TNAG-1448-FCO40-1947-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1986 — Page 97

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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.

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 appear 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, four of the eight Hong Kong

members of the sub-committee of the Basic Law Drafting Committee drafting the relevant section of the Basic Law are at present expressing opposition to direct elections. (Chinese members have not so far expressed an opinion. When they do so, it may be assumed that it will reflect the view the Chinese Government has decided to take.)

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