PROPOSED STATEMENT ON ARRIVAL
RESTRICTED
HKK
027/12
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
13 JUL 1984
100
+
1. I am very pleased to be back in Hong Kong again. My visit
is part of the pattern of routine consultations through which
Ministers keep in direct touch with opinion in Hong Kong.
We
attach great importance to those regular consultations and to
the views expressed by the people of Hong Kong. I look
forward to holding further discussions with the Governor, the Executive Council and UMELCO and to meeting a wide range of
representatives of the community.
2. Our current negotiations with the Chinese Government on
the future of Hong Kong are moving forward steadily.
I am
confident that they are on course to produce a satisfactory
agreement, in the best interests of Hong Kong.
Of course, I
well understand that this is a difficult and uncertain time
for Hong Kong. But I can assure you that there is no crisis,
whether in the talks, in London or in Hong Kong. It remains the prime objective of the British Government to achieve an agreement
which, in accordance with the joint aim of the British and Chinese Governments, will ensure the future stability and prosperity of
Hong Kong. In the period before 1997, as Ministers have stated
before, we shall not lose sight of our responsibilities. We shall
continue to provide the framework within which the Hong Kong
Government can administer the territory effectively and plans for
its future.
Hong Kong Department
11 July 1984
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