TNAG-2456-FCO40-3577-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-presentation-1992 — Page 109

RESTRICTED

114101

MDHOAN 1998

OF LEGCO) TO BE ITSELF COMPOSED OF ELECTED MEMBERS (EG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS). ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ELECTION TO THESE TEN SEATS.

- AN INDEPENDENT BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION TO REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY

6.

THE CHINESE ARE LIKELY TO REACT WITH HOSTILITY TO SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS, PARTICULARLY THOSE DESIGNED TO BROADEN REPRESENTATION IN THE 1995 LEGCO ELECTIONS (EG PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE). WE ARE THEREFORE PROBABLY ENTERING A DIFFICULT PERIOD IN OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA. WE INTEND, FOR OUR PART, TO MAINTAIN A CALM AND CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE, WHICH IS WHAT HONG KONG OPINION WANTS. THE GOVERNOR WILL BE VISITING PEKING, LATER THIS MONTH TO PURSUE THESE DISCUSSIONS.

7. THERE MAY BE SOME CRITICISM FROM LIBERAL OPINION IN HONG KONG, IN WESTMINSTER AND ELSEWHERE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT GONE FAR ENOUGH ON DEMOCRACY. IF THE CHINESE THREATEN NOT TO ACCEPT THE OUTCOME OF THE 1995 ELECTIONS AND HENCE PUT CONTINUITY IN 1997 IN DOUBT, WE MAY COME UNDER PRESSURE TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT THE PACE OF DEMOCRACY WITHOUT REGARD FOR THE TERMS OF THE BASIC LAW. BUT THAT WOULD GUARANTEE DISCONTINUITY IN 1997, AND LEAVE THE CHINESE NO CHOICE BUT TO ORGANISE NEW ELECTIONS FOR A NEW LEGCO. THE GOVERNOR'S APPROACH OF BROADENING DEMOCRACY WITHIN THE BASIC LAW LEAVES THE CHINESE THE OPTION OF WAITING TO SEE HOW THE 1995 LEGCO WORKS OUT IN PRACTICE.

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