玛格丽特·希尔达·撒切尔/Margaret Hilda Thatcher
玛格丽特·希尔达·撒切尔，（1925-）生于英格兰林肯郡格兰瑟姆市。1943年进牛津大学萨默维尔女子学院攻读化学。大学时代参加保守党，并担任牛津大学保守党协会主席。1959年当选为保守党下院议员。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。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》。
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.