TNAG-2217-FCO40-3184-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 101

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matters worse for the colonial government, China always prefers

to deal directly with the British government with regard to local

affairs for the simple reason that British officials have long-

term stakes in cordial Sino-British relationship, whereas local

colonial officials might harbor more negative feelings against

China as their own careers have been adversely affected by the

termination of colonial rule.

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As Hong Kong enters into the transitional period, an

increasing number of problems can only be dealt with jointly by

the British and Chinese governments. A simple glance at the

issues under the jurisdiction of the Sino-British Joint Liaison

Group should suffice to verify this point. Moreover, both Britain

and China have reversed themselves by taking an increasing

interest in local affairs, and they (notably China) not

uncommonly make themselves felt in the decision-making process of

the Hong Kong government. The autonomy of the government is

further constricted by the fact that the Sino-British Agreement

and for that matter the Basic Law promulgated in early 1990 has

basically frozen the status quo and hence circumscribed the

policy-making sphere of the government. Under these

circumstances, policy innovations are difficult and might be

perceived by China with suspicion. Moreover, as a result of the

increasing prominence of the two superior governments in local

policy-making, Hong Kong people have a growing tendency to direct

their lobbying activities to them. People who have grievances

against the colonial government find it expedient to solicit the

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