TRANSCRIPT D: FOREIGN BEC
+
P.C.
IN
HONG KONG 16 JAT 90
FOREIGE SECRETARY (CONTD):
that is a clear commitment.
But I also know that because of
anxieties which have been expressed and were actually expressed to
me yesterday again, that the Government of Hong Kong is looking to
see if there are ways in which that clear assurance, clear
agreement, can be buttressed so as to relieve the anxiety you
mention, but it is there clear enough in the Joint Declaration.
CHRISTOPHER LOCKWOOD (DAILY TELEGRAPH);
We have heard a lot about the political structure side of the
Basic Law but not very much about the rest of it and I am referring
to things like the fact that an atticle against subversion has been
written in, that China retains the right to interpret and amand the
Basic LaW. Is Britain happy with the draft Basic law as it exists?
It is virtually now complete and it would be very difficult to
revise it substantially now. What is Britain doing to try to cal
the fears of people who say this Basic Law actually gives too much
power to China and too little to ong Kong?
PORBIGN SECRETARY:
Of course, we do not have seat at the drafting table
whereas there are representatives from Hong Kong who do, but we have
taken opportunities open to us to make representations to the
Chinese about the course the drafting of the Basic Law was taking.
For example, we did pass to the Chinese the OMELCO paper on the
draft Basic Law, which covered some of the points you mentioned, and
we thought that was a good Paper.