TNAG-1302-FCO40-1658-Visits-by-Richard-Luce--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1984 — Page 49

PROPOSED STATEMENT ON ARRIVAL

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HKK

027/12

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

13 JUL 1984

100

+

1. I am very pleased to be back in Hong Kong again. My visit

is part of the pattern of routine consultations through which

Ministers keep in direct touch with opinion in Hong Kong.

We

attach great importance to those regular consultations and to

the views expressed by the people of Hong Kong. I look

forward to holding further discussions with the Governor, the Executive Council and UMELCO and to meeting a wide range of

representatives of the community.

2. Our current negotiations with the Chinese Government on

the future of Hong Kong are moving forward steadily.

I am

confident that they are on course to produce a satisfactory

agreement, in the best interests of Hong Kong.

Of course, I

well understand that this is a difficult and uncertain time

for Hong Kong. But I can assure you that there is no crisis,

whether in the talks, in London or in Hong Kong. It remains the prime objective of the British Government to achieve an agreement

which, in accordance with the joint aim of the British and Chinese Governments, will ensure the future stability and prosperity of

Hong Kong. In the period before 1997, as Ministers have stated

before, we shall not lose sight of our responsibilities. We shall

continue to provide the framework within which the Hong Kong

Government can administer the territory effectively and plans for

its future.

Hong Kong Department

11 July 1984

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