TNAG-1598-FCO40-2191-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 69

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Declaration and the

possible

implementation

country, two systems"

of the "one

concept, which provides for a "high

degree of autonomy" for Hong Kong.

This loss of confidence in the Joint Declaration reflects a

growing disquiet within the community, stemming from the

actions of both British and Chinese Governments in the three

years following the signing of the Joint Declaration. The

perception is growing that Britain's promises to foster a more

representative government in Hong Kong and China's pledges of

non-intervention in the administration of Hong Kong before July

1st 1997, are simply not being honoured.

There is in Hong Kong a deep sense of betrayal.

In the circumstances, the delegation finds it necessary to come

to London to urge the British Government to honour its

commitments to Parliament and the people of Hong Kong

Kong by

introducing direct elections to at least 25% of seats in the

Legislative Council in 1988. The delegation believes

believes that a

concrete step towards greater democracy next year would restore

the credibility of the British adminstration in Hong Kong and

the confidence of the people of Hong Kong in their future

conditions which are essential to an honourable, rather than

ignominious, retreat of the British administration from Hong

Kong in 1997.

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