TNAG-2487-FCO40-3618-Future-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1992 — Page 80

on principle than on political convenience.

18

The result has been growing dissatisfaction on all sides

that potentially could

could de-rail the prospects for a smooth

transition of sovereignty in 1997 without that being intended by

any of the parties. Politics and the political system in Hong

Kong are developing at a rapid rate, but with very little

connection to the exercise of power and the corresponding

responsibilities of power. The Legislative Council as currently

constituted is still a colonial body whose role is to advise the

Governor rather than to limit his power and demand his

accountability. Although it has some powers, membership of that

body even through direct elections does not entail the kind of

responsibilities attendant upon other legislative assemblies that

determine what the executive can do let alone those that can

actually unseat governments. Additionally, since they are denied

participation in the negotiations over the future

future of their

constituents and of the political system in which they will seek

to continue to represent them, Hong Kong politicians are

understandably frustrated by seeing these negotiations being

carried out by one side which will withdraw altogether once the

new arrangements are due to come into effect and by another side

whose fear and contempt of representative democracy and the rule

of law was made all too painfully clear by the Tiananmen events

of June 4th 1989.

The difficulties can best be seen in considering the actions

of the leaders of the United Democrats of Hong Kong and the