MARACS
FILE.
HK 301/1
Tad
HONG KONG: BULL POINTS
TOINT DECLARATION
- Understandable that confidence in Joint Declaration was severely shaken by recent events in Peking. But underlying reality remains that 92% of Hong Kong reverts to China when lease expires in 1997. Question is whether reversion takes place with an agreement or without one. Better that Hong Kong should be returned with all safeguards contained in Joint Declaration than without agreement.
Destiny of Hong Kong inevitably bound up with destiny of China. This is historical and geographical reality. Any viable future for Hong Kong must depend on successful and secure coexistence with China. That objective enshrined in Joint Declaration.
Joint Declaration is a remarkably good agreement. Spells out kind of future we want for Hong Kong ie preservation of Hong Kong's capitalist system, links with outside world and basic freedoms for at least 50 years. Absolutely nothing to be said for scrapping it. What we have got to do is to hold China to its obligations to implement Joint Declaration in full.
Firmest guarantee of any agreement is that it is based on common interests. China has massive stake in Hong Kong's continuing success both economically and politically. China's stake in Hong Kong's stability and prosperity is arguably now even greater in view of the political and economic difficulties in China itself.
Chinese have said publicly, ans assured us privately, that their policy towards Hong Kong will not be affected by recent events. Our continued cooperation on basis of Joint Declaration obviously in Hong Kong's best long-term interests.
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- We have always sought to introduce democratic government in Hong Kong at a pace which commands widest possible support in territory.
Our aim has been to achieve continuity up to and beyond 1997 and to ensure that what is established by that date will continue to flourish after the transfer of sovereignty.
- It is clear that there has been a shift in opinion in Hong Kong in response to recent events in China. We shall be reviewing rate of progress towards representative government in Hong Kong in light of evolving opinion in territory but it seems clear that the 1988 Hong Kong Government White Paper will need to be reviewed. As Select Committee on Foreign Affairs pointed out in their report published on 30 June, wishes of Hong Kong people themselves must be crucial to our approach to this question. The recent agreements reached by Members of OMELCO is an encouraging development.
But do not believe that it would be right to take snap decisions on such an important matter while mood in Hong Kong is in state of
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