1997 — Page 516

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

another with mutual respect, especially when discussing Council matters. We can hold different views when discussing and discharging Council business. We can exchange our conflicting views in an open and civilized manner. There is no need to point fingers at individuals or launch personal attacks. However, I have often experienced these situations in the past 6 months. Judging from past experience, if this is allowed to continue, violence might erupt during Council meetings. If we do not pay attention to this problem, it will be hard to imagine whether we will develop along this line in future.

As new Council Members, it is our hope that by working with the Council, we will be able to assist in and promote the Council's work so that the Council can take a steady stride forward without any major changes. But the fact is, with the establishment of the SAR Government and the change of sovereignty, there have been many fundamental changes which will inevitably bring corresponding changes in other areas. Even in the area of politics, the change of sovereignty will cause people to see things from a different perspective. Therefore, certain basic changes are unavoidable. Take for example, the question about the museum that was raised this morning. History is an important element of culture and politics. If we cannot reflect our personal political viewpoint here, we will not have fulfilled our responsibility as Council Members. It was suggested by some Members this morning that the task of writing historical commentaries for the museum is best left to the specialists. I find this viewpoint unacceptable. Why? It is because this is not a matter of political stand but a matter of responsibility. When the construction of the museum is finally completed, it may be received with criticism or praise. But the final responsibility still lies with the Council. As for the literature describing the exhibits, it will be an important part of the museum. The way it is written should not be based solely on my personal decision or any other person's decision for that matter. What I mean is, the contents should be vetted collectively by all Members of this Council so that it will not become a matter of the Department's opinion. The responsibility is ours. If we shift this responsibility to the Department and come under criticism in future, we will only be blamed for shifting the power and responsibility to the Department. That is why I must reiterate: the descriptive literature for the museum, particularly the parts on modern history, should be a matter of concern to all Members. We should handle this issue from the standpoint of responsibility. This, after all, is our rights and responsibilities.

Mr. CHOW Kwok-leung, who has been with the Council for one year, also raised the question of the working relationship between the Council and the Department. Although we have worked for only 6 months and are not very familiar with our work, I tend to agree with him. Legally speaking (see document), the relationship between the Council and the Department is, at present, very loose. That is why we feel that the Council is very passive in its work. The work of the Department has continuity whereas new Members are added to the Council every now and then. Some have worked for 6 months,

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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL another with mutual respect, especially when discussing Council matters. We can hold different views when discussing and discharging Council business. We can exchange our conflicting views in an open and civilized manner. There is no need to point fingers at individuals or launch personal attacks. However, I have often experienced these situations in the past 6 months. Judging from past experience, if this is allowed to continue, violence might erupt during Council meetings. If we do not pay attention to this problem, it will be hard to imagine whether we will develop along this line in future. As new Council Members, it is our hope that by working with the Council, we will be able to assist in and promote the Council's work so that the Council can take a steady stride forward without any major changes. But the fact is, with the establishment of the SAR Government and the change of sovereignty, there have been many fundamental changes which will inevitably bring corresponding changes in other areas. Even in the area of politics, the change of sovereignty will cause people to see things from a different perspective. Therefore, certain basic changes are unavoidable. Take for example, the question about the museum that was raised this morning. History is an important element of culture and politics. If we cannot reflect our personal political viewpoint here, we will not have fulfilled our responsibility as Council Members. It was suggested by some Members this morning that the task of writing historical commentaries for the museum is best left to the specialists. I find this viewpoint unacceptable. Why? It is because this is not a matter of political stand but a matter of responsibility. When the construction of the museum is finally completed, it may be received with criticism or praise. But the final responsibility still lies with the Council. As for the literature describing the exhibits, it will be an important part of the museum. The way it is written should not be based solely on my personal decision or any other person's decision for that matter. What I mean is, the contents should be vetted collectively by all Members of this Council so that it will not become a matter of the Department's opinion. The responsibility is ours. If we shift this responsibility to the Department and come under criticism in future, we will only be blamed for shifting the power and responsibility to the Department. That is why I must reiterate: the descriptive literature for the museum, particularly the parts on modern history, should be a matter of concern to all Members. We should handle this issue from the standpoint of responsibility. This, after all, is our rights and responsibilities. Mr. CHOW Kwok-leung, who has been with the Council for one year, also raised the question of the working relationship between the Council and the Department. Although we have worked for only 6 months and are not very familiar with our work, I tend to agree with him. Legally speaking (see document), the relationship between the Council and the Department is, at present, very loose. That is why we feel that the Council is very passive in its work. The work of the Department has continuity whereas new Members are added to the Council every now and then. Some have worked for 6 months, Page 516 of 654 Page 516 of 654

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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL another with mutual respect, especially when discussing Council matters. We can hold different views when discussing and discharging Council business. We can exchange our conflicting views in an open and civilized manner. There is no need to point fingers at individuals or launch personal attacks. However, I have often experienced these situations in the past 6 months. Judging from past experience, if this is allowed to continue, violence might erupt during Council meetings. If we do not pay attention to this problem, it will be hard to imagine whether we will develop along this line in future. As new Council Members, it is our hope that by working with the Council, we will be able to assist in and promote the Council's work so that the Council can take a steady stride forward without any major changes. But the fact is, with the establishment of the SAR Government and the change of sovereignty, there have been many fundamental changes which will inevitably bring corresponding changes in other areas. Even in the area of politics, the change of sovereignty will cause people to see things from a different perspective. Therefore, certain basic changes are unavoidable. Take for example, the question about the museum that was raised this morning. History is an important element of culture and politics. If we cannot reflect our personal political view point here, we will not have fulfilled our responsibility as Council Members. It was suggested by some Members this morning that the task of writing historical commentaries for the museum is best left to the specialists. I find this view point unacceptable. Why? It is because this is not a matter of political stand but a matter of responsibility. When the construction of the museum is finally completed, it may be received with criticism or praise. But the final responsibility still lies with the Council. As for the literature describing the exhibits, it will be an important part of the museum. The way it is written should not be based solely on my personal decision or any other person's decision for that matter. What I mean is, the contents should be vetted collectively by all Members of this Council so that it will not become a matter of the Department's opinion. The responsibility is ours. If we shift this responsibility to the Department and come under criticism in future, we will only be blamed for shifting the power and responsibility to the Department. That is why I must reiterate: the descriptive literature for the museum, particularly the parts on modern history, should be a matter of concern to all Members. We should handle this issue from the stand point of responsibility. This, after all, is our rights and responsibilities. Mr. CHOW Kwok-leung, who has been with the Council for one year, also raised the question of the working relationship between the Council and the Department. Although we have worked for only 6 months and are not very familiar with our work, I tend to agree with him. Legally speaking (see document), the relationship between the Council and the Department is, at present, very loose. That is why we feel that the Council is very passive in its work. The work of the Department has continuity whereas new Members are added to the Council every now and then. Some have worked for 6 months, Page 516 of 654 Page 516 of 654

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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

As new Council Members, it is our hope that by working with the Council, we will be able to assist in and promote the Council's work so that the Council can take a steady stride forward without any major changes. But the fact is, with the establishment of the SAR Government and the change of sovereignty, there have been many fundamental changes which will inevitably bring corresponding changes in other areas. Even in the area of politics, the change of sovereignty will cause people to see things from a different perspective. Therefore, certain basic changes are unavoidable. Take for example, the question about the museum that was raised this morning. History is an important element of culture and politics. If we cannot reflect our personal political view point here, we will not have fulfilled our responsibility as Council Members. It was suggested by some Members this morning that the task of writing historical commentaries for the museum is best left to the specialists. I find this view point unacceptable. Why? It is because this is not a matter of political stand but a matter of responsibility. When the construction of the museum is finally completed, it may be received with criticism or praise. But the final responsibility still lies with the Council. As for the literature describing the exhibits, it will be an important part of the museum. The way it is written should not be based solely on my personal decision or any other person's decision for that matter. What I mean is, the contents should be vetted collectively by all Members of this Council so that it will not become a matter of the Department's opinion. The responsibility is ours. If we shift this responsibility to the Department and come under criticism in future, we will only be blamed for shifting the power and responsibility to the Department. That is why I must reiterate: the descriptive literature for the museum, particularly the parts on modern history, should be a matter of concern to all Members. We should handle this issue from the stand point of responsibility. This, after all, is our rights and responsibilities.

1997 — Page 516

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