CONFIDENTAL
Suggested Changes to the English Text of the Basic Law of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Draft)
Article & Paragraph
Preamble:-
Para. 2, second
sentence
Para. 3
Art. 6
TABLE A
Translations which involve a substantive element
Original English text
of the draft BL
"The basic policies of the People's Republic of China
"... the implementation of the basic policies of the People's Republic of China ..."
"... shall protect the right of private ownership of property in accordance with law."
Suggested text
"The basic principles and policies of the People's Republic of China
"... the implementation of the
basic principles and policies of the People's Republic of China.... TI
shall protect the right of ownership of private property in accordance with law.
Remarks
To reflect the Chinese
expression" t
政策
TI
accurately'.
To reflect the Chinese
expression " + 3 +
政策
11
accurately.'
...
In contrast to JD 18 which says "private property will be protected by law", the phrase "in accordance with law" is capable of being construed as allowing the law to be modified to reduce the degree of protection of private property ownership. We have therefore suggested to the Chinese side that the article should be amended as follows: "Rights of ownership of private property
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