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TOMAJC
HONG KONG: THE BASIC LAW
Introduction
1.
In accordance with the terms of the Sino-British Joint
Declaration on Hong Kong, the Chinese Government is to promulgate a Basic Law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of
China, giving legal effect to the People's Republic of China's
policies towards Hong Kong as stipulated in the Joint Declaration.
The Basic Law will in effect be a "mini-constitution" for post-1997
Hong Kong.
2.
A first draft of the Basic Law (attached) was published by the Chinese Government on 28 April. There will be a five month public
consultation exercise in Hong Kong, organised by the Basic Law
Consultative Committee (BLCC). A further consultation exercise will
be carried out in 1989 on the basis of a revised text. The final
text of the Basic Law will be promulgated by the Chinese National
People's Congress in 1990.
3. The draft text was produced by a committee (the Basic Law
Drafting Committee, BLDC) including both Hong Kong and mainland
Chinese members. It is a detailed and comprehensive document, with
172 articles plus annexes. Virtually all the provisions of the
Joint Declaration are reflected in the draft, a number of them word
for word.
Chinese spokesmen have expressed their hope that Hong Kong people will comment freely on the draft, and their readiness to take
the comments into account.
4.
Public debate
The
5. There is already a lively public debate in Hong Kong. BLCC are encouraging people to put forward their views, are organising discussion sessions, and are receiving views from all quarters in Hong Kong. Mainland members of the Drafting Committee will travel to Hong Kong in two groups, in June and September for
three weeks at a time, to canvass views. The media academics and
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.