Rifkind to meet Qian on laws
Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind will meet Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen to discuss the plan to repeal in full or in part 25 of the territory's laws, including the Bill of Rights Ordinance.
Arriving for a three-day visit yesterday, Foreign Minister in charge of Hong Kong Jeremy Hanley said Britain objected to the proposal and would discuss the issue at every level with the Chinese side.
'The Foreign Secretary, Malcolm Rifkind, will be discussing it, I hope very shortly, with the Vice-Premier, Qian Qichen,' Mr Hanley said. The meeting will take place in Singapore next month on the sidelines of a Europe-Asia meeting.
Mr Rifkind will then make a four-day visit to Hong Kong from February 15.
Mr Hanley reiterated that the Bill of Rights Ordinance was totally consistent with the Basic Law.
'We see, and indeed I think, no serious lawyer disagrees that the Bill of Rights Ordinance is consistent with the Basic Law - and the Basic Law takes supremacy - and therefore the reasons given for the proposed actions are inconsistent with the legislation we've all agreed on.' He also said the setting up of the provisional legislature was totally unnecessary.
Mr Hanley last week hauled in the Chinese ambassador in London to protest at the recommendations approved by the legal sub-group of the Beijing-appointed Preparatory Committee, which oversees matters relating to the handover.
Mr Hanley will attend the opening of the new British Consulate-General building as well as meeting Exco and Legco members during his visit.
