Page 93 of 233
148
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This Agreement provides that the British Government shall be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997.
After that, Hong Kong will become a Special Administrative Region under Chinese sovereignty with a high degree of local autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs.
Furthermore, under the Agreement, Hong Kong's unique social, economic, legal and other systems will continue for 50 years after 1997.
This is in accordance with the far-sighted proposal of China's leaders for a 'one country, two systems' arrangement between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Under such an arrangement, Hong Kong's capitalist system will be able to co-exist—and even be compatible with China's evolving and unique form of Socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Such compatibility should be all the more evident as and when China realizes its output target—as reiterated by Mr. DENG Xiaoping a few days ago—of quadrupling by the year 2000 the annual gross value of China's industrial and agricultural output of 1980.
Rising living standards in China should increase the compatibility of the two systems by the end of the century, assuming of course that Hong Kong's living standards continue to rise, especially for the lower income groups.
The Agreement states that the basic rights and freedoms of people living in Hong Kong in the future Special Administrative Region will be protected according to law. Also, the provisions of the International Covenants of Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as they apply to Hong Kong, will continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Joint Declaration and Annexes call for an elected legislature, with the executive authorities' having to ‘abide by the law' and to be ‘accountable to the legislature'.
Very soon, the Government will be publishing a White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong which subject has already been debated in this Council.
Many of the views expressed so far favour having a number of directly elected seats to the Legislative Council by 1988.
For consideration by Government, I lay on the table a time-table which proposes a stepping-up of the pace of change in the direction of an elected legislature, comprising both indirectly elected and directly elected elements, between now and 1991.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 93 of 233
149
As to the Basic Law (or Constitution) for the future Special Administrative Region which will come into force in 1997, there is a body of opinion favouring the drafting to be completed by 1990–1991.
I am sure that various sections of the Hong Kong community will in due course be presenting their views on the subject to the Chinese Government. The Agreement as a whole, because of its attention to vital detail, should strengthen confidence in Hong Kong's future among 90% of Hong Kong's 5.5 million population whose only home is Hong Kong and who have nowhere else to go.
The Agreement should undoubtedly encourage more overseas investments in Hong Kong both before and after 1997. But it is essential that Hong Kong people must themselves have confidence and faith, and be prepared to re-invest in Hong Kong as well.
The ratification of the Agreement will enable the people of Hong Kong in the years to come to play an important role in promoting China's modernization programme, and in maintaining Hong Kong's own political stability and economic prosperity.
As the Governor said when he introduced the draft Agreement at the Legislative Council meeting on 26 September 1984:
'It constitutes a blueprint for a new stage in Hong Kong's development.' It will be up to the people of Hong Kong themselves to work hard at making the Agreement work for the benefit and future of Hong Kong people well into the 21st century.
We now have every reason to look forward to the future of Hong Kong and of China—with realism, courage, confidence and optimism.
May I in moving this Motion commend the Joint Declaration and its Annexes to all members of this Council and to the community at large.
LEGCO
Elected by electoral college:
Appendix I
1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 UrbCo by UrbCo members 2 2 2* RegCo—by RegCo members (plus one more in 1986) 1 2* 4 3 HK Island DBS 3 3 Kowloon East DBs 4 Kowloon West DBS 2 3 5 New Territories East DBS New Territories West DBS 2 -2 2 -2 2 2 3 3 1 *+m+5n 3 4 3 3 4 2 3 5Page 93 of 233
Page 93 of 233
148
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This Agreement provides that the British Government shall be responsible
for the administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997.
After that, Hong Kong will become a Special Administrative Region under Chinese sovereignty with a high degree of local autonomy, except in foreign and
defence affairs.
Furthermore, under the Agreement, Hong Kong's unique social, economic, legal and other systems will continue for 50 years after 1997.
This is in accordance with the far-sighted proposal of China's leaders for a 'one country, two systems' arrangement between Hong Kong and mainland
China.
Under such an arrangement, Hong Kong's capitalist system will be able to co-exist-and even be compatible with China's evolving and unique form of Socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Such compatibility should be all the more evident as and when China realizes its output target-as reiterated by Mr. DENG Xiaoping a few days ago---of quadrupling by the year 2000 the annual gross value of China's industrial and agricultural output of 1980.
Rising living standards in China should increase the compatibility of the two systems by the end of the century, assuming of course that Hong Kong's living standards continue to rise, especially for the lower income groups.
The Agreement states that the basic rights and freedoms of people living in Hong Kong in the future Special Administrative Region will be protected according to law. Also, the provisions of the International Convenants of Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as they apply to Hong Kong, will continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Joint Declaration and Annexes call for an elected legislature, with the *executive authorities' having to ‘abide by the law' and to be ‘accountable to the legislature'.
Very soon, the Government will be publishing a White Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong which subject has already been debated in this Council.
Many of the views expressed so far favour having a number of directly elected seats to the Legislative Council by 1988.
For consideration by Government, I lay on the table a time-table which proposes a stepping-up of the pace of change in the direction of an elected legislature, comprising both indirectly elected and directly elected elements, between now and 1991.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 93 of 233
149
As to the Basic Law (or Constitution) for the future Special Administrative Region which will come into force in 1997, there is a body of opinion favouring the drafting to be completed by 1990–1991.
I am sure that various sections of the Hong Kong community will in due course be presenting their views on the subject to the Chinese Government. The Agreement as a whole, because of its attention to vital detail, should strengthen confidence in Hong Kong's future among 90% of Hong Kong's 5.5 million population whose only home is Hong Kong and who have nowhere else
to go.
The Agreement should undoubtedly encourage more overseas investments in Hong Kong both before and after 1997. But it is essential that Hong Kong people must themselves have confidence and faith, and be prepared to re-invest in Hong Kong as well.
The ratification of the Agreement will enable the people of Hong Kong in the years to come to play an important role in promoting China's modernization programme, and in maintaining Hong Kong's own political stability and economic prosperity.
As the Governor said when he introduced the draft Agreement at the Legislative Council meeting on 26 September 1984,:
'It constitutes a blueprint for a new stage in Hong Kong's development.' It will be up to the people of Hong Kong themselves to work hard at making the Agreement work for the benefit and future of Hong Kong people well into the 21st century.
We now have every reason to look forward to the future of Hong Kong and of China-with realism, courage, confidence and optimism.
May I in moving this Motion commend the Joint Declaration and its Annexes to all members of this Council and to the community at large.
LEGCO
Elected by electoral college:
Appendix I
1985 1988 1991 1994 1997
UrbCo by UrbCo members
2
2 2*
RegCo-by RegCo members (plus one
more in 1986)
1
2*
4
3
HK Island DBS
Kowloon East DBs
Kowloon West DBS
New Territories East DBS
New Territories West DBS
243co co co
-222-2
1
*+m+5n
3 3
3 4
2 3 5
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