TNAG-1472-FCO40-2003-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 82

CPLAQR(2)

CONFIDENTIAL

MR WADDINGTON'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 21-27 SEPTEMBER

II. DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG

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)

(b)

an increase in the number of Unofficial members of LegCo and

a decrease in the number of official (ie civil servant)

members;

the selection of 24 of these Unofficials by indirect

elections

functional

based

on

constituencies; and

geographical

and

(c)

2.

concern,

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

The Chinese have over the past year expressed considerable

through formal and informal channels, over the extent and pace of "democratisation" in Hong Kong between

Hong Kong between now and 1997. They are particularly concerned about whether, and if so, how and to what extent, direct elections may be introduced in the territory.

3.

decision

on

Neither HMG nor the Hong Kong Government have taken any 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 already considerable interest and debate in Hong Kong on this sensitive issue. We have agreed to maintain a dialogue with Chinese on developments, both

developments, both to explain

intentions as these evolve and to maintain contact with them on

the development of the Basic Law.

our

CONFIDENTIAL