TNAG-0845-FCO40-1055-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 65

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AKIC 026

ELIVED IN REGISTRY NO.

2 7 SEP 1979

DESK OFFICER

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UNCLASSIFIED:

25TH SEPTEMBER 1979

FCO FROM HONGKONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE

PLEASE PASS TO HONGKONG DEPARTMENT

THE FOLLOWING IS THE OPENING STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR. PETER BLAKER, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN HONGKONG THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.

"I AM DELIGHTED TO MEET YOU AT WHAT IS NEARLY THE END OF A VISIT THAT HAS BEEN ALL TOO SHORT. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT HOPE YOU WILL FIND IT USEFUL IF I SET THE SCENE BRIEFLY.

BRITAIN HAS SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONGKONG, 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 HONGKONG AFFAIRS) HAVE VISITED HONGKONG SO EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT MES, I BELIEVE, HIGHLIGHT, NOT ONLY BRITAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY, BUT ALSO BRITAIN'S INTEREST IN FOSTERING THE PROGRESS AND WELFARE OF HONGKONG. WE IN BRITAIN FOLLOW WITH ADMIRATION THE WAY HONGKONG MARRIES OUTSTANDINGLY SUCCESSFUL FREE ENTERPRISE WITH GOOD ARRANCEMENTS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE.

"THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO ESTABLISH CONDITIONS IN RICH THE BRITSIH ECONOMY, SO DISAPPOINTING FOR SO MANY YEARS, CAN BE RE-VITALISED AND MADE MORE RESPONSIVE TO CHANCE. WHEN WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IT SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO HANDLE THE PROBLEMS WHICH HONGKONG NOW FACES OVER RESTRICTED ACCESS FOR SOME PRODUCTS, NOTABLY TEXTILES.

"THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONGKONG IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, THE GENEVA MEETING ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN JULY WAS MAINLY THE RESULT OF EFFORTS EY MRS. THATCHER. WE BELIEVED THAT A MAJOR INITIATIVE WAS REQUIRED TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN WHICH HONGKONG WAS BEARING. WE ARE NOW DOING OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT THE MEETING IS PROPERLY FOLLOWED UP.

FOR HONGKONG THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS CENTRAL. SINO- ERITISH RELATIONS, INCLUDING HONGKONG, ARE OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD, AS YOU WILL KNOW FROM THE SUCCESS OF THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT EARLIER THIS YEAR. BRITAIN, HONGKONG, AND CHINA SHARE A COMMON INTEREST IN HONGKONG'S CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.

1"1 WOULD

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