TNAG-1356-FCO40-1797-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 180

CONFIDENTIAL

(G) THE FINAL DECISION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS TO BE MADE BY THE NPC IN THE BASIC LAW, AND WILL NOT BE BOUND BY THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY THE BRITISH. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS NO OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT A POLITICAL SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY HONG KONG WITHOUT CONSULTING CHINA.

(H) ANY ATTEMPT TO INSTITUTE A POLITICAL SYSTEM INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW WILL MERELY CAUSE DISRUPTION, WILL BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PRESERVING HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE LAID SQUARELY ON THE BRITISH SIDE.

(1) THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD IS TO REPLACE THE COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION BY HONG KONG PEOPLE PULING HONG KONG''. THERE SHOULD BE NO ABRUPT CHANGES IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG (SIC).

(J) ANY MOVE TO TRANSFER THE REAL AUTHORITY FROM THE GOVERNOR TO A PRO-BRITISH LEGISLATURE IS AN ATTEMPT TO DETACH ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FROM SOVEREIGNTY, AND IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF RETURNING THE SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG TO CHINA. IT WOULD BE TANTAMOUNT TO VESTING SOVEREIGNTY IN HONG KONG.

(K) THE 1987 GREEN PAPER (ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT) WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PREDICT THE PROVISIONS IN THE BASIC LAW AND SHOULD THUS BE DEFERRED.

ENDS.

YOUDE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT

LIMITED

HD/HKD HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RES

(MR WALKER)

PS

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVS MR MARTIN ASST STAFF

CABINET OFFICE

MR MALLABY CABINET OFFICE MR DRC CHRISTOPHER

CABINET OFFICE

SIR P CRADDOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS

PS/MR RENTON

PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING

MR WILSON

SIR J FREELAND

MR J CROWLEY PUSD

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CONFIDENTIAL

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