CONFIDENTIAL
Media Summary on Hong Kong's Future
Period: January 25 - 31, 1983
INTRODUCTION:
The visit of the Governor, Sir Edward Youde, to London was routinely covered by the media; but his return and the comments he made at the airport received wide coverage in the Chinese press. One paper remarked on his relaxed and forthcoming manner which might mean good news, while another said the absence of any optimistic remarks might indicate deadlock in the negotiations. One left-wing paper said he would only represent Britain's interests in the Beijing talks.
The left-wing press over the weekend stepped up their criticism of the British attitude to the three treaties. Considerable publicity was given by the left-wing papers to a strongly-worded article by a Chinese history researcher about the background to the treaties. The Wen Wei Po, perhaps attempting to discredit the administration here, gave space to a group which attacked HK's education system. It also started a column for readers' letters.
A Government official during the week clarified an apparent misunderstanding over the three-legged table analogy propounded by Lord Belstead; in a leader on January 30, the SCMP questioned where the left-wing press had got the idea that Lord Belstead was urging a troika. Another senior official was reported to the effect that while the talks might have slowed down they would restart in the New Year.
The Kung Sheung published the results of a poll which showed that 85 per cent of respondents wanted the status quo to remain and only 0.09 per cent were in favour of handing over to China both sovereign and administrative rights. 97% favoured a referendum.
ITEMS:
1.
GOVERNOR RETURNS:
The Governor's activities in London remained a topic of interest during the week. Coverage was given to a daily account of his visits released by GIS. Major papers carried on 26 January a Reuters despatch quoting the Financial Times saying Sir Edward would soon take a formal part in the Sino-British talks and the Executive Council had gained an independent voice in the diplomatic negotiations. An FCO spokesman said it had always been accepted that, if the Governor's participation would be useful, then he would participate. (See cutting attached). Sir Edward's return on 29 January brought press interest to a climax. All but the SCMP gave prominence to Sir Edward's statement at the airport that he would be going to Beijing to take part in the Sino-British talks, but declining to give a date. He described his talks with the Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Pym, and other British Ministers and officials as constructive and very useful. While several papers described him as tight-lipped on the progress of the talks, others said he was more forthcoming compared with his two previous visits. It was also reported that, in his discussions in London, the Governor took into account a report submitted by the Heung Yee Kuk-led delegation following
CONFIDENTIAL