TNAG-1310-FCO40-1667-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 11

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SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS MADE IN HONG KONG TALKS, CHINA SAYS:

PEKING, MAY 15, REUTER - CHINESE PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG SAID ODAY SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND CHINA'S INTENTION TO RESUME SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE BRITISH COLONY WHEN THE BRITISH LEASE EXPIRES IN 1997 WAS A FIRN POLICY DECISION+, THE OFFICIAL NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY SAID.

SPEAKING TO THE CHINESE PARLIAMENT, THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS (NPC), ZHAO REAFFIRMED CHINA'S POSITION THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE RUN AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, PRESERVING ITS CAPITALIST SYSTEM FOR AT LEAST 50 YEARS AFTER 1997.

HE SAID CHINA WAS +BOUND TO

REACH A SATISFACTORY

SETTLEMENT OF THE HONG KONG QUESTION AT AN EARLY DATE. +

THE HONG KONG ISSUE IS NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AT THE 16-DAY ANNUAL SESSION OF THE RUBBER-STAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH OPENED TODAY.

EARLIER, ANALYSTS SAID THE TWO NATIONS WOULD TRY TO REACH

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E STILL GOING ON IN CAMERA AND NPC SPOKESMAN ZENG TRO TOLD

REPORTERS YESTERDAY THE FINAL AGREEMENT MUST BE APPROVED BY THE Pehy

NPC OR THE STANDING COMMITTEE WHICH SUPERVISES ITS WORK BETWEEN SESSIONS.

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THE AGREEMENT WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE PASSED BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, WHICH IS DUE TO START DEBATING THE ISSUE TODAY.

ZHAO'S MAIN POINTS ABOUT CHINA'S PLANS FOR HONG KONG WERE:

HONG KONG WILL BE A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, ADMINISTERED BY THE LOCAL INHABITANTS AND WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.

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THE EXISTING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS AND LIFE STYLE WILL BE UNCHANGED AND THE LAWS WILL BE BASICALLY UNCHANGED.

HONG KONG WILL REMAIN A FREE PORT AND AN INTERNATIONAL INANCIAL AND TRADE CENTRE, WHICH WILL MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND ORGANISATIONS.

+DUE REGARD WILL BE GIVEN TO THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF BRITAIN AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN HONG KONG. +

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