HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
daily affairs within the confines of the authority bestowed upon it by the law, and that it should minimise and avoid political disputes. The process of reform should take place step by step. To maintain stability, there should not be radical actions. Efforts should be made as far as possible to minimise the uncertainty suffered by civil servants especially during the transitional period before the reversion.
The reform we seek aims at improving quality and serving the public. In the past year, we strove for reform in a practical manner. For instance, we sought environmental improvements at markets, the systematic discouragement of traders' extensions of their stalls, the installation of air-conditioning systems, and the acceptance of the market traders' demand for the review of the rent policy. We asked for free-of-charge sessions at the Space Museum, the Art Museum, and the Science Museum. We demanded that the departmental authorities improve the maintenance of urban service facilities and shorten maintenance time. We supported the half-fare preference given to senior citizens above the age of 60 for their use of the Urban Council's facilities and in their participation in the Urban Council's activities. We opposed the idea of 'abrupt termination' in the policy on itinerant hawkers, and we asked the departmental authorities to strictly enforce the management of illegal food stalls on the streets. Moreover, we requested the setting up of small exhibition centres in new facilities in order to promote art and culture.
This year, we shall continue to pursue this direction in serving the local population.
Mr. Chairman, on the 1 July 1997, Hong Kong will return to the arms of the motherland, namely, the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong will change from a colonial community into a society with its own national awareness. I hope that my colleagues at the Urban Council will act in the interests of the local population and, basing on the 'one country, two systems' concept, seek unity and tolerate differences, minimise conflicts in political views, and discharge the duties and obligations of Urban Councillors.
Urban Councillors who are members of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong believe that there is still a long way to go in constructing the Special Administrative Region, developing the economy, and improving the people's livelihood. We feel that there should not be any laxness, that the path will not be very smooth, and that there will be foul weather as well as fair. As the song goes: 'In walking together in a storm, we can see that our hearts are true,' we hope that there will be fewer storms and more sunshine in the Special Administrative Region sky, that the Urban Council will make even more contributions to local society, and that the Special Administrative Region will have a wonderful future. Let us walk hand in hand towards the 1997 milestone and a glorious tomorrow.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
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