HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 14 March 1984
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we lucky one to them. This year, many of these people put in an additional on: 'Do I have to emigrate or not?' This hesitant mentality just reflected that the uncertain future of Hong Kong had cast a shadow on their minds.
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Confronted with an uncertain future, a man in the street may still 'ask the gods and ghosts'. However a responsible Government, when participating in an issue which would determine the future of all the citizens, I think should ‘ask the people'.
Hong Kong, with its small area, could hardly be found in a world atlas, but it is definitely not an unknown city.
When I said that Hong Kong is not an unknown city, I did not mean only Hong Kong's acknowledged achievements and position in international finance, commerce, industry, communications and transport etc. but also that Hong Kong is a city where people can enter and leave freely, and its social system is openly analysed, watched, tested and criticized by Hong Kong's own people and foreign observers. Since a long time, Hong Kong is a free port where Chinese and foreigners mix. Many come here from different countries for sightseeing, transacting business, investing, long term employment and taking up residence. There are also those foreigners who come to Hong Kong to gather writing materials, as reporters or as diplomats. They examine Hong Kong's social system minutely as observing a sample specimen under the microscope, before they made up their mind whether they would invest or work in this place. They would also judge whether Hong Kong is a free place with the rule of law. I think that Hong Kong's ability to maintain its position as an international city should prove that these observers are conversant with the social system here and have confidence in it.
The Hong Kong people are also aware of what is the rule of law and freedom. When we take a look at the newspapers, we see that some of them are critical of the Government, some are open forums, and there are articles and editorials making representations or querying Government policies. The phenomenon that the people, the media and newspapers can speak out like this shows that they understand this is a society under the rule of law. Except in the cases where the publications have contravened the Objectionable Publication Ordinance or committed contempts of court, the Government seldom interfere with the freedom of press reporting or publishing.
Here a resident with grievances may have his complaint reaching various levels through press conference, to district board members, Urban Councillors and UMELCO Members. A hawker in Hong Kong possesses the right to appeal to the Governor in Council in order to keep his licence.
As the agreement to be reached by China and Britain in solving the problem of the future of Hong Kong will contain arrangements which will surely affect the career and the livelihood of every Hong Kong resident; the education of his