TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 126

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MIPT: PAPERS FOR OD(K)

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FOLLOWING IS DRAFT PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

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33.

THE TWO EXERCISES UNDER WAY IN 1987, NAMELY THE 1987

REVIEW AND THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, ESSENTIALLY INVOLVE

PARALLEL CONSULTATION OF THE SAME PEOPLE ON THE SAME ISSUES.

SHOULD, AT LEAST IN THEORY, BE POSSIBLE FOR THE TWO SIDES TO

ARRIVE AT THE SAME CONCLUSION. THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTS

OF THE INFORMAL DIALOGUE THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED WITH THE

CHINESE. BUT IN PRACTICE, GIVEN THE INCREASING POLARISATION OF

OPINION IN HONG KONG AND THE SENSITIVITY AND INNATE CONSERVATISM

OF THE CHINESE, IT IS LIKELY TO PROVE VERY DIFFICULT. WE HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS, AND OUR SUCCESS IN ESTABLISHING THE INFORMAL

DIALOGUE PROVIDES THE MEANS TO MAKE MORE. BUT TIME IS SHORT AND

THE GAP BETWEEN US STILL LARGE. THE PROBLEM OF DIRECT ELECTIONS,

AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM IN THE 1987 REVIEW, WILL BE AT THE SAME

TIME THE MOST DIFFICULT AND THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN

SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

34.

AT THE SAME TIME THE (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED) PRACTICAL

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT

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