TNAG-1716-FCO40-2396-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 216

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REMAINS AS STRONG AS EVER.

4.

THESE CONSIDERATIONS POINT TOWARDS THE VALUE OF DEVELOPING

A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM, SO AS TO IMPROVE THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE GOVERNMENT TO SOCIETY S NEEDS AND THUS ENHANCE ITS EFFICIENCY AND AUTHORITY. THEY POINT ALSO TO THE NEED TO EVOLVE GRADUALLY FROM THE UNIQUE SYSTEM THAT HAS SERVED HONG KONG WELL UNTIL NOW, AND NOT TO FORCE THE PACE OF REFORM TO AN EXTENT THAT MIGHT INTRODUCE INSTABILITY AND UNCERTAINTY INTO THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. IN THIS CONNEXION, IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT DURING THE PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE RESTORATION OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG TO CHINA IN 1997, AND IN THE CONTINUATION OF THAT SYSTEM AFTER 1997 WHEN HONG KONG WILL BE A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

5. THE GOVERNMENTS OBJECTIVES WITH REGARD TO THE SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG ARE THEREFORE AS FOLLOWS:

(A) THAT IT SHOULD CONTINUE TO EVOLVE:

(B)

(C)

THAT ITS DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE GRADUAL:

THAT ANY REFORMS SHOULD HAVE THE SUPPORT AND COMMAND THE

CONFIDENCE OF THE COMMUNITY: AND

(D) THAT THE SYSTEM IN PLACE BEFORE 1997 SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF CONTINUING BEYOND 1997 WITH AS LITTLE CHANGE AS POSSIBLE.

THE GREEN PAPER

6.

THE GREEN PAPER OF MAY 1987 SOUGHT THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY ON WHETHER THE SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED IN 1988 AND, IF SO, IN WHAT MANNER. THE MAIN ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE GREEN PAPER WERE:

(A)

(B)

THE COMPOSITIONS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND POSSIBLE WAYS OF IMPROVING THE LINKS

BETWEEN THEM:

THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE METHODS OF SELECTING ITS MEMBERS, INCLUDING WHETHER AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED:

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