TNAG-2448-FCO40-3564-Elections-in-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1992 — Page 49

28-OCT-1992 17:31

A.G.'S CHAMBERS

+852 877 2130

P.08

2

5.

the

main

As I have explained in my message of 18 January,

differences between us lie in two areas: the. of directly elected seats, and the compatibility of the systems before and after 1997.

numbers

1991.

6.

We are not far apart on directly elected seats,

but there is a real problem over the number the Chinese

side has in mind for 1997. I have explained the pressures we are under to introduce 20 directly elected seats in

In my message Of 18 January, I said that if the

Chinese side were prepared to provide for 24 seats (40 percent) in 1997, we would be willing to restrict the

number in 1991 to 18 (30 percent). It will be very difficult for us to do this unless you can increase the

number beyond 20 in 1997.

7.

As regards, compatibility, I have three concerns. Firstly, on voting arrangements, people in Hong Kong attach importance to a straightforward system, of the kind which

is now used in the Legislative Council. Reports about the

introduction of а

differential voting

voting system have

caused widespread

new

concern

in

Hong Kong, especially among moderate sensible opinion. Apart from its unfamiliarity, people fear that such a system would impede the legislative process without producing any corresponding benefits.

8.

Secondly, I emphasised in my message of 18 January the importance we attach to ensuring that any Grand

Electoral College ΟΙ Election Committee used to elect members of the Legislature should be a fully representative body constituted in an open way. I await your assurance that this is what the Chinese side have in mind. It will

also be important that the details of the composition and constitution of any Grand Electoral College are made clear

to Hong Kong people to reassure them about the nature of their proposed future political system. We could then consider introducing similar arrangements in 1995, thereby ensuring continuity. This would be the subject of closer

consultation between our two sides.