HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 91 of 126
159
on the pace of political development of Hong Kong. They are basically a question of whether we should have gradual changes or abrupt changes.
Here I would like to say a few words about the row between China and the United Kingdom.
Just now many of my senior colleagues have already expressed their views on the issue. Up to now, the matter is still in a deadlock. However, the situation has become increasingly complicated and worrying, especially when Mr. CLINTON, the President-Designate of the United States, linked up, with a hidden meaning, the issue of Hong Kong with the Most Favoured National Treatment for China in his recent remarks.
The Sino-British row arising from Mr. PATTEN's political reform package is, to a certain extent, a dispute caused by emotions. The appointment of Mr. PATTEN, a politician, to be the Governor of Hong Kong, which is a department from the British tradition, his political reform package and subsequent overseas visits and Mr. CLINTON'S remarks with implied meanings all show that Britain has already changed her China policy and has made arrangements accordingly.
But as an ordinary citizen of Hong Kong, I have to express what I think of the way Britain handles the affairs of the territory. It is beyond doubt that Mr. PATTEN, by making use of the grey areas in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to work out a political reform package, is a man with great political wisdom. However, this has completely shattered the basis of cooperation by the two countries in the past years and spoiled all their efforts to achieve smooth transition.
Moreover, Mr. PATTEN, knew perfectly well that China would raise strong objections to the package. Is there any need for him to fight for several additional directly elected seats without paying attention to how important smooth transition and convergence is to the economy and administration of Hong Kong? Under normal circumstances, his tenure still has more than four years to run. As the relationship between China and Hong Kong has drawn increasingly close, people will wonder what is to be the basis for cooperation in future.
The Chinese leaders have undoubtedly done some shocking things in the past, but we are delighted to learn that China has confirmed her gradual reform and open door policy. We should therefore give China time. I believe that China will eventually follow the global trend of democracy.
As regards the Sino-British row, I hope that the Chinese leaders will adopt an open-minded attitude and uphold consultation as the basic principle. If they find anything unacceptable in Mr. PATTEN's political reform package, they should point them out and put forward counter-proposals. If they evade discussions and just make protests continuously, the people of Hong Kong will become more worried and the economy of Hong Kong will suffer.
Page 91 of 126
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 91 of 126
159
on the pace of political development of Hong Kong. They are basically a question of whether we should have gradual changes or abrupt changes.
Here I would like to say a few words about the row between China and the United Kingdom.
Just now many of my senior colleagues have already expressed their views on the issue. Up to now, the matter is still in a deadlock. However, the situation has become increasingly complicated and worrying, especially when Mr. CLINTON, the President-Designate of the United States, linked up, with a hidden meaning, the issue of Hong Kong with the Most Favoured National Treatment for China in his recent remarks.
The Sino-British row arising from Mr. PATTEN's political reform package is, to a certain extent, a dispute caused by emotions. The appointment of Mr. PATTEN, a politician, to be the Governor of Hong Kong, which is a department from the British tradition, his political reform package and subsequent overseas visits and Mr. CLINTON'S remarks with implied meanings all show that Britain has already changed her China policy and has made arrangements accordingly.
But as an ordinary citizen of Hong Kong, I have to express what I think of the way Britain handles the affairs of the territory. It is beyond doubt that Mr. PATTEN, by making use of the grey areas in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to work out a political reform package, is a man with great political wisdom. However, this has completely shattered the basis of cooperation by the two countries in the past years and spoiled all their efforts to achieve smooth transition.
Moreover, Mr. PATTEN, knew perfectly well that China would raise strong objections to the package. Is there any need for him to fight for several additional directly elected seats without paying attention to how important smooth transition and convergence is to the economy and administration of Hong Kong? Under normal circumstances, his tenure still has more than four years to run. As the relationship between China and Hong Kong has drawn increasingly close, people will wonder what is to be the basis for cooperation in future.
The Chinese leaders have undoubtedly done some shocking things in the past, but we are delighted to learn that China has confirmed here gradual reform and open door policy. We should therefore give China time. I believe that China will eventually follow the global trend of democracy.
As regards the Sino-British row, I hope that the Chinese leaders will adopt an open-minded attitude and uphold consultation as the basic principle. If they find anything unacceptable in Mr. PATTEN's political reform package, they should point them out and put forward counter-proposals. IF they evade discussions and just make protests continuously, the people of Hong Kong will become more worried and the economy of Hong Kong will suffer.
Page 91 of 126
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