TNAG-2327-FCO40-3371-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-implementation-and-conferences-1991 — Page 61

A

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布政司署

香港下亞厘畢道

HKC 241/6

本署檔號 Our Ref:

PA SCR 1/5691/90

來函檔號 Your Ref.:

Ms. Pamela Major,

HKD,

FCO.

Dear Pamela,

subject поминал

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

بای

I

3 July 1991

MS Barrett fi

saw some press references

to this.

Shack to me.

PM 1017

Am 17.

You may be interested in the attached paper prepared by Professor Gong Xiangrui of Peking University. It was to have been delivered by Prof. Gong at the recent HKU Conference on the Bill of Rights, but he was prevented from attending (by the Chinese),

2.

A glance through the paper quickly reveals why the Chinese authorities might be less than delighted with the paper. A couple of examples:

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"The Bill is neither a device to oppose China nor just a 'Fake Rolex Watch', on the contrary, its proper role should be to strengthen the foundation of the existing legal system and thereby to reassure ordinary people that their rights will be protected".

"Fundamental liberty is not only of free election but also of limitation of government powers".

It is as well to note this is an edited version not approved by Prof. Gong. But presumably it reflects the main thrust. The Hong Kong Standard printed the bulk of the paper, as it has with some others given at the conference. Otherwise publicity has been minimal.

yours ever

Nick

(N. D. Moakes)

Assistant Political Adviser (S)

CC:

Ms. Janet Rogan, Peking