TNAG-2220-FCO40-3188-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Public-Order-Ordinance-1991 — Page 48

M (91) 43

CONFIDENTIAL

602

would

likely view the

Bill as deliberately

facilitating

anti-Chinese demonstrations.

If

the Bill was further liberalized by the

Legislative

Council as appeared likely, they

would blame HKG and this would add weight (in

to their conspiracy theory. The

their eyes)

profile of the

raised once again.

subversion issue would be

(c)

Some Members suggested that the present

Ordinance should not be amended because

whatever changes were proposed would be

criticized

either by

liberals in the

Council as not going far enough

Legislative

or by China as

positively encouraging

subversion in Hong Kong. In either scenario,

the

Administration would be placed in a

defensive position.

(d) Members considered that the timing of the

presentation of the Bill to the Legislative

Council to be of critical importance. It was

suggested

to be put

as

regards

that deferral might allow the Bill

forward in an improved atmosphere

relations

with

China. It would

also allow time to see whether the present

law was

challenged.

Some Members queried