Britain and China should help Hong Kong to maintain existing trade agreements, its present rôle in GATT and in other international organisations.
Over the next 13 years, Hong Kong should explore, develop and improve mutual understanding with China. As a first step, a dialogue should be established between Hong Kong's senior civil servants and their counterparts in China.
The setting of an annual ceiling for land sales reflects an incomplete understanding of the way in which the Hong Kong Government disposes of land. The establishment of the Land Commission is welcomed as it has power to remove this ceiling when necessary.
The following land issues require further consideration:----
(a) a claw back arrangement should be devised in case the Hong Kong Government has to buy back PSPS property and dispose of the flats at a price below the fixed price; and
(b) a solution would have to be found by the Land Commission in case the complete redemption of Letter Bs cannot be achieved by 1997.
17. MR. Y. L. CHEUNG
The drafters of the Basic Law should try to understand Hong Kong's complex systems, seek public views and should consult the District Boards for their advice.
It is very important to decide on the best selection process for the future Chief Executive and the legislature.
The following points should be clarified:-
(a) will the Chief Executive be empowered to issue military directives
to maintain public order?
(b) will young men from Hong Kong be required to serve with the
Chinese military forces?
(c) will citizens of Hong Kong be subject to state directions regarding
their movements within China?
(d) does the use of separate Memoranda to explain their respective positions on nationality mean that neither Britain nor China are willing to make a firm commitment?
(e) in bona fide land sales made by indigenous villagers to new owners, will the new owners be given equal treatment with indigenous villagers over rentals for old schedule lots, village lots, small houses and similar rural holdings? and
(f) how will the new rentals for agricultural land, which is at present
not rateable and hence has no rateable value, be assessed?
Hong Kong people should make a contribution to the future by speaking out about the Agreement.
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