Page 494 of 498
542
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
said, I support the motion in principle and I feel other matters should be handled by the Standing Committee or other relevant Select Committees.
One other thing I have to say is that Mr. NG's words lead to some worries, I feel there is need for clarifications so as not to mislead the public. He said he did not want to see the Alliance in support of Chinese Democracy or the Democratic Party shut off. Mr. Chairman, Members of this Council have not seen this. I want to take this opportunity to clear worries. I can understand his worry, but I want to make the public understand that the Council is not shutting them off. Neither does the Council have plans to shut them off. I trust my colleagues are not considering to do so.
THE HON. SZETO WAH (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this motion seeks in name to co-operate with the Association, the thrust is on priority to use venues after the motion has been carried. The thrust is also on shutting off the Alliance from staging a candlelight gathering to commemorate June 4 in the Victoria Park. This is viewed as persecution of the Alliance even before the return to China.
Is it really necessary to take all hard surface pitches and 2 basketball courts from the end of April to 20 June for a football competition organized by the Association? Will there be games every night? Do the games have to be held on the nights before and after June 4? The answer is no. The purpose is to confront the candlelight gathering of the Alliance or to shut it off.
I warn you now that no matter what decision the Council reaches here today, the candlelight gathering to commemorate June 4 will be held in the Victoria Park. We will resort to civic disobedience and we dare all costs. The sentiment of anger cannot be suppressed. If this really happens, it will be disastrous and it will rock the confidence of Hong Kong in one country two systems, high degree of autonomy and Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong. This is a sensitive moment and it will surely affect smooth transition. If anything untoward happens, the responsibility is not on the Alliance, but on the mover of the motion, those who vote for it and those who enforce the motion. Let me repeat that the Alliance will resort to civic disobedience and fight at all costs to stage the candlelight gathering to commemorate June 4 in the Victoria Park. Those paying the price of this will not be just members of the Alliance. People forcing us to pay that price will pay higher prices. The fact explains itself. I do not want to hear the claim that someone has spread ideas harmful to Hong Kong. In fact, those responsible for moving this motion, voting in support and enforcing it are no more than conspiring to harm Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, I do not oppose to celebrating the return to China. I just oppose the motion for reasons listed above. Mr. PAO Ping-wing spoke on other people's worries and his worries. Let me ask him if he can assure other people's worries are unnecessary. Mr. Chairman, I have spoken to oppose the motion.
Page 494 of 498
Page 494 of 498
Page 494 of 498
Page 494 of 498
542
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
said, I support the motion in principle and I feel other matters should be handled by the Standing Committee or other relevant Select Committees.
One other thing I have to say is that Mr. NG's words lead to some worries, 1 feel there is need for clarifications so as not to mislead the public. He said he did not want to see the Alliance in support of Chinese Democracy or the Democratic Party shut off. Mr. Chairman. Members of this Council have not seen this. I want to take this opportunity to clear worries. I can understand his worry, but I want to make the public understand that the Council is not shutting them off. Neither does the Council have plans to shut them off. I trust my colleagues are not considering to do so.
THE HON. SZETO WAH (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this motion seeks in name to co-operate with the Association, the thrust is on priority to use venues after the motion has been carried. The thrust is also on shutting off the Alliance from staging a candlelight gathering to commemorate June 4 in the Victoria Park. This is viewed as persecution of the Alliance even before the return to China.
Is it really necessary to take all hard surface pitches and 2 basketball courts from the end of April to 20 June for a football competition organized by the Association? Will there be games every night? Do the games have to be held on the nights before and after June 4? The answer is no. The purpose is to confront the candlelight gathering of the Alliance or to shut it off.
I warn you now that no matter what decision the Council reaches here today, the candlelight gathering to commemorate June 4 will be held in the Victoria Park. We will resort to civic disobedience and we dare all costs. The sentiment of anger cannot be suppressed. If this really happens, it will be disastrous and it will rock the confidence of Hong Kong in one country two systems, high degree of autonomy and Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong. This is a sensitive moment and it will surely affect smooth transition. If anything untoward happens, the responsibility is not on the Alliance, but on the mover of the motion, those who vote for it and those who enforce the motion. Let me repeat that the Alliance will resort to civic disobedience and fight at all costs to stage the candlelight gathering to commemorate June 4 in the Victoria Park. Those paying the price of this will not be just members of the Alliance. People forcing us to pay that price will pay higher prices. The fact explains itself. I do not want to hear the claim that someone has spread ideas harmful to Hong Kong. In fact, those responsible for moving this motion, voting in support and enforcing it are no more than conspiring to harm Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, I do not oppose to celebrating the return to China. I just oppose the motion for reasons listed above. Mr. PAO Ping-wing spoke on other people's worries and his worries. Let me ask him if he can assure other people's worries are unnecessary. Mr. Chairman, I have spoken to oppose the motion.
Page 494 of 498
Page 494 of 498
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.