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world that will only finally come into existence thirteen years hence in 1997, and there will be a lot more to be done between
now and 1997.
Q. Can you say something about the draft agreement and the
When about a consultations in Hong Kong?
A.
referendum?
I said there were quite a number of quite formidable difficulties
about referendum. That doesn't now seem to be an approach that is strongly pressed in Hong Kong, that is why I am concerned to
have this more or less continuous process of consultation.
boards
Urban I met a number of people from the district pets and regional
Council while I was there and why we are wanting the debate y
in the very near future that will be another basis for Hong Kong opinion to express itself.
Q. Are you saying that people who hold independent territory citizenship in Hong Kong might continue to hold it after 1997?
A. We haven't reached a point where I think I ought to say
anything about that. at this stage.. I am being very expliciti with you on the basis that it is a background briefing but I
don't think I ought to go beyond that.
Q. When you talk of consular protection you are obviously envisaging some form of continued
A. Well again it is the highest degree of continuity that we
can achieve is what we want to achieve.
understand
Q. We have been led to bɛliExɛ that one of the things that has
overshadowed these talks, though perhaps not arisen specifically /poss- within them has been the possible future reunification of Taiwan. ibble
with China. Is it your impression that China recognises that it
would be judged in such events on how she handles the Hong Kong
situation?
A. I wouldn't put it as explicitly as that. But I think that Chinese leaders are obviously very conscious of the unity of China as they see it and they regard Taiwan and Hong Kong as both parts of that. So plainly they wouldn't look at one without havingt the
other in mind.
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