TNAG-1357-FCO40-1798-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 174

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MIPT: VISIT TO HONG KONG PY STATE COUNCILLOR JI PENGFE-I

1. PLEASED THAT MR. JIS MAKING THIS VISIT. HE IS A MOST WELCOME GUEST. SURE THAT HE WILL FIND A WARM WELCOME.

2. HONG KONG IS A PLACE WHICH CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD PROPERLY BY SEEING IT AT FIRST HAND. READING ABOUT HONG KONG ON PAPER CANNOT CONVEY A COMPLETE PICTURE.

3. JOINT DECLARATION WAS WARMLY RECEIVED IN HONG KONG. THERE WAS RELIEF AND PLEASURE THAT THE HISTOPICAL PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED. THE AGREEMENT ALSO HELD OUT THE EXCITING PROSPECT OF ASSURANCES OF CONTINUITY IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS BASED ON A PROMISE OF A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY. THIS SYMPOLISED THE FAR- SIGHTED RECOGNITION BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT HONG KONG'S USEFULNESS TO CHINA AND THE WELL BEING OF ITS POPULATION DEPENDED ON MAINTAINING ITS FREE MARKET ECONOMY AND A WAY OF LIFE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THAT ON THE MAINLAND.

4. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED A SOLID BASIS FOR THE FULFILMENT OF THESE PROMISES. BUT THERE IS STILL A CREAT DEAL OF WORK TO DO BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN BE SATISIFED THAT THE ENTERPRISE WILL

SUCCEED.