politically conscious people in Hong Kong wanted to see a more rapid rate of progress. There followed a period of intensive negotiations between the British and Chinese
governments about the electoral provisions to be included in
the Basic Law, which sets out the constitutional
arrangements for Hong Kong after the territory reverts to
Chinese sovereignty in July 1997. The final version of the Basic Law provides for 20 directly-elected seats in the Hong
Kong legislature (out of a total of 60) in 1997, and for
further increases to 24 seats in 1999 and 30 seats in 2003,
with the possibility of full direct elections in 2007.
10. Britain's aim throughout has been to establish a system
of democracy which would address aspirations in Hong Kong
and be capable of enduring and developing beyond 1997. It
was on this basis that the British Government decided to
introduce 18 directly-elected seats in 1991, a considerable
increase on the 10 originally proposed, and at least 20 in
1995.
11. Elections for the 18 directly-elected seats were held in
September 1991. This marked an important step forward in
the development of democracy in Hong Kong. There was a
turnout rate of 39% of registered voters and all 18 seats
were contested. The United Democrats of Hong Kong (UDHK) and their allies, led by the lawyer Mr Martin Lee, fought a
lively and successful campaign based on a call for faster
democracy. The UDHK won 12 of the seats and 45% of the
vote. Most of the successful candidates in the functional
constituency elections (21 seats) were independents without political affiliation. The remaining 21 members consist of
18 appointed by the Governor from a wide range of different backgrounds and 3 officials. The next Legislative Council due in 1995 will be all-elected, with no appointed or
official members.
12. We have said that we shall want to discuss arrangements for the 1995 Legislative Council elections with the Chinese
JH4ABS/4