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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 14 March 1984
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a stability and to allow us to keep our present freedoms and legal system in uture. Yet, many people have told me that China's past track record is not one to inspire confidence. I have even heard Chinese officials both in Beijing and Hong Kong say that our concern is perfectly understandable because of their past performance. In fact, they have categorically stated that they do not wish to repeat their same mistakes of the past. We must have faith in the present regime and we must be positive and constructive, therefore whatever our concerns may be, we must express them openly and freely.
China is on her way to modernization under the well-publicized Four Modernization Programmes. Those who have visited China as frequently as I have must agree with me that there has been a remarkable improvement in the living standards of her people now as compared with ten years ago. There is little doubt that Hong Kong if given the chance can make a valuable contribution towards China's modernization programmes. Afterall Hong Kong is the third largest financial centre and the third largest container port in the world. For a small place like ours, it is a miracle that we have come this far in earning the respect of the international community.
There are many articles written by the world renowned economists about our free enterprise which is only one of the many factors contributing towards our past success. Miss Lydia DUNN spoke of the pillars of our society. Mr. Walter SULKE spoke on what makes Hong Kong tick. I have spoken on 26 October 1983 in this Council on the essential features of our success and many others in our community have spoken out on the same subject. Sir, we love Hong Kong. It is our home. We are concerned about our future, therefore we cannot keep silent and leave our fate to be decided for us. We want to make valuable and constructive contributions towards the success of our future.
There are some individuals in our community who have criticized the legality of this motion and the representativeness of the Unofficial Members. They have even gone so far as to question the motive of the Unofficials by suggesting that this debate was inspired by another party. They have accused the Unofficial Members of 'rocking the boat'.
Sir, may I take this opportunity to answer the critics by quoting a past President of the United States of America, Mr. Theodore ROOSEVELT. He said and I quote: 'It's not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or whether the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena .. who strives valiantly, who errs and often comes up short . . . who, if at best in the end, knows the triumph of higher treatment and high achievement. Who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his soul shall never be with those cold and timid ones who know neither victory nor defeat.' Unquote.
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Sir, on an important issue such as the future of Hong Kong, the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, being responsible individuals of our community, must feel free to express our opinions. As it has been said earlier,