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UP ENGSOT AT 14.02 ALASTAIR GOODLAD, FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG
"There was no great demand for until relatively recently. But, as I say, in 1984, the Chinese Government and the British Government did sign an agreement which was followed by the Basic Law of 1991which envisaged a development of democracy in Hong Kong. And it is the details of this that we wish to discuss. There undoubtedly is a demand for democracy in Hong Kong now, as was envisaged when the Chinese Government and the British Government signed the Joint Declaration in 1984."
UP ENGSOT AT 14.44 MARTIN C.M.LEF Q.C., MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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"According to the Joint Declaration, it is up to the British Government to change the colonial system into another system which promises a high degre of autonomy in Hang VAAN MAAmla miling Hang Wang, 1
Tang an done before the 1st of July, 1997, there is no breach of the Joint Declaration. But, if it's not done, then there's a clear breach on both parties. And, although I would have liked them to have democracy in place, or at least a meaningful of measure of democracy in place well before then - and we've been fighting very hard for that, unsuccessfully unfortunately it doesn't mean that, because it's late, you don't do it."
CUE AT 15.31
Much of the debate over Hong Kong's future relates back to the Joint Declaration and its interpretation. It set out to provide a framework for the transition, and beyond; and to protect the rights of the individual. However, not to everyone's mind....
UP ENGSOT AT 15.46 EMILY TAI, MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
"Come 1997, Britain will hand the six million people of Hong Kong over to Chinese Communist rule; and that is a fact. And this is, of course, totally unprecedented in human history, that several million people are going to be handed over, lock, stock and barrel to Communist rule."
Un ENCCOT AT 16.05 ALASTAIR GOODLAD, FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG
"I think it's important to remember that Great Britain only had a lease on about ninety percent of the territory of Hong Kong, running out in 1997. And so the agreement was entered into in 1984, which in our view, provided the bact guarantee of the future in Hong Kong. Now, in China, the current evpression is socilaism with Chinace characteristics'. In Hong Kong, as I've said, the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, provide for a high degree of autnomy and a developing degree of democracy. And I believe that is the best. quarantee of the future of Hong Kong."
CUE AT 16.52
Whatever the present disagreements between London and Beijing, the final word on Hong Kong's future should rest with the local residents.