TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 57

SECRET

5. On the specific business of our talks, we have made clear

all along that we wished to discuss arrangements for the next cycle of elections in Hong Kong with the Chinese side.

In his speech to the Legislative council on 7 October 1992, the

Governor emphasised that he wished to hold detailed discussions

during his visit to Peking later in October about major issues

which will determine Hong Kong's future, including the

proposals for the 1995 election arrangements.

6.

The British side consider that if the result of the 1994

and 1995 elections are to command confidence in Hong Kong, the

elections will need to be held on a basis that is fair, open

and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. The Governor's

proposals meet that requirement. The British Government fully

support them, and consider that they are fully compatible with

the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law and relevant

understandings and agreements between Britain and China.

7. The community in Hong Kong wants more representative government. But it also wants as much continuity as possible

in 1997. The Governor's proposals are designed to meet these aspirations. He could have pressed for more directly elected

seats, but he did not do so.

The Governor's proposals provide for the

continuation of the evolutionary development of representative

government in Hong Kong. They should be able to provide the

basis for a "through train" running on tracks laid down by the

Basic Law.

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openingstatement14.4

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