TNAG-1843-FCO40-2618-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 29

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If we had not embarked on those negotiations China would in due

course have announced its own solution for Hong Kong. That would have been far from satisfactory.

Joint Declaration remains the constant point of reference in all

our discussions with the Chinese. Not relegated to history as some have suggested.

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Everything which we have so far agreed with the Chinese about Hong Kong's future is fully consistent with provisions of Joint

Declaration.

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Remarkable that China should now be drafting a Basic Law for Hong

Kong, meticulous in detail and comprehensive in scope, which provides for continuation of Hong Kong's capitalist system and way of life and safeguards basic rights and freedoms in a legally binding way.

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