ぐ
"BRITAIN AND HONG KONG: THE CHALLENGES AND
OPPORTUNITIES"
1
For me, returning to Hong Kong after so many years is a
fascinating and stimulating experience.
My first
impressions go back to the 1950s. I remember with
affection the Hong Kong of that time. I recall with
admiration the way in which it coped with the challenge
of a massive influx of people from Mainland China; and
how it grasped the opportunities of the post war era.
35 years have elapsed since I first saw Hong Kong.
Much has changed. I am above all struck by the extent
to which Hong Kong has prospered and matured. Hong
Kong's impressive sky-line asserts the extent to which
Hong Kong has grown both physically and
metaphorically.
A
Since becoming Foreign Secretary I have already devoted
a considerable amount of time to Hong Kong issues. So
have other members of my Ministerial team - Francis
Maude in particular. There is nothing surprising about
that. It reflects the priority the Government attaches
to Hong Kong. It reflects the fact that Hong Kong
matters to Britain. It matters to me personally.