English as an official language, free market economy,
lack of political parties, benign bureaucratic rule,
diplomatic protection by HMG of HK residents when
travelling. Such a list shows that not all of these
elements will change in 1997. So some insulating effect
will remain. A good example is the current debate in
China over the extent of decentralization, especially in
the economy. Such changes in China's own systems are
important, but even quite sharp changes in policy need
not have a lasting effect on Hong Kong's stability or
prosperity. The current campaign against corruption may
worry some, both in China and HK, who have made money in
questionable ways, but so far there is no sign that
measures to remind people of "socialist morality" are
going to mean fingers crushed by the door being slammed
shut.
9.
However, the beneficial effect of some of the changes
in China are clear. The separation of government and
Party functions makes for greater confidence that the
different government structures in Hong Kong will not be
subject to interference by party cadres post 1997.
Greater tolerance of diversity concluding religious
practices in China must make for greater confidence
that Hong Kong's attachment to its freedoms will be
better understood in China.