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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 13 July 1988
is characteristic of the political system in a Chinese socialist society. It was set up according to principles of democratic centralism. In this way, will the relationship between the SAR and the socialist system be closer every day? Besides the power to interpret the Basic Law lies with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The interpretation will inevitably be in- fluenced by a socialistic view. Therefore whether autonomy can be achieved will be further tested. Consequently, I feel that if the central government has faith in Hong Kong's autonomy, it should adopt a pragmatic approach and work out articles which will, on the one hand, exercise sovereignty and, at the same time, enable a high degree of autonomy so that the confidence of all parties can be maintained. In this way, there will be stability and prosperity in Hong Kong and there will be a smooth transition of political power.
There is another point regarding the political structure that I wish to bring up. In the main text of the draft Basic Law, the future status of the two municipal councils and the district boards is not stated. It merely states that the powers and functions of the district organisations and their composition shall be prescribed by law. The district boards are only mentioned in Note 8, I quote: 'If the present three-tier structure was retained, district boards should still be district consultative bodies. The Urban Council and the Regional Council are two district administrative organisations which are broadly based and widely representative and have made outstanding contributions and achievements. Yet they are not even mentioned.
I wonder if this is because it is feared that these district organisations will gradually develop into district political organisations. I just feel that such an omission cannot have been incidental. At present, the two municipal councils comprise directly elected members, indirectly elected members, ex officio members, appointed members and they are also financially autonomous, indicating fully their close relationship with people. Their functions are mainly municipal services in the districts. It is clear to all that, in matters of recreation and culture and environmental hygiene and other district services, allowing members of the public to choose their own representatives to be responsible for management is a most effective method and helps greatly in the promotion of a sense of belonging.
I greatly regret the omission of the two municipal councils from the draft Basic Law. I feel that even if no final decision can be made regarding the three-tier system in district administration, they should at least be treated in the same way as the five alternatives for the Chief Executive or the four alternatives for the legislature. All alternatives should be listed in an annex and the electors should be consulted. That is the correct way to go about it.
The omission of the two municipal councils from the draft will deprive the two municipal councils of their place in the constitution and shows extreme disrespect towards them. This will be a blow to the morale of people who participate in municipal services. The faith of the voters in the two municipal