TNAG-2608-FCO40-3799-International-support-from-the-USA-regarding-the-future-of-H-1992 — Page 81

14

-

KONG, WHERE APPROPRIATE, AS A NON-SOVEREIGN ENTITY WHICH IS DISTINCT FROM THE PRC FOR PURPOSES OF U.S. DOMESTIC LAW. SUCH

A BILL WOULD BE IN FULL KEEPING WITH OUR INTENT AS A MAJOR PARTNER OF HONG KONG TO ASSIST THE U.K. AND CHINA IN ACHIEVING

THE GOALS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.

រ

ON THE QUESTION OF REPORTS, WE RECOGNIZE CONGRESS' LEGITIMATE INTEREST IN DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AS THE

TRANSITION PROGRESSES. INDEED, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO CLOSELY

HOWEVER, WE MONITOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE TRANSITION PROCESS.

BELIEVE ANY REPORT WOULD BEST FOCUS ON U.S. INTERESTS IN HONG KONG AND CHANGES WHICH RESULT FROM THE REVERSION TO CHINESE

SOVEREIGNTY THAT MAY AFFECT OUR INTERESTS.

LET ME POINT OUT

THAT THERE ARE MANY POSSIBLE CHANGES RESULTING FROM HONG KONG'S REVERSION TO THE PRC OF CONCERN TO U.S. INTERESTS WHICH GO

BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE 1984 JOINT DECLARATION. CONGRESS WOIULD WANT US TO REPORT ON SUCH MATTERS.

WE ASSUME THAT

S. 1731 EMBODIES MANY OF THE GOALS AND CONCEPTS WHICH WE SHARE WITH CONGRESS AND PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT BASIS ON WHICH TO

DEVELOP A BILL THE ADMINISTRATION CAN SUPPORT.

WE HAVE

CAREFULLY REVIEWED IT AND ARE PREPARED TO COMMENT ON SPECIFIC POINTS WHICH MAY REQUIRE REVISION IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THE BILL'S INTENT. WE HOPE, MR. CHAIRMAN, TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF TO ADDRESS THE ADMINISTRATION'S PARTICULAR CONCERNS IN S. 1731 AND TO CREATE A BILL THAT ACHIEVES THE GOALS WHICH CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION SHARE.

THANK YOU.

މ