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ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG
1985-86
The Question) of
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I.
Introduction
1. Her Majesty's Government agreed in 1985, during the Parliamentary debates on the Hong Kong Bill, to produce annual reports on Hong Kong and to lay them before Parliament. The purpose of this series of reports is to keep Parliament informed of developments in Hong Kong.
2. This is the second annual report. The first recorded events from the initialling of the draft Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong in September 1984 to the end of October 1985. The present report covers the period from 30 October 1985 to 31 December 1986. It is Her Majesty's Government's intention that each subsequent report should cover a calendar year.
3. The report contains a general survey of the main events in Hong Kong during this 14-month period. It covers the visit to the territory of Her Majesty The Queen, the progress made in implementing the Sino-British Joint Declaration, progress towards more representative government, civil service matters, local reactions to the construction of the Daya Bay nuclear power plant, the state of the economy, social and development programmes proposed by the Hong Kong Government, Vietnamese refugees and security.
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II.
Sir Edward Youde
4. The news of the sudden death in Peking of the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Edward Youde, GCMG, GCVO, MBE, in the early hours of 5 December 1986 was received by the people of Hong Kong with profound shock and sadness. His crucial role in the negotiations leading up to the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong and his selfless dedication to the promotion of the interests of Hong Kong and the welfare of its people were acknowledged in the many tributes which poured in from the Hong Kong community and from overseas.
5. Sir Edward's tenure as Governor began on 20 May 1982 and was, inevitably, dominated by the question of Hong Kong's future. Nevertheless his years in office were also marked by steady progress in the development of Hong Kong's physical infrastructure and social programmes. They also saw increased involvement of the Hong Kong people in the management of their own affairs through the development of a more representative system of government.
6. The many tributes and messages of condolence upon the Governor's death included one from Her Majesty The Queen, who was represented at the funeral by the Acting Governor Sir David Akers-Jones. Representatives of Her Majesty's Government and of the Government of the People's Republic of China were also present. During the period of mourning which followed the announcement of Sir Edward's death, over 128.000 people signed the books of condolence opened at Government House and at Government offices throughout the territory. Some 11,000 people paid their last respects during the lying-in- state at Government House.
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III.
The Royal Visit
7. Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip visited Hong Kong from 21 to 23 October 1986 following their historic tour of China. The programme arranged for the Royal Visitors was designed to entertain them, as well as to give them an impression of the enormous progress which has been made in all aspects of the territory's development since their previous visit in 1975.
8. During a busy stay The Queen and Prince Philip had the opportunity to see some of Hong Kong's many achievements in the fields of education and culture, manufacturing and commerce and in the development of the New Towns in the New Territories. They were able to meet a wide cross section of Hong Kong people, including leading members of all sections of the community, young people, students and ordinary families.
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