HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
香港立法局———————————一九八九年七月五日
5 July 1989
28
listen to the voices in Hong Kong for what many consider is one of the most effective ways to restore confidence. You, Sir, have also conveyed a message with force and conviction, and we are grateful. It now remains to be seen whether the British Government will abide by her tradition of honour and do what is solely in her power to restore confidence in Hong Kong.
Now, I would like to touch briefly on some other areas of concern in the FAC report.
On the question of the Basic Law and the future political structure, I note that the committee appears to have come up with some constructive suggestions. However, my colleagues have not had the opportunity to discuss them in detail, but will be doing so in the coming weeks. I can only say that there is a swing in mood to a faster pace of democratization. I feel that the views of the people of Hong Kong are of paramount importance, and I urge the community to speak up.
I would like to comment on the question regarding the stationing of the People's Liberation Army in the future Special Administrative Region. I do share the view of the FAC that, given the tragic events in Beijing several weeks ago, the whole question requires to be re-examined carefully. To allay the fears of the people of Hong Kong, I do think the Chinese Government should be bold enough to face up to the fact that it would not be boosting confidence if they insist on stationing the People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong after 1997.
Another important point I wish to make is that there is perception in our community that as far as the Basic Law is concerned, it has drifted from the spirit and the letter of the Joint Declaration in the last two years. The Chinese Government insists that the Basic Law is a matter for the Chinese Government and the people of Hong Kong, but the British Government has the right as a signatory of the Joint Declaration and the responsibility as the sovereign of Hong Kong. To get the Basic Law right, because all the provisions of the Joint Declaration must be totally enshrined in the Basic Law therefore the British Government must at the official level discuss with the Chinese Government on the Basic Law in the forum such as the Joint Liaison Group. Of course we all recognize the promulgation of the Basic Law is a matter for the Chinese Government.
On the question of human rights, I personally agree with the recommendation made by the committee. My colleagues have yet to discuss this aspect of the report, but we hope to be able to arrive at a more definite view in the near future.