TNAG-2168-FCO40-3105-House-of-Commons-Foreign-Affairs-Committee-inquiry-into-Hong-1990 — Page 12

STATE OF EMERGENCY (ARTICLE 18)

It is only realistic that the Standing Committee of the NPC should be able to declare a state of emergency if there

is a turmoil within the SAR which (a) endangers national unity or security, and (b) is beyond the control of the Government of the SAR. But a state of emergency could not be declared by the mainland authorities for local emergencies only affecting Hong Kong or wider emergencies which could nevertheless be controlled in Hong Kong by the

Government of the SAR.

RIDAFO/4