TNAG-1858-FCO40-2633-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 31

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 5 July 1989

2065

Given such circumstances, it will be meaningless for us to carry on a hopeless fight and beg mercy from Britain for granting us the right of abode. As a matter of fact, time is running short in the run-up to 1997. The situation does not allow us to spend all our energy on lengthy argument with the British Government on the hopeless nationality issue. This will only bring continual bitterness and anxiety to the population here. Furthermore, if the fight fails in the end, it will only deepen our sense of frustration, despair and helplessness. It will drive Hong Kong into a disastrous situation beyond restoration.

Sir, we can no longer rely entirely on either Britain or China to solve the confidence crisis in Hong Kong on our behalf. We must be realistic and pragmatic enough to seek our own solution to the problems. To a large extent, the future of Hong Kong still lies in our hands. Hong Kong still possesses all the advantageous conditions for economic development. With a unity of will, we will continue to reach new heights in economic prosperity and create a better future for those who are rooted in Hong Kong. History tells us that neither assurance from the Chinese Government nor concern from the British Government can ensure stability and prosperity, high degree of autonomy or a self-governing Hong Kong. Only with our outstanding economic achievement can we hope to win China's respect and be able to maintain stability and prosperity, high degree of autonomy and self-governing in the real sense.

The people of Hong Kong do love Hong Kong. Most of us wish to make a living in this peaceful place where we have settled for years and where we speak the same language. We are prepared to devote our efforts to strive for the prosperity and stability of this island. We know that the road before us is rugged and thorny. But if we can sweep away the worries of seeking refuge by emigration and gather the courage to work for our ambition with the quick mind, resilience and solidarity that we used to have, we can definitely create a better future with prosperity and stability as well as a paradise on earth for the people of Hong Kong.

Sir, the way Britain is handling the Vietnamese boat people problem has brought despair and resentment to the people of Hong Kong. Under the pressure of Britain, Hong Kong has been unable to withdraw its policy of port of first asylum, thus leading to an indefinite influx of illegal immigrants from Vietnam and incurring huge expenditure on the shoulders of the Hong Kong people. On the other hand, the Hong Kong Government has been applying an unfair and unreasonable double standard towards the Chinese illegal immigrants who are closely related to the local population. We are therefore much aggrieved, dissatisfied and resentful towards such measures. Although the Foreign Affairs Committee report is in favour of mandatory repatriation and assistance to boat people being repatriated, this will not completely solve the Vietnamese boat people problem in Hong Kong. As a matter of fact, without scrapping Hong Kong's status as the port of first asylum as a supporting measure to stem the incessant inflow of boat people from Vietnam, the provision of assistance to boat people being sent back will only encourage more arrivals deliberately planned by the Vietnamese authorities and its people in the hope of trying to get more assistance. If that is the case, it will not help solve the problem but aggravate it. Sir, during the