reasons, it was impossible for Britain to attach importance to the culture and education of the Chinese during its reign of colonial rule. According to a social survey on youth's knowledge of Chinese history and culture conducted in recent years, the scores of the youths in Hong Kong are the lowest as compared to those of Mainland China and Taiwan. However, the people of Hong Kong are not indifferent to Chinese culture and history. In the recent exhibition on 'National Treasures-Gems of China's Cultural Relics' organized jointly by the Council and the State Bureau of Cultural Relics of China, over 41,000 visitors (in terms of man-time) have been attracted during a short period of less than a month, breaking the attendance record of the Museum of Art over all these years. It proves that the people of Hong Kong do care for and want to know more about Chinese history and culture. What can the Urban Council do to make contribution in this regard? I have a specific suggestion in mind. I would like to ask the Council to set up a 'Chinese cultural education, exhibition and resource centre' and its scale must Page 497 of 654 497 of 654 492

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Page 497 of 654 497 of 654 492 HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL determined through legislation, and reviews should be conducted in the light of actual requirements. Of course, their expenditure could also be partly covered by various charges and rents, etc. Within the limit of useable funds, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self-determination so that they could implement their plans according to the priorities concerned. The Central Government could certainly monitor the use of funds through annual financial reports and the Audit Department. Nevertheless, we have more faith in the public's discernment. The performance in financial management of the City Council members could be assessed and monitored by voting. In other words, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self- determination. It is only when they possess such powers that they would be in a position to exercise their functions and serve the public in a better and more effective way. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion. MR. LAM MAN-FAI (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, Hong Kong has entered a new era since its reunification with China on 1 July, 1997. In his first policy address after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive, Mr. TUNG Chee-hwa, also mentioned that there should be a gradual process of getting to know Chinese culture. As quoted from the original text of the policy address, there is a commitment to provide resources and ........ promote educational, recreational and cultural exchange programmes to involve the community fully in this process." As a matter of fact, the Urban Council has an unshirkable responsibility in working to this end. At the special meeting of the Museums Select Committee held this morning, there was also a debate on whether modern history should be added as a theme of the new Hong Kong Museum of History. This reflects exactly the new demands of the public towards the new historical era after the reunification. Due to historical reasons, it was impossible for Britain to attach importance to the culture and education of the Chinese during its reign of colonial rule. According to a social survey on youth's knowledge of Chinese history and culture conducted in recent years, the scores of the youths in Hong Kong are the lowest as compared to those of Mainland China and Taiwan. However, the people of Hong Kong are not indifferent to Chinese culture and history. In the recent exhibition on 'National Treasures-Gems of China's Cultural Relics' organized jointly by the Council and the State Bureau of Cultural Relics of China, over 41 000 visitors (in terms of man-time) have been attracted during a short period of less than a month, breaking the attendance record of the Museum of Art over all these years. It proves that the people of Hong Kong do care for and want to know more about Chinese history and culture. What can the Urban Council do to make contribution in this regard? I have a specific suggestion in mind. I would like to ask the Council to set up a 'Chinese cultural education, exhibition and resource centre' and its scale must

2026-05-16 04:25:18 · Baseline

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Page 497 of 654

497 of 654

492

HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

determined through legislation, and reviews should be conducted in the light of actual requirements. Of course, their expenditure could also be partly covered by various charges and rents, etc. Within the limit of useable funds, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self-determination so that they could implement their plans according to the priorities concerned. The Central Government could certainly monitor the use of funds through annual financial reports and the Audit Department. Nevertheless, we have more faith in the public's discernment. The performance in financial management of the City Council members could be assessed and monitored by voting. In other words, the City Councils should be given financial autonomy and self- determination. It is only when they possess such powers that they would be in a position to exercise their functions and serve the public in a better and more effective way.

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

MR. LAM MAN-FAI (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, Hong Kong has entered a new era since its reunification with China on 1 July, 1997. In his first policy address after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive, Mr. TUNG Chee-hwa, also mentioned that there should be a gradual process of getting to know Chinese culture. As quoted from the original text of the policy address, there is a commitment to provide resources and ........ promote educational, recreational and cultural exchange programmes to involve the community fully in this process."

As a matter of fact, the Urban Council has an unshirkable responsibility in working to this end. At the special meeting of the Museums Select Committee held this morning, there was also a debate on whether modern history should be added as a theme of the new Hong Kong Museum of History. This reflects exactly the new demands of the public towards the new historical era after the reunification. Due to historical reasons, it was impossible for Britain to attach importance to the culture and education of the Chinese during its reign of colonial rule. According to a social survey on youth's knowledge of Chinese history and culture conducted in recent years, the scores of the youths in Hong Kong are the lowest as compared to those of Mainland China and Taiwan. However, the people of Hong Kong are not indifferent to Chinese culture and history. In the recent exhibition on 'National Treasures-Gems of China's Cultural Relics' organized jointly by the Council and the State Bureau of Cultural Relics of China, over 41 000 visitors (in terms of man-time) have been attracted during a short period of less than a month, breaking the attendance record of the Museum of Art over all these years. It proves that the people of Hong Kong do care for and want to know more about Chinese history and culture.

1997 — Page 497

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