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adequate autonomy, this would provide an incentive for the PRC to respect Hong Kong's autonomy along the lines that you mentioned, I think in connection with the GATT.
SEN. MCCONNELL: I've got four other questions here that are basically questions for the lawyer to answer, and I think what I'd like to so is submit those to you and get your answers in writing, so we'll have them as part of the record, and move on to some other questions that may not simply just be something we need a legal opinion on.
Secretary Solomon, when you were in Hong Kong last month, was the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act discussed in any of your meetings?
MR. SOLOMON : It was -- I certainly discussed it with officials at our consulate general, and it was mentioned in some discussions with Hong Kong authorities as well.
SEN. MCCONNELL: What's your view of how the bill is thought of the bill among the various parties there?
what's
MR. SOLOMON: I think there is a sensitivity that this is a matter at this point between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China in that sense. They are sensitive about the appearance of our injecting ourselves in the middle of the situation.
SEN. MCCONNELL: Were there different views expressed? If you sort of broke down the community into its component parts, for example did you hear different views from people in business as opposed to the people in the government, as opposed to whatever just average citizens you may have come in contact with?
MR. SOLOMON: I did meet with the American Chamber of Commerce people, and they of course are anxious for anything that will sustain the framework within which they can do business there. I would have to be honest and say I did not go off into great detail in terms of the components of your proposed legislation with these various groups, So I
don't want to mislead you and imply that I have a full assessment of how the different parties are reacting to the proposed legislation.
SEN. MCCONNELL: So you didn't discuss it with the Hong Kong
government officials?
MR. SOLOMON: In a very general way, very general way.
SEN. MCCONNELL: And what was their very general response?
MR. SOLOMON: I think I indicated their sensitivity that they have their problems to work out with the PRC at this point and want to do that in a bilateral arrangement.
SEN. MCCONNELL:
not happen?
Does sensitivity mean they would prefer that it