Hong Kong.
I am pleased to
that virtually all Members of this Council have recently rejected the Sino-British agreement on the Court, thereby setting a very important precedent for the future. We must not relinquish our responsibility to make our Own decisions on all internal affairs of Hong Kong, whether they relate to our judiciary, our infrastructure, our budget, or our pace of political reform. This Council must demand its right to be fully consulted throughout the J.L.G. process, and we must make clear that no deal can be made without our approval on any matter other than ones relating to defence and foreign affairs. We should be briefed in detail both before and after any meeting between the colonial Governor or the British Foreign Secretary and their PRC counterparts. This is not only our right but our duty as the representative body entrusted with making laws, approving public expenditure, and monitoring the government in Hong Kong. Though China still does not recognise us and Britain refuses to consult us on many important issues, our conscientious use of our Own legal powers will render such recognition inevitable.
As for convergence, it is indeed a very desirable thing if, but only if, the promises enshrined in the Joint Declaration will not be whittled down. Take, for example, the freedom of speech and association. Ever since the signing of the Joint Declaration in 1984, China has repeatedly and openly indicated that it does not approve the way in which these freedoms are being enjoyed here in Hong Kong, and suggesting that the Hong Kong Government should do something about it. But true convergence means that our present lifestyle will continue unchanged after 1997. And the Government must ensure that all our people will enjoy all the freedoms which our law now permits.
A year ago, I asked the people of Hong Kong to walk with the United Democrats along the high road, and it gives us great strength and optimism to see that so many have chosen to do so. The direction the high road leads is clear: democracy, human rights, autonomy, a free economy, and social fairness. Though the high road is indeed fraught with difficulties, the people of Hong Kong have chosen overwhelmingly to take no other road. We the people of Hong Kong know what we want. We have seen the democratic movement sweeping through the world, and we are determined that we too should realise our own inherent right to democratic self-government.
Our people have spoken through the ballot box, and given the United Democrats a mandate to keep Hong Kong moving forward on the high road. We reach out to all Members of this Council to join us on this road.
We are confident that if we walk together, we will reach the promised land.
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