Page 25 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

The Council further considered that meaningful also started the process of assisting Christians in Hong
participation in Central Government by citizens, in Kong to re-examine their education thrusts and the
the form of direct election must take place. The government policies. In April 1984, an education
Council was therefore critical of the indirect election conference on "theological foundation for church’s
the government will introduce this fall, especially of involvement in education’’ was held; in April 1985
the notion of functional constituencies. Political another one was held on "democratization of school
reform should take place within the government too! administration". The findings of each conference
The Hong Kong government must be more open and were published in book form and shared widely.
less bureaucratic. In introducing policies, the govern­
ment should be more aware of the needs and liveli­ In March, the Good Shepherd Anglican Church
hood of the common people as well as of the need gave HK$300,000 to the Council to set up a Special
for social justice. Fund on Civic Education.
The Councils Public Policy Commission is plan­
5. Relationship with China
ning to give significant imput to government's 1987
Hong Kong will soon become a part of China
Review. In the meantime, the Council is setting up
again. The future of Hong Kong and that of China are
2 to 3 study tours to other countries and to do
interrelated. The stability and prosperity of Hone
indepth study and observation of their government
Kong depend on China and likewise, we hope Honi,
structures and political processes.
Kong would contribute significantly towards the
stability and prosperity of China. Mutual under­
3. Political Leadership standing and co-operation are therefore of primary
In July 1997, British colonial rule will end in importance.
Hong Kong, and because China has promised not to
send anybody to administer Hong Kong, the admini­ We are glad to see China’s open policies have
stration will be entirely in the hands of local citi­ begun to take shape. The number of exchanges of
zens. We have 12 years to prepare ourselves and come many kinds taking place are increasing by leaps and
up with some strong and dedicated leadership. bounds.
The overall response to the last District Board Hong Kong Christian Council was instrumental
Election which took place on 7th March, 1985, and in rebuilding the relationship between the church in
the development of a number of political groups in China and that of Hong Kong in 1981. Two new
recent months have been very encouraging indeed. types of exchange took place .for the past year: (a)
These helped to give important opportunities for from countrywide to provincial levels; and (b) from
some people in Hong Kong to learn to be political church with church to church with secular groupings.
leaders. Several visits between Kwangtung and Hong Kong
Christians as well as between Kwangtung and Hong
Staff of the Council has been in regular contact Kong social service groups took place during the last
year. ,
and dialogue with different political groups. We have
also held meetings with District Board members who
are Christians. 6. International Links
The future status of Hong Kong, viz. a Special
4. CivicEducation Administrative Region of China, needs the
The future of Hong Kong depends also on the recognition by Hong Kong's major trade partners who
general public’s active and responsible participation increasingly tend to adopt "trade protectionism". We
in public affairs. The Council was one of the first to need to interpret Hong Kong's needs for free market
advocate the importance of Civic Education for all in and free travel to other countries.
Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Christian Council made a strong re­
Basic ingredients of Civic Education are: citizens' presentation to our counterpart in the U.S. over the
rights and responsibilities; social and government pro­ unilateral change of regulations by the U.S. govern­
cesses; national feeling and identity as well as moral ment on the country of origin issue. The CounciTs
goals. staff made every effort to interpret the Hong Kong
situaton to countless visitors and through the
For years, the Council’s "Faith and Life’’ series "Alternative Tours". In April 1985, the Council held
of high school text books; Form 5 summer camp and an important consultation on Hong Kong with repre­
"Summer with a Purpose" programme for Form 4 sentatives from North American Churches. We hope
students have been important tools for Civic to do the same with representatives from the
Education. The Council’s Education Committee has European Churches next year.