mou.PR.JRB
ANNEX 4
DRAFT MOU HANDED OVER TO THE CHINESE SIDE ON 3 NOVEMBER 1993
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic
of China have reached the following understandings concerning
arrangements for elections due to be held in Hong Kong in 1994
and 1995.
(1) The British side confirm that Hong Kong's District Boards
and Municipal Councils are not organs of political power and
that, consistent with the objective of convergence with Article
97 of the Basic Law, they will not seek to alter their nature or
essential functions.
(2) Draft legislation will be introduced to amend those
provisions of the electoral legislation for the District Boards, Municipal Councils and Legislative Council which prevent the participation in those bodies of members of parliaments or congresses and salaried officials from countries and regions outside Hong Kong, with the purpose of removing the restrictions
on deputies to People's Congresses of the People's Republic of China while retaining the existing restrictions regarding other
countries and regions.
(3) The two sides have reached a common view that the minimum
voting age in elections to the District Boards, Municipal
Councils and Legislative Council should be reduced from 21 years
to 18 years.
Draft legislation will be introduced to this
effect.
(4) The two sides have reached a common view that the "Single
seat, Single vote" method should be used in geographical
constituency elections to the District Boards, Municipal Councils and Legislative Council. Draft legislation will be