Zhu Rongji’s Hong Kong Visit Revived in Retrospect
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Near the end of his tenure as premier, Zhu Rongji made his first and only official visit to Hong Kong in that capacity on November 18, 2002, shortly after the city’s return to Chinese rule in historical terms. During the trip, he delivered a forceful message of confidence, saying he did not believe Hong Kong could be mismanaged and that both Hong Kong and the central authorities would be responsible if that happened. He argued that if Hong Kong were ruined after its return to the motherland, those in charge would become “sinners of the nation,” underscoring the political weight Beijing attached to the city’s success. At a Government House welcome dinner the next day, he also addressed Hong Kong’s fiscal deficit and said he would be the first to buy a 50-year Chinese bond issued in the mainland, adding that he believed the Chinese people would join him
Key Points
- Zhu Rongji visited Hong Kong on November 18, 2002, in what was his first and last trip there as premier of the State Council
- In remarks on Hong Kong’s situation, Zhu said he did not believe the city would fail and said both sides would share responsibility
- He warned that if Hong Kong were “ruined” after returning to China, those responsible would become “sinners of the nation.”
- At a Government House welcome banquet on November 19, 2002, he specifically referred to Hong Kong’s fiscal deficit problem
- Zhu praised Hong Kong’s open economy, legal system, efficient civil service, management talent, and status in finance, trade, and shipping
Why It Matters
Zhu’s remarks remain notable because they tied Hong Kong’s post-handover performance directly to both local governance and Beijing’s stewardship, making the city’s success a shared political responsibility. His comments on deficits and institutional strengths also showed that confidence in Hong Kong was linked not only to patriotism, but to practical faith in its economic system and international role