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CONFIDENTIAL
AMBASSADOR KE, AMBASSADOR JI, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
May I welcome you to this dinner on the eve of the 13th plenary meeting of the JLG. It was, as you know originally to have been held in July. I am aware that the Chinese side did not like its
postponement. But I believe that it is more likely to be constructive held now than in those very difficult circumstances.
I hope very much that we can now resume our work in a businesslike
way, and that both sides will listen seriously and respond constructively to one another. We have a lot to do if we are to succeed in maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity in the years ahead.
I and the Foreign Secretary are relative newcomers to the Hong Kong scene : but I want to assure you that we approach the Joint Declaration in the same positive spirit as our predecessors. want it to work, and for our part will do our best to see that it
does.
We
As you know I have just been to Hong Kong. I found much confusion and uncertainty there even some pessimism. Both us will have to
work hard to restore confidence. We shall do our part, and course visible cooperation between us will help in itself. But I urge you to understand and to convey to your leaders that action by the Chinese Government as well is necessary if we are to succeed in restoring the faith of the people of Hong Kong in their future.
The Joint Declaration remains the basis of our policy. We know too that a prosperous and stable future for Hong Kong can only be guaranteed when it enjoys a relationship of mutual respect with themainland. As Chinese policy acknowledges, this is a relationship between two different systems, and the difference between them is fundamental to their productive relationship. The preservation of this difference requires toleration.
We know well that some things happen in Hong Kong which irritate
CONFIDENTIAL
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