JUN 09 '86 20:16 GIS HK
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approaching the year 1997 and beyond. One obvious reason for this uneasiness is that about half of Hong Kong's population are either refugees from China or descendants from these refugees.
Another reason is the concern of the Hong Kong people that HMG might gradually lose its interest in Hong Kong as we approach
1997 and that HMG might not be able to govern Hong Kong effectively, thus adversely affecting the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong during the transition. It is therefore very reassuring that the Secretary of State has dispelled these doubts and fears this evening. Hong Kong people would welcome such reassurance by HMG from time to time, when opportunity
arises,
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To conclude, one may view the Sino-British Agreement and Hong Kong's prospects from two angles. First, from the standpoint of the international business community, one could not find another place in the world where there is an international agreement between two governments ensuring a stable free- enterprise capitalist economy with freely convertible currency for a period of 60 years. This environment is indeed most conducive to business success, and I would like to take advantage of this occasion to invite the attention of the British international business community to the excellent opportunities in Hong Kong.
M
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Secondly, from the viewpoint of local people in Hong Kong, people like myself who were born in Hong Kong, are of Chinese race and have lived there all the time, they are aware of the inherent long-term uncertainties. There is regretably no such thing as absolute certainty. Much will depend on the develop- ments in China and the faithful implementation of the Joint Declaration by both parties. Whilst we in Hong Kong may not be able to do much to influence the developments in China, it certainly 18 within our means not only to maintain but further enhance the usefulness of Hong Kong to China, It is based on this that the people of Hong Kong are promised in the Joint Declaration the status of a Special Administrative Region and a high degree of autonomy
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