TNAG-1398-FCO40-1870-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 97

nong kong will have to confront the "shunting" problem in

future. sir edward and wir David hoped that the "smunting" will be

effected successfully, preferably with U.k. taking the initiative so

that China will have to accept the fait accompli and connect the

railway line at the location and along the track laid down by U.k. 1n

so doing, U.K. will be able to gain benefits without affecting the Sino-British relationship. Yet, they dare not allow long kong's political reforms to go too far because if China does not accept the

reforms and comes up with major changes of its own, U.n. will not

only fail to gain any thing as its previous efforts are all wasted, but

will also be unable to back down with good grace. Un the other hand,

Fir Williams and Mr Scott still consider the "public opinion card" as

the best weapon. They believe that Beijing will be forced to make a

compromise in the event of "uncertainty" in Hong Kong. When will

there be "uncertainty"? Mr Williams said it will be in the "1990s".

Subsequently, he gave an explanation at kai Tak Airport on his return

to Hong Kong. According to him, since a review on the development of

representative Government will be conducted in 1987 and the Joint Liaison Group will be based in Hong Kong in July 1988, the pace of

. development will certainly be quicker. Anybody who faces drastic

changes will be keyed up and nobody knows whether the development will

come about smoothly.

If China and U.K. co-ordinate by tacit agreement and exchange views on the development of Hong Kong's political system, the

transition will be effected successfully. Mr Williams should be well

aware of this. The problem is he maintains that there is no need to consult China on the development of the territory's political system

and firmly believes that after 1987, the pace of political reforms will

put on greater speed, thus resulting in "drastic changes". In his

opinion, if the transition cannot come about smoothly, it will be due to "China's interference". One might ask, "why must U.k. introduce drastic changes in the political system of Hong kong? Why does it insist on not consulting China on the development of the territory's

political system despite the fact that the Sino-British Joint

Declaration provides for discussions between both sides through the

Joint Liaison Group in order to ensure a smooth transfer of Government

in 1997?" Should Mr Williams, who foresaw the uncertainty, not

consider the eradication of the root of uncertainty as soon as possible?