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directly at the Chinese; as the Governor has pointed out this is
not profitable. We should however make clear that Hong Kong is
different, and that we are not able to develop its institutions
in the same way as other dependent territories destined for
independence.
Pressure for Change
13.
Nevertheless I suggest that we must match this tough line
with recognition that concern over the lack of representative
government is genuine among many MPs and that the possibility cannot
be ruled out that opposition will grow in the territory itself.
150 MPs have now signed the Early Day Motion calling on the Government
to support the proposed reforms to the Urban Council including at
least one Conservative member and many moderate members of the
Opposition. Not all of this support comes from people who are
uninformed about Hong Kong and although none of the 4 members of the
Anglo-Hong Kong Parliamantary Group who called on Mr Blaker are among
the signatories of the Early Day Motion, their views show that even
they were unconvinced by the standard Hong Kong reply.
14. Within Hong Kong itself the evidence of interest in change
is much scantier. There probably is something in the argument that
the Chinese people (at any rate in pragmatic Hong Kong) are less
interested in representative institutions than in ensuring that
these interests are looked after by competent people. But we cannot
rely on this mood continuing indefinitely. I believe that logically
there will be a slowly growing demand for some degree of democra-
tisation, at any rate of local government, and that some action
is necessary to anticipate this.
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