TNAG-1438-FCO40-1922-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 123

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What happens if the two do not dovetail?

The principle of the Sino-British Agreement is to uphold

Hong Kong's prosperity and stability during the transition period. The Hong Kong Government had, back in September 1983, described as

perfect the political system which had been in existence for over a

century and which is said to be the "hub of the wheel of state".

Why then does it have to introduce sudden and drastic changes to the

system, and make a point to have them effected before the Basic Law

is published? If major constitutional reforms are carried out within

the short span of a few years, can the local community and economy

survive such a great shock? By completely dismant ing the existing

political system which is the "hub of the wheel of state", does it

imply that the British have other plans regarding prosperity' on which the future of Hong Kong hinges? Besides, it is clearly stated in the Sino-British Agreement that arrangements for Hong Kong's social structure will be laid down in the Basic Law to be promulgated by the

Chinese NPC. If the Basic Law comes up with one system and the

constitutional reforms come up with another, how can they dovetail?

Will this not give rise to another drastic change in future?

not the five million people in Hong Kong the ones to suffer the terrible

consequences? Naturally, come 1997, the British who engineered the constitutional reforms will have waved the territory 'good bye' and

gone back home. But Hong Kong will be wracked by internal faction, with

some people supporting representative government and others, the Basic

Law.

The situation will not be any better than that in India, Pakistan

or Sri Lanka. Before retreating from their colonies, the British inevitably leave behind some hidden troubles by planting seeds of faction and discord, so as to better manipulate the people and effortlessly reap the spoils of the conflict. People hope that Britain will not resort to this old device on the question of Hong Kong's future. Are the British keeping their promise by deviating from the provisions of the Agreement and cooking up something else regarding the transfer of power and constitutional development, without having consulted China and without considering whether

such arrangements will dovetail with the Basic Law?

And are