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22.
The Foreign Secretary made it clear when he was in Hong Kong
that things simply cannot go on as they are. The great majority of those now leaving Vietnam cannot be described as political refugees
according to the definition of the UNHCR. The automatic
resettlement of all those leaving Vietnam, for whatever reason, is
not a practicable proposition. Other countries cannot be expected
to carry the burcen of Vietnam's abysmal economic mismanagement,
least of all a small and overcrowded territory like Hong Kong. It
must be right in principle for these people, who are Vietnamese, to find their future in Vietnam. But despite international pressure
the Vietnamese authorities refuse to take them back.
considering urgently, in the light of the Foreign Secretary's discussions while in Hong Kong, how this grave problem can best be
tackled.
We are
23.
Let me sum up by underlining three points:
First, no one should doubt the strength of our commitment to Hong Kong's future prosperity and stability, and our determination to discharge our responsibilities to the full. Three years after the signing of the Joint Declaration, the commitment of both signatories to the principles it enshrines are as strong as ever. The Joint Declaration was and is an excellent agreement for Hong
Kong and we are on course to achieve its full and faithful implementation.
Secondly, I should like to pay tribute to the talent and energies of the people of Hong Kong, whose efforts have helped to sustain the territory's continued success story. Hong Kong has chalked up its third successive year of double digit growth, the fruits of an unabashed free enterprise system which allows hard work, innovation and ingenuity to be fully rewarded. It is a success formula which the Joint Declaration and the draft Basic
are designed to preserve.
Law
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Finally, let me conclude by saying this. Of course there are doubts and uncertainties about the future. Of course Hong Kong is passing through uncharted waters. We must pay careful attention to the concerns that are voiced in Hong Kong, and do all we can to meet
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