Cook: Reassures Hong Kong

Government Pledge to Hong Kong

On the eve of his departure for the ceremonies to hand back the colony to China, he pledged Britain's moral and legal commitment to Hong Kong for the next 50 years.

Mr Cook promised to mobilise international support and warned China that Britain would not stint in raising any concerns that might arise over the 50-year lifetime of the Joint Declaration signed in 1984 by both governments.

"We have accepted that our role is to competently carry out the policy commitments already in place and make the Joint Declaration stick and make sure in the years beyond July 1 that the terms of the Joint Declaration are adhered to and that China honours its commitments," said Mr Cook.

Britain had two objectives. The first was to safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and the second to protect its freedoms and liberties.

Last vestiges of Empire disappear in Hong Kong

"We want to make sure that the tremendous drive of the Hong Kong people is given full opportunity to continue to prosper after the transfer," he said. "We want to enable Hong Kong to continue as the thriving and dynamic economy that it is."

Mr Cook said the first benchmark of China's willingness to stick to its commitments to democracy will be free elections for a legislative council within 12 months of the handover.

"Britain does have special moral responsibility to make sure that the liberties of the Hong Kong people are fulfilled," he said. "There is also a legal responsibility to ensure the terms of the Joint Declaration are honoured."

Under the terms of the Joint Declaration Hong Kong will enjoy substantial autonomy under the "one nation two systems" policy. Its capitalist system and lifestyle will be unchanged for 50 years. The territory's free market economic policies will remain intact and retain a separate legal, fiscal, monetary and social system.