sound basis on which a thriving and industrious community such
as yours can be built.
6. But I am also responsible for the external relations of
the United Kingdom and I want to speak to you about two of the
international developments which I consider among the most
important at this time, the enlargement of the European Economic
Community and the seating of China in the United Nations.
of these are of the greatest significance to Hong Kong.
7.
Both
Our Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community
has just been signed, and we will be full members in under a
year. In the negotiations for entry we kept in the closest
touch with the Hong Kong Government and fought hard for Hong
Kong's interests, and with what I hope will turn out to be
pretty satisfactory results for Hong Kong. I am sure that in
We expect this respect you have little to fear for the future.
that within the Common Market the level of economic activity
in Britain will expand dramatically. This will be much to your
advantage.
Secondly, liberal trading policies generally serve
You
our national interests best, and we will have every incentive to
pursue those policies when we are members of the Community.
textile manufacturers would have few problems if other countries
were to import as high a proportion of their textiles as does
the United Kingdom.
8. As I see it, in the Common Market Hong Kong's interests are
not opposed to those of Britain. They will be satisfied by just
-3-
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.