particular, they have sought to ensure that the Chinese
authorities are fully aware of the concerns of Hong Kong
people about the draft.
37. The first draft of the Basic Law was a generally
encouraging document. Much of it was in satisfactory form. Som parts of it quoted the Joint Declaration
verbatim. But it contained a number of deficiencies
which we have been pressing to have rectified.
Although
the second draft has not yet been publs ihed, it is clear
from reports of what has been agreed at the January BLDC
meeting in Canton that it will contain a number of
substantial improvements which should go a long way
towards meeting a number of important concerns of Hong
Kong people (Annex III to this Memorandum contains a
table, based on the unpublished second draft of the Basic
Law, illustrating the areas of the draft where
improvements have already been ade.]
38.
After the second draft is published, the British
Government will consider carefully in the light of
reactions in Hong Kong in the course of the second round
of public consultation, what further improvements are
required. The Government will be paying particular
attention to the section on the future constitutional
structure, which has aroused some controversy in Hong
Kong. It will be most important to ensure that the model
for Hong Kong's future political system commands general
confidence in Hong Kong.
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