NEWS RELEASES

December 21, 1996 No. 255

PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE NAMED FOR

POST-TRANSITION HONG KONG

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today took note of the naming of the members of the provisional legislature for the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region following July 1, 1997.

The Government of Canada expects the Chinese authorities to ensure that the provisional legislature functions only after the transition and deals only with essential matters urgently required to effect a smooth transition of Hong Kong's sovereignty. It is also expected that it will be replaced in the shortest possible time by a fully representative legislative council elected in accordance with the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.

Mr. Axworthy said that "an early replacement of the provisional legislature by an elected legislature based on democratic principles will significantly advance international confidence in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."

"Canada anticipates that the People's Republic of China will continue its commitment to ensure the smooth transition of Hong Kong into its new status in July," added Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan.

The Government of Canada is hopeful that Britain and China will be able to work closely together over the next six months in accordance with the Joint Declaration in order to effect the smooth transition of Hong Kong from Britain to China.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca