TNAG-2504-FCO40-3643-National-People-s-Congress-and-Chinese-People-s-Political-Co-1992 — Page 23

20 January 1992

CONFIDENTIAL

DIEU ET

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

BY CONFIDENTIAL FAX

S E Bradley Esq

DPA

HONG KONG

HKC 024/1

London SW1A 2AH

Telephone: 071-

Dear Stephen.

:

сч

HONG KONG DEPUTIES TO THE NPC AND CPPCC

рам

zoli

1. The Embassy in Peking have occasionally pointed out that it will be useful for Hong Kong after 1997 to have a voice in the Peking decision-making process. This is one reason for giving some thought to the future role of Hong Kong deputies to the NPC. Another is that they and representatives of the Hong Kong CPPCC members will have seats on the Selection Committee for the First Government of the SAR.

Rod Wye (RAD) recently gave us a note on the present system for "electing" these worthies. I enclose a copy.

2.

3.

I should be interested to know whether you, Peking or UKRep JLG see any scope for, or advantage in, approaching the Chinese at some stage to enquire about the future NPC arrangements for Hong Kong, ie the implementation of BL 21. I assume that the NPC will empower the SAR legislative to elect Hong Kong's NPC deputies (in the same way as the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress or the Peking Minicipal People's Congress elect their NPC deputies). But if the 1995 LegCo is deemed a through-train LegCo, should it have this power before 1997? Would that suit us? Or if the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress will go on electing Hong Kong's NPC deputies until 1997, should there not be a more transparent system for electing Hong Kong deputies to it? Would that suit us? Or is this all a Pandora's box?

Is there any sign of Hong Kong politicians debating the issues?

4.

Yours ever, Nigel.

N J Cox

Hong Kong Department

LSC & Coater Esg, beling,

AR Paul Esq2, UKRey SCG RF Wye ESS, RAD A seaton Esq, FED

|Fco.

NC3ABE

CONFIDENTIAL