1
2
NP
3
4
5
NP6
7
8
9
10
NP 11
12
13
NP 14
15
16
NP 17
18
19
IN 20
21
22
2 2 2 2 2
23
Rp 24
25
27
28
29
30
N31
32
33
34
35
36 ·
enable Hong Kong's system of
dovernment
4
•
(c.
ment to evolve in a way that
is compatible both with the aspiration of the Hong Kong community and with the framework set out in the Basic Law. It is clear
from these two sentences that the era of convergence between the British and the Chinese Governments in implementing the terms of
the Joint Declaration is already well under way. Two months from
[| now, the first draft of the Basic Law will be promulgated for public discussion it is anticipated that the second draft will be issued in 1989 again for public discussion before being brought before the National People's Congress for final adoption in the first half of 1990. It is now very clear that henceforth China will play a bigger role in determining the direction,
structure and pace of political development in Hong Kong during the transition period. It is therefore an absolute necessity that as Hong Kong inexorably moves towards the resumption of Chinese sovereignty in 1997, the confidence of her nearly six 6 million people will on no account be eroded. // Both the British and Chinese Governments are committed to preserving the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong in the implementation of the terms of the Joint Declaration. The faith of the people of Hong Kong in their future and indeed, their faith in the future of China's open policy and modernisation programme will depend very much upon how the two Governments proceed in implementing the Joint Declaration during the coming nine years. Both China and Britain will have to be seen to be giving full recognition and respect for the views of
and A all sectors and I repeat all sectors, of the community in Hong
Kong. Judging from the public comments the 1987 Green Paper and the 1988 White Paper, many young professionals and young intellectuals are disillusioned over Britain's apparent retraction from her commitment to develop by 1997 a system of representative
ment rooted in the people and the community. Unless the British and Chinese Governments show greater sensitivity to public opinion, the level of immigration especially from this important segment of the community, could reach very worrying proportions in the early '90s and put Hong Kong's economic growth and even China's modernisation glans and economic development in some
governme
in