TNAG-1749-FCO40-2468-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 33

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And the same is true of China.

Their

economic interest in Hong Kong's success

is even larger than ours.

So however you look at it, Britain and

China have the strongest interest in

working for Hong Kong's success. This

common interest has brought us together

in a close partnership.

Quite apart from that, they have the

overwhelming incentive of proving that

The

Deng Xiaoping's insight, one country two

systems, can be made a reality.

achievement of that reality is

fundamental to deeply felt Chinese

aspirations for national unity.

Hong Kong has been the catalyst of this

relationship and its chief beneficiary.

There is every reason for confidence

that Hong Kong can in the years

ahead retain and continue its key role

in the fastest growing region of the

world.