TNAG-1398-FCO40-1870-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 103

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provisions of the Sino-British Agreement. Sir Edward Youde, for example, pointed out that "one of the things happening today is that

certain important facts are being overlooked. The Basic Law must be

drafted by the Chinese Government and the National People's Congress.

It should embody the contents of the Agreement". Principal Assistant

Secretary for Administrative Services and Information, LEE Lap-sun,

pointed out that "the administrative reforms are already being implemented at great speed and should not be undertaken with undue

haste; otherwise, the effect will only run contrary to the purpose „

He also said that "the review on administrative reforms cannot run

counter to the Sino-British Joint Declaration. To regard the drafting

of the Basic Law as non-existent is a most foolish measure. And Sir

David Akers-Jones went further to remark that "clearly changes are

required to bring Hong Kong's government structure into line with the

Joint Declaration." In otherwords, if this development continues and

if China does not agree, or simply refuses to 'shunt' onto the

representative system, British will find itself in a rather passive

position.

H

On the eve of Timothy Renton's visit to Hong Kong, a number

of officials with different political inclinations spoke out one after

another and were often at odds with one another. This serves to show

that the internal conflicts in the Hong Kong Government and in

Whitehall can no longer be settled behind closed doors. These officials

had to resort to public speeches in a bid to canvase support from the

public sector.

Implication behind Xu Jiatun's remark

During this sensitive period, Xu Jiatun also openly touched on the question of political system for the first time on 7 October. But he did so in a tactful manner, expressly stating China's firm

position and, at the same time, seening to refrain from commenting on

the political reforms initiated by the British.

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