XN000022-1996-06-09 — Page 5

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"Hong Kong and its people those same people who have done so much, and who have come to cherish their freedom- now face an uncertain future. The world cannot know how the territory will be governed when the time and place that Britain borrowed from China reverts to Beijing's control next year. It is true beyond the need for argument that a happy Hong Kong must be a prosperous one, and that prosperity will be damaged if Hong Kong is seen to challenge, at every turn, the new realities of Chinese rule. To the extent that the business community make that point, its members are right to do so. But it is also true that the prosperity of Hong Kong depends on those hallmarks of capitalism that, so far in the world's history, seem to be most easily guaranteed by open accountable governments - free trade; the sanctity of contracts and property rights; an intolerance of corruption; the right to criticise those placed in positions of power; the free flow, unimpeded by government fiat, of information. If Chinese rule guarantees all that, it will win and deserve the world's plaudits. But China and for that matter, those in Hong Kong's business community - must also realise one other thing. After 1997, the whole world will be watching. That is Hong Kong's destiny, a fate bequeathed it by the place it has won in the heart of any who have visited there. Hong Kong, said John Major this year (a little late, but better late than never), "will never walk alone". Count us among those who will be walking alongside."

The magazine was "Newsweek". Like the rest of the world's press, it will be watching what happens to what it calls "one of the world's special places". Special, very special, indeed.

End

Parade to bid farewell to CAS Deputy Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner (Operations) and Chief Staff Officer, Civil Aid Services (CAS), Mr F S Kavanagh, will retire from the service on June 29, 1997. He will proceed on his pre-retirement leave on June 29 this year.

A parade with 300 CAS officers, members and cadets was organised to bid him farewell today (Sunday) at the Gun Club Hill Barracks, Kowloon, and the event was well attended by guests and members of the Services.

Mr Kavanagh arrived at 11 am to take the salute and to inspect the parade. After the ceremony, he joined the guests and CAS officers and members for a farewell reception held at the Officers' Mess.