1

30.

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There is, granted the Joint Declaration, no real

possibility of redefining Hong Kong's present degree of

autonomy, and probably no need for it.

Careful watch must

The

be kept of the C.P.G.'s objective to decrease it.

process of transferring U.K. law into domestic Hong Kong

The Chief Executive must be responsible

law must continue.

to the H.K.S.A. R. legislature, not to the C.P.G. on matters

within Hong Kong's autonomy; as the Governor is in fact now,

notwithstanding his constitutional position in relation to

H.M.G.

The Options

The Governor

31.

The C.P.G. will be suspicious of any diminution or

transferral of the powers vested presently in the Governor,

as a British attempt to vest power in the people or

institutions of Hong Kong. The alternatives are:

i)

no change;

the Governor remains the Chief

Executive until 1997, and his successor will have

the same powers as the Governor; or

ii) to attempt a process of separation of powers,

aiming to arrive in good time before 1997 at a) a

Governor responsible to H.M.G. for foreign affairs

and defence so that when 1997 comes, those reserve

powers have already been separated and will pass in

isolation to the C.P.G.; and b) a Chief Executive

who in the constitutional framework, is responsible

for the exercise of H.K.S.A.R.'s autonomous powers.

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