8.
Basic Law
-
Description of drafting process: China's responsibility.
Explain HMG's locus in the drafting process ('as co-signatories of the Joint Declaration we have the right/responsibility to satisfy ourselves that provisions of Basic Law faithfully reflect Joint
Declaration').
Fruitful dialogue with the Chinese.
Parliament has had opportunity to debate draft. Its views
passed to Chinese. Similarly LegCo.
First draft a generally encouraging document. Most of it
satisfactory (quoted sections of the Joint Declaration verbatim).
But it contained a number of deficiencies which we have been
pressing to be put right.
Second draft not yet published. Likely to be in Spring after
consideration by standing committee of NPC. But already clear that second draft will contain a number of substantial improvements which
go a long way towards meeting a number of important concerns of Hong
Kong people. (Illustrate this in an Annex.)
Draft is not yet right. Will continue to press for improvements. Will be opportunity for this in second round of
public consultations after publication of second draft.
HMG conscious in particular of concern about section on
on future
constitutional structure. (Describe it.) In order to ensure that
model for Hong Kong's future political system commands confidence of
community as a whole, improvements must be made. We shall be pressing for this.
9. Vietnamese Boat People
Background to the problem (history of exodus of Indo Chinese refugees since 1975; Geneva Conference 1979; Hong Kong's role as