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本文选自撒切尔夫人1984年12月19日在《香港前途联合声明》签字仪式上的讲话，有删减。玛格丽特·撒切尔1925年10月13日诞生于英格兰格兰瑟母镇一个经营杂货的小商人家庭，1979年当选为英国历史上首任女首相。她在政治上属于英国保守党的右翼，实行以提倡自由竞争，减少政府干预、控制货币发行量和回归家庭美德为特征的“撒切尔主义”的政策。撒切尔夫人任英国首相长达11年之久，在英国以及世界政治舞台上都发挥了一定的影响，被称为“铁娘子”。

Your Excellency Chairman Deng Xiaoping, your Excellency President Li Xiannian , your Excellency ladies and gentlemen; This is a historic 1) ___. And I’m particularly pleased to see that Chairman Deng Xiaoping is able to be 2) ___. The Joint Declaration on the Future of Hong Kong, which you have just signed on behalf of our two governments ,is a 3)___ in the light of the territory , in the course of Anglo-Chinese relations , and in the history of international diplomacy. The Agreement 4) ___ a firm basis for confidence in Hong Kong after 1997 and beyond, and for its continued stability, 5) ___ and growth. I remember with pleasure my last visit to China in Septermber1982 and my discussions with Chinese leaders. At my meeting with Chairman Deng Xiao ping 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, the 6) ___ spirit of pride and of optimism about the future that I now return to sign the Agreement, which is the result of these talks.

The Agreement fully meets the political requirements of Britain and China as well as the interests of the Hong Kong people. It provides the 7)____ 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 a Special Administrative Region will pass to own legislation. 8) ___. It preserves Hong Kong’s familiar legal system and the rights and freedoms enjoyed there. 9)___.The negotiation itself has brought our countries closer together. It has increased our mutual understanding, respect and trust. 10)___, 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 theunique occasion. The circumstances are unique, the Agreement is unique.

It is right that we should fell a sense of history and of confidence in future. I thank you for the privilege of being at this highly successful ceremony.

1. landmark[`lændma:k] n.纪念碑；里程碑

2. Anglo-Chinese [`æŋləutʃai`ni:z] adj.中英两国的；中英两国人的。Anglo,英语的构词成分