ARZACS
CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HONG KONG: 29-31 MAY 1988
BRIEF NO 21: PRESS CONFERENCE
Outline of opening statement
1. My first substantive visit to Hong Kong since negotiation of Joint Declaration in 1983-84. But Hong Kong has remained a central
preoccupation for me and the British Government.
2.
On this visit I have:
Seen as much of Hong Kong as I could: helicopter tour, container port, infrastructure development, reception centre for boat people.
- Talked to as many Hong Kong people as I could: Governor, ExCo,
LegCo, young professionals, community leaders.
Listened to a a wide cross section of views and opinions.
3. My impressions:
As always deep admiration for the vitality and enterprise of
Hong Kong people.
Rapid development of infrastructure.
Improving quality of life a just reward for hard work and
endeavour.
4.
But there are understandably concerns too:
About future.
About Hong Kong's political development, up to 1997 and
beyond.
About practical problems such as emigration and Vietnamese boat people.
5.
I will return to Britian with a better understanding of the problems faced by the Government and people of Hong Kong. In particular I shall be discussing with my colleagues the enormous problems posed by the fresh influx of boat people from Vietnam.
CONFIDENTIAL
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