too
сыс
defensive
the continuing negotiations with the Chinese. In every area dealt with so far, we have agreed arrangements fully
consistent with the terms and spirit of the Joint
Declaration.
୮
The success of the Joint Declaration and its implementation so far is shown by the astonishing revival of Hong Kong's confidence since 1984 reflected in very strong economic growth (over 30% in three years), buoyant inward investment, and ambitious development projects.
Your editorial was critical of the pace of the
development of representative government in Hong Kong, misquoting the Joint Declaration, and urging[Britain]to have
The fact is
a confrontation with China over the Basic Law.
that the process of developing representative government in Hong Kong has been and is being conducted fully in accordance with the wishes of the people of Hong Kong. An
overwhelming majority of them opted in a 1987 review for a
gradual evolution of more representative government.
did not want to force the pace, because they did not want to
jeopardise the political stability on which Hong Kong's
prosperity and its way of life depend. Nor did they wish to
commit themselves so soon to the kind of democracy that they
would ultimately wish to arrive at. It was after all only
They
in 1985 that Hong Kong had its first (elected] representatives
in the legislature.
The Basic Law discussions on the political system
after 1997 are also based on extensive consultation of the
Hong Kong people. Your editorial omitted to mention the key
point that the Basic Law Drafting Committee has just
endorsed the important principle of universal suffrage for
the election of the future Hong Kong legislature and the
Chief Executive. Far from going back on the Joint
Declaration, this actually goes beyond what that document said about the future political system. A second key point is that the Basic Law constitutional model which your author