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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 5 July 1989
as granting the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar the right of abode in the United Kingdom, why are the people of Hong Kong singled out and treated differently? Why did Britain first tighten her control over the Hong Kong British people's right of abode in the United Kingdom, then deprive them of such right altogether? What we ask for is only fair treatment. I would like to raise a query: where have Britain's long-standing code of practice and righteousness gone?
Apart from the fact that those people who were born in Hong Kong are British subjects, there is another group of people who, out of admiration for Britain's constitutional system, have willingly given up their inherent nationality to become British subjects by way of naturalization. This group of people have taken an oath of allegiance to Britain and have been bestowed British nationality by Her Majesty the Queen. They are under the conviction that henceforth they can feel secured about their future and need not worry that they will have to lead a life under an authori- tarian government. However, the present situation falls short of their expectation, because the passports held by the naturalized British subjects in Hong Kong can only serve as travelling documents in future. On the nationality issue, how can Britain be accountable to these naturalized British subjects in Hong Kong? Do not forget that many people have indicated that if they had been disposed to hold on to their original nationality, they would not have applied for naturalization in the first place. People of Hong Kong are already accustomed to the free and democratic lifestyle here; they will not leave the territory, if this way of life is allowed to continue. The right of abode in Britain will be taken only as a safeguard against uncertainty. However, if the right of abode was granted only to some people as proposed in the FAC's report, it would divide the unity of the community and accelerate the rate of emigration of professionals, civil servants and wealthy people to other countries, thus turning Hong Kong into a city without talents. In that case, how can Hong Kong continue to enjoy prosperity and stability? Now many shopkeepers have complained to me about the decline of their business --- some boutiques only make three transactions in a week and those in the food trade also suffer set-backs in business. If the volume of business goes on like this, the shopkeepers cannot even afford to pay the rents. When such a situation comes about, how can British fulfil the Sino-British Joint Declaration's undertaking of handing over a stable and prosperous Hong Kong to the future SAR Government? Lastly, I sincerely hope the British Government will carefully consider the contents of the speeches made by my colleagues.
Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.
6.00 pm
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: It is now six o'clock and under Standing Order 8(2), the Council should now adjourn.
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, with your consent, I move that Standing Order 8(2) be suspended so as to allow the Council's business this afternoon to be concluded.
Question proposed, put and agreed to.