UNCLASSIFIED
4
to China's modernisation programme.
The reassurances given
by Deng Xiaoping to the Governor in Peking last March were
We look forward to seeing the Chinese
clear and categorical.
Premier in London next month when, I am confident, he will
confirm the Chinese Government's commitment to our shared
interest in maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity.
Finally, may I conclude with some comments on Hong
Kong's relations with the UK. Hong Kong is important to us.
We have a long history of economic relations with you, and
you are second only to Japan as a market for British goods
in this region. Hong Kong is a shop-window for British
industry in Asia. We are an industrial, trading nation and
you too are a major force in world trade: sometimes this
may mean that our interests do not entirely coincide.
textiles for example. But we do care about the people of
Hong Kong, and I hope I have left you in no doubt how much
we admire you. You may have every confidence that we shall
stand by you and defend your interests as far and as strongly
as we can.
Over
Hong Kong and General Department
September 1979
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