TNAG-1448-FCO40-1947-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1986 — Page 104

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an appropriate alternative locus of authority within the Government structure such destabilising and divisive effects

could be lessened.

The retention of influence

7.

An important objective for us in this connection will

be to retain the maximum influence in Hong Kong before 1997, and to project our influence into the life of the SAR after 1997. We can best do this if we can manage to aplay a role in

establishing the office of Chief Executive, identifying its

first incumbent and establishing the means of his selection.

We need to define what we want for Hong Kong in this

connection and how it might be achieved.

The options

8.

Against this background there are, in general terms, two possible approaches to the question of the Chief

Executive :

Option (A). To allow the powers and the role of the Governor to remain as they are now until 30 June

1997, when a Chief Executive would assume office.

Option (B). To create before 1997 a post which would in effect be that of Chief Executive (designate) and

gradually to delegate or devolve powers to him.

Option (A)

9.

Option (A) is consistent with present Chinese thinking, the dangers of which are described in para 6 above. Although we would be fulfilling the letter of the Joint