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We share Honourable Members' concerns that we should make progress on these issues. The proposals have been with the JLG now for six months. Given the importance and complexity of the issues addressed, it is not unreasonable to give the Chinese side sufficient time to consider them fully. Nevertheless, we believe the time has come for us to press for an early response, and we hope to reach a satisfactory agreement with the Chinese side as soon as possible.
Some Honourable Members have suggested that the Government should take action to put the relevant legislative proposals forward to this Council, without waiting for the outcome of the JLG discussions. We believe that our objectives will be better served if we continue to discuss with the Chinese side, through the established channels, for the localisation and adaptation of the relevant laws. We strongly believe that it would be counterproductive, as some have even suggested, if Honourable Members were to introduce Private Members' Bills while these issues are under discussion in the JLG. Nor is it helpful, in this context, for us to be talking about specific deadlines. At the same time, we fully appreciate the community's concern that these discussions should not be allowed to go on indefinitely, and that the community would wish to see early action. The continued lack of progress through discussions in the established channels could have damaging effects on confidence in Hong Kong, and we will not wish to see this happen. We will therefore vigorously seek an early agreement with the Chinese side on the basis of the proposals we have put to them.
Mr President, as I said at the beginning of my speech, the concerns expressed today by many Honourable Members are shared by the Administration. We are taking steps to address these concerns, but the suggestion of immediate legislative action (as proposed in the Motion) is simply not conducive to the success of our efforts. We do not therefore agree with such a suggestion for precipitate action. Clearly, it would be the best outcome if we can go forward on these important issues with the co-operation and agreement of the Chinese side. That is a goal worth striving for, and a little more patience is a price worth paying.
Thank you, Mr President.
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