CAZADE
SECRET
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
НКВ 011/1
DD 1988/258
DESPATCH
SELECTIVE DISTRIBUTION
HONG KONG
1 MARCH 1988
THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG:
THE 1988 WHITE PAPER
THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Summary
1.
Green Paper published in May 1987 covered a range of
constitutional issues, including direct elections to the Legislative
Council (LegCo). Direct elections attracted by far the most
attention. China was strongly opposed to early introduction and
campaigned vigorously, both overtly and covertly. Vociferous
pro-direct election lobby drew support from young and educated
middle class. Unprecedented response of 130,000 submissions to the
Survey Office (paragraphs 1-6).
2.
Unsuccessful Chinese attempts to get an assurance from us that
there would be no direct elections in 1988. But unhelpful public
comments by Chinese made our position more difficult and were seen
here as interference (paragraphs 7-10).
3.
Report by Survey Office in October showed clear majority in
favour of an element of direct elections to LegCo before 1997.
Views sharply divided on whether to start in 1988. On other issues
raised in the Green Paper, the response was generally against change. Overall impression of population generally satisfied with the political system and wanting change to be gradual (paragraphs
11-14).
in
4. If Hong Kong opinion had strongly favoured direct elections 1988, we would have faced a damaging confrontation with Peking. We were spared this dilemma. Once Chinese knew that we were not going
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