TNAG-2769-FCO40-3986-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1994 — Page 197

THEMES FOR DISCREET USE WITH HONG KONG PRESS TO POINT THE FINGER

AT UNACCEPTABLE CHINESE PROPOSALS

MULTI-SEAT, SINGLE VOTE IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES

About a year ago the co-operative resources centre attempted to put the case for multi-seat, single vote geographical constituencies. The Community saw it for what it was; a crude attempt to minimise the electoral power of the UDHK and the

Independent Democrats. If we let it be known that the Chinese side has tabled a similar proposal in the negotiations, they are likely to find themselves under pressure.

VOTING METHOD IN THE ELECTION COMMITTEE

The Chinese side has proposed that each of the four sections of the Election Committee should return three candidates, making twelve in all. All members of the Election Committee would then

elect 10 of the twelve to the Legislative Council. The Chinese have declined to be drawn on the procedures for either the first or second stage of this process. Nonetheless, we believe that

we have enough to demonstrate the 'democratic centralist' nature

of what they have in mind.

FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES

The Chinese have made it clear that they want small constituencies based on corporate voting. We would have little difficulty exposing the nature of some of the rotten boroughs they have in mind.

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