TNAG-1396-FCO40-1868-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 13

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Apart from making a careful study of the Sino-British Joint

Declaration, mainland members of the committee should also study and acquire

a better understanding of the conditions of Hong Kong, including its history

and present situations, and should understand the views and suggestions of

the Hong Kong people of various quarters towards the Basic Law. The Secretariat

of the drafting committee should provide the members with the relevant documents

and information for their reference. Furthermore, it should organize some

professional seminars and study groups and invite local scholars and experts

and those from the mainland to participate in the discussions. Also, members

from the mainland could be invited to come on a study tour to Hong Kong as

and when required.

Some members suggested that a number of sub-groups should be set up

in accordance with the contents of the Basic Law so that members could proceed

with the work with their professional expertise. We think this is a good idea.

But since the major work for the second half of this year is to prepare for the

institution study and the subsequent establishment of the structure and the main contents

of the Basic Law, the members will need to carry out an overall comprehensive

study for a period of time. So it would be more appropriate to decide the

special subjects in the next full session before sub-groups are set up. of

course, if some members are willing to make use of their expertise and wish to start making special studies independently or in a team voluntarily set up

by themselves, they are free to do so.

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Over these few days, members have vigorously discussed the issue of

the setting up of the Basic Law Consultative Committee, and they have basically

come to a consensus. We consider that it is very necessary to set up a

terriority-wide and widely representative Basic Law Consultative Committee

which can function as a bridge for contacts and communications between the

Hong Kong people of various quarters and the members of the Basic Law Drafting

Committee, and it can also serve as an important channel to reflect the viewa

and suggestions on the Basic Law.