TNAG-1840-FCO40-2615-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 71

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DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

BLDC resumed their discussions and considered how the

first draft should be revised. Following a further

plenary meeting held in Canton from 9 to 15 January 1989,

a second draft was agreed. After consideration by the

Standing Committee of the NPC, this was published in late

February 1989 for further public consultation. The

results of this second round of consultation will then be

considered by the BLDC. The final version of the Basic

Law will be enacted and promulgated by the NPC in 1990.

42.

In Confidence

Although the drafting of the Basic Law is a matter

for the Chinese Government, the British Government have

the right to satisfy themselves that its provisions fully

accord with the terms of the Joint Declaration. The

British Government have been following the process very

closely, and have had a fruitful dialogue with the

Chinese authorities throughout the drafting process.

particular, they have sought to ensure that the Chinese

authorities are fully aware of the concerns of Hong Kong

people about the draft.

In

43. Much of the first draft of the Basic Law was in

satisfactory form. Some parts of it quoted the Joint

Declaration verbatim. But it contained a number of

deficiencies which were identified during the

consultation period. Although it is too soon to assess

public reaction in Hong Kong, it is clear that the second

draft contains substantial improvements reflecting

concerns expressed during the first consultation period

(Annex C to this Memorandum contains a table,