TNAG-1856-FCO40-2631-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 168

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

28 June 1989

香港立法局

一九八九年六月二十八日

32

Hong Kong is valuable to China. It accounts for one-third of China's foreign exchange; 70% of investments in China and provides several million jobs in Guangdong province across the border. But Hong Kong's continued success and its value to China depend on its people. Without them, and without their complete commitment, Hong Kong will not thrive. And if Hong Kong does not remain prosperous and useful to China, There will be little incentive for China to keep its promise of "one country, two systems".

We believe the Joint Declaration remains a good agreement. We want to build up democratic systems in Hong Kong. We remember always that independence is never an option for Hong Kong. But for the sake of Hong Kong's future role, the people of Hong Kong need an assurance now that there is a right of abode in Britain if things do not work out. They need that assurance without having to leave Hong Kong.

The response from the British media was most encouraging. We had a large number of interviews for radio, television and print media. There is now a better understanding on the part of the British public. On the other hand, the response from the British Government was frankly disappointing. Their lack of understanding and lack of urgency in dealing with the current confidence crisis in Hong Kong is, to say the least, beyond our belief. Our meeting with the Prime Minister, however, was more encouraging. She saw the urgent need to help to restore some confidence in the Hong Kong people. Although she said there are difficulties in giving the right of abode to all British subjects, she promised that a statement will soon be made by the British Government on how more generous flexibility would be exercised under the Nationality Act and immigration rules. We told the British Government in no uncertain terms that no matter what political difficulties there are in Britain, British subjects in Hong Kong are the responsibility of the British Government. It is up to the British Government to discharge their responsibility. We have left them in no doubt that we are seeking the right of abode for all British subjects and we will continue to do so.

Sir, our trip is only the first step to put our message across. The impression that we get from the people we talked to is that no one has denied that there is a severe confidence problem in Hong Kong that needs to be addressed. The Prime Minister quickly accepted that words are no longer enough. People in Hong Kong want to see action. I want to again remind the British Government that the British subjects in Hong Kong are British. They are people who are born on British soil or who gave up their nationality to swear allegiance to the Queen. How can the British Government shirk its responsibility towards its own subjects? How can it honourably face its subjects and the rest of the world?