TNAG-1239-FCO40-1552-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 43

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yourselves to depend on".

On the question of continual investment in Hong Kong,

a newly elected delegate pointed out that the Japanese were not afraid of investing further in Hong Kong, but the Chinese in Hong Kong were. To this Deng Xiaoping replied, "If all of you here take the lead in investing further in Hong Kong, no will worry about this."

The Chinese Government was prepared to take an active

part in Hong Kong's economic activities. The Bank of China and various major concerns would raise funds for railway and expressway projects. Consideration would be given to measures advantageous to Hong Kong. Many measures would be taken to reinforce the faith

of all concerned.

Some delegates expressed that assurance should be given

for the Hong Kong system to remain unchanged for 75 years after China took back Hong Kong. Even more delegates asked for a

guarantee to keep the Hong Kong system intact for at least 50

years from 1997 onward. "This will be duly considered by the

Central Government, " Deng said. "But I can personally assure

you that Hong Kong will remain unchanged for 50 years. The Central

Government is aware of the gap between the living standards in Hong Kong and China. Since the Central Government has (guaranteed no change to

the life of Hong Kong, the standard of living in Hong Kong will of

course remain the same. Until 50 years later, the economy of China

will have prospered while the standard of living will have gradually

caught up and kept abreast with that of Hong Kong." He reiterated

that the Hong Kong system will remain unchanged for 50 years. The

present question of Hong Kong's future is not to be solved by this

generation or the next, but descendents of the next generation.

On behalf of the Hong Kong compatriots, the delegates

wished Deng Xiaoping good health and longevity, so that he could

effect further improvement of the country.

/.....