Page:Hong Kong Basic Law consultation report vol. 1.djvu/7

 14 November 1989

The consultation period for the Basic Law (Draft) which lasted for eight months from late February to 31 October this year has concluded. During this second consultation period, there were times of difficulties and complications and we faced new trials.

In late February this year, the staff of the typesetting company and the printer, as well as the staff of our Secretariat, worked extremely hard for the publication of the Basic Law (Draft). Despite the technical problems encountered, the Basic Law (Draft) was published right on schedule. With the help of more than 800 branches and sub-branches of the local banks, copies of the Draft and reference papers were distributed to the general public. With the assistance of some of our members and the banks, copies of the Draft were later despatched to many foreign cities with a large Chinese population for distribution. Our indebtedness is herein acknowledged to those organizations and bodies which helped us publish and distribute the Draft.

At the same time when the Basic Law (Draft) was published, an advertising agency was kind enough to render us assistance in the designing and production of publicity slogans, posters and television promos. With the support of the Hong Kong Government, these publicity materials were broadcast free of charge by various radio and television stations. During that time, the radio and television stations, and all major newspapers had extensive coverage on the Basic Law. The call on the public to "get to know the Basic Law" was propagated through every possible channel. We have to thank a number of newspapers and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation for giving us free media space or discounted rates for the advertisements on the Basic Law. We also have to thank our friends -- the hardworking reporters -- who shuttled from places to places to cover the Basic Law, Especially during the mainland drafters' visit to Hong Kong in April this year, they had to cover all the drafters' activities in Hong Kong so that news could be promptly released. They hence contributed a great deal to the exchange of views between the drafters and people in Hong Kong.

To facilitate the publicity on the contents of the Basic Law (Draft), our Secretariat organized a territory-wide itinerant exhibition. A number of real estate developers were kind enough to provide the sites for the exhibition. Without their assistance, the exhibition would not have been a success. Also during this second round of consultations, our Secretariat organized a number of public seminars and discussion sessions on special issues. We were honoured to have well qualified academics and experts to chair those seminars and discussion sessions. They not only gave us their valuable time and shared with us their knowledge and expertise, but also benefited us with their invaluable insight into those special issues relating to the Basic Law. Our heartfelt gratitude is herein acknowledged to