TNAG-1891-FCO40-2684-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 83

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071644 MDLIAN 3765

STABLE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS'

THE REPORT SAID.

ON THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG, THE COMMITTEE SAID: '' WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT

a

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RENEGING ON THE

JOINT DECLARATION AND BREAKING OFF ALL NEGOTIATIONS WITH CHINA FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE IS SIMPLY NOT AN OPTION''.

''WE RECOMMEND THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION IS RETAINED AS PROVIDING THE BEST AND SUREST TREATY BASE FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.

''IT IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS PROVISIONS, PARTICULARLY THE BASIC LAW, ON WHICH WE MUST CONCENTRATE'' IT ADDED.

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HOWEVER, THE COMMITTEE ALSO CALLED FOR WORK TO SPEED UP THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AND OPPOSED THE STATIONING OF

CHINESE TROOPS IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997.

MEANWHILE, BRITISH NEWSPAPERS REPORTED TODAY THAT SOME PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE TOLD BRITAIN THAT PRINCE CHARLES AND PRINCESS DIANA SHOULD CANCEL A PLANNED VISIT TO HONG KONG BECAUSE OF GROWING ANTI-BRITISH FEELING THERE AFTER BRITAIN'S REPEATED REFUSAL TO GRANT THE RIGHT OF ABODE AND ENTRY TO HONG KONG'S

BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS.

EARLIER LAST MONTH, BRITAIN UNILATERALLY SUSPENDED TALKS WITH

CHINA ON HONG KONG AFTER RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA.

THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE ON HONG KONG WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET IN LONDON IN JULY, BUT THE SESSION WAS POSTPONED AS A RESULT. CHINA HAS EXPRESSED ITS REGRET ABOUT BRITAIN'S DECISION.

LAST THURSDAY, REUTER REPORTED THAT A BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAID THAT BRITAIN EXPECTED TO RESUME TALKS WITH CHINA ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG ''SOONER RATHER THAN LATER'

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I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER OURSELVES PRECLUDED FROM ANY CONTACT WITH CHINA TO SECURE A BASIC LAW'', HE SAID.

UNDER THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, CHINA IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING HONG KONG'S CAPITALIST SYSTEM FOR 50 YEARS AFTER IT BECOMES A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA.

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