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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
not pursued them for courtesy's sake as the Department habitually turned them down. However, when the same issue is in the hands of the Steering Committee, the technical problems that were once considered barriers to implementation are no longer a problem. On the cultural side, for example, we have in the past few years put forward many sound proposals (for instance, extension of the opening hours of museums) under the Five-year Plan. Many of them cannot get off the ground or are having a slow progress. The Urban Council has become a lame duck before it comes to its end.
In the face of such situation, Mr. Chairman, I do not want to make any further complaints. I have only one wish, that is, to do a more remarkable job this year. I earnestly hope that we can put aside our differences and our party affiliation and prepare ourselves for the coming of the new era. We should approach the whole issue with new thinking and should have a rethink on our policy approaches. Self-examination and self-improvement are what we have to keep in mind. We should make ourselves a good "model" for municipal reform, for upon demolition of this bridgehead of the Council which is led by elected members, there will be no other places for us to realize what we want to do. By then, it will be an entirely executive-led authority and there is nowhere that the Council can flex its muscles. We can then criticize the Government for centralizing its power, but we will have no chance to say, "See, we can do much better!”
Mr. Chairman, as we are approaching the end of this century, we find ourselves in a defining moment in history for we are witnessing the end of an era and the beginning of a new age. In such a great time, we should take the opportunity to reflect on what we have done in the past, both our achievements and failures. We should also look ahead for the way forward. The dissolution of the Council does not mean we can muddle along and seek no progress. We should seize the opportunity to put on a spurt at the final lap. We are in the midst of a new era of information technology. Under global economy, the human mind, creativity, knowledge and vision are more important and valuable than wealth. Countries around the world are planning celebrations to mark the beginning of the new millennium. All these activities have one thing in common. They are not carnivals or festivities that last for weeks; they embody a deeper cultural meaning. In the United States, a White House Millennium Council is formed under the chairmanship of Mrs. Hillary Clinton and its slogan is "honour the past and imagine the future". The millennium programmes are nationwide civic activities for people from all quarters. They include awards given to academics, artists, writers and scientists in recognition of their achievements; activities that provide the nation with opportunities to learn their history, preserve cultural heritage and show their achievements in arts and culture.
I understand that the Hong Kong SAR Government will also organize celebrations for the new millennium. But we hope that there will not be and in