repeated again by the Charge d'Affaires when he called on
me yesterday. But it is self-evident that the
reliable fulfilment of the obligations entered into by
the Chinese Government must depend upon the restoration of a stable and responsible government in Peking. The British Government will stand by its obligations under
the Joint Declaration. The Government and the House look to the Government of the People's Republic of China to live up to that international commitment as well.
The events in Peking must affect the prospects and procedure for implementation of the Joint Declaration.
Consultations about the second draft of the Basic Law for
Hong Kong have been suspended. So too the work of the Joint Liaison Group which cannot proceed in present circumstances.
No-one can doubt from the peaceful and dignified demonstrations of the last few days the degree of concern on the part of the people of Hong Kong that their future security, stability and freedom will be guaranteed after 1997. The British Government fully share that concern. I can assure the House that we shall be conducting a thorough examination of the measures envisaged to advance and consolidate effective democracy in Hong Kong and to enshrine and protect Hong Kong's freedoms and way of life after 1997.
All of us in this House are acutely conscious of the wish of the people of Hong Kong to secure some form of assurance for themselves and their families. I know that this has been one of the issues studied by the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. Some commentators have recommended that a right of entry to this country should be given to the 3 million people in Hong Kong who hold
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