serious crisis had been narrowly averted. The territory now
seemed sure of having the airport it needed to ensure its
future as a great financial and trading centre. The way was
also now open to tackle other practical matters which had
long lain becalmed in the Joint Liaison Group.
It remained to secure an early date for the Prime
Minister's visit and the signature. I was anxious that the
interval should be as short as possible, not only so that
the work on the full range of construction could get under
way, but also so that it would look less like a tribute-
bearing occasion and more like what it was, namely a working
visit related to Hong Kong's urgent needs. We had a decisive
argument for doubters: if we wanted to help Hong Kong we had
to be able to talk to Peking; and we should not be timorous
in using it.
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