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Key points of Governor's proposals for the 1995 LegCo elections: voting age to be reduced from 21 to 18; single seat, single vote for 20 geographical constituencies; greatly expanded electorate for the 30 functional constituencies, to embrace everyone in the workforce; members of the Election Committee required to elect 10 members of LegCo to be themselves elected (eg the Committee could draw all or most of its memberslip from the directly-elected District Board members); an independent Boundary and Election Commission to be set up.
In due course Governor needs to put draft legislation to LegCo. Formal publication of the draft legislation is just the first step. Will eventually be for LegCo to strike balance
reflecting views of the community.
- We and the Governor have said we will accept LegCo's judgement, provided it is compatible with our international obligations (eg the Joint Declaration).
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Governor has said he is ready to consider alternative
proposals providing resulting arrangements would be open, fair and acceptable to Hong Kong people. But cannot let discussion drag on indefinitely. Must start making practical arrangements
to be ready for local elections due in 1994.
NATIONALITY MATTERS
Government, at request of Hong Kong government (HKG), is reviewing the case for British citizenship for British citizenship for the 7,000 or so members of the ethnic minority in Hong Kong who have solely British nationality. Previous consideration has not demonstrated a solid case for special treatment.
Their right of abode in Hong Kong is secure and protected under both the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. Those British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTCS) who wish to retain British nationality after 30 June 1997 can register before then as British Nationals (Overseas) (BNOs). Children and grandchildren of this community can acquire British nationality
(as British overseas citizens) if they would otherwise be stateless.
- Ethnic minorities free to complete on same basis as any other BDTC in the British Nationality Scheme established by the British Nationality Hong Kong Act 1990 to give British citizenship to up to 50,000 key people in the private and public sectors in Hong Kong (and to their spouses and dependents). understanding is that the ethnic community are taking advantage of this avenue to British citizenship.
Our
bullpoints.2.BACKBRIEF.JRB
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