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Those who worry about crime, also worry very often about a surge in corruption. That, too, is not some inevitable consequence of next year's handover. There's every reason for China and Hong Kong to co-operate vigorously in stamping out corruption. Don't forget that corruption isn't "one way traffic". People or companies from Hong Kong shouldn't behave corruptly in China, nor mainland companies or individuals corruptly here.
Again, if we keep our institutions, and keep the teams that run them as intact as possible, we should be able to keep corruption at bay.
That matters very much if we are to stay successful, a good city in which to live, work and raise a family.
I'm determined so long as I have responsibility in this community to stand resolutely behind every effort to maintain our standards, and to hold at bay threats to undermine them.
We have to retain the integrity of our public services, especially those in the most sensitive areas and in those parts of public administration which have a direct bearing on our autonomy and on how the world sees us. We have to be equally resolute in seeing that the law is applied vigorously without fear or favour, and that the highest standards of commercial probity are set and maintained. That may from time to time produce unhelpful headlines. But it's far better to be seen insisting on the proper regulation of commercial life than standing by while standards slip and slide. If we want to be regarded as a great international business centre, then we have to act like one.
Some of you may detect a familiar theme starting to emerge. As ever, I'm convinced that the most important condition for Hong Kong's future success is belief in ourselves.
Will we have a censored press and television? Not if the press don't censor themselves, changing their editorial lines 180 degrees in response to what they imagine is today politically correct.
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Will we have a continuation of democratic development, after perhaps some grinding of gears and the occasional puncture? Yes, we will if people don't shrug their shoulders and resign themselves to losing one of the most precious rights of citizenship.
Will we have an incorrupt, accountable, well-served government operating under the rule of law. Yes, if we show how much these things matter to us.