TNAG-1438-FCO40-1922-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 52

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system unilaterally and let it die a natural death after

it is proved to be unviable.

Britain has much to benefit from the second

option. It is because during the process of consultation, Britain can have regard to Beijing's "face" and, at the same time, influence Beijing's wishes in the process, thus enabling her own wishes to be accepted and realized to

some extent.

It would be to the advantage of both

sides if the new political system receives the full support

of Beijing.

Tacit understanding reached on question of constitution

We have pointed out before that Britain's

strategy during Luce's time was inclined towards the first

option. Renton's appointment will provide a timely

opportunity for Britain to change her strategy to a more

flexible and sensible one.

Are personnel reshuffles like the replacement

of Luce by Renton necessarily related to policy adjustments?

People may well take time to observe future developments

without having to arrive at a hasty conclusion. However, from Renton's talks with Wu Xueqian, Ji Pengfei and

Zhou Nan, we can get the impression that the great controversy

over Hong Kong's political system, that is to say, the

question of whether major changes are called for, has come to a stop. The British and Chinese governments had effected a frank exchange of opinion through diplomatic

channels and resolved the argument over the constitutional issue by adopting the usual method of "mutual understanding

and accommodation". An AP despatch from Beijing dated 20 January read : "The British Minister of State for Foreign

and Commonwealth Affaris hinted on Monday that the brakes

have been applied to constitutional reforms towards further democratization in Hong Kong". A Reuters despatch pointed

out : "Mr. Renton remarked that the views of the Chinese

Land