"No one doubts that Peking genuinely wishes to see the status quo preserved for a long time after 1997 in maintaining Hong Kong as a successful trading entity, participating in international
organisations and agreements, and retaining a very different way of
life from the mainland".
Daily Mail, 27 September 1984, Revolutionary! Hong kong will stay
free under China rule.
"Communist China accepted a remarkable new deal yesterday. agreed to take over Hongkong without imposing socialism on its free-enterprise life-style for at least 50 years".
It
"For Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe who hailed the agreement as "an unprecedented revolutionary proposition", it was a tremendous personal triumph, celebrated in champagne".
Daily Telegraph, 27 September 1984, Praise for Quiet Diplomacy (Michael Kallenbach at UN)
"The United Nations Secretary-General yesterday hailed the negotiations on the future of Hongkong as "one of the most outstanding examples of effective, quiet diplomacy in contemporary international relations"
"He [Senor Perez de Cuellar yesterday referred to the arrangements by Britain and China as "an encouragement to all who believe that determination, political will and constructive dialogue can overcome the most formidable hurdles
14 00
"He also spoke about the perseverance and imaginative thinking of the two Governments. "I wish to commend them" he said "for the remarkable and dedicated settlement of a very delicate and complex
issue".