TNAG-2767-FCO40-3984-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1993 — Page 163

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nationality scheme?

S

A.5 Nothing in the Governor's proposals presents any threat

to Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. On the contr...... they seek to reconcile, on the one hand, the desire in Hong

Kong for a modest increase in the pace of democracy, and on

the other, China's view that the Basic Law cannot be changed

before 1997. As such they are a positive contribution to the maintenance of that stability and prosperity. Through the development of Southern China, Hong Kong and the PRC are

establishing ever closer relations. For us to make a success

of the concept of "one country, two systems" which the

Governor's proposals firmly support is in everyone's interest. As for LegCo, as I have already said, the constitutional position is clear: LegCo is responsible for enacting the legislation for the 1994 and 1995 elections.

have no doubt that when the time comes for LegCo Members to

take a decision, they will have the interests of the people of Hong Kong in mind. As for the British Nationality scheme, there are no plans to fix the quotas for the second tranche in the way you suggest. But it will open to Hong Kong people who wish to do so, and who meet the rules for eligibility set out in the legislation, to apply in the second tranche.

Q.6 Is it realistic to expect much progress in the JLG given the present political climate? Are you concerned by predictions the JLG will be unable to complete its business

by 1997, and should some JLG business be moved to another

arena?

I

A.6 The Joint Declaration commits our two governments to "closer co-operation in the second half of the transition period", and makes the JLG the forum for such co-operation.

Naturally we would like to see a faster pace of work. There is much important work to be done and not much time to do it. It was for that reason that The Prime Minister and Premier Li Peng agreed, in September 1991, "that the two governments would make joint efforts to accelerate work in the JLG so as to ensure that the group will successfully complete all the

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