eventual goal of drafting the Basic Law, which will determine
the legal, political and economic structure of Hong Kong as a
Special Administrative Region of China in the post-1997 period.
Let me express the hope that the Basic Law, which will be
welcomed by all parties concerned, will be formulated.
Basic Law should consolidate Hong Kong's status as the most
important international metropolis in Asia even in the post-1997
period.
The
In shaping the future of Hong Kong, the most important factor is, in my judgment, how the people of Hong Kong them- selves view its future. If the people of Hong Kong consider its future bright, Hong Kong will definitely have a bright future. In this regard, I am happy to note that in a survey conducted by the South China Morning Post last April, a total of 79 per cent of the people interviewed expressed their confidence in the future of Hong Kong. I hope that such a positive attitude will be strengthened in the coming years.
In order to preserve Hong Kong's stability and to enhance
its prosperity, international support is, of course, needed. In
particular, 4 countries, namely, Britain and China, both of which
have direct responsibility for the future of Hong Kong, and the United States and Japan, both of which in recent years have exerted
a growing influence over Hong Kong, should maintain close contact on the future of Hong Kong. I fully realize Japan has an important role to play. Japan has close and friendly relations with the other
3 nations. Moreover, the nearly one and a half century old relation-
ship between Hong Kong and Japan has hever been better. Since I
took up the post of Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong in November last year, I have been most impressed by the cordial atmosphere surrounding our bilateral relationship.
2 -
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.