2
SECRET
5170 1
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UNEQUIVOCALLY A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT: IT DESCRIBES WITH SUFFICIENT DETAIL AND CLARITY THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY WHICH HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY AFTER 1997 AND THE SPECIFIC 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, TO BE PASSED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS, AND WHICH 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 AS YOU KNOW WELL, HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY WILL CONTINUE TO DEPEND CRITICALLY UPON INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE TO MAKE A PERSONAL STATEMENT WELCOMING THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT AND EXPRESSING CONFIDENCE ABOUT HONG KONG'S FUTURE PROSPERITY. SUCH A STATEMENT FROM A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TRADING NATION WOULD BE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO ENSURING A SECURE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG AS A FLOURISHING
CAPITALIST SOCIETY. 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
2
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.
SECRET
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