Speech by Prince of Wales at Handover Ceremony - Hong Kong, 1st July 1997

President Jiang , Premier Li Peng, Distinguished Guests, and Gentlemen:

This and special ceremony marks a of both change and continuity Hong Kong's history.
marks, first of all, the of Hong Kong to the 's Republic of China, under the of the Sino-British Joint Declaration 1984, after more than 150 of British administration.

ceremony also celebrates continuity because, that same treaty and the subsequent agreements which have been to implement its provisions, the Kong Special Administrative Region will its own government, and retain own society, its own economy its own way of life.

should like pay tribute this evening to who turned the concept of " country, two systems" into the Declaration, and to the dedication commitment of those who have so hard over the last years to negotiate the details the Joint Declaration's implementation.

most of all I like to pay tribute to people of Hong Kong themselves all that they have achieved the last century and a . The triumphant success of Hong demands - and deserves - be maintained.

Kong has shown the world dynamism and stability can be characteristics of a successful society. have together created a great which is the envy of world. Hong Kong has shown world how East and West live and work together. As flourishing commercial and cultural cross-roads, has brought us together and all our lives.
years ago the Governments of United Kingdom and the People's of China recognised in the Declaration that these special elements had created the crucial conditions Hong Kong's success should continue. agreed that, in order to that success, Hong Kong should its own separate trading and systems, should enjoy autonomy and elected legislature, should maintain its and liberties, and should be by the people of Hong and be accountable to them.

special elements served Hong Kong well over past two decades. Hong Kong coped with the challenges of economic, social and political transition almost none of the disturbance dislocation which in other parts the world have so often change on such a scale.

United Kingdom been proud and privileged to had responsibility for the people Hong Kong, to have provided framework of opportunity in which Kong has so conspicuously succeeded, to have been part of success which the people of Kong have made of their opportunities.

In a moments, the United Kingdom's responsibilities pass to the People's Republic China. Hong Kong will thereby restored to China and, within framework of "one country, two ", it will continue to have strong identity of its own be an important international partner many countries in the world.

and Gentlemen, will tonight take responsibility for place and a people which greatly to us all. The pledges made before the world the 1984 Joint Declaration guarantee continuity of Hong Kong's way life. For its part the Kingdom will maintain its unwavering for the Joint Declaration. Our and our strong links to Kong will continue, and will, am confident, flourish, as Hong and its people themselves continue flourish.