12 -
to listen to public opinion.
We cannot tell for certain
what specific actions would be taken.
Q. Some people suggest that in the course of drafting the Basic
Law, the future political system for Hong Kong could be identified as early as possible so that the authorities concerned could follow while developing the representative government. Do you think that this suggestion is worth considering?
A.
I think it would be very difficult to do so, and the chances of formulating the political system of Hong Kong first are rather remote. Every thing has its confines with the exception of 'political system'. In principle, we consider that Hong Kong's future political system is a matter to be dealt with by China, and it is to be defined by the Basic Law.
(Note: The rest of the article, which is not attached,
deals with the present state of the legal
system in China and personnel changes.)