SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret
Confidential
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
Hong Kong's legal and constitutional framework for 50
years after 1997. If it is to command confidence,
particularly after what has happened in China, it is
important that all the concerns of Hong Kong people are
properly catered for.
Restricted
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
9.
It is understandable that people in Hong Kong should
be concerned about the protection of their fundamental
rights and freedom. The Joint Declaration and Basic Law
provide important assurances that the International
Covenants as applied to Hong Kong shall remain in force.
But more could be done. Accordingly, the Hong Kong
Government have now announced that a Bill of Rights for
Hong Kong will be introduced as soon as possible. This
wil enshrine the fundamental rights and freedom currentl
enjoyed in Hong Kong and will be able to continue after
the transfer of sovereignty.
10. My visit left me in no doubt, however, that whatever
steps are taken in these areas, there will still be
anxiety about the future. As the Foreign Affairs Select
Committee noted in their report, there is a real risk
that emigration from the territory, particularly by well
qualified professionals and middle managers, will
increase.
11. Many people in Hong Kong have expressed the view
that Britain has a moral obligation to give a right of
abode to all British passport holders in Hong Kong, if
not to the entire population of the territory.
It i
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