TNAG-1441-FCO40-1925-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 47

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If there are politicos trying to cause havoc in Hong Kong, the best

thing is for Hongkong people themselves to find a solution.

In Hong

Kong, "public opinion" is the order of the day. The opinions of the

upper and middle classes are conveyed to Peking only on private occasions

and are not known to others. On the other hand, the "outspoken"

individuals speak on television and make the headlines everyday. Their

remarks pervade the media, representing one and all, taking on each

and every cause. If those who enjoy substantial interests and possess

potentials want to have a hand in charting the course of Hong Kong's

political development but refuse to stand up and make themselves heard,

they can only stand aside meekly while other people decide on their

interests.

The upper and middle classes got wind of this message and also

felt a sense of crisis. They know they cannot merely rely on the

British and Peking to set up a safe political framework for them. Instead, they must fight for their own interests by setting up this framework through actual participation in politics. That is why members of the Establishment began to take action, and so did the 3LCC members from

the industrial, commercial and professional sectors.

To take action" is to fight fight for a chance to speak and fight for influence in order to confront the influence of the "outspoken"

individuals.

Basic contents of the 'proposal'

The 'proposal' stresses that the executive, legislature and judiciary are three powerful and independent bodies whose powers must be separate and which must exert mutual checks and balances on each other. At the same time, the merits of the existing political system as well as the present civil service system should be preserved as far as possible.

Under the 'proposal', the legislature should be made up of both directly and indirectly elected elements, but the chief executive

/ should