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Arrangements for the last cycle of elections in Hong Kong under British sovereignty in 1994 and 1995 cannot be considered in isolation. They form part of a long process of gradual development in Hong Kong's system of representative government. The Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984, and China's Basic Law for Hong Kong which will come into force on 1 July 1997, between them set the pace for democratic development in Hong Kong. They also establish that Hong Kong will retain its own, capitalist way of life after 1997, under the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong run by Hong Kong people".
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The wishes of the people of Hong Kong are a crucial factor. There has been a steadily growing demand, given added impetus by Tiananmen Square, for Hong Kong people to have more say in the running of their own affairs. The first part of this White Paper summarises these developments. It also addresses a question I am often asked: why did Britain not introduce democracy to Hong Kong much earlier? They short answer is that for many years the community had other priorities, that there was a deep-seated concern that the introduction of politics could lead to open clashes between nationalists and communists, and that this could lead China to invoke its claim to sovereignty over Hong Kong. Her Majesty's Government, and through them the Governor, were of course accountable to Parliament for the administration of the territory throughout this period.
A gradual development of democracy has however been under way since 1984. The question which confronted the new Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, on his arrival in mid-1992 was how to reconcile the clear wish in the community for further movement towards democracy, with the equally strong interest in legislative arrangements which were capable of enduring beyond 1997, thus providing an important element of continuity.
statememt26.8/BRIEFS/NJH
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