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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1994
BILL SETS OUT TO ACHIEVE OPEN AND FAIR ELECTION
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID OPEN AND FAIR ELECTION WAS WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS } (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 SET OUT TO ACHIEVE AND WAS THE YARDSTICK AGAINST WHICH ANY ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS SHOULD BE MEASURED.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING, SHE SAID THE KEY OBJECTIVE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS ΤΟ PRESERVE HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
FOR HONG KONG'S SUCCESS TO CONTINUE AFTER 1997, IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT THERE IS CONFIDENCE, BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, THAT THE RULE OF LAW WILL CONTINUE AFTER 1997, SHE SAID.
"THAT CAN BEST BE ASSURED BY AN ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH IS MANIFESTLY OPEN AND FAIR AND IN WHICH THE COMMUNITY CAN HAVE FAITH.
MRS CHAN SAID THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM MUST EVOLVE TO MEET THE COMMUNITY'S GROWING ASPIRATION FOR A GREATER SAY IN THE PROCESSES OF GOVERNMENT.
SHE ADDED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FAIRLY AND OPENLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS BROUGHT PRACTICAL BENEFITS.
IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF HONG KONG'S WAY OF LIFE THAT IT HOLDS 30 DEAR, A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR BUSINESS, RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE RESOLVE ΤΟ TACKLE CORRUPTION AT ALL LEVELS, AND THE IMPARTIAL ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS.
BUT, SHE SAID THE COMMUNITY ALSO ASPIRED FOR ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING CONTINUITY AFTER 1997.
THAT IS WHY 17 ROUNDS OF INTENSIVE TALKS WERE CONDUCTED WITH CHINA, SHE SAID, UNFORTUNATELY AN AGREEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED.
ON
WHILE IT WOULD DOUBTLESS HAVE BEEN PREFERABLE TO LEGISLATE THE BASIS OF AN AGREEMENT, IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT HONG KONG SHOULD GO FOR AN AGREEMENT AT ANY COST, MRS CHAN SAID.
OPEN WHICH THE COMMUNITY
"FOR, CLEARLY, ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE LESS THAN AND FAIR STRIKE AT THE VERY ROOTS OF THE RULE OF LAW ON WHOLE FABRIC OF THIS VIBRANT, ARTICULATE AND SUCCESSFUL DEPENDS.
"WHETHER CHINA WILL DISMANTLE ALL TIERS OF OUR REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ON JULY 1, 1997 IS A QUESTION WHICH ONLY CHINA ITSELF CAN ANSWER.
"BUT IF IT DOES, AS NO DOUBT IT CAN IF IT REALLY WANTS TO, HOW WILL THAT SIT WITH THE COMMUNITY'S CLEAR AND OFTEN-REPEATED WISH FOR A THROUGH-TRAIN FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," SHE SAID.
/MRS CHAN