TNAG-1310-FCO40-1667-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 24

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

16 MAY 1984

Statement issued by the Unofficial Members of the Hong Kong Execing gamestative; HISTO Councils on 9th May 1984:

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EGISTRY

Action Takin

THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG

The Executive and Legislative Councils are the two central organs of the Government of Hong Kong. Unofficial Members are in the majority in both councils. They are appointed by the Governor from a wide spectrum of society. Through their membership of these two Councils, Unofficial Members advise on the formulation of Government policies, participate in the enactment of legislation, monitor the effectiveness of public administration and consider complaints by members of the public against Government Departments.

As they are appointed by the Governor rather than elected, Unofficial Members make no claim to representative status, but they are in touch with all sectors of the community through their membership of over 300 boards and committees dealing with public affairs, and with all facets of Hong Kong's economic and social life. Since the Sino-British talks on the future of Hong Kong began in late 1982, Unofficial Members have received, both individually and through the UMELCO Office, many representations on the question of Hong Kong's future after 1997. So they are in a position to reflect the views and wishes of Hong Kong people on this vital question.

The Sino-British talks have been conducted throughout in the strictest confidence. although there have been many statements from the Chinese side. Sir Geoffrey Howe's Statement in Hong Kong on 20th April publicly lifted the veil for the first time from the British side on some aspects of the talks. Inter alia he said that:

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It would not be realistic to think of an agreement that provides for continued British administration in Hong Kong after 1997.

Other ways were being explored to secure the assurances necessary for the con- tinuation of Hong Kong's stability, prosperity and way of life and, although Hong Kong would become a part of China, it would enjoy, as a Special Administrative Region, a high degree of autonomy.

The Chinese leadership claim that they wish existing systems and freedoms in Hong Kong and the free market economy to remain fundamentally unchanged for at least 50 years after 1997.

Hong Kong has enjoyed a constitutional link with the British Crown for 143 years. This link has provided an effective external insulator against interference from the ruling government on the Mainland, despite the turbulence which has characterised China's history for so many years and despite the essential incompatibility of the political system prevailing in present day China, on the one hand, and the liberal traditions of a capitalist society, on the other.

It is now suggested that this link should be removed but that, in order to achieve a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong under Chinese sovereignty, there would be a devolution of power from the Central People's Government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region via a Basic Law to be promulgated in the early 1990's. Hong Kong people are being asked to accept, in other words, that the Chinese Government will resume sovereignty and exercise administrative control over the whole of Hong Kong after 1997, against a promise that Hong Kong's existing systems and accustomed life style will remain unchanged.

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