12. Mr Roberti asked whether our failure to introduce more
directly elected seats in 1991 in the face of Chinese
opposition would not encourage the Chinese to take a tough
stance in future. You pointed out that elections did not
happen on paper; they needed people to participate. You
asked what sort of elections would have taken place in 1991
and 1995 against a background of intense Chinese opposition.
Colonial Laws Validity Act
consequences flowing from
13.
Mr Roberti asked whether the Change necessary in this Act if LegCo was more than 50% elected had been discussed
with the Chinese. You said that it had never been part of
negotiations though it had been raised in the press.
PADS
14.
Did China's interest arise from a real concern about
financing or were they trying to stake for themselves a role
in decisions with consequences after 1997. You said that financial concerns were genuine. In post 1997 matters, the
Chinese consider that only they could represent the
interests of the future SARG. But they did not want the
present HKG to become a lame duck and had explicitly told
the Governor so during his recent visit.
MUKAMB/5
C
Arthage
aj
P A Major