INDEPENDENT legislator David Chu Yu-lin and the Democratic Party's Tsang Kin-shing fought back the tears as the curtain fell early yesterday on the last Legco sitting under colonial rule.
Mr Tsang, one of the 26 members who will be thrown out of the legislature after the handover, urged Mr Chu, who moves to the provisional legislature, to continue serving Hong Kong people.
Fighting back tears, Mr Tsang, known as 'The Bull', said: 'Today signalled the beginning of a regression of Hong Kong's democracy. My tears were shed for Hong Kong's democracy.' Party leader Martin Lee Chu-ming said: 'We'll leave for the time being, for a short time. But like [US General Douglas] MacArthur said: 'I shall return'.' Legislative Council President Andrew Wong Wang-fat sounded the death knell of the elected law-making body shortly after 8 am with the words: 'In accordance with the Standing Orders of the Legislative Council, I now adjourn the council, sine die.' Members banged on tables in tribute to his efforts of the past two years.
Dumped legislators and those with through-train tickets in the provisional legislature then shook hands and embraced. The legislature in its last six days met for 72 hours and scrutinised 30 bills.
The last item on the agenda was Dr Leong Che-hung's valedictory motion, which was carried after a five-hour debate.
Legislators bid farewell to the British Government and wished the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region continued stability and prosperity.
