Page 82 - SELECTED WORKS OF DENG XIAOPING Volume III

MAINTAIN PROSPERITY AND STABILITY IN
HONG KONG

October 3, 1984

I am very happy to see so many of you attending our National Day
celebrations, and I believe Hong Kong has a bright future. Among those who
have come for the celebrations are people from different walks of life and
with different political views. This shows that you all favour China’s
resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the agreement
reached between the Chinese and British governments. It follows that we
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all have the same important prerequisite, love for the motherland and for
Hong Kong, and that we all share the same goal, to maintain prosperity and
stability in Hong Kong over the next 13 years and after. With our joint
efforts, I am sure our goal will be achieved. After 1997 those of you who are
60 or 70 will not be as energetic as you are today. There are many young
people among us here; they have an advantage over us in this respect. As for
me, I should love to be around in 1997, to see with my own eyes China’s
resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong.
Some people are worried that China’s policy may change once we are
no longer around. I appreciate their trust in elderly men like me. But today
I should like to assure you that China’s policy will not change; nobody can
change it, because it is right and effective and enjoys the support of the
people. Since it is backed by the people, anyone who tries to change it will
meet with the people’s opposition. It is certain that the contents of the Joint
Declaration will not change. And our Central Government and the Central
Committee of the Communist Party always live up to their international
obligations; that was true even during the years of turmoil. Acting in good
faith is a Chinese tradition, not something invented by our generation. It is
an essential quality of our magnificent old country. Ours is a great and proud
nation. A great nation should preserve its dignity and adhere to the principles

Excerpt from a talk with Chinese visitors from Hong Kong and Macao attending the
National Day celebrations in Beijing.

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