XN000022-1990-02-16 — Page 2

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1990

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GOVT STATEMENT ON BASIC LAW POLITICAL MODEL

THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON THE POLITICAL MODEL PROPOSED BY THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE:

EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN HELD BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS WITH THE TWIN OBJECTIVES OF SECURING A FASTER DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY AND CONTINUITY THROUGH 1997. THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE ENSURED THAT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN CLEARLY REPRESENTED то THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

AMENDMENTS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE REPRESENT AN IMPROVEMENT ON EARLIER DRAFTS. IT IS NOW PROPOSED THAT THERE WILL BE 20 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1997 AND CONTINUING STEADY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TO 2003. A DECISION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE 9AR LEGISLATURE BEFORE 2007 ON WHETHER IT WILL BE FULLY DIRECTLY ELECTED IN THAT YEAR.

WE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO SEE MORE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE BASIC LAW FOR 1997. WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO PERSUADE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, ONCE THEY HAVE SEEN THE ARRANGEMENTS то BE INTRODUCED IN 1991 WORKING IN PRACTICE, THAT THIS WOULD BE DESIRABLE.

THE ARRANGEMENTS NOW BEING PUT IN PLACE WILL ALLOW FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION OF GOVERNMENT IN 1997. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL ESTABLISH A GRAND ELECTORAL COLLEGE IN 1995. PROCEDURES INVOLVED WILL BE CLEAR, SIMPLE AND SET DOWN IN LAW. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SEES THE "THROUGH TRAIN" PRINCIPLE AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN MAINTAINING CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. SO TOO ARE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL ALLOW THOSE WHO ARE ELECTED TO THE 1995 LEGISLATURE TO RETAIN THEIR SEATS RIGHT THROUGH TO 1999.

NUMBER OF

LEAST 20 FROM THE THE WISH

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT NOW INTEND TO INCREASE THE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE 1991 LEGISLATURE TO 18 AND AT IN 1995. THE 1991 FIGURE REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE 10 PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED IN 1988. IT IS BROADLY IN LINE WITH OF HONG KONG PEOPLE FOR A FASTER PACE OF POLITICAL REFORM. THE GOVERNMENT WILL ANNOUNCE FULL DETAILS OF PLANS FOR 1991 IN DUE COURSE. THESE WILL INCLUDE CHANGES TO BE PROPOSED IN THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED, FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS, AS WELL AS CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES.

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