TNAG-1896-FCO40-2690-Calls-on-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 50

MY HONG KONG

by Helmut Schmen, born 1939. Austrian national. Chairman of World-Wide Shipping Agency Ltd.: Managing Director, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd.: Chairman, Hong Kong Generel Chamber of Commerce; former Legislative Councillor. In Hong Kong since 1970

For a non-belonger it may seem strange to write about "my" Hong Kong. But Hong Kong is home to many people not born here or not having a right of permanent residence. Their sense of belonging, and their commitment and contribution to the Territory are often no less real and significant than those of the true "natives". A dedication to Hong Kong and its future has not so far depended on the passport carried. Indeed, Hong Kong for decades had been a refuge for many without passports, while part of Hong Kong's success can also be attributed to the ready interaction between local Chinese and the expatriates from many different countries, be it in business, government, community work, and private life

To be cosmopolitan meant necessarily being more open-minded and applying world standards in judging one's own performance and the quality of goods and services; it also always meant greater flexibility, competence, resilience, and enterprise. And fewer prejudices. No other country or territory in modern times can match Hong Kong's achievements. given the same scarce resources. Few, if any, ever will. Hong Kong's chemistry was unique, with all components equally relevant. Hong Kong and its people had a single but all-pervasive goal: to be successful. And, as a result, we were.

Gresham's Law is known to economists as the fact that bad money drives out the good. And success sometimes carries the seeds of its own destruction. Hong Kong-may be facing such a situation Given prominently the external pressures, the chemistry is changing and we are starting to experiment with new ingredients. But it seems to me we no longer have s concept as to what we really want. And no wonder there is general confusion as to how to get there. There is of course anxiety and inayos even fear But that is no reason for political fragmentation or justification for the lack of consensus on most 189ues of importance