We received a positive response on the principle of talks from
the Chinese side in early February. To help get talks
started, we and the Governor therefore decided, with the
advice of the Executive Council in Hong Kong, to postpone the
original plan to publish the draft electoral legislation in
Hong Kong's Official Gazette on 12 February. As the
diplomatic contacts proceeded, we held up publication for four
But we told the Chinese side that it was not
further weeks.
possible to delay indefinitely, given the need to pass
legislation before the Legislative Council rose for its summer
recess in July.
It is disappointing that, despite all our efforts, the Chinese
side were still not able to agree by 12 March to a date for
talks
-
or even to a date on which an announcement of talks
could be made. As we had forewarned them, the Governor
therefore published his proposals that day. A copy has been
placed in the Library of the House.
Publication in the Official Gazette is only the first step in
the legislative process. Introduction of the Bill into the
Legislative Council would be a separate step. As the Governor
has said, we will have to judge, in the light of developments,
when to take that step. Thereafter, I am sure that members of
the Legislative Council would want to discuss the draft
legislation in great detail, in the light of the various
alternatives put forward before they reach a decision.
sosstatement15.3