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economic developments in Guangdong and HK and had positive effects on Sino-British co-operation. Mr. Manzie, who made a stopover in HK on his way home, told the local press that there would be further studies on funding, electricity consumption and facilities. He said the talks were conducted in an amicable atmosphere but declined to give more details about the memorandum. Tin Tin Daily News said editorially that construction of the N-plant was a great confidence booster in HK's future. The signing of the memorandum was prominently covered by the two principal left-wing papers, Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao. Wen Wei published a full-page pictorial supplement about the site of the N-plant in Daya Bay where surveying teams have already started work. The site is at Ling Quoser, separated from Mirs Bay by a peninsula.
2.
GOVERNOR TO GO TO BEIJING? :
The HK Economic Journal reported prominently on 24 March that the Governor, Sir Edward Youde, would go to Beijing either at the end of this month or early next month to take part in the Sino-British talks. His participation showed that the dispute over his capacity in the talks had been settled. It was also reported that Britain would give way on the sovereignty question in return for continued administrative control over HK.
The report quoted Beijing sources as saying a former Chinese Ambassador to France, Mr. Yao Guang, would become the chief negotiator of the Chinese team. Sir Percy Cradock was due to retire soon and had been offered the post of Dean of a prestigious college in Britain.
The story was picked up by several Chinese newspapers the following day. Later in the week, Sing Pao reported that Sir Percy would reach the normal British civil servants' retirement age of 60 by October and had no intention of staying on. He had been offered the job of Dean of a Cambridge college. His possible successor would either be Mr. Alan Donald or Dr. David Wilson, both former Political Advisers in HK.
Meanwhile, Sir Edward, during lunch with directors of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries on 21 March, said it was Government's intention to provide a favourable environment to promote industrial development, including the provision of basic facilities and manpower training. The Governor was also confident that HK's prosperity would continue. He agreed that manufacturing industry should remain the backbone of HK's economy. Among those who attended the lunch were Sir S.Y. Chung, Mr. James Wu and Mr. Jack Tang.
3.
LEGCO DEBATE:
Two unofficial members spoke of HK's future at the resumed Budget debate. While most independent papers played up the remark by Mr. T.S. Lo that HK had suffered from an erosion of confidence in its political future, the left-wing press highlighted Mr. Charles Yeung's remark that he believed a pragmatic and flexible approach would be adopted by all concerned to achieve an expeditious and mutually beneficial resolution which took due regard of the wishes of HK people. London and Beijing were well aware of both the adverse effects and the serious consequences of a protracted period of uncertainty for HK, he said.
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