TNAG-1397-FCO40-1869-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 100

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the NPC will exercise this right to amend the Basic

Law at will. Also, should Hong Kong have the right

of moving motions to amend the Basic Law if the need

arises?

6)

7)

Self-determination and self-rule: Beijing had pledged that except for foreign and defence affairs which are to be administered by the Central People's Government, Hong Kong shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy under self-rule. However, there is no clear indication as to

how high a degree of autonomy it will be. An example

that Hong Kong may make reference to is Puerto Rico,

which is a member of the U.S.'s commonwealth or

'estado libre asociado'. Its Constitution provides that 'in dealing with local affairs, (the country) is

not subject to a higher authority. But will such an

express provision for self-determination and self-rule trespass Beijing's 'bottom line'?

Democratic reforms: The people of Hong Kong expect to set up a democratic political system after 1997

so as to ensure the maintenance of freedom and rule

of law in Hong Kong. However, many people hold a pessimistic view as to whether Beijing will allow

democratic reforms in Hong Kong, and therefore hinted

to the local people to make a concession. In the

article 'A Ramble on Participating in the Drafting Committee', Mr Louis CHA says that he personally

favours democracy, but a democratic system is not

acceptable to Beijing. Therefore, it is feared that

the staunch promotion of a democratic system in Hong Kong

to preserve freedom and the rule of law may not conform

to the practical nature of politics.

At the first meeting of the Basic Law Drafting Committee, the chairman Mr JI Pengfei objected to

'reforms towards prosperity' and held that reforms would

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