TNAG-1160-FCO40-1440-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 32

DSR 11C

systems are supposedly based on principles of social

justice would dearly love to share Hong Kong's record in

providing social services. Your success is second to none

in housing your rapidly growing population, in expanding

health and educational facilities in giving assistance to

those who would otherwise find it difficult to make their

way.

and

We in the UK are not as generally aware of these aspects of

Hong Kong's achievements as we should be. We tend to think

of Hong Kong as purely an economic miracle. But perhaps

the image of Britain held by many people here is similarly

distorted. Many of you no doubt regard us as a distant

European power with distinguished military and cultural

traditions. You do not at once think of us as a dynamic

and innovative economic power. Yet that is what we are

surely and steadily becoming.

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1

A revitalised and vigorous Britain will be well placed to

sade better

become a much eleper partner for Hong Kong. And such a

partnership will be in the interests of us both. We will

benefit from your enterprise and vigour. And the

commitment of the British Government and people to the

interests of Hong Kong will be further strengthened.

I am grateful to you for inviting me to speak to you today.

our quis to passive. It gives me the chance to reaffirm the British Government's

inch

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Junfloundering determination to ensure a stable and

- 2

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