GR 1500
SECRET
GEORET HIGH 011/3
RECEIVETOPSCOPY
· 6 JAN 1984
DESK OFFICER
P
INDEX
Mo
вк
REGISTRY
Action Taken
KEB"
FM HONG KONG 06095OZ JAN SA
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 46 OF 6 JANUARY
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
MY TELNO 35: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: PAPER ON CONSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE.
THE FINAL VERSION OF THE PAPERS SUBMITTED TO EXCO READ AS FOLLOWS:
INTRODUCTION
THIS MEMORANDUM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A BASIS FOR A DISCUSSION ON A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, AND SETS OUT SOME OPTIONS FOR POSSIBLE REFORMS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE OF HONG KONG.
INCREASING INTEREST IN THE ISSUE
2. IN RECENT YEARS, AN INCREASING INTEREST HAS BEEN TAKEN BY
SOME GROUPS IN HONG KONG IN THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTIONS TO THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, OR AT LEAST HAVING THE MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SELECTED ON A MORE FORMAL AND VISIBLY
REPRESENTATIVE BASIS THAN THE PRESENT APPOINTED SYSTEM. THIS
IS PARTLY THE RESULT OF THE INCREASING MATURITY OF THE HONG KONG
SYSTEM, NOTABLY THROUGH THE EMERGENCE OF AN ARTICULATE PROFESSIONAL
MIDDLE CLASS MANY OF WHOM WERE EDUCATED IN THE US, CANDADA AND UK.
3. THE APPROACH OF 1997 AND THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FUTURE HAVE ALSO STIMULATED PUBLIC DEBATE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL
ISSUES. THE CHINESE HAVE INDICATED PUBLICLY THEIR INTENTION OF
CONSULTING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THE MINI-CONSTITUTION
FOR THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) WHICH THE CHINESE INTEND
HONG KONG TO BECOME POST-1997.
4. THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE TALKS HAVE ALSO EXERTED PRESSURE ON
THE BRITISH SIDE TO PRODUCE IDEAS ON THE CENTRAL CONSTITUTIONAL
ISSUES. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INDICATIONS THAT THE CHINESE UNDER-
STAND THAT HONG KONG CANNOT REMAIN STATIC UP TO 1997 AND THAT
THE QUESTIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT
ORGANISATION BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT BEARING
ON THE SUCCESS OF ANY POST-1997 ARRANGEMENTS WHICH MAY BE AGPEED.
PURPOSE OF CHANGE
5. THE PURPOSE OF CHANGE WOULD BE:
(A) TO KEEP PACE WITH THE NATURAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG
SOCIETY:
SEORET
/ (B) IF THE
»
2
Page 195Page 196