S
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 14 March 1984
41
A matter of fact, being a Member of this Council, I know nothing about any inside story. Nevertheless, like other members of the public, I have heard a lot of rumours over the past few months. Recently it is even said that Britain seems to be prepared to return to China the sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, and that China will, for the sake of the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, turn this territory into a special administrative region and allow the existing life-styles and institutions to remain unchanged for a certain number of years. It is also heard that such a decision will be officially announced in September.
The debate in this Council is unprecedented. It is one of the channels for the Hong Kong people to discuss their own future. The motion that 'This Council deems it essential that any proposals for the future of Hong Kong should be debated in this Council before any final agreement is reached' is very good. And I, following the example of representatives to the Sino-British talks, would also like to take part in the debate by making a few remarks on the weather.
In Hong Kong, March is late spring, with a normal temperature of 18.5°C, rainfall 54.8 cm, relative humidity 82% and cloudiness 76%. Occasionally there are dense fogs and it may be foggy for days resulting in unclear vista.
July, August and September are the months in which tropical cyclones from the west of the North Pacific Ocean are on the lookout for chances to attack Hong Kong. However, even with the onslaught of a typhoon at over 120 knots, the people of Hong Kong can always manage to take precautionary measures well in advance and then stay at home to watch television or play mahjong. In this way they can enjoy half a day's leisure while waiting calmly for the passage of the typhoon. During all these hours they are free to criticize the Royal Observatory for not hoisting the tropical cyclone signals and the Education Department for not announcing class suspension at the appropriate time. Everyone is breathing the air of freedom with a 'fear thy wife but not thy government' attitude.
In case the people of Hong Kong think that summer is too hot and winter too cold here, they can always go to the summer resort in Lushan, or enjoy a bath in the hot springs of Taiwan, using their British Passport, Certificate of Identity, Re-entry Permit or Entry/Exit Permit. On top of this, they can also apply for a visa from the Immigration Department and tour the United Kingdom in their capacity as British Dependent Territories Citizens. They are always free to make their own choice and go anywhere they like.
To say it in a nutshell, the weather is changing with the seasons. We have sunshine and we have rain. The people of Hong Kong must always have regular weather reports and weather forecast before they can plan their activities well. They do not want the history of Typhoon Wanda, which attacked Hong Kong with a speed of over 140 knots on 1 September 1962, to recur again.
With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.