There is much in the draft Basic Law which is
already entirely satisfactory from Hong Kong's point of
view. But if the Basic Law is to command confidence in
Hong Kong it will be essential to ensure that all the
concerns of the Hong Kong people are properly catered
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for. When the consultation and drafting process resumes
as it will inevitably have to do we shall be pressing
for local concerns and sensitivities to be taken fully
into account. We shall certainly want the drafters to
look again, for example, at Article 18 of the draft Basic
Law which allows the imposition of national laws in Hong
Kong at times of crisis.
In the light of recent events, Hong Kong people are
understandably concerned about the protection of their
fundamental rights and freedoms after 1997. The Joint
Declaration and the Basic Law already provide important
assurances about this. But we and the Hong Kong
Government have been considering what more could be done.
On 5 July, the Hong Kong Government announced that they
will be introducing a Bill of Rights for Hong Kong as
soon as possible. The Bill of Rights will enshrine the
fundamental rights and freedoms currently engaged in Hong
Kong and will give clear effect to the International
Covenants which already apply in the territory. It will
form part of the existing law and will continue after the
transfer of sovereignty.
Events in China have overshadowed Hong Kong's most
immediate problem: how to cope with the 48,000 Vietnamese