TNAG-1438-FCO40-1922-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 65

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for the post of chief executive, and decisions are to be reached on the basis of general consensus through elections

or consultations. Now that China allows Hong Kong to maintain its capitalist system, it is natural for her to consent to bourgeoisie democracy so as to be in line with the territory's economic background.

Daring exploration and seeking common ground while reviewing differences

With the lifting of the curtain on the drafting

of the Basic Law, 'returning to the motherland through democracy' has become a trend. Hong Kong cannot be properly managed in the absence of democracy. But democracy and

returning to the motherland are two issues having a close bearing on one another. It is only through the formulation

of the 'one country, two systems' blue-print that Beijing has

allowed Hong Kong people a historical truning-point in the search for democracy. It is only through this that Hong Kong people can put an end to colonial rule and become

their own masters by participating in politics in a

democratic manner. Returning to the motherland is to

identify with the motherland and a joint endeavour to restore China's glory. Hong Kong and the mainland should co-exist

in harmony and co-operation. Their relationship should not be one of segragation and confrontation, or of mutual

suspicion and antagonism. To fight against the Central

Government by 'resisting communism' will put the 'one country,

two systems' plan at stake and poison the atmosphere, leading

inevitably to the detriment of Hong Kong's prosperity and

stability as well as a trampling on democracy. 'Identification'

is the trend of the times. If Hong Kong people are forced to fight against the central government, wouldn't it deprive the majority of the people of democracy. Now, many

countries in South East Asia have discarded ideological

hindrances and entered into co-operation with China so as to

/avoid....