TNAG-1441-FCO40-1925-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 55

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in the territory. The Central Government's power to appoint the chief executive is an exercise of sovereignty. The majority of Hong Kong people only wish to maintain their existing lifestyle and the freedoms they now enjoy. By no means do they wish to have any confrontations with China. If Hong Kong puts up resistance against China, the price it will have to pay is too high and hope of

success is minimal.

(2) The future chief executive shall in no way be like a

governor under the colonial rule. The governor is a British, not

a local person, and he is not elected by Hong Kong residents.

The future chief executive is to be selected by election or through

consultations by the local people. The basis of his power comes from the local people, while the source of his power comes from the Central Government. The chief executive is bound by the Basic Law

and the laws of Hong Kong, and his powers are checked by the

SAR legislature.

(3) Party politics will certainly emerge if the chief executive

is selected by direct election or elected from the legislature. This

resembles the National Assembly of the "Fourth Republic" of France.

In appearance, it seemed that democracy was practised but in fact, there were severe party strifes and incessant changes of government and cabinet. Such a practice was proved to be unworkable, and so

General de Gaulle proposed to amend the constitution to establish

the 'Fifth Republic'. It would only be to Hong Kong's disadvantage

if the practice of electing the chief executive from the legislature

were adopted in Hong Kong.