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to introduce direct elections in 1988, they became co-operative, on
the White Paper and other Hong Kong issues (paragraphs 15-16).
5.
White Paper published on 10 February introduces ten directly
elected seats into LegCo in 1991, and increases by two the number of
indirectly elected members from 1988. It rationalises the
three-tier system of government: each tier will now elect
representatives to the next. A major advance for Hong Kong. We
have also brought the Chinese a long way; in 1984 they almost
certainly did not envisage direct elections even after 1997 (paragraphs 17-20).
6.
Hong Kong public opinion and press generally support White
Paper decisions. But minority radicals and vested interests have
reacted badly. The foreign press, especially in Britain, has been
hostile reflecting effective lobbying by radicals and failure to
see why Westminster system not necessarily right for Hong Kong (paragraphs 20-22).
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7. Much work will be needed in the 1990s to bring Hong Kong into
line with the post-1997 political system to be set out in the Basic
Law. Will need care and imagination. Crucial question is how to
provide workable link between the executive and the legislature,
without present arrangement for officials and appointed members in LegCo (parsgraphs 22-27).
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