ZURI
17
I
UVC 2 UTU
1
Another essential fact of life for Hong Kong has long been our geographical
geographical and political
and political position in relation to China. For many years we have been dependent on China for much of our food, and more recently for much
of our drinking water. For nearly four decades we have
known that, if China considered developments here to be
seriously at odds with her own basic national interests.
'particular if there were moves which suggested the
#1
Hong Kong's special
establishment of a Third China,
China].
ino.] Hong Kong's
position would be put at risk.
This fact of life, together with the fact of the
1997 lease, has meant that there has always been a limit to
constitutional development in Hong Kong. It has meant, for
instance, that to move towards independence has never been
an option for Hong Kong. That
That is
limitation; it has always
people of Hong Kong.
very important
well understood by the
been well
But an understanding of the constraints imposed by
our geographical and political position has not involved
any serious restrictions on our freedom in Hong Kong. This
is self evident, but it is worth reminding ourselves of the
point. Hong Kong has developed on international,
free-market economy, a capitalist lifestyle, a legal system
that protects individual rights and freedoms. It has
pursued and protected this way of life through periods when