HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
539
Mr. Stanley No Wing-fai (in Cantonese):-Let me first of all state that I am not a member of the Association for the Celebration of the Return of Hong Kong. I do not think many Members have vested interest here, but still, I think it is best to state my position clearly.
In fact, we all know that when the Urban Council holds or when it joins another organization in staging a programme, it enjoys priority in booking venues. In other words, when the Council has priority, other organizations not co-operating with it in staging programmes cannot get the desired venues. The Recreation Select Committee will discuss about venues tomorrow. Some bodies under the Association, other democratic bodies and the Alliance in support of Chinese Democracy have applied for booking venues. In principle, today's motion states the return to China as a good development. However, the Urban Council should not use means or tactics to shut off the Alliance and other democratic bodies.
Let us look at the document from the Director of Urban Services. We can see that the Finance Committee has allocated $230 million on top of the $70 million budget of the Association for related activities. There is a large fund to hold celebrations. The Association will not be stopped from staging activities because of financial difficulty. I see that we are trying to emphasize the necessity to co-operate. I just want to state clearly that not vowing support for the motion does not mean one is unpatriotic or one does not love Hong Kong. One is still free to comment and give different ideas.
Some colleagues and members of the community pay tribute to Mr. DENG Xiaoping. Let me go back to his words. When he toured the southern part of China in 1992, he spoke of guarding against the rightists and the most important thing would be to guard against the ultra-leftists. So, I think speeches all for the leftists are not necessary, and impractical too.
I ask that our votes be recorded. I also appeal to you to state your stands clearly when voting. Be accountable to the public. The Democratic Party will give reasons why we do not support the motion. Mr. KAM Nai-wai will speak.
Mr. Lam Man-Fat (in Cantonese);—Mr. Chairman, the return of Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997 is an important thing for Hong Kong and for the people of China. To the world, it is an occasion of concern in history. For Chinese people, this will be a day to celebrate.
In the last tens of years, Chinese people were called sick people of East Asia. Hong Kong was ceded under an unequal treaty. Today, when we interview Chinese people, including Chinese people overseas, we find they are proud to see China getting stronger everyday. To assume sovereignty and take back Hong Kong peacefully is a great precedent for international disputes. We are spared from warfare and division like they have experienced in the Middle East.
Page 491 of 498
Page 491 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
539
Mr. Stanley No Wing-fai (in Cantonese):-Let me first of all state that I am not a member of the Association for the Celebration of the Return of Hong Kong. I do not think many Members have vested interest here, but still, I think it is best to state my position clearly.
In fact, we all know that when the Urban Council holds or when it joins another organization in staging a programme, it enjoys priority in booking venues. In other words, when the Council has priority, other organizations not co-operating with it in staging programmes cannot get the desired venues. The Recreation Select Committee will discuss about venues tomorrow. Some bodies under the Association, other democratic bodies and the Alliance in support of Chinese Democracy have applied for booking venues. In principle, today's motion states the return to China as a good development. However, the Urban Council should not use means or tactics to shut off the Alliance and other democratic bodies.
Let us look at the document from the Director of Urban Services. We can see that the Finance Committee has allocated $230 million on top of the $70 million budget of the Association for related activities. There is a large fund to hold celebrations. The Association will not be stopped from staging activities because of financial difficulty. I see that we are trying to emphasize the necessity to co-operate. I just want to state clearly that not vowing support for the motion does not mean one is unpatriotic or one does not love Hong Kong. One is still free to comment and give different ideas.
Some colleagues and members of the community pay tribute to Mr. DENG Xiaoping. Let me go back to his words. When he toured the southern part of China in 1992, he spoke of guarding against the rightists and the most important thing would be to guard against the ultra-leftists. So, I think speeches all for the leftists are not necessary, and impractical too.
I ask that our votes be recorded. I also appeal to you to state your stands clearly when voting. Be accountable to the public. The Democratic Party will give reasons why we do not support the motion. Mr. KAM Nai-wai will speak.
Mr. Lam Man-Fat (in Cantonese);—Mr. Chairman, the return of Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997 is an important thing for Hong Kong and for the people of China. To the world, it is an occasion of concern in history. For Chinese people, this will be a day to celebrate.
In the last tens of years, Chinese people were called sick people of East Asia. Hong Kong was ceded under an unequal treaty. Today, when we interview Chinese people, including Chinese people overseas, we find they are proud to see China getting stronger everyday. To assume sovereignty and take back Hong Kong peacefully is a great precedent for international disputes. We are spared from warfare and division like they have experienced in the Middle East.
Page 491 of 498
Page 491 of 498
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.