TNAG-1311-FCO40-1673-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 32

SWB

FE/7818/A3/3

5 Dec 84

come back more often to see more of the mainland and to talk about the situation there. If everybody frankly tells the truth and exchanges their views, they will have a better understanding of the situation. It is not enough just to read the newspapers or to listen to others' experiences. In reference to the concept of "one country, two systems", which we are ready to implement, the British did not believe it at first, either. They said: "You are going in for socialism, and how is it possible for you to allow the maintenance of capitalism? A Communist Party adopting capitalism is something unheard of."

Actually, when we allow Hongkong to maintain capitalism, it will not affect our building socialism. Hongkong is just so big, and its effect on our whole country will be limited. China is a large country, and many problems are difficult to solve. Nevertheless, in another two decades, we will be able to achieve a comparatively high standard of living; and in a few more decades, we will catch up with the level of the world's advanced countries. How can we go on without such ambition? By that time, Hongkong will also have developed, it will not always remain as it is today. We should not look into history to see whether or not the policies will change in the future. It is precisely because we made mistakes in the past that we have come to determine the present direction. We follow Marxism. True, Marxism does not approve of capitalism; however, one of Marxist doctrines is seeking truth from facts and starting from the actual conditions. We are starting precisely from the actual conditions in China in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Solving the Hongkong issue must start from the actual conditions of Hongkong. At first, the British did not believe that we would allow Hongkong to maintain capitalism, but now they are convinced, considering it to be a pioneer under- taking in the world. When we say the existing social system and the way of life will remain unchanged, we have adequate grounds and sincerity. And it is not the case that before the agreement was reached we said they would remain unchanged, and when the agreement was reached, they would be changed.

This time when the Hongkong delegation attending the national day celebration was in Peking Comrade Xiaoping talked to them on how to regard the problem of "changes and remaining unchanged". When speaking of “remaining unchanged", we are referring to Hongkong's social and economic system and its way of life. However, Hongkong is to develop, and development means changes. The changes in Hongkong will be determined by the Hongkong special regional government, and the central authorities will not force it to change. Changes will be carried out only when the Hongkong speical regional government deems them necessary, and all they have to do is to report to the central government for the record. If everything is said to remain unchanged, will that be rigidity for half a century? That is impractical.

Now some people are afraid of mentioning change. In the course of our talks, the British suggested that the agreement be detailed. We said it was possible for some parts of the agreement to be as detailed as possible; however, they should not be so detailed that everything might become rigid. Basically, it is only possible to determine a general outline and a major principle, and enough leeway should be left. We can only talk about the major aspects, saying that the social system, the economic system and the way of life will remain unchanged, but we can not say all specific issues will remain unchanged.

(3) On Elections

According to Director Ji, we say that the administrative head of the future Hongkong special regional government will be determined through negotiations or elections. If the conditions for elections are not ripe, the administrative head of the first administration will be determined through negotiation. Then we will see how things develop, and suit measures to the actual developed condition. The general goal is to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hongkong, and to maintain the existing social and economic system and way of life. Whether it is election or negotiation, they will take the realisation of this major principle as their target.