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24. THESE ARE MATTERS REQUIRING FURTHER REFLECTION BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF ANY SUCH CHANGES WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY. WHATEVER CHANGES MAY BE PROPOSED IN DUE COURSE, THE GOVERNOR WILL CONTINUE TO BE APPOINTED FORMALLY BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN UNTIL THE UNITED KINGDOM RELINQUISHES RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG IN 1997.
CONCLUSION
25. HONOURABLE MEMBERS, THE AIM OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER IS TO TAKE A FURTHER STEP ON THE WAY TO ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM WHICH DERIVES ITS AUTHORITY FROM THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY: AND TO THIS END TO ENABLE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO BECOME MORE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN SELECTING THEIR GOVERNMENT. OUR PROPOSALS RECOGNISE THE COMPLEX BALANCE OF INTERESTS WHICH LIES AT THE FOUNDATION OF HONG KONG'S SUCCESS. THEY RECOGNISE THAT THIS BALANCE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED THROUGH ADHERENCE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF STABILITY AND CONSENSUS. THEY ARE PROGRESSIVE, BUT GRADUAL: THEY SEEK TO MAINTAIN THE BEST FEATURES OF THE SYSTEMS WHICH HAVE SERVED HONG KONG WELL IN THE PAST. AT THE SAME TIME, THE PROPOSALS RECOGNISE THE POLITICAL REALITIES OF HONG KONG. IN DRAWING UP OUR PROPOSALS WE HIVE HAD REGARD TO THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR MAINLAND NEIGHBOUR. WE HAVE ALSO DONE OUR UTMOST IN FRAMING THESE PROPOSALS TO ENSURE THAT THERE NEED BE NO CONFLICT WITH HE PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE SYSTEMS IN FORCE BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
26. THESE PROPOSALS PRESENT THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY WITH AN OPPORTUNITY AND A CHALLENGE. THE OPPORTUNITY IS TO PARTICIPATE, AND I URGE ALL THOSE ENTITLED TO VOTE TO REGISTER IN GOOD TIME FOR NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS. THE CHALLENGE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN HONG KONG SHOULD REMAIN STABLE AND CONCENTRATE ON HONG KONG MATTERS. THE EXERCISE OF THE OPPORTUNITY WILL REQUIRE A HIGH SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, AND A CAREFUL CONCERN FOR STABILITY AMONG BOTH CANDIDATES AND VOTERS
WUM I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH THE CARE AND WISDOM ALWAYS SHOWN IN HONG KONG ON SUCH MATTERS. YOUR ADMINISTRATION WILL WELCOME PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT, AND WILL GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO IT. WE INTEND TO ALLOW TWO MONTHS FOR SUCH DISCUSSION. HAVING TAKEN THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC INTO ACCOUNT, IT IS OUR INTENTION LATER THIS YEAR TO PUBLISH A WHITE PAPER WHICH WILL SET DOWN THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED, AND TO INTRODUCE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION INTO THE COUNCIL.
YOUDE
LIMITED HKD
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
FED
SIR W HARDING
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