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RD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 6 TO 10 DECEMBER 1982
BRIEF NO.15: PRESS CONFERENCE
A STATEMENT AT PRESS CONFERENCE
This is, as you will know, the first time I have visited Hong Kong since I took over responsibility for Hong Kong Affairs in
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in April. I wish it could
have been earlier. I am particularly pleased that I have been
able to spend a full working week here. It has given me the
chance to see a great deal of Hong Kong, to meet a lot of people, and to listen to their views. I have had useful
meetings with the Governor, with senior officials and with
UMELCO as well as with many other people actively involved in' Hong Kong affairs. Like all who come to Hong Kong for the first time, I have been particularly struck by its dynamism and
activity, and by the energy and productivity of its people.
pace and extent of development are simply breathtaking.
The
One thing that has been obvious to me this week is that the
future of Hong Kong is uppermost in everyone's minds. It is
immensely helpful to me to be able to hear the views of people here on this vital question. For my part I should like to reiterate Her Majesty's Government's commitment to a settlement acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. Things have
started well. When the Prime Minister visited Peking in
September, she and the Chinese leaders agreed to enter talks
with the common aim of maintaining the stability and prosperity
of Hong Kong. You may have heard this phrase rather a lot recently, but don't underestimate its importance, nor the
friendly atmosphere in which the Prime Minister's discussions
took place. The meetings have begun. We intend to make a success of them and we certainly do not regard their outcome as prejudged by anything said outside. It is only on the basis of
good relations and mutual understanding between the United
Kingdom and China that a solution can be reached that is
acceptable to both governments and to the people of Hong Kong.
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