HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
593
Mr. To are by no means a novelty. The idea of putting up advertisements on external facades has been discussed, so have been the several aspects that need to be addressed.
First of all, the question of image must be carefully handled. For example, I can hardly imagine having advertisements which are completely at odds with Cultural themes, such as those on condoms or men's or ladies' underwear, on the external facades of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. I consider that we must handle this sort of situation with care. We must study at length whether there are certain kinds of advertisements which may undermine the Council's image.
Secondly, there is the problem of charges. Determination of charges is not simple at all, or something that can be coped with just by a few persons or a small group. Professional assessment is actually involved.
I suggest that if the original motion or the amended one is carried today, we should set up a working group to follow up on it. It is only then that the recommendations of the motion can be materialized. I hope they can be implemented as soon as possible.
I also consider that we should not confine ourselves to commercial advertisements which bring us monetary gains. We all know that 24 May is the election day of the first Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. We hope that we can help out the SAR Government in publicizing the election. I consider that we should, as an obligation or a good-will gesture, give a helping hand to some Government advertisements. We should involve ourselves in the publicity work concerning the building-up of the SAR. I think this is a worthwhile move. We should not set our minds merely on money. Money is important, but it is not everything.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Good. All those who wished to speak have spoken. Is Mr. CHIANG going to exercise his right of reply? Mr. CHIANG please.
Mr. Chiang Sai-cheong (in Cantonese):-Thanks to Mr. Daniel To and Members for providing many valuable comments and touching on even the details. This is very encouraging and I am very pleased.
In fact, I brought up this issue at meetings of the Finance Select Committee and the Public Relations Sub-committee as early as a couple of years ago. Of course I am grateful to Members who have spoken in support of the motion. I wish to stress that my motion covers three aspects, namely, image, environment and suitability.
Mr. Albert LAI cited just now a number of funny examples. I share his feelings but as Mr. Tim S. CHAN mentioned, the genuinely suitable advertisements have indicated the support of various commercial sectors of our activities. Just now I also mentioned the reason why the Hang Seng Bank
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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
593
Mr. To are by no means a novelty. The idea of putting up advertisements on external facades has been discussed, so have been the several aspects that need to be addressed.
First of all, the question of image must be carefully handled. For example, I can hardly imagine having advertisements which are completely at odds with Cultural themes, such as those on condoms or men's or ladies' underwear, on the external facades of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. I consider that we must handle this sort of situation with care. We must study at length whether there are certain kinds of advertisements which may undermine the Council's image.
Secondly, there is the problem of charges. Determination of charges is not simple at all, or something that can be coped with just by a few persons or a Esmall group. Professional assessment is actually involved.
I suggest that if the original motion or the amended one is carried today, 'we should set up a working group to follow up on it. It is only then that the recommendations of the motion can be materialized. I hope they can be implemented as soon as possible.
I also consider that we should not confine ourselves to commercial advertisements which bring us monetary gains. We all know that 24 May is the clection day of the first Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. We hope that we can help out the SAR Government in publicizing the election. I consider that we should, as an obligation or a good- will gesture, give a helping hand to some Government advertisements. We should involve ourselves in the publicity work concerning the building-up of the SAR. I think this is a worthwhile move. We should not set our minds merely on money. Money is important, but it is not everything.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Good. All those who wished to speak have spoken. Is Mr. CHIANG going to exercise his right of reply? Mr. CHIANG please.
Mr. Chiang Sai-cheong (in Cantonese):-Thanks to Mr. Daniel To and Members for providing many valuable comments and touching on even the details. This is very encouraging and I am very pleased.
In fact, I brought up this issue at meetings of the Finance Select Committee and the Public Relations Sub-committee as early as a couple of years ago. Of course I am grateful to Members who have spoken in support of the motion. I wish to stress that my motion covers three aspects, namely, image, environment and suitability.
Mr. Albert LAI cited just now a number of funny examples. I share his feelings but as Mr. Tim S. CHAN mentioned, the genuinely suitable advertisements have indicated the support of various commercial sectors of our activities. Just now I also mentioned the reason why the Hang Seng Bank
Page 603 of 654
Page 603 of 654
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