CONFIDENTIAL
leave Hong Kong in
in 1997.
We have an
historical
We are
good shape
mission to complete
and we wish to do i t well. Failure to do 8 0 would be damaging to us both politically and economically. thus prepared put great effort in to achieving the success of your enterprise of
re-unification under one country, two systems. think that you
that you should recognise our willingness to
to do this.
16.
We
Hong Kong can only continue to thrive if its own people have confidence in the future. We have the strongest interest in their
believing that the agreement will be fully implemented in
in letter and
spirit, and will work. But we cannot convince them of
this by Hong Kong will
be an SAR of the PRC after 1997. It is
of the Chinese Government
ourselves.
in
the mean time which will
the actions
make the difference between faith in the agreement and lack of faith in it. People cannot be forced to believe some thing: they will draw their own conclusions from concre te actions. Newspapers here are already suggesting that the slogan "Hong Kong people rule Hong Kong" is no longer being used. Have to say frankly we are a little worried that progress on some key issues, eg GATT, has been 80 slow. Have feeling that China is showing herself reluctant
to go as far 48 agreement provides
in some respects
in allowing Hong Kong the degree
is to remain a separate and
the People's Republic. We must
of autonomy it will need if it
prosperous capitalist system within
avoid giving rise to any impression that there is a retreat from the
spirit of the Joint Declaration.
17.
Fully understand that on e
two systems.
But one country
country
is
is
as important to you
assured already: under Join
Declaration Ho~ Kong will be an SAR of the PRC after 1997. That
already assured. We too are fully committed to it. There can be
question of Hong Kong becoming an independent entity. One could
that the Joint
Joint Declaration ha basically achieved "one country"
far a 8 China and Hong Kong are concerned: we now need to make sur
that the other part
of Chairman Deng's far-sighted concept works Hope you will accept that
this is what we are trying to do, and to diminish the "one country".
18.
you.
Welcome this opportunity to speak frankly and informally
Believe that this dialogue should continue.
Will
CONFIDEN TIAL