2096
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
5 July 1989
PROF. POON (in Cantonese): Sir, from its beginning to the recent development, the student pro-democracy movement in China, in particular the June 4 incident and its aftermath, has undoubtedly dealt a very severe blow to Hong Kong people's confidence and hope in the future of Hong Kong, resulting in a confidence crisis, and even worse, a confidence breakdown which has reached a critical stage. In order to maintain Hong Kong's stability and prosperity so that the concept of "one country, two systems" may have a chance of success, the most important and urgent task now is to restore Hong Kong people's confidence in our future. After analysing the various options available, we find that the most effective solution is to ask our sovereign state the British Government to fulfil her legal and moral obligation to the residents of Hong Kong by granting us the right of abode in the United Kingdom. Here I do not wish to repeat the comments and arguments just made by my honourable colleagues in this Chamber; I only wish to put down on record my support of their stance. Great disappointment has been expressed about the Foreign Affairs Committee report in that Hong Kong residents' request for the right of abode in the United Kingdom has been dismissed. Obviously this report has sidestepped the important issues. It has harped on certain issues which are out of the control of the British and has called for Hong Kong people's own efforts to fight for them, such as the composition of the future legislature and the election of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Basic Law. I doubt very much the ability of the FAC members in getting an in-depth understanding of Hong Kong's actual situation during their short visit spanning only a few days in Hong Kong. For what reasons and on what basis of truth could they propose for us a programme concerning the controversial issues in the Basic Law which have long been the subject of disputes among certain sectors of the Hong Kong community, thinking that the proposed programme would be acceptable to the public and most suitable for the people of Hong Kong? Up till now, the people of Hong Kong have not reached any consensus on the formulation of the Basic Law. The FAC's proposed option at this juncture will only make the situation more complicated at a time when Hong Kong people are trying to seek a consensus.
Despite many people now being sceptical about the importance of the Basic Law, I still feel that a sound Basic Law which is acceptable to the majority of the residents in Hong Kong is better than to do without the Basic Law. The recent occurrence of many events has prompted us to appreciate the importance of solidarity. Earlier on Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils have taken a positive move to solve some of the problems of the Basic Law and have reached a preliminary consensus. The Tiananmen Square incident on 4 June has possibly influenced our thinking and prompted us`to take a new look at the Basic Law. However, if we can continue to uphold our united spirit through compromise and mutual understanding in the seeking of a consensus, I believe it will be possible for us to influence China to formulate a set of Basic Law more in line with Hong Kong people's aspiration.
Hong Kong is our home. Many Hong Kong people basically do not want to leave this territory where they were born and brought up. We will have to face many problems and new challenges. Although the FAC report has disappointed us, we must not feel discouraged because of it. We have to carry on with our cause in seeking for
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