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1.
Chairman Deng started by saying that Lord Kadoorie was 6 years older
and looked healthier than himself. He asked whether Lord Kadoorie had
subsequently visited Shanghai. Lord Kadoorie replied that he had been there again 7 years ago and was looking forward to going there at some
future date. Chairman Deng suggested that he should visit Shanghai
more often as he was born there. Lord Kadoorie replied that he was
actually born in Hong Kong and went to Shanghai at an older age.
While on the topic of age, Lord Kadoorie added that the combined age
of Chairman Deng and himself totalled 160 years of experience. Chairman Deng replied that it was indeed so, adding that Lord Kadoorie
really understood China.
2.
Chairman Deng said that in the preceding period at the time of Sino
British discussions, Hong Kong experienced some turbulence but Lord
Kadoorie and his company adopted a friendly and positive attitude
towards China. For this, he wished to thank Lord Kadoorie and the
friends in his company. Lord Kadoorie said it had been a great
pleasure to be useful to China and to continue the co-operation which
he and his company had had with China in the past. Chairman Deng said
that China Light together with the Guangdong Power Co. were
co-operating in a project which was the largest joint venture between
China and an external investor. This is simply an extraordinary event
he emphasised. Lord Kadoorie said it was an honour for him and his
company to act as the link in a chain between the past and the future
and to be useful to China and Hong Kong. Chairman Deng said that not
only was the project in question the largest joint venture, it also
contributed to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong by boosting
the confidence of the people there. This was a point which was
especially important. He said the joint venture agreement exercised
its usefulness not only during the 7-year construction period but
would continue to do so after 1997. It had the effect of linking the
economies of Hong Kong and the mainland even more closely. Although
he very seldom met delegations of this nature, he was very pleased to
see Lord Kadoorie and to congratulate him and his delegation for their
work. Chairman Deng added that although he had met other people such
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