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ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL PREVAIL THERE FOR 50 YEARS THEREAFTER: AND
IT STATES THAT ITS TERMS WILL BE STIPULATED IN A BASIC LAW OF
THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S
REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WHICH WILL BE PASSED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS AND WILL, IN EFFECT, FORM THE CONSTITUTION OF HONG KONG
AFTER 1997.
THE AGREEMENT IS ONE WHICH I FEEL ABLE TO COMMEND STRONGLY
TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND TO PARLIAMENT, BUT IT IS
PARTICULARLY WITH HONG KONG'S INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE IN MIND
THAT I AM WRITING TO YOU NOW.
IT IS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE THAT THE AGREEMENT WE HAVE
REACHED SHOULD BE MADE TO WORK WELL. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL AT
STAKE, NOT ONLY FOR BRITAIN, HONG KONG AND CHINA, BUT ALSO FOR
THE REST OF THE FREE WORLD. IF THE AGREEMENT IS SUCCESSFULLY
IMPLEMENTED IT WILL HAVE BENEFICIAL ECONOMIC AND STABILISING
STRATEGIC EFFECTS IN THE PACIFIC REGION AND ELSEWHERE. ON THE
OTHER HAND, IF IT WERE TO FAIL, THE ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC
DAMAGE WOULD BE GRAVE. I AM VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE CONTRIBUTION THAT NEW ZEALAND HAS MADE TOWARDS THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF
HONG KONG IN TERMS OF CAPITAL, EXPERTISE AND PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES. I HOPE THEREFORE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE TO MAKE A
PERSONAL STATEMENT ON THE AGREEMENT WHICH WE HAVE REACHED, PERHAPS
COMMENDING THE RESULTS OF THE WORK OF THE NEGOTIATORS AND
EXPRESSING YOUR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG'S FUTURE STABILITY AND
PROSPERITY. I AM SURE THAT A STATEMENT ON THOSE LINES FROM YOU
WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENSURING THE CONTINUATION OF THAT
STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
ENDS.
HOWE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISERS (SIR J FREELAND) PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
SIR C TICKELL
MR GOODALL
MR DEREK THOMAS MR. BOYD
COPIES TO:-
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT
MR BICKFORD
LEGAL ADVISERS
MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS
MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFIC
MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE
MR COLVIN
CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE
PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR P CRADOCK
ROOM K195
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.
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