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law.
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The concept was also touched upon in the papers of May and
October 1986. The idea that a proportion of the legislature might
be elected by a GEC has been put forward as a matter for discussion for the longer term in the Green Paper: "The 1987 Review of Developments in Representative Government". There is, of course, no equivalent body in Hong Kong's present system of government, nor any specific provision for such a body in the Joint Declaration. it is not possible at this stage to predict how the concept might be received in Hong Kong. An important factor in encouraging its acceptance might be to make clear that such a body would not be an institution of government as such, but would be convened only as required to carry out its specific functions. If such a body seemed desirable the possible composition and methods of selecting members would require further consideration.
12.
In preparing the attached notes, the British side has taken
careful note of
It has also kept firmly in mind
the importance of preserving as far as possible, the successful elements of the present system of government and of achieving a structure capable of sustaining the high degree of autonomy provided for in the Joint Declaration. In considering these issues the
British side has paid particular regard to the following:
a) the government should be led by a strong executive, but there should be adequate checks and balances between the executive and the legislature while at the same time preserving a co-operative
relationship between them:
b) the development of Hong Kong's structure of government should take place gradually and step by step:
c) the Basic Law should allow for the continuing evolution of Hong Kong's system of government in response to the changing needs and aspirations of the community:
d) following from c), the system of government should be one in
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