TNAG-1375-FCO40-1822-Visits-by-Chinese-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 71

JH 2 ADU

CONFIDEN TIAL

SPEAKING NOTE FOR THE VISIT TO HONG KONG

BY STATE COUNCILLOR JI PENGFEI

1.

Pleased that Mr Ji is 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.

The

There was

Joint Declaration was warmly received in Hong Kong.

relief and pleasure that the historical problem had been resolved.

also agreement

held ou t the exciting prospect of asurances of continuity in the economic and social systems based on a promise of

high degree of

the symbolised

recognition by the Chinese Government that Hong Kong's

that Hong Kong's usefulness to

China and the well-being of its population depended on maintaining

its free market

economy and way of life very different from

a

a

on

the mainland.

autonomy.

This

far-sighted

that

4.

The

agreement provided

a

great

solid basis a

for th e fulfilment of

promises.

is still

to do deal of work

before the people of Hong Kong can be satisfied that the enterprise

these

will succeed.

But there

5.

Most obvious quality of Hong Kong is its dynamism. Hong Kong is a rapidly evolving society. In 40 years since the Second World Hong Kong has developed from a virtually ruined trading post in to one of the world's major manufacturing trading and

War,

centres.

Population

risen from

600,000

to

financial.

5.3 million.

The

to it have also of organisation

and people's attitudes government evolved considerably during this period. British responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong, which under Article IV of the Join t

has continue until 1997,

been exercised

been There has

Declaration wil1

and

a sense of responsibility.

with care

a progressive process

CONFIDEN TIAL