Hong Kong's Progress Toward Reversion: Implications for the US - Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Winston Lord describes US policy toward the return of Hong Kong to China - Transcript

US Department of State Dispatch, July 22, 1996

In other statements on political matters, Beijing has shown an insensitivity to the way in which Hong Kong works and the wishes of its residents. Its announcement that portions of Hong Kong's bill of rights would be scrapped, and that the P.R.C. would not report to the UN on human rights in Hong Kong, was opposed by virtually the entire spectrum of political opinion in Hong Kong outside of the P.R.C.-controlled media. In choosing the 150-person Preparatory Committee, charged with establishing the post-1997 government, Beijing pointedly excluded representatives of the Democratic Party--the largest political party in Legco with 29 of the 60 total seats. When the Preparatory Committee formally voted to establish a provisional legislature upon reversion, the only member to vote against the measure was publicly rebuked. He was then told he was ineligible to serve in the provisional body or on the selection committee for Hong Kong's first chief executive--one of the most important decisions Beijing will make this year.

Freedom of expression and of the media will be another test of China's intentions. Recent pronouncements by P.R.C. officials implying that journalistic advocacy would not be permitted reflect an imperfect understanding of what freedom of speech really means. Beijing's comments drew immediate, negative reaction in Hong Kong. While few expect full-fledged censorship, Beijing's statements raised concern that journalists, editors, and publishers may be expected to adopt informal limits in areas of particular sensitivity, such as Tibet, Taiwan, or criticism of the Communist Party or China's leadership. We hope that Hong Kong's free and open press continues and that tolerance for dissent and the right of peaceful debate are maintained.

The United States and Hong Kong

Hong Kong is an international city. Its future stability and continued prosperity are important--not just to China, but to the entire world community, including the United States.

The United States has a major interest in Hong Kong's successful transition. U.S. trade, investment, and business with Hong Kong flourish in a virtually barrier-free environment. Last year's exports to Hong Kong--many of which are reexported to China--totaled nearly $15 billion. U.S. companies have $13 billion of investment in Hong Kong. Some 1,000 resident U.S. firms employ 250,000 Hong Kong workers--nearly 10% of the workforce. About 37,000 American citizens live and work in Hong Kong, the second-largest foreign presence after Filipinos. The U.S. Navy calls in Hong Kong at the rate of 60 to 30 ship visits per year. Cooperation between the Hong Kong Government and U.S. law enforcement agencies makes a real difference in our efforts to combat drug trafficking, illegal alien smuggling, organized crime, and counterfeiting.

We also enjoy strong educational and cultural relations, including a very large flow of tourists and students in both directions. Over 14,000 Hong Kong students are studying in the United States, and Hong Kong alumni of American universities number in the tens of thousands. Nearly 120,000 new business and tourist visas were issued to Hong Kong residents in 1995, and over 700,000 U.S. citizens traveled to Hong Kong last year.