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It suggests discussion between British and Chinese legal experts.
"Direct Elections"
E
10. This paper notes some of the practical issues which would arise
if it were decided that
that direct elections should be introduced in
Hong Kong. It makes no recommendation as to the desirability or
timing of this, but is designed to demonstrate that there are ways
of introducing direct elections, building on present arrangements in
Hong Kong, which need not cause the Chinese apprehension.
11.
When this paper was discussed by ExCo on 30 September, some
members noted the risk that the paper could harden Chinese
resistance to the idea of direct elections by giving them the impression that HMG and HKG had come to a firm view already on the
subject; but the advantage of
modalities was also recognised.
left to the Secretary of
considerations, to decide whether to hand the paper over.
12.
reassuring the Chinese about the
ExCo recommended that it should be
State, in the light of these
I would envisage that the Secretary of State
the Secretary of State would introduce
the first four papers and describe them briefly. He would not of
course speak to them in any detail, nor would we expect Wu to
respond on the spot.
(I shall be submitting briefing separately in
due course.) As to the paper on direct elections, this might be
given to the Chinese at Ministerial or official level if, in the
light of any exchange on the subject, the Secretary of State felt
that the Chinese would be receptive to it. If, however, Wu's
reaction were so negative that it seemed unwise to reveal that we
have been considering the modalities for direct elections in some
detail, the paper would be withheld.
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Colten
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2 October 1986
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CO Hum
Hong Kong Department
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