Reprieve for Tsoi Kwok Cheong
Up to the afternoon of May 16, four Chinese papers had expressed their Opinions on the Queen's decision to commute the death sentence on Tsoi Kwok Cheong. All of them strongly disapproved of it.
Ming Pao (16.5.73) said that according to what it had heard, many high ranking Government officials are very disappointed with the decision because they know this is against public opinion and fear that it may have adverse effects on the social order of Hong Kong. However, they are in no position to raise objections against a decision made by the Queen.
"Under such circumstances, we must not blame the Hong Kong Government because it has no alternative but to obey, it said, "ut what we are worried about is what we shall do with future cases".
The paper suggested that residents of Hong Kong should launch a signature drive to let Britain know that the majority oppose the decision.
Nam Wah Man Po (16.5.73) said that it was indeed a "miracle" that the petition signed by the minority of Hong Kong people which included a handful of lawyers, church leaders and residents could have reached the Queen and prompt Her Majesty to decide to spare the life of the murderer.
The paper asked the same question as Ming Pao: "Will this serve as a precedent for similar cascs that happen in future? Will church leaders and people in the legal profession fight for the lives of other condemned murderers with the same passion?"
Sing Tao Mar Po (16.5.73) said that London's decision has undoubtedly aroused public indignation. It agreed entirely with the Buddhist priest who said that the Queen in making such a decision has violated four principles, namely the spirit of the law of Hong Kong; the cycle of reward and punishment; public opinion and the law of nature.
The paper also pointed out that to spare the life of a convicted murderer at the very outset of the Tight Crime Campaign is indeed an irony.
New Evening Fost (communist) (16.5.73) quoted the angry words of the victim's
father:
"If the killer does not have to pay with his life, my son will never rest in his grave!"
These words can represent the view of all the residents of Hong Kong, the paper said.
Speculation about take-over of Bus Companies
Recently there have been speculations that the Government would not renew the franchises of the two bus compaines and that they may be taken over by a British consortium. This has aroused strong indignation from three Chinese non- communist papers. They are Wah Kiu Yat Po, Sing Tao Jih Pao and Fai Po.
The papers gave various reasons for objecting to the take-over, as follows:-
1. Effort and experience of the present operators:
До
summarized
The two bus companies have a history of over forty years. The operators have put in much effort and gone through many hardships.
With the
/2.