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Declaration and the
possible
implementation
country, two systems"
of the "one
concept, which provides for a "high
degree of autonomy" for Hong Kong.
This loss of confidence in the Joint Declaration reflects a
growing disquiet within the community, stemming from the
actions of both British and Chinese Governments in the three
years following the signing of the Joint Declaration. The
perception is growing that Britain's promises to foster a more
representative government in Hong Kong and China's pledges of
non-intervention in the administration of Hong Kong before July
1st 1997, are simply not being honoured.
There is in Hong Kong a deep sense of betrayal.
In the circumstances, the delegation finds it necessary to come
to London to urge the British Government to honour its
commitments to Parliament and the people of Hong Kong
Kong by
introducing direct elections to at least 25% of seats in the
Legislative Council in 1988. The delegation believes
believes that a
concrete step towards greater democracy next year would restore
the credibility of the British adminstration in Hong Kong and
the confidence of the people of Hong Kong in their future
conditions which are essential to an honourable, rather than
ignominious, retreat of the British administration from Hong
Kong in 1997.
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