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3.
INFORMAL CONTACTS:
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On 26 April the Financial Daily reported that Britain and China were making informal contacts in HK in an attempt to reconcile their differences and to pave the way for reopening of the formal negotiations. Quoting informed sources, it said both sides were willing to compromise. Whitehall might water down its tough stance on the sovereignty issue in exchange for an assurance in black and white from Beijing to uphold HK's stability and prosperity, while China was all prepared to thrash things out with Britain at the negotiating table under the premise that sovereignty of HK belonged to the Chinese Government. An editorial in the paper said the informal contacts indicated that the two Governments were more open and flexible in their approach on the 1997 question.
Later in the week, a columnist of the paper said the informal contacts were made through local journalists. In the sounding out process, Britain was represented by the editor of the most prestigious English-language newspaper in HK, while China was represented by chiefs of left-wing papers here. Views were exchanged when they lunched together recently. A date had been fixed for them to meet again.
4.
THE EVERBRIGHT CO.:
overseas.
Mr. Wang Guangying, brother-in-law of the late Chinese President, Liu Xiaoqi, and chairman of the Everbright Industrial Corporation, arrived in HK on 25 April. In an interview with Ta Kung Pao, Mr. Wang said his corporation would give priority to importing technology and to wooing foreign investment to China. He might consider setting up offices in neighbouring areas, including Macau, Shenzhen and Shekou, and eventually offices
He envisaged that his corporation would have 150 staff when fully established, but for the time being, he intended to hire 60 people. Of these, 20 would come from China and the rest, including the general manager, would be recruited in HK. Mr. Wang reiterated that he came here to do business only. He denied that he was staying here waiting for an important appointment to the future administration of HK under the self-rule proposition. Wen Wei Po also ran a story about him. Mr. Wang revealed that he had set up two companies in HK. The Everbright Industrial Corporation was not registered as a limited company, but Violight was. The scope of the work of both firms would be the same. Mr. Wang also disclosed that talks had begun with foreign investors about investment in China. He confirmed that he met Dr. Kissinger in Beijing on 1 April, to discuss possible co-operation, but so far no agreement had been reached. The Financial Daily reported on 26 April that Mr. Wang was last in HK in January to pave the way for the establishment of Everbright.
5.
VIEWS OF INDIVIDUALS:
News commentator, Mr. T.L. Tsim, said on ATV-English "Newsline" that Chinese nationalism had made it difficult for the Chinese leadership to allow HK to maintain the status quo after 1997 because any leader who adopted this policy would not get a good name in history books. He suggested that Britain should hand back sovereignty over HK to China. In return, China should make a commitment to stay out of the affairs of HK
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