154
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I would like to salute both the Chinese and British delegations in the negotiation. Over the last two years they have had 22 formal sessions and numerous working group meetings as well as informal contacts before reaching an agreement on an unprecedented peaceful transfer of a colonial government. The agreement enables a respectable retreat for the British from a colony and a peaceful, honorable return to China of a lost territory without resorting to military force.
There is no doubt of the sincerity of both the Chinese and British Governments and it is now up to the people of Hong Kong to achieve a successful self-rule.
Just as the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. ZHAO Ziyang has said, for the unification and the four modernizations of the country, there is no reason for China not to implement the agreement. In the same vein, both Mr. DENG Xiaoping and the Foreign Minister, Mr. Wu Xueqian, have also openly reiterated China's resolution to put the concept of 'one country, two systems' into practice. As a major power with one billion population, and with very high international prestige, there is indeed no reason for China to act against the good faith of her people and of the world.
By making proper arrangements for the people of Hong Kong, Britain is fulfilling her moral responsibility towards Hong Kong, and at the same time relieving her own worries of facing immigration demands by the people of Hong Kong. From a long-term point of view, the agreement has laid a sound foundation for co-operation in global strategy as well as the promotion of trade between China and Britain under the spirit of very warm relations. Britain too has every reason to faithfully implement the agreement.
As over 90% of the population are neither willing nor able to emigrate, we should not only take the 'high degree of autonomy' as a challenge, but also look upon it as a chance to create a brighter future for ourselves. Even for the 'elites' who are well qualified and planning for emigration, can they find a better place elsewhere where they can make better use of their talents? It is therefore in their long-term interest to stay in Hong Kong where they were born and brought up. If we only complain all the time and do not make up our mind for fear of one thing or another, we are not only doing ourselves a disservice, but will also fall short of China's expectations of us.
Unity is strength. We should now all unite together, irrespective of political hues.
Over the century, the people of Hong Kong have been living under the yoke of colonial rule. We shall now stand up by ourselves. Apart from making a living, we also have to administer the territory with several million population all by ourselves. It is certainly no easy task. We have to take the interests of the whole community into consideration, and to discard any preconceived ideas
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 96 of 233
155
against one another, so as to overcome any difficulties and to turn Hong Kong into a better place for the happiness of ourselves and the generations to come. It is heard recently that the Hong Kong alumni associations of post-secondary colleges in Taiwan are making preparations to stand for elections in the various councils and to participate in local politics. This is surely a good start.
We must win success in Hong Kong's self-administration as we cannot afford failure. Let us support one another and work together.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, first of all, I wish to put on record that I support the motion before Council wholeheartedly.
Together with some other colleagues, including Mr. Chairman yourself, I have attended the briefing of Chairman DENG Xiaoping on the 3 October 1984, in the People's Great Hall which is extremely illuminating.
We have been assured that the policy as laid down in the Joint Declaration will not be changed.
I am confident that the Joint Declaration will be signed at the end of the year and become operative on the 1 July 1997. The Land Commission will then be established immediately as stated in paragraph 7 of Annex III in the Joint Declaration. There will be a lot of work for this Council.
When new land are to be granted under paragraph 3 or to the Hong Kong Housing Authority, we should be granted land for recreation (active or passive) purpose which has been the usual practice.
In case we find ourselves short of cash in developing the land so granted, we should apply for money under paragraph 7(d) of the said Annex III.
Let us look forward to working closely with the Land Commission.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I support the draft agreement on the future of Hong Kong. However, after a careful study, I could find little mention of the Urban Council in the entire White Paper, including the memoranda and the explanatory notes. The Urban Council is part of the government framework. It is very close to the people and carries out government functions. If there is no mention of it in the draft agreement, provisions should be made for it in the Basic Law.
If Hong Kong is to be called a Special City in future, the chief executive should be called 'mayor' instead of 'governor' (the coastal special regions such as Shenzhen all have a mayor now).
As for the Urban Councillors, what role will they play in future? Will they be replaced by the District Board members? The Urban Council is the first government organ to have elected members, and its contributions to Hong Kong are plain to all. The numerous Urban Council facilities have played a
154
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I would like to salute both the Chinese and British delegations in the negotiation. Over the last two years they have had 22 formal sessions and numerous working group meetings as well as informal contacts before reaching an agreement on an unprecedented peaceful transfer of a colonial government. The agreement enables a respectable retreat for the British from a colony and a peaceful, honorable return to China of a lost territory without resorting to military force.
There is no doubt of the sincerity of both the Chinese and British Governments and it is now up to the people of Hong Kong to achieve a
successful self-rule.
Just as the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. ZHAO Ziyang has said, for the unification and the four moderizations of the country, there is no reason for China not to implement the agreement. In the same vein, both Mr. DENG Xiaoping and the Foreign Minister, Mr. Wu Xueqion, have also openly reiterated China's resolution to put the concept of 'one country, two systems' into practice. As a major power with one billion population, and with very high international prestige, there is indeed no reason for China to act against the good faith of her people and of the world.
By making proper arrangements for the people of Hong Kong, Britain is fulfilling her moral responsibility towards Hong Kong, and at the same time relieving her own worries of facing immigration demands by the people of Hong Kong. From a long-term point of view, the agreement has laid a sound foundation for co-operation in global strategy as well as the promotion of trade between China and Britain under the spirit of very warm relations. Britain too has every reason to faithfully implement the agreement.
As over 90% of the population are neither willing nor able to emigrate, we should not only take the 'high degree of autonomy' as a challenge, but also look upon it as a chance to create a brighter future for ourselves. Even for the 'elites' who are well qualified and planning for emigration, can they find a better place elsewhere where they can make better use of their talents? It is therefore in their long-term interest to stay in Hong Kong where they were born and brought up. If we only complain all the time and do not make up our mind for fear of one thing or another, we are not only doing ourselves a disservice, but will also fall short of China's expectations of us.
Unity is strength. We should new all unite together, irrespective of political
hues.
Over the century, the people of Hong Kong have been living under the yoke of colonial rule. We shall now stand up by ourselves. Apart from making a living, we also have to administer the territory with several million population all by ourselves. It is certainly no easy task. We have to take the interests of the whole community into consideration, and to discard any preconceived ideas
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 96 of 233
155
against one another, so as to overcome any difficulties and to turn Hong Kong into a better place for the happiness of ourselves and the generations to come. It is heard recently that the Hong Kong alumni associations of post-secondary colleges in Taiwan are making preparations to stand for elections in the various councils and to participate in local politics. This is surely a good start.
We must win success in Hong Kong's self-administration as we cannot afford failure. Let us support one another and work together.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, first of all, I wish to put on record that I support the motion before Council wholeheartedly.
Together with some other colleagues, including Mr. Chairman yourself, I have attended the briefing of Chairman DENG Xiaoping on the 3 October 1984, in the People's Great Hall which is extremely illuminating.
We have been assured that the policy as laid down in the Joint Declaration will not be changed.
I am confident that the Joint Declaration will be signed at the end of the year and become operative on the 1 July 1985. The Land Commission will then be established immediately as stated in paragraph 7 of Annex III in the Joint Declaration. There will be a lot of work for this Council.
When new land are to be granted under paragraph 3 or to the Hong Kong Housing Authority, we should be granted land for recreation (active or passive) purpose which has been the usual practice.
In case we find ourselves short of cash in developing the land so granted, we should apply for money under paragraph 7(d) of the said Annex III.
Let us look forward to working closely with the Land Commission.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I support the draft agreement on the future of Hong Kong. However, after a careful study, I could find little mention of the Urban Council in the entire White Paper, including the memoranda and the explanatory notes. The Urban Council is part of the government framework. It is very close to the people and carries out government functions. If there is no mention of it in the draft agreement, provisions should be made for it in the Basic Law.
If Hong Kong is to be called a Special City in future, the chief executive should be called 'mayor' instead of 'governor' (the coastal special regions such as Shenzhen all have a mayor now).
As for the Urban Councillors, what role will they play in future? Will they be replaced by the District Board members? The Urban Council is the first government organ to have elected members, and its contributions to Hong Kong are plain to all. The numerous Urban Council facilities have played a
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.