HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
5 July 1989
2069
campaigns is self-contradicting. They therefore denounce such support. I would like to take this opportunity to defend the case.
Firstly, we should be strict with ourselves but lenient towards others. While I respect people who have the determination of a martyr to die nobly for righteousness, these people should also respect the right of other people to be free from fear, which is not only a human right but also a reflection of human nature.
Secondly, the confidence of Hong Kong people has completely shattered after the June 4 massacre in Beijing. There is a common and strong wish among the majority of the local population to find a home of last resort. How can we overlook or even hold such wish in contempt while we participate in social compaigns? We must face public opinion and the reality. Such wish in itself is a kind of public opinion and the reality.
Thirdly, there are three objectives in launching the Hong Kong People Saving Hong Kong Campaign, namely, to strive for the right of abode, to speed up democratization and to formulate a Bill of Rights. Striving for the right of abode is only one of the objectives. In fact, this campaign is now planning to launch another action known as "To take on the Mission beyond 2000" in its appeal to the community leaders to stay in Hong Kong and go through thick and thin with the citizens as we move hand in hand into the 21st century.
Fourthly, even if the right of abode is not granted, we still cannot stop the overwhelming tide of emigration. The great majority of the Hong Kong people, who have totally lost their confidence and are in great fear, will try every means to seek other refuge though they are not granted the right. With the right of abode, they will adopt a wait-and-see attitude and will not go away unless the situation is compelling. Otherwise, they will leave as soon as possible. This will aggravate the brain drain problem and will bring an instant adverse impact on the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Fifthly, there is a key statement in the declaration of the Hong Kong People Saving Hong Kong Campaign and I quote, "We firmly believe that only when democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law are truly in place in China can the problems of confidence and of Hong Kong's future be solved at source." Therefore, all the promoters of this campaign are devoted supporters of the Chinese patriotic pro-democracy movement.
Sixthly, all overseas Chinese and many friends from foreign countries, though they are not Chinese citizens, render their support to the Chinese patriotic pro- democracy movement. We are grateful to them for their support. Why is it in Hong Kong that the Chinese patriotic pro-democracy movement and the fight for the right of abode are considered to be mutually exclusive and contradictory issues? I believe that the people of Hong Kong, no matter where they go, will still support the Chinese patriotic pro-democracy movement. We always welcome and appreciate their
support.
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