Date
19.8.85 (cont'd)
20.8.85
Statements by Chinese
Officials
BASIC LAW (185)
Newspaper Comments/Editorials Non-Communist
Communist
Statements/Comments
by others
NCNA HK director Xu Jiatun: The consltative commitee will include the
interests of the
leftists, rightists and the neutral.
The Financial Daily: The consultative committee's constitution should be made public for discussion.
The HK Daily News: Democratic consultation is a reasonable way in selecting members for the consultative committee.
The HK Times: Residents should not have faith in China's call for democratic consultation as this is merely the nation's united front tactic.
Sing Tao Wan Pao: The draft constitution for the consultative panel should be published for public consultation.
The New Evening Post: The term "democratic
consultation" is readily understandable, meaning that people can speak freely while differences can be sorted out in a spirit of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation.
Ta Kung Pao: As there must be a limit to the size of the consultative committee, there is bound to be people who will not be included in the body. They should not be disappointed as there are still many other channels for them to air their views.
The HK Commercial Daily: Democratic consultation is a satisfactory and simple way in forming a consultative committee.
Ching Po: There is nothing improper for the NCNA HK branch to provide assistance to the six-member group so long as it does not try to manipulate the meetings.
Drafting committee member Dr Ma Lin: Drafting committee members should
not focus too much of their attention on the term "democratic
consultation" but should instead cooperate in one mind to work out a good Basic Law.
Joint declaration by 15 political and labour groups: There should be a consultation period lasting at least three weeks on the consultative panel's constitution.
Wan Chai DB member Vivien Chen: The method for selecting consultative committee members as stipulated in the draft constitution is too broadly-phrased and it
F