GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Governor's proposals are the result of his wide-ranging consultations. They respond to the rapid growth of political awareness in Hong Kong in recent years.
He is aiming to make Hong Kong's administration more effective and accountable, and the electoral system more fair and democratic, while maximising the prospects that the changes introduced under British administration will survive beyond 1997. Believe strong executive-led Government, and vigourous democratic institutions, are the best means of safeguarding Hong Kong's way of life.
-
To improve public administration, Governor has clarified the functions of the Executive and Legislative Councils (ExCo and LegCo), by ending the practice of overlapping membership. Now politicians in LegCo will be free to develop their parties and programmes. Accountability of the administration will be reinforced eg by the Governor making himself available to explain policies to LegCo and to answer their questions.
- ExCo will be a non-political advisory body made up of respected figures in the community and top civil servants. Governor and his administration will take the lead in building support in LegCo for his policies through a new non-statutory body to be called the Government/LegCo Committee.
Simplest way to extend democracy would be to increase number of directly-elected seats at 1995 Legislative Council elections beyond the 20 laid down in the Basic Law.
- (We will continue to press for that) But given Chinese position that Basic Law cannot be changed, Governor is exploring in parallel how to use to the full the scope for broadening democratic participation within the terms of the Basic Law.
- Key points of Governor's proposals for the 1995 LegCo elections: lower voting age; greatly expanded electorate for the 30 functional constituencies, to embrace everyone in the workforce; members of the Election Committee required to elect 10 members of Legco to be themselves elected (eg the Committee could draw all or most of its membership from the directly-elected District Board members).
Need to discuss these proposals with Chinese, in interests of continuity. But cannot let discussion drag on indefinitely. Must start making practical arrangements early in 1993 to be ready for local elections due in 1994.
This package would ensure that all representative institutions in Hong Kong are formed through broadly-based and fair elections.
spainpbvis.BRIEFS
ZDB