XN000022-1995-07-12 — Page 36

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The day after I returned from Peking, I briefed Members of the Executive Council and then gave details of the visit to the public through the media. I believe the most important thing is that the visit took place, and that it has achieved the purpose of opening up a channel of communication between the two sides. The visit has been warmly welcomed by the public and in particular by the civil service. Now that the ice has been broken, I certainly hope that there will be more visits to China, both at my level and at the level of policy secretaries and other senior officials and that such visits in future will be announced in the usual way,

End/Wednesday, July 12, 1995

CS's question-and-answer session in LegCo

The following is a transcript of the question-and-answer session on the Chief Secretary, the Hon Anson Chan's visit to Beijing in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Miriam Lau (through interpreter): I would like to ask the Chief Secretary when she was in Beijing, talking with the Chinese Government about the team designate and the civil service issues, have you ever mentioned to the Chinese Government Article 100 of the Basic Law, that is when the SAR Government is set up, various levels of the civil service, those who are in service in other words, would remain in service, have you ever reminded the Chinese Government of this article, that is according to Article 100 of the Basic Law, all public servants serving in Hong Kong Government could remain in employment. So, when they are to select the designate team, they don't really have a lot of room for manoeuvring.

Chief Secretary: Mr President, we discussed in general the establishment of the Preparatory Committee, the selection of the Chief Executive Designate and his responsibility for nominating principal officials. We did not go into details except to the extent that I have already stated in my statement.

Dr Conrad Lam (through interpreter): Mr President, I am glad that the Chief Secretary has been able to enhance the communication with the Chinese Government. I am sure all in Hong Kong will welcome that. The Chief Secretary told us just now that Director Lu said the Chinese Government would do its best to ensure a smooth transition. I wonder if you have followed on that point and asked about the setting up of the provisional legislature and whether that would affect a smooth transition in Hong Kong. It seems that LegCo became invisible. It seems that you didn't mention it in your statement.