Deng's pledge is being maintained

　　

　　"We don't see any difference in our way of life after 1997," said Wong Yim-fat, a fishmonger in Hong Kong.

　　"Though there have been hard times, we have come through it, believing things can only get better."

　　Wong now plays the stock markets and has had some luck with the Hang Seng Index rising from 15,196 points in July 1997 to about 21,685 today.

　　"Actually, as masters of our own society, we feel there is more freedom and opportunities following Hong Kong's return," Wong said.

　　Wong said he is happy with his decision to remain in Hong Kong after its return and not seek to emigrate as some of his friends and relatives did.

　　"Many of my friends who have emigrated have come back, after finding out that things have not changed," Wong said.

　　Before 1997, many Hong Kong people were uncertain about its future and left for other countries.

Official figures from Hong Kong Customs show that more than 300,000 people moved to America, Australia and Canada between 1990 and 1997. Ten years later, many returned because of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.

　　Renee Chu, an assistant computer officer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was one of those who left before 1997.

　　Following her parent's wishes, Renee left for Australia in 1990 when she was still a middle school student.

　　"At that time, they were concerned about Hong Kong's future and wanted us to receive a better education abroad," she told Xinhua News Agency in a recent interview.

　　After graduating from university, Renee returned to Hong Kong in 2000 as it offered better job opportunities.

　　Hong Kong was hit by an economic downturn and an outbreak of SARS after 1997, but that did not stop the Chu family from returning.

　　"There are always good and bad times for a place," Renee said.