TNAG-1310-FCO40-1667-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 214

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 14 March 1984

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The work of the Legislative Council affects the people of Hong Kong. I ative Councillors would not be doing their duty if they remain silent on this key issue which has an important bearing on the future of the five-million- plus Hongkong people and their descendants. It is true that Unofficial Legislative Councillors are not elected, but it does not mean we cannot reflect public opinion. Unofficial Members come from different trades. We have expertise and wide experience in many areas. Coming from different social strata, some of us are well-off while others, like myself, belong to the low- income grassroot sector. Therefore we have a much wider contact with the public than many people would have imagined. With its present scope of work and with Councillors coming from different background, the Legislative Council should help positively to work out a satisfactory solution. It should take the lead in discussing Hong Kong's future and call on the public to give their valuable views on the issue. This will enable Britain and China to have a better understanding of Hong Kong people's wishes and take into consideration their valuable views on how to maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong before coming to an agreement.

I have reasons to believe that this afternoon marks the beginning of, and not the end to, a series of active discussions. Other organizations, such as district boards, kaifong associations and mutual aid committees, which have yet to express their views, should speak out on this important issue.

In the 1984 New Year's message, Your Excellency said that the people of Hong Kong wanted to maintain the essential elements which will ensure Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. This is of crucial importance. I hope that these elements can stand up to the test of time though circumstances and personnel may change. I think we all know it is not enough just to ask for the maintenance of the status quo. Times change and therefore everything has to change. What we should be after is not just the superficial elements pertaining to the status quo, but rather the retention of the underlying concept. For example, speculation in stocks and shares is not important on the fact of it, what is important is the underlying concept, i.e. the freedom to raise capital and carry on transactions. The greatest contribution that can be made by the people of Hong Kong, be they the Legislative Council, district boards or other organizations, is to convey this concept and enable Britain and China to better understand and recognize the factors that have contributed to Hong Kong's present prosperity and stability, thereby achieving a more satisfactory agreement.

Sir, I support the motion.

DR. Ho:-Sir, It is unfortunate that there has been considerable misunder- standing about the intention of the motion. Some sectors of the community expressed apprehension that the motion might resurrect the 'three-legged stool' concept, thereby jeopardizing the cordial atmosphere surrounding the current Sino-British talks. This misunderstanding, to me, is totally unfounded. The