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29
of the considerable public interest
being focussed on
The differences of opinion voiced in the community
direction which further political reforms should take is a measure
these issues which
is
on the
in
now
government
The
the forthcoming
issue
review of
representative
attracting
the greatest attention,
particularly in the media, is whether an element of direct elections
to the Legislative Council should be introduced, and, in particular,
whether they should be introduced in 1988. Opinion on
the issue is
divided
The Hong Kong Government has not taken any
view on the
possible outcome of the 1987 review. Its aim will be to seek the
widest possible public response, SO as to ensure that it can take
full account of all shades of Hong Kong opinion in considering what
changes, if any, are required as a result of the review.
30.
Committee
The publicity surrounding the work of
of the Basic Law Drafting
has stimulated public debate. on the question of further
political reform The Basic Law will not come into force until 1
July 1997 Nevertheless, the importance of achieving compatibility
structure of government as it continues to evolve up to
future Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Government after 1997, is widely understood by
the community
between the
1997
and
the
structure
of the
VI. THE CIVIL SERVICE
Localisation
31.
of
major change
in
Although there has been no
the Hong Kong
Government's localisation policy in the past two decades,
the
practice of giving suitable local candidates preference in
appointment to recruitment ranks has continued to bear fruit as some
these officers have acquired experience and have been promoted
through the ranks
In the senior management/professional grades,
local officers now hold over 70% of the 1,500 posts whilst in
directorate (ie most senior) ranks, the proportion has reached 50%
of the 940 positions. The Hong Kong.overnment
confident that
the continued application of the current policy will enable top
posts to be filled by local officers in the years before 1997, in
is
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