US dollars. I think that the size of economy coupled with its dynamism as
the engine of economic development, a strong and prosperous Hong kong
is serving as a good model for China and herein lies a very solid and real
basis for confidence.
As regards Hong Kong's efforts for the future, I want to note
particularly the huge project of the new international airport and other
infrastructural development programmes. These programmes vividly
testify the firm determination of Hong Kong to maintain and enlarge one
of the most important source of its attractions looking towards well into
the 21 century. The building of the new airport is, I believe,important
and beneficial not only to Hong Kong but to China. I wish very much
that an early and practical solution can be found over the financial
issues so as to ensure the timely construction and completion of the
project.
Another point I want to mention as regards Hong Kong's efforts is
the recently noticeable tendency of Hong Kong companies to intend to
invest in China,in and beyond Southern China, with large-scale
development programmes often including infrastructural projects such
as roads, railways, power plants. I view this tendency as the efforts of
Hong Kong to contribute to the development of China and to make Hong
Kong all the more essential to China. The imagination,creativity and
initiatives shown by those companies are praiseworthy.
Incidentally, as for the confidence of Hong Kong, when I discuss
with people here about the future of Hong Kong beyond 1997, many
people say what worries them now is not the question of 1997. They say
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