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Visit to Asia of Mr. P. F. D. Tennant, 3.M.G., O.B.E., Director General of B.N.E.C.
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Hong Kong Political
Hong Kong is by far the largest (in terms of economic activity and population) of our remaining dependent territories. It has a highly sophisticated community and modern facilities of all kinds, which compare favourably with those anywhere in the world. But, for the reasons given below, it has to conduct the business of government with a Crown Colony Constitution which provides for no elected element in either the Executive or Legislative Councils. The former has a nominated unofficial majority and the Governer is required to consult with it save where matters are unimportant or too urgent. He may act contrary to the advice of the Executive Council but in such
The cases must report fully to the Secretary of State. Governor legislates with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council which has 12 official and 13 nominated unofficial Members. The Governor as President has both an original and a casting vote, thus maintaining an official majority. Public opinion on major issues is expressed and reflected not only through the unofficial Members of these two Councils but also through a multitude of advisory Committees, statutory and non-statutory.
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There can be no constitutional progress in Hong Kong towardę elected representative institutions or self-government since there have been frequent indications that the Communist Chinese Peoples Government expects the constitutional status quo in the colony to be maintained. The Chinese Government regard Hong Kong as Chinese territory, wrested from the mainland during a period of weakness and to be recovered in due course. The Chinese official attitude, pronounced in March 1963 and re-affirmed in 1965, is that Hong Kong is a legacy from unequal treaties in the past and that China's claim will be settled
The peacefully through negotiations when the time is ripe. Hong Kong Government, therefore, constantly has to bear in mind the susceptibilities of its infinitely more powerful communist Chinese neighbour, while at the same time making it clear to the world at large that it is master in its own house.
It
demonstrated the latter point yery clearly, by its handling of
the commun 3 Zadorrée019sturbances abecareyerine 881ony thatgggcasion was that approximately one third of Hong Kong's population of nearly four million people consisted of refugees
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KECOV ARCHIVES No. 31
- 8 JAN 1969
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