23. Throughout the long process of negotiation, this
Zat Government has made one thing, clear beyond doubt: the
It
agreement must be acceptable to the people of Hong
Kong, as well as to Parliament and the Chinese
Government. The people of Hong Kong are now expressing
wherth well sellate Those views
their views. The reports of the Assessment Office and
Independent motory team
the Monitors will be published at the end of this
month. Parliament will then have a chance to give the
It is our intention agreement full and proper consideration. If Parliament
Race for
approves, then the agreement should be signed by the
end of the year.
24. The agreement is a good one. It meets the
objectives we set out to achieve. It provides a firm
foundation for Hong Kong's continuing stability and
prosperity. I strongly commend it to this House, and
to the people of Hong Kong.
Defence and Disarmainent
25.
Finally, Mr Speaker, I turn to our most precious
asset: the security of our nation. All the policies,
all the achievements, I have described are as nothing
if we lack the will and the means to defend them.
Without strong defences and the staunch determination
to stand for what we believe in, then our values for
our present life and our vision of the future lose
their meaning. That is why this Government, with our
Allies, has done so much to secure and strengthen our
defences at home and overseas. Our aim is to deter
9