Speech at the Signature Ceremony of the Joint Declaration on the Future of Hong Kong

玛格丽特·撒切尔 / Margaret Thatcher

玛格丽特·撒切尔（1925— ），生于英格兰林肯郡格兰瑟姆市。1943年进入牛津大学萨默维尔女子学院攻读化学。大学时代加入保守党，并担任牛津大学保守党协会主席。1953年被林肯律师协会批准为律师。1959年当选为保守党下院议员。1961年任年金和国民保险部政务次官。1964年任下院保守党前座发言人。1970年任教育和科学大臣。1975年2月当选为保守党领袖。1979年5月出任首相，成为英国历史上第一位女首相。1983年6月和1987年6月连任首相。1990年11月辞去首相职务。1992年6月被封为终身贵族。1993年5月任威廉—玛丽学院第二十一任名誉院长。曾4次访问中国，1984年在北京代表英国政府与中国政府签署了《关于香港问题的联合声明》。

Practicing fo Better Learning

Read the following speech carefully, and answer the question below.

According to this spech, what influences will the Anglo-Chinese bring to China and England?

This is a historic occasion.And I am particularly pleased to see that Chairman Deng Xiaoping is able to be present.The Joint Declaration on the Future of Hong Kong, which we have just signed on behalf of our two governments, is a landmark in the life of the territory, in the course of Anglo-Chinese relations, and in the history of international diplomacy.The Agreement establishes a firm basis for confidence in Hong Kong after 1997 and beyond, and for its continued stability, prosperity and growth.

I remember with pleasure my last visit to China in September 1982 and my discussions with Chinese leaders.At my meeting with Chairman Deng Xiaoping on that occasion, we agreed to open talks on the future of Hong Kong.Our common aim was to maintain the territory’s stability and prosperity.It is in a spirit of pride and of optimism about the future that I now return to sign the agreement, which is the result of those talks.

I think you will agree that the negotiations were not always easy.At certain points there were difficult decisions to be made on both sides.There were moments of tension.To overcome these difficulties we needed to draw on a shared fund of goodwill; on friendship; and on a common commitment to Hong Kong’s future.This was what made success possible.I should like to pay tribute to the dedication of the two negotiating teams and all their sup-porting staff.It is thanks to the imagination and resource which they showed that we can sign an agreement today.

The Agreement fully meets the political requirements of Britain and China, as well as the interests of the Hong Kong people.It provides the framework in which, as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong will maintain its economic system and way of life for 50 years after the first of July 1997.

It gives Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy: Hong Kong people will administer Hong Kong and the Special Administrative Region will pass its own legislation.It allows Hong Kong to continue to decide its own economic, financial and trade policies and to participate as appropriate in international organizations and agreements.It preserves Hong Kong’s familiar legal system and the rights and freedoms enjoyed there.In short, it provides the assurances for the future which Hong Kong needs, in order to continue to play its unique role in the world as a trading and financial center.

The negotiation itself has brought our countries closer together.It has increased our mutual understanding, respect and trust.I am convinced that as we work together in the future we shall be laying the foundation for an even closer and deeper relationship.That is good for Britain, good for China and good for the world.Above all it is good for the people of Hong Kong.

We are privileged today to take part with our Chinese friends in the unique occasion.The circumstances are unique, the Agreement is unique.It is right that we should feel a sense of history, of pride and of confidence in the future.