CONFIDENTIAL
(in particular over direct elections to the Legislative Council) in
advance of the promulgation of the Basic Law in 1990. They fear that the impression could be given that important provisions in the Basic Law had been imposed on them by our pre-emptive action through the review. They want to avoid a choice between making stipulations in the Basic Law which are in actual or potential
in actual or potential conflict with the prevailing constitutional structure in Hong Kong and incorporating
stipulations which they do not desire. On at least one occasion
they have said explicitly that, if faced with such a choice, they
would go for the former option. On the substance, they fear instability and the divisive effects of party politics.
25.
The Chinese have long had strong misgivings about direct
elections (although, as noted below, they maintain to us that they are not opposed to them in principle). Their concern about the possible effects of direct elections appears to have grown in the
past few months, probably as a result of divisions and confrontation
in the Legislative Council over construction of the Daya Bay nuclear
plant in Guangdong province of China, near Hong Kong. Hong Kong business leaders in contact with the Chinese tend to oppose direct
elections and to tell them so. Moreover, the sub-committee of the
Basic Law Drafting Committee drafting the relevant section of the Basic Law at present has a majority of Hong Kong members against
direct elections. (Chinese
opinion, but may be assumed
Government.)
Exchanges with the Chinese
members do not formally express an
to reflect the view of the Chinese
24.
In order to overcome
this mistrust and lessen the risk of
conflict over the 1987 review and the Basic Law we have sought since
May 1986 to intensify contacts with the Chinese and to establish an
informal dialogue on the issues involved. There have been three
discussions at Foreign Minister level and detailed exchanges between officials some of which have involved the Governor of Hong Kong.
27.
On general issues drafting of the Basic Law we
connected with "convergence" and the have managed to put across our ideas
CONFIDENTIAL
-8-
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.