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support of the community; worries about the Rule of Law, though we have independent courts and the finest police force in Asia; worries in general about Hong Kong's way of life.
I hope that Chinese officials will in words and deeds continue to give the reassurances that I cannot give but what I can do is to say this. It would be exceptionally unlikely if in 1997 Hong Kong stayed exactly the same. However, 1 believe that it will remain fundamentally true to itself. I believe passionately that Hong Kong represents the wave of the future in Asia, that it is not destined for one of history's backwaters.
Hong Kong, as I mentioned earlier, in 1997 will be the richest city in China. Given a chance within half a working lifetime, as all those futurologists have suggested, it could become by far the richest city in the world, combining economic freedom with human dignity. That is the goal, that is the prize for both Hong Kong and for China. Thank you very much.
End/Monday, October 23, 1995
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