HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 5 July 1989
2075
It is true that we need a democratic form of government in order to exercise the high degree of autonomy that has been promised to us, but it should be up to us as a community to gauge how quickly we can move in that process. We appreciate the goodwill, but we should not be pushed one way or the other.
Furthermore, it is my view that in a territory like Hong Kong which was not, is not, and will not be a totally independent state, and in particular, when the future sovereign country to which it returns does not practise democracy as we understand it, there is no guarantee that we can maintain and defend a democratic system here unless either the new sovereignty has a good record of keeping its words and promises, or we ourselves possess the guarantee of human rights and safety measures independent of the system, a guarantee which the United Kingdom right of abode can provide. In the light of what has happened, and is happening in China since 4 June, it is my firm view that just a promise of a speedier democratization by the British Government simply cannot be a trade-off for the right of abode for the people of Hong Kong.
Having said this, I still believe that the mood of Hong Kong has changed, and that we are now ready to explore the possibility of a quicker pace of democratization.
Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. LAU WONG-FAT (in Cantonese): Sir, I feel the same way as the other Members of this Council and find the recommendations concerning the right of abode in the United Kingdom for the people of Hong Kong put forth in the Foreign Affairs Committee report very disappointing and unsatisfactory. We have an extremely acute confidence crisis right before us. To our regrets, the committee ignores the gravity of the crisis and the undeniable constitutional and moral obligation of Britain towards the people of Hong Kong. Its recommendations cannot solve our problems and are not acceptable to us.
The people of Hong Kong are worried about their personal safety in the future because of the recent events. With confidence terribly shaken, the public seeks the right of abode overseas as a safeguard for their future. Thus the "right of abode" and the "restoration of the confidence of Hong Kong people" are inseparable issues.
In view of the emergency, it should be our prime concern to re-establish people's confidence as soon as possible so that people's hearts may be put at ease and that they may stay on and attend to their work at least for the time being; otherwise, there will be the problem of governability in the territority and the stability and prosperity we enjoy at present will also be threatened, not to mention our prospect after 1997. The OMELCO Members and the general public feel that the most effective measure to tackle this crisis is for Britain to honour her obligation as a sovereign state and grant the legitimate right of abode in the United Kingdom to the people of Hong Kong.