NR7AEW
DRAFT "SHORT" SPEECH FOR MR RENTON TO DELIVER IN HONG
KONG ON 30 OCTOBER AT DINNER HOSTED BY UMELCO, IN REPLY
TO SIR S Y CHUNG
May I say to start with how delighted I am to be in Hong Kong on a day which has seen the opening of the
first session of
the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
include elected members. This is indeed an occasion
to be remembered. It marks an important step in the
development of representative government in Hong Kong.
to
This is my
capacity as Minister as Minister
am very conscious
responsibilities:
first visit to
responsible for the Territory.
Hong Kong
in
my
I
of nature
my
of the special
i f there was any danger of
of my not
being aware of them, it was removed by the very flattering degree of attention given to my appointment by your active and imaginative press. One enterprising
reporter even managed to telephone me in hospital the
day after my recent operation!
I am
am very happy to be
back here, and I hope that this is only the first of
many visits.
I watched with admiration the successful
negotiation of the Agreement which was, and continues
to be, a tribute to the hard work and close cooperation
between оп the one side, the British and Hong Kong
Governments, and on the other the People's Republic of
UMELCO played
China.
I
the regard
role which
in
advising Us during the negotiations as crucial. Together, and with good will on all sides, an agreement