TNAG-2608-FCO40-3799-International-support-from-the-USA-regarding-the-future-of-H-1992 — Page 75

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WILL RULE THE TERRITORY AFTER 1997.

CHINA'S COMMITMENT IN THE

JOINT DECLARATION TO A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FOR HONG KONG OFFERS HOPE FOR CONTINUATION OF THIS PROCESS AFTER 1997.

AS I NOTED IN MY DEPARTURE STATEMENT DURING MY VISIT TO

HONG KONG LAST MONTH, A FULLY SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION MUST SAFEGUARD HUMAN RIGHTS, EVEN AS A BASIS FOR CONTINUED ECONOMIC PROSPERITY. THEREFORE, WE VIEW WITH SOME CONCERN CHINA'S

IN OUR VIEW, THIS CRITICISM OF HONG KONG'S BILL OF RIGHTS. LEGISLATION ENSURES THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AND THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WHICH IS TO FOLLOW IT, HAS

IN PLACE A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS.

IN THIS REGARD, WE WOULD ALSO NOTE WITH CONCERN CHINA'S

MEDIA ATTACKS ON HONG KONG'S DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED LEGCO MEMBERS AND ITS APPOINTMENT OF 44 "HONG KONG ADVISORS," BOTH OF

WHICH SUGGEST UNEASE WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS THAT BEARS

WATCHING. I WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT SINCE 1984, SOME OF THE

ACTIVITIES OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, BEIJING'S DE FACTO

REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG, HAVE PERIODICALLY FUELED

WE BELIEVE THAT IT CONTROVERSY THAT HAS AFFECTED CONFIDENCE.

IS IN CHINA'S BEST INTERESTS TO RESPECT THE EXPRESSED WILL OF

THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND TO REFRAIN FROM ANY ACTION WHICH

WOULD CALL INTO QUESTION THE FUTURE PROTECTION OF

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL

FREEDOMS IN HONG KONG.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE TRENDS OF ECONOMIC SYMBIOSIS AND

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