XN000022-1980-06-18 — Page 22

11

To this day the race of the dragon boats commemorates his ultimate sacri-

fice in the name of responsible and dedicated public service.

"It represents our latter day attempts to find this noble nan

and to raise him up and bring him back amongst us. The symbolism is

obvious and it is appropriate that this annual event should be named the

Dragon Boat Dinner.

"Those on whose behalf I speak have, for the most part, journeyed

many thousands of miles to seek in this company a means of re-dedicating

themselves to the ideals of Wat Yuan and serving our two communities to

the best of their abilities and to the mutual benefit of us all, as one family.

"In these modern times, however, the distances we need to travel

in our endeavours are too great for the dragon boat and we indeed use more

modern means of transport which have a rather less exotic form,

"We warmly welcome your announcement which we see as a clear

demonstration of Britain's interest in maintaining the principles of free

trade and fair competition.

"Well, now we are here and in the tradition of this dinner, I

must make some reference to the primary concern of my Council and of the

people attending this dinner, and indeed the people of Hong Kong. This

centres on the economics of our relationship.

"I must first of all refer to what was the most important event for

Hong Kong in 1979. As you are aware, in that year, His excellency the Governor,

Sir Murray MacLehose, made his historic visit to China. I had the honour to

accompany Sir Murray.

**This event was significant as it marked yet another high point in

the relations of Britain and Hong Kong with China. More importantly, the

Chinese acknowledged Hong Kong's role in the modernisation and economic deve-

lopment of that great country. In no uncertain terms, we were assured that

with regard to Hong Kong's economic well-being, the Hong Kong business commu-

ity need have no fears so far as Thina was concerned. Shortly after this

visit, in mid-1979, China announced its new foreign investment law.

"This was