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4.
(a) Do you plan to emigrate personally before 1997?
Yes No
(b) Do you plan to send your spouse/children to reside abroad permanently before 1997?
(c) Have you already sent your spouse/children to reside abroad permanently?
Yes No Yes No
5.
If you are not doing any of the above, is it due to: (a) lack of financial means and/or (b) ineligibility and/or (c) others (Please in the spaces provided, where applicable)
No No No√
CHAIRMAN (in English):---Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be 5 minutes recess at 3:52 p.m. during which time Members may avail themselves of the use of the common room. The debate will continue after that.
CHAIRMAN (in English):---Ladies and Gentlemen, the debate will now resume at 3:58 p.m.
(Dr. Denny HUANG and Mr. L. H. KWAN left after the recess.)
MR. EDMUND CHOW (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, as the Chairman of the District Relations Select Committee, I am working under the guidance of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council hand in glove with my colleagues on ways to strengthen the relationship and co-operation between the Urban Council and the District Boards. Although Dr. HUANG said just now certain points on our relationship with the District Boards, I am afraid I cannot comment on his remarks because I am the Chairman of the District Relations Select Committee. Due to the different standpoints and situations of U.C. and D.B., views are sometimes divergent, but this is quite inevitable. Nevertheless, we have a common objective, which is 'to better the living environment of Hong Kong'. Since we have common grounds as well as different interests, it will take more than good faith in each other's sincerity for our mission to be accomplished. We must also have mutual confidence in order that our common objective may be fulfilled. 'To maintain confidence' is therefore one of the most important decisive factors in achieving a common goal or any other ventures.
Today is the only opportunity in the whole year that matters outside the Council may be discussed in an open and aboveboard manner. So I would like to take this opportunity to speak on 'Hong Kong's future'.
In my view, there is no need to talk about sovereignty and administrative rights any more in connection with the subject of 'Hong Kong's future'. I believe that after so many rounds of talks, some solution would have already been found on these issues. Moreover, we should not doubt China's sincerity in preserving the status quo of Hong Kong, in continuing the stability and prosperity of this territory, for the commitments have been announced in various ways, directly or indirectly. To sum up, these announcements are:
(a) The way of living will be unchanged.
(b) The policy of free economy and Hong Kong's status as a free port and financial centre (including the Hong Kong currency) will be unchanged.
(c) The laws and the rule of law will be unchanged.
(d) The system of private ownership will be unchanged.
(e) Freedom of trade and international travel, flow of capital in and out of Hong Kong, and freedom of speech, publication, assembly and association will be unchanged.
(f) Systems of external trade and immigration control will be unchanged.
Despite the many promises, a lot of which are presumed to be given by the Chinese leadership, some people in Hong Kong remain doubtful and sceptical. It is mainly due to the lack of confidence partly caused by the long period of political turbulences in China, and partly because the proposed political structure is unprecedented and contrary to the political principles of China. Such 'lack of confidence' is understandable. Although the Chinese leadership have devoted their efforts to prevent the repetition of such tragedies, and examples of improvement are everywhere to be seen, people in Hong Kong still entertain apprehensions. It serves to prove that whether confidence can be maintained would affect economic prosperity to a considerable extent.
Today, Hong Kong has leapt to the position of being the 3rd largest financial centre and the 4th largest gold market in the world. Leading banks and consortia all over the world have set up more than 1,000 branch offices here, not to mention the 1,356 branches operated by the 132 registered banking corporations of Chinese, British and local capital. Just deposits alone are as high as $170,000 million, out of which $70,000 million is in foreign currencies. Besides, Hong Kong is also the largest international securities market in the Far East. Listed companies totalling $200,000 million of market capitalization are conducting active business here every day. In terms of value, the economy of Hong Kong is robust and one which we can be proud of. Is it worthwhile to let it be paralysed or destroyed simply by the matter of 'confidence'?
Of course, 'confidence' can best be secured by the manifestation of stable policies and effective measures carried out over a long period of time. However, in view of the present situation and public sentiment, one cannot help recalling the Chinese saying 'distant water cannot put out a fire close at hand'. I believe, we should not and would not think that Chinese leaders would go back on their words or fail to honour their commitments, thus, giving rise to the lack of confidence. 'A promise is as heavy as nine tripods.' Keeping promises is the traditional virtue of the Chinese, let alone those who shoulder the heavy responsibilities of running the state as well as the political party. Rather, our fear is about the system, that there will be the rule by man instead of the rule of law. This then is the main cause of the 'lack of confidence'.
Page 114 of 194
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
195
Page 114 of 194
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
194
4.
(a) Do you plan to emigrate personally before
1997?
Yes
No
(b) Do you plan to send your spouse/children to
reside abroad permanently before 1997? (c) Have you already sent your spouse/children to
reside abroad permanently?
Yes
No
Yes
5.
If you are not doing any of the above, is it due to:
(a) lack of financial means
and/or (b) ineligibility
and/or (c) others
(Please in the spaces provided, where applicable)
No
No
No√
CHAIRMAN (in English):---Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be 5 minutes recess 3.52 p.m. during which time Members may avail themselves of the use of the common room. The debate will continue after that.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the debate will now resume- 3.58 p.m.
(Dr. Denny HUANG and Mr. L. H. KWAN left after the recess.)
MR. EDMUND CHOW (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, as the Chairman of the District Relations Select Committee, I am working under the guidance of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council hand in glove with my colleagues on ways to strengthen the relationship and co-operation between the Urban Council and the District Boards. Although Dr. HUANG said just now certain points on our relationship with the District Boards, I am afraid I cannot comment on his remarks because I am the Chairman of the District Relations Select Committee. Due to the different standpoints and situations of U.C. and D.B., views are sometimes divergent, but this is quite inevitable. Nevertheless. we have a common objective, which is 'to better the living environment of Hong Kong'. Since we have common grounds as well as different interests, it will take more than good faith in each other's sincerity for our mission to be accomplished. We must also have mutual confidence in order that our common objective may be fulfilled. 'To maintain confidence' is therefore one of the most important decisive factors in achieving a common goal or any other ventures.
Today is the only opportunity in the whole year that matters outside the Council may be discussed in an open and aboveboard manner. So I would like to take this opportunity to speak on 'Hong Kong's future'.
In my view, there is no need to talk about sovereignty and administrative rights any more in connection with the subject of Hong Kong's future'.! believe that after so many rounds of talks, some solution would have already been found on these issues. Moreover, we should not doubt China's sincerity
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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195
in preserving the status quo of Hong Kong, in continuing the stability and prosperity of this territory, for the commitments have been announced in various ways, directly or indirectly. To sum up, these announcements are:
(a) The way of living will be unchanged.
(b) The policy of free economy and Hong Kong's status as a free port and financial centre (including the Hong Kong currency) will be unchanged. (c) The laws and the rule of law will be unchanged.
(d) The system of private ownership will be unchanged.
(e) Freedom of trade and international travel, flow of capital in and out of Hong Kong, and freedom of speech, publication, assembly and association will be unchanged.
(f) Systems of external trade and immigration control will be unchanged. Despite the many promises, a lot of which are presumed to be given by the Chinese leadership, some people in Hong Kong remain doubtful and sceptical. It is mainly due to the lack of confidence partly caused by the long period of political turbulences in China, and partly because the proposed political structure is unprecedented and in contrary to the political principles of China. Such 'lack of confidence' is understandable. Although the Chinese leadership have devoted their efforts to prevent the repetition of such tragedies, and examples of improvement are everywhere to be seen, people in Hong Kong still entertain apprehensions. it serves to prove that whether confidence can be maintained would affect economic prosperity to a considerable extent. Today, Hong Kong has leapt to the position of being the 3rd largest financial centre and the 4th largest gold market in the world. Leading banks and consortia all over the world have set up more than 1 000 branch offices here, not to mention the 1 356 branches operated by the 132 registered banking corporations of Chinese, British and local capital. Just deposits alone are as high as $170,000 million, out of which $70,000 million is in foreign currencies. Besides, Hong Kong is also the largest international securities market in the Far East. Listed companies totalling $200,000 million of market capitalization are conducting active business here everyday. In terms of value, the economy of Hong Kong is robust and one which we can be proud of. Is it worthwhile to let it be paralysed or destroyed simply by the matter of 'confidence”? Of course, ‘confidence' can best be secured by the manifestation of stable policies and effective measures carried out over a long period of time. However, in view of the present situation and public sentiment, one cannot help recalling the Chinese saying 'distant water cannot put out a fire close at hand'. I believe, we should not and would not think that Chinese leaders would go back on their words or fail to honour their commitments, thus, giving rise to the lack of confidence. 'A promise is as heavy as nine tripods.' Keeping promises is the traditional virtue of the Chinese, let alone those who shoulder the heavy responsibilities of running the state as well as the political party. Rather, our fear is about the system, that there will be the rule by man instead of the rule of law. This then is the main cause of the 'lack of confidence'.
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