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said that "what Peking wants is not Hong Kong people running Hong Kong but Peking people running Hong Kong
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7. Chairman Deng said that by "Hong Kong people running Hong Kong" China mean that the main departments of the SAR should be occupied by patriots. China's concept was that the overwhelming majority of people in the SAR Government should be patriots. Patriots were those who supported Hong Kong's reunification with China; those who loved the motherland and who loved Hong Kong. But people such as S Y Chung said that such patriots were not Hong Kong, but Peking, people.
If they ran Hong Kong, it would be Peking people running Hong Kong.
8.
The Secretary of State assured Chaiman Deng that HMG was determined to do everything necessary and possible to ensure smooth transition in 1997. HMG had this as much at heart as did Chairman Deng. He had earlier spoken of a relay race but with a Ming vase rather than a baton. HMG were determined to do everything to cherish and preserve the vase and to ensure that they handed it over in good condition to maintain the stability and prosperity of something in which both countries had the highest interest. But if this were to be an example to other countries to settle similar problems, they must continue to cooperate to make it the desired success. He hoped that until 1997 cooperation would continue as at present and that China would listen to the UK's advice about the best way to
ensure success.
9. The UK agreed that Hong Kong people should govern Hong Kong. Already in the public service many Hong Kong people were now rising to positions of responsibility: the Secretaries of Land and Works, Housing and Trade and Industry, were already local Hong Kong people. Another would become Director of Education later that year. The first woman Hong Kong Chinese to become head of a department would become Director of Social Welfare. He assured Chairman Deng that HMG would continue to do their utmost to ensure the maintenance of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, so that the Ming vase would be passed from one hand to the other in very good condition.
This
10. Chairman Deng said that there should be good cooperation between the two sides. he considered the important question to be the kind of people to fill such posts in Hong Kong. would be tackled in the latter half of the transitional period. The two sides should cooperate very closely and consult one another throughout that period. There were many competent people in Hong Kong. Very frankly, when the time came China did not want Leftists running Hong Kong, but those who loved China and Hong Kong.
11.
Chairman Deng then turned to Sir Edward Youde. He said the Governor's responsibility was heavy. He hoped that:
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