CONFIDENTIAL
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA AND HONG KONG, 18-21 DECEMBER 1984
HONG KONG
BRIEF NO 5:
B:
BACKGROUND
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1.
On 18 July 1984 the Hong Kong Government published a Green Paper
on the further development of representative government. The main
aims set out in this paper were:
(a) to develop progressively a system of government, the authority
of which is clearly rooted in Hong Kong, which is able to represent
authoritatively the views of the people of Hong Kong and which is
more accountable to the people of Hong Kong;
(b)
to build this system on existing institutions which have served
Hong Kong well and as far as possible to preserve their best
features; and to allow for further development if that should be the
wish of the Hong Kong community.
2. Two months were allowed for public comment in Hong Kong on
proposals contained in the Green Paper. Public reaction was
generally in favour of its aims and of the gradual and progressive
nature of the proposals which it made. There was much discussion on
the subject of direct elections to Hong Kong's Legislative Council.
The Hong Kong Government noted substantial support for direct
elections from some sections of the community. However, there was
little evidence of general support for any move towards direct
elections as early as 1985.
The
3. The White Paper which was published on 21 November covers only
the next stage in the development of representative government in
Hong Kong (i.e. the 1985 elections to the Legislative Council).
aims of this White Paper are identical to those of the Green Paper,
but the proposals contained in it take account of public comment
during the period of consultation. It retains the Green Paper
proposals for indirect elections through an electoral college and
functional constituencies, but in response to the views expressed by
some sections of the community, the number of members to be elected
on this basis in 1985 has been doubled.
CONFIDENTIAL
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