TNAG-1310-FCO40-1667-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 220

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -- 14 March 1984

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when I visited Beijing in May last year with a group of professionals, we med the Chinese authorities about the confidence crisis in Hong Kong. Despie outward signs that the economy of Hong Kong is on the road to recovery, the confidence problem has not gone away. A few months ago some professional organizations conducted surveys amongst their members on the future issue. The survey indicated well over 60% of those who answered were thinking about leaving Hong Kong because of the confidence problem.

Sir, I think it would be wrong for us to pack our suitcases like some of our relations and friends. It would be equally wrong for us to adopt a passive attitude about our own future and resign ourselves to our fate. I am convinced that we should alleviate the present confidence crisis by first showing confidence in ourselves. Secondly, we must somehow establish mutual trust with China. Let us not forget, we are what we are today because of the determination of the Hong Kong people to survive and strive for a better society. Hong Kong has always been a unique place. Unique in every sense of the word. The Chinese proposal of a 'Special Administrative Region' is also unique.

Dr. BRZEZINSKI's answer of, 'only time can tell', in my view, is not good enough. We should be determined that we will have a bright future. Now I would like to call upon all the people of Hong Kong to forget about their own fears and doubts and instead we should make every effort to close the com- munication gap between China and ourselves. We should voice our opinions positively and constructively and through mutual understanding and mutual trust, Hong Kong will grow in the future to be a truly international city.

The motion before Council today, in my opinion, is useful and constructive. Therefore, I wholeheartedly support this motion.

Mr. So delivered his speech in Cantonese:—

總督閣下:辛苦你了!自上任以來,閣下穿梭往還香港,北京和倫敦,為香港的將來奔跑 。每次在螢光幕上見到你被盡忠職守的記者群埋伏和包圍,無論是在啟德機場,北京街道 上或唐寧街十號門外,你總是笑容可掬,態度親切,絲毫不露一點倦容,深恐從面部的表 情,露出蛛絲馬跡,使日益敏感的港人,諸多揣測,提心吊膽,真是用心良苦。閣下亦深 明香港人對前途焦慮的心情,三番四次告訴我們,中英雙方均有共同目標,一項中英雙方 均感滿意,並為我們所歡迎的協議必可達成;香港政府為了香港人的前途,決意大量投資 ,努力經營,同時亦要求市民作出回應,緊守崗位,共同確保香港社會不可或缺的因素得 以延綿不斷。至於談判的內容和進展,閣下則守口如瓶。我們知道你参加了九次有益和 有建設性的會談,而且各代表們經常用「今天天氣哈哈哈」作為會談的開場白。

香港人到今天為止無權參與會談,也無權獲知它的內容。一些人以為立法局的成員必然 間接或直接獲得內幕消息,而不予透露向港人交代。這是不白之冤,作為立法局成員之一 的我,確是毫不知情,但也一如其他市民一樣,在過去多月來聽了很多傳聞。最近更聽到 英國似乎已打算在一九九七年把香港的主權交還中國,中國為了香港的繁榮和安定,屆時 使香港成為特區,容許港人的生活方式和制度維持若干年,亦聽聞這個決定,將於九月正 式公佈。