TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 96

5.

Hong Kong is unique among our Dependent Territories. It is by far the largest remaining territory in terms of population though not in size. It is the 16th largest trading nation in the

world. The pattern of constitutional development followed in most other dependent territories progressive advances towards internal self-government and independence is ruled out in Hong Kong's case. Any significant constitutional change involving a greater degree of self-government would be unacceptable to the Chinese. They regard Hong Kong as part of China and would be strongly opposed to any constitutional developments which might ultimately imply a separate status for Hong Kong. Even if there were not this over-riding obstacle in moving towards a popularly elected form of government in Hong Kong, there would be the risk of dividing the population into Communist and non-Communist factions (in the former case into pro-Peking and pro-Taiwan groups) with destabilising effects within Hong Kong itself and on HMG's present satisfactory relations with China. As it is, the Chinese have indicated on several occasions

that the future status of Hong Kong is a matter to be settled in the fullness of time. For the present, they are content with the status quo. This being so, our aim is to administer Hong Kong in the interests of the four million inhabitants who have chosen to

live there.

6.

You may perhaps jump to the conclusion that without an elected legislature, the Hong Kong Government could be unresponsive to public opinion. This is not the case. The Hong Kong Government has developed other means of public participation in the processes of government. There are, for example, a large number of advisory committees covering a very wide range of governmental activity. There are, furthermore, neighbourhood community organisations, such as the Mutual Aid Committees and the local welfare organisations known as Kaifongs which provide a bridge between the man in the street and the Hong Kong Government. The Ombudsman type office run by the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, which is mentioned in our note on the role of the Governor, is also a very important device for keeping the government in touch with public opinion.

17.

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