E.
TABAEC
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SINO-BRITISH-HONG KONG RELATIONS
Sino-British relations are excellent.
There are no real
problems between us. Our relations are developing and expanding in all fields and at all levels. I have every confidence that our relations will continue to thicken and deepen. Our common interest in Hong Kong's future prosperity and stability and our joint commitment to the Joint Declaration lie at the heart of this
relationship.
It is absolute nonsense to suggest, as some people have done, that we are seeking to create good relations with China at the expense of the interests of Hong Kong. The fact is that the two are interdependent: Hong Kong prospers when London and Peking are in harmony. Close and cordial cooperation between Britain and China is an essential ingredient of confidence in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's future stability and prosperity cannot be secured by public confrontation with China. And of course we have considerable interests in Hong Kong: we have a political interest as the administering government and an economic and commercial interest through our extensive trade and investment there.
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