TNAG-1603-FCO40-2210-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-reports-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kon-1987 — Page 141

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rapid.

Unemployment was at a record low and

inflation remained relatively moderate.

Investment

in construction and in plant and machinery was high.

Steady improvements are being made in education,

health and other social programmes and in tackling

environmental problems. The Sino-British Joint

Liaison Group and the Land Commission are continuing

to register practical and solid achievements in a

co-operative manner. 1988 will be a significant year

for the territory in that decisions will need to be

made on possible further steps to develop its

institutions of representative government following

the public consultations on the Green Paper in 1987.

71.

There are strong indications, also, that

confidence in the future of Hong Kong remains high.

Internationally there is no doubt of this, reflecting

as it does a growing perception of Hong Kong's role

as a gateway to China and as an international

manufacturing, commercial and financial centre in its

own right. There are a number of signs, as well,

which indicate that the local community is, for the

most part, retaining its confidence in the future of

the territory. They are, for instance, continuing to

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