HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MR. ALBERT Lai Wing-lin (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, we cannot deny that staff of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department are the most experienced in organizing cultural and recreational activities. At the eve of our return to China when we hold all sorts of activities in front of the world, we need the best people with the best experience to ensure that the outcome will not be laughed at by the international community. For this, I am sure the Council is duty bound to make good of the occasion. I think we should assist in holding celebration activities.
Someone mentioned conspiracy. I do not see it. I just heard a speaker for the Alliance threatening to make the case one as that in Albania. If anything at all happens, the blame is all on the person who starts it. Do you want to see us in a state as that in Albania?
Discrediting the future of Hong Kong is not equivalent to freedom of speech. Attacking the future of Hong Kong is not a patriotic act. Unjustified demonstration is not democracy. I am saying this with conviction. We cannot call opposing discrediting, attacking and unjustified demonstration as not being democratic and unpatriotic or putting pressure on freedom of speech. We cannot say so. I am sure everyone in Hong Kong wants a brighter future for Hong Kong and better days for ourselves. I do not want to see Hong Kong as another Albania.
Chairman (in Cantonese):- Will Mr. Ip Kwok-chung exercise his right of reply?
Mr. IP Kwok-chung (in Cantonese):- I anticipated controversy for today's motion. I knew there would be worries and opposition. Mr. Kam Nai-wai mentioned that I had spoken to him about the motion to solicit his support. My motion is simple and clear. I hope the Council will co-operate with government and the Association for the Celebration of the Return of Hong Kong and assist in organizing activities. It is a simple motion on principle. There is no conspiracy. Someone just criticized the motion as a conspiracy, where from? I do not know. This is a big hat. I do not worry about people putting hats on me because I know I may have been misunderstood. Or maybe people are deliberate in putting hats on me.
There is one point I want to clarify. When the motion was written, I had no idea about applications put in by other organizations.
A Member just mentioned that there would be decisions on applications 'tomorrow. I believe relevant Select Committees will decide. It is not a matter for consideration in moving this motion.
Another Member called the motion a bottomless pit. Mr. Pao already explained for me. The way I understand, say for the possibility of co-operating with the Marine Department to hold a Tall Ship Event, we have agreed in principle, but some Members criticize the event as too costly and consequently
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