BACKGROUND
Relations with China over Hong Kong
1. Mr Maude is visiting China on 24-27 July in an attempt
to improve relations over Hong Kong. He will also be stopping off briefly in Hong Kong on the onward and return journeys. Hong Kong issues will be the main focus of his discussions in Peking.
2.
Although there is still a general embargo on European
Community ministerial visits to China, there has always been
an understanding by the Twelve that the United Kingdom and Portugal are in a special position because of their responsibilities for Hong Kong and Macao.
Bill of Rights
3. A draft Bill of Rights for Hong Kong was published on 16
March for a period of public consultation which ended on 6
June. It will be introduced into LegCo this week (probably
on 25 July). The Bill will give effect in a single local
law to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (ICCPR) as it applies to Hong Kong. Once the Bill
has been passed anyone who believes that their rights under the Covenant have been infringed will be able to seek
redress in the local courts. The Joint Declaration and
Basic Law provide for the ICCPR to remain in force in Hong Kong after 1997. There is no dispute with the Chinese over
this. But they claim that it should have been subject to
consultation with them.
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