GOVERNOR'S SPEECH: ADDITIONAL POINTS
Chinese bound to be hostile?
Changes which Chris Patten announced today are what he and we
believe will best preserve Hong Kong's success. An objective we share with China. I briefed the Chinese Foreign Minister in
advance. There will be things that they would like to see done
differently. But Governor has said that all the proposals for
the 1995 elections will be discussed with the Chinese. So I
hope we can get into detailed talks with them when the
Governor goes to Peking later this month.
-
Have you given up pressing for more directly elected seats?
No.
Governor makes clear in speech we will continue to press
vigorously for that. But Chinese would have to agree to change Basic Law, and their position is that this is impossible.
Governor is exploring other avenues in parallel.
So
Why not go for broke and have a fully directly-elected LegCo?
This is early days. Not yet sure how far we can manage to reach agreement with the Chinese.
- Our aim remains to develop a level of democracy in Hong Kong
which will be sustainable beyond 1997.
-
People of Hong Kong want continuity.
stage would mean abandoning that aim.
Proposals not consistent with Basic Law?
Unilaterlism at this
Apart from the question of more directly elected seats (where
we are asking the Chinese to change the Basic Law) the Governor's proposals are consistent with the provisions of the Basic Law.
Why no Martin Lee on ExCo?
- Governor's proposals establish a level playing field for all political parties, since none will be on ExCo. This is coupled
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