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Earlier, the HK Daily News quoted "official sources" in London saying it was now known that Sir Edward would take part in the second round of the diplomatic talks in March. It was expected that Mrs. Thatcher would ask him first to bring the ball back to HK and then kick it back to China. The paper said China passed the ball to Britain last November. It contained five items, namely China's intention to regain sovereignty over HK; turning HK into an SAR; HK people to administer HK; preservation of the present lifestyle; and retaining the social system.
In his speech to the HKGCC, Sir Edward urged HK to be optimistic over the future. Gloom and disaster caught the headlines, but there was a large and more encouraging side to the picture; both Britain and China had a strong and shared interest in the success of the 1997 talks. The views of HK people were being taken into consideration; if people wished to make their views public, the media gave them space and for those who wanted to convey their views more quietly there were numerous channels open to them. In his view the talks were best kept confidential: "Let me repeat and emphasise that people should not be prejudiced by what they hear outside the actual negotiations," he was quoted repeating. In the business pages, Sir Edward's speech was widely covered. He said HK was poised to face its uncertain political fate with new strengths gained from the experience of this prolonged recession. He urged the public to take heart in an economy plagued by a global slowdown as well as political uncertainties, declaring that the Government had not been deflected from its declared intention to continue to invest vigorously in the future.
The Governor's visit and speech prompted editorial comment from six papers. The independent HK Daily News and Express were confident that Sir Edward would reflect HK people's wish to maintain the status quo in discussions with British officials and hoped his trip would produce positive effects on HK's prospects. The two papers called on the British Government to take concrete measures in respect of trade policy and tuition fees to enhance relations with HK and help restore local residents' confidence. In similar vein, the HK Times hoped he would represent HK people's interests and make known Britain's policy towards HK on his return. In another editorial, the Express said Sir Edward was a China expert. This, coupled with the fact that he was Governor of HK, would make him one of the best negotiators in the diplomatic talks. It repeated that the best solution would be for China to regain sovereignty but to trust the territory to British administration for a certain number of years. The left-wing New Evening Post asked whether the Governor would tell Mrs. Thatcher that it was the wish of HK people to support China in restoring sovereignty. The Financial Daily viewed the Governor's remark on a common interest in the success of the talks as indicative that no progress had been made in the negotiations. Tin Tin Daily News said HK people would find it encouraging to learn of Sir Edward's reassurance that the Government would invest vigorously. To boost confidence, the paper asked whether it was possible to make decisions on pending plans such as Chek Lap Kok airport, to revive suspended projects and to call on the reserves for more development.
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