HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 13 July 1988
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relationship before proceeding to provisions governing the composition of the two authorities. As of now, the panel has an open mind.
(8) The first government of the Special Administrative Region. Members are of the view that the first government ought to be a regular government in contrast to transitional government. This is in the interest of maintaining stability and, hence, prosperity in Hong Kong because a transitional govern- ment might generate mistrust and anxiety. Members are generally in support of the 'through train' concept, the so-called 'through train' concept. Members consider that of the two principles of national sovereignty and smooth transition mentioned in article 171 in Chapter X, neither should take precedence or priority, but that in the interest of stability, the less disruption the better and the least disruption the best. The Chief Executive will have to be appointed before 1 July 1997. His principal officials will also have to be appointed beforehand, but presumably most if not all should be serving officials. Again, presumably, the judges to be appointed by the Chief Executive should be serving ones and the Civil Service will remain intact. So why single out the legislature? Why cannot Members of the Legislative Council be deemed to be members of the new legislature and continue for the unexpired term? Why ask all to alight and scramble for a ticket just to board the same train again?
Sir, I have great pleasure in supporting the motion, and in so doing may I once again take this opportunity to urge the people of Hong Kong to study the draft Basic Law and to express their views on it. 'Rome was not built by one, but by many' which is a very loose translation of the Chinese saying: (✯✯✯). The same goes for Hong Kong. Let us. Sir, begin to build and re-build Hong Kong.
DR. HO (in Cantonese): Sir, the drafting of the Baisc Law has proceeded in a very open manner, and has involved extensive consultations with individuals and groups form different suata of the community. It began with the setting up of the Drafting Committee and the Consultative Committee for the Basic Law. After over two years of work, the draft Basic Law (for solicitation of opinions) was compiled. The document was passed by a plenary session of the Drafting Committee at the end of April 1988 and then published for formal consultation with the people of Hong Kong. There will be two rounds of comprehensive consultations. It is envisaged that the Basic Law will eventually be promulgated around late 1989 or early 1990 upon completion of the examination and endorsement process.
Judging from the scrupulous and open manner adopted in the drafting process, it is obvious that while resuming sovereignty over Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China is at the same time determined to ensure a smooth transition, to maintain stability and prosperity, to realise the plan of 'one country, two systems' and to retain Hong Kong's existing capitalist system and way of life. The fact that China has shown consideration for the interests of Hong Kong is beyond question.