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MR.
HU :
Sir, the White
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Paper on the development of representative government: the way forward, can be regarded as a realistic document which meets the needs of Hong Kong at this stage.
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On the one hand, it provides for changes to democratise
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the political structure while on the other, the proposed steps are prudent and cautious enough to preserve the territory's stability, which is so important during this transition period.
Furthermore, the changes proposed
in the White Paper are discreet enough to avoid impinging on the Basic Law which is still being drafted and will thus ensure that development at this stage, will converge with the political structure to be adopted after 1997. This is a welcome sign which indicates
a growing sense of co-operation and mutual understanding among Hong Kong, Britain and China. I am particularly
I glad that this document enables Hong Kong to untangle itself from the direct election for 1988 controversy and move ahead with changes that are acceptable to the majority of the people of the community.
The planned introduction of direct
election to this Council by 1991 is a reasonable solution to bridge the sharply divided public opinions over the timing of this issue. By that time, we will have a clear picture of the provision in the Basic Law and
can map out the developments that should take place in the transition period. Although I support in principle the introduction of direct election in 1991, some problems concerning the details are worth looking at. A
New the White Paper has overlooked