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WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1989
BRITAIN MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS SUBJECTS
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HONG KONG PEOPLE. IN SEEKING THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN, ARE MERELY ASKING FROM THE SOVEREIGN STATE WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1TS DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT ON HONG KONG, MR CHEONG SAID MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE EXTREMELY PERPLEXED AND DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WHOLE FAC EXERCISE.
HE SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VISIT TO HONG KONG WAS TO LISTEN AND TO PROBE, YET WITNESS AFTER WITNESS WERE LECTURED PATRONISINGLY ON SUCH ISSUES AS NATIONALITY. BRITISH RESPONSIBLITY, AS WELL AS THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS,
IN RELATION TO THE PROBING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, MR CHEONG SAID ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT NECESSARY, RIGHT AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMMITTEE TO REQUIRE FURTHER EVIDENCE FROM WITNESSES AFTER WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN CHINA ON JUNE 4, YET NO SUCH OPPORTUNITY WAS OFFERED.
MR CHEONG CRITICISED THE FAC FOR FAILING TO RECOGNISE BRITAIN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS SUBJECTS, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
"THEY REJECTED THE INSURANCE POLICY ARGUMENT ON THE ONE HAND, AND ON THE OTHER THEY READILY OFFER IT TO CERTAIN SECTORS OF HONG KONG AS AN INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO STAY. SUCH A POSITION IS WHOLLY ILLOGICAL AND CONTRADICTORY.
"THE HEIGHT OF INSENSITIVITY IS THE SO-CALLED SHOW OF BRITISH CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG BY RESCUING US FROM THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY AND REPLACING IT WITH THE FUTURE BRITISH CONSULATE IN HMS TAMAR, MR CHEONG SAID.
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HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FAC REPORT HAD DISCREDITED THE TIME-HONOURED BRITISH TRADITION OF DUTY AND HONOUR.
HE SAID, LIKE IT OR NOT, BRITAIN HAD A COLONY CALLED HONG KONG AND HAD RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE WELL-BEING OF THE PLACE FOR ANOTHER SEVEN YEARS AND 360 DAYS.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT IS LEGISLATORS FACED WITH A MAJOR CONFIDENCE CRISIS, MEMBERS HAD A DUTY TO TRY TO HELP MITIGATE THE ADVERSE EFFECT OF THIS CIRCUMSTANCE.
HE SAID THE CALLS TO BRITAIN FOR URGENT AND EFFECTIVE ACTIONS WERE DESIGNED TO ALLOW HONG KONG A GOOD CHANCE TO REMAIN STABLE AND PROSPEROUS, AND THEY WERE MADE JUSTIFIABLY.
"HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS ARE ENTITLED TO AS MUCH PROTECTION AND GOVERNANCE AS THOSE WHO LIVE IN GIBRALTAR AND THE FALKLANDS.
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