TNAG-1330-FCO40-1757-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 32

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL BE COMPOSED OF LOCAL PEOPLE. THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT WILL NOT SEND PEOPLE TO ADMINISTER HONG KONG. ANONG THE INHABITANTS OF HONG KONG 98% ARE OUR COMPATRIOT. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THEM LOVE THE MOTHERLAND AND LOVE HONG KONG. THE ICONOMIC PROSPERITY AND DEVELOPMEN

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OF HONG KONG IS THE RESULT OF MANY FACTORS, AMONG WHICH THE INTELLIGENCE, TALENT AND HARD WORK OF THE BROAD MASS OF HONG KONG COMPATRIOTS HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE. THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE TERRITORY AND THE CAPITALIST METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION. THEY ARE ENTIRELY CAPABLE OF ADMINISTERING HONG KONG WELL. THE SPIRIT OF GIVING FULL PLAY TO OUR HONG KONG COMPATRIOTS TO ACT AS MASTERS IN THEIR OWN HOUSE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT NOT SENDING PEOPLE TO ADMINISTER HONG KONG.

IN ADDITION, THE CENTRAL PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT WILL AUTHORISE THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, NOTABLY THOSE IN THE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL FIELDS. UNDER THE PRINCIPLE THAT FOREIGN AFFAIRS ARE TO BE MANAGED BY THE CENTRAL PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, USING THE NAME HONG KONG, CHINA'' MAY ON ITS OWN MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP ECONOMIC AND CULTUPAL RELATIONS AND CONCLUDE RELEVANT AGREEMENTS WITH STATES, REGIONS AND RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.

(111) HONG KONG'S EXISTING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED, THE LIFE-STYLE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED, AND THE LAWS WILL REMAIN BASICALLY UNCHANGED.

HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM AND PRIVATE PROPERTY WILL BE PROTECTED BY LAW. RESIDENTS MAY PURSUE THE SAME LIFESTYLE AS BEFORE. ALL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN HONG KONG UNDER THE EXISTING LAW MAY CONTINUE TO BE ENJOYED. FOR EXAMPLE FREEDOMS OF SPEECH AND PUBLICATION WILL BE VERY WIDE AFTER 1997. ALL SHADES OF OPINION MAY BE EXPRESSED PROVIDED THEY ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW AND ARE NOT DESTRUCTIVE. RESIDENTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL ENJOY FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND BELIEVERS MAY MAINTAIN THEIR RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS.

HONG KONG'S EXISITING LAWS WILL BE BASICALLY UNCHANGED. OF COURSE,

FOR THOSE LAWS WHICH ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE ''BASIC LAW*', EXAMPLE LAWS WHICH ARE IN THE NATURE OF COLONIAL RULE OR WHICH HAVE COLONIAL CONNOTATIONS, MUST BE ABOLISHED OR AMENDED: IN ADDITION SOME LAWS MAY NO LONGER APPLY BECAUSE OF CHANGES TO THE ACTUAL SITUATION. APART FROM THESE, OTHER EXISTING LAWS WILL BE MAINTAINED UNCHANGED.

THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL CONTINUE AS A FREE PORT AND AN INDEPENDENT CUSTOMS TERRITORY. HONG KONG WILL RETAIN ITS POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE. THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE AND BE FREELY

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/ CONVERTIBLE.