TNAG-1719-FCO40-2399-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 181

CONFIDENTIAL

Background

Representative Government

1. A copy of the HKG White Paper (together with a summary of the decisions) is attached. A copy of the Hansard record of the

Secretary of State's statement of 10 February in the House and the

ensuing debate is also attached.

2.

Hong Kong press reports on this outcome were generally factual and straightforward. The mainstream view in editorials was that the debate over the Green Paper is now behind us, the White Paper gives a sober assessment of the tasks ahead, the interests of Hong Kong people have been taken into account, and attention should now be turned to the Basic Law. But many political commentators saw the White Paper as confirmation that China had successfully applied

pressure to prevent the introduction of direct elections before the

promulgation of the Basic Law, and claimed that the British, Chinese

and Hong Kong Governments had all ignored public opinion. The

strongly expressed disappointment of Martin Lee and his supporters was widely reported but also effectively counterbalanced by reports

the views of other LegCo members.

3*

The media also highlighted remarks made by the Governor and

Deputy Chief Secretary that the number of directly elected seats

would be expanded after 1991.

Basic Law

Ꭰ

E

4.

Concern has recently been expressed both in Hong Kong and in

London that the provisions of the international human rights

Covenants will cease to apply to Hong Kong in 1997. (An article

from the Far Eastern Economic Review of 18 February is attached.)

The present draft of the Basic Law and Chinese intentions as

expressed to us put this worry beyond doubt.

5. A PQ (by Mr George Foulkes) was answered by Mr Eggar on

1 February.

The text is attached.