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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As the Secretary for District Administration said recently, the changes will have to be compatible with China's evolving political structure and system.
They will have to be in the best interests of Hong Kong people, particularly regards promoting the prosperity and stability of the territory.
They should also safeguard our present living standards and present systems, and give our people a high degree of autonomy in governing Hong Kong. In fact, by 1997 Hong Kong should become a self-governing region under the sovereignty of China.
I would like to see the future Hong Kong Special Administration Region able to elect its own Governor by the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly, whatever will be the name at that time.
A system of ministerial responsibility should be introduced in Hong Kong at an early date. In practice, this system would have some similarity to the specialized responsibilities assigned to Vice Mayors in the larger cities, such as Peking and Shanghai. There might also be some similarity between the role of our District Boards and District Board Chairmen and that of District Assemblies and District Heads in the major Chinese cities.
So long as we continue to build on our existing systems in Hong Kong, the Civil Service should remain and not be actively involved in any party politics.
Whatever local political groups are formed to govern Hong Kong, they should have compatibility under the 'One country, two systems' principle. We should aim for consultation, consensus and effective leadership in the governing of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people.
The sense of pragmatism, that is sweeping China today should lead to greater understanding between people living in the major Chinese cities and the people of Hong Kong.
Such understanding and co-operation need to be cultivated so that Hong Kong with its many resources can more fully participate in China's Four Modernizations and Open Door Policy.
In the final analysis, it is up to Hong Kong people themselves to have the courage, dignity and confidence--with the support of Britain and the people in Mainland China--to make Hong Kong into a truly international city of prosperity, culture and social progress.
The challenges are formidable but the rewards are immense and far-reaching, both for the people living in Mainland China and for the people of Hong Kong.
I so move.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, seconded (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the Green Paper recommends the most important constitutional changes in the history of Hong Kong. If it were not overshadowed by the 1997 issue, it would have been hailed as a dramatic alteration of course by the Administration.
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There is little to gain by moaning 'too little, too late'. The favourite comment by visiting MP's, who may have read the Green Paper, but I doubt if any of them have sufficient knowledge of the Hong Kong background to appreciate the reasoning and timing behind the recommendations.
I arrived in Hong Kong in December 1945, some 39 years ago. Apart from one year in China, I have lived and worked here since that day. Before many of you sitting in this Chamber were born, never mind taking an interest in local affairs. My family were all born here and are making a living in Hong Kong. I have three grandchildren and my own home here. I believe it is timely to restate one's personal credentials, if for no other reason than to establish direct continuing interest in this territory. I believe I have made some contribution, having worked for 32 years in one of the leading commercial organizations, and 19 years in this Council.
Hong Kong's dynamic growth is taken for granted. It was not always so, and there have been many tough and frustrating periods in our post-war history. Economic, political and natural storms have been weathered by the united effort of all concerned.
The most vital contribution to our continued progress along the way has been an intelligent and enlightened administration. It has, for a number of historical reasons, been able to concentrate on the job in hand without the political distractions of other territories. At the same time, keep well in touch, by using the system of general consensus in an effective manner.
I firmly believe in the judicious use of the appointed system and that the system has served Hong Kong well. However, I agree the time is ripe for change and for an extension of elected membership to other Councils. By and large, the recommendations in the Green Paper point to an appealing middle road between the present and the future. If adopted, they would continue to make good use of talented and experienced business and professional executives, who would be willing to serve when called upon, but who do not necessarily feel like joining the hustings of an election. There is ample time between 1985 and 1988 to make changes to the system and its timetable.
The idea of 'functional constituencies' to form one electoral college seems innovative, but the make-up of the group has been left vague and does require clarification.
In Paragraph 17, the Green Paper states that the Urban Council is now considering its form and composition in light of other changes. The recommendation of our own working party, to increase the present number of 30 Councillors to 40, by inviting each District Board to nominate one member
Page 52 of 233
Page 52 of 233
68
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As the Secretary for District Administration said recently, the changes will have to be compatible with China's evolving political structure and system.
They will have to be in the best interests of Hong Kong people, particularly regards promoting the prosperity and stability of the territory.
as
They should also safeguard our present living standards and present systems, and give our people a high degree of autonomy in governing Hong Kong. In fact, by 1997 Hong Kong should become a self-governing region under the sovereignty of China.
I would like to see the future Hong Kong Special Administration Region able to elect its own Governor by the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly,
whatever will be the name at that time.
A system of ministerial responsibility should be introduced in Hong Kong at an early date. In practice, this system would have some similarity to the specialized responsibilities assigned to Vice Mayors in the larger cities, such as Peking and Shanghai. There might also be some similarity between the role of our District Boards and District Board Chairmen and that of District Assemblies and District Heads in the major Chinese cities.
So long as we continue to build on our existing systems in Hong Kong, the Civil Service should remain and not be actively involved in any party politics.
Whatever local political groups are formed to govern Hong Kong, they should have compatibility under the 'One country, two systems' principle. We should aim for consultation, consensus and effective leadership in the governing of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people.
The sense of pragmatism (*), that is sweeping China today should lead to greater understanding between people living in the major Chinese cities and the people of Hong Kong.
Such understanding and co-operation need to be cultivated so that Hong Kong with its many resources can more fully participate in China's Four Modernizations and Open Door Policy.
In the final analysis, it is up to Hong Kong people themselves to have the courage, dignity and confidence--with the support of Britain and the people in Mainland China-to make Hong Kong into a truly international city of prosperity, culture and social progress.
The challenges are formidable but the rewards are immense and far-reaching, both for the people living in Mainland China and for the people of Hong Kong.
I so move.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, seconded (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the Green Paper recommends the most important
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 52 of 233
69
constitutional changes in the history of Hong Kong. If it were not over- shadowed by the 1997 issue, it would have been hailed as a dramatic alteration of course by the Administration.
There is little to gain by moaning 'too' little 'too' late. The favourite comment by visiting MP's, who may have read the Green Paper, but I doubt if any of them have sufficient knowledge of the Hong Kong background to appreciate the reasoning and timing behind the recommendations.
I arrived in Hong Kong in December 1945, some 39 years ago. Apart from one year in China, I have lived and worked here since that day. Before many of you sitting in this Chamber were born, never mind taking an interest in local affairs. My family were all born here and are making a living in Hong Kong. I have three grandchildren and my own home here. I believe it is timely to restate one's personal credentials, if for no other reason than to establish direct continuing interest in this territory. I believe I have made some contribution, having worked for 32 years in one of the leading commercial organizations, and 19 years in this Council.
Hong Kong's dynamic growth is taken for granted. It was not always so, and there have been many tough and frustrating periods in our post war histoy. Economic, political and natural storms have been weathered by the united effort of all concerned.
The most vital contribution to our continued progress along the way has been an intelligent and enlightened administration. It has, for a number of historical reasons, been able to concentrate on the job in hand without the political distractions of other territories. At the same time, keep well in touch, by using the system of general consensus in an effective manner.
I firmly believe in the judicious use of the appointed system and that the system has served Hong Kong well. However, I agree the time is ripe for change and for an extension of elected membership to other Councils. By and large, the recommendations in the Green Paper point to an appealing middle road between the present and the future. If adopted, they would continue to make good use of talented and experienced business and professional executives, who would be willing to serve when called upon, but who do not necessarily feel like joining the hustings of an election. There is ample time between 1985 and 1988 to make changes to the system and its timetable.
The idea of 'functional constituencies' to form one electoral college seems innovative, but the make up of the group has been left vague and does require clarification.
In Paragraph 17, the Green Paper states that the Urban Council is now considering its form and composition in light of other changes. The recommendation of our own working party, to increase the present number of 30 Councillors to 40, by inviting each District Board to nominate one member
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