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PWC proposal 'gross violation of Basic Law'

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THE establishment of a provisional legislature would contravene the Basic Law and enable China to meddle in the internal affairs of post-1997 Hong Kong, legislators from the liberal camp said.

Councillors used the debate on the Governor's policy address to hit out at a proposal by the Preliminary Working Committee (PWC) to set up such a legislature.

Instead of commenting on the relationship between the Government and the China-appointed body - an issue addressed by fellow legislators in the debate - the liberals said the setting up of the PWC was as unlawful as its proposal for a provisional legislature.

The PWC has said such a body is needed because the legislators elected in 1995 would be sacked in 1997 when China took control.

The criticism was joined by pro-Taiwan unionist, Pang Chun-hoi, who said the idea of a provisional legislature showed 'contempt for the Basic Law'.

Chairman of the Democratic Party Martin Lee Chu-ming described the PWC as a monster created by China to defy the provisions and spirit of the Joint Declaration and Basic Law.

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