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Assessment and Summary of Press Reports and Comments on Visit to Hong Kong by the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with Special Responsibility for Hong Kong. Mr. Richard Luce (September 24 to September 28, 1983)
Assessment
The five-day visit (September 24 to September 28, 1983) to Hong Kong by the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with special responsibility for Hong Kong, Mr. Richard Luce, generated an exceptional amount of Press interest. This was not unexpected because of the apparent lack of progress of the Peking talks on Hong Kong's future and because of the propaganda offensive launched by the local left-wing Press on the issue. Since early August, there had already been speculation among the local newspapers on Mr. Luce's visit and on whether he would go on to China.
In the reports on his arrival, most papers highlighted Mr. Luce's remark at the airport that residents should have confidence in themselves and that Britain would fulfil its commitment to Hong Kong. These remarks were, naturally, not publicised by the pro-China
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Mr. Luce's activities during his stay were given prominent coverage by the non- Communist Press, and the emphasis of the news reports were on those relating to the question of Hong Kong's future. The left-wing papers throughout gave low-key, if not unfavourable, treatment in their reports on what the minister did and said.
The news conference Mr. Luce gave on the final day of the visit was of great interest to the Press. It was used as a lead story in all papers except the leading left-wing Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po. Several papers carried the full transcript of the statements he made at the conference.
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The non-Communist papers generally noted these points in headlines: reiteration of Britain's commitment to working out a solution to the question of Hong Kong's future acceptable to all, the remark on "megaphone diplomacy". and the announcement of the Governor's and Unofficial Exco Members' visit to London the following week. The left-wing papers headlines accused the minister of repeating the "three-legged stool" theory and neglecting China's representation of Hong Kong people at the talks.
A few days after Mr. Luce's departure. China through the New China News Agency and Renmin Ribao launched an attack for his statements at the news conference. China's criticisms were well publicised by the left-wing Press and were reported in routine coverage by the non-Communist papers.
Two well-known local scholars at the University of Hong Kong commented on Mr. Luce's visit, while Mr. Leo Goodstadt remained neutral. Dr. Victor Sit was critical. But some members of the business community were encouraged by Mr. Luce's statements.
Editorially, a large number of papers also commented on Mr. Luce's visit. It can be said that with the exception of the left-wing Press, all papers thought highly of the visit.
If Press reports and comments are something to go by, the minister's tour of Hong Kong can be described as "successful" in reassuring Hong Kong people of Britain's commitment not the least because it was an excellent public relations exercise. :
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