DSt
SC MP
DS
81972
Jure & 1972
Royle expects bright future for Hongkong
Hongkong's thriving and vital community had a bright future ahead of it, Mr Anthony Royle said yesterday.
And the Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said at a Kai Tak press conference he would be "back in Hongkong in the autumn" to study our problems.
Mr Royle, speaking after a history making visit to China, dodged several questions on Hongkong matters.
But, the man who once advocated an ombudsman for the Colony, did say the CDO and UMELCO offices were both doing a good job but needed more time to develop.
Mr Royle, debonair and affable, said he had the "utmost faith" in the future of Hongkong.
"It should prosper for many years ahead," he said.
Mr Royle said trade topics played an important part in his discussions with senior Chinese officials.
Asked if Hongkong would benefit, he said: "Hongkong is full of very hardworking and skilful businessmen.
"I would be very surprised if they did not take advantage of increased trade between China and Hongkong."
He said his visit had set up the framework for better trade relations between Britain and Hongkong, but it was up to businessmen to "paper the framework."
Other subjects discussed with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Chiao Kuan bua, and other officials included culture. sports. technology, air travel and scientific matters.
Before he began answering questions, Mr Royle stressed he would not talk about Hongkong's internal affairs or disclose the "confidential discussions he had held with the Chinese.
Mr Royle said that the status of Hongkong had not been discussed but that he had had talks about the possibility of
improving communications between the Colony and China.
He said that he had been honoured and privileged to take part in a number of firsts in establishing better relations with China.
Both sides, he said, had achieved 1 greater understanding over a wide field but there were still many areas on which they had agreed to differ.
"I have every expectation that the new climate which has been developed will have early tangible results."
He mentioned that the prospects of air links between Britain and China had been discussed, but that future progress was dependent on a government-to-government air services agreement.
He added that he was very hopeful of seeing a Concorde land at London airport in Chinese colours.
He spent one whole session which amounted to 12 hours of talks discussing Britain's attitude towards the Common Market in which the Chinese expressed great interest.
He emphasised that things would not change overnight, but he hoped for a gradual, if not dramatic, build-up of trade
soon.
He also hoped that there would be an increasing number of ministerial exchanges in the near future.
Mr Royle said British Chinese relations were now on a very satisfactory basis and as a result he hoped this would set up a climate for increased trade between the two countrics.
Mr Royle said great problems and difficulucs still confronted China, but the present Chinese Government had managed to get rid of the ancient scourges of famine and discasc.
Sunming up his visit, Mr Royle said it had given him a fascinating inside look into China today.
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