TNAG-1722-FCO40-2415-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1988 — Page 168

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 14 July 1988

confidence of our people by the leaders of China speaking out of turn when they repeatedly insisted that we must not introduce direct elections this year. This was in breach of the Joint Declaration, which gave to the British Government the responsibility of administering Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. But it was successful from China's point of view because the British Government was ultimately pressurised into reneging from its earlier promises of introducing direct elections this year. But at what price? The emigration tide has heightened; and if unchecked; it may soon turn into a tidal wave, which will ruin our economy and prosperity even before 1997. For Hong Kong cannot keep its vibrant economy going if a substantial percentage of its middle management of bankers, managers, professionals and experienced secretaries are gone.

The leaders of China and their agents in Hong Kong have tried hard to arouse interest among the people of Hong Kong in debating or discussing the provisions of the draft Basic Law. But all their attempts have so far failed, and failed miserably. According to a press report in the South China Morning Post yesterday: 'Only six people attended the “Central-Hongkong relationship" session held on 25 June, with only two of them speaking. And last weekend, only five out of 30 people voiced their opinions on "resident's basic rights and duties". The report went on to say that the Executive Committee of the Basic Law Consultation Committee (BLCC) will hold a meeting on the coming Saturday with a view to finding ways to further intensify the consultation work'.

But they do not have to look far for reasons as to why the people of Hong Kong have shown so little interest. They have only to be reminded of what they themselves and their principal spokesmen in Hong Kong have said in the last few months, regarding this consultation process, and ask themselves whether they can really expect the people of Hong Kong to have any confidence in them or to entertain any hope that what they say will matter.

Further, many people in Hong Kong feel that public opinion was not listened to during last year's political review culminating in Hong Kong Government's decision in the White Paper not to introduce direct elections this year in spite of popular local support for them, and they simply do not believe that public opinion will now be listened to by the leaders of China who voiced such strong objections to the introduction of direct elections this year. I therefore feel that the first thing the Executive Committee of the BLCC should do is to try to restore its neutrality and credibility with the public. For unless the public can be persuaded that what they say will count, the general apathy towards the draft Basic Law will continue.

General criticism

Sir, I think many people will share my view that most of the articles contained in the draft Basic Law are good, and that they truly reflect the provisions of the Joint Declaration. But having said that, I must hasten to add that we are not marking an examination paper, in which case, 75 per cent will be a very good