TNAG-1716-FCO40-2396-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 13

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HMG AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE GIVEN IN TO PRESSURE FROM THE

CHINESE ON THE TIMING OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS. THIS

HAS SET A BAD PRECEDENT FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE

GOVERNMENT AND HAS UNDERMINED THE CREDIBILITY OF THE BRITISH

ADMINISTRATION

No options excluded from the 1987 Review. All the options are

real ones.

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We have made it clear that the Review is a matter for the Hong Kong and British Governments: not a matter for the Chinese Government, although we have naturally kept them informed of

developments.

Our primary concern has been the interests of Hong Kong and its people that will remain true so long as Britain has responsibility

for Hong Kong.

Those who try to argue that we and the Hong Kong Government are subservient to wishes of Peking in this matter have totally misread

the situation.

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They are also doing the British administration in Hong Kong a grave injustice.

It must be right that decisions which are to be taken on such an important issue take account of all the relevant factors: the wishes and aspirations of the community as a whole and the inevitable realities that flow from Joint Declaration and special circumstances

of Hong Kong.

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