XN000022-1986-10-12 — Page 29

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QUESTION: WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEW CHINESE FIGHTER, THE F-8, IS BASED ON BRITISH ENGINEERING DESIGN INCLUDING THE ROLLS ROYCE SPACE ENGINE AND WE ALL KNOW THAT SOVIET AEROTECHNOLOGY IS ALSO BASED ON BRITISH ROLLS ROYCE ENGINES. SO IN YOUR TALKS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WOULD YOU BE PERHAPS STRESSING ON FURTHER ARMS SALES TO. THE CHINESE, SUCH AS SOPHISTICATED MOTORS AND ENGINES WHICH THE CHINESE DEARLY NEED AND REQUIRE?

SIR GEOFFREY: WELL, I DON'T DICUSS ARMS SALES AT PRESS CONFERENCES, IN FACT.

QUESTION: WHAT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT PLAY DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD?

SIR GEOFFREY: THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DURING THE TIME BETWEEN THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND 1997 IS SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION ITSELF. WE RETAIN FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997 AND OF COURSE ARE PLAYING A FULL PART 1N THE VARIOUS AGENCIES AND CONTACTS I'VE DESCRIBED, TO DISCUSS AND PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT IN 1997.

QUESTION: AS WE KNOW, THE BASIC LAW IS DUE TO BE PROMULGATED

SO WILL IN 1990'S AND WILL SHAPE OUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DIMINISH IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997 AND WHAT WILL BE THE MAJOR TASK OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT BY THEN?

SIR GEOFFREY: WELL, YOU'RE QUITE RIGHT THAT THE PROCESS THAT IS TAKING PLACE BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, FOLLOWING ON THE AGREEMENT CONTAINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, DOES INCLUDE THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE. IT INCLUDES THE CONTINUING WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP UP TO 1997 AND THEREAFTER TO THE YEAR 2000. IT INCLUDES THE CONTINUED RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG UNTIL 1997. SHALL BE CONTINUING TO PLAY OUR FULL PART AND DISCHARGE OUR FULL RESPONSIBILITY IN ALL THOSE WAYS.

WE

QUESTION: I'D LIKE TO COME BACK TO THE QUESTION ASKED ABOUT DIRECT ELECTIONS. YOU ANSWERED BY SAYING YOU WEREN'T PREPARED TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLES APPEARING IN THE PRESS. THE QUESTIONER ASKED IF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IT CLEAR TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT DIRECT ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG. SHE ASKED IF THAT WAS MADE CLEAR TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT BY ANY MEANS. CAN YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION PLEASE?

SIR GEOFFREY: AGAIN, IT'S FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THEIR OWN POSITION CLEAR. WE HAVE MADE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR - IT WAS REAFFIRMED IN LONDON - THE COMMITMENT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO THE 1987 REVIEW. WE'VE CONFIRMED THAT FULL ACCOUNT WOULD BE TAKEN OF THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHEN DRAWING CONCLUSIONS FROM THAT REVIEW AND WE SHALL HAVE TO

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