POPABT
Reference....
CONFIDENTIAL
(245
HKB012
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
- 3 JAN 1990
DESK OFFICER
FROM: Paul Fifoot
DATE: 19 October 1989
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
cd:
Mr Gillmore
Mr Paul
Mr McLaren
Ms Major
Mr Edwards
Chancery Reking (by bag)
itk by
GDB НК
fax.
BASIC LAW: HONG KONG "A BASE FOR ACTIVITIES AGAINST THE PEKING
GOVERNMENT"
1.
The Times of 16 October reports NCNA as stating that members of the Standing Committee of the NPC propose adding to the BL
articles:-
a) forbidding "brutal interference" in China's internal affairs, including that of Hong Kong;
b) forbidding using Hong Kong as a base for activities against the Peking Goverment.
(This report is borne out by HK telno 3454). The latter point echoes Ke's public and private accusations of Hong Kong being used
a base for subverting the CPG.
2. We therefore need to consider two separate but connected
issues:
a) the position after 1997 of the law in Hong Kong as respects subversion and sedition in relation to the PRC and the Central
Authorities;
b) the position before 1997 in the law of Hong Kong as respects acts which after 1997 would constitute sedition in relation to
the PRC and the CPG.
CODE 18-77
3.
Before considering these issues, it is necessary to note the present law of Hong Kong as regards offences against the State and
CONFIDENTIAL