TNAG-1598-FCO40-2191-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 67

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action to restore credibility to the Hong Kong Government in

order to preserve the terrority's prosperity and stability.

It is true that Hong Kong can and has shown considerable

ability to survive policy errors

press control law relating to

-

such as the passage of the

"false news" despite strong

public outcry; the imposition of political censorship of films;

and a failure to take any action to ensure the safety of a

fearful Hong Kong community alarmed by the faulty construction

of the Daya Bay nuclear power plant located in China but

financed in part with Hong Kong taxpayers' money.

The

But Hong Kong may not be so resilient if the Government were

to be lacking, not only in political judgement, but also

in ability, will and courage to govern independently of China

during the remaining nine and a half years of transition.

Hong Kong Government is seen to have reneged on promises made

by the British Government to Parliament and to the people of

Hong Kong that democratic institutions will be quickly

developed in Hong Kong beginning with the introduction

direct elections to the Legislative Council in 1988.

of

At the end of a political review during May-September 1987, the

government-appointed Survey Office published a report on

November 4th, 1987. The contents of this very bulky report,

when properly analysed, show that a clear majority support the