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can be expected that Hong Kong-China conflict will become more
muted as 1997 approaches, it is possible that they can be
sporadically quite intense. The increasingly large component of
'sojourners' in Hong Kong and their more uncompromising stance
toward China will very likely complicate the relationship between
China and Hong Kong. The exploitation of the Hong Kong-China
conflict for partisan political purposes by a portion of local
politicians has been and will continue to be an important factor
in heightening the conflict.
Hong Kong-China conflict has ominous implications for
effective governance in Hong Kong. It will involve China in
conflict with both the British and the colonial governments, as
the accusation by China of Hong Kong as a base of subversion
vividly demonstrates. The Hong Kong government is always under
public pressure to take a hardline position toward China to
defend local interests. Public disappointment with the colonial
government on that score is an important cause of its decline in
authority. Hong Kong-China conflict also expresses itself
internally in the conflict between the pro-China and anti-China
forces on the one hand, and between people who opt for different
strategies to deal with China on the other.
The weakening of the social fabric, the erosion of social
authorities and the appearance of social conflicts are bound to
manifest themselves politically. Hong Kong will become more and
more politicized and conflict-ridden. The partial opening up of
the political system and the introduction of popular elections
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