A solemn undertaking by China to respect the agreements reached with Britain guaranteeing the future of Hong Kong was the central feature of yesterday's ceremony transferring sovereignty over the city. This was the formal and highly public confirmation of many such undertakings delivered as the reversion approached. It will be a matter of national pride and dignity for the Chinese that the agreements be so honoured. On the reasonable assumption that they will be, yesterday marks a historic point in China's own history and international relations as well as in those of Hong Kong and Britain.
The sense of humiliation at the hands of foreign, largely western, powers has been a fundamental element in Chinese nationalism. One cannot understand communism's appeal without reference to and the same applies to the pride with which the Chinese government's role in seeing an end to colonial rule by Britain is greeted by Chinese communities around the world. Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule has enabled China to take a more mature view of world affairs, hopefully to start a new era in which legal obligations will loom much larger in the conduct of its government. Britain has played a central role in creating this environment, despite the arguments during Mr Chris Patten's time as governor over whether changes were introduced unilaterally or by agreement. Yesterday's ceremonies and speeches paid well-deserved tribute to the British achievement.
Stability in the Asian region depends crucially on how Hong Kong is ruled under its new dispensation. The agreements reaffirmed yesterday provide for autonomous rule other than in matters of foreign policy, national security and defence. China has pledged that elections will be held next year for a new assembly. Argument will continue in Hong Kong about how fast and extensively reforms should proceed. The more China respects the territory's political autonomy the more credible will be its own peaceful intentions, not least in Taiwan. The more it respects Hong Kong's economic autonomy the more China's own extraordinary growth path is likely to proceed on course.
That Hong Kong is an important gateway to the People's Republic is well illustrated by the breakdown of Irish exports there. Of the Pounds 173 million exports to China last year, Pounds 141 million went through Hong Kong. There is a strong case for strengthening Irish representation in China by providing more diplomatic and commercial back-up. Such considerations have been interrupted by the row that followed the failed attempt to present a unified EU case on human rights in China at the UN meeting in Geneva last March. Ireland has felt China's anger over this and has quite correctly held to its position. But it is time to move on, without sacrifice of principle. .
Shared values of anti-colonialism and independence bring together the Irish and the Chinese as Hong Kong reverts to China, despite the vast difference in scale between the two cultures and peoples. This is partly compensated for by a resource they have in common communities of their compatriots overseas which identify with their development in what will be a precious asset during the next century.