WOZQZ
G:
BASIC LAW
IMPLICATIONS OF RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA FOR BASIC LAW DRAFTING
PROCESS
-
Before recent events in China, current consultation period in Hong Kong due to come to end in July. Basic Law Drafting Committee was then due to meet again to consider comments in autumn with a view to submitting draft to National People's Congress for final approval and promulgation early next year.
Clear that this timetable is now going to be put back. Consultation process in Hong Kong has been effectively suspended. How long it has been put back impossible to predict at this stage.
IS IT NOT OPEN TO CHINESE TO STICK TO OLD TIMETABLE?
A lot of things are possible. command confidence in Hong Kong.
But Basic Law is intended to
Hope Chinese authorities will
appreciate that need for confidence is all the greater in view of what has happened.
IS THERE ANY POINT IN HAVING BASIC LAW AFTER WHAT HAS HAPPENED?
Joint Declaration provides for a Basic Law.
Must be right that Hong Kong should have its special status laid down in a detailed constitution of the kind in the draft Basic Law.
Page 30Page 31
WOZAQZ(2)