Hong Kong Leaders Discuss Transition

In Beijing, above the financial district, stands a clock that prominently displays 251 days--the countdown until Great Britain relinquishes control of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China.

Last night, a standing-room-only crowd of 200 assembled at the Kennedy School's Taubman Conference Center to hear two decorated members of Hong Kong's Executive Council--the highest policy-making body in the territory--speak about the future of the British colony.

The Hong Kong '97 Forum, presented by the Harvard Hong Kong Club (HHKC), attracted students from Boston College, MIT and Wellesley College, in addition to members of the greater Boston Chinese American community.

Edward K.Y. Chen, president of Lingnan College in Hong Kong and a member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, professed a reserved optimism about the island's future as he delivered an address on "The Hong Kong Economy Under Chinese Sovereignty: The Issues and Non-Issues."

Hong Kong, he said, faces a challenging economic future. The city used to be a manufacturing center, but its economy has shifted to a trade-and service-oriented model.

The new government, Chen said, must effectively adjust to the rigorous demands of the competitive international economy.

"Hong Kong can not afford to become complacent and fall victim to its past success," he said. The new chief executive must "realize the great economic transformation of Hong Kong with an eye to the future."

Chen argued that Hong Kong also will need to confront the increasing income disparity between rich and poor.

Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, chair of the Hong Kong Housing Authority and chair of the Executive Council, said housing problems--a result of income inequality--may create an uneasy environment.

To be eligible for public housing, residents must have lived on the island for seven years, said Wong, the evening's second speaker.

Recent immigrants do not qualify but represent a significant portion of those who need such housing, she said.

As a social worker and executive director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Wong has worked with the island's youth for over 20 years.

"I have faith in the power of youth. Hong Kong has a great resource of talent and energy," Wong said. "Its young citizens are proud to belong to Hong Kong...and will contribute to the resurgence of China."

Chen said he does not believe pro-democracy demonstrators will dominate Hong Kong's political scene after the turnover.

The parties involved, Chen said, "know the limits of how far they can go."

China is undergoing a gradual process towards democratization, Chen and Wong agreed. But Chen warned Americans to be careful about "imposing their value system onto China."

"The evolutions of different democracies take unique routes," said Chen

Chen argued that Hong Kong also will need to confront the increasing income disparity between rich and poor.

Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, chair of the Hong Kong Housing Authority and chair of the Executive Council, said housing problems--a result of income inequality--may create an uneasy environment.

To be eligible for public housing, residents must have lived on the island for seven years, said Wong, the evening's second speaker.

Recent immigrants do not qualify but represent a significant portion of those who need such housing, she said.

As a social worker and executive director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Wong has worked with the island's youth for over 20 years.

"I have faith in the power of youth. Hong Kong has a great resource of talent and energy," Wong said. "Its young citizens are proud to belong to Hong Kong...and will contribute to the resurgence of China."

Chen said he does not believe pro-democracy demonstrators will dominate Hong Kong's political scene after the turnover.

The parties involved, Chen said, "know the limits of how far they can go."

China is undergoing a gradual process towards democratization, Chen and Wong agreed. But Chen warned Americans to be careful about "imposing their value system onto China."

"The evolutions of different democracies take unique routes," said Chen