TNAG-1310-FCO40-1667-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 209

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 14 March 1984

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MR. ALEX WU:-Sir, as our future is debated over our heads, it is remark that five-and-a-half million people should be expected to stay calm, con and clueless for so long. It is even more remarkable that, by and large, we should have continued to thrive under these intolerable conditions.

We have been silent far too long already. We must now say clearly that only an informed public can make a valid judgement on the arrangement under which we are going to live. No one can claim to have a prior knowledge (or the right) to decide what will be acceptable to the people of Hong Kong if the people of Hong Kong do not know what the options are.

It is meaningless to say that the proposals should be acceptable to the people of Hong Kong without knowing how and where to get the consensus.

If the proposals are beyond question acceptable, what has anyone to lose by letting us examine them before it is too late? If the proposals are designed to maintain the institutions and the aspirations of this community, they will surely stand up to our scrutiny. We are a modern people who cannot relish the prospect of an arranged marriage. (laughter)

Your Excellency, more than anywhere else in the world we depend on confidence. We must have confidence ourselves to commit our resources to the future. Others must have confidence to invest, to trade and now to lend. To doubt this duly constituted Council's right and responsibility to debate the proposals is in itself a factor to sap that confidence.

Sir, with concerted efforts and the goodwill of all concerned, we should be able to create a fresh political miracle for Hong Kong, and I see support for the motion before us as the duty of all public spirited Hong Kong citizens.

With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.

MR. PETER C. WONG: Sir, the single most important question almost everyone in Hong Kong is asking today is: what will happen to Hong Kong in the next 13 years and beyond? Sadly, this is a question no one can answer with any degree of certainty.

All who love Hong Kong would like to be assured that our present life-style will be maintained and perhaps improved in the years ahead. There are indications that this may be possible. Following the historic meeting between the British Prime Minister and the Chinese leaders, a joint statement was issued emphasizing the common objective of both countries to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. This was followed by a series of talks on the future of Hong Kong. Officially, the talks have been described as useful and constructive. Unofficially, there have been suggestions that progress has been made and that an agreement on broad principles may be reached before September this year.

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