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its people.
During that time, you will want and need
movement towards more representative government. Hong.
Kong people must be able to assume responsibility for
running their own affairs within the framework of the Agreement.
At the same time, we must avoid sudden and dramatic changes
which might have a disturbing effect. We need to build but
to build carefully and securely.
its livelihood.
Hong Kong, more than most places looks outwards for
It finds ready markets in the developed world.
It is natural that traders and investors should have watched
carefully the negotiations and their outcome. They wanted to
be assured that their investments would be protected;
their sources of supply would remain reliable; and that their
freedom to move funds freely in and out would remain
un trammelled
that
unchannelled. All these have been taken care of in
the Agreement. Indeed, the Governments of Hong Kong's major
trading partners have already welcomed the Agreement, for
example, the United States, the European Community, Japan,
Canada and Australia, and in many cases these governments
have pledged themselves to help in its implementation.
The Agreement preserves the essentials for Hong Kong's
international and economic relationships; Hong Kong's
freedom to pursue its own economic policy in accordance with
its own needs; the free enterprise system; free trade
policies, and the free ports; Hong Kong's ability to retain
its separate position within the GATT and other multi-lateral
trade arrangements, and its freedom to develop its own
economic and trade relations with all states and regions;