SECRET
someone to take a lead
in presenting government policies in Legislative Council and more generally in the public area. Governor will not be able to perform this role.
the
The
We
our
14. In principle the advantages of option (B) are clear-cut.
need however to consider carefully the implications for relationship with China and our objective of securing the maximum influence over developments in Hong Kong.
The Chinese Dimension
1.5.
The introduction of a Chief Executive (Designate) before 1997
could be achieved successfully only in agreement with the Chinese
Government. This would be not an abdication of responsibility but a practical necessity. Such modifications to the Hong Kong Government
structure would without doubt be "matters relating to the smooth
transfer of government" on which the two sides are bound by the
terms of the Joint Declaration to consult. We would need to explain
to the Chinese how we envisaged that the post would fit within the
Hong Kong Government structure, how the incumbent would be selected
and how powers would be progressively delegated to him. If we
sought to go ahead without consultation with the Chinese the
objective of a smooth transition, brought about in cooperation with
China, could not be achieved.
16.
Such consultation, if it led to agreement and to the
appointment of an individual who would bridge the change of
sovereignty in 1997, would offer us a valuable means of acquiring
enhanced influence over events after 1997, because the
because the first Chief
Executive would be a candidate acceptable to ourselves as well as to
the Chinese Government. It is true that as a quid pro quo we would
have conceded to the Chinese influence over an appointment made
before 1997. But the bargain would be in our favour. We would
retain full responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong up to
30 June 1997, as the Joint Declaration provides. We would retain
control over the process by which the candidate was appointed, both
in the early 1990s and nearer 1997. This formal power would give us
the means of resisting any attempt by the Chinese to impose on Hong Kong before 1997 a Chief Executive (Designate) who would not be
SECRET
-5-