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firmly support the action taken by the Hong Kong Government to
strengthen the representative system in a way which meets local
needs and aspirations. We believe that the introduction of 10
directly elected seats to LegCo in 1991 is a well judged response to
the expressed wish of Hong Kong's community that the process of
evolutionary change begun in 1985 should continue steadily.
7. Underlying all our hopes for Hong Kong's future is of course
the inevitability of political change. The framework for transition
to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 was established in the negotiation of
the Joint Declaration, which so closely preoccupied the British
Government and myself personally in 1983 and 1984. At the outcome
of
these negotiations we commended the Joint Declaration to
the Hong Kong people as a good agreement - detailed, binding, preserving the systems, freedoms and life-style that Hong Kong
people have chosen.
8. 'I believe the Joint Declaration is standing the test of
time.
Around its framework the details are now painstakingly being
put into place. The Joint Liaison Group has worked steadily and success fully to facilitate a smooth transition. It will be all the more effective when it has made its principal base in Hong Kong in the second half of this year. It is not a shadow government: it is
a means of consultation and co-operation in the interests of Hong
Kong and its people.
9.
At the same time the drafting of the Basic Law has been taken
forward by the Chinese Government. We welcome the ways in which
Hong Kong people have been involved in drafting and consultation.
And we welcome the elaborate arrangements now made by the Chinese
Government to seek opinions on the published draft.
E
10. 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.
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