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UK Chinese pressure group: The Standard reported on 28 February that Mr. Alfred Chan, a HK Chinese pressure group leader from Britain, was in HK to gather grassroots opinion on 1997; his organisation, the 1997 Action Group, was formed last March and had 40 members, mostly social workers, journalists, teachers and students. The group said it acted as a watchdog, monitoring the policies and activities of the British Government regarding the sensitive issue of the future of HK. It aimed to fight for an elected government in HK after the NT lease expired; it did not rule out the possibility of a British administration in future, but it should be recognised by the majority. The group planned a survey (of 1, 000 respondents) on 1997 and the findings would be submitted to the Foreign Office. Mr. Chan would see Senior Exco member, Sir S.Y, Chung, and the Political Adviser, as well as Meeting Point members. He said many British MPs were not well informed about the situation in HK, e.g. that there was no elected member in Legco.
Appointment of Mr. Ke Hua: The SCMP on 22 February quoted the Financial Daily's earlier story that the Chinese ambassador in London, Mr. Ke Hua, would be appointed vice-minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of West European affairs, in which position he would be China's main negotiator on the HK issue. The Post also reported that at a banquet in London Mr. Ke stressed that China must regain sovereignty over HK. Speaking to 200 Chinese from all over the UK, Mr. Ke said the prosperity and security of HK could be assured and promoted. He stated the wish for Taiwan to return to the motherland and stressed the need for unity between Chinese in HK, Taiwan and the UK.
Meeting Point: In the English-language press only the Standard covered the Meeting Point press conference at which the chairman, Mr. Lau Nai-keung, said increasing property tax to 18 percent could generate $2 billion to cover part of this year's deficit, a move which would not hurt HK's trade potential. The prosperity of HK did not depend on low profit tax alone; HK had become a strong market place because of its political stability, high productivity and weak labour unions. Even if profits tax went up to 20 percent HK was still a strong competitor compared to neighbouring countries. The group's vice-chairman, Mr. Yeung Sum, described the Budget as conservative and cautious; a drastic increase in indirect taxation was not an effective way to narrow the gap between rich and poor and would only affect middle and lower income groups. However, he praised the Government for its large public spending despite diminished income last year.
Ta Kung Pao Weekly Supplement: The Supplement for 24 February 2 March carried various news items, including details of the Economic Daily article entitled "How HK has become one of the world's financial centres" with the following sub-headlings: (1) favourable political climate; (2) advantageous geographical position; (3) the general economic prosperity in HK and Asian regions; and (4) encouragement from the HK authorities. The article said, despite recession, HK's financial business would continue to grow, being boosted by the four modernisations. Other items in the Supplement included the visit of four groups of HK Polytechnic students to China and the Macau/Zhuhai reclamation agreement. There was also back-page coverage of the Budget, the report playing up the tax increases.
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