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Hong Kong Nationains i
16 JANUARY
responsible ultimately for them as BNO)s, will not be responsible for the place where they have the right of abode. My hon. and learned friend the Minister rightly stressed that, under the agreement, they will have the right of abode in Hong Kong. I understand that they will be able to apply for Chinese nationality. I should like the Government to explore that point a little further with China, because it would be useful to obtain clarification on how China will apply the discretion, which it appears it has, according to its nationality law.
I should like to put this point in a friendly way to the Indians and Portuguese in Hong Kong who are making this plea, many of whom I know. Are they not tending to forget how good the agreement with China is? It is a remarkable agreement—better than any hon. Member would have believed possible. Looking again at it this week I am amazed at how fully it gives the Hong Kong people all the guarantees after 1997 for which they could ask. Perhaps some hon. Members have not recently looked at the agreement. Paragraph 13 on page 22 gives the Chinese statement of policy, not the British Government's statement of policy. Every possible freedom is guaranteed in that paragraph. Page 20 states:
"The Special Administrative Region shall maintain the educational system previously practised in Hong Kong.“ Page 14 states:
"The
capitalist system and life-style shall remain unchanged for 50 years."
It is a remarkable agreement. It is a solemn treaty which will be deposited with the United Nations. It will be incorporated in Hong Kong's basic law.
As I understand it, the Indians and the Portuguese say that, whatever the agreement contains, it might not turn out as it says. They would like an extra option. It would be unusual, but advantageous for the Indians and the Portuguese. if that option were available. I must say that my view is more optimistic than theirs. I believe that China signed the agreement because it meant what it said. It took several years of negotiation to hammer out the agreement. It was not done lightly. Moreover, it is very much in China's interests to carry out the agreement, because Hong Kong is the source of a large part of China's foreign exchange earnings. Hong Kong is increasingly becoming the "open door" in China's open door policy with the Western world. It is becoming the channel through which technology reaches China. All this will continue. Hong Kong will not lose its value to China in 1997. It will become more valuable.
Dr. John Marek (Wrexham): Does the right hon. Gentleman foresee some anxiety by the Hong Kong people who are dependent upon the succession in Government in the People's Republic of China? Deng Xiaoping will not be there for ever.
Sir Peter Blaker: That is obvious. I shall not dispute that. Of course he will not be there for ever. But regardless of who is in charge in China, underlying factors suggest that there is a good future for Hong Kong. I hope that the hon. Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) will reflect on the points I have made.
The agreement is already being put into force. An excellent agreement has been reached on the release of land in the coming year. The Land Commission is already functioning. There is already a good agreement on Hong Kong's position with respect to the Asian Development Bank. Both sides are putting the agreement into effect. I
believe that cortidence during the next 11 years wait grow steadily. As Deng Xiaoping has said, the success of Hong Kong is an example to Taiwan. Joining Taiwan with China is the main point in China's foreign policy.
We have only recently obtained this excellem agreement. It could not be easy for the British Parliament to take a decision now, more than 11 years before the transter of sovereignty to China-the prospect which is worrying the ethnic communities in Hong Kong-based on the possibility that the agreement which we have only just signed will not work. From an outside observer`s point of view that would seem a difficult act to perform. Let us remember another point. If the Indians and the Portuguese in 1997 or thereafter were to find the position in Hong Kong intolerable. many people of other races would say the same thing.
I welcome the Government's willingness to consider the points that hon. Members make in the debate. I am glad that we have had the debate in this form so that the Government may consider whether the draft order should be changed. I hope that they will take into the account the change in the attitude of the Legislative Council in the last few months when they are making up their mind. As far as I am concerned. I want to put it firmly on record that I believe that the events which are causing concern to the ethnic minorities will not take place.
8.30 pm
Mr. Andrew Faulds (Warley, East): I am one of those who, in the excellent company of the right hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Sir P. Blaker), warmly welcomed the Sino-British agreement. It was a historic achievement. I believe that it is working out well, although there are a few colonial types-most of them chaps who want to scribble their nonsense in whatever media will present their concerns — who are trying to stir worries about developments up to 1997 and thereafter.
I entirely endorse the comments just now of the right hon. Member for Blackpool, South. I am certain, as he is, that China has a total commitment to make the agreement work. I am sure she is totally committed to the stability, prosperity and well-being of the people of Hong Kong, but there are reasons for concern in limited areas. If I may, I want to touch on two that are relevant to the draft order.
The first, which has been discussed and will be pursued in the debate. is the acceptability of the British national overseas passport when it is introduced in 1987. The British Government must be responsible for proving its practicality and acceptability. Her Majesty's Government must pursue negotiations with countries throughout the world to ensure that the 70 or so visa abolition agreements that apply to the present British dependent territories citizenship passport will apply to the British national overseas passport when it is introduced. The Minister should give strong reassurance on that point. If negotiations are not being pursued with the 70 or so countries, they should shortly be undertaken.
Consideration must be given, too, to providing, after the introduction of the BNO passport, an unhindered-1 mean unhindered -
passage to visit Britain for those who wish to do so without being harassed by immigration officials. I will not make any quips about Heathrow. It is disturbing that there are unhappy instances at that airport and other ports of entry time after time. Those of us who have large immigrant communities in our constituencies could cite case after case. Hong Kongers who are British
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