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Many also wish to know that when China drafts the Basic Law, what role will Britain play in the process? Will the people of Hong Kong be involved? Will China consult the people of Hong Kong? If there are any differences between the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong, who will interpret the differences and what are the criterion of interpretation?
(5) Retaining the present education system in Hong Kong
The present education system in Hong Kong is designed in accordance with its social structure and economic development. It is very enlightening to declare in the agreement to retain the existing education system in Hong Kong. It is gratifying to know that the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will enjoy high autonomy in education, including the conferment of academic degrees and the recognition of educational qualifications and technical competence, and that religious and social organizations will be able to continue to run schools by themselves.
However, the present education regulations, aims and policies are very much tainted with colonialism. As education is the very foundation of building the country and long-term investment in the community, the authorities should make appropriate amendments progressively and to formulate new policies. Civic education and education on democracy in schools should be strengthened to cultivate good local administrators for Hong Kong's self-rule in order to ensure a smooth transfer of government. The achievements of education in Hong Kong will also be extended well into the future.
The privileges invested with some foreign organizations in the assessment and recognition of educational and professional qualifications should be transferred step by step to some academic institutes and professional societies in Hong Kong which will then be responsible for assessment of these qualifications and making contact with international organizations in order to maintain the international standard of Hong Kong's education and professional qualifications. In this way, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government would be able to enjoy a high degree of autonomy in education.
Tertiary education in Hong Kong is quite well developed and the education authorities should consider establishing a normal university and assessing the academic degrees granted by some private colleges so that our students need not go overseas for their studies, causing drains of talents and money.
The recognition of educational and professional qualifications should not be restricted to only the Commonwealth and should be extended to those really competent, irrespective of their origin.
(6) Freedom of religion
The agreement provides for the freedom of religious belief which is a departure from Communist atheism. The conciliation is struck under the banner of 'one country, two systems'. The religious bodies in Hong Kong have spared no efforts to serve the community in the spirit of love, freedom and equality, and now that they are assured of continued freedom of religious belief, they will push on with their social services and maintain their connection with international religious organizations. I firmly believe that the churches in Hong Kong will be more confident and warm-hearted to contribute to the development of Hong Kong.
(7) Pointing the way to development of government structures
The Green Paper on representative government in Hong Kong has never spelt out the role the Legislative Council will play in future, but in the agreement, it has pointed out the way to the development of future government structures in Hong Kong, "The legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be constituted by elections. The executive authorities shall abide by the law and shall be accountable to the legislature.' The following may be deduced:
1.
2.
3.
In future, all Legislative Councillors will be elected and there will be no appointed, official, or ex officio members.
The type of elections is not yet decided. It may take the form of direct election, indirect election or a combination of both. The question now is how the people of Hong Kong go about to create the right conditions for self-administration so that the government is rooted in Hong Kong and responsible to Hong Kong people while at the same time looks after the interests of the whole community and all social strata and sustains the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
The executive authorities should be accountable to the legislature, as these are two of the three separate bodies of the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Such is not the present practice in Hong Kong. In future, the executive authorities will have to implement the policies of the legislature which will have the powers to make policies, to supervise the government and to veto any administrative measures. This is a good sign in the development of democratic government.
Conclusion
The agreement between the Chinese and British Governments are widely welcomed and acceptable by the people of Hong Kong but at the same time also places a heavy burden on us. We should change our attitude of directing our attention to making money only and not to any political activities. We should reverse our apathy towards public affairs and work hard together for a better future for Hong Kong. I firmly believe that under the friendly relations of China and Britain, the people of Hong Kong are well able to govern ourselves and further enhance our prosperity.
Mr. Chairman, I support your motion.
(Mr. L. H. KWAN left at 4.41 p.m.)
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