Tasks complete in time for handover

The provisional legislature should have all necessary legislation completed by the handover, president Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai said yesterday.

The interim body would finish examining the Right of Abode Bill at its sitting on Saturday, which would be the last before the handover.

The body would also give final approval to the Oaths and Declarations (Amendment) Bill, which provides for the swearing-in of the Chief Executive-designate, principal officials, executive councillors and provisional legislature members.

'We'll be able to finish all our tasks before the handover by the next sitting,' she said.

The provisional legislature has already enacted more than eight bills.

Meanwhile, provisional legislature members are split over the shadow body's proposed logo, writes Angela Li.

Graphic designer Hon Bing-wah came up with the idea of a Chinese White Dolphin as mascot for the handover ceremony.

One proposed design features 'LC' in capital letters with the emblem of the Special Administrative Region in red.

Another option would feature the bauhinia against a burgundy backdrop. But unlike the real bauhinia, it is in gold rather than purple.

'I favour the latter one as the golden colour denotes steadiness while the red denotes a flamboyant era which makes heroes,' Ip Kwok-him, convenor of the interim body's working group on administrative matters, said.

But the two designs did not win the support of many other members of the working group. Some considered them too simple, while others pressed for something with more intellectual impact.

'Although it will only be used for one year, it should be one which would draw a sense of respect from people,' one member said.

Independent member Lau Kong-wah said he wanted more options before making the final choice.

Mr Ip said the working group, which hoped the logo would be in use by July 9, would meet again this week to consider more designs.