1.
DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG
WHY CAN HONG KONG NOT HAVE DEMOCRACY
LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE?
Worth recalling what is already in place:
Universal suffrage for rising proportion of LegCo seats;
All LegCo members elected by one means or another in 1995;
The aim (enshrined in the Basic Law) of all members of
LegCo elected by universal suffrage;
- A considerable measure of direct election at the local
level (two thirds of District Board members).
But
- So we are not talking of absolutes, but of pace and
timing. Of course I would like to see faster progress. the debate is not happening in a vacuum. We want as much
continuity as possible through 1997. That is why we have
said that we must discuss all these issues with the Chinese
side. That will happen. But it will take time.
WHEN WILL THERE BE DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
OVER 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS?
We have said that we shall be discussing the 1995 elections with the Chinese side with the aim of ensuring as
much continuity as possible. Before that, the Governor will want to consult widely here in Hong Kong before we reach a
firm decision. That will take a little time.
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