Show The Herald Journal Logan Utah Sunday June 28 1987-- 11 Hong Kong begins last decade of British rule By David WJonea - HONG KONG (UPI) They call It the symphony of Hong Kong Construction workers scurry up bamboo scaffolding to the rhythm of jackhammers and piledrivers Car horns beep street vendors holler and pedestrians dodge road work at every intersection Economic growth is everywhere — skyscrapers rising on narrow lots building sites being gouged into mountains a harbor choked with the signs of success Hong Kong’s future is clouded as it begins its final decade under British rule The countdown until July 1 1997 the date the colony will be returned to China — begins in earnest next month and the depth of concern about the change is already bubbling to the surface The underlying unease can be seen in the block-lon- g line of visa applicants that snakes around the US Consulate every morning It shows up on the schedules of moving companies that are booked for months for families headed for Canada or Australia It appears in the offices of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force ministration and risking a debilitating loss of confidence One government source said a recent Chinese statement about the council proposal “was clumsy and did not fully take into account its likely impact on Hong Kong people who remain very sensitive to any suggestion that the Chinese are Interfering with the administration of Hong Kong in the run-u- p to 1997" A different view however is offered by foreign investors who are flooding into Hong Kong in search of a back-doo-r entry to the huge Chinese market “I think that the Chinese will respect the agreements they have already made on Hong Kong and that the prosperity of Kon wiU continue” said Johannessen vice continue after 1997 to be the president of Rockwell Interna- best place in Asia for a tional (Asia Pacific) Ltd and multinational corporation to first vice president of the Amer- base its operations ican Chamber of Commerce in Even lowly factory workers in Hong Kong wiU find their skills pointed out that prized by China after 1997 he Hong Kong accounts for more predicted than 40 percent of China’s hard “Because of the tremendous skills that exist here you are and currency exchange possesses the managerial ad- going to find people with their ministrative and technical skills roots in Hong Kong on the that China needs to modernise horizon in China in positions of “Because of that for these influence and importance” he pure economic reasons I think said China will be very benevolent in Which point of view proves to its treatment of Hong Kong” he be the more accurate vision of said the future might hinge in large Johannessen also noted that measure on the outcome of a because of its infrastructure continuing political review that geographic location and skilled wUl lay the groundwork for the population Hong Kong would territory’s political evolution in Richard the next 10 years At the heart of that review lies the proposal for limited direct elections which is shaping up as a battleground not only between the Chinese and the British but also between the “haves” and “have-nots- ” in Hong Kong There is blatant opposition to any measure of democracy from many businessmen who are reluctant to rock the boat in defiance of China and who fear elections would bring public law-makin- here” On the other side are advocates of democracy such as Martin Lee who say people like Li will be leaving anyway before 1997 and are only interested in their short-terprofits “I think the future is going to be very tough for us” he said m pressure for more social BUYERS benefits “Hong Kong is a colony" said Ronald Li the outspoken stock exchange chairman “It is a dictatorship although a benevolent one It is and has t SILIERS For all your Roal Estate noodi Coll Bruco Zundoll 1 or 753-511- 753-137- 9 joidKry Rul& IFir®slln IFinycerr which is backlogged with requests for certificates from prospective emigrants “Anybody who is financially capable of acquiring fount rants’ status — in Canada S ustralia the USA Britain in that order — 1b thinking of leaving” said Martin Lee a prominent lawyer and outspoken member of the colony’s good-condu- been a British colony and it’s going to be a Chinese colony and as such it wiU prosper We do not need free elections ct g CounciL Lean Fresh Poultry Sold at Farmer Jack Legislative “They are either making plans or they are already there or will go there” he said “Some have sent their families there and are staying and because they don’t working see anything in the future for us” The crisis of confidence is the second in four years for Hong Kong founded by opium traders in 1841 The first prompted by the approaching expiration of Britain’s leases on Hong Kong territory in 1997 sent stock prices and property values tumbling It ended with Joint Declaration China promised Hong Kong a large decree of autonomy 1997 and guaranteed its system would be preserved for another 50 years Since then the world’s third largest financial center has bounced back with a vengeance with the Hang Seng stock index setting new record nlghs almost daily and the port surpassing New York to become the second busiest in the world Property prices reached a new nigh with the recent sale of a vacant lot in a prime downtown location for 108 million But observers point out that in Hong Kong's capitalist economy the bust nets cycle — the length of time it takes to earn back an investment— is only three to five years As a result many investors believe they still have a few years to make their money and get out “All the people I know in the industry sector tell me that they believe 1990 to 1992 will be the crunch years because people will just start packing up instead of reinvesting” Lee said “You see all these encouraging signs and it's like looking at the up of an iceberg that sparkles in the sunlight” he said “But underneath what about that cold current of uncertainty and fear? That you don’t see because people won’t tell you I mean if I decide to go I won’t tell my friends until I am actually leaving” The problem for most people is a simple matter of faith More than 73 percent of Hong Kong residents were refugees from China’s communist revolution and few believe Beijing will abide by the promises made in the 1984 declaration “Looking into past history China has never been functionally ruled by a constitution” said law student Wong So Fong “AH things depend mi who is in power That is why most people have no confidence in China” 1 free-enterpri- se We reserve the right to limit Quantities all-ti- free-wheeli- ng That anxiety has been brightened by signs that Beijing might be backing away from a Ise in the Joint Declare-t- o permit an elected legislature to replace the mainly appointed Legislative Council after 1997 In recent weeks senior leader Xiaoping and other voiced their opto a Hong Kong gov ernment proposal still under discussion that would allow 23 percent of the council member! lobe directly elected in 1981 But colonial officials believe they cannot back down without becoming a lame duck ad- of-ha- JD Already Cooked Just Heat 2-L- & Serve For A Fast And Delicious Meal WATERMELON POTATO SALAD CHICKEN I Reser’s Brand-Wha- t A Enjoy the Summers Finest Great Value! 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