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Media Summary on Hong Kong's Future
Period: April 19
April 25, 1983
INTRODUCTION:
Besides the Governor's remark
made to press after opening a swimming pool at Yuen Long on Saturday that HK people should be patient over the 1997 talks, there were many other comments on the future from a variety of sources. The Financial Secretary told an American television station that local people had recovered their rationality and confidence in HK; an unnamed senior Government official reiterated that the Sino-British talks would result in a settlement acceptable to the people of the territory; the Bar Association Chairman, Mr. Henry Litton, said the stability and prosperity of HK could not continue if there was a radical change in the legal system; and Unofficial Legislative Councillor, Mr. Stephen Cheong, said confidence in HK was steadily eroding. Comments came also from the Vice-Chancellor of HKU, Dr. Rayson Huang, who said university graduates should have a positive attitude to HK's future; and the First Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Xiang Nan, said talks about HK's future had been suspended because of Britain's ambiguous attitude on the issue..
In the English-language press, the civil service was to the forefront with comments from union leaders concerned over their pensions and with the creation in the civil service of a "privileged" class with rights of abode in the UK.
The Economic Journal had an exclusive, quoting Chinese sources, which said Britain had put forward a highly confidential paper to the Beijing authorities in October (i.e. only one month after Mrs. Thatcher's visit) which contained proposals relating to HK's future; the article also said the Governor's participation in the talks would not be welcome in Beijing.
The SCMP has published in full the speech given by Mr. T.L. Tsim recently tọ the Hong Kong History Society. A copy is attached.
ITEMS:
1.
H.E. SAYS PATIENCE NEEDED:
Wide coverage was given to remarks the Governor, Sir Edward Youde, made after opening Yuen Long swimming pool on Saturday. He said discussions on 1997 were going on and he thought people had to be a little patient. The talks were complicated and the issues important, so he thought they would take a little time. He told the press that he would go to Beijing when the talks reached the stage when his participation would be useful, but one thing which should not be forgotten was that Britain had a very experienced Ambassador in Beijing, Sir Percy Cradock, who knew HK very well.
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