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(E) PARAGRAPH 15. I DO NOT SHARE THE SQUARE BRACKETED JUDGEMENT IN THE FINAL SENTENCE. THERE IS NO QUALITATIVE DISTINCTION ON
THE MAINLAND BETWEEN PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS' AND THOSE UNDER THEM,
JUST AS THERE IS NO SUCH DISTINCTION CURPENTLY IN HONG KONG.
I VERY MUCH DOUBT THAT THE CHINESE WOULD WISH TO SEE SUCH A
DISTINCTION INTRODUCED AFTER 1997.
(F) PARAGRAPH 16. THE FINAL TWO SENTENCES IN QUARE BRACKETS ARE, I THINK, CAST IN THE WRONG TERMS. THE FACT IS THAT RETENTION CF THE ESSENTIAL SUBSTANCE OF HONG KONG'S GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM AS IT
NOW OPERATES IS WHAT THE CHINESE WANT. THEIR RECENT ANXIETIES HAVE
COME ABOUT BECAUSE THEY ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT WE MAY BE SEEKING
TO ALTER THAT ESSENTIAL SUBSTANCE.
(G) PARAGRAPH 22. I AGREE WITH THE SQUARE BRACKETED JUDGEMENT IN
THE FOURTH SENTENCE OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 1 NOTE THAT THE RECENT
**MIRROR' ARTICLE FORESAW A LEGISLATURE INCORPORATING A DIRECTLY
ELECTED ELEMENT. BUT SUSPICION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS RUNS VERY DEEP,
AND I THINK THAT FACT SHOULD BE REITERATED.
EVANS
HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
COPIES TO:
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS
RESEARCH D (FE)
D/HD PUSD
MR WILSON
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