Sir Geoffrey said it would not be realistic to think of an agreement that would provide for continued British administration in Hong Kong after 1997. This meant that Chins would recover sovereignty and administrative right over Hong Kong after 1997. This was what most people wanted to see. On arrangements to maintain a high degree of autonomy and preserve the way of life and the present systems under Chinese sovereignty, the paper said this was identical to what Chinese leaders had said. Sir Geoffrey's comment on the maintenance of the present systems and various freedoms was an explicit reflection of China's policies. The paper said residents hoped that Britain would take practical steps to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability in the next 13 years and must not allow any unrest to develop.
The Centre Dally News said Britain and China should strive to reach an early agreement in light of the good Sino-British relations and the progress made in the 12 rounds of talks and in the ministerial discussion. That was what Hong Kong people wished and only that could benefit Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Now that the broad principles had been settled and that Britain had clearly indicated its decision to give up sovereignty and administrative right over Hong Kong, it should be possible to conclude an agreement before long. The people of Hong Kong, living in an extremely sensitive society, would have certain worries and feel pyschologically uneasy as long as an agreement was not concluded to the detriment of the territory's prosperity and stability. Any "delay" would only cause harm.
As all conditions were ripe and the broad principles had been settled, we believe that the "several points of substance" mentioned by Sir Geoffrey do not fall within this scope. "Why can't the pace of the diplomatic talks be speeded up?” the paper asked.
Tin Tin Dally News expressed admiration for Britain's leadership for giving up sovereignty and administrative right over Hong Kong. The paper said this was a rational move more than anything else as Britain's leadership had been able to identify the rights and wrongs, and the pros and cons, and accept advice cool-headedly. Now that the "big question" which had most people concerned had been answered, the paper hoped that compatriots would join hands with China to work for Hong Kong's greater prosperity,
Ta Kung Pao, in a news analysis column, said Sir Geoffrey's remarks on sovereignty and administrative right had attracted people's attention. The columnist also wrote that this was the first time that an FCO official had officially mentioned Britain's stand on this in Hong Kong.
What Sir Geoffrey said also echoed Ji Pengfei's comment made two days ago that it was possible to reach an agreement before September. Also, Sir Geoffrey was basically against a referendum on the leue, the columnist said.
The Hong Kong Commercial Daily, also in a news analysis column, sald Sir Geoffrey's statement was well received by various sectors of the community. Some who had suspicions in the past said people could put their hearts at ease now that the situation had been clarified. Only one person complained that Sir Geoffrey had said nothing new, as what he said had been mentioned by Peking before. This was Impractical because, as Sir Geoffrey said, there was a need to maintain confidentiality when the talks were still in progress.
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