CODE 18 - 77
Confidential
Reference
FER 1978
A
3
Instant Dft to issarja
Hong Kong: Electoral Reform. I mentioned to you
that FED had changed their mind about supporting our proposal that we might sound out the Chinese on the idea of allowing an elected minority in hegro. No Masefield's fears were on the old familiar ground' that even to suggest that we were thinking of making changs might arouse Chinese fears and cause a damaging sowing in Anglo Chinese relations. Hiis, of course, arouses all sorts of questions about the degree to which our policies over the running of Hong Kong must take account of our 1 policies towards Clima -it seems to me that certain aspects of received doctrine on this subject are due for a rethink, Because of China's increasing economic interest in Hong Kong compled with her commitment to technological modernisation, she is now in a position where she may have to accept certain things which even two or three
have been na
ракора
year ago she would position to resist. However it would probably be better for the rethink to be part of an overall review of
our Hong Kong policy aimed at deciding nove precisely than our present planning paper does when, from or point of view, the time will be right to settle the future of the colony- and what we want that future to be. I do not think we are yet ready to start that review-for thing we ought to await the new JIC assessment that is at present under preparation. In the circumstances, let us for now drop the idea of Legro elections, in which case I riggest that we do not need to submit on the subject but can reply at departmental level: "I have amended the drafts accordingls.
one
W. E. Chantell 62
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