|
Year
|
Pledge
|
Present Position
|
|
Action Completed
|
|
1996
|
1.
|
To meet the growing needs of residents and visitors who use Putonghua as a first or second language by establishing a new Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Putonghua radio channel by March 1997.
|
A new Putonghua service was launched by RTHK on 31瓱arch?997.
|
|
1996
|
2.
|
To introduce a framework to regulate video-on-demand (VOD) programme services by introducing amendments to the Television Ordinance in late 1996. The Broadcasting Authority will be invited to devise appropriate codes of practice for service providers.
|
Legislation was enacted in March 1997 for regulation of VOD programme services. The Broadcasting Authority also issued codes of practice for programme services in April 1997.
|
|
1996
|
3.
|
To assist the Broadcasting Authority to enhance the transparency of its work by opening meetings of the Committee on Codes of Practice to the public in late 1996.
|
Meetings of the Broadcasting Authority Codes of Practice Committee were opened to the public in January 1997.
|
|
1996
|
4.
|
To help reinforce Hong Kong's status as the Asian centre for the trading of films and film-related products by facilitating the industry's hosting of an International Film Market in 1997.
|
The first Hong Kong International Film Market (Filmart) was successfully held in June 1997. Some 75 exhibitors and over 500 buyers participated in the event. The next Filmart is scheduled for 24-26 June 1998.
|
|
1995
|
5.
|
To enhance competition and increase consumer choice in the television market; to conduct a review to determine the best way to achieve this aim and to announce the result in early 1996.
|
A review of the pay TV market and
a consultation exercise on the regulation of VOD programme services were
carried out in 1996 and consequential amendments to the Television Ordinance were made in March 1997 and approved by the LegislativeCouncil in May 1997. Invitation for applications of programme service licences was issued in May 1997 and closed in August 1997 with four applications received. The application are being processed. The licensing of VOD services will enhance competition in the TV market and increase consumer choice.
|
|
Action in Progress: On Schedule
|
|
1996
|
6.
|
To conduct a comprehensive review in 1998 to identify what changes are needed to our broadcasting policy and regulatory practices.
|
Broadcasters and interested parties were invited to suggest issues for inclusion in the 1998 review in mid-1997. The Government is now working out the scope of the review and detailed submissions on the review subjects will be invited.
|
|
1996
|
7.
|
To consider measures to make it more convenient to shoot films
in Hong Kong, such as providing
a comprehensive database to facilitate film production. |
The Information Services Department will publish by November 1997 an updated "Guide to Filming in Hong Kong" and has established a database on all local rules and regulations on location shooting on Government Home Page for easy reference by film makers. |
|
1996
|
8.
|
To explore with tertiary educational institutions the possibility of developing training programmes for the film industry.
|
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) has agreed in principle to run short term training programmes on digital technology for the film industry. Dialogue between the film industry and HKAPA regarding further training opportunities on digital technology has been established.
|
|
Action in Progress: Behind Schedule
|
|
1996
|
9.
|
To facilitate the development of high-quality family entertainment by reviewing the Amusement Game Centres Ordinance and developing a licensing framework for family entertainment centres (FECs).
|
In anticipation of the demand for FECs, the existing licensing framework for amusement game centres has been reviewed. We will be putting forward policy proposals for consultation with the industry with a view to facilitating the introduction of FECs in Hong Kong.
|
|
Action in Progress: A Pledge to Catch Up
|
|
1995
|
10.
|
To bring all forms of broadcasting within the purview of a comprehensive piece of legislation so as to make the regulatory framework more user-friendly and adaptable to the rapid changes in technology in the broadcasting industry.
|
Work on the Broadcasting Bill was suspended in late 1995 in order to take forward higher priority work. The Pledge is unlikely to be achieved in the near future, but the preparation of the comprehensive legislation may be revived after the 1998 review of the television environment.
|
|
On-going Commitments
|
|
1996
|
11.
|
To consider measures to make it more convenient to shoot films in Hong Kong, such as streamlining the procedures and regulations for location shooting in the territory.
|
The Police, Regional Services Department (RSD), Water Supplies Department, Housing Department (HD), Marine Department and Civil Aviation Department have reviewed their rules and procedures governing applications for location shooting and where appropriate, streamlined them to make them more user-friendly. The RSD and HD have shortened the processing time to seven working days. The Police have revised their guideline, stating clearly their policy to co-operate with film/TV companies engaged in location shooting and not to interfere with location shooting unless necessary for maintaining law and order. We shall continue to follow up with relevant government departments with a view to streamlining their procedures and regulations for location shooting.
|
|
1996
|
12.
|
To consider whether legislative amendments are necessary to bring the control of obscene and indecent materials transmitted on the Internet within the ambit of the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance (COIAO).
|
Following public consultation, we announced in January 1997 that no amendments would be made to the COIAO for the time being. In partnership with Internet Service Providers, we have developed a self-regulatory scheme to tackle the transmission of obscene and indecent materials through the Internet. A review of the need for legislative amendments will be conducted one year after the implementation of the self-regulatory regime by the industry.
|
|
1996
|
13.
|
To extend our enforcement action against breaches of the law to cover new forms of electronic publishing such as Video Compact Discs (VCDs) and Digital Compact Discs (DCDs). Our purpose is to protect public decency without compromising freedom of expression.
|
A successful special 3-month intensive operation was launched during March to May 1997. The enforcement agencies undertook to accord priority in dealing with pornographic CDs/DCDs/CD-ROMs/VCDs and other indecent articles.
|
|
1996
|
14.
|
To strengthen public education by producing new Announcements of Public Interest (APIs), publicity leaflets and briefings to enhance public awareness of the provisions of the COIAO.
|
Public awareness of the provisions of the COIAO and the presence of obscene and indecent materials on the Internet has been enhanced by way of publicity leaflets, TV and radio APIs, and briefings.
|
|
Year
|
Pledge
|
Present Position
|
|
Action Completed
|
|
1996
|
1.
|
To support the Arts Development Council in the implementation of its first Five-Year Strategic Plan. The Council will spend up to $140illion on the development of the performing, literary, visual and film arts in 1996-97.
|
We have monitored the funding needs of the Council carefully and have helped the setting of its funding priorities to ensure that its Strategic Plan would be carried out effectively. In addition, we have set up
an Arts and Sport Development Fund in January 1997 with a one-off capital
of $300 million to provide the Council and the Sports Development Board with additional funding to implement their Strategic Plans.
|
|
1995
|
2.
|
To compile and publish a photographic archive on 460 historical buildings.
|
All the photographs and slides have been recorded and some of them have been selected for publication in a catalogue under preparation on 6?00 years of Hong Kong's heritage.
|
|
1995
|
3.
|
To computerise the archive
systems of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) and the Archaeological Repository and enhance the desktop publishing capacity of the AMO.
|
The Antiquities Advisory Board
has endorsed the consultant's recommendations on the computerisation of the Archaeological Repository. AMO officers have begun to make use of the desktop computers acquired.
|
|
Action in Progress: On Schedule
|
|
1996
|
4.
|
In 1996-97, the HKAPA to provide places for some 720 full-time students in music, dance, drama, film and television and the technical arts at a cost of $180 million. We will also assist the HKAPA in setting the course for the next stage of its development.
We will take into account the recommendations of the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation on degree courses provided by the HKAPA.
|
A subvention of $184 million was granted to the HKAPA in 1996-97 to provide places for its students. We will continue to work closely with the HKAPA and seek the necessary resources for the implementation of recommendations in the Consultancy Study for the future development of
the Academy.
|
|
1996
|
5.
|
In 1997-98, to establish Hong Kong's first urban heritage trail
by linking up some 50 monuments in Central and Western Districts. This will make the public more aware of and promote interest in the preservation of our cultural heritage.
|
The Central & Western District Board has endorsed the proposal and funding has been obtained from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The first phase of the trail is planned to be opened in October 1997.
|
|
1996
|
6.
|
In 1997-98, to establish and provide support for a group to be named the "Friends of Heritage" to cultivate public interest in Hong Kong's cultural heritage. The group will provide a channel for people interested in preserving Hong Kong's heritage to participate in
the work of the AMO. |
Funding has been secured from the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust and recruitment of the first batch of members to assist with heritage conservation work has completed in August 1997.
|
|
1995
|
7.
|
To promote Hong Kong's heritage through publicity and education programmes funded by the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust at a cost of almost $4illion. |
The education and publicity programmes have been carried out successfully. These included a primary school quiz, production of a 1997 calendar and the compilation of a learning package on local history for Form I. Steady progress has been made in research and educational projects due for completion before 1998-99, such as the research and editorial work for a six-volume documentary history of Hong Kong; the historical research into the Sheung Wan area, the production of a bilingual education video tape on the old Pathological Institute; and the research on Chinese domestic artefacts.
|
|
1995
|
8.
|
To conduct a territory-wide survey of historical buildings and structures over the next two years with a grant of $4 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
|
The survey is underway and its findings are expected by March 1998.
|
|
1995
|
9.
|
To conduct a territory-wide archaeological survey over the next two years to update existing records. |
The territory-wide survey is divided into 11 areas. The field work in respect
of three of the areas was concluded
in September 1997. Eight more archaeological teams will undertake the rest of the survey.
|
|
1995
|
10.
|
To establish a two-kilometre heritage trail in Kam Tin at a cost of $28 million. |
Discussions with village representatives on the establishment of the trail and
its implementation plan are continuing. The trail will be established in
1999-2000.
|
|
On-going Commitment
|
|
1995
|
11.
|
To continue to declare more buildings as monuments and to restore more historical buildings. |
Three historical buildings and one archaeological site have been declared. Declaration of another five monuments is underway. Restoration of seven buildings has been completed. |
|
Year
|
Pledge
|
Present Position
|
|
Action Completed
|
|
1996
|
1.
|
In 1997-98, to help the Hong Kong Sports Development Board implement its strategic plan for sports development into the next century by identifying appropriate sources of income. |
The recurrent subvention to the Hong Kong Sports Development Board has been increased by 34.4% to $105.4 million in 1997-98 as compared to 1996-97. An additional sum of up to $20 million will be provided from the newly established Arts and Sport Development Fund to help the Board implement some of the initiatives in its strategic plan.
|
|
1996
|
2.
|
In 1997-98, to help local athletes attain higher levels of achievement by setting up a fund to provide financial support for education and training programmes. We will allocate $8 million to the fund. |
In addition to the public donations received, Government has allocated $8 million to the Hong Kong Athletes Fund which is being administered by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board. Grants will be made from the fund to assist local athletes in their studies starting from the 1997-98 academic year.
|
|
1996
|
3.
|
To prepare young athletes for
the highest level of international competition from 1993 to 1997. |
Hong Kong athletes have continued to perform well at international events. In 1997, the Hong Kong team won five medals at the East Asian Games. Training for the elite athletes is being vigorously maintained in preparation for the 1998 Asian Games.
|
|
Action in Progress: On Schedule
|
|
1996
|
4.
|
In 1997-98, to develop a financial strategy to ensure that the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) can continue to train local athletes to international standards. |
The HKSI has identified the sports
and the athletes who will receive support from the Institute's elite training programme. We have secured government funds to help meet the programme's operating shortfall from the 1998-99 financial year onwards.
|
|
1996
|
5.
|
In 1997-98, to co-ordinate the development of major new sporting and recreational facilities, including six new grass pitches, on four former landfill sites in East Kowloon, Tseung Kwan O and Tai Po. |
The detailed scope of the sports and recreational facilities to be developed on the four landfill sites has been approved in principle by the Provisional Municipal Councils. We will work out the detailed implementation timetable for these projects as soon as the two Provisional Municipal Councils have formally approved funding for the facilities.
|
|
Action in Progress: Under Review
|
|
1995
|
6.
|
To work closely with the management of the Hong Kong Stadium to find an acceptable solution to the problem of noise
for the benefit of the whole community. |
Due to a lack of public support and opposition from the former Urban Council and Legislative Council, further action to seek approval to hold a limited number of concerts at the Hong Kong Stadium is in abeyance. |
|
On-going Commitment
|
|
1996
|
7.
|
Based on the findings of a study completed in September 1996, to encourage local water sports by maximising the use of existing facilities and developing new ones.
|
Having regard to the findings of the study, we will continue to liaise with voluntary agencies operating water sports centres and the two municipal services departments managing swimming beaches and water sports facilities with a view to further improving the services, enhancing their use as well as identifying suitable locations for developing new facilities. |
Progress Report