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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(1) Direct and indirect election;

(2) The number of appointed and elected councillors and their adjustment;

and

(3) The powers of and the candidate for appointment as the Governor of

Hong Kong.

Direct and Indirect Election

Those in favour of direct election are of the opinion that direct election truly reflects the views of the people and represents a really free and democratic system of government. If the people of Hong Kong wish to enjoy a high degree of self-rule, they must strive to have 'Hong Kong governed by Hong Kong people'. For instance, Dr. Denny HUANG has suggested that the majority of the Legislative Councillors should come from direct election, for if the indirect election system continues, come 1997, the authorities in Beijing could easily replace the previously appointed members.

Those in favour of indirect election consider that any changes should be kept to the minimum. They think that Beijing's agreement to 'Hong Kong governed by Hong Kong people' depends solely on Hong Kong's outstanding economic achievements, not the fact that there are over 5 000 000 Chinese residents. Top priority should therefore be given to maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity.

To maintain Hong Kong's prosperity, there should be as little changes as possible so that there is a stable society where its people may live in peace, the entrepreneurs consider making re-investments and those engaged in the various professions who are in a position to emmigrate elsewhere continue to live here.

While they do not reject direct election, they counsel that it should not be held at an inappropriate time.

Appointed and Elected Councillors

As explained in the Green Paper, the retention of appointed councillors is to ensure continuity and stability.

In principle, the Green Paper proposes that the number of appointed councillors should be progressively reduced and the elected ones increased. The proposal is acceptable to the public.

Hong Kong today is in a special political situation. In the matter of political consciousness, more than half of the population are not yet ready for election, but in order to maintain the future confidence and prosperity of Hong Kong, sufficient representation must be accorded to those in the finance, economic, and other professional circles and in this respect, the appointment system will serve to remedy the shortcomings. As the silent majority is too large in Hong Kong, the elected councillors, whether by direct or indirect election, may tip towards a certain side in their thought and action and the appointed councillors will be able to fill and void. Also, those who are talented but do not belong to

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any functional groups with a large following or who do not belong to any organization nor offer themselves for election may be invited to give their services. Sometimes, in a constituency there may be more than one with good capability and they may also be appointed as councillors.

During the period when the number of elected seats are being progressively increased, government must speed up the political education of the population.

The Power of and the Candidate for Appointment as Governor

Before dwelling on the power of and the candidate for appointment as the Governor of Hong Kong, let us first of all look at the functions, powers and composition of the Legislative and Executive Councils.

The Legislative Council

By the system of representative government as proposed in the Green Paper it is hoped that the government will be more directly accountable to the people of Hong Kong and formulate its policies by consensus. In other words, it is heading for self-rule.

In paragraph 33 of the Green Paper, it is pointed out that 'no significant changes in the present functions of the Legislative Council are thought to be necessary' to which I also agree.

The Green Paper proposes that 6 Legislative Councillors will be elected by an electoral college in 1985. In my opinion, however, 10 would be a more appropriate number, i.e., 2 each from the Urban Council and the Regional Council, a total of 6 from the District Boards in the New Territories, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The 6 Councillors to be elected by functional groups could also be increased to 10 so that more people engaged in the various professions may participate in politics and thus boost the confidence of the investors.

The number of appointed and ex officio Legislative Councillors may be as proposed in the Green Paper. In this way, the total number of Legislative Councillors will be 56.

In 1988, it is proposed that 15 Councillors each be elected from the electoral college and the functional groups. Together with the 16 appointed and 10 ex officio Councillors, the total number is still 56.

Of the additional 3 Councillors to be elected by the electoral college, one each may come from the New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island.

There should be a review of the position in 1987 regarding the number and proportion of the various categories of Councillors. Consideration may also be given to whether the 3 additional Councillors to be elected by the electoral college in 1988 should instead be directly elected.