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1. The Weather of August 2002

2. Speech by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology

3. Feasibility study to decide fate of proposed link

4. SAR urged to be 'headquarters of southern China'

5. Outsourcing `blamed' for MTR safety switch hitch

6. Does HK deserve a brighter future?

7. MTR considering joining Zhuhai bridge project, says Gordon Wu

8. Storm develops over Wan Chai reclamation plan

9. Tai Cheung targets returns from luxury investments

10. Civil servants should think within the box

1. The Weather of August 2002
Source: HK Govt. Press Release

August 2002 was slightly drier than normal. The total rainfall of 365.9 millimetres was seven per cent below normal. The accumulated rainfall since January 1 was 1480.6 millimetres, 13 per cent below the normal figure of 1707.4 millimetres for the same period.

The month started fine and hazy. Thundery showers associated with a tropical depression over the northern part of the South China Sea started to affect Hong Kong on the evening of August 2. Showers became heavier and more frequent in the next few days as the tropical depression evolved into a tropical storm named Kammuri and edged closer to Hong Kong. After making landfall, the active southwesterlies associated with the remnant of Kammuri brought heavy downpours to Hong Kong, necessitating the issuance of Amber Rain Storm Warning on August 6. More than 200 millimeters of rainfall fell over Kwai Chung and Shatin and five reports of flooding were received on that day.

Weather improved briefly on August 7 and 8 with just a few showers. An active trough of low pressure brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to Hong Kong again on August 9.

There were 19 reports of flooding on that day, the northwestern part of the New Territories being the worst affected area. The heavy rain continued for another day and the weather improved on August 11. Apart from a few brief showers, the weather was mainly fine for the next six days.

On August 18, heavy showers associated with the outer rainbands of tropical storm Vongfong began to affect Hong Kong. As Vongfong took a northerly track and intensified into a severe tropical storm on August 19, winds within the harbour became generally fresh. Showers became less frequent on August 20 as Vongfong weakened rapidly after making landfall. Two persons suffered minor injuries caused by falling objects during the approach of Vongfong.

The weather improved rapidly on August 21. Fine and hot weather, only interrupted by a few brief showers, continued throughout the rest of the month. On August 27, hot weather was blamed for the death of a 50-year-old man who suffered from sunstroke while hiking in Sai Kung. Under light wind conditions, it was hazy on August 28 and the visibility dropped to 3500 meters at the Hong Kong International Airport. The temperature also rose to 33 degrees the same day, the highest in August.

A total of seven tropical cyclones occurred in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in the month. Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are listed in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of August are tabulated in Table 1.2.

Table 1.1 Warnings and Signals issued in August 2002

2. Speech by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology
Source: HK Govt. Press Release

The following is the full text of the keynote speech given by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, at the business luncheon held today (September 6, Canada time) in Waterloo, Canada:

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be here in Waterloo today. Indeed, this is my first official overseas trip after being appointed as the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology in the Hong Kong Government in July this year. And I am glad to have the opportunity of visiting Canada's Technology Triangle, and seeing it myself how Waterloo emerges as a fast growing city in Canada, producing successful ICT companies which have commanded both domestic and international recognition.

The Hong Kong delegation I am leading to visit Waterloo comprises representatives from the Hong Kong Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the ICT industry. During this visit, we aim to know more about the latest developments of the Canadian ICT industry and to explore possible collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong and Canada, to our mutual benefits.

We visited Research In Motion in Waterloo this morning. This afternoon, we will have a trade-matching event between members of the Hong Kong delegation and ICT companies in the Technology Triangle. And then the delegation will leave for Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island tomorrow to attend Softworld 2002 . I am sure our delegates will make good use of this visit to establish business contacts with the leading IT and telecommunications companies in Canada to foster closer co-operation in the ICT field.

Hong Kong is indeed your strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region, which can help you seize the ample business opportunities arising from the region. First and foremost, we are an early and mature user of ICT ourselves. We have attained a very good record of technology diffusion in the community. In the area of IT, we have a 60% PC penetration rate and 50% Internet penetration rate among our households, with one-third of all households using broadband services. Indeed, broadband coverage reaches all commercial buildings and over 95% of domestic buildings in Hong Kong.

With the development of an advanced information infrastructure in Hong Kong, various online services have been successfully rolled out in both the public and private sectors, making Hong Kong a leading digital city. The Hong Kong community is now one of the most avid Internet users in the region and we are moving towards an IT-savvy society.

One clear example I can cite for illustration is the wide use of smart cards in Hong Kong. Over 8.5 million e-payment smart cards are already in circulation in the market, averaging more than one card per person. And the card is used for payment for various types of public transport services as well as in small-value retail transactions. We will also start rolling out multi-application smart ID cards to our 7 million citizens next year, with the option of providing a digital certificate to be embedded in the smart ID card to facilitate the public to prove their identity in carrying out secure electronic transactions.

This means that we will have a potential local e-commerce market of 7 million customers.

With all these developments, we have been ranked amongst the top in terms of e-commerce readiness and potential as well as E-government development by prestigious international agencies. And with such a population-wide e-platform and client-base, I can foresee that Hong Kong will have an even more prosperous future in terms of e-commerce and E-government.

Hong Kong also has one of the world's most open and vibrant telecommunications market. With our fair, transparent and pro-competition regulatory regime which provides a level playing field for all operators, we have one of the most competitive telecommunications markets in the world. This leads to a win-win situation for network operators, content and service providers, as well as consumers. Not only do we have ubiquitous mobile coverage all over the territory, and 86% of our population are mobile phone users - one of the highest penetrations in the world, we are also one of the first in Asia to introduce General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), or 2.5G, and we are also the first in Asia to launch multimedia messaging service (MMS). We have also issued licences for 3G services to be rolled out next year.

The development of a leading-edge information infrastructure, a technology savvy population, and the compact size of our city are all positive factors making Hong Kong an ideal testbed for the introduction of new technologies and services. And such technologies and services can be readily customised and adapted in Hong Kong for roll-out in the Mainland China market or in other parts of the Asia Pacific region.

In order to enhance co-operation between Hong Kong and Canadian companies in the ICT field, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between the two places in May 1998. Various collaborative activities have been organised under the auspices of the MOU in both the public and private sectors, which include exchanges, visits, business partnerships etc. Let me highlight just a few of the successful cases to illustrate the value of this MOU.

I mentioned Research In Motion a moment ago. It has partnered with Hutchison Telecommunications Ltd, one of our major mobile operators, and launched the palm-sized BlackBerry Wireless Handheld in Hong Kong, which is the first in Asia. Under the partnership, Research In Motion supplies the BlackBerry devices and solution integrations while Hutchison is responsible for the marketing and delivery of the services through its GPRS infrastructure.

Another successful case of collaboration is Teranet of Toronto, an expert in land title registration system solutions, which has partnered with Computer And Technologies Holdings Ltd of Hong Kong to develop and maintain an Integrated Registration Information System for the Lands Registry of the Government. The contract has a value of C$30 million over a ten-year period. Further, our post office, which operates also as a certification authority, has worked with Diversinet Corp of Toronto, to launch the world's first mobile digital certificate system for community adoption to facilitate the conduct of secure mobile commerce. Moreover, virtual trade mission (VTM) was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Ontario Exports of Canada to provide a convenient platform for trade matching for ICT companies in the two places through video conferencing.

These successful cases speak for themselves and illustrate the mutually beneficial working relations between Hong Kong and Canadian ICT companies. With our strategic geographical location and advanced information infrastructure, Hong Kong is an ideal place for you to expand your business to the Asia Pacific region. Over 3,200 overseas businesses have set up their regional headquarters and offices in Hong Kong. The recent ones include Philips of the Netherlands - the world electronics giant, and Checkpoint of Israel, which is the world leader in firewall technology. Many Canadian companies also enhance their operation in Hong Kong. This of course includes Northern Digital Inc (NDI) of Waterloo which specializes in 3D real-time measurement systems. It has also established its Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong this year.

With China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, Hong Kong stands ready to seize new business opportunities arising from the opening up of the Mainland IT and telecommunications market. Capitalising on our special relationship with the Mainland and our knowledge and expertise in the operation of the Mainland market, Hong Kong is a strategic partner for Canadian ICT companies to tap the Mainland post-WTO market. I sincerely hope that the visit of the Hong Kong delegation this time will stimulate more collaboration between the Canadian Technology Triangle and Hong Kong.

I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage you to join the Canadian delegation which will visit Hong Kong in December to attend the major international telecommunications event, ITU TELECOM ASIA 2002. I understand that your Industry Minister, Mr Allan Rock, has already agreed to lead the Canadian delegation. Come to Hong Kong and you will be able to see it yourself what the vibrant digital city of Hong Kong can offer to you.

Thank you very much.

3. Feasibility study to decide fate of proposed link
by Keith Wallis, The Standard Sep 7, 2002

Officials have reaffirmed their broad support for the 15 billion yuan (HK$14.14 billion), 30-kilometre Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge, but said no firm decision whether to go ahead with the link would be made until after completion of a feasibility study.

The investigation is currently being carried out as part of the Planning Department's 2030 planning strategy document.

``We are studying the feasibility of the link taking into account the 2030 planning study,'' Environment, Transport and Works Bureau spokeswoman Joyce Yip said.
She said the probe would include an analysis of traffic demand, construction cost and possible routes.

Both Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and Financial Secretary Antony Leung are generally in favour of building the bridge, although it remains an open question when the bridge will be needed.

Yip added that the government believed there was a general need to forge closer links with the Pearl River Delta.

According to the Planning Department, plans for the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge were put forward by professors Qian Zhaojun, Luo Zhangren and Cheng Tianxiang and other members of the Guangdong provincial research centre.

The department said the team, ``had put forward a proposal of having a strategic road and rail, if possible, linkage between Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong. They see the Gang-Ao-Zhu bridge, which is a variation of the Lingdingyang bridge, as an essential element in completing the Pearl River delta circular road and possibly circular rail network.''

Among the advantages of the project are that it would ``enhance the utilisation of infrastructure facilities on north Lantau and opening up opportunities for the construction of a deep water container port''.

The department added that although ``the feasibility of either the Lingdingyang bridge or the Gang-Ao-Zhu bridge needs further planning and engineering studies, the concept of a Pearl River Delta circular expressway system is worth taking note. This is an extension of the current circular expressway system linking east and west banks of the Pearl River via the Humen bridge''.

Yip would not comment directly on reports in the Chinese press that the government had already submitted proposals to Beijing for approval by Premier Zhu Rongji.

One source told The Standard that the Tung government was seeking approval from Beijing to set up a tri-government group with the authorities in Macau and Zhuhai to study plans for the bridge.

The government has identified several routes for the bridge. One involves a landfall at Tai O, on the western side of Lantau Island, that would involve the construction of a nine-kilometre expressway link to the North Lantau Highway.

This route is the one favoured by Hopewell Holdings chairman Gordon Wu, who revived interest in the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge last month.

4. SAR urged to be 'headquarters of southern China'
by Paris Lord, The Standard Sep 7, 2002

Hong Kong should work to become the ``headquarters'' of southern China and increase its intake of mainlanders, entertainment company Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman said last night.

Speaking on RTHK's View from the Top programme, the man some call the ``King of Lan Kwai Fong'', said people should support the current government even if they didn't like the Chief Executive.

``Like it or not, you must support them, because if you support, if we pull together, Hong Kong can have a lot of brain power, a lot of talent here, we can go forward. But if we continue to argue ... among ourselves, [Hong Kong] will end up being surpassed by all the places around us.''

Zeman said Hong Kong should integrate more with Guangdong and not be afraid of letting in more migrants from the mainland, particularly investors, because having ``a new influx of people with fresh energy ... will create new jobs''.

``The future of Hong Kong is China. Hong Kong should be the headquarters of the whole southern part of China.''

Zeman, who migrated from Canada to Hong Kong 33 years ago, said before the handover in 1997, the territory was apolitical and ``people just cared about making money''. Since then, stagnation had set in because of the arrival of new political parties and calls for elections and democracy, he said.

``Suddenly, we started to go nowhere, we started going around in circles instead of [like] before, when the government wanted to do something, we just went ahead and did it,'' Zeman said.

The owner of 27 restaurants said he had told the Chief Executive ``many times'' that Hong Kong's strength came from being an international city, but it was losing many expatriates.

``Either they moved to Shanghai, or they've gone back to America or to Europe. I don't see that big influx of expats moving here, and once that happens, there is a very, very great danger that Hong Kong will become just another city in mainland China.''

Zeman said Macau could become a threat to Hong Kong within five years because casino operators from Las Vegas would ``totally transform'' the former Portuguese colony.

5. Outsourcing `blamed' for MTR safety switch hitch
by Cannix Yau, The Standard Sep 7, 2002

The short circuit of a safety switch that caused a 45-minute MTR service breakdown on Thursday morning was unprecedented in the railway's 23-year history, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation said yesterday.

But it refused to be drawn on whether the problem had anything to do with the outsourcing of maintenance services, pending a report.

The Transport Department last night received an initial report from the MTR, but refused to disclose details.

An MTR spokesman confirmed earlier yesterday that maintenance work on the new Tsueng Kwan O line had been outsourced.

Legislator Andrew Cheng, who met with MTR's management yesterday, said he suspected the outsourcing was the root of the problem.

``We believe that the outsourcing of the maintenance works of the Tseung Kwan O line, the ageing MTR trains and MTR's misjudgment were the reasons for the incident,'' he said.

MTR external affairs manager Maggie So said it was too soon to tell whether poor maintenance was to blame. ``Every day our trains undergo stringent inspections and maintenance and we have a set of procedures to ensure standards.''

Thursday's breakdown stranded thousands of cross-harbour passengers during the morning rush hour. The Transport Department was not notified of the incident until 15 minutes after it happened. So said the company would discuss ways to improve communications with the department.

Commissioner for Transport Robert Footman said: ``We need to find out what happened and to see if there's any lesson to be learnt.''

The Legislative Council's transport panel will meet the government and MTR next week to discuss a spate of accidents and disruptions.

6. Does HK deserve a brighter future?
Mary Ann Benitez, SCMP Sep 7, 2002

Green groups yesterday called on the government to do more to reduce air pollution as Hong Kong was shrouded in thick smog for the second time in less than a week.

Pic. Edward Wong

Roadside air pollution index (API) readings hit 134 in Central and 131 in Causeway Bay at 3pm yesterday, with no relief in sight until at least tomorrow, the Environmental Protection Department said.

The dangerous levels are being blamed on Typhoon Sinlaku, which was due to hit Taiwan early today, combined with still and very hot weather.

Dave Ho Tak-yin, senior environmental protection officer, said: "Under the influence of a typhoon hovering over the East China Sea, we are experiencing stagnant and hot weather conditions.

"The hot weather, together with bright sunlight, have aggravated the formation of smog in Hong Kong and the South China region.

"Under very still wind conditions, air pollutants cannot be dispersed adequately."
Last Saturday, smog also blanketed the territory, as street-level readings reached 122 in Central and 119 in Causeway Bay.

Early in July, API readings in Hong Kong hit a record 170. The API measures particles of pollutant chemicals in the air. An API of between 50 and 100 is high. When the level reaches 100, people with heart and breathing problems are advised to avoid busy areas.

Green groups said Hong Kong citizens would not have to suffer dangerous levels of pollution, even with the unstable weather conditions, if the government had taken more drastic environmental measures.

Daphne Mah Ngar-yin, campaigns co-ordinator of Friends of the Earth, said: "Pollution levels in Hong Kong should be of grave concern to the public.

"No matter if there is a typhoon or not, the pollution is usually very high here." She said the presence of a typhoon made pollution worse but this could still be mitigated.
"We cannot stop it but we can improve the situation."

She urged the government to take radical measures, such as introducing renewable energy and controlling vehicle emissions.

"Hong Kong has one of the highest densities of vehicles - 271 per kilometre. Worst still, we have a heavy reliance on diesel," she said.

Clean the Air chairman Lincoln Chan Wing-fung said: "The government can and should do more to reduce the level of pollution."

He said the conversion of diesel minibuses should be speeded up and legislation enacted against idling engines.

The SAR should also work with Guangdong to control cross-border pollution.
He said the API was "generally high even on a good day".

Pic. Edward Wong

The environmentalists also called for a rethink of air quality objectives, which are much higher than recommended standards set by the World Health Organisation.

For instance, Hong Kong has set nitrogen oxide levels at 80 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to the organisation's global standard of just 40, Ms Mah said.

maryann.benitez@scmp.com

7. MTR considering joining Zhuhai bridge project, says Gordon Wu
Antoine So, SCMP Sep 7, 2002

A proposed bridge between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau has gained further impetus, with the Mass Transit Railway Corporation expressing an interest in the project.

Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung, chairman of Hopewell Holdings, which is spearheading the proposal, also revealed that he met Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa a few months ago to discuss the bridge and that Mr Tung was supportive.

As well as Hopewell, Macau gaming tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun has pledged to personally invest in the proposed bridge.

After officiating at the opening of the consulate of the Republic of Croatia, Sir Gordon said MTRC chairman Jack So Chak-kwong had approached Hopewell to discuss joining the project.

"The Airport Express is now seeing a huge loss. Their plan is to connect the Airport Express line with Zhuhai and Macau via the bridge," Sir Gordon said.

"In this case, their Airport Express line could be rescued from the red as there would be boost in ridership."

An MTRC spokeswoman said the company's initial feeling was that rail connections via the bridge were "feasible".

Sir Gordon said although Mr Tung showed support, it was vital Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland reached a consensus before the project took shape.

According to an initial plan, the 29km bridge would straddle the estuary and connect Tai O with Macau and Zhuhai. It is estimated to cost $15 billion and an easy-to-build trestle bridge design is favoured.

A source close to the project said rail connections were feasible and would boost MTRC patronage and in the long term boost the Pearl River Delta's transport network.
Preliminary ideas were for the rail line to go under the bridge in boxes, similar to the design of the Tsing Ma Bridge.

The rail connections could be installed when rail growth in the region matured, the source said.

The ambitious project, first put forward in 1983, resurfaced last year when China formally entered the World Trade Organisation and announced its Go West project. But SAR government transport officials, including retired Nicholas Ng Wing-fui, have repeatedly denied the urgency of the project, citing consultancy opinion that it will not be required until after 2016.

But Sir Gordon, who is also the chairman of the Port and Maritime Board, has said the bridge could strengthen Hong Kong's status as the major port in the delta and close a missing link in the transport loop in Guangdong.

He said the province's transport loop tended to funnel vehicles to the eastern side of the delta, causing traffic congestion and an over-concentration of industries.

Sir Gordon said the bridge could trigger developments in the west and in the long run link with the Beijing-Zhuhai Superhighway, which will open later this year, and extend the cargo catchment areas for Hong Kong's airport and ports.

8. Storm develops over Wan Chai reclamation plan
Sophia Wong and Kenneth Ko, SCMP Sep 7, 2002

Leading developers Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), New World Development and Great Eagle Holdings have voiced strong objections to the government's Wan Chai Reclamation Phase Two development.



The development's potential impact on buildings owned by the companies in the surrounding area is understood to be one of the major concerns.

The Town Planning Board has received 770 valid objections to the latest draft for the new Wan Chai statutory plan, gazetted in April. Apart from the developers, other objections came from environmental protection bodies, political parties and the district council.

The government is proposing to reclaim 26 hectares along the coast from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) towards Causeway Bay to accommodate roadworks and develop an exhibition centre, hotel and commercial complex.

A Town Planning Board spokeswoman said the objectors had recommended scaling down the reclamation and scrapping the proposed harbour park next to the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter.

"Some of them said the proposal was contradicting the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance," she said. Some had proposed further controls on the building height.

The government has proposed a comprehensive development area, spanning 275,800 square feet in front of the Great Eagle Centre, to accommodate the exhibition centre, with a highest developable area of 1.37 million sq ft. The recommended highest plot ratio is five times and the building height is restricted to 100 metres.

The spokeswoman said a counter-proposal was to scale down the plot ratio to three times and restrict the building height to 50 metres. The objectors also proposed a height limit on a proposed 500,000 sq ft entertainment and leisure complex.

Some objectors said a proposed 75,000 sq ft site for the hotel development, with a height limit of 60 metres, would have an adverse visual impact on neighbouring buildings, she said.

SHKP has its headquarters - the Sun Hung Kai Centre - in the area, along with Central Plaza and the World Trade Centre. New World's portfolio includes the HKCEC, Grand Hyatt and Renaissance Harbour View Hotel.

It is understood Great Eagle is concerned the proposed exhibition centre would be exceptionally bulky. Such a massive structure, rising up to 100 metres, could substantially block the harbour view enjoyed from the Great Eagle Centre, which is about 130 metres high. Great Eagle owns most of the building.

The spokeswoman said the planning board had not decided whether the reclamation and development proposal should be revised.

9. Tai Cheung targets returns from luxury investments
Sophia Wong, SCMP Sep 7, 2002

Developer Tai Cheung Holdings plans to acquire several luxury residential sites within the next six months, according to chairman David Chan Pun.

Mr Chan said after the company's annual general meeting yesterday that it was especially targeting quality sites on The Peak and Island South. "We don't possess much land bank [but] we have hundreds of millions of cash on hand," he said.

With cash and bank credit available, Tai Cheung had access to more than HK$1 billion to acquire land, he said.

The mid-sized developer has not been active in land acquisition in recent years but it bought a small plot for HK$100 million in Chung Hom Kok near Stanley in April's land auction.

Mr Chan expected the property market was unlikely to recover in the next two to three years, given poor economic sentiment, serious unemployment and abundant supply of mass residential flats.

"Flat prices in the mass residential market have continued to slide in previous years despite the suspension of home ownership scheme flat sales and land auctions," he said.

Only luxury residential developments would be profitable as the demand was stable, he said.

Mr Chan expected to generate a profit margin of up to a 100 per cent from a luxury residential development on the Stanley site.

The company would invest HK$160 million to HK$170 million, including the cost of the land, to develop 14 houses of about 2,000 square feet by 2004.

He estimated the development cost at about HK$4,000 per square foot and the market value at HK$8,000 to HK$10,000 per square foot.

Mr Chan said the company was negotiating to acquire other luxury residential sites with a developable area of about 30,000 sq ft each.

He said property development in Hong Kong would remain the core business for Tai Cheung.

The company's leasing properties, including hotels, offices and parking spaces, generated annual rental income of more than HK$100 million and would be kept as long-term investments, he said.

10. Civil servants should think within the box
Jake van der Kamp, SCMP Sep 7, 2002

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa is undoubtedly right in telling civil servants that demands on them will be very, very demanding (his turn of phrase) if they are expected to do what he demands of them.

I took the time yesterday to read through the transcript of his speech on Wednesday to a symposium (as distinct from a seminar if you know the difference) of directorate-level civil servants.

It encouraged them to "think outside the box" in "managing change", tasks they may find difficult indeed given that they were defined in the same vein of consultababble.

Take that phrase "think outside the box". It is a new one that I take to mean offering unconventional solutions to problems looked at in new ways (why, thank you, I do try).
I would rather not see civil servants try it, however. They are meant to think within the box, not outside it.

Their box is called "policy" and if it is not called this it is called "directives from on high" although I imagine they have less kindly words for it, given the way they are whipsawed on policy directives these days.

So just what was Mr Tung telling them to do?

Does he want them to challenge the policies he hands down to them, to defy his directives if thinking outside the box leads them to believe, often easy to do, that he is wrong?

You would almost think so when you read, as one of his definitions of thinking outside the box, that "it's about challenging the status quo".

But you are the status quo, Mr Tung, and most of them are dead scared that if they challenge you, they will miss their next promotions.

Let us be honest. Do you really expect or welcome this kind of challenge from them?
It is different when you say you want them to challenge "existing processes to ensure greater efficiency, responsiveness and sensitivity in the delivery of service and the implementation of policies".

This is thinking within the box. You hand down the policies and they then use their heads to implement them as efficiently as possible.

And this is also why the advice you give them on "managing change" is better directed to your principal officials or the Legislative Council.

For instance, you say that "managing change is about developing a vision . . . is about developing policies . . . is about seeing clear-cut policy directions".

I quite agree but this is what it is about for you, the political master.

When you finally have your vision and policies, you tell your civil servants to start the wheels of government turning so that the public can benefit (or suffer) from them. You are the captain. They are the crew. You do not ask them where to go. You tell them. Their skills are in getting you there.

Likewise, you ask too much of them when you say "managing change means consultation with the public at large and managing change is about a buy-in by the public of what we want to achieve. Managing change therefore means explaining why there are these difficulties, how they come about, and how we plan to overcome them."

This is your job, not theirs. When you and your principal officials devise policies, it is up to you to explain them to the public, not to civil servants who only get them second hand from you and who do not have the same public forums that you do, leave alone have to worry about the career consequences of not explaining things as you would.

I have said it before and I shall say it again. What we have here is upside-down government, policy officials bereft of policy asking lower echelon make-it-happen people to do their jobs for them.

Yes, it certainly should make for some very, very demanding demands.

Email Jake van der Kamp at jakeva@scmp.com.