G.F. 316
SECRET 高度機密
Redacted under FOI Exemption S 27(1)
Issues Connected with the Question of Convergence:
Executive and Legislature
12
On 23 May and 14 October 1986, Sir Geoffrey Howe handed over to Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian two sets of papers on issues connected with the question of convergence between the present structure of government in Hong Kong, and the structure of government to be prescribed in the Basic Law for the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
2.
The first set of papers described how the present government institutions in Hong Kong operate in practice and examined certain issues which would require consideration in order to achieve convergence.
3.
The second set of papers dealt in greater detail with the relationship between the executive and the legislature; the future of the seats in the legislature now held by Official and Appointed Members; and a number of legal issues arising from the drafting of the Basic Law.
5.
The British side has given further consideration to a number of longer-term issues connected with the overall structure of government and with the need for covergence with the post-1997 structure to be prescribed in the Basic Law. It would now like to share its thoughts with the Chinese side.
The attached notes consider the role which might be played in the government of the future Hong Kong SAR by the three main institutions of government, namely:
6.
The Chief Executive
The Executive
The Legislature
(Note 1)
(Note 2)
(Note 3)
/cont'd.
SECRET **