HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 28 February 1990
香港立法局 一九九○年二月二十八日
30
In Chinese, the saying is "t". But accepting the reality does not reduce the deeply felt disappointment.
Most Hong Kong people are not experts of constitutional development and representative government. We have taken an interest in the future political model because we were repeatedly encouraged by influential figures both in China and British to express our views. We were also urged by the same people to reach a consensus. The importance of reaching a consensus, we were told, was that it can provide a basis for the future political model. Were we naive in believing them? Maybe we were. But if we have not tried it out, we will never be able to gain this experience.
I do not wish to apportion blame on any party. Much had already been said on this, and more will be forthcoming in this debate. I am however sadly disappointed by four factors. Firstly, the refusal of the Chinese side to consider the OMELCO consensus simply because they thought OMELCO was a British organization. Secondly, the apparent favouritism showed by the Chinese side to the suggestions of small groups of people over the mainstream view of the community. Thirdly, the inclusion of separate voting for Member's Bill and amendment which is not only cumbersome but also undermines the spirit of convergence. Fourthly, the British Government's willingness to compromise with the Chinese Government for a convergence in number but not in all respects. I cannot say that I am happy with the future political model as it now stands. But I accept that the main task ahead is to prove convincingly that those who blocked the progress of democracy in Hong Kong had been wrong in their assessment. Hong Kong people do deserve, and are capable of handling, a faster pace of democratic development. To demonstrate this to the world, in particular to China, that democracy works well here, the elections in 1991 need to have a good turnout rate, and the 1991 legislature must enjoy more support and outperform the present one.
I therefore support Mr. LEE's motion.
MR. CHENG HON-KWAN: Sir, after over four and half years' work, the Basic Law Drafting Committee (BLDC) at its last meeting on 16 February eventually agreed on the final version of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Much attention has been focused on the political structure adopted for the SAR legislature, which has been the most controversial issue since the setting up of the Basic Law Drafting Committee. The majority of the people of Hong Kong, including Members of this Council, have been very