TOCAAO (9)
CONFIDENTIAL
c.
BASIC LAW
26. Will you be pressing for further changes to Basic Law?
As co-signatory of Joint Declaration, we have a right to insist
that Basic Law conforms fully with spirit as well as letter of Joint
Declaration.
If Basic Law is to command confidence in Hong Kong, important to
ensure that concerns of Hong Kong people are properly catered for.
We will therefore be doing all we can to bring home to Chinese
Government importance of listening to views of Hong Kong people on
draft Basic Law and reflecting those views in final text.
27.
-
Stationing of PLA troops
Well aware that horrific events of 3/4 June have intensified
concern in Hong Kong on that point.
One immediate and tangible way in which China could demonstrate
their continued commitment to maintain the stability and prosperity
of Hong Kong is by responding to concerns expressed by Hong Kong
people about stationing of PLA troops.
28.
Declaration of state of emergency
We will certainly want drafts to look again at Article 18 of
draft Basic Law which could enable Central Government in Peking to
declare state of emergency in Hong Kong after 1997.
In our discussions with Chinese before drafting process
suspended, had already impressed upon them need for this article to be very lightly defined.
Following recent events in Peking, this provision now of even
greater concern.
Clear that at the very least, Hong Kong SAR Government ought to
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 60Page 61