Hong Kong in recent years. They have been generally very
favourably received by Hong Kong people. At the same time Mr
Patten has taken full account of Hong Kong's special
circumstances and of the Chinese-drafted Basic Law which comes
into force in 1997. His proposals are by any standards modest and the Chinese reaction is out of all proportion. The
proposal mentioned by Mr Moore, that the District Boards, at
present partially-elected, should be fully elected was just
one of them. But it is a good example of how the Governor's
proposals, far from initiating dramatic changes, build on
existing practice.
We briefed the Chinese Government fully before the Governor
announced his proposals to the Hong Kong Legislative Council
in October. At the same time we made it clear that they were
proposals, not firm decisions, and that we wanted to discuss
them with the Chinese. But it would not have been politically
possible for the Governor to have spent months discussing his
thinking privately with the Chinese before saying anything
about arrangements for the 1995 elections to the people of
Hong Kong. The resulting speculation and uncertainty in Hong Kong would have been damaging to stability. We remain ready
to discuss these proposals with the Chinese and hope they will
eventually agree to doso calmly and constructively.
The Governor has no hidden agenda, as those opposed to his proposals sometimes try to suggest. His sole purpose is to work for the present and future well-being of the people of
Hong Kong.
madel.moore.PR
JEB
ALASTAIR GOODLAD