Article Abstract:
Conflict seems imminent between Hong Kong's first fully elected Legislative Council and its colonial administration, headed by Governor Chris Patten. Many of the 120 bills tabled by the govt may be controversial, and Legco members plan to introduce their own bills sure to raise China's ire. Patten has threatened to veto some bills if they pass, the first use of such power since 1946; pro-democracy parties are his apparent target. However, many Legco members say a smoothly functioning chamber could impress China.
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Article Abstract:
Gov Chris Patten of Hongkong is avoiding a direct conflict with China while criticizing the slow progress toward elections and reform of the constitution. He made these remarks in his Oct 6, 1993 speech on the state of the nation. In reference to the negotiations between the British and Chinese, he said that only weeks remained to conclude matters. Most of his speech focused on infrastructure and social services expenditures instead of the international tensions.
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Article Abstract:
Britain's colonial service will essentially die when Hongkong becomes Chinese in 1997. The colonial administrators who have made their last stand there will then have succeeded in their task of doing themselves out of a job. Only about 50 still work there, along with 1,400 civil servants. The 'retreads,' as the colonial officers refer to themselves, always avoided paper-shuffling; they prefer actual governing. Soon there will be nothing left to govern.
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