DocMartin

Hong Kong exemplifies what can go awry in a city without a coherent plan…. Today, Victoria Harbor is less than half its original size, and at its pinch-point the width has been reduced from 2,300 meters to just 900; the waterfront is lined with skyscrapers, elevated roadways and shopping malls. A coalition of NGOs, politicians and key business leaders, backed by most residents, is now mobilizing to save Hong Kong’s harbor. Last month legislators passed a nonbinding resolution to shelve an office complex planned for the last open waterfront space in the central financial district. "Development on the business-as-usual approach has gone far enough," says former legislator Christine Loh, founder of the think tank Civic Exchange. "The irony is that Hong Kong has the best natural endowment—a harbor set by mountains on both sides—but the worst urban planning." Last year concerned bankers and industrialists formed the Harbor Business Forum to lobby the government for a coherent strategy. One of the group’s fears is that rampant construction could actually undermine Hong Kong’s fortunes by making it less attractive to foreign investors, a concept, says Marshall, which reflects Singapore’s "broader understanding of economics." In response, the government has empaneled the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee to draw up a master plan for the city. "The problem is that the government can’t or won’t get its head around delegating authority to a single agency," says Nicholas Brooke, a committee member. But is Hong Kong too far gone to be saved? "We’re on the edge," says Brooke. "The danger now is inertia." Hong Kong can find plenty of inspiration elsewhere in Asia…

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhuanet) — China has no teams specialized in catching sharks, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture said here Thursday.

Li Yanliang, deputy director of the ministry’s Fishing Department, told a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council, that China’s catching, import and export of sharks is conducted strictly in accordance with international laws.

He denied reports saying that Chinese fishermen throw sharks away after catching and cutting off their fins.

The Chinese government encourages a “rational and sustained” development of fish resources and the overall use of sharks, he said. It bans the partial use of sharks. Those found breaking the regulations are “severely” dealt with, he added.

Li admitted that the consumption of shark fin in China, a dish in upscale restaurants, is not declining, but pointed out that the government is considering listing some endangered sharks as protected animals.

In line with international conventions on endangered wild animals and plants, whale shark and white shark are listed as the world’s second-class protected animals.

The disaster that has cut off water to a city the size of London is a symptom of far wider problems. More than 70 per cent of China’s rivers are contaminated, more than a third of the country is plagued by acid rain and in the past 50 years it has lost more than 1,000 lakes. China is home to seven of the ten most-polluted cities in the world and urban smog causes more than 400,000 early deaths a year, the International Energy Agency says. … Officials admit pollution costs China 8 per cent to 15 per cent of its gross domestic product.

Dear Passenger,

Thank you for your opinion regarding the cabin temperature.

According to our records, cabin temperature of vessels has been normally
kept in the range of 22oC to 24oC in accordance to the company guideline.
We noted that there might be occasions when the temperature fall or rise
beyond the prescribed range, please be assured that First Ferry would
enhance onboard inspection to ensure a comfortable cabin and service
consistency and our staff onboard would be pleased to offer assistance to
passengers.

In response to your suggestions and the changing weather, First Ferry has
recently adjusted the thermostats onboard to a temperature range of 24oC to
25oC. First Ferry would closely monitor the public acceptability of the
change and keep the situation under review to ensure a comfortable cabin.

Since service commencement in 2000, the operating environment has been tough
for First Ferry. Though the effectiveness of fuel saving has yet to be
studied, First Ferry appreciates invaluable comments from your goodself and
will continue to explore possible measures on cost saving and revenue
generation in order to improve financial viability of the ferry operations.

With a view to alleviating the pressure of fare rise, First Ferry has
introduced a series of cost-saving and revenue-generating measures in the
past years. To reduce operating cost, First Ferry introduced various
measures such as repairing vessels in places where the cost is comparatively
low to save maintenance expenses, hedging oil prices, adjusting pay scale of
new recruits to market levels, implementing service rationalization and
introducing automatic payment system.

First Ferry has also implemented a spectrum of revenue-generating measures
including the offering of “Island Hopping Pass” privileged tickets, the
launch of round-trip tickets to attract tourists to the outlying islands,
the introduction of Joss House Bay Service during Tin Hau Festival, ferry
charter service, the provision of pier-top advertisements and expansion of
rental income. We concur with your goodself that tourists help the ferry
business, however, to promote tourism, support from HKSAR Government and
other relevant bodies are pivotal. As a ferry operator, First Ferry is
committed to the provision of a safe and comfortable sea journey to the
commuting public and plays an ancillary role in tourism promotion. Since
commencement of service, First Ferry has been actively coordinating with
relevant parties to promote islands to tourists. To name a few, we launched
the abovementioned “Island Hopping Pass” and participated in various
travel expos to promote the islands and took part in various joint
promotions with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and other local parties.

Yet, these efforts First Ferry were offset by continuous surging operating
costs made while at the same time, It is expected that there will be no
ssignificant increase in income generated from ferry tickets . Owing to
these factors, First Ferry must adopt a fare rise to reduces losses and we
hope that passengers would understand the urgency and necessity for the fare
adjustment.

Thank you for the invaluable comments that allow First Ferry to serve the
commuting public better.

Yours sincerely,
Donna Kong
Customer Service Division
New World First Ferry Services Limited

Hi Donna:

Thanks for your response to my comments.

Ferry temps seem ok to me now. 24-25 C would seem better temp for summer too – it seems silly to have to consider taking warm clothes around during hot weather, because ferries might be chill.

Good to learn First Ferry has done some tourism promotions. More can be done I think; remember Hongkongers are tourists too when on fun trips to islands (and are not targeted by HKTB – which is not great at promoting tourism outside city). Not sure if can also manage a day pass that includes other services, such as a meal, perhaps a simple souvenir.
For Lantau, may take some work to keep Mui Wo service in public eye given transport (inc coming skyrail) from Tung Chung. But I’d recommend travel via ferry to Mui Wo, then bus, as best way to Ngong Ping.

Best regards,
Martin

Further to our email of 10/10/2005, we have referred your case to the
Transport Department for follow up and their reply is as follows :

Thank you very much for your valuable comments on NWFF’s fare increase
application.

In assessing the fare increase application, Transport Department will take
into account a basket of factors, including the financial position of the
ferry operator, performance of the ferry operator, increase in operating
cost, public affordability and acceptability of the proposed fare increase,
and alternative cost cutting and revenue generating measures to improve the
financial circumstances of the operator including your suggestion of
reducing the energy consumption by raising the temperature of
air-conditioned passenger cabin of NWFF’s ferry vessels.

Transport Department fully understand the concern of the public on the fare increase, and will take a deliberate approach in processing such
application.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Carol Au
Customer Service Supervisor
1823 Citizen’s Easy Link
31/10/2005