TNAG-1720-FCO40-2400-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 50

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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T.L. Tsim, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Made the following main points.

1. The PRC is unable to understand why, after all these years,

people in Hong Kong are suddenly demanding democratic rights. 2. The reasons for this are cultural and historical, Chinese

leaders need to be, and to be seen to be strong etc., as well as related to Communist ideology.

3. Hence, even had Deng Hsiao Ping thought that an extension of

British rule was the best course, he could not have recommended it.

4. The terms of the Joint Declaration, in providing for "one country two systems for 50 years and the stationing of the PLA in the territory, are less favourable than the offer to Taiwan of one country two systems without term and no PLA, or even the arrangements for Macau, which is not being taken back until 12000 1999

of the leave on the NT..

5. Although the Joint Declaration provides for a continuation of current economic and social systems, no guarantee has been given re the political system.

6. The question of the future political system and the stationing of the PLA in Hong Kong were the last to be settled in the negotiations..

7. The Joint Declaration provision re the political system were a concession made by the Chinese who were in a hurry to meet a deadline so that the negotiations could be concluded before 30 September 1984.

8. The concession was, however, regretted and the PRC have since

been engaged in a campaign to claw back their desired position.

9. It is against Chinese nature to own something without running

it.

10. He had no faith that the law would provide sufficient protection

for the people of Hong Kong.

11. The differences between Hong Kong and China are simply too

large for the arrangement to work, and Hong Kong is bound to be submerged by China.

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