CLOSING PASSAGE
(Zhao),
thd
We face reality kan
the leas
over 92% of the Territory expires in
1997
L
Let me attempt to sum up. We realise that the unique circumstances of Hong Kong require imaginative solutions. The territory is home to a highly individual community, which has evolved its own
institutions and its own distinctive lifestyle. It has built for
indeel, we see rotas a success in ecamy естлиц itself a special place in the world. We want to see the essence of all this endure↓ We see our good relations with China and our
common interest in Hong Kong's stable future as a basis on which to
build the continuity of a society in order to provide a secure home
for more than five million people and a major centre serving the world economy. We intend to negotiate strongly and realistically to
ensure that Hong Kong will retain its essential characteristics as a free and dynamic community.
Our complex and difficult negotiations with the Chinese Government
continue. Although a good deal of progress has been made we are still some way from an agreement. A number of important points
still have to be resolved. But I believe that on both sides there
is a will and a commitment to overcome the remaining obstacles and to achieve an agreement.
develop into
а ва
Terms
It
As we continue the negotiations the hopes and anxieties of the Hong
Kong people are uppermost in our minds. Consultation with the Hong
Kong people in which I have been glad to play a part through my two recent visits to the territory has been underway from the very beginning. It will culminate in the arrangements which we shall
make to assess Hong Kong views on the text of a draft agreement.
see h remains our firm position that any agreement must be acceptable not only to the British and Chinese governments, but also to the people
of Hong Kong. While we understand and sympathise with the anxieties which the Hong Kong people feel, we hope they will also be able to look ahead in a spirit of constructive realism. Already the
day-to-day life of Hong Kong is largely in their hands. The more imaginatively they can build on the high degree of autonomy that they already possess and Her Majesty's Government and the HKG plan
the more confidence they will have to face
-
to assist them in this
the future.
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