individual letters or
questionnaires, those
favouring direct
elections in 1988 outnumber those opposing by wide margins.
Some people argue that Britain should wait until 1991,
after China has promulgated the Basic Law, before introducing
direct elections in Hong Kong. That way, they say, Britain will
avoid any possible conflict with the provisions of the Basic Law.
This argument does not stand up to scrutiny.
-
For waiting
waiting until 1991 would mean that seven years
would have gone by since the Agreement on Hong Kong before the
first step entailing only a small minority of seats is taken
towards establishing a directly elected legislature.
leave precious little time for the necessary second and third
steps,
legislature to gain experience
and
for such
a
confidence.
It would
and
Basic
China has said
for the
Such a three-year wait is unnecessary.
that the Basic Law would reflect the wishes of the people of Hong
Kong. If Hong Kong people want direct elections (as clearly
evidenced by all survey results), it is inconceivable that the
would Law
not provide for them. Allowing
possibility that the Basic Law may rule out direct elections is
to expect that the Basic Law will be a document to be forced down
the throats of the people of Hong Kong, something that China is
clearly not prepared to do.
Clearly, the Basic Law is intended to enshrine in the
form of a mini-constitution for the territory all the terms and
conditions contained in the Agreement and to reflect faithfully
both the letter and the spirit of the same. It is clear beyond a
peradventure that the introduction of direct elections in 1988 is
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