TNAG-1295-FCO40-1650-Visits-by-members-of-the-Office-of-the-Unofficial-Members-of-1984 — Page 103

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Kong after 1997. Such policies

will also be stated in the

Agreement. A provision stating

that the Basic Law would reflect

the terms of the Agreement is

merely an extension of these

stated policies.

In order to enhance confidence, we

believe that the Basic Law should be

drafted in Hong Kong. It should be

included in the Constitution of China

after the approval by the Standing

Committe of the Chinese National

People's Congress (NPC). It is

appreciated that normally the drafting

and approval of Basic Law of Special

Administrative Regions should be the

responsibility of the Standing Committee of NPC because Special Administrative Regions are established, where necessary, under Article 31 of the

Constitution of China. However, in view

of the special circumstances of Hong Kong, the drafting of the Basic Law in Hong Kong would help to enhance confidence, and at the same time the

expertise and talents of the Hong Kong

people can be made use of. We believe,

therefore, that the Basic Law should be

drafted in Hong Kong by the people of Hong Kong together with representatives

from Beijing for the approval of the Standing Committee of NPC. The Standing

Committee can, of course, make

amendments to the draft. The authority