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BULL POINTS AND DEFENSIVE MATERIAL
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SINO/BRITISH/HONG KONG RELATIONS
Hong Kong at heart of our relationship with China. Frequent contacts with Chinese Foreign Minister.
always high on our agenda.
Hong Kong
HMG putting its own interests and its commercial relationship with
China before interests of Hong Kong?
Grotesque distortion. Nothing could be further from truth. An illusion to suppose we could create good relations with China at expense of interests of Hong Kong.
Cannot have one without the other: Hong Kong prospers when
London and Peking are in harmony.
Such criticism overlooks strength of our interests in
Hong Kong
vitality
—
both political interest as administering government and
of relations as trading partners.
Will HMG stand up to Chinese interference in Hong Kong?
Have never hesitated to take a stand for Hong Kong. History of negotiation and implementation of Joint Declaration has been tenacious pursuit of Hong Kong's interests.
But public confrontation would not be in Hong Kong's
interests.
other.
In any case not a question of one side "standing up" to the
Both sides recognise they can achieve best results by cooperation. Believe both sides are firmly committed to faithful implementation of Joint Declaration.
Overriding need is to lay foundation for future stability and
China understands prosperity: cannot be achieved by confrontation.
that as well as we do.
HMG "kow towed" to Chinese pressure, eg over direct elections?
1
Decisions in White Paper were ours alone.
Based on views of Hong Kong people as expressed in the review
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