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these few points should be considered by the Councillors of the next term. My fellow Councillors have just mentioned that the Urban Councillors of the next term will be either directly elected members or representatives of the District Board. The evolvement of democracy makes government policies more open; Councillors will have to shoulder greater responsibilities and the Council will become more politicized. As regards the abolition of appointed membership, optimists think that it will bring about great democracy and fairness whereas pessimists think that it has some risks. No matter what happens, the earth will keep on revolving. Although the abolition of appointed membership has many merits, I believe my fellow Councillors and every citizen should note that it is desirable for an administrative institution to absorb some professionals with social experience into its membership. These people, however, may not be too keen on politics. Furthermore, we should also note that there are a few million citizens who have not registered as voters or exercised their right of voting. We still have to keep their interests in mind. A fair society and a Council that accepts different opinions are what the citizens expect to have. The last point is that in the long run, the Government should consider the feasibility of merging the municipal Councils and District Boards. We can expect to find a large number of District Board Members elected into the Council in the coming election. Therefore, do we really need the three-tier structure? This question has to be studied by people with wisdom. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese): Following the Urban Council Election to be held on 5.3.1995, all the Urban Councillors will be returned by direct election. It is hoped that the directly elected Urban Councillors will really reflect public opinion, strive for the welfare of over three million urban residents, endeavour to enrich the lives of the public and also correspondingly reduce the hue of elitism and increase the voice from the grass-root level. To me, the accountability of a directly elected Councillor is certainly greater than an appointed one. The eyes of the voters are discerning and their choice should be respected.
However, will the Urban Council election be reverted to its old form after 1.7.1997? The Chinese authorities have repeatedly said that the three tiers of representative government (including the Municipal Councils and district boards) must come to an end after 30.6.1997. There is no absolute guarantee that the district representative government will really be 'restructured without re-election' as rumoured. If restructuring is to take place, there is still no concrete proposal for the method of restructuring.
Article 97 of the Basic Law on District Organisations states that 'district organizations which are organs of political power may be established in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to be consulted by the government of the Region on district administration and other affairs, or to be responsible for providing services in such fields as culture, recreation and environmental sanitation.' The key words of this Article are 'not organs of political power' and the most important point is that it emphasizes and confirms the functions and contribution of the district organizations towards the people's livelihood.
As for the district organizations, there is no detailed provision specifying whether there will be any changes in the role and specific functions of the district boards and the Urban Council. In fact, I think it is now the right time to redefine and realign the division of work and functions amongst the district boards. It is worthwhile to conduct a thorough study on how to convert the three-tier representative government into a two-tier (central and district level) one and to implement it.
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the Urban Council. In fact, I think it is now the right time to redefine and realign the division of work and functions amongst the district boards. It is worthwhile to conduct a thorough study on how to convert the three-tier representative government into a two-tier (central and district level) one and to implement it.
We must be ready for the best and prepare for the worst. To be ready for the best is to assume that the district representative government would actually be 'restructured without re-election'. The Councillors could 'get on the train again' through a comparatively simple procedure of confirmation. And the worst scenario will be a re-election. In either case, we should do our best at the grass-roots level by reflecting the aspirations and needs of the people in earnest and serving the public, unless time is artificially turned back and the nineteenth-century comprehensive appointment system is revived.
I know that some appointed Councillors are seriously considering participating in the Urban Council Election to be held in March. They hope to return to the Council to serve the public. Such spirit is admirable. It is a great challenge in life to actually participate in a direct election and win enough votes to get a seat in the Council. At the same time this is also an unusual mandate which is difficult to obtain. Are those people who criticize 'politicization' trying to hide in the ivory tower of power and enjoy political free lunch for a long time? Are they trying to use politicization as an excuse to strangle the development of the community? They will finally be dismissed by history.
It is said that after the introduction of directly elected Councillors and party politics, there will certainly be more disputes and arguments in the Urban Council. Whether that is true or not is not the crux of the matter. What is most important is that the truth will be unveiled through debate. The most important thing about democracy is that opportunity should be provided for the expression of all opinions. There is a well-put Western saying, 'Although I do not agree with your views, I will try my best to protect your right of speech.'
I believe that no single political party can fully represent the interests of all classes in a modern and diversified society. The presence of different political parties and different political views and voices will safeguard the interest of the people. A single voice and a single political view will be 'cancerous' to a diversified society. A diversified society will definitely demand diversified party politics which is the first characteristic of democracy. Therefore, we have to cherish our participation in the system of representative government in the few years ahead. I hope Urban Councillors of the coming election can grasp this historic opportunity to perfect the operation of the Council, to set a 'new' example for others and to further enhance the status of the Council in the heart of the public.
In order to achieve this target, I would like to express my views and expectations towards the Council in the future:
Firstly, I hope that the Council Secretariat will become 'independent'.
Secondly, I hope to see a Council with even greater awareness of 'environmental protection' than before. Internally, we should pay attention to the use of resources,
Page 108 of 115
Page 108 of 115
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
these few points should be considered by the Councillors of the next term. My fellow Councillors have just mentioned that the Urban Councillors of the next term will be either directly elected members or representatives of the District Board. The evolvement of democracy makes government policies more open; Councillors will have to shoulder greater responsibilities and the Council will become more politicized. As regards the abolition of appointed membership, optimists think that it will bring about great democracy and fairness whereas pressimists think that it has some risks. No matter what happens, the earth will keep on revolving. Although the abolition of appointed membership has many merits, I believe my fellow Councillors and every citizen should note that it is desirable for an administravie institution to absorb some professionals with social experience into its membership. These people, however, may not be too keen on politics. Furthermore, we should also note that there are a few million citizens who have not registered as voters or exercised their right of voting. We still have to keep their interests in mind. A fair society and a Council that accepts different opinions are what the citizens expect to have. The last point is that in the long run, the Government should consider the feasibility of merging the municipal Councils and District Boards. We can expect to find a large number of District a Board Members elected into the Council in the coming election. Therefore, do we really need the three-tier structure? This question has to be studied by people with wisdom. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):-Following the Urban Council Election to be held on 5.3.1995, all the Urban Councillors will be returned by direct election. It is hoped that the directly elected Urban Councillors will really reflect public opinion, strive for the welfare of over three million urban residents, endeavour to enrich the lives of the public and also correspondingly reduce the hue of elitism and increase the voice from the grass-root level. To me, the accountability of a directly elected Councillor is certainly greater than an appointed one. They eyes of the voters are discerning and their choice should be respected.
However, will the Urban Council election be reverted to its old form after 1.7.1997? The Chinese authorities have repeatedly said that the three tiers of representative government (including the Municipal Councils and district boards) must come to an end after 30.6.1997. There is no absolute guarantee that the district representative government will really be 'restructured without re-election' as rumoured. If restructing is to take place, there is still no concrete proposal for the method of restructing.
Article 97 of the Basic Law on District Organisations states that 'district organizations which are organs of political power may be established in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to be consulted by the government of the Region on district administration and other affairs, or to be responsible for providing services in such fields as culture, recreation and environmental sanitation.' The key words of this Article are 'not organs of political power' and the most important point is that it emphasizes and confirms the functions and contribution of the district organizations towards the people's livelihood.
As for the district organizations, there is no detailed provision specifying whether there will be any changes in the role and specific functions of the district boards and
Page 108 of 115
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Page 108 of 115|
205
the Urban Council. In fact, I think it is now the right time to redefine and realign the division of work and functions amongst the district boards. It is worthwhile to conduct a thorough study on how to convert the three-tier representative government into a two-tier (central and district level) one and to implement it.
We must be ready for the best and prepare for the worst'. To be ready for the best is to assume that the district representative government would actually be 'restructed without re-election'. The Councillors could 'get on the train again' through a comparatively simple procedure of confirmation. And the worst scenario will be a re- election. In either case, we should do our best at the grass-roots level by reflecting the aspirations and needs of the people in earnest and serving the public, unless time is artificially turned back and the nineteenth-century comprehensive appointment system is revived.
I know that some appointed Councillors are seriously condisering participating in the Urban Council Election to be held in March. They hope to return to the Council to serve the public. Such spirits is admirable. It is a great challenge in life to actually participate in a direct election and win enough votes to get a seat in the Council. At the same time this is also an unusual mandate which is difficult to obtain. Are those people who criticize 'politicization' trying to hide in the ivory tower of power and enjoy political free lunch for a long time? Are they trying to use politicization as an excuse to strangle the development of the community? They will finally be dismissed by history.
It is said that after the introduction of directly elected Councillors and party politics, there will certainly be more disputes and arguments in the Urban Council. Whether that is true or not is not the crux of the matter. What is most important is that the truth will be unveiled through debate. The most important thing about democracy is that opportunity should be provided for the expression of all opinions. There is a well-put Western saying, 'Although I do not agree with your views, I will try my best to protect your right of speech.'
I believe that no single political party can fully represent the interests of all classes in a modern and diversified society. The presence of different political parties and different political views and voices will safeguard the interest of the people. A single voice and a single political view will be 'cancerous' to a diversified society. A diversified society will definitely demand diversified party politics which is the 'first' characteristics of democracy. Therefore, we have to cherish our participation in the system of representative government in the few years ahead. I hope Urban Councillors of the coming election can grasp this historic opportunity to perfect the operation of the Council, to set a 'new' example for others and to further enhance the status of the Council in the heart of the public.
In order to achieve this target, I would like to express my views and expectations towards the Council in the future:
Firstly, I hope that the Council Secretariat will become 'independent'.
Secondly, I hope to see a Council with even greater awareness of ‘environmental protection' than before. Internally, we should pay attention to the use of resources,
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