TNAG-2719-FCO40-3925-Hong-Kong-electoral-provisions-and-arrangements-1993 — Page 70

SECRET

FM FCO

SECRET

TO DESKBY 030030Z PEKING

TELNO 665

OF 021009Z NOVEMBER 93

INFO DESKBY 03003OZ HONG KONG

INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG

と

Election (122)

11/7

021645

MDHOAN 0354

(9 Round 16)

UKB 01117. икв

*RY

MIPT: HONG KONG CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT:.

DRAFT MOU

1. Following is text of revised draft MOU for handing to the

Chinese side.

BEGINS. The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China have reached the following understandings concerning arrangements for elections due to be held in Hong Kong in 1994 and 1995.

(1) The British side confirm that Hong Kong's District Boards and Municipal Councils are not organs of political power and that, consistent with the objective of convergence with Article 97 of the Basic Law, they will not seek to alter their nature or essential functions.

(2) Draft Legislation will be introduced to amend those provisions of the electoral legislation for the District Boards, Municipal Councils and Legislative Council which prevent the participation in those bodies of members of parliaments or congresses and salaried officials from countries and regions outside Hong Kong, with the purpose of removing the restrictions on deputies to People's Congresses of the People's Republic of China while retaining the existing restrictions regarding other countries and regions.

(3) The two sides have reached a common view that the minimum voting age in elections to the District Boards, Municipal Councils and Legislative Council should be reduced from 21 years to 18 years. Draft Legislation will be introduced to this effect.

(4) The two sides have reached a common view that the "Single seat, Single vote" method should be used in geographical

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