TNAG-1246-FCO40-1560-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 25

CHINESE PRESS (EUROPEAN EDITIONS)

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Extract from New Evening Post dated 11.3.83

Same Prosperity Throughout Two Stages

General,

The trade delegation of the HK/Chamber of Commerce currently in Beijing met with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Trade yesterday to discuss about promoting co- operation between China and Hong Kong.

It was pointed out by a Chinese Official that there was a marked expansion in trade between HK and China. Chinese products are put to world markets via HK. In the process, the HKGCC has contributed much and is believed to continue to do so in future.

Members of the HKGCC include both Western and Chinese businessmen, a characteristic of the HK business circle. To maintain and strengthen HK's position as a free port, a commercial and financial centre in future, an industrial and commercial circle made up of Western and Chinese talents will be the continual integrating factor. It is the wish of all to see HK prosper.

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The economic relation between HK and China is one of mutual benefit. The development in connection with China's modernisation programme brings much benefit to HK. In recent months, many HK business groups despatched delegat- ions to Beijing to discuss the possible co-operation with China. These can be deemed as talks for maintaining HK's prosperity. And talks between the Chinese and British authorities through diplomatic channels are for the same purpose but at a different level.

Discussion on maintaining the prosperity of HK can be carried out in two stages. The first stage will be from now to 1997 and the second one will be after 1997. The Chinese Government has indicated that when conditions are ripe, sovereignty over the whole of HK will be recovered and that a series of policies will be adopted to maintain the stability and prosperity of HK. People of insight in HK point out that the prosperity between the present and 1997 must first be maintained before talking about doing the same after 1997. It should be the common goal of both the British and Chinese authorities to maintain HK's prosperity in these two stages.