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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
will be attaching much importance to livelihood in and economic development of Hong Kong, other than adhere to this government line, politicians will not be able to put forward platforms that are too political in nature. Hong Kong being a highly modernized economic and financial centre, the legislature and chief executive must be competent and possess professional knowledge to administer effectively. Political parties and voters in Hong Kong may not mature in a short period of time. According to the findings of a survey on civic awareness of post-secondary students published recently, of the near-thousand post-secondary students surveyed, 70 per cent have never taken part in any community activities. Of the students eligible for registration as voters, more than half have not done so. On the whole, they know little about the system of government, Basic Law and China. In the District Board elections, of the 1 400 000 or so registered voters which represented 50 per cent of the adult population, only 470 000 actually voted. Such a percentage of vote (37 per cent) and the percentage is even lower for UC election and all these indicate that the conditions for direct elections have not yet matured.
Judging from the present situation, results of direct elections may well depend on the candidates' ability to foster good relations and please the public, as well as whether they are well-known. As voters in their choice of candidates may not take into account criteria such as management techniques, administrative experience and political stands, direct elections may leave out the elite who are the most conversant with the functioning of the government system in Hong Kong and management of a modern city. From the experience of District Board elections in recent years, certain professions stand the highest chance of election. If in the future the chief executive or ministers are to be elected from the sixty members of the legislature, it will be difficult to identify competent persons. Direct elections have to be supplemented by civic education as the basis. Before civic education is universally implemented, the too rapid introduction of direct elections will not bring us anywhere. If the ratios of representatives from the industrial, commercial and financial sectors, as well as the various professions are guaranteed, we will be better able to identify persons who are conversant with the operation of government and management of a modern city, moderate in views and of good character.
Capitalist cities are inevitably run by professionals who have a mastery of economics and administration. This we have to bear in mind in devising our system of government. Direct and indirect elections have their respective merits and can coexist instead of rejecting each other. Provided that the principles and provisions of the Sino-British Agreement are followed, public opinions listened to, consensus and compromise sought calmly, and interests of all strata catered to, I believe we will succeed in devising a system of government to the satisfaction of all.
(The Honourable Hilton CHEONG-LEEN and Mr. Samuel WONG left the meeting at 3.25 p.m. and 3.29 p.m. respectively.)
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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A consultative document on local authorities by seven Urban Councillors who are also members of the Basic Law Consultative Committee
(To the Basic Law Consultative and Drafting Committees)
1.
Introduction
1.1 From May to October 1986, nine meetings were held by seven Urban Councillors who are members of the Basic Law Consultative Committee in different capacities to discuss the Basic Law on local authorities. In four of the meetings, all members of the Urban Council were invited to discuss and express their views on municipal services in the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. These views were then collated for submission to the Basic Law Drafting and Consultative Committees as reference for discussion on local authorities.
1.2 During these meetings, the following members of the Urban Council have participated in discussion:
Mr. H. M. G. FORSGATE, C.B.E., J.P.
The Honourable Hilton CHEONG-LEEN, C.B.E., J.P.
Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG
Mr. Stephen M. L. Lau, J.P.
Dr. Philip C. K. Kwok, J.P. (convenor)
Mr. PAO Ping-wing
Mr. Frederick K. K. FUNG
Mrs. Nellie FONG
Dr. Ronald D. B. LEUNG, J.P.
Mr. FAN Kam-ping
Mr. MAN Sai-cheong
Miss Fox Pui-yee
Mrs. Elsie Tu, C.B.E.
Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN
Dr. the Honourable Kim Y. S. CHAM, J.P.
Mr. Howard H. W. YOUNG
Mr. Walter M. SULKE, O.B.E., J.P.
Mr. Joseph Y. S. CHAN
Mr. LAM Chak-piu
Mr. LEE Chik-yuet
Mr. Samuel P. W. WONG
Mr. Lo King-man, J.P.
Mr. CHOW Wai-keung
Mrs. CHOW CHEUNG Wai-ping
1.3 With a view to submitting reference materials and views to the Basic Law Drafting and Consultative Committees, the meetings have concentrated on the discussion of the existence and development of the present second tier of government as well as the structure of local authorities in the post-1997 SAR.
2.
Background information
2.1 Hong Kong's achievements
Despite the lack of natural resources, devastations by the War in 1941, subsequent impact caused by the influx of refugees and world economic recession, Hong Kong managed to grow and flourish unceasingly. Now it