2
BBC Int. 9.9.1974
Scant regard is paid to Hong Kong's lack of
natural resources, and its absolute dependance
upon international trade, or the fact that Hong
Kong's problem of people has quadrupled the
Colony's population over the past 25 years, at
the very time when Hong Kong has had to work out
a new role as an international industrial centre.
Shortage of developable land has forced Hong Kong
to build upwards, notwithstanding all the problems
which high population densities produce on a scale
unknown in the Western World.
No-one pretends that Hong Kong does not still have
a lot to do if it is to continue providing its
citizens with acceptable living conditions. But
I think we are entitled to ask for an objective
and realistic understanding in this country of our
problems, our past achievements and our future
plans, and not a sterile, biassed and unconstructive
polemic like this.
Hong Kong's present and foreseeable geopolitical
background means that it cannot be democracy in
a western sense. But it does have a vast range of
consultative and advisory bodies which reflect
popular opinion and aspirations. It also has an
extremely dedicated and hardworking group of
unofficial members of the Legislative and Executive
Councils, with specialist knowledge and experience,
devotion to the public interest, and willingness to
consider representations and complaints from the
public at large.
STK/SVS
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