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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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Their words tell us that we must ensure the tolerance of difference of opinions and political views in Hong Kong under the one country two systems structure. The crux of Mr. CHAN's motion today is that we should not refuse applications for use of venues on political grounds. I hope you will not evade from the point. I support the motion by Mr. CHAN.
MR. Joseph Lai Chi-Keong (in Cantonese):- 'The White Haired Girl', 'The Red Battalion of Women' etc. were staged at our venues many times with good attendance rates. If we were to vet such contents mentioning class struggle etc. and refuse having them staged, it would be ironical to the Council's role in protecting freedom of expression. The Council never did such things. We accommodated Chinese and international plays and art forms. Our accommodating capacity made us a renowned international city.
Members spoke about political thinking and motives here. What is politics? As put by a friend of the Democratic Party, politics is the concern of the masses. In fact, that was the simple definition given by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. What political thinking? It is the outlook of the people on various matters. If the people are barred from speaking their views, we would be going against freedom of expression. There is a famous saying which goes like this. I do not agree with your opinion, but I will defend your freedom of expression till my death. We may not see eye to eye with the artistic creation of others, but we must protect and respect their artistic freedom. This is the only open-minded way to deal with things. Talking about political thinking and motives is applying a self-centred standard.
On 30 June, many of us present here today joined the reunification ceremony. I did not join celebrations on the Chinese and British sides, I went to Statue Square and Chater Garden. I saw that Chater Garden was a piece of quiet because it was hired out for use. There was a different reunification activity at Statue Square hosted by the Democratic Party. You should have seen the crowd. As an Urban Councillor, I felt ashamed. One venue was quiet and the other was crowded. I was worried that there would be another Lan Kwai Fong incident. I told my friend who went with me that the Council should review its policy on the use of venues.
The Pillar of Shame was placed in Victoria Park on 4 June. It is still there. There was a time when it was placed at Hong Kong University. What has happened? No bloodshed, no stampede. We were over-worried. So, before I stand down, I want to say that the best government is the one that rules least and the best Urban Council should be the one that rules least too. Do not take up the role of the judge of works of art. Leave it to our citizens. No matter what is to become of the motion, we are determined in protecting artistic freedom. We strive to win as long as we are here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Will the original mover Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung exercise his right of reply?
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