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THE CHINESE TIMETABLE FOR THE BASIC LAW
7. THE WORK OF THE BLDC IS NOW ENTERING A MORE INTENSIVE AND DETAILED PHASE. BUT THERE HAS BEEN SOME DELAY IN THE DRAFTING OF SECTIONS OF THE BASIC LAW DEALING WITH THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR). IN PART THIS DELAY MAY REFLECT UNCERTAINTY ON THE CHINESE SIDE, FACED AS THEY ARE WITH DIVERGENT VIEWS AMONG HONG KONG OPINION. BUT THE EFFECT, WHETHER DELIBERATE OR NOT, IS TO MAKE OUR OWN TASK MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE REASONS ELABORATED BELOW.
THE KEY DATES IN RESPECT OF THE DRAFTING OF THE SECTIONS ON
THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE HKSAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:
8.
FEBRUARY
AND MARCH
MEETINGS OF THE BLDC SPECIAL GROUP ON 1987
POLITICAL STRUCTURE.
APRIL 1987
AUGUST 1987
DECEMBER 1987
1988
FOURTH BLDC PLENARY. NO DISCUSSION OF POLITICAL
STRUCTURE PLANNED.
FIFTH BDLC PLENARY. TO DISCUSS THE SPECIAL
GROUP'S FURTHER REPORT ON POLITICAL STRUCTURE.
THE REPORT MIGHT INCLUDE DRAFT ARTICLES ON LESS
CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS, BUT PERHAPS NO MORE THAN A RANGE OF OPTIONS ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.
SIXTH BLDC PLENARY. TO DISCUSS IN DETAIL DRAFT BASIC LAW PROVISIONS ON THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE. THE SPECIAL GROUP MIGHT STILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE COMPOSITION OF
THE LEGISLATURE OR ON THE SELECTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ALTHOUGH THE OPTIONS MAY BE REFINED
AND NARROWED DOWN.
PUBLICATION OF DRAFT BASIC LAW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SECTION ON POLITICAL STRUCTURE WILL
STILL CONSIST OF NO MORE THAN A RANGE OF
OPTIONS.
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