TNAG-1749-FCO40-2468-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 32

-

16

17

-

But Hong Kong's successes past and

future depend too upon the goodwill

and support of Britain and China.

Experience shows clearly that Hong Kong

does not prosper if Britain and China

are at odds and vice versa.

- So let me once and for all dispose of

the myth that Britain ever has or ever

would sacrifice Hong Kong's interests in

the pursuit of better Sino-British

relations.

-

I have already reaffirmed Britain's

commitment to Hong Kong. That

commitment comes from the Prime

Minister and all our colleagues. We

have a deep sense of responsibility to

Hong Kong and her people. I myself have

had 7 meetings in the last 2 years with

Foreign Minister Wu Xuegian, now Deputy

Prime Minister. Hong Kong has been at

the heart of those discussions.

- That is hogwash. Even if we were daft

enough to think there was any benefit in

doing so, it would not be within our

power. Nothing would destroy

Sino-British relations faster than a

failure of our joint enterprise in Hong

Kong. And don't forget that our own

economic interests in Hong Kong are

immense.