TNAG-2451-FCO40-3568-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 92

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FOR THE CHINESE TO EXERCISE THE DEGREE OF CONTROL OVER THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN HONG KONG WHICH THEY DEEM NECESSARY. THEY DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANY GENUINE EXPANSION OF DEMOCRACY OR ANY GROWTH IN THE POWERS OF THE LEGISLATURE. THE 1989 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS AND THE HONG KONG ALLIANCE HAS SERVED TO EQUATE DEMOCRACY WITH SUBVERSION IN THE MINDS OF SENIOR CHINESE LEADERS. THEIR OBSESSION WITH MARTIN LEE IS VISCERAL: THE GOVERNOR'S WARNING ABOUT THE RISK OF MAKING HIM A MARTYR HAD NO IMPACT. NOR DID HIS ARGUMENT. THAT THE GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN LINE WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE'S ASPIRATIONS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO PRESERVE POLITICAL STABILITY.

6. THE CHINESE MAY GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT THEY HAD A BROAD DEAL WITH US OVER THE 1995 ELECTIONS. WHETHER THAT IS TRUE OR NOT, I AM SURE THAT THEY REGARD THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS, PARTICULARLY THOSE FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, AS OUTSIDE THE SPIRIT OF EARLIER DISCUSSIONS, AS WELL AS (IN THEIR INTERPRETATION) THE SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW. THEY WILL HAVE BEEN ALARMED BY THE GOVERNOR'S INDICATIONS THAT LEGCO WILL EFFECTIVELY HAVE THE LAST WORD ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS. THEY CLAIM THAT LEGCO SHOULD BE NO MORE THAN AN 'ADVISORY' BODY. BEHIND THAT LIES THEIR POSITION THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN HAVE NO SEPARATE SAY IN DETERMINING THEIR FUTURE, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT BEING THE ONLY PROPER REPRESENTATIVE OF THEIR INTERESTS PRE-1997.

7. THE WARNINGS ISSUED

PUBLICLY BY LU PING, ARE THE STRONGEST I HAVE HEARD IN RECENT YEARS. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THEY WERE ISSUED ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP AND REFLECT INTENSE IRRITATION ON THEIR PART. THEY MAY ALSO REFLECT A NEW MOOD OF CONFIDENCE AND ASSERTIVENESS AMONG THE LEADERSHIP FOLLOWING THE 14TH PARTY CONGRESS, A DETERMINATION NOT TO BE PUSHED AROUND BY THE AMERICANS ,AND OTHER WESTERN POWERS. THOUGH THERE WILL BE AN ELEMENT OF BLUFF

IN THEM WE MUST TAKE THESE WARNINGS SERIOUSLY. IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE CHINESE HAVE

NO INTENTION OF CONTAINING THE DISPUTE OVER POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE AIRPORT. IT IS BOUND TO AFFECT OTHER AREAS OF COOPERATION.

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IT IS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO ASSESS WHAT IMPACT THE CHINESE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIS CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS WHICH WE CAN NOW EXPECT TO BE INTENSIFIED - WILL HAVE ON OPINION IN LEGCO AND MORE WIDELY. HE WILL NO DOUBT ALSO BE CONSIDERING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE CHINESE CAN IN PRACTICE PREVENT AIRPORT-RELATED PROJECTS FROM

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Redacted under FOI exemption 27(1)

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