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During their visit to Peking the rime Minister and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary were able to raise a
number of these points with very senior members of the
Chinese leadership. The latter assured us in unequivocal
terms of China's commitment to full implementation of the
agreement and of China's intention to consult Hong Kong
opinion on a wide basis about the drafting of the Basic
Law.
Finally, before I move on to the Bill itself, I know that
many noble Lords will be glad to know that the government
has agreed, as a result of representations from all
parties, to produce an annual report on Hong Kong and to
lay it before Parliament. The exact form of that report
has not yet been decided, and the matter will be discussed
further with the Governor of Hong Kong.
But the report will probably include a general account of developments in Hong Kong during the preceding year. I am quite certain
that this House will maintain its interest in Hong Kong
and commitment to the people of that territory, and I
Sim
confident that
confiden
ent that we shall be debating various aspects of its future on many occasions in the coming years.
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