材料 #2: Words from Christopher Patten: Benchmarks for Hong Kong - and the world 89. The world should want China to succeed as it continues its brave economic revolution, and therefore the world will watch Hong Kong with special interest. It will want to be reassured that two systems are surviving and co-habiting in one country. I hope that the world will judge Hong Kong not by preconceptions but by the evidence of what actually happens here. The sensible will undoubtedly apply a number of clear benchmarks as events unfold. These benchmarks will certainly include some of the following. - Is Hong Kongs Civil Service still professional and meritocratic? Are its key positions filled by individuals who command the confidence of their colleagues and the community and owe their appointments only to their own abilities? - Is the SAR Government writing its own Budget on the basis of its own policies, or is it under pressure to respond to objectives dictated by Peking? - Is the Hong Kong Monetary Authority managing Hong Kongs Exchange Fund without outside interference? - Is Hong Kong behaving in a truly autonomous way in international economic organisations? 29 - Is the Hong Kong legislature passing laws in response to the aspirations of the Hong Kong community and the policies of the SAR Government, or is it legislating under pressure from Peking? - Are Hong Kongs courts continuing to operate without interference? - Is the Independent Commission Against Corruption continuing to act vigorously against all forms of corruption including cases in which Chinas interests may be involved? - Is Hong Kong continuing to maintain its own network of international law enforcement liaison relationships? - Is the integrity of the Hong Kong/Guangdong border being maintained, including the separate border controls operated by the Hong Kong Immigration Department? - Is the Hong Kong press still free, with uninhibited coverage of China and of issues on which China has strong views? - Are new constraints being imposed on freedom of assembly? Are the annual commemorations and vigils of recent years still being allowed? - Are foreign journalists and media organisations in Hong Kong still free to operate without controls? - Is anybody being prosecuted or harassed for the peaceful expression of political, social, or religious views? - Are Hong Kongs legislators, at successive stages of the transition, fairly and openly elected, and truly representative of the community? - Are democratic politicians continuing to play an active role in Hong Kong politics, or are they being excluded or marginalised by external pressure? - Is the Chief Executive exercising genuine autonomy in the areas provided for in the Joint Declaration and Basic Law? 30 90. Those are the questions the world will ask. We all hope that the world will get reassuring answers. 91. That solemn moment for my successor, to which I referred, will also be a grave moment for me as I leave Hong Kong. 92. Governors have lived for Hong Kong. One or two have literally died for Hong Kong. But all have found Hong Kong, in and out of office, an all- consuming interest. Retired to our grey and green island, past Governors have watched from afar with keen-eyed interest and, doubtless, occasional frustration as Hong Kongs history has unfolded. I shall do the same, carrying with me one frustration, gnawed by one anxiety, comforted by one certainty. 93. For me the frustration, the greatest in this job, is that I have not been able to put my personal view of Hong Kongs best interests to the test which legitimises leadership in most free societies, the test of the ballot box. But Hong Kong has been promised that its government will develop so that that can happen one day, a day I hope I shall see and a day that I shall be delighted to put down to Chinas credit and to the credit of those in this territory who have stood up bravely for the people of Hong Kong. 94. My anxiety is this: not that this communitys autonomy would be usurped by Peking, but that it could be given away bit by bit by some people in Hong Kong. We all know that over the last couple of years we have seen decisions, taken in good faith by the Government of Hong Kong, appealed surreptitiously to Peking - decisions taken in the interests of the whole community lobbied against behind closed doors by those whose personal interests may have been adversely affected. That is damaging to Hong Kong because it draws Chinese officials into matters which should fall squarely within the autonomy of Hong Kong. If we in Hong Kong want our autonomy, then it needs to be defended and asserted by everyone here - by businessmen, politicians, journalists, academics and other community leaders, as well as by public servants. 95. And what of that truth which more than anything else gives me confidence in Hong Kong? The truth is this. The qualities, the beliefs, the ideals that have made Hong Kongs present will still be here to shape Hong Kongs future. 31 96. Hong Kong, it seems to me, has always lived by the author, Jack Londons credo: I would rather be ashes than dust, I would rather my spark should bum out in a brilliant blaze, Than it should be stifled in dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor. With every atom of me in magnificent glow. Than a sleepy and permanent planet. 97. Whatever the challenges ahead, nothing should bring this meteor crashing to earth, nothing should snuff out its glow. I hope that Hong Kong will take tomorrow by storm. And when it does. History will stand and cheer.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:20:29 +0000
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