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A
It preserves Hong Kong's familiar legal system and
the rights and freedoms enjoyed there.
In short, it provides the assurances for the future
which Hong Kong needs in order to continue to play its unique
role in the world as a trading and financial centre.
These qualities in the Agreement have been recognized
by the British Parliament and by the Standing Committee of the
National Peoples Congress of China, which have approved the
intention of our Governments to proceed to signature.
The Agreement has been subject to a thorough public
debate among those whose future it will determine the people
of Hong Kong.
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Although they have expressed some reservations
and sought clarification on particular points, they have
clearly judged it to be acceptable to them as a whole.
The Agreement has been widely praised by other
Governments and international organizations and in financial
and economic circles. The Secretary-General of the United
Nations has described it as an example for other countries
of the way in which difficult international problems can be
successfully resolved.
International goodwill and support will be vital for
Hong Kong in the future, and I have no doubt that it will be
forthcoming.
I should like to pay a tribute to the Leaders of
China for the vision and farsightedness of their approach
to the negotiations. The concept of one country two systems
preserving two different political social and economic systems