ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRANSITION
expressed during the first round of consultation. The second consultation exercise ended in October 1989. The second draft of the Basic Law was further reviewed in the light of the outcome of that exercise and formally promulgated in April 1990 by the NPC, together with the designs for the flag and emblem of the SAR. The Basic Law will come into effect on July 1, 1997.
Like the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law provides that the HKSAR will enjoy a high degree of autonomy and that the capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years after July 1, 1997. It also prescribes the systems to be practised in the HKSAR.
Co-operation with the Preparatory Committee and Chief Executive
(Designate)
The method for the formation of the First Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is set out in a Decision of the National People's Congress of China adopted on April 4, 1990. The Decision provides that, within 1996, the National People's Congress shall establish a Preparatory Committee, which shall be responsible for preparing the establishment of the HKSAR and shall prescribe the specific method for forming the first Government and the first Legislative Council.
Hong Kong Government is committed to co-operate with the Preparatory Committee on the basis of three parameters, namely:
(a) that the arrangements for co-operation are fully consistent with the Joint
Declaration and the Basic Law, and are in the interests of Hong Kong;
(b) that the authority and credibility of the Hong Kong Government are not
compromised; and
(c) that the morale and confidence of the civil service are not affected, and that
civil servants are not subjected to conflicting loyalties.
To this end, a Liaison Office, headed by the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, was set up as the designated channel of communication between the Hong Kong Government and the Preparatory Committee. The government has provided assistance in various areas to the Preparatory Committee, including supply of information and briefings on government policies and the use of airtime on television and radio for the Preparatory Committee to publicise the formation of the Selection Committee.
The National People's Congress Decision of April 4, 1990, also provides for the establishment of a Selection Committee by the Preparatory Committee. The Selection Committee shall recommend the candidate for the first Special Administrative Region Chief Executive through local consultations or through nomination and election after consultations, and report the recommended candidate to the Central People's Government for appointment.
The Governor reiterated in his 1996 Policy Address the Hong Kong Government's commitment to give the Chief Executive (Designate) all necessary assistance.
On December 11, 1996, Mr Tung Chee Hwa was selected by the Selection. Committee as the Chief Executive (Designate) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Governor and the Chief Secretary had their first meetings with Mr Tung on December 23 and 28 to discuss the assistance which Mr
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