BENAAP
Mr
McLaren minte
Private Secretary
SECRET
FROM:
CO Hum
DATE:
CC
г
HONG KONG: FUTURE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
7 JUL 1987
#2
3
44
Hong Kong Department
17 July 1989 $
PS/Lord Glenarthur
Mr Fifoot,
Dep Legal Adviser
Mr Masefield, FED
Problem
1.
We need to ensure as far as possible that the drafting of
the section of the Basic Law covering the Hong Kong SAR's political system develops along helpful lines.
Recommendation
A-D
2.
I recommend that we pass to the Chinese the attached set of
two papers setting out our thinking on key aspects of Hong Kong's political structure after 1997. They were drafted in close
consultation between the Hong Kong Government, the Legal Advisers
and the Department and take into account ExCo's views.
Background and Argument
3.
Drafting of the Basic Law is now well under way, with work on
texts devolved to a number of sub-groups. The special group on the
political system, which last met in June, is now turning its
attention to the provisions which will determine the structure of
the SAR's executive and legislature. We need to move fast if we are
to influence thinking in this very important area before it begins
to crystallise. The special group's next meeting is scheduled for
31 July-2 August.
4.
The Secretary of State will recall that we have established a high-level channel for passing to the Chinese side papers which
SECRET
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Private notes are available after approval.