FOREIGN SECRETARY
-
SPEECH
-
LONDON
16 SEPTEMBER 1991
4
democracy, will come to terms with the outcome.
It seems to me
that it is in the interest of all concerned in Hong Kong and China
that the closer cooperation between Britain and China and Hong
Kong over Hong Kong issues, that closer cooperation provided for
in the Joint Declaration becomes an increasing reality during this
coming period.
We have some time before the next round of elections in 1995 to
work out how best they should fit into this pattern. So far as
Her Majesty's Government is concerned we have two aims: first, we
want to see steady progress towards a greater degree of direct
election in Hong Kong; second, we want this progress to be
sustained without interruption after the transfer of sovereignty
in 1997. It seems to me, Ladies and Gentlemen, these two aims
must go together. We have managed to reconcile these two aims so
far and we now have to work with all concerned to build on this
success.
So we look forward to working with the new LEGCO, and as the Prime
Minister made clear in Hong Kong, discussing with them a wide
range of issues.
This is against the background that the Joint Declaration of 1984
remains the best basis for Hong Kong's future. It is a priority,
a main priority for myself, for the office which I direct, the
Foreign Office, and indeed for the British Government as a whole
to make a success of that Joint Declaration.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.