XN000022-1988-07-14 — Page 16

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1988

15

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ACCORDING TO THE DRAFT, ONLY THE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG HAD THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND THE RIGHT TO STAND FOR ELECTION.

IN ADDITION, ONLY CHINESE NATIONALS RESIDENTS MIGHT FILL SENIOR GOVERNMENT POSTS.

AMONG THESE PERMANENT

IF FOREIGN NATIONALS IN HONG KONG AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WITH DUAL NATIONALITY FELT THAT THERE WERE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS TO THEIR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT AND LEFT HONG KONG FOR GREENER PASTURES ELSEWHERE, IT WOULD BE A BIG LOSS FOR HONG KONG AND WOULD AFFECT STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, HE SAID.

ON THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE, MR LIU SAID THE VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE METHODS FOR SELECTING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE. CONSTITUTING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND FORMING THE FIRST GOVERNMENT AND THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE SAR HAD GIVEN RISE TO HEATED ARGUMENTS AMONG PEOPLE WHO HELD DIFFERENT VIEWS.

HE HOPED THAT THROUGH SENSIBLE AND REASONABLE DISCUSSION, AN ELECTION SYSTEM THAT SUITED HONG KONG BEST COULD BE FORMULATED.

MR LIU SAID THE ALTERNATIVES LISTED IN THE DRAFT WERE NEITHER COMPLETE NOR MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE TO EACH OTHER.

WOULD "I BELIEVE THAT THE METHODS THAT

BE ACCEPTED BY MOST OUTCOME PEOPLE WOULD BE THE

OF COMPROMISE AND THAT THEY CAN BE

OF ALL SECTORS, COMPLEMENTARY TO EACH OTHER, MEETING THE INTERESTS HE ADDED.

"

GRAND ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONCEPT SUPPORTED

THE

BY

THE

SUPPORT FOR THE GRAND ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONCEPT PUT FORWARD

BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS AND

EDWARD

IN

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

WAS

EXPRESSED

OF GROUP

BY THE

HON

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

HO

THE PROPOSED

GRAND

ELECTORAL

COLLEGE

WOULD COMPRISE

MR HO

600

SAID

REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS WALKS OF LIFE IN HONG KONG, DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW,

MEMBERS

OF

SUCH

THE

COLLEGE WOULD

AS PROFESSIONAL

BR AND

ELECTED

LABOUR

FROM

THEIR BODIES, BY

OWN

A 25

ORGANISATIONS, DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND THEY IN TURN WOULD ELECT TO THE LEGISLATURE PER CENT OF ITS MEMBERS.

THOSE WHO

THE CRITICISED

MODEL

CHARGED THAT

IT WAS INTERESTS

UNDEMOCRATIC AND THAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE VESTED OF THE RICH, MR HO NOTED.

"THE TRUTH IS THAT THE GRAND ELECTORAL COLLEGE IS REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL WALKS DEMOCRATICALLY," HE SAID.

OF LIFE,

ALL

COMPOSED OF DULY ELECTED

THE BUSINESS