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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 5 July 1989
It also failed to appreciate the gravity of the confidence crisis in Hong Kong in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square events. In so doing, it failed to propose any real measure that would provide the desired immediate effect of restoring the confidence of the Hong Kong people and stopping the tidal outflow of our most valuable assets : our people.
In conclusion, the Foreign Affairs Committee report can be summed up in the last sentence of paragraph 3.3: "Despite the understandable concerns of the people of Hong Kong about the recent events in the People's Republic of China, we are in no doubt that their best future lies in Hong Kong and therefore that the best guarantees for the future are the continuing economic success of the territory and strong and stable democratic institutions." Fine words, but what the Foreign Affairs Committee really meant was: "We know there is a problem and ours is the sovereign country. But, look to yourselves. Don't look to us for any real help as there will be political difficulties; and however righteous the course, we cannot subject ourselves to political risks."
With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.
MR. BARROW: Sir, in recent days we have focussed on the right of abode issue, which has been our number one priority. However I believe we should not let the right of abode so dominate the thinking and energy of the community that all other issues which may help rebuild confidence are excluded.
We should not be blind to the fact that the FAC report does indicate some measure of general support for Hong Kong. Whatever the outcome of the right of abode issue, we are going to need resolute United Kingdom support during the coming months and years, so it would be wise to take stock of the nature of this support and evaluate it cool-headedly.
The Basic Law
The proposals on the Basic Law in the FAC report echo almost everything which has been covered in our recent debate. The United Kingdom's vigorous support on these points, as well as on the pace of democratization, once we reach a consensus, and on the Bill of Rights will be essential.
I hope that China will be willing to make concessions on these issues as soon as possible, as doing so would be a major factor in the partial restoration of the shattered confidence of this community. China must quickly come to recognize the extent of this loss of confidence, and the need for remedial action.
If confidence cannot be re-established then Hong Kong's future will be very different from that intended by the Joint Declaration. The model of an economically, financially and socially successful international centre built up over many decades
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