TNAG-2209-FCO40-3169-Future-of-Hong-Kong-principal-officials-1991 — Page 26

CONFIDENTIAL

HONG KONG: CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 1990-1997

A FIRST LIST OF MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

A.

Relevant Factors?

(?

1. The resumption of sovereignty on 1 July 1997 will be a

traumatic occasion which is likely to be viewed by the

majority of the thinking population with apprehension.

are there any additional points to be borne in mind by

reason of the Chinese insistence that the road of succession

is HMG/HKG to the PRC and thence to the SAR rather than

HMG/HKG direct to SAR.)

2.

The Gov or starts to lose control of Legco in 1991.

The authority of HMG and the Governor progressively wanes.

3. The authority and influence of Hong Kong Chinese with

British or other non-Chinese nationality may be impaired.

(? Consequences for their usefulness as members of Exco, or

FB5AAR/1

CONFIDENTIAL