Strasbourg, 11/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - Adopting the report by Irish Fine Gaël MEP, John Cushnahan, on the special way Hong Kong is governed, the EP notes that the constitutional review promised for 2007 should prepare for the election of a president by universal suffrage in 2007 and by a legislative council in 2008. The EP is concerned at proposals to ban organisations illegal in mainland China for national security reasons. It is disappointed that various members of the Legislative Council are still banned from mainland China and calls on the Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission to raise this with China. It says it firmly opposes any action by the Hong Kong authorities to ban the Falun Gong movement. The EP says it supports both the reinforced economic partnership agreement with mainland China and the Pearl River initiative, but insists both agreements should be implemented on the basis of "one country, two systems", which must not be watered down.
The EP regrets lack of transparency, lack of shared information and delays by Beijing authorities in terms of dealing with Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). The EP notes that integration of the Pearl River delta should not only involve building roads, bridges and border control posts, but should also promote public health. The Parliament suggests an early warning system.