reason to believe that people from Hong Kong are desperate to leave the territory. On the contrary, all the evidence suggests that they wish to stay in the country which is their home. Indeed the principal pressure to emigrate is due to the feeling of some people that they have not been offered a citizenship which provides security for their own or their children's future.
Hong Kong is a plural society. Accountable and democratically elected government is the most appropriate system for it. The numerous grassroots and community organisations, trades unions and church bodies which have called upon Britain to introduce direct elections and to prepare Hong Kong for its rapid transition towards real autonomy within China must be given a fuller hearing. Too often, the Hong Kong government continues to take upon itself all responsibility for deciding the pace of change. Too often British politicians step away from accepting responsibility, as if the Queen's signature on the Anglo- Chinese Agreement has already transferred sovereignty to China. The coming decade is the most important in Hong Kong's entire history. If it is true that only Hong Kong's people can make a success of the Agreement and their own future, they cannot do so unless they are given the fullest and most creative support by Britain and by China during and after the transition period leading up to 1997.
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