TNAG-1438-FCO40-1922-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 55

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methods of consultation, etc. As long as Hong Kong's political system does not undergo drastic changes,

it is entirely possible for the territory to progress from the present system to the future system once the Basic Law is out. The Hong Kong Government originally planned

to include in the 1987 review questions like the

change in ratio between elected and appointed members of the LegCo, whether direct elections are justified, the

relationship between the ExCo and LegCo, and the

Governor's powers, but has now applied the brakes to further development. This is a very clever decision.

While insisting on representative government as the

starting point for transition, the Hong Kong Government, nevertheless, abides by the provisions of the Joint

Declaration by allowing the direction of Hong Kong's

constitutional reforms to be determined by the Basic Law.

Such a move helps to save face and avoid the troubles caused by side issues.