TNAG-1892-FCO40-2685-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 63

IN BID AALASJ

JOINT DECLARATION NO LONGER VALID?

No one could seriously claim that there is any viable

alternative to Joint Declaration.

Foreign Affairs Committee Report reaffirmed value of Joint

Declaration as "the best and surest treaty base for the future of

Hong Kong". Fully endorse that view. Sure that great majority of

people in Hong Kong agree.

Reality is that 92% of Hong Kong reverts to China in 1997 when

lease expires. Better that it is returned with all safeguards

contained in Joint Declaration than without an agreement.

CHINESE CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO RESPECT JOINT DECLARATION

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Chinese have reiterated at highest level firm commitment to

Joint Declaration. We welcome this.

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Joint Declaration internationally binding agreement.

at United Nations.

Registered

Firmest guarantee is fact that China has every reason to make

Joint Declaration work. Massive stake in Hong Kong's continuing

success, both economically and politically.

Recent events have not changed that fundamental reality.

JOINT DECLARATION SHOULD BE RENEGOTIATED

Joint Declaration is a very good agreement. reopen aspects of it, China might do the same.

agreement would unravel.

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If we were to

Risk that whole

Unlikely in present climate we would end up with better agreement

for Hong Kong.