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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL · 14 March 1984
search for a solution which is acceptable not only to the negotiating parties but also to the people of Hong Kong.
The Chinese leaders too through action and pronouncements have assured the people of Hong Kong that they are receptive to our views. Without accurate information we could only base our thinking on rumours and speculation, and views thus formulated could at best be off the mark, and at worst be totally counterproductive. I believe the time has come for China and Britain to lift the veil of confidentiality, and take the people of Hong Kong into their confidence. After all, it is our future. We have the right to know and to express what we
want.
At this juncture it is worthwhile to examine the Chinese position which has remained basically unchanged throughout the course of events ever since 1979. Beijing has made it abundantly clear that they regard sovereignty over Hong Kong as non-negotiable, and that sovereignty in this instance is not separable from administration. They have promised a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong, which they visualize as a Special Administrative Region to be administered by the Hong Kong people.
The plan is perfectly sound on paper, and when the people of Hong Kong did not react positively to it, we were taken to task by Beijing as well as many western critics as being too negative, too greedy or too unrealistic.
Some critics argued that since it is what China wants, it would neither be wise nor useful to doubt its viability. To these critics I say it would be totally inconceivable and irresponsible on our part to adopt such a passive attitude to the most important issue in our history. It would not be beneficial to Hong Kong or China if we are left with a plan which we believe would not work towards preserving our life style, freedoms and values. After all, our stability and prosperity depend on them.
The questions surrounding the proposed Chinese plan that have remained unanswered are:-
1.
2.
3.
What will be the relationship between Hong Kong and Beijing from 1997 onwards?
What will be Hong Kong's relationship with the rest of China?
Who are the Hong Kong people who will administer Hong Kong? How will they be chosen?
4. Who will actually govern Hong Kong?
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What will be the international status of Hong Kong?
But the most important question of all is:—
6. Can Hong Kong which is a stronghold of the capitalist system in the world maintain its identity and success under a communist regime? Should there be disagreement between Beijing and Hong Kong, which is not improb- able, given their diametrically opposite ideological convictions, what will happen then?