TNAG-1037-FCO40-1287-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 157

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inve ent. The future of Hong Kong was guaranteed, but he

could not confirm that the political situation would remain

unchanged since that would affect the Chinese position.

The Governor said that what he proposed did not affect the

Chinese position. Deng Xiaoping said good. The Governor

said he had many potential investors who were concerned

not about the CPG's attitude but about the date of the lease.

He wanted no date. Deng Xiaoping declared that the Chinese

position would not affect the interests of investors. To

put it more clearly, in this century and in the beginning

of the next century Hong Kong would be continuing with a

capitalist system, while China was continuing with a

socialist system. By 1997 China might take over Hong Kong.

But this would not affect her economy. They had not taken

over Macao so far. There were two solutions by 1997

take Hong Kong over, or to allow present realities to remain.

Whatever political solution was adopted, investors would

not be affected.'

to

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