consistent with the undertakings given by the British
Government.
When the Joint Declaration was signed, the
There were no
Since 1985 almost half its members have
Legislative Council was wholly appointed.
elected members.
been indirectly elected. And from 1991 ten directly
elected seats will be introduced.
And there will be
further changes between now and 1997.
The review of
representative government in Hong Kong which was carried out in 1987 clearly showed that the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong people support this process and favour the
steady and gradual pace which we have adopted.
means the last
On the post-1997 political system, your editorial is
premature in seeking to write off the Basic Law drafting
process. The constitutional model which has emerged from
the Basic Law Drafting Committee is by no
word on the matter. Senior members of the Committee have
made it clear that amendments can still be made following
The Committee further public consultation in Hong Kong.
have endorsed the important principle that the ultimate objective is the introduction of universal suffrage for
the election of both the Chief Executive and the
legislature. That is a most significant step forward, which goes beyond the imprecise terms of the Joint
Declaration which I have quoted above.
What remains to
be done is to devise a timetable and mechanisms for the
introduction of universal suffrage in Hong Kong which
will command the confidence of the community as a whole.