HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1989
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One of the key factors for Hong Kong's steady development in the past is that Hong Kong has a highly efficient government supported by a hard-working population. If the British Government acted on the recommendations made in the FAC report to offer the right of abode in Britain only to a certain category of people in Hong Kong, such action would undoubtedly divide the community and give rise to internal antagonism, thereby undermining the highly efficient operation of the government machinery and the enterprising spirit of the people of Hong Kong to the detriment of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
Despite the formidable task before us in our fight for the right of abode in the United Kingdom for the Hong Kong BDTCs, we should not give up or become depressed. We should keep up our good work and be self-reliant. We should also remain cool-headed in face of changes and be steadfast in striving for Hong Kong's continued stability and prosperity. Only by doing so can we continue to fight for the rights and the benefits due to us.
Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. SIT (in Cantonese): Sir, the report on Hong Kong released by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on 28 June has provoked enormous response from the public. With the exception of a few constructive proposals, the majority of proposals in the report, including those relating to the Vietnamese refugee issue and the nationality issue, have aroused great disaffection.
First, I should like to tell this Council some of the views of the public on the Vietnamese boat people problem. In our present effort to secure a right of abode in the United Kingdom, the Vietnamese boat people problem is one further problem plaguing us everyday, the solution of which calls for our sustained attention. It is common knowledge that the port of first asylum policy has been forced on us by the British Government. Notwithstanding this, Hong Kong has been steadfastly performing its obligations as a port of first asylum and giving refuge to all Vietnamese boat people who arrive here. In view of Hong Kong's resource constraints, we had no alternative but to declare on 16 June 1988 the implementation of the screening policy. But that did not mean that we were attempting to evade responsibility.
The Geneva conference on Indochina refugees has been concluded. The Hong Kong public have been disappointed by the outcome of the conference.
The international community, in particular the United States Government, have demonstrated an attitude of utter irresponsibility.
From 18 May (the day following our last debate on the boat people problem) to 4 July, no fewer than 15 006 boat people arrived in the territory. The Government, in offering them accommodation, has not only spent vast sums of taxpayers' money but also brought upon itself censure from the public for attempting to arrange accommodation for the boat people in various districts of the territory. Since 1977,
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