Background
Mr Parry regularly asks questions on Hong Kong. His particular interest appears to be in the future and in the extension of popular participation in the government of the territory. The attached PQS reflect this concern.
The Secretary of State is aware that we and the Hong Kong Government are currently giving consideration to democratic development in Hong Kong, including the possibility of introducing a greater elected element.
In 1982 the system of District Administration in Hong Kong (which contains an elected element) was developed and extended. Further developments in Hong Kong's system of local administration are being planned, but these have not yet been announced publicly. They will involve the creation of a regional council, with at least half of its members directly elected, to serve the New Territories as well as changes in the composition of the District Boards. The Chief Secretary will probably make a brief statement about them in the Legislative Council on 15 February 1984.
We have not yet discussed this area with the Chinese. In recent public statements, Chinese officials have called for greater democracy in Hong Kong before and after 1997. However, we know that privately they would not welcome rapid change. There is also a considerable lack of clarity about China's own professed intention for democratic development in the territory; the key area of obscurity is the regular reference to processes of 'consultation or election' by which the Chief Executive and other principal officials would be chosen.
The draft replies have been agreed by HongKong and Peking.
Hong Kong Department
30 January 1984
Distribution Parliamentary Unit
Mr Donald