JH1AEA
CONFIDENTIAL
MR RENTON'S VISIT TO HONG KONG (27-31 OCTOBER 1985
3.
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Points to make in public and to Hong Kong Government
officials and UMELCO members
1.
Recent LEGCO elections an undoubted success.
Important step forward in the steady evolution of
representative government in Hong Kong. Aim is progress combined with stability, development of structures which
preserve the best features of the institutions which have
served Hong Kong well over the years.
DEFENSIVE
2.
(Will Chinese be consulted on development of
representative government?) Joint Declaration mak es
clear that Britain will be responsible for administration
of Hong Kong between now and 1997. Developments so far
accord fully with structures foreseen in the Joint
Declaration.
(Joint Liaison Group to discuss
developments?) Not under discussion in Joint Liaison
Group. As you know, Group's main task in its early years
i s to ensure Hong Kong's continued participation in
GATT, MFA and other international arrangements, and to
consider action to ensure continued application of
international rights and obligations affecting Hong Kong.
3.
(How can it be ensured that Hong Kong Government's
development of representative government structures will
be compatible with structures which will be stipulated in
the Basic Law?) Basic Law of course a matter for Chinese
Government.
But Chinese Government and Hong Kong
Government both have s ame starting point, the Joint
Declaration, and same aim, stability and prosperity for a
CONFIDENTIAL