CONFIDENTIAL #2
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to discuss HK's constitutional developments with SDA and
the financial and economic development with STI. HE then
went on to emphasize that Hong Kong's system was a
delicate thing to be handled with great care. It needed
to grow, but gradually and deliberately in response to
physical and social changes. Ten years ago most of the
population lived in the urban areas, now the people living
in the new towns in the New Territories were approaching
the two million mark. That shift in population had led
to the creation of the Regional Council. We also saw in
recent years the emergence of a new professional class,
comprising lawyers, engineers and bankers etc. well
educated, articulate and anxious to participate in the
running of HK.
12.
Similarly, the legal system which had
undergone a transformation from a largely parochial system
of fifty years ago to today's highly complex system which
embraced international financial and mercantile law.
Mr. SHAO should therefore discuss with the AG thoroughly.
13.
Mr. SHAO said that the delegation had visited
the Supreme Court, sat through a court hearing and
visited the Supreme Court Library. The Governor reminded
him that there were three key elements in HK's legal
system : first the Courts which interpreted the law,
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