through train concept). The provisions of the Basic Law and the associated Decision of the NPC therefore have important implications for the electoral arrangements to be put in place by the Hong Kong Government before 1997, given the objective of continuity and a smooth transition of government institutions.
8.
The review of developments in representative government took place in 1987. It generated considerable public interest. The Hong Kong Government published a further Green Paper. After extensive public debate, the resulting 1988 White Paper concluded that although there was wide support in the community for the principle of some directly-elected members in the Legislative Council, opinion was sharply divided as to the timing of their introduction. The Hong Kong Government decided to postpone the introduction of directly-elected members to the Council until 1991, in order
to allow the changes introduced in 1985 to settle down further. The White Paper recommended an increase in the number of functional constituency seats in 1988 and the introduction of 10 directly-elected seats in 1991.
(i)
"If the composition of the last Hong Kong Legislative Council before the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is in conformity with the relevant provisions of this Decision and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, those of its members who uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and who meet the requirements set forth in the Basic Law of the Region may, upon confirmation by the Preparatory Committee, become members of the first Legislative Council of the Region."
statememt 26.8/BRIEFS/NJH
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