HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
with the only difference being that neither the Governor nor the legislature is being elected. But the Cabinet (or Executive Council) is being appointed by the chief executive, namely the Governor, though such appointments are announced in the name of the Queen.
Under the forthcoming administrative changes, the first elective element will soon be introduced in the legislature and given some power to check the work of the senior executives of the Government. This will probably be followed by the legislature being consulted on the appointment of some senior executives or even members of the Cabinet, whether you call it Executive Council or something else.
However, today some people want to define representative government as parliamentary system of government, yet I am forced to ask must it be so defined?
My own definition is that people should elect their representatives to participate in governmental affairs. If we look more closely at the Sino-British Joint Declaration, nothing like a parliamentary system was being contemplated. It provides a CHIEF EXECUTIVE with power to appoint senior officials of the Government; it provides an elected legislature to which the CHIEF EXECUTIVE will be responsible.
In conclusion, I urge that Hong Kong not be automatically harnessed with the suggested ministerial form of Government and that instead a painstaking examination be made of other systems which may be far better suited to our needs. Perhaps even an adaptation of the Presidential might prove better in the long run.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this is my 15th year to speak at the annual conventional debate, and like my colleagues who are dedicated to serving the public, I do treasure the opportunity, a year after the signing of the Joint Declaration of the Chinese and British governments, to air my opinion.
First of all, I consider that before the drafting of the Basic Law, the Urban Council should make known its views, define its powers and duties and strive to better serve the public. All along, the Council follows the practice of the Sanitary Board and pays attention to the provision of cultural, entertainment and recreational activities, the cleaning of Hong Kong (for which we are held in high reputation internationally), the building of sports complexes and the Space Museum, the development of rest areas, the promotion of recreation, cultural entertainment and sports and the organization of arts festivals, district festivals, and the Asian Arts Festival etc. for the enjoyment of the public. We also receive complaints from the public and act as an ombudsman, and have contributed much in the bridging of understanding between government and the people. As stated in the Annual Report, our work is rarely mentioned by others and our achievement, little publicized. We are not being boastful, but from the fact that
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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many who emigrated 3 years ago are now coming back, Hong Kong is no doubt the best place in which to live, and the contribution of the Urban Council, with a history of 102 years, to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong cannot be denied. As Councillors, the future of Hong Kong rests on our shoulders and we must work hard to live up to our great responsibilities. The newly established Regional Council is a challenge to us and it behoves us to set a good example as an elder brother, to help guide Hong Kong to a great future. There is also a minor point. Hong Kong is doing very well in tourism, earning foreign currencies to balance its payments. There is potential for the Urban Council to make contribution towards tourism. A minor industry may become a major one.
We must change our style of ‘rarely mentioning our work nor publicizing our achievements'. We should compile a detailed report of all our achievements and submit it to the Basic Law Drafting Committee for reference when they go about defining the powers and duties of the Urban Council. We must demand fair treatment and strive to expand the functions of the Council so that we may serve the public even better and that Hong Kong will continue to enjoy stability, prosperity, and a high international reputation. We must first change our image as a Sanitary Board. The Urban Council should come under the Executive Council to which it should be directly responsible in the administration of urban services. A working party should be set up to study the details and amend the Council's terms of reference and spheres of work etc. In this way, the Urban Council will be able to create its new image in the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the only council responsible for providing urban services for the public. The Urban Council will have a bright future and become an essential part of the Special Region. All of us in the Council will redouble our efforts and confidence to welcome the new era of 1997 and to enjoy with all in Hong Kong the prosperity and stability.
Secondly, I wish to say something again on the 'Municipal University' which I have proposed before. There is no question that post-secondary college places are in short supply, but we do require talents to sustain our prosperity and stability. A higher standard of education will surely contribute to the success of Hong Kong. When a boy (or a girl) completes his secondary education, but is unable to gain admission to a post-secondary college, he will become dismayed and the only alternative is to go overseas for further studies. Thus our talents are lost to other countries. We must try to persuade our students to pursue their higher studies in Hong Kong so that they will not be absorbed elsewhere. The building of the university should not be delayed any more. Preparation will take 6 years and if it can be opened in 1990, we shall have the first batch of graduates serving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The university will serve our long-term need and I appeal to all who care for the young to support the proposal.
The success of the Eastern Corridor in easing traffic congestion proves that our proposal works. With such an example, it would be a good thing to build a
Page 97 of 195
160
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
with the only difference being that neither the Governor nor the legislature is being elected. But the Cabinet (or Executive Council) is being appointed by the chief executive, namely the Governor, though such appointments are announc ed in the name of the Queen.
Under the forthcoming administrative changes, the first elective element will soon be introduced in the legislature and given some power to check the work of the senior executives of the Government. This will probably be followed by the legislature being consulted on the appointment of some senior executives or even members of the Cabinet, whether you call it Executive Council of something else.
However, today some people want to define representative government as parliamentary system of government, yet I am forced to ask must it be so
defined?
My own definition is that people should elect their representatives to participate in governmental affairs. If we look more closely at the Sino-British Joint Declaration, nothing like a parliamentary system was being contemplated. It provides a CHIEF EXECUTIVE with power to appoint senior officials of the Government; it provides a elected legislature to which the CHIEF EXECUTIVE will be responsible.
In conclusion, I urge that Hong Kong not be automatically harnessed with the suggested ministerial form of Government and that instead a painstaking examination be made of other systems which may be far better suited to our needs. Perhaps even an adaptation of the Presidential might prove better in the long run.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this is my 15th year to speak at the annual conventional debate, and like my colleagues who are dedicated to serving the public, I do treasure the opportunity, a year after the signing of the Joint Declaration of the Chinese and British governments, to air my opinion.
First of all, I consider that before the drafting of the Basic Law, the Urban Council should make known its views, define its powers and duties and strive to better serve the public. All along, the Council follows the practice of the Sanitary Board and pays attention to the provision of cultural, entertainment and recreational activities, the cleaning of Hong Kong (for which we are held in high reputation internationally), the building of sports complexes and the Space Museum, the development of rest areas, the promotion of recreation, cultural entertainment and sports and the organization of arts festivals, district festivals, and the Asian Arts Festival etc. for the enjoyment of the public. We also receive complaints from the public and act as an ombudsman, and have contributed much in the bridging of understanding between government and the people. As stated in the Annual Report, our work is rarely mentioned by others and our achievement, little publicized. We are not being boastful, but from the fact that
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 96 of 195
161
many who emigrated 3 years ago are now coming back, Hong Kong is no doubt the best place in which to live, and the contribution of the Urban Council, with a history of 102 years, to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong cannot be denied. As Councillors, the future of Hong Kong rests on our shoulders and we must work hard to live up to our great responsibilities. The newly established Regional Council is a challenge to us and it behoves us to set a good example as an elder brother, to help guide Hong Kong to a great future. There is also a minor point. Hong Kong is doing very well in tourism, earning foreign currencies to balance its payments. There is potential for the Urban Council to make contribution towards tourism. A minor industry may become a major
one.
We must change our style of ‘rarely mentioning our work nor publicizing our achievements'. We should compile a detailed report of all our achievements and submit it to the Basic Law Drafting Committee for reference when they go about defining the powers and duties of the Urban Council. We must demand fair treatment and strive to expand the functions of the Council so that we may serve the public even better and that Hong Kong will continue to enjoy stability, prosperity, and a high international reputation. We must first change our image as a Sanitary Board. The Urban Council should come under the Executive Council to which it should be directly responsible in the administration of urban services. A working party should be set up to study the details and amend the Council's terms of reference and spheres of work etc. In this way, the Urban Council will be able to create its new image in the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the only council responsible for providing urban services for the public. The Urban Council will have a bright future and become an essential part of the Special Region. All of us in the Council will redouble our efforts and confidence to welcome the new era of 1997 and to enjoy with all in Hong Kong the prosperity and stability.
Secondly, I wish to say something again on the 'Municipal University' which I have proposed before. There is no question that post-secondary college places are in short supply, but we do require talents to sustain our prosperity and stability. A higher standard of education will surely contribute to the success of Hong Kong. When a boy (or a girl) completes his secondary education, but is unable to gain admission to a post-secondary college, he will become dismayed and the only alternative is to go overseas for further studies. Thus our talents are lost to other countries. We must try to persuade our students to pursue their higher studies in Hong Kong so that they will not be absorbed elsewhere. The building of the university should not be delayed any more. Preparation will take 6 years and if it can be opened in 1990, we shall have the first batch of graduates serving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The university will serve our long-term need and I appeal to all who care for the young to support the proposal.
The success of the Eastern Corridor in easing traffic congestion proves that our proposal works. With such an example, it would be a good thing to build a
Page 96 of 195
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