CONFIDEN TIAL
of change in the structure
of
in government
Hong Kong during
during this
time designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of a society which
has undergone in 40 years the kind of development which took most
other societies well over a century to achieve.
We are
6.
1997.
concern
clear.
committed to ensure smooth
transfer of government
in
In the Joint Liaison Group the Chinese side expressed some
like Would
to make f our things
on
recent developments.
a)
The first is that the United Kingdom i s not
will not abdicate its responsibility for Hong Kong.
abdicating
and
b)
c)
d)
The second is that HMG and the Hong Kong Government remain
fully committed to maintaining both the prosperity and
stability of Hong Kong.
The third is that as
the Secretary of State assured Mr Wu
Xueqian in London in June we have been proceeding very
cautiously and carefully in deciding the modifications which
we have made over the last 18 months.
The British side recognisees the
convergence
of
importance of achieving
ideas about reform to government structure for
Hong
Kong before 1997 and ideas of government strucutre of the
SAR post-1997.
7.
We
there
that it has been agreed are accordingly very pleased that
be should
informal
the dialogue between
two
sides which
believe will be valuable in dispelling any misunderstanding on these
points.
that
we
8.
We
trust
that Mr Ji's visit
to keep Hong Kong
will
prosperous
convince
and stable.
him
of
Our
de termination
Our public
finances are sound, far sounder than those of most other countries. We are continuing to build up the infrastructure of Hong Kong and to
promote
its
growth
as
manufacturing a
centres,
as
a
financial
have
harbour
centre, and as a major communication s centre. Hong Kong will
second
in
1997
an
even
better
road
system,
including
a
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