CRS 220
SECRET
HKK_O_ILLI POSITED IN RECISTEENO. 51 11 AUG 1983
10
SECRET
FROM PEKING 1CC33OZ AUG 93
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 102 UF 10/9/83
AND TO PRIORITY FCO
YOUR TEL NO 1143:
той
INDEX
148 +18
on Takun
Rod jim pl. speak to Mr. Cox. We ohd
anaye
for Sir P. Cradock to see
8
REVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Ris
1. TUR ARRIVED AFTER THE AMBASSADOR'S DEPARTURE ON LEAVE. THE FOLLOWING IS SUBJECT TO HIS VIEWS.
on 15 When be
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3. THE CHINESE WILL BE ACUTELY SENSITIVE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM IN HONG, KONGIS,
THEY REGARD THE DISTRICT
THEY MAY IMAGINE THAT THE USE
comes in
30ARDS WITH SUSPICION. AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM IS A DEVICE OY THE GOVERNMENT TO MOBILISE HONG KONG OPINION AGAINST THE CHINESE PLANS. THEY MAY ALSO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM AS AN ATTEMPT TO BUILD AN ADMINISTRATIVE OBSTACLE TO FRUSTRATE THOSE PLANS.
3. WE NOTE THAT THE PROPOSAL IN TUR ENVISGES NO EXPANSION OF THE FRANCHISE OR EXTENSION OF THE ELECTORAL STEM, AND WE CONSIDER IT ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT NO SUC. MAJOR CHANGES ARE CONTEMPLATED AT THIS STAGE. SUT ANY DEVLOPMENT OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WILL NEED TO BE HANDLED EXTREMELY CAUTIOUSLY AND WITH A CLOSE EYE ON THE FEKING TALKS. THESE TALKS WILL PROBABLY BE GOING THROUGH A ELICATE STACE AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR. DURING THIS PHASE, THE CHINESE
MICHT REAC SADLY IF THEY WERE CONFRONTED WITH THE REVIEW, AND THEY TIGHT EVEN SEEK TO 103ILISE HONG KONG IPINION AGAINST IT.
GIVEN THE LIMITED NATURE OF THE REVIEN VE HAVE NO OBJECTION (AGAIN, SUBJECT TO SIR PERCY CRADOCK'S VIEWS) TO YOUR PROPOSAL.
SECRET
15. ON THE
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR 4...YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION No. 27(1)..
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER
SECTION 3 (4) OF THE
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958