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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1979
STATEMENT BY F.C.O. MINISTER
*****
+I AM DELIGHTED TO MEET YOU AT WHAT IS NEARLY THE END OF A VISIT THAT HAS BEEN ALL TOO SHORT. LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR
I QUESTIONS, BUT HOPE YOU WILL FIND IT USEFUL IF I SET THE SCENE BRIEFLY.
+BRITAIN HAS SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, AND THE NEW CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO HONOUR THIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE FACT THAT LORD CARRINGTON, AND NOW I (THE MINISTER OF STATE RESPONSIBLE IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS) HAVE VISITED HONG KONG SO EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT DOES, BELIEVE, HIGHLIGHT, NOT ONLY BRITAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY, BUT ALSO BRITAIN'S INTEREST IN FOSTERING THE PROGRESS AND WELFARE OF HONG KONG. WE IN BRITAIN FÖLLOW WITH ADMIRATION THE WAY HONG KONG MARRIES OUTSTANDINGLY SUCCESSFUL FREE ENTERPRISE WITH GOOD ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE.
*THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO ESTABLISH CONDITIONS IN WHICH THE BRITISH ECONOMY, SO DISAPPOINTING FOR SO MANY YEARS. CAN BE RE-VITALIZED AND MADE MORE RESPONSIVE TO CHANGE. WHEN WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IT SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO HANDLE THE PROBLEMS, WHICH HONG KONG NOW FACES OVER RESTRICTED ACCESS FOR SOME PRODUCTS, NOTABLY TEXTILES.
+THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. THE GENEVA MEETING ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN JULY WAS MAINLY THE RESULT OF EFFORTS BY MRS. THATCHER. WE BELIEVED THAT A MAJOR
WE BELIEVED THAT A MAJOR INITIATIVE WAS REQUIRED TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN WHICH HONG KONG WAS BEARING. WE ARE NOW DOING OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT THE MEETING IS PROPERLY FOLLOWED UP.
+FOR HONG KONG THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS CENTRAL. SINO BRITISH RELATIONS, INCLUDING HONG KONG, ARE OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD, AS YOU WILL KNOW FROM THE SUCCESS OF THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT EARLIER THIS YEAR. BRITAIN, HONG KONG, AND CHINA SHARE A COMMON INTEREST IN HONG KONG'S CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.
+ I WOULD NOT IN ANY EVENT WISH TO CONCLUDE THESE REMARKS WITHOUT PAYING PARTICULAR TRIBUTE TO THE GOVERNOR'S DISTINGUISHED ROLE IN DEFENDING AND PROMOTING HONG KONG'S INTERESTS. I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO INFORM YOU THAT THE QUEEN HAS APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF SIR MURRAY MACLE HOSE'S APPOINTMENT AS GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF HONG KONG UNTIL APRIL 1982.+
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