Important to all of us in the region and more widely with an interest in Asian economic success that Hong Kong should
preserve her freedoms and particularly the rule of law after
1997, in accordance with the Joint Declaration.
That is why we are determined to hold fair and open
elections in 1995. As Chris Patten said last October:
"Without the rule of law buttressed by democratic institutions, investors are left unprotected. Without an independent Judiciary enforcing laws democratically enacted, businesses will be vulnerable to arbitrary political decisions
taken on a whim a sure recipe for a collapse in confidence
and a powerful deterrent to investors from overseas".
Hong Kong needs a Legislative Council that has the moral
authority to protect Hong Kong's high standards. For this it must be elected fairly and openly.
- But we want to do this if possible in a way which will
provide continuity of institutions and people. Hence the importance of the "through train", and the need for agreement with China, if we can get it on acceptable terms.
Our talks with China are now dealing with concrete issues.
There is still a considerable gap between us but we are working for a successful outcome. There is a point beyond which we cannot go. Whether or not agreement is possible. shall need to get on with making the arrangements for elections before too long. But we are committed to reaching
an agreement, and if we are unable to do so, it will not be
through lack of British effort.
We
What if talks fail?
-
Hope they'll succeed. In China's interests as well as
Hong Kong's (and entire trading community's interests)
that we should reach a cooperative agreement, which will
ensure that the Joint Declaration is fully implemented.
ptm.gdldwpst.BRIEF
JM
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