TNAG-1609-FCO40-22131-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 186

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that there is maximum continuity of administration before

and after 1997. This is clearly envisaged in the Joint

Declaration. It is thus not only entirely reasonable but

also quite essential that there should be close contact and

the exchanges of views between the two sides, through formal and

informal channels.

cap.

We should not be fearful of these developments.

Over the past decades, Hong Kong's relationship with China

has developed steadily in a practical and pragmatic way.

The reality of our situation is that а sound working

relationship with our neightbour has always been essential

to Hong Kong's stability and progress. But this is not to

suggest that this fact dominates our thinking or the way in

which we govern Hong Kong. It is a clear duty to ensure

that the interests of Hong Kong people are paramount and

remain so.

Sir, many members spoke on the general question of

the relationship between the Government and the people and I

would like to add some thoughts of my own. Very often this

relationship is depicted as one of conflict, with the

Government standing on one side and the population, or the

this majority of them, standing on the other. But can it really

be so? Can any government which consistently acts against

the wishes of the people really survive, particularly in a

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