RESTRICTED
4. WEN WEN FO TODAY PUBLISHED EXTRACTS OF A LONG INTERVIEW IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF WORLD KNOWLEDGE BY CHINESE ECONOMIST QIAN JUNSHU P (CPPCC MEMBER AND FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE ACADEMY OF SOCHIAL SCIENCES). QIAN ARGUED THAT BRITAIN'S PLAYING THE ''PUBLIC OPINION CARD'' HAD RESULTED IN A DISTORTION OF CHINA'S INTENDED POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG. DESPITE THE MIS-PLACED SCEPTICHSM HOWEVER, HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN A FREE PORT AND THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF FOREIGN INVESTORS WOULD BE PROTECTED AFTER SOVEREIGNTY HAD REVERTED TO CHINA. QIAN BLAMED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR PLACING TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT WHILST IGNORING THE IMPORTANCE OF STIMULATING INDUSTRIAL GROWTH. QHAN COMMENTED THAT MR EDWARD HEATH AND SOME OTHER BRITISH MPS AND ACADEMICS SENSIBLY REGARDED THE TREATIES RELATING TO HONG KONG AS UNEQUAL AND THAT SOVEREIGNTY SHOULD BE RETURNED TO CHINA.
BRAY
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
COPIES TO: (VIA DISTR. ROOM)
LIMITED
HD/HKD
SIR PHILIP MOORE BUCKINGHAM PALACE PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
D/FED
ED/PLANNING STAFF
ED/PUSD
D/HD/PUSD(MR FLOWER)
RESEARCH DEPT(MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR)
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
MR WRIGHT
RESTRICTED
PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND
INDUSTRY
COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)
HONG KONG GOAT OFFICE
MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT
MA BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST SIR A PARSONS
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF
MR GOODALL
MRBRENNAN
CABINET OFFICE CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL