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23.
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Mr. CHUNG Pui-lam said that Hong Kong people were very sensitive. In referring to 'close contact', was Mr. Renton contemplating closer contact in addition to JLG meetings and if so in what form and for what purpose, particularly in regard to the 1987 review or further development of representative system in Hong Kong?
24.
Mr. Renton replied that the GATT problem had to be solved and a lot of subjects had to be discussed. A very great deal of work had to be done to make a success of the Joint Declaration, both the principles and the details.
25.
Mr. Szeto Wah said that Mr. Renton's comments at his Peking press conference needed clarification. Mr. Renton reiterated that neither side had any pre-conceived ideas but both sides held the same views on constitutional development. What was the common ground?
26.
Mr. Renton said that there were no detailed discussions but the 'common ground' lay in the convergence of their views about the development of representative Government. The system would flow from the 1987 review, the 1988 elections and converge with the Basic Law at some point.
27.
Mr. Szeto Wah said he had fixed views about the development of representative government. He believed the great majority favoured direct elections. This was borne out by the 1984 White Paper and the report of the Office of Assessment.
28.
Mr. Renton said it was right and proper for Mr. Szeto Wah as a Umelco member and a citizen of Hong Kong to have fixed views. But the UKG had no pre-conceived ideas. The 1987 review lay ahead.
29.
In reply to Mr. Szeto Wah's further question whether the 1987 review would reject views referred to in the 1984 White Paper and the Assessment Office's report, Mr. Renton said he had no idea at the moment.
30.
Mr. P.K. Yeung asked when a satisfactory formula for an endorsement in BN (O) passport would be achieved. He commented that if 'one country, two systems' could be resolved, why could not a small administrative problem such as the proposed endorsement in BN (0) passport be resolved?
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