1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
MR. MARTIN LEE: Yes. Sir, let me first
of all say this in my reply: that, as expected, lip-service has been paid by Members of this Council to the freedom of expression and the necessity to preserve it if we can. I say "lip-service" because most of the Members who spoke against the motion pretended that they valued and treasured this freedom and yet they found
absolutely no difficulty in saying they will vote against the
motion. It really saddens my heart sitting there listening to
these so-called reasons being proffered as to why this freedom of
expression should now be stifled.
We are not concerned with the freedom of more
choice in the selection of films. As I said, Sir, we are here
concerned with the freedom of expression. The authorities are
have
clear that you got to make out a case, or rather the Administration
has to make out a case, of a pressing social need. What is that
need? We have got bland assertions from both the learned Attorney
General and the Honourable Chief Secretary that we need it. We
18 need it because of what? Do we need it because without it China
19 will stop the supply of water to us, or will stop the supply of
20 meat, or will send her army to Hong Kong? Or is it because it is
perceived by our Administration that the leaders of China would feel or might feel embarrassed by what one or two films a year 23 might reveal to the people of Hong Kong?
222
p/sc 24
2c 26
My hon
friend, Mr. Szeto Wah, has, 25 with respect, as usual hit the nail on its head when he said even
the Grand Old Man himself, Mr. Deng Xiaoping, said: "Yes, people
guard that liberty even in 1997 to criticise and curse communism
because the Chinese Communist Party will not fall because of that.
And what are we afraid of? What is that fear in our minds as to
what China will or will not do to Hong Kong? Are we such a nervous
27
28
29
30
31
little boy so afraid of father?
32
Sir, China says quite clearly that it will 33 respect the people of Hong Kong's wishes and we will have a high
degree of autonomy in the years to come. Why are we making
34
35
36
decisions not even on the intervention of the PRC but perhaps on
our perceived embarrassment which the leaders, or some leaders, of
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.