TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 169

CRS 220

SECRET

HKK_O_ILLI POSITED IN RECISTEENO. 51 11 AUG 1983

10

SECRET

FROM PEKING 1CC33OZ AUG 93

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER 102 UF 10/9/83

AND TO PRIORITY FCO

YOUR TEL NO 1143:

той

INDEX

148 +18

on Takun

Rod jim pl. speak to Mr. Cox. We ohd

anaye

for Sir P. Cradock to see

8

REVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Ris

1. TUR ARRIVED AFTER THE AMBASSADOR'S DEPARTURE ON LEAVE. THE FOLLOWING IS SUBJECT TO HIS VIEWS.

on 15 When be

Дучить

3. THE CHINESE WILL BE ACUTELY SENSITIVE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM IN HONG, KONGIS,

THEY REGARD THE DISTRICT

THEY MAY IMAGINE THAT THE USE

comes in

30ARDS WITH SUSPICION. AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM IS A DEVICE OY THE GOVERNMENT TO MOBILISE HONG KONG OPINION AGAINST THE CHINESE PLANS. THEY MAY ALSO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM AS AN ATTEMPT TO BUILD AN ADMINISTRATIVE OBSTACLE TO FRUSTRATE THOSE PLANS.

3. WE NOTE THAT THE PROPOSAL IN TUR ENVISGES NO EXPANSION OF THE FRANCHISE OR EXTENSION OF THE ELECTORAL STEM, AND WE CONSIDER IT ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT NO SUC. MAJOR CHANGES ARE CONTEMPLATED AT THIS STAGE. SUT ANY DEVLOPMENT OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WILL NEED TO BE HANDLED EXTREMELY CAUTIOUSLY AND WITH A CLOSE EYE ON THE FEKING TALKS. THESE TALKS WILL PROBABLY BE GOING THROUGH A ELICATE STACE AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR. DURING THIS PHASE, THE CHINESE

MICHT REAC SADLY IF THEY WERE CONFRONTED WITH THE REVIEW, AND THEY TIGHT EVEN SEEK TO 103ILISE HONG KONG IPINION AGAINST IT.

GIVEN THE LIMITED NATURE OF THE REVIEN VE HAVE NO OBJECTION (AGAIN, SUBJECT TO SIR PERCY CRADOCK'S VIEWS) TO YOUR PROPOSAL.

SECRET

15. ON THE

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR 4...YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION No. 27(1)..

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER

SECTION 3 (4) OF THE

PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958