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As things developed, an Agreement was signed last month between the Chinese and British leaders. I am glad to note that the main provisions in the Agreement coincide with my proposals and are acceptable to the general public.
Obviously, one of the urgent tasks facing the people of Hong Kong is to step up civic education and gradually expand elected representation in the councils of all levels, so that Hong Kong people may eventually be able to shoulder the responsibilities of self-rule.
On an occasion last Tuesday, a member of the Executive Council made a rather absurd speech upon which I would like to offer some comments here.
He said the British government should not entrust the elected representatives with the responsibilities of administration in the next 12 years. He also warned the elected representatives that they did not have absolute freedom to do as they pleased. Lastly, he said rather threateningly that if necessary, the British government should intervene.
First of all, the British government certainly must transfer step by step the powers of administration to the councillors elected by the people. Or else there would be a state of anarchism in 1997 and how would there be any stability or prosperity?
Secondly, he feared that the elected representatives would do as they pleased, regarding them as scourges. His attitude is both ignorant and ridiculous. As a matter of fact, this Council has had elected members for over thirty years and none has ever done anything treacherous or against the interests of the public. On the contrary, it was under the constant prod of the elected members of the Council that the Independent Commission Against Corruption was set up by the government, thus basically eliminating organized corruption in Hong Kong. Also, with the leadership provided by and great efforts of the elected members of the Council, the Chinese language has attained its status as a statutory language which it is entitled to be. These are our contributions to the people of Hong Kong.
Moreover, in any organizations mainly composed of elected representatives, the interests of the representatives must agree with those of the public, otherwise, they would lose their seats. Indeed, these are the very merits of the system of election.
It is extremely illogical to say that the British government would intervene if the councils composed mainly of elected elements would do as they please. That member who has been appointed to the Executive Council for many years has forgotten the British government is also composed of elected representatives. All ministers, from the Prime Minister to the Secretaries of the various portfolios, are elected members of the Parliament. How totally unreasonable it is for an elected British government thousands of miles away to intervene in the affairs approved by elected councillors in Hong Kong!
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In point of fact, it is provided in the Sino-British Agreement that the British government is to be responsible for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong prior to 1997. The Governor of Hong Kong, appointed by the British government, holds the highest executive power, including command of the British Army and the Police Force prior to July 1997. It is silly to suggest that the British government will intervene.
From now to 1997, there remains twelve and a half years which is neither a very long nor a very short time. The right course would be for the people of Hong Kong to make good use of the period to work together to create a Special Administrative Region with a bright future.
Those who do not face the reality but make empty threats with a view to causing conflicts among the people will not serve any purpose at all.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the year under review has not been entirely uneventful, we have had more debates on subjects that are important to this Council and to the community as a whole.
After serving in this Council for almost 16 years, perhaps it is the right time for me to share some of my feelings with my colleagues and even the public, if the media care to spare some space for them.
I was elected to this Council in March 1969 and took office on 1st April in the same year as the youngest member of the Council. On the elected side, I retained that title (youngest member) for about 10 years.
During my 1st term of 4 years service, I learned a great deal. As a young man hungry for knowledge and eager to serve, I got a great deal of satisfaction and the feeling of accomplishment.
When I was returned by the voters in 1973 for another 4 years, things have already been changed, for better or for worse. Some of my elected colleagues had already left, either of their own choice or because the voters preferred someone else.
By this time, we had our own so-called financial autonomy and we elected our own chairman instead of having the Director of Urban Services as the ex-officio chairman. But at the same time, we all lost the right to serve in the Housing Authority as the ex-officio members, although 8 senior colleagues got appointments to the Authority in their personal capacity, but they are no longer in the majority. The power over resettlement and housing has to be handed over to the Housing Authority completely.
As the last Chairman of the Resettlement Select Committee, I would not be honest if I say that I was happy about such handing over. That is why I had a very special feeling when Mr. Walter SULKE and a few other colleagues tried to resettle me to the other side of this Chamber. I enjoy sitting this side here