CHINESE ATTITUDE
7.
We have received
in June and
through
of
expressions
recently (at Foreign Minister
a
concern
level
variety of unofficial sources)
on the part of the Chinese
Government that constitutional change in Hong Kong may be
proceeding too
fast.
careful not to
private messages
developing local
Although the Chinese have been
comment publicly in this sense, their
indicate that they suspect that we are
political institutions with the aim of
towards a more independent status
to contemplate. We have assured them
that we
are moving very prudently and that our reforms have
the preservation of stability as a fundamental aim.
carrying Hong Kong
they are prepared
LEGCO (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL
than
8. An episode on the path of constitutional developmenet
which aroused controversy earlier this year was the passage of the LEGCO (Powers and Privileges) Bill. This codified,
for the first time in one document, the powers and
privileges of the Council.
It was drafted as part of the
arrangements thought necessary for the introduction of the
new style LEGCO.
9.
The draft Bill was subjected to vociferous criticism
from the press because of clauses relative to defamation
which, while standard in similar legislation in other former dependent territories, could in the press' view have been used to gag legitimate comment on the proceedings of
the Council (particularly, they suspected, by a draconi an regime
The Hong Kong Government had
after
1997).
eventually to withdraw or modify these clauses.
10.
Ironically the Chinese saw the Bill as further evidence of a a British plan to give excessive independence to Hong Kong's legislature, which it would be hard for them
to
overturn
after
1997.
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