2789
FOREWARD
By the Chairman of Hong Kong New Territories Heung Yee Kuk's Delegation Mr. CHEUNG Yan Lung M.B.E. J.P.
The unique position of the New Territories of Hong Kong was founded in 1898 when "An Extension of Hong Kong Territory" was signed between the Chinese and British Governments. The ownership of the New Territories remains with China, while its tenancy is held by the British Government. The New Territories Heung Yee Kuk is the supreme organization of populace representation, speaking on behalf of the 1,150,000 Chinese residents living in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It also bears the legal duty of acting as an organ of consultation to the Hong Kong Government in rela- tion to affairs in the New Territories.
As time marches on, the society in the New Terri- tories has entered into a new era when the policies and laws put into practice in the New Territories by the Hong Kong Government must be based on fairness. Entrusted by all the residents in the residents in the New Territories, the New Territories Heung Yea Kuk has organized a delegation to come to England for a visit, aiming to secure fair treatments for them.
The measure of fair treatments lies in the right to share in political administration, the benefits of deve- lopment, the opportunities in education as well as public services of the New Territories.
The present moment is the most appropriate occasion to let the British people, both in authority and other- wise, envisage the fact that, for over 70 years, the residents in the New Territories have been tolerating the unfair treatments by the Hong Kong Government.
1