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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 14 July 1988
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deadly silent?-where are they now? Does this alternative comply with the theory of convergence? It is neither here nor there. It does not take care of the political development in Hong Kong before 1997, and neither does it take care of the formation of the second Government and second legislature. It is not a bridge, it is a rapid and a dangerous one at the point of transition and it poses extreme difficulties for people who wish to row across or swim across. We should ask those people who do not object to this alternative and who have subscribed to the convergent theory what will be in their minds when they wake up in the deep of the night and reflect upon events?
The first government and the first legislature are extremely important. According to article 45 and article 67, even though the selection of the future Chief Executive is stated in Annex I and the formation of the legislature is stated in Annex II, yet when the first Chief Executive and the first legislature breathe through the same nostril, they can drastically change a system and affect the political system for the next 48 years.
In a discussion with the Standing Panel on Constitutional Development, nobody accepted this alternative, and they accepted another alternative, and this alternative actually was proposed by myself and Mr. Martin LEE but it had not been accepted by the drafting committee. Good things always take some digging. This alternative is on the last page of the draft Basic Law. It does not say that, it had been proposed by myself and Mr. LEE, but people who are really concerned will be able to find it. Here it goes:
'(1) Within the year of 1986, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress shall establish a “Preparatory committee for the First Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". Members of the preparatory committee shall all be Chinese nationals among the permanent residents of Hong Kong, and the chairman shall be elected from among the members.
(2) In the middle or at the end of 1996, the preparatory committee shall hold a general and direct election in Hong Kong in accordance with this Law to elect the Chief Executive designate. Only 1 July 1997, the Chief Executive designate shall be appointed by the Central People's Govern- ment be officially sworn into office.
(3) Before I July 1997, the Chief Executive designate shall nominate the principle officials for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for appointment by the Central People's Government. All the principal officials shall be sworn in to office of 1 July 1997.
(4) Persons who are members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council in June 1997 shall automatically become members of the first legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of 1 July 1997 and serve to the end of their term. Except for the ceremony of pledging their loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, there shall be no particular arrangement.'
Regarding this alternative, I have a number of points to supplement.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.