# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
restrictions on exit from Hong Kong, the number of people who have been able to emigrate in past years has not been substantial enough to affect the local population.
If Taiwan adopts a less restrictive immigration policy, there may be more Hong Kong people moving there.
The number of people leaving Hong Kong will be directly related to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong in coming years. If prosperity and stability are maintained, there will certainly be fewer people leaving. On the other hand, the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong will depend on the following:
(a) the Hong Kong people's confidence in the Chinese Government---- whether she will carry out the commitments in the Joint Declaration; (b) whether the changes in the governmental system before 1997 will maintain the prosperity of Hong Kong and satisfy Beijing, leading to a smooth transfer of government in 1997.
At the present stage, we can say that both the Chinese and British Governments are sincere in promoting the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Whether Beijing will keep her commitments
The draft agreement is unexpectedly detailed and covers many aspects of the issue, answering all the questions raised by Hong Kong people in Beijing. It also appears that the wishes of Hong Kong people have been met.
The Chinese Government clearly declares that 'after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the socialist system and socialist policies shall not be practised in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and that Hong Kong's previous capitalist system and life-style shall remain unchanged for 50 years'.
There is one point in the agreement which is not in accord with the original idea of Hong Kong people - the stationing of troops in Hong Kong. Annex I of the agreement states that 'except for foreign and defence affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government', Hong Kong 'shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy', and that 'military forces for the purpose of defence shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region' and "expenditure for these military forces shall be borne by the Central People's Government'.
In a way this has alleviated the fears of Hong Kong people. Accustomed to acquiring power out of the barrel of a gun, Beijing has taken care of the problem.
The memoranda attached to the draft agreement provide that passport-holders may continue to use travel documents issued by the British Government.
Page 101 of 233
# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
All these arrangements do meet the wishes of Hong Kong people. Some people say on the surface, the agreement appears so good that they doubt if Beijing will keep the commitments.
The maintenance of prosperity and stability in Hong Kong is advantageous to the economic development in China. Currently about 40% of China's foreign exchange comes from Hong Kong and keeping Hong Kong as an international trade and financial centre will only bring benefits to China.
An industrially developed and prosperous Hong Kong will contribute to the four modernizations of China.
As long as Hong Kong continues to prosper, the Chinese Government will probably keep her commitments.
Otherwise China may have second thoughts. The main factor leading to the various arrangements, including permission of the capitalist system and policies to be continued in the territory, is that Hong Kong under the present circumstances is ever prospering.
Another factor for allowing Hong Kong to keep the present system is to set an example for other regions such as Macau so that people in those regions will not be hesitant to return to China's fold.
If the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong cannot be maintained, it will be contrary to the aim of Beijing and changes will be inevitable.
Before 1997, the Hong Kong Government has the responsibility of ensuring that Hong Kong will continue to enjoy prosperity and stability.
Representative government and the transfer of government
The development of representative government is in line with the changing circumstances and I suppose the government already had some idea of the contents of the Sino-British agreement when it drafted the proposals for representative government. Thus the proposed representative government should be able to lead to a smooth transfer of government in due course.
The Green Paper on representative government puts much emphasis on elections to the Legislative Council. The draft agreement on the future of Hong Kong likewise points out that the legislature of Hong Kong shall be constituted by elections and the executive authorities shall abide by the law and shall be accountable to the legislature.
This explains the hasty publication of the Green Paper on representative government - in time for the 1985 elections so as to gain more time and experience before the changes by 1997.
Before 1997, we need to preserve the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong so that Beijing will keep her commitments. Drastic changes may speed up the
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
restrictions on exit from Hong Kong, the number of people who have been able to emigrate in past years has not been substantial enough to affect the local
population.
If Taiwan adopts a less restrictive immigration policy, there may be more
Hong Kong people moving there.
The number of people leaving Hong Kong will be directly related to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong in coming years. If prosperity and stability are maintained, there will certainly be fewer people leaving. On the other hand, the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong will depend on the following:
(a) the Hong Kong people's confidence in the Chinese Government---- whether she will carry out the commitments in the Joint Declaration; (b) whether the changes in the governmental system before 1997 will maintain the prosperity of Hong Kong and satisfy Beijing, leading to a smooth transfer of government in 1997.
At the present stage, we can say that both the Chinese and British Governments are sincere in promoting the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Whether Beijing will keep her commitments
The draft agreement is unexpectedly detailed and covers many aspects of the issue, answering all the questions raised by Hong Kong people in Beijing. It also appears that the wishes of Hong Kong people have been met.
The Chinese Government clearly declares that 'after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the socialist system and socialist policies shall not be practised in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and that Hong Kong's previous capitalist system and life-style shall remain unchanged for 50 years'.
There is one point in the agreement which is not in accord with the original idea of Hong Kong people the stationing of troops in Hong Kong. Annex I of the agreement states that 'except for foreign and defence affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government', Hong Kong 'shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy', and that 'military forces for the purpose of defence shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Adminis- trative Region' and "expenditure for these military forces shall be borne by the Central People's Government'.
In a way this has alleviated the fears of Hong Kong people. Accustomed to acquiring power out of the barrel of a gun, Beijing has taken care of the problem.
The memoranda attached to the draft agreement provide that passport- holders may continue to use travel documents issued by the British Government.
i
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 101 of 233
165
All these arrangements do meet the wishes of Hong Kong people. Some people say on the surface, the agreement appears so good that they doubt if Beijing will keep the commitments.
The maintenance of prosperity and stability in Hong Kong is advantageous to the economic development in China. Currently about 40% of China's foreign exchange comes from Hong Kong and keeping Hong Kong as an international trade and financial centre will only bring benefits to China.
An industrially developed and prosperous Hong Kong will contribute to the four modernizations of China.
As long as Hong Kong continues to prosper, the Chinese Government will probably keep her commitments.
Otherwise China may have second thoughts. The main factor leading to the various arrangements, including permission of the capitalist system and poli- cies to be continued in the territory, is that Hong Kong under the present circumstances are ever prospering.
Another factor for allowing Hong Kong to keep the present system is to set an example for other regions such as Macau so that people in those regions will not be hesitant to return to China's fold.
If the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong cannot be maintained, it will be contrary to the aim of Beijing and changes will be inevitable.
Before 1997, the Hong Kong Government has the responsibility of ensuring that Hong Kong will continue to enjoy prosperity and stability.
Representative government and the transfer of government
The development of representative government is in line with the changing circumstances and I suppose the government already had some idea of the contents of the Sino-British agreement when it drafted the proposals for representative government. Thus the proposed representative government should be able to lead to a smooth transfer of government in due course.
The Green Paper on representative government puts much emphasis on elections to the Legislative Council. The draft agreement on the future of Hong Kong likewise points out that the legislature of Hong Kong shall be constituted by elections and the executive authorities shall abide by the law and shall be accountable to the legislature.
This explains the hasty publication of the Green Paper on representative government-in time for the 1985 elections so as to gain more time and experience before the changes by 1997.
Before 1997, we need to preserve the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong so that Beijing will keep her commitments. Drastic changes may speed up the
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