TNAG-1718-FCO40-2398-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 112

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060074

MDHOAN 8489

INTRODUCTION, OPINION WAS SHARPLY DIVIDED. IN THE LIGHT OF THIS, WE CONCLUDED THAT THE NEXT STEP FORWARD SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN 1991.

5.

IF IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CHINA HAS INFLUENCED THE DECISION ON THE TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS: DECISIONS WERE TAKEN BY HMG AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. KEY FACTORS IN THE DECISION WERE THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. IN COMMENTING ON THE ISSUES RAISED IN THE REVIEW, MANY PEOPLE REFERRED TO IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BEFORE 1997 WAS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW FOR POST-1997 HONG KONG WHICH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ARE DRAFTING. SENSIBLE TO PROCEED AT A SENSIBLE PACE AND IN A WAY THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE BASIC LAW, SO AS TO ACHIEVE CONTINUITY BEYOND 1997.

6.

IT IS

WILL

IF IT IS SUGGESTED THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991 PROVIDE INSUFFICIENT TIME FOR DEMOCRACY TO TAKE ROOT BEFORE THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY: BEST GUARANTEE OF A WELL-ROOTED DEMOCRATIC TRADITION IN HONG KONG IS THAT CHANGES SHOULD BE STEADY AND GRADUAL. REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ALREADY WELL

ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG: A LARGE PART OF MUNICIPAL

COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS IS ALREADY DIRECTLY ELECTED. IN 1985 INDIRECT ELECTIONS INTRODUCED FOR 24 MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BASE OF LEGCO AND OTHER BODIES IN HONG KONG IS THEREFORE ALREADY LARGE.

7.

IF ASKED ABOUT TIMETABLE

FOR DEVELOPMENTS AFTER 1991: WHITE PAPER RECOGNISES THAT REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO EVOLVE TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY AND A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997. THESE LONGER TERM ISSUES WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN LIGHT OF PROVISIONS OF BASIC LAW, AFTER ITS PROMULGATION IN 1990. NEED WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT STRUCTURES CAN DEVELOP SMOOTHLY UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND.

8

IF IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS WERE MANIPULATED TO ACHIEVE THE RESULT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WANTED: THE REVIEW WAS A SCRUPULOUSLY FAIR AND OBJECTIVE ONE. CRITICISMS OF INDIVIDUAL OPINION POLLS SHOULD BE KEPT IN PROPORTION. ON THE CRUCIAL QUESTION OF THE TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS THE IMPRESSION OF A SHARP DIVISION OF VIEWS EMERGED CLEARLY FROM ALL QUARTERS. DECISIONS IN WHITE PAPER THEREFORE REFLECT IN A BALANCED AND REASONABLE WAY THE FEELINGS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

9.

IF ASKED ABOUT THE LIKELY EFFECT OF THE WHITE PAPER ON CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG: ESSENTIAL THAT CHANGES SHOULD COMMAND WIDEST CONSENSUS OF LOCAL SUPPORT AND OFFER BEST PROSPECT OF

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