1988-01-25 18:38 COMMS. OFFICE (GOV'T HSE)
852 5 845 0995
P.05
Another essential fact of life for Hong Kong has
long been our geographical and political
and political position in
relation to China. For many years we have been dependent on Chino for much of our food, and more recently for much
of our drinking water. For nearly four decades we have
known that,
that, if China considered developments here to be
seriously at odds with her own basic national interests.
particular if there
if there were moves which suggested the
establishment of
a "Third China."] Hong-Kong's special
position would be put at risk.
This fact of life, together with the fact of the
1997 lease, has meant that there has always been a limit to
constitutional development in Hong Kong. It has meant, for
instance, that to move towards independence has never been
option for Hong Kong, That is a very
very important
limitation; it has always been well understood by the
people of Hong Kong.
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But an understanding of the constraints imposed by
our geographical and political position has not involved any serious restrictions on our freedom in Hong Kong. This
is self evident, but it is worth reminding ourselves of the
point. Hong Kong has developed on international,
free-market economy, a capitalist lifestyle, a legal system
that protects individual rights and freedoms. It has pursued and protected this way of life through periods when