22 July 1991
His Excellency The Hon Donald S Macdonald
High Commissioner
Canadian High Commission
Macdonald House
1 Grosvenor Square
London W1X OAB
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SWIA 2AH
From The Minister of State
Aligh Commissione
I am writing to thank you for Canada's warm statement welcoming and supporting the understanding reached between Britain and China on Hong Kong's new airport.
We need to intensify cooperation with China over Hong Kong to bring about a smooth transition in 1997. In doing this we must be sure that the Hong Kong Government retain the ability properly to administer Hong Kong up to 1997. We believe that the agreement on the airport has given us a firm basis on which to proceed with the Chinese.
I was particularly pleased to note your authorities' emphasis on the importance of the agreement to the international community. It is right to underline international commitment to the success of the Joint Declaration and to the maintenance of Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. Hong Kong
has much to offer the world: we all have an interest in its continuing success.
You
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Sücerely
Caithnes
THE EARL OF CAITHNESS
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