[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 117 (Monday, September 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 51--RELATIVE TO THE HONG KONG SPECIAL 
                         ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

  Mr. HELMS (for himself, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. 
Mack) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 51

       Whereas the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong 
     Kong guarantees Hong Kong a high degree autonomy in all 
     matters except defense and foreign affairs, and an elected 
     legislature;
       Whereas the United States policy regarding Hong Kong, as 
     stated in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 
     (Public Law 102-383), is based on the autonomy and self-
     governance of Hong Kong by the Hong Kong people;
       Whereas a democratically elected legislature enabling the 
     Hong Kong people to elect representatives of their choice is 
     essential to the autonomy and self-governance of Hong Kong;
       Whereas the provisional legislature of Hong Kong was 
     selected through an undemocratic process controlled by the 
     People's Republic of China;
       Whereas this provisional legislature has adopted rules for 
     the creation of the first legislature of the Hong Kong 
     Special Administrative Region which rules are designed to 
     disadvantage and reduce the number of pro-democracy 
     politicians in the legislature; and
       Whereas the autonomy of Hong Kong cannot exist without a 
     legislature that is elected freely and fairly according to 
     rules approved by the Hong Kong people or their 
     democratically elected representatives: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress urges Hong Kong Chief Executive 
     C.H. Tung and the government of the Hong Kong Special 
     Administrative Region to schedule and conduct elections for 
     the first legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative 
     Region according to rules approved by the Hong Kong people 
     through an election-law convention, referendum, or both.




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