Together at last: secret Beijing trip for top civil servant

Article Abstract:

News on July 4, 1995, that Chief Secretary Anson Chan of Hong Kong had secretly visited Beijing and met with top officials there raised hopes in the colony that relations with China might be improving. Chan spoke with Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director Lu Ping in her three-day visit. While the act showed another snub by Beijing of Gov Chris Patten, it also may herald a thaw between China and Britain, where Qian hopes to visit in Oct. Still, Chinese officials demand more cooperation.

International relations, Patton, Chris

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A court too far: Democrats vow to reject Sino-British accord

Article Abstract:

The Sino-British accord finally reached on June 9, 1995, on Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal already has many critics and faces stiff Legislative Council opposition. The Democratic and Liberal parties have vowed to fight it, because it violates the Basic Law semi-constitution that China wrote for Hong Kong by allowing only one of the five judges to be from overseas. Also, after Britain thrice postponed the court's establishment date, it finally gave in to Chinese insistence on July 1, 1997, the day China takes over.

United Kingdom, China, Chinese foreign relations, British foreign relations

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Future imperfect: lawmakers could approve post-1997 court despite flaws

Article Abstract:

Hong Kong's Legislative Council approved the govt's Court of Final Appeal bill on July 26 despite fierce opposition by many groups and individuals. Intense lobbying by the govt helped pass the bill by a 2-1 margin, helping Britain to claim it is assuring the continued rule of law in the colony. Critics of the bill say it allows too few overseas judges who are less susceptible to Chinese political pressure, and that China's National People's Congress may be too expansive in defining 'acts of state.'

Analysis, Hong Kong. Court of Final Appeal

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