TNAG-1719-FCO40-2399-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 71

CAZADE

SECRET

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

HONG KONG DEPARTMENT

НКВ 011/1

DD 1988/258

DESPATCH

SELECTIVE DISTRIBUTION

HONG KONG

1 MARCH 1988

THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG:

THE 1988 WHITE PAPER

THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Summary

1.

Green Paper published in May 1987 covered a range of

constitutional issues, including direct elections to the Legislative

Council (LegCo). Direct elections attracted by far the most

attention. China was strongly opposed to early introduction and

campaigned vigorously, both overtly and covertly. Vociferous

pro-direct election lobby drew support from young and educated

middle class. Unprecedented response of 130,000 submissions to the

Survey Office (paragraphs 1-6).

2.

Unsuccessful Chinese attempts to get an assurance from us that

there would be no direct elections in 1988. But unhelpful public

comments by Chinese made our position more difficult and were seen

here as interference (paragraphs 7-10).

3.

Report by Survey Office in October showed clear majority in

favour of an element of direct elections to LegCo before 1997.

Views sharply divided on whether to start in 1988. On other issues

raised in the Green Paper, the response was generally against change. Overall impression of population generally satisfied with the political system and wanting change to be gradual (paragraphs

11-14).

in

4. If Hong Kong opinion had strongly favoured direct elections 1988, we would have faced a damaging confrontation with Peking. We were spared this dilemma. Once Chinese knew that we were not going

SECRET