TNAG-2608-FCO40-3799-International-support-from-the-USA-regarding-the-future-of-H-1992 — Page 110

'FEB 19 '92 18:02 HK OFFICE WASHINGTON

P.2

Capital Commentary February 4, 1992

This is Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky.

American needs a comprehensive, coherent policy for dealing with

Hong Kong, The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong

creates a legitimate opportunity for international scrutiny of

the territory's future. History and economics impose a duty upon

us to act now.

1

My U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act addresses U.S. policy towards Hong

Kong in five areas: bilateral ties, Hong Kong participation in

multilateral organizations, commerce, transportation, and culture

and education.

On a per

Since 1986, U.S. exports to Hong Kong have nearly doubled and

Hong Kong has become our 13th largest trading partner.

capita basis, Hong Kong now imports three times as much from the

U.S. as does Japan.

True democracy is finally gaining a tenuous foothold in the

territory. After 1997, Hong Kong will probably be the only place

in China with any democratic freedoms.

Clearly, the people of

Hong Kong need reassurance that the U.S. and the West are

neither indifferent toward nor uninterested in their future

after 1997.

Dozens of Hong Kong groups in the U.S. and abroad are strongly

supporting my bill. We have a definitiva policy towards the

People's Republic of China. Now it's time for a Hong Kong

& MFT W/M / 209

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