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The full translation of the statement is as follows:
"China takes a positive attitude towards the Sino-British talks which are continuing. We hope the negotiations will yield satisfactory results. We will not comment on the substance of the talks.
"Our stance has always been that HK is Chinese territory. Sovereignty over HK must be regained. After sovereignty reverts to China, Hong Kong will become a Special Administrative Region of the country. The territory will be administered by local people in Hong Kong. A series of special measures, including the preservation of the status quo in social and economic systems as well as in lifestyle, will be adopted to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. The above policies of China towards Hong Kong will remain unchanged in the long term.
"On the question of whether Article 31 in the Constitution will be amplified in the 6th National People's Congress, the Congress has not yet met and it is believed that you will soon know (the answer).”
The seven questions raised by the group of local journalists were:
1.
Are the current Sino-British talks still confined to procedural matters or are there already substantive discussions?
2.
How many members are there in the Chinese negotiating team and who is China's chief negotiator?
3.
Where will the substantive talks be held?
4.
What is China's attitude and stance towards the negotiations?
5.
Is China aware of the latest statements by the Governor, Sir Edward Youde, and his predecessor, Lord MacLehose? What is the Chinese Government's comment on Lord MacLehose's remark that some way must be found to assure HK residents that acceptable new arrangements, once made, would not
be interfered with.
6. The Governor mentioned that progress would be made in the talks this year.
Does China share the same hope?
7.
Will Article 31 in the Constitution be amplified in the 6th NPC?
The written statement, together with the questions, were prominently reported by the local media with 10 papers, including the three English-language dailies and the left-wing Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao, using it as their front page lead.
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