TNAG-1339-FCO40-1771-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 340

CONFIDENTIAL

DRAFT SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER IN HONG KONG: 20 DECEMBER

1.

Those

Yesterday in Peking Premier Zhao Ziyang and I signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong. It is fitting that this document should have been signed by two Prime Ministers.

signatures recognised the historic significance of the document

itself. They signified also the commitment of our two Governments

at the highest level to the future implementation of the agreement.

2.

Throughout the negotiations my overriding concern was the

future of a community for which Britain has been responsible for nearly 150 years. The growth of Hong Kong in the post-war years, its economic success even in difficult times, testifies to the

success of its administration. It provides the framework within

which Hong Kong people were able to develop to the full their

remarkable talents. It provided a responsive and responsible

Government, subject to the rule of law. Whatever the historical

circumstances in which the association between Hong Kong and Britain

began, the legacy of that association can be a source of justifiable

pride for us all.

3.

I firmly believe that the agreement, which resulted from two

years of intense negotiation, is a good one. It will enable the

people of Hong Kong to continue to face the future with confidence.

It has been very widely recognised, in Hong Kong and abroad, that it

provides for the maintenance of the essential elements in your

unique society. An objective process of assessment has shown that

the agreement as a whole is acceptable to Hong Kong people. This

assessment was real and it was important. Parliament would have

expected no less before approving the intention of the Government to

conclude the agreement. Where there were reservations expressed on individual points in the agreement these will be taken into account

when we begin the task of putting the agreement into effect.

4.

It is very natural that, with an agreement of this kind, people

should ask whether its far-reaching provisions will in the event be implemented. There is no absolute guarantee in this world of anything. But I bring to you the strongest possible commitment on

the part of Her Majesty's Government. We shall do our utmost to

CONFIDENTIAL