0003160 G.F. 316
SCR 4/3/1168/47
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THE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
Basic Policies and Methods.
245/
The present position
Fundamentally Hong Kong's position has a basis of strength, despite the shortening perspective implicit in the expiry of the N, T. lease in 1997, the substantial Communist potential for subversive activity and the importance of a favourable attitude on the part of China. The strength of the Hong Kong position rests firstly on the fact (clearly demonstrated in 1967) that the people of Hong Kong wish to see the authority of the Hong Kong Government upheld, and secondly that the policy of the Chinese People's Government for the foreseeable future is not to change the status quo.
The British Government for its part accepts that it has
an obligation to the people of Hong Kong to maintain its position here as long as it can do so; the continuance of the British presence here rests chiefly on this obligation, and the material advantages that it derives from the present arrangements,e. g. air traffic rights and sterling balances, are secondary.
Government's objective.
2.
In this situation the objective of the Hong Kong Government is the promotion of the best interests of all the inhabitants of Hong Kong, and the principal means to this are :-
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
the maintenance of order and security so that law-abiding people need not be afraid either of criminal or subversive elements;
the protection of the rights of the individual by the rule of the law; enactment of legislation which is fair to all; equality of persons before the law;
the implementation of Government's policies by a civil service (including Police) which aims to be efficient and trustworthy and to be respected but not feared by the people;
economic and financial policies designed to improve the standard of living of the people;
the provision, directly or indirectly, of basic necessities; jobs, housing, food and water, education, medical & health services, public works;
(f)
the provision, directly or indirectly, of such amenities and recreational facilities as the community can afford;
(g)
the provision of methods whereby the legitimate grievances of individuals can be rectified;
/(h)
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