Asked if I spoke Cantonese - My "ho siu siu" went down like a lead balloon. Obviously no one in Beijing dreams of actually speaking Cantonese!!
Usual banter leading up to a statement by Mr JI. He spoke in spurts so that the translation was easy. Some pauses for thought. Obviously very bright and knew what was required. Statement followed :
As
"About Overseas Officers we have stated quite clearly in the Joint Declaration the position. From now to 1997 the British are responsible for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. As for the policy of the Peoples Republic it is to maintain everything in Hong Kong unchanged. The principle policy is that Hong Kong should be ruled by the local people of Hong Kong. It is our policy not to send people to Hong Kong or interfere with the administration of Hong Kong. for the civil servants in Hong Kong our policy is basically to keep them employed, this includes overseas civil servants, except for those who reach retiring age and those that retire on a voluntary basis. After 1997 it is stated quite clearly in the Joint Declaration, this will allow those who have been there for sometime to continue. We will also recruit from abroad. We will treat locals and overseas civil servants without discrimination. Many overseas civil servants will still not be retired but will be most experienced. We hope they will continue with their work. Those who do not wish to stay will be allowed to go freely. Those that have reached retirement age, they must retire.
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Our policy is what is stated in the Joint Declaration, Hong Kong should be administered by locals locals includes not only Chinese Nationals but overseas officers who have worked there for many years. We hope that overseas officers will continue to work in Hong Kong with easy minds, we hope that they will continue to work. Of course we will not force those that do not wish to stay.
Before 1997 there is 11 years beforehand when Hong Kong is still under the British Government, it is their right we cannot say much about it. I presume the British Government would not like to call back all overseas officers, I would think they would want them to continue. Also there is an unemployment problem in the United Kingdom. Of course there may be some that will have to go, that is unavoidable, but it is to be hoped that most will want to stay in Hong Kong.
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What I've said has its basis. During the negotiations had quite heated arguments about the policy on overseas civil servants, whether to keep them all or get rid of them all. It has been decided that, all that are previously working should continue.
You have come,
concerned about
your future
in Hong Kong,
7