CONFIDENTIAL
4. The bar to representative government maintained by
the CPG is fully understood in Hong Kong, and is in any
case of little interest to most of the Chinese population
with its authoritarian tradition of government. Given this
situation there is little scope for making government more
acceptable by tinkering with the composition or activities
of the Legislative and Executive Councils, though probably
a certain amount can still be done. But there might be
more scope and chance of success for an effort at a lower
level aimed at giving residents of neighbourhoods a greater
sense of participation in and identification with the
administration where it touches their day to day lives.
In this respect the experience of Singapore is relevant.
As I see it people should be identified with government
by a move towards recognition of responsible citizenship
rather than towards representative government. Closely
related with this is the problem of how to improve
communication between government and population and
and population and government.
5.
Against this background I deal below briefly with the
issues of particular importance which have been brought to
my attention during this period of briefing.
in any order of priority.
Apointments to Ex-Co and Leg-Co
They are not
6. I will ask all Unofficials to serve for an extra 6
months so that I can have time to look round.
Within that
time I will make recommendations about new appointments.
3. CONFIDENTIAL
/I
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