Q1
Q2
How can the UK justify handing over the people of Hong Kong to a communist regime in 1997?
Facts are that we were only ever lease-holders over more than 90%
of Hong Kong. The lease expires in 1997. We have therefore concentrated on securing the clearest guarantees for Hong Kong's well-being.
We achieved that in the 1984 Joint Declaration. This commits UK and China to preserving HK's way of life, its economic prosperity and social stability.
China committed to increase in democracy
in the Basic Law.
"One country two systems" is Chinese not British phrase which embodies principles of JD. In interests of China, as much as HK,
that that principle should be turned into reality.
Hong Kong has had virtually no democracy for the past 150 years; why introduce it now?
No longer
Political demand for democracy recent, now strong.
possible to treat HK just as commercial centre. We and China
must take account of this.
UK and China agreed in JD that by 1997 HK should have a
legislature constituted entirely by elections. Basic Law provides for steady increase in number of directly elected seats. People of HK want a greater measure of democracy.
Governor's proposals offer one way of achieving that within the
terms of the JD and the Basic Law. A modest step forward. have been trying to arrange discussions with China on this issue, with aim of ensuring continuity beyond 1997. Disappointed have not so far succeeded.
WE