TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 224

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10. The arrangements made by the Chinese Government for the drafting of the Basic Law are helping to put in place another part of Hong Kong's future. We welcome the ways in which Hong Kong people have been involved in drafting and consultation. And we

welcome the steps now taken by the Chinese Government to seek opinions on the published draft.

11. I have no doubt that Hong Kong people will respond with

serious and constructive comments. I have no doubt that the Chinese

Government will listen carefully to these views. For our part, the British Government, as co-signatory with the Government of China of

the Joint Declaration, will wish to be satisfied that the draft

fully and accurately reflects its provisions.

12. How has so much been accomplished over the past five years? Through tenacious negotiations, through extensive contacts at all

levels and through meticulous hard work. In this way, and some

would say against all the odds, what might have seemed impossible so

recently has become reality: a unique historical enterprise is

underway.

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13. This owes much to what I think of as the spirit of Hong Kong the determination and the ability to turn thought into action and hope into reality. We are building structure of confidence and

certainty where only doubt and uncertainty existed before. It is

that Hong Kong spirit which gives me the conviction that what we have embarked upon is going to work.

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14. But an essential ingredient in this process has been the goodwill and support of the PRC and the UK. Historical destiny has

brought our two countries together in this unique and unlikely partnership. Hong Kong has been the catalyst of this process because it is the focal point of our joint commitment and the object

of our joint endeavour. It is our mutual interest in the future

prosperity and stability of Hong Kong that has stimulated the

deepening and thickening of our relations that has taken place in the past five years. It is a phenomenon which has, benefitted Hong

Kong enormously and which will continue to do so.

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