With that objective in mind, the Government entered into a series of tough discussions with the Chinese authorities about Hong Kong's future political development, stressing the importance of a more rapid process of democratisation than was envisaged in second draft of the Basic Law.
On 16 February 1990, the Foreign Secretary announced the Government's intention to introduce 18 directly elected seats in the Legislative Council in 1991 and at least 20 in 1995.
This is two seats fewer than the proposals put forward by OMELCO in July 1989 but significantly more than the 10 seats which were envisaged in the 1988 White Paper.
- As a result of the Government's representations to Chinese authorities, the final version of the Basic Law provides further progression from 1997 onwards, rising to 24 seats in 1999 and 30 seats in 2003, with the possibility that full direct elections could be introduced in 2007. The Government hope that in time the Chinese Government will agree to accelerate the pace of democratisation.
Most people in Hong Kong welcome the fact that a clear direction has now been set and that a major uncertainty for the future of the territory has been removed. The community in Hong Kong recognise that their task now is to work together to make a success of the first direct. elections in September 1991; and to demonstrate to the Chinese authorities that a faster pace of democratisation is both desirable and manageable.
Other details of the proposed arrangements for the 1991 elections were announced on 21 March and draft legislation to put these into effect introduced on 25 July. The arrangements include an increase in the number of functional constituency seats from 14 to 21; a reduction in the number of official members from 10 to 3; a reduction in the number of appointed members from 20 to 17; the establishment of 9 2-member constituencies from which the 18 directly elected members will be returned; and the appointment of a Deputy President.
Contact: Kay Saunders
270 3544
December 1990
TOYADC
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