(g) Hong Kong Economic Journal said statement would affect Hong Kong
residents' economic choices. This would have some impact on
economy.
Later reaction generally subdued.
Consensus was that statement
contained little new. Although apparently breaching confidentiality of talks, only authoritative statements on talks were what issued from them. "New Evening Post" said Chinese recovery of sovereignty would pre-date 1997 if "subversive elements" rocked boat.
(x) "Sing Pao" (Independent) "exclusive" report 13-14 August (Hong
Kong telno 1206)
This quoted senior but unnamed NCNA official telling local left-wing intellectuals China to recover sovereignty over whole of Hong Kong in July 1997. This date not to be altered "unless special circumstances arise". Thereafter, no "three-legged stool" administration of Hong Kong, whose future Governor to be appointed
by Peking. Hong Kong's reserves to be "handed back" to Hong Kong
Government. (Comment: this story repeated in Hong Kong Standard of
15 August.)
(xi) "Seventies" magazine article
Article in August issue said China interfering in Hong Kong affairs by appointing Hong Kong and Macau residents to NPC and CPPCC. Claimed China's assurances on Hong Kong's future could not put hearts at ease. If confidence to be engendered in "Hong Kong people to govern Hong Kong" proposal, Hong Kong people must be allowed to
make own decisions on certain issues.
Article called on all patriotic Chinese to support those who were
patriotic, independent and willing, to come forward to guarantee
that "Hong Kong people to govern Hong Kong" was feasible proposition.
(xii) Chinese propaganda campaign (Hong Kong telno 1195)
This stepped up mid August in 3 main Communist papers (Ta Kung Po,
Wen Wei Po, New Evening Post). Apart from asserting "sovereignty
administration inseparable" said that: