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(a)
(b)
whether the Hong Kong Government will request the British Government to seek clarification from the Chinese Government regarding the remarks made by the Chinese Vice Premier-cum-Foreign Minister; and
whether the Hong Kong Government will consider enacting legislation to further protect the freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of the press in the territory?
Answer:
Mr President,
Freedom of expression and assembly are essential and fundamental aspects of Hong Kong's open society and way of life.
(a)
(b)
We are very conscious of the concern caused in Hong Kong by the reported remarks of the Chinese Vice Premier and Foreign Minister on freedom of expression and assembly in Hong Kong after 1 July 1997. The Governor discussed this issue with the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister during his recent visit to Britain. The Foreign Secretary subsequently expressed concern about these remarks in the Debate on the Queen's speech in the House of Commons. He noted that no mention had been made in either the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law of the restrictions suggested in the reported remarks.
The Foreign Secretary has raised this matter with the Chinese Vice Premier and Foreign Minister.
Freedom of expression and assembly are among the most important rights in the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law, the Bill of Rights Ordinance and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Hong Kong. Since 1992, we have reviewed 53 provisions in 27 Ordinances which could affect these freedoms. We have amended or repealed 32 of these provisions and left 11 unaltered as they are consistent with the Bill of Rights Ordinance and serve to protect the right to privacy, the public interest or the right to a fair trial. We will complete this exercise as a matter of the highest priority to ensure that freedom of assembly, expression and the press are protected in Hong Kong now and in the future.
End