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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, since the publication of the draft agreement on 26 September, the people of Hong Kong have shown much concern over their future and vigorously reacted to the proposals. Some think that the agreement is a perfect one, unprecedented in history. It has taken into full consideration the interests of all people of Hong Kong. But some have viewed it as insufficient to clear away all the misgivings while others have no confidence in it at all, depending on their stands, concept, mentality, and their sense of identity with regard to Hong Kong and China.
So, before commenting on the Sino-British draft agreement, I think it is necessary for me to explain my own stand and views. First of all, we have to identify ourselves as Chinese as well as Hong Kong belongers, and to view the agreement from the standpoint of a Hong Kong Chinese. In other words, we should fight for the rights of the people of Hong Kong on the premise that we also support the return of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997. Secondly, we must face changes with a positive attitude. That is, in the course of constitutional changes, we should contribute our efforts to lay a foundation for future progress and prosperity.
Based on this stand, I would like to comment on the draft agreement and make some suggestions as follows:
(1) Some general comments
1.1 Though the people of Hong Kong have already some idea of the contents of the agreement beforehand, it is surprising that the provisions are so detailed.
1.2 Generally, the agreement embraces all the major issues which are of much concern to the people of Hong Kong. This shows that the Chinese and British governments have taken the views of the Hong Kong people into earnest consideration.
1.3 Basically the agreement approves of the existing economic and social systems, ways of life and the rule of law in Hong Kong. It envisages that Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre will be maintained, thus giving an assurance to the investors, especially those from overseas.
1.4 For some of the people, though the agreement shows them Hong Kong's future political, economic and social systems as well as the commitments of the Chinese and British governments, they are not fully convinced that all the arrangements and commitments will be implemented. Of course it should be pointed out to them that such worries are too pessimistic, but in view of some of their painful experience in China in the past and the backgrounds of many immigrants from the mainland, they should not be chided for their anxieties. A steady political development in China in the next few years together with a gradual liberalization of the social system and improvement of the living standard is the only way to relieve the people of their worries and to restore their confidence.
(2) Suggestions
2.1 On the administration system
The agreement provides that the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) shall be selected by election or through consultations held locally, that the legislature shall be constituted by elections, and that the executive authorities shall abide by the law and shall be accountable to the legislature. In comparison to the existing appointment system and the merely advisory role of the Executive and Legislative Councils, these changes are indeed progressive as well as desirable. To ensure a more effective implementation of the agreement, I would like to make the following suggestions:
Suggestion No. 1
Instead of selection by consultations, the chief executive should be selected by direct local elections if conditions permit, or if not, by indirect local elections.
Suggestion No. 2
If genuine self-administration with a high degree of autonomy as mentioned in the agreement is to be implemented after 1997, the development of representative government proposed by the government a few months ago is obviously too slow. The government therefore must speed up its pace of reforms, in respect of which I have given my proposals at the 4 September Urban Council debate.
2.2 On the Basic Law
The agreement provides that the laws of Hong Kong must not contravene the Basic Law, and that the legislature may enact laws under the Basic Law. In other words, the administration of Hong Kong after 1997 will be based on the Basic Law. It is therefore most important that the people of Hong Kong should take part in the drafting of the Basic Law in the next few years. Here are my suggestions:
Suggestion No. 3
The people of Hong Kong should be allowed to participate in the following:
(1) Direct participation (by some people in Hong Kong)——
Not less than 1/3 of the membership of the Basic Law Drafting Committee should be representatives from Hong Kong.
The Basic Law Advisory Board should be wholly composed of Hong Kong people——half by appointment and half by indirect election.
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193
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 116 of 233
Page 115 of 233
192
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, since the publication of the draft agreement on 26 September, the people of Hong Kong have shown much concern over their future and vigorously reacted to the proposals. Some think that the agreement is a perfect one, unprecedented in history. It has taken into full consideration the interests of all people of Hong Kong. But some has viewed it as insufficient to clear away all the misgivings while others have no confidence in it at all, depending on their stands, concept, mentality, and their sense of identity with regard to Hong Kong and China.
So, before commenting on the Sino-British draft agreement, I think it is necessary for me to explain my own stand and views. First of all,
we have to identify ourselves as Chinese as well as Hong Kong belongers, and to view the agreement from the standpoint of a Hong Kong Chinese. In other words, we should fight for the rights of the people of Hong Kong on the premise that we also support the return of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997. Secondly, we must face changes with a positive attitude. That is, in the course of constitutional changes, we should contribute our efforts to lay a foundation for future progress and prosperity.
Based on this stand, I would like to comment on the draft agreement and make some suggestions as follows:
(1) Some general comments
1.1 Though the people of Hong Kong have already some idea of the contents of the agreement beforehand, it is surprising that the provisions are so detailed.
1.2 Generally, the agreement embraces all the major issues which are of much concern to the people of Hong Kong. This shows that the Chinese and British governments have taken the views of the Hong Kong people into earnest consideration.
1.3 Basically the agreement approves of the existing economic and social systems, ways of life and the rule of law in Hong Kong. It envisages that Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre will be maintained, thus giving an assurance to the investors, especially those from overseas.
1.4 For some of the people, though the agreement shows them Hong Kong's future political, economic and social systems as well as the commitments of the Chinese and British governments, they are not fully convinced that all the arrangements and commitments will be implemented. Of course it should be pointed out to them that such worries are too pessimistic, but in view of some of their painful experience in China in the past and the backgrounds of many immigrants from the mainland, they should not be chided for their anxieties. A steady political development in China in the
!
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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193
next few years together with a gradual liberalization of the social system and improvement of the living standard is the only way to relieve the people of their worries and to restore their confidence.
(2) Suggestions
21. On the administration system
The agreement provides that the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) shall be selected by election or through consultations held locally, that the legislature shall be constituted by elections, and that the executive authorities shall abide by the law and shall be accountable to the legislature. In comparison to the existing appointment system and the merely advisory role of the Executive and Legislative Councils, these changes are indeed progressive as well as desirable. To ensure a more effective implementation of the agreement, I would like to make the following suggestions:
Suggestion No. 1
Instead of selection by consultations, the chief executive should be selected by direct local elections if conditions permit, or if not, by indirect local elections.
Suggestion No. 2
If genuine self-administration with a high degree of autonomy as mentioned in the agreement is to be implemented after 1997, the development of representative government proposed by the government a few months ago is obviously too slow. The government therefore must speed up its pace of reforms, in respect of which I have given my proposals at the 4 September Urban Council debate.
2.2 On the Basic Law
The agreement provides that the laws of Hong Kong must not contravene the Basic Law, and that the legislature may enact laws under the Basic Law. In other words, the administration of Hong Kong after 1997 will be based on the Basic Law. It is therefore most important that the people of Hong Kong should take part in the drafting of the Basic Law in the next few years. Here are my suggestions:
Suggestion No. 3
The people of Hong Kong should be allowed to participate in the following:
(1) Direct participation (by some people in Hong Kong)—–
Not less than 1/3 of the membership of the Basic Law Drafting Committee should be representatives from Hong Kong.
The Basic Law Advisory Board should be wholely composed of Hong Kong people--half by appointment and half by indirect election.
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