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Comments
There is no evidence to support any substantial desire to develop in Hong Kong the adversary process to which Western democracy has committed itself in so many ways. It is not so much that the Civil Service Branch does not believe in conflict or not want conflict (who in his right senses wants it, anyway?); it believes that most human relationships and situations can and should be handled by rational debate (called consultation!) working towards
agreements, rather than assuming that a conflict/ adversary status is the root of every issue and the only way to work the issue through.
Civil Service Branch, Government Secretariat, 10th October 1977.