Handover official to hear Democrat view
Leading Democrats have their first encounter with a Preparatory Committee member today, in their attempt to let the handover body hear their views.
Xu Simin, a committee member and veteran pro-China figure, has invited Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming and vice-chairman Anthony Cheung Bing-leung to listen to their ideas on the People's Liberation Army garrison at a lunch today.
The party had sent their proposals on the stationing of the PLA to all committee members and Chinese officials.
Mr Xu, who sits on the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference standing committee, said he had yet to study the proposal, but was willing to talk more with the Democrats.
'If the proposal is comprehensive and well-intentioned, we can have further talks. If not, there cannot be any further discussion,' he said.
He added that the Basic Law already laid down the framework for legislation.
'No contravention of the Basic Law will be allowed,' he said.
The Democrats recommend the use of common law when drafting the PLA legislation. A civil court, instead of the military one, should have jurisdiction.
'It is only when the civil court does not accept and hear the case, or when the case is entirely a military business, it should be given to the military court to handle,' the party's submission said.
A party member said they had submitted proposals on policies or political affairs to all the 150 committee members and Chinese officials. But it was the first time they had received a formal response, he said.
It is expected the draft will be studied by the Chinese National People's Congress at its full meeting next March.
Mr Xu said he would inform other senior NPC members in the committee of any valid points from the Democrats.
Mr Cheung said: 'Our proposal is pragmatic. It is a result of serious and lengthy research about the British, Chinese and Hong Kong systems. It doesn't aim to be confrontational.'
