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Visit to China: Beijing has - through the local branch of NCNA invited several academics and professionals in HK to visit China in April, several non-communist papers reported. They included professors or lecturers from HKU, CU and the Polytechnic.
Oil exploration: A Wen Wei Po correspondent in Beijing reported that China was looking into the role HK could play in South China Sea Oil exploration. Quoting sources he said far-sighted businessmen should get prepared to take advantage of the oil exploration exercise, rather than moving their funds away from HK. The sources outlined three basic roles that HK could play: (1) to provide funds; (2) to provide logistics supplies and personnel; and (3) as a back-up base for foreign experts.
UK Media: The UK press contained reports on the Budget, but there was nothing of substance on the subject of HK's future, apart from coverage of the announcement of the Governor and Sir Percy Cradock's trip to London early in March. Only the Financial Times (thanks to Cottrell) reported the Government's decision on the proposed replacement airport. The same paper also carried the rise in the Hang Seng Index on several days.
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CONFIDENTIAL