TNAG-1289-FCO40-1641-Terminology-for-the-description-of-Hong-Kong-by-internationa-1984 — Page 51

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WHY DOES WHITE PAPER NOT CONTAIN PROPOSALS FOR ELECTION

TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN 1985?

5. Public reaction has advocated caution. Issue will remain open and will be considered at later stage. WAS CHINESE GOVERNMENT CONSULTED ABOUT WHITE PAPER?

6. Chinese Government informed as a courtesy shortly before publication of White Paper.

CHINESE VIEWS ON PROPOSALS IN WHITE PAPER AND DIRECT

ELECTIONS

7. In preparing White Paper, Hong Kong Government recognised need to keep in mind provisions of draft agreement. Draft agreement provides that Government and legislature of Hong Kong SAR shall be composed of local inhabitants. Also legislature shall be constituted by

elections. However, nature of electoral system after 1997 not specified.

[IF PRESSED] Possibility of introducing direct elections will be covered in 1987 review. Due account will be taken of views which Chinese Government may have expressed.

WHAT IS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROPOSALS IN WHITE PAPER AND

DRAFT AGREEMENT?

8. Proposals in White Papeer are concerned with period before 1997. Agreed that British Government will be responsible for administration of Hong Kong until 1 July 1997. However, in preparing White Paper, Hong Kong Government recognised need to keep in mind provisions of draft agreement.

REPLACEMENT OF GOVERNOR AS PRESIDENT OF LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL

9. General view of people of Hong Kong in favour of making no significant changes to position of Governor during next few years. Governor's position will be

reconsidered in 1987 review.

WHY NO INTRODUCTION OF A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM?

10.

Not

Issue raises important constitutional questions.

a matter that can be decided in immediate future nor

is it only way of proceeding. Will therefore be considered at a later stage.

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