XN000022-1994-12-06 — Page 3

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During the visit, the delegation, comprising five officials from the Legal Department and one from the Constitutional Affairs Branch, had useful meetings with officials of the legal and judicial institutions in Peking and Shanghai.

Members of the delegation also learnt a great deal about the legal and judicial systems in China.

In Beijing, the delegation met senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, including the Vice-Minister Mr Zheng Seng. They also had discussions with the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and a senior judge of the Supreme People's Court.

In Shanghai, the Hong Kong team met the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Justice, Mr Miao Xiaobao, and other officials. They also met representatives of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, as well as members of the Shanghai judiciary.

During a visit to Fudan University, members of the delegation had a useful and interesting discussion with the teaching staff of the Law Department, including Professor Li Chengdao.

Mr Wingfield said on his return today: "The delegation acquired a good understanding of the work of the various legal and judicial institutions in Peking and Shanghai, and the civil, legal and judicial systems.

"There is a clear wish on both sides to increase contacts and further improve this understanding.

"In legal circles, there was a general appreciation of the need to maintain and develop recognition and enforcement of civil judgments and other forms of mutual legal assistance in civil matters between Hong Kong and China both before and after 1997," he said.

Mr Wingfield also noted that it had been suggested that a delegation from Beijing would visit Hong Kong in the near future to have detailed discussions of the practical arrangements that could be implemented.

He also said officials met by the delegation in Shanghai had expressed interest in public construction contract, city construction and planning laws, and the regulation of lawyers.

end/Tuesday, December 6, 1994