Mr Wein Wood Wiffin
Mr Jaul He
aparny
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SWIA 2AH
FILE
53
HKB 040/4.
From The Minister of State
a
30 June 1989
Dear Mr Sulke,
57
Thank you for your letter of 5 May. I am so sorry not to have replied sooner a combination of overseas travel and the appalling events in China.
I was most interested to read your speech to the
The recent tragic events in Hong Kong South Rotary Club. China have thrown into even sharper relief many of the concerns which you expressed. The British Government fully understand the deep anxiety felt by Hong Kong people about the future, following the recent appalling and tragic events in China. We have reaffirmed our determination to stand by our obligations under the Joint Declaration and to continue to work for a secure, stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong. The Foreign Secretary is visiting Hong Kong next week to learn at first hand about the situation in the territory following the recent events in China.
You referred in your speech to the need to amend Article 18 of the draft Basic Law to prevent the imposition of martial law in Hong Kong. This is certainly one of the articles which we will want the Chinese authorities to look at again when the drafting process resumes. The scope for involving Hong Kong in any decision to impose national laws in the SAR will need to be carefully examined.
As far as the nationality question is concerned, we are acutely conscious of the wish of Hong Kong people to secure some form of ultimate assurance for themselves and their families. The Government are therefore considering sympathetically and urgently what steps can be taken to meet the concerns of the people of Hong Kong.
W M Sulke Esq OBE JP
1st Floor
Bonaventure House
Leighton Road
HONG KONG
-
By Fax
/You suggested that we
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.