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<title>PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE NAMED FORPOST-TRANSITION HONG KONG</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">December 21, 1996 No. 255</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE NAMED FOR</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">POST-TRANSITION HONG KONG</font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">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.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">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.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">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."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"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.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">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. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Catherine Lappe</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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