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determine whether they will use their vote properly, thus affecting the interests of the whole society. As voters in Hong Kong do not have enough political knowledge and interest, and lack rational, fundamental judgement, many of them may cast their votes blindly, emotionally and irrationally. It is therefore imperative that we should introduce ‘civic and political education', regarding which I have the following suggestions: (a) To set up a 'Civic Education Authority' to coordinate the introduction of civic and political education which should include 'social education' and ‘election education'.
(b) To arrange for the 'Extramural Department' of the two universities to set up 'Civic and Political Education for Adults' courses for those who are eighteen or above. These courses would teach participants basic political knowledge so that they could have a good understanding of the political and election systems, and help them develop their ability to analyse and judge.
(c) To introduce civic education in all schools. The current 'Social Studies' in primary and 'Economic and Public Affairs' studies in secondary schools should be revised to become 'Civic Affairs studies, so that pupils can have a correct understanding of matters such as civic rights, civic responsibilities and obligations, structure and working of government and the judicial system. They should be guided to become more concerned about current affairs, and to participate more in social services.
(d) Political bodies to organize ‘Civic and Political Education' courses for their members.
Finally, let me emphasize that we should now try our best to safeguard democracy while ensuring that it is not made use of and that people are not misled. For the sake of prosperity and stability, we must unmask those who seek to pass off as able politicians and see through their lies. We must dismantle the false banners of careerists!
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN arrived at this point—3.33 p.m.)
MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the Hong Kong Government published in July 1984 a Green Paper on Representative Government. The main aims of the proposals in the Green Paper deal with how to develop a central institution which is firmly rooted in Hong Kong and able to represent authoritatively the views of the people of Hong Kong as well as to preserve, as far as possible, the best features of the present system.
The backgrounds of and main reasons for such political reforms are that by the year 1997, China will regain sovereignty of Hong Kong and the British Government intends to establish beforehand a government in Hong Kong which is directly accountable to its people.
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The idea should conform to the conception of 'Hong Kong governed by Hong Kong people' as expressed time and again by the Chinese Government.
Undoubtedly the future system of government in Hong Kong would have to be reshaped in accordance with popular demand and the realities of the situation, but we must not lose sight of two conditions without which Hong Kong would be plunged into great difficulties.
The two conditions are:
(1) That stability and prosperity be maintained in the coming 13 years; and (2) That there be a smooth transfer of authority in 1997.
The Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. LEE Kuan-yew, has recently pointed out that we should not blindly copy the West. The policies adopted by Singapore accord more precedence to economic development than democratic ideals whereas in some South East Asian countries, the governments give top priority to democracy and thus suffer a lower administrative efficiency and slower economic progress.
When we formulate proposals for political reforms, we must take these conditions into consideration and in scheduling the implementation of the reforms, due weight should be given to both democratic ideals and the factors of stability and prosperity.
At the same time, we should also pay attention to the degree of acceptability by China of the system of government adopted today.
From the words spoken by Mr. DENG Xiaoping to the Hong Kong industrial and commercial delegations to China, we may have some idea of the future system of government for Hong Kong as contemplated by China.
Mr. DENG has said, 'Hong Kong is to be governed by Hong Kong people. Who are the 'Hong Kong people'? They are the Chinese patriots living in Hong Kong.' 'They are those who love their mother country and Hong Kong and would not do anything to harm the latter's prosperity and stability.'
According to Mr. DENG, China desires a prosperous and stable Hong Kong in 1997. He even emphasizes that everything in Hong Kong would remain the same. Hence the idea of 'one country, two systems'.
These points would serve as the basic principles of my comments on the Green Paper on Representative Government. And coupled with how the transfer of authority may be effected smoothly and satisfactorily by the United Kingdom, they would form the basis of whether the political reforms in Hong Kong are successful or not.
Generally the issues in the Green Paper which have attracted the hottest debate and most attention are as follows:
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determine whether they will use their vote properly, thus affecting the interests of the whole society. As voters in Hong Kong do not have enough political knowledge and interest, and lack rational, fundamental judgement, many of them may cast their votes blindly, emotionally and irrationally. It is therefore imperative that we should introduce ‘civic and political education', regarding which I have the following sugestions: (a) To set up a 'Civic Education Authority' to coordinate the introduction of civic and political education which should include 'social education' and ‘election education'.
(b) To arrange for the 'Extramural Department' of the two universities to set up 'Civic and Political Education for Adults' courses for those who are eighteen or above. These courses would teach participants basic political knowledge so that they could have a good under- standing of the political and election systems, and help them develop their ability to analyse and judge.
(c) To introduce civic education in all schools. The current 'Social Studies' in primary and 'Economic and Public Affairs' studies in secondary schools should be revised to become 'Civic Affairs studies, so that pupils can have a correct understanding of matters such as civic rights, civic responsibilities and obligations, structure and working of government and the judicial system. They should be guided to become more concerned about current affairs, and to participate more in social services.
(d) Political bodies to organize ‘Civic and Political Education' courses
for their members.
Finally, let me emphasize that we should now try our best to safeguard democracy while ensuring that it is not made use of and that people are not misled. For the sake of prosperity and stability, we must unmask those who seek to pass off as able politicians and see through their lies. We must dismantle the false banners of careerists!
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN arrived at this point-3.33 p.m.)
MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the Hong Kong Government published in Juy 1984 a Green Paper on Representative Government. The main aims of the proposals in the Green Paper deal with how to develop a central instituion which is firmly rooted in Hong Kong and able to represent authoritatively the views of the people of Hong Kong as well as to preserve, as far as possible, the best features of the present system.
The backgrounds of and main reasons for such political reforms are that by the year 1997, China will regain sovereignty of Hong Kong and the British Government intends to establish before-hand a government in Hong Kong which is directly accountable to its people.
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Page 60 of 233
85
The idea should conform to the conception of 'Hong Kong governed by Hong Kong people' as expressed time and again by the Chinese Government.
Undoubtedly the future system of government in Hong Kong would have to be reshaped in accordance with popular demand and the realities of the situation, but we must not lose sight of two conditions without which Hong Kong would be plunged into great difficulties.
The two conditions are:
(1) That stability and prosperity be maintained in the coming 13 years; and (2) That there be a smooth transfer of authority in 1997.
The Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. LEE Kuan-yew, has recently pointed out that we should not blindly copy the West. The policies adopted by Singapore accord more precedence to economic development than democratic ideals whereas in some South East Asian countries, the governments give top priority to democracy and thus suffer a lower administrative efficiency and slower economic progress.
When we formulate proposals for political reforms, we must take these conditions into consideration and in scheduling the implementation of the reforms, due weight should be given to both democratic ideals and the factors of stability and prosperity.
At the same time, we should also pay attention to the degree of acceptability by China of the system of government adopted today.
From the words spoken by Mr. DENG Xiaoping to the Hong Kong industrial and commercial delegations to China, we may have some idea of the future system of government for Hong Kong as contemplated by China.
Mr. DENG has said, 'Hong Kong is to be governed by Hong Kong people. Who are the 'Hong Kong people'? They are the Chinese patriots living in Hong Kong.' 'They are those who love their mother country and Hong Kong and would not do anything to harm the latter's prosperity and stability.'
According to Mr. DENG, China desires a prosperous and stable Hong Kong in 1997. He even emphasizes that everything in Hong Kong would remain the same. Hence the idea of 'one country, two systems'.
These points would serve as the basic principles of my comments on the Green Paper on Representative Government. And coupled with how the transfer of authority may be effected smoothly and satisfactorily by the United Kingdom, they would form the basis of whether the political reforms in Hong Kong are successful or not.
Generally the issues in the Green Paper which have attracted the hottest debate and most attention are as follows:
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