TNAG-1984-FCO40-2817-Presentation-of-UK-policy-on-Hong-Kong-to-the-media-1989 — Page 90

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Rised Paragraph 18 and 19

18. No survey, however selective, of British achievements in the

international arena over the last decade could overlook the

Sino-British Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong. I tried to convey the scale of what has been achieved in Hong Kong when I gave evidence recently to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. The British Government remains fully committed to the implementation of the Joint Declaration. There is no question

of it being relegated to history as some have suggested. The Joint

Declaration was based on the realities of Hong Kong's geographical

and historical position, starting from the fact that 97 of the territory was due to revert to China by treaty in 1997 without any

safeguards. The conclusion of an internationally binding agreement providing for the continuation of Hong Kong's capitalist system and way of life for at least 50 years and safe fuarding its basic rights

and freedoms was therefore a major achievement. It was also a

triumph for common sense, based on the recognition by all involved that they have everything to gain by allowing Hong Kong to continue to flourish as one of the most dynamic and thriving trade centres in the world. As always, common sense means giving people freedom. The Joint Declaration provides for the steady development of representative government up to and after 1997. The principle of universal suffrage is now enshrined in the draft Basic Law being

drafted by the Chinese.

19.

Common sense and freedom is a pragmatic philosophy which we promote wherever we have dealings around the world. This is the message I would leave with those who read this article.

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