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30
Hong Kong. The students would accept China exercising sovereignty over
Hong Konɛ only if the "special administrative region" could function
within a highly democratio system.
As reflected from the views on the directions of development
in Hong Kong asked in Part II of the questionnaire, the students were
inclined to ask for a higher degree of democratisation and localisation
before 1997. This may be interpreted as students hoping for democrati-
sation before 1997 so as to prepare the Hong Kong people for "demoarstia
self-rule" after 1997.
Parents of a small mumber of students have the right of abode in
overseas countries
As shown in the part on personal particulars of the students,
only a small group of parents meet the requirements for applying for
emigration or have obtained the right of abode in an overseas country
(11.5% and 1% respectively). Of the 271 students whose parents are
eligible for emigration, only one-third (34%) have made preparations or
applied for emigration because of Hong Kong's future. And 85.8 per cent
of respondents considered it inappropriate for Hong Kong people to leave
Hong Kong under the present circumstancos, because (1) such move would
affect the confidence of Hong Kong people and the stability of Hong Kong
(41.8%), (2) it would be a manifestation of evasion of responsibility
(27.6%) and (3) it was not yet time for a decision (24.2%). On the other
hand, of the 221 students who deemed it appropriate to leave, 51.6 per
oent said that "taking precautions is understandable and should not draw
oriticism", whereas 40.5 per cent said "Hong Kong is bound to undergo
great changes; it is doubtful whether the status quo may be maintained".
/P.31.....