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Basic Law
9.
The Governor asked how NCNA felt the next round of Basic Law drafting would go. When would the mainland drafters next visit Hong Kong? Mr. Qiao said that the NPC had approved the latest draft in February. The mainland drafters would visit in batches, each for two weeks, between 20 April and July. They would have close contacts with the local community on all difficult issues. After July the sub-groups would revise the draft and following a series of special meetings there would be a BLDC plenary at the end of the year to discuss the changes made. Mr. Xu said the visits would be in three groups, first to be led by Mr. Wang Hanbin, second by Ji Pengfei and third by Fei Xiaotong, Hu Sheng and Madam Lei Jieqiong (all BLDC Deputy Chairmen) The Governor asked about Ji Pengfei's itinerary. Mr. Qiao said he would visit Macau on 22 May and Hong Kong from 31 May to 8 June to meet the mainland drafters and attend discussions. The Governor said he would like to offer the State Councillor a banquet at GH, but in view of his own travel plans this would have to be in the first half of Ji's visit. Mr. Xu said Ji was coming at the BLCC's invitation, and they were in contact with HKG about the Ministers visit. The MFA would also speak to the Embassy about a programme for Ji.
10.
The Governor asked what aspects the mainlanders would concentrate on. Mr. Qiao said that the main one would be the political system on which there were many difficult views. There was a general consensus on the goal of gradual democratisation, but many criticisms of the details. It would be difficult to reach agreement, but he believed it could be done. Following contacts with many different sectors, consensus was growing. On the formation of the first SARG and its legislature ideas were now quite close. There were different views about the means for choosing the first and second CES. The grassroots were interested only in the goal of universal suffrage.
11.
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The Governor asked about the prospects of more ordinary people associating themselves with the moderate group. Mr. Xu expressed cautious optimism towards a general acceptance of the moderate position. The views of different sectors were clear, and would move closer. The position of the British Government was also clear. A compromise would be reached. We agreed on universal suffrage; the question was one of speed. The Governor said he hoped a form of political structure could be found that would achieve general acceptance and confidence in Hong Kong and round the world. We had made our own assessments of majority opinion and had passed these on to the Chinese. The BLDC's task was not an easy one, and he had much sympathy with them. Mr. Xu reiterated his cautious optimism.
CONFIDENTIAL