TNAG-2448-FCO40-3564-Elections-in-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1992 — Page 26

MMENT HOUSE HUNG KUNG.

NEU 20 ULI JE UITS

FU.

7

Mr. Hurd agreed in principle with the

arrangements proposed by the Chinese side which

could be established in 1995; but stated that

details of how this should be done would need to

be discussed between two sides. Also expressed hope that the five principles agreed between the two sides could be reflected in the Basic Law.

We pressed the Chinese side to discuss these points further, but they declined further

discussion at the time.

1

Statement to Parliament by Mr. Hurd in February 1990 makes clear that no decision had been taken

on whether to introduce the electoral

arrangements in the Basic Law: the British side

were waiting to see its final terms.

In the event, the five principles were not fully reflected in the final version of the Basic Law.

Moreover, the final version makes clear that the Election Committee of the first SAR legislature would explicitly not be the Election Committee for 1999 whose composition was set out in Annex

I of the Basic Law.

The Basic Law gives no indication of what its composition should be.

A number of events since the publication of the

Basic Law confirm that the Chinese side still

undecided as to their views on the composition

of the Election Committee for the first SAR legislature. Visits by Legislative Councillors

to Peking have included discussions on this

issue with Chinese officials.

CONTRO