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In this connection people have expressed particular concern
about the relationship between Hong Kong and the National People's Congress in Peking in legislative and judicial matters, as well as in the interpretation of the Basic Law itself. This is a particularly crucial and sensitive area: it will be vital to confidence in Hong Kong to define the relationship in a way which properly meets the interests not only of the central authorities but
also of the Special Administrative Region.
There is also understandably much concern about the extent to
which the provisions in the draft designed to protect the rights and
freedoms of Hong Kong people will work in practice. We hope that
the drafters will listen to these concerns and refine the draft
accordingly.
Many people have expressed reservations about the desirability of provisions in the draft on the economy, which appear to bind the
future SAR Government to pursuing certain economic or fiscal
policies. There would appear to be good reason for such
reservations, since on drafted the provisions seem to encroach on
the autonomy in these areas which the future SAR Government is to
enjoy.
The chapter on the political system covers an area in which there are particularly strongly held and divergent views in Hong
Kong. It is to be hoped that a consensus will emerge which seeks to
preserve those elements of Hong Kong's present system which have
always served it well, while responding to people's aspirations for
a greater degree of involvement in government. A particularly important aspect of the political system is the arrangements for the
formation of the first Government after 1 July 1997. We attach
importance to achieving arrangements which while clearly marking
the change of sovereignty as they must - allow for continuity of
administration and the legislature across 1997.
19. I cannot conclude my opening remarks without touching on a
matter which has been a source of the greatest concern in Hong Kong
and to Her Majesty's Government: the problem of the Vietnamese boat people. The House was informed of the decision of the Hong Kong
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