GRS 3000
UNCLASSIFIED
FROM PEKING 100745Z JUNE 85
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 913 OF 10/6/85
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE
040/21
HKK 040
TOR
JUN 1985
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
wlas
W
1. NPC VICE CHAIRMAN PENG CHONG INTRODUCED THE NAMELIST FOR THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE OF THE BASIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMIN- ISTRATION REGION TO THE SESSION OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS STANDING COMMITTEE WHICH OPENED ON 8 JUNE.
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2. HE PROPOSED A LIST CONTAINING 59 NAMES, INCLUDING ON THE CHINESE SIDE QUOTE ''15 RESPONSIBLE PERSONS FROM DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, 10 WELL KNOWN PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS WALKS OF LIFE, AND 11 FROM LOCAL CIRCLES' UNQUOTE. THERE WOULD ALSO BE 23 MEMBERS FROM VARIOUS FIELDS IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, EDUCATION, CULTURE, LAW, TRADE UNIONS AND RELIGIOUS BODIES. IN VIEW OF THEIR IMPORTANCE IN MAINTAINING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG, 8 OF THESE WOULD BE FROM INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, REAL ESTATE AND SHIPPING CIRCLES IN THE TERRITORY. THE 23 WOULD ALSO INCLUDE MEMBER (S) FROM THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND JUSTICE(S) FROM THE HONG KONG COURT, ALL OF WHOM WOULD PARTICIPATE IN A PRIVATE CAPACITY. (THE CHINESE TEXT DOES
NOT MAKE IT CLEAR HOW MANY MEMBERS OF EXCO AND LEGCO WILL BE
INCLUDED NOR IF MORE THAN ONE JUDGE IS TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE.) 3. PENG CHONG SAID THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS HAD A BROAD REPRESENTA- TIONAL BASIS AND WERE INTENDED TO QUOTE GIVE A MORE ADEQUATE EXPRESSION TO THE OPINIONS, DEMANDS AND DESIRES OF HONG KONG COMPATRIOTS, AND TO BRING THE BASIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION REGION CLOSER INTO LINE WITH HONG KONG'S PRACTICES UNQUOTE. THE COMMITTEE WOULD HAVE A CHAIRMAN, 8 VICE-CHAIRMEN, A SECRETARY-GENERAL AND 2 DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERALS.
4. THE NAMES OF DRAFTING COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THE NPC STANDING COMMITTEE FORMALLY APPROVES THE LIST, PROBABLY TOWARDS THE END OF THIS WEEK.
EVANS
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
MR. DEREK THOMAS
SIR W HARDING
MR GOODALL
MR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
MR CROWLEY
COPIES TO:-
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF TH EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS D
MR FIFOOT
LEGAL ADVISERS
MR POWELL
NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR MARTIN ASST STAFF CABINET OFFICE MR MALLABY CABINET OFFICE
MR DRC CHRISTOPHER, CABINET OFFICE. PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE
PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST. MR KELLY TREASURY
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