CONFIDENTIAL
MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER UP TO 1997
It would be over sanguine to deny that Hong Kong's society will face exceptional strains in the period up to 1997 and beyond. It will
pass through a transition which is without precedent in history. But
there are a number of factors which give me hope that the transition
can be successfully negotiated. First there is the resilience and
strong civic sense of the Hong Kong people, by which I set great
store. Second there is the joint aim of the British and Chinese
governments to maintain stability and prosperity and assure the smoothest possible transition in 1997. Lastly, there is the
determination of the British and Hong Kong Governments to exercise
full authority, in every aspect of Hong Kong's life including the
maintenance of law and order, up to the due date in 1997. On this
last point I believe the Chinese Government fully understands our position.
CONFIDENTIAL
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