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risks and it hasn't paid off, so what, do they think the world Owes them a living must fit in with PRC China realises it will have nothing if only a ghost city remains we can go elsewhere if we wish Hong Kong was great experience and the future will be extremely interesting to watch it is totally unacceptable that all must sign allegiance Communist Government to complete their careers Hong Kong will become an integral part of a communist state could consideration be given to introducing permanent officer of gratuity status localisation can only be achieved if conditions are improved - localisation should not be implemented at the cost of efficiency and standards of service especially in the field of law position of expatriate civil servants will become more difficult as 1997 approaches and a new regime of younger Chinese-speaking professionals establishes itself British links will weaken communication with Peking will be closed to foreigners expatriates working in Hong Kong not realising employment may cease without compensation are stupid expatriates have no right to demand any thing, or complain I am sick of hearing how England has betrayed the people of Hong Kong with this Agreement - China is the landlord and entitled to possession on expiry of the lease if an expatriate is prepared to work with Chinese colleagues as an advisor to make Hong Kong an autonomous part of China, he will be content, if not, he cannot expect to be I would like to remain and work in Hong Kong or even China providing no drastic changes
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my local colleagues are unsure what the future will bring my future is in the hands of my superiors and the U.K. Government - the Assessment Office is an expensive farce I would prefer to transfer to permanent and pensionable if the situation was stable there should be a strong push to STOP extensions of older expatriates beyond 55 at senior levels - promotion must be on merit not local or expatriate assistance to returning expatriates is required if they are not to become destitute before becoming eligible for national assistance understand why so many expatriate civil servants are worried, most have an easy time; good return for little effort local Chinese will tend to replace expatriates now it suits China to implement the Agreement, it may not always be so most of the questions are irrelevant if you don't get a new contract I am optimistic for the future of expatriates, they will be needed in certain areas of the Civil Service though there will be few recruited in future there is a danger of higher taxation - AECS should express informed opinion on 1997 issue and question proposals which affect not only membership but the community, however there is a limit to AECS's role, perhaps AECS effort should be channelled to interests of majority members i.e. renewals of contract, annual leave, retention of quarters two major world powers are unlikely to pay much heed to a small association such as AECS questions are too wide and general, will be valueless in forming a concrete overall view expatriates are employed on much better terms than locals therefore we shall be replaced as soon as possible - AECS should recognise and stop griping about protecting our rights, I may not be renewing my subscription to an association of old fashioned boring old wimps no reason to doubt China's sincerity Imany want to migrate so morale must be low expatriates will only be promoted so far irrespective of ability this will deter some expatriates from staying and therefore staff resources may turn out to be inadequate up to and beyond 1997 – we are witnessing
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the British tradition of giving its Colonies back to natives come what may Britain will conclude whe public opinion is to its own satisfaction whatever the residents feel or say Britain ignores bleating and is deaf to certain tones, witness Africa and Belize it is more fruitful to persuade China to continue present ways even agreement officers deserve career prospects I don't accept the "If you don't like it get out" philosphy, I like living and working here and will do so until my employment is terminated one way or another the 1997 issue has led to expatriates critically examining their prospects, with the hassle in contract renewals a large number of agreement officers will vote with their feet in the next couple of years morale is low, conversation is about leaving apart from this I'm concerned about the Daya Bay project, there is more potential danger in that to the future of Hong Kong, than the Draft Agreement expatriates are vestiges of a
colonial system communist governments rarely keep treaties unless forced to, look at SALT, Tibet, Shanghai & Vietnam - I expect a flight of the rich, middle class and heavy restrictions on expatriates but I hope to be pleasantly surprised many of us will be here in the late 1990's – questionnaire worded for permanent and pensionable officers, agreement officers have more pressing needs i.e. leave and passages, lack of medical treatment 1997 will be the end of Hong Kong as we know (love) it my contract finishes this year but I'm staying in Hong Kong, thank you for the opportunity to comment H.K. Government should come clean on promotion prospects for expatriates — a lot of expatriates will end up working as employees of consultant companies who will interpret and explain the Draft Agreement the Draft Agreement was completed with indecent haste and is better than anticipated due to the Hong Kong Government's efforts - the U.K. Government, after realising their naivety and bungling the P.M.'s visit, gave up the Hong Kong Government pressurised the U.K. Government into demanding some reassurances they would have done without the U.K. Government is not prepared to fight for the right to alter parts of the Draft which are not acceptable to the people of Hong Kong - localisation is being implemented for the purpose of statistics especially in some departments no international organisation has been included in the Draft Agreement to police functioning in practice I am not concerned with the 1997 situation which will have little short term effect, I am concerned about annual leave which is what AECS should be putting all its efforts into getting an extension down the Master Pay Scale.
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I would like to hand over a going concern in 1997 the Draft Agreement is not relevant to expatriates on agreement - I have absolutely no confidence in the future behaviour of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office the past record is there to see the London School of Economics graduates influence is apparent, even Mrs Thatcher is aware of it expatriates must look elsewhere for fulfilling careers questionnaire too lengthy and com- plex personally I don't trust a communist government especially with a track record like China - UK has sold HK people down the river China does not have a consistent government, leadership is seized, democracy does not play a part in China China has strong organisation in Hong Kong answerable only to Beijing -
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