The remarks of a Labour Member of Parliament, Mr. James Sillars, when launching the pamphlet, were reported in the Chinese Press the following day. He described Hong Kong as "a disgrace to the British Government".
His remarks and the reported contents of the pamphlet led to ten editorials in the Chinese press, most of which objected strongly to the criticisms made by Mr. Sillars.
Kung Sheung Daily News (8.9.74) described the contents of the pamphlet as "extremely biased", "exaggerated", and "untrue".
The paper felt that "most of the statements are too harsh and naive to the point of the extreme Left. It contains no constructive suggestion, but only inflammatory and provocative remarks."
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Referring to the statement that "there is no reason to think that Peking would not respond favourably to moves by the British people to terminate British colonialism in Hong Kong and restore Hong Kong to China," Wah Kiu Man Po (7.9.74) criticised it as "either over-subjective or having ulterior motives."
The paper felt that the pamphlet over-emphasized the bad side of Hong Kong but brushed aside its good points.
"The Hong Kong Government has been making gradual improvements in many fields. As to the disparity between the rich and the poor, this situation also exists in Britain and is perhaps even more serious there than in Hong Kong," the paper said.
Hong Kong Times (7.9.74) also came up with some favourable comments on the Government of Hong Kong to, counter the criticisms made.
"In spite of its various short-comings and defects, under the colonial system in Hong Kong, the people can still enjoy sufficient freedom in many respects without the fear of oppression and interference under a communist rule," the paper pointed out.
"Moreover, the Hong Kong Government has been making continuous progress in many fields like water supply, housing, road works, education and social welfare," it continued.
"As for the Independent Commission Against Corruption, it has also made some achievements recently which have gained our approval. Government's determination to eliminate corruption," the paper contended.
This shows the
Kung Sheung Evening News (7.9.74) also joined in the defence against the attack levelled on the I.C.4.C.
"What the citizens of Hong Kong cannot tolerate is the open insult made in the book about the I.C.A.C. The majority of the people of Hong Kong are satisfied with the performance of the I.C.A.C.," the paper said.