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; Kong's biggest problem is that because of the British lack
of courage in the last 20 years, no political leadership has
been trained in Hong Kong and we must now crystalise such
leadership in a great hurry. Luckily Hong Kong has a huge pool
of talent and such leadership is certainly available but it has
to be motivated, hence the need for a couple of political
parties now.
I have no illusions about an independent Hong Kong. There is
an inherent risk in Hong Kong being run by Hong Kong people,
there is a risk of very much higher taxes which could kill the
free enterprise spirit of present day Hong Kong. There is a
risk of demagoguery, there is also a risk of left wing
subversion. But such risks must be taken if even a semblance of
freedom, justice and prosperity is to remain in Hong Kong. The
alternative is the loss of freedom of expression and a drastic
lowering of the standard of living and a rapid deterioration of
the quality of life.