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(Translation of Ming Pao Daily News editorial, Nov 23, 1983)
A WISH SHARED BY XUE DIXIN AND SANDBERG
Peking and London still differ in views on how to handle the situation in Hongkong after 1997. Nevertheless, they share the same wish that Hongkong stay stable and prosperous during the next 13-odd years before June 30, 1997. We have always been relatively optimistic since the Sino-British talks started in September last year. The optimism is based on a simple, fundamental reasoning that provided the prime aim is shared by both sides an agreement will eventually be reached despite divergent views on details. This applies to nation-to-nation relations as well as between individuals, applicable to business, politics, relations between friends and lovers. Where there is a will, there is success. the Chinese like to say. One- sided will may not lead to success, yet a will to cooperate by both sides is sure to lead to success, provided both are sincere and determined to achieve the purpose. The stands and attitudes taken by China and Britain may be different, yet it is quite true that both want to see stability and prosperity prevail in Hongkong. There is no need to suppose that both share the same motive of caring for the interests of the people in Hongkong. In fact, the interests of the people here do not rate high in the minds of the leaders in Peking and London. Yet, to preserve the stability and prosperity in Hong- kong serves the interests of China and Britain, and there shouldn't be any doubt that the leaders in Peking and London care much about their own nations' interests. Enemies may turn friends when and where interests are involved. And China and Britain are not
enemies to each other.
Realistic thinking expels emotions and makes people see problems clearly. China's noted economists Xue Dixin and Qian Jinrei told the influential magazine "Liao Wang" in Peking upon their return from Hongkong last September that "Sino-British relations have been good over the past few years. We lay much stress on developing friendly and cooperative relations with Britain. Provided Britain follows a realistic and wise attitude, Hongkong's economy will stabilize and develop further, serving the interests of the 5 million people in Hongkong as well as Britain." Xue Dixin was quoted as saying: "At that time (meaning after 1997) the existing lifestyle and social system will remain unchanged, foreign trade will remain free, residents holding Hongkong identity cards or passports will continue to be free in entering or leaving (Hong- kong), and the economy will continue to remain open. Hongkong after 1997 will definitely be an economically prosperous and inter- nationally prestigious self-rule region." That is a wish made known by the Chinese authorities.
it. At the opening ceremony of the 1983 Hongkong Trade Fair Consumer Week on November 21. Mr. Micheal Sandberg, Chairman of the Hongkong and Shangha Banking Corporation said in his address: "East Asia, led by Hongkong, is the world premier growth area, and is expected to remain so well into the next century." That is a wish shared by Britain's and Hongkong's enterpreurs.
Predictions made by anyone cannot avoid being tainted with subjective wishes. The predictions made by Xue Dixin, Qian Jinrei and Michael Sandberg may not necessarily turn out to be wrong in their predictions. However, as all predictions are tainted with subjective wishes, that the same conclusion has been reached in their predictions indicates both sides share a common wish to see continued stability and prosperity in Hongkong in the next century. Most of the people in Hongkong share the same wish too. And that is precisely the base of our being optimistic while ex- periencing difficulties. Unless the leaders of China and Britain, and most of the people in Hongkong do what is against their own best interest and the common wish shared by all, temporary difficulties and obstacles should not be a reason for pessimism. Indications are that the leaders of China and Britain and the great majority of the people in Hongkong are not that low in their intelligence quotient.
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