TNAG-1985-FCO40-2818-Presentation-of-UK-policy-on-Hong-Kong-to-the-media-1989 — Page 17

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SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret

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PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

bilateral talks with the Vietnamese on repatriation.

I

ahve discussed this problem with the Vietnamese Foreign

Minister in Geneva and in London. I am hopeful that we

will be able to find a solution which enables boat people

to return to Vietnam in safety and dignity.

-

27. Hong Kong its future and in current problems is

one of the top priorities of British foreign policy, and

has been one of the main items on my personal agenda

since I became Foreign Secretary six years ago. I cannot

pretend that Hong Kong's destiny lies totally in our own

hands. Hong Kong's future beyond 1997 reflects the facts

of its history and geography. But Britain's commitment

to Hong Kong and its people is resolute and unchanged.

In spite of all that has happened in recent weeks, the

British government remain determined to build on the

foundation of what has already been achieved and to

maintain the Hong Kong success stroy. With a steady

nerve and a determination to succeed, I have every

confidence that we shall achieve this.