TNAG-1286-FCO40-16372-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong.-Part-2-of-2-1984 — Page 63

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germinate and blossom, I therefore, subscribe fully to the gradual approach adopted in the Green Paper which will provide us with the necessary time to evolve and develop.

Furthermore, it is a recognised certainty that after 1997, Hong Kong will become a special administrative region of China. On the one hand, constitutional changes proposed must take this factor into serious consideration whilst on the other, whatever changes proposed must be realistic. Commentators in support of a quicker pace in the introduction of total direct election in Hong Kong tend to suggest that a future representative Government elected by popular vote would be more likely to be able to provide effective resistance against possible future excesses of China's policies. This, in my view is an unrealistic theory, and I urge that advocates of this theory should seriously consider a rethink before drawing any firm conclusions along such lines. The reality of our situation in Hong Kong is such that we cannot hope to achieve total independence from China. We are part of China and our future is closely tied to that of China. No doubt, our way of life now is very much different from that of China, yet, it is equally an undeniable fact that our way of life is tolerated because we can make our contributions effectively to China. Our survival cannot be dependent on the level of resistance we can muster but is much more dependent upon whether we can continue to be effective in contributing towards China and her four Modernisation programmes. Therefore for those of us in Hong Kong who cannot or do not wish to leave, the sooner we can come to terms with this reality, the better our chances are in striving to maintain our stability and hopefully our continued prosperity and progress in future. Bearing this reality in mind, a gradual and sensible approach to further development of our system of government must be correct in 1984. By 1989, however, when we are scheduled to conduct a review, hopefully then, our community will be able to further progress to such an