Ladies and gentlemen,
His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.
[Cheers and applause]
Governor.
Prime Minister.
Ladies and gentlemen.
I've been asked by Her Majesty the Queen
to read the following message.
Five hours from now, the Union Flag will be lowered,
and the flag of China will fly over Hong Kong.
More than a century and a half
of British administration will come to an end.
During that time, Hong Kong has grown from a small coastal settlement
into one of the leading cities
and one of the greatest trading economies in the world.
There have been times of sacrifice,
suffering and courage.
As Hong Kong has risen from the ashes of war,
a most dramatic transformation
has taken place.
Millions of destitute immigrants have been absorbed,
and Hong Kong has created one of the most successful
societies on earth.
Britain is both proud and privileged
to have been involved with this success story.
Proud of the British values and institutions
that have been the framework for Hong Kong's success.
Proud of the rights and freedoms
which Hong Kong people enjoy.
Privileged to have been associated
with the prodigiously talented and resourceful people of Hong Kong
who have built upon that foundation.
The British flag will be lowered
and British administrative responsibility will end.
But Britain is not saying goodbye to Hong Kong.
More than three and a half million Hong Kong residents
are British nationals.
Thousands of young
Hong Kong men and women study in Britain every year.
We share language and the English common law
and thousands of Britons, too, have made their homes
in Hong Kong.
The shared legacy of family and of friendship,
trade and investment, culture and history
runs strong and deep.
Britain is part of Hong Kong's history
and Hong Kong is part of Britain's history.
We are also part of each other's future.
We are confident that the ties between us
will not only endure,
but will continue to develop.
In a shrinking world,
Hong Kong's role as Europe's gateway to Asia and Britain's role
as Asia's gateway to Europe will reinforce the bonds
between our two societies.
For all these reasons, my government and I will continue to take
the closest interest in Hong Kong and in its development.
The British Consulate General,
which will be inaugurated in a few hours time,
will be our largest in the world.
The Sino-British Joint Liaison Group
will continue for another two and a half years to discuss matters
concerning the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
That joint declaration itself remains in force for 50 years.
For many years to come,
the Hong Kong connection will command our attention.
Hong Kong now faces its transition to Chinese sovereignty
in excellent condition:
prosperous, stable
and dynamic.
Unprecedented though this moment in history may be,
We have the utmost confidence in the abilities and resilience
of the Hong Kong people.
Britain learned long ago
that Hong Kong people know best what is good for Hong Kong.
We have no doubt that Hong Kong people
can run Hong Kong
as the Joint Declaration promises,
and that faithful implementation of the Joint Declaration
is the key to Hong Kong's continued success.
The eyes of the world are on Hong Kong today.
I wish you all a successful transition
and a prosperous and peaceful future.
[Cheers and applause]