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VIEWS OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT ON THE AGREEMENT
26.
As recorded in para 10 above, the Government have sought to
whether on the basis of proposals put forward by the Chinese
Government arrangements could be constructed which would ensure
Lasting stability and prosperity for Hong Kong. They have
negotiated energetically and they believe successfully to secure an
agreement which meets the needs and wishes of the people of Hong
Kong. The negotiations have been hard and long, and subject to the
common aim of both sides to maintain stability and prosperity in
Hong Kong, have also needed to take account of the political
requirements of both sides. Taking the agreement as a whole the
Government are satisfied that it does provide a framework in which
the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong can be maintained after
1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of
China.
27. The negotiators have at all times taken into account the views
expressed during the negotiations by the Hong Kong people and their
interests. The text of the agreement has been initialled by both
sides. This is simply a certification by the negotiators that it
represents accurately the outcome of the negotiations. However, as
is normal with international agreements negotiated between nations
however, there is no realistic possibility of amending the text.
The agreement must be taken as a whole. In addition the Chinese
Government has made it clear that once the agreement has been
initialled and published they are not willing to entertain proposals
for amendment.
28. The Government have a duty to make clear beyond any possibility
of misunderstanding the alternative to acceptance of the agreement
set out in this White Paper. In their view, there is no possibility
of an improved agreement. The alternative to acceptance of the
present agreement is to have no agreement at all. In this case the
Chinese Government have made it plain that negotiation would be at
an end and that they would publish their own plan for Hong Kong.
There is no guarantee that such a unilateral plan would include all the elements included in the draft agreement, nor would it have the
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