S.6.
S.7.
later to the suggestion in Part Four concerning the need to find ways to "bolster" autonomy in a practical sense.
In paragraph 3.25, I write about two practical aims in my mind for the next stage of this project: -
(1) to build up a good working relationship with senior cadres and
others in the PRC; and
(2)
to bring into that relationship people from Hong Kong who can formulate with people from the PRC joint ways of approaching issues, and building trust between themselves.
These relationships will be the basis for some of the explaining and "joint thinking" that has to go on in certain areas if 1997 is to be a success. The prime need internally is to find ways of protecting and fostering autonomous decision-taking for individuals and private concerns, both over their own affairs and in the exercise of their roles within institutions in Hong Kong. This is an uncontroversial idea as it stands. In order to examine its prospects in both senses, however, one needs not only to see what is to be permitted in law by way of political and economic autonomy, but also to see how Hong Kong people and institutions can exercise that autonomy in practice, and protect it from unlawful encroachment. It is clear that "one country, two systems" is not just a concept to be applied from above: effective, it must be a reflection of a fact of life from below. (Paragraph 3.2)
to be
Part Four of this paper is entitled Practical Autonomy, the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. It is split into three parts:-
A.
B.
Attitudes
Structures
C. Details
In his speech to the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 10th October, 1990, the Governor referred to a "sincere effort to bolster Hong Kong so that it will have the strength to prosper as a Special Administrative Region after 1997". The question of how to "bolster" the territory's autonomy is indeed the crucial one; and, as everybody says continuously, the answer lies in the Joint Declaration, with action taken in accordance with its terms. The area of focus has to be the details of governance, and the manner in which public servants understand their function, and how they exercise their discretionary
powers.
I ask a number of questions without, yet, coming to any conclusions:-