CJ1AFV
CONFIDENTIAL
MR RENTON'S VISIT TO HONG KONG (27 - 31 OCTOBER 1985)
PRESS CONFERENCE
Supplementaries not otherwise covered in briefs
11
1.
No.
Condemning 5 million people to live under communism
Although the Hong Kong SAR will be under
Chinese sovereignty, the agreement makes quite clear that
the socialist system and policies of the rest of China
will not be practised there, and that Hong Kong's system
and lifestyle will remain unchanged for 50 years.
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2.
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Will Chinese stick to agreement?
No
is
Formal and binding international agreement to which
both sides have strongest incentive to adhere.
reason to believe that Chinese Government will breach an
agreement they have freely entered into.
China
justifiably proud of its record in meeting obligations
under international agreements. The maintenance of Hong
Kong's stability and prosperity is strongly in the
interests of both sides.
What if Chinese breach agreement?
3.
Breach of a legally binding international agreement
11
as
whole. a
possible
registered at UN would be a most serious matter, in Our own eyes and no doubt in those of international community
We would of course mak e
to representations
the Chinese
the
strongest
government
in
order to seek a remedy.
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Chinese constitution to apply to Hong Kong after 1997? Possible conflict between Basic Law/Chinese constitution?
We expect Basic Law to make clear which provisions Chinese constitution apply to Hong Kong. Cannot
conceive that the Basic Law
the will conflict with
Chinese constitution.
Chinese will be drafting the
4.
of
The
CONFIDENTIAL