UK/PRE
COOPERATING
AT HK EXPENSE?
}
UK/PRC COOPERATING AT HK EXPENSE?
Nonsense to suggest that we are putting Hong Kong's
interests second to our relationship with China.
It can only be to Hong Kong's benefit that we should
be in close and frequent contact with China; and that
our relations are constructive and harmonious.
Cannot ignore the historical and geographical
realities which make the fullest possible cooperation
with China over Hong Kong both desirable and
inevitable.
Those who are suspicious of such cooperation should
consider the effect on confidence if it appeared that
UK/PRC seriously at odds with each other over Hong Kong.
But relationship is not one-sided: both the countries must
operate within framework of what is acceptable
to the people of Hong Kong and the international
community: otherwise confidence will suffer.
The partnership is one between equals.
Therefore no question of our being dictated to by China: but obviously cannot formulate our policies for Hong
Kong in isolation from China. Would be naive to believe
that such a course would be in best interests of Hong Kong.