TNAG-1747-FCO40-2466-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 11

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

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China would produce detailed constitutional instrument setting out separate systems for Hong Kong

in a forum where Hong Kong representatives have fed in all their

views

and subjected it to exhaustive public consultation in Hong Kong.

17. First draft is not perfect. But must be considered

as a first draft, still open to amendment

in context of Joint Declaration.

systems, but also one country. sovereign power lies with Peking

Two

Cannot exceed its bounds.

Bound to be areas where ultimate

in context of Hong Kong's familiar systems and their evolution.

4 No sense in judging against totally abstract stands (such as systems and practices evolved in different circumstances of Westminister).

My visit to Hong Kong

18.

Purpose of my visit

to discuss developments with Governor, ExCo, other Hong Kong people: and their views on implementation of Joint Declaration, Basic Law. No doubt they will wish to discuss Vietnamese boat people, emigration of some professionals.

to encourage Hong Kong people to take confidence from many encouraging developments: spectacular economic and trade performance, high investment, massive plans for development, role to play in South China and China's coastal region.

to underline HMG's total commitment to Hong Kong and its

transition, as tenaciously pursued as during negotiation of Joint Declaration.

י

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