TNAG-2507-FCO40-3648-Official-visits-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 86

_II. System remains unchanged for 50 years

(reference point argument)

Feb 13 Briefing by Clerk to LegCo

11.

During the negotiation of the JD, it was the Hong

Kong people who were frightened of possible changes to be

introduced by the Chinese side after 1997 and who had

strongly requested no change for 50 years. Although it was

inevitable for HK to have gradual and small changes after

the signature of the JD in 1984, any major or drastic changes in the years leading up to 1997 should be avoided;

or else there would be convergence problems in 1997.

12.

Basic Law

allowing

the capitalist system and way

of life in Hong Kong to

rema in unchanged for 50 years

should not be taken to mean that there might be drastic

changes in the years leading up to 1997.

Feb 20 : Briefing by RCB

13.

then

The

During the Sino-British negotiation on the JD, the

Attorney General published an article saying that Hong

Kong had an executive-led government structure.

article, and public opinion likewise, advocated that Hong

Kong's good system should be preserved. The good system

was the system prevalent in 1984 and 1985. It could not be

the modified system in 1992.

The Basic Law had been

promulgated, after hard work of four years and eight months, to reinforce by legislation the provisions of the

Joint Declaration.