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Lastly, I sincerely call on all in Hong Kong to be understanding and tolerant and, with better communication and less misunderstanding, make concerted efforts to build a better system of government for the promotion of stability, prosperity, and progress of Hong Kong, and also for contribution to the modernization of China.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in English): Council recess for about five minutes—3.55 p.m. after that the debate will resume.
CHAIRMAN (in English): The debate will now resume—4.05 p.m.
(Mr. Kenneth Lo, Mr. Lawrence FUNG, Dr. Philip Kwok and Mr. L. H. KWAN left after the recess.)
MRS. NELLIE FONG (in English): Mr. Chairman, the first point I would like to make on the Green Paper is that any political changes to be introduced between now and 1997 should be supported by the Chinese Government. I am saying this because I accept the fact that Hong Kong is to revert back to China in 1997, I would therefore like to see a political system established by the Britain Administrators between now and 1997 to be fully understood and supported by the Chinese, and that such system would likely continue beyond 1997. I see little meaning in introducing any political changes of any sort if they are only to be overturned by the Chinese Government when it takes over Hong Kong's sovereignty.
The next point I would like to make on the Green Paper is that on principle I support it but I feel that the proposed political changes are too quick. Hong Kong currently is in a period of turmoil. It has to face the problems of the 1997 issue, the hesitance of reinvestment by manufacturers and investors, the confidence of professionals, an increasing protectionism in international trade and so forth. What we therefore need now is stability. A stability in the existing government and a stability in government policies are actually what we want. With the worries and uncertainties that exist, to introduce new political changes is undesirable. I feel that the push for more rapid and drastic changes and the cry for direct election into LegCo and ExCo are only political ambitions of a minority and I do not see why we need to spend so much time and resources to satisfy the political ambitions of a small group. I would like to see the existing government spending more efforts in stabilizing the economy, in encouraging investments back to Hong Kong, in negotiating better trade agreements with other countries and to explore ways and means to assist industries to diversify so that Hong Kong can survive and prosper. In the past two years, Hong Kong had gone through a lot of political changes already. The District Boards were created, the Regional Council concept was introduced, none of the District Board members have sat through one term, and District Boards would have an elected chairman and a majority elected members on its second term etc. Now the Green Paper proposes a complete change in the constitution of the Legislative and the Executive Councils. I do not see these political changes giving any comfort or attraction to investors. I see this as a further deterrent to investors to have the comfort of enjoying the existing economic and business climate of Hong Kong. The ordinary people of Hong Kong must be more concerned about keeping his job than to care about who gets appointed or elected into LegCo. I do not support direct election into LegCo and what's more is that I would like to see any changes to be introduced to be gradual. What is more important today is for the government to turn its emphasis to more basic things and that is, how to keep Hong Kong prosperous.
Some people may say that we do not have much time left between now and 1997 and therefore the Government must push for political changes. My concern is if Hong Kong does not stride through these 3 to 5 years, there is no 1997 to worry about. If Hong Kong has no future, then 1997 is what? I strongly believe that the interest of China and the interest of the majority of Hong Kong people is to maintain prosperity and stability for the place. And on this score, I know I am right.
Thank you.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the Green Paper on Representative Government was formally published on 18 July, making recommendations on the 'Further Development of Representative Government'. It reflects that the government does feel the necessity to further reform and throw open the political system in such a way that power will be gradually handed back to the people of Hong Kong. The government's liberal-mindedness in openly collecting public views and implementing reforms is most appreciated and welcomed.
Although I fully endorse the three objectives laid down in the Green Paper, I find the recommendations therein too conservative and lacking in positiveness. Moreover, the details of many important points are not thoroughly clarified, making it very difficult for the public to form their opinions. Seen in this light, the government's attitude and sincerity in their recommendations for the development of representative government is doubtful.
We all agree that political reforms should not be too radical. When the government is gradually returning power to the people, not only the political stability and continuity must be maintained, it is also essential to maintain prosperity and stability of the society. However, it should not be as slow-paced as that proposed in the Green Paper. All that will be improved is the system of indirect election while direct election is regarded as some kind of great scourge which would bring disasters to the people.
Basing on the written and verbal opinions expressed in the last month or so, I agree that by 1988, at least one-fifth of the LegCo members should be elected. In
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Page 84 of 233
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Lastly, I sincerely call on all in Hong Kong to be understanding and tolerant and, with better communication and less misunderstanding, make concerted efforts to build a better system of government for the promotion of stability. prosperity, and progress of Hong Kong, and also for contribution to the
modernization of China.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in English):---Council recess for about five minutes-3.55 p.m. after that the debate will resume.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The debate will now resume-
4.05 p.m.
(Mr. Kenneth Lo, Mr. Lawrence FUNG, Dr. Philip Kwok and Mr. L. H. KWAN left after the recess.,
MRS. NELLIE FONG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the first point I would like to make on the Green Paper is that any political changes to be introduced between now and 1997 should be supported by the Chinese Government. I am saying this because I accept the fact that Hong Kong is to revert back to China in 1997, I would therefore like to see a political system established by the Britain Administrators between now and 1997 to be fully understood and supported by the Chinese, and that such system would likely continue beyond 1997. I see little meaning in introducing any political changes of any sort if they are only to be overturned by the Chinese Government when it takes over Hong Kong's sovereignty.
The next point I would like to make on the Green Paper is that on principal I support it but I feel that the proposed political changes are too quick. Hong Kong currently is in a period of turmoil. It has to face the problems of the 1997 issue, the hesitance of reinvestment by manufacturers and investors, the confidence of professionals, an increasing protectionism in international trade and so forth. What we therefore need now is stability. A stability in the existing government and a stability in government policies are actually what we want. With the worries and uncertainties that exist, to introduce new political changes is undesirable. I feel that the push for more rapid and drastic changes and the cry for direct election into LegCo and ExCo are only political ambitions of a minority and I do not see why we need to spend so much time and resources to satisfy the political ambitions of a small group. I would like to see the existing government spending more efforts in stabilizing the economy, in encouraging investments back to Hong Kong, in negotiating better trade agreements with other countries and to explore ways and means to assist industries to diversify so that Hong Kong can survive and prosper. In the past two years, Hong Kong had gone through a lot of political changes already. The District Boards were created, the Regional Council concept was introduced, none of the District Board members have sat through one term, and District Boards would have an elected chairman and a majority elected members on its second term etc. Now
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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the Green Paper proposes a complete change in the constitution of the Legislative and the Executive Councils. I do not see these political changes giving any comfort or attraction to investors. I see this as a further deterent to investors to have the comfort of enjoying the existing economic and business climate of Hong Kong. The ordinary people of Hong Kong must be more concerned about keeping his job than to care about who gets appointed or elected into LegCo. I do not support direct election into LegCo and what's more is that I would like to see any changes to be introduced to be gradual. What is more important today is for the government to turn its emphasis to more basic things and that is, how to keep Hong Kong prosperous.
Some people may say that we do not have much time left between now and 1997 and therefore the Government must push for political changes. My concern is if Hong Kong does not stride through these 3 to 5 years, there is no 1997 to worry about. If Hong Kong has no future, then 1997 is what? I strongly believe that the interest of China and the interest of the majority of Hong Kong people is to maintain prosperity and stability for the place. And on this score, I know I am right.
Thank you.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese); Mr. Chairman, the Green Paper on Representative Government was formally published on 18 July, making recommendations on the 'Further Development of Representative Govern- ment'. It reflects that the government does feel the necessity to further reform and throw open the political system in such a way that power will be gradually handed back to the people of Hong Kong. The government's liberal- mindedness in openly collecting public views and implementing reforms is most appreciated and welcomed.
Although I fully endorse the three objectives laid down in the Green Paper, I find the recommendations therein too conservative and lacking in positiveness. Moreover, the details of many important points are not thoroughly clarified, making it very difficult for the public to form their opinions. Seen in this light, the government's attitude and sincerity in their recommendations for the development of representative government is doubtful.
We all agree that political reforms should not be too radical. When the government is gradually returning power to the people, not only the political stability and continuity must be maintained, it is also essential to maintain prosperity and stability of the society. However, it should not be as slow-paced as that proposed in the Green Paper. All that will be improved is the system of indirect election while direct election is regarded as some kind of great scourges which would bring disasters to the people.
Basing on the written and verbal opinions expressed in the last month or so, I agree that by 1988, at least one-fifth of the LegCo members should be elected. In
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