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LETTERS:
Oxford Undergrads from HK write about the future: The Oxford University Hong Kong Society wrote to the SCMP on 31 March saying they were deeply concerned about HK's future, although they very much appreciated the efforts of the British Government in seeking a solution to the problem of the lease of the NT and its readiness to accept moral responsibility towards the people of HK. It was obviously desirable that any decision on the future should be taken only after due consideration of the wishes of its inhabitants. The silence of the HK people hitherto could be attributed to two reasons: one, they fully understood that the present situation was most difficult and any untimely outburst of public opinion would merely make the Government's task more difficult; and, two, it was submitted that the lack of a responsible government and popularly elected representatives was a contributory factor. In view of the delicate nature of the matter it was, of course, inexpedient to publicise the details of the negotiations, but it was nevertheless desirable that a trusted representative or representatives of the colony (such as the present Commissioner in London, Sir Jack Cater) should be involved and kept informed. They were sure this would serve to boost the confidence and morale of the people. Furthermore, they believed that any long-term solution should necessarily involve the election of a representative government within the framework of the Commonwealth.
HK Worrier: A letter in the SCMP signed 'A HK Worrier" on April 11 said it was totally out of keeping with the times that the destiny of 5.2 million people should be decided by third parties. Anyone who believed this could be done to the satisfaction of the people of HK was only deceiving himself. Those who offered empty words of assurance that the future of HK would be resolved to the satisfaction of the people of HK were either downright dishonest or plain silly. Both London and Beijing had not bothered to formally include the people of HK in the diplomatic talks, and London insulted HK's intelligence by claiming that the interest of the people of HK would be adequately represented by the Governor at the talks. What happened was that there was growing cynicism towards the governments now deciding our future. And when there was cynicism and disaffection, people voted with their feet. As 1997 drew near, if the people of HK did not feel they had any control over their future, they would gradually move out. And when the best people and wealth were gone, what would be left for anybody? The only sensible solution was to involve the people of HK in the 1997 talks and give them a say in their own future.
Tibetan Independence: Tsering Shakya of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Europe wrote to the SCMP on April 11 refuting an editorial in the paper which said Tibet had long been a part of China. He said in many ways throughout the centuries, the Sino-Tibetan relationship had turned upon the question of Tibetan independence. This reached a turning point in 1913 when the Tibetan Government expelled the Chinees 'ambans' and all Chinese soldiers from Tibet. The repatriation was supervised by the British Government with the consent of the Government of China. In the same year, the Tibetan Government and the Government of Mongolia signed an internationally recognised treaty, whereby both declared themselves independent sovereign nations. From 1913 to 1950 Tibet existed as a sovereign nation without interference from China or any other powers. If one regarded what the Chinese had done and were doing in
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