22
He went on, The world today faces great economic problems and
we in Hong Kong are certainly not immune from them. Indeed, in many ways
for us they are more acute, for we live by our trade: we have to import
before we can export. But we are a proud people and we ask charity
J
from nobody. What we ask what we seek of Britain and her partners,
and the other great countries of the world is that we should not be
discriminated against, that we should have the right to trade with as
little restriction as possible. 'Trade, not Aid' is our watchword."
I
Then Sir Y.K. Kan raised a laugh by referring to the saying that
Hong Kong people 'thrive on adversity', adding "Of course,
Your Majesty,
we would rather do without the adversity."
He went on, "But I imagine that what people really mean is
that in the past we have gained a reputation for facing up to and over-
coming the most daunting of problem. We in Hong Kong are confident that,
under the dedicated leadership of our Governor, we shall successfully meet
the enormous economic problems which face us at present."
He hoped that when the Queen left she would carry away happy
memories of Hong Kong: of a community which, in spite of all the many
and difficult problems presently facing it, was determined to achieve
its goal of a better life for all its people.
He then presented the Queen, on behalf of the Hong Kong Government,
with what he called "a small memento" of her visit: one of the gold
coins which have been specially issued to commemorate the occasion.
"It is a The Queen thanked him for his speech and for the coin.
delightful memento of this visit," she said, "to which I have long looked
forward and which we are both greatly enjoying. We are also grateful to
you for this lunch which we are to share with so many of the people who
guide the affairs of Hong Kong. We have come to see the remarkable
phenomenon which is modern Hong Kong.
"This morning