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In an editorial, the HK Economic Journal warned that HK's economy would wither if China failed to come up with a satisfactory solution to maintain the territory's prosperity. The Financial Daily said freedom of individuals and self-reliance were more important than a sound legal system in maintaining HK's stability. A commentary in the paper said the fact that the Chinese and British Governments would have new negotiators in the diplomatic talks showed that the two sides were deeply divided on the issue. In another leader the paper said HK would have to enjoy a high degree of autonomy if it was turned into a Special Administrative Region. In a third editorial, the paper said the British Government would certainly feel offended and might call off the diplomatic talks if HK was mentioned in China's draft to spell out the SAR in more specific terms. Tin Tin Daily News said there were signs that the British Government was now trying to evade the sovereignty issue and had shifted the emphasis to HK's economic importance to China. The right-wing Kung Sheung Daily News said Labour MP, Mr. Roland Moyle, was naive to suggest that the British Government should give way on the sovereignty issue. It said the interests of local residents would not be safeguarded if HK was returned to China. Another right-wing paper, the HK Times, said the joint funding scheme for HK students studying in the UK showed that the British Government was taking measures to bolster local people's confidence in HK's future.
In the left-wing press, there was extensive coverage of the return of the academics. The two leading communist papers, Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao, featured a number of interviews with them, highlighting points which were in line with China's intention to regain sovereignty over HK and its various propositions to maintain HK's stability and prosperity. On other issues, Ta Kung dismissed as nonsensical a proposal by a member of the HK Hotels' Association that departure tax should also be levied on travellers going to China by land routes. The paper repeated its previous view that visits between residents of HK and China. should not be hampered because HK was part of Chinese territory. The proposal was not in line with such a principle and would be detrimental to the exchange of trade and cultural activities between the two places. Besides, it would not help maintain HK's prosperity and stability. The New Evening Post said editorially that compatriots in HK were old chums of China. They could use various avenues to reflect views to Beijing and the Chinese Government was willing to study ways to maintain HK's prosperity. The dialogue between Beijing and HK now was an internal one among old buddies. It was quite different from the governmental talks with Britain. China would be widely receptive to public opinion in HK during the transitional period which had now begun. The drawing up of proposals would take into account the interests as well as the recommendations of HK people.
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