TNAG-1755-FCO40-2475-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 21

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Interesting times indeed.

In China, to wish someone life in

"interesting times" is a curse. But these are times of promise, and

of hope. The UK is playing an active part in the fulfilment of that

promise and the realisation of that hope.

From Warsaw to Washington, Singapore to Southern Africa our voice is

heard loud and clear across the whole diverse range of issues that

currently face us. We pursue an effective diplomacy across a wide.

front. A diplomacy that is held in well-earned respect because we

as a country are held in greater respect in the world than for many

years.

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At home, we have re-established prosperity with a record of economic growth sustained now for eight years. Our policies of economic liberalisation have brought solid results. They have been studied

and imitated around the world.

- We have also taken care to safeguard our security through the

maintenance of a strong defence, including an effective nuclear

deterrent. We have thereby earned an authoritative place at the

arms-control table.

These are achievements which both buttress and give purpose to our

foreign policy.

My Lords, I have referred to the encouraging developments in

international relations since our last debate. Nowhere have those

changes been more striking than in the area of East-West relations.

Change here has been possible for two reasons. The West has

remained firm, united and consistent in its approach. And the

approach of the Soviet Union has become more pragmatic as Mr

Gorbachev has sought a stable external environment in which to pursue his ambitious programme of domestic reform.

We do not underestimate the significance of the changed Soviet