TNAG-1327-FCO40-1740-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Ministerial-statements-1984 — Page 123

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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(c) given time and the right approach, the chances of success of one

country, two systems" are by no means remote;

(d) reaction to the nationality issue is less than favourable, The

minority question " will have to be solved;

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(e) it would be highly desirable for the people of Hong Kong to state positively their preferences on the Basic Law in the hope that the Chinese Government would consider them sympathetically; and (f) the people of Hong Kong should spare no effort to establish a good

and friendly relationship with China.

The preservation of the existing legal system is vital to Hong Kong's continued stability and prosperity, and the best guarantee for preserving the existing rights and freedoms. Explains the concepts of Common Law, Equity and Customary Law.

The continued employment of staff working for voluntary agencies and quasi-government bodies should be assured.

The existing independent advisory bodies to the Civil Service should be retained to ensure the fair and impartial treatment of appointments and promotion in future.

An early decision must be made about the future arrangements for expatriate civil servants, particularly those whose career prospects may be adversely affected.

7. MR. Wong Lam

The Agreement contains more details than expected.

The Agreement should give more details about the appointment and removal of the Chief Executive.

The Agreement must clearly define the relationship between the executive authorities and the legislature and how the latter can monitor the former.

This

The Agreement should clarify the relationship between the laws already in force in Hong Kong, the Basic Law and the Chinese Constitution. Does not accept that the people of Hong Kong have the only choice of accepting the Agreement in its entirety or not accepting it. Agreement will be implemented in 13 years' time, new developments during the intervening period may call for amendments to the Agree- ment, which can be carried out by exchanges of memoranda between Britain and China.

The setting up of the Assessment Office is a waste of Hong Kong taxpayers' money. In fact, the Agreement's passage through Parliament is a foregone conclusion.

The people of Hong Kong should:----

(a) ask the United Kingdom and Chinese Governments to supplement by means of an exchange of memoranda any points of doubt

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