XN000022-1987-03-14 — Page 2

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SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1987

JOINT DECLARATION REFLECTS COMMITMENT TO LEGAL SYSTEM CONTINUING

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THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION DEMONSTRATE FIRM COMMITMENTS BY CHINA TO THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG'S LEGAL SYSTEM AFTER 1997, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, REITERATED IN SAN FRANCISCO YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).

ADDRESSING A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING OF MORE THAN 140 MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG BAY AREA ASSOCIATION AND THE SAN FRANCISCO BAR ASSOCIATION, MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG'S LEGAL SYSTEM IS REFLECTED IN THE CONSIDERABLE DETAIL DEVOTED TO THE BASIC LAW AS PART OF THE FUTURE SAR'S +MINI CONSTITUTION+.

+THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW IS A MATTER FOR CHINA. WORK ON IT IS NOW IN PROGRESS AND NATURALLY AROUSES INTENSE INTEREST,+ MR THOMAS SAID, ADDING THAT MANY PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG ARE INVOLVED

IN THE PROCESS EITHER AS MEMBERS OF THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE OR AS MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WHICH HAS BEEN SET UP TO REFLECT THE VIEWS OF CITIZENS OF HONG KONG AND CHINA.

+THE JOINT DECLARATION HAS BEEN A SUCCESS IN ASSURING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THEIR WAY OF LIFE AND THE LEGAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FRAMEWORK BY WHICH THEY ARE GOVERNED WILL SURVIVE THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997, + MR THOMAS SAID.

HE UNDERLINED THAT HONG KONG'S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY ARE AT STAKE: +THE HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS OF ITS POPULATION OF FIVE AND A HALF MILLION REST WITH THE OUTCOME, NOT TO MENTION ALSO THE FOREIGN INVESTORS, BANKERS AND TRADERS WHO HAVE BASED THEIR OPERATIONS UPON THIS SPRINGBOARD INTO EAST ASIA. +

TURNING TO THE FUTURE, MR THOMAS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FINE RECORD HELD BY CHINA FOR SCRUPULOUSLY ADHERING TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS WHICH IT HAS SIGNED.

*CHINA HAS EVERYTHING TO GAIN BY FULFILLING HER OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION IN THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT, AND MAKING A SUCCESS OF DENG'S HISTORIC CONCEPT OF ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS', MR THOMAS CONCLUDED.

TRIPARTITE COMMITMENT URGED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS

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SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY) STRESSED THE NEED FOR TRIPARTITE COMMITMENT TO PREVENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.

OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WEEK AT THE HONG KONG BANK GROUND FLOOR PLAZA, SIR S.Y. POINTED OUT THAT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH HAD BEEN A SUBJECT OF GROWING CONCERN IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS.

/+INDUSTRIAL