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3.20 The favourable response to the draft agreement ranged from outright praise; to qualified acceptance; to acknowledgement that, in the light of the alternatives, it is the best that can be hoped for. Adverse reaction ranged from condemnation of certain parts of the draft agreement to total rejection.
3.21 The draft agreement was seen to provide a way by which sovereignty could be restored to China peacefully whilst, at the same time, it removed the uncertainties about the future, provided a sound basis for continued prosperity and stability and would preserve for 50 years the familiar life style. The concepts of "one country, two systems" and "the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with a high degree of autonomy were praised as imaginative and farsighted. People holding these views were optimistic that the draft agreement would work and that the two sides would honour their commitment to Hong Kong.
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"The agreement is a clear document and a good one in the light of present day politics. I salute and thank all who worked so hard for the millions living here."
C
-An individual
"The solution of the Hong Kong issue under the innovative guidance of the one country, two systems' concept will be conducive to main- taining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. Moreover, the success of this one country, two systems' arrangement may embody a more far-reaching international significance."
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(Translation) Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers
"The White Paper also lays a solid foundation for the smooth resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997.”
-Hong Kong Social Workers Association
3.22 Those whose acceptance was a qualified one expressed reservations about China's ability to implement the provisions of the draft agreement. The point was made that it was difficult to accept the assurances regarding implementation so far ahead, although they were prepared to give China the benefit of the doubt. They were concerned lest any reduction in Hong Kong's prosperity and thus its value to China after 1997 would remove the incentives for China to comply with the undertakings in the draft agreement. They were worried about the possibility of undue interference by China and stressed the importance of incorporating the basic principles of the draft agreement in the Basic Law with clarity and in detail. They insisted on the importance of participation by Hong Kong people in the drafting of the Basic Law and in the work of the Joint Liaison Group and the Land Commission. Notwithstanding these reservations, most took a pragmatic view towards the future and the common feeling was that it was up to the Hong Kong people to make it work.
"It is difficult to foresee the future. The draft agreement is a postdated cheque. The result can only be known when it is proved."
3159803
23
-An individual
D* 2
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