TNAG-1326-FCO40-1738-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 75

(Q) CONCLUSION

CONFIDENTIAL

34. I am very encouraged by the favourable reception this

agreement has received from noble Lords. If the motion is approved my rt hon Friend the Prime Minister will visit Peking on 19 December, accompanied by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, to sign the agreement. then visit Hong Kong.

They will

35. An era of Hong Kong's life will come to an end in 1997: but another, no less full or promise, will begin. The

British and Chinese Governments are committed to making the

agreement work. But success of the agreement will depend not

just on China and the UK, but also on the people of Hong Kong. We have given the people of Hong Kong a firm basis on

which to build a prosperous future. They are a resourceful

and resilient people and I believe that they will make Hong Kong in the 21st century an even more striking financial,

economic and social success then it is today.

gives them the foundation on which to build. agreement and constitutes a firm foundation.

commend it to the House today.

The agreement It is a good

That is why I

Hong Kong Department

7 December 1984

CONFIDENTIAL

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