05-JAN-1993 15:36
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BR
+ 852 840 1976
P.05
A.
We have
issue.
spoken time and again about this democracy Our consistent policy is to advocate the development of democracy in Hong Kong. The degree of democracy
laid down in the Basic Law is much more than that currently enjoyed in Hong Kong. You know that there hasn't been much democracy in Hong Kong over the past century. The Basic Law has clearly stipulated, progressively and according to the realities in Hong Kong, the development of democracy. The legislature and Chief Executive would eventually be elected by one-man one-vote.
The Basic Law has laid down the blueprint for democratic development in Hong Kong.
Q.
A.
But Hong Kong people say their opinions were not fully considered when the Basic Law was drafted.
We
If you've covered Basic Law meetings in the past, you should know
spent almost 4 years and 8 months and consulted widely in Hong Kong. We adopted a "two-up two-down"
procedure and consulted several times in We took into account a lot of those views
between.
and amended the drafts accordingly.
Q.
You
There
were right in mentioning the "two-up two-down" procedure.
were the drafting and consultative committees. But according to the seven documents released by both countries, while China stressed that the drafting of the Basic Law was an internal matter, the part on
was the product of consultation with the British, rather than hearing what Hong Kong people had to say. How could we rest assured that during the drafting process our views had been fully respected?
political structure