The European Union:

- has been watching closely the ongoing debate about the SAR Government’s proposals to introduce legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law.
-  Has already expressed concern in a statement, issued on 15 April 2003, about the proposals allowing the Secretary for Security to ban Hong Kong organizations subordinate to organizations proscribed in the mainland on grounds of national security. The European Union declared then that these proposals, if implemented, would blur the line between the Hong Kong and mainland legal systems and could undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy.
- Has now studied the SAR Government’s proposed amendments issued on 3 and 6 June. The European Union welcomes the proposed changes but regrets that the elements relating to the proscription of local organizations remain fundamentally unchanged. The European Union calls on the Hong Kong Government and the Legislative Council to make sure that the proposed legislation is in full conformity with the “One Country, two Systems” principle.