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DSR 1ÍC (Revised 5/87)
4. Now after Tiananmen, we shall be working all the
harder and with all the more determination to make Hong
Kong's future as secure as possible.
The firmest
guarantee of any agreement is that it is based on common
interests. China has a enormous stake in Hong Kong's
continuing success both economically and politically:
that stake is all the greater in view of the current
turmoil in China itself. The Chinese have said publicly
and assured us privately as well - that their policy
towards Hong Kong will not be affected by recent events
and that they remain committed to the Joint Declaration.
We now look to them to demonstrate by their action that
they mean what they say and to repair the damage that
they have done.
5. The primary responsiblity for the restoration of
confidence in Hong Kong has to lie with China. But in
saying this, I do not mean to suggest that the British
Government has no role to play. It is imperative that we
should use the remaining years of British administration
in Hong Kong to do all we can to give further assurance
to Hong Kong people about their future. My 'recent visit
to the territory gave me a chance to gauge for myself the
concerns and anxieties of the Hong Kong people.
6. We and the Hong Kong Government will be reviewing the
rate of progress towards representative government in
Hong Kong in the light of evolving opinion in the
territory. As the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs
pointed out in their recent report, the wishes of the
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