UK reminds China to uphold joint declaration
HONG KONG (JP): Britain's heir Prince Charles reminded China to faithfully implement the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, the British colony of 156 years which reverted to Chinese rule at midnight yesterday, to ensure stability and prosperity.
The Prince of Wales, who represented Britain at the handover of the territory to Chinese sovereignty, said during the British farewell ceremony from its colony that although the British Union Jack flag was about to be lowered and that British administrative responsibility would end within the next few hours, Britain was not saying good bye to the people of Hong Kong.
"The Sino-British Joint Liaison Group will continue for another two and a half years to discuss matters concerning implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. That Joint Declaration remains in force for another 50 years," the prince said, addressing some 10,000 distinguished guests who attended the ceremony at the East Tamar naval base, where military and civil parades were held despite a heavy downpour.
"Hong Kong now returns to Chinese sovereignty in excellent condition, prosperous, stable, and dynamic," he said, adding that Hong Kong and Britain were deeply bonded since three and a half million of the territory's residents are British nationals.
"Ties between Britain and Hong Kong run deep. Britain is part of Hong Kong and Hong Kong is part of Britain. We are also part of each other's future," the prince said.
Noting Hong Kong's role as Asia's gateway to Europe and Britain's role as Europe's gateway to Asia, the prince said that London had confidence in the ability and resilience of Hongkongers.
"Britain learned long ago that Hong Kong people know best what is good for Hong Kong ... And the faithful implementation of the join declaration is the key to continue HK success," he added
Earlier, the last colonial governor of the territory, Chris Patten, also delivered his farewell address in a brief but emotional speech, reflecting his love and sympathy for the Hongkongers who will have to live under the communist government.
"Today calls for celebration, not sorrow. But here and there perhaps, there will be a touch of personal sadness," Patten said as he struggled to fight back tears.
Praising Hong Kong's success, stability and democracy, Patten said: "What we celebrate this evening is the hard work, the audacity of the men and women who have written Hong Kong's success story. ... Chinese men and Chinese women. They were only ordinary in the sense that most of them came here with nothing. They are extraordinary in what they have achieved against the odds."
He also said that Britain wished the executive of this Special Administrative Region, Tung Chee-hwa and his team, the very best of luck as they embark on their journey.
The grand, yet emotional ceremony -- enlivened with a dragon dance and other Chinese traditional dances accompanied by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra -- was also attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife.
Despite the bad weather, with most of the 10,000 guests carrying umbrellas to protect themselves from the rain, the ceremony went on solemnly, reflecting the honorable withdrawal of the last batch of the British forces from the territory, (ego)