A VISION OF THE FUTURE
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to have patience, and to remember that the Vietnamese are fellow human beings. Many Hong Kong families, after all, know what it is like to uproot themselves from their homes and seek a better future elsewhere.
The Civil Service
The continuing influx of Vietnamese has imposed a great strain on the civil service as a whole, and not only the Correctional Services Department, the police and the garrison who have borne the main brunt. I doubt if many members of our community realise how many departments are involved in one way or another in receiving the arrivals, processing them, feeding them, looking after them and building, operating and guarding centres for them. Many civil servants have been working long hours in difficult circumstances and under great pressure for much of the past two years. They get little recognition for this, and a great deal of criticism, both in Hong Kong and overseas. They deserve better.
But this is by no means the only strain on our civil servants. They have for many years played the leading role in the government of Hong Kong. Inevitably this role has changed as our system of representative government has developed. Civil servants have had to adapt to this change at a time when, like the rest of the community, they have their own personal worries about the future. As a community we take our civil service for granted. But, from my personal experience of the workings of other governments, I can say without qualification that Hong Kong is well served. During the rapid constitutional changes that will take place in the next decade, we will depend on the civil service for continuity and stability. So now, more than ever, we must ensure that it remains as stable and efficient as it has always been.
Hong Kong's Place in the World
Hong Kong is now the world's 11th largest trading economy. In the past, as the territory developed, we were somewhat hesitant about involving ourselves in international affairs. But, within the limits of our autonomy, we have now begun to play a role in the world that reflects Hong Kong's economic importance. It is right that we should do so.
Hong Kong as a Regional Centre
The Asia-Pacific region contains the fastest-growing economies in the world. Ours is one of them. Sixty per cent of our total trade is now with Asia and Australasia and we play an important role in building up trade within the region. Goods going through Hong Kong from one part of the region to another, not counting China, have grown by 45 per cent in the past year.
Our financial services sector has also become increasingly important in regional terms. Because of the time difference, business can be done here when London and New York are closed. We now have 135 overseas incorporated banks in Hong Kong. Eleven of these were given new licences this year. Twelve overseas securities companies and commodities trading companies have also set up business here this year.
Hong Kong has many advantages as a regional base - its location; good communica- tions; an efficient and apolitical administration; an impartial system of justice; a well- educated and efficient workforce, and all the conveniences of a modern city. Add to this the magnificent new Convention and Exhibition Centre - the largest in Asia – and one can see how Hong Kong is increasingly becoming a major regional centre for trade, finance and communications. So it is not surprising that many companies have chosen to base their regional offices here. For example, 10 of our overseas incorporated banks operate