TNAG-1726-FCO40-2439-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 22

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MR. HUI

HUI Yin fat.

(In Cantonese): sir,

in July and November last year, when speaking in this Chamber on the Green Paper on the Review of Representative Government and the Survey Office Report respectively,

I clearly pointed out on both occasions that the Review

was undertaken under pressure from the Chinese Government. This perception, as of today, is still valid. The

1988 White Paper on the Development of Representative

三

Government: the Way Forward, published just last month,

shows adequately that it was written only after the

Hong Kong and Chinese Governments had arrived at

a tacit understanding. That being the case, in making an overall assessment of the 1988 White Paper,

Can

I could only say that it was full of contradictions and retrogressive in nature. Reading it gives rise to feelings of deep regret, disappointment

and helplessness. Here are the reasons.

First, on the principles and

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command

pace of development of representative government, the White Paper emphasises that developments should 24 be evolutionary and common wide support and confidence. in the community. It shouldnot be difficult for the absolute majority of the public to accept these principles. The question, however, is

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are

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who

to judge and how are they to judge with reference

whether

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^ It is a big stride

or a small step? The 1982 District Board elections

and the introduction of 24 elected seats all at

the Lexislative Counci one go to Lego in 1985 were both unprecedented developments in Hong Kong, representing historical

big strides. Back then, there was no loud and

clear voice of opposition and, up to the present moment, it has not been observed that these changes

i