TNAG-1390-FCO40-1862-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 33

possible further developments in the composition and method of

selection of Members of the Legislative Council in 1988 and beyond (including the question of direct elections), possible developments

in the powers, composition and method of selection of the Executive

Council and the position of the Governor in relation to both the

Executive and Legislative Councils.

10.

Two

There are few organised political groups in Hong Kong.

small, quasi-political organisations contest URBCO and District

Board elections, but they are really no more than pressure groups and their membership is limited to a small number of mainly middle-class Chinese and expatriates of no particular ideological background. A number of other organisations have emerged over the

past few years, but none has yet attracted any widespread popular

support.

11. By far the most significant political presence in Hong Kong is

that of the Communist Chinese. There are a number of overt

Communist organisations, including businesses, banks, trade unions

and schools. They are tightly disciplined and controlled by the

local party organisation appointed by Peking (headed by the Director

of the local Office of the New China News Agency). These

organisations have not attempted to play a direct role in

Hong Kong's political affairs. While it remains the policy of

Peking to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, the

Chinese Communist organisations in the Territory can be relied on

not to undermine government policies. The activities of the Chinese

Nationalists parallel those of the Communists but on

smaller, and diminishing, scale.

a very much