XN000022-1982-05-20 — Page 11

ADDRESS OF WELCOME TO THE NEW GOVERNOF OF HONG KONG, H.. SIR EDWARD YOUDE, BY THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE HON SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AT "THE CEREMONY OF ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE ON 20 MAY 1982

Your Excellency, Lady Youde, Ladies and Gentlemen:

On behalf of the Hong Kong community and representing the Unofficial Members of both the Executive and Legislative Councils, it is my pleasure and privilege today to extend a most sincere and warm welcome to Your Excellency as the new Governor of Hong Kong and to Lady Youde.

With only 1,000 square kilometres of land Hong Kong is a very small place indeed. By economic standards,

however, Hong Kong is in the forefront of the world. Our

total foreign trade places us in the top twenty and our per capita income is among the highest in Asia and comparable to those in southern Europe. Even more significant is the very fast rise in our standard of living as reflected by the growth of per capita gross domestic product in real terms amounting to 7% per annum over the past decade. This remarkable achievement has been made possible by a stable government, a community which is known for its enterprise, resilience and hard work, and a business environment which is conducive to investment.

Hong Kong whilst lacking natural material resources does not lack human warmth and sympathy. As one of the smallest territories of the world, we have provided food, shelter and work for almost 400,000 legal and illegal immigrants from China during the three year period of 1578-80. Our humane reception of the boat people from Vietnam is well-known. At one time we had 70,000 Vietnam refugees under our care and even today we still have over 10,000 on our hands.

Relations between Hong Kong and China have improved greatly in recent years. The new economic policies of China adopted in the late 1970's provide us with new opportunities

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