Progress Report
We announced three undertakings in the context of the 1996 Policy Address and Policy Commitments. Together with the one outstanding pledge made since 1993, these add up to a total of four undertakings. Of these :
The following sets out the detailed report for each main programme area.
| Year | Pledge | Present Position | |
| Action Completed | |||
| 1996 | 1. | To consider specific requests from the Preparatory Committee in a positive and constructive spirit on the basis of our established parameters. The Liaison Office will maintain a regular dialogue with the Preparatory Committee Secretariat. | Since the establishment of the Preparatory Committee in January 1996, we had provided assistance to it in various areas. The Committee completed its work in July 1997. |
| 1996 | 2. | To discuss specific arrangements for co-operation with the Chief Executive (Designate) and put in place the agreed arrangements so that immediate assistance can be provided once the appointment is made. | Since the selection of the Chief Executive (Designate) in December 1996, we had provided assistance to him in various areas (including arrangement of briefings, staffing support, and accommodation) to facilitate his preparation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG). The Special Administrative Region and its Government were established, and the Chief Executive sworn into office, on 1 July 1997. |
| 1996 | 3. | To do all that we can to ensure that the items remaining on the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG) agenda are resolved satisfactorily before 1獱uly 1997. The key issues are: right of abode and related immigration issues; adaptation of Hong Kong laws to conform with the Basic Law; air services agreements; the transitional Budget for 1997; transfer of defence responsibilities; and other transfer of government issues. | From October 1996 to June 1997, the JLG reached a large number of agreements in bringing about a smooth transition. Examples include the transitional Budget for the 1997-98 financial year; the arrival of advance parties of the garrison of the People's Liberation Army; the transfer of Hong Kong Government assets (including the Exchange Fund) and archives to the HKSARG; as well as four air services agreements. The JLG had practically completed all the outstanding work by 1 July 1997. Issues on which agreement in the JLG has proved impossible are being dealt with by the HKSARG. |
| Year | Pledge | Present Position | |
| Action in Progress: On Schedule | |||
| 1995 | 1. | To consider possible further improvements to various operational and technical arrangements for future elections, including the feasibility of introducing a computerised voting and/or counting system for future elections. |
The HKSARG has announced that the first HKSAR Legislative Council election would be held in end May 1998. Primary legislation to provide for the legal framework of the election has
been put in place. The Electoral Affairs Commission, which is an independent body to oversee the practical arrangements of the election, has been established. Further preparations are being made for the election.
Further measures to improve operational and technical electoral arrangements would be taken on board when the detailed arrangements for the election are made. Further studies on the feasibility of introduction of a computerised voting/counting system for future elections are on-going. |