TNAG-1722-FCO40-2415-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1988 — Page 194

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Job No. 166880

HANSARD JUL14:10

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 14 July 1988

1913

On the other hand, I would also like to comment on Chapter VI on topics such as education, science, culture and so on. I have discussed with many pro- fessionals, educators and people from the cultural fields about these articles. Generally speaking they feel that these articles are acceptable, though the details should be further scrutinised.

First of all, article 142 stipulates that the Hong Kong SAR shall maintain the education system previously practised in Hong Kong, but article 143 says that Hong Kong SAR shall, on its own, formulate policies on education-these seem to be contradictory. Hong Kong's present educational system is not static; it requires changes. But the spirit of our Western style of education system should not be changed. To resolve this contradiction I suggest to delete article 142 and to slightly amend the first part of article 143, which reads:

'The Government of the Hong Kong SAR shall, on its own formulate policies on education'

and emphasise on the fundamental elements of Hong Kong's existing education system. Regarding paragraph 2 of article 150, which says:

'Persons with professional qualifications or qualifications for professional practice obtained prior to the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrature Region may retain their previous qualifications'.

If a professional contravenes professional ethics after 1997, according to the present provision, he may be disqualified.

But if article 150 is followed, then he may still keep his qualifications. Therefore, I propose to add to paragraph 3 of article 150 to the effect that professional organisations recognised by Hong Kong SAR Government may assess and accredit as well as cancel professional qualifications.

Finally article 152 reads that Hong Kong SAR Government's subvention policy for organisations in fields such as education, medicine, culture, arts, recreation, sports, social welfare and so on. At present Hong Kong Government has also subvented technological organisations such as the Hong Kong Plastic Centre. Therefore, I suggest that this provision should include scientific and technological organisations.

Sir, with these remarks I support the motion.

MR. SZETO (in Cantonese): Sir, everybody in town says 'no change for 50 years.' However, how many people are clear-headed enough to realise that after 1997 certain things cannot remain unchanged. Changes are inevitable.

The relationship between Hong Kong and Britain becomes the relationship between Hong Kong and China-one country, one system' becomes 'one country, two systems'. The colony of Hong Kong will become a Special Administrative Region with a high degree of autonomy.

These are things that cannot remain unchanged-change they must.