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Debate on HKSAR Preparatory Committee
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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Nicholas Ng, in the motion debate on Preparatory Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
Mr Leung's motion, and the amendment motion put forward by Mr Liu, raises four transitional issues, namely
the work of the Preparatory Committee;
the question of a Provisional Legislature;
the formation of the HKSAR Legislative Council; and
the selection of the first Chief Executive.
These are all well trodden ground: it was only one and a half months ago, on 31 January, that they were exhaustively debated in this Council. I have set out the Government's position on these issues then. Let me reiterate our position this afternoon.
First, the operation of Preparatory Committee. The Decision of the National People's Congress adopted on 4 April 1990 provides that the Preparatory Committee is to be responsible for preparing for the establishment of the HKSAR Government, including the formation of the first HKSAR Legislative Council. Given that the Preparatory Committee carries with it heavy and important responsibilities, it is perfectly natural that the community should have a close interest in its work. Thus, whilst it must be for the Preparatory Committee to decide how it carries out its tasks, we earnestly hope that the Committee will take full account of the Hong Kong community's wish in working for a successful transition, and in establishing a truly credible HKSAR Government and representative institutions. In this connection, we are pleased to note that Vice Premier Qian Qichen has said that the Preparatory Committee should extensively solicit opinions from Hong Kong people, and that this principle is enshrined in one of the working rules adopted by the Preparatory Committee. Various Chinese officials have also urged Hong Kong people to participate in preparation for the transition.
There are, of course, 94 Hong Kong members on the Preparatory Committee, including 14 from this Council. Presumably, these 94 members will serve as a conduit in reflecting the views and concern of the people of Hong Kong. Presumably, too, they will account to the people of Hong Kong for their actions in connection with the work of the Preparatory Committee.