TNAG-2456-FCO40-3577-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-presentation-1992 — Page 67

Mais alt

faced HINGOLL)

& Husory Hú

HONG KONG: NOTES FOR LOBBY BRIEFING

-

Governor's proposals (see Annex) respond to the rapid growth of political awareness in Hong Kong in recent years.

-

He is aiming to make Hong Kong's administration more effective and accountable, and the electoral system more fair and democratic, while maximising the prospects that the changes introduced under British administration will survive beyond 1997. Strong executive-led Government, and vigorous democratic institutions, best means of safeguarding Hong Kong's way of life.

- To improve public administration, Governor has clarified the functions of the Executive and Legislative Councils, by ending the practice of overlapping membership. That means Allen Lee and members of his group stand down from ExCo; Martin Lee and his group are not appointed. All political groups thus free to develop parties and programmes within strengthened LegCo. Accountability of the administration reinforced eg by introduction of Governor's Questions in LegCo.

- ExCo will be a non-political advisory body. Governor and his administration will take the lead in building support in LegCo for his policies through a Government/LegCo Committee.

Simplest way to extend democracy would be to increase number of directly elected seats at 1995 Legislative Council elections beyond the 20 laid down in Basic Law.

We have long seen attractions in that and will continue to press. But given Chinese position that Basic Law cannot be changed, Governor exploring in parallel how to use to broaden democratic participation within the terms of the Basic Law.

- Key points of Governor's proposals for the 1995 LegCo elections: lower voting age; greatly expanded electorate for the 30 functional constituencies, to embrace everyone in the workforce; members of the Election Committee who will elect 10 members of LegCo to be themselves elected (the Committee could draw all or most of its membership from the directly-elected District Board members).

- Need to discuss these proposals with Chinese. Too soon to write off possibility of some measure of agreement in interests of continuity. Will be things they don't like. Cannot let discussions drag on indefinitely. Start making practical arrangements early in 1993.

bull.points1.con.bern

So