TNAG-1356-FCO40-1797-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 242

Constitutional Development

Suggested Press Line

Q:

In conducting the 1987 review, will the HKG take into

account Chinese views?

A:

The Sino-British Joint Declaration sets out certain

principles for the structure of government after 1997

(namely: that the government and legislature of the

Hong Kong SAR shall be composed of local inhabitants;

that the Chief Executive shall be selected by election

or through consultations held locally; that the

legislature shall be constituted by elections;

and

that the executive authorities shall be accountable

to the legislature). These principles represent the

views of the Chinese Government, which are shared by

the British Government and which have been accepted

by the majority of the people of Hong Kong.

The

development of representative government in Hong Kong

will continue to be fully consistent with these

principles.

/....