TNAG-2767-FCO40-3984-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1993 — Page 46

Gallagher

0491 579838

P.17

LONDON

4 APRIL 1993

18

MR CHRIS PATTEN INT DAVID FROST

MR PATTEN:

We are not going to do anything which would provoke that and China

certainly for her part would not do that, I think Chinese leaders

have made that clear again and again. I actually believe Chinese

leaders when they say that and I believe them as well when they

express their commitment to the Joint Declaration.

I just want to

make absolutely certain that the terms of the Joint Declaration

are secured.

INTERVIEWER:

And do you think that Hong Kong will be as prosperous under

communist rule or Chinese rule as under ours?

MR PATTEN:

Provided that the people of Hong Kong, the ordinary people, are allowed to live their lives within the rule of law practising a

market economy

-

yes.

INTERVIEWER:

They really will be?

MR PATTEN:

With those provisos.

They are extraordinarily talented and

resourceful people, they must be given the chance.