UNCLASSIFIED
006237
MDLIAN 6674
SUGGESTED THAT THE SENIOR MEMBER OF LEGCO BE ELECTED FROM AMONG MEMBERS AND THAT THE CONSULTATION PROCESS BE FURTHER OPENED UP IN
DECIDING POLICIES.
OTHERS
8. THE PEKING-RUN CHINA NEWS AGENCY ISSUED TWO BY-LINED COMMENTARIES (4 AND 5.6) ON HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO EXTEND THE IMPORTED LABOUR SCHEME. BOTH COMMENTARIES WERE WORRIED THAT LIBERAL POLITICAL GROUPS MIGHT MAKE USE OF THE DECISION TO GAIN GRASSROOTS SUPPORT IN THE 1991 ELECTIONS. THE COMMENTARIES CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE EFFECTS OF THE EXTENDED SCHEME AND NOT TO ARRIVE AT A DECISION TOO HASTILY.
9. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT THE SENSITIVE QUESTION OF JUDICIAL LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE MAINLAND AFTER 1997, INCLUDING THE HANDLING OF DISSIDENTS, THE HONG KONG STANDARD (4.6) REPORTED, QUOTING INFORMED SOURCES. THE PAPER UNDERSTOOD THAT TWO LEGAL EXPERTS IN THE CHINESE SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO EXAMINE THE QUESTION WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE COUNCIL'S HKMAO. THE HIGH-LEVEL STUDY WAS DISCLOSED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT, REN JIANXIN, AT A MEETING WITH HONG KONG DELEGATES ATTENDING AN INTERNATIONAL LEGAL CONFERENCE IN PEKING. THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE SEEN THE NEED FOR EARLY DISCUSSION ON THE CRUCIAL SUBJECT IN VIEW OF THE ACTIVE ROLE HONG KONG HAD PLAYED IN ASSISTING THE ESCAPE OF WANTED DISSIDENTS FROM THE MAINLAND. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE BASIC LAW HAD PROVIDED NO CONCRETE GUIDELINES ON THE ISSUE.
WILSON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
60
ΜΑΙΝ
57
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
.(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH D (FE)
PUSD
NEWS D
PS/MR MAUDE
PS/LORD BRABAZON
MR MCLAREN
MR BURNS
ADDITIONAL
3
3
PAGE
UNCLASSIFIED
MR WHOMERSLEY LEGAL ADVISERS MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS
NNNN