TNAG-1299-FCO40-1655-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1984 — Page 33

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place for outside people, from Britain and elsewhere,

to go on making a contribution to life in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong would maintain its cultural life and links

with the outside world.

>

The Chinese Government have made it clear publicly

that they see the administration of Hong Kong, after

1997, as being in the hands of Hong Kong people

themselves. This would follow a process of development

which I am glad to say is already under way, and which

I expect to evolve further. During the years immediately

ahead, the Government of Hong Kong will be developed

on increasingly representative Lines.

I recognise and understand that the prospect of

change causes real concern. My contacts here in the

Last two days have borne this in upon me very clearly.

It is natural that people are anxious to know what

the future will hold. We listen carefully to the views

of Hong Kong people and take full account of those

views in the negotiations. My discussions with the

Chinese leaders have convinced me that they want the

Hong Kong systems to remain fundamentally as they are.

We have stressed all along the need for firm assurance

that arrangements for Hong Kong's continuing prosperity

and stability based on effective autonomy, will continue.

The Chinese Government have made it clear publicly that

they intend such arrangements to last for at least

fifty years from 1997. We are working for an agreement

.

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