TNAG-1478-FCO40-2010-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1986 — Page 24

THOSE CONTACTS HAVE BROUGHT HOME TO ME YET AGAIN THE EXTRAORDINARY DYNAMISM AND BUOYANCY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. FOR MY PART I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REAFFIRM BRITAIN'S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG AND ALL ITS PEOPLE, THAT COMMITMENT REMAINS THE PIVOT OF BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG

BEFORE WE GET ON TO QUESTIONS, I'D LIKE TO MAKE FOUR POINTS:

FIRST, IN MY TALKS HERE THE GENERAL CONCLUSION HAS BEEN THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IS GOING WELL. IT IS CLEAR THAT IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, ALL CONCERNED ARE WORKING HARD AND IN GOOD FAITH. I PARTICULARLY WELCOME THE AGREEMENT REACHED IN RECENT MONTHS ON HONG KONG'S PARTICIPATION IN THE GATT, ON TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND ON AIR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THIRD COUNTRIES. THE LAND COMMISSION, AS WELL, HAS BEEN DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB.

SECOND, I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO HONG KONG IMPRESSIONS OF PROGRESS SO FAR MADE IN THE DRAFTING OF CHINA'S BASIC LAW. THE DRAFTING IS OF COURSE A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA. BUT IT IS ALSO SOMETHING WHICH BRITAIN IS CLOSELY FOLLOWING. IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS TACKLING THIS VITAL TASK IN A THOROUGH AND METHODICAL WAY.

THIRD, MY DISCUSSIONS HERE HAVE OBVIOUSLY INCLUDED NEXT YEAR'S REVIEW OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. IT WILL BE A GENUINE REVIEW CONDUCTED, AS IN THE PAST, WITH THOROUGHNESS AND CARE, ALLOWING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN.

FINALLY I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE TO SECURE INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT IS WELL UNDER WAY. I AM SURE THAT THAT ACCEPTANCE WILL BE FORTHCOMING

THE KEYS TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG ARE CONFIDENCE AND DETERMINATION: CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESERVATION OF ITS WAY OF LIFE, ITS RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, ITS PROSPERITY AND STABILITY- AND DETERMINATION TO FACE AND OVERCOME EVERY NEW CHALLENGE - A DETERMINATION IN WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE ALWAYS SHOWN THEMSELVES SECOND TO NONE.

I'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET CHINESE LEADERS IN PEKING DURING THE COURSE OF NEXT WEEK'S STATE VISIT. WE SHALL BE ABLE TO PEVIEW PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION AS WELL AS TO DISCUSS MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ISSUES. IT WILL BE ESPECIALLY

ALUABLE THAT I SHALL BE ABLE TO TAKE WITH ME A FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT F HONG KONG'S CONCERNS AND ASPIRATIONS.

NOW YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE.

A

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