AVB
RESTRICTED
BACKGROUND
1.
In November 1984 the Hong Kong Government published a White
Paper entitled "The Further Development of Representative Government
in Hong Kong". The Paper, which was endorsed by the Hong Kong
Legislative Council (LEGCO) in January 1985, proposed:
(a)
(b)
an increase in the number of Unofficial members of
LEGCO and a decrease in the number of official
civil servant) members;
(ie
the selection of 24 of these Unofficials by indirect
elections
based
constituencies; and
on
geographical and
functional
(c)
2.
a further review of developments towards more
representative government, including the possibility of
direct elections to LEGCO, in 1987.
While they have not objected to these developments a s
such,
the Chinese have expressed considerable concern through formal and
informal channels over the extent and pace of further constitutional
development in Hong Kong between now and 1997. A particular point
of Concern to them is
whether developments arising from the 1987
review will preempt their plans for Hong Kong' $ Government structure
post-1997, which will be embodied in the Basic Law that they are now
drafting.
3.
The HKG is committed to considering the issue of direct
election in 1987, and there is already a vigorous public debate in
Hong Kong as to whether these will in fact
fact be introduced. We have
sought in our senior official contacts with Chinese leaders to
explain that we are committed to a full review in 1987, which must
include the issue of direct elections, but that no decisions have
been taken on what if any reforms should be introduced following the
review.
The Secretary of State reiterated these points to the Chinese Foreign Minister in their meetings in the margins of the State Visit to China between 12 and 18 October.
RESTRICTED