CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Hong Kong Department HKD 014/1
DD 1992/224 Despatch
Selective Distribution HONG KONG
3 July 1992
HKD 014/1.
HONG KONG: VALEDICTORY VIEWS
THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
1.
SUMMARY
Hong Kong has changed greatly in the past 30 years. It is now a bustling commercial centre with a per capita GDP greater than that of several member-states of the European Community and ranks as the 10th largest trading territory in the world.
2.
Economic growth has been fuelled by the development of Southern China. It continues despite the ever nearing prospect of a change of sovereignty in 1997. The arrangements agreed in 1984 Joint Declaration were good and the best that could be expected in the circumstances. Nobody can say with certainty how well they will work in practice; but we must make every effort to ensure they do.
3.
With 1997 ever closer, the administration of Hong Kong will become more complex and difficult. Already it is more politicised than in the past.
A good
4. A key factor will be the handling of China. co-operative relationship is essential for the well-being of Hong Kong. There will be battles to be fought in resisting undue Chinese interference. We should choose our battlefields carefully, where we can win.
5.
Britain can be proud of the role it has played in Hong Kong. The people of Hong Kong have prospered as a result. So, as a result of enlightened non-interference, has British business. Completing our historical task well will require both calm judgement and occasionally the expenditure of diplomatic or financial capital. It deserves the effort. can succeed.
6. Farewell to Hong Kong and to the Service.
It
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CONFIDENTIAL
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