opportunity to get across our views. In doing so, we
have always respected the wishes of the Chinese that
this should be done privately and in confidence.
A key area of the Basic Law is the chapter on the
future political structure. It is understandable that
this section should have become the focus of debate in
Hong Kong. The outcome of this section will have a
crucial effect on what view Hong Kong people take on
the Basic Law as a whole. It is right that the
community should have expressed its views fully and
vigorously. It is encouraging that, in the search for
consensus and compromise, a number of constructive
proposals should have emerged from the community in
Hong Kong. This is very much to Hong Kong's credit.
The debate on the Basic Law has naturally stimulated
interest in Hong Kong's constitutional development
before 1997. In taking our decisions about this we
must take full account of the evolution of opinion in
Hong Kong. We must ensure that the changes we make
match the aspirations of this society. It is also
important that, if possible, the system we establish
before 1997 should be capable of further development in
the years thereafter. If this were not so, I do not
believe that the arrangements we are making for Hong
Kong's future would be credible locally or
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