Legislative Council

LC Paper No. CB(3) 1728/98-99

Ref: CB(3)/SC/PL

Paper for the House Committee Meeting
on 2 July 1999

Report of the Parliamentary Liaison Subcommittee


Purpose

This paper reports on the work of the Parliamentary Liaison Subcommittee and the position of the various parliamentary friendship groups formed with legislatures outside Hong Kong.

Background

2. At the House Committee meeting on 18 September 1998, Members agreed:

  1. to continue the ties the Hong Kong legislature had established with the legislatures of Japan, Canada, Australia and the European Parliament (EP) through the friendship groups established previously; and

  2. to set up an additional friendship group with the parliamentarians of the Republic of Singapore.

Progress

3. The Parliamentary Liaison Subcommittee wishes to report on the following developments:

  1. Singapore

    A friendship group with the parliamentarians of the Republic of Singapore was formed in September 1998. A delegation of the Singapore-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group visited Hong Kong from 27 to 30 January 1999 at our invitation;

  2. Japan

    The liaison with the Japan Hong Kong Parliamentarian League has been renewed. A Legislative Council delegation visited Japan from 23 to 27 February 1999. During the return visit of the Japan Hong Kong Parliamentarian League to Hong Kong in early May 1999, Members had a meeting with the visitors, which was followed by lunch;

  3. Australia

    The Australian Consul-General advised us in April 1999 that the Australia-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group consisting of 34 members had been formed after the Australian Parliament resumed sitting in February 1999;

  4. Canada

    A meeting was held with Senator Jack Austin and Mr Reg Alcock, MP, Co-Chairs of Canada-China Legislative Association, on 29 March 1999 to discuss the ways to renew the ties with the Parliament of Canada. We were advised by Senator Jack Austin in his letter of 13 May 1999 that the Canada-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group consisting of 28 members had been formed; and

  5. European Parliament

    A meeting was held with Mr Michael Hindley, Member of European Parliament and Chairman of the EP-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group, on 29 March 1999. As the next election for the EP would take place in June 1999 and the EP-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group would be re-constituted then, Mr Hindley undertook to ensure that there was continuity in the friendship group.

4. The Parliamentary Liaison Subcommittee had also received the delegations of the Parliament of Mongolia and the Parliament of the Republic of Poland during their respective visits to Hong Kong in March and April 1999. The parliamentarians have expressed an interest in establishing closer relations with the Hong Kong legislature. In addition, the German Consul-General in Hong Kong is liaising with the German Parliament to ascertain its interest in proposing a formal link with the Hong Kong legislature.

5. The Parliamentary Liaison Subcommittee will continue to liaise with the friendship groups and discuss the activities that may be organised to maintain and enhance the links with these legislatures. Suggestions from Members on liaison activities to be organised are also welcome.


Legislative Council Secretariat
30 June 1999