TNAG-1237-FCO40-1550-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 52

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PROPOSALS FOR INCREASED

PARTICIPATION BY THE

PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN

THE MANAGEMENT OF THE

AFFAIRS OF THE TERRITORY

1.

Whatever the agreement we reach with the

Chinese on the future of Hong Kong, an acceleration

of progress in increasing the participation of Hong

Kong people in the management of the territory's

affairs will remain an essential element in our

planning. There is a natural and growing demand

for such participation on the part of the now large

well educated and articulate professional and middl

classes which has to be met. In the longer term,

the stronger the indigenous political and adminis-

trative regime we can leave behid when the time

eventually comes for Britain to withdraw the better

the chance an autonomous Hong Kong regime would

have of survival. In other words, there is a case

for constitutional reform even in the geo-political

circumstances of Hong Kong.

2.

Even if it were the ultimate aim, it is

unlikely that a simple direct electoral regime

(i.e. direct elections to LegCo) could be

built up in Hong Kong within the time available.

There would be substantial risks involved at the

present time in introducing direct elections,

even for a limited number of Legislative

Councillors. The Chinese would regard it

with great suspicion. There would be a tendency

here for small fragmented political parties to

emerge, or for polarisation to take place between

Communists and anti-Communists. To survive

it would

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