HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 28 February 1990
香港立法局 一九九○年二月二十八日
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disappointed by the political models finally adopted as they do not reflect the views of the community and largely jeopardize the future democratic development.
If I remember correctly, at the outset of the drafting of the Basic Law, the people of Hong Kong were urged to express their views eagerly and whole- heartedly and in this connection a Basic Law Consultative Committee was established. We were then encouraged to do our best to reach a consensus which would be seriously considered for acceptance. In good faith the people of Hong Kong have thus contributed considerably and indeed OMELCO has worked most enthusiastically together and successfully reached a consensus model for the political development towards a fully directly elected legislature in 2003. This follows the ultimate aim that all the Members of the Legislative Council shall be selected through general election as stated in the draft Basic Law. The OMELCO consensus model has since been overwhelmingly supported by many sectors of the community including even the liberal groups. However, it is most unfortunate and unfair that the OMELCO's views have been mistakenly regarded as initiated by the British Hong Kong Government and therefore not been taken into account as an option for consideration. The views of the Hong Kong people at large have been totally ignored.
Sir, if we look back to the various stages of formulating the political structure, there have been many fundamental changes which finally led to a so- called "mainstream" formula agreed at the meeting in December 1989 of the political sub-group of the BLDC, including a slow pace of democracy, a differential voting system, a category elected by the grand electoral college and an upper limit imposed on the number of Members possessing foreign right of abode. This proposed package was not acceptable to the community, and professional bodies, including those within my own functional constituency, expressed their objection to the proposal.
In the very last moment during the Plenary Session of the BLDC, the results of a concession were incorporated in the proposed package of the political model. This concession emerged from the extensive discussions at a high level between the British and Chinese Governments with a view to achieving a smooth transition before and after 1997. This convergence is important in that it reflects an understanding reached between the two governments and may help maintain stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. I welcome the opportunity of high level dialogue between the two governments which facilitates easy solution to many problems and resumes a good Sino-British relationship.