4
Longer-term Developments in Representative Government
14. The public response to the 1987 Green Paper showed that there is a strong desire among the community for the system of representative government to be developed further. The forms of representation developed over the years have proved to be effective and to have firm popular support. The three-tier structure of government received strong endorsement in the 1987 review and there is a clear wish among the people of Hong Kong to retain and strengthen this system. At the same time there is substantial support for the view that future development should take the form of a prudent and gradual evolution, to ensure stability between now and 1997 and a smooth transfer of government in 1997.
15.
A continuing, steady evolution of Hong Kong's system of representative government is
is clearly in the best interests of the community, both to meet the developing needs of our society and to maintain confidence in our future. Such a process has broad support within the community.
16.
be
The decisions taken by the Hong Kong Government concern the further development of representative government
between now and 1991. Continuing development will necessary between 1991 and 1997 to ensure that the system evolves steadily to provide continuity and a smooth transition
transition in 1997. The framework of government after 1997 will be incorporated in the Basic Law which is due to be promulgated in 1990. Decisions will therefore need to be taken during the period up to 1997 to enable Hong Kong's system of government to evolve in a way that is compatible both with the aspirations of
of the Hong Kong community and with the framework set out in the Basic Law. These decisions will require further public consultation, though not necessarily in the form of a review such as that just concluded.
The system of
government
in Hong Kong is
17. unique, and
has developed in the way that it has because of the unique circumstances
circumstances of the territory. The system of government for the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which was set out in broad outline in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and which will
will be elaborated in more detail in the Basic Law, will also have its Own special features. Both before and after 1997 Hong Kong will continue to require a structure of government tailored to its own special circumstances. The aim of the Government in