HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
1 March 1990
香港立法局—————————— 一九九0年三月一日
27
Even on a technical basis, Sir, the nationality restriction on the future
legislature simply will not work.
How could the system ensure that no more than 20% of the legislators
would be returned by the end of the day?
Will it be necessary to impose a quota on the number of candidates holding foreign passports to join the elections?
Should a first-come-first-served rule be set to limit the number of foreign nationals seeking candidacy?
Then there are other problems if more than 20% of the legislators holding foreign passports are elected, shall we then draw lots and let sheer luck decide on the final winner? Or shall there be a second round of elections?
Perhaps an easier way out will be to disallow foreign nationals altogether to take part in the geographically-based direct elections or in some functional constituencies. But then what are the justifications?
For some constituencies like the industrial, commercial and professional ones, it is doubtful whether sufficient numbers of quality people will be attracted to join the elections as many of them are holding foreign passports or right of abode overseas. They would have second thoughts to take part if too many restrictions were to be imposed on them.
All the above-mentioned propositions serve, Sir, to point at one thing: the future election could well be a farce. Apart from the devotion, the talents, the popularity of a candidate, you need all the luck and have to overcome all the restrictions.
Sir, what then should be the way ahead? What then should we recommend to the people of Hong Kong?
Disappointed and dejected as we are, we should not give way to despair. The promulgation of the Basic Law should not be taken as the end of Hong Kong, far less the end for democracy in Hong Kong. If Eastern Europe can denounce communism and repeal a single party totalitarian system overnight, there is all the reason to believe that China too can change hopefully for the better.
But the people of Hong Kong must stand firm. OMELCO must take a lead and keep her ground. We must show the people of Hong Kong our
!