Reassuring recipe
China's efforts to reassure those still jittery about life after the handover have been given fresh momentum by pledges made during a just-concluded visit to Beijing by foreign business chambers.
The statement, by vice-premier Qian Qichen, that China believed in 'the less change, the better' recognises that the recipe for prosperity lies in retaining the way of life which has helped the territory achieve success.
Especially encouraging were the specific reassurances offered by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director, Lu Ping. His indication that the territory's ethnic minorities could avoid the risk of statelessness by applying for Chinese nationality marks a change of tone from Beijing's past statements on this issue. Previously, China had poured cold water on the idea.
It may be that few will take up this offer. Nor it is clear whether their applications would succeed since Chinese nationality previously has been granted only to a few foreigners - and they had performed 'exceptional services' for Beijing's leadership. But the real value of Mr Lu's remarks lie in offering the security of an extra potential option to those most insecure about their future.
Expatriates here should welcome Mr Lu's pledge that non-Chinese permanent residents of the territory can sit on the Selection Committee to pick the Chief Executive-designate. None were named to the Preparatory Committee, though the earlier Basic Law Consultative Committee included several expatriates. Allowing expatriates to sit on the Selection Committee would boost international confidence and be a further sign of a pragmatic policy towards Hong Kong.
This positive approach could be taken further. A logical extension of Mr Qian's 'the less change, the better' pledge is that Hong Kong would be better-served by allowing the present Legislative Council to remain in office until 1999 and by keeping the Bill of Rights intact.
It may be unrealistic to expect Beijing to change tack on these issues, but it is not too much to expect that future policy decisions should be consistent with Mr Qian's pledge.
