XN000022-1996-01-08 — Page 18

+

- 17

Mrs Elizabeth Wong: Sir, I don't think you have quite answered my question. My question is, what are the factual evidences of the pursuit of high degree of autonomy? Everything we see does not point to the high degree of autonomy. I mean, you know, there are sort of gives and takes and compromises here and there and everywhere, including the point just raised before regarding the Provisional Legislature. People are threatening to dismantle this legislature. I know you have said that you disapprove of that, and yet there is no evidence that something is done about it. And what, indeed, can be done about it? And it's a whole series of things. I see no evidence. And not only I, many people agree with me that there is no evidence that we will be in fact guaranteed the high degree of autonomy. It looks pretty on paper. It is too beautiful to be trusted in fact. So what I am saying is that, what are the factual bits of evidence that we can get that we will be in fact getting it?

Mr Rifkind: Autonomy is expressed both in form and in substance. In form it is expressed in terms of a separate executive, a separate legislature, a separate legal framework; the whole administrative structure, the whole SAR is the form of autonomy. But of course it is not sufficient just to have the form, the substance is what goes to the very heart of what we are all concerned about and for that substance to be genuine, then the decisions relevant to the future workings of government within Hong Kong need to be taken by Hong Kong, and need to be taken by Hong Kong with reference to the interests of Hong Kong. And it will be the greatest test to identify the substance as well as the form of autonomy, and the best protection for that is that in my judgment and I suspect in yours -unless there is both form and substance then Hong Kong's unique ability to provide wealth, to provide trade, to provide economic activity as well as the quality of life of its people, will not be able to be sustained. And if China wishes, which I believe it does, to see Hong Kong continue to have that identity, then China must accept as must everybody else, that that cannot be done without a recognition that both the form and substance of autonomy need to be respected as both the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law envisage.