CONFIDENTIAL
6. These qualities have been recognised in the agreement by the British Parliament and the National People's Congress of China, which have approved the intention of
intention of our Governments
to proceed to signature. The agreement has been subject to a thorough public debate among those whose future it will determine the people of Hong Kong. Although they have expressed some reservations and sought clarification on particular points, they have clearly judged it acceptable to them as a whole. The agreement has been widely praised by other Governments, in international organisations and in financial and economic circles. The Secretary General of the United Nations has described it as an example for other countries of the way in which difficult international problems can be successfully resolved. International goodwill and support will be vital for Hong Kong in the future, and I have no doubt that it will be forthcoming.
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I should like to pay a tribute to the leaders of China for the vision and farsightedness of their approach to the negotiations. The concept of "one country, two systems" preserving two different political, social and economic systems within one nation has no precedent. It offers an imaginative response to the special historical circumstances of Hong Kong. The concept is an example of how apparently intractable problems can, and should be resolved.
CONFIDENTIAL
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