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5. WE ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN PEKING BECAUSE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG. THE GOVERNMENT UNDERSTAND THE GRAVE CONCERN FELT BY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. WE HAVE BEEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THEIR DISCIPLINED AND DIGNIFIED RESPONSE TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
6. THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION REMAINS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR POLICY. THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES FOR A SECURE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG IN THE FORM OF A BINDING INTERNATIONAL TREATY. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THAT TREATY. THE CHINESE CHARGE ASSURED ME YESTERDAY THAT CHINA REMAINED COMMITTED TO FULL AND FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND TO THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. WE LOOK TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO LIVE UP TO THAT COMMITMENT. IT REMAINS STRONGLY IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS THAT THEY
SHOULD DO SO.
7. THE TIMETABLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IS, HOWEVER, BOUND TO BE AFFECTED BY THE TRAGIC EVENTS IN PEKING. CONSULTATIONS ABOUT THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG HAVE EFFECTIVELY BEEN SUSPENDED FOR THE TIME BEING. IN THE LIGHT OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA, WE
SHALL BE CONSIDERING THE PROGRAMME FOR DISCUSSIONS IN THE JOINT
LIAISON GROUP.
8.
THE EVENTS OF THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAVE AFFECTED ATTITUDES IN HONG KONG TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF FULLY DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. I CAN ASSURE THE HOUSE THAT WE SHALL BE CONDUCTING A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE PACE AND NATURE OF DEMOCRATISATION. OUR AIM REMAINS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG HAS THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
IT WILL NEED TO PROTECT ITS FREEDOMS AND ITS WAY OF LIFE AFTER
1997.
9.
I SHALL ALSO BE DISCUSSING URGENTLY WITH THE GOVERNOR OF
HONG KONG WHAT FURTHER STEPS MIGHT BE TAKEN TO REASSURE THE
PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
HOWE
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
LIMITED
HKD
NNNN
19
DISTRIBUTION
19
FED
MR MCLAREN
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