28-07-1992 23:11
BRITISH HIGH COMM K L
* 3447766
P.22
Mr Ricketts. HKD
Secretary of State's Meeting with Hong Kong Disic
Board Chairmen. 27 July
The main points raised were:
(a) Future status and composition of District Beards. Most speakers favoured retaining the current three-tier structure (District Boards, Regional/Urban Councils. LegCo/ExCo). Most also wanted to retain the curren: blend of appointed and elected members.
Mr Leung Kwong-cheong favoured abolition of the appointments system and replacement by fully-elected District Boards. Ms Peggy Lan supported retention of the current area committees. Mr Cheung Yan-lung favoured retention of the current executive-led style of government. The Secretary of State said that he would bring the various constitutional points raised by District Board members to the Governor's attention.
But he could Governor was looking at all these issues. assure District Board members that Hong Kong would continue to have an executive-led government.
The
The
(5) Concern at the growing crime rate, in particular smuggling, including of firearms, and car theft. Secretary of State said he understood members' concern about law and order, in particular smuggling. Hong Kong was relatively safe by international standards. But members were right to be concerned about the issue.
(c)
Concern about the rate of inflation, especially in the property market. Mr Yip Wah said that the exchange rate link between the US and Hong Kong dollars should be reviewed. The Secretary of State said that the management of inflation was a matter for the Hong Kong Government. The inflation rate had come down somewhat, but he knew that the Hong Kong Government were working to bring it down further. The Hong Kong Government attached high importance to the linked exchange rate system, as a basis for financial stability.
(d) The importance of constructive future relations between the governments of Hong Kong, China and the UK. The Secretary of State said that continued cooperation with China was essential. Establishment of a Chinese public liaison office in Hong Kong would help.
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