Though the Hong Kong Government has not introduced openly the ministerial system, it has set up a number of boards and authorities and vested them with real power. These include the Hospital Authority, the Broadcasting Authority, the KCRC Board of Directors, the Transport Advisory Committee and the Education Commission, etc. These are to lay down foundation for the future party politics. Up to the present, they are not headed by civil servants but by people appointed by the Governor who are members of the Executive and Legislative Councils. When the British people are gradually withdrawing, these posts are bound to become the prizes of party politics to be awarded to the political party which wins the election. It is only with power as the prize that Hong Kong's party politics can develop at a faster pace.
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At present, pseudo-parties in HK include the "Hong Kong
Foundation" (the core members are Stephen CHECNG, Allen LE, Selina CHOW, Rita FAN and Rosanna TAM); the 'New Hong Kong Alliance" (LO Tak-shing, etc), Meeting Point, the Hong Kong Affairs Society, the Progressive Hong Kong Society and the grassroot party (independent trade unions).
The left-wing groups are still hesitant and adopt the "not-to- take-the-lead" tactics. As a matter of fact, practising party politics prematurely may not be conducive to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. However, with the introduction of electoral politics, parties or pseudo-parties will emerge sooner or later.
Farty politics has many variations. Hong Kong is now making its choice. Hence, the design of the future political system must take into consideration the pros and cons of party politics, with a view to playing up its strong points and discarding its weaknesses.
Democrats have their eyes set on 1991
The democrats have already set their eyes on the Legco direct election in 1991 and they have completed strategic deployment too. The Urban Council election in 1989 is similar to the Legco direct election in 1991 in the division of constituencies, distribution of voters and the competitiveness of the factions. As shown from the election trend in recent years, professionals who are young, famous and out-spoken and who have Omelco members and political parties electioneering for them usually can win. It is reported in the press that the democrats have already