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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The past year, that is, 1996, was a year in which major successes were scored in the preparation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Early 1996 witnessed the setting up of the Special Administrative Region's Preparatory Committee. Late that year, the Selection Committee, which was planned by the Preparatory Committee and formed in accordance with the stipulations of the Basic Law, was created. As the Chinese and British governments had yet to reach agreement and the British side unilaterally carried out the 'political reform' plan, the Chinese authorities established the Provisional Legislature on their own, and the first Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region was chosen by the Selection Committee.
In early 1996, the Chinese government completed the formation of the armed forces that would be stationed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Late that year, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed legislation for the garrisoning of military forces in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
As work for the establishment of the Special Administrative Region was being launched, local society remained stable in the past year, and economic growth rebounded. An opinion poll taken recently indicated that the local residents' confidence in the future of Hong Kong had increased compared with one year ago.
As 1997 approaches, the overall situation of Hong Kong's reversion to the motherland's rule is already very clear. The future leadership of the Special Administrative Region will be formed shortly, and the Provisional Legislature is about to commence operation. Work in the final stage of the handover will be carried out step by step, and the Special Administrative Region will be established smoothly. I believe that there will no longer be hindrances that are serious enough to affect the general situation.
After China and Britain signed the Joint Declaration to ascertain Hong Kong's reversion to China on the 1 July 1997, intensely pessimistic opinions were expressed in Hong Kong and even in overseas communities. There were some who predicted that even before 1997, the territory would be caught up in panic, the economy would collapse, there would be social unrest, and the Pearl of the Orient would lose all its luster.
The facts have forcefully refuted those negative views. We can see that even though there has been quite a number of storms during the transitional period, Hong Kong in the year 1997 is still full of vigour, vitality and hope. This is attributable to the joint effort to build Hong Kong on the part of the local population (including that of many of my colleagues here).
Not only should we strive for a smooth transition, but we should also participate actively in the establishment of the Special Administrative Region,
Page 296 of 498
Page 296 of 498
296 of 498
338
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The past year, that is, 1996, was a year in which major successes were scored in the preparation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Specia Administrative Region.
Early 1996 witnessed the setting up of the Special Administrative Regios Preparatory Committee. Late that year, the Selection Committee, which was planned by the Preparatory Committee and formed in accordance with the stipulations of the Basic Law, was created. As the Chinese and British governments had yet to reach agreement and the British side unilaterally carried out the 'political reform' plan, the Chinese authorities established the Provisional Legislature on their own, and the first Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region was chosen by the Selection Committee.
In early 1996, the Chinese government completed the formation of the armed forces that would be stationed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Late that year, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed legislation for the garrisoning of military forces in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
As work for the establishment of the Special Administrative Region was being launched, local society remained stable in the past year, and economic growth rebounded. An opinion poll taken recently indicated that the local residents' confidence in the future of Hong Kong had increased compared with
one year ago.
As 1997 approaches, the overall situation of Hong Kong's reversion to the motherland's rule is already very clear. The future leadership of the Special Administrative Region will be formed shortly, and the Provisional Legislature is about to commence operation. Work in the final stage of the handover will be carried out step by step, and the Special Administrative Region will be established smoothly. I believe that there will no longer be hindrances that are serious enough to affect the general situation.
After China and Britain signed the Joint Declaration to ascertain Hong Kong's reversion to China on the 1 July 1997, intensely pessimistic opinions were expressed in Hong Kong and even in overseas communities. There were some who predicted that even before 1997, the territory would be caught up in panic, the economy would collapse, there would be social unrest, and the Pearl of the Orient would lose all its luster.
The facts have forcefully refuted those negative views. We can see that even though there has been quite a number of storms during the transitional period, Hong Kong in the year 1997 is still full of vigour, vitality and hope. This is attributable to the joint effort to build Hong Kong on the part of the local population (including that of many of my colleagues here).
Not only should we strive for a smooth transition, but we should also participate actively in the establishment of the Special Administrative Region,
Page 296 of 498
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