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2.
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PPT
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
to retain the same number of official members as at present: 10 to retain the same number of appointed members as at present: 22 to retain the same number of elected members from functional constituencies at present: 12; but one to two new constituencies may be created and one of the two seats from some existing constituencies be allocated to them.
the indirect elections held within the electoral college formed by geographical constituencies to be replaced by direct elections: 12.
Total number of seats: 56
Mr. Chairman, I feel that if the people within a district were to elect their own representatives in elections within the electoral college formed by geographical constituencies, their interests and needs would be better looked after, they would be more directly represented and their views more directly reflected. A legislative council comprising indirectly elected elements from functional constituencies and directly elected elements from geographical constituencies is believed to be able to meet the actual needs of Hong Kong, to strengthen people's sense of belonging and confidence and to pool the wisdom and efforts of everyone for the well-being of Hong Kong.
(4) The presidency of the Legislative Council
I think that if the Governor remains as the President of Legislative Council in 1988, he will greatly contribute to the internal stability. But, at the same time, a Vice-Chairman may be elected among Members of the Council to alleviate the workload of the President.
(5) Voting Age
The Green Paper proposes that the age for candidature should remain at 21 years because the candidates should possess sufficient maturity to discharge the responsibilities while the voting age may be lowered to 18 years. I think that the responsibilities for candidature and voting are equally important and it is not advisable to set double standards. Therefore, the voting age should not be lowered in 1988.
Mr. Chairman, it is necessary for people from all walks of life and both the employers and employees in Hong Kong to work together with one heart, to co-operate with each other and to share responsibilities so as to increase productivity and to promote trade and economic developments. At this time and here in Hong Kong, any political reform that is too radical and that fails to tie in with the real situation will not only upset the harmony of this society, but will also lead to antagonism and disunity. When discussing political reforms, everybody is free to express his or her own views, but it is inappropriate to form factions and to put labels on others unjustifiably. We should respect others' opinions and be tolerant with others just like an enormous ocean that engulfs the water from many, many rivers. We should seek common ground while reserving differences so as to reach a consensus in order to ensure the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Chairman, with these words, I support your motion.
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MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to put forward my personal views and suggestions on paragraphs 101 to 106 of Chapter IV of the Green Paper on the 1987 Review of Developments in Representative Government concerning whether direct election should be introduced to the Legislative Council. I choose this topic to discuss in this Debate mainly because the public opinions on this subject are diverse and confused. I fear that the intensification of political discussions in this aspect may lead to confrontation in society, thus hindering the stability, prosperity and progress of Hong Kong.
Therefore, I hope a compromise proposal which conforms to the principle of mutual understanding and concession can be reached under the present circumstances where the views on direct election of different sectors of society vary and the standpoints of the Chinese and British governments contradict. I would also like to put forward my own suggestions to fish for valuable ideas so as to create a favourable situation to realize the terms stated in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, to lay a foundation for the future one country-two systems and to gradually develop a democratic Hong Kong government.
1.
Foreword (confusing situations and diverse opinions)
At present, politicians, critics of politics and professionals hold different views on the introduction of direct election to the Legislative Council while the discussions on whether direct election should be introduced in 1988 are especially heated.
Even the general public have various views. Through the contacts with the people of the Kowloon City East constituency, I find that the public's opinions are very confused. The major opinions and worries of the general public are as follows:
(1) Opinions and worries for the introduction of direct election in 1988:
• The introduction of direct election now is not against the Joint Declaration.
• Only with the introduction of a directly elected element into the government system can the spirit of one country-two systems be fulfilled.
• There are only ten years left before 1997, so the implementation of democracy books on delay.
• Early introduction of direct election, on the one hand, may avoid rapid changes in the near future and conforms to the principle of gradual development. On the other hand, it may also allow more time to establish progressively a more suitable government system, to improve gradually the technical problems of direct election and to make people more adaptable to the election system (including a more sensible use of the rights to elect and to be elected.).