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or 1988 does not really make that much difference. Can it be just a
political stance to insist on 1988? Or does it stem from the desire to win an argument at all cost? The wise and discerning people of Hong Kong will come to their own conclusion.
26
In the Green Paper debate last July I advocated for an increase in functional constituency seats and the replacement of indirectly elected seats/eedlen gebgraphical electoral college, by directly elected seats. I am pleased to see that relevant steps have been taken in the White Paper. The functional constituency system 11 has criticised by some people as being undemocratic and devisive.
However, experience over the past twenty-six/months has proved that members returned by functional constituencies are not only concerned
with the interest of their own constituency but with territory-wide
issues. Moreover, views from different professions and trades have enriched discussion in this Council and enabled legislation to be more thoroughly scrutinised. While respecting the theoretical and academic arguments on possible shortfall of the funcional constituency system, I believe further expansion of seats in this category is well supported
by actual experience in this Council as a suitable element in the legislature of Hong Kong. In particular I would like to see the inclusion of the tourist industry as a functional constituency at a
future date, in view of the significant and substantial contribution
to our economy.
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32 پیرا
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2 35
الاذانه
Le 36
10
The proposal to replace the ten seats currently allocated to geographical electoral colleges by directly elected seats has been
criticised by some as a retrogressive step. I hold a different view. I believe that this is a progressive step towards democracy. It is reasonable and natural to replace indirect election by direct election after the implementation of the former for a period of time. Some people predict that the status of District Boards will be lowered as a result of the removal of the electoral colleges. This reservation is understandable, but the prediction is not necessarily correct. In fact, any far-sighted District Board member would work even harder at the District level so that their performance can help to
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