M (91) 43
CONFIDENTIAL
602
would
likely view the
Bill as deliberately
facilitating
anti-Chinese demonstrations.
If
the Bill was further liberalized by the
Legislative
Council as appeared likely, they
would blame HKG and this would add weight (in
to their conspiracy theory. The
their eyes)
profile of the
raised once again.
subversion issue would be
(c)
Some Members suggested that the present
Ordinance should not be amended because
whatever changes were proposed would be
criticized
either by
liberals in the
Council as not going far enough
Legislative
or by China as
positively encouraging
subversion in Hong Kong. In either scenario,
the
Administration would be placed in a
defensive position.
(d) Members considered that the timing of the
presentation of the Bill to the Legislative
Council to be of critical importance. It was
suggested
to be put
as
regards
that deferral might allow the Bill
forward in an improved atmosphere
relations
with
China. It would
also allow time to see whether the present
law was
challenged.
Some Members queried