The talks have been concerned with complex electoral issues. But the underlying question is simple. Will we bequeath to
Hong Kong a truly democratic system offering the electorate a genuine choice? Or will we settle for a system based on small electorates open to manipulation and corruption?
The answer to that question will have important consequences for Hong Kong's future development. Hong Kong owes its success in large measure to the rule of law supported by a
clean and efficient administration. If that precious asset is
to be preserved, the territory needs a properly elected and credible legislature capable of standing up for its way of
life.
We consider it essential that elections held under British
administration in Hong Kong should be fair, open and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. On that basis, we have
made a concerted effort through seventeen rounds of talks to
reach agreement with China. I discussed matters twice with
the Chinese Foreign Minister during this period. The Prime
Minister sent a message to the Chinese Premier. We offered to
make important moves to accommodate Chinese views, without
compromising our essential requirements.
We made plain from the outset that the talks could not continue indefinitely and that it would be for the Legislative Council to consider and pass the necessary legislation. This will be a time consuming task. Some 48 constitutional and electoral instruments in Hong Kong are affected and may need amendment. All this needs to be done by July 1994; some of
the more urgent measures need to be on the statute book by
February.
When time began to press, we therefore explored fully the possibility of an interim agreement, which would enable us to
oralstatement25.11/BRIEFS/NJH