HONG KONG: DEATH OF DENG XIAOPING SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE FUTURE

(20 Feb 1997) English/Nat

In few places have the last day's events in Beijing been more closely watched than in Hong Kong, which returns to Chinese rule this summer.

Hong Kong is waiting to see how Deng Xiaoping's heirs will handle his legacy.

With Hong Kong returning to Chinese rule at the end of June, few in the world will be watching more closely than the people of the colony for any change in attitude in Beijing following the official announcement of Deng Xiaoping's death.

Some remain optimistic about Hong Kong's future, saying Deng's death will have little affect.

And, that as Chinese people, they should be celebrating his successes.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think this is very sad news because Deng Xiaoping is well loved by all Chinese people all over the world, and that this is very sad news. But at the same time we mourn Deng Xiaoping, we actually should celebrate all his achievements, because he has done so much for the Chinese people and also for global peace and security.
(Q.) How do you think his death will influence Hong Kong and affect the rest of the world?
I think his passing will not have any impact on Hong Kong's transition, and also on the direction China is moving, his death doesn't mark the end of the era, I think it marks the beginning of a new China, and of the renaissance of Chinese civilisation."
SUPER CAPTION: David Ghu, Hong Kong Legislator

The death of Deng will now effectively mean Communist Party leader and Chinese President Jiang Zemin is now firmly in charge..

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Mr. Deng is not directly involved, so it's left to Mr. Jiang Zemin and the Premier Li Peng to do the things, so I think his death will not make much change to the implementation of this model."
SUPER CAPTION: Lee Wing Tat, Hong Kong Legislator

The first test of Deng's legacy will be whether his handpicked successor, Jiang Zemin, and the other younger technocrats he installed in the 1990s will weather political manoeuvring that is expected to intensify in the coming months.

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