JH 2ADU
CONFIDEN TIAL
139
1.
SPEAKING NOTE FOR THE VISIT TO HONG KONG
BY STATE COUNCILLOR JI PENGFEI
HKR 027/16
RISFIVED IN REGISTRY
2 4 DEC 1985
PA
AJB 24
Pleased that Mr Ji
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
agreement
also
asurances of
a promise of
far-sighted
Joint Declaration was warmly received in Hong Kong. There was
relief and pleasure that the historical problem had been resolved.
held ou t
the exciting prospect of
continuity in the economic and social systems based on
high degree of
the symbolised
recognition by the Chinese Government
Chinese Government that Hong Kong's
that Hong Kong's use fulness to
China and the well-being of its population depended on maintaining its free market economy and a way of life very different from
on the mainland.
a
autonomy.
This
that
4.
The
agreement provided a
But there is
solid basis
still
a great
for th
deal
of work to
e fulfilment of
do
promises. before the people of Hong Kong can be satisfied that the enterprise
will succeed.
these
5.
is
Most obvious quality of Hong Kong is its dynamism. Hong Kong
since years
Second World
a rapidly evolving society.
In 40
the
Hong Kong has developed from a virtually ruined trading post
War,
in to
on e of
centres.
risen from
600,000
to
5.3
financial
The
have
also
and the world's major manufacturing trading
Population
million.
to it organisation of
and people's attitudes government evolved considerably during this period. British responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong, which under Article IV of
Declaration wil1
until 1997, has continue until
of responsibility.
and
a sense
the Join t
been
with exercised
There has been a progressive process
care
CONFIDEN TIAL