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Letter to Mr Chris Patten, the Governor, on the Hong Kong Government and the Preliminary Working Committee

2nd November, 1994

His Excellency the Governor
The Right Honourable Christopher Patten
Government House
Lower Albert Road
Central
Hong Kong

Dear Mr Patten,

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND
THE PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE

The Hong Kong Democratic Foundation deplores the failure of the Joint Liaison Group to satisfactorily cope with the transition issues of the change from British to Chinese sovereignty.

The Foundation accepts that it was unnecessary for the Chinese Government to establish the Preliminary Working Committee, as all transition matters should properly be determined in the Joint Liaison Group, as stipulated in the Joint Declaration.

However, the Foundation considers that the reality of the Preliminary Working Committee as an advisory body to the National People's Congress needs to be accepted, if the long term interests of the Hong Kong people are to be safeguarded.

Therefore, to ensure the deliberations of the Preliminary Working Committee are as well-informed as possible, in the best interests of the Hong Kong people and to facilitate the smooth operation of the Civil Service through the remainder of the transition period, it is important that the Hong Kong Government seeks to establish effective mechanisms of communication with the Preliminary Working Committee.

In this regard, we do not feel that the proposals put forward in your 5th October 1994 speech to the Legislative Council are sufficient to achieve this objective. We urge you to further consider this matter with a view to realizing a constructive working relationship between government officials and members of the Preliminary Working Committee. This does not acknowledge acceptance of the status accorded to this body by the Chinese government nor is that necessary.

We would be pleased to discuss our views further should you wish to do so, either directly with you and your senior officials or with the appropriate Government branch.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Shiu
Chairman