TNAG-2329-FCO40-3373-Hong-Kong-contacts-with-academics-and-writers-1991 — Page 20

1.11.

1.12.

bring policies to fruition".

This demonstrates a completely different

view of administration and law. There will be, I believe, în due course in the PRC an evolving discussion of rights, and it is important to be able to discuss, among other things, the extent to which law will become part of any such concepts in PRC thinking. But such discussions will only be useful if done in the right context. I see that the British Prime Minister said on 8th October, 1990 that:

"What we are going for now is democracy from the Atlantic right across Europe, right across to the other side to the Pacific. one day too.

and it will not be that long24 China will come along

(Newsweek, 15th October, 1990).

I believe she was right that it will happen one day. However, it is not the function of this project to proselytise: its function is to facilitate explanation, and thereby to build mutual understanding.

And

Protections for freedom of speech and other freedoms are matters which are very relevant to Hong Kong. How these will be affected in practice by 1997 is difficult to say, Under the Joint Declaration, they should remain intact. But what are the limits of autonomy to be?

"When exercising its high level of autonomy [post-1997),

Hong Kong will not proceed entirely without guidance,

and even necessary intervention from the Central Government.

And to quote Deng Xiaoping: -

„,25

"For instance, after 1997 if someone in Hong Kong condemns the

Communist Party and condemns China, we will still allow him to speak; but if the words become actions and he wants to turn Hong Kong into a 'democracy' and set up a base to oppose the mainland, what then? If we cannot intervene at that time, it would not be acceptable.

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Although it is not fair to judge intention by short quotations alone, these words do raise issues. As they say such things in the PRC, Hong Kong people have much to contribute to the discussion. They can explain, at least, the differences between hot air and hostility, to put it crudely. I am not yet confident, however, that they would get a fair hearing, but I do not yet have personal experience in this regard either. I address these issues in Parts Three and Four. Finding the right ways, the right forum and the right level to raise the issues productively is the next task. But such attempts are valuable only if they are carefully planned, and openly formulated, so that our intentions are known to all and misunderstanding is thereby avoided.

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I had a meeting as well at the Foreign Affairs College of the Ministry