DIRECT ELECTIONS
Great interest during my visit.
Asked about it
repeatedly. Tendency to search for hints where none
exist.
Plain fact is that there is continuity in British policy on this issue and on all others relating to
Hong Kong.
Worth recalling what Douglas Hurd said immediately after the LegCo elections last September:
"So far as Her Majesty's Government is concerned we have two aims: first, we want to see steady progress towards a greater degree of direct election in Hong Kong; second, we want this progress to be sustained without interruption after the transfer of sovereignty in 1997."
How that is to be achieved, and what the best timing will be for raising the subject with the Chinese is a matter of judgement:
1
first by the next Governor when he has had the chance to consult widely after his arrival in Hong Kong; and
second by Her Majesty's Government when they have the benefit of the next Governor's advice, building on the work done by the Hong Kong Administration and the wisdom of the present
Governor.
At this stage all I can say is that we will be
discussing with the Chinese side many issues
connected to the 1995 elections, and that we will do so reasonably soon.