The former chief executive reflects on a difficult past but he remains hopeful about what lies ahead
It has been 10 years since the handover. What is the significance of Hong Kong's return to China in historical and political terms?
Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to talk to the readers of the South China Morning Post,
a wide readership. The significance is at three levels. At Hong Kong's level, after 156 years of separation, Hong Kong is reunited with a bigger family. The other significance is that the uncertainty of what would happen after 1997 was removed and the fact that 'one country, two systems' has been successfully implemented removed uncertainty. So that's really very significant. From a global level, an issue left outstanding historically was resolved through negotiation and in a peaceful way. That in a way gave an example to a lot of countries, how many complicated problems can be solved through negotiation with goodwill. From China's perspective, the significance is that Hong Kong now is part of China again and that a step has begun towards the ultimate reunification of the entire country.
Do you think Hong Kong has completed the transition to become part of China? Many people say that although the transition period is over, Hong Kong people psychologically, despite the convergence in the economic arena, still don't think they are Chinese and they lack a strong national identity. What is your view on that?
The question is on two levels. Is the transition complete? I think in every respect the transition is complete because it's about the resumption of sovereignty, it's about implementing 'one country, two systems'. And by all accounts, 'one country, two systems' is successfully implemented here. I can relate a story that I was told. Before July 1, 1997, there were many dignitaries from the US coming to Hong Kong, and on a flight coming over someone was saying that 'one country, two systems' would not work in Hong Kong. They arrived in Hong Kong and I had the chance to meet many of them. Everyone was very sceptical about this. I told them: 'It's all right. I understand your doubt. Why don't you come back to see me next year? And if next year after you come, you are still not satisfied, come a year later.' Many friends in the last 10 years have come back to see me. Now they say to me: 'One country, two systems is really working in Hong Kong. Congratulations!' It is working and more and more Hong Kong people care about China, understand China a lot more than before, and feel the affiliation with China. There are obviously people who are not there yet. Well, that doesn't matter. In time this will happen.
