TNAG-1310-FCO40-1667-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 234

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 14 March 1984

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see their way to giving us ample time, first to debate fully amongest ourselves roposals and secondly to present, if necessary, our honest, frank but constructive suggestions and/or modifications for further consideration.

For the part of Britain, I plead that she plays the role of a effective catalyst in the process of promoting better understanding between Hong Kong and China. To help to allay the fears of the people of Hong Kong, she must be persuasive, effective and realistic in the search for assurances that would help to reduce the adverse effect of the confidence crisis. As a country which has been highly respected for her expertise in the field of international diplomacy, Britain for sure can do a great deal in this area. Nevertheless it is imperative that Britain recognizes that Hong Kong is a unique place. We already have an admini- strative structure which has been proven to be very successful in the maintenance of stability and prosperity. We have a populace that only recently has been exposed to a taste of western style democracy. And more significantly, we have a different culture and our conditions are quite different from that of most western developed countries. Thus, just as we need time to digest and react positively to the Chinese proposals, we also need time to evolve at a natural pace over further stages in the process of democratization. Hence, between now and 1997 the administration in Hong Kong must be ready to guide Hong Kong and develp policies designed to bring the final objective into fruitful reality. The Administration must not rush to make decisions on any future structure without considering fully the likely implications and effect on the common objective.

In conclusion, Sir, to help develop the spirit of mutual respect and co- operation, in my humble opinion, is the essence of our debate this afternoon. To help to achieve the common objective, we must have faith in the sincerity of the Chinese leadership. We must have faith in the skill and good sense of the British leadership. But above all, we must have faith in our own ability to contribute meaningfully towards our own destiny.

From this date onward, I sincerely hope that the future issue will be debated openly, constructively and positively amongst all in Hong Kong. But words alone will not be enough, let us all work hand in hand together and overcome whatever obstacles there may be, and help to lay a solid foundation for the advancement of a stable and prosperous Hong Kong into the twenty-first century.

Sir, echoing my colleague, Mr. BROWN, about the spirit of Socrates, I have no reservations at all in supporting the motion.

MR. CHEUNG YAN-LUNG delivered his speech in Cantonese:-

督憲閣下:今日在本局提出的動議,會引起眾說紛紜,在言論自由的香港是可以理解的 在眾多言論中,有批評立法局不是民選機構,立法局議員不能代表全港市民發言及在立法 局辯論有關香港前途問題不甚適當。對於此等言論,本人深表關注,但却不能苟同。