Brussels, 17/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - In the 2002 edition of the report on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), adopted on 15 September, the European Commission makes its yearly analysis of progress accomplished in implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle. It also reviews the main events in the legislative and institutional fields and in the area of individual rights. The document comes before an assessment of economic developments and takes account of the main aspects in EU/Hong Kong relations. In this edition, the Commission shows itself to be pleased with the institutional and legislative developments along the lines of more democracy, while pointing out that it will continue to closely monitor its implementation. It also notes the process of economic convergence begun by the Region with continental China, while recalling that a strengthened economic partnership agreement should be compatible with WTO rules.
At institutional level, the Commission stresses that the introduction of a system of government responsibility - whereby it is the political officials and no longer the senior officials who will be at the head of government services - is a first step along the road to the development of a more democratic institutional system. It hopes, nonetheless, that this first step will be followed by the launching of public consultation on the election by universal suffrage of the Chief Executive and all the members of the legislative Council. In the legislative area, the document illustrates with satisfaction the consultation process committed to on the subject of Article 23 of the fundamental law, insofar as it illustrates how "people from Hong Kong "attach great importance to the rule of law and the respect of fundamental freedoms. Many feared that this article threatened their freedom. The article demonstrates that HKSAR has to promulgate ""its own laws for forbidding any act of treason, secession, sedition or subversion against the central government"; it also deals with the question of State secrets and activities by foreign political organisations in Hong Kong. The Commission see an encouraging sign in the fact that the government has modified its initial proposals to take into account the reactions and suggestions from the public and calls on the SAR government to continue to take into account the opinions expressed by the population and the international community. It says that rule of la and the continued respect of Fundamental freedoms guaranteed by both the Basic Law and the international human rights covenants are the foundations stones of a free and vibrant Hong Kong society. This is why it asserts that it will continue to follow attentively the implementation of Article 23 before and after the adoption of the new legislation.
On trade, the Commission takes note of the consultations made between mainland China and the HKSAR for a strengthened economic partnership. It points out that this agreement must be compatible with WTO rules and not be discriminatory to other WTO members. "Hong Kong's further economic integration with Mainland China is an asset for both, provided that Hong Kong retains its individual personality within the framework of the "one country, two systems principle".
The Commission considers that he signing in November of a readmission agreement was a major step forward in EU-Hong Kong relations "and the Commission looks forward to its coming into force in 2003". Document: http: //europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/dpri-rpt/doc