TNAG-1850-FCO40-2625-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 148

POLITICAL PARTIES

Existing political groupings in Hong Kong are essentially pressure groups aimed at influencing government policy.

Clear that slightly more formal groups are now emerging in run up to 1991 Leglo elections. But these do not appear to amount to 'parties'. Too early to say where such developments might lead.

But emergence of more formal political groupings to be expected as political system, including system of representative government,

matures.

ARE HMG CONCERNED THAT COMMIUNIST PARTY MAY EMERGE AS AN OVERT

POLITICAL FORCE BEFORE AND AFTER 1997?

Do not believe that it would in any way be in China's interests to promote activities of Communist Party in territory.

Joint Declaration and draft Basic Law stipulate that socialist system and policies shall not be practised in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.