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| ONE COUNTRY; TWO SYSTEMS?
JUNE 30, 1997TRANSCRIPT |
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Hong Kong has returned to China after 156 years of British rule. Emotions range from elation that the Opium Wars are now truly over, to skepticism over the future of real democracy. Following a background report from Independent Television News, Jim Lehrer leads a panel discussion.
IAN WILLIAMS, ITN: China's leaders flew into a wet and windy Kai Tak Airport this evening six of
A RealAudio version of this NewsHour segment is available.
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July 3, 1997:
Pose your questions to our correspondents in Hong Kong about the handover, and the territory's future.
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June 30, 1997:
A panel discussion on the meaning of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China.
June 29, 1997:
Essayist Richard Rodriguez reflects on America's relationship with China.
June 23, 1997:
How the British will retreat from Hong Kong.
June 16, 1997:
Will China's communism bring drastic change, or business as usual?
June 10, 1996:
Just who is Tung Chee-hwa--the man who will take over Hong Kong when it is returned to Chinese control?
December 17, 1996:
Human rights abuses in China.
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the half hours before the handover of power, but already looking very much at home. President Jiang Zemin on his first visit to Hong Kong was greeted by schoolgirls, before reaching the warm embrace of Hong Kong's future leader, Tung Chiwah.
Warmth was also very much evidenced in communities across the colony, where the symbol of the
new Hong Kong's special administrative region flew side by side with the Chinese Communist flag, though for many it was business as usual. And business was the order of the day for diplomats and politicians as they flew into a whirlwind of meetings, the Americans and British telling Hong Kong and Chinese leaders they expect China to respect Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy.
They also welcomed assurances that Hong Kong will move quickly to fresh elections. Then almost but not quite a washout the British sunset farewell ceremony got underway. Margaret Thatcher,
who signed the treaty returning Hong Kong to Chinese rule, was among the politicians and diplomats, past and present, who packed a specially built stadium for an extravaganza blending Britain and China. Only a city that's a monument to making and spending money could produce children dressed as dancing credit cards.
Then there was a symbolic lowering of the Hong Kong and British flags before a grand, though rain-soaked, finale. Above the harbor, defying the elements, the pyrotechnics began, brief but spectacular, even if China had pledged to lay on a bigger and better 8 million pound display tomorrow.
Even as the British were still celebrating, the main cause of political fireworks in recent days, the People's Liberation Army, was gathering at the border, less than an hour's drive from here, as three hours before the handover the PLA flocked into Hong Kong. They'd left their barracks in China, having been told by their commanders who love the Hong Kong people, though there was no emotion on the faces of the 500 soldiers that made up the advance party.
They crossed in a fleet of buses and trucks, a satellite dish beaming back to Chinese television the progress of soldiers Britain had originally refused to allow in early. They'll be followed by a 4,000-strong garrison. The handover ceremony took place in the main hall of Hong Kong's newly completed convention center in front of 4,000 guests.
In this final act of empire choreography was everything. A guard of honor from the British armed forces and one from the PLA took to the stage simultaneously--before Prince Charles delivered Britain's last words of thanks and commitment to Hong Kong.
PRINCE CHARLES: In a few moments, the United Kingdom's responsibilities will pass to the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong will thereby be restored to China. And within the framework of one country/two systems, it will continue to have a strong identity of its own and be an important international partner for many countries in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, China will tonight take responsibility for a place and a people which matter greatly to us all. The solemn pledges made before the world in the 1984 Joint Declaration guarantee the continuity of Hong Kong's way of life.
IAN WILLIAMS: Moments before midnight the flag ceremony began. The territory had returned to China. President Jiang gave a short speech in which he said China is committed to one country/two systems, an autonomous and prosperous Hong Kong.
PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN, China: (speaking through interpreter) After the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese government will unswervingly implement the basic policies of one country/two systems Hong Kong people administer in Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy and keep the previous socioeconomic system a way of life of Hong Kong, unchanged, and its laws basically unchanged. (applause)
IAN WILLIAMS: Then Charles and Britain's politicians left, having refused to attend a ceremony at which China's appointed legislature for Hong Kong was to be sworn in, an illegal body in the eyes of the British. Their destination was the royal yacht Britannia, where there were emotional scenes at the key side. Her departure from Hong Kong tonight marked Britain's last retreat from her last major colony.
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