Obeserver, 30 September 1984, Honour and Hong Kong
"Britain and China both feel well pleased with their compromise on
the future of Hong Kong; and in many ways their joint declaration is
admirable".
Sunday Telegraph, 30 September 1984 A deal with China
"The cautious welcome accorded to the Hong Kong agreement last week owed something to strenuous efforts to sell the deal in Whitehall and Hong Kong; but it owed more to a recognition that this is a pretty good deal in the circumstances. It is a retreat from
colonial rule conducted with some honour. Without much of a
bargaining position to start from, the British negotiators have secured a set of provisions which could ensure a healthy future for Hong Kong if they are adhered to".
"But it is still worth emphasizing that the settlement is far better than might have been feared, and gives Hong Kong a decent
chance of prospering. In the context of 1984 that is no mean
achievement".
Daily Mail, 29 September 1984, (Daily Mail Comment) The making of Sir Geoffrey
over.
"Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe is not usually around when the bouquets are being handed out, but this week he deserves one twice
One for completing a complex agreement with China on Hong Kong, which by common consent is the best deal that was ever likely to be available. Another for his speech at the United Nations on tha subject, in which he was able modestly but persuasively to commend the agreement as an example of what patient negotiation could do for other disputes between nations, such as that between us and Argentina over the Falklands".
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