24-APR-1992 16:46
FCO NEWS DEPT
24-7 IN
FOREIGN SECRETARY
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INT NEWSNIGHT
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24 APRIL 1992
071 270 3734
P.04
undoubted political authority, vis a vis Peking and vis a vis
London, and that they have.
INTERVIEWER:
What misgivings do you have about Hong Kong's prospects during Chris Patten's Governorship and indeed after it has reverted to
China?
FOREIGN SECRETARY:
We have to protect the interests of Hong Kong, that is something
that they expect and asked us to do, but we also have to try and
do that without causing the commotions and the blows to confidence
which they also particularly fear, They want us to do both those
things, it will not be easy, it has not been easy for David
Wilson, but we have to try and do both those things by cooperating
increasingly with the Chinese while showing to the Chinese that
Hong Kong as it now is, a capitalist Hong Kong with growing free
institutions, is actually the Hong Kong which will best suit
China.
QUESTION:
Do you think it would be a neat swap if you stayed Foreign
Secretary for five years and Chris Patten could come back from
Hong Kong and take over your job?
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