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crossing, an even
etc.
etc.
larger
container port, a much larger university
stock exchange, more hotels for tourists,
system, a more up to date
This is practical evidence that we are working conscientiously to preserve prosperity and stability, as we said we would do in the Joint Declaration, with the a im that by 1997 Hong Kong will still be a thriving and successful community.
9.
to take a much
in the process of government
The
As regards the development of representative government it is important to understand that Hong Kong has now a highly developed capitalist economic and social system. Over the last 10 or 15 years that system has come both to need and
to produce a highly educated and professional middle class of engineers, lawyers, accountants, bankers, managers and
communications experts.
As education has
progressed people have come
greater and more articulate interest
and have sought to play a greater role in government.
demand for such
participation would have grown irrespective of 1997. We believe
that, far from threatening stability, we have
contributed to the maintenance of stability by responding to that demand, which come a not just from the professional but from the community The professional middle classes, however, al though
small in number are of vital importance to Hong Kong's
will not stay in a society which does not meet their aspirations. They in particular will find it easy to leave: our aim is by showing them that their aspirations can be met to encourage them to stay.
10.
a 8 a whole
relatively
economy and
The Chinese Government too will have to play its part in
this professional class that their aspirations will be
convincing
met.
11.
Nevertheless, we
far introduced only
strong criticism from some
enough.
We have made clear
have proceeded very cautiously. We have
limited indirect elections: there has bee
quarters that we have not gone
that we wish to see how the prese
before deciding in 1987 whether an what furth
The Chinese themselves have set up a system consultation through the Basic Law Drafting Committee and Basic
Consultative Committee, which we welcome.
arrangements work
steps are needed.
This will
generate a great deal of discussion on the kind of struc
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