TNAG-2032-FCO40-2895-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1990 — Page 83

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SPEECH BY THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD CBE MP, TO THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 15 JANUARY 1990

THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG

Thank you, Mr Chairman, for your kind words of welcome. I am glad to have been invited to speak to your Chamber, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, which has for many years been at the heart of Hong Kong's great economic success story: and the British Chamber, which is an important new element in Britain's thriving commercial involvement in Hong Kong. I am grateful to you both for your hospitality.

For me, returning to Hong Kong after so many years is a fascinating and stimulating experience. My first impressions go back to the 1950s. I remember with affection the Hong Kong of that time. I recall with admiration the way in which it coped with the challenge of a massive influx of people from Mainland China; and how it grasped the opportunities of the post war era.

35 years have elapsed since I first saw Hong Kong. Much has

changed. I am above all struck by the extent to which the territory has prospered and matured. The impressive sky-line asserts the extent to which Hong Kong has grown both physically and metaphorically.

Since becoming Foreign Secretary I have spent much time on Hong Kong issues. So have other members of my Ministerial

Francis Maude in particular. There is nothing surprising about that. Hong Kong matters to Britain. It matters to me personally. We have no intention of being negative or defensive about Hong Kong, either here, or in Parliament or in discussions with the Chinese authorities. You are entitled to an active, intelligent British policy working on your behalf and that is what you will get.

What you have created in Hong Kong is unique and worth preserving. For example, I was amazed yesterday at the scope and imaginativeness of development in the New Territories since I last saw them. I was equally impressed by all those thousands joining yesterday morning in the charity walk for the Community Chest, an event which would surprise all those whose only knowledge of Hong Kong is a crude and ignorant caricature. I shall do all I can to ensure that Britain's long administration of Hong Kong ends honourably for us and successfully for you.

Hong Kong ́s situation is unique. The basis of your future is not independence but one country two systems. That is a far-sighted