Westminster in 1265, I really do not think that it is in any way part of Britain's moral commitment to sell or try and enforce the same system here in Hong Kong. What I think our job to do quite simply is with and through your government, the Hong Kong government, to advise if our advice is asked, and to help you develop the sort of system that suits Hong Kong and reflects the wishes of the people
of Hong Kong.
/Stepban
QUESTION (by Morgan): But how can this occur when most people in Hong Kong do not have an opportunity to participate directly in the way in which Hong Kong is run?
MR RENTON:
I find on the basis of four days here
that rather hard to accept. UMELCO is there, the Unofficial Members, at any time to receive the views of any person in Hong Kong. This is a subject that can be discussed at district board level. I understand, for example, that one of the district boards is discussing today the question of BN (0) passports.
I mean,
surely there is no shortage now through representatives either on the Urban or Regional Councils, the district boards, or directly to UMELCO, there is no shortage of avenues for people to make their views known, and my impression from the last few days is that everyone is going to make their views known without any hesitation at all! Because I think everyone in Hong Kong is at
heart a politician.
QUESTION:
Do 'you mean that the British government will not take an active part in Hong Kong's political
reform?
MR RENTON:
I certainly don't think it is up to
us to come down firmly on one side and say that, for example, the pace of progress towards, for example, more elected representation should be hurried up. I really don't think that is our role at all. I would be looking all the time at the people of Hong Kong and at the steady development of the step by step approach that was so strongly mentioned in the speeches in Legislative Council I think that is the right way to go,
yesterday.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.