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within these limits, so as to adhere to the executive-led administration, put into effect the ideologies of Mr. TUNG on culture and arts, and turn the Government into “a general with lots of soldiers at his command" ultimately. Whether it is a blessing or a calamity is still unknown, but one thing for sure is that the changes concerned will, in future, facilitate the Government to control our ideologies more effectively.
We also realize that an autocratic government will definitely give top priority to ideology control upon assuming office. Since reunification, a lot of speeches and public opinions have taken the view that democracy and economy are incompatible. These opinions coupled with the economic recession after reunification make many people doubt about our democratic progression. In this political climate, the anti-democratic, anti-council political ideology of the SAR Government is, however, able to gain support from public opinion. Nevertheless, we hope the public would understand that democracy is never a gift but something that has to be striven for and cherished. What the SAR Government has done today is actually taking a "frying the fish over low fire" approach, which keeps the public in the dark until our society has turned into an autocratic society and by then it will be too late for us to fight against it.
Here, I hope that I have succeeded in expounding to you all the regression in democracy the SAR Government has shown over the past year. I hope that, in striding towards the 21st century, our SAR Government, our Hong Kong will not be the slowest in democracy progression among China, Hong Kong and Taiwan! Take the story of the 'Racing Between the Tortoise and the Rabbit' as an analogy, it seems that Hong Kong has become the lazy rabbit simply because the public do not treasure much the bases for democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law we enjoy today. I earnestly hope that the public can understand that the democracy and freedom we enjoy today were not easily won: we have to treasure them and stride towards these goals.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Grace Au Yuk-Har (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman.
Over the years, the Council has spared no efforts in promoting the development of recreational and sports activities in Hong Kong. In 1997/98, the Council completed 28 new recreation and sports projects as well as organized more than 9,300 programmes. Though these figures do not speak for anything tantamount to perfection in our quality and quantity of work, we have made improvements to many of our projects as a result of constantly listening to public views. I believe the jobs done by the Council, be they “software" or "hardware" in essence, do deserve a passing mark and can be well accountable to the public.
As a matter of fact, the elected Urban Councillors voice their opinions with the ultimate aim of protecting public interests. For example, after listening to
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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
409
within these limits, so as to adhere to the executive-led administration, put into effect the ideologies of Mr. TUNG on culture and arts, and turn the Government into “a general with lots of soldiers at his command" ultimately. Whether it is a blessing or a calamity is still unknown, but one thing for sure is that the changes concerned will, in future, facilitate the Government to control our ideologies more effectively.
We also realize that an autocratic government will definitely give top priority to ideology control upon assuming office. Since reunification, a lot of speeches and public opinions have taken the view that democracy and economy are incompatible. These opinions coupled with the economic recession after reunification make many people doubt about our democratic progression. In this political climate, the anti-democratic, anti-council political ideology of the SAR Government is, however, able to gain support from public opinion. Nevertheless, we hope the public would understand that democracy is never a gift but something that has to be striven for and cherished. What the SAR Government has done today is actually taking a "frying the fish over low fire" approach, which keeps the public in the dark until our society has turned into an autocratic society and by then it will be too late for us to fight against it.
Here, I hope that I have succeeded in expounding to you all the regression in democracy the SAR Government has shown over the past year. I hope that, in striding towards the 21st century, our SAR Government, our Hong Kong will not be the slowest in democracy progression among China, Hong Kong and Taiwan! Take the story of the Racing Between the Tortoise and the Rabbit' as an analogy, it seems that Hong Kong has become the lazy rabbit simply because the public do not treasure much the bases for democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law we enjoy today. I earnestly hope that the public can understand that the democracy and freedom we enjoy today were not easily won: we have to treasure them and stride towards these goals.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Grace Au Yuk-Har (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman.
Over the years, the Council has spared no efforts in promoting the development of recreational and sports activities in Hong Kong. In 1997/98, the Council completed 28 new recreation and sports projects as well as organized more than 9.300 programmes. Though these figures do not speak for anything tantamount to perfection in our quality and quantity of work, we have made improvements to many of our projects as a result of constantly listening to public views. I believe the jobs done by the Council, be they “software" or "hardware" in essence, do deserve a passing mark and can be well accountable to the public.
As a matter of fact, the elected Urban Councillors voice their opinions with the ultimate aim of protecting public interests. For example, after listening to
Page 421 of 606
Page 421 of 606
Page 421 of 606
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