TNAG-1754-FCO40-2474-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 220

PORBIGE BKC HONG KONG PRESS CONFERBICB

FORBIGE SECRETARY (CONTD>:

-11-

~

31 MAY 1988

I think the key thing is for us to continue that is the

British Government the Hong Kong Government and the Chinese

Government

working as we have been doing to maintain the whole

range of factors recognised in the Joint Declaration, being

translated into the Basic Law, which set llong Kong a million light-

yearm from Vietnam and thank Heaven for that!

QUESTION (SAXE KAW):

Bir, you have not explained why as many people should be

leaving Hong Kong au aro leaving Vietnam, despite the difference in

the climate that you say exists.

FORRIGE SECRETARY:

L

I should have thought, with respect, that that question

acarcely needs exposition. People leave Vietnam under the

compul

ulsion of economic policies of the utmost folly, facing the

utmost hardship to do it. People leave Hong Kong now as they

have done in all the years past and come back to it, travelling to

and from one of the world's moet dramatically successful economies

and anyone who seeks to force any kind of comparison out of that parallel I think is misleading himself and you have had two goes at the question. I do not think you can put it any better next time.

F.03