NG KONG.
THU 25 NGU 73 là:18
PG.07
SECRET
X
after 1997.
It is difficult to envisage the maintenance of the rule of law in a community where the legislative body is neither fairly elected nor free from manipulation.
78.
Fairly and openly elected representative institutions are also necessary to protect other fundamental aspects of Hong Kong's way of life. The level playing field for business, which has brought so much prosperity to Hong Kong and from which so much of its international reputation derives, depends in the last resort on the ability of the Legislative Council to ensure
that Hong Kong's economic and social needs, and not closed-door pressures from vested interests, determine how money is spent. Likewise, Hong Kong's success in recent decades has owed much to its ability to root out corruption. This ability would vanish if, by virtue of restrictive electoral practices or outside
pressures, the Legislative Council came to be regarded as a susceptible
fo
source of corruption rather than a bulwark against it.
79.
Her Majesty's Government and He
The British and Hong Kong Government regret that it has not been possible to reach agreement with the Chinese Government on these issues. An agreement which achieved the objectives described in this White Paper would have been a preferable outcome. But in the absence of such an agreement,
Her Majesty's Government) it is the firm view of the Brition and) Hong Kong Government
спа that Hong Kong's best interest lies in making electoral
arrangements for 1994 and 1995 which carry forward the already agreed and established process of democratic development, which are themselves open and fair, and which can command the broad
support of the people of Hong Kong.
80.
The Governor has therefore introduced legislation (etc.) [as in para 75 of draft).