2.16.
2.17.
reflect a necessary degree of economic interaction phrased in an unfortunate way? These are important matters.
In another paper given at the same meeting, Ding Lisong, Deputy Secretary General of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, said: -
"The key lies in organisation and co-ordination
[There is
a need] immediately ... [to] set up a co-ordinating authority comprising members from the industrial, commercial and financial sectors. The job of this authority is to agree upon suitable business policies which are conducive to long-term benefits3 for the two places, and upon regulations for development.
How can the suggestion for such regulations be compatible with the Basic Law and Joint Declaration? Mr. Ding also said that this new authority "has to co-ordinate regional constructions, work allocation and matters related to the flow of capital and trading co-operation". Work allocation? Central planning? On Hong Kong capital? Would that intrude on Hong Kong's "lifestyle"?
This issue exemplifies the possible supportive British role in the project, and the problem when good intentions could perhaps undermine Hong Kong's promised high degree of autonomy. Mr. Ding noted that a "certain member from the British House of Commons" visited Guangdong and "interestingly he agreed very much with me
.. and I believe that the gesture of this gentleman is all for the Guangdong/Hong Kong co-operation. Mr. Ding then said that it was "time that effective measures be taken to organise and co-ordinate so that the plan can be
36 realised.
I have no idea who the British Parliamentarian was, or whether he was expressing views running directly contrary to the terms of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law? I am concerned lest his views are being used by officials in China to support interventionist and unlawful planning policies. It raises some questiggs. What could be the role of the U.K. Parliament in this discussion? What is being done on the Chinese side to ensure that there are to remain two economic systems? Drafting a law is never enough on its own. What is being done by Britain to assist the process along? And what steps are necessary to make the relevant obligations under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law a reality in their implementation?
Has anyone defined these steps? Is this a U.K. role? Has any U.K. body shown itself to be alive to the issue? And what other areas of Hong Kong "way of life" have similar legitimate concerns?
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2.18.
This brings me to a very specific aspect of commercial lifestyle.
As
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