TNAG-1237-FCO40-1550-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 48

SECRET

香港總督府

HKK040/1

RECEIVED IN 2294

У КО. 51

PERSONAL

GOVERNMENT HOUSE HONG KONG

278)

See (307

1 1 MAY 1983

DESK Ope

INDEX

Dear Dick,

PA

TRY

YT :ken

У сміть

18 April 1983

M. Monis

P1. Sidy and speak

D21

INCREASED PARTICIPATION BY THE PEOPLE OF

HONG KONG IN GOVERNMENT

1.

I told you when I was in London that I had been

doing some thinking here, in consultation with the

Chief Secretary, about how we might increase participation of the people of Hong Kong in the management and the affairs of the territory. Our purpose would be two-fold:-

2.

(a)

(b)

to meet a growing demand for such participation particularly on the part of a now large professional and middle class; and

to increase the strength of the indigenous political and administrative regime against the time when Britain has ultimately to withdraw, whether that be before the end of this century or afterwards.

I enclose a draft paper which shows where my thinking has got to on this. I should emphasise that at this point it has no formal status; it is simply a think piece. Only the Chief Secretary and I are aware of what is in it. But to avoid telegraphing too much in the normal telegraphic series on this highly delicate subject I thought it would be valuable for you, and also for Percy Cradock in Peking, to be aware of our present train of thought.

RD Clift Esq

Hong Kong and General Department

FCO

SECRET

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