TNAG-2329-FCO40-3373-Hong-Kong-contacts-with-academics-and-writers-1991 — Page 76

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by way of civil service priorities.

I would like the Working Group

suggested in Part Five to consider the issues, in order to see if what I have written here is fair, and to seek out other areas of Hong Kong's life to see if analogous concerns exist. I understand the view that

"it is widely accepted that China does not want to take over Hong

Kong which is too independent and unruly."

but to compromise on principle in this way is, I believe, wholly counter-productive to efforts designed to safeguard the future of an autonomous lifestyle.

There has to be a good and productive working relationship created between Chinese and Hong Kong civil servants. In this regard, Hong Kong should not ignore its own strengths: -

"So long as the morale, co-operation, and devotion of the civil

service are considered vital to the smooth transfer of sovereignty, civil servants possess strong bargaining powers vis-a-vis the PRC. This does not mean that civil servants could or should adopt a confrontational stance in defending Hong Kong's interests, but that there is some leeway for them to use their experience and expertise to impress [their concerns] upon China

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To compromise on micro-autonomy could be to compromise on Hong Kong's greatest asset: its expertise. Moreover, it just cannot be right to assume that the best way to deal with potential threats is to "adjust" to them along the lines set out in paragraph 4.4 above. If micro-autonomy is subjected to this sort of pressure now, it will never be able to withstand the pressures of a system where administrative decisions on individual cases are based on political sense of smell and where there is compulsion to set examples, and to demonstrate continued faith. With obvious structural and institutional differences, this method, a type of alchemy whereby expedience and "realism" are catalysts each for injustice is common in many parts of the world, yet it is a train of thought which Hong Kong can avoid under the Joint Declaration if that document is taken seriously. Perhaps civil servants are not in the best position to marshall their strengths on this problem. Is the following true?

"Existing bureaucratic norms do not enable officials to appreciate

their roles and responsibilities fully, but since Hong Kong's welfare hinges to some extent on the sensitivity and courage of civil servants, a new set of administrative values are required to bring the service in line with the social and political changes which Hong Kong is now experiencing.

This too is a subject which I should like the Working Group discussed in Part Five of this paper to consider.