HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 14 March 1984
FANG: Sir, I support wholeheartedly my Senior Member's motion.
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Generally speaking, it is only natural that the people of Hong Kong should express their views on Hong Kong's future. And it is logical that the Legislative Council, a body which reflects public opinion, should ask for a full debate of the proposals on Hong Kong's future.
1997 and Public Opinion
I firmly believe that in the current Sino-British talks on Hong Kong's future, both sides will do their best to find a solution which is acceptable to China and Britain, for the purpose of creating a bright, stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong.
I have absolutely no doubt of the sincerity and ability of the representatives of China and Britain at the talks. However, as Hong Kong's social, economic, political and cultural systems are all greatly different from those of China and Britain, the representatives' ideas and viewpoints may not be entirely in tune with those of the Hong Kong people themselves.
I firemly believe that the people of Hong Kong are the ones who understand most thoroughly the present situation of Hong Kong. Moreover, as we, the 5 million people of Hong Kong, will continue to live here after 1997, how can proposals which affect our destiny be made without our participation and contribution?
I hereby call on all who consider Hong Kong to be their home to come forth and air their views on Hong Kong's future, to strive for the opportunity to contribute to Hong Kong's future.
Guarantees in Proposals on the Future
There is another important matter: I hope that before reaching an agreement on Hong Kong's future, China and Britain will allow sufficient time and establish an effective means of consulting public opinion.
Public opinion on Hong Kong's future relates to many aspects of our daily lives. But I am of the view that the general public are most concerned about how their livelihood can be fundamentally safeguarded, and how Hong Kong's prosperity and stability can be maintained. I would just raise two points in brief here, which, I think, must be quaranteed in the arrangements for Hong Kong's future:
(1) Personal freedom, including freedom of speech, worship, publication, assembly, forming societies, trading, selecting occupations, going on overseas visits and migration. I think that these are the basic underlying factors that gave the stimulus and motivation to the people of Hong Kong to work hard.
(2) The livelihood of the people, including sufficient employment opportunities and community facilities, provision of a reasonable education, medical and other social welfare services.