瑪格麗特·希爾達·撒切爾/Margaret Hilda Thatcher
瑪格麗特·希爾達·撒切爾，（1925-）生於英格蘭林肯郡格蘭瑟姆市。1943年進牛津大學薩默維爾女子學院攻讀化學。大學時代參加保守黨，並擔任牛津大學保守黨協會主席。1959年當選為保守黨下院議員。1975年2月當選為保守黨領袖。1979年5月出任首相，成為英國曆史上第一位女首相。1983年6月和1987年6月連任首相。1990年11月辭去首相職務。1992年6月被封為終身貴族。曾4次訪問中國，1984年在北京代表英國政府與中國政府簽署了《關於香港問題的聯合聲明》。
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.