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This structure clearly resembles that of the PRC Constitution and the law of regional autonomy for minority
nationalities of the PRC. There should be no difficulty fitting into it the provisions of the Joint Declaration and the ideas put forward in paragraphs 1 to 16 above in relation to the key issues. Presentationally, however, it would be desirable if the structure is not followed SO closely as to give the impression that the Hong Kong SAR is no different from China's autonomous regions.
19. It will be important for the Basic Law to be couched in language which is familiar, understandable in Hong Kong and interpretable in terms of Hong Kong's economic, social and legal systems. This point has been strongly put to Mr Lu Ping by lawyers in Hong Kong. In this connection the Basic Law should be produced in both Chinese and English, with equal authority in each language, on the grounds that English may also be used in organs of government and in the courts of the SAR (Annex 1, Section I to the Joint Declaration). Mr Lu Ping has indicated that an English as well as a Chinese text of the Basic Law would be published.
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