TNAG-1843-FCO40-2618-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 28

MAXABF

SECRETARY OF STATE'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Your enquiry is taking place at an important time for Hong Kong. Basic Law drating process is at a decisive stage. Outcome will be crucial for Hong Kong's future. Obviously right that Parliament should continue to take a close interest in the implementation of the Joint Declaration as it did in the progress of the negotiations and in the Joint Declaration itself. In my view this is one of the most important enquiries that the Committee has undertaken.

Hong Kong has always been a subject which is close to my heart. In my first fifteen months as Foreign Secretary lived and breathed Hong Kong. In 1983/4 I was closely involved at every stage in the negotiation of the Joint Declaration. Therefore feel a deep and continuing personal commitment to Hong Kong's future.

Paid two visits to China in April and July 1984 at crucial stage of those negotiations. Also paid 2 visits to Hong Kong. Then, as now, consultation with the people of Hong Kong was keystone of my approach.

Since this enquiry takes the Joint Declaration as its starting. point, worth reminding ourselves what a remarkable achievement the

Joint Declaration is.✅

مره

Question in 1984 was not whether Hong Kong would revert to China

but on what terms.

Given tht 92% of the territory was due to rever to China by treaty in 1997 without any safeguards, the conclusion of the Joint Declaration was a major achievement.

When we embarked on the negotiations, it was almost inconceivable that Communist China would in due course sign an internationally binding agreement, stipulating that socialism will not be practised in Hong Kong for at least 50 years.