HKK 040
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 5 JUL 1984
DESK OFFICER
INCEX
25
SECRET
MISTRY
PA
Action Taken
FROM:
R D CLIFT
DATE: 18 May 1984
Dr Wilson
Sir P Cradock Cradock
har seen SeB
2517
cc: Mr Orr, FED
FUTURE OF HONG KONG: PUBLIC OPINION
Mr Walker, Research Dept
Mr Mound
Mr Hum
Mr Powell
Mr. Goulden News Dept
20
1. I submit an abstract of representations on the future put forward by various Hong Kong groups in the last few weeks, prepared
by Hong Kong. We have commissioned further (shorter) summaries on a
regular basis, which I recommend we should submit to Ministers, so
that they are in touch with the debate in Hong Kong, and the
specific proposals made for the future by various groups.
Meeting
2. In this summary it is interesting to note that the majority of
the demands already figure in our agreement in one way or another.
Others deal with particular sectional interests, eg land leases for
The New Territories in the Heung Yee Kuk paper, and low taxes in the Kaifong paper. Yet others are interesting new proposals.
Point for instance proposes that Article 62 of the Chinese
Constitution should be amended to define the power of SAR
governments, and that any amendments to the Basic Law should be
approved by two-thirds of the Municipal Council.
3. This underlines the wider issue of how we should approach the debate on the future which is now beginning in Hong Kong. We want
to encourage people to speak out so that we can show that we have
consulted the people of Hong Kong about the agreement, before they
are presented with a final document to approve or disapprove. We
want to discourage unrealistic demands on the negotiators, but as
the UMELCO manifesto has already put forward some such demands we
have little to lose in a debate. Indeed, if we could guide the
debate along constructive lines we would have much to gain in
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