1988, and the views then expressed were taken into account to a large extent in preparing the second draft, which was released in February 1989 for another round of consultation. Before the promulgation of the Basic Law by the National People's Congress of China in spring 1990, the second draft will undergo further revision in the light of comments on it. CCPR/C/58/Add.6 page 112 7. A major concern in Hong Kong is the protection of human rights after 1997, in particular the continued application and implementation of the two International Covenants on Human Rights in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as provided for in the Joint Declaration. Under section h of annex II to the Joint Declaration, the means by which the British and Chinese Governments will ensure the continued application of the international rights and obligations affecting Hong Kong is a matter for consideration in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group and its sub-group on international rights and obligations. It is essentially a question of how best the People's Republic of China can succeed in 1997 to the treaty rights and obligations which the United Kingdom has at present in respect of Hong Kong, under the Covenants. 8. In addition, article 39 of the second draft of the Basic Law states: "The provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ... as applied to Hong Kong shall remain in force and shall be implemented through the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. "The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents shall not be restricted unless prescribed by law. Such restrictions shall not contravene the provisions of the preceding paragraph of this article." 9. Section XIII of annex I to the Joint Declaration also specifies 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the preparation and implementation of the Basic Law in Hong Kong, specifically in relation to the protection of human rights and the continued application of international covenants. It seems to be focused on the legal and political aspects of human rights, rather than any specific economic or social issues.

**Category**
Human rights