HONG KONG, Dec. 31 -- A paperback of English translations of some of the most memorable political sayings of Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping has been published in Hong Kong, which reverts to Chinese rule in seven months. The small white book, titled 'Quotations from Deng Xiaoping,' hit bookstores in the British colony this week.
It is the first of its kind to be published in the English language and it is the project of Sub- Culture Ltd., a company that describes itself as 'an independent Hong Kong-based publisher.' A senior Chinese official was quoted earlier this month as saying the 92-year-old statesman might experience some difficulty in traveling to Hong Kong for the hand-over on June 30, 1997. The acknowledgment was a notable move from Deng's previous insistence that he would be in Hong Kong to personally welcome the colony of 6 million's 'return to the glorious motherland.' Sub-Culture's publication is a paean to the architect of China's massive economic reform process and the brainchild of the 'one country, two systems' theory on which capitalist Hong Kong is to return to Communist China. The 136-page book is divided into six parts, covering Deng's views on pragmatics, reforms, life, feelings, Hong Kong and international affairs. The grayish-white cover, featuring a photograph of Deng as a young revolutionary, was chosen deliberately to contrast the 'Little Red Book' of patriotic and proletarian sayings ascribed to the late helmsman Mao Tse-tung. The book includes one quote likely to be held close to Hong Kong people's hearts: 'It is China's vital interest to keep Hong Kong prosperous and stable.' ---
Copyright 1996 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---
