Lawmaker questions running of orchestra
A legislator yesterday questioned the way the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is run, and suggested it may not be spending its money wisely.
Cheung Man-kwong said 84 per cent of its spending went on administration and a government subsidy accounted for more than 80 per cent of its income. He said none of the eight other subsidised performing arts groups depended so heavily on the subsidy, and they spent an average of only 60 per cent on administration.
The orchestra's subsidy in 2007-08 was HK$48 million, second only to the HK$56.5 million the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra received, he said. But the latter generated nearly half its income itself.
Florence Hui Hiu-fai, undersecretary for home affairs, said commercial sponsors were unenthusiastic about the Chinese orchestra.
An evaluation of ways for it to raise sponsorship from non-government channels would be essential in the long run.
Lee Wing-tat raised Hong Kong Ballet's controversial sacking of principal dancer Faye Leung. He said the group's handling of her sacking - by issuing statements rather than holding a news conference - fell short of what the public expected.
John Ying, the group's chairman, apologised for the lack of sensitivity it had shown over Leung's dismissal. He assured the Legislative Council's home affairs panel the group would show more sensitivity in future.
