TNAG-1235-FCO40-1548-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 31

2883

ASIA PACIFIC LeMMUNITY. FALL 1982. No 18.

Jo. muite 4/2

I think we're

seen before?

1

Irant the

25 scenenos!

Howe/ keiply

This is a tidied up

version version of a paper

by M Buchnell for an Asian Studies Assor

of

عقاد

Aralia Conference

in May 19821

HONG KONG AND CHINA: THE PRESENT AND FUTURE RELATIONSHIP

By Kevin B. Bucknall

T

Kevin B.Bundell.

HE relationship between Hong Kong and China has under- gone some important changes after China adopted the policy of the four modernizations in which the colony plays a special role in supplying financial and physical capital, tech- nology and managerial skills. Of great importance too is the fact that the economies of the two are complementary and are begin- ning to meld, especially since the establishment of special economic zones in China, the major of which, Shenzhen, includes the border- crossing town.

These developments have a bearing on the future of Hong Kong after the lease on the New Territories runs out in 1997. The closer this date approaches, the more urgent it becomes to have a clear decision on the future of Hong Kong.

The major relationships between China and Hong Kong are social, political and economic, of which the latter provides the main benefit to China. The border between the two is man-made rather than natural. The people on both sides are ethnically identi- cal, speak Cantonese and possess the same cultural heritage, while most families in Hong Kong have relatives in China, usually in Guangdong. Despite apparent fluctuations in the attitude in China to people moving to Hong Kong, since October 1980 the Hong Kong authorities and China have moved closer on the issue and Hong Kong has agreed to send back all illegal immigrants. Pre- viously Hong Kong had adopted a policy, something like the child's game of "touching base." Before 1974, any immigrant who got as far as the urban area without being apprehended could receive an identity card. Repatriation began in 1974, since when an illegal immigrant only had to find work and a place to live in order to get an identity card and be allowed to stay. This changed on October 23, 1980 and those without such cards (they or some other valid proof of identity must be carried at all times) are readily identifiable and when caught may be returned to China,

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