TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 191

China over Hong Kong.

In essence the proposals were an attempt to seize

a further degree of democracy in the final years of British

rule, if possible with the consent of the Chinese, but if

need be in disregard of their understanding of the

political settlement that had been reached over the

territory. The object was to give further vitality to Hong

Kong and a greater capacity to resist any pressures from

Peking after the hand-over. The approach was to be tough and

assertive, in an effort to make up for what some saw as the

too flexible approach of British

negotiators

in the

preceding decade. Hong Kong was to be the prime mover: the

appeal was to be primarily to Hong Kong opinion, though also

to that at Westminster. And the final arbiter was to be the

Hong Kong Legislative Council. The Governor emphasised

that he was only making proposals; but he made it clear

that, in default of counter and better offers from the

Chinese, he would submit his plans to the Legislative

Council for them to debate and pronounce in the spring of

1993.

-

The Chinese reaction was violent, both because of

the manner and the substance of the proposals. On the first,

although they were shown the text of the Governor's speech

two weeks in advance, their request for consultation before

it was delivered was rejected. This was contrary to

previous practice and, as they saw it, to provisions in the

Joint Declaration, which required closer consultation in

the later stages of the transitional period. The substance

of the proposals, by greatly widening the electorate, in

F