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The Honourable Christine Loh has announced her decision not to seek re-election to the Legislative Council in September. Whilst I respect her decision, I cannot accept the reasoning behind it.

The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed constitutionally and in practice to making itself accountable to the Legislative Council and I believe we have demonstrated this in many ways since the Handover.

The Administration and its senior officials have worked very hard to forge a constructive and effective working relationship with members of the Legislative Council.

We have been assiduous in explaining our policies and legislative and budgetary proposals to them. We have spent countless hours explaining ourselves in public sessions. Each piece of legislation we present for legislative approval is gone over with members in fine detail in committee, very often line-by-line.

We fully accept the role of the Legislative Council as prescribed by the Basic Law. We know as a matter of political reality that close scrutiny of executive proposals by the legislature lead to greater public understanding and acceptance of them.

We participate willingly and actively in the debates of the legislature. It is a productive process. We appreciate and respect the advice, criticism and comments that come from members.

We don't always agree with them but we do as far as possible take their views into account. This is not a hollow statement. We see it as our duty to work with the legislature in the best interests of the people of Hong Kong.

In her statement, Ms Loh points out that she is able to leave behind what she describes "a significant legislative record". This hardly seems consistent with her claim that the executive fears sharing power with the legislature.

Ms Loh has made a valuable contribution to public life in Hong Kong, in particular her dedication to the causes of environmental protection and equal opportunities. Whatever her own feelings in this matter, we have always taken her views seriously, as we do those of other LegCo members.

I hope that her reasons for stepping down will not discourage others from participating in public life. We need talented and dedicated people to make a success of One Country Two Systems and bring life to the concept of Hong Kong people running Hong Kong.

End/Tuesday, April 11, 2000

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