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China's responsibility just as they are currently handled by
Britain. For this unique and far-reaching concept the Chinese
have coined the phrase, "one country, two systems". By this
they mean that Hong Kong's capitalist system and society will
be maintained separately from China's communist system, even
though Hong Kong will be a part of the same country.
territory.
The "one country, two systems" concept is uncharted
It has never been tried elsewhere. Its very
uniqueness understandably leads people, especially those not
close to the scene, to wonder if it can work. It is natural
that questions should be asked about the viability of communism
and capitalism co-existing. But I believe that those questions
can be and are being satisfactorily answered.
In considering Hong Kong's future, it is useful to
recall its past, particularly the era since the Communist Party
came to power in China in 1949. During this period Hong Kong,
which was devastated and depopulated by the Japanese occupation
during the Second World War, has developed into a thriving city
of over 5 1/2 million people. Hong Kong's total exports place
the territory thirteenth in the world league. Our per capita
GDP of US$6,761 is among the very highest in Asia, and ahead of
some Western European countries. All of this has been achieved
against a background of a highly uncertain political future.
Until 1984 no-one knew what would happen in 1997, the expiry
date of Britain's ninety-nine year lease on the New Territories
which account for 92% of Hong Kong's land area, including
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