PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 26 September 1984
The Government welcomes the agreement th~ at has been
reached by the British and Chinese Governments about the
future of Hong Kong.
I congratulate both Governments on having achieved this
settlement. It is noteworthy thatmore than two years of intensive
negotiations have resulted in a detailed agreement being
reached with the declared object of maintaining confidence
in Hong Kong and of ensuring its continued stability and
prosperity. It has been my firmly and consistently held view, a view
strengthened by my visit to Hong Kong and particularly by
my discussions with Premier Zhao in Peking in February
this year, that the discussions between the United Kingdom
and China would result in an amicable and sensible
agreement which would allow Hong Kong to continue to
function in conditions acceptable to all the parties.
Australia has important interests in Hong Kong and in
Hong Kong's continuing to play a positive role in the
development of our region. The agreement that has now
been reached, and the arrangements made for continuing
co-operation between the parties involved in Hong Kong's
future, will make an important contribution to the
political stability of the Western Pacific region as a
whole.