TNAG-1368-FCO40-1814-Constitutional-reforms-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 8

Date

Statements by Chinese

Officials

Constitutional Reforms (31)

Statements by Government News Comments/Editorials

Officials

Statements/Comments

by others

1.12.85 (cont'd)

2.12.85

(Ming Pao reported) Xu Chongde, Chinese BLDC member: Some provisions of the Chinese Constitution will be applicable to HK. The Basic Law would state clearly which parts would apply to HK.

China promised in the Joint Declaration would not interfere with early discussions of the matter at the JLG could help narrow the gap between the two sides.

(HK Economic Journal): If HK's political reforms had been formally put on the agenda of the JLG meeting, it would mean that from November 29 the

JLG had officially involved itself in HK' S internal affairs.

(Legco Unofficial Szeto Wah): The 1987 review should proceed as planned so that the views expressed could be taken into account in drafting the Basic Law.

* (Lawyer Liu Yiu-chu); Political reforms in HK had, in principle, deviated from the Joint Declaration because they could affect post-1997 HK. Any changes to the territory's political set-up should be discussed by the two governments through the

JLG.

Constitutional Reforms (32)

Date

Statements by Chinese

Officials

Statements by Government

Officials

News Comments/Editorials

Statements/Comments

by others

2.12.85 (cont'd)

3.12.85

4.12.85

(Chai Sun, HK Economic Journal): Xu Jiatun's remarks at his November 21 press conference were in fact the view of Deng Xiaoping which were aimed at forcing Britain to agree to discuss the representative government by the JLG.

(Ming Pao): The UK government could return HK to China in 1977 only if it still controlled the local government by then. It could be responsible for HK's administration during the translation only if it

(reported) (Chinese sources quoted by Financial Daily): Apart from political reforms, the Chinese side was not happy with Britain's intention of changing the way HK was run. There were indications recently that HK Government had sought to delegate some of its administrative powers, such as privatising medical and postal services.

* (reported) (Tam Yiu-chung, BLDC member, told HK Economic Journal): HK needed not hurry up the political reform because it only had the 12-year transition but also the 50 years thereafter.

26

Date

4.12.85 (cont'd)

Constitutional Reforms (33)

Statements by Chinese

Officials

Statements by Government News Comments/Editorials

Officials

Statements/Comments

by others

possessed decision-making and legislative powers.

(Sing Tao Jih Pao): Expression by China of

'concern" over HK's political reforms during the transition was, to a certain extent,

"intervention" in the administration of HK.

(Express): The "concern showed by China over HK's political reform was

tantamount to

intervention in HK's

administration which would undermine public confidence and HK's prosperity and stability.

(reported) (HK Economic Journal): UK and China seemed to have

interpreted differently timing for implementing the SAR political system. UK seemed to think that the new arrangement should be implemented

(reported) (Anthony Neoh, lawyer who visited Peking lately, told HK Economic Journal): China viewed HK's transition from two angles: its sovereign right over HK and the territory's prosperity and stability. Any move not in line with these would be regarded by Peking as a breach of the Joint Declaration.

(reported) (Chairman of Kwun Tong Kaifong Association, Wong Hoi, writing in Ta Kung Pao): It was against the Joint Declaration to propose drastic changes in the next 12 years but none in the following 50 years.