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7. MY LORDS, THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TOLD THE CHINESE VERY
CLEARLY THAT WE SHALL FULFIL OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE
JOINT DECLARATION. WE INSIST THAT THEY CONTINUE TO
FULFIL THEIRS. NOT ONLY IS THERE A SOLEMNLY BINDING
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION UPON THEM TO DO SO, BUT ALSO
IT IS MANIFESTLY IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS THAT THEY
SHOULD.
8.
BUT IT WOULD BE FOLLY TO PRETEND THAT THE CURRENT
VIOLENCE AND UNCERTAINTY IN CHINA DO NOT AFFECT OUR
WORK ON THE JOINT DECLARATION AND BASIC LAW.
CONSULTATIONS ON THE LATTER HAVE ALREADY BEEN
SUSPENDED. WE HAVE ALSO MADE CLEAR TO THE CHINESE
GOVERNMENT THAT UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES IT WOULD
NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO CONTINUE NORMAL BUSINESS
CONNECTED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT
DECLARATION.
ACCORDINGLY, THE NEXT MEETING OF THE
JOINT LIAISON GROUP PLANNED FOR JULY HAS BEEN POSTPONED
SINE DIE.
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/FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM