TNAG-2032-FCO40-2895-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1990 — Page 73

FROM

PORRIGN SEC:

SPRRCH

-10-

HONG KONG GEEBRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCH - 15 JANUARY 1990

PORRIGN SECRETARY (CONTD):

The discussion on the Basic Law has stimulated interest in

how, constitutionally, Hong Kong will develop before 1997 - that is

a matter for decision by the British Government and the Government

of Hong Kong and as we take our decisions about this, we must take

full account of the way in which opinion has evolved in Hong Kong,

including in recent months, and we must do what we can to make sure

that our decisions match what this society is hoping for, aspiring

to.

Two things are certain, Ladies and Gentlemen, and perhaps not

fully yet grasped at any rate outside Hong Kong:

One thing is certain: that Hong Kong will achieve, from

1991, a momentous change in the way it is governed by taking this

first step to a directly-elected democracy so far as Hong Kong is

concerned.

The second thing is also certain: that these steps will be

bigger than was proposed originally by us only two years ago in the

White Paper of early 1988.

Those are two things which are certain and their significance

to the life of everybody living and working here is very great.

If possible, the system which we establish before 1997 should

be part of a process which will continue in the years thereafter;

that would be the best prize. We are. frankly, not interested in

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