No room for complacency: Despite the steady rise in tourist arrivals, the Government would crack down on tour operators who cheat their clients, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says.

Speaking on RTHK days after presenting his Policy Address, Chief Executive Donald Tsang said he did not want to see the minimum wage issue dealt with in court.

Some legislative councillors have said they would put plans to seek a judicial review into action after the Government decided not to legislate for a minimum wage.

"This is a matter for policy, a matter for legislation. So I think we should try to solve this matter amicably, in the community. Fundamentally it is not even the legislature and the government. It is a matter for the people," Mr Tsang said.

In response to a caller's concern that Hong Kong's tourism industry was faltering, especially after some tour operators had cheated visitors, the Chief Executive stressed the number of tourists had continued to rise throughout the years.

Tourist arrivals increase

In the last eight months, he noted, the total tourist arrivals in Hong Kong had reached nearly 17 million - a 10% rise over last year. There was also a rise of over 12% in Mainland visitors.

"We can never be complacent," he added. "We have problems with the sharp operators in the tourism industry. We should clobber them, we should try to stop that as much as possible."

After a caller pressed the Chief Executive as to why Hong Kong did not have modern electric trolley buses as many other world cities did, Mr Tsang replied the overhanging wires were unwieldy and that we tried to bury all our wires, especially due to the threat of typhoons.

However, he did promise to speak with experts on the matter.

West Kowloon to be major focus

Another caller congratulated Mr Tsang on getting the Tamar project off the ground, but asked when there would be action on West Kowloon, where he had lived for many years.

"I'm lamenting the subject as much as you do," the Chief Executive replied. "I've not given up.We're reviving the project and West Kowloon will continue to be a major focus of activity."

He expected to have results ready early next year, he said.

When another called asked why Hong Kong could not afford an English-language FM station - when Thailand had three - the Chief Executive said he agreed with the caller's view, but noted Thailand had a much larger population.

When the caller countered that Hong Kong was better off than Thailand, Mr Tsang said: "We are richer than the Thais, that's true." He said he would ask about having such a station.