31 October 2003

The Honourable Tung Chee Hwa
Chief Executive
Chief Executive's Office
5th Floor, Main Wing
Central Government Offices
Lower Albert Road
Hong Kong

Dear C.H.,

Thank you for sparing time from your busy schedule to meet me and my colleagues at your office on 23 October 2003. For your reference and any necessary actions, I write to recapitulate the suggestions I made during our discussion while I am still awaiting your response to my last letter of 14 August 2003.

More public works to alleviate the unemployment of engineers

Despite the government's commitment in spending in infrastructure projects and public works, the number of projects in Categories B (Design Stage) & C (Study Stage) submitted to the LegCo Public Works Subcommittee and Finance Committee for endorsement and approval are in the decline. 

The current volume of works will not sustain once all the approved projects in Category A have been completed. More engineers will become unemployed bearing in mind that their current unemployment rate is already 2.5 times higher than the overall average. The government must therefore expedite the implementation of its projects if it is to adhere to its commitment in infrastructure investment.

Financing infrastructure and public works projects by PFI and issuing bonds

The government should consider issuing bonds and adopting private finance initiatives (PFIs) to finance infrastructure and public works projects. With these arrangements, many projects which are needed to maintain or even improve the quality of life but otherwise would not be undertaken due to lack of funding available could be carried out much earlier.

Strengthening communications with LegCo members

As you may be aware, I raised the matter with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, at the LegCo meeting held on 22 October 2003. Indeed, it is essential for you as the Chief Executive to increase the communications with LegCo members, particularly those independent members who constitute 1/3 of the LegCo membership and many of whom represent different functional constituencies (F.C.s). Strengthening communications with F.C. members will give you a better grasp of the needs and concerns of these sectors, for instance, the exceptionally high unemployment of the engineering and construction sectors.

Leading a LegCo delegation to Beijing

The HKSAR is part of the PRC. The LegCo is part of the HKSAR. Its members are elected in accordance with the Basic Law. I consider it logical and within the expectation of the people of the HKSAR that all members of the LegCo should have the opportunity of being received by the national leaders. This must happen in the future. The sooner it happens, the better. Although members of the LegCo may have different political stands and ideas, it would be in the best interest of Hong Kong if a delegation comprising all 60 LegCo members as one entity regardless of their party affiliation may visit Beijing and meet with state leaders. The visit would allow proper dialogue between the Central Government and the Legislative Council of the HKSAR. Given your close and amicable relationship with the Central Government, I believe that you are the best candidate to lead the delegation. 

Accountability to Election Committee

You have been elected by the Election Committee whose members have in turn been properly elected from different sectors of the community in accordance with the Basic Law. Apart from being accountable to the Central Government, you should in theory be accountable to the Election Committee or at least meet with its members and give them reports from time to time. 

University intakes

I am convinced that more Mainland students who can satisfy the university's admission requirements should be allowed to study at Hong Kong's universities. The increased intake of more Mainland students would increase the interaction between Mainland and Hong Kong students and enhance their mutual understanding. The arrangement could also facilitate the economic development in both the Mainland and Hong Kong. 

I would much appreciate it if you could give some thought and your early response to the above suggestions. 



(signed)
Ir Dr Raymond Ho Chung-tai