during her visit.
CONFIDENTIAL
[IF RAISED]
I can confirm that reports have appeared in Hong Kong newspapers suggesting that Hong Kong people will participate in the Committee
drafting the Basic Law, perhaps including Hong Kong Government
officials and UMELCO members. They add that a proposal is expected
to be put to the Chinese National People's Congress at the end of
this month, which will also consider whether a consultative
Committee should be established.
It will of course be for the
their
Chinese government to announce when it i s ready what arrangements it
intends to make. But HMG for
part would welcome as full a
participation by Hong Kong people as possible.
Introduction of Direct Elections
7.
in
Public comment on proposals contained in the Green Paper
published in Hong Kong in July showed little evidence of support for
introduction of direct elections
immediate future.
People
recognise need to ensure that Hong Kong's stability and prosperity
are not put at risk by introducing too many
many constitutional changes
too rapidly. Further consideration will be given to question in
1987 review.
District Board Elections (7 March 1985)
8. In the recent elections for Hong Kong's local District Boards,
213 seats were contested by nearly 500 candidates, and over 476,000
people voted. This represents an increase of almost 134,000 over
1982. It is a very
the number who voted in the
first elections
in
satisfactory result, and an encouraging indication
support in Hong Kong for the
of popular
steps that are being taken to develop a
more representative system of government there.
TS Lo resignation from EXCO
9. Mr T S Lo resigned from the Executive and Legislative Councils
with effect from 12 February. This is a personal matter for Mr Lo.
[IF IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE RESIGNATION WAS IN PROTEST AT THE
AGREEMENT]
I am not aware of any criticism of the agreement by Mr Lo.
CONFIDENTIAL
7
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