TNAG-1843-FCO40-2618-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 44

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

MAXABB (2)

BASIC LAW: SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

(a) Article 19

WHY WAS ARTICLE 19 THE ONLY ARTICLE NOT APPROVED BY

BLDC?

Article 19 provides that SAR will be vested with independent

judicial power, including that of final adjudication, subject to

existing restrictions like those that restrict the High Court here

where a matter of international relations is concerned. This

Article not yet been approved by BLDC because of difficulties over

trying to define "act of state" (in international law sense) in

terms which are understandable under Chinese system. Every hope

that wording can be found to achieve this.

(b) Accountability of Executive

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH PROVISIONS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OF EXECUTIVE?

Article 35 provides that Hong Kong residents shall have right to

institute legal proceedings against actions of executive organs or

their personnel.

Article 43 provides that Chief Executive shall be accountable to

the CPG and the Hong Kong SAR.

Article 64 provides that Government of SAR must abide by the law

and shall be accountable to Legislature in a number of detailed

respects.

WILL THIS WORK IN PRACTICE?

In China's own interests to make this work. Hong Kong seen as

political model for eventual reunification with Taiwan. China also has enormous economic stake in Hong Kong's continued success.

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