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from PRC such as provided by present British administration.
7.
Maintaining close contact with Hong Kong Executive
Council. Need to keep their confidence.
Discussed position
fully with them and Governor during recent visit.
8.
Members of Executive Council appointed, not elected. →
Problems of demonstrating acceptability. Not politically
possible, in view of Chinese sensitivities, for members of
Executive and Legislative Councils to be elected.
Bodies
with elected members are local and have limited functions.
9. Governor has many ways of assessing public opinion, but
stresses EXCO must be central and are broadly representative
of general feeling on future. We agree. Hope Parliament
can be brought to understand limitations.
10. Grateful help in maintaining confidence in Hong Kong
and bolstering prestige of EXCO. In view of delicacy of
negotiations, preferable if public and parliamentary interest
kept to minimum at present. Must avoid provoking Chinese to
#!
immovable public stands. On other hand see value in MPs,
especially new members, being educated on facts and background.
How best done? What about opposition?
(eg Parliamentary
Group, wider briefings, visits under Hong Kong Government
auspices).
Hong Kong Department
18 July 1983
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