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public interest has been aroused, and where positive steps
could be taken is the development of democratic government. If there were tactical benefits previously in HMG being seen to promote rather than discourage this, these are now likely to be far greater, given the wide support that this concept has now attracted. Even UMELCO may be
persuaded to accept the argument put forward by Dr Ding
among others, that representative government, if taken
far enough, quickly enough, may provide the best
guarantee of Hong Kong's autonomy after 1997. But the
argument for a step by step approach remains, and the attitude of the Chinese must be watched carefully.
Hong Kong Department 22 May 1984
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