TNAG-1325-FCO40-1737-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 218

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PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON HONG KONG: 16 MAY 1984 tin, Home united Jessie slight

INTRODUCTION

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I am most grateful to all those Honourable members who have

contributed to the debate. They haye demonstrated a concern for the

future of Hong Kong that will, I am sure, be much appreciated by the

people of the territory. Hong Kong is not directly represented in this House, but tonight's debate has shown clearly that it does not

lack well-informed friends here.

As we reach the end of the debate it may be helpful if I summarise

for Hon members the approach we have been taking in our negotiations with the Chinese over the future of Hong Kong. [We argued very strongly-with the Chinese for the retention of the present

arrangements-in-view of the wish of the people of Hong-Kong for the

maximum-continuity. We have come to the conclusion that it would

not be realistic to think of an agreement that provided for

continued British administration after 1997. It was right for us to

explore every possibility before coming to the conclusion and we did so in the course of negotiation.

But the conclusion emerges

inescapably from the negotiations and most of all from the lease on 92% of Hong Kong which expires in 1997. We are working therefore

for an agreement which would ensure a high degree of continuity for

Hong Kong under Chinese sovereignty, which would preserve the essentials of the present systems and way of life in Hong Kong.

Our

We believe that there is a basis on which this can be achieved.

objectives are clear: a framework of arrangements that will provide

for the maintenance of Hong Kong as a flourishing and dynamic

society: and an agreement in which these arrangements will be formally recorded. It is possible to foresee a sitution in which

Hong Kong would as part of China enjoy a high degree of autonomy and in which existing freedoms would be maintained. The territory would

retain its various and dynamic relationships with the outside world.

The administration of Hong Kong would be in the hands of Hong Kong

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