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open door policy and modernization drive before and after
1997, and that China's leadership may show later on signs of
inconsistency and change in her open door policy. My answer
to that is simple and direct: it is a matter of faith,
confidence and optimism in the future of China and her one
billion people. China needs the rest of the world and the
rest of the world needs China. Furthermore, both the Chinese
and the British Governments have registered the Sino-British
Joint Declaration on Hong Kong at the United Nations, and it
is thus a binding international instrument.
Both Britain and China will have to unfailingly
demonstrate that they are fully implementing the spirit and
intention of the Joint Declaration in order to set at rest
the hearts and minds of Hong Kong people.
Other people have expressed concern as to whether
Hong Kong will be able to cope with the rapid changes towards
a high degree of autonomy that will take place. My answer is
in the affirmative, that although the situation has been
thrust upon us by history, we must and will make a success
out of it.
Civic and political education of the Hong Kong
public should be a matter of the utmost importance. We will
have to inform and engage community affairs groups and
incerested citizens on key issues as they arise. The more
active public interest there is in Hong Kong political
/affairs