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There have been few
9.
procedures.
Chinese
references to
'democratic'
According to a Hong Kong press report in November, Ji
Pengfei (Head of the Hong Kong and Macao Office) told a Hong Kong
visitor that China would consider at least
at least three ways of electing
administrative chiefs depending on Britain's attitude:
a)
In the event of an unsatisfactory degree of British
cooperation and 'inadequate sense concerning democracy' on the part
of the Hong
Hong Kong people, the Executive and Legislative Councils
might be combined with councillors being 'partially elected by the
people'.
b)
Alternatively, in similar circumstances and if Britain
a system of consultations would
does not wish to hold elections',
be introduced.
c) If in the transition period Britain really allowed the
people of Hong Kong to rule Hong Kong and the Hong Kong people
showed a keen sense of freedom and democracy', a system of
elections involving the whole people could be carried out.
1
10.
An editorial in the communist-controlled Hong Kong New
Evening Post on 30 November said that the Letters Patent and Royal
Instructions should be replaced by a 'mini-constitution' drawn up by
democratic process.
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