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Smullity
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FOLLOWING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE'S PARTY FROM PRIVATE SECRETARY HONG KONG PERSONAL FOR PS/GH
1 You commissioned 3 or 4 paragraphs on Hong Kong for a speech which the Secretary of State is making in the late afternoon Singapore time on 6 July. We suggest the following points covering the ground you indicated:
Let me also say a word about another small dynamic Asian economy, often bracketed with Singapore.
-
We have
First to
Second,
There are now just 4 years left before the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from Britain to China. serious responsibilities, which we take seriously. administer Hong Kong effectively over the next 4 years. to cooperate with China to ensure a smooth transition and continuing success for Hong Kong beyond 1997. There are many
But they can be reasons for Hong Kong's remarkable development. summed up as a combination of the qualities of its people helped by sound administration and rule of Law.
- The Joint Declaration between Britain and China provides detailed assurances about the continuity of Hong Kong's way of
it could not - lay down life after 1 July 1997. But it did not
-
a full blueprint. Hong Kong, like other societies, is constantly evolving. With economic development has come political development. And the political side of Hong Kong has been much in the headlines over the last year.
that we should
- Soon after Chris Patten arrived in Hong Kong he concluded with the full support of the British Cabinet meet the wishes of the Hong Kong people for further modest steps
Our aim is a set forward in Hong Kong's political development. of arrangements for the last elections under British sovereignty which are fair, open and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong.
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At the same time, we want to achieve as much continuity as possible. That is why our proposals were within the guidelines
That is what we Laid down in China's Basic Law for Hong Kong. have wanted to discuss them with China.
-
- We were glad to get down to talks with the Chinese side on this issue in April. Since then we have had 7 rounds of discussions. But we have Progress has been slow slower than we would wish. now reached the point where most of the preparatory work has been done. Chris Patten therefore suggested that it would be a good
When moment for me to take stock with my Chinese counterpart.
the Governor was in London last week we decided that I should visit Peking briefly on my way back from Tokyo later this week. I am not going to negotiate. But I will be seeking to
We do not concentrate the negotiations on the essential points. have unlimited time to reach an agreement, because we have to make the practical arrangements for the elections in 1994 and 1995. So the negotiators need to focus on the essentials and move forward more purposefully towards an agreement. will be my main message in Peking."
HURD
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