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MRS. RI FAN: Sir. I welcome the publication of the White Paper. Ever since the Green Paper was made public last May, indeed even when the Green Paper was still being drafted, discussi on whether there should be direct election to the Legislative Council
in 1988 has dominated the news media. If the frequency with which
the topic of direct election in 1988 appears in local press is used as a measure of its importance vis-a-vis other topics such as trade,
housing, transport and education which affects the daily life of our citizens, one may well go away with an impression that the success of Hong Kong is dependant on the introduction of direct election in 1988.
I have no doubt that there are those who subscribe to this view.
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I do not believe that the majority of Hong Kong people will necessarily agree with this view. Various survey reports have shown that the 16 majority would like to see an element of direct election in the
Legislative Council, but they do not insist that this must happen in 1988. The difference of three years can hardly be a matter of life and death. The firm commitment made in the White Paper to have direct election in 1991 is definitely welcomed by many people as this puts a 21 stop to speculation, uncertainty and clears the air. People are bored
by this ongoing argument. Time has now come for us to put the matter in motion and start preparing for the 1991 direct election to make it 24 more meaningful and more representative.
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go un-noticed.
how.
Sir, the efforts of some of our honourable friends in this 27 Council to demand for direct election in 1988 do deserve recognition.
They have mobilised considerable support for their cause through 29 sheer persistence and organizational power. Their success will not
But, is it necessary to be so rigid on the timing, particularly when the community of Hong Kong is prepared to accept 1991. Will democracy be lost to Hong Kong just because there is no 33 direct election in 1988? In looking forward we must remember that our.
people are realistic, pragmatic and possess a lot of common sense. We must recognise that the development of representative government can 36 well progress after 1997. Under such circumstances the timing of 1991
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