TNAG-1719-FCO40-2399-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 189

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G.F. 316

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reform

to

an extent that might introduce

introduce instability

and

uncertainty

into the administration

of

the

territory.

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 the restoration of Hong Kong to

China in 1997,

to

Kong will

and in continuity after 1997 when Hong

a be Special Administrative Region of

the

People's Republic of China.

5.

The Government's objectives with regard to the

system of representative government

in Hong Kong are

therefore as follows:

(a)

that

it should

continue

to

evolve

to

suit Hong Kong's circumstances;

(b) that its development should be prudent

and gradual;

(c)

(a)

that any reforms should have the widest

possible support

as to command the

confidence of the community as a whole;

SO

and

that the system in place before 1997

should permit smooth

а

transition

in

1997 and a high degree of continuity

thereafter.

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