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$600 000, a participant is entitled to a housing flat in Taipa City developed by Trafalgar Housing; right of abode in Portugual together with his family upon the issue of residence permits which are normally approved within nine months after joining the scheme; Portuguese naturalisation after six years' residence; and membership of the Portuguese Investments Association. The advertisement also contained a message from the Portuguese Consul-General in HK, Dr. Pedro Caterino, who said the scheme would benefit China, HK, Macau and Portugual alike and it was unlikely that HK residents who joined the scheme would all pull out. Later in the week, the HK Daily News said the scheme had drawn an encouraging response, but no figures were given.
7.
CHINA REITERATES STAND:
Ming Pao reported that the December issue of "Liao Wang", a monthly magazine produced by Xinhua News Agency, had reiterated China's stance on the 1997 issue i.c. sovereignty would be regained and prosperity maintained. The two were inseparable, but there was room for negotiation subject to the premise of regaining sovereignty. China would give careful consideration to HK's practical needs and take special measures not to affect HK's prosperity. Such moves would be beneficial to Britain, China and the people of HK. It was hoped that, through negotiation, a settlement could be found on the HK question. The article also expressed dissatisfaction over the statement made by Mrs. Thatcher in HK following her China visit in which she emphasised the validity of the three treaties governing HK and Britain's moral obligations towards HK. The article was headed "The Attention Riveting Beijing's Diplomatic Arena".
8.
MORE SPECULATION ABOUT KE HUA:
There were more press reports on a possible shake-up in the HK Branch of Xinhua News Agency. Quoting sources close to the Chinese and British Governments, the Financial Daily said on 5 January that Mr. Ke Hua, Chinese Ambassador in London, would take over from Mr. Wang Kuang; and Mr. Cao Weilin, now the third director of HK Branch of Xinhua, would take over from Mr. Li Jusheng, second director.
The sources said Mr. Ke also took part in the talks on HK's future in 1981 and 1982. The other members of the Chinese team were Mr. Huang Hua and Mr. Song Zhiguang (now Chinese Amassador to Japan). The British side was then represented by Lord Carrignton, Sir Edward Youde and Mr. Humphrey Atkins.
In a speculative report on 4 January, Kung Sheung Evening Post said China might recall Mr. Wang Kuang. This suggested that a big reshuffle in Chinese organisations in HK would soon be under way. The impending reshuffle had already shocked heads of Beijing- based organisations here. Quoting unnamed sources close to China, the paper said Beijing was unhappy with the performance of heads of these organisations and they should be held partly responsible for some of the commercial crime committed in China, particularly offences
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