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I also discussed with Premier Zhao and Chairman Deng
the question of Hong Kong's future. Following these
discussions the following statement was issued:
'Today the leaders of both countries held far-
reaching talks in a friendly atmosphere on
the future of Hong Kong. Both leaders made
clear their respective positions on this
subject.
They agreed to enter talks through diplomatic
channels following the visit with the common
aim of maintaining the stability and prosperity
of Hong Kong'.
The main purpose of my visit to Hong Kong from
26-28 October was threefold to demonstrate Britain's
commitment to the people of Hong Kong, to hear their views
on the future and to see how things had changed since my
last visit in 1977. My programme enabled me to meet a
very wide cross-section of people. In the main those whom
I saw, in and outside of government, wished to know how my
visit to China and my discussions there on the future of
Hong Kong had gone. I was able to assure them of the
continuing strength of Her Majesty's Government's commitment
to Hong Kong, and that the views and wishes of the people
would be fully taken into account in the discussions with
the Chinese government. My visits to the Castle Peak Power
Station, which I opened, and to the Mass Transit Railway,
gave me a very good idea of how Hong Kong continues to