TNAG-1720-FCO40-2400-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 54

MAR 29 '88 13:47 HK GOVT. SF

P.10

Joseph Cheng, Chinese University of Hong Kong

The Decline of Political Expectations and

Confidence in Hong Kong

Main points:

1. The decline, and the delay of direct elections to 1991, is

largely due to PRC pressure, and the failure of the U.K. and H.K. governments to resist it.

2. The extent of PRC co-operation and collaboration with the

Hong Kong business elite.

3. In November 1985 the UK/HK governments gave in the Chinese

pressure and began to espouse convergence", the UK because it wanted a smooth handover above all and to protect its own economic interests.

4. The Hong Kong Government had to go along with this as a lame

duck administration. Examples of "lame-duckism", slowing down of social services programme, lack of sensitivity to local feelings over e.g. the Public Order Ordinance and Daya Bay. 5. The PRC continues to ignore the Hong Kong people's wishes on

political reform, wishing to inherit the present powers and composition of Leg.Co. and Ex.Co. and position of the governor unchanged, and is attempting to slow down progress towards democracy.

6. The H.K. & U.K. governments have, in effect, given up.

7. PRC tactics include encouraging heavy private sector spending on infrastructure development, with PRC comapnies playing an important part, and United Front activities.

8. The PRC may be sincere in wanting a continuation of Hong Kong's

stability and prosperity, but fail to appreciate what is needed. 9. The brain drain is reaching the point of no return.

· 7