TNAG-1399-FCO40-1871-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 103

Date

6.7.85 (cont'd)

Statements by Chinese

Officials

BASIC LAW (112)

Newspaper Comments/Editorials Non-Communist

Communist

Statements/Comments

by others

HK Daily News: The decision by the four senior Chinese leaders to meet the Basic Law drafting committee demonstrated the importance China attaches to Basic Law drafting.

Express: It is certain that the basic principles of the Basic Law will be decided by the HK and Macau Affairs Office instead of the Basic Law drafting committee. Some people are worried that to rest the interpreta- tation power of the Basic Law with China means that the nation may interpret the Basic Law in its own

interest.

Financial Daily: By not granting the consultative committee constitutional responsibility, China has highlighted the authori- tatives of the drafting committee.

HK Commercial Daily: The first meeting of the Basic Law drafting committee is a good beginning. What is commend able is the

serious, democratic and cooperative spirit of the meeting.

New Evening Post: It will be more ideal for the Basic Law consultative committee to be set up before the Basic Law drafting committee holds its second meeting nex t March so that there will be more time for the consul tative committee to carry out its work.

Drafting committee HK member Maria Tam: About 85 per cent of the views expressed by the HK members has been accepted by the committee. Some of the content of the drafting committee meetings should be kept confidential but the

agenda should be disclosed and more details should be published if any agreement is reached.

Drafting committee HK member Szeto Wah: There is virtually no conflict between the Chinese and HK members during the first meeting although individual HK members have different views on

certain issues.

Drafting committee HK member Martin Lee:

Al though the views raised by the Chinese and HK members are not the same, the views raised by the HK members are accepted by their Chinese