HONG KONG: LEGCO DEBATE ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 11
NOVEMBER
The original motion for the debate (tabled by a new appointed member, Miss Christine Loh) read:
"That this Council urges the British and Hong Kong Governments to adopt the principles of openness, fairness and acceptability to the people of Hong Kong when engaging in future dialogue with the Chinese Government on the political
development of Hong Kong."
This motion attracted a number of amendments. In the end
two amendments were put to the vote.
First, an amendment by the pro-China member, Chim Pui-Chung which said inter alia that "the political development of Hong Kong should be pursued on the premise that it ensures convergence with the political structure of the SAR Government after 1997". It also qualified Miss Loh's formula to refer to the "realistic acceptability to the people of Hong
Kong........". The unqualified reference to convergence made this in effect a pro-China amendment. It was defeated by 19 votes (mainly the CRC and pro-China members) to 32 (all liberals, most independents and two official members) and one abstention (Elsie Tu). Official members voted against on the grounds that the motion qualified the principle of acceptability by the people of Hong Kong.
The second amendment to be voted was introduced by Jimmy McGregor. This added to Miss Loh's original motion the following passage: "this Council, being in general support of
LEGCO DEBATE
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500STIT- UTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
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