TNAG-2777-FCO40-3994-Parliamentary-relations-White-Paper-on-Representational-Gove-1993 — Page 49

DRAFT WHITE PAPER:

22 October version

RECE

SCISTRY

03 MAR 1994

REGISTRY

elion Taken

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE

37

Fulfilling our responsibilities towards Hong Kong in the remaining years of British sovereignty is one of the

Government's top priorities.

A key part of that is our responsibility to hold elections in Hong Kong in 1994 and 1995. The Joint Declaration lays down

that the legislature of Hong Kong in July 1997 "shall be

constituted by elections". Fair and open elections are vital

if the territory is to have a credible Legislative Council,

capable of defending Hong Kong's way of life as set out in the

Joint Declaration, and the rule of law on which it depends.

We wished to hold these elections on a basis agreed with the

Chinese Government, with the aim of ensuring continuity.

Despite a real and sustained effort on our part, agreement has

not proved possible. We were not prepared to compromise the

principle that elections must be open and fair. If the elections are to be held in an orderly way, it is necessary to start now the legislative process in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government have therefore begun consultations with the

Legislative Council on the contents of draft electoral

legislation. It will be for the Legislative Council to take

the decisions on the final shape of the legislation.

-

-

on these

This White Paper is intended to inform debate in Parliament,

in the Legislative Council and more widely important issues. It gives a full account of what our talks

with China have been about, why agreement has not been

possible, and how we now intend to proceed.

statememt26.8/BRIEFS/NJH

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