TNAG-1313-FCO40-1688-Future-of-Hong-Kong-views-and-involvement-of-Australia--Cana-1984 — Page 176

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ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL PREVAIL THERE FOR 50 YEARS THEREAFTER: AND

IT STATES THAT ITS TERMS WILL BE STIPULATED IN A BASIC LAW OF

THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S

REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WHICH WILL BE PASSED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS AND WILL, IN EFFECT, FORM THE CONSTITUTION OF HONG KONG

AFTER 1997.

THE AGREEMENT IS ONE WHICH I FEEL ABLE TO COMMEND STRONGLY

TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND TO PARLIAMENT, BUT IT IS

PARTICULARLY WITH HONG KONG'S INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE IN MIND

THAT I AM WRITING TO YOU NOW.

IT IS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE THAT THE AGREEMENT WE HAVE

REACHED SHOULD BE MADE TO WORK WELL. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL AT

STAKE, NOT ONLY FOR BRITAIN, HONG KONG AND CHINA, BUT ALSO FOR

THE REST OF THE FREE WORLD. IF THE AGREEMENT IS SUCCESSFULLY

IMPLEMENTED IT WILL HAVE BENEFICIAL ECONOMIC AND STABILISING

STRATEGIC EFFECTS IN THE PACIFIC REGION AND ELSEWHERE. ON THE

OTHER HAND, IF IT WERE TO FAIL, THE ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC

DAMAGE WOULD BE GRAVE. I AM VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE CONTRIBUTION THAT NEW ZEALAND HAS MADE TOWARDS THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF

HONG KONG IN TERMS OF CAPITAL, EXPERTISE AND PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES. I HOPE THEREFORE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE TO MAKE A

PERSONAL STATEMENT ON THE AGREEMENT WHICH WE HAVE REACHED, PERHAPS

COMMENDING THE RESULTS OF THE WORK OF THE NEGOTIATORS AND

EXPRESSING YOUR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG'S FUTURE STABILITY AND

PROSPERITY. I AM SURE THAT A STATEMENT ON THOSE LINES FROM YOU

WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENSURING THE CONTINUATION OF THAT

STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.

ENDS.

HOWE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISERS (SIR J FREELAND) PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING

SIR C TICKELL

MR GOODALL

MR DEREK THOMAS MR. BOYD

COPIES TO:-

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT

MR BICKFORD

LEGAL ADVISERS

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS

MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR MARTIN ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFIC

MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE

MR COLVIN

CABINET OFFICE

PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE

PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK

ROOM K195

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.

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