on these issues. ExCo members recognise the complexity of the relationship between Britain, Hong Kong and China. But they, and their LegCo colleagues, are naturally subject to political pressures from within Hong Kong. We need to take account of that. Nevertheless, the measured reaction of OMELCO to our nationality package and, most recently, the thoroughly responsible courageous response of Dame Lydia Dunn and her colleagues to my announcement about direct elections in 1991 demonstrate the ability of Hong Kong's political leaders to strike a balance between these pressures and political realism.
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Nor do I agree that the Chinese Government need interpret our policy as questioning their integrity or their capability. The package is not aimed against China and will not damage Chinese interests, and we are certainly not seeking to change the substance or spirit of the Joint Declaration. Under the Agreement, we have an obligation to maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and this is precisely what our package is setting out to achieve.
Officials are now working on the details of the points scheme which will be used to select beneficiaries under our scheme.
Similar points schemes are operated by the Australian and Canadian immigration services; Hong Kong people are familiar with this method
of selection and generally satisfied that it is fair. As I said in
my statement on 20 December, the beneficiaries will be drawn from a
wide range of walks of life in Hong Kong. We are aiming to minimise the divisiveness of the scheme; it will not focus exclusively on the rich or the powerful, but will concentrate on the value of the individual's service to Hong Kong.
You also refer to the stationing of PLA troops in Hong Kong. We have never questioned China's right under the Joint Declaration to station military forces in the Hong Kong Special
/Administrative