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pride to us all, and British administration has provided the
necessary legal and constitutional foundation for what has
been achieved.
But Hong Kong's growth and success, especially in the
post-war years, even in difficult times, has been due above
all to the remarkable talents and energy of the people who
live here. Their character, their achievements, have been
so striking that our prime commitment could only be to them.
We were determined to do all we could to
they have built by their own endeavour.
preserve what
We sought a realistic framework; one which took
account of Chinese interests, but against that background we
sought arrangements which would provide the fullest possible
assurances that Hong Kong people could continue to develop
their talents and apply their energy; that what I would
call Hong Kong's genius could continue to flourish and that
it could make a significant contribution to the development
and modernisation of China as a whole.
I believe we have secured such arrangements and
that the Agreement is a good one. It provides in considerable
detail and in binding form for the maintenance of those things
which are essential to your unique society. As a result,
the people of Hong Kong can, I believe, face the future with
confidence.
The assessment has shown that they regard the
Agreement as a whole acceptable.
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