TNAG-1372-FCO40-1818-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 116

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was

reached which has commanded respect and admiration

throughout the world, and one of which

concerned can be proud.

everybody

process

We

shall need

The agreement was not SO

much the

of a end

as the beginning of one.

There is a long way

to go and still lot to do over the next 12 years. I

should like to reaffirm

to you that there will be no

diminution of Britain's interest in and commitment to

Hong Kong during that period.

discussions with the Chinese Government on

of international issues relating to

interest during the transition period. At the s ame

time, Britain will continue to promote those interests

vigorously with other countries. For example, we

work hard to get the support of other Governments on

continuation

such

issues

as

of

a wide range

Hong Kong's

we shall

international

and trade. To give one more

to accept for

agreements, passports, example, we are at present making a major diplomatic

effort to persuade other countries

settlement more Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong,

following our own recent decision to accept into the UK up to about 500 Vietnamese refugees at present in camps

here.

We shall work hard with you to resist

protectionist trends in the US and

elsewhere. The UK

is almost as dependent on liberal trade as Hong Kong

is, and we have по intention of being pulled along by

protectionist

The UK is now in

currents

elsewhere.

its fifth consecutive year of

growth: we have had our problems,

have been necessary.

sustained economic

and readjustments

But I am confident that Our

economic policies are right, and that they are bringing