Optimists and pessimists : a debate over the economic future of Hong Kong

Hong Kong -- the "Pearl of Orient" -- formerly was part of China, now being a territory of Britain, exhibits the advantages of a city-state earned from both countries. its excellent domestic infrastructure and political legal framework, Hong Kong has developed from an entrepot city into an economic and financial center in the Asian-Pacific area. It has represented a territorial separateness from China for one and a half centuries that enfolds a society united primarily by economic interests under the British colonial rule. The economic and political future of the last British crowned colony, Hong Kong, before and after the reversion to the Chinese rule on 1 July, 1997 has attracted the world's attention. The political future of Hong Kong and future government framework have already been outlined according to the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. The economic future of Hong Kong, on the other hand, has to be examined through its multi-facet orientation based upon its historical development, the pluralistic nature of the society, the domestic and international economic climate, and the tripodal political atmosphere circumscribed by the British Government, the Chinese Government and the local people. Either one of these factors may weigh more on one account or another, but as a whole, all will contribute to the future changes in the economy