TNAG-1342-FCO40-17722-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 47

ITS IMPLEMENTATION. WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE STRENGTH OF OUR

COMMITMENT TO IT TODAY BY THE SIGNATURES THAT YOU, MR PREMIER. AND HAVE SET UPON IT. I AM HEARTENED BY THE ASSURANCE WHICH YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY GIVEN THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS

FOR HONG KONG CONTAINED IN THE AGREEMENT ARE NOT MEASURES OF

EXPEDIENCY. THEY ARE LONG TERM POLICIES, WHICH WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG AND PRESERVED

INTACT FOR 50 YEARS FROM 1977.

FOR MY PART I PLEDGE THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL

DO ALL IN ITS POWER TO MAKE THE AGREEMNT A SUCCESS. IT WILL

BE OUT PRIDE AND OUT PLEASURE TO ADMINISTER HONG KONG UP TO

30 JUNE 1997 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF

BRITISH ADMINISTRATION. WE SHALL ADMINISTER IT PRUDENTLY WITH

FORESIGHT AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE. IN

ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT WE SHALL BE READY

TO CONSULT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE JOINT

LIAISON GROUP TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND WE ARE PLEASED

THAT THIS CONSULTATION WILL EXTEND BEYOND 1997 TO THE YEAR 2000.

THE NEGOTIATION ITSELF HAS BROUGHT OUR COUNTRIES CLOSER

TOGETHER. IT HAS INCREASED OUT MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, RESPECT

AND TRUST. AM CONVINCED THAT AS WE WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE

WE SHALL BE LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR AN EVEN CLOSER AND

DEEPER RELATIONSHIP. THAT IS GOOD FOR

BRITAIN (SEM), COLON) GOOD FOR CHINA (SEMO COLON) AND GOOD FOR

THE WORLD. ABOVE ALL IT IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

WE ARE PRIVILEGED TODAY TO TAKE PART WITH OUR CHINESE FRIENDS IN A UNIQUE OCCASION. THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE,

THE AGREEMENT IS UNIQUE. IT IS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD FEEL

A SENSE OF HISTORY, OF PRIDE AND OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE.

ENDS

EVANS

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG PS/MR LUCE PS/PUS

MR DEREK THOMAS

SIR W HARDING MR GOODALL MR WILSON

SIR J FREELAND

3

COPIES TO:-

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF TH EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS D

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR MARTIN ASST STAFF CABINET OFFICE MR CARTLEDGE

CABINET OFFICE

MR COLVIN CABINET OFFICE

PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE

PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR KELLY TREASURY