XN000022-1984-12-05 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1984

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PATIENCE URGED IN A UNIQUE SITUATION'

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THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO THE GRADUAL EVOLUTION AND PEACEFUL TRANSFORMATION OF HONG KONG CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).

+ IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHILE CHANGES ARE TAKING PLACE THAT ELECTED MEMBERS WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRINCIPAL PROFESSIONS, BUSINESS, INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER INTERESTS, SHOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE LÉGISLATURE SO AS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A DIRECT INPUT INTO THE MANY DIFFICULT ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE DECIDED,+ HE SAID.

SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP DINNER, MR AKERS-JONES SAID, THE FACT THAT OUR SYSTEM CANNOT BE FOUND IN THE TEXT BOOKS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE US.

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+WE HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION REQUIRING UNIQUE SOLUTIONS.

+WE NEED TIME, PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION TO WORK THEM OUT,+ HE SAID.

MR AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY TASKS THAT CONFRONTED HONG KONG AS THE TERRITORY GRADUALLY CHANGED FROM THE PRESENT STATUS TO A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY WHEN IT BECAME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION REGION OF CHINA AFTER 1997.

+THERE IS THE NEED TO LOCALISE MANY OF OUR PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS, AND TO OBTAIN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THEM,+ HE SAID.

+THERE IS THE SOLID AND HEAVY TASK OF ADAPTING AND TRANSLATING THE LAWS; AND EXAMINING THE MANY HUNDREDS OF INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND OBLIGATIONS WHICH NOW EXTEND TO HONG KONG SO THAT THEY CAN SERVE OUR NEW STATUS AFTER 1997.

+LAND ADMINISTRATION AND LEASES WILL NEED TO BE ADJUSTED; AND THE BENEFITS OF VARIOUS TRADE AGREEMENTS WHICH NOW APPLY TO HONG KONG WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE RECOGNISED FOR THE FUTURE, HE ADDED.

+WE MUST HAVE THE PHYSICAL FACILITIES, WE MUST HAVE THE SOCIAL POLICIES AND WE NEED TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.

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