SECRET
10.
Such
risk for an abrupt break in 1997 would be fraught with risk Hong Kong. It would be the opposite of the smooth transition which
we are committed to achieve. The Chief Executive would have no
experience of high authority and responsibility when he assumed all
his functions on 1 July 1997. Nor would the legislature or the
civil service be accustomed to working with the post or the
individual.
Option (B)
The
be
11. Option (B) might involve action in two stages before 1997. The post of Deputy Governor could be created and filled within the Hong Kong Government in the early 1990s.
will powers which
exercised by the Chief Executive after 1997 would be gradually delegated or devolved to the occupant of the post from the Governor.
The Governor would retain ultimate authority and specific
responsibility, under the direction of HMG, for foreign affairs, defence and security. Nearer 1997 N would be filled by a person,
selected in consultation with the Chinese, who could bridge the gap
and hold office as Chief Executive after 1997.
the prite
It
12. Option (B) would help to ensure convergence with the post-1997 government structure and meet the need for a smooth transition. would indicate to the Hong Kong people in advance the way in which the transition would be handled. It would reduce apprehension.
particular it would enable the important middle and managerial classes to understand the nature and effect of the changes in
government structure which would be in prospect.
In
13. The creation of a post of Deputy Governor would provide time and a focus for the constitutional and legislative changes which
must be made in order to provide for the transition. It would accustom members of the Executive Council, the Legislative Council and the government service, first to the existence of the post and subsequently to the person of the Chief Executive (Designate) before the transition of government took place. It would give the Chief Executive (Designate) time to understand the processes of governing
and to establish his authority. There is also likely to be an increasing need in the more political atmosphere of the 1990s for
SECRET
Л