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16.
The production of the first draft of the Basic Law is the
outcome of considerable effort. The Joint Declaration itself was an
international instrument without precedent. It is still more
remarkable that its provisions are now to be reflected in China's
domestic law, giving assurance that for 50 years a dynamic,
free-trading economy will retain a high degree of autonomy within a
socialist state. The imaginative concept of "one country, two systems" is thus taking legal shape.
17.
it
Where the substance of the draft Basic Law is concerned,
is a long and complex instrument. Much of it reproduces provisions
of the Joint Declaration word for word: this is obviously
reassuring. For the rest, we shall continue to study it carefully
and to pay close attention to comments made on the draft,
particularly in Hong Kong.
18.
that
must stress, the Basic law as now diafired
It has to be borne in mind that this is no more than an
initial text. The full title of the document in which it is
published is "Draft basic law for the solicitation of opinions":
this accurately reflects its status. It is not yet complete. Nor is
it perfect, as Chinese spokesmen readily acknowledge.
19.
e
4
now
At the present stage we are at the beginning of a lengthy period of consultation. The present draft, published on 28 April,
will be open for comment for five months. During that period delegations of drafters from the mainland will visit Hong Kong for intensive programmes of consultation. A timetable has been drawn up
A
to ensure that consideration is given systematically and in turn to each part of the draft. Thereafter the draft will be revised.
second draft will be published in 1989 and the entire consultation
process repeated before a further revision of the text is formally submitted to the National People's Congress in 1990 to be passed
into law. We welcome these very considerable efforts made by the Chinese authorities to engage in consultation with Hong Kong people.
&r
e had in
1
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20. I would call on people in Hong Kong to participate fully in
the consultation exercise and to make their views on the draft
known. There is no lack of opportunity for them to do so. There is
every reason to believe that those directly responsible for the
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