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INFORMAL MEETING WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 6 APRIL 1989
A:
FCO'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
Powers of the Governor/Secretary of State
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Governor is appointed by The Queen as her personal representative, on recommendation of Secretary of State after
consulting the Prime Minister. Appointment is not for fixed term, though it was up to s
including Sur Murray Machehon
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Candidates not selected exclusively from FCO, although this has been pattern in recent years because they have appropriate
маш? experience. Some previous Governors came from HKG. Chien Servia.
Formal source of Governor's authority is Letters Patent and
Royal Instructions which is effectively Hong Kong's constitution.
Under Letters Patent Secretary of State has theoretical powers to instruct the Governor in exercise of his functions across the
board. But in practice, Hong Kong enjoys high degree of autonomy as is clear from the Hong Kong Government's memorandum. Areas where Hong Kong has autonomy have grown by practice and precedent over the years. Not defined in the Letters Patent and Royal Instructions.
Hong Kong's High Degree of Autonomy
All aspects of daily administration of Hong Kong decided in Hong Kong without reference to the FCO e.g. budget plans, use of monetary and financial polices; all aspects of trade and commercial policies; all housing, education, social and environmental policies
etc.
But
All day-to day aspects of treatment of Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong decided and implemented by Hong Kong Government. external/international aspects of problem of course discussed
between Hong Kong Government and HMG.
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