10
question to be resolved if 'deveta i
is to be achieved
If the system of representative government is really to
dovetail with the Basic Law, we must first resolve the question of
the relation between the Legislative Council and the executive bodies
under the chief executive. If the Legislative Council is placed
above the c..ief executive and takes over from him the power of decision-
making, thus reducing him to the status of the Queen', it implies
that Hong Kong will be separated from China's sovereignty and a
'stronghold' policy will be adopted. If this is the case, it will
be difficult to dovetail such a system with the Basic Law. Fully
aware that Hong Kong's post-1997 constitutional arrangements are
matters of China's domestic policy, the British should not and could
not possibly take these matters into their own hands.
After Mr Xu Jiatun spoke on the question of constitutional
reforms, the members of the two councils began to air their views,
saying that if China and Britain do not see eye to eye on this
sensitive issue, they can discuss it through diplomatic channels without
having to air their differences in public. We hope this is a signal
conveying the desire for cooperation and dialogue, because a number
senior government officials had in October openly stated that
constitutional reforms are within Britain's terms of reference in
the administration of Hong Kong during the transition period and
China need not be consulted on this issue. To say that there is no
need for consultation is to close the door to dialogue.
There is,
in fact, a provision in the Sino-British Agreement for consultation through the Joint Liaison Group. The people of Hong Kong hope that
the Joint Liaison Group can function as a tool for communication,
thus contributing to the taritory's prosperity and stability.
A draft constitution before 1987
Can the system of representative government dovetail with the Basic Law? This is one of the most salient questions facing Hong
Kong auring the transition period. Any responsible person should