TNAG-2032-FCO40-2895-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1990 — Page 87

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Council also have plans to extend their presence here.

Hong Kong is also important as a significant force in the international financial world. It is also a focus of international investment. Recent investment decisions by British, Japanese and American firms; the international interest in the new airport projects and the cable TV developments are all an international vote of confidence in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is the epitome of a free market economy. We are seeing all over the world the emergence of market economies in countries where these would have seemed almost inconceivable until very recently. So the trend is running in Hong Kong's favour. The prospects for Hong Kong as we enter the 1990s have never been more exciting. We are living in a period of dramatic changes around the world, often at a bewildering pace. Hong Kong's ability to adapt should put her in a strong position to succeed and prosper.

I do not under-estimate the difficulties of the next decade. Britain will not rest in defending and promoting Hong Kong ́s interest in any way we can. Our aims will be:

- to maintain the prosperity and way of life of a uniquely gifted and resourceful people;

- to bring about the successful transition of Hong Kong from a British Dependent Territory to a Special Administrative Region of China one country, two systems.

We shall work with you for a stable, prosperous Hong Kong, constantly renewing itself, constantly surprising the world with its skills, its discipline, its imaginative energy.

Hong Kong ́s success is your achievement. Your future prosperity will depend on your skill and energy. But you need our commitment

my commitment and that of the British Government. You have it in full measure.

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