TNAG-1438-FCO40-1922-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 53

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British government on the question of Hong Kong's constitutional development are closely in line. Neither Britain nor China has any preconceived idea on the question of direct elections in Hong Kong. Therefore the present system needs to settle down before further reforms are to be considered."

Law.

A reporter for Wen Wei Po in Hong Kong sent the following despatch from Beijing : "Both government felt that there is a need for convergence between the 1987 review on Hong Kong's political system and the Basic

Mr. Renton firmly believed that the Chinese and British governments will strictly enforce the terms of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and will not cause side

issues to appear over the Hong Kong question." "The Chinese Government will not disrupt Hong Kong's unique

system."

"Both sides affirmed that there is a need to

maintain close contact on the question of Hong Kong through the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group and other appropriate channels."

Hong Kong's Chief Secretary Sir David Akers-Jones pointed out recently: "Before the Green Paper to review the representative government is published in 1987, it will be submitted to the Chinese side for perusal. The Hong Kong Government is optimistic about a convergence between the representative government and the Baisc Law." Since Akers-Jones is not a fortune-teller who can see

into the future, how can he know that representative government will converge with the Basic Law ?

It appears that the Chinese and British

governments have reached a tacit understanding on the question of Hong Kong's constitution.

/ Arrangements