TNAG-1358-FCO40-1799-Hong-Kong-compatibility-of-membership-of-district-boards-and-1985 — Page 6

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CONFIDENTIAL

PUKK

01114

RECENES IN REGISTRY

14 JAN 1985

9

GR 150

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 1204457 JAN 85

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 100 OF 12 JANUARY

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

INDEX

PARI

8

YOUR TELNO 68: COMPATIBILITY OF MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT BOARDS

AND REGIONAL COUNCILS WITH MEMBERSHIP OF THE CPPCC.

1. VIRTUALLY ALL THE PRESS QUESTIONS STIMULATED BY WU SHING-SHUEN'S CANDIDATURE HAVE REFERRED SPECIFICALLY TO THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE. CMITTING FROM OUR ANSWERS ANY REFERENCE TO THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE LIKELY TO PROLONG DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE UNNECESSARILY. WE THEREFORE PREFER TO STICK TO THE LINE PROPOSED

IN OUR TELNO 86.

2. LI CHU-WEN (NCNA DEPUTY DIRECTOR) SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT A RECEPTION ON 10 JANUARY, WAS QUOTED ON TELEVISION AS SAYING THAT HE SAW NO OBJECTION TO MEMBERS OF THE SPPCC, WHICH WAS AN ADVISORY 30DY, STANDING FOR ELECTION BUT THAT IT WAS UP TO THE INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED TO DECIDE: THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT INTERFERE. THE SCMP REPORT OF HIS REMARKS QUOTES HIM AS HAVING REFERRED TO BOTH CPPCC AND NPC MEMBERS. WE HAVE CHECKED THE VIDEO TAPE OF HIS REMARKS: REPORTERS' QUESTIONS REFERRED TO BOTH CPPCC AND NPC MEMBERS, BUT LI CHU-WEN IN ANSWERS MENTIONED ONLY CPPCC MEMBERS.

YOUDE

LIMITED

HKD

FED

LEG ADV PISA

PS/MRLUCE MR WILSON

CONFIDENTIAL