TNAG-1718-FCO40-2398-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 177

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LT MON

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

Telephone 01-

270-2651

Your reference

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(98)

Mr K Y Liu MB, BS, FRCS

Brigade Hostel

Parson's Green LONDON SW6

Dear Mr Liv.

شا

HURB 011/11,

Our reference

ROBAGQ

Date

4 February 1988

Thank you for your letter of 29 January to Sir Geoffrey Howe concerning the introduction of direct elections into the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. I have been asked to reply.

But it

We note the importance which you attach to this issue. seems clear that while there is a strong trend in public opinion in Hong Kong that supports the introduction of direct elections well before 1997, views are sharply divided on timing.

There was

I hope that the debate on Hong Kong which was held on 20 January in the House of Commons will have served to make clear the Government's position on this matter. I also trust that it will have demonstrated that there is no question of any broken promises or of the Government having gone back on any commitments to the peole of Hong Kong on the subject of direct elections. never at any stage a commitment by HMG to introduce direct elections in 1988. I enclose a copy of the Hansard record of Sir Geoffrey Howe's opening statement in the debate which sets out the Government's views on Hong Kong issues, and in particular the development of representative government in Hong Kong, in some detail.

We and the Hong Kong Government alike wish to see the development towards more representative government in Hong Kong continue steadily. Neither we nor they would wish to impose any particular form or model. Hong Kong is unique in many ways, and it will need to develop its own system of government suited to its own requirements. Such a system should respect the wishes of the community as a whole and reflect Hong Kong's special circumstances and conditions, in the future as in the past.

In considering this issue the British and Hong Kong Governments have taken care to consult the people of Hong Kong at every stage.

It This was the purpose of the review which took place in 1984.

This carries out in was also the purpose of the current review. full the commitments made in the 1984 White Paper, which recorded the state of public opinion in Hong Kong in 1984 on the subject of direct elections to the Legislative Council, and stated that the issue would be further considered in a review to take place in