COHALQ
BRIEF B: DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
1.
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CHINA'S ATTITUDE
TO HONG KONG
(a) Internal Reforms
Under Deng Xiaoping, economic and social reforms launched since 1979 have revitalised the economy. There is now more emphasis on market forces and less reliance on central planning. Living standards have risen. Important improvements have been made in the legal system. The methods of the Cultural Revolution have been repudiated.
Living standards have greatly improved. But the Chinese leadership would be the first to admit that the process of reform has not been without difficulty (e.g. high inflation).
Nevertheless, the Chinese leadership remain committed to their polices of economic development and opening to the outside world. They are equally committed to maintaining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and they have a strong material interest in this.
(If pressed) Even if Chinese internal policies were to change dramatically (which we do not expect), we would expect the Chinese to keep their commitment to Hong Kong. Even at their most turbulent moments (the Cultural Revolution) they were anxious to preserve the economic benefits they derived from Hong Kong.
(b) Hong Kong and Tibet
(i) Tibet
We have made clear our concern about recent violence and loss of life in Tibet. We regret that it was necessary for the Chinese Government to impose martial law. This has been the subject of a collective demarche by the Twelve.