WHY NOT HAVE A REFERENDUM TO FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE WANT?
Referendum can only work if there is a simple question to be asked. But issues to be decided in this case are complex ones. sure that referendum would be helpful in this context.
Not
Consultation over draft Basic Law has been a detailed and thorough process. Now clear that more time is going to be needed. Consultative process will be prolonged. Hope that in course of further discussion and debate a clear consensus emerges.
IF IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT DIRECT ELECTIONS TO BE INTRODUCED AT A FASTER PACE BEFORE 1997 WILL YOU FACILITATE
THIS? PRESS FOR CHANGES IN DRAFT BASIC LAW?
In the interests of continuity and a smooth transition over 1997 we have secured Chinese agreement to members of last Leglo becoming members of first Hong Kong SAR legislature.
Therefore axiomatic that changes before 1997 must be consistent with what is set out in the Basic Law above the post 1997 political
structure.
Next step will be to ensure that Basic Law reflects the pace of
For this to happen, development that Hong Kong people want.
essential that a clear consensus emerges.
such a consensus yet exists.
Too early to say whether
SHOULD HMG/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BE DOING MORE TO GIVE HONG KONG PEOPLE A CLEAR LEAD ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT?
No. The various options have been clearly defined in the Basic Law consultative process. It is for Hong Kong people to decide. Would be wrong to promote any one option.