Clinton's Hong Kong visit

American presidential visits to China have become almost routine since the late Richard Nixon's groundbreaking journey in 1972. These trips are usually hectic occasions with demanding schedules filled with predawn departures and late-night ceremonial dinners. Then, after the communiques, the florid toasts and the high-sounding speeches, the presidential visitor flies back to Washington.

But there may be a welcome change to that routine when U.S. President Bill Clinton visits Beijing later this year. The White House has confirmed that Clinton's itinerary is likely to include a stopover in Hong Kong.

The significance of such a visit to Hong Kong would go far beyond the waving and handshaking associated with such events. For one thing, it has been officially announced that he will visit China at an earlier time than the planned date of November; he will probably go there in late June. This would mean that Clinton would arrive here around the time when Hong Kong would be marking the first anniversary of the return to Chinese sovereignty.

His visit would be both a welcome boost to Hong Kong politically and an important endorsement of the implementation of the one country, two systems principle and the Basic Law. It also would underline America's commitment to this part of the world at a time when the region is suffering the effects of financial turmoil.

There can be no doubt that a presidential visit would help focus worldwide attention on Hong Kong's position as an important international financial center which has coped quite well with the economic crisis. The average Hong Kong resident would probably catch only a fleeting glimpse of Clinton. That is the nature of such visits. But let there be no doubt that a presidential visit here in late June would be extremely welcome.

-- The Hong Kong Standard