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(ii) The Chinese might still object that we were going too far in
allowing the local people to choose senior officials.
(iii) There could be disputes between the Governor and the Chief
Minister.
Option (d) would be combined with the establishment of a joint
Sino-British group in Hong Kong with strictly limited terms of reference. This is dealt with in more detail in the separate paper
9.
on Item 2.
Advantages
(a)
There would be provision for continuity from an elected
Governor to an elected Chief Executive.
(b)
HMG would retain specific reserved powers. They would aim not
to employ these except in an emergency when they might have to
exercise them directly. In emergencies affecting internal or
external security this might involve sending instructions to
the Commander British Forces. In a "political" emergency (for
example in circumstances where a locally elected Governor
sought to pursue policies inconsistent with the Sino-British
agreement), it might be necessary to HMG to remove him from
office.
(c)
The Chinese might accept the arrangement of an elected Governor
in return for our acceptance of a Joint Group.
(d) The presence of the Joint Group in the territory would
demonstrate HMG's continuing involvement and provide a channel
for Sino-British communication on the ground in the event of
In both ways it would help defuse any movement
unrest.
disorder.
towards
Disadvantages
(i) The establishment of a Joint Group could hit confidence in
Hong Kong.
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