Gallagher
0491 579838
P.17
LONDON
4 APRIL 1993
18
MR CHRIS PATTEN INT DAVID FROST
MR PATTEN:
We are not going to do anything which would provoke that and China
certainly for her part would not do that, I think Chinese leaders
have made that clear again and again. I actually believe Chinese
leaders when they say that and I believe them as well when they
express their commitment to the Joint Declaration.
I just want to
make absolutely certain that the terms of the Joint Declaration
are secured.
INTERVIEWER:
And do you think that Hong Kong will be as prosperous under
communist rule or Chinese rule as under ours?
MR PATTEN:
Provided that the people of Hong Kong, the ordinary people, are allowed to live their lives within the rule of law practising a
market economy
-
yes.
INTERVIEWER:
They really will be?
MR PATTEN:
With those provisos.
They are extraordinarily talented and
resourceful people, they must be given the chance.