A better future

Chris Patten is gone with what he claimed to be a sad mood. He should feel sad because he has always been trying to stem the rolling wheels of history. As he left Hong Kong, it rained heavily. Hong Kong newspapers said he left in cold wind and rain. This was symbolic because he was still misleading the public even on the eve of his departure. He said the 4,000-member PLA Hong Kong Garrison is too many in number, and there is no need for them to have armored vehicles. Apparently, he has a short memory. During British colonial rule over Hong Kong, the British army garrison boasted at most 30,000-40,000 men with armored vehicles. When compared with the former British army garrison, the Chinese PLA garrison is numerically inferior. Moreover, the Chinese Government has proclaimed time and again that the PLA Hong Kong Garrison which the Chinese Government sent to be stationed in Hong Kong is a symbol of China's resumption of exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and the HKSAR will be charged with ensuring social security in the region. Chris Patten knows all this. As a politician, he just has to create trouble even one day before his departure. When the foreign ministers attending the handover ceremony, who expressed their concern on Chinese troops in Hong Kong, were told all this, they expressed their understanding right away.

Chris Patten has created many troubles in the five years of his service as the Hong Kong governor. Confusion resulting from his trouble-making efforts made many people in the world, who were ignorant of truth, adopt the wait-and-see attitude toward Hong Kong's future. What kind of future will Hong Kong have? Tung Chee Hwa answered the question in the press conference held on the afternoon of July 2: "I have full confidence. You are welcome to make an evaluation of me in five years." As a matter of fact, there is no need to wait for five years. The central government and the HKSAR government have laid down a solid framework for continued prosperity and development in Hong Kong.

First of all, there is the guarantee from the Basic Law. In his speech at the ceremony inaugurating the HKSAR, Premier Li Peng told the world: "As of today, the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China takes effect...I hope that you (HKSAR government officials) will, in the spirit of loving China and loving Hong Kong, implement the Basic Law in real earnest, scrupulously fulfill your duties and live up to the expectations of the people." In his speech at the ceremony for the establishment of the HKSAR, President Jiang Zemin said: "The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be observed not only in Hong Kong, but also by all departments of the central government as well as the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government. No central government department or locality may or will be allowed to interfere in the affairs which, under the Basic Law, should be administered by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on its own." The statements of the two senior Chinese leaders reveal to the whole world the unswerving Chinese determination to implement the HKSAR Basic Law, which constitutes the most important guarantee for continued prosperity and development in Hong Kong.

Secondly, there is the guarantee from state policy. Also in his speech at the ceremony for the establishment of the HKSAR, President Jiang Zemin reaffirmed principles and policies formulated in accordance with the state policy of "one country, two systems." He pointed out: "These policies and guidelines have been formulated by the central people's government after careful consideration of the need to safeguard both the immediate interests of the Hong Kong compatriots and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. Their adherence serves Hong Kong, the entire nation and the world as well. Therefore, there is no reason whatsoever to change them. Here I would like to reaffirm that 'one country, two systems,' 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and 'a high degree of autonomy' will remain unchanged for 50 years. This is a long-term basic principle of ours."

Thirdly, there is the support from the central government and various localities in China. President Jiang Zemin pointed out that Hong Kong's return to the motherland creates a new epoch for joint development of Hong Kong and the hinterland. "With the continuous advance of China's modernization drive, Hong Kong's economic link with the hinterland will become even closer and its role as a bridge will be increasingly enhanced. This in turn will give a stronger impetus to Hong Kong's economic growth."

Fourthly, Hong Kong itself boasts many advantages, including excellent geographical location, a free port policy, fairly perfect legal system, high-quality civil servants, and effective economic and municipal government management. All these combine to provide Hong Kong with favorable conditions for further economic development. After Hong Kong's return to the motherland, these favorable conditions will be better exploited.

Fifthly, the HKSAR government officials have high sense of duty and responsibility. They know what the Hong Kong residents are most concerned about, what they are urgently demanding, and how to solve these problems, how to establish a long-term goal to attain, and how to work for a new era of vigorous economic and social development. With resolute belief and a down-to-earth attitude, they are leading the Hong Kong people, who are very creative, to work for a better tomorrow.

At the ceremony for the establishment of the HKSAR on July 1, President Jiang Zemin presented the HKSAR government with an inscription bearing his written words: "A Brighter Future for Hong Kong". This best wish from President Jiang is also the best description of Hong Kong's future. As a matter of fact, most people who attended the handover ceremony, Chinese or foreigners, believed Hong Kong will have a more splendid future.