ANGLO-US INFORMATION TALKS: 20 NOVEMBER
HONG KONG: GOVERNOR'S CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS
Points to make
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The British Government fully supports Mr Patten and his proposals for constitutional development. Believe they
represent the best way forward for Hong Kong. In our view
they do not conflict with either the Joint Declaration or the
Basic Law.
These proposals have been well received in Hong Kong (still
an approval rating of over 60 per cent) and by opposition parties in Westminster. Where the Chinese disagree, it is up
to them to offer alternatives. We are open to discussion.
Smooth transition is very much in Hong Kong's interests and
China's. We shall continue to work for this.
Background
1. The Governor set out his constitutional proposals,
including suggested arrangements for the 1995 Legislative
Council elections, in his inaugural address to the Council on 7 October. They are the result of wide ranging consultation within the community and respond to a rapid growth of political awareness in Hong Kong in recent years. But in the interests of continuity after 1997 they do not go beyond the
terms of the Basic Law. The Governor's aim is to make the
Hong Kong administration more effective and accountable and
ensure that the 1995 elections are open, broadly-based and
fair.
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