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MDHIAN 2970
3. THIS REQUIREMENT CONTINUES TO SHAPE THE GOVERNMENT'S THINKING
ON THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. THE SYSTEM HAS TO EVOLVE AS HONG KONG SOCIET DEVELOPS, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE NEED TO MAINTAIN STABILITY AND PROSPERITY UNDER AN EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION
REMAINS AS STRONG AS EVER.
4. THESE CONSIDERATIONS POINT TOWARDS THE VALUE OF DEVELOPING A
MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM. SO AS TO IMPROVE THE RESPONSIVENESS OF
THE GOVERNMENT TO SOCIETY'S NEEDS. IT SHOULD ALSO BE RECOGNIZED
THAT HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OWE MUCH TO THE PURSUIT
OF CONSISTENT POLICIES AND PRUDENT DEVELOPMENT. THIS POINTS TO THE
NEED TO EVOLVE GRADUALLY FROM THE UNIQUE SYSTEM THAT HAS SERVED HONG KONG WELL UNTIL NOW, AND NOT TO FORCE THE PACE OF REFORM TO AN EXTENT THAT MIGHT INTRODUCE INSTABILITY AND UNCERTAINTY INTO
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY. IN THIS CONNEXION, IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE
CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT DURING THE PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE RESTORATION OF HONG KONG TO CHINA IN 1997, AND IN CONTINUITY AFTER 1997 WHEN HONG KONG WILL BE A SPECIAL ADMINIS-
TRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
5. THE GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIVES WITH REGARD TO THE SYSTEM OF
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG ARE THEREFORE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) THAT IT SHOULD CONTINUE TO EVOLVE TO SUIT HONG KONG'S
CIRCUMSTANCES.
(B) THAT IT DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE PRUDENT AND GRADUAL:
(C) THAT ANY REFORMS SHOULD HAVE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE SUPPORT
SO AS TO COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE:
AND
(D) THAT THE SYSTEM IN PLACE BEFORE 1997 SHOULD PERMIT A
SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997 AND A HIGH DEGREE OF CONTINUITY
THEREAFTER.
ENDS
WILSON
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