TNAG-2791-FCO40-4030-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China.-With-maps-1993 — Page 146

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people of Hong Kong openly contested. This had the effect of

denying Hong Kong people a direct voice (other than an advisory

one) in the determination of their political system while at the

same time gradually building that system.

to de-rail the prospects for a smooth

Until the advent of Governor Patten and his proposals the

result was a growing dissatisfaction on all sides that already

had the potential

transition of sovereignty in 1997 without that being intended by

any of the parties. Politics and the political system in Hong

Kong were developing at a rapid rate, but with very little

connection to the exercise of power and the corresponding

responsibilities of power. The Legislative Council was and

continues to be a colonial body whose primary role is to advise

the Governor rather than to limit his power and demand his

accountability. Although it has some powers,

Although it has some powers, such as to enact

laws and to pass the budget, membership of that body even through

direct elections does not entail the kind of responsibilities

attendant upon other legislative assemblies that determine what

the executive can do let alone those that can actually unseat

governments.

Additionally, since they have been denied

participation in the negotiations over the future of their

constituents and, until the advent of Patten, also denied a say

in the development of the political system in which they will

seek to continue to represent them, Hong Kong politicians

understandably have been frustrated by seeing these negotiations

being carried out by one side which will withdraw altogether once

the new arrangements are due to come into effect and by another

?