TNAG-2329-FCO40-3373-Hong-Kong-contacts-with-academics-and-writers-1991 — Page 64

I mentioned earlier Hong Kong's "high degree of societal autonomy" from the state. It implies a "more or less spontaneous development of society". I believe that this is one of the reasons why the people of Hong Kong deserve the fullest opportunity to work out for themselves the proper system of government within the terms of the Joint Declaration and Basic Law. OMELCO said in 1984:-

"Hong Kong is not an independent state and can never be. Despite

the promise of a high degree of autonomy, its subsidiary relationship with the Chinese Central Government must be understood and accepted.'

The essential point is that the "subsidiary relationship" and the

'spontaneity" must be seen to be capable of being consistent with each other. This will require a pattern of predictable relations between the CPG and the SAR government.

on the

The development of a pattern of predictable methods and relations between the CPG and the SAR is essential. This will require the routinisation of aspects of that relationship, with general understandings of how to operate being converted into specific practice. It is rightly clear that the PRC will never waver principle of safeguarding China's sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity; and, as I have said elsewhere, I believe this is perfectly legitimate. However, PRC sources are clear in other contexts that they want to be known as being

"flexible as regards specific policies and measures and will give

full consideration to the realities ... and the wishes of the

people and of all quarters [as a] basic position in handling problems."

#1

In

Thus, while PRC sovereign power cannot be expected to be transferred to lower levels, "sensitivity and concern for local feelings [should be the essence and the preconditions for an effective arrangement. rhetorical terms, such ideas find tangible form in the PRC today in the expression that there is need to find ways of

"improving the policy of giving autonomy to minority nationality

regions. We should ensure that these regions fully exercise their autonomous powers; [and] properly handle the relationship between

the interests of the whole nation.

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The full exercise of the requisite degree of autonomy is therefore an established PRC principle in theory. To convert it into practice, Hong Kong itself has to engage in a process of self-definition. Let me add just one additional ingredient to that. As far back as 1981, an article in People's Daily indicated that where "autonomy organs in autonomy areas" formulated their own rules and specific regulations on