16
16
From Hong Kong's perspective, it is better in
every way to build on what we have. The imperatives
of history and geography leave us no other realistic
course of action.
Nonetheless I am grateful for the international
attention which our unique position inspires. What
other place the size of Hong Kong could attract such
a large following? We hope that intelligent and
sympathetic scrutiny of our affairs will continue.
We are not shy about proclaiming our virtues.
But we also acknowledge our debts. The economic
miracle in Hong Kong would not have been possible
without the post-war free trade system. The United
States was its principal architect. You have been
its staunchest defender. We in Hong Kong who have
since 1978 climbed the ladder of success from
twenty-seventh to eleventh position in the league of
the world's trading economies, are happy to broadcast
the virtues of free trade to the world. We are a
dynamic demonstration that free trade and open market
economics works: real growth rates of over 8% per
year for the last decade; growth in private capital
investment of 7% over the same period; trade
traditionally in balance; no external debt. We have
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.