CONFIDENTIAL
UNDERTAKINGS BY HMG TO HONG KONG PEOPLE
ADMISSION OF PERSONS AT RISK
23. Our efforts have been directed towards achieving conditions under which people of Hong Kong will be able to continue living and working in a flourishing community. I believe the agreement does
that.
[ONLY IF PRESSED] In certain very limited cases certain rights of
admission will exist under the discretion of the Home Secretary in
the United Kingdom but that will be on a very limited basis for people who have been exposed to special considerations and special
factors.
INTERNATIONAL RESETTLEMENT OF THOSE WHO WANT TO LEAVE
24. Our firm intention, and that of Chinese Government,
is to make
the agreement work and create conditions in which Hong Kong people will be able to continue living and working in a flourishing
community. We should not pull down with one hand while building
with the other.
25.
NO REAL CONSULTATION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WITHOUT REFERENDUM
We saw very real drawbacks in a referendum. We decided
consultation through well developed channels familiar to Hong Kong people was the best way to obtain an assessment of opinions on this
complex matter. The result justifies this decision. The Assessment
Office report gives a clear picture of the concerns of people of
Hong Kong which will assist discussion between British and Chinese
Governments in the next 12 years.
FALKLANDS
26. There is absolutely no parallel. Hong Kong is sui generis in
that 92% of the territory is covered by a lease with a fixed expiry
date.
HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
12 December 1984
CONFIDENTIAL