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CODE 18-77
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Mr Morris
SINGTAO
1.
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Mr.Howe Murtham on 23 M.CLIPE 241, Mr Print 2011. Min Sargued) SPURD),
Mr. F.B
(INDEPENDENT) SURVEY 1983:
Reference
HKK 040/25
HKK04015
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INDEX
.....GISTRY
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FUTURE OF HONG KONG
Mr Forester-Bennett's minute of 17 January below. may remember details on Our 1983 file of the survey of Overseas Chinese and the associated panel discussion in London.
Mikic040/20
2.
I doubt if much reliance can be placed on the survey results, particularly as we know nothing in much detail about the basis on which the first group of respondents ("selected' target people") were actually selected! Overall, however, the most interesting points emerging from business/professional/
wage earning" respondents, most of whom were born in Hong Kong appear to me to be:
I
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
Hong Kong's stability and prosperity is placed "well above China's recovery of sovereignty in
order of importance; (Q1.)
56% believed that a unilateral announcement by China in September 1984 would adversely affect Hong Kong's stability and prosperity; (Q2.)
Hong Kong's interests come first in resolving the Hong Kong issue. China's come next (seemingly reflecting a growing realism) and Britain's third; (24.)
referendum
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High degree of support for a
24, but the purpose of any such referendum is not very clear from the question we raised as phrased!
Respondents put basic personal freedoms highest in their list of priorities for the future (95.). Maintenance of exsiting systems, judicial independence tie for second place (95).
Most respondents hoped to see Britain co-operate with China before 1997 to effect a smooth transfer of sovereignty; they also seem, understandably, to attach considerable importance to the notion of acceptability to Hong Kong of arrangements made;
(96.)
Most hope that China's predominant concern in Hong Kong will be the maintenance of 'existing policies and systems' there; (Q7.)
Hong Kong people should make their Own number priority the continuation of Hong Kong's stability/prosperity (Q8.)
(ix) Most respondents believed that overseas therope Chinese with an interest in Hong Kong could
best serve the Hong Kong cause by urging the British Government to take up its moral
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