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just as a personal observation, having lived in Hong Kong during the 1960s, you walk in neighborhoods where you used to know buildings, and a whole new generation of structures has replaced the old concrete buildings that were there in the '50s and '60s. So, it's easy to lose your way in the new structures.
Hong Kong has taken steps to formalize its commitment to respect the rights of its residents. Last year, Hong Kong passed the bill of rights and is now reviewing and revising its laws to ensure that they fully conform to internationally recognized standards of human rights.
Hong Kong voters went to the polls last September to elect for the first time 18 of the territory's 60 legislative council members. These elections were an important step in advancing the democratization process. As a result of these elections, the United Democrats, led by Mr. Martin Lee (sp), and parties allied with the UDHK, all off whom are committed to ensuring rigorous adherence to the letter and the spirit of the 1984 Sino-British joint declaration, now hold 17 of the 18 directly elected seats.
In 1984,
China and Britain reached an agreement on the future status of Hong Kong, in detail,
in detail, the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong in the joint declaration, a formal international agreement. After it resumes sovereign control over Hong Kong, the Chinese government will be responsible for Hong Kong's foreign affairs and defense, just as the British government has those responsibilities today.
Under the joint agreement, Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all other matters than foreign affairs and defense. The fundamental rights and freedoms of its residents are to be ensured by law, and independent courts will enforce these laws. Hong Kong will continue to participate after 1997 in international agreements and organizations which are open to non-states, such as the GATT and APEC.
The United States is not a party to the joint declaration, nor are we in any sense a guarantor. The U.S. has no special standing in regard to the agreement. Ordinarily, in international law, states do not take formal positions on bilateral agreements to which they are not a party. That having been said, however, the U.S. strongly supports the Sino-British joint declaration and its objectives. We believe that the joint declaration provides the basis for maintaining Hong Kong's separate and increasingly democratized political system and private enterprise economy for at least the next 50 years.
Before 1997, it is primarily incumbent on the PRC and the British governments to take the steps necessary to preserve Hong Kong's essential character. After 1997, that task will be China's alone. Hong Kong's post-1997 fate will be a measure of China's own reform efforts and of its relationship to the international economic and political system. Obviously, how China exercises its sovereignty over Hong Kong will also affect in an important way American
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