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In Confidence
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
confidence in Hong Kong. The Government will play their
full part in this and will not hesitate to speak out
firmly and robustly in defence of Hong Kong's interests
whenever this may be necessary. The Government are
acutely aware of the impact of recent events on the
territory. They are intensifying their efforts to
discharge their obligations towards Hong Kong fully and
effectively.
(II) The Joint Declaration and the Basic Law
5.
J
The Government fully endorse the Committee's view
that to tear up or renege on the Joint Declaration and to
break off negotiations with China over Hong Kong is
simply not an option (paragraph 2.3). They therefore
welcome the Committee's recommendation that the Joint
Declaration be retained as the "best and surest treaty
It is base for the future of Hong Kong (paragraph 2.4).
self evidently the case that it is better for Hong Kong
to return to China with the safeguards enshrined in the
Joint Declaration than with no Agreement at all.
task now is to ensure that those safeguards remain real and credible and that the undertakings given in the Joint
Declaration are honoured. That is way the Government
took the initiative in calling for a resumption of the
work of the Joint Liaison Group in September.
Our
There must
The Chinese
be a continuous dialogue with the Chinese Government
about all aspects of Hong Kong's future. Government have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the Joint Declaration. We welcome that reaffirmation.
6.
We have taken careful note of the Committee's
detailed recommendations in respect of the provisions of