TNAG-1472-FCO40-2003-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 147

HK2AMQ

CONFIDENTIAL

MR RAISON'S VISIT TO CHINA & JAPAN

HONG KONG: REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

Background

1.

In November 1984 the Hong Kong Government published a White Paper entitled "The Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong". The Paper, which was endorsed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) in January 1985, proposed:

(a)

an increase in the number of Unofficial members of LegCo and a decrease in the number of official (ie civil servant)

members;

(b)

the selection of 24 of these Unofficials by

elections

based

on

constituencies; and

geographical

and

indirect

functional

(c)

2.

a further review of developments towards more representative government, including the possibility of direct elections to LegCo, in 1987.

The Chinese have in the last 9 months expressed considerable. concern, through formal and informal channels, over the extent and pace of "democratisation" in Hong Kong between now and 1997. They are particularly concerned about whether, and if so how and to what extent, direct elections will be introduced in the carritory.

3.

Neither HMG nor the Hong Kong Government have taken any decision on the possible introduction of direct elections, on the basis that this will be a matter for public consultation in Hong Kong during the 1987 review. There is considerable interest debate in Hong Kong on this sensitive issue.

and

CONFIDENTIAL