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IN HONG KONG ARE FORMED THROUGH BROADLY-BASED AND FAIR ELECTIONS.
THESE POINTS WILL BE FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE INTERESTS OF AS MUCH CONTINUITY AS POSSIBLE: THE GOVERNOR IS THEREFORE ANNOUNCING PROPOSALS.
DEFENSIVE (IF ASKED)
4.
HAVE THE CHINESE BEEN CONSULTED?
FOREIGN SECRETARY GAVE ADVANCE BRIEFING TO CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW YORK ON 25 SEPTEMBER. GOVERNOR ALSO SENT A MESSAGE TO LU PING (SENIOR OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG TO THE STATE COUNCIL) ON 26 SEPTEMBER, GOING OVER THE SAME GROUND. DISCUSSIONS WILL GET UNDERWAY WHEN THE GOVERNOR VISITS PEKING
IN LATE OCTOBER.
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HOSTILE CHINESE
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REACTIONS?
CHINESE HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN TO US OVER SOME OF GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS. BUT THESE ARE EARLY DAYS. WE SHALL WORK TO REACH AGREEMENT IN THE INTERESTS OF CONTINUITY.
PROPOSALS NOT CONSISTENT WITH BASIC LAW?
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APART FROM OUR PROPOSAL FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE CHINESE TO CHANGE THE BASIC LAW, THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW.
WHAT CHANCES OF A SMOOTH TRANSITION NOW?
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BOTH WE AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AGREE THAT IT IS IN
EVERYONE'S INTEREST TO HAVE A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997. IMPORTANT FOR THE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG
WHICH EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE. WE SHALL PURSUE DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WILL NEED TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
WHY NOT GO FOR BROKE AND HAVE A FULLY DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGCO?
THIS IS EARLY DAYS. NOT YET SURE HOW FAR WE CAN MANAGE ΤΟ
REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE.
OUR AIM REMAINS TO DEVELOP A LEVEL OF DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG
WHICH WILL BE SUSTAINABLE BEYOND 1997.
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PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT CONTINUITY.
STAGE WOULD MEAN ABANDONING THAT AIM.
EXCO NOT CONSULTED PROPERLY
UNILATERALISM AT THIS
GOVERNOR DID SEEK EXCO'S OPINION ON HIS CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS AND THEIR VIEWS WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
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