TNAG-1399-FCO40-1871-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 98

Date

BASIC LAW (107)

Statements by Chinese

Officials

Newspaper Comments/Editorials Non-Communist

Communist

Statements/Comments

by others

3.7.85 (cont'd)

NCNA HK director Xu Jiatun: There indeed was a contradiction between the need for HK members to be accountable to HK people and the need to keep the proceedings of the drafting committee confidential. This contradiction was difficult to resolve. Confidentiality was needed because any

information leak might result in wide

fluctuation in share prices.

4.7.85

Drafting committee vice-chairman Wang Hanbin: The final power of interpretation on points of law in the Basic Law will rest with the NPC but China will consider whether the HK courts can adjudicate in cases dealing with how the Basic law should be implemented so that the judiciary will have the

нии RECEIVED

DES

INDEX

040/21

REVISTRY 24 JUL 1985

PEGISTRY

Action Taken

Sing Pao: The drafting committee should issue press release from time to time to inform HK people of the progress of its work. The confidentiality rule should not bar drafting members from expressing their personal views.

F

Ching Po: HK's prosperity and stability would be better maintained if the Basic law would be in line with HK people's wishes.

agree that manufacturing, exports and tourism are the pillar of the local

economy.

Drafting committee member Szeto Wah: Ji Pengfei did not mention "self rule"

**

and 'a high degree of autonomy" in his opening speech. These two important points should be mentioned in the summing up speech.

CU lecturer Dr Joseph Cheng: The inclusion of HK drafting members in the consultative body would mean closer links between the two groups.

Drafting committee HK member Louis Cha: The protection of human rights and freedoms should be stressed in drafting the Basic Law.

Drafting committee HK member Lau Wong-fat: The Basic Law should clearly stipulate that the status quo of the NT would be maintained.

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