1988-01-25 18:39 COMMS. OFFICE (GOV'T HSE)
So what has changed in
852 5 845 0995 P.07
our relationship with
Ching? Undoubtedly the relationship is much closer now
than it was, say, ten years ago. In that short time the volume of business between Hong Kong and China has grown enormously. A fifty-fold increase in travellers crossing the border. A vast increase in trade, so that we are now each other's largest trading partners, accounting for 25% of each other's total international trade. A massive growth of investment, by Hong Kong in China, and by China
in Hong Kong,
#
To cope with this business, we have developed
channels of communication with China in keeping with those that exist between any two neighbouring places with major dealings and interests in common. Times have changed dramatically since the sixties and seventies, when links were few, China was mysterious to many people in Hong Kong and Hong Kong was similarly unknown to Chinese managers and officials. And the way in which those links operate have changed too. Gone are, the days when Hong Kong's contacts
exclusive with China were the preserve of Facton Office diplomats. The experience, which is spreading throughout the community of living with and doing business with our mainland neighbour has permeated through the administration also. Police, customs and immigration officers have contact with
their opposite numbers in China.
in China. Many other government
departments now know
now know their counterparts in Ching through
in
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.