TNAG-1315-FCO40-1708-Future-of-Hong-Kong-preparation-of-the-Joint-Declaration-1984 — Page 18

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HOW TO TEST THE ACCEPTABILITY OF ANY AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE IN

HONG KONG

INTRODUCTION

1.

HMG is committed to finding an agreement with the Chinese on

the future of Hong Kong which is acceptable to China, to Parliament and to the people of Hong Kong. This paper considers how we can best ascertain whether any agreement is acceptable to the people of Hong Kong prior to putting that agreement to Parliament.

2. On the basis of our present thinking (which may well need

adjustment in the light of Chinease reactions) our timetable is likely to provide three phases in which the people of Hong Kong can discuss a likely agreement:

(a) after a ministerial statement in April, when they know the

broad outlines of the agreement and have confirmation that a

continuation of British administration after 1997 will not be

achievable;

(b)

(c)

(probably) in the Summer after a further ministerial statement, when they are aware of more of the details both post and

pre-1997;

after September when a draft agreement with the Chinese has

been published and prior to a full debate in Parliament in

October or November.

METHODS OF DETERMINING ACCEPTABILITY

3. Methods of testing the acceptability of an agreement should be seen against the background of the present constitutional and

Jovernmental arrangements in Hong Kong. The proposals for an extension of democracy in Hong Kong will not come into effect until 1985/86 at the earliest and will be too late to have any bearing on the means available for test acceptability. Options which have been

canvassed are:

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