Redrupted by Pl Sho
DSR 11C
DRAFT SPEECH FOR LUNCH HOSTED BY CMA, FEDERATION OF
HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND HKG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
I should like to begin by saying how grateful I am to
you all for inviting me today. Once again I have been
enormously impressed during my visit by Hong Kong and
her people. I am only sorry that my stay is so brief,
but I have still been able to capture some of the
flavour of this vibrant society with a dynamic and
industrious population. It is full of life and vigour.
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There have, of course, been changes since I was last
here in 1977 the New Towns in the New Territories, the
Mass Transit Railway, and very significantly, Hong Kong
has acquired a new dimension as a major international
financial centre. It has become even more of a force
in the economic life of the Far East and the World.
difficulties.
During this time Hong Kong has had to cope with many
But I am struck by the way in which you
have dealt with the problems of world recession, and the
flow of immigrants and refugees into the Territory.
Since I was last here Hong Kong has continued to sustain
a consistent annual growth rate of 8 to 10% - a telling
tribute to hard work and free enterprise.
It is also heartening to see that a society devoted to
individual initiative also has an enviable record in the
field of social services: Hong Kong's success in providing
homes for its rapidly growing population, in expanding
health services and educational facilities, in giving
/assistance