Hong Kong was once a manufacturing base. Now it relies mainly on helping to move goods in and out of the mainland and playing a role as an agent for both mainland and foreign firms in trade and investment services. The mainland will have less need for Hong Kong to perform this role as it opens its doors wider to direct trade and investment as a member of the World Trade Organisation. The city must adjust to new realities if it is to have a future. Guangdong alone can replace Hong Kong in as little as 10 years. Without change, Hong Kong risks becoming a financial burden on the nation in the future. The city must find a new role that makes its contribution distinct from any other city on the mainland. Perhaps Hong Kong could promote itself as a study centre for mainland students wishing to learn English. The city could even make English the official language in order to fully develop an English-speaking society. Many mainland students would then choose to study here instead of going abroad. Such a move would create jobs and turn our schools and universities into money-making machines instead of being financial burdens. The move would also attract more tourists and investors if Hong Kong were to succeed in becoming a truly international city - the only English-speaking city in China. Given its historical background and uniqueness, Hong Kong is the only place in China that could implement such a policy. We should exploit this advantage and make the idea work, for the sake of Hong Kong and the nation. DAVID TSUI KAI-TSIN, Tuen Mun
