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Kong lies at heart of our relationship with China, gives it unique
extra dimension.
History shows Hong Kong flourishes when our relations with China
are good. Conversely, public perception in Hong Kong that we and
China are at loggerheads causes confidence to plunge (cf September
1983).
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Under
We are urged to "stand up" to China. Profoundly misconceived.
Publicly confrontational posture would not further our aims. such pressure Chinese instinct is to dig in. Public brinkmanship could have devastating effects on confidence. We could give
ourselves satisfaction of noisy opposition to China, but would be damaging to Hong Kong.
Basic Law
Stand back and look at Basic Law. Only three or four years ago who could have imagined that
China would produce detailed constitutional instrument setting
out separate systems for Hong Kong
in a forum where Hong Kong representatives have had every opportunity to feed in their views
and subjected it to exhaustive public consultation in Hong Kong.
First draft is not perfect.
but Chinese have indicated readiness to take account of views
expressed.
I can tell you in confidence that we have played active role
behind the scenes to encourage Chinese to make improvements. Our
contacts over draft have been detailed and intensive, at political
and expert level.
Basic Law cannot exceed bounds of Joint Declaration. TWO