TNAG-0876-FCO40-1086-Development-of-social-welfare-policy-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 66

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8. All the available evidence suggests that there is little public support in Hong Kong for such reform. In the absence of any popular pressure for change, we have hitherto considered it prudent not to introduce reforms that might create uncertainty about our future intentions both among the local population and

in the minds of the Chinese Government. The Urban Councillors

do not accept the view that the Chinese Government would object to constitutional reforms in Hong Kong, pointing out that when questioned on this point Chinese officials have always given non-committal replies. It is naive however to interpret this as meaning that the Chinese therefore have no objection to changes in the status quo in Hong Kong.

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