TNAG-1890-FCO40-2683-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 66

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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4.

DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

As we witnessed the tragedy unfolding in Peking our

thoughts went out to Hong Kong. For as we have always

recognised, Hong Kong's destiny is inevitably bound up

with that of China. Hong Kong cannot remain indifferent

of the people of

to the aspirations and the suffering

China.

-

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

5. The changes in China are a profound disappointment to

us all. At such a time, it is natural that the people of

Hong Kong should be deeply concerned about their future.

It would be all too easy to sink into a mood of black

despair.

6. I can fully understand and sympathise with those

feelings. But while not wishing to minimise the enormity

of what has happened, I think it is still worth recalling

what has been achieved to secure Hong Kong's future. I

do not believe that these achievements should be lightly

dismissed. They remain important. They can and must

endure.

7. I speak of those matters on the basis of a deep

personal commitment to Hong Kong. Since I became Foreign

Secretary I have devoted myself to building a secure

future for Hong Kong. It is no exaggeration to say that

at times I lived and breathed Hong Kong. The territory

and its people were always a central preoccupation for

me. They still are even more than ever.

8. I can well recall the twists and turns of our long

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