TNAG-1399-FCO40-1871-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 16

Date

Statements by Chinese

Officials

1.4.85 (cont'd)

2.4.85

3.4.85

HK and Macau Affairs

Director Ji Pengfei (meeting with UC member

Dr Denny Huang): The

Basic Law drafting

committee will definitely include HK

representatives but the number will not

necessarily be large because local residents can reflect their views on the Basic Law through various channels. A Basic Law consultative

committee will be set up in HK shortly after the NPC session ends. The Basic Law should not be too detailed. Whenever an amendment to the law is sought, HK will have to get Peking's approval.

BASIC LAW (41)

Newspaper Comments/Editorials Non-Communist

Communist

assured that the Basic

Law will be based on the spirit of the Joint Declaration.

Sing Pao: At least half of the members of the Basic Law drafting committee should be HK

Tin Tin Daily News: It is unreasonable to suggest that the powers of interpreting the Basic

Statements/Comments

by others

Professor Samuel Finer of the University of Oxford: The power to interpret

the Basic Law should rest

with HK rather than the NPC Standing committee. HK will not have a large measure of autonomy if it is not the supreme adjudicator of the Basic

Law.