XN000022-1994-01-26 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994

BORDER LIAISON TALKS USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE

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AT THE INVITATION OF THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBERT PEIRCE, GUANGDONG GOVERNMENT DELEGATION LED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL AND DIRECTOR OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, MR CHAO ZHENWEI, VISITED HONG KONG FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO FRIDAY (JANUARY 28) FOR THE 14TH ANNUAL BORDER REVIEW.

THE BORDER LIAISON SYSTEM PROVIDES FOR EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION AND CONTROL AT THE BORDER.

BOTH SIDES REAFFIRMED THEIR COMMITMENT TO SMOOTH BORDER LIAISON WHICH IS VITAL FOR THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG.

WELL

AT TALKS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE TWO SIDES REVIEWED LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS FOR POLICE, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION CO-OPERATION AS AS CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THEY DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF WAYS OF FURTHER STRENGTHENING

THE TALKS WERE USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE.

ARRANGEMENTS.

THESE

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LEGCO POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED

THE ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ΤΟ THE GOVERNOR AND PUBLIC OFFICERS DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ATTEND SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE.

IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES PROVISIONS SHOULD ALSO COVER PROCEEDINGS OF LEGCO'S PANELS AND SUB-COMMITTEES WHICH HAVE BECOME FORMAL COMMITTEES OF LEGCO THROUGH AN AMENDMENT TO THE STANDING ORDERS IN OCTOBER 1993.

COMMENTING ON THE POWERS AND PRIVILEGES { AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 TO BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 28), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING ORDINANCE PROVIDED IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES TO LEGCO MEMBERS TO FACILITATE THEM IN CARRYING OUT THEIR PARLIAMENTARY DUTIES.

THESE INCLUDE IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS FOR WORDS SPOKEN BEFORE, OR WRITTEN IN A REPORT ΤΟ THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE.

THEY ALSO INCLUDE IMMUNITY FROM ARREST FOR ANY CIVIL DEBT WHILE GOING TO, ATTENDING OR RETURNING FROM A SITTING OF THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE AND FOR ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCE WHILE ATTENDING AT A SITTING OF THE COUNCIL OR A COMMITTEE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/"THE GOVERNOR