TNAG-1437-FCO40-1921-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 56

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(2)

Secondly, Hong Kong people will be able during the

transition period to build up a durable political

structure which will be sufficiently democratic

both in spirit and in practice, and at the same

time preserving Hong Kong's stability and

prosperity;

(3) Thirdly, by 1997 that structure will have stood the

(4)

test of time as an integral part of Hong Kong's

future Basic Law; and

Fourthly, after 1997, the Central People's

Government in China, as stated in the Joint

Declaration, will have the right of appointment of

all top administrative posts, including those of

the Chief Executive and his Secretaries, as well as

the Permanent Secretaries who will be Civil

Servants.

In the coming Year of the Tiger, I am confident

that Hong Kong people will have the courage and capability

to:

(a) move in measured pace towards a more representative

and less colonial system of internal self-

government within the guidelines of the Joint

Declaration, and

(b)

interfacing such necessary political progress with

the drafting of the Basic Law which is expected to

be more or less ready for publication by 1990.

/And