TNAG-2917-FCO40-4192-International-support-from-Australasia-regarding-the-future--1993 — Page 13

DEC 10

93

16:49

FROM DFAT CAIRA LH

TO LONDON

PAGE.003/004

CH037150

2.

ல்

TO SEE MAINTAINED BEFORE AND AFTER 1997

WE WATCH KEENLY THE PROCESS OF HONG KONG'S TRANSITION TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY

AS I (EVANS) SAID IN THE SENATE ON 21 OCTOBER, AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS THE VALUES OF AN OPEN SOCIETY, AS REFLECTED IN THE 1984 SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG

THE RULE OF LAW AND AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, BOTH OF WHICH ARE EMBODIED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, HAVE BEEN KEY ELEMENTS IN HONG KONG'S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY

WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY EXPRESSED TO BOTH BRITAIN AND CHINA OUR SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE 1990 BASIC LAW-HONG KONG'S POST-1997 CONSTITUTION – AND WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

WE CONTINUE TO HOPE THAT A MORE DEMOCRATIC AND RESPONSIVE POLITICAL SYSTEM CAN BE INTRODUCED BEFORE 1997

Background

LUCY CHARLESWORTH, EAB (x2070) 6 DECEMBER 1993 REPLACING 15 NOVEMBER 1993

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