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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
problem. As to planning and preparation, we need not look beyond the Council for suitable persons for the job. Why do we not start the project? Some may think it is not the right time to launch such a project in the midst of our recession, but on the other hand, we must have enough talents ready to meet the call of 'government by local people' by 1997. In this connection, our requirement is really urgent. As the Chinese saying goes, "It takes a hundred years to bring up men'. If we have more time for preparation, we shall achieve better results. We all know that a university is not built in one day. The excuse that it is difficult to find a suitable site does not hold water at all. The ideal thing of course is to allocate an undeveloped area as a site for building the university. The Hong Kong University should also ponder on the idea of selling its campus in town in exchange for its development in the countryside, thereby benefitting both the university and the community. What a great pleasure indeed if we are able to witness during our life the fruits of education. Some have earlier suggested that we should copy the open college system to set up an open university. This may be a prelude to the establishment of the municipal university.
We are pleased to note that the Urban Services Department has set up a training school which provides 3-year courses for the training of professionals in urban services. May I suggest that the school should also offer sports courses to cater to our needs. After YEUNG Sau-king, the Hong Kong Mermaid, there is hardly any sports star in Hong Kong. It may be attributed to the lack of a centralized training institute. If we wish to enhance Hong Kong's international reputation and bring up good sportsmen, such a professional training body is very necessary. Recently when the Asian Games were broadcast by television, many were glued to their T.V. sets, forgetting even their meals and sleep. This demonstrates Hong Kong people's keen interest in sports and yearning for some sports gold medals. We should therefore accede to the popular demand and set up a sports faculty which may later be incorporated into the municipal university. It is not enough having a first-class coliseum without a proper sports institution. If we are able to meet with some success at the Asian, or even Olympic Games, the Pearl of the Orient will shine more brightly in the international sports circles and we in Hong Kong can just be proud of our achievements. Should we desire Hong Kong to become a free, self-governing city, this then is the direction we ought to follow.
With these words, Sir, I support the motion before Council.
MR. TSIN SAI-NIN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the greatest concern of the people of Hong Kong at present is, in my opinion, how to maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, so that the great majority of the residents may live in peace and contentment, and free from the threat of unemployment. They are eager to preserve their existing way of life and hope that the ideal of universal peace will be attained by evolution.
Though the question of administration of Hong Kong before and after 1997, which has been raised by both Britain and China, is still under negotiation, the five million residents of Hong Kong have already felt the sword of Damocles over their heads. Hong Kong is a place without resources, save human manpower and confidence, and once confidence is shaken, particularly at a time of world recession, commercial and industrial slump, unemployment, and economic crisis will follow, and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong will therefore be affected.
Hong Kong maintains friendly relationships with Britain and China and brings advantage to both countries in terms of economic and political benefits. Though it is recognized in the United Nations that Hong Kong is a part of China, in actual fact, she is still subject to British rule and administered under the western system. Time is needed to educate the people and for them to adapt themselves to new conditions. Abrupt changes of the present status will only be detrimental to the interests of Britain, China, and Hong Kong.
The Urban Council delegation to Singapore has returned lately after studying various aspects concerning environmental hygiene, cultural and educational affairs, sports and recreational facilities, housing, hawker control, and even trade development, law and order, as well as district administration. We have also had in-depth discussions with the officials concerned. I do not intend to make a detailed comparison here until a full report on the visit is completed. The general consensus of opinion, however, is that Singapore's present achievement is attributable to the down-to-earth working style of her government, the great emphasis placed on education, as well as the sense of belonging cherished by the Singaporeans. If Hong Kong is to learn from Singapore, we must instil a strong sense of responsibility and belonging into our people. For this purpose, both Britain and China, to which the sovereignty and rule of Hong Kong belong, should give our people a longer period of prosperity and stability to achieve such a goal.
Investors all over the world are profit-oriented, and to enable them to realize their aims, their needs and requirements have to be met. Hong Kong is really a most favourable place for investment-there is a good harbour coupled with a sound economic system, advanced telecommunication facilities, and an arduous workforce. With unremitting efforts and better circumstances, Hong Kong will continue to prosper and play an increasingly important role in the world economy.
However, it is much to be regretted that the Hong Kong government still retains a colonial touch in some aspects. For instance, all Legislative Councillors are appointed, and only one-third to half of the District Board members and Urban Councillors are elected. The terms of reference of the Urban Council are rather limited, and the District Boards are mere advisory bodies. Furthermore, the people do not have adequate education on democracy. All these aptly manifest that the Hong Kong government is not yet an open one. We know that democratic government and education on democracy are inseparable. Without genuine education on democracy, public representatives cannot play their roles and are nothing but puppets.
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problem. As to planning and preparation, we need not look beyond the Council for suitable persons for the job. Why do we not start the project? Some may think it is not the right time to launch such a project in the midst of our recession, but on the other hand, we must have enough talents ready to meet the call of 'government by local people' by 1997. In this connection, our requirement is really urgent. As the Chinese saying goes, "It takes a hundred years to bring up men'. If we have more time for preparation, we shall achieve better results. We all know that a university is not built in one day. The excuse that it is difficult to find a suitable site does not hold water at all. The ideal thing of course is to allocate an undeveloped area as a site for building the university. The Hong Kong University should also ponder on the idea of selling its campus in town in exchange for its development in the countryside, thereby benefitting both the university and the community. What a great pleasure indeed if we are able to witness during our life the fruits of education. Some have earlier sug- gested that we should copy the open college system to set up an open university. This may be a prelude to the establishment of the municipal university.
We are pleased to note that the Urban Services Department has set up a training school which provides 3-year courses for the training of professionals in urban services. May I suggest that the school should also offer sports courses to cater to our needs. After YEUNG Sau-king, the Hong Kong Mermaid, there is hardly any sports star in Hong Kong. It may be attributed to the lack of a centralized training institute. If we wish to enhance Hong Kong's international reputation and bring up good sportsmen, such a professional training body is very necessary. Recently when the Asian Games were broadcast by television, many were glued to their T.V. sets, forgetting even their meals and sleep. This demonstrates Hong Kong people's keen interest in sports and yearning for some sports gold medals. We should therefore accede to the popular demand and set up a sports faculty which may later be incorporated into the municipal university. It is not enough having a first class coliseum without a proper sports institution. If we are able to meet with some success at the Asian, or even Olympic Games, the Pearl of the Orient will shine more brightly in the international sports circles and we in Hong Kong can just be proud of our achievements. Should we desire Hong Kong to become a free, self-governing city, this then is the direction we ought to follow.
With these words, Sir, I support the motion before Council.
MR. TSIN SAI-NIN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the greatest concern of the people of Hong Kong at present is, in my opinion, how to maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, so that the great majority of the residents may live in peace and contentment, and free from the threat of unemployment. They are eager to preserve their existing way of life and hope that the ideal of universal peace will be attained by evolution.
Though the question of administration of Hong Kong before and after 1997, which has been raised by both Britain and China, is still uner negotiation, the
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
five million residents of Hong Kong have already felt the sword of Damocles over their heads. Hong Kong is a place without resources, save hanging manpower and confidence, and once confidence is shaken, particularly at a time of world recession, commercial and industrial slump, unemployment, and economic crisis will follow, and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong will therefore be affected.
Hong Kong maintains friendly relationships with Britain and China and brings advantage to both countries in terms of economic and political benefits. Though it is recognized in the United Nations that Hong Kong is a part of China, in actual fact, she is still subject to British rule and administered under the western system. Time is needed to educate the people and for them to adapt themselves to new conditions. Abrupt changes of the present status will only be detrimental to the interests of Britain, China and Hong Kong.
The Urban Council delegation to Singapore has returned lately after studying various aspects concerning environmental hygiene, cultural and educational affairs, sports and recreational facilities, housing, hawker control and even trade development, law and order as well as district administration. We have also had in-depth discussions with the officials concerned. I do not intend to make a detailed comparison here until a full report on the visit is completed. The general consensus of opinion, however, is that Singapore's present achievement is attributable to the down-to-earth working style of her government, the great emphasis placed on education as well as the sense of belonging cherished by the Singaporeans. If Hong Kong is to learn from Singapore, we must instil a strong sense of responsibility and belonging into our people. For this purpose, both Britain and China, to which the sovereignty and rule of Hong Kong belong, should give our people a longer period of prosperity and stability to achieve such a goal.
Investors all over the world are profit oriented, and to enable them to realize their aims, their needs and requirements have to be met. Hong Kong is really a most favourable place for investment-there is a good harbour coupled with a sound economic system, advanced telecommunication facilities and an arduous work force. With unremitting efforts and better circumstances, Hong Kong will continue to prosper and play an increasingly important role in the world
economy.
However, it is much to be regretted that Hong Kong government still retains a colonial touch in some aspects. For instance, all Legislative Councillors are appointed and only one-third to half of the District Boad members and Urban Councillors are elected. The terms of reference of the Urban Council are rather limited and the District Boards mere advisory bodies. Furthermore, the people do not have adequate education on democracy. All these aptly manifest that Hong Kong government is not yet an open one. We know that democratic government and education on democracy are inseparable. Without genuine education on democracy, public representatives cannot play their roles and are nothing but puppets.
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