Minutes of the 16th Meeting of
Central and Western C&WDC
Date
Time
Venue
: 16 October 2014 (Thursday)
: 2:30 pm
: Conference Room
14/F, Harbour Building
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
Present:
Chairman
Mr YIP Wing-shing, BBS, MH, JP*
Vice-chairman
Mr CHAN Hok-fung*
Members
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai, BBS, JP
Mr CHAN Choi-hi, MH*
Ms CHENG Lai-king*
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, JP
Mr Jackie CHEUNG
Mr HUI Chi-fung
Mr IP Kwok-him, GBS, JP
Mr KAM Nai-wai, MH
Dr Malcolm LAM*
Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney*
Miss LO Yee-hang*
Mr MAN Chi-wah, MH*
Mr NG Siu-keung, Thomas, MH, JP*
Ms SIU Ka-yi*
Mr WONG Kin-shing
Remarks:
(2:30 pm – 7:37 pm)
(2:30 pm – 7:37 pm)
(2:30 pm – 5:09 pm)
(2:30 pm – 5:30 pm)
(5:16 pm – end of the meeting)
(2:30 pm – 4:48 pm)
(2:30 pm – 6:23 pm)
* Members who attended the whole meeting
( ) Time of attendance of Members
-1-
Item 2
Mr LEUNG Ka-wah, Michael
Mr WONG Wai-ming
Mr Kenrick KO
Mr LUK Yiu-wah, Everett
Mr YIP Koon-keung, Ken
Mr WONG Tat-ming, Richard
Item 3
Mr LEUNG Ka-wah, Michael
Mr Kenrick KO
Item 4(ii)
Mr WONG Chi-pan, Ricky
Miss LEE Hoi-lun, Leonie
Mr CHU Ho, Larry
Ms TANG Tsui-yee, Caroline
Mr LAM Shu-kee, Philip
Item 4(iii)
Mr Michael MA
Mr AU Chun-ho, Wilfred
Item 10
Ms WONG Ming-wai, Cynthia
Item 11
Mr LAU Shing-lam
Item 12
Mr LAI Kam-to
Mr CHEUNG Pak-kin
Mr FONG Wai-man, Edmond
Mr CHAN Tse-fung
Mr Terry YIU
Senior Liaison Engineer, MTR Corporation Limited
Operations Manager (TKO Line & Island Line), MTR
Corporation Limited
Project Communications Manager, MTR Corporation Limited
Chief Engineer/Railway Development 2-1, Highways
Department
Senior Engineer/Priority Railway 1, Transport Department
Chief Leisure Manager (Hong Kong West), Leisure and
Cultural Services Department
Senior Liaison Engineer, MTR Corporation Limited
Project Communications Manager, MTR Corporation Limited
Chief Assistant Secretary (Works) 2, Development Bureau
Assistant Secretary (Heritage Conservation) 3, Development
Bureau
Assistant Secretary (Harbour) 1, Development Bureau
Assistant Secretary (Planning)1, Development Bureau
Engineer/Central & Western 2, Transport Department
Director, Planning and Design, Urban Renewal Authority
Deputy Chief Manager, Planning and Design, Urban Renewal
Authority
Senior Executive Officer (C&WDC), Central and Western
District Office
Senior Prof Officer/Signboard Control 2
Buildings Department
Senior Network Operation Manager, Hong Kong and China
Gas Company Limited
Senior Customer Maintenance Services Manager, Hong Kong
and China Gas Company Limited
Transmission Project Manager, Hong Kong and China Gas
Company Limited
Senior Area Engineer (Western), Hongkong Electric Company,
Limited
Assistant Manager (Stakeholder Engagement), Hongkong Electric
Company, Limited
-2-
Mr CHAU Shu-man
Senior Engineer/Gas Standards A3
Electrical & Mechanical Services Department
Ms NG Yuk-wa, Alice
Engineer/Gas Standards A3/2
Electrical & Mechanical Services Department
Acting Division Officer (Hong Kong Central)
Fire Services Department
Station Commander Sheung Wan Fire Station
Fire Services Department
Senior Engineer/HK 2
Water Supplies Department
Engineer/HK (Distribution 2)
Mr LAU Siu-kwong
Mr CHAN To-cheung
Mr HO Lai-wa
Mr WONG Lap-chi
Ms TSANG Wai-wah
Mr YIU Siu-keung
Water Supplies Department
Senior Engineer/CW
Drainage Services Department
Senior Telecommunications Engineer (Regulatory 12)
Office of the Communications Authority
Item 13
Mr Timothy David LEAR
Mr Finnegan Meiji LEUNG
Ms LAW Lai-ming
Mr KAN Kai-yan
Mr CHING Chi-yan, Billy
Item 14
Mr CHAN Nap-sang, Nelson
Ms CHAN Chin-woon, Cynthia
Mr KAN Kai-yan
Mr CHING Chi-yan, Billy
Mr LAU Siu-kwong
Mr CHAN To-cheung
Dr S H TSUI
Ms Connie CHOW
Mr WONG Kai
Executive Director (Operations), Competition Commission
Manager (Competition Affairs), Competition Commission
Officer (Public Affairs), Competition Commission
District Commander (Western), Hong Kong Police Force
Police Community Relations Officer (Western District), Hong
Kong Police Force
Chief Transport Officer / Hong Kong, Transport Department
Chief School Development Officer (CW&S), Education Bureau
District Commander (Western), Hong Kong Police Force
Police Community Relations Officer (Western District), Hong
Kong Police Force
Acting Division Officer (Hong Kong Central), Fire Services
Department
Station Commander Sheung Wan Fire Station, Fire Services
Department
Deputy Hospital Chief Executive II , Queen Mary Hospital
Hospital Authority
Community Relations Officer(Secretariat, Community &
Public Relations Article), Queen Mary Hospital , Hospital
Authority
Representative of street traders in Central District
(Chairman, Association of Street Traders in Li Yuen Street
-3-
East and Li Yuen Street West)
Mr CHOI King-wo
Mr LI Sai-cheung
In Attendance:
Mr KAN Kai-yan
Mr CHING Chi-yan, Billy
Mr MAK Chi-biu
Mr LING Wing-cheong
Mr WONG Tat-ming, Richard
Mr CHAN Nap-sang, Nelson
Miss CHOW Ho-kiu, Cheryl, JP
Mr CHAN Yun-man, Winston
Miss YU Yan-yan, Rosanna
Mr CHAN Shing-fung
Secretary
Ms WONG Ming-wai
Chairman,
Parent-Teacher Association of Central and Western District
Resident at Mid-Levels
District Commander (Western), Hong Kong Police Force
Police Community Relations Officer (Western District), Hong
Kong Police Force
Civil Engineering and Development Department
Acting Dist Env Hygiene Supt(Central/Western), Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department
Chief Leisure Manager (Hong Kong West), Leisure and
Cultural Services Department
Chief Transport Officer/Hong Kong, Transport Department
District Officer (Central and Western)
Assistant District Officer (Central and Western)
Senior Executive Officer (District Management), Central and
Western District Office
Executive Officer I (C&WDC), Central and Western District
Office
Senior Executive Officer (C&WDC),
Central and Western District Office
Absent with Apologies
Mr CHAN Ho-lim, Joseph
Opening Remarks
(Before the Chairman gave his opening remarks, Members unanimously requested Mr
HUI Chi-fung to order the security guards hired by him to leave the meeting place and stay at
the public gallery, but the request was refused. The meeting was thus delayed and started only
around 3:15 pm.)
The Chairman welcomed guests and Members to the 16th meeting of the Central and
Western District Council (C&WDC). He welcomed Mr LING Wing-cheong, Acting District
Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Central/Western) of the Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department (FEHD), and Mr KAN Kai-yan, Deputy District Commander (Western),
Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), who attended the meeting for Mr YIP Ming-bor and Chief
Superintendent Mr Wise CHOI respectively. He also welcomed Miss Rosanna YU, Senior
Executive Officer (District Management) of the Central and Western District Office (C&WDO)
who succeeded Ms YEUNG Lai-ching and attended the meeting for the first time.
The Chairman said that the Secretariat received Mr Joseph CHAN’s notification of
absence due to sickness and his medical certificate before the meeting. The Chairman
2.
-4-
indicated that, according to Article 49 of the “Central and Western District Council Standing
Orders” (Standing Orders), the C&WDC would only give consent to notifications of absence
submitted on the grounds of sickness or attendance at another meeting or an activity on its
behalf. The Chairman asked Members to give consent to Mr CHAN’s application for absence,
and no objection was raised by Members.
Item 1: Adoption of the agenda
(3:15 pm – 3:30 pm)
The Chairman said that the “Occupy Central” movement (the Movement) was
ever-developing on recent days. Before this meeting, the Secretariat of the C&WDC received
a few papers submitted by Members regarding the Movement. They included a paper
“Problems arising out of the ‘Occupy Central’ movement” (i.e. C&WDC Paper No. 118/2014
which was included in the agenda already), and another one submitted by Mr HUI Chi-fung in
the afternoon of 15 October 2014 titling “Strong condemnation of the Police for abuse of force
and request for launching criminal investigation about the incident”. As the subject matters of
both papers were about unexpected incidents related to the Movement, the Chairman suggested
that Mr HUI’s paper be included under Item 14 in the agenda so that the papers concerning the
Movement would be discussed altogether. However, in his response given to the Chairman
about the aforesaid arrangement in the morning of 16 October 2014, Mr HUI objected to the
placing of his paper under the same discussion item of another paper which was anti-Movement
by nature, expressing his deep regret about this and withdrawing his paper. The Chairman
reiterated that he had already agreed to include Mr HUI’s paper in the agenda, which would be
discussed with another paper about the Movement under the same item. In the afternoon of 16
October 2014, the Chairman received another paper “Strong request for rigorous enforcement of
law to restore social order” (i.e. C&WDC Paper No. 119/2014) submitted by five Members
including Mr IP Kwok-him. As the paper was also related to the Movement, he included it in
Item 14 for discussion at his discretion so that Paper Nos. 118/2014 and 119/2014 would be
discussed at the same time.
3.
Mr HUI Chi-fung raised point of order. Firstly, there were new developments for the
Movement every day, but the Chairman only approved to include anti-Movement papers in the
agenda. The two papers proposed by him, namely, “Striving for democracy by means of Civil
Disobedience, Objection to use of tear gas grenades against students by the Government, Protest
against blockage of true universal suffrage by the Standing Committee of the National People’s
Congress” and “Strong condemnation of the Police for abuse of force and request for launching
criminal investigation about the incident”, were not allowed to form a separate item for
discussion. Secondly, he said that the Chairman had adjourned the discussion of his paper and
the related motion on “June 4th Incident” during the C&WDC meeting held on 29 May 2014.
Subsequently, the Chairman once again refused to include the aforesaid paper re-submitted in
the agenda during the C&WDC meeting held on on 17 July 2014, and even instructed the staff
to take him away from the meeting place forcefully. Mr HUI had informed the Secretariat of
his insistence of striving for including the paper on June 4th Incident in this agenda, and for
including the paper about condemnation of the Police for abuse of power as a separate item for
discussion. He explained that if the C&WDC allowed discussion on his papers during meeting,
it would be self-explanatory to the public and media that Members of dissenting political views
were free to discuss and vote despite difference in ideology. Therefore he requested the
Chairman to include his papers for discussion.
4.
5.
The Chairman explained that he grouped all Movement-related papers submitted by
-5-
different Members in one item for discussion because all new developments were originated
from the same Movement. He reminded that it was Mr HUI Chi-fung who decided to
withdraw his paper and motion about civil disobedience. Mr HUI did so while the Chairman
was still considering how to deal with Mr HUI’s submission.
Mr HUI Chi-fung refuted that the Chairman purposefully include his papers under an
item containing other “anti-Movement” papers for preventing discussion of the subject matter of
his proposals.
6.
The Chairman asked Mr HUI Chi-fung not to mislead the public. According to
Article 6(5) of the Standing Orders, the Chairman was responsible to “approve the agenda for a
meeting of the Council”. As the developments were arising from the Movement, he put all
relevant papers even representing divergent views under one agenda item for easy discussion
(e.g. papers requesting for reopening of roads for restoration of smooth traffic and for
investigating abuse of power during law enforcement by the Police, etc.). Neither did he reject
Mr HUI’s paper for discussion.
7.
In response to Mr HUI Chi-fung’s enquiry of the reason why his paper on June 4th
Incident was not included in the agenda, the Chairman explained that he had repeatedly stated
his standpoint and basis of decision-making in this matter during the C&WDC meetings held in
May and July 2015, which were put on record. The voting result to adjourn discussion also
revealed the opinion of most Members in that Mr HUI’s proposed item did not comply with the
statutory functions of the C&WDC. He thus would not include the item for discussion again.
According to Article 13(3) of the Standing Orders, “Members of the Council shall not at the
meeting of the Council discuss any item that was not included in the agenda.” The Chairman
recommended that the meeting should start discussion according to the agenda.
8.
Mr Sidney LEE opined that, in terms of discussion, it was indifferent to discuss two
papers under one item or two separate items during meeting because Members could still
express their views on the papers freely in either case. Grouping papers of the same subject
matter in one item would result in better time management and more efficient proceedings.
Seeing that it was indifferent between both kinds of item arrangement and the Chairman would
not prohibit Members from expressing their views, it was unnecessary to discuss papers in
separate items.
9.
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai pointed out that discussion of two papers in one item might
proceed in two ways. Firstly, each of the two papers might contain its own motion(s) for
voting. Secondly, only the paper proposed earlier might contain motion(s) for voting, whereas
the remaining one would be presented as its attachment without motion for voting. As the
Chairman had told him that the first approach would be adopted, so whether the papers were
discussed in separate items would be of no difference.
10.
The Chairman reiterated that Members should not mislead the public because it was
not improper to discuss two papers about the Movement in one item.
11.
Mr HUI Chi-fung clarified that it was unreasonable to include papers holding opposite
views under one discussion item because one paper was against abuse of power by the Police
but the other was against the Movement itself.
12.
-6-
The Chairman reminded that Mr HUI Chi-fung had withdrawn his paper which would
not receive discussion in this meeting.
13.
Mr HUI Chi-fung reiterated that it was unreasonable to put papers of different nature
in one item for discussion, and queried if the Chairman had abused his power by repeatedly
prohibiting discussion on the paper about June 4 incident in some meetings and impeding
Members of dissenting parties to express their views.
14.
The Chairman responded that he decided to adjourn the discussion on the paper about
June 4th Incident according to the resolution of most Members as reflected in the voting result.
This item would not be discussed further in this meeting because it was not an item in the
agenda. As the justifications to adjourn discussion were explained for many times during the
meetings held in May and July 2014, they would not be repeated unnecessarily here.
15.
Mr HUI Chi-fung stressed that the June 4th Incident was an issue that had to be faced
squarely without any excuse to avoid. Otherwise, he would continue to strive for discussion of
this topic in the meetings to come, and considered that this issue demanded a solution.
16.
The Chairman explained that the issue was solved already because a Member moved
a motion to adjourn the debate, which was consequently endorsed by Members through voting,
during the meeting.
17.
Mr HUI Chi-fung opined that the Chairman was suspicious of prohibiting Members
from dissenting political parties from debating and voting.
18.
The Vice-chairman reminded that Members had to observe the Standing Orders. In
fact, adjournment of debate was not a proceeding unique to District Council meetings, and
pan-democratic Members of the Legislative Council often exercised this power during meetings.
As adjournment of debate was something permitted by the Standing Orders and Members had to
conduct meetings according to established stipulations of the Standing Orders, procedural
justice was thus satisfied. He also reminded that the proceedings were developed collectively
and that no individual Members were entitled to alter them at will.
19.
20.
The Chairman wanted to start the meeting.
Mr HUI Chi-fung requested the Chairman once again not to obstruct dissident
Members from proposing papers for discussion and voting.
21.
Mr Sidney LEE wondered if the paper on June 4th Incident as mentioned by Mr HUI
Chi-fung paper was the one proposed on 29 May 2014. If yes, he pointed out that most
Members considered the subject matter of the paper was irrelevant to the functions of the
C&WDC and endorsed through voting to adjourn its debate. All Members were aware of and
agree to the voting result then, and the adjournment had nothing to do with difference in
political ideologies. He asked whether Members were allowed to propose papers for
discussion abruptly during meeting. If yes, he also wanted to immediately present some papers
prepared beforehand for discussion in this meeting.
22.
23.
The Chairman explained that only papers submitted by Members before the meeting
-7-
might be included in the agenda for discussion.
Mr HUI Chi-fung said that his paper on June 4 incident was proposed in March 2014
for discussion in the meeting held in May 2014. He asked why some papers proposed after the
submission deadline could still be included in the agenda.
24.
The Chairman reminded that the C&WDC meeting was not a platform for pursuit of
personal ideals through persistence disregarding the well-being of the public. As explained
previously, the subject matter of Mr HUI’s paper was outside the statutory functions of the
C&WDC and was not suitable for discussion during meeting. Members had freely expressed
their personal views about this.
25.
Mr HUI Chi-fung asked why papers on “anti-Movement” submitted by Members
holding the same political ideologies with the Chairman were included for discussion for as
many as three times.
26.
The Chairman explained that the “Movement” was a problem occurring in the Central
and Western (C&W) District. As it had seriously affected the livelihood of the public, the
C&WDC had to hold discussions for addressing the public aspirations. He said that the public
and Members respected the aspirations of participants of the Movement but requested them to
re-open the blocked roads for restoration of normal traffic.
27.
Mr HUI Chi-fung contrarily requested the Chairman to open up a channel to
discussion for Members holding dissenting political views.
28.
Mr Sidney LEE clarified that discussions on the Movement were held in a meeting of
the Traffic and Transport Committee under the chairmanship of Ms CHENG Lai-king, and in a
meeting of the Food, Environment, Hygiene and Works Committee under his chairmanship.
Discussions on the subject matter was not held for three times in the C&WDC meetings as
mentioned by Mr HUI.
29.
Mr HUI Chi-fung repeatedly asked why pro-establishment Members did not allow
Members of dissenting political views to propose papers for discussion.
30.
Mr Sidney LEE responded that Mr HUI Chi-fung’s paper had actually been included
in the agenda, but it was Mr HUI himself who withdrew it.
31.
The Chairman reiterated that, according to Article 13(3) of the Standing Orders,
“Members of the Council shall not at the meeting of the Council discuss any item that was not
included in the agenda.” He then asked Members whether they had comments on or would
adopt the agenda.
32.
Members had no comments in the agenda, so the Chairman declared the adoption of
the agenda
33.
Mr HUI Chi-fung hoped that his paper which was rejected for inclusion in the agenda
could be discussed in this meeting, and that the Chairman would respond to point of order.
34.
-8-
The Chairman launched the discussion on Item 2(i) in the agenda regarding the MTR
projects. When the Chairman was speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung continued requesting the
Chairman to respond to point of order.
35.
The Chairman replied that the point of order concerned had been settled and asked Mr
HUI Chi-fung not to disrupt the conduct of the meeting anymore.
36.
The Chairman repeatedly asked Mr HUI Chi-fung to cease speaking when the
meeting was in progress because Mr HUI was not permitted to do so. The Chairman explained
that the point of order concerned by Mr HUI was actually settled in the last two meetings. As
Mr HUI’s proposal was neither an item of this agenda nor a subject matter related to the
statutory functions of the C&WDC, the Chairman asked him not to disrupt the conduct of the
meeting anymore.
37.
Mr HUI Chi-fung insisted that the Chairman had to deal with the concerned point of
order before the meeting could proceed.
38.
39.
The Chairman reiterated that the point of order concerned was dealt with already.
When Mr Michael LEUNG, representative of the MTR Corporation Limited
(MTRCL), was giving his presentation, Mr HUI Chi-fung kept on requesting the Chairman to
respond to point of order.
40.
The Chairman asked Mr HUI Chi-fung to stop disrupting the conduct of the meeting
with his unauthorised speech, but Mr HUI continued repeating his aforesaid aspirations. The
Chairman told Mr HUI that he might seek judicial review if he disagreed to the ruling.
41.
When the guest was speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung kept on requesting the Chairman to
respond to the point of order concerned.
42.
The Chairman said that he had requested Mr HUI Chi-fung not to disrupt the normal
conduct of the meeting again and again, and that he might ask him to leave the place of meeting
if the disruption continued. As Mr HUI continued repeating his aforesaid aspiration, the
Chairman advised Mr HUI again that he might seek judicial review if he disagreed to the ruling
but should not disrupt the conduct of the meeting.
43.
Mr HUI Chi-fung requested the Chairman to include the aforesaid paper submitted by
him for discussion and make use of his power properly.
44.
The Vice-chairman reminded that Members were obliged to make good use of the
meeting time.
45.
The Chairman said that, during the C&WDC meetings held on 29 May and 17 July
2014, he had explained that the paper submitted by Mr HUI Chi-fung about the “June 4th
Incident” did not comply with the statutory functions of the C&WDC. On 29 May 2015, the
C&WDC endorsed to adjourn the discussion on the paper and the related motion about “June
4th Incident” in accordance with Article 24 of the Standing Orders. The voting result clearly
indicated that the majority of the C&WDC queried and worried about the compatibility of the
46.
-9-
proposed item to the functions of the C&WDC. For this reason, the paper and motion
concerned would not be discussed further. He asked Mr HUI to be cooperative without
disrupting the normal conduct of the meeting.
47.
When the guest was giving his presentation, Mr HUI Chi-fung continued repeating his
request.
The Chairman reiterated his position stated earlier, that is, during the C&WDC
meetings held on 29 May and 17 July 2014, he had explained that the paper submitted by Mr
HUI Chi-fung about the “June 4th Incident” did not comply with the statutory functions of the
C&WDC. On 29 May 2014, the C&WDC endorsed to adjourn the discussion on the paper and
the related motion about “June 4th Incident” in accordance with Article 24 of the Standing
Orders. The voting result clearly indicated that the majority of the C&WDC queried and
worried about the compatibility of the proposed item to the functions of the C&WDC. For this
reason, the paper and motion concerned would not be discussed further. He asked Mr HUI to
be cooperative without disrupting the normal conduct of the meeting.
48.
Mr HUI Chi-fung opined that the Chairman should not in his capacity define the
paper submitted as being imcompatible to the C&WDC functions and should not prevent
Members holding dissenting political views from proposing papers for discussion.
49.
The Chairman advised Mr HUI Chi-fung repeatedly that he might seek judicial
review if he disagreed to the ruling.
50.
Mr HUI Chi-fung called on the Chairman to cease abusing his power. Although he
hoped that the meeting would proceed normally, he had to insist on his aspirations because he
had to give an account of the case to the public in that an item proposed by a Member of
democratic parties. Was rejected.
51.
The Vice-chairman said that Members of both the pro-establishment parties and
pan-democratic parties had been working together in accordance with the Standing Orders
despite their difference in political ideologies, and that Members from whatever parties had
never acted wilfully and stubbornly in their own way before.
52.
53.
Mr Sidney LEE requested to proceed the meeting according to the agenda.
Standing items
Item 2: (i) Progress of the MTR West Island Line Project
– progress of the construction works of the West Island Line
(C&W DC Paper No. 100/2014)
(3:30 pm – 4:10 pm)
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the MTRCL, TD, Highways
Department (HyD) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to the meeting.
54.
55.
Mr HUI Chi-fung requested the Chairman to deal with the point of order he just
raised.
- 10 -
The Chairman said that the problem was solved already, and asked Mr HUI Chi-fung
to stop his unauthorised speaking lest the meeting should be disrupted. He reiterated that Mr
HUI Chi-fung’s proposal was not an item in the agenda.
56.
Mr Michael LEUNG, Senior Liaison Engineer of the MTRCL, gave his Powerpoint
presentation on the latest progress of the project. Regarding the Sai Ying Pun (SYP) Station,
the electrical and mechanical engineering (E&M) works were in progress, and the installation of
building equipment of the concourse was completed. Regarding the Hong Kong University
(HKU) Station, the E&M works were substantially completed, and statutory tests underway.
The structural construction works of the flyover connecting the HKU Centennial Campus and
the entrance at Pokfulam Road was completed with decoration and E&M works in progress.
Upon completion of the statutory tests, the Kennedy Town (KT) Station was handed over to the
Operations Department for preparatory works for commissioning. The re-provisioning works
of the public toilets and recreational facilities near the station entrance at Forbes Street were
substantially completed, and progress of the construction works of the drop-off area of green
minibus (GMB) and greening area near the station entrance at the former KT Swimming Pool
was satisfactory. The re-provisioning works of the KT Swimming Pool (Phase II) at Shing Sai
Road was commenced in September 2014, and the top of the swimming pool would be
constructed with translucent PTFE materials resulting in better thermal and sound insulation.
The works was expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2016. In conclusion, some 97%
of the overall project had been completed and it was expected that the WIL would commence
service in December 2014.
57.
Mr WONG Wai-ming of the MTRCL briefed Members on the preparatory works
before commencement of operation. To tie in with the service commencement of the WIL
scheduled by the end of 2014, the MTRCL had conducted repeated tests on the systems and
facilities of the stations. The KT Station was cited as an example for illustration. Tests on
platform screen doors were carried out for 200 000 times, and that on turnstiles and ticket
machines would be conducted for 130 000 times altogether as required. Other kinds of tests
were in progress, ensuring that all systems functioned properly in the actual environment of all
MTR stations. Meanwhile, the operations teams of the KT Station had started working and
conducted a series of simulated exercises, familiarising the staff with the facilities and
operations of the station for dealing with the possible situations that might arise during
operation.
58.
Mr Kenrick KO, Project Communications Manager of the MTRCL, said that the
MTRCL collaborated with the Hong Kong Arts Centre to produce three short films by three
young directors on the theme “Community”. They described the unique features of the C&W
District, the close human relationship among local residents, and expectations for the new
railway by the local community. These three films would be played in about 50 MTR stations
and on MTR trains running the Ma On Shan Line, East Rail Line, West Rail Line and Kwun
Tong Line. The MTRCL planned to recruit more station assistants to help passengers use the
facilities and services of the MTR stations. A recruitment exercise would be held in Kennedy
Town Community Complex on 25 October 2014, and the relevant information sent to Members
in due course to help promote the activity. Regarding the arrangement about service
commencement of the WIL, the MTRCL might need a few more weeks for preparation and was
expected to announce the operations arrangements in early November 2014, including the final
decision on whether the backup plan (i.e. commissioning of the WIL without opening the SYP
Station temporarily) was to be implemented, and fare scheme.
59.
- 11 -
The Chairman invited Members to give comments.
comments were as follows:
60.
The main points of their
(a) Mr Sidney LEE requested the MTRCL to provide residents in the vicinity of the
SYP Station with concessionary or compensation scheme (e.g. provision of
shuttle bus service or concessionary fare for passengers) if the backup plan with
non-stopping of trains at SYP Station was to be implemented.
(b) Mr WONG Kin-shing enquired of the commissioning arrangements of the WIL.
If the backup plan with non-stopping of trains at SYP Station was adopted, he
requested the MTRCL to introduce concessionary initiatives and feeder bus
service to residents in SYP, encouraging them to use MTR service at Sheung Wan
Station or HKU station. He also suggested that more “MTR Fare Savers” be
installed near the three MTR stations along the WIL to attract more users.
(c) Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan asked about the commissioning arrangements of the
WIL and whether the KT Station could commence operation on schedule.
(d) Dr Malcolm LAM asked about the fare scheme of the WIL after commencing
service. He recommended the Administration to provide fare concessions to
residents in SYP in case the backup plan with non-stopping at one station was to
implement.
(e) Miss LO Yee-hang opined that the MTRCL should announce the arrangements
about cmmissioning of the WIL and the compensatory measures for non-stopping
at one station as soon as possible. She said that the Movement recently had
adversely affected the road traffic and MTR service thus became more important
to local residents. She hoped that the WIL would commence operation as early
as practicable in order to alleviate the traffic problem in the district.
(f) Mr CHAN Choi-hi asked why the MTRCL would announce the commissioning
arrangements of the WIL only in early November 2014.
(g) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai agreed that residents in SYP should be compensated if the
backup plan of non-stopping at one station was to be adopted.
(h) Ms CHENG Lai-king asked about the fare scheme of the WIL after commencing
service. She also suggested that more signs be installed inside Sheung Wan
Station, indicating to the public that entrance E was inaccessible from other
entrances of the same station.
(i) The Vice-chairman said that the Movement had resulted in undesirable road
traffic, making the KT area like an isolated island. Apart from requesting for
early commissioning of the WIL to alleviate the traffic problem in Western
District, he asked the Administration to reopen the re-provisioned open space,
traffic interchange and crossing facilities as soon as possible. He also
recommended the Administration to open the stations to the public for
familiarisation with the facilities therein prior to service commencement of the
WIL.
- 12 -
Mr Kenrick KO of the MTRCL responded that the tagetted commissioning date of the
WIL was still December 2014. The passenger fare structure of the WIL would be formulated
according to the existing MTR fare adjustment mechanism. The MTRCL would announce
various arrangements about commissioning, backup plan and fare structure of the WIL, etc. in
early November 2014. The MTRCL had been reviewing the arrangements of signs in all MTR
stations from time to time for improvement including provision of additional signs and
amplification of font size of words on signs to facilitate use by passengers. Members’ views in
this respect would be reflected to the responsible unit of the MTRCL for consideration. He
disclosed that the Administration would organise open days prior to commissioning of the WIL
so that the public might get familiarised with the new stations and the related facilities. Details
about open days would be announced in due course.
61.
Mr Michael LEUNG of the MTRCL responded that the MTRCL had negotiated with
the departments concerned regarding the reopening arrangement of open space at KT Station.
As the final stage of site formation was underway, it was expected that the completed
reprovisioning works would be formally handed over to the departments concerned prior to
commencement of operation of the station. He also expected that the projects at Smithfield
and North Street could be completed in December 2014, and the related road facilities would be
reopen gradually.
62.
The Chairman thanked the representatives of the MTRCL and departments concerned
for attending the meeting.
63.
When Members were speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung repeated requesting the Chairman
to deal with his point of order raised earlier.
64.
Discussion item
Item 3:
Tree planting as compensation for losses caused by the MTR West Island
Line Project and greening of MTR stations
(C&W DC Paper No. 101/2014)
(4:10 pm – 4:20 pm)
65.
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the MTRCL to the meeting.
Mr HUI Chi-fung once again requested the Chairman to deal with the point of order
raised by him.
66.
The Chairman reiterated that Mr HUI Chi-fung’s problem was settled already and
asked him to stop speaking without permission and not to disrupt the conduct of meeting. He
said that the subject matter proposed by Mr HUI was incompatible to the statutory functions of
the C&WDC and therefore would not be discussed at the meeting. He asked Mr HUI not to be
persistent in the same problem and it would interrupt the operation of the C&WDC.
67.
Mr Michael LEUNG, Senior Liaison Engineer of the MTRCL, reported that there
were altogether more than 840 trees in the district affected by the WIL project. Among them,
357 were to be removed, 86 transplanted, and 400 conserved within the construction sites.
68.
- 13 -
Upon completion of the project, the MTRCL would plant 465 trees in the district as
compensation. Rooftop or vertical greening would also be implemented at 8 out of the 15
station entrances of the WIL and the related facilities, and such designs were briefed to
Members in the previous C&WDC meetings.
The Chairman invited Members to give comments.
comments were as follows:
69.
The main points of their
(a) Mr Sidney LEE asked when the re-provisioning of the occupied sites in the
district would be completed and re-open for use by the public.
(b) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai hoped that the MTRCL could complete the greening of
MTR stations before they commenced operation.
Mr Michael LEUNG of the MTRCL responded that about 12 sites of open space were
occupied as works sites of the WIL project in the district. As re-provisioning works of some
sites were completed, the MTRCL was currently negotiating with the LCSD on arrangements
about returning these sites. Among them, part of the open space at the KT Station could be
returned to the LCSD by the end of November 2014, and the remaining sites of open space
would also be returned one after another since the end of this year. Besides, rooftop or vertical
greening would take place at 8 station entrances and the related facilities under the WIL project.
70.
71.
The Chairman thanked the representatives of the MTRCL for attending the meeting.
Standing items
Item 4: (ii) Conserving Central
(C&W DC Paper No. 102/2014)
(4:20 pm – 4:35 pm)
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Development Bureau (DEVB) and
Transport Department (TD) to the meeting.
72.
Mr Ricky WONG, Chief Assistant Secretary (Works) 2 of the DEVB, reported on the
latest progress of all the projects regarding Conserving Central:
73.
(a) The revitalisation works of the Central Police Station (CPS) Compound was
expected to complete in 2015. After that, all operators would proceed to internal
decoration and application for related licences, and the CPS Compound was
expected to open to the public in 2016.
(b) The PMQ had so far attracted 1 521 000 visitors since its opening in April 2014.
(c) The proposed development at Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (HKSKH)’s
Compound was currently under revision by the HKSKH including the study of a
private hospital re-development at the site. The HKSKH was preparing a more
specific proposal, and would consult the bureaux and departments concerned
- 14 -
afterwards. When a more specific proposal was available, the Administration and
HKSKH would consult the C&WDC again.
(d) It was expected that the Former French Mission Building would be available for
adaptive re-use in 2015 after relocation of the Court of Final Appeal to the old
Supreme Court building at No. 8 Jackson Road, Central. The Department of
Justice (DoJ) and departments concerned had launched the preparatory works for
renovation of the building. The DoJ would brief the C&WDC on the detailed
arrangements and works when available.
(e) The renovation works of the East and Main Wings of the Former Central
Government Offices Complex was commenced in July 2013 and was expected to
complete in the first quarter of 2015. Follow-up actions on other related projects
were being taken proactively by the departments concerned. The technical
feasibility study regarding the required works for relocating the office of the DoJ to
the West Wing had been completed, and preparation of the preliminary works by
the departments concerned was underway. The project was scheduled for
completion by the end of 2017.
(f) The tender regarding the redevelopment project of the Murray Building to a hotel
was successfully awarded in November 2013, and the developer had subsequently
submitted the master layout plan compatible to land lease and report of traffic
impact assessment to the Government in September 2014.
When Members were speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung repeatedly requested the Chairman
to deal with his point of order raised and cancel the arrangement of stationing security guards
inside the conference room.
74.
75.
The Chairman reiterated that he had already dealt with the problem raised by Mr HUI
Chi-fung.
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai requested the Chairman to ask Mr HUI Chi-fung to leave the
conference room.
76.
Mr Larry CHU, Assistant Secretary (Harbour)1 of the DEVB, reported that the
Administration planned to develop Sites 1 and 2 of the New Central Harbourfront into a distinct
civic node and mixed use precinct. However, the proposed development could be materialised
progressively only after the completion of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass. The Harbourfront
Commission (HC) and DEVB jointly launched the three-month Phase II Public Engagement
Exercise for the proposed establishment of a Harbourfront Authority (HFA) on 25 September
2014 to gauge public views on the proposed details. It was recommended that Sites 1 and 2 of
the New Central Harbourfront might be allocated to the HFA. The DEVB and HC would
consult the C&WDC about this
77.
The Chairman invited Members to give comments.
comments were as follows:
78.
The main points of their
(a) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai was concerned about the charges of catering service to be
provided in the CPS Compound. He also enquired of the arrangements regarding
the development of a private hospital at the site of HKSKH’s Compound and
- 15 -
requested the Administration to set the charges for provision of medical services as
low as possible. He asked which developer was awarded with the tender for the
revitalisation project of the Murray Building, and when the revitalisation works
would commence.
(b) Ms CHENG Lai-king opined that the CPS Compound possessed relics belonging
to the people, and hoped that all members of the public might enter the
redevelopment after its opening and use the facilities there. She also urged the
government departments to provide detailed information on the revitalisation
project of the HKSKH’s Compound.
79.
Mr Ricky WONG gave a consolidated response as follows:
(a) The DEVB would reflect Members’ concern over charges of catering service in
the CPS Compound to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (Jockey Club), which would
brief members during meeting of the working group concerned on the operational
details including catering service and service facilities for transportation after
opening of the project. The two major public areas in the CPS Compound, that is,
the Parade Ground and Prison Playground, would be open to the public for free.
(b) The tender regarding the revitalisation project of Murray Building was awarded
to Wheelock & Co. The developer had launched the works which, according to
the land lease, had to be completed by the end of December 2018.
Miss Leonie LEE, Assistant Secretary (Heritage Conservation)3 of the DEVB, said
that details regarding the proposed redevelopment to a private hospital at the site of the
HKSKH’s Compound including design, charges and operational pattern, etc. were under
revision by the HKSKH. The HKSKH would consult the C&WDC again after finalisation of
details. The DEVB planned to stipulate in the land lease to be revised that medical or nursery
services to be operated in the HKSKH’s Compound had to be non-profit-making by nature.
The DEVB would also negotiate with the HKSKH to open the public space therein for public
use as far as possible.
80.
When Members were speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung continued requesting the Chairman
to deal with his point of order raised.
81.
The Chairman reiterated that, during the last two C&WDC meetings, most Members
opined that the Mr HUI Chi-fung’s proposal on “June 4th Incident” was incompatible with the
functions of C&WDC as stated in the District Councils Ordinance. The C&WDC also
endorsed a motion regarding adjournment of debate on Mr HIU Chi-fung’s proposal according
to Article 24 of the Standing Orders. He warned Mr HUI Chi-fung once again, asking him to
stop speaking without permission.
82.
83.
The Chairman thanked the representatives of the DEVB for attending the meeting.
Item 4: (iii) Report on the projects under the Urban Renewal Authority in the
Central & Western District
(C&W DC Paper No. 103/2014)
(4:35 pm – 5:05 pm)
- 16 -
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA)
to the meeting.
84.
85.
Mr HUI Chi-fung requested the Chairman again to deal with his point of order raised.
The Chairman opined that the subject matter raised by Mr HUI Chi-fung was not a
point of order and that the problem he raised was handled already. He asked Mr HUI to stop
speaking without permission.
86.
87.
Mr Wilfred AU, Deputy Chief Manager (Planning and Design) of the URA, reported
that:
(a) On 12 August 2014, the Building Authority had approved the general building
plans submitted by the URA for revitalisation of the market building under the
project of Central Oasis. The URA was also in negotiation with the government
on land grant for the project.
(b) Regarding the Development Scheme H18 at Peel Street/Graham Street (Project
H18), a three-week promotional activity called “Graham Market Place” was
launched on 3 September 2014, attracting the participation of around 70 hawkers
and shop operators in Graham Market. During the event, the participants
distributed 6 kinds of souvenirs about Graham Markets and coupons to customers.
Most of the participants opined that the promotional event successfully resulted in
increased consumption by consumers and half of them even thought that the
turnover was actually benefited.
(c) The preparatory work for foundation works of Site B under Project H18
including preparation of pile testing had been launched, but the actual schedule to
test pile depended on the processing of the Buildings Department (BD). After
obtaining further information from the developer subsequent to full implementation
of foundation works, the URA would update the C&WDC again about the works
progress of Site B. The 17 non-fresh food shops currently operating in Sites A and
C would move out by the end of March 2015 out of their own accord while the
eleven fresh food shops having participated in the “Local Shops Arrangement Fresh Food Shops Arrangement” (FFS Arrangement) would continue operating in
Sites A and C and carry on the business at the fresh food retail block at Site B upon
its completion in a seamless manner. Having obtained the support of the C&WDO,
a multi-purpose activities hall with a maximum capacity of 450 people would be
developed in Site A, which would be managed by the URA. It was suggested that
a “Multi-purpose Activities Hall Management Community Advisory Committee”
comprising Members of the C&WDC be formed in future for advising and assisting
the URA in the general management of the hall. Applications for permanent
closure of road and for construction of a proposed overhead footbridge would be
gazetted in October 2014, and the Lands Department (LD) would subsequently
conduct a public consultation according to established procedures.
(d) The beautification works of the Cochrane Street Sitting-out Area, which included
beautification of road and erection of art installation describing the history in the
vicinity of Cochrane Street, commenced in mid-September 2014. To reduce the
- 17 -
impact on pedestrians during implementation of works, the beautification works
would be carried out in two phases and the first one was expected to complete by
the end of 2014.
(e) The rehabilitation works for properties acquired by the URA at No. 3 and 12
Wing Lee Street were almost completed. The URA accepted to implement the
service proposals of “Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong” and “Light Be Light Home” at the said sites which aimed to provide accommodation for youth
receiving employment training and families having difficulty in finding residence
respectively. Both projects would be operated for two years and were expected to
commence service in the fourth quarter of 2014.
(f) The URA had submitted an application to the LandsD for two-year extension for
the operation of the Western Market to settle the issues regarding its operation and
tenancy of cloth traders operating there. The URA would meet the shop operators
regularly to understand their problems of operation. In addition, the management
company of Western Market planned to organise an exhibition in Western Market
about the development of cloth industry in Hong Kong by the end of 2014 and,
under the assistance of Mr CHENG Po-hung, the early history of cloth industry in
Hong Kong would be staged.
The Chairman invited Members to give comments.
comments were as follows:
88.
The main points of their
(a) Ms CHENG Lai-king considered that the historic building at No. 118, Wellington
Street should be preserved as far as possible. If preservation of the whoile
building was infeasible, the Administration should strive for placing the terrazzo
sign of Nam Wah Ink Company in the open space of Project H18 to provide more
information about the history of the century-old street market in Graham Street.
She enquired the URA whether it would continue operating the Western Market
in future, and how it would solve the problem of water leakage at the roof of the
building.
(b) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai agreed that the historic building at No. 118, Wellington
Street should be preserved for staging exhibition about the history of printing
industry in Hong Kong. If preservation was inviable, the Administration should
try to keep the sign of “Nam Wah Ink Company” for exhibition in Hong Kong.
Regarding the development of Western Market, he recommended the URA to
explore the feasibility of connecting the Western Market and its adjacent
footbridge. He commended the URA for its maintenance and refurbishment of
more properties in Wing Lee Street, but pointed out that it would be unfavourable
to conserve historic buildings without full utilisation of these monuments.
(c) Mr MAN Chi-wah said that the 17 non-fresh food shop operators in Sites A and
C under Project H18 were required to move out on or before 31 March 2015.
As he worried that some of them might not follow the relocation schedule, he
requested the URA to formulate contingency plans early in case of delayed
removal of some tenants. He suggested that the Administation might charge
such tenants market rents in order to reduce their incentive of not moving out.
He had reservation on the preservation of the historic building at No. 118,
- 18 -
Wellington Street because it would be difficult to support the single building
securely after demolition of its adjacent buildings. He opined that it would be
sufficient to keep the sign of Nam Wah Ink Company the historical value of
which was still debatable.
When Members were speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung repeatedly requested the Chairman
to deal with his point of order raised, and queried whether the Chairman had defined the
compatibility of his proposal to the functions of the C&WDC according to his personal liking.
89.
The Chairman opined that Mr HUI Chi-fung’s raised issue was not a point of order
but was still dealt with already. He also opined that Mr HUI Chi-fung’s persistence had
disrupted the proceedings and hindered Members and the public from understanding the latest
development of the district.
90.
Mr Michael MA, Director, Planning and Design of the URA, gave a consolidated
response as follows:
91.
(a) Regarding the building at No. 118 Wellington Street, the Antiquities Advisory
Board (AAB) proposed to define it as a Grade-3 historic building. As the main
structure of this building was made of wood, it would be difficult to support the
building after demolition of its adjacent buildings. In addition, as the descendants
of calligrapher Mr SO Sai-kit were having discussion with the person-in-charge of
Nam Wah Ink Company for taking the sign of the ink company back for exhibition
in Guangzhou, and an agreement was yet to reach. If the sign was to be kept in
Hong Kong finally, the URA would be more than happy to discuss with the
C&WDC about incorporating the sign into the design of public open space under
Project H18.
(b) Regarding the maintenance of Western Market, the URA would carry out minor
repair works during the effective period of the current contract. As the long-term
solution to the problem of water leakage involved in implementation of a
large-scale maintenance works at the whole top floor of the building, it could not be
done within the next two years when the operation contract was still in force.
Moreover, the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) would not approve to
demolish the external wall of the Western Market, which was a historic building,
for provision of an additional entrance from the adjacent footbridge.
(c) Regarding the relocation of the 17 non-fresh food shops in Sites A and C under
Project H18, the URA had been maintaining liaison with the shop operators
concerned and reminding them that the first phase of demolition works would
commence in November 2014. As the construction materials of buildings in the
area might contain asbestos, the URA had to study it carefully and, if found, remove
the asbestos first to ensure public safety and safe implementation of the related
works.
(d) The URA invited the C&WDC to advise on the design of Project 18 and the
exhibition about the history and development of cloth industry to be staged in the
Western Market.
92.
Members gave further comments as follows:
- 19 -
(a) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai proposed to set up an exhibition room inside the Western
Market to introduce the development of cloth industry.
(b) Mr Jackie CHEUNG enquired of the maximum capacity and proposed rental of
the multi-purpose activities hall to be provided in Site A under Project H18, and
asked whether advanced audio-visual equipment would be purchased for use there.
(c) Ms CHENG Lai-king asked in which year the multi-purpose activities hall in Site
A under Project H18 would be open.
93.
Mr Michael MA of the URA gave his consolidated response as follows:
(a) Mr CHENG Po-hung would assist in data collection and research on the
development of cloth industry in Hong Kong and might compile a book on this
topic in case of available resources. Therefore the history could be passed on
without setting up a permanent exhibition hall.
(b) The maximum capacity of visitors in the modernised multi-purpose activities hall
in Site A under Project H18 was planned to be 450. The rental and operational
arrangements of the hall would be discussed by the management community
advisory committee to be formed in future.
The Chairman told Mr HUI Chi-fung that the C&WDC was already extremely
tolerant with his misbehaviour. He reiterated that the item raised by Mr HUI was not included
in the agenda, and that the C&WDC had also endorsed to adjourn the discussion of the subject
matter concerned in a previous meeting. He said that Mr HUI aimed to draw the attention of
the meeting on him by speaking ceaselessly wihout permission to disrupt the proceedings.
94.
Mr HUI Chi-fung argued that the Chairman should not speculate on the motive of
Members’ behaviour. He stressed that he submitted his paper to the C&WDC on behalf of the
public, and opined that the Chairman should not have screening of discussion papers. He
hoped that political items could be discussed fairly and reasonably during meeting.
95.
Mr Jackie CHEUNG pointed out that Mr HUI Chi-fung had been repeatedly asking
the Chairman the same question through microphone without a stop for one and a half hours (i.e.
from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm) since the formal discussion of the first item in the agenda. As Mr
HUI’s volume was too loud to, if not cover, seriously interrupt the speaking of the meeting, Mr
CHEUNG and the public audience were unable to listen clearly the presentation of government
representatives and other persons of the meeting. Mr HUI’s double speech prevented Members
from discussing community issues freely, depriving Members of the right to express and the
public of the right to know. He strongly condemned Mr HUI’s “verbal violence” and walked
out.
96.
97.
The Chairman thanked the representatives of the URA for attending the meeting.
Item 5:
Chairman’s Report
(5:05 pm)
98.
The Chairman invited Members to attend a dinner gathering jointly organised by
- 20 -
major community organisations in the C&W District in the evening of 21 October 2014 in
celebration of persons awarded with Medal of Honour or Chief Executive’s Certificate as well
as persons appointed as Justice of the Peace by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Government.
The Chairman invited Members to attend a meeting and lunch gathering held between
the C&WDC Members and Legislative Councillors at 10:45 am on 27 November 2014.
99.
100.
When the Chairman was speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung kept on making his request.
Item 8:
Confirmation of the minutes of the 15th C&W DC meeting held on 17 July
2014
(5:10 pm)
The Chairman said that the Secretariat had e-mailed the draft minutes of the 15th
meeting to Members on 26 September 2014, and had e-mailed, together with the fourth batch of
papers, and tabled the proposed amendments put forward by Mr Joseph CHAN for Members’
perusal.
101.
Mr MAN Chi-wah proposed to amend the wording “fire safety education bus(es)” in
paragraph 86(e) in the draft minutes of the last meeting to “Fire Safety Ambassador(s)”.
102.
Members had no comments on the draft of the amended minutes and the Chairman
declared that the minutes were confirmed.
103.
When the Chairman and Mr MAN Chi-wah were speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung kept on
making his request.
104.
Item 9:
Action checklist on matters arising from the last meeting
(C&W DC Paper No. 104/2014)
(5:10 pm)
The Chairman announced that the meetings with the Commissioner for Transport and
Director of Planning were cancelled due to disruption to the meeting, and that the C&WDC
would make arrangement to meet these two guests in due course.
105.
The Vice-chairman strongly condemned Mr HUI Chi-fung for his misbehaviour of
disrupting the meeting, accusing him of depriving residents in Kennedy Town of the opportunity
to understand the local transport and planning matters. He requested to put it on record.
106.
Mr MAN Chi-wah agreed with the Vice-chairman, and opined that Mr HUI had
deprived residents in the whole C&W District of the opportunity to understand transport and
planning matters in the district.
107.
The Chairman explained that he had handled the aspirations of Mr HUI Chi-fung, and
therefore asked Mr HUI to behave himself to facilitate smooth conduct of the meeting.
108.
109.
The Chairman asked Members to refer to the checklist for the follow-up of various
- 21 -
items.
When the Chairman and Members were speaking, Mr HUI Chi-fung kept on making
his request.
110.
Discussion item
Item 10:
Proposed dates of meeting of the C&W DC and its committees between January and
December 2015
(C&W DC Paper No. 105/2014)
(5:10 pm – 5:11 pm)
The Secretary said that the proposed dates of meeting would be ended in
mid-September 2015 because the current term of the C&WDC was estimated to cease operation
since September 2015.
111.
There being no comments from Members, the Chairman announced that the dates of
meeting in 2015 were endorsed.
112.
As Mr HUI Chi-fung kept on making his request, the Chairman once again asked him
to stop speaking without permission so as not to disrupt the meeting. The Chairman said that
he had repeatedly warned Mr HUI to stop disrupting the conduct of the meeting or he might
order him to leave according to Article 15 of the Standing Orders.
113.
Item 11:
Concern over the safety and legitimacy of signboards hanging at the external
wall of buildings in Central and Western District
(C&W DC Paper No. 106/2014)
(5:25 pm – 5:40 pm)
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the BD to the meeting. The
Chairman pointed out that the meeting was disrupted by the noise nuisance caused by speakers
outside the meeting room, and requested the staff of the Secretariat and security guards to
prohibit people carrying speakers from entering the meeting room.
114.
The Chairman invited Members to express their views. The main points of their
comments were as follows:
115.
(a) The Vice-chairman pointed out that many shop operators erected signboards at
the external wall of buildings without obtaining prior consent from the respective
owners’ corporations (OCs). Even if such signboards were structurally safe and
permitted by the BD for erection, ownership of external walls of buildings actually
belonged to the respective OCs which, however, could not remove these
unauthorised signboards due to the licences issued by the BD. He suggested that
the BD should make reference to the practice as stipulate in the Hotel and
Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, that is, it had to first check the deed of
mutual covenant (DMC) of the building concerned and ownership of the external
wall before granting approval to an application. If it was confirmed that the
applicant was not the owner of the concerned external wall, the owner’s consent
had to be obtained prior to licensing by the BD, which should not grant approval
- 22 -
simply by taking into account the structural safety of the proposed signboards under
application. He hoped that the BD would review the existing mechanism of
processing application for erection of signboards.
(b) Mr Sidney LEE agreed that applicants had to consult and obtain consent from the
OCs of respective buildings before submitting applications to the BD for approval.
Otherwise these signboards were nothing different from unauthorised building
works (UBW). He also hoped that the BD would consider prohibiting signboards
causing light pollution and those with flashing light through legislation.
(c) Mr MAN Chi-wah pointed out that, on the one hand, many owners familiar with
building legislations would hire professional architects to submit applications to the
BD for erection of signboards or deal with UBW matters. And on the other, as
many owners were unfamiliarised with the relevant legislations and procedures, it
was not uncommon for some tenants of shop premises to take advantage of their
weakness and erect unauthorised signboards. The BD would issue licenses to
applicants only if their proposals had satisfied with the requirement regarding
structural safety. Even if owners had lodged complaint about unauthorised
erection of signboards upon completion, the BD would not take action against such
irregularities because there was no immediate danger for such erections, thus
missing the opportunity to remove the unauthorised signboards erected. Therefore
he suggested that declarations stating the relevant regulations and procedures
should be printed with fonts as large as possible and provided with a Chinese
version.
(d) Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan opined that there was a loophole in the existing
mechanism of processing by the BD because it was concerned about structural
safety only, and that the BD should check the ownership of the external walls
concerned before granting approval to erect signboards. He pointed out that the
processing system for signboard erection in the Government House should be
identical to that in private buildings.
(e) Mr WONG Kin-shing opined that the BD should, prior to licensing, consider
about the disposal of abandoned signboards after winding up of shops because such
kind of situation occurred from time to time. He recommended the Administration,
through legislation, to require those having erected signboards to pay a deposit to
the OCs of the concerned buildings for demolition of their signboards in future.
He also recommended the Administration to impose penalties on those who failed
to demolish their signboards upon receipt of such notification. These offenders
would not be issued with a licence of signboard erection in future.
(f) Ms CHENG Lai-king was concerned about the third party insurance. She
pointed out that the identity of responsible persons would be in doubt if accidents
related to signboards being UBW occurred. She also pointed out that some
owners who did not possess the ownership of the external walls of the buildings
rented out such locations for erecting signboards. She suggested that rental of
external walls should be regulated through legislation so that lessors should be held
responsible if any accident took place, and that erection of signboards with flashing
light be prohibited because they would be detrimental to eyes of the public.
- 23 -
Mr LAU Shing-lam, Senior Professional Officer/Signboard Control 2 of the BD, gave
a consolidated response as follows:
116.
(a) The “Buildings Ordinance” (BO) mainly dealt with the safety of buildings,
providing for the planning, design and construction of buildings and associated
works, and ensuring their compliance to safety requirements. Building plans
approved in accordance with the BO or minor works applied under the Minor
Works Control System (MWCS) should not be deemed as the ownership or right to
use given to an applicant by the BD. Any person applying for erection of
signboard at the public place of a building had to comply with the terms and
stipulations of the respective DMC and obtain the consent of the OC/owner
concerned before implementation of works.
(b) Regulation of light pollution did not fall within the ambit of the BO.
(c) The Government House was not a private building, and was exempted from the
regulation by the BO. The BD was impartial to process all applications regarding
plans of private buildings or signboard erection submitted under the MWCS.
(d) The BD had been taking law enforcement actions against, conducting inspection
of, and handling reports made by the public and Members on abandoned signboards.
This year, more than 40 abandoned and dangerous signboards were removed in the
district. By the end of September 2014, the BD had stepped up inspections of
abandoned and dangerous signboards, and identified about 40 signboards of such
kinds in the district. It was planned that these signboards would be demolished
during November and December 2014.
(e) The BD clarified that ownership of building, right to use property, building
management and third party risks insurance were not areas fallen within the ambit
of the BO. The BD thanked Members for their comments and suggestions.
117.
The Chairman thanked the representatives of the BD for attending the meeting.
Item 12:
Concern over the safety of the subterranean pipes in Hong Kong
(C&W DC Paper No. 107/2014)
(5:40 pm – 5:55 pm)
The Vice-chairman welcomed the representatives of the Hong Kong and China Gas
Company Limited (HKCG), Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric), Electrical and
Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Fire Services Department (FSD), Water Supplies
Department (WSD), Drainage Services Department (DSD) and Office of Communications
Authority (OFCA) to the meeting.
118.
The Vice-chairman invited Members to give comments.
comments were as follows:
119.
The main points of their
(a) Mr WONG Kin-shing said that as there were numerous subterranean pipes for
various kinds of public utilities in Hong Kong, accidents such as landslides or land
subsidence might cause gas leakage resulting in disasters. Although various
- 24 -
departments replied that regular checks of subterranean pipes under their
management were arranged, he worried that some problems might not be identified
immediately such as damage of gas pipeline caused by land subsidence due to main
burst. He enquired whether there was any mechanism in use among various
government departments and relevant organisations for immediate notification of
emergency.
(b) Mr Sidney LEE cited the recent scalator works in Centre Street as an example for
illustration. In that case, disceprancy between the underground facilities and that
stated in the plans was found only after excavation. The works was inevitably
delayed because various departments had to make urgent coordination after launch
of works. He hoped that the departments concerned should confirm if the
underground facilities were in line with that stated in relevant plans and make
corrections when necessary. By doing so, similar delay of works might be
avoided.
(c) Ms CHENG Lai-king enquired of the notification procedures about gas leakage
occurring in subterranean pipes. She also hoped that all departments could update
the plans under their managment to facilitate swift identification of the exact
location in case of an emergency.
(d) The Vice-chairman mentioned about a suspected case of gas leakage occurred in
the vicinity of S. K. H. St Peter’s Primary School (Primary School) earlier which
led to emergency evacuation of students. He wantd to know whether it was
involved in gas leakage. He pointed out that the subterranean pipes in Western
District were ageing and might cause very serious consequence if emergency took
place. He enquired the HKCG about its arrangements in place for monitoring the
conditions of gas pipe network in Western District and the replacement schedule of
gas pipes. He pointed out that the frequent main burst occurring near Centre
Street and Water Street might adversely affect other pipelines. In order to handle
an emergency as soon as possible, he asked if there was a notification mechanism
of emergency among all departments, how much time was required for handling an
emergency, and whether the departments had any arrangements to update plans
regarding subterranean pipes.
Mr LAI Kam-to, Senior Network Operations Manager of the HKCG, gave a
consolidated response as follows:
120.
(a) In case of emergency identified, all government departments and public utilities
would notify the HKCG by hotlines or by fax, which would arrange for immediate
checking and handling.
(b) The HKCG had digitalised the plans and information on comprehensive gas pipe
networks, and could easily locate any gas pipe in question and access to its
information through the the real-time digitalised geographical information system,
thus expediting the handling of emergency.
(c) The suspected case of gas leakage occurred near the Primary School would be
reported in due course after checking record.
- 25 -
(Post-meeting Note: Upon checking of record and clarification with government
departments concerned, it was confirmed that there was no record of gas leakage
near the Primary School recently, and that a case of fire safety involving in gas
unknown was reported on 4 September 2014.)
Mr CHAU Shu-man, Senior Engineer/Gas Standards A3 of the EMSD, introduced the
four main points to note contained in the guidelines and code of practice on excavation works as
prepared by the EMSD. Firstly, persons undertaking construction works should first obtain
plans about all gas pipes near the works site from the HKCG prior to commencement of
excavation. Secondly, persons undertaking construction works should arrange qualified
persons for determining the position of underground gas pipes at or near the proposed work area.
Thirdly, persons undertaking construction works should confirm the accurate location of buried
gas pipes using hand dug “trial holes” prior to excavation. Fourthly, persons undertaking
construction works should ensure that all excavation works were carried out carefully following
recognised safe digging pratices. He indicated that contractors were required to carry out
excavation works according to the code of practice. Every year, the EMSD and HKCG would
conduct joint visits to work sites to brief frontline workers on safe excavation in order to avoid
their damaging gas pipes accidentally in the course of works.
121.
Mr LAU Siu-kwong, Acting Senior Division Officer (Hong Kong Central) of the FSD,
said that, after receiving reports of gas leakage, the FSD would immediately send officers to the
scene for taking appropriate measures to control risk. They included making request to gas
companies for staff deployment to the scene for assistance, cordoning off the site, evacuating the
public within the affected area, deploying charged jets at strategic locations to dilute gas leaked,
as well as locating and cutting off the source of leakage as soon as possible. In case there was
explosion, fire or even casualties involved, the FSD would hand the case over to the EMSD for
investigation of cause of incident.
122.
Mr HO Lai-wa, Senior Engineer/HK 2 of the WSD, briefed Members on its
mechanism about this. If pipes found during implementation of works were suspected to be
gas pipes, the WSD would notify the HKCG and request it to deploy staff to monitor at scene
for preventing such pipes from being damaged. The WSD would constantly inspect wells and
notify the police and HKCG for any smell like that of gas identified,. The WSD would
immediately update its plans whenever discrepancy between details stated in plans and actual
situation of pipes was found in order to enhance the accuracy of plans as far as practicable.
123.
Ms TSANG Wai-wah, Senior Engineer/CW of the DSD, pointed out that the DSD
would confirm the accurate location of underground pipes of public utilities at or near the
proposed work area prior to excavation. In case of doubt during implementation of works, the
DSD would first confirm with the departments or companies concerned before the works
proceeded. The DSD had digitalised its plans, and would update them by responsible persons
according to established procedures.
124.
Mr YIU Siu-keung, Senior Telecommunications Engineer (Regulatory 12) of the
OFCA, pointed out that, in order to minimise the risk of explosion in telecommunications
manholes due to accumulation of flammable gas therein, the OFCA had issued guidelines
requiring the fixed network operators to observe. One of the requirements was to require such
operators to conduct regular inspection of manholes for preventing gas explosion that might be
caused by accumulated flammable gas inside manholes. If it was found during inspection that
the reading of flammable gas level was the same as or higher than the lower explosion limit, the
operator had to immediately report the case through the government hotline No. 999 and the
125.
- 26 -
emergency hotlines of the HKCG for immediate follow-up actions.
126.
The Vice-chairman thanked the guests for attending the meeting.
Concern over the implementation of “Competition Ordinance” on law
enforcement against bid-rigging for building repair works
(C&W DC Paper No. 108/2014)
(5:55 pm – 6:15 pm)
Item 13:
The Vice-chairman welcomed the representatives of the Competition Commission
(Commission) and HKPF to the meeting.
127.
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan said that building maintenance was very important in the
C&W District because most of its developments were residential buildings, and that building
maintenance works involved in substantial costs. The original objective of tendering for
building maintenance works was to provide a fair platform for competitors to implement the
projects, but this mechanism was abused due to the illegal behaviour of “bid-rigging”. Under
the existing system and legislation, the law enforcement departments encountered difficulty to
tackle the problem. Although many organisations had expressed their objection to “bid-rigging”
through procession, there was actually little effect to contain this illegal act. Owners of many
buildings tried to solve the problem through change of OCs, but this solution did not work if
they had already entered into agreements with contractors of maintenance works. He hoped
that the problem could be tackled after enactment of the Competition Ordinance (Ordinance)
and the consequential investigation of and penalty on offenders. As the Ordinance would take
effect in the first half of 2015, Mr CHEUNG enquired if combating against “bid-rigging” would
become an operation priority of the Commission. He also hoped that the Commission would
help educate owners to understand the Ordinance and the problem of “bid-rigging” during
community visits and collaborate with other community organisations or the C&WDC to tackle
“bid-rigging”.
128.
Mr Timothy LEAR, Executive Director (Operations) of the Commission, explained
that as the major concern of the Ordinance was economic crime, so its focus on bid-rigging was
whether anti-competition agreements had been made among contractors who had submitted
tenders for the works. Other crimes arising out of bid-rigging would be dealt with by other
enforcement departments concerned. He said that bid-rigging was a serious anti-competition
conduct prohibited under the “first conduct rule” of the Ordinance. Prohibited conducts
included submission of false bid or tender, submission of bid or tender without making the
contents known to the person calling for or requesting bids or tenders, and agreement made for
not participating in tendering, etc. He did not comment on which kind of anti-competition
conduct should be combated with priority at this stage because priority of enforcement by the
Commission would be announced in 2015. He stated that the Commission was aware of the
public’s concern over bid-rigging of building maintenance works. According to his
understanding, a number of initiatives to educate the public on the problem of bid-rigging was
being implemented while there was still room for enhancement regarding publicity. Regarding
collaboration with other departments, he agreed that the Commission might have enhanced
collaboration with the HKPF and ICAC after the Ordinance had taken effect.
129.
The Chairman invited Members to give comments.
comments were as follows:
130.
- 27 -
The main points of their
(a) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai hoped that the government departments concerned might
provide owners with more information on tendering procedure and quotation for
building maintenance works as reference lest unruly elements should take
advantage by playing both the roles of consultant and contractor because these
works usually involved in substantial amounts of project costs.
(b) Mr CHAN Choi-hi commended the fight crime initiative “RenoSafe Scheme”
launched by the HKPF in September 2013 for its objective of implementation. As
it had been carried out for more than one year, he asked whether the Administration
would review the effectiveness of the scheme and to what extent the scheme had
achieved its objective.
(c) Mr IP Kwok-him opined that owners and even different sectors of the community
had expectation on the Commission. He pointed out that the maintenance works
cost of some buildings increased by 20-30% and even 100% within one year, and
such increase was extremely unreasonable. He hoped that combating against
bid-rigging would become one of operational priorities of the Commission which
should introduce effective countermeasures to prevent persons from breaching the
provisions of the Ordinance or attempting to engage in bid-rigging. He stressed
that the Commission should be proactive to provide useful information to owners
who would be undertaking maintenance works for their buildings.
(d) Ms CHENG Lai-king indicated that all quotations submitted to owners planning
to implement maintenance works for their buildings were already very expensive,
making the principle of “awarding tender to contractor proposing the lowest
quotations” less meaningful nowadays. To comply to the instructions of the BD or
satisfy the requirements under the Mandatory Window and Building Inspection
Schemes, many owners had to conduct building maintenance works unreluctantly
despite the high price. Owners of some buildings even required all contractors
participating in tendering to sign declarations, stating that they would not jointly
raise the price of their quotations to avoid monopoly or bid-rigging. The
effectiveness of this initiative, however, was doubtful. She hoped that the
C&WDO and ICAC would step up education to encourage more owners to actively
participate in the selection process for contractors of works.
(e) The Vice-Chairman enquired if the Commission could set out some signs of
bid-rigging. This might make owners more informative to identify if their projects
were involved in bid-rigging, and encourage owners or other Members to take
initiative to report suspected cases to the Commission and assist in monitoring the
works process.
Mr Timothy David LEAR of the Commission responded that bid-rigging was not an
economic crime before the Ordinance had taken effect. He said that the Commission would
proactively explore the implication of the economic structure in Hong Kong on fair competition
conduct. He responded that signs of bid-rigging might include similar wording, style and
grammatical mistakes. Seeing that it was currently difficult to provide evidence for taking
enforcement action against offenders of bid-rigging, the Commission might adopt some methods
used by other countries and districts such as “leniency agreement” to solicit a person’s
cooperation to assist in investigation and information provision. If a case was found
substantiated, the Commission might apply to the Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) for legal
proceedings. For companies convicted by the Tribunal for breaching the Ordinance, sanctions
131.
- 28 -
would be imposed on persons concerned including pecuniary penalties up to 10% of their
business turnover in Hong Kong or disqualification of their capacity as directors of such
companies. Apart from those imposed on companies breaching the Ordinance, sanctions
would also be imposed on individuals upon their conviction in bid-rigging.
The Vice-Chairman said that the Secretariat had emailed to all Members the links of
the six draft guidelines required by the Ordinance and jointly issued by the Commission and
Communications Authority on 9 October 2014 for reference. These links included that of three
competition rules, namely, the Draft Guideline on the First Conduct Rule, Draft Guideline on the
Second Conduct Rule and Draft Guideline on the Merger Rule, as well as that of the procedures
about complaint handling, investigation, as well as decision-making regarding exclusions and
exemptions by the Commission.
132.
133.
The Vice-Chairman thanked the guests for attending the meeting.
Problems arising out of the “Occupy Central” movement
(C&W DC Paper No. 118/2014)
Strong request for rigorous enforcement of law to restore
social order
(C&W DC Paper No. 119/2014)
(6:15pm – 7:30pm)
Item 14:
The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the TD, Education Bureau (EDB),
HKPF, FSD, Hospital Authority, residents and street traders in the district to the meeting.
134.
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai said that he recently received many complaints lodged by
residents in C&W District because their daily life was greatly disrupted due to non-provision of
service and diversion of many bus routes, as well as serious traffic congestion arising from
obstruction at trunk roads by participants of the Movement. As the period of the movement
overlapped with the National Day Golden Week, the business of shops in the district was also
adversely affected. He said that the problems caused by the Movement were very serious and
hoped that solutions might be reached through discussion in the meeting.
135.
Mr WONG Kai, representative of street traders in Central District (Chairman of
Association of Street Traders in Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West), stated that the
shops in the district faced great difficulties in operation because the Movement discouraged both
the public and foreign visitors from visiting and shopping in Central. Rising transportation fee
also resulted in raised operational expenses to worsen the situation.
136.
Mr CHOI King-wo, Chairman of Parent-Teacher Association of Central and Western
District, said that the Movement had violated the living of the public undesirably, causing no
schooling for primary and secondary students for one week. Even after resumption of
schooling, some roads were still obstructed and students had to spend a lot of time on travelling
to and from schools.
137.
Mr LI Sai-cheung, representative of residents at Mid-Levels, said that the Movement
took place during the peak season of import and export trading and placed uncertainty to Hong
Kong, causing many overseas importers to worry about the local business environment and
making some to cancel their business meetings scheduled here. Consequently, the small and
138.
- 29 -
medium enterprises (SME) suffered from serious losses. In his opinion, retailing in C&W
District also suffered much. For example, the dried seafood shops in Central and Sheung Wan
saw a substantial decrease in business turnover, and such economic losses might lead to
redundancy followed by more social and livelihood problems. He sympathised with and
understood the students who fought for democracy but disagreed with the means of the
participants of the Movement who aimed to achieve their goals through upsetting the daily life
of the public and the economy of Hong Kong as a whole. He called on the various government
departments to restore the social order and enhance the international image of Hong Kong.
The Chairman invited Members to give comments.
comments were as follows:
139.
The main points of their
(a) Mr Thomas NG opined that the impact of the problems arising out of the
movement on Hong Kong was far-reaching. Currently, all departments should
have good coordination and reopen all blocked trunk roads as soon as possible.
(b) Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan said that the Movement had definitely upset the
normal life of residents in C&W District. Owing to uncertainty of its development
and the frequent conflicts in occupied places, the residents had already nursed
grievance against the Movement. He stated that the local residents had been very
tolerant to public activities like demonstration, but persistent occupation and street
obstruction would easily cause social confrontation.
(c) Dr Malcolm agreed to Mr LEE that the Movement had already ruined the
international image of Hong Kong, resulting in withdrawal of business investment.
He also criticised that some participants acted irrationally as well as confused truth
and falsehood. He paid his tribute and extended his gratitude to the HKPF for
handling the Movement, encouraging police officers to maintain their impartiality
during law enforcement disregarding individual negative cases.
(d) Ms SIU Ka-yi said that some residents lodged complaints to her about traffic
congestion caused by the Movement, making it difficult for the public to go to work
and students to schools, and shop operators to run their business. The business
turnover of some street traders even dropped by 70%. She considered that the
Movement had brought misfortune to every sector in C&W District and hoped that
the community would restore to a harmonious state.
(e) Miss LO Yee-hang disclosed that she was a resident in the Peak and therefore
fully understood the inconvenience to the local residents caused by the movement.
She thanked the HKPF for its law enforcement with impartiality, but reflected that
some members of the public were discontented with the lenient enforcement
without prosecuting participants of the Movement who occupied places illegally
and took government resources at will. Anyway, most residents were in support
of the HKPF to take enforcement actions according to law, and hoped that police
officers could take proper law enforcement action.
(f) Mr MAN Chi-wah pointed out that the daily living of residents in C&W District
was adversely affected. Even if roads once obstructed were reopen gradually,
residents still could not enjoy normal bus service by travelling directly from
Western District to Eastern District. As normal tram service was also difficult to
- 30 -
provide, the public had to wait for trams in Sheung Wan, making a lot of passengers
to wait for trams at one tram stop. Non-provision of service for several bus routes
worsened the situation, bringing a very hard life to commuters who worked in
Central. He opined that the community in general were of high degree of
tolerance towards the Movement, but the participants contrarily acted selfishly
without taking the consequence of their actions on others in considertaion. During
his visit to some occupied scenes with other Members, he found that there was
loose organisation among participants. Thanks to the proper control by police
officers, serious conflicts had been avoided. He commended the Police for their
constraint on duty and their firm action taken against law-breakers despite
accusation by participants.
(g) Mr Sidney LEE indicated that the traffic was paralysed by the Movement judt
like a calamity. He called on the participants to stop street obstruction so that the
public could resume their normal living. He agreed that the Police should take
actions properly, but was regret to see even some scholars on law and lawyers to
confuse right and wrong by supporting illegal street obstruction. Mr LEE was sad
to see the social diversification and conflict brought forth by the Movement, and
hoped that the society could restore its harmony and unity. It was opined that a
true democratic society was characterised by tolerance of dissenting views. He
called on the public to be confident in the Police despite individual cases because
the HKPF had always been constraint and professional on duty.
(h) Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that the peaceful Movement had become an uncontrolled
fighting for democracy with violence which had made many sectors suffer from
inconvenience (e.g. students and workers) and from economic losses (e.g. SME
operators). He said that the motion drafted for discussion and endorsement in this
meeting was prepared on 9 October 2014. If the motion was to be re-written, it
should contain wordings condemning violence and wordings commending the
HKPF for their dedicated service.
(i) Mr CHAM Chit-kwai opined that the Movement was an offence causing
inconvenience to and grievance of the public. If it continued, the livelihood of the
public would be undesirably affected without obtaining support from the
community. He indicated that the Police should insist in taking necessary actions
according to law, clear the occupied places and restore normal traffic of trunk roads
as soon as possible. He also opined that the demonstrators should express their
aspirations through legitimate means and agree that the students should have
dialogue and communication with the Government earlier.
(j) Ms CHENG Lai-king opined that the senior officials of the Government
responsible for constitutional reform did not grasp the public opinion of Hong Kong
people accurately and thus was unable to relay it properly to the Central
Government in the Mainland. As a result, the decision made by the Standing
Committee of the National People’s Congress did not meet the expectation of the
public in Hong Kong and finally led to outburst of the Movement. Actually, many
participants of the Movement only wanted to have dialogue with the Government
for expressing their aspirations about principles of universal suffrage. She
understood that the daily living of residents at Mid-Levels was upset by the
Movement, so she had made telephone enquires to the TD and HKPF about the
situation. The staff of the TD explained that the decisions for road closure or
- 31 -
reopening were to be made by senior officers while trunk roads such as Queensway
would not be re-open without careful deliberation. She considered that the Hong
Kong society suffered greatly from the Movement, and that the responsible officials
had to face the crux of the problem squarely and solve the problem through
dialogue with occupants instead of shirking its responsibility to the HKPF which
unintentionally became the storm centre. She pointed out that investigation about
abuse of force to demonstrators by some police officers should be launched. As
some trunk roads mentioned in the motion proposed for discussion and
endorsement were re-open, she enquired if this motion was still valid.
(k) Mr IP Kowk-him said that he received many complaints lodged by residents in
C&W District about the Movement which had aroused much social discontent.
The Movement had also resulted in anarchy to a certain extent because some
demonstrators did not only obstruct streets but also make traffic instructions at will,
worrying that the rule of law in Hong Kong would collapse gradually. Some
protestors obstructing roads illegally even made false, unsubstantiated accusations
by saying that some members of the public objecting the Movement were rioters or
triad members, and that the Police cooperated with triad societies to suppress the
Movement. These criticisms confused right and wrong without evidence to
support their argument. Although individual police officers having committed
offences should be punished, he disagreed to some biased viewpoints of the public
by disregarding the HKPF’s contribution to maintain social order in Hong Kong.
(l) The Vice-Chairman stated that the impact of the Movement on the C&W District
and even Hong Kong as a whole was four-folded. Firstly, working people in the
district had to plan for their commutation to the working place from day to day due
to the ever-changing traffic situation. The daily living of residents was inevitably
and adversely affected because of serious congestion within MTR stations.
Secondly, the Movement caused closure of some schools and this was unfair to
students and their parents. Thirdly, participants the Movement rationalised many
illegal acts such as street obstruction and envelopment of police officers by
protestors which, as a matter of fact, had posed threats to public order. He
commended the HKPF for its professional service and hoped that it would continue
to be impartial in law enforcement. Fourthly, the Movement had torn the society
apart seriously. He called on the participants of the Movement to put the
well-being of the society on top priority and help restore social order.
(m) The Chairman opined that Hong Kong’s success was achieved through the
continuous upholding of the core values including freedom of speech and assembly
enjoyed by the public, as well as a stable economic and political environment,
which made a continuous annual economic growth in Hong Kong possible. He
advised that the public had to submit application for public demonstration and
meeting to the department concerned early according to law if they wanted to
express their aspirations in these ways. Nuisance and inconvenience caused to the
general public might thus be avoided or minimised. He respected the rights and
aspirations of protestors participating in the Movement, but opined that they should
express their views by rational and peaceful means. The current course of action
taken by the Movement had caused serious social diversification and enmity
between police officers and the public. He sincerely paid his tribute to the HKPF,
and expressed his support to the HKPF in maintaining order, safeguarding public
- 32 -
safety and taking enforcement action with impartiality. All these made Hong
Kong continue to become one of the safest and most stable cities in the world.
Mr Nelson CHAN, Chief Transport Officer/Hong Kong of the TD, said that many
trunk roads such as Harcourt Road were still occupied illegally by protestors. Such being the
case, vehicles heading for Queensway were diverted to pass through Gloucester Road, Hennessy
Road and Des Voeux Road Central, causing serious traffic congestion in Central, Admiralty and
Wanchai District even extending beyond the rush hours. In the early stage of the Movement,
drivers did follow TD’s advice of travelling earlier and avoided driving to Hong Kong Island
north. As illegal road occupation went by, he worried that the traffic congestion would be
worsened if the number of vehicles travelling on roads resumed to the normal level, or the
public gave up the new habit of earlier commutation. He hoped that the illegal occupiers could
vacate from street occupation as soon as possible.
140.
Ms Cynthia CHAN, Chief School Development Officer (CW&S) of the EDB, said
that the Movement launched on 28 September 2014 and caused obstruction of roads in Wanchai
District and C&W District. As safety of students going to school was the major concern of the
EDB, it announced suspension of classes of all kindergartens, primary schools, secondary
schools and special schools in Wanchai District and C&W District on 29 and 30 September, as
well as 3 and 4 October 2014. Altogether, 79 schools and around 29 000 students in C&W
District were affected. During the period of class resumption, the EDB had been maintaining
close liaison with the relevant associations of the affected schools and departments concerned
including preparatory arrangements of class resumption (e.g. school bus service, supply of lunch
box and liaison arrangement with parents, etc.). Having conducted comprehensive assessment,
the EDB announced class resumption of the secondary schools, primary schools and special
schools, and kindergartens/kindergartens cum child care centres in the two districts in phases on
6, 7 and 9 October 2014. Although class resumption of the affected schools in C&W District
in phases was implemented as scheduled, the students in the district still suffered from the
congested traffic (e.g. belated attendance to schools) because closure of some main roads on
Hong Kong Island due to the Movement continued, causing diversion of public transportation
running on roads or suspension of such services. This led to consequential traffic congestion
on roads used under the temporary diversion arrangement. She thanked the management and
cooperation of schools, parents and school bus operators for their adoption of contingency
measures in response to the Movement so that delayed commutation of students could be
reduced to the minimum.
141.
Mr KAN Kai-yan, District Commander (Western) of the HKPF, said that
demonstrations developed to illegal road occupation since 26 September 2014. Some
protestors occupied some sites on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. As a result, the traffic
in the vicinity of the affected sites was paralysed, affecting social order, daily lives of the public,
turnover of business operators and provision of emergency services. Regarding the occupation
in Central, the HKPF had deployed officers of the Police Negotiation Cadre and Police
Community Relations Officers to the occupied sites to urge the protestors to leave, but the
efforts were futile. He worried that actions taken by protestors of the Movement disregarding
the well-being of the public might cause grievance in the community and intensify the risk of
social confrontation.
142.
Mr KAN Kai-yan reported that the Police started to remove the obstruction materials
blockading the affected roads in various places including Admiralty and Causeway Bay, etc.,
hoping that traffic thereof could be partially restored. Some people such as those alleged to be
143.
- 33 -
members of the transportation sector suddenly started to remove the road barriers voluntarily,
and confusion was once occurred at scene. In the afternoon of 13 October 2014, the Police
arrested 23 persons at the occupied site in Admiralty who were charged of committing offences
such as common assault, possession of offensive weapon and obstructing police officers in the
execution of their duty, etc. Later, some protestors reinforced the road barriers in the evening
of 13 October 2014, causing obstruction to traffic and even travelling of emergency vehicles.
Therefore the Police had to remove the obstruction and dangerous articles such as bamboos
along the roads again in the morning of 14 October 2014, successfully re-opening Queensway
and Lung Wo Road afterwards and thus reopening part of the east-west major thoroughfare on
the Hong Kong Island north, and ensuring the provision of access for use by emergency vehicles.
However, some protestors rushed out to the junction of Lung Wo Road and Tim Wah Road
without regarding the safety of themselves and other road users, and caused serious traffic
obstruction there once more. To safeguard social order and public safety, the Police drove the
illegal occupiers away from Lung Wo Road and removed the barriers. He stressed that the
Police had advised the protestors to stop the illegal acts of occupation during the operation that
night, but the protestors did not follow the advice. They even had physical confrontation
against police officers, who were forced to disperse them with necessary force. The Police
only used the minimal level of necessary force that night including pushing away the illegal
occupiers with hands and shields, and using pepper fog to contain their illegal acts disregarding
public safety and order. It was unacceptable for the dishonest acts of some protestors who put
up their hands and pretended to be peaceful demonstrators after attacking police officers with
umbrellas, kicking police officers or taking away the metallic barriers of the Police. Mr KAN
said that 45 demonstrators were arrested under the charges of unlawful assembly and obstruction
of police officers in the execution of their duty.
Mr KAN disclosed that someone incited others to use “flash-mob” tactic in social
media on the Internet aiming at dispersing the manpower of the Police. He reprimanded such
illegal acts and stressed that the Police would continue to collect evidence and take follow-up
actions. He hoped that the public might understand the challenges encountered by police
officers in the execution of their duty.
144.
Mr KAN added that the Complaints Against Police Office had received the complaint
lodged about an alleged assault of demonstrator by police officers, and that the seven police
officers suspected of involving in this case were currently under interdiction and impartial
investigation was underway. He said that the Police would continue to take law enforcement
actions to restore social order with dedication and hoped that the public would give their
collaboration and support to this cause. He reiterated that the Police had zero tolerance
towards violence by whatever party.
145.
Mr LAU Siu-kwong, Acting Division Officer (Hong Kong Central) of FSD, said that
road blockage triggered by the Movement had adverse impact on provision of fire and rescue
services. The FSD was in close liaison with the Police and other government departments
concerned to conduct related risk assessments, and had prepared contingency measures to ensure
efficient provision of rescue service. In case emergency occurred at a road section affected by
blockage, the FSD would mobilise doubled number of emergency vehicles to the scene from
different routes at the same time. This could ensure earliest arrival of officers for service
provision to minimise the adverse effect caused by congested traffic on fire-fighting or rescue of
injured persons and patients. The FSD also reminded residents at or in the vicinity of the
occupied areas to enhance their alert of fire hazard and take appropriate actions in the case of
fire including immediate evacuation from the fire scene and usage of fire equipment installed in
146.
- 34 -
buildings to put out fire, etc.
Dr S H TSUI, Deputy Hospital Chief Executive II of Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) of
Hospital Authority, said that medical staff of the accident and emergency department under
QMH was on 24-hour call to try their best to provide normal accident and emergency services.
Among the 77 injured persons admitted to the QMH due to the Movement, no one was severely
wounded. The QMH had provided the staff with shuttle bus service travelling between MTR
Hong Kong Station and QMH, as well as provided dormitory for staff not being able to go home
due to execution of duty in the hospital. Normal operation and out-patient services of the
QMH could be maintained to a large extent. Late comers of patients having medical
appointments due to traffic congestion would be dealt with flexibly.
147.
The Chairman asked Members to vote on the motion, and after voting, the following
motion was adopted:
148.
Motion:
“The C&WDC urged the “protestors of the Occupy Central
movement” not to use the right of the residents in the C&W
District to enjoy daily lives as a bargaining chip to enter into
negotiation with the Government, and also urged them to
reopen all forcibly occupied roads especially the affected main
roads like Queensway, Harcourt Road, Connaught Road
Central, Cotton Tree Drive and Garden Road as well as the
affected tram lanes as soon as possible so that the life of the
public and operation of the society could resume normal.”
(14 voted for the motion:： Mr YIP Wing-shing, Mr CHAN
Hok-fung, Mr IP Kwok-him, Mr
CHAN Chit-kwai, Mr CHAN
Choi-hi, Mr Sidney LEE, Mr MAN
Chi-wah, Miss LO Yee-hang, Mr
Joseph CHAN (authorised Mr
CHAN Choi-hi), Ms SIU Ka-yi, Dr
Malcolm
LAM,
Mr
Jackie
CHEUNG (authorised Mr YIP
Wing-shing),
Mr
CHEUNG
Kwok-kwan, Mr Thomas NG)
(0 voted against the motion)
(2 abstained from voting: Mr KAM Nai-wai (authorised Ms
CHENG Lai-king), Ms CHENG Lai-king, Mr WONG
Kin-shing (authorised Ms CHENG Lai-king))
Item 15: Members’ Written Reports
(7:35 pm)
The Chairman said that the District Fight Crime Committee (Central and Western
District) had held its 2nd meeting (2014-2015) on 25 July 2014 and would hold its 3rd meeting
(2014-2015) on 24 October 2014.
149.
- 35 -
Members had nothing to add.
150.
Item 16: Work Reports of the Committees under C&WDC
(7:35 pm)
The Chairman asked Members to note the subject matter of the following papers:
151.
(i)
Culture, Leisure & Social Affairs Committee
(C&W DC Paper No. 110/2014)
(ii) District Facilities Management Committee
(C&W DC Paper No. 111/2014)
(iii) Finance Committee
(C&W DC Paper No. 112/2014)
(iv) Food, Environment, Hygiene and Works Committee
(C&W DC Paper No. 113/2014)
(v) Traffic & Transport Committee
(C&W DC Paper No. 114/2014)
Item 17: Reports of the Working Groups under C&WDC (2014-2015)
(7:35 pm)
The Chairman referred Members to the papers.
had nothing to add.
152.
The chairmen of the working groups
Report on the 190th and 191st Meetings of the Central and Western District
Management Committee
(C&W DC Papers No. 115/2014 and No. 116/2014)
Item 18:
(7:36 pm)
153.
The Chairman referred Members to the papers.
Item 19:
Reports on the meetings of the area committees of the Central & Western
District
(C&W DC Paper No. 117/2014)
(7:36 pm)
154.
Item 20:
The Chairman referred Members to the paper.
Any Other Business
- 36 -
(7:37 pm)
155.
There being no other business.
Item 21: Date of the Next Meeting
(7:38 pm)
The Chairman announced that the seventeenth meeting would be held on 8 January
2015. The paper submission deadline for government departments would be 15 December
2014, while the paper submission deadline for Members would be 19 December 2014.
156.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed and thanked the guests and Members for
attending the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 pm.
157.
The minutes were
Chairman:
Secretary:
confirmed on 15 January 2015
Mr YIP Wing-shing
Ms WONG Ming-wai
Central and Western District Council Secretariat
January 2015
- 37 -