CONFIDENTIAL
1.8.93
HKMAO Director Lu Ping
2.8.93
Signed CNA Commentary
2.8.93
2.8.93
HK Commercial Daily editorial
Kwan Chiu in Ta Kung Pao
2.8.93
Lee Yee-ming in Ta Kung Pao
2.8.93
2.8.93
Siu Cho in Wen
Wei Po
New Evening Post editorial
The Chinese side wants a quicker pace of localisation. The issue is being discussed by the JLG. The Chinese side will have to look into the new policy to see if it contradicts the localisation policy. Article 101 of the BL stipulates that foreigners cannot take up the 20-odd Secretary-level posts in the SAR.
The announcement has invited negative comments from various sectors Legco members, civil service groups and the HK media.
The Government has neither discussed with the Chinese side nor consulted the public. before deciding on the move. The effect of the measure will be to keep a large number of expatriates within the Government's policy-making machinery. It is bound to put up new obstacles to HK's smooth transition.
The colonial flavour of the civil service set-up under which senior posts are predominantly held by expatriates must be removed as HK reverts to China.
As most of the expatriates are British, they will maintain their influence on Government policy decisions in the last few years of HK's transition as well as in the future SAR administration. The measure has blurred the nationality restrictions on civil servants imposed by the JD and the BL by turning expatriates into "local employees"
The measure is aimed at thwarting the "HK people run HK" plan.
The Peking press yesterday carried two reports on the issue. This shows that Peking attaches great importance to the morale and stability of the HK civil service as well as to the territory's
smooth transition. The measure will deal a blow to localisation and affect the
promotion prospects of local civil servants. HK should be run by "HK people" who are Chinese citizens and who have the right of abode in the SAR after 1997.
CONFIDENTIAL
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