XN000022-1996-08-29 — Page 3

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Question: But I understand that we both need visas at the moment. So what is the meaning of "differently"?

Acting Governor: Well, I think it remains to be seen what final decision they make. You are of course right in saying that at the moment we require visas. But I think it is also significant that the Foreign Minister did give the assurance that they will distinguish between SAR passport holders and PRC passport holders.

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AG assures Canadian business community

The Attorney General, Mr Jeremy Mathews, told the business community in Vancouver on Wednesday (August 28, Vancouver time) that the rule of law has been central to Hong Kong's economic and social success.

He also assured them that essential elements for the continuation of the rule of law have been included in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.

These elements are:

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the continuance of the common law and statue law in Hong Kong;

an independent judiciary with security of tenure;

the use of the English language in the courts, in addition to Chinese;

reliance on precedents from other common law jurisdictions;

an independent public prosecution service;

maintenance of trial by jury;

maintenance of the principles currently applied in criminal and civil proceedings, and of the rights enjoyed by parties to those proceedings;

the right to a fair trial without delay and the presumption of innocence;

continued practice of overseas lawyers and law firms in Hong Kong; and