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04.
In addition to the foreign policy aspects, do you see it as
part of your job to maintain business confidence in Hong Kong?
A4.
Yes: it remains crucial to Hong Kong's prosperity that
business confidence should be maintained. Business confidence is
high at present. We can best help to maintain that confidence by
working closely with the Chinese Government to ensure that the Joint
Declaration, with its guarantees for the continuity of Hong Kong's existing social and economic system and its lifestyle for 50 years
after 1997, will be fully and smoothly implemented. Hong Kong is in its way an economic miracle. That is good for Hong Kong and good
for all of us. We must on our part continue to ensure that Hong
Kong provides an environment in which business and enterprise can
thrive. Businessmen, for their part, will benefit if they keep
their nerve in the periodic ups and downs and there are sure to be
some in the years ahead.
Q5.
A5.
Have you visited Hong Kong in the past?
No: though I have long hoped to. It is a particularly exciting and challenging prospect for me that my first visit will take place in my capacity of Minister of State with special
responsibility for Hong Kong. I am greatly looking forward to the
visit ahead.
[Defensive: When do you intend to visit China?]
I have no plans at present. But I hope to make such a visit in the
not too distant future.
HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
7 September 1987
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