JH 2 ADU
CONFIDEN TIAL
SPEAKING NOTE FOR THE VISIT TO HONG KONG
BY STATE COUNCILLOR JI PENGFEI
1.
Pleased that Mr Ji is making this visit. He is a most welcome
guest. Sure that he will find a warm welcome.
2.
Hong Kong is a place which can only be understood properly by
seeing it at first hand. Reading about Hong Kong on paper cannot
convey a complete picture.
3.
The
There was
Joint Declaration was warmly received in Hong Kong.
relief and pleasure that the historical problem had been resolved.
also agreement
held ou t the exciting prospect of asurances of continuity in the economic and social systems based on a promise of
high degree of
the symbolised
recognition by the Chinese Government that Hong Kong's
that Hong Kong's usefulness to
China and the well-being of its population depended on maintaining
its free market
economy and way of life very different from
a
a
on
the mainland.
autonomy.
This
far-sighted
that
4.
The
agreement provided
a
great
solid basis a
for th e fulfilment of
promises.
is still
to do deal of work
before the people of Hong Kong can be satisfied that the enterprise
these
will succeed.
But there
5.
Most obvious quality of Hong Kong is its dynamism. Hong Kong is a rapidly evolving society. In 40 years since the Second World Hong Kong has developed from a virtually ruined trading post in to one of the world's major manufacturing trading and
War,
centres.
Population
risen from
600,000
to
financial.
5.3 million.
The
to it have also of organisation
and people's attitudes government evolved considerably during this period. British responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong, which under Article IV of the Join t
has continue until 1997,
been exercised
been There has
Declaration wil1
and
a sense of responsibility.
with care
a progressive process
CONFIDEN TIAL