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Mr Speaker, Hong Kong, as everyone who knows it will
agree, is the economic success story of a region which
does actually boast several economic miracles.
look across the border into China you see that the
economic success has spread to the neighbouring
province of the mainland.
As you
China is Hong Kong's largest
trading partner and Hong Kong is also one of Britain's
biggest markets in the region.
All that could continue after 1997
are dramatic
-
-
and the plans
or it could be lost. The future of 5.7
million people after 1997 depends on three things:
first the talent and energy of Hong Kong's own people
and they are not in doubt. Second, the attitude of the
Chinese Government. There is much more which they need
to do to reassure Hong Kong. But dialogue has been
re-established and we must do our best to maintain it.
Thirdly, Hong Kong's future success depends on Britain
the responsible sovereign power until 1997.
After last June, this House rightly voiced its support
for Hong Kong, and that of course has to mean more than
words. The people of Hong Kong are realists. For
example, they accept
-
though reluctantly
that we
cannot give passports to all. They look to us over the
coming years to take the necessary decisions as the
sovereign power and to follow an active and
understanding policy towards Hong Kong. I hope I
convinced them that we would do so.