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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Although no mention is made of the role of the Urban Council and of the Regional Council between now and 1997, I would suggest that the time will come, say by 1990, when another look will have to be taken at the further role of these two Councils.
But meantime we should consider strengthening our ties even further with the ten urban District Boards. For example, it is likely that the New Territories District Boards will be each electing a District Board Councillor to sit on the new Regional Council as from April next year. In that event, is it not equally timely that the Urban Council should increase its membership from 30 to 40 by having the ten urban District Boards each electing a District Board Councillor to the Urban Council as well?
It stands to reason that the future Basic Law for Hong Kong should have an affinity to Hong Kong's own system and ought not to copy the administrative structure in any of the big cities on Mainland China.
There will of course be consultation—and I hope it will be close consultation—between the appropriate authorities in China and the people of Hong Kong on the drafting of the Basic Law. I hope that this process should not be hurried but should be done carefully and systematically, in order that Hong Kong people themselves could have the opportunity to participate in the decision on the best possible administrative structure for their long-term future. This process may require between four to six years up to 1991.
It is most encouraging for the future of Hong Kong that more and more young people are now manifesting a sense of commitment, and of identity and belonging to Hong Kong. This is an essential ingredient if we are to shoulder the responsibilities of leadership, and of acquiring the capabilities to have Hong Kong governed by her own people. The Hong Kong Government will have to continue expanding its work to strengthen civic and political education, both within the education system as well as within the community at all levels, particularly at the grass roots and at the professional and managerial level. It is essential that we do not lose sight of the purpose of the Green Paper and that is to retain the best of our present systems, while allowing for flexibility so as to adapt to changes, large or small, in the years ahead.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT—4.55 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):---That concludes the business of today's meeting. The Council stands adjourned until 9 October 1984 at 2.30 p.m.
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