THE PRIME MINISTER
MON
OROIT
10 DOWNING STREET
LONDON SWIA 2AA
нивот
EB 1988
HKD
eeps
121
10 February 1988
ror W112
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NBC 16th!
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k you for your letter of 29 January.
In Hong Kong in 1984 I gave the people of that territory
my absolute assurance that Britain would administer Hong Kong
wisely and well until 1997 and that we would honour our obligations to the full. That commitment remains unchanged.
On direct elections into Hong Kong's Legislative
Council, it seems clear that while there is a strong trend in public opinion in Hong Kong supporting their introduction well before 1997, views are sharply divided about whether
this should happen in 1988.
The debate on Hong Kong in the House of Commons on 20
January made clear the Government's position. I am enclosing
a copy of the Foreign Secretary's opening statement.
You refer to pressures from the Chinese authorities. We
have to take account of the historical and geographical
realities which have always determined Hong Kong's
develpment. These will apply after 1997, just as they have applied in the period of British administration. We attach great importance to achieving a high degree of institutional