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SAR plans to improve delta links 2.
Mutiny at the mansions
1. SAR plans to improve delta links
Jonathan
Tam, The Standard 7 January 2003 The
government will strengthen the tourism, logistics and financial sectors and boost
co-operation with the Pearl River Delta region to seize opportunities offered
by the fast growing mainland economy, officials say. Secretary
for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip said the government would complete
a study on co-operation with the mainland this year, and airport officials would
continue to talk with their counterparts in the Pearl River Delta to explore mutually
beneficial deals. ``China
will become the world's second largest trading centre by 2020, so Southern China
will inevitably attract more foreign investments and have more business opportunities,''
Ip told a business seminar yesterday. ``Our first priority is to enhance ties
with the Pearl River Delta.'' Chairman
of Hong Kong Trade Development Council Peter Woo also agreed further links with
the delta region were needed. Woo said Dongguan could be the SAR's manufacturing
partner and Shenzhen its information technology partner. He
said Hong Kong had to increase the free flow of information, talent, capital and
cargo with the delta region to fuel growth as China's external trade would probably
double in the next five to eight years. Ip
said the government would also boost tourism infrastructure, offer more tourist
attractions and simplify procedures for mainland travellers visiting Hong Kong. He
said the government hoped to make it easier for mainland travellers, particularly
business travellers and their families, to enter Hong Kong. He gave no further
details. On the
financial markets, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Frederick
Ma said The government
hoped to further promote the bond market, launch a wider range of investment products
and tempt more mainland companies to raise funds in the SAR.
2. Mutiny at the mansions
S*A*R
with Tom Hilditch, SCMP 7 January 2003
What's a pirate to do when attacked by pirates? A Chungking Mansions shopkeeper
who specialises in $20 pirated Bollywood VCDs has a bizarre complaint. Apparently,
a rival shop on the ground floor has been buying her best movies only to copy
them and sell them for $10. ''It's
an outrage,'' she told SAR's source. ''It's robbery pure and simple. There must
be something I can do.'' She
could, of course, contact the Motion Picture Association. But SAR suspects the
organisation would just recommend keel-hauling for both of them. Send
all information, invitations and tips to us at: SAR@scmp.com;
fax: 2562 2485; tel: 2565 2222. | 
