CONFIDENTIAL
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A number of papers commented on Sir Edward's visit. Sing Tao Jih Pao commended the Governor for putting his heart and soul to work in the interest of local residents. Sir Edward, with his experience in diplomacy and Chinese affairs, would help reach an agreement on HK's future. The Express, Ming Pao Evening News and the pro-Taiwan HK Times asked the Governor to reflect the true wishes of HK people to Whitehall. The Express said the basis of HK's prosperity was individual freedom and democracy, and the Sino-British talks must take this into account. Ming Pao Evening News and HK Times said the silent majority wanted to maintain the status quo and their wishes should not be neglected.
A commentator said on Radio 3 that the Governor's visit could be viewed as the first definitive talks on HK's future on the British side since the PM's visit to China last September. He expected Sir Edward would also meet the British Attorney General during his stay in London, because the lease issue had legal ramifications.
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LEFT vs RIGHT:
On the eve of the Governor's departure for London, there was an outburst of activity by right-wing organisations opposed to a Chinese takeover of Hong Kong. A number of pro-Taiwan youth, educational and commercial bodies, including the HK and Kowloon Trades Union Council, representing 88 unions, and the Association of Private Secondary Chinese Schools, wrote to the Governor saying it was the wish of local residents to maintain HK's status quo until China was unified under a democratic regime. On 5 March, representatives of 16 youth bodies petitioned Government House to demand preservation of existing democracy, freedom and the legal system; to oppose totaritarian rule and to promote the unity of HK residents to fight for freedom. These activities were prominently covered by the HK Times and Kung Sheung Daily News.
In an editorial of 6 March, Wen Wei Po described the petition as a farce staged by organisations controlled by Taiwan which wanted to create "two Chinas”. Such a farce would undermine Sino-British relations and yet the British Government in HK had not tried to stop it. China would not allow HK to be turned into a stage for the show of manufacturing two Chinas. Such an ugly political act outside Government House would do HK's prosperity and stability no good. Whether to receive the petition posed a problem for the Governor. The KMT were here to make waves and to sabotage the Sino-British talks. To condone such a calculated move would only complicate the issue and stir up a political storm which would hinder HK's prosperity. If Britain wished to have dealings with China, it must gauge the wishes of one billion Chinese people.
In an editorial the following day, the paper maintained that the so-called 'people's wishes' were the wishes of the KMT in Taiwan. China was unequivocal on the sovereignty issue. Any attempt to use the KMT to make waves in HK would not be successful. Dealings between the KMT and the British outside Government House would not enhance Britain's position; on the contrary, it would only make things worse. Were British people with a nostalgia for colonialism trying to play political gimmicks, it asked?
CONFIDENTIAL