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047210
MDHIAN 6809
HONG KONG'S SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO EVOLVE GRADUALLY, IN A MANNER THAT
(A)
(B)
AND
COMMANDS FULL CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG:
ENSURES THAT GOVERNMENT REMAINS BOTH RESPONSIVE AND EFFECTIVE:
(C) PROVIDES FOR CONTINUITY BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
(B) DEFENSIVE
(SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN) HAS CHINA INFLUENCED OUTCOME OF REVIEW?" (SQUARE BRACKETS END). DECISIONS TAKEN BY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ALL OPTIONS IN GREEN PAPER WERE GENUINE OPTIONS. VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THESE OPTIONS HAVE BEEN KEY FACTOR IN REACHING DECISIONS IN WHITE PAPER. IN COMMENTING ON GREEN PAPER, MANY PEOPLE REFERRED TO IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BEFORE 1997 IS COMPATIBLE WITH PROVISIONS OF BASIC LAW FOR FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT.
5.
(SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN) CHINESE CONSULTED? (SQUARE BRACKETS END) BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE FREQUENT EXHCANGES OF VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST CONCERNING HONG KONG. CONTENTS OF THESE EXCHANGES MUST REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL. CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN KEPT INFORMED OF HONG KONG PEOPLE'S THINKING ON ISSUES DEALT WITH IN GREEN PAPER.
6.
(SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN) WHAT IF THERE HAD BEEN CLEAR SUPPORT FOR INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988? (SQUARE BRACKETS END) HAD SURVEY OFFICE REPORT SHOWED CLEAR-CUT OUTCOME ON TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO, GOVERNMENT WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE WISHED TO RESPOND TO THIS VIEW.
7. (SQUARE BRACKETS BEGIN) CHINESE GIVEN ADVANCE COPIES ? (SQUARE BRACKETS END) AS MATTER OF COURTESY, ADVANCE COPIES HANDED OVER A FEW DAYS BEFORE PUBLICATION IN HONG KONG. SAME DONE WITH GREEN PAPER AND 1984 WHITE PAPER.
(II)
ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC OPINION
(A) LINE TO TAKE
IN ASSESSING PUBLIC OPINION, OVERRIDING CONCERN OF EXCO WAS THAT DECISIONS IN WHITE PAPER SHOULD BE IN BEST INTERESTS OF PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. TASK OF ASSESSMENT WAS MUCH EASIER WHERE A CLEAR
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