HRD 34014
RECEIVED
BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL: SECOND READINGRY
JUN 1990
MODULES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE'S WIND
UP SPEECH
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
هم
866
J23/4
Scheme is necessary for stability and prosperity of the territory
The remarkable success of Hong Kong means that a great deal is at
stake as we approach 1997. Hong Kong rates eleventh among the
world's trading economies, has the world's busiest international
container port and is also a major international financial centre.
It is also the hub of business operations throughout the Far East.
Hong Kong's prosperity has been built on the energy and
determination of British and Chinese people working together.
It is Britain's responsibility to ensure that Hong Kong remains stable and prosperous throughout the final years of British administration and to secure the best possible deal for Hong Kong
people thereafter, based on what we have already achieved in the
Sino-British Joint Declaration. The final chapter in our long
administration of Hong Kong is going to be one of the most difficult
to see through successfully. Our task has become much more
difficult because of the understandable concern in Hong Kong caused
by the events in Tiananmen Square last summer.
Many of the
In the years 1980-86,
Last year it was
People there are anxious about their future.
territory's brightest and best are leaving. the average yearly outflow was about 20,000.
42,000. This year it is expected to be at least 55,000, many of
them key professionals.
We have a duty to provide additional reassurance and to persuade
those people to remain in the territory. This is not only an
obligation under the Joint Declaration. It is also a matter of
reputation and honour that neither the Government nor the House can
ignore.
ASHADB