TNAG-2713-FCO40-3919-Parliamentary-relations-draft-White-Paper-on-Representative--1993 — Page 45

Second, that there should be agreement on clear,

objective and acceptable criteria for the Preparatory Committee) to apply in 1997 when confirming members

of the Legislative Council elected in 1995 as members of the first legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997 (the through train).

The through train was a matter of cardinal importance, since the whole rationale for the talks was to agree on arrangements which would provide continuity through 1997. Candidates and voters

would need to know in 1995 what criteria would be applied by the

Preparatory Committee in determining whether members of the

Legislative Council could serve through 1997 for their full

four-year term. Without agreed objective criteria for the through

train, there would be no point in agreeing with the Chinese side

detailed electoral arrangements for 1995.

22. The talks fell into four distinct phases.

(i)

The Preparatory Committee is, according to a Decision of the National People's Congress

reproduced in Annex 2, to be established in 1996 to prepare for the establishment of the Hong

Kong Special Administrative Region, which would come into being on 1 July 1997.

16

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